Hello every one, here it is, after such a long time, another one-shot! Although, I should have called them teasers. I am bad at writing one-shots! In anycase, please enjoy it, and tell me what you think.

There's going to be a lot more said in the author's note at the end; check it out!

The schedule is as follows!

-One shot (Another What if update!)

-White Lion of the Red Keep!

-White Wolf of Winterfell

Check my Tumblr for news and future updates! And how can you support me directly!

( paulythide . tumblr . com )

The Long-Lost Heir

The Dursley family appeared to be your typical urban family, striving to maintain a sense of normalcy in their seemingly flawless little world. They didn't stand out as the best or worst family; in fact, they were rather forgettable, and that suited the Dursleys just fine. However, amidst their picture-perfect facade, there was a hidden secret—a girl who was seen as nothing more than a freak, the black sheep of the family.

"Hey, hurry up and clean this mess, girl!" Vernon's voice echoed through the house. Without wasting a moment, a young girl, approximately nine years old, with long, fiery red hair pulled up into a high ponytail, swiftly grabbed a cloth and dropped down to her knees to clean up the spilt coffee left by her uncle. "Clean it properly!"

"Yes, Uncle Vernon," the red-haired girl whispered fearfully. She seemed unwilling to even glance up at the man who resembled a whale. Disgust, panic, and submission were evident on her face as she hurriedly cleared the ground. "Now, fetch me more bacon, girl! And Dudders, would you like something as well?"

"Oh, yes, I want more pancakes!" the small whale that was the girl's cousin exclaimed.

"You heard him," Vernon said, his voice filled with cruelty as he kicked the poor girl in the back. The force of the kick caused the small girl to hiss in pain, her body already marked with numerous bruises and injuries. Despite her suffering, the girl quickly started gathering the items requested, her hand trembling as she reached for the greasy pan. She winced as the hot oil spilt, scalding her small and delicate hand. With great effort, she managed to place the pancakes on a plate and, using a fresh cooking bacon carried them over to the table.

"Here it is, uncle," the girl whispered meekly.

Vernon started humming as he began to eat, much like Dudley. Both of them devoured their food greedily, sometimes not even bothering to swallow. In contrast, the girl sat there, her eyes fixed on the feast spread out before her: pancakes, bacon, muffins, and cookies for dessert, all waiting to be devoured. However, she could only watch, her stomach grumbling with hunger. It had been two days since she last ate, surviving on nothing but water, bread, and a partially eaten apple.

She desired to speak up, to beg for food, but she was aware that doing so would only subject her to further humiliation. And as if things couldn't get any worse, the door behind her swung open and hurried her aunt Petunia into the cramped kitchen.

"Ugh, finally, here it is," Aunt Petunia spoke while putting the newspaper on the table. "I had to talk to Mr Stephen about our little arrangement."

"What did he say?" Uncle Vernon asked while pieces of food flew all over the table.

"He agreed," Aunt Petunia whispered, stealing a glance at the girl beside her. "But he would like to have a word with you first. He intends to film it." There was a mix of hatred, resentment, and even a hint of satisfaction in her eyes as if she relished what was about to happen. However, the young girl didn't fully comprehend the significance of it all.

"Mm, I'll discuss it later, but it's quite lucrative, Petunia. Very lucrative," Uncle Vernon remarked, his gaze fixed upon the girl, causing her to become motionless. She averted her eyes and attempted to suppress any thoughts about it. Her desire was to retreat to her sanctuary, nestled deep within her mind, where she could find solace and ensure her safety from any harm.

"We shall see, now, girl, there is still work to do! You have bathrooms to clean, and the yard is a mess," Aunt Petunia exclaimed, causing the girl to flinch.

"B-but Aunt Petunia, I haven't eaten anything yet," she whispered, only to be met with a resounding slap that reverberated throughout the room. For a fleeting moment, the girl felt a numbing sensation, her head becoming unfocused as a sharp pain radiated from her cheek. "Don't you dare talk back! Now, go before I resort to using the iron bar!"

The girl nodded before walking away, still dazed by the slap.

The young girl dutifully followed instructions, independently gathering the necessary items to clean the bathroom. At just nine years old, she took on the role of a servant, or rather, one might argue, a slave. She endured a life filled with beatings, humiliation, and various forms of abuse. This was the unfortunate reality for Euphemia Lily Potter, or Lily, as she called herself, known to the Wizarding World as the Girl-Who-Lived. No one cared about her, no one pity her. Euphemia has learned to be quiet and simply let things go.

No one wants me. That's what my aunt says. I should be grateful to them. If it wasn't for her, I would be on the streets.

These were Lily's thoughts as she tackled the task of cleaning the bathroom. She let out a deep sigh, fully aware of the unpleasantness of this particular chore. Bathrooms were undoubtedly the worst type of job, in her opinion. Lily despised it passionately, finding cleaning dishes or any other task preferable. The strong chemicals used in bathroom cleaning often left her feeling lightheaded, perhaps even more so than usual. Nevertheless, Lily had discovered that the faster she worked, the more efficient she became.

"I can't stand it, ugh, my knee!" Lily muttered, wincing not just from the pain in her hands but also from the ache coursing through her entire body. However, there was another discomfort that caused her to pause as she rose to her feet. It was a distinct pain originating from below. Her stomach throbbed with it, an irritation that had been persistent for days. A pain that came from Uncle Vernon's special punishments in the empty bedroom on the second floor. A place she doesn't even want to see it.

Lily felt a shiver run through her body as the thought crossed her mind. The pain she experienced in her most intimate parts was unbearable. Uncle Vernon was never kind to her during those moments. The fact that her aunt knew about it, and seemed to ignore it, or perhaps to push her husband to do it, would be something Lily would never understand. But then again, Lily was a freak. Freak were not allowed to think, or to speak.

"Just don't think about it. Don't think about it. It's not real," Lily whispered.

"Girl! The yard is a mess; go and clean it!" Uncle Vernon yelled from down below as the family was watching the television in the living room.

Lily sighed deeply once she had finished cleaning the bathroom. Then, with great care, she proceeded to return all the items to their respective places before tending to the task of tidying up the yard. Lily dedicated herself to meticulously cleaning up all the mess left behind by Dudley and his friends—the scattered toys, the shattered glasses, and everything else.

The day went on quickly, perhaps too fast, but Lily was thankful for it. She could now eat whatever was left from dinner. But she should've learned that her aunt would not even give her human food.

"Here, eat," Petunia sneered, placing a dog plate on the floor. Lily stood motionless, unable to fathom her aunt's actions. "I bought the best-canned dog food for you."

Lily's lips quivered, her eyes welling up with tears as she cast a fleeting glance at her aunt. "Why do you hate me?" Lily inquired, her tone carrying a certain intensity that ignited Petunia's anger. In an instant, Petunia struck Lily forcefully once more, causing her to collapse onto her knees. Desperately, Lily shielded her face, bracing herself for what was to follow.

"You're such a freak, just like your mother. Both of you are nothing but useless liars and whores. Instead of being grateful that I took you in and am providing you with food, you have rejected it? You should appreciate that I provided you with a roof over your head. You disgusting little slut, do you enjoy spreading your legs for my husband?! Do you want to steal him from me?!" Petunia's voice screeched as she fiercely swung the iron bar, striking her niece with all her might.

Lily huddled into a tight ball, her petite form enduring a relentless onslaught. Pain consumed her while blood stained everything around her. She couldn't even summon tears to express her agony. However, the torment didn't cease there. Petunia seized her by the hair and shoved her face into the dog's plate, coercing her to consume the food. Lily struggled to catch her breath, but it proved impossible as Petunia grabbed handfuls of the repulsive brown substance and compelled her to swallow it.

"All of it! Eat it! I will not have you wasting my food! How much do you think this cost?!" Petunia yelled angrily, but it was as if something was possessing her to do this. As if her entire being was making Lily's life miserable.

"Say thank you, say it!" Petunia ordered.

"T—Thank you!" Lily cried loudly, sobbing, and looking at her aunt with fearful eyes.

"Say you're a freak! And a whore!" Petunia yelled.

"I... I... I am a freak and a... whore!" Lily's agonised scream echoed through the air, filled with fear and disgrace. Petunia's words had struck a nerve, for Lily believed them to be true. It seemed that being a freak and a whore was all she knew about herself. In her despair, Lily felt utterly alone, convinced that no one cared for her or wanted her.

Petunia proceeded to forcefully drag Lily to her cramped cupboard under the stairs, treating her with disdain as if she were merely a disposable object.

"Don't you dare to cry! Be quiet!" Petunia yelled while closing the small little hatch on the door.

And so Lily did, without shedding a tear. The only solace she found was in embracing her small, fluffy toy, Mr Donald, the duck. She, in the darkness of the small cupboard, prayed to be saved, to be taken away far from this hell.

Perhaps Lily would dream, once again, of that strange place and weird faces. Yes, that would be a nice dream.

The night came fast, and with it, a great deal of things. A group of shadowy figures gathered in the centre of Privet Drive, their gaze fixed upon the house before them, brimming with curiosity. Gradually, they proceeded towards the residence, leisurely exploring this unfamiliar location.

"This is the place? It doesn't look like it belongs to our lady," a tall woman with horns spoke with disdain as she looked around the place. "It looks to… low for her, to common and poor."

"Albedo, enough. This is where the surge of power came from and where [Sphere Location] dictates our lady is," another figure spoke.

"Demiurge is correct, Lady Albedo. Although this place may appear rather ordinary for someone of our lady's stature, we must still determine what precisely transpired, why we find ourselves here, and the reason behind our lady's disappearance."

Albedo cast a quick glance at Pandora's Actor, her sharp instincts detecting a sense of unease in him, unlike any other guardian in Nazarick. This was quite remarkable, considering Albedo herself believed she had suffered the greatest loss, having lost the person she loved the most. Nevertheless, she had to acknowledge Pandora's Actor's plight; after all, his creator had inexplicably disappeared, much like the others.

Nazarick discovered that it had been transported to a completely unfamiliar world, with no clear explanation of how it occurred. The initial response was for the most intelligent members of Nazarick to devise a plan. First, they decided to conceal the Great Tomb of Nazarick to protect it from potential dangers. Secondly, they dispatched small groups to survey the surrounding area. Lastly, they established a modest leadership structure, which was relatively simple due to the existing hierarchy. However, without the Supreme Beings to serve, they questioned their purpose, fearing they would languish in disgrace.

However, having no one to serve made their existence meaningless. Therefore, when they embarked on the quest to find their supreme beings, they found themselves inexplicably drawn to a specific location. It felt as if a mysterious force was beckoning them from afar. This sensation, though seemingly a sixth sense, was undeniably tangible for everyone in Nazarick. And when Albedo looked at the command console in the throne room, she saw that her beloved lady was "Online", but her stats appeared to be blurry, locked somehow. But she was here, in this world.

"I understand. I was just not expecting to find our lady in such a place, surrounded by lowly humans," Albedo almost spat, while Demiurge and Pandora's Actor simply decided to ignore it.

They stood before the door, their uncertainty evident, which provided some amusement. However, Albedo dismissed their hesitation with a scoff. With a simple gesture, she firmly grasped the door's handle and exerted enough pressure to break it. Then, effortlessly, she pushed the flimsy door aside as if it was made out of cardboard.

They came across a rather narrow corridor, a space that could only be considered a tiny home. They entered cautiously, taking in their surroundings.

"What a small home," Albedo whispered as she looked at the photos on the walls, frowning at the disgusting pair of whales there and the ugly, harpy-looking woman. "I hope that's not our lady."

"Indeed," Demiurge added with a whisper as he felt something odd in the air. "Mm, strange."

"Demiurge?" Albedo asked.

"Did any of you feel something odd when we arrived at the street? Like something trying to hide from us?" Demiurge asked, and both Albedo and Pandora's Actor couldn't stop humming.

"I have yes, it could be some sort of defence magic, but it was too weak for us to even notice," Pandoras's Actor replied and Albedo nodded.

"I truly didn't feel anything until you pointed it out," Albedo added.

"It appears someone wanted to hide this home from someone," Demiurge mumbled, his mind quickly beginning to think of possibilities. "I wonder why."

All of a sudden, a loud noise erupted from upstairs, causing them to quickly turn their attention towards it. They could hear heavy footsteps approaching, indicating the presence of someone or something. "Who is it?" a loud voice shouted, as the individual started descending the stairs, clutching what seemed to be an iron bar. Following closely behind was his wife, an unpleasant and unpleasant-looking woman.

Soon, Vernon and Petunia stared at the group of three individuals who were nothing like humans. "F-freaks!" Petunia yelled as she gripped Vernon's hand. "What do you want here, you freaks?! Have you not done enough?!"

Albedo, Demiurge and Pandora's Actor were quite insulted by being called like that, by a walking whale and by a harpy-looking woman. However, the last words spark interest in them.

"It appears you know why we are here?" Demiurge asked; of course, he had no idea if they knew. However, he laid down a bait for them. Whatever information they could have was worth it to them.

"That old man told us to take care of that—monster! Of that freak! It is not our fault she is like that! We did our part! I did my part! If you just take her away and never come back!" Petunia yelled loudly.

"Where is she?" Pandora's Actor quickly asked, almost hissing at each word. Petunia and Vernon shrieked at the faceless man. But before they could answer, a small voice was heard from the small room below the stairs.

"Aunt? What's happening?"

Pandora's Actor, Albedo, and Demiurge gazed at the small door and immediately noticed the locks and chains that adorned it. Their eyes remained fixed, unable to fully comprehend the scene before them. Albedo knelt down beside the door and, without a second thought, forcefully tore apart the locks and chains. She then opened the door, revealing a sight that none of them had anticipated: a trembling little girl huddled in the corner, clutching a fluffy toy. She appeared incredibly tiny and delicate. The cramped cupboard emitted a repugnant odour, a mixture of urine, filth, and blood.

