Acknowledgment—The following is a work of fanfiction, written and posted solely for the enjoyment of readers. The author thanks Ms. JK Rowling for allowing writers to set work among the population and locations found in the Harry Potter series of books. Everything belongs to Ms. Rowling and the author of this story neither seeks nor receives remuneration.

Two Daughters

Chapter Twelve

A Harry and Daphne Fanfic

By

Bfd1235813

The inaugural Black Cruise was a spectacular success. Potter conceived it as an instrument for building solidarity among his collection of Black-connected relatives. Once back from their trip, Ane and Delphi thought every outing from a Potter-Black home that did not include Teddy Lupin was missing an essential element. Delphi and Teddy began swapping speculations about their future years together at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. This triggered widely divergent reactions from Lord and Lady Potter-Black.

Potter's boarding school experience was not a source of pleasant memories. Daphne Greengrass was, mostly, a society queen at school. Even when Potter scored what ought to have been a spectacular success, such as his triumph in the Tri-Wizard Tournament, something happened that removed the joy and left him with post-traumatic stress. Daphne emerged from adolescence an attractive young woman, was betrothed and developed into a true beauty by her seventh year at Hogwarts.

Potter did not attend during what ought to have been his seventh year, instead traveling up and down Britain, following obscure clues to dangerous magical objects which he was then expected to destroy. Daphne's betrothal ended with the death of her fiancé. Potter had demons in the post-war world. He learned to sail, bought a boat and sought inner peace by traveling with his mistress. Daphne took the necessary courses, completed her secondary studies and went on to become a magical lawyer.

They were ridiculously unlikely to become a couple.

It may have been that lack of advance planning that put Potter and Daphne on a graveled walking path at Potter Manor one day in early spring. Potter had been subject to nagging thoughts for months, puzzled as to what measure he could, or should, take to ease Delphi Black's transition from home study to formal boarding school student. He wasn't worried about her academics. Delphi liked hitting her books, filling in the answers to questions and taking exams. Her positive attitude ought to prefigure success.

Potter was more concerned about Delphi's social life. Some of Delphi's contemporaries might find her unacceptable. At the very least her history would be intimidating. Delphi's own mother, Bellatrix Lestrange, never knew how she had come about. Bellatrix thought she gave birth to the Dark Lord Voldemort's child, which she promptly surrendered to a foster mother so that Bellatrix could rush to rejoin Voldemort's Dark Army at its base at Malfoy Manor.

Only after returning to London with his daughter, Anemone, did Potter find Delphi. In a short period of time, he relieved her foster mother of the responsibility for Delphi's care, took her to her new home at Number Twelve Grimmauld Place and noticed her entry on the Black's enchanted tapestry.

This led to consultations with the magical London solicitor, Daphne Greengrass, followed by an inheritance test that proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that Delphini Black was the daughter of Harry Potter and Bellatrix Black Lestrange. Such a set of circumstances would no doubt be seen with disfavor by the stuffier elements of magical society. Potter wanted to do whatever he could to buffer Delphi from the snide and ill-mannered. His own experience with those was more than sufficient for one family.

Teddy Lupin, similarly, carried baggage based on his family background. His mother, Nymphadora Tonks, had been a skilled and respected auror. Her mother, Andromeda Black Tonks, had been cast out from her birth family for marrying Ted Tonks, a muggle. Potter had inherited the Black lordship, so he rescinded the ban and brought Andromeda and Teddy into the Black Family fold.

Being the scion of a banished branch of a noble family was not Teddy's only mark of distinction. Teddy's father was a werewolf. Teddy did not inherit the werewolf trait of transforming into a human-animal hybrid with each full moon. Prejudice does not yield to science, however, when humans elect to follow their own non-scientific beliefs. Andromeda had raised a fine young wizard, supported by Teddy's godfather, Harry Potter, who would take whatever steps he judged necessary to shield Teddy from disparagement over his parentage.

"We need to talk about some things," Potter said.

He was strolling Potter Manor walking paths in company with Daphne and Andromeda. The children had run ahead. They appeared to be in some sort of mobile conference, walking a little hunched, heads swiveling as they conversed.

"Do we?" asked Andromeda, Daphne patiently awaiting something more substantive before commenting.

"Yes," said Potter. "Less than a year and it's off to school for Delphi and Teddy. They're old enough to talk it over. We can raise some issues."

"Which ones?" asked Daphne.

Potter sighed a long, drawn-out sigh.

"Right. Delphi," he said. "Where'd she come from? Why did she live with Mrs. Rowle for several years? Who is her father? Is it really me? How would she know? We could tidy all of that up fairly easily, especially with the expert here to manage the paperwork. Then there is that name. She likes Delphi, hates Delphini. As for Teddy—is he a werewolf? Will he become a werewolf? Why did both of his parents have to go to the Battle?"

"Okay," said Daphne as she turned toward Andromeda. "He's given this some thought."

"I approve," said Andromeda.

"Me too, Harry, you're becoming a genuine clan chief," said Daphne. "Yes, I definitely approve. One at a time, then. Delphi's origins—how do you want to explain that, if it can be explained?"

"To begin, as little info as will satisfy her curiosity," said Potter. "Otherwise, the complications, for a young person…"

"What's to be the official version, Harry?" asked Andromeda.

"I was thinking, Delphi's mother and her husband needed the help of someone to conceive, the people who know these things stepped in and she was the result. It was learned later that I was somehow pressed into service as a—that is…"

"She'll find out the truth one day and you'll be a liar. From that moment. Perhaps forever," said Daphne.

