Chapter Two

"To have loved so deeply, even though the person who loved us is gone, will give us some protection forever." - Albus Dumbledore

Time sped up incredibly since Halsey had arrived at the Children's Wing of St. Mungo's.

She had to go through many different tests, and although she was hesitant about talking to a Mind Healer she did write down in a journal and give it to him.

He would patiently wait for her to give him the journal once every few days and write back in the journal, allowing her to know he was listening to her and if she wanted to verbally tell him things, he was there for her. He would make sure that she wouldn't feel pressured to have him perform Legilimency in order to see all she had gone through in her mind as a passenger. He knew if he tried anything with her, she would shut herself off from him completely, which in return would mean they were back to square one.

Eventually she began the process of going through foster care.

It was unsurprising for her to have the Weasleys come forward once again.

They had begged Halsey to spend at least a few nights at their house, The Burrow, and allow her to see if she wanted to stay. She did so in order to prove it was not a good idea for her to be there at all, and when she had a nervous breakdown due to hypersensitivity, she was taken away from them and allowed to stay at the random caseworker's house (thankfully the caseworker that took her in happened to live by herself and had a multitude of pets that helped make Halsey calm down).

The Weasleys were taken off the list when she informed them how pushy they were and how they were already acting as if she were their child. They spoke too much about James and Lily Potter, and she felt uncomfortable with all the comparisons she had when it came to her mum. Still, all of them knew this wasn't going to be the last time the Weasleys were going to step forward and ask for a second, then third, and so on and so forth chance.

She had come to the hospital to have a short therapy session with Healer McKeller, when she had seen Healer Nott pacing back and forth outside of Healer McKeller's office. The young, malnourished girl that was slowly getting to a normal, healthy weight size was both excited but nervous when she had seen her favorite Healer in front of her.

"Healer Nott?"

Said woman snapped her head away from looking at one of the magical paintings that were on the wall, and instead let her hypnotizing bluish purple eyes land on her green ones. Her hands kept going and smoothing up and down her Healer robes, their vibrant lime green hue always catching Halsey off guard when she forgot where she was or when she thought she was alone only for one of them to come around the corner (making her heart race in her chest).

"Halsey, I know that you've been in the foster care system for a little while and that you haven't found a family yet…which isn't your fault. You need to be with a family that you feel loved by and accepted by, on both sides. I just…I was talking to my husband and my son, Theo, and they wanted to see if you would like to try out our family? Theo is your age," Healer Nott rushed out, her hands twining together and fingers tapping, her eyes not looking into hers that long in fear Halsey would immediately reject her and tell her there was no chance she would ever have her as a foster daughter.

"Y…You…want me?"

Healer Nott let her eyes land on the small red-haired girl, noting that there were tears coming in the corner of her eyes. She was sniffling and she was trying to keep from having the tears fall down her face, but it was a pathetic idea. The tears started to flow down and without hesitation, Healer Nott fell onto the ground in front of her and wrapped her arms around her. Whispering motherly words to her, she rocked the girl in her arms as she tried to come to grips with the woman that felt most like a mother to her and wanted to foster her and eventually adopt her.

"Yes…I would like that."

Two weeks later, Halsey Potter felt as if she was going to throw up.

She had known she was messed up, in the way that there were a few worn out pieces of her that just didn't seem strong enough. She was gradually having restoration done to herself in a manner, in order to make sure she was in tip-top shape and would be able to be alone once again without having to worry about her having a mental breakdown once again (thanks Weasleys).

She smoothed down the autumn brown corduroy jumper she was wearing that had straps to it, a white snuggly turtleneck sweater underneath, skin-colored tights and a pair of brown flats that didn't even feel like they were on her they were so comfortable. There was a brown silk ribbon that tied her hair up in a high ponytail, apparently witches were supposed to wear their hair up but were allowed to have their hair down when they were around family. They weren't allowed to cut their hair until after they would get married but even then, hair was so sacred that most women didn't do that.

She had Apparated from St. Mungo's with Healer Nott, who had told her to call her Addie if she wanted to. She so wanted to call her that, but she kept it formal because for all she knew they would decide she wasn't a right fit for their family after all. Their son, Theo, could decide he didn't want to have a sister and preferred being an only child.

Although the Nott family were an Ancient and most Noble House, one of the original twenty-eight pureblood families of the United Kingdom, they were not the richest. Their social status was still very high up, but their fortune had never been as vast as the Black family or ostentatious as the Malfoy family. They weren't frugal by any means, but they weren't spending money right and left in order to remind others of their lineage.

