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A/N: To those who didn't make the connection in regards to the Sirius lookalike Odette bumped into in Liberty Lane last chapter, it was Regulus Black.
Chapter 24:
The Wizengamot Chamber was jam-packed with not only the Minister of Magic, the Senior Undersecretary to the Minister, the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, the Court Scribe and its fifty members, but a myriad of reporters and a plethora of Albus Dumbledore adulators crammed in the visitors box, all of whom foregathered to observe Gellert Grindelwald's trial and see justice be served. Due to the fact that Albus Dumbledore was still seeking treatment and was unconscious in a private ward in St. Mungo's, Tiberius Ogden would be taking the mantle of Chief Warlock until his old friend's recovery.
Amongst the throng of Dumbledore devotees, an inconspicuous woman with short-cropped mousy brown hair and identical eyes stood tall and proud, an evil grin curved on her lips; Odette Arielle Potter wasn't about to miss out witnessing Grindelwald's trial, not after all the hard work she put into capturing the fraud she had a vendetta against ever since the age of five. She took a vindictive pleasure in watching the pallid German Dark Lord escorted to the chained seat in the middle of the Chamber, and hearing the satisfied clink as he became shackled and bound was like music to her ears. The disguised Odette couldn't help but focus intently on the horrified miens of Remus Lupin, Angelica Warren-Black, and Lily Potter in the visiting box, as well as Sirius Black and James Potter in their respective Lord seats, and she mentally cackled with joy at watching their pallid miens and grief-stricken expressions. Let them feel the guilt over supporting a Dark Lord for more than a decade; Odette Potter reveled in their negative emotions as though it were a highly sought out drug.
Brown orbs dulled in boredom as Madam Amelia Bones carried on with normal procedure in a monotone; Odette only cared to hear how Grindelwald's bastard daughter made the switch, not listen in to the inane propaganda he was spouting off regarding his sinister machinations. Finally, Odette's camouflaged plump form straightened in her seat as Madam Amelia Bones inquired, "How did you escape from Nurmengard and make the switch with Albus Dumbledore?"
The Wizengamot Chamber went deathly silent, not wanting to miss out a single word, and hundreds of pairs of eyes watched as the Veritaserum forced the German Dark Lord to utter the truth; Gellert's face transformed into an expression of insane glee as dark chuckles pervaded the air, "Fifty years ago when my forces were beginning to rise with power, I came across a beautiful Muggle. Muggles are meant to bow at our feet. We are superior to them, and they are nothing but slaves, cattle meant for slaughtering and chaining! She bumped into me, and I sensed her …innocence," a lewd expression took hold of his features prompting nearly all the spectators to recoil in disgust, "Naturally, I raped her and left her for dead." He said it in such a matter-of-fact tone, that even the dogmatic purebloods sneered in revulsion, but Odette chalked it up to them being disgusted over the fact that a wizard initiated sexual intercourse with a 'filthy muggle'. Gellert smirked at the sight of Madam Bones' nauseated visage and the Veritaserum compelled him into continuing, "As it turned out, the Muggle survived and nine months later, birthed my child-"
A cacophony of enraged muttering permeated the Chamber, interrupting the German Dark Lord from his forced confession. Tiberius Ogden had to bang the gavel across the marbled surface several times to call for order in the Wizengamot. Madam Bones shot a nasty glare at the fifty members before prompting Grindelwald to continue.
"Eighteen years ago, there was a sudden change in rota, and five guards led by one, Adolf Müller were hauling your unconscious esteemed Leader of the Light, and I became a free wizard once more," a satisfied evil grin etched onto his twisted features, "My bastard daughter discovered her true heritage and began planning my freedom and schemes for world domination. She managed to secure a post at Hogwarts four years before she liberated me; and with her position and the trust of Dumbledore and his peers, she successfully overpowered the unsuspecting fool in a secluded section in the castle."
Pandemonium ensued; shocked miens gaped in horror at the German Dark Lord, unable to believe the daughter of Grindelwald had been teaching at Hogwarts for over two decades while they were attending… while their children had been attending. Tiberius Ogden was too dumbfounded to bang the gravel once more for silence, and once Madam Bones recovered from her shock, she loudly articulated over the commotion, "What is her name?! Tell us the name of your daughter, or her alias?!"
