Hello everyone, I wanted to say that I hope you guys are enjoying this!
Also, I would put Overlord: The Demon Empress, until later. I need to edit some things out. So, I need time. So in the meantime, I will put 2-3 chapters of my new Crossover Fanfic. The Overlord Geass. Please check it out!
Also, next week I will announce the What If? History I choose. If you still want to tell me which history you found interesting please tell me!
So, until then! See you guys in a few days!
Chapter 14
The sound of water being boiled, and the heavy fog emanating from the many cauldrons could only cause a headache to anyone who wasn't used to such an environment. Yet, for the small girl there, it was just another afternoon of work. And funnily enough, it wasn't just her working amid such powerful mist. There were two other people, helping the green-eyed girl with the experiment she was doing it. Two people, who were the only people Harriet Potter trusted while working with potions. Her mother, Lily Potter, and the head of Slytherin, Severus Snape. And how did this happen? Well, it all started the first week Harriet came back from school.
When Harriet cured her dear uncle Moony from Lycanthropy. And it wasn't just because of her quest, but because Lupin was family.
Harriet remembered how her parents, and well, everyone else, looked at her when she spoke about curing the curse. They thought she was joking. A rather rude assumption, but one she could understand. It was an evening, and Harriet wanted them to believe in her.
Please, believe me. I know I can do it.
But Harriet, Lycanthropy... there is no cure for it.
Moony, trust me. Please, just believe in me.
Harriet thought about using a scroll to remove high-level curses, or her ability [Cleanse]. It didn't matter truly; she wanted to cure her uncle of that awful thing. Yet she was also worried about hurting him. She was walking in an unknown land, but thankfully, it all proved to be a success. [Cleanse] worked on Remus. The curse left his body, and while he seemed in pain for just a brief moment. He was no longer a werewolf.
Harriet would never forget how Remus hugged her and cried. A long life of dealing with such a thing was awful. It was beyond horrible. And now that he was free from it, life was just opening to him in a way he never thought possible. And not only for him. Harriet's family just couldn't believe it. And that was one of the things Harriet was worried about. The many questions that came after it.
Harriet, however, was prepared for it.
I know you all want answers, but I discovered that while Lycanthropy is a curse. It is a liquid curse that can be taken out in a manner of speaking. I created this spell that would help to get the liquid out, theoretically. I have never tested it. But it seems as if work.
That was a big lie, of course. Well, not entirely. Harriet has read a lot about the curse in ancient times. And in the past, they also believed it to be true. There were many tries to cure it, but they all seemed to fail, or not really get the point across. They considered lycanthropy a dark curse, or sometimes even part of a black magic ritual or curse. That's why some people thought only Light magic could destroy the curse. But, no one has succeeded.
Harriet considered that if she could deal with the curse using the magic of that word, she would try to deal with Lycanthropy as if it was a sort of blood cancer. A farfetched idea, yes. But, all things considered, the only way for someone to become a werewolf was through biting. Since even those who had a parent with the curse don't show signs of lycanthropy. And even in the rarest cases, the children would only like more raw meat, but nothing more. So, it was not something you could inherit. Not entirely.
What do you mean, Harriet?
Mother, you know about chemotherapy, right? My spell does the same, technically. It attacks the curse, killing it.
As if was cancer?
Yes.
They believed her, however, now she had to deal with the shock-wave of her curing lycanthropy. Since Remus was a heavy advocate for people who suffered from lycanthropy and magical creatures and half-breeds. His statement about no longer suffering from it shocked the community. And even more when he told the media who healed him. Harriet, the name was only getting popular, and while she may use it to her advantage. It just added more work to her. It was one of the reasons she was currently there, in her family potion room.
"This is going to be a rather complex thing to do," Harriet whispered, earning a hissed from Severus Snape.
"Miss Potter, if you have time to speak, would you like to step outside?"
"Uh, sorry, professor Snape," she replied sheepishly.
"Please Severus, don't be that mean to my daughter," Lily called from the back, while she was cautiously cutting some strange plants.
"Hm, always taking her side."
"Well, she is my daughter," Lily said with a smirk, to which Snape rolled his eyes.
