The New Princess
The Early Years - Part 8 - Chapter 9
Making it official
Previously:
'You can do this, no pressure,' she thought to herself and listened carefully as the instructions were repeated multiple times until both were happy that they had understood. Both were then told to disrobe completely, any article of clothing or accessory could interfere with the ritual.
Aryanna had been forewarned that this was about to happen, so she didn't resist. Even so, she couldn't help but blush as she removed her final bit of clothing from her body. In the distance, she could see Setsuna doing the same.
Only when she was completely undressed, was she permitted to finally enter the ritual circle, shivering as the cool air gently caressed her now naked body, to approach the basin in the middle and take a first step closer to the ritual circle and the ritual which would now be performed.
She really hoped she didn't mess this up. Her life depended upon it.
No pressure!
And now the continuation:
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Headmaster's office.
Golden rays of late afternoon light streamed through the stained-glass windows, dancing over the mosaic patterns and filling the air with gentle warmth and a faint aroma of ancient wood and old magic. Instruments twirled gently on the shelves, books lay scattered on the desk, and occasionally, Fawkes the phoenix trilled harmoniously from his perch.
Albus Dumbledore reclined in his chair, utterly absorbed in a Muggle romance novel he'd come across during one of his visits to the non-magical world. The novel delved deep into the complexities of love, and the tale was beautifully told, making it hard for Dumbledore to put it down. A gentle smile played on his lips, and there might have been the slightest mistiness in his eyes, as he empathized deeply with the characters. A single tear, shimmering and heavy with a lifetime of memories, rolled down his face. Echoes of a past love, one that had been both a raging storm and a comforting embrace, tugged at his heartstrings. "Where did we go wrong?" he murmured, thinking of a past love.
He was so engrossed in the tale of lost and found love that he didn't notice someone had given the password to the gargoyle guarding the stairway to his office until they were right at the door. With a swift turn of the handle, the door opened to reveal Minerva McGonagall, his ever-stern deputy head.
Caught up in the emotions of the story, Dumbledore's eyes widened slightly, and he hastily closed the book, placing it face down on his desk. A faint blush colored his cheeks, not out of embarrassment of being seen reading, but more from the emotional whirlwind the story had drawn him into.
"Minerva!" Dumbledore greeted, a hint of sheepishness evident in his tone. "I didn't hear you come in."
She arched an eyebrow. "Clearly. A Muggle novel? And a romance at that?"
Dumbledore chuckled. "Ah, love knows no boundaries, magical or Muggle. It's quite a touching story, you know. Love, in all its forms, has always been a fascinating subject."
McGonagall allowed a small smile. "I hadn't expected it to be your cup of tea."
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "One's age doesn't diminish the joy of a well-told love story."
Minerva smirked. "I'll take your word for it."
"So, what can I do for you?" he asked her.
"Your daily correspondence," she said, handing him a pile of letters, "and your lemon drops from Hogsmeade," she added, handing him a small bag of candy.
"Ah, thank you, Minerva. Much appreciated. I was running out of them," he said, taking the bag eagerly.
"No problem. I was in Hogsmeade anyway." She paused and then asked with concern, "Any further news of finding Aryanna?"
Dumbledore sighed, the twinkle of his eyes dimming, replaced by a shadow of concern. "Sadly, no."
Minerva's usually stern face softened with concern. "The Dursleys were never suitable for her."
He met her gaze, deep lines of regret etching his face. "Yes, Minerva, I know, and rest assured, she will never return to them. I won't make that mistake again."
"Have you chosen her new guardians yet? For when you find her?" she asked. It wasn't a question of if but rather when they would find her. She wouldn't settle for anything less.
"I was thinking of the Weasleys," he answered. "I have already contacted them and they said yes. They seemed delighted with the idea."
The Weasleys were a light-sided family with seven children, six sons and one daughter who had always wanted another daughter. They would protect her and treat her like one of their own. He was sure of it. They were also fanatically loyal to him which was a bonus.
'Yes, they would do nicely,' he thought, as he inserted a new lemon drop into his mouth and sighed.
"Have you heard of any issues with the students? Are your Gryffindors causing any trouble with the Slytherins?" he inquired, looking for a distraction away from the current questions, as he sifted through his pile of letters. The topmost was an invitation to a Ministry ball. He had little interest in it, but his role as the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot demanded his presence. Alas, such were the demands of politics.
