The Ever Changing Face of Death - L0sts0uls - Harry Potter (2024)

Chapter 1: Leaving Everything Behind

Chapter Text

OW June 1998

Hazel looked at her surroundings as soon as the bag over her head was removed. She had heard about the old families having ostentatious homes, but her idea of frivolous expense and theirs was apparently way off. The place looked like a medieval castle's oldest wing, with its wrought iron chandeliers full of candles and dreadfully dark walls. The furnishings looked to be old leather but hardly screaming comfort or even good taste. There was even some damage on the roof from the once lit candles. Either the Malfoys were stuck in the last millenium or all old families were too. What a scary thought. It was certainly more scary than being pulled in with her two companions under heavy disguise done the muggle way because what could possibly hide one's appearance other than illusions, self-transfiguration or Polyjuice Potion. "Well, is it them, Draco?" Hazel turned at the source of the voice and felt her blood go warm. Lucius Malfoy. Biggest racist pig in the whole bloody country, minus a certain pink toad. Well, said Pink Toad was currently in a Ministry morgue somewhere, so yeah, he was the biggest racist pig in Wizarding Britain. Hazel watched as the peaco*ck's spawn came up close to her. "Her face looks similar, but her eyes and hair are all wrong. That bitch may have had horrible taste in witch's clothes but she'd kill herself for cutting her hair so short. You sure there is no magic hiding her?"

If she had had her hands free she might have actually given Draco a bloody hug. For the biggest racist at school, he was surprisingly observant because she had loved her hair. She had let it grow long from the moment she went to Hogwarts and then her Godmother had spent a whole two summers and one winter with her, usually brushing her hair or braiding it. It had become a part of her. She had felt so hollow cutting it short for the deception, like she had lost one more of her good memories. That was something the stupid war had done. Take, take and take. Her friend, her Godmother, her Familiar and now a part of her, all gone. She was desperately wondering if there would be anything left of her if they ever brought it all to an end as Dumbledore thought she could. The snatcher huffed beside her, "No magic. No wands either." Draco looked at her, unsure before turning to an old blonde woman that looked a bit familiar. "We can't call this in, not until we know for sure. The Dark Lord has been furious these last few weeks in his search for her. He might just kill us all for bothering him with a lookalike. What do you think, mother? Anyway she could be using makeup to hide her appearance?"

Ahh, that's where she recognized her. Narcissa Malfoy née Black. Funny, of the three Black Sisters she looked the worst off. Maybe being a Dark Lord's retaineer wasn't all it was cracked up to be. The woman closed in and held Hazel by the chin and cheeks. "Don't know. There is no makeup on her face and she looks way too tanned from what we last saw of her." Funny, tanning salons had been around since the late seventies. Then again, with how pale the Britain's European Wizarding population was, it didn't surprise her that they didn't know about them. They all could use a few long hours in the sun. The woman released her and went to speak to her husband when a Death Eater entered the chamber. "We got them Lucius. The shapeshifting whor* and her mutt of a husband are dead. No kid though, must have been with the Grandmother. We still can't break the wards around her home." Hazel's body suddenly went cold. No. Please no. Not Dora. Lucius stood up quickly. "Get more of our men to that stupid muggle neighborhood. I don't care how long it takes! I want through those wards." Hazel waited until the Death Eater walked past her before slipping off her cuffs and punching the bastard in the family jewels. She used his body as a shield as she took his wand. It felt like it would complain but she refused to be denied. Not after losing Dora.

She casted a featherweight charm and stunner on the prick and kept his body between her and the rest as she casted every curse she knew. The snatchers next to her companions dropped dead from exploded skulls and missing limbs as she focused on the Death Eaters in the room. Narcissa was fast, probably as fast as Andi and Dora, but not faster than her. She had been training to cast as fast as possible ever since Tom disarmed her in the Chamber. Her meatshield took a lot of curses, including a few AKs, but the morons didn't think to use far more devastating spells. Either they didn't want to damage their home or they had been too used to using Unforgivables to scare people into submission. Too bad for them, she stopped being scared almost two years ago to the day. Funny how fear just left you when you have nothing really left to live for. A Piercing Spell shattered through Narcissa's shield and took her right through the heart. Draco barely cried "Mother!" before a stunner took him down, courtesy of Hermione. Lucius didn't last much longer after that, taking a cutting curse to the leg. Hazel shoved the corpse she held at him, cancelling its enchantments. The old Slytherin wheezed as a full man's weight fell on his chest before crying out in pain as she amputated his arm and crushed his wand. No emergency calls for the bastard.

Hazel swung her stolen wand and pulled the corpse of the old man before slamming her boot on his intact hand, earning a cry of pain. She screamed at him. "Why!? The Tonks and Lupins had practically left the Order and Andromeda has never raised her wand against you and your people so why go after her." Lucius spat at her and she responded with a piercing curse to the thigh, getting another cry of pain out of him. "Mad-Eye taught me a few things before your Dark Lord killed him in July. I can leave you just as bad as Rudolphos left the McKinnons. Give me a bloody reason Lucius and I will test it all out on you." The Slytherin looked her right in the eyes. "Why do you think? The Black Headship has been in Limbo for a year! It was Draco's by birthright but the Tonks stood in the way of it. I wasn't going to let a Halfblood Shapeshifter and her mongrel child inherit the fortune of the oldest Wizarding family in Britain." Hazel stared at the man. "You killed Dora and Remus, leaving behind a child orphaned, just because you couldn't stand seeing a few more barrels of Galleons go to another family?" Lucius growled at her. "Of course you wouldn't understand! You never had a family. You never knew what it meant to us. It's why we all are fighting this bloody war!" Hazel stared at the man as she swung her wand and a body dropped right next to Lucius.

"You are right. I never had my own family. So, show me what it means to care about one. Sectumsempra !" Lucius watched as the cursed cutting spell tore into his son's body, his blood covering the floor. The bastard's blood started pooling around him as the boy started to choke on it. Lucius hollered at her. "Stop. Stop! I'll give you anything you want. Just spare my son. Please! Stop!" Hazel blinked at the man, her face emotionless. "But you didn't when you had Dora and Remus killed. Or Mad-Eye. Or my Godmother. None of you ever stopped, no matter who begged. Funny, how you expect everyone else to play by a different set of rules but not your own." Hazel felt someone try to pull her wand arm away and she just banished them back. "You take and take until there is nothing left of your enemies. Too bad, Lucius. You just took something else from me so now I am done holding back. You wanted Draco to inherit your fortune and the Black's? Congratulations, you get to watch him bleed to death instead." Lucius turned at her. "The Dark Lord will kill you, you bitch! Mark my words, you will die like your accursed family." Hazel gave him a bitter smile. "That doesn't sound like a bad thing. Death seems so much more comfortable than living in this hellhole. Don't worry, I will give you the same comfort as your wife and son." Hazel aimed her wand at Draco's twitching body. " Avada Kedavra ." Draco stilled as the dark green curse struck his chest, causing Lucius to cry out his son's name. Hazel didn't care. She had seen Death Eater's do the same a hundred times. It was about time they got a taste of their own medicine. "No Snivellus to save him this time, old man. Your turn Lucius. Don't worry, I will be sending your beloved Dark Lord to you as soon as I can. I might even join him. Avada Kedavra ." The second beam of green light was the last the wand casted as it fell apart in her hands.

She turned around and saw her two friends looking at her with horror in their eyes. They didn't have time for this. "Hermione, grab a hair from Narcissa, Ron take one from Draco while I take one from Lucius. We need into the Malfoy Vault at Gringotts to get the bloody sword so stop wasting time gawking at them." Hermione stood up. "You didn't have to do that! We could have let them live!" Hazel glared at her friend. "The hell I was! They killed Dora and her husband. They left my Godson orphaned and they wanted him dead. I wasn't going to let that happen!" Hermione screamed at her. "Then you're just as bad as they are!" Hazel blinked at the bushy haired girl. "This is a war, Hermione. There aren't any heroes and villains, only combatants and casualties." Hermione cried in front of her. "Your parents didn't die for you to become a monster. They wanted you to mean something. Something good." Hazel scoffed as she bent over and plucked some blond hairs from the dead man. "If they wanted me to have a good life, they should have raised me themselves. Them being dead means sh*t to me. Now let's get going. Gringotts ain't robbing itself." Hazel would spend the cart-ride going down the Gringotts vaults thinking about Teddy. He would end up like her if he was left alone. There was no way Andromeda could manage after losing her entire family in less than two months. She cursed under her breath as the Polyjuice Potion was neutralized by the bloody security system. She had planned to die when she faced Voldemort again. Now she had to somehow live for Teddy. He deserved better than the life she herself lived. He deserved to be happy. Staring down an albino dragon, Hazel swore he would have a happy life. She'd make sure of it.

-∞-

OW June 2007

Hazel breathed deeply as she got pulled out of the memory and went to wash her face in the fountain. Was it 8 or 9 years since that day? She wasn't sure and a part of her didn't care beside the fact she had just celebrated Teddy's 9th birthday. In two years he should have expected to receive his Hogwarts letter and then she would be going crazy trying to figure out what to do. She couldn't teach there after the mess of corpses she left behind, both before and after the end of the war. Funny, how Shacklebolt promised things would be better once the Ministry was back in order. Those Hit Wizards and Aurors that came after her certainly didn't feel welcoming. She had killed most of Voldemort's Inner Circle, including the maniac himself, and a metric ton of his foot soldiers but apparently that wasn't good enough. None of the racist pigs would harm another soul and muggleborns could live without fear for the rest of their lives, but she was somehow a threat to the safety of the same people she saved. The moment the bastard tried to pry custody of Teddy from her hands as soon as Andromeda died was the last straw. She stopped caring about the people sent after her then. Auror or Neo Death Eater, those things stopped meaning anything different. The moment they tried to kill her or take Teddy from her, they were all the same; dead.

At least the Minister got his priorities right when the Grindelwald fanatics blew up the G8 summit meeting in London. There was no hiding magic from the live performance broadcasted to every corner of the world as the eight most powerful leaders got sliced, burned and just exploded before a video camera. The masses went ballistic as did the governments of the world, everyone throwing blame everywhere. Good thing she had long taken her son away from the urban centers as there was no chance they would have avoided drawing attention to themselves. In the years since the Battle of Hogwarts, she had a lot of trouble not making a spectacle out of every fight she was in. When Teddy was safely home, she could actually manage being stealthy, hence her exceptional record of unconfirmed deaths as a killer for hire. The war had taught her how to kill, so why not make a living from it. She made sure her targets were exactly the right kind of people too; racists, rapists, misogynists and terrorists. Sure, some of them were parents, siblings and children of others, but she didn't care. They were raised that way or they became that way. She never had trouble sleeping from those kills and she could look at her son in the eye and not feel any shame.

No, the world really went to sh*t when the first nukes were launched. Mutually Assured Destruction was a great deterrent until the first shot was fired. After that, there was no stopping it. Britain had taken a direct hit in London but at least she and Teddy were far enough away not to suffer any immediate effects. Things got bad, though, when the clouds set in. Winter came and refused to leave. The wildlife started dying as April turned to May with no end to the snowstorms. Hazel had to go out hunting for miles and miles, using every hunting trick she learned while out avoiding Death Eaters and Snatchers. She did what she could to clean and preserve every scrap of meat, every bit of fat. Thank goodness for stasis spells. Thank goodness her own magic didn't fail either. She didn't understand it at first when Teddy told her he couldn't shift anymore. She gave him her old Holy and Phoenix Feather Wand and he couldn't perform any magic with it. He could with the Elder Wand, even if it complained from being wielded by him. She had no idea how but Magic was apparently dying, leaving her as the only person left to wield it freely. She spent most of the time using it to safeguard Teddy from the cold and to keep his food preserved. At least her sh*tty childhood at the Dursleys' made her used to living on an empty stomach.

Magic dying did have one benefit. Places that had once been warded or hidden away by magic began to appear in the world again. Or maybe it was just Britain. Hard to tell when she refused to cross the English Channel. Britain took one direct hit, but all of Europe took several. No way she was crossing over into that radioactive cesspool. The best thing to come of the fading magic was the current place she had brought her son to. Her Druidic texts called it the Isle of the Blessed, the inspiration for a version of Avalon. This was a place were the High Priests and Priestesses of the Old Religion gathered, taught their apprentices and held rituals. The death of the Old Religion soon after the demise of Camelot caused it to be lost to time, until just a few days ago. She had found some fish still alive in the ponds and had pulled them out of the water. Teddy had eaten well for the first time in a year. The little ball of sunshine had even asked her to eat from the food. She did, only because she had seen what she had really been looking for in the area. It was in far better shape than the one in the Department of Mysteries in 1996, that's for sure. She did notice some trace of goblins in the area though, which bothered her.

Hazel had never gotten in the good graces of the Goblins after the break in at Gringotts. They had seized her Galleons and sealed her Vaults, after they threatened to kill her if she ever walked through the doors of Gringotts again. The fact she eventually walked right into the Bank, bypassed all their shiny new security and retrieved everything that they couldn't take from her Peverell and Potter Vaults, plus the money Andromeda had left for her and Teddy in her Will that she never did get withdrawn, had made them so angry that they sent Gringotts Retrieval Teams after her. She had no idea what exactly had changed but her Invisibility Cloak had gotten much better at avoiding detection since last she sneaked into Gringotts. She would freely admit that the Retrieval Teams were better than the Aurors and the Hit Wizards and had actually managed to take her down for all of a minute. The Bank got a box full of Goblin heads and a less than friendly worded letter soon after for the trouble they gave her. She still never did walk back into a Gringotts Bank freely, but the greedy and arrogant little blighters didn't bother her again, not even with threatening letters. The books in the Peverell Vault had been the main target of her visit. She needed to know what the hell had happened to her since she ate an AK straight to the face. No such luck. She did find a translation of Druidic Script and texts about a lot of interesting stuff, including the Isle of the Blessed and what it housed.

The Unspeakables and the Ministry called it the Veil but the Druids called it an Archway. It was supposed to be a means of instant travel between two points with synchronized Archways, but leaving it without a destination was an effective way of getting people killed. They got their gruesome reputation from that, especially as the High Priests and Priestesses who maintained and operated them died out. The one in the Ministry took a nuke, so that one was never in Hazel's consideration. This one though would hopefully give her what she wanted. She ran her hands through her now long white hair and pulled it back into a ponytail before tying it. She got to work making Teddy what breakfast she could, including some salted pork and a few vegetables she found on the Isle before storing the meal under stasis. She quickly bit her way through her own supply of pork and some leaks as she reached the Archway. The Druidic Script was much more intact on this one, which she was thankful for. What she was about to do wasn't part of the designer's thoughts or ideas but she had no choice. If she did nothing, Teddy would die in this forsaken world, just like everyone else. When Dora had practically demanded she be Teddy's Godmother, despite Remus' objections, she knew what it meant. Teddy would be her responsibility if something happened to them. Her responsibility now included breaking a few laws of Magic. No pressure. Hazel took a deep breath as she sliced her index finger. Time to get to work.

-∞-

Teddy felt something tickle his nose before he brushed it away. The sensation came back and he opened his eyes. A butterfly was staring at him from the tip of his nose, its wings beating softly. "Hello." The bug took flight and hovered in front of him as he lifted his feet over the edge of the sleeping cot his mother had made for him last night. He yawned as he scratched his side, his black hair getting a bit in his eyes until he brushed his hair back. He missed being able to shapeshift and take care of his hair, though he could still do it when his mom gave him a bit of her magic. She always looked tired afterwards so he only asked for it twice, the second time taking the appearance he wanted to keep. As far as he was concerned, this was the way he wanted to look for the rest of his life. Grandma Andi had shown her pictures of Mama Dora and Mom when they were younger. He loved that his mom had once had jet black hair, even if it had gone mostly white now, with a few odd jagged streaks of black crossing it. She couldn't change her hair to black anymore, at least not her original shade. So he changed his to match. She was his mom after all.

Stepping out of his sleeping tent, he moved to the bigger one where his mom kept the bigger supplies and equipment she carried with her. There was a pan drying next to the bowl of water she used for dishwashing and he spotted a familiar looking box on the kitchen table. His mom had gotten him an old aluminium lunch box and she used it in the mornings for his breakfast. It had once sported some weird cartoon drawing on it before she just made it into a Hufflepuff themed box, emblem and all. He knew his mom had been a Gryffindor even if she said she never quite liked the Hogwarts House, but her Mama had been a Hufflepuff. Grandma Andi and Mom both were sure he would be a Hufflepuff one day so Mom made him the lunchbox and changed a lot of his clothes to match. He honestly loved it. It made him feel closer to Mama. He was also sure the Sorting Hat would place his Mom in Hufflepuff now too. Sure, she wasn't loyal to just anyone, even he could see that, with the way Grandma Andi shook her head every time something went bad. But she was a hard worker. She always had food on the table and she always made sure he was safe and loved.

Opening the box, Teddy took the utensils and started eating, enjoying the meal that his mom had made. Grandma Andi had always complained when Mom cooked, but never about the taste. It always tasted good. Mom used to cook a lot and to be fair he knew he ate a lot too. Metamorphmagi apparently had a high metabolism. Mom said it meant we went through food faster. It was weird because mom never ate a lot, though she did eat more when things were ok. Teddy had to practically beg her to eat since things went cold. He used to like the snow, he still liked running in it when he was in his wolf form and making snowmen with Mom and Grandma Andi, but the current snow took magic and food away. He wondered if he'd ever like the snow again. At least this place Mom found felt like spring, though he could see the edges starting to be covered in snow. He could even feel some magic in the air. Soon he was done eating his breakfast, the biggest he had for a while, and he stepped outside. Mom called the place the Isle of the Blessed and it certainly felt like a blessing. His thoughts stopped when he smelled a familiar scent.

"Mom!" The moment he found her she looked at him with concern. "You ok?" Teddy blinked at her. "I'm not the one bleeding, Mom!" Hazel looked sheepish. "Sorry, I forgot how good your nose is. I know you hate it but I need to do this, son. Please?" Teddy felt torn. He hated seeing his Mom hurt, especially when she hurts herself. She hadn't done it in years. "You aren't doing it to hurt yourself?" Hazel went to him and pulled him up into a hug. "No Teddy, this isn't me breaking my promise and hurting myself. You remember what I told you about some of the old magics?" Teddy thought back. "They didn't use wands, you had to make a prayer at times and sometimes you needed to draw something in blood?" Hazel nodded at him. "Exactly. What I am doing is old magic that needs blood to work. I know you hate it when I am hurt but we need this Ted. If I do this, we could say goodbye to the bad winter and maybe see some people again." Teddy hugged her hard. "Mom doesn't like people." Hazel laughed, which warmed her son's heart. He loved hearing her laugh. "True, but you like people and where we are going they won't have a reason to not like me. I hope."

Teddy settled down and was placed on the ground. Hazel kneeled down to be at his level. He liked her green eyes, though she said his purple eyes were better. They were Mama's real eyes. "So, what do you want to do?" Teddy frowned. "Can I watch you work?" He could see that his question had surprised and worried his mother. "Promise me you won't use or study this magic until you are at least 17. Please?" Teddy nodded and Hazel ruffled his hair. He sat back and watched his mom essentially doing a lot of finger painting, only the paint was her blood and he could feel the magic building in the air. He had read some of her Mom's books from her family's vaults but he had trouble understanding what all the symbols meant. It was oddly relaxing. Mom only ever allowed him to watch her work when she was at home, mostly in the kitchen. Mom loved to cook. He hoped he could see her smile again over the stove or when she pulled out a meatloaf from the oven again. He thought about Grandma Andi. She had been gone for a few years. He really missed her and he knew mom missed her too. The two were very close. Grandma said she had even wished Mama and Mom had been the ones who got married.

The man he knew was his birth father wasn't someone Teddy knew or really cared about. Grandma Andi complained a lot about him, about how he made Mama cry and how he ran off when Mama had been pregnant with him. He found it funny that Mom had actually personally dropped off his deadbeat dad on Grandma's front door after he ran away. That Remus Lupin didn't like Mom was something he picked up early on. When he asked Mom, she told him that she and his former dad never really got along. He had taught her magic once to keep scary Dementors away but he never came to visit her or care for her even though he was supposed to be like an uncle to her. Her Godmother had been there for her and his Mom had been hurt when she was killed. She killed the bastard who had killed her only family and after that Remus had turned cold to her, like the rest of the Order. Mom and Grandma never had good things to say about the Order either. They did their part to beat the bad guy and Mom finished him, but then they went bad and tried to take him from Mom. When Mom said she could Blood Adopt him by replacing Remus, he had jumped with joy. Mom became his real mom after that. No matter what happened, he knew his Mom loved him. He would never doubt that.

-∞-

Hazel stored everything she brought with her back into her bag and casted the spells to make it easier to carry it all safely. The time had come. The Archway was one final symbol away from activating. After that, she hoped to say goodbye to this wretched world. She had everything that ever mattered with her, his hand gripping hers tightly. She kneeled down to look him in the eyes. "Ok Teddy, I want you to hold onto the Hallows for me. I know they don't like you except the Cloak, but you need to hold onto them tight. They will keep you safe, whatever happens. Got it?" Teddy nodded and took the wand and stone into his hands as Hazel wrapped him in the Cloak. She always knew where Teddy was, even with the Cloak on him. She took a deep breath and walked towards the Archway, slicing her finger open. She drew the last piece of Druidic Script and watched the Archway light up, until it became filled with an undulating wave of energy. Hazel sealed her wound and placed her hands onto the stone. She closed her eyes and focused her mind.

She could feel the Archway groaning under the force she placed on it but she refused to let that bother her. She had a goal in mind and it meant everything to her. She'd use all the magic in the world for it if she could. Feeling the magic strain under her will she envisioned her target. The Archway seemed to stutter and groan. It kept saying the target wasn't there. Hazel didn't care. She forced it to keep looking, to find it, no matter what. She felt her arms starting to burn as her heart began to beat harder and harder in her chest. The Archway demanded her to stop, but she refused. She wouldn't stop. Eventually she felt the Archway giveaway, as if all the weight it pressed against her just vanished. She breathed deeply as sweat covered her face. She eyed the Archway and grinned. It had worked. There, where the stone Archway usually showed nothing but an undulating curtain of magic, was a clear image of the Death Chamber she remembered. A Death Chamber that had been destroyed by the nuke that took out London. The image meant she got her wish.

Hazel called Teddy to her. "Ok Teddy. I am going to take you in my arms and we are going to cross the Archway. Keep the Cloak completely over you and the wand and stone in your hands. I promise, whatever happens, you will be safe." Teddy hugged her. "I love you Mom." Hazel felt tears in her eyes. She didn't know she could still cry. "I love you too, my son. Hold on tight." Hazel lifted him up into her arms and took one last look around. She would be eternally thankful to the Isle of the Blessed. This one last bastion of Magic had given her what she needed to save her son. In thanks she and Teddy preserved some of the flower plants fully to bring them wherever they went. It was better than leaving the plants to wither and die in the encroaching snow. If she somehow made it through alive, she'd try and visit the Isle again wherever they were. The place deserved to be cared for. She eyed the cloud covered sky and the darkness beyond the wardline. The world she had been borned into felt cursed from the moment she could remember living in the cupboard under the stairs. She remembered the beatings and the nights she felt hunger pangs. She remembered the promise of magic that left her hoping for a better world, one she only found in two people. She hoped the next world had something better to offer. This one would have nothing left once they were gone. She focused all of her magic onto Teddy. No matter what, he would be safe. She walked into the Archway and felt the magic sweep over her, leaving behind a cold and barren world.

-∞-

NW ---- ----

Pain. If there was one thing Hazel was intimately familiar with, it was pain. She knew the pain of broken bones and torn muscles. She knew the pain of a hot summer's day on her back and the prick of thorns on her fingers. She could say she knew what the pain of the highly corrosive Basilisk venom felt like in her veins as phoenix tears pulled her back together at the same time. She became quite familiar with pain under the Cruciatus Curse wielded by the biggest sad*st in the world. She knew the gut wrenching pain of watching her Godmother be taken away from her just before her eyes. When she went to Voldemort in the Forbidden Forest, she had been torn between letting herself die or living for Teddy. She chose her Godson and fought back with all her strength, tearing into Voldemort's forces before he managed to strike her with a Killing Curse. The one time she chose life, she had died. Only for her to then experience a pain unlike any other. There had been no spirits or Ancestors to welcome her, no pearly white gates or unholy infernos. Not even the calm of an empty black void. No, only a pain that seemed to tear through her entire soul.

She had been just as surprised as everyone when she woke up behind Voldemort, held in Hagrid's arms, as he gloated about having bested a 17 year old girl in combat to the entire school. She didn't know what surprised everyone the most, the fact that she was alive or that she casted the Killing Curse straight at Voldemort's back, ending the bastard once and for all. Her life began to change after that day. Her pulse had slowed down, hunger had been less frequent and her hair started to go white. The pain she felt after Voldemort's Killing Curse became a familiar one soon after. Aurors, Hit Wizards, Neo Death Eaters and the Goblin Retrieval Teams. Hell, even a lorry took her out one time. That last one had made her feel quite ashamed of herself and it had nothing to do about her waking up naked in a morgue with a toetag listing her as an unknown female. So it came as no surprise as she felt that familiar pain assail her again even as she kept her magic on Teddy. She did have to admit, this was the first time she blacked out from the pain. She briefly wondered if it meant anything.

"Mom. Mom!" Teddy kept pushing into his Mom's side. Whatever his Mom had done, it had worked. They were through the Archway at the place his mom had chosen. He had felt his mom's magic wrap around him in a cocoon, the Wand and Stone reacting to it happily even as he began to feel cold. The next thing he knew was that he fell onto his side, his mom beside him, both of them safely across the Archway. He did what Mom taught him and checked for her magic and pulse. Teddy sighed in relief when he felt it before he remembered. Mom said the place had people in it. Mom hated people. If the people showed up before Mom was fully awake, bad things would happen. "Please Mom, Wake up!" He saw his Mom's eye open and he stared. He knew that empty gaze. It was the one she had when bad things happened. He stared back at her until the eye began to soften and a smile grew on her face. "Hi Teddy." Teddy teared up. "Hi Mom. We are through." Hazel felt every bone in her bone pop and snap into place as she stood up. She eyed him carefully and really smiled. She conjured a mirror and held it up for Teddy to see. "Looks like you're back to normal."

Teddy blinked as he saw his hair and eyes shifting color before he closed his eyes and focused. He was back to his usual black hair and purple eyes as Hazel vanished the mirror before looking around. She stilled. "Cloak on, Ted." Teddy pulled the Cloak over his head quickly and stood behind his Mom as loud voices were heard echoing in the room. A bunch of grey cloaked figures came up, their wands drawn and aimed at Hazel, who eyed them carefully. She felt a small hand pull her by the belt. "Mom, please don't hurt them." Hazel sighed, reigning in her magic. Teddy had a point. They were here for a fresh start. Exterminating a bunch of Unspeakables wouldn't do her any good. Not that it wouldn't be too hard to consider. One of the Unspeakables came up and pointed her wand at Hazel's face after all. "How did you get in here? Make sure you say the truth or things will get nasty." Hazel eyed the woman. She was pretty sure anything she could do, Voldemort had already tried. He didn't find the link between their minds and not do anything about it. The man was an opportunist after all. Still… "I walked." The Unspeakable was probably glaring at her, though the face covering made it hard to see for sure. "One more remark like that and we will see who has the last laugh."

Hazel was seriously considering asking Teddy if she could at least wipe the floor with this one. Her near death had the expected result of recharging her magic, so she was good to go. A different voice interrupted her thoughts. "Michelle! I pay you and the rest to use your heads. If that woman literally walked out of the Veil, what makes you think you can take her on your own? Where the hell is that brain I hired three years ago?" A man in a grey cloak wound his way through the other Unspeakables before standing in front of Hazel. Unlike the others, his face was visible. He was also familiar. "Saul Croaker. Still keeping eggheads in line?" The gray haired man eyed her carefully as he came upon her. "I am afraid I don't remember having the pleasure of meeting you before. What's your name?" Seeing no point in lying, Hazel went with the truth. "Hazel Potter." The woman next to her scoffed. "Please. The Potters are all dead except for Harry Potter. Everyone knows that. Try again." Hazel sighed before banishing the woman wandlessly and eying Croaker. "What month and year is it?" Croaker frowned. "June 1991. Are you a time traveler?" Hazel ran her hand through her hair. "Since I don't remember ever being a boy or going by Harry, I'd say more like Dimension Traveler. You got a place to chat without wands being pointed at my face?" Croaker eyed her carefully before nodding and motioning her to follow. "Right this way."

-∞-

"Nymphadora Tonks?" Dora sighed as she turned around to look at the man who called her name. She really needed to bother her Mom about picking a name like that for a daughter again. The amount of sexual innuendos and corny pick up lines aimed her way since Hogwarts had only gone up with every year. She hoped the Auror Academy would be better but knowing who else would be here, she highly doubted it. She eyed the man looking at her, surprised by seeing a grey cloak in the Auror Academy. Didn't Aurors wear red coats and Hit Wizards maroon? "Can I help you?" The man, his head covered partly by a cap, nodded. "You applied to the Auror Academy and are here to pursue a career in law enforcement, yes?" Nymphadora blinked at the man. "I assume that's the same for everyone here, sir." The man chuckled. "Indeed, but not everyone here is an Metamorphmagus." Dora focused her eyes on him as she slipped her wand out of her holster on her hidden side. The man grinned. "Not bad, but you telegraph your movements by your shoulders. Might want to practice that more."

Blushing at being caught, Nymphadora nodded. "Will do. Now what do you need with a Metamorphmagus? I literally just got here too." The man lowered his papers. "That you did. Your skill set would be quite well received in the Academy. You also got a note of recommendation from one Alastor Moody, who was at Hogwarts as a guest lecturer and to test out some of the Auror hopefuls. While you may find good work in the DMLE, I am here to offer you a different career. Should it be too much for you, you would be more than welcome to reapply to the academy, with our own letter of recommendations." Dora eyed the man carefully, noticing his stiff posture. He had training too. "What sort of work would I see with you and is this private or government business." The man motioned her forward and the two walked along the edge of the Academy running track. "It's Ministry business, all above board. You'd see some guard duty, scouting, intelligence gathering, enemy engagement and a lot less paperwork for it all."

Dora chuckled at that. "Mad-Eye did complain about the paperwork." The man nodded his head. "Moody's flair and aggressive tendencies make for a lot of paperwork, that's for sure. We tried to recruit him too but he failed our … higher level of stealth requirements. We still had the pleasure of him under our payroll for a few years." Dora grew concerned. "If he couldn't pass it, then I ain't likely to either. I am a clutz most of the time." The man eyed her. "That may prove true, but we would still like to try. Other than the work, you'd get a higher wage, in house living quarters if you don't already have a secure living arrangement and our own Medical, Financial and Legal services. Due to our more clandestine operations, we tend to keep things in house." Dora could see the benefit in that. No paper trail, no exposed employees and no need for transport. She hadn't secured an apartment yet because she wasn't sure if they would take her in at the Academy. She had passed most of her classes but she wasn't sure if she could deal with the entry qualifications. This gig did sound a bit better, though she doubted she could make it. She'd give it a try, at least. "Sure, why not. Any papers I need to sign?"

The man pulled out a small slip of paper. "This is just a confirmation that you are willing to try out as a candidate. The full contract will be available at the location once you arrive. Please be there by 7:30 in the morning two days from now and make sure you have your whole day and night free for the next six weeks. If you are still on after that, then we will adjust a more fitting schedule. Don't be late." The man gave her the paper and Dora read it, finding a simple agreement to take part in the training. She signed it and returned it. "So, where do I go in the Ministry for this job interview and training?" The man grinned as he took the paper. "Basem*nt Level 9: Operations Division. See you there, Candidate Tonks." Dora watched him walk away as she stored her wand back in her holster. Level 9. What was it that her Dad told her about the Ministry Levels? Level 10 was where the Courtrooms were located and where he went to the most because of his work as a lawyer. He always complained about having to take the stairs from Level 9 and … the Department of Mysteries. Dora felt a slight shiver run down her spine. She had just been scouted by an Unspeakable. What the hell was she getting herself into?

Chapter 2: What's on the Other Side

Chapter Text

Hazel stared at Croaker as they stood just inside of an interrogation room. "No." The man ran his hand through his short graying brown hair. "Look, you have a minor attached to your leg. That means Child Services needs to ask him a few questions. They will be in the room next door, perfectly safe." Hazel growled. "I didn't just cross an Archway that likes killing as much as working as a portal just so your government lapdog gets to scare my son. He stays in the room with me." Croaker sighed. "We don't have a room with two interrogation desks or the space to add one." Hazel blinked at the man and pointed at the two walls with mirrors. "I know you aren't stupid enough to have two observation rooms on both sides. So, which side faces another interrogation room?" Croaker frowned. "The right, but-", Hazel didn't let him finish. She pointed her hand to the right wall and blasted it into dust before vanishing the traces of the wall. She eyed Croaker. "There, problem solved. Conjure a privacy screen if you want but not fully opaque. I am not letting my son out of my sight." Croaker stared at the demolished wall, trying to remember just what wards were on it. "Fine, take a seat." He watched the woman place her hand on the table and felt magic cover the area before she sat down.

Since there was no physical change he could see, Croaker figured it must have been a soft transfiguration, probably to disable any traps or triggers. "You aren't very trusting, are you?" Hazel stared at his eyes, those emerald orbs filled and shining with magic. "I was trained by Spies, Aurors and Vigilantes in the middle of a war before my own Ministry betrayed me. My trust ended with them. Besides, except for you since you're the Director, all your employees wear face covering. So hi Pot, my name is Kettle." Croaker chuckled. "Touché." The door behind him opened and a woman with a clipboard walked in, looking around. "New interrogation room?" Croaker pointed at Hazel with his thumb. "A concerned mother who refuses to leave her son out of sight. Considering he was wrapped in an Invisibility Cloak and she just blasted my wall away, please be respectful. You have the clearance to be here, but I'd rather not explain why one of the Child Services workers vanished in my Department. I am already dealing with a few missing lawyers as is." The woman nodded and went to the other table. Teddy, who had been with Hazel the whole time looked at his mom. She kissed him on the head. "Go, but be careful. I'll be here, no matter what." Teddy nodded and went to the other table with the woman as Croaker conjured a privacy screen slowly.

Croaker sat down in front of Hazel. "You love him very much." Hazel eyed the man carefully. "I won't beat around the bush. I have killed for him. The only reason your greycloaks weren't dead on the floor was because he deserves a quiet happy life and you all might just be our ticket to getting it. That changes and I won't hesitate to have the entire Ministry drop on your heads. The Courtrooms alone deserve to be wrecked for all the sh*t your Minister lets the Purebloods get away with after his pockets get a few hundred galleons in them." Croaker stared into her eyes. "Interesting. So Fudge is just as corrupt in your world. Any major things we should compare notes? Especially since you are clearly too old to be Harry Potter's age, so either you're a cousin that survived or you are a version of Mr. Potter, several years into the future." Hazel leaned back. "We left sometime around June of 2007. Hard to keep track of time when we only catch a few glimpses of the sun through the thick clouds. I do know it's been about two years of our time that the nukes dropped, and two years prior said bomb drops some morons spouting lines from Gellert Grindelwald appeared on camera and outed magic to the world, killing the 8 most powerful leaders in the process."

Hazel could almost see the gears turning in Croaker's head as he wrote all that down. "We may need to get in touch with other Unspeakables and the ICW. If the events that took place in your world are likely to be repeated here, we need to head them off. Anything else with the lives of countless people on the line you remember?" Hazel waved her hand. "What's your Dumbledore's opinion on Lord Voldemort? Assuming they both exist here, of course." Croaker thought for a second. "That he was defeated on Halloween of 81 but may yet return." Hazel cursed. "Great. My Dumbledore was a manipulative asshole who left thousands of magicals to die in his game of chess with Voldemort, especially the second time around. In my world, the man, formerly Tom Marvolo Riddle, made three Horcruxes to cheat death. What are the chances yours did too?" Croaker stared at Hazel, his quill frozen in place. "The fact you know what they are tells me you are telling the truth. If we had a proper Operations team, we might be able to handle this, but we don't. As for Dumbledore, he likes to keep his secrets. We technically have no idea where Mr. Potter is right now." Hazel hummed. "So, Director, any idea what kind of deal we can make that lets my son have a modicum of normality with me as his guardian or do I take my business elsewhere?"

Croaker sighed and leaned back into his seat. If the events of their two worlds were to play out similarly, the world would be in for a nuclear winter in less than 14 years, not to mention the collapse of the Statute of Secrecy in a worst case scenario. Those things can't be allowed to happen. The ICW could handle the issues early with enough forewarning and keep an eye on Grindelwald believers who might be planning to break the Statute of Secrecy. That still leaves Voldemort's return. He eyed the woman across from him, whose attention was glued on the privacy screen separating his side of the room and the other. This person survived Voldemort enough to know the bastard's greatest secret. Probably finished him off too, before getting the short end of the stick from a corrupt Ministry. She braved a dangerous device they didn't even know how to work to give her son a better life, away from a world of death and destruction. She had the raw potential and more of what they were looking for. He knew Operations would be holding another candidate examination in two days. Could she pass and become an Operative, one they desperately needed? "You clearly aren't lacking in raw magical power, just in everything else one needs in an organized society. If I offered you a job as a DoM Operative, would you take it? After training, of course." Hazel tapped her fingers on the table. "Moody once told me about that. He also mentioned our Operatives got betrayed, hence their decommissioning in 82." Croaker sighed. "We got betrayed too, but our Battlemaster survived. He's kept the Division going, but all we have is a couple of Curse Breakers, a Crafter and some Healers on staff. We need true Operatives to do the job. Are you interested?"

Hazel thought about it. Moody had failed his entrance test but bemoaned the end of the Operations Division, calling them the best combatants the Ministry had in its walls, especially as they were disinterested in following the corrupt and radicals of the Wizengamot. She eyed Croaker. "If I do, what can you do for me and my son? I brought what few identification papers we had but we simply don't exist in your world. My son needs a home, food and… an education." Her heart started beating wildly. Two years. In two years her son might get a chance to go to Hogwarts. Right when sh*t was going down in her own life. She slammed a fist into the table, startling Croaker. "If Harry Potter's life is in any way like mine, the next seven years of Hogwarts are going to be a nightmare. Aside from getting us situated and living comfortably, I need your help in safeguarding Hogwarts. I am not sending my son there unless I am sure we can keep him safe. One of the threats is a bloody Basilisk left there by Salazar Slytherin himself, that will be set loose with no one stopping it for almost a half an academic year!" Croaker paled. His great nephew Neville would be going to Hogwarts too. His sister Augusta would murder him if he did nothing to keep him safe. "Agreed. We will get you two settled, get you trained and get started on taking care of the stragglers of the last war. Any families you could claim as your own not being Potter? It could make securing funds and identities easier, without drawing attention to yourselves."

Families. Hazel blinked as she thought about her family tree. What little she knew of it. "My grandparents, on my father's side, were Fleamont Potter and Euphemia McKinnon. My parents were James Potter and Lily Evans. I know I have some Black far back in my ancestry, but I can't remember the name. I am also related to the Peverells." Croakers wrote the names down and thought out loud. "The Black estate is frozen while the Lord presumptive is in Azkaban, Harry's paternal grandmother was a Black not McKinnon, so the McKinnon family's wealth ended with them during the war, the Ministry claiming most of it. The Peverell family folded its Seat in the Wizengamot to the Potters, with the Potters taking everything minus a Vault the Peverell's placed into a Trust, keeping it intact for a potential Heir. The family name is practically worthless politically right now but it can give you a foothold in our world, if you want it." Hazel turned to look towards Teddy, feeling his growing unease. "I won't be changing my name until my son says anything. He was proud of being a Potter. I won't take that away from him without asking him." Croaker nodded as he finished writing his notes. "Very well. For now, our Department's Legal and Financial Divisions will make the inquiries to see what we can claim of the Peverell Trust."

-∞-

Teddy squirmed in his seat. He hadn't been separated from his Mom in front of people for years. It felt weird. He eyed the woman in front of him carefully. The woman with brown hair with traces of grey smiled at him. "No need to be afraid. My name's Emmeline Vance with the Ministry's Child Services. I just need to ask you a couple of questions." Teddy frowned and pulled his seat back a little. He remembered that name from a photo Mom carried. "You're with the Order. Mom might not like you talking to me." Vance blinked at the kid. How did he know? "Your mother was in the Order of the Phoenix?" Teddy shook his head. "She was too young when bad things started happening. When she was older, the Order didn't like her and treated her badly. Especially when Mama died. She was in the Order and they couldn't keep her alive. Mom doesn't like the Order because of all that we both lost because of it." Emma sighed. She couldn't exactly try and explain the good the Order did for the country, as the child probably wouldn't care or understand. All he knew was that he lost a parent to it. "I can tell you my oaths wont let me talk about you to anyone, Order or not. I am just here to make sure you are in good hands." Teddy glared at the woman. "Mom has the best hands. She's been with me since I was in nappies."

Emma wrote that down. "She has made sure you had food? A home? Education?" Teddy started feeling insulted. "Mom did all that. This last year was bad because the snow didn't leave since the year prior but she always came back with food. I had to get her to eat because she always gave more food to me." Emma was concerned about that. "That's not always a good thing. Your mother has to take care of herself if she is to care for you." Teddy nodded. "Grandma asked me to care for her, but Mom can tell when she makes a mistake. If not I tell her and she stops it. Mom listens to me." Emma looked at the kid. He was clearly more mature than a typical 9 year old, especially if he was forced to have some responsibility. "What about schooling?" Teddy made a face. "Grandma couldn't send me to primary because of me being a Metamorphomagus. Grandma and Mom home schooled me. When Grandma passed, Mom kept at it. She kept a lot of books and made sure I read and understood them. Had me do quizzes when we were bored. She even teached me some magic, but we had to stop because of the bad snow." Emma tapped her Quill. "Your mom can get in trouble for that, teaching you magic before going to school."

Teddy blinked at her. "Mom says rich people teach their kids magic before school all the time, despite the law. The law was made for muggleborns to keep them from breaking the Statute of Secrecy accidentally, but the law was written the way it is to make it seem more fair. Doesn't mean those who live in Magical houses don't break it all the time and the Ministry never enforces it." Huh. The kid clearly knew about the important rules, but also about how people broke them all the time. "What about your Mom's rules? Do you break those?" Teddy shook his head. "Mom's rules are simple and she explains them to me so I know why she asks it of me. I need to eat well so my body doesn't hurt later. I need to exercise so it takes longer for me to get tired and I burn bad stuff from food. I sleep early because I need my rest for the next day. I need to bathe because then I am not smelly and don't get sick. There are a few more, but it's more what to do and not do when bad things happen." Emma took a few longer notes. At least the woman clearly looked after the kid. Still, his earlier comment about her not eating enough bothered her.

"Does your mother do other stuff she isn't supposed to do?" Teddy thought for a second. "Can't say. Mom might get mad. She stops doing them when I catch her. When I ask her for a promise to not do it again, she keeps it." Emma didn't like the sound of that. "Like what? What does your mother do?" Teddy shook his head. "No, Mom promised. She keeps her promises. Those things don't matter anymore." Emma tried to get the boy to see reason. "Kid, if your Mom is dangerous to herself or to others, I need to know." Teddy pulled back from the table and stood up. "Mom isn't dangerous if people just leave us alone. She only hunted animals for two years without hurting anyone else because they were all gone. I'm safe with Mom." Emma placed her papers down and stood up. "Look. Things aren't that simple. If-", Emma stopped talking as she saw the walls warping around her. She eyed the kid but despite being distressed, it didn't seem to be coming from him. He noticed the walls too and ran to the other side of the barrier. The magic instantly settled, the walls returning to their normal state.

"I think that will be all, Ms. Vance." Croaker came to her side and Emma glared at him. "My evaluation isn't complete. The boy seems well adjusted but I am concerned about the parent being a danger to herself and others. That isn't the best place for a kid to be raised. At best, the mother will need to see a Mind Healer for several issues. At worst, Oblivi-" Croaker pulled her to the side as an object flew past them both, embedding itself on the wall with great force. They both turned to look at a black bladed knife embedded into the wall. A growl echoed in the room. "Croaker, any use of Mind Magics on myself or my son will be an instant breach of contract and as far as I am concerned a declaration of war. UNDERSTOOD!?" The sheer density of magic in the air had Croaker and Emma breathing a little harder. Croaker shook it off. "Agreed. No Mind Magics. Miss Vance, while I value your insight, we do have a unique situation here with this pair, a relationship that didn't form in the typical fashion under unusual circ*mstances. I don't think it's fair to judge it by our standards completely. I will need you to finish your report and reapply the oath." Emmeline stared at Croaker before sighing. She sat down and finished her report before reapplying her oath in front of Croaker. She promptly left the interrogation room.

Croaker walked back towards the table with Hazel and Teddy and saw the two in quiet discussion, with both their hairs switching color as they talked. He sat down and waited for the pair to stop, with Teddy sitting down comfortably, his hair back to black. He eyed Hazel. "Interesting use of shapeshifting." Hazel shrugged, her own hair back to white. "Teddy's grandmother was a Healer with some Mind Arts training. She developed a relaxation exercise for her daughter and Teddy that required a lot of self awareness, especially of your own emotions. When my gifts manifested, she taught me and after that we taught Teddy. It helps keep the shapeshifting magical muscles active. Keeping a shape for too long is a bit of a problem for a typical Metamorphmagus." Croaker hummed. "Something else we need to discuss, as having Metamorphmagi discuss their talents is quite unusual. For now though, I can provide you one of our apartments so you can rest for the night. There is an elf attached to the independent wards of the place who will be under your command exclusively but is forbidden from carrying out certain tasks. A book with the restrictions and expectations of the tenants is available in the room proper. You may adjust the wards but not in a way that damages the other units."

Hazel kept a comfortable grip on her son as they walked through the Department until reaching a black wall that suddenly opened up, the section of the wall lifting upward, revealing a long hallway that reminded Hazel of a hotel. Croaker left them in the apartment they were assigned to as Teddy looked around excitedly. Hazel noted the windows on the walls, remembering what Mr. Weasley had once told her about having artificial views to help settle the minds of the workers. The view showed the old districts of London at night time. She reached the wardstone and placed her hand on it, tying the wards to her directly with a drop of blood. A loud pop echoed in the room and Hazel looked over at the little creature that appeared. Unwanted memories appeared in her mind and she buried them quickly. She would miss her friends but they both chose to act in defence of her. That was all that mattered. It was their choice. She would honor them now and hoped their counterparts would have a kinder fate. The young elf looked at her with big silver eyes. "Welcome Mistress. I am Leafsby. Leafsby the house elf. What can Leafsby do for the new mistress?" Hazel made sure she had a good grip on the wards, feeling how they interacted with the elf. "I want to hear every order you are currently under and what restrictions bind you. Be precise in the wording. I had two elves before who knew how to skirt the orders of unwanted masters. I will endeavour to be a good mistress but my son's life supersedes all other concerns. I need to know I can trust you."

Leafsby wasn't really burdened by any great standing orders, just to help keep the Department clean if not under any other orders and not to act against any of the other elves or tenants in any way possible, even by inaction. Director Croaker had one order to report any harm to the tenants to both himself and the Medical Wing. No orders to observe, document or spy and no orders to control or intervene with their food intake. "Leafsby, my standing orders are that Teddy's life is your first priority. If he is in danger, you are to pull him out of it and then inform me. If you cannot pull him out, inform me immediately. If anything unusual happens you are to inform me to verify whether it's of concern. Any attempts by anyone, including Teddy, to give you orders must be taken as a request and verified by me first before implementing them. You are forbidden from concealing or taking no action that may cause any danger to me or my son. Understood?" The young female elf nodded. "Strong Mistress cares for her child. Leafsby will protect the child and Mistress. Can the Mistress ease her grip on the wards?" Hazel nodded and released the wards, having overcharged them. She would have to look at some books on warding as she was more adept at charm wards, not necessarily runebased wards. Well, she knew how to bypass those too in the right conditions.

Hazel smiled as Teddy called for a change of clothes from the bathroom. After letting Leafsby clean most of the clothes from everything conceivable, including any radioactive traces, she gave her son his clothes and waited for him to finish before she walked into the bathroom and stripped down. "You can ask Leafsby any questions, just be careful with requests. Ok, Teddy?" A happy "Kay!" was her response as she got under the shower and turned it on. Washing her body thoroughly, Hazel remembered to ask about getting some in depth physicals tomorrow. She wanted to be sure that she and Teddy weren't carrying anything dangerous. She sat down on a shower bench and scrubbed her legs and feet clean. She was always having issues with the fact that there weren't any scars on her. She had never worn shorts as a teen, nor any kind of revealing clothing. Her so called friends had called her a prude while the purebloods had been supportive to a degree. She hadn't been doing it out of modesty, she just didn't want to show anyone her scars. When she first saw the communal showers in first year she had been terrified to take her clothes off. She eventually found an abandoned prefect bathroom on the second floor and bathed there alone. Well, as alone as she could be in a school with ghosts.

-∞-

OW September 1991

"Oh, hello. Not many students come here." Hazel panicked when she heard a voice behind her. She slipped and fell onto her back. "Oww." She blinked a little before a translucent face appeared above her. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you." Hazel could feel her back being bruised and a bump forming on her head. "I didn't know you'd be here, so I guess we can call it fair." She sat up and pulled her partly lifted shirt down. She noticed the ghost eyeing her oddly. "Is there something wrong?" The ghost shook her head. "Well. You aren't making fun of me." Hazel looked at her. The ghost looked like any other teen at the school. "Why would I make fun of you?" The spectral girl floated around her. "Because I'm Moaning Myrtle." Hazel knew the girl had just lied to her. She knew the type of names bullies made for people. "That's not your name." The ghost shrugged. "Not really, but everyone calls me by that name." Hazel stood up and dusted her leggings. "Can I hear your real name?" The ghost looked at her with surprise. "Myrtle Warren."

Hazel smiled at her. "A pleasure to meet you. I'm Hazel Potter." The girl flew around her. "You don't look like what the students described. No glasses on your face. Not even a scar on your head." Hazel blinked at the ghost, feeling uncomfortable being so close to her. "I think I had a scar as a baby but it healed over. As for glasses, I never wore them, so I have no idea where that came from. Can I ask why you're in this bathroom?" Myrtle laughed. "Because I died here, silly." Hazel looked around. "Oh, sorry about that." Myrtle got really close to her face, causing her to scoot back. "The real question is why are you here. First year students aren't Prefects." Hazel started shaking. "I just wanted a private place to bathe. The Gryffindor showers are too busy all the time and no one seemed to ever come here." The ghost floated about. "I guess that makes sense. The Prefects don't come here because of me and some legends about other students going missing here. Well, what are you waiting for? Hop in." Hazel shook her head. "You are here!" Myrtle chuckled. "Yes, but I am a ghost. I don't count." Hazel shook her head and moved towards her towels. This had been a bad idea. "I'll just go."

Myrtle looked at the girl as she picked up her towel and bag. "You know, you're not the only one who came from a bad household." Hazel froze. The ghost moved closer to her. "My mom was ok, but my step dad hated me. He never got to beat me, but only because mom made him worried about what his family would say if word got out. I hear that it's better now, with the Ministry helping those in need. You could ask for help." Hazel couldn't help it. She laughed, she laughed and fell onto her rear as her laugh turned to tears. "I tried! I tried over and over again. No one in the muggle world believed me. Even when I showed them the scars and they swore they would do something, they never did. They always forgot. Some even said I did them to myself. When Hagrid showed me to Diagon, I asked who to see about bad people. The Aurors said they'd do something, but it never happened. They all said I was a troublemaker, that I harmed myself for attention! Even McGonagall and Dumbledore don't believe me!"

Hazel cried into her towel as Myrtle hovered beside her, unable to do anything. "I can show you how to reset the password. Then this place would be yours privately. I promise, I will go to the other bathrooms while you are here." Hazel descended into hiccups as she settled down and followed Myrtle to where she could reset the password to her own choice. She used the word "Sanctuary". Hazel looked at the ghost. "Thank you Myrtle. Thank you for believing in me." Myrtle nodded and vanished into one of the toilets. Alone and emotionally drained, Hazel took off her clothes, revealing a mess of scars across her back. She slipped into the massive bathtub and started to scrub her body, trying to avoid the raw marks on her upper back. From that night on, sanctuary became her private place, away from the school that had promised her so much only to prove to be just as disappointing as her life back in Surrey, as well as a place to talk with her new friend. As she dried herself, she yelped as the towel scrapped the now open wounds. She hoped Quirrell was able to teach her how to defend herself soon. She needed to stop feeling so vulnerable.

-∞-

NW June 1991

Drying her now unscarred back with a towel, Hazel looked at her reflection in the mirror. She could feel echoes of her past screaming in her head. Grinding her teeth she focused on the now. This wasn't her sh*tshow of a world, this one was still alive. She was strong enough to not be vulnerable and she could protect Teddy. Her son needed her to be strong and whole. He had a chance at a real life now, to go to school and make friends. To learn magic properly. To… a thought intruded into her mind. The Tonks family was alive. All of them. Ted, Andromeda and Nymphadora. They were alive, or at least she hoped they were alive here. Hazel would have to check on them and see what they were like. Maybe Teddy could have more than just a chance. He could have a real life with his grandparents and mother in the mix. Of course, they probably wouldn't be the same people but they could be close enough. She had so much to look up and ask Croaker about. Hazel eyed herself in the mirror again, feeling her focus returning and her body growing steady. She breathed a deep sigh of relief and pulled on her sports underwear and really long pajama shirt.

She smiled when she found Teddy talking to Leafsby, asking about how the elves lived when not following orders and what it meant to them to find a steady family. He saw her and smiled. "Hi Mom." Hazel nodded at Leafsby who popped away as she sat down next to Teddy. "I have some things I need to ask you, Teddy. Please be honest with me." Teddy nodded and snuggled up against her. Hazel conjured a brush and tried to straighten out his hair. "Croaker has offered me a job and in exchange we get to live here and later elsewhere, with all the nasty paperwork adults like to make for themselves all straightened out. One of the things we need to decide is if we are keeping our name. Harry Potter already has dibs on it and there aren't any other Potters to inherit. The McKinnon's don't have anything else to offer me here either. That leaves the Peverells. You read their old books from my bag. Do you think you'd be ok being Teddy Peverell?" Teddy thought for a second. " I wouldn't mind. I know names mean something but we are new here. I guess having a new last name feels right." Hazel chuckled and kept brushing his hair. "When did you get so wise?"

Teddy escaped her grasp and shifted into his wolf animagus form while his mom watched on. He could feel his body readjusting after going two years since shifting before he shifted back. "It feels stiff." Hazel nodded. "Since I am going to be getting some training, I will see if there are some exercises we can do together as Animagi. We need to get used to it all again. We also need a physical tomorrow." Teddy sat down on Hazel's feet and looked up at his amused mother. "Do we have to?" Hazel nodded and picked him up by his armpits. "Hey!" Hazel eyed the room she knew was Teddy's. "Do you want to sleep in your room tonight?" Teddy shook his head. "Can I sleep with you? It's been so long." Hazel sighed and headed to the master bedroom. "Fine, but you need to get used to sleeping on your own eventually. You might just get a letter in two years time." Teddy brightened up in her arms. "Yes! I can go to Hogwarts!" Hazel noticed a kid's blanket had been placed atop the bed as Teddy jumped off her arms. "Thank you, Leafsby." She could feel the elf through the wards grow happy at the gratitude as she pulled her sheets aside. Sleep came easy to her that night and she hoped it did so from now on.

-∞-

"Morning sleepyhead." Dora yawned as she sat down at the kitchen table. "Morning Dad. Morning Mom." She took the cup of coffee her mom had set out on the table and hummed in satisfaction when she drank it. Ted looked over the newspaper towards his wife who was bringing breakfast to the table. She sat down and prepared her utensils. Even after she had been cast out of the family, Andromeda refused to behave as anything less than a proper lady. She eyed her husband. "Any word from the Department of Education?" Ted sighed and shook his head. "Nothing yet. We know this is the year young Harry enters Hogwarts but so far everything has been quiet. We might not hear anything until his birthday on the 31st of July, if not the September 1st." Andromeda drank from her coffee as Dora eyed her parents. "Are you still trying to get custody of him?" Andromeda nodded. "He is Dorea's grandson. He has no other relatives on the Potter side and I swear I will burn Dumbledore's beard right off his face if he left him with Petunia Evans. Lily had made it quite clear she was not to get custody of her son." Dora shrugged. "The Headmaster could be trying to keep him out of Narcissa's hands. She is the next Black with legal right to him."

Dora winced at the angry look on his mother until Ted gripped his wife's hand. "Nymphadora has a point. You are the oldest but disowned Black still alive. Narcissa would be Child Services first choice, especially with the wealth she can throw around. He may just be safer away than being fought over in the courts." Andromeda sighed as she drank her coffee before looking at Dora. "Weren't you supposed to be at the Academy 10 minutes ago?" Dora bit into her Mom's French Toast and waited till after she swallowed to answer. "I got asked to try out for a special program tomorrow so I got today off. Was thinking of heading to the gym and getting a workout for today and then going to the Auror Academy's Spell Casting Training Room to get my aim in. I want to be ready for tomorrow." Andromeda frowned. Did her daughter get tapped as a Hit Wizard? That usually happens after graduating from the Academy. Then again, she is the only Metamorphmagus in the Academy. "Just remember to stay safe, Nymphadora. You know how I feel about you joining the Aurors. Things are starting to stir out there." Dora cleaned her chin with a napkin. "Then they need more Aurors out there. The more wands the better, especially in bad times. Besides, I will probably get assigned to Moody. Who better to be with, right?"

Andromeda shivered. "That man has seen too much of war, Nymphadora. The scars he carries aren't for show. Each one was one spell away from ending him. Please try and learn to dodge better. If I find you on my Hospital Ward casting Healing spells on you for anything more severe than childbirth I am going to be quite displeased." Dora thought about having a child and shuddered. "Way too early for kids, Mom." Andromeda scoffed. "Nonsense, I had you when I was still 17." Ted blushed as Dora looked embarrassed. "That certainly explains my name. No adult would think Nymphadora was a good idea as a kids name." Andromeda's eyes twitched as she stared at her daughter. "What was that?" Dora drank from her coffee. "Nothing." Ted gave Andromeda a pleading look and she sighed, dropping the subject for the thousandth time. Andromeda had just finished her own meal when a black and grey Owl flew into their kitchen with a letter attached to its leg. Andromeda took the letter and Ted passed the bird a bit of bacon as his wife opened it.

"Message from work?" Andromeda nodded to her husband as she read what little info her boss deemed safe to answer without violating privacy. "Two patients will be needing a full physical workup, a nutrition plan based on it and a slight oversight on their mental health. I am to be extra careful as they might have been exposed to high levels of radiation for a prolonged period of time, though they doubt it had any serious effect on them. They still want to be sure, though." Ted scrounged his nose. "Where did these people come from? Chernobyl?" Andromeda shook her head. "That's all my job could safely share with me right now. Anything else will be covered by the Healer oaths." Dora finished her coffee and took her dishes to the sink, rinsing them. "Well, have fun with your radioactive patients. I have a day full of exercises planned." She kissed her Dad and Mom on the cheek and headed for the front door. "Later!" Ted looked at Andromeda who wrote a short response and had the Owl take it back out the window. "Try and be safe dear. We can't get custody of anyone if you get sick." Andromeda stood up and kissed her husband warmly on the lips. "Will do. You keep an ear out. Dumbledore might have kept Harry safe, but that doesn't mean he means well by him. I might be disowned but I can't stop being a Black, even with your ring around my finger." Ted kissed her back before Andromeda headed for her workstation to pick up her Healer's Kit. She had a long day ahead of her.

Chapter 3: Taking a Walk

Chapter Text

"Don't run so fast in the hallways Teddy. People work here." Her son slowed down as he kept going from hallway to hallway, getting a feel for the building. Croaker eyed the boy carefully as Teddy checked a few gaps in the walls and even hid in a few for a second before moving forward into the hallway. "Survival awareness turned into a game?" Hazel sighed but nodded. "When it became just us surviving I had a hard time leaving him anywhere alone, even under heavy wards. I took him with me on a few simple supply runs and taught him how to be safe as a game. Best way for a kid to learn, especially one as hyperactive as Teddy, is via games. Keeps his mind occupied with the important stuff, even if it's viewed differently than what an adult would take it." Croaker hummed. "I don't have any kids myself, so I wouldn't know. My great nephew isn't the active type, unless he is in a greenhouse. To business then. Our Legal and Financial Divisions believe they have a good case in claiming the Peverell name and Trust for you and your son. It's not going to earn you the status of a Noble House outright, but you could buy a small house with it."

Hazel shook her head. "Maybe in a year or two. I have a lot to learn about runic warding and while I am good at severing a wizard's head cleanly off their shoulders, something tells me you want me to be more than just an Assassin for hire. Unless that's what you want, then I am good to go." Croaker looked at her from the corner of his eye. "As satisfying as having an Assassin on my payroll might be, I have more need for a well rounded Operative. Tomorrow the Operations Division will be having trials for candidates our Battlemaster has vetted and selected. I will be submitting you myself. Horatio doesn't like it when I involve myself in his business, so he is going to be after you on principle alone. Prove to him you can handle yourself and everything should be fine." Hazel nodded, eyeing the double doors with a sign over the top of them. They had reached the medical wing. "I know you don't usually take requests but I was wondering if you could run a few names for me. I am curious if they are alive and how close they are to the people we knew. You can start with-" Teddy's loud voice cut her off. "Grandma!" Teddy shot off and tackled the legs of a clearly surprised Andromeda as Hazel looked on. "-the Tonks family. Great."

Teddy stared up at Andromeda. "Grandma! It's me! Teddy!" Andromeda looked at the boy and gave him a sad smile. "Sorry young man, but the only person I know by that name is my husband." Teddy's mind froze as he remembered. He remembered Grandma Andi getting sick and tired often. His Mom had stopped going out to find work as she cared for both of them at home, making sure Andi ate well. He remembered getting called in and talking with her one morning seeing her look so frail and weak as she told him how much she loved him. She asked him to take care of Mom for her. He sat in the hallway afterwards, hearing his mom and Grandma Andi argue over something until the room went silent. He poked his head in and found his Mom crying, her wand thrown to the floor. He looked at his Grandmother and felt tears come to his eyes. She had a smile on her face, her hands clasped over her chest and her eyes were closed. He knew. He ran to his Mom and hugged her as the two cried together, knowing they were alone now. His Mom moved him out of the house the next night. He looked up at the woman he knew wasn't really his Grandma Andi and all of those feelings returned. He fell to his knees and cried.

Hazel moved forward and pulled Teddy into her arms. He hugged her tightly. Hazel sighed and rubbed his hair gently. "I know Teddy. It's not her. Not really. How about you let me chat with her to clear things up. She might not be Grandma but she might be interested in getting to know you a little." Teddy nodded into her neck, his voice hoarse and shy. "Ok." Hazel hummed gently to him as they went to the far corner of the room and she sat him down on the closest medical bed. She pulled her backpack off her back and summoned a book into her hand. "Here. Try testing out on some transfiguration exercises. Look over the instructions and try and whisper. It helps in letting your magic not be overused for the simple stuff. When it gets too easy, try Freeform Transfiguration like I taught you." Hazel closed her eyes and waved her hand over the bed beside him, conjuring a variety of materials, including matchsticks, buttons and even a porcupine. Hazel hugged him softly. "You get these right and old McGonagall is going to be pleased. She might forgive you for not being a Lion." Hazel gave him her old wand and ruffled his head before kissing him gently on the head. "I will be right back, Teddy. I promise." Croaker eyed the older witch as Hazel returned to his side. "That explains the Metamorphmagus trait. You didn't know she worked at the DoM?" Hazel gave him a glare. "The Operations Division was scrapped in my world, remember?" Croaker thought about it. "Point taken."

Andromeda eyed the child closely, surprised to see how much he looked like Dora at that age. She looked at the woman as she came up to her. There was no mistaking them as anything other than mother and child after the way she cared for the boy, but the woman's white hair didn't seem natural. When she turned her eyes to her Andromeda felt her heart stop. She knew those eyes. "Lily?" Hazel shook her head. "Sorry, unless you are referring to my middle name, I am not Lily Potter. A pleasure to meet you Madam Tonks née Black. Names Hazel Potter, or at least it was. Croaker here is working on getting us some new identification papers." Andromeda turned and looked at the child. "And your son?" Hazel thought about how much to share. "Edward Potter. Teddy to family." The woman stared at Hazel. "He didn't confuse me with family for no reason, young lady." Hazel's eyes narrowed for a split second before turning to Croaker. "How much is she allowed to know?" Croaker sighed. "Depends what you want to say. She is our Chief Medic." Hazel closed her eyes and tried to bury the flash of irritation that had appeared earlier when she was called "young lady." She hated being treated as anything less than an adult.

Her temper reeled in, Hazel looked towards Andromeda. "Teddy was born to my world's Nymphadora Tonks. She died 3 months after his birth with her husband and I, as his godmother, raised him as my own. With a version of you." Hazel could see Andromeda was having a hard time processing that. The elder woman leaned back against a medical bed. "Tell me everything." Hazel told her about her world, about meeting Tonks and growing to see her like a sister. She refused to mention Remus' name or why they didn't get along. She told Andromeda about a few stories she knew about her youth and Dora's. Andromeda closed her eyes. "We haven't gone to the Hebridean Black Dragon Reserve, but we certainly did take Dora out for a carnival on her 9th birthday and I did dye her hair brown for the day. I didn't want to spend a lot of time casting confunduses at every muggle that spotted her hair changing color." Andromeda looked towards the child as he kept switching the porcupine to a pincushion and back again. He looked a lot like James at that age now that she knew what to look for. "I'm surprised he hasn't been shifting his hair as much." Hazel shrugged. "Teddy was always a bit self conscious about not being my son at first, so he kept shifting his appearance to match mine. After magic began to fade in our world and he had trouble shifting, he settled on that form for almost two years. It's probably a part of him now."

Andromeda hummed. "Nymphadora still hasn't found a comfortable form she can call her own. Not entirely." She eyed the young woman. "What do you want from my family?" Hazel looked at her. "I brought my son here to give him a better life. He now has a chance for that. I don't expect you to take the place of our Andi but… I think he should have a family beyond just me. At the very least he deserves some friends." Andromeda looked at the boy. Hazel's words may ring true about not replacing the woman who helped raise the boy, but there was a part of her that wanted to be a part of the boy's life. Cygnus may have disowned her but she was always a Black and a Black took care of their family. Teddy wasn't her grandson but he was still a Black and a Tonks. He was still family. "If you would allow me, I would like a chance to get to know him. At the very least." Hazel eyed Andromeda carefully, her heart feeling heavy. She knew it would mean a lot for Teddy either way. The constant reminder would hurt but getting to know her again, a healthier and younger version of Andromeda, would probably do him well. Hazel hoped she was making the right choice. "You have my permission, just be careful. He will have a lot of getting used to, being in a world that feels so familiar yet so alien at the same time."

Hazel watched as Andromeda did her best to be friendly as she scanned Teddy and her son did laugh a bit at her jokes, which made Hazel relax a bit. Her turn under the Healer's care took much longer and Hazel could see she was confused by the readings. Croaker spoke up first. "Am I in need of a physical after this?" Andromeda shook her head. "No, both of them were surprisingly free of radiation and pathogens. Teddy will need a few vaccinations to reinforce his older ones. You, Miss Potter, are a bit of an oddity. Teddy's scans were what I expected to see of a Metamorphmagus. Yours are not, not even for a typical witch." Hazel nodded. "Low blood pressure, pulse, oxygen count, body temperature, metabolism and everything else. Andi saw the same in our world." Andromeda noted everything down. "Did she say why?" Hazel hummed. "The best guess we got was the Peverell Family Magic. As the owner of the three Hallows, something changed in my physiology and magic." Croaker choked on a breath and coughed as Andromeda stared at her.

"That would have been something you should have mentioned in the debrief." Hazel looked at Croaker. "Yeah, sure. Hello Unspeakable, I am a mythical Master of Death. Got an aspirin for the splitting headache I got cracking an Archway to work through space and time?" Andromeda fought to contain a laugh as Croaker glared at Hazel. "I see your point, but a heads up would have been appreciated. I am guessing you don't have a clue what being Master of the Hallows does for you?" Hazel shook her head. "I know the side effects because I live them everyday, but nothing beyond that. Hell, the side effects might be all the gift is, which doesn't amount to much other than your typical blessing and curse scenario." Croaker pinched the bridge of his nose. "Andromeda, just get a vial of blood enough for a Family Tree. Legal and Financial want to get the Peverell funds allocated to them quickly." Andromeda drew Hazel's blood and sealed it before giving it to Croaker. She turned to Hazel who had pulled Teddy onto her lap and was tickling him. She smiled at the pair. "You two are cleared to walk the streets, but you ought to be careful who you run into. Since Croaker is sure you will be Peverells, introduce yourself as such. I am sure you can come up with a viable excuse for your absence and return to England."

Hazel nodded and looked at Croaker. "Would being a victim of the war who fled to Canada work as a viable excuse? I can't fake the accent but it's the one country that I remember supporting refugees with the intention of eventual return, at least in my world. My delay could be attributed to this little guy." She tickled her son for emphacize. "Mom!" Croaker nodded and passed her a pouch. "I will get Legal on that but it should work fine. Here, a bit of an advanced withdrawal. Use it to get some new clothes and anything you see your son be interested in. I would avoid "Twilfitt and Tatting's," in case you want to see the coins last you the day." Hazel looked into the pouch. "You guys have a more muggle oriented clothing store? Otherwise I might stop at Gringotts and that might be a bad idea." Croaker was afraid to even ask. "What's wrong with Gringotts?" Hazel waved her hand. "Nothing, if I wasn't the only person to break into our Gringotts twice and get away with it. Our Goblins had it out for me and wanted my head. After I sent back a dozen of theirs they settled down. Nearly having my head chopped off makes me a bit twitchy around them." The silence in the Medical Wing stretched out for a bit until Teddy slapped Hazel's cheek playfully. "You said no more teasing Goblins." Hazel chuckled. "Yes, but I didn't have a reason to walk into Gringotts when I said that."

Croaker could feel a headache building in his skull. "Please Miss Potter, don't antagonize the Goblins. Madam Malkin's Shop has recently expanded into a more muggleborn friendly store with plenty of muggle inspired clothes. It should see to your tastes." Hazel lowered Teddy onto the floor and hopped off the medical bed. "Good to know. We will go check out Diagon then." Teddy rushed out to the double door and Hazel walked out at a steady pace. She popped her head back into the Medical Wing for a second. "Careful with that blood vial. I already had a Dark Wizard use my blood for nasty things. I don't want to hear about Homunculi with my blood running in their veins or wards made from it." Croaker sighed. "Noted. Please be on your way before I decide to get a pensive and retrieve every memory in that skull of yours." Hazel glared at him as she left. Andromeda began to straighten out her documents. "Well, Operations will certainly be busy with her here. That is what you're planning for her, right?" Croaker nodded. "She knows Wizards and Witches better than most in a fight. Be a shame not to foster that into a well rounded skill set. Horatio might curse me for adding her name without his permission but he would outright kill me if I let that much raw talent walk out the door."

Andromeda handed a folder to Croaker. "Your copy of their medical files." Croaker eyed his Chief Medic as she started storing her Healer's kit. "What are you planning to tell your family?" Andromeda turned to him and sighed. "Nothing for now. Nymphadora doesn't have clearance and Ted hasn't completed your evaluation yet." Croaker thought for a second. "Would they believe you if you said you'd do some follow up checks on your patients from today?" Andromeda blinked at her boss. "Who are you and what did you do with my emotionally stunted boss?" Croaker huffed. "Stunted or not, I am giving you a chance to know those two better. Well?" Andromeda sighed and nodded. "It will work. Add in a Mental Evaluation and it will sound solid. I read your note outloud and Ted already thought they were crazy. He thought they had been to Chernobyl." Croaker chuckled. "Oh, I like that. Their world was just as bad, all told. Due try and keep it simple." Andromeda nodded and stepped out of the Medical Wing, her mind on the two new people in her life. Hazel Potter was right though. She had to be careful how she approached the kid. It might be better as a friendly aunt. She started thinking of what to get the boy as presents as she stepped out of the Ministry building and apparated away.

-∞-

Teddy looked around Madam Malkins, trying to decide what else he liked while his Mom was getting fitted in the back. Their original clothes were far too warm for a snowless Britain and it showed on him after stepping out. His Mom had transfigured his clothes a bit before they apparated into Diagon Alley. The place looked nice and felt comfortable, though there were few people walking about, since it wasn't Hogwarts season yet. Mom had said it stayed like that until the war got started, when the shops started to close and people had been too scared to walk under the sun. He hoped Mom and that Croaker guy stopped that from happening again here. He eyed a few clothes that matched what his Mom said were the uniforms for Hogwarts. "Heading to Hogwarts this year?" He turned around and met a pretty redhead girl with a ponytail. "Not yet. I'm only nine. We were out of the country though and needed to get some clothes." The girl eyed him closely. "You look a bit older for nine." Teddy shrugged. "Mom said I grew a bit in the last year, but I am still nine." The girl nodded. "Aunti said I had a growth spurt too when I was nine. My name's Susan Bones. What's yours?" Teddy had to hold his tongue for a second. "Edward Peverell."

Susan offered her hand to him. Edward tried to remember what Grandma taught him about greeting. He held her hand, bowed and blew on her knuckles. "A pleasure to meet you." Susan blinked at him before scrutinizing him again. "You don't look like a pureblood and they are the only ones who greet like that." Teddy shrugged. "Mom's Half but Grandma was from an Old Family. She taught me how to behave when not amongst friends." Susan hummed. "You got a house you want to be sorted into yet?" Teddy beamed. "Hufflepuff." The girl smiled. "Me too! My whole family has been Hufflepuff for years." Teddy nodded. "Grandad and Mama were Hufflepuffs but Mom was a Gryffindor, though she hates her old house. She's a hard worker too so if she got resorted again I am sure she would be a badger." The two chatted for a few minutes about clases with Teddy being careful about not letting anything else slip. He forgot that Mom hadn't gone to Hogwarts here. Whoops. A tall woman with red hair wrapped tightly into a bun and a blue dress joined them at the store and Susan went straight to her.

"Aunti, meet Edward Peverell! He will be a Hufflepuff in two years. This is my aunt, Amelia Bones." Teddy gave her the traditional greeting, earning himself a smile. "A pleasure to meet you, young man. We haven't had a Peverell in Britain for quite some time. Are your parents here?" Teddy gave her a sad smile. "Mama died when I was a few months old. Mom raised me with Grandma since, until Grandma passed. Mom is in the back getting fitted." Susan and Amelia shared a look before Amelia spoke. "Sorry for bringing that up." Before Ted could answer he heard his mother's voice. "Teddy, are you still here?" Ted walked over. "Here Mom." Amelia had to take a double take for a moment. While she knew a few witches who didn't wear robes, the one in front of her seemed to not be concerned with showing too much skin. Her arms were completely uncovered. The woman looked up and seemed to freeze for a second, the green eyes looking vaguely familiar. "Oh, I see you met yourself a Hufflepuff. Madam Bones, if I am not mistaken." Amelia nodded. "Young Edward has been keeping my niece company while I was busy on the street. A pleasure to meet you, Miss… ?"

Hazel eyed her carefully. "Hazel Peverell." Amelia smirked. "Not one for formalities?" Hazel rubbed Teddy's hair. "Ted's Grandmother was raised in an Old Family while I was left to piece everything together on my own. When the war happened, I simply stopped caring about the niceties, though I did learn them prior. Didn't seem to keep the curses from flying my way at the time." Amelia nodded. The look on the woman's face was clear to her. Her eyes were eyeing the exits and the people walking on the street. This was someone like Alastor and Scrimgeour, a survivor of the war. "War's tend to do that. I am surprised to hear your family name." Hazel shrugged. "I wasn't born with it but I had the right to inherit it so I did. Gives my son a bit more protection from the less friendly members of society." Amelia hummed as she remembered who else would be at Hogwarts with her niece. "I don't disagree. Are you looking for work as an Auror? You seem to have the build for it." Hazel gave her a less than friendly grin. "I tried it once elsewhere and I got a lot of complaints about my spell choices and aim. Got approached by another outfit as soon as I landed here and they don't seem as picky. Still working for the Ministry, so you can relax your grip on your holster, Madam Bones."

Amelia blushed a little as she lowered her hand from her wrist. "My apologies. There has been some talk about the less pleasant people of our society making moves of late and I made a wrong assumption." Hazel nodded and turned to her son. "Anything else you want from the store or are we good to go?" Ted mentioned some longer sleeved shirts and long pants and Hazel sent him to the back to get Malkin to find those that would fit him. Amelia watched the woman turn around, exposing a whole lot of naked back before she watched her pull out a blackish green jacket from an extended bag and slipped into it. "Dragonhide?" Hazel gave her a toothy smile. "Basilisk, actually. The snake nearly got me too. My Godmother suggested I wear it as a sign of surviving the worst of the worst." Amelia eyed Hazel with renewed interest. "You sure I can't tempt you to sign up with the DMLE? We could use someone of your skills." Hazel hummed. "Alastor Moody still scaring the Purebloods stiff?" Amelia chuckled. "Indeed." Hazel smiled at her. "Then I am needed elsewhere. Don't worry, Madam Bones. I am sure we will meet again." Amelia watched as the white haired woman walked her son out the store, wondering who might have offered her a job at the Ministry. A name came to mind and she groaned. "Croaker, you better put her to good use, you damned spook."

Later that day Hazel stared into the fogged mirror before wiping it clear with her hand. She bit back a groan as she fought her memories again. The moment Teddy had asked her if they could see the owls, she knew it could happen. It did. A beautiful white snowy owl flew from its perch and landed on the arm she had instinctively lifted up. Those bright yellow eyes stared at her and she had wanted to cry. She wanted to take the bird and bring her home. But it wasn't hers. She had looked the bird in the eye and spoken to it. "There is a boy who just might need you more than me. Please, look after him." Hedwig had moved up her arm and rubbed its face against hers before returning to its perch, leaving the store owner dumbfounded. Wishing to not leave it to chance, she paid for the owl and told the owner it was for Harry Potter when he visited the Alley. She mentioned that if Hagrid or any of the Hogwarts staff entered looking for a present for the boy, to make sure he received the owl. When asked who to say it was from, Hazel thought for a second. "A friend."

It took all of her willpower to make it back to the DoM and reach the bathroom before the tremors started. Tears she had thought were long since used up ran down her face as she sat on the ground and cried. Hedwig had been her first true friend. In some ways, her only friend. Everyone else eventually turned their back on her, abandoned her or worse yet, betrayed her. To them she had only been the Girl Who Lived, Voldemort's chosen equal and his likely doom. They hadn't cared about the little girl who spent years wishing for her parents to take her away. They hadn't cared that she didn't want the name, the fame or the attention. She had just wanted to feel the warmth of a friend. Ron had been nice at first but the jealous bastard had always hated being in her shadow. Hermione had also been there and Hazel did have a crush on her during their 4th year; it ended when the brunette admitted she couldn't love another girl. Hazel had barely anything good to say about her afterwards. They all ignored her when her Godmother died. They all abandoned her after she killed Voldemort for them all. Hedwig hadn't ever stopped caring for her. She stood by her to the end.

-∞-

OW July 31st 1997

"Dora! Get down!" A piercing hex just barely missed Dora as they literally dueled their way up the road to the Tonks residence. Why Hazel had agreed to Mad-Eye's crazy plan, she would never know. When she was safely behind closed doors, she was going to take a Purging Potion. She wouldn't put it past the mad Auror to doze her. Taking her Godmother's flying bike had been a mixed bag of nostalgia and agony for Hazel as she and Tonks dodged the flying Death Eaters in the skies of Surrey. How the bastards knew where she was became clear as she saw a familiar mop of greasy black hair among the sea of black cloaks and green flashes of light. Said Dungeon Bat had followed her through the chaos, despite Dora doing some driving her Godmother would have high fived her for managing. A blasting hex to the side had ripped the enchantments clean of the bike as they reached Dora's neighborhood. Worried about Snivellus attacking them, Hazel had casted a bright Light Charm, enough to briefly blind the bastard as they crash landed.

He and another Death Eater followed after them as they ran down the streets, flashes of red and green being traded between them as they got closer and closer to the warded home. Dora managed to stun the other Death Eater but not before his errant blasting hex knocked Hazel off her feet. She sat up and watched her former Potion Master aim his wand at her. " Avada Kedavra." Hazel had frozen in place as Dumbledore's supposed double agent and spy casted the killing curse at her. She barely registered Dora's screaming her name as the green streak closed in on her until she heard a familiar screech and watched the curse impact Hedwig, her Familiar dropping onto the pavement, perfectly still. She didn't know how she moved or even casted as she couldn't remember anything past the mounting grief, but she knew she blasted Snape's wand and arm clean off his body. She did remember taking his legs out from under him with a wide cutting curse and scrambling to look him in the eyes. "I should have killed you when I had the chance, you bastard!" The man laughed at her. "Stupid girl, I could have killed you many times over as well. In the end we were both living on borrowed time, at the mercy of my master."

Hazel felt her magic snapping against her wand hand. "Maybe we all are, but you just took the last thing you will ever take from me, Snivellus. Sectumsempra ." The cutting curse he invented struck him on the throat and chest, causing him to bleed out quickly. Hazel watched over him until she was sure he died before daring turning to look. Her heart broke instantly as she knelt down to pick up her oldest friend, cradling her in her arms as she and Dora walked into her parent's house. No one spoke a word to her as she cried for hours, her mind flooded with images of the times they spent together walking along the Hogwarts grounds alone in every season. The joy she had felt in calling her name and watching her fly towards her, landing gracefully on her arm or shoulder. She had been her companion from the beginning and now… now Hazel was being asked to continue on without her. Andi sat down with her and plucked some of Hedwig's feathers before making them into a charm. "You need to go. We will take care of her, I promise." Hazel hardly remembered how she moved after that, only that she did. She knew because she remembered sitting in Ginny's room silently, staring at the feather charm Andi had made for her. A permanent reminder of Hedwig. No one dared to bother her, not even as they prepared for that stupid wedding. All she knew now was that she was alone. She was utterly alone.

-∞-

NW June 1991

"Oh, hi Mom. You're up late." Andromeda looked up and smiled at Nymphadora. "Yeah, I had a lot on my mind today." Dora looked at her. "You sure you're ok?" Andromeda stood still for a bit before tapping her empty side of the sofa. Dora walked over and sat down. "Is this about your two patients? Are they ok?" Andromeda nodded. "Mostly. My boss asked me to check on them in the next few weeks to see if there might be some mental concerns. They didn't want to let a Mind Healer check on them." Dora chuckled. "Newsflash Mom, no one likes Mind Healers in their heads." Andromeda gave her a glare. "I studied to be a Mind Healer, you know." Dora smiled. "I can see where that went. No one would want to be under the care of a former Black, but especially in their head. You are all supposed to be insane, remember?" Andromeda sighed. "The fact that you are not wrong doesn't mean you should be so dismissive. Mind Healers are important." Dora nodded. "Sure, but isn't the whole point of Legilimency to be an invasion of privacy? An oath may be enough for some people, but you aren't going to get everyone to trust you just because you said some pretty words."

Andromeda nodded. "I see your point. Anyways, the adult of the pair might be seeing work at the Ministry and it's partly up to me to see them not be a problem." Dora hummed. "Sounds like you are going to have to get to know them better. Maybe after a while they might trust you getting in their head. If not, you can just help them the old fashioned way." Andromeda drank from her cup of tea and eyed her daughter. "I know you don't like talking about it with me but be honest. Would you like to be a mother?" Dora had been about to give her usual answer but she could see how serious her mother was. She tried to think about what being a mother might be like. "I… don't know. I mean I know I can be impulsive and immature so I think I would make a terrible mother." Andromeda sighed. Her daughter had a point. Still … "What about if you woke up pregnant tomorrow, ignoring the impossibility and the absence of another parent. Would you be willing to raise the child as a mother?" Dora eyed her mom, "Please tell me you didn't have an affair and are pregnant right now." Dora yelped as a stinging hex landed on her ribs. "Ok! Just needed to ask!"

Ignoring Andromeda's glare, Dora thought about her mother's question. "I think so. I know I will be terrible and will make a lot of mistakes, but I think I would like my child to at least know me. To know how much I loved them. I don't know. It's weird, thinking about it seriously. I mean, I am going into law enforcement, which means long hours and a lot of danger. You are already mad at me for even trying out at the Academy, I can only imagine how bad I would be actually having to work as an Auror while also caring for a kid. It's why I haven't thought about it at all. If I am going to be a mom, it should be when I can make time for them." Andromeda thought back on what Hazel had told her and what she omitted. She never spoke of the other parent, only that her alternate daughter and they died together at the hands of terrorists. If her daughter and this other version were alike, it meant that the pregnancy was probably unplanned. She spoke of living through a war. The thought of another war made Andromeda grow cold. A war where she lost Ted and Nymphadora, forced to raise a grandchild alone with the child's godmother.

"What's with all the questions, Mom?" Andromeda eyed her daughter. "I know we don't see eye to eye with your chosen career but please, promise me you will take care of yourself. The people I met today… one was a young woman a few years older than you and she was raising her godchild all alone because the child's parents died. It was startling seeing such a lively kid next to a woman that felt so emotionally cold. Auror work is important but it's dangerous too and I am not talking about physical injuries. You could lose yourself in the bad things that happen to others and to yourself. Moody is called mad because of all the horrible things he has lived through. Hell, he is the last one left of both his families and they all died in the war. That sort of life isn't one I want for you, Dora. Promise me you will take care of yourself. Please?" Dora could see the concern in her mom's eyes and she leaned forward to give her a hug. "Ok, Mom. I promise."

Chapter 4: First Day of Training

Chapter Text

Teddy latched onto his mother's legs from the side as she was cooking breakfast. Her hand touched his hair gently. "I'm good now, Teddy. I'm not going anywhere." Teddy tightened his grip. "You weren't well yesterday. You were hurting." Hazel sighed but kept her focus on the food. Her jaunt down memory lane after meeting Hedwig had dragged her into a breakdown. They were nothing new. She had plenty of them while raising Teddy with Andi. How Andi put up with them she never knew. No, what was new was getting her bearings and finding Teddy hugging her desperately under the running shower. She hated when her son saw her vulnerable. It made her feel like she was failing him. After getting the scrambled eggs onto the plates, she brought everything to the table before pulling her son off her leg and into a hug. "Mom has bad days Teddy, you know that. Seeing Hedwig again brought back a lot of pain. She was my first true friend and Familiar. Getting one is rare enough as it is. She meant a lot to me and having to leave this version of her behind was harder than I thought. I am good now, thanks to you. So how about we eat before I get to go kick some butt." Teddy giggled and nodded. His mom definitely seemed in a better mood.

"You think you can get the job?" Hazel swallowed her fork full of eggs, ham and vegetables. Hazel hummed. "If not, the redheads at the clothes store offered me a job. Lots more paperwork but I might get to annoy more morons. Pretty sure I am getting the job here though." Teddy ate a few more bites. "Do you think I will get my letter? It's not like I was born here." Hazel could feel some concern under her son's words. "I am and if it's late, I promise to go personally to collect it. Might punch an old goat while I am at it." Teddy giggled as Hazel thought about Dumbledore. She hated the man she knew. He had yanked her from a nightmare straight into another and dared to say he cared about her. He constantly judged her against parents she never got to know, all because of his pet Death Eater's fault. She had tried killing Snape after Dumbledore died but bloody Remus Lupin stopped her before she could have sliced his head from his body. Remus told her that Dumbledore had to have a plan for this, that Snape had a mission to do. That lie died the moment the bastard failed to kill her. She spent 6 years tormented by the man for absolutely nothing, all because of Albus Bloody Dumbledore. She hoped the one here was just as bad. She would enjoy tearing him apart.

"Mom, your eyes are glowing again." Hazel sighed and pulled her magic back. Being in a world full of magic again would be a bit harder to get used to. "Sorry, got lost in thought thinking about all the different ways to punch a mean old goat." Teddy giggled. "Can I watch?" Hazel ruffled his hair. "I'll wait until you are old enough and then you ask me again. Until then, no watching Mom beat up bad guys. I get dirty and it's not a good look." Teddy pouted but nodded. "Ok, but you best wait for me to be old enough." Hazel drank her coffee. "I promise to wait. Now, let's see what you can study today while Mom works. Leafsby will be here keeping you company." Teddy ran to the desk in his room and brought out the books he was working on. Hazel told him to work on the Herbology and Astronomy books. "Try sketching the pictures again to help memorize how they look. I will see if we can bring a few real plants here so you can get some real practice before impressing your Hogwarts Head of House." That got Teddy pumped for the class. Hazel had stayed in Herbology all the way to her sixth year because she was used to working on plants but she honestly couldn't care much about them beyond what was medicinal and what was edible. She learned how to deal with the dangerous ones quite early.

Seeing the Astronomy textbook, Hazel looked at Teddy. "The Andromeda here wants to get to know you. She will never be Grandma Andi, but she could still be family if you want. Croaker will have her be here once a week at least. Do you want to get to know her better?" Teddy thought about it. "Does that mean one day I get to meet this world's Mama?" Hazel nodded, feeling her heart grow heavy. "She's here, probably just as clumsy and crazy as yours." Teddy swung his feet under the table. "I… think I would like to know her. I wouldn't mind knowing the rest of the Tonks too. I never did get to meet Grandpa." Hazel kissed him on the head. "Kay, then you best get through that Astronomy book. Dromeda here is just as much a Black as Andi so you need to know your stars." Teddy nodded and got started on some reading as Hazel stood up and went to wash the dishes. Leafsby popped in. "Mistress leaves washing to Leafsby. Mistress has work." Hazel sighed and lowered the sponge. "Alright Leafsby, but next time ask. Dishwashing can be a decent stress relief for the annoyed." Leafsby nodded and started to wash the dishes with magic as Hazel hugged Teddy from the back and kissed his hair. "Take care, son. I will be back by dinner. Leafsby will have your lunch ready. Hopefully after today I will be having lunch here too." Teddy waved at her as she left the Apartment. "Later Mom. Show them what you got!"

-∞-

Dora looked around the massive training room. She knew the Department of Mysteries would have a lot of weird stuff, but a large training room bigger than the Great Hall of Hogwarts was something unexpected. Her attention and those of the other candidates was drawn to the man who had shown up to recruit her, his head now on full display, the man sporting a very short haircut that displayed a massive scar across the top of his skull over greying hair. His eyes jump from candidate to candidate, as if gauging them again, his jaw claw clenching and unclenching. "Alright everyone! You all signed the papers so we can all get started. The name's Horatio and I am your Instructor straight out of Hell. I am here to make sure each and every one of you is worth putting real effort into. I don't care about blood, skin or what kind of junk you have in your pants or your heads. You give up, you're out. You get seriously hurt, you are out. You do the work, I work you harder. Maybe if you work hard enough, we start paying you. Got it?" The Candidates nodded, including Dora, who was currently feeling a lot less confident about managing this gig. Horatio's eyes landed on someone behind her. "Saul, what did I say about sticking your nose in my business? Get that person out of here."

Dora turned her head a little as she heard a man chuckle. "Trust me Horatio, this one can take all you got. You'll kill me if I let Amelia have her. They already met and she offered her a job less than ten minutes into a simple chat." Dora saw Horatio's eye twitch. "Fine! Let's see if you can all crack it. Draw your wands, aim at the targets behind me and cast a Killing Curse." Dora's stomach dropped as his words registered fully. What? One of the other candidates, a guy, spoke up. "That's illegal." Horatio walked up to the guy and stared him in the eyes. "Outside this room without a license, you are damned right it is. You cast it at a person here, I will personally send you off to meet your maker right after. Sadly, the Dark Witches and Wizards out there won't hesitate to hit you with an AK, and neither will one of our own if you end up on the other side. As Operatives, you will find yourselves in a fight to the death more often than not, so I want to see you give it your all. You can't be squeamish and you can't be expected to get out of every fight with your hands clean. They never stay clean for long. So get on the line and start cursing." Dora sighed and did as she was told. She drew her Ebony wand from her wrist holster and tried to remember what Moody taught at the lecture. The Killing Curse needed hate and power. She visualized Bellatrix, her mad Aunt responsible for so much death. She focused on building up the hate before she casted. "Avada Kedavra." No curse came from her wand.

The result was repeated all along the candidates. "Come on! You all have at least 17 years of life. An abusive family member, an ex, a bloody bully. Anyone of them can be enough. Get that feeling up and Cast!" Dora tried over and over again and nothing. She wanted to scream at the coach when she felt a hand touch her shoulder. "If hate's not doing it for you, try mercy." She turned and froze. Standing beside her was a woman that she could only describe as beautiful, from her bright green eyes to her puffy lips. She had to pull away when her eyes wandered lower because she was wearing a halter top shirt, some hot leather pants and a sweet leather jacket. The woman was everything she ever found cool and hot wrapped into one package. It was a good thing she was a Metamorphmagus and she remembered, otherwise she would be as red as a tomato. The woman's words came back to her and she frowned. "Mercy?" She looked over, doing her best not to drool as the woman nodded. "The Killing Curse didn't start out as an Unforgivable curse. It's not painful or devastating. It is death in its purest form. You can kill just as easily with a cutting hex and a piercing charm, let alone the nastier curses."

Dora thought about it and could see the point. "Still, how does mercy work?" The woman sighed and had a far off look to her face. "Think of the person that means everything to you. They are lying in a bed, consumed in everlasting pain and misery. There is no cure, no fix. Only pain. You have the means to end it. Two words, the certainty that they need to die and it's done. That was one of the origins of the Killing Curse. Hate makes it easy to cast for those who are full of hate, but if you can't hate someone enough, then focus on your love. Love them enough that you are willing to let them go. Send them on their way. A mercy killing. Try it." Dora took in her words and focused. She saw her parents, strapped to a medical bed screaming in pain, begging to die. She heard the pleas over and over again until all she could think about was giving them relief. Mercy. " Avada Kedavra. " Her eyes stared at the target in front of her as a jet of cyan light shot out of her wand and struck the target dead center. She heard a noise come from the wall like an alarm and saw Horatio walk towards her. "Not bad, Candidate. Not the usual color but the target registered the spell as a legitimate Killing Curse." Dora blushed, "Thank you, sir, but I did get a little help."

Horario's eyes latched on to the woman with the white hair. "Interesting. Care to cast it yourself, Hotshot?" The woman looked at the instructor, one of her eyes raised in question. "That an order, sir ?" Dora shivered at the cold response. Horatio didn't seem fazed by it. "It is. Draw your wand and hit the target." The woman stepped into the spot beside her and Dora froze. The woman raised her arm without a wand. Horatio growled, "I said draw… " His words ended as the woman spoke the words. " Avada Kedavra " and the curse shot out of her hand, a dark green unlike any spell Dora had ever seen before striking the target. The noise from earlier was repeated, indicating a successful cast. Dora dared look at the Instructor and she took a step back. He looked furious. "Care to tell me why you didn't draw your wand?" The woman grinned at him, showing a lot of teeth. "My AKs tend to be overpowered. Without a wand they work fine, with a wand you might be looking to replace the target, or the wall behind it. I would rather not kill someone just because my spell pierced one of your walls." Dora shivered down to her toes, utterly confused as to why she was both terrified and aroused.

The instructor looked to Dora. "Cast it several times until you are tired. I want to know your limit right now. We will work on getting it higher in time." He gave the woman next to her a measured look before turning back to the rest of the candidates. Dora released a breath she hadn't known she was holding. "Thanks for that." The woman turned her green eyes back to her and Dora had to fight a blush. They were very pretty eyes. "No problem. It's not the easiest spell to learn to cast without being a prick or having a sh*tty life." Dora nodded and turned back to the target. She managed five more successful casts before she felt winded. Horatio called them all back into a line in front of him and he started pacing. "Hardly any of you managed to cast it. If you think you could do it in a week, then you can stay and keep trying until then. If you know you can't do it then you know where the door is. I suggest you go now." Dora watched half the Candidates leave, leaving only a few others besides her and the scary woman. The man nodded and stepped further back. "Staring from my left, I want you to come up here and take me down. Non-lethals only. You have two minutes before I retaliate. Begin."

Dora felt her jaw almost go unhinged as Candidate after Candidate came up and failed spectacularly as the Instructor blocked every spell with shield after shield before two minutes passed and he then stunned them with great ease. She was about to step up when the woman beside her spoke up to her. "Don't be stupid and make sure you move around. No one is supposed to beat him, you're just supposed to show him you know how to think in a fight. He's been doing this for years." Dora nodded and took her position before she started casting. Like before, all the spells hit a shield and her time was getting shorter before started casting at her as she moved around the mat. She thought carefully and casted Aguamenti at the floor before casting Glacius, earning her a look of interest from the instructor before he started casting. The woman had been right, she dodged hard and fast, casting at him as much as she could before raising a few shields, some that broke instantly on contact with a spell. Dora tried an overpowered banishing spell that forced the Instructor to step out of his spot. Her iced over floor failed, though, as he took a long jump that landed him outside of it. The distraction ended with her getting a stunner to the face.

Horatio's face was the first thing she saw as she woke up. "Not bad at all, Candidate. Your trap was sh*t but you thought around the issue better and you got me out of my spot. Thinking like that will get you far. Next." Dora sat up and watched the white haired woman take up her position on the mat. "You know any non-lethals, witch?" The woman grinned. "You mean useless spells numbers 1 through 10? I do, but I might be rusty." Horatio grunted and took up a defensive posture. "Begin." Dora stared at the scene in front of her. The woman charged straight at the Instructor and the two got into a magicless fist fight. The man looked decidedly surprised at first before he responded with his own fists and kicks. He clearly knew how to fight better with his fists and legs than the woman, but she kept pace with him, the two landing a few blows on each other. The moment the alarm sounded for two minutes, things got even weirder as the woman conjured blades into her hands without uttering a word. The Instructor kept trying to get distance, casting cutting spells and stunners, all of which were suddenly blocked by slabs of stone coming from the floor. "Gods damn it, witch. Cast some proper battlemagic so I can evaluate you!"

The witch jumped a bit of a distance back, raising several slabs of stone in her wake. "You asked for it!" She drew an odd yet familiar looking wand out of somewhere and started swinging it wildly around. Horatio looked on unsure until he looked up and he started cursing under his breath. Dora watched in stunned silence, as did the rest of the candidates, as metal spears started raining down onto the mat, the Instructor dispelling and dodging as many as he could, though a few clipped his arms and thighs. Dora turned and looked at the white haired witch who kept circling around, looking for a good shot, her wand constantly in motion. She watched the witch cast a wide cutting curse that forced Horatio to duck underneath it before he casted a massive dispelling spell over and over again. Because the cutting curse had sliced through the embedded spears and created new ones to launch straight at him. Eventually Horatio had enough. "That's it! Stop!" The witch flicked her wand and all the spears vanished in an instant as Horatio glared at her. "I said non-lethal!" The woman twirled her wand. "A spear to the leg is non-lethal, as is one to the hand, the foot, the lungs and your shoulders. Only two targets on your person to miss and it's all non-lethal. Lungs and major arteries are only lethal if your stupid and pull it out, but you don't strike me as a moron."

Dora watched the Instructor rub his face. "Alright! All of you just got an impromptu demonstration of what a real fight is like. I don't expect you to match it but I expect all of you to beat your previous time every two days for two weeks straight. If you feel you can't manage it, walk away. This ain't the Academy or Hogwarts. I ain't here to hold your hands all the way. I am here to take the best of the best and make them better. Now I want twenty laps around this entire room starting now!" The few remaining Candidates started jogging around the Training Room, including Dora. She did have to bite her tongue as the hot witch jogged up a bit more ahead of her, her back fully exposed after she had taken off her jacket. She had to squash a thought of how it would feel to run her hands over that back. Dora sped up a little to be next to her. "Where did you learn to fight like that?" The witch shrugged. "Fighting wizards whose prefered spells were AKs and Torture Curses. Most of them forget Conjuration and Transfiguration can be used for fighting too, including offensively. Got to say the Instructor surprised me. Never met a Wizard who actually practices physical combat before. This might be fun after all." Dora shook her head. "Well, you certainly make it look fun. Name's Tonks. Just Tonks." The woman gave her a grin. "Hazel Peverell. By the way, nice trick with the ice. Next time, try making icicles and launching them. You might hit something." Dora chuckled. Maybe this wasn't such a bad idea after all.

-∞-

"Saul! What the hell did you just dump on my lap!" Saul grinned as he took his coffee spiked with a bit of whiskey. He had a feeling he'd be seeing Horatio soon. "So, how did she do?" Horatio slammed his arms on Saul's desk, "The hell you don't know! You had to have watched the whole thing from the start!" Croaker stared at his Division Head. "I do have better things to do than watch a few Candidates train, Horatio. I didn't stick around and watch. So, how was my Candidate?" Horatio growled. "You didn't send me a Candidate. You sent me a Wizard Killer. The woman nearly took my head clean off with a few conjured curved blades and actually nailed a few hits with conjured spears." He showed Croaker the gashes on his arms, making the DoM director hum. "Sounds like you got yourself an Operative in the making." Saul grunted and sat down, swiping the bottle whiskey and serving himself a shot. "The woman's killed before. Her AK is the darkest I have ever seen and she only pulled out her wand when she had to do multiple Conjurations at once. I haven't had a Conjurer stalemate me for 15 minutes straight since before my days upon the Circuits. Where the hell did she come from?"

Croaker thought about what to say. "She just walked into the Ministry two days ago." Horatio glared at him. "The longer explanation, please." Croaker chuckled. "She walked out of the Veil in the Death Chamber with her kid two days ago." Horatio coughed as he swallowed the liquor down the wrong pipe in his throat. "That's the witch that got the Death and Transportation Divisions at each other's throats?" Croaker nodded, grinning. The chaos was a bit much for his taste, but seeing his Division Heads excited was always a pleasure. They were all here to expand their knowledge after all. "I thought about asking her to replicate her stunt with the Archway, now that it got reseted, but if what you just said is true, I think I will wait for her to be in a better mood. If you're wondering what she got up to on the other side, she got dragged into a war at the age of 11 and ended up as a mother by 17. She's been killing her way to keep herself and her son safe ever since." Horatio nursed his drink. "You sure you want me to train her to be an Operative? We might just make the next Dark Lady. I fought Voldemort once and I can tell she is either his equal or his better. She just needs work." Saul tapped his cup of coffee. "So far I don't think she will become a Dark Lady. A rampaging Killing Machine if something happened to her son? Absolutely. But not a Dark Lady."

Horatio grimaced after taking the last of his alcohol in a shot. "You best make sure that kid is safe then. I stalled her when all she was doing was having fun at my expense. She has no finesse and her fighting form is sh*t but the witch has power and drive. I'm willing to help shape her, but I will not be getting in the way of her should she turn. I may be rough, but I am not suicidal." Croaker nodded. "Any other Candidates of note?" Horatio leaned back. "We got seven total Candidates sticking with the first two weeks of trials. Your witch should be fine. The Tonks' Metamorphmagus might make it, especially if she listens to her new friend." Croaker stilled. "You scouted Nymphadora Tonks?" Horatio waved his hand, "Of course I did. Had to see if she could hack it. Mad-Eye had his eye on her, meaning she might make it. Your Witch taught her how to do an AK for the first time in less than 5 minutes, a cyan one." Croaker rubbed his face. "You do know Andromeda works here, right? When word reaches her that you're training her kid, that cut on your arm may just get infected." Horatio hummed. "True, but if Nymphadora makes it, Andromeda's kid will probably live through a war just fine."

Croaker leaned back. "Well, it's a good thing the two witches are getting along. The kid that came through is Nymphadora's too, from the other world." Horatio served himself one last drink before corking the bottle. "Is the kid any good as a fighter?" Croaker glared. "He is bloody nine and his mother would fillet you alive for suggesting that. We just talked about not pissing her off." Horatio shrugged. "True, but only so much you can do to keep someone safe. Training beats all other options." Croaker finished his coffee and eyed the bottle of whiskey before setting his cup down, storing it in his desk drawer. "That may be but let him be a kid for a while. His mother has given us some warning about the things that happened in her world and we and the ICW Observers are going to look them over and try and avoid a Nuclear Winter. Your job is to get her up to shape. If her world is any indication, Voldemort ain't dead and we have a few short years before he starts making trouble for us all." Horatio stood up and placed the shot glass on the table. "Better get to work then." Croaker watched him open the door to his office and step out. "And Horatio? Go get those cuts looked after. You're bleeding all over my floors."

-∞-

Hazel dropped onto her bed, fully intending to go to sleep after a long day of workouts and a filling dinner with her son. That thought ended when she felt her bed dip slightly and the weight of a nine year old settled onto her back. "Did something happen? You were quiet at dinner." Hazel groaned playfully. "Found this world's Nymphadora in the Candidates Training." A long silence lingered until Teddy broke it. "Oh. What was she like?" Hazel thought for a second. "Young. She's barely 18 or 19 years old and has a lot to learn about casting magic. A good thinker and fast on her feet, though her tripping problem might be worse here. Of the twenty laps we did today, she tripped in ten of them." Teddy hummed. "You think she could get to know me?" Hazel gave it some thought. Her insecurities reared up and she questioned whether Teddy knowing the Tonks was a good idea before she buried the thoughts. If she were Teddy, she would have done anything to know a version of her parents. Teddy had a chance at knowing a close version of his birth mother.

"In time. Like I said, she is young and thinking about getting a career first. We did talk a bit at least. Once she gets out of training and gets clearance, then we should be able to tell her. We might want to ask Andromeda too." Teddy nodded and moved his body until he was sitting on Hazel's upper back. "You know, massages are supposed to be somewhat pleasant." Teddy giggled before he yelped as Hazel lifted herself up, causing him to fall on the bed. He then started laughing as Hazel tickled his chest. "Mom! Quit it!" Hazel pouted but stopped before laying down on her side. "Still want to spend the night here?" Teddy nodded. "My room is nice but it just feels weird being so far away from you." Hazel could see that. Even after all the suffering she endured at the Dursleys, she had some trouble sleeping in a bed rather than in the cupboard for her first year. She thought for a second, "How about the first break I get, we go looking for a furniture store? Then we can buy some things to make it feel more like your room. Then I can spend the night with you. Get you used to the place?"

Teddy snuggled into Hazel and yawned. "Sounds nice." Hazel watched carefully as her son slipped into a light sleep as she pulled the blanket over him. She thought about what the next few days had in store for them and how these would just repeat themselves over and over again. While surviving on food she spent weeks hunting wasn't a pleasant experience, there had been a peacefulness to it. Here she would be surrounded by noisy people, doing the same thing day in day out. The more she thought about it, the more she realized how unusually dynamic her life had been. The longest stretch of monotony had been when she took out people for money. Most days she spent home with Andi and a very tiny Ted, chasing him in his animagus form every time he refused to bathe. Those would be interrupted by requests for a kill. The ones she agreed too were dead within 24 hours, just so she could go back home faster. She hoped Horatio wasn't too boring, or she might just spend more time with Teddy. On the other hand, Nymphadora needed to complete the trials if she was to get the clearance to meet Teddy. Hazel sighed as she hugged Teddy and started slipping into sleep. Nothing was ever easy, was it?

-∞-

Nymphadora looked at the front door of her parent's house. After her long day of working out and casting curses she never expected to ever cast, she had decided it might be a good idea to hit a bar. It was odd though. She thought about getting wasted but she couldn't bring herself to do it. She drank a bottle of beer and half of another before she decided to come home. She knew she was tired. Her legs were killing her, as was her back. More than that, she was magically exhausted. The shift she kept on her body kept failing a bit. So she prioritized. Her hair grew a bit long and regained some of it's waves, but it stayed pink. Her eyes… those she kept a close watch on. She refused to let her eyes take their natural color. As she drank the rest of her bottle, she chastised herself. She wasn't 11. She shouldn't be afraid of her eyes. But she couldn't bring herself to let the shift fall. Dora sighed and almost drew her wand before she remembered. Her parents lived in a muggle neighborhood and she wasn't in the wards yet. She took a few steps forward until she felt the magic was over her flesh. She drew her wand and vanished the bottle before freshing her breath.

She opened the door and saw her parents look up from the coffee table, a mess of papers strewn about. She remembered that it was just about time for the bills to be paid. "Hi Mom, Hi Dad. That time of the month?" Ted gave his daughter a shudder. "Phrasing Dora." Andromeda shook her head, "Please. That was on purpose. How was your first day, dear?" Dora smiled. "It was good. Lots of exercise and lots of casting. The Instructor seems to know his stuff. Got a few weeks to go before we get told if we hack it for the special program or not." Slipping to the kitchen for a second to drink some water, Dora came back and found her mom eyeing her closely from the entryway. "You tripped." Dora blushed. "A bit." Andromeda sighed as Ted came around with his stack of papers all wrapped together. "Please Andromeda, you know it's going to happen." Watching the two of them chatting made Dora's heart warm. She closed her eyes, the imagery she used to cast the killing curse coming back to her mind. Her eyes watered as soon as she opened them and Dora pulled her parents into a hug. Andromeda stilled, knowing her daughter rarely initiated a hug. That was usually Ted. "You alright, Nymphadora?"

Dora nodded as she pulled back, rubbing her eyes a bit. "Yeah. Our workout just had a few rough moments. I just… I wanted you to know that I love you two. I love you so much." Ted pulled his daughter in for a tighter hug. He kissed her hair. "We love you too, Nymphadora." Andromeda soon followed and kissed her daughter on the cheek. "You should go take a warm bath, if not a shower. You feel a bit cold. Will help get that beer out of your system too." Dora blushed. "Ok, Mom." Dora went up the stairs gingerly before reaching the bathroom, stripping out of her clothes completely. Leaving the water in the shower running until it got warm, Dora looked in the mirror, her appearance shifting. She shuddered, hating what she looked like. She hated who everyone compared her to. She shifted her eyes back to match her dad's before stepping into the shower, feeling the warm water mark all of her sore muscles. Especially her knees. She knew this was just the first day. The training would get longer and harder. She would follow through with it as long as she could. While being an Auror had been her dream, being an Operative seemed so much more. She hoped she could do it. She just had to cast the killing curse and all the other nasty ones without turning into her. She'd settled for not getting emotional every day after casting them either.

Chapter 5: The New Normal

Chapter Text

"Has Andromeda tested her surgical knives on you yet?" Croaker shivered in fear at the thought. "No, but the first time I see her I am pointing her to Horatio. Bastard scouted her on his own knowing who worked here. He can spend a few hours in her tender mercy for all I care. Ready for a more specific chat about the coming month?" Hazel placed a mug of coffee in front of him and sat down opposite of him in her apartment's kitchen table. "Let's make it quick, I want to get some kid friendly furniture for Teddy. Just make sure you point me to Financial so I can get some Pounds." Croaker nodded and drank the coffee before looking down at it. "What did you add to this thing? It's better than what I usually make." Hazel drank from hers and hummed. "Coconut milk, some maple syrup and a pinch of cocoa." Croaker noted the ingredients. "Any good mixed with whiskey?" Hazel looked at him. "You're welcome to try. I had a whole bottle of firewhiskey at 15 for Christmas. Never touched the stuff since, except on a certain day and not for a while. At least not that I can remember. Caffeine is my drug of choice." Croaker could see how a bottle of firewhiskey at 15 would dissuade anyone from drinking. He wondered if she burned anything beyond her throat that day.

Deciding to bring things back on track, he pulled out his pen and opened his notepad. "So, summer onward of 1991. What happened?" Hazel thought back a bit. "Hagrid fetched me from my relatives' house, took me to Diagon where I met Professor Quirrell, the new DADA teacher. He seemed nice and interested in how I was. I was then escorted to Gringotts where Hagrid showed them my Trust Vault key and a letter from Dumbledore. We left after I got some Galleons and Hagrid took what I later found out was Flamel's Philosopher Stone from his vault. Met a snobby brat called Draco Malfoy at Malkin's, got my school supplies and then went for my wand. Ollivander went through most of his stock before he pulled out a wand of Holly and Phoenix Feather. The wand… it liked me but it felt off for a long while. Hagrid then gave me my owl and familiar Hedwig as a birthday present. I got into a chat with Hagrid during lunch about the brother wand that Ollivander mentioned and about Voldemort. Got told a few things about the school, the houses and everything. Heard Gringotts got broken into a few days later." Croaker wrote all that down. "Why was Hagrid your introduction to Diagon Alley? It's usually a Head of Hogwarts House or the Deputy Headmistress who shows the kids around."

Hazel ate one of the muffins Leafsby had placed on the table. "At the time I didn't think about it. Pretty sure it was so I didn't get the full introduction. I had to ask someone else about who one went to should a crime be committed. I got nothing on how I was expected to behave at school, who had certain powers over me or if I even had the right to not go. A few years later Dumbledore said some words to me that got me thinking. Pretty sure he orchestrated events in such a way that I got to school all wide eyed and impressionable. That I would be surrounded by people who would tell me to trust the old man above the Ministry and the law. I think his goal was to make me out as a saint and a martyr for his cause. He got a soldier instead. One that stubbornly refused to die no matter how much his Order hated me." Croaker finished his notes and thought for a second. "Harry Potter hasn't been seen since his parents went into hiding. You think our Dumbledore might be following a similar path?" Hazel tapped her fingers on the table. "I would get Financial to monitor his Vault access and have Legal check his official documents. My Dumbledore had illegally placed himself as my magical guardian. If yours is up to similar tricks, he could have done that too. He had gold from my Vaults being transferred to the Dursley's bank accounts. You could see if you can trace the kid's location from that."

Croaker nodded and made his annotations. "I might have a chat with Horatio and see if he can give you and Tonks some stealth and target shadowing training. You lived the boy's life and might spot things better while there on the ground on the day you believe he will arrive." Hazel drank from her coffee. "Probably for the best. Dora will need a bit more time getting her equilibrium work in, but a recon mission with two untrained targets will be fine. If that is even how things go." Croaker tapped his pen on his chin. "I think I will leave the questions here. If we get evidence of Dumbledore manipulating the events around the boy, we can then take a closer look at your timeline. If he isn't, we would have to look at your future as a guide of potential coincidences. Fate likes her parallels, if stories about time travelers are to be believed." Hazel eyed Croaker. "You said Harry is a Black here. What would it take for Andromeda to have legal custody of him, should the worst be confirmed?" Croaker sighed. "The Lord Presumptive being named Lord Black and reinstating her. Fighting for custody right now would place him with the Malfoys." Hazel hummed. "Might be worth it. I went three for three on Malfoys in my world." Croaker glared. "We need to be careful. The more radical changes you make, the harder predictions will be worth making. For now, let's eye the events of his early months and see how they line up."

Hazel watched Croaker leave her apartment and walked over to Teddy, dropping onto the floor. "Close the books and tell what each one is and can do." Teddy nodded and closed his textbook and sketchbook. He pulled a potted plant to him. "This is wormwood. It's a typical plant found in both magical and non magical areas. It's commonly used as an ingredient in several potions, including Healing, Draught of Living Death and Elixir of Euphoria. Tends to growl like a weed." Hazel nodded and Teddy pulled another one. "This is Fluxweed, also used for Healing Potions. It's a fully magical plant and if harvested under a full moon, it can be used for Polyjuice Potion." Hazel hummed and Teddy pulled a see through container full of water and algae. "This one is Gillyweed. It can be used in potions to allow patients to survive lungs filled with liquid. It is also in a potion designed to reverse the effects of Gillyweed when eaten raw by a person. It lets a person breathe underwater via gills. Mostly found in Europe but sold at most Apothecaries. Gillywater is made by collecting the fresh water from a tank of Gillyweed after a week in it." Hazel rubbed his hair and looked at the books. "Three for three. Good job. Tried Gillyweed myself once. Great effect, horrible taste. Come on. Let's see what Muggle London has for us." Teddy's excitement made Hazel smile as they left the apartment.

-∞-

Andromeda eyed her daughter as she walked through the door and slowly made her way up the stairs to her room. She sighed and went to grab her kit before barging into her room. Her daughter, face down on the bed, groaned. "Just need some rest, Mom." A stinging hex got a yelp out of Dora. "Sure and I didn't spend years studying Healing without spotting symptoms. Your gait was off, you aren't favoring your right side and you have a cut on your lip you forgot about. Strip to your underwear before I vanish your clothes." Andromeda gave her daughter a glare as she groaned in pain as she took her shirt off, showing a growing bruise on her ribs. "Lie on your back for now. Those ribs are at the very least bruised. Why didn't you go to the Infirmary after your Training was done?" Dora tried to shrug but only managed to wince in pain as her mother's wand began to scan her. "I was too bloody tired and would have passed out if I stayed. Didn't want the Instructor to see me. He might have kicked me out if I did."

Dora gave a few more groans of pain before Andromeda's spells eased most of her symptoms. The closed cut on her lip had been the most appreciated. She had had it for the whole day and forgot about the pain from it until it was gone. She eyed her frustrated mother and sighed. "I am sorry, Mom, but I really want to try to get this job. Sure, the training is hard, but once I am in, I get to study some neat magic and actually go on assignments." Andromeda might have used more force than necessary when applying Bruise Removal ointment, as Dora hissed in pain. "That might be true but you won't be going anywhere if you keep getting a beating like this. I wasn't aware the Aurors had a Physical Combat course either. Don't try and lie to me, Dora. These bruised ribs were the right size and shape for a closed fist." Dora silenced her protest and tried to think what she could honestly say, without breaking her contracts. "Instructor is more than your typical hard ass at the Academy. He started us out today on basic Physical Combat. I think I managed a few punches his way before he nailed me."

Andromeda checked Dora's knees. "You've been falling a lot too. Your Episkey isn't doing you much good as you keep damaging the area on your knees. I am going to cast a few more spells before applying the ointment. If you see yourself tripping more, wear your old Quidditch pads. I don't care how silly you look. Knee injuries aren't easy to fix when they get serious, Dora." The Metamorphmagus sighed but ended up agreeing. Her thoughts drifted to her training session and the witch that kept intruding on her steamier dreams. She had noticed it before but Hazel did seem to wear padding on her legs, from foot to knee. It looked like the same blackish green leather of her jacket and boots too. Today, since they had been warned about Physical Combat, she had also worn gloves and arm guards too. Dora wondered what kind of life her new friend had if she had custom made leather armor specifically made for fighting hand to hand combat. Still, it had been funny watching Hazel fight the instructor. He had insulted her form, to which Hazel responded with a straight punch to his arms that got a decidedly painful groan out of him. Why was her friend so hot when she did stuff like that?

"Please tell me you aren't crushing on your instructor." Dora groaned. Her control had to have slipped while she got lost in her memories. Her mother's words made her want to gag. "Hell no! He is a bloody old man with an ego the size of a house." Andromeda hummed. That sounded very familiar to her. "Then who got you so bothered that you actually blushed at the memory?" Dora debated whether to tell her or not and how much she could share. "There is a witch in my training group. She is a bit older than me and is quite hot. She always wears these really open backed shirts and cool leather boots. She's been helping me out a lot with some nasty spells they want to see how well we can do. Pretty sure she cracked the instructor's bones after he dissed her form. She's really into physical combat." Andromeda stilled for a second as she finished wrapping the bandages over the murlap ointment applied to Dora's knees. That sounded vaguely familiar to a certain witch she just met. "Oh, how interested are you in said witch? Might I be a Grandmother before I turn 70?" Dora got up on her elbows, her face fighting a blush. "Mom! It's not like that! She will probably be my coworker, maybe even my partner."

Andromeda grabbed a towel and rubbed her hands clean as she started putting her kit away. "You'd be surprised how many Aurors and Hit Wizards and Witches get into a serious romantic relationship with their partners. Something about a lot of adrenaline filled nights and the level of trust between them makes for very serious relationships. A few even get dispensation to stay assigned together if their teamwork is just that good. No point in cutting down a person's performance just because they are lip locked with their partner while off duty, so long as it stays off duty. The Longbottoms were a prime example of that in their day." Dora wanted to be embarrassed about the topic. She hated talking about her love life with her mom. But her words gave her pause. Could that really happen with her? Would she date her partner? She pictured Hazel's face hovering over her and Dora felt her cheeks warm. A cold glass potion vial snapped her out of her daydream. Her mom was giving her an amused smile. "Pain Relief Potion. You should feel better by tomorrow. If I have to tend to your training injuries frequently, I am going to start charging you." Dora shugged the vile medicine down before mom headed for the door. "Make sure you're on the Contraceptive Potion too. I want my grandchildren in a few more years, not in months." Dora's face and hair went deep red.

"Mom!" Andromeda grinned as she walked down the stairs, placing her kit down on the kitchen table as Ted eyed her with mirth. "What's got our daughter yelling at you just before dinner?" Andromeda hummed happily. "Our girl has gone and found herself a crush. I reminded her to stay on the potion. I might want to be a grandmother, but not at this second." Andromeda latched onto the wards and projected her voice. "Dinner will be ready in an hour." A distant "Will be there!" came down the stairs as she disconnected from the wards. As she started on dinner, Andromeda's thoughts drifted to her daughter and her recently arrived extended family. Hazel clearly had a lot of emotional baggage but she was a good mother to Teddy. If Dora was taking the Operative's Trials and was bonding with Hazel, it wouldn't be a bad thing. She might not want a grandchild for a few years, but she wouldn't mind having those two in her life. She got the water to start boiling as she went to the window. "Biela." Andromeda wrote a short note before attaching it to her grey Eurasian Scoop Owl. Ted eyed the owl as it flew out the window. "Work?" Andromeda shook her head as she started slicing some vegetables. "No, just seeing if I can get together with some friends soon."

-∞-

Andromeda smiled as she saw the two dimension hoppers sitting at a back table. "Hope I am not late." Hazel gave her a guarded smile as Teddy ate some garlic knots. "Not really, just had to make sure Teddy had something to keep his stomach from grumbling." Teddy's indignant "Hey!" was silenced by his mother playfully ruffling his hair as Andromeda sat down. The waiter came by and she ordered carbonated water. The disgusted looks on both mother and son amused her. "Not to your taste?" Hazel shook her head, her white hair tied into a braid over her shoulder. "Had that in Primary from the few times the nurse actually bothered with looking after me. Pretty sure they gave the stuff to get people to leave early. I don't mind carbonated drinks but pure carbonated water makes me want to taste Polyjuice again. Even Pumpkin juice might be worth it." Teddy shuddered. "No Pumpkin Juice for me. Ever." Andromeda chuckled as the soda was delivered and they ordered a large pizza with mixed meat and vegetables. "The other students are going to tease you for that at Hogwarts." Teddy made a face. "I'll go with water and maybe tea if I can't get any other juice."

Hazel chuckled. "I hated the stuff too. Still have no idea how people like Butterbeer either. Gillywater was alright, until I swallowed a mouthful of Gillyweed. The taste of the Black Lake got stuck in my throat soon after." Andromeda shivered. "Fell into the lake myself once and I get your point. Thank the goddess it wasn't on the boats, I might have been mortified for years." Andromeda eyed Teddy, who just finished his last garlic knot. "Are you looking forward to Hogwarts?" Teddy got a thoughtful look. "I know I will make friends and be a Hufflepuff, but I think I will miss Mom's approach to teaching. The school sounds like it can get boring." Andromeda could see that being an issue. The fact the boy could do Transfiguration at nine years of age was impressive. She eyed Hazel. "How far is he into the curriculum?" She shrugged. "It's not been a proper education. I had to pick and choose what gave him an advantage in the last two years. Herbology was important quickly in figuring out what plants we had to save as the snows covered the ground. A bit of Care in case we ran into some starving wildlife. Charms and Transfiguration have been the more standard, though I got him started early on silent and point casting. Was working my way up to wandless before magic faded."

Andromeda had a pensive look. "I think he will probably go over the practical portion of the classes quickly, but theory might be an issue." Andromeda smiled as she saw Teddy pout. "I know how to do it, I don't have to explain it." Hazel chuckled. "Maybe we should keep him away from Arithmancy. Septima might have a tough time with him, if it's her as the Professor here." Andromeda nodded. "It is and that's probably for the best. She hates it when her students don't show their work with the equations." Andromeda frowned for a second. "What about Potions?" She felt her skin breakout in goosebumps until Teddy tapped his mom's shoulder. "Don't be scary. Food isn't here yet." The feeling vanished instantly as Hazel closed her eyes. A few deep breaths later and she leaned over and kissed Teddy's cheek before looking at Andromeda. "I had the worst Potions teacher imaginable. Since he hated me as well from the start, I literally learned squat from him. How I got to sixth year Potions was a miracle, mainly because the bastard got his wish of being Defence Instructor. He tried sabotaging me there too but by then I was already quite intent on blasting holes through Death Eater heads. Might have ended him sooner if Dumbledore had not trusted him blindly." Andromeda sat back as the pizza arrived.

"Severus was a threat in your world?" Hazel nodded as she pulled a slice onto Teddy's plate and then one on hers. "Yeah, he was. We best check out your Hogwarts Potion Master before Teddy goes to study under him. He tries to sabotage my son's education, I will drag him into the Forest and bind him there for a week. See how he likes the local denizens." Andromeda pulled her own slice of pizza and started cutting it with her fork and knife. "Good to know. I will let Croaker in on that before he has to do any damage control. Speaking of the DoM, care to tell me if my daughter is also training under Horatio's supervision?" Hazel took a bite of her slice of pizza, ignoring the looks from both Teddy and Andromeda. She smiled as she watched the two get scandalized by her table manners. She loved doing that with Andi too. "She is. In Croaker's defence, Horatio seems a bit obsessed with keeping the Director out of his business. Horatio did it all on his own. You're welcome to talk to him after our next training session. So far I have given him a few cuts and bruises, plus a cracked forearm." Andromeda made sure to check in on the Medical Wing the next afternoon. "Do you think my daughter might make it through the training?"

Hazel finished her slice and passed another one into Teddy's empty plate. She thought about what she saw of this world's Nymphadora. "I think she has some self esteem issues. Her clumsiness isn't helping her out and the more she does the training the more I see her frustrated. Don't get me wrong, she is improving but there is only so much she can take about the situation before she feels like it might not be worth it. I have a low risk recon job lined up with Croaker on the 31st of July that could do her some good but I do worry about when she will have enough." Andromeda sat back and thought about her daughter. She clearly wanted the job and was working hard to get it. At the same time she knew how she was at school. She got decent grades but never truly Outstanding, except for DADA. She worked hard at it but she sacrificed her other courses for it. "Are you interested in seeing her succeed?" Hazel looked at Andromeda and blinked. Was she? Her Dora was great but she still had confidence issues, especially with Remus and his self-pity parade. Would helping her here be the thing she needed to step out of her comfort zone?

"I… think the job might give her a shot at bettering herself. My Dora had issues that she carried with her to her grave. Yours has some of those but she might outgrow them. It's hard to tell really. If you want me to keep helping her along, I will be happy to do it, but I won't if you don't want her in the DoM." Andromeda ate her pizza quietly, thinking about what her daughter could gain in the DoM. There would be no more secrets between them and she might just get the training she needed never to get taken down by any lingering Death Eaters or any other Dark wizards or witches. She looked up and saw Hazel cleaning Teddy's mouth with a napkin. She also saw what was missing. James and Lily. James' skills as an Auror made him advance quickly, but he drew too much attention to himself. If Hazel's parents were like her friends, then they got overwhelmed by the Death Eaters and caught in a deathtrap by Voldemort. Operative training was the closest thing she knew that just might save Dora from a similar fate. "Help her. As much as you can. I want my daughter to live through the next 7 years of her life." Hazel nodded and lunch was a bit more subdued after that. Andromeda went home, intent on pressing her husband to finish getting his clearance certification. She was also planning how to get Horatio back for not telling her about recruiting her daughter. Maybe adding an itching solution on his murtlap healing bandages.

-∞-

"Gods dammit, Witch!" Horatio pulled himself as far back as he could, his eyes on the white haired woman who was driving him to actually break a sweat in training his Candidates. He had already narrowed them down to two, the rest of the Candidates quitting and taking their recommendation papers back to the Academy. This had been Horatio's issue for the last 12 years since his Operations Division got gutted by that traitor Rockwood and his no-nose Dark Lord. Years of training and efficient teams taken down by bad intel and a traitor in their mix. Had Rockwood been caught by the DoM, he would have been executed. Instead the DMLE caught him and he turned into a stool pigeon, all to avoid a date with a Dementor or the Veil. Bloody bastard. Every year since then, Horatio would scout candidates and after nearly a month of training, most took the easy road and returned to the Academy, their lips sealed on what they did prior, a few even getting Obliviated. This year he counted his blessings; he still had two willing to take the punishing regime. Now he had to see if they could hack it for years to come. His biggest headache was the witch he now knew as Hazel Peverell, formerly Potter.

He remembered James Potter's evaluation, like most of his possible candidates. He tried to recruit him but the bastard was dead set on being an Auror. Had he taken the training, he might have survived that night. His NEWT scores indicated a high proficiency for Transfiguration, like most Potters. That his daughter from another world inherited the gift wasn't entirely unexpected. That she refined it the way she did was. He casted a Blasting Hex through a Wall that sprang up, before he was forced to roll out of the way as conjured spears were launched his way through the opening. He bit back a growl of pain as he severed a transfigured thorn that sprang from the embedded spear that just barely missed his leg. The witch was seriously rough around the edges, her Physical Combat needed a lot of work to get it perfect, but gods was she a terror as a Conjurer. Conjuration, as the final step of Transfiguration, was often ignored by most witches and wizards. Sure, you could conjure water, metals and even furniture. Most people stuck to that party trick, as a way of showing off. A few might even conjure living animals if they could, usually birds.

True Freeform Conjuration for combat was almost unheard of. Albus Bloody Dumbledore was a Transfiguration Master, but even he stuck to using it as defense in combat, switching to Hexes and Charms in fights. The she-devil infront of him either never got the instruction a typical witch would have or she took notice of a weakness and exploited it. Because the moment he managed to get enough distance from her to cast Hexes and Curses safely was the moment her combat switched to offensive Conjuration. He really needed to get her to take some NEWTs in December to figure out if she was hiding any other areas of expertise. So far she was his favorite yet, even if he would never say it to Saul. He would never hear the end of it. He casted a Siege Engine spell and watched as it tore through her garden of spears and transfigured slabs for defence. He noticed a Duelist Shield pop out. Interesting. "You done playing games, witch?" The cheeky grin he got made his stomach drop. That oddly familiar wand was waved wildly as hundreds of slabs sprang from the floor. He sighed as he blasted the closest one away and regretted it instantly.

The sharp teeth of a wolf's jaw was digging into his wand arm as the angry growls filled his ears. Great, she had Animal Conjuration down too. Which meant that of all his Candidates in the last 12 years, she was the closest he had ever gotten to an Operative that rendered numerical advantage useless against her. "Enough! Call them off!" A loud whistle echoed in the training room as the slab retreated back into the floor. The pack of wolves returned to the witch who vanished them with a flick of her wrist. Horatio looked at his wound. "You got a good idea of a wolf's bite. Reminds me of the time a dog took a chunk out of me." The witch shrugged. "I ran into a few Direwolves in the frozen Moors. Nasty buggers were a nightmare to take down without ripping them apart. Made some nice fur coats though. Still have a few… I think." Horatio stared at the woman. "You ran into a few Dark Wizards before that though, enough to know how to take on several all at once." Her eyes took on a far away look. "A few times. Started with birds and bugs. Actually made some nasty badgers once or twice. Lots of fun with those. The largest I could manage then were Mountain Trolls. Those take a lot out of you if you add in their natural magical resistance. Damn good curse sponges though."

The fact the woman just admitted to conjuring a magical creature and even applying magical traits to it meant she was beyond NEWT Transfiguration. She was a bloody Master. "Croaker wants you out on a low risk reconnaissance mission. You just got my permission. Don't squander it." Hazel gave him a calculated look. "Alright then. Are we good for tonight? I was planning on baking a Lasagna in the oven for my son and I only have the meat precooked as it is." Horatio nodded, a little concerned about how easily she could switch between battle hardened Conjurer to Caring Mother. "You have the rest of the night off." He left towards the Medical Wing, cursing under his breath at the deep bite mark on his arm. The moment he opened the door, the pain in his arm instantly vanished. The sound of the doors locking place behind him made his blood run cold. Andromeda Tonks was a scary witch on a good day. The woman in front of him was clearly not having a good day. Scratch that, maybe a good day is the worst. The smile that grew on her face was a good sign that the Black Madness still lived in her. "Let me have a look at that, Horatio ." That wolf pack seemed downright pleasant right now.

Later in the evening Hazel sat with bed with Teddy asleep against her side. She smiled down at him rubbing his hair gently, watching him slip further into sleep she leaned her head back against the wall, her eyes looking around the room. Their trips to Muggle London had been very pleasant, with Teddy getting a few fantasy and sci-fi books as well as some more sketching supplies. An old Vinyl Shop had caught her eye and she bought a few discs from every season. She made a pit stop after their shopping trip in Diagon Alley to buy a Record Player that was powered by magic. The rest of the time was spent looking at kid's furniture, including some nice looking bookshelves and posters. She also bought a few Huffpuff posters before the two slipped back into the Ministry. The room now felt like it was Teddy's room and not just an empty apartment. So Hazel did her best to focus on that rather than the memories trying to claw their way back into her mind. She did her best to not make a sound. The memories eventually surfaced but she managed not to disturb Teddy. A small victory even as she swallowed her own bile.

-∞-

OW October 31 1997

Hazel didn't know how long she stared at the badgers she conjured as they tore through the mangled flesh of the Snatchers that she, Hermione and Ron ran into. Why the two stuck with her she had trouble understanding, after she made it clear she wasn't going to stop killing, no matter how much they complained. "Damn it Hazel, they weren't bothering anyone!" Hazel turned to Hermione and eyed her wearily. "Really? How many Muggleborns do you think they managed to corner before today? How many are probably lying dead in a ditch somewhere because they fought back? They could have been out here looking for anyone they could snatch and bring to the Death Eaters. I wasn't going to let them get us or anyone else." Ron sighed. "Hazel, I get that, but what's the point of this? You didn't have to kill them. At worst you could have snapped their wands. It's not like Olivander is making new ones anymore."

After a second of thought, Hazel smiled. "Oh, right. That can come in useful. Accio wands. " A dozen wands flew towards her before she levitated them in place. She took the four that didn't seem to complain as much in her hands and gave rest to Hermione and Ron. They looked at the blood soaked wands and grimaced. Ron shook his head. "This wasn't what I had in mind, Haze." Hazel's temper flared. "You don't get to call me that!" A tree next to them snapped, causing Ron to shrink back. "Sorry." Hazel turned back to the corpses as she vanished the Badgers. "Remind me to tell Neville he would have made a better Badger. They are a lot more terrifying on the inside, especially after getting mad. As for this having a point, I think it has a damn good one. How many more Snatchers will be careful about signing up or hunting anyone after hearing about this? The Ministry might have tried to hide it but the Death Eaters will make sure everyone knows how I really am Undesirable #1. If the country is going to call me that, I may as well earn it."

Hermione shivered. "At what cost! You are a good person, Hazel!" Hazel pinched the bridge of her nose. "Hermione, I killed my first person at 11 years of age, I casted my first Killing Curse at 15. I have killed repeatedly since and I can tell you I am probably going to kill many more, including Tom." Hermione shook her head. "But you don't have to! You can be better than this! Dumbledore said…" Hazel turned and growled at them. "Dumbledore can get bent in Hell for all I care! The bastard did nothing to stop this mess and now you expect me to clean it up his way? The hell with that. I am doing this my way. You two can stick around but I swear if you try and stop me I am leaving you both behind." Ron fingered his wand and ended up getting an up close look at a nasty looking curse itching to leave Hazel's wand. "You Hex me at any moment, I won't hesitate to take you down. Got it?" Hermione whimpered. "You are going to end up like You-Know-Who like this." Hazel glared at her. "I am not Voldemort!" They heard apparition pops behind them as Ron groaned. "I warned you about the Jinx!" Hazel ignored him and conjured a massive pack of badgers before hiding behind a tree. "Like I care!"

Chapter 6: Haunting Parallels

Chapter Text

"So, why didn't you say anything?" Hazel drank from her tea as her eyes constantly scanned the Leaky Cauldron. Some of the faces looked familiar to the ones she remembered from almost 30 years ago, with some difference in hair or clothing. At the corner of the room, near the entrance to Diagon Alley, sat Professor Quirrell, who seemed… jumpy and spent quite a bit of time babbling with the bartender. He was really different from her former DADA instructor, who was far more cool and collected, always speaking with a soft and commanding voice. Sure, he wore the same formal clothes and purple turban, but the Quirrell of this world sounded so pathetic. She was half tempted to pull the turban off and ask Tom, if he was even back there, what made him possess such a terrible excuse of a human being. Then again, maybe the man she met so many years ago was more Tom than Quirrell. She never did study the finer details of wraiths and possessions, not that the Hogwarts Library would have even had a selection for said situation. Maybe she should ask Croaker for a book on it. On second thought, maybe not. He would only look at her funny and demand a longer explanation. Those were getting more common. Someone snapped her finger in front of Hazel and she glared at her partner for the day. "What? They aren't here yet."

Dora, looking decidedly masculine in some very god awful wizard's robes, glared at her. "I am asking why you didn't say anything about your gift." Hazel, looking like a woman sporting short brown hair and blue eyes, shrugged. "Because it's not that important to me. I got it after I turned 17 and while I can manage a shift, I don't like not looking like myself." Dora drank from her gillywater, which made Hazel shiver at the imagined taste. "So, the way you usually look is all you? No changes? Not even the hair?" Hazel looked over as the door to London opened but no giant popped in, or any other faculty member. Good thing she had asked Croaker for the Hogwarts personnel file. She had never seen Professor Babbling before, as her version of a Runes Professor was an old man and her Professor Sinastra had been as pale as an Icelandic vampire, not of African ancestry. Flitwick was the oddest thing, with her version looking like an old man that gave Dumbledore a run for his money, while the local Charms Master looked quite dapper for his size in something resembling a tuxedo. She returned her attention to Dora. "As far as I am aware, that is all me, minus the hair. I can't get my hair to match my original shade of black anymore. It always goes white. It's either the effects of curse damage or my Family Magic that keeps it white. Don't know. I tried shifting it to red for a time but I kept getting hit on by creeps, and blonde doesn't look good on me."

Visualizing a redheaded Hazel made Dora hum apreciately. "Yeah, I'd tap that." The look Hazel gave her made Dora blush, even through her shift. "I said that outloud, didn't I?" Hazel looked elsewhere. "The privacy ward should make it so only I heard you, though I don't think it will make you feel any better." Hazel tried her best to not think about Nymphadora that way, but that was difficult right now. She had had a massive crush on her own Dora when they first met at her Godmother's place during her summer before fifth year. She had even kissed her under a mistletoe once. While Hazel had been interested in her, her world's Dora had been fully enamored with Remus. Hazel spent a full year trying to get over her, only for her next flame to have been a lot worse for her. The thought that the local Nymphadora was interested in her did make her reconsider if it was a good idea to spend a lot of time with her. Her Dora had deserved way better than that bastard mutt. She was about to say that this Dora deserved better than her before she stopped herself. She didn't want to linger in self pity. Not like he did. Maybe… they could be something. Her thoughts ended as she spied a giant of a man walking into the Leaky Cauldron.

"Heads up. Keep your eyes open, keep chatter low and we will talk about everything later." Dora nodded as the privacy ward dropped. The bartender looked towards the Half Giant. "A bit early for a pick me up, wouldn't you say Hagrid?" Hazel eyed Quirrell, watching his reactions. "Sorry Tom, on official business. Maybe later for lunch. Got to get Harry here to the Alley." Hazel turned her head towards the black haired boy who seemed to cringe under the attention of the place. Whispers of Harry Potter were shared everywhere as people crowded around him. Quirrell, interesting enough, seemed to have a debate with himself. Was Tom really that disconnected with him that they needed verbal communication? Interesting. Hazel stood up and nudged Dora and they both moved away from the table. They walked past Harry, with Hazel giving him a small bow. "A fair day, Mr. Potter." Dora bowed her head but remained quiet as they entered the back part of the store and opened Diagon Alley's gateway. Hazel eyed the street, knowing they would head for Gringotts first. "Was it wise to say anything?" Hazel turned to Dora. "It would have been more noticeable if I didn't. Blending in is more than changing your look. You have to behave like the rest or stand out by your lack of reaction. Best way to spot an amateur in a room is to check for lack of reaction and razor focus."

Dora nodded. "Thanks, I will keep that in mind." Hazel pulled her to the side, out of view of most. "I want you to stick out here, keep an eye out. If my intel is right, the Malfoys are about. Keep a low profile." Dora frowned at the mention of the Malfoys. "Got it. Hey, where are you going?" Hazel turned and looked at her after heading back to the main street. She grinned. "Those two will be entering the bank. My means of invisibility can fool the Goblins, yours can't. Stay nearby and stay out of trouble. I will be back. We need confirmation of a target being acquired." Tonks thought back to her orders. "I didn't hear about that." Hazel sighed and pushed into Tonks' personal space, her lips inches away from Tonks'. She intended to make it look natural for a couple out for a walk in the Alley, but her mind failed for a second at catching how nice the Metamorphmagus smelled. Getting her mind back on track. "If I can confirm this, it gets us one more piece of evidence that the Boss needs to add to the file. We need all of it to make the right call. Please, wait for me around here?" Dora's mind misfired for a second before she nodded. Hazel turned the corner and promptly vanished from sight. She hurried up the stairs as she scanned the area. She felt the old Goblin wards pass over her and she smiled. They were a bit weaker than what she remembered from her second break in.

Hazel hurried to pass the tellers as she eyed the Half Giant and the kid waiting in line. She needed to get to vault 713. Croaker already confirmed it as the only one co-owned by Flamel and Dumbledore. If the stone was in Gringotts, this was the place to keep it. She avoided the Goblins as she slipped around and found an empty cart before stepping on, casting a notice-me-not charm on it. Hidden under her Cloak she rode the cart all the way to 713 and got off, sending the cart back and dispelling the charm on it. She focused her magic to essentially fill her entire essence, blurring the line between her and the Cloak. She had done this accidentally the first time after getting cornered by Death Eater Remnants while on a grocery run and had spent weeks bumping into walls until she got it right. Andi had thoroughly enjoyed hearing her make a fool of herself and even baby Teddy laughed at her. Smiling at the fond memories, Hazel looked at the Vault wall and walked right through it, changing direction back towards the Vault proper before exiting into the empty space. Hazel saw the package and, after picking it up with gloved hands, opened it. A crystaline stone filled with a great deal of concentrated magic shown in her hand, a deep red color radiating from it. She replaced it in the bag and placed it back on its pedestal before she walked out through the wall again, the stone left behind. About 15 minutes later, Hazel heard a cart approach.

She walked around the three people as the goblin unlocked the Vault door before latching on to the back of the cart and casting a featherlight charm on herself. She turned and saw Hagrid pick up the stone and asked Harry not to tell anyone. Hanging from the back of a cart sitting a Half Giant was decidedly less fun than an empty cart, but Hazel focused on not letting herself get spotted or slipping into the void that were the Goblin tunnels. She couldn't keep the grin off her face though, as she walked out the front door of Gringotts. 3-0. To be fair, two of her break ins were using what she assumed was either Death's Cloak or the closest thing man could ever make to it, but damn if it didn't work beautifully. She walked down the street and spotted Tonks giving Madam Malkins' storefront the stink eye. She leaned down and kissed Tonks on the cheek. "Miss me, darling?" Dora blushed up a storm. "Not really. Got what you needed?" Hazel nodded. "Peaco*cks in Malkins?" Dora wanted to giggle. "That was a good code name for them. Just two. The big Peaco*ck wasn't with them." Hazel nodded and asked the coffee shop waitress for the menu. The two sat quietly before Hazel eyed Ollivander's, deciding to steer clear of the place. Best not tempt fate with that man's eyes. Knowing this was the last stop of Harry's today, she settled in and thought of Quirrell's odd behavior and how he compared to hers.

-∞-

OW November 1st 1991

"Enter." Hazel opened the door to Professor Quirrell's office, her body still trembling from last night. She had gone to the bathroom to cry a bit after the Weasley boy laughed at her for failing her spells during Charms. Despite her best efforts, spells never felt like they were casting right. After getting the embarrassment out of her system, Hazel had opened the door of the bathroom stall before slamming it shut again. The mace carried by a large Troll tore through the wooden structures soon after, as she tried to sneak out beneath the stalls. She tried running past it before it smashed the faucets in front of her, water dripping down everywhere as the floor flooded. The Troll kept trying to crush her and at one moment she felt it had succeeded. She couldn't dodge in time. She remembered screaming at it with her outstretched hands and hearing a sudden thud follow through. She stood up and looked over at the troll, seeing the beast on its back, it's mace thrown across the room. When it started waking up, Hazel panicked. She grabbed the nearest jagged pieces of splintered wood and jammed them down into its eyes. The creature batted her away with its arms but moaned in frustration as it failed to see anything.

A few seconds later, Professor Quirrell opened the door to the bathrooms and launched heavy chains towards the creature, immobilizing it. That had been last night and she hadn't seen the Defence Professor again until right now. The moment Quirrell spotted her his face changed from stern to concerned. "Please sit down. Hogsby, a spot of camomile for my guest. Last night's adventure hasn't settled well with her, it seems." Hazel blinked at seeing the cup of tea appearing on the table in front of her. "A bit of warning, never accept snacks or drinks from an adult alone in their office. There are bad people everywhere, hiding behind kind words and a warm smile. You can, however, trust the house elves of Hogwarts. They won't let any harmful potions into a student's meal. The rules that bind them are absolute." Hazel eyed the man worriedly as she took the cup of tea. "Thank … you, Hogsby. And you, sir. For the tea and for last night." Quirrell sat back, his eyes focused on her. "Well, the Troll would say you did a lot more damage to it than me, wouldn't you agree?" Hazel lowered her eyes, her hands shaking. She sat the tea cup down and stared at her hands. She could remember the feel of the blood on her hands. She swore she hadn't managed to clean all of it. Not the last fifteen times she tried.

Quirrell's eyes felt piercing. "You didn't go to that bathroom on purpose, did you?" Hazel shook her head. "No, sir." The Professor tapped his fingers on the desk. "Miss Potter, I will be frank. Have you received any prior instruction in magic?" Hazel shook her head, "No, sir." Quirrell looked confused before he sighed. "You weren't raised among a magical family or with anything to do with our world." It wasn't a question, but Hazel shook her head. Quirrell summoned a book from the bookshelf with barely a wave of his hand. He passed the book to her. She eyed it carefully, seeing a caricature of a person who sort of looked like her riding a dragon. "As far as Wizarding Britain is concerned, that is who you are, Miss Potter. The teachers and the students expect to see a brash young Gryffindor breaking the rules, fighting bad guys and saving her fellow students. The fact that you hardly know a thing about our world, that you, a target for every Dark Wizard or Witch, are utterly incapable of defending yourself against a Troll, shows that you aren't the person everyone expected. Here you are, not 8 hours after escaping death by the skin of your teeth, quaking in your shoes as if the beast might appear behind a corner this next second. I have made a career of facing Trolls, Miss Potter, and while Magically Resistant, they are very easy to disable by a skilled hand. How are you even a Gryffindor?"

She wasn't sure why but hearing him describe who she was supposed to be made her start to cry. The odd man sighed and walked around his desk before pulling out a handkerchief. "My apologies, Miss Potter. My anger is not towards you but to the people that have fostered a lie while you were clearly left neglected. You are a quick study in class, though your calligraphy and theoretical work are very much lacking, a consequence of your failed instruction prior, I believe." Hazel looked at him oddly as he wiped her tears away. She thought back to his previous question and answered, barely above a whisper. "The Hat didn't know where to put me. I didn't seem to have any of the traits the Founders valued. He eventually settled on Gryffindor and Hufflepuff and asked me which I wanted. I asked for Gryffindor… because of my parents. I wanted to feel closer to them." Hazel sniffed. Quirrell, satisfied she wouldn't cry anymore, returned to his seat, his hands rubbing eyes. "I suppose you aren't the first one here, trying to fit in. We all want to do well by our parents, especially those who never really got to know them."