The maelstrom dimmed down unanimously as Gellert Grindelwald smugly opened his mouth and articulated two words that would once again, without a doubt, cause a tumultuous uproar.
"Septima Vector!"
Odette Potter departed from the chamber amidst the havoc and mutinous yelling; her vendetta against the impersonator for aiding in her abysmal childhood had reached its fruition.
One down, many more to go!
***THE FORGOTTEN POTTER***
A month had gone by since Gellert Grindelwald's cataclysmic trial, and while the British Ministry of Magic went through all lengths to capture the previous Arithmancy Professor, and Magical Britain where in a state of fear and fury, Odette Potter was reveling in the chaos she aided in creating. Septima Vector managed to depart Hogwarts before the Wizengamot trial, and now her face was plastered all over the Daily Prophet, the Quibbler, and even the muggle news, along with a hefty reward for her capture. Their German counterpart also posted Vector's name everywhere, along with the notorious German Auror, Adolf Müller who betrayed his oath, and Nurmengard went through an entire cleansing of Grindelwald supporters before finally locking up the aforementioned Dark Wizard in a high security cell, guarded by five loyal aurors and protected with a myriad of watertight wards, not wanting a repetition from eighteen years ago where they were sorrowfully, arrogantly complacent with the securement of the prisoners.
Albus Dumbledore was finally released from St. Mungo's and safely ensconced at Hogwarts where he was trying to acclimatize as Headmaster after his eighteen-year stint in Nurmengard before the beginning of a new term and the arrival of the young wizards and witches. Amelia Bones interrogated him in regards to the individuals who rescued him, but unfortunately, Dumbledore was of no help since he was comatose until his awakening at St. Mungo's a fortnight ago.
Minerva, Filius, Pomona and Hagrid barely allowed him room to breathe as they constantly coddled him, their minds addled with unadulterated guilt; it wasn't until a week after his return, did Albus finally revel in the peace and quiet. The portraits of the previous Headmasters and Headmistresses summarized the events of the past eighteen years in hopes of aiding him, but the milestone was his own pensieve; Gellert had been pouring bountiful memories during his entire imprisonment into the pensieve, and Albus wasted no time in taking the plunge, desperate to know what changes his ex-friend made.
Soft blue eyes were devoid of its customary twinkle as he witnessed the catastrophic events pass by before his very eyes; Gellert ceased his desperate and futile attempts at House Unity and encouraged bigotry between the Houses, mainly Gryffindor and Slytherin. Albus sorrowfully witnessed the termination of Severus Snape and Lily Evan's friendship, the catalyst that pushed Severus Snape into Voldemort's unmerciful clutches. A gleam of delight passed through Albus' wizened face at witnessing James finally succeed in charming the lovely Lily Evans, and he smiled fondly as he observed their wedding, followed by Sirius Black's proposal to his old friend, Alexander Warren's granddaughter. Never would Albus have expected the famed womanizer to settle down, and he grieved at missing out on two of his favorite students' evolution into mature adults. However, Albus' joy was short-lived once Sibyll uttered the prophecy and he was forced to watch Gellert manipulate Severus into turning a spy, and concealing his knowledge over Peter Pettigrew's betrayal.
The moment Albus had been most curious of arrived; the birth of Odette and Charlus Potter. Naturally, Minerva confided in him that Odette Potter had been the anonymous student who discovered the truth of his imposter and his liberation, and Albus was intrigued with observing her growth process. A twinkle introduced himself at the intrinsic cleverness the barely week-old infant possessed; whenever Pettigrew or Gellert so much as held her, she would wail at the top of her tiny lungs, her magic obviously sensing the darkness within, which is why he gaped unattractively once Gellert announced Odette Potter to be a squib after Voldemort's defeat on Halloween, a feat he would definitely be investigating into. Albus' mien turned sullen as he watched all but Sirius and Angelica ignore Odette's existence and his disappointment in his colleagues and favorite students was overwhelming.
How could they entirely believe Odette to be a squib? Why, Albus would have urged them to check with a certified Healer for a second opinion! And even IF Odette had been a squib, they should not have mistreated her and alienated her due to Charlus' hailed status as the Boy-Who-Lived.
