Darcy had managed to get away when he planned with Bingley the day after the Ball. Miss Bingley had been nearly unbearable in the lead up to the ball. How she thought he could be interested in her, he will still never know. His close friend's sister or not, he made sure all his doors were locked and his Valet slept in the dressing room every night. Just to be sure, he wouldn't put it past her to effect a compromise; she wouldn't be the first in his twenty six years.
He was glad to be home.
First thing was sending a letter to his uncles' town house informing his sister he was back and would collect her tomorrow, he settled in to go over any correspondence he had missed in the little over a month he had been gone. His mind wandering back to vibrant green eyes and mischievous smile that had captured his attention many times over the previous evening. Or so he told himself it was only her mystery and not the brown eyes and brunette that captured his attention when she stayed at Netherfield, laughing with other gentlemen not him. It helped him to move on from his mild infatuation, watching her act the way she did. Even if the fine eyes of miss Elizabeth were being shadowed by a vibrant green that entranced his childhood. Both playing over in his mind. He didn't get as much work done as he hoped.
Bingley called the next day just before he went to collect his sister, his aunt had invited him for supper so he didn't need to go early. Apparently, Miss Bingley and the Hursts had followed them to town and closed the house and arrived in town not an hour ago. The Darcy's lived only a few streets over from Grosvenor Square and hoped to catch Darcy to lament on his bad luck. Darcy felt obligated to remind him, he had made promises to return within a week to many in the neighbourhood. As well as to Miss Bennet. Reminding him he didn't need Miss Bingley there to be able to return to the neighbourhood. If he wished to still see Jane, he could easily manage to call on her instead.
He was soon in his carriage on his way to dine and see his baby sister. After the meal before the men joined the women. It was with his uncle who came back earlier than advertised and cousin the Colonel enjoying brandy together and talking about his time away.
"Is it true? You met someone who looks like the Hetty from the stories I used to tell you?"
"Well yes, Miss Hepatica Potter. She showed up on deaths door in early November, I believe the story goes. After being almost hit by the carriage and has been cared for by the Bennet's of Longborne and has stayed with them since. I've been in her company a couple of times over the last weeks and she looks exactly like the girl you described. Scars and all."
"That's not possible…" He stuttered; Darcy hadn't seen his uncle so rattled, ever. "She shouldn't… It would mean… I can't… I have tried for years to…" His uncle took a deep breath. "What age would you say she is?"
"Around 18-19 possibly."
"Was she born here or just randomly appear?"
"Um no, her parents were English, I think and she claimed to be born on English soil. But she said the school she went to wasn't on British soil, an old medieval castle that let in mostly Legacies, or something."
"I must go to her immediately!" He exclaimed jumping up from his chair knocking the old wingback over.
"Pater, what is going on? Is she some secret love child or a danger, or something? I've never seen you act this way."
"I can only pray it was an accident that brought her here. I do not want to think about the reality of it if it wasn't. If it truly is my Bambi, then no she is not a younger sister. She is my goddaughter. Well, are we calling the horses or not, I cannot go alone as I do not know the way or the people. Well?"
Darcy couldn't understand his uncles ramblings, he spoke quickly or possibly it was the slight over indulgence of the fine scotch his cousin insisted on. Though he was sober enough to know they wouldn't be able to return tonight. "Bingley, who I was staying with and his family have already closed up the house in preparations for winter and returned to Town. Earl or not, bad manners are bad manners and rushing to a small country town with no place to stay will look very weird. She isn't going anywhere as far as I've been told. She mentioned coming to Town with some of the Bennet's relations after Christmas but no plans before that. Or so she told me at the ball when he danced the supper set, a few nights ago."
"Wow Darcy," Richard whistled, "full conversations and learning each other's foreseeable schedules, and Dancing! You have really taken a shine to the young lady."
"When you meet her cousin, you'll understand why. She is everything uncle described her as; in living form and more. It is hard not to tell her everything when she asks. Her eyes bore right into you, as if one look in your eyes and she knows your deepest secrets so it makes lying to her pointless. Those iridescent emerald green. Brighter than the gems could ever hope to be."
"Are you in love with my goddaughter nephew?"
"No, I do not know her, but it's hard to deny her charm."
"I wouldn't blame you if you were, she always was good at drawing people in and never realising they stayed for their love of her alone. But she is far too good for you or any man. Best keep looking elsewhere. If she returned your affections, I would consider you the luckiest man." He narrowed his eyes at Darcy pinning him with a look that said, 'don't cross me' before sitting back down and downing his scotch. "Very well I will not go rushing off but if you happen to be in contact with her, I need to know. I must see her soon. I must tell your uncle, Richard; he will be happy to know she is here and seemingly safe. It may even prompt him to come to town and spend the yule season with us if he has the possibility to meet her again."
"Why didn't I ever know I had you had a goddaughter Pater?"
"It was safer that way. It was meant to be safer that way. I… Uh… Thought she was dead when your uncle or myself hadn't heard a whisper about her for a long time."