"Ah…what do you want me to do?" asked Potter.

"It's entirely up to you, Harry, you're the chief and her father. Is that legal, by the way?" Daphne replied, glancing at Andromeda.

"I have the paperwork Mrs. Rowle gave me. I think that is all she had. At least, she said she was led to believe Delphi would be with her a few weeks, three months at most," said Potter. "The goblins said I'm her father. She was right there, in the office. Says she still remembers. I guess that is where we left it. It's just that someone is bound to look at her, think back, pull up some dates. Merlin, I hope nothing leaked about her alleged father."

"If it is any comfort, Harry, I have never heard a whisper," said Andromeda. "Of course, Bella and I weren't sharing our most intimate thoughts, just then."

Daphne was taken by surprise by the humor in Andromeda's comment and barked a laugh. Three children, out in front of the adult party, turned as one, a bit of alarm on their faces.

"Don't worry, Auntie just said something very funny!" said Daphne.

Things were allowed to return to a quieter state before Daphne spoke again.

"To be taken under advisement, then," Daphne went on. "An acceptable, vetted origin story. What else—Oh, yes, those annoying legalities. Documentation, principally. Then there was her name. One thing occurred to me and that was adoption."

"I'm her father," said Potter. "The goblins…"

"True, and as I told you at the time, as your solicitor, the goblins' word is like unto Holy Writ," said Daphne.

"So, how could I adopt my own daughter?" asked Potter.

"It is not at all unusual for stepparents to adopt their mate's children," said Daphne. "If a couple is sure they will be together, it does de-complicate many things, among them questions of inheritance. In your case there is no former spouse to complicate things."

"So, you would adopt Delphi, to give her some cover? That is gracious of you, Daphne. Are you a saint of some kind?" asked Potter.

"Nonsense, I wouldn't adopt one and not the other! Think of the hurt that could cause Ane," said Daphne. "Please listen and try to follow. I could adopt both of the witches. I'm Lady Potter-Black, you're Lord Potter-Black, they are Delphi and Ane Black. The final file doesn't have to show every possible detail that might occur to the odd malicious busybody. In fact, there are adoptions done all the time that have to leave some lines incomplete. One unknown parent or something. Foundlings are still a thing. By the time the process is complete, duplicative pages are destroyed, and so on. Delphi can become your daughter with the late Bella Black, of the Jamaica Blacks, just like her sister Anemone. If she's dissatisfied with her full given name, that could be adjusted. If she doesn't like Delphini, how about Delphine? A slight infusion of French with no overtones of unnecessary garlic."

"That would solve a lot of problems," said Potter. "Shall we move along? What do you think about Teddy? Andromeda?"

"Werewolf or member of a banished branch of the Blacks?"

"Either," said Potter. "Werewolf."

"I wouldn't worry," Andromeda replied. "Werewolf carries its own protective enhancements."

"I don't want him bullied," said Potter. "He's such a sweet kid. I don't know if he can stick up for himself."

"Don't get too involved with the problem before the problem arrives," said Andromeda.

"Okay. We all know Teddy is back in the Blacks, by order of the chief," said Potter. "There are always the mean-spirited, the ones who think they know more than the conventional wisdom…"

"He is the Black Heir," said Andromeda. "He has his ring. That doesn't say 'Banished' to me. If you let things play out, you'll know if there are any bullies trying to make life miserable for him. If not, you can leave it alone."

Daphne looked over at Andromeda, nodded and gave her a smile.

"Okay," said Potter. "We have to talk to the witches. I guess Teddy gets an encouraging pre-game talk and assurances that we are all as close as the Owlery if he encounters any problems. This is so much different than my run-up to first year."

By the end of the stroll, the intrafamily questions had been settled and the children were ready for lunch. Daphne thought it was time the witches started getting used to the folkways of their social class. One of those was the rare privilege of being served by a competent lady's maid house elf. According to Daphne's observations, Delphi and Ane were competent at hand washing so why not move the young Honorables along on their course toward noble maiden?

"Holly, we need you," Daphne announced when the group arrived at the manor house.

Holly materialized with a very happy-sounding POP!

"Holly is here, Lady Daphne, how can Holly be of service?" asked the elf.

"Miss Delphi and Miss Ane have been outside with us, Holly," Daphne explained. "Morgana only knows what oddities they may have picked up. Please accompany them to the bath so they can wash their faces and hands and give them any assistance they might need. Witches, if you ask nicely, Holly will look you over before you return. I find that very helpful in identifying a droopy stocking or an undone button."

Holly held a hand each and apparated away with the witches.

"Well?" asked Daphne when she caught Potter looking.

"Oh! Just marveling at the deft touch," said Potter. "What is the rule on elves at Hogwarts these days?"

"It's an option," said Daphne. "Draco is of the opinion that Scorpius will learn all of his first-year social stuff faster if he has to think about things like deciding if his own clothes are dirty enough to send to the laundry or if they can be worn one more day. Therefore, Scorpius won't be served by his personal elf. At least not this year."

"Well, then, in the interest of Black solidarity and keeping everything even among the cousins, I think it will be best if we don't send any to school with an elf," said Potter. "Comment? Agreement or disagreement?"

"Fine with me," said Andromeda.

"As you wish," said Daphne.

"Excellent," said Potter. "My life is so easy these days."

Later on, country outing concluded and the families returned to their homes, Harry and Daphne called for tea in the drawing room. The witches sat, mostly prim and proper, basking in their day at the manor while recalling the attentions of their step-mum's maid.

"We talked about some things today," Potter began.

