Chapter 9

[Dream]

Nicole's eyes snapped open and she saw red, the color that was synonymous with the currency of life, blood, it surrounded her and she could even taste it as it soured her taste buds before she smashed down her disgust, panic, and will to vomit as she swam upwards towards the light before she ran out of air. It felt like forever before she finally broke through the surface as she spluttered and spat out the fluid that found its' way into her lungs before she looked at the area she found herself in.

'A massive pool?'

She then stiffened before she felt something bump into her side, when she looked down she saw a pale figure of a man drained of blood, his face twisted in a look of pleasure as his lips were twisted into a smile that wasn't supposed to be there, she raised her hands to cover her mouth as she looked around as she saw a collection of bobbing outlines strewn around the pool she was standing in, the area surrounding where she was standing was covered in darkness to the point that it looked like she was cut off from the rest of the world and stuck in a little plastic display case. She slowly moved back, only for her lower back to meet the hard marble of the pool she found herself in.

She looked down and found herself naked, much to her dismay before crushing her embarrassment creeping up upon her and looked around to get a firmer grip on where she was only to hear a gurgle and focused on the location of where the sound came from, she looked before her and when she finally saw what was before her, her lips twisted into a scowl, it was him.

She softly whispered, "Lucian..."

The man didn't respond at first as he was fang-deep into a woman and much to her disgust as her eyes became more adjusted to the area she was in she found herself standing in a pool of blood, surrounding them both were countless other bodies, men and women, pale and lifeless of both blood and their magic as they floated in the thick liquid like that of ice cubes before he dropped the now dead woman like a rag doll. He licked his lips clean as he savored his meal before his gaze fell upon her.

He grinned, "Nicole."

She sneered at him, "The miserable leech himself."

His grin turned into a pout, "It seems you already know."

"Oh, I'm well aware. To think the mad bastard who attacked my school was a member of one of the foulest clans in existence. I should have crushed your head the moment I saw you."

"And I'm thankful that you didn't. And it seems you are not fully healed yet," He noted, staring at the cracks that still remained on her skin, "I could easily take you on now and make you mine."

She tutted at him, "Didn't you say something along those lines before? And remember how you ended up? With you nearly dead and unconscious with a plethora of broken bones. I'm more than willing to continue from where I left off, except I'll be extremely through this time."

He approached her, their bodies nearly touching, "How tempting of an offer, but I will pass and I'm giving you a choice."

She quirked up an eyebrow in question, "A choice?"

He leaned forward, their foreheads touching as he purred, "Surrender to me or suffer like those too foolish to heed my generous offer."

A soft laugh spilled out as she stepped around him, the gall of such a stupid offer took nearly everything within her not to bend forward laughing, "Surrender or suffer, huh? What makes you think I'd ever surrender to you?"

"How about the maiming of your loved ones?" He quipped.

Her amusement vanished and was replaced with a cold look of apathy that nearly made him shiver in anticipation as he felt heat pool in his stomach, 'The same look from before.'

She gave him a hate-laced grimace, "You are toeing a line, leech boy."

He made to caress her face, "A goddess such as you shouldn't kowtow to maggots who are so far below you in skill and raw power. I can give you whatever you desire, your magic and strength would increase a hundred, no, a million times over, especially when you learn to embrace him and his way of life. Can you imagine it, your bloodline mixing with ours?"

She pushed him back to the other side of the pool, "The only thing that image provokes in me is disdain."

Nicole immediately rushed forward, grabbed his neck, and slammed him into the marble floor outside the pool, while they were drenched in blood, the tile cracked under Nicole's strength as she had her hand wrapped around his throat.

She knelt on top of him as she coldly stated, "Listen and listen well, even for you and those who have fallen and embraced the taboo without punishment know never to cross a Potter nor their allies. If you or any of your foul ilk touch a single hair on a single one of them, I'll know and I'll hunt you down. However, I know you plan on aiming for me and I'll be waiting to crush that miserable little head of yours under my foot."

She got off of him as she made her way back into the pool, finally finding the connection, and said parting words, "And I'll savor every moment as you squirm underneath my heel like the insect you are, and then you'll die screaming as you deserve."

After that, she vanished underneath the life-holding liquid, severing the connection, and leaving him alone on the cracked floor, a large grin settled on his face as he started to chuckle, then it quickly shifted to full-on howling laughter as it echoed through the room, he could only cover his face as his eyes glowed in anticipation and lust.