Hazel looked at the man and saw an understanding look in his eyes. Was he like her? The Professor shook his head and scratched some writing on a paper with his quill. He passed the paper to her. "Your name, Miss Potter, will bring many people after you. Perhaps worse still, many will flock to your side for safety, expecting a champion and a protector. You are not prepared for either. Come by here after Dinner every other day in the week and we will see if we can get you to a point where you can at least take care of yourself." Hazel took the paper and nodded. "Thank you … sir." Hazel got up from the chair, bowed and left the office. She looked at the paper unsure why he was helping her. No one else did. Maybe… maybe he actually cared? Or would he just disappoint her like every other adult? She placed the paper away in her pocket and wandered back towards Gryffindor Tower, wondering what she could learn from him. Would he teach her how to use wandless magic? Was that what she did last night? Maybe he could teach her how to change her eye colors too. Watching his eyes turn from brown to red had been neat.

-∞-

NW July 31st 1991

"Well done, both of you. Mr. Potter entered and left Diagon Alley safely, for the most part, and we got a good grasp of what elements were in place around him. Candidate Tonks, Candidate Peverell's recommendations are important. When hiding in plain sight, the illusion of being part of the masses must be maintained. While a good disguise will get you in the door, a good performance will get you safely out the door again. Even more so should you ever be asked to portray another person. Trusting your partner will also play a part in any future mission. Ms. Peverell's skill sets are more suited to a variety of tasks. If you two complete your Trials, you will be required to be intimately aware of your partners capabilities, in an objective manner." Dora and Hazel stood at attention as Horatio talked to them, with Croaker eyeing them from behind, though he kept looking at his reports closely. Horatio picked up a pouch and tossed it to Tonks. "Since you are technically not under our employ yet, you can take this as a tip for a job well done. You are dismissed, Candidate Tonks. Candidate Peverell's performance inside the bank needs to be addressed privately."

Tonks eyed Hazel carefully but when she saw a warm smile she knew everything was fine. She left the room without a fuss. Hazel eyed Horatio before looking at Croaker. "How much has he been filled in about the current threat?" Horatio grumbled. "Enough. We have a presumed dead Dark Lord acting as a parasite and a Headmaster with too much interest in an 11 year old not of his blood." Croaker nodded and dropped the papers. "Since Mr. Potter is technically a Peverell, we were able to use your status with the Goblins to place a monitor on his expenses and isolate who can make withdrawals without Mr. Potter being present. We will make allowances for academic purchases as long as they match Potter's needs and a few extra, but should anyone try to make mass retrievals or small but regular retrievals, we will know." Hazel hummed. "Good thing I wasn't caught then, might have soured those deals." Both Horatio and Croaker glared at her, with the latter of the two sighing. "You snuck into Gringotts and confirmed the presence of one of Flamel's Stones as well as its withdrawal in the presence of Mr. Potter. Mr. Hagrid may not see an issue with this but any security minded person would."

Hazel nodded. "Like Dumbledore. Did the stone getting stored at Gringotts get advertised in any way prior to this summer?" Horatio got a worried look. "There was a notification of Flamel being seen in Gringotts in mid June, prior to the staff meeting for the school as they organised the next year's curriculum. If Dumbledore is up to his usual tricks of playing long games, this won't be an easy matter to resolve with just a simple intervention. I doubt Flamel is a willing part of this, but even if he is, our real concern currently is Voldemort." They both eyed Hazel who sighed. "Professor Quirrell showed signs of partial possession, or what I think is partial possession. The man I met in my world was more in control of himself and had no need to hide behind a stutter or a nervous disposition. I can't offer even a guess as to why they are different, without asking Voldemort himself. Something tells me you won't like to share books on wraith possessions either." Croaker gave her an amused look. "No, we would not. Even if we had any books detailed enough to cover this situation." Hazel grinned before her face grew pensive. "I also noticed the man refusing to touch the boy. Quirrell had no problems with that in my world, which suggests that Voldemort might know something we don't." Croaker sat forward. "So, we have a powerful Alchemic Stone, a half possessed Defense Professor, a Headmaster with too much time in his hands and an eleven year old boy who has no idea what forces are at play around him. This is a recipe for a disaster."

Thinking back on the day, Hazel eyed Croaker. "Speaking of forces at play, did you contact Ollivander about the incident in his store? I would have gone in but the man's eye is too discerning for my taste. I would only dare walk in there with my Cloak on." Horatio turned to Croaker. "I've never heard of a wand behaving like that either." Croaker nodded. "Neither have I. Ollivander, under oath, swore that the wand reacted positively for a second before the wood of the wand, Holly, disintegrated. He salvaged the Phoenix Feather core and refashioned a new wand, this one made of Willow, for the boy. He isn't sure what happened with the original either." Hazel rubbed her wand holster before summoning her Holly wand into her hand. "My original wand matched the one that was ruined. Is it possible it sensed I was nearby and rejected Harry because of me?" Croaker eyed the wand while Horatio interjected. "Does it still recognize you as the rightful wielder? You never use that particular wand in our practices." Hazel ran her magic into it and got a positive response. "It's still mine. It took years to accept me fully but after that it never wavered. I don't use it because the last time I wielded it with my magic at its peak, the wand cracked. Ollivander swore there was no fixing it but the Elder Wand did it without issue. Still not tempting fate and using it again at my max performance. Teddy uses it most of the time now."

Croaker sat back. "Two identical wands, one fails near the other. The one that endures had already been damaged and restored by forces beyond the skill of a wandmaker to understand. We have a lot of unknowns here." Hazel stored her Holly Wand away before a thought came to mind. "Wait, has Dumbledore been seen with his wand lately? My Elder Wand should be the same as his if he also bested Grindelwald and stole it from him." Croaker got a pensive look. "He has typical meetings in the Wizengamot but none since you arrived. The next session is on the 15th of September. I will keep an eye out and see if his wand has changed. In the meantime, Miss Peverell, please stay out of trouble and train. You snuck into Gringotts alone. Your next target will be Hogwarts and you will be taking Tonks as backup. A Troll in a castle full of kids is a danger. My greatnephew will be there and my sister will murder me if anything happens to him and I knew about it. So your job will be to identify the threat, subdue it and then see what happens. Dumbledore's behavior will tell us more about his endgame and just how vulnerable Hogwarts is because of it. So focus on getting Candidate Tonks up to snuff." Hazel nodded and left the meeting, her hand rubbing the owl charm with Hedwig's feather strapped to her belt. At least the boy got his familiar. She hoped he got the same strength from Hedwig that she did.

-∞-

Andromeda watched as her daughter sat back and huffed. She smiled, not seeing any bruises on her. Progress. "Good day at work?" Dora nodded as she removed her boots and lifted her feet onto the Ottoman. "Not the typical training, but still interesting. Oh, I got to see Harry at the Alley today." Andromeda froze and turned to her daughter. "How was he?" Dora thought back. "He looks like the pictures you have of your cousin James, just scrawnier and a bit more jumpy. Hagrid was showing him around the Alley and got him his school supplies." Andromeda frowned. Hagrid wasn't the best person to introduce a kid into the world, especially if he had been living with Petunia for the last 10 years of his life. "Huh, was he happy at least?" Dora leaned forward and felt her bones pop into place. Holding the form of a man for the duration of the mission had been exhausting. Not to mention uncomfortable. She had wanted to not commit fully to the role and leave her privates intact but Hazel warned her that it affected her walking pattern. The bruises and chafing between her legs that she developed over the day definitely attest to that. Oww. She focused on her memory of Harry's face and smiled. "He looked happy, his eyes darting everywhere with wonder. Definitely his first time around magic." Andromeda sat down.

"Did he meet anyone else?" Dora thought back. "I think he met Draco Malfoy, but not the Lord and Lady Malfoy. Both were out of Malkins at the time and Harry left before either returned." Andromeda sighed in relief. "Good. The longer he stays away from those two the better." Dora watched her Dad enter through the front door, bags of chinese food in his hands. "Long day at work, Dad?" Ted nodded as they all sat around the table, with Ted passing the food around. "We got some interesting hits on Harry Potter's legal interests. Dumbledore is somehow listed as Magical Guardian, but there is concern that challenging it would draw the attention of the Malfoys, who could flip the Minister. Interesting enough, another name was recently added and managed to exert some influence with the legal rights to the boy. Peverell. My boss was surprised to see that name appear. He was under the impression the Peverells had gone extinct centuries ago. Harry seems to be of their line and while politically powerless in the Gamot, they still have legal rights over the boy. At least partly." Andromeda noticed a pensive look on Dora before looking at her husband.

"Any chances we could work with them?" Ted opened his box of chinese food while Andromeda glared at Dora and her slurping of the noodles. Ted grinned at his two ladies, loving how different they tended to be, despite Andromeda's attempts at instructing Dora on proper table manners. "Not sure. There was no name listed for legal representation, which means they acted on their own or the Ministry did it for them. So far they seem interested in protecting the boy's finances and making sure he had legal representation. Anything happens to him and someone will come calling at the school." Andromeda sat back and ate as she thought about what that meant. Hazel came from a world that practically used her and turned on her. Was she and Croaker making sure Harry was spared that fate? She eyed Dora who dug into her meal with too much fervor, causing Andromeda to pass her a napkin. If the DoM was keeping an eye on Harry, maybe it was for the best they slowed down their own requests. Not entirely to make it appear as if they lost interest, but enough to keep attention away from the changes. She dug into her meal as she planned for a chat with her husband later that evening.

Chapter 7: Struggles of a Metamorphmagus

Chapter Text

"Funny seeing you here." Hazel sighed and closed her newspaper, seeing Dora as she sat across from her on the cafeteria table. "My usual lunch appointment got cancelled. Something about a surprise for dinner." She technically knew Teddy was baking her a cake with Leafsby, but she didn't dare interrupt her son's little experimentation. The excitable elf was keeping her eye on making sure it was edible and that Teddy didn't set the kitchen on fire. Dora hummed as she bit into her sandwich, before eyeing the newspaper headline. "Damn, so much for a Potter in Hufflepuff. Nothing would have improved the house's image like having the Boy Who Lived in with the Badgers." Hazel bit back an angry retort on calling him that. She had hated being called the Girl Who Lived. Everyone took it as a bloody celebration, forgetting it literally meant she had been orphaned. Then again, Wizarding Britain was just like that: forgetful. They forgot the truth if an obvious lie was more convenient, or if the bloody paper repeated it enough. She had really hated her fifth year for the amount of crap the Prophet said about her, even as she ignored it all. If she ever spotted Rita, she would transfigure her into her animagus form and squish her.

"Who knows, he could up and change houses later. Might make a bigger impression that way. Harry Potter leaves Gryffindor for Hufflepuff." Dora chuckled. "Oh, that would be rich. Charlie would absolutely lose mind over that. He was a Gryffindor nut, just a bit less than a Dragon nut." Hazel hummed, ignoring the comment on the Weasley. "So, how was Hogwarts for you? All I am hearing is a bunch of mixed messages right now. Best school in Europe but the worst student scores in OWLs and NEWTs, as well as fewer electives." Dora swallowed her most recent bite of her meal. "I guess it's a bit of both really. McGonagall is the best at Transfiguration." Dora paused for a moment. "Present company excluded." Hazel grinned at her. "Much appreciated." Dora smiled back. "Flitwick is the best at Charms, and no one knows Herbology better than Sprout." She took a moment to drink from her drink. "I studied History of Magic, Divination and Muggle Studies, so I can safely say Binns is a free nap period. Trelawney is either insane or can't control her gift. Quirrell was ok as a Muggle Studies Professor so he might do good in DADA, which never had a single Professor stay more than one full academic year. Astronomy was fine under Professor Vector." Hazel eyed Dora. "Noticing your avoiding one. What happened to Potions?"

Dora sat back and tried to be as diplomatic as possible. "Snape… is a brutally efficient task master. He expects you to know the subject and get on with it. Most of my classes were with Ravenclaws and I can't remember ever hearing him give a single point to either of our houses. I heard he deducted points from Gryffindors like a madman and practically gifted points to Slytherin." Hazel drank from her cup of water and digested Tonks' summation. Sounds about right for the Hogwarts she knew. She had gotten a standing order from Croaker not to kill Snape just yet, so that was out. She eyed Tonks. "If we ever sneak into Hogwarts for a long assignment, want to go to Snape's office and mess with him? I know a few tricks that will make him furious because he would know no student did it." Tonks brightened up at that. "Abso-freakin-lutely! The bastard gave me a permanent detention in my sixth year for accidentally dropping a Venomous Tentacula plant on him." Hazel blinked for a second. Her Tonks had never done that. "Are you sure it was an accident?" Tonks' glare made her chuckle.

Hazel sat back and thought about what Tonks had said and what it would mean for Teddy. Ignoring the fact a certain Werewolf might be at the school in Teddy's first year, her son would be going through a whole lot of problems aimed at Harry Potter. No Basilisk, she hoped, but definitely some insane escapée from Azkaban, whatever disaster this world called their Triwizard Tournament and then the next three years of clandestine warfare. She needed to talk to Croaker on how bad it would be if she murdered Dolores Umbridge before Teddy made it to Hogwarts and the hell was she letting Snape ruin her son's interest in Potions and DADA. So much to do… Hazel sighed as she rubbed her eyes before looking at Dora. "Are you ready for a much more intensive Physical Combat training session today?" Dora winced. "I am just worried. My balance and hand eye coordination is sh*t. I can cast fine but landing a punch the right way seems so hard. Not to mention my hand hurts every time I mess up." Hazel tapped the table, feeling a little concern. This sounded like her world's version of Dora's self-esteem issues. Hazel pushed her seat back and stood up. "Finish up soon. We have a 30 minute jog before we get to do some physical combat." Dora eyed her friend before she slumped her body onto the table. "Joy."

-∞-

Dora dropped onto the ground, the kneecaps she wore reducing the pain by just a little. "Again." She got up and turned towards Horatio as Hazel watched from the wall. After the last of the Candidates called it quits, Horatio moved her and Dora to a smaller Training Room, where they did everything that required close quarters combat, both magical and physical. It made things a lot harder for casting and dodging in the middle of a firefight but that was the point. The more she thought about it, the more she recognized how lucky she had been. The majority of her fights ended up being in wide open spaces, perfect for her Conjuration and Transfigurations. The closest to a narrow combat area had been her fight in the DoM, with the Hall of Prophecies and the Ministry hallways being very enclosed. Both the Death Chamber and the Atrium gave a lot more room to fight. Sure, she could switch to curses or bladed weapons, but Conjurations allowed her a freedom of observation she had desperately needed when the bloody Snatchers and Death Eaters got overzealous. Hazel winced as Dora fell on her knees again. Horatio was not taking it easy on her today. "Again."

Hazel could tell that Dora was reaching her tipping point. While her casting and curses were beyond reproach, Dora's footwork, physical combat and equilibrium were lacking and Hazel could see the strain getting to her. Horatio's aggressive regimen wasn't doing her any favors. Hazel watched as Dora switched into a kick aimed at Horatio's head before Dora's other leg slipped. Dora ended up hitting the ground hard. Horatio eyed her, clearly disappointed. "Alright, we are calling it a day here. Make sure you take another 30 lap jog in the large training room then you are free to go." Hazel walked up to Dora as Horatio left the room. Dora stood up, breathing heavily, but clearly agitated. Hazel looked at her and wondered. "Drop the shift." Dora froze. "What?" Hazel stared at her. "Drop the shift. You're keeping a form that is throwing you off. Drop it." Dora shook her head. "This is me, Hazel." Dora watched as Hazel's foot started tapping. "You asked me on the 31st of July if this was my original form and I said yes. I trusted you with my truth, so stop lying to me and trust me with yours."

Dora spinned towards Hazel and practically growled. "THIS IS ME!" Hazel raised an eyebrow at her. "Ah, that makes more sense. You are lying to yourself first." Hazel caught the punch that was aimed at her face and spinned Dora around until she grabbed both of her arms and pinned them behind Dora's back. She slammed Dora into the floor and pinned her down. "Drop it, Nymphadora." Dora froze. "Where did you hear my name?" Hazel pressed her body into Dora, who had to fight a lot of mixed feelings on the contact. "Doesn't matter. You are keeping a part of yourself hidden and it's throwing you off. It happens to Metamorphmagi who can't accept a part of themselves but can't dismiss it either. Now drop the shift." Dora growled, "Go to Hell!" Hazel felt her instincts kick in and she almost smashed Dora's head into the ground. Fearing a loss of control, she released Dora and sat on the floor. She held her head, fighting a memory trying to consume her mind. Her hands started to shake violently. Dora stood up and expected to get back into a fight with Hazel when she noticed her friend sitting on the mat. "Hazel?" She saw Hazel look up at her and noticed her eyes rapidly changing color until they settled into an eerie pair of red before returning to her vibrant green.

Hazel stood up quickly before stumbling away, holding onto her head with one hand as she headed for the door. "Hazel?" Dora tried touching her shoulder but as soon as she did she couldn't breathe, her throat gripped tightly by Hazel's hand. She noticed the same shift in colors in Hazel's eyes before they resettled into green and her grip lessening. "Here is a free fact about me, Nymphadora. I am not a good person. I have moments where I forget I am trying to be a good person and in those moments, bad things happen. So please, get away from me. Go home and get some rest. I will be a better friend on monday. Now leave, before I forget who you are to me again. Please." Hazel pushed Dora back as she stumbled towards the Medical Wing. She'd never hurt Teddy but right now she didn't want her son to see her like this. She didn't want to disappoint him again. She barely made it to the Medical Wing's doors and slipped inside before her mind collapsed.

-∞-

OW August 1998

"Stop it! Please stop it!" Hazel ignored Hermione's pleas as she approached Ronald Weasley. The redheaded boy had been shadowing her for years. For years she had thought that maybe they could have been friends. Then he started trying to flirt with her in their sixth year, ignoring every time she told him that she wasn't interested. He followed her all throughout the hunt for the means to destroy the last Horcrux and the stupid sword that got locked in Lucius Malfoy's Vault. Whatever defences Voldemort had put on the Locket it refused to be consumed by Fiendfyre or even her own cursed flames. Even a straight Killing Curse failed. The only thing they discovered that could work on it was the Sword of Gryffindor and its Basilisk Venom infused Goblin Steel. In that time, Ron stuck to her like glue, refusing to leave. She had finally begun to warm up to him again until she took a bloody drink while at the Burrow. The moment the disgusting pumpkin juice touched her lips, she knew something was wrong. It's taste was off and her Family Magic had reacted to it as if it was toxic. She had excused herself, threw up the liquid into a vial and apparated away to Grimmauld Place, at least what was left of it. Her Godmother's family had been paranoid for centuries and she had no trouble identifying the potion in the drink with the potions kit she found in the rubble. Amortentia. Why the potion failed on her she couldn't really care.

A week later she had invited the twosome to her apartment in Edinburgh and they came. She never truly understood how they could be so stupid. She revived the bastard and woke him up by slapping his cheeks. "Hello, Ronald. Care to talk now?" The redheaded boy spat at her. "Piss off, you bitch. I did nothing wrong!" Hazel hummed before conjuring a thin and small spear, the size of a scalpel, into her hand. The screams from both began to build up as she carved into the bastard. She was as careful as she could be with her incisions, but it didn't stop her hands from becoming filthy with his blood. She stood back and conjured a towel to wipe her hands and forearms clean before turning back to the two people seated at the table. She waited for them to stop screaming before silencing Hermione and turning towards the redhead again. "You and your family fed me Amortentia last week. I want to know why and how long you have been planning this." The redhead glared at her, his body suffering tremors from the echoes of what she did to him.. "Go to hell you, psycho!" Hazel grabbed the bastard by the neck and twirled her scalpel in her fingers. "Wrong answer." Hazel hands were stained with blood again as Hermione seemed to do her best to tip her seat over, her screams still silenced.

The screams from the boy were surprisingly not that grating to her as the scent of blood seemed to fill the air around her. For the two it must have been quite disconcerting but for her it was just another in a long line of experiences. The smell and taste of blood were almost nostalgic, especially since for once it wasn't hers. Feeling a little winded from her exertions on the redhead, Hazel pulled back and rubbed her chin, a bit of blood visibly smudging it, as smaller dots of blood marked her face. She looked back at the tearful brunette. Hazel, deciding to try a different approach, silenced Ronald before slamming her scalpel down onto the table, making Hermione's eyes widen and her struggle to break free became all the more urgent. As soon as she did the bare minimum to wipe her fingers clean, Hazel unsilenced the witch and sat beside her against the table. "Care to answer for him? The clock is ticking and you know I am sh*t as a Healer. Though I hear chicks dig scars on their men." Hermione eyed her before looking at Ron's less than appealing state. "Dumbledore was right about you. You really are no different than Voldemort!" Hazel eyed the girl, the first person she had crushed on, even if it was brief, before touching her chin. Hermione visibly tried to pull away, the scent of the blood on Hazel's hand making her visibly sick. "No. I'm not. Not really. I tried to be different but it never seemed to amount to much. What's the point when you still end up losing? Some things are just meant to be, I guess. Crucio ."

The brunette visibly started to shake as Hazel fed her curse all the pain she herself had once felt. There was a lot of pain for the spell to make use of. Hazel waited for the screams to stop before asking again. Hermione's face was covered in tears as Hazel looked at her. "We can do this all day. We are nowhere near civilization, you two were taken just as you left the Burrow and even if the Weasleys or the Order knew you were visiting me, no one would have seen you arrive at my place." Hermione shook her head, visibly shaken. "They will know. They will know and come after you! You monster!" Hazel showed her a toothy smile. "You know, there is a bit of a saying. Call someone a monster or a criminal and treat them that way long enough and they start to believe it. A bit of a bad idea in your current state, wouldn't you agree? Am I wrong, oh brightest Witch of the Age? Crucio. " Hermione's body visibly shook again as Hazel stared at her. Blood dripped from the edges of Hermione's mouth before Hazel canceled the curse. "There was a time I would have loved to have you at my mercy like this, you know? No scalpels or curses, though ropes and bindings sound quite pleasant. Alas, you had your preferences. So, care to talk now while your tongue is still intact?"

Hermione lasted one more touch of the Cruciatus Curse and an up close view of the amount of damage Hazel did to Ron before she cracked. Ron might have been trying to sleep with Hazel, but she knew Hermione somehow loved the git. He didn't deserve her. Her words were a bit slurred from the pain in her tongue. Or maybe it was the nerve damage. Hard to tell really. "You were supposed to have gotten engaged to Ron and a Contract had been signed! After you died against Voldemort, the Weasley's would have gotten the Potter wealth!" Hazel blinked at her. "How long did you know Dumbledore planned for me to die?" Not getting a response, Hazel gripped Hermione's chin again. "Answer me!" She hadn't known it but Hazel's eyes had gone red. Hermione, terrified about another round of the Torture Curse, answered. "Since the start of 6th year! Dumbledore was sure you were a Horcrux. You were getting too indifferent, too violent and too out of control. You were using Dark Magic! We needed you to live long enough for you to die with Voldemort. You were supposed to have stayed dead!" Hazel felt so cold inside. She knew Dumbledore had used her since the end of 5th year. She knew what Voldemort wanted from her until she desperately tried to kill him. But for kids to be fine with betraying someone they claimed as their friend? To have started that far back and be fine with it? She felt her jaw clench. "Let me guess. In his grief, you were supposed to console Ronald. Marry him. Have a few kids and then grow old and die together?" Hermione lowered her eyes, confirming her suspicions. Hazel turned back to the table and the still bleeding Ronald, his breaths quite a bit more shallow.

"Congratulations then, Hermione. You get one of those tonight. If you somehow make it to Heaven, apologize to my parents for me. I was a bad girl. If you land in Hell, tell Tom hello for me. I would gladly join him down there, but I have a godson that deserves better from this nightmare of a world. I will make sure he gets it. Just so you know, we are in the Forest of Dean. You said it was your favorite place outside of Hogwarts. You can go ahead and enjoy it. While you still can." Hazel silenced her mid scream. She went to the sink within the Wizarding Tent and washed her hands and face thoroughly, before tossing her clothes to the side. Fully dressed in an identical set of clothes, minus the blood splatter, Hazel took one last look around the tent. It had been their home for the better part of a year, the place where she thought she had made some inroads with her relationship with them. For years they had sort of followed her around, trying to get her to conform to Dumbledore's view on what the Girl Who Lived was supposed to be. She never did follow that vision. She didn't care for the adventure, the nobility or the Greater Good. None of that ever seemed to do anything for her except take more of the things she loved away from her.

Hazel's thoughts turned to the bundle of laughs and tears that was Teddy. Her Godson was now her only true concern. Nothing else mattered. What remained of her funds that the Goblins didn't take would go to him, as would be the majority of her attention. Because he was worth everything, including what she was about to do. " Ignis Monstrum ." The Fiendfyre lept hungryly and happily from the Elder Wand as it raced through the opening of the tent. She stood back outside and watched as the fire took shape, looking like an ever more dead dragon, as it consumed all traces of the traitors and the place that should have made them all friends. She knew the Weasleys would come after her but they wouldn't find any trace of their son. Even if they did, she would just kill them. Kingsley could send all the Auror and Hit Wizards still alive and it wouldn't change anything. The Order and Dumbledore had wanted her dead? Well, too bad for them that she had a reason to stay alive for now. She knew she would have trouble looking at Teddy tonight but she was sure the shame would pass. It always did. "I hate it that you were right. You said they would betray me because I was the same as you. You were right. Still, I hate it. I hate that I am the same as you. Did you know that, Tom?" No answer came to her as she apparated away from the scene. No answer ever did.

-∞-

NW September 1991

"Are you going to tell me what happened to you yesterday?" Hazel kept her hands busy at the workstation in front of her. It had taken a bit to convince Croaker to lend her a workstation, but when she showed him some of her previous work, he agreed it was worth it. "Had an episode when your daughter decided to let her stubborn side shine through. Made it to the Medical Wing before I collapsed, leaving behind a very concerned son." While Teddy hadn't seen her in the Medical Wing, she knew he had been worried sick. She had arrived an hour after she had promised to be there and he knew it meant something had happened to her, not that he didn't feel her emotions spiralling out of control through the Family Magic. She hated worrying him so much but ever since she had crossed over into this world she had been losing control of her memories and experiencing more emotional breakdowns than before. She knew why too. Back in her old world she had no time to worry about what kind of person she was. All that mattered was getting food on the table and making sure Teddy was happy. Here there was food aplenty, Teddy was safe and happy, he had a chance to have a family again and everything was great. Potter's don't get that much good luck without a bit of bad karma looking to balance things out, especially her. She hated karma.

Andromeda sighed and leaned up against the wall. "Dora isn't much better. She's blaming herself for triggering your episode. I got her to agree to come back and train tomorrow, but I don't know how long before she quits. Whatever you told her bothered her." Hazel stopped for a second. "Who does she look like that has her so terrified to be herself in front of others?" Andromeda sighed. "You know too damn much from your world. Of course you knew about that. She looks like my sister; Bellatrix." Hazel hummed, returning her attention to the woodcarving. "What did she do here?" Andromeda had a pained look on her face, something Hazel caught out of the corner of her eye. "Killed dozens of Witches and Wizards. Got caught after she helped torture Frank and Alice Longbottom to insanity. Yours?" Hazel turned her attention back to her project, rounding oug one of the edges of the charm. "Got sent to Azkaban for the same. Alice and Frank died in my world, though. She spent over a decade in Azkaban for it, before she escaped." Andromeda sighed. "Dora got… compared to her a lot when she wasn't shifting her appearance. Sure she was a Hufflepuff, but most felt she was just hiding among the Badgers. Eventually it got so bad she just never shifted to what she looks like normally. She kept the same appearance she has now, though with a bit shorter hair. Though it changes with her mood." Hazel could understand not wanting to look like someone. Snape had hated her just because she looked like a black haired Lily and never failed to torture her for it infront of others.

Hazel scratched the last bit of Celtic Scripts into the wood and blew her breath on it, before rubbing the bit of wood clean. Andromeda looked over her shoulder and saw an odd looking charm, two holes at the side of a curved tag filled with indecipherable script. "What is it?" Hazel pulled a scalpel up and spinned it. "Something for your daughter. It's not a cure for her demons anymore than me being an Operative is a cure for mine, but it will get her past her problems until she is ready to face them." Hazel sliced her finger and began applying the blood to the wood, making Andromeda pale. "Where did you learn Blood Magic?" Hazel chuckled. "Funny thing about Blood Magic. It was bloody common, pun intended, among the Celts and Druids. The Peverells kept a lot of Grimoires on it and Salazar Slytherin's secret chamber has a library full of books on the subject. Pretty sure the Blacks had books on it too, as this charm is from the Black Family library. What was left of it from my world." Andromeda sighed. "Please don't get my daughter caught with it. It's an outlawed practice." Hazel gave Andromeda a look. "Not a problem. Once I tie it to her it will register as standard magic, hers specifically. It's technically not illegal to have a Blood Magic Charm, just making it. Since I made it in the Department of Mysteries and I will register it, it will be perfectly legal. Don't ask me about the theory on how this works exactly, I gave up trying to grasp Blood Magic logic a long time ago."

-∞-

Dora sat down at the bench in the locker room and stared at her hands. She hated how she had parted with Hazel. She could understand why Hazel had pushed her but that was a part of her she never wanted to remember. The fact it could be the reason for her clumsiness only made her hate it more. The whispers she had heard at Hogwarts behind her back for years had bothered her so much. When she had shifted her face a bit, made her hair short and pink and made her eyes brown, the whispers changed. She was no longer a mad witch's clone. She was a weirdo. She could live with that. She had been so focused on her thoughts that she failed to notice Hazel entered the locker. She did notice when Hazel jabbed her with a needle on her shoulder. "Oww! The hell!" Dora turned to the person who had jabbed her and saw Hazel poking the needle at some wooden charm in her hand, a circle of hide hanging from it's edges. "Why did you stab me, Hazel!?" Hazel looked up and stared. "Because you are too bloody stubborn for your own good, Nymphadora." Dora's hair went red as she raised her voice. "Don't call me that! Where did you hear it anyways?" Hazel, satisfied with the blood connecting to the charm, nodded and tossed the charm at Dora. The moment she caught it in her hands, magic surged inside of Dora and somehow she felt different. She eyed the charm carefully, noticing the carvings on it. "What did it do?"

Hazel shrugged. "It's adjusting your magic as a Metamorphmagus. While you wear it, you should have close to perfect balance and spatial awareness, or as close as you normally would have without it. It was made by a Black who weaponized a Metamorphmagus as a spy so that they wouldn't be weakened by the prolonged periods they spent as other people. It's literally a crutch but since you need more time to settle your demons, it will have to do. Wear it on your person and guard it carefully. Should it break midfight, you will lose your balance momentarily and the magic is incompatible with any unbreakable charm I could find, so it is at risk of breaking, especially with the more involved fights when it's magic can be overwhelmed by how much it compensates for. Wear it at your own peril." Dora stared at the charm, dumbfounded. "Why?" Hazel sighed. "Because you shouldn't let what others say about who you are bring you down. You are not her, Nymphadora. You are your own person. I hope that in time you will truly believe that. Until then, try that out." Hazel left as Dora remained behind, looking at the charm in her hand. She untied the leather straps of the charm and placed it around her neck as a necklace. Switching into her training outfit, she eyed herself in the mirror before leaving the locker room.

The change had been like night and day as Dora went through her daily routine. Over 30 laps around the Training Room later and she hadn't tripped once. She watched as Hazel fought Horatio in hand to hand combat, noticing her friend was a lot smoother in her strikes too. Then, when it was her turn, she wanted to laugh. She didn't slip. She didn't screw up the positioning of her arms or legs. She didn't fall until Horatio launched her over his shoulder. She had started laughing when she was flat on the ground, sweat covering her face. Horatio gave her a smirk. "Much better. Candidate Peverell told me what she gave you. You either guard it harder in case someone notices it or you get over your problems. Got that, Candidate Tonks?" Dora nodded, her body feeling so light. She had been guiddy for the rest of the evening, getting an odd look from her Dad and an interested look from her Mom. Later that night she stepped out of the shower, on her typically wobbly legs, and had pulled a large shirt over her body before sitting on the bed, the charm held in her hand, the magic connecting with hers again.

Dora thought of Hazel and a part of her wanted to cry. From the moment she had appeared in her life, the odd woman had been helping her out. Dora could cast faster now, her spells much more concentrated. She had always had a talent for silent casting but none of her spells felt any weaker now. Now… now she had the freedom to not worry about her clumsiness or her lack of coordination. She knew it was temporary but the relief she had felt all day was real. For the first time, she felt whole. Because of Hazel. Her friend who she now knew had her own demons, ones that literally could snap her personality and force her to flee. Dora touched the charm, feeling some magic on it that wasn't hers. Hazel's magic. Her friend said she was a bad person playing to be good. So why did that feel wrong? She was scary, especially yesterday, but the entire time she fought against that part of herself. Hazel had asked her to look past what her Aunt had done. To be herself. Dora swore she would try. For herself and for Hazel. And maybe… maybe she could help Hazel see past her own demons. Maybe… they could help each other be better. Dora fell asleep that night more relaxed than she ever remembered, the charm sitting comfortably on her bedside table.

Chapter 8: A Troll on Halloween

Chapter Text

Chapter 8: A Troll on Halloween

"Ok, let me get this straight. Something is going to happen here in Hogwarts tonight. It might involve Harry Potter and a Mountain Troll. We are here because the presence of a Troll in the school is dangerous and we can't inform the staff because a staff member could be responsible for getting the Troll into the Castle in the first place. Even Dumbledore can't be trusted?" Hazel sighed and checked the Disillusionment and Privacy wards on their person while trying to feel the Hogwarts wards. "Dumbledore has final control of the wards in the castle. If a Troll crosses the ward boundary, he knows. That means that he can't read the wards correctly, which is bad for the whole school. Or he can and did nothing to stop the Troll from entering, which is also bad for the students. Or he temporarily trusted the wards to a staff member, the staff member sabotaged them and now we have a Troll in the school. We can make a case of negligence for two of those and willful endangerment of the students for the third. So no, we can't trust Dumbledore unless the Boss says so." Nymphadora sighed but could see the point Hazel was making, before she tugged on her sleeve. "Good thing I kept my old uniforms from a year ago." Hazel pulled on the uniform she was wearing, the Hufflepuff colors looking odd on her.

At Croaker's orders, they had sneaked onto the Castle Grounds through the hidden passageways and had disguised themselves as seventh year Hufflepuff students. There was a high chance they would be recognized as not from Hogwarts even with their shifted appearance, but the Disillusionment charm would hide them from the paintings, the scent cancelling charm would conceal them from Filch's cat and any other Animagi in the castle. The disguises were mainly a back up plan. That just left the wards. If Dumbledore confronted them despite the charms, then it meant the man had been aware of the Troll. If he didn't, then the wards had to be checked for damage or sabotage, as even a disillusioned person could be spotted by them. Either way, they would learn something from the infiltration. Hazel's eyes scanned the school's hallways, feeling a lot of memories threatening to surface here. For now, though, her mind was focused on completing the task at hand. "So, did you study here or were you raised elsewhere?" Hazel thought back to Croaker's cover story for her. "I studied here as a Gryffindor but not under my current name. Can't say the year or my original name. I graduated around when things got bad with the war. Spent a few sleepless nights fighting Death Eaters on my own until I got word my godson's parents died after the war was over. I took the kid, his grandmother and fled for safer territories."

Dora blinked at that. "Oh. What brought you back?" Hazel noticed they were approaching the Great Hall. "My godson is now my son and he wanted to go to Hogwarts when he turned 11. He has a little less than two years to go before the letter arrives so I brought him over, hoping to settle us down in the country before that day." Dora hummed. "Sounds reasonable." A few seconds passed before she did a double take. "You have a son!?" Hazel hummed happily. "I missed lunch at the cafeteria everyday for a reason, Dora. I don't have a boyfriend or a girlfriend either. What did you think I did everyday at lunch?" Tonks blushed. "I told you, just call me Tonks." Hazel waved a hand before realizing Dora couldn't see it. "Sorry, Dora sounds nicer." Tonks huffed. "Fine! Then I will call you Haze." The moment those words were out of her mouth Dora felt Hazel slam her against the wall. Those green eyes were staring right at her before shifting to slitted red, as if their Disillusionment charms had collapsed. "Don't … call me that." Tonks could instantly tell it meant something to her. Something bad. "Trade?" Hazel blinked at her, her eyes returning to normal before pulling away, disappearing in an instant as she stepped out of Dora's spell. "I… sorry. My ex used to call me that. At the time I liked it but… because of them I got hurt. A lot. That name just… reminds me too much of them. Of what they did." Dora swallowed a lump that had formed in her throat.

"Well, that's better than my excuse. Everyone just teased me because of my name. It got worse in the later years. Everyone expected me to just spread my legs for no reason." Hazel rubbed her currently invisible dirty blonde hair and sighed. "Fine. How about we get the mission done, we get back to base and then in the next week we can decide what nicknames we can both agree to. I am still partial to Dora as I doubt you want me to use the rest of your name. Sounds good?" Dora, moved away from the wall, bumping slightly into Hazel as she did. "Sure. Can I get more of that cake while we are at it?" Hazel groaned. Teddy had made a very tasty vanilla sponge cake with berries and cheesecake filling. He had worked really hard for it the day she had her collapse in the Medical Wing. The fact that it had been so delicious had left her feeling very guilty for scaring him. She had packed two boxes, one for Dora and one for Andromeda. The elder witch had enjoyed it too during one of their weekly get togethers. What was it with Tonkses and Cheesecake? Sure it's delicious but they all seem addicted to it. Teddy had protested when she made a one a week rule for it, but ultimately agreed. "We will see. That was a gift from my son and house elf. I had to put a limit on it and other sweets. You haven't known the stress of motherhood until you have a kid on a bloody sugar high."

Nymphadora started fantasizing about food when they both heard a man screaming about Trolls in the Dungeons, followed by the Great Hall screaming loud enough to make Hazel flinch. "Ok, we probably have a Troll. Point of entry is probably not in the Dungeons but on the first floor along the southern side that leads into the Forbidden Forest. Let's look around there and work our way out." Dora felt a tap on her shoulder and a pull in a direction. She turned to follow. "Got it." The two ran disillusioned along the Halls searching the first floor until a smell caused them both to stop. Dora jumped when she felt a hand on her shoulder. "It's near. No paintings nearby. We can drop the disillusionment charms when ready." Dora drew her wand and started clearing corners as they progressed further down the hallway. "Nothing here." Hazel looked around, finding the place a bit familiar. She had been crying in the bathroom nearby in her world, tired of the kids celebrating while she had to live without having her parents around, especially on Halloween after Weasley insulted her mediocre casting at the time. Would the Troll be there again? She tapped Dora and nudged her in another direction and they moved further into the hallways, the smell growing thicker until they saw the troll entering a bathroom. Hazel had a bad feeling and dropped her Disillusionment, Dora following her lead. "Tonks, create a false wall behind us and put a barrier on it. I don't want anyone messing around with us while we are busy." Tonks nodded and started casting as Hazel aimed her hand at the bathroom. "Homenum Revelio."

Hazel cursed under her breath as her eyes registered a figure inside, besides the magical echo from the Troll. "One person in there. We stun and shield them before we take out Stinky." Dora, finished with the illusion, came by her and lifted her long sleeves back. "Got it." The two entered just as a girl screamed. Hazel dropped onto her knees as the massive club smashed the sinks and then the cubicles. She spotted the girl through the debris and stunned her instantly before casting an independent shield charm on her limp body. Hazel turned and saw the Troll aim his next attack towards her. The giant club slammed into another kinetic shield, just inches from Hazel's face. Eyeing the floor filling with water, Hazel remembered Dora's first fight with Horatio. "Freeze the floor." Dora aimed her wand at the ground. "Glacius." The floor froze with a thin sheet of ice. It was all Hazel needed. "Banish his legs on three. One, two, three. Depulso." Hazel aimed her wandless spell at the Troll's head while Dora took out the feet. The ground shook as the beast slipped on the ice and landed on its back. Hazel summoned the club and positioned it over the Troll's head before slamming it down, making Dora flinch at the sickening noise that it made. With the creature dead, Dora took a moment to breathe again before she gagged. She waved away the stench from her face and tried not to look at the now dead Troll. "Well, Stinky is down." Hazel turned and checked the unconscious girl, growing still as she recognized her.

Biting back her less than pleasant instincts, she casted a diagnostic spell on her. "Alive and unharmed except for a few splinters and cuts. I am lifting the spell on her and leaving her for the staff to find. Let's go." Dora nodded and disillusioned herself. She dispelled the false wall and felt an arm pull her to the wall instantly. Two kids passed by, almost running into her as the wall vanished. "I told you it was here! The Castle must have blocked the hallway for our safety. Hermione!" Hazel watched the staff rounding the corner soon after and stilled. Dumbledore's glasses would probably be charmed to pierce disillusionments. She pulled Tonks into her arms and whispered into her ear. "Don't talk or move. I am about to flood you with my magic." Hazel pressed her fingers roughly into Dora's skin. Tonk felt the magic latch onto her, her skin breaking out into goosebumps as her breathing grew cold, before a clothlike material seemed to wrap around her. They watched as the professors arrived, chastising the boys and debating as to what had happened. McGonagall woke up Hermione and got nothing from her. Seeing they could get nothing from the children, the Deputy Headmistress took all three students towards the Hospital Wing as the rest checked around. The moment those blue eyes landed on her own, Hazel's grip on Dora tightened. Dumbledore looked away quickly, seemingly finding nothing. "Professors, please remove the creature. I will go check the wards for anything else being amiss."

After the coast was clear of meddling old goats, Hazel pulled Tonks along towards the hidden passageway. "My magic and cloak blocks most wards from reacting to me. It might keep us hidden but I am not sure of it right now. Regardless, we need to get out of the wardline before I get drained. Stay close to me." Dora bit her cheek and nodded, feeling the magic rushing beneath her skin. The two navigated the hallways before reaching the passageway out of the castle. Hazel pulled her magic back inside of herself as soon as they were over the wardline, eliciting a noise of relief from Dora. Both of them dropped to the floor, underneath Honeydukes' cellar, breathing heavily. Hazel eyed Dora. "You ok? I've only done that to my son before and his magic and mine are tied via blood adoption. I have no idea how it would react to you. Also, sorry about the bruises on your skin. Transferring magic needs certain conditions. I didn't think you'd prefer the taste of my blood in your mouth." Dora huffed as she was out of breath before she could speak. "It felt draining and invigorating at the same time. Otherwise, I think I am fine. And no, I am happy to avoid tasting your blood." Hazel nodded, her face flushed from the exertion as drops of sweat dripped from her chin. "We didn't get a chance to mess with Snape but, other than that, I'd call that mission accomplished." Dora chuckled, her eyes closed. "Right. Mission Accomplished. We will get him next time." Hazel laughed a little and smiled in relief for a second until a thought entered her mind. "Think you could do the debrief with the Boss and Horatio alone?" Dora looked at her friend. "Sure. Got somewhere to be?" Hazel sighed, her hair going white and her face changing back to normal. "I have a date with a graveyard."

-∞-

Teddy kept his hand gripping his mother's tightly as they walked down the cobbled streets of Godric's Hollow. It had become a tradition of theirs to visit the place in their own world on Halloween, leaving flowers on the Potter graves. He had asked his Mom if they could do it again this year, as they missed the one from the year before, with the snow making the journey impossible and unsafe. He could tell his mother was worried and he knew why, feeling a bit guilty for making her come. She hated the place, even if it was the only thing left of her parents. Of course, these weren't the James and Lily that gave Teddy the best mom ever. Still, it seemed fitting. He hoped she would be ok. Hazel's own eyes roamed the streets before landing on the statue made by the Ministry. They had done something similar for her back in her world, though Teddy never saw it. Her eyes shifted across the area as they made their way to the nearly abandoned graveyard. Old wards, left behind by the caretakers of the graves, slipped right over her and Teddy as they moved along the headstones until reaching two slabs of white marble. Hazel moved up the space between them and placed a bouquet of black roses mixed with Lilies on both. She walked back, staring at the two graves for a second, her son's hand taking hers again.

They remained there for a silent moment before moving towards the only other grave she visited here. She knelt down next to it and scraped out the dirt covering the name with her fingers, before waving her hand at the grave, clearing it of all the muck and filth it accumulated after being abandoned for centuries. She transfigured a thestral made of the same black marble and placed it atop the slab, in the middle of a conjured wreath of black roses. Hazel stayed silent with Teddy by her side as she mourned the family that she now belonged to. The people responsible for giving her the gift of living long enough to raise her son and the power to do so. Her moment was interrupted as her senses registered a change in the area. She could feel a person's eyes on her, their movements stiff and slow as they approached from beyond the graveyard's boundaries. "It's been some time since there has been a visitor to this graveyard, even more so on this night of all nights. What family are you two here for, if you don't mind an old woman's curiosity?" Hazel stood up and turned to see a somewhat familiar face. "We are Peverells, Professor Bagshot." The woman waved her hand dismissively as she walked closer to them, her steps unsteady even with a cane. "None of that. I am quite happily retired. Peverell you say? Of which line?"

Hazel smirked, knowing the old woman would probably know. "Ignotus, last of the three. Iolanthe married a Potter, but her aunt did not. My line was presumed extinct but was restored in my generation and now continues on into the next." The woman thought for a second before she nodded. "Ah, yes. There was some debate on that. Still, it's good to hear the name spoken once more. The Peverells carried a heavy burden for centuries and died out for it, taking with them quite the legacy. Perhaps in your hands the burden may be lifted." Hazel wondered if perhaps Grindelwald's obsession with the Hallows came from the old woman. "I believe some things are best left to the mists of time. No one should revisit the terrors of Antioch's Lasting Shame, or Cadmus' Bane. No good comes from seeking powers beyond those men were born to wield." The woman nodded, her eyes looking at her much more clearly. "Then perhaps I was right. Thank you for remembering the last of your people, even if they carried the name Potter. A shame no one is there to tell the boy of his legacy." Hazel chuckled. "Everything in time, Professor. Let the boy be a boy before you burden him with the sins of men." The woman smiled at her and towards Teddy. "Quite right. A fine Samhain to you, my lady Peverell and young master Peverell." Hazel watched the old woman return to her home as her eyes turned to look at the only thing left to see of Godric's Hollow.

She made her way there, as if drawn by an old memory. Her hand touched the white picket fence, the little gate hanging from just one hinge. Teddy tightened his grip on his mother's hand, hoping to give her some support. The two walked up the stairs as her eyes landed on the dark, open doorway. She launched a floating blue light into the room, as Hazel's eyes were instantly drawn to the ground. Ever since she had been hit by Voldemort's last curse, she had been strangely intuned with the places where people died via magic, though she was careful with how she interacted with them. She knelt down and touched the wooden boards, the paint long peeled off and the ravages of time eating away at the material. She knew that a man died here. James Potter. She remembered her earliest memory, one that haunted her dreams as a child before worse memories followed. The sound of her father's voice screaming for Lily to take her and run was a part of her. This one died too, protecting his wife and son. "Mom?" Hazel pulled Teddy to her leg and touched his head. "I am ok still. I… need to feel what happened upstairs." Teddy hugged her leg tightly. "Be careful." Hazel nodded as she launched another light up the stairs, while steading them a bit with reinforcing magic. The two walked up before stopping at what she knew was the Nursery. The door had been reduced to splinters, while half the room, the part facing towards the front of the property, had been blasted open.

Hazel could feel two echoes here. She went to the one closest to the damaged crib. She knelt down and touched the rotted bits of carpet. A woman died here. Lily Potter née Evans. Hazel frowned, feeling as if some magic still lingered there, an echo but not one of a living soul. Blood Magic. "What did you do, Lily, to save your son's life? What has been twisted by those who could only guess at a mother's desperation as a psychopath hunted her year old boy?" No answers came to her from the echo, as Hazel stood up, cleaning her hand. She eyed the spot she dreaded most. She knew what she would find there. Still, she had to know. She knelt down and kissed Teddy, giving him a chess piece. "You keep this in your hand. If I can't get us home, you whisper the phrase that ends the game, your hand gripped to mine. Got it?" Teddy nodded holding the piece to his chest as Hazel turned to the black mark on the ground. She took a deep breath, trying to find some calm before she dared. She reached down and touched the rotted wood, the carpet long since eaten away by curse damage. The echo appeared in her mind, his magic both familiar and alien. A man died here, his flesh devoured by a magic designed to counter his final curse. Yet this is not his end. She could feel it. The magic lingered, as Lily's did. He was still alive and hers… hers could still be fighting him.

Other images began to intrude on her mind as his lingering essence triggered old memories. The times she spent with him as a Professor, teaching her how to protect herself from the vile world. A boy of 15 who looked at her with curious eyes as he showed her a memory of his past, in a grayscale version of Hogwarts. A man reborn from a Cauldron, smiling and laughing as his plans had been carried out to perfection. A whisper in her mind, calling to her, asking things of her. He never wavered from his pursuit of her for the next three years. He had made his claim that she was his to deal with. So he did everything to conquer her, to prove he was above Fate's strings. He took from Hazel everything that mattered to her and left her yearning for death. Hazel broke out of the echo and her memory before physically slipping onto the ground. Teddy, her beautiful son, looked down at her as her eyes filled with tears. A memory threatened to surface even as she fought it. She hugged Teddy to her as her body began to shudder, her mind filling with the voice of the man who tore her apart. Teddy started to cry, seeing his Mom in so much pain. "Checkmate." The phrase activated the black and white Queen, bringing them both to their new home.

-∞-

OW December 25th 1997

"Hazel Potter, alone at last." Hazel turned and eyed the man who had called out her name. She knew who he was. How couldn't she? He had been haunting her mind since the end of Third Task. Her wand slipped into her hand as she circled around him, the sound of snow crunching beneath her boots feeling all too loud in the silent night. "Halloween, my birthday, the Summer Solstice, the last night of term and now Christmas. Should I put out a sign for April's Fools? Maybe Beltane? Tell me, Tom. How much longer will we keep doing this?" The man smiled at her, his face being quite handsome for someone past his sixties, his dark hair cut and combed stylishly to the side. A Homunculus body would probably help with keeping him looking quite young. "You know the magic words, Hazel. You say them to me, this all ends." Hazel gave him a feral grin. "Sure. Avada Kedavra." The spell came particularly close to hitting his arm as he dodged away, the cobbled ground exploding where the curse impacted. Voldemort gave her a glare, dusting his dapper jacket before drawing his wand. "Not the words I meant." Hazel laughed. "No, but I mean them. Now drop dead!" She casted the Killing Curse over and over at him, forcing him to vanish his overcoat.

The two traded spells in the night, causing the nearby residents to seek shelter as Hazel grew far more frustrated. "Dammit Tom. Just die!" Tom, wishing to stop her, casted a disarming charm. The two spells collided and a familiar golden cage formed around them, casting a warm light over the snow covered ground, a familiar phoenix song filling the air. Hazel growled. "You know my bloody answer Tom! It's not going to change." Tom huffed, running his free hand over his short brown hair before his red eyes focused on her. "Now Hazel, what more can I give you to change your mind? Umbridge? She's efficient but expendable. How about Barty? After the fun he had with you in fourth year I think you could get a lot of mileage out of him. I would offer Severus but I already sent him your way for your birthday. Did you like my present? I know my Death Eaters found him in quite a few pieces." Hazel's mind stopped for a second, forcing Voldemort to reduce his own resistance. "You sent Snape after me on my birthday so I could kill him?" Voldemort smiled at her. "He was a decent Potions Master but a terrible spy. He had already lost any value to me. So I sent him to you. How was it getting your revenge after 6 long years under his less than pleasant tutelage? Must have been quite sweet."

Hazel eyed the man and for a second before she closed her eyes. Voldemort grinned, thinking he might have won before those eyes opened again. The two green orbs were brimming with magic, the irises slitted. Her voice came out raw as her magic rushed into the linked streams. "You bloody, psychotic bastard! He killed my Familiar right before my eyes! You helped take one of the last things in this world that mattered to me!" Voldemort began to feel the magic between them shift as more and more of Hazel's anger fed into the stream of magic. Hazel screamed. "Here's two more words for you, Tom! Choke on them and just die! Ignis Monstrum!" The fire consumed the linked magics between them, forcing Voldemort to drop his spell and apparate back a few feet. He watched as the Fiendfyre fell into Hazel's control, the fire coalescing until a massive winged dragon took form, its roar rattling the windows around him. Hazel's now red eyes remained fixed on him as she sent the beast straight at Voldemort. Seeing his chance lost for tonight, he sighed before apparating away from the area completely. Hazel, filled with pain and rage, screamed, causing the Fiendfyre dragon to roar loud enough to shake the village's houses to their foundations. She turned and saw the statue the Ministry erected of her family. She had been about to destroy it when Tom spoke to her.

After the fire melted the metal sculptures into slag, she dispersed the flames. Hazel dropped to her knees onto the now wet ground. She cried. She continued to cry as she realized that Voldemort wouldn't stop taking from her everything that mattered to her. Her life had been spent as a pawn of two wizards, both with their own ends in mind for her. In the end though, neither cared about her. Here, in the village where she had been raised for a year and where her life was first destroyed, she finally understood. There was no one left who cared about her. Maybe Dora, but not in the way Hazel wanted from her. Everything she had done for the last 7 years of her life was meaningless. It had all been for Dumbledore's and Tom's plans. She cried remembering the last time she had enjoyed a Christmas with her Godmother. She had been the only one to care. Hazel stood up and tried to clean her pants with her wand but nothing happened. She looked at the wand and felt more tears slip from her eyes. From the handle to the tip stretched a massive crack filled with embers. Hazel held the wand to her chest, feeling her heart break again. Her wand had been stubborn with her until her fourth year. Now… now her wand was gone too. She eyed the streets as people stepped out to see the source of the blaze. "Happy bloody Christmas." The words had been as bitter as she remembered when she spoke them alone in the cupboard as she turned her back on the home that never was. She vanished into the night, feeling emptier than when she arrived.

-∞-

NW November 1st, 1991

"Mom. Please wake up!" Teddy had asked Leafsby to drop his Mom into her bed before he joined her after they arrived at the DoM Portkey arrival point. He could feel her hurting inside. His eyes filled with tears. "Please Mom, you have to get up. Please!" He noticed his mother's eyes open and saw them look towards him. It was the same dead and emotionless eyes he knew were there whenever she had a bad day. He waited, hoping to see it change. It did, but not into her usual smile. Tears filled her eyes. She started crying. Hazel brought her hands up to her eyes. "I'm so sorry Ted. I tried. I try so hard! I can't seem to keep myself from falling apart in front of you." Teddy latched onto her side and hugged her. "You're here Mom. That's what matters. You always come home to me." Hazel cried. "You deserve better, Ted. I am a killer. A bloody murderer. You know that. I am going to kill again and again. I am a bad person, Teddy. You deserve someone better than me. Someone who isn't broken and bad." Teddy hugged her harder, rubbing her hair. "But you're here mom. I don't care that you kill people. They are probably bad. You don't want to be like them. You don't want to be bad. That means you are good. You're a good person, Mom."

Teddy reached out and touched his Mom's crying face, his thumbs brushing away her tears before he pressed his forehead against hers. "I don't care that you cry. You're always here, Mom. I know you have bad days. I know you're hurting. But we had good days too. Loads of good days. So please, Mom. Don't think you are bad. You aren't. You're a good mom. The bestest mom. You're my mom. That's all that matters to me. You don't have to cry." Hazel touched Teddy's face, clearing away his tears before pulling him against her into a hug. "I promise you, Teddy. I am going to get better. You deserve better. If you still want me as your Mom, then I will get better for you." The two hugged each other in silence for what felt like hours before Hazel felt Teddy fall asleep in her arms. She adjusted herself, keeping her son cradled against her, before conjuring a blanket to cover them both. She didn't want to wake him. She rested her head back and cried silently. She had to get better for Teddy. She had to be better. But she knew she would kill again. There was no stopping that. If she didn't, monsters would stay in the world longer, killing people like Teddy. They wouldn't care about the innocents or the undeserving. She breathed deeply as she hugged her son tighter. She would do better than them. She would try to be a better mother to her son. No matter what.

Chapter 9: Getting the Job

Chapter Text

Croaker looked up from his papers as the door to his office opened. Hazel entered, her hair looking a bit disheveled. "Long night?" Hazel came up and sat on the chair in front of the desk. "And long morning. I cracked too much after my visit to Godric's Hollow." Croaker eyed her carefully. "If you need a bit more time, we can wait. Miss Tonks' report was plenty." Hazel shook her head, "No, I am good for now. I also have something else to add. I walked into the Potter Cottage last night and was able to get a feel for the magic there." Croaker dropped his papers and sat back. "We had a team inspect the place after the incident. Our results were inconclusive." Hazel nodded. "They would be when the magical residue was still fresh. I went out after ten years. What I found confirms our theory: Voldemort is still alive. His soul is fragmented." Croaker tapped the desk. "Then we can assume he is attached to Quirrell. I can also guess there's something more?" Hazel pulled out a book from her expanded pouch and leafed through a few pages before turning it over and placing it on the desk. "This is a Blood Magic ward. It's used to protect a home and even people from specific enemies. It can keep them safe from curses, potentially even the Killing Curse."

Croaker eyed the page and deciphered what he could. "Spell Deconstruction and Curse Breaking aren't my strong points. Are you suggesting something like this was done? If it was, why isn't it a more common protection, baring the illegality of Blood Magic?" Hazel sighed. "Because someone tied by blood has to die with all the preparations made beforehand. The defence will then protect their blood relations from further harm. A life for a life. If what I felt is correct, your Lily Potter carried out the spell, allowed herself to die and grounded the protection to her son via a blood carved mark." Croaker looked at the page, understanding dawning on him. "The stupid scar. It's a ward mark against Voldemort." He looked at Hazel. "Did you have one?" Hazel shrugged. "Dumbledore gave me a half-assed explanation about love protecting me and blood wards at my house. There were no blood wards to be found the moment I could feel for them and my mother didn't shield me with Blood Magic. Pretty sure the only reason Tom failed to kill me was because he was stupid enough to claim the Peverell Lordship. He then tried to kill me, the last possible Peverell Heir. Family Magics are… aggressive in our world. If a line is about to go extinct or has, it will seek out others and guard them, even if disowned. The magic refuses to die. Voldemort tried to kill the only Heir and the Family Magic punished him for it. I had a scar, supposedly cursed, but by the time I could remember, it was gone."

Hazel watched as Croaker examined the book and tapped it. "This ward that Lily Potter used. Can it be attached to a house by another person?" Hazel eyed the man, getting a sinking feeling. "It can but it's not recommended for those not of the family. It puts a magical strain on the primary recipient of the ward. Why?" Croaker sat back. "Gods damn you, Albus. Amelia Bones, Rufus Scrimgeour and myself asked Dumbledore under official capacity, and under oath to keep the information isolated, about what protections the boy was under. He mentioned a permanent watch and wards designed to stop Death Eaters tied to the boy and the house he lives in." Hazel felt her blood boil. "So he twisted Lily's Protection into a ward on the property? Great. God damn Blood Magic amateurs." Hazel frowned and looked at Croaker. "How are you able to tell me this?" Croaker grinned. "I might have added a condition that if the person I talked to already knew the secret, they could discuss it. You knew of the wards Lily made and how it could be shaped and applied. You also seemed to understand the implications that Dumbledore used this blood ward to safeguard the Dursley residence. You counted, if just barely." Hazel hummed. "Sneaky. Regardless, Voldemort can't directly harm Harry while possessing Quirrell. At least not right now. So, where does this leave us?"

Croaker pulled open his desk drawer and pulled out a box, placing it in front of Hazel. "It leaves us in a holding pattern. For now, I suggest you expand your skill set, develop a working relationship with your partner and help us unravel the people and mechanisms we can that would support Voldemort's return." Hazel took the box and opened it. Inside was her identification and assignment to the Department of Mysteries. She eyed the rank at the bottom. "Recruit?" Croaker nodded. "Operations has four active duty ranks; Battlemaster which is Horatio, Commander which is no one right now, Operative and Recruit. Right now you have to act under orders from the Battlemaster or the DoM Director, which is me. As an Operative, you get more independent action but must still report in, though you don't answer to the DMLE. If you become Commander, you get authority over Aurors and Hit Wizards on the field and can issue orders to Operatives and Recruits. I have a lot of expectations for you, Miss Peverell. Let's see how far you go." Hazel nodded and stood up. "Well, better get going. Teddy was attached to my leg all morning and I promised him a bit of a trip into Muggle London." Croaker nodded and passed her the book she placed on the table. "Keep it. If we need into the house of Harry Potter, you might be our ticket in. For now, take care of yourself."

-∞-

Dora stared at the identification in her hands. She looked up at Horatio who was smirking at her from his office seat. "I'm in?" He chuckled. "Yes, you are in. For the moment your callsign is R2. You get to Operative, you get your own callsign. If you want." He handed her a stack of papers, "Sign these and you can get started with a paycheck, in house quarters, Medical, Financial and Legal coverage and your new clearance level for classified intel." Dora sat down and made sure she read the entire document. She didn't have a lawyer as a dad for nothing. She blushed when she saw the passage about relationships between employees. Her Mom had been right, it's not frowned upon but it had to be brought to the attention of the Head of the Division. Seeing everything in order, she signed the papers and gave them back to Horatio, who checked the signatures. "Good. As standard policy you will be assigned quarters next to your partners. Your physical training regime is now in your hands. The next lessons from me will be to get you two to take on wider roles. R1, Hazel, is already cleared for Stealth Infiltrations and is working on improving her Ward Breaking skills. I will be evaluating you later to make sure you are at the level we require from you in Stealth. We are going to go over tracking and intercepting targets soon. Make sure you have your silent casting down by then." Dora nodded and stood up.

"Thank you for this, sir." Horatio gave her a toothy smile. "Oh, don't thank me yet. You just passed basic training. I got a lot of advanced work in line for you two. If you can thank me by the time you make Operative, then we can talk. Now get out of here and get down to Acquisitions to get your gear. I have a schedule to devise for how to torture you both for the next year." Tonks shuddered at the look on her Instructor's face. Guy was a sad*st. She happily left his office, her new badge in hand. She remembered that Acquisitions was in the far end of the Training Area Hallway. Seeing a black door with no sign, she knocked on it. The door opened partially and a woman's voice yelled out. "Callsign!?" Dora shook off the momentary shock to her ears. "R2." The door opened fully. "Next time, press your badge to the door. Works as a key. Now get in here. Name's Quetz by the way. Your partner is inside getting fitted too, so get moving, muchacha." Dora walked in and whistled. The walls were covered in armors and weapons. She could even see some wooden staffs on the walls. She stopped and looked at a nearby display. "You have firearms?" She yelped as a muscular woman huffed beside her. "Why wouldn't we? We need to take out targets hiding among muggles all the time. A few shots, they are dead and the Statute of Secrecy is intact."

Dora nodded absentmindedly before she was physically dragged to the back placed on a platform beside Hazel. Dora had to look away for a moment. "Do I have to get down to my knickers too?" Quetz gave her a look over. "You left them at home?" Dora flushed. "Huh, half of them." Hazel chuckled beside her and Dora glared. "Hey, I am a Metamorphmagus. I don't need the lift." Hazel smiled. "Considering that if I didn't have a kid I might be right there with you, I won't judge." Dora turned before getting a face full of cloth. "Wear that for now. I can shrink it to fit. Make sure you keep your usual body type. The full body tactical suits will adjust by a bit but they won't take a massive shift. They are also made spell resistant for a reason." Dora nodded and turned her back to Hazel as she took her clothes off and placed the loose and short camisole over her chest. The next 30 minutes were spent getting sized from every possible angle. Dora tried to suppress a blush as Quetz worked around her waist in view of Hazel, who barely seemed bothered. "How are you so calm?" Hazel turned and blinked at her. "It's not worse than waking up on a morgue slab utterly naked." Both Dora and Quetz stared at her, with Quetz asking the question. "What got you there in the first place?" Hazel blushed. "A lorry sorta hit me. My magic took the brunt of it but the local cops thought I was dead."

Quetz turned to Dora. "You keep your friend off those streets. Getting hit by a lorry. Diosa mía, dame fuerza." Dora shook her head and eventually got to get dressed as Quetz went about her work. The blonde woman eyed Hazel's boots and leather arm and leg guards. "Where did you get Basilisk Hide?" Hazel grinned at the woman and she just closed her eyes. "Never mind, don't want to know. The guys who worked on this did good work. I can't improve it. I will still make you some of our Dragonhide sets that can work with minimal adjustments. You switch them out when you need to." Hazel nodded as she got her boots back. "Much obliged. Might stick to your gear anyways for Operations. Out of concern, does any of this gear impede Animagi transformations?" Quetz eyed her. "The grey cloak will. It's our heaviest spell resistant material. The body suit should be fine for you." Hazel nodded as Dora pulled her own boots on. "Animagus? Really? I thought that the Metamorphmagus magic negates it." Hazels pulled her black shirt on, though not her usual halter top. "It doesn't, it just makes it harder to work the magic. Horatio might not have it for our training but it could help you out. Helps with balance and wandless magic a bit too."

Dora nodded as she pulled her jacket on and the two started eyeing the weapons. Quetz walked up to Hazel. "Horatio says you are good with weapons but most are self conjured. Do you carry any physical knives on you?" Hazel pulled a few thin knives from under her arm guards and holster. Quetz eyed them carefully. "These have bitten into bones too many times. You've sharpened them enough but the damage is done. I got a few you can try out later. See if you get a feel for them." She turned to Dora who pulled two thick combat knives from her boots. Quetz held them and then eyed the blades. "Not bad, but not great. Not much action on these but they won't take much punishment, especially against magical resistance." She handed them back. "Your first set of body suits and cloaks will take about a month or two to make. I'll call you in when they are ready and you two can see if my selection of weapons suits you better so I can get them into custom holsters. Horatio will eventually get you both onto firearms, so if you want to practice, we do have a shooting range. I'm here from eight in the morning to nine at night, minus lunch and dinner hours. See you around, Recrutas." Dora breathed out a sigh as she left. "That was the longest I ever spent getting fitted."

Hazel hummed in agreement. "So, are you moving in?" Dora nodded. "I stayed with my parents expecting to get pulled into the academy dorms but a fully furnished apartment is too much to pass up. I will probably go over the weekends to see my family, but I really needed a break." Hazel eyed her. "That bad?" Dora shook her head. "No, I love my parents. I … just feel like I am a bit in the way. Plus Mom was never a fan of my being in law enforcement. Moving out should give us some peace of mind and room to breathe." Hazel thought for a second before she smirked. "Don't forget you have to get a full medical evaluation. I had mine when I got pulled in here and I am guessing you probably coasted in on your St. Mungos record. Horatio will want a full one before he starts getting serious." Dora stretched her arms over her head. "I'll get to it on Monday. Tonight and for the rest of the weekend, I am going out to celebrate. Going to see what bands are in what counties. Are you interested?" Hazel shook her head. "Nope. Got my music on vinyl, a pizza to bake, ice cream in the freezer and a kid waiting for me to get it all started. See you on Monday." Dora watched Hazel head towards the living quarters area, her mind a bit conflicted. Why did Hazel's afternoon plans sound so… pleasant? She shook her head and made her way to the Elevator. She had some clubs to check on.

-∞-

"Dromeda! Over here." There was a part of Andromeda that loved the sound of her name being called from her alter ego's grandson. Teddy had been such a delight to be around, so full of energy and curiosity, something Hazel always seemed to foster. She smiled as she neared the pair just sitting outside of the entrance to the Hebridean Black Dragon Reserve. "Interesting place." Hazel stood up and dusted her jeans before reapplying a warming charm on Teddy. "November isn't the best season for walks down the northern coasts and there is only so much mall window shopping I can take. A bit of warded areas with somewhat fair weather around dragons seemed like a good idea. I told Teddy some stories about dragons and he wanted to see them himself." Andromeda chuckled as Teddy took off for the Reserve's main entrance but always looking back, the two women walking behind at a softer pace. Hazel approached the reception area and handed them several Sickles to pay for the entry. Andromeda followed closely as they entered the Reserve, following one of the Handlers. "Nymphadora arrived quite late last night, with a lot of alcohol in her system and a bit of blood on one of her knives. Anything I should know?" Hazel sighed. "She got the job and should be in the Medical Wing on Monday for the full check up. Maybe you should take the shift. To make sure she is alright." Andromeda smiled. "Oh good, Ted is close to completing his Department of Mysteries classified info evaluation too. It will be nice, not having to watch what I say around the family as much."

Hazel watched as Teddy went to the edge of one of the pens, looking down as the black scaled dragons lumbered around, the largest one sleeping. She walked up behind Teddy and looked at the creatures, noticing a shift in their behaviour instantly. They kept eyeing her wearily, shifting their posture as if expecting an attack. The Handler came up to them, clearly confused. "They are typically more friendly than this. Never seen them look so spooked." Hazel hummed and looked towards the Dragons, their red and purple eyes staring at her intently. She bent down and nudged Teddy. The three of them moved towards another pen, this one showing a mother dragon and her brood. Hazel kept back and watched as the little dragons ran around the enclosure playfully, a few throwing fireballs at each other while the mother looked on. Every once in a while the mother would look up towards Hazel but not with the same weariness as the others. Andromeda moved closer to her. "Your magic and animals don't mix?" Hazel thought for a second. She took a deep breath and pulled in her magic tightly, like she used to do in her hunts. The weariness on the dragons vanished and they proceeded to ignore the humans entirely. Hazel eyed the mother practically falling asleep, probably from the cold weather. "Seems like it. I haven't been restraining my magic as much as I did back in my old world for hunting, so I sort of forgot animals don't like me."

Andromeda hummed. "When did that start? Animals not liking you?" Hazel thought back. "It started a bit after November of 94 but got worse after 98. Guess an impromptu bath in dragon's blood wasn't a good idea." Andromeda closed her eyes and pinched her nose. "I really shouldn't ask and I won't because I want to believe your life isn't a never ending trainwreck. Just try and remember that you and animals don't mix well." Hazel shrugged. "Hedwig didn't seem bothered." Andromeda gave her a look. "Familiars probably know better. Still, be cautious. We don't want to start a stampede anywhere." The three moved along to a larger viewing area where one could see the dragons take flight and hunt sheep in the green flatlands and jagged cliff edges. Andromeda smiled as Teddy cheered for a sheep that got away into a crevice. "Speaking about Harry's bird, what are you and Croaker up to? Ted mentioned you secured legal aid for him from the Ministry." Hazel hummed quietly as the group sat down on a bench for a moment, Teddy using the Omniculars provided by the Handlers to watch the Dragons flying around in circles within the larger warded pen, waiting to spot their next meal on the ground. "Dumbledore has tied up the courts effectively on Harry's living situation. We secured his finances and can get a look and see that everything remains above board in his home. If he or the Malfoys try anything, we can spirit him away, especially now that we have an idea as to what wards are shielding his house." Andromeda frowned. "No chance of getting custody?"

Hazel eyed the older woman. "Any claims I could make as either a Potter or an Evans would draw a lot of scrutiny my way. Croaker has the authority to create our IDs and secure our rights, but we could see fallout outside of the Ministry if word got out of some unknown claiming guardianship over the Boy Who Lived. While we can't take him in, we can block The Malfoy's attempt, so he could fall in your hands. Without a reason to remove Dumbledore's illegal claim, however, we can't get there yet." Andromeda felt her shoulders sink but she nodded. "Guess that's for the best. You and Croaker keeping an eye on him?" Hazel grimaced. "As much as we can. Hogwarts is notoriously hard to get any accurate word out of. The fact Dumbledore hid the Troll incident doesn't bode well to continued transparency." Andromeda sighed before Teddy came up. "Mom! Come on! The Handler says there are more at the Cliffs!" Hazel sat up and followed Teddy as they made their way around a narrow winding path. The dirt and bright green grass faded and turned to dark sand as they reached the beach head. Teddy beamed and pointed. "Look at the cliffs. There are so many of them!" Hazel smiled and allowed Teddy to drag her down to the water's edge. She kneeled down and pulled out a wizarding camera, making sure she captured a picture of Teddy and the cliff wall full of shallow caves, more than half sporting an adolescent dragon. Their Handler guide offered to take a picture of the three together and Hazel agreed. She promised to send a photo to Andromeda later.

After applying a warming charm again, Teddy rushed off across the beach as they made their way around, several dragons flying over the water, their eyes searching for prey that breach the surface of the water. The Handler pointed towards one as it pulled up from a dive. "That one caught himself a seal. We had a lot of trouble reworking the wards to allow certain living creatures through them, so they can't go hunting for whales or dolphins. Not yet anyway. You might find some dragon bits on the beach though. We get a few loose teeth and claws sometimes washing up on shore." Teddy nodded and handed the Omniculars back to the guide as he started looking over the surf. Andromeda smiled as they followed closely, keeping their feet from getting too wet from the coming waves. "Any plans for Christmas?" Hazel eyed Andromeda and looked back at Teddy. "I think we will have a small Christmas this year. Two years in a never ending winter has sort of left a bad taste in our mouths. I know he won't say it but I could tell the sight of snow was bothering him. He's afraid he could lose his magic again." Andromeda looked towards the boy as he bent down and looked amongst the beach rocks. "I didn't think about that. A quiet celebration would probably be best for you two." Hazel nodded and then smirked. "Was going to see if Horatio would let us practice magic in the training room. The more snow Teddy sees and the more magic he can perform should lower his concerns a bit." Andromeda lifted an eyebrow. "And the Restriction for Underage Magic means what to you?" Hazel smiled. "A colossal waste of ink."

Andromeda sighed in resignation as Teddy rushed over to them. "Mom, look! I found a dragon claw! Can I keep it?" Hazel took the claw carefully and rubbed her hands on it. She could feel traces of magic on it still. She smiled at Teddy as she conjured a thick letter pouch before placing the claw inside of it. "Sure. But you leave it with me for now. It still has some magic in it which could make a nasty scar if you nicked the skin. I will ask Quetz back home to cleanse it and help preserve it. After that it's all yours." Teddy whopped in joy and hugged her leg. "Thanks Mom!" Andromeda smiled as Hazel rubbed his hair. "Just wait until he meets Charlie Weasley. Might get a dragon fang earring just like him." Teddy looked at his Mom. "Can I?" Hazel shook her head. "Not until you are of age. You do it behind my back and I will cut your sweets by half." Teddy pouted but on seeing the serious look from his mother nodded. "Ok, I promise." Hazel smiled before glaring at Andromeda. "If I see Charlie or any Weasley near him, I won't be happy. Got it?" Andromeda saw a bit of magic leak into her eyes. "Sure. No Weasley's till Hogwarts." Hazel all but growled. "Don't remind me."

-∞-

OW October 1998

Hazel had just finished her grocery run when she spotted a familiar mop of red hair. "Can I help you, George?" The last surviving twin eyed her wearily just outside the local grocery store, drawing attention to them both that Hazel didn't particularly care for. She had made it quite clear to Kinglsey that she wasn't going to be his poster girl or another brainless Auror. She had enough on her plate caring for her godson and his distraught grandmother. She pointedly ignored his letters and attempts to follow her now. She started wandlessly casting stasis and unbreakable charms on her bag as she felt someone move in from behind. "Yeah, you can. What did you do to our brother Ron?" Hazel blinked at him, shifting her head to the side a bit. "Me? You're asking what I did to him after he tried to potion me with Amortentia? Really? You know, I took you and Fred for the smart ones in the family. Are you also going to ignore the fact that your mother tried to potion me several times? Or that she and Dumbledore signed an illegal contract with my name on it? Sorry to say this Fred but I stopped caring about your family when I caught them trying to rob me of all I had left of mine. If you're looking for Ronald, I suggest you look for Granger. I heard she was practically attached to him."

She moved to the side inorder to leave until the other person made his presence known. William Weasley kept his wand lowered but blocked her escape back into the store. "We have. She's missing too. Not that anyone has bothered checking since she wiped her parents' memories. What did you do to them?" Hazel eyed the Curse Breaker. "You'd think you'd be more interested in being a father than playing vigilante. What would your wife say? If you drop dead here, what will happen to Victoire? Fleur is a quarter Veela in a country that just barely restored her rights. Did you think about what could happen to them before you accused me of being responsible for the disappearance of two people?" The man was taken aback by that, showing that he had in fact not taken his family's needs into account. Hazel couldn't help it. She laughed. "Wow, and I thought the Order had some brain cells left in its remaining membership. Clearly I was mistaken. Then again, the Order seemed cater made to draw in young impressionable people who never thought about the consequences of their actions. No wonder the Minister is having trouble restoring the government. Between the brainless morons and the racist pigs, one wonders who might be actually left to make an honest effort at governing from the two. Now if you two don't mind, I have a mouth waiting to feed back home."

George's wand came up to her face. "We aren't leaving till you tell us what you did to Ron!" Hazel eyed the man. "Sure, I have some words for you." George, taken aback by the response, loosen his grip on the wand. Which he then dropped when a heavy boot made contact with his family jewels while Hazel banished William against the wall behind her. She then stepped on George's hand, making sure he couldn't cast at her. "Threaten me again, Weasley, and your fiancée will have to find another man to marry. Your family threatened my life and future so as far as we are concerned we are done. I have no idea where your little sh*t of a brother ended up. I would suggest Hell but from what I gather it's a bit of a one way trip. Now I really must be going. Better not see you again. Might not leave any of your manhood intact if I do." She stepped harder on George's, hearing bones crack and George scream in pain before she took her foot off and apparated away. She had a feeling they would try again, ignoring the fact that the war was over and that they had people waiting on them back home. She honestly couldn't understand people who ignored what family's they had left. She had made sure that she wouldn't be like them. Her godson should never have to worry that she would just up and vanish. She would keep to that, no matter who came looking for trouble.

-∞-

NW November 1991

Dora rubbed her head and groaned. Maybe hitting three clubs three nights in a row was a bad idea. Sure, she had sampled the local bartender's wares and had enjoyed the beating of the music on her skin as she danced among the mass of people, but the creeps and mornings after hadn't been part of her celebratory plans. The first night an asshole had grabbed onto her chest and after an elbow to the chest he had walked off to find a more welcoming woman. Later, when she was about to leave, another moron tried manhandling her. Her knife sticking to this thigh and a cut across his chest made the drunkard stumble back and fall, leaving her alone. She was glad she had asked her mom for a portkey tied to the house. Sure it wasn't technically legal, but they couldn't track them unless she used them in front of magicals. She was pretty sure the law had been written so the people who knew the loophole could exploit it. There were a lot of laws in the Ministry like that, her Dad had been quick to tell her. While he hated bigotry, the man was a lawyer, a husband and a father. He made sure his family knew all the loopholes to keep them safe.

Not satisfied with the first night's festivities, Dora decided to try another nightclub the following night, this one being a lot more her style. She did manage to catch the Weird Sisters having a grand ol time in Cardiff, which was a blast. Less booze, no creeps and louder music. Sure, she couldn't hear well as she stumbled into bed but it had been worth it. The third night was the one she might call a mistake. No, it was definitely a mistake. She had way too much to drink and the club had some very scantily clad ladies. She had practically latched onto one and made out with her for several long minutes. When they got to a dark corner, the clothes started coming off and Dora had been about to take her hard against the wall before she started imagining her as Hazel. When the woman's unfamiliar voice begged her to go harder she felt the illusion break and guilt filled her. She excused herself, took a bottle of gin and portkeyed back home. Said bottle had been quite dry when she woke up in the morning with a massive headache. She had thought about taking a Hangover Cure Potion but if she went down and grabbed it, she knew her mother would notice. She was the one who kept the Potion Cabinet stocked for all occasions after all.

So, rather than raiding the family's stock, Dora arrived with a hangover to the DoM and hoped that the Healers in the Operation's Medical Wing had some cure for hangovers in her Potions Cabinet. She couldn't be the only person in the DoM with a drinking problem. Right? She thought of Hazel and thought that she had a kid at home. Either she was stone cold sober or she had to have a few drinks away from the kid. If she was honest with herself, then she knew Hazel was the former. That woman seemed way too focused to let herself get drunk. She didn't even want to know what a drunk Hazel would be like if she got into that odd mood of hers. The thought of Hazel made her remember last night. Her partner had been intruding in her thoughts a bit lately. Seeing her in just her knickers had made her feel flushed and she might have thought about what touching her would feel like. Well, she would have done more than touch her. That she had almost taken a woman imagining it had been her friend had made Dora so confused. She had wanted it so bad but the moment it clicked that it wasn't Hazel had made her feel so guilty. It wasn't like she had been cheating on her… right?

"What do you want first? The Hangover Cure or a talk?" Dora's thoughts came to a screeching halt as she realised she had entered the Medical Wing. It might have also been because she knew that voice, even by its tone. She looked up and stared. "Mom? What are you doing here? Did I go to St. Mungos by accident?" Andromeda gave her a glare. "No, Nymphadora. This isn't St. Mungos. Congratulations on your clearance level. Now you know I actually work here in Operations as the Chief Medic. On the bed, Dora, before I stun you." Dora didn't need to be told twice. She jumped on the bed. "This is going to be so weird." Andromeda smiled. "On the plus side, I don't have to charge you for medical visits. I am also going to be monitoring your health while you are here. So, how much alcohol did you drown your liver in?" Dora tried to think, having a hard time with her headache. "Uhh, one bottle of gin?" Andromeda stared at her. "Dora, I personally introduced you to gin and I know you aren't this bad after one bottle so try again." Dora thought a little harder. "Uhh, three full bottles?"

Andromeda nodded and went to the Potion Cabinet. "Did you read the papers you signed as a Recruit?" Dora glared before stopping. The room had started to spin when she did that. She brought her hands up to rub her eyes. "Of course I did." Andromeda measured out a dose and gave her the glass cup. "Then congrats on your first free Hangover Potion. You get one a month. Only one. After your third in a month the Department will have you go sober for the rest of the year before letting you drink again while supervised. We aren't training killers to take out the scourge of Wizarding Britain just so you can get drunk and become part of the problem. Got that?" Dora shugged the drink back and felt her body shudder. Her ensuing burp left a horrible taste in her mouth. "Yeah, got it. Party once a month and don't go overboard." Andromeda nodded before she drew her wand and pulled up a clipboard with some parchment on it. "Good. Now, you are here for your physical. Let's get started. Any injuries to yourself in the last few days since you saw me, any unusual magics or compounds in your system?"

Dora thought back. "No injuries except for maybe a little bruising from … grabby pricks. Magic… I was flooded by Hazel's magic at Hogwarts to avoid detection a few days ago. Hazel said that Dumbledore's glasses are probably enchanted to see through Disillusionment charms and cloaks, but not hers. She kept her magic in me for a few minutes until we got out of the wardline. No odd food in my stomach that I know off." Andromeda casted her diagnostic charm again. "Any side effects from Hazel's magic?" Dora thought back. "Ahh, I felt tired but refreshed at the same time." Andromeda checked her readings and nodded. "You have some residue left in you from the overexposure. Nothing serious, just a trace of her magic in you. No different from the charm on your neck. I will keep an eye on it since you two will be working side by side for the foreseeable future. Hazel's magic might conceal her from wards but it also has a negative effect with animals. Check on that if you ever get near one. Other than that and the recent damage to your liver and lack of proper sleep and water intake, you are just fine."

Andromeda finished writing Dora's medical evaluation as Dora jumped off the bed. "So, how long have you known Hazel?" Andromeda kept her eyes on the paper, her quill moving quickly as she wrote down what she got from the diagnostic spell. "Since that owl in late June when you signed up for the DoM. She and her son came in from a classified location and had a need for a thorough medical evaluation. Been checking with them once in a while." Dora hummed. "Dad said you were out on Saturday. You were here with them?" Andromeda finished writing, duplicated the files and placed one into her archive before turning to Dora. "I am sure you have noticed Hazel has a few issues. She refuses to see Mind Healers, so the boss assigned me to get to know her. Let her open up and work through her issues. Saturday we were actually in Scotland at the Hebridean Black Dragon Reserve. Hazel wanted her son to get a good look at them. They are his favorite dragon type." Dora looked at her Mom, seeing a new side to her. It was nice. "Cool. Outside of the Oppals, those are my favorites too. I was going to move in here by December. Is that going to be a problem?"

Dora was shocked to see a smile on her face. "It might surprise you but this is a safe place to have a home, at least before you need a house. I might not have approved of you being an Auror but I know Horatio and Croaker. I am also getting to know Hazel. They will make sure you can take anything out there and come back alive. It's the best I could ask for, barring keeping you at home locked in your room." Dora smiled and hugged her mother. "Thanks for not being mad. So far the job looks great and I really like Hazel. I think I will be good at this." Andromeda gave Dora a cheeky look. "Oh, you have a thing for a young hot mother? Should I get started on a betrothal contact or baby names?" Dora's hair went through several color changes. "Mom!" Andromeda laughed as Dora got her hair to go back to pink. "Were… just partners!" Andromeda nodded. "True. But remember what I said. The best partners are like the best couples. You need to trust each other intimately." Andromeda eyed her daughter, her hair cycling again. "And like all things, it doesn't happen all at once. Take your time Dora. None of us are going everywhere." Dora's hair stopped at pink again. "Thanks, Mom. I will remember that."

Chapter 10: Quiet Holidays

Chapter Text

"Easy Leafsby! Don't drop that box too hard. Vinyl is delicate." The little elf eyed her before levitating the box down and popping away. Dora sighed and looked around her new home. When Horatio said full apartment, he hadn't been kidding. While she knew the veranda that looked over an outside view was fake, the view itself was just amazing, especially with the snow now covering the rooftops of old London. Tonks pulled out her wand and started changing the colors of the apartment walls away from the cream and greys to warmer yellows and a bit of orange. She also shifted her furniture to a darker wood. The elf dropped the last of her boxes into the bedroom. "Thank you, Leafsby. I will go grocery shopping later. Anything you don't cook?" The elf eyed her carefully. "Leafsby been learning more recipes. Leafsby not wanting Mistress Peverell to cook too much but Mistress like cooking. Leasby's been learning for young master Peverell." Dora blinked. "Guessing we both share you?" Leafsby nodded. "Leafsby was asked to by Boss Croaker. Leafsby asked if Mistress Peverell was accepting of Leafsby sharing responsibilities with Mistress Tonks, who agreed on condition that young master remains priority. Does Mistress Tonks disagree? Other elf might serve Mistress Tonks."

Tonks shook her head. When Mom said elfs talked weird she wasn't kidding. Still, having the same elf probably helped with making sure they were both on time and looked after properly and she has no problem with the kid getting priority. "No problem here, Leafsby. I don't mind sharing." The elf nodded and snapped her fingers causing a door to appear on the wall. "Tonks and Peverell be partners. Door leads to Peverells. Speak with Mistress about wards between places. Leafsby be going now. Leafsby be trying to learn how to make Chinese food." Dora watched the spot where the elf had been. At least her menu options wouldn't be limited. She approached the newly made door and opened it, finding another door behind it. This one was locked solid. She knocked. The door opened and she stared with wonder at the boy in front of her. He had hair as black as a raven's feathers and … purple eyes. Why did he have eyes like her natural ones? Her mind stayed frozen as she locked eyes with the boy until a familiar voice spoke up. "Teddy, it's rude to stare. Same to you, Nymphadora." Dora looked at Hazel, her hair shifting to red. "Stop calling me that!" She heard a giggle and looked back towards the boy, seeing him change his hair and eyes to match hers.

"I can do that too." He then changed his hair and eyes to blue, green, yellow before returning to black, his eyes returning to purple. The boy grinned. "Mom talks about you all the time. My name is Edward Peverell. She can call me Teddy but you can call me Ted for now." Dora blinked for a second and smiled. "My dad's a Ted too, but his name is Theodore. A pleasure to meet you Ted. Name's Tonks. Forget what your Mom called me. That's a lie." Teddy shook his head. "Mom doesn't lie to me. Also Dromeda calls you Nymphadora. Why can't we?" Dora rubbed her eyes. "Because some people shouldn't be allowed to name their kids." Hazel chuckled from the kitchen as she stirred a pot of white rice. "You won't win that argument, Dora. Teddy likes weird names." Dora shook her head. "Then I hope his spouse vetoes his choices too." Hazel grinned before looking at Teddy. "Why don't you show Dora around, Teddy? Dinner will be ready in a second. You're invited too, Dora. I made enough for five people so I expect to see it gone by the end." Dora took a moment to smell the food. "Is that meatloaf in the oven?"

Teddy pulled her hand. "Yup! Mom goes crazy with the oven for Christmas time. We get Meatloaf, Turkey, even Roasted Pork. She is reading up on desserts other than cheesecake, despite me telling her it's the best one." Hazel spoke up. "Oi! There are desserts other than Cheesecake and Sponge Cake!" Dora laughed as Teddy pulled her to his room. She looked around, noticing the familiar colors of her old Hogwarts House. "Are you going for Hufflepuff at Hogwarts?" Teddy nodded. "Mom says I am a shoe in. I have been studying Herbology to not get Sprout mad at me and because it's fun. Mom is trying to see if someone here can tutor me in Potions too, so Snape won't pick on me, since she doesn't know a lot about Potions herself." Dora hummed. "Wish I had thought of that." She noticed the rest of the apartment was in soft blues and whites, with the wood being typical oak. She saw a large white bed across from Teddy's room. Teddy pulled her away from there. "That's Mom's room. Only me and Mom's future girlfriend are allowed in there." Dora chuckled as she sat on the kitchen table, Teddy sitting beside her. Dora looked towards Hazel, who seemed to be cutting into the Meatloaf. "Kid trying to get you a spouse yet?"

Hazel gave a sigh of relief as she brought two plates of food onto the table. "Thankfully not. He knows I don't usually like people so he leaves it up to me." Hazel ruffled his hair as she summoned her own plate of food. Dora took a bit of the Meatloaf and groaned. "Ok, I need to eat with you more often. The cafeteria has nothing on you." Hazel blushed. "If you want to, you are certainly welcome to join us. Though, I might get you to pay me back by watching Teddy." The kid eyed Dora for a second. "I … don't think I would mind. Though I don't know about her choice of shirts." Dora mock glared at the kid. "Oi, the Weird Sisters are the best band in the UK." Teddy went back to eating, ignoring her, which made Hazel chuckle. "Try for less bleeding from the ears and more relaxing tunes. Wish I could sing though, it would have made getting this little guy to bed much easier." Dora hummed, enjoying the white rice and beans that were served with the meat. Hazel was about to stand when Leafsby popped in. "Mistress, sit. Mistress asks Leafsby what to bring." Hazel sighed. "Applejuice for Teddy, my Blended Fruit Juice for me. You got a drink you want, Dora?"

Dora blinked for a second as she thought about her options. Asking for wine would be rude and she had a good idea that beer was out too. "I'll try that blend." The elf popped away and three full glasses appeared on the table. Teddy chimed in, "Thank you, Leafsby." Dora smelled the drink and tried it. "Huh. Not bad." The three settled in and ate a bit quietly, with Leafsby providing Dora and Teddy with second servings of food. Eventually Dora gave out a bit of a burp that made Teddy chuckle and Hazel looked at her, clearly not amused. "You ruin my son's table manners, Andromeda might just forget the anesthetic the next time you visit the Medical Wing." Dora shivered at the thought. "Noted." Teddy chuckled. "Dromeda scary like Grandma." Dora noted a look of longing on Hazel. "You hardly talk about her." Hazel was about to take the empty plates before Leafsby popped them away. She sighed, exacerbated with the elf. "Thank you, Leafsby. Teddy's Grandmother and I bonded over Teddy. As you know, he was my godson before I blood adopted him. We sort of pulled each other out of the hell from the war. She passed on a few years back. We both miss her. Every once in a while I think about her. Hard not to when Teddy has her eyes. Or at least a shade of it."

Teddy saw the sad look on his Mom's face. "Dessert?" He grinned at the amused look she gave him. She knew why he did it too. Hazel turned to Dora. "Do you like Cookies and Cream ice cream?" Dora eyes practically sparkled. "Damn right I do." The three dug into the tub and before long Hazel looked at the empty carton. "You know, I might regret having you over. Feeding Teddy was a full time job already." Dora pouted. "Hey, I am only 19. I am still growing." Teddy giggled. "Mom, you know you like cooking." Hazel sighed. "Fine, but if our entire paycheck goes into food, you and I will have words, Nymphadora." Tonks groaned. "I'll pay you to stop calling me that." Teddy sat back and watched his Mom tease this version of Mama for a bit more, feeling very happy before Dora stood up. "Ok, better get to my apartment and get my bed set." Leafsby popped in. "Bed has been prepared, Mistress Tonks. Your toiletries are in the bathroom as well." The elf popped out. Dora blinked for a second before looking at Hazel. "I don't know whether to love the elf or tell him to stop," Hazel pulled Teddy into her arms. "You ever find the off switch, let me know. Until then, goodnight Dora. Teddy needs his bath." Teddy waved at her. "Night Dora." Tonks waved at them both with a smile. "Night you two."

After taking a shower and slipping into a long shirt, Dora dropped onto the bed in a bit of a haze. The hours she spent with Hazel and Teddy felt almost like a dream. Sure, seeing her own purple eyes reflected on her was weird, but the kid was a Metamorphmagus like Hazel. The fact the eyes were a trait from a woman that died made Dora's worries vanish. The warmth between them, the love they had for each other just seemed to eat all of her fears away. She knew her parents loved each other and would sometimes catch them in awkward and traumatizing situations, but it hadn't felt so warm and inviting as that apartment had felt. Though she knew it had everything to do with the people. Hazel… She had always thought of Hazel as a bit distant but friendly. She was also scary and absolutely hot. So seeing her smiling all the time, being playful and teasing had caught her completely by surprise. It had also made her seem even more beautiful, even if she seemed to wear much more modest clothing around her son. There was some of that weariness she could see in her eyes but it practically melted away. Hazel was happy. Why did that thought make her own heart so warm? Why did she want to be a part of that? Dora sighed and turned to her side, adjusting her alarm. She fell asleep remembering she had invited herself to dinner with them everyday, meaning she would be with them quite a bit. She had no idea she fell asleep with a smile on her face.

-∞-

Hazel felt a growing sense of deja vu as she wandered the Halls of Hogwarts alone under her cloak. Croaker had been reticent at first but agreed to let her explore the castle alone on Christmas Eve. Which meant she had a short window of time while Dora and Leafsby watched over Teddy. She needed to verify a few things, while also dropping off a present. Not finding her target on the first and third floors, but definitely confirming that Dumbledore had a Cerberus in the school behind a door any advanced first year could open, Hazel made her way closer and closer to Gryffindor. If the intention was for it to be found, then it had to have been placed somewhere Harry would stumble onto it, especially if he received the Peverell Cloak as she had. She walked past a partly opened door on the fourth floor and stopped. Wrapping herself ever deeper in her magic she pushed the door open and found further proof that Dumbledore was definitely up to something. The Mirror of Erised was categorized as a cursed object and it's inherently private subject matter had no business in a castle, especially not as a piece to educate anybody.

Eying the reflective surface for a moment, Hazel turned around and left the room. Once she had fallen for that trap. Now… now she wouldn't dare. Whatever her deepest desire was, she would leave it be. She had far more important things than chasing shadows or false hopes. She had a son to raise and a world to keep from falling apart. No bloody pressure. She paused as she stared at a blank wall before retracing her steps. The entrance to the Gryffindor Common Room was not where she remembered it being. In her world it had been at the end of a long and empty Hallway, one of many in the castle designed to keep the untrained lost. It took her a bit of searching but she finally found the right portrait. Why was the entrance of the Common Room here to the side of one of the many moving staircases? Even the portrait looked different. Sighing to herself, Hazel pushed herself through the portrait and entered the Common Room. How she had ever loved spending time here was beyond her. Shielding her eyes from the onslaught of red and gold, Hazel made her way up the stairs and into the first year boys dormroom. The familiar snoring from one of the beds forced her to swallow the sudden buildup of rage as she eyed the rest of the beds.

She found the one she was looking for when she spotted the same pair of glasses she had seen on the boy's face at the Leaky Cauldron. She knelt down to look at his face. He looked a bit like Teddy did, though his hair seemed a bit more tamed for now. He turned onto his other side and Hazel caught a glimpse of the scar. She resisted the urge to touch it. Lily Potter had gone quite deep into Blood Magic to find that little gem. Hazel had been impressed with her if only for a second. The Potters had still given birth to a boy in the middle of a war and made no attempts to flee to safer territories. She would admire Lily's ingenuity but always condemn the Potters lack of foresight. Hazel stood up and approached the pile of presents at the foot of the boy's bed. A few looked like candy boxes, one looked suspiciously like it held a certain disgusting piece of knitted wool and the other two were clearly books, probably from a certain bookworm and a Half Giant. The last one, wrapped in brown paper and twine, was especially familiar. She touched the surface of it and felt the magic within. It felt… weaker than hers. Hazel frowned as she casted diagnostics on it. There weren't any enchantments on it or anything that could explain its weakness and its lack of reaction to her magic.

Hazel thought back to the differences she had found between the two worlds. The lack of Family Magics had been the most unexpected. They had played a part in her own Voldemort's crusade against the Light families, clamoring for the protection of the Magics of the Sacred 28 as they were passed down from parent to child in the face of the Muggleborns and their blank slates. She knew she had survived that fateful night because of her connection to the Peverells. Even now the same Family Magic existed inside of her and in Teddy. But it was nowhere else in this world. Did that mean the Hallows here were worthless trinkets from a long dead family or did they need to be assembled again? Bagshot's warning came to mind. Her Hallows were a part of her now. She could potentially destroy these and end their place in the world. For now… for now she would leave the Cloak to Harry. It would help keep him safe until Voldemort was gone. She'd figure out what to do with the other set later. Making a bit of room, she placed her own present onto the pile. The boy had been dragged into the world with nothing but stories of his parents. There was more to the Potters than the self-sacrificing martyrs and their slanted view of duty.

The book she had gone to great pains to find in this world was the complete listing of all the achievements of the Potters for the last 700 years. It even contained a Family Tree. She had gone to the Legal Division in the DoM to get this book's tree updated to its most recent state. The boy would know his place amongst a family full of people; from Potioneers, Alchemists and Artificers to Healers, Politicians and even Professors. She had been denied her legacy to the point that most of it had been destroyed when she discovered it. If she was to change things, then she needed to make sure Harry knew where he came from. He needed to understand his ancestry and that there was more to his life than being his parents' echoes. The note she left in it should help the boy understand. Just because you are the last of your line doesn't mean you are truly alone. Be safe. From a friend." Hazel looked at the sleeping boy one last time before slipping out of the Gryffindor Tower. She made one last stop, one she found in a lone tower at the edge of the castle. "Hedwig?" Even partly masked by her magic and cloak, the snowy white owl descended from her place in the Owlery. Hazel lifted the hood of the cloak from her head, a smile on her face as the owl landed on her exposed arm. She opened her hand to it. "Here, I brought some treats for you. Thank you for choosing him." The bird chirped happily and ate the treats before rubbing Hazel's cheek. Hazel caressed Hedwig's chest plumage, "Take care of each other." The bird screeched in agreement and took off as Hazel left the Castle grounds once more.

-∞-

OW December 25th 1991

Hazel pulled the Invisibility Cloak tighter upon herself. The note had said it had been her father's before he died. While getting it had felt great, wearing it was a different matter entirely. She felt free. Absolutely free. Her magic, which she still had so much trouble casting, vibrated under skin as she wore it. She had waited until curfew to step out and just enjoy the night free from all thoughts of bullies, exams and stupid expectations. Sure, she got some presents, including a book on how to pronounce Latin better from that annoying bookworm called Hermione, but that didn't mean she was going to be friendly all of a sudden. She couldn't understand why the girl was following her so much, especially in the library. At least her private bathroom remained private. She also got a weird jumper from Mrs. Weasley. Why the mother of the kid she hated most from her housemates was sending her presents had been a mystery until the Weasley Twins told her that Ron had sent a letter home, asking his mother to send a present to her. Weirdos. At least the Twins seemed nice, when they weren't terrorizing the school. Professor Quirrell's lessons made her feel safer, even if her stunning spells and shields were below the usual strength, but she doubted she'd manage to keep the twins at bay. Her wand still didn't like her.

Her thoughts came to an end when she caught an odd reflection from an abandoned storage room near the courtyard. As she pushed the door open Hazel noticed a massive mirror dominating a corner. There was some weirdly spaced writing on it but it seemed just like an ornate mirror until she looked at her reflection. Or lack of one. Sighing, she took off her cloak, letting it spill at her feet. Her breath caught as her image appeared, followed by two others. Her eyes watered as she started to hiccup. "Mom? Dad?" The two people smiled at her and nodded. She lunged forward and slammed into the glass. She was surprised by it being there. Why was there glass between them? She wanted to be with her parents. "Mom! Dad! Let me in! Take me with you! Please! Please don't leave me. Not again! Please! MOM! DAD!" She screamed over and over again. as she punched the glass, but it withstood her. A hand pulled her away and she fought back. "Let me go! My parents are in there! I want to be with them! Let me go!" An old man's voice reached her ears. "It is just an illusion, young Hazel. Nothing more than a spell projecting your heart's desire for you to see. They aren't there, no matter how much you want them to be."

Hazel felt her feet collapse under her as her eyes remained fixed on her parents. An illusion? It was all… she cried. A lie. It was a lie, like everything else in the castle. She cried as the man tried to comfort her. "There there, young Hazel. It is not good to dwell on the past, especially that which can never be. You should look to your future." She turned towards the old man. "Why? What's so good about the future? So far everything that I have seen is one big lie after another. I tell you what's happening to me, I ask for help but no one listens. So why? Why should I care about any of you!" She gripped the Cloak in her hand, pulled it over herself and ran. "Miss Potter! Miss Potter!" She ignored the Headmaster's calls. A lie. Hagrid had told her the Wizarding World was her home. That she would find friends and family here. Instead everyone ignored her suffering, calling her a troublemaker and underachiever. They ignored her. Now they showed her her parents and it had all been an illusion on glass? This world that she had been brought to felt like such a lie. What was really here for her? She gripped the cloak tightly around her and felt its magic wash over her. At least… at least the Cloak felt real. She could feel a connection to it beyond who owned it last, beyond it just being her father's. It was a part of her. Hazel Potter would vanish from that day on all the time at night, disappearing into the castle beyond the gaze of anyone or anything. In those short fleeting moments, she was free.

-∞-

NW December 25th 1991

Memories of her first Christmas day in the Castle flooded Hazel's mind until she felt her bed dip. It dipped again and again. She buried her past pain and smiled. This! This was worth it. This was worth all the pain. "Mom! Mom! Wake up! It's Christmas morning! We got presents!" Hazel lazily turned her face into the pillow. "Just 5 more minutes." Teddy fell onto his arms and crawled up to her head. "Come on, Mom. It's Christmas!" Hazel wrapped her arm around Teddy and pulled him into a hug. She sighed in content. "Christmas brought me a Teddy pillow. Must sleep. Five more minutes." Teddy whined playfully. "Mom, it's Christmas morning. You can sleep later. We got presents!" Hazel opened one of her eyes and looked at Teddy. "Presents?" Teddy grinned and giggled. "Presents!" Hazel released him and pulled herself up. "Ok, presents first, sleep later." Teddy shifted into his animagus form and ran circles around her feet until she carried herself over to the family room sofa. The Christmas tree had been one of the few things Teddy agreed to go out under the snow for, her brave boy refusing to back down even as she felt his feelings spike several times.

One long visit to a Tree farm and hundreds of pine trees later, they had finally found one Teddy had liked and would actually fit in the apartment. Hazel had to use a bit of the Confundus charm to assure the owner of the tree farm that they indeed arrived in a car and left with the tree on said car. She certainly didn't shrink it and carried it in her pocket as they apparated back to the Ministry. Hazel pulled Teddy into a warm hug afterwards and the two drank some hot chocolate, his lingering fears slowly melting away. They then went to a store that only sold Christmas ornaments and proceeded to buy the decorations. It had taken a bit of pressure on Croaker, but he readily admitted that the apartment could be adapted to run electricity. They just didn't do it unless asked. Hazel asked and in two days the apartment was sporting quite a few modern amenities, from a TV with a VCR to a food blender. The apartment eventually featured a Christmas tree with actual Christmas lights. They had pulled Dora in to help decorate, which made the witch smile. The three of them got it done with time to spare and spent the rest of the day swaping Christmas stories before Dora headed home, after promising to watch Teddy on Christmas Eve for a second. Andromeda hadn't minded that Dora spent about an hour with them before heading home.

Finally tired of running circles around Hazel's feet, Teddy shifted back and brought the presents onto the coffee table as a cup of coffee popped into existence in front of Hazel. "Thank you, Leafsby. You can show up for a second." The elf popped in and was startled when Hazel passed her a small present. "We know it's not Elf Custom, but we felt you deserved a gift. It's not clothes." The elf pulled the box open and stared at a glimmering crystal. "Where we came from we visited an island known as the Isle of the Blessed. Among the ruins we found this, which I remembered an old elf friend once told me about. If I am right, it's a crystal that elves use for special ceremonies. We thought you might like it." Leafsby held it to her chest, her ears fluttering as she nodded. "Leafsby knows of old crystals. Leafsby be honored for such a gift. Leafsby's Mistress and young Master are the best." The elf popped away to store her crystal as Teddy finished sorting the presents. Hazel placed a present in his lap. "You know the rule. Youngest first." Teddy ripped into his present, and smiled. "It's from Quetz. It's a Griffin's claw!" Hazel chuckled as her son eyed the immaculate white claw. If her son kept getting these he might just need a display case.

Hazel gave Teddy a mock frown when Dora sent him a lot of sweets. She might just need to tell off her partner. Or she could force Dora to babysit him on a sugar high. Hazel hummed to herself happily as she planned some revenge as Teddy opened his gift from Andromeda which made him squeal. Leave it to Medic to have a book specifically on Herbs and Potions. At least Hazel was sure her son would avoid Snape's more vicious nature. After a bit of cajoling and a promise to not overindulge on sweets, Hazel agreed to open her own presents. She was surprised to find a Basilisk Hide hair pin and tie from Quetz. Apparently it was what little remained in stock, practically worthless to the Division, so the woman repurposed it for Hazel to match her set. Hazel thought about the snake currently sleeping under Hogwarts. If things went bad then at least Quetz would have a decent supply of Basilisk Hide for the foreseeable future. She could also see the rest of the Department fighting over the carcass. Returning to her gifts, Horatio's was a particularly obscure book on Transfiguration and Conjuration. She would look into it. She hoped the old man enjoyed what she knew was a fine bottle of scotch and some new padded fighting gloves. His last right hook had left her jaw a bit scratched. Teddy giggled when he saw his mother had two more books which made Hazel pout.

The next book was from Croaker and it came with an interesting note. Don't make me regret this. She leafed through the book and grinned. A Druidic book on Blood Magic Curses and Witchcraft. She was definitely taking a closer look at it later. The last book had surprised her. Croaker must have screened it as it was from Bathilda Bagshot. She traced a hand over the Peverell family crest on it. She knew that Family Magic didn't exist here but it would be nice knowing about the people she called ancestors here. She would have to find a suitable gift for the old history professor. The second to last gift was from Dora and Hazel actually smiled. The vinyl disc of the Weird Sisters would probably sit on the shelf for a bit but the disc on Scottish Folk Music would see plenty of use. Teddy landed beside her. "This is from me!" Hazel opened the box and froze. "Where did you get this?" Teddy hugged his mother. "Croaker has a pensive that can be photographed. He took the memory from me and got it framed. Do you like it?" Hazel looked into the Wizarding Photo of the moment Hedwig landed on her arm in Diagon Alley. She hadn't remembered smiling at all at that moment. She hugged her son and kissed his hair. "I love it. Thank you, Teddy."

Her son beamed as she placed her present on his lap. He stared at the photo album and opened it. Inside were photos from their own world, with a few of Mama holding him at birth and Mama cooing over him while Grandma and Grandpa laughed. Mom looked so different in it, with her hair still raven black, her face looking so young. The last pages had photos of their new home, with a few from the Dragon Reserve and two from a few days back as they decorated the tree with Dora in the frame with them, probably taken by Leafsby. Hazel hugged her son. "I had this with me all the time. It started as a small book with photos of you, your mama and grandmother. As we spent time together, I got a bigger album and kept adding photos. I thought it was time for you to keep it. We will keep adding photos together as we go forward but I wanted you to have it with you from now on." Teddy teared up a bit and hugged his mother back. "I love it! Thank you, Mom." Hazel popped a disc of Christmas music on the record player as Leafsby brought out their breakfast. Hazel sat back and watched Teddy dig into his meal. There were no doubts in her mind now. Everything she did to get him here safely was worth it to just see her son smiling and talking about what other claws he could get for his collection. She prayed that he could be a kid for quite a while longer.

Chapter 11: A New Dawn for Operations

Chapter Text

"Hazel, wait up." Hazel stopped just outside of Acquisitions as her partner's familiar voice reached her. She turned around and smirked. "Morning Dora. Did you remember to wear your knickers?" Dora blushed and punched Hazel's shoulder. "Yes, I did. Why did you send me two pairs of knickers for Christmas anyways?" Hazel hummed happily. "Just in case you lost your bras since you don't seem to wear them. How were the boots and jacket?" Dora beamed. "They are great. I left them in the apartment because we were getting our Operative gear today. Won't cause a problem for us, though? Dragonhide jackets in maroon are for Hit Wizards and Hit Witches." Hazel nodded. "That they are, but that also happens to be our cover when we step out of the Ministry, remember? We either wear our Unspeakable Cloaks or we wear a Hit Witch's gear. Since I have a Basilisk set, I don't need a new set but you needed yours. I thought you'd like one with a bit of a personal touch, which standard issue ones lack. They tend to be more comfortable that way, especially around the bust. You can thank Quetz for working on it." Dora blushed as she pouted. "Thank you for that." The two reached the entrance and pressed their badges onto the door. Quetz looked up from her workstation and smiled as the door opened fully. "Welcome back you two. R1, your gear is in the back. Try it on. R2, get your trasero over here. I got a large assortment of knives for you. Take your pick so I can adjust the holster."

Dora looked over the table and scanned the large spread of knives. She eyed a few curved blades but decided against them. She would have to relearn how to fight with those. She held a few knives until she found a pair of slightly curved combat knives. Quetz hummed approvingly. "Not a bad pick. Good for forcing some distance or cutting someone's throat from behind. You bring your gear here every time after a mission, you hear? I ain't letting you out there with your knives rusted or dulled." Dora nodded and handed the two blades to Quetz, who pulled out a holster for them and started binding it with stitches to Dora's suit. Hearing a few heavy steps, Dora turned and froze. Hazel looked absolutely hot in the black full body suit that went down to her knees as she seemed to adjust her bracers. Dora had to turn away though Quetz gave her a knowing look before heading to Hazel. "I left some room for throwing knives in the bracers and belt for you, so try them out. Make sure you come by and restock before getting out there." Hazel chuckled, "Yes ma'am." Quetz walked around her, eying her up and down, looking for any imperfections. "Shift to your Animagus form. I want to see if any of the heavy spell resistant areas give you trouble or lose enchantment." Hazel nodded and shifted into a lynx. She stretched around, ran across the room and gave Dora the stink eye when she cooed at her, before shifting back. "A bit of a tight fit on the bracers, greaves and knee guards areas but nothing unexpected."

Quetz pulled out her wand and casted a diagnostic on the mentioned areas. She nodded. "No weakening, at least not yet. You come in and have me look them over after long missions as an Animagus." Hazel nodded as she pulled the Unspeakable grey cloak over her head and pulled down the face covering. Dora shivered a little. "Very Grim Reaper. If you weren't my partner and I ran into you in a firefight, I'd sh*t bricks." Quetz grinned. "Part of the game. Fear gets your enemy to make mistakes. More time for you to hit them first." Hazel pulled the lower end of the cloak off, leaving the mask in place around her head. She vanished in a second before appearing again. "Not an Invisibility Cloak but probably better than most in the market. Is the suit designed to strengthen a Disillusionment charm?" Quetz nodded as Hazel removed her face covering. "Got that right, amiga. Our eggheads found a neat balance between the two. People with the right gear will spot you, nothing we can do about that, but everyone else will see jack sh*t." Quetz went back to finish her work on Dora's suit as Horatio entered the chamber. "Croaker's got a mission for you two in two days. Strap those suits on and meet me at the training room. We need to get you up to speed before we send you out."

Hazel looked at Horatio with concern. "Is that wise? We only have six months of Operative training." Horatio looked between the two. "Which isn't much from an Auror's perspective. With Operations, it's a bit faster in getting results." He looked at a worried Dora. "Of the two of you, you are the less experienced, Tonks. This isn't something we can fix in a training room or with more casting and exercise. You need real life combat. You need to get a feel for what it's like and what you can do in that situation." Dora thought on his words as Hazel eyed her with concern. Dora looked between her partner and Horatio. "You aren't worried about Hazel?" Hazel sighed and had a distant look to her eyes. "This isn't my first run in with dangerous wizards and witches. I've put several in the ground already. I am guessing my learning aspect from this is working with you, watching your back and taking things a bit more slowly." Horatio nodded. "This is why we are a bit more confident sending you two out, Tonks. You have a partner with real world experience who can look after you. Listen to her, focus on your safety and the mission, and you should be fine."

Dora held her own body suit, her hand rubbing the material absentmindedly. She knew this was early and it was likely going to be dangerous. But the danger was part of the job. Horatio was right. All the training in the world wouldn't get her the experience she needed or the feel for a real mission. She would have to get her hands dirty for that. Which meant casting curses at others, killing them and repeating it over and over again. She'd done that in practice but could she do it in real life, without becoming like her aunt? Hazel's hand on her shoulder broke her though and the concern on her eyes was clear to see. "You can sit this one out if you want. It might be a bit harder but I can manage it on my own." Dora felt a new emotion build up. Guilt. Her partner was willing to go into danger alone, just to relieve her of the stress. Dora's hand clenched on her combat suit as she swallowed the lump in her throat. This was never going to be easy and while she could wait, she knew she would eventually have to make the same decision again and again. She chose to stick with this job and with her partner. She wasn't going to change that. She breathed deeply before looking at Horatio. "Get me as ready as you can. I am not letting Hazel do this alone."

-∞-

Dora stared at a map of the compound they would be breaking into as Horatio paced beside her while Croaker looked on. A voice was heard from a small comm device on the table. "R1 on the rooftop. Got four guards here on assigned watches, one roamer. Assigned guards are at the four corners." Dora nodded to herself as she marked the corners with a red inked pen. "Got it." She eyed Croaker who seemed to be writing in a book, charmed for communication. She knew the mission today was a big one. Croaker had called them because he felt they could manage it with sufficient backup and it would help get them support among the ICW, who had issued the warning. The Observers under the ICW had tracked a shipping company making deliveries of illegal muggle weapons and contraband via portkeys. Because of how the sensors around borders worked, the smugglers with magical assistance had to keep the items on site until they were sure they didn't get spotted. Croaker's DoM had been tracking them for years but with no Operatives and no means to bypass permission from the top, they had no way of sending in the DMLE without getting spotted or blocked. The owner of the place apparently made quite a few large donations to the Minister too, which made warrants harder to get. Dora interrupted her thoughts when Hazel's voice came over the comms again. "Ten wizards on the 3rd floor, none wearing any resistant gear so far. All at hallway intersections. Five on the second floor, a bit more spread out, but the same configuration."

Marking the hallways on the third and second floor floor plans, Dora also noted the amount of people per floor. A part of her had been annoyed that Hazel had been sent first but she could see why. Hazel could sneak past wards and people without being spotted. She had no idea how, but it felt like she could walk through walls. Her friend went alone ahead to get a good feel for the building and enemy placement, something that would give them the advantage they needed to avoid unnecessary complications. Dora would be called in for the strike. She felt her hands shake for a moment. She'd be killing soon. Horatio eyed her carefully. "Leave the nerves, R2. Focus on the moment. When you get back, you have my permission to shake yourself till morning. And stop thinking that this will make you like a certain witch. You know what these people are and what they do. You are going in to put a stop to it. Remember that." Horatio's words helped her settle herself as she swallowed. "Ten Wizards on the first floor, ten Muggles with assault weapons and body armour. Priority One on site as extra. R1, moving towards the basem*nt. No sign of wardstone yet." Dora felt her nerves return a little. These men meant business if they brought muggles armed to the teeth, and the wizard bribing the Minister was on site. Croaker looked quite unhappy. "Getting permission to violate the Statute on muggle criminals from the ICW. Standby." Dora pulled the floor schematic of the basem*nt level and waited. Hazel's voice came in clear, along with her anger. "Got ten wizards on the basem*nt level and five muggle combatants. We have 35 civilian female muggles in states of undress held in cages, all with their hands bound. Wardstone has been located and it's vulnerable. Orders?"

Dora felt her heart sink. Human traffickers. The bastards were more than gunrunners and smugglers. They were human traffickers too. Croaker cursed. "ICW gave clearance but I am sending a revised request on breaking the Statute with the muggle victims. Get ready to plant the charge on the wardstone. R2, head to the portkey exit point and take your deployable wardstone. I am going to call in the DMLE a bit early. We need the site contained." Dora nodded and placed her hearing comms device in her ear and raised her wrist to her mouth. "R2, online." Hazel 's voice was clear in her ear. "R1, roger." Horatio's voice followed. "BM, Acknowledged. All clear. Boss has the go ahead and DMLE will be onsite as soon as the deployable wardstone is in place. Orders given, main standing order is to get back to base safely, both of you. No one gets left behind. Got it?" Dora arrived at the portkey extraction point as she pulled her hood and face covering on before picking up the deployable wardstone. They had elected to leave the cloaks behind to reduce physical limitations in the confined spaces. "Roger that BM. R2, at extraction point. All green." Hazel responded. "Roger that BM. R1 awaiting orders to plant charge on wardstone before transferring to the roof for R2's arrival. All green." Dora waited as she felt her heart beating faster and faster. Horatio's voice broke the silence. "R1, neutralize the ward and clear the roof. R2, prepare for the portkey. Mission is a go."

-∞-

Noticing Hazel by her side as soon as she landed, Dora shook off the effects of the Portkey. Her eyes took in her surroundings, noting the five dead guards. She placed the deployable wardstone on the ground at the dead center of the roof. "R2, activating wardstone." Hazel felt the wards snap into place and she shivered. For a deployable wardstone, it was bloody strong. She was glad they were tuned to be able to apparate in and out of it. "R1 and R2 in position on the roof. ETA on DMLE?" Horatio's voice came in clear, unlike earlier with the local wardstone causing minor interference. "Two minutes, R1. Engage on my mark. Lethal force is authorized. Watch for collateral on the basem*nt level." Hazel eyed Dora, seeing her a bit nervous. Her wand was shaking. "Deep breaths R2. Remember the drills. Aim for the torso, check your corners and keep moving. These people deserve worse than what you are giving them." Dora nodded, feeling a little better, before she looked at Hazel. "Any chance for fresh pizza tomorrow?" Hazel smiled to herself as she shook her head. "I'll get three." Horatio's voice came in. "DMLE on site. Engage targets on the third floor and proceed down. Avoid the red coats and stow the chatter." Hazel turned to Dora and got a nod. They descended the stairs as they heard screams and gunfire. Hazel, on point, took down two guards quickly as they made their way through, the green light of the Killing Curse flashing quickly and silently.

Dora found her breathing heavy as she followed her. She took two wizards down with a stunner before finishing them with a cyan AK each. She shuddered for a second before moving on. Hazel took down two more who tried to slip around them. Her enchanted eyes registered two more bodies moving towards them from the back and she eyed her friend who nodded. A flashbang spell and two AKs and the last two on the floor were down. Hazel spoke into the comm on her wrist. "Roof and third floor are clear. Two guards unaccounted for, probably down to the second floor." Hazel waited for a response. "DMLE is currently unable to breach the first floor. Transfer to Basem*nt and make your way up. Aurors are preparing brooms to reach the roof." Hazel grabbed Dora by the waist and apparated her down to a safe room she had identified near the ward stone. Dora checked with Hazel the direction of the wardroom and noted it was occupied, probably with wizards trying to restore it. "Got five in the wardroom, two outside. Can't read rest because of non-combatant signatures." Hazel vanished as if disillusioned, startling Dora for a second. She shook her head to clear her mind as the door opened, Hazel standing outside as she seemed to make a cloak vanish into her stomach. "Three more down on the Basem*nt level. Let's go." The people in the wardroom went down quickly with the two coordinating targets, before moving towards the area with the cages.

Hazel tapped Dora's shoulder. "Focus on clear targets, anyone who goes for hostages is mine." Dora nodded and the two charged into the room. Hazel's kinetic shield sprang up and Dora heard bullet fire aimed her way. She took down several targets as they cleared the room, Dora's fear and concerns evaporated at the sight of the women, some with obvious bruises on their faces. Hazel was right, the bastards deserved way worse for this. A few guards went for hostages but the spikes of metal that sprang from above their heads ended them quickly. The woman started screaming and Dora silenced them as she made herself visible, before casting a translator charm on the lot of them. "We're with the police. Stay low to the ground and no weapons. We will get you out as soon as we are clear." Dora turned slightly, her wand aimed slightly down and was suddenly sent flying into the wall. She saw a green curse strike the wall beside her as she heard a body drop. Dora stared at the wall as her heart started beating faster and faster. She had almost died. In a second she would have been dead. Just like the people she killed upstairs. She started breathing heavily, finding it hard with the mask, her hands and body shaking uncontrollably. She felt her face covering pulled aside as green eyes stared at her with concern. "R1 to BM, R2 is going into shock. Missed AK almost took her down. Orders?" Dora brought her hands to her face as her eyes grew unfocused. Dead. She should be dead. Like them. If it hadn't been for Hazel, she would be dead. She thought of her parents, how much her dying would hurt them and started to cry. Horatio's voice came in loud in her ear. "Blast it. The DMLE forces are cutting through the first floor and they got boots coming in from the roof. R1, shield R2 and clear the Basem*nt level of hostiles. Extreme measures authorized. Watch for collateral."

Dora felt someone lift her chin. "Really wanted our first time to be different but you need a heavy dose of my magic. We will talk more later." Dora froze as warm lips landed in hers and then her mind went blank, a soft moan leaving her lips. Magic. Pure, powerful magic flooded her mind and body. It felt like she had on Halloween night at Hogwarts but this time it was overwhelming. She was drowning in magic. She felt so warm and safe. She felt herself being lowered down and saw a pair of glowing green eyes shifting to silver. Her mind registered as a cloth was placed over her head before the magic inside of her connected to the cloth. She felt so light and free. What had she been doing? That sensation remained as the area around her went silent, with sporadic bouts of noise bursting once in a while. She had no idea how long she lingered there on the ground, only that the silence eventually lasted longer. Her mind… she knew something had happened, but she couldn't place it. She did know she felt warm. So warm. She watched to touch. To be touched. She wanted those lips again. Those eyes had looked at her with something she knew was different. What was it? She felt a pair of hands touch her and the cloth was pulled away from her body. Warm green eyes looked at her and Dora felt her heart beat loudly again. "R1 to BM. Basem*nt is cleared and Priority One is down. I have R2 in my possession. Permission to extract?" A voice sounded very loud in Dora's ear. "Permission Granted." She felt magic latch onto her and she was pulled away.

-∞-

"Croaker." Saul sighed as he entered the briefing room. While the Minister and the Chief Warlock would be informed, it was best to talk to the DMLE first. He sat down as he eyed the three Aurors before focusing on one of them. "Amelia, what's the word from your people?" The greying redhead sat back, her arms crossed over her chest as she looked at Croaker, her eyes showing a rare glimpse of emotion. "Ten Aurors are in St. Mungos, most with bullet wounds and a few suffering from cutting curses, broken bones and two with blood boiling curses. Two Aurors are dead." Saul lowered his head. "My apologies. The smugglers were much more well trained and armed than what was anticipated and identified by the ICW." Scrimgeour growled. "That they were. Half of the captured wizards were foot soldiers under You Know Who. They got a light sentence to Azkaban and went right back to the streets. Seemed they weren't as "reformed" as we had hoped." Croaker rubbed his chin. Not the expected result but those were the type of people he wanted to keep out of Voldemort's hands should he return. This little ICW mission paid off a little bit on their main concern. He noticed Alastor Moody eyeing him curiously.

"Yes, Alastor?" The old Auror grunted. "Your team did a number on the third floor but much more on the basem*nt level." Croaker stared at the man. "I never pegged you as the squeamish type." The man snorted. "I'm not. They did fine work. All the combatants were dead by the time we got down there. Some of the victims mentioned one of your people had a problem and was removed from the fight. That's not like Horatio, sending in someone so green." Croaker sighed. "The window for interfering was short and we had the means to disrupt this network that the ICW had been eyeing for years. One of our Operatives is indeed quite new to deadly engagements and is currently receiving medical attention. We don't see any concern and we hope the experience will help them along." Scrimgeour butted into the conversation. "I am more worried about your other Operative. The damage done to the criminals on the basem*nt level was … severe at times. Far worse than the third floor. Our Chief Warlock will raise a fuss over this. Minister too." Croaker waved the issue away. "They can complain all they want. Our BM got the word of one of ours being out of commission. He gave the order for extreme measures and the remaining Operative carried it out."

Moody chuckled. "Aye, they did at that. And quickly too. Some of my former Cadets slipped on the slick ground a few times before noticing it wasn't puddle water. Horatio swooning over this one?" Croaker sat back. He hadn't seen the damage himself yet, but he had heard Hazel's brief after action debrief. The woman took Horatio's order and followed it to the letter. Every criminal, no matter their magical talent or lack of it, got skewered by her conjured lances. He could imagine the mess left after she dispelled them. Horatio had been happy to not be on the receiving end of them on this night. "You know our BM, he's making sure we got the best. We got lucky this last year. Now, I believe Rufus touched on the more problematic aspects of what's to come. The Minister was receiving bribes from the owner of the building. Were you able to identify them among the captured criminals?" Amelia glared at him. "You know they weren't. The owner's body is in the morgue with a decently sized hole in his chest." Croaker hummed, not dignifying that with an answer. Horatio had been the one to clear Hazel to take out the Priority One target after all. He just didn't countermand the order. "Imagine that. Guess Fudge will throw a memorial. A cheap one." Rufus and Alastor chuckled which earned them a glare from Amelia. "Yes, yes. Our Minister's pockets will be lighter now. Until the next scumbag offers him the galleons. The question is what do we tell the Chief Warlock and the Minister. We can't hide this in the morning." Croaker eyed the three Aurors. "The DoM is operating under the assumption that the Chief Warlock can't be trusted." That got Alastor's attention. "What has Albus done that's got you up in arms?"

Croaker passed a file to Amelia. "Our Department was informed of improprieties done by the Headmaster. Mr. Potter's illegal living arrangements, some attempts at accessing his vault and property, the cover up of a Troll slipping past the Hogwarts wards and endangering the students and lastly a cursed artifact left where any eleven year old could find it. This all comes after he has used his position as Chief Warlock to conceal, impede and delay any investigations into the safety of everyone involved. There is a suggestion of having Mind Healers on standby should students have found the artifact, but without a clear reason to send them, the students won't get the attention they might need and definitely deserve." Amelia looked grim. "Your Department is taking measures to mitigate the dangers?" Croaker nodded. "We are, but anonymity will be important, especially from the Chief Warlock. We got permission from the ICW Observers to keep our involvement today secret. We have a cover of a special task force in the Hit Wizards that we used in the past, one the ICW can activate independently of the Minister's orders. We want to use it again. For that we need the approval of the Director of the DMLE and the Head Auror." Amelia looked at her colleagues. Alastor nodded but Rufus Scrimgeour was thoughtful. "If we get into a situation where we need highly trained Aurors, would your people be willing to get involved?" Amelia looked to Croaker, who was pensive. He looked at the expecting Aurors. "If there is a justifiable cause. We have concerns over the misuse of our Department by the Ministry. It's why we are separate from it and the Wizengamot. If you ask, you will have an answer. If it's good, you will have back-up. That is the best I can do."

Rufus nodded. "I will take it. Though if they lend a hand, make sure they go with non-lethals first. I would rather not be the one to explain to so many families why so many people can't have open casket wakes." Croaker nodded. "Agreed." Rufus left the meeting room but Croaker was surprised to see Amelia and Alastor remain. "Yes?" Alastor fixed both his eyes on him. "Is Nymphadora Tonks one of your Operatives?" Croaker stared back. "Can't say." Alastor gave him a crooked grin. "You train her up well. Had my eye on her from her 7th year at Hogwarts. If she can hack it under Horatio, the better." The battered man left the room, slapping Croaker's shoulder in a surprisingly friendly gesture, leaving Amelia with Croaker in the briefing room. She leafed through the report and rubbed her eyes before staring at Croaker. "My niece is at Hogwarts." Croaker sighed. "Augusta's grandson as well." Amelia held the file Croaker gave her. "I lost my brother, sister, sister-in-law and fiancée to the Order and the Death Eaters. If you are sure Albus isn't as noble as they believed him to be then I want in, Saul. If I lose Susan, I am taking the escaped Death Eaters and the Order down with me. Got that?" Croaker could see the anger in Amelia's eyes. "I will have my Operative's keep you in the loop." Amelia nodded as she stood up. "If one of them is the woman I met at Madam Malkins then send her. If you hadn't taken her in, I would have." Croaker chuckled. "If you did, the Gamot would have been in ruins by now." Amelia waved him off as she left the room. "Right now I can't bring myself to care. Half of the pricks would have deserved it."

-∞-

Hazel sat quietly besides Dora who was resting on the bed after the mission. Andromeda had been mad with Horatio for taking Dora out so early in her career but Horatio had been right. She had been safe. Hazel made sure of it. She turned the page over on Horatio's book, seeing some interesting spells to try if she ever had to take on a Troll or a Dragon again. She saw a bit of movement from the bed and placed the book to the side after marking the page with a leather strap. Dora's eyes opened, those beautiful purple eyes focused on her. She couldn't bring herself to tell Dora that the shift on her eyes had slipped. She loved those eyes on Teddy and seeing them on Dora was making her feel things. "Hey Partner." Dora gave her a smile. "Watcher. What have I missed?" Hazel chuckled. "Horatio getting chewed out by your mom. Croaker went to clear things up with Amelia Bones and the DMLE. You also got some get-well gifts." Dora sat up and saw a table full of cards and sweets at the end of her bed. Dora stretched out and looked at her hands. She thought back to the mission. How she froze. A shiver ran down her spine. She felt the bed dip and an arm wrap around her waist. "Let it out." Dora turned to Hazel and felt her eyes teared up. "I screwed up. I almost got killed and you had to do the rest of the mission alone. I… should have died. I should have stayed." Hazel hugged Dora tighter. "There is a reason we don't go in alone, Dora. You could have died, but I had your back. You go out there again, I will always have your back. As for you staying, it wouldn't have mattered. Whether in the next mission or the one after, something like this was always going to happen."

Dora pressed her face into Hazel's chest and just held her. The feel of Hazel's warmth made her feel grounded again. It made it feel… alive. "Aren't I supposed to have your back too? How are you so sure you will be safe knowing I could freeze up again." Hazel hummed and Dora's body grew warmer. "I froze too. First three times my life was on the line. Back then I had no one to help me. Not really." Dora pulled back and looked her in the eye. "How did you stop freezing up? How did you get over the worry of just dying?" Hazel sighed. "I don't know if it will be the same for you Dora. You need to understand, my life was hell. The reason I froze… the reason I froze was because I didn't know if fighting was worth it. The first few times I survived by luck. The fourth… The fourth was when I finally had a reason to live. I had a reason to survive. I stared death in the face and knew that I had to live. So tell me Dora, do you have anything like that?" Dora blinked. Did she have a reason to live? She thought of her parents. How sad they would be if she died. She didn't really have any other friends. Then there was Hazel. Her partner, her friend. Would she want to live for her?

Hazel could see Dora thinking things through before she felt Dora shift in her place and her eyes looked at her. What was in those purple eyes made her pause. She had seen eyes like that before. On her ex. The desire, lust and longing. Dora pulled herself up but felt a finger press onto her lips. Hazel watched as Dora grew confused. "I… didn't you kiss me before?" Hazel blushed. She and her ex had quite a few amorous nights together. In one of those nights she learned she could pour her magic into others. Physical contact was needed but a kiss with her blood dripping into their mouths always proved to be the best method. She could also pull theirs out by taking their blood from them. Her ex had not been amused but he had deserved it. He was a bastard and he bloody well earned it for the stunts he pulled before their relationship came crashing down. Hazel nodded at Dora. "I did. To fill you with enough of my magic so that my cloak would protect you. Not even a Killing Curse would have pierced it." Dora blinked. "Oh. Wow. But…" Hazel could see Dora growing confused. Hazel bent her head down and pressed it against Dora's. "Dora, I will be blunt. I am interested in a relationship with you. But building it now, after your brush with death, feels wrong. You need time to strengthen yourself, to look inside. Find a reason to live that isn't me. I won't date you like this. Not right now. Please."

Dora frowned. "Why?" She watched Hazel close her eyes. The eyes she saw next weren't the happy eyes she knew, these were hollow. Empty. They terrified her. "Because if you did that, then you would be just like me. I lost my reasons to live, Dora. For a year I was ready to die. Then Teddy came around." Hazel's eyes brightened again. "He became my everything. I don't regret it but I can see the danger in that. I would die for him, Dora. And then what?" Dora thought for a second. Teddy and Hazel were alone. If she died, Teddy would be left behind. "You can't stand the thought of leaving Teddy behind, alone without someone to care for him, can you?" Hazel shook her head. "No, I can't. My parents did the same for me. They died trying to save me. And I hate them for it. They trusted strangers to care for me and I was betrayed and abandoned by almost everyone. I refuse to have my son live that life." Dora saw a light fill Hazel's eyes for a moment before it faded. Hazel looked at Dora. "Don't be like my parents, Dora. Don't focus on a reason to live beyond just yourself. It can easily become a reason to die. Don't ever get to that point. Please, Dora. Please live." Dora gripped Hazel's shirt and nodded. "Ok, I promise. I will. But don't think that I am forgetting that kiss."

Hazel grinned and brought her lips close to Dora's, making the young woman freeze. "I won't forget either. Trust me. If I was only interested in bedding you, I would be devouring you right now. I would make you forget that you are currently in your Mom's work area and get you to scream your lungs out." Dora's face and hair became a soft red. She was growing so warm. She wanted to kiss Hazel so bad. She wanted to let Hazel have her way with her. Hazel lifted her head up and kissed Dora's forehead. "But I want what we might have to last. I want to trust you. To know you. I want you to know me completely. Right now is not the time." Dora released a breath she hadn't known she had been holding. Looking back she could see what Hazel meant. They had fun together, they trusted each other, but they hardly knew each other. Dora nodded. "Ok. I can wait." Hazel gave her a cheeky smile. "If you ever get frustrated though, I might be tempted to help you relieve that stress. Maybe." Dora's face blushed and Hazel chuckled as she stood up. She took the cards from the table and brought them to Dora. "One's from Teddy, another from Quetz and the rest are actually from the women we rescued. Might want a written word translation charm. Pretty sure a few are in Spanish, Portugese, Chinese and I assume Russian." Dora took them and smiled. She looked at Hazel. "What's going to happen to them?" Hazel sighed and rubbed her hair. It took a moment for Dora to realise that Hazel's hair was out of a braid or a ponytail. She had shortened it for the mission. It looked good on her.

"All have agreed to minor Obliviations of all memories of magic. A few have asked for Obliviations of the worst the smugglers did to them. Mind Healers and Psychologists as well as Aurors and MI5 operatives are interviewing them, helping them out before the Obliviations are applied. The British government will see to their safe return home. The ICW has gotten in contact with Interpol too, so we could see a lot of the organization fall apart after today, from both sides." Dora blinked. "I never knew that they could all come and work together like that." Hazel shrugged. "They never did, in my experience. This mission seems to have stirred up a hornet's nest. It's scary actually. Croaker has been bloody smiling all day." Hazel shivered and Dora laughed. The door to the Medical Wing opened and a black haired missile attached himself to Hazel's leg. "Mom, you ok? Is Dora ok?" Hazel pulled Teddy up and dropped him beside Dora. "See, all fine. How about you help her with some of that candy. Dromeda probably won't let her eat it all." Andromeda huffed. "Of course not." Teddy and Dora started opening up candies and Hazel smiled at the two having fun together as Andromeda started casting diagnostics on Dora. They were home, Teddy and Dora were safe and the enemy was down. It was all that mattered right now.

Chapter 12: Moving Forward

Chapter Text

"Are you sure that's wise?" Croaker eyed Hazel carefully. "I can understand your personal concerns Miss Peverell, but we are dealing with Dumbledore as a potential threat, as well as Voldemort. I already informed Amelia of my concerns about Dumbledore in order to secure your cover among the DMLE. Now we need to inform her of Voldemort's potential whereabouts and return. Coming from you, that should certainly help her understand how serious this is and perhaps convince her that I am not just crying wolf." Hazel frowned and Croaker noticed. "Did you have a poor experience with your Madam Bones?" Hazel ran her hand through her hair. She had shortened it for the mission but Teddy said it looked nice on her, having shoulder length hair, so she kept it for now. Dora certainly seemed to appreciate it as well. "Not exactly. I sent letters to the DMLE about my living situation but they were never answered. At first I thought I was being ignored but when I got pulled in front of a trial for trumped up charges, Madam Bones informed me that no such letters ever arrived. Her niece, Susan, did leave me with some bitter feelings. I tried befriending the Hufflepuffs in the later half of my first year but that ended when I opened my mouth and spoke snake in a Dueling Club match in my second year."

Croaker sat back. "Sounds like your mail was warded and blocked. We may need to do some redirection of mail on Harry just in case." Hazel nodded. "Since I never got a balance statement from Gringotts through the mail, I thought it was the likely thing that happened. Might I suggest a duplication of the mail? We keep a copy and see what does or doesn't filter through. I had an elf that tried blocking my mail in second year, including my Hogwarts letters. I thought I was going mad with worry as I could potentially get stuck at the Dursleys a whole year. My issues with Wizarding Britain hadn't been enough to make me want to leave it outright just yet." Croaker nodded, writing down the suggestion. "We will put the redirecting ward here, catch the mail, duplicate it and then send it out again. That should tell us a bit of what might be going on. I still suggest you go to the DMLE and inform Amelia." Hazel hummed. "How much do you want me to say? Because the Head of the DMLE pulling her niece out of Hogwarts will be a massive red flag for both Dumbledore and Voldemort." Croaker sighed and rubbed his face. "You have a point. Show her, if you have to, a memory from your Sixth year, if not at least tell her what became of her family's home. Your debriefs mentioned she died in her home after an attack by Voldemort. That will get her more worried about her home security, which will be in need of an upgrade anyway and will keep Susan at Hogwarts for the time being."

Hazel gave him a sharp grin. "She ever hears that you played her, she might come after you." Croaker glared at Hazel. "I am more worried about my sister. You haven't seen Augusta get bloody furious. She's the one I am having nightmares about not telling her about this sh*t." Hazel hummed. "And if Amelia recommends telling Augusta? Getting Dowager Longbottom back onto the Wizengamot might be wise. Especially as we start eating away at the seated gentry. We already have one seat left open. Might not want to let the traditionalists fill it without a fight." Croaker sighed and rubbed his face in thought. He eyed Hazel. "Discuss it with Amelia. Her and Augusta have been close over the years. The two getting together might nab us the Abbotts and eventually the Diggorys. It's not much but it's a start into the Gamot's members we can secure. We are already going to be shutting down the traditionalists that hid behind the Imperius defense and their vault contents. If we want to keep the government intact by the end, we need the Progressives and Neutrals on our side." Hazel hummed and Croaker groaned. "Stop thinking of a toppled Ministry. Might I remind you we are getting a paycheck from them?" Hazel pouted. "Spoilsport."

Standing up, Hazel stretched. "Well, guess I am heading upstairs. Any bodies I should drop on the way? I am good with leaving heads in boxes to get people in line. Worked like a charm on the Goblins. I could take out the Undersecretary and leave her head for Fudge. Might scare him straight." Croaker closed his eyes. "No bodies, no heads, no curses. I want you up there without drawing attention to yourself. If you have to bloody walk right through Amelia's door under cloak, then bloody do it. It's hard enough keeping the ruse that we are just a research department only without you leaving a trail of blood and entrails in your wake." Hazel thought for a second. "Fine, but if she sends you a Howler, you deserve it. I have a policy of not spooking law enforcement. Pissing them off when they come after me? Sure. But not spooking or seeking them out directly." Croaker nodded and he pulled out his paperwork. "Stick to ignoring them or working with them for now. You can sever heads later when we have an idea who is or isn't trying to undermine the Ministry. Now get going, R1." Hazel waved at him and left the office.

She stood at the elevator, feeling the fabric of her cloak in her hand when she heard her name being called. "Watcher, Hazel. Never seen you take the elevator before." Hazel hummed. "Never had to do it a lot. Where are you heading out this early, Dora?" The lift opened and they entered together. Hazel liked how the red coat she got for her partner looked on her, though it would probably look better with her natural eyes. Oh well. Dispelling her thoughts before she got distracted she caught Dora's answer to her query. "Horatio wants me to hit the Academy. Moody wants to give his cadets a hard lesson and he volunteered me for the job." Hazel eyed her friend. It had been two weeks since her breakdown during the mission, but she could still see some stiffness in Dora's shoulders. A good mission and a lot of stunned cadets might do her good. "Try to be careful ok? I want my partner back in one piece. The cadets might drop at the toss of a hat but Moody likes a practical lesson. He is bound to test you. The man is a menace despite the prosthetic leg." Dora eyed her and smiled. "Will do, partner." Hazel's floor came up and she tapped Dora's shoulder. "Stay safe and remember that the bone breaker hex is technically fair game."

Dora's smile eased her concerns as she found a quiet corner and vanished behind her Cloak. Dora had told her how the Cloak had felt to her and it warmed her knowing how welcoming it had been of her friend. The Stone and the Wand would always be the stubborn ones, needing a lot more of her magic in a person to get them to behave. Not that she ever used the Stone for its intended purpose. She knew how vulnerable she was mentally. She had known since her sixth year. Raising the dead for a second wouldn't make it any easier for her. Though to be fair she was sure her dead wouldn't find her here so at this point her Stone was probably nothing more than the alternative foci she always used it as. Worked quite well for sustaining shield charms which had made her question a lot as to why the Peverell Brothers kept them separate. She was personally of the opinion that the Hallows weren't theirs but their father's, Alexander. Sadly that bit of information was now lost to her. The fact the Cloak here didn't respond to her magic meant that the method of creation was probably different. There was a good chance its origins were as well. Eyeing the counter to the DMLE's main offices, Hazel cleared her thoughts before she fed her magic into the Cloak.

Slipping through the door, she eyed the mess of Aurors milling about, most of them writing down a whole lot of paperwork. The far wall consisted entirely of filing cabinets. Dora better have counted her lucky stars because she really would have hated her job. Hazel had no idea how the Ministry expected the Aurors to work with carpal tunnel on their wand hands. She navigated the mess and found the door she needed. A quick peek of her head showed that the woman was alone. She slipped fully inside the office and lightly tapped the door behind her. Amelia looked up. "Yes?" The woman went for her wand before she recognized Hazel as the cloak was removed. She sighed. "You are going to be giving me a heart attack. I might just punch Croaker for this." Hazel smiled as she stored her Cloak away. "True but as we are still getting started, we thought it best not to just waltz into your office. Not that I even know how to waltz." Amelia motioned her to sit down and she did as she felt privacy wards snap into place. The graying redhead eyed Hazel. "Should I be concerned about the incident at the docks?" Hazel hummed. "Well, if your Aurors ever come knocking on my house door, I would start ordering coffins. Fortunately I am currently living at a place no unauthorized Auror should reach, so no chances of that happening. I will be mad if your people ruin my future house though, when I get one."

Amelia drank from her coffee. "I will make sure to leave a note. I don't want my successor to get mad at me if they ever make that mistake." Hazel winced and Amelia noticed. "What?" Hazel took a deep breath. "If I told you I know a different version of you, one that died on the job at the hands of Death Eaters, what would you say?" Amelia eyed Hazel carefully. What was it about those green eyes? "You aren't a Peverell." Hazel glared. "I am. Probably the best person to carry the accursed name. But if you're wondering what my birth name was when I was born I can say it wasn't Peverell. It was Potter." Amelia stilled, her mind realizing what she was looking into. Lily's eyes. "How?" Hazel sat back. "A long story, to which I will give you the highlights because everything else is just crap. In my world things started as they did this year, with me going to Hogwarts under Dumbledore's thumb. Every year since then my life was endangered and in June of 1995, one You Know Who came back from the dead. He gave you the honor of a personal visit a year later, which left your Manor in ruins, you in a closed casket and your niece inconsolable." Amelia closed her eyes and clenched her hands. "You think it's going to happen again. Here."

Hazel sighed. She told the woman of the signs of trouble in her world, the growing trend of Traditionalist policies passed and the indifference to the plights of the muggleborns who simply couldn't get into any positions to change their fate. Amelia took it all in. She sat back. "You wouldn't be here or under the DoM's employ if Croaker didn't believe you." Hazel snorted. "Walking, or in my case, dropping face first out of the Archway in the Death Chamber certainly made him a believer. The few pensive memories and the confirmed parallels made it all quite real." Amelia eyed Hazel. "Where is Voldemort now? This wraith of his?" Hazel hummed. "Observing and looking for an opportunity. He is more interested in recovering a body than sowing terror. We are keeping an eye on him and will intervene when the situation changes." Amelia could tell she wasn't getting much else from Hazel. She nodded. "That will have to do. My Department isn't staffed enough to fight another war and the Academy just saw its biggest group of washouts in decades. Your services are going to be in much demand. Can I ask you not to leave a trail of carnage in your wake?"

She couldn't help herself, Hazel grinned. "Dumbledore already giving you a hard time over the op?" Amelia glared. "First time he ever gave me his "I am disappointed in you" look, as if I had done it myself. It was insulting." Hazel giggled. "I got that look every year until he dropped dead. Pretty sure he had it on in the afterlife as I kept on going, refusing to die or be another one of his Order's pawns." Amelia straightened out her back. "How sure are you that our Dumbledore is like yours?" Hazel sighed, running her hand through her hair. "Either he has a long game planned out for Harry or he is waiting to see what Voldemort does next. We can both agree, whatever his intentions, that Harry's situation is enough of a concern. Croaker was able to secure a copy of the boy's medical file. I don't have to tell you what he found." Amelia nodded, since she too had seen that file. Nothing. The file was empty. No vaccinations or St. Mungos trips. Even after August 1st. Amelia breathed deeply. "Agreed. In that at least there is no doubt of criminal interference, neglect and child endangerment. His reputation will protect him from facing charges, unfortunately. What are you planning to do about Harry Potter?"

Hazel tapped her fingers on her arm. "Right now it's simply damage control. I intend to improve his living situation at the Dursley residence, gather evidence of his mistreatment and see he at least gets his vaccinations. I was going to ask Andromeda Tonks to handle that, as his extended family. Our issue of a stalemate is what bothers me. I would love for Harry to go to the Tonks family, but the Malfoys have the law and the galleons on their side to win a court case. Dumbledore's negligence aside, Harry is being kept out of their hands." Amelia rubbed her chin. "I will keep an eye on the situation. I could use my authority to grant temporary custody to Andromeda if it comes to it. Her license and work as a Healer will ensure that no one will contest it for a time." Hazel nodded. "Much obliged. Speaking of the Malfoys…" Hazel filled Amelia in on what Croaker had said about the situation in the Wizengamot and the concern over the currently opened seats. Amelia eyed Hazel. "Do I have your permission to inform Augusta and my friends in the Wizengamot? At least about the danger identified by the DoM and the need for a stronger response?" Hazel grew pensive.

"Careful what you say and to whom. We can't have Dumbledore secure his defences early, get informed by a supporter or get Voldemort to act out of turn. I would suggest after the academic year ends. If things go as predicted Dumbledore will try to cover up something of concern and the fallout of his lie will serve as cover for the Gamot reorganizing." Amelia glared at Hazel. "Do I want to know what's going to happen?" Hazel shivered under her gaze. "Probably not. Susan and all the children will be kept safe, I can promise that." Amelia settled down after that. "Coming from a mother, I can take your word for it. Just make sure nothing that happens can hamper our activities or lead back to you. I have marked the Special Forces division as active, with the members and identities kept secret for now. Make an appointment with your partner to get your DMLE identification. It will hold up under scrutiny better." Hazel stood up. "Will do. We will be in touch, Madam Bones." Hazel pulled her Cloak out and Amelia eyed her. "Don't be surprised if you get an invitation from me or Augusta for tea. We have a lot to plan for." Hazel nodded and pulled the Cloak over body, vanishing from sight.

