Interlude: A mother, an Auror and an assassin walk into a bar...
I own nothing from the two franchise. JK Rowling own Harry Potter and Type Moon own Fate.
Amelia Bones. Head of the DMLE, a ruthless Auror with a strong career and a impressive reputation. So impressive in fact that she was called the Iron Lady during her time as a on-field Auror during her early twenty's! She climbed to the top of the social ladder, which is filled with nepotism, bigots and sexism, with nothing with her wits, skills and knowledge. Take that you old coots! But that was what the public says about her. Behind close doors, she is a loving yet strict aunt to her niece, Susan Bones, the heiress of the house like a daughter she may not be able to have. And as much as she love her niece, there were times where she wonder if she is allowed to have a child of her own. Oh! And did I mention that she is super curvy with racks to die for? No?
...
Anyway...
Amelia was sitting in her office in Bones manor as she look at some work she brought back from her department. With Susan at Hogwarts, she didn't have to worried that she came back late or anything else that may worried her when she is out at work. Right now, she is reading some reports from her Aurors, which is not a lot as her department barely had any funding,(Curse you Fudge! And you too Lucius Malfoy!), rechecking some of the paperwork's and signing whatever documents she need to sign as the Regent of the House Bones as well as reading the proposed clause that a toad wrote. All of this with a glass of Chardonnay.
Maybe the muggles are on to something with the alcoholic drinks. That and all of those cheesy mystery-love novel.
As she was about to take another sip, she heard a tap on her office window and saw a brown Barn owl perched there with a letter tied to it's leg. Placing her glass down and walked towards her window, she look out a bit before taking the owl in and took the letter. She knew it wasn't from Susan. She already received Susan letters just this morning about an event happen during Halloween, ('A troll?! And how many children take it down?!') and this isn't the owl she bought her nor it is the family owl. The owl in question, then flew to the bird perch at the other side of her office and took a sip from the water and barked for some food. Amelia of course asked a house elf to feed said owl. She then turn back to letter in hand.
Who in there right mind sent a letter this late of an hour? Wait, what time is it actually?
Casting a quick Tempus, it shows 2:30 am. It was late. Like really late and oh how she was glad that she took a day off for tomorrow, err, today. Back to the letter, she look at it, cast a quick spell to see it isn't some sort of prank or anything malicious, she open it and read it.
Hello Amelia.
Meet me at the Leaky Cauldron's tomorrow morning at 1030. I need tell you something there.
Croaker.
P.S. Wore some muggle style clothing as well. I believe you might want to drink at a muggle establishment two blocks from the cauldron.
So it was Croaker who send her the letter. It was quite funny actually when she read it. The two had a... interesting work relationship. They both knew each other, somewhat, they are a head of their own department in the Ministry that is slightly away from their ruling and once or twice Croaker will barges into her office just to annoyed her before she blast curses at the man. Yes. The person was a man despite being an Unspeakable. She took a moment to think, rub her eyes and immediately place the letter in her drawer as well with her work and immediately went to bed.
Whatever Croaker wanted to talked about that is in need of an owl requires rest and boozes. But first, rest!
After a wonderful five hour sleep, she immediately get her day started with usual routine. Some light exercise, bath, get dress (she wore a white turtle neck blouse with grey form fitting jeans and black leather boots), ate breakfast while reading the Prophet. Soon, as the clock strikes ten, she walked out from the mansion to the nearest apparition point and apparated towards the nearest alley to the Leaky Cauldron that she knew. The reason why she didn't take the floo? It was maintenance day at the ministry.
Around 1015, she arrived and walked towards the Leaky. Soon after she enter the small pub, she headed to the counter and asked the owner himself.
"Good day Tom." she said.
"Ah, madam Bones. What can I help ya with?" said Tom with his missing tooth smile.
"I was told that Croaker rented a room? He invited me as you could tell."
"Ah! Right.. That would be room 3B. The others are already there. I'm sure you would be happy to see them again."
Amelia merely raised a brow. 'Happy to see them again'? Who were they that he speak of? No matter. She have better thing to do than answer that question. As she thanked the owner of the Leaky Cauldron, she head up to the upper floor of the pub and headed towards the room , she open the door only to be met with white.
White hair. Ruby red eyes. A pale complexion but a warm smile. Wearing what seems to be a red blouse and a small white skirt that reach to her knees.
She only knew of two smile that was warm. Lily's and-
"Iri?" she mutter. The woman, Iri, stood up and stared at her before her smiled widen and she beam. The very person who she called a friend. One of the few people that was left after the war. As Amelia was trap in her own thoughts, 'Iri' rushed toward her like a missile and gave her a bone crushing hug.
"Amy!" said Irisiviel. Amelia could barely breath. Ah... She remembered. That Lily and Irisiviel will give a hug that is mighty enough to crush someone if done right. As she tried to tell Irisiviel to stop, and failing, a man place his hand on Irisiviel shoulder.
"That's enough Iri. You need to let her go or else she couldn't breath." said the man.
The man wore all black suit. He looks tired with black obsidian eyes and black hair. She knew this man too.