Albus recalled James and Lily's nature before his unjust incarceration; James, despite his mischief-making and pranking ways, was a devoted wizard when it came to family, what with his upbringing by Charlus and Dorea. James should have doted on his daughter and portray overprotectiveness over any wrongdoing towards her. Lily Evans was a natural mother, even at a young age, and the vivacious redhead had such compassion… what went wrong? Did fame go to their heads?
Next, he watched the many birthday celebrations made for Charlus, and his heart went out to the cherubic redhead; despite them being twins, her birthday had never been acknowledged and Albus mournfully watched as James gave Sirius an ultimatum over Odette that led to her complete alienation. Charlus was such an arrogant little boy, more so than James had ever been, and it was unacceptable. Once the twins reached the age of four, Odette completely disappeared, never to be spoken of or seen again until her Hogwarts letter arrived, and Albus felt a pang in his chest as he noticed her emotionless visage and haunted eyes, and yet, what scared the Leader of the Light, was that Odette Potter outperformed Tom Riddle in their detached emotions. Albus had never been bigoted regarding the four houses at Hogwarts, and he watched with shame as Gellert, James and Lily tried bulldozing the eleven-year-old into a resorting.
Once he was regurgitated from his pensieve, Albus forlornly sat on his customary seat and began hatching a plan to restore all that Gellert ruined; his soft blue eyes focused intently on the Elder Wand his loyal phoenix returned. Probing his familiar, Albus only managed to discover that young Odette Potter kept it safe for him and called Fawkes to return the wand back into his possession.
Yes, a meeting with Odette Potter would definitely be taking place once she returns to Hogwarts for her second year.
***THE FORGOTTEN POTTER***
Odette, Daphne, Tracey, Aaron, Blaise and Nott were congregated in the drawing room of Malfoy Manor as Draco's guests. Despite her attempts in keeping a distance from the six Slytherins – much to Lexi and Lee's ire – Odette was slowly beginning to form a strong bond with them after the many visits during the seven weeks of summer. After Gellert Grindelwald's trial, Odette balanced her free time between visiting Asgard where she trained with Frigga and Loki and sparred with Thor, spending leisure time with Lexi, Lee and sometimes Bree in Georgia, traveling to the Flamel chateau at France with Nicholas and Perenelle, spending lazy afternoons with Harry and educating him in magic and a variety of subjects, and hanging out with the six Slytherins at their respective manors. Odette assumed her role as Shadow Swan only once around four weeks ago when she assassinated the perverted group of rapists and drug-dealers in Milan, thus beginning to spread fear in Italy.
"So, rumor has it, you've been dubbed as the Ice-Queen of Hogwarts," Daphne grinned at Odette, who scowled in disbelief. Before Odette could erupt into her famous temper, Tracey giggled and added, "Uh-huh, Daph and I were given the title of Ice-Princesses."
Gaping at the hyper brunette, and ignoring the guffaws coming from the four boys, Odette arched an eyebrow and pursed her lips in distaste, "That makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. Trace is anything but frigid and impassive. In fact, you're annoyingly chipper and optimistic."
"Yeah, but she's one of your best friends, so the title falls on her regardless of her cheerful disposition," Aaron smirked. Odette scoffed loudly and averted eye-contact, "I don't know where you got that assumption from, Aaron. We're not best friends, merely… acquaintances that spend a lot of time together."
Odette's statement had six pairs of eyes rolling in exasperation; the six Slytherins had long ago got used to the fact that Odette had problems opening up to new people and always downplayed their bond of friendship. Blaise sent Odette a deadpanned stare, "Dee, you're in denial. Stop pushing us away, we're your friends."
"Did it EVER cross your minuscule minds that I. DON'T. WANT. any friends," Odette sneered, pervading the room in an uncomfortable silence, they were intimidated by the redhead's raging temper and wisely decided to keep their mouths shut. "Friends are nothing but a weakness, and I am not weak," she hissed, her emeralds glowing with anger and a smidge of sadness, "Why can't you accept that I don't want to, nor would I ever want to be friends?!"
Daphne met the redhead's ire head on, "The same reason why you cannot admit that we ARE your friends no matter how much you try to push us away."