"You truly are a special case, Nicole Aster Potter. It will be the greatest of all honors and rewards I could ever receive when I rip off those wings of yours and engrain every inch of my being into you until you break and remake you into a woman he will savor immensely. You can count on that, my adorable little raven."

[Reality]

Nicole snapped awake with a gasp as she quickly sat up, trying to keep herself quiet so as not to disturb Luna as she stumbled out of bed, keeping her coughing under control as she covered her mouth as she raced into the bathroom, turning on the sink and vomiting.

The revolting feeling of his touch remained, she could smell and feel the sticky feeling of blood on her skin, even though it was just a dream. She nearly ripped off her pajamas and turned the shower on, not even waiting for the water to heat up, she jumped in, using the soap, lathering her entire body, three times along with her face. Soon enough, the water turned hot, but she just scrubbed herself raw until she felt better, when the heat got too much she dialed it back so it was just warm and she made to wash her hair, lathering it in deep conditioner before washing it out.

She let the water hit her face as she leaned her head against the cool wall of the shower, all the images of her loved ones flashed before her eyes.

'You won't touch them...The fact that you have the nerve to even think you can threaten me with their harm, proves you are more stupid than you look. I'll crush you and you will die screaming.'

Despite not wanting to imagine it, her mind thought of Luna, Charlie, and Bill dead before her and made her crack the wall as she slammed her head against it, her eyes glowed brightly in agitation.

Soon the water turned cold, she shut it off, leaving her standing in the middle of her own shower, her eyes wide with dismay and loathing.

"That will never happen. He will suffer and die as he deserves."

A soft knock on the door cut through her thoughts, "Nicole? Are you okay?"

It took a moment before she called back, "Yeah, I'm fine."

She looked at the wall she banged her head against, showing a spiderweb crack which she quickly fixed.

Nicole noted that Luna didn't reply back, but the feeling of worry was still there.

After stepping out of the shower, she put on a bathrobe and opened the door to find Luna standing before her, looking worried. She lifted her hand which Nicole took as she led her to the couch, to where they sat.

"A bad dream?"

Nicole wrapped her hair into two buns, collecting her thoughts before she said, "Yeah...A really gross, disturbing dream. Luna...I-I saw him. The mad bastard."

"He didn't do anything to you, right? I saw you jump out of bed and race into the bathroom."

"No, he didn't do anything to me per se, but he did threaten...you and-"

"Bill and Charlie and possibly Cedric considering that you told me when he performed his dark magic on you, he looked into your mind and so he knows your bad relationship with your parents and the good ones with everyone else."

Nicole wanted to be sick, "Sweet Merlin, Luna. I don't know what to do. I don't think I could handle it if something happened to you, your father, Bill, Charlie, or Cedric. I-I-"

Luna hugged her and Nicole quickly wrapped her arms around the smaller blonde, just barely realizing that she was shaking.

"Let me tell you this now, that bastard won't be able to kill us off that easily. I'll gladly break that bastard's legs myself. Bill and Charlie aren't slouches either and Dad isn't weak. You still have your grandparents' memories which are untaintable and you know Cedric, he's not a Hufflepuff just for his good looks, you know?"

She was silent as the blonde continued.

"We are all self-reliant, Nicole. You need to remember that, you are going to work yourself sick over nothing. The mad bastard used his monsters to do his dirty work and you crushed him in spite of his dark magic practically crippling him. You will crush him again. But enough about him. He will be dealt with in due time. On lighter matters, this Reserve London?"

Nicole gave her a half-smile before releasing her from her grip, as she said, "Reserve London, the place Ollivander wrote down for me. I want to go and see what the place has in store and get my new wand there. Hopefully, I can beat the morning rush, if it's anything like Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley."

Luna nodded, "Well, it looks like I have to take a shower and get dressed, huh?"

Nicole got up and made to pull out a set of clothes, she wore a white short-sleeved shirt underneath a fur-lined leather jacket with a pair of tight leggings and a pair of sneakers. Luna was wearing a salmon-red dress shirt underneath a jean jacket with a pair of jeans with thick multi-colored socks with a pair of converse sneakers.

"It would seem so. Hurry...and thank you."

Luna gave her a side hug as she got up to do exactly what she said she would.

Nicole felt better after her talk with Luna, but inside she felt unease before she pushed it down, she would steel herself for the future, and she would protect those she cared for, whether she lived or not in the aftermath. Her blood would demand nothing less.