Minerva's eyebrow arched sharply. "More often than not, it's the Slytherins stirring the pot, not my Gryffindors," she retorted, clearly offended by the insinuation against her Lions. "But for now, things seem quiet. However, I'm keeping an eye on those new Weasley twins. They seem... mischievous," she added, furrowing her brow. The old parchment they carried with them left her feeling uneasy - a sensation she hadn't experienced since the Marauders' departure.
Dumbledore chuckled softly, "Ah well… children will be children. I'm sure they will be fine. Our role is to merely observe and guide." He winked, then turned his attention to the next letter in the stack.
"You truly believe that, don't you?" she remarked.
"Always," he replied, not looking up. "Was there anything else, Minerva?"
"No, that's all. Just ensuring all is well," she responded with a measured tone.
"I appreciate it, especially for the lemon drops. I..." his voice trailed off, eyes darting over the letter's words, his face growing pale.
"Albus?" Minerva's voice was edged with concern.
"What's wrong?"
However, Dumbledore seemed lost, captivated by the parchment in his hand. "James had a sister?" His voice was barely more than a whisper, disbelief evident.
Dumbledore quickly perused the letter. "A Fidelius Charm modified for people, not places. Ingenious. It could've changed everything and saved a lot of lives during the war. And she's returned from Japan, seeking Aryanna? Hmm, could it be true? Not good. The timing is unfortunate. We'll need to divert her attention. She can not be allowed to know that Aryanna is missing," he murmured, engrossed in the contents.
Suddenly, Dumbledore's face paled even further. He stood abruptly, his exclamation waking the dormant portraits. "She's found Aryanna!"
Minerva felt a jolt of adrenaline. "Who? What's going on?" she asked worriedly.
Meeting her eyes, a brief flash of regret in his, Dumbledore explained, "I just got a letter from someone named Setsuna Meiou. She claims to be James' sister who was sent to Japan to escape Voldemort. Apparently, they employed a modified version of the Fidelius Charm to erase her from everyone's memories as a failsafe in case James, Lily, and Aryanna didn't survive the war. If they did, she would be the Potter lineage's future and continue the Potter line as its new head."
"Minerva... she's found Aryanna and wishes to adopt her into our world as her niece. This might be our solution—transferring Aryanna's protective wards and also ending her time with the Dursleys...," he added excitedly, happy that he had a way out of the mess he made with the Dursley fiasco. He looked up from the parchment at his deputy with hope in his eyes, only to stop mid-sentence, his enthusiasm fading as he saw Minerva's frown.
"What's on your mind?" he asked cautiously.
Minerva frowned, deep in thought. "Albus... shouldn't we remember James having a sister now that we've been told about her?" she asked, concerned.
Dumbledore hesitated and frowned perplexed. 'By Merlin...she was right!' If the Fidelius Charm's secret was revealed, the recipients should recall all related memories. But they couldn't remember her. 'Perhaps the charm's modification had unintended consequences?' he wondered, his mind racing through magical theory, frantically trying to find a plausible solution to their newest dilemma.
"Maybe she wasn't the Secret Keeper?" he mumbled to himself. "But no… if that were the case, he shouldn't have been able to read her name. Then again… she never actually mentioned her name. She called herself Meiou instead of Potter. Of course, being female, that might not mean anything, as she could have married in the meantime..."
He turned to look at Minerva with a worried look on his face.
"She did say that it was a modified version of the Fidelius Charm. The Fidelius modifications might have caused this lapse. It's puzzling." he finally answered, upset that he was so unsure.
His heart quickened as he quickly searched and retrieved another piece of parchment from the envelope: an official Gringotts document. It proclaimed Setsuna Meiou as Aryanna's aunt and rightful kin, stamped with the unmistakable Gringotts seal of authenticity.
The Gringotts seal could not be forged. So this had to be authentic. It was all true. James had a sister after all.
"Well… this definitely alters the entire narrative," he mumbled to himself a mixture of relief and yet also a sense of defeat in his voice, knowing that, with this, all of his plans were now ruined. With a resigned sigh he passed the official document to Minerva, who quickly read it.
"That's an understatement of the century," she said, breathing a sigh of relief.
"When did she say she wanted to meet you?" she asked.
"She proposes a ministry meeting next week for the adoption process. She's even offering an unbreakable vow to prove her authenticity and to ensure Aryanna's safety."