"I know Slytherins are notorious for their slyness and cunning ways," Theo quietly spoke up, "We are rumored to always have an agenda when befriending others, but that's mostly hogwash. We understand that you like your independence and have many secrets, and we never badgered you into confiding in us. We respect your privacy and we never confessed to our parents that you are the anonymous student that unveiled the imposter."
There was a sharp intake of breath from the redhead at Theo's words, and her emeralds widened in shock and surprise as she took in the five other Slytherin's knowing miens and nodding heads. "You knew? You all knew…? How?!" she snapped, her stance subtly morphing into a protective stance and her hand twitched to reach out for one of her hidden daggers that were always on her person. There was a brush against her Occlumency shield and Divus' voice pervaded her mind, My Queen, your denial and stubbornness shall be your downfall. Trust them my Queen, trust them! Not only will they be beneficial allies, but they are genuinely loyal to you. Simultaneously, Shiva, who was invisible and coiled around her wrist, hissed, I smell no deception or falsehoods from them, mistress. These hatchlings are being honest.
"We're Slytherins, Dee," Draco shrugged in response, "You started disappearing on us, and looked like a witch on a mission. Plus, Blaise and Tracey saw you with Madam Bones and Professor Snape the day Grindelwald was arrested into Ministry custody, that paired with the Daily Prophet clipping of an anonymous student and it wasn't hard to connect the dots."
Rendered speechless by Draco's admission, Odette felt as though she were at an impasse; the Shadow Swan in her wanted to spill blood, cause carnage, and leave no witness behind, but the joint urgings of Divus and Shiva, the many lectures of Lee, Lexi and Bree, and her own covert feelings of kinship with the six Slytherins had her pause, deeply confused as a war waged in the recess of her mind. Just as the six Slytherins grew increasingly uncomfortable with the long beat of silence, Rodolphus and Lucius walked into the drawing room, both sporting a disgruntled expression on their handsome visages.
"Father, what's wrong?" Draco asked, inwardly grateful for the disruption from the tense ambience.
Fuming, Lucius poured himself a glass of mulled mead from the decanter and waved for Rodolphus to speak after offering him a glass as well. Staring down at the children, Rodolphus grimaced, "We were just at a meeting with the Board of Governors, due to Grindelwald impersonating Dumbledore, and Quirrell attacking the Boy-Who-Lived, Lily Potter will be taking Vector's place as the Arithmancy Professor and James Potter is replacing McGonagall as the Transfiguration Professor to keep better watch over their precious son."
That unsettling proclamation snapped Odette from her reverie and she gaped at Rodolphus and Lucius' grim miens in mounting horror, "You're joking right? Please tell me this is all just some elaborate hoax…"
"Funny, I said the same thing," Lucius drawled, flashing Odette a sorrowful look, "Unfortunately, this coming year both Potters shall be a part of Hogwarts staff."
"What about McGonagall?" Aaron demanded, "What's going to happen to her?"
"She'll remain Deputy Headmistress and Head of Gryffindor," Rodolphus forlornly uttered.
Minerva McGonagall may be an avid Dumbledore supporter and protective of her lions, but she, like Flitwick and Sprout, was fair… stern yet fair, demanding respect. With James Potter as part of the staff, there was no doubt over the fact that he would spread his bigoted views on Slytherin and severely show favoritism to Gryffindors while alienating the Slytherins and punishing them harshly.
"Great! Bloody brilliant. Now I get to see those two every damn day! What a dream come true," Odette drawled sarcastically, eliciting a mixture of humorous grins and pitying glances from the others assembled in the room. Lucius dragged a hand through his silky platinum hair, "I don't know about Odette, however, Draco, Aaron and Theo, you three are known children of alleged Death Eaters, beware Potter, and if he treats you unfairly, you let me know. Dolph and I are part of the Hogwarts Board of Governors; our position would hopefully protect you."
"And take care of Rhea as well," Rodolphus added before he left the room. His niece may be a Slytherin in mind, but she was a Hufflepuff at heart, and they feared James Potter singling her out would make her despondent. Aaron, Blaise and Draco vowed to protect their cousin from the bigoted Potters. Once the two adults left, they were once again engulfed in an uncomfortable silence as they all stared warily at Odette.