"Tidying up some family administration," Daphne added.

"With school getting closer, I've decided, with Mum Daphne's help, to make our status a bit more regular," Potter continued. "As you know, Daphne is an expert on magical family law. She can adopt the two of you which will make her your mum. Our family will look completely norm—er, that is, conventional."

"What your father is saying, witches, is you will be noticed at school just because you are Harry Potter's children. He is very well-known in our society. By looking as conventional as possible, we can lower our profile so those people who might be envious of fame or material possessions and so on, perhaps won't be so quick to judge," said Daphne.

"Oh, so people like that Lestrange…" Delphi began.

"Exactly," said Daphne. "You'd be just another witch from a prominent family. Very conventional, like your father said."

"What is it about our mum?" Delphi demanded.

Potter sighed as he looked up at the ceiling. Daphne's face got a pinkish tone.

"Was she a dragon? She was a dragon, wasn't she?" Delphi asked.

"We have to be very careful with that knowledge, Delphi," said Potter. "Put simply, your mum did some bad things and was sent to prison. Then she reformed and was very much a penitent for the rest of her life. That means she had great remorse for what she did and tried to make amends. But we don't talk about her except among ourselves because some people are still angry, even though she is no longer here."

"And there is no need for you to be brought into a conversation about your mum, none at all," said Daphne. "If people ask, tell them she died and end the conversation."

"Now, one more little detail, Delphi," said Potter. "If you would want to adjust the spelling of your name, that can be done when the final paperwork is drafted. We thought we might suggest you consider Delphine. It is a change of one letter but it makes your legal name sound completely different. Of course, with either spelling you could still be Delphi for short."

The only subject for further discussion was how fast the adoption process would move. Daphne's first order of business upon her return to the office was asking Suzanne to pull the file on a recent routine adoption and send it to one of Daphne's colleagues who was about to receive her request to handle some family administration.

Whatever bureaucratic process ran the schedule for Hogwarts' annual cycle sent out the welcome letter package with the specifications for uniforms, booklists and guidance on what animals were acceptable as student companions. One Monday morning the floos lit up with calls between Tonks Farm, Malfoy Manor and Number Twelve Grimmauld Place. The Black Cousins-Scorpius Malfoy, Teddy Tonks and Delphine Black, needed to begin coordinating their shopping trip to Diagon Alley. Actually, Lord and Lady Potter-Black, Narcissa Malfoy and Andromeda Tonks did the non-speculative portion of the planning, all being in agreement that a public outing together could be a useful communications aid. The Blacks and affiliated families had healed their rifts and were again united in a common purpose, mutual defense of their rights, perquisites and the interests of the next generation. In addition, 'Toujours Pur.'

"They look good together," said Narcissa Malfoy as she tried to surreptitiously look down the plank table.

The Leaky Cauldron was still the preferred meet-up spot for groups going to the Alley for school shopping.

Astoria Malfoy looked across at her sister as both rolled their eyes. Down at the far end, Delphi Black and Scorpius Malfoy were excitedly talking across each other, sharing plans for acquiring owls, wands and spellbooks. Scorpius wasn't sold on the idea of uniforms, nor was Delphi. Scorpius had lots of practice and could manage a robe, he simply preferred black denim jeans and blue dress shirts worn without a tie. Delphi and Ane had settled on a sort of mutually-agreed uniform years before. They liked going about in black, calf-length skirts over which they wore white blouses with very generous collars. Delphi wore medium-gray tights most days, unless the weather was uncomfortably warm or she was sailing. Then she wore boat shoes, bellbottom trousers and a striped, long-sleeved t-shirt. She had been told it looked, ''Quite nautical, milady,' by a magical harbormaster.

Astoria and Daphne had become hyper-aware of Narcissa's comments about the children, fearing she meant to make a match between her grandson and his first cousin. Such were much more common one or two hundred years in the past. Then the twin phenomena of a diminishing number of magical lines and excessive combination of recessive genes due to inbreeding began to manifest in families ending in a sudden collapse of magical and physical vigor. Some lines with glorious histories sputtered out in ludicrous ways under a final, semi-competent chief. Most of Magical Britain learned the lesson although some prominent witches and wizards still found practical reasons to merge related lines.

"Can we listen for a moment?" Daphne asked the assembly. Gradually, the conversations closed and all eyes turned her way.

"We are spared Madame Malkin's very busy shop today thanks to young Master Malfoy's brilliant suggestion just last month, that we get her shop started on our robe and uniform order," said Daphne.

Teddy started the applause and was joined immediately by two of his cousins.

"Right, so we can pick up your Hogwarts gear two days from right now. Thanks, Scorpius for that brilliant suggestion and no, I don't know why we didn't always do it that way. Minus uniforms, we all need books. You have your booklists?"

The prospective students all held up booklists.

"We need your supplies for potions. Quills and parchment. And, of course…"

"Wands!" said the young magicals.

"Wands," repeated Daphne. "I'll stick with Delphi. Harry and Andromeda will take Teddy. Scorpius has Draco, Astoria and Narcissa. Spread out or we'll just be tripping over one another. There are enough shoppers here today we won't lack for people getting in our way."

Daphne Potter-Black, the solicitor, seldom got a laugh for a pithy comment because hers were quite subtle.

"Ane, you're with us. Not that I don't trust your father…" said Daphne.

Ane looked at her sister.

"This IS better," Delphi said. "I can help Mum Daphne keep an eye on you."

Unfortunately, Ane was already sensitive to the cruel trick time was playing, getting her sister off to Hogwarts leaving Ane to sit home for two years before getting her chance.

