Seven o'clock came faster than Alexandria had thought possible as the digital alarm clock, modified by American witches and wizards through the use of runes to run off magic instead of electricity, went off. One hand slapped out from under the covers to turn the damn thing off. Once..twice...thrice is the charms as her hand smacked the off bar. A tired groan on her left told all she needed to know about the status of Natasha being up. "Sorry babe" she said yawning as she sat up and stretched. "Breakfast begins to be served at 7:30am on the dot and I thought we could use a little bit before hand to shower & change before we head down. I promised Jane we would be down there to meet them for breakfast when they came down and I don't want to disappoint her" she said rubbing her eyes.
"Then instead of two separate showers like we have been doing why don't you just shower with me? We're already married or have you not realized that?" Natasha asked sarcastically through a yawn and stretch of her legs.
Alexandria blushed and looked down to her lap. She actually liked the idea if she was honest with herelf, particularly since Natasha almost exclusively slept in a nightie that left little to the imagination, but couldn't explain her own hesitation. Maybe it was because she didn't want the redhead to see the scars she bore because of the Dursleys or her poor self-image and doubts of her looks born of the Dursleys abuse that although was being reinforced that she was indeed beautiful, the damage was still there. "Promise me you won't get mad at what you see first" she said quietly. Althought the scars were plentiful and brutal, but faded at this point, from the Dursleys there were other scars she was deathly ashamed of: the scars she carved on herself from cutting herself to make herself dizzy from self-inflicted pain and blood loss to make what happened to her hazy even for a little bit.
Natasha was awake entirely in a moment and crystal clear focused on Alexandria at the quiet request. She knew Alex bore abuse scars but why would she ask for a promise not lose her cool at what she saw unless... Her eyes were wide in a flash at the implication. The only reason that came to her mind that made sense was to counter-act the abuse pain she hurt herself to make it all distant for any length of time. Sitting up in a jolt she pulled her Raven into her arms and held her tight as she nuzzled her nose lovingly into the long locks. "Alex, nothing on you will make me think less of you or love you any less than I do right now. Remember how I said you're like me, a survivor and survivor smart? That includes finding...ways to cope with our pain" she said softly. "I love you for what you are and who you are. I don't care about scars."
Alexandria sagged limply into Natasha scared for a momemt that the redhead would ask questions. Her words though brought relief into her muscles as a single solitary tear fell down her cheek. As much as she loved the redhead, it was scary and overwhelming sometimes at how strong the feelings were, she was afraid of what she might think when she found out about her younger habit of cutting to escape the pain of her life. None of her former 'friends' or acquantainces knew, her aunt uncle and cousin never knew & she was certain they would have told her to kill herself to save them the trouble if they did & she had often heard the horror stories about the people you love finding out you harmed yourself and them turning on you in a way demanding answers they'd never fully be able to understand. "You promise?" she asked in soft weak voice.
"On my honor, my soul and every single drop of love I have in my heart for you" Natasha promised. "You are more than your scars just like I'm more than mine."
Alexandria nodded and worked herself free of Natashas grip. She trusted the redheads word and once she was on her feet she stripped the little she wore to bed off. Her back was littered with with criss-crossing scars like she was beaten raw with a flogger, one scar looked like a healed over stab wound dangerously near her spine, there were healed & faded burn scars along her shoulders. Her legs were relatively scar free but as she removed her sleep shorts the scars she had always been ashamed of most came to light, the straight and jagged cuts lining the inside of thighs told a cruel story that the trembling of her body only added to.
Natasha felt her own eyes water at the sight. She had suspected it was bad, really bad, but this...this was far worse than she had imagined it to be. It took a lot not to let the tears she wanted to fall escape as she was out of bed in a moment and pulling Alexandria to her tightly. Her hands felt more scars on her wifes stomach like she had been beater with glass studded belt or cut with dull knives as rained soft loving kisses up from Alexs shoulder to her ear. "I don't care about scars my beautiful Raven. You survived all this and you have me now. I'm never letting another one come upon you ever again. If I have to murder every person trying so I don't care. No one is hurting my angel ever again I promise" she whispered as despite her best efforts a few tears did fall.
Feeling the droplets hit her shoulders Alexandrias trembled ceased for a moment before they lessened as she turned in Natashas grasp and kissed her. A part of her knew that if she didn't bear the scars she did she could have been a swimsuit model if she was a muggle but her scars read like a roadmap telling of every abuse she suffered under the sun, except sexual abuse, at the hands of others and her own hand. "You'll make me believe you if you say it like that" she whispered softly against the redheads lips.