Odette Arielle Potter reached to a decision, and desperately hoped it wouldn't come to bite her in the ass; no matter what, she would always be an emotionless, hardcore assassin, evoking terror around the globe, but she wouldn't allow the Petrovich brothers to win, their indoctrination already affected her life, and it was time she made decisions based on her heart. Wandlessly, she reversed the invisibility spell on Shiva and grinned softly at the six wary Slytherins.
"This, is Shiva, my familiar other than Divus," Odette softly informed them, her emeralds focused intently on her Taipan Snake. Taking in a deep breath, the redhead took the plunge and hissed in Parseltongue, prompting loud gasps from her friends. Looking up at them, she flashed them a genuine smile, "Since we're all friends here, and since you kept my secret, I don't mind sharing that I am a Parselmouth."
The wariness etched on each of their miens morphed into awe as they all took turns in stroking the snake, who was milking all the attention solely placed on her. Aaron smirked at Odette, "That's bloody awesome, Dee!" and Odette was grateful to them when they didn't interrogate her on how she inherited Salazar Slytherin's most coveted gift. Maybe Lexi and Divus were right; Odette Arielle Potter picked the right people to befriend.
Later on in the future, Odette would never doubt her current decision, for together, the seven Slytherins would become formidable opponents and the best of friends.
***THE FORGOTTEN POTTER***
"I am proud of you, lítil stúlka," Frigga uttered in her mellifluous voice, her cerulean orbs sparkling with adoration. Odette shook her head fondly, ever since the age of three when Loki introduced her to Frigga, the kindly mother never once ceased calling her a little girl, and Odette doubted she ever would.
"What for, mama Frigga?"
Frigga settled her palm on an oak tree and closed her eyes, a serene expression taking over her beautiful mien, and without opening her orbs, said, "For opening up your heart, mind and soul to a different possibility. For reaching out. I do not choose to ignore who you have become, nor am I ignorant regarding your copious sins… I merely look at you and see the vibrant and compassionate three-year-old that was full of life. I have felt the dark and malicious energy that consumes you, and sensed the loneliness you deny. I witnessed the unmerciful glint in your captivating eyes, and observed as you transformed from an innocent flower to a ruthless killer," Frigga snapped open her cerulean eyes and turned to face a stupefied Odette squarely, "And yet, you allowed yourself to open up to a variety of seidhrs and evolved into a quasi-happy girl again. And for that, I am proud of you. Life is about taking risks, lítil stúlka, never forget that."
With a loud exhalation of breath, Odette took hold of her mother-figure's hand, "Tell me of what you see, mama Frigga."
Frigga's face radiated with exuberance as a beaming smile took over her features, "Ohhh, I see happiness, and love… a great bond of friendship. A family. You have chosen well, my lítil stúlka. Never doubt yourself. Now come, let's continue with our lesson before Loki and Thor grow impatient."
Odette giggled slightly and imitated Frigga's previous action; she emptied her mind, closed her eyes and placed her palm gently on the oak tree. Ever since Loki appeared to her at Liberty Lane, Odette frequently visited Frigga for tutoring. Apparently, it was time for the redhead to learn how to connect with nature, despite the fact that she was dark and held no patience for the environment. Frigga rebuked her, and listed off the many advantages of formulating a bond with nature. For the past seven weeks, the assassin grasped no progress in connecting with the trees and just as Odette was about to peevishly huff at her futile attempts, a breeze hit her face, and whisperings brushed past her shield and softly invaded her mind.
Odette Potter … the prophesized one … rejoice for the chosen one … dark yet equally pure … beware for what is to come … spirits talk … believe in us and we should aid you … believe … believe … have faith and believe …
She abruptly yanked her hand backward and released the trunk, and immediately, the many voices disappeared; emerald orbs snapped open to meet knowing cerulean ones. "You heard them, didn't you?" Frigga smiled softly, and Odette nodded mutely in response, staggered by what the voices imparted her with, "Like I said Odette Arielle, nature has a voice of their own. They are sentient and alive just as we. They flourish just like we do. And they obtain knowledge just like we do. I think that concludes our lesson for today. Ah, and just in time." Frigga beamed as her two sons strode toward them.
"Odette Arielle, Fjársjóður, come spar with me," Thor boomed jovially. Loki rolled his eyes at his brawny brother, "No. Grænn gimsteinn minn, forget about Thor. Let us visit the library."