-∞-

Tonks felt her muscles and bones aching along her back. She breathed deeply as she kept her eyes trained on the hallways around her. The first day back with Horatio had been a nightmare. Horatio took her freezing on the mission personally and trained her until she felt pain everywhere. He did the same for two more days. On the fourth, the bastard had set up a mock infiltration scenario for her that went south. The moment she saw a wand pointed at her and a green flash of light, she froze again. Hazel had been by her side the whole day after, with Teddy and Leafsby making her some great tasting cookies. She had screamed into her pillow that night, bothered by her inability to get past her fear. Horatio kept up his training, pushing her harder and harder before testing her out again. She had the Disillusionment charm down perfectly and her silent casting of even the Killing Curse was now done. But she kept freezing whenever she felt cornered. The time frozen was getting less and less, which she figured was the point, but it still left her feeling sh*tty for the day. She made sure that Hazel and Teddy knew how much their support meant to her.

Horatio had called her in earlier in the day, telling her that Alastor Moody had called from the Academy. While the mad Auror wasn't the Academy's Head, he was the chief instructor. The best Aurors the force had to offer over the last 30 years were all his students. Everyone questioned his sanity but never his results. He was aware of her status and had called for her personally. The mad man wanted to see what his Cadets could do against a single Operative Recruit. So Horatio signed her up. The moment she stepped into the Academy she felt so strange. This had been her goal for years at Hogwarts. Now… now the DoM Operations Division felt like something else. It was a job, sure, but something else. Something that overshadowed the Academy. She had trouble placing the word. She drew her wand on instinct when she felt her hairs stand up on the back of her neck. "Horatio's got your instincts up. Good. If you are going to be among the hotshots, you need to know when a person is looking at you funny." She turned slowly and saw an old friend. "Watcher Mad-Eye. Sorry about missing out as your protégé."

Moody waved her comment off. "Nothing to apologize for, Lass. Your Battlemaster is the reason I am what I am. I was a Recruit once, like you. Made it a year before getting reassigned to the Hit Wizards. Would have taken it personally if I hadn't been too much of a hot head myself." He tapped his massive staff on the floor. "Now, I have a dozen Cadets that need to be shown that they still have a lot of work to go through still. Think you can take them all repeatedly in a confined setting?" Tonks thought for a second. This sounded a lot like how her mission had gone down. Had Horatio planned this? One way to find out. "Sure, I need the exercise." She followed the old man into a building she knew was reconfigured all the time to test the Cadets on how to breach enemy locations. Moody eyed her as they arrived. "Breaching is important, but defending a building is just as necessary for an Auror. The Cadets are in there, waiting for a signal. A stunner to the face sounds like the appropriate wake up call. What do you say, Lass?"

Hazel had been right. Dropping Cadets had been relatively easy. At least the first time. She went through seven Cadets before the rest realised they were under attack, and she hadn't used her disillusionment charm yet. She and the Cadets were sent out again and again, every fight getting harder and harder. She had a moment of panic when one guy bursted through a door and casted at her but she dodged out of the way and shot back. She could feel herself getting winded, her vision getting blurred. She buried her nerves and kept going, pushing harder and harder. She wanted to be better than this. She wanted to not be afraid of failing. Of not making it back to base. She wanted to keep her promise to Hazel. That she would find a reason to live. To always come back, no matter what. After stunning another Cadet, she checked her corners and pushed deeper into the maze of hallways. She took down another Cadet before she saw a wand pointed at her. She growled and lowered her body, swung her wand around and casted a wide banishing spell. The Cadet got launched into the wall and she checked her corners before stunning him proper.

Tonks stepped out of the building, seeing Moody limping towards her. "Had enough, Lass?" Tonks took stock of herself. Her arms felt tired and she knew if she casted again it would be less than fifteen spells. She frowned for a second. Moody had said a dozen Cadets. She was sure she started hitting more and more people. She glared at the gruff Auror. "You were adding more than Cadets in there, weren't you?" Moody gave her a wide grin. "Damn right I did. You started with Cadets, then we added some Aurors. Even a few Senior Aurors decided to have a crack at you. Last few added were Hit Witches and Wizards. So, how was it? Fighting the best of the best we have? A bit disappointing?" Tonks took deep breaths. She could feel her exhaustion taking in, the fatigue. No wonder Horatio worked her to near collapse. "They did great. Just happy I can head to work without telling Horatio you got someone to take me down." Moody nodded and looked behind her. "Is that your shadow?" Dora blinked and looked over. Hazel was standing there, her eyes looking everywhere. "Yeah, my partner."

Moody chuckled. "You got a good one then. Showed up midway through the exercise and followed your movements the whole way through over and over again. This last match one of my Hit Witches got a bit creative. She tried to take you down from one floor below. Might want to think about that next time you're in a building with multiple floors. Your shadow casted a stunner that blew holes straight through the walls before taking the witch down. Pretty sure her teammates are having trouble waking her up right now." Dora couldn't help it. She smiled. There was no feeling like it, having someone looking after her back. "Might want to try overpowering the resuscitation spell. My partner hits hard and she might have overpowered it to cut through walls." Moody chuckled. "Will let them know. You did good today. Remember the feeling and keep a good feel for your body. In the middle of a fight it will feel like you could take on an army, but there is only so much punishment you can take and spells you can cast. In time, you stop, even if your head doesn't. Keep that in mind." Dora nodded. "Thank you for this, sir." Moody smiled at her.

"Don't worry, Lass. Pretty sure you and your partner will pay me and my Aurors back in time. We gots loads of Dark Witches and Wizards out there. Can't let them have their way all the time, right?" Dora laughed as she walked away and waved goodbye. She neared her partner who eyed her before drawing a wand. She felt her clothes knit back together. "You look like you went through the Forbidden Forest on a dare." Dora smirked. "Nah, if I did I'd have been streaking. I would have left my nice clothes back home too." Hazel lifted an eyebrow at that, giving Dora a once over that left her blushing. "Teddy has been studying all day. Want to grab some Mexican take out? My treat, of course." Dora beamed. "Your bloody on!" Dora's stomach grumbled and she blushed. "Maybe a triple serving for me? I'll pay you back." Hazel shook her head and held out her hand for Dora. "Are you good to go or do you need more of a breather?" Dora took Hazel's hand. "I'm good."

-∞-

Amelia pulled her niece into a hug. She was thankful that Hogwarts had their Easter Recess, especially after the visit she got from Hazel Peverell. She had a few more meetings with the woman since their first, discussing anything they needed about the goings on. One of the things mentioned had been the difficulty in getting information out of Hogwarts. None of the Staff had been on the DMLE or DoM payrolls and they would be unlikely to offer any valuable information even if they got anyone to work with them to begin with. Part of the issue was getting information from around Harry Potter as he was just a student and the Professor in charge of him was known to back Dumbledore. Which is where the current plans came into play. Amelia hated it but she understood the importance. The fact the plan included a safe method of communication for her and her niece had made it more appealing to her. She eyed her niece who had worn her hair loose today. "How has your winter term been so far, Susan? Are you and Hannah having any more issues with Defence?"

Susan nodded sadly. "Professor Quirrell still stutters a lot and he seems to be under the weather more often. He has been assigning readings and written assignments more which has helped out a lot. Hannah still has trouble with a few spells but she is getting better." Amelia nodded and pulled Susan to the Floo Terminal. "Bones Manor." The two flooed into the entryway of the Manor and Susan looked around, seeing wood panels removed from the walls, showing runic script etched in stone underneath. She eyed her Aunt. "Redecorating?" Amelia sighed. "There was a warning of unrest which includes some potential threats against certain families. I had to commission a Wardsmith from the Ministry to do a very thorough reexamination of our wards. The changes are from some new additions. We might have a rotating password on the floo access soon. For now, things aren't too different." Susan looked at her Aunt. "Are bad people going to come for us?" Amelia knelt down. "One day, but right now we are making sure it's harder for them to get in and easier for us to stay safe. I promise Sue, you won't be worrying about me not coming home." Susan hugged her and the two went up to Amelia's office.

Amelia sat Susan down and brought two items with her. "Now Susan, I do have something to ask of you. It's nothing too serious but I need you to be honest and forthcoming. First thing, was there a Troll at the school on Halloween and did you send any letter about it home?" Susan nodded. "Professor Quirrell ran into the Great Hall and screamed "Troll" before fainting. The Headmaster ordered the students back to the dorms while the staff handled the Troll. I said all this in a letter, but you never brought it up." Amelia sighed. She hugged Susan. "No I didn't Susan. Because the letter never arrived. We think someone is screening letters at Hogwarts which is why I brought this." She placed a wooden letter box on Susan's lap. "This one is tied to a network of people, myself included. We are seeing if Neville Longbottom can be added in and we are looking for people in Ravenclaw and Slytherin that can be trusted. We need to hear about things happening in the School, things like the Troll that no one hears about because of the issues with the mail. You write the name of the person on the Envelope, add the letter, seal it and place it in the box. Once the lid closes, the letter will be transferred to a hub to be copied before it is sent out again to the intended recipient. This is all for safety. Understand?"

Susan touched the box and looked thoughtful. "So, any important letters are sent through here?" Amelia nodded. "Send regular letters to me so it doesn't look like anything is different, but anything super important needs to be through the letterbox. Store it safely in your trunk. When you come back in June, we will go get a new trunk with plenty of compartments. It will make storing stuff easier and safer." Susan smiled, looking forward to having more space in her trunk. Amelia placed the last item on Susan's lap. "This is an enchanted Diary. You can choose whether to take this with you or not. There are two other diaries tied to it. One is here with me, the other is with Croaker. You remember Croaker, right?" Susan nodded. "Scary guy we shouldn't talk about?" Amelia chuckled. "Yes, him. He's the one managing all the new security measures. If you're interested, you can use this as a diary. Write down anything you hear that you either know it's true or believe it's true. Even if you don't think it deserves a letter. If something happens and I read about it, I can respond quickly by writing in the book or by the letter box. We want to ask if you could do this because even little things could be important. For example, what do you make of Harry Potter?"

Amelia watched Susan blush. "He seems nice. He isn't as brash or annoying as the other Gryffindors. He's a bit like Neville, except with flying. He's great on a broom and got to be a seeker for Gryffindor. Cedric is a bit jealous since he can't be Seeker until our Seeker graduates at the end of the year. Harry does his work ok in Herbology. Hannah and I actually partnered up with him and Neville a few times when repotting the larger plants. We have DADA with him too and he always seems to have a bit of a headache. Other than that he is really polite. Don't know why he is friends with Ron Weasley though. Probably too polite to tell him to leave." Amelia hummed. It sounded like he was less like James and a lot more like Lily, minus the temper. "Any rumors about him that might be true?" Susan thought for a second. "He gets into fights with Draco Malfoy a lot, though it's mostly Weasley stepping in and dragging him along. He stayed at the Castle for Christmas and I think I heard he was sneaking out after Curfew from my friends. He has spent a lot of time with Hermione Granger at the library. She and him became friends after Halloween when she was found unconscious near the Troll." Amelia raised an eyebrow at her niece who flinched.

"Sorry, I wrote that in the letter. Granger was knocked out in the bathroom where the Troll was found. She thinks she saw someone there with her but can't be sure. When she woke up, the Troll was dead from its own club and there was a thin layer of water on the floor. None of the Professors know what happened. Weasley tried to give Harry the credit but Harry said it wasn't him. That a wall appeared and kept them from seeing the bathroom until the Troll was out." Amelia hummed. Sounded more like Croaker's Operatives got there just in time and kept the kids safe. She needed to chat more with Hazel and actually try to get her to talk about Hogwarts. "That sort of thing is what we want to know about, Susan. We think someone is trying to hurt Harry and we want to keep him and the other students safe. Either write it in a letter for the letter box or in the diary if you think it might just not be enough for a letter. Detentions, talks among the Professors and anything the Headmaster might say. Are you willing?" Susan nodded. "Sure. I always wanted to try out a Diary and this way my friends are safe. I'll use the box too. Can I use it for letters from Hannah to her parents?"

Amelia shook her head. "Not right now. I haven't had a chance to tell them. If Hannah or your roommates ask, say it's your Auror Aunt being paranoid. I will see if the Abbotts can be added to the letterbox network. Now one last thing. Do you remember the woman with white hair from Malkins this last summer? Dark leather jacket and a son with black hair?" Susan nodded. "Sure. I remember Ted. That's what he asked me to call him. He looks a bit like Harry too." Ameliahad no doubt about that, considering the boy was Hazel's, blood adoption or not. "They are related actually, through the Potters. Here." She passed her a note with Hazel's name written on it. "If at any moment something happens to Harry, something serious, send a letter straight to her and let her know. She's taken to protecting the boy but can't be at the Castle all the time, especially while raising her own son. She's working for Croaker and with the Aurors. I will introduce you to her more in the summer. Might even ask her to give you some tutoring in Defence." Susan beamed. "Sure, I'd love that! She was really cool and it looked like she knew a lot of weird stuff."

The rest of the evening went quietly for Amelia who took the warning from Hazel to heart. Hazel's Susan had adored her Aunt but she always felt like that world's Amelia took her job much more seriously than her niece. When that particular Amelia died, Susan had apparently withdrawn into herself, feeling equal parts guilty for fighting with her Aunt about how much time she made for work and mad at her for never trying to be more like a family. Amelia looked back at the last few years and had felt such shame. She had done the same to her niece. So she got in touch with her secretary, renegotiated time with Rufus and made sure she was there for Susan for as much as possible. The world Hazel Potter had seemed exactly like she described it. Hell. A nightmare that devoured good people and broke them apart. She could see traces of that on Hazel herself, the moment she brought up certain people Hazel's eyes would darken. Whatever her world's Shacklebolt did, Amelia hoped it wasn't repeated. There was a lot of hate directed at that man. She personally sat with her niece by her bed that night and wished her a goodnight. She had a lot to make up for.

-∞-

"Welcome to Longbottom Manor, Lady Peverell." Hazel bowed her head slightly. "I am afraid any titles associated with my family ended some time ago, Dowager Longbottom. We are just a mother and son bringing life into an old name." Augusta gave Hazel a measured look. "Nevertheless, you are a Lady, even if you have nothing to show for it currently except your blood. And this must be the young man Amelia spoke about?" Teddy bowed his head and kissed Augusta's knuckles. "A pleasure, Dowager Longbottom. Edward Peverell, Ted to friends." Augusta eyed Hazel. "A charmer." Hazel chuckled. "His Grandmother's influence, I'm afraid. She spent much of her time homeschooling him while I worked and brought food to the table. After her passing, I made sure to keep him educated, though how his manners survived with me I have no idea." Augusta smiled. "Then he learned well and you did what few could manage in trying times. Please follow me. I had our elf prepare for our get together near the greenhouses. Getting Neville to stay out of them is practically a full day's job." Teddy eyed Hazel who mouthed "later" to him.

The three walked through the Halls of the ornate Manor, bringing memories of the Malfoy estate to Hazel's mind. The Longbottom were more in keeping with her expectation of an old family's house; more Victorian than Medieval. Or it could just be the differences between their worlds. Despite the difference she could feel a sense of cold detachment from the house. It felt less like a house and more like a Mausoleum. She remembered what Croaker told her about his sister and Hazel had to agree. Maybe a more aggressive approach was required. She'd play it by ear. Soon they reached a massive glass solarium that covered the back of the manor and Hazel could see her son's eyes looking over the plants through the glass. A boy opened a glass door and wiped his knees as he approached. Hazel blinked at the differences between the boy she saw and the man she knew. Rather than Sandy blonde, the boy had dark brown hair. He also seemed a bit more closed off and sheepish. He moved to his Grandmother's side and bowed. "Hello. My name's Neville Longbottom. Welcome to our solarium." Hazel and Teddy nodded before Teddy approached Neville. "What kind of plants do you keep in the Greenhouses? The ones I have sketched and studied are the ones for practical potions and food. Do you have cosmetic plants or herbs that serve as stabilizing agents?"

Neville blinked a bit before he smiled. "We have a few plants that are just cosmetic. My Mom had a really elaborate flower garden. I've restored most of it. Want to see?" Teddy turned and saw his Mom pulling out his sketchbook from an expanded pocket in her jacket. "Don't go too overboard. If Dowager Longbottom doesn't mind we can come over in the summer." She handed him the book and his sketching pencils. Teddy beamed. "Thanks Mom!" The two boys vanished out the glass doors, leaving behind a surprised Augusta. "I knew Neville had a passion for plants but it always seemed such a solitary thing." Hazel eyed her carefully. "It can be but a love for plants can get even the oddest of people together. From what Saul says Frank and Alice didn't see eye to eye until Alice tossed him on his ass in a Dueling match. He then grew to appreciate plants, though most were aimed at wooing a certain girl." Augusta had a fond smile. "Yes, I suppose some hobbies can bring some people together." The two sat down and Augusta served Hazel some tea. Hazel went to drink for a moment before she noticed the odd behavior of the tea.

She eyed Augusta. "Not very trusting of your brother, if you feel the need to dose his employees with Veritaserum." Augusta shrugged her shoulders. "I have been around for many years, Lady Peverell. The Croakers learned early on not to trust easily, even with family." Hazel placed the cup of tea down and crossed her arms, her fingers lingering on her throwing knives. "You wouldn't happen to be related to Umbridge or the Selwyns? I hear they have a similar policy." Augusta flushed with anger. "I am nothing like that toad of a woman or those Death Eaters." Hazel eyed her carefully. "And yet, wars are fought by remarkably similar people. They all just happen to disagree on a few things. So tell me, Augusta, what would it take you to step out of your Mausoleum and get back in the fight?" Augusta magic raced closer to the surface. "Lady Peverell, you are-" Hazel cut her off. "Being direct. In the brief glimpse I had of your house, only this area shows any sign of life. Your grandson thrives here but looks so shy and diminished the moment he exits the glass doors. You tell me Augusta Longbottom, have you been raising your grandson or do you continue to mourn the fate of your son, keeping your home in an everlasting wake?"

For a second Hazel considered raising a shield when Augusta looked about to curse her before she seemed to deflate. "You don't know what it's like, to watch a child you raised into a man wither away, his mind trapped or lost." Hazel nodded. "No, I don't. Then again, the woman who raised me taught me that a swift death can be quite a mercy. I have been rather fond of granting people a swift death ever since. I would offer you one for Neville's parents and for yourself if Croaker wouldn't take offense or if it didn't leave your grandson alone in the world. We both know Croaker is no father figure." The old Dowager stared at Hazel right in the eyes. "You are no Auror." Hazel stared back. "No, I am not. I have left plenty of them dead, actually. Death Eaters too. Like you, I had a life that depended on me. I chose to nurture that life because he deserved a mother that loved him, even if I could drown in the blood of the people I have personally slain. What will you do from now on for the life your son entrusted you with? The Potters trusted outside of family and were betrayed. Will you trust another to raise the future Lord Longbottom as you join your husband in the grave? I would be more than happy to assist you."

Augusta lowered her eyes, her hands shaking in either rage or guilt. "I… can't. You are right. Neville deserved better. Frank deserved better from me." She sat back and sighed, seeming to age a few years in just seconds. "You are a contradiction, you know? I have seen that look in your eyes among the men and women that took my family from me, but the care and gentleness you show your son is very much like Alice's." Hazel loosened her grip on her knives. "Before Teddy I was no different from a Death Eater, I simply lacked any faith in any human being, even those that fashioned themselves as saints or gods. I would have easily died as I would have killed. But a stubborn woman named me the godmother to her son. She knew of the blood on my hands, she had heard the stories of the horrors I perpetrated. She didn't care. Because in a war we are all killers. We are also all somehow still human. She saw something in me that I didn't believe existed until she passed on and a life depended on me. There are days that I still have trouble believing. I still wake up and make my son his breakfast, I make sure he studies and grows. I make sure he knows that he is loved."

Hazel watched Augusta remove her hat from her head and looked at it. Where did she even get a bloody vulture for it? She placed the hat on the table. "It seems I have a few things to change around here. If Saul sent you, I imagine he wants something from me?" Hazel nodded and drank the Veritaserum tea, catching Augusta by surprise. "The Death Eaters aren't as dead or buried as we would like and two old chess masters are moving to take their seats at the table again. Your brother has asked me to help end the threats that endanger his family that still linger in the shadows of this world. But that's not enough to save it or make it a better one. I am no saint or leader. I have no voice, only a wand that kills as easily as it saves a life. Amelia can't handle the Wizengamot alone. So, Augusta Longbottom, interested in getting onto the board yourself? At the very least if the people responsible for your families suffering ever leave Azkaban, I promise to end their lives. If it pleases you I might even take my time with them." Hazel watched some of the fire return to Augusta's eyes. "Tell my brother I will be at the next Gamot Session. I'll get in touch with Amelia. Now, what exactly is going on that you are preparing for war?" Hazel smiled. "You are going to need more tea, and I am going to need an antidote for this later. So, where do you want me to start? With how Voldemort ain't dead yet or how Dumbledore seems to enjoy breaking the law as much as he demands of others to follow it?"

-∞-

Hazel dropped onto the couch back at her home and she felt a knock on her appartment's inner door. "Enter." Dora popped her head in and frowned. "I had a long session with Horatio on body language and slipping weapons into my hands without getting noticed. My back feels like it's going to snap from how stiff I had to hold my pose in a bloody dress. How do you look so much more tired?" Hazel eyed her partner. "Any chance Horatio took pictures?" Dora gave her a sultry smile. "I can go get the dress and slip it on for you, if you like." Hazel shuddered, feeling her body growing warm. What was it about Dora that made her feel like a teenager again? "Best not then, I might get too interested in taking it off." Dora walked in and sat besides Hazel. "Maybe later?" Hazel eyed her wearily. "Later. As for me being tired, I went into a game of 20 questions under Veritaserum with the Dowager Longbottom. Croaker bloody owes me, his sister should have been an Unspeakable." Dora hummed. "I remember Mom talking about how Augusta made Alice go through a thousand loops just to agree to Frank courting her. Guess the old crow is still in for the overkill."

Dora watched Hazel take off her boots and sigh. "Still is but we got what we needed. We now have Director Bones and the Regent Longbottom on our side. They will start reshaping the Gamot as soon as summer comes around, though recruitment will start early. We also now have eyes inside the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff Common Rooms." Dora hummed. "So if any more dangers appear around Harry Potter, we now have a means for a faster response." Hazel stretched her toes and Dora heard them snap. "Yup. Getting eyes and ears in Slytherin will be the hard part. That group of students can be a downright cult sometimes, your mother excluded." Nymphadora smiled. "Much appreciated. I know the Malfoy and Nott families hold the most political power. Zabini are mostly Neutral with a capital N. If something bad happens, they will flee to Italy. Only families that might listen are Greengrass and the Davis, the latter maybe being more open minded. There was a bit of a riot when the Heir that was named was a Halfblood. Problem is that those two families are like the Bones and Abbotts." Hazel hummed. "To get one, you need to get both, starting with the more political. I'll leave it to Amelia to work on that in the summer though."

Dora eyed Hazel. "Why the summer?" Hazel sighed and looked Dora in the eyes. She missed those purple eyes. "How's your Occlumency coming along?" Dora pouted. "Better than it was a year ago. Mom says I will be fine in a year, maybe by Christmas." Hazel nodded. "Then I tell you all by Christmas or next summer." Dora rested her chin on her hand. "What about you, how is your Occlumency?" Hazel stretched out her arms. "It was sh*te. Until I learned some neat workarounds. My mind was either damaged beyond the use of Occlumency, which seems likely, or I simply never had the gift. Found some interesting Blood Magic books about warding the mind and found that they worked on me. I can let someone in safely but I recommend no one tries to bruteforce it. Wouldn't suggest it for you though, it's a bit nasty." Dora remembered something her mother said. "This have anything to do with you refusing to see a Mind Healer?" Hazel eyed Teddy's room. "I can't trust anyone with my mind Dora, not unless I am sure they will never hurt me or Teddy, even by accident." She turned to Dora. "Besides, my issues are something I want to deal with on my own." Dora leaned onto Hazel's side. "If you ever change your mind, I am here for you." Hazel nodded against her. "You get those Occlumency defenses up, you got yourself a deal."

Chapter 13: A Walk in the Forbidden Forest

Chapter Text

"Did you ever get detention for sneaking a baby dragon within the school grounds?" Hazel blinked at Croaker. Why bring that up? "Sure. My first real detention, I guess. Snape gave me one every month for sabotaging Cauldrons and attempting to kill my fellow students." Croaker looked at her oddly. "What the hell were you doing in Potions?" Hazel bristled. "Nothing! Because the prick never taught a damn thing! I thought I would love the class because I actually enjoyed cooking despite never getting more than near non-existent leftovers. Instead all I got was half the classroom sabotaging me, the other half ignoring me like the plague and a teacher who was looking for any excuse to have me scrubbing Cauldrons without magic. The bastard even left me corrosive residue in many of them. I spent every night after detention in the Hospital Wing and the bastard got away with it because I was somehow incapable of vanishing it, after he forbade me from bringing my wand to detention in the first place! The only reason I picked up wandless magic was so I could get through that sh*t at all." Silence filled the office as her boss looked at her. Croaker didn't expect to hit a nerve. Wishing to end the awkwardness, he cleared his throat. "Well then, let's add inspecting Mr Potter's detentions to the list of things to check on and move on."

Hazel felt her eye twitch for a second before she tried to calm herself down. "Sorry, there are at least four people I will happily murder given the chance if I run into them here without witnesses. He is one of them." Croaker added Voldemort and Dumbledore to that possible list. Which left one more. "Do I want to know who else you are planning to murder?" Hazel rested her chin on one of her hands. "You'll know when I come back late and drunk." Croaker sighed. Her drinking was not a good sign, as she never seemed to touch the stuff. He might need to warn Nymphadora about that. "Anyways, detention over a baby dragon." Hazel dug up the memory in her head. "Hagrid somehow got a Dragon's Egg. No idea how or why. He hatched it in my presence because he felt bad about how I was being ignored. I actually cared a bit about the lovable oaf, so when I learned his little stunt was illegal, I found someone to take it off the school grounds. They did but we all got caught. I lost my house 150 points and earned myself detention. For the rest of the term, I was vilified as the troublemaker that lost Gryffindor House a shot at winning the House Cup." Croaker could see there was more to it than that. "Anything of note in detention?" Hazel thought for a second. "I scrubbed every bathroom in the school clean repeatedly over two months after the dinner feast and before bed."

Croaker winced. Even he could see that was an exaggerated punishment. "Susan Bones reported that Mr. Potter and two of his friends lost Gryffindor a few points too. So did Draco Malfoy for Slytherin for being out at night after curfew." Hazel blinked. "Oh, right. Malfoy was there too. His punishment was handled by Snape, so no clue what happened to him. Probably nothing but practicing potion making." Croaker pressed on. "Mr. Longbottom mentioned in his last correspondence that the detention has been set for just as Curfew is ending. No idea where, though it isn't being handled by a Professor." Hazel frowned. "That leaves Filch or Hagrid. If it was Filch, the detention would be spread out over days. If he's anything like the man I know he loves sticking it to the magical kids by making them do his job without the aid of magic." Croaker nodded. "We suspect it's Hagrid as well. Harry's friendship with the man would seem to negate any potential danger, until we looked back at another report from Susan. Hagrid had been complaining to Professor Kettleburn about Unicorn deaths in the Forbidden Forest and having trouble finding the culprit, something a third year friend of hers overheard."

Hazel eyed Croaker. "And?" Croaker sighed. "Snape did you no favors. Unicorn blood can be used to sustain a person who is near death. Taken by violent means, it behaves very much like a curse. It will sustain them while weakening them at the same time. Getting Unicorn blood, willingly given, is a Potioneers wet dream." Hazel blinked. "Huh, ok so we have a Unicorn killer around Hogwarts. You think this is Voldemort?" Croaker lowered the report and leaned back in his chair. "You mentioned the possibility of an incomplete possession. My other Unspeakables concur that this might be the case. Miss Bones noted to her Aunt that Quirrell was looking ill recently. We believe the incomplete possession is killing Quirrell. He can't get the stone on time but he can kill Unicorns while he accomplishes the theft. If Hagrid is tasked with finding the killer, while he has three students on a late night detention, what would you do if you weren't really thinking about the consequences?" Hazel stared at Croaker, realization dawning on her. "He isn't that dense, is he?" Croaker shrugged. "Maybe not, but it's a possibility. It's why I asked you here. You are to go to the Forbidden Forest and protect Harry Potter if he is out there at all from whatever he runs across without being compromised."

Rudding her hand over her face, Hazel looked at Croaker. "My partner?" Croaker shook his head. "Not as easy to conceal in the environment. Casting spells will be suspect even under disillusionment. You are our best at close range combat. You also informed me about that talent of yours. This seems like the perfect mission for you." Hazel felt her eye twitch. "This is about me lighting a fire under your sister's ass, isn't it?" Croaker grinned at her. "Her renewed zeal is appreciated, if she weren't harassing me at every opportunity. The fact she has to move quietly until summer isn't making her anymore agreeable." Hazel sighed as she stood up. "I am going to go find either Andromeda or Nymphadora to spend the night with Teddy. He gets nervous when he can't feel me nearby at night with his magic." Croaker waved his hand. "Go ahead, though the boy will be going to Hogwarts close to a year from now. He will have to get used to it." Hazel growled slightly. "I know that but between now and then I am going to make sure he gets a good night's sleep. He spends enough of them worrying about me as it is." Hazel exited the office and slammed the door.

-∞-

Never in all her years had Hazel ever wanted to kill Hagrid. Until tonight. Because of course the Half Giant took four preteen kids into a deadly forest with nothing more than a crossbow and a useless dog. She personally would have used the Cerberus to hunt the Unicorn killer down herself. Nothing like a three headed dog the size of lorry to clear the forest of all the nasty monsters hiding in it. Hazel was pretty sure Hagrid refrained from doing that because of the Acromantulas. The colony might be a wreck after that massive mutt ran into it, Aragog or not. But no, Hagrid took the four kids into the forest and then proceeded to split them up, leaving Harry and Malfoy with the useless dog. Well, maybe not useless. He was either an alarm or a meat shield. She never really liked Fang and the feeling had been mutual. He only got tolerable after the First Task. Bathing in Dragon's Blood and stinking of it for weeks probably had something to do with that, though Andromeda was sure her Magic had changed too. Maybe the legends about Fafnir weren't hogwash afterall.

Hazel, taking on the form of a dark brown owl, flew from tree to tree, watching the disaster waiting to happen as the two kids moved along the dark woods. The sudden glint of moonlight on white fur caught her eye, as well as a sickly sweet scent. The fact that the boys stumbled on a dead unicorn didn't make her pause, as that was the unfortunate point of the evening. The fact there was a hunched over figure in a black cloak did, as it seemed to feed on the creature's blood directly. Watching Malfoy scream like a coward was amusing but Harry seemed frozen in place, backing up slowly as the cloaked figure spotted him. Hazel had seen enough. She jumped into the air and shifted. The cloaked figure stilled his movement at the sight of a full sized Griffin landing in front of it before Hazel screeched and reared up, exposing her talons. A swipe to its midriff caused the cloaked figure to scream, the voice that of a man as he retreated back into the shadows of the woods. Making sure he was gone, Hazel sniffed her wet claw and nearly gagged. The scent of the blood on her claw was that of a rotting corpse. She swiped it against the ground before turning to the Unicorn on the ground, watching its side lift up slowly. It drew shallow breaths, its life fading before her eyes. Harry came up beside her and approached the downed creature, unaware of how dangerous that could be with a real Griffin. She needed to send him a copy of Newt's Book as it might save him some future grief. Maybe the annotated one with a larger section on Dragons.

He knelt down against the creature, rubbing its fur. "Is there anything we can do to save it?" Hazel blinked at the boy. A visit with a Mind Healer would seem to be in order too, as she had no idea if actually expected an answer from her. Mentally sighing, Hazel knelt down and looked the Unicorn in the eye. The creature glanced at her, it's dark eye searching hers and Hazel knew. The creature knew what she was. It nodded at her, closed its eyes and presented it's neck. Hazel used her wings to shove Harry back and did her best to obstruct his vision. Her talons sank deep into the flesh of the gentle creature, allowing death to come swiftly. She could hear the boy take a breath and she cursed in her head. Seeing no way of forcing him to leave without blowing her cover she knelt down and unfurled her wing. Clearly bothered by what she did, the boy still pulled himself up onto her back. She started walking away from the Unicorn and closer to where she last saw Hagrid. Hazel felt tears land on the feathers of her neck and back. "There wasn't anything we could do to save it, was there?" Hazel shook her eagle head and the boy hugged her. They continued walking along the forest in silence for a bit before Harry spoke to her again. "I keep feeling like I have a guardian angel watching over me ever since I got to Diagon Alley. Hedwig, the Troll, a book about my family and now this. Are you… are you here to protect me?"

Hazel stopped and turned her head so he could see her eye. He stared at her and his breath caught as he saw the eye was as green as his in the mirror. "Mom?" Hazel shook her head. Harry seemed to be saddened by that. "A friend?" Hazel nodded her head and the boy smiled. "Thank you." Hazel gave a light positive screech and continued to walk towards the edge of the Forest. She heard the lumbering footsteps of the Half Giant before she saw him. "Harry!?" Hagrid appeared from behind a tree, his crossbow still in hand and stilled at the sight of her. "How… where… are you ok, Harry?" The two boys and the girl gaped at Harry as Hazel lowered herself to the ground before extending out her wing. He patted her neck. "Thank you." Hazel nodded her head and watched as he got down to the ground before pulling up her wing. The boy looked at her as she pulled back. She moved towards Hagrid and unfurled her wing, pointing behind her. Hagrid looked from wing to Hazel before Harry chimed in. "She's pointing to the Unicorn we found. It's dead now." Hagrid closed his eyes and nodded. "I will take care of it." Hazel pulled her wing back and turned around. If she looked at the other three she might be tempted to end them. She found a suitable gap of trees and took a running start before taking flight into the sky. With enough of a distance away from sight she landed and shifted to human form. She eyed the castle, it's windows darkened this late at night. Fitting really, as it made it look haunted. There were real monsters in those halls and they had nothing to do with the giant snake sleeping underneath the Castle. Her thoughts drifted back to the man she herself knew, here driven to a most desperate act, as she made her way home.

-∞-

OW April 1992

"You insufferable girl. How dare you drag one of my students down with you. I ought to speak to Filch and have you clean my cauldrons every day for the rest of term. Maybe then you'd learn a thing about Potions. Did you hear a word I said? Of course not. Hazel Potter has no time to hear about anything that inconveniences her. If you were in my house I would…" Hazel listened as the man went on and on, feeling her emotions cracking. It wasn't fair. Hagrid was given an illegal egg by a stranger. He would have gone to prison if she hadn't helped him. She had remembered Weasley talking about his older brother from the Dragon Reserve and asked him for help with the Dragon. She had no idea that they would get caught. No, she did have a thought that they would have gotten caught. What she didn't expect was the treatment that came from it. The entire house now hated her because they wouldn't get a cup that only their teacher would look at. They weren't the ones who had to clean bathrooms by hand for the foreseeable future. All she did was help Hagrid. So why? Why was she punished for making sure her friend didn't go to prison? Why?

"Professor." Snape stopped talking and Hazel felt her nerves go down. Quirrell rested his hand on Hazel's shoulder for a second. "I believe the Deputy Headmistress has already decided on the punishment of Miss Potter and while I disagree with the severity of it, I do consider it to be settled. Your student's punishments are already under your discretion. I suggest you go see that he learns his own lesson. I will escort Miss Potter to her next detention. If you would excuse us." Snape stared at Quirrell before glaring at Hazel. He turned around and marched away, his cloak billowing behind him. Hazel lowered her eyes, her voice soft and tired. "He hates me." Quirrell pushed her gently along the hallways. "Yes, I am afraid he does." Hazel looked at the man. "Why? I was one the last time I was around wizards. What did I do?" Quirrell sighed. "I am afraid that you did nothing. Your father and his band of Marauders, however, did antagonize him for much of his school life." Hazel frowned. "But that was years ago. They were all just kids." Quirrell nodded. "And yet old wounds linger, perhaps worst of all when inflicted on a child."

A shiver went down her back as Hazel listened to her Professor speak. There was such… feeling behind his words. Like he lived the same painful things he is trying to tell her about. She thought of Snape and his issues with her. "If he hates me for something like that, then there is no point in me asking for forgiveness or peace from him, is there?" Quirrell eyed her. "In a way that depends on you. His past has shaped who Snape is as a person. Does that excuse his behaviour and merit some conciliation, or does it damn him as being petty, immature and self centered? Unfortunately, Snape is unlikely to make any gesture of goodwill. Meaning it's now in your hands. Could you forgive him for being so vile for a sin you have no blame for, or will you condemn him for being no different than the people who tormented him in the first place? The answer, as with many in this world, isn't an easy one." The two walked silently for a bit until curiosity got the better of Hazel. Maybe the Professor would know? "Sir, why was I so harshly punished? The dragon is safe with Handlers and no one was hurt. So why did the Deputy Headmistress, my Head of House, punish me as she did? It… doesn't feel right." Quirrel looked at her with a sad expression. "No, I don't suppose it does. McGonagall, for all her talent as a teacher, is divided in her duties. As a Head of House, your wellbeing should be her top priority."

Hazel's snort made the Professor smirk. "Yes, she is clearly failing there, isn't she? As your Deputy Headmistress, she needs to set a precedent. You, as an 11 year old, were out past curfew, bringing a dangerous creature into the castle and handing it off to visitors that didn't check in with the Administration. For one large but ultimately harmless offence in your actions, she levered several penalties onto you. Separately it would have been fine, but the amount of detentions and the damage the point reduction did to your standing in your house has turned a well planned punishment into an abuse of her power. Sadly, this is all too common, even more so when your action was born of good intentions." Hazel frowned. "Then what's the point? If you're bad you're punished, if you're good you're punished. How does this make anyone want to do the right thing?" Quirrell stopped just outside of the next bathroom as Filch dropped the mop, bucket and scrubbing brush infront of her. Quirrell turned to her and gave her an understanding look. "I am afraid that such a system doesn't encourage much good behaviour at all, Miss Potter. Everything is left to the individual and as you said, what good is it if you know you will be punished for either way? In this case, the choice falls to you. The next time you are asked to decide for yourself what you should do, what will your choice be? Time will tell."

-∞-

NW April 1992

"Well, you certainly managed to maintain your anonymity." Croaker dropped the letter onto the desk in front of him and Dora picked it up. "Harry Potter saved in the Forbidden Forest by a Griffin!? How did you manage that?" Hazel glared at Croaker. "Now you are being mean on purpose." Croaker chuckled merrily. "You could have picked something else." Hazel rolled her eyes. "Like what? A Grim? A Nundu? A Wyvern? What other choice did I have?" Croaker drank from his coffee. "There are Hippogriffs and Centaurs in the area." Hazel waved that comment away. "And Hagrid knows all of them. I needed something that would chase that thing away without leaving me with a kid begging not to be eaten or get my cover blown. As a Gryffindor, I expected the mascot of his house's founder to be among the list of creatures he might not fear. The fact he had no fear whatsoever, while heartwarming, is a point of concern. A real Griffin or even a Hippogriff might tear him into ribbons if he isn't careful." Croaker nodded. "You have a point. At least Dumbledore hasn't reported the issue, so that helps our cover."

Dora sat down and glared. "How are you able to become a Griffin? You were a lynx in Acquisitions." Hazel eyed Croaker who shrugged. She sighed and turned to Dora and shifted. Dora blinked as she looked at a pretty kitty cat before it turned into an owl, before it turned again into a pup before one last time into a dragon hatchling. She even shot a burst of fire at her partner, making the metamorphmagus jump back. Hazel shifted one last time into her human form, a little winded. "Like that?" Dora blinked at her. "I've never heard about anyone doing that… ever!" Hazel shrugged. "Because I am hundred percent certain only a Metamorphmagus can do it." Tonks blinked. "None have done that before! We aren't supposed to have an Animagus transformation at all!" Hazel rested her chin on her hand as she crossed her legs. "That's the fault of the process. The animagus transformation most people use isn't designed for a Metamorphmagus. It looks for a singular form, not an infinite number. You need to adjust the transformation or force a particular form into your mind to get the first transformation in. Once you get through the first transformation, changing forms is no different than applying a Transfiguration to yourself, just like you do to change your hair."

Hazel watched Dora slump in her seat. "Say's the only person in the room with a Transfiguration Mastery." Hazel blushed. Croaker and Horatio had forced her to take her NEWTs in December, which came back as a surprise. She got O+ in Defense, Charms and the rare Dueling elective, while she scored O++ in Transfiguration. Horatio dragged her in front of a panel of oathbound observers and demanded she go crazy as soon as he got the results of her tests. She did. The judges looked terrified at the level of detail she could manage, especially as she created several magical creatures with their magical traits replicated to near perfection, her spell resistant fire breathing Wyvern being quite the specimen. They gave her a Mastery on the spot. The spooks tried to get her to do the other NEWTs but she refused to make a fool of herself. She knew she would barely pass Herbology and Care, she had no way of passing History of Magic and she refused to touch Runes and Potions. Hazel sighed. "If you are interested, Dora, I would be happy to teach it to you, on the condition I am no longer singled out on missions for Animagi once she gets it down." Dora's face lit up. "I'll take it!" Croaker looked amused. "Go right ahead. Having another rare Animorphmagus under my payroll would be most welcomed."

Dora grinned before she remembered something, "So, what was that cloaked figure you chased away?" Croaker nodded to Hazel, who then turned to Dora. "Voldemort ain't dead. Best guess is that he is a talking head attached to the back of Professor Quirrell who is now so deteriorated from a failed possession that he is forced to depend on unicorn blood to survive." Dora looked from Hazel to Croaker repeatedly. "Well, sh*t. Our orders are to end him?" Croaker shook his head at her language. "Yes, but in his current form that is not advisable. Instead we are focusing on keeping him from harming anyone and diminishing his pool of recruits. We will remove the possessed Professor as soon as the right opportunity presents itself, our new allies in the Gamot will slow down or impede any laws that give further aid to his supporters or could add more supporters to him, and we will selectively intervene where a less delicate approach is needed." Dora looked at Hazel. "I am guessing you have a few more secrets that I need my Occlumency defenses for?" Hazel nodded and Dora sighed. "Well, I am going to tell Mom to crank up the exercises before I head to bed. Goodnight Boss. Later Partner."

-∞-

Hazel hugged Andromeda. "Thanks for watching over him. I know it was a bit last minute." Andromeda pulled back and smiled. "Not at all, I was happy to look after him. Dora even managed to make an appearance. I had her do some Occlumency exercises while Teddy distracted her. Quite effective." Hazel chuckled. "I can imagine. Just to let you know, Harry is perfectly safe. He even got to ride a Griffin." Andromeda eyed her carefully and shook her head. "Of course he did. At least the boy has a pleasant memory attached to this night. Thank you, as always. Now, I need to head home. Ted is probably waiting up on me. Have a goodnight, Hazel." Hazel walked her to the door. "Goodnight, Andromeda." Hazel closed the door and after checking that the door that led to Nymphadora's apartment was locked, she walked into her son's bedroom. She could feel he was still slightly awake so she sat next to him and played with his hair. Teddy turned towards her and smiled, his eyes a bit sleepy. "Hi mom." Hazel smiled. "Hi, Teddy. Mom's home in one piece." Teddy smiled and hugged his pillow tighter. "I'm glad. Did you see Harry?"

Adjusting herself better to lie down on the side of the bed next to him, Hazel nodded. "I did. Bad guy tried to hurt him but I chased him away. Did it as a Griffin too." Teddy pouted. "He got a ride on your back, didn't he?" Hazel chuckled. "He did. Want to scare Dora tomorrow when she comes over for dinner? I can shift into a small Hebridean Black Dragon and you can ride my back." Teddy brightened at that. "Promise?" Hazel kissed his head. "It's a promise if you go to bed soon. Mom's Boss is being mean and wants Mom bright and early. Dora also asked me to teach her how to shift into animals so you can ask her for rides later too." Teddy yawned. "Ok. I'll go to sleep. Night, Mom." Hazel got up from the bed and turned off the lights in the apartment. "Night, Teddy. Pleasant dreams." She checked the rest of the apartment and the wards before heading into the shower. She spent a lot more time than usual cleaning her nails and hands since she carved into both a Unicorn and a rotting body.

She laid back onto the bed and thought of Harry. If the reports out of Hogwarts were accurate and the boy she had a silent conversation with was being genuine, then the differences between his life and hers were already having a marked difference. He was a lot more mature for his age, understanding that there was nothing left to do for the Unicorn and not being terrified of her, even though she would be sending him Newt's most detailed book so that he wouldn't walk up to the next Griffin he saw. That he was friends with Ronald Weasley concerned her a bit. She might need to ask Financial if they can check the Weasley finances. She had discovered that her world's Ronald had been receiving payments from her Trust Vault since her first year, even though she hated the boy. How she ever believed him as a possible friend in her final year was something she had trouble understanding. A potion maybe? Her doubts always came the longer she went without being near him after all. Hermione Granger was the mystery. Hazel assumed she was encouraged to be her friend after the Troll incident and she had been a good friend until after the Triwizard Tournament. Did that mean she was still innocent now?

Hazel wasn't sure but for now she would let things play out until Croaker sent her in to take care of Voldemort. She then had a summer to spend inspecting the situation Harry had at home, documenting everything in case Amelia had enough for a case to get him away from the Dursleys. Any Blood Wards repurposed by Dumbledore would be all too easy for her to adjust. As she was technically Harry's family, her wards could be stronger than the butchered ones Dumbledore probably applied. Time. That was the only thing that would be in her way for a bit. Waiting for time to march on. She thought of Teddy and smiled. She would accept all the time she still had left with her son. She still had a little over a year's time before he went to Hogwarts. His last name, any of them really, would cause a stir in the Castle. She needed to secure anything she could manage of the Peverells of this world. The moment Dumbledore heard that a Peverell was up and about, he would start looking for threats. He was holding the Elder Wand after all, Croaker confirmed as much. Her only concern was if he dared to threaten Teddy. If he did, death would be off the table for him. She would show him what pain really was if he ever dared to harm her son.

Chapter 14: Right Back on the Horse

Chapter Text

"Name?" Dora swallowed briefly. "François d'Éon here for the evening with my guard." The man looked over his list and nodded. "Wands?" Hazel, disguised as Dora's buff male guard, pulled her wand out from a vest pocket and handed it to the Bouncer. She knew her friend was protective of her real wand so she was glad Quetz had basic spare wands in Acquisitions that could last for centuries. The Bouncer turned to Dora, also in the form of a much older man in a modern mix of a suit and robe, and she shook her head. "Sorry young man but I never bring a wand to events like this." The Bouncer smirked. "Smart man. Need to check for a holster on you and your man. Turn around." After a thorough check, Dora and Hazel were allowed to enter the establishment without further delays. Dora's eyes scanned the large open space and mentally cringed. Leave it to Wizards to have an illegal Dueling Circuit look like it was being held at the most high end of establishments. The place was dripping with crystal chandeliers, rooms decorated with gold reliefs, expensive seats and a whole lot of booze that Dora was sure she had never heard the brands off. There was also the smell of tobacco everywhere. She wanted to gag. "This way, Monsieur."

Dora followed Hazel's direction and she sat down in a viewing gallery overlooking a lower floor and a large cage. She watched as two young wizards stepped up to the dueling platform as the announcer introduced them. She saw the spectators discuss among themselves as the last few people went to place their bets before the match officially started. "Not interested in placing a bet, Monsieur d'Éon?" Dora swallowed her nerves as the man who approached her, Sir Leon Burbage, the owner of the club, spoke to her. Dora stood up as Hazel gave the man a respectful bow. "Sir Burbage, it is a pleasure to finally meet you. I would love to provide some funds to your establishment, but I never bet not knowing the odds. Most unsightly. I prefer to see the caliber of a man before betting on them." Sir Burbage nodded at him and looked to the fighters. "A wise policy. I personally enjoy our selection of Irish duelists." Dora nodded back. "Most grateful for the recommendation. I look forward to seeing a grand performance from them." The older gentleman bowed and left to check on the other guests. The two wizards in the ring fought each other, casting spells no Dueling Circuit would allow. Blood and limbs flew across the platform until one man collapsed and the referee called the match.

"A most impressive display. Wouldn't you agree?" Dora stilled. She knew that silky smooth voice. She noticed Hazel took a more aggressive posture. "I am afraid we haven't had the pleasure, sir?" The blonde man bowed his head, his snake headed cane in his hand. "Lord Lucius Malfoy." Dora bowed her head in response. "Monsieur François d'Éon." Lucius gave him a calculated look. "Not familiar with your family's name." Dora waved her hand dismissively. "We had withdrawn from the political arena some time ago. The Napoleonic Wars left much bad blood between my family and others. Wouldn't you agree? If my memory serves, your family was chased out of the Continent under some unpleasant and clearly trumped up charges at about the same time." Lucius gave her a satisfied smile. "Yes, France isn't what it once was. Seeking to expand into Britain? I know quite a few men here who would welcome business with families of good stock." Dora sighed. "Not today, I am afraid. The wife is looking at the offerings of Edinburgh's Magical District. I will be here in a week from now, if you are interested. I will be more inclined to discuss business then. Today I am here to unwind from a long shopping trip."

Lucius chuckled. "Indeed, my wife can also leave one seeking the company of good men and fine drink after a day in the Alleys. A pleasure, Monsieur. I look forward to doing business with you." Dora watched as Hazel's eyes followed the man's movements before he sat next to another man. She knew him to be Lord Nott, who looked less than pleased to be sitting next to Malfoy. She scanned the crowd haphazardly, knowing Hazel's position as her guard made her the best bet for scouting the area. She felt her stomach recoil as several more matches took place, watching blood spray across the floor from men and women alike. She would have nightmares from this, she was sure of that. Feeling Hazel tap her shoulder, Dora relaxed as much as she could. The gruesome sight continued to get worse and worse, as the organizers refused to clean up the blood splatter on the floor. After several hours watchung she had enough. She stood up and buttoned her suit jacket as she headed for the men taking the bets. She placed fifty galleons and gave two to the man. "Fifty as a donation to Sir Burbage for the fine evening. The two are for you." The man nodded and counted the coins before sending word. The teller returned. "Sir Burbage is most grateful for the donation and would enjoy seeing you return at a future event. Good evening, sir." Hazel retrieved her wand from the Bouncer and the two made their way further out into London's dark streets. "I need a bath and I feel sick." Hazel nodded as she took Dora's arm, preparing for an apparition to the nearest safehouse. "Same here."

-∞-

Croaker and Horatio eyed the reports and the memory vials. "This is worse than expected. The establishment has Muggles and Wizards mingling and placing bets on a bloodsport. Are you sure some of those fights were rigged?" Hazel, back in her typical form and wearing her open backed halter top, nodded. "They picked guys with similar looking skill sets but it was clear who the favorites were. Pretty sure they use Polyjuice too, letting them mix fighters and get different results from everyone, especially with how unbalanced the fighters were at times. Everyone but the crowd favorites, of course. Those get the royal treatment and the big bets." Horatio grunted and lifted one of the memory vials, eyeing it carefully. "I will look the memories over but I trust her judgement. I wouldn't be surprised if they had death matches later on. Gods damned vultures." Dora sat back, looking ill. "So, what happens now?" Hazel gave her partner an understanding look. "We go back next week and keep documenting everything. By the time they get arrested we can slap several ironclad charges on the spectators and the establishment. The more names we get, the larger the dent we can do to the illegal operations, their finances and their wider recruitment operations ."

Dora shuddered. "I don't fancy another night of this." Worried about Dora's distress, Hazel turned to Croaker. "We should switch who takes the d'Éon persona. Dora isn't used to mindless violence and while she may get numb to it, it's not going to be soon. I can last longer, though I might be needing some stress relief brawls before and after. If I have to deal with Lucius Malfoy, I am going to be suppressing a lot of my instincts." Croaker eyed Dora and Hazel. "Are you sure you can manage not to go against orders and kill any of them?" Hazel sighed. "Get me exhausted and the temptation will be lowered. I would drink but that would be a bad idea and I made Teddy a promise about when I am about to drink. I am not breaking it over the scumbags." Croaker turned to Horatio who nodded. "I will help R1 decompress before and after the missions. R2 needs more practice spotting exits and potential threats, as well as reading body language. These missions will help her with that if she takes the guard role." Dora nodded slowly. "I should be fine by the next infiltration. Switching every week should work." Croaker sat back. "Then it's decided. Despite everything, good work you two. I will get in touch with MI5 and the ICW. We will see just who was attending and how to approach this from a legal perspective."

Horatio touched Hazel's shoulder. Hazel looked at him and followed the gesture on his head. She nodded. Stretching out of her seat, she walked behind Dora and gently lifted her up. "Come on partner, I think you need that bath we talked about. I got a few tricks to help you unwind." Dora nodded and stood up. Croaker watched them leave, Dora's movements rather stiff. He sighed. "This might have been too much too soon for Nymphadora." Horatio nodded. "I don't disagree. She is a bit gentler in nature than we typically look for in an Operative. Seeing witches and wizards gut each other while the members of high society cheered them on was too much." Horatio eyed Croaker. "After this mission is concluded, I would suggest you put them to work for Amelia as Hit Witches for the Aurors. Let them walk around guarding people, just mingling. It will do Nymphadora good and Hazel can learn to relax." Croaker snorted. "Good luck with that. Without her son, relaxing seems unlikely." Horatio hummed, his eyes back on the door where the two witches just left through. "Perhaps not."

-∞-

Nymphadora felt numb. She had never seen people be so vicious or brutal with each other. The worst part of watching the illegal circuit fights was the audience. For every limb lobed off they cheered, for every near death they cheered louder still. The bastards waited until the people were displayed like prized bulls before placing their bets, some even going higher if the winner ended up killing the competition before the referee called the match. Dora was glad no one died tonight. The audience, once the bets were placed, would then just sit back and watch the slaughter. Half the time they didn't even seem to mind if they lost their bets, if it meant they got to see a good show by the end. Their definition of a good show made her sick. The worst part is that the d'Éon mission had been offered to them both, as the guard would be focused more on scanning the room and the audience, getting as much detail as possible for identification purposes. They spent weeks perfecting their performance, looking up the appropriate behaviours and vernaculars, just so that they wouldn't be singled out as a fake businessman from France. That part had gone flawlessly. Even Lucius bloody Malfoy took the bait. No, Dora knew exactly what she was walking into. Hazel had warned her just before they apparated next to the place. She said she would hate it completely. Dora had believed what her friend had said and thought she could handle it. She thought wrong.

Dora blinked lazyly as she looked around her apartment. How did she get here again? The noise of a locking door drew her attention to Hazel, who approached from the opening to her own apartment. "Sorry, I needed to tell Teddy I would be here with you." Dora nodded numbly. She felt Hazel move her towards the bathroom and then she felt something odd. She felt her clothes dropping to the floor. She eyed her friend as the woman undressed her. "What did you say about waiting?" Hazel looked up at her and Dora blinked. Those green eyes weren't filled with any emotion other than concern. "Since we are both adults and I have already seen you in your knickers, I hope you don't mind if I strip you. A shower and a bath aren't as comfortable with clothes on and while a bathing suit might work, we aren't children." Those gentle hands never strayed, never lingered. They pulled every article of clothing off of her and then she felt herself being pushed into a shower stall Dora knew was bigger than she remembered. There was also a bench on which Hazel pushed her down onto. "Hazel, I can shower myself." She heard a snort behind her. "Right, and leave you to spend hours as you try to drown yourself under a shower? Not happening. Now sit quietly."

Hazel then proceeded to wash Dora's back who went from silent to groaning as muscles she hadn't known to be sore suddenly ached. Hazel rubbed and massaged her way over the next hour until she washed Dora clean with water. "The bath is set. Get in and soak. I will be back soon. Just get your mind off everything from today. And I do mean everything. I know Andromeda has you on the relaxation exercises for Occlumency. Go through those now." Dora, covered up to her neck in scented water after stepping into the bath, nodded absentmindedly and closed her eyes. She pushed aside everything from today and focused on the feeling of the warm water. The warmth felt so comfortable, her mind just started to wander. Eventually she just fell asleep. She had no idea how long she slept. Dora woke up when she felt a gentle hand on her cheek. It felt warm. Those pretty green eyes were back and she smiled. "Did I oversleep?" Hazel smiled softly. "A little. Time to get dry. Dinner will be ready soon." Dora nodded and got up. She blushed a little when she realised she just gave Hazel a full view of her naked body. She then noticed that Hazel wasn't wearing regular clothes. It looked like a one piece swimsuit. "You wore that the whole time, didn't you?" Hazel raised an eyebrow. "No Dora. I didn't get naked with you. Get that mind out of the gutter for the next two hours. You can get it back in there as soon as your head hits a pillow and you slip into your dreams."

Dora's hair and face were a soft red as Hazel helped dry her off. "Not that I am complaining but why?" Hazel proceeded to dry Dora's hair. "Something I learned on my trainwreck of a life. A little human warmth goes a long way to help dispel some of the numbness. Teddy can tell when I have a bad day and would cuddle up with me. His Grandmother and I… we were never romantic or physically close. But on a night like today, when I got home feeling numb from the things I saw or did… On those nights she would drag me into the shower and do to me what I did to you. It's hard to explain and I am sure some people would call it silly but there are moments when you need physical reminders of kindness and warmth. My Godmother who practically raised me for all of three years did something similar, spending hours with me after a warm bath just brushing my hair and talking. The world can be a cold place without the small reminders that people care." Dora felt warm all the way to her core as Hazel dropped her off in her bedroom. "Wear something comfortable. I need to shower. Cross to my apartment and bring your toiletries. You're spending the night." Dora nodded and picked some of her pajamas that she wore at Hogwarts. They were a bit tight but an expansion charm made them comfortable.

The moment she opened the door to Hazel's room her nose was assaulted by a hefty smell. Teddy jumped down from a stand he and Leafsby used to reach the stove top and grabbed Dora's hand. "Mom made beef stew and mashed potatoes. Do you want lots of vegetables or few?" Dora smiled at the kid. "I'll take an equal serving of both." The elf nodded. "Mistress Peverell made plenty. Mistress Peverell also brought out some bottles of wine." Dora blushed and looked at Teddy. "Hazel mentioned she doesn't drink as a promise to you. This isn't a problem, is it?" Teddy shook his head, his purple eyes full of warmth. "Mom says you had a bad day and might need a drink. We agreed to one bottle of wine for today and you get to share. Mom get's weepy on a full bottle but she should be fine." Dora rubbed his hair. "So your mom is a weepy drunk. Good to know." A voice from behind made her smile. "He shouldn't have told you that. I swear, if you repeat it or try to get me drunk on purpose, I will ask Andromeda for all your dirty secrets."

Teddy giggled as Dora pouted. The three sat down and dug into the meal, even if it was mostly Dora and Teddy eating. Dora breathed out deeply after finishing her glass of wine. "How is it you never eat as much?" Hazel shrugged. "You two have a high metabolism, I don't. I also don't go around changing my appearance as much." Hazel drank a little from her wine and Dora waited. Sure enough a blush became visible on Hazel's neck and cheeks by the end of the meal. Dora sat down with Teddy and the two went over Hazel's vinyl collection, the two sharing their favorites and Hazel playing a few while they chatted. While Dora stuck to her opinion of liking the Weird Sisters, she had to admit to enjoying a few of the other artists. Hazel played the Scottish Folksong disc Dora sent them for Christmas and Dora watched as Teddy started swinging from side to side. Hazel led the kid to his room. Her friend returned and sat by her on the sofa. "Big meals like that make Teddy sleepy. He's out like a light. I am glad I asked him to shower before dinner." Dora nodded and after a few minutes listening to relaxing music, Hazel started turning off the lights. Then Dora got pulled into Hazel's room. "Won't Teddy be mad?"

Hazel shook her head. "I asked him for permission and he gave it to me. He also said you aren't allowed to steal me, but he might eventually agree to sharing." Dora giggled. "Weird kid." Hazel playfully slapped her shoulder. "No, he is perfect. Now get under the covers and sleep." Dora did as she was told and got under the covers. Sleep came slowly as the warm presence of another body in her bed, while nothing new, was making her feel extra warm. "You're allowed to cuddle but those hands aren't allowed under my clothes." Dora swallowed and reachout to hug Hazel. She spooned her and the moment she closed her eyes, she felt a peace settle into her. As she felt sleep take her, Dora realized what Hazel did for her today. She treated her as family, showed her the warmth she could get from just any other day. An ordinary day. No violence, no bastards, no plots. Just a comfortable day with family. She felt something inside of her shift and she breathed deeply. As she slipped fully into sleep she wondered to herself if this was something she would enjoy for the rest of her life. She wanted it to be.

-∞-

A cold wet nose kept poking her on the face as the light of the morning pressed into her closed eyes. Dora grumbled as she tried to fall back asleep but the nose kept insisting. She opened her eyes and stared at a pup. A wolf pup. She blinked. Right. She had fallen asleep in Hazel's apartment. In the same bed as her partner. Her work partner. Her exceedingly hot and steamy dreams notwithstanding, Hazel was her work partner, who also admitted to wanting a relationship with her but not wanting it right now because Dora was vulnerable. Dora really wanted to jump her bones right now. Except there was a wolf pup currently eyeing her from atop the bed. Had there been a wolf pup in the apartment last night? Dora couldn't remember but after last night and the few drinks she had, she was sure she could have missed it. "Hazel, when did you get a pet?" She felt the bed next to her shift a little. She could see from the corner of her eye that Hazel had turned to look at her and then eyed the wolf pup. She lifted her blanket and the pup shot under it. Dora was about to ask again until a raven haired boy popped his head. "Morning." Dora blinked. "Morning. How are you an Animagus? You're ten."

Teddy's tenth birthday had been a surprisingly quiet affair as it landed during the Easter Break. Hazel had gone out with Teddy for most of the day, having fun at an amusem*nt park and just enjoying the day out together. Dora and Andromeda had been invited to a short dinner with birthday cake afterwards. Ice cream birthday cake. Hazel had been amused watching Dora and Teddy essentially competing for who could eat the most cake. Dora won, but just barely. She partially regretted it later, as the sugar high kept her awake for most of the night. Hazel had apparently predicted a similar thing with Teddy and the two went out to an Arcade in London, which sufficiently drained Teddy's sugar high. Hazel had looked at her dead tired friend with a bemused smile the next day and Andromeda refused to give her a Pepper Up Potion. Horatio had not taken it easy on her at all right after. Still, Dora couldn't be mad with Teddy about the cake. She could be jealous though. Because the kid was barely ten years old and was an Animagus. Dora eyed Hazel. "Is he an Animorphmagus too?"

Hazel chuckled and kissed her son on the cheek. "Nope, not yet. He had some stray magic in him from his sperm donor that reacted oddly with his Metamorphmagus trait. He was essentially a natural born Animagus in the form of a wolf. One day he might learn to shift between them but he is comfortable with his form currently, so there is no urge to find another form." Dora blinked at the two before she sighed. "At this point I should just give up expecting to understand you two." Teddy giggled and then he turned to his Mom. "You keeping her?" Dora pouted. "Oi, I am not the pet in this household." Hazel chuckled. "That might be a no, Teddy. Though if things are still bad she can stay over a few nights. Work will be rough for a while." Teddy nodded and hugged his mom. "Ok. Leafsby says breakfast is ready." Teddy shifted back to his wolf pup form and ran out the room as Dora watched Hazel lay her head back. Those green eyes focused on her and Dora felt her hair shift all over the place. "Want to talk about it?" Dora ran her hand through her hair. "It's a lot to take in and I am getting such mixed signals from you." Hazel pulled herself up into a sitting position and leaned towards Dora. "Let me fix that."

Dora froze as her partner leaned in and kissed her on the lips softly before deepening it, causing Dora to moan. Hazel pulled back, enjoying the blush on Dora's face. "I am interested in keeping you in my bed, Nymphadora. At the same time, you went through trauma. Again. I care about you and I will make sure you come out of this a better person but I refuse to take advantage of you or your feelings. If we get together I want no doubts between us. We will be together because we want to be together. For now, just know that I am here for you as a friend and a partner. One day I hope it will be as a lover. But not today. Are we clear?" Nymphadora nodded but she leaned forwards and kissed Hazel back. She could see desire in Hazel's eyes as she pulled away but it was buried quickly. Dora smiled. "I understand. But don't think I will make it easy on you anymore. I want you and after all of this I want you even more." Hazel glared. "You tease as much as you want, but if you traumatize my kid, we will have words." Dora shivered. Why did her mind find that sexy? "Noted. Teddy stays innocent."

Teddy's shout of "Mom!" got both of them out of bed. Dora salivated at the stack of blueberry pancakes on her table. She and Teddy devoured their stacks before Dora felt a spoon smack her head. "Hey!" Hazel eyed her and then Teddy. "Teddy, Grandma taught you how to eat properly and I haven't discouraged that, especially since you know eating too fast can make you sick. Please don't forget that. Dora, you're an adult and Teddy is a kid. Don't encourage him or I am calling Andromeda." The two Metamorphmagus ate in a more sedate manner and finished up their breakfast. Dora laid back on the couch nursing a cup of coffee. "Sorry about earlier." Hazel sat beside her and sighed. "To be fair, it happens some days. There is a reason I whacked you though. Teddy likes you and wants to be a bit like you too. If you do decide to pursue me, remember it's a packaged deal and that Teddy will come first." Dora could see that and nodded. Hazel kissed Dora's cheek. "Though that doesn't mean you will be second, just tied for first. Eventually. Got that?" Dora smiled and drank from her coffee. "I think I am going to go see Mom. I need to talk to someone about what we saw."

Hazel drank from her own cup. "And since I was there, it's not enough. I understand. I meant what I said, Dora. You need me and I will be there. We are partners in this and I won't abandon you." Dora nodded and finished her coffee. "Thank you for everything since yesterday, Hazel. I am going to change and head home." Hazel nodded and Dora left for her apartment before heading out. As she rode the elevator up, Dora took deep breaths as she felt some of the numbness from the day before settling back in. She knew the job she signed up for would be bad. Being an Auror might have been simpler but it was probably even more dangerous. She could see that now. She could see how despicable people could be. Being an Auror would have left her feeling exactly what she felt now: powerless. But as an Operative? She could get better. She could do more. She could make a real difference. Dora steeled her mind as the elevator ride ended at the main lobby. She would seek her mother's help in dealing with everything her job threw at her, but she refused to give it up. She had a great partner that cared for her and a chance to make a difference in her world. She wouldn't give any of that up.

-∞-

"Such a shame. Mr. Thomspson was a crowd favorite. Though it seems you won your bet, Monsieur d'Éon. Enjoy your winnings and we will see you again next week." Hazel nodded and followed the movements of Burbage and his guards as they returned to his private viewing gallery. She turned her eyes back to the arena floor, watching as a man she was certain was under a Polyjuice Potion, was dragged away, a gaping hole in his chest. She tried her best not to grind her teeth as she checked on her partner, Dora's male face being quite composed, even if her body language showed some stiffness still. This was their fourth visit to the underground Dueling Circuit, though "dueling" wasn't what any of her companions were calling what was actually happening. As expected, several fights ended with casualties and Hazel had to spend a few more nights consoling Dora. Croaker was looking for a way to end this assignment with the largest possible arrests, but getting enough intel on other criminal activities beyond watching an illegal duel wasn't easy. They did get a few interesting leads that could be used later in the year. Lucius Malfoy had admitted to owning a large collection of dangerous magical artefacts that he was willing to sell that simply didn't fall under family heirlooms. Therefore they were highly illegal. Lord Nott, on the other hand, was proving to be a mystery. It was clear he didn't enjoy the spectacle as his fellow companions did and didn't bet much on the fights. Croaker wasn't exactly sure what to make of the older gentleman from a traditional family highly associated with Voldemort in the last war but as this was the fourth visit they had nothing to go on. Lord Nott simply sat at the viewing gallery and didn't approach anyone. They would have to keep a closer eye on him.

Hazel turned to look at Dora who nodded. Her partner was getting better at handling these events, though a lot of that had to do with her getting dragged around London by Teddy and Andromeda, with Hazel close behind. Andromeda had spent many long days talking with her daughter, using her Mind Healers training to just help Dora speak of her troubles. Having her mother supporting her and then taking her out to dinners with her father was helping Dora get better. She had also slowed down her alcohol intake, though the fact she would try and make Hazel share drinks with her had been exacerbating as much as amusing. Another change had been Dora taking her Occlumency and Physical training much more seriously. Hazel could understand the feeling. Watching someone die made a person feel weak and powerless. Doing it repeatedly only reinforced that feeling. Dora was doing what any person in her place could. Work harder to be able to make a difference. Hazel knew she was looking forward to tearing this place down. She was too. A voice on Hazel's earpiece made both of them still. This mission was supposed to be radio silent. Even so, they always carried their communication devices, the earpiece stored safely in the wristwatch before being placed in the ear, a notice-me-not charm keeping it from being spotted.

"BM to R1 and R2, Aurors are launching a surprise raid on the location. Someone made an anonymous call and the force is on its way. Neither D or HA have authorized it." Hazel eyed Dora who shook her head in exacerbation. Great. This wasn't how they wanted to proceed. Hazel casted the smallest privacy ward she could, around her watch and mouth as she leaned in, appearing to have a closer look to the match while blocking the view of her lips. "Orders?" She felt Dora move into a more covered position. Haratio spoke up. "The owner is too highly placed to be detained properly for this. Eliminate Priority One target. Decide who is better suited." Hazel turned to Dora and saw the surprise in her eyes. Horatio was letting her go for a kill. Dora thought for a second and closed her eyes. She had recently redoubled her commitment but was she ready to kill in cold blood again, especially after all this? She opened them and looked at Hazel, shaking her head slightly. Not yet. She wasn't there yet. Hazel nodded softly and turned forward again. "R1, on task." Horatio's voice responded, sounding soft and understanding. "Roger. Get to work." Hazel stood up and buttoned up her jacket. She made her way towards the bathroom when an obnoxious voice cut her off. "Leaving so early, Monsieur?" Hazel gave an awkward smile to Lucius. "Not at all. My wife simply dared me to try the Haggis during lunch in the Highlands. It doesn't seem to have settled well with me."

Lucius gave him an understanding look. "One would think our love for foie gras would translate well to that and other odd culinary concoctions, but it doesn't. My condolences. I hope you don't miss much of the entertainment." Hazel nodded weakly. "Indeed. By your leave." Lucius nodded and Hazel walked down towards the bathroom in a less than dignified gait. Once inside she picked a stall, checked for surveillance and placed a small ward around her and Dora. "Guard my stall. I will try to be quick." Dora nodded and Hazel closed the stall, taking off her shoes and pants and leaving them on the toilet, using a bit of magic to conjure some fake legs to fill them. She pulled on her magic, shifting her appearance back to normal while transfiguring her clothes into an approximation of her tactical suit, while willing the Cloak to manifest around her. Hazel connected her magic to it and slipped through the wall behind the stall. She crossed the viewing platforms and passed into Sir Burbage's personal suite. With four conjured knives in her offhand Hazel positioned herself behind Burbage until she slit his throat with the knife in her main hand. The gurgling noise drew the eyes of the guards and Hazel launched two of her knives into the chests of the guard in front, followed closely by those behind her. She casted AKs at the four guards, ending their lives before they could fight back, dispelling the blades in process.

Hazel eyed the room and felt something off about the ambient magic. She neared the desk, pulled open a once locked drawer and grinned. Casting a small ward, she spoke into the comm. "Priority One down. Located building wardstone. I can trigger a partial lockdown. Orders?" Horatio sounded like he was discussing it with Croaker, before he responded. "Do it. Seal all exits minus primary entrance. Return to R2 and blend in. Maintain cover." Hazel eyed the dead Burbage. "R1, acknowledged." She dispelled the ward and conjured a glove that she then wore on her hand. One blood soaked glove on a wardstone later, and Hazel had bypassed its control scheme and sealed all the other exits. A few minutes later Hazel, looking like the d'Éon persona again, walked out of the bathroom stall, a toilet flushing behind her. "Remind me never to have Haggis again. Ever." Dora nodded and Hazel washed her hands before they both returned to their viewing gallery. After a few more gruesome minutes watching two witches curse at each other, the crowd started to move and shove each other as the doors bursted open. "This is the police! Everyone, kneel on the ground now! You are hereby arrested for participating in an illegal dueling circuit. Wands and firearms down!"

Dora kept a stoic face as she and Hazel were cuffed and pulled out of the building and slapped with a portkey. After the disorienting ride they looked around at the detention cell they were dropped into. "So, fancy a few games of Blackjack? Loser pays for dinner?" Dora chuckled. "Sure. But you better not cheat." Both Dora and Hazel shifted their hands and wrists and slipped the cuffs off their arms. Hazel conjured the deck of cards and the two sat down for the long wait. One exceedingly long hour and a half later and their cell door was opened, revealing a set of familiar faces. "All right you two, you can drop the shift." Hazel and Dora shifted back to normal and both sighed in relief. "Thanks Boss, wearing that form was getting tiring." Croaker shook his head and turned to Amelia and Rufus. "Rufus, meet R1 and R2. They will be in your employ temporarily starting summer as Hit Witches. Try to keep them away from certain properties. This last mission has both of them itching to exact some payback on the people your Aurors just arrested today." Rufus eyed them both before looking at Croaker. "How long were they in cover?"

Croaker raised an eyebrow. "Four undercover missions, four weeks of work, not counting the months of preparations prior, all partly wasted with your Aurors jumping the gun. Your Department will be lucky to see any of our intel on this." Rufus winced. "I will bring in Shacklebolt and Proudfoot. Can't punish them too hard but an extended stay of desk duty should get them to understand that the chain of command is there for a reason." Hazel spoke up. "Who was the person to call the Aurors? Were you able to identify them?" Croaker turned to Hazel. "A witch who had been looking for her missing brother. He was one of the duelists, a lucky man to have survived the circuit for three weeks. She's staying by his side in St. Mungos currently, and admitted to calling the Aurors as soon as she heard the place was an illegal dueling circuit after failing to enter through the door." The group went quiet after that as Amelia eyed Hazel and Dora. "Should I even ask if you two were responsible for the five corpses found, one being Burbage, the owner." Dora and Hazel looked at each other before turning to Amelia and speaking in stereo. "Can't say." Amelia pinched the bridge of her nose and glared at a grinning Croaker. "Take them back to your basem*nt and send them our way once they are free. With a few Aurors now being assigned to desk duty, we need some boots on the ground in Diagon Alley." Croaker nodded and turned to his Operatives. "All right, Recruits. Mission Complete. Let's get your debriefs done so we can all call it a night." Hazel nodded and grinned at Dora, "Dinner?" Dora sighed. "I'll get it."

Chapter 15: Twisted Reflections

Chapter Text

Hazel read the letter Susan wrote to Amelia about the latest news from Hogwarts. "Is this confirmed?" Croaker sighed but nodded. "It is. Dumbledore left Hogwarts Castle for the Ministry. We just don't know why. He has no duties today as Chief Warlock or as Supreme Mugwump as of this moment. He left the Castle under the care of his staff." Hazel snorted as she handed the letter back to Croaker. "Right, the staff. One of whom is currently possessed by a wraith that is eating away at his life, another who is likely to trust her mentor blindly and another whose motives are suspect. Any word from Neville?" Croaker pulled open a charmed book. "A mention of Harry and his friends acting concerned over something. He thinks they are worried about the item stored in the Third Floor Corridor. The three students visited Professor McGonagall's office but returned to the common room unhappy and talking to each other in whispers, with Harry being unsure of what to do, while Ronald Weasley seems to be more excited over whatever is happening." Hazel frowned as she crossed her arms and thought about Dumbledore's actions. "Term is about to end in a week. Dumbledore had no reason to leave but he did and Harry Potter reached out to a staff member and was rebuffed, with his acquaintance potentially pressuring him to act. This doesn't bode well. It is exactly the sort of behaviour we were concerned with in the first place." Hazel eyed Croaker who noticed her change in look. He nodded and looked towards Dora. "Are you feeling up to potentially fighting a Dark Wizard again, killing him without being targeted first?"

Dora stared at her boss, her heart suddenly beating faster. Her words came out unsteady. "I'm not sure. Why are you asking?" Croaker sat back in his chair. "We have an inkling as to how events will play out in the next few hours, at least in the immediate vicinity where Flamel's Stone is located. We also have a plan in place, one that has Hazel acting as a decoy. You will be her backup and in this case the primary force behind the execution. Are you feeling up to it again?" Dora frowned and thought about killing again meant to her. She had already killed people before but it was on that first botched mission, with Hazel acting as the Operative on point. Though she tried to rationalize it all, her feelings had remained mixed. She had worked out a lot of her problems with what happened with her mom since her near death experience but the guilt of killing people had lingered in the back of her mind. It had been so easy to kill before, like she was made for it. She hated that feeling. To do it again, potentially striking someone in the back with a Killing Curse… "Whose the target?" Hazel sat back. "Professor Quirrell, who currently has Voldemort sharing his body." Dora blinked as she did a double take. They weren't asking her to kill just anyone. They were asking her to kill the vessel of the madman that wrecked their world. Was it enough of a reason? Or was this just that next big temptation? She knew once she justified it again there was no going back. She could justify them all. She eyed Hazel. Her partner killed all too easily. Did she want to become like that? She was attracted to her, sure, but did she want to become a killing machine like Hazel? Like her Aunt?

Hazel's words came back to her, asking Dora to be a better person than what she was. Hazel didn't want Dora to be like her. She wanted Dora to be different. To be better. Did that mean not killing as often as she did or perhaps knowing when lethal force was needed? Dora took a deep breath. Her partner would always be the power and muscle of the two, that much was growing clear from their training exercises. She would have to be something different. She could be the heart and mind that looked deeper, the conscience to her partner. In this case though, was there a point to hesitate? Voldemort was at Hogwarts, threatening the lives of all the children in the Castle. Teddy popped into her head and her heart stilled. Hazel. Hazel did kill often, but never without reason. Her motivation was clear whenever they walked into Hazel's apartment. Teddy. Hazel killed to keep Teddy safe, to give her son a better life. Dora looked inside and was surprised to find that she would be ok with killing to protect Teddy too. The kid had grown on her and if she wanted a life with Hazel beyond partnership, she knew he would be a part of it. Somewhere along the way she had accepted that. She swallowed and took a deep breath. "I'll do it." The smile on Hazel's face made Dora feel warm. Croaker nodded. "Very well. Here is the plan."

-∞-

Hazel levitated the three unconscious kids and moved them inside of an unoccupied classroom. She and Dora barely caught up to them as the trio tried to unlock the door on the Third Floor Corridor. Dora casted a cushioning charm on the ground beneath the kids and Hazel conjured some pillows and blankets on them before sealing the door shut, placing a strong notice-me-not on it. Dora lifted her wrist up. "R2 to BM. The children are secured." Horatio's voice came in with noticeable interruptions from ward interference. Had Dumbledore raised the wards to a higher level, they would be hearing close to nothing. "Roger that… Proceed with the mission… Comm silence starts now." Hazel and Dora shifted their appearance into that of Harry Potter and Hermione Granger respectively, transfiguring their regular outfits to Hogwarts uniforms before heading to the third floor corridor. One unlocking spell later and they were face to face with the Cerberus, the creature waking up as the harp stopped playing. Dora swallowed, trying to remember what she could about her Defence course on the creature and partly regretting not taking Care. "So, what do we do?" Hazel casted an enchantment to the harp but nothing happened. "The harp has a partial ward. I can't enchant it unless we strip the ward first." Dora looked throughout the room. "We could disillusion ourselves and mask our sound and scent." Hazel nodded but she pointed at the trap door. "It's a bit of a problem if he doesn't move, though."

Dora looked around the room again, looking for means to bypass the beast, while Hazel eyed the creature. It stared at her warily, its three heads focused on her and only her. A thought entered her mind. That could work. "Do you think you could clear the harp and get it to play again? If you weren't concerned with a Cerberus trying to bite your head off?" Dora eyed the harp. "Maybe. Why?" Hazel released her magic a bit. "I want to test a theory. Go for the harp. The pup is mine." Dora nodded and headed that way. The Cerberus eyed Dora for a second until a pulse of Hazel's magic made it turn its attention back to Hazel. Hazel's eyes glowed emerald for a second before shifting to slitted red eyes. "So tell me, is it fear or something else that draws your eyes to me, Fluffy?" Dora, her wand waving over the warp, groaned. "Tell me that's not it's name." Hazel smiled. "Ask Hagrid when you have the chance. He is quite proud of it." Dora sighed. "Of course he is." The Cerberus stepped slowly away from Hazel as she placed herself between it and Dora, while also forcing the beast to step off the trapdoor. Music started playing and Hazel gave Dora a questioning look. "Brahms' Lullaby? Really?" Dora blushed. "It was the only complete relaxing tune I could remember fully that came to mind."

Hazel pulled her magic back and the two watched as the Cerberus yawned before it fell asleep. Happy to have avoided that can of worms, the two made for the opening on the floor. Dora lifted the trap door and looked down into the darkness. She frowned, "That doesn't look like stone." Hazel lowered her head, launched a light charm and smelled the air. "Earth and plant matter, plus fertilizer. A trap made by Sprout probably." The charm casted into the room showed a mass of vines. Dora shuddered. "Devil's Snare." Hazel eyed her. "Bad memories?" Dora shook her head. "More like a recurring nightmare as a kid." Hazel blinked at her. "Right then. Ignis Obscuras ." The black flame that launched from Hazel's outstretched hand landed on the vines and instantly started eating away at the magical plant, the mass emitting an unnatural screech. Both Hazel and Dora winced at the noise, Dora looking to her partner. "So, not a fan of Herbology?" Hazel smirked. "I can pass the OWL thanks to Teddy but nothing else. If it's a plant that can kill me, magic eating cursed flames will do the trick." Dora nodded as they watched the entire floor of plants die to the flames. They leapt down once it was cleared, their fall softened by a featherweight charm. The moment they opened the next room they stared at a mess of flying keys with brooms lined up along the walls. Dora looked from the door to the keys. "So, I'm guessing we need the right key." Hazel smiled and pulled out her wand. "Sure, but I don't see Voldemort mounting a broom. Accio keys. Finite ."

Dora looked at the mass of keys that gathered almost instantly above Hazel's wand and watched all of them drop to the floor as the charm on them failed. "This doesn't feel like a trap for a Dark Lord." Hazel pulled a large key out of the mess and handed it to Dora. "Nope, more like a test of a first year. I thought about blasting the door down but that might draw too much attention." Dora nodded in response and unlocked the door. She looked around the new chamber, her wand held up, before eyeing the floor and the figurines that filled the room. "I don't suppose you play chess?" Hazel gave her a disgusted look. "No, I gave up after a colleague and my ex kept beating me. It wasn't fun. On the plus side, this was made by McGonagall. Only person in the Hogwarts Staff with this much Transfiguration skill, minus the Headmaster." Dora eyed her. "And it's a benefit, why?" Hazel approached the massive chessboard and the Black pieces made to represent their side of the board. She tapped her wand on the nearest piece, a rook, and hummed. "Not bad. For anyone else this might be a challenge. The broken pieces on the side of the room show that Voldemort did play it. His ego must have compelled him." Dora looked to the walls and saw a lot of broken black pieces. "Aha!" Hazel pulled her wand back like a fishing rod and Dora saw the whole grouping of the chess figures shudder. They then reformed into slabs of stone.

Hazel smiled in triumph. "Sorry Minerva, but you got lazy. She kept the Transfiguration separate from the wards governing the chess rules, the enchantments designed to prevent tampering or attempts to bypass the trap not covering the Transfiguration all that well at all since no one usually makes a chess set worth of pieces this large. Too bad the trap is worthless without the pieces being in their proper form to fight back, as the enchantments needed them to be in their transfigured forms to either move the pieces or attack. That's what you get for giving me a bloody Acceptable for all six years of classes." Dora looked at Hazel. "Holding a grudge?" Hazel huffed. "After I got my Mastery in the subject? Damn right I am. I worked hard for my grades. Not my fault my wand wasn't attuned to me from the start." Dora winced. "Oh, yeah. That had to suck." The two slipped past the slabs of stone and opened the next chamber. They wrinkled their noses as they passed a clearly dead troll and entered the next area. The moment they stepped over a threshold, flames leapt up around them. Dora eyed the potions and read the note next to it. "Ugh, a logic test. Mom made me study these for a while. So annoying." Dora watched Hazel eye the flames before she waved her wand around. The floor closed over the gap where the flames were being sustained from, the fire going out or being covered over. Dora sighed. "No doubt about it. This test was made for kids." Hazel hummed and eyed her partner. "Ready?" Dora pulled out Hazel's Invisibility Cloak. "Ready."

-∞-

OW June 1992

Hazel blinked as she opened her eyes. The last thing she remembered was being in Professor Quirrell's Classroom for her usual Defense lesson. She had been so happy when Quirell successfully taught her how to cast wandless magic. The next few weeks she had watched Snape scowl at her as she cleaned the Cauldrons in record time, without so much as a burn on her hand. He accused her of bringing a wand but found no proof of it. He eventually gave up giving her detentions, though he switched to point reductions. There was nothing she could do about those. Most of her classes required her to use a wand and she could barely cast a spell with it. She had hoped wandless magic would give her an edge, that she could just leave her wand aside and rack up points with well casted spells. No such luck. While she could cast spells wandlessly, they were hardly better than when she used her wand, just more likely to succeed. She had been very saddened by that, though Quirrell encouraged her to keep trying. Her skill with it should get better someday. Today she was supposed to try out a spell she read in a Curse Breaker book from the Restricted Section. Being invisible to all was a great way to get into some serious reading material. After her run in with the mirror, Hazel had become concerned with running into other cursed objects. The book held a spell designed to devour magical objects, though it warned it was a hard one to learn. It would be perfect if she could get it working. So why was she on the ground?

Looking around her eyes landed on her Professor, standing just the side of her, his arms crossed as he stared at her. They then focused on the Mirror behind him. Hazel frowned. "Professor? Did you bring the mirror so I could practice on it?" Quirell gave her a small smile. "I am afraid not. We aren't in my classroom, Miss Potter. This is the Third Floor Corridor. You see, I need your services." Hazel stood up, brushed away the dirt from her skirt and blinked at her mentor. "Did you stun me? Why?" Quirrell looked sad. "Because I wasn't sure if you would help me willingly, let alone if Dumbledore could learn of my intention. You have heard quite a few hints from the Headmaster about this place. But you never came." Hazel snorted. "Of course not! What would I want with a corridor guarded by a Cerberus? I may have a hard time in class but I am not stupid." Quirrell smirked a little at that. "No, you are not. Which is why you are here. Dumbledore sealed an object in this mirror. The Philosopher's Stone." Hazel found that name familiar. "As in Nicholas Flamel's Stone? Cool. Alchemy sounds interesting but it needs Potions as a requirement. I thought about eventually taking the course but I don't see Snape giving me the grade that I would need for it." Quirrell chuckled. "No, he wouldn't. Now would you be a dear and get it for me? It's in the mirror."

Hazel eyed the Mirror. "Dumbledore said you can't go through the mirror. That it's an illusion." Quirrell agreed. "Yes, and therefore the perfect place to conceal an object. Anyone who wants it can see it inside the mirror. Removing it is the hard part." Hazel eyed the Professor. "Why do you need the stone?" Quirrell sighed and waved his hands over his form. "Because this isn't my body. I am just borrowing it. The Alchemic properties of the stone will be able to rebuild a body for me. One better suited to my needs." Hazel felt something in her breaking. Everyone recognized her Professor as Quirrell. If he wasn't really Quirrell… "If you aren't Quirrell, then who are you? Who has been teaching me for the whole year?" Quirrell drew his wand and kept it lowered to his side. "Someone who lost it all on Halloween of 1981. Just like you. Only from the other side of the conflict." Hazel stared at him, her heart breaking into pieces. "Voldemort. You are Voldemort." Quirrell eyed her, those eyes now shining red in the darkly lit room. "I am. Assist me with this and we can part amicably, Miss Potter. I could even restore your family to you. But to do all of that, I need the stone." Hazel eyed the man she thought she knew and then the mirror. She could see her parents' faces looking at her, calling to her. A lie. It was a lie. The Mirror… was a lie. And so was the offer. So was everything else. Everything Quirrell had been to her, it had all been a lie. He wasn't interested in teaching her. He was only looking after himself, to use her for his ends. The images on the mirror faded away, her heart shifting. "No."

Quirrell sighed, "I didn't want to do this but you are the only one Dumblrdore would have made an exception for regarding the stone. Imperio." Instantly, her mind was filled with a joy she never knew, one that left her heart feeling fully and giddy. It was bliss. She wanted to roll around in it. She wanted to laugh herself silly. "Look into the Mirror and retrieve the Stone." She walked up to the mirror and looked. Then she paused. Why was she happy? She had never been happy. The happiest she had been when she got her letter. But that memory had soured since she arrived at Hogwarts. She had no reason to be happy right now. So why? Why was she suddenly happy? "The stone." Her mind cleared up instantly as another emotion overpowered the curse. She wasn't happy. She was heartbroken. She had been lied to and betrayed. Again! She looked in the mirror and sought her new heart's desire. The mirror showed her what she had to do. She closed her eyes and focused on her rage. Her pain. Her sense of betrayal. The memory of her parents' faces and the pain they brought to her heart. She reached out with her hand and touched the cold glass. "Ignis Obscuras." The black flame latched onto the mirror as Quirrell screamed. "No!" She was hurled away from the glass as Quirrell tried to dispel the flame, his turban falling to the floor.

Hazel eyed Quirrell and the face sticking out of the back of his head. He had betrayed her worse than Dumbledore. She had thought of him as a friend. A mentor. But instead she was just a pawn to him. If he didn't get what he wanted, he simply forced it out of her. He was no different than Dumbledore in that regard. She rushed to him and gripped his robes before delving deep into the pain of Quirrel's betrayal. " Ignis Obscuras ." She felt a hand strike her face and she fell to the ground. She then heard the screams. She looked up from her position on the floor and watched as the screams continued to come from the body being devoured by black flames, the wand burning up instantly. Eventually the flames covered him completely and the screams ended, charred flesh showing beneath the flickering light. She watched as the body crumpled into itself and stilled, the flames eventually dying out. Hazel stared at the pile of ash as a thought entered her mind. She had killed him. She had killed someone. She started to cry. She was a murderer. "It seems we really are very much alike, Hazel Potter." She looked up as a dark shadowy form appeared from within the ashes. "I wonder if perhaps you would be a suitable vessel. Let's give it a try, shall we?" The wraith shot towards her and entered her body. Hazel felt her mind being assailed, a massive headache overwhelming her thoughts, as a voice spoke to her in whispers, trying to force her to give in to him. She focused on her rage. "Get out!" A cold magic responded to her as rage leaked from within her heart. It touched the wraith, causing it to scream in agony.

The black faceless mist left her flesh and vanished through the opened door. Hazel dropped onto her back and cried. She brought her hands up to her face and cried louder. From the moment the letter had arrived, she had one final desperate hope. That she meant something to someone. That she wasn't really alone in the world. She had a whole world of magic that tied her to her parents. A school that they had once studied in. A House that nurtured them into the Head Boy and Head Girl of their year group in seven years. Instead what she found was a hat that didn't know where to place her, a House that hated her very existence, a whole school's worth of staff that looked down on her and ignored her when she asked for help. She was alone. The one person she had trusted had betrayed her and she had felt so angry. Now that person was dead and the man responsible for her life fled as a spirit. So she cried. She cried because in one whole year of being in the school she found nothing that gave her meaning. Nothing that called to her other than a Cloak that hid her from the eyes of the world. In one year, she didn't find anything to make her want to live in this world. Only a reason to kill. She was a killer now. So Hazel cried. She cried because she knew the truth. There was no going back. At eleven bloody years of age she had stopped being a child. She was now a murderer. She had no idea what she was supposed to do with herself now.

-∞-

NW June 1992

Hazel, looking like Harry Potter, was manhandled by this world's Professor Quirrell before the Mirror and Hazel blinked. Well, that was unexpected. "Tell me, boy. What do you see? Do you see the stone?" Hazel wanted to laugh. Because the Mirror wasn't showing her anything. It was black. Pitch black. Rather than spending time with Quirrell explaining anything about what a black Mirror meant, she focused instead on her memory of the night she first ran into it in her world and brought that image to her mind. "I see my parents. They are smiling at me. Calling me to them." Quirrell shook her by the neck. "Focus! Focus on the Stone!" Hazel closed her eyes and focused on the stupid stone, if only to shut him up. In her world it had been devoured along with the Mirror by her first casting of black flames. Her version of Dumbledore had been exceedingly disappointed in her even as he concealed the death of Quirrell from the school and the country. She had honestly not cared for a damn thing he said to her back then, even as he claimed that she might have doomed two people to their deaths after killing another. Hazel was certain she had been in shock at that moment but Dumbledore clearly didn't care. Her return to Privet Drive hadn't led to any great changes for her either. She had just wallowed in depression while Vernon kept her and Hedwig locked in her room. At least her owl didn't have a problem. Wandless unlocking spells were dead useful.

After focusing on the rock, Hazel opened her eyes and saw a reflection on the mirror. Odd, as it showed her as she had been at eleven years of age and not as Harry. She saw a smile she knew she never carried back then and watched as she padded her pocket. A pocket that instantly grew heavy. Neat. She turned to Quirrell. "It won't let me pull the stone out." A disembodied voice spoke out. "Let me speak to him." As Quirrell started unwrapping his turban, Hazel looked over his shoulder at the slight shimmer in the room. "Anytime now." A wand appeared from between the seams of the Invisibility Cloak and a cyan curse struck Quirrell in the back. Hazel opened her mouth to say something but she was silenced as soon she got a face full of ash, as the professor disintegrated into dust as soon as the curse struck him. She heard a familiar scream as the wraith launched itself at her but the sudden flooding of her magic through her body caused it to flee in agony. Hazel slowly opened her eyes and saw a very apologetic Dora, the Cloak slightly pulled open. "Sorry?" Feeling a great many emotions at the moment, Hazel simply turned towards the Mirror and silently casted her black cursed flames spell at it. She kept her mouth shut as they sealed the third Floor Corridor and dispelled the magic on the kids before they exited the Hogwarts wards and apparated away from underneath Honeydukes.

With both of them back at the DoM Operations Medical Wing, Andromeda took a few samples of the ash still covering Hazel's body while Dora looked at her partner, still a bit squeamish. Croaker had an intrigued look on his face as he examined Hazel's state, his hand rubbing his chin in thought. "Interesting. The Unicorn Blood must have deteriorated his body to the point magic alone sustained it. The Killing Curse ended that protection and he just turned into ash on the spot." Hazel felt one of her eyes twitch, her voice coming out with some bitterness. "Fascinating. How about you and your eggheads make that deduction as a prediction next time? That way I don't end up with human ashes in my mouth." Dora turned green and even Andromeda shivered at the thought. Croaker hid his face behind his papers. "The Desk Clerk in reception noted that Dumbledore left the Ministry a few minutes ago. We did get a message from Neville stating he had been petrified by Miss Granger in their successful attempt to leave the Gryffindor Dorms, despite his best effort at dissuading them. A Gryffindor Prefect released him from the spell's effects. Both Susan and Neville have been informed to send us any further information but we did inform them that their fellow students are safe and the danger has passed."

Andromeda finished taking samples. "We have a decontamination shower here. Go use it. Nymphadora can fetch you some clothes from your apartment and let Teddy know you're ok." Dora shot out of the Medical Wing quickly as Hazel got into the decontamination shower, stripped her clothes off and shifted back to her normal form. Said clothes were promptly incinerated wandlessly. Almost an hour later she finally stepped out of the shower wearing a black shirt and a set of jeans. "I think I'm going to be showering and brushing my teeth longer for a month." She eyed Dora, who looked at her with guilt, and sighed. "Quit looking at me like that. I gave the order and you did your job. How are you feeling? I know you weren't too fond of casting that spell again so soon." Dora shrugged. "Not bad. Seeing the wraith come out from the ash pile and try to possess you made any reservations of mine feel stupid in the moment. I am just glad you are ok." Hazel turned to Croaker. "Anything else we need to do for today or can I go be with my son?" Horatio, who was standing beside his boss, shook his head. "You two are cleared for tonight but we will have you remain on standby over the next few days, in case something unpredictable happens." Hazel nodded and she and Dora left the Medical Wing. The nastiness of the ash she got covered in vanished when her kid hugged her as soon as she opened the door. She was home.

-∞-

"Madam Bones? What can we be doing for ye today?" Amelia smiled at Hagrid. "DMLE Business I am afraid, Hagrid. We got word out of Hogsmeade a Professor went missing here last night. We are here to investigate and find out why we had to hear it from a concerned citizen who watched the Castle light up late in the evening. Open the gate." Hagrid nodded at her and unlocked the gate for her and Moody as well as two other Aurors. "Alastor." Moody grunted. "Hagrid. What's this about Fluffy being inside the school proper?" Hagrid looked sheepish. "Dumbledore asked fer him. Got his own room and everything." Amelia eyed Hagrid as they made their way up the path. "What would Dumbledore need of a Cerberus in the school for?" Hagrid looked between them. "Dumbledore asked me not to say anything about it." Amelia sighed. "This is likely to become a criminal investigation, Hagrid. Dumbledore's request won't be accepted as an excuse for you or anyone not to answer." The Half Giant grew pensive at her words and nodded. "Fluffy was placed there to guard the Stone from Nicholas' Vault. We got it out of Gringotts just in time too."

The Aurors reached the Main Doors and they entered the Castle as Amelia looked to Hagrid, stopping at the area in front of the Great Hall. "And where exactly did Dumbledore hide a valuable and dangerous artefact in a school of children, especially if he knew someone was after it?" Hagrid looked between the two and sighed. "Third Floor Corridor on the right hand side. Fluffy is right in the door." Amelia pinched her nose before she turned to her Aurors, gesturing to two of them. "You two, escort Hagrid up there and remove the Cerberus carefully with him. Hagrid, take that pet of yours to where you would normally keep him outside of the Castle. If Dumbledore illegally stored an artefact here then we need to investigate this area of his in case the Professor disappeared because of it." Hagrid nodded and left with the Aurors just as two more people came up to the group. Amelia was already feeling a headache building up as she eyed the approaching Headmaster and his Deputy. "Care to tell me why you failed to report a missing person to the DMLE, Albus?" Dumbledore waved his hand dismissively. "We aren't even sure if he is missing, Amelia." Amelia growled. "And if the person were a student? What then, Headmaster? This is a school full of children, meaning anything going wrong could be dangerous to everyone. If your Professor is missing then we must make sure no student goes missing either."

McGonagall looked properly mortified and Albus simply looked resigned. "Still, to investigate a section of the school we have sectioned off…" Alastor tapped his cane on the ground, drawing the attention of the Professors. "Is the most logical step. Clearly you closed it for how dangerous the contents were. Why wouldn't your missing Professor be there, then? Serious Albus, did you have some Befuddlement Potion this morning?" Albus grew quiet after that as the group of people walked up the stairs and entered the now empty chamber. Some conjured stairs made entry past the trap door easier for Amelia and Alastor, while the rest of her Aurors kept guard over the entrance. Amelia looked at the charred remains at the bottom of the trap door. "What was here?" Minerva spoke up. "Devil's Snare provided to us by Pomona." Amelia eyed Minerva, her eye twitching. "Underneath a Cerberus. That's two magical threats that an eleven year old could easily die to, one right after the other." Albus blustered. "Now, Amelia, no child…" Amelia glared back at him. "Albus, I am going to ask you not to speak too much out of term. I am already furious as my own niece could have been down here in danger by a stupid dare or a flight of fancy. If something had happened to her, I would have greeted you with curses, not words. Now, what else do we have here?" Minerva showed her to the Flying Key Room, though the keys were all in a pile on the floor, rendered inert. Amelia looked around the chess set in the next room, all the pieces still turned into slabs.

"Minerva, so far you have shown me traps that a seriously determined person could easily disable. Someone clearly did. Or am I to assume you all disable these in your search for the missing Professor?" Minerva shook her head. "I have not been here since I installed the chessboard." She eyed what was left of it. "Clearly my contribution wasn't as effective as I had hoped." Amelia spotted the broken slabs at the side of the room, as did Alastor, but kept quiet about them. They walked past the dead Troll and arrived at an empty chamber with potion bottles sitting on a table. She looked around. "Was there a trap here?" Albus looked speechless as Minerva looked around. "There was. Professor Snape designed it. May I?" Amelia saw her pull her wand and nodded. Minerva casted spells over the ground and frowned. "I believe someone transfigured the floor over the trap. It was supposed to be cursed flames that could not be extinguished or frozen by any means." Alastor's eye peered through the ground and grunted. "They are still there, just covered over by the stone floor of the Castle, which has its own degree of magical resistance. Your infiltrator was not amused by this trap." They entered the last chamber and saw the melted Mirror. Alastor drew his wand and got to work scanning it for magical traces. "This ain't your typical Mirror. Albus…" Dumbledore sighed. "It was the Mirror of Erised."

Amelia eyed him. "And you stored a dangerous cursed artefact here because?" Looking between the two Aurors Dumbledore saw no point in lying. What was done was done. "Nicholas' Philosopher Stone was no longer safe at Gringotts. I stored it in the Mirror with an enchantment to prevent a thief from taking it." Alastor kept scanning the slag of metal and melted glass. "Can't say if it's in here or not. Either it was destroyed with the mirror or the thief somehow took it before destroying the evidence." Albus nodded sadly. "I sincerely hope it's the former. The stone in the wrong hands is a grave concern. I will have to notify Nicholas and Perenelle over it." Alastor moved to the pile of ash next to the Mirror and casted diagnostics on it. His eye rotated in his socket and latched onto Dumbledore. "Albus, you might want to call off your search. This is a pile of human ash. Someone got roasted with the Mirror." Amelia looked at the two Professors. "Anyone else missing within the Castle or from Hogsmeade?" They shook their heads. "Any witnesses?" Albus shook his head again but Minerva looked unsure. "Three of my students were found in a classroom nearby, asleep. They had come here believing the stone was in danger. Someone or something impeded them and left them behind, unharmed." Albus looked at Minerva with surprise. "Now, I don't believe it's fair to involve them in this investigation."

Seeing a bit of the split between the two, Amelia pressed on. "But I do. As their Head of House you will be present, Minerva, to ensure their rights aren't ignored. Alastor, I will leave you to these chambers." The only thing she got from her mentor was a grunt. Dumbledore tried to slow Amelia down as she and an escorting Auror went up to Gryffindor Tower. "Now Amelia, I must protest. These students…" Amelia glared at him. "Were at the very least assaulted in your school. I find your protests far more worrisome. You will remain out of the interviews or I will charge you with obstruction of an official investigation, one into the disappearance and likely death of your Defence Professor and the assault of three students. The Board won't look kindly to these charges, Dumbledore." Albus was left outside the Gryffindor Common Room with the Auror as Amelia entered the Gryffindor Common Room. Amelia interviewed both Miss Granger and Mister Weasley first separately within McGonagall's office before interviewing Harry. She sat down on Minerva's desk and looked at the young man. He was a shoe in for a young James, though his eyes showed a restraint that his father lacked. He was also quite similar to Hazel in some ways, though she looked closer to Lily and the harshness of her left had left a mark in her posture and presence. "Now Mr. Potter, your Professor here tells me you felt someone was threatening the Philosopher's Stone?"

Harry nodded softly, his hands on his lap. "Yes, ma'am. I told Professor McGonagall but she said it was perfectly safe." Minerva shrunk away under Amelia's glare before she looked back at the boy. "Clearly you felt different. According to the others, Miss Granger petrified a fellow student and the three of you broke curfew in an attempt to safeguard it. Then what happened?" Harry fidgeted uncomfortably in his seat. "We just reached the door of the Third Floor Corridor when I saw a bright red flash. That's all." Amelia nodded. "That's consistent with a stunner. Then what?" Harry looked at her and shrugged his shoulders. "We were woken up by a Prefect in a classroom with pillows and blankets around us. The Castle was awake and looking for Professor Quirrell by them. Was he the person going after the stone? We thought it was Professor Snape." Amelia watched the dicta quill record his words. "We are unsure. Everything is still a mystery. Severus Snape is seemingly accounted for and Quirrell is not. I find it interesting that your assailant took great care in your comfort." Harry had a fond smile on his face. "I think it was my guardian angel." Amelia blinked at his remark. "Explain." Harry looked at her, his smile never leaving his face. "Ever since I came here, I felt like someone has been watching over me. Protecting me. I had a bad feeling yesterday about leaving Gryffindor Tower but it felt like we were doing the right thing. Someone must have stopped us, for our sake." Amelia had stopped the dicta quil before it wrote about Harry's guardian angel. She didn't want Dumbledore hearing about that. "Then it seems you were fortunate. Do try not to tempt fate again, as Guardian Angels, whatever form they take, can't be there all the time. You are free to go, Mister Potter."

Amelia watched the boy leave and asked Minerva to sit down. "Your dismissal might have cost him his life, as well as the lives of the other two." Minerva slumped in the chair. "I realize that now." Amelia tapped her quill on the table. "I have been speaking to a former Gryffindor quite a bit lately. It has been quite insightful in many ways. It might surprise you to hear that they actually hated their house. And you." Minerva looked up at that. "I don't recall anyone like that. None of my students have expressed any such concerns to me." Amelia nodded in agreement. "They learned to hide their displeasure, as well as their feelings. Their greatest complaint concerning you, Minerva, was that you acted as a Deputy Headmistress all the time. Never as the Head of their Hogwarts House. Whenever an issue came up requiring a gentler touch, a person to step in for a parent, or for their Head of House to take them seriously, they never found the person assigned to them to be of any help at all. Sound familiar?" Minerva paled and she lowered her face. "I…" Amelia pulled all her paper into her bag and stood up. "I won't say that you ought to change how you do things, Minerva, but do know that you are failing a quarter of the school. You are failing the students that need you the most and the ones you made your greatest commitment too. You almost failed Mr. Potter just last night, in a potentially fatal issue. What of the next six years? Think about that before you decide what to do with yourself." Amelia and her Aurors left the Castle soon after, with both Dumbledore and McGonagall left in deep thought on what was to come.

Chapter 16: What Was Hidden is Often Found

Chapter Text

"Wow. When you said the man was like a walrus or a whale you weren't kidding." Dora heard a pleased hum from the other side of the car and sighed. "Hazel, stop stroking your wand. We are not killing them." Hazel pouted, storing her wand away. "It would be so easy. A sliced brake line, sabotaged emergency brake, a busted accelerator set to go faster and faster. The moment he picks up speed, he is pretty much gone. No magical trace or anything. No one would ever know." Dora whacked her partner on the shoulder. The times she got so bloodthirsty were few and far, but Dora still had to nip them before Hazel went for it. "They die, Harry goes to the Malfoys." Hazel nodded. "Sure, but only if they are alive by then." Dora rubbed her face. "How does Teddy get you to behave?" Hazel blinked and glared at Dora. "Not with logic." Dora reached over and held Hazel's hand. "Then please, let the lot of the Dursleys go. The plan will work. Trust it. Harry will be safe." Hazel eyed Dora and did her best to bury her own feelings. Her hate for her relatives never did get a resolution in her world. Dumbledore and the Order protected them till the end. She took a deep breath. "Fine, but if I find they went and brutalised the boy, I am apparating straight into that car and ending them."

Dora, seeing that was the best she was going to get, nodded. "Deal." The two sat back as the Dursleys, all three of them, got into their car and took off. Hazel eyed her wristwatch. "They will be out for a bit. Traffic and the Hogwarts Express will keep them out for a few hours. Keep an eye on the cats walking around. Pretty sure they are kneezels. Dumbledore has someone watching the house. Full stealth set of spells and wait for me to give the signal. I need to see if I can co-op the wards." Hazel watched her partner nod and they both got out of their car. A notice-me-not followed by Disillusionment, scent masking and silencing charms and the two walked up to Number 4 Privet Drive. Hazel strafed the outer edges of the wardline, her hand stretched out and interacting with it. A smile grew on her face, even if no one could see it. "Oh Dumbledore, you really should have used runebased wards." Hazel shook her head. While she could bypass said wards, she often needed the blood of the person controlling them. Had Dumbledore done that here, he might have gotten away with it. Charm based wards, casted via a wand, were inherently more fragile and easy to manipulate. Something Hazel learned to do as she casted them over and over again over the years. Practice does make perfect and she had a long time to spot a lot of vulnerabilities in her work.

Hazel tried to feel if Dumbledore had established any other wards. She found a life monitor, fire suppression, and even a magical transportation detection ward. She blinked as she traced an odd ward just as she found the blood ward that Lily Evans-Potter casted. This one was different. It felt slimy. She frowned. It felt like Snape's magic. Something clicked in her mind. A Dark Mark repulsion ward, using Severus Snape's Dark Mark as the sample. Interesting. She closed her eyes and summoned a rock to her hands. Had she been any good at Arithmancy and Spell Creation, she might have been able to duplicate it later. She did, however, know how to copy the ward, or more precisely, carve a chunk out of it. She pulled on it and attached it to the stone until the rock felt heavy with magic. She disconnected the rock from the ward and found a sliver of it remained. She pocketed it for later. Feeling the other wards, Hazel noticed that Dumbledore used the Blood Ward as the anchor for the others. Bastard weakened a fragile ward even further without realizing it. It did give her the opening she needed, so she didn't complain. Much. She pulled the blood ward onto her skin and felt it latch onto her magic.

Suffusing the ward with her magic, Hazel was able to do what any Head of House could if a Blood Ward was created by a family member: she took control of it. Making sure that Dumbledore retained some feedback, she warped the magical recognition aspect of it and added her Peverell magic to it. It would guarantee Teddy and her safe entry. Since Dora still had a trace of her magic in her, she would be safe to enter too, for now. She pulled her magic back from the wards, allowing the Blood Ward to linger. "It's safe. Make for the backdoor." Hazel waited by the fence until she felt it move as Dora clambered over it. She followed suit. Hazel scanned the house but found no other means of observation. Both Dora and Hazel dispelled their stealth magic, leaving only the notice-me-not charm. Hazel went straight for the cupboard and unlocked it. She heard Dora suck in a breath. "I take back what I said. At the first sign of them hurting Harry, kill them. Bloody hell." Hazel nodded, not daring to speak. Because everything had ceased to exist for her.

The cupboard under the stairs looked just like hers, except for the crayon written note on the wall calling the place Harry's Room. Hazel pulled out a Wizarding Camera and started documenting everything. Once she was sure they got everything, she lifted up the blanket. She felt a mix of feelings. There were blood marks on the bare mattress but they were few in number. At least compared to hers. Dora growled beside her as they took more pictures. Finding everything they were going to get, they closed the cupboard. "The second set of letters supposedly showed a slightly different address. Smallest bedroom on the second floor." Dora nodded and went up the stairs first. A long string of expletives preceded Hazel as she followed her up. She eyed the door and knelt down, running her fingers through the fine dust on the floor. "The sawdust is still fresh. They were getting ready to welcome him home." Hazel felt Dora's magic leaking out. "I am tempted to kill them myself. This isn't a kid's bedroom, it's a prison cell." Hazel couldn't disagree. Seven locks on the outside of the door and a cat flap for food on the door didn't bode well.

A series of photographs later, they opened the door to the room. Hazel ran her hand over the bed, noting how rough it was. The dresser was clearly old and beaten down, as was the desk. The chair looked like the legs had been replaced. Once they were done with photographing the bedroom, Hazel led Dora to the Master bedroom. An unlocking spell later and they went through all the Dursleys financial documents, duplicating everything. Hazel froze over a bank statement. "Dora, does your Dad keep a bank account with Gringotts' Muggle front?" Dora came up beside her and looked at the paper. "He does. Londinium First Bank. That's Gringotts alright." Hazel duplicated the bank statement. They stored everything back into the safe and locked back up before replacing the painting on the wall. "Guess that's all." Hazel was about to agree as they walked down the hallway to the stairs when the attic hatch caught her eye. "Wait." Dora stopped. "Did we miss something?" Hazel shook her head as memories flooded her mind. She remembered being forced to clean the attic. An attic that held a very particular item. Lowering the ladder she went up. Under the light of a lumos she scanned the cramped space until she saw a ghost of her past. L.E. The initials were carved into the trunk with great care. She felt her body shaking as the memory became clearer and clearer. She heard Dora's voice call out her name after her knees hit the ground before her head followed suit.

-∞-

OW July 1992

"Stop! Please stop!" Vernon growled as he pushed her away and Petunia bound her arms behind her back. Her Aunt's voice made her heart break further. "I knew I should have burned that the moment I got it from my parents. Wouldn't have been proper after they died. Doing it now seems right." Hazel fought her, reaching out to kick her. Her Aunt lifted her up and slammed her face into the grass. She felt pain on her nose and tasted blood in her mouth. The thought of burning them alive like Quirrell came to her mind but her hands couldn't reach them. Even if she did, she was sure Dumbledore would find a worse place for her. She was trapped. Her eyes flooded with tears as she screamed, "Stop! Please Uncle Vernon! That's all I have of Mom! Please! Stop!" Veron threw the empty bottle of lighter fluid away. "I am already tolerating your freaky stench, girl! I won't have you keep another trunk full of your people's freakishness in my house. I told you to stay in your room but you didn't listen. This is all on you."

Hazel screamed until she felt a shoe covered foot slam into her jaw. She was sure she felt a tooth break. She stared as Vernon threw a lit match onto the trunk and watched it catch on fire. She sobbed. At school all anyone ever talked about was her parents and how much of a disappointment she was to them. The moment her Aunt had sent her off to the Attic, she had still been feeling off about what happened with Quirrell. Finding her mother's school trunk, seeing the pictures inside and the handwritten notes, had made her feel better. She had almost gotten caught when her Aunt called her back down that first day. Not wanting to lose the trunk and not being able to safely bring it down the stairs, she had taken to sneaking out of her prison cell every night. She had eventually been caught coming down the ladder. The moment she saw her Aunt drop the trunk down from the Attic, she knew her brief moment of happiness had ended. She had hoped to convince Vernon to just let her keep it in her room. Instead he brought it to the backyard.

She felt her heart breaking again. Inside of the trunk had been her mother's journal of Hogwarts. She had been reading it every night, feeling a part of her growing closer to her Mom for the first time since August. She had wanted to bring it to her room and store it on her own but Vernon had hidden her trunk somewhere, saying she would get it back for when she went to buy her school supplies and no sooner. She hadn't found it yet. So she kept the journal in the Trunk. As the leather outside began to peel off, she knew she just lost her last connection to her mom. She had been a Muggleborn witch. There was no way she had anything else. Everything from her later years had probably been destroyed after Voldemort attacked their home. Hazel sobbed. Why? Everytime she found something to tie her to her parents, it was stripped away. What deity did she cross to be denied what every other child takes for granted? She felt her Aunt let her go and then heard the backyard door slam closed. The deadbolt lock soon followed, locking her outside for that night. The garden hose stopped the flames but it was too late. Everything inside the trunk had been ruined.

The neighborhood was a buzz the next day and somehow her relatives got everyone to believe she had set the fire herself, screaming lies to earn everyone's sympathies. How easy it was for everyone to think the worst of an orphaned girl and not of the people caring for her. She ordered Hedwig the next night to fly back to Hogwarts as she wasn't safe there. The owl didn't listen to her and stayed in the trees nearby. She would call to Hazel on the nights from the neighbor's roof, the iron bars Vernon screwed into her window the night after the fire preventing her from returning to Hazel's side. Hazel spent many a night considering what to do. Her hand held the familiar black flame as she stared into it, her eyes empty of all emotion. She had tried lighting herself on fire. Back at Hogwarts she would learn why that had failed. The flame consumed magic but not the one who conjured it. It was warm to the touch but that was it. She had considered burning the house to the ground but Dumbledore had warned her about the wards on the place. Even if she did it, the old man would just arrive and put it out. So she waited. When she returned to Hogwarts she would find more ways to protect herself. If the means of protection happened to inflict harm on her relatives, all the better.

-∞-

NW June 1992

"Hazel!" Dora shook her partner's shoulder, speaking her name. She eventually felt her move. Her breath caught in her throat when Hazel's eyes focused on her. Her friend's eyes stared at her, hollow of all emotion. They slowly grew warmer until she gave Dora a weak smile. "Sorry. Lost my head for a moment. By the way, your eyes are much prettier in your original purple. Not judging, just making an honest statement." Dora pulled back and sighed, her hair shifting from yellow to pink. "I'll take it under advisem*nt. What happened?" Hazel shook her head. "My life and Harry's… are very much alike. Pretty sure I got it worse and I am going to try and make sure it stays that way. Think you can lower that trunk down? Pretty sure it's his mom's." Dora popped her head into the attic hatch and saw the trunk. They brought it into Harry's closet and Hazel got to work warding it to the extreme. Nothing short of Fiendfyre would destroy it and only Harry could move it or open it, or anyone else with Peverell Blood in their veins. She felt bad for excluding Lily's blood, but both Petunia and Dudley would have been able to open it. She added some of Dora's too, so she could lift it as well. Before she left, Hazel pulled out a wrapped gift from her extended pocket and placed it inside the trunk. A bit early for his birthday but getting the book on Creatures to him was important in the coming years.

The two made it back to the car and Hazel started the engine. "Still floors me you, of all people, know how to drive." Hazel shrugged. "I had to hide with Teddy as a babe in a muggle neighborhood for a while. No magical travel, no tracing. Only left after Teddy's Grandmother died. Her last known address was ours so our safehouse got outed." Dora winced and eyed her partner. Hazel kept her eyes on the road. "I am not breaking again, Dora." Dora frowned, worried about her. "You sure you don't want to see a Mind Healer? Mom could do it. Maybe a muggle psychologist?" Hazel gave out a long sigh. "Mind Healers are a lost cause for me, Dora. The moment I have an episode, the defence I casted with Blood Magic triggers. It's designed to cut down anyone in my mind. I don't have control of it when my mind is occupied elsewhere. It's a defence designed to guard secrets to the bitter end. As for a psychologist, I actually tried. Went to one for a whole year before I had to Obliviate them. Some doctors don't take kindly to finding out their patients are serial killers." Dora sighed. "Is there anything you can do to stop them? These episodes?" Hazel hummed, her finger tapping the steering wheel. "Only advice I got was to live outside of the memories. When my mind is busy elsewhere, it buries my issues. For the most part."

Dora leaned her head onto Hazel's shoulder. "If you need someone to talk to, I am here. I have your back. Always." Hazel fought the desire to close her eyes and lean onto Dora's head. She also buried another desire. "Thank you. Now let's return this rental, apparate to London and finish this before you tempt me to do some less work related activities." Dora grinned. "You sure?" I've never done it in a car before? You?" Hazel shivered at the sultry tone of Dora's words. "Nymphadora, our first time won't be in a car. It won't be in an alley or in a shower. It will be in a bed where I can hear you scream all night long and taste every inch of your body. I won't be satisfied until you are in need of healing spells to even walk straight. Got it?" Dora shivered in delight as Hazel's words painted a very tantalizing image. "I am going to hold you to that." The two reached the car rental place and dropped the vehicle off before apparating away. Hazel's mind would linger on the trunk she left for Harry. She had resisted opening the Journal inside of it. Instead she found a loose bit of parchment and wrote on it, telling Harry about what the trunk meant to him. She signed it as always, making sure he understood he wasn't alone. Not anymore.

-∞-

"Mr. Vernon Dursley?" The large man turned and Dora gave him the most stoic look she could muster, especially after seeing what the bastard had done to Harry. Her mother may have been disowned but she made sure Dora knew what it meant to be a Black. The real meaning for Toujours Pur wasn't about blood, it was about purity as a family. To always be a Black, no matter what. A Black always cared for their family. Andromeda made sure she understood that. Harry was family and Dora did everything she could to restrain her need to slug the man, let alone curse him. The man looked at her and smiled. "What can I do for you, sir?" Dora wanted to throw up. She had worn a typical lawyer's attire for this, looking like a redhead version of her dad a bit. She pulled off her hat. "I have a business proposal for you. A lucrative one, but it comes with certain conditions. You understand, of course." Vernon nodded and looked around the Train Terminal at King's Cross. The Hogwarts Express would arrive within half an hour. He motioned for an open table at the cafe and they sat down. "What kind of business brings a man like you looking for me here?"

Dora opened her briefcase and pulled out a stack of papers. "The legal kind. You see, my client has recently taken over legal representation of a relative of theirs. One Harry James Potter?" The rotund man made to stand up but a burst of magic drove him back into his seat. He was lucky it was Horatio and not Hazel or Andromeda. Hazel had made it clear she would drop Vernon with a petrification spell onto the tracks prior to a train running him over. Croaker wisely pulled her off the mission and sent Horatio in his Unspeakable gear out with Dora instead, after verifying Dora wouldn't kill the man. After Surrey, it was a harder promise to make. Dora stared at the man she now knew was a child abuser. "Let me be clear, Mr Dursley. This is a courtesy. My client isn't above leaving your wife a widow or your son an orphan. We have reason to believe Harry Potter has suffered malnourishment, neglect and physical abuse under your care . The legal situation around the boy's custody is a mess my client isn't exactly capable of cleaning up at this moment. Instead, much to our displeasure, we are willing to negotiate a deal that should help ease my clients violent tendencies." Dora pulled out a contract and dropped it in front of Vernon.

"That is a binding Contract. The boy will be recognized as your charge, under several conditions, in exchange for a sum of money paid to your bank account every month until the boy is no longer under your care. As the boy is spending 10 months of the year at a boarding school, we have found a work around that was acceptable. During the two months he is with you, my client will double what you are receiving from Harry's Trust Account already." Vernon blinked, "And the rest of the year?" Dora stared at him. "Half of the amount. This money isn't free, though. You and your family are required to allow him a full meal three times a day of his choice, you are barred from any physical, verbal or emotional attacks on his person, his family or his property. You aren't allowed to impede his education, means of communications in any form or prevent him from leaving his room or the house." Vernon looked furious. "And if I refuse?" Dora pulled the paper back. "You will be charged with the aforementioned crimes against Harry Potter, along with embezzlement of a child's welfare payments. You will be arrested, your wife charged with aiding and abetting your crimes and your son will be placed at the mercy of Child Services."

Vernon growled. "My sister…" Dora cut him off. "Ah, yes. Marge Dursley. She will be charged with the use of a dog to inflict bodily harm on a minor and you and your wife will be charged with aiding and abetting her. Almost forgot about that. You are also forgetting one thing, Mr. Dursley." A wand tapped the man's face and he visibly paled at the sight of it. "My client doesn't have to follow the rules. A house fire is quite a common thing, as are devastating traffic accidents. Who knows, you might even fall down the stairs in your home, breaking your neck. A fitting end for a man who locks a child in a cupboard under the stairs for ten years of his life, wouldn't you say?" Vernon looked ill, realizing that the person in front of him wasn't bluffing. They knew too much. Still… "Dumbledore…" Dora snapped her fingers. "I knew I forgot something else. Any attempts by any member of the Dursley family in its entirety to bypass the agreement, inform a third party of the agreement, attempt to maneuver a third party to discover the existence of the agreement in any way, renegotiate the agreement using a third party or attempt to break the agreement via a third party will be regarded as an instant breach of contract. Mr Potter will be retrieved, you will be charged and your safety will no longer be guaranteed. This includes contacting the police, Albus Dumbledore or God himself. Are we clear? If not you can stand up and walk, but I won't guarantee you won't slip and fall onto the tracks."

Dora watched as the man clearly tried to find any loopholes he could exploit. The document had been made by her father and the entire staff of the DoM Legal Division. They had all been happy to write an ironclad binding contract when it was announced the person was a possible child abuser. Eventually Vernon took the enchanted fountain pen and signed, causing the document to magically bind him. "Congratulations, Mr. Dursley, you get to live a bit longer. My client expects you to remove the locks on Mister Potter's door by tomorrow. We will be instantly notified if any breach occurs. Might want to speak to your wife and especially your son. Word is he is quite fond of verbal and emotional attacks against Mr. Potter. Wouldn't want him to unknowingly break the contract, now would you?" Vernon started to sweat. "No, of course not. I will get to that right away." He stood up and made to leave before Dora spoke to him one last time. "And Mr. Dursley. Please remember. We are always watching. You got away with harming our flesh and blood for ten years. That will never again be tolerated. Remember that." Vernon nodded and ran off as fast as his legs carried him to speak to his wife and son in the parking lot.

Horatio, no longer disillusioned but hidden by a notice-me-not charm appeared beside Dora. "Well, that should curve Hazel's murderous intent a bit." Dora nodded and looked at him. "Should I go and see Harry? Tell him about the changes?" Horatio shook his head. "The incidents around Mr. Potter at Hogwarts have concerned the Headmaster. He seems to have stationed a watch on the boy at the Platform." Dora sighed. "Then how will he know he is safe among those people?" Horatio smiled at her. "Your partner is handling it. She can approach him safely after all." Dora sighed in relief but she started to frown. "She is hurting. A lot more than I realized. She collapsed inside the house for a few minutes." Horatio hummed as they walked towards the exit of the station. "Her life wasn't easy, Tonks. Most people would have died in her place. I am pretty certain she tried ending her own life a few times." Dora turned to him, horrified. "I…" Horatio pulled her arm to move a bit faster. "You wouldn't know because she hates showing weakness. Especially now that she is a mother. Her son means almost everything to her and in a lot of ways the boy has saved her as much as she has saved him." Dora looked back in her memories and saw the devotion they had for each other. She nodded. "Then what can I do to help?" Horatio smiled at her. "Exactly what you two have been doing. Trust each other, care for each other, be there for each other. That's all anyone can do at this stage." The two found a secluded corner and apparated away.

As soon the scarlet engine pulled into the Platform, Harry Potter pulled his trunk along as he stepped off the train. He waved at his friends goodbye and on seeing Vernon he squared his shoulders and took a deep breath. As he walked among the mass of kids and parents he felt a hand touch his and squeeze him gently, pushing a paper into his hand. A woman's voice spoke into his ear, warm and comforting. "Your relatives can't harm you anymore. Be respectful and read the note in your room at home. You are not alone. You will never be alone ever again. Remember that." The hand released him as Harry closed his eyes, feeling them growing moist with tears. "Thank you." He felt a hand ruffle his hair before the presence left. He approached his Uncle, seeing him having a hard time not clenching his jaw. "Come along, boy. We will be pulling over for some drive-thru along the way home. Start thinking about what sort of Hamburger you want." Harry blinked a bit but nodded. "Thanks, Uncle Vernon." He got inside the quiet car and looked out the window as they pulled away, wondering if this might be his best summer yet.

-∞-

Hazel opened the door to Croaker's office. "If this is about our assignments today, I have already been chastised by my son, my partner and her mother about not killing and I expect Amelia to do the same when I go upstairs, so I would save it, Boss." Croaker, sitting behind his desk with a grin in his face, raised an eyebrow. "Good to know, but I called you here because someone wanted to meet you." Hazel blinked as a very old man stood up from the chair facing away from her before turning, his movements stiff even with a cane. She was sure he was ancient as his eyes, a pale blue, looked at her with curiosity and merriment, his white hair as vibrant as much of her own, matching his white clothes quite well. "Ah, so you are the young lady who retrieved one of my stones. Tell me, were you not tempted to keep it?" Hazel's mind froze at his words for a second before she smiled. "Gold and eternal life have value, but there are more important things in life. In the end even death has its value. In some ways taking death off the table is a far worse fate." The man eyed her with greater curiosity. "A wise outlook on things, my lady… ?" Hazel bowed her head. "Hazel Peverell, Mr. Flamel." The man seemed to look at her more closely. "Strange, my student still carries the wand of the eldest, yet here you are claiming the family name." Hazel was unsure how to respond. "What do you mean?"

Nicholas waved his hand. "Legends spoke that the Peverell line would end soon after the birth of the Hallows and it did. Antioch died without a child, Cadmus' line married into the Gaunts and the line of Ignotus ceded the Peverell name and house to the Potters. The legend was clear that none would carry the name Peverell until the Hallows were reunited once more. Yet here you are. I can feel the magic in you, young lady. The same magic from a certain group of Brothers." Hazel narrowed her eyes. "You are older than the stories claim then, to have met them in person." Nicholas smiled. "I am. Where are you from, young Lady Peverell?" Hazel sighed. "From a world consumed by an endless winter, the last gift humanity gave to itself." Nicholas hummed. "Curious. Most Curious. To see a Mistress of Death before me. I certainly did not expect this today." Hazel shook her head. "Sorry to say I have no mastery over death. At least no more than any other witch. What you know of the Hallows does not apply to me. The Hallows I have are not the same magically as those here already." Nicholas walked closer to her. "But is the difference from their creation, as you believe, or from your presence here? The answer might surprise you. Tell me, if I were to ask you, what would you consider my greatest treasure?"

Hazel smiled. "The love your wife has for you." Nicholas chuckled happily. "Then you are wiser than most, young Lady. To know that it isn't the possession or the people, but what is shared that truly matters most. Speaking of my wife, I need to find a nice gift for our anniversary. As pleasant as having this stone returned to us, it doesn't make a good gift." Hazel eyed the man before making a decision. She pulled her bag from around her shoulder and dug inside of it. "I have something here. A bit clichéd but it might do." She pulled two potted flowers contained in glass cylinders and wandlessly levitated them to Nicholas. He eyed them curiously until his eyes widened. One of the flower's petals was a brilliant white, the other a vibrant lavender. Hazel grinned. Curious indeed that he should recognize them. "Where?... " Hazel shrugged. "An Island in a Lake. The magic protecting it weakened enough to let me and my son in. We found refuge and an escape into this world there. It seemed a shame to let the flowers there die. We repotted as many as we could and placed them in stasis, saving them as we ourselves were saved. A flower may be an old staple, but one from the Isle of the Blessed should help keep her from killing you after missing your hundredth anniversary in a row." Nicholas laughed. "Oh, Perenelle would indeed be capable of it. This, however, is a truly special gift. One that deserves a bit in return." Hazel shook her head. "There is no need, sir."

Nicholas gave her a gentle smile. "Nothing too grand my dear. Only some words. You are the Mistress of Death, but never forget you are not Death itself. Life still clings to you, however faint it may be. Cherish it, my dear, as with all things, it must eventually end." Hazel stared at the man but eventually nodded. "Thank you, sir. I should be on my way as should you. The flowers may be a great gift but nothing is grander than a soulmate's love." Nicholas got a dreamy look in his eye. "Indeed. Remember that, young lady, for when love claims you as well." Nicholas turned to Croaker. "I should be on my way." Hazel checked her clock. She eyed the Alchemist and an old story came to mind. "As should I. Farwell, White Mage. The Blessing of the Isle ever be with you." Those blue eyes focused on her again, a bit curious as to her words. He seemed to like what he saw in her, as he seemed to grow a bit younger to her eyes. "A Blessing from the Isle indeed. Go in peace, Blessing from another world. Our paths may just cross again. Someday."

Chapter 17: Summer Days

Chapter Text

"Hazel, you're with me." Hazel followed Madam Bones out of the Auror Department. "There a problem?" Amelia looked at her and shook her head. "Not exactly, I just have a bit of a different plan for you today. Plus I needed to get you out of there. Most of the wizards and quite a few of the witches were salivating at the sight of you." Hazel looked at Amelia with surprise. "Really? I thought the white hair turned most of them off. Haven't had a person accost me since I tried out red hair." Amelia eyed her and smirked. "You would look a lot like Lily if you did. And I meant your bloody jacket. Everyone wants a custom dragonhide jacket but that's a Hit Wizard or Witch prerogative only. Yours being blackish green is a surprise to them all. Many former Slytherins would probably kill for it." Hazel hummed. "Would they be interested if they knew if it was from Salazar's Monster? Might need to warn Dora about the jacket too. Where did you send my partner anyway? She was supposed to go ahead of me this morning." Amelia grinned. "Moody called dibs. He had been eyeing her as a protégé before Horatio, so he is going to use her to get his Cadets and Aurors in shape." Hazel chuckled. "Poor Dora, even here she can't escape Mad-Eye."

Amelia threw Floo Powder into the terminal and called the address to her home before sending Hazel through. Hazel eyed the high ceilings as soon as she arrived, trying her best not to lose her footing. "Was your home formerly a church or is the family interested in indoor Quidditch?" Amelia groaned. "Please don't bring up that accursed sport. Susan has finally given up on playing it at Hogwarts. I don't need you to rekindle her interest." Hazel waved her hand. "I personally hate the sport. Took a Bludger to the chest in second year and I was just in the stands. Never went back to the pitch again." Amelia winced. "I am glad to hear that but sorry about the hit. My brother, Edgar, loved the sport. Best beater Hogwarts ever had with his twin sister as his companion. I have dreaded the day Susan decides to follow her father's footsteps. This way and welcome to Bones Manor." The two women went down a set of stairs and entered a large open space. Hazel whistled and heard an echo in return. "Nice. So, what do you need from me, Director?" Amelia looked at her, a bit unsure. "The incidents at Hogwarts have shown that the students are not as safe as we would like them to be. For now Dumbledore holds too much power politically for me to intervene directly outside of a criminal investigation. I want my niece safe and you are the most likely to show her how to stay safe."

Hazel eyed Amelia carefully, crossing her arms over her chest. "As someone who trained herself to not feel vulnerable I can understand the sentiment. The question is how far do you want me to go. I killed my first person at the age of eleven. I don't think you want me to go that far." Amelia winced. How bad did her world fail Hazel that she killed so early in life? Shaking her head Amelia walked towards Hazel. "Not that far. Stunners, shields and any tricks you know that she can protect herself or others. Nothing she can't undo either. The Abbotts have agreed to have Hannah study with Susan but they don't expect her to gain much out of it except self defence, as Hannah has no real interest in being an Auror or a Duelist. Are you in?" Hazel gave her a long sigh and pulled her hair back, causing it to shorten it to close to shoulder length. "Sure. Just know I am going to ignore the Hogwarts Curriculum. I am going to teach them spellwork that I know can be useful in a fight and that they should be able to manage at their age." Amelia nodded and moved towards the stairs. "I will go get them." Hazel eyed her as she left. "Make sure they wear clothes for ease of movement. Robes can be death traps and I want to see their footwork, not a swinging cloth."

Turning back to the empty space, Hazel drew her wand and started casting. She didn't need it but the girls wouldn't be casting wandlessly. They needed to see her wand movements, even if she cheated with most of hers. Raising and lowering the floor in several areas, Hazel crafted a pretty good obstacle course, a good balance of open air, stone walls and uneven ground and narrow openings. "Oh, wow! Auntie wasn't kidding when she said you knew your stuff." Hazel turned and saw the surprised look on the two girls. "Just a bit of Freeform Transfiguration. Depending on your skill with the subject, I might teach you both how to do it. You'll never need to learn a silly incantation for turning a beetle into a button again. Might get McGonagall mad at you but she takes things too slow for my taste." Susan giggled. "It isn't my best class. Does Teddy know? Freeform Transfiguration I mean." Hazel nodded. "With him I started with it directly. He took to it well, though I have him use it to replicate the coursework Minerva will ask of him." Hazel eyed Amelia standing in the back. "Give me a schedule when I am going to be here training these girls. I want to bring Teddy along. He's learning fast but he needs a bit of a bigger place to practice. It takes a lot to get my boss to let him practice with us at work."

Getting a nod, Hazel turned to the girls. "Let's start with the basics. Can either of you do the Stun Jinx?" The girls shook their heads. Hazel conjured two wooden training dummies behind her with a wave of her wand. "It's a point and cast spell. No wand movements. Incantation is Stupefy. Focus on an image of hitting a person and watching them crumple to the ground. That's what you want to happen. Power and intent are what you need for this. Try it." Both Hannah and Susan stood in front of the dummies and spent a few minutes casting, to no success. Hazel looked at the two girls, trying to see what emotional cue could get their emotions to aid in the casting. "Susan, your Aunt is on the ground, a Dark wizard pointing his wand at her. Feel that image, let it fuel you. Her life depends on your next spell. Cast!" Susan shivered at the image but did as Hazel told her. She took a deep breath and narrowed her vision on the target, her wand in hand. " Stupefy! " A red beam of light struck the dummy, the piece of wood falling to the floor. Hazel casted a diagnostic and nodded. "Congrats, you got it. Remember the feeling of the spell and cast it repeatedly. Eventually you wont need to think about the motivation, it just happens. Your turn Hannah. Your friend Susan is down and you are the only thing keeping her from being in the Hospital Wing or worse. Cast!"

Most of the morning was spent getting the two to practice both stunners and shields repeatedly until Hazel called a stop to the practice. She eyed the two girls. "You got your spell work down. Good. Now you need to learn how to do it right. The school teaches you to cast on a chair or on your feet. Now, you need to cast on the run." Hazel conjured several very realistic looking Death Eaters. She saw as the two girls shiver a little at the sight of the masks. "They are going to chase you. They touch you, that's it for you unless your partner knocks them off you. You both go down, the training is done. You need to stun and block and you need to move. Go!" The Death Eaters lunged forward and Susan and Hannah ran into the obstacle course. Hazel made sure the golems were slow at first, letting the girls find their footing and get a feel for the course before speeding them up. Hannah got caught a few times but Susan was always there to get her out of trouble, stunning the simulacrums quickly. Hazel did eventually notice the two getting tired and after checking her wristwatch, she vanished the course and the golems. "Good work you two. I believe it's lunch time." The growl from Hannah's stomach made the girl blush and Susan giggled, prodding her friend with her elbow.

Following the two up the stairs, Hazel walked into the dining room and sat besides Amelia as the girls dug into their meals eagerly. Amelia looked at them and smirked. "Got them to work up an appetite." Hazel took off her jacket and sat down. "Casting for 1st and 2nd year students is a lot more draining, but with enough practice it becomes second nature." Amelia ate from her plate and eyed Hazel's halter top. "May I ask why you wear so little clothing?" Hazel chuckled. "Worried about me being a bad influence on your niece?" Amelia sighed. "I was … raised a certain way. I have been more relaxed with Susan, but there are expectations on all of us." Hazel snorted. "I stopped caring about expectations a while ago. The only one whose expectation matters to me is that of my son's. As for my choice of clothes, it comes with my strengths. If you bother to study magic properly as a form of combat, loose clothing can be an issue. There are also other ways that exposed arms are helpful, including having a clear view on injuries that can sneak up on you. As for my back…" Hazel shivered, feeling an echo of her beatings at the thought. She eyed Amelia. "I was in the care of a man who made sure my back was covered in scars and blood for the first ten years of my life. When my scars vanished, the idea of hiding that part of me felt wrong. I could say I was free from that life without speaking a word. So when the weather permits or I am inside a building, I will wear this type of shirt. Because I can without feeling a lick of shame."

Amelia looked away from her. She felt a bit of shame for asking. Susan, feeling the heavy atmosphere, tried to defuse it. "Teddy said you were in Gryffindor but that you hated it. Would you really pick Hufflepuff? The other three houses at school make fun of us a lot." Hazel snorted and bit into a piece of toasted bread. "Not surprised. I went to Gryffindor because the parents I never met were from there. Didn't get much out of it other than cold shoulders and backstabbers. As for being made fun of by others, just remember this. Each House has something that the Founders valued. Even Helga. But if the story is true, Helga took in all wizards and witches equally. She didn't care about blood, ambition, intelligence or bravery. She cared about the children learning magic, no matter how long and how difficult it was for them. That should tell you that she knew something the other Founders forgot. All children are important. To not consider them worthy is an insult to Magic, Life and goes against what Hogwarts stands for. Study hard and care about your fellow students, all of them, and you might be surprised by who comes to your aid." Susan grew pensive. "Did you have a friend out of Gryffindor?" Hazel had a bitter smile on her face. "Yes. We got close in my sixth year but with the war everything fell apart. Being a Slytherin and a git didn't help matters."

The lunch ended and Hazel brought them down to the training room. She taught them the summoning and banishing spells. Both struggled with them for a while but the girls eventually learned them. Hazel had them play a pillow fight against each other until they got it down. Hazel watched as Amelia entered the room. "You are free to go for today, but tomorrow I am needed at work and Susan will be with the Abbotts. Expect a bit of guard duty out on Diagon Alley or at the Ministry. I'll let you and your partner know when you arrive at the office." Hazel nodded. "Sure. Anything to say about our training? I know you could see us. That's one nifty scrying security system you hooked up." Amelia blushed. "To be fair, it's everywhere on and in the house minus the bedrooms and bathrooms. As for your training, my only complaint was your first training exercise." Hazel turned to look at the girls and sighed, rubbing the back of her head. "Sorry about that. Not having much of a childhood doesn't give me the tools to teach children Defence all that well." Amelia looked at Hazel and nodded softly. "I can understand. Perhaps these sessions will help you out as a teacher too. Your son learned from you and you two managed to come out of everything mostly intact. You're welcome to bring him along next time." Hazel hummed. "I will ask him."

-∞-

"Humph." Dora felt a weight settle onto her back. She had to bite back a curse because, unlike at the Academy, she wasn't allowed to curse in Hazel's apartment. At least not within earshot of Teddy. Ever since the end of June, the two had been dragged onto guard missions at the Ministry and at Diagon Alley, whenever Amelia didn't sequester Hazel to train Susan. Those days, like today, ended with Dora at the Academy. She needed to find Horatio's birthday and send him a gift. He was a better instructor than Moody ever was, seeing as she had to visit the Medical Wing every time she left the Academy. One time though they were posted as guards for the Wizengamot. Amelia learned that day never to do that again with Hazel. Whenever someone Hazel hated spoke up, the person's voice would suddenly be replaced by an animal vocalization. Dumbledore was particularly irked as he kept getting his voice turned into that of a goat, which was often as the Chief Warlock. The guards and everyone else's wands were checked, to no avail. The fact no one considered a wandless caster in the room, except for those in the know, was absolutely hilarious to Dora. As was hearing Lucius Malfoy try and complain about the DMLE raids searching for dark artefacts. Said complaints turned into peaco*ck noises. Amelia had glared at Hazel afterwards but her partner didn't budge. "Be glad all I did was prank them. I was half tempted to set Dumbledore on fire."

How Hazel somehow became the perfect mother after a day like that always surprised Dora. She could go from breaking a man's nose at the Alley for trying to cast the Imperius on someone behind their back to stirring a pot of Mac and Cheese for Teddy in a second. Speaking about Teddy, Dora was pretty sure the kid was currently on her back. "What can I do for you, kid?" Teddy giggled. "Mom's birthday is at the end of July. I was wondering if you might help me celebrate it. I thought about asking Dromeda but while she is great, I think Mom would like less people around. Besides, she likes you." Dora hummed. "Just how much do you think she likes me?" Teddy shifted his position on her back. "Not telling. Besides, Mom says you aren't done with Occlumency yet." Dora lifted herself up and sat against the sofa as Teddy, off her back, slid into the seat besides hers. "Spoilsport. So, Hazel's Birthday. How does she celebrate it usually?" Teddy frowned and looked at his lap. "She doesn't. Mom almost never celebrates it. I only know it's her birthday because Grandma asked me to remember. Grandma tried to celebrate it a few times but Mom wasn't happy. Once she left and didn't return till midnight the next day."

Dora sighed and ran her hand through her now much shorter pink hair. With summer this year being quite warm, Dora decided on leaving her hair short and messy. "Aside from taking care of you, cooking or hurting bad guys, what does your Mom like to do?" Tedy thought for a second. "She reads but most of those are for work. Other than that, not much. Mom never liked sports and she only plays games for me." Dora had a hard time seeing how to find a good birthday party for Hazel. "When is her birthday exactly?" Teddy kicked his legs playfully. "July 31st." Dora nodded and rubbed Teddy's hair. "Ok, if nothing bad happens then I will get your Mom to celebrate it. It won't be flashy but it will be a birthday, ok?" Teddy shoved her hand off and straightened his hair, smiling at her. "Thanks Dora. So, Mom can't tell me anything about Hufflepuff proper. Think you can?" Dora felt a smile grow on her face. "Oh yes. First things first, the Common Room is very close to the kitchens. If you find a painting of food in the Dungeons, just tickle the pear. The Hogwarts elves are very friendly and can even prepare food for parties. We had some of the wildest parties in the castle when we beat Slytherin for the Quidditch cup. Sure it only happened one year, but it was worth it."

The two talked for close to an hour about Hufflepuff until the Apartment door opened and Hazel came in with a bag of groceries. "Teddy, I'm home." Teddy launched himself off the sofa and hugged her waist. "Welcome home, Mom." Hazel rubbed his hair and looked at Dora smiling at her. "Hello Dora. How was Moody?" Dora pouted. "Awful. Though by the time summer rolls around I should have the ability to breach buildings down to an artform. He also had us do a hostage rescue mission with me as lead hostage retrieval. It's weird but interesting running drills with over a dozen Cadets as back up. How were the kids?" Hazel placed the groceries on the table. "The usual. Susan is a ball of energy and gets the spells more instinctively. Hannah takes her time learning the spell better. They are both getting much better. Their teachers are in for a surprise. Leafsby, let me separate the ingredients for tonight before you transfer everything into the fridge." Dora smirked. Leafsby had taken to doing their apartment work with great zeal. Dora loved it but Hazel was Hazel. She got exacerbated quite a few times, especially in the kitchen. Said green eyed witch looked at her closely. "I was going to try a Bolgnese pasta with Tofu as protein. Interested? I can use regular meat too if it's not to your liking."

Dora hummed. "Regular meat." Hazel saw that Teddy nodded in agreement and she pulled out the ingredients, "Leafsby, store the tofu and soy sauce. If you want to help cook, slice the vegetables. I'll work on the meat and the spices." Dora watched as Hazel and Leafsby worked side by side in the kitchen until they were just waiting for the food to heat up. She thought about Teddy's request and how to make it so Hazel wouldn't turn tail. Maybe they didn't have to make it a spectacle. Hazel looked and felt so at home in the apartment with them. Dora would also admit that she herself enjoyed being with them both. She knew she wasn't close to being ready with her Occlumency for anything significant to change, but maybe… maybe a little more of the same. "What are you scheming?" Dora grinned at a clearly glaring Hazel. "Nothing. Just thinking. Everything else is not kid friendly." Hazel sighed and went back to the kitchen, Dora's eyes following her partner's hips. She really needed to get through her Occlumency fast.

-∞-

"Amelia." The graying redhead stood up and hugged her friend. "It's good to see you again, Julia. I am sorry we haven't gotten together since you married your husband. How's life as the Widow of the Greengrass estate?" Julia Greengrass sat down, smiling at her school friend as she brushed a blonde lock of hair from her face. They had been an odd pair as a Ravenclaw and a Hufflepuff but their grades never suffered for it. "Better than as a wife. Cassius was a lot of things, but a loving husband and father wasn't one of them. Good thing father is in the grave too. He might have tried to convince me to marry again. So, why did you ask me to visit your home today? I doubt it's just to get reacquainted." Amelia looked sad. "I do want to get reacquainted but there is a bit of politics at play. How many traditionalists are breathing down your neck right now?" Julia eyed her old friend carefully. "Too many. Daphne, goddess do I love her, but she didn't do me any favors by getting sorted into Slytherin. I am hoping Astoria goes to another house in a year's time. Even Gryffindor would be worth it. I am getting betrothal contracts from the typical Slytherin crowd and it's disgusting." Amelia nodded, knowing Julia would never force her daughter's into one. Not willingly.

"A few of my Wizengamot friends are getting a coalition together. Right now it's mostly progressives and some neutrals, but we aren't being picky as to who gets in. What we want is a united front. Better safety and academic conditions for our children, an end to extremist behaviour and to hold the Ministry accountable to its laws." Julia hummed. "Reasonable and wide enough to draw some traditionalists to your side. The question is why get it started in the first place?" Amelia drank from her cup of tea. "What have some of the Traditionalists said about You Know Who? Especially about a likely return?" Amelia watched as her friend's attitude shifted quickly. Julia cursed under her breath. "Damn it Amelia. Tell me Lucius is just spouting bullsh*t. Tell me my daughters won't have to deal with Death Eaters trying to get them to marry them the moment they graduate." Amelia sighed. "We hope it won't come to that. That's part of the reason we are organizing. My allies have notified me that there is a possible threat of Voldemort's return but they are working on diminishing his support and eliminating him early. But we can't do this alone. We need a strong Wizengamot, one capable of keeping Lucius' rhetoric out of the law books and his galleons out of the Minister's pockets. Are you interested?"