After they made sure they weren't missing anything, they left the portrait and made their way to Reserve London, she picked an empty abandoned classroom and shut it behind her with Luna as she clenched her fist, forming a skeleton key.

"A master skeleton key?"

Nicole grinned, "Yep!"

She put it into the lock and turned it to the left to lock it before she put a rune for the non-magical world on the door and pressed it into the door before turning the key to the right and opening it into the nearest door at King's Cross Station on the non-magical side.

"After to you, Luna."

"Thank you!" Luna smiled as she skipped forward as she bundled up in her coat while Nicole followed behind as the door slammed shut behind them, leaving nothing more than the empty classroom.

[King's Cross Station]

The pair made to walk out of the station into the non-magical London and they saw the early risers slowly filter in Luna kept her grip on Nicole's sleeve as she let her magic lead her toward a nearby alleyway and they stopped at the center and Nicole pulled out the piece of parchment with Ollivander's scribble on it, as she traced the scrawl with her finger which caused it to glow a bright blue before it embedded itself into the ground which caused it to give, leaving a large hole.

The words of 'Reverse London' soon became a shield with the initials, 'RL' against each other in bronze and gold that floated before them.

"Wow..." Luna whispered

"Ready?" Nicole asked

"After you."

"Is there any other way?" She smiled before she jumped in the hole as Luna fell in after her, before the hole sealed up behind her, leaving nothing but an empty alleyway.

[Reverse London]

After a flash of light, the two found themselves standing in the middle of the city square, the buildings were outlined with a variety of different archaic runes, and a slew of greenery covered nearly every building, the scent of magic was a lot heavier compared to Hogsmeade and Hogwarts.

"It's beautiful."

A male voice rang out, "I'm glad you think so, ladies."

The pair saw a semi-transparent man in a dark navy blue uniform as he greeted them with a wave of his cap.

"Sir?"

He smiled, "Always glad to see new faces within this wonderful place, try not to make any trouble."

He then vanished, leaving only a pair of golden coins that Luna grabbed.

"Who was that?"

"Apparently, either the one in charge of this place or a greeter to make sure we won't cause trouble. Let's explore."

She nodded before tossing Nicole a coin and they walked, the city was beautiful with well over forty shops, while they walked they soon came near a restaurant called Rouge, which was a second-story building, before someone fell through a window and landed roughly on the ground.

Luna squeaked in shock when he landed in front of both of them.

"Sweet Merlin, are you okay?" Nicole asked, rushing towards him, checking him over.

The man laughed as he popped up, jogging in place with a giant grin on his face.

"Ah, damn that hurt, still kicking though. Thanks for checking up on me ladies."

"What happened?"

"Ah, you must be new, this place is a fighting restaurant that has multiple tiers and the top has a world-class buffet with food that practically borders on Heaven, well that's what I heard. And I fully intend on tasting that delicacy today! See you around, ladies."

He jumped back into the fray of shadow-like figures who made to stop him with a joyful battle cry.

"That looks fun."

"You can try it the next time we come."

"Yep, come on, we still have some time before the schools come, so let's explore as much as we can."

"Of course."

They found a slew of different clothing stores with a variety of different clothing after that were the magical shops that had focused on specific types of magic.

Nicole couldn't help the smirk that fell on her face, 'Dumbledore would throw a fit over the types of magic he weeded out of Hogwarts being broadcast out in the open like this.'

"Nicole, are you okay?"

"Just peachy. The different types of magic broadcasted in these shops just made me a bit giddy that's all."

"Is that it or the fact that the Headmaster would blow a basket or how Hermione would give her arms to be in your place?"

"All three," She admitted with a quip

They continued to walk until they came across a small brick house shop with runes etched into the brick, Nicole made her way towards it and opened the navy blue door as the door opened a small bell released a joyful tune as they entered.

The floor was a plum purple carpet with silver gray walls, littered with multiple drawings of runes, Nicole couldn't help but admire the craftsmanship and their innate beauty. Luna joined her, admiring them for herself before she tugged on Nicole's jacket.

"Nicole?"

She looked down at her before finding an older woman who leaned against the doorway leading further into her shop.

"I'm happy to find some new faces who admire the craftsmanship of runes, may I ask who you two are?"

The woman stood in a pair of sweatpants under a sleeveless t-shirt, Nicole could see her tattoos had been continuously re-applied throughout the years.