"It can't be…" Albedo whispered, unable to look away. It could not be; she refused to believe it. "My lady…?"

Lily was filled with fear, overwhelming fear, as she laid eyes upon the peculiar sight of those people. The lady adorned with dark wings and horns possessed a certain beauty, but it was the other two individuals that sent shivers down Lily's spine. In an attempt to escape the reality of the situation, Lily squeezed her eyes shut, desperately hoping that it was all just a terrible nightmare.

"My lady, it's me… Albedo."

Lily then opened her eyes. She knew that name for some reason. She wasn't sure why, but she felt familiar for some reason. "A—Albedo? I… know that name from somewhere," Lily whispered, still trembling.

"We are not going to hurt you, my lady. We would never hurt you," Albedo whispered gently.

"I'm scared," that's all Lily could say, as she had no idea what was happening.

"It's alright, there's no need to fear us. We're here to protect you," Albedo reassured Lily, extending her hand gently. Lily, still trembling, found something so soothing in the presence of the beautiful woman that she began to trust her. However, fear still lingered in her mind as she desperately hoped to avoid any harm.

"You're not going to hurt me?"

"No, we are not."

"Really? I can trust you?"

"Of course. Why should we hurt you?"

"Because I am a freak… and a whore."

Pandora's Actor's grip tightened as he swiftly pinned the corpulent man against the wall, clutching his neck with great force, exerting every ounce of willpower to avoid snapping it. "What have you done?! What have you done to my mother?!" Pandora's Actor's normally blank countenance twisted and contorted into a multitude of expressions, his form trembling with fury, pushing him perilously close to the edge of madness.

"I—I did nothing! Sh—she is lying! That's what she does!" Vernon yelled fearfully as Petunia screeched on her knees.

Lily began retreated back. In the corner of the cupboard, where she was safe, the loud noises scared her.

"You… filthy worm!" Albedo's teeth clenched. It took no genius to know the reason for those words. Albedo's entire being was ready to destroy everything on this path, yet it was stopped by Demiurge, who stopped her.

"Take our lady out, Albedo. Take her to Nazarick."

Albedo was on the verge of snapping back at Demiurge for daring to halt her rightful anger. She had every intention of making that human's life miserable for as long as necessary. However, upon seeing the expression on Demiurge's face, she realised that she wasn't the only one consumed by primal rage. The veins bulging on Demiurge's face indicated that he, too, was on the brink of uncontrollable anger. Nevertheless, they couldn't forget that their lady was a small girl, a mere human, for a reason. If they were to unleash their anger and power at this moment, it could potentially harm her or, even worse, lead to her death.

Albedo breathed deeply, taking her time to control herself as much as possible. So, she went in and gently brought her lady out of the cupboard. Lily didn't stop it. She simply froze, holding her toy with strength and silently sobbing.

"Please, don't hurt me, I'll be good!" Lily sobbed as she fearfully closed her eyes. Yet, to her surprise, Albedo embraced her.

"I will never hurt you," that's all Albedo said as she held her close to her.

Lily wasn't sure if she should believe her, but she smelled nice. "Really?" Lily whispered lowly. "You're not… going to hurt me?"

"Yes, my lady. Don't worry. No one will ever hurt you again."

Albedo smiled at Lily as she slowly walked away from the home, leaving Demiurge and Pandora's Actor behind. Lily had no idea where she was heading, but little did she know that it would be the last time she would ever set eyes on Privet Drive.

In his office at Hogwarts, the wise old wizard Dumbledore sat, gazing at the extensive stack of paperwork before him. With a tired exhale, he prepared himself for a long night of work. Despite the weariness, he wouldn't trade his position as headmaster for anything, as it brought him immense joy. Lost in his thoughts, Dumbledore reminisced about a particular girl who would arrive at the school in just two years' time.

"I hope you're having a wonderful evening, dear Euphemia," Dumbledore whispered, his mind still recalling the day Lily welcomed their enchanting daughter into the world. They had anticipated a boy, just like Dumbledore had, but to their surprise, a baby girl emerged, bearing a striking resemblance to her mother with her vibrant red locks and captivating emerald eyes. She was truly a sight to behold, and Dumbledore witnessed the immense joy that filled Lily and James's hearts.

However, as soon as Dumbledore laid a hand on her small, plump fingers, a wave of power coursed through him—a power unlike anything he had ever experienced before. In that very instant, Dumbledore was certain that Euphemia Lily Potter was indeed the one foretold in the prophecy. Nevertheless, the intensity of the power he felt that night frightened Dumbledore to his core, surpassing anything he had witnessed thus far.

Dumbledore realised that if not controlled, it could bring chaos to the wizarding world. So, when he brought the girl to the Dursleys, he made sure to cast spells to block the girl's magical core and many other things. Normally, such a thing would be dangerous, especially in a baby, but little Lily had so much raw power that he thought it rationally to keep the girl under said spells.

It wasn't a permanent decision, as he would be there to guide young Miss Potter on the path of the light. Dumbledore believed that keeping Euphemia away from fame and attention would ultimately benefit her and the Wizarding World. He feared that if his future successor became arrogant, it would be harmful. Therefore, he thought it would be best for Euphemia to be raised by her aunt, as it would teach her humility and the importance of not taking things for granted. Dumbledore hoped that the Potters would understand his reasons for going against their wishes.

Dumbledore would then train young miss Potter, and mentor her when the time was right. Only then, when Voldemort was finally gone, and peace comes, he would finally pass the torch to the new leader of the Wizarding World.

But that was for the future.

As Dumbledore started working, a sudden explosion rocked the room, causing him to gasp in surprise. It was the large equipment that enabled him to monitor Euphemia Lily Potter's condition. At that moment, his worst fears seemed to materialise. He instinctively looked over at Fawkes, who seemed to understand his thoughts.

"Fawkes, to Privet Drive!"

Dumbledore materialised at Privet Drive in an instant. Wand gripped tightly. He was prepared for any situation. However, the scene that greeted him was far from what he had anticipated. Instead of the familiar sight, there was an immense crater in the earth, and the entire neighbourhood seemed to have endured the ravages of war, with flames and ashes descending from above and spreading around, burning all homes. Frantically scanning the area, Dumbledore desperately sought out the house, only to finally comprehend the reason why Petunia's residence was nowhere in sight.

"What happened?" Dumbledore whispered, stunned and afraid at the scene before him.

Someone or something has destroyed this place, and Dumbledore would never know what happened, not for a while.

Lily was enveloped in warmth, a serene feeling of tranquillity and solace. It felt so incredibly cosy to her that she began to wonder if she was actually dreaming as if she were reclining on a cloud, far removed from any troubles or unpleasant memories. However, as all good things must come to an end, Lily suddenly gasped and opened her eyes, remembering the peculiar dream and the mysterious individuals who had arrived at her aunt's house.

Lily glanced around and found herself in a spacious and opulent room. Her attention was drawn to the bed she had been sleeping on, which seemed remarkably large compared to her petite frame. It was almost twice the size of her aunt and uncle's bed, although any bed would appear small when occupied by that colossal man. Nevertheless, for Lily, the bed seemed immense, enveloping her in a cosy embrace. The softness and comfort were unparalleled, while the pillows seemed to be crafted from an ethereal material that surpassed even her wildest dreams.

"Where am I?" Lily whispered as she swiftly rose from the bed. As she did, she became aware of the fact that she was adorned in an exquisite nightgown—almost a luxurious pyjama dress. The fabric felt incredible against her skin, a blend of soft cotton and unfamiliar materials that she couldn't quite identify. Its appearance was equally remarkable, a deep, opulent shade of red accentuated by a shimmering gold embellishment. Lily couldn't decipher the intricate symbol that adorned the gown, but it appeared to be crafted from genuine gold.

"What's this?" Lily frowned as she could not help but feel something nostalgic about that particular symbol. Still, she began to explore the vast room; it was already bigger than the house she had known all of her life. Then, slowly, she saw a huge door. Curiosity got the best of Lily, and with all her strength, she opened it, but she wished she hadn't.

Outside the room, a long hallway stretched out, and within it stood a group of beings from another world, acting as guards. Among them, Lily noticed a dog dressed in a maid outfit or something of the sort. Alongside the dog, there were formidable creatures wielding shields and swords, resembling demons, as well as giant insects adorned in various forms and colours, all donning armour. Overwhelmed with fear, Lily stood motionless as the dog-maid-creature gazed at her with a mix of surprise and delight.

"Oh, my lady, good morning. Do you wish to have some breakfast?… ah, yes, I forgot… woof!"

"AHHHHH!" Lily's loud shriek pierced through the air, capturing the attention of everyone around. They all turned to look at her, their expressions a mix of shock and concern. "MONSTERS!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with fear.

Lily swiftly closed the door and hurried to the bed, seeking refuge beneath the blanket. Trembling with fear, she was terrified of the creatures outside. "Monsters! They're going to eat me!" Lily sobbed, especially upon hearing footsteps drawing nearer. It seemed to be a sizable group of individuals. Lily braced herself for the worst; she was used to pain, but she was still afraid.

Yet, a sudden, gentle voice made her stop sobbing.

"We deeply apologise for frightening you, my lady," a gentle voice caused Lily to cautiously emerge from beneath her blankets. Before her, stood an aged man with short white hair and beard; he looked tall and strong, yet his face was unmistakably familiar. Gentle and soothing to Lily.

"W-who are you?" Lily whispered, still trembling; the sight of her in such a state made the man kneel before the bed in order to not intimidate her more by his size.

"My name is Sebas Tian. I am the butler of the Great Tomb of Nazarick," Sebas said in a gentle tone. "And these are Yuri Alpha, Narberal Gamma, and Lupusregina Beta."

Sebas presented to Lily what she believed to be the most gorgeous woman she had ever seen in her entire life. Quickly, she blushed deeply, as she hid her face in a pillow.

"H-hi," Lily mumbled nervously. "My name is L-Lily!"

Sebas chuckled softly as he allowed the Pleiades to start serving some food. Just like many others in Nazarick, Sebas was overjoyed to have their lady back; it felt as though Nazarick itself had come back to life the moment their petite lady set foot inside. Many things that had ceased to function were now in working order again. The Throne Room, for instance, had lost all its radiance during her absence, but as soon as she returned, it was instantly revitalised.

However, things were not going well, particularly when they witnessed the condition their lady was in. Sebas was unaware of the full extent of the mistreatment inflicted upon her by humans, but one glimpse at Albedo's expression made him realise that no retribution would be sufficient to make them pay. Moreover, their lady appeared to have lost all recollection of her true identity. She seemed frightened of them, so they made the decision to refrain from introducing her to the more beast-like and creature-like residents of Nazarick for the time being.

They did not want to overwhelm her, especially in her current state.

"So, Lily, would you like to have some breakfast?" Sebas said, which piqued the interest of the small girl, who put the pillow down and looked at Sebas nervously.

"B-breakfast?" Lily inquired, and before long, a grand set of tables adorned with a plethora of delectable dishes appeared before her. There were stacks of fluffy pancakes, perfectly cooked eggs, tempting cakes and muffins, an assortment of fresh fruits, and an abundance of other mouthwatering treats. Lily marvelled at the elegant presentation and noticed a charming set-up on a small table atop the bed, which she recognised as a classic full English breakfast.

"This is for me?" Lily whispered, stunned.

"Of course," Sebas said.

Lily's eyes shifted from the fork to the man known as Sebas and then to the three elegant ladies. Anxious, she cautiously approached the plate. Her hands trembled as she attempted to grasp the fork. After a few tries, she finally managed to pick it up and take a bite of the savoury sausage. A delighted moan escaped her lips. "This is delicious!" Lily exclaimed, eliciting a chuckle from everyone present.

Lily got excited and began to eat fast, perhaps too fast. Since, by accident, she knocked the cup of milk and spilt it over the bed. She let a small gasp and dropped the fork.

"Oh my," Yuri whispered as she saw the mess. However, Lily was suddenly having a panic attack of sorts as she quickly began to try to clean it.

"I apologise! I apologise! I will clean it!" Lily exclaimed as she quickly rose from the bed, but in her haste, she accidentally knocked all of the food off the table. "I'm so sorry! I'll clean it right away, sir!"

"My lady, you don't have to…" Sebas said but was soon stopped by a frantic Lily trying to get the sheets out.

Stupid! What a stupid freak! You ruin everything! Now they're going to hate you! Lily thought anxiously. "I will clean it, sir! Don't worry, I—I'll make sure not to bother you!"

The Pleiades stood there, utterly shocked, just like Sebas, who couldn't even process what was happening. The small girl was desperately trying to bring down all the sheets, but the bed was so big and the sheets so heavy that it seemed almost impossible for her. The food was getting turned over, creating an even bigger mess than before, causing Lily to start trembling in fear.

"I am such a freak. Stupid, stupid freak! I am sorry! I am sorry, sir. I mess everything up. Please forgive me, sir!" Lily screamed as she was trembling.

Sebas knelt down before the young lady, whispering gently, "My dear, Lily." Instantly, Lily's hands flew to her face, to protect her from the punches, and overwhelmed with fear about what he might do to her. The fear was so immense that she even lost control and began to urinate herself. The scene was so shocking for them, almost surreal. However, Sebas needed to help his lady and reassure her, by placing a gentle touch on her shoulder. "There's no need to be afraid, my dear Lily. It was just a minor accident, nothing to be concerned about."

Lily removed one hand from her face, as she was still afraid. "Bu—but I ruin everything. You will punish me. Hit me. I deserve it!"

Sebas clenched his fist, now seeing with his own eyes the trauma in his lady's eyes. Who dared to treat his lady in such a way? Who? Sebas's anger had to be pushed aside. It was not the time. Right now, his lady needed protecting, and to feel safe.