Julia glared at her. "You know I am. That peaco*ck bastard has been trying to get my youngest into a betrothal contract with his son. Astoria isn't even at school! You help me keep him and the other vultures away from both my daughters, then you can have my full support." Amelia nodded though she felt some embarrassment about the peaco*ck comment. "Let's not talk about Lucius as a peaco*ck please." Julia looked at her and smiled. "Oh, you know who humiliated Lucius, Dumbledore, Fudge and Umbridge? Do tell." Amelia glared. "I know because I thought putting the person in the room would be a good way of testing her restraint. All I got was the clear indication they will just ignore the point by finding a different way to screw with people. I spent half the Session glaring at her." Julia laughed. "O goddess, please tell me I get to meet them. They made the Session bearable to me. I know for a fact Lord Nott cracked a smile with the spells on both Dumbledore and Lucius." Amelia frowned. "Isn't Lord Nott a traditionalist and former Death Eater?" Julia drank from her tea. "He is a traditionalist but not a Death Eater. At least not exactly. Cassius said he was part of the original Knights of Walpurgis group but he never took the Dark Mark. His son, unfortunately, did. Lately he has been … quiet. I think he wants out but he isn't likely to go looking for pity."

Amelia placed her cup of tea on the table and thought about Lord Nott. "Would he be willing to join the Coalition if we went to him politely?" Julia snorted. "Maybe. He will be open to it, at least. I think he is more worried about his grandson, young Theo. The boy is in Slytherin but for the moment he is keeping his head down. It won't be long, though, when the Malfoy spawn tries to exert influence on him. Same with Daphne. Any idea who will be spearheading the Coalition?" Amelia shook her head. "Right now it's just us getting started. We want a triumvirate in charge: a progressive, a moderate and a traditionalist. That way all voices can be heard and we can try and get everyone's approval. It will weaken the Wizengamot's established blocs too." Julia hummed approvingly. "Then Nott will be a good ally to get, even if he doesn't join the Coalition officially. He can swing people away from Lucius but he can claim the high ground in that he never was part of the extremists." Amelia nodded. "Augusta and I will go to him. Right now it's us representing the core groups. He will have an idea of what we want. We might even have a negotiation on the new Dark Artefacts law, giving Nott a chance to help shape it into something we can all agree on."

Julia watched Amelia looked at a mirror for a second before standing up. "One last thing we can offer you. Or more specifically your daughters." Julia followed her down to the basem*nt and stared. She watched as Susan and Hannah trained together against a white haired witch with her back and arms exposed. A wave of a hand and a slab of stone shot up, blocking Susan's stunner. Hannah slashed her wand. " Sectumpetra ." A large gash split the stone slab in half as Susan casted towards it. " Depulso !" The slab launched towards Hazel who quickly stepped aside of it, her movements seeming to show her being as light as a feather. Susan and Hannah sat on the ground, breathing heavily. "How aren't you tired? You've been transfiguring stones the whole time! And how did you dodge that so fast!" Hazel shrugged. "Practice and a good idea about how much the stone needs to answer my intent. As for moving, a featherlight spell on my person and a depulso casted wandlessly from my offhand for propulsion. I would teach these to you too, if they weren't a bit magically taxing. Give it two years and we will see if you two are still interested. Now, good job on the teamwork between you two. Hannah, while cutting the block was a good idea as an improvised weapon, but you might want to give some thought to Transfiguration. Susan… "

Amelia watched Julia close her unhinged jaw before the blonde turned to her. "Where did you get her?!" Amelia chuckled. "Department of Mysteries. Croaker is getting into the game with You Know Who out there. He lent her to me over the summer after a particular mission left a bad taste in her and her partner's mouths. The woman has been at it for a few weeks and is already teaching them some really complicated magic. Not all are standard dueling spells but all are useful in some way. Had to stop her from teaching Susan a Siege Engine spell though. I don't need a hole through my walls. Not yet, anyways. Think Daphne might be interested? Astoria is welcome too, but please keep her away for at least a year. Hazel has no problem teaching underage kids spells they shouldn't be learning." Julia turned to look at Hazel again and smiled. "Daphne will be thrilled. She was disappointed in Quirrell as a teacher. She might just ask this Hazel of yours for every spell in her repertoire." Amelia winced. "Remind me to tell her to not share the more dangerous curses. She makes killing way too easy." Julia eyed the woman, her tongue licking her lips. "Is she a witches' witch and single?" Amelia groaned. She knew she forgot something about Julia.

-∞-

Teddy looked around feeling a bit intimidated. There were four girls looking at him with varying degrees of curiosity. "How are you so happy wanting to be a Hufflepuff? I can understand Hannah and Susan, their both airheads." An indignant "Hey!" from the two Hufflepuff's made the dark haired girl snicker at them before looking back at Teddy. "But you clearly could do better. Have you seen your Mom cast?! It's like watching a force of nature at work! You have to have some of that talent!" Teddy smiled. His Mom had come from her first training session with Daphne Greengrass looking quite sheepish. Not only did the girl want to learn everything Susan and Hannah had also learned but she wanted to be taught how to do it wandlessly. Though Teddy was sure that her Mom had been much more bothered by Julia Greengrass' advances on her. Telling the Lady Greengrass that she was in a relationship, which wasn't exactly the full truth, didn't seem to dissuade her apparently, much to Dora's amusem*nt. "Mom has taught me a bit but she says no dangerous stuff till I am at least at school. Really dangerous stuff, like curses, are supposed to wait till I am fifteen, with the worse ones after I turn seventeen. And I happen to like Hufflepuff."

Daphne sighed and looked at her little sister. "You better make it to at least Ravenclaw. I can tolerate a Ravenclaw sister. But please don't be a Badger or a Lion. I won't be able to handle all the looks the Slytherins will send my way. Even Tracey will start poking fun at me just to get a reaction." Astoria gave her a knowing smile. "Not my fault you went with the whole Ice Queen idea. You should have thought about all the things that could go wrong with keeping an impassive persona up all the time before you did it. Besides, what's wrong with Gryffindor? Neville here is one of them." The girls turned to the boy in question who just shrunk into himself. Daphne snorted. "Please. No offense intended, but Neville isn't your typical Gryffindor." Neville nodded. "It's fine. I know I am not. The Hat wanted me in Hufflepuff at first too." Daphne blinked for a second before she paled. "I am surrounded by Hufflepuffs. How did this happen?" Astoria giggled, "You wanted to learn Magic from a powerful witch that works for Amelia." Daphne glared at Astoria. "Traitor."

The young blonde giggled but looked at Teddy. "Your Mom looks a bit bothered by our Mom's attention." Teddy looked to the adult table and had to agree. His Mom looked as if she wanted out of the table. Fast. Julia Greengrass kept making advances at her and Amelia just looked exacerbated while Augusta was just amused. Teddy giggled. "Mom doesn't like to be around people a lot. Your mom has her very confused. Especially since she knows mom could hurt her. She never met a witch who isn't scared of her like that. Except Dora." Daphne at one of the sandwiches on the table. "That's the woman that she won't cheat on?" Teddy nodded. "They're not together because Mom refuses to get in a relationship without the other person knowing her fully. She's waiting for Dora to finish her Occlumency training." Daphne hummed. "Sounds like a Badger to me." Teddy smiled and pumped his fist. "Yes!" Daphne pouted. "It wasn't supposed to be a compliment." Hannah and Susan giggled, while Astoria smirked. "Sorry sis. You're outnumbered here."

Daphne gave Astoria a mock glare before turning to Neville. "So, how is having Harry Potter as a dorm mate? Draco has been saying a lot of unpleasant things about him." Neville smiled. "He's ok. He's really shy and quiet but he isn't afraid to stick up to people. Though he is bothered by everyone calling him the Boy Who Lived. Especially Ron." Daphne shuddered and turned to Astoria. "Ron is your typical Gryffindor. Loud, obnoxious and a bit of a bully to Slytherins. Though to be fair, Draco isn't helping. Those two have been at each other's throats since the start of school. Good to hear Harry isn't like that. Right?" Astoria blushed. "No comment." Susan and Hannah looked at Astoria. "Oh, Astoria has a crush on Harry? You sure she won't make it to Gryffindor?" Daphne glared. "She better not. I won't have a night's rest from my house if she does." Astoria glared. "I think I am just going to let the Hat pick." Daphne groaned. "You aren't supposed to know about the Hat." She thought for a second, reviewed her earlier conversation and glared at a sheepish Neville. "I knew I heard something off. You weren't supposed to tell her." Teddy smiled, feeling a bit more comfortable now as Neville said "sorry."

His Mom had been worried about him not having many friends or just being around kids and had asked if he might like to spend time with them. He agreed, even if he was a bit worried. At least they were all nice. Even Daphne. He felt someone looking at him and turned. His Mom gave him a questioning look and he smiled. She grinned and nodded before getting back into the conversation, though it looked like she didn't talk much. "So, what's it like? Being a Peverell?" Teddy blinked and turned to Daphne. "Nothing special. It's just a name." Daphne sighed. "It's not just a name. The Peverells are Ancient. Everyone assumed the family was extinct, especially after the Potters married the last Heiress. They are infamous for slaughtering lines of Magical Families that go Dark and target innocents." Teddy shrugged. "Mom was born with another name outside of a Magical family. She learned of the Peverells when getting a Family Tree made. Her Boss suggested she take the name and she did after I agreed." Daphne pouted. "Does she know about them?" Teddy nodded. "She has the Family Grimoires and reads them. She also got a book on them at Christmas from Bathilda Bagshot." Hannah and Astoria lit up and they both managed to speak at the same time. "You know Professor Bagshot?"

Teddy cringed a little bit. "We met her in Godric's Hollow. Mom wanted to honor the Peverells buried there and the woman showed up. She chatted a bit with us and left. She and Mom have exchanged letters since." Hannah sighed. "You meet the most reclusive witch at a graveyard. You have some weird luck." Astoria eyed Teddy. "Can we see the book? Family books made by her are super rare. Mom got one as a wedding present. She said it helped her avoid a Blood Curse that had been plaguing the Greengrass family for centuries." Teddy hummed. "I have to ask Mom. She has been reading from it since she got it. We sometimes read it together before bed. She might not be done with it by next year." Daphne blinked at him. "Wait. Your Mom is a slow reader? How is she so good at magic?" Teddy shrugged. "She reads a few parts and runs with it. She actually hated Transfiguration until she got sixth year books. When she tried Freeform and Conjuration, she never went back. She refused to teach me regular Transfiguration." Daphne pouted. "Great. Now I need to read sixth year books to catch up to you. I swear if you get to be top student of your year, Ravenclaw should feel ashamed. Especially if Story is there." Astoria's indignant "Hey!" made the table laugh. Teddy smiled. Being around other kids actually felt nice.

-∞-

"Come on! You could do it! A Peverell in the Wizengamot would be a great change of pace. We have plenty of empty Seats, as an Ancient and Noble Line, you could claim one." Hazel growled. "No! I am not getting into politics. That's your bloody job. We are also not a Noble line. We got the funds for a plot of land and a house, maybe a few years of living expenses but that's it. I am not making any large donations to the Wizengamot to get the bloody title back. They aren't worth it." Augusta hummed over her tea. "You might not have to. As an Ancient House alone, you could still claim a Seat and Vote, even after your family gave theirs to the Potters." Hazel turned her attention away from Julia and focused on the older woman. "That's not the point. I hate politics with a bloody passion. I spent years of my life being played around by two bastards who only saw me as a pawn. I am not going to sit in a chamber full of the same type of people again for several days a year, unless I am allowed to turn all the pricks into animals or I can bring a barrel of oil and light the place on fire." Augusta pinched her nose and looked at Amelia. "What possessed you to send her there as a guard in the first place?" Amelia drank from her tea to hide her embarrassment. "A moment of insanity, it seems."

Julia waved them off. "Ignore those two, that session was the absolute best we had in years. Dumbledore looked like he was going to blow a gasket." Hazel grinned at the memory. "Getting him to bleat was great. Especially when I added a tail to him. He knew it was there but couldn't dispel it." Julia cackled. "So that's why he kept shifting in his seat. Amelia, please get me to convince her to join us." Amelia and Augusta glared at Julia, "I think Hazel might have a point." Julia pouted. "Spoilsport. You two can't deny we need the votes." She eyed the white haired witch and grinned. "And the entertainment." Hazel shuddered. "Stop looking at me like that." Julia pouted. "I need to find this partner of yours. We need a girls night. I promise it will be fun." Hazel eyed Amelia. "You give her any info on my partner and she somehow agrees I am dragging you into this. No way you two were friends for so long that she never did drag you into one of her girls' nights." Amelia closed her eyes. "Julia, you stay out of my DMLE." Julia went back to drink from her tea. "In all seriousness, the Peverell vote would be nice to have, eventually."

Augusta sighed. "Agreed. The name is somewhat worthless politically, but the Peverells do have a symbolic value. Between the founding of Hogwarts and the end of their lines, they were known as some of the best Dark Wizard Hunters in the Isle of Britain. If the Seat is restored prior to the Traditionalists getting their Dark Lord, it could cause many to hesitate. The progressives would gather behind the name, same as with the Potter Family." Hazel glared. "If I were to take a Seat, I would not be sitting in it. What do you expect me to do?" Amelia lowered her cup of tea onto the table. "A Proxy. Get someone to go to the Sessions, vote the way you want them to and be amicable about it." Hazel thought for a second. "I don't trust anyone enough for that. Not yet. Any restrictions I should know about Proxies?" Amelia shrugged. "They can't hold another seat at the Gamot. Only a Head of House can have two votes maximum, as a Head of House and as a Director for a Ministry Department. I barely got permission for both of mine because I am a Regent, not a Proxy. The moment Susan is of age, I either quit as Director or quit as Proxy." Hazel sighed. "Fine! I'll think about it. But let's keep the Peverell name out of the open discussions. I will petition for a Seat as soon as Teddy is at Hogwarts, no sooner."

Julia smiled. "Good. Speaking about your son. Think he would be willing to look after Astoria? They are going to school in the same year." Hazel eyed Julia. "And?" Julia's eyes turned serious. "I am not foolish enough to think you didn't or wont be teaching your son how to defend himself or others. Astoria won't be part of these training sessions until after she gets her wand next year. That means she will be vulnerable for at least a year. Daphne will keep the Slytherins off her but the Ravenclaws have their own problems. I should know, I was often targeted for my association with Amelia and with several other students. I want my daughter to be safe within her own House." Hazel sat back. "He won't be in her house." Julia nodded. "He won't but he will be looked over. Nobody bothers with a Badger until they find themselves in the middle of a mauling." Hazel eyed the kids. "I will ask him but it's up to him. I refuse to force him to do anything." Julia smiled. "I am fine with that." Amelia squeezed her friend's hand. "Susan will look after her. Hannah might as well." Augusta looked at the kids. "I would offer Neville but his skill with a wand isn't there yet."

Hazel eyed Neville. "What's his issue?" Augusta sighed. "Poor power, no finesse. Most of his spells fail outright." Hazel frowned and looked at Augusta. "Have you checked his wand?" Augusta blinked at her. "It works fine. It was his father's." Hazel felt a headache building. "Augusta, the kid won't get far with his father's wand. Poorly tuned wands are dangerous." Augusta huffed. "Nonsense. The boy can grow into it." Hazel sighed as she pulled out her Holly and Phoenix wand. "This wand of mine was poorly tuned to me. It stayed that way until my fourth year. It didn't magically start working better. I had to go through a severe mental shift for it to finally accept me, and it was in the middle of a life or death situation. It could never have happened just as well. You want to risk your grandson's life in the hope that one day he runs into a Death Eater and somehow becomes Frank or do you want him to grow up into his own person?" Augusta eyed the wand in Hazel's hands before turning to her grandson. She spent a moment in quiet thought before she sighed. "Very well. I will take him to Ollivander's soon."

Amelia shared a look with Julia and the two smiled, before she looked back at Hazel. "So, anything else we need to discuss?" Hazel eyed the kids. "What's the word on the new Defence professor?" Amelia eyed the dimension traveler carefully. "Already selected." Julia sighed. "Dumbledore will be bringing them to the Board soon. The revised book list should be out by July 31st." Amelia noticed a change in Hazel's mood. "Is there a book signing programmed for the 31st in The Alley?" Julia frowned. "I think I heard of something like that. Why?" Hazel eyed Amelia. "Your kids might learn jack this year. Dumbledore might be playing one of his games. That or he is just as stupid as everyone who reads the man's books." Amelia paled as the identity of the professor became clear to her. "Please tell me you are joking." Hazel eyed her. "Can I get a free pass? Might make it look like an accident too." Amelia glared back. "As much as I hate the man, you aren't ending him." Hazel hummed. "And if he acosts or sexually abuses a student before he Obliviates them?" Amelia and Julia growled, though the former responded. "Get evidence to me. If you can get conclusive evidence, then you can deal with him."

Hazel sat back. "Fine. But if he sexually abuses a little girl, it's on your head, not mine. I have a few things on my mind but I won't have a girl being raped because you had to have evidence of a crime be part of my issues. I can't be at Hogwarts enough to catch him in the act. He tries it and I happen to spot him, he is dead. Got that?" Amelia wanted to protest but Julia's glare and her own concerns for Susan stilled her tongue. She closed her eyes and sighed. "Fine, but I want you to try to arrest him first, if only to ease my conscience as an Auror. If the arrest doesn't stick, he is all yours." Hazel nodded. "Agreed." The women all turned to the kids. Julia looked at Hazel from the corner of her eye. "It doesn't bother you, killing for them?" Hazel shook her head. "I… would probably kill for hardly a good reason. With Teddy… He is my conscience and my heart. For him I would raze the world to the ground, but I know he won't want that. So I do what I can. I am a killer Julia. The kids just make it so I don't aim at the wrong people." Julia hummed. "Is it bad I find that super hot?" Hazel groaned. "Not this again!" Augusta and Amelia laughed at Hazel's discomfort. Amelia eyed the kids and smiled, happy to know someone was looking after them, no matter what kind of a person they were.

Chapter 18: Crossing Paths in the Alley

Chapter Text

Hazel looked over the report Croaker gave her and whistled. "This is a lot of mail." Croaker leaned back. "We actually had to assign an elf to manage it. They are storing it and organizing it by date in one of our warehouses. Unsurprisingly there are a few dangerous packages in there. We got them from Bubotuber Pus to Essence of Death." Hazel eyed Croaker. "I am guessing the latter is near instant death on contact?" Croaker shook his head. "A long and painful death, actually. The potioneer modified the original recipe. Nasty piece of work." Hazel eyed the report closely. "Ok, so we can at least attest that redirecting the mail was understandable, safety wise. What about his Gringotts vault statements?" Croaker nodded. "Those are being redirected as well. While not utterly illegal for a Guardian, Dumbledore is the Magical Guardian, not the Legal Guardian. He can't withhold the mail the boy receives for legal or financial services. Prior to his eleventh birthday this should have been acceptable. Afterwards, not at all. However, we did notice a change in the mail being intercepted as of late." Hazel looked up, a partial smile on her face. "No mail has reached Harry?" Croaker eyed her carefully. "Indeed. The intercepts are happening around the Dursley household." Hazel shook her head. "Sounds like Dobby. The Malfoy's house elf tried to stop me from returning to Hogwarts after overhearing a discussion between the Lords Malfoy and Nott."

Croaker tapped his fingers on the desk. "And this is good why?" Hazel chuckled. "Because he can be our eyes and ears on the kid. Dobby hates the Malfoys because of their mistreatment of him. We set him free, we can have an elf dedicated to Harry full time." Croaker hummed. "I see your point. He won't be traced to us or the Ministry. The issue is setting him free. Lord Malfoy won't be willing to part with him." Hazel waved her hand. "Leave that to me. Our main issue is tomorrow. If Harry is in the Alley, we need to observ-" Croaker watched as Hazel's eyes grew distant and leaned back in his seat. "Someone at the Dursley wardline?" Hazel nodded. "Three magical signatures, besides Harry's. One of which I am somewhat familiar with. The hell are the Weasleys doing at Privet Drive at four in the morning?" Croaker eyed the mail report. "There was an uptick in mail from the Weasley's youngest boy in the last few weeks. They might have noticed the intercept and went to check on him." Hazel eyed Croaker. "At four in the bloody morning?" Croaker shrugged. "Not the usual time, sure." Hazel was going to add something when she felt something shift from within the ward, causing her to stand up. "Harry has left the wards. Same as the other three. I'll go check what the hell is going on." Croaker nodded as Hazel left the office.

Safely outside the Ministry Wards, Hazel apparated to a point near Privet Drive before Cloaking herself. She eyed the somewhat lit house and looked up as she perceived an odd noise. Hazel spoke into her comm. "Boss, is there a registration of a flying car with the Ministry, potentially under the name Weasley?" Croaker's voice answered her through her earpiece. "There is. I am guessing you have eyes on it and that Mr. Potter is currently inside. Follow it at a safe distance." Hazel sighed. "I am going to be sore later today." Under the effects of her cloak, Hazel assumed the form of a Wyvern and took to the skies. She stayed below the car, following it further and further away from the urban landscapes as the hours passed by. She eventually spotted a dilapidated wooden structure in the middle of a large field of grass as the sun rose in the horizon. Hazel sighed and shifted her form to that of an Owl before finding a sturdy enough branch that could handle some weight as she returned to her human form to report in. "R1 here. The vehicle arrived safely at Ottery St. Catchpole, the Weasley residence." A familiar voice responded, though with a yawn in her voice. "Good Morning to you too, Partner." Hazel sighed. "Morning, R2. Sorry for the early wake up call." Croaker's voice chimed in. "Arthur Weasley is still checked in at the Ministry after going after several homes for Dark Artefact Raids. This wasn't him."

Under Cloak, Hazel moved closer to the house and looked through the window, spotting Harry's black hair, with three very young redheads guiding him through the messy home. "Seeing the three youngest Weasley boys with Harry. Oh, there's the mother." Mrs. Weasley's scream made Hazel wince before she brought her hands to her ears. She waited patiently until the woman stopped speaking before blowing air out of her nose and popping her ears. Croaker's voice was the first thing she heard afterwards. "R1, how's your hearing? R2 is currently trying to clear her ears." Hazel chuckled. "Same here. Get you eggheads to work on sound dampening on the comm for certain volumes. We don't need an audio concussion for the whole crew." Croaker, the only one who kept his comm on the table, chuckled. "Agreed. Oh, Mr. Weasley just checked out of the DMLE. He should arrive at the homestead shortly." Hazel stayed beneath the window frame in the lower floor before she heard a person arriving through apparition. "Arthur's here. What do we do? We don't have proper surveillance or wards here. What I am getting from the house are the types of wards a Curse Breaker would set for practice."

Croaker responded quickly. "Probably the work of the eldest son, William. He is a Curse Breaker, currently on assignment in Egypt. You might as well stay and observe the family and their interactions with our VIP. R2 will be on standby should anything happen. I will get Quetz to have your Auror gear ready as soon as you need it if they make their way to Diagon Alley." Dora groaned. "Great. Here is hoping this won't take all day." Hazel sighed at Dora's tone. "We will deal with it if it does. In the meantime, Dora, you and Teddy can work out the details for the birthday party you two are setting up for later today." A long silence stretched out after Hazel's words, until Dora responded, her voice showing some of her nerves. Hazel smiled, enjoying the fact Dora had a hard time lying to her. "What party? We aren't planning any party." Hazel hummed merrily. "So I should tell Leafsby to not get started on the cake?" A few quiet seconds later Hazel heard a soft sigh. "Fine. I will go make sure Teddy has everything set for later in the day." Hazel leaned back against the outside wall and waited for anything new to happen. As much the situation inflamed some mixed feelings within Hazel, she had a feeling today was going to be a long day.

-∞-

"Of course you had Leafsby tell you everything we were planning." Dora pouted as the two walked the streets of Diagon Alley. When all the Weasley's left with Harry via Floo, Hazel apparated there and met up with Dora, donning their Auror gear. Hazel bumped Dora's shoulder. "To be fair, he has a standing order to inform me of every request he gets from Teddy. I did tell her not to inform Teddy I knew of the party. Also, it wasn't hard to notice, as you two were awfully secretive this last month." Dora shook her head. "Should I stun you then, because when this mission is over, you are going straight home." Hazel glared but eventually looked sad. "I don't like my birthday, Dora. It never meant anything good to me. Not for a long time." Dora bumped Hazel back. "But it can mean something good now. So, do I stun you or are you coming quietly?" Hazel sighed. "Fine. I will go quietly. I already planned to, just so you're aware. I didn't want to make Teddy cry. Not because of me." Dora beamed. "Great, so you stay here and I will look in on the going ons at Flourish and Blotts." Hazel watched as Dora tried to navigate the mess that was the book store. A familiar face stared back at her from the window display. She really wanted to punch him in the face and break his teeth, which was why Croaker ordered her not to enter the store.

As far as Hazel was concerned, Gilderoy Lockhart was a ticking time bomb. A man who had no restraint when it came to taking from others with a gift for Obliviation made him likely to have caused a great deal of harm. Croaker was able to get Legal to piece together a path of Obliviations, all tied to the man. The trouble was proving it, as most of the memories were lost, the price of not catching the Obliviation fast enough. Despite Julia's complaints about how the man would make a spectacle of the DADA class, a majority of the Board of Governors certified his hiring. Hazel eyed the Alley carefully and watched as Lucius Malfoy entered the bookstore, but not Lord Nott, who was nowhere to be seen. When Amelia mentioned they had approached Lord Nott for the Coalition, Hazel had been concerned. She knew the Diary arrived at Hogwarts through his actions here today. Yet in this world he wasn't the same fanatic that he had been in hers. She eyed Lucius' platinum hair. Was he the one who received the Diary? There was no way she could check right now and her initial check of his manor didn't turn up anything. She would have to wait for later in the night to check if the item was dropped off. Much later if she wanted to make sure Teddy was happy with the Birthday party they were planning. She was glad it would be a private one, as this bloody day came with too many bad memories from too many years. She dearly hoped she didn't break down later.

Hazel watched with some amusem*nt as a fight broke out in the store, with the kids cheering on their parents. She could honestly say she never expected Lucius to throw a punch. Voldemort yes, he grew up in Muggle London, but Lucius grew up in the Wizarding World. Eventually the fight broke up and everyone went their separate ways. She saw Harry look towards her for a minute and she gave him a gentle wave. Harry tapped Mr. Weasley and pointed towards her. Hazel blinked as Harry walked up to her. "Excuse me, are you an Auror? Is Mister Weasley going to be in trouble for that fight?" Hazel grinned at him. "Depends on what my partner says. She was inside with everyone, while I watched the Alley. Though at worst he will probably get a citation and note on his Ministry file for improper behaviour and a bout of violence." Harry looked worried and Hazel bent down a bit. "You know Quidditch?" Harry beamed, though he looked at her eyes with clear curiosity. "I play Seeker at Hogwarts." Hazel blinked at the boy. Ok then. She wondered if the love of Quidditch was like the British love of Rugby. She was glad she avoided that fate. "Well, think of it like a foul. He gets a penalty and he goes free. It's only a problem if he makes a habit of it. Too many times and he gets fired just like a player gets expelled from the game. Tell him to watch his temper next time, even if Mr. Malfoy insulted him."

Harry looked at her oddly. "How did you know he did that?" Hazel chuckled. "Mr. Malfoy has a reputation for colorful language so it's no surprise he did it again. Now come on." Hazel walked him back to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley as they were having a discussion. Hazel recognized who was talking with them. "Everything alright here, Mr. And Mrs. Weasley, Mr. Tonks?" The two men turned to her and Ted smiled. She wondered how much Andromeda and Dora told the man about her since he clearly recognized her. Then again, she was the only adult whose white hair wasn't the result of age within the Alley. "Not at all, Auror. Mrs. Weasley simply seemed to have forgotten what a legal order is. Mr. Potter is required to attend a physical at St. Mungos and Mrs. Weasley has tried to refuse." Mrs. Weasley turned to her, giving her a once over before frowning. Hazel resisted the temptation to stun the woman. She had been on the receiving end of her disapproving glances since the first moment they met. Her world's Mrs. Weasley was fortunate enough to have her husband restrain her, especially after she sent back Bill Weasley bloody, beaten and wrapped in Christmas wrapping paper. Hazel hated the itchy wool sweaters she never asked for so she felt an unwanted present was deserving of another after she caught the moron trying to break into the Tonks residence.

William's wife apparently grabbed him by the balls afterwards, since she never saw him coming after her ever again. Then again, she and Andromeda moved out of the place soon after. "There is no need for any of that, the boy is perfectly fine, if a bit thin still." Hazel felt Harry tense up beside her. She looked down at him and drew his attention to her. "Have you taken any shots to avoid diseases?" Harry grew pensive but shook his head. Hazel nodded. "The law is clear on this. You need to see the Hospital, get vaccinated and get a physical. Your legal guardians should have done it by now." Harry looked embarrassed. "They are Muggles." Hazel hummed. "Then you should have gone last year with your introduction to the school curriculum. When muggle-raised witches and wizards join the Magical World, the law requires them to go through St. Mungos for a physical and inoculations. Some nasty diseases out there that if you are caught off guard can make the rest of your life quite the struggle, magic or not. Trust me, compared to the diseases, the innoculations are nothing bad. My partner gets worse injuries than that about once a week. Price of being a training dummy." An indignant voice rang out somewhere over the many heads in between them. "I heard that!" Hazel gestured with her head. "That would be my partner." Harry chuckled at her as she turned to the Weasleys.

"Mr. Weasley, if you are not Mr. Potter's Legal Guardian, you simply can't refuse the order. Neither can a Magical Guardian for that matter. Either bring Mr. Potter to St. Mungos when specified or be prepared to suffer some fines and an Auror visit to your home. After your less than stellar behaviour inside the bookstore, said visit can be costly for your career with the DMLE." Arthur sighed. "Very well, it's in Harry's best interest anyways. He will be there tomorrow." Ted Tonks handed him the papers. "Deliver these to the Healer who checks him. A good day to you, Arthur. Molly. Auror." Harry went to stand by Arthur, but he looked back at her. "Will you be there?" Hazel shook her head. "No, but my partner might. She has a Healer as a family member and takes patrols at St. Mungos at times to have a chat." Hazel dug into her pocket and pulled out three Galleons. She handed them to Harry. "How about you and the Weasleys go to Florean Fortescue's and get some ice cream, on me. As a birthday present." Arthur looked at her oddly, knowing three galleons was well above the price of the ice cream that they would all be buying. "We can't possibly…" Hazel waved his concerns away. "It's no problem." She looked at Harry and smiled. "My birthday's were never very pleasant. The least I can do is let someone else have a better one than me. Especially since we both share the same day." Harry beamed. "Thank you. Happy Birthday, Miss." Hazel nodded. "Happy Birthday, Mr. Potter. Take care."

Hazel walked up to Dora as the Weasleys moved further down the Alley. Hazel noticed a weird look in her partner's eyes and followed her line of sight. She added one more man onto her kill at opportunity list, though Croaker loved to order her not to pursue said targets. Concentrating a bit on her magic, she snapped her fingers, dispelling the charm. Dora shook her head and looked at Hazel. "What?" Hazel glared. "One; you were eyeing another person, despite our agreement to not pursue others until we settled what we have. Two; you just got owned by a Glamour charm. Let me guess, you didn't manage to spot anything suspicious at all." Dora blushed, her hair turning light blue. "Sorry. I guess I need to pay more attention." Hazel huffed. "That you do. Come on. A few more rounds on the Alley before the Weasleys take off. Then we can go home." Dora watched Hazel take some very long strides. She sighed and followed behind her, trying to keep up and apologize. Hazel eventually forgave her as her eyes lingered on Harry, not seeing any erant magical signatures on him beyond the scar. She would have to check him later. They eventually made their way back to their apartments and Hazel was instantly tackled by Teddy. He smiled up at her. "Happy Birthday, Mom." Hazel hugged him warmly. "Thank you, Teddy."

Dora watched as Teddy and Leafsby brought out a massive cake and enjoyed watching as Hazel squirmed in her seat as they all sang her the Birthday song. Dora groaned when she tried the cake. "Teddy, you and Leafsby might want to consider a business. This is good." Teddy blushed as Hazel smiled. "Let him decide later. Best we get some exclusive meals first." Teddy giggled and Dora smiled. The three spent the evening together and even went out for a stroll along the Hampstead Heath Circular Walk, enjoying the cooling afternoon air and the natural woodland sights. Hazel even wrapped her arm around Dora's waist, leaving the metamorphmagus' skin feeling quite warm. They eventually returned to their Apartments and Hazel tucked Teddy into his bed. Her son hugged her around the neck. "Did you like your birthday, Mom?" Hazel leaned in and kissed Teddy's hair. "Best birthday ever. Thank you Teddy. I love you." Teddy yawned. "Love you too, Mom. Good night." Hazel turned off the lights, wished Teddy good night and showered briefly before knocking on Dora's door. Nymphadora opened the door and felt her brain melt as a pair of warm lips latched onto hers. She moaned and pulled Hazel against her body before the white haired witch pulled away from her. Those green eyes stared at her, full of warmth. "Thank you for today, Nymphadora."

Those warm lips returned for a second before Hazel pulled away. Dora's eyes were fixed on those swaying hips before Hazel returned to her side of the door, a cheeky grin plastered on her partner's face. The moment the door clicked shut, Dora groaned, her hand coming up to rub her face in exacerbation. She was sure this was Hazel paying her back for falling victim to Lockhart's glamour spell earlier. And Dora had just gotten out of the shower too. That night Dora took longer to fall asleep, after making sure her libido was properly settled down. She cursed the fact that Occlumency took so long to master as she knew Hazel would not make it any easier for her in the coming months. That slight infatuation on Lockhart the charm placed her under was nothing compared to the affection and desire building in her for her partner. The fact she knew Hazel wanted and cared for her back was driving her insane. At least the summer would be over soon, which meant less Auror work and more Operative missions. She couldn't wait to get started again.

-∞-

OW July 31st 1992

"What do we have here? Hazel Potter slinking away? So much for the outrageous Gryffindor." Hazel sighed. She had been glad that the Wizarding World had a very different idea on who she was, as it seemed to provide her with some measure of anonymity. She managed to sneak into the bookstore, buy her books and was just on her way to leave when she ran into one of the many reasons she was tempted to miss out in the school year. "Good afternoon, Heir Nott. May you and your family have a productive day." Hazel was sure Theodore Nott was about to respond with a bit of snark, though Malfoy had him beat in that regard, when he suddenly found himself at a loss for words. She was glad she had found an old etiquette book in a weird room full of junk on the 7th floor. She knew the Slytherins would be an eternal thorn on her side because many of them grew up on stories of the Great Lord Voldemort. Hazel figured they would at least have a harder time pestering her if she was civil to them. Though she wondered if they really knew the real Lord Voldemort and not some aggrandized vision of a man. Would they still serve him if they knew the man would probably force them to do anything they found distasteful if it served his interests? A part of her wanted to say that they wouldn't but she didn't want to lie to herself. Everyone else was already doing that after all.

"My, my Theo, you never said she knew of our ways." Hazel stopped in her tracks. She looked up and felt her heart stop. "Good afternoon, Lord Nott. A productive day to you and your Heir." The older gentleman raised an eyebrow though he had a thin smile on his face. "So you do know a bit of our ways. Curious. I was under the impression Dumbledore sequestered you amongst Muggles." Hazel kept her head low. "I was under the care of Muggles, sir. I simply don't think it's wise to not know how to behave myself, especially in a culture so different from the non-magical world." Lord hummed. "A wise policy indeed. Though I must say, I am surprised." The man stuck his hand into Hazel's shopping bag and pulled out her books, a few showing the strain of being kept open, the pages yellowed further than what regular parchment tended to be. "I thought the Potter's were far better off that you could afford new copies of school books. How much has that Noble line wasted away. Though as the only family member, I can understand being careful. There is no one to bring the galleons home, is there?" Hazel didn't dare alter her posture. "I am simply making sure my parent's money isn't wasted, sir. Just because I am of a Noble line doesn't mean I can be wasteful with what money my ancestors and parents worked to acquire."

The man returned her books to her bag and looked Hazel over with a more critical eye. "Perhaps you aren't as ignorant as your parents. One wonders what they would say to you now." Hazel didn't rise to the bait. "I wouldn't know sir. Rumors, whispers and tall tales do nothing to fill in the absence. I can only make my own decisions based on my own expiriences. Nothing more." She dared to look up and saw something odd on Lord Nott's face. Was that a bit of respect? "I believe you're quite right. Good day to you, Miss Potter." Hazel bowed her head and left the store quickly. She wanted to bite her tongue. Her studies had worked but she hated every minute of it. Lies. None of these people cared about her well being. Not the Aurors, not Lord Nott and certainly not Albus Dumbledore. She had been concerned about her finances after the end of the school year and the possibility of never being able to return to Hogwarts, so she went to check with the Goblins. They said she had been receiving monthly statements since forever. To ask for a recent one would have cost her extra. Hazel asked if they knew who might be receiving them and they merely stated it was probably her Guardian. She knew her Uncle would have extorted her for money if it was him. They were willing to give her a list of her guardians, for a price.

Feeling the information was at least worth it, Hazel paid the galleons. What she found made her feel worse about her situation. The paper listed her grandparents and parents, all dead, which was to be expected. Her Godfather, which surprised her as he shared a last name with her classmate Neville, was dead too. Her Godmother was somehow still alive but imprisoned. Which left her with one last name as Magical Guardian. Albus Dumbledore. She had stuffed the paper into her bag and had set out to buy her stuff for the coming year. At least the man had sent someone to check on her when she didn't respond to any official letters. She didn't really notice that none had arrived until a few days before her birthday. Worried Dumbledore might intervene with her finances, Hazel decided to not splurge in her academic needs. She would buy used books when it was possible, as long as they were legible. The only thing she bought that wasn't used were her clothes, though she made sure to bring her old sets to sell them back. She knew someone else less fortunate could use them. Hazel held her extended shopping bag to her chest and looked back down the Alley. Hagrid had walked off somewhere, probably to the tavern again. She was alone, watching as parents led their children around from one shop to another, the kids smiling or pouting as they entered store after store.

She looked at Ollivanders and lowered her face, doing her best to not show how painful the old man's words had been. The Ollivander had no other wand for her to use at all. None worked for her as well as the Holly and Phoenix feather did. Except it hardly worked at all. The old man had been stumped with her situation and his only advice to Hazel was to push on. That one day it would suit her. Hazel wasn't looking forward to going back to classes and barely managing to cast again. McGonagall was especially displeased with her. The woman even deducted points from her when she tried to do a spell wandlessly. At least her wandless magic was getting better, with all the practice she was doing at home, her flames being easier to control now. Her mind wandered back to her list of Guardians as she made her way back to the Leaky Cauldron, in hopes of finding Hagrid. She had enough of the Alley for today. She thought about her imprisoned Godmother, the only person still alive with any ties to her family. Did she remember that Hazel existed? Did she care? Hazel shook her head and rubbed away some moisture from her eyes. She couldn't afford to hope. She had been constantly disappointed all year long. She couldn't bear to think that the last person she could trust in would disappoint her too. Hope in the form of someone else was just another lie waiting to be uncovered. She was so tired of lies.

-∞-

NW August 1st 1992

Andromeda watched as the young boy walked into the examination room she had been provided by St. Mungos, his eyes searching the room out of curiosity and some hesitation. She smiled as soon as his eyes landed on her face. "Hello Harry. My name's Andromeda Tonks, I will be your examiner today. Please take a seat on the medical bed, I will be right with you. Mr. Weasley, please wait outside." Arthur nodded and left the room as Andromeda raised the privacy wards. She turned to Harry. "Now Harry, everything I find from my scan is private. You should only share it with people you trust fully or with family, understand?" Harry nodded and Andromeda drew her wand. "I am going to cast a diagnostic spell. You might feel it a bit but it's just checking to make sure you are ok." Harry nodded silently again and Andromeda casted the spell, activating her dictaquill. What she found bothered her. Signs of malnutrition, broken bones that didn't get reset properly, no vaccinations and some signs of anemia. She had the dicta quill write all that down. "There was something off about your back. Can you show me?" Harry tensed. Andromeda kneeled down and held his hands. "I know it's hard and it's embarrassing. You don't want to seem weak. It feels like you will let the people who hurt you win. But not dealing with it will only hurt you longer. They will win longer if you let it linger. Can I see?"

Harry nodded and took his shirt off, revealing his back. Andromeda bit back a curse. Hazel had been right. There weren't a lot of scars but enough to make the boy anxious and self conscious. Andromeda casted a spell over them. "Harry, are you willing to let Madam Pomfrey see these? I can recommend a treatment for them. Some discoloration might linger but they will be fully healed over. The treatment will be an ointment you would have to have applied on your back at least weekly." Harry took a while to answer. His voice came out soft and unsure. "Ok." Andromeda made her notes and wrote a medical order for Pomfrey. She allowed Harry to put his shirt back on. "Last thing, let me look at that scar on your head." She casted a spell on it and frowned. Someone was playing games, that's for sure. She casted stronger and more in depth scans. Most showed nothing, which told her someone had casted a masking spell. A few showed some magical traces on it. She remembered Croaker taught her a specific diagnostic spell and she casted it. She bit back a curse. The spell was designed to detect magical signatures. Aside from Harry's, there were three others.Andromeda couldn't place them all, though if Hazel's report was accurate, one was Lily's and the other was Voldemort's. She guessed the last one could be Dumbledore, as he was the last to see Harry before he was sequestered away.

Andromeda pulled out a crystal and looked at Harry. "There is a lot of magic on your scar. This will essentially give me an imprint of what's there. I can't heal it now but it should help me find out how to do it later. May I?" Harry nodded and Andromeda applied the crystal. She casted the spell again and waited for the crystal to stop glowing before pocketing it away. "Any symptoms with the scar?" Harry thought for a second. "At school, I felt a headache every time I was close to Professor Quirrell. I thought it was the garlic he kept in his turban but it didn't stop. It happened again in…" Andromeda watched him stop himself. She sighed. "You remember the paper the lawyer gave Mr. Weasley?" Harry nodded and Andromeda gave him a smile. "I work for the same people, Harry. The people who have been keeping you safe all year. I know about the cloaked figure in the forest and about the Griffin. Is that when your scar acted up?" Harry looked at her closely now. "Yeah." Andromeda nodded. "That's all we needed. Did you read the note you got at the station?" Harry smiled. "It's weird seeing the Dursleys not being able to be mean to me again, but it's better than before." Andromeda was happy to hear that. "And they won't. If they break the contract, they lose custody. Want to know a secret?"

Harry nodded and Andromeda smiled. "Your Grandmother on your father's side was my great aunt. Your Godfather also happens to be my cousin. If they break the contract, I am named as your next guardian. So hold out as much as you can, but if they break the contract or we clear up your custody mess, you won't be with them much longer. I have been trying to get you into a better house for years. I am sorry that this is the first chance we get to talk." Harry smiled at her. "Ok. I hope you don't mind if I would rather be with you sooner." Andromeda hugged him. "I don't. It makes me happy to hear that Harry. For now, know you aren't alone. You have a family who genuinely cares about you and one day you will have a home. A real home. I promise." Andromeda had him lie down and she administered some potion to heal his bones and the vaccines carefully until he had all of them, a few driving him a bit loopy. She made sure all the papers were in order to be filed away before she turned Harry over to Arthur. "He needs a lot more iron in his system, so if he spends the rest of the summer with your wife, make sure he eats. He has his vaccines right now but keep him away from anyone who may be ill for at least two weeks." Arthur nodded. "Molly will probably make a lot of beef the next few days after hearing that. Thank you, Healer Tonks. Let's go Harry." Andromeda watched him walk away. She had no choice but to let him go. For now, she had a crystal to send to Croaker.

-∞-

Harry stared into the ceiling of the room the Weasley's had leant him. The shelves were full of books on dangerous magical creatures, particularly Dragons. He had actually looked up the Griffins after his encounter in the forest. He was grateful that the Griffin from that night had been so friendly, because according to the books he should probably have been dead on the spot. The whole year had been the strangest one of his life. From discovering he had magic, to being seen as this person everyone knew about. It was terrifying a lot of the time. Still, being at Hogwarts was the best thing that had ever happened to him. While he couldn't say everything was perfect, he honestly couldn't complain. Not with his life at the Dursleys being his only point of reference. He touched his back, remembering the last few months. While the absence of letters had bothered him, he couldn't exactly complain about the silence at Privet Drive either. His relatives had been a lot more careful about how they treated him, which left him a lot more comfortable. He still helped to cook the meals but now he could eat a proper portion of the meal. But the best part was what he found in his new closet.

The trunk had belonged to his mother and he spent days upon days reading her journal. It was so surreal reading about how she too found herself drawn into the magical world, learning everything about magic for the first time. The fact she kept complaining about James Potter made him smile as he knew what would become of them. The weirdest thing had been reading about Severus Snape and the friendship they shared. The two were clearly close friends and grew up together, which only made Harry all the more confused about what became of them that Snape seemed to despise him with every breath. He read a few of her homework assignments and notes on charms and potions and promised himself to do his best to match her level of academic achievement. He wanted to make his mother proud, that he could be more than just the Boy Who Lived or the Gryffindor Quidditch Seeker. Hermione would probably be surprised he did his homework on time and everything before he delved deeper into his mom's journals and notes. He even found her old scarf and had placed it, the potions notes and the journal in his own trunk. He did leave the notes he received from this mysterious "friend" in his mother's trunk for safe keeping. The vagueness of the letters and the secrecy made him feel that there was a reason for it all.

Learning that Andromeda Tonks, the woman who gave him his physical, was not only family but had desperately been trying to check on him and get custody had warmed his heart. That she knew about the Griffin from the forest meant that she and the lawyer were both trying to help him. To keep him safe. They might even be working for this "friend" of his. Dumbledore had pulled him aside and told him that he believed Voldemort had been possessing Professor Quirrell and that something happened to them both the night he had been stunned. He had felt such relief knowing that someone else had stopped him from facing the man that killed his parents. He was only eleven years old at the time. What could he do against a trained Defense teacher and a Dark Lord? This mysterious friend, however, seemed to care more than just about his safety. They cared about him personally. The book on his family had been a favorite of his the moment he found it at the base of his bed. He had no idea that the Potters had been around for so long or that they did so much for Wizarding Britain. That a few had taught Transfiguration, Potions and Defence made him all the more self conscious about his own scores in the courses. He felt guilty about how he barely applied himself to his studies in the last six months. While Ron complained about Harry being a lot more studious after the New Year, Harry simply couldn't let it go, especially now after seeing what a studious person his mother was.

Feeling a bit too awake to fall asleep soon, Harry raised himself up on the bed and went to fetch a book from his trunk when he stilled at what he saw moving inside of it. His trunk was open and a snake was slithering about, it's tongue tasting the air. He moved closer but kept a safe distance from the creature. "Hello. Looking for some warmth?" The greenish snake turned its head towards him. "Ssspeaker!!!!! To find a ssspeaker here. Sssnake isss pleasssed." The snake looked around before it slightered closer to him, moving out of the trunk. "Ssspeaker must be careful. Other two legged onesss will not like him ssspeaking our tongue. The sssound ssscaresss them." Harry frowned. "I am speaking a different language?" The snake nodded it's head. "To you it may not sssound different but othersss hear a sssnake's hisss. They will fear ssspeaker. They have forgotten and condemn asss a curssse what once wasss a gift." Harry looked around before he sat on the floor in front of the snake. "But why? Why have they forgotten?" The snake coiled itself into a disc, it's head lifted up and focused on Harry. "Ssspeakers usssed the gift to harm other two legged onesss. They hunted the ssspeakers who didn't agree. Only bad ssspeakers remained in the end. Other two legged onesss hunted ssspeakers too. Not many remain. You are rare. You mussst ssstay sssafe. Do not ssspeak before other two leggersss. They have forgotten the Naga'sss gift. They will ssseek you harm. Ssspeaker mussst be careful."

Harry was sad to hear he couldn't share this part of himself but if people were harmed because of the gift, perhaps it was for the best it remained a secret. "Very well. I will remain sssafe. I will not ssspeak of thisss to anyone." The snake nodded. "Good. Then sssnake isss happy. Ssspeaker is safe. Ssspeaker's friend will be happy." Harry stared at the snake. "What do you know about ssspeaker's friend?" The snake slithered closer. "They worry. Old bad ssspeaker, the one who harmed ssspeaker's family. He ssstill huntsss for you. Othersss who claim to help ssspeaker ssspeak only but do not act. Friend isss worried. Friend wissshes ssspeaker to be careful. There are sssecrets buried in the old cassstle. Sssecrets of Ancient Ssspeaker of the Houssse of Sssnakes. Be careful of the Ancient Ssspeaker's Sssnake. If awakened it will hunt among the hallwayssss and within the wallsss. Ssspeaker must ssstay sssafe." Harry sat back and thought of the snake's words. "Isss ssspeaker's friend hunting the Ancient Ssspeaker's sssnake?" The snake nodded. "Ssspeakers friend will hunt but sssnake hidesss. Friend wantsss ssspeaker sssafe while they hunt." Harry sighed in relief. "Tell ssspeaker's friend I will be careful and ssstay sssafe." The snake stared at him, "Friend will know. May sssnake leave through the window? Two leggers don't like sssnake."

Opening the window, Harry watched as the green snake slithered onto the desk before turning to him. "Friend wissshes ssspeaker a sssafe year at cassstle." Harry nodded. "Thank you." The snake slithered out completely and Harry watched it climb higher onto the roof. He remained confused as to why it headed up instead of down until Hedwig landed on the window sill. "Hello Hedwig. Good night for a flight?" His owl screeched merrily and turned to look out the window. A brown owl landed besides Hedwig and seemed to speak to the bird with hoots until it flew off, circling in the sky. Hedwig turned to Harry and he petted her chest feathers. "Go ahead and fly with your friend. I won't mind." The snowy owl took off and Harry watched as the two owls chased each other across the sky, diving and gliding in the air. Eventually Hedwig returned to the window and she and Harry looked back as the owl circled above them a few more times, hooted merrily and then flew away into the quiet summer night. He went to sleep that night, thinking back on the last few days. His last thoughts were on the Auror that he met at the Alley and her familiar looking green eyes.

Chapter 19: An Old Friend

Chapter Text

"Go on Percy. We will be late!" Dora watched with some amusem*nt as the Weasley's arrived at the entrance to Platform 9 and ¾. While technically back on duty with the DoM, Croaker had placed her and Hazel at the two ends on the gateway at King's Cross. With everything that happened of late around Harry Potter, they were making sure he and the rest of the students made it safely onto the train. The eldest of the Weasley children went quickly through the portal and Dora watched as the twins started playing rock-paper-scissors before Molly Weasley screamed at them to hurry up. The one closest to the portal went first before the other followed quickly, laughing to themselves. The youngest, Ginerva, looked nervously at the wall, which made Dora think about another person. Next year it would be Teddy's turn to go to Hogwarts. They would be dropping him off and waving goodbye for ten months of the year. Dora's mind crashed as she caught herself saying "they." Ever since she and Hazel had partnered up, Dora felt herself growing closer to Teddy. She could see the kid was picking things up from her too, much to Hazel's horror and amusem*nt. Dora shook her head as her thoughts kept circling back to Hazel and the kisses they had shared. A lot of her nights were ending in cold showers.

"Come on Ginny, let's find you a cabin." Dora watched as the elder Weasleys crossed through the portal with the girl and her attention landed on Harry. She had to smile. The boy looked a lot happier than when she first saw him a little over a year ago. He was filling out a bit and his eyes lit up more. Hazel's gift of ice cream on his birthday had been great to see as everyone tried a bit of Florean's varieties of ice cream before they each picked their own. She hoped he had appreciated the trunk of his mom they left behind for him. Seeing Hazel collapse on the floor had grown into a recurring nightmare for Dora ever since that day. Poor Moody had to send quite a few of his Cadets to the infirmary as Dora had been having trouble holding back as she endeavoured to be better able to protect her partner. Getting her mind back on track, Dora watched as Harry raced down the platform towards the portal and… smashed right into a solid wall with his trolley. That looked like it hurt. She intercepted a local guard with a confundus charm and went to check on the kid. "Let me look at you." Harry noticed her maroon jacket and pink hair. He smiled. "Hello." Dora chuckled. "Fancy seeing you here." She pulled him up and as he picked up his trunk she turned towards the closed portal, lifting her wrist up to her mouth.

"R1, this is R2. Portal is sealed. Will be apparating the two onto the platform." Hazel's voice came in clear in her ear piece. "Acknowledged, R2. I found the Gremlin that locked it. We can fix it but not before the train leaves. Bring them up." Dora casted a notice-me-not on the spot and motioned for the kids. "Come on. I'll bring your trunks over afterwards." She grabbed them both by the arms and apparated to the other side of the portal. The two kids dropped to the ground, shuddering as they tried not to puke. Pressed for time, she barely had a second to rub their backs. "The feeling will pass. Wait here." Dora apparated two more times to bring their trunks over and pushed them both to the train. "Get on you two. The wait at Hogsmeade for a missed train isn't that great. Now get going." The kid's jumped onto the train as it's whistle blew. The trunks were levitated after them and onto the train just as the Hogwarts Express left the station. Breathing a sigh of relief Dora turned to the closed portal. She spotted her partner, her boot tapping on the stone floor impatiently while an elf moved its hands. Eventually the elf turned around. "Portal is fixed. May Dobby go, scary lady?" Hazel sighed. "No, you may not. You see, I have a proposition for you. We get you free from the Malfoys, in exchange it's your job to protect Harry Potter. Our way."

Dobby looked at Hazel with big hopeful eyes. "Dobby would gladly accept but Dobby is bound to serve the Malfoys." Hazel nodded. "You are. For now. Leafsby." Hazel and Dora's elf arrived. "Yes, Mistress." Hazel pointed at Dobby. "Show him the magical workshop I am using for my personal projects. Make sure he can either respond to my calls or you are able to retrieve him. We got an elf being mistreated by his family and I know how to break the binding magic to prevent one of your kind from suffering further dishonor." Leafsby nodded. "Mistress is kind to elf. Leafsby is showing the young one to the workshop." The two elves popped away. Dora looked at Hazel. "Are you sure that is a good idea?" Hazel sighed. "We got missions coming up and a really dangerous threat at the school. We need eyes and hands at Hogwarts. An Elf formerly associated with the Malfoy's will work perfectly. Besides…" Hazel grinned towards Dora. "We are potentially taking Malfoy's elf before dinner." Dora chuckled. "Oh, now that is just cruel. I approve."

-∞-

OW June 1996

Hazel sat in the room that had once been her godmother's, hugging the jacket she had commissioned for her. She cried onto it, unconcerned with getting it wet. What did it matter to her? Her Godmother was gone. She watched her fall through the Veil and vanish. She hated herself so much now. Hazel had rushed to the Ministry to save her and now she was dead. It was all her fault. She cried for hours, unwilling to leave Grimmauld Place. If she left she was afraid. She was afraid she would forget what she had lost if she did. She lost her Godmother, the woman who had promised her a home. This home. Sure it was full of dangerous curses, mad paintings and weird elf severed heads but this was supposed to have been her home. There was no chance of that now. Dumbledore, the bastard, would never allow it. It had felt so satisfying tearing his office apart and blasting the old man into the wall. The only reason she didn't kill him was because she couldn't bring herself to do it then, not after losing her Godmother. Voldemort wouldn't hesitate to come after her if Dumbledore was dead too. Especially not now. Now that they both knew the truth of their bond.

Her Godmother's face flashed in her mind and she hiccupped. She hadn't hiccuped while crying in years. Not since she met her Godmother. Not since she was protected by her. Hazel stayed in the room until small arms hugged her gently. She lifted her head and tried not to cry. "Hi Dobby. Hi Kreacher. Oh, Kreacher. I am so sorry. Your Mistress is gone. Because of me. I am so sorry." Tears kept falling from her eyes as the elder elf tried to comfort her. "Mistress cared for her goddaughter. She was a Black. She fought to protect the young mistress. So the young mistress should not weep. The Lords and Ladies will welcome her beyond the Veil. She was a Black to the very end. Kreacher's young mistress shouldn't be worried for Kreacher." Hazel shook her head. "But the house will go to another person. It might go to the Malfoys. They will hurt you for helping us. They will use you to get to me. I can't let that happen." Kreacher smiled at her. "Young mistress should not worry. Mistress knew. She knew and prepared. Kreacher serves the Noble House of Potter now. Mistress also left behind an order with the Goblins. The Tonks will be brought back into the family. Malfoys won't be the owners of Grimmauld. Kreacher knows. Young mistress will end them before that happens."

Hazel eyed them both. "But Kreacher, you are the elf of the House of Black. And Dobby, won't you be mad? You wanted to be my only elf." Kreacher shook his head. "Kreacher serves the House of Black by serving the House of Potter. Kreacher is happy to serve the young Mistress." Dobby nodded. "Dobby is happy too. Dobby wants to serve Great Hazel Potter. Dobby doesn't mind sharing." Hazel tried to not cry. She forced a smile on her face, though she was sure it was a bad smile. She wasn't sure if she could ever smile properly again. "Thank you, you two. You think we can seal this place up? I… I don't want to leave. Not until the term starts again. If I do… I might never come back. Drop any Order of the Phoenix junk at Hogwarts, except for Dora's. If you can leave it all in Dumbledore's office, then all the better." The elves nodded their heads and popped away as Hazel felt the wards shift. She stared blankly into the mirror and shivered at the feel of a memory. Her eyes watered. She would never again feel her Godmother brush her hair. She slumped onto the bed and closed her eyes, trying to stop the tears from returning. She had two elves to look after her. She needed to be strong for them. Even as she doubted she'd ever be happy again.

-∞-

NW September 1992

Dora tapped Hazel's shoulders and felt her snap out of whatever memory she got lodged in. She watched her friend clean her face and turn. Her eyes were still red. "Everything good at Hogwarts?" Dora sighed. "Yes, the kids arrived on time and the feast started without issue." Hazel nodded and stood up from her seat, noticing a bit of stiffness on her legs. She closed her eyes and pushed her magic down until the stiffness vanished. She froze as Dora was looking at her quite intently and closely. "Be honest with me. Should I be worried? I need to know, Hazel. I am trusting you with my life and you are trusting yours with me. Tell me these moments aren't a problem." Hazel closed her eyes and breathed deeply before opening them again. "I don't get them on the job, so you don't need to worry out in the field. When I have time to think… The mind is a terrible thing." Dora hugged Hazel, never breaking eye contact. "Will you ever trust me enough to tell me what it is you are seeing?" Hazel gave her a playful smile and leaned in, brushing her lips with Dora's. "When you are free to enter and leave my bed without permission, I will try and trust you with them." Dora's hair shifted color before returning to pink. "Tease."

Hazel chuckled. "For you? Always. Ready to free an elf?" Dora pulled back and nodded. Hazel drew a red chalk circle and a pentagram before picking up a bowl and a brush. "Dobby." The elf popped in and looked around, his eyes opened wide at what he saw. "Scary lady works with Blood Magic. Scary lady knows the Olde Ways." Hazel nodded. "To a degree. I can sever your connection to the Malfoys if you are willing Dobby, but only if you are willing. The Druids made sure these rituals could never act against the will of the elf, as no elf would ever betray a loving family. Will you forsake the violence of the Malfoys to protect another whose life is endangered by forces he cannot protect himself against?" Dobby nodded. "Dobby wishes to leave bad masters. Dobby wishes to protect the great Harry Potter." Hazel chuckled internally. The boy hasn't faced Voldemort a second time and Dobby still idolizes him. She wonders how much that is Dobby's warped perception or if he likes the idea of the person Draco hates the most as being greater than his old family. It's probably both, she mused. "Step into the circle, Dobby." The elf did so and Hazel chanted in Druidic, activating the circle. She knelt down and drew Druidic Script with her blood using a brush made of her hair. She noticed the change in Dobby, as he seemed to recognize her magic.

The little elf kept quiet as Hazel drew the necessary script across his body, with Dora watching from outside the circle. Hazel stood up and drew the final script on her hand before placing the small bowl and brush at her feet. She held her hand over the elf's head. " Ceridwen, goddess of change and rebirth. Take pity on Dobby, child of the woods and of magic, bound by the craft of mortals and restore him anew. Sever the bonds that tie him to his oppressors, who betray the oath of family and honor. Set him free so he may seek his own future once again. This I ask of you. " Magic flared inside of Hazel and she felt it settle into the blood sigil on her hand before transferring into Dobby. The elf shivered as he appeared to regain mass as the magic filled him, until he looked healthier than before. Hazel, feeling the magic complete, severed the connection and the circle collapsed, the chalk outline broken. Fighting through the sudden weight of exhaustion, she knelt before the little elf, watching as his eyes searched hers. "I am Hazel Peverell. I share blood with the Potters. I seek the safety of Harry James Potter and the end to the danger within the Hogwart Castle's walls. Will you Dobby, a free elf, lend aid to us? Will you become an elf to the House of Potter through me to protect and care for the rightful Heir?"

Dobby's eyes lit up. "Scary Mistress is of the Old Family. She wields the Magics forgotten. Dobby will accept. Dobby will protect Harry Potter." Hazel pricked her finger and presented it to the elf. "As I am Peverell, only my blood ties me to the family of Potter. If it pleases you Dobby, become an elf to House Potter." The elf touched the blood droplet and Hazel felt the magic snap into place, much as it did before, so many years ago. She closed her eyes as tears threatened to return, memories of her little friend flashing before her eyes. Regaining control, she looked at Dobby. "Your Orders, Dobby, Elf of House Potter. Observe Harry Potter from a safe distance. Come to me if something is amiss. I will either intervene or tell you how to intervene. Never allow Harry to be harmed by your protection or inaction, only by forces beyond your influence. Should I be busy, reach out to Andromeda Tonks née Black, the blood family of Harry Potter who seeks to aid him. Ask her as you would me. Do not reveal your presence to any of the Hogwarts staff or elves, the latter without securing their silence. Do all this without harming yourself or driving yourself to harm or exhaustion. You are of House Potter and the Potters care for their own, no matter what."

Hazel watched as the elf nodded. "Dobby understands. Scary Mistress is wise. Dobby will go and protect Harry Potter." The elf popped away and Hazel sighed. Dora came up behind her and found her skin cold. "Those Blood Magic rituals drain a lot of magic?" Hazel nodded. "The priests and priestesses of ages past had a stronger connection to the raw magic of the Earth than we do now and could perform these sorts of rituals easily. Much has been lost of the Old Religion that could strengthen one's connection to life and magic. For now, this and a few other spells and rituals are the sum of my knowledge of the Olde Ways." Dora hummed. "Come on, time to get you home. Teddy will be mad if you arrive late for dinner." Hazel groaned. "Damn it. I don't have anything planned. Leafsby!" The elf popped in infront of them. "Yes, mistress?" Hazel felt her eye twitch. The elf was just as bad as Kreacher sometimes. "Get six chicken fillets out of the freezer, wash them in water and salt them. I'll add the rest of the seasoning. Put a pot of water to boil with enough water for five servings of pasta and a frying pan. Leave cream, butter, olive oil, parmesan cheese and some grounded garlic on the table. Start dicing the vegetables and mushrooms."

Dora looked at Hazel as the elf vanished. "You just made a full course meal plan in a minute." Hazel blushed. "Ehh, a bit of a habit. I spent a year having a hard time getting food for Teddy so whenever I got a bit of meat I had to come up with a full meal plan on the fly, not to mention figuring out what I could safely precook for the coming days after." Dora shook her head. "Since it's with so much food, am I invited?" Hazel raised an eyebrow. "Your welcome to ask Leafsby to cook you something else." Dora gave Hazel a pleading look. "Please, can I eat with you? Leafsby is good but you get it just right." Hazel huffed. "Fine, but you are not making too much of a problem of me being tired in front of Teddy. He will tell I am exhausted, I don't need you getting him more worried as is." Dora nodded. "Fine." At the apartment, Dora settled in and helped Teddy with his studies while Hazel cooked. She noticed that Teddy would look at his mom a few times and Hazel would turn around and smile at him. She smiled at the sight of the two. They clearly cared and looked after each other and were so in tune that they knew when something would bother the other.

Later in the night, stomach just short of bursting and her body fully washed, Dora threw herself onto the bed and thought of the last few months. She hardly visited any concerts, drank less alcohol and somehow it all felt like it was the best time of her life. Being around those two wasn't as exhilarating as a Weird Sisters concert but she never felt exhausted either. She felt content. She thought about Hazel. Dora's Occlumency training was nearing its final months. She could feel it. Would learning all about Hazel make her change her mind about what she felt for her? She sighed and turned over and prayed it didn't. She cared about Hazel and Teddy. She… she wanted to be a part of that life, permanently. The times she dreamt of being back in the bed, kissing her and doing more. Dora moaned as she tried to stifle the more intimate thoughts. New Years. She would corner Hazel and ask her for a serious relationship starting New Years. Dora closed her eyes and dreamed of more than just green eyes. She dreamt of a warm place that always welcomed her with a smile and a hug. She slept well that night.

-∞-

Dora, looking like a middle aged Muggle in hoodie, made her way cautiously to the men at the edge of the park. She leaned against the wall beside one of them. "I could use a bit of something to have a good time. You offering?" The man beside her straightened out. "What are you in the mood for? Upper, downer or something for the bedroom?" Dora hummed. "Upper. Heard about a new one that keeps you up for a week. Boss is a bit of a son of a bitch and has us working like dogs. Do you have any of that? If you do, I might know a few more boys who'd like. Coffee ain't doing it for them no more." The man eyed Dora and she knew what he was looking for. Signs she was a cop. She kept her body relaxed and her hands nervously tapping against the wall. The man noticed the seemingly irrational movement. "You off one?" Dora gave him a sheepish look. "Took an upper several times over the last week. Held up like sh*t and left me with the jitters." The man nodded and pulled a vial from his jacket pocket. "I got you something. One swig, a bit of alcohol to wash it down, keeps you good for a week. Running price is at 500 pounds a vial." Dora blinked. "You must be tripping me. I'd sell that for more."

The man shrugged. "I would like to but the boss sets the price. He wants people to get a good taste of it, maybe raise the prize later. Are you interested now? Might not have it this low in a week." Dora fished in her pocket and pulled out twenty 50 pound bills. "I'll take two then. Won't be having a break in a while." The man nodded and handed her two vials. "Pleasure doing business. you send those coworkers here. I'll fix them up real good." Dora nodded. "If this is as good as you say, I might need more soon. I'll let the boys know." She walked away after pocketing the vials. She made sure she walked nervously, checking over shoulder and down the roads. The men went back to talking, feeling safe that they got off a sale with someone who wasn't working for law enforcement. A short apparition away to a safehouse and Dora placed her ear piece back on. "R2 here. Got two vials of the stuff." Horatio's voice came in clearly through the comms. "We heard. Good job maintaining cover. R1 is on the roof looking over them now. We got a runner fetching the vials. Use the agreed upon codewords." Dora stayed against the entrance wall until she heard a knock at the door. "Line?" Dora smiled. "Hook. Here is the catch." Dora turned over the vials to the Unspeakable who apparated as soon as the door was closed.

Horatio spoke up a few minutes later. "Potions and Alchemy will look them over, but if it's this juiced up Pepper Up potion that has been hitting Europe of late, we got ourselves a problem. Selling potions to Muggles isn't technically illegal unless they don't know squawk about the Magical World. This is a major breach of the Statute Amendment from a century ago." Dora hummed as she activated the security cameras. As most DoM safehouses were outside of Magical neighborhoods, it was safer and more efficient to go with Muggle security. Kept them from breaking the Statute too if the safehouses got breached by the police, since they also tended to be in less than ideal neighborhoods. "R2 to R1. Getting chilly up there?" A bit of a pause followed before Hazel's voice came up. "Could use some Chili or maybe some hot noodle soup right now. This is a cold September." Dora looked at the temperature gauge and cringed. "No kidding. Stay safe up there." Hazel responded quickly. "Acknowledged." Dora sat down and focused on her Animagi and Occlumency exercises. They were surprisingly similar in that they required a person to clear their minds a bit. The Animagus one was to hear the beast inside while the Occlumecy was directed at creating gaps and barriers that the Legilimens would have trouble navigating.

In Dora's case, she was following Hazel's modified Animagus exercises, focusing on a specific animal, making the creature's voice come from her own thoughts. She had to study the animal deeply and feel what it felt, replicating its behaviour and body language as well as their visual appearance. Hazel had her working on a non-magical creature without any predatory instincts for the moment. Building up magic and directing it by instinct was something way too advanced for Dora right now. "R1, going in pursuit with a magical tracker. Check maps and mark points where I circle. Off comms in 1 minute." Dora rushed to the table and pulled out her map of London and its neighboring areas. She activated her part of the tracker and watched as the glass weight moved across the table. "R2, map and echo tracker in place." Horatio spoke up. "BM, back up map and echo tracker in place. Proceed." What followed was a whole night of watching the map and marking the areas where Hazel spent time circling. While the observers would check it out thoroughly, Dora noticed a few warehouse districts. She wondered which were for the regular street drugs and which one was where the magical supplies were stored. Horatio's voice broke the silence. "Potion is confirmed as the illegal Pepper Up type. R1, disengage. Your flight courses are getting erratic beyond wind considerations."

Dora grew worried. The DoM got some recent computer equipment that allowed them to access information easily. Weather patterns were part of what info they had access to. That Hazel had been having trouble in the air was a bad sign. They had been at it for almost twelve hours. Dora felt some shame for not anticipating how tired her partner would have to be by now. A bit of heavy breathing entered the comms. "R1, off pursuit. Tired. Can make the jump to the safehouse but no further. Recommend potential… shifts in the future. 8 hour rotations max." Horatio chimed in. "Agreed. R1, get to the safehouse. R2, bring R1 home. You two did good today. We will infiltrate these hot points later. Get some rest." Dora jumped at the loud apparition pop and reached for Hazel, who was clearly off balance. She supported Hazel on her shoulder. "R2 to BM. Have R1 in possession. Permission to portkey." Horatio responded quickly. "Granted. Go to sleep you two. BM out." Dora grabbed the keychain. "Brighid's blessing." The portkey activated and deposited them at the DoM medical platform. Andromeda came up to them quickly and started casting diagnostics. "Physical and Magical Exhaustion. Take her back to her Apartment. Quetz is with Teddy right now."

Hazel felt Teddy latch onto her leg as soon as she was through the door. It was enough to get her a second wind. "Mom's ok, Teddy. Just tired. Dromeda sent me to bed. Doctors orders and all." Teddy smiled and nodded against her as she moved through the room and onto the sofa. Quetz looked over at her. "Damn, amiga. You look dead tired." Hazel chuckled. "Feel it too. Spent twelve hours as a falcon gliding the air currents. Might want to check the bracers and the rest of my guards. If they had any chance of suffering fatigue under the animagus form, this was it." Quetz helped her get the bracers, greeves and knee guards off. "I'll look this over at the workshop, but it's only minor deterioration. Teddy got through his Astronomy and Care homework. See you back on the clock, amiga." Hazel waved at her. "Later Q." Dora helped her up and Teddy followed behind them as she dropped Hazel onto the bed. She eyed her partner before turning to Teddy. "Your mom shouldn't sleep in her work clothes. Wait outside while I get her out of them." Teddy left the room and closed the door as Dora bit her cheek as she pulled Hazel out of the suit. The moment she was done, an arm pulled her to the bed and a pair of warm lips kissed her own, eliciting a groan out of her. "Thank you. See you tomorrow at breakfast, Nymphadora."

Dora left the apartment, red in the face, as Teddy jumped on the bed with his mom. He looked at her closely. "Are you sure you are not hurt?" Hazel turned over. "Nope. Just tired. Think you can get ready for bed on your own?" Hazel switched out of her dirty underwear and casted a scourgify and some freshening up spells on herself before she crashed onto the bed again. She felt the bed dip a little as Teddy snuggled up with her. Hazel took a deep breath and felt her magic settle down with Teddy nearby. In a year she knew he would be at Hogwarts and she would be away from him. She thought of the threat that lingered under the castle, one she knew, at least in her world, had been twisted and warped by time. She would have to get rid of it soon. She'd ask Croaker for a chance to inspect the castle soon enough. For now though she settled her mind and allowed sleep to claim her beside her 10 year old son. She would make him some fresh blueberry pancakes in the morning to make up for worrying him again.

-∞-

Hermione sat on her bed and pulled out a black leather book. Ginny had apparently gotten it as a gift but she chose not to make a diary at Hogwarts. Ron had apparently told his sister about her love for books and the redhead just gifted her the book on her birthday. While Hermione wasn't a fan of second hand books, she wouldn't grudge the gift from Ginny. She knew the Weasleys were short on money and Ginny was being nice to her. Hermione usually only wrote in her notebooks and the parchments for assigned work but writing a journal seemed like a good idea. She wrote down her name, the date and about her day with the Gryffindors at Potions, noting Harry's improvement. Professor Snape had looked at him oddly the whole class and didn't deduct any points from his work. She went to re-dip her quill in ink when she frowned as the words she wrote vanished. Then new words appeared in some very tidy handwriting. Hello Hermione Granger. My name is Tom Riddle. A pleasure to meet you. Do you mind telling me about everything going on at the castle? I haven't been told anything new in over 50 years. Is Grindelwald's war over at last? Who won? Hermione stared at the pages, a smile growing on her face. She dipped her quill in the ink and proceeded to respond, thinking she had just found a new font of information on the Wizarding World. She wrote to Tom well into the night.

Tom, for his part, remained courteous. While a muggleborn student wasn't ideal in discovering the state of the Wizarding World, something that had proved difficult even for him as a halfblood in the 1940s, he did discover the fate of his counterpart. He had no idea how a boy in his diapers would have bested him and instead focused on the actions of the boy's parents but the girl couldn't explain further. It made him think of Dumbledore and his information tampering. At school, the old man loved to conceal the truth from him. Despite knowing he was of Salazar's line, he found almost no information beyond what the students of Slytherin knew. The rest he discovered in Slytherin's Chamber, after spending the majority of his time translating the Druidic Script and Old Futhark Runes. It was in a text from Herpo the Foul that Salazar brought over from a stint in Egypt that he discovered the key to his immortality. If only his counterpart had been more accommodating about the book's placement. Wherever he had been before the girl received the Diary he had never been spoken to and he was left to just think. Now… now he had a chance.

He needed time to pull from the girl as much magic as possible before influencing her. The fact she was so close to the boy who supposedly vanquished him and in Dumbledore's old House meant he had to be careful with his possessions of Hermione before he dared to devour her magic and essence entirely. He thought of Slytherin's Basilisk and grinned. Removing Dumbledore from Hogwarts would be the key to his success, but he knew it wouldn't be easy. He needed to cause chaos and damage that the old man would inevitably try to conceal. Then he would strike a target that would blow the case open in the eyes of the Ministry. Dumbledore would be called to testify before the Wizengamot and then all he had to do was keep sowing chaos. The moment the school was in danger of closing, he would drag the girl to the Chamber and Feast on her lifeforce. Tom lowered his quill over his version of the diary and sat back in the recreation of his room in the Slytherin Dorms. He smiled. He had the means and method of making the students panic and if he timed it right, no one would suspect his new puppet. For now he would gather information on his enemies and build his magic reserves. Until he was ready to begin again.

Chapter 20: Halloween Scares

Chapter Text

OW September 1992

So Dumbledore hasn't changed in over 50 years? I don't know whether to be happy the world hasn't developed beyond my comprehension or saddened by the man's lack of progress. Hazel chuckled to herself. Finding Tom in the diary had been a great stroke of luck, though she was sure that Lord Nott had something to do with it being in her bag. She had been weary at first of it being a cursed object but the diary hadn't tried binding to her magic yet and her magic didn't seem to react violently to it either. She was glad that even though her wand skills were still poor, at least her magical sensitivity had gone up. Quirrell had taught her that it was important to feel the magic around you as a way of understanding whether enchantments were a threat or not, at least magically speaking. She honestly missed her old Defense professor as Lockhart was a wackjob in every sense of the word. How the magical population of Britain fell for his charms and lies was a damn mystery in her mind, especially when she caught his magic trying to influence her. How no one seemed to notice did bother her but she honestly couldn't care less about them. They all believe Dumbledore's grandfatherly persona too so she would just ignore them. Hazel also refused to call Quirrell by the other name he gave her. It made it easier to look back on the last year a bit more… fondly.

She dipped her quill in the ink and did her best to write neatly while sitting on her bed. She had been trying to improve her handwriting with the antiquated instruments at least. "Did he have someone follow you all the time too? Pretty sure all the paintings stop what they are doing to follow me with their eyes everywhere. I am so glad for my family's Invisibility Cloak. I can avoid them all at night." Hazel swore she felt some amusem*nt from the book as Tom's words appeared on the page. Usually when he was out of class. As the Deputy Headmaster he couldn't order the portraits to spy on people. At least not at first. When some odd things started happening around the castle he convinced Headmaster Dippet to give him some control in hope of catching the perpetrator. That cloak must be a treat. I had trouble learning the Disillusionment charm by the time I made the Diary. I do hope my true self succeeded with the spell soon after. My family left me a few things but no Invisibility Cloak. Hazel frowned. "Because of how annoying Slytherins have been, I have been trying to pick up a few things, including looking up the magical families. If it wasn't for a room full of old books on the seventh floor, I was sure I would never have found anything on the subject. Though, I don't remember Riddle being one of the old magical families. Was yours a recent family or are you talking about your mother's family?"

Hazel waited for a bit and noticed he didn't answer straight away. "My question was insensitive, wasn't it? I am sorry Tom." Words sprang up on the page. You have some good instincts to notice that, even if it was after you wrote the question down. I never met my father. As for my mother, I assume she was a Gaunt but I never got her name. She died giving birth to me and only spoke my name to the nurses that attended to her. Hazel remembered that family name from her own research into her family. "They are descendants of the Peverells and Slytherin lines too, right? I found out I have some Peverell ancestry but not much. Do you speak to snakes too?" Hazel noticed a large ink drop appear on the page before Tom's words appeared, a bit less tidy than normal. Did you mean to write "too"? As in, you can speak to snakes as well? Interesting. My ancestors were indeed of the Peverell and Slytherin lines. Maybe a Slytherin or a Gaunt married into yours. Have you found anything in the castle? Legend speaks of a chamber left by Salazar for his descendants but there aren't any reports of it being real. Hazel tapped the quill feather onto her lip before writing down. "Not really. There might be more stuff in the Dungeons but I am hesitant to spend time down there. The Head of Slytherin House hates me and would be all too happy to make me spend all my free time scrubbing cauldrons and organizing his ingredient stores."

Tom wrote quickly. That doesn't sound like Professor Slughorn. He was my Head of House and Potions Master. He was strict but friendly and kind. He took me under his wing, even though I wasn't all that good at Potions. I owe a lot to him. Did he retire? Hazel sighed. Tom's Potion Master sounded perfect. A part of her wished she had studied under him. Maybe he would have helped her out. "I think so. The Potions Master and Head of Slytherin currently is Professor Snape. He favors the Slytherins ridiculously in class, giving points for mediocre potions while deducting points from us for just being there. He's personally sabotaged my potion over half a dozen times. I have to keep my hands over the cauldron for the most part now, to block any ingredients he and the Slytherins throw my way. Your Professor sounds like a dream." Hazel felt a mix of mirth and concern from the book's magic. Slughorn was a great teacher and Head of House. It bothers me how much Slytherin has changed. While I studied at Hogwarts, there was no tolerance for mediocrity within our House. It's why Slughorn gave me tutoring lessons for potions, some with older students, but mostly with him. He wanted all Slytherins to score Exceeds Expectations in his course. We all did, thanks to him, but we earned it the hard way. Your Professor shouldn't be at the school at all. Maybe Dumbledore's handywork?

Hazel hummed as her quill touched the parchment. "I think so. The old goat trusts the Professor over everyone else at the school." Tom took a second to respond. Sounds like he has him there for another reason. A shame, really. By the way, aren't you feeling tired? We have been at this for a while now. Hazel looked at her wristwatch before she responded. "Not really but it is late and tomorrow is Astronomy. I might fall asleep in class again. It's been great talking to you, Tom. Take care and I will write soon." Tom wrote back. Yes, do rest up. I remember those Astronomy late night classes. Pleasant dreams, Hazel, and see you soon. Hazel closed the diary and wrapped her leather strap around it before placing it in her trunk. Buried under the covers she turned over and thought about Tom. Her time with Quirrell had left her anxious around new people and Dumbledore and Lockheart were both driving her up the walls. Tom seemed nice and she was glad they had so much in common. That he was distantly related to her was nice too. She allowed sleep to claim her, hoping that this time she had found a real friend. Even if he was stuck in a book.

-∞-

NW October 31st 1992

Hazel washed her face before looking at her reflection in her bathroom mirror. It had been years since she dreamt about the diary. Like Quirrell, those memories were not particularly unpleasant until the end. Hazel brushed her teeth and thought that perhaps it was her anxiety over the coming months acting up. Croaker and her had been sharing information about the Chamber and the Basilisk afterall. She had to disappoint the man in his hope she could potentially control the creature. While she could speak Parseltongue, she didn't have the gift of Parselmagic. She couldn't force snakes to obey her as Tom could, something she discovered later for herself after several late night writing sessions with Tom. The git had conveniently forgotten to mention that particular fact before she encountered a snake in the dueling club Lockhart ran. At least she, or anyone else for that matter, hadn't needed any antivenom. Still, her little search of Harry's trunk hadn't shown any books that looked or felt like Tom Riddle's Diary, only Lily Evans' Potions notes and her journal. She hoped the kid was making good use of them. That particular treasure trove of information had been denied to her. After she rinsed her mouth and started to dress, her thoughts went back to the Chamber.

Salazar's Chamber had been more than just the lair of the Basilisk. It had been Salazar's personal repository. Every book he deemed important to his legacy was stored there, though the man had made sure only the diligent could find it and study it. It had been a good thing that her Chamber had had multiple entrances and exits, or she would never have found the repository. Dumbledore had discovered the one that had been used to drag the last victim into the Chamber and, after the Basilisk had been killed, sealed it. Hazel conveniently forgot to mention the entrance she knew existed in her Sanctuary. She had snuck into the Chamber and explored it with Dobby, recently freed after Hazel played Lucius like a fiddle, before they settled down and rendered down the Basilisk. The skin, fangs and venom had been preserved just in case they could one day be used. The meat had been harder to deal with. If she sold it, word might have spread of someone having access to the Chamber. Hazel had nearly gone insane trying to think of a way to use it without drawing attention to herself, as leaving it to rot felt like such a waste. Dobby had suggested the Goblins but Hazel knew Dumbledore had spies there. He would also see the sudden influx of funds to any accounts attached to her vaults, as her being a minor prevented her from making an independent account. In the end she reached out to the Centaurs and just gave it to them, in exchange for them never bringing it up to the Headmaster. They never did and she was granted a measure of protection with them for the generous offer.

Hazel eventually found Salazar's repository of books, only for her to groan as she had no way of reading them. She scoured the place and had breathed a huge sigh of relief when she found a book that helped translate Druidic Script to Modern English. She had smirked happily at the time, knowing the book was probably something Tom had left behind. Dumbledore's constant watch on him after Myrtle Warren's death had forced the boy never to return to the Chamber, something the Diary had no idea about. Neither of the two Tom's came back to hide their notes. So for the end of her second year and every year after that she could, Hazel studied the books in Salazar's repository, learning the Druidic Script and discovering the uses of Blood Magic. She knew Voldemort had some basic understanding of Blood Magic and had possibly studied it on his own after he left Hogwarts. She refused to let him have an edge over her. The thing that had surprised her the most were Salazar Slytherin's journals, as well as the journals of the first Gaunts. The man was very different from what the racists kids in his House believed him to be. She had eventually regretted the death of the Basilisk, learning that Salazar had never intended for her to kill muggleborns. Hazel had wished she could have revealed the truth in her world.

Sadly, the pureblood racists would have ignored the truth that Salazar's Basilisk was left behind to guard the school from outsiders, not muggleborns, just as they constantly ignored the dangers of inbreeding and the threat that the Muggles and their Weapons of Mass Destruction posed to the entire world. Even presented with undeniable physical proof and evidence, they would simply ignore it. So Hazel had stored those books away where she found them, with her own notes added in the hope that the next parseltongue speaker learned the truth and built on it as she had. With her world devoured in the Nuclear Winter, that hope had been extinguished. She prayed that in this world things with Salazar were similar enough. That the repository existed at all. She knew the Unspeakables would kill for the chance to read the notes of a Hogwarts Founder and to potentially publish them. The DoM hardly ever published its findings but when they did, people had a hard time ignoring them. Maybe, just maybe, Salazar's true legacy, not the propagandist illusion, could be restored. But for that to happen she needed to get into the Chamber. She had a lot of places in the Castle to explore and she hoped her old entrances worked just as well here.

"Hazel! Horatio called. We have a mission later in the night. Quetz has volunteered to look after Teddy for the afternoon. Hurry up here. We're starving." Hazel heard her son speak to Dora, though she didn't catch what he said to her. "Ok, fine. I am starving and Teddy is just hungry. Stop pruning your eyebrows and get out here." Hazel felt her eye twitch. "Sure, I will be right out, Nymphadora. Just so you know, you just got your breakfast reduced to one serving." Dora tried to complain but Teddy must have stopped her as the only thing she heard was a muffled noise and some giggling. Fully dressed, Hazel stepped out of the bathroom and glared at Dora. "Morning, Nymphadora." She smiled at Teddy and kissed his hair. "Morning Teddy. Good work on the silencing charm." Teddy beamed as Dora pulled out her wand and dispelled Teddy's charm. "Hazel, your kid is an Animagus, is studying way ahead of his peers and can do some wandless magic too. What haven't you taught him?" Hazel smirked. "The nastier hexes and curses. I still need to give him "The Talk" too. Another comment like the one earlier, and it will be your job. Under Andromeda's supervision, of course." Tonks paled and leaned back into her chair. "Noted. No more jokes early in the morning." Hazel got back to work on the stove, a smile on her face. "Good."

-∞-

Dora lowered her head as a hail of bullets shot up the wooden crate she was hiding behind. "R2, getting shot to hell over here." Horatio spoke up through the comms. "R1 isn't doing much better on the roof, R2. Except with less grumbling. Stow the chatter and return fire with your wand. Keep to stunners. And don't think I didn't hear that curse out of your mouth, R1. I know you can stun them so do it before you set the ward stone down." Hazel responded, with clear irritation in her voice. "R1, Acknowledged." Dora casted a kinetic barrier that Hazel had taught her, before looking over the crate and aiming her wand over the shield. Two more gunners fell to her stunners, one apparently keeping their finger on the trigger, as the gun went wild, bullets impacting the walls and some of his comrades as he went down. Dora dropped the shield as more bullets rained onto her crate. She was really glad the stuff inside was thick enough to take the bullets safely for her. She had barely managed to sneak into the warehouse through the open loading dock, before she tripped some electronic alarm. The Unspeakables were going to be researching how that happened when she got back to base Dora did curse her and her partner'sluck on hitting one of the warehouses manned exclusively by Muggles. Wizards were easier to take down and Horatio almost always gave the kill on sight order with them.

After their first mission, Croaker made sure his Operatives were more cautious in their missions concerning Muggles. MI5 and NCIS had jurisdiction when it came to Muggle criminals and while MI5 wasn't always squeamish, NCIS was. As the building turned up to only be guarded by Muggles, they had to follow the recently established NCIS guidelines, as they were the ones usually handling drug enforcement operations. Which meant no magical deaths. Dora was seriously considering taking up a firearm after this. After she finished her Animagus and Occlumency training first. The lights of the warehouse went out as Dora felt the wardstone activate. With only the emergency lights lighting up the place, the criminals slowed down their fire. "R1 to R2, prepare for apparition on your left. One minute." Dora adjusted her position and Hazel apparated silently beside her. "Roof targets all down and wardstone safely positioned. We only have to deal with the punks here." Dora looked over the crate, watching the criminals moving in closer, their weapons drawn. "Any ideas, partner?"

Hazel hummed as a grin grew on her face. "R1 to BM. Are we cleared to use spells for non-injury distractions?" Dora eyed her partner as Horatio sighed. "Yes, you are cleared for that." Hazel chuckled as she drew her wand. "I am going to enjoy this. Disillusion yourself as soon their fire is aimed elsewhere and stun them, partner." Dora nodded and her eyes grew wide as Hazel got started on conjurations. The criminals screamed in terror as hellhounds, giant bats and zombies appeared out of thin air and attacked them. Dora went out and stunned the criminals, seeing Hazel do the same from her side of the warehouse. They took cover a few times when the bastards started spraying bullets everywhere but the bats latching onto their faces and the hellhounds and zombies tackling the gunmen down kept the danger to a minimum. Seeing the criminals were all stunned, Dora removed her Disillusionment charm. She heard a body slam against a desk and turned around quickly, her wand raised with a stunner ready to cast. Hazel visually appeared just outside an elevated office door, a man's body slumped over the railing of a staircase that hugged the wall. "Watch the three dimensions, R2."

Dora sighed in relief, lowering her wand. "Thanks again, R1. I will remember that." Hazel nodded and held her wrist up. "R1 to BM, targets neutralised. All stunned though a few might have some horror inspired nightmares in the future." Dora heard Horatio give an exasperated sigh. "Acknowledged. We will have our liaisons and Obliviators on site just in case. NCIS and metropolitan police are on their way. Wait for their arrival on the roof, retrieve the wardstone and return to base. Good job. BM out." Dora "eeped" as Hazel apparated her to the roof and the two sat under a notice-me-not charm as they waited for the sirens that were growing louder as the vehicles made their way through the streets. Dora thought about the monsters Hazel conjured and chuckled. "Nice thinking earlier." Hazel smiled. "Thanks. Seemed like a good idea if we couldn't trust our stealth to avoid getting shot. Especially when you triggered the alarm." Dora nodded and felt a smile grow on her face. "You got any VHS' at the apartment of scary movies? We could have a marathon tonight." Hazel shrugged. "A few, but we're sticking to the old black and white classics. Teddy isn't ready for the Hammer Horror films or the American slasher flicks." Dora rested her chin on her hand as the sound of sirens came closer, the sky dyed purple and orange by the setting sun. "Fine, but I am dragging you on a date for a scary movie one of these days." Hazel sighed. "Deal."

-∞-

"Another!" Hazel sighed and rubbed her eyes. "Dora, I think we created a monster." Teddy pouted as Dora and Quetz chuckled, the blonde waving her hand. "Come now, amiga. Let the squirt have his fun." Hazel glared softly at the DoM's Crafter. "You say that when you won't be the one dealing with his nightmares after tonight." Quetz shrugged. "Fair point. So, that was the Mummy. We still have the Invisible Man, The Wolf-Man or Creature from the Black Lagoon." Hazel stood up. "Put in Black Lagoon. I am going to get some more popcorn made." Dora spoke after her. "Make sure it has loads of butter this time!" Teddy shook his head. "White cheddar popcorn is better!" Quetz laughed. "No, no. Caramel popcorn is the best." The disgusted looks on Dora and Teddy's face made her laugh as Hazel pulled a pot onto the stovetop and got to work. Quetz skipped ahead to the opening credits while Teddy and Dora tried their best to imitate the appearance of Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff from the Mummy, Dracula and Frankenstein, much to Quetz entertainment. The blonde headed to the fridge. "Oy, Dora. You want a beer?" Dora eyed Teddy and Hazel. Teddy shrugged. "You two get drunk, Mom will kick you out the front door and Leafsby might lock you out of your Apartment."

Hazel hummed as she listened to the kernels popping. "What he said." Dora looked to Quetz. "Just one for me. I'd rather make it to my bed tonight." Quetz opened the fridge and pulled two bottles out before returning to her seat and handing Dora one of them. Hazel brought in two bowls of popcorn and the four settled in to watch the next movie. Halfway into the film, Dobby popped in. "Miss Hazel. Someone has been petrified at Hogwarts." Hazel stared at the elf. That had happened too early in the year. She knew Tom had trouble feeding from her in her old world but to be able to manifest enough after two months? "What's the Headmaster done to safeguard the students?" Dobby rubbed his hands nervously. "All students have been sent to their dormitories and the prefects have been ordered to watch them. The Professors are searching the Castle for the culprit." Hazel sighed. "And Harry?" Dobby smiled. "The Great Harry Potter wasn't near the petrification. He was safely returned to his dormitory. He hasn't been anywhere near what happened." Hazel thought for a moment before looking at Dobby. "Keep watch over the Griffindor Dormitory for tonight. Croaker will want to wait and see what Dumbledore does tonight and in the morning before sending us in. Be careful you aren't spotted. The elves and the portraits will be looking out for anything out of place."

Dobby nodded. "Dobby will go watch the Lion dorms. Dobby be careful. Hogwarts elves know of Dobby and won't betray. They know Hogwarts isn't safe. Dobby is going now." Quetz stood up, finished her beer and turned to Hazel after the elf popped away. "Sounds like you two will have a full day of work tomorrow. I'll take my leave. Thanks for movie night and dinner, amiga." Hazel nodded. "Later, Q. I'll stop by in the morning to check on your protective lenses. Can't be too careful with a Basilisk." Quetz ruffled Teddy's hair. "Later, squirt." Teddy waved at her as she left. "Later Quetz." Hazel pulled Teddy up from the floor. "Go shower. You can come back, watch the rest of the film and then go to bed." Teddy nodded and rushed to the bathroom as Dora looked at Hazel. "A Basilisk?" Hazel sat down, her eyes seeing something other than the living room in front of her. "Slytherin's monster. Controlled and unleashed by a Parseltongue." Dora frowned. "Didn't know that a Basilisk petrified people." Hazel nodded. "Not many do. Indirect line of sight from its eyes or if ordered otherwise, it won't kill outright." Dora rubbed her face. "Great. Our suspect pool includes over a hundred kids." Hazel eyed Dora. "And one cursed book."

-∞-

Earlier…

"I really wish Lockhart would drop it. He keeps picking me for his silly scene reenactments." Ron shrugged. "Come on, Harry. It's not that bad. Things could be worse." Harry glared at Ron. "How?" Ron swallowed the large chuck of chicken meat he just pulled from the drumstick in his hand. "Snape could be dragging you in for detention for one. He's left you alone since the start of term." Harry sighed as he ate another bite of food from his plate, his eyes looking towards the Staff Table. He had a feeling he knew why Snape had stopped attacking him in Potions. Ever since he got his mom's Potion Notes, he did his best to follow them, making sure he understood why she made all those changes to the standard potions procedure. The results had been uncanny as most of his potions came out as the Professor demanded them to be or just a bit off. He constantly felt Snape's eyes on his back whenever he prepared a potion but the dour man never spoke a word to him he didn't need to. Lily Potter's journal also included a few mentions of Snape in them, helping her out with her assignments. That they had been Potions partners and friends had made Harry feel so conflicted and the man's change in behaviour, while appreciated, made Harry all the more confused as to why Snape acted the way he did the past year.

Shaking his head, he turned to Hermione who ate from her meal at a slow pace. "You ok?" Hermione turned and gave him a shy smile. "Yeah, just not sleeping as well. There is a lot more work this year. The upper years also say it gets worse with the electives. I was thinking of registering for most of them but after this last month, I better not." Harry hummed. "Same. I have been reading a bit ahead. Arithmancy and Runes sound nice but Care just sounds fun." Ron coughed into his plate of food, getting disgusted looks from the other kids near him. "You two are talking about electives now? We are almost a year away from that. Also, Arithmancy and Runes are the hardest electives one can take. Are you mental?" Harry turned at Ron and shrugged. "What, some of it is interesting. Except maybe Arithmancy. I took Math in primary but I don't miss it, so I might go with Runes and Care. Helping Hagrid with the creatures is fun as is." Ron shook his head as Harry thought back to the birthday present he found in his mother's trunk. The note on it had been quite right. Scamander's annotated edition was a lot drier to read than the one he found in the library, but the man went into so much detail on things to do and not do with all the creatures, Harry felt it was worth the headache. He was really looking forward to Care for Magical Creatures. "You two are bloody mental." After Ron's comment, Harry turned to Hermione who eyed him carefully. "What?" She shook her head. "Nothing, it's just nice seeing you enjoying classes more."

Harry smiled for a second before he frowned. "I would be better if we didn't have Lockhart tomorrow. I can't stand his assignments." Hermione giggled and Harry was about to admonish her about his suffering being amusing to her when a Ravenclaw prefect rushed into the Great Hall. "Headmaster! Come quick. Something's happened to Mr. Filch on the Second floor." Harry watched as the students rushed out of the Great Hall, ignoring the Headmaster's orders. He followed the pack until they reached the second floor, being careful not to slip on the wet floors. "I said everyone was to stay at the Hall. That will be…" Dumbledore's voice trailed off as he came up on the scene that had the students dead quiet. Mr. Filch held his cat in his arms, his face stuck in a horrified expression. Both the man and his cat were as still as statues against the wall, where a message had been written, the letters dripping with what appeared to be blood. Let Hogwarts rejoice and my enemies tremble. The Heir of Slytherin has returned.

Chapter 21: Looking for a Book in a School

Chapter Text

Croaker brought Hazel, Dora and Horatio to his office to discuss the matter of the attack at Hogwarts. "Last night, either before or during the Halloween Dinner Feast, the caretaker, Mr. Filch, and the Maledictus, Mrs. Norris, were found petrified in the corridors of the first floor of Hogwarts Castle. Beside them on the wall was a message written in chicken's blood declaring the return of Slytherin's Heir." Dora frowned. "Ok, so we have a wacko at the school claiming to be the Heir of Slytherin and the most likely culprit is a memory of the previous Heir possessing a student through a diary. Are you sending us on a book chase or a monster chase?" Croaker sighed and lowered his papers. "As of right now? Neither. Dumbledore has blocked all mail coming out of the Castle and he controls the Floo terminal access. We have no way of intervening without exposing any of the children as informants and our own operations." Hazel huffed. "We can still go in and scour the Castle and the dorms under disillusionment." Horatio shook his head. "No way of doing that without being noticed by someone or something. We have a better chance of succeeding if we do this under the cover of a DMLE investigation."

Dora sat back. "Which can't start without a witness from last night calling for help or us endangering the kids acting as our informants." Hazel looked at Croaker. "How furious is Amelia?" Croaker shivered. "Pissed. She wants to drag Dumbledore in to explain himself but she refuses to place Susan in the old man's sights." Hazel sat back and thought for a moment. "What's Hogwarts policy on family elves? I know we are breaking it with Dobby and I don't want to expose him, but is there a way the students could summon a house elf and send the word out through them?" Croaker shook his head. "The children aren't allowed to summon the family elves to the Castle. It's in the Charter." Dora frowned and thought back to what her father taught her about laws. "Wait, if they specifically wrote that in, there must be emergency measures that would allow them to use them. No one ever writes a law that they can't take advantage of in some way with a well worded exception." Hazel watched Croaker sigh as he pulled out a large book from a drawer. "If that's the Hogwarts Charter, we will be here a while."

Horatio rubbed his chin. "Even if we do find an exception, that doesn't solve the issue of exposing a child. None of the informants can call the elves without drawing attention to themselves as well." The office went quiet as Croaker searched the Charter. Hazel remembered something. "We could have one of the children approach someone else with an elf. It would draw attention away from them." Dora hummed. "Sure, but what's to stop them from telling Dumbledore under pressure. We are back at square one." Hazel had a smile grow on her face. "Not entirely. There is one group of students that Dumbledore has no influence over and whose families would defend them violently. He wouldn't dare to question them, even if he knew it was them that leaked the information. We just need a willing member." Dora thought for a second and nodded. "That could work, but who do we pick? The Malfoys are down one elf and we could get Dobby in trouble if one of the other Malfoy elves spots him at the school." Hazel thought back to her summer lunches with the Coalition members and looked at Croaker. "Would Lord Nott be opposed to letting his grandson summon the family elf for an emergency message? He is the only family the old man has left out of Azkaban."

Croaker smiled at her. "Oh, I don't think he would mind at all. I'll leave a message with Lady Greengrass so that her Heiress approaches Heir Nott. We should have a notification by the end of the day." Dora groaned. "Which leaves the suspect a second full night to hide any evidence. Great." Horatio sighed. "You aren't wrong, Tonks, but Dumbledore did have the students stuck in their dorms for all of last night with the Staff searching the Castle. Their movements have already been limited." Dora shrugged. "Still a crapshoot though. We lost two days because of Dumbledore's mail censorship and by the time we got there, the memory would likely have covered its bases. How are we supposed to find a single cursed book in Hogwarts though? The place is full of every type of book and probably a sizable amount of them are cursed." Croaker eyed Hazel. "We start with the students and work our way out. Since the anticipated target never got the book, we can't discard anyone else. Remember to handle it with extreme care. The book latches onto a person's magic. The longer in their presence, the longer the drain. Looking for signs of Magical Exhaustion won't help at Hogwarts, since it's a given a lot of the students will suffer the symptoms over their classwork alone, but it's a start. I'll get the ball rolling with Greengrass and Bones, you two get ready to leave as soon as the order is given."

-∞-

Hazel watched as Albus Dumbledore approached Amelia and the Aurors that flanked her as they entered the Main Gates of the Castle. "Amelia? What brings you here? There is certainly no reason to bring such a heavy Auror presence to the school." Amelia glared at the Headmaster. "So you don't have your caretaker currently petrified in the Hospital Wing?" Albus blinked at her, seemingly confused as to where she heard the news from. "I will admit someone played a most mean-spirited prank on Argus, but nothing to involve the Aurors over." Amelia's foot started tapping on the floor and the Aurors gave her a bit of distance. They all knew Amelia's tells. "Really? Because I was told he couldn't be revived via standard means. There was also a threatening message on the walls. You may see this as a poor excuse for a prank, but this is grounds for an Auror investigation and my people are here to carry it out. We will start with the students as my Aurors check the castle's classroom and dorms." Albus tried to wave the matter away. "Now Amelia, this is a bit extreme for a Hogwarts matter." Amelia growled. "Albus, this investigation is happening. I have records from fifty years ago about a similar set of incidents that ended with the death of a girl. I am not looking to repeat history. Are you?"

Dumbledore seemed stunned for a moment as if not completely contemplating what the situation ment. He sighed. "Very well, but I will bring this up to the Board. Bringing Aurors to search the school isn't something that the Charter accepts easily." Amelia raised an eyebrow. "Sure. While we are at it we can also discuss your interception of mail, which is illegal outside of times of war. We aren't at war, Albus. Let's see who the Board finds acted out of their purview." Dumbledore seemed to age a bit before he walked away, probably to his office. Amelia looked at Hazel and Dora. "You two have your orders. Go and carry them out." Hazel and Dora nodded as they headed for the stairs that went down to the Dungeons. Dora eyed Hazel. "I like your eyes better in green." Hazel chuckled. "And I like yours better in purple." Dora blushed. "Is there a reason you change your eye color to blue for this?" Hazel hummed. "A certain Dungeon Bat was a close friend to Lily Evans. She, Harry and I share a similar shade of eye color and I was hoping to avoid having the double agent in the Castle make any assumptions that could lead to him and the old goat trying to impede us."

Dora frowned. "You said he is a double agent. For which side is he really spying for?" Hazel shrugged. "Not a damn idea. My money is on him being on his own side first, everyone else second. Old oaths compel him to serve one or both. On the plus side, if the Diary was made in the 1940s as suspected, old Voldemort's memory won't know about him and won't know to use Snape to suit his plans, which gives us a bit of an edge. By the way, you lead with him. I am half a mind to cut his throat open and walk away." Dora sighed. "Hazel…" The white haired witch hummed merrily as they walked past the Kitchens and deeper into the Castle. "Actually, I have Lockhart here too. What should I do to him, I wonder? Castration? Maybe. Cruciatus? Definitely. Leaving him covered in honey in a room full of fire ants? Decisions, decisions." Dora heard enough and whacked Hazel on the head. "We are here to hunt down a cursed book, not to get your bloodlust sated." Hazel pouted. "Spoilsport." Dora glared at her. "I'll tell Teddy what you were planning to do." Dora regretted saying that as soon as she saw Hazel's sad expression. "Fine. No tortures or killings today unless it's a memory in a book."

Bothered by her partner's expression, Dora squeezed her hand. "What did Snape do to you anyway? You had to be in school around the same time he was." Hazel shook her head, as if to chase away her emotions. "We met after he graduated. He was a Death Eater and one of Voldemort's spies. He was also a nasty Wizard to run into. He spent his years at school fighting with Gryffindors and inventing new curses for revenge. The war gave him the perfect outlet for his frustration. Voldemort had it out for me in that he wanted me captured, so Snape was his perfect sad*stic retriever. He made sure I was never too damaged by the other Death Eaters. Last time I saw Snape out of Hogwarts I sent an AK at him and walked away. Guess I missed him. On the plus side, I doubt he could ever figure out who I am. I am very different from the girl I once was." Dora could tell there was more to what Hazel experienced but she imagined it had more to do with Hazel's secrets. Having a Dark Lord hunting you didn't seem like the best way to live and if Snape was in the Order, then Hazel clearly found no help there either. No wonder she hates both sides equally. "Alright, I will take the lead with him. All I did was almost kill him with a plant, so he shouldn't be too hostile." Hazel nodded and bumped Dora's shoulder with hers. "You also need to share that memory later. I want to see his face. Bet it was priceless."

-∞-

OW April 1997

"Concentrate, Potter. The Dark Lord won't hesitate to peak into your mind and leave you a blathering mess. Control your emotions and concentrate!" Hazel felt her temper rising. She had been at it with Severus Snape as her Occlumency Instructor since last year. Nothing came of it except for migraines and a lot of sleepless nights. Feeling tired of dealing with him tonight she did the opposite of what he asked and filled her mind with rage, which seemed to force him out violently. "Enough! I've had it with your lessons." Snape snickered at her. "Just like your father. Lazy, arrogant." Hazel spat at him. "You would know, not me. You got my parents killed playing Death Eater. Tell me, does it still sting that she picked Dad over you!" Snape aimed his wand at her. "Legilimens." Hazel felt him enter her mind but she dug deep into her rage, feeding it to him. He got launched out of her mind as a guttural growl left her mouth. "I said enough! You don't care that I master it. You don't care that I survive. I don't need to see into that blackened skull of yours. All you care about is hurting me for my father's crimes. I am done! Take your Occlumency and Defense classes and count me out."

Hazel turned to leave before she felt the incoming spell from behind. She turned and avoided it. "Crucio!" Snape dodged her curse, sneering at her as he moved about his office carefully. "Please. As if you could manage to hold that curse long on me. I have been under ones casted by the Dark Lord himself." Hazel gave him a predatory grin. "So have I and you have given me six years worth of material to hate you for. Want to reap what you sow?" Hazel dodged a silent curse that carved a gash into the stone wall just behind her and casted the Cruciatus curse at him again, barely grazing him. Snape stalked towards her. "You think you know how to fight? Please. The lessons from Mad-Eye and your Godmother have gone to your head. The Order struggles because none of them have what it takes to fight back." Hazel eyes light up with magic. "Then try me. I avenged my Godmother's death. Try me so I can show you that I am not one of Dumbledore's pawns and I refuse to be your punching bag anymore. Avada Kedavra!" The Potion Master's office lit up a dark green color as the man dodged the curse by jumping behind his desk. Hazel swung her wand and smashed all the vials behind where the man hid, hoping the mixture of them was dangerous to him.

"Come on out, Snivellus. You wanted revenge on James Potter's crimes against you? Here I am. Try and kill me. I want to haunt you and see Voldemort tear you apart. Word is I am his after all. So which do you want, death at the hands of the girl you tortured for six years or death at the hands of the Master you keep swearing loyalty to, even as he has you licking your wounds from his lessons in discipline." Hazel heard a frustrated growl from him as the door behind her opened. "Severus. Dumbledore has called the Order. Voldemort's forces are attacking St. Mungos. Hur… good heavens! Miss Potter, what did you do!" Hazel took her bag and pulled out her cloak. "What I had wanted to do for years. Later, Minerva." Snape yelled out to her as she left the door. "This isn't over, Potter." Hazel pointed her wand back. "As far as I am concerned, it is. Later Snivellus. Impetus Tempestatis." Hazel smirked as she heard the door slam shut on the two professors as the wind threw the office into chaos. Once safely under the Cloak she pulled out the Marauder's Map and looked for her boyfriend's name. She needed a good snog and maybe a little something more to get her mood into a more pleasant state.

-∞-

NW November 2nd 1992

Severus Snape had taken a lot of convincing about the search of the Slytherin Dorms, but he agreed to one eventually, calling the students to wait outside in the corridors. After scanning that none of the students took anything improper with them, Hazel and Dora sweeped the rooms. A few kids were cheeky, raising wards for their chambers but Hazel dismantled them easily enough. Her work with charms based wards had improved as Croaker kept lending her more and more books on wards, even rune based ones. At least her Futhark was improving. The best part of these lessons had been pulling Teddy in with her and the two studying Futhark together. It was a lot more fun and Hazel could make the lessons more practical by showing him how to apply Runes for wards on the spot. Teddy had been a bit worried when she made the cookie jar vanish but Hazel promised not to do that if he kept to the allotted amount of cookies per week. Her son hadn't given her a reason to conceal it since, though she did add a stinging ward on it. Dora had been stealing cookies from the jar too.

Despite the wards raised by the students, Hazel and Dora found nothing of concern through most of the dorms, just your typical things a student would conceal, like contraband alcohol, sweets and a few cheat sheets. One room, however, did have something of concern. Hazel could feel the binding and compulsion spells on it. She could also see traces of blood where the wrists would be placed. "Dora. You have been spending more time with the legal division. Care to look at this and check it for me? It isn't the book we are looking for but I am pretty sure it's illegal." Dora came in and casted diagnostic spells on it. She cursed. "The hell is an enslavement collar and manacles set doing here!" Hazel pulled out an extendable bag and dropped the cursed item inside of it before sealing the bag. She concentrated on her memories of seeing Teddy smiling up at her as a baby and Dora watched as a tiny Patronus manifested on Hazel's hand. It looked like a dragon, though it seemed off to Dora's eyes. "Director. We have a cursed object in a sixth year Slytherin student's dorm. Enslavement and binding curses on it, along with traces of blood. Might want to send someone to collect the student for investigation. Student's name is Marcus Flint."

The patronus took flight and vanished to deliver its message. After making sure there were no other cursed objects and finding trace evidence that the enslavement collar had been hidden in the same spot for some time, Hazel and Dora exited the dorms and ran head first into an irate Professor Snape. "What did you do? One of my students was just pulled away for questioning." Dora's hand on her back stopped Hazel from cursing him and made her think on what to say. "Your student was in possession of an illegal dark artefact, one designed to enslave and bind another person to his will. The artefact is very likely illegal in the Hogwarts Charter too. He will be processed as the DMLE determines what crimes he will be charged with beyond mere possession. There is also trace magic of it being there for years, so don't try to spin it as a plant by a fellow student, Professor." Snape stared at her and Hazel gave him a grin. "Bit of a warning, Former Death Eater. My Occlumency is designed to incapacitate trespassers violently. Care to try your luck?" The man lowered his eyes.

"You are aware you may be ruining a boy's future with this?" Hazel bared her teeth. "If the artefact was used on another person, he doesn't get to play the victim card. At some point we are all victims, professor. The question is when the person decides what comes next. To fight back or to become a victimizer themselves. By the end, it doesn't matter who suffers what, because everyone has already lost something. Your student may lose a promising future, another may have taken their life or have already lost any sense of safety a school should provide to them. So tell me, Professor. Do you want your students to be safe or to get away with anything they want? Because the latter is exactly what gave rise to your former pals. It's also the reason I have left every single Death Eater in my path with a one way ticket to a box six feet under. So, which are you willing to foster in this once noble House?" Snape stared hard at her for a bit but never dared to test her mind. He looked away. "You aren't any different from them, Auror." Hazel smiled. "I know. I stopped caring about being different. It's what happens when you can drown in the blood of the people you have killed. Your former Dark Lord had the same look, right?"

Snape stepped aside to let them leave. "I don't believe you know who you are talking about, Auror." Hazel hummed as she walked past him. "Oh, I am sure I knew him better than you ever did. I am also sure a smart man such as yourself knows exactly what he valued you as; a portable Apothecary. Must be nice, being no better than the corner stores at Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade. Oh, I forgot. That tattoo you got also made you a dog. Be careful not to run wild though. I might just put you down. If you can prove to be a better person than the majority of the people who wear that Mark, you might just live to see old age. Do remember that for the next time we meet." Dora followed her out of the Common Room, leaving a pensive man behind as he summoned his students back inside the Slytherin Dorm. Dora kept walking beside Hazel in silence for a bit. "I didn't kill him." Dora squeezed Hazel's shoulder gently. "No, you didn't. So, want me to show you where Teddy will be sleeping for 7 years of his life?" Hazel groaned. "Fine, but stop reminding me of that. My future separation anxiety and concerns with the school's safety are not making the thoughts any easier to bear." Dora patted Hazel's back reassuringly as they approached Professor Sprout. Today was going to be a long day.

-∞-

Hermione made her way up to the seventh floor and paced back and forward in front of the wall until a door appeared. She entered the small private room that she and Tom had designed to keep him stored safely. Tom had been worried when he heard how active the Aurors had been the last year at Hogwarts and asked Hermione to bring him here for safe keeping. When I crafted this book, I was barely sixteen, had just watched a building get blown up beside my orphanage during the Blitz and had failed to get permission to stay at Hogwarts over the summer. I watched as men, women and children died. Like with you, the purebloods did not care what happened to me. I was a wizard with a muggle's last name after all. So I looked desperately for a means of securing my legacy. I found some books that delved into places Dumbledore and the Ministry don't like for anyone to discover. I found a way to preserve my memories and my personality so that even if I died before the war ended, there would still be a record of Tom Riddle. I could prove to them I was smarter than the rest. And I did. I am asking you to hide me because they wouldn't understand why I made my decision, they would only destroy me. I don't want to die, Hermione.

So she did as he asked of her and placed him in a room he had discovered, a place where he would be safe from the staff and the Aurors. Hermione sat down and pulled open the Diary. "The Aurors are finally gone now. They arrested a Slytherin boy for hiding a dark artefact in his room on the first day, but that was it. They kept at it for a month and nothing came from it. No one knows who the Heir of Slytherin is and everyone is worried when he will strike again. Ron says it might be Draco Malfoy, since he is always spouting racist remarks he learned from his dad." Hermione smiled, seeing Tom respond to her quickly. There was an Abraxas Malfoy in my year. Blonde hair, Heir to an exiled French family. Bit of a snob but he always watched his words. Might be the boy's Grandfather. Such a shame, as the young man I knew mellowed out a little in his later years before I made the Diary. Unless Abraxas married into some really old and reclusive families, I don't think his grandson is the Heir. We actually had a similar set of events at Hogwarts in the year before this diary was made. I spent some time in the library and couldn't find much on the Slytherin line. Either the information was removed by the Heirs or by people who wanted to make sure the Heirs didn't discover their legacy.

Hermione dipped her quill in ink and responded. "Dumbledore got reprimanded by the Board for intercepting the students mail during the first few days of the incident. Could he have hidden the information on the Heirs from the school?" Tom took a bit longer to respond. Maybe. You said the only electives available now were Care of Magical Creatures, Arithmancy, Runes, Divination, Muggle Studies and maybe NEWT Alchemy? We used to have more in my time under Headmaster Dippet. Dueling, Healing, Spell Creation, NEWT Warding and Enchanting. There were also unused textbooks in the library for Wizarding Law, Rituals, Blood Magic and Wand Crafting. I think there were more but those were probably ancient courses, taught by the School closer to the Founders' age. I personally took Arithmancy, Runes and Dueling myself. Tried for Spell Creation but my schedule didn't allow for it. Regardless, Dumbledore likes keeping important information from people he can't trust, which is everyone. He probably ended the Dueling course to eliminate future threats that don't exist. Hermione thought about all the courses she could have taken and was missing out on. "I was planning to take Runes and Arithmancy but I don't know about the rest. Muggle Studies doesn't seem very accurate based on what I have heard the older students say. Divination doesn't sound very appealing beyond learning of the Ancient Oracles and such. Care, at least seems fine, since who knows what creatures one could run into."

Tom replied. Indeed. One of my schoolmates had an immature Acromantula with them as a pet. Don't know what he was thinking bringing that thing into the Castle. Read up on them after it almost bit me. Nasty spiders get quite big in a few decades. The school also hosts Thestrals and Hippogriffs, or at least it did in my time. The Thestrals pull the carriages that seem horseless, while the Hippogriffs keep the more dangerous creatures away from the school with their presence. Saw a few wild Unicorns once too. With your limited choices, I say that sounds like a safe class to take. Do be careful with the lake. Some nasty Kelpies swim in it and sometimes catch students that swim into the deep water. We didn't lose anyone while I was there but a couple out for a swim got killed some years back by them. I know there are Grindylows in the lake too, but they don't get too close to the surface. Hermione wrote back quickly. "Guess it's Care for me, along with Arithmancy and Runes. Thanks for listening to me and for sharing about how Hogwarts is different. Sounds like we are missing out on a lot of cool courses." Tom's flowing script answered back. Anytime. Actually, the next time you visit, I might have a surprise for you. Might make up for the things you're missing out on.

Hermione smiled, bid goodbye and stepped out of the room. She noticed that she was a bit later than she had planned on being but she still made it back to the Common Room before Curfew. She pulled out her seat beside Harry and took out her textbooks and parchments. Ron, across from her, eyed her. "Where were you? Harry went looking for you in the library and didn't find you." Hermione shrugged. "A small unused classroom. I like to just read and relax in a private space rather than focusing on homework all the time. It's getting quite exhausting and the Library has been quite noisy as of late." Both Harry and Ron agreed with her on that they all sat down to write their assignments, though Ron kept trying to copy from theirs. Hermione smiled at Harry, glad he was taking his courses seriously this year. She yawned as she wrote more of her assignments, wondering just why she was feeling so tired. She would have to ask her mom or Madam Pomfrey if periods made a person tired, since hers just started. The next morning, Colin Creevy would be found petrified, the photo he took of Hermione leading a Basilisk through the corridors destroyed by the creature's gaze.

Chapter 22: Yuletide Tales

Chapter Text

"You sure you don't want to come with us for Christmas? Mom wouldn't mind. She would be delighted to have you as a guest again." Harry sighed. "No Ron, I don't. I'll be fine with my relatives and I have some things I need to look through back at their place. It's important to me and with the school closed for the Holidays this is my best chance for some peace and quiet." Ron didn't look happy but he left it alone as the line of students moved forward. The second attack at the end of November had really gotten the school into a frenzy. Lockhart had hosted a dueling club that was supposedly aimed at teaching everyone how to, in his words, fight a monster. All Harry learned is that most of the students didn't know how to defend themselves at all, not even some of the older kids. The only ones he saw being decent at it in his year were Susan Bones, the pretty redhead from Hufflepuff, Daphne Greengrass, a dark haired girl from Slytherin, Theodore Nott, from Slytherin as well, and, to his surprise, Neville. Neville had launched Draco far on the Dueling platform and was able to raise his shields quickly, knocking the prat out to everyone's surprise. Apparently he had received some tutoring in the summer and a new wand that allowed him to cast spells better. He was also exercising at the behest of his tutor. He had blushed when Harry asked him if he could join him on his morning exercises but Neville happily agreed to it.

Those exercises weren't exactly groundbreaking, with most of it being running, jogging and some stretches but Harry felt himself more wide awake on the mornings within a month and could now do the morning runs without breathing heavily at the end of them. He was also eating a bit more, which he was thankful for. Andromeda's medical report had made Madam Pomfrey apologize to him for not noticing his physical condition when he was brought to the Hospital Wing at the end of the last year and he was instantly placed on a bit of a nutrition supplement diet. His scars were treated once a week too and he was surprised to see how much they had faded away already. He certainly felt more confident and less anxious about his body when he showered among other students, which was all the time in the Gryffindor Dorms and in the Quidditch lockers. Despite some differences with equipment, Gryffindor won its match against Slytherin. There was no easy way for Slytherin to win with their team captain being dragged off by the Aurors. He had been surprised to see the two Aurors from the Alley come and inspect the Gryffindor dorms, but they left with only pointing out that the older students shouldn't share their alcohol with the minors and for the Weasley Twins to not booby trap their room again.

The Twins acted weird around the pink haired Auror and he later learned that she had dated their brother Charlie when they were at school. They tried their twin voice act to woo the white haired Auror but she simply silenced them and told them that if she heard them pranking second year and younger students, they would wish they could spend the rest of their lives separate from each other. The pink haired Auror pulled them aside and they seemed to have been spooked by whatever she said. The second and first year students had gone prank free ever since. When the two Aurors left, Harry had been surprised to see a few snacks added to his trunk with a note asking him to please stay out of trouble. He was happy knowing those two were friendly enough to look after him. His thoughts came back to the present he found in his trunk, a book on mental exercises to help with keeping calm in stressful situations, when he spotted the same two Aurors scanning the students as they boarded the train. He smiled when he reached the white haired Auror. "Hello. Still nothing?" Hazel shook her head. "Can't tell you kid. Just be careful. Heard from Andromeda you didn't take their Christmas invitation."

Harry blushed slightly and lowered his eyes. "I wanted to but it felt wrong. I haven't met the family yet." Hazel chuckled and pointed at her partner who was scanning Hermione, before waving his friend into the train after a few words. "That's Tonks. She has a first name but I am banned from saying it to another person within earshot of her." Tonks waved at him and he waved back. "Huh. I guess you are close to the Tonks family? Are you… are you aware of the arrangement around my custody?" Hazel smiled at him. "A bit. Also partners are encouraged to train and spend their free time together. Better trust, better results and all that. So, are you heading back to Surrey?" Harry nodded and Hazel hummed. "Then take care and remember that people are watching them. Be polite and respectful and if they start anything, you have the satisfaction to know you did nothing wrong. You're clear so get on board and Happy Holidays." Harry nodded. "Happy Holidays." He took a cabin with Ron, Hermione and Neville and the three chatted away merrily as the Hogwarts Express took them back home. Harry wondered how long the school would remain closed as it was searched in its entirety for the potential Chamber of Secrets he had been hearing about.

-∞-

"Happy Holidays!" Dora pulled the warmly dressed Teddy into a hug. "Happy Holidays, kid. Welcome to our home." Teddy got pulled into a deeper hug by Andromeda as Hazel entered the House. Hazel glared at Dora, who tried to play innocent. "Next time you decide to prank Q before the Holidays, don't. She was furious with that stale case of beer you sent her." Dora laughed. "Think she will trust my real gift when she gets back from her vacation in Guatemala?" Hazel shrugged. "You'll know if the gun you eventually try out explodes on you." Dora blinked for a second before her hair turned yellow. "Oh. I forgot about that." Hazel hummed merrily at Dora's reaction, leaving her now cleaned boots beside Teddy's as she took her jacket off, revealing a black turtleneck with long sleeves that had Dora licking her lips. Hazel hugged Andromeda before turning to Ted. "Pleasure to meet you officially, sir. Your wife and daughter speak highly of you." Ted shook her hand. "And of you, as well. Dora especially. Come on in. I have some sparkling drinks here for the non-alcoholics in the house." Hazel breathed a sigh of relief. " Thank the heavens. I'll take some. That eggnog Dora gave me was sweet rocket fuel and I am not planning on getting drunk for any reason near her just yet." Ted chuckled and showed her into the house.

The group settled into the family room beside the Christmas tree as Andromeda brought a tray of cold cuts for everyone to eat as the presents were opened. Teddy went first, opening a small box that turned out to be a Wizard Wireless. Dora smiled at him. "Since you will be going to Hogwarts in the coming September, I thought you might like a little music with you." Teddy beamed. "It's great! Thank you!" Dora opened one of her presents and frowned at the keychain until she groaned and glared at Hazel. "You didn't." Her partner drank from her sparkling apple juice, a grin on her face. "What? You were cute as a bunny rabbit. I thought of giving you a rabbit's foot I made from a real rabbit myself but Teddy said it was in bad taste." Dora looked back at the key chain and then at Teddy. "You know what, thanks kid. I really don't want to know what a rabbit's foot made by a Blood Witch ends up doing." Hazel glared at Dora. "This Blood Witch might disable your balance charm at any moment, Bugs." Dora flushed, her hair turning red. "That is not my new nickname!" Teddy laughed and filled Andromeda and Ted in on the joke. "Dora was babysitting me when she did her Animagus exercises. I spent an hour alone with her as she ran around as a cute brown bunny rabbit across the entire apartment in a panic, since she couldn't switch back, until Mom arrived. Mom took a photo of me holding her before she turned her back and the keychain is that photo. We got a few spares if you want them."

The Tonks laughed while Dora groaned in embarrassment. "And I haven't been stuck in a form since!" Hazel chuckled. "True but you're still only a bunny rabbit. Shift to another form before Q picks it up as your new nickname." The gifts exchange continued with Ted Tonks getting some nice fountain pens from Hazel, a new coffee mug from Dora that holds heating charms better and some oddly colored socks from Andromeda that made everyone one laugh. Andromeda got her gifts as well, including a modern surgeon's book from Hazel and a new Healer's kit from Dora. Dora found two more presents, one being a box that made her blush at the lacy underwear inside of it, some new color changing socks from her dad and a final small box that had Teddy moving closer. Inside she found a handcrafted bracelet with three charms on it: a rabbit, a wolf and a tree. She hugged Teddy and eyed Hazel, who explained. "That's leather from a direwolf with a few enchantments on it. Most of it is standard stuff like poison and potion detection, plus charm resistance. I would list all the enchantments on it but I got a headache from the enchantress saying them. There is a note in the box with the list." Dora frowned. "How much was this?" Hazel shrugged. "The Enchantress got a large supply of direwolf leather in exchange so not as much as it should have been."

Dora shook her head as she tied the bracelet onto her arm. Teddy went to grab the rest of his presents, which included candy, a book on the Black family from Andromeda and one big box. He stared at his initials on the leather casing of the trunk before turning to his mom and hugging her. "It's for Hogwarts?" Hazel grinned. "Technically it's for the rest of your life. Lots of big compartments, room for improvements and lots of safety features. You didn't think I would send you off with some rickety old trunk, did you?" Teddy remained in a good mood as Hazel opened her gifts. Andromeda gifted her some very sharp looking kitchen knives, while she also got a book on Witchcraft curses from Croaker, a bottle of wine and some lacy underwear from Dora that Hazel hid from Teddy. The last gift made her look at Ted Tonks curiously, "You trying to tell me something?" The lawyer grinned. "Dora says you aren't the most law friendly person around. A self updating law book sounded like a good idea." Hazel hummed, eyeing the thick tome. "I hope you don't mind if I take my time reading this. Might finish it by the end of the next millennium. Or I could just go and torch the Ministry and reduce it down to the size of a brochure." The Tonks laughed as she placed the massive book away, the book making a considerable thud when placed on the ground, before she pulled the last gift onto her lap. Teddy spoke up. "Q helped me make it."

Hazel held up a similar looking bracelet to the one they gave Dora, but this one had her tree, Teddy's wolf and the Peverells symbol of the Hallows. Ted Tonks eyed it. "Grindelwald's emblem?" Teddy shook his head. "It belonged to the Peverell family before him. He stole it and made it something bad. I know you can't show it off but I thought you should carry it. We are the two living Peverells left after all." Hazel pulled Teddy to her and hugged him. "I love it. Where did you get the leather?" Teddy blushed. "I looked in your old trunk and found the scraps from the Hebridean Black you killed and had rendered down. Since you weren't using them… " Hazel kissed Teddy's cheek. "It's fine. It's better than the bootlaces I was thinking of making with them." Dora eyed them. "Wait, you killed a Basilisk and a Dragon?" Teddy giggled. "No, she killed a Basilisk and two dragons. A lot of scary monsters when winter got bad too." Hazel ruffled Teddy's hair and looked at the Tonks family, especially Dora. "Are you done with your Occlumency?" Dora nodded and Hazel sighed. "On New Year's Eve. When we get together then, you will know all about me. Then you get to decide for yourself what we mean to each other."

-∞-

OW December 31st 1992

You know, I think this is the first time I have spent my birthday in someone else's company. Hazel stared at the page and wrote her response. "Happy Birthday then. I am sorry I can't get you anything though, since you are in a book and all." Tom took longer to reply when his next words surprised her. Would you like to see what it's like here? I promise you won't get stuck in the book or anything, but I can show you what my inner space is like. Hazel smiled. "Sure!" She felt magic wrap around her and she was momentarily blinded by a light before she could see again. She blinked until her eyes focused on the boy in front of her. He was clearly a few years older but wearing a similar uniform to hers. His Prefect's badge was clearly visible on his robes too. What surprised her most was his eyes. She had seen Quirrell's and Voldemort's eyes, so she was surprised to see some similarities there. Tom's eyes were a nice blue though and his hair had a nice wave to it. She was sure that if Lavender or Parvati saw him they would be salivating over him like they did with that Cedric boy. "A pleasure to finally meet you, Tom."

Tom smiled at her, a genuinely warm smile. "A pleasure indeed, Hazel. Welcome to Hogwarts, circa 1943." Hazel followed him around the castle's halls, seeing snippets of his memories manifest in every corner. Hazel beamed at him. "This is so cool! How did you manage this?" Tom blushed. "A bit of Occlumency and some rituals my family left behind. Took a lot of work but I can replay anything that happened to me since my first year at Hogwarts up to the end of my fifth year. Bit of the only thing I could do to pass the time." Hazel grew sad. "Must have been dreadful after a while." Tom nodded as they went up the stairs. "It was. Which is why I am glad to have met you, Hazel. Sure, you are a girl and some of the things you said went over my head." Tom chuckled at seeing Hazel pout. "But you've been a great friend and companion. I spent five years hearing about how great Dumbledore was from the other students and staff members. Most of my memories have those conversations. Hearing you see him as I did, feel how annoying he really is. It was nice not feeling alone anymore. After a while I thought I was imagining things."

Hazel chuckled. "I can only imagine how your living self had to suffer hearing about Dumbledore facing off against Grindelwald. They are still singing his praises almost half a century later." Tom shuddered. "Glad I personally missed that. Here we are." Hazel blinked as she stared out of the Astronomy Tower into a vivid night sky. Tom stood by her, his eyes scanning the sky. "The oddest thing happened when I and my living self made this place. While the school got that weird color loss, the night sky stayed perfectly normal." Hazel shook her head. "I think it makes sense. The halls and classrooms are all going to depend on what it is you experienced or how you remembered the events. The sky is just the sky. It changes by the hour and everything but it doesn't stop being any less beautiful, especially at night. I come up here all the time under my cloak to just sit here and watch the stars. It helps me forget about all the bad things in my life." Tom hummed and looked to the stars. "They helped me forget as well." The two sat down and tried to piece together what they remembered from Astronomy. Tom actually blushed when he realized he didn't have a perfect recall there because of how tired he got during the class, which made Hazel chuckle. As Hazel prepared to leave, Tom hugged her. "Thank you for tonight. Pretty sure this was my best birthday ever."

The next day Hazel returned at night, wishing to tell Tom of the strange happenings at the school. The weird message on the wall and the petrified bodies of Mrs. Norris and Zacharias Smith were bad, but it was worse when everyone started calling her the Heir of Slytherin. Malfoy had conjured a cobra against Zacharias Smith in one of Lockhart's stupid Dueling Club meetings earlier in the year and Hazel had tried to get the cobra to listen to her before it bit the Hufflepuff but it refused to pay attention to her, the snake being safely vanished away by Snape. The school had been wary of her since, including the Professors, but with the whole message written in blood on the wall, and the incident with the cobra, they all suddenly thought it was her. Dumbledore had been even more annoying than ever in his questioning of her. So she ignored everyone, ate her meals and did her assignment before returning to her dorm room. She opened her trunk and froze. The diary, her friend Tom, was gone.

-∞-

NW December 31st 1992

Dora stared at Hazel, trying to wrap her head around what she just heard. "You were Harry Potter." Hazel bristled. "I was Hazel Potter, who lived a similar childhood to your Harry Potter, plus 16 more years of a very different life. I was never a boy." Dora shook her head, trying to make sense of her partner's words. "And you escaped into our world with your blood adopted son, to avoid dying in a Nuclear Winter?" Hazel nodded and Ted Tonks looked at Andromeda. "Your two patients from Chernobyl?" Hazel frowned and looked at Andromeda who blushed. "I read a bit of my order to Ted and Dora when Croaker called me to check you. The high radiation exposure made Ted think you somehow got lost in Chernobyl." Hazel sat back as Dora looked at Hazel for a second, remembering something. Teddy's eyes now held a whole lot more meaning to her. "Hazel, who are Teddy's birth parents?" Hazel eyed her carefully. "The woman was a friend, the man is immaterial after I replaced him in the Blood Adoption." Ted frowned. "How does that work exactly? I heard of two parents replacing the previous ones and a man taking another man's place, but never a woman replacing a man." Hazel hummed. "An old Blood Magic trick and the benefits of being a Metamorphmagus. Any more details are personal."

Seeing that Hazel was trying to avoid the subject, Dora growled. "Hazel, who was Teddy's mother?" A shiver ran down Dora's spine when Hazel's cold stare was aimed at her. They stared at each other for several quiet seconds. "Teddy was born to my world's Nymphadora Tonks in 1997, before she died a little over two months later." Dora felt things she noticed click into place. Teddy's purple eyes and the few glimpses she saw of Hazel looking at her with concern, almost fear, when she spent time with Teddy. Her partner had seen her with Teddy and a part of her had feared what it meant for her own relationship with the child. Dora closed her eyes as another thought filled her heart with dread. "What did she mean to you?" Hazel frowned. "She isn't you." Dora glared. "What did she mean to you?" Hazel glared back at her, feeling her emotions and memories acting up. "Nothing! Because she turned me down. I was too young for her. Instead, she went with a man a decade older than her with self esteem problems who, as far as I was concerned, was not good enough for her. I watched that man abandon her twice! The second time I personally dragged him back, bloodied and stunned, to Andromeda's home because if he missed Teddy's birth, I would have killed him!"

Dora stared at Hazel, seeing the pain in her eyes. She also saw something else. Her eyes started shifting colors, like hers did when she was upset. Hazel clenched her fists, her body shaking for a bit, as she seemed to struggle with maintaining what emotional control she had. "But you aren't her anymore than Dromeda is Andi. You are already so different from her. I came here with the intention of raising my son in a better world. I was given a chance to not only do that, but to keep the other versions of the people I cared about alive." Hazel stared at Dora. "For all of my insecurities, you aren't the woman who gave birth to Teddy. Teddy's Mama died and I accepted that. I met you and Dromeda and I knew it would never be the same. And I was happy about that. Because I died inside when she turned me down. I got into a relationship with the intent of drowning out all of my sorrows with a person who ended up only caring about what he could get from me. I was ready to go to my death happily before Teddy came along and gave me a reason to live. I will always care about Teddy's mother for that, but she isn't you." Hazel lowered her eyes as her body shook harder. "I think I need some freezing air. Excuse me."

Hazel walked out into the snow covered backyard and closed the door behind her, leaving the house in silence. Dora rested her head on the table and thought of all the times she and her partner had together, looking for any sign that Hazel had lied to her. That she had looked at her as if she was someone else. Because she couldn't accept that from her. Hazel demanded that she be herself. How could she if she was looking at Dora as another person entirely? Dora shivered as she remembered Hogwarts. How everyone wanted her for who she could become, but never for her. Dora stood up and left up to her room quietly, closing her door behind her. She froze when she forgot that Teddy had been left there while Hazel talked to them. She tried to leave but Teddy's voice stopped her. "She's hurting a lot. She doesn't know what to do. She likes you a lot but if you do not like her back, it would probably hurt her more." Dora sighed. "It's not that easy, Teddy. If she looked at me expecting to find her Dora, then she was living a lie. I can't care for someone who doesn't see me for who I am. I can't." Teddy shook his head, his purple eyes almost shining in the dark room. "You aren't her. She knows that. Mama died, you are still here. Mama never worked for the DoM and she was dumb for liking Dumbledore and his Order." Dora blinked. "You didn't like her?"

Teddy looked back at the window, snow falling softly outside of the pane of glass. "Grandma Andi told me about her. It was cool hearing about how much we were alike. For a while I wanted to be like her. But then I saw Mom suffering. I watched the Order try and steal me away from her. I watched her suffer because she was left alone to care for me when she could barely take care of herself." Dora saw a tear escape Teddy's eye. "I watched her kill someone once when we were still looking for a new place to live after Grandma Andi died. She didn't know I was there until she heard me move. Mom looked at me with so much fear in her eyes. She thought she had failed me, showing me a part of herself she does everything to hide from me. After that day I knew I loved my Mom, because she would do anything so that I had food on the table and I could smile without being afraid, though I was always scared of what could happen to her if someone managed to catch her. I am grateful for Mama for making her my Godmother, but Mama made a lot of bad choices that got her killed. Because of that, Mom had to keep getting hurt just so that I was happy." Teddy shook and Dora hugged him without thinking. Teddy hugged her back. "You aren't Mama. You are Dora. You are you and that version of you is the person Mom likes now. Please don't forget that. Please. Mom hurts all the time. My magic tells me as much, but she always tries so hard to hide it. She feels better around you. She feels right. So please, don't leave her."

Dora comforted Teddy as she felt her emotions spin wildly, even with her Occlumency controlling them a bit. She could see the few moments when Hazel seemed lost, as if she saw a memory in her. She saw the moments when she tried to kiss Hazel, and watched the change in her eyes. Hope smothered by a memory before Hazel pulled herself away. She always pulled away. Dora bit her lip. She was an idiot. Hazel knew she was having trouble separating her from her world's Dora. She knew it and fought it every time she noticed it happening. She clearly liked her but was constantly afraid of what she felt. She feared it wasn't real, that it wasn't fair to Dora. Dora kissed Teddy on the head and rushed through the house and out to the backyard, finding Hazel standing there like a statue, snow covering her head and shoulders. Dora steeled her resolve. "Hazel." Her partner turned and Dora shivered at the sight. She had never seen that dead look in her eyes. Dora grabbed a hold of Hazel's face and kissed her deeply, desperate to show her how she really felt. She knew she had pulled her partner back the moment she felt Hazel's arms circle her back and the kiss deepen. She stared into the now warm and hopeful eyes she loved the most, not knowing her own eyes had shifted purple.

"I am so sorry. I'm sorry for doubting your feelings for me. I am sorry I forgot how hard you tried to push me away whenever I tried to force you to accept me when I wasn't ready. When you held back as you looked at me and saw someone else. I can see you now, Hazel." Hazel lowered her eyes. "But not all of me." Dora lifted her by the chin. "No, not all of you. Not yet. But I want to. I want to see all of you. Because so far I am certain I am falling in love with you. I want to love all of you. Will you let me?" Dora watched as Hazel seemed to have a struggle with herself. She saw her partner's eyes turn red for a second, then iridescent silver before settling on glowing emerald green. Tears raced down her cheeks from her eyes. "You might not like what you find. I am not a good person Dora, no matter how much I try to be." Dora rubbed her back. "I think I will like what I find. Because even as you hide yourself, you always shine through. You do it all the time for Teddy and now for me. So, will you let me?" Hazel closed her eyes and her body stopped shaking. Those green eyes eventually stared back at Dora as warm lips pressed against her own. "Yes."

-∞-

Hazel closed the door of her Apartment behind her and listened to Dora showering. She pulled her robes tighter against herself as she waited. Twenty one days since the start of the New Year. Twenty long days of tedious searches of Hogwarts Castle. Despite their best efforts, the search of the school had revealed nothing. No cursed diary, no parseltongue locked secret passages, no entrance to the Chamber. Hazel had been getting more and more frustrated. She could feel they existed. She even marked a few places on the static map of the castle Croaker provided to her that she was sure held an opening that was currently sealed. Most were unsurprisingly in the bathrooms. Hazel was certain that the moment plumbing was developed and applied to Hogwarts, an Heir, probably a Gaunt, went to the Castle and used the passageways created by Salazar to run the pipes throughout the school, before sealing them all again with entrances that were far more elaborate than receding stone walls or floors. That the Gaunts here might have implemented a better security system than the use of the word "open" had been a surprise. Either that or Tom added the changes himself. She knew from experience that the entryways could be sealed, but she wasn't expecting them to be sealed currently. She had been tempted to just blast open a wall she suspected, but the Hogwarts walls were reinforced heavily and the blast would have alerted Tom to their intervention, forcing him underground, which was too dangerous to allow. Hogwarts had already been closed for over a month and Dumbledore was pressuring the Board to let him reopen the school again.

How anyone thought sending the kids back to the school with an unknown danger still at large was a good idea was beyond her, but that was exactly what was happening. The parents wanted to send their children to the one place that could land their kids in the Hospital Wing or worse. Hazel couldn't understand such people. Amelia had delayed the situation as much as she could, but with the Aurors and Curse Breakers coming back with no success, she was also being pressured by the Minister to let the school open again. Hazel was reasonably certain Lucius Malfoy was manipulating him again, with the added problem of Dumbledore playing along. She really hated those two. She looked back at the door that led to her apartment and her sleeping son. She smiled. Teddy had been a bundle of joy since New Years, wanting to spend as much time as possible with Hazel and Dora together. Dora didn't know how to respond most of the time, especially now, knowing that they were related in a way. That he had given her permission to sleep in Hazel's bed permanently had thrown her partner completely for a loop, much to Hazel's amusem*nt. She dreaded the day she would have to give Teddy "The Talk", but she knew it had to be soon. A school full of older hormonal boys and girls where he had to spend ten months of the year wasn't a safe place for anyone's innocence.

Hazel heard the water of the shower turn off and she swallowed her nerves. Dora, wrapped in a bathrobe stepped out of the bathroom and froze as she noticed Hazel in the apartment, her hand rubbing her pink hair dry with a towel. "Oh, did you forget something from the party earlier?" Hazel nodded. "Yeah, I did. I forgot to give you two presents." Hazel came up and handed her a small flat box with a bow. "Happy Birthday, Nymphadora." Dora flushed at hearing Hazel speak her full name, before taking the gift into her hands. She pulled out a silver locket in the shape of a heart, made with a lot of celtic knots and what she assumed was Druidic Script. "It's beautiful. Thank you." Hazel blushed. "It's known as a Promise Token. Lockets, necklaces and charms of the same design are meant as a promise." Dora blinked. "A promise of what?" Hazel's hair shifted to soft red, which made Dora feel very warm. Her girlfriend was smoking hot as a redhead. "That as long as you have it, there is hope. No matter what happens in the future, so long as I never ask for the locket back, you can be safe in the knowledge that I still feel something for you."

Dora looked from Hazel to the locket, her hair shifting colors. She finally pulled the locket over her head and felt it rest on her chest. She kissed Hazel. "Thank you." Hazel hummed and pulled Dora around, leading Dora into her own bedroom. "Your final present is right here too." Dora's mind froze as Hazel dropped her robe onto the floor and sat back on the bed. She locked lips with her girlfriend as Hazel pulled Dora by her robe on top of her, Dora feeling Hazel's warm and naked body under her hands. Hazel stared at Dora with a desperate need. "How do you want me?" Dora frowned. "As yourself." Hazel kissed Dora's neck, drawing shudders and moans from her. "You sure?" Dora's kiss was all the prompting Hazel needed. Dora found herself thrown onto her own bed and her mind began to fail as hands and lips explored her body vigorously. She felt driven to the edge over and over again for what felt like forever until she simply blacked out, a scream ripped from her throat. She woke up in the morning next to a naked Hazel, both their bodies marked by scratches and hickies. Smiling to herself, she tried to go to the bathroom but suddenly remembered Hazel's promise from last summer. Her girlfriend kept it and more, her steps uneven and partly painful as she reached for the bathroom mirror. Dora hoped episkey worked on all the evidence of their intimate night. She didn't want to run into her Mom or Teddy like this in the morning.

Chapter 23: More than one Monster

Chapter Text

Amelia felt the headache building as she watched the Board of Governors deliberate. The end of January came up with no signs of the Basilisk she knew was stalking the corridors. Croaker's assessment that the creature had been sealed back up by the Heir seemed to have been spot on, as all of the Curse Breakers in the Ministry hadn't been able to find any way of probing the Castle's walls, especially not with Dumbledore refusing to give them access to the wards. Even the experts called in from Gringotts, most of them familiar with cracking open tombs with some of the most complex ward schemes, hadn't managed to find anything beyond a few cursed objects in some disused classrooms. Amelia had been disappointed the object responsible for the so-called Defence Position Curse wasn't among those found, as that still left a major concern in the Castle unsolved, just below that of the current situation. Her eyes swept the Governors and she could see that many were actively considering reopening the school. She knew Julia would push for an Auror presence as a last ditch effort but at that point there was nothing else they could do. The trail had simply gone cold with all the kids at home. She hated herself for accepting that even as she wished she could keep Susan at home safely. Dumbledore looked amongst the Governors. "Shall we take it to a vote?"

Julia spoke up. "While I can see your point, Albus, the fact remains that you yourself aren't capable of securing the safety of the school. A staff member and a student, as well as a maledictus, are all petrified in your Hospital Wing. Letting you return everything to how it was in October won't solve the problem at hand. I believe that, at the very least, this incident and its unsolved status demands an Auror presence at the Castle to attempt to guard the children and continue the investigation. As much as I hate to assume the worst from our students, we can assume that one of the children is at least partially responsible for the Heir of Slytherin claim and that they have taken measures to conceal their Ancestor's secret chambers." The Board seemed to be receptive to the idea. Dumbledore was not. "Lady Greengrass, I refuse to believe our student body is capable of something like this. I also don't believe an Auror presence will be all that effective as a deterrent to the forces responsible for these attacks." Julia glared at him. "They clearly seem to be a better deterrent than you yourself, Headmaster. The two attacks were carried out with you in the Castle and no attacks happened when the Castle was being actively searched. As far as I am concerned, an Auror presence is merited."

Amelia could see the Governors warming up to the idea as several nodded to each other in agreement. Having at least two Aurors active in the Castle at all times would be time consuming, but it would hopefully help keep attacks from occurring. While she hated wasting resources, the students were worth it and Croaker had already promised her access to the two Operatives for the more dangerous mission of taking out the monster. This was the best they could get with no suspect and no beast cornered. Amelia and the rest of the Governors turned when her least favorite member of the Board spoke up. "Perhaps we could add another condition? I agree that an Auror presence, even if minimal, would be warranted, but we can't ignore the fact that our Headmaster wishes for the school to open again, on his word alone. Perhaps Dumbledore should assume full responsibility should another attack take place and step down, even if only temporarily, until the Board can make a more informed decision. It seems only fair, with his insistence that everything will be fine." Amelia narrowed her eyes at Lucius Malfoy. Hazel's own experiences pointed to the cursed item being placed on a student deliberately by a Death Eater. In her world, that had seemed to be Nott, with Lucius' blessing. Was he the sole person responsible here?

Dumbledore ran his fingers down his beard. "I am willing to accept that, though I still oppose the Auror presence." Amelia turned to him, her mind churning out possibilities. She cursed under her breath as she concluded that Hazel was bloody right about Dumbledore. The bastard was playing a game with the Death Eaters. While the school was closed, the game was stalled. He wanted the students back, or perhaps more precisely, he wanted the Heir and Harry Potter back on the grounds. The man was even willing to stick his own reputation on the line, as well as endanger his position as Headmaster to get it. Amelia spared a glance at the Board. While Dumbledore would lose some support, he clearly would retain enough that once the incident was resolved, he would come back to his post. Lucius would end up losing some respect from this and could see his position as Chairman of the Board of Governors challenged. It was all a game, played with the lives of children as collateral. Amelia grinded her teeth as the Governors agreed to a vote. The outcome was as expected, with the majority voting to reopen Hogwarts. Lucius turned to Dumbledore. "You are permitted to reopen the school but are required to host an Auror presence at the school with no interference on your part in their investigations. As the call for reopening started from you, Headmaster, you will assume responsibility should another attack take place and will be temporarily removed from your post until the matter is settled. This meeting is adjourned."