"Beautiful."

"To be complimented by a young woman removed ten years off my age, thank you, young lady."

Nicole collected herself, "Sorry, my name is Nicole Aster Potter, a pleasure to meet you."

Luna smiled, "I'm Luna Lovegood, it's nice to meet you too."

The old woman smiled and bowed, "A pleasure to meet you both, please just call me Nanami. And so you are the one that caused such chaos back at Hogwarts, well done, young lady.

"I just did what needed to be done."

"Rightfully so, but I can tell those wounds hurt, dark magic with self-made runes always hurt. Come inside."

Nicole and Luna followed after her to find a massive workroom covered in intrinsic runes, at first glance were for safety and relaxation, the walls were made with dark stone with the runes pulsing lazily with a light mint-green glow. The floor was made out of dark polished tile with specks of white and silver within them. The room was bare of anything but Nicole could tell Nanami could make the room into anything she wanted at her will.

After giving the two a moment to take in the room, Nanami asked, "Would you like a new set of runes?"

Nicole said, "I would be honored, but can you please explain the process?"

The older woman nodded before speaking, "First, all toxins must be removed and the skin must be renewed before a new set of runes can be etched into the skin. Once you have been cleansed, you will come here and lay on a table where we will begin the process of strengthening your skin, after that, the runes of your choosing will be engraved into your skin along with a measure of protection so these painful cracks don't happen again."

"That sounds amazing, can I get started immediately, how much is it? Do I choose the runes first?"

The older woman laughed at the excited look on Nicole's face and rapid-fire questions, "Calm down, young lady, to answer in order. Yes, we can get started immediately, the payment depends on what you want done, the whole package, correct?"

Nicole nodded.

"Then the service fee would be 1200 gallons 45 sickles and 12 knuts."

"Charge it to my account at Grigotts, please. Oh Luna, would you like to do it with me as well?"

"I'm not ready to have them across my body like yours, but if they choose me..."

"Then add hers to my total amount, please."

"It will be done," She snapped her fingers and summoned her house elf who quickly poofed into the room and said, "Youse called for Pippy?"

"Charge the amount for the total package and let me know once it went through," Nanami said

"It will be done," As the house elf made to do her bidding.

She then turned to Nicole and said, "The runes can be chosen, take your time."

"Thank you."

Nicole and Luna explored the front of the shop for runes for battle and elemental runes that had the potential to grow with her knowledge and three sigils glowed a bright white that just called to her to take them.

The first sigil attracts gold and silver and protects the wearer in battle.

The second sigil manifests all desires and creates what you will from it.

The third sigil guards against psychic attacks and guards against black magic and negative spirits.

Luna found herself attracted to two sigils:

The first was one that brings out those of what is hidden from the wearer.

The second was one that allowed the ability to crossover to different worlds and interact with spirits.

"My, my, I have some powerful young women in my store."

Nicole was taken to the backroom where she saw a large bath filled to the brim with a white-silver cleansing potion and Nanami gave her some privacy and she would know when she was finished as she made to get started on Luna.

She stripped herself of her clothes before entering the thick white bath, when she stuck a leg in she refused to voice the yelp that clawed its way up her throat, it felt like she was being scrubbed with a porcupine laced with rock salt and lemon. As she placed her whole body in, fought with the will to scream and scratch as her cleansing potion wasn't as thorough as she thought.

'My potion must have gotten only to surface level, this itch is pure agony!'

The itch could be felt down to the marrow of her bones as she made to control her breathing at a slow and steady pace to not summon a steel-wool sponge to tear off her skin to get to the vile itch. As minutes ticked by, it soon became a bit more manageable to the point that she didn't feel the need to tear off her flesh, but the desire to scratch was growing more tempting by the second.

After 15 minutes passed Nanami entered the room, Nicole sat up, still drenched in the thick white potion.

Nanami could only smile in sympathy, "Was it itchy, Ms. Potter?"

"Pardon my language, but Yes! It's so fucking itchy, sweet Merlin above!" Her face was twisted into an uncomfortable grimace.

Nanami chuckled and helped her out of the tub and washed off the potion and led her to a different type of bath, it was a sapphire slime bath that eats away at toxins and rejuvenates skin, she just leaned over the side of the bath and let the slime do its' job as Nanami slipped out of the room, leaving Nicole to enjoy as the slime worked its' magic.