Before an argument could break out, Odette cut in, "Actually, I am running late as it is. I'm supposed to be meeting my friends at Diagon to purchase the requirements for Hogwarts."
Thor blinked a few times before stating in palpable shock, "You have friends?" and while Frigga and Odette laughed at the comical expression on the blonde prince's face, Loki aggressively rolled his eyes and snapped, "Tactful as ever, brother. Truly, I am not surprised." The Silvertongue Prince opened up a can of worms as the two brothers instigated in a verbal combat of wits; shaking her head fondly at them, Odette embraced Frigga, "Whenever those two return to the present and notice that I'm gone, tell them I'll visit them soon. Bye mama Frigga."
The farewell coupled with the tinkling mellifluous laughter was the last thing the redhead managed to hear before she transported into a hidden alley behind Gringotts. Wandering aimlessly around Diagon Alley and ignoring the few gazes burning into her skull, emeralds finally widened in delight upon finding her friends huddled together by Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour.
"Dee! There you are," Tracey waved ecstatically before embracing the redhead in a suffocating hug. Odette barely stiffened at the contact as she was getting used to being in close proximity to individuals other than Lee, Lexi and Bree. "You're running late," Daphne stated, going straight to the point but all the same engulfing her in a hug. Odette rolled her eyes, "Oh forgive me, your majesty," she sarcastically quipped.
Aaron snorted and placed an arm around her shoulder as they ambled toward Flourish and Blotts, "You're the Ice Queen remember, we should be bowing down to you." Laughter erupted from them and Odette teasingly elbowed him in the ribs before her eyes widened at the packed store, "What the bloody hell? What's with the traffic jam of estrogen?"
Instead of deeming her inquiry with an answer, Theo mutely pointed at the large banner stretched across the upper windows: GILDEROY LOCKHART will be signing copies of his autobiography MAGICAL ME today 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and subsequently, the aforementioned wizard pompously strode up the stage and into view dressed in lurid robes of a forget-me-not blue that exactly matched his eyes and a pointed wizard's hat set at a jaunty angle on his dirty-blonde wavy hair. The myriad of large pictures of him winking and flashing dazzlingly white teeth grated on Odette's nerves, and she couldn't help but roll her eyes at the cacophony of adulated comments and sycophantic gazes of the female population, all of whom sported starry eyes that deeply nauseated her.
Perusing through her booklist, Odette sneered, "Who the hell would assign all his fictional books as our defense books this year?"
"Some stalking admirer of his for sure," Aaron snorted, his hand tightening on her shoulder as the crowd started bumping into them. In fact, Draco, Blaise and Theo ensured that Daphne and Tracey wouldn't get lost in the throng and the four boys were inwardly pleased that their three female friends weren't admiring the pompous prick like all the other brainless witches in the vicinity.
The seven Slytherins unsuccessfully tried drowning out the annoying voice of Lockhart until he suddenly yelled, "It can't be Charlus Potter!" and the next thing everybody knew, the photographer grabbed the aforementioned wizard and dragged him over to Lockhart who began boasting about them making the front page of the Daily Prophet together.
"Ugh, looking at them makes me sick," Odette groaned, "Let's just get all the required books and leave quickly before James and Lily finds me." The other six agreed immediately and made a mad dash to collect all their books, simultaneously groaning in annoyance when Lockhart jubilantly announced that he would be taking up the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts.
Fuming, Daphne violently slammed her books against the counter and icily snapped, "Great! Just what we needed. Another year of us sleeping through Defense. Are they completely incapable of hiring a certified and competent teacher, for Merlin's sake!"
"Odette? What are you doing here, we've been searching for you all mor-," James Potter's words drowned out as his hazel orbs skimmed the group his daughter was congregated with, "Odette Arielle Potter! How dare you hang out with these-these Slytherins! Come, we're going home young lady!" he left no room for argument, but his eyes flashed with anger when he noted how the Lestrange boy's arm tightened around his daughter protectively when he took a step toward her.
Odette arched a crimson brow at her so-called father and sneered in a Slytherin worthy tactic, her emerald orbs gazing nonchalantly at Charlus, Lily, Sirius and Angelica as they joined the fray, "And what, pray tell makes you think that I want to go anywhere with you lot? I AM a Slytherin, and I remain with my own, James. Leave before you make a scene and an even more incredible fool of yourself, it wouldn't do to tarnish our precious Boy-Who-Lived's image with Daily Prophet reporters swarming the place, now, would we?"