Darcy didn't know what to make of the conversation with his uncle Matlock. The one with his sister on the carriage ride home wasn't much better. On the trip to their town house, she was going on and on about the mysterious Miss Potter he had written about as well as the Bennet's he had mentioned she stayed with, along with Miss Elizabeth Bennet. She expressed a want to meet her in such an enthusiastic way Darcy had not seen, since months before the Wickham incident. He was loath to refuse her. Instead promising if he ran into her again, he would introduce her then.
Weeks passed with little excitement. His uncle was becoming unbearable with his continued obsession over Miss Potter and her wellbeing and needing to see her, to make sure it is her and her condition. He had to be stopped and talked down multiple times, from just going by himself and posting up at the local inn in Meryton. If not for his wife and brother-in-law calming him down. It was a side to the family Darcy had never before seen.
Yule passed pleasantly. He saw a little of Bingley but not much luckily as Caroline was usually close by, though he will admit she has stopped trying too hard to become Mrs Darcy.
It was coming into February; he was in his study when Georgiana came rushing in, a bright flush on her face. She looked more excited than he could ever remember, "Oh brother! You'll never guess who I ran into at the bookstore, then spent a lovely afternoon shopping with!"
"I dare say I will not be able to dear, unless you tell me."
"The most beautiful, lovely woman. She claimed an acquaintance with you; Miss Hepatica Potter."
"At the bookstore you said?" Darcy raised from his seat. She was here, he knew she would be in Town but to have Georgie already run into her, "You made her acquaintance? That is perfect."
"Oh yes! I've invited her and her companions to tea tomorrow. Is that okay brother? Aunt Matlock said it would be okay."
"Of course. It's great to see you making new friends. And what of her companion?"
"A Miss Jane Bennet and her aunt a Mrs Gardiner, they are staying at Miss Bennet's aunt and uncles in Grace Church street. We had the loveliest conversations about music and art. Didn't we Aunt Matlock?" Georgie was practically jumping on the spot. It was like she was 10 again and father had just given her a new doll.
"Indeed dear. She was everything that had ever been described to me."
"Send a letter and invite them formally. Your uncle and uncle's brother-in-law wanted to make her acquaintance as well."
Georgie rushed out of the room leaving her aunt and brother in her wake to send the much-anticipated letter. Darcy tasked his aunt to inform his uncle and her brother about tea tomorrow if they can make it.
Darcy was nervous about Miss Potter and Miss Bennet coming to visit his sister and aunt for tea today. His aunt had arrived 10 minutes ago, to help Georgie with her first-time hosting tea and visits. He had hoped she would be presented this year and 'come out' but she didn't feel ready yet, Darcy let her have some freedoms under the watchful eye of their Aunt Maria to help her get used to the idea. This was the first time Georgie had been the one to invite someone. It just had to be the woman his uncle seemed obsessed over and the young lady one of his closest friends had just slighted by leaving town.
Bingley had brought it up a few times they've seen each other over the month but Darcy told him the same thing. That Miss Bennet was a quiet lady and he had best ask her of her feelings of him himself, if he was serious about her.
His aunt told him his uncle and her brother would be arriving in 30 minutes and Hepatica and Miss Bennet and her aunt should be here any moment. As he looked one last time in the mirror by his study the doorbell rang. Hepatica and guests were shown in, Darcy hid in his study as they were shown past his hiding spot. He hung around near the drawing room his sister was entertaining them in, wanting to go in. He heard her and his sister laugh it was the most splendid sound he ever heard. He didn't even think angels could sound better.
It was 5 minutes later he heard the piano in the room being played. His uncle and Lord Danville had arrived and were silently standing behind him. He had acknowledged them but asked them to keep silent for a bit. Having a quick peak, he saw it was Georgie playing with Hepatica sitting beside her encouraging her. Hepatica soon took over the piano and played for a bit before opening her mouth and singing he was unfamiliar with the song but it was beautiful about being watched over while looking for a man to love. Like the song she sung at the Ball it was simple in playing but showcased her voice, almost like she had composed the song herself.
His uncle froze, all colour drained from his face. "I thought I'd have to die before I heard that song and that voice again, it is truly her." He whispered in awe before rushing off into the room and Darcy's own objections being unheard. Following after his uncle he saw the moment the music abruptly stopped and with almost inhuman speed Miss Potter turned and gripped his uncles outstretch hand bring the man to his knees, his hand slightly twisted while pointing a polished stick at his throat. He briefly registered the women of the house scattered about the room with Lord Danville behind him watching the scene, but he only had eyes on the woman in front of him, she had disabled his uncle and held him down with what looked like so little force.
"Bambi, it is you." He breathed.
She was breathing hard but her hand never wavered. "Only a marauder gets to call me that. If you are truly my godfather, what was the last present you gave me?"