"It's just sheets," Sebas chuckled slightly. "They can be cleaned. You don't have to worry about it. That's our job, after all."

Lily looked at the Pleiades and saw how they were quickly removing the sheets without problem. "Sorry… I ruin breakfast."

"Was it tasty?" Sebas asked, shifting the conversation away from her need to keep apologising. Lily nodded softly in response. "Good! Don't worry. We are here as your servants. Things like this are the reason we're here. You don't have to worry about anything. If you wish, we can go and bring more food."

"My servants?" Lily asked, tilting her head, puzzled. She recalled how Sebas was calling her "His lady", which confused her greatly. "You call me your lady. I am not a lady. I am a girl."

Sebas and the other Pleiades chuckled. "You're our dear lady. All of us are here because of you."

"Even the dog-maid?" Lily asked.

"Ah, yes, Pestonya wishes to apologise. She was sorry to have surprised you. But she was in charge of you while you slept."

"Pestonya?" Lily couldn't help but wonder why the name sounded so funny. However, alongside her amusement, a sense of unease crept over her, evident by the perplexed expression on her face.

"I understand that you have many questions," Sebas said, "but they can wait for now. For now, wouldn't you like to take a shower?" Lily glanced down at the spot where she had her little accident, feeling a mix of embarrassment and guilt.

"Sorry, sir," Lily whispered shamefully.

"You don't have to apologise at all," Sebas replied gently. "Yuri, would you please help our lady with her bath?"

"Of course," Yuri said as she approached Lily and extended her hand to the small girl, who fidgeted nervously in her place. "Would you like me to help you, my lady?"

Lily blushed at the pretty lady with glasses. "I don't have clothes."

"Don't worry, we are already on that! We have a lot of pretty dresses for you!" Lupusregina exclaimed jovially, as Narberal hit her on the head with her, causing the red-haired Pleiades to whine. "Nabe~!"

"Quiet," Narberal replied; the entire interaction made Lily giggle a little bit as she took Yuri's hand.

"I never had a bath before," Lily whispered. "Aunt Petunia used to throw cold water over me a few times per month."

Lily remained oblivious to the sudden twitch that appeared on everyone's faces. Concealing their anger, they were determined not to frighten Lily. However, it was evident that they harboured sinister intentions towards that individual.

"Well, here, we have a huge pool for you, with hot water," Yuri replied, smiling.

"And rubber ducks?" Lily asked with excitement.

"Of course," Yuri replied.

Yuri took Lily by the hand to the large bathroom while the rest stood still.

"What did those humans do to our lady?" Narberal hissed angrily.

"More of what we know," Lupusregina replied without her usual smirk. Her face was cold and devoid of any emotion that wasn't cold with fury.

"Let's not discuss that at the moment. Please take care of this mess. I will inform Lady Albedo about what occurred," Sebas whispered before exiting the room, his hand tightly clenched. He was genuinely eager to discover the whereabouts of those accountable for this.

Sebas made his way to the main office, where he found Albedo engrossed in a flurry of papers. She seemed to be reading them with astonishing speed, not only reports from the Nazarick agents exploring the area, but also human newspapers and magazines. Alongside Albedo, Pandora's Actor and Demiurge were also taking responsibility for absorbing as much knowledge as possible about the new world they found themselves in. However, Sebas couldn't help but notice a peculiar expression on Albedo's face.

Albedo's expression was of pain, anger, anxiety and more, like someone who hasn't slept well in days, or in this case, in years.

"Albedo, our lady has to wake up," Sebas said, which seemed to have snapped Albedo back from whatever she was thinking. It appears the Succubus didn't even realise Sebas was there.

"Ah, Sebas, thank you," Albedo replied. However, Sebas couldn't help but notice a sudden clenching of her hands, as if she were fighting an internal struggle. "We were concerned about how long it would take for our lady to awaken after Pestonya's healing spells. The harm inflicted upon her by those humans was... much more severe than we had anticipated."

Albedo could vividly remember the moment she witnessed her beloved lady's lifeless body. She couldn't help but notice how small, fragile, and weak she appeared and the multitude of scars, wounds, and marks that marred her skin. The image remained imprinted in her mind, haunting her relentlessly. However, what intrigued her the most was the peculiar mark on her forehead. It was evident that someone had cast a spell upon her, but when Pestonya mentioned it being a "soul fragment," it raised numerous questions in their minds.

However, it was not an ailment or obstruction that they couldn't heal or eliminate. Nevertheless, Demiurge requested that the fragment be preserved in a soul gem for further examination. After all, they needed to uncover the identity of the person responsible for impeding their lady's abilities. Clearly, someone was determined to prevent her from harnessing her power, by putting spells to block her magic and power.

"Where are the ones responsible for our lady's suffering?" Sebas asked as Albedo noticed the cold gaze on the Buttler.

"They are presently undergoing interrogation by Neuronist," Albedo whispered, her intention clear. Death would not serve as their punishment. She planned to subject them to hours of unimaginable horrors, particularly the overweight individual who had audaciously violated their lady. No, death was much too merciful for them. Albedo was determined to prevent their descent into madness. If they ever lost their sanity, she would ensure their memories were reset, forcing them to endure everything anew—an eternal torment, an eternal hell.

And she wasn't the only one who would be there, torture them. Ripping them to pieces, slowly and painfully. That fat man would suffer a million times more; Albedo would make sure that and if there was something her imagination wasn't capable of thinking, Demiurge and Pandora's Actor would surely add to their eternal torture.

"I see," Sebas nodded.

"For now, we must do whatever is necessary to protect and care for our lady," Albedo whispered.

"She appears to be terrified of us," Sebas added, which made Albedo sigh.

"I understand. Although it may not happen quickly, if Pandora's Actor is correct—and I do believe he is—she will soon become accustomed to our presence. Any suppressed memories will resurface and we must remain patient," Albedo stated.

"And what if she doesn't remember?" Sebas inquired, a question that filled her with terror. However, it wasn't the culmination of everything. Their loyalty to their lady remained steadfast, regardless of her state.

"In that case, it would be our duty and responsibility to assist her, preparing her to embrace the role of our Supreme Being. Nothing will alter that. The Great Tomb of Nazarick belongs to her, along with us."

Sebas nodded, letting out a deep sigh, understanding what was going to be a long way up. Yet, hope remains; after all, their lady was with them.

Lily stood motionless, gazing at her reflection in the mirror. The exquisite gown she wore seemed tailor-made for her, with its striking blue hue, intricate silver embroidery, elegant white stockings, and stunning heels. Lily resembled a doll in every way. However, something was amiss. The commotion amongst the maids surrounding her indicated that the matter of her long, red hair was still unresolved.

"I'm telling you, Yuri, a long braid will be the best."

Lily gazed at the stunning blond maid named Solution, feeling her cheeks flush with a hint of embarrassment. They're all so beautiful. Lily thought to herself, her eyes then wandering to the corner where two more maids stood. The maids held an array of jewellery in their hands. One of them was petite, sporting a peculiar face resembling a mask, while the other had a scarf and vibrant orange hair. Lily found them to be quite unusual. She tilted her head curiously as she observed the two maids, and in response, they also tilted their heads.

"Hello…?" Lily mumbled as the other maids were still fixing her hair. "My name is Lily!"

"CZ," one replied.

"My name is Entoma!~" the other replied.

Lily nodded, still blushing, before looking at the group. A question formed in her mind as she soon sat on a chair, where they began to brush her hair.

"Why do they call you the Pleiades?" Lily asked loudly, soon feeling nervous as she stared. Yuri smiled gently at her, as she chuckled softly.

"That's our name as a group," Yuri replied. "We are the Maid Combat Squad of the Great Tomb of Nazarick, and last line of defence."

"Maid combat squad?" Lily muttered, confused. "You all… fight?"

"When we have too, as I say, we are the last line of defence," Yuri said.

"Whoa... you have, like powers?!" Lily exclaimed with excitement.

"That we do," Yuri chuckled at her lady's face of happiness. "Narberal, please bring me the hair creams."

"Here they are," Narberal replied, showcasing a set of strange boxes.

"My lady, wish one would you like?" Yuri asked, and Lily began to sniff the boxes.

"Whoa! They smell so good!" Lily exclaimed loudly. "Can I have the one that smells like peaches?"

"Of course," Yuri replied, wasting no time in applying the hair cream to Lily's hair. The young girl immediately felt a soothing sensation as the peculiarly cool yet warm cream was delicately spread throughout her hair. As Yuri was doing all that, she began to notice a strange set of white patches of hair. That not only brought the attention of Yuri but all the Pleiades.

Soon, they finished, and Lily blushed when she caught sight of herself in the mirror. Her hair had been styled so beautifully that, for a moment, she felt like the queen of a country.

"This is me…?" Lily whispered.

"Indeed, my young lady," Yuri said, as the rest of the Pleiades could only giggle at the sight of the small girl looking at herself with her mouth open in front of the mirror.

"Whoa, I look as pretty as all of you!" Lily exclaimed, which caused the Pleiades to smile.

"Are we pretty, my young lady?" Solution asked, teasing slightly, as Lily then blushed deeply.

"Y—yeah," Lily mumbled as she looked at the ground, embarrassed.

"Uwah… cute," CZ said in a monotone voice.

Then a knock on the door startled Lily, who quickly went and hid behind Lupusregina and Narberal, hugging them tightly.

"I apologise, Yuri. Lady Albedo wishes to see if our lady is ready… woof," Pestonya entered the room and saw the small lady hiding away, which earned her a glare from Yuri, who only sighed deeply.

"I understand," Yuri replied.

"I… I am sorry," Pestonya mumbled with guilt as she saw her lady was still fearful of her.

Lily timidly peered out from behind Lupusregina, who gently stroked her back in an attempt to help her relax. She stole a glance at the peculiar dog-maid, feeling a mix of anxiety and sympathy upon seeing the pain in Pestonya's eyes. Lily didn't want to cause her any sadness. Furthermore, there seemed to be a playful aura surrounding the maid. Lily had heard that she possessed the ability to alleviate pain.

"I shall leave then; I apologise, my lady," Pestonya mumbled sadly; she heard a small mumble.

"W—wait!" Lily exclaimed as she bravely took a face step towards Pestonya before hugging her tightly. "Thank you! I am no longer in pain!"

Pestonya was filled with shock and couldn't hold back her tears. "I-it's alright, my lady! I'm s-so thankful you're here with us! ~ woof!" Pestonya sobbed, her voice filled with emotion. Yuri swiftly handed her a tissue to wipe her nose. While tightly hugging Lily, the red-haired girl couldn't resist running her fingers through Pestonya's soft fur, which made her giggle.

Lily was led to a spacious room, and before long, she encountered something quite extraordinary. It was a grand chamber adorned with numerous flags fluttering atop the roofs. Despite feeling small in such a vast space, she also felt a sense of security and comfort. "This is incredible! It's so massive!" Lily exclaimed with delight, unable to contain her excitement as she playfully darted around the expansive throne room, proudly displaying her youthful energy for all to see.

"I can hear my own voice!" Lily exclaimed, and in no time, the sound of her voice reverberated throughout the area. The maids couldn't contain their joy upon witnessing Lily's excitement. However, her elation was abruptly interrupted when Lily stumbled on her dress. Just as she was about to plummet to the ground, a pair of hands swiftly prevented her fall.

"Be careful, my young lady, you almost fall," Sebas said with a kind voice.

"Sebas!" Lily said with a blush but could not help but smile at the kind butler. "S-sorry, I got excited."

"It's understandable," Sebas smiled at her. "My lady, would you like to meet someone?"

Lily nodded in recognition when she spotted a group of people—it was the same trio who had rescued her from her aunt and uncle. Now that she had a chance to observe them closely, they didn't appear as frightening as they had in the dark. However, Lily was still quite shy, so she sought refuge behind Sebas.

"Hello, my name is Euphemia Lilly Potter," Lily muttered nervously, still unsure of why she said her whole name.

"What a beautiful name," Albedo replied gently.

"Indeed, has our little lady eaten good?" Demiurge smiled.

"Yes! But I messed it up, and I accidentally knocked it down on the bed! I am sorry!" Lily quickly said as she closed her eyes and hugged Sebas's leg.

"It's alright, my little lady," Sebas smiled, gently patting her back.

"I suppose we should eat at a table next time. I can remember a certain person making a mess in the throne room once in a fit of rage," Pandora's Actor said as Albedo rolled her eyes.

"Not now," Albedo mumbled.

Lily tilted her head, her gaze fixed on the peculiar figure before her, a faceless being. Clad in an unusual military-like attire, he inspired a sense of unease in Lily. Yet, amidst the fear, there was an inexplicable familiarity that seemed to connect them. With a furrowed brow, Lily summoned her courage and approached him. Her steps were tinged with nervousness.

"Do… do I know you?" Lily asked him as Pandora's Actor knelt before her.

"Oh, what makes you say that?" Pandoras's Actor asked gently.

"I… I've seen you before, in a dream, I think," Lily whispered as she frowned deeply, trying to remember that particular dream.

"What was the dream about?" Pandora's Actor asked, as Lily, without realising it, took Pandora's Actor's hand.

"It was… a room? A large room! There were a lot of things, like—stuff! Like big things! Like swords and—and armours! And you were there, uh, counting?" Lily mumbled, frowning deeply. Before a word came to her mind, a name, or was it a phrase? "Pandora's… Pandora's Actor?"

Pandora's Actor and everyone's excitement grew as they heard that. "That's my name. You gave me that name."

"I did?" Lily muttered, confused.

Pandora's Actor desired to express more, yet they had previously agreed not to inundate her with excessive information. The only option remaining was to exercise patience and await further developments.

"When?" Lily asked, a bit curious.