So, unlike what she would see if she had Apparated to the outside front gates of the property of the Black or Malfoy Manor, she was welcome with one that wasn't on the larger side.

It was still a remarkable piece of architecture.

It was smug, and cozy, with simple white stone and two stories.

There was crawling ivy that covered the majority of the exterior of the manor, and the windows were large and old but lovingly worn. A few of the windows of the manor were cracked open to make sure the inside was not stuffy and musty. A round fairytale-like fountain was in the courtyard, the heads of the fountain were flowers that were shooting out water from the pollen.

"I know it's not–"

Without even having to think about it, Halsey threw her arms around the woman's waist, snuggling her head against her side. She giggled; this was the most beautiful house she had ever seen!

Some of the other houses she had stayed at for the two months she had been shifted around in the magical society had felt off as if she were wearing the wrong size when it came to shoes or clothes. Some of the families only wanted her because of her social status while others wanted to have children in the family again after having an empty nest for a while.

"It's beautiful! Where's the rest of your family?"

Addie went forward and placed her wand against the gate, which registered her magical signature, and opened it along with the other door. The magic came out and tentatively brushed against Halsey, checking her and seeing if she was alright to enter the manor property. It didn't sense any foreboding magic that came from her, instead it felt one of the purest forms of innocence that still clung to her despite the bruised magical core.

Addie opened her mouth to say where her husband and son were only for the front doors of the manor to open and them to appear. She smiled warmly at the sight of her husband, Theodore the Second, and saw the warmth in his green eyes. They weren't vibrant or stunning, but they did make you lose focus on everything around you when you looked at them. You wanted to do anything for him in order for him to keep that light in them.

Lord Nott had chocolate hair that was combed back nicely on his head, though there were streaks of gray that were already peppering his hair since he was at least two decades older than his wife. He had a square jaw, nicely groomed and slightly thick eyebrows, deep set eyes, long nose and plump lips. His cheekbones were apparent, that aristocratic blood obviously showing that he would have the proper angles to his face and muscles to his body that would make anyone acknowledge his blueblood. He was not of the working class; he could live the rest of his life without having to work and not worry about providing for his wife and son.

He had on dark navy-blue masculine robes, a matching palette of blue for his dress shirt and trousers. Black dress shoes with black gloves, his Lordship ring and his wedding ring being the only two rings that demanded someone to acknowledge his status. He was extremely tall, and his wife was even smaller next to him. He had to be two feet taller than her and could scoop her up in one of his arms around her waist to give her a proper kiss on the cheek.

Next to Lord Nott was Heir Theodore the Third.

He was a carbon copy of his father, but at a very much younger age obviously.

He shared the same eye color as his mother, and he was dressed in a similar ensemble as his father. Deep blue was one of their Noble House colors and they wore it with pride. Something to do with them helping with shipping supplies through the Scottish and British Isles, they were ship fairing people. He would end up inheriting the company from his father, since his older half-brother had died before even Theo was born.

His mother, Adeline Nott, was quite young when she had married his father.

She had just finished Hogwarts and ended up in an engagement with him.

Not even a year later they married, it took some time for them to have Theo, but they were thankful when they were gifted with him. He was their pride and joy, but Theo wondered if they would have thought the same thing about his older brother. He knew his father's first wife would still be rolling in her grave not only for marrying someone who was a lot younger and prettier than her, but for also bringing a witch into the family that could be the sibling that Theo had never experienced having.

"Ah, darling, it's good to see you. I see that you've brought along Miss Potter. My son and I are pleased to meet you and welcome you to our abode. Please, make yourself comfortable, we will happily host you," Lord Nott had declared, making Halsey nod her head nervously at what he had said. She knew he was letting her know she was welcomed but this was still kind of brand new for her. What if she found it too hypersensitive like she did with the Weasleys?

Still, Halsey let her eyes flicker from the tall, welcoming man to the quiet and observant son her age. Theo (she would learn he would not like to be called by his full name but instead his nickname) had his head craned to the side and those bluish-purple eyes studied her. She could tell he was looking at her to see what was wrong about her, he must have known his mother worked at the hospital and she had come home from work with Halsey. So that meant something was wrong with Halsey, right? There was no other reason why she should know his mother like this.