-∞-

OW February 14 1993

"Dammit it, Tom! Where did you go?" Searching a thousand year old school for a single book had proven to be a difficult task for Hazel. As a twelve year old attending classes, she was simply kept from exploring the school in an organized manner, even with her Invisibility Cloak. This was made all the more difficult with the attacks going on, with Hazel being the primary target of the suspicions, even from her housemates. Since Gryfindor House had proven to be such a disappointment in the previous year, Hazel had looked to the Hufflepuffs since the beginning of the year in the hopes of maybe finding a place to belong. The Hat had said she might have been fine there too. At first the Badgers were distant to her advances and gestures and thoroughly unaccommodating with her desire to be closer to them, but they did eventually get friendlier with her, especially Sally. That all ended catastrophically with her speaking Parseltongue and Zacharias Smith getting petrified. Of the Hufflepuffs, he and Earnie McMillan had never really gotten along with her. They constantly tried to push her away from Sally. When she tried to save Zacharias from the cobra summoned by Draco, everyone misinterpreted what she said since no one else could understand her speaking snake. That he ended up as the first victim seemed to point to her as the perpetrator. Ernie and the Hufflepuffs came after her, including Sally, for something she didn't do.

The sudden petrification of Earnie some weeks after Zacharias only made matters worse for Hazel. Dumbledore had tried to take back her Cloak from her but unfortunately for him, the Cloak seemed to have a mind of its own. It refused to be summoned by the old man, no enchantments would stick to it and best of all to her mind, it simply appeared in her hands when she willed it. She wasn't sure how the Cloak did all these things but she didn't care. It was hers. It was the one thing in the world that refused to betray her. Which was part of the reason she was hunting desperately for the book with Tom inside of it. She needed to know. Did Tom get stolen from her or did he leave her on his own will, somehow? The boy had been a friendly ear and a pleasant conversationalist the half a year that they knew each other. They just clicked so well together, especially concerning old man Dumbledore's hypocrisies. He had even shown her the inside of his world. Sure, the castle of his memories was a bit dull from the bad experiences of his time within the stone walls, but the sky had been beautiful. So why? Why did he vanish after that pleasant night together on his birthday? Surely someone had to have stolen him from her. He wouldn't just leave her like that. Especially now with all the weird attacks going on and the weird voice in the walls that kept repeating "rend, tear, kill" that only she cou-

Hazel's mind crashed as a thought entered her mind. What if she wasn't the only one who could hear the voice in the wall? What if there was one other person? Tom had asked her to speak Parseltongue to him within his world and she managed it, even if it was just barely. The smile on his face felt like she had somehow given him a real present after all. So what if what she was hearing wasn't a voice in her head but Parseltongue or a snake talking? That meant the monster was probably a snake. A snake that she had no power over. But Tom did. Tom told her Parselmouths didn't inherently have magic. It had to be developed and practiced with the right instructions. He could only know that if he had developed the magic himself. Meaning he was the bloody Heir of Slytherin. Hazel wanted to smash her head into the wall. The bastard was the Heir. He had to be doing this, somehow. Which left the how and the why. How was something she would have to leave for later. The why was what she was having a hard time figuring out. So Hazel kept searching the castle, even with everyone acting all stupid on Valentine's Day. Really, what was the point of giving someone chocolates and asking to be their Valentine in return? Snogging didn't seem all that great. Thinking she might find something in one of the abandoned classrooms in the Dungeons, she gently pulled open a door and her eyes went wide.

She quietly closed it again, and kept on walking, happy her face was covered by the Cloak. It had to be really red. It certainly felt warm enough. Guess that answered as to why they would be giving chocolates out today. She knew from some science books she had read at the library in Surrey that animals did it too but it simply didn't cross her mind that people went out of their way for it. Her relatives certainly never seemed interested in it. Shaking her head to try and get the images of the two naked upper years out of her mind, she kept searching the castle. The only thing of note that she saw was a Sixth Year Gryffindor girl sneaking into the Defence Professor's office. What could she want with Lockhart so late at night? Hazel didn't find anything else of interest until she found another petrified body on the floor. She almost slipped onto it with how wet the surrounding floor was. She cursed to herself as she saw Sally Anne Perks frozen on the ground. She knew she was going to be blamed for this since their friendship imploded under pressure from the Hufflepuffs. Careful not to be spotted, she decided she needed a break tonight and headed for her Sanctuary. Slipping quickly inside, she just barely noticed as a grate moved back into position on the floor.

-∞-

NW February 13 1993

"So that's it? Are we just giving up?" Croaker glared at Dora. "No Recruit, we aren't giving up. The Heir has a motive and he will see it through. We are simply unable to stop him right now. Amelia has secured two Aurors in the school at all times and, depending on the rotations, you two can eventually take the position and keep the search going. We simply can't devote all of our attention to this. Not now." Dora sighed as Horatio took over. "The investigation into the drugs being sold from the warehouse that Hazel marked has revealed a lead into the likely source of the modified Pepper Up Potion. To add insult to injury, the materials added to it include Coca leaves, which is a controlled substance among Muggle law enforcement. Our counterparts in the NCIS and Magical South America are not amused by this development." Hazel pulled open her folder and skimmed the notes. "Guess we have a mission to do while we wait for Tom to wake up." Hazel eyed Croaker. "We heard about the decision from the Board about reopening the school, but nothing about the victims. I know Sprout and Snape are working on a Restorative Potion at the school, but couldn't we just transport the potion from the continent?"

Croaker sat back. "That was debated in a later meeting with the DMLE and the result was disappointing. Amelia wants to awaken them to see if they have any pertinent information to share, but Dumbledore insists on handling it internally." Hazel frowned. "Wouldn't their families have something to say about that?" Croaker sighed. "They would, if they were being properly notified in the case of the boy. Filch and Mrs. Norris were both disowned by their birth families and are on their own. The boy is Muggleborn, which means that his Magical Guardian, in this case Professor McGonagall, would have final say on the matter. Amelia has tried appealing to her but the witch, while unhappy, does agree with the Headmaster in that technically the boy is safer petrified until the monster is caught. As for his muggle parents, they simply have no way of forcing the issue at all. Not without running afoul of the Statute of Secrecy, which tends to hit non-magical relatives hard with any infractions." Hazel huffed loudly. "One: that law needs to be reviewed with the UN being part of the discussion. Two: That woman should be removed as a Head of House. She is too strict to be anyone's caretaker or parental proxy." Croaker nodded. "Amelia did speak with her and Neville has seen some improvement with Gryffindor House, but clearly not enough has changed. For the moment, there is nothing left to do legally."

Dora pulled open her own mission file. "Are we making some reconnaissance missions on this warehouse first?" Horatio nodded. "We are. How is your Animorphmagus training going?" Dora blushed. "I managed to shift to a small owl but I need more practice with flying." Hazel chuckled. "Indeed. That crash into the training mats was a sight to see." Dora pouted at her partner. "All you told me was to stretch out my wings." Hazel hummed merrily. "And you did. Five seconds too late. We may need someone to cast a whirlwind spell while I show her by example." Hazel eyed Horatio who nodded. "I'll be there. R2, see if you can master that form and get another more infiltration friedly form, like a mouse, a snake or a smaller bird. The recon mission will be in at least a week. We are already contacting the relevant muggle authorities, those we know are not on the take, and are preparing for another raid. We will provide the recon information and you two will lead the assault before we send the rest in with Aurors, if required, to secure the criminals appropriately. Take this time to prepare and train adequately."

Hazel nodded and stood up as Horatio left the office, while Dora stayed behind. She eyed her boss. "You sure the DoM is ok with us being in a relationship? I know it's not against the rules but we are your only Operatives." Hazel waited by the door as Croaker leaned forward. "Partner based relationships are always a mixed bag. Your emotions will likely get in the way of rational decisions but at the same time emotions power our magic at times. Your primary order is to never leave your partner behind. That won't change with your new relationship. My request is that you two need to get better control of your emotions while under fire. You have improved a lot Tonks, but you are still skittish and Hazel is still too bloodthirsty. Work on that." Dora nodded and turned to leave before Croaker added one last comment. "And I better not hear about you two getting caught in an awkward position in a public setting." Hazel glared at Croaker from the door. "I would never." Croaker's eyes turned to Dora, who blushed. "No, but your partner has a record from Hogwarts about her last two years." Hazel eyed Dora whose hair was cycling through colors. "Dora, you and I need to add a few things to our ground rules. Come along. We also have work tomorrow." Croaker watched them leave as he shook his head, getting back to his papers.

-∞-

"So, why are we sitting here disillusioned on Valentine's Day?" Hazel sighed, the noise blocked from within a few feet away as they stood on guard in one of the corridors of Hogwarts. "Because I remembered something from my world. I am hoping I am wrong, otherwise I am going to make Amelia pay me back in spades." Dora looked at Hazel. "Is that why you gave me such a great morning today? Because you knew you might ruin our night?" Hazel looked at Dora, feeling a bit guilty. "Yeah. This is our first Valentine's together and I am pretty sure I am about to ruin any mood you might have been in tonight. Still wanted you to have something worth remembering." Dora leaned over and kissed Hazel's cheek. "Ohh, I will remember alright. Quetz practically grilled me on why I had a grin plastered on my face the whole bloody day." Hazel chuckled. "You're welcome." The two sat in silence after that as the clock clicked ever closer to Curfew for the younger years, before the one for the whole school a few hours later. Hazel motioned for Dora to drop the noise cancelling wards as they watched an older student heading towards the Defence Professor's Office door, about an hour after he returned. Hazel made herself visible as she silenced the Professor's door.

"Excuse me, may I see you for a moment, young lady." The girl looked like a deer caught in the headlights. "I … have detention with Professor Lockhart." Hazel eyed her as a disillusioned Dora walked around to stand behind the girl. "Really? Because his detention registry is empty. It was so this morning and your year didn't have class with him today. How curious." The woman started shaking. "I … ahhh… I just… I am of age." Hazel eyed her. "Interesting thing to say. Which is funny because your behaviour just now wasn't entirely correct for a typical response. I am pretty sure you're currently under the effects of a compulsion and who knows how many other maladies. If you could please head towards the Hospital Wing, I will be happy to escort you." Hazel watched as the girl seemed to be fighting the compulsion until Dora flicked her wand. " Finite Enchatatum. " The girl's resistance melted away and was replaced by fear. "I… what's been happening to me?" Hazel sighed and helped the girl move along. "Nothing good. Madam Pomfrey and a Mind Healer from St. Mungos will check you out thoroughly. Dora."

Dora went ahead to contact St. Mungos as Hazel tried to keep her emotions in check. She knew if she released the girl, she would go back and slaughter Lockhart. So she waited until Dora was with her before the two stepped out of the Hospital Wing. They stood in silent vigil until the sound of a girl crying announced the door being opened behind them. The Mind Healer, a woman, looked at them both with haunted eyes. "The memory crystals, for what it's worth. I got all the wiped memories back but knowing the perpetrator, I don't see how we will get this to stick, as memories aren't admissible as evidence currently by the Wizengamot. Especially not those from less financially influential families." Hazel held the crystals. "How many more Mind Healers in St. Mungos would be willing to scan the upper years? I have a bad feeling the bastard has a type that he targeted specifically. We need them all looked after. These memories would have resurfaced on their own in fragments and there is no telling what effect they could have on the girls then. They need care now." The Mind Healer squared her shoulders. "I'll round up my department and we will be here by morning." Hazel eyed the witch as she entered the Hospital Wing, probably to Floo out of Pomfrey's office. She turned around when her partner's arm stopped her.

"Dora." Nymphadora looked at her pleadingly. "You can't kill him, Hazel. Not right now. Think! If we kill him now, nothing gets resolved." Hazel felt her blood boiling. "I am thinking, Dora. You heard her, the bastard will do everything to weasel his way out of this mess and the laws are too loose for him to face justice. He will blame the girls all for something he did, despite the evidence he instigated everything. They are all going to be ridiculed, threatened and hated, all the while being the real victims. I won't let him get away with it." Dora sighed. "I understand, Hazel. But killing him now wont help matters. Amelia needs to handle this. If he gets away, Croaker could give us the go ahead to end him. Quietly." Hazel growled. "If we go after him after he is acquitted, It won't do the girls any good. He needs to be found guilty in some way. They deserve justice." Dora eyed her. "They might not get it." Hazel thought for a second, trying to remember what magic she knew. Veritaserum wasn't forced to be taken by anyone in the Wizengamot and memories could be dismissed as evidence, even with Mind Healer verification. She remembered something from one of the books in the Chamber, something she recently reread in a gift from Croaker. She grinned, her teeth looking sharp in the low light. "Fine. I need to head home for a moment. Make sure the bastard doesn't make a break for it." Dora watched her partner head for the castle gates, certain that whatever she was getting from home wasn't going to be good. Not for Lockhart at least.

-∞-

Amelia wanted to scream. Over a dozen young women, all raped by the bastard Lockhart inside of Hogwarts. Hazel's warning had proven true and now she had to deal with the fact she had played a part in letting a serial rapist into the Castle in the first place, because she refused to forgive herself for not accepting Hazel's warning. This was all made worse by the fact the monster would walk free. Lockhart had been careful with the young women he picked. They were all of age, they were all Muggleborn and they had no real strong backers in the Wizengamot or the Ministry, despite their exemplary scores. They were simply the most vulnerable people to be targeted as they had none of the protections afforded to minors or the backing of a Head of House that would dare Lockhart to prove himself with Veritaserum or to provide his own unedited memories as evidence, lest the man be challenged to a duel. Hazel had glared at her the moment they passed each other as soon as the Courtroom was filled and Amelia couldn't bear to look her in the eye. She was silently praying that Hazel did something, anything to end the bastard within the courtroom. She deserved the humiliation it brought to her and her Department for not being able to bring justice to the victims. The man's solicitor stood up. "As all alleged evidence has been dismissed, I believe that is all? My client has a job to return to."

A woman's voice spoke up behind her, a bit muted and barely above a whisper. "Get him on the stand and ask him about every girl. Ask and make sure he answers. Get him to refute all crimes himself. You have the right." Amelia closed her eyes and sighed. "Mr. Rowle. I wish to summon your client to the defendant's chair to be questioned. As you have refused the submission of memory vials and questions under Veritaserum, neither will be requested, but your client must still answer my call and make a personal plea to all the charges." Rowle looked unconcerned and Gilderoy Lockhart stood up and sat on the chair at the center of the Courtroom. Amelia wished she could bind him with the chains. The scribe came up and placed the Wizengamot's Law registry book in front of the man. "Your oath please, binding or otherwise." Lockhart placed his hand on the Registry. "I, Gilderoy Lockhart, Order of Merlin Third Class, swear to speak the truth before this Assembly." Amelia looked at the man. "Then let's get started. You are charged with the rape of a woman on the night of October 20th, 1992 within the your offices at Hogwarts. How do you plead?"

Lockhart gave his award winning smile to her and the rest of the Wizengamot. "Not guilty." Amelia pressed on, asking him for every single girl they had accounted for, their names sealed by her order. She refused to get them lynched. As Amelia passed the third accusation, Gilderoy started coughing. After the seventh, the coughs were longer and she asked if he was alright. He dismissed it and said he wanted to be done with the farce. By the twelfth accusation and denial, the man looked ill. Amelia eyed him. "Do you wish to continue?" Lockhart coughed. "Yes. I won't have these women besmirch my good name. My adoring public demands to hear the truth spoken in my own words." Amelia looked at the list of charges. "You are charged with rape of a young woman on the night of February the 12th, 1993 in your office and the attempted rape of the same girl on the night of the 14th. How do you plead?" Lockhart got as far as saying "Not-" before he started having trouble breathing. He gripped his throat as his solicitor called for a Healer. Amelia watched as the Healers in the gallery refused to come to his aid, all but one who was at the furthest back row.

Dora watched from the visitor gallery as the Healer finally reached Lockhart, who had since stopped moving. "Funny thing. Hogwarts is known as a school of Witchcraft and Wizardry, yet the only classes that relate to Witchcraft are Herbology and Potions. At least, those are the only ones currently being taught. In the age of the Founders, the two branches of Magic were considered to be of equal standing, but over the centuries Wizardry became the standard. Understandable as it was easiest to teach and evaluate and everyone loves instant gratification. Witchcraft, however, is a subtler art. It requires some precise conditions at times. During the Witch Hunts, the real Witches watched as young women and older ladies were placed in mock trials and condemned for crimes they were innocent of, all for having different beliefs, opinions or more knowledge about the natural world than what a priest deemed necessary. The real witches paid the Church and Inquisitors back in full, by crafting some interesting curses. One in particular was very infamous. If a person lied after swearing to speak the truth a grand total of twelve times, they had one single chance of survival. They had to feel remorse for their crimes. No remorse, a thirteenth lie and the person would find their tongue would swell up in their throat. They would soon suffocate, killed by their own lies. As this was designed to target Inquisitors and priests, it was quite effective in eliminating the liars."

Turning to look at Hazel directly, the meaning of her partner's words sunk in. "He's going to be diagnosed with that curse and the conditions for it will be made known." Hazel grinned at Dora. "Exactly. Everyone will know he lied in the Courtroom about all the crimes he was accused of. There will be no accusations against his victims, the bastards in the stands are forced to watch as one of their largest financial donors is ruined, his estate will be charged for reparations and we all get to watch a free show as a rapist gets taken out by his own vanity. It also goes without saying: don't piss off the Healers. He might have survived if any of the St. Mungos' Healers cared to help but their Oaths bind them to not inflict harm. It doesn't, however, bind them to act. A serial rapist that has kept the entire St. Mungos' Mind Healer Department at Hogwarts for a week straight so far certainly didn't make him any friends at the hospital." Dora looked as a gurney was brought out, as well as a black cloth. She reached out and gently squeezed her girlfriend's hand. "You think Amelia will be mad?" Hazel chuckled. "She spent the entire trial wracked by guilt and self loathing since I gave her an early warning on this monster. Pretty sure she is going to be in a slightly more decent mood now, though I hope the guilt lingers. For now, let's be on our way. Croaker pushed back the raid for this. We need to get ready. Plenty of monsters need hunting, especially those that hide in plain sight as ordinary men and women."

Chapter 24: The Price of Success

Chapter Text

The screams of one of the criminals made Dora's head snap to the side as she stunned another wizard before binding his hands. She watched as a wolf clamped its jaw deep into another wizard's wrist, the noise of bones snapping making her wince as she stunned the man, the wolf vanishing into nothingness. She took quick cover as she heard a spray of gunfire, a kinetic shield ready to be casted from her wand, when the bullets stopped abruptly, followed by a body being sent her way. It crashed into the aluminum wall beside her, just before stunned them. While they hadn't exactly settled on a routine, the one she and Hazel were using currently was quite comfortable for Dora. Hazel was simply more comfortable being in the field of fire and knew how to protect herself and avoid injuries accordingly, while Dora's cautious and restrained approach meant she could follow behind her and stun the targets that got incapacitated or launched out of the way. It certainly kept most of the criminals alive, especially as Horatio asked for minimal deaths on the mission today. Dora spotted movement out of the corner of her eye and dropped back, raising a kinetic shield quickly, just as bullets bounced off the solidified magical energy. Dora grinned when she saw a red streak take the gunman down, followed by some very tight ropes.

Hazel, the enchantment beneath her faceless hood active, looked around the structure, spotting movement. "R2! Back corner, gunner making his way towards us. Wizard in the far front, trying to break through the warded wall. No other active targets." Dora nodded as she disillusioned herself, Hazel doing the same. She took out the muggle from the back with a simple stunner and bound his arms and legs. She heard a loud thump against metal and her comms light up. "R1 to BM, warehouse is secure." Dora holstered her wand as Horatio responded. "Acknowledged. Aurors and MI5 will be arriving shortly. Did we get our Priority One?" Dora and Hazel turned over the stunned wizards until Hazel replied. "Oily grey hair, pale skin and a scar over his right eye. Yup, we got him. Tried to burn his workstation before I stunned him." Horatio sighed in relief. "Glad you were taking a less lethal approach. His intel will be invaluable concerning the supplier of the rarer materials." Hazel eyed the compounds on the desk that seemed to be covering his skin, some coloration growing slightly on the potioneer. "Any idea how to stop an acid burn? I might have stunned him right into a cauldron and it spilled on him. He is alive though, just in need of a weekend stay at St. Mungos if this stuff is what I think it is." Hazel could practically feel Horatio's exasperation. "Leave him be. The Auror field medics will look at him. Gather the wizards and muggles up in groups and have them ready for the locals. ETA 2 minutes."

Dora winced as she heard a few bodies get thrown around like ragdolls. "Might want to add gently to that request, BM." Hazel hummed merrily to herself as Dora heard Horatio drop the comm, probably to avoid cursing into the open line, even though he knew Hazel wouldn't kill them. Hazel bound the wizards together, minus their potions master. She eyed the man. "Still bummed about Snape not being our Potions Master. I know he is clever enough to get this mixture made." Dora shook her head as she heard car tires screeching to a halt and apparition pops from outside the loading dock bay door. She reached for the deployable wardstone. "R2 on wardstone, waiting to disable it." She looked at her partner. "Hogwarts is already down one full time professor and you want to add another one?" Hazel shrugged. "Please, it wouldn't be vacant for long. Slughorn is still around and he would happily take all his old positions for a year or five. At least until things get dangerous. He wouldn't resist the chance to teach the Boy Who Lived." Croaker's voice came from the comms. "R1 isn't wrong. The man would jump at the chance to get any new celebrities under his belt. Unfortunately, PMSS is currently keeping his hands clean. R2, disable the ward. Aurors are on site. Retrieve the equipment and apparate out. Amelia will be down here to take your debrief with me."

Hazel sighed. "Great. Any word yet from her observers?" Dora deactivated the wardstone and carried it with her to Hazel's side. Croaker answered the question. "Nothing yet. The castle is eerily quiet. Either we spooked the Heir or the unlucky passenger took a break. Either way, we are all stuck in a holding pattern. For now, you two have permission to aparate to the nearest safe house. Amelia and Scrimgeour are also eyeing another target so keep your training up the next few days and your schedules open." Dora cursed softly as she was apparated away by Hazel. The two made their way to their respective duties in the safe house, as Dora called in. "R1 and R2 at the safehouse. Depositing wardstone and preparing for return to base." Hazel eyed Dora as she pulled out a records book. "That Weird Sisters concert?" Dora nodded as she stored the wardstone in its equipment case. "Yeah. I was hoping to get a chance to see them live again. They got a few new singles out." Hazel went and noted down the return date and time, before checking the safehouse's security footage. "R1 and R2, waiting for techs to arrive." Horatio came back on comms. "ETA 1 minute. Permission to return is granted once the package is delivered." Hazel casted a silencing spell on herself and Dora before she pulled her girlfriend into her body and smothered her mouth with a deep kiss. They parted as soon as there was a knock on the door and Hazel dispelled the silencing spells. "Better?" The shifting hair color was all the confirmation Hazel needed.

Dora had to restrain herself as they apparated back and walked through the DoM before Hazel opened her apartment door. "Evening Andromeda. How did he do?" Andromeda smiled and motioned towards Teddy. Hazel watched her son wave her wand, his eyes closed in concentration. " Expecto Patronum ." A brilliant shield of light came to life and Hazel smiled. The shield dropped after a few seconds, leaving a very winded Teddy stumbling back into the sofa. Hazel pulled him into a hug and kissed his hair. "That was great. A bit more practice and your proper wand and you should be close to a corporeal patronus." Dora blinked before she turned to her Mom. "I am seriously feeling like an underachiever with this kid around. Why does he even need to know the Patronus at almost eleven years of age?" Hazel released Teddy. "Because a messenger Patronus is quite useful and if my history repeats itself, there are going to be Dementors around Hogwarts this September. I am going to see if the other coalition kids can try it but out of all of them, Teddy has better control of his magic. Leafsby." The elf appeared. "Pretty sure we have some sponge cake in the fridge. Please have a small serving of it with whipped cream and milk ready for after Teddy leaves the shower." Hazel chuckled as Teddy yelled "Yippy!" on his way to the bathroom, with Leafsby taking the cake out and carving slices out of it in the kitchen.

Andromeda smiled as she watched the two but frowned when she saw a bit of blood on Dora's wrist. She drew her wand and checked them over. "You two are exhausted. Hard mission?" Hazel sat down as Dora went to the fridge. "No, just the usual drain from non-lethal spell chains, kinetic shields and binding conjuration. Dora is actually doing better in managing her energy." Hazel eyed her girlfriend and pouted. "Though not her stomach." Dora blushed as she pulled out some of the leftovers from Hazel's big chinese style lunch that had been stored in the fridge. "What? I'm hungry." Andromeda chuckled. "No fixing that, I'm afraid. I was at it for her whole life before giving up." Hazel sighed as she wandlessly returned the bottle of beer that Dora pulled out of the fridge. "Hey!" Hazel gave Dora a soft glare. "If you want me to finish what we started at the safe house, you're staying sober and definitely not drinking beer." Andromeda eyed her daughter whose hair went soft red. "That's my cue to leave. Be safe you two." Hazel waved at Andromeda as Dora called out "Bye Mom." She dug into her reheated meal with vigor as Teddy came out and ate his snack before heading to bed. Finally under the shower, Dora sighed in relief before she groaned in pleasure as her girlfriend joined her, cold fingers exploring her body thoroughly, her sultry voice sending shivers down her spine. "Now, where were we?" Dora closed her eyes and lost coherent thought for the rest of the night as those fingers found her more intimate spots.

-∞-

"Interesting place for a meeting, Julia." Lord Theodore Nott looked among the gathered witches and gave them all a grin. "Though I can't fault the company. A pleasure to finally speak to you on cordial terms, Augusta, Amelia." The three witches stood up and waited for Lord Nott to join them at the meeting table before everyone sat down. Amelia passed him a folder and sat back. "It should tell you that our little Coalition has a silent partner, one that is willing to lend a hand when it's required." Theodore chuckled at that and eyed Augusta. "Saul finally getting his hands dirty for once? When we were kids I always wondered if I misjudged him. He might have been a Ravenclaw, but I always wondered if there was some ambition to him. You, Augusta, I never doubted. You were a Lion to your core." Augusta smiled. "I appreciate the compliment. Sadly, my brother still refuses to deal with the politics of our world. He and his department are more interested in doing things. The laws and politics only ever seem to be in the way for them. They are, however, not opposed to seeing said laws improve if it results in a more stable society. The current state of our government is one where they are willing to intervene, when required."

Nott hummed to himself. "Like with Lockhart's trial? A few of my less than pleasant associates were quite unhappy with how things ended for the poor soul. Their words, ladies, not mine. I would have cursed him on the spot if my own daughter had been treated as such, if I had one. His death and the mess that is building around his estate has thrown a few of my less than "noble" colleagues into disarray." The glares from the witches dissipated and Julia pointed at the file. "Lockhart's case is why we are meeting. The fact a curse found and outed the bastard as guilty while our own government was likely to absolve him of said crimes is frankly an insult. It undermines our entire government's credibility and has the population on edge. While we know the conservatives love to keep the law as is, this gross and vile loophole must be closed in its entirety. Along with every other method that puts a person's wealth and position above the evidence and the rule of law. " Lord Nott opened the file and skimmed the proposal. He eyed the three witches. "I see you have been quite busy reviewing all the old laws. My fellow traditionalists won't like to see their rights curtailed." Julia nodded. "We know, which is why we need your assistance in writing it in a way that appeals to them. The need for memory based testimony verified by St. Mungos' Healers, Veritaserum testimony or written confessions under binding oaths for all future criminal trials are non-negotiable. While a person may refuse to submit their memories or statements, the ones provided by others, verified to be unaltered, should be viable testimony, regardless of the source, so long as it was acquired legally by the DMLE."

Amelia drank from her cup of tea. "What we can negotiate is a shift in the sentencing and punishments of crimes. Certain actions can be reclassified as misdemeanors, certain curses changed from guaranteed Azkaban time from the act of casting it to the impact it has on others, magical and otherwise, and so on. Quite a few people have been fined and sentenced to Azkaban for crimes and misdemeanors that were pretty harmless. This punitive measure by the Ministry must become far more balanced out with the rest of the laws. For everyone's sake." Nott raised an eyebrow as he read through more of the file. "You're advocating for quite a large judicial reform. Far more so than has been seen since the end of Grindelwald's Terror." Augusta nodded. "Indeed. While we doubt we will get wide support on these reforms, we want to see sufficient change so that cases like Lockhart's are not repeated again. Another change we are willing to add to the pile is increased oversight at Hogwarts." Theodore looked from Augusta to Julia. "I am guessing this is aimed towards the Headmaster? Lucius was quite pleased with his hollow victory the other day. Lockhart's arrest may not have ruined Dumbledore, but his image as infallible has certainly been lost." Julia growled softly. "It is directed at the Staff of Hogwarts and at the Board of Governors as well. Dumbledore's ability to freely select Professors must be curbed before we get another similar incident. It would also help in raising the education level of our students." Amelia sighed. "We also need to improve the security of the Castle. Depending on the current staff alone will be a death sentence to kids if the staff is compromised. At the same time, we can't have Aurors remain as a permanent solution. There are simply not enough of them for us to keep posted at the castle indefinitely."

Nott drank from the tea in front of him and thought about ways to spin this to the traditionalists. "Increasing the oversight of the Castle denizens shouldn't be too difficult but Dumbledore's progressives will try everything to back him up. The current incident, however, does put them all into a corner. To do nothing will anger the greater population they supposedly advocate for, especially those with children at the school. The progressives will have to decide which is more important to them: their leader's independence or their own accountability to the masses. I can see a future review of the curriculum being quite the draw towards this shift from the traditionalists side. Dumbledore's tenure as Headmaster has seen many classes cancelled, which has forced several employers to take time training potential employees themselves." Amelia nodded. "The cost effectiveness of the reforms should appeal to more neutral Wizengamot members." Augusta sighed. "The progressives will complain on Dumbledore's behalf, but the likelihood the vote will pass without their support is high." Julia eyed Nott. "So, care to try at revising our work?" Nott grinned, feeling a bit younger today. He joined the Knights of Walpurgis to effect real change in their stagnated society, even if it was with traditionalist values at their core. While this Coalition was certainly far more progressive than he would normally like, he can't deny the need for real change. Especially not now. He finally had the chance to do that without getting his grandson or his family's legacy in danger, while also helping in reshaping the world for the better, without sacrificing their culture. He finished his cup of tea and looked at the pot on the table. "Perhaps you should call for a full lunch. We will be here for a while."

-∞-

Hazel and Dora exchanged worried looks as they arrived at the forward operating post that the Head Auror had established in a Wizarding Tent somewhere in the woodlands near a large magical community in Nottinghamshire. Croaker had given them an order to help in this raid but as Hazel eyed the blueprints on the table, she grew more concerned. Dora spoke up first. "Head Auror, are you sure this is a good idea? Our Boss usually sends us in to do reconnaissance. All you have given us is a floor plan that hasn't been updated in a century." Rufus sighed. "I would love to send you two in to do a proper search of the Manor, but we simply don't have the time. Sir Louis Williamson, former Death Eater and a financier of the organization, has a warrant for his arrest after the murder of two muggles. Attempts to arrest him at his last known location proved ineffective. We know he is currently in his family's home, we believe he has a small group of guards protecting him and we have it on good authority that he is planning to leave the country by tonight. We have an acquaintance of his detained currently carrying a legally procured international portkey. While it's illegal for him to have someone else use it, we simply can't charge him for anything as no one beyond Williamson has committed any crimes yet." Hazel felt a bit of dread building up inside. "Sir, we understand the need for expediency, but charging head first like this is dangerous. I can do a quick scouting mission."

Rufus shook his head. "And in that time the man's guards have a greater chance of spotting our Aurors moving into position. We have sealed the Floo Network to the manor and are placing anti-apparition and anti-portkey wards up. They won't hold for long the moment the people inside notice them." Dora looked at Hazel and wasn't happy with the concern her partner was showing. She looked back at the Head Auror. "Sir, is there really no other option? You're putting us and your Aurors in danger over this. Our Battlemaster always covers all the possible dangers and tries to mitigate them with his strategies. This plan of attack is filled with too many uncertainties." Rufus eyed them both. "This mission was cleared by Croaker who placed you both under my command for the duration. We need you to infiltrate first, disable the wardstone if you can and cause confusion. My Aurors can take care of the rest." Hazel looked at the floor plan of the mansion. If she were a paranoid homeowner, she would position it on the hardest to reach area of the house. The manor had three floors above ground and a basem*nt level. Which meant she would either place it on the second floor or the basem*nt, as entry into the third floor is too easy with brooms. The basem*nt level was the better protected of the two, but the second floor had the least amount of conventional access points and greater point of access for the homeowner.

"Please tell me you at least know if the man has an office on the second floor? A place he usually only invites allies or family into?" Rufus looked through what they had on the man. "There is indeed an office on the second floor, why?" Hazel sighed. "Because in this Manor layout, I would place the wardstone either on the second floor or the basem*nt level. Most modern wardstone schemes are with the wardstone placed at the closest point to the Head of House's office, usually behind a covering on the wall, below a panel on the floor, or in a drawer of the desk. The older houses have the stone at the basem*nt level. As a Death Eater, he would probably have kept the house like his ancestors established it. As a man with paranoia and self reliance, he would have altered the scheme to have the wardstone as close to his person as possible. The question is which option did he pick." Rufus looked at the floor plan. "Hard to say. He is quite the traditionalist but he values his privacy a bit." Hazel, sighed, worried about the best approach. "Last question: are there non-combatants in the house? Children, elves?" Rufus shook his head. "No, there are not. The only child is at Durmstrang in his first year, the wife is currently an assistant teacher there, with her focus being in etiquette. The last elf was sold years ago."

Dora turned to Hazel. "I think we should do it. We've hit harder targets before." Hazel turned to her. "But we knew what and who was where when we went in. We had the wards down before we engaged in combat as well. Wards designed to repel intruders from inside are rare, as are lethal wards as they would need something to seperate a friendly from an enemy easily, but there are wards that interfere with certain magical properties." Hazel looked at Scrimgeour. "The guards. Are they former Death Eaters or are they new recruits?" Rufus checked. "A mix of both and a few that were unmarked at the end of the war." Hazel sighed in relief. "Ok, so the wards won't be able to pick us as exclusive enemies by not having a Dark Mark. This still leaves us with the danger of unknown numbers and the effect the wards will have on our ability to enter and leave." Hazel looked at Rufus. "Which is why we never used charm based anti-apparition or anti-portkey wards. You don't have the means to tune them to anyone but the primary caster." Seeing Rufus shrugging her comment off, Hazel turned to Dora. "We don't have an exit strategy beyond escaping the Manor. My gut says we shouldn't do it. Not like this. I should be able to sweep the floors for the wardstone safely enough." Dora could see the reasoning behind Hazel's words, but if Croaker thought they could do it with Auror aid, maybe it was enough. "I say we should. As Head Auror Scrimgeour said, time is of the essence and causing a distraction on the inside is part of the plan. The target is a future concern of ours and the DoM's primary mission anyways."

Hazel felt certain this was a bad idea, at least for everyone else involved, but Dora's willingness and the benefits made it hard to refute. She sighed. "Then we are sticking together. No heroics and Horatio's primary order is mandatory." As Rufus got his Aurors ready to push the building, Hazel and Dora, donning their Operative gear with their face coverings on, shifted into their flying forms. Hazel took a slightly larger eagle and her claws were primed in case Dora lost control in her owl form again. After finding an open window on the third floor and taking human form again, the two began to make their way through the house, stunning and binding a few guards along the way since Rufus had asked for a non-lethal approach. Hazel cursed under her breath as her revealing charms were useless in penetrating the walls under the wards. They were running blind. She wanted to pull Dora out but the sudden shift in the wards and the shouting made it clear the Aurors had either been spotted or had attacked too quickly. They were stuck inside the building now. Hazel and Dora took several men down on their way to the second floor, binding and disillusioning most of them. Hazel noticed that any movement made the disillusionment charm more noticeable, meaning the wards had a means of countering invisible targets. Down on the second floor, Hazel tried to feel her way through the wards' magics, trying to find the wardstone, when a door opened and slammed Dora on the face. "We got infiltrators!"

Dora tried to pull back but her mind was still fuzzy from the impact as the guards started casting curses at them. She felt Hazel pull her back and down onto the ground as several curses slipped right over her where she had just been standing. She watched several curses fired back past her as she tried to recover from the hit to her head and turn herself over on the ground. More curses came at her as a shield popped up protecting her. "Get into cover, R2!" Dora cleared her head and transfigured a table into a stronger slab of stone as she fired back. More men kept popping out of the door that smashed into her face and she watched as Hazel moved up towards the opening with a duelist's shield up on her offhand, pulled something from her belt and threw it into the room, before she then sealed the door. Those guards inside remained out of the fight but several more kept coming up from the hallways. Dora tried to reposition herself but suddenly felt woozy. She looked down and paled. Her Unspeakable tactical suit had a massive gash in it and she could see a lot of blood spilling out from a deep and open wound on her abdomen. "Hazel!" Her partner launched a massive Reducto down the hallway before conjuring a wall between herself and the enemies, after which she checked on Dora. She paled too at the sight of the massive gash on Dora's body. "R1 on emergency call. Healers 1 and 2, anyone! R2 has been hit by a dark cutting curse and is losing blood rapidly!"

Hazel pushed Dora onto the ground and looked her in the eyes. "Full occlumency training, Dora. Slow everything down. Now!" Casting her diagnostic charms as Dora slipped deeper and deeper into her exercises, Hazel paled further. "Curse is Sectumsempra. I don't know the counter. Anyone!" Andromeda's voice was fast to answer, filled with concern. "I do, but it's not something I can teach you over the comms!" Horatio spoke up, anger clear in his voice as Hazel's ear throbbed in pain from his voice. "Sit-rep now!" Rufus, who had been given a comm for the mission, filled him in as Hazel resealed the hallways and pulled Dora into a room before casting a small notice-me-not on the door. She forced some Blood Replenishing Potion down Dora's throat and applied a medical dressing and a bandage onto the wound. Hazel barely caught Rufus screaming at Horatio. "We can't get in far enough to extract them. The wards are still up!" Hazel eyed Dora, noticing that she wasn't controlling her emotions well as Horatio berated Scrimgeour. She needed to get her partner out of the Manor. "Andromeda, will the Draught of Living Death keep her vitals low enough for a delayed extraction?" Her frantic "Yes!" was all Hazel needed to know. She kissed Dora, filling her with her magic. "You will be out for a bit but I promise, you will be ok." Dora nodded before she drank the potion, her blood flow slowing down to a crawl as Hazel switched out the medical dressing again.

Tired of hearing Horatio and Rufus arguing, Hazel spoke into her comm. "R1 going Dark. Prioritizing R2's extraction. H1, get everything you need at the emergency portkey arrival point to transport R2 to the Medical Wing once extraction is achieved." Taking off her ear comm device before she could hear any responses, Hazel touched the walls. The wards were reinforcing them, the outer walls even more so, to keep the Aurors out. Roof too. She had no way to safely extract Dora through them without putting her at risk. That wardstone had to go down to extract her partner safely and get her the medical attention she needed. After placing her Cloak over Dora and laying down some charm wards on her to keep her safe, Hazel drew the Elder Wand and the Resurrection Stone. She could feel her own magic diminishing as she started to envelop herself with the Peverell Family Magic. Taking a deep breath, her world started to shift around her. Gone were the vibrant colors of the extravagant room and curtains. Everything her eyes could see turned black, gray and white. The only source of color was Magic, a mix of colors flowing freely in a dark world. Her eyes, now turned a glowing silver, focused on the magic in the walls. As her mind began to clear of thoughts and feelings, the need to destroy the wardstone remained her main focus. She left the room as another thought began to intrude, one that threatened to consume her. She refused to surrender to it entirely, but she made sure to give it what it wanted along the way.

Every guard that appeared before her, their pulsing mass of magic, casted towards her every curse they knew. Her shields on her right hand, sustained by the content Resurrection Stone acting as a foci, batted them all away from her. Her Elder Wand, singing in absolute joy, saw curse after curse unleashed from it's tip. Hazel looked on impassively as she moved further into the building, leaving behind a trail of blood, severed limbs and withering bodies in her wake. She had no reason to spare any of them. Her Family Magic craved death and she was supplying it gladly. All she needed was to get those who shared the Family Magic out of the building. They had to be kept safe at all costs. Hazel followed the trail of the house's magic to the basem*nt where she found a greater concentration of souls. Taking back a bit of control over herself, Hazel conjured thin metallic rods over their heads before transfiguring them, her ears filling up with screams that slowly turned to gurgling and then silence. Hazel made her way forward slowly, pulling herself further and further out of her Family's Magic, the world returning to colors as she stepped through the small forest of impaled bodies she created, the wizards and witches twitching as the spears grew thorns, roots and branches that pierced their extremities, thin pieces of sharp metal poking out of their orifices, binding the people in place from within. She reached the wardstone, feeling her magic draining quickly. " Ignis Obscuras. "

The black flames greedily devoured the wardstone as she fished out her ear comms unit and returned it to its place. As soon as the wards collapsed, she focused what little of her magic remained and apparated to Dora's side. Removing the Cloak, Hazel pulled back some of her family's magic from her. Andromeda would need a more accurate reading to heal Dora and the alieness of the Family Magic would only get in her way. She took the cold and still body of her partner into her hands and spoke into her comms at last. "R1 here. Wardstone destroyed. Extracting R2 to base." She ignored the replies she heard as she pulled the keychain off her belt and gripped it tightly as she hugged Dora. "Brigid's Blessing." The tug of a portkey almost unbalanced her enough to disorient her before she felt her feet hit solid ground once more. She felt Andromeda and the other Healer arrive at her side, casting diagnostics on Dora. Andromeda sighed in relief. "The Draught has kept her bleeding minimal and the Blood Replenish Potion did its job. She will be fine as soon as we apply the counter curse." The other Healer, a dark skinned woman with short black hair, casted a diagnostic on Hazel and frowned. "Your magic is low. Lower than normal. How are you still awake?" Hazel gave her a bitter smile. "Had a priority order to keep." She felt Quetz and Horatio arrive and they helped carry Dora on a gurney as Hazel followed slowly behind. The moment Dora was being applied the counter curse in the Medical Wing, Hazel's head hit the medical bed she took a seat on and blacked out.

-∞-

"Gods damn it all to Hell, Saul! I didn't get two Recruits to get this far into their training for you to get them killed on a blind mission!" Croaker shrunk back into his seat as Horatio turned to Scrimgeour. "From now on you are forbidden to ever give orders to any of my Operatives. I don't care that they agreed to go in, even if both had done so begrudgingly. This operation was a disaster waiting to happen and it bloody well did. I swear if any of my people had died, you wouldn't be leaving this bloody room intact." Rufus glared back at him. "The mission became a disaster because of one of them. Did you see the images we took of the crime scene? The manor's second floor and basem*nt levels looked like a butcher's shop! The target was found impaled in the basem*nt along with a full dozen other witches and wizards, all dead." Horatio's magic flared, making Croaker wince. "The hell that was a disaster. That is exactly what was going to happen. R1 is a lethal force equalizer and she did her bloody job when her partner went down. She could have done it a bit more cleanly but under the circ*mstances I can't disagree with the results. R2 is alive, her injuries are being looked after and the main threats were neutralized!"

"As is our entire case …" Amelia slammed her fist down, interrupting her Head Auror. "Enough! Rufus, next time you want to use our Aurors on blind missions like these, you run it by me first! We are probably lucky none of our people were caught in the crossfire. However, we still had five Aurors die and ten others are currently recovering from severe curse damage in St. Mungos. Things could have been a lot worse." Amelia looked at Horatio who nodded. "They could have been. R1 confirmed that what she did required her to lose most of her consciousness to achieve. She wouldn't distinguish friend from foe at all except for those who share her magic, something only two people do right now." Amelia glared at Rufus to stay quiet before she looked at Horatio. "The DMLE will try to minimize the fallout on this but there will be some questions asked, especially by the Minister and the Chief Warlock. We can't just say this was special forces work, as they will try to out your people as a threat. The deaths of forty one criminals, one being a known Death Eater who claimed the Imperius Defence, and a strong financial supporter of the Traditionalists, will cause the members to look for a threat. We need to find a way to get ahead of this mess." Croaker sighed, having already given this some thought as word of Hazel's creative way of executing people reached his ears. "The scene isn't fully cleared. Place your officers under oaths and torch the place with Fiendfyre."

Scrimgeour looked about to complain when Horatio spoke up. "Agreed. Gather what evidence you can that is paperwork and torch the building. Claim it was either a guard or Williamson himself, trying to erase any evidence before getting caught by the flames. It wouldn't be the first time someone miscalculated casting Fiendfyre." Scrimgeour shouted. "Are you two insane? Do you have any idea how much physical evidence we will lose from that?" Amelia sighed and looked at Moody. "You are unusually quiet, Alastor? Any thoughts on this whole situation?" Moody shrugged. "Not much to say. Rufus jumped the gun, I can see Croaker walking with a limp for a year at least after this and the spooks have a point. Silence the more outrageous parts of the story, gather what evidence you can, set the place on fire and leave the Operatives out of it. The truth of the raid remains close enough to the official story that it should hold up." Amelia sighed and turned to Scrimgeour. "Get the Aurors together and reapply the oath for operational security. As much as I hate this, the safety of our personnel is paramount and I can't disagree that you made a mistake in moving too fast too aggressively with regards to this case. The Operatives took their primary orders and completed them. We can't fault them for that."

Amelia watched Rufus get up and leave, before she turned to Horatio. "Your Operatives, how are they really?" Horatio sighed and sat down. "R2 was hit by a Sectumsempra curse and went a few minutes bleeding out before she noticed it. She also had some burns on her chest from a fire spell that just barely grazed her. She's currently recovering from the curse and the Draught of Living Death her partner fed her to keep her alive. The effects were a bit stronger than anticipated since she was weakened from the curse and she will remain in the Medical Wing for a week in observation. R1 is suffering from severe magical exhaustion and magical backlash, not to mention some mental side effects. We have to be careful in entering the section of the wing set aside for them as R1 is still having issues with control over her instincts. Healer Johnson almost took a curse to the face when she went to check on R2." Amelia sighed. "I promise, we will keep Dumbledore, Fudge and the Traditionalists out of this mess." Horatio nodded and watched as Amelia stood up. "We will keep a close eye on what's happening at Hogwarts, but everything has been surprisingly quiet these last few months. We will keep you apprised of any changes." Croaker nodded. "Agreed. We will get Legal on setting up a comprehensive oath for your Aurors. I will go let them know." Horatio glared at Croaker, who also stood up as Amelia left the room. "We aren't done, Saul. We have a few more things to discuss later."

-∞-

Teddy shot to his mother's side as soon as Andromeda opened the curtain. "Mom?" He hugged his mother's legs as she sat with her face in her hands besides Dora's sleeping body. He watched her lift her head up and stared at his eyes. He almost never saw his mother's with a silver coloration. Especially with that distant look as if she was struggling to recognize him. He squeezed her hands and looked at her. "Mom. It's me. Teddy. Snap out of it. Dora is ok. You're ok. You don't need the Family Magic so aggressively. Let go." Teddy watched as those eyes focused on him and saw them shift in color repeatedly between silver and green. His mother closed her eyes and took a deep breath before she looked at him and smiled. Her eyes were green again. She pulled him into a hug and he hugged her back. "Hey you. Thanks for helping me there." Teddy nodded. "I am glad you're feeling better." Pulling back from the hug, he looked at Dora before checking with Andromeda. The older witch gave him a weak smile. "She's ok, just really tired. Hazel did good work keeping her from getting worse but the medication she took will be in her system for a while. We could flush it out but it would negate the healing potions she's under for days, so we have to wait till she is better physically to clean her out."

Hazel breathed deeply. "How are you, Andromeda? I can't imagine my emergency call gave you much to be happy about." Andromeda shook her head. "No, it didn't. It was a good thing I was here or Teddy would have heard quite a few choice words from me." Hazel rubbed Teddy's hair gently. "I can imagine." Andromeda looked at Hazel. "Care to tell me why you carry Living Death with you?" Hazel blushed. "To be fair, I carry a lot of potions on me, mostly for healing. I can manage Episkey and resetting bones and dislocations, but I have a hard time healing in general so I keep a steady supply of potions on me at all times. I also keep a few other offensive potions, draughts or magical powders. Used Knockout Powder on some punks in a room last night. I know some counter curses too, but that particular one I never got the chance to learn. Everyone who knew the curse in my time besides me was dead and the counter curse went with most of them." Andromeda nodded. "Understandable. I will try and teach it to both of you, as the Death Eaters here took a liking to the curse and most can cast it. I got a few salves and ointments I want to add to your mobile Apothecary just in case." Hazel gave her a soft smile. "Sure. Just give me a few days. My magic will be out of sorts for a bit."

A soft voice spoke up from the bed. "Could you keep it down? Some of us are trying to sleep. Ooomf. Who transfigured a Teddy bear and dropped it onto me? It feels heavy." Hazel sighed in relief as Teddy jumped onto the bed with Dora and hugged her. She watched as Dora hugged Teddy back. "Hey kid. Think you can let me breathe for a bit?" Teddy shuffled back to the side of the bed as Hazel leaned forward. "Hello partner. Should we add a chestplate and a helmet to the list of things to ask Q for?" Dora ruffled Teddy's hair with a smile. "Sure. What happened anyway? After my potion induced nap." Hazel leaned over and kissed Dora softly. "I ignored Rufus and got through the locals to the wardstone before breaking it and dragging you out. Your Mom took care of your wounds but it sounds like you will be out of commission for a week. You can get the long version of it from Horatio and myself, after he is done ripping Croaker a new one. The Boss apparently forgot to run the mission by our BM first." Dora yawned. "Kay. Do I get to go to my own bed for this week of rest?" Andromeda glared at Dora over Hazel's shoulder. "No. If you did, I wouldn't be sure you are sleeping properly. You're staying here for the full week." Dora blinked at her slowly before yawning again. "Kay. Nighty night, Teddy." Teddy kissed her cheek. "Night Dora." Hazel kissed Dora on the lips softly. "Pleasant dreams, partner."

Chapter 25: Death in the Chamber

Chapter Text

Hermione opened the Room of Requirement with a bit of guilt. She had left Tom with the intention of coming back right after the school was opened but after the two months had passed and she finally returned to the school, the Professors had taken the student's absence hard and increased their workload to compensate. Then the whole scandal with Lockhart's affairs and his subsequent death happened. The idea that Lockhart was a rapist never even crossed her mind and she, like everyone else, had defended him at first. He was an established author and hero after all. His death during the court hearing came as quite the shock but the article that soon followed detailing all the authors, witches and wizards that he obliviated and then took credit for all their hard work shattered her perception of the former professor. When she first came to Hogwarts, she had thought of magic as just another tool to use. Sure, she knew there were people who abused magic and everything but it all seemed so distant to her. Even the war she had technically been born during was something most people of the magical community treated almost like it happened a long time ago, with Grindelwald's War being even more distant in people's memories. She knew that Harry had been orphaned by the last war and that Neville's parents were in St. Mungos, something her friend admitted to when he left to see them during Easter Break, but even then she had felt that things like that couldn't happen anymore.

Learning about deadly curses had been surprising to her and the lesson was reinforced when a Senior Auror, Kingsley Shaklebolt, took over the Defence position for the remaining months. He taught them about a few more defensive and offensive spells and actually taught them how to duel properly. Then someone in class, a Hufflepuff called Sally, asked the Auror about the curse that killed Lockhart. He explained that the magic was something called Witchcraft which, unlike the magic studied in school, required several magical ingredients, a lot of now lost incantations and a good understanding of the practice to manage it successfully. The curse had been placed on Lockhart at an unknown time by an unknown person, as there was no way of tracing back how long it was in him, meaning it could have been on him for years. There were no real known Witchcraft practitioners in Wizarding Britain at all that could have been responsible for the curse; the specific ingredients, incantation and delivery method lost to time. It was considered a mostly dead craft, even by the ICW, which made the DMLE and Wizengamot restless, but unable to do anything about it since there was nothing to trace except that it existed at all. What was known was that the curse could only trigger if the person lied after swearing not to and that it turned fatal after lying repeatedly without a shred of remorse or guilt about said lies. Lockhart's solicitor was besieged by many angry witches and wizards after the news of the curses conditions broke out, so many people disgusted that he almost got a serial rapist free of all charges and back into the school. He closed down his business and his license was terminated by the Ministry.

The change in Professors, the heavy course load and the constant concern over the Heir of Slytherin making another attack made Hermione completely forget about Tom until the end of April. She promised herself to visit him and she finally made the time for it as people were forced to skip this year's Easter Break to catch up with the classes. Hermione breathed a sigh of relief when she saw the book was still in the specific room Tom had set up for the book and started writing in it. She was surprised how mad Tom sounded with his words at first but he eventually settled down and apologized. While five months may have felt like nothing to you, it felt longer to me. I spent decades sealed away, not hearing a word about anything until you came around. The thought crossed my mind that I may be lost once again, this time permanently, and it festered as I waited. My apologies. Hermione wrote back to him. "I am sorry. It just never occurred to me that magical books could think about such things. I tried looking up facts concerning magical books but there wasn't a lot on them, beyond the ones used to conceal the things the owners wrote in them. Though apparently there is a Care of Magical Creatures book that behaves exceedingly like a beast itself." Tom took a second to respond. That is an odd way of enchanting a book, though I can see some educational value to it. Anyways, apology accepted. Now, what has happened while you were away?

Feeling relieved, Hermione told him about the things going on at Hogwarts, covering the story of Lockhart and his death. "There is also word that the Board of Governors is unhappy with the Headmaster about Lockhart and the petrifications. The older students find it odd that the Board is so actively engaged with the school, since they usually allowed Dumbledore to handle the school on his own. They were bothered enough by his response to the Heir that they allowed him to reopen the school only after he agreed to stepping down if he didn't put a stop to the incidents himself. The whole Lockhart scandal has apparently made him even more unpopular, especially with the former Slytherins on the Board." Hermione could see a few ink points appearing on the page, almost as if he was tapping in thought. The situation with his Defence Professor and the chaos of the Heir of Slytherin seems to have eroded his image quite a bit. If what the students say is true, and the man could be fired after another attack, then the school could be closed down by the Board of Governors for a while soon afterwards. Such a shame. Still, nice to hear there are people out there that still practice Witchcraft in Western Europe. I heard the practice was more common in the Eastern edge of the European Continent and in the South American Continent, but that the practitioners kept to themselves. Oh, I almost forgot. I promised you a surprise. Care to see a class of Spell Creation? I had the chance to sit in one for a bit.

After Hermione agreed, the book glowed and her mind was drawn inside. Meanwhile, the diary was closed softly and someone sighed. "That could have gone better. Still, despite the delay, it seems we have much to benefit from. Dumbledore's reputation is damaged and the school could be closed quickly without much effort. What a shame that would be." After storing the Diary in a pocket of the girl's robes, a mirror appeared in the room and Tom looked into it, his eyes taking in the girl's form again. He tries to focus his magic to sense what he might still gain from her if he decided to devour her essence soon. "Not a lot of magic, but more than enough for what I need. I had planned to use her more, maybe twist her mind into a disciple, but the girl is far too academically minded, especially if her studies were justification enough to leave me alone for months because of classes. Keeping her around would be too much effort and require way too many questions that I don't need to be answering." He pulled the girl's wand out and felt how sluggish it was in his hands again as he casted a Tempus spell. "Hmmm, perhaps I should keep her in the memory for a while longer. Depending on how many people the Basilisk petrifies on this night, I might get the school closed down soon. A shame I couldn't gather any more information on Harry Potter, but I doubt the boy was able to actually defeat me himself." He fixed Hermione's tie and skirt and stepped out into the hallway, making his way down the Dungeons. He had a snake to release.

-∞-

Horatio stared at Croaker. "Well?" The Director of the DoM sighed. "The cover up of the aftermath is complete. All the Aurors are clear on what the official statement is, they are aware that Director Bones understands their concerns over the deadly nature of the incident but were warned that the fault on the degree of violence fell on the unplanned and unexpected complications that arose in the mission. The Manor is currently a pile of ash and stone, minus all the paperwork Williamson had in his office. The DMLE has years of paperwork to sort through and a dead Death Eater financier. No one is particularly displeased, except for Scrimgeour. Rufus was always politically minded so that's no surprise since he fears a potential scandal from this." Horatio grunted. "The Minister and Dumbledore?" Croaker tapped his fingers on the desk. "Informed of the revised facts. Amelia shared some of the man's records and the photos of the dead muggles. The Minister, while hesitant, did accept the story and has distanced himself from Williamson and his crowd. Even Lucius has been getting a bit of a cold shoulder of late." Horatio snorted. "The bastard deserves it. He's lucky the arrest in the Illegal Dueling Circuit didn't ruin him. Still, those Malfoy Vaults should be rather short on Galleons by now."

Croker nodded. "Indeed. As for the Chief Warlock, he gave his standard disappointment on the loss of life speech and Williamson's own crimes didn't seem to face him all that much." Horatio stared at Croaker feeling his stomach churn. "Hazel's assessment of her own Dumbledore doesn't seem so distant from the man in this world now. He clearly cares about the magicals that get killed but not the non-magical population. Certainly explains his hesitancy to disapprove of Grindelwald and his war. At least at first. The moment the magical population was targeted, he finally started to take notice and advocate against his old flame." Croaker lowered his papers. "So it seems. At least the Board has taken advantage of the Lockhart fiasco. All future Professors will need the appropriate NEWTs or Masteries to take the job and while Dumbledore may recommend candidates, the Board now has final say on who gets selected and can submit their own candidates for consideration, ignoring the Headmaster. Augusta's handling of the Wizengamot has been a sight to see too. We might get the Judicial Reform proposal finalized before September." Horatio hummed. "Good. So, let's talk about the elephant in the room. Should I slug you or stun you before you try and run away again? It's been three days and I am not dropping my concerns." Saul rubbed his eyes. "Very well. What exactly do you want to change about our arrangement with Operations?"

Horatio leaned forward as he placed his hand on the desk, his eyes staring deep into Saul's. "I have final say on any and all missions for my Operatives from here on. You and your trust in the DMLE almost got my Recruits killed. Sure, they knew the risks going in and accepted the mission, one of them clearly more concerned than the other, but they were there because of your approval. Any missions go through me and are approved on by myself and the Recruits independently of any interference. I won't have Aurors on site guilt tripping them into agreeing into a disaster again." Croaker stared at Horatio before lowering his eyes. He sighed deeply. "You are right. Rufus' proposal was too scant on details and I agreed to their deployment too easily. You know what to ask and what's at stake better than me. I will leave deployment of the Operatives, including DMLE assignments, to you." Horatio sat back down onto his chair. "Good. As for my Recruits, R1 will soon be ready to be upgraded to full Operative status. She handled the crisis well, focused on the main priority, her partner's safety and her own, and has shown the skill set needed. Sure, she is a walking death sentence, but her control has improved, though I still need to curb some of her violent tendencies with regard to her creative interpretations of orders. Andromeda is looking to expand Hazel's healing capacity but she has admitted it may be limited completely. She has attention to detail, magical control and the power to do it but she lacks one aspect the magic needs to work."

Croaker thought about Hazel. "Empathy. She can't feel the need to care well for another unknown person and fails at it because her will and intent don't align with her magic." Horatio nodded. "Indeed. I believe she may advance further with Nymphadora's aid, but she will never get Field Medic certification. Neither will Dora, if Andromeda is correct. She has the empathy but lacks the discipline." Croaker tapped his desk and looked at Horatio. "A third Operative?" Horatio shook his head. "Maybe, but unlikely. Those two have bonded well together and the memories from this last botched mission showed that they are only getting better working as a team. Getting a third person into the mix could be disastrous. We will keep an ear open for potential Field Medics but I won't hold my breath on a third Operative for a while." Croaker nodded. "Ok, so Hazel Peverell could be promoted soon. What of Nymphadora?" Horatio crossed his arms. "That is harder to say. She is much better than when she started but she still has a confidence problem. This last incident could slow her down, though I see her partner dragging her through it safely. I am willing to give her a break to recover from this ordeal and re-evaluating her in a few months. Depending on their situation, however, we could delay both their promotions for a bit longer, just to be on the safe side." Croaker nodded in response. "Very well. I will get the paperwork started and leave their final assessment to you."

As Horatio stood back from the desk, Croaker's Floo Terminal lit up, followed by Amelia's voice. "We have another attack at Hogwarts. Three students petrified, two are Prefects. Dumbledore is being summoned by the Board and we expect Minerva to take over as Interim Headmistress until the matter is settled. Call me when you have a response in place." The green flames died out as Croaker looked to Horatio. "Our Operatives?" Horatio raised an eyebrow. "R1 is partly drained magically though showing decent recovery and R2 is still recovering from the Draught of Living Death's effects on her body. Andromeda is already sharpening her scalpels for you, so I would avoid visiting the Medical Wing until R2 is discharged." Croaker shivered. There were times when he regretted signing up a Black as a Healer, but Andromeda was too good a Healer to pass up. "Ok, so R1 is our only possible response. But why would the Heir attack now? Is he making up for lost time?" Horatio thought for a second. "How widespread was the news of Dumbledore's likely removal from Hogwarts after another attack? Especially after Lockhart's trial?" Croaker frowned for a second before he cursed. "He heard. He wants Dumbledore out of Hogwarts and Lockhart's trial gave him the appropriate backdrop for it to happen quickly. But what does he gain from it? What good does Dumbledore out of the Headmaster's office do to Riddle now?"

Horatio thought back to Hazel's debriefing. "Hazel's Riddle needed a living person to take back physical form. This one must be trying it too, though the timelines don't match up well. While the school is open, he can't settle down and act, but what if he forces the school to close, with Dumbledore kept away from the wards, and takes a victim? He would have months locked within a secure position to devour their soul and magic and integrate themselves into the flesh. By the time the school opened again, Tom Riddle could be alive once more, remade." Croaker nodded. "Ok, that seems the likely target. So, what's our response? We can't leave the school open and the students there as a deterrent. He'd just get more violent with the attacks." Horatio smiled as a thought occurred to him. "Close the school. Today." Croaker looked at him and blinked. "Why?" Horatio sighed. "Get him to panic. Close the school, have the students ready to leave by dinner tonight and have the Potter elf watch the students. Someone will make a break for it and if the bastard is keeping the openings for the Basilisk sealed, expecting another attack, he would go straight for the Chamber's entrance to lock himself away." Croaker eyed his Floo Terminal. "This is going to be a hard sell to Minerva and the Board." Horatio opened the door of the office. "Too bad, that's your job. I have an Operative I need to check on. We are going to need her there to finish this mess."

-∞-

OW May 1993

Hazel stood stunned as she entered what she assumed was the Chamber of Secrets. It had taken way too long for her to get in. She knew the passageway in her Sanctuary had to open up, but for months it seemed to be locked. She hoped it being open now wasn't a bad sign of what she was about to encounter as the last door opened slowly after she asked it to open in Parseltongue. The darkly lit area was sure to be interesting, but Hazel wasn't looking at the architecture or at the still body of Lavender Brown on the floor. What held her attention was what appeared to be a somewhat solid looking Tom Riddle who was passing back and forward, muttering to himself. "Tom?" The boy stilled as he heard his name and turned to her. He smiled at her warmly. "Oh, I suppose I opened the entrances too early. At least it's you here and not Dumbledore. Tell me, did you like my gifts?" Hazel stared at him before the events of the last few months clicked into place. "Wait. The Hufflepuffs and the dead Lockhart. Those were gifts for me?" Tom nodded. "Of course, you told me how they treated you. As a fellow Parselmouth, I had no intention of letting you suffer that disgrace further. As for Lockhart…" Tom had a distant look on his face. "Finding my possessed body getting pulled into a classroom and stripped by the man wasn't all that pleasant. I stunned him and summoned the Basilisk to me. I wonder what bothered Dumbledore more, the fact I killed a rapist in his school or that several young girls probably got their innocence stolen from them under his nose?"

Tom watched as Hazel moved up and checked on Lavender, before Hazel stared at him. "And her? What are you planning for her, Tom? Also, why did you possess her anyways? Weren't you happy staying with me? We had a great time on your birthday." Hazel watched as Tom's face shifted, as if he wasn't entirely sure why he did what he did. "Oh Hazel, I was quite happy. I never lied to you. Though I will be honest and admit I tried to possess you a few times. Yet nothing happened. Even when I pulled your mind into the book, your body remained outside of my influence. It was frustrating at first but I can't deny that I thoroughly enjoyed our conversations." Hazel shook her head. "Then why? Why leave? I could have taken you safely out of the castle." Tom frowned. "And then what? For me to remain inside the book for the rest of my days? My true self may have been happy to abandon me as a mere trinket he made, but I want something more for myself." He smiled. "I want to live again. To start anew." He eyed Hazel. "And I want you by my side. Think of all the interesting things we can uncover as a pair oftongues."

Hazel felt torn. What he offered her was tempting. It was better than everything the wizarding world offered her. But she had felt that way before. She had been betrayed too many times by people saying things that were too good to be true. "Did you consider what I may want out of my life? That I might want to be left alone? What my plans for the future might be?" Tom waved his hand dismissively. "Come now, I can offer you a treasure trove of ancient books, magics lost to time and the pleasure of my continued company. Why would you even need to to think about it?" Hazel stilled. She closed her eyes and wanted to scream. Because he was the same. The bastard was the same as Dumbledore, as Voldemort and as this godforsaken world. They all had plans for her but no one cared what she wanted. She was just a tool to them! She clenched her fists as she opened her eyes. "I met a man who seemed a lot like you before. He made similar promises and requests of me. He went by a weird name. Voldemort." Tom blinked at her. "Oh, my other self is still alive? Well, that's interesting. I suppose I am going to have to find him and deal with him. Can't have two of us running around carrying out our own plans. That would probably end badly. Not to mention it could get quite confusing. Anyways, please wait one moment while I make sure the school stays closed. You're welcome to spend the next few months with me here."

Tom turned around and spoke in Parseltongue towards the massive carved face on the wall as Hazel knelt down to the girl. Was it worth it? Having another Voldemort in the world? She remembered what Quirrell was like and looked at Tom. They were the same. They didn't care about anyone but themselves. If he got a body again, he would be just another person trying to use her. Sure she could learn much under him but she would probably become just a plaything to him. He probably wouldn't think twice to dispose of her, just as he planned to dispose of his other self. How the hell is it that the two people she ends up liking the most are not only the same person, but both of them view her exactly the same? Was she cursed? Shaking those thoughts away, Hazel pulled the Diary from under the girl's body and held it gently, feeling the magic from within its pages. Tom turned around as he sensed a shift in the magic of the book. "What are you doing with that?" Hazel looked at him, her eyes beginning to shed tears. "I really liked you, you know? I thought we could have helped each other. But I am just another tool for you to use. Everything you did, you may have been inspired by me, but it was never about what I wanted or needed. Sorry Tom, but I refuse to be just another puppet to be casted aside when you have no further use for me."

Hazel watched as Tom rushed to her, but it was too late. " Ignis Obscuras ." The black flames jumped from her fingers and latched onto the book and devoured it hungrily as Hazel watched Tom become enveloped by the same black flames, his voice filling ears with an unearthly scream. "Bye Tom." Hazel looked down as she felt the book turn to ash before she looked up again at where Tom had been. She cursed under her breath as a huge snake licked where Tom had once been before its head looked towards her. She remembered Hermione saying that the creature was probably a Basilisk and averted her gaze as she ran for the nearest bit of cover, the sound of sloshing water letting her know the creature was right behind her. "sh*t, sh*t, sh*t, sh*t!" Hazel dove when she felt the ground shift, the Basilisk head just barely missing her as it struck the ground where she had just been. She ran from cover to cover, spying on the creature's large body before moving again. "Dumbledore, if you or one of your spies is watching, a bit of help would be appreciated!" Her prayer was partly answered when she heard the song of the damned phoenix echo in the room. She did, however, scream internally as the only thing the bird dropped for her was the Sorting Hat.

Placing the Hat over her head, Hazel barely slid into one of the Basilisk's tunnels, as the massive snake's head struck the outer wall. Please tell me you have a plan to survive a Basilisk! The Hat hummed quietly. I see you still don't fit in well with any of the Houses. How distressing. Hazel wanted to just drop him down one of the passageways right then. You are not here for a Sorting! There is a Basilisk trying to kill me for ending it's master's life! The hat chuckled. It chuckled! She bit her tongue trying not to give away her position as she fled from tunnel to tunnel, the giant snake causing the stone to shake around her as it followed close behind. True, but I am the Founders' mouthpiece. I was here when Salazar bred Meret. Have you tried talking to her? Hazel sighed in exasperation. Sure! Hey big snake, I know I just killed your master. Care for a chat? You know, after you stop saying, "kill, rip, tear, devour" over and over again. Are you bloody mental? The Hat sighed at her mental tirade. Well, you certainly don't fit well anywhere but you are just stubborn enough to match Godric on his worst days. Do try and avoid drinking like he did. Here. Hazel felt an object smack her in the head, hard. "Ow!" She lifted the rim of the hat and stared at the sword she drew out. A very small sword. You know, if it weren't considered a sacrilege or that my kids, if I somehow have any at all, would be mad at me, I think I would burn you just like I burned Tom. The hat laughed in her mind. Trust me, dear. You wouldn't be the first to try. Though if your memory is any indication, you just might be the first to manage it.

Hazel wanted to respond when her latest turn landed her in a far more inclined tunnel than the rest, where she was forced to slide down in the barely lit passageway. She landed straight into the pool of water within the Chamber, the hat slipping from her head in the water. Gasping for breath, she lifted herself over the edge and tried to move as she felt the Basilisk splash down into the water behind her. The snake lunged at her, but Hazel slipped on the wet ground after taking a few steps away from the edge of the pool, falling onto her back and being spun around as she tried to get up. The creature's maw and belly slipped past her, just a few inches above her body. Hazel, in desperation, thrusted the sword into the creature's underside. She held on for dear life as it tried to pull away from her, the sword tearing an even bigger gash in the soft hide as the creature screamed in agony. Hazel closed her eyes as soon as the maws of the beast appeared in her vision and she pulled her sword back. Her eyes flew open and she screamed in pain when she felt several fangs pierce her body as the creature picked her up into its mouth, before it started shaking her around.

Not wanting to become a Basilisk's last meal, Hazel desperately jabbed the inside of the creature's mouth with the sword until the beast opened its mouth and she was unceremoniously dropped onto the floor, her body wracked with pain from the impact. Hazel heard the Basilisk give a final death rattle before it's head slammed into the ground beside her. After waiting a second to make sure it was dead, Hazel tried to stand up but her body felt almost numb, her skin a mix of burning fever and cold clamminess. She started coughing heavily, blood leaking from her mouth, as Fawkes landed beside her. She looked at Dumbledore's bird and gave him a bitter smile. "Sorry Birdie, but your master will have to find another saviour. Take care of Hedwig for me, would you?" Soon enough, she lost all strength in her extremities and she laid back down fully, her head hitting the wet ground harder than she would have liked. Hazel felt her eyes grow heavy as her limbs stopped responding to her at all, a bitter coldness settling in. She smirked as she thought that maybe dying down here wasn't so bad. Maybe she would finally get some peace. She closed her eyes, a smile spreading gently on her face, before drops of piercing heat suddenly started landing into her open wounds. She screamed again, louder and louder, as Fawkes kept crying onto her. Her screams of raw agony filled the ancient Chamber for many hours to come as Hazel begged the bird to just let her die.

-∞-

NW April 1993

Harry followed the trail of Hermione's footsteps on the map as he rushed down hallways within the Castle. His best friend had been acting weird ever since yesterday night. When the announcement came of Dumbledore being summoned by the Board in the morning after another attack that saw Percy Weasley, Penelope Clearwater and a girl from Ravenclaw petrified, she had looked strangely giddy at the news, as if she was happy Dumbledore was going to be sacked. When McGonagall said at lunch that the school would be closing and that all students were to prepare to leave after the Dinner Feast, Hermione suddenly looked panicked. She brushed him off saying she simply didn't know what she would do as she lived with muggle parents, but Harry could tell it wasn't the whole truth. He kept his eye on her until she vanished around a corridor near Gryffindor Tower as McGonagall brought them up to pack. After informing his Head of House, McGonagall searched frantically for her as well, but Hermione was just gone. The Professor vanished into her office to call the Aurors when Fred and George pulled him aside. "Hermione is rushing down hidden passageways, probably heading for the Dungeons. Take this and see if you can catch up to her. We'll tell McGonagall where you are heading towards when she returns."

Rushing desperately through more and more hidden corridors, Harry kept his eyes on Hermione's name on the Twins' map. He grew frantic when her name suddenly vanished off the map right nearby where the Slytherin Common Rooms were marked. He rushed as fast as he could until he barely caught a glimpse of a stone wall moving into place, before becoming flush with the rest of the wall. He slammed into it and looked desperately for a way to open the wall back up again. "The Great Harry Potter should go no further. Bad snake hiding behind the wall." Harry turned around and saw a familiar looking elf. "Dobby?" During the Summer, Dobby had intercepted his mail and tried to tell him to not return to Hogwarts. The elf appeared again on Christmas at the Dursleys, dropping off a picnic basket full of Christmas desserts for him with a note saying that he was now working for the people keeping Harry safe. He had caught a few glimpses of the elf since, but this was the first time he responded to him since Christmas. The house elf nodded. "The Great Harry Potter should wait here. Scary Mistress will be along to help." Dobby popped away as Harry tried to control his breathing. He was really glad Neville had been pushing him to run for longer periods of time, or he would have missed where the door was. Dobby popped back, with a familiar looking Auror holding his hand. She was also holding her stomach. "Dobby, reminder to not do that with me again without warning. I don't think elf magic and mine mix all that well." Dobby nodded as Hazel's eyes locked with Harry's, the familiar shade of green making him pause for a moment. "So, this is the wall?"

Harry pulled away from it as Hazel pressed her hand against it. "Yeah, Hermione had been acting weird today before the announcements about the school closing came up. She vanished as soon as we were close to Gryffindor Tower." Hazel hummed to herself before Harry heard her say "Open" . He blinked. "Wait, you're a Parselmouth too?" Hazel nodded. "Speaker yes, but not a caster. Never did find any books on the subject back home. Sadly, good old Tom here is a paranoid bastard. It's locked." He watched a wand snap into her left hand. "Though fortunately for us, the full castle wards aren't up on this wall just yet. Get back and cover your ears." He took several steps back as Hazel aimed her wand at the door. " Perrumpo Expugnatio! " Even with his ears covered, he felt and heard the impact of her magic into the wall as a cloud of dust and pebbles rained down onto him. He watched as the cloud vanished at the wave of her wand, revealing an open passageway that seemed to suddenly stop. "Dobby, fetch Harry's Invisibility Cloak." The elf popped away as Hazel casted a few spells into the passageway before she sighed in relief. "No traps. Guess they never expected someone to breach the stonewall and the wards." She took the cloak that Dobby handed to her and wrapped it around Harry, looking him in the eye. "Stay here and under Cloak. Don't trust anyone except for me, Andromeda or Madam Bones. She's a scary redhead that looks a lot like an older Susan Bones. Stay here and be safe."

Hazel turned to the opening and descended quickly. She knew her siege spell would have been heard by both the Basilisk and Tom. She had to hurry. Finding her comm not working because of the heavy wards and the thick walls of stone, Hazel lifted her hand up and summoned her Patronus into it. A small ball of light took the form of a small, skeletal dragon. "Dungeon Level, near Snake Pit. Big hole in the wall. I'll send another once everything is cleared." The little dragon took off towards Horatio as Hazel found the second door to the Chamber proper. It was locked as well, but unlike the wall, this one had no connection to the Castle's primary wards. Hazel pulled her Cloak over herself before she blasted the locked door into smithereens with another siege engine spell, sending a cloud of dust into the dimly lit room. "Do you have no respect for a Founder's Legacy!?" Hazel casted a spell on her voice that would make it echo across the chamber, hiding her location. "Sure, but I am not the first to desecrate Salazar's noble beast and neither are you, Tom Riddle." Hazel watched as the sixteen year old apparition waved a wand around, clearing the air around him, the Basilisk towering behind him. She also noticed Hermione Granger laying on the ground next to them. She focused her eyes on the creature. " Does the Gaunt Heir follow in his forefathers' footsteps or in Salazar's, Meret?" Hazel watched as the creature reared its head, looking around. " Who?! How?! My name gifted to me by my massster! Where did you hear it, Ssspeaker!" Hazel hummed, glad their worlds were close enough to match that fact down as true. "I read it from Sssalazar's notesss. I know why he raisssed you. You are no killer of children, Meret."

Tom hollered, sending curses flying everywhere but missing Hazel entirely. "Silence! I am Salazar Slytherin's Heir. I am the master of the Chamber. The Basilisk and its purpose are mine!" Hazel eyed the snake, seeing the weight of her master's words trying to settle onto her. " You were born to protect Sssalazar's nessst and the nessst of hisss ssstudents from thossse that sssought to harm the nessstlings. Two leggersss who dared to condemn the gift of magic asss blasssphemy. You, named after a Goddessss from the endlessss sssea of sssand, were meant asss thisss Sssanctuary's final guardian. No two leggersss could sssurvive your gaze, the ssstudents would find sssafety behind your ferocity. You are no killer, Meret! You are a Guardian. Do not anssswer to the Gaunt'sss Heir. Essspecially not thisss fragment of hisss." Tom reared up in surprise when he heard that. "You know! I will end you now, traitor of our blood. Basilisk, I forbid you to listen further. Find them and kill them!" Hazel watched as the Basilisk shuddered, fighting the orders as she reached the still form of Hermione. She dug into the girl's robes and pulled out the Diary, feeling it's familiar magic. Hazel smiled to herself. " I know you quite well, Tom. I know your fearsss and your ambitionsss. I alssso know jussst how far you are willing to go to achieve them. Don't worry, fragment. I will sssend the ressst of you to hell sssoon enough. Ignis Obscuras."

Hazel felt her memory resurface as she watched Tom die to her flames one more time. She bit her lip, forcing the feelings she had about her Tom down. This fragment wasn't hers and didn't deserve the pity she once felt as a child. She turned to the Basilisk as soon as the apparition was gone for good, seeing it's movements being more fluid now. " Will you ssshield your gaze for me?" The creature nodded and Hazel removed her Cloak. The Basilisk looked at her closely, it's forked tongue tasting the air around Hazel. "I sssmell… my kin. How?" Hazel reached out and touched the Basilisk gently on the snout. " Once, in my youth, I too faced another of your kin. I besssted her but sssuffered greatly from the venom within itsss fangsss. A ssstubborn phoenix denied me a fitting end, for ssslaying a beassst driven mad by age, compulsssions and violence. " Basilisk looked into her eyes, it's deadly gaze averted by thin, almost transparent membranes. " Would you honor me with the sssame fate?" Hazel's hand stilled. " Why?" The Basilisk turned towards the still living body of Hermione. Hazel also frowned as she saw Harry, under cloak, checking on the girl. Bloody Gryffindors. " I wasss born to protect the hatchlingsss, yet I have harmed them. Another of the True Ssspeakers may compel me to harm them again. I do not wisssh to betray my father'sss wissshes again." Hazel sighed and pressed her head against the Basilisk's. " Are you certain of thisss, Meret?"

Meret's tongue licked her softly across her neck. " Yesss. Aid me asss you aided another, Ssspeaker. Free me from the burden of a life lived againssst my wissshes." Hazel breathed deeply as ran her hand down the Basilisk's scales. " I ssswear to you, Meretseger. Your fangsss, your venom and your ssscales will ssserve your father'sss purpossse for you. Hogwartsss will be sssafe for hatchlingsss like my own to learn and grow with the great gift. " The Basilisk closed its eyes. " My gratitude, ssspeaker. May your ssstrength never waver in the protection of your hatchlingsss. " Hazel looked deep within herself, searching for that one small piece of her capable of granting Meret a fitting end. Her Godmother's face flashed before her eyes, Hazel taking in her beautiful brown curls and those dark grey eyes from her memories. Her voice echoed in Hazel's mind and her heart. "Death isn't the worst fate you can inflict onto another. It can be mercy. An act of love. When the alternative lies between a prolonged torment or a swift end, remember this, my dearest sapling. Look deep within yourself, find the person you love dearly and find the courage to send them on their way. Let the last thing your heart knows be the love you have for another as you cast the spell that has been twisted and warped by hate."

Taking a deep breath, Hazel brought her fingers to a seam in the Basilisk's scales. " Fair night to you, Meret. May your father welcome you in Anwn, beloved daughter and Guardian of Hogwartsss ." Her Godmother's smiling face flashed one last time in her mind and Hazel whispered the incantation. " Avada … Kedavra. " A brief flash of cyan light lit up the room as Hazel felt the Basilisk's body relax and grow slack. The head hit the ground with a soft thud as a single tear escaped Hazel's eye. She brushed it away as she went to Harry, who stared at her. He looked a lot more surprised when she pulled the Cloak from his body. "Sorry kid, but I am the one of a few this cloak cannot hide you from." She knelt down and checked on Hermione, as Harry looked from Hazel to the snake. "That was Salazar's monster?" Hazel pulled the unconscious body of Hermione into her arms, burying any lingering feeling of hate that resided in her towards the girl. This wasn't the person who betrayed her. Hopefully, she would never become that person again. "No Harry. That was Salazar's final contribution to the castle's defences. A guardian meant to protect the children from muggle religious zealots. The Gaunts, the forebears of Lord Voldemort, twisted and warped Meret and her father's legacy to one of prejudice and hate. Her name was Meretseger, named after a goddess of Egypt. A protector of the great works of the ancient crafters." Harry followed Hazel as she headed back towards the entrance. "Binns hasn't covered that in History." Hazel chuckled. "No, I don't suppose he has."

Chapter 26: The Burden of Another's Soul

Chapter Text

Hazel lowered Hermione's body onto the nearest medical bed of the Hospital Wing as Madam Pomfrey came over to check on the child. "What happened?" Hazel eyed the matron. "Contact with a cursed object, likely possession over a period of twelve hours, maybe longer. Possible compulsion charms and other forms of Mind Magics." Pomfrey sighed as she started scanning. "I am not certified for Mind Magic maladies. The best I can do is diagnose her." Hazel stood up and summoned her patronus into her hand again. " All clear. Possession victim in Hospital Wing, send Healer expert in Mental and Soul Magics. Prepare a retrieval team for Xtimes5 carcass and summon DMLE1 to arrive first. I will try to get access through the Floo network. Standby." Pomfrey froze. "Soul Magic?" Hazel allowed her dragon patronus to take flight before she looked over at the girl. "The cursed object had signs of Soul Magic and carried out a partial possession over her. The damage can depend for how long she was in possession of it and how long the object affected her." Harry chimed in. "She's had it since September 19. She got it as a birthday present from Ginny Weasley." Hazel turned to him, making him feel a little uncomfortable under the scrutiny of her green eyes. "That object wasn't bought in a store and I doubt Mr. Weasley has cursed objects like that lying around in his home. We are also going to have a word about following instructions. The Cloak keeps you effectively safe from humans, not creatures. At least not until you realize just how they can perceive the world differently than you. Got that?" Harry lowered his eyes and nodded.

The sudden opening of the Hospital Wing's doors drew Hazel's attention and on seeing the arrivals, she made sure to switch her eye color to blue. "Surprised to see you here, Chief Warlock. The Board hasn't reconvened yet." The old man looked at her with curiosity. "I don't believe we've met, Auror." Hazel gave him a toothy smile. "We haven't and it's Hit Witch. Sorry, but my name is currently not available to you. I am, however, going to have to ask you to leave. The Castle is an active crime scene until the Head of the DMLE signs off on it and you have no reason to be within its walls currently." He stared at her. "Young lady, while I have been removed, it is only a temporary measure. I have a right to check in on the wellbeing of my students." Hazel resisted the urge to draw either of her wands. The Elder Wand would be a dead giveaway to him that something was off and the Holly Wand right now might be too familiar to him if he spent any time with Olivander checking for Voldemort's brother wand. Instead she waved her hand and banished him out the doors before sealing them with a charm ward. She turned back to three people looking at her with surprise. "What? He was notified that he wasn't welcomed here. I won't have him impede our investigation. Now, Headmistress. As a bit of warning, you might want to be careful how much support you provide your old boss and mentor. You have had the position for a day and granting him entry violates his removal."

McGongall clenched her jaw. "I understand that, Auror, but the man is among the most knowledgeable wizards in the country. He could be of help with the girl." Hazel chuckled. "I'll be sure to tell the experts that when they arrive." Hazel eyed the Hospital Wing's office door and turned to Madam Pomfrey who was writing her diagnostics down. "Mind if I use the Floo?" Pomfrey eyed her carefully. "It's warded to my magical signature. Only the Headmaster can change that." Hazel nodded. "Right then." She poked the Healer with a needle, eliciting a soft yelp from her and left towards the door. She spied Harry looking at her and held a finger to her lips. "Never try that yourself. I am a bit of an expert and as you can see, I can deal with most people who decide to be… difficult." She winked at him and stepped into the office as Pomfrey rubbed her hand over the site of the jab. "She… oh! Of course she wouldn't give her name." She looked at Minerva. "Don't say a word about that to Albus. I can't begin to guess how much trouble he would cause her and she to him. As a Hit Witch she is sure to have permission, but the Blood Magic she practices isn't a pleasant one in the eyes of others." Minerva sighed before looking at Hermione. "How is she?" Pomfrey casted another diagnostic spell. "Magically drained severely, but not to a deadly degree, signs of Compulsion Charms that became partially unravelled. The witch mentioned another layer of potential damage, but I don't know how to check for it."

The door to the office opened and Andromeda Tonks rushed forward to the bed, her healer's kit in hand. "Poppy, Minerva. Is this the girl Hazel told me about?" Pomfrey looked over Andromeda's shoulder and spotted Amelia stepping out with the Auror she assumed was called Hazel. "She is. Her assessment is distressing. Are you…?" Andromeda placed her Healer's kit down and drew her wand. "Certified for Mind and the other magic she mentioned? Yes. The latter I got recently. If you excuse me." Amelia signalled McGonagall over and the Interim Headmistress stepped up to her. "When you told me there was a plan to end the threat quickly, I was expecting in a week, not within the day of my announcement." Amelia gave her a smile. "Sorry about that, Minerva, but we had to move quickly. Now, my Hit Witch here tells me the entrance is in the Dungeons, opened but warded and concealed by her. I can assume Albus will be pressuring the Board to be reinstated soon. Can you grant access to a certain group of people to secure the scene and retrieve any dangerous artefacts before the Chief Warlock gets his position as Headmaster back?"

Minerva eyed Hazel who seemed to be moving one of her hands oddly. "Are you alright?" Hazel chuckled. "Peachy. Just cycling wards on the door as the former Headmaster keeps trying to unlock it. He's getting quite frustrated. It's actually quite fun." Amelia pinched the bridge of her nose. "She isn't fond of the Headmaster and, right now, neither am I. An answer would be most welcomed before she goes for the direct approach and I get to file a few new stacks of documents concerning the Chief Warlock's wellbeing. Well?" Minerva looked between the two before turning to her student lying on the bed. She frowned sadly and nodded her head. "Do it. I'll cordon off the area and you can place your wards. Get it cleared out quickly. Albus won't wait long at all." Amelia nodded and tapped Hazel's shoulder. "The Floo?" Hazel waved her towards it. "Opened completely until I or Pomfrey relock it. Call our people in and send Alastor to the front door. That should get the old goat's attention." Amelia nodded and left for the office as Minerva looked closely at Hazel. "Were you one of mine?" Hazel bared her teeth at her. "Yes and no. I look very different from the last time I walked these halls as a student. As you can guess, I am not willing to give my old or new identities away. Not just yet." Minerva closed her eyes. "Are you the one Amelia mentioned? The one who hated me?"

Hazel sighed and looked towards the two Gryffindors as Harry watched Andromeda work on Hermione. "I used to hate you. Lately you have been doing better, or so I hear, but clearly not enough. You still depend too much on the old man." Minerva looked at her closely. "We owe a lot to him." Hazel blinked at her. "You owe your students more, especially him." Hazel gestured with her head to Harry. "Two of your students were dragged into the war, were forced to go into hiding and gave their lives for the boy. Have you sat down with him for tea? Told him about the stunts James pulled to catch Lily's eye even as all he did was piss her off more? Or how despite all of that, Lily still would laugh at his antics in private, especially after James matured in his later years? The boy lost everything and you, the woman Lily considered as a possible godmother to him, did nothing to give him something back in return for what he lost. Tell me, Minerva, how much more do you think you need to do to be a proper Head of a Hogwarts House, let alone a pseudo family member, to a boy who lost everything as a one year old?" Minerva lowered her eyes. "Not nearly enough, it seems." Hazel nodded. "I hope that by September you do better. If my son, who will be entering the school then, ends up in your house by a stroke of luck and you fail him, disappointing your mentor will be the least of your concerns." Minerva watched a line of Unspeakables, covered head to toe in their cloaks, walked out from the office and headed straight for the Hospital Wing doors. Hazel dropped her hands. "Now if you excuse, I have a few spooks to send towards the Chamber of Secrets. Good evening to you, Headmistress."

Deciding to let the Unspeakables handle Dumbledore first after she gave them the directions to the warded wall, Hazel went to sit down by Harry. He lowered his head. "I… am sorry I didn't listen to you. It's just… if she had that book for so long, if she was behind the whole Heir of Slytherin mess…" Hazel sighed, shifting her eye color to green for him. "Harry, what exactly would you have done? You saw the Basilisk. It refused to respond to me completely until the book was destroyed. It could never have responded at all. A thousand years is a long time to be alone, buried under the castle." Harry shivered at the thought. " I just wanted to help." Hazel lifted up his chin and looked him in the eyes. "And you did. You went after her and pointed me at the right wall to break down. She is alive as much because of you as because of me. The watchful eye of a guard can save a thousand lives, before even the first soldier raises his weapon." Harry stared at her, seeing the truth in her eyes. He nodded. "What happens now?" Hazel lowered her hand and looked towards Hermione. "Her family will be notified, the people petrified will be restored and the students will go back to classes, while the victims recover." Harry turned to his friend. "I wish I could have spotted it sooner." Hazel looked at Harry from the corner of her eye. "If you did, any number of things might have happened. You could have been killed. The girl could have been dragged down earlier and her very life essence stolen from her. As much as we might want to end things quickly, sometimes you have to let events play out so far. For everyone's sake."

Getting a tentative promise from him to be careful, because she knew that was the best she was going to get from him, Hazel stood up and walked up to Andromeda. "It's a bit early to tell, but it seems her mind was locked up. I got through to her but I am keeping her asleep for now." Hazel nodded. "Probably for the best." She eyed Andromeda. "Make sure she has no other compulsion charms or potions in her from … other sources." Andromeda nodded. "I will handle her continued medical attention. The damage to her mind doesn't seem excessive but she has to be devastated by this." Hazel thought back to her own days with Tom. "She will be. Tom is very good at integrating himself with people. Make them dependent on him. She will feel betrayed and lost. Also, please tell me you can inform her parents. Dumbledore will try to bury this, them being muggles and all." Andromeda smiled at Hazel. "Trust me, they will be informed. Unlike Pomfrey, I have no restrictions beyond those you are aware of. Now go. It looked to me like Dumbledore was making his way to his office to summon the Board. Get that Chamber cleared out and sealed up tight before he gets his position back." Hazel chuckled. "Yes ma'am." Hazel left the Hospital Wing and found the Unspeakables dismantling her ward. It gave her some pride that it managed to survive their concentrated efforts as long as it did. Leading them in, the hooded figures got to work, as Hazel eyed the walls. Time to see if this Salazar was as careful about his legacy as hers was.

-∞-

Croaker eyed the two witches at the table. "Well, I will get started. The Department of Mysteries, despite Dumbledore's protests, removed the carcass of the Basilisk from the school and is in the process of rendering it down safely. The scales and hide will be preserved and studied to see if they can be adjusted beyond what typical dragonhide gear can manage. The blood, eyes and venom have been stored for further study and the fangs are being worked on as potential tools or weapons. The organs are being studied as well, but the meat proper has been divided. Some of it has been sold to the Goblins, who were quite displeased about not getting the full supply, but they paid well for it. The rest is being traded to the Centaurs of the Forbidden Forest." Augusta looked at him oddly. "Why trade with them?" Croaker chuckled. "Hazel initially gave her original Basilisk's meat to the Centaurs due to limited resources and fear that her world's version of Dumbledore would try and appropriate her earnings. The Centaurs took the gesture well and made sure to keep her safe at all times in the forest. Hazel is currently negotiating with them for a similar arrangement and in hopes of further cooperation in the future. Despite the Acromantula colony within, the forest is mostly Centaur territory and securing it will be important for the safety of the school."

Amelia smiled as she drank from her tea. "That's good to hear. The DMLE and the DRCMC have always had trouble with the Centaurs on the Hogwarts grounds. Having friendlier relations with them will come in handy in the future, especially as Crouch and Dumbledore are already making their request for the reinstatement of the Triwizard Tournament." Croaker winced. Hazel would not be happy about that last part. She hardly spoke of her time as a champion beyond the fact she killed the dragon she was tasked with, the only Champion to do so. "Amelia, do me a favor and warn me if Crouch starts looking for Dragons for his Tournament." Amelia eyed him, having a good idea as to why the specific nature of that request. "I will. Anything else of note from the Chamber?" Croaker lifted up his report. "Hazel uncovered Salazar Slytherin's repository and we retrieved all the books and scrolls in there. We intend to return them to the school, once they have been evaluated. No point in submitting a book back to Hogwarts, only for it to be locked away to never be seen again. So far some of it matches the ones Hazel hand copied and brought over with her, with a few interesting exceptions. Helga was apparently quite the Animal Tamer and Salazar had a copy of her efforts to tame various creatures. She was also looking for a way to learn Parseltongue or receive the gift herself, but there were no further notes on that."

Augusta chuckled as Amelia choked on her tea. "Well, the DoM certainly came out well from the situation." She turned to Amelia, who was cleaning her face with a napkin. "What of the DMLE and the Ministry?" Amelia lowered her hand from her face. "The Aurors have cordoned the Chamber off for now. We are waiting for DoM cartographers and map makers to come in and document the tunnels, pipes and passageways that are tied to the Chamber. Our Curse Breakers aren't sure if they can disable any of the Parseltongue wards in place without a Parselmagic practitioner around, especially since most seemed to be actively tied to the Hogwarts wards. This leaves the main entrance as the only access point. We will bring this up with the DoM to figure out whether we seal the entrance or have it accessible to a select few." Croaker tapped his chin. "Keeping it sealed will be the best for now, with the DoM maintaining control of who can access it. Perhaps once we have the texts verified and translated, we could potentially open it to the school to showcase a Founder's legacy but until then it's best to leave the Chamber alone. Any idea on potential charges being filed?"

Amelia sighed and checked her papers. "We applied the Restorative Draught you provided to the victims and most confirmed Hermione Granger was the only person they saw before they were petrified. However, the clear evidence of possession and light compulsion charms makes any potential charges against her mute, which they ought to be. The question we have left is the matter of Lucius Malfoy. When Hazel questioned Ginerva Weasley, the girl mentioned she had thought the book was a present from her mother but after verifying with Molly Weasley, the girl only remembers having the diary appear among her books after they were looked at by Lucius Malfoy. Harry confirmed the incident, as did a few other witnesses and he mentioned he thought he saw a new book being added by Lucius but wasn't sure what it meant or if he saw correctly. Hazel's elf, Dobby, confirmed the book was in his former Master's possession." Augusta drank from her tea. "I get the feeling we won't manage to charge Lucius with much?" Amelia shook her head. "Possession of a cursed item, perhaps. Fudge, despite the recent tensions, will delay the process in the Wizengamot for sure or dismiss it. I mentioned it to Julia, who will be addressing it to the Board. Though with the judicial reform coming up, Lucius might push for a trial earlier, before he gets caught by the new rules coming into play. He might not see Azkaban for this, but the incident will diminish his standing further among the Wizengamot."

Saul chuckled. "Worthless evidence in the current court, but plenty of value in removing him from his position on the Board. Lady Greengrass must be quite pleased with that. We have a bit more on Lucius currently, thanks to his elf, but our Legal Division has suggested we wait for a more appropriate time before revealing all of our evidence, with any charges being brought up after the reforms are approved by the Wizengamot. So, Augusta, anything else from the Wizengamot about the issue?" Augusta nodded. "Sure. You want to submit your Operative to an Order of Merlin award?" Croaker shuddered. "I have nightmares about the potential danger she brings to the Wizengamot alone as a guard. Thank you for those, Amelia. No, I am not placing her in the spotlight surrounded by the very people she has on her sh*t list." Augusta smiled. "Then not really. A few might request a report on the findings of the investigation, but your Department isn't required to answer in a speedy manner. The only thing I expect is the Chief Warlock trying to find out the name of the Auror that banished him from the Hospital Wing." Croaker shook his head. "He can ask all he wants. We are keeping her identity secret until the boy's Sorting on the first of September. Until then, he can enjoy being denied by the Ministry. Might do him some good to know he isn't all powerful." Amelia stood up. "Well, if you excuse me, I need to go verify a few things before dinner with Julia. I imagine she will have a lot to share concerning the Board's decisions."

-∞-

"I protest! Those accusations are nothing but slander." Julia raised an eyebrow at Lucius' outburst. "Really? Care to submit your memories of the event? We have the memories of several people who confirm your actions in the bookstore and the placement of the cursed object that was destroyed in the cauldron of a young girl. Care to submit your own to refute their claims?" Lucius huffed. "I have no need to do such a thing." Julia nodded. "You do not, but the law is changing since the last time you were accused of a crime, Lucius. Just because you refuse to provide evidence of your innocence doesn't mean you are free from being charged through the verified memories of another. The Minister may keep your case from being seen in court fully but the evidence has been provided to us by the DMLE, as this was an action that threatened the life of a student. It's sufficient grounds for dismissing you of your position and seat on this Board." Lucius stood up. "You do not have that authority." Elphias Doge spoke up. "But we as a whole do and I agree with Lady Greengrass. There is sufficient evidence for us to make our own decision, regardless of whether this case finds its way to the Wizengamot Court. I vote for Lucius Malfoy's eviction from the Hogwarts Board of Governors."

Julia sat down. "I second it." Doge nodded. "All those in favor?" Julia smiled as all but Lucius raised their hands. Doge pressed on. "By unanimous decision, you, Lucius Malfoy, are hereby removed from the Board of Governors of Hogwarts Castle. Please leave the Castle grounds." Lucius stood up and glared at them all before leaving the room at a brisk pace. Doge sagged in his chair. "Good bloody riddance. I couldn't stand that man." The room chuckled and Julia stood up. "As the Board now holds an empty seat, I vote to leave the selection of the next chairman until said seat is filled and we focus instead on Board member nominations. Preferably someone that won't make Lord Doge here want to curse them in every session." Doge smiled at her. "I second the motion, though I believe you should take the position as Interim Chairwoman for now, Lady Greengrass." Julia had to forcibly close her jaw as the rest of the Board agreed. She never expected to be chosen. Doge was clearly the favorite for the position. "I am honored, Governors. I suppose we should get started on the next pressing matter." The Board summoned Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall to the meeting.

Seeing the expecting look on Dumbledore made her want to glare at the man, but Julia kept her face impassive. Her daughter took after her, not her dead husband, for a reason. "Firstly, the Board wishes to thank Professor McGonagall for her expedient acceptance of a DMLE proposal to solve the situation within Hogwarts quickly and decisively. The matter was taken seriously and her expediency ensured the safety of the student body of Hogwarts in its entirety." The members applauded as Minerva blushed under the praise. Julia read from Amelia's report. "The DMLE will maintain the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets sealed separately from the rest of the school's wards as the connected tunnels are mapped and explored. Curse Breakers have confirmed they are sealed with the aid of the Hogwarts wards, but until we can summon a Wardmaster to the school, that matter will be set aside for now." Julia noticed Dumbledore looked relieved. She would have to see if they could commission a Wardmaster soon. "This leaves us with the matter of the position of Headmaster of Hogwarts. While Lucius Malfoy, who has been dismissed from this body, made the proposal, I am hesitant to give any support for the reinstatement of Albus Dumbledore to his previous position."

Lord Doge looked at her with interest. Julia knew the man was a supporter of Dumbledore and a former member of his Order. She was certain her objection would fail but the pensive look on everyone was good to see. The Board could potentially be swayed in time. Dumbledore, however, was not pleased. "On what grounds?" Julia leaned forward. "The actions against the student body were analysed by the DMLE. The last massive attack took place after news of your agreement with the Board was leaked to the students. The perpetrator acted with the intention of harming your position, Dumbledore. I am concerned they won't be the last to target the school simply because you are employed there. While you were hired as a Master of Transfiguration, you remained at the school during your participation in Grindlewald's War and were even awarded several political positions for said participation. Who is to say the next person won't seek to attack the school and it's students for your policies and behaviour on the Wizengamot or on the ICW Assembly? You are by your presence alone a danger to the school." Dumbledore stared at her. "By that logic, Harry Potter himself is a danger to the school. Would you ask him to abandon his education for the safety of the other students, Lady Greengrass?"

Julia shook her head. "Not at all. He is a student and the Charter is clear that all students who conform to the rules of conduct and meet the appropriate academic requirements may stay, regardless of their personal situation. The same cannot be said about you, Headmaster. You are an employee of the Castle and were selected to represent it. I simply question whether you should continue to do so." The Board remained silent as they contemplated Julia's words before Lord Doge spoke up. "You raise an interesting argument, Lady Greengrass. I vote for it to be shelved for a later meeting, one where we have the empty Governor seat filled." Julia sat back. "I accept the request. I merely wished to voice my concerns of the matter before any other decision was made that could have been seen as an act of support. I believe the time that the Board of Governors remained silent concerning the future of Hogwarts should be at an end." The Board voiced their agreement of Julia's position and Dumbledore was reinstated as Headmaster with a clear understanding that his continuation in the position was not a guarantee. Julia pulled up a bit of parchment. "Now then, let's get onto the matter of the Professor for Defence Against the Dark Arts. Have you located someone who matches our new standards for the job?" Julia smiled, as seeing the obvious signs of Dumbledore's irritation was something she was enjoying greatly. "I have. He is currently completing employment in France and should return to the country before the first Board Meeting during the Summer Recess, along with the appropriate documentation of his NEWTs."

-∞-

Hazel swallowed the rest of the contents of the bowl before returning it to the female Centaur who bowed her head softly to her. She was glad her body had become a bit less susceptible to poisons since she held the Hallows as she could feel the growing numbing effect of the concoction in her stomach and through her throat. Not that it was a poison. Based on the way it behaved, she could imagine that a heavier dose would have either hallucinatory effects and a severe numbing agent. The Chief Elder nodded at her for taking the ritual drink without complaint. "We thank you for respecting our ways, Witch. The proposed trade is quite tempting." Hazel heard a dismissive snort. "Her kind will seek more "trades'' with us. Today they ask for safety within our forest. One day they will ask for the land itself. Then they will ask us to leave. When will it end? When every single one of us is dead?" Hazel kept a watch on the young Centaur male as another, a female Elder, spoke up. "Is that something you see your people doing, Witch?" Hazel sighed. "I will not lie and say they would not. It is in the nature of the corrupt and the greedy to crave that which is not theirs, especially when they are told not to desire it. Sadly, even what lands that are yours by blood and right may yet be taken from you by those who see not living souls but mindless beasts."

The Centaur she was sure was Bane came forward. That centaur had never been fond of her, even in her old world. "See? She admits it. What do we gain from this trade but the threat of greater loss to our Herd? The loss of the meat she offers is nothing compared to the damage we do to our people." The Chief Elder eyed her carefully. "But you do not speak for the corrupt and greedy." Hazel didn't dare to drop his gaze. "I try never to do so. The offer comes to you from a group that seeks a change to our world. This includes respect for magicals and non-magicals alike, regardless of their form or way of life. The offer comes from a branch independent from the Ministry. Our oaths are our own and we choose to keep them. Should the Ministry betray you, we would come to your aid against them as we would expect you to come to the aid of the innocents that live at the edge of your lands." The Elders deliberated as Hazel saw Bane move closer before another Centaur stopped him. "Enough Bane, let the Elders decide." Bane huffed and returned to the circle as Hazel felt a memory surface. The person she remembered as Firenze looked at her. "You know me." Hazel shook her head. "I know of one who looked like you, but in a different life." Conversation around her ceased as Firenze came closer to her.

"The stars speak to us. A change occurred almost two summers ago. The stars dimmed and rippled as Vega brightened. Many fear what the bird of the heavens brings in its wake, but we believe some good may come of it, as Mars has dimmed and Venus has remained steady in her warm embrace." Hazel tried to remember what little she knew of Divination but nothing Firenze taught her for those brief months she spent chatting with the Centaurs came to mind. "I am afraid I am not versed well in interpreting the stars, Observer of the Sky. All I can ever do is be honest to myself and protect my son. I have long abandoned any faith in prophecy or humanity as a whole." Whispers broke out around her as Firenze nodded. "Then you have no more to hear from me, Witch. Your words hold much truth and pain, yet there is more there for those deserving. That you speak my title reveals you know of us, even if only in shadow. That is enough. Good hunting, Witch." Hazel watched him return to the Herd as the Chief Elder rose. "We have agreed to accept the trade and agreement and look forward to a beneficial arrangement between us in time, Huntress. Firenze's kindness to your kind is known to us but his choice to share a vision speaks well of you. Go in peace, Witch. Your younglings will be safe on our lands."

Hazel stood up and bowed. "Our gratitude, Chief Elder and fellow Elders of the Herd. A bountiful harvest to your families for the coming years." Hazel walked away from them as the Centaurs opened a path for her as she left the village, her thoughts turning to another problem. Harry had shown her the map he used to track Hermione to the Dungeons but when she checked the names, she had been confused. She could recognize only one name, the one she knew was James Potter. One was obvious enough that it was likely to be Remus. How they thought naming him Moony was a good idea, she honestly couldn't imagine. The other two, however, made no sense to her. Were the Marauders here different from hers? Is that why the map had somehow been left in Filch's office for the Weasley Twins to find? Hazel sighed as she thought back to the day her godmother gave her the map. It had made sneaking into Salazar's repository a lot easier. It gave her a safe place to train and prepare for the Triwizard Tournament. Hazel had confiscated Harry's map but she assured him she would return it. The DoM just had to inspect it first. Her map had not connected to the wards here, but with one map they could compare to and another fully functional, Hazel was sure they could duplicate it. It was just a matter of when.

-∞-

"Dora!" Nymphadora felt the kid tackle her and she wrapped her arms around him. "Hey Teddy. Mom finally allowed me the chance to leave the Medical Wing. How are you?" Teddy smiled. "I am good. Mom's been in the kitchen the whole day." Dora heard her stomach grumble and Teddy laughed. "Yup, mine's been doing that too. Come on! Q is here too!" Dora followed him down the hallway until they opened the door to Hazel's apartment. "Found Dora!" Quetz stood up and pulled her into a hug. "You best not be pulling stunts like these often, coneja. My nerves won't take it. When you are back on duty, drop by Appropriations. I got your suit fixed up and reinforced a bit." Dora hugged her back. "Thank you. I'll get it soon. Also, what did you call me?" Quetz laughed. "Nothing for you to worry about, amiga. Come on, your amada has been cooking your favorites for you all day." The moment she heard the oven door open, the room was filled by the scent of meatloaf and roasted vegetables and Dora sighed. "I am going into a food coma tonight."

Hazel laughed as she placed the meat on the countertop. "We will see. Maybe Andromeda allowed you out of her sight, fully aware you'd be unable to move today." Dora pouted. "Traitor." Hazel came around the corner and pulled her oven mitts off her hands. "For you? Maybe." Dora whined as Hazel gave her a very deep kiss. They pulled apart and Dora watched as Hazel ruffled Teddy's hair. "It's safe to look now, son. Mushy stuff is over." Teddy lowered his hands from his eyes and headed for the living room. Hazel gave Dora a smile as she summoned a bottle of beer. "You get two tonight and no more." Dora hugged Hazel warmly as she took the bottle. "I think I might be falling in love." Hazel pulled back and lifted an eyebrow. "You better. I don't let just anyone into my bedroom. Dinner will be ready in five minutes so go wash up and maybe switch into more comfortable clothes." Wearing her favorite Weird Sisters t-shirt and a pair of jeans, Dora returned to the table and dug into her food hungrily. She eventually sat back and felt a belch leave her but was surprised by how silent it was. She blushed when she felt Hazel dispel a silencing spell on her with a wave of her hand.

Quetz sat back, a bottle of beer in her hand. "Por el amor de la diosa, you certainly gave the DoM a lot to work with. I got a fair bit of scales and hide to work on but I am waiting to hear from Research before I start working it into anything. The fangs though are being shaped and formed into knives. I recommend you don't go out with them every day. Getting a prick from those will be the last thing you do." Dora hummed. "I'll leave mine with you then, since it's not a priority of mine. What about you, Hazel?" Hazel nursed her glass of sparkling grape juice. "I'll leave mine behind too. I got a safe means of cursed object destruction already and I can conjure any weapon I need. Might stop by and check it though. I am curious if I can match the toxic venom properties with Conjuration." Quetz chuckled. "Claro. I make you a fine piece of craftsmanship and you duplicate it for your own use." Hazel hummed. "Will you forgive me if I swear not to make it identical to your work and that I am doing it because conjurations are expendable but your work isn't?" Quetz pouted. "Low blow, amiga. Can't stay mad for that. You got yourself a sneaky bruja, Dora."

Quetz left for her apartment soon after and Dora watched Hazel tuck Teddy into bed before closing the bed. She noticed Hazel looked sad. "What's wrong?" Hazel shook her head. "In two months or so Teddy will be getting his Hogwarts letter. I … don't like how empty this place will feel without him." Dora watched as Hazel shivered and she pulled her in for a hug. "It's not just about Teddy, is it?" Hazel took a deep breath, Dora's scent calming her down a bit. "I've been in a lot of places that have been great to me at times, but they all became empty eventually. My Godmother's home, Andi's, even Hogwarts. Something always happens and the place changes for me. I am worried the same can happen here." Dora rubbed her partner down her back. "I promise it won't be the same. You'll have me here, and Quetz and Mom. Teddy will be back for the holidays." Hazel hugged Dora to her and guided her gently to her room, kissing her lips gently. "I left you behind for the Basilisk. I feel like I cheated you out of something." Dora breathed deeply, feeling her girlfriend's body rubbing against hers. "It's ok. I know you had to go or risk losing the trail again."

Hazel pushed Dora to sit on the bed and straddled her, her hands cupping Dora's face. "Try and stay safer for longer. I want you by my side Dora, and not just when I need you." Dora nodded and kissed her warmly. "I promise I will be safer. Might need some lessons in wandless casting though." Hazel sighed and nodded. "I'll try. I can manage it because of the excess energy running in my body. You might manage it but it could mean less shifting. The magic inside of us has a limit after all." Dora ran her hands up Hazel's body and felt Hazel grind down on her. They both groaned. Hazel bit her lip in thought before shifting her position and dragging Dora on top of her. Dora looked down at Hazel and shuddered as her girlfriend's hands began to dip beneath her clothes. "Hazel." The white haired witch smiled at her. "For tonight I think we can go a bit differently. I want you to take me." Dora stared at her. "You sure?" Hazel pushed up and kissed Dora. "Yes. Make love to me, Dora. Show me how badly you want me." Dora's mind melted and she pushed her lips and hands roughly onto Hazel's skin. Her girlfriend's voice and noises made her crave her more and she gave in to her need to taste her. The next morning Dora tried to apologize to Hazel for the amount of bruises and hickies but her girlfriend refused to accept it. She settled with casting as many episkeys as she could on her. Neither of them wanted to be the one to explain to Teddy what those meant. Not yet.

-∞-

Hazel eyed the familiar room as Dora came up behind her. "So, why are we here?" Hazel moved deeper into the piles and corridors of junk. "Hermione Granger's testimony said that she used the Room of Requirement to hide the Diary while we searched the castle. Though the room she used was a specific one and not the entirety of the Room of Requirement, I am wondering if the Room of Lost Things could hold a few more Dark Artefacts. We were sent to the school to hunt them after all. Especially now that I know where the stupid room was. Back home it stood in a hallway opposite to a tapestry of dancing trolls. Who the hell places it in an intersection where anyone can see you opening it if they bothered to look?" Dora looked around the massive piles of books, brooms and desks, her frown growing. "Hazel, this place is massive. How do you expect us to find anything Dark here? It's probably full of them. We could be here for ages." Hazel hummed, and lifted her wand. "Fiendfyre?" Dora slapped her partner's hand down. "We are here to save the school, not burn it down." Hazel pouted at her partner. "It would make my September a little more enjoyable." She looked around as she walked further in between the rows of junk before she froze. "Oh, I just remembered something that could be here. Something a lot more specific that needs to be handled now." Hazel rushed through the stacks of junk, her eyes darting everywhere. "Where are you, you hunk of junk." Dora tried to keep up. "What are you looking for?"

Pausing for a second as she casted a detection spell, Hazel made a right turn. "You know how I said I know Voldemort pretty well?" Dora huffed behind her. "Yeah? Not seeing the point there, Hazel." Hazel slowed down, her eyes sweeping a stack of vertically placed tables before moving on. "I don't know about your Voldemort but mine had an ego that was bigger than the size of Hogwarts. He loved to talk, especially to me." Hazel shuddered. "The bastard managed to sneak himself and a few Death Eaters into the Castle. They damaged the Castle's wards and killed Dumbledore." Dora blinked. "Ok, and we are talking about this, why?" Hazel glared at her. "Because the bastard was so sure of his victory, he told me how he did it. And that was through an object in here. A Vanishing Cabinet. His Death Eaters had it's twin." Dora felt her mouth clamp shut. "Right. We need to find that." The two of them searched separate sections of the massive expanse of lost items, storing anything they detected as dark into the expanded bags Croaker sent them out with. Hazel just finished storing a book when Dora's voice called over. "Found it!"

A few minutes later, Hazel stood with Dora right next to the thing. Dora eyed her. "Now what?" Hazel shrugged. "Normally I'd destroy it but maybe having the Unspeakables checking it over could be a good idea. Maybe they could set up a ward that blocks the blasted things. I mean, we literally found this here. What's to stop someone from bringing another one into the school?" Hazel casted a diagnostic on it. "And a working one." Dora raised her wand. "Point taken." A few waves and the shelf was shrunk down to the size of a box of lenses. Dora stored it into a bag and turned around, noticing her partner had left her side. "Hazel?" Turning a corner, she found Hazel staring up at a manikin. "Hazel, what is it?" A banishing spell launched Dora back a few feet, forcing her to land on her rear. "Dora, stay back there. I need you to leave the Room and call our Boss. We have a complication." Dora stood up and dusted her pants. "Ok, what's the complication?" Hazel turned around. "Make sure no one hears you. If you need to deliver the message in person, do it." Hazel turned back and looked at the mannequin. Or more precisely, what was on top of it that felt familiar. She knew what the piece of jewelry contained. She carried one on her person for almost a whole year. Hazel rubbed her hair and sighed. "Tell him it's a complication in our long term plan, one that needs to be looked into. Quietly."

Chapter 27: Awaiting News

Chapter Text

Hazel felt her bed dip slightly before it did so repeatedly. "Mom, It's here. It's here! My letter is here!" Hazel buried her head in the pillow and mentally screamed her heart out. She had spent the last few months expecting this moment, but it didn't mean she was ready for it. Teddy would be going to Hogwarts in September. She was honestly waiting for the other shoe to drop, expecting to hear news from Azkaban about an escape, but so far nothing really seemed to be happening. She buried her concerns over Teddy going to Hogwarts at a time when she also knew a certain bastard would be at the Castle. Well, a certain bastard beyond just Dumbledore and Snape. At least Teddy going there would give her a pleasant excuse to visit. If the Potions Master and Defence Instructor both ended up lost in the Forbidden Forest while she was at it, who was she to complain. Hell, she might even get away with having the Headmaster disappear. Burying her bloodlust, trepidation and the beginnings of separation anxiety, Hazel got up from the bed and hugged Teddy, kissing his cheek before sitting beside him comfortably. "Congratulations. Can I see it?" Teddy nodded and handed the letter to her.

Hazel had to laugh softly as she read the letter's address. "A P.O. Box. Croaker must love bothering the hell out of people with that. At least they got your new name right." She handed the letter back to him and kissed his hair. "Go ahead, open it." Teddy sat down on the bed beside her as Hazel sent her magic down to her extremities, before crossing her legs in front of her on top of the bed. Teddy read the letter and looked at her expectantly. "Can we go get the supplies today? You can send the letter back at the Post in the Alley." Hazel ruffled his hair. "Sure, but let me get breakfast started first. Do you want to go with anyone else?" Teddy shook his head. "Maybe next year, but I want to do this with just us. Like old times." Hazel stretched her arms over her head and felt all her bones pop into place. She heard most of them pop too. Feeling better about waking up so early, Hazel stood up. "Sure, I will send a message to the others and we can spend the day out in the Alley. For now, breakfast. Go wash your face and I will get started. Do you want pancakes or scrambled eggs?" Teddy thought for a second. "Both?" Hazel shook her head as she smiled. "Fine. But you get to tell Dora she missed out on a heavy breakfast." Teddy jumped onto the floor. "Deal."

Teddy blazed through his meal as Hazel wrote several messages that Leafsby went out to deliver, before they got dressed comfortably for the warmer weather and headed up the Ministry lift. Hazel felt more comfortable about the day as she noticed that few people were wandering in the Alley today. She knew the Hogwarts letters were sent out in tiers, with the muggleborns sent out first and usually staggered in such a way the Professors can personally deliver them. While Teddy's last name was one from a Magical family, the address must have confused the Deputy Headmistress and she must have sent it out early, unsure if she needed to give the child time to respond. Hazel hoped Dumbledore didn't hear about the fact that a Peverell was coming to the school soon. At least not until the sorting. She had at least made sure to keep Teddy's rights and safety secured independently from the school with the added legal documents she got signed with Ted Tonks' help. She refused to place her son at the mercy of the old man or any of his employees. The moment he tried anything, she would show him just who he was messing with. The fact that her world's Dumbledore escaped his just punishment at her hands made Hazel all the more determined. Once they had clear evidence this one was a manipulative bastard and all other concerns about colateral were lifted, she would finally get her chance.

The day in Diagon Alley went smoothly after dropping off the letter at the Post Office. Teddy got his text books, instruments and potions materials and Hazel placed it all in her trusty expanded shopping bag. The fact the stubborn thing kept working after seventeen years made Hazel all the more happy she kept it. Teddy spent a bit longer at Madam Malkins as his status as a Metamorphmagus meant that Hazel asked the woman to spend a bit longer fetching robes and clothes that could expand a little bit to accommodate minor changes in his frame. Teddy laughed when Hazel stared at the pointy black hat that Malkin added to the pile of clothes. The woman tried to tempt her with a few new boots but Hazel turned her down. Her Godmother spent a lot of Galleons to get her custom Basilisk-hide boots made in such a way for them to never need changing, only cleaned and treated every once in a while. She wouldn't change them for the world until they fell apart. She'd probably cry that day but until then she wouldn't worry about it. The moment Teddy pulled her to a familiar looking store after leaving Malkin's, Hazel sighed. She kept her holly wand holstered but made sure the Elder Wand was safely within her body.

Teddy pushed the door open and the sound of a tiny bell ringing echoed in the store. The boy looked around expectantly as Hazel heard a few footsteps approach from behind the counter. "Curious." Hazel looked at the old man that had to be Ollivader. He looked a little younger than she remembered. Then again, she only saw the man four times in her life, the last while he had spent a rough two years as a guest of the Death Eaters, making replacement wands for them. The man's light blue eyes went to them both before he smiled. "It's a wonder when someone enters my store and I don't recognize them. May I have your names?" Hazel watched him carefully. "Under the condition you don't share them freely. It comes with some notoriety among those we count as enemies. They will be known soon enough but I would rather not lose the element of surprise." Ollivander thought for a second and nodded. Hazel gently nudged Teddy forward. "This is Edward, my son. He's here for his first wand. My name is Hazel Peverell. I don't need to explain why I want our names kept quiet for now, do I?" Garrick Ollivander hummed, his eyes taking them both in. "My family never had the pleasure of crafting wands for the Peverells. They were prodigious crafters and wandsmiths themselves, after all. The last of the family bearing the name carried personally crafted wands. It's an honor, young lady, to be the first wandmaker for your family in centuries."

Hazel watched as the old man measured Teddy. He rubbed his chin. "Two years ago I was seized by the impulse to try out some unusual wand cores. A few odd ones came up successfully, while many failed spectacularly. I think one of those might be just what the boy needs. One moment." Hazel eyed the store, letting her magic sense a bit of the area. She quickly pulled it back. The place was too full of magic from the wands and she felt a slight headache build up. The old man returned, his eyes on her as he chuckled. "Yes, being a wandmaker is a bit of a double edged sword. We need the means to sense magic and its interactions with objects, but places like this are difficult for those finely attuned to the flows of magic such as yourself, Miss Peverell." He placed the box down, opened it and with some cloth on his hands, drew out a carefully sculpted red wand. "Rowan, 12 inches. Flexible. Its core I believe is one familiar to your family." Hazel looked up with surprise before checking on Teddy as he grasped the wand. A soft wind blew in the shop, flowing softly around Teddy before it dissipated, as clear white mist flew out of the tip of his wand. Olivander smiled at the boy. "Rowan is not known to mix well with the Dark Arts yet a Thestral's Tail hair is known to be capable of unleashing curses with ease. A wand of contradictions, yet in surprising harmony."

The old man turned to Hazel and she felt a touch of magic. "A bit like you, Miss Peverell. Familiar yet unknown. Dangerous but kind. May I inquire as to your wand?" Hazel shook her head. "Mine is one made by the family. It answered me with joy and now rejects all others who would wield it without my permission. I would rather it remained a secret, never truly known or spoken about." Ollivander hummed. "Perhaps it's for the best. I crafted young Mr. Peverell's wand on a whim and was surprised by the magic it holds. Yours must be quite the artefact. Perhaps it is best left forgotten in the end." Hazel looked at Teddy and noticed his frown. "What's wrong?" Teddy shook his head. "I read about Rowan wands. Doesn't it mean I will hurt you?" Hazel knelt down to his eye level and caressed his cheek softly. "No, it doesn't. You know me, more than I ever wished for you to ever know about what I have done. I am Dark but you are my light. You've helped make me a better person. Rowan means that. You are a good person and you will help many stay that way. You have nothing to worry about." Teddy nodded and placed the wand in its box as Hazel turned to Ollivander. "A Rowan care kit and two wrist holsters, please." Ollivander nodded and provided the rest as Hazel paid him. He smiled at the boy. "Head your mother's words well. The wood of your wand ties well with your character, but it doesn't mean you will always harm those who walk a different path."

Hazel followed a pensive Teddy to the Owl Emporium and tapped him on the shoulder. "Remember what I taught you. Focus your magic and see if a trail leads to one of them." Teddy nodded and the two entered. The owner looked up and smiled. "Ah, back again. The boy has come of age?" Hazel nodded. "Hope you don't mind but we are more interested in finding a familiar, not a post owl." The young woman looked on as the boy moved through the cages. "Not unusual among these parts. Sadly, not everyone binds well with owls." Hazel shuddered as a memory of her Hedwig flashed in her mind. "No, but they are beyond loyal if they do." The owner was a bit disappointed when Teddy returned and didn't find any owls that could work as a familiar. They tried the Animal Menagerie next and Hazel made sure to ignore the snakes talking to each other. Teddy seemed confused as he stayed in an area with other birds before shaking his head. "It's weird. I felt some thin connections but nothing called to me." Hazel guided him out. "We can check Edinburgh or with some Sanctuaries before school starts but perhaps it's best to simply wait for you to find it on your own if none come by then." Teddy nodded and looked at Fortescue's Ice Cream before turning to his mom. Hazel sighed. "Fine, but only two scoops."

-∞-

"Thank you Minerva, that will be all." With his Deputy Headmistress out the door once their meeting about the coming new year was settled, Dumbledore managed to sit back and sigh. Two years. Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived and subject of a Prophecy with the fate of Britain at stake, and in those two years Dumbledore was no closer to figuring out what to do with the boy. Professor Quirrel had been possessed, the wards told him as much, but he wasn't exactly sure if it was by Voldemort. The clues said it might have been him but there was no real evidence. He had hoped the Mirror would have delayed him enough that Harry would have encountered him, discovering the wraith's identity in the process, yet it didn't happen. Someone stunned the boy, disabled the traps as if they were meaningless obstacles and then did away with Quirrell and the Mirror. He was keeping an eye out for Tom Riddle to just materialize or for the market of gold to suddenly become flooded, but there was simply no evidence that anything actually happened with the stone. When he spoke to Nicholas again, his old mentor had simply ignored the loss of the object, telling him it was no longer a concern of his and his wife's.

Then there was this year. He had selected Lockhart as a plant, someone to tempt Voldemort for either another possession, or for him to replace Lockhart after an unfortunate accident. Dumbledore knew the man was incompetent but there was some value in using him as bait. At first he thought the plan had worked. Someone was attacking the students, even using the same method Tom once used when he was a student: Salazar Slytherin's Basilisk. He had no idea how but not only had Salazar protected a massive system of passageways in the school with the Hogwarts wards, but he did so beyond even the Headmaster's ability to detect them. The vilest of the Four Founders even protected the Basilisk from being located, as Dumbledore could find no trace of it in the wards. He had hoped Harry would be drawn into the situation by providence again, to actually face Tom and allow Dumbledore to see exactly what made them equal. Yet the DMLE acted too quickly. Theodore Nott managed to summon his house elf and contacted his grandfather about the mess concerning Filch and his cat. He tried to reprimand him but the Charter was clear that under emergencies, the personal house elves could be summoned by the students. Dumbledore was forced to settle with some points deductions. Deductions Snape did away with far too easily.

The DMLE had proven to be a lot more effective these last two years and every attempt he made to figure out who was behind it all was blocked. Amelia had taken her animosity towards him and doubled down on it, ignoring his authority over the school and carrying out investigations of the students. Poor Marcus Flint was arrested and found guilty of using a cursed object on another student. Dumbledore shook his head. The boy needed time, not a cell in Azkaban, to turn away from his path. Why couldn't Amelia see that? He stood up and paced in his office. The DMLE ultimately succeeded in defeating the Basilisk and the source of the threat: a book. Dumbledore knew the books Tom read. He must have found the mention of Horcruxes. But did he make one? The remnants of the book would have told him if it hadn't been destroyed in its entirety. Miss Granger's medical diagnostics were sealed and Pomfrey was unable to tell him the girl's full condition. She could have been a victim of a Horcrux exerting its will but he wasn't sure. He hated not knowing. Attempts at requesting the files concerning the incident at Hogwarts by his contacts in the Ministry all hit the same wall. Amelia Bones had been securing her department from leaks. It clearly seemed to be working, if many of his contacts weren't able to get access at all.

Lucius' own removal from the Board had been a pleasant surprise. Sure, he expected the man to lose his position as Chairman, but to lose his seat was unexpected. That he had been the one to be in possession of the book made him a possible lead on whether Voldemort succeeded in creating a Horcrux. Then again, he did potentially allow a dangerous artefact trusted to him by his Master to be found and destroyed. If Voldemort gave it to him for safe keeping, he clearly didn't tell Lucius what it was. Dumbledore looked out the window and sighed. Dead ends. Voldemort's survival seemed to be full of dead ends. The Troll, the Mirror, the Book and the Basilisk. Every potential source of information on Harry's destiny or Tom's present state had been destroyed or blocked by an unseen force tied to the DMLE. This special force of Hit Wizards that were being used seemed like a likely source of the interruptions, but there was no proof. Even his attempt to goad Fudge to give them an Order of Merlin for the death of the Basilisk was ignored, with a request for the money to be donated to St. Mungos. Dumbledore reached the Sorting Hat on one of the nearby bookshelves. "Won't you give me anything on the Potter boy? I had hoped he would have had a need for you and the weapon you guard, but nothing came of it."

The Sorting Hat chuckled. "Oh Albus, the more time passes, the more I feel I misplaced you. Such cunning and ambition. The Potter boy's mind is not for me to speak of. He is a Gryffindor, that is all I can say of him. As for the sword not being used to harm the Basilisk, then all I can say is that the Founders would have been happy that their treasures weren't used to destroy each other's legacies, though the students are free to make their own choices regarding their forebears' remnants. Nothing, after all, is meant to exist without change." Albus sighed and sat back behind his desk. He pulled out the notice about the reactivation of the Triwizard Tournament. It was initially going to be nothing more than a friendly competition but recent events would require a more direct approach. He needed to make sure the boy was being prepared for his task. Remus should be able to draw the boy with stories of his father and offer him tutoring in Defence. The Tournament would have to be his test. He pulled a quill and started to write a letter to Crouch and the other Organizers. The event would need to be made more difficult and more observable. He needed to see the boy prove himself. There was no other way to be sure. He would have a year to prepare him through Remus. He hoped the training and the Prophecy were enough to see young Harry through to his destiny, whichever end it might lead to.

-∞-

"You ok, Dora? You are walking funny." Dora winced. Last night she might have allowed Hazel too much freedom. Sure, she didn't regret it. The screams of pleasure and the blackouts were always welcomed, but her girlfriend might have overdone it a little. Now Dora had Teddy asking her about stuff he was too young for, while Hazel showered, unaware of her son asking tough questions. She really needed some coffee too. A cup appeared in front of her and she sighed in relief. "Thank you Leafsby." She took several sips of coffee, feeling her stomach warm up, as well as her toes. She looked at Teddy. "Your Mom would probably be mad if I told you so maybe ask her?" Teddy frowned before he remembered something. "Is it about what Mom said I should know but not try until I am older? Sex?" Dora coughed repeatedly as she inhaled the hot liquid down the wrong pipe, Teddy tapping her back until she stopped coughing. "Wait, wait. What has your mom told you about sex?" Teddy made a somewhat unpleasant face. "She told me a few days ago. It's something teens and adults do, mostly for pleasure but it's for making babies too. Usually involves lots of kissing and being naked and…" Dora waved him off. "Ok, ok. Your mom clearly went into a lot of detail."

Dora felt a cold hand touch her neck and she shuddered even as her voice made her warm up at the memories from last night. "That I did. As much as I wanted to spare my son from "The Talk," Teddy is going to be spending ten months of the year in a castle full of hormonal teens experimenting and acting irresponsibly. After the Lockhart fiasco, I wasn't taking any chances about any of the older students taking advantage of him." Dora drank from her coffee a bit more gingerly, trying to keep her eyes away from Hazel's jean clad rear as she went to the kitchen. "I see your point. How much detail did you go into?" Hazel shuddered. "More than I would have liked but Teddy handled it well." Teddy smiled and kicked his legs playfully under the table, while Dora sighed. "Thank goodness." Teddy looked back at her. "But that doesn't answer why you were walking funny." Dora groaned. "Because your mother is a bit aggressive in bed." Teddy blinked. "Oh. Is that bad?" Hazel placed the plate of scrambled eggs and diced slices of ham on the table in front of him. "Depends. Remember the first rule. Everyone has to be fully aware of what's happening, be of age, have romantic feelings for each other and agree on every little detail. Dora here agreed to it all, she just got a bit more than she planned for. Not that she ever complained at the time. She also didn't complain this morning."

Teddy wisely dropped the subject as Dora turned bright red in embarrassment. Her mood improved at the large serving of breakfast placed in front of her and everyone dug into their food. Teddy looked at his Mom. "Should we get a regular owl that I take with me to school? We looked at all the magical districts and no one had a bird that was capable of being my familiar." Hazel hummed. "I want to try one last place. It's a Magical Sanctuary in Ireland. While it mostly cares for magical creatures that lost their masters, it also breeds them, so we might find a familiar there. If not we can see if they have an owl that would want to be our messenger." Teddy smiled. "Think they might have some magical birds? Like Phoenixes?" Hazel chuckled. "Maybe. The only phoenix I know is Fawkes. I swear he better be a nicer bird here." Dora swallowed her fork full of food. "What did the phoenix do to you?" Hazel eyed Teddy and sighed. "A good thing in the long run but I seriously don't recommend having a co*cktail of Phoenix Tears and Basilisk Venom running through your veins at the same time. I was mute for a week after damaging my voice box from all the screaming." Dora winced. "Yeah, I will keep that in mind."

Leafsby dropped the morning paper and letters to both Dora and Hazel. Hazel pried open a letter from Amelia. "Susan and her Aunt are going to be in Diagon Alley on the 31st. Are you interested in going with them? She is going to be looking after you in Hufflepuff." Teddy looked at Dora for a second before shaking his head. "No, I am fine. We could maybe meet up for a luncheon again though." Hazel nodded and summoned her fountain pen and letter paper to respond. "I do have a request to check them out three days a week in August so we can certainly see them there. Neville, Daphne and Astoria should be there too. Might even see a bit more of Tracey and now Theodore Nott." Teddy, having finished his breakfast, went to place the dishes in the sink, where Leafsby popped in and started cleaning them. Dora hummed as she read her own letter. "Horatio wants to see us as soon as we can manage about… something. He is also asking us to keep our schedules free after the 1st of August as well. He does want us to start firearms training sometime this year though." Hazel finished her last bite of toast and drank from her mug of coffee. "Sounds fun. I'll probably stick to pistols and maybe a shotgun." Dora chuckled. "Of course you would." Dora pulled up the Daily Prophet and was about to turn it around when the sound of breaking glass stopped her. She saw Hazel staring at the paper, her hand having crushed the mug she had been holding, as blood dripped onto the table. Dora checked the headline as Teddy rushed with a paper towel to his mother's side.

Notorious Mass Murderer Sirius Black

Escapes From Azkaban Prison

-∞-

OW July 1993

Hazel grinded her teeth for so long on that day, she was sure she would need a dentist. She wondered if the wizarding side had dentists for all of a second before she remembered the stupid conversation she heard between Ron and Hermione as Hermione tried to explain to him what a dentist was. So she started wondering if she would need to go see a Healer about her teeth instead, as she was sure she broke something. There was no way there was no damage after grinding them for so long while Vernon's sister kept insulting her by every means possible. She remembered a memorable night when Marge used dog metaphors blaming her dead parents for how bad she somehow turned out to be. It would have been insulting and believable if she had been raised by them at all, but to Hazel the insults were just worthless. She had endured another awful end to her year at Hogwarts, most of which she spent in the Hospital Wing after enduring days of endless pain in her veins. She had actually cursed at the bloody phoenix with her black flames the moment she saw it next, much to Dumbledore's displeasure. Not that she cared. He could keep the bloody sword too.

Tricking Lord Malfoy out of his elf had been fun, especially when he realized the book she gave him was a really weathered divination book she took from Dumbledore's office. The tie inside of it did the trick as Dobby cheered. The little elf then told her about how elven magic worked. She knew the workaholic was trying to guilt her into taking him in and it bloody worked too. She accepted him as an elf for the House of Potter and set him about taking care of what little property she knew of was hers. She barely managed to give the Basilisk meat to the Herd of Centaurs before she had to get her trunk ready to leave on the Express. She spent the whole night wondering if it might have been worth staying in the Chamber of Secrets until the beginning of next term, but the need to buy the new books and maybe some new clothes won her over. And she really didn't want to see how determined Dumbledore could get in fetching her. So she left Hogwarts for Surrey again and bid her time. She spotted that Vernon kept her trunk locked in the booth of his car so she wandlessly practiced opening and closing the locks of the vehicle. Whatever happened, she had a means to get her stuff in an emergency. She was also getting better with the banishing and summoning charms, which were exceedingly tempting to test on Marge and her drink of choice.

Hazel barely heard about a report on the tv about two escaped felons before Marge huffed. "See that girl. That's the sort of life you will live one day. Mark my words, you will be chased down like a rabid dog and locked away once you piss off the right people." Hazel couldn't resist. "Sounds like it could be worth it. Weeks of getting away with everything you want, painting the walls red with the blood of a victim before they send me off to a house with a gym, three full meals a day and a bed in a locked room." She eyed the old drunk and gave her a toothy smile. "Scratch that, it sounds like it's completely worth it." The woman snorted. "Please girl, you are nothing more than a troublemaker, just like your dead parents. You were lucky my brother bothered to take you in at all." Hazel hummed as she placed the last of the dishes away. "Sure, it certainly wasn't the 25,000 pounds that gets deposited into his bank account from my trust fund every month." Hazel smirked as Vernon paled. "Took some time but I finally got one of my bank statements. So tell me Vernon, what was that about me being an imposition on you? A burden?" The man's face grew purple as the woman glared at her. "As if you were worth all those pounds."

Being done with the dishes Hazel took her shopping bag, loaded with a decent amount of scraps of food and headed for her room. "Wouldn't know. I personally think your mutt of a dog is not worth the price of a vet's injection, let alone what you charge the possible owners. You claim to care, but how many get sent to illegal dog fighting rings? Or are you just a hypocrite and actually bet on them yourself?" Marge stood up from her seat, shaking the table with her fat stomach. "How dare you! Those dogs go to good, fine people!" Hazel chuckled. "Like you? If you and your brother are the bar for good, fine people, then there is no doubt in my mind I am living in Hell. Still better than getting my stomach ripped out by another dog. Is that why you called that mutt Ripper? Because it's either that or he must leave your furniture in tathers. Do you use the hide from the dead dogs by the way? Because it would explain that disgusting purse." Marge exploded. "That's it! Ripper, attack! Show her what you can do!" The dog charged at Hazel who stared at it before waving her hand. " Depulso ." The dog whined as it got sent to the nearest wall. Marge pulled her purse, searching for something. "I knew it! Vernon didn't call you a freak for nothing. You are the Devil's child."

Hazel laughed at that. "I wish I were. I might actually have some real power to do sh*t if the devil was my father. But no, I am just a witch." Vernon laughed at her. "And a stupid one at that. You'll be barred from school now, freak. Using magic outside of school." Hazel bared her teeth at him. "Might surprise you, Vernon, but I actually bothered to read the law. I can use magic all I want, I just can't use a wand." She twirled her fingers. "No wand, no letter, no luck for you. OWW!" Vernon had apparently distracted her long enough for the blasted dog to bite her. She felt its teeth digging into her leg and she cursed. Pulling its collar and banishing the mutt did nothing so Hazel did the only spell she knew would settle the problem. " Ignis Obscuras ." The dog yelped as Hazel was forced to sustain the spell herself. Despite the animal burning, it refused to stop it's attack on her leg, so Hazel was forced to feed even more magic into the flames.

Marge charged at her with a spray bottle of what she assumed was pepper spray, but Hazel wandlessly launched her into a wall hard, before she returned her attention to the incessant dog digging into her leg. The dog had no magic to speak off and that meant keeping it lit with the cursed flame was a lot more difficult than lighting Tom's book or the Mirror. Hazel, however, was just as stubborn and certainly in enough of a bad mood to put the dog out of its misery. Eventually all that was left of the mutt was a pile of ash and bones. A bit winded by the exertion, Hazel smiled at the horrified Marge who was staggering to stand up. "Sorry I couldn't put him down quickly, but I haven't learned a spell for that yet. Now, I think I am going to take the rest of the summer off. Hope to never see you again, ever." Another banishing spell knocked her out as well, before she went for the door that led to the garage. Wrenching her trunk from the back of Vernon's car was easy enough after she banished the man against a wall the moment she tried to leave. She pulled her trunk behind her as she made her way down the road before stopping at the nearest bus stop.

She sat down and dug into her trunk to pull out a map she had bought of the bus routes of Surrey and the nearby areas, checking the time when the next bus was due, before sighing in resignation. Feeling lightheaded from the excess amount of magic she used earlier, Hazel pulled out her wand. The blasted thing still hated responding to her, even now. Even after the mess in the Chamber. She was already at the point where her wandless spells were equal to if not better than what the wand produced. She grinded her teeth, feeling the day's worth of anger building up inside of her again. She was happy Quirrell taught her wandless magic. It was literally keeping her alive and whole. But she hated the fact that nothing she ever did satisfied the stupid wand that was meant for her. She held the wand in her hands and pressed her thumbs into it. She felt its magic react to what she was doing before a loud cat's screech stopped her. The next thing she knew a pitch black cat jumped onto her lap and it pressed its paws into her chest. Hazel was about to ask what was wrong when she heard a guttural growl that made Ripper sound tame in comparison. A large wolflike dog stepped out of the bushes on the other side of the road, its teeth bared at her as its saliva dripped from its opened maw.

Hazel held the struggling cat to her as she stood up. "I am really going to Hell for doing sh*t like this." Hazel lifted her hand up over her head, planning to cast a banishing charm at the dog before her wand in her other hand caused something in the bus stop to react. A loud horn rattled Hazel's ears and the dog rushed back into the bushes. Hazel watched as a purple triple decker bus pulled up in front of her, a man hanging from the opened door at the front. "Good evening. This is the Knight Bus, emergency transport for Witches or Wizards who can't apparate, use a broom or otherwise travel. The name's Stan and I will be your conductor for the evening. Where to, miss?" Hazel stared at the man and laughed. "You know, it would have been nice knowing you and your bus existed two years ago." Stan blinked at her. "Ah, Hogwarts student, ey? Should have been on your introductory pamphlet." Hazel sighed. "Sure it was. Too bad I never got one. How much is it to the Cauldron or the nearest and cheapest place I can rent a room for a few weeks?" Stan laughed. "That'll be the Cauldron, miss. Careful with the pea soup there. You never know what they put into it. Still the cheapest dump for a room this side of Edinburgh. By the way, you seem to be bleeding. Might want to see a Healer." Hazel looked at her leg under the dim light of the bus stop and she noticed she was in fact bleeding from Ripper's bite mark. While she could feel an injury just fine when it was made, prolonged pain had become harder for her to notice since the Chamber. She sighed. "The Cauldron it is."

After she paid the man, Hazel sat in the furthest seat on the back before caressing the cat that was still attached to her chest. "So, care to join me for the rest of the way? Might get some milk, though I doubt they have lactose free milk where we are going." The cat blinked at her with beautiful gray eyes before it started rubbing its head against her hand. Hazel smiled. "Guess I am stuck with you then. I'll try to come up with a decent name for you in the morning. I am bloody tired after today." The cat curled up in her lap for all the good it did in the nauseating ride from Surrey to London. Hazel watched her trunk slip back and forward a bit until Stan came over, handing her a newspaper, before tying the trunk down to the floor. "Figured you'd like to read the Prophet. Everyone else is done with it." Hazel nodded and looked it over. "These Blacks that escaped. They're that bad for a kill on sight order?" Stan shrugged. "Sure sounds like it. Ernie says they killed loads of people for You Know Who back in the day. The Blacks were mostly Death Eaters, except for a lucky witch that got out just in time. Her daughter was in my year at Hogwarts. Weird witch with pink hair in her later years. Good for laughs though." Hazel handed him back the paper and sat back, waiting for the ride to end. She wondered if these Blacks would try to kill her too, though the name Black sounded familiar to her.

-∞-

NW July 1993

Harry sat down on the bench at the bus stop and sighed. He hated when Marge came for visits. She always tried to get a rise out of him. Tonight though she had insisted that he probably had some other family out there and that they clearly didn't want him if he was with Vernon. That he was lucky he hadn't been thrown out to the streets. The thought of her insulting Andromeda and his mysterious guardian angel angered him and his magic acted out on its own. Seeing Marge swell up like a balloon had been quite funny until Vernon started yelling at him to get her back down. He tried to stop him from leaving but Harry had had enough. He was glad Hedwig was out delivering letters as he took her empty cage and school trunk with him and left the house, until he reached the nearest bus stop and sat down. Harry tried the exercises Neville taught him and that the book he got for Christmas covered to calm down and eventually he felt a little better. He sat at the bus stop, waiting for the next bus to come by, when he heard some bushes moving. Harry watched as an emaciated black dog looked at him for a second before it snapped it's head to the side and hid back out of sight. He pulled his wand out of his pocket as he heard some heavy steps coming up to him from down the sidewalk. "We need to get you a holster. If I was a cop, I'd be whacking you over the head thinking you were pulling out a knife or worse on me."

Hearing the voice of the white haired Auror made him sigh in relief. "Yeah, not sure I will get the chance to use it." The Auror sat beside him on the bench. "Why, because you turned that nasty woman Vernon calls a sister into a balloon? Nice accidental magic by the way. I had a nasty aunt with a dog too. I ended up slamming her back into a wall and torching the mutt. Had a nasty scar on my leg for a while from where it bit me first." Harry shook his head in amusem*nt before he looked at her with concern. "So, I am not in trouble?" Hazel looked at him and he felt so lost when he saw the same green eyes as his own again. Whenever he saw her, it always felt like there was more to her than just an Auror. She smiled at him. "You draw your wand? Attacked her without reason?" Harry shook his head. "She'd been bad mouthing me all day." Hazel chuckled loudly. "Then not only are you not in trouble, kid, but you can say goodbye to Surrey. If that's what you want." Hazel stood up and stretched her arms. "Accidental magic happens all the time and even wandless magic is effectively untraceable. Sure the DMLE will get word of a woman floating in the air like a balloon and they will trace it to your Uncle's house but they can do nothing about how your magic reacted."

Harry stood up. "Then why did I get a letter for the magic Dobby did around the house last year?" Hazel sighed. Croaker had never mentioned that. Then again, he probably thought it was actually Harry's fault. She herself had broken the law several times, minus the need for a wand. "Dobby probably cast it with enough strength that the magic registered at the Ministry. I could light that bush on fire over there and no one would know. Conjuring a dragon or casting a Fiendfyre curse would register quite easily since it uses a lot of magic. Dobby probably made his magic seem strong enough to need a wand and yours is the only wand in the house with a trace, so it must have resonated. Remind me to check with Amelia to get that cleared out. Some nasty people out there don't care to hear sh*t about the truth and we can't have them use that as an excuse." Looking around and making sure there was no one in sight, Hazel wandlessly cast a notice-me-not charm on the spot they were standing on.

Hazel then waved her hand at the birdcage and the trunk and shrunk them down before summoning them both to her hand and dropping them inside her jacket inner pocket. Harry stared at where his trunk had been for just a second before he looked at her. "Wait. You didn't use a wand." Hazel waved her fingers playfully at him. "Bit of an open secret. Wandless magic is very real, can be useful and can't be traced if used with enough control. Now then, ready to head out? Or do you want to wait for the next bus, which is in about an hour or two?" Harry looked at Hazel's eyes, unsure on what he should do. "Where would we be going?" Hazel smiled at him. "Technically it's up to you, but Andromeda has kept her guest room ready for you for two years now. Even decorated it with some Gryffindor banners and a few photos she had of your parents. With the Contract broken, she is officially your guardian. She would never force you, but Andromeda would be delighted if you could call her house your new home for the summer. Interested?" Hazel presented her hand to him. Harry felt tears forming in his eyes as he took her hand. "Sounds perfect."

Chapter 28: Waking up to Family

Chapter Text

Harry walked up towards the front door of a nice looking two story house, with flower boxes on the upper window sills and soft hedges around the front, as Hazel seemed to check something with her wand, before making it vanish. She walked up to the door and stood there waiting for him. Harry suddenly felt nervous. "I wouldn't want to impose. Especially at this hour." Hazel blinked at him for a moment before she sighed. "Harry, the woman and her husband have been fighting for custody over you since the day Dumbledore dropped you off at the Dursleys. They have waited for nearly twelve years to welcome you to their home. You want to make them wait longer?" Harry felt his cheeks warm. She was right. Andromeda said as much to him the few times he saw her. Taking a deep breath, he walked up to the door and knocked. The door opened a few minutes later to a surprised looking Andromeda. Her eyes went from Hazel to Harry and back. "What happened?" Hazel smiled. "Vernon's sister couldn't resist misbehaving. She broke the contract. Harry is officially your ward. If you will have him." Harry barely had a second after Hazel spoke those words before Andromeda pulled him into a hug. "Of course he's welcome here. If you're willing to join us for the rest of the summer." Harry nodded and Andromeda smiled.

Andromeda moved to the side. "Then come right in. We are actually running a bit late with dinner tonight. My daughter should be dropping by with food. Are you hungry?" Harry felt his stomach growl. He had forgotten to get his serving at the Dursleys earlier. "Famished." Andromeda looked to Hazel who raised her hands. "Don't look at me. Dora said to keep out of the kitchen for tonight. I'll be here since Teddy is with Dora getting the food. Though I need to step out for a second. I have a last bit of work to do so the Headmaster is forced to keep his trap shut about all this." Andromeda nodded. "Then go. I'll show Harry to his room and get him ready for supper." Hazel apparated away silently from the edge of the wardline as Andromeda took him up the stairs. She opened the door and turned on the light into a comfortable room decorated with dark wood furniture and maroon paint on the walls, with a hint of golden yellow trimmings.