"I am your father young lady, and you will listen to m-"
"Is there a problem, children?" Lucius Malfoy's silky drawl pervaded the tense atmosphere, and the Slytherins, excluding Odette, breathed a sigh of relief as Narcissa, Rodolphus, Rabastan, Bellatrix and Esmeralda joined Lucius, all of whom glared intently at the Potters and the Blacks. James sneered at the Malfoy Patriarch, "I'm here for my daughter, Malfoy!"
Rabastan moved forward and placed a comforting hand on Odette's shoulder, grinning mischievously as James' eyes darkened at the skin-contact, "Now, now, Potter. No need for that. Odette is coming back to the manor with us for lunch, so you can all move along, wouldn't want to make a scene."
"My daughter isn't going anywhere with you Death Eaters!" Lily snarled, adding in her input. The Weasley clan approached them, each redhead glaring at the Slytherins with malice and Sirius quickly intervened before his best friend made a colossal mistake, "James, Odette clearly wants to remain with them, let's leave. C'mon."
Bellatrix smirked, "Excellent suggestion, cousin. It seems you do actually have a brain," and without giving the Gryffindorks a moment to retort, the formidable witch took hold of Rhea and Odette's hands and dragged them out of the suffocating bookstore, "Come along, children!"
James and Lily glared maliciously at the retreating backs of the Death Eaters while Sirius gaped in shock at the tender care and love his deranged cousin, Bella just portrayed with not only her family by blood, but his goddaughter who had not even an inkling of relation with her.
"I think I entered the twilight zone," Sirius muttered to Angelica whose cornflower blue eyes were glaring a hole into the back of James and Lily's head regarding their despicable behavior in a public place, and their prejudiced words to upstanding Lords and Ladies of Magical Britain, despite their Death Eater status.
***THE FORGOTTEN POTTER***
There was a distinctive scuttling resonating in Nott Manor, tiny claws clashing against the marbled floor, and a fat rat slid under the door of Lord Rigel Nott's study. The aforementioned wizard sat rigidly on his upholstered chair, icy blue eyes piercing the rodent, his lips forming a distasteful sneer, and with a tiny flick of his wand, he forced the vile rodent into transition, smirking nefariously at the painful process the poor excuse of a wizard was going through at being forced out of his animagus form.
A flash of blue-white erupted around the oppressing study, and the fat gray rat began twisting madly; limbs were sprouting, a head was shooting upward and a moment later, a man stood where the rat had previously been, cowering and whimpering as he tried avoiding looking into the pair of unmerciful icy eyes. Rigel's wicked smirk slackened into his patent sneer of superiority, revulsion etched on his attractive features as he scrutinized the coward for the second time in eleven years; Peter Pettigrew was very short and very plump, his colorless hair was unkempt and there was a large bald patch on top, his skin looked grubby like his animagus form's fur, and his pointed nose and small watery eyes was the embodiment of his rat form.
"Pettigrew!" Rigel snapped, trying and failing in hiding his aversion to the wizard who hid like a coward as a pet rat for more than a decade, "Do you have what I sent you for?" he threateningly caressed his wand, taking sick pleasure as Pettigrew cowered and quivered and his breathing turned fast and shallow in palpable fear.
"Y-y-yes, yes, L-Lord N-Nott," Pettigrew stammered in his annoyingly squeaky voice.
Sneering in tangible dislike, Rigel barked out, "Good god, stop sniveling like your animagus form and speak properly you insipid simpleton!" With a terrified ear-pitching squeak, Pettigrew fumbled with an object in his inner robe, and quickly dropped it on the obsidian ornamented desk as though he had been burned. The air crackled with an ominous foul energy as the dark artifact was planted on his desk; Rigel vividly recalled as though it were only yesterday, the envious sentiment churning in his gut and his blinded rage when the Dark Lord entrusted three of his beloved artifacts with Lucius Malfoy, Regulus Black and Bellatrix Lestrange.