"That's profound," Minerva observed, taking in the implications.
Handing her the letter, he confirmed, "We have a pivotal opportunity, Minerva," Dumbledore said, leaning forward, already adapting his plans to include this newfound aunt. It could still work out in the end. He'd simply have to adapt to include this newfound aunt in his plans.
She met his gaze, determination reflecting in her eyes. "Then seize it, Albus. It could be the very chance we've sought."
"Yes, indeed. If she really is willing to swear an unbreakable vow… well… with Sirius in prison, she would be the next best thing," 'Maybe I can use this to my advantage,' he mused to himself. Yes, he could work with this. 'One door closes...another opens'.
"Looks like I'll also have to contact the Weasleys and tell them that I've found another family for her. They'll be disappointed, but I'm sure they will understand," he said, getting up from his chair, his mind made up.
Minerva reassured, "They're good-hearted; they'll see the bigger picture."
With determination, Albus approached the fireplace, ready to head to the Ministry. He had preparations to make.
Stepping into the green fire he vanished in a swirl of emerald flames.
Now alone, Minerva watched him go and then looked at the letter and the document again, pondering on the new revelation. She hoped that this Setsuna Meiou was telling the truth that she really had found Aryanna and that she truly was who she said she was.
She hoped that this wasn't a trap.
At the muggle entrance of the Ministry of Magic, two days later.
The busy hum of London was all around them. Aryanna, garbed in her muggle clothing, navigated the bustling streets with a beating heart that seemed to echo in her ears. Ahead, the red telephone booth, which doubled as the clandestine entrance to the Ministry, beckoned. Beside her, Setsuna, garbed in her civilian disguise resembling a woman in her 30s, radiated a calm energy that tempered Aryanna's anxiety.
Aryanna and Setsuna had come to this place with a purpose, and they were determined not to back down now. Not when they were so close to victory.
Their goal? Ensure Aryanna can live freely on Earth beside Setsuna, away from the manipulations of figures like Dumbledore.
Ever since the ritual that merged Setsuna into the Potter lineage, Setsuna had undergone a drastic transformation.
Gone was her signature green hair, replaced by the black messy Potter hair.
She felt a pang of nostalgia and loss for her old appearance, but she also knew that it was necessary and safer this way. Green-haired people were extinct in this world, and while having different coloured hair wasn't exactly a novelty in the magical world, where hair color-changing charms existed as did muggle hair dye, it was not the norm and she had grown tired of using charms to disguise herself every morning before going out into the muggle world.
Her facial features had also shifted slightly, becoming more feminine and now resembled James more closely.
The only part of her now former self that remained unchanged was her eyes, which still glowed with a reddish-pink hue. The only part of what reminded her of who she once used to be.
However, she didn't regret her decision and never would. She would do anything to protect Aryanna.
The din of London faded as they reached the Ministry's entrance. Their rehearsed narrative rested on the tip of Aryanna's tongue, ready to explain her two-month absence and her newfound relationship with Setsuna.
The door of the phone booth groaned as Aryanna and Setsuna opened the door and stepped inside. The space was cramped, and they had to squeeze past the crooked telephone apparatus, but they managed.
Aryanna took a deep breath to steady her nerves as Setsuna lifted the receiver and dialed the numbers that would activate the lift and transport them to the Ministry Atrium.
Six, two, four, four, two - Aryanna realized with a nervous smile that they spelled out the word MAGIC. Setsuna shared her smile and gave her an understanding nod.
As soon as the last number was entered, a serene female voice greeted them. "Welcome to the Ministry of Magic. Please state your name and the purpose of your visit."
"Setsuna Meiou... nee Potter and Aryanna Potter," Setsuna replied into the mouthpiece, adding the 'nee potter' part to her name as an afterthought. "We are here to meet with Albus Dumbledore regarding the adoption of a magical child."
"Thank you," the voice responded. "Your visitor badges are available in the coin return slot. Please retrieve them and wear them at all times. You will be transported to the Atrium in five seconds. Have a nice day."
A glint of silver caught Aryanna's eye as two badges slid out of the slot. She picked them up and read them:
Setsuna Meiou, meeting with Albus Dumbledore.
Aryanna Potter, meeting with Albus Dumbledore.
