Back from surgery. Quite a project. Will have followup treatments, but 30% of the liver is plenty. Dr Lecter sent me a thank you card. My rule is get out of bed before you're sure you're able. Came home 1/30. But still strengthening myself.

[a/n]Funny, I was right, kind of woke up with this story in my head. Just never quite seemed to get to write this out. Guess I'm just happier typing at home. This one REALLY deserves a content warning.

Harry Does Different DXIVc

Nascent Dark Lady

By January 2011 Harry Potter was mostly settled into his role as Head of the Auror Office. This did not stop him doing what he fundamentally enjoyed. He was not a desk jockey. Nor was he blind to the good of leading by example. This first weekend trip to Hogsmeade after Christmas had him in full dress uniform, on display. Showing the flag and keeping order. A sheriff of the American Wild West would recognize and approve. During patrol he was his well-known self, but even as the students began arriving something picked at his senses. Things went uneventful, and yet, it continued. Then a child caught his sight.

"Bit too young, I believe." He approached with a friendly-cop grin "Professor McGonagall know you're about, miss? What's your name?"

Spinning with a startle, the small girl exclaimed "Harry Potter!"

"No, I'm pretty sure that's my name." he countered lightly "Care to try again?" But something about the child was causing a tingle that defied analysis.

She answered in typical tween-girl fashion *giggle* "Sorry sir" *gigglegiggle* "Not me. I mean." *giggle* "Delphini is MY name Delphini Diggory."

"That a fact?" questioned Harry, not entirely pleased "Thought Cedric was an only child."

After a moment of tenseness, she answered "Oh, Amos is my uncle. Dad's side. I'm from New Zealand." Her voice wasn't quite British.

Or had it been? Moodyness warned "Tell me more, Miss Diggory, what Year are you? House?"

"Gotta go!" Delphini had a great and terrible future, but here was a confrontation she …not even Hogwarts age… was prepared for. Simultaneous with a quick move, she called out "Evanna! Pandorra!"

Harry reacted, in one motion, out came wand and Invisibility Cloak. Spinning it tightly around both their bodies, he disapparated without thought or preparation, but with power. It took a bit to get his bearings in all the calm, identifying the area as "Azkaban coastline" then, as smoothly disentangling himself from the girl, who was currently in the throes of apparent first-apparation, demanded without empathy "What is it about you, if you've even told me your real name?"

"Sorry sir, please" the small form crawled around, gagged some more, got to her feet and backed until she stumbled against seaweed covered rock. Now begging "Don't hurt me. I'm just a kid. But Mama warned me. Some men …like kids… I'll try, HONEST, but pleeeeeeeeeeeeeezeeee!"

Harry was disgusted by the implication. Lily was almost her age. Then he deliberately removed his daughter from his conscious mind. A couple wand waves, bound the girl's hands and feet in seaweed. And he studied his prisoner, with every power and experience, almost to her cells. It still wasn't enough. He concluded "You're no Diggory. Not even close. Who're your parents, girl?"

"I didn't do nuthin. Please don't hurt me!" was all the pleading and blubbering the inquisition produced. No answers.

Some of the consequences of his actions began to spin through his head, so did the suspicions. He seized her robes and demanded "Parents!"

"I DON'T KNOW! I SWEAR!" she sobbed, very believably, "Mama never TOLD me!"

There was only one way to know. Never mind the number of his own DMLE reforms he was violating. Something was beyond wrong about her. With some concern for her wellbeing, he wrapped his own uniform about her body and disapparated. On his return, an hour later, with sundry equipment, the girl was apparently asleep and still lashed to the rock. That did not stop him training his wand while he potioned one-handedly. He sighed "Another few laws. Use of goblin tools unauthorized. Inheritance magic. Must be out of my bloody mind. Don't even know what I'm seeing!" When it was ready, he woke the girl. "I'm probably screwed no matter what, but the blood needs to be taken while awake." He was as kind with the cut as possible, but she still whimpered in pain.