"You should because I mean it. I will kill or cripple anyone who ever tries to bring harm to you in my presence" Natasha said with a quiet fierceness that spoke of the fierce love that filled her being for Alex. Letting the girl go for a moment she stripped down exposing her own scars, nowhere near as gruesome Alexs but just numerous- healed over bullet wounds, faded stab wounds and the like- from her time served as a Russian operative before she flipped to work for S.H.I.E.L.D. came into view. The gentle touch that momentarily laid siege to one particularly long scar along her ribs made her shiver as it brought memories with an ex-KGB operative who tried to bring her in when all Black Widow trainees were recalled and she refused. She may have escaped with her life and the scar but the man hadn't been so lucky. "Like I said love, we are more than our scars. Our life involves moments that explain why we have them but they do not define who we are as people." The words were soft spoken breaking Alexandira from the momentary trance before she took her raven haired wifes hand and tugged her toward the attached bathroom near their bed.
A short time later the pair emerged from the shower and dressed to impressed, more like show off really. Too many people were already jealous that Alexandria was by no means available and Natasha really wanted to rub it in. Plus if the two of them were going to play mom & mom to a bunch of kids, she had to look her best right? Set a good example about leading with your best foot forward and all that junk. "Alex, hurry up and stop fussing about which blouse is best for your skirt. You're beautiful in all of them love and they all go well with you plaid skirt" she parking her butt against the galley countertop. "Not like we don't only have ten minutes til breakfast starts and if our kids are as early risers are we are than they'll be there before us and I know you said you don't want to disappoint Jane."
Alexandria pouted and grabbed her off white blouse. "Thats just mean to use against me! You don't have to worry about picking stuff out since you're used to doing this for public view, this is going to be my first time really trying to look good in public as my true self" she said complaining as she pulled it on over her head.
"The only reason I don't worry is because I have always dressed to fit what makes me feel good, sexy and comfy; I do not dress for public opinion to say 'Damn shes hot'. Which is something I already know by the by. If it makes you feel beautiful babe then screw public opinion. You could walk around in sweatpants, a tank top and no make-up with your hair as nappy as a bird nest & I would still call you the most beautiful creature in the world and mean it from the bottom of my heart. I mean I might gouge someones eyes out so they don't see it because they aren't worthy but ya" Natasha said shrigging as she adjusted her cream turtleneck and slacks.
"Thats what your supposed to sa- Did you just call them our kids?" Alexandria asked turning her head sharply on a swivel.
"Considering you went all moma bear on them last night, Jane in particular as she snuggled up into your free side looking up at you with eyes that were starlight twinkle bright while you lectured them about the teachers, yes. Yes I did. Not that I mind. Seeing you be so attentive to those kids who know nothing about this school and do it so in a way that screamed 'Fuck with my kids and I'll maul you to shreds' is something to endear me more to you than I already am" Natasha said with a tiny smirk as Alexandria blushed. "Plus I think it'll be good practice for if or when we decide we want to be moms ourselves."
"When love, not if but when. I do want those beautiful girls you promised me one day." Alexandria did a quick brush of her wand to straighten her hair out and tie it into a loose ponytail as her bangs framed her face. "Lets go, I do not intend to make our kids wait for their mothers to be late for breakfast" she said after a quick final check in the mirror to make sure the glamour was in place under the runes sewn into her blouse. The last thing they needed was questions asked she refused to answer to anyone but Natasha when she was ready to talk about the torture she endure.
"Tell me why I feel like the husband between the two of us" Natasha said rolling her eyes as she followed Alexandria out through the painting. A long glance back made sure the door swung shut and the lock clicked before she tapped her wand on the frame activating the sigil that would only grant her or Alex entrance.
"Because much like Moose, despite your softness you have a mile long butch streak" Alexandria said with a smirk before she took off running toward the Great Hall as she laughed.
It took Natasha a moment to register the 'insult' before she took off after Alexandria as she let out a loud mock indignant yell for her to stop though her lips had the ghost of a smile tugging at the very edges. As long as Alexandria could laugh and be happy with her even if they were in a place associated with people who caused her raven haired partner pain & anger than it was all well. It was better if she could change the perception even slightly for Alex like she planned too.
Jane watched amused as she and the others came down to see both Alexandria & Natasha waiting as promised though they were pre-occupied with the redhead tickling Alex whose back was to the wall. "Ahem" she said loudly clearing her throst as she smiled lightly.
Between quiet giggles Alexandria looked over as she grabbed Natasha hands with her own ceasing the tickling. "H-hey" she said catching her breath. "How'd you guys sleep last night?"
Janice and Samantha rolled their eyes as Jane went on to say she & the wonder triplets, with a rather pointed look at them & Kelly as she said it, slept fairly well since they were dorm mates though Kelly protested that she did not snore. "Come off it baby sis, you snore like a freight train after a heavy meal and god help us if every meal is as heavy as last nights was. We won't sleep at all unless we get one of the older girls to show us a spell to silence your bed at night" Sam said.