There was a pause like his uncle was breathing in life by looking at her, even with her face twisted in anger and confusion. "It was a mirror," she dropped his hand as if it burnt her, giving him a chance to rise from the ground the stick stayed at his neck though, "small and unassuming, about the size of your hand. Gold edged; on first glance you would think it was poorly kept but if you looked closer, it was etched with ancient runes. It was your fathers' part of a set we created together. I had the other one. It was a gift for the Christmas of your fifth year at school." As his uncle talked Hepatica's hand started to shake, she lowered the stick, tears welled in her eyes.
"But… H-How…? I… I don't… Can't…" She truly looked like she was about to collapse. "Sirius…?"
"More than you know Bambi."
"Oh Padfoot!" She did then, start crying and wavered on her feet. He took a step forward as did the other men in the room, a glance behind him saw that Danville looked like his uncle did; as if she was his only thing for living. His uncle beat them all, wrapping her up in his arms stopping her from falling to the ground.
"My darling Bambi, it's okay. It'll be okay now." He continued to quietly tell her comforting nothings as her heart wrenching sobs echoed in the room.
Lord Danville stepped around Darcy to come up to the crying young woman in his uncle arms. "Oh Hetty, I truly thought I'd go this lifetime with never seeing you again." Hepatica pulled away from Uncle and took a long look at Lord Danville.
"Theo? You did follow…" Lord Danville opened his arms and Hepatica fell into them in a similar way to his uncles. Darcy was confused. Richard was positive his father didn't have a goddaughter, or at least he didn't know about it. But this interaction proved she was, as well as some close connection to the Earl of Danville. Darcy could tell he was whispering assurances in her ear while she clung to him as if he was her saving grace. He really wanted to know what was going on. He said as much to the crowd around him.
"I will tell you all soon nephew. I just want to talk to Hepatica alone first if I may. Maybe use your study?"
"I will join you brother, if that is okay with Hetty's escorts?"
"I would feel better if I came with her sir. I do not like seeing her so distraught, she is practically my sister at this stage." Miss Bennet stated straightening her back with a steel glint in her eyes Darcy hadn't seen before. Like a mother lion watching a risk to her pride.
"And you are miss?" his Uncle asked.
"Oh, forgive me Uncle. We haven't had a chance for introductions. You clearly know Miss Hepatica Potter, accompanying her is Mrs Gardiner and Miss Bennet. Miss Potter has been staying with Miss Bennet's family for the last few months. Ladies, the Earl of Matlock, the Earl of Danville and my brother, Mr Darcy."
"Ah, one of the Bennet's that took in my Bambi. I thank you for being there for her. If we had known she was only a few hours away, we would have come for her sooner. As it is I had been told she was dead, imagine my surprise when my nephew comes back from visiting a friend in the country to describe meeting a woman that fit my goddaughter exactly. Now if you don't mind, I think we'd like to talk to Hepatica. Do you want someone to join us, Bambi?" Hepatica nodded letting go of Lord Danville looking at the group.
"I hope you don't mind. I have some sensitive questions I need to ask Padfoot and Theo. Jane, Mrs Gardiner, Miss Darcy you don't mind, do you? We'll try not to take too long. I apologise for the unconventional situation. It's all a bit overwhelming for me." Looking at her companions and ending with a look at Jane, who acknowledged the look with a nod of her own.
"I shall accompany you dear, to keep propriety. My husband and brother had kept me up to date with the situation." Hepatica nodded and had Theo escort her out of the room his arm around her shoulder, if they were in public it would be indecent, even if he could be her father or nearly Grandfather. Darcy tried to keep his face neutral, it was hard.
Looking to his sister and her companions, they all had a worried look on their face. Mrs Gardiner must be the one from Cheapside Miss Bingley and Mrs Hursts gossiped about. All Darcy saw was a respectable, fashionable lady. They continued to small talk. Jane told Georgie about how they came to be friends with Hepatica and the mystery behind her. That Hepatica was under the impression everyone she knew was dead and she didn't remember how she made it to English soil but here she is. Then Jane gently steered the conversation to happier topics though still subdued because of what happened earlier, had Georgie animated once more. It was a shame Miss Bennet didn't have much in way of dowery or high connections, she was a kind woman with no subterfuge. Her family though loud, wasn't the worst Darcy had met. He could admit, he didn't think he could handle a family so unchecked but that was him. Bingley didn't seem to mind back in November.
While the conversation was going on in the music/drawing room, Hepatica was trying to wrap her head around how Sirius was here, Sirius and Theo! He was much older than she last saw him, in his 50's easily. So was Theo, he was the same age as her when the attack happened. When Lady Matlock closed the door behind them, Hepatica waved her hand casting a Muffliato.
"You have your magic, Bambi?"
"Of course, Sirius. How is this possible how are you here?!"
"I should be asking the same thing."
"Well, I asked first so you tell me yours then I'll tell you mine."