Harriet wouldn't lie, but working with them was highly interesting. Snape was the best potion maker in all England and highly respected in Europe. And her mother was just as good as him. Both together worked incredibly well and seemed to be coordinated. It was beautiful teamwork. But the reason they were working together was that Harriet wanted to find a way to replicate her spell [Cleanse] in a potion. The reason was that no one could use her spell. And truthfully, she tried to teach it to her father and godfather, but they couldn't do it. Harriet already knew why, but it seemed as if her parents believed it was something else.
They whispered about different auras and cores, or something Harriet wasn't sure of what they were talking about exactly. But they think Harriet has more than one core, making her magic unique and unable to be replicated by anyone. Practically, they told her, if she has more than one core, that could mean that she has a different source of magic that only she could use. Well, Harriet could see why they would believe it. And it wasn't really that wrong, so she went with it.
But trying to create a potion with the same effect as my spell. This is hard, and I don't really know how to do it or where to start. Harriet thought, looking at the note on her book. There was a formula there. Professor Snape wrote about the possibilities or ingredients, among many other things. A normal person wouldn't understand the complexity of it. Yet she could, for her it was just like a mathematical formula, but intricate in a sort of chemical compose. Or at least, that's how she saw it.
Mm, still, I am literally trying to create the cure for Lycanthropy. And trying to bring tier magic from Yggdrasil in a potion. Shit, this is harder than I thought.
"But I like challenges," she whispered, earning a glare from Professor Snape. Harriet hummed as she thought about something.
"Professor Snape, could it be possible to cast a spell in a potion?" Harriet asked, to which Snape only seemed to reflect.
"It's not impossible. There are potions that require spell-casting, but they also need the compound and base of different ingredients to make it work," Snape replied. "The spell-casting, or conjuration of potion, is not the same as a normal curse. The words are long, and require perfect pronunciation, if not. The potion would have an unrequired effect. And you don't want it to happen, believe me."
"Mm, I see," Harriet said.
"Lethe River Water is an excellent base for many potions," Lily answered, while bringing the cut ingredients.
"And the effects are rather tame when it comes down to bad pronunciation in the spell-casting."
"But also weak, especially if you want to create a powerful potion capable of eliminating a curse like Lycanthropy," Severus pointed out.
"You could add Valerian spring, or Unicorn horns and it will strengthen the effective of it," Lily added.
"Mom, Unicorn Horns aren't easy to acquire and they are very expensive. I want a potion that is simple to make, and it would cost less than a normal cure for Boils," Harriet said.
"Less costly than a cure for boils?" Lily asked with a rather tight voice.
"I don't know why you think such a thing is possible. You're speaking about a cure for Lycanthropy, miss Potter. It will be costly to make it. No matter how much you tried to tip-toe around it. And not only that, only few people are capable of truly make a potion with no side-effects. So, if you want to create an easy potion, that would cost nothing to make, and it could heal a black curse. You better star praying to a god or something."
Harriet sighed, frustrated. "This is the problem of the Wizarding World. They haven't standardized the potion making industry. But there has to be a way to do this. If I don't find it, then I am going to spend the rest of my life traveling from country to country curing people with Lycanthropy."
Harriet exhaled, remembering about that day's appointment with the Ministry of Magic. They invited her to a party of sorts, in her name. Many people from across the world would be there, asking her questions, and trying to see for themselves if she could cure the curse. Well, she wasn't really worried about it. It could prove useful for her, yet it would also put pressure on her shoulders.
"Mm, what about a canvas?" Lily peered up, earning a look from both her daughter and friend.
"A canvas?" Harriet asked, while looking at her mother.
"Yes, let's just create a normal potion base, then, let Harriet use her spell on it and see the reaction of the spell on those ingredients."
"And see which ingredient react positive to her spell," Snape said, understanding what Lily said.
"Ah, I get it now," Harriet said, understanding both of them.
And so, the trio brought unique items and ingredients and throw them in a cauldron and mix them, while Harriet would use [Cleanse] on it. The way it worked was that Harriet could use Yggdrasil magic in that world. It also followed the rules of it, to a degree. Harriet would point her wand at the cauldron and whisper the words. The magical ingredients would react to Harriet's magic, absorbing it. They would either burn down, degrade, or have zero reaction to the magic of the spell. Harriet knew that they needed to find ingredients capable of holding the spell magic together. But it seems as if nothing they had in their laboratory could do the trick.