Harry's eyes took the whole room in as he stepped inside before turning to Andromeda who gestured with her head to the dresser and mirror. "This was our guest bedroom for the longest time. We kept a box of photos, toys and sculptures for you for as long as we can remember. We added the Gryffindor trimmings as soon as we heard what your Hogwarts house was, though we went for a softer red. A bit easier on the eyes if you ask me." Harry nodded as he moved gingerly further into the spacious room, seeing the Gryffindor posters and touching a few figurines on top of the dresser carved out of wood. He looked at one which showed a Griffin, it's posture restful but alert, something Andromeda noticed. "That was a gift from the woman who dropped you off. She'll introduce herself properly when she's back here for dinner. She used to be in Gryffindor during her school days too, but times were different then. She has no fondness for her former house and gave us some of her old stuff for you. We hope you don't mind."

Shaking his head, Harry tried to surreptitiously remove a tear from his eye. "It's brilliant. Thank you." Andromeda smiled and pointed at the door next to the window. "The closet is yours, as are the dressers. The bathroom in the hallway is your standard shower and bathtub set. You're free to use it. Though if my daughter is staying over, make sure you knock before going in. She never locks it." Harry blushed lightly at the thought and went into the bathroom to wash his face before he walked back down the stairs. A man with brown hair and eyes came up to him and smiled, offering Harry his hand. "Hello again, Harry. Ted Tonks at your service. Solicitor and Andromeda's husband. I can help you with anything, minus murder. The wife has exclusive rights to that." Andromeda whacked her husband on the head, who yelped softly, before she looked towards Harry. "No scaring the boy. Don't mind him, marrying a Black requires a level of madness and my husband has his fair share." Harry chuckled at the two and shook the man's hand. "A pleasure, sir." A knock on the door drew Ted's attention. "That's probably Dora." Ted looked through the peephole and opened the door for his daughter. Dora shook her bags. "Delivery. Hey, you know why Hazel sent her Patronus to Teddy? No one saw it since it was tiny but she ordered an extra serving of food." Ted stepped aside. "See for yourself." Dora blinked for a second as her eyes got drawn to Harry before she smiled. "Hey there cous. Welcome to the family."

Dora dropped off the food in the kitchen as Harry stared at a dark haired boy that looked a bit like him. The boy smiled. "Hey Harry. Names Edward. Teddy to my family." Harry smiled at him and shook his hand. "I am assuming I am family." Teddy nodded. "Mom is, though not through the Blacks. Is she here yet?" Andromeda touched Teddy's back. "She had one final errand to run but she will be here soon. Help us set the table. Come along Harry, so you can take your pick of the food." The table was set quickly as Harry took his pick of the chinese food before he felt something odd. He looked around and Andromeda noticed. "Dora, your partner is outside setting up the wards. Let her in and show her to the wardstone." Harry watched as the white haired witch came in and closed the door behind her. "Evening everyone. Harry, I fetched the other trunk you left back at the Dursleys." Harry flushed in embarrassment. "I … forgot about it." Hazel smiled at him. "I figured when you walked out with only one. I'll drop them both off in your room and resize them for you. Dora, the wardstone please. I am feeling like a livewire right now with a full ward running through me without an anchor."

Hazel and Dora disappeared down the basem*nt before Harry felt the shift in the magic around him again. The white haired Auror waved at him as she came up from the basem*nt. "Good news. The wards Dumbledore placed at the Dursleys for your safety against Voldemort and his Death Eaters are now safely and properly added to Andromeda's. There is now no reason to send you back to them at all." Harry froze for a second before he rushed forward and hugged her suddenly. "Thank you. I honestly hated the place." Hazel patted him on the back. "No problem, Harry. Anything for a friend." Harry froze and looked up at her. Hazel's smile grew. "How was Newt's book? Bit drier reading than the Potter family history but the man knows his magical creatures. Same for the mental exercises text, but it does help with curbing some bad habits. When you want to, of course. I myself am a good example of poor impulse control so I wouldn't know." Harry felt tears running down his cheeks. "It was you?" Hazel grew a little sheepish. "Yeah. Name's Hazel Peverell. Me and my son are the only living relatives you have from your paternal great-grandfather's side of the family. I've been keeping my eye on you for the last two years. Hope you don-" Hazel was silenced as Harry hugged her for dear life, repeating "Thank you" over and over again as he cried into her chest.

Harry sat down next to her and asked her about who she was. Hazel sighed. "I can't tell you everything because not all of it is good. I was only seventeen when Voldemort vanished and I was a favorite target of his for most of the war. My father can trace back to Henry Potter and even further back to Iolanthe Peverell, hence the family name. When the war ended, I was young, deeply troubled and powerless to do anything about anyone other than Teddy. Trust me, if I could have taken you from the Dursleys earlier, I would have." Harry finished his drink and smiled. "I am just glad I don't have to go back there again." Teddy, who was sitting opposite of him, asked him about his classes and the adults sat back and watched as the two kids discussed Hogwarts happily. As the evening grew darker, Hazel, Teddy and Dora excused themselves, hugging Harry and wishing him a good night. Andromeda pulled Hazel into a hug and whispered to her. "Thank you. For everything." Hazel hugged her back. "You are all family, Dromeda. There was no other choice. There never should be." Hazel ruffled Harry's hair. "Take your time and relax, ok? You have a home and family now. Just take it in and enjoy it all." Harry nodded, brushing away some tears. "I will. See you soon."

-∞-

"Morning. Good night's sleep?" Harry rubbed his eyes as he yawned, his steps taking him into the kitchen in his pajamas. "Yeah. Best night's sleep I have had since Hogwarts." Andromeda nodded. "Trust me, I know the feeling. Best night sleep I had out of Hogwarts was after my seventh year with Ted after we eloped. Sure, that became more of an issue as Dora grew in me but it was better than being back home with my parents. Please sit down." Harry sat at the table of the Tonks' residence and heard a screech before a familiar white bird landed on the table in front of him. Harry rubbed the owl's feathers. "Hi Hedwig. I am happy you found me here." Andromeda came up and caressed the bird as well. "She's been added to the wards so she can come and go safely. We did have to remove a tracking charm from her. We think someone was trying to find out where you were sending your mail. Our Best guess is that it was Dumbledore. The wards should isolate any foreign magic on her and her packages from now on, so she will be safe." Harry smiled as Hedwig nipped his fingers playfully. "I gathered from Hazel you aren't fond of Dumbledore?" Andromeda sat down beside him on the table. "The man was celebrated as almost a second coming of Merlin, but he still has his share of problems. We don't think he is malignant, not all of us anyways, but he has been breaking the laws to keep you isolated. Recent events have certainly done a number on his reputation, which is something we are quite happy about."

Harry thought back to his first summer after Hogwarts. He had asked to stay at the school but Dumbledore denied him, saying he was safer at his relatives house. That there were wards there that he needed to keep charged for his safety and theirs. "What will happen now?" Andromeda drank from her coffee. "Well, your parents Last Will was sealed at the Ministry but you might find a copy in your family Vault at Gringotts, so we can check there. After that we can see if there is enough evidence to strip Dumbledore of his illegally obtained Magical Guardianship over you. Everything after that is just us keeping him away from you as much as possible while you spend your next few years at Hogwarts." Harry thought for a second and nodded. "Ok, I am fine with that. When do we go to the bank?" Andromeda chuckled. "Well, technically we could go today, even if it is your birthday." Andromeda passed him a few letters. "Your friends are meeting up in Diagon Alley today, with Florean Fortescue making a birthday ice cream cake for you. Care to go?" Harry smiled. "Sure. Are Hazel and Teddy coming over too?" Andromeda gave him a sad smile. "Not today, though three of the letters are from them and Dora. Teddy completed his Hogwarts shopping with his mother early and aside from today being your birthday, it's also Hazel's. Dora and Teddy focus on her exclusively today. Maybe next year."

While he was a bit disappointed they couldn't come, Harry could see why. Hazel always felt odd to him. She always smiled for him and he always found it sad. Like she knew something was wrong. He always assumed it was about him but last night he remembered seeing the same sadness there, except when Teddy and Dora were with her. "She had a hard life, didn't she?" Andromeda nodded sadly. "She did. She hardly speaks about it openly, but aside from a Godmother who loved her as her own child, she had no one to care for her. Said Godmother died before anything could come of their relationship. If it wasn't for Teddy, I am not sure she would be here at all." Harry smiled a little at the wistful look on Andromeda's face. "He has that way about him, doesn't he? He likes seeing people happy." Andromeda smiled. "He does, but I am sure it's mostly directed to his Mom. Those two care deeply for each other. Since he is going to Hogwarts this September, it might cause a bit of trouble for Hazel, but her boss has been checking with me about how to ease their discomfort. So Harry, how about a light breakfast while Ted gets all the paperwork in order for today?"

Harry's morning went quickly after that, finding himself at Gringotts where he was presented his parent's will. Gringotts warned that the one in the Ministry was far more recent, so the section awarding gifts to others was unenforceable for now. Andromeda pointed out the names of the people in his parent's life. He was surprised though, when he read the name of a person he heard on the news. Andromeda sighed. "Sirius Black was a close friend of your father and my cousin. He worked with him at the DMLE as an Auror and was part of the Order of the Phoenix, the group Dumbledore organized to fight the Death Eaters. We aren't sure what really happened but people accused him of betraying James and Lily Potter, killing another wizard and thirteen muggles on a street, and he was sent off to Azkaban for all of it. Without a trial." Harry looked at her. "You don't think he did it?" Andromeda looked at him sadly. "I don't believe he did. My cousin was like me in a lot of ways. Knowing him, something else happened but until he is captured by the right people, we won't know for sure." Harry thought about Sirius Black until he saw his friends waving at him. He decided to focus on them first. After all, this was the first time he could celebrate his birthday properly.

-∞-

Hazel slammed her hands on Croaker's desk. "Why did you rescind the kill on sight order?" Croaker eyed her, feeling the flow of magic shift around him as he spotted arcs of making moving down her bare arms. He knew this was going to be a sore subject as Hazel had refused to speak of what happened in her third year beyond the fact two people escaped from Azkaban. Only one person did so in this world. "The escape of Sirius Black opened up his files in the Ministry Archives. All of them. A good number had been surprisingly, though expectedly, sealed after his imprisonment. Care to guess what we found?" Croaker dropped a folder in front of Hazel who opened it. She skimmed over the two documents. "The arrest record and the transfer record from the DMLE holding cells to Azkaban." Croaker nodded. "Indeed. There is nothing else in the documents at all. No charges, no trial, no verdict and no legal representation." Hazel pulled away from the table, her eyes reading the papers thoroughly. "If this was an isolated incident, Arcturus Black would have rained hell on the Ministry for imprisoning his Heir. It wasn't, was it? There are other criminals and Death Eaters in Azkaban under similar circ*mstances."

Croaker sighed. "Dozens of them. The policy was put in place in the final days of the war by Minister Bagnold, DMLE Director Barty Crouch Sr. and Chief Warlock Albus Dumbledore." Hazel snorted. "Doesn't sound like his style. Was he under pressure or did he have a need for it?" Croaker gave her an approving smile. "Legal is in agreement. Crouch headed the initiative several times but was denied by the Chief Warlock and the Minister. This changed in the later days of the war, but the measure was rescinded months later. After Sirius Black was sent to Azkaban. The next group of Death Eaters brought to trial were the LeStranges and Igor Karkaroff, all of whom received full trials." Hazel sat on the chair, even as her magic grew wilder inside of her. She kept her jaw clenched as much as possible. "In theory most of the dangerous Death Eaters got put away and locked up, but you are suggesting Dumbledore agreed to the change to potentially remove an obstacle. Which reminds me, in which period did Snape face the charges for his crimes?" Croaker shook his head. "None of them. He never saw the Courtroom. Dumbledore vouched for him and several Death Eaters went to Azkaban, not to mention a certain counterspell was made known to Healers, at least surreptitiously. The ones caught were minor Death Eaters, but still Marked. As for Dumbledore's machinations, we believe he was after this."

Hazel watched as Croaker pulled another file out and opened it. "By record of St. Mungos, Harry James Potter was born on the 31st of July 1980. On the 2nd of August, Alice Longbottom and Sirius Black were named the boys godparents." Hazel felt her thoughts stop for a second. "Are you sure about that? What about Frank Longbottom? Neville's godparents?" Croaker waved his hand. "Frank remained on active duty as an Auror after Neville's birth, which made him a target. He didn't have a godchild. James became Neville's godfather since he and his family went into hiding. The godmother was Marlene McKinnon. You know what happened to her." Hazel nodded. Marlene was a relative of hers she never got to know. She had been a potential godparent to her but that honor went to her Neville as well. Hazel closed her eyes, trying to get a hold of her magic. "So, Albus Dumbledore agreed to a change in the rules around the time the war became more violent. The Potters were attacked, Sirius Black got arrested and the Longbottoms were incapacitated permanently. Yet he changes the rules before the criminals who attacked the Longbottoms were brought to trial, but not before Sirius BBack was shipped of to Azkaban."

Croaker sat up straighter in his chair. "That's why we rescinded the order. He is now a priority target of interest and we need him alive for interrogation. The timing of the changing of the laws, his imprisonment and his position as Harry's primary guardian make him Dumbledore's greatest counter. I also don't have to remind you of the benefit this could have for Harry's legal situation should Sirius be innocent." Hazel gritted her teeth as a memory flashed in her mind, something Croaker noticed. "Fine. Take me off the hunt for him. I can't be impartial with him." Croaker eyed her, feeling the magic in the room shift again, the air becoming thicker and the hairs across his body standing up on end. "Why?" Another memory surfaced in Hazel's mind, one of an insufferable laugh. Hazel clenched her fists as her body started shaking. "Because if I see him I will kill him. Now if you excuse me, I need to head to the training chamber." Hazel exited the room as quickly as she could as Croaker tapped his comm on the desk. "BM, R1 is heading to the Training Room exhibiting signs of distress. Get there with R2, quickly."

Hazel tuned all noises out as she entered the Training Room, her magic screaming inside of her. Arcs of green light shot out of her hands as she cast curses towards the targets used for practice, striking every target on the wall, every hit leaving a bigger and bigger scorch mark as images played before her eyes, feelings long buried rising up to the surface. Biting her lip hard enough to draw blood, she conjured several human-like golems dressed in Death Eater robes before she drew on her magic and unleashed a killing curse that she kept sustained. An arching beam of blackish green light dropped the pseudo life forms she created, some even being torn in half as she did everything in her power to sustain the curse. She released it as the last golem collapsed, the ground littered with black cloaks as her body trembled. She lifted up her hand and looked at the charred flesh, though she knew it was just her skin, as she could still move her muscles easily enough. Memories bombarded her again as she reached up to hold her head in pain. Voices filled her ears but she wasn't sure which were real and which were her memories. She collapsed onto the ground, hearing her name being screamed.

-∞-

OW June 21st 1996

"No! Stop it!" She screamed as she watched Voldemort place her Godmother under the Cruciatus Curse. His voice echoed in her ears. "She's yours but I must have the Prophecy. Bring it to me and this will all come to an end." She spent the next hour hearing her Godmother's screams in her head as she rode the back of a Thestral, three morons following behind her. She had refused to be part of their little Defence Club and she was still constantly targeted and followed by them and the pink toad's cronys. Why couldn't they just leave her alone! They tried to stop her, telling her it wasn't worth it. That Dumbledore had a plan. She didn't care about Dumbledore's plan. Her Godmother was the only thing that mattered to her. So she ran head first into the Department of Mysteries, unconcerned with the absence of people around her. She finally found the Hall of Prophecies and searched desperately for where her's was. She found it easily enough. No other bastard had a name as long as Dumbledore. She took it without a second thought and looked desperately around. "I have it. Just let her go!"

A voice answered her. "Too bad, the bitch ain't here. We'll take the prophecy though." Hazel growled and hurled curses at the source of the voice. Time seemed to speed up around her as she dodged curses and Death Eaters until she reached the room with the creepy Archway and a mess of rocks. She glared at the bastard Malfoy holding her at wandpoint until a voice made her heart sing. "Oy, Lucy! Get away from my Goddaughter!" A red spell pushed him back and Hazel looked into the concerned grey eyes of her Godmother. "I am here, my sapling. Don't worry, we will get you out." Hazel stood by her side as the fighting resumed around her as more and more people showed up. Hazel deflected a curse coming towards her Godmother before she felt herself getting pushed back, a nasty purple curse missing her face by a hair. The fighting continued until a loud voice uttered a curse and Hazel froze. " Avada Kedavra! " Hazel watched as the green curse came straight at her before a hand pushed her aside. Dark brown curls filled her view as she watched the curse being intercepted by her Godmother's body, before the now cold empty eyes remained fixed on her as her Godmother fell into the Archway, vanishing on the spot. The world turned silent to Hazel, even as her heart seemed unsure about whether to beat loudly or stop beating at all.

"… no…"

"You know, James once tried the whole long haired look. The girls seemed to like it but Lily hated it. Pretty sure her first compliment to him was that he looked better with short hair. On you, though, I am sure she would have loved it being long." Hazel looked at herself in the mirror, her hair exceedingly uneven with the edges dulled in color by the fire damage. "So, any idea how to regrow it back?" Her Godmother smiled. "I have just the thing."

"Please… no."

Her Godmother hugged Hazel to her, the dusty old place of her family looking festive with Christmas decorations. "I know it's not our home yet but I think you deserved a proper celebration." Hazel hugged her back tightly, tears running down her cheeks. "It's perfect."

"No…"

Hazel watched her Godmother pull a tarp away, showing Hazel her pride and joy. "Can't believe Hagrid kept this. He even did a good job tuning it." She pulled out a helmet and tossed it to Hazel who caught it, as her eyes took in the motorcycle with it's side car. "So, what do you say, kid? Roadtrip?" Hazel was sure she heard her jaw crack with how wide she smiled. "I wouldn't miss it for the world!" Her Godmother smiled at her, those grey eyes filled with warmth. "Hop right on then. Next stop, wherever the sun sets." Hazel laughed in utter joy as she jumped into the side car.

" … Please… No…"

She got pulled into her Godmother's arms. "I promise you, Hazel. When I am cleared and a free woman, I will blood adopt you. You, me, Dobby and Kreacher will be a proper family. No more old goats, no obsessed Dark Lords. Just you, me and some cute boys and girls." Hazel buried her head into her Godmother's chest. "Promise?" Her Godmother rubbed her head, kissing her softly on her hair. "Promise."

Her Godmother's face flashed before her eyes, that beautiful smile aimed at her. She had never not smiled at her. Her heart sank as all her eyes could see was an empty Archway, the battle going on around her all but forgotten as her world shattered completely.

"Noooooo!!!!!!"

-∞-

NW July 31st 1993

Hazel felt a weight on her arm as soon as she recovered consciousness. The warmth and the feel of his magic were as familiar to her as her own. Hazel opened her eyes and looked around, seeing the curtains she knew were from the Medical Wing. She closed her eyes and sighed deeply as her mind settled back into place, her magic drained but recovering. She lifted up her left hand and saw it wrapped in bandages before she brought it up to her mouth. Hazel tore through them softly with her teeth until the flesh underneath the bandages was uncovered, a bit red but definitely healed over. Using her now uncovered hand she reached over and gently touched her son's hair, causing him to stir. "Five more minutes." Hazel chuckled. "If we were back in your room, I would say you could have the rest of the day." Teddy lifted his head and looked at her sleepily before his eyes woke up. He threw himself at her and she hugged her son. "You collapsed in the training room! Dora was so scared. She said your arm looked bad." Hazel rubbed his back. "I am better now. My arm is just a bit red."

Teddy nodded as he looked the arm over before he turned to look her in the eyes. "What happened?" Hazel sighed as she rubbed his cheek. "Bad memories, Teddy. About the day the light went out in my world. Before you lit it up again." Teddy looked at her sadly. "Your Godmother?" Hazel swallowed the lump in her throat. "Yeah." Teddy hugged her harder. "I'm sorry." Hazel chuckled and rubbed his hair. "I should be saying that. I probably ruined the surprise birthday you and Dora were planning." Teddy shook his head. "It's ok. You're ok now. That's more important." Hazel tried to sit up and Teddy sat on the bed. Hazel looked around. "Andromeda?" Teddy shook his head. " She's with Harry. The other Healer, Johnson I think, took care of you before she got called to St. Mungos." Hazel nodded and pulled her legs over the side before stepping on the cold floor with her naked feet. After getting dressed she left with Teddy towards her Apartment, finding Dora reading over a Healer's textbook. "Just so you know, those are nice and all but they aren't going to turn you into an instant Healer. My Andi gave up on me after three years of trying."

Dora tackled her into a hug as soon as she registered who spoke. "You scared the sh*t out of me!" Hazel pulled her head back and kissed Dora on the lips, drawing a whine out of her. Hazel touched Dora's hair gently. "Sorry for ruining your plans. Think we can spend the day watching some movies?" Dora kissed Hazel on the neck. "Sure. You sit. I'll get the popcorn." After Leafsby blocked Dora from the kitchen after her first attempt at making popcorn set the pan on fire, the three settled in front of the tv to watch the movies. Teddy sat on the floor with Hazel's arms hugging him from behind. Dora kept eying the two throughout the evening, watching as Hazel slowly seemed to come back to a more jovial state until they both fell asleep just after the second movie.

Not wishing to disturb either of them, Dora cast a few cushioning charms and conjured a blanket that she draped over both of them before she left the apartment, her eyes fixed on the two out of concern before she closed the door and made her way through the Department of Mysteries. She opened Croaker's office door and found him and Horatio talking. "The hell happened?" Croaker sighed. "Hazel has strong feelings about Sirius Black. I'm under the impression he means something to her. Something terrible. She willingly stepped down from the hunt for him after I changed the order to capture him alive at all costs." Horatio grunted. "Must have buried a lot of frustration as she and you talked. Her Killing Curses were causing physical damage to the Training Room, without her using a wand. I reviewed the security system. I've never seen anyone use the killing curse the way she did. If Hazel used that in an enclosed area, we would have dozens or more dead instantly. I am almost glad she stuck to conjuration as her main means for killing people." Dora winced at Horatio's tone. "Alright then, what's our standing orders then, because Hazel is currently asleep and I don't know if I can stop another incident like this on my own."

Horatio looked at Croaker, before turning to Dora. "We have an idea that should reduce her stress levels for the coming year, but it will require your cooperation. The few sightings of Sirius Black had him close to Surrey, before he started heading North." Dora blinked for a moment before she sighed. "Harry. He's going after Harry." Croaker looked over the papers. "Twelve years in Azkaban is a long time. We aren't sure what that has done to his mind. We know he whispered Hogwarts all the time just before he escaped. If he heads up there, we need our non-lethal expert to handle it." Dora felt her stomach sink. "Me." Horatio nodded. "Exactly. Catching up to him seems impossible so far to the Aurors, even with Mad-Eye directing them. So we will be posting you at his likely point of interest. Hazel will be there as backup, though we want her to be kept busy, which we have a plan for as well. Just make sure you keep her away from the action. We will probably have other missions throughout the year for you two, but this will be your top priority." Dora nodded and headed for the door when Horatio stopped her. "Oh, and make sure you have the Patronus Charm down. The Minister isn't being rational right now and his Undersecretary isn't helping." Dora whined. "Great."

Chapter 29: The Peverells Return

Chapter Text

Andromeda kneeled down to hug Teddy, kissing his cheek, as they stood on the edge of the platform next to the Hogwarts Express. "You be a good badger and show the rest of the Houses that Hufflepuffs can do just as well academically, ok?" Teddy nodded, trying not to think about his Andi and what she would say to him on this day. He swallowed the lump in his throat and smiled. "I will." After she stood back up she hugged Harry next. "And you try to stay out of trouble. You gave a good show of yourself this last year. Lily would have been very proud of your hard work. Taking two elective courses isn't bad, especially as a Quidditch player, so don't let your mother's choice to drown herself in work get to you. You do well and remember that you have people looking after you. We'll see you at Hogsmeade when you have a day off." Harry hugged her back. "I'll be there. I'll look after Teddy when I can too." Andromeda chuckled. "Hazel will appreciate that. Now go boys, find yourself a cabin or two." Harry and Teddy waved at Andromeda as they boarded the train before looking for a compartment, with Harry pointing out where the bathrooms were located. Teddy looked at Harry as soon as they found an empty compartment. "You sure you want me with you? I can go find the others. Astoria is a first year student too."

Harry smiled at him. "Up to you but I don't mind. Besides, won't Astoria get dragged into the same cabin as Daphne and Tracey? There might not be much room there for you. Not all of them are friendly." Teddy frowned. "You sure you aren't projecting your fears about the Slytherins? Not all Slytherins are bad. You met Daphne, Tracey and Theo at the get together." Harry sighed. He could admit to himself that Teddy had a point. He had heard from Ron and the other Gryffindors that Slytherins tended to be dark witches and wizards. Draco was certainly a good example of just how bad some of the Slytherins were. Daphne, Tracey and Theo had surprised him when he showed up at the summer get together with Neville, Susan and Hannah. They were very polite. Well, most of them. Tracey seemed to be a ball of energy that was only matched by Hannah, the two jumping from one conversation to the next and the next. Of the girls, she was the one that struck him as odd since she only ever seemed to observe the niceties of etiquette once. Daphne surprised him by being a bit like Hermione, obsessed with learning everything and anything about magic. Astoria seemed to have a similar interest in learning, but she was more laid back to Daphne's mania.

Theo Nott had been the biggest surprise. He was a lot like Neville, quiet and reserved, but he loved Quidditch and was trying out for the Chaser position this year. He could quote just as much Quidditch stuff as Ron, but he was always rational and collected. He also told him about Blaise Zabini, another Slytherin, who wasn't like the rest, though he tended to keep to himself for the most part. He was boisterous like Tracey but was more interested in the Dueling Circuits. They all avoided Draco and his group as much as possible but since it was a rule that Slytherins didn't argue in front of the other houses, they couldn't exactly act too friendly towards Harry without causing a scene. Tracey did say they would make an effort to be more forward and friendly towards Neville, Teddy and himself but they had to do it quickly. Harry had smiled at her logic. If they couldn't argue with Draco, they simply made Draco be the one to start the argument, getting him in trouble. His compliment on how utterly Slytherin of her that was earned him a blush from the brunette. Of the group though, Susan had been the big surprise. He remembered her being very shy when they were just first years in Quirrell's classroom. She was really outspoken and forward now, very confident in herself. She said part of that had been from the tutoring Hazel had given her, making her feel like she didn't need to hide who she was anymore.

That his relative Hazel was the tutor to most of them had been an eye opener, but no more so when he watched everyone training under her instruction. She was fast on her feet and seemed to glide around the room at times. What really surprised him was just how skilled she was with Transfiguration. He had thought McGonagall was the best in Britain, but Hazel seemed to defy that by conjuring lifelike animals in mid air without so much as a word. She was ridiculously good without a wand, something he asked her about. Hearing that her wand had rejected her for three whole years was a surprise and that she was forced to learn wandless magic to compensate was understandable. Her smirk and claims of being a lot more sneaky in practicing during summer without her wand made him smile. There were times when she seemed really sad, though, as if a thought seemed to sap all the joy out of her. That never happened around Teddy or Dora. The odd time she seemed happy alone was when she was thinking of breaking or taking advantage of the rules. A little light seemed to shine in her eyes then. He wondered if she would have gotten along with his dad and the Marauders he read about in his Mom's journal. Though it was for just a few days out of the weeks of summer he still had, Harry learned a great deal about magic from her, along with Theo who was the closest to him in skill with the little amount of time either spent training with Hazel.

Harry shook his head and looked at Teddy. "Ok, maybe I did a little, but you do have your classes to be with them. With you being a shoe in for Hufflepuff, when am I supposed to get to know you more?" Teddy smiled. "Ok, but you keep the Lions off my back. I am going to be a Hufflepuff like Mama and Dora and show everyone that we can be just as good as everyone else." Harry laughed merrily and watched as Teddy silently lifted their trunks up to the rack over their heads once they entered the cabin. "If you teach me how to cast silently." Teddy chuckled. "Sure, but Mom might try showing you first. She got good at it for a reason." The two sat down and chatted away as the time of departure neared. Teddy noticed that Harry looked worriedly at the clock. "Nervous about Hermione?" Harry nodded. "Her parents were really mad about what happened to her at Hogwarts. I think if Andromeda didn't explain the situation to them clearly, they might have sent her off to Beauxbatons. She said she would be here, but you know parents can be." Teddy hummed. "I heard of the school. Mom had a friend from there who had a kid close to my age. Our families got into a fight and I never got to meet her, not before she died." Harry often didn't know what to say to Teddy when the subject turned serious. He thought his life was bad but Teddy's was rough and Hazel's was apparently worse.

His gloomy thoughts ended when Neville opened the door. "Hey Ted, Harry. Look who I found." Harry smiled as Hermione popped her head in. "Can I join you?" The two Gryffindors sat opposite of Teddy and Harry as Neville helped Hermione with her trunk. Teddy stood up and gave Hermione a soft bow. "A pleasure to meet you, Miss Granger. My name is Edward Peverell. Ted to friends. Harry has talked a lot about you." Hermione blushed. "A pleasure, Edward. You're Harry's cousin, right? He mentioned you in one of his letters. You look a bit alike." Teddy sat back down. "Mom looked a lot more like Harry, before her hair went white. She had our same black hair once upon a time. Hers got damaged by a curse and it's stuck white now. Mostly." Hermione descended into a discussion with Teddy about curses, which apparently Teddy knew a bit about. Harry eyed him oddly and Teddy flushed. "Mom is a worrier, so she taught me how to spot cursed objects." Hermione sighed. "That would have been handy last year." Harry looked at her. "How are you?" Hermione shrugged. "I feel depressed at the weirdest times. I have a Mind Healer appointment once a week at Hogwarts. Part of the reason why my parents allowed me to stay at all. I am also supposed to check in with Hazel Peverell about once a month for something."

Teddy smiled. "That's Mom. She has an eye for curse damage. She's probably checking that there are no lingering effects on your mind or spirit." Hermione blinked a bit before she smiled. "Oh, I hope I get to meet her soon then. Do you think she can teach me how that works?" The group looked up at the roof when they heard the train whistle blow in warning. Teddy looked at Harry. "Aren't you waiting for someone else?" Harry chuckled. "Trust me, they are always late." A few minutes later four redheads opened the door. "Oh, what do we have here, George?" The other twin hummed. "Looks like Harry has a little brother. Too bad the scary Aurors gave us an order or we'd offer you a deal. Right Fred?" Teddy chuckled and waved at them. "Hi Weasley Twins. Mom and Dora say "Hi" and that I am considered off limits. Dora says she'll tell Charlie to stop sending you materials for your experiments and Mom says she still dreams about checking your insides to see if you're identical all the way through." The twins paled. "Gred, I think we found the scary White Haired Witch's kid." The other responded. "Agreed Forge. Tactical retreat." The twins left, leaving Hermione, Neville and the other two Weasleys flabbergasted. Ron looked at the kid. "Your Mom is that scary?" Teddy smiled. "Only to mean people. Though waking her up early is always bad. Dora learned that the hard way a few times already."

Harry smirked. "Watching a bunny being chased around the Tonks residence by a badger was funny though." Ginny waved at Harry. "Well, I am going to find Luna. Take care, Harry." Ron looked at the group and the small amount of space and sighed. "I hope you don't mind, but I might go sit with Seamus and Dean. They were talking about the Quidditch World Cup coming up next year." Harry nodded. "Sure, we understand. See you at the feast." The train started moving as they started discussing classes. Harry and Hermione laughed a bit at how much Teddy and Neville liked Herbology while Teddy and Harry bonded over Care. Teddy sighed. "I wish I could take that class early. Mom says it can be fun, especially when they bring out the Hippogriffs and Thestrals, but that's all years away." Hermione shuddered and Teddy noticed. "The Thestrals?" Hermione bit her lip. "Tom … taught me about them." Teddy frowned. "Oh, I'm sorry." Hermione shook her head. "It's ok. I took the class anyway, along with Arithmancy and Runes." Harry and Neville shared a look. "Well, two out of three for us ain't bad. I am just glad I got out of Divination." Teddy shuddered. "Mom hates that class after she was made to sit in a few lessons against her will. Says the best teachers for the class are Centaurs." Hermione's eyes lit up. "Do they teach it?" Harry sat back, watching Teddy and Hermione chat away. It was going to be a long ride.

-∞-

The train lurched to a sudden stop and Teddy looked out the window as it started frosting over. "Mom's going to be mad." Harry turned to him. "What is it?" Teddy looked to Neville. "Dementors." Neville cursed. "Damn, Miss Peverell tried teaching us the Patronus but none of us had the strength to cast it just yet. Only Daphne got the furthest along." Teddy drew his wand out, feeling it connecting his magic better than his Mom's ever did. "I know I can make a shield but I tire quickly." Neville nodded and looked at the other two. "The guards of Azkaban are Magical Creatures. They like hurting people. Voldemort used them in the war before they were controlled again. Stay away from the door and behind Teddy." Teddy stood in the center of the cabin, his wand drawn. He started to feel the cold digging in. His breath started being visible and he felt the tug on his mind just as the dark shape appeared behind the pane of glass. Thoughts and images started racing in his mind as the creature opened the cabin door. He felt his body hollow out like it did in his other world, as magic left him powerless. A memory surfaced that he wished he would never see ever again but the Dementor was relentless in his assault. Eventually the memory surfaced, making his heart ache.

The Goblins had been mad at his Mom for what she did to their bank and they came after her in broad daylight. They didn't care that Teddy was with her, one of the few times she brought him outside of the wards at his Grandma's place. They had gone out to Sydenham Hill Wood in London when they were attacked. His Mom was quick at casting curses and throwing weapons at them, but they fought as a unit, wearing her down. Desperate to keep him safe, his Mom pulled her Cloak over him and flooded him with magic over their bond. The next thing he knew his Mom had a spear sticking out of her chest as she pushed him away. She led the goblins further away from him as she snapped the ends of the spear against the trees, before she retaliated, leaving several goblins impaled behind her, many going still as blood stained the ground beneath them. Then his Mom screamed. He ran to her under the cloak and felt his legs give out from underneath him at the sight of her injured body. His Mom had been caught in a ward, the Goblins having impaled her extremities to the ground as soon as they could. He watched them tie ropes to her before one of the Goblins raised an Axe. He remembered screaming. The next thing he knew was his mother was cradling him in her arms, her face covered in tears. He never bothered to ask her why she was covered in blood. The memory's end ripped him out of the Dementor's loop.

Steadied by the thought his Mom would never leave him, even in the face of death or worse, Teddy raised his wand towards the creature. An image of his Mom, utterly happy and smiling at him filled his mind, her laugh filling his ears and warming his heart. The few times he saw her in that state were the happiest moments of his life. "Expecto Patronum." Teddy felt the drain instantly as a shield of light magic filled the space between him and the others. He pushed forward, forcing the Dementor to retreat into the hallway of the train, even as he felt his arm shaking. He felt his vision blurring but he pushed harder, supporting his wand arm with the other one. He then heard another voice, it's power shaking him to his core. "Expecto Patronum!" He dropped his shield as his vision was filled with the bright light of his Mom's Patronus, his exhaustion almost melting away. He sat on the floor as screeches of pain from the Dementors filled the air. The light passed over him several times, each one filling him with joy. He managed to stand up when the Patronus returned, now the size of a little bird. It landed in his outstretched hand and growled playfully at him. "Hey Aithusa. Thanks for pushing them away." Teddy sat on his seat as everyone else did the same, the danger now gone as the train began moving again, their eyes on the white dragon in his hands.

Neville stared at it. "How? It was the size of the train earlier." Teddy rubbed the partly physical patronus on its head, earning a purr in return. "Mom can channel the magic into it better, changing its size and even making it solid." Hermione closer. "Is that… a dragon? It looks weird." Teddy winced as Aithusa turned around and growled and hissed at Hermione before it dissipated. "Ah, never say that to Aithusa. She's sensitive about the way she looks." Neville's eyes widened. "It's sentient?" Teddy shrugged. "Honestly? I'm not sure. I think she has a bit of Mom's personality. She's aware enough she knows to avoid people and is only playful with me. I don't even know if Mom does it on purpose." The door to the cabin slammed open and Hazel looked inside. "Everyone ok here?" Teddy and the rest nodded, with Neville adding in a few words. "Teddy shielded us with his Patronus for a bit before yours flew by and chased the Dementors." Hazel growled. "That's the last time I negotiate with those creatures. I wasted too much time trying to get them to leave." Hazel dug into her jacket pocket and pulled out some bars of chocolate. "Eat these. It helps with the aftereffects. I need to go check with… everyone else." Hermione blushed under Hazel's sudden scrutiny.

"Miss Granger, step closer." Hermione moved out of her seat and approached Hazel, who drew her wand. Teddy noticed it was her Holly wand and remembered she was hiding her Elder Wand from Dumbledore. She waved it over Hermione before she sighed and dug in her other pocket before pulling out a vial. "This is a Calming Draught. Take it if you feel the onslaught of a panic attack or ask one of the other's to empty it into your mouth if you can't do it yourself. You are to check in with Madam Pomfrey as soon as you are inside the castle. The Dementors effects may have pulled some memories loose that you aren't interested in revisiting again. I will call the Mind Healers to see you and the rest of the students in the morning." Hermione nodded and sat down as Hazel kneeled in front of Teddy. They stared at each other for a second before she leaned forward and kissed him on the forehead. "You did good today. Please try and stay safe. Dora wont forgive me if I wreck the Castle because you boys get into more trouble." Teddy giggled. "I promise." Hazel turned to Harry and nodded at him. "You too. I have been on the receiving end of a mad Tonks and a Black before. I don't need a repeat." Harry nodded. "I'll stay safe. Promise." Hazel sighed and stepped out of the cabin. "See you all at the Sorting."

-∞-

"There you are. I was wondering where you went." Teddy smiled at the young blonde. "A pleasure to see you too, Astoria. How was your ride on the Express?" Astoria huffed, her hands on her waist. "Stuffy. My sister didn't leave me out of her sight." A girl giggled. "Already itching to step out of Daphne's shadow, what would she say?" A brown haired girl with blue eyes grinned as another identical girl scrutinized Teddy. "And to complain about it with a boy, what would the others say?" Astoria sighed and rubbed her eyes, waving her hand at the identical looking girls. "Ted, these are Flora and Hestia Carrow. They are being sorted with us." Teddy curtsied to them and blew on their knuckles. "A pleasure to meet you, ladies. Edward Peverell." The two brunettes blinked before they turned and narrowed their eyes at Astoria. "A gentleman, in a sea of kids." The other continued. "Has little Astoria already made her claim?" Astoria blushed. "No, but he is off limits to you two." The girls giggled. "Oh what fun, sister." The other responded. "What fun indeed. Come, Mr. Peverell, would you kindly lead three ladies to a boat?" Teddy blushed slightly. "If you will have me." The Carrows grinned together and spoke in stereo. "Oh, well taught indeed."

Teddy helped Astoria and the twins onto their boat before joining them. He went through quite a bit of teasing until the Castle appeared in view. Teddy had to admit it was beautiful, yet somehow the ruins of The Isle of the Blessed seemed more so, as a place preserved in quiet, ethereal beauty. He had helped his Mom replant some of the flowers they recovered from their world and resealed them properly a few times, making sure they were ok. He wanted to study them one day, maybe with Professor Sprout's help, as it was the only other living thing that remained of their world. As they approached the dock, he used a bit of wandless magic to steady a boat that almost tipped over before they arrived safely at the docks. Astoria pulled him a bit aside as they walked up the stairs. "Careful with those two. They love to tease. They were awfully bored at home since their parents were sent to Azkaban. I met them through our homeschool tutors when they decided the girls needed to meet some other kids their own age." Teddy nodded. "I gathered. Mom made sure to warn me about people teasing me to get a reaction." Astoria hummed. "Daphne did the same. I am about to break expectations, so she's worried about how everyone will treat me." Teddy squeezed her hand. "You know I will be happy to help." Astoria smiled. "Thanks. Enjoy your own little storm."

Waiting just outside the Great Hall was interrupted by a group of ghosts who flew about them, describing their old houses. A few looked at Teddy oddly and he wondered if they could feel the Peverell Magic in him. His Mom wasn't sure how they would react to it. The Peverells were tied to Death in some way, they both knew that, but there was little to nothing else about them, as the connection happened a full three generations before the main line ended abruptly. The fact there were no other Family Magics in this world had been a concern as well, something Croaker had placed a team in the DoM to study, getting almost nothing but vague references in return. Hearing McGonagall call them to the Great Hall, Teddy did his calming exercises as everyone else was staring up at the enchanted ceiling. Eventually the Sorting Hat stopped its song and McGonagall started calling out names. "Flora Carrow." Teddy watched as one of the twins sat on the stool and the hat placed on the head. A minute later it shouted. "Slytherin!" Hestia was called next and was also sorted into Slytherin, both to little fanfare. "Astoria Greengrass." Teddy watched as Astoria sat with the Hat on her head for three minutes before it shouted. "Ravenclaw!"

The Ravenclaw table gave a loud response as Astoria joined them, while half of the Slytherins looked on with clear surprise. Teddy made a note to remember the faces of those who looked displeased. The sorting continued until it happened. "Edward Peverell." Teddy walked steadily forward, feeling his mother's magic reach out to him through their bond in comfort. He caught a few conversations as he walked up to the seat, probably from children of magical families. Other than the few he heard, the hall was very quiet. "Peverell? As in the Dark Wizard Hunters of legend?" … "Didn't their line go extinct centuries ago?" … "He sorta looks like Harry Potter." … "Look at those purple eyes." … "He's going to be a heartbreaker." Teddy breathed deeply as he sat on the stool before the Sorting Hat was placed on his head. Oh, what do we have here? That's a nasty defence someone placed in your head. If I were made of flesh and blood, I might be needing a Healer's attention. Mind if I look inside, young man? Teddy relaxed as he remembered what his mother taught him about the mental shields she placed on him. The Hat slipped in as he lowered them down. My, my. You have come a long way, haven't you, young man. Lupin, Tonks, Black, Potter and now Peverell. All you but the latter two more so, by your own choice too. You have much potential in you, and I don't say that simply because of who your parents are. And by that I mean all of them.

Teddy felt the eyes of the Hall on him, but he also felt his mother touch the Hat through their bond. The hat sensed her. Well protected, aren't you? What I see of her through you is interesting. You are so alike, yet so different. With you I too have a bit of trouble sorting, but because you have traits of three of the houses in such great quantities. You have the nobility of heart and spirit of a Lion, brave enough to face danger head on, especially when it concerns your family. Godric would have liked you. You have some cunning, but your ambitions are subtle and understated. Salazar wouldn't know what to do with you. You thirst for knowledge. A good book and a quiet night are a part of you. Rowena would have welcomed you warmly. But we both know where you belong, don't we? Your loyalty is not freely given, but to those who hold it, it is absolute. You have seen your mother struggle and suffer but you have seen her succeed where all others would have failed. You know the lesson she paid for dearly because she has shown it to you freely, in the hope you may never suffer as she did. Keep it close, young man. Hard work will follow and there will be struggles, but you will prevail in… "Hufflepuff!" The Hall seemed to sputter as the Hufflepuffs clapped warmly while the other houses looked partly confused. Those that knew the name probably expected a Gryffindor or a Slytherin out of him.

Moving down the side of the Hufflepuff table, he sat close to the Prefect. The boy smiled at him. "Welcome to Hufflepuff. My name's Cedric Diggory, Prefect and Quidditch Captain." Teddy remembered his name. His Mom mentioned him once in passing, about the events of the next year. He smiled. "Edward Peverell, a pleasure." Cedric shook his offered hand. "You were a bit of a Hat stall, but I suppose being the first Peverell in centuries here would leave even the Hat unsure what to do." Teddy shrugged, as he raised the defences in his mind back up. "My family has had people in all the houses, so no one should be surprised. We were never too stuck in following a specific set of characteristics as others tend to do." Feeling the defences securely in place, he dared to look at the Staff Table. Professor Snape was easy to recognize and he had to bite back a snarl as his eyes spotted Remus Lupin. He smiled at Professor's Sprout and Flitwick before he made his expression unreadable as he looked at Albus Dumbledore. He knew the man her mother cursed at repeatedly and he could see that there seemed to be some reason to doubt the man in this world too. His chair was austentatious and gaudy compared to the rest and he wore robes that screamed Wizard to anyone who saw him. His eyes caught on him for a second before he felt his barriers being touched.

Teddy smirked as the man winced in pain. The defences his mother found and applied to both of them were designed to be violent and aggressive on intrusions. The better and stronger the Legilimens intrusion, the more damage they suffered. The old man was lucky he didn't try harder. Beside him was McGonagall and to the end he saw who he assumed was Hagrid. At his side were two people he was happy to see. The Sorting completed, Dumbledore walked up and stood on the Speaker's Stand, his head shaking as to clear away the headache he had acquired. "Welcome all to another year at Hogwarts. I have a few announcements to make. Firstly, Professor Kettleburn has officially retired, wishing to leave before he suffered any further loss of limbs. In his place, please welcome Professor Grubbly-Plank, who will be teaching Care of Magical Creatures from this year forward. Secondly, please welcome Professor Remus Lupin, our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. Best of luck, Professor. A few starting of year reminders. The far corridor in the Dungeons is off limits as the Chamber of Secrets remains under study by order of the Ministry. The Forbidden Forest remains forbidden to all students. We also have one final announcement to make."

The Great Hall went silent as they watched the Headmaster. "As you all experienced, the area beyond the Hogwarts grounds will be guarded by the Dementors of Azkaban. They will remain in place until Sirius Black is arrested by the Ministry. Please be wary. They are among the most dangerous creatures and are not known to be forgiving once angered." Teddy felt the students talk amongst themselves as Dumbledore sighed. Teddy smiled, knowing what was coming. "Due to the danger posed to the students by Black and and the Dementors, the DMLE has posted two Aurors to the school for the duration of the year, or until the fugitive has been caught. The rotation may shift, but the two primary Aurors are here with us today. They will also be hosting Dueling Club meetings every week, one for each academic tier of study. Fridays will be NEWT students, Mondays will be OWL students and Wednesdays will be first and second years. All students are free to participate or not at their discretion. There will be no academic reward beyond House Points for those participating. I now leave you with a few words from them."

Teddy watched as his Mom walked up and stood at the center of the raised platform, her voice echoing across the Hall. "To all students, please be sure to report any unusual happenings around the school to myself or my partner. This includes unusual behaviour from the Dementors. These are dangerous creatures that prey on the most vulnerable. All those who have had a difficult childhood, a traumatic memory or a grave loss are to be especially wary. Contrary to popular belief, the Dementors do not feed on happy memories. They seek the worst you have within you and force you to relive it as long as possible, feeding on the pain and suffering you endure as the memory repeats itself. One of the final expectations of the Club will be the successful casting of a Patronus Charm. Until then, please come to us for aid." Hazel drew her Holly wand, which Quetz had altered slightly with softly carved druidic swirls, to be less recognizable. "Expecto Patronum." A large skeletal dragon flew across the roof of the Great Hall, silencing everyone and spreading its pleasant aura around, deafening everyone with a decent roar, before it dissipated. Everyone turned their gaze back to her, now convinced a bit as to her power, many remembering seeing said dragon on the train. Hazel eyed all of them. "I don't expect everyone to have a fully Corporeal Patronus, let alone one of that size, by the end of the year, but I will try my best to teach the spell to you all. Now, I believe we should introduce ourselves."

Dora came forth and Hazel pointed at her. "This is Hit Witch Tonks. For those who know her first name, good for you. Don't repeat it within earshot of her." Some of the older students chuckled, as well as a few of the teachers. Hazel looked over the students. "As for me, I am Hit Witch Hazel Peverell. Yes, that Peverell. Yes I am a Dark Witch or Wizard Hunter and currently employed by the Ministry. I am a survivor of the last war and I will make this clear. I will not tolerate discrimination, belittling or bullying of any student, regardless of the reason, in my presence. If you are from an ancient family or the first magical born child in your family, you are both the same to me. If your family has a history of noble deeds or your parents were former Death Eaters, I will treat you the same until you give me a reason to do otherwise. I am here to see to your safety and the safe capture of a fugitive, I am not here to give a damn about your parents Vault size. If you want to learn from me, prove you are not going to become a future problem for me to solve. I have the intention of beating Alastor Moody's record in all regards, including his body count. That should tell you what you need to know. Stay safe, be respectful and I will see a few of you on Friday."

The Hall remained silent for a few minutes after Hazel walked off the platform and sat besides Hagrid. Teddy had a smile on his face as he watched Dora and Hazel argue for a second before Dora gave up and started eating. Cedric tapped his shoulder after a bit. "I have a distinct impression that she is related to you." Teddy chuckled. "Yup, that's my Mom." The table went silent as they looked at him. "How good is she as a teacher?" Teddy smiled, drew his wand and silently summoned a loaf of bread from down the table. He started cutting into it with a knife. "Pretty good. I got a bit of a crash course because things were rough for a while at home but the last few years I was able to learn a bit more. Mom was working on teaching me wandless magic lately. It's harder than it looks." Cedric closed his jaw, as did most of the students. "Well, I don't suppose we have anything to worry about. We all thought we were getting another Lockhart." Teddy shuddered. "I wouldn't compare her to him. She will take that personally. She has a habit of not lying so she meant every word of what she said. Now you all know what you are signing up for with her as an instructor." Cedric eyed the two Hit Witches. "Good to know."

-∞-

Teddy got pulled into a hug by Susan as soon as the orientation for first years ended within the Hufflepuff Common Room, the chamber warmly decorated in yellow tapestries and dark, almost black woods. "Yes, we got Ted. See, I told you he wasn't a Gryffindor." Teddy blushed as Hannah sighed. "Damn, I have a few Galleons to give out. His Mom can be such a Gryffindor at times I thought for sure he would get dragged there. Especially as Harry's cousin." Teddy pulled away and shook his head. "Nope, I am Badger through and through." Teddy watched as Professor Sprout came closer, a smile on her face. "Well, I am glad to have you here, Mr. Peverell. These two talked about you a bit in June. Now, out of curiosity, do you have an owl or a bird? Due to our placement in the Dungeons, we and Slytherin have our own smaller Owleries a few floors above us, up the stairs just outside the Common Room entrance. You can send your bird there." Teddy nodded. "Sure, Nova will like that." Susan blinked at him. "Oh, you finally got an owl? What was it?" Teddy blushed. "Nova isn't an Owl. We found her at the Ballycotton Magical Sanctuary in Ireland. She's probably flying around the Castle, getting a feel for the place."

Before Susan could ask anymore, the Common Room door opened up and Hazel walked in. Teddy hugged her as soon as she was inside. "Hi Mom." Hazel ruffled his hair. "Hello Teddy, congratulations on making it to Hufflepuff." Hazel pulled out an envelope and handed it Sprout. "McGonagall has a copy but I wanted you to have one too. My son's legal protections as covered by the Ministry and Hogwarts Treaties, as well as the Hogwarts Charter." Sprout shook her head as she took it, eyeing the other two ladies. "Lots of families don't seem to trust the school anymore." Hazel hummed as the two girls looked apologetic to their Head of House. "Are you really surprised, after last year? As an Auror, especially the lead Auror for the case, I know you had a few of the girls who were assaulted by Lockhart." Sprout sighed. "No, I don't suppose I can blame any of you. I imagine you will be handling any other improprieties?" Hazel nodded. "As far as the law allows or what Dora lets me get away with." Sprout chuckled. "What times we are in when Nymphadora Tonks is considered the voice of reason in a partnership. Still, it's good to see her again. She looks much more confident than when I saw her last."

Hazel smiled. "I'll send her your way for a chat. Also, if you know her old haunts in the Castle, it would be appreciated." Sprout nodded. "I'll let you know." Hazel kissed Teddy on the head. "You three take care of each other." Teddy nodded and Hazel looked at Susan and Hannah. "See you two on Monday. I want you to show the other kids what you have learned, at least up to Owl level." Susan pouted. "No conjuration?" Hazel smirked. "You can practice at your own time. Now if you excuse me, I have a patrol around the Hogwarts perimeter and a few Dementors to yell at for their stunt on the train. I think I will let them have some more time getting acquainted with Aithusa. See you all around." Hazel watched the Hufflepuff Common Room door close as she started doing her rounds. Checking the wards at the Chamber entrance were still untampered, Hazel ventured out into the grounds, feeling the chill in the night's air from the Dementors. She was glad the bastards never seemed to tug on her mind much anymore. Her own first experience with them had left her in hysterics as she was forced to remember the bloody mirror and the false image it showed her.

A soft screech made her look up, the noise dissipating a bit of her dark thoughts. A white eagle-like bird with horizontal golden stripes in its plumage landed on her shoulder and bit into her hair. Hazel pouted. "You know, when I went looking for a Familiar for Teddy, I wasn't expecting you to baby me." Teddy's familiar gave her a merry shrill that made Hazel sigh. "Fine, but you are Teddy's familiar. You keep him safe before worrying about me. I don't care what he orders otherwise until he is of age. After that, you can ignore my orders." The bird gave her a happy shrill before it took flight again. Hazel kept her eyes on it. She had a distinct feeling the magical bird was going to be bugging her a lot in her life but she couldn't blame it. Its bonding with Teddy had been a surprise to everyone, as the people of the island reserve had been looking after the bird for centuries. It simply flew away from the island almost weekly and returned, never satisfied. That it accepted Teddy yet could still interact well with her was something she ascribed to their Family Magic and how it was interacting with the bird. At least she knew Teddy was in safe hands. Nova would look after her son at Hogwarts while Hazel did her own part in keeping everyone else safe. Even from meddling old goats.

-∞-

Dumbledore sat, feeling far too tired for the first night of the new Hogwarts academic year. He had arrived at the school as soon as the Wizengamot meeting had concluded. And what a disaster that had been. The Assembly started like any other day until the Scribe spoke up, saying there were outstanding requests to be considered. An empty Seat from the Ancient Families section was requested and its reinstatement had been approved. Dumbledore had sighed at the time. "Very well, may the Head of House or their Proxy enter to claim their seat." He watched as Theodore Tonks entered the Chamber, several folders in his hand. "Good day everyone, I am here as Proxy to claim the vote and seat of my sponsor." Dumbledore frowned and looked at Narcissa, sitting quietly as the Proxy for the House of Black. Ted Tonks shouldn't have any other political families tied to him. He waved him closer. "Present your proof and the ring." Ted handed him a folder and showed that he was wearing a wooden ring on his finger. Dumbledore visibly paled. Only the truly Ancient Houses used wooden rings, though most had updated them to metal, but what made him pale was the emblem on it. Ted spoke up for the Chamber. "I stand as the appointed Proxy to the Ancient House of Peverell, now restored after centuries of silence."

The gathered witches and wizards started murmuring to each other, the more traditionalists looking worried. The Peverells had a reputation prior to the legend that claimed their end: Hunters of Dark Wizards and Witches. They were known as the contradiction. A family that studied and wielded the Dark Arts as a counter to all those who dared harm the people of Wizarding Britain. The Sacred Twenty Eight were only that number because the Peverells had gone out of their way to eradicate several families prior to the naming of the list over their centuries worth of slaughters. Dumbledore looked over the documents and sighed. Everything was in order and the ring, possibly among the oldest Proxy rings in the Chamber, was genuine. "Very well. The Wizengamot recognizes the return of the House of Peverell. You may take your seat." Ted smiled at him and presented another folder. "I am afraid I have more to deliver. Due to my house's relations with other families, a few irregularities were found. The House of Peverell wishes to file an injunction, demanding the Proxy of the House of Black be removed and the Seat left vacant." Lucius Malfoy stood up. "House Malfoy objects. The Proxy for House Black is perfectly legal." Dumbledore sighed and looked at Ted Tonks. "On what grounds?"

Theodore placed the folder in front of Dumbledore. "The House of Black Proxy was selected after the death of Arcturus Black at the request of House Malfoy, since their son was the expected Heir. Recent events reveal that the assumption was false. The Heir to the House of Black and Lord Presumptive remains Sirius Orion Black." The Chamber erupted into chaos as Dumbledore tried to silence them. Minister Fudge stood up. "Sirius Black is a convicted Mass Murderer. He lost any right to his family's seat." Ted looked at the Minister. "Really? According to the files, you yourself were at the scene. Tell me, Minister, were you summoned to present your testimony? Did you see that this Chamber sentenced him to Azkaban?" The Minister frowned. "I… no. I did not." Dumbledore stared at the Tonks Solicitor, feeling a mounting dread, as the man spoke up again. "As per the laws of this Chamber, a Lord or Heir cannot lose their claim to their seat and vote if they haven't been charged, tried and found guilty by the Assembly. Sirius Black was sent to Azkaban without any of that." Barty Crouch Senior stood up from his seat. "The law allowed for that at the time!" Ted nodded. "It did, in the case of sending criminals to Azkaban. Not for dismissing them from their seats. No such law was passed."

The Chamber descended into discussion as Theodore looked at Dumbledore. Sighing, Dumbledore read through the injunction and the provided evidence. Everything was in order. Madam Bones stood up. "The DMLE has reviewed the law and agrees. Despite Sirius Black's imprisonment, he remains entitled to his position as Heir and Lord Presumptive." Dumbledore looked up and was surprised to see Narcissa Malfoy standing up. "I recognize the law and my cousin's legal claim and step down from my position." Lucius looked flabbergasted as Narcissa left the chamber. Dumbledore sighed. "Very well, the Seat for the House of Black is to remain empty until the matter of Sirius Black's heirship is settled." He hammered the gavel onto the desk and was about to continue when Ted Tonks handed him another folder. Dumbledore felt a headache building. "What now, Proxy of House Peverell?" Ted smiled at him. "An injunction against you, Chief Warlock and Proxy of House Potter. Madam Bones." Amelia came over and took the folder. As she looked through it, Ted Tonks addressed the Chamber. "The House of Peverell recognizes Harry Potter as a descendant and a member of the family and as such checked his legal status. They discovered that he was illegally placed in a home declared by the Potter Will as unsuitable for him by one Albus Dumbledore, who also took over as Magical Guardian without notifying all other named candidates."

Dumbledore bristled. "The Potter Will was sealed by order of the Ministry. Opening it without authorization is a crime, Mr. Tonks." Ted eyed him. "Are you saying that my description is accurate, Chief Warlock, and that there is indeed a will? Because you testified to no such will existing before this chamber when you took the Proxy Seat." Dumbledore paled as the Chamber turned to him. "No, of course not." Ted hummed. "Then why is Amelia Bones in possession of a will from Gringotts and that Gringotts itself denotes there to be an updated will at the Ministry?" Dumbledore felt the entire Chamber staring at him as he realized he fell into a trap. "The end of the war was a dangerous time, Mr. Tonks. Your family was not a safe place to care for the child." Theodore smiled with a bit of anger in his eyes. "And the family you selected was not fit to raise one either. Your argument is also moot as my daughter graduated with honors and is currently employed by the Ministry. My home was plenty safe and capable of raising a child." Amelia closed the folder. "The Proxy of House Peverell has submitted ample evidence to support his claim. Due to a conflict of interest, I order the removal of Albus Dumbledore from his position as Proxy to House Potter and as Magical Guardian to Harry Potter. Ted and Andromeda Tonks are named as Interim Guardians until the investigation is concluded, with the Seat to remain vacant."

The Wizengamot Chamber carried on with its regular duties after that, with Ted Tonks using his legal expertise to question and essentially derail several laws that would have been beneficial to the Traditionalists and seemed to be fair in wording only, while helping to push through the massive Judicial Reform bill. The vote was exceedingly chaotic, but with just enough for a majority, the bill passed. Dumbledore then came back to the Castle, hoping to relax with the Sorting, only to be given two more surprises. The Witch who had barred him from the Hospital Wing was one of the lead Aurors assigned to the safety of the school, the other being Nymphadora Tonks. He had hoped to cultivate a relationship with the Metamorphmagus as Alastor's protégé, but the woman took her career elsewhere. When Minerva called out the name of Edward Peverell he had almost choked on a lemon drop. Dumbledore's attempt to read the boy's mind only resulted in him getting a headache, which was compounded when the White Haired Witch introduced herself. Hazel Peverell, a self described Dark Wizard Hunter. Dumbledore had wanted to scream in frustration. He fingered his wand, wondering if the Witch knew he carried it. He hoped not. The legend of the Master of Death may not have explicitly stated it but many believed only a Peverell could claim the mantle. Now… now there were two of them in his castle.

The documents Minerva dropped onto his desk confirmed the worst. Both Harry Potter and Edward Peverell were legally excluded from In Loco Parentis by all staff members. Their Guardians needed to be informed the moment something happened to them that wasn't a point deduction. Hazel Peverell had been granted In Loco Parentis over Harry Potter and was the parent of Edward. Everything now had to go through her. Dumbledore sighed and pulled out his papers on the Tournament. The boy would likely take part in the Dueling Club, meaning he lost Remus as a tutor and influence over him. Lupin's status as a werewolf also denied him any right to the boy under the current laws. He could only appeal to the boy's need for family. Dumbledore began to continue his revisions. He now had two full priorities as the events in the Wizengamot stripped him of any influence over the boy. The Triwizard Tournament was absolutely necessary to test him and he needed to uncover who Hazel Peverell was. She was clearly too dangerous to leave as an unknown.

Chapter 30: Difficult Lessons

Chapter Text

Teddy sat down and sighed beside Harry at the Gryffindor Table as they enjoyed their Monday Lunch. Harry smiled at him. "Trouble with the Badgers already?" Teddy frowned. "No, Hufflepuff is great. Mom taught me the silencing and deafening charms so I can ignore the snores from my dorm mates." Neville choked on his lunch. "Please teach us those. Ron and Seamus are bloody loud." Ron went "Oy!" and Harry chuckled at his friend. "Neville is right, Ron. You'd wake up the dead." Harry turned to Teddy. "What's keeping you on this side of the Hall, then?" Teddy looked to the other end. "Astoria and the Carrow Twins. The Twins have been teasing me mercilessly, trying to see when I break. Astoria keeps yelling at them to leave." Neville chuckled. "Let me guess, the Badgers are letting you deal with your girl trouble on your own." Teddy slumped the table. "No, Susan and Hannah simply refuse to be out done by first year students. They are teasing me too. Cedric just looks on and tells me to deal with it." Harry padded him on the back. "I think I dodged a bullet, not being raised a pureblood. I don't know what I'd do with that much female attention."

Neville eyed Harry. "You know half of that is the fact the Chasers look out for you, right? Angelina, Alicia and Katie practically glare the others away." Harry blushed. "Remind me to thank them later." Harry dug into his meal as he saw Angelina and Oliver coming over. "Hey Harry. We'll be doing a rotating practice schedule for a bit. Make sure you keep those exercises though. If Instructor Peverell keeps her Club time similar for you guys, she'll be having you run quite a bit." Harry nodded and Teddy looked over at them from the table. "How was Mom?" Oliver looked between them for a bit. "I swear you could be brothers minus the eyes." Teddy shifted his eyes to green. "Better?" Wood stared at him as Angelina chuckled and ruffled his hair. "There is first year Harry again. Though a bit less scrawny." Teddy's eyes shifted back to purple. "Well?" Oliver shook his head. "Your Mom is something else. The Club for NEWT is mostly Auror Academy hopefuls and a few others. She took them all on, one by one, and left them all on the ground stunned. Tonks kept score and time. She gave them all tips on what to improve and how much exercise to do."

Teddy smiled. "Yup, that's Mom. She likes practical lessons. How did you two do?" Wood shook his head. "Oh, no. I just watched. Angelina went for it. Last less than a minute." Angelina pouted. "Alicia dared me! I thought my shield could last. Instead Peverell summoned my shoes and stunned me on the ground." Harry blinked. "Huh, sounds like a useful trick. We will have her later today." Oliver chuckled. "Well, best of luck. The teachers were there to watch her and Professor Flitwick looked giddy as hell." Angelina laughed. "The retired Champion probably wants to test his skills against her. He must be so bored after years as a Charms Professor and Peverell is probably the type to keep up with him, if his skills are about the same as years earlier. Anyway, I am starving. See you later. And you. Don't have the Potters gift for flying. We need Hufflepuff to just have Cedric as their star." Teddy shuddered. "I won't be on a broom. Mom had a meltdown last time I flew one. I was six and I might have gone too high up in the air." Angelina ruffled his hair. "Good. Gryffindor got the Trophy last year and we want to keep it. Later." Teddy looked at Harry a few minutes after the older students went to sit down further out on the table. "You had Care today, right? What was it like?"

Harry hummed as he bit a slice of toast. "I thought it was fine. We stayed inside for the first class, going over the importance of the class and the jobs that hold an OWL and a NEWT as a requirement. She then went over the Ministry classifications and mentioned we would be getting to handle X to XXX Creatures through to our OWLs, with maybe getting a XXXX towards our fifth year. The NEWT courses are the ones that deal with XXXX creatures exclusively and then train people for how to handle the XXXXX creatures." Teddy frowned. "Darn, that's a long time to get to Griffins and Dragons." Ron shook his head. "He sounds like Charlie. He couldn't wait to get to the wizard killers." Teddy dug into his meal but noticed Harry looked sadly at Hagrid. "What?" Harry sighed. "Hagrid was hoping to get the job for Care, but the Board's regulations stopped him. He doesn't have an OWL and a NEWT in the course, since he got expelled, so he can't teach it. He says he will be helping Grubbly-Plank with the animals but he wanted to try to teach the course."

Teddy hummed and looked at the Half-Giant. "He can request to take the tests at the Ministry. After that he could maybe get an Apprenticeship with Professor Grubbly-Plank." Harry looked at Teddy. "He got expelled." Teddy nodded. "Yeah, Mom told me. She also told me the case was reopened and his charges were dismissed. He can take his OWLs and NEWTs at his own pace now and go get a proper wand again. Didn't the school notify him?" Harry turned to Dumbledore, feeling something in him shift slightly as he thought about the Headmaster. Maybe Hazel had a point about him. "I don't think so. I'll let him know after lunch. When can he take them?" Teddy thought about what his Mom said. "I think it's December and May at the Ministry. Mom took hers in December." Teddy smiled. "She skipped Care though, saying that she was sure the evaluators wouldn't like her tendency to focus on how to kill the creatures." Harry frowned. "Why did she focus on that?" Teddy brought his hands up and counted with his fingers. "Dementors, Acromantulas, two Trolls, two Dragons, two Basilisks, a Direbear, a pack of Direwolves, a black panther she has no idea how it found her and one Barghest. She ran into them all and most of them tried to kill her. She kind of took that personally."

Harry turned to the empty seats where Hazel and Dora would be sitting if they came for lunch. So far they would show up in shifts, with Hazel in the mornings, Dora in the afternoons and neither at lunch. "Ok, I can't blame her. I saw that Basilisk in the Chamber and I don't have a clue how to fight that thing." Teddy nodded and raised a slight privacy ward. "Mom actually hated killing that Basilisk. She said she talked to snakes a bit as a kid in the garden so she had a bit of a soft spot for snakes, but she could never get them to obey her. The first Basilisk tried to kill her in full force. The blackish green jacket she usually wears is made from its hide and scales. It's also a gift she got from her Godmother." Harry nodded and went back to eating before it was time to head to class, with Teddy dropping the ward. Harry found Runes to be a lot more interesting and he took plenty of notes. He still had his Mom's notes as well and he wondered if she had any tricks to learning Runes better. Eventually the time came for him and the other OWL students to gather in the Great Hall for Hazel's Dueling Course. He noticed a few of the Slytherins showed up. Blaise looked really interested and Theo looked calm. Harry knew that Theo started getting some lessons from Hazel earlier this summer along with the girls and Neville, so he was probably confident, more so than Harry felt. He also noticed all the Heads of Houses and Professors Lupin and Dumbledore were in attendance.

Hazel stood at the raised platform, her boot tapping on the ground as her arms were crossed. "Welcome everyone to your OWL level Dueling Club meeting. As mentioned by the Headmaster, you will be seeing me here on Mondays if you are interested. You can also show up and watch the NEWT meetings on Friday, for those curious as to what it takes to do well at the Academy. Dora behind me had the pleasure of leaving a good amount of the Cadets and Academy Staff stunned on the ground so she will be the one evaluating things from a more academic view, while I handle your practical evaluation. Now, my first suggestion for everyone here is to take between thirty minutes to an hour of your time everyday to have a jog or a run either on the grounds, the Quidditch pitch or through the hallways. We will do a few warm up exercises here when we get further into developing your skills. The point of all this exercise is to build up stamina. Professor Flitwick can probably tell you the thing all Duelists lack the most is stamina, with common sense being a close second." Harry watched the diminutive professor grin at that. Hazel paced in front of the students. "The better your stamina, the better your chances to avoid a fight in the real world, dodge a rampaging creature, or avoid a bottle of liquor being thrown at you at a bar." The students chuckled at that. Hazel eyed the professors at the back. "Dueling Champion Flitwick, would you join me up here please? I want the students to get a proper demonstration."

As Filius moved towards the front, Dumbledore interjected. "Wouldn't your partner be a better challenger?" Hazel stared at him for a second. "If I wanted everyone here to learn choreography, sure. My partner and I have been practicing together for a while now. We have gotten to the point where we anticipate each other's moves. Not a proper display of skill, I am afraid." Dora blushed and glared at Hazel. "You say that despite winning all our bouts." Hazel waved her comment off. "Again, not a proper display of skill. Don't worry Headmaster, we will stick to OWL level spells only. Though I think keeping up the silent casting is fine as fifth years are expected to get started on that towards the end of the year." The fifth year students paled at that as Filius stood opposite her. "At begin." Filius nodded and the two took their positions. Dora looked between them as the students came closer to get a better look. "Three, two, one. Begin!" The collective mouths of the students dropped, with the exception of Hazel's tutored students. Hazel waved her wand around and practically glided around the platform, dodging every spell Flitwick sent her way. She took to the air a few times, casting stunners and binding spells at the Professor.

The Charms Master sliced through all the ropes and shielded plenty of stunners. Hazel lowered her center of gravity by spreading her legs further and forced Filius to adjust as her spells were coming from a lower angle. Hazel then tried the trick she used on a few students and summoned an article of clothing, in the Professor's case his jacket. The Quarter Goblin yelped as he got pulled closer before dispelling the charm but Hazel countered with two banishing spells, one hitting him and the other launching her forward and over his head. Landing behind the man, she started casting more binding spells and stunners, forcing Flitwick to cycle between cutting charms and shields. Hazel tried a different approach and levitated his shoes, causing the Professor to yelp again before he dispelled it. Deciding to end the fight, Hazel went for a chain casting of stunner and banishing spells before surreptitiously sending a binding spell and banisher straight at his legs. The ropes latched on but he was more distracted by the banisher to dispel them before she levitated the bindings, sending him high in the air feet first before a stunner took him out.

Hazel released a heavy breath as the Hall stayed silent, while she lowered and revived the Charms Master. "And that is how two Duelists can take an OWL curriculum of spells, charms and hexes and use them in a serious fight." The Charms Professor came up to her and offered her his hand. "Miss Peverell, if you need a different training partner every once in a while, just ask. I haven't had that much fun in decades." Hazel nodded. "Sure, I am sure Dora would welcome the challenge as well." Dora rubbed her face. "I am going to regret this assignment." Turning back to the students, Hazel smiled. "I am sure some of you were expecting to see more curses, but you don't exactly need to use them in a Duel. As I said, this was limited by the fifth year and OWL curriculum. I won't be teaching anyone here any new spells beyond OWL level except for the Patronus Charm. What I will be teaching you is how to use the spells Professors McGonagall, Flitwick and Lupin will be teaching you to their full capability. You will also learn better magical restraint, as I am sure most of you would have passed out by the amount of spells I used. Lastly, I will get you started on silent and point casting. These are all useful techniques everywhere, so if you stick around, you might find your usual classes to be a lot less difficult."

Motioning for Dora to come up, Hazel summoned a bottle of water with her bare hand. Her pink haired partner spoke up. "Alright, we are going by year. Third year students, up front. We will start by seeing what spells everyone knows and work from there." Harry wasn't surprised when Susan, Daphne, Neville and Theo cast the spells perfectly, matching many of the fifth years, though she noticed they all held back a little. Harry personally tried a lot harder and his spells came out well, though Hazel tapped his shoulder. "You are going to need some magical control practice. Your spells were overpowered. Useful at times, but ultimately more trouble for you." Harry, feeling winded, could only agree. He sat down and Susan joined him. He smirked. "Got overzealous?" Susan stuck out her tongue playfully at him. "So did you!" Harry blushed. "I felt a little envious I guess. You all got to practice with her for far longer than I did." Susan smiled softly at him. "I guess I can see that. She's your family and you've only known her for a few weeks." Harry looked back at Hazel and felt his heart warm up a bit. He had family and they were here at Hogwarts with him. He couldn't be happier.

-∞-

OW July 1994

"Again!" Hazel flicked her wand and cast stunners, binding and banishing spells as quickly as possible at the dummies. She kept at it as her Godmother cast stunners towards her, making her dodge and weave out of the way. Eventually she felt her vision blurring and a stunner took her out. She felt gentle fingers holding her head and massaging her temples as she woke up. She could also feel a slight lump on the back of her head. "Did I hit the ground hard?" Her Godmother sighed. "Yup. I forgot to put cushioning charms on the ground. Sorry." Hazel smiled at her, but winced slightly. "It's fine." She lifted up her wand and felt its weight. "It still refuses to cast properly. It feels like every spell takes everything out of me to cast." Her Godmother took the wand and flicked it, casting a stunner. "Same for me." She took out her own wand and cast a diagnostic on it. "It seems to be in working order. No imperfects, no foreign magic. Nothing. It just doesn't want to cast well." Hazel sat up and took it back from her Godmother. "I don't know what to do. We have a ton of crazies out there casting Unforgivables and all my spells feel too sluggish to work."

Her Godmother stood up. "You need to give it and yourself time. You're still only thirteen." Hazel sighed. "You say the same thing when you refuse to teach me curses." Her Godmother frowned. "Hazel…" Hazel snapped at her. "I know! I am too young and we aren't at war. I get it! But they don't care. I met Voldemort twice already. Once at wandpoint. He didn't care that I was his favorite student. He didn't care that he was hurting me. He still cast an Unforgivable at me. Who cares at what age I learn them if I can still be cursed regardless. None of them will care that I am a thirteen year old girl with a faulty wand." Hazel breathed deeply as she stopped, feeling tears building in her eyes. "What does it matter if I wait? I am already a killer." Her Godmother pulled her into a hug. "No, you are not." Hazel shook her head. "I am. I watched a man burn to death from my cursed flames. I destroyed a memory of the same man a year later. I stabbed a bloody Basilisk in the mouth repeatedly as it bit me. I am a killer." Hazel felt those soft fingers rub her hair gently as she sang her a song.

She felt her heart grow heavy. "I am sorry. I am not the little girl you wanted to find after Azkaban." Her Godmother kissed her hair. "And I am not the person you expected either. This war, like all wars, changes people. Then again, I was always a bit of a screw loose. I loved driving people insane, no one having a clue it was me. Your Mom knew of course but she could tell it was all for fun. She yelled at James all the time because at that point it was expected of them. James made a prank, Lily yelled and I laughed at the two idiots too stubborn to see that they were both behaving the wrong way to make any real progress with each other. It was my own private comedy show." Hazel giggled. "Sounds like Ronald and Hermione. The two are polar opposites in everything. He's lazy, she's hardworking, he's messy, she is organized. They both argue over everything, even the stupidest thing. They were both arguing over Trelawney's class. Who argues over Divination?" Her Godmother shivered. "I am so glad I took Dueling. I would have left my Divination teacher traumatized with the weird stuff I could make up."

Hazel sighed. "Better than getting your death predicted every day. Her last one before I quit showing up to class after Dumbledore forced me to take it was "You will die, alone and betrayed by all who should have cared for you. You will know true pain for as long as you exist in this world."" Her Godmother tensed before she hugged Hazel tighter. "I won't let that happen Hazel. I promise you." Hazel closed her eyes. "I would have let them take me, you know? The Dementors. If you hadn't stopped them I would have been gone." The hug got tighter. "Though dying by hugs sounds nicer." Her Godmother laughed. "I am sure it does. I hope you understand I am never going to apologize for saving you. It was selfish of me but I do love you Hazel. I want to see you happy, no matter what." The two lingered quietly in the training room for a bit before Kreacher popped in. "Dinner is ready, Mistress and little mistress." Her Godmother patted her on the back. "Let's get some food and if you do the exercises for the next two weeks, I will let you practice some curses." Hazel looked at her Godmother's grey eyes. "Promise?" Her Godmother smiled. "Promise."

-∞-

NW September 1993

Dora breathed deeply as Hazel pushed her further and further until she cried in pleasure. She felt Hazel drop onto her back, breathing heavily and kissing Dora's skin. Dora tried her best to recover her senses. The evening had gone about the same as the last few weeks. They finished their rounds, checked a few of the tripwire wards and made sure all the students were in their dorms. They kept finding a few amorous stragglers, which only served to get Dora further and further into the mood. Hazel made it clear they would not be doing anything in a broom closet. Dora complained at first until Hazel made her move as soon as the door of their chambers was locked. They hardly ever reached the bed before Dora felt Hazel's lips devouring her skin and leaving her at the edge of release. If there was one thing that Hazel knew how to do, it was driving her over the edge. The more surprising moment had been after they had a run in with Professor Lupin. Hazel kept quiet the whole time, which was odd, so Dora spoke to him for a bit. When they got back to the chambers, Hazel had asked Dora how much she trusted her. Dora said completely.

The next morning, Dora woke up exceedingly tired, sore and well beyond satisfied. She tried to get Hazel to say if she was feeling jealous but she always refused to answer. Dora made sure not to give Lupin any further unneeded attention and Hazel seemed to calm down and be a lot more affectionate. There were times when her girlfriend just needed to talk to her. This morning was another one of those moments. Hazel had woken up with tears in her eyes and Dora tried to get her to open up about it. Hazel dodged the question repeatedly before she pinned Dora to the bed. The position and whatever bothered her in her sleep made it so that she decided to distract Dora and herself. Dora was happy to comply. Until now. She shifted around and made sure to press Hazel onto the bed before pinning her in place. For a single second she thought she had made a mistake. Hazel's eyes shifted into red slitted eyes before they turned green again. Green eyes that flooded with tears. Dora leaned down and kissed her. "It's ok. It's ok. Everything's fine." Hazel glared at her through the tears. "Damn it Dora, I almost killed you. Everything's not fine! You pinned me down and I forgot who you were."

Dora rubbed her nose with Hazel's. "Is that what bothered you? Were you thinking about your ex?" Hazel pouted. "Not until a second ago." Dora sighed. She added avoiding sudden and aggressive actions to the list of things to be careful of. Then again, that was a rule out of bed too. Maybe she should just blend the rules together. Less of a headache. Still, she was here and Hazel was strangely cooperative. She hadn't tried dislocating her joints yet. That was a trick Dora wasn't sure she ever wanted to learn. "Your Godmother then?" Hazel turned away. "Yes." Dora hugged herself tighter to Hazel. "And?" Hazel sighed. "Teaching the Dueling Club… she taught me everything I am teaching them. How to move, how to whisper, how to use spells creatively. That was all her." Dora nodded. "And it made you remember." Hazel's eyes watered. "She was the best. It took a while though, for us to click together. She was this positive ball of energy and I was a depressed thirteen year old who was more interested in hurting others. Despite twelve years in Azkaban, she was always so positive. I didn't understand how she could smile all the time. Not at first. Not for years."

A smile grew on Dora's face. "Not until Teddy." Hazel smiled and nodded. "Being here, having Teddy and the students learn as I learned, it's bringing it all back." Hazel hiccupped, something Dora had never seen her do before. "I miss her so much." Dora kissed Hazel on the forehead. "I wish I had a chance to meet her." Hazel laughed. "God, you would have been inseparable. She loved rock music too, though she only ever sang Scottish Folk Songs to me. We spent a whole summer on her bike going to different muggle places, from Cornwall all the way to Ireland, with the radio stuck on the Rock n Roll channels for the most part. She introduced me to Andi that summer too. They were not able to get along. Not at first." Dora kissed Hazel's cheek. "Better?" Hazel seemed to do a mental inventory before she nodded. "Yeah. Sorry about earlier. I didn't mean to force you." Nymphadora hummed. "It was still good. Different but good." Hazel blushed. "Still… you get a pass. It's only fair. Pick something you want to do and do it. Just no public indecency, please." Dora smiled. "You are going to regret it, you know?" Hazel pouted. "Maybe, but I need to pay you back." Dora kissed her. "Deal." Dora's stomach growled aggressively. "But first, Breakfast."

As Hazel whisked the eggs while Dobby chopped the meat and vegetables beside her, Dora looked back at their interactions with Remus Lupin. Hazel was always reserved in what she said, regardless of how important it was. The way she almost always had her eye on Lupin when he was around, constantly expecting something, anything to happen with him around Teddy gave her pause. A thought occurred to her. "Is Remus Lupin Teddy's…" The words were silenced in her mouth. In fact, every single noise in the room was utterly muted as Hazel placed the bowl down, leaving the rest of the cooking to Dobby. Dora's heart started beating wildly as her girlfriend's eyes shifted in color before her eyes, her usual red and silver colors seemingly fighting for superiority. A deep breath later and the sound returned to Dora's ears. "Hazel." Her partner glared at her after she opened and revealed her now green eyes. "I told you. The sperm donor is irrelevant. The blood adoption erased all traces of him and Teddy has no desire to ever know him. That is all that matters." Dora sighed. "Hazel, you can't keep secrets from me again." Hazel raised an eyebrow. "It's not a secret, it's the truth. There is nothing for me to say on this matter."

Dora rubbed her hair. "And if Lupin recognizes something from Teddy? Werewolves do have better senses than Witches or Wizards." Hazel chuckled to herself. "Sure they do. Mine are better. Or did you forget what we are?" Dora blinked for a second. "Ok, fair point. But you sure you aren't worried about Lupin catching on?" Hazel shook her head. "Trust me, there is nothing there to be found. The only scent he might catch is that we might smell of Lily Evans. As far as I can notice, our scent and Harry's is off, probably because of our slightly different Potter family tree. I also did a little search with Legal and we were able to claim a close family relation to the Evans family, so I don't have to hide my eyes anymore. As for Lupin…" Hazel sighed and shook her head. "Whatever he could have been or once was, he means nothing to me or Teddy. He isn't Teddy's father because he wasn't there. That's all." Dora nodded and kept quiet after that. Later in the day she watched as Teddy was sitting through a lecture on ghosts and poltergeists in Lupin's class, the boy giving no attention to Lupin beyond what was needed. Lupin, for his part, showed no sign of recognition and seemed oblivious. Maybe Hazel had a point. The man who might have been the boy's father didn't raise him.

The same could be said for herself. Teddy never once mistook her for his Mama. To him, she was just Dora, a woman that was like his mother but not the same. Never the same. Dora didn't give birth to him, she didn't raise him or tucked him into bed. That was all done by Hazel and her Andi. Hazel, who had been forced to be the sole parent to the boy she was growing to care for deeply. Yet, despite everything, Teddy didn't seem to be missing out on anything. Hazel was his Mom, the only immediate member of his family left. His only parent. Maybe that was the reason Hazel never acknowledged Lupin as the boy's father. Because there would be no reason to do so. Teddy was her son and he loved her as a son loves their mother. There was nothing else there for Lupin to be a part of. When Teddy turned around to look at Dora, she smiled at him. His smile in return warmed her heart. She would never be his Mama and she doubted the kid would ever see her as a mother, but Dora still felt a connection to the kid. She loved being a part of his life. She turned around and left the classroom, agreeing with Hazel's view on the matter. There was nothing there for Lupin to find. Teddy was a Peverell by choice. He would never be anything else to a man that meant nothing to him.

-∞-

Teddy eyed the wardrobe in front of him as all the students talked excitedly around him. He was sure this was a bad idea. His Mom said her first Boggart was in her third year. Now this world's Remus Lupin was having first year students try it. He wondered if maybe hers did too and she just didn't hear about it. Said Werewolf walked in front of the students, his hands behind his back. "Now everyone, please form a line and remember, the spell is Riddikulus. Be clear in the pronunciation. Now step up." Teddy watched as several kids tried it, most getting the typical fears. Snakes, spiders, a creepy old man. A few of them were their parents yelling at them. Teddy watched as the Carrows stepped up and each of them had the same; their parents cursing at them with the Torture Curse. He was going to tell his Mom as soon as he could about that. He knew the older Carrows went to Azkaban for a few years but recently got released. If they were still bad, his Mom could do something about it. Eventually it was his turn and he swallowed the lump in his throat. He looked at the Professor. "I don't think I should do it." The Professor eyed him. "There is nothing to be ashamed of, kid." Teddy bristled as the others snickered. Only Dora called him that.

"I am not worried about being humiliated. I am worried about bothering everyone else. I don't think mine will be pretty. I am pretty certain Mom will be mad too." Lupin sighed. "You are going to have to step out of her shadow some time, Mr. Peverell. It's not healthy." Teddy glared at the man before he turned towards the front, swallowing a lump in his throat. "Fine, but you get the blame for what's about to happen. I warned you." Breathing deeply, Teddy moved closer to the closed wardrobe before it opened. He knew what he would see. He saw it a few times in his nightmares. He never doubted his mother's love. Or that she could survive anything. He was worried what it would cost her. The horribly mangled body of his mother stepped out of the wardrobe, broken bones peeking out of the split open flesh, holes carved into her neck and chest, entrails dragged on the ground from her ripped open stomach. Her eyes were the same eyes he hated seeing on her. Those cold dead eyes she got whenever she lost herself. Teddy heard a few students scream in terror as others puked behind him, the Professor too stunned by what he was seeing to do anything. Steading his feelings, Teddy drew his wand. He hoped his Mom wasn't offended by what he was about to do. " Riddikulus. " The body shifted into the form of a puppet held up by strings before dropping on the floor. Tired and mad at himself and the Professor, he flicked his wand. " Depulso ."

The Boggart got launched back into the wardrobe, before Teddy sealed it up, before turning to look at the shocked Professor. "I warned you." He stepped to the edge of the classroom and picked up his bookbag before leaving the classroom entirely. He made his way through the Castle until he reached the Dungeons. He was about to open the kitchens when a voice stopped him. "I do believe you are out of your assigned classroom, Mr. Peverell." Teddy sighed and turned around to look at Professor Snape. Of all the Professors, he was the one he had the hardest time placing. He could see traces of what his mother told him about the man she met: arrogant, self entitled and overly critical. At the same time, he did seem to care about the students safety, making sure they all learned what not to put in the cauldrons at the worst possible time. Too bad he also neglected to teach anyone not wearing green how to prepare a cauldron before turning on the heat. Andromeda had to teach Dora that and had made sure he learned it too. All of that told him the man, while careful, still loved playing favorites with the Slytherins. He wondered which was the act and which was the real person.

"My class had a Boggart for today's entertainment. I dealt with mine after warning the Professor it was a bad idea. I decided to skip the rest." The Potions Master stared at him before breaking eye contact. "Your mother seems to think she has faced horrors beyond mention." Teddy shrugged. "I think she's telling the truth. You can tell sometimes, when you look people in the eye. You have it sometimes at dinner, whenever you look at Harry." The Professor seemed to restrain a wince. "You have an interesting imagination." Teddy shifted his eyes to green and saw Snape wince properly. "No, I am observant. Especially with the way people look at my cousin." Teddy's eyes shifted back to purple, which seemed to confuse Snape more. "You may like hiding who you really are, sir. My Mom and I are good at that too, but we learned a lesson. The longer you wear a mask, the harder it is to tell the difference between it and the real face. Mom has refused to hide who she is anymore, and I made sure I behave how I want to be. Can you say the same? Or is the mask getting harder and harder to pull off your face for you already. I would be careful though. Because if the mask you wear is that of a Death Eater, my Mom won't care who you really are underneath it. You will end up with the rest of them."

Snape stared at the boy for a solid minute before he sighed. "You Peverells are something quite interesting. I thank you for the advice, young man, but I will warn you not to try and skip one of my classes. I am not forgiving of those who dismiss the value of Potions." Teddy smiled. "I won't, sir. Oh, and if my Mom irks you because she doesn't know anything about potions, it's because her own instructor never bothered to teach her anything. She tried learning afterwards but she chose to focus on the things that mattered to her more." Snape gave him a small nod. "I will keep that in mind. Good day, Mr. Peverell." Teddy made it into the kitchen and sat down to drink a cup of hot chocolate. He waited for a bit before he sighed. "I know you are there." Hazel pulled her Cloak off from her body and sat down beside him. "You have been mad for a bit. Was it Snape? Do I get to take him to the forest and give the Headmaster and my Boss a new headache?" Teddy giggled. "No, it wasn't him. I faced a Boggart today." The growl out of her throat raised Teddy's hackles. "It's ok Mom. I am ok."

Hazel knelt down in front of him and waited. Teddy sighed. "Ok, I am getting better." Hazel kissed his head. "Good. Now, what happened?" Teddy eyed her carefully. "I saw you, your body broken and your eyes dead." Hazel closed her eyes. She breathed deeply. "I am doing everything I can so that never happens. You know me." Teddy nodded. "I know. I just hate it when you get hurt." Hazel ruffled his hair softly. "I hate it when you are hurting too, Teddy. Dora hates it when I am hurting too. She was very mean to me the other morning when I almost harmed her." Teddy giggled. "Bad dream?" Hazel nodded. "Too many memories here. But in the end, I need to be here. For you, work and school. And maybe for me too. To let go of some things that follow me around." Teddy nodded. "Ok, but you have to let Dora be mean to you. She makes you behave when she's mean." Hazel pouted. "Fine." Teddy smiled and the two sat down to drink some hot chocolate. "Can I still go and skin a werewolf?" Teddy shook his head. "No, otherwise you'd be forced to take his job. You don't want it. Besides, don't you have enough direwolf pelts stored away? You don't need a werewolf one." Hazel sighed. "Fine, fine. I won't skin him." Teddy giggled and watched as the elves brought them food. He didn't mind having a quiet meal with his mom. It certainly made the day much better than how it started.

-∞-

Albus Dumbledore waited until all his staff were seated before starting the staff meeting. "It's good to see you all in high spirits. Now that we have had a chance to see all our students after the summer break, are there any standouts? Let's start with first years." Filius hummed. "Of the first years in my class, I would say the definite standouts are Edward Peverell of the Hufflepuffs, Flora and Hestia Carrow of Slytherin and Astoria Greengrass from my House. They were all quick to cast the Lumos Charm and had decent control of it. The Carrows were able to cast it without difficulty and seemed to spend the class adjusting the brightness. Interestingly enough, both Greengrass and Peverell started doing whispering exercises towards getting the spell done with silent casting. I believe Mr. Peverell succeeded, much to my other students' dismay." Dumbledore frowned. The young Peverell seemed to be a lot more advanced than the others, including the children of Purebloods who were likely to have received private tutoring. It was odd since the Peverells, based on his research, weren't Purebloods. What little he found showed them to be either second or third generation magicals. He turned to Minerva. "Are those four also showing promise in your class?"

Minerva shook her head. "Not entirely. Flora and Hestia have not completed the small transfiguration exercises. Like most students, they have trouble with Transfiguration. However, Astoria Greengrass did the exercise well from the start. Edward Peverell did it as well, though his spells were cast silently. He repeated the exercise over and over again, with a clear focus on refining the design and shape of the needle. I asked him at the end of class how much he knew of the curriculum and the boy said he was somewhat ahead. His mother tutored him in Transfiguration quite well it seems." Dumbledore sighed. He was sure the boy was going to be trouble for the school. Nothing good came from teaching students magic too early. Aurora spoke up. "Everyone is pretty much the same in my class. Mr. Peverell knows his stars well, though his education was geared towards recognizing them and one's cardinal directions based on them. A few other students had a similar upbringing, mostly muggleborns." Dumbledore nodded, feeling more confident in his deductions about the Peverells.

Pomona Sprout was giddy as she looked around. "I am glad to hear one of my newest Badgers is doing so well. He's quite the budding Herbologist, much like Mr. Longbottom. His approach is quite interesting as he likes to draw the plants ahead of time, something his mother encouraged for memorization. He was able to identify all the plants in Greenhouse 1. As expected, Miss Greengrass has quite some knowledge in the field as well, though not the passion for it." The staff turned to the two remaining Professors, both relatively quiet. One did seem to sport a reason for his silence. "Professor Lupin, has Poppy checked your jaw? That bruise looks quite painful." The Healer huffed. "I did look at it, Headmaster. Miss Peverell is quite talented with curses apparently. There is curse residue on him that is resistant to Healing Magic. He will be sporting the swollen jaw for at least a week, if not more." Dumbledore sighed. "Should I inform Amelia that she should remove her Auror? She seems quite dangerous if she is willing to harm a professor like this." Pomona and Poppy glared at the Headmaster, with the former speaking up. "Were it unwarranted, I would agree. However, Professor Lupin was warned that a Boggart for first years was possibly too much for them to handle. Mr. Peverell warned him that his Boggart's form was possibly quite gruesome, especially with an audience around to see it. Almost all of my first years were traumatized by what they saw."

Poppy glared at the Were. "My stores of Dreamless Sleep potion are quite low because of your little stunt." The Professors looked at Snape who sighed. "My Slytherins are not known to be squeamish. That said, my own stores of Dreamless Sleep are also quite low. For… obvious reasons." The Potions master glared at the Were who shrunk in on himself. "It seemed like a good idea at the time, to help the kids bond early. They were also eleven and twelve year olds. They shouldn't have had fears greater than mild phobias. Certainly not one as gruesome as that." Dumbledore looked at Poppy. "Perhaps the boy is in need of a Mind Healer or Child Services?" Poppy shook her head. "Mr. Peverell came to me and I did a bit of checking of his state of mind with what little training I have. He has a strong bond to his mother, but no outstanding trauma. As for Child Services, we do have one of their officers coming over to check on Mister Potter as per the Wizengamot's custody deliberations. I could ask but I see no reason for the boy to be questioned as well." Pomona glared at the Headmaster. "I have plenty of experience with children from difficult homes. Edward is not in need of Child Services. He is in need of Professors to actually listen to him. Something I hear is a recurring problem among my fellows."

McGonagall and Filius both lowered their heads as Pomona looked around. Dumbledore cleared his throat. "Well, let's move on. How are the second year students?" The meeting dragged on a bit, especially as Dumbledore tried to gauge any changes in Harry Potter. His academic work seemed to remain steadily high among his year mates, which was promising. Dumbledore asked Remus to linger as soon as the meeting ended. "You haven't mentioned what Harry Potter's Boggart was." Remus looked away, his face looking quite guilty. "Himself, locked away in a cupboard alone. There was nothing else. I thought it was going to be Voldemort but clearly I was wrong." Dumbledore didn't catch the pain Remus' words carried in them as he left the meeting, his thoughts lingering on his run in with Peverell a day earlier as he rubbed the swollen and tender skin on his face. Hazel Peverell had done more than slug him in the corridor of the school. Feeling his jaw dislocated by the impact, he watched as the white haired witch stared him down. "I swear to you, Lupin. You cause harm or pain to my son or Harry, physical, mental or emotional, a dislocated jaw will be the least of your concerns." Remus had glared at her, his voice muffled by his injury. "I would never do that to James' son."

Hazel had laughed at him bitterly. "Really, so you didn't abandon him for twelve years of his life? Two of which he spent aware of magic? No visits, no checks on his physical or mental state? Congratulations, the moment you die, be sure to prepare for the beating James and Lily Potter will visit upon you. You left their son abandoned in a home that didn't want him, among people who could care less about the boy and cared more about the gold Dumbledore fed them. You've already harmed Harry, by doing nothing. Harm him or my son again and I will not hesitate to end you. I don't care what Order you once belonged to. I have slaughtered Death Eaters without a shred of remorse. You will be no different." Hazel stared at him with those green eyes that reminded him of Lily before she stomped away. Her warning had almost slipped from his mind until Harry met his Boggart. The sight of a scared little boy huddling in a dark corner broke him. Hazel Peverell had been right. He had failed Harry. He had failed James and Lily. He deserved their anger.

Unbeknownst to the Professors, a rippling shadow slipped through the walls and halls before reaching a guests chamber. Dora watched as Hazel took off her Cloak. She frowned. "You look rough." Hazel shrugged. "These walls are filled with magic to the brim. Crossing through them is like walking in deep snow. I'm sticking to the doors from now on." Dora nodded. "How was the staff meeting?" Hazel sat down and rubbed her eyes. "As expected. Dumbledore refuses to assign fault for the mess made by Lupin, Snape seems to have some semblance of a heart when it comes to Slytherins and Dumbledore remains fixated on Harry. Watching Pomona Sprout guilt trip McGonagall and Flitwick was cool, though." Dora chuckled. "Oh, she's good at those. You should have seen her when Charlie and I got caught with our pants down in a broom closet." Hazel eyed Dora. "We are not having sex in a broom closet, no matter how much you bring it up." Dora pouted. "Not even for my pass? Some free pass that is." Hazel sighed. "Fine! But you pick a distant one and you give me a day's head start." Dora glared. "Warding it isn't fair." Hazel raised an eyebrow. "I can selectively Obliviate you so you don't know I have done a thing to it." Dora sighed in exacerbation. "Fine. No Obliviation. I'll let you know. Spoilsport."

Chapter 31: A Sirius Halloween

Chapter Text

"Hello Mr. Potter. My name is Emmaline Vance and I am with the Ministry of Magic's Child Services. I am here to ask you a few questions about your treatment at the Dursley residence and your current stay at the Tonks residence." Harry sat in the chair provided to him by Madam Pomfrey as they did their interview at the Hospital Wing, with the Healer overseeing in case of emotional outbursts. Vance looked over her papers. "You lived over ten years at the Dursley Residence, placed there by Albus Dumbledore. Did you meet the man at any point in that time?" Harry shook his head. "No ma'am." Emma wrote down his replies as she continued to ask him questions. "Did you receive medical attention at any time for any injuries, vaccinations or regular checkups?" Harry shook his head. "No. My first checkup was in the summer of 1992, at the request of the Tonks and Peverell family. They had to provide a court order to Mr. Weasley for him to take me there." Vance frowned. "And you were at the Weasley's home, why?"

Harry blushed. "Huh, my mail was getting intercepted by an unknown third party at the time. The Weasleys came over and checked on me before I spent the rest of the summer with them." Emma nodded. "And Dumbledore or The Dursleys gave permission for that?" Harry thought for a second. "My uncle did. I don't know about Dumbledore. He never showed up at their residence. I only ever saw him at school." Emma sighed. "And your years prior, how was your living arrangement?" Harry frowned. "I was given a cupboard under the stairs as my room, despite there being another room in the house. I wasn't allowed much time to shower, few if any proper meals, all of which I had to cook for everyone else too. I received several beatings from my cousin and my uncle, the latter of whom preferred it was done with an old rusty belt. Madam Pomfrey and Healer Tonks have photographs of my scars." Emma nodded. "The images were submitted as evidence. Now, did their behaviour change at all, in the time since Hogwarts?" Harry smiled a little. "I was told they were approached about their illegal activities concerning me and were offered a contract to behave themselves. They kept it until this summer."

Emma looked over the notes. "The contract has been reviewed. Quite the detailed contract. Now, in the period of time from July 30th to September 1st, you were in the custody of the Tonks family. How was it?" Harry's smile widened. "It was great. Andromeda took me for another physical and checked on my health. They celebrated my birthday for me and provided me with my own room. I tried to offer to help with the chores and Andromeda agreed, but with her always doing most of the work. I spent some time with the Peverells in the Tonks residence too. I got to leave the house and see my friends and see the sights in London for a bit. Spent more time among magical families and made a few new friends. Ted and Andromeda are also very thoughtful. They always check with me before making any plans." Emma nodded as she wrote more things down. "Have they informed you about your position as Heir of House Potter?" Harry sighed but nodded. "Before I received a book on my family's history as a present, I had no idea. Ted Tonks filled me in on a few of the legal responsibilities and Andromeda was teaching me some etiquette. I know I don't have to do anything until I am fifteen, but they wanted to prepare me rather than letting me get blindsided or to miss out completely on my responsibilities."

A few further questions and Emma reached the point of the visit. "While not standard procedure, it is requested that we ask the opinion of a child in a custody dispute. Right now, the three parties vying for your custody are Albus Dumbledore, The Malfoy family and the Tonks family, the latter supported by the Peverell family. What are your feelings about the three?" Harry made a face of disgust. "I have had bad relations with the Malfoys from the start. Draco has criticized and belittled my friends for two whole years and remains antagonistic towards me and his father behaved the same way the one time I met him. Dumbledore, while seemingly a great man, has never shown any interest in me outside of school and has failed at any responsibilities he might have claimed to have to me. The Tonks family has been nothing but kind, supportive and understanding. They have made it clear that the time I have with them is up to me and that I am always welcome to stay. The Peverells have shown the same degree of support towards me. I would rather be with the Tonks family until I am of age." Emmaline signed her report and she and Pomfrey took their oaths. "What was discussed here won't be repeated to anyone not part of the Investigative Panel and the DMLE, not even to Dumbledore. My apologies for the disservice our Department has done to you, Mr. Potter. Enjoy your school year."

Harry sighed as soon as she left and Pomfrey came over and offered him some tea. "It has a bit of Calming Draught in it, to help with the nerves." Harry thanked her and drank from his cup as Pomfrey sat down, looking guilty. "I want to apologize to you, Harry. As your Healer at the school, I should have looked harder into the unusual circ*mstances around you, especially when you didn't arrive for a physical or provide any copies of your medical records. I simply didn't think Dumbledore would have neglected you like this." Harry nodded. "It's ok, I understand. I am grateful for your care this last year. My scars are mostly gone and I am feeling physically better." Pomfrey smiled. "I am sure those morning runs you and Neville perform are doing you quite good too." Harry blushed a bit. "Yeah. I just feel better now. Even my Quidditch practice feels more comfortable." Pomfrey shuddered at the mention of the sport. "You've avoided being long under my care for the last two years from that awful game. I would be thankful if you kept that up." Harry finished his tea and picked up his bag as he stood up. "I'll try. Thank you for the tea and the company." He left the Hospital Wing, feeling more comfortable about his hopes to stay with the Tonks for the next summer. Though if he was being honest with himself, he wanted to spend more time with Hazel and Teddy.

-∞-

"Never took you as the Butterbeer type." Croaker moved the mug of butterbeer away from him. "I'm not, but then again, I am not here. Maintaining a disguise and all is a bit harder for use without your talents." Hazel nodded as she and Tonks sat opposite from Croaker and Amelia, both dressed in unassuming clothes. They had to step out of the Castle and meet them in a room in the Three Broomsticks to keep their interactions quiet and hidden from Dumbledore. "So, what brings you both here?" Croaker swept the room for eavesdropping spells and animagi and sat back. "Updates on what's going on. Your stay at the Castle prevents us from using our comms effectively, especially with Dumbledore sustaining heavier wards than usual, so an in person briefing at Hogsmeade was the next best thing." Amelia eyed Hazel. " We also wanted to update you on the intel you acquired. Your son's concerns seem to be valid. The release of the Carrows coincided with the dismissal of the girls' governess and their caretakers, both of whom were replaced by those that are more… in line with the Carrows agenda." Hazel bared her teeth. "Marked or sympathizers?" Amelia sighed. "Sympathizers. We approached the former staff at the Carrow Estate and while their oaths covered much of what happened within the Estate and their time was relatively peaceful, they all made it clear they feared for the safety of the girls."

Hazel eyed her. "And the DMLE's response?" Amelia looked at her, guilt clear in her face. "Nothing for now. If your son's hunch is right, the girls will avoid going home until the end of the academic year. We are powerless to do anything until then. Should they show up with signs of mistreatment after their return home, we can then make enquiries and interview the girls." Dora reached out and restrained Hazel, who looked furious. "So you want us to do nothing, just like with Lockhart?" Amelia sank in her seat. "The law is clear. The line between the government overstepping its authority and the right to intervene in cases of child abuse is a tricky one to handle. Hearsay won't give us much." Hazel settled down. "I will see what we can get from the girls. Will a memory help in beginning a proper investigation?" Amelia nodded. "It will now." Hazel sighed. "I'll see if we can reach out to them here, safely. This is why I swear Hogwarts should have a summer program." Croaker sighed. "I don't disagree, but Dumbledore, while a supporter of progressive ideas, is also known for not disturbing the traditions of anyone. Hogwarts has never had a summer program. He will use that as an excuse to ignore the needs of the children."

Dora, certain her partner wouldn't lash out again, turned to her Boss. "What's the word on Sirius Black? Things have been quiet at the castle." Croaker turned to Amelia, who Hazel looked at critically. There was a flinch on her face for a second as his name was spoken. "Sirius Black, as you know, has continued to evade all attempts at retrieving him. We believe he is using a wand he acquired somewhere, potentially from a witch or a wizard that has refused to come forward out of shame from being caught off guard. His last sighting was in Dufftown, as reported by a muggle who recognized him from the reports being made in muggle news media. Her communication led to the dispatching of Aurors, but our dear Minister also sent in the Dementors, causing mass hysteria. Black escaped in the chaos." Hazel rubbed her hair. "Why is Fudge so intent on using the Dementors? It's clear Black can evade them." Croaker nodded. "True. Sadly, we believe the Minister is being instructed to use them by his Undersecretary and by Lucius Malfoy. We believe the removal of his wife from the Black Seat in the Wizengamot has driven the man to seek Black's death."

Hazel sighed. "With the Tonks currently disowned, the only Black descendants with any claim would be Draco and Harry. He must be trying to hedge his bets. Secure the Black Seat, push for Harry's custody from a stronger position and gain control of the Black Family wealth in its entirety." Amelia tapped the table. "That is what we believe. Fudge is following through, hoping to gain some personal glory by having his people catch Black. The Undersecretary probably wants recognition for the idea and the support of the traditionalists." Croaker eyed Hazel. "No, you can't kill her yet. She's too highly placed." Hazel sighed deeply. "Fine. So we will have to double our efforts in the coming days. If he is close, we need to catch him. What's the word about the maps?" Croaker shook his head. "The makers of the two were quite well versed in enchantment. They are exceedingly well encoded. Our Enchantments Division is equal parts overjoyed and frustrated." Hazel frowned. "The passwords don't give you full access?" Croaker waved his hand. "We wish. Your map is a lot more intricate, made by a more sophisticated Enchanter. The one from here is crude, but still well protected."

Dora watched a brief smile of pride on her partner's face that vanished quickly. Her eyes had flickered as they usually did when a memory surfaced and dampened her mood. Dora turned to Croaker. "So, anything else?" Croaker winced. "Your guard duty might get interrupted soon. MI5 has determined the location of a group of weapons smugglers in one of the docks on the Irish Sea. They have intel that suggests Witches or Wizards are part of the defences but aren't frequently there. They want to take the warehouse without calling us first, just in case it's a false alarm." Hazel rubbed her face. "And we are on standby to help clean up their mess if they get unlucky. Great." Amelia gave her a sympathetic look. "I can guarantee some guards at the Castle should you be called. Sadly, Mad-Eye took a bit of a hit from a curse a few days ago in Knockturn Alley. He's still at St. Mungos, recovering. He won't be part of the replacement detail." Dora shook her head. "Alastor must be furious." Amelia smiled. "He was, until I sent him a few bottles of whiskey. I got a notice from the hospital about sending liquor to a patient, followed by a very brief thank you from the staff."

Hazel stood up from her seat. "Well, make sure you send those Aurors with the MI5 assault notice. Well go back to the Castle and see if we can set a few more ward tripwires. I'll find a way to reach out to the Carrow Twins." Hazel eyed Croaker. "I would suggest you ask Lupin about the map, but despite Dumbledore's failures concerning Harry, I don't see the man answering your questions willingly without informing the Headmaster. His Werewolf nature also makes Obliviation and Mind Arts difficult." Croaker stood up. "Well consider it if Black gets too aggressive with his break-in attempts. For now, keep the Castle and the students secure and keep the Dementors in line. Umbridge or Fudge might eventually come in person to command them to take Black if he is in the area. Don't give her a chance and don't kill her or make her disappear." Hazel narrowed her eyes. "Aye, boss. Leave the toad alive and not lost." Amelia watched the two agents leave before turning to Croaker. "Maybe we should insinuate to the Minister to keep Umbridge close to him. Your orders were vague enough for her to look for viable loopholes." Croker rubbed his face. "Agreed. Gods, it's like working with a Goblin." Amelia shook her head. "Don't let her hear you say that."

-∞-

OW October 31st 1993

Hazel sat back on the sofa she conjured for herself as she read the book on how to read and speak Druidic. While her Runes class was interesting, they focused heavily on Futhark and Runic languages. While the languages were fascinating, they simply lacked the intricacy and almost ethereal quality of Druidic Script. She reached over and petted Isabelle's back, getting a soft purr in response. The summer since she torched Ripper had been very unpleasant. Dumbledore dared to grace her with an appearance after she ignored the people knocking on her door since she arrived at the Cauldron. While a bit of an extra expense, she had tipped Tom well enough to not let anyone follow him up as he brought her her meals. She would explore the Alley in the early morning and late at night, when everyone was suitably quiet and the stores were a bit empty. She bought a few premade potions from the apothecary, as well as getting the food supplies for Hedwig and her new pet. Isabelle was strangely attached to her, refusing to let her out of her sight, but Hazel didn't mind. Hedwig liked her and the three had a few quiet days in the summer, until Dumbledore showed up.

He, of course, started by trying to guilt her on her expenses at the Alley, until Hazel asked him how he would even know how much money she had. She had successfully cornered him into revealing his position as her Magical Guardian. He then tried to use it to force her to return to her relatives but Hazel had been looking a lot into what his position meant. He had no legal authority to force her to do anything not associated with her Magical Education. When he tried to bluff his way, she dropped a bomb on him. "Maybe I should contact my Godmother. Put an ad on the paper or something. She is my rightful Guardian after all." Dumbledore had frowned at her. "Hazel, the woman is mad and dangerous. She is a follower of Voldemort and has escaped Azkaban, probably with the intention of killing you." Hazel scoffed at the man. "So, no different from my first defence teacher. Listen, you old goat. I don't care for the Dursleys or about these wards of yours. I want a summer to myself and I am getting it. So stop sending your stooges after me, leave me alone and I will see you at school. Or I will park myself in the middle of the Alley inviting the Blacks to get on with it. I am sure I will get some peace and quiet after that."

Dumbledore sighed. "Very well, but you will be leaving yourself with not many funds." Hazel hummed. "Sure, how about you stop spending my money on the Dursleys for the care they don't provide. Oh wait, you probably won't. So don't come to me complaining about me using my money to see to my wellbeing when you are the only one squandering it. Go take that high and mighty ego of yours back to your tower before I try and find a lawyer to sue you for every failure you have taken because everything has to go your way. Oh, and if the new Professor ends up being a murderer or a rapist, I am going to make sure you are held responsible." Hazel used a bit of wandless magic to slam the door in the old man's face. The soft string of curses she heard from the door before she silenced it was delightful. The rest of the summer went as expected, peaceful and quiet, at least until she got on the train. Her seating options were either with the two people who constantly shadowed her at school or with the sleeping form of the man she assumed was the new Professor. Better the devil that you know. A few hours of mindless conversations of the walking argument ended suddenly as the train pulled into the station.

Getting dragged into the stupid memory of her run in with the Mirror of Erised wasn't fun at all but at least her screams woke up the Defence Professor and his spell made the Dementors flee. She politely refused his chocolate. Quirrell might have been a bastard but he had a point about accepting strange gifts from people with questionable motives, no matter how nice they seemed. Getting tired of hearing complaints and the bickering of her House, especially about Quidditch, Hazel took the only appropriate response. She stopped spending her evenings in the Tower. Isa had been a bit bothered by their entrance into the Chamber of Secrets but, after inspecting literally every square inch of the place, she settled down. Still mad at her wand's lack of performance, Hazel practiced her wandless magic further. She found some interesting books in the Hogwarts library about Transfiguration and Conjuration and tried them out in the chamber. She had laughed herself silly when she made herself a supremely comfortable bed and sofa, though she had to constantly reinforce or recast the spells to make them last. She kept practicing Conjuration because it just seemed the most useful to her, especially with her relatives literally giving her scraps of everything. She'd never have to sleep on that sh*tty mattress ever again.

Casting a tempus, Hazel noticed that Curfew was coming up. Not wanting another dressing down from her eternally absent and uncaring Head of House, Hazel pulled the cloak over her and Isa and the two walked the halls back to Gryffindor tower. The fact she found the Fat Lady portrait ripped and torched seemed like a bad sign. The empty dorm was another. A few long and exhausting minutes of going back down the stairs and Hazel found the entire school sleeping in the Great Hall. She looked down at Isa, who was resting in Hazel's crossed arms. "So, do you want to go into that endless sea of auditory torture?" The cat gave her a shake of its head and a pleading meow. Hazel chuckled. "Didn't think so." So Hazel returned to the Chamber of Secrets, overpowered her Conjuration of the comfiest bed she could imagine and the two slept peacefully to the sound of running water and slow breathing. That night she dreamt of thin hands caressing her hair gently and a soft kiss on her hair, before hearing a comforting song, one that felt strangely familiar. In her twelve years of life since that dreadful night, Hazel swore that was the best night ever. The news of the breaking in attempt of Gryffindor Tower didn't spoil at all the next morning. Hazel went ahead and slept there as much as possible the following months and years.

-∞-

NW October 31st 1993

"You know, you could have asked us to do a bit of recon before you stormed the place. You all might have avoided this mess in the first place." Several bullets ricocheted off the top of the barrier Hazel, Dora and three MI5 agents were hunkering behind as the spells and gunfire dissipated safely behind them. The lead agent looked at her and sighed. "Duly noted. Can you do anything about this mess?" Hazel whipped her wand up and deflected a massive fireball aimed at them before looking over at the agent. "Sure, what's the order of the day? Non-lethal, Lethal or Lethal with exceptions?" The agent rubbed his face. "It was non-lethal, but my three dead agents would say otherwise. Let me call this in and see if we get an updated status on our orders." Hazel nodded and flicked her wand back, resulting in what sounded like a massive crash of water onto the position of the criminals. "Sure, take your time. Not like we didn't have our own duties to deal with." Dora slapped her shoulder. "Oy, be polite." Hazel blinked at her as she casted Glacius across the gap between them and the shooters. The shots and spells noticeably slowed down.

Dora raised a kinetic shield and looked over. She paled. "Hazel." Her partner waved her hand. "Frostbite will set in after about five minutes, I'll defrost them then." The agents looked over and they all had amused grins on their faces as they watched the criminals desperately trying to break through the frozen blocks of ice that Hazel had turned their lower extremities into. Someone who was clearly a witch or wizard seemed to be trying to defrost them all. Eventually the lead agent looked at Hazel and smiled. "New orders. Selective non-lethal approach. Stun as many as you can but as long as you don't take these four targets out, we will be grateful, even if you leave a few of them dead." Hazel looked over the photographs shown to her and whistled. "Want to tell Mad-Eye we found his twin?" Dora shook her head as she looked at the photographs. "Nope. I don't need the bastard pissed at me for comparing him to a gun smuggler." Hazel smiled at her. "Wuss." Dora swallowed her comeback as Hazel shifted into an eagle and took to the skies. The gunfire picked up again as people started exiting the building. Dora heard her partner over the comms. "P4 spotted at the back of enemy formation. P1 through P3 not outside. Standard approach." Dora sighed. "Acknowledged." Dora looked at the agent. "Your 4th target is out there. My partner is starting her attack."

Dora and the agents watched as a shower of spears descended onto the target as Dora's eyes focused on a rapidly descending body. "R1, I swear you better not be free falling." The body shifted into the form of a bird before it pulled out of a dive. A few minutes later, Hazel 's voice came over the comms. "No comment, R2. P4 is alive and restrained. We got a forest of targets in need of stuns. I am sealing the warehouse's exits and windows. Agents can move on the building in two." Dora repeated her status to the agents and after two minutes, the warehouse was properly surrounded by the authorities. She heard her partner's voice speak up over the comms. "Hey, BM. What's the policy on knocking out Muggles with magically crafted aerosols? Asking for a friend." Dora bit her tongue as she tried not to laugh as Horatio entered the call. "Just do it, R1. Boss can handle the clean up afterwards. It's the least lethal idea you have suggested so just roll with it." Hazel responded. "Right then. No agents enter the building until I give out the all clear." The agents kept their eyes on the now windowless building until a few minutes later the building shuddered as it returned to its original form. "R1 to R2, the warehouse is secure. Send the agents in."

Hazel sat at the center of the large space of the warehouse, three people bound together next to her. She motioned to the lead agent. "P1 through P3, all accounted for." The lead agent stored his weapon and smiled bitterly. "Mind if I send a letter to the top brass asking for more support from you guys? I have three letters to write up that I really am not looking forward to." Hazel gave him an understanding look. "Send it up. We have our own missions and orders but if the time is right, I am sure our Boss will happily oblige in less magical operations. I cleared the powder from everyone, including their lungs. Give them two hours or so to wake up, based on body mass and metabolism. The bigger they are, the faster they burn through it." The agent nodded and looked over his shoulder. "You heard her, got everyone looked over and contained quickly. Send for Forensics. I want this place cleared out of any valuable intel, before the associates run for cover." Dora came in from outside. "I dispelled the spears and healed what I could. They all have the equivalents of firearm wounds. The agents can handle the rest." Hazel nodded and raised her hand. "Mission Accomplished, BM." The two look at each other worriedly as Horatio takes a while to answer. "SB spotted at Hogwarts. Get there fast now!" Hazel cursed under her breath. "Damn it! I knew it was going to be tonight."

-∞-

Hazel and Dora apparated to the front of the Hogwarts gates. Hazel drew her wand and tapped it against the heavily warded gates. "Dumbledore has the place in lockdown. No way in or out through here. Not for you, anyways." Dora looked towards Hogsmeade. "Or for SB. How well will the wards seal a hidden passage?" Hazel shrugged. "One way to find out." The passageway underneath Honeydukes was surprisingly well warded when they both arrived. Hazel eyed the point where the wards met the tunnel. "The tunnel was created with the wards in mind. There are rune sequences along the wall, probably set to act as a repeater and activator. This ward here is reinforced. No way in or out." The five other passageways were equally well sealed or caved in, blocking anyone's access. Hazel and Dora arrived at the Shrieking Shack, their wands drawn. Hazel stopped Dora as they reached the entrance of the passageway. "Look." Dora lowered her lit wand and kneeled down at the ground where Hazel was pointing. "You always clear our tracks. These must be someone else." Hazel conjured a ruler and placed it beside several tracks. "At least two people have been through here, there are two different shoe sizes. Signs of a dog and rats too."

Dora eyed Hazel. "Animagus?" Hazel nodded. "Probably. Let's check the wardline." They walked into the passageway, keeping their wands, or in Hazel's case a ball of light in her hand, lit. They stopped at the wardline and Hazel frowned as she checked the walls. "This passageway wasn't made by the same people as the others. No rune sequences activation points or repeaters. The ward here is the Castle's, weakened by passing through ground and stone." Dora pressed her hand against it and felt it give in quite a bit. She pressed her wand against it and remembered what Hazel taught her about peeling wards. She felt her wand carve a slit into the ward and the two of them entered through it. They watched as it repaired itself before Dora shook her head. "Well, that's unhelpful. Anyone well versed in wards or enchanting can slip right through." Hazel nodded. "Yup. Which means most Heirs and Heiresses from old homes around the age of fifteen." Dora sighed. "Sirius was an Auror and an Heir, even if unwanted by his mother. He would know how to slip through this." Hazel pointed her wand back down the passageway. " Homenum Revelio. Animalis Revelio ."

Seeing no responses, the two exited the tunnel onto the school grounds and stared at the closed doors. Dora eyed Hazel. "Any idea on a way in?" Hazel looked to the side of the Castle walls. "Not for a Dog. Boss said SB was in the wards by the time we arrived. Those dog prints might have been him escaping and we missed him." Dora sighed. "Great. Now what?" Hazel smiled. "Now we see if the castle needs wards to seal open spaces from flight." Taking flight as owls, Hazel and Dora split up and checked the several locations with open access to the sky, including the Astronomy Tower, the owleries for the Slytherin and Hufflepuff dorms and a few other opened windows. After finding Nova and Hedwig sitting comfortably in their respective roosts, both clearly not concerned over the events of the evening, Hazel and Dora made for the castle proper. They landed together just to the side of the entrance to the Great Hall, startling the two Aurors and Professor Lupin when they turned the corner into the guards line of sight, the werewolf lowering his wand when he recognized them. "How did you get inside?" Hazel shook her head. "Can't say. We will be writing a report to the Director and we aren't sure how long it may take to correct the vulnerability. The less people that know, the better." One of the Aurors, whom Hazel recognized as Proudfoot, nodded. "Understood. Hestia and I have scoured the immediate area, no signs of the man. Dumbledore confirmed he is out of the wards now."

Hazel eyed Lupin for a second before looking to the doors of the Great Hall. "We are going to pull out my son and Mr Potter from the Hall. We can keep them safe in our chambers and help reduce Mr. Potter's stress levels." Hazel had to restrain a growl when another voice joined the discussion. "Is that really necessary? The boys are safe in the Hall." Hazel glared at the Headmaster who seemed to appear from just around the corner. Hazel had to restrain herself from raising her wand against him. "Them being safe might be fine for you but I value their mental and emotional health. Harry is aware that Sirius Black may be after him and having the whole school looking at him all night long won't give him any rest for tomorrow's classes. As I have the authority to take them, I will. If you excuse me." Hazel pushed past the old man into the Hall, despite his protests, and she noticed every student's attention being directed towards her, the majority of them very much not asleep. She sighed. "Sirius Black is no longer on the Hogwarts Grounds and the entrances are currently secured by wards. You are all safe. Please take this opportunity to mingle and rest up for tonight." Hazel motioned for Dora to head for Teddy as she made her way to Harry who looked at with a smile. "Hazel." She smiled back. "Harry. Care for a quiet night?"

After he said his goodbyes to his friends, Hazel and Dora escorted the two up to their chambers. Dora sat them at the sofa's as Hazel went to transfigure the bed in the guestroom. "Dobby." The elf popped in. "Yes, Mistress Peverell?" Dora's hair and face went red. "For the last time, we are not married. Get some cups of Hot Chocolate for everyone here." The elf popped away as Teddy and Harry looked at her with amusem*nt. Dora glared at them. "Not a word. Hazel and I are not married." Harry smiled. "Sure, so why did I see a few hickeys on your neck this summer?" Dora blushed as Hazel returned. "Despite what the elves say, we are not married. We are just in a long romantic relationship. Marriage will come later." Harry nodded. "Andromeda explained a few things, including about how members of the old magic families courted each other." Hazel shook her head as she took the cup offered to her by Dobby. "Then you know you don't need to think about it until you are fifteen. Now, how are your friends doing?" Teddy smiled softly. "My roommates are ok but we all just have our own interests. We just say hi in the mornings and at night."

Harry looked guilty. "Daphne and Tracy got into a fight with Draco and his bookends in the Slytherin Common Room over their friendship with me. Daphne dealt well with it and Theo helped her out. Word is that they might be leading a bit of change in the Slytherin students about their behaviour, despite Draco's posturing." Hazel hummed. "Of all the students in their year, Theo could be the best bet in getting Draco to quiet down. He is Draco's better in the Traditionalist's views. Did Daphne say anything about Gemma Farley?" Harry nodded. "She gave her and Theo her support. Some of the older students weren't happy but she is the top Slytherin and the seventh year Prefect, so they all quieted down." Teddy looked to his mom. "Astoria said there were some problems in Ravenclaw. Some of the students were bullying a second year girl called Luna. She stepped in and got Professor Flitwick involved. A lot of students got in trouble for it, even a prefect." Hazel smiled. "You know, I think Astoria barely missed being a Gryffindor. Might explain her being a Hat Stall." Harry chuckled. "Daphne would have been insulted by that."

Teddy drank from his cup. "Are Hestia and Flora going to be ok?" Hazel rubbed his hair. "They have until June to be safe and I promise I will try to get them looked after. Just be patient with them. They are Slytherins, which means they will want to handle it themselves, even if they can't really manage it. Pride is part of ambition, after all." Conversation settled down for a bit until Harry spotted a picture of his parents on one of the tables. "Hazel, did you know my parents?" Hazel shook her head. "Not really. I saw some of your Dad's stunts and his skill as a Chaser, but everything else was hearsay. I didn't know we were related as Peverells until much later. I keep a picture of them since, in a way, they are the only other family I know of. My parents died when I was young too. When I came to Hogwarts, I was told they were Gryffindors so I picked that as my house. Worst mistake I ever made." Harry looked at her oddly. "Why?" Hazel looked him in the eyes. "Because everyone judged me by their standards. I wasn't athletic, brainy or popular. I sought a connection, but Gryffindor doesn't care too well for its students, not like Sprout does, or even Snape for that matter. McGonagall always treated me coldly, as did Dumbledore. I struggled academically for it. My OWLs were trash and I left the school before I completed my NEWTs. By the end of it all I was just… tired of the school."

Harry lowered his gaze. "Sorry I had to drag you back here." Hazel stood up and hugged him from behind. "I am here because of work, Harry. I am also here because of Teddy. He and I grew up to depend on each other. This job is helping us come to terms with the fact I won't be able to see him as often in the next seven years. Yes, there are bad memories here for me. A lot. But being with you, Dora and Teddy here… you are helping me make some good memories. So I am grateful to be here, even if Dora complains about me in the mornings." Dora grumbled. "Who gets up at five in the morning on a weekday?" Three hands went up and Dora glared at them all. "Traitors." Everyone laughed at her and Harry smiled. If he was honest, he picked Gryffindor for the same reasons as Hazel. The Hat wanted him in Gryffindor or Ravenclaw. It even offered him Slytherin. He would never regret not going to Slytherin, but he could see himself as a Ravenclaw. That night he and Teddy went to sleep in the guest room, with Hazel placing his parent's photo on his bedside table. Reading his Mom's journals was great and hearing a bit about his Dad from Professor McGonagall was good too. But Harry found moments like today better. With Ted, Andromeda, Dora, Hazel and Teddy, he didn't feel like a kid who lost his parents. He felt like he had what he always wanted: a family.

Chapter 32: Cold Winter Days

Chapter Text

Remus winced in pain as he woke up, feeling slightly disoriented. He moved to where he usually placed his discarded clothes during his transformations, his eyes still struggling with the low light of the inside of the Shrieking Shack, but he pulled his hand back the moment it came in contact with a metal bar. The sting of burning silver woke him up completely. He looked at his surroundings and his eyes stopped on a woman reading a book just beyond his reach on the other side of a silver cage, her long white hair tied into a braid and her eyes glowing eerily green. "Why are you here?" The woman turned another page of her book. "Doing my job." Remus frowned. "I am not Sirius Black." Hazel hummed. "No, but you are a close second, aren't you? He was your chum at school after all. A fellow Marauder. Isn't that right, Moony?" Remus winced at hearing his old nickname. "How do you know that name?" Hazel closed her book after marking her place with a leather strap. "Well, based on an enchanted bit of parchment, it was either Moony or Padfoot. You don't strike me as a Prongs or a Wormtail." Remus found a chair being conjured into his cell and his clothes were thrown to him through the bars. "Get dressed. I am in a steady relationship and you aren't even all that appealing to me."

After putting on his clothes, with his bones aching several times while doing it, Remus looked around again. "You letting me out?" Hazel smirked. "Not just yet. My particular orders are to keep the students safe but my backup orders are to aid my partner in capturing Sirius Black. You, as the only other Marauder I can figure, are my source of intel on the man. So let's start on the obvious question. Who are Prongs, Wormtail and Padfoot?" Remus sat in his chair and a table sprang up in front of him. He eyed the witch, unsure of what to make of her. She was hostile to him. His instincts screamed at him to get away from her as fast as possible. Yet her scent was partly familiar to him. "Have we met before in our youth?" The bitter laugh that came from her made him wince. "Oh no, Moony. I had no youth. I was an adult from an early age. Killing someone will do that to you. But no, we never truly met. I believe you might have been among relatives of mine, but this isn't about me." A silver lance landed just beside his hand on the table. Remus flinched before it vanished. "It's about you and Sirius Black. Talk." Remus stared at the witch, those green eyes confusing him. "The Marauders were a group of children. Myself, Sirius Black as Padfoot, James Potter as Prongs and Peter Pettigrew as Wormtail."

Hazel frowned. Three out of four Marauders were the same as hers, but only one name matched the group from her world. "Who is Peter Pettigrew?" Remus blinked at her. "Peter was our friend. A bit shy, not very brave but a wiz at Potions. Whenever our pranks needed a potion to work, he was our guy. He was the last person who had the map before he lost it in our seventh year to Filch." Hazel tapped her fingers on her book. "Where is he now?" Remus looked at her oddly. "You must have been too young to hear. He died after the attack on the Potters. Sirius killed him as soon as Peter confronted him about the attack, on a street in London. Thirteen muggles died with him." Hazel looked at him. "You just said he was shy and not brave. Why would he go after a known killer?" Remus clamped his mouth shut. His mind started working that out. "I… that's what the witnesses said." Hazel growled and Remus felt his wolf react in fear. "I don't care about witness stories or hearsay. I want to know the people. You just told me he was shy and cowardly. Why would Peter confront Sirius about the deaths of the Potters in the middle of a street with witnesses, if he believed the man was capable of murder? Wizards don't tend to care about Muggle witnesses when they go out killing. This doesn't match his personality. Was Black hiding his true self or did everyone get the wrong impression of the incident in London? Let's try something else. Tell me about Sirius Black and not what you think of him now. Who was he to you and to James Potter before Halloween of 1981?"

Remus thought back, a small smile on his face. "He was the jokester of the group. He loved pranks. He and James got on well together, thanks to Orion being close to Dorea. They were practically brothers. We each had our area of expertise and we shared our knowledge for classes. Mine was Charms, Peter's was Potions, James' was Transfiguration and Sirius' was Defence. We were always close, but James and Sirius were closer. Despite messing around, Sirius never allowed his grades to fall. James did for a while, until after his fifteenth birthday. He matured after that, but he and Sirius stayed the best of friends. They both went into the Auror Academy, got assigned to Moody and joined the Order. James was great in a fight, but Sirius was better, even after he took a curse aimed at James. Something about being in the middle of a fight just clicked with him. He often joked about beating Mad-Eye's record." Remus blinked for a bit and looked at Hazel. "You actually remind me of him. You're caring for your son one moment and punching me the next. You don't happen to have the Black Madness, do you?" Remus wanted to swallow his words. Hazel looked equal parts insulted and proud. The rage, though, was quite evident in her now glowing eyes. "Who seemed the most loyal to you? Who out of Sirius and Peter did James Potter trust above all?" Remus didn't hesitate for a second. "Sirius."

Hazel sat back as Remus seemed surprised by his own answer. Hazel wanted to scream and cry. Because Sirius sounded just like her Godmother. Her skill set had been Enchanting and Healing, not Defence, but that didn't mean she couldn't curse like the rest. She was a Black after all. Hazel swallowed the lump in her throat and did her best to keep the tears in her eyes before she looked at Remus again. "We found animal tracks through one of the possible exit routes from the castle. Were any of them Animagi?" Remus looked sad. "They all were, for me." Hazel stood up quickly. "I don't need you falling into a daydream filled with self pity. I need to know their Animagi forms." Remus glared at her. "A scraggy black dog, a Rat and a Stag. Sirius and Peter are the first two, in that order." Hazel cursed. "Damn it all to hell." She glared at Remus. "There are dog and rat prints in the escape route. What are the chances Peter lived? What if every witness got it wrong and Peter was the one attacked, not the other way around? Because everything you have told me says that Sirius would rather fight to the bitter end and die for James Potter." Remus stared at her, feeling how her words matched his own feelings concerning his friends. It certainly seemed more likely. "Then what happened at Godric's Hollow? Why would Sirius turn on them?"

After dispelling the silver cage, Hazel threw the Were his wand back. "Not what everyone assumes. You keep your nose out of the investigation. You might even get a letter asking for help with that parchment of yours. For now, do your bloody job." Remus nodded but he stopped as soon as a wand was at his throat. "One last thing. Keep our discussion between us. I don't want anyone to get wind of it, not even the Headmaster. The wards here are being adjusted and I added several more just for a private chat. You talk and we might lose both targets now. If that happens, you better hope the curse on the Defence Position gets you. Or I will. Got it?" Remus felt his wolf react again. What was it about this woman that terrified his wolf so completely? Those green eyes stared at him, filled with so much rage. He nodded. "I won't say a word." Hazel lowered her wand. "Be here an hour before sunset every full moon. I will seal you in the cage. You miss our time and I will personally drag you out of the castle and let the Whomping Willow give you a licks before locking you up again." Remus watched her leave and for some reason he felt relieved. Keeping his wolf contained was always a fear of his. The fact the wolf feared her made him feel secure in the knowledge he'd never hurt anyone under her watch. Yet something kept nagging at his mind. What was it about Hazel Peverell that felt so familiar to him?

-∞-

Harry watched the flap that led to the Quidditch pitch get pulled violently by the wing and rained outside. Wood had made them practice in bad weather before, but never this bad and never during a game. The Twins came up beside him and looked at the flap as well. "I think the Slytherins were right to skip this match. This weather ain't good for anything but watching through a window next to a toasty fire." George nodded his head. "Quite right, Fred. Too bad Hooch and Wood are cut from the same cloth. They would send us out to fly under a dragon migration." Harry shook his head. "Why did Diggory agree to this?" Angelina and the girls moved in front of him, the dark skinned girl ruffling his hair in passing. "Because the Hufflepuff team got gutted last year after graduation. Diggory got to be Captain as the only surviving player besides their Keeper, who has also only played for a year. He couldn't say no to an early game to test out his players and the bad weather gives him a bit of help against us." Alicia lifted the tent flap but lowered it again as soon as she got her face drenched. "More like running his teammates into the ground." She turned to Harry. "Diggory is going to be after you a bit. Keep him distracted as much as you can with the snitch or just catch it. Either way, we win." Harry nodded as he settled his nerves.

Wood came up and took the lead as everyone walked out onto the pitch. No one wanted to fly out just yet. The two teams approached Madam Hooch but Harry's eyes locked onto another figure. Fred bumped into Harry's shoulder. "Is your cousin bringing us some good news? Would love to get back under a roof." Harry watched as Hazel walked towards Hooch, the rain bouncing off an invisible barrier over her head as she seemed to be muttering to herself. Hooch sighed. "Can I help you, Instructor Peverell?" Hazel lifted one finger up as she continued muttering before she threw a small disc onto the floor. The effect was instant as the wind and rain stopped entirely. Harry could hear the relief from the stands as the entire Quidditch field seemed to be shielded. Hazel pulled a strap of leather over her pages and closed the book. "I swear, the forgetfulness of Wizards and Witches is as bad as their stupidity. The barrier is the full playable range of the game and it's tied to the leylines so it will hold for the day before the disc burns out from the magic running through it. Why no one thought to make a permanent barrier in case of severe weather is beyond me. Anyways, you knuckleheads can exit the barrier if you want to take an impromptu shower. It's not designed to keep you in or anyone out, just the rain and severe wind."

Hazel turned around as both teams watched her back as she left the field. Wood leaned over to Harry. "I think I love your cousin." Harry gave him the stink eye. "Trust me, she's taken. You are also not her type." Wood shook his head and turned to the equally happy Hooch and Diggory. After everyone was done getting dried off, the game started with the players taking to the skies. Harry did as instructed and kept blocking Cedric's view of the game as the match got underway. They both chased after the snitch a few times until Harry pushed into him a bit, forcing both to lose sight of the golden ball with wings. Harry could hear the stands clamouring as the Gryffindor Chasers kept scoring repeatedly, the Hufflepuff side too untrained to do much against the veteran chasers. As soon as they had a healthy lead, Harry focused on catching the Snitch. Cedric, however, took their earlier roles and reversed them. He kept chasing Harry away from the Snitch as the two fought over getting ahead of the other. As the match dragged on, Harry noticed a change in the soft wind. It suddenly got cold. An amplified voice echoed through the pitch. "Dementors! Everyone is to take cover. Professors that can do it, cast your Patroni now! Have them shield the stands!"

Harry saw several white magical animals shoot into the crowd as he tried to move down to the pitch with the other players. He felt the cold increase and he heard his mother's voice again, followed by her screams. His grip on the broom felt weaker as his vision blurred. The feeling vanished as his vision was filled with a blinding white light. He turned around and felt his mouth drop open. A massive Skeletal Dragon chased the Dementors away from the pitch, its maw open and emitting a blue flame. He watched as several cloaked figures shot out through the barrier, many sporting blue flames on their cloaks, the air filling with a rank smell of burning cloak and flesh. The massive magical creature turned and flew circles around the pitch until it faded away. He heard Hooch call the game to continue and saw the snitch was too close to Diggory. He had heard the last announcement from Lee as well. He rushed down and used his broom to block a throw from the Hufflepuff Chasers as Katie swooped in and caught the ball. His chasers headed straight for the Hufflepuff goals as Harry blocked one of the opposing Chasers. He heard the stands cheer as the point was scored before Hooch blew the whistle. "Diggory has caught the Snitch but Gryffindor scored first." Lee Jordan announced the results. "The scores are 190-180! Gryffindor wins thanks to a quick intercept by Potter and score from the Gryffindor Chasers!"

The teams landed on the pitch and shook hands under the loud cheering from the stands, Diggory giving Harry a big smile. "You're getting good at this, Potter. Nice switch in strategy at the end." Harry smiled and shook his hand. "You were good too. Felt those blocks in my ribs. Still do." Cedric's cheeks grew flushed. "Sorry about those. I know they are legal but I think I hit you a bit hard." Hooch congratulated all of them as Harry moved towards the lockers with the team. He got ambushed by a hug as soon as he got out into the open. "You did wonderfully out there. Your Dad would have been proud." Harry blinked as he saw Andromeda pull away. "You came?" Andromeda smiled. "Of course we did. Ted might have cheered for his old house but I was backing you up completely. Teddy too." Teddy hugged him. "I sorta bet that you'd win, even if Cedric got the Snitch. Didn't think it would actually happen." Harry hugged him back. "Thanks Teddy. It means a lot. Where's your Mom?" Teddy chuckled. "Probably sending Aithusa after the Dementors. She'll probably chase them all the way back to Azkaban. They weren't supposed to get on the grounds. Mom was very mad. At least Aithusa had a bit of fun setting them on fire." Harry felt his hair getting ruffled as he got pulled along, a smile fixed warmly on his face. He loved having a family.

-∞-

"Happy Christmas Harry." Harry smiled as he got pulled into a hug. "Happy Christmas Teddy." The boys sat at the table as Ted joined them within the Tonks household dining room. "Glad you could join us Harry, even with all the added drama of the manhunt." Harry shifted his chair closer to the table. "It's fine, sir." Ted shook his head. "It will be when you call me Ted." Harry blushed. "Sorry, Ted. Some habits are hard to kick." Ted hummed. "Indeed. Though having others helps with that. Nymphadora being an Alcoholic is a good example of that, since she was one until Hazel and Teddy made her go dry. For the most part." Dora huffed as she sat down, her very much alcoholic eggnog in her hand. "Hey, I wasn't that bad." Ted raised an eyebrow at her. "Really? Aberforth seemed quite sure you wrecked his bar once. Must have been the other seventh year Metamorphmagus from Hufflepuff." Dora blushed. "Yeah, well, a bad break up would do that to you." Ted shook his head and turned to the kitchen. "So, how was last night? Your door was silenced." Dora eyed Teddy as she drank from her eggnog. "Not as good as you might think." Teddy gave her a sad look. "Nightmare?" Dora nodded. "Yeah. Apparently she has those a lot around Christmas." Harry looked between them and Ted noticed.

"Hazel's life has left its scars. She has nightmares that can affect her mood. Didn't know they tended to be around a certain date." Teddy looked towards the kitchen. "Mom has nightmares around Christmas and around the Summer Solstice. Those days she remembers her Godmother the most and I think that hurts her a lot." Harry drank from his hot chocolate. He hoped that he didn't follow suit, especially around Halloween. His day this morning had been great, at least. Presents from his friends at school arrived, including Hermione's typical book, this time on Alchemy as he expressed an interest in the course, after the last year and a half of potions had gone well enough. Snape kept his complaints in class to a minimum and no longer seemed interested in docking as many points as before from him. He still favored the Slytherins, but it didn't seem as blatant. The Weasleys sent Harry a bunch of candy and Molly's usual knitted sweater. The face Hazel had made when he pulled it over his head had been fun to see. The Tonks gave him a few more gifts aimed at adding more personal touches to his room, including a few cool carvings of a stag and a doe. They had been his parents Patroni.

Dora gave him a weird book on personal hygiene which earned her a glare from Andromeda and Hazel while a laugh from Ted. Ted told Harry to save it for when he got himself a girlfriend. Teddy got him a cool necklace made of black dragon scales and leather. It had some enchantments, including some warding against fire. Hazel's gift had been one of the most interesting. It was a pocket watch. Teddy got a similar one too, though his colors and emblems were different. Hazel had smiled. "As an Heir to House Potter, one of the traditions is to have a pocket watch with your family crest on it. It has space for a wizarding photo of your choice. Use it in your Potions class to keep a closer eye on your brews." Hazel had pulled Teddy to her as he opened his and saw the picture. Whatever it was made the young Hufflepuff smile for the rest of the day. His thoughts were interrupted by the doorbell. Dora stood up. "I got it." Harry stood up and smiled as Susan and her Aunt arrived. Andromeda came from the kitchen and hugged Amelia. "Thanks for coming today."

Amelia smiled. "Thank you for having us." Susan came to Harry's side and presented him with a gift. "Happy Christmas, Harry." Harry blinked a bit before he smiled. "Happy Christmas, Susan." He opened the gift and smiled. "Thank you." He wrapped the wand holster to his arm as Amelia and Susan sat at his side, the former speaking up. "You might want to look closely at the bottom." Harry frowned and looked. His eyes widened at the inscribed tag on it as Amelia explained. "James was one of ours. There is a tradition that Auror wrist holsters are stored at the DMLE before being returned to their family. Took a bit of work finding that since there had been no one to return it to at the time. A lot of good Aurors didn't come home that October." Harry nodded, his eyes a bit watery. "Thank you." Susan smiled at him. "So, any Quidditch gifts?" Amelia sighed and Ted gave her a knowing look. Harry smiled at Susan. "Someone sent me a broom but Hazel is having it checked out. I should have it by the time we are at Hogwarts. It was a Firebolt." Susan beamed. "Can I try it when you get it back?" The two chatted away as Hazel and Andromeda set the table after setting the big oven roast and the rest of the food on the table. Amelia looked at Hazel. "Who sent the Firebolt?" Hazel looked at her closely. "We think it was a certain godfather making up for lost time." Amelia sighed and looked at Harry, rubbing her ring finger absentmindedly.

Hazel, for her part, looked over at Harry, feeling a little guilty for having the Firebolt be checked for anything dangerous, even if Harry had agreed to it. She had recused herself from telling Harry about their investigation into Sirius Black as they got back from Hogwarts. The boy deserved better than to feel and see the anger in her voice, especially when it was undeserved. Andromeda and Dora sat him down and explained the likelihood he was innocent and warned him about the dangers should he see a rat or a black dog. Harry's comment on the Weasley's pet rat had made Hazel apparate to the Burrow just a few days prior. Mr. Weasley confirmed that Ron's rat had gone missing some time during the school year. Hazel asked him to keep an eye on it, saying it could have been used to introduce a cursed object into the school. Mr. Weasley agreed to inform her if Ron ever got it back. She was grateful that Harry would also be on the lookout. As everyone sat down and ate, Hazel sat closely to Teddy and her son smiled at her. "Sorry we were so busy this last month, Mom." Hazel kissed him on the hair. "It's ok. I was a student too and I know what December exams are like." The two sat together with Dora on the same sofa as the after dinner party started. Hazel used her Conjuration skills to sporadically make mistletoe appear on the roof. Ted and Andromeda gave each other a kiss that made Dora blush, while Hazel gave Dora one that left her Partner breathless. Still, the kiss Susan gave Harry on the cheek was the highlight. For a non-Metamorphmagus, his face took on a most impressive shade of red.

-∞-

OW December 25th 1993

Hazel stirred awake in her bed in the Chamber of Secrets. The Castle had been attacked again before the beginning of the Yuletide Recess. Fearing for the safety of the students, the Wizengamot had ordered the school to close down and for all the students to go home for the holiday. Not interested in spending Christmas with the Dursleys, Hazel left a note for McGonagall and Dumbledore telling them she was staying in the Castle. She heard quite a bit of grumbling from the Aurors about the possibility of her being in the Castle and that they were to catch her as soon as she was spotted but they never did. The Hogwarts Elves and Dobby were more than happy to keep her fed and safe. On Christmas Eve, the Elves provided her with a ton of food and she might have overindulged, especially on the dessert. She certainly felt her stomach a bit full but she was too thankful to them to not eat as much as she could. That night she conjured herself a Christmas tree and messed around with the lumos charm, creating several balls of light in a variety of colors, all of them flying through the air. She remembered getting into the bed and rubbing Isa's back. "This was the best Christmas ever, Isa. I only wish I had someone else here with me. I am so tired of being alone." She fell asleep soon after, hence why she was confused when she woke up.

Looking over a table full of breakfast and a few gifts, she thought that maybe Dobby had stayed in the chamber last night with her until she felt Isa pull a bit of parchment to her. Hazel frowned as she read it. Said parchment was soon dotted with wet spots, as tears raced down Hazel's cheeks. Her Godmother had somehow found her way into the Chamber and left her the food and gifts.

To my dearest Hazel,

I am sorry that I wasn't there for you as I should have been. I was a spy within the Death Eaters, meant to be Dumbledore's eyes and ears with regards to the attacks they carried out. My gift in healing allowed me the chance to serve the Death Eaters without having to get my hands dirty. At least, not as much. I won't lie to you. I am a killer. I killed the Longbottoms. I watched as Barty Crouch and the Lestranges drove them to insanity with the Torture Curse. The bastards gloated about it all the way to their trials. I watched my extended family and a close friend of Lily's be driven to madness. I did the only thing I could for them. I gave them a swift and merciful end. Neville and Augusta deserved better than to watch their family wither away, their minds gone forever. Despite this, I cannot help but care about you and to regret never getting the chance to watch you grow. To keep you safe. But I am here now, even if I cannot interact with you directly just yet, for your safety and mine. I will watch over you and protect you until my demented cousin is either dead or gone. Afterwards, I promise to be there for you, always. Happy Christmas, my little sapling.

With love, your Godmother

For the first time in her life, Hazel could say that she cried out of joy. She knew it. She knew her Godmother wasn't just another Death Eater like her mad cousin. She hugged the letter to herself and whispered "thank you." repeatedly. She ate her breakfast slowly, still under the effects of the heavy meal from the night prior before she checked her presents. One was a book on how to take care of unruly hair, which made Hazel giggle. Another present was a book on the Potter family, which she was thankful for. She had looked everywhere in Diagon Alley and found so little about them. The last thing was a wallet. She frowned at first until she read the note attached to it. She opened the wallet and felt new tears fill her eyes. Her Godmother sent a picture of her together with her parents as they dropped Hazel into the woman's arms. She could see the love and joy in her Godmother's face.

Hazel held the wallet to her chest and spent the day quietly in the Chamber, practicing a few of the new defence spells she had been assigned. While Lupin had agreed to teach her the Patronus Charm after another painful run in with a Dementor as she jogged around the Quidditch pitch during a game, he had told her to wait till after the Yuletide for her first lesson. So she practiced the other spells from his class. Or more specifically the classes he missed. Snape had been interestingly direct with his lesson on Werewolves, including the spells needed to conjure Silver Arrows and Spears. He warned that the likelihood anyone of them managed the spell was low, as Conjuration was a sixth year skill in Transfiguration. Hazel had quietly smiled at that. She had Conjuration down wandlessly. So the rest of the day was spent launching arrows and spears at the wall of the chamber. She eventually settled on the spear, as she had an easier time visualizing it. On and on she waved her hand at the wall until it started getting peppered with spears. She made them thinner and smaller to reduce her exhaustion and kept casting it over and over again under the watchful gaze of her cat.