Addie came forward and placed her hand onto the middle of Halsey's back, assuring her she could move forward. The grown woman and the child entered the property and the gate shut behind them in a whoosh. A strange sensation came over Halsey as she could feel the magic kick up some around her, most likely making sure to lock down again until a proper magic signature came, and it could identify it as a non-threat.

Halsey went forward and passed by the trickling fountain, the soft splashing of the water reminding her everything was going to be alright. She took a deep breath and straightened her back, while the front doors opened. Theo and his father went into the manor first and then the lady of the manor and Halsey entered second. Halsey did not know what to expect when she would enter the manor, she had always thought that her aunt and uncle had horrible taste of fashion when it came to their house but to be in an actual house…Well she really did not know what to expect other than the fact Aunt Petunia would shove her aside to look inside it.

The first thing she noted other than them being in the foyer hall of the manor, was a deep, rich wood-stained staircase on the left back wall of the room that took up a good bit of that corner. It curved upwards to the first floor of the house, with two landings before one would actually reach the first floor of the manor. The detailing of the wood was stunning along with all the other things that were in the foyer. There were many nautical antiques that were hanging on the walls along with in display cabinets for people to look at but not touch.

Her mouth felt open when she saw a harpoon gun hanging up above the fireplace that was lit, the metal and leather sending off strange lineaments since the fire cast them. It reminded Halsey of the old novel she had read before without her aunt and uncles' knowledge, Moby Dick. Ishmael and his adventure with the captain who had his foot eaten off by the whale, Moby Dick. Them trying to find the whale and assort their revenge against it.

"Ah, I see that my great grandfather's harpoon caught your eye. I need not tell you that he was the inspiration for Herman Melville's book. Grandfather enjoyed becoming friends with all types of people and adventures. We even have a first edition copy of Moby Dick around here somewhere, signed by Melville, himself. He got to go on a couple voyages with Great Grandfather but had to swear an oath to never tell the truth behind these tales. Isn't that right, Grandfather?"

Halsey almost jumped out of her skin when she heard a deep, reverberating chuckle from off to the side. She turned her head, seeing a moving portrait that was next to the hanging harpoon. The man in the portrait had the same eyes as his grandson but he had a stylish twisty mustache, and his hair was snow white. He was muscular and was wearing clothes a sailor would wear. His harpoon was in his arm and in the background, there was the raging sea.

"Aye, my lad! Melville was a quite interesting fellow. Now, onto a more interesting topic, who is this lovely creature you've brought home, Addie? She looks as if she's minutes away from running away," Grandfather Nott proclaimed.

"I'll tell you more about her later, I promise, Grandfather Nott. All I can say is we are currently fostering Miss Potter for the time being. If things go well then, she'll be a Nott. If she doesn't then I won't stop until she finds the family meant for her," Addie stated, earning a tight-lipped look from her grandfather-in-law but he listened to her anyway. She was the Lady of the manor, his title dissolved when his health was ailing, and he passed the title down to his son.

Besides, unbeknownst to his grandson, he preferred the second lady of the manor over the first.

She had been a raging alcoholic and manipulator.

He had been the only one who was there when his first great-grandson had died. He had committed suicide right there in front of him on the foyer rug, a Muggle rifle in his hand and blood pooling from his torn head. There was still a bullet hole somewhere here from where it embedded itself. The first lady went and drowned herself in the nearby sea after throwing herself off of a cliff in sorrow, having realized she had been the one who had pushed her own son towards committing suicide.

Addie was a blessing in disguise when she came forward after her Debutante Ball and asked for a dance with his grandson. She was in her youth, with a spring in her step and a happiness to her that needed to be in this family. She gave them a second chance both in having a proper heir but also a proper lady wife. She was Mother Morgana sent, and every single ancestor in the manor had to admit she had been born to be by Theodore the Second's side.

"I remember the Potters. Good bunch they are. You don't worry a thing about being here, my grandson and his wife know what they are doing," Grandfather Nott said, earning a small and timid nod from Halsey before she was shown around the manor—the nautical decor was a staple in this house and not too far away there was a town by the sea. The Notts owned a part of the fishing company down there, which was a combination of both Muggle and Magical townspeople.

Eventually, Halsey was led into a bedroom that was the closest to the stairs and a few doors away from Theo's. It was also the middle mark of the bedrooms of the first floor, so she wasn't too far away from anyone else in the corridor. It was beautiful, she had to admit, and it was nice to not be in the hospital room or bedrooms that had been aggressively decorated to try and make her attached to the house through the pretty decorations and lifestyle they were offering her.