"What about the recipe? Should we change the formula?" Lily asked.
"Mm, both recipe and formula are wrong, so it doesn't matter how many times we change it," Snape said as both were staring at the handbook on the table.
"Maybe we are missing something?" Lily asked.
"Patience... and fire whisky."
"Really, Severus?"
Harriet only stared at the formula, pondering about what was she missing. Perhaps Yggdrasil magic can't really be recreated in this world? She groaned. And as she stared at the potion, her mind wondered about the notion that maybe, just maybe. There wasn't a need for them to use ingredients. Perhaps she was doing it wrong.
I could use Yggdrasil magic in this world because I understood the rules of the game. Mm, I do have potions that can do the same thing as [Cleanse] But it is not like I can just start giving them away. But, perhaps... Mm... back in Yggdrasil, you needed a job class in order to make potions. I don't have that class. But maybe in this world, I don't need it? Or, I just need Yggdrasil ingredients?
Harriet thought carefully, and then she got an idea. A very simple one. She moved and took a clean and empty cauldron. And make sure that there was nothing there.
"Harriet, what are you doing?" Lily asked, watching her daughter move around.
"Just an idea of sorts," Harriet whispered. Let's start with water... water from Yggdrasil. I want to see how does use different things from Yggdrasil affects potion-making. It's worth the try.
"Tier 1… Create Water."
Snape and Lily saw water coming from Harriet's wand and they looked with interest at the clear liquid. Was that Aguamenti? Severus didn't know, the water looked way too clean and pure for it.
"Mom, what would be the thickest ingredient we have right now?" Harriet asked.
"Mm, it would be Horned Slug skin," Lily said.
"Give me two, and some bat spleens to help with the mixing. Professor Snape, please look at this," Harriet said, as she wrote in the handbook a series of numbers and ingredients. Severus looked at it, and it took a few seconds to understand what she wanted to do. Smart Potter, really smart. She wants to create a more heavy and thicker base for her spell. Severus thought.
"Rose oil will do the trick, although I would change Salamander blood for Dragon Blood. It is the strongest blood type ingredient in the world."
"Dragon blood is quite expensive," Harriet replied.
"But also, the strongest. Also, while it is expensive, it can be easily obtained when Dragons are in heat."
"Oh, what is that?" Harriet asked.
"They then to… be rather violent in their mating process."
"Ah, Dragon blood, alright, Mommy, do we have dragon blood?" Harriet asked smiling, as Severus cringed at the word mommy.
"That we do," Lily said, smiling.
"Where did you get it?" Severus asked.
"Money," Lily only replied with an arrogant smirk.
"Don't flex your money on me, Lily," Severus said.
Harriet then poured the ingredients one by one, carefully making sure it was the right amount. Lily brought the fire up and slowly whir the contents. "Mm, it looks thick enough," Severus said. And Harriet agreed. The water from her spell was perfect for such ingredients. And while it was true, it looked rather soupy. The contents were rejoicing together.
"Well, let's test it out."
Harriet again whispered the same words as before. But now, the ingredients seemed to react better than before. The trio stared at the cauldron, and while some of the ingredients separated from the mix, and boiled and burned. Harriet could see how the water and the dragon blood could hold together the spell for a brief period before they did evaporate into a heavy reddish smoke, leaving nothing in the cauldron.
"Well, now we know that Dragon Blood and the water I conjured were able to react positive," Harriet said, while Lily was taking notes. Well, this is the right step ahead. She thought while they tried to use more ingredients.
The afternoon came, and Harriet was dreading the night, but it seemed as if her mother was anything but excited to play dress-up with her. Harriet groaned, while she saw the many gowns lay in front of her.
"Mom, do we have to wear such a… exuberant dress?" Harriet whispered.
"Of course! I may not like the Ministry, but this is just more than you meeting the minister, many nobles' families, not only from the British Isles, but around the world will be there. And you know, that they will look at you as the heiress of the Potter and Black family."