With a small shrug, Aryanna quickly pinned her badge to her chest while handing Setsuna her own. Once they were both wearing their badges, Aryanna gripped the edge of the phone box as it began to descend.
'No turning back now,' she thought nervously, her pulse racing. Not that she had any intention of backing out.
She fervently hoped that everything would work out for the best and not end like Setsuna's vision. Failure at this point would be a major setback and greatly complicate matters. She didn't want to have to resort to using her alternate form to escape - not yet, at least. She wasn't ready.
Sensing her apprehension, Setsuna placed a comforting hand on Aryanna's shoulder. "Don't worry," she said reassuringly. "Everything will work out fine."
"It will be all right. It may get rough for a while, but we'll get through this, you'll see," she said, earning a grateful smile from Aryanna before the lift began to slow down and they were interrupted again by the woman's voice from the telephone box.
"Visitors to the Ministry are required to submit to a search and present their wands for registration at the security desk, located at the far end of the Atrium," the voice announced.
"A little premature for that, my dear," Aryanna quipped with a small laugh trying to ease the tension of the moment. "I don't have a wand to present yet."
She received no response, as expected. 'Not that I need one,' she thought to herself, thinking of the new abilities and powers that came with her alternate form, just before the phone box came to a halt and the door swung open with a loud clang.
Aryanna and Setsuna stepped out of the elevator and into a large, bustling hall filled with witches and wizards of all shapes and sizes. Without pausing, they scanned the crowd for any sign of Dumbledore before anyone could get a good look at them. Time was of the essence now. The longer they stayed, the higher the chance that something could go wrong.
Luckily Aryanna and Setsuna didn't have to search for long before they spotted Dumbledore near the Fountain of Magical Brethren, surrounded by a group of Ministry officials. He was dressed in his customary purple robes and matching pointed hat, with his long silver beard tucked into his belt. He appeared cheerful and at ease as if he had no cares in the world.
They made their way towards him, trying to avoid drawing attention to themselves. They hoped that he would recognize them from the letter and not cause a commotion.
As they drew closer, they overheard him speaking to the group in a persuasive tone.
"…and that is why I believe we should grant house-elves more rights and freedoms. They are not slaves, after all, but loyal and industrious beings who deserve our respect and appreciation."
The officials nodded politely, but Aryanna could sense their disagreement and boredom. She wondered why Dumbledore bothered to waste his breath on them.
Feeling impatient and curious, Aryanna wondered what Dumbledore would say when he saw her. After all, he was the one who had placed her with her abusive relatives all those years ago. Would he be pleased to see her? Would he be angry that she had fled from her relatives? Would he try to separate her from Setsuna?
The thought filled her with fear and anger. She didn't want to return to the Dursleys. She didn't want to leave Setsuna. She didn't even want to have anything to do with Dumbledore.
She tightened her grip on Setsuna's hand, hoping that she shared her feelings.
They reached the edge of the group and waited for Dumbledore to acknowledge them. He continued speaking, unaware of their presence.
"…and that is why I believe we should also reevaluate our position on werewolves. They are not monsters, but victims of a terrible curse.
They deserve our compassion and support, not our fear and hatred."
The officials nodded once more, but Aryanna could see that they were growing restless and impatient with his lecture. She wondered how much longer Dumbledore would detain them.
Aryanna grew increasingly impatient and curious as she waited for Dumbledore to notice her. She wanted to get this over with and find out what he would say.
Unable to wait any longer, releasing Setsuna's hand, she stepped forward and cleared her throat. "Excuse me, Professor Dumbledore?" she called out loudly.
Dumbledore stopped speaking and turned to face her, his blue eyes twinkling behind his half-moon glasses. When he saw her, his face broke into a smile of recognition and delight.
"Aryanna!" he exclaimed joyfully. "My dear girl, how wonderful to see you! And you must be Setsuna Meiou. I'm so glad you could make it."
He quickly turned to the group he had arrived with and dismissed them politely. "Thank you for listening to me," he said. "I hope you will consider my words, and I am always available to answer any questions you may have. But for now, please excuse me. I have a meeting with this young lady," he added, gesturing towards Aryanna with a wink before excusing himself.
Aryanna felt a mixture of relief and anxiety as Dumbledore led them away from the group and towards a secluded corner of the Atrium. They followed him in silence, their footsteps echoing on the marble floor.