"Well I don't remember much only that of being struck by the curse and the feeling of falling, then I felt like I woke up with some minor recollections of memories. When I was a young boy I had the strangest dreams of flying Motorbikes and elaborate pranks, which was hard to explain in a time there was no such thing as a motorcar. A dark, dank house. My younger brother, when here I have an older and younger sisters. Magic and funny little creatures that waited on us. When I turned 11, I got the rest of my memories of my previous life. I remembered everything from Prongs, Mooney, Hogwarts. The hardest part of remembering all that was that there was no magic. I have looked but there is no Leaky or Hogwarts, not even the ruins that were meant to be visible to muggles. So, I went on with my life married a lovely woman, a daughter of an Earl and 20 years ago inherited my father's title. I have two grown sons, James Regulus and Richard Remus. Though I knew a Potter in university, he was a visiting foreigner. His name was Lord James Francis Potter, Marquess Dartmore. He married an English woman and they had a daughter that would be your age by now. Lady Hepatica Juliette Potter."
"So, this really isn't just back in time? I was operating on the theory of being sent back in time somehow and planned to come to London to set myself up in the wizarding world here if I couldn't find a way home. Now… Now, what? Is this an alternate dimension you go to when you cross through the veil arch way? Theo what of you? You're older than Sirius but he died 3 years before we were near the veil."
"I'm not sure Hetty. I don't remember too much of how we went through. I remember following you to that room, flanking you with Longbottom. Then I saw you get hit with a purple spell and fell through the archway I went to grab you and fell through as well. I, like Matlock, had memories of life in the wizarding world come as dreams and alike till I was 11 and got all the memories back. When I was at university, I ran into a man that reminded me of Sirius Black from the papers and how he was your godfather, I remember him mostly from the fear of third year. I struck up a conversation with him and dropped your name, colour me surprised when it turns out he is the reincarnated soul of Sirius Black. Then he goes and marries my little sister. Who luckily was very supportive of my memories of another life."
"It was quite the shock to me when another man tried to talk to me and had many of the same anecdotes and stories my brother did. But they were barely acquaintances at that stage. That was 37 years ago now." Lady Matlock added.
"I'm so sorry, this happened because you tried to save me. If we did fall through the veil, why wasn't I reincarnated as well? I came through with everything I had on me. Though I was apparently an inch from death if you listen to Mrs Bennet's retelling of my rescue. Mr Bennet tells it a bit more clinical. What of Neville. Have you heard anything from him? Did he follow you?"
"I think you may have been reincarnated as well, in some way Bambi. I swear when James' little girl was born she was the spitting image of you, down to the little dimple where your eyebrow met your eyes, I remembered you had when born in my first life, I knew it was you reborn. Though I thought you died when you were 17. We were told you had in any case." Looking at Theo as he said it.
"If that's true, why don't I remember the life I was meant to have lived and only the one before? You both remember the one you're living now and the previous one, plus again, I had my magic and items on me including the dress I wore when we were at the ministry." She was mostly musing aloud at this point, though she kept coming back to, "Theo I'm so sorry you got dragged into this."
"I'm not sorry. I swore allegiance to you before the end of the war, same as Longbottom and the rest and I stick by it. Though I'm not sure if he went through after us. I haven't run into anyone who might look or act like him. Though it has been hard not having magic anymore and through my study and memories I figured I'm about as strong as a squib, I'm able to do minor things but no spells. This life has been much better to me as a whole though. Even without magic. Though you didn't have your wand or magic when I saw you last. Well, I was with Lady Hepatica before we were separated. I watched her die as she drowned, unable to help her in time."
"When Danville told me how he got reincarnated I hoped you would be too. If not already, then hoped soon to show up. We were seen as quite the socialisers in our youth trying to see if we ran into you. I thought I'd been struck dumb when I met Dartmore. It was too good a chance to see if he was anything like the James Potter I knew before, so I stayed close to him. The women he married didn't look like the lily I knew nor act like her though she was very lovely. It was actually James' eyes that were the green to match yours. He wasn't exactly like the James I knew but still a very close friend." Sirius' face turned melancholy like she remembered happening constantly, from her summer at Grimmuld. Though it cleared quickly when Lady Matlock touched his arm. "What did you have on your persons when you went through?"
"Well, a lot was happening at the time. It was a decent fight. With Theo and Neville dodging spells, then I woke up in a bed at Longborne. I was still a healthy amount of paranoid after the war and continued carrying my emergency bag with almost everything I owned since Sirius' death." She mused, taking a moment to organise her thoughts. "I think it may all have to do with the Deathly Hallows. I may have accidentally, collected all of them at the one time by the end of the fight with Riddle. Even though I tried to get rid of them they kept popping up, so I just kept them on myself as well. Well technically I tried destroying all of them besides the family invisibility cloak. I took to carrying them and all the gold I took from the vault the summer after the battle of the Ministry, plus most of the library of Grimmuld in my little bag among other essentials." Checking the familiar weight of said bag that was sitting in her lap, "I kept it on me at all times since that summer. But if I was reincarnated, as you said you've met a younger me in this world. Why don't I remember?!" A headache was starting but she knew she was on a roll and had to get it all out.