Lily said as she looked at herself in the mirror. She looked gorgeous, and James would appreciate such beauty. Lily looked at her daughter, who seemed to be thinking about what she would wear, and smiled.
"You'll be the center of attention today. Didn't you say that you wanted to make sure everyone sees you in a good light?"
Harriet hummed as she undressed. "Well, yeah... I want to make my name more famous. But, I think, I had to be careful with what I say. And not only that, the more popular I become... the more people would want to use me."
"Yes, we need to be careful around some of the families there," Lily said, as she started to help her daughter with her gown.
"Mm, yeah... they would want my hand. Mom, how it is the whole Wizengamot going on? The Dumbledore trial and stuff?" Harriet asked, which Lily sighed.
"As usual. They are dragging the whole thing. Dumbledore is a master in manipulation and has a lot of friends who are pushing away any form of offence to his name. Amelia and James are doing their best to take the case up, but it will take time."
Harriet hummed. "Nothing new then."
"Yes, nothing new."
"Putting the Wizengamot aside, what about you, my dear? Did you find anyone you liked back at Hogwarts? Any boy?" Lily asked with a big, teasing smirk.
"Hm? No, not really," Harriet only replied as she was looking at herself in the mirror. "Besides, mom... I don't know if you have noticed but, I don't like boys."
Lily sighed but still kept on a smile on her face. "Yeah, is hard to not noticed. You keep on staring at Dorcas every time she enters the room."
"Well, is not my fault! She is bloody gorgeous and sexy!" Harriet exclaimed, remembering the lustful woman with sexy, black skin. Lily laughed at her daughter's blush.
"Should I tell Lupin to be worried about you stealing his fiancé?" Lily teased.
"FIANCE?!" Harriet replied shock. "What?! When did it happen?! This is so fast..."
"Oh, we didn't tell you... they are getting married later this year! They seemed to be right for each other. They hit it off rather quickly."
"Uh, he is so lucky," Harriet groaned. "I want one too."
"Don't worry, dear, they are not going to forget your crush on Dorcas," Lily said, holding a baffling look on her face.
"I hope so, but you don't have problems with me liking girls?" Harriet looked at her mother, who only hugged her.
"As long you're happy, I am happy."
"Thank you, mom... but I will be happy when I found my own muscle sexy lady."
"I know you'll find it soon," Lily only giggled.
Harriet giggled as she wondered when it would happen. Yet, she was still young to think of such a thing. Technically speaking, of course. Lily and her, liking how they looked, walked down to the common room where they were waiting for both of them. And when she arrived, Harriet saw a lot of people waiting for them. It was rather funny to see Sirius groaning loudly as Amelia was fixing his tie.
"Seriously, you have magic and you can't still fix it properly?" Amelia huffed at Sirius, who whined loudly at the way he was being treated.
"It's just a tie, besides girls like my rebellious look," Sirius said, earning a pinch from Amelia.
"Ouch!"
"Yes, such a rebellious look," Amelia whispered.
"Harriet!" Susan exclaimed, approaching Harriet and hugging her tightly. Harriet smiled as she saw the elegant yellow gown of the red-haired girl. She has grown quite a lot in such a short amount of time. Especially in the chest area. Like, is not even a month since Hogwarts ended. Witches do grow fast. Do I look like that? Harriet wondered.
"You look very cute, Susan," she said, making Susan blush.
"You too," Susan replied.
"Hello, we are ready," Lily said smiling while presenting at Harriet who was wearing an incredible sky-blue gown, her hair was perfectly made with curls and she seemed to only look cuter, yet she was already showing signs of a growing girl.
"It's that my daughter?" James said with a fake gasp.
"Uh, I don't know... should I ask my mom? I think she told me I was a perhaps daughter of the neighbor," Harriet teased back, at the shocked face of James.
"Hilarious, Harriet," James muttered.
Harriet giggled, at then she saw both Remus and Dorcas there. Both looked incredible together. And Remus had a very healthy look on his face. He doesn't look as tired anymore, or sick. And Dorcas seemed to be radiating with happiness for him, for both. Harriet saw the ring and sighed.