"Kiritsugu?" said Amelia. The man turn towards him and gave a small smile, as if he finally able to meet an old friend.
"It's good to see you too, Amelia."
"I see that you're still alive." She said as she smooth out her blouse with a small smile. Irisiviel merely gave a chuckle as Kiritsugu just shook his head lightly.
"So? How's life in Germany? I heard that someone you knew was made into Minister."
"That's right! Uncle Reggie is now Minister of Magic back at home." said Irisiviel.
"At the very least that he is honest and brutal. Not like Fudge, I presume?" Kiritsugu state.
"Tell me about it. The man do more harm than good. Not only that, he keep on cutting the DMLE budget!" she said furiously.
"Oh... I'm sorry to hear that."
"It's alright." Amelia sigh. "So. Croaker send you a letter as well?"
Both of them nodded at a different pace. That's kind of weird. Amelia thought to herself that she was the only one that Croaker needed to speak with. So why does -
The door open and a man who wore a dark blue robe with his face veil and cover to hid hid face came in. Beside him, however, is a man, wearing a black robe/coat with a red scarf around his neck with a ruby top cane. Everything about him scream wealth but something else tells the current occupants that he is dangerous.
"I see that all of you have arrive. Good. Now we can began."
"Croaker, who is that? The man beside you that is." Said Amelia. Her instinct is telling her to move quick and get her wand. To make a distraction so they could escape. Kiritsugu hand move slightly slower to his back. Most probably to get his chosen weapon. Both are ready for a frontal assault but before any of the two began to do anything, the man beside the Unspeakable spoke, "Now, now you two. There is no need for that." His voice is similar to that of Croaker but slightly deeper. He merely raise a hand to stop them from attacking him but before any of the two did, Irisiviel spoke.
"Umm... Do we know you sir? I mean, you are here with sir Croaker, doesn't that mean you are someone important?"
The man(?) chuckles as a reply to Irisiviel as he walked in and took a seat near to the unlit fireplace.
"That my dear is somewhat true. Am I right 'Croaker'?"
The Unspeakable didn't reply or nodded but the man(?) took it as an answer of it's own. He turn to face the three other occupants and gestured them to sit. Both Amelia and Kiritsugu were weary on what the person in front if them. "If you like Mr Emiya, Madam Bones, you can took out your wand and gun and held them on point to me if you wish.", said the mysterious stranger.
The two look at each other before doing what they wanted to do. Amelia took out her wand while Kiritsugu brought a modified desert eagle and held them. Irisiviel however, took a cup of tea that was provided with the room beforehand and watch in what is happening.
"Everyone good? Wonderful! Now before I tell you who I am, may I asked if any of you knew about the multiverse theory?"
The three occupants, minus Croaker who took a sit near the window, raise an eyebrow at him. The Emiya/Einzbern couple knew what it was as they keep ahead of time on what research that the mundane did and do while Amelia was slightly confused. She did tried to keep up with Muggles and they progress, one of the few requirements that is needed to be the head of one of an important department of the Ministry, knowing full well that the muggle progress much faster than the magical (a sad understatement to all magical borne) but still slightly confuse.
The man once more chuckles and gave an in depth on what is the multiverse theory. "To those who don't know what is the multiverse theory is, it is a study of the possibility of multiple different worlds or universe, whichever you might imagine or prefer, exist at the same time at the same moment but different all the same. Now there are some misconception here and there about said theory but bases are there.
Now, you maybe wondering why I brought it up. Simple. Because the theory is true. Yes, there are multiple different worlds or timelines I would like to call them. Yes there are many different possiblity and history as well in those world. Now to the next question is my identity. My name is Kischur Zelretch Schweinorg. I am what you may called a dimensions traveller. I am also a vampire-"
At the word of vampire, Kiritsugu quickly reach out to his weapon in his coat inner pocket and tried to attack Zelretch only to be stop but a disarming spell from Croaker.
Amelia, who was to caught up with the concept of another world, had just realize about the initial attack.
"Kiritsugu, stop this at once! Or would like to stay in a holding cell for overnight.", Kiritsugu, who just being unarmed look at Amelia as his other hand tried to go his gun in his other pocket, look at Amelia with a look of disbelief. Before he could said anything, Zelretch merely clap his hand and gave a small chuckles.
"Ahaha... I see that you two are conscious of me, but not to worry. As I said before, I am a dimensions traveller or I prefer, an observer, as I merely look after the overall of different worlds as I don't interact with them too often. As such, I am the type of vampire that don't prey on human blood to live. No. I merely filled my hunger for blood with magic instead and that is only limited to what I need."
"And how can we trust you? You maybe no need blood to live and feast, but you're still a vampire. How do we know you do not want to rule this world?" said Kiritsugu with a clear hostility and suspicion. But it was Amelia answer his question.
"Croaker. You invited us by using Croaker didn't you? Because, as you said, if their multiple world but had the same history but different outcome that would mean..."
"...Croaker is you isn't it?" Irisiviel jump in as she had a small glee in her eyes despite her obvious look of worried. Croaker bellow a laugh as he removed his hood and shows to the native of this world his face. Lo and behold, a slightly younger face of Zelretch was in front of them.