"It seemed safest to say, I was educated in a school on the Continent when I was being questioned. As for the state they found me in I essentially just told them the non-magic version of events up to the end of the war and made it seem as if my escape and subsequent injuries were a direct result from that. Though I ensured them that all involved were dead. I had managed that in truth at least. But claimed unsure of how I made it to Hertfordshire, which wasn't a lie. They speculated I was brought over and was being transported before I escaped and was found. I didn't dissuade them. Considering I kind of managed to make it seem most of the fighting was possibly part of the war happening over there."
"I see no reason to change that. It is mostly the truth for Lady Hepatica too, from what reports have told us. We just say that we all thought the other was dead. But accidently found each other. In this life I only met Hepatica twice while she was at school. It was like history repeating itself in some twisted way."
"I actually was there when she was 17. Hetty, I swear it was you. Same scar on the forehead and a few others, though not all of them. Though you didn't remember the lives we had before, nor did she hold magic or possibly kept quiet about it if she did. I still stayed by you, we were trying to escape De Miore incognito with backing from the English crown, or well unofficially at least. The King and Queen were eager to bring you back. No one knew I had gone there to get Lady Potter or that I had succeeded in a way. We were attacked when crossing on ship, so it is easy enough to say I believed you dead or kidnapped. I had been looking for you for 6 months now, I started to think it might be in vain hope that you didn't drown overboard that night."
"Why would the Kind and Queen of England care about me? Or Lady Hepatica? Never mind, um… I have told people; I believed all my family were dead and that I didn't think I had anyone here to claim me. Just that I would be safer here. I did have my attorney in Meryton, Mrs Bennet's brother – Mr Phillips, who has been helping me with setting up my finances and send out enquiries of a Potter or Black family but he hadn't heard anything. Not surprising now though. I went to look for Diagon Alley a few days ago. It wasn't there. Jane saw me use magic to defend myself from Mr Wickham, I may have accidentally killed him and transfigured his body into a rock and buried it on an unassuming hill 6 feet underground…" Hepatica couldn't help the self-deprecating snort that came out. "She watched all that and listened to my true story and still called me a good person. She is the only one I've trusted with it. Though hearing that back story for this time, it would be easy enough to claim amnesia on the kidnapping? I just feel weird using the poor kids' persona, are you sure she is dead? She won't randomly pop up?"
Theo was adamant that there was no chance. That for all they knew she could be her and it was some twist in magic that awoke her in this dimension at that time. Sirius or Matlock now, was still trying to get the stories straight and matching. Though Hepatica was reluctant in telling the Royals as she really didn't believe she could be Lady Hepatica even if a lot of their history overlapped.
"Good, good. We can work with this. I was told the family was wiped out when you were a baby. I, and in retrospect England, was denied any contact until you were 13. For the record all true. Danville and I will claim Godfather status' and were led to believe you were killed before Bonaparte managed to get his hands on the Duchy of DeMiroe. It is on the border of Switzerland and France, for the record Bambi." Hepatica nodded, trying to memorise all the information hoping to spark a memory.
"Well, they know my parents were killed when I was a baby and my Godfather was unable to get custody of me, as someone more powerful thought it better I live in secret with a commoner family. Again, not false. It was how I ended up with the Dursley's abused, starved, and neglected for 10 years. Before I got accepted to my parent's boarding school, it's not technically co-ed learning but the meals are all together. That's the story I told anyway." The three nodded their heads. Too many facts between the two Hepatica's matched for it to be coincident.
"Will you tell me about what happened after I died in your time? Did Remus end up asking Tonks out? Were they well when you saw them last? Danville said he wasn't on the front lines or in the Order to be able to give those details."
"Right," Hepatica shook her head it was an information overload, but she could work with it, maybe she was reincarnated in a way. "So, yes to the first part they even had a son, Edward Remus Lupin 'Teddy' for short. He was adorable I loved his cuddles; I named him my heir. He was made an orphan like me at 2 months old. I was working with a mind Healer so Andy would let me have custody of him more often. I managed to end the war by May 1998, it was October 1998 when I came here. But, um, Remus and Tonks didn't make it through the final battle. More than half the population died before the war ended. Not long after you died the school was compromised after Dumbledore died, then the Ministry fell. I went on the run with Ron and Hermione for months as undesirable No.1. He planned to attack the school so we went and gathered all of the Order we could get and the children fought. He promised to spare the rest if I gave myself up, that was when I found I had the stone of resurrection on my persons. I was scared. I had just watched a collection of Snapes memories he gave me on his death, Dumbledore had essentially orchestrated everything so I would be the sacrificial lamb. With reason, the bastard had split his soul, I was hunting the pieces and thought the only one left beside himself was his snake. Turns out there was another –"
"Don't tell me." Sirius, or Lord Matlock groaned.