Once they were out of earshot, Dumbledore turned to them with a warm smile. "I apologize for keeping you waiting," he said. "I had some urgent business to attend to. But I'm glad you're here now."
He regarded Aryanna with a combination of warmth and concern in his eyes, causing her to feel an automatic twinge of guilt for doubting him.
"First, I must apologize," he continued earnestly. "I had no idea that you were unhappy with your relatives. I believed they were treating you well. It came as a shock to me when I learned that was not the case."
Aryanna felt a surge of anger and frustration rise in her chest. "They treated me like a slave!" she burst out, surprising even herself with her outburst. "They never cared about me - only their reputation and their son."
Setsuna squeezed her hand in support and gave her an encouraging nod.
Dumbledore's expression grew solemn as he listened to Aryanna's outburst. "I'm sorry that you had to endure such treatment, my dear," he said. "You should never have been subjected to it and you deserve better."
He paused for a moment as if collecting his thoughts. "But it's not too late to make things right," he said at last. "Your…aunt tells me she wishes to adopt you. Is that what you want?" he asked, searching her face for any sign that she might be under duress or coercion from the woman beside her.
Although Setsuna's letter and offer to make an Unbreakable Vow had done much to assuage his fears, Dumbledore was not willing to take any chances. Not now, not after only just getting Aryanna back. While he did not like the idea of relinquishing his control over her to someone else...even an aunt, this was far better than the possible alternative of losing her to someone else... like the Malfoys, should they try to gain control over her.
Not knowing of Dumbledore's inner thoughts, Aryanna's heart skipped a beat. Was he really offering her a way out? Could she truly leave the Dursleys for good? Had they misjudged the old man? Could Setsuna's vision of the old man losing her to another family be avoided so easily?
"YES, I really want her to adopt me," she said, her eyes shining with sincerity.
Seeing this, Dumbledore closed his eyes briefly and sighed in acceptance. 'So be it,' he thought. It seemed he had no choice. It was either this...or the possibility of losing her completely. He would of course still require Setsuna to prove that she was Aryanna's aunt and for her to make the vow, of course, but once she did, he would be happy to let her adopt Aryanna. At least for now.
Besides, if Setsuna truly was her aunt, it was the best outcome he could have hoped for. He'd simply have to find a way to...influence her while she was at school.
"In that case, I have no objections to her adopting you," he said with a smile.
Setsuna spoke up before Aryanna could reply. "I'm glad you agree."
"But first, I believe you have a vow you wish to make," Dumbledore said, interrupting her, looking deep into Setsuna's eyes. The next few moments would determine whether his trust in her had been well-placed or misplaced. For a fleeting second, he contemplated trying ligilimency on her but changed his mind. 'Better not,' he thought. He could not risk it. The last thing he needed was to make a possible enemy out of the woman.
Setsuna nodded and stepped forward, her eyes resolute. Taking Aryanna's hands in her own, she turned to Dumbledore. "Will you act as our binder?" she asked.
Dumbledore smiled and agreed, ecstatic at the trust the woman showed him. He drew his wand and placed its tip over Setsuna and Aryanna's clasped hands.
As he did so, the people around them stopped what they were doing to watch. It was not every day that one witnessed an Unbreakable Vow being made.
Ignoring the onlookers, Setsuna knelt before Aryanna and solemnly declared, "I, Setsuna Meiou, swear on my magic, my life, and my very soul - on everything I am and will ever be - that I will be a loyal, loving and responsible Guardian to Aryanna Jasmine Potter for as long as she needs me. I will do everything in my power to ensure her happiness and well-being. I also swear to protect her with my very life if necessary. May magic itself aid me in this sacred task should it become necessary. This I so swear. So mote it be."
Aryanna felt a surge of warmth at Setsuna's words, knowing that she now had someone who would care for and protect her no matter what happened. Any lingering doubts she might have had vanished. Tears welled up in her eyes as she realized how fortunate she was to have found such an amazing person.
Meanwhile, the onlookers around them applauded before returning to their business.
Dumbledore watched approvingly as the two embraced tightly. He no longer harbored any doubts that he was doing the right thing. He smiled to himself; while the loss of control over the girl was unfortunate, he could work with this. At least the girl was safe. The rest would come in time. It seemed his faith in them had been well-placed.
"Very good," he said, putting away his wand.