"A long time ago. But don't worry about that now. We will talk in the future, but tell me, fräulein, do you know about magic?" Pandora's Actor asked, and Lily quickly paled.

"It's freakishness. Aunt Petunia told me not to use my freakishness," Lily mumbled as she looked at the ground. She didn't notice a twitch on Pandora's Actor's face and everyone else.

"It's not any of that. It's what makes you, you. All of us here can do things no human can because we are not human. Magic is part of us," Pandora's Actor said, which made Lily look at him with her big green eyes.

"Really? Magic, it's real?" Lily whispered.

"Indeed! More than real!" Pandora's Actor then took her hand and guided her to the throne. "What do you think of this throne?"

"It's enormous!" exclaimed Lily, her mouth agape as she gazed at the sight. Her eyes shifted to something adjacent to the throne—a staff. It was a magnificent staff, crafted from golden material and adorned with what appeared to be pearls or precious gemstones on its apex. "What is that?" she inquired, her curiosity piqued.

"That's the staff of Ainz Ooal Gown. The most important item in all of Nazarick, and only the Guild Master can use it."

Pandora's Actor remarked, and his words held truth. Upon their lady's disappearance, the staff appeared to have become immobile. Albedo attempted to touch it and relocate it to a more secure spot on the eighth floor, where it was meant to be safeguarded. However, she found herself unable to wield it. The same applied to everyone else. It was as though the staff had developed consciousness and refused to be utilised by anyone other than its rightful master.

"It's so beautiful," Lily whispered, her curiosity once again getting the better of her. Unable to resist, she approached the staff and instinctively reached out to touch it. At that moment, a sudden surge of energy coursed through her body, akin to an electric shock. The staff immediately began to radiate a brilliant glow, and before long, the echoes of sound reverberated throughout Nazarick. It was as if the entire Great Tomb of Nazarick was celebrating the long-awaited return of their esteemed Guild Master.

Lily grabbed the staff, and it was so weightless to her, even though it was twice her size. Yet, she could not help but feel so different.

"Wha—what happened?" Lily asked, nervous. "Did I break something?"

"No at all, my lady. Not at all," Pandora's Actor replied happily. "The Great Tomb of Nazarick welcomes you back."

"Welcome me back...?" Lily muttered as soon as she saw the door open, and a new group of people entered the room. Among them was a large blue creature with four hands, a small girl with pale skin donning a gothic dress, and a pair of twins with matching hair and eyes.

"Yes. This is your home, and we are here to serve you, my lady," Albedo stated with a smile.

Lily gave a little squeal when Pandora's Actor sat Lily on the throne, which made her look even smaller. However, that wasn't what surprised her the most; it was how everyone knelt before her.

"We are here for you, my lady," Albedo said, falling to her knees. "All of us are dedicated to protecting and serving you forever." Lily was taken aback, her only response being to embrace the large staff and remain motionless on the throne. She couldn't explain it, but she felt an unfamiliar sensation. It was a mix of power, confidence, and safety that Lily had never experienced before.

"I… I am never going to be alone?" Lily whispered.

"No. Never."

"Are my… my aunt and uncle will never hurt me?" Lily mumbled again.

"No. They will never hurt you again," Demiurge replied this time, showing a strange intensity in his glare. One that many shared.

Lily's lips trembled, yet she let out a sigh. Despite the strange reason, she trusted all of them. Lily believed that this place was her home, where she could finally be free and truly happy, now and forever.

2 years later

The days could be more of a blessing to Lily, as she has found herself to be quite happy and filled with joy to be in Nazarick. However, there were things that she still wanted; for example, Lily wanted to go to school; she was, after all, a child. So, while not truly pleased with her lady's choices, they understood them, so they made sure to give her the best education possible among humans, which means listing Lily in the most private and elite school in the nation. A school where only the 0.001% were allowed to go.

In order to accomplish this, Albedo, Pandora's Actor, and Demiurge recognised the need to broaden their influence, not only in terms of territory, but also in the realm of business. Thus, they established a company named Nazarick and embarked on a gradual conquest of the market by acquiring assets and various resources from major global corporations. With their extraordinary ability to manipulate human minds, replace bankers with their own agents, and effortlessly eliminate anyone who opposes them, this task proved to be quite straightforward.

Naturally, nobody had any inkling of the truth. People believed that the Nazarick company was just another financial institution or business hub where influential companies conducted their affairs. They were even willing to invest in its stocks and assets and relinquish control of it. Little did they know that Nazarick Inc. would emerge as one of the pioneering multibillion-dollar corporations, unstoppable in its acquisition of anything it desired.

Lily was seen as the sole heir of the mysterious Nazarick family. But the reality was different, of course.

Yet, Lily was content with experiencing a "typical" childhood in every sense of the word. Naturally, she remained reserved and refrained from revealing the genuine circumstances surrounding her home or her own identity.

"Hey Lily, what are your plans for the holiday?" a small girl with brunette hair, dark skin, and surprisingly blue eyes asked as she approached Lily.

"Oh, hello, Vivienne," Lily asked as she packed her books into her backpack. "Hmm, I'm not sure where my parents are planning to take me yet. How about you?"

"Monaco, again, to travel on daddy's yacht, again," Viviene whined loudly, causing Lily to giggle a bit. "I am tired of Monaco. There's nothing to do there!"

"That's true; I also don't like Monaco, too small," Lily replied with a smile as she saw another girl arriving.

"Hello, Vivi, Lily!" Another girl with dirty blond hair and hazel eyes said as she smiled at them.

"Hello, Elizabeth," both Lily and Vivienne said.

"Guess what? My parents bought an island in the Caribbean! I am going there for the summer holiday!" Elizabeth said with joy.

"Another island? Didn't your family have like four?" Vivienne asked.

"Yes, but this one is bigger!" Elizabeth exclaimed arrogantly.

"Well, yeah, my family only has two," Vivienne added humbly. "But it's still lower than Lily. How many do your family have?"

"Um, around...? Twenty-one? I can't really remember," Lily mumbled. Afterwards, the three girls proceeded to exit the classroom. The school had the appearance of a grand castle, where each student happened to be the offspring of a politician, a millionaire, or even a member of royalty. Every student was adorned in a lavish uniform and adorned with extravagant jewellery. Lily was no exception, sporting golden earrings adorned with diamonds and a dainty necklace featuring a stunning ruby pendant.

"I'd absolutely love to visit Disney World again, or maybe even spend some time at our family cabin in Switzerland," Lily exclaimed as the girls strolled towards the school's front yard. A plethora of luxurious cars were already parked there, with numerous maids and butlers bustling about. It didn't take long before Lily spotted Sebas and Narberal eagerly awaiting her next to a sleek Rolls-Royce.

"You love Switzerland too much, Lily. It's the chocolate, isn't it?" Vivienne replied, which made Lily giggle.

"Yes, that could be it," Lily replied.

"By the way, Lily. My mommy asked me if your Butler is married; she fancies him," Elizabeth asked, which made Lily groan.

"He is not married but also not interested," Lily muttered. "Goodbye, girls!"

"Goodbye, Lily!" The girls waved at her.

Lily walked towards them and gave her backpack to Narberal, who bowed to her.

"How was your day, my lady?" Sebas asked with a smile as he opened the door to her.

"Amazing! I have a lot of homework, but I had an amazing time!" Lily exclaimed happily as she got in the car. "Can we go and buy some ice cream?"

"Of course, my lady," Sebas said.

Nazarick served as the residence for Lily and the others. However, they realised the importance of having a front to appear "normal" to the outside world. Additionally, they needed a location to lure in potential threats and conceal the entrance to Nazarick. Since they had no control over where Nazarick emerged in this unfamiliar realm, having its entrance near London to everyone's eyes was unfavourable. Thus, they devised a plan to hide it by constructing an opulent and grand mansion.

Even Lily found it too large and really exaggerated. But she was also quite proud of having the biggest and most luxurious mansion in all of England. She has become quite smug about being filthy rich.

Lily has acquired the art of conducting herself in a manner befitting her position as a wealthy heiress and as the prospective leader of Nazarick. She was undergoing meticulous preparation to assume the leadership role that Nazarick truly warranted. Undeniably, it was an intimidating task, but Lily was determined to become the most exceptional leader she possibly could.

She was just a child, filled with fear when it came to making certain decisions. The sheer magnitude of Nazarick's operations, especially now that they had expanded globally with agents scattered across the world, often overwhelmed her. However, Lily possessed a stubbornness that drove her to give her absolute best in every endeavour.

And that was just one aspect. Another concern was her magic training. Pandora's Actor and the others observed that their lady's level was sealed, restricting her to utilising only a fraction of her true power. They were unsure whether it was due to her age or some other factor. Still, they wasted no time training her in everything they knew, only to see if she could learn more about what she could do.

That was something they wanted to know: if Lily could go beyond the level cap, all of them were restricted. Demiurge was quite happy to see if that was the case.

However, despite Lily being trained, educated, and groomed to become a Supreme Leader, there was another crucial aspect to consider: Lily was just an eleven-year-old child who longed for love, care, and happiness. Recognising this, Nazarick made it their priority to ensure that their lady experienced joy each day, regardless of the expenses incurred.

Lily stepped out of the car upon reaching their opulent mansion. As soon as she emerged, she noticed the Pleiades and a group of homunculus maids patiently waiting for her. Among them, Albedo assumed the additional responsibility of acting as a "mother" figure to her lady. While this role seemed straightforward to everyone else, it held a special significance to the succubus, serving as her most essential duty in secret.

"Welcome back, my lady," all of the maids bowed to her as Lily smiled at them.

"Hello!" Lily said happily as she rushed towards Albedo, who chuckled at how her lady hugged her joyfully.

"Albedo, I am back!" Lily squealed as she hugged the overseer of the guardians.

"Welcome back, my dear," Albedo smiled, before frowning. "Did you eat something on the way here?"

"Ice cream!" Lily exclaimed with excitement while Albedo sighed in exasperation. This elicited a few chuckles from the maids nearby. Yuri smiled and handed a tissue to the succubus. Soon enough, Albedo began gently wiping the chocolate off her lady's cheeks.

"You should eat some food first, Lily," Albedo advised in a firm yet gentle manner. "Start with healthy food before indulging in any desserts. We don't want you to end up with a stomach ache again, do we?" As Albedo spoke, Lily made a comical expression, almost puffing her cheeks. But as soon as Albedo shot her a stern look, Lily quickly fell silent and hummed softly.

"Yes, I am sorry," Lily replied softly.

"And your uniform is all dirty, too," Albedo rolled her eyes before smiling at her lady. "Now, would you like to eat first, or take a bath?"

"I want to eat first," Lily said as she took Albedo's hand and walked next to her.

"Alright, let's go," Albedo said.

As they walked inside the mansion, Lily looked at Albedo with an expecting look on her face. "Where are Mare and Aura?" She asked.

"They are currently in Africa, exploring the surroundings and, as well, getting animals for your personal zoo," Albedo replied with a hum.

Aura and Mare played an important role in Lily's life. They were the only ones who shared similarities with her in terms of age. Having them around was a great help for Lily, as she always had someone to play with when everyone else was busy.

"Oh, are they going to take long?" Lily asked.

"Mm, they should arrive in the afternoon," Albedo replied as she thought about some of the other tasks they were doing down there. "Do you want to eat here or Nazarick?"

"Here! We have a big kitchen and dinner we barely use," Lily said, as Albedo nodded in response.

"That's true."

"You don't like this place?" Lily asked as Albedo chuckled.

"It's not that. It's simply that I hate the tapestry," Albedo replied.

"Didn't Demiurge and you fight over the colour of the walls?" Lily asked with an amused tone of voice. "You play chess or something, right?"

Albedo scoffed with a funny expression. "He was lucky," she said, causing Lily to giggle.

Lily smiled warmly, her grip on Albedo's hand becoming tighter. Leaning towards the succubus with sheer joy, Lily's smile mirrored Albedo's growing one. The pure adoration on Lily's face was evident to all who looked. Lily was truly, undeniably happy.

But, that was going to change soon.

In a secluded corner of Hogwarts, Dumbledore remained motionless, his gaze fixed upon the instrument that meticulously transcribed the letters of the incoming students. His unwavering attention was unwavering, for he could not afford to overlook a single detail, nor did he have the intention to do so. Ever since that fateful day on Privet Drive, guilt and desperation had consumed Dumbledore's every thought. However, what weighed even heavier on his mind was the knowledge that the entire Wizarding World was aware of what had occurred. The explosion had been far from ordinary; it had unleashed a surge of raw magical power that could not be concealed. The incident had triggered alarms throughout England, prompting numerous Aurors to be dispatched to the scene.

For the muggles, the accident was a simple gas leak that cost the lives of dozens of innocent people. But for the magical world, it was the fact that the Girl-Who-Lived was the victim of that explosion. Dumbledore did his almost best to hide the information, but the entire Wizarding World was demanding answers. Fudge forced Dumbledore to explain himself, and so the information was spread around.

Everyone believed the Girl Who Lived was dead. There was even a funeral and a post-medal award for her. Yet, Dumbledore believed, without a shadow of a doubt, that the girl was still alive, somewhere. After all, Severus Snape was still alive.

"Are you sure of this, Albus?" McGonagall asked as she stared at Dumbledore, who was still looking at the letters being written.

"Yes, I am Minerva," Dumbledore responded, casting a quick glance at Snape who stood nervously in the corner of the room. Snape had made an unbreakable oath to protect Lily's daughter, so if she had truly perished, Snape would have paid with his magic and life for failing to honour his oath. However, since Snape was still alive and possessed his magic, it was evident that the girl was indeed alive.

"We must have faith, Minerva. That's all we can do right now," Dumbledore replied.

"I know, but still… I don't want to be heartbroken again," Minerva stated with a soft tone of voice.

"Me neither, Minerva. Me neither," replied Dumbledore with a tired sigh.