"Congratulations, Moony, miss Meadowes," Harriet said, as both of them only laughed.
"It's Lady Lupin now," Dorcas said, smiling.
"Don't worry, Harriet. We still love you," Remus said, as she brought Dorcas next to him.
"Woo," Harriet drawled.
Then, from the fireplace, an embarrassed-looking girl stumbled forward. Harriet tilted her head when she saw Nymphadora groaning as she tried to put her dress down. It was strange to see her wearing something so feminine and exposing so much skin. At least to the pink-haired girl's standards. She had her shoulders and back exposed, and the gown was elegant yet a bit fleshly for Nymphadora taste. Yet, Harriet could admire the physique of that Quidditch player. Mm, she is very toned. I like it.
"The things I had to endure in this life," Nymphadora whispered, annoyed, making Harriet giggle.
"Don't be like that, Nymphadora, you look beautiful," Harriet said, as the girl seemed to forget everyone in the room focused on her. Nymphadora simply couldn't believe Harriet was that beautiful. Of course, just like everyone else. She knew Harriet was that cute. But there were sometimes, just like today. That completely proves it again.
"How do I look?" Harriet asked, while giving a small turn.
"Gorgeous," Nymphadora replied softly.
"Thank you," Harriet said, smiling.
"Nymphadora, dear, what have I told you about stumbling?" Andromeda Tonks appeared from the fireplace with Ted Tonks behind her.
"Well, it isn't like I want to do it for fun!" Nymphadora exclaimed, annoyed.
"Now, now dear, she is just a bit reckless, that's all," Ted said.
Harriet saw that by the number of people there, it was going to be a rather big party. She wondered if there would be a sort of way for her to make her name more respected. The Lycanthropy cure already gave her a good name, but it was now time to use it properly. Yet, it would all depend on how people reacted to her.
"Alright, Frank and Alice will meet us there, and so the rest of the alliance," James said.
"I hear that Yaxley and Shafiq would be there, trying to get some of the members of the Wizengamot on their side," Sirius added with a gruff.
"Also, Nott would be there, there is no doubt in my mind that he would try to do something," Dorcas said.
"He will not be so stupid to attack someone, but yeah, having him around will certainly put pressure on some families," Remus said.
"Regardless, I have the entire area guarded. And I believe the High Table would send some Unspeakables undercover, right?" Amelia asked.
"Yes, I know they are going to send a squad. But you know how they operate. All very secretly," Lily said.
"Regardless, having them around will give us more security. Although, I doubt anything will happen," Amelia said.
"Still, we must be ready for anything."
James said while the rest had their wands ready. "Alright, let's just end this," he said with a groan as everyone prepare for what could it be a long night.
Harriet stared with wonderment at the sight of the castle. The Ministry party was taking place. It was large, and the lights and people were everywhere. The event has truly become bigger than she ever thought. And it was not only the Ministry personal, or the many noble families across Britain, but Europe and the world. All of them wanted to look at her, to see with their own eyes the truth. And well, Harriet would give them the truth.
I have been careful with not giving enough information about my true abilities. This spell, well, the whole Lycanthropy thing, was unavoidable, since I had to cure my uncle of it. Yet, is only something minor for now. Now the only thing I can do is use it the best way I can.
"The place is incredibly beautiful. I guess I must give it to Fudge. He truly wants to give a good impression to the rest of the members of the ICW," Sirius said as he stared at the lights and fancy food.
"Is all smoke and mirrors. He wants to present himself as the one who actually discovered Harriet's ability. I hear whispers about it. Fudge wants to be next to Harriet in every single photo around the world," Amelia said with a rather disgusted voice.
"He truly wants a re-election, isn't it?" Remus said.
"Fudge wants his name in every magazine. He doesn't care about anything else but image," Dorcas said.
"In any case, Harriet, don't leave our sight. We don't know what could be there," James said.
"Food..." Harriet whispered at the sight of the fancy and delicious food near a long table. Her parents only rolled their eyes.
"Nymphadora, please don't leave, Harriet sight," Andromeda said with a sigh.
"You too, Susan," Amelia said.
"Don't worry, mom, she won't leave my side," the pink-haired girl said as she put a hand over Harriet's shoulder.