"Yep. Me. Snape shared his memories of Dumbles telling him I was only kept alive to die at the right moment. So I went to meet him as was his stipulation. I wanted it to end, I hated the fighting. I was so tired. I called my parents, Remus and you, through the resurrection stone to give me advise. I thought it weird you didn't come; I had watched you die; you should have been in the afterlife. They said you weren't with them. Guess I know why now. Anyway, I let him kill me point blank with the killing curse. I went to a train station in the afterlife, talked with Dumbledore then woke up. We fought once more I eventually beat him with an Expelliamus when he shot another killing curse at me. My spell pushed his back to him and sent the elder wand he stole from Dumbledores' grave to me. Funny thing. The wand was already loyal to me from the time I disarmed Draco months earlier. Draco disarmed Dumbledore the night he died, though Snape killed Dumbledore after he had been disarmed. Voldy thought he had to kill Snape to get the wands allegiance but even though the history of it was a bloody one the wand itself didn't care who killed who apparently, it was as simple as disarming.
"Half a year after that and things were starting to look up, we tidied the school and the ministry, I was thinking of working on my Masters in DADA and Runes. We were at a party with Theo and Neville and others until there was a rogue terrorist attack and then bam, I'm sent to the friken turn of the 19th century with only the clothes on my back and the things in my bag." She pulled the clutch closer to her persons on reflex.
"What were you planning to do when you made it to London and found no magic community?" Lady Matlock asked.
"My contingency was to take some of the gold I have. Roughly 400,000oz of pure gold and place a chunk in a bank account and set myself up somewhere, maybe buy a townhouse or small estate. I already have my attorney looking at the market around Meryton for a nice house. The maths I roughly worked out; when I convert at least 50,000oz of gold I would have over £300,000 and an income around £15,000 a year. You should have seen Mr Coutts when I gave him the trunk of Galleon sized half ounce coins. I feared I'd give him a heart attack. Plus, I'm planning on investing some with Mr Gardiner. He is a sensible man and his warehouse has been flourishing."
Padfoot – she was just going to call him padfoot, Matlock didn't sound right and his name was no longer Sirius – looked at her in silence with his jaw dropped.
"You think you might give old Pads a loan Bambi?" He asked with a wriggle of his eyebrows.
"If you need it. But you were good at finances, right?"
"Yes, but my eldest son isn't. Little bastard only wants to eat, drink and whore his life away with his friends."
"Well I can give you some to cover his debt but I am not going to keep bailing him out."
"That's okay, I'm planning on stopping covering any more than his stipend covers and have him learn the hard way. Well back on to the original subject, I think we should keep it to the basics you already told. You only knew of your godfathers being called Padfoot and Theo. We met a couple times for short periods when you were 13 and 15. I had been trying to get custody of you, bring you over here since your parents died, as Danville is widowed along with King George wanting to get his great niece back on English soil. But was repeatedly denied getting you off the Continent. Little did we know you were here on English soil but kept secret from us and raised with a minor Gentry family until you were 11. You had managed to flee the fall of De Miroe with Danville recently, was chased and separated from him by people who wanted to use you and managed to kill your attackers who were the same person/group who wiped out your family when you were a baby." Hepatica nodded, it seemed easy enough. It was essentially what she had already been telling people. The head injury she had, mixed with the trauma of it all and the fact she had 'lost a few months' from then to when she first met the Bennet's would help with anything else.
"Does anyone in your life know about the reincarnation besides you three?"
"My Father was aware, so was Danville's father. Unfortunately both have passed on."
"Unless they were throwing people through the veil when I was on the run, we should be the only people after you to go through. I hope Neville was okay after that. It seems to not matter when you go through, the universe seems to spit you out when it feels like it, there is a chance he might have come with us but be born long before us or even after us." Hepatica mused. They stayed in silence for a moment thinking over the confusing situation they were in, before Padfoot spoke.
"You ready to face the people again?"
Taking her wand and pointing a refreshing charm at her face. It felt nice being able to do magic openly with people around.
"That is handy, it does such a good job too." Lady Matlock commented watching fascinated at Hepatica's magic.
They got up and Padfoot escorted her back to the group. She watched Padfoot and Theo put on their pure-blood faces before entering the room.
"I apologise for my rude behaviour earlier; I was too caught up on the possibility that darling little Bambi had managed to make it home to English soil. I had been told she perished months ago. It turns out she was told the same about all of us. Thank you for giving us a chance to clear the air in private."
The rest of the visit was pleasant, though much longer than propriety demanded, it didn't seem any of the others minded.
Hepatica had a lot to think on and stayed quiet during the rest of the visit. She had made peace in a way, with the fact that she most likely was stuck in the past. She had at least held hope there was a magical community still. The magic in the surrounding area proved there was something. Maybe because there wasn't an actual magical community or creatures the Earth had more pouring out of it in general ambiance, especially in places Humans didn't live like the forests. Then there was the thing of Sirius and Theo being reincarnated in this world while Hepatica seemingly wasn't, technically. The only thing she could think of for that was the Hallows. But at least now she had more people who knew the real her. To have Padfoot and Theo here was more than she could have hoped for, she only hoped Neville didn't come through with them and was safe back in their original time. But if he didn't then he was alone against so many death eaters, she didn't want to think about that scenario either.