"Headmaster, look!" Snape exclaimed as soon as all three of them saw a name being written on one of the letters.

Euphemia Lily Potter

Kensington - West End.

The collective sigh of relief from all of them was palpable. Even Snape, unable to hide his exhaustion, collapsed onto a chair and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"I can still help her, Lily. I can still keep my promise," Snape mumbled to himself.

"It appears that Miss Potter is still with us," Dumbledore replied with a soft smile on his face.

"Kensington? That's a very expensive place to live. That's England Royal postcode," Minerva stated as she took the letter.

"Indeed, but questions would have to wait. First and foremost, we must pay a visit to Miss Potter."

Dumbledore suggested that the group explore the place where the young Girl-Who-Lived had been hiding for the past two years.

Dumbledore, Minerva, and Snape found themselves standing at the entrance of a place that could only be described as absurdly extravagant. The mansion that lay before them was truly awe-inspiring—a four-story marvel made entirely of marble and white stone, surrounded by a vast front yard adorned with stunning gardens and majestic trees lining both sides of the road.

It looked like a palace instead of a home.

"This is quite… the place," Minerva coughed awkwardly.

"I fear so," Dumbledore replied as he stared at the gates before them.

"Headmaster," Snape gestured towards a pair of maids strolling through the gardens. It was evident that they were carrying a basket filled with freshly harvested vegetables and fruits. Not only were these maids a sight to behold, Dumbledore couldn't help but cough softly as he neared the gate. However, as he did so, he experienced a peculiar sensation. There was something peculiar on the gate.

It was a quick sensation, but it made Dumbledore frown for a second.

"Albus?" Minerva asked as she stared at Dumbledore. "What is it?"

"Oh, it's nothing, Minerva, just something strange," Dumbledore responded with a thoughtful hum, before he waved at the maids. "Oh, I apologise, ladies. I didn't mean to disturb you. However, I'm here to speak with the owner of this establishment," Dumbledore explained, adopting his gentle, grandfatherly tone.

The maids stopped in their tracks before one of them looked at each other with a nod. They appeared to whisper something to someone who wasn't there. Before soon, the doors opened by themselves. Soon from the distance, the group saw another maid walking towards them. This maid's beauty was even more than the two, as she got close to them, she adjusted her glasses before speaking to them.

"Welcome, my name is Yuri Alpha. What can I do for you?" Yuri asked gently.

"Good day, my dear. We are here in an important business, and it would be good if we could speak with the owner of this place," Dumbledore said.

"Is this about this magical school?" Yuri asked, making the three of them look at her, surprised that she knew of it. "Hogwarts, I believe?"

"Indeed, it is," Minerva replied.

"Then please follow me," Yuri said as the group followed the beautiful maid towards the large mansion.

"If I may ask, my dear, how do you know about Hogwarts?" Dumbledore asked, intrigued. "Humans are not supposed to know about the magical word."

Yuri chuckled as she glanced at them. "What makes you believe I am a human?" Yuri replied.

"Oh, I see; sorry for asking you; it was not my intention to assume anything," Dumbledore said.

"No offence taken, so please, there's no need for you to hide in this place," Yuri said as she guided the group to a spacious and comfortable room. "I believe your questions will be answered shortly. But first, the walk was a long one. Would you please like some refreshments?"

"Tea would suffice, my dear," Dumbledore said with a smile.

"Understood," Yuri bowed before leaving the room, and allowing a few minutes of privacy for the group.

"This changes things, headmaster," Snape muttered, his senses still not trusting the place they were in currently. "We did not expect the girl to be with people who were magical."

Dumbledore nodded, his soft humming filling the air. "This does, in fact, explain the sensation I experienced upon our arrival. It is evident that there is a formidable protective magic surrounding this place. I must add that it is incredibly potent. If we had harboured any ill intentions, undoubtedly, we would have met our demise."

"Are you serious, Albus?" Minerva replied, shocked.

"Yes. The more subtle the magic is, the more powerful it is. I also, no doubt we are being heard and spied on at his very moment," Dumbledore stated as he looked around; Snape sat straight, rigidly looking around.

"That does not calm my nerves," Minerva added, as she heard a chuckle from Dumbledore.

"Now, now, there's no need to panic. After all, there's no reason to assume they had any ill intentions towards us. They must simply be curious," Dumbledore replied as soon as they noticed a group of maids entering the room. The maids were carrying a small cart filled with cookies, tea, and other assorted items.

"We apologise for the wait," Yuri stated as the group of maids served the tea with biscuits in such perfect manner, that surprised the headmaster. It was clear, that these maids were professionals and very diligent in their duty.

Dumbledore was the first to take a sip of his tea and was immediately taken aback by the extraordinary flavour. It was as if he had been struck with astonishment. The tea, without a doubt, was the most exquisite he had ever experienced. Following in the footsteps of the headmaster, Minerva and Snape also took a sip of their tea, and were swiftly greeted with the same delightful sensation.

"This is marvellous," Minerva exclaimed, with astonishment, as she took biscuits and ate them, only to be surprised by the delicious taste. "I have never tasted something so delicious."

"Indeed," Dumbledore said while taking a few more sips of his tea.

"Why do I feel… with more energy?" Snape muttered as he glanced at Yuri, suspiciously.

"It's our own recipe. All of our food is homegrown, and so it's our tea. As you can guess, it's magically enhanced to give you energy and satisfy your craving," Yuri replied.

"I sense it now," Dumbledore said as he smelled the peculiar scent of the tea. "The master of this house definitely has his own special garden."

"Indeed," Yuri only replied.

Before long, the group was captivated by the entrance of a stunning woman. Her beauty was so extraordinary that it seemed almost otherworldly. This was the typical reaction upon laying eyes on Albedo for the very first time. The succubus concealed her true appearance from the trio of humans, as they were wary of the potential risks that existed in the world.

Albedo was aware of the existence of the Wizarding World, all thanks to Petunia, a woman she considered a despicable vermin and who was still being tortured day in and day out. It was among the first things she learned about when these magical individuals were referred to as "freaks." by Petunia. Keeping this in mind, Demiurge and Pandora's Actor embarked on a quest to uncover this very world. It didn't take them long to locate it, a clandestine realm concealed from ordinary humans, teeming with magic, governed by its own authorities, and boasting its own educational institutions.

With a little more research, they began to infiltrate the Wizarding World slowly. And, of course, it took not long before they began to hear about the Girl Who Lived. How that world saw their lady was a shock at first. But it also made them realise that sooner or later, they would try to come to look after her.

But it also gives them an opportunity.

"Good day. My name is Albedo," the succubus said with a beautiful, gentle smile. "Albedo Nazarick, welcome to my humble home."

Snape wanted to scoff at the word "humble", but he remained quiet. Dumbledore, for his part, smiled brightly at the woman as he began to present himself.

"Good day, Madame Nazarick. I am Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts. Accompanying me are Professor Minerva McGonagall, the deputy headmistress, and Professor Severus Snape. I apologise for interrupting your day and taking up your valuable time. I understand that you lead a busy life. However, we are here with a purpose—to meet a remarkable young girl," Dumbledore politely explained, employing his words and his gentle, grandfatherly smile to reassure the elegant lady in front of him.

"I see; this must be about the letter of Hogwarts, I suppose," Albedo replied with a gentle smile. "Before that, I suspect you have a great deal of questions, so please."

Albedo sat down before them as she took a sip of tea. "Yuri, please check on Lily," Albedo said as she glanced at the old wizard. "I apologise; Lily was taking a bath; she should join us shortly."

"I understand," Dumbledore replied, a smile gracing his face. He started to feel more comfortable with the way the girl was being taken care of. However, lingering questions arose as he pondered how Lily had ended up with them in the first place.

"So, madame Albedo, I do hope my questions are not rude since there's a lot I wish to know. But how came young Miss Potter ended up in your care?" Dumbledore asked, watching in great detail the face of the woman before him. Albedo, of course, knew the question at hand. She was prepared for it.

And Albedo already knew how to answer. They had crafted a great story to tell in order to look less suspicious to them.

"It's quite a long story, I'm afraid. But to keep it concise, Lily Evans, or rather, Lily Potter, was my half-sister," Albedo revealed, leaving the group, particularly Snape, stunned.

"Half-sister?" Snape asked, his gaze narrowing in disbelief as he tried to comprehend what Albedo was saying.

"I understand how it might sound. Honestly, I only discovered her existence quite recently. My father deserves the credit for that. May he rest in peace," Albedo spoke with a melancholic and serious tone. Her skill in acting proved useful as Dumbledore and Minerva looked at her in astonishment. "If I had been aware, I would have definitely reached out to her. Unfortunately, I have no knowledge or details about her. I assumed any of you would be more informed than I am."

"A half-sister, I did not expect that," Minerva whispered.

"Indeed, Minerva. So, madame Albedo, what happened?" Dumbledore asked gently. But there was suspicion in his eyes.

"I suppose it started with an affair, between my father and Lily's mother, which ended during Lily's birth. Still, even after years, It appears that my father had managed to maintain some form of contact with her. As far as I am aware, it was rather limited. However, it became apparent that Lily knew she was different right from the beginning. I am uncertain whether Mister Evans was aware of Lily's true parentage or not. But based on the letters I have read, it seems that Petunia may have had some suspicions about something... unusual."

Snape rested against the sofa, his mind flooded with memories. In truth, he had never truly encountered Lily's parents, not in the strictest sense. He did recall glimpses of Lily's father during his visits, though. The man was not particularly handsome, spending most of his time toiling away in the mines. On the other hand, Lily's mother was a stunning woman, radiating elegance and a deep appreciation for nature. It was evident that Lily had inherited her beauty and intelligence from her.

Petunia and Lily were incredibly different individuals, with very little in common. There was always a palpable sense of resentment between them. Snape could now understand why this was the case. The fact that Lily had a different father could explain a lot. It shed light on the times when Lily would appear visibly saddened while discussing her sister.

And also why Lily spent a lot of time writing letters and reading them with a smile.

"Severus?" Dumbledore asked, as he glanced at him. "What do you think?"

"It's possible, headmaster. I believe it can be true," Snape replied with honesty in his voice.

Albedo kept a smile on her face as she wanted to scoff at the fact that it was so easy for them to believe such a thing. She also noticed the peculiar glimpse in the headmaster's eyes. Their understanding of magic from the Wizarding World was not enough for them to confidently understand it, yet they knew about the particular ability to read thoughts. No doubt, the old wizard was trying to read Albedo's thoughts, but it would be useless. Such abilities won't work on her.

"When I learned that Lily had passed away and left behind a daughter, I made every effort to find her. And when I finally did, what I uncovered left me questioning what kind of monster could have subjected Lily to such a dreadful situation," Albedo whispered, her voice sending shivers down everyone's spine.

"What do you mean, madame Albedo?" Minerva asked stiffly. "What did they do to her?"

"Those monsters—they torture her. Use her as a slave. Abuse her in every single way of thinking. Death. Death would've been mercy," Albedo stated. Minerva gasped, and she glared at Dumbledore.

"What?" Dumbledore stuttered before beign attacked by Minerva's words.

"I told you, Albus! I warned you about them, didn't I? The absolute worst kind of Muggles!" Minerva snapped, her Scottish accent flowing as Dumbledore appeared devastated.

"So, it was you," Albedo's face became rigid, her jaw clenched tightly. The amount of willpower she used to simply not rip the old wizard apart was astonishing.

"I did what I believed was the best course of action at that moment," Dumbledore whispered in a solemn tone. "Madame Albedo, you must know about the war then. And how dark things were during those times. Especially following the downfall of the Dark Lord, the Death Eaters were relentlessly searching for the girl. The only sanctuary that could ensure her safety was a place where she had a blood relative. It was the most powerful magic that could protect her! I had hoped that they would show her some compassion, but it appears I was mistaken."

"You may have protected her from outside threats, but it was clearly not the case from the inside!" Minerva snapped.

"Madame Nazarick, I swear on my life that I never intended for the girl to be abused."

"Abuse? It was more than just abuse!" Albedo snapped. "Can you even comprehend how difficult it is for me to explain to a young girl why she feels pain in her private areas?! What does it really mean to be taken advantage of in such a manner?! Have you ever considered the immense pain and suffering she had to endure because of your unfounded assumptions?! Did you bother to check on her well-being at all?!"

Minerva gasped, and Severus paled when they heard that; even Dumbledore froze in place, as his heart was struck by pain.

"I had someone to check on her," Dumbledore whispered, a failed attempt to defend himself.

Albedo's power surged, causing audible cracks to reverberate throughout the room. Snape, taken aback by the sheer intensity of Albedo's power, gasped in astonishment. It was as if he could almost taste its potency.

"That person obviously failed," Albedo hissed maliciously. "However, my family ensured that those responsible were taken care of. As I have mentioned, death would be too kind. We will ensure that they suffer for eternity."

Dumbledore and the rest paled at the way she said those words.

"So now, let's jump at the reason you're here, Albus Dumbledore. Why should we allow her to go to Hogwarts?" Albedo sneered.

Dumbledore momentarily struggled to gather his thoughts, still reeling from the shock of the mistreatment Miss Potter had endured. However, it was Minerva who promptly intervened, not to defend Dumbledore but to defend the school.

"Hogwarts is renowned as the finest magical institution in England, and indeed, across all of Europe. We take great pride in our prestigious standing, unmatched by any other. Rest assured, Madame Nazarick, the safety of our students is our utmost priority. Professor Snape, our esteemed potions master, can attest to this fact. It is largely due to his expertise and vigilance that Hogwarts has remained incident-free for several decades in the potion-making department."

Albedo glared at them. Minerva gulped as she continued.

"There is no better place for young Miss Potter to study and practice her magic."