"Oh, Ane, here," said Daphne.

She pulled Ane close while she looked at Delphi.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean…" said Delphi.

"I know you didn't. Ane knows, too," said Daphne. "Let's hug. Delphi just made a little joke."

Ane took a long sniff or two before saying, "I know. It's okay."

The shoppers split, as arranged, working through lists of books, supplies, pens, inks, parchments and the other student necessities. Kreacher was summoned and made round trips from Diagon Alley back to Number Twelve, ferrying loads of school ephemera to the central depot. Finally, it was time.

As arranged earlier, wand shopping was saved until last. Harry, Andromeda and Teddy Lupin were waiting near Ollivander's when Scorpius arrived with Narcissa, Astoria and Draco not far behind.

"Where's Delphi?" Scorpius asked as he walked up.

"Don't know," answered Teddy. "We haven't been here long."

Soon, five adults and two students were swiveling their heads and looking up and down Diagon Alley for their missing shoppers.

"There," said Teddy Lupin, pointing back through the crowd.

Shortly afterward, the complete, reformed party passed through the front door of Ollivander's wand shop. The adults stood quietly, opening the way for the students. Hands were laid on shoulders, encouraging the shoppers to step up to the battered wooden counter. Mr. Ollivander beamed at the party, making some gushy small-talk about their physical size, intelligence, and any other positive attributes that occurred to him.

"Wands, Mr. Ollivander," Potter spoke for the group. "Suitable wands for our scholars. Do you know everyone?"

"Perhaps you could…" said Ollivander, politely informing everyone he wasn't confident he could identify the students.

"Draco?"

"Oh, of course," said Malfoy. "Scorpius Malfoy, starting at Hogwarts this September and you know his mother, Astoria and my mother…"

"Madame Malfoy and Madame Malfoy," said Ollivander, adding a little bow for each.

"Miss Delphine Black," said Daphne as she gave Delphi a gentle push forward.

Delphi curtsied, adding, "Honored to meet you, sir."

"And Miss Anemone Black," Daphne said.

Ane repeated Delphi's performance, curtsying and affirming that she, too was honored.

"Master Edward Lupin," said Potter, his hand on his godson's shoulder. "Prefers to be called Teddy."

Teddy stood at something like attention and nodded his head.

"Sir," he said.

"Well!" exclaimed Ollivander. "Never, I don't believe…So, bear with me while I visit the stock for just a moment."

Ollivander returned with a double arm load of wand boxes.

"Now," he began, "The wand chooses the wizard, or witch in your case, Miss Delphine. These are in no particular order because we can't know which wand will feel an affinity for which one of you. If you pick up a wand and don't feel that that one is right, just put it back and pick up another one. Your parents and grandparents all went through the same process."

Delphi was the first to pick up a wand. She thought she knew the drill as her father had told her about Mr. Ollivander's advice to, "Pick it up and give it a wave."

Potter had added she would need to grip the wand's handle end and pause a moment to feel the wand and for the wand to feel her. He thought the selection was most important for the young magicals getting their first wand since so much of early wand-witch bonding depended on that feeling of affinity. Delphi listened, quiet and attentive until Potter yielded the floor. Of course, Delphi had questions, the first being, "What are they made of?"

"Oh, there are two parts, the wand itself, which is made from wood or some wood-like material," said Potter. "Oak, walnut and so on. Also, grapevine, which isn't wood but—well, I don't know enough to lecture on it, but it functions like wood in wands. Then there is the core, which has to be some magical substance. Unicorn hair, for example."

"Anything else?" asked Delphi.

Potter suspected Delphi had been doing independent reading and feared what was coming.

"Yes," he said, "Other, magical materials."

"Dragon Heartstring?" Delphi wanted to know.

Potter looked at Delphi who looked like she already knew. If he told her the truth, Potter thought he might break her heart. If he danced around, reluctant to answer, that would be the same as lying. He thought about what Daphne had said, that if he lied and Delphi caught him out, he could be a liar, in her eyes, for the rest of his life.

"Yes, dragon heartstring is one of the magical core materials. I'm sorry, Delphi, wizards discovered the use for it years, centuries ago," said Potter. "You don't have to use a wand with a dragon heartstring core."

"What if it chooses me?" asked Delphi, the witch's stress quite apparent.

"Cross that bridge when you come to it," Potter answered.

Delphi saw immediately that the boxes were labeled with the type of wood and core material, so she kept opening boxes without dragon heartstring-cored wands. With some, she knew immediately they weren't a match and put the wand right back. Others didn't repel her but felt dead in her grasp. A few gave her palm a warm feeling in an atmosphere of little real interest. The first batch of boxes was nearly finished, with only one box left.

Delphi had moved all the other dragon heartstring wands along without opening the box but for some reason, the label caught her eye and she stared. It said, 'Dragon Heartstring' and "White Oak, 10 in., Rigid."

Delphi didn't know she was feeling like she needed to open the box and grasp the wand, but that is what she did. Once her fingers curled around the grip, her eyelids drifted down and she smelled the most fragrant scent, like smoke from a fire but not something that would choke her or burn her eyes. Everyone watched as Delphi's wand hand rose, pointing at Mr. Ollivander's ceiling. All but one of the adults wondered what was going on. Astoria Malfoy moved before Delphi's arm reached its full extension, when her head tilted back and she let out a deep bass roar. The burst of flame had just emerged from the tip of the wand when Astoria grabbed Delphi's wrist with one hand and wrapped the fingers of the opposite hand around the end of the wand, snuffing out the flame.