"I must said, I quite jealous with this version of me." said Zelretch of Fate.
"Argh! If anything, I'm jealous on you for having the power to jump between world much faster than I, me." said Zelretch of Potter as he waved his hand in discontent.
The other three occupants were either shock or just as clueless as they first enter. It took awhile before Zelretch (Fate) continue. "Anyway... Apart from what I would called, a freaky Friday surprise, you all must be wondering on why you are here, right?"
The three adults nodded.
"Well, before I told you why, let me show you two past of two different individual and then, their future.", after he said that, no sooner than a second, all three adults witness two different past and future of two children.
The first was Iris Potter and her abuse in a house that never loved her. How she grew disdain with the people and why that no one help her, because of a prophesy that the dark lord was so obsessed with. How the mechanism of an old goat had cause of the childhood of a girl becoming the most feared Dark Lady of all time and how she rule, with both fear and cold justice. To Kiritsugu, he only felt cold anger to those who punish Iris for merely existing. The two women, shed tears at her fate. The fate that was cruel upon the young child.
The other past was a boy they don't recognize but look familiar. To the three, they saw fire that in hell. How they saw a young boy walked pass everyone as he tried to survive, while losing said will, bit by bit. To Kiritsugu, he only saw damnation for the boy. But to the two women, who had raise a child, they wanted to tell him not stop. To continue to lived, only for him to fell and about to died only to be save the man they (once) loved and a golden light that felt like paradise. Only to be thrown in damnation that is far worse. An internal servitude of humanity's will.
But what shatter their heart is when the two met, fought and died. The girl died with discontented anger while the boy will forever will be torture, betray of his ideals for the long live of humanity will.
After they saw the past and future of two children, the women cried. Irisiviel was a sobbing mess as she cried into her husband chest as he tried to comfort her. Emphasis on the tried. While Amelia? Amelia tried to stop her tears from falling, but she too felt her maternal instinct scream for them both.
How... Why are... They are both children! Happiness is what they must feel and love is what they must experience. Not emptiness of life or anger, hate and abuse! Why would... this is an...
The three adults had somehow return to the land of the present. Irisiviel was crying, Amelia is holding her tears but failed as some of her tears drop and Kiritsugu just sat there quietly. As they looked up, they saw that both Zelretch and Croaker is merely smiling and grinning. "Why are you two smiling about?!" Amelia shouted. Zelretch answer, "Despite how you may think, both of us are just as angry as you are.Trust us on that. I have seen many times where Emiya Shirou suffer from his mistake. And my counterpart her saw that as well with young, dear Iris. However, the both of us already had a plan to help young Iris Potter and Emiya Shirou."
Irisiviel jumped from her seat in blatant shock and she turn to her husband. Wanting to say something but Croaker stop her.
"Remember Lady Einzbern, this boy is not 'your' husband's adopted son but his counterpart's. The boy is name the Emiya heir just like you name your daughter your heir."
"And how is this boy connected to me? I can get it from Iris seeing that I was one of her mother's friends back at Hogwarts but how am I related to this boy? Or is it because we had this meeting that all of us can be done at the same time. A two birds, one stone situation."
Zelretch only gave a solemn chuckle in response.
"As you saw not so long ago, the boy's memories are that of the fire as his earliest memory. Nothing more. Nothing less. You might even say that he is the fire itself. But before the flame, in his world line, there exists your counterpart child. You are all connected to him much more than you may have expected. Irisviel in the form of Illyasviel von Einzbern, Kiritsugu, who adopted him and cared for him, even if it was only three years before he passed away, and you, our dear Madam, as his biological mother from another world."
It was quite an eye opener for them all. One way or another, they are connected even if it is flimsy at best. And now... What are they going to do? Should... Should they went and visit them? For they know, Shirou doesn't have a home and Iris is in an abusive one. So... what hope can they get from this?
"If whatever you are planning to do is still in your mind, it is best you handle it during Easter. And before you said anything, there are a few things that needed to happen before hand. We prefer you stay and wait until Easter but you still can give presents to them both. Trust us on that."
Irisiviel then spoke, "If what you said is true... why can't we, you know, meet them now?"
Then the bastard who orchestrated this problem in this world will flee and rework his plans for Miss Potter and maybe Shirou as well. It is for the best you meet them at Easter. Of course, you have to meet with Dumbledore, but we can talk about him later.
Silently, they agree with the two. Whoever is planning to hurt the two of them, they have to answer to two very angry (pseudo) mother.
After a while of finishing up and catching up, they left the Leaky Cauldron and went back to whatever or wherever they went or from.
Sighing, Amelia decided to walked out of the Leaky and when to one of London, slightly legal establishment in the more... worrying part of town. Let it never been known that the Iron Lady of the DMLE was known to be someone who stir twice in her potion.
Anyone want to see a battle of Dark Lady Potter and Counter Guardian Emiya?
Or how about a Master-Servant interaction of a Holy Grail War in their * year during the * * *? If so what servant would be perfect for Iris? For me, I think it would be our little adorable assassin Jack.