'Sweet Merlin, this is so much better. I'll make sure to ask where she gets a slime bath.'

Luna was at her desk, with Nanami putting the finishing touches on her sigils on the back of her hands.

"How is she?"

"The potion did its job and now she's just enjoying a slime bath to recover."

"Dark magic is really something, huh?"

"That it is," Nanami summoned a fainting couch and summoned her house elf, "Tell her what you need as you wait for your friend."

"Of course. Can I have milk tea and cookies?"

"As you want," Pippy nodded as she snapped her finger and gave her a full tray with a full teapot with all the fixings before serving her a cup of tea with fresh cookies on a small plate.

Luna just enjoyed the peaceful time while she waited for Nicole, soon enough Nicole walked out with Nanami as she felt better than before, "That slime bath was amazing, it has wonderful healing powers as well."

Her skin was free was cracks and bruises, she felt calm and refreshed.

"I'll send the information to you through an owl, now let's get started."

Nanami summoned a comfortable table and got to work as Luna watched in silence, Nanami started off with her back before going down to her legs starting up at her shoulders before having her float slightly off the table for her to finish off her work on her front, before molding them into a collection of chrysanthemum flowers for protection and to hide the runes and sigils within them. For now, the chrysanthemum flowers were nothing but outlines but as magic is slowly transferred into them they would bloom into a variety of colors.

When she got a mirror, they were beautiful, and she adored them, "Thank you! Thank you so much!"

"Oh, it's my absolute pleasure dear. Make sure to come back for touch-ups!"

She nodded as she got dressed but changed her outfit into a long navy dress with slits at the sides and changed her shoes into sandals.

After giving their thanks once more, they left in a great mood as Luna loved the outlined flowers.

"You do know that there will be some bitching?"

"There will always be bitching, especially from Granger who thinks she knows everything."

"Looking forward to it?"

"Absolutely, come, I think there's a cafe and I fully intend on sampling some of their wares today."

"Coming, coming."

They settled down at a table at a cute cafe and it offered a selection of treats and some to take home, Nicole made to savor the light snack, then they grabbed everything and made their way to the wand shop, their main reason for coming.

[Wand Shop]

The building was a simple single-story-level building, dark tile roof with the same layout of a dessert cafe with wide open windows showing the outside world the wares they had to offer.

When they entered, they were introduced to an older woman who smiled and went by the name of Mrs. Florence, she led them in and had them look around.

"Ollivander told me about you, I can see you enjoyed what Reverse London had to offer, especially for your runes? She does very good work, your skin looks almost like a newborn."

"Yes, but now I get to have the opportunity to craft my wand."

"I'm glad you are happy for this opportunity and what a wonderful scrap you got into, the news about what happened at Hogwarts is everywhere, you truly live up to your name, Ms. Potter or should I say Heir Potter?"

"Please call me Nicole or Ms. Potter if Nicole is too informal."

"Very well, Nicole then, and you, young lady?"

"Luna Lovegood, but please call me Luna."

"Of course, are you here for a wand as well?"

The blonde shook her head, "Only for some new wand cleaning utensils and wand polish, other than that I am just here to watch Nicole craft her wand."

"Then let's get what you need first and ring you up."

After finishing with Luna, she took Nicole to the back where she clapped twice and showed a wide collection of material that made up wands.

"Amazing."

"Right? Now, please take your time and choose."

"May I add Ballisk venom in the creation of my wand?"

"Of course, I cannot wait to see how your wand looks, especially with Ballisk venom, it will be one hell of a wand."

Nicole grinned as she observed the collection of wood samples first before she selected Ebony and Yew wood samples, then she turned to the wand cores and she selected the following, a black dragon heartstring and a white imperial tiger magical core.

The older woman looked at what she gathered, along with a mini-vial of Ballisk venom.

"Interesting choices, now come, let's begin the process of crafting your wand. This will be an interesting experience, so please don't be scared."

"I won't be."

Nicole was led to an engraved rune circle and the materials were placed in the center of the circle which entrapped the materials in a glowing golden orb as Mrs. Florance chanted, Nicole added several drops of her blood, a lock of her hair, and a small collection of her own magic into the orb that soon melded them all into a thick substance as she just waited. Luna was watching from the sidelines with unblinking eyes, taking in the entire scene.

Once she finished chanting, a bright flash of light filled the room before it settled leaving nothing but an onyx black 12-inch wand within the wand was the black dragon heartstring with the white imperial tiger magical core fashioned around it like a protective sheath that was fortified with Ballisk venom mixed with her own magic and blood as her hair gave the wand it's now signature dark color.