"Please! I won't say anything!" Delphini cried "How could i? Harry Potter is everyone's hero! Who would believe a little kid?" she twisted futilely against her bonds.

Harry only took one suspicious eye off his prisoner as the results appeared "Part Black? Well there's your lie. They never mixed with Diggorys. Potter?! Not just ANY! BUT ME! Pettigrew? SHIT! And the rest? Fucking GAUNT! You're Voldemort's daughter by Bellatrix!"

"And the Rawles will be all over the Ministry to find me, Harry." The tween girl persona vanished, replaced by something sinister "Your only out now is to do my bidding. Or at least, Eupremia's for now. My father's plans will merely be fulfilled a few years early. And in his superior. Now let me go."

He approached, face devoid of emotion. Goblin knife in one hand, wand in the other. And even sliced through the seaweed holding her right foot. Then he struck like lightning. It was a merciful end, for Delphini, the six-inch blade entered her throat and drove through her brain. Harry punished himself by allowing the blood to spurt all over him, holding the body until it was well over. What he'd just done had to be. A black & White American movie The Bad Seed was this girl. Nothing would soften his guilt, but this killing had to be wiped from existence.

Harry eased the body to the ground and summoned all the valuable potions equipment, along with the invaluable Goblin tools, knife as well. All went atop her. Then Harry's clothes, to the socks and underwear. Invisibility Cloak too. Even to his last body hair. Hermione had used Incarnum Infammorae to ignite Professor Snape's clothes as a youth, the fire spell Harry turned on the rock he used to hold the girl-monster was vastly more powerful. He used it again and again and again and again. Nothing remained but a glowing red pool. The last bit of magic he did that night was to turn a sapling into something like a monk's traveling cloak and sandals. Then his wand went into the lava.

Abcij

It was Thursday afternoon when the Head of the DMLE was brought into the Hogsmeade Auror station. He appropriated an office and locked the door. Hours later, summons went out, which took longer to fulfill. Such a humble site had never played host to the Chief Warlock, Minister for Magic, DMLE Head and three Unspeakables. But every outward appearance was business as usual.

"We'll do the brother-in-law stuff later, sir." This from Senior Auror Ron Weasley "But a report like this goes against all the reforms we've been trying to effect. I believe in you, I trust you, but locking something away that none of even the top government knows what's in it for a hundred years."

The sexless voice under the blue robe clarified without any humor "Statement imprecise, Weasley, the century disclosure clause begins on the date of death of the subject's last living Hogwarts classmate. Current life expectancy makes it probable a Temporal Incident Impact Report may be locked for over two hundred years."

"That's bloody worse!" Ron cried "And I will not have my name going on something that I cannot even know the contents of. Director Potter, I resign." He placed his badge of office on the desk and clicked his heels in the direction of Minister Shacklebolt. Then with a smirk, paused at the door "But I look forward to hearing the chat you'll be having with Ginny on being missing for four days. Just have Mione reinforce the windows. By the way, nice look, Mate."

The purple robe voice was harsh "It is understood that even this meeting is covered by Temporal Security. And details are available, on emergency basis, should a related incident occur."

"Hair grows back, Mate." Harry took that with good grace "Might be good shock value." At least he knew the break with Ron was only professional. After the door was resecured continued "And is the Department of Mysteries satisfied with my report?"

After receiving nods of acceptance from the three hooded figures Chief Warlock Longbottom was the first to take Blood Quill to parchment "Given the Director's long association with prophecy, so connected with time phenomena, I am certain it is for the best. I do note Neville's disappointment with your missing yesterday's dinner date. You might schedule that reunion with Mrs. Potter at Madam Hannah's? Any glasswork damage will be more than covered by ticket sales."

"Your support is appreciated Chief Warlock." Harry's tone was as close to a sneer as anyone could manage against the formidable witch. He had given a completely detailed, accurate report to the Unspeakables who concluded that, indeed, history showed the link to prior prophecy. Equally that, given the memory he provided, the …call it what it was, murder… had been in Wizarding Britain's best interest. At least Harry had no legal consequences from his actions.