"Now that the vow is complete, I see no further obstacles to the adoption proceeding. Why don't we all head over to the adoption department and I'll officially transfer guardianship of Aryanna to you?" he suggested to Setsuna, gesturing for them to follow him.
Setsuna and Aryanna smiled at each other. They had successfully won over Albus Dumbledore, the greatest obstacle to their plans. The rest should be easy.
They were relieved that they wouldn't have to resort to their backup plan - using the Potter will to force Dumbledore's compliance or, failing that, risking another defeat in court like the one they had suffered in Setsuna's vision.
This way was much better. Not only would they avoid interference from a powerful man, but they had also - hopefully - gained an ally. Things had gone better than they could have hoped for.
Yes, this meant that Dumbledore would escape accountability for ignoring the Potter will when he placed Aryanna with her magic-hating relatives, but sometimes the more aggressive approach was not the best one.
If they had taken him to court, the outcome would have hinged on a vote. Dumbledore was a powerful and influential man; the vote could easily have gone either way. This was simply a better outcome in the long term.
Sometimes it was simply better to turn the other cheek and forgive...but not forget. Especially if you gained something from it. For now, the old man was far more useful as an ally than an enemy. No matter how much he may or may not have deserved it. At least the Dursleys would not escape their well-earned fate. For now, that would have to do.
The trio made their way out of the Atrium, with Dumbledore leading and Aryanna and Setsuna following close behind. With each step towards their future together, Aryanna's heart grew lighter.
Beside her, Setsuna smiled contentedly. Her plan had succeeded as she knew it would. The first step was complete and soon, aside from his role as her future headmaster, she would be free from the old man's influence.
Now they could look towards the future.
Azkaban Prison
The shrieking wind tore at the dark waves that crashed against a barren island, where a grim fortress loomed against the stormy sky. This was Azkaban, the prison of nightmares. A place that, to muggles, masqueraded as a very exclusive ghost island resort, for eccentric millionaires seeking the ultimate extra trill, but was in fact a hellish trap for the unwary. A place where no hope or happiness could survive, where the only sounds were the screams of the damned, where the only light was the flicker of torches that cast sinister shadows on the walls, and where the only visitors were the cruel guards and the horrific Dementors. Creatures that drained your joy and made you relive your horror.
As the cries of despair echoed through the prison the inmates shivered in their cold cells. One cell remained silent. On the topmost floor, lying on a filthy mattress, was a man named Sirius Black. He was the only one who did not scream, for he had a secret that kept him sane. A memory the dementors could not steal from him.
He had spent the last eight years in this prison for crimes he had never committed: betraying his friends James and Lily Potter to Voldemort and murdering twelve Muggles with a single curse.
But he was innocent. The real traitor and killer was Peter Pettigrew, his former friend, who had framed him for his cowardice and greed.
The only thing that kept him alive in this dismal place was his love for Aryanna, his goddaughter, his last reason to continue living. He had not seen her since she was a baby on the night of her parents' murder. He had sworn to protect her, but so far he had failed.
He did not know where she was, how she was doing, or what she looked like. He only knew that she had survived Voldemort's attack and that she had a scar on her forehead.
He hoped that she was happy and loved, but he feared that she was not.
Suddenly he heard footsteps outside his cell.
He ignored them. It was probably just one of the guards, coming to mock him or torture him, like they often did.
He did not care. He had endured worse. The cell door opened, and a figure entered. Sirius recognized him as one of the night shift guards, a burly man with a cruel face and a twisted smile.
He had a newspaper in one hand and a wand in the other. "Hello, Black," he said in a taunting voice.
"How are you feeling today? Dreaming of your old Death Eater friends?"
Sirius did not answer. He knew it was useless to argue or defend himself. All he could expect if he did that was less food and more punishment.
The guard walked closer to Sirius and kicked him in the ribs. Sirius groaned in pain but did not move.
"Come on, Black," the guard said. "Don't be so boring. Don't you have anything to say? Don't you want to at least know how Aryanna Potter is doing? You know, the one your master failed to kill?"
Sirius felt a surge of anger and fear. He looked up at the guard, his eyes full of hatred.
"What do you know about Arya?" he spat.
The guard laughed. "Oh, I know a lot about Aryanna Potter," he said.
"I know she's alive and well. I know she's happy and loved. I know she's safe and protected."
Sirius felt a pang of relief and jealousy. He was glad that Aryanna was alive and well, but he wished he could see her, hold her, talk to her, be there for her.