"Yep! Don't worry, aunt, we will follow her even to the bathroom!" Susan said, amusing Harriet.
The group walked, and soon as they saw Harriet, the entire place gasped and so on. The many flashes of lights and countless people wanting to ask her questions just added up. Ah, this is what a celebrity has to endure? Harriet thought, amused. As soon enough, the king of hypocrisy and idiotic came to her with a big shining smile.
"Ah! Miss Potter, there you are!" Fudge said.
"Minister Fudge, please remember, this is an official event. You must address my daughter according to her titles," James said, with a respected voice. Well, Harriet was sure it wasn't like that. It sounded more like a patronizing tone than anything else.
Fudge smiled nervously, but suddenly another voice appeared from behind him. That was the most irritating thing Harriet has ever heard in her entire life. It was a high hitched pitch voice that she couldn't believe came from a person. But then again, said person was a frog reincarnated.
"But, lord Potter, your daughter is still an underage witch. She has no title to her name, yet, why should the minister of magic speak to her as if she was a lord or lady?"
The woman was wearing an incredible pink gown, and Harriet knew who she was. It was hard not to. Dolores Umbridge. A woman, everyone in her family hated with a passion. Even her all calm and collected uncle Moony couldn't even say anything good about her. How could he? That woman has been trying to push legislation against people who have suffered from the werewolf curse. But as well, to any half-breed species, or any other under the umbrella of dark creatures. Or what she would consider dark creatures. It was disgusting. That woman was disgusting.
"Madam undersecretary, my daughter is the heiress of two most ancient and noble houses. Two of the Sacred-Twenty-Eight, as well, Savior of the Wizarding World and the first person to cure Lycanthropy. And this is an official event. Etiquette is required," Lily said as she practically stared at the woman down.
"I meant no disrespect, lady… Potter, just worry about what saying those titles to a child would mean. We don't want her to become arrogant, do we?" Umbridge said with the same tone of voice.
"Don't worry about it," Lily only replied.
"You say that now, but… as far I see, your daughter has become quite the… center of attention in the last year. One would wonder if everything we heard about her is factually true," Umbridge said while practically sneering at Lily and her daughter.
One could say that Umbridge was jealous of Lily since, in Umbridge's eyes, the fact a Mudblood married a Pureblood of one of the most prestigious nobles' houses in Britain and tainted it with her unworthy blood was nothing but an insult to the name of wizards. And she was, truly. Umbridge hated Lily. Not only for blood status but also because while Lily only grew to be more beautiful than ever. Umbridge seemed to only become uglier and fat.
Back at Hogwarts, Lily was the most popular girl at school. All the boys wanted to be with her. She was smart and a capable witch. Not that she would admit, of course. But now, once again. Lily has become one of the most popular witches in Britain. The wife of the youngest Auror captain in history. The Lady of House Potter, the mother of the Savior of the Wizarding World, and from what she knew. One of the most lethal Unspeakables. Umbridge gritted her teeth's but kept on the smile.
"Madam undersecretary, I would like for you to show respect to my family. We are not liars, nor attention seekers. You could ask, Lady Bones, who is the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, all the details about it. But don't be surprised if you can't obtain it. After all, you are just an undersecretary. Also, you will respect my title too, as Lady Potter," Lily said with one of the most chilling voices Harriet has heard. And the Girl-Who-Lived also saw how her mother showed a bit of her aura. It was reddish and felt like fire.
Woah, mom, easy there! Harriet thought while hearing her father whisper next to her. "Bloody hell, that's hot."
"N-now, now... let's not stand here! There are a lot of journalists waiting for our savior! Now, if you will, heiress Potter," Fudge said while pointing at the many people waiting to hear about her. He also seemed rather anxious, but Harriet ignored it for now.
Harriet groaned, but she decided to just end it now. Thankfully, her parents never left her side. And it was only a small part of the event itself. The people started to ask so many questions about her supposed ability to cast a spell no one could. Harriet knew her answer. The rehearsal she took a few days ago served her a lot. And not only that, her parents were there to help her out. And also, the rest of the adults, especially Remus and Dorcas, since one was a werewolf and the other head of the healer department at St Mungo's Hospital.