"What are you doing, witch?" demanded Delphi.

No one present actually thought it was Delphi speaking because the voice was pitched so low. Delphi could sound dangerous when she spoke but that voice was appropriate for an eleven-year-old witch.

Astoria didn't speak out loud, letting her mind answer the query.

"Who are you? Speak your name!" she demanded.

"Gorr—that would be North Star in Human Tongue," growled Delphi.

"What do you want with her? She's too young to manage you," thought Astoria.

"NO! We have been waiting for her! She has a bond with the dragons. One of us must stay with her or we…we risk losing her. Please," said Delphi.

"Have you enchanted her?" asked Astoria.

"No. Simply feeling. Letting her feel me," said Gorr.

"If she chooses you, do you swear you will stay hidden? It could be very bad for my niece if you are undisciplined and reveal yourself in the wrong way."

"I SWEAR!" boomed Delphi's dragon voice.

Astoria loosened her hand and stepped back. Delphi opened her eyes and stared at Astoria.

"Sweetie?" asked Astoria.

"Auntie, did I hurt you? Gorr didn't want to. I could hear him and understand him. He just wanted to be able to go home with us," said Delphi.

"Can I talk with your mum and dad? Stay here and help Scorpius and Teddy, okay?" said Astoria.

She nodded in the direction of the door, letting the rest of the party turn back to the countertop and the wands.

"What was that?" both Potter and Daphne wanted to know.

"Never saw it before but I read about it," said Astoria. "I went through my own dragon obsession, for around three years, as a matter of fact. Dragons are intelligent. It's different from us but genuinely intelligent. The magical core in that wand is dragon heartstring. The wand got a bit giddy when Delphi picked him up and threw a bit of flame in celebration. I, kind of, put a stop to it."

"The wand that chose Delphi celebrated by shooting flames and you put a stop to it?" asked Daphne.

"Y-yes, in a way," said Astoria. "One way to stop the flame is for a witch to cover up the point where it emerges. Delphi's wand's tip, in this case. I demanded to know the dragon's name. It's Gorr, by the way. Means North Star. Anyway, he said they have been waiting for Delphi and they have to be there to keep an eye on her. It sounded serious."

"They?" asked Potter.

"The dragons," said Astoria. "Gorr came on like he was speaking for more than himself and I didn't argue."

"Was that some kind of prophecy of disaster?" Daphne asked.

"Didn't sound like it," answered Astoria. "More like a stitch in time. He promised to keep the flames to himself unless Delphi needed to cast them for some reason. It's pretty definite that wand chose Delphi. Talk to Mr. Ollivander if you want the voice of experience."

Potter looked at Daphne, who looked back.

"We have nearly two months before she leaves," he said.

"But what if that thing is cursed?" asked Daphne. "An inanimate object that can blast flames like a dragon?"

"You have a point," Potter admitted. "Alternatively, a young witch with an affinity for dragons picks up a wand that is pre-bonded to her? That has to be really rare. Considering the ratio of dragon-centric young witches to the total number of witches in the general population, what would we be talking about? One? Out of all the eleven-year-old witches? We could be getting in the way of something way bigger than us."

"Okay, if we let her bring her own, personal dragon home, will you take care to see she doesn't burn down the house? Will you work with her every day until she leaves and tell me you are satisfied; she understands she absolutely must be responsible in her use of that wand?" Potter's red-faced wife demanded.

"Certainly," said Potter as he looked across at Astoria. "We might need her aunt to unload some of her dragon knowledge. Why didn't we know about this sooner?"

"Your wife knew, she just thought it was typical, frustrated adolescent witch enthusiasm manifesting. Like a girl in love with her pony or something similar," said Astoria, enjoying the sight of her sister's still-red face.

"Astoria, I didn't dismiss your enthusiasm out of hand, I simply thought you might want to dial back on dragons to make time for transfiguration or potions," Daphne protested.

"Hmm!" Astoria replied as she turned back to the group in front of Ollivander's counter.

"Progress?" she asked Scorpius.

"Yes, Mum, for Teddy," said Scorpius.

Teddy was holding a fairly short wand, nine or nine and one-half inches at most. The grip was knobby, the transitional shank truly gnarly; the five additional inches tapered down to a rounded tip.

"What have you got there, Teddy?" asked Potter.

"My wand," Teddy answered.

"Sounds definitive," said Potter. "Wand material?"

"Red oak," answered Teddy.

"Core?"

"Unicorn hair," Teddy said. "Mr. Ollivander says it's a solid, trustworthy wand for any purpose except needless aggression."

"Can't argue with that," Potter said, obviously approving Teddy's wand's choice in partnerships.

"Whoa!"

Scorpius Malfoy had been back in the wand boxes and seemed to have found something promising.

"This…" he began as he held up a jet-black wand with a thin gold ring just where the grip became the shaft.

"Why?" asked Ollivander, real interest apparent from his expression.

"It just feels right," said Scorpius. "The balance is perfect. It fits my hand. I like the gold ring."

"Well, the ring is brass," said Ollivander. "It wears better than gold and any metal addition to a wand can loosen up, especially if the owner is giving it a lot of use. Have your parents allowed you to try their wands?"

Draco, Astoria and Narcissa looked back and forth. Finally, Draco shrugged.

"A time or two," he said.

"It's quite alright," said Ollivander. "Expected, even. The old families understand their responsibilities and tend not to let things go too far, out of control, I mean. Here, Master Scorpius, try moving this."

He placed a quartz cube on the counter.

"Point your wand tip, the spell is Wingardia Leviosa. Just try to shift it a bit."