"I can show ya. I learned how to do that a long while back. Its really easy and if you use in combo with the sticking charm it works better when you cose the curtains around your bed for uninterrupted sleep" Alexandria said.
Jane looked hopeful and gave a cute pleading look at the raven haired older girl. "Pwetty pwease with sugar quills on top" she said pouring on the charm only a cute naive first year girl could hope to pull off.
Alexandria took one look and crumbled like a wet paper bag. Escaping Natashas pin she slipped over and hugged the adorable little blonde. "After breakfast you adorable little thing" she said running a hand through Janes hair. She nearly laughed as a soft sound almost like a purr escaped the blonde witches throat and butted her head into the fingers running along her scalp like a cat seeking more ear scratches. "Aw, that makes you a hundred times more adorable! Can we keep her love? Please!"
The remaining girls laughed as Michael groaned out it was too early for this amount of chaos. "Can we just go in and eat? Mushy girly overload is not ideal to start the morning" he said through a yawn.
Natashas laugh faded last as she shook her head in amusement. It was a smart idea to say early that these six first years were their kids and even after a quick inspection mentally Alexandria had agreed. "You can't keep a person as a pet even if she is incredibly adorable, sweet and reacts like a cat if her current reaction says anything" she said not bothering to hide the amusement in her voice.
"I can shed light on that. Its something our mother always did before she passed on and we were made wards of the state. She'd sit down with us and read to us when we were little. Jane would curl up into mums side and nearlly doze by the time tbe book being read to us was done since mum would run her fingers through her hair without thinking about it" Michael said as he entered the hall first. The sound of steps behind him told of the others following behind him.
Alexandrias eyes softened looking down to the girl snuggled happily into her side. So Jane and Michael were orphans like her then? Michael hadn't mentioned their dad so either the pair didn't know their dad or they were taken from him for one reason or another. "Well if you guys don't mind a little oddness you're welcome in mine and Nats room. After classes, your homework is done for classes of course and you know you have enough time to get back to Gryffindor tower before curfew" she offered. "If you just want to hang out, need help studying or with your work, whatever really. That goes for all of you" she said gently pushing Jane to seat herself correctly to make her plate of breakfast.
"Cool." Karin shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly as she spooned some eggs and slices of bacon onto her plate beside pieces of fresh fruit.
While the group of eight talked about anything and everything under the sun more students, the early risers, began to trickle in. By half past eight the Great Hall was alive with conversation and bodies. Hooting reached Alexandrias ears before a veritable horde of post owls flooded the Hall. Nearly every student was dropped the morning post containing a special nationwide issue of the Daily Prophet that made the raven haired girls blood boil at the headline as she tore the paper to shreds.
EXTINCTION OF ANCIENT AND NOBLE HOUSE OF POTTER ON THE HORIZION? ALBUS DUMBLEDORE SEEMS TO CLAIM IT SO! by editor in-chief Vincent Fontaine
Up at the staff table Dumble smirked smugly around the lip of his tea mug spotting Alexandrias reaction. This would do nicely indeed. Rile her up and let her make her own mistakes, Alexandria Potter would dance to his tune if he had to turn the entirety of magical England against her. A terrible cutting sound interrupted his thoughts before agonizing pain filled his mind. Looking down at his wrist, which was bleeding, he saw to black Xs carve deep enough into his flesh the bone was visible.
"It is with absolute certainty that this reporter, with all integrity unlike many Daily Prophet writers who spin the harn and sensationalize the facts into fiction, will sit before the ICW at the next meeting to present the evidence of attempted bribery and threats directed to my family by one Chief Warlock Albus Percival Brian Wulfric Dumbledore to defame our saviour. Such a corrupt individual whose outdated views are corrupting a democratic system to rig it in his favor deserves to be stripped of all his titles, his magic sealed and sent to Azkaban for the rest of his life like he tried to do to the honorable Lord Black he tried to frame for being instrumental in the attack by You-Know-Who that led to the murders of the former Lord and Lady Potter. You wanted me to print a story slandering the heroine who saved our country? Fat chance of that. My Ladies Potter if you are reading this, my deepest congratulations on your nuptials and may your happiness last for Albus Dumbledores shall not once I show the ICW control board proof of his dealings." Minerva looked over at Dumbledore with looks equally suspicious of the article but equally of the aged wizard who looked ready to kill. "Is there truth to these accusations Albus?"