"I was just telling Mrs Gardiner and Miss Bennet about some of the entertainment and shows on over the winter season. Not that I can go to them yet." Miss Darcy commented.
"I have been wanting to go to the theatre or something while in Town. I love the Opera. I had been planning on buying Jane and I some Opera Dresses and treating Mr and Mrs Gardiner to a night at the theatre. Though we haven't yet had time to find a modiste. We have only been here a month."
"I would be happy to get all three of you into my Modiste on Bond street, Madam Devy's. I'll send around the time we will pick you up. I imagine being the winter she should have an opening in probably 2 days. I'm sure there must be something nice playing this time of year?" Lady Matlock looked to the men, hoping they might know something.
"There are some places that have play's going this time of year, though they aren't fashionable to be seen at."
"Just because some stuck ups say something isn't the hottest thing around, all of a sudden it's bad to be seen enjoying good entertainment. That's a silly way to think of things. We could make them fashionable. I'm sure Lord and Lady Matlock and Lord Danville visiting some of the smaller theatres could raise them up to being 'in fashion' and help the minor companies be better known." Hepatica declared.
Darcy smiled at her, "indeed madam. Good entertainment is good entertainment. I believe over the winter there are a few small productions happening. We can keep an eye out in the paper."
"Wonderful. What's the point in being in town if we don't get to enjoy all the things people boast about."
"I'm sorry to say dears we must be going now. I thank you for your hospitality, Miss Darcy. It was wonderful reminiscing with you on the wonderful grounds of Pemberly and surrounds. I do miss living there some days."
"The thank you is all mine Mrs Gardiner. It was wonderful talking with someone who understands the beauty of the area. Miss Bennet, it was wonderful to meet you again. Perhaps I could call on you one day soon? I'm still getting used to how being 'out' is and don't socialise often."
"Besides the dress shopping when Lady Matlock books it, I know of no other plans the girls have. We would be honoured to have you dear." Mrs Gardiner added, while Jane smiled agreed.
The rest of the goodbyes went by and saw Hepatica, Jane and Mrs Gardiner in the carriage home. They had stayed much longer than is considered polite but considering the revelations it could be understood.
The ride home was quiet but one look at Hepatica and you could tell she was thinking about things, not in the mood to talk. It was later in the night when Jane and Hepatica were in the room they were sharing alone, "you have been awfully quiet Hepatica, I admit myself surprised to see you had friends here. After what you told me about how you came here and when." Jane asked trying to be delicate. She could tell Hepatica was rattled by the revelation of her godfathers.
"Yes, it is a shock to me too. It makes no sense at all Jane. Sirius – uh that's Lord Matlock, died only 3 years before I came here in my time. He was hit with a curse during a battle with death eaters and fell through the veil of death which was the same one I was near before I came here. Theo – Lord Danville he was my age when we both went through at the same time. He was right beside me with our other friend Neville. We were in a battle, surrounded 10 to 3, he said I was attacked from behind and he tried to stop me falling through the veil and fell with me. But he has been here alive longer than Sirius – Matlock argh this is getting complicated!
"I… I was operating off the assumption the veil, which is really just an archway, that was in the bowels of the ministry for centuries was some type of time portal. They used to use it to execute prisoners. No one knew what it did just that there was no body falling through the other side. It seems it isn't just time travel but a different dimension all together. There is no magical community in the universe. Sirius and Theo have looked for most of their lives, they lost their magic almost completely during being reincarnated. They were born here with their memories of the world we came from. Being born at random times too! So reincarnation from one dimension to the other clearly isn't linear. It's a miracle they were able to even know of each other as both were connected to me but had never met in our timeline. One being my close friend only after the war, the other my godfather who died at the beginning of it.
"Yet, I went through and came out exactly as I had gone in with all the items, I had on me. And only came to when your family found me. Then they tell me they knew a Hepatica Potter of my description the only surviving daughter of the Marquess of Dartmore of the Duchy of De Miroe. That Theo saw her die and that happened around the same time I had shown up with you. She didn't have magic either and didn't remember living in the world I do but... Argh!" Hepatica fell face first onto the bed. "Theoretical physics is such a head fuck. So many theories no real answers." After a second she remembered her company and when Jane didn't say anything about her cursing, she hoped it was because her voice mas muffled enough so as not to scandalize poor Jane. She looked through the veil of hair around her to check. Her hair was undone which was what she missed almost the most about her time, the thing she missed the most was being able to wear pants and not be judged, though having your hair down in public here you might as well be branded a prostitute.