The last few tries at the spell were a bit more frustrating as she used the liquids from her potions kit to test for silver. Silver was used a bit in potions but its presence was dangerous in certain brews, so the Potions kits came with means to detect silver, something she needed now. Unfortunately, it kept coming up negative on her spears. She used every trick of visualization to get the constitution right, even shifting the incantation words, as Snape never bothered to correct anyone's pronunciation. At last she screamed, " Argentum Lanceam ." Her last spear was clearly bigger than the rest but she had pushed more magic into it. Breathing heavily, Hazel reached the wall and poured the liquid onto the lance. She watched as the liquid changed color and she slumped onto the cold ground, breathing heavily but with a smile on her face. Isa came up to her and jumped onto her chest, which made Hazel smile. She petted the cat. "Well Isa, at least I know how to defend myself against Professor Lupin now. Just a few more practice throws and maintaining the right visualization and he won't be able to hurt me. I'll be ready for those lessons for the Patronus spell." Hazel felt the cat purr as she closed her eyes. She had a Godmother that cared about her and a means of protecting herself beyond her black flames. This was certainly the best Christmas ever.

-∞-

NW January 1st 1994

Dora kissed Hazel warmly as she felt her body settle down from a surprise and amorous wakeup call. She breathed heavily as she eyed her partner, smiling contently. "What was that for?" Hazel blushed. "An apology? I tend to freak out on you a lot after a bad dream. Last night was a good dream, so I felt like sharing the warm feeling it left me with." Dora smiled. "I appreciate that. Did you silence the door?" Hazel nodded. "I don't want to traumatize my son, or embarrass you with your family." Dora hummed and turned over, pressing Hazel onto the bed. Hazel seemed to search her eyes. "What are you up to?" Dora blushed. "A little experimenting. If you will let me." Hazel rubbed Dora's cheek. "Ok, but be gentle. I don't… I don't want to freak out on you." Dora kissed her warmly. She pressed her body into Hazel's and the bed started squeaking as Dora gave in to her yearning. She watched Hazel's eyes focus on her before they rolled back into her skull a few times. She bit down into Hazel's neck as Hazel screamed in ecstasy, her legs wrapped around Dora's waist. The two breathed deeply as Hazel stared into Dora's purple eyes. She smiled. "You dropped the shift on your eyes midway." Dora flushed in embarrassment. "Ohh."

Hazel kissed Dora and pulled teasingly on her lower lip before releasing it. "None of that. I told you to be honest to yourself. You know I like it when your real eyes are the ones I see." Dora nodded. "I know. I… will try to not shift them all the time but please understand…" Hazel rubbed Dora's cheek with her hand. "I understand. You look in the mirror and see someone you don't want to be. Trust me, I know that feeling. Better than most. For me though, no matter what appearance I take, the look never changes. Because it's not what's on the skin that bothers me. It's what's underneath it." Dora pulled Hazel onto her side and the two cuddled together. "Did you try it? Being someone else entirely?" Hazel closed her eyes and sighed. "Yes and no." She opened them and looked at Dora. "When my Godmother died, I buried myself in her home. Only came out for Hogwarts. When I did… I was different. I was colder, indifferent. I didn't care about anyone or anything." Dora frowned as she remembered something. "This was when you dated your ex?" Hazel nodded. "We got together just before the Winter Recess. I had no illusions we were going to last. But I wanted to feel something other than pain."

Dora lifted her head from the bed with her hand. "What happened?" Hazel's eyes turned red and Dora shivered. "I tried being someone else. It was intoxicating, exhilarating and it made me feel good." Her eyes shifted to green again. "But I realized I was living a lie. An illusion. Sure, everything looked fine on the surface but no matter what, I knew it was going to end badly and it did." Hazel breathed deeply and sighed. "I don't regret it though. Because I learned who I was from that moment on. I learned what I was forced to become." Hazel's eyes watered. "I also learned what was expected of me. I was supposed to die. My world's Dumbledore planned it from the start." Dora froze. "Is Harry… ?" Hazel shook her head. "I don't know. Without the book, maybe the old man doesn't know and hasn't planned his death yet. Regardless, whatever happens, I won't let Harry turn out like me." Dora kissed Hazel's forehead. "What? A hot badass who is a great mom?" Hazel glared at Dora. "You know that's not what I meant." Dora chuckled. "I know. But that's what I see. I see you suffering and hurting, but above that I see a woman who is a great mom, who does the right thing, even if her methods are questionable and whose very presence makes me happy."

Hazel saw the truth of Dora's words in her eyes and pinned Dora underneath her. "There is a part of me that wants to break that idea you have of me. A part of me wants you to run scared of me like everyone else. You have seen a part of me and somehow like it. Would you still like it if I showed you everything?" Hazel's eyes grew dark and silver in color as magic started to radiate from her. Dora stared at her. "Stop." Hazel's eyes lighten up again, back to their green color, her magic settling down. "So, not ready?" Dora leaned up and kissed her. "No. Because that's not you. No matter what you try to convince me of." Hazel sighed and sat down, making Dora bite her lower lip to suppress a moan. Hazel gave her a devilish smile. "Oh, still raring to go? Even after everything this morning? Even after seeing those eyes of mine?" Dora leaned up and kissed her passionately, causing Hazel's mind to melt. "For you? I'll always want you. I am not afraid." Hazel sighed into the kiss and pressed her waist down, making Dora groan. A few minutes later, after pulling her clothes on, Hazel turned to an equally dressed Dora and kissed her on the lips. "Careful what you promise me, Partner. I will hold you to it." Dora nodded. "And I will keep my word."

Chapter 33: Lessons in Defence

Chapter Text

"All right you two, come up here and look over the guns. Pick one and we will get you started. MI5 was happy with the last mission you worked on together, but they would like it if you all fit in better with their raids." Dora rolled her eyes. "Right, like two females wearing skin tight tactical gear doesn't make us stand out already." Quetz glared at Dora. "Coneja, those missions will probably involve you getting some bulletproof gear, so don't be a smart ass." Dora was about to retort when Hazel shoved her shoulder. "Stop picking a fight. This is interesting." Dora turned to her. "You know what she called me." Hazel smirked. "And the more lip you give her, the more creative she will get with her insults in Spanish. Now zip it." Dora wilted under Quetz glare before the blonde witch pulled the cloth off from the table in front of her, revealing a large display of pistols, all of different designs and calibers. "We are starting small today, with your standard issue sidearms from all over the UK and Europe. Pick the one that feels more comfortable in your hand. We will adjust your picks from there as soon as you start shooting." Quetz watched as Dora went for the biggest gun and morphed her hand to match the size. She sighed. "Or you can just cheat. Maldita sean los cambiaformas."

Hazel looked up from her much smaller gun choice, her eyes glowing green. "If I hear Teddy cursing in Spanish before he is fifteen, you, me and your diosa are going to have some words." Quetz swallowed. "Noted." Quetz eyed as Hazel weighed the guns in her hand and smiled. The witch had a good grasp of the weight of a gun slowing her down, not exactly that dissimilar from the weight, shape and grip of a melee weapon. She saw Hazel check the switch on the stock next to the trigger. "I know you acquire these weapons from the non-magical government, but how likely are we going to need a full automatic pistol in our field of work?" Quetz tapped her chin. "Not very. At least not with a sidearm. In your case I'd recommend semi-auto, but knowing you have the option isn't bad either." Hazel hummed and lowered the gun she picked up and took another one. "I'll go semi-auto for now, medium caliber. We might be able to adjust our muscle structure to compensate with the recoil but maybe it's better we try your typical variety of weapon. Especially if it's the standard most criminals carry, as I might end up using their weapons." Quetz chuckled. "That's the spirit. Go and put your safety gear on. I'll teach you how to adjust a localized deafening spell so you can use the firearms freely in the field afterwards, but do try and use the safety gear in house."

Quetz helped both Hazel and Dora get into a proper shooting position. "Aim down the iron sights. Get them as level as you can. Once you are sure, release the safety. Your finger is to be off the trigger until you want to fire. I don't want to hear about any accidental misfires from you two. My friends in MI5 will never let me hear the end of it. Now, as for breathing… " Quetz ran Hazel through exercises, checked her grip and arm position and stepped back. A shot rang out. Then another. Hazel took her time adjusting her grip and aimed. Her last bullet in the magazine managed to hit the target dead center. Quetz showed her how to release the magazine. "Some guns have a bit of lean in certain directions, and your posture doesn't help. Yours was a bit to the right. Take a few shots like you did, compensate and keep trying." Quetz went to work with Dora and her heavy revolver as Hazel kept doing more target practice. She winced when Dora almost smacked herself from the recoil in the face after her first shot. "That, amiga, is why you go for smaller calibers first. Big hands or not." Dora blushed and handed her the revolver. "Right, got it." Dora and Quetz went back to the table and Quetz gave her a few pointers as Hazel kept practicing her marksmanship.

Horatio walked in and watched quietly as Quetz taught Dora how to shoot the smaller pistol. He moved closer to Hazel as she switched out her empty magazine. "Not as easy as it looks, is it?" Hazel pulled the ear protection and safety glasses of her face and shook her head. "I imagine muscle memory will eventually play a part in this, but getting quicker and more accurate with the aim takes some work." Horatio nodded. "We have had a few wizards and witches give up on them for that reason. They had a bit of an issue separating gun accuracy and spell casting aim. The Aurors tried to incorporate both once upon a time but gave up for the same reasons." Hazel thought about it and nodded. "I can see that. Maybe have firearm exercises prior to a mission involving muggles and then a bit of spellcasting afterwards? Get the muscle memory issues cleared out before they are a problem?" Horatio hummed as he looked at Dora, who got some shots onto the target. "Agreed. I'll arrange for that as soon as a proper mission comes up. Croaker wants to see you and Dora as soon as you are free. We got some intel on the Sirius Black case."

Croaker started the briefing as soon as the three were in his office. "Our Enchanters are closer to figuring out how the map works. We hope that in a few weeks we can have working prototypes in your hands to facilitate the hunt. The bit of intel was something one of our younger Unspeakables had seen but had no way of knowing if it was important or not. After reviewing his memories, we have confirmation that Peter Pettigrew is very much alive and has been at Hogwarts. The longest periods of time were spent in the third year boys dorm room near Ronald Weasley, so the Weasley pet, Scabbers, is indeed our not quite dead Animagus." Dora looked at Croaker. "How soon will the DMLE be informed of this?" Croaker sighed and dropped his paper. "Amelia, Rufus and Alastor will be made aware. They are the vetted members of the DMLE. We can't, however, disseminate the information. The memories of the Unspeakable working on the map reveals Pettigrew has entered and left the wards repeatedly this last year. If he hears about the hunt for him, we might lose him forever."

Hazel looked at Horatio and back at Croaker. "So, our orders now are the safe retrieval of both Pettigrew and Black." Horatio nodded. "Aside from guarding the Castle, those are your orders for the new term." Dora stood up. "Anything else?" The two men turned to Hazel. "The fact that Pettigrew is alive and was a member of the group that comprised of Black, Potter and Lupin should dispel any concerns of Black being the actual traitor. Are you able to put aside your feelings for the man from your world and not try to kill our Black on sight?" Hazel saw an image of her Sirius Black flash before her closed eyes. Everyone saw her exposed arms light up as arcs of red light danced over her naked skin. She exhaled deeply and opened her eyes. "No. I can't. I won't kill him outright, but my instinct still tells me to hurt him. If you want him unharmed, I need to be kept from seeing or hearing him." Croaker sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "What happened that you hate him so much?" Dora rushed to Hazel as her body shook at the memory. "Everything. If there are four people I can blame fully for my fate in my own world, they are Dumbledore, Voldemort, Severus Snape and Sirius Black."

-∞-

OW February 1994

"Expecto Patronum." A thin wisp of white mist erupted from her wand. Hazel grinded her teeth as Lupin watched on. "Try another memory. It needs to be a happy memory. The happiest you have ever been." Hazel closed her eyes. She focused on the memory from this last Christmas. The letter she received from her Godmother. What it made her feel. She focused on it as she aimed her wand. " Expecto Patronum ." A slightly larger torrent of mist erupted from her wand, but its shape was irregular. Remus frowned as Hazel discontinued the spell, the latter breathing heavily. "Well, that's odd. Shield Patroni are quite common. Your Patronus seemed to be trying to take corporeal form yet it couldn't." Hazel sighed, feeling exhausted. "Great. Another issue with my magic. Would be nice if my magic would just settle down, for once." Remus pulled out a bar of chocolate and offered it to her but Hazel just glared at him. He sighed. "It's not poisoned or covered in potions." Hazel kept her eye on him and shook her head. "Not exactly a fan, regardless." Remus placed the bar of chocolate on the desk. "Hazel, why do you keep doing this?"

Hazel frowned. "Doing what?" Remus looked her in the eyes. "Pushing people away. You spent the Yuletide somewhere locked away in the Castle. You don't have a group of friends to call your own and you antagonize Dumbledore at every turn. It's not healthy." Hazel glared at him. "You don't have the right to judge me on my personal life." Remus shook his head. "I was a friend of your parents, Hazel. All the way from Hogwarts to that fateful night. I was their friend and in my own heart they were my family." Hazel looked at him and chuckled bitterly. "Oh, I am sure they must be loving you in the grave. Did your friendship stop at me? Did I piss on you as a toddler? Tell me, Lupin, what made you give up on the daughter of your so-called family for twelve years?" Remus looked at her closely. "Hazel, you were living with muggles." Hazel dismissed that. "Who knew of magic because of family, so that's no excuse. Try again." Remus seemed to straighten up a bit. "Dumbledore…" Hazel spat at hearing his name. "Isn't my Grandfather, blood relation or even my real Magical Guardian. Try harder. Why did you abandon me?"

Remus rubbed his face with his hand. "I have a condition. It's not safe to be around me. Especially as a kid." Hazel blinked at him before she laughed. She sat on a heavy closed trunk and laughed at him. "You are in a school with hundreds of kids for ten months of the year, and now you suddenly claim it is not safe for a child to be around you? Really? You are only a threat for a few days of the month on the full moon. Don't give me anymore crappy excuses. You had three tries. You failed at all of them!" Remus yelled at her. "It's illegal for a werewolf to be near a child before the age of nine." Hazel yelled back. "And you and my accursed parents were vigilantes breaking the law since before leaving Hogwarts. Don't you dare use the law as an excuse! You turned your back on them and me!" Remus froze. "You… your parents loved you. They died for you. How can you curse them?" Hazel glared at the man. "I would have rather died with them. I have lived twelve years without any care from anyone. Not my dead parents, not a senile old man and certainly not you. What made you think I would care about anyone in return? Why would I glorify the people who chose to make the war their first priority and their own child second?" Remus sighed. "They were making a better world for you."

Hazel looked around. "You see that better world somewhere? The racists are still in power, securing their authority at every turn, the muggleborns are still treated like sh*t and when a little girl asks anyone for help, all I get is told to stop making up lies. This world isn't any better! So what was the point of it all? They could have taken me anywhere in the world, away from these cursed islands. They had the money and the right. They could have fled and raised me as a daughter, safe from the nightmare of the war. Instead they stayed, like good little soldiers. They stayed and hid, antagonizing a madman at every turn. How exactly was that exemplary parental behaviour?" Remus shook his head. "You don't understand. We all had a duty to fight." Hazel yelled. "And I have the right to curse the names of my parents for it. You're not the one who gets to see them every bloody time a Dementor decides that I need my tonsils inspected. I see them and I hate them because they should have been there for me! You should have been there for me! My Godmother at least had the excuse that she was dragged off to Azkaban against her will!"

Remus stood up straight, his instincts recognizing something in her voice. "You know something about her. Hazel, the woman is dangerous." Hazel lifted her book bag over her shoulder. "Like you? Sorry Professor, but if you have trouble telling when and how you are dangerous to students, I am not about to take your word for it that my Godmother is any greater threat to me." Remus reached out and held her shoulder. "I am not joking around. She's a Death Eater, Hazel." Hazel looked at the hand on her shoulder and then at his eyes. "Right. So is my Potion's Master, a member of the Board of Governors and a third of the Wizengamot. Either they suck at being dangerous or they are just as dangerous as everyone else, including you." Remus tried to turn her around. "The Aurors need to-" his suggestion was cut off as he pulled his hand away from Hazel, a familiar pain burning his skin. Hazel spun a little blade of silver in her hand, a red line of blood slowly burning away on the blade. "The first Defence Professor taught me a lot. By instruction and example. I don't trust you, Dumbledore or anyone else. I trust myself, because I am the only one who seems to ever care about me. So I suggest you keep your hands to yourself, Professor. I already killed one Defence professor. Don't give me a reason to kill you too. I regretted killing my first professor. You… you I might do it with a smile on my face." Hazel turned around and left, leaving behind a stunned Lupin as he held his bleeding hand.

-∞-

NW February 1994

Teddy looked over his Herbology assignment and added the final answers before drying it wandlessly. His Mom had kept his wandless training since the start of term, starting with small spells like drying ink, lighting, summoning and banishing charms. She started teaching him a few more based on the stunning and shielding charms he had already learned with a wand, but those were harder to manage for him. At least for now. He turned to the other students at his table. "Done." Hestia and Flora raised their heads from their own assignment. They batted their eyelashes at him. "Would you look over ours?" Teddy smiled and shook his head. "Not until you are done." They both frowned and went back to work as Astoria sighed, lowering her quill onto the table. "Done with mine too. Do you still have to do the one Snape assigned in DADA?" Teddy shook his head. "No, I did that one the day he assigned it." Astoria cursed under her breath. "Why did he even assign it? Werewolves are a third year topic. He gave the same one to my sister's class." Teddy looked between Astoria and the twins, who seemed to be thinking about Astoria's comment.

"Probably because Remus Lupin is one." The Twins looked up and then at each other. "Oh, that is mean." The other girl, Flora he was sure, giggled. "Oh it is. He must have been ordered to keep quiet." Hestia hummed. "But Snape wants the Defence position for himself." Flora continued. "What better way than to get the competition sacked." Hestia finished. "Indeed. Having the students telling the secret to their parents for him instead." Astoria rested her chin on her hands. "I am so happy I am not in Slytherin. I might have gone insane keeping up with all the other Heirs and Heiresses and their plots, only for the Head of House to have his own." The twins giggled as Teddy shook his head. Astoria looked at Teddy. "You knew before the assignment?" Teddy nodded as he pulled out his Charms assignment. "You know how my Mom is. If it can hurt me, she gives me a full lesson on it. She had me pick up on the nuances and habits of Weres, Vampires, Hags and people under Possession." The Twins shuddered. "Nana told us about some cases of Possession. Very nasty." The other twin nodded. "Same with Hags. Some like to make food out of muggle kids. Aurors aren't very friendly to them if the Hags are caught with a kid."

Teddy shuddered. "Yeah, I am staying clear of Knockturn Alley." Astoria smirked. "Please, they wouldn't dare to attack you there. Especially not with that last name of yours." Teddy shrugged. "True, but best to not give my Mom a reason to smite a whole street's worth of people." Teddy's words caused the Twins to eye him curiously as Teddy looked over his Charms homework and leaned closer to Astoria. "Can you help me with the theory?" Astoria looked over and nodded, pulling out her own assignment. "Sure. I need to start mine too. After this, you can help me with the DADA essay." Teddy nodded and started taking down notes. He was glad for his friendship with Astoria. Not only was she fun to be around, but she had a better grasp of theory. They clicked together well, as he showed her the ways to get the practical aspects down and she even found how the theory helped with that. History of Magic though, was a bit of a problem for him. The histories of the two worlds were not that different but some of the dates were. He had to make a lot of excuses to his friends about why he screwed up with the dates and he made sure they never used his assignments as study material.

The four of them eventually finished their assignments and Astoria went to return the books. Teddy felt the twins grip both of his arms from either side. Hestia stared into his eyes. "Why is Lady Peverell asking about our parents?" Teddy blushed. "Your Boggart. If that was real, then it was wrong of them to do that to you." Flora turned his head towards her. "If it was, what could she do? Our parents are the Heads of our House. They are appealing to recover their seats in the Wizengamot. They can treat us however they like and the Wizengamot can't do anything about it." Teddy turned serious. "The laws are different now. Your memories can send them back to Azkaban." Flora's eyes scanned his face. "And if they get away with it?" Teddy shook his head. "They won't. Mom hates people who hurt kids. If she can charge them with a crime, she will. If she can't, she will find another way. I promise you." Hestia pulled his head back to her. "How can you be sure?" Deciding it was fair to trust them if he wanted them to trust his Mom, he looked at them both. "Don't repeat this to anyone."

Hestia and Flora stared at each other and nodded, answering in stereo. "We won't." Teddy sighed. "Lockhart. Mom took care of Lockhart." The Twins blinked at him a few times before their mouths broke into smiles. "Ok. We will trust her." Hestia leaned in and kissed his cheek. "Thank you, noble Hufflepuff." Flora kissed his other cheek. "A Lion in the Badgers' Den indeed." The Twins took off and left as Teddy's face and hair were cycling colors. He felt a handkerchief cleaning his cheeks and blushed as Astoria glared at him. "Must you be such a gentleman?" Teddy nodded. "I don't want to be the type of person that has hurt my family before. If I can help people who need it, I will." Astoria stuffed her handkerchief away and searched his eyes. "Try not to let all this go to your head. You are cuter as a Badger, not as a Gryffindor." Astoria kissed his cheek and walked away, leaving a stunned Teddy behind. After checking with Nova, he found his Mom with Dora cleaning out their dismantled firearms, Dora looking a bit frustrated. Hazel turned to him with concern. "You ok?" Teddy shook his head. "Mom, how do I get girls to stop kissing my cheeks?" He watched as Dora started laughing hysterically while his Mom banished her wandlessly, making Dora fall onto her back with a thud. She kept laughing. Hazel conjured a seat for him after silencing her partner. "Ok, tell me what happened."

-∞-

Remus rubbed his face as he made his way to the DADA class room on the third floor. While the current class was being handled by Hazel due to his latest full moon transformation, the one a few minutes afterwards was his since it was a written test. So he dragged his feet up the stairs and reached the classroom door. He had a split second to react to a spell aimed his way, but he managed to dodge it, a ball of snow manifesting as it impacted the wall just behind him. A lot of voices groaned in disappointment as a familiar one yelled out to him. "Get in Professor and hug the wall after you shut the door." He did as he was told as he watched the students line up again, casting shields. " Viburnum. " A light blue spell shot from Hazel's wand and slammed into one of the shields. He watched as the Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs deflected the ball back and forward, casting and recasting the shields repeatedly. As soon as he was behind Hazel he watched her cast the spell again. The fifth year students kept deflecting the spell to the other side of the room, those getting tired switching out with other students. A third spell was added to the mix. He watched the balls of blue light hit the walls a few times but the walls were clearly spelled to reflect magic as well. One errant spell was directed towards him and Hazel reached out and batted it back in with her wand, adding another spell for good measure.

The back and forward continued with only a few errant spells aimed their way but eventually the clocks shimmed a warning. Hazel waved her wand dismissively and the entire room's enchantments, shields and spells were dispelled. "All right everyone. Since the only people who were hit by a snowball were victims of their own teammates' questionable deflection." Hazel stared at the Weasley Twins who tried to give her the most innocent look possible. "Messers Weasley, I raised my son throughout his whole life. You have no chance of earning my sympathy with such a plebeian attempt at a wounded puppy look. I have seen better." The classroom laughed as the Twins pouted before Hazel turned back to the rest. "Since the goal of the exercise was to hit the opposing team, let's call this day's exercise in practical magic a draw. 35 points total to both houses for an excellent display of a deflective shield charm and how to use it properly. Please read chapters 17-20 in your textbooks. 17 and 18 will likely require you to have a practical demonstration on the casting of the deflective hex charm ward, so practice that. After which I am certain your DADA Professor will cover the finer details on the theories behind detection charms as outlined in chapters 19 and 20."

The students left the classroom chatting with each other as Hazel waved her wand, reconfiguring the classroom with its desks and chairs. Remus looked on with clear admiration. "Are you interested in taking the job? Those students would probably prefer you over me." Hazel eyed the man. "I think Madam Bones would resign if I did that. She finds my methods a bit too effective. Anyways, while Defence is an interesting subject, I am the last person next to Snape who should teach it." Remus frowned. "Why you two?" Hazel chuckled. "Because Snape may be a little less of a Death Eater, at least by my observations this year, but he is still enamored of the Dark Arts. It'd be like putting an alcoholic in charge of a bar." Remus nodded. "I see your point. What about you?" Hazel blinked. "You don't know much about the Peverell family, do you? I am a poster child for what we are, and that was before I took the name. We might hunt Dark Wizards and Witches but we don't care about using any and all magics in our arsenal. I am a Dark Witch, I just aim my wand at the others who can't take a hint. The class would be less Defence and more Dark Arts." Remus shuddered at the power in her words as she spoke them. "Well, as a Dark Witch, any idea how to lift the supposed curse on the position?"

Hazel summoned her jacket, slipped her arms through the sleeves and dug into her pockets. She brought out an apple and started munching on it. "Already did." Remus looked up from his notes. "What?" Hazel pointed up to the ceiling and he looked up. The skeleton of a dragon hanging from the ceiling certainly looked scorched and blackened. Hazel bit more into her apple and munched away. "Quirrell apparently had all his lessons in the first floor classrooms. He completely ignored the practical aspect of the class, which this room is better suited for. I felt a bit of curse magic trying to latch on to me in class and I traced it to the skeleton. A bit of cursed flame that devours magic and no more DADA curse." Remus blinked at the skeleton before looking at her. "Just like that?" Hazel gave him a toothy grin. "To be fair to our predecessors, all dragon remains have traces of magic on them. Good old Voldemort picked his hiding place well. All scans of the room would have detected the cursed object but the dragon skeleton would have shielded it or they simply dismissed it as a false positive from the magic in the dragon bones and ignored it. I only noticed it now since this is the longest I have been in the classroom here."

Remus rubbed his face and looked at her. "Am I…?" Hazel flicked her wand and Remus shivered. She finished her apple before vanishing the core. "A bit hard to see with Lycanthropy in your system, but there is residue of it. Your own curse probably fought it. It should dissipate in time, but I'd suggest you go see Pomfrey. I'll fill her in so she can give you the proper counter to it." Remus nodded. "I will do that. Thank you." Hazel blinked at him. "Oh, don't thank me. I just gave you a bigger headache than the curse ever was. You're the one who has the distinction of potentially breaking the streak of one academic year Defence professors. If the students of the entire school who Snape has been training to spot a werewolf don't write about your condition to their parents, you will have the responsibility to keep the class going for the rest of your career. So, no pressure." Remus shook his head. "You could take it, you know?" Hazel waved at him. "Nope. I love my real job, though I wouldn't mind having McGonagall's class. Acceptable OWL score my ass!" The door of the classroom slammed shut as Hazel left, leaving Remus sighing as he looked up at the skeleton. He shook his head and gathered his notes for the next class, his mind on the possibility of doing this another year.

-∞-

A spread of five lances struck the conjured wall in the center of the Chamber of Secrets as Dora watched her partner practice. The Enchantment Division of the Depart of Mysteries had finally managed to unravel the Enchantments on the maps and was able to copy them onto another parchment. They also sent one of the Enchanters to the Castle to adjust them, adding the Chamber of Secrets, its long and winding tunnels and an indicator for the Room of Requirement. While they wouldn't be able to open the room without excessive force, they would now be able to see who entered it, with the map logging the names of the people inside. So Dora kept watch on the copy they received as a test while Hazel practiced her spellwork. Hazel stopped for a second as she dispelled the spears and repaired the transfigured wall. She tapped her index finger on her lips before she grinned. A flick of her hand and six metal spears impaled themselves into the wall. She focused her magic and casted a spell that latched onto the spears. Arcs of red light jumped across from each spear as the air crackled before Hazel ended it. Dora sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Please tell me that wasn't the torture curse."

Hazel's silence served as the answer she needed and Dora pulled her partner to her. Those green eyes focused on her brown eyes. "Why?" Hazel hummed. "Because at one point we are going to be facing more than just criminals and Death Eater fodder. We will have the Inner Circle to deal with. When that happens, the primary order will be to take them down." Dora searched her girlfriend's eyes. "Not for Sirius?" Hazel shook her head. "No. Not for Sirius. I am not planning on breaking my orders, Dora. He's technically yours to catch. My orders are Pettigrew and the safety of the Castle. I can do those without resorting to Unforgivables. For now, anyway." Dora smiled and kissed her. "Ok. Just wanted to make sure. Can I have a go and you can watch the map?" Hazel nodded and conjured her old sofa before summoning the map to her. Dora pouted. "Of course you get the comfy sofa." After receiving a stinging hex to her rear, Dora got started on casting while Hazel flicked her wrist absentmindedly while watching the map. She was saddened to hear her own map was incompatible with the school's wards. It simply had too many inconsistencies with the actual Hogwarts of this world.

Dora switched from curses to Conjurations but she tired out quickly. "You make it look so easy." Hazel looked up and noticed the arrows sticking out of the walls. "I suppose it is easier for me. I spent years as a kid dreaming of bigger and better things. Grand beds, tall ceilings and large yards. As I got older, I started adding details to my dreams. Dark thick curtains on a four poster bed to block out the sun. A library filled with books from all across the world. A garden with a solarium where I could sit and watch the snow fall while I remained comfortable. Sometimes I even had a pool inside the solarium." Dora hummed. "Sounds nice. Working on that?" Hazel blushed. "Maybe. Still focused on finding plots of land that are worth it. The Peverell Estate became Potter Manor and while the place is somewhat abandoned, it's still Harry's house. So I am looking elsewhere, maybe near the Potter grounds. Somewhere we could start building. I at least want it done by the time Teddy graduates. Don't get me wrong, the apartment is great and all, but I want to leave Teddy a proper legacy. Anyways, having an active imagination seemed to have helped me and my conjurations be more than effective. Since my mind is so detail oriented, I can just apply it to Conjuration and transfiguration easily enough. When it's a simple design, it's almost instantaneous."

After completing the last of her spellcasting exercises, Dora joined Hazel on the couch. "Do I get a say in this new house of yours?" Hazel eyed Dora carefully. "When you manage to put a ring on my hand." Dora stilled. She stared at Hazel who went back to check the map. Her mind started shifting constantly, as did her hair. Marriage. She had now been in a relationship with Hazel for a full year. So far, she had no complaints. Sure, Hazel was a bit bloodthirsty at times and she had those moments where she was clearly depressed from her memories acting up, but she had no doubts she cared deeply about her. But was Dora in love with her? Enough to marry her and call her her wife? A part of her was thrilled at the idea but there was still a part of her that was curious, especially as Hazel constantly warned her that she was only seeing a part of who Hazel was, not the whole. She had stopped Hazel at the New Years and she meant what she said. She wasn't afraid. Not about losing her feelings for Hazel. Never that. But she was afraid that Hazel would push her away. What they had was amazing and wonderful. She never wanted it to end.

Dora found herself pinned to the back of the sofa as Hazel straddled her. "Did I scare you off yet?" Dora looked at the concern in Hazel's eyes. Sighing, she allowed her own eyes to shift to purple before staring at her, she felt Hazel's mood shift and she smiled. "Nope. Just don't think I am ready for that. Not yet." Hazel smiled and nodded. "And I am ok with that. We have quite a few years to get closer to each other. As for the planned house… maybe I am adjusting it to match your tastes. Just a bit. I meant what I said, though. If you want any true, permanent input on my family's life, you are going to have to put a ring on my finger and mean it." Dora nodded. "Got it." Hazel got up from Dora's lap and Dora pouted. Hazel smirked at her, walking away towards the entrance of the Chamber as she summoned the map. "Come on, Partner. We got some patrols to do and more tests of the map." Dora watched as Hazel made sure her steps gave a noticeable sway to her rear. Dora groaned. "Really? Now?" Hazel smiled at her. "Yes now. Come on, the fourth floor isn't going to patrol itself. There are quite a few broom closets to check. A few might even be warded excessively. Who could have done that, I wonder." Dora's mind froze as a smile grew on her face. She could happily say she had the best partner ever.

Chapter 34: Confronting Demons

Chapter Text

OW May 1994

Hazel stepped out of the Potions classroom, exhausted from another detention with Snape. The bastard tried to get her to clean up several tanks of leeches, well beyond the amount he usually had anyone clean. Hazel was glad he never specified that he wanted the remaining leeches alive or at all, only the tanks cleaned out. A few wandless vanishing spells, a whole lot of insults and curses about her dead father, and the evening was wasted away. Checking her pocket watch, Hazel noted it was time for curfew. The bastard had held her enough that she was sure to be caught. Head Boy Weasley would be so delighted to award her more detentions if he found her. Joy. She sighed as she returned her watch to her pocket, thinking about summoning her Invisibility Cloak to her hand, when she felt someone was looking at her. She hardly got a chance to cast a shield before she lost consciousness. The moment her mind registered something new, her first thought was that she was seriously getting tired of waking up in unexpected locations. Sure, this was the second time it happened, but that didn't mean she didn't feel like it could become a bad habit. Her thoughts were interrupted when she suddenly felt every nerve of her body light on fire. She screamed in agony, even if a part of her mind knew it wasn't as bad as it had been last year. Still, the difference from getting her blood boiled to getting her nerves to register intense pain seemed rather moot.

The pain receded as she heard a man laughing. "Oh, I have been waiting years to do that. I did wonder who you would have sounded more like. Sure you are a girl, so maybe you sound like Lily, but maybe James would scream the same way. I mean, my master called dibs on them, especially after you were marked for death, but that didn't mean I never fantasized about it. Let's hear that pretty voice of yours again, shall we? Crucio! " Hazel screamed again, even as she retained some control of her arms she turned around onto her stomach before the pain ended. A hand grabbed her shoulder and Hazel conjured a blade into her palm and slashed at him as he turned her around, cutting into his arm. The man cursed. "Oww! What's this, little Bambie has claws? Let me fix that. Crucio! " Hazel tried to fight the pain, holding her scream in, as she felt her body shaking severely. The pain ended and a man's face came into view. Those grey eyes looked down at her, filled with a mad joy. His lower jaw was covered in a bushy and unkept beard, mustache and all. His teeth were yellowish and a bit crooked. "Still alive, Bambie? That's what your dad called you, you know. Man must have forgotten how the movie went or he would have known it was a terrible nickname idea."

Sirius Black laughed at his own joke as he straightened himself out. Hazel tried to focus her magic on her hand before a boot came crashing onto her clenched fist. He pressed hard until bones popped and Hazel whimpered. "Now, none of that. I checked you, you know. You didn't have a blade on you. A conjurer at thirteen? And wandless to boot? James would have been proud." He slammed his foot down on her other hand, breaking even more of her fingers. He sighed happily. "That's better. Can't have you spoiling my fun, Bambi. You did that a lot, you know? I have no bloody idea where you slept but it was nowhere I could find and I thought I knew every inch of the castle. I Imperiused quite a few kids but none of them could find you. Setting you up by sending Malfoy's brat to fight with you was at least entertaining. The boy may be close to being my nephew but man do I hate his father. Always so… pompous. Like his peaco*cks." Sirius leaned over her face, smirking at her. "Have you seen them? Big albino ones. Bet they'd taste great with a side of gravy." Hazel lunged up and smashed her head into his skull. He reared back. "Oww! There is that Evans temper. You sure you aren't a redhead? My favorite memory from our third year was watching Evans kick James in the balls."

The man laughed as he cast the Torture Curse on Hazel again who fought the effects better, even as her body was shaking uncontrollably. "God, James was bitter for weeks. Still, we both know he still had a working set of balls or you wouldn't be here, now would you?" Sirius looked up at the sky, taking in a calming breath, before looking at the Castle. "Look at them, safely in bed while you suffer out here in the cold. I'd say that your Godmother might save you, but I haven't seen her at all, not since I missed you in Surrey." Hazel gritted her teeth as he cast another Cruciatus at her. She cried as the pain seemed to dull her ability to think at all. She wanted it to be over. Sirius stopped the curse and smiled down at her. "Want to know a secret? Dementors are quite nasty but as an animal they leave you alone. We both got through the bars of Azkaban that way. A bit easier for her but much harder for me. I actually starved myself. Not my most pleasant idea but it worked. Because here I am and here they come." Hazel felt the cold settle into her skin as the grass got covered in frost as soon as he finished his sentence. Sirius smiled down at her. "Now lie there and look pretty, little Bambi. I want to see how Britain mourns their saviour as her soulless body is taken to St. Mungos. Do try and make your last seconds interesting."

She watched the man turn into a familiar looking coyote and rush some distance away as the Dementors descended from the sky. She really hated the sight of them. She heard her own screams in her head as one after another the Dementors fed from her. She knew it was the end when the last one grabbed her throat. She closed her eyes and prayed it would be quick. She had hated her life up to this moment. Her only regrets were that she wouldn't be able to say goodbye to Hedwig and Isabella. More than that she regretted never getting to meet her Godmother. To know the one person that actually seemed to care about her. A single tear slipped from her eye as she felt her mind go black. She felt stuck in an empty void, her very being fading away. The feeling vanished as a loud voice intruded into her thoughts. " Expecto Patronum! " The void vanished and was replaced with an all consuming warmth. Her eyes felt heavy as she tried to open them but the bright light made her close them quickly again. She heard explosions, an animal's yelp and trees falling down before thin fingers rubbed her face. Hazel dared to open her eyes and swore she saw an angel. She had warm grey eyes, a thick mane of bushy hair and a smile. She felt tears impact her face. "You're ok now, my sapling. You're ok. He's gone now. Come on. Let's get you back inside where it's safe." Hazel looked into those grey eyes and smiled softly.

…

"I am here, my sapling. Don't worry, we will get you out of here." Hazel blinked in confusion. This felt… wrong. " Avada Kedavra! " Hazel felt her heart shatter as she watched her Godmother vanish into the Veil. She tried reaching out, going to her, but someone pulled her away from the Veil. "No…" her mind saw her Godmother smiling at her before kissing her head. "Please… No…" She heard a man laugh as she felt her legs collapse beneath her. Her vision was clouded by tears that slipped down her cheeks. "No…"

…

Her Godmother hugged her as they were getting ready to return to Hogwarts after New Years at Grimmauld Place. "Don't worry. We will be a family soon." Hazel hugged her back. "Promise?" Her Godmother kissed her hair. "I promise."

…

Hazel screamed at the top of her lungs as she stared at the empty archway. "Bella!!!!!!!!" She fell forward, digging her fingers into the ground. "You promised." Tears dripped beneath her, darkening the dirt and stone. "You promised! You said we would be a family. You promised!!!!" A man laughed at her pain, his voice echoing in the large chamber despite the curses and hexes flying everywhere. "I killed Bellatrix Black! I killed Bellatrix Black!" Hazel's felt as if her broken heart stopped beating and her muscles tensed. With a guttural growl she lunged forward, elbowing the person trying to pull her back in the face and chased after the man. Sirius looked over his shoulder and laughed as he ran away from her, leaving the Death Chamber behind. "You coming to get me, Bambi? What did my dear cousin promise you again? A family? Didn't I tell you? James made a bad choice picking that name. Bambi doesn't get to have a mother."

Hazel tasted blood in her mouth as the man dared to laugh at her again. She swung her wand at him, filling it with all of her pain. Every last shred of it. " Crucio! " The mad bastard screamed in agony as the Torture Curse caused him to fall midstep. She looked over him, feeding him every ounce of her pain, even as she felt it trying to consume her. The man punched the ground repeatedly but his screams turned to laughter as the curse dissipated. "Would you look at that! There is some Black in you after all. Do it again! Come now Bambi, you know you want to."

She hears a voice in her head. Do it. He killed her. He deserves to suffer for it. Hazel grinded her teeth. " Crucio !" Sirius screamed again, equal parts pain and pleasure. He laughed to himself as the curse faded. "Again. Show me you were worthy to be a Black!" Hazel screamed. "Crucio!"

The voice returned as Hazel's mind thought about another spell to use on him. Yes. You know the spell. He deserves it. Avenge her death. Finish it . Her Godmother's face flashed before her eyes, smiling at her as they danced around a small bonfire at a beach. They tripped and fell onto the sand and Bella laughed. Her memory faded and was replaced by grey eyes just like her Godmother's staring up at her, filled with madness and misplaced joy. "Ahh, just like mother on the weekends. Again, Again!"

…

"You'll be my mother?" Bellatrix smiled at Hazel and kissed her hands, the two lying down on her Godmother's bed, a warm fire lighting the room sporadically. "Yes. Once the Blood Adoption is done. I'll be your mother."

…

Hazel's eyes filled with tears. Her Godmother's smile vanished again, replaced by Sirius Black's. Magic filled her wand as her mind faded to black.

" Avada Kedavra ."

-∞-

NW April 1994

Dora was startled awake in her bed as Hazel screamed at her side. Her partner covered her face with her hands as tears leaked out from between her fingers. "You promised. You promised! You said you'd be my mother! YOU PROMISED!" Dora pulled Hazel to her, trying to wake her up. "Hazel. Stop. It's only a dream. Stop." Dora hugged Hazel to her as her girlfriend thrashed and screamed in agony. She had no idea what to do. She briefly considered stunning her until the bedroom door was thrown open and Teddy rushed in. "Mom!" Teddy hugged his mother from the front. "Mom! Mom! It's Teddy. Snap out of it! Please!" Dora watched as Hazel's limbs dropped as if she were a puppet whose strings were just cut. Teddy reached up and cupped his Mom's face. Her eyes were filled with so much pain. "Mom! Please. Wake up!" Hazel seemed to look around the room, her eyes empty of anything until they landed on Teddy. They started filling up with tears again, even as Teddy smiled at her. "It's ok Mom. You're awake now. It's ok." Hazel hiccupped as Dora softened her hold on her. Hazel lifted her hands up and rubbed her eyes and cheeks, trying to clear out her tears.

Hazel remained in a daze as Dora placed her back on the bed before sighing. She looked at Teddy. "I've never seen her like this." Teddy looked down. "It's usually on the night before the Summer Solstice when it gets this bad. But sometimes it happens earlier or not at all if she is too busy." Teddy felt his mom's fingers rubbing his hair and he turned to her. She searched his eyes. "I woke you up, didn't I? Through the bond." Teddy hugged her and she wrapped her arms around him. "It's ok, Mom. You needed me. I'm here. That's all that matters." Hazel breathed deeply before turning to Dora. "Sorry for waking you up like that." Dora leaned over and hugged them both. "You told me you had issues. I knew what I was getting into. You don't have to apologize for that." Hazel rested her head against Dora's and breathed deeply again. The three remained that way as they all fell asleep until morning. Dora sat up on the bed, yawned as she stretched out her limbs and looked over at the pair sleeping while sitting up on the headrest. She smiled at the sight, even as she hated what brought it into being. She slipped into the apartment and called on the Hogwarts elves to prepare breakfast as she eyed the clock. It was time for Breakfast at the Great Hall but a bit later than usual. Teddy would likely miss out on his first class if he had to walk down the stairs.

She looked back into the room and found Hazel and Teddy chatting away. "Astoria is still saying I am hers, even though she denies it in front of the twins." Hazel chuckled. "Do I need to scare her away?" Teddy shook his head. "No. She'll just keep teasing me more. I can handle her." Hazel kissed his hair. "Ok, but the invitation stands. Any girls or boys give you too much trouble and I will deal with them." Teddy nodded. He turned to Dora and smiled. "Breakfast?" Dora smiled back. "It's ready." Teddy left the room quickly as Hazel slowly got out of bed. Dora frowned. "Are you going to be ok?" Hazel nodded slowly, almost mechanically. Her voice was soft, barely above a whisper. "Yeah. Sorry if I may be a bit distant today." Dora kissed Hazel on the cheek. "You tell me what you need and I will get it for you, ok?" Hazel kissed her back gently. "Kay." Teddy ate his scrambled eggs. "Still not as good as yours, Mom." Hazel smiled, even if it was a bit faint. "Don't worry, you will have all of summer for me to spoil your pallet again." Dora groaned. "I swear, how is it you can cook better than the elves?" Hazel chuckled. "Because I had two elves teach me how they cooked. I learned from them what elves do for cooking and improved it."

Dora shook her head as she drank her coffee. "Of course you did." The alarm ward on the door tripped and Hazel looked over. "Enter." Pomona walked in as the door opened for her. "Morning you three." Hazel nodded. "Morning. Did my son cause you trouble last night? If he did, I will take the blame. He probably shot out of the basem*nt to get to me." Pomona looked at Teddy. "Well, not shot out exactly. He was in his dorm room when his familiar appeared and whisked him away, scaring his roommates a bit." Hazel sighed. "Nova." A white light filled the room followed by a soft shrill. Nova landed on Hazel's shoulder, who raised up her hand and stroked the bird's chest plumage. "Thank you for bringing him here." Nova nodded before it flew to her perch and dug into her plate of food. Hazel turned to the curious Professor. "Again, my apologies. I had a bit of an emergency last night and my son sensed it. Magic has bound us together and he is aware of certain incidents of mine, regardless of my own desires to keep him out of them." Pomona looked at the boy and smiled. "I see. There won't be any penalties for this incident, considering the circ*mstances." Pomona turned to Hazel. "You've been quite honest with me and it's clear you aren't well right now. If this happens again, send me a message as soon as you can so I am not overly worried."

Hazel nodded. "Will do and thank you for your concern and understanding. Others in your position aren't as interested in the reasons. Only in the rules." Sprout gave her an understanding look. "Believe me, I am aware. I do what I can for my students. It's only right. Same as you, I believe. My Badgers have been quite happy with you and your lessons." Hazel blushed softly. "Thank you." Teddy finished his meal and stood up, taking his drink with him. He kissed his mom on the cheek. "Take care, Mom." Hazel kissed him back on his head. "You too. See you at dinner." Hazel watched Teddy and the Professor leave the Apartment and sat down, drinking her coffee. Dora stood up. "I've got the first patrol. You rest up." Hazel's voice stopped her just as she grasped the doorknob. "Nymphadora." Something inside of her melted. She'd never heard her full name spoken with such warmth. She turned around and was pulled into a hug by Hazel. Dora could feel slight tremors from her partner. "Remember what I said at New Years?" Dora hugged her back and nodded. "I do." Hazel's voice turned so soft, Dora felt it was the voice of a little girl. "Please. If you promise me something. Don't break it. Please." Dora kissed Hazel warmingly on the cheek. "I promise I will try my best to never do that to you. Ever."

-∞-

"Wait, Dumbledore tried to ban the use of your Familiar?" Teddy slumped back into his seat at the Quidditch stands. The game today was a rematch of Ravenclaw and Slytherin as the two losing teams were vying for third and fourth place. While Gryffindor had won the cup, the Hufflepuffs had taken it well. They had feared Harry would use his rumoured new Firebolt for the game, but Teddy's cousin decided against it. Despite some complaints from the Gryffindors, Harry trusted his Nimbus 2000 and felt it was the right broom for the game. The Hufflepuffs had taken his gesture well, even as the Chasers for the Gryffindor Team showed everyone what a well organized trio was like. Unlike before, the final game was decided by the Seekers. Both Harry and Cedric took a more team oriented approach in the game, breaking Chaser formations, blocking Beater and Keeper lines of sight. They shot off to try and catch the Snitch whenever they could. Harry even managed to drag Cedric into a wild goose chase, much to their amusem*nt. Harry, at least, got Cedric back for their first game. Flying dangerously close to the ground he managed to catch the Snitch, ending the game with a massive point victory for Gryffindor.

Teddy, for his part, was happy his housemates and Harry were getting along. Today was a clear example of that as Cedric was sitting together with him, the Weasley Twins and Harry while they waited to hear the end result of the runner up game. Teddy nodded. "He tried to use some rule about students having dangerous Familiars on the grounds as an excuse. Mom took the matter to the Board directly and while they didn't like me having a free pass to leave the school, Mom proved that Nova was my Familiar. Dumbledore tried to force through a condition that Nova wasn't allowed to transport anyone or anything in or out of the castle but mom countered by applying it to Fawkes as well." Cedric shook his head. "Right, because it wouldn't be fair for one phoenix to have free reign while the other one was essentially shackled. How did he take it?" Teddy laughed, deciding it was best not to correct him about what Nova really was. No one but family needed to know. "Not well. He tried to claim it was a privilege of the school and his position as Headmaster, but my Mom made it clear that a Headmaster's privileges were administrative. They had nothing to do with infringing the rights of the students who happen to be chosen by Familiars of a magical variety. She pulled out a clause in the Charter that actually guaranteed my right to Nova since the pairing of a Witch or Wizard with a Magical Creature in a Familiar bond bypasses any laws, including the safety one, unless the student actively orders the Familiar to harm another student."

The Weasley Twins shook their heads. "Scary Auror got one over the Headmaster. That's just rich. Right, George?" George snorted. "Right, Fred. I bet you Mom is fuming. She's been a supporter of Dumbledore for years." Cedric looked back to the game, wishing to steer away from that conversation. "There was talk that Bulgaria might make it to the Finals this year. Their new Seeker is apparently one of the best in the world. Still in Durmstrang too. A seventh year this September." He turned back to the others. "Are you all coming to the World Cup Finals? I know my Dad got the Weasleys the tickets." The Twins looked between each other and turned back. "If that's true, then probably. Mom won't come but maybe we can get Charlie to dig himself out of the Dragon Reserve to watch it. Only thing that gets his blood flowing other than Dragons is Quidditch." Cedric and the twins turned to Teddy and Harry. Teddy looked towards the edge of the field where his Mom was keeping an eye out for trouble. "Mom doesn't like Quidditch but she might let me come among friends. She will probably get to run security there too. Also, I would love to meet your brother Charlie. I want to hear what Dragons he has in the Reserve." Harry hummed. "If Teddy can come, I'll probably come along. The only Tonks that like Quidditch are Dora and Ted so they may come too. Though if Hazel gets tapped for security, Dora might be stuck working."

The boys watched as Cho caught the snitch, ending the game for Ravenclaw. Cedric shook his head. "Poor Slytherin. Second year in a row they got wrecked." Harry snorted. "Please. Malfoy deserves it. He has the reflexes and skills for a Chaser, not a Seeker. I feel bad for Theo. He worked hard to get on the team and it's not much better." Cedric watched as Hazel summoned the weather control disc from the pitch and they felt the weather shift back to the slightly colder temperature that they started with. "Think your Mom will stick around for next year, Teddy? The school has been great with her around." Teddy looked over as Hooch and his Mom chatted as they exited the pitch. "I don't know. Mom usually has a lot of training hours and gets called out to do jobs a lot. This year has been a bit more quiet. She thinks the whole Sirius Black manhunt has sent the Dark Witches and Wizards to ground. No one wants to get caught causing trouble while the Dementors are out of Azkaban." Everyone shivered, especially Diggory. "Yeah. I can see that happening. Even the magical creatures have been quiet. Dad thinks the Dementors have an effect on them, even if they don't get targeted. He and the DRCMC are writing an article about that." A soft shrill pierced the air before Nova and Hedwig landed on Teddy and Harry's shoulders.

Teddy rubbed his familiar chest feathers. "Good flight?" A pleasant shrill escaped her beak and Cedric looked over with a smile. "She's beautiful. Dad would give a lot to study her." Teddy shook his head. "She doesn't like being treated like a specimen to be observed. When we registered her as a Familiar, she was added to a protective registry. Mom's worried people might try to figure out how her magic works. Get wards up, make cages and stuff like that. The ICW has a rule about keeping Phoenixes and a few other high tier Magical Creatures protected from scrutiny or observation beyond just behavioural studies." Cedric smiled and nodded. "I suppose you are right. It would be wrong to bind them somewhere, especially when they aren't dangerous." The group was just about to enter the castle when a voice called out his name. "Come back here, Ted. I know it was you!" Teddy saw Astoria rushing towards as the older students turned to him. "What'd you do?" Teddy blushed. "I might have sent The Carrow Twins chocolates on their birthday. They may have been teasing Astoria about that all day." Harry shoved his cousin on the back playfully. "Might want to run. Nova isn't going to save you for something like this." Teddy rushed into the castle as Nova flew behind him while the older students watched Astoria chase after him. Cedric turned to Harry. "Any bets on if she catches up to him?" Harry shook his head. "Nope. I am not getting Hazel mad at me for that."

-∞-

"So, any plans for summer?" Hazel looked up from the map that sat on the dining table in their shared chamber. She turned pensive. "Not sure. We have the World Cup coming up, The Triwizard Tournament and we still have to do more firearms training. We are a bit busy, Dora." Dora pouted. "Oh, come on. We've been stuck in Scotland for most of the year already. We could use a day away, let alone a few weeks. Mom and Dad used to take me down to France in the summers." Hazel tapped her fingers on the table as checked the map again. "Ok. Say we get a week or two out from under Horatio's watch. Where do we go exactly? France?" Dora hummed. "There is the Canary Islands? The Azores? Hey, we could even get to the Caribbean. After a full year of Security Detail under the DMLE and our own payments from the missions, we are comfortable enough for it." Hazel eyed Dora. "Is there a reason most of your suggestions are known for hot sun and beaches?" Dora hummed and bit her lip playfully. "What, not interested in seeing me in a swimsuit?" Hazel stared at her partner. "Dora, if it weren't for Teddy dropping in at our apartment for lunch or dinner unannounced, you'd practically be a nudist." Dora blushed. "So?"

Hazel sighed and shook her head. "Ok, fine. We will plan an appropriate summer vacation. We will see if your parents and Harry can come along too." Dora pouted. "Not very romantic." Hazel sighed. "Right, so you don't want me to have readily accessible babysitters for the few times we can actually plan a romantic getaway for just the two of us." Dora blinked a few times in thought. "Ah. Right. Point taken. Yes to my family coming along then. Any chance I can get you to wear a dress? Maybe a bikini?" Hazel was about to reply when a name appeared at the edge of the wardline. Followed closely by another. She summoned Aithusa into her hand. "Dumbledore. Don't argue with me and lock down the wards for the perimeter. Black is on the school grounds. Send the students to their Dorms but keep the first and second floors accessible. We will seal them as we make our way down. Alert the Staff and the Prefects directly. We don't want to spook our fugitive." Her patronus flew as Dora and Hazel left their apartment on the third floor. Passing some students, Hazel raised her voice. "All of you back to your dorms or steer clear of the first and second floors. Now!"

Dora eyed the map as they approached one of the staircases down into the second floor, the students rushing past them. "They are in the Castle." Hazel summoned Aithusa again. "Lock the Castle down now. Keep the first and second floors open via the stairs, but lock the outer gates. We'll seal him in and take him down." Her second message sent, Hazel pulled out her own map. "Take the stairs to the first floor and chase after them. Switch into an animal if you have to. I'll follow them from above on the second floor and slip through the floor." Dora eyed her with concern. "Hazel." Hazel sighed. "The longer he stays as a dog, the longer I can avoid hurting him. Please. This is the fastest way to get them both alive. Trust me. If he is back to human form and I am looking at him, you have permission to stun me. Make sure you overpower it too." Dora leaned over and kissed Hazel's cheek. "Good luck." With Dora headed down the stairs to the first floor, Hazel followed the moving names on the map from above. She switched between the floors until her corridor and the one bellow overlapped. She watched the two Animagi take a corner and move towards her from below.

Wrapped in her Cloak and filled with her Family Magic, Hazel sunk into the floor. The high density of magic in the stone slowed her down a bit but eventually she was through. She conjured a massive wall behind her, sealing the hallway and started transfiguring the doors, making them into stone flushed with the walls. A final ward was added, creating a wall that was see-through and accessible from the other side. Only Dora and the targets could enter now. The two Animagi were trapped. Slightly amused by the dog chasing after the rat like a cat would as they crossed into her sealed area, Hazel banished the dog back before aiming for the rat. " Animalis Autem hom*o. " The spell struck the rat and in its place sprung up a man. Hazel had to plug her nose with the stench coming off of him. The man turned to her and on seeing her jacket pointed to the dog. "It's him, Auror. Sirius Black! He's a mass murderer!" Hazel gave him a toothy grin. "Black will be dealt with. Question is, why are you still alive, Mr. Pettigrew? You've been dead for twelve years, yet here you are." Hazel flicked her wand and the man's entire right sleeve vanished away, revealing a particular tattoo. "My, my, Mr. Pettigrew. Why would the betrayer of the Potter's be hunting down a fellow Death Eater? Maybe because Black never was the traitor and the real one is the former Order member with a slave brand on his arm?"

Hazel summoned him to her and smashed his knee in with her boot. The man screamed as Hazel carved a Druidic Script sequence onto the back of his neck. " Bind this man to this form and no other. " The Blood Magic curse activated, eliciting a scream from the man and Hazel grinned. "And just like that, you won't be a rat ever again. Even if you did scratch out the carved flesh. The pain was the least you deserved." Hazel stunned him and allowed him to fall onto his face. "Couldn't agree more, Auror." Hazel turned around on instinct alone. Her eyes met Black's, now in human form again, and her mind snapped. She was no longer a witch in her late twenties. She was just fifteen. She watched Bella being struck by the Killing Curse before she vanished into the Veil right before her eyes again.

Closing her eyes, Hazel tried and failed to repress a sob, her ears filled with the noises of the dead. "I killed Bellatrix Black! I killed Bellatrix Black!" Lost in the memory and filled with decades of pain, Hazel growled as she raised her wand at the man. "Cruc-" Dora's voice silenced her. " Stupefy !" Dora stared at the limp body of her Partner as it got launched into the wall that was behind her. She breathed heavily and turned to a clearly confused Sirius. "Damn it, Sirius. You couldn't wait? You couldn't hold your tongue for just one more bloody minute? Mom was right, you just had to have the last word, didn't you?" Dora flicked her wand and summoned her rabbit patronus. "R2 to BM. P1 and P2 are secured. Send in the retrieval team, but contact HM first. Castle is in lockdown. Also… I might have stunned R1. At her request." Horatio's response came a few minutes later as a large patronus in the form of an eagle landed right before her. "Extraction team on the way, R2. Secure your targets and R1."

-∞-

Andromeda entered the room with Horatio as Dora finished her debriefing with Croaker. "He took the Veritaserum and is confessing to all his dirty secrets. He made it clear that he wasn't a Death Eater or a Voldemort sympathizer, nor was he the real Secret Keeper. Peter was. Sirius is innocent. At least in that regard." Dora frowned as she looked between the two. "Why are you having Sirius reveal the rest of his secrets?" Horatio, his arms crossed, tapped his finger on his arm. "Standard policy. Just in case someone hides a lie with a partial truth. Andromeda checked him for Obliviations or Compulsions too. All clear. His Occlumency is shredded though, and his mind will need a lot of Healing." Andromeda did give her daughter a cheeky grin. "Besides, there were a few mean spirited pranks thrown my way at school. I needed to see how many of them were his doing." Dora shook her head. "A Black pays his or her debts." Andromeda smiled. "Exactly." Croaker cleared his throat. "Now that we have clear indication to Sirius Black's innocence and to the fact that we do indeed have a Black in our services, how about we return to business? Black's Veritaserum testimony and his mental evaluation will clear him before the Wizengamot, regardless how much gold Malfoy tries to throw around. With Black as the Lord Apparent, Malfoy's chances of securing the Black wealth for his son are gone. He will lose a lot of the Traditionalist support too."

Dora looked at Horatio. "What about Pettigrew?" Horatio smirked. "Funny thing about the Death Eater laws. They might have adjusted them to protect everyone caught with a Death Eater mark, but only after they were caught. Standard Procedure with newly identified and marked Death Eaters was pretty clear. No interference and no outside contacts, with the assumption we are dealing with a murderer, until a day after the arrest. Add in the new laws that allow us to force a Veritaserum interrogation of any suspected murderers and we got ourselves a singing rat. We got quite a few bits of intel, including the potential whereabouts of Voldemort's wand. We will be sending a Curse Breaker Retrieval Team soon, though something tells me someone might have found it first, based on an observation of Pettigrew's concerning his last visit to the area." Dora shivered. "Better them than me." Andromeda looked to her daughter. "How's Hazel?" Dora blushed. "She's not mad about being stunned, except for getting caught off guard. I woke her up as soon as Alastor and Horatio dragged the two targets away. She chose to stay at the Castle." Croaker sighed. "A sensible decision, really. Her reaction, based on your testimony, was not the best." Dora nodded sadly. She turned to her boss. "Might I be excused to go back to her? Teddy might be comforting her but I am sure she could use the company. If only to keep her from murdering Dumbledore."

Croaker lifted an eyebrow. "You told her about his complaints about the retrieval of the second fugitive?" Dora shook her head. "No. Didn't seem like a good idea. I was worried she might redirect her frustration to another inviting target." Croaker opened a drawer and pulled out two identification badges. "Not a good idea indeed. Take these with you. Might settle her nerves a bit." Dora took them both and froze. "Are these… " Horatio smiled. "Your official notice. Congratulations, Operative. You are no longer a Recruit. Same for your partner." Croaker nodded. "We thought about giving them to you around December but Horatio wanted to do a longer observation. Your skills have improved a bit and Hazel has gotten better control over her impulses, the latest incident notwithstanding considering the circ*mstances. You will keep your callsigns until you find a suitable replacement. Now be on your way. We will deal with the DMLE from here." Dora hugged her Mom and thanked Horatio before she headed for the Apparition point. She bypassed the Hogwarts gate in her owl form and was surprised to see Hazel standing on the Astronomy Tower as she landed and shifted back to her human form. "Watcher Partner."

Hazel gave her a warm smile as she added privacy wards around them. "Watcher. I fixed the new wards in the Shrieking Shack. Since it's a modified ward, you and I have access, even under lockdown. We will see what happens when the Wardmaster Julia commissioned gets to work on the school's wards. If Dumbledore doesn't delay them further, that is." Dora nodded but frowned. "How are you feeling?" Hazel looked out over the stars. "Relieved. He was innocent, so giving him a taste of my Torture Curse at its full force would have been wrong. Thank you for stopping me." Dora moved in and hugged her. "Not a problem. Are you willing to tell me what your Sirius did now?" Hazel shuddered a bit. "On the Solstice. You might want to be ready, though. I am going to be at my worst. There is a reason I disappeared that day last year and left Teddy at your mom's house." Dora kissed Hazel's shoulder. "I'll be ready." Hazel turned around and Dora shifted her eyes back to purple. She wasn't comfortable with anyone seeing them except for Hazel, Teddy and her parents. Not yet at least. Hazel searched her eyes, looking for something. "I love you."

Dora blinked at her as her body flushed and grew exceedingly warm. She had wondered when she would know if she loved Hazel. Those thin fingers touched Dora' lips. "I don't expect you to answer if you are not ready. But I was ready to say it. You stunned me because it was the right thing to do. You could have let me torture him. You could have refused my plan. But you trusted me and you knew what was right. An innocent man will go free and a traitor will face justice. I can go down to the basem*nt and look my son in the eye without any shame or regret because of you today. If being with you every day like this is my fate, I will gladly take it. I just needed you to know how I felt." Dora closed her eyes and felt Hazel's words sink into her heart. She felt so complete right now. Yes, there was that one nagging part of her mind that doubted but she hoped it would be silenced soon. She couldn't say the words and mean them. Not yet. But she could show her. "Hazel. Our Chambers. Now." That night she kept Hazel's arms bound. She hated not being able to say the words she knew her Partner deserved to hear. So she showed her. She showed her for hours what she meant to her. The next day, Hazel had been mute for its entirety, despite taking a Soothing Potion. The home cooked breakfast, lunch and dinner with notes attached to them, however, made Dora smile. Hazel had no regrets about Dora making her lose her voice. Not one.

Chapter 35: What Can Never Be Again

Chapter Text

Sirius found himself on the receiving end of a rib crushing hug. "Next time you decide to play the hero, leave some goddamned paperwork, Siri. I never believed you were guilty but you didn't make it any easier to fight your transfer to Azkaban from the DMLE holding cells." Sirius hugged his cousin back, a soft laugh on his lips. "Right. I will get right on it. Mind if I borrow your husband for a week or two? I promise, no mixing business and pleasure." Andromeda released him and punched his shoulder. "Business is fine but he is mine. Get your own piece of tail to chase after, you mutt." Sirius laughed. He had been doing that a lot now since he got dragged in front of the Wizengamot. Seeing old Rufus sitting in the judges' chair had been a surprise. "Why was Rufus the one in charge of the Trial anyways?" Ted pushed his cousin-in-law further into their house. "Because he is Head Auror. Dumbledore was voted down as not being impartial after having been your leader in the Order of the Phoenix. Fudge was ruled out after spending so many resources and man hours hunting you down and the Director of the DMLE recused herself due to conflict of interest." Sirius hummed as he got shown up the stairs.

Andromeda turned on the light in the room. "You get to pick from this room or the living room couch transfigured into a bed. Nymphadora has her own apartment and only uses her old room for summer, but with everything going on at work she might just leave it to you for now. She already cleared out much of her stuff anyway." Sirius dropped the small bag he had with him on the bed. "What about my court ordered Healer appointments?" Andromeda nodded. "I'll be in charge of your physical health and diet. Healer Johnson, my coworker, will handle your mental recovery. There are a lot of former Death Eaters about and you have some people in the Ministry concerned for your wellbeing. You will be looked after, I promise." Sirius nodded, before he smiled. "When do I meet my godson?" Andromeda shook her head in amusem*nt. "When the Hogwarts Express brings him back. The Academic year isn't over so he and Teddy won't be back until then." Sirius looked between the two. "You two have another kid or a grandkid already? Where was my invite to the baby shower?" Andromeda glared at the man. "Teddy is Edward. Edward Peverell. He is the son of Nymphadora's very steady girlfriend, Hazel Peverell."

Sirius shook his head. "Little Dora has a thing for mothers? Oh, I can't wait to tease her. She was so cute as an eight year old." He eyed the two of them. "So what's this about me being Lord Presumptive? Walburga was quite clear that I was disowned." Ted leaned back the dresser and crossed his arms. "She may have disowned you as her son, but only Arcturus could cast you out of the family. He never did. We had a nasty strain of Dragon Pox as soon as the war ended. Took out a lot of the older generations. Walburga and Orion went out along with Cygnus and Druella. Arcturus lost Melania but he isolated himself in Castle Black. He died there not four years ago. Walburga never got to be Lady Black and neither did Orion get to be Head of House, so the disownment never got ratified. Arcturus Black refused to cast you out." Sirius closed his eyes, remembering his grandparents. Of the family, besides Andromeda and Alphard, they were the ones he was closest to. He looked from Andromeda to Ted. "I am guessing my paperwork troubles are going to be another issue while I wait for Harry."

Ted chuckled. "Indeed. Good thing Andromeda is a Healer. Carpal tunnel and scratches from Blood Quill will be quite common in the coming weeks. For now though, rest up and build up your strength. You have a lot to catch up on." Ted left the room but Andromeda was stopped by Sirius. "Andi. Did Amelia… ?" Andromeda looked at her cousin and gave him a brief smile. "She had a lot on her mind after Halloween, not the least of which was mourning her family and raising a little girl. She never dated, never courted and buried herself in her work. Lately she's been making more time for Susan and was here for Christmas." Sirius perked up at that. Andromeda placed her hand on Sirius's shoulder. "She recused herself from overseeing your trial but she has been kept in the loop. Trust me, you will see her again soon and you can ask her yourself where to go from there. Dinner will be ready in a few hours. Try and nap for a bit." Andromeda left a pensive Sirius behind. He closed his eyes as he sat on the bed and felt a shudder pass through his body, a symptom from years under the Dementors' watch. He could feel just how exhausted he was. Andi was right. There was a lot for him to recover from. He smiled though at the thought of Harry.

There hadn't been a single day that he didn't think about his Godson and the massive screw up he made. He never should have turned the kid over to Hagrid and Dumbledore. He should have taken him to Amelia, get Alastor to interrogate him and take care of the kid. Grief and his usual lack of forethought ruined all that. He had at least kept tabs on the newspapers since he fled Azkaban. He knew the boy's custody had become a point for debate in the Wizengamot. He had cheered in his cave as he read that the court had ruled in Andromeda's favor after the evaluation carried out by Child Services and the DMLE found cause to deny Dumbledore and the Malfoys custody of Harry. His Godson would be living here, at least for the next four summers. The thought about the coming summer made him smile. He needed to get everything about his Lordship settled. Once it was done, he could invite his entire family out for a relaxing summer vacation. Somewhere away from the British Isles. An old promise he made to Amelia made his smile grow wider. He knew just the place to get everyone to have some fun and for him to bond with Harry. He just had to get through the mountains of paperwork and Healer appointments before he could do it. He laid back on the bed and dreamt about rebuilding his life, one piece at a time.

-∞-

"Never pegged you for being here today, Severus." Hazel turned slightly as she watched Remus stand next to Snape as the students started filling into the Great Hall. Today was the last day of her Dueling Club meetings for the OWL students and the day the last few weeks of studies and practice paid off. Though she found it odd that the school year wouldn't be ending for at least another week, she was glad for it as it gave her students more time to practice. She had them all focus on finding the memory or thought that gave them the greatest joy. She walked them through the mental exercises to get the necessary emotional state needed to power the Patronus Charm. As first and second years, as well as the NEWT students entered the Hall, Hazel had a feeling they were all here looking for a show. She was certain they were going to get one. The NEWT students had all managed to get a shield Patronus up and to hold it well enough, with half of them getting a corporeal Patronus, including the majority of the Prefects. Even Head Girl Penelope Clearwater managed to conjure a beautiful lynx patronus, much to Head Boy Weasley's chagrin, as he only managed a shield. Time to see what the rest could do.

Teddy walked up to Hazel and hugged her legs. She ruffled his hair as he looked up at her, his concern for her clear in his eyes. Though it had been about a month since her run in with Black, the incident had left its mark on her. She had been a lot more withdrawn from the students. Then again, having recurring nightmares of the bastard's face smiling down at her with that crooked grin as he cursed her would make anyone less sociable. At least she hadn't awoken Dora again in a panic. That was an improvement. Hazel knew that the Sirius Black of this world was innocent. She knew it. Yet every instinct inside of her, every bittersweet memory of Bella's time with her, only seemed to fuel her desire for revenge. To hear that man scream in agony as she practiced her less than legal magic on him. But she couldn't do that to him. Not for Sirius Black's sake, as she was sure the man was still a prick. He made it clear in his Veritaserum confessions that he was mainly after Pettigrew and that he only went to Surrey to potentially catch a glimpse of Harry before avenging the Potter's. He wasn't her world's Bella, who had tailed her mad cousin in the hopes of diminishing whatever damage he did while free, only to throw that plan out the window when she realized that her goddaughter needed her more, even if she couldn't reveal herself to her for over a year. No, she couldn't torture him for her own sake. She was a Dark Witch, but she wasn't like the Death Eaters. She wasn't like Tom. She would be better than that, for Dora, Harry and Teddy. They deserved better than a monster.

Still, Black's release and Pettigrew's death only seemed to make things more complicated. The execution took place after the DoM confirmed that the location where Petigrew had stored Voldemort's wand was empty. Someone had tailed him in his last visit to the area and had managed to bypass what measly protections he had erected around the wand. Someone who went through a lot of trouble to conceal their face from anyone who could have identified him. Hazel was certain it was a man. Her visit to the Crouch Manor had been a bust, but the evidence there and from the Azkaban records suggested that Junior was free. Now he had his master's wand. She wished she could go after him, but Croaker was adamant. It was time to sit back and wait. Burying her swirling thoughts, she returned her full and undivided attention to Teddy, who was going to be helping her out today in the lesson. "Are you sure you want to do this?" Teddy nodded. "Yeah, besides it's fun." Hazel smiled at him as he stepped back, the two of them waiting for the last of the OWL students to arrive. Harry waved at her as he stood next to Neville, Susan and Hannah. The four had done surprisingly well in their exercises, though she had to drag three of them to the Hospital Wing to see a Mind Healer. Finding comfort in impossible dreams was quite dangerous with Patroni.

The Dementors would pull at their nightmares and potentially force them all to experience their dreams being shattered. A catastrophic failure with a Patronus saw quite a few Hogwarts students dead towards the end of the war in her old world. Granger's lessons to the students in their fifth year had been done under bookworm's own watch, with the girl looking for any possible shortcuts to getting past the barrier that kept the Patronus from taking corporeal form. Those shortcuts only worked if the student was able to sustain the imagined happy memory. Not everyone could, especially not in the face of the Dementors. Not that the students had to face a Dementor anytime soon. With Black found innocent and Pettigrew giving the Dementor's Kiss for the massive amount of intel he leaked to the Death Eaters, the creatures were all sent back to Azkaban. Fudge and his Undersecretary left the Session the same as Lucius Malfoy: with unfulfilled expectations. They all deserved it too. At least the whole situation seemed to have calmed Draco down. He didn't seem to be as interested in insulting people. Then again, finding a Boggart in your private dorm room could have been a part of his change too. The Slytherins under her care had quite enjoyed the scream they heard from within the snake pit and his recent quiet disposition was welcomed by all. Hazel hoped his father didn't try and fix him this summer.

With all the students in place and most of the staff, including Dumbledore, watching from the walls, Hazel got started. "Alright everyone. Today is our final meeting and the moment many of you have been waiting for. In the last month I have been giving you the mental exercises and the training required to prepare for a successful cast. Let me be clear. The Patronus Charm is by its nature very complex. It was created in a time when Arithmancy and standard Charm techniques did not exist. If you are a Charms prodigy, don't be surprised your Patronus failed. There is no exact theory, no Arithmancy breakdown and no understanding of the intricacies that define a Patronus beyond the fact it combines elements of Charms, Conjuration and even some obscure branches of magic. Now I have one last bit of advice for everyone here, especially those from magical families. If you have practiced Occlumency, you need to not occlude your thoughts. Maintain your barriers but allow your emotions to run free. You will get better results this way. In time you may be able to isolate the emotional state you need, but for tonight, don't." Hazel watched as the Ravenclaw and Slytherin students, as well as a few Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors went through their exercises to lower the impact of Occlumency on their emotions. She could see the change in their faces.

Hazel nodded. "Good. The incantation is Expecto Patronum. Allow the memory, the thoughts, and the emotions to fill you up entirely. When you are sure you have reached that point of absolute immersion, cast the spell. Like this." Hazel watched as Teddy walked up and flicked his wand. " Expecto Patronum. " A winged dragon the size of a person took shape from Teddy's wand and flew about the Hall, the students and Professors looking up at it in wonder. Hazel spoke up in the ensuing silence. "Age's limitation with this spell is due to one's magical capacity. First through third years may have difficulty with the spell but there's a reason I had everyone practice so much before today. Those lacking the magical capacity currently were already informed and will practice again on their own until they reach the threshold required to maintain a Patronus. For the rest of you, let the emotions of joy and happiness fill you and cast. Take your time as you allow the emotions to well up inside of you. In time, you can learn to cast it faster. Go ahead and give it a try." Teddy's dragon landed beside Hazel and tried to nuzzle Hazel, much to Hazel's joy, before it dissipated. Hazel and her son stood back and watched as the fifth years tried the spell first. To the amazement of the staff, more than half manage a corporeal Patronus on the first cast.

The Weasley Twins Patroni were surprisingly distinct, at least in species. They were both monkeys, though Hazel was unsure what they were called. Considering that a few monkeys were known for their surprising intelligence and mischief, it certainly suited them. Cedric's Patronus looked to be a horse as it raced around the room, the boy's enjoyment of thrills and speed quite evident. About the same amount of students in fourth year were able to produce a Patronus, with Cho Chang's being a falcon, darting from one corner of the room to another. Then it was the third year students' turn and Hazel blinked as a grand majority of them succeeded. A bouncing hare made her pause, before she saw it coming from a second year blonde that she remembered being Astoria's friend from Ravenclaw. The girl, along with a few other second years, had their magic at a higher developed state than the rest of their fellow year group and had shown a far greater degree of vulnerability to the Dementors when encountering them on the train. She and the others were given the chance to learn the Patronus and Hazel was surprised to see her achieve it with how unstable her magic felt.

Seeing Astoria rushing to the girl's side, Hazel stored what she knew of the young Ravenclaw and her unique way of addressing her away, before returning her attention to her pupils. The Hufflepuffs under her charge proved to be much more capable than the Gryffindors, with Susan's Patronus looking to be that of a wolf-like dog, rushing around her in excitement while Hannah's was a dove, which flew around her as the girl watched in wonder. Among the Slytherins, Theo's Patronus was a raven, it's head constantly looking everywhere inquisitively as it landed on the boy's shoulder. Tracey's looked to be a majestic eagle, its wing spread quite wide as it took to the air, while Daphne's caused some surprise as a Quetzalcoatl flew and coiled itself around the dark haired girl in protection of her. Hazel barely had time to consider telling Quetz about that when Neville's bear rattled everyone's ears with its roar. Her eyes, however, were drawn to Harry who seemed transfixed by his.

A shy little doe came up to him as he looked on in wonder, as Hazel suppressed the thoughts and images of Lily Potter that flared in her mind. Getting permission from Teddy, Hazel walked up to Harry and placed an arm on his shoulder, giving him a bit of emotional support, the doe turning towards her and trying to nuzzle her with its head. He broke the silence first. "My mother wrote about the spell in her seventh year. How she was the only one besides Dad that could cast it. Hers was a doe too." Hazel hummed. "Patroni can run in the family at times. A sign of the love passed from parent to child." Harry's eyes watered. "I was thinking about her and Dad. About them being proud of me." Hazel lowered her hand and Harry stared as she seemed to feed magic to the doe, making it solid. Seeing her nod, he reached out and felt fur and warmth from the Patronus. "Trust me Harry, they would be proud. As long as you do your best and live your life to the fullest, they will only ever be proud of you." Harry visibly swallowed and nodded. "Thank you, Hazel." Hazel ruffled his hair. "We are family, Harry. You never have to thank me for being there for you." Harry looked up and smiled at her as Teddy came over and hugged him. Hazel directed her attention to the Hall, congratulating the students and asking a few if they wished to continue and practice. Many of them did and Hazel watched over them all, noting the absence of a certain Potion Master. She saved that thought for later as she watched over the kids, the Great Hall filled with wonder and joy well into the descending night. Though she did notice Harry's Patronus waver for a moment, as if the form grew unfocused. She wondered what that was about.

-∞-

OW June 1994

Hazel watched as her Patronus Charm failed again. It had been that way for months but this time she felt worse as her Godmother watched on as they practiced together in the Chamber. Which was odd since Bella had been watching her train for most of the year. Then again, her Godmother had been hiding as a cat for over a year and only now revealed herself, not doing it earlier out of concern that either Snape or Dumbledore would pluck the information from her mind. Hazel had been quite happy about that, since it meant she had never been truly alone, though the fact she spent quite a while petting Bella and getting her to purr was something she found quite weird now. Bella found it hilarious. Hazel sat down and sighed as Bella looked on, pensive. "You're using a memory, right?" Hazel nodded. "It always fails like that. I think I just lack the right kind of memory, something I doubt I will get in the next decade, if at all." Bella looked at her, a guilty expression on her mind. She sat down beside Hazel on the couch. "Perhaps a bit of cheating might help. You are not the first to have difficulty with this spell, and certainly not the first who also happens to be the most vulnerable to the Dementors. Perhaps a bit of a dream can work to fix that."

Bella explained as Hazel watched her quietly. "Happiness is a difficult thing for a person with poor lives to find within memories. But it can certainly be found in your dreams. They are our guides and our hopes as we struggle in the dark." Bella rubbed Hazel's hair. "I dreamt a lot in Azkaban. It helped keep the Dementors away. Lucid dreaming was one of the few things I was grateful to have. I always controlled my dreams and in them I created a world. A place where I was free of the prison, and where I could find a measure of joy. You actually became a part of those dreams often enough." Hazel stared at Bella as she had a wistful smile on her face. "I dreamt of watching you and my niece Nymphadora playing together in the garden as my sister and I watched on. I saw you sitting at the table as I brought plates of food to it, your eyes filled with happiness at the imagined taste." Hazel smiled at hearing that and got pulled into a hug. Bella kissed her hair. "You helped keep the Dementors away for all those years. So I think you could try something similar. A warning though. Never dream of the impossible. The Dementors will use your memories to tear the dream apart."

Hazel thought about it and nodded. "I think I can see how. Did it happen to you?" Bella gave her a soft nod of her head. "One of my first dreams. I dreamt of coming home to you as James and Lily looked on. I loved making Lily laugh and if it was at James' expense, even better. Then the Dementor's sought out my worst memory." Bella rested her chin on Hazel's head. "I was the first person at the house. I walked over the body of the man I called my brother from another mother and I collapsed at the sight of the woman I happily called my redheaded step-sister. I struggled to get to you, pulling you out of the wreckage. You calmed down a bit in my arms actually. I left you with McGonagall as I was called on a mission. I told Dumbledore it would be my last and it was. For all the wrong reasons." Hazel hugged Bella back, feeling the calmness that radiated from her. She tried to look in her dreams and find one that she could believe was real. That she dared to hope to see it come true one day. "I want to try one more time." Bella kissed her hair as Hazel stood up and closed her eyes. She steadied her mind as best she could and focused on her oldest dream, only now it was different.

She carried in her the dream of every abandoned orphan. The dream of coming home to a loving family. To be hugged and kissed and loved without anything expected from her in return. The dream had been with a faceless figure until she saw a picture of her mother. But that dream slowly and surely became hollowed out as her time in Hogwarts stretched on. The dead were gone and any attempts to bring them back were doomed for failure. She had refused to believe that from the Hogwarts books but Salazar's were different. The man was a researcher, and within all his journals he made it clear he had ample reason to seek a way to restore the dead. The death of his wife had shattered his life just as the death of her parents had destroyed hers. He spent decades researching Necromancy and the Veil between the worlds but found no indication that resurrection of the dead was possible. He abandoned that dream and found another worth pursuing. He married again and had children, quite late in his life.

Hazel thought of Salazar's life and her own. She gave up on the dream that Lily Potter would one day come for her. But perhaps she could make the dream of coming home to family more real. Hazel saw herself in her dream of a wonderful home life once more. The house wasn't as suburban or as defined as she remembered, but it didn't matter. The feeling of love from inside felt real. The person who waited for her loved her. The woman who pulled her up and kissed her cheek no longer had red hair or green eyes. She was now a curly haired brunette with grey eyes and a radiant smile. Hazel drew on her moment in the Forbidden Forest and the stories she just shared with her. The dreams of a woman wanting to raise a child. Of a person who waited patiently in Azkaban because she knew she would never have a moment's peace to raise Hazel as her own child if she escaped, only throwing that hope away when Hazel's life was endangered by her demented cousin. Hazel filled her mind with the same woman raising her with love. She felt her wand warm up and flicked it. " Expecto Patronum ."

The Chamber of Secrets was bathed in a bright and warm light that blinded both of them until it settled. Bella stared at the Patronus as tears of joy fell from Hazel's eyes. She laughed and giggled happily as a cat came up to her and rubbed itself against her legs, the feel of the fur and its warmth no different from Bella's animagus form. Hazel picked it up into her arms and laughed as it purred against her, Bella looking at her with pride and amazement. "Now what do I name you? Isabella is already taken after all." Bella hugged her from behind and petted the cat, her face filled with wonder at the solid Patronus. "How about Whiskers?" Hazel pouted. "Really?" Bella grinned at her. "Sure. I promise it will drive McGonagall up the walls. I tormented the woman for years as she hunted me down as a cat, trying to figure out who else had become an animagus. She never did find me since I used a spell to mask my scent whenever I took my feline form. I left her so many notes teasing her, all signed as Whiskers. She suspected it was one of us when the cat vanished the year after we graduated, but she had no idea it was me. The return of Whiskers to sow chaos at Hogwarts in my stead. It's perfect." Hazel rubbed her face against her Patronus. "Sure. Welcome to the family, Whiskers."

-∞-

NW June 21st 1994

Dora shook off the effects of the apparition and looked around as Hazel made her way towards a metal gate, the area around her obscured by a dense fog. "Where are we?" She watched as Hazel pulled a necklace out from a pocket and saw a ring dangling from the chain. "Magic behaves weirdly between our worlds. Things like my world's map don't work here, because the Hogwarts in its pages and the one here are different. But the family rings of people never born in this world work just fine." The moment the ring was pressed into the center of the gate, the magic of the ring triggered and the gate was unlocked. Hazel stored the ring away in her pocket and turned towards Dora. "You wanted to know more about me? Well, as far as I am concerned, the only thing left to show you is right here. You coming?" Dora looked between Hazel and the foggy area behind her. "What happens to you if I don't?" Hazel shrugged. "I'll be gone for a day, maybe longer. My memories on this day for most of my life, since the end of the war, are quite fuzzy. I won't blame you if you decide to stay out of it." Dora sighed but took a few steps forward. "I am not leaving you. I just needed to know whether I needed my wand out." Hazel eyed the mist. "Not really, but if you hear a bark or a howl, don't turn around. Apparate out with your eyes closed."

Hazel walked through the open gates and Dora followed closely, the gates closing behind her. The further in they went, the lighter the fog became. Eventually Dora noticed a shape in the fog. The shape was repeated over and over again as rows stretched out as far as the eye could see. Gravestones. Dora shivered and moved closer to a strangely quiet Hazel. They meandered through several rows and paths and Dora looked to the headstones. She saw the names. "The Black's have their own cemetery?" Hazel nodded. "A bit forgotten now. This is the Black Cemetery where much of the family is buried. The main line of Lords and Ladies are buried in the Mausoleum attached to the currently abandoned Castle Black, along with members that proved themselves worthy. For millennia, this was the Black Family's final resting place. It was abandoned after Alphard, Cassiopeia and Marius Black were all buried here. Can you imagine why?" Dora recalled the names from Andromeda's lessons on the family tree. "Alphard was disliked by Walburga for helping Mom and Sirius. Cassiopeia was barren and Marius was a Squib." Hazel nodded again. "Every Black for millennia was buried here, never mind as to who they were in life, except traitors to the family. Until the war. Arcturus buried his siblings and son without fear of reprisal but the blood supremacists complained. They sought their own cemetery."

Dora looked around, a strange longing building inside her heart. She knew Sirius would reinstate the Tonks family to the Black family soon. These were her ancestors, her relatives. Completely detached from the madness that turned the family into blood purists. These were the graves of her family. "How did you find this place?" Hazel shrugged her shoulders. "I asked the Black family elf. It wasn't in the same location as the one in my world, so I needed directions." Dora watched as she saw newer graves appear. Sure enough, the names of Cassiopeia, Marius and Alphard were clear to see on their graves. Hazel stopped for a second before Marius' grave. "Marius had a wife and children, as well as grandchildren. We will have to inform Sirius about them. They deserve to be buried here with their family, if that is their wish." Dora nodded before she stared at the last headstone. Every other headstone was grey or black. This one was white. She watched as Hazel stared at it before pulling a bottle of firewhiskey out of her jacket. "She introduced me to the stuff on Christmas of 1995. Burned quite a bit of the room we were in, along with my throat. Never touched alcohol again until just before my nineteenth birthday. It was a rough time. Andi was mad at me for a few days, but she understood. She had her own reasons to mark the day."

Hazel conjured a stone seat next to the grave and sat on it, pulling out the stopper on the bottle. "Last chance to leave, Dora. This won't be pretty." Dora sighed and went to look at the grave. She froze as soon as she saw what was engraved on it. "Hazel." Her partner took a swig from the bottle and a bit of fire plumed out from her mouth. "There is nothing buried here, of course. She had grey eyes in my world and was born a few years later. Went to Hogwarts and got Sorted into Ravenclaw, not Slytherin. Studied to be a Healer but found a passion in Enchanting. She became the silent partner of a group of Marauding teens, three of them sorted to Gryffindor. One was a Werewolf with a drive for Potions and a bad case of self pity. The other two were Heirs of Noble Families, looking for a laugh as the weight of their responsibility seemed to suffocate them. And she was a girl who wanted to see them all laugh. She did too, without a single person outside of the group knowing of her part in all of the chaos and madness. Well, all but one person didn't know: a redhead that was sorted into the House of Lions because she was too hot tempered to be an Eagle. My Godmother was the glue of the group, pointing out bullies to target for pranks, enchanting the silverware to get everyone to sprout mustaches and even getting the suits of armor to sing "God Save the Queen" whenever McGonagall walked by them."

Dora smiled and chuckled at that. "Yeah, I can see that being funny for a proud Scotswoman." Hazel smiled, her face flushed. "I repeated it for my fifth year, except with a different target in mind. The woman was a pureblood supremacist so it really got under her skin. Pretty sure that was the one time my McGonagall actually looked at me differently. She knew it had to be me after my Godmother confessed to her about being the bane of her existence for four years. Gods was the woman insufferable when I refused to stay away from my godmother. Why would I give a damn about school rules or even being expelled when there was a person who cared about me right there waiting for me to join them? Dumbledore, of course, got the Scotswoman to leave me alone. He needed his little destiny project to be where he could keep an eye on it. My Godmother wanted to pull me out of Hogwarts but she couldn't pull the Black funds out of Gringotts. She did run one hell of a bill on them, though. Better that than letting her bloody cousin add it to the Dark Lord's war chest." Hazel took another swig, Dora stepping a bit back as a fireball launched from Hazel's mouth as she hissed. Hazel looked to the grave marker, her eyes filling with tears.

"She never found a woman who could keep up with her. She stopped trying to during the war. Her family name and skills made her invaluable to both sides of the conflict. Healing was, after all, a tall order for a Dark Witch or Wizard. Wishing to keep her extended family safe, she became an unmarked Death Eater. She dropped as much information to the Order as she safely could, but the spy in the Order did just as much damage. She went to Azkaban for the Deaths of Alice and Frank Longbottom, whom she killed to spare them the same fate of the two people currently sitting in St. Mungos here, a fate given to them by the people she was forced to follow around." Dora stared at her as Hazel continued, the reality of her words sinking in. Hazel's Godmother taught her how to kill. Not with hate but with love. With mercy. "In my third year, her mad cousin escaped his cell and she followed him. They both found me in Surrey and she leapt onto me in her animagus form. She went by Whiskers but I called her Isabella. Kept the black cat with me all year long until her mad cousin caught me." Dora noticed Hazel starting to physically shake and she sat down beside her, hugging her.

Hazel cried. "He kept me under the Cruciatus for so long that I wanted it to be over. The Dementors that had tormented me all year decided to finish me then. I would have been a lifeless husk if she hadn't saved me. She swore to protect me as she should have done. As my birth mother had asked of her when she swore to be my Godmother. From that day till June 21st 1996, she was my best friend, my guardian, my everything." Hazel tossed the bottle against the gravestone, the glass shattering on impact. Hazel's shudder grew worse as the spilled liquid ran down the white headstone and seeped into the ground. "Voldemort used my love for her to get me into the Ministry and to catch me in an ambush, and she came to save me from my own stupidity." Hazel started shaking uncontrollably. "She swore she would adopt me as soon as her case was reviewed under Veritaserum. That I would be her daughter! For years I dreamt of her becoming my mom! But she died protecting me. Sirius Black took her from me!"

Pulling Hazel into her chest, Dora's thoughts were in absolute chaos as the images of the two worlds that were so at odds with each other fought for dominance. Hazel hiccupped against her. "Sirius was the traitor in our world. He was driven mad by Walburga as she tore into him for breaking tradition. She kept him under the Cruciatus curse for far too long, doing gods knows what to his head. He signed up as a spy for the Death Eaters without a second thought as soon as he could. When the Potter's made him Secret Keeper, the bastard ran straight to his Dark Lord. He took my parents from me. He then took my mother from me! He took everything from me!" Dora held Hazel to her, her chest growing damp. She looked at the headstone and understood why this was hurting Hazel so much. There was no Bellatrix Black in this world. Lestrange's mad rambling in front of the Wizengamot Court was legendary. She was the monster that haunted Dora's dreams since she was eleven years old.

Dora rubbed Hazel's back, her thoughts swirling on her partner's grief. Teddy got to meet her, a version of the mother he never knew. He now knew a version of his grandfather too. But Hazel didn't get that mercy. Bellatrix Black only existed in her own memories and on the carved gravestone before them. A witch that meant everything to Hazel, whom she would never get to see again. She could never exist in this world. Instead there was only Lestrange and her madness. The man Hazel hated with all her heart, the one who took her family from her twice over: his face was the same as that of their Sirius. Dora felt her heart ache at the cruelty of fate. Hazel came to this world looking to give her son a better life. She did that, only now that life was tearing her apart. Dora lowered Hazel onto her lap as she felt her girlfriend fall asleep, from the exhaustion of bearing out her deepest pain and from the alcohol. Caressing Hazel's hair absentmindedly, Dora turned to the headstone, tears falling from her eyes. "I wish I could have met you. Because your girl has become a big part of my life. An irreplaceable part of it. I can only imagine how much of what you taught her she has taught me."

A gust of wind whipped Dora's hair into her eyes as she pulled out her portkey. She took one last look at the headstone. For the longest time she was filled with fear of a woman whose very appearance and madness ruined her life as a teen. She had hated that woman's name so much. Yet here was proof that there could have been more to Bellatrix. Hazel was the living proof that there could have been a caring aunt beneath the evil that now existed. Dora looked down at her partner's tear covered face. For the longest time she had felt that Hazel was keeping something from her. Something important. Now she knew what it was. Her partner kept everything bottled inside, waiting for Dora to be ready. For she herself to be ready to share it. Dora realized now what she knew all along. She loved this woman from another world. Taking a moment to memorize every detail on the gravestone, Dora spoke up. "Thank you, for teaching her, caring for her and saving her. For giving her the love she desperately needed. Without you, I would never have met her. I … would never have fallen in love with her. So please, watch over us. Please, help me care for her in your stead." The wind filled with a warmth Dora could not explain before she activated the portkey, dragging both of them back to Hogsmeade, the words on the gravestone now etched into her heart.

Bellatrix "Isabella" Black

November 2nd 1959

-

June 21st 1996

Marauder, Sister, Aunt

and Beloved Godmother

The Brightest Star in a Sea of Black,

An Eternal Light in the Void of a Dead World

-∞-

Hazel stirred awake, the warmth of a blanket wrapped around her body being too much for her current state. She kicked the blankets off the bed and stretched out. She frowned. She knew she was at Hogwarts, she could feel the familiar hum of the wards. She also had trouble remembering how she got here. She also happened to be wearing underwear, which was odd. She only wore it to bed when she could feel Teddy would be coming over. A door opened and a robed Dora came out, her hands rubbing a towel into her currently short pink hair. Beautiful purple eyes focused on her and Hazel's body felt like it was overheating. Dora folded the towel in her hands. "Oh, I sorta expected you to be out till tomorrow. You went through half a bottle of firewhiskey and fell asleep." Hazel blushed, pulling her knees up to her chest and wrapping her arms around them. "I probably would have if I drank the rest. I usually finish it. Guess I talked too much and the whiskey took me out before I could." Dora hummed as she sat down besides Hazel. A cool forehead pressed into hers. "You didn't want to share that part of yourself with me for so long because of my issues with Lestrange, didn't you?"

Fidgeting a little, Hazel nodded, at least as much as she could. "When Dromeda said you hated looking like your aunt Bellatrix, I knew you wouldn't want to hear about Bella. To me they aren't the same. Not really. Still felt like you wouldn't like it. So I waited." Dora pulled back and kissed Hazel on the head, making Hazel's mind misfire. "Thank you. I think… I think you were right in waiting. I got to hear more about your godmother, enough to sort of know her before I knew her name. She sounded like an incredible woman." Hazel smiled. "She was." Dora pulled back. "You want to shower?" Hazel shook her head. "Low metabolism here. I am still buzzed and I really don't want to have a cold shower while partly drunk. I'll still go for the toilet though." Hazel made a hasty walk to the bathroom as Dora finished drying her neck and face. She picked up the blankets from the floor and placed them back on the bed before Hazel returned. Dora barely had a moment to look before warm lips pressed into hers. She groaned a bit before Hazel pulled away and Dora stared into glowing green eyes. "Are we… ok?" Dora smiled. "We are, Partner. I told you, I am not leaving you." Hazel searched eyes for a second. "I feel like I heard something. Something that was very important. I have a hard time deciding whether I heard it for real or if it was a dream."

Dora blushed. "I might have said something meaningful." Hazel pouted. "Not willing to repeat it when I am wide awake?" Dora hummed as she sat on the bed. "Nope. Not telling." Hazel raised an eyebrow before locking the room tightly with wards. Dora swallowed as Hazel stared at her. "Are you absolutely sure you don't want to say it?" Dora reached up and held Hazel's face. "Say what?" Hazel's eye twitched and Dora leaned forward. "Oh, did you want me to say "I love you."" Dora blinked as Hazel's eyes and hair seemed to shift repeatedly before her hair looked black for a second, before fading to white. "Do you mean it?" Dora felt her heartache at the tone Hazel used, as if she was afraid of the answer. Dora leaned in and gave her a chaste kiss. "Yes Hazel. I meant it. I love you." Tears started falling from Hazel's eyes as she kissed Dora back. "And I love you, Nymphadora." Dora found herself on the bed, her limbs entangled with Hazel's as the two kissed well into the night before falling asleep peacefully. No nightmares or memories visited Hazel that night.

Chapter 36: Recovering the Past

Chapter Text

Teddy nudged Harry's shoulder. "It's ok, Harry. Relax." Harry took a deep breath to calm his nerves. Ever since the Daily Prophet announced his Godfather as innocent, he knew he would be meeting him soon. Andromeda had even asked him if he wanted to wait to meet him later and he had been warmed by her concern. At Hogwarts he had been so comfortable with the thought but the moment he got on the train, his nerves started acting up. The hug he got from Ted and Andromeda at the station had been great and they waited patiently as he said goodbye to all his friends. Mrs. Weasley's disdainful looks towards Andromeda and Hazel made him a bit mad, as if she didn't trust them. Hazel's own absence from the meeting was also something that bothered him. His cousin and protector had been terrific the entire school year, always offering him advice, most of it when he asked. She genuinely cared about him, which made her absence all the more noticeable. At King's Cross she hugged him and wished him luck. Her words when he asked her if she was coming along struck him deeply.

"Harry. Nothing would make me happier than to see you reunite with someone far closer to your parents than the people you have already met, but I can't be there with you. Teddy has told you that I have problems. When I was your age, my own godmother came to take care of me. She did so for a few years before a man killed her, just before she could blood adopt me. She would have become my mother if the adoption had been carried out. That man has an eerie resemblance to Sirius, enough that my instincts are to try and hurt him. Your Godfather is an innocent man and doesn't deserve that and neither do you and Teddy. You have a chance to meet him and you deserve to do it without my personal issues getting in the way." She kissed his forehead. "Dora will be with you and you know Andromeda will always look after you. So relax and go meet the man." He nodded as she pulled Teddy into a hug and kissed him on the cheek. "You look after your cousin. I'll be at work keeping busy and then I will be making dinner. You and Dora make sure you work up an appetite. I plan to spoil you both."

Shaking his head, Harry followed Andromeda to the front door of her family's home before she opened it for him. As soon as he was in he heard a man take a deep breath. "You look so much like your father at your age. A bit uncanny." The man stood from the sofa and Harry got a good look at him. His face was still a bit thin from lack of food and there were bags under his eyes, but he certainly looked like he was getting better than from what he saw of him in the Prophet. His long mane of hair was certainly better maintained. The man knelt down and looked up at him. He smiled as he pointed at Harry's eyes. "These are very much your mother's, though. James fell in love with them in his first year, not that he knew what to do about it. Practically drove his mother Dorea up the walls with his ungentlemanly behaviour." Sirius stood up and bowed a bit. "I am happy we get to see each other, Harry. Sirius Black, Marauder, lady's man and former Auror, at your service." Teddy giggled. "I think a certain redhead might find one of those statements of concern." Sirius looked at Teddy and frowned. He looked between the two boys. "Andi said you two looked alike. You must be Edward Peverell."

Teddy bowed his head a little, making Sirius groan. He turned to Andi. "You didn't." Andromeda shook her head. "Oh no, that's all on him. His grandmother taught him the ways of the old families and his mother, who ignores manners as much as my daughter, somehow managed to not break him out of it." Dora bristled. "Oi!" Sirius chuckled before he turned to Teddy. "Andi says I owe a lot to your mother, both with looking after Harry and for keeping me alive. She also told me that she isn't safe for me to be around right now." Teddy nodded. "Mom's a good person but you just remind her of someone who hurt her a lot. She's a Dark Witch too. She hasn't taught me curses but I know she can be scary when mad." Dora snorted. "Personally, I think she's scarier when she gets bored. She gets creative with her magic." The group settled into the house and Harry started to relax. Teddy himself seemed interested in getting to know Sirius and the man didn't disappoint, even if his jokes made everyone cringe. Sirius looked over and Harry. "Heard you did great on your scores. Trying to beat your mom's?" Harry shook his head. "No, but I am trying hard in all my classes."

Sirius chuckled. "Can't believe Moony actually got to be a teacher for Defence. Before the Order, his score wasn't the best in the subject. Not like me and your Dad. Lily had some trouble with the course too in later years, but she got the hang of it. That woman was downright terrifying with a wand." Harry smiled. "Sounds like Hazel. She filled in for Remus on the days after the full moon. She was really good as a teacher and even got Hermione to pay a bit more attention in class. She doesn't like Defence though, even though she could probably beat all the professors at it. She beat Flitwick with only OWL level spells." Sirius blinked at him. "Huh, sounds like I got lucky she didn't curse me." Dora, seated on a sofa a short distance away, shuddered. "Trust me, you were. At work she's a lot more for instant takedown. With you, she would have taken her time. Our Instructor usually left the training room bleeding most of the time when he sparred with her. Not that the bastard ever showed it bothered him much." The conversation became lighter and Dora and Teddy excused themselves as they went back to their home with Hazel. Harry waved them goodbye as they apparated away before getting back inside. The Tonks' house was surprisingly lively for the next few days. He didn't mind, yet for some reason he felt odd. As if there was something missing. It wasn't until the Peverells visited again that the feeling faded away.

-∞-

Shots rang out in rapid succession as the target took hit after hit in its center of mass before Hazel was forced to change the magazine. This was repeated several times until Hazel stopped one bullet short, leaving the last one in her mag. She took off her safety glasses and ear protection, as it was better than using the charms Quetz taught her, especially when in a crowded environment. She eyed the bullet still in its casing after pulling it free from the mag and a chuckle made her look up. "I am getting the distinct impression you are considering what it would take to conjure a fully functional bullet." Hazel nodded as Horatio came over. "The lead core, copper casing and the shell cartridge are all relatively easy to imagine, though getting the size to be exact will take loads of practice. Getting the primer and the gunpowder under the right pressure and mixture is the hard part. Think Quetz will be mad at me for thinking about taking another job away from her?" Horatio shook his head in mirth. "So long as it gets you and your partner home, she will probably forgive you. Eventually." Horatio looked at the target down the range. "You are getting better at it. MI5 will be quite happy. You get that trick down, they might try and offer you a job themselves. MI6 too." Hazel shook her head as she pocketed the bullet and a spent cartridge before she went to refill her rounds from Quetz' Ammo Locker.

Finishing up with storing her firearms safely in her expanded bag, Hazel turned to Horatio. "You know of the plan for the coming year?" Horatio nodded. "After the Williamson debacle, I had Croaker run all his plans and possible missions by me first." Hazel hummed and the two walked the corridors towards the Training Room. "And you are sure about it?" Horatio eyed her. "Worried about your partner's role in it?" Hazel nodded. "I know she is capable, but this is a long term mission. My charm will aid her immensely but I won't be able to back her up as much. I don't like that. I feel like I am failing her, letting her go out like that on her own." Horatio watched as Hazel pulled her jacket and bags off before she pulled out her gloves and arm guards. She turned to him. "Fancy a spar?" Horatio smiled and went to his locker. Once his own protective equipment was in place, the two started circling around each other, throwing test punches. "I can understand your concern. She's come back injured a lot after missions, while you have only had to deal with magical exhaustion. At the same time, she has been training with you every other day for the last year while you both guarded the castle."

Deflecting a jab and guarding from a punch to his face, Horatio retaliated. He smiled as Hazel mirrored his moves. Of all his trainees, she was becoming his favorite. Sure she was stubborn and bloodthirsty, but she took training, all training, seriously. He could also see why. Hazel was, after all, here at the DoM while her son and partner were meeting Sirius Black. The training kept her mind occupied from her problems. He could relate. A dodge of a sweeping kick and a block from a straight punch and Horatio retaliated with a flurry of punches. Hazel also had the habit of limiting the damage she took. While Nymphadora tended to guard and take the hits, Hazel always dodged and rolled around them, only taking a hit when a counter was a better option. His Operative took a few steps back and threw a few jabs and kicks experimentally before moving closer. "If you signed off on the mission, could I ask you to keep reevaluating her before it starts? I know she's improving but you have a better eye for it than me. You can also suggest areas of improvement. If I can't back her up in the mission, I at least want to push her training further."

The two exchanged punches and kicks, before Horatio took a far jump to avoid a sweep of his feet from Hazel. "Will do." The two continued on, with Horatio enjoying the fight more and more. Before Hazel would have been expending energy and trying to break through him. Now she was more reserved and controlled. He knew she would use a lot more strength and power in a real fight but seeing her have a better understanding of reducing her wasted excess movements was good. The fight ended in a draw after over an hour of trading blows. Horatio sat down with her as she dried the sweat from her body. "Have you settled on the new call signs?" Hazel nodded. "O1 and O2. If we ever get more members we might go with codenames but right now it's just us. Besides, I think we would both miss out on being R1 and R2." Horatio drank from a bottle of water and nodded. "I'll update the comms listing. Word is that the Dark Witches and Wizards are looking to regroup, now that the Dementors and Aurors are off the streets. We are hoping things stay quiet but while the mission is on, you might get called out on solo missions with Auror or Non-Magical backup. Are you up for that?" Hazel finished her drink of water and smiled. "Just get rules on lethal and non-lethal engagements set with them beforehand and I will get the job done." Horatio chuckled. Some bad habits didn't seem to be going away.

-∞-

"Dumbledore didn't want you to stay on right away as Defence Professor?" Remus shook his head as the two Marauders walked down a sidewalk beside a city street in Muggle London. "Word was definitely leaked by students of my condition, even though nothing ever happened. The Board even received a report from Hazel about my containment, which had actually gone quite well, as well as the report on the destruction of the cursed object that caused the Defence Professors to suffer in the job. The Board was quite pleased with that last part and they agreed to send a thank you to Hazel through Amelia. Despite my condition, there were some requests to keep me in the position and Dumbledore didn't seem entirely against it but he decided to keep his options open." Sirius sighed and looked ahead. "Andromeda filled me in on almost everything. She mentioned she also knew some classified information she can't share with me currently. But the incident around Harry's custody and Dumbledore breaking the law, not to mention his inaction after my arrest and the sudden change of the law after. None of that is painting a pretty picture, Moony." Remus sighed and looked at Sirius. "Alone, maybe it could be dismissed, but yeah. Everything that happened needed to have Dumbledore's support and it did."

Sirius turned to his old friend, the last of the Marauders. "So, we fall back on the old rule?" Moony blinked at him in thought. "Always blame Snape?" Sirius barked out a laugh. "Not that one. The first one, fur for brains." Moony thought for a second and nodded. "Marauders first?" Sirius nodded. "Marauders first." He took a look to the left and sighed. "We are here." Remus looked up at the old apartment building complex. It looked weathered and dark, as if the soot from the smokestacks from the last century was still covering its walls. "Cheery place for a townhouse." Sirius chuckled. "Might have been once. At least before my mother got to run the place. Let's see what she left of it." The two men walked up the stairs of Number 12 Grimmauld Place and Sirius gripped the door with the hand that a certain ring now rested on. It took a bit of paperwork and two week of talks with the Mind Healers before he agreed to take on his Grandfather's ring. The Goblins had been ecstatic to have one of the oldest and largest accounts in Gringotts active again. He had pulled out of a list of investments made to the more Traditionalist sectors of Wizarding Britain and was in talks about seeking reparations from his extended family. For now though, he had a house to deal with.

The wards, recognizing his blood and the ring, granted him passage and control over the building. The door unlocked itself and he was able to push it aside. The two men entered and stared at a painting on the wall. Or more precisely a torched frame of a painting. Remus came up close to it with his wand out, casting a diagnostic. "Cursed fire. Burned the canvas clean off." Sirius stared at it and sighed. He knew who had the answers he needed. "Kreacher." The sound of an apparition pop echoed in the room and Sirius stared at the old elf, its eyes looking at him carefully. "The Heir has claimed the ring, as the scary witch said he would. Will the new Lord Black honor his family? Will he restore the House of Black and bury its lost son?" Sirius frowned "Bury who?" Kreacher's eyes grew watery. "Master Regulus. Scary witch walked through the wards and summoned Kreacher. Asked about Master Regulus and about Bellatrix Black, as well as the location of the Black Cemetery. Kreacher told the witch as she carried a Black Ring, though she refused to wear it. Kreacher showed the witch where Master Regulus died. Witch torched the creatures that killed Master Regulus and retrieved his body."

Sirius felt his heart ache at the memory of his brother. "Kreacher, what became of my brother Regulus before he died." He was glad that Moony was there as Kreacher told of Voldemort using him to store an item in the cave full of Inferi. How his brother turned away from the Dark Lord and sought to acquire and destroy the item but died as he sent Kreacher away with it. Moony held Sirius as he sobbed before looking at Kreacher. "What became of the item he entrusted to you, Kreacher? And why is there a torched painting on the wall?" Kreacher looked a bit ashamed after the last comment. "Scary witch asked for it, claiming she would see it destroyed but that it had to wait. The Dark Lord made others and they needed to be found. Mistress spoke ill of those who would dare go against the Dark Lord. The scary witch challenged Mistress, asking her where her loyalties lied. Mistress spoke of the Dark Lord and the restoration of the House of Black. Scary witch was not happy, claiming the Mistress betrayed the Noble and Ancient House by acting against Lord Black and the Line of Succession. Mistress screamed but the witch lit a black flame onto the painting. Mistress is no more."

Recovering from hearing about his brother's death, Sirius looked at Kreacher. "Kreacher, what did the scary witch look like and whose ring did she carry?" Kreacher tugged his hands nervously. "Lord Black must not hunt her. Scary witch smells of death. Black wards most Ancient yielded to her, without the ring." Sirius stared at the elf, stunned. To cross the Wardline of an Ancient Family's house without destroying it first was unheard of. He sighed. "I promise not to hunt her, Kreacher. I only wish to know what she looked like and who the ring belonged to." Kreacher thought for a second, measuring the truth of his words. "Scary witch wore blackish green snake hide clothes. Her hair was white with traces of black. Her eyes were green until the Mistress angered her. They were red then. The ring she carried made no sense. It was of Bellatrix Black, yet not. Mistress Bellatrix's ring was destroyed upon her marriage. Kreacher remembers it being destroyed. Scary witch said she was an ally of the True House Black, the one of the Old Guard. That the rightful Heir would one day claim the ring and return to Grimmauld as Lord Black." Sirius was silent for a moment before he nodded. "Thank you, Kreacher. See if you can clean the master bedroom and the rest and move out the old clothes to be sorted through later. I will take Regulus to Castle Black soon."

Kreacher smiled and nodded. "Regulus to be buried with the Lords and Ladies. Master Regulus to be honored. Kreacher will serve Lord Black as he restores the Most Noble and Ancient House of Black." The elf popped away and Remus turned to Sirius. "That description matches Hazel Peverell. Why would she let herself be seen if she could clearly sneak inside? And what the hell is she doing with your deranged cousin's ring?" Sirius shook his head. "The rings of the daughters of House Black are destroyed when they are married. Bellatrix hasn't been divorced and has no reason for the ring to exist. I have no clue where Peverell got that ring from. As for Peverell letting herself be seen, she clearly needed Kreacher's aid. That she asked about the things she did is odd. I will ask Andromeda when I see her next." Remus nodded but frowned. "What did he mean by the Old Guard?" Sirius looked at the burned painting. "An old story about our family. It tied us with other houses in an Alliance that saw the formation of the Wizard's Council, before the Wizengamot. Oaths were given binding families to old duties. The Peverells were amongst them, as were the Blacks, the Bones and the Longbottoms. Wonder if this has something to do with the Coalition Andromeda mentioned."

Remus hummed. "That Coalition has been gaining a lot of ground. Abbotts, Bones, Greengrass, Davis, Longbottom, Peverell and several others have been voting as a bloc. Dumbledore has been concerned about them growing strong enough to block legislation, which they have with the support of smaller houses. They have a strong interest in the school and strengthening law enforcement. Been blocking Malfoy since the moment Ted took the Peverell Proxy." Sirius looked at Remus who blushed. "Dumbledore was talkative and the Prophet's been running stories on them, usually around the Wizengamot meetings." Sirius chuckled. "Well, looks like I have a lot to work with Ted and Andromeda. They trust Hazel with Nymphadora and they dote on Teddy like part of the family, so I will trust her to know what she is doing with that thing she took from Voldemort." Remus nodded. "We should probably not mention it to Dumbledore." Sirius opened the sliding door that led to the dining room table. "Good. In the meantime, let's see how much of this place we can clean. I will be looking in the Lord's study before taking Regulus to the Castle. Gods, I need to figure out who to tell about his death." Remus chuckled. "More like who not to tell." Sirius drew the wand he got from Ollivander, it's magic better suited to him than he ever expected from a replacement wand. "Exactly."

-∞-

Harry felt soft arms holding him up as he stumbled with the portkey. "Magical Travel hates me." Hazel chuckled as she steadied him. "Trust me, it sucks for the most part for everyone. They just hide it better. Dora here would be worse if I didn't give her a hand." Dora huffed. "Oi! I have gotten better. I haven't landed on my ass in over a year!" Harry chuckled as he and Teddy turned to the large iron gates. Harry's eyes took in the old stone structure behind it. "My home?" Hazel touched his shoulder. "Your Grandfather's. James grew up here but he moved out after marrying Lily. The deaths of Charlus and Dorea Potter did a number on him and he stayed clear of the old house." Harry nodded and felt Teddy press into his shoulder for support. He turned to Hazel. "It was your family's Ancestral Home too, once upon a time." Hazel nodded but squeezed his shoulder gently. "It was, but it's yours now, Harry. This is your legacy, not ours. Teddy and I are happy to lay down our own foundations elsewhere. There are a few large plots of land nearby so you might get us as neighbors, at least." Seeing Teddy nod in agreement, Harry moved forward with a key in his hand. He still had to wait a year for his Heir Ring, but the Goblins gave the key to the property easily enough after the full and updated will was read.

The reading of said will caused quite a bit of a storm for Albus Dumbledore. The will named Peter as the Secret Keeper and charged him with treason if any harm came to the family. It also listed Sirius Black as the Primary Guardian for Harry Potter, with the Tonks family third after the Longbottoms, though Sirius' current state prevents him from exercising that responsibility. A full list of Death Eaters and Sympathizers were blacklisted for custody, including the Malfoys. The clause that read that the Dursleys were also banned from having custody of the boy only made matters worse for the old man. He tried to defend his actions as necessary, with the wards needing a blood relation of Lily Evans to sustain the protection. When it was announced that said wards had been successfully transplanted to the Tonks wardscheme, he looked utterly stunned, though she was disappointed that the Assembly didn't do more than reprimand him. Hazel had made her first and only appearance so far as the Head of the Ancient House of Peverell. She made it quite clear that she was letting her Proxy handle the Wizengamot duties. She had also made it clear that any betrothal contracts, requests for Alliances and threats would be promptly ignored or responded to accordingly. She had no tolerance for politics. She had been to that session as support for Harry, nothing more. The kid deserved it after she bailed out on him from meeting Sirius.

Which was why she was here now and not Sirius. The old mutt would have had his own memories of the place but Harry needed to see it with fresh eyes. The boy brought the key forward and pushed it into the lock. The air bristled as the wards granted them all entry, both Teddy and Hazel feeling them welcoming them in as well. Harry and Teddy looked with wonder at the gardens to both sides, the fountains silent and the hedges, trimmed yet looking dull, the effects of a stasis ward collapsing. Hazel's eyes, though, saw something more. She saw the burned and dead hedges, the destroyed fountains and the smashed glass. The Potter Manor here was the same as the one in her world, only different in the regard of when she arrived to see it. Bella had kept her safe in the summer of her fifth year and Hazel barricaded herself in Grimmauld for the sixth after her Godmother's death. Dumbledore's club had forced her to return to Privet Drive on the seventh summer before Hogwarts after Dumbledore had been killed, despite there being no true blood wards there. She had forced the two companions hoisted onto her to go to her home. It had been too late. The wards needed to have been recharged by her as soon as her 17th birthday, but the redirected mail, the manhunts and the isolation forced onto her had done its job. Potter Manor had been destroyed and she had been none the wiser until just after the spring of 98. She eventually knew Dumbledore had planned that to happen. What better way to secure a martyr's death than to destroy any place she could call home. Had Teddy not been her godchild, he might have succeeded.

The doors of the Manor opened slowly and a soft pop echoed out from the entrance. An elf that looked older than Kreacher gazed at the new arrivals. His eyes had trouble picking who to focus on until he caught Harry's eyes. He gave the boy a soft smile. "Master Harry has returned home at last. I am Pauly, sir. The last of the Potter elves. It is good to see you again. The Lord and Lady were quite fond of your visits." Harry blushed. "Thank you, Pauly. We are here to check the Manor and strengthen the wards. I… would like to call this place home one day." Pauly nodded. "Pauly would be glad to take you to the wardstone. Sadly, the Manor is not very clean. Pauly is not as spry as he used to be." Hazel looked through the opening and noticed the thick layer of duet just beyond the door. "Dobby." Dobby apparated in and his eyes darted over the Manor interior. "Oh no, Potter Manor needs a lot of work. Dobby knows not where to begin." Hazel gestured with her head. "Dobby, this Pauly, your elder and the keeper of the Manor. Act in his stead and let him show you what it means to be an elf of the House of Potter. He has waited a long time for a Potter to return home." Dobby nodded happily and the two elves whispered to each other before Dobby started cleaning a path out of the main foyer.

Pauly turned to Harry. "Follow Dobby to the wardstone, Master Harry." Harry and Teddy looked around as the floor and walls were magically stripped away of dirt before them, with Dora following them, though she kept some distance back in case Hazel needed her. Pauly turned to Hazel, his eyes searching hers. "You are a Potter." Hazel raised her finger to her lips and pointed to Harry. "The boy is the rightful Heir. Magic brought me and my son here to this world. We are Peverells now, guiding young Harry to his rightful place, one others would see abandoned for their own plans. Dobby is a Potter elf through me." Pauly nodded, sensing the truth of her words. "Then welcome home as well, Mistress Peverell." Hazel shook her head. "We gave this home to the Potters. It is Harry's home. The Peverells will rebuild elsewhere." Pauly nodded and Hazel reached down and touched his head. "Restore to him what time has taken, so that he may fulfill his final duty to his family." Pauly stared wide eyed as magic spread through him. Though he didn't seem any younger, his eyes shined a bit more brightly. "Mistress be quite kind, to show such honor to an old elf."

Hazel shook her head. "I was betrayed and my home destroyed. Two elves gave their lives protecting what should have been my future, and more likely did as well. I learned a bit of the Olde Ways in a bid to save my son. It seemed only fair, in recompense for my own failures in my world, to aid you and Harry here." The elf bowed. "As Pauly said, Mistress is kind. Pauly will serve Master Harry and teach Dobby to be Potter Family Elf." The elf popped away a bit more loudly than before as Hazel followed after the others, letting her magic reach out into the structure. Like with the Hallows, there was nothing here resembling Family Magic, though the wards clearly recognized her as a Potter, meaning they were probably Blood Wards, left behind by the Peverells to secure the old Estate to the Potter descendants. "A lot to take in?" Hazel nodded at Dora's question. "I walked through similar halls once, torched by Fiendfyre and ruined beyond repair." Dora wrapped her hand around Hazel's waist. "But not here. Because of you. Harry gets to rebuild his family. Mom does too. And you are planning to set roots nearby. You have nothing to be sad about." Hazel kissed Dora's cheek. "No, I don't. Not right now."

Finding the kids looking over the wardstone, with both Harry and Teddy trying to decipher it, Hazel walked into the room. "Have you decided?" Harry looked at Teddy who nodded at him before he looked at Hazel. "Would you hold control of the wards for me?" Hazel looked between the two kids. "I am sensing a conspiracy here." Teddy shook his head and Harry looked at her pleadingly. "You've been helping me discover my family's legacy and have been protecting me since I stepped into the magical world. While Sirius is technically my Godfather, I think the wards would be safer with you. Will you take them until I am ready?" Hazel rubbed her eyes, and threw a weak stinging hex at Dora for smirking knowingly. "Alright, Harry. I will hold control of the wards for now, but you just signed up for a wards course with me. I have been learning Rune based warding on my own with Teddy and if you are going to entrust this to me, I will make sure you know it too. Teddy, your Runes homework just got doubled too." Teddy hugged Hazel. "It's worth it." Hazel rubbed his hair and moved towards the wardstone, drawing out her Blood Magic knife. She handed it to Harry. "You need to claim them first then pass them to me. These are the words to use."

Dora sat back and watched as Pauly stood a bit straighter as soon as the wards settled onto Hazel. "Oh, Mistress Peverell indeed." Dora looked towards the elder elf. "What do you mean?" The old elf looked at her and smiled. "Story of old Peverell Elves who accompanied Iolanthe Potter into the new family. Magic most Ancient laid buried within the Peverell blood, an old oath left unfulfilled by those that came before." Pauly looked to Hazel who was reading from her warding journal as she adjusted the wards for greater protection and concealment. "Mistress Peverell has fulfilled that oath. It gives her strength where magic would fail others." Pauly turned to Nymphadora. "You are her consort, yes? Care for Mistress Peverell deeply. Pauly sees the injuries she carries now. Many injuries. Many are healing, but a few will linger. Mistress Peverell needs you, even as the burden she carries is hers alone." Dora turned to Hazel as she explained the changes she has made to the wards to Harry and Teddy, both seeing the runes shift on the wardstone, wonder and curiosity on their faces. She smiled. "She won't carry it alone. She is my partner." Hazel's eyes met Dora's and she gave her girlfriend a bright smile. Hazel's responding smile warmed her heart. Dora couldn't wait for them to go on vacation soon.

-∞-

Sirius shook his hand as Ted Tonks dropped another paper on the table in front of him. The two had a lot of paperwork to go over and the dining room table of the Tonks residence was almost covered completely in stacks. "There is no end to them." Ted chuckled. "Well, you missed out on years of paperwork and Arcturus probably stopped as he grew too ill to manage it. How was Castle Black?" Sirius sighed as he looked over the latest document before signing it. "Surprisingly habitable. Arcturus' elf buried Grandfather in the Mausoleum before it too passed on, but the stasis wards on the castle held well. Kreacher has been clearing up Grimmauld for the most part, but I assigned him to manage the Mausoleum for the burial. The elf really did love my brother. He's been quite cooperative after I gave him that duty." Ted nodded, but looked at Sirius with concern. "Sorry we couldn't get much out of Hazel Peverell about her visit to Grimmauld. Dora knows why she asked about Bellatrix and the Black Cemetery and is working on getting Hazel to share it with Andromeda but it's a delicate process. Hazel is distantly related to the Blacks and is protective about the people who raised her. And no, she wasn't raised by Lestrange, despite her proficiency with Unforgivables and the ring she carried." Sirius took the next paper and started reading it. "Well, that's a relief. Heard she took Harry to see Potter Manor. How did he take it?"

Ted shrugged. "Surprisingly well. Pauly had been doing his best with the magic he got from the wardstone. With the Manor's magical ties restored, he and Dobby are clearing the place up. Since Harry is technically a Black too, you could ask him for Dobby to help Kreacher out, after the Manor is back in proper form. They are keeping most of the stuff as is, in case there are old clothes or mementos there that you would like to retrieve." Sirius smiled softly. He had loved living with Dorea and Charlus. They took him in without a second thought the moment he ran away from home. "I'll thank them later for that. Gods, seeing James' old room will be a hell of a trip." Ted gave him his next stack of papers as organized all the signed ones. "I hope this is not an imposition. You are the Peverell Proxy after all." Ted shrugged. "Hazel isn't very trusting with much of the Peverell papers. We get together a bit prior to a Wizengamot Session, discuss the active bills, her stances and what she would like me to question and that's it. She has another legal team handle much of her paperwork, which was almost non-existent. No land taxes, no investments and no contracts to look over from her predecessor." Sirius was about to comment when he heard the doorbell. Ted stood up. "I'll go see who it is."

Sirius signed a few more documents before Ted cleared his throat. "You have a visitor." He looked up and felt his heart warm. "Gods you are still beautiful." Ted made a hasty retreat as Amelia raised an eyebrow. "Really? Young Edward Peverell said you called yourself a ladies' man. Should I be concerned if you are saying similar words to other ladies?" Sirius swallowed. "Ahh. Wasn't aware you were acquainted." Amelia smirked. "The young man is with my niece in Hufflepuff. She has taken him under her wing, at least until she decides to tease the boy." Amelia looked over the stacks of documents. "I can see that paperwork still keeps you busy. I remember the massive stacks Moody made you fill out, especially when you went out halfco*cked looking for trouble." Sirius blushed. "How is the old walking sack of paranoia?" Amelia chuckled. "Quite well actually. The last batch of Cadets did rather well in the field and the Dark Witches and Wizards are keeping quiet. He's practically going stir crazy. Dumbledore called him up to the castle a few times." Sirius groaned. "Tell me he isn't the next Defence Professor." Amelia shook her head. "Not yet but Albus is trying to convince him. He has some assignments lined up so he can't accept just yet."

The two went uncomfortably quiet for a bit. Sirius decided to just get it out in the open. "And… how are we, Amy?" Amelia walked up to him and she lifted up her right hand, showing him a familiar engagement ring. He watched as she took it off. "I never wore this while at work. I… had a hard time dealing with everything, Sirius. You were sent to Azkaban, my entire family got slaughtered and I had a one year old niece that needed me. I couldn't think clearly. I left the Aurors for a year and in that time you got shipped off to Azkaban. I didn't know what to believe." Amelia gripped the engagement ring tightly. "But I couldn't part with it. And I never went out with anyone else." She walked up and lifted his hand before dropping the ring in it. "But we aren't the same people anymore, Sirius." Sirius gripped the ring tightly. "No, we aren't. But… I still wish to try. I want to get to know you again, Amy." Amelia smiled. "I would like that." She reached up and kissed him softly. She pulled back and made a face. "But you are going to have to trim your moustache a bit more. You are a bit scruffier. Then again, I hear you're a dog now. Do I need to get a doggy bed for my guest room?" Sirius laughed loudly as Andromeda and Ted watched on, smiling at each other. Their family was finally coming back together.

Chapter 37: Summer of Relaxation

Chapter Text

"Why do I get the feeling your daughter and her girlfriend are mad at me?" Andromeda leaned back and looked at the two women who were currently watching over the kids while the adults gathered around the outside patio table, the two witches hidden under the shade of the beach umbrella to avoid the sweltering sun. All around them stretched a wide and untouched sandy beach before the horizon was filled with the wide blue Atlantic Ocean as the group enjoyed a much needed break from the cold British weather. "Because they spent months planning a family only beach vacation and your invitation of not only us but the rest of the Coalition pretty much upended their plans." Sirius frowned. "How?" Andromeda arched an eyebrow. "They can't exactly have a romantic getaway on an island with all of us on it, especially the types of romantic activities that included a certain expectation of privacy. A half dozen kids that they both need to help babysit for isn't the least bit romantic either." Sirius pouted. "They couldn't have said that before we arrived?" Andromeda smacked Sirius on the head. "Of course Hazel couldn't. You invited all of Harry's friends and a few of Teddy's. She wasn't going to let Harry or her son miss out on it." Sirius rubbed his head. "Ok, fine. I am sorry I spoiled their fun. Maybe I can offer them a private stay on their own."

Amelia sat down beside Sirius, her modest one piece swimsuit and thin scarf wrapped around her waist making him think about securing some of his own private time. "Good luck with that. Hazel might leave you a drooling mess with a wave of her hand first. Especially if she is still holding a grudge over the ruined plans." Sirius grumbled. "I didn't do anything to her!" Andromeda nodded. "No, you didn't. But a look alike of yours did. Trust me, I barely got the full story from her and I could see the magic running up her arms. Just leave her and Nymphadora be for now. Let her get used to the idea that you aren't trying to kill her." Julia sat down beside Amelia and placed a few drinks on the table, with Amelia wrinkling her nose at the heavy alcoholic smell coming from them. The blonde looked over towards the beach before turning to Andromeda. "Are we talking about the hot killing machine dating your daughter, Andromeda? You have got to get Nymphadora to let me have my fun with them! I promise, they will both enjoy it. I know this lovely trick with my tongue." Amelia pulled Julia's hat further down her friend's face. "Your daughters and several of the children are within earshot, Julia." Julia pulled her hat off and placed it on her lap before drinking for her glass. "So? I already gave them "The Talk."

Sirius shivered. "Tell me I don't have to give that to Harry, Andi." Andromeda chuckled. "Nope. Already dealt with. Teddy was even there. I was surprised how detailed Hazel went with her son, but it certainly kept him out of trouble. His running commentary helped Harry relax a bit." Julia smirked. "So I heard. Astoria loved teasing the boy but most of it he already knew about. The rest he got easily enough. Heard the younger Carrow Twins were a bit disappointed they couldn't spoil him too." Sirius looked to Amelia. "Speaking about the Carrows, how did they get their seat back? They were convicted killers." Amelia sighed. "Fudge being bribed, most likely. Wish we could deal with that but an election right now is unlikely. Any amendments to the conditions for entry into the Wizengamot will have to wait as well. Fortunately, the two girls are staying at another family's home for now." She drank from her drink as the last few of the adults arrived, including Lord Nott. Sirius eyed the man, still unsure about him. The older gentleman gave him a knowing look. "Easy there, young Lord. I already told you I am on your side." Sirius looked away. "Even after I sent your own son to Azkaban?" Theodore Nott sighed but nodded. "My son made many mistakes, a few that I had a hand in. Whatever I raised him to be, it was not to be a rapist and a murderer. He is there of his own accord. I am quite glad my grandson, however, is growing up quite differently."

The adults turned to the children, with most of the boys swimming in the water, while the girls were applying their sun protection and tying their hairs up. Augusta nodded. "I myself am quite happy with Neville as well. The last two years have done him well." Sirius looked at the boys racing each other in the water. "He reminds me a bit of Frank, though his smile is all Alice." Augusta chuckled and turned to the rest, before focusing on Nott. "So, anything of concern from your less than pleasant contacts, Lord Nott?" Theodore drank from his cup of coffee. "Whispers of the other Death Eaters, mainly those who went unmarked or under the Imperius defence, getting together to sow chaos at the World Cup Finals. I know they are reaching out to the more senior members, looking for support. Also, I have secured a stay at the Manor for the two young Carrows. Their parents were all too happy to hear about them catching my grandson's attention. Not that they really have." Amelia looked to Hazel, aware of the events she had relayed concerning both the World Cup and the young girls. Her own Godmother had apparently kept Hazel away from the World Cup in her world. "We have a small Auror presence planned for the evening, with a few more being secured from the ICW. We are hoping the event improves relations between us and the other Auror departments elsewhere." Nott nodded. "A sound strategy, one our Minister will be happy to support for "international cooperation" purposes."

Sirius frowned. "Is it going to be safe for the kids to be there?" Julia giggled. "Please, if young Edward Peverell is there, they will all be safe." She turned to Amelia. "Are you stocking up on body bags yet?" Amelia sighed. "Yes, unfortunately." Sirius looked from between the two and back at the white haired witch. "You think she can handle them with little backup?" Nott gave Amelia a knowing look. "Is she the one that wrecked Williamson's Manor?" Amelia glared at him. "There a reason you suspect that, Nott?" Nott sat back and hummed. "The Aurors are silenced but there are still whispers. Williamson got sloppy and tried to make a run for it but his escape route arrived too little too late. Lots of former Death Eaters never made it home that night. A few other nights come to mind as well." Theodore raised his hands at the sharper glare he received from the redhead. "Now, none of that. Everyone is pointing at you and your exceptional leadership of the DMLE. Being on the inside here tells me it's more than that. Just curious, is all. I am trusting her with tutoring my grandson after all." Amelia sighed. "She is, though I am hoping for a less messy result." Julia bit her lip. "Does that mean I might get a chance to watch her at work at the World Cup? I might need to get some tickets then." Amelia groaned as Julia hummed happily, while a few of the others shook their heads.

-∞-

"You boys all tuckered out?" Harry, Neville and Theo dropped onto their towels, the seawater dripping from their wet hair. Teddy came up a bit less tired and pulled out the drinks from the extended bag his mom enchanted to be cold, passing them along to everyone. Hannah helped tie Susan's hair into a braid while Astoria did the same for Daphne, with Tracey just lazily sitting back and tanning under the sun. Luna Lovegood, who had come at Astoria's invitation, worked on a sand castle nearby, humming to herself. Astoria went to check on her as Daphne stood up and loomed over the boys, her wand spinning in her hand. "So, should we try out some magic? Lord Black made it clear that we are out of the British Ministry's jurisdiction and the island is warded." The boys looked between each other, a bit nervous. They had all gotten to see Daphne during the tutoring sessions and every single of them agreed she was scary. Susan complained from under the umbrella's shadow. "Oh come on Daphne, it's too hot out for that." Daphne huffed. "You just don't want to get tanned." Susan bristled. "I don't tan, I get burned. Even with the potion and ointments." Teddy looked at Daphne. "Besides, what would we do? Mom said no dueling training on the island. We are supposed to be taking a break."

Harry nodded as he downed his water, trying not to look too closely at the girls. Andromeda's talk from after last year's Christmas had left him blushing, especially around Susan. The redhead had gone for a black and yellow bikini that really showed a lot of her skin and curves. He had jumped into the water to swim, as well as to hide his reaction. He had seen Neville and Theo blush up a storm as all the girls pulled off their jackets, since none of them wore a one piece except for Luna and Astoria. The former struck him as a quiet girl that kept mostly to herself at school, though she had grown a bit more friendly at Astoria's urging. She had joined some of their study sessions, knowing a surprising amount about Care of Magical Creatures, even though she was only a second year at the time. He turned and looked at Hazel and Dora who were their chaperones for the day. Dora's pink bikini was certainly revealing and even he found he had to look away before he got a reaction from watching her too. Hazel had thankfully worn a one piece, though there was no hiding her lean, athletic build. He was thankful that she at least didn't make him feel anything. That would have been weird, especially with Teddy nearby. His cousin at least seemed to have less of a problem, at least until Astoria teased him. His changing hair colors betrayed him every time, much to the blonde's amusem*nt.

Daphne's humming drew Harry's attention and he watched as she aimed her wand at Susan. " Aguamenti. " Susan yelped under the torrent of cold water. "Daph!" The dark haired witch grinned. "That seems to work fine. We can try controlling it and changing it on the fly." Teddy leaned over and whispered something in Astoria's ear as Daphne dodged a shot of water from Susan. A ball of water slammed into her back, making the Slytherin turn around. "What was that?" Astoria waved her wand in a circle. " Aqua Vesica ." A water ball the size of a balloon flew from the tip of Astoria's wand and Daphne dodged it, hitting Susan instead. "Oi! Not fair!" Teddy went to the boys while Astoria told the girls, spreading the spell around. The beach turned into a show down as everyone tried to tag the others with the balls. Luna yelped for a second as one went to strike her accidentally but the ball got intercepted by the sandy ground lifting up into its path, before it lowered and evened out. Hazel walked up behind the blonde and dropped a small disk with wards on it next to her. "It should keep the water and air from bothering you." Luna smiled at her. "Thank you, Ms. Potter." Hazel sighed. The weird blonde always called her that. She had searched her memories for the girl but found no one matching her description, so she assumed the girl either died before Hogwarts or was never born in her world.

Not bothering with correcting her for the hundredth time, Hazel turned to the kids throwing water balls at each other. She gestured to the ground and the sand started to shift. Theo casted a ball towards Astoria but a wall of sand rose up and blocked it. The kids froze and turned to Hazel, Teddy looking a big unsure if his Mom would be mad he shared that spell with them. Hazel sighed and turned to Luna. "Want me to make that life sized for you? Your friends can play inside it and you can have me change it on the fly." Luna beamed. "Sure!" Walls of sand rose around the group of teens. "Alright, since you wanted to play, let's play. The first one to the top that then tags everyone trying to get them down gets to sleep in late tomorrow." A massive Castle that matched Luna's design sprang from the sand and half a dozen doors formed out of the sand. "Safe water based spells only and Glacius is for making the floor slippery. Begin." Luna watched as Hazel adjusted the Castle's design while the kids played inside, adding slides and dead ends. Hazel smirked as an older wolf cub popped out of the higher exit and reached the top. The older kids were in for a tough time. Though to be fair, if Teddy slept in late, it meant she and Dora could maybe get some alone time. Teddy knew how to make water based shields after all.

-∞-

OW July 1994

"A bit more of a flourish." Hazel closed her eyes and waved her hands, flourishing her fingers as she focused on the magic needed for the wards. Charm based wards weren't being covered yet at Hogwarts but Bella wanted her to learn them. The ease of application and the difficulty for the untrained to spot them made them a good medium for keeping unwanted guests away. With the fact she had sneaked out of Hogwarts with Bella and had joined her on a bit of a bike tour of the Isle of Britain, Hazel knew she would have a lot of need for this particular spell and others like it. More than that, getting the spell to be casted wandlessly was important, as her wand was still being difficult and the Trace was still attached to it. She refused to be the reason her Godmother got caught by the Aurors. They had kept to the muggle areas, Bella using hair dye, contacts and a few glamour charms. Apparently, her mom had taken her out one summer on a tour of muggle shops and had shown her how to dye her hair. Hazel had to admit that Bella looked pretty as a redhead. Hazel had dyed her own hair red so that they would blend in as a mother and child.

With a few more waves of her hand she felt the magic snap in place. Bella walked around the spot and ran her wand over the edge of the ward. She nodded. "You got it. Ready for the rest?" Hazel smiled and got back at it. Bella eventually established the more complicated wards, the notice-me-not and muggle repellent wards, and two settled into their little campsite by the beach as the sun started setting over the horizon. The Irish Sea looked quite beautiful lit up, as if the horizon was a blaze. Bella sat on the log beside her and lit the campfire before she pulled out a frying pan. "So, hamburgers or hot dogs?" Hazel thought for a second. "Both?" Bella smiled. "Both it is." Hazel helped gripping the pan as Bella placed the meat on it and they both sighed happily at the smell. Bella leaned back. "Me, Lily, Alice and Marlene took a summer all for ourselves like this, just after our sixth year. The Death Eater attacks were getting worse, so we figured a week or two as muggles would be great and it was. Alice, being Alice, invited Frank over. This resulted in James coming along too. Lily was surprisingly mad. She really wanted a girl's only vacation."

Hazel hummed as she turned the food over on the pan. "Weren't they dating yet? Mom and Dad?" Bella smirked. "Dating? Yes. Being more affectionate? Not yet. Then again, their relationship was usually one massive jump forward every bloody time." Bella pulled the buns out and placed them on a rack to toast them a bit over the open fire as Hazel watched. "Did they do that? Make rash decisions all the time?" Bella sighed as she pulled the buns back. "We all did. They got together and got engaged right out of Hogwarts. I got a partial apprenticeship with my sister Andi at St. Mungos at the time. Then things got worse. The Ministry started fighting back harder and the Death Eaters and the Order were in need of Healers. I got approached by both and James convinced me to spy on the Death Eaters." Hazel frowned. "Didn't the Order have other spies?" Bella shook her head. "Not then. Snape joined later, after your birth. I wanted to look after my family on both sides. Regulus was in the Death Eaters and Sirius was in the Order with James and Lily." Hazel started physically shaking and Bella lowered the plates to the floor and held her. Bella kissed her hair and sang a soft tune as Hazel bit her lip.

Ever since the night Sirius attacked her, her body would suffer spasms of pain whenever she was reminded of it. Hazel had screamed at first but over time she fought the lingering effects of the Cruciatus. When she had gone to the Hospital Wing, the Headmaster and the Aurors had been around. Bella had stayed in the Chamber of Secrets, safely hidden away. For the first time, Pomfrey had looked at her with real concern but the Healer said there was nothing she could do. The nerve damage of the Cruciatus could only recover in time, if ever. Hazel prayed she was the former, as she felt her shaking slowing down in intensity. She breathed deeply until she felt her body growing still, though she felt her skin tingling at the memory. "I am ok… now." Bella rubbed her hair and refused to let her step too far away. The meal was nice as they stared out over the water. "Have you ever gone swimming at the beach?" Hazel blushed. "I … don't know how to swim that well. I almost drowned in that pool in the chamber." Bella cleaned a bit of mustard off Hazel's cheek. "Well, I need to fix that. Swimming is great for relaxing and you never know when you might need to jump in the lake or a river."

Hazel shivered. "Not right now, right?" Bella chuckled. "No, swimming at night should be something you reserve for when you know what you are doing. A wildlife repelling charm is also a good idea. James got stung by a jellyfish during our outing. Never heard the guy moan in pain as much. Not even that one time Lily kicked him between the legs for his less than gentlemanly behavior." Hazel smirked. "How much was it to get sympathy from Lily?" Bella made a gesture with her hand, showing a small gap between her thumb and index finger. "A little bit. Worked though. Pretty sure Lily spent the night with him. Neither of them remembered they weren't alone until after they woke up in the morning." Hazel laughed a little at that as did Bella. "Lily's face was as red as her hair that day. I had planned to take a photo but she snatched the camera out of my hand and tossed it. She couldn't look me or Marlene in the eyes for days." Hazel and Bella stayed outside that night, under the light of the stars. After spotting a shooting star, Hazel wished that these peaceful days would last forever. Her peace lasted till the 1st of September. For the first time in three years, she didn't want to go back to Hogwarts. It didn't feel like it was worth it anymore.

-∞-

NW July 1994

Hazel stirred awake a little and felt her skin being a bit itchy. She looked around and felt her pillow shift. Dora, sporting some short and pink hair to avoid the heat, leaned over her. "There you are. You fell asleep on me. Everyone else went to sleep indoors. Well, I think the girls are having a sleepover party, but the rest are in their rooms." Hazel yawned a bit. "Sorry, I got a bit overzealous with that sandcastle." Dora hummed, looking in the direction of the mound of sand it turned into after Hazel called it quits. "All the kids had a blast, though. Even if Teddy won. Did you have to try so hard to dislodge him?" Hazel blushed. "He didn't take it the wrong way, right? Do I need to talk to him? Where is he?" Dora pulled Hazel back down onto her lap. "Your son is fine, Hazel. He understood you didn't want to look like you were favoring him. He had a lot of fun. Though now you have people wanting to try the animagus transformation." Hazel hummed merrily, and Dora leaned over. "Amelia said no." Hazel pouted. "Drats. Can I get up now?" Dora allowed Hazel to get on her feet before she waved her hand and releveled the sand on the beach. She turned to Dora and reached out, taking her hand. "So? Any plans for tonight, or did watching kids drain you too?"

Dora pulled her along. "A walk to the other side of the island?" Hazel nodded and the two walked the beach, hand's grasped gently. Hazel looked around. She knew they were in the Canary Islands, or at least nearby. Several old Families sought a summer retreat in the Atlantic during the Age of Exploration. Many bought islands in their entirety before warding them, vanishing them from sight and memory. The nearby larger island was bought by an older family from the Continent but they sold it during the Napoleonic Wars to cover their debts. While the main island became a Magical families destination of choice, the Lord Black of the time had secured the private island they were on as a wedding gift for his wife. It's been safely in the hands of the Head of House ever since. While she had been a bit mad at Sirius for hijacking their vacation, she couldn't deny the fact that Teddy and Harry were clearly enjoying themselves. Harry had invited his friends too, but the Weasley Matriarch wasn't too keen on letting her children into a private place owned by a known Dark Family and the Grangers had already booked a summer retreat with their daughter. While a bit disappointed, the fun the boy had today was all too real. She was happy she could give him a better summer memory.

Hazel leaned into Dora who squeezed her hand comfortably. "Still worried about the plan?" Hazel nodded. "I just… it's the first time we won't be depending on each other in the thick of it. It feels wrong and I don't want to watch you get hurt and not be able to do anything about it beyond prep work." Dora swung Hazel around and the two wrapped each other in an embrace. Dora bit her lip and lowered her libido a bit. Ever since she had confessed to Hazel, her girlfriend's eyes felt different. There was a warmth in them that she knew was only directed at her. Those same eyes were looking at her now, a bit of magic lighting them in the night. "You need to teach me that trick with your eyes." Hazel pouted. "No changing the subject." Dora sighed and rested her head against Hazel's. "I feel it too, Hazel. I feel vulnerable when you aren't watching my back. But you heard Horatio. I need to get better. The training and this mission will push me over my limits. I will be a better partner to you because of it." Dora winced a little as Hazel's grip tightened reflexively. She watched those green eyes grow slitted and red before returning to green as she pulled away, her arms wrapped around her own abdomen.

Dora watched as Hazel walked a bit into the water, doing her best to resist the urge to run her hand over Hazel's back. While she had picked her bikini with the express purpose of teasing Hazel, she found her girlfriend's swimwear even more alluring, and so very much her. A mix of an athletic one piece with a taste of style, it gave an unobstructed view of Hazel's back and legs. Her front was mostly covered, even above her chest, but she had found her hands getting slapped when she tried to caress her girlfriend's chest. That was something she was thankful for. The fact she had a girlfriend that not only called to her physically but emotionally. All of her flings in her last two years of Hogwarts had been just that, physical in nature. Charlie Weasley came close but the man had been too enamored with dragons to have enough room to court Dora over long distance. That had particularly hurt. But Hazel was different. She clearly loved her physically, but that was always second; an extension of the emotional connection they both shared. She was always physically intimate but never overly much. Dora felt warm knowing how concerned Hazel always was about her, especially emotionally. It was part of the reason she was so worried now.

Reaching out and wrapping her arms around Hazel' waist, Dora took a second to enjoy the cool water on her feet. "Nymphadora." Hazel turned around and stared at her, her hand pressing onto Dora's chest, right over her heart. "Promise me you will come back to me whole. You are a part of my life now. I can't … I can't even conceive of pushing you away. So you better come back to me, whole and yourself. I'll never forgive you if you don't." Hazel's eyes shifted into various colors before it settled onto an eerie silver that glowed brightly, sending shivers down Dora's core. "I won't forgive you if you turn your back on us or hurt what we have. Remember that, Nymphadora." Dora blinked, unsure what she just felt but Hazel's eyes had returned to green. "I promise, Hazel. I won't leave you. I'll make it back." Seeing the truth in her eyes, Hazel nodded. The two reached a rocky outcropping overlooking the farthest edge of the island. A wardstone dropped on the ground and Dora felt the magic cover her for a second. Hazel pulled back and stripped out of her bathing suit completely. "This is the only thing I can do that will settle me tonight. Will you let me make love to you?" The ward seemed to have affected the ground as well as she felt it was remarkably soft as the two pressed into each other.

Hazel loomed over her, her face lit by a bright full moon, those green eyes glowing. "I am going to feed you my magic, Dora. I am going to keep feeding it to you from now until the mission ends. This is part of my one condition. Will you accept it?" Dora blinked. "And the rest?" Hazel showed her her hand and Dora watched as a wand literally came out from underneath the hand's flesh. Hazel stared at her. "This wand chose me and it's bound to me. I can pass it along to another so long as my magic is inside of them, but it will always return to me no matter what." The wand changed form until it took on a simple wand design, not its series of lumps of elder wood. "You accept my magic and you use this wand when you have no other choice. These are my conditions." Dora took it and felt the wand reach out to her magic. It touched the faint echo of Hazel's magic that always lingered in her. Dora turned and saw real concern in Hazel's eyes. She nodded. "I'll do it." Hazel smiled before she leaned in. "This part you will like. I promise." Warm lips pressed against her own and she groaned. Magic. Pure, raw and all consuming magic filled her as Hazel made love to her that night over and over again. Dora woke up the next morning exceedingly sore and warm as she turned to her sleeping girlfriend, feeling her partner's magic singing beneath her skin. She decided to pay Hazel back a bit, even if it meant they were late to the breakfast table. She was worth being late for.