Scorpius didn't merely shift the quartz, he raised it several inches before his concentration faded, dropping the cube back onto the scarred planks of the countertop.

"Excellent," said Ollivander.

Narcissa had her hand on Scorpius' shoulder, giving him a grandmotherly squeeze.

"Grenadilla wood and one pinfeather from a very generous Veela," said Ollivander. "I can't promise the wand will actually, ahem, LOVE you but you probably won't be able to detect whether it does or doesn't. If you treat it with respect and express just a little appreciation for a good job well done, it will be loyal for life."

"That's a lot of responsibility, Scorpius," muttered Draco.

Scorpius nodded his agreement.

Wand shopping wound down and the visit to Ollivander's moved to the expert's Tips For Young Wand Shopper's phase. Mr. Ollivander told the students he expected they would go home with their parents, or, in Teddy's case, his grandparent, and do a bit of wand waving. That was fine as long as they never forgot they were magical, in all likelihood, full of untrained magic. It wouldn't do to undertake unsupervised experimentation. Mr. Ollivander had the touch. His counseling was so gentle and well-informed the students left the shop eager to get to work. Of course that meant with appropriate oversight.

Potter settled up for two wands and Draco for one. The delegation reconvened at the Leaky Cauldron. The adults denied themselves the pick-me-up they felt they needed and deserved in deference to the students.

"Iced tea? Lemonade?" asked Potter.

They had found a pair of tables in a corner of the main room and pushed them together, the students sitting together at one end.

"No magic in here," Astoria decreed, resulting in three downturned mouths.

Fingers were obviously fidgeting in anticipation of wrapping around a wand grip.

"How about this?" Potter asked. "It wouldn't hurt anything to get in a little practice with those new wands before the Hogwarts Express. I'll meet with any or all of you, any morning, at Potter Manor. Floo over and we'll go outside and practice basic movements. Add in commands for everyday spells. We'll pick things up. Put them down, gently. Conjure a quill or a bottle of ink. Everyone here is welcome to come. You can get familiar with your new wands and they can get used to you."

Potter showed once again that he had moments of prescience. The next two months were a smashing success. The students progressed remarkably fast. There were no disasters. The adults proved to be very proficient instructors. Potter began to wish they could slow down. He feared the young Blacks would arrive at Hogwarts with such advanced skills they would become targets of jealous contemporaries with small minds. It wasn't the fault of any of them, Scorpius, Teddy or Delphi, that their ancestry foreshadowed great magical skills, power and abilities. In addition, they had an abundance of close relatives who loved magic, used it and practiced all the time. Of course, it was to be expected that the adults would naturally pass on some spells along with the everyday activities they shared with the children.

"Okay, let's take a break," said Potter.

It was a lovely day in mid-August. Excitement was building among the students who anticipated joining the illustrious ranks of Hogwarts in less than a month. All three had worked hard since acquiring their wands. The parent-designed preparatory classes had not been the scene of a single catastrophe.

At Potter's suggestion, or request, the students returned their wands to their scabbards and walked over to the patio. Astoria and Draco Malfoy were at Potter Manor as adjunct faculty and followed along with Potter. Willow arranged for fresh lemonade while Holly brought steaming face towels for Astoria and Delphi. This put envious looks on the faces of Draco, Scorpius, Potter and Teddy resulting in Willow picking up on Holly's oversight and bringing four more towels.

Amenities secured, Potter took the floor.

"We've had a very successful, almost two months of getting ready for Hogwarts classes," he began.

Potter went back over the topics they had covered, assuring his students he could not see a single area where any of them would have difficulties with the first term curriculum. They were firmly grounded in the basic skills that would comprise the first-year lectures and practical exercises. That led to the day's discussion and some non-school topics.

"We've spoken informally about different degrees of magical heritage," said Potter. "You know about squibs, muggle-borns and so on. You'll be sitting in class with muggle-borns. How will that affect your learning experience? Any ideas?"

The students looked back and forth.

"Won't they be kind of slow?" asked Teddy.

Delphi and Scorpius began to laugh. Draco looked at Potter, who wore a smirk. Potter and Draco had a bit of familiarity with that topic.

"Sometimes," said Potter. "Not always but even the smartest, hardest-working muggleborn will have gaps that you won't. Some of them will arrive and the only information they'll possess about our world will be what they learned in the ministry briefing and observed on their one shopping trip to Diagon Alley. Literally. So, we don't want to judge them inferior because they've just come out of the box, so to speak."

"Here's another thing to remember. Be sensitive about material wealth. Lots of witches and wizards have to work at something. A little business, some craft, even a job for wages. We are all very fortunate in that we have nice places to live and can do whatever we want, within reason. Besides that, you come from strong families with members who help out when they're needed, supporting us when we are in difficulties, supporting the others when they have to lean on us for a bit. Think about what would happen if that were not there."

Potter paused for effect, watching the students' faces.

"Don't forget that when you're at Hogwarts. You'll make new friends, of course, as you should. That is part of the reason we send you to school. There is a reverse to that. Sometime during your school career, you will think someone is a friend who turns out not to be. That is also part of your learning experience. You'll think about that later in life when you encounter the same thing in adults. Don't forget our talk today. Stay close to one another. Everyone has a time in their life when they need those people who will be behind them no matter what. That is the function of your family members. That is what you are to one another," Potter said, then, "Draco? Astoria?"

"What Harry said," said Draco, refraining from gawking as Astoria dabbed her handkerchief at her eyes.