Lord Lupin, have you experienced any side effects from the spell?
None whatsoever.
What about a full moon?
Tonight is a full moon, and from you all can see. No werewolf is standing before you.
We at St Mungo's have been inspecting him since the cure. There's no left of the curse in his body. We are 100% sure he is free from it.
What about the fact the spell can't be replicated? What does it mean?
The spell is linked to my magic, and from what we know. It seems as if there is a difference between my core to the rest. But we are still working hard to figure out a way to recreate it in a potion. So far, we are pleased with the advances we have done.
As well, as Minister Fudge said early, we will take Lycanthropy patients during the next month. Please petition for the treatment at St Mungo's. Dorcas said, and Harriet was already preparing for the next month. She hoped it would serve as a good experiment for her. Also, she hoped that, perhaps. She could maybe level up. It would be like farming Exp, right? She thought.
Harriet took more and more questions, not only from the Prophet but from every single magic magazine around the world, different languages and it seemed as some people were surprised at her German and Japanese accent. Especially the latter. Yet, everything was going smoothly, until a certain journalist from the Prophet asked questions that were rather infuriating. The blond woman had a smirk on her face and looked rather punchable, too. Wait, I think I know who she is. Rita something, right? She does have a big following for her tabloid exploitation stuff.
"Heiress Potter, I am Rita Skeeter from the Prophet and the Magical Gossip magazine. Would you like to tell us about the future of both houses, Potter and Black?" She asked and soon all the journalists started to pay attention to her words.
"This is not part of the interview," her mother said with a nasty grin on her face.
"Of course, lady Potter. But we must know about the future of the savior of the Wizarding World, is not always we have an heiress of two nobles' houses like her. Also, I have… sources that show that she is also eligible to be the heiress of the Peverell family. Is that true?"
Rita smirked brightly at the sudden gasp from all the surrounding people, and well from everyone in the part who listened to the name of the Peverell family. James and Lily were shocked too, and Harriet could only wonder who was Rita's source. Or if there was even a source.
"So, it is true? Then, when would the ministry put forward, candidates for the young heiress?" Rita asked, with shining eyes. "After all, it would be in the ministry's best interest to take care of her future, right?"
"The interview is over!" Lily yelled, fuming.
Harriet looked at the smug of Rita and swore right then and there. She would make sure to find whoever got that information out. The photographers and journalists had to be pushed away by Aurors, while Harriet and her family returned to the center of the yard.
"That bitch," Lily hissed. "How does she know it?"
"I don't know… Lily, I don't really know," James muttered.
"Someone must have told her," Sirius added.
"But who?" Remus whispered.
Harriet knew that not a single person in her family or friends would betray them. She just knew. However, that begs the question of how that blond woman discovered such a thing.
"Perhaps she read it? The Ministry has family tress catalogue. Possibly, she has a way in and searched for it," Amelia said.
"A spy, then," Andromeda added. "Rita has been always a person who simple knows thing. I don't doubt she has some dirt in a Ministry official who has information about the Peverell and Potters. Maybe, old scrolls about the link between both families."
"Mm, well, as long we don't take that title, it would be alright," James muttered.
"James, it seemed we lost that beautiful scene," Frank said, as Alice and Neville approached them.
"Hey, Frank," James said.
"We wanted to reach you, but the amount of people here is staggering," Alice said.
"Yeah, a lot of people," Lily said.
Harriet waved to Neville, who approached her. The rest of the group wasn't there yet. Or so she thought, because then from nowhere. Daphne, Tracey appeared, followed by their family. She also noticed, lady Zabini, a gorgeous dark-skin woman with a sultry look on her face. As if she was seducing the hair. Blaise seemed troubled, or just deeply thinking. Not something out of character, but weird. Hannah then came, and so did her parents. Soon, the alliance gathered, the powerful families. But something felt off. Weird. Then, Hannah appeared with her grandparents.
"Well, there you're, my dear Ivone. I thought you have lost your way here, trying to seduce a poor lord somewhere," Lady Heloise Greengrass said, with a condescending tone.
"My beloved, Heloise, you know I would never do such a thing. Why should I? When I have you here with me? And your husband, too," Ivone teased.