Nicole held in the will to squeal in joy as she twirled it between her fingers before she tested it out, causing a collection of fireworks to shoot out from the tip of the wand.

"It's beautiful, thank you so much! I owe Ollivander a massive favor for leading me to you."

"Believe me the pleasure is all mine!"

Nicole made to get a new cleansing kit and wand polish along with a befitting wand holster, after paying, she left a generous tip before walking out of the shop.

As they went to explore a bit more, Nicole found herself in front of a restaurant called Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of sexual love and beauty.

Luna nudged her side, "A place to take Cedric when you finally ask him out?"

Her cheeks tinged pink at that, "It does sound interesting but later, not now. Let's wait for things to calm down now, we have to head back."

The blonde rolled her eyes, "Yes, yes. Enough embarrassment for one day."

As they walked, neither of them noticed a man in a tuxedo watching from the dark tint of the restaurant windows, "How interesting...I best get ready."

Nicole knew it was time to head back, the other schools would be arriving soon enough and she didn't want to give Albus any leverage to pull her back into his office.

[Hogwarts]

People were in the dining hall mulling around the two schools that joined them for the Tri-Wizarding Tournament, Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, and Durmstrang Institute. The news and rumors of the eldest Potter child stopping an attack at Hogwarts as some made to explore the castle, they saw the remains of the Quidditch pitch which was soon circled through the varying parties within the two visiting schools who couldn't wait to get a look at Nicole.

As it was time to settle down in the dining hall, Nicole and Luna arrived, which stalled multiple conversations as Nicole and Luna walked to their usual seats at the Ravenclaw table.

"I thought she had cracks across her skin from taking that lightning attack for the Slytherins."

"Where was she hiding?"

"Did she go somewhere?"

"She's beautiful."

"So that's the eldest Potter."

"First, the Boy Who Lived and now her? I bet the Potters are counting their blessings on having two powerhouses."

Regardless of their conversations and stares, Nicole and Luna conversed with ease until an owl came forward and dropped off a present in front of her, she furrowed her brow and checked it for any malicious intent, when nothing came up, she undid the pink bow that tied the present together.

"A gift?"

"Apparently and with no malicious intent, I know it's bad taste to check, but you know."

"Better safe than sorry, the common non-magical phrase, and considering that prick, no chances."

She opened it carefully and saw it was a golden teddy bear with silver button eyes with a yellow ribbon tied around the bear's neck. Nicole couldn't help but look surprised but it quickly melted into a warm smile, that made those who saw it tug at their collars, she could see that it was handmade with the slightly uneven stitching pattern on the sides. Then she noticed a slip of paper within the box that read, I love you, do you feel the same?

The handwriting belonged to one person and she could only sigh, "Thank you," clutching the bear to her chest.

As she stepped away from the table, she pulled out her new wand and summoned a bouquet of red and yellow tulips tied in a green ribbon before she tossed it up in the air, she already knew exactly where he sat as she kept her back to him, he instinctively caught it much to his blushing as everyone in the room stared at the both of them.

She turned to him and said, "Thank you for the gift and those flowers have my answer to your little question, see you around, Cedric."

Then both she and Luna left the dining hall as conversations raced across the tables.

'The flowers have my answer?' Cedric looked at the flowers with a lovestruck expression as he knew she returned his feelings while his friends were congratulating him and patting him on the back while others glared at the Hufflepuff for putting a dent in their romantic plans for Nicole.

Sprout was extremely happy for her young student along with Flitwick who smiled into his tea, "Tulips, huh?"

Sprout quipped, "With such bold colors too. Your student is something else, Filius."

"She knows what she wants, but to proclaim it so boldly through flowers, it seems she is staking a silent claim as well."

"So, how long do you think it will take for them to go on a date?"

"Oh, I wouldn't say too long, but I hope whoever is foolish enough to stand in their way, better brace themselves for a long stay in Poppy's tender mercies."

"Oh, dear."

As the two discussed, Severus glanced at the happy expression on Cedric's face as his meal lay forgotten in front of him, a small hint of jealousy filled him before he pushed it away and made to focus on his meal and made a mental note to read an old book of flowers from softer times.

'She may be a Ravenclaw but she sure acts like a lion at some points.'