"Oh, that is it, really," said Astoria. "I wish Scorpius' grandparents had told me that before I left for school. I had Daphne, of course. Even then, she was a rock. It's just, away from home, someone decides she doesn't like someone else and goes out of her way."

Astoria didn't say who went out of their way or what the form of going out of their way took but it had obviously stayed with her.

"Okay, enough of that for today. Willow, what's for lunch?" asked Potter.

"Fish and chips, Lord Harry," Willow said, her manifestation making a 'pop' as she appeared.

"Sound good to everyone?" Potter asked.

"Free lunch. We can hardly quibble," said Astoria.

Ane had been busy in her room with Holly and found her way down to the group.

"Did the elves make something magical?" Ane asked.

"Fish and chips," said Potter. "That's as magical as it gets."

Luncheon conversation focused on back-to-school matters. Whose packing was coming along, had anyone opened the textbooks they'd purchased, how were the new robes? The students sounded excited about everything, even the academics. Potter wondered where his progeny acquired that drive. It certainly wasn't from their parents.

Potter, Delphi and Ane had barely gotten back to Grimmauld Place when Daphne arrived by floo.

"What's going on? How was today? Is that dragon heartstring wand of yours behaving? What does it have to say for itself?" Daphne asked.

"Good. Yes, of course! Gorr has gone silent," said Delphi.

"Really? Why is that, do you suppose?" Daphne asked. "I mean, a wand that communicates with words, even if it is telepathic…"

"Gorr is remaining silent because he does not want to risk being returned to Mr. Ollivander," said Delphi. "He said humans become weird about such things and he is determined to stay with me and do great magic and earn my family's trust."

It sounded very much like a verbal equivalent of vegetable stew to Daphne. On the other hand, Delphi appeared to be completely sincere. Daphne tried for an equally-sincere response.

"Excellent!" she said as she wondered if Gorr was receiving or if he had gone completely, telepathically-silent. "Gorr will have no problems if he continues his commendable ways."

Eventually, the great day came. The families took the floo system to King's Cross to deliver the new students of magic to the Hogwarts Express. Ane had accepted the facts of the age discrepancy with her sister. It still didn't seem fair. She thought she remembered the time before she had a sister and was sure Delphi did. Teddy and Delphi stood together, Ane on the far side, away from Teddy, so she could hold Delphi's hand as long as possible. More families arrived. The Malfoys came and stayed with the Potter-Blacks.

The chat at Potter Manor came back to the students as groups of people walked past. Ane noticed Teddy, Delphi and Scorpius exchanging glances whenever an obvious muggle appeared. She didn't know what to say so she didn't say anything. The whistle on the steam engine sounded, canceling out further stray thoughts. This was it. Ane couldn't believe it. For the first time in years, she wouldn't see her sister at the breakfast table, at tooth-brushing time or over afternoon tea.

Ane felt the tears coming, just before Delphi enveloped her in the tightest hug ever.

"I love you, Sister," Delphi whispered, just for Ane.

"Me too," Ane managed. "Me too. I'll write you every day."

"You can," said Delphi, "If you don't have anything better to do."

The two of them shared a laugh, there on the platform, until Delphi had to pull away and board. Ane couldn't help being sad, already missing Delphi, and a little angry that she had actual years to wait until she could take the train to Hogwarts.

The first hours on the Hogwarts Express thrilled the cousins. They had heard about the legendary train for years, but none had ever been on board. All fairly slight, at only eleven years of age, they stuck close to one another which made up for some of the disadvantage. Their first order of business was seating. They were lucky and found an empty compartment, giving them first pick of seats and the luggage racks.

"I brought us all chocolate frogs," said Scorpius, reaching into a deep pocket in his robe. "Technically, I'm supposed to wait until we've had our lunch to hand them out, but…"

"But you don't see any need to be a slave to rules," said Delphi.

"Delphi, did you get your name changed?" asked Teddy.

Scorpius was taken by surprise.

"Why'd you do that?" he asked.

"Did I say I did change my name?" Delphi asked.

Scorpius considered the question. No, she hadn't said that. Delphi had him there.

"What do you want to be? DeDe? Dodie?" asked Scorpius.

Teddy Lupin had heard of the one letter change but it was speculative at the time. He gave a little snort of a laugh.

"I never liked Delphini, that's all. Mum Daphne thought I might like Delphine better, and I do. When she adopted me, they filled in the papers with that spelling, get it? I'm still Delphi, just Delphine when I have to sign my name. I guess adults do that a lot, for some reason."

"That's brilliant, Delphi, really," said Teddy, Scorpius nodding agreement.

"I wish I could be adopted," said Scorpius.

"WHY?" his cousins demanded.

"Then I'd be like you two," said Scorpius. "I could change my name…"

"Scorpius, you don't want to change your name, you have the coolest name ever!" said Teddy. "Mine's kind of bland."

"What's bland?" asked Delphi.

"Like porridge with no sugar, syrup, whatever," said Teddy. "No taste. Bland."

"Did you ever hear of bland?" asked Delphi, looking at Scorpius.

"Sure," he replied. "Maybe Kreacher made flavorful dishes your whole life, so you never encountered bland."

Delphi had learned to sense her temper flaring up and took in a few calming breaths, just as Daphne had taught her to do. Something about the reference to Delphi's 'whole life' brought up a buried memory, of Mrs. Rowle, the crummy cottage and years of flavorless porridge. Delphi was a tough little witch with an affinity for dragons, but she was naturally good-natured unless something made her think of Mrs. Rowle.

"You okay?" asked Teddy.

"Now I am," Delphi answered.

"Did I say something?" Scorpius asked.