Albedo was about to respond when suddenly, a red-haired girl entered the room, seemingly giggling at something Yuri had said. In an instant, Albedo's expression shifted, mirroring the change in the room. A smile adorned the succubus's face as Lily hurriedly made her way towards her, also smiling.

"I'm finished!" Lily exclaimed, abruptly coming to a halt and observing the surrounding crowd. Her cheeks flushed as she anxiously shifted her position. "Oh, my apologies. Greetings, everyone. I am Euphemia Lily Potter," she introduced herself with the grace she had been taught.

Snape could not believe how identical she looked to her mother. It was an almost carbon copy. If he didn't have a way to control his emotions, he would've started sobbing right then and there. But he composed himself enough to simply nod at the girl.

However, Dumbledore appeared to wish to say something. "I am so sorry, my girl," he said, as Lily stared at him confused.

"Excuse me, sir, what exactly are you apologising for?" Lily asked, confused, but before Dumbledore could speak, a sudden glare not only from Minerva but also from Albedo shut him up. It wasn't the right time to mention things of that nature.

"Nothing, my dear," Albedo said as she looked at them. "They have something to give you."

"Oh?" Lily asked as she stared at the letter Minerva had given her. "Thank you, eh, miss…?"

"Professor McGonagall," Minerva replied with a smile.

Lily nodded as she began to read the letter. "Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry? I didn't know there was a magic school."

Albedo looked at the group and sighed. "We know what the Wizarding World sees in her. We wanted to keep her away from such attention."

"That's wise," Dumbledore coughed, getting a hold of himself.

Albedo cast a thoughtful look at Lily, who met her gaze with a fleeting glance. Unbeknown to their guess, Lily knew about Hogwarts. Lily had learned about the school through her studies with Pandora's Actor and Demiurge. Yet, despite her familiarity with the Wizarding World, she had also been taught important lessons about survival. Control over her emotions, ambition to rise above her peers, and the art of deceit. Which would serve as her most reliable defence when confronted with the uncertainties and mysteries that lay ahead.

Lily refused to be a victim again. So, she took the classes of her guardians at heart. She faked ignorance.

"Will I go?" Lily asked Albedo, who looked at the group for a brief second.

"If you wish," Albedo replied.

Lily thought for a few seconds; she realised that Albedo was giving her the independence to make her own decision.

"I will learn magic; I think that's a good thing," Lily said. "So, yeah, I will attend!"

Dumbledore and the rest sighed in relief. "If there's any doubt, madame Nazarick. We could tell you how to go to Diagon Alley," Dumbledore said.

"No worry, headmaster. We know, the entrance and about money needed to buy the equipment. We have already established an account at Gringotts. But I would like to talk about Lily's trust fund left by her parents and the seats of the Potter family. After all, she is an heiress of multiple noble houses."

Albedo said, completely taking Dumbledore and the rest by surprise

"You know?" Dumbledore whispered, as now Albedo scoffed at him.

"Of course, the Nazarick family is closely intertwined with ancient bloodlines," Albedo remarked with a sly grin, clearly delighting in the reaction of the old wizard. Albedo, Demiurge, and Pandora's Actor wasted no time seizing power in the Wizarding World. They were astonished by the primitive and medieval ways that surrounded them, but it played to their advantage—their sheer power made it easy to navigate with ease. Gringotts, hungry for gold and power, eagerly accommodated their requests, recognising the wealth and power they wielded.

Which would serve for future plans.

"Ancient bloodlines, which ones?" Snape asked, which earned a stare from Albedo.

"It's private, but if you may know, the Nazarick family is the only heir of no other than Morgan Le Fay," Albedo declared, earning a gasp from all of them. Lily wanted to laugh at the expression they were all making but kept her face still.

"Lily was the heir of the Le Fay family?" Snape whispered, shocked.

"I believe we shall see each other again in the next Wizengamot meeting, but for now, we do have a lot of things to do, headmaster. Thank you for your visit."

Albedo stated, cutting short whatever questions they may have. No doubt, the old wizard would waste no time trying to learn more. But they had the upper hand in that regard.

"O-of course, of course," Dumbledore said as they all stood up. "See you at Hogwarts, Miss Potter."

Lily waved at them as she watched the group go.

"They believe it all," Lily mumbled, surprised.

"They are humans; of course they will," Albedo replied before she glanced at Lily. It appeared as if she was worried and even unsure about Lily's decision. "Are you sure, you wish to attend the school, my dear?"

"Yes. I need to learn magic and… I need to grow up. To fend for myself. To learn more. I cannot do that, if all of you always protect me. This is good for me," Lily said as she looked at Albedo, who had a troubled look on her face. Lily quickly hugged her, tightly.

"Trust me, will you?" Lily whispered.

"I do, but I am worried," Albedo replied with a sigh.

"Don't worry! I know we can think of something!"

Diagon Alley was a whirlwind of enchantment and energy, and for Lily, it was an entirely new world bursting with wonder. As she strolled along the bustling streets, her eyes sparkled with awe at the magical shops and vibrant crowds. Behind her, Albedo, Lupusregina, Yuri, and Sebas followed closely, each one caught up in the excitement of the moment.

They had just emerged from Gringotts, where they had retrieved a stash of intriguing rings meant for their ambitious future endeavours as well to get some needed information. Albedo wore two of these legendary rings already, shimmering with an otherworldly glow that hinted at their storied past. Whispers surrounded them—that these artefacts were not mere trinkets but rather relics of immense power, thought by many to be the stuff of legends. With an upcoming Wizengamot meeting on the horizon, the significance of those rings would be quite important soon.

The Le Fay ring and the Pendragon ring. Albedo would take the role of the current head of those houses, and Lily would be the current heir.

"Be careful, my lady," Sebas said as he caught Lily from falling again, as she was too focused on watching the people around.

"Thank you, Sebas!"

"We need to go for her measurements," Albedo said as she looked at the clothes store. "Sebas, go take the list and make sure to buy what's necessary. Take Lupusregina with you."

"Of course," Sebas said.

"Lily, here, come here," Albedo called as the red-haired girl followed Albedo into the store called Madam Malkin's Robes on all occasions.

When they entered, they saw a couple of people already there: an elegant and beautiful witch and a man with ludicrous blond hair and an aristocratic face. There was a boy who appeared to try to imitate his father's expression but failed nonetheless.

"Good day! Welcome. What can I do for you?" An old gentlewoman spoke with a smile.

"We came here for Hogwarts robes," Albedo said.

"Of course, if you may, my dear, stand there. Just let me finish with here first."

Lily nodded and stood up next to the boy, who looked at her with a frown, almost confused.

Albedo smiled as she stood next to the couple, examining her intensely, almost as if they were trying to figure her out. Albedo smiled at them and recalled the reason why they may be looking at her in such a way.

Humans. They truly believe that because they can do magic, they are no different from the rest. Vermin, the lot of them. Albedo thought with a sneer but kept her face the same.

"A pleasure. My name is Albedo Nazarick," Albedo said as she gave a gentle bow.

"Nazarick?" The woman muttered, trying to recall if there was a family with that name. "I can't recall a family with that name."

"We are not from around here," Albedo said with a smile as she intentionally showed her rings. The moment she did, both the witch and wizard gasped at her. They paled, and for a few moments, they appeared to not even understand what was in front of them. "It has been quite a long time since we are in the British Isles."

"The Le Fay ring and the Pendragon ring," the man muttered, shocked. Even Madam Malkins stared at Albedo, stunned.

"Indeed, the Nazarick are the direct descendants of the Le Fay family and the Pendragon lineage, along with a few other ancient lines," Albedo chuckled in a manner befitting an aristocrat. "Carrying all of the family rings on my fingers would be quite impractical, not to mention it would look rather silly!"

In no time at all, the lady accidentally bumped into her husband with her elbow. In response, the man promptly coughed and bowed before her. "Please accept my sincerest apologies, Lady Nazarick. It was truly inappropriate of me to behave so rudely. I am Lord Lucius Malfoy, at your service," Lucius uttered as he respectfully kissed Albedo's ring. "And this is my beloved wife, Lady Narcissa Malfoy."

Albedo's smile widened as she reminisced about the traditional etiquette of the Pureblood families in the Wizarding World when two high-standing ladies would meet. She gracefully took hold of Narcissa's hands and planted a gentle kiss on each of her cheeks. Narcissa returned the gesture with a smile, performing a small curtsy and reciprocating the cheek kisses. This elegant exchange of greetings was a sophisticated way for noble witches to acknowledge one another, and it also affirmed to Lucius and Narcissa that Albedo was indeed a fellow Pureblood witch, instilling in them a sense of pride and arrogance.

"A delight to meet your acquaintance, my lord Malfoy, Lady Malfoy," Albedo replied with an elegant tone of voice.

"The pleasure is ours, my lady," Narcissa replied as she quickly glanced at her son. "Draco Malfoy, our son and heir."

Draco was still frozen when he heard about the Le Fay family. But quickly snapped back when Lucius hit him quickly with his cane.

"Draco Malfoy, my lady," Draco quickly said, as he made a small courtesy and kissed Albedo's ring. He was clearly nervous. Very nervous.

"What a charming young gentleman," Albedo cooed. Of course, it was a fake one. But she had a role to maintain. "You must be proud."

"We are," Narcissa replied quickly, with an honest and gentle smile.

"Please, let me introduce you to my niece and heir. Euphemia Lily Potter," Albedo said, and if they were not all shocked already, this revelation almost gave them a heart attack.

"She is alive?" Lucius muttered, stunned.

"Heir…?!" Narcissa whispered in a low voice as she glanced at Lucius, who also had a panicked look on his face. "Wait, niece…?! From Potter?!"

"Oh, no, no. My half-sister was Lily Evans," Albedo replied and secretly rejoiced with the reaction of those two, as they seemed to almost pass out. "Truth be told. I didn't know; we were half-siblings until quite recently. But that's family!"

Albedo faked a giggle. "Lily, please present yourself correctly."

Lily nodded and made sure to follow each step of how an heiress should salute a lord and lady of a high-status noble house.

"Lord Malfoy, Lady Malfoy, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance," Lily greeted with a graceful bow, showcasing her knowledge of Pureblood customs. Her gesture left no doubt that the Girl-Who-Lived was well-versed in their traditions. Lily then turned to Draco, who seemed lost in thought as he stared at the red-haired girl with those deep green eyes. "Heir Malfoy, it is a pleasure to meet you, and I am in your care."

Lily raised her hand, and without hesitation, Draco reached out and gently kissed her palm.

"Heiress… Potter, the pleasure is mine," Draco replied with the same Pureblood courtesy.

Lucius and Narcissa exchanged sharp glances, engaging in a rapid and intense silent conversation. Lucius promptly cleared his throat and straightened his coat. "Lady Nazarick, please accept our apologies for our unexpected reaction. I believe you are aware of the cause behind it."

"Oh, Lord Malfoy, I understand. There will undoubtedly be numerous inquiries, but many of them are of a personal nature. However, I do believe that certain questions will have to be addressed soon, particularly at the upcoming Wizengamot meeting," Albedo responded, feigning concern as she let out a sigh. Lucius's eyes gleamed with excitement at the mention of the Wizengamot.

"Will Lady Nazarick take hold of the seats of the ancient families?" Lucius asked with a sultry yet exciting tone.

"Of course! I already did the necessary paperwork at Gringotts, and as you see, my niece is now officially the heir, not only by magic but by blood," Albedo replied as soon as Lily showcased the official Potter ring and a necklace made of pure enchanted gold and precious gems, with the insignia of the La Fay family. But they also saw that Lily was wearing a set of earrings and another silver ring. Those some of Nazarick's items, just to make sure to give more protection to her while at Hogwarts.

"I understand. We are thrilled to see the restoration of some of the ancient bloodlines. It is exactly what the Wizarding World needs at this moment—true Purebloods," Lucius declared, a smug and arrogant expression on his face.

"Lady Nazarick, we cordially extend an invitation for you to visit our humble abode, whenever it suits you," Narcissa said, her smile warm and inviting.

"I would be delighted, Lady Malfoy. Following our upcoming meeting with the Wizengamot, presents a favourable occasion for my family to cultivate strong connections with respected noble houses. You see, I have noticed a presence of... less desirable individuals among us lately," Albedo cunningly mentioned, skilfully appealing to their egos. In truth, she held no preference for Pureblood, half-blood or any other distinction. Wizards, witches, and humans were all equally worthless in her eyes. It's the same maggot to crush, just with a different shape. However, she intended to exploit their prejudices for her own gain.

Lucius and Narcissa appeared to have fallen for her bait, as they quickly began to smugly sneer at the thought of it.

"Indeed, my lady. Too many undesirables are walking among us today: Mudbloods and less. A shame what has befallen us," Lucius said with a sneer.

"Hopefully, not for long," Albedo smiled at him, which made Lucius smile even more.

"Hopefully."

After they finished there, Lily and Albedo bid farewell to them. Lily cast a humorous glance at Albedo and responded, "That was funny. Also, my mom was considered a mudblood." Surprisingly, she didn't sound angry at all; rather, she seemed to find amusement in Albedo's behaviour.

"Well, she's no longer with us to defend herself," Albedo replied with a scoff. His remark elicited a giggle from Lily, whose green eyes suddenly took on a golden iris, perhaps due to the unexpected cruelty of the comment.

Quickly, they stood in the middle of Platform Nine and Three-Quarters as they began to say their goodbyes. Lily hugged each of the Pleiades tightly. Even though Lupusregina would be infiltrating Hogwarts to keep an eye out for her, so would Mare and Aura. Still, it didn't mean she would miss the rest any less.

"Everything is prepared, my lady," Sebas assured her, ensuring that her luggage was properly arranged. Additionally, he made sure to include the new white owl they had purchased for her birthday named Hedwig, along with the exquisite Shadow Asp snake gifted by Pandora's Actor called Celene. This pet item would prove invaluable, providing an extra pair of eyes to watch over her during slumber and offering a private confidant.