Lord Greengrass was sweating, as he would rather be as far as possible from the woman with curdle black hair, hazel eyes, and dark skin. "Such a mouth from you," Heloise hissed.
"My dear, you know what I can do with this mouth," Ivone whispered, winking at the Greengrass matriarch. Until Lily and Alice coughed. Harriet was always amazed by how those two would fight. It was so bizarre they were best friends. Sometimes don't even look they even like each other. Yet, she has heard gossip about them, being more than just friends back in their Hogwarts years. Or so she thought. But something happened that took their friendship to the current point they were in. Still, they trusted each other with their lives.
"Can you two fighting? We have a lot to discuss, and we are in front of children," Lady Davis, Tracey's aunt, said. She was the oldest, next to Andromeda and Hannah's grandparents, who weren't really old. They were around their fifties.
"Yes, I would like to have some decency," Hannah's grandmother said.
"My dear, why won't you go with your friends. I need some privacy with the other adults," Lady Zabini said.
"You too, Daphne," Heloise whispered.
"Don't stray far from us," Alice told Neville, and he nodded.
Harriet and the group left them alone, but not truly. Harriet was prepared for the moment. And from her dress, a small little spider crawled itself to the group of adults. She needed to know what they were about to talk about. They left, and the adults all sighed.
Ivone then smiled at Heloise, who only scoffed. "You still love me," she said, smirking.
"Just shut up. People are going to believe we have a sort of weird relationship," Heloise sighed.
"Of course, my beloved sister," Ivone smiled at her half-sister.
"You two really do need to stop with the insults."
Both of them stared at the older witch. "Yes, mom Helena." Tracey's aunts only scoffed. "I am not that old," she whispered.
"Now, Lord Potter, it seems that your daughter was asked some rather annoying questions," lord Abbot said.
"That would be a way to say things. Yet, I don't know how Rita knew about the Peverell title," James said.
"Rita at it again? Eh, that skank is still sneaking out," Heloise said.
"She has always been a rather snake when it comes down to seeking information," Helena Davis said.
"I will keep an eye on her," Amelia said.
"Ivone, what have you found about the Notts?" Lily asked Ivone, who sighed.
"Nothing really important, I am afraid... the Notts did not attend the party, as you can see. And the Avery and Bulstrode are just wandering around."
"The Bulstrode, eh. Are they truly a part of the Dark Alliance? Or just... scapegoats?" Alice asked.
"I don't know. Lord Bulstrode is an old wizard. He is the same age as Professor McGonagall. And from what I know, he is really not in his senses anymore. His son is not really the smartest person in the room, that's sure," Heloise said.
"Still, maybe we can use it. Let's try to... pressure him with something," Sirius said.
"Blackmail, Sirius?" Amelia said with a raised eyebrow.
"Blackmail? No! Of course not, that would be illegal! Just... coerce him to tell us something."
"Oh, I think I know with what," Ivone said, smirking.
"Well, let's do that, for now let's focus on- "
Before they could say something, the group heard a gasp and cries from near the dinner table. They all turned around and saw a blonde girl on her knees crying loudly while holding Harriet's hand. James and Lily saw the panicked face of their child. She was utterly confused. They went there quickly, and they saw what they could assume were the parents of that girl.
"Fleur, tu as quoi?!" the father said in French.
"Tu es là! Tu ne m'as pas quitté! Enfin, je t'ai trouvé!"
The girl, Fleur said, wailing on the ground holding Harriet's hand. "I don't know what happen!" Harriet exclaimed, completed uneasy by the scene.
"We were just talking and then she came! And... and!" Harriet was having problems speaking.
"She kissed her," Nymphadora said with a low tone in her voice, yet there was no anger, only surprise and amusement.
"What?" Both Lily and James asked.
"I found you... my love," Fleur said, sobbing. "My soul mate... my love. My lady."
Both Fleur's parents stared in shock, and so did everyone else. Harriet was utterly lost, very confused, but excited about it. For an odd reason. As the beautiful girl named Fleur stared at her with complete devotion in her eyes. Yet, she just said the first thing she thought.
"What the fuck…"