He wished he could be her godfather, her family, her friend like he was supposed to be.
"Where is she?" Sirius asked.
The guard smirked. "She's with her aunt," he said.
Sirius felt a jolt of shock and horror. "Her aunt?" he asked. 'Did he mean Petunia? But she hated magic!'
"Yes, Black, her aunt, James' sister," the guard said with a smile, enjoying Black's look of surprise.
Sirius frowned. "What are you talking about?" he asked.
"James doesn't have a sister."
The guard grinned. "Oh, yes, he did, Black," he said with a sneer. "But she was kept a secret from just about everybody. Even you, his best friend. Looks like James Potter knew better than to trust you with his sister's existence. Smart man, may he rest in peace."
Sirius felt a wave of confusion and disbelief. "That's impossible," he said. "James never had a sister. I have known him since we were eleven. I knew his parents, his grandparents, his cousins. There was no sister."
The guard shrugged. "Well, you were wrong. We all were," he said. "There was a sister. An older sister. Only she was hidden away from the world. Lived in faraway Japan, if you can believe it.
Sirius shook his head in denial. "That's ridiculous," he said. "That's a lie."
The guard chuckled. "Is it?" he said. "Then how do you explain this?"
He tossed the newspaper at Sirius' face. Sirius caught it and looked at it. It was the Daily Prophet from yesterday's date. On the front page, there was a picture of a woman whom he did not recognize together with Dumbledore and Aryanna who was currently 8 years old.
The woman, Arya's supposed aunt, had long messy black hair and pink-reddish eyes. Her face shape was even very similar to James', only female.
With a pang of jealousy, he realized she was smiling and hugging Aryanna, who looked happy if not exactly relaxed.
The headline declared: POTTER FAMILY MYSTERY UNCOVERED! SECRET AUNT REVEALED!
Secret auntie, kept secret by powerful family magic to protect against He-who-must-not-be-named returns.
The article below explained how the woman had come forward a week ago after finding Aryanna in a muggle orphanage which they have kept secret for privacy reasons. She had claimed to be James Potter's sister, who had been hidden from Voldemort shortly since she was born, to act as a fail-safe to make sure the Potter line never fully died out in case Voldemort ever won.
She had offered to take Aryanna in and raise her as her own daughter. Under Dumbledore's supervision and protection, she had also agreed to do an Unbreakable Vow with Dumbledore as their binder, promising to take care of Aryanna and protect her at all costs.
The article quoted Dumbledore as saying: "I am delighted that Aryanna has finally found a loving family member who can give her the home and the happiness she deserves." He then went on to explain how Setuna Meiou, formerly Potter, was a powerful witch and a kind person, who has devoted her life to fighting against evil and injustice."
The article also quoted Aryanna herself saying: "I'm really happy to have an aunt who loves me. She is far better than Aunt Petunia ever was. She doesn't beat me or treat me like a house elf like Uncle Vernon did. She's really nice and funny and smart. She makes me feel like I belong. She says she loves me, and I love her too."
Sirius stared at the newspaper, his mind reeling. He did not know what to think, what to feel, or what to do anymore. He looked at the guard, who was watching him with a smug expression.
"Well, Black?" he said. "What do you have to say now?"
Sirius felt a mix of emotions. He felt anger at the guard for taunting him. He felt confused at the woman who claimed to be James' sister. He felt relief that Aryanna was safe and happy. He felt jealous that the woman was hugging Aryanna. He felt betrayed that he was never told about Aryanna's aunt, James' sister. He felt sadness that he could not hug Aryanna himself. That woman was living his life, doing his job instead of him. 'He' was supposed to look after Arya, not her. He felt fear that he might never see Aryanna again.
He did not know what to say. He did not know what to believe. He did not know what to do anymore.
He opened his mouth, but no words came out.
He closed his mouth and looked away.
What could he say? He had no answer.
Allowing the guard his victory he stayed silent as the guard laughed, then left.
He wondered if he could trust the woman.
He wondered if Aryanna was in danger.
Whether he should try to escape from Azkaban.
He wondered if that was even possible.
He wondered if she even needed him now that she had an aunt to look after her.
Clutching the newspaper in his hands in frustration and uncertainty he transformed back into his animagus form, a big black grim.
'James...why didn't you tell me?' Did you really not trust me?' he wondered.
He needed time to think.