Jane ever the calm and kind soul she was came and gave Hepatica a kiss on the head and wished her goodnight. Saying a sleep would help clear her mind to think clearer in the morning. Hepatica took that advice and tried to sleep. It came hard and there were a few times she woke up; thankful she wasn't much of a screamer in nightmares. Dreams of green flashes, the feeling of falling, all playing over and over as well as vague memories that didn't seem like hers. When she woke, she was left with only a feeling and struggled to hang onto the subject of her dreams.
When she woke it was bright outside, easily early afternoon. Jane must have let her sleep in. With the clarity of a new day and the awakening of dreams she had thought she got over; Hepatica resolved to move on. She had allies here now in a different way than the Bennet's, she wouldn't look the gift horse in the mouth, she may be the only person with magic in this world but she had Sirius and Theo with all their knowledge, now all she had to do was remember to call them Lord Matlock and Lord Danville.
The shopping trip was interesting. Lady Matlock insisted Hepatica buy a whole new wardrobe. Not that Hepatica minded she could easily afford it; Jane got a new evening/opera dress, a ball gown and 3 day dresses and hats at Hepatica's insistence. Hepatica herself got 8 Evening/Opera dresses, 5 Ball Gowns and 15 day dresses, along with multiple riding habits, promenade dresses, along with all the accompaniments that came with dresses. It all looked the same to Hepatica she didn't know why they were designated for each different activity. Mostly they were light summer styles as they were coming into spring and a few colder weather styles, she argued hard to have most of them in a simple elegant (in her opinion) style. She felt better in them when not following what she was told was fashionable. She hated the looks of so many ruffles and feathers and abundance of heavy lace edging.
Mrs Gardiner surprised everyone by informing them Mr Gardiner was the one to supply the majority of fabrics to Madam Devy's Modiste and before the appointment, gave them a chance to look at the newest shipment before it made its way into her store. Hepatica had never owned so many clothes in her life. Not to mention the pressure of following 'fashionable', she had managed to get a few styles similar to more modern designs. Hoping her modifications to what was 'popular' would be seen as a good different.
While they were being fitted Aunt Matlock was spreading the story they all agreed on, to the other occupants of the store. They just happened to be some of the most influential Ladies of the Ton. Not all the top of the ton stayed in town these days for the winter, but those that did lead the way come the Season being back in the swing. Aunt Matlock was trying to ease her into society by painting her as the wealthy orphan to a very prominent family of the small Duchy of De Miroe by the border of Switzerland and France in the alps. How she was the sole survivor of her family, wiped out in civil war before Bonaparte even stepped foot in the country. How Hepatica was her brother and husbands' goddaughter that they only just got in contact with after being told she had died in the final attack a few months ago. When in reality she had fought her way to English soil knowing she had some family here, somewhere, only knowing them by their 'code names' from when they were young men with her father who went to university in England. It was painted as a tragic story of a brave fighter that just wanted to find someone she knew and trusted. All pretty vague but still enough information to not be mis-quoted, much. Hopefully.
"Oh my dear, how terrible. And you don't remember much of the time you were captive?" A plump older woman who was introduced as the Dowager Lady Winthrop. She seemed naturally kind but with a sternness to her that was so reminiscent of Professor McGonagall.
"No ma'am. I have dreams now and then, but somethings are best not being remembered."
"Of course, understandable. It's very brave none the less. Held captive from a baby and unable to come to the people who rightfully should have raised you. International Bureaucracy at its worst, I bet."
"Yes, I can only be happy the bank my father used in De Miroe never released a penny or Franc as it was, to any of the people who 'claimed' custody of me. If it wasn't one of the people my father had nominated, they weren't getting a shilling. I was able to get most of it sent here from them to establish myself, not knowing I would have my uncle's protections. Especially now with that Bonaparte working his way around the continent. If not for the generosity of my dear friends the Bennet's who took me in nearly on deaths door. I don't know what would have happened."
The women ate it up, always looking for the next best gossip. Hepatica resigned herself to being the hottest topic until the next big scandal come up, which might not be until the spring when the Ton floods back to Town for the rest of the season. They did get an invite to a concert hosted by Lady Jersey in the Lyceum Theatre it hadn't had its licence long but was up and coming place for good singers. Hepatica was excited to go, Jane and Mr and Mrs Gardiner as her guardians currently were invited as her party extras, it was nice being invited in her own right and that her hosts could enjoy the night too. She knew it was unconventional for someone of Mr and Mrs Gardiners 'station' to be invited to these, though she didn't care she just wanted them and herself to have a good time. As stuck as society was on distinction of class in the era.
Luckily their newest Opera dresses would be ready in time and it was nice to know aunt and uncle Matlock along with Danville and Mr Darcy were all coming, he had even managed to get Miss Darcy an invite with his want to introduce her to society before the season picked up.
A/N Wow, thanks for all the follows/favorites and comments, this chapter was a little harder to write and may be a little convoluted but the story will be better hashed out hopefully in the next few chapters. I have 3 chapters ahead written at a time so fingers crossed I can keep updating fairly regularly. I don't plan on this being too long of a story. Hopefully i'll be able to keep it under 100k words. :)