"Of course not," Delphi said as she reached across between the bench seats and dispensed a brief hug. "It's fine."

Delphi was just releasing Scorpius when the door opened and another witch peeked in.

"If you have room, would you mind?" she asked.

The cousins didn't mind, exactly, although they had begun to think they could be together, in their own, exclusive cabin for the trip to Hogwarts.

"Well, uh…," said Teddy.

"I, um, we haven't…" Scorpius added.

"Come in," said Delphi. "We have room."

She looked at the wizards.

"It wouldn't be very good manners to hog this, would it?"

Her companions agreed, both secretly grateful Delphi had made a decision when they were stuck in some kind of yes-versus-no limbo.

"My name's Delphi. Delphi Black."

"Scorpius Malfoy," said Scorpius.

"Edward Lupin. Teddy," said Teddy.

The three stopped there, staring at the newcomer.

"OH! Yes, Mary Beth Olson," said the girl. "It's my first year. Are you all first-years as well?"

Three heads nodded—yes, they were all first-year students.

It took less than a minute for the three Black cousins to assess their new traveling companion. The witch was dressed like a muggle. Could it be she WAS a muggle?

"So, where are you all from?" asked Mary Beth.

"Muggle"

All three had the same thought, simultaneously. They might have led sheltered lives, their parents and caregivers avoiding the limelight in the interest of keeping the children away from the bullying busybodies who would doubtless connect them with their mélange of relatives, especially of the infamous variety. Even so, Scorpius Malfoy, with his head of white hair and Teddy Lupin, whom most expected to transform into a wolf at any moment, were well-enough known. Besides that, the late Dark witch, Bellatrix Lestrange, had a certain look that her daughter shared. Anyone who had seen a photograph of Bella would recognize Delphi and make the connection.

"Wiltshire," said Scorpius.

"Devon," Teddy answered.

"London," said Delphi, then adding, "Mostly."

"Lovely," said Mary Beth. "I got to go one time. Then shopping in Diagon Alley, of course."

The other three said some variety of response—"Nice; Of course; Mmm-hmm."

The stilted conversation continued until the last visit from the prefects. The train would arrive at Hogsmeade Station in less than an hour, they said. Best get changed into school uniform and robes. Delphi looked at Teddy. He might be all but a brother to her but he wasn't going to stick around while she stepped out of her black skirt and into the approved Hogwarts uniform skirt.

"OH! You want us to leave," said Teddy as he stood up.

"Yes, DUH," said Delphi. "Got your uniform? Where's your bag? You did put your uniform in a bag?"

"Uh—yes," said Mary Beth. "It's in another compartment, the one that got too crowded."

"Come with me," said Scorpius. "Take me to the compartment, we'll get your bag and bring it back here. Teddy and I will stand outside while the two of you change."

The collaboration worked and proved very satisfying to the participants. When the witches were set for arrival, sorting and dinner, Mary Beth stayed outside the cabin with Delphi, returning the favor.

None of the cousins was surprised when they were all sorted into Slytherin. Scorpius thought it was due to their legacy status. Teddy thought his selection must be because of Andromeda. Delphi was grateful to the Sorting Hat. She didn't know everything about Bella, although Harry had told her enough. Delphi accepted the Hat's decision knowing she would be safer in Slytherin than she would be in any of the other houses.

What mystified them was Mary Beth's presence among the Slytherin first-years. They held their tongues until they could speak in private.

"What is she doing in Slytherin?" asked Teddy.

"She seems nice," Scorpius replied. "We don't want to judge too quickly."

"Yeah, but still," said Delphi. "I mean, we grew up magical. The Hat would have done her a favor, putting her in Hufflepuff. They love that 'Lend a helping hand.' She's going to need it."

"Should we step up? I don't see anyone looking like they want to help," said Teddy.

"Let's be friendly," said Scorpius. "Not hostile, but not too…you know. We don't want to scare her. Know what I mean?"

Teddy and Delphi nodded but they didn't speak.

Their first few days at Hogwarts proved enlightening. All of Slytherin House suspected Delphi had Dark origins. She left it alone. Harry had sat with Delphi in his alchemy lab one evening. He had a thin volume handy, purportedly a guide for parents of magical children, that related step-by-step how to speak to young magicals about sex. Delphi took his explanation of the basic mechanics well. It all seemed to make sense until he got to the unique natural history of Harry and Delphi.

Peter Pettigrew, at Voldemort's direction, had used Potter's blood in the ritual that restored a semblance of a physical body to the Dark Lord. Trouble was, the fiend was a bit of flesh animated and filled out with magic. Harry Potter, on the other hand, had just become that wonder of procreative might, the healthy boy in his mid-teens. Voldemort and Bella did some kind of activity that substituted for copulation and Delphi was the result. However, as it turned out, Delphi was one hundred percent Harry Potter's daughter.

"I don't get it," said Delphi.

Part of the same counseling session comprised Potter's explanation of the larger meaning of Delphi's heritage. She and her sister were the results of a mysterious, inexplicable romance between Harry Potter and Bellatrix Lestrange. Their mother had dropped her married name when she embarked on her liaison with Potter, reverting to her maiden name, Black.

Listening to Scorpius, Delphi agreed that, yes, there certainly were reasons she, daughter of Bellatrix Black (formerly Lestrange), Teddy, son of a werewolf and Scorpius, heir of a notorious pureblood family, might indeed scare off Mary Beth. At the same time, none of the three thought it would be a good thing to allow Mary Beth to fend for herself in Slytherin. They would have to proceed with caution.