"Don't be ridiculous!" Dumbledore snapped irritably. When he looked back over Alexandria, the redheaded wench she married and the group of first years were gone! How much worse could things get for him?! If the ICW control board saw the mans memory live from tbe pensieve or questioned him with verasiterium he was sank.
Out on the grounds cursing could be heard as careless motions of Alexandrias hands carved trenched thanks the chaotic magic spikes creating vicious claw like drills. "That ancient dick sucking ass tonguing mother fucker! How dare he!"
While Alexandria raged Natasha did her best to keep their first year kids back but Jane slipped her side. "Jane wait! Its not safe!" she called out reaching for the blonde girl.
Jane didn't listen feeling a calling in her blood to be right there to help Alexandria. The older girl was not just her big sister, a fact she cemented in her mind already, but even her naiveness of magic told her that there more wrong here and she could help if only by way of helping to calm Alex down slightly. Throwing herself at the raven haired girls back she hugged her tight around the waist pleading with her to calm. Her self preservation instincts screamed at her to run, that she was in danger, but she wouldn't and couldn't let Aledandria suffer the anger & rage she was feeling right then. "Please mum... Don't do this to Michael and I again. We can't lose you again, not to the darkness" she pled with tears brimming in her eyes.
Alexandria stopped dead in her tracks, an inky black drill claw of magic snapping the Whomping Willow in half, hearing that quiet heartbreaking plea from Jane. She suspected that the blonde wasn't even thinking just who she was trying to calm when it escaped her lips. The darkness she was feeling and the rage in her heart fled as she gently pried Janes hands from around her, not an easy task mind you, before turning & kneeling down so they were eye level. The bone squeezingly tight hug that came after wasn't resisted as she felt the girls tears soak into her blouse. "I...I'm sorry you all had to see that..." she said loud enough for them all to hear though her eyes remained on Janes trembling form trying to find as much purchase against her person as possible. "Especially you Jane..."
Michael, Karin, Janice, Kelly and Samantha all exchanged a nervous glance. So their kind elder sister had a dark side of her as well after all. It shouldn't have come as a surprise but seeing the pure destruction she was capable of when she was enraged was not intimidating but downright terrifying. "Its fine, you had every reason to be mad" Samantha said finding her voice first. "We wanted to make sure you didn't get yourself hurt from doing anything stupid while your anger ran shotgun. Thats what family does right? Look out for each other."
Natasha was pleasantly surprised by how calmly the girl was speaking even as her hands trembled a little still. To watch Alexandria go pretty much go Hulk Smash because of the schools headmaster threatening and trying to bribe a reporter to write a slanderous defaming article & then having enough copies come into Hogwarts so nearly every student had their own copies was not coincidence. 'That asshole planned it!' she thought with a mental sneer.
"You shouldn't have had to see me like that. I try to keep my anger away from the people who matter to me for this very reason. It tends to..explode outwards like that" Alexandria said slowly as she inclined her head to the separated halves of the Whomping Willow. "But I promise you're not losing me. Not to the darkness I try to bury in the darkest recesses of my heart away from the light of day, not to anything for a long while to come." Alexandrias voice dropped to a near whisper as she gently tilted Janes head up and said somthething only she could hear once their eyes met while wiping the tear tracks from her face.
Though none of tbe other kids could known what was being said, perhaps Michael could since his hands clenched slightly with a gleam of hope in his eyes, Natasha read the words off Alexandrias before a soft rose colored glow enveloped her and Jane. 'Mum promises to try harder for you and your siblings' was what was said. There wasn't the silver glow associated with a vow or promise so what did this rose color glow mean? Her eyes narrowed for a moment before widening slightly as she could now give a good guess as streaks of black began to appear in both siblings hair and streaks of blonde like molten gold joined the dyed red & blue bangs of Alexs hair. "Michael, go to your sister" she said giving the boy a light nudge.
Michael didn't need a second invitation before he was making quick strides to the pair of witches. He was folded into the hug before the rose color glow returned surrounding them all and cemented a crimson chain-like thread of magic between the three of them. "Shes alright Jane. We'll make it through , together. As a family" he said softly as he hugged his sister while Alexandrias arms wrapped around them both.
"Yes we will" Alexandria said quietly as she kissed the tops of both siblings heads.
A/N: so two strikes in less than a day, a bit extreme yes but the third will come when its absolutely critical later in the year. What happens after strike three? Wait and see. What will Alex do with the knowledge that Jane and Michael are orphans like her? Will she find a way to help them out? Will she do something more extreme like work the legal loopholes of the magical world to magically adopt them into iHouse Potter as actual siblings or will her moma bear instincts drive her to make them hers & Natashas kids by way of blood adoption? What in the name of merlin and morgana is that red glow associated with? What will she do about the other four? Only time will tell.