McGonagall silently pondered on how to go about this information along with Albus who had a tinkle in his eye as he savored his meal.

Theodore was grinding his teeth before he hid a dark smile and made to inform his parents, they'll put her back in her place. Hermione scoffed as she made to tune out the gushing of the girls next to her, a teddy bear and flowers.

Rumors began to swirl amongst the castle grounds.

As Nicole made to relax back in their shared bedroom, cuddling with her new bed companion, she found out it was sentient and it smiled back at her and nuzzled into her.

"How did he know I liked teddy bears?"

"Ah, a little raven must have told him, but I didn't think he would hand-stitch himself."

"Do you think he would mind if I ask him on a date?"

"You boldly send him a bouquet of tulips and ask me if it's right to ask him on a date. Of course, if anything you'll both probably stutter through it and blush like cherries. I'd give him extra props for handcrafting it. It must have taken a while."

Then Mixy popped in with a letter.

"What is it, Mixy?"

"Youse got a letter from Lady Potter."

She snorted as she fell back on the bed, "Burn it. Any of importance?"

As the personal house elf did as she was told, she commented, "Two more letters, actually."

After handing them over, Mixy vanished to complete her daily tasks

Nicole ripped open the first one and she found it was from the potion association who wanted more details about her certified potion and to personally congratulate her for her hard work. She then put that aside and tore open the second one and found out it was a letter of thanks from Lady Malfoy, who thanked her for saving her son and his classmates and if she required anything or was in need of her service, all she had to do was ask.

She could only smile, 'It seems I got another favor, that's nice.'

The two ravens then spent their time in peace until it was time for dinner and everyone was required to show up.

[Evening]

As everyone gathered within the halls for dinner, Nicole held in a grimace, Luna noted the swift change in her behavior and held her hand, which made her feel better, Remus, Sirius, and both of her parents were beside Theodore who filled them in on what happened earlier today.

She didn't want to think or even look at them, Cedric greeted them both with a smile and it was decided they would eat with him tonight, she ignored the glare McGonagall gave them for not sitting at their table.

"Let it go, Mirvana. It's just for one dinner," Flitwick said, to which the older woman huffed and swallowed a mouthful of her drink.

Lily tried to catch her eye, but Nicole didn't glance in their direction making her sigh as James placated Theodore, "We will talk to her later, Theo."

Sirius sighed, "Yeah, besides, it can't be that bad and she could have chosen far worse for a potential boyfriend, I ain't big on her having one either."

"Paddy," Remus quipped

"What? You can't tell me that I'm wrong here? And she is at that age."

James snorted, "She can do better than a Hufflepuff, Siri and she needs to learn some damn respect."

Lily just kept out of the conversation and ignored her dinner as she stared at the happy smile on her estranged daughter's face and how she conversed with Cedric. She felt as if a chilled ice pick pierced her heart, filling it with dark sticky guilt which made it feel like a stone settled into her chest.

Soon it was time for the choosing of champions, the goblet was lit and students from all three schools looked at the cup anxiously with hopeful eyes and soon one by one names for each school were spat out of the goblet.

Dumbledore stood up and announced, "Viktor Krum from Durmstrang Institute!"

Slytherin table erupted into cheers along with all other tables, Ronald tried to whistle his approval only to make a revolting mess from the food still in his mouth, those who had the misfortune to witness it pushed their plates away from them with a scowl of disgust.

A serious-looking teen made his way to stand before the Goblet as Dumbledore pulled out another name.

"Fleur Delacour from Beauxbatons Academy of Magic!"

Instead of all-around cheers and shouts of congratulation, it was more of a symphony of screams of denial, lustful stares of longing, dramatic sobs, and regular clapping and cheers.

Nicole could only wince in sympathy for the girl, but she stood tall and proud as she walked to stand next to Krum who gave his own congratulations towards her, in good faith, which denoted by the small smile and the return of his handshake, made her feel better.

After waiting for the noise to die down, Dumbledore collected another name, "Cedric Diggory from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!"

All of Hogwarts cheered like mad, Nicole smiled at him and hugged him, "Go!"

He grinned at her as he proudly made his way to the front to greet the other two contestants.

All the champions were led out of the Hall to receive further instructions and Albus was about to dismiss the feast before the Cup sputtered out another name, much to the dead silence of the hall as he picked up the piece of paper and said, "Theodore James Potter!"

The silence was overwhelming, until one of the Hufflepuffs cried out, "Bullshit!"