The artifact given to Black was undisclosed what with his untimely death, and Rigel knew that Lestrange would have concealed hers at Gringotts where it was impossible to steal with its sinister enchantments and deathtrap protections, which left out Lucius, the arrogant fool who believed himself superior due to his powerful family, linking him to the Lestranges and the Zabinis. Rigel struck with unimaginable luck when he came across the dark artifact in Lucius' study upon his visit a month ago and he immediately began scheming over how he would go to achieve it into his possession. Again, Rigel struck luck when the cowardly fool thought traitor showed himself into his manor in fear of the Dark Lord's return due to the rumors over the end of June, and scampered to Rigel for help since he feared Bellatrix and Rodolphus more.
The Malfoys and the Lestranges grew complacent with the Dark Lord gone, comfortable in their majestic abodes and life of family grandeur; Rigel was revolted whenever he witnessed them playing happy family, and even more so when he discovered via his son, that they took in the Potters' brat into their family. He was unperturbed over the close bond between his son and the Potter chit, for she would be an abundant source of knowledge once the Dark Lord returned to power and pursued the Boy-Who-Lived.
"Hmm. At least you aren't completely useless, Pettigrew," Rigel sneered, finally detaching his icy orbs from the artifact to looked squarely into a pair of pathetic watery eyes. "A mediocre wizard such as yourself, I honestly expected you to fail. Nevertheless, the Dark Lord shall favor us once he returns, and once you succeed in your task."
"M-My task? I th-thought ob-obtaining th-that artifact was m-my task," Pettigrew stammered, fear coloring his words. Blue orbs hardened and Rigel spat out, "Fool! Incompetent excuse of a wizard! What use would I have of that artifact?! No, Pettigrew, you successfully procured it into our possession, now it is time for you to plant it in another's. Now, go, make yourself useful, you rat."
The sniveling wizard tucked the dark artifact safely into his inner robes and quickly scampered out of Nott Manor until he reached past the boundaries of the ancient wards; he apparated back to the Burrow, transformed into his animagus form, and dozed off by the kitchen windowsill. Once all residents of the Burrow were in a state of deep sleep, Wormtail scuttled into Ginny Weasley's room, transformed back to his humanoid form and planted Tom Riddle's diary inside her Transfiguration book before once again scampering off.
Peter Pettigrew was able to relax and breathe freely now that his task had reached fruition, and he succumbed into a deep sleep where he could continue living the comfortable life as a pet rat. However, in Nott Manor, a twelve-year old boy accidently eavesdropped on the entire conversation between his father and the despicable Death Eater that betrayed the Potters, and dread filled his entire being as he surrendered into Morpheus' arms.
A/N: Another chapter done! Did you all like it?! XD
(1)Okay, so to start it off: Some of you might be disappointed with the lack of action in this chapter, and I truly am sorry. You see, this was more of a filler chapter with a few important details included for many plots in future chapters, so bear with me. (2) Septima Vector was AWOL in this chapter. Why? She isn't important yet. But later on, she will be playing a major role in this story, so be patient for future chapters, I have MANY plans for her character. ;) (3) Odette bonding with the six Slytherins; it was a very important part to include. Why? I had to show HOW Odette finally gave up in pushing them away. This is the starting point of their unbreakable bond and the start of a beautiful friendship. (4) Some of you may be wondering in regards to the change in Odette. Explanation: Odette is still Shadow Swan and a hardcore, emotionless assassin. She's not the same person she was before Ivan Vanko kidnapped her, BUT that doesn't mean she would live a lonely life. Odette finds it hard to open up to people since Zelda's death and the Petrovich brothers brainwashing her. Odette decided to listen to her familiars and Lexi, Lee and Bree and finally give in to their friendship. She will still be impassive and emotionless to strangers, but once she befriends someone, she acts naturally with them. So she has two completely different personalities. (5) Did you like the insight into Albus Dumbledore's head? He isn't evil, so I am sorry if anyone had been looking forward to Dumbledore Bashing, ain't gonna happen, especially since he plays an important part in future chapters. (6) Last note; James and Lily Potter will be constantly around Odette at Hogwarts now. They became professors to protect their precious Charlus, and believe me, Odette and her best friends will butt heads with them. So excited! ;)
Next chapter: Chamber of Secrets! There will be many plot-twists and surprises, Dear Readers! And we will finally have an Odette/Dumbledore confrontation! ;)
R&R.