"Farewell!" Lily waved at them.

"Have a safe trip, my lady," they all replied.

Lily turned her gaze towards Albedo, who couldn't resist and knelt down in front of her. Without hesitation, Lily embraced her tightly, burying her face in Albedo's neck. She inhaled deeply, savouring the delightful fragrance of freshly bloomed lavender.

"I am going to miss you, Albedo," Lily said, kissing Albedo's cheeks tenderly.

"And my too, my dear," Albedo replied with a smile. "Now, remember what we taught you."

"I will!" Lily smiled. "I love you!"

"And I love you too."

Lily cast a final glance at them before stepping onto the train. Now alone, she took a moment to absorb her solitude. It was at this realisation that Lily drew in a deep breath and began to follow the teachings of Albedo, Demiurge, and Pandora's Actor. Not only was she the inheritor of numerous noble houses, but she was also the Supreme Being of the illustrious Great Tomb of Nazarick. It was vital for her to conduct herself accordingly. Additionally, she understood the importance of learning to discern people's intentions, forging alliances, and dealing with adversaries. Perhaps it was slightly paranoid of her to adopt such a cautious mindset, but she knew the gravity of the situation demanded it.

But Lily didn't want to disappoint her teachers. And she wanted to make sure to add to the current plans going on.

"I had something to do, too," Lily whispered as she walked along the narrow corridor of the train. Before long, Celene, securely nestled around her neck, peeked out from beneath her garments. The Shadow Asp's dark hues allowed for effortless concealment, and if that wasn't sufficient, Celene had the ability to become invisible when needed.

"My lady, you feel anxiousss," Celene hissed, as Lily chuckled softly.

"Just nervous, that's all. But thank you, Celene," Lily hissed back.

"Don't worry, my sweet lady. I shall protect you if someone wishesss you harm!"

Lily chuckled as she patted her new companion. "Thank you, my dear. I feel safer now," Celene hid herself underneath her clothes as Lily found a vacant cabin.

Lily took a seat and just as she was about to settle in, she was startled by a sudden giggle coming from the corridor. Without missing a beat, a charming brunette girl with a high ponytail, a cute little nose, and freckles on her cheeks appeared, opening the cabin door.

"Here we are, your highness!" The girl exclaimed happily, before her smile became a thin line as she choked when she saw Lily sitting there. "Shite! I thought it was empty!"

Lily arched an eyebrow, her amusement evident as she gazed at the brunette girl. The girl, growing increasingly nervous and ashamed, caught Lily's attention. Just then, a loud sigh broke the silence from behind. Moments later, a poised and elegant girl with short blond hair, sporting a chic bob-cut, deep blue eyes, and a stoic expression, gracefully appeared before them.

"I apologise, my friend, was not taught manners when growing up," the girl replied. "Daphne Greengrass, and my friend there, with the mouth open, Tracey Davis."

Daphne's words were accompanied by a bored and monotone tone of voice, conveying her lack of interest. Lily found the situation amusing, particularly the way Daphne spoke. It seemed that the blond-haired girl did not consider her to be noble or Pureblood, as she didn't even bother to salute properly.

However, Lily vividly remembered the name Greengrass. The Greengrass and Potter families had formed a strong alliance through both blood and loyalty. Although she hadn't had much opportunity to delve into the history of both families, she knew that several centuries ago, they had become united through a marriage alliance. It had all started during a war, when Lord Greengrass and Lord Potter became brothers, solidifying their bond and ending up marrying into each other's families, making it official.

Lily reminisced about the letters her father had left behind. During the war against Voldemort, it was revealed that Lord Greengrass had been an auror and fought alongside James Potter until he was injured in a fierce battle. Shortly thereafter, the Potters went into hiding, and unfortunately, James passed away not long after.

However, the alliance continued to thrive. In the wizarding world, that sort of alliance by blood and magic was treated as something relatively sacred. Breaking such a sacrosanct oath could have immense repercussions in a family's name and even magic. Lily, remembering this, stood up and reached out for Daphne's hands. It was the very same gesture that Albedo and Narcissa had performed. However, in this instance, Lily kissed Daphne's cheeks three times, once on each side, before tenderly resting her forehead against Daphne's and touching their noses together.

It was a special salute that only witches from noble houses could exchange, a gesture that symbolised their shared blood, trust and magical alliance. Daphne's face showed pure shock, mirroring Tracey's own reaction. Tracy knew exactly what that greeting meant.

"I am Euphemia Lily Potter, the heiress of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter. It is an honour to make your acquaintance, Heiress Greengrass. I am under your care," Lily said with a solemn yet gentle tone of voice.

Daphne instinctively snapped back, reciprocating the gesture by planting three gentle kisses on Lily's cheeks. She then lovingly pressed her forehead against Lily's forehead, their noses adorably touching. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Daphne Anne Greengrass, the heiress of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Greengrass. It is an honour to meet you, heiress Potter. I am grateful to be under your care."

Lily smiled as they stepped back from each other. She was about to say something before Tracey blurted out, "Bloody hell, you're alive!" loudly. "Where is your scar?"

"Tracey!" Daphne snapped.

"My scar was healed a long time ago, of course."

Lily replied as she recalled the stare from the old headmaster when he saw no scar on her forehead. He was definitely shocked but said nothing about that matter. I wonder why. Lily thought.

"Really? Shame, I had an underwear with that mark!"

"Tracey!" Daphne groaned.

Lily giggled, realising that she may have met someone fun to be around.

The three girls sat together, and for the next half hour, Lily chose to share her survival story with them. However, she decided to narrate a heavily embellished version, partly out of necessity and partly because there were certain details she wasn't ready to disclose, particularly regarding her past abuse.

Lily discovered that Tracey Davis was not just Daphne's childhood friend but someone more important for Daphne. The Davis family belonged to a minor noble house and served as the sword shields for the Greengrass. Consequently, Tracey acted as Daphne's personal bodyguard and protector. Bound by tradition, blood oath, magic, and legal obligation, Tracey was duty-bound and magic-bound to safeguard Daphne from any threat, which meant constantly remaining at her side.

Although, currently, it was clear that Tracey was quite the loudest friend.

Still, Lily realised that she had to call upon her sworn shield. But Lily decided to do that once she arrived at Hogwarts.

"Shite on a flying stick. You're the heir of the La Fay family and Pendragon lineage?!" Tracey exclaimed. "Put me in a dress and call Dasy! That's bloody amazing!"

"Yes, I suppose," Lily replied, becoming more amused by Tracey's expression, which was causing Daphne a headache, as the blond-haired girl could not help but groan loudly.

"I apologise to my friends for the colourful language. She is Scottish," Daphne sighed as Tracey chuckled loudly.

"And I am using my English vocabulary! I am from Glasgow. You wouldn't understand my Glaswegian accent at all!"

Lily giggled at the amount of energy Tracey portrayed and how embarrassed Daphne looked. Yet, she felt like she was starting at the right feet.

"There's a lot of people who will ask about you, Miss Euphemia," Daphne said.

"Please, call me Lily," Lily replied with a smile that was taught by Albedo, which quickly earned a blush from Daphne who coughed awkwardly.

"Of course. And you can call me Daphne if you wish," Daphne replied, trying to keep her stoic face.

"Alright, Daphne," Lily said, pronouncing her name in a sultry tone of voice, which earned a deeper shade of red on Daphne's face.

"She's seducing you, Daphne," Tracey teased, earning herself a quick jab from the pointy end of Daphne's wand.

The three girls soon saw the cabin door open, revealing a bushy-haired girl in her Hogwarts robes, looking very annoyed.

"Has any of you seen a toad? A boy named Neville lost it," the girl asked in a very demanding voice.

"No, leave us," Daphne responded, her tone of voice and expression abruptly transforming into a cold one. Lily was taken aback and began observing how to replicate such an expression.

"You don't have to be so rude!" The girl exclaimed. "I am just asking a question. Besides—"

"Tracey," Daphne uttered swiftly. Tracey promptly closed the door, effectively shutting it in the girl's face. She then proceeded to obstruct the view by drawing the curtains.

Lily raised an eyebrow as Tracey shrugged it off.

"Muggleborns," that's all Tracey said before she sat down. "I don't hate them, but they sure are amusing."

During the trip, which lasted a few more hours, Lily had the opportunity to learn not only about the Greengrass and Davis families, but also about the Wizarding World. She was actively gathering as much information as possible, and she was grateful that it would be useful for what lay ahead.

A knock echoed through the cabin door shortly, catching their attention. Daphne glanced at Tracey, who rose from her seat and eagerly swung the door open. To their astonishment, a red-haired girl stood before them, her body glistening with sweat and her breaths coming in deep, laboured gasps as though she had just completed a gruelling marathon.

The girl sported a delightful sprinkling of freckles on her cheeks and white skin, complemented by hazel eyes that gleamed like honey. Her puffy red lips added a touch of allure to her face, while her edgy pixie-style hair was cut into a chic, short length.

The girls inside the compartment stared dumbfounded at the girl. "Uh, can we do something for you?" Tracey asked.

"I am—" the girl gasped for hair. "I am searching for Euphemia Lily Potter! My name is Susan Eleanor Bones! I am her sworn shield!"

The girl's expression turned to surprise, while Lily seemed equally taken aback for a brief moment. "I'm Euphemia Lily Potter. I had planned on searching for you once we reached Hogwarts," Lily responded, her astonishment evident as she observed Susan's almost kneeling reaction upon seeing her.

"Merlin's saggy balls," Susan whispered, a sense of immense relief washing over her as she felt the weight on her shoulders being lifted. "You're alive! You're truly alive! We are not oath breakers!"

Lily was aware that the Bones family, despite being one of the Noble and Most Ancient Houses, had intertwined their lineage with that of the Potters. They had taken on the responsibility of safeguarding the Potter bloodline and its successors. While Lily hadn't had many opportunities to delve into the complete history of both families, she did know that prior to being known as the Bones family, they were refugees from Norway. An ancestor of Lily's, known as "Thyr of High Castle," had come to the aid of the Bones family's ancestors, providing them with land and a place to call their own. In gratitude, the Bones family ancestors had pledged an eternal oath to serve Thyr and his descendants.

It was clear that Susan was honouring that oath to the point of searching frantically for Lily on the long train for hours.

"Are you alright, heiress Bones?" Lily asked, amused, before Susan shook her head furiously.

"Absolutely not, my lady! My family has eagerly awaited your arrival! Both my aunt and uncles fought valiantly alongside your parents during the previous war. They all made the ultimate sacrifice in protecting our esteemed Lord and Lady Potter. They faced their fate with a smile, for they remained faithful to their oath and fulfilled their duty. However, on that dreadful night when You-Know-Who attacked Lord and Lady Potter, we, the Bones, were overcome with grief and regret for not being able to shield them. Our own lives hold no significance compared to the honor of our family's legacy. I cannot bear to disappoint you as well, for it would bring shame upon the memory of my loved ones. Their souls shall never find peace, and neither shall I." Susan's emotions threatened to overwhelm her as she poured her heart out to Lily, who was taken aback by the intensity of Susan's words. "We have tirelessly searched for you, my aunt and grandmother, always longing to find you. When we heard of your supposed demise... in that tragic explosion...! We were consumed by the fear that we had failed you. We failed the Potter family. The Bones lineage cannot endure without the privilege of serving the Potter family!"

Susan was now sobbing on her knees as the weight of it all was too much, and she was just an eleven-year-old girl.

"Oh, Susan," Lily whispered gently.

Lily let out a deep sigh, sensing an oddity in Susan's words. In usual circumstances, the Bones would have been present alongside the Potters, especially if they were in hiding in order to protect them. Lily was convinced that they would never break their oath or betray her family, even if it meant sacrificing their lives. So, why were they not there? Why did her father not tell the Bones family where they were? What truly happened that Halloween night? The letter left behind by Lily's father failed to provide any explanation.

There was foul play there; Lily knew it.

"It wasn't your fault; it was outside forces that moved me away," Lily reassured her, moving closer. "There's no need to blame yourself. I trust that the Bones family will always honour their oath, just as I trust you as my sworn shield. You're more than capable of fulfilling your duties."

"Will you have me, my lady?" Susan whispered.

"Of course, my dear Susan," Lily replied.

Susan's lips trembled for a moment as she quickly kneeled before Lily; she took her wand out and put it on her chest as if she were presenting her sword, then took Lily's hand and kissed the Potter ring.

"On behalf of the Bones family, I, Susan Eleanor Bones, solemnly pledge my allegiance and commit my blood to fulfil my role as Euphemia Lily Potter's devoted protector. I vow to shield you during times of adversity and faithfully serve you during periods of tranquillity, my lady."

Lily beamed warmly at Susan before speaking, her voice filled with conviction. "I, Euphemia Lily Potter, graciously accept your pledge as my sworn shield in the name of magic, blood, and the sacred oath of the Potter family." With that, Lily leaned in and gently kissed Susan's forehead. In an instant, a faint glimmer of magic enveloped both Lily and Susan, culminating in the appearance of a symbol on Susan's chest. It was the unmistakable insignia of the Potter family, solidifying their bond and making their union official.

Daphne and Tracey remained silent throughout the entire ordeal, particularly Tracey, who empathised with Susan's pleas. This understanding prevented her from making any jokes or teasing remarks towards Susan. To Tracey, her role as Daphne's devoted protector held the utmost significance, surpassing even her own life. Mocking another sworn shield was something she would never contemplate.

"Now, stand up, Susan! I know that there would be a lot to talk to!" Lily said as Susan beamed at her.