Which soon opened the floodgates of enraged students and visitors glaring holes at Theodore while Nicole just sighed and fixed herself a hot cup of tea.

'This is going to be messy, thank sweet Merlin above for calming tea.'

Ending the chapter! I hope you all enjoyed it! Take care! Also, what should I do, what to do for the tasks, I've been smitten with a new anime and so I made Reverse London a hidden oasis away from Dumbledore's influence as in his greater good removed old magics and their rituals to welcome the muggle-borns and half-bloods from the non-magical world. You can say that Reverse London is what Britain could be in the future and how the magical halves of the other countries work, it's more vibrant and magical with various types of magic that have been lost throughout the years of the wars and blood purity. Maybe, I'll shake up how I'll select each task as I want it to be random as hell now.

Thank you for your reviews!

jack3160 - I'm very sorry for the long wait and they'll learn that Nicole is not to be screwed with.

mattcun - I hope you will enjoy this chapter, but I'm sorry for the long wait.

Stephanie MRV - I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter and the bit of violence, everyone needs a bit of that in a story and nothing can stay secret in Hogwarts unless it's kept by one person. They gossip more than old ladies at a tea party. Snape is more neutral in this story and he will find himself more interested and more prone to stay on her good side. Hermione getting smacked down is always good fun and Theodore's jealousy will only chew more and more at his reputation as he tries to make Nicole look like the fool he actually is. The Slytherins owe her for saving them at the cost of herself. The fact that Potter, the eldest sibling of the BWL, and his father with his group proclaim to hate Slytherins, sacrificing herself touched them. I hope you'll enjoy the update and future ones.

Guest #2 - Sadly, but they won't get what they desire.

Skull Fame - For your first point, believe me, there is no rest at all for our dear Potter protagonist, especially when he wakes up, he was sealed and placed away from all human civilization for a reason, he was just barely stopped in Britain before his influence could spread upon the rest of the world, it also explains why magic is Britain is many times weaker than other countries. You'll see more on that topic later on. The second point, I got the idea of Reverse London from Kubo's Burn the Witch. Basically, if you like Bleach and their Hado spells you will enjoy that series, unfortunately, they only have three episodes, but I hope he creates more so we can get an entire season and it grows to be a massive world just like Bleach, that doesn't crash and burn. The third point, it made sense that various people would send gifts to Nicole, especially at the cost of her own body, she would get more as the days progress. The fourth point, I always felt the Head Unspeakable would make sure to have a broad horizon and worldview, learning in the obscure and things other people do not perceive as important such as the non-magical world. I would assume he would make sure the people under his command know his area is no place for the narrow-minded and Granger is about as narrow-minded as can be. She's book-smart but she would crash and burn extremely hard in high school if she got it that far. 5th point, I always wanted to write that ever since that accursed scene with the blood quill, to be fair I was violently tempted to have Nicole trick her into meeting the centaurs earlier, maybe later on if my demented mind allows me to, or if I find a more horrifying punishment later on. 6th point, I felt like making Snape a more neutral gray, considering that she protected his house, which gives her major brownie points in his book and she is a good student and never in trouble so she usually stays out of his way so...neutral gray. It's a new way of writing him other than the greasy twat monkey he is usually portrayed in fanfiction, not that I don't like those, but broadening my writing style. 7th point, Theodore still is along with Hermione and their suffering will only continue for my own demented amusement. Take care!

raw666 - Oh, the possibilities. Who destroys Hogwarts due to their own actions, well, depends on who...and well, Nicole being a Potter has to deal with a lot more baggage and it will take a lot for her to go apeshit and they wouldn't survive if she did. Now, if you will excuse me, I need to plan out how I'm going to crush Molly.

AsashiOfSapphire - Possibly, but Gryffindor pays the price due to Ronald running his mouth, so...bad times for him and those who accumulated the most point loss. When Nicole stated in a previous chapter to Hermione stating that she could be worse than Slytherin could ever be, she wasn't kidding. Physical pain is just that, most people can resist physical pain, it's isolation and loathing from the surrounding populace that breaks people the quickest.

Knightmars - You're welcome and take care.

Jackie970408 - Thank you for enjoying it, take care, and be safe.

dannyrockon122 - I'm glad you enjoyed the update, that makes me really happy.

Guest#1 - Who knows...the muse goes where it wants.

Guest #2 - Wait and see.

~Kourtney Uzu Yato!