-∞-

Dora sat comfortably at the large breakfast table in the Black Summer House as she drank a hot cup of coffee. She watched Amelia walking gingerly to the table before sitting down. Dora smirked. "Long night of acquainting yourself with Sirius?" Amelia blushed as a cup of coffee was placed in front of her by magic. "You aren't one to talk. Heard your room has been silenced for almost two days straight." Dora smirked happily. "What, my girlfriend and I aren't allowed some good old fashioned privacy?" Amelia shook her head. "No, but don't tease others if you are up to the same thing. By the way, you missed a spot on your shoulder." Dora drew her wand to conjure a mirror but the mirror that appeared was a full sized one. It dropped onto the table and cracked, startling them both. Dora tried to vanish the mirror and accidentally vanished the table, two mugs of coffee crashing onto the floor. Dora sighed. "Hazel? Could you come out for a second? I need some help here."

Hazel stepped out of the kitchen's door, using a towel to dry her hands. She looked at the empty dining room and the smashed cups, before she spotted Dora holding the Elder Wand. She waved her hand and vanished the broken mugs and spilled coffee before conjuring a dining room table. She eyed Dora. "You and I are going to have to practice. The amount of magic in you now and that wand aren't all that easy to control." Dora pouted as two mugs of coffee popped onto the table. "You could have told me that yesterday." Hazel raised an eyebrow. "Really, because when I wasn't with Teddy and the kids exploring the underwater sights via a moving air bubble, I distinctly remember your only coherent words to me were along the lines of-'' Dora rushed up and covered Hazel's mouth with her hands before she sighed. "Ok. You have a point. Can we not bring that up?" Dora shivered pleasantly as she pulled her hand away from Hazel, who only smirked at her as she pulled her tongue back into her mouth. "Right. So, you, me and Teddy are going to practice some wandless magic by the beach side. Bring your more conservative swimwear and be ready for a long day. Remind me to grab Harry too. He needs a bit more practice with his wand and I have a few spells I want him to learn for the coming year."

Dora groaned as she sat on the table. "Great." Hazel glared and playfully slapped Dora's shoulder. "No complaining. You are going to have a long year dealing with problems on your own with no backup. I am going to make sure you can come back safely." Hazel turned around and went back into the kitchen as Amelia hummed with her fresh cup of coffee. "This have anything to do with the briefing Croaker has for me in a few days?" Dora sighed. "Probably. We have another long year ahead focused on Hogwarts for the Triwizard Tournament. Hazel is being overprotective." Amelia looked to the door leading to the kitchen. "Dora, remember that she came from a world where she lost almost everything that mattered to her. She's building a home here now. She has acquaintances and coworkers, but I think you're the only one besides your family and Harry she truly cares for. Hazel is going to be overprotective of you, regardless of what happens." Dora drank from her coffee quietly before she felt a hug from behind. "Morning Dora." She smiled and ruffled Teddy's hair. "Morning, kid. Your Mom's going to be teaching me some wandless magic later and is dragging you along. Are you interested?" Teddy sat down as a glass of orange juice popped on the table. "Thank you, Leafsby. And sure. I need more practice with the more complicated stuff. Summoning and banishing are too easy now."

Harry sat at the table, rubbing his eyes, as a glass of orange juice popped into existence in front of him. "Morning everyone." He looked around. "I gather that Hazel is probably in the kitchen. Where are the rest?" Dora flushed. "Mom and Dad are going to have the day to themselves. It's their wedding anniversary. Sirius is wherever Amelia left him and I think Susan is sleeping in late." The table looked to Amelia who hummed merrily. "He'll be down, well as soon as he can get out of his room. Might take a while. And Susan will be here in a bit. She's always a little slow waking up in the mornings." The table chatted patiently for a bit until Susan walked slowly into the room and sat down, drinking a cup of hot chocolate. Hazel came out of the kitchen, carrying a large wok full of scrambled eggs and vegetables, as the elves popped in the selection of meats and breads. "Breakfast is ready." Hazel sat next to Teddy and served him and Harry their servings while everyone else served theirs. She looked to Amelia and gave her an appreciative nod, one Dora caught in the corner of her eye. Dora smiled to herself, glad that bad scenario was avoided again. Hazel wasn't blinded by murderous rage with Sirius anymore, but the itch to send him into a spasming fit was still very much alive.

Chapter 38: Quality Time with the Family

Chapter Text

Hazel leaned back into the sofa and closed her eyes. Ted Tonks looked at her with a bit of knowing look. Dora came back to the house just as tired before Andromeda whisked her up the stairs. His wife had fled quite early this morning to work, saying her daughter needed a bit of medical work at the DoM. "Rough training session today?" Hazel groaned. "Horatio decided to get creative with our last one. The bastard had me conjure quite a few magical beasts and pitted Dora against them." Ted winced. "How realistic are we talking?" Hazel laughed exhaustedly. "Down to the last detail. I had to put my foot down when he asked me to conjure a Basilisk or a co*ckatrice. I didn't want Dromeda to ask me why her daughter needed a Restorative Potion." Ted drank his coffee as he looked at the kids in the backyard, Teddy trying to show Harry how to get into the mental state needed for an animagus. While Amelia vetoed them training the rest of the kids as Animagi, Harry was family. The transformation could also serve as a viable escape should something unexpected happen. "So, that's the reason our daughter had fire burns this morning?" Hazel winced. "Uhm, they weren't from the magical fire dragons are known for. I made sure to remove the curse aspect." Ted sighed in relief. "Good, because Andromeda thought they were. I saw her eyeing the surgical knives before leaving with her healer's kit." Hazel blinked. "For removing the damaged skin or filleting Horatio alive?"

Ted drank from his cup of coffee again. "Both." Hazel sighed and leaned forward. She looked at the lawyer. "Any word about Bertha Jorkins?" Ted shook his head. "Not one since she decided that Albania was a good place for a vacation." Hazel frowned. Moody had been warned to increase his security and to watch out for Barty Junior. While the Ministry Records listed him as dead, the same had happened in her world. He had been Voldemort's eye on her and the Tournament throughout her entire fourth year. Keeping Voldemort's access to Harry and the Goblet of Fire limited was their go to plan for now. Sadly, the reconnaissance she did going into the Crouch Estate hadn't revealed much. There were signs of some changes and damage in the basem*nt, consistent with an unwilling prisoner, but by the time she investigated it, the place was empty. Charging Barty Senior was impossible without Junior as evidence. Hazel wondered if the fact that Pettigrew was dead, Voldemort's wand was missing, and this world's Sirius Black was innocent meant that Barty would have to be the one to collect his master and the wand. The evidence from Pettigrew's memories certainly seemed to point in that direction. Her eyes wandered to Harry outside, his eyes closed in concentration, probably trying to find his inner animal.

"Any nightmares of late for Harry? Weird dreams?" Ted eyed her carefully. "Nothing. He's been resting peacefully. We always check every morning, with Andromeda saying it's to make sure there aren't any lingering effects from his childhood or a symptom of his scar. He's being honest with us." Hazel wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not. A pensive and quiet Voldemort was a dangerous thing. Then again, her's had been an obsessive thinker, with her as his primary target. "He asked about you again." Hazel blinked, snapping out of her thoughts. "What?" Ted smirked. "He asked about you and your plans for the 31st." Hazel groaned. "Why must you all be so interested in celebrating my bloody birthday?" Ted raised his hands. "Hey, I am just the messenger." Hazel huffed. "Sorry Ted, but Voldemort sent plenty of messengers to me too. They were his gifts as well. As you can imagine, I didn't leave them in any way to deliver a message, except the obvious "drop dead." He didn't take the hint." Ted lowered his hands. "Well, this messenger just wants you to know that the boy wants you to spend your birthdays together. Teddy has apparently agreed on your behalf." Hazel clamped her jaw tight and lowered her head.

Hazel crossed her arms and looked outside. She looked back over the time she had spent with Harry over the last year. "Theodore, be honest with me. What does Harry see me as?" Ted sighed and placed his cup on the table. "Andromeda and I talked about that. He likes being with us and is happy but we think he is connecting more with you. You personally protected him for years and were there for most of his third year. You represent a safety he has come to associate with family. Even with Sirius being around, telling him stories about his parents and everything, he still asks more about you." Hazel rubbed her face. "I didn't set out to raise another son." Ted smirked. "Are you sure about that? All the evidence says otherwise." Hazel glared at him for a second before turning to look at the boys again. Teddy was looking towards her, sensing her emotional distress. Hazel made a motion with her finger and he nodded. "Can I have a private conversation with my son?" Ted stood up and straightened out his pants. "Sure. I'll be in my office looking over the files for the next Wizengamot session. We need to go over those afterwards." Hazel nodded absentmindedly. "I'll be up there soon." As soon as Teddy entered, Hazel patted the seat beside her.

"Theodore gave me a few things to think about, including Harry's request for the 31st. You ok with those?" Teddy smiled and nodded. "I know there are going to be people there you don't like." Hazel sighed. "In the case of Molly Weasley, I think the feeling is mutual." Teddy giggled as he sat down. "Well, yeah. You and Dromeda keep Harry away from her." Hazel looked outside. "Anything? Or is there enough Black blood in his veins that we might have to wait a year?" Teddy looked outside and nodded. "He sees something, but it's still not clear enough. I think he needs his magic to mature a bit more. Think he might be like you? Another late Metamorphmagus?" Hazel rubbed her fingers together, getting a feel for her magic and remembering the time she first shifted. "Not sure. It was too close to my getting the Hallows for it to have been a coincidence. My blood ties to the Black family were far thinner too. We will keep trying over the year but taking it easy, and maybe try getting him started on some wandless practice for now. Enough that he won't need a wand for the transformation and can summon it into his hand in an emergency. The exercises for the Animagus Transformation can help with that too."

Teddy nodded but looked worried. "So, the party?" Hazel sighed. "Fine, I will go." Teddy beamed and hugged her. Hazel hugged him back and kissed his head. "Ted also said something else. About how Harry is looking at me as more than just another family member." Teddy nodded against her. "He told me. When we talked about the wards at Potter Manor." Hazel pulled her son back a bit to look at his eyes. "Are you ok with that? I never thought about having or raising other children. I don't want to take being my only son away from you." Teddy smiled at her. "I know Mom, but Harry needs you too. I am not exactly sure if he will ever call you mom, especially after reading Lily's journals, but he needs someone there for him. He likes Andromeda and the way she has cared for him but he feels closer to us. I wouldn't mind him being more like my brother either." Hazel stared at her son. "Are you absolutely sure?" Teddy nodded and Hazel's shoulders sagged. "Alright. We can have a conversation with him later. For now, just get together with Andromeda as soon as she and Dora get home and plan the party." Teddy hopped off the sofa and kissed his mom on the cheek. "Thanks Mom."

Hazel watched as Teddy returned and spoke to Harry. The smile that grew on his face and his obvious excitement made her sigh. There weren't any doubts about how he saw her now. She rubbed her eyes and looked at the mirror above the chimney. Her own face reflected back at her. Her eyes flickered in color before resting on silver, then red and then returning green again. She never planned on ever having children. She swore that Teddy would be her only priority. Yet she couldn't deny the fact that she had made allowances for Harry. She had made sure he was loved, cared for and protected. She rubbed her hair again before looking at it. There was hardly any black of her original hair left. She had no illusions that it meant something had shifted inside of her. Her magic had shifted several times in her life and her body had reacted accordingly. She had told Teddy there wouldn't be any children from her. Now Harry was joining her family, even if a bit late in life and Dora… Hazel sighed and looked at the picture of Dora inside the nearest glass case cabinet. They had exchanged their feelings. All that was left was the last commitment. Vows. Would she want children too? Hazel closed her eyes. This was going to be a long year. She could feel it. For now, she would wait for Dora to decide. Her lover and partner deserved to make up her own mind on this. Even if the wait left her heart in a constant state of anxiety.

-∞-

"Happy Birthday, Harry!" The boy smiled and pulled Teddy into a hug. "Thanks Teddy." He looked up and beamed as Hazel smiled at him. Teddy pulled away and Hazel hugged him. "Happy Birthday, Harry." Harry smiled. "Happy Birthday, Hazel." Hazel released him and looked around. "Where is the other birthday boy? Even if we are a day late." Harry pointed to the glass door. "In his greenhouse. He wanted to show the girls the flower garden." Hazel chuckled and looked at Augusta standing nearby. "Heir Longbottom is already looking to court a future lady?" Augusta made a face. "He better not. He is much too young." Hazel smirked. "Right. Don't let Andromeda hear you say that. She was already eying her husband for a few years before they eloped. Astoria seems to have picked Teddy already too." Teddy shuddered. "Nope, too early. Too early for that, Mom." Hazel chuckled as she sat down on one of the sofas the Longbottom brought to the solarium. Since they had three people whose birthdays were nearly identical, it was decided to hold a single large gathering and celebration. Of the available places, Longbottom Manor was chosen for its accommodations and the comfort of certain families. Teddy sat next to Harry. "Did you get your scores for the exams?"

Harry nodded. "Exceeds in Potions, History, Astronomy and Herbology. Outstanding in Transfiguration, Charms, Care, Runes, and Defence." Hazel rubbed his hair. "Nice work. Your work in the Dueling Club paid off." Harry blushed as Augusta turned to Hazel. "Neville did quite well in Defence again. My thanks for your instruction." Hazel nodded at her. "Only doing my best to make sure they are as safe as they can be." Teddy smiled at Harry. "I got a few more Outstandings, but my History was only an Acceptable." Hazel kissed Teddy's hair. "And that's understandable. Grandma would have been just as proud as I am. You have plenty of time before the OWL exams to get your History score up." Hazel looked up as she saw a few more people arrive, a bushy haired girl rushing forward to hug Harry, almost tumbling him back onto the sofa. "Happy Birthday, Harry!" Hazel sat back and looked at the Grangers. She hardly met them in her past life, only passing by them once at the bookstore while Lockhart was posturing. Their eyes were certainly looking up everywhere with clear curiosity. "You must be the Grangers." The dentists turned to her and offered their hands. Hazel shook them as Hermione introduced her. "This is Ms. Peverell. She was the Instructor for the Defence Club at school last year and a substitute Defence Teacher. She's also an Auror."

Hazel gave out a loud sigh. "Hit Witch. There is a difference." Hermione blushed as the Granger laughed merrily. "A pleasure, Miss. Heard you were acting as security for the Castle last year." Hazel nodded. "And this year as well. A new map we developed will help me keep a closer eye on who is on the grounds." The Grangers held Hermione to them. "You were also the one who rescued our daughter from that Basilisk Creature?" Hazel gave Harry a look and he blushed. "Sorry." Hazel sighed. "It's fine, Harry. She is your friend. But if I do tell you something is to be kept secret, remember to do so. I do work a job that needs a level of discretion." Harry nodded as Hazel turned to the parents. "What I did for your daughter I would have done for any other child. I signed up to keep people safe, especially children, no matter what others may say of her background." The Grangers nodded, the mother hugging Hermione to her. "Nevertheless, thank you. She means the world to us." Hazel rested her hand on Teddy's back and looked at him and Harry. "Believe me ma'am, I know the feeling." They turned and chatted a bit with Augusta as the girls came out of the Greenhouses with Neville, Amelia watching over them. Hazel looked around and Augusta noticed. "The Tonks family left Harry with us this morning. They went to bring the cake in from the Alley before fetching Sirius." Hazel nodded her thanks as a group of redheads arrived.

Doing her best not to scowl, Hazel kept a somewhat friendly smile on her face. The younger kids came up to Harry. "Happy Birthday, Harry." He hugged them back. "Thanks Ron, thanks Ginny." As the younger Weasleys went to find Neville, the twins came up and Hazel gave them a knowing look. "If your gifts include your wares, make sure you include the counters and you know it's going to work, boys." The Twins swallowed, nodded and spoke in stereo. "Of course, Ms. Peverell." Arthur watched as the two left after dropping off their gift. "My apologies if their gift isn't all that appropriate." Hazel eyed Harry and Teddy. "Oh, I am sure it will see some use. I am more concerned over the kids getting stuck a certain color or bleeding profusely from their nose. I am skilled at breaking curses, wards and people, not potions or healing. Andromeda is already glaring at me over injuries incurred at work with her daughter. I don't need to get into more trouble with her." Arthur nodded and shook hands with her as Molly Weasley glared at her. "And you think that's a good environment to raise children, where their caregivers get harmed?" Hazel raised an eyebrow. "Right. You included your parents in that statement, Mrs. Weasley née Prewitt?" The woman's face turned red before Arthur turned to her. "Molly, enough. Harry seems perfectly safe and happy with them. Let it be."

Augusta watched as they left. "Not very civil." Hazel sat down. "Me or her? Two of her son's are active in dangerous careers, her brothers were all Aurors that died in the war, and her father made himself quite a target in the early days of the conflict. I won't be called out by people who have no right to judge me and not expect a response. That privilege is reserved to family only." Teddy giggled. "Right, as if you never talked back to Grandma." Hazel pouted. "I was less interested in being polite those years and your Grandma was less than pleased about my choice of jobs. She was also understanding enough not to protest too much. Times being what they were." Teddy nodded as Harry looked at Hazel. "What did you do before you were a Hit Witch?" Hazel winced but couldn't bring herself to lie to him. She looked at Harry. "You know how some Death Eaters got back into society? Like the Malfoys and their allies." Harry nodded and Hazel sighed. "A few fled after the war and hid out in the country where I was. The laws didn't help and people were still suffering. The Aurors were limited in what they could do. I might have taken… payments to make the problem disappear. Teddy's Grandmother didn't approve but we had little money to afford food and my skills weren't tailored to much else."

Harry looked at Teddy, who nodded. "Grandma argued with Mom, especially since she had some money saved, but Mom couldn't sit still. She wanted to make sure I had funds for school and good food too." Harry turned to her. "Are the laws here better now?" Hazel sighed and looked at Augusta. "They're getting there, finally." The old woman touched Harry on the back. "I don't particularly like her prior work either, but she is taking care of you kids now. That work taught her a lot about the worst things people can do to each other. Handy knowledge when writing new laws." Harry nodded and dropped the subject. He stood closer to her and Teddy sat at her other side, a silent show of support that warmed Hazel's heart. Neville finally got back and sat down, breathing heavily. "That… was a lot more trouble than it was worth." Hazel raised an eyebrow. "Careful. The girls might be offended. Being called "trouble" and all." Neville blushed as he looked between her and his Grandmother. "Sorry." Augusta's face softened. "Though we can certainly be troublesome, from time to time." Neville beamed at the understanding look from his Grandmother and Hazel chuckled.

The Tonks finally arrive, with the largest birthday cake Hazel ever saw. Hazel eyed Dora, who sat besides Teddy. "Is this a sign of what I should expect from a Tonks Wedding Cake?" Dora's face went red and her hair cycled through every color before settling on soft red. "Maybe?" Hazel pulled her by her shirt and kissed her lightly on the lips. "Good to know." Dora got a bit of payback on her girlfriend as the group sang Happy Birthday to everyone, with Hazel visibly squirming in her seat, before the cake carved into and the slices were passed around. Spotting a bit of wine on the table, Hazel passed a glass to Dora, who smiled at her but Hazel kept it out of her reach for a second. "The gifts for me that are not child friendly better be back at the Tonks residence or at our Apartment." Dora pouted. "Yes, they are." Hazel handed her the glass and kissed her girlfriend on the cheek. They sat back with the adults as Harry and Neville opened their gifts. Sirius, who sat close to Augusta, gave Harry a few more Quidditch themed gifts, mainly new gear for the growing boy. He also secured the Quidditch World Cup Finals tickets for Harry and the more interested members of the Coalition.

Harry got an assortment of gifts from the rest, including a book on Runes from Hermione, one on Herbs and Potions from Neville, sweets from the Weasleys that Hazel made sure to check without being observed, a book on Wizarding Customs from the Bones family that made Hazel turn to a particularly red faced Susan. Harry thanked Remus, who was invited by Sirius to the event, for another photo album with his parents in them from their years at Hogwarts. He opened Teddy's gift next and lifted up the leather bracelet with charms hanging from it. Teddy chimed in, showing his own. "It's a tradition of ours. The charms represent the people in our family. The tree is Mom, mine's the wolf and Dora is the cute rabbit." Dora's "Oi!" made everyone chuckle. Teddy pulled the stuffing out of the box, showing another set of charms on another bracelet. "I wasn't sure if it was fair, so Mom suggested I make another one. The stag and doe are your parents and the moon and the dog are Remus and Sirius. They are both made from Direwolf leather and enchanted heavily. When you decide on a charm for yourself, ask Mom. She'll add it for you on either or both, as well as ours." Remus looked at Hazel. "Where did you get Direwolf leather? They're extinct." Hazel drank from her cup of tea. "Right. Tell that to the pack that decided I made a tasty meal. I got it the old fashioned way; a lot of curses, magical and otherwise, a knife and a whole lot of patience, not to mention plenty of healing potions. Those bastards had some bloody sharp teeth."

The party, thoroughly terrified of Hazel now, moved outside, with the kids chatting together on the grass, with a few brooms being brought out for them to play with. Though they chose not to play Quidditch, many of them did try some exercising, including a few of the kids wishing to ride Harry's Firebolt. Hazel got as close to Sirius as she dared. "You know your cousin will show you she was always a Black, despite what her father thought, if something happens to him on that broom, right?" Sirius chuckled. "She gave me quite the threat if anything happened to him on it, yes." Sirius eyed her. "Thank you, for not forgetting about us with your gift." Hazel shrugged, doing her best not to draw her Holly Wand. Dora holding the Elder Wand, even if she could summon it at a moment's notice, looked like a better idea everyday. "Just because I want to curse you two everytime you piss me off doesn't mean I don't know what you mean to the kid. Whatever path he picks, he deserves to know everything that came before." Sirius eyed her carefully. "Even the reason he and Neville went into hiding?" Hazel turned to him, her eyes shifted to red and slitted. "Everything. I have not lied to Teddy in my entire time with him. I refuse to lie to Harry. He will know soon enough." Sirius shivered at the sight before he turned away. "It won't make him safer." Hazel nodded. "No, it won't. But Harry will know that he can trust our feelings for him are more than just pretty words. No matter what. That is worth all the sleepless nights he may suffer from knowing the truth."

-∞-

Deep in a dark and still house, a figure approached a high backed chair kept close to a chimney, the flames licking up at a steady pace, the room covered in orange light and dark shadows. The figure kneeled facing the chair. "You summoned me, my lord?" A raspy voice filled the ensuing silence. "Tell me what has become of your fellows? Do they await my return? Have they made preparations to resume our conquest?" The figure's voice was unsteady. "No, my lord. Those who avoided Azkaban or left earlier have been facing difficulties. The Aurors have been most efficient in dismantling the illegal operations that could have served us. The laws are far less forgiving and Dumbledore's influence and pacifist approach has waned, as seen by Pettigrew's arrest and swift execution. Malfoy has squandered his family's position and the Black Fortune is now beyond his reach." An angry hiss filled the room. "What of Malfoy and this incident at Hogwarts after I was forced to flee? What happened to my family's chamber beneath the Castle?"

The figure swallowed, its short dark, unruly hair failing to conceal the fear in his eyes. "Word is that the Basilisk was killed after the Aurors found and breached the Chamber's entrance. The children of our allies were unable to say further, beyond the fact it's entrance has been hidden and heavily warded by the Ministry. Nothing further has been spoken about it since. Malfoy was blamed for the incident and evidence was submitted that demonstrated a cursed book was responsible, one he supposedly owned. The man spent much of his gold to convince enough of the Wizengamot to doubt the evidence. He was left free, but his seat within the Board of Governors was turned over to Augusta Longbottom. He tried to prevent the transfer of the Black Lordship to Sirius Black and failed to do so as well." The silence stretched longer still. "What became of the book?" The man swallowed nervously. "Destroyed." An ear piercing, inhuman scream filled the room. "I will have Malfoy's hide for this! I gave him that to be protected, not wasted away in a bid to weaken Dumbledore! Bartemius, you are to keep Malfoy out of all discussions. The man has drawn too much attention to himself to serve us now!"

Barty nodded. "Of course, my lord." The room was filled with a piercing wheezing noise. "The others? Have they made any plans?" Barty raised his head a little. "Word is they plan to attack the World Cup Finals after the game concludes, catching the attendees mid festivity. The Aurors have secured small security forces from several ICW nations to guard the event." The raspy voice responded. "Good, good! The lambs of our world must be reminded who they should fear. The Aurors will be disorganized with so many foreign guards. Dumbledore's leadership of the group will be questioned if his own nation can't secure an international event. Do try to observe the planning of the attack. Listen and be vigil, but keep yourself distant from them. Should the Aurors catch wind of the attack, you are not to be compromised. Has Miss Jorkins given us everything we need for our plans?" Barty lowered his head. "Of course, my lord. The woman has nothing else to provide you. Should I bring her here to be disposed of?" The voice seemed to take a moment to think. "No, not yet. There is one last use we may just secure from her. Bring a bit of parchment and a quill, Bartemius. I have some materials you should go and acquire."

The man sat close to the chair and noted down several ingredients, many needing to be acquired fresh from living muggles and other magical creatures. "Return with these soon, Bartemius. We will use Bertha for one final honor. After that, you are to return to your position. Observe the attack on the World Cup and set our plans in motion for the coming year." Bartemius seemed to pause for a moment. "My lord, would it not be prudent to secure another to our side? Perhaps one free from suspicion? It would be dangerous to leave ourselves so vulnerable." A wheeze filled the room. "Perhaps you are right. Pettigrew's end is unfortunate and Severus is too close to Dumbledore for us to approach safely." A few moments of quiet thought ended as the voice seemed pleased with its plan. "Barty, why don't you go see our old friend hiding in Durmstrang? I am sure there is much he would be willing to do to earn my forgiveness for his treachery." Barty raised his head. "Is that wise?" The voice cackled. "Don't worry, Bartemius. My forgiveness doesn't mean you can't exact your own revenge. All I ask is that you wait till the task is complete for you to secure your vengeance on those who wronged you."

Barty smiled at his master. "Of course, my lord. Your generosity is most welcomed." The voice wheezed again. "Go and bring me the potion for tonight before you leave to fulfill our plans. There is much to prepare for in the coming months. But soon I will remind this country that I cannot be slain. Especially not by a mere child! Go so our revenge is that much closer to being unleashed!" The man left the room before the voice spoke again. " Nagini, my oldessst friend. Will you accept the honor of housssing a bit of my sssoul sssoon? The dessstruction of one of my anchorsss isss a concern that mussst be addresssssed. " A snake slithered from out of a shadow and curled on top of the back of the raised back of the chair. " Asss you wisssh, my massster. " The voice responded, seemingly pleased with itself. " Good. There isss much to be done. Our return and the death of the boy will leave the massssesss in terror. We will ssstrike at thossse who dared desssecrate my ancessstor'sss chamber. They will remember why they feared to ever utter my name! "

-∞-

Andromeda sat beside Harry on his bed, as Hazel entered the room. The boy threw himself into Hazel's arms and she held him after a moment of surprise. "What happened, Harry?" Harry was shaking. "A dream. Or maybe not. It felt so real. Voldemort. He is planning with someone called Bartemius. An attack on the World Cup and something for the rest of the year. He has a woman. Miss Jorkins. He's planning something for her. A ritual or a potion. I don't know. He spoke to this snake called Nagini, asking if it would house a bit of his soul. Only it didn't feel like he was asking her. The way she responded felt wrong. Like the snake couldn't say no." Hazel sighed and looked at Andromeda. "Would you mind if he spent most of the remaining summer with us? He will be safer there and you can get the others to look him over, with your supervision." Andromeda nodded and drew her wand. "I'll pack his clothes." As Andromeda got to work on that, Hazel pulled Harry back a little, her green eyes meeting his. "I believe that what you saw was real, Harry. The magic lodged in your scar is acting as a link. Was he in some physical form?"

Harry shuddered as he tried to remember. "I didn't see him, but he kept wheezing and asked for a potion." Hazel nodded. "Ok, so he is probably in a body, and an incomplete homunculus body at that. Trust me Harry, not all magic is pretty and you are not to research that till you are seventeen, if ever. Did you hear the ingredients he asked for?" Harry nodded, growing visibly green. Hazel conjured a small bucket and placed it on his lap. "I know, they are probably disgusting, but try and remember them. If we can figure out the ritual or potion, we can create a counter. Something to stop him or weaken him. Where we are going will be perfectly safe and full of people who know loads of weird and dangerous magic. They will help us with this, but only if you are ok with it. None of us will force you to do anything you aren't happy with." Harry hugged her and nodded and Hazel rubbed his head, sighing softly. She watched as Andromeda placed a slightly smaller trunk on the bed. "Ted?" The woman nodded and left the room to tell her husband where they would be going. Hazel rubbed Harry's back. "You remember the moments when we went somewhere new? Like when we went to your family's house? Well, it's that type of magical transport." Harry gave a bitter laugh. "Great." Hazel placed a comm device into her ear and activated it. "O1 to base. Transporting H1 and VIP HP2 via portkey to base. Confirm arrival."

Once Andromeda was with them, the three of them portkeyed away. Hazel's bucket came in handy as Harry emptied his stomach as soon as he landed, the two witches offering him support. A vanished bucket, with its contents, and a breath freshening charm later, Hazel guided Harry down the corridors of the DoM. She turned to Andromeda. "Talk to the Boss and the people working on the scar's removal. Tell them he is here and will probably see them soon. I'll get him to settle down for the night and we will have the check up early afternoon. If he is willing, I will look through his memories of the dream and store them to be sent for verification as soon as we are done." Andromeda nodded and kissed Harry's cheek. "I'll be here with Hazel, Teddy and Dora to look after you. You are with your family so everything will be alright, ok?" Harry nodded, feeling much better after the portkey. They reached an open chamber and Hazel turned Harry to the side. "The entrance is a secret, I need to cover your head. Everything inside will be fine, we just can't have the memories of the entrance method being shown, ok?" After Harry agreed, Hazel covered his head with a black bag she conjured, spun him a bit for disorientation and levitated him towards the wall before applying her ID to it.

Harry shook his head as the bag vanished. He looked around and noted the long hallway with lots of doors, before Hazel spoke up. "This way." A few more hallways and they soon reached one where the door opened and Teddy rushed out and hugged Harry. Dora walked up and Hazel gestured with her head towards the door that led to Dora's apartment. "He might spend the night with Teddy, but think you could have him in your guest room for the rest of summer?" Dora hugged Harry to her after Teddy released him. "What do you say, cousin? Want to spend summer here with me?" Harry smiled. "Sure." The four entered the apartment and Teddy went to show him where they could sleep for the night. "Leafsby." The elf appeared and Hazel showed him the trunk. "Since you would likely yank this out of my hands, could you sort Harry's non-Hogwarts clothes into the drawers of Dora's guest room? I will go with him to select a change of clothes for tonight. He will probably want a warm shower." The elf grinned. "Of course, Mistress Peverell." He and the trunk vanished as Hazel kissed Dora on the cheek. "Dogpile in the kid's room or alone?" Dora smirked. "You think I am missing this sleepover?" Hazel shook her head as she went to check on the kids, tapping her comm on the way. "O1 to BM, you might want to cancel training tomorrow." Horatio's less than pleased voice came up. "Agreed. Now, if you excuse me, some of us are trying to sleep." Hazel pulled the earpiece out and shrugged. Horatio apparently wasn't a night person. Who would have known?

-∞-

"Anything your Unspeakables managed to figure out?" Hazel watched as Croaker pulled out a stack of papers, her thoughts wandering back to the long night and day prior since Harry joined them at the Department of Mysteries. Dora had joined her as they spent the evening in Teddy's room, the bed Transfigured to be quite a lot larger to accommodate everyone. Wishing to ease Harry's mind, Teddy showed Harry a few of his things, mainly his growing collection of animal claws, something Quetz seemed overly fond of providing these last few years. At the mention of the Griffin claw, Harry asked where she got the Griffin that saved him in his first year. Wanting to entertain the kid, she shifted into her Griffin form. He and Teddy then proceeded to inspect her claws, feathers and beak while Dora looked on, doing her best to hold in her laughter. Hazel guilted her into taking her bunny form and the two kids showered her in a lot of pets and adorable noises. Her girlfriend spent a few minutes later pouting on the far side of the bed, mortified, as Hazel made sure to kiss her hand. Sometime after six in the morning, as the sun finally rose, the kids finally fell asleep. Hazel blocked the artificial windows and everyone just took a space on the bed, Teddy even shifting into his wolf pup form to be more comfortable.

Andromeda managed to join them at noon as the group finally woke up and had their late breakfast. Hazel waited until everyone had their food in front of them before she asked what Andromeda got ready for them. She looked at Harry as he ate some slices of toast. "The people who were figuring out how to remove the scar have made time available in about an hour to look at him. They want to test some of what they have been working on, see if they can remove the magic Dumbledore applied to it. We would be applying a similar one afterwards, but it will be easier to counter with the caster being in the room. They have a good idea of the magic Lily left behind and won't interfere with it, but they need to see how it's interacting with Voldemort's." Harry swallowed. "Mom left some magic on me?" Hazel nodded but gave him a sad look. "The magic she used is Blood Magic, something I have some experience with. My boss gave me permission to pursue it more actively since I got here. An old book of mine detailed the protection she used. It redirected the Killing Curse used on you, but the price for the protection was her own life, as well as the anchor she, uhm, placed on your head."

Harry rubbed his scar. "And some of Voldemort's magic got stuck to me?" Hazel sighed. "We are certain some of it did. We know more but it's safer to not spread the word. This is one of those secrets you don't share." Harry nodded as Andromeda looked at Hazel. "Dumbledore may be removed from his position as Harry's Magical Guardian but he might not be above reading his mind." Hazel rubbed her hair and looked at Harry. "We will have a chat later about something to keep your mind safe. It won't stop the visions but it could protect you from an attack. Other than that, we will see what the experts say. If everything goes well, we will be back here by dinner and we can then see what plans we can make. Depending on how busy we get, Andromeda, Leafsby or a friend of ours will come and look after you two. We can probably get permission so you can practice casting spells here." Harry smiled. "That sounds great." The group finished their lunch and Hazel and Andromeda guided Harry into the Department of Mysteries as Dora watched over Teddy. The Division Head in charge of studies of Soul Magic, an older woman with grey hair, was very courteous to Harry as she had him lie down. The Unspeakables went to work on him for hours before everyone returned to the Apartment. It took a while longer for Hazel to make it to Croaker's office, after making sure the boys were comfortable.

Croaker, finally finding the right report, cleared his throat, drawing Hazel out of her thoughts from earlier in the day. "Soul Magic Division has confirmed the existence of a soul fragment on the boy, enough to create a link with the primary piece. They ran some research on its fragmentation and arrived at the conclusion that Voldemort had made five Horcruxes prior to his destruction and the creation of Harry's fragment." Hazel stopped taping her fingers on her arm and stared at her boss' face. "We only have four pieces, one of which was destroyed." Croaker nodded. "And the memory you provided from Harry suggests that he plans a sixth with the snake, reaching his magical number." Hazel frowned. "Wait. My Voldemort reached a magical number with three horcruxes. How is six a magic number outside of Kabbalah Mysticism?" Croaker eyed her curiously and she blushed. "Transfiguration is similar to how a Kabbalist shapes natural materials, though theirs is closer to Alchemy. I was curious how they worked a set of commands onto a clay automaton. Not to mention how they made them permanent." Croaker clicked his tongue. "Right. Moving on before I decide to see if a Kabbalist might welcome you as an apprentice, the number six isn't a magical number outside of the magics that trace back to the Key of Solomon. Voldemort, however, didn't seem to be aiming for seven horcruxes, but instead seven fragments, himself included. This is evident from the structure of his inner circle."

Hazel watched as Croaker placed papers on the desk, each one a file on a known Death Eater. "Bellatrix Lestrange and Lucius Malfoy held the position at the end of the war of the highest honors. Six Death Eaters followed after as his next top followers. Two spies, Pettigrew and Snape, and lastly one hidden Death Eater, Barty Crouch Junior. 11 Senior Death Eaters in total comprising the Inner Circle." Hazel frowned before she noticed the pattern. "Three heads, three spies, seven Senior Death Eaters, with one hidden member, all totaling twelve. They are magical numbers, but only when he himself is added to the equation." Croaker nodded. "Voldemort didn't trust anyone to be beyond his reach. Everyone answered to him and he was involved with every aspect of his organization." Hazel looked at the first two mentioned. "If Voldemort trusted Malfoy with a Horcrux, would he have trusted Lestrange with another?" Croaker blinked before he looked down at his papers. "Ah, yes. That would make sense. I will have Legal and Financial track all the Lestrange Assets. We will investigate from there. This will aid with the other tasks we have in mind."

Croaker handed Hazel a file and she read it. "You think you can track the soul fragments?" Croaker nodded. "They serve as anchors, right? Which means they must have a connection between them and the main fragment in Voldemort, just as Harry has. The theory is that we can make a tracking system to identify all the pieces. If the snake is added to the list, which the ingredient list suggests that is the plan, we will be able to track it. We need you to have us informed of Mr Potter's movements in the next few weeks in order to calibrate the tracker. We will then use that to identify Voldemort's location. By the time he has a full physical body, we will have a means to make sure he can't hide from us and hopefully have everything else we need." Hazel sighed. "Which means that Harry needs to keep the soul fragment in him for longer." Croaker had a sad look on his face. "Indeed." Hazel returned the file to his desk and stood up. "I need to talk to him about Occlumency and shielding his thoughts. After that, he will be going to the World Cup Finals." Croaker pulled his papers back and organized them. "Then we are done for now. You have your orders for the Cup. Follow them through." Hazel smirked. "Oh, I plan to."

Chapter 39: Message at the World Cup

Chapter Text

Dora felt her feet land steadily on the ground as the Portkey dropped them off at the arrival point just outside the field of tents, all stretching seemingly endlessly around the tall stadium built on wooden beams that rose over the horizon. She felt slim hands wrapping around her waist and warm lips kissing her neck. "You take care of the kids today." Dora turned around and kissed Hazel back on the lips. "And you don't get into too much trouble." Hazel chuckled merrily as she turned to Harry and Teddy. "You two have your cloaks and holsters. Keep your bearings, follow Amelia and Dora and enjoy the game. Oh, and be careful with betting. The Irish love their leprechaun gold, which makes for some unfair trades. My godmother was very annoyed when an Irish man tried to con her with it on a visit to Ireland with me." Hazel hugged the two boys before vanishing into the throng of people as Dora guides the two towards the tents. Harry looked up to Dora. "Will she be ok?" Dora looked at Harry and ruffled his hair. "Trust me, Hazel will find us with maybe a scratch or two. The next day's headline will probably show the aftermath, unless Bones deems the images too graphic." Teddy bumped Harry on the shoulder. "Mom feels great actually. Been a while since our magic has been so happy."

The kids' eyes darted everywhere as they made their way to the tent assigned to them. It was not hard to spot. "Over here, Pup!" The waving arms of Sirius Black, standing beside Amelia and Susan, drew their eyes. After hugging the boys, Sirius turned to Dora. "The Weasleys and Miss Granger are a bit further in. We can go check on them after you drop off your gear. Maybe get the kids to wear a team color?" Teddy shook his head. "I am just here to watch. I don't care who wins." Harry thought for a second. "I wouldn't mind wearing an Irish scarf." Sirius nodded and pushed them inside of the tent, with Susan following close behind them, as Amelia checked with Dora. "Your partner?" Dora gestured to the Stadium. "On her way to meet the other Aurors. She spent quite a bit of time practicing her translation charm. Either way, an ICW Observer is on site to keep an eye on the evening's events." Amelia nodded. "Depending on how things go, the Observer will be crucial. If the bastards do come and decide to start early while the crowd is still in the stadium, you might need to help me cover Fudge's exit." Dora made a disgusted face. "Can I stun him and portkey him away? Maybe down a cliffside?"

Amelia sighed. "I wish but no, we will play our part tonight and keep everyone safe. Besides, he has been behaving himself for the most part." Dora sighed but nodded. "Fine, but Harry and Teddy are my top priority. I don't want to ever give Hazel bad news." Amelia shuddered at the thought. "Agreed. Come on, let's see what the kids decide to wear before we group up with the Weasleys." The invitation to the World Cup had been given to most of the Coalition, but the Longbottoms weren't fond of the sport, neither were the Abbotts and while Lady Greengrass and Astoria wanted to go, they decided to stay at home. Lord Nott and his Heir would be at the event, but they went separately, keeping much of their cover and apparent neutrality concerning the Coalition. As the group weaved their way through the masses, Dora saw the familiar sea of red hair. The Weasley kids and Hermione chatted away with the boys as an older member of the family checked her out, spotting her dragonhide jacket. "Please tell me that's not from one of mine." Dora smiled at Charlie. "Nope. My girlfriend's gift. Hebridean Black, I think." Charlie raised an eyebrow. "Haven't heard of anyone using those for jackets. Most people prefer Horntail hide. How are you, Tonks?" Dora hugged the man. "Good. Got myself a great job, found a loving girlfriend and my Mom isn't yelling at me as much."

Charlie gave her a soft smile. "Well, I am one for three on those goals. Still, a World Cup is worth coming back home for. The Twins mentioned you worked security at the Castle last year. Any chance I will see you this year at the Castle? Got a request from the Ministry and everything for it." Dora felt her stomach flip. There was the hope no Dragons would be used in the tournament being shattered. Hazel might be pushing Harry harder on those final option spells when Dora managed to break the news to her. "I'll be around but mostly to see my girl and run security." Teddy and Harry both said "Oi!", getting a thumbs up from the twins as Dora blushed. "And to see these two boys. This is Harry Potter and his cousin, Edward Peverell. My girlfriend, Hazel, is Ted's mom. Oh, and don't go hitting on her or me. We are happily steady and she has a bad habit of cursing people." Teddy giggled. "It's not a bad habit if they deserve it." Dora pouted. "You're supposed to be the reasonable Peverell." Teddy smiled. "Right, and you somehow skipped the Black Madness." Dora stuck out her tongue playfully at Teddy as the Weasleys laughed. They all pressed their way up to the stadium and started making their way up the stairs. A voice she hadn't heard in a while broke Dora's good mood. "They just let anyone in here, don't they?" She gave Lucius Malfoy a smile. "Sorry Lucy, but we got the tickets fair and square. Think we can be civil for the night or is that too difficult for such a gentleman like yourself?"

Lucius' eyes narrowed but a hand stilled his response. Dora bit her tongue as Narcissa Malfoy turned to her. "I am sure we can be civil. We are family after all." Dora smiled. "Right. Even the Weasley's have some Black blood on both sides of the family." Lucius seemed to redden before Narcissa's glare silenced him. She turned to Dora and nodded softly. "Indeed. Is my sister doing well, now that she and you are back in the family?" Dora nodded. "We all are, though we were fine prior to being restored. Glad to see you are doing well, Narcissa. Please see if you can remind Draco not to antagonize family at the school this year. Blacks look after their own, not turn on each other." Narcissa's face saddened for a moment. "Of course. Lord Black was kind enough not to disown us. It's the least we can do. Come along, husband. The Minister awaits us inside." Dora watched the three Malfoys enter, Hazel's wand safely stored in her holster. While she had better control of her magic now, the spells still felt overpowered with it, making the use of the wand more likely in an emergency. She turned and saw Harry's concern. "Is it ok leaving them tied to the family?" Dora smirked. "Ask Sirius. They are a lot more restricted in their behaviour this way. They attack you or him and it is grounds for something far worse than a disownment."

With Harry's fears handled, everyone stepped into the VIP Box. The Minister turned to them and smiled. "Ah, Mr. Potter. A pleasure at last. How are you, my boy? Hogwarts treating you well?" Dora kept a close watch on the Minister, or more exactly the Minister's Undersecretary, as they stood near Harry, the Minister listening to Harry with a surprising amount of interest. Dolores Umbridge looked towards them with clear disdain, her policies being constantly curtailed by her Ted Tonks' legal arguments and the Coalitions' votes. The Coalition knew she was a potential threat from Hazel's warnings but had been hesitant to antagonize the Minister's most trusted aide. That changed when she tried to pass policies that would block anyone not of a Pureblood Family or having the backing of said families to obtain a higher position in the Ministry. Her dad had made an exceptional argument on the financial impact that the policy change would have on the Ministry, which stilled the support of quite a few traditionalists. The Neutrals didn't need to be told twice. The measure was defeated and the woman grew ever more venomous with her language towards the Peverell Proxy. Dora was glad it was her Dad in the Wizengamot and not Hazel. The woman might have never made it out the door after the long winded insults she sent his way.

As soon as the announcer, Ludo Bagman, arrived, everyone in the Minister's Box sat down and settled in for the game. "Surprise you allowed Susan to come." Amelia looked towards Susan, her niece's eyes following the action on the Pitch as well as talking with her friends. She sighed. "I was being dragged here regardless. It didn't feel right not letting her have fun. Besides, with her favorite boys coming, I couldn't think of a reason for her not to come." Dora chuckled. "Careful, Astoria might take that the wrong way." Amelia smirked. "Good thing she isn't here then. I almost threatened to tie up her mother. Goddess, I forgot how much of a handful she could be when she got something that interested her." Dora hummed merrily. "Well, at least Hazel got to avoid that headache." Amelia looked over for a second before looking at Dora. "Don't be too excited. I had to promise her pictures of the aftermath. I swear, her tastes are hard to swallow sometimes." Dora shivered. "Still safer than Lady Zabini and her own acquired tastes. So I am told, anyways." Amelia went a little green. "Don't get me started on that." The game proceeded nicely as Dora kept watch, the kids having a blast. They deserved it really. She hoped it proved to be more memorable to them than what was about to happen.

-∞-

Hazel knew it was time the moment she heard the first screams. The Aurors had been stationed at all the key points, guaranteeing safe exits for every person around. The tents were positioned for ease of movement should people be forced to flee and the stadium itself was safe enough with guards inside. This left two groups with freedom of movement in the mostly empty grounds. The Death Eaters, who would have to get dressed inside of the enclosed area, and herself. She fingered her wand, feeling it's magic react to hers. Hazel knew she had to be careful. Her Holly Wand was powerful, but the wellspring of magic within her was greater than what the foci could handle. She knew she could overwhelm it again. So Hazel decided on showing some restraint today, which was perfectly fine by her. Though not too much restraint. Binding the morons by their feet and slicing them down their midsections would be tons of fun but a bit boring really, same with impaling them. Tonight was to be more than a tactical strike. It was a message. A message she intended to deliver perfectly to everyone who needed to hear it. So Hazel was leaving out her traps and much of the offensive Conjuration attacks she normally used. She needed to keep some things to herself after all. Sitting under a disillusionment charm, her fingers twirling a small stone in her hands, Hazel waited for the Death Eaters to make their move.

While three turns were the usual means to activate the Resurrection Stone, Hazel had no need for the power for which it was known for. The dead here weren't her own and she had nothing to seek from them. She had made her choice when she battled Voldemort in the Forbidden Forest of her world. She chose to live. The countless dead that hungered for her own damnation would have to wait a lot longer before she joined them. Especially now. Hazel sighed to herself. She had never intended to fall in love again. All her prior experiences with romance ended in disaster, each one more painful than the last. But this Nymphadora was different. She was growing wiser, warmer and more centered. There were still demons that haunted her just as there were those that haunted Hazel. But the nights when they were together helped ease each other's fears. These last few months had been almost blissfully quiet for her mind. She wasn't optimistic though. She knew the Tournament would draw out her memories again, as would Voldemort. More than that, she knew that Dora was now someone she couldn't bear to lose. Giving her the Elder Wand was the best she could do to keep her safe.

Of the Hallows, it was the least stubborn one when it came to another person wielding it so long as her magic ran through their body. The Cloak would always protect those of her magic, like Teddy. The Wand would give Dora the strength to face any opponent head on and succeed. The Stone… would never leave her hand if she could help it. Cadmus' Bane was too dangerous in the hands of others, mostly to themselves. The temptation to summon the dead, to bind them to this realm, was all too real. She had struggled for years not to summon Bella. She knew she could never part with her again if she did and she would never forgive herself for hurting the woman that she loved as a mother. For Hazel though, the stone would serve its other intended purpose. She felt it melt into her skin, it's magic weaving itself into her right hand. Her own Holly Wand may not be the best weapon, but it wouldn't matter with the best shield in her other hand. Hearing the screams, Hazel tapped her comm earpiece and lifted her wrist as her eyes latched on to the procession of cloaked figures. "O1, in position. Targets moving into the central area." A man's voice responded. "Observer, in position. O1, you are cleared to confront DEs. Be safe out there." Hazel smirked. "O1, acknowledged."

She walked up to the Death Eaters as they threw fires towards the tents, muggles floating in the air to their sides, their screams piercing to everyone's ears. Hazel silenced the poor souls before dropping them to the ground. The muggles scampered away as Hazel dropped the Disillusionment charm around her. "Sorry boys, but you guys are in the wrong place. The nearest magical prison is quite a few miles across the open ocean. Want a lift? It's a free one way ticket. Or would you all care for more permanent accommodations? I know a place down under with room to spare." The Death Eaters laughed at her and one of them pointed his wand at her. " Imperio . You should have known better, Auror. Now how about you turn around and cast some Cruciatus curses on the nearest civilian. We will give you a prize if you get them to scream themselves loud enough to lose their voice." Hazel felt the familiar touch of the curse and she smiled as she drew her wand. " Diffindo ." The Death Eater's wand fell to the ground sliced in half, accompanied by several of his fingers, as the others drew their own wands. Hazel dodged as blood boiling and dark cutting curses went her way. She reflected several into the ground with her right hand as she slowly advanced before she looked around. Hearing confirmation that all Death Eaters were gathered around her, Hazel showed them just what was in store for them. " Protego Diabolica. "

The cursed black flames spread out from behind her and circled around until all the Death Eaters were caught inside of the massive circle of flames. Hazel stretched out her glove on her right hand, feeling the Resurrection Stone singing in joy as it sustained the deadly barrier. "Alright, morons. Lesson One in the Dark Arts. This spell works even better as a trap than as a defence. You are all welcomed to try and flee. You might find that your Portkeys, Apparition and brooms don't work either. Only way out of here is through me." One of the Death Eaters, a woman by her voice, cackled. "Not a problem. Avada Kedavra! " The Death Eaters watched as a slab of stone blocked it before it turned to dust. Hazel chuckled to herself. "Lesson Two. The Unforgivables are not the best spells the lot of you can do, but it is all the justification I need to get started on more painful responses. Let's see if all of you were worth the time your Dark Lord wasted with your recruitment." Hazel took off at a running pace towards them, deflecting spells and conjuring barriers at the Unforgivables before jumping and disillusioning herself. Landing unseen behind them as the bastards with the pointy hats lit the area like a fireworks show, Hazel turned around. " Sectumsempra Dissicio ." The modified curse lept from her wand and scattered, its magic striking several targets at once. She watched as a few stumbled around from the sudden loss of blood.

More of the Death Eaters casted killing curse towards her direction, all which she dodged or blocked, until a voice called out to her through the comm. "Observer to O1. All targets have casted a Killing Curse or comparative lethal spell. Full lethal force is now authorized." Hazel's smile turned predatory. "Your third and final lesson, morons. Don't go trying to kill others just to make yourselves feel better. You might just find a real killer up and about and we don't hold back, especially not with scum like you." Stretching out her right hand, a tendril of dark flames reached out to her from the barrier and snapped it's connection to the wider circle. As the black flames wrapped around her hand, she swung her arm around, her new flame whip getting caught on one of the Death Eater's neck. The man's head popped clean off his shoulders and bursted into black flames, his scream lasting but a second. Hazel charged straight at the others, her wand spinning in circles as nearly invisible cutting curses tore through the Death Eaters, many of them dropping their appendages as they stubbled. A few sought to escape and jumped over the black flames, their screams ending as their charred remains hit the ground on the other side. A few of the survivors tossed their wands aside as Hazel tore through the rest. She turned back to the ones who surrendered as soon as everyone else was silenced and lying on the ground in pieces, her spells prying off their hats and masks.

Hazel stared at them all before coming to the first one, summoning his wand to her hand. She eyed him carefully, recognizing him. "Amycus Carrow." She turned and saw his sister not far from him, holding onto her bleeding arm. Hazel turned back to look at him. "I was going to give this back to you. I am not a fan of killing unarmed people, you see. But you aren't just an unarmed person, are you? You dared use the Torture Curse on children barely capable of defending themselves. Worst yet, they were your own flesh and blood. If anyone here is deserving of the term Blood Traitor, that would be you and your sister." Hazel raised her right hand with the whip behind her. "Whatever discomfort your execution will bring me will be made up ten times over as your children will sleep safely for the rest of their lives, knowing neither of you can hurt them ever again." His head and arm bursted into flames as the whip tore through him, just as his sister picked up her wand and casted the Killing Curse at Hazel. Using her feet, Hazel lifted Amycus' body up, forcing it to take the curse for her, before the whip took Alecto's head and wand arm clean off. The rest of the Death Eaters scrambled for their surrendered wands. Hazel gave them just enough time to aim the wands towards her, before they all suffered the same fate.

The ring of black flames faded as Hazel sighed, rubbing the sweat off her brow with her arm as she looked up at the sky, seeing an eerie and familiar mark. Letting the other Aurors under the Observer's command deal with the corpses, Hazel aided in the search of the grounds of the campsite for the one Death Eater she knew was ordered not to take part. She had hoped he would have been close enough to get caught in the Hellflame Barrier, but that didn't prove to be the case. As she searched around Hazel noticed that most of the tents were still intact, the fires contained at the edge of the area. Still, it was a good thing that the stadium had delayed the release of the spectators to avoid getting them caught in the crossfire, as had been planned. Her revealing charms showed no people left behind as she deepened her search before she noticed a pale body lying on the soft grass of the field. She approached it and touched its skin. She closed her eyes, tears threatening to come out as she recognized who it was. " Child of the woods, renowned for your people's songs, return to your ancestors tonight. Your service to the unworthy is now at an end. Rest in peace. " Closing the elf's eyes, she looked up and sighed. Bartemius Crouch Junior was definitely here tonight. Whether in anger or accident, he took the life of his family's elf, cast the Dark Mark and fled. Hazel searched around for more bodies but found none. He had entered the area and fled without being spotted or stopped. At least no one else died for it. Still, one innocent life was too much.

"Dobby." The elf popped in and his eyes were instantly drawn to the still figure. He started to cry. Hazel kneeled down and rubbed his head. "She is at peace now. Let her enter the ethereal woods of her ancestors and find rest. Look over her body as it's transferred into DMLE custody. I will have it turned over to you and the other elves as soon as possible. Bury her as is your custom." Dobby nodded. "Thank you, Mistress Peverell. Dobby will watch over Winky. Winky deserved a good family." Hazel aimed her wand up towards the Dark Mark in the sky. "We all did, Dobby. We all did." Feeding on the warmth of her love for Teddy and Dora, Aithusa erupted from her wand with a deafening roar, it's wings stretching wide as it rose into the sky, its white shape lighting up the campsite in its entirety as it pierced through the Dark Mark, dispelling it. Hazel allowed Aithusa to fly through the skies of the area above the stadium, spreading comfort to those who lingered and those who remained safe within the structure, the night briefly turned to day for all of them. It was going to be a long night and they would all need a bit of support to cope with the coming days.

-∞-

OW April 1998

Hazel rushed down the streets of London, her long hair painted blonde and left loose, as she ran from one street corner to another, her breaths heavy and uneven. She felt her heart grow heavier and heavier until she turned on a familiar road and stared at what was left of the only place she could call home. The area that was Grimmauld Place looked as if it had been blasted from the inside of the building, bodies and debris littered across the street just outside of it. Hazel made her way through the rubble before reaching the entrance. Feeling a trace of the old house wards, Hazel added her own charm based ones to seal the gaps and block the area from view before she dared to look inside. The walls and the furniture were completely destroyed. The stairs, strangely enough, looked somewhat intact. The paintings, however, were utterly ruined. Over five hundred years of the Black Family's history, destroyed in a single moment. Yet that wasn't what made her heart beat wildly. Hazel breathed deeply as she raised her voice. "Kreacher! Dobby!" Neither of the elves answered and Hazel felt her heart sink further. She called them out repeatedly until she pried open what she assumed was the door to the wardstone room on the basem*nt level. Tears filled her eyes.

"No…" she reached down and touched Kreacher's chest, her eyes losing focus as she found no pulse. Half of his body was burned from what looked to be the partial destruction of the wardstone. She struggled with the rubble to reach the other form. She lifted him up slowly. "Dobby. Dobby. Please wake up." The elf's eyes opened and he looked at her. He smiled weakly. "Bad toad woman came to steal Great Hazel Potter's home. Dobby and Kreacher sealed the house but Aurors and Curse Breakers came after. Wards buckled and weakened. Kreacher said it would fail. Kreacher refused to surrender the House of Black. Dobby helped Kreacher activate the old ward that would harm the enemies outside. Dobby and Kreacher had to stay, to keep bad people out of Mistress' home. They did something to wards that hurt the house, but the wards held." Hazel's tears landed on Dobby and his thin arm reached up and touched her cheek. "Mistress should not cry. House elves must protect our family's home. Kreacher and Dobby kept bad men from stealing it. Did… we do good?" Hazel closed her eyes. "Yes. The bad men would have turned this house into a place of evil. You and Kreacher saved it from that fate. Thank you Dobby."

The elf smiled with fareoff eyes. "Dobby resting now, Mistress." Hazel nodded, her breaths turning into sobs. "Rest Dobby. Mistress will protect her house now. So please, rest." The elf's eyes closed and Hazel hugged his now limp form to her chest. "Winky." The former Crouch family elf arrived and looked around before seeing Hazel and the elves. "Miss Potter. Winky is so sorry, Miss Potter. Dobby was a good house elf." Hazel nodded. "Kreacher too. They both were. Could you… could you take them and bury them in the Potter Manor grounds, as is elf custom?" Winky nodded, her little face covered in tears. "Mistress should go. It is not safe here." Hazel lowered Dobby down and waited for Winky to leave with the bodies. She stared at the damaged wardstone and with her blood, Bella's ring and the Black Family Magic's permission, warped it into her control. She replaced the Fidelius Charm on it, feeling how it covered the entirety of what was once Grimmauld Place. She doubted she could ever restore the townhouse fully to what it once was. Those thoughts were the furthest from her mind at the moment, as Hazel took a blade and carved marks into her arms. Without her wand, she was limited to how well the replacement wands lasted. For this she needed full access to her magic, even if it was only a temporary measure, one that would leave her vulnerable for weeks to come, if not months. As far as she was concerned, this was worth draining her magic.

The Ministry guards hardly had a chance to raise their wands as waves after waves of scarlet flame smothered the Ministry Atrium. The witnesses watched as Hazel walked at the core of the flames as a massive dragon made of flames roared, the windows shattering under its power. Spells aimed at Hazel started being consumed by the black flames that engulfed her as she turned to the group of Aurors that arrived from the lower levels. They came with the person she wanted to see. As the dragon rained flames into every office of the Upper floor of the Ministry, Hazel casted Killing Curses, piercing and cutting hexes through her bloodied hands until all that was left was the god awful toad in her pink clothes. The woman kept casting curses at her. "You will pay for this, wretch! The Purebloods will teach you your rightful place soon!" Hazel whipped her hand, slicing the woman's legs at the knees. She fell onto her back, before Hazel crushed the awful woman's wand and hand with her boot. Hazel's face, still marked with tear tracks from the loss of her family and home, loomed over the woman. "You attacked the last place I called home. I lost my two elven friends to you. They may mean nothing to you, but they were everything to me. So, how about I take everything away from you now? If blood matters so much to you, how about we get rid of it all? What do you think, Dolores? Does it sound fair!"

The woman screamed for as long as she could as Hazel held her under the Blood Boiling Curse until there was nothing left in her veins. Dispelling the Fiendfyre, Hazel observed the charred remains of the Ministry before she apparated away. She remained quiet as she carved a few more wooden charms with the names of Dobby and Kreacher for the next few days. Her companions yelled at her for what she did when the news broke out but she didn't care. The message was well received as soon after the remaining Aurors took care not to engage her directly. Tom, for once, didn't enter her mind to gloat or to dismiss her actions. You know, I spent decades planning the take over of the Ministry. Planted dozens of followers in every department under Whitehall, made sure that nothing that happened there went without my notice. One year of open warfare and it fell as easily as a house of cards. You, my dear, tore through its upper floors in less than an hour, leaving unfixable gaps in the wards and dozens of my servants and their collaborators dead. All that just to deep fry a toad of a woman with her own blood. Bravo, my dear. You are truly my equal. Hazel had chuckled at that, but any merriment died quickly as her hands rubbed the carved names of her two house elves. She swore she wouldn't forget them. They stood by her as she mourned the death of her Godmother. She would mourn them as she would mourn any other human being. They deserved that much.

-∞-

NW August 1994

Hazel sat beside Ted Tonks in their seats in the Wizengamot Chamber as the session got underway, her fingers tracing Winky's freshly carved name on the charm she had made after she came back home. Like the first night since Harry came to visit, Hazel and Dora spent the night together with the kids. She had hugged Harry to her as they slept, knowing what was to come. Voldemort didn't disappoint. The boy screamed in her arms that night as she cooed and whispered reassurances for him before he finally settled down. The humiliation of the Death Eaters did not sit well with the Dark Lord turned into an incompletely homunculus. Based on Croaker's report, with the exception of a few of the more Noble Traditionalist family members like Malfoy, Rowle, Travers and Yaxley, the senior Death Eaters that weren't in Azkaban had been effectively slaughtered at the World Cup. The deaths would have lasting consequences for the remaining family members, most of which she hoped would be positive. Lord Nott and Lady Greengrass would approach the families and offer them the support they would need for the coming years, in exchange for a more neutral stance and for them to distance themselves from other known Death Eaters. Hazel didn't put much faith in the now weakened Crabbe and Goyle families, as their ties to Malfoy were greater, but the others would be looked after. Julia had personally taken the reins on the situation for the Carrow children as they were brought into the Ministry's Department of Child Services.

A few heavy thuds of the mallet by Dumbledore finally brought order to the session. "Lords and Ladies of the Wizengamot. Today's session has been called to address the recent events at the Quidditch World Cup which lead to the tragic death of dozens of witches and wizards." Ted rested his hand on her shoulder as she was about to yell at the man. "Don't. Let him make a fool of himself. You and I both know that only one life died that night tragically, but few of them will care." Hazel glared at him as the chamber was filled with loud discussions. Lucius Malfoy stood up. "I petition the Wizengamot that the perpetrator be summoned before the Assembly and be charged accordingly. Witches and Wizards of good standing died in an unprovoked attack!" Amelia spoke over the whispers of the traditionalists. "Really, then why were all of them found wearing Death Eater robes and masks, their personal wands showing signs of heavy curse use? Witnesses placed the Death Eaters at the event tormenting the muggles before an Auror intervened. They then proceeded to cast ever known Unforgivable towards the Auror. You call this behaviour fit for people of good standing?" She turned to Dumbledore. "You call the deaths of criminals guilty of carrying out a violent attack against the muggles of the area, who then attempted an attack on civilians and attempted a lethal attack on a member of the DMLE, tragedies?"

The chamber erupted into loud squabbling until Dumbledore shouted. "Silence!!! Director Bones, the loss of any life is a travesty." Amelia gave him a smirk. "Then please amend your statement. Among the casualties last night was an elf murdered without signs of self defence. If the loss of any life is a travesty, then the death of the elf should be counted. Or are you going to claim that your latest statement was false?" Dumbledore looked conflicted, which made Hazel smile. Her smile ended as soon as Dolores Umbridge spoke up, that voice making her arms itch. "Madam Bones, are you suggesting we count a… a creature among the dead? Surely you know they are not anywhere near as valuable as witches and wizards whose lines stretch back centuries." Ted ignored the back and forward between them as he watched red tracks of magic arching across Hazel's fingers. "Hazel, keep that temper down. She is too high profile right now." Hazel turned to him. "No different than last time I took her down, though I think Amelia would be mad if I wrecked her office." Ted arched an eyebrow. "I am going to assume that your list of property damage is a lot more impressive than Moody's." Hazel chuckled. "Well, counting Hogwarts, Gringotts, the Ministry and a few other places… yeah. Probably." Ted rubbed his eyes. "Why am I here again?" Hazel hummed. "Because Andromeda would be awfully cross with you if you left me to be Amelia's concern."

Dumbledore seemed to rub his face after the two witches finished arguing. "Madam Bones, will you summon your Auror to face charges?" The dark skinned man in a business suit besides Amelia finally spoke up. "There will be no charges leveled against the Auror responsible, Chief Warlock. The Auror acted under the purview of ICW law and followed its guidelines to the letter. All the deaths attributed to them on the night of the World Cup Final are ruled as acceptable by the ICW." The Traditionalists yelled as Dumbledore tried to silence them. Dolores was the first to speak up. "The area of the World Cup is sovereign British Ministry of Magic territory; the ICW has no precedent to overrule us." The dark man turned to the Minister and the Chief Warlock. "Really? Is Britain not a member of the ICW? Perhaps I should ask for your resignation as Supreme Mugwump then, Dumbledore. As for the venue, it became an ICW concern the moment the Minister solicited foreign Aurors to help in its security. That was the point, correct? To improve international cooperation? Were your words false, Minister Fudge or is your Undersecretary uninformed?" The Chamber descended into whispers as Fudge swallowed visibly. "Not at all, Observer Badawi. But you must understand how violent this incident was." Badawi nodded. "Indeed. I personally watched as several lethal curses were sent towards the Auror. They only responded in full when ALL the Death Eaters used a Killing Curse or comparable spell."

Lucius stood up amid the murmurs. "The Death Eaters are extinct, Mr. Badawi. This Auror murdered several upstanding members of our society, all possibly under the Imperius curse." The observer turned to Dumbledore. "The designation of Death Eaters as terrorists has not been struck from the ICW registry, so Mr. Malfoy's argument is moot. They wore Death Eater robes and masks, used curses, including the Unforgivables, and were all locked within a Hellflame Barrier, which can and will cancel any external influence on their person. They all still proceeded to attack the Auror. My observations and the report submitted by my fellows will corroborate this. The Auror acted well within their legal rights and cannot be charged with any crimes associated with the deaths of the terrorists." Badawi sat down as the Chamber deliberated, Dumbledore seemingly at a loss for words, especially the mention of the Hellfire Barrier. That bit of dark magic hadn't been used since Grindelwald. He turned to Amelia. "Won't you reveal the identity of the Auror? Their actions deserve some degree of correction. Behaviour such as this cannot be tolerated." Hazel decided to speak up. "And what behaviour is that, Chief Warlock? According to the Director of the DMLE, an ICW Observer and several Aurors from other ICW member states, the Auror acted within their rights. Should you be arrested for carrying out your duties to this Assembly? That is what you are suggesting we do. Do we as an Assembly dare to question and charge a witch or wizard for the fact that they carried out their duties as we ask of them every day?"

The Chamber turned to her and the Traditionalists hollered. Lucius stood up. "It was you, wasn't it, Peverell? You are responsible for the extinction of several Magical lines of the Sacred 28!" Hazel raised an eyebrow and conjured a long scroll into her hand. "You might want to be more specific. My family ended many lines prior from the founding of the Wizard's Council and quite a few more before and during the formation of the Wizengamot, long before the Sacred 28 was even put into writing by a less than accredited propagandist." She made it as if she was reading the list, causing the progressives to snicker, as well as the neutrals. Lucius seemed to grow even redder in the face. "I am talking about the dead men and women from last night!" Hazel vanished the paper and tapped her finger before looking towards Madam Bones and the ICW observer. "Boss, you wouldn't know where my last assignment was? I sort of tune most of them out after I give my debriefing. They all tend to blend together after a while." Amelia looked over at Badawi, who nodded. She sighed and turned to the Assembly. "Lady Peverell, in her capacity as a Hit Witch, was the leading British Auror at the scene. She followed British and ICW procedures during the incident. She has the full backing of the DMLE on this matter."

Hazel waited as the discussion settled down before a familiar voice spoke up. "Miss Peverell, do you have anything to say about your unbecoming conduct last night?" Hazel stared at Dumbledore. "Chief Warlock, I followed the rules set out by this Assembly, laws that you signed into law decades ago. Are you saying the laws you yourself supported at the time are wrong? That response of equal degrees of force, whether it's lethal or otherwise, is against the rules? Because I can assure you, I spent quite a bit of time reading the laws before I signed up with the DMLE. Observer Badawi can tell you that I went into excruciating detail about ICW rules of engagement prior to the incident. I take my profession very seriously when I am out in the field. Can you say the same? Or are three full time jobs too much for the Great Albus Dumbledore? Because you certainly love to waste your breath over matters already resolved by the rule of law." The Chamber was left in stunned silence as Hazel sat back before they started discussing the matter among themselves. The session ended without any formal or informal decision being made, with the Traditionalists eyeing Hazel warily. Hazel ignored them. The message was delivered to everyone that mattered and with their coalition in place, the laws couldn't be altered in any way further without negotiations. The risk free attacks for the Death Eaters were a thing of the past now. They now knew the price of waging war. As far as Hazel was concerned it had taken too bloody long to sink in.

-∞-

"Damn!" Dumbledore slammed his fist onto his desk as he returned to his office in Hogwarts. Fawkes was startled awake and gave Dumbledore the stink eye before burying its head in its wing, hoping to catch some sleep, as Dumbledore fumed over the recent events. Decades of work, all ruined in the last few years and it all stemmed from the same person. Hazel Peverell. He had done his best to research her origins but aside from a fragmented family tree in the Ministry records, possibly due to marriages with muggles or even squibs, Hazel remained a mystery he couldn't get through. Her position as a Hit Witch with ICW certification made her practically untouchable politically unless she acted in a way that violated the laws of the ICW. Even as Supreme Mugwump, he was only capable of exerting power as the head of the International Assembly, not over the collectives' Departments that tended to run independently. They existed as the means of securing the Statute of Secrecy and helped make sure the International Agreements were sustained. Gellert had practically obliterated them during the war and they were barely recovered when Voldemort started his assault of Wizarding Britain, but now they seemed to be fully recovered and exercising their power.

Peverell presented so many complications to his plans. She successfully removed Harry from the safe isolation he had prepared for the boy with the Dursleys, integrated him with other children born to Old and Ancient Families and helped to secure Sirius Black's release. His means of control over the boy were practically nonexistent, even at Hogwarts. Harry Potter was safely protected using the old treaties that allowed students to study at the school, even while members of the Staff were currently in a Blood Feud with the children's families. The rules were never rescinded and were now being used by several Old and Ancient Families, keeping their children away from the control of the Staff. It was absolutely galling. Worst of all, the woman had become popular among the children of the school as she taught them how to get better practical control of their magic. Seeing so many Corporeal Patroni being performed by the students wasn't a bad thing, but that the favorable instruction came from a Dark Witch was. There was no doubt in his mind Hazel Peverell was a Dark Witch. The slaughter at the World Cup proved it. The curses used against the Death Eaters weren't anywhere near as Dark as Voldemort was known for, but their use was brutal and effective. Damage from several of the bodies even showed traces of Severus' cutting curse, as reported by Shacklebolt. That meant one thing.

She was a survivor of the war. He tried to use the Family Tree in the Ministry to uncover her birth name, but nothing came from it. Was she the sibling of a member of the Order of the Phoenix, a former Death Eater that Voldemort groomed in secret like Barty Junior? He had no idea. She was a phantom that clearly knew the Death Eaters. She knew them enough to face them with lethal efficiency and then appear at the Wizengamot Chamber as if nothing important had happened. Her disregard for life and contempt for him reminded Dumbledore of Tom Riddle and the thought froze his heart. He poured over his files from his investigation of Tom during and after Hogwarts. There, in the family tree, was a familiar name. Peverell. Dumbledore sat back, trying to see how this bit of information aligned. Was Hazel Peverell really Voldemort, utilizing the body of a distant relation of his? Was this his way of not only returning but also besting Harry Potter? It would be a master stroke. The boy clearly cared for her. They only grew closer yet this following year as she acted as a guard for the school. She disabled the curse over the DADA position with relative ease and, if the word of the young Mr. Weasley was correct, she was also the one that defeated the Basilisk and rescued young Miss Granger from a cursed book.

Was that the point of possession? The book? It was after that moment that Peverell seemed to appear on the scene causing chaos and undoing the work of the Purebloods. Dumbledore rubbed his eyes. She was either Voldemort himself or a rising Dark Lady. There was no doubt of that. As an ICW certified Auror, she was certainly in the best position to be selected as part of the Triwizard Tournament's security team. He had no way of banishing her from the grounds and if he did, Harry Potter might just disappear with her, leaving Voldemort's victory all but guaranteed. He had no choice but to observe her and to continue to test the boy. The modifications to the Tournament had been less than what he had hoped for but there was only so much they could do safely with the rest of the organizers approval. He hoped that the changes were enough to have a good understanding of the type of person the boy was. If he proved to be the Champion he envisioned, then Voldemort's fate was sealed. If he failed, then Dumbledore would do what was necessary. He stared at the Elder Wand on his desk, strengthening his resolve. He had already allowed two Dark Lords to rise within his lifetime. He refused to allow any more of them to do so. He would do whatever was necessary. For the Greater Good of all Wizarding Britain.

Chapter 40: Another Year at Hogwarts

Chapter Text

"This way." Saul followed after his companion from across the Channel, Director Chatelain, as they made their way through the upper levels of the French Ministry of Magic. "Were you able to review our report?" Chatelain nodded her head, her long red hair held up by a clip. "We have and it was quite the tale. However, our own information networks agree with your conclusions. Though you could have dealt with the situation at the World Cup with less publicity." Croaker chuckled. "If that was our goal, then yes, we could have." Chatelain looked at him and smirked. "I suppose so. Our Observer friends are at least pleased with the developments. We are hearing of increased requests for mediation and observation from our former colonies, with Aurors and their departments looking to gain ICW certification and aid. There is much beginning to change out there, with the ICW getting a bit more involved in internal issues." Croaker hummed. "Internal issues don't tend to remain that way for long whether in the non-magical world or our own. Better to have a more competent ICW that can help end dangerous flashpoints than the option of a Nuclear Winter." Chatelain nodded. "In that, I believe most people are in agreement. Here we are." She stood by the fogged glass door and knocked. They both entered as soon as they were summoned inside.

A man wearing a grey business suit and signing mountains of papers looked up, his sandy blond hair peppered with touches of grey. " What can I help you with, Chatelain? " She gestured to Croaker. "My counterpart in the British Ministry brought some concerning information to us. It involves the safety of the students of Beauxbatons, especially those heading to Hogwarts at the end of October. As the Chairman of the Beauxbatons Board of Governors and the former head of our DMLE, we thought you ought to be informed and we may need to request some assistance." The man sighed and placed his fountain pen aside before standing up and presenting a hand to Croaker. "Name's Jacques Delacour. What trouble endangers the Triwizard Tournament Delegation?" Croaker shook his hand. "Director Saul Croaker, of the British DoM. We believe the Triwizard Tournament's details have been leaked to an assumed dead terrorist and that two of the organizers, Headmaster Albus Dumbledore and Headmaster Igor Karkaroff, might be compromising the safety of the students participating in the tournament in some way." Jacques sat back onto his desk and crossed his arms. "Explain."

Croaker eyed Chatelain, who nodded, before he began. "The terrorist Lord Voldemort is not quite dead. Our Department received the information three years prior and has been working with the British DMLE and the ICW to prevent a resumption of hostilities on the Isles since. Through this investigation, we have discovered several improprieties done by the Hogwarts Headmaster that have endangered the safety of the students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, all related in some part to Lord Voldemort. Based on past experiences, we believe the Headmaster wishes to use the Tournament for his own ends, potentially endangering the Champions in the process. We also believe Voldemort seeks to use the Tournament to enact his return, with both men placing one Harry Potter in their sights. Dumbledore will seek to guarantee Potter's involvement in the Tournament and Voldemort may seek to guarantee Potter's victory by any means necessary, before striking him down himself." Jacques winced. "Ahh, I see the concern. And Karkaroff?" Croaker shrugged. "A former Death Eater. A potential entry point for Voldemort's machinations."

Jaques rubbed his chin and looked at Croaker. "I am assuming you have taken measures to mitigate the danger?" Saul shook his head. "Not as many as we would like. The Tournament was founded prior to the Boards of Governors being introduced. The Headmasters and the Organizers have had full independent control over its development. We have seen records of requests for the preparation of pens for dangerous magical creatures but none have been brought into the country so far, so no major paper trails to follow just yet, beyond a possible request for a Dragon. Karkaroff has possibly been all too happy to increase the difficulty, thanks to his school's focus on the more aggressive forms of magics and Maxime has likely been outvoted." Jacques thought back and nodded. "Olympe has looked a bit haggard the last few weeks. That would explain it. The secrecy of the planification has kept her from voicing her concerns to us." Croaker sighed. "We thought as much. As it stands, the only ones who have the information on the tasks will be the organizers and the participants. We can't obtain anyone in the former and the Headmaster will be too on guard for potential interference of his school's Champion in the latter. Karkaroff won't be much different and any attempt to reach out to him could alert Voldemort to our activities, which has to be avoided at all costs." Jacques rubbed his eyes. "Which leaves the Beauxbatons Champion. What's the plan?"

Croaker handed him a folder. "We have a candidate and an alias that will suit us. That leaves securing the position for Champion. Ordinarily that wouldn't be a problem until we did a thorough search of the Beauxbatons records and found one seventh year student who shows to have received additional training, possesses magical talents beyond the norm and is the prime candidate for Champion. We are also concerned as to how the Goblet of Fire might interpret certain rules through magic. A student's skill is unlikely to pose a threat to our candidate but if the Goblet deems her unworthy for any number of reasons, the local student could be left in danger. So tell me, Monsieur. How likely is your daughter, Fleur, to seek the position of Beauxbatons Champion?" Jacques whined. "Apolline is going to kill me." Croaker chuckled. "Perhaps, but if you can help us get Fleur to step down and not submit her name, it would be appreciated. While we are certain our candidate surpasses your daughter's skills, we are concerned over the Goblet of Fire as a selection method making its own judgement as to who should represent Beauxbatons. Your assistance can help keep your daughter safe and your wife from retaliating against you for the oversight." Jacques looked over the file detailing the alias of the Operative, spotting a familiar name. "My daughter is an excessively proud witch. A price of her heritage and the burden it and my job has placed on her. She won't surrender her position without a fight or a suitable replacement." Croaker turned to Chatelain. "We were thinking of offering her a position within our Department of Mysteries. If she impresses our Operatives, that includes the Operations Division."

Chatelain nodded and turned to Delacour. "We will match that offer. Our Operations Division hasn't seen much action since it got gutted during Grindelwald's War, but we are always on the lookout for potential members, though our DMLE has been more than up to the task of keeping our people safe. Either way, her scores in sixth year Enchanting and Charms were quite high. We would welcome her within our Enchantment Division as well." Croaker turned to Jacques. "If the job offers are unsuitable, then she will come with high recommendations to any career or apprenticeship she may see fit." Jacques clicked his tongue. "I will let her know. Is your Operative willing to welcome her into their own training regimen? Fleur would welcome the challenge. She may also be thrilled to take part in the academic competitions that have been added to the event, and will likely end up sweeping the seventh year examinations and practicals as compensation." Croaker rubbed his chin. He eyed Jacques. "That would be fine. Just one question. What are her… preferences in mates?" Jacques stared at him for a second before he swore. "I take it you Operative is… receptive to female company?" Croaker shivered. "Not her I am worried about entirely. Her girlfriend, and partner, is deeply territorial in nature. Any improprieties between your daughter and my operative might result in more… dangerous consequences. Potentially worse than having a Dark Lord on the loose." Jacques nodded. "I will let her and Apolline know."

-∞-

Harry sighed to himself as Hermione looked on. "What's wrong? Not looking forward to the rest of the year with the Quidditch season being cancelled?" Harry gestured at the staff table of the Great Hall and the retreating figure of Albus Dumbledore. "I just have a bad feeling that I am going to get dragged into this." Neville patted his shoulder out of sympathy. "On the bright side, Hazel is still around as a guard for the school. She looks to be in a foul mood though." Harry winced when he saw the frown on Hazel's face as she sat at the Staff Table. "Her girlfriend Tonks got reassigned to another mission. She won't be around as much until after the schools arrive and even then she is being kept busy out of the Castle. Hazel has been irritated for the past few days from that." Ron scoffed. "Thought it was from all the bad publicity she got, getting called a Dark Witch and all." Hermione frowned. "Doubt it. She's never been all that shy about addressing herself as Dark. Even if the entire country believes it now, I don't think it would matter to her. She doesn't strike me as the type that cares what others think of her." Harry nodded, giving his cousin a brief smile when their eyes locked for a second. She gave him one back in return.

Having Hazel in his life the last few weeks had been great. In a lot of ways she was like Andromeda, always checking with him and Teddy about everything. She was a great cook who always made time for them, even showing him around the Department of Mysteries less top secret areas. She had explained a bit of what was going on after Harry agreed to a removable but weaker version of the Occlumency defence she and Teddy shared. He was constantly working on his Occlumency exercises to make sure that the next time she had something important to share with him, she could trust him. The last thing she told him about was the Tournament and how both Dumbledore and Voldemort might try to get him into it. She warned Harry that there was no way to get him out of it if the Goblet selected him, so instead she was focused on teaching him the skills he might need to survive, including a few spells that were for emergency use only. They only practiced those spells on the weekends because of how magically drained they left him. Learning basic wandless spells like summoning, banishing and levitation were some of his most memorable times in the DoM training rooms, especially when he and Teddy got to show off a bit at the last tutoring meet up. Playing dodgeball using the banishing and summoning charms with everyone was a lot of fun, even if no one tagged Hazel, as she was too fast to pin down.

The first day of school had crept on them quickly and he knew he was going to miss the closeness he felt at sharing an Apartment with her, Teddy and Dora, even if Dora's music made him question how she still had functioning ears. Yet the moments he would miss most weren't the ones where they practiced magic or visited Merlin's Cave in Cornwall or walked through the magical districts of Edinburgh, though the visit to the Ballycotton Magical Sanctuary was amazing. Both Nova and Hedwig had a lot of fun flying with the other birds in the warm and clear blue sky just at the edges of the island. No, what he would miss most were the quieter moments when everyone sat down to watch movies, listen and chat about music or when they were all preparing for dinner, with Hazel letting him and Teddy help while Leafsby complained. It never felt like he was imposing or was an outsider. He felt like he belonged there with them, enjoying just another carefree day. He hoped Hazel didn't mind if he dropped in on her every once in a while. Might even help improve her mood, really.

Harry felt Ron shoved his shoulder for a bit. "Well, are you signing up for the Tournament or what?" Harry sighed. "No Ron, I don't want to be part of it. I would really like a quiet and peaceful year at Hogwarts. No Trolls, no Basilisks, no Dementors, nothing. I doubt I will get it but that's what I want." Ron shook his head. "Sounds boring, to be honest. Think about it! Eternal Glory and a thousand galleons." Harry made a face. "Don't want the galleons and name one person who was a previous champion." Ron made a face as if he would answer before he frowned. He shrugged. "Well, you'd be the first since the Tournament was restarted. That would make it memorable." Harry waved the comment away. "Not interested." The time for the students to head to the Common Rooms arrived and he saw as the first years started to line up as he made his way out the hall. He watched as Teddy came up to him and hugged him. "Stay safe?" Harry nodded. "You too." They parted ways as he watched the Badgers head down to their Common Room. He sat at the Gryffindor Common Room, his hand absentmindedly playing with the charms on his wrist when the Portrait Door opened, revealing Hazel.

She handed papers to Professor McGonagall who eyed them. "Same as last year?" Hazel nodded. "All set. Also, an extra bit of Parchment. None of us wanted there to be any doubt among the Faculty over the coming event." McGonagall read it and sighed. "You don't trust the Champion Selection?" Hazel raised an eyebrow. "Only thing I trust in this world is Death, because let's be honest, you can avoid taxes with the right amount of gold and solicitors. Death can't be bought, cheated, stopped or ignored, only delayed." McGonagall gave her a look. "A bit morbid." Hazel shrugged. "Peverell here. Death and my family are old friends." Hazel walked over to Harry and hugged him. "You try and have some fun this year. Next one is OWLs and it will likely be a bit boring." Harry squeezed her back. "I will." Hazel was about to leave before she turned around. "Careful with your DADA Professor. He's called Mad-Eye for a reason. Expect the unexpected and check for traps on the doors, floors, desks, seats and even the ceiling. You will thank me later when he doesn't use you for target practice. Ask Tonks when you see her next. She spent months with him at the academy. Night, Harry. Professor." Harry waved at her as she left, McGonagall giving him a soft smile. "Go on, Mister Potter. She will be around by morning."

Harry sat on his bed, fully changed into his pajamas, as he pulled out a charm carved out of wood that Hazel made for him. It wouldn't stop a nightmare or a vision, but it would give him enough control to detach himself from the moment. The feelings and emotions that tended to wake him up feeling cold and dreadful were reduced by it, though he would always have trouble sleeping right after. He wrapped it around his arm and felt the magic settle into him, Hazel's always feeling cool and comfortable to him. Harry extinguished the candle and pulled the cover over his head. He dreaded the coming year at Hogwarts but he knew he wasn't alone. His circle of friends had grown and he had a family looking after him. He took a deep breath and turned over, falling fast asleep.

-∞-

OW September 2nd 1996

Hazel rubbed her eyes as she sat in the library, checking over the Potions book she found in the Potions Classroom after McGonagall forced her to take the sixth year Potions Class. How the new Professor Dumbledore hired would even allow her near a cauldron, she had no idea. The bastard of an old man had seemingly forgotten to take the hint that she wasn't interested in his games, especially after the disaster in the Ministry on the Summer Solstice. She watched as a few Slytherins came up to her table, the Malfoy brat looking her over. "Well, aren't you going to say anything, Potter? You are standing before the new Heir Apparent Black after all." Hazel turned the page over. "Congratulations Malfoy. Bother me a few more minutes longer and I will personally show you what I did to the previous Lord Apparent to the House of Black. His mother apparently fried his brain a few too many times under the Cruciatus Curse, so he wasn't as satisfyingly in pain under my curse as I would have liked. A spoiled and well groomed Heir such as yourself would be a more satisfying experience, I believe." Hazel turned to the next page as Malfoy seemed equally part terrified and insulted. "You have a lot of nerve, being from such a lowborn House. You know the Dark Lord will be coming for you now? He might even let me have a taste of you first."

Slicing her thumb on her canine, Hazel began to focus the magic into her blood and drew it out. " Fill the blustering boy with fear. " The old Druidic Blood Magic triggered, causing Draco to pale as Hazel responded. "Funny, according to my Family Tree I am also the Heiress to the Ancient House of Peverell, one of the Founders of the Wizard's Council, while your main family line were either farmers or nobodies. Then again, I highly doubt Malfoy is your real family name. People say it's a Blood Curse placed on you, with your platinum blonde hair too, kept on for centuries as your family seems utterly incapable of fulfilling the conditions to lift it. Bad faith indeed. As for your Dark Lord, I think he will take that last statement poorly. From what I hear he has declared me and Dumbledore to be his to deal with personally. So why don't you run along now before I show you what I spent my summer learning all about before your Lord hears about your words." The Slytherin ponce and his bookends fled as Hazel licked her thumb clean of blood. " Episkey. " Hazel watched as the wound healed, even if it was a bit slowly, before she looked up. "You have anything to add about my treatment of your fellow Slytherins, Heir Serpens?" The young man with dark brown hair smirked. "Not really. They came in to gloat and presumed they were your superiors and you handled yourself to perfection. May I?" He gestured to the seat in front of her and Hazel shrugged your shoulders. "Your funeral."

Hazel looked over at the young man as he sat down. Tamlane Serpens joined the Slytherins as a sixth year this September and was a bit of an odd one. He was charming and polite but there were times when he had a hard edge to his blue eyes. Malfoy seemed to have trouble getting him to follow along with the other Slytherins. Serpens turned to look in the direction of the retreating Slytherins. "Is this a common occurrence for you? Slytherins coming to wave their Houses' influence and wealth in your face?" Hazel flipped the page, finding a heavily edited Potions recipe. "Most of my time here, especially Malfoy and his minions. Heir Nott has been a bit more respectful but will still join Malfoy in the end. Had a bit of peace after the dead Dragon in the First Task of Tournament last year, at least until just after the mess that was the Second Task." Serpens hummed. "Odd. I was under the impression Slytherins were supposed to be full of cunning and ambition." Hazel snorted. "You forgot to include Pride. There is a reason the muggle faiths describe it as a sin. Too much of it will see you cut down by your own hubris. Then again, it doesn't take much to die in this godforsaken world." Serpens sat back. "Quite morbid of you. Worried about the Dark Lord coming after you?"

Deciding not to dignify that question with a response, Hazel returned her attention to the Potions book filled with annotations, flipping the pages as she scanned the few spells listed on the edges before she froze. She flipped the pages further and further. She knew these spells. Her Godmother had taught them to her. According to her they were made by a certain greasy bat who then proceeded to share them with certain Death Eaters. Hazel flinched at the memory of her Godmother as she slammed the book shut, starling Tamlane. She bit her lip as she stood up. "My apologies, Heir Serpens. I am afraid my family situation this summer changed and has left me in an improper state. As for the Dark Lord. I honestly don't know and don't care. The man will do as he always has done and everyone else will have to make their own decisions afterwards. Now if you excuse me, I need a moment to myself." He gave her an understanding look. "Of course. My apologies, Miss Potter. Take your time." Hazel pulled her bag on her shoulder as she made her way out of the library. She felt tears starting to leak from her eyes as she pulled the Cloak over her body. It took her a bit before she reached her second floor Prefects' Bathroom and burst inside, making a beeline for the opening of the Chamber. " Open ." Hazel's emotional crisis was delayed as she looked at the entrance, noting a lack of reaction. " Open !" Try as she could, her means of entry to the Chamber remained sealed.

"Dobby." The elf popped in beside her. "Great Hazel Potter summons Dobby. What can Dobby do for his mistress?" Hazel felt her earlier problem slipping further and further away. "Are you able to enter the Chamber?" Dobby looked towards the opening and nodded. "Yes, Mistress but wards prevent you from entering." Hazel sighed. "Can you retrieve all of my belongings and the Dragon and Basilisk parts? Make sure no one else has tampered with them either." Dobby popped away as Hazel pulled out another bag from within her school bag. This particular one was a gift that Bella commissioned for her. Using the softer scales of the Dragon's belly, crafters made a bag with a near bottomless extension charm, combined with other charms that kept the contents from smashing into each other and for the weight to be reduced considerably. The outer layer had then been coated with the dragon's scales, protecting it from damage. Hazel had complained to Bella on what was surely the most expensive gift ever but her godmother had shot her down. The money came from the Black Vaults and she felt it was better spent on her safety. The massive multi-compartment trunk and sets of Basilisk hide clothes and armor that were still too big for her came soon after, though the boots she would be able to adjust effortlessly. Hazel's comments on the extreme spending habits of the Blacks had only made Bella smirk at her.

For now though, she was grateful, as Dobby pulled all of her belongings out of the Chamber and into the bag. She would sort through them later when she had the time. Once the elf was done, though he noted the vials of Basilisk Venom and stored fangs were missing, Hazel casted every detection spell Bella taught her on the entrance. Nothing was revealed. The entrance was there, as Dobby saw it from the other side, but it was locked for anyone else using it. Hazel sighed before looking towards the rest of the bathroom. This area wasn't safe anymore. With the Chamber entrance beyond her control, the rest of the Prefect's Bathroom was also vulnerable. She approached the area that held the wards that changed the password. She left her password intact but made sure to add further traps and wards to it, hopefully leaving the next person to modify it to pay the price for running her out of her safe place. Leaving her Sanctuary behind, Hazel wandered the empty hallways under her cloak looking for a place to make her own. Sadly, she knew none would truly be hers. Any place within Hogwarts' grounds would betray her location to Dumbledore and the rest were probably known to Tom, including the Room of Requirement. Even if she could make a safe place for herself there, someone could just block her access to the Room at all. "Dobby." The elf appeared again. "Yes?" Hazel sighed and checked for eavesdropping spells and paintings. She found one painting looking at her funny after she briefly revoked her Cloak and blacked it out while blocking its ability to hear as well. "Take me back to Grimmauld Place. Dumbledore assumes I will spend my nights in the Chamber. Let's not correct him." The elf nodded and apparated her away.

-∞-

NW September 2nd 1994

Hazel placed her cup of coffee down. "Hogsby, another please." Sprout looked towards her with concern. "Late night patrolling the grounds?" Hazel sighed. "I wish." She scanned the Great Hall, feeling Teddy's concern for her through their Family Magic. Last night had been the first time she dreamt of her ex. She had a good feeling as to why, considering the empty bed she found beside her in the morning. She had grown accustomed to sleeping beside Dora. It was a comfort to know she would be there for her, a constant source of warmth, love and levity. Now that she wasn't there, it left her feeling empty again. Just like the last days after her previous relationship. She couldn't stop the shivers that shook her body at the thought of comparing her two long lasting relationships. Dora didn't deserve that from her but the fear that clawed of her mind and heart refused to go away. Living months on the run had been surprisingly easy for her, even more so when she started killing. The loss of Grimmauld Place only made it more so. It wasn't until Teddy entered her life that she realized why. She had accepted her end and even looked forward to it.

Teddy filled a place in her heart and gave her meaning again, a place she knew he always would fill. Now Nymphadora had done the same and she was terrified. The magic she had been feeding to her gave Hazel some brief glimpses into her heart, but nothing as deep as the bond her Family Magic gave her and Teddy. She craved that connection with her but she couldn't force it onto Dora. So she was stuck with her insecurities while Dora was off at Beauxbatons completing her assignment. Seeing Sprout eyeing her, expecting an answer, Hazel drank from her refilled cup of coffee. "Just feeling a bit of anxiety with my partner getting reassigned to escort the Beauxbatons delegation. First time we have been given separate assignments. I know it's a relatively safe and simple assignment but it's still a concern to me." Sprout smiled at her. "I can say that the next words are quite a bit new to me, but trust Nymphadora. She will be back, safe and sound, before you know it." Hazel sighed but nodded. "Only thing I can do really. Any of your Badgers looking to throw their name into the Tournament?"

Pomona sighed and nodded. "Sadly yes. One of my sixth years and quite a few of the upper year students are considering taking part in the main event. I have warned them it can be dangerous but you know how young people tend to be." Hazel eyed Dumbledore. "That I do." She looked back over the students, smiling at both Teddy and Harry before finishing what little bit of breakfast she usually ate. "Well, if you excuse me Professor, I have to check on the grounds a bit more. Have a good day." Pomona nodded as Hazel pulled on her jacket before stepping out the side door of the Great Hall. She did her best to not think about her fears and instead focused on sweeping the area with her detection spells before checking her map. A soft shrill preceded Nova landing on her shoulder before it started pecking her head with her beak. "Oww, oww, ok. I get it. Stop worrying about Dora and making Teddy feel sad." Nova chirped happily and ruffled Hazel's hair with her beak before settling in on her shoulder. Hazel eyed the bird and smiled, rubbing its chest. "Thank you. Think you'd be willing to take a letter from me to her soon?" Nova nodded and Hazel felt her anxiety lower slightly as she approached the edges of the Forbidden Forest.

Looking over the vast fields she remembered were once used for the Tournament in her world, she started walking along the perimeter, her Holly Wand swiftly casting the familiar spells. She could do them wandlessly but she didn't know who was watching her at the time, even if her magic said no one was, so she kept her more exuberant displays of magic tied to her wand. She noticed a Centaur approaching her from the edge and moved closer, concealing herself from view by anyone watching from the Castle. She smiled when she recognized him. "Have the last few seasons done well for the Herd, Firenze?" The Centaur nodded and walked pace beside her, eying the bird on her shoulder with curiosity. "It has, Huntress. The meat did good to us and the rest was used as fertilizer for our crops. We have passed the last winter without much trouble, beyond the discomfort of the floating creatures of cold and pain." Hazel eyed him. "Was the barrier successful in keeping them away from your homes?" Firenze smiled at her and nodded. "It was. Our mothers were most happy to not have lost any babes to the cold or the dreadful creatures or the winter. We still hunt the Acromantulas away, but we all feel safer within our borders." Hazel nodded but frowned. "Has the Headmaster approached you about the coming months?"

Firenze sighed, his eyes turning towards the Castle. "He has. He has requested we help secure the edges of this area for the construction of a large structure and for the respectful distance of the Herd for the storing of several dangerous creatures within the Forest. He has also asked for our thoughts on the dangerous creatures that currently reside here, and locations that may present difficulty in the cold months at the end of Winter." Hazel frowned. "Well, that is a concern. I will not ask your herd to endanger its relationship with the old man, but be wary. A remnant of an old and dangerous foe of our people seeks to intervene. Keep our young ones safe, but never at the expense of the herd." The Centaur bowed his head. "I will inform the Elders. May your hunts be fruitful, Witch. Fair skies, Harbinger." Hazel and Nova nodded. "May the stars be ever kind to the herd, Stargazer." Hazel watched the Centaur leave as she pondered the last bit of information, with Nova taking to the air and circling the lake, probably looking for anything to hunt after. Hazel eyed the surface of Black Lake as she pressed her comm device to her ear. "O1 to base. Do we have anyone there that knows Mermish willing to go for a dive into the Black Lake? We might have a bit of unexpected intel and it should be verified."

-∞-

Teddy sat down at his usual table in an unused classroom they had appropriated for studying when he felt two people come up behind him. Keeping his magic safely in his hands he waited for them to strike. They gripped his arms and two warm lips pressed into his cheeks from either side. His face and hair shifted colors repeatedly as he released his hold on his magic. "What was that for?" Flora and Hestia moved away from him and sat on the other side of the table, giving him identical smiles. "You know why, Lion who hides among Badgers." The other, Hestia if he was right, continued with a wink. "You said we would be safe and you were right." Flora hummed. "Lady Greengrass managed to get Nana Fawley to come back and care for us again. Greengrass has also been appointed as our Regent until we reach seventeen years of age." Hestia continued as she pulled her books out from her bag. "All the Traditionalists have been shown the door and told to stay away. Very amusing." Flora chuckled. "Very amusing indeed." Another voice spoke up from behind him. "Oi! You two are here early." The twins gave Astoria a smirk. "Now, now, Astoria. We were only showing our gratitude to the gentleman here."

Astoria sat down beside Teddy and looked at him. "Right, so he is shifting colors because he is bored?" The two girls giggled as Astoria glared at them before Teddy controlled his blush and shift. "It's ok. They were just being friendly. Which class assignments do you all want to start with?" Astoria eyed him before she sighed. "Let's start with Defence. I don't want to think about Moody till our next class." The Slytherins smiled. "Got caught by his trap, were you? What would your tutor say?" Astoria blushed. "I was tired and half asleep!" The twins giggled before looking at Teddy. "Our Badger here spotted the trap on the doorframe and helped us and his friends avoid it. Moody was very happy with him." Astoria glared at him and Teddy blushed. "I warned you about the trap. Mom did too." Astoria dropped her Defence book and slumped on it. "I forgot about the warning. Woke up stunned and hanging upside down by my ankle. Daphne will be impossible in the next few months." Teddy nodded. "Probably. Everyone my Mom tutors got the warning. Remember to do it every time and practice it here and elsewhere where it's safe to try it."

They all started to work as Teddy though back to their first Defence class. Moody felt surprisingly more fun than Lupin had been. He had them all stand up and practice all the spells they should know as second years. He had been pleasantly surprised when everyone got them down perfectly, a few even doing it silently and with point casting. His artificial eye spun around in his head. "The Headmaster had informed me about the little Dueling Club our current resident Hit Witch ran last year. Good to see she got you all to exceptional levels, for fresh second year students. Let's see if you guys have read ahead. How many can do the disarming spell?" He had been practically giddy as everyone got it on the first try after the entire class raised their hands and he asked for a practical demonstration against dummies. "Good, good. Guessing you all got your Shield charms down. So, how about we do this. As this is a regular class length course, you will all spend the next thirty minutes doing some practical work with either dummies or volunteers before you spend the rest with me as we go over the Dark and Dangerous Creatures out and about. Remember, watch those feet of yours. You don't want to get to my age and have a prosthetic. Trust me, it's not the worst thing, but it's certainly an annoyance first thing in the morning."

The class went relatively well after that before he sat everyone down and checked their knowledge on Hexes, Curses and counters before going into the dangers most witches and wizards could encounter in their daily lives, from the Boggarts, to the Hags, Weres and Vampires. He spent a bit of time covering the tells of each: from a Hag's near constant stench of blood of blood and general emaciated appearance, the Weres having injuries and being irritable just after the full moon, to the Vampires and their stiffer movements in daylight and lack of bodily functions such as regular breathing and blinking. He left them all with assignments on the next Dark Creatures they would be covering, those being the artificially created creatures known as Gremlins and how they are known for causing a great deal of damage to muggle technologies, with information on how to spot them and banish them safely, a job usually handled by the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures and the Obliviators. Teddy and the girls covered that assignment quickly before going over the rest. Astoria looked over at Teddy. "Is your Mom going to host a Dueling Club this year?"

Teddy shook his head. "Don't think so. She has a lot of work to cover alone and her Boss could summon her for any reason, so she might just give a few uncommon lessons. She said she found an old dueling chamber in the Castle and the elves agreed to clean it up for the students. She was going to ask the Heads of Houses and Moody about keeping it open to students but she doubts Dumbledore will agree." Astoria rested her chin on her hand. "Here is hoping we get it. Dumbledore mentioned we would be having academic competitions with the other schools. I doubt they'd bring the younger year students, but Durmstrang and Beauxbatons are both known for having a dedicated Dueling class. If the students compete for the Defence course, there won't be a lot from Hogwarts that will have the right skillset to win, and that's without Durmstrang's Dark Arts course being considered." Teddy shrugged. "Mom might help with some tutoring but she wants to focus on Harry." Teddy clamped his mouth shut as the twins looked his way curiously. "What's happening with your cousin?"

Astoria gave Teddy a shrug. "It's up to you if you want to tell them." Teddy thought for a second. They were in Slytherin but they were closer now to Theo and Daphne. He knew they wanted nothing to do with the blood purists and were happy to be away from the whole Death Eater situation. It would be fair to let them know a bit. "No repeating this to anyone in any of the houses, minus us, Daphne and Theo." The twins nodded without hesitation. He told them of the concern about the Tournament and the likelihood Harry would get dragged into it. The twins grew pensive and Hestia spoke up. "Malfoy will try to turn the Slytherins against Harry with this." Astoria nodded. "Lady Peverell will be running interference soon, making a public statement that Harry isn't interested. We are hoping an oathbound signed document from Harry will keep the disbelievers away, but Daphne and Theo still expect some attacks from Malfoy." Flora looked at Hestia for a second and the two nodded, Hestia speaking up. "We will keep the first and second years in line. They won't follow Malfoy blindly with us running interference." Teddy smiled and Astoria chimed in. "Me and Luna will cover Ravenclaw with Professor Flitwick's aid. You should see if you can have Hufflepuff get ready, especially if Cedric signs up, and spread the word." Teddy hugged her, leaving the young blonde blushing and two Slytherins smirking. Teddy had a smile for the rest of the day, happy Harry had the support of his friends. He wasn't going to handle being a Champion without their backing.

Chapter 41: Beauxbatons

Chapter Text

Dora did her best not to squirm as she ate from the plates of the Beauxbatons' Dining Hall among the seventh year students. She was thankful now for her mother's insistence that she learn etiquette, poise and the French language in her youth. All Blacks were supposed to know French and at least try to speak Latin and German after all, as the House had properties in the Continent. While she wasn't born into the family proper, Andromeda still wanted her to be prepared. Dora, for her part, rebelled by purposefully behaving less than lady-like and Andromeda eventually gave up, but not before a lot of the lessons were completed. She still remembered all the lessons and her mother had even helped to prepare her in the last few weeks before the start of the Beauxbatons term. At that time she saw Hazel only in the evenings and it bothered her seeing her partner and girlfriend look so … concerned. It's not like she was going off to war or anything. The moment she stood before the assembled students and was named as the transfer student Neaera d'Éon, Dora finally understood Hazel's concern. She would be here in the Academy, all on her own for almost two months, cementing her identity as the red headed, blue eyed French student from a reclusive family. No backup beyond the support of the Headmistress and that of the girl she was assigned to replace, Fleur Delacour. No comfort from the person that meant the most to her either.

Fleur Delacour was currently sitting beside her, eating her meal slowly as she chatted with her friend before turning around to face Dora. " Have you given thought to taking part in the Triwizard Tournament, d'Éon? I am sure the Headmistress informed you about it upon your arrival. " Tonks drank from the glass of white wine in front of her a small sip before turning to her. " I have. Father's misfortunes in Britain have brought much shame to my family and my mother has requested I take the chance to improve our family's standing as a Champion. " Fleur hummed. "And have you been practicing English for this occasion?" Dora smirked. "I have. Father was interested in expanding his business dealing in Britain and I was to be in charge of mingling with the younger crowd. A bit earlier than planned, but still a welcomed opportunity. I noticed a slight bit of our fair tongue's accent in your English. Would you care to practice with me? I am sure Monsieur Delacour would be pleased to hear that you continue to improve your English." Fleur eyed her carefully and smirked back. "Very well. As we have been assigned to the same dorm room, it should be most helpful. For now, let's finish our meal, oui?" Dora nodded and returned to her meal, being careful of her wine consumption. She didn't want to be drunk enough to make a scene, let alone potentially get yelled at by Hazel when she got home.

As soon as the door to their shared room was closed, Dora wiped out Hazel's wand and sealed it. She knew she had to be careful with it, more than likely switching to her primary wand for the classes, but she needed the safety the wand provided in warding currently. Fleur hummed as she used her wand to test the wards and frowned. "These are … quite strong for charm based wards." Dora sighed in relief as she shifted her body back to normal. She touched the charm on her necklace, feeling its current warm state but finding nothing of concern with it. "My girlfriend is an expert in charm based wards. She spent the last three years teaching me how to cast them." Fleur eyed Dora from head to toe. "I don't believe the Beauxbatons uniform suits your current form." Dora shrugged. "Hey, I am a Hogwarts graduate and proud of it, so I will take that as a compliment. I imagine Monsieur Delacour informed you of everything pertinent?" Fleur nodded. "He did. I am not pleased about surrendering my possible position as Champion." Dora stared at her. "You can add your name in if you want, but don't expect to come out of it alive if chosen. The whole point of my being here is to keep you and every other student alive from the dangers that several rogue elements are planning. Or were Madame Maxime's warnings not clear enough?"

Fleur blushed. The Headmistress had gone out of her way to warn the entire school that the Triwizard Tournament would be exceptionally dangerous and only the most skilled should even consider placing their name. Fleur sighed. "Well, when am I getting to join your training sessions?" Dora stretched her feet after removing her shoes, her toes snapping audibly. She missed her comfortable boots. "At Hogwarts. We have a secure training area and a tutor who is probably going to drive you and me into the ground." Fleur sat on her bed. "This tutor of yours is that rough with their charges?" Dora winced. "Depends on her moods. She is going to be tutoring Harry Potter as well, as his life is in the most danger, so in those moments she will be more polite, but I bet you the moment we arrive, she is going to be quite mad. The day after the selection won't be any different." Fleur was going to ask another question when she and Dora were blinded by a pure white light before a soft shrill filled the room. Dora rubbed her eyes. "Nova, that's you, isn't it? I can hear your laughter in that tone of yours!" Said merry bird flew around the room before landing on Dora's shoulder, presenting her with three letters. Dora blinked as she tried to get the spots out of her eyes before taking the letters. "Thank you, Nova. Care to go do the same to Hazel?"

The bird gave her a look and Dora sighed. "Nevermind, she'd be the one witch that might uncover the secret to providing magical immortal birds with a permanent death." The bird seemed to agree with her before taking off and vanishing in a softer burst of light. Fleur looked from Dora to where the bird was before it vanished. " Was that a Phoenix? " Dora shook her head to clear out her eyes. "Honestly? Not a clue. Headmaster Dumbledore has his own phoenix and it looks nothing like Nova. Hazel refuses to tell me anything about her other than not to piss her off. Teddy simply loves his Familiar and Hazel just lets her get away with just about anything, including pecking her on the head." Fleur blinked. "Wait, wait. Your partner isn't this bird's master, but her son is? How old is he?" Dora opened the letters. "He's twelve." Fleur sighed. "Gabrielle would be so jealous. My soeur is only eleven this year and she will be here next year, so she is just starting to look for a Familiar. I never found mine." Tonks started reading her letters and smiled. Her family was missing her and wishing her the best. Hazel's letter made her pause. "Well, we got some confirmation the First Task being about Creatures but the Second Task has changed from the original design. They can't say more, but they wanted to give me head's up."

Dora blushed at Hazel's more amorous statements before she took the letters and torched them wandlessly, envelopes and all, before vanishing the ash. Fleur looked at her with clear interest. "Not bad, for a non-Veela. Do you have your schedule for classes?" Dora nodded. "I think they are the same as yours. I decided to stick with Alchemy, Dueling and Warding as I never took the courses. Gives me a reason to actually study. The rest I already have my NEWTs for, so it will be more of a refresher." Fleur hummed. "Then we will have plenty of time to get to know each other. Also, word is our Alchemy course this year will have guests coming over to give lessons, meaning it will be quite the treat." Fleur started stripping her clothes off as Dora turned around quickly. "You are, uhm, surprisingly forward." Fleur's voice shifted into a more seductive tone. "Oh, do you find me attractive, Mademoiselle Tonks?" Dora was about to reply "No" when she felt something stop her tongue and her body grew instantly flushed. The feeling vanished in an instance as another magic seemed to chase the feeling out of her, almost violently. Dora stumbled for a moment before turning around, seeing Fleur in her underwear. "Did you try using your Allure on me?"

Fleur blinked. "For a second, yes. Why? Was it unpleasant to you?" Dora felt the magic inside of her almost growl. She shuddered. "Ah, not exactly but I would say never to do that again. It had no real effect." Fleur frowned. "Really? Because you clearly reacted to it." Dora blushed. "Look, I am in a serious monogamous relationship with a woman that I love and who is dangerously territorial." She blinked a second as the magic inside of her seemed to swoon. What the hell was happening with Hazel's magic? "So, for your safety, my sanity and the lives of everyone between here and Hogwarts, never try that again. You are beautiful but I have someone who I consider far more beautiful and I love her." Fleur gave her an almost longing look. "Then you are quite fortunate, Mademoiselle." Dora sighed. "Tonks. You can just call me Tonks and nothing else when we are alone like this." Stepping out of her Beauxbatons uniform, Tonks dressed in her pajamas and tucked in for bed. Two months. She had to make it two months before she returned home, where she could ask Hazel what was up with her magic and then proceed to make up for lost time in the bedroom with her.

-∞-

Dora sat down beside Fleur as the Alchemy Class settled into their seats. She was glad that the course didn't need too much preparation for it, as Alchemy was a slightly more advanced practice than Potions. She took a few pointers from Croaker's Alchemists in tool preparations and alchemical reagents before she signed up for the course. Hazel's none existent skills in Potions, minus the apothecary's worth of vials she carried on her person, made them a bit vulnerable to Potion and Alchemic dangers. Croaker had made sure that despite having to be undercover for months, with only a few moments where she would appear as herself while at Hogwarts, Dora's time wasn't wasted. She and Hazel still had a lot of work to do in order to improve themselves and he was going to focus on that. Fleur's nudge made Dora look up and she watched as the guest Instructor walked through the door. A woman of dark hair and light green eyes walked in, wearing a dark robe, her long sleeves pulled back as she arrived at the front of the class. She slapped her hands together. " Welcome class, to another year of study in Alchemy. I will be taking over from Professor Elric until the end of October, so let's make the most of it. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Perenelle Flamel ."

The entire classroom went silent before it descended into whispers as Dora stared at the woman, forgetting to speak in French. "As in, the co-maker of the Philosopher's Stone?" Perenelle, looking closer to forty rather than six hundred years old, smiled. " Ah, much better said that way. Nicholas always gets so proud when they speak his name in tandem with mine. Yes class, I am one of those Flamels. As Professor Elric has shown, you don't have to make a philosopher stone to be a great Alchemist, it just makes us more long lasting. Today we will cover or reinforce for some of you one of the principle elements of Alchemy; Transmutation. You have all been provided with a copper cup. The class assignment today is to turn the cup before you into one made of bronze. Not as exciting as pure element to element transmutation but still most effective and certainly a faster process than what chemistry allows, with the exception of the larger mass production facilities. The benefit of today's exercise is to show you all how to do transmutation without affecting the shape of the material. Have your ceramic Cauldrons heated up to the temperature as outlined in your text's page 34 and let's get started." Dora and Fleur activated the burner and they began to read the necessary pages.

The Instructor walked around as people started adding the other ingredients into the cauldron, including the reagents and pure water as a solvent before adding the bricks of tin. The Instructor tapped one of the students. " Keep the heat lower, we don't want to melt the cup or the tin. We aren't smiths. The purpose of this exercise is to learn how to make a controlled reaction. Remember, unlike Potions, this exercise will require the active participation of your magic. Now, can anyone tell me the benefits and drawbacks of Transmutation compared to Transfiguration and Conjuration? " Dora raised her hand and waited patiently, as did Fleur. Perenelle pointed at Fleur. " Transfiguration only please ." Fleur nodded. " Transfiguration is considered a similar process, changing one item into another, from animate to inanimate and anything in between. It's drawback against Transmutation is that the change is temporary as the magic eventually fades, returning to the original shape. There are also inconsistencies with the behaviour of the transfigured materials. Transmutation is a permanent change, making it more viable in the long run, with the drawback being a slower and more complicated transformation process." Perenelle nodded and looked at Dora. " And Conjuration?"

Dora focused on Hazel's lessons. "Conjuration is a more magically taxing practice that creates objects or lifeforms out of raw magic. While it has the same drawbacks in inconsistencies with the materials as Transfiguration, greater knowledge of the intended result by the caster can overcome the inconsistencies. Like Transfiguration, the permanence of the conjurations is limited by the caster's skill and magical talent. Transmutation is still a permanent alternative, unless the items conjured are tied to wards that can sustain them independently. Unlike Conjuration, the behaviour of the materials in Transmutation are fully understood from magical and non-magical perspectives." Perenelle nodded. "That is indeed correct. The benefits of Alchemy is that of all the magical practices, it is the most consistent in its results. The same process with any number of practitioners can potentially give identical results, minus the application of magic required to initiate the alchemical process. Now, let's wait for everyone to reach the activation stage before we continue. Make sure you have your conductive rods in your hands before we begin." The students moved further into the process until everyone reached the aforementioned stage. Perenelle stood at the front and with a silent wave of her hand, latin words appeared on the blackboard behind her. "The spell is Aeris et Aere. Hold the rod, allow your magic to fill it like a wand and say the incantation."

The student's did as instructed and a few had to repeat it. Fleur went first and the two waited a minute before pulling out the now bronze cup from the cauldron. Perenelle checked with everyone and nodded. " A bit of practice now. Like all elemental transmutations, even partial ones with alloys, reverse the spell and watch as bronze becomes copper ." Dora took the rod and cast it, careful not to draw on Hazel's magic. " Aere et Aeris. " The cauldron flashed with magic and after a minute they pulled out the copper cup, fully restored. Perenelle leaned back onto the workbench of the Professor. " As you might know, the art of transmutation retains elements of chemistry and science. This means that certain scientific truths remain absolute. For example, as the tin was used in the creation of an alloy, it can not retake its original form when the change is reversed. It remains within the solvent and reagent mix, ready to be used. That's not to say it can't be recovered, it simply won't be like the cup, which retained its shape. Now, please look over page 40 and 41 and your class assignments will be on the preparation of non-water solvents. For now I will show you what neutralizing agents to use to recover the tin into a solid form before the class ends ." Dora jotted as much of the information down before bells heralded the end of the class period.

Fleur looked at Dora with a smile. "Alchemy from one of the legends of the field. Not bad, right?" Dora nodded as they stored away the now cleaned cauldrons and rods. The Professor eyed them both as they prepared to leave. " Ms. d'Éon, a word please ." Fleur nodded as she left as Dora turned to the older, well ancient, woman and bowed her head. "How may I help you, Instructor Flamel?" Privacy wards sprang up quickly and a slight smirk appeared on the older woman's lips. "You needn't worry so much, Ms. Tonks. My husband and I were part of your entry into Beauxbatons. Having permanent seats on the Board of Governors after centuries of sponsorship helps with that regard." Dora smiled back. "A pleasure to meet you and our thanks for your aid." Perenelle waved her hand. "You helped my husband retrieve one of our stones. It is only fair. I also have something for you." She opened a bag on the workstation behind her and pulled out a book. "Your employer wishes to see you complete the NEWT examination for Alchemy. This book will cover the basics of what you have missed and some of the shortcuts we Alchemists follow as we pursue our craft. As you are likely to be selected, you will be exempt from the physical classes once chosen as Champion. Make sure you study for this, in between training, of course."

Dora took the book and stared at the cover. "This is written by you and your husband." Perenelle winked at her. "Well, who else will uncover the secrets of Alchemy the fastest. Alphonse is a good lad, but he is more scientifically minded. Alchemy is the blend of science and magic, much the same as what Artificers uncovered. You need to have a foot in both worlds to grasp it fully. Not an easy feat for anyone not dedicating their lives to the pursuit but my husband and I have had plenty of time." Dora placed the book into her book bag and noticed Perenelle eyeing her carefully. The woman smiled. "You are welcome to see me in the time you have left at Beauxbatons about anything. Anything at all." Dora nodded and turned around, but was stopped by the woman's parting remarks. "Be careful with that magic in your veins, Miss Tonks. Betray its source and you might discover that there are worse things than death. Believe me, my husband and I have seen them. Keep that in mind as you discover more about yourself, and also about the person who sacrificed a bit of their strength to see you returned safely home." Dora turned back, unsure what to say as the wards collapsed. She left without saying a word, thinking about her white haired girlfriend and what exactly Hazel had sacrificed for her safety.

-∞-

" Alright everyone. Gather around. Many of you will be trying out for the Triwizard Tournament and the accompanying Academic Competition. While Hogwarts has no dedicated Dueling course, they will still host a few Dueling matches between our finest, theirs and Durmstrangs. Do not doubt that Durmstrang will have a far less friendly assortment of spells at their disposal. Their reputation may be inflated at times and their Dark Arts course is not as dangerous as other people assume it is, but they are trained to fight and to fight well. Many of the more dangerous Professionals in the Dueling Circuits are theirs, so keep that in mind. I have observed you in the last few weeks and made a decision on who you will have your mock duels with. So please, step forwards when called. Make sure to use the spells you deem necessary. Jinxes and Hexes and minor Curses only. " Dora stood back and watched as the Dueling Instructor paired the students with another of comparable skill and they got to dueling. It surprised her that while the students were definitely better duelists than the ones she saw at Hogwarts at the start of third year, by the end of it most of those in the sixth year category could probably match or even beat the seventh years from Beauxbatons. If Moody built on the success of the Dueling Club she and Hazel ran for a whole year, Hogwarts might take Beauxbatons by surprise, at least skill wise.

"You don't look too impressed." Dora eyed Fleur. She shrugged her shoulders. "My friends trained for quite a while. The standard Dueling skill sets aren't as impressive, even though I probably can be honest and say I was about their level when I first started." Fleur hummed and stood beside her. "Instructor d'Artagnan is a retired Duelist and has coached several people into successful careers after graduation." Dora looked towards the greying wizard with a styled mustache and trimmed beard. "Duels are one thing, fights are another thing entirely. Our tutor may surprise you, but you yourself received some external training. Am I correct?" Fleur blushed. "Veela are heavily targeted by the seedier members of magical society. Father refused to allow me to study here without securing my training, as did the leaders of the conclave my grandmere lives in." Dora looked towards Fleur for a second, gauging her physical state. She was fitter than most witches but nowhere near as fit as Hazel. Dora was sure her own physique was greater. One of Horatio's concerns had been making sure her shift into the d'Éon persona didn't take away her acquired skills and was taken care of by maintaining her own natural body type rather than assuming a new one.

Only differences between the persona and Dora's own form were an increase in her bust size a bit, adjustments to her facial structure and her cosmetic changes. Enough to fool people but not enough to throw off her capabilities. She did have to credit Horatio for the built up in muscle she acquired over the last three years. The Instructor whistled as the last two students finished their duel before calling out the next names. This continued on for half an hour until a final pair of names were called. " Miss d'Éon and Miss Delacour, come forward. " Dora took her position and drew her normal wand. The two shifted their poses and waited, their wands aimed forward. " Begin !" Dora swung her wand and launched a powerful banishing spell, which caught Fleur off guard as her protego barely held up. Following Hazel's own lead, she pushed with stunners, banishers and summoning spells, leaving Fleur surprisingly flat footed under the concentrated barrage. A discreetly cast binding spell performed between the chain of attack spells caught Fleur by surprise before Dora summoned the bindings and stunned her roommate, leaving the Dueling class gobsmacked. The Instructor revived Fleur who woke up with a start.

" That will be all for today. Good job everyone. In the next class I will hand you my evaluations for suggestions on how to improve your form. I suggest you follow them. " Dora stayed behind as the Instructor summoned her, Fleur and her friend, Aimere. " You three showed the most promise. I suggest you practice together. Ms. d'Éon, your chain casting was flawless. I assume you had prior training ." Dora nodded. " Father was a bit of a worrywart and saw to my personal training with his contacts. Though I doubt I will participate in the academic competition, I can help these two learn a few important skills. " The Instructor nodded at her. "Good. Try to get that skill down. Chain casting is considered the prime skill used by Duelists worldwide and it's not so easy to manage. You two do your best to master it. " Fleur's friend waved them goodbye as she had Magical Law in the next period, while Fleur and Dora took a walk outside on the vast grounds. She swore that Beauxbatons looked like it was designed at around the same time as Versailles. The gardens themselves were manicured into various shapes. They reached the large fountain at the center and sat on an open bench.

"You humiliated me." Dora smiled at her. "Which would you prefer? Me or a student at Hogwarts?" Fleur glared. "No students know how to chain spells that well." Dora laughed a little. "Then you can kiss the Dueling section of the Academic Tournament goodbye." Fleur froze. "Non, you can't tell me the students there…" Dora hummed merrily. "Know how to chain cast? Your future tutor taught a few the basics on how to get the chain started. They had it down by the end of the year. The seventh year students graduated and are probably enjoying their time at the Auror Academy. The sixth years are probably testing the technique out further by now. Trust me, Hogwarts won't be as easy to beat in Dueling. They won't be able to match me in power and speed but it might be enough to beat some of your best students." Fleur rubbed her face before sighing. "This is going to be a long year, isn't it?" Dora nodded but became thoughtful. "Yup. And you won't be having to deal with the really dangerous creatures." Fleur looked at her. "They really make you worry, don't they? These Tasks?" Dora sighed. "More worried about my cousin, Harry. He's only fourteen and will be forced to do all this on his own." Fleur lowered her eyes. "I kept thinking about my own pride about this Tournament, but a life will be really at risk, won't it? Someone who isn't ready." Dora looked towards the sky and thought about Hazel, her silence ending the conversation. She knew her partner would protect Harry from anything. She'd make sure he was ready to face the Tasks. Dora just had to be sure she could do the same.

-∞-

"I swear, BM, if something happens at the Castle tonight, you and I are going to have words!" Hazel's statement caused Horatio to be quiet for about a minute. "Noted." Hazel sighed as she looked down from the tall cargo crane, dressed in her Operatives tactical bodysuit, her hair shifted short for the mission. MI5 had gotten another tip about a group of wizards working alongside criminals, this time a terrorist network looking to deal some damage to Britain's shipping lanes. They would be setting up at a warehouse near the Port of Liverpool to attack the same port, so MI5's lead agents actually took Hazel's suggestion from the previous incident and called the DoM ahead of the operation. Hazel rubbed her eyes, feeling a bit weary in the late night hours. Over a month had passed since Dora was stationed in Beauxbatons establishing her cover and Hazel knew she was getting more and more abrasive. Waking up to an empty bed and the constant feeling of dread that settled into her would make anyone irritable. Hazel heard her comm device make a noise before a new voice spoke up. "This is the LA on site. O1, do you read me?" Hazel smirked. The DoM found a way to transmit the communication signals from non-magical systems through theirs. At least this would be handy later on. "O1 reads you loud and clear, LA. At a high vantage point and waiting for your signal."

Hazel heard some background chatter around the lead agent and could see movement down below her of vehicles getting into position surrounding the warehouse and several boats taking similar positions on the waterfront side of it. "The warehouse suspected to house the terrorists is number 13. Engaging now. You may commence your infiltration." Hazel stood up and stretched, pulling down her face mask, before leaning over the edge and going for a freefall from her position on the crane. She shifted into a dark colored seagull halfway down and flew to the roof of the warehouse, spotting a few snipers getting into position. Shifting quickly into her human form, Hazel silently swung her wand at the closest sniper before rapid firing piercing spells at the others. Avoiding the growing puddles of blood from her first kills on site, Hazel sealed the roof access points before lifting her wrist up. "Rooftop is secured. Snipers taken out and access sealed. LA, should I start searching for M targets?" The agent's voice responded quickly, the gunfire that was faintly heard from the roof being much louder from his microphone. "Acknowledged. Begin your intervention. Free to use firearms with lethal accuracy as we have non-certified officers aiding on site." Hazel clicked her tongue and holstered her wand before drawing her pistol. "Roger that."

Using the roof access points she sealed, Hazel moved into the building and with the enchantment attached to her eyes, she searched for any magical signatures. She frowned as she moved deeper into the building when she saw signatures that weren't human shaped, all stacked on the walls or lying flat on the ground within boxes. "O1 to BM and LA, we have non-living M signatures on site." Horatio cursed. "Permission for wandless magic granted. Low visibility spells advised. Spooks will be onsite to aid in investigation." The lead agent sighed. "Agreed. We are taking fire out here, but nothing suspicious or too difficult to handle yet. M targets must be inside. Good hunting, O1." Hazel allowed her eyes to focus purely on the magic around her as she sent her magic into the stone, feeling its reply. Disillusioning herself, Hazel conjured a blade into her offhand and moved through the catwalks, being forced to vanish the blood that kept splattering onto her invisible form as she carved her way through the guards in the upper area. Reaching a longer section, her enchanted eyes spotted the moving magical targets she was looking for. Moving silently from one side of the building to the other, Hazel spotted all the targets. "Six living M signatures. Switching to non-lethal force." Horatio's voice responded. "Acknowledged." Switching her pistol into her offhand to leave her left hand free to cast, Hazel jumped over the railing and landed silently and disillusioned onto the floor.

The criminals barely had a chance to respond as stunners and started taking them out one by one, with bullets blasting holes into the muggles' heads or knees. Of the wizards, only two managed to draw their wands, one wasting his time with a revealing spell as Hazel stunned him before he could make use of it. The other wizard seemed to be smarter as she was caught in a barrage of Reductos. Hazel was forced to raise shields and moved to safer positions, the storage containers and her shield taking the damage from the hexes, as she switched out the magazine of her gun. Seeing an opening, Hazel rushed the wizard who casted curses at her wildly, sliding across the floor with the aid of a thin layer of ice added for greater speed. The wizard's legs were taken out from under him by a few well placed shots before she stunned him as she stood back up from behind him. She then turned her attention to the rest of the interior's security, switching to her pistol and aided by a few wandless and invisible spells, before she continued exchanging gunfire with the criminals. The shots ended as she switched out her fourth magazine, before sliding in the fifth.

After verifying there were no stragglers and that all the people currently with a pulse were properly stunned, Hazel lifted up her wrist. "This is O1. All M targets are down safely, a few with bullet wounds. Permission to aid agents from inside?" The lead agent responded. "Not necessary. We got them surrendering. A few hold outs but nothing serious from outside. Wrap up your targets and get them out. Our agents will be entering the building soon enough. Anything of a magical concern better be gone by then." Horio followed through. "Agreed. Collect our living targets and extract. Spooks will be on site for M item retrieval soon enough with the necessary documentation. MI5 can handle the rest." A quick summoning spell later, followed by lots of conjured bindings, and Hazel was ready, tying a portkey to the bound wizards before grabbing the lines of rope. She sighed after raising her wrist up, seeing the time. At least she could go back to the castle and prepare for the morning patrols. Joy. "O1, ready to extract to the arrival point. Activating portkey. See you on the other side. Tartaros." Hazel and the tied up wizards portkeyed out of the warehouse. By the time the MI5 entered, all they found was a deathly silent warehouse, which seemed to be more terrifying to them.

-∞-

" Alright everyone, well done with today's classwork. Your next class will be on producing Paracelsus' real Alkahest formula. While not the universal solvent he envisioned, it is considered one of the best Alchemic solvents. Remember to bring dragonhide gloves. You don't want this on your skin. The Academy's elves will be prepared to apparate you to the Infirmary. We will also have you work on its counteragent, for everyone's safety. See you all in the next class." The students packed up their books and exited the classroom as Dora felt her stomach fill with nerves. The last few letters from Teddy had made her feel a bit guilty. Hazel wasn't taking their separation well and while she never complained to her son, Teddy could still feel his mom's growing distress. Dora could understand that as she was feeling her own nerves building from being on her own. Beauxbatons was in no way a stressful environment and with Alchemy being her only true new course, she was just focusing on catching up with that course and refining her skills with the rest. But her nights weren't easy. She missed the comfort of her girlfriend's body beside her and she found her dreams a mix of pleasant remembrance and dread. She needed to get a bit of advice. "Instructor Flamel? Can I have a private word with you?"

Perenelle bade her with a gesture and she sat down in one of the seats of the Professor's office. Perenelle sat behind the desk and privacy wards were instantly raised. "You have been distracted this whole month, Miss Tonks." Dora swallowed the lump in her throat. "This assignment has been hard on my girlfriend and myself. I have been feeling anxious and depressed and apparently so has she. This has been the longest we have been apart and while it's nothing compared to a full year or decades, it still feels…" Perenelle gave her a soft smile. "Distressing. Believe me, Miss Tonks, you are not the first nor the last to feel this way. Many successful relationships can fall apart with distance, despite doing everything in your power to save them. Nicholas and I have been together a long time. I can assure you, we had our share of difficulties." She sat back into her chair and had a distant look in her light green eyes. "We knew each other for a bit in our youths but circ*mstances tore us apart. We met time and again, never clicking in place, until the people around us finally settled down. In the quiet of peace we were able to get past the why we fought and we chose to make something more of our relationship. The problems that plagued us in our early life would come up again and again, but we never lost sight of our promise to each other. So tell me, have you made a commitment to her?"

Dora blushed. "I told her I would stay by her side, no matter what. She is my partner." Perenelle hummed. "A good sentiment and you meant it. But did you prove it? A commitment sealed by words alone is nothing compared to one being proven by actions." Dora blinked and thought for a second. "I… don't know how to do that. By your logic, marriage is not enough and I am not ready for that." Perenelle tapped her hands. "Miss Tonks, anyone of an infinite number of divorcees can tell you marriage is not enough. The vows are not as binding as you might think and even if they were, you cannot force a person to truly love another forever. To prove your commitment is indeed possible, without placing a ring on their finger, but only if you pour your heart into it completely. Not an easy thing." Dora raised her hand and rubbed the locket that Hazel gave her, a motion Perenelle noticed. "Can I see it?" Dora pulled the chain over her head and handed the locket to Perenelle who seemed surprised by it. "When did she give this to you?" Dora smiled at the memory. "About three weeks after we got together. It was my birthday. Why?" Perenelle handed it back. "Your partner seems to be either a student or a practitioner of the Olde Ways. Tell me, do you know what is inside of it?" Seeing Dora shaking her head, Perenelle smiled.

"In the age of the Druids, Promise Token lockets like yours were common. Given at the dawn of a relationship, it signified promise and continuity of feeling between lovers. Two outcomes could come of it. One is that the relationship ends when the givers asks for it back. The other is when the locket breaks, revealing a sapling of a tree within. Care to guess what that means?" Dora thought for a second. "The locket is broken and it can't be returned as it was given. The relationship is finalized." Perenelle nodded. "Indeed. It was enough to be considered a fulfilled betrothal contract among the Druids. The sapling was then planted in the property that was to become their home or among a favored path for the nomadic tribes. The gifting of the object is both a sign of commitment and a prayer that what is shared will endure a lifetime." Dora rubbed the locket affectionately. "Is there something I can give in return? Something showing my own commitment?" Perenelle thought for a second. "In the past two of those lockets were exchanged, but giving one back now would not ease you or your partner's mind. There are a few more complicated alternatives. I know of one that can show a great deal of commitment from you, but the difficulty of it will test your feelings. Are you sure you want to know how much you love her?"

Seeing Dora's nod, Perenelle stood up and pulled her bag towards her. "Do you happen to know what your partner's Patronus is?" Dora thought how best to describe it. "A dragon, but I can't be sure of the breed. It's also odd since it looks like a skeleton." Perenelle's hands froze within her bag and Dora could see her stiffen. "She has suffered much, hasn't she?" Dora frowned. "She has." Pulling out a medium sized crystal, about the size of her hand, Perenelle sat back. "Nicholas told me that she is not of our world. A skeletal dragon Patronus signifies that her life has been one of pain and death, yet duty and love forces her forward, in spite of everything. Does it have a name?" Dora looked at the crystal. "Aithusa." Perenelle placed the crystal down gingerly and Dora saw her rub her eyes, which but for a moment looked as if they were drawn into a memory. She turned to Dora, the eyes still filled with moisture. "An exceptional student then, one that has a good grasp of the Olde Ways and its final days. The item I am suggesting will need to be crafted by a friend of ours but what I need from you now is to take the crystal, think of the feeling of happiness you usually associate with the Patronus charm and fill the crystal with it."

Dora picked up the crystal and closed her eyes. She thought of every moment that she was with Hazel. The comfort she found in her arms as they sat together looking over the waves at the beach, the smiles that spread as they shared a meal together with Teddy, the safety of her back pressed against her own as curses and bullets flew past. She thought of the moments when those green eyes looked at her with a warmth and longing that she knew were reflected in her own, of the burning desire that ran through every inch of her body as they gave up on any semblance of intelligent thought. Her last thought was of waking up to the feel of that warm body pressed up beside her, the content and the certainty that everything was right in the world whenever she woke up with Hazel by her side. She felt her magic flare with the thoughts and feelings until it finally settled into a steady stream. She opened her eyes and winced at the bright light that filled the office before it settled down into a steady glow. Perenelle gave Dora a soft smile. "You may set it down, Miss Tonks." Dora placed the crystal onto the desk and pulled her hand away, yet the feeling of her magic being tied to it remained.

Perenelle pulled out a thick leather pouch and placed the crystal inside. "This will take time to craft, but I believe my friend will have it ready by Christmas Eve. You need not worry about how your magic is reacting to it, as you will feel it balance out. If she is as knowledgeable as I believe her to be, then she will know what this means." Dora stood up. "How much… ?" Perenelle waved her hand at Dora. "My husband brought home an anniversary gift he acquired from your partner worth far more than either the crystal or the craftsmanship that will come with it before it's sent to you. Believe me, this is but a fair exchange. One meaningful gift for another to celebrate the love shared between souls." Dora thanked her and left the office as Perenelle turned around and sighed. She reached over to the window sill and checked on the flowers her husband gave to her two years prior and touched them gently, feeling how they too absorbed some of the magic from the young woman. Perenelle sat back and closed her eyes, thinking of what now seemed but a brief moment of her past. "A Blessing from Another World, huh? May the Triple Goddess bless her with a better life here."

Chapter 42: Arrivals and the Champion Selection

Chapter Text

Dora sighed in relief as Neaera d'Éon's name was called out. She stood up from her seat at the table, bowed softly at the other students in the Dining Hall and made her way to the table that had been established for the Beaubaxton's Delegation. She sat down and looked towards the Headmistress as she read the next name on the list. "Fleur Delacour." Dora clapped politely as her roommate joined her at the table. She looked among the other delegates, taking in the faces of the other students. As the schools would be taking part in an Academic Competition, and not just the Triwizard Tournament, students from fourth year onwards were selected to participate, all being the top scorers from a mock test done just last week and the scores from the year prior. Dora's own mock test was a lot more involved than the rest since she had arrived at the school with no academic history beyond the one the DoM developed based on her skills and previous scores. Her Defence, Dueling, Charms, Potions, and even Transfiguration scores were way higher than when she left Hogwarts. She had to give Hazel a very personal thank you for her scores in Transfigurations. Her partner was the undisputed master conjurer, but Dora was happy that what skills she had learned from her earned her quite a bit more academically.

"Thinking of your lady back home?" Dora blushed as Fleur sat down beside her at the table. "Two months. I have been away from her for two months and I am going crazy with anticipation." Fleur chuckled. "I am sure she has missed you as well. That Nova bird has made quite a few deliveries." Dora nodded just as the Headmistress finished with the list. Maxime waited until everyone was seated before she began. " Congratulations to all our delegates. Tomorrow morning, you embark aboard our Flying Carriage as we make our way to Hogwarts in the Scottish Highlands. Remember to either practice your warming charms or bring warm clothes, as we will be spending the Winter Season there. A reminder to our Delegates that wish to take part in the Triwizard Tournament. As a Champion, you are barred from taking part in the Academic Competition and exempted from physically participating in your classes. You will, however, be required to sit your NEWTs if you are in seventh year, OWLs if you are in fifth year and placement exams for fourth and sixth year students to determine how you continue your education. A final warning. Be careful if you submit your name. This Tournament will test you in ways our Academy isn't necessarily capable of preparing you for. You are risking your health, your education and your life. Think carefully before you submit your name. That is all. Please enjoy your dinner ."

Dora engaged in pleasant conversations around the table as the food appeared on the plates. She noticed quite a few students seemed to be in deep thought, including Fleur's friend. " Second thoughts about submitting your name? " Amie nodded her head at Dora. " The Thousand Galleon reward was tempting but the Headmistress is very clear on the life threatening danger. I am my mother's only child. I… I can't do that to her. " Fleur hugged her friend and the two chatted as Dora thought on those words. It reminded her of Hazel's words to her after she broke down on the first mission. Life was a fleeting thing and dying might seem like it's worth it for the people who fight, but it's never worth it for the survivors. They are the ones left behind to pick up the pieces, forced to live a life in absence of their family and loved ones. She knew that Dumbledore had approached her mother during the war and that she had refused to join his Order. Many of her friends in the Order had criticized her but she never regretted her choice. Andromeda chose to raise her daughter away from the war rather than endanger her life and her family's future. She took a job in the Department of Mysteries that forced her to stay quiet but was less time consuming than working at St. Mungos. All for her.

Hazel was the same. She never went into a fight prepared to die. She always sought how to take the enemy out quickly. The Order of her world called her dangerous and violent. She wasn't, not to Dora's eyes. She used every option available to her to not only win a battle but to minimize her own danger. Sure, she always seemed a little bloodthirsty but she knew the price of sitting back and doing nothing. Hazel suffered greatly for that knowledge. Dora finished eating her meal before she decided to take a walk through the gardens, feeling the light of the moon on her skin. She reached the fountain and stared down into the now still water, seeing the face of the person the Department had invented with the aid of their allies in France. She touched the two necklaces that were around her neck. Hazel had given her so much. The means to fight without losing her balance. A promise of a better life and her wand that surpassed all others. All for Dora to survive the coming Triwizard Tournament intact. Dora felt so guilty. Sure, she gave Hazel her time, her love and the support she needed. She deserved so much more. She looked up at the Moon, her mind settled. Dora held the locket in her hand, feeling it's warmth. When this mission was over, she would make sure to do more for Hazel. Her partner was the best thing to ever happen to her. She would survive to be with her and show her exactly what that meant.

-∞-

"You know, I expected some downgrade from living inside a Carriage. So why do I feel like everything is just as flashy and ostentatious as in the Academy?" Fleur, for once, seemed to agree as they explored the greatly expanded interior of the Carriage. "I would be offended, but you aren't wrong. The records for the creation of the Carriage says it came into existence around the same time as the final reconstruction of the Academy, so I imagine they really wanted to show off. Though the flight enhancements and modifications are all recent additions. The Carriage was designed for travel along the ground, not up in the air." Dora stuck her head into a room and whistled. "Seeing as this is a miniature ballroom, I would have to agree." Fleur looked inside and shook her head at the glass walls and the large chandelier. The two continued on from room to room as the students and staff prepared to leave. They would all be summoned to a forward area where they could have a view of the sights from outside as they flew across the French and British Countrysides. No one was allowed to move while the Carriage was in flight, just in case something unexpected happened. The two eventually arrived at their assigned quarters and deposited their bags. Dora looked out of the window. "Guessing these are enchanted?"

Fleur pulled out a thicker robe, made in the colors and style of Beauxbatons and closed her trunk. "It is. Only area that has a physical window is the door leading out. The staffers will probably be stationed there for security." After they both secured their trunks and Tonks removed her own thicker robe to wear later, the two stepped out of the room and went to do one last sweep. They found Healer Smyth securing the items in the infirmary, several of the classrooms they would be using and the different rooms for the different year groups. To the far back of the Carriage, Dora opened the door and looked around. "I am guessing this is the reason for the lack of a shower or bath in the rooms." She walked a bit deeper into a room that resembled a Greek Bathhouse, white marble columns and light blue tiled floors stretched out surprisingly far. Fleur hummed appreciatively. "Well, it makes sense. It's a lot more efficient to have a single room that needs heavy water enchantments. Easier to keep clean too." Dora sighed in relief as she spotted some covered showers along the far wall. "Well, I suppose so. Hufflepuff has its shared bathrooms too but most of it is showers with privacy screens. Gryffindor is about the same. Ravenclaw and Slytherin have independent showers per dorm, like back at the academy."

A tone echoed through the air and Maxime's voice was heard in the room. " All students and staff, move up to the inflight seating area. We will be taking off for Hogwarts soon ." Leaving their exploration for later, Dora and Fleur arrived at the seating area. The students were already sitting down in the several rows of seats, with Fleur and Dora sitting in the second furthest back row, as the staff were seated behind them. Maxime checked her list and counted the arriving students until she rolled the parchment up. " Very well. Everyone is here. Use the safety straps in case of rapid movements and enjoy the view as shown on the walls. It's a long flight so our staff will be passing around some prepared sandwiches and drinks for everyone ." With that, the tall woman took her own seat and strapped herself in. Dora felt wards and enchantments activate across the entire Carriage and after the Abraxans neighed, everyone felt a tug. The carriage took a spectacular flight around the Academy, turning on both sides so the students could all enjoy it before the view changed to long countryside and large residential areas through the enchanted windows that were made to reflect the outside view. The experience reminded her a bit of the one time her Dad took her and her mom on an airplane to Spain, though the carriage was a lot less noisy and spent a much longer time closer to the ground.

Soon enough the ground outside the window turned to a wide open sea. Fleur visibly shuddered beside her, something Dora noticed. "Not a fan of large bodies of water?" Fleur shook her head. "Veela have never been fond of the water as we are more attuned with wind and fire. I find the beach and rivers pleasant, but large lakes and open ocean are a common fear of us. Not to mention the old treaty between our people and the Merfolk still makes it dangerous for Veela to enter into bodies of water with merfolk villages." Dora hummed. "Stay out of the Black Lake then. There has been a Merfolk village there since as far as we can remember." Fleur shuddered again. "Thanks for the warning." Dora sat back. "What about Centaurs? The Forbidden Forest has a resident herd. Any bad relations with them?" Fleur grew thoughtful for a second, her fear of what was visible outside the window momentarily forgotten. "I don't believe so. The conclaves have independent treaties with each herd close to their borders, so things are pretty normal." Dora sighed in relief. "Good. My friends have been working on improving their relations with the Centaurs near Hogwarts. Really didn't want to see what an angry Centaur herd looked like." Fleur took a look to the side and gripped her seat tighter. Dora shook her head. The ride was going to be longer for a few select people than for others. She rubbed the charms on her bracelet and thought of her family, Harry, Teddy and Hazel. Finally, she was coming home.

-∞-

Harry sighed in relief, as did the entire student body, when a familiar ward activated around them as they stood outside waiting for the arriving students. He saw Dumbledore turn towards Hazel. "Ah, much appreciated, Auror Peverell." Harry could see a bit of tension on Hazel's shoulders but she didn't snap at the old man. "Rather not have Pomfrey yelling at me about letting the students catch a cold just to welcome the schools. She's already not happy about having to be The Primary Healer for this Tournament." Dumbledore nodded. "Quite right." Everyone started chatting among each other as Hazel went about to check the perimeter and the areas that would receive the arriving delegations. She walked up to Dumbledore after doing a closer sweep near the lake. "Durmstrang is here." The students frowned as they looked over the lake until a small boat appeared on the surface just around a bend. The moment it seemed to slow down and weigh anchor, the water around it shot up into the air. The small boat was now the crow's nest of a large sailing vessel, looking to be right out from the Age of Exploration. The ship moved closer until it reached the docks on the edge of the lake before deck hands dropped down and started mooring it. Hazel turned to the Headmaster. "I will go down there and do the first sweep." She left towards the dock, her wand at her side. The deck hands greeted her with a wave and she casted diagnostics and scans on the vessel's exterior.

A tall man appeared on the deck of the vessel, his height seemingly greater with the tall fur hats common in the Eurasian North. "Permission to disembark, Auror?" Hazel raised an eyebrow. "Granted. My apologies if I scan you and all your students on the way down. Ever since the World Cup, the ICW has been concerned over regions with sectarian violence in its international events. It won't take long and you can have your students line up before greeting the Headmaster." A wooden board with steps was pulled out from the ship and secured between the deck and on top of the dock. Headmaster Karkaroff was the first to disembark, his bearded face turned towards Hazel as he examined her. "Acceptable and reasonable. I imagine you will be helping to keep our students safe as well, yes?" Hazel nodded. "We are here for all the students who want to have a safe environment." A familiar face started walking down the ramp, some of the bruises she heard he acquired at the World Cup all but gone now. "And that includes any harmful potions or tainted food. Dealing with unruly fans, however, will require the student's cooperation. I can't beat fangirls with a broom every moment of every day to keep them away from celebrities." The young Bulgarian gave her an understanding smile. "Da, I can deal with some of that myself. I appreciate your concern and efforts for us all, Auror." She waved Victor Krum through after spotting only an enchanted ring on him, one designed to keep him aware of potions in his meals.

Hazel barely finished with the last of the Durmstrang Delegation when the sound of Abraxans and their flapping wings filled the air. Sighing, she made her way to the clearing that had been set aside for them, joining Hagrid as they watched the handlers land the Carriage. "Magnificent creatures, Abraxans." Hazel shrugged. "Personally I prefer your Thestrals. Then again, I am a Peverell. Our tastes in creatures has never been the norm." Hagrid chuckled. "Aye. A shame neither of them seem overly fond of ye." Hazel eyed the giant pegasi and pulled in her magic. The creatures noticeably calmed down as Hagrid went to untie them from the Carriage, with Hazel scanning and checking the drivers before following them to the door. A staffer stepped out and held the door as Madam Maxime exited the Carriage. "Ah, I heard we would be having an Auror inspect us on arrival." Hazel did a quick and silent scan before making way for her. "You are free to gather your students outside. Headmaster Dumbledore and the Hogwarts students are welcoming the Durmstrang arrivals as we speak. A ward has also been placed out here and will follow you into the Great Hall to keep your students warm, in case they didn't want to wear a thick robe while dining. We are working to add wards all along the castle in time for the comfort of all students." Maxime nodded as she passed Hazel. "We appreciate the hospitality. Students, let the Auror inspect you before lining up behind me. "

Scanning the younger years was easy, until she saw Dora and Fleur Delacour walk out of the carriage. She kept an indifferent appearance on her face, despite her desire to kiss her girlfriend. She fed those feelings into her Family Magic, hoping the faint echo would be appreciated. Hazel stood at the back and waved at Maxime who started her students down the path to the Castle. She turned to the staffers of the carriage. "Send your head of staff to the courtyard outside the entrance after the students return. We will go over the security of your charges for the duration of the event. More ICW Aurors will be arriving to help with security in the coming days." Getting their agreements, Hazel walked alongside the Beauxbatons students before standing at attention at the doors of the Great Hall. Space was made among the Ravenclaw and Slytherin Tables for the guests due to the smaller populations of the two houses. Alastor passed by her as he finished escorting and scanning the Goblet in its casket before it was placed outside of the Great Hall. He nodded at her, giving her the all clear. Hazel sighed, looking back towards the students as the outer doors were closed for the Feast.

At the Ravenclaw table, Dora was doing her best not to break her cover. She never expected that seeing Hazel again would cause such a stir in her. The indifferent look had been tolerable when she caught echoes of Hazel and Teddy's true feelings from within Hazel's magic. The warmth from