As Lily and Susan continued their talk and journey towards the school, Lily took the opportunity to give Susan a brief overview of everything that had been happening in the past few years. Although it was a condensed version, it provided enough information for Susan to grasp what she needed to know. Despite this, Susan still requested permission to write to her aunt as soon as possible, as the Bones were eagerly anticipating Lily's arrival. This made Lily realise that she had gained yet another ally in their cause, which brought a smile to her face. As the train neared their destination, Lily couldn't help but think that Albedo would be thrilled with the news.

Hogwarts was undeniably an incredible castle, a stunning marvel of ancient times. While Lily believed that nothing could surpass Nazarick, she couldn't help but be impressed by Hogwarts.

Lily, along with the other first-year students, was led towards the great hall, where the rest of the students were already gathered. Lily glanced around, still able to hear the girl with the bushy hair at the back discussing the spell they were using to create the illusion of the night sky on the ceiling.

She certainly talks a lot. Lily thought, amused, before she watched Professor McGonagall holding a hat.

"When I call your name, you will come forth. I shall place the sorting house on your head, and you will be sorted into your house."

"Hermione Granger!"

The bushy-haired girl started muttering something quietly to herself while she nervously took a step forward, eventually settling down on the chair. Before long, the sorting hat was carefully placed on her head, eliciting a surprised gasp from her as the hat began to speak and shift.

"Gryffindor!" the hat yelled after muttering some words. The girl went happily to her place. All Gryffindors were cheering and sat with them.

"Draco Malfoy!"

Lily tilted her head as she watched the blonde-haired boy. He was quite arrogant and smug, and what was quite funny for Lily was that the hat didn't even touch his head before it shouted. "Slytherin!"

"There hasn't been a witch or wizard who hasn't turned bad in that house," a red-haired boy whispered to another, which caused Lily to frown at the statement.

"Euphemia Potter!"

Soon, everyone went quiet as they heard Lily's name.

"Wait?! The Girl-Who-Lived?!"

"She is alive?!"

There were a lot of whispers around her that made her annoyed. Lily simply sighed before she walked towards the chair. She sat down and quickly felt the sorting hat on top of her head.

"My, I did not expect this at all," the sorting hat mumbled.

"Meaning?" Lily whispered back.

"Your mind is truly unique," the hat whispered, now speaking directly into Lily's thoughts. "I sense your desire to bring honour and pride to your family. I can see that there is only one place where you can accomplish all your goals without any doubt. However, the question that remains is, do you believe in your own abilities?"

Lily thought for a brief moment before taking a deep breath. "I do. There's no doubt in my mind."

"I see, so you better be... Slytherin!" the hat yelled. The entire school fell into a state of shock as they watched the Girl-Who-Lived make her way towards the Snake table. The students there, along with the rest of the school, began to clap slowly, clearly stunned.

Lily smiled as she noticed Draco Malfoy looking smug at her.

"Susan Bones!"

Lily noticed Susan seated on the chair, tapping her foot impatiently while the hat on her head seemed to mock her sense of urgency.

"Sworn shields are always the same, so impatience," the sorting hat snorted. "Slytherin!"

Susan smiled and hurriedly took a seat beside Lily. It didn't take long before Daphne and Tracey were sorted into Slytherin. Lily's frown deepened as she sensed someone's gaze upon her. When she turned her head towards the teachers' tables, she caught Severus Snape staring directly at her. It seemed as though the potions professor couldn't believe that she had been sorted into his house. But then again, it appeared that very few could share the same thought.

Lily glanced at Dumbledore as he made a couple of announcements. One was regarding the Forbidden Forest, a place she knew Aura would find immensely fascinating. The other announcement concerned the third floor, emphasising the dangers of trespassing. It was an odd and curious warning.

However, it was during the feast that Lily finally noticed the contrasting characteristics of each house. Hufflepuff students enjoyed their meals leisurely, engaging in lively conversations and sharing laughter. Their section seemed inviting and serene in comparison to the neighbouring table. On the other hand, Gryffindors were the most exuberant and spirited, filling the great hall with their boisterous voices. They were undoubtedly the loudest. As for Ravenclaws, they were the most reserved and tranquil. Lily observed that many of them were engrossed in reading books, creating a serene atmosphere.

However, the Slytherins were speaking in hushed tones, the witches were eating with impeccable manners, and the wizards were doing the same. It seemed that everyone greeted each other by their title followed by their name. Lily observed that there was a distinct hierarchy at the table.

Since all the first-year students weren't eating yet.

"I'm surprised to see the Girl-Who-Lived among us," a voice called out as Lily glanced over at the fifth-year student who was leaning in from a distance. "We always thought you would be a proud Gryffindor member, like Dumbledore's favourite pets."

Lily tilted her head, a hint of curiosity sparking in her eyes as she sensed something peculiar. It seemed that all the people surrounding that boy had their gaze fixed on her, eagerly anticipating her response. Not only that, but she also caught sight of a pair of older students seated at a distance, engaging in hushed conversation. It was evident they were assessing her, putting her to the test.

Lily smiled, reminiscing about her lessons. "You know, there was a time when people actually believed I was dead. But I'm grateful to be alive. Life is brimming with possibilities, after all. Being dead is just so boring. Allow me to introduce myself, my lord. I am Euphemia Lily Potter, the heir of the Potter family. Delighted to make your acquaintance."

That boy glanced around at his peers as they nodded at him before they glanced all at her.

"Lord Phimeas Damian Durke, heir of House Durke, at your service, my lady," the boy replied.

Lily then graciously saluted all the heirs and heiresses seated at the table, raising her cup of pumpkin juice. However, she held off on drinking as she discreetly observed the older students. The older Slytherin students appeared taken aback, clearly not anticipating such proper noble etiquette from the Girl-Who-Lived. Yet, their expectations were proven wrong, which turned out to be a positive outcome. Without delay, Slytherin's head boy and head girl followed suit, raising their cups and taking a sip. Only then did Lily partake, followed by the first-year Slytherin students who were finally granted permission to eat.

"That's amazing, Lily," Daphne whispered as she leaned forward, trying to hide her smirk.

"Thank you," Lily replied with a smile.

On the teacher's table, Snape watched it all unfold. He was also quite surprised to see such manners from her. But he should've expected as much. Lily was not raised as he thought. She was not James' spawn. Not by a long shot. But he was still worried about Lily, after all, Dumbledore appeared troubled and very paranoid. Snape would have to take an eye out for Lily.

Yet, Severus did not notice that next to him, Quirrell looked intrigued at the Girl-Who-Lived as she used the proper manners of an heiress.

Yes, the Girl-Who-Lived was proving to be an enigma to all of them.

After the feast concluded, the Slytherins were directed towards their common rooms. Lily couldn't help but be taken aback by the depth at which the entrance to Slytherin was situated and just how deep underground their common room was. However, she also found it remarkably enchanting. The expansive windows, offering a breathtaking view of the deep Black Lake, made it feel as if they had their own personal aquarium, as they could see the fishes, and many other creatures, even the giant squid.

"First years, come here," one of the prefects said when Snape entered the common room. His cloak swirled in the air, giving it a magical appearance. Lily wanted to learn how to do that. Pandora's Actor could create the same effect with his cloak, but he didn't want to teach her yet. He believed she wasn't ready for that kind of power.

"Welcome to Slytherin," Snape greeted, his eyes carefully surveying the assembly of young wizards and witches before him. "I am Severus Snape, your Potion teacher and the Head of House Slytherin. It is my responsibility to inform you that should you have any matters you wish to discuss with me in private, my office door will be open throughout the entire week, excluding Sundays, unless it is an urgent situation. Is that clear to everyone?"

"Yes, sir," all the students replied.

"Furthermore," Snape stated with a chilling and menacing tone, causing a few students to shudder. "I want to make it clear that I will not tolerate any form of abuse or violation within this house. Absolutely none. And if any of you dare to test this, rest assured, the consequences will be severe."

"However," Snape continued, his voice softening slightly, "if any of you are unfortunate victims of any kind of mistreatment, not only in this house or Hogwarts but outside, in your homes, know that you can rely on me as an ally. Additionally, it is crucial that you trust the prefects, as well as the head boy and girl of this house, as it is their responsibility to prioritise the protection of Slytherin students."

Severus gazed at Lily, noticing how her face had suddenly turned pale, as if she had remembered something dreadful. The guilt of not being there for Lily's daughter continued to haunt him, and there was a constant ache in his heart. He had always been determined to protect children from enduring the same fate, as he himself had experienced the pain of abuse.

"Now, to further elaborate on this, the Slytherin house is a house that takes great pride in its heritage. We are not foolish individuals who foolishly entertain others as jesters. Within the confines of this house, we abide by a set of rules and regulations. These rules are both stringent and just. Many of you come from esteemed noble families, so I anticipate nothing less than exemplary conduct and a clear comprehension of the established hierarchy," commented Snape. "Understood?"

"Yes, sir," again all replied at the same time.

"Finally, it is crucial that all of you take care of each other when you are outside this room. The rest of the school already views us as Dark wizards and witches, thinking that we are evil. They will try to provoke us and elicit a reaction. Don't be fooled by them. The school may consider you as enemies, so don't give them more reasons to insult us. Use your wit and intelligence to avoid any issues. Trick your enemies and be clever. If any of you have an issue with another Slytherin, address it only within the confines of this room. Don't let others witness any division within our house. Clear?"

"Yes, sir," they said, for the final time.

"Now, the perfects will guide you to your rooms. Tomorrow, I shall give you the class schedules. Goodnight."

The prefects then led them to the first-years' side of the common room and showed them to their respective rooms. The girls were situated on one side, while the boys were allocated to the other side. Entering, Lily and the rest saw a large chamber with multiple beds, and their luggage was already waiting for them.

"Hedwig," Lily smiled as she got close to her snowy white owl. "Did you eat?" The owl nodded as Lily began to rub her.

"It seems we are neighbours," Daphne said, as she sat down on the table next to her.

"That appears so," Lily giggled, as she began to unpack her clothes.

"So, you're the Girl-Who-Lived?" a girl remarked, causing Lily to tilt her head in curiosity. The girl, with her dark hair, puffy nose, and grey eyes, seemed rather self-satisfied despite her petite stature, even for an eleven-year-old. However, there was an undeniable charm about her, reminiscent of a tiny hamster or some other endearing creature.

"My name is Euphemia Lily Potter, and you're?"

"Pansy Hazel Parkinson, the heiress of the Noble and Most Ancient House Parkinson, and, may I add, the most beautiful girl in the school!" Pansy declared, exuding the confidence of a queen. The remaining girls stood there, a mixture of astonishment and amusement evident on their faces.

"Well, that's a stretch," Tracey snorted as Susan, who was sitting next to her, giggled.

"So, please, don't feel intimidated by my beauty," Pansy chuckled to herself, "and rest assured, I am generous and loyal to my friends. Don't you think so, Daphne?"

Daphne rolled her eyes at Pansy, as she already knew just how arrogant she could be. "Yes, yes, I know. Pansy."

"I—I am glad to meet your acquaintance, heiress Parkinson," Lily replied quite baffled by the girl in front of her.

"Also, my friend here—Uh, Mily?" Pansy turned around, and everyone soon saw the other girl on the corner, near her bed. She was the tallest of all the girls there, and appeared to be quite chubby. Her hair pretty much hid her face, and if that wasn't necessary, she had oversized clothes. "Ah, Mily, you—you wanted to meet the Girl—Who—Lived…"

"Eiiiii!" The tall, chubby girl let a small squeal before she ran towards the bathroom.

"Uh, what was that?" Daphne asked, confused.

"Ah, Millicent Bulstrode, heiress of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Bulstrode, a childhood friend. And Lily Potter's number one fan."

Lily raised an eyebrow, stunned. "Number one fan…? I have fans?"

"You've got a whole club of fans!" Tracey exclaimed. "Complete with books, photos, and even a line of comfortable underwear for girls. You truly have it all!" Lily thought it was important to inform Albedo about this. They wanted to ensure that her image wasn't being exploited without their knowledge.

"Well, I didn't know that," Lily muttered baffled. "Really, underwear?"

"I told back on the train, didn't I? I have one; they are really comfortable!" Tracey added.

The night came and Lily rested on her bed, as Celene hissed on her ear about going to hunt something to eat. Still, Lily sighed softly, enjoying the comfort of her bed while thinking about what awaits for her this year at Hogwarts.

I must become strong. Learn to use my magic, but also to become a better leader… I want to be the best I can be! I cannot disappoint Nazarick. They expect so much from me!

Lily let out a sigh as she shifted on her bed, her gaze fixed on the peaceful figure of Daphne, fast asleep. She was undeniably adorable. Actually, all of these girls were quite cute. However, their charm went beyond just their looks; they were also incredibly intelligent. Lily couldn't help but notice something about Pansy though. It was as if she was hiding behind a facade, pretending to be a superficial girl who only cared about her appearance. But Lily saw through it. Daphne understood as well. Lily realised that she needed to strive for more knowledge to better prepare herself.

I will be… more. I will not.. be.. a victim! Never!

The first year of Hogwarts would be the beginning of a new age, and those who stood against Lily and Nazarick would lose.

Author's note!

This is officially my longest one-shot ever! Hopefully the last, if I am being honest. There's a lot I remove, like the visit at Gringotts, more interactions with Nazarick, and many other things. But this teaser, will serve as a sort of base for the story!

Also, I added a lot of traditions and things of that matter, just to see how it plays out and what you guys think. If I choose this as the next story, I could add more, or remove things, depending on what you guys think, so please let me know!

Now, the next What if chapter is about Galadriel and Ainz being twins! And being born in the world as Harry and her sister Euphemia! That will be quite interesting to write!

But also! If you have any ideas you'd like to see, tell me! I am going to write maybe, four more stories before closing this, so tell me, maybe we can come up with something new!

Until then see you!

Also, if you wish to support me, do so, I don't use Pa treon, only donations, check my Tumblr for more info!