The shading of the bedroom was soft blues and whites, there was a white wrought iron bed frame that was up against the left wall of the bedroom. There was a bedspread that was in the pattern of baby-breath flowers. The pillowcases were blue silk and the chandelier above her was quite simple. It was the same flower wrought iron white aesthetic as the bedframe. The flooring was a cream hue, and she knew when she would take off her shoes her toes would wiggle in satisfaction at the softness. An antique vanity set was on the other side of the room, oak, and looked as if it had been passed down throughout the generations to each eldest girl in the family. There was also the standing wardrobe that went with the vanity table, along with the nightstands on either side of the bed.

Estrella took off her shoes and walked around the room, liking how she could do even a simple thing like this without being told to put her shoes on. She had done that one time at one of the foster houses only for the foster mother to tell her a proper witch didn't walk around barefoot without permission or even do so in the company of others.

She turned her head and saw both husband and wife were quietly observing her without any judgment in their eyes. They were intrigued to see how she would get accustomed to things around here, as would any foster parents would.

Yet it was obvious they weren't pushing her to act a certain way because she was giving them a chance.

It was more than they could ask for.

Halsey had to admit she was nervous about being their foster daughter.

She also was nervous about being Theo's foster sister, but she had been surprised with how he seemed to accept her so easily into his life. He was an only child and sometimes only children were lonely and wanted siblings. It hadn't been the case for Dudley when it came to having Halsey in his life but it was different for Theo. He would teach her all sorts of things about being a witch and she would listen to him eagerly although she had to admit she was almost embarrassed with how attached she had become when it came to the Nott family.

It was late at night and she was having insomnia, deciding to go downstairs in order to get her own glass of warm milk in order to get better sleep. She knew there were these odd creatures called House Elves that were wrinkled and had floppy ears along with watery eyes. They spoke in third person and were quite emotional beings, they made her kind of nervous to be around. She didn't like how they reminded her of how she was treated back on Privet Drive.

She had come back upstairs and was heading towards her bedroom when she could hear a conversation going on in Addie and Theo Sr.'s bedroom. She snuck over to the door and leaned her head against it, in order to listen in on what they were saying.

"Addie, darling, she needs to know about the betrothal. It's best if she learns from us and not from the others. If she learnt about the real reason You-Know-Who had killed her parents from someone else she wouldn't even want to be a part of our family permanently."

"She's too young to know, Theodore. She's just a child. If she found out that she was engaged to get married to the darkest wizard of our time then–"

Halsey dropped the warm glass of milk onto the wooden floorboard underneath her sock feet.

She flinched as the glass cascaded and shattered around her, and made sure not to move because if she did she might possibly end up cutting through her socks and hurt her feet. She also knew it would be pointless to run away when they would find her anyway. She could only hope they wouldn't be upset with her eavesdropping in on them.

The bedroom door opened, revealing Addie standing in front of her with her silk nightgown on and a matching silk night robe. She had her wand in her hand and without hesitation she moved it in a precise manner, making sure that the milk and the shards of glass were gone in a blink of an eye. She then crouched down and went to put her hand onto the girl's cheekbone.

"I…I was supposed to marry my parents' killer?"

Lord Nott came up behind his wife and reached his hand out to touch her on her shoulder. She stood up and she took a deep breath before ushering the little girl into their bedroom. She slowly but surely entered, not really paying attention to the exquisite and extravagantly detailed bedroom. It was just another reminder she was being fostered by a noble House.

Sitting down on the side of the bed, Halsey listened to the husband and wife as they explained who the dark wizard was along with the reasoning behind her parents' death.

She knew she was young, perhaps to others they would react like a normal child would do so. Halsey had to grow up faster than she should have, she was numbed to almost everything so it kind of made sense she was numb to even this. She should have known that something like this had happened, with her rotten luck in the past.

Taking a deep breath after they finished telling her everything, Halsey peered up at the two people that were becoming two of the most important people in her life. She knew with the other foster families she hadn't felt anywhere close to having a connection to them. The Notts on the other hand, couldn't help but feel that she wouldn't feel this connection with anyone else.

So it was to no surprise that Halsey Potter soon became Halsey Potter-Nott.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: as always: Harry Potter doesn't belong to me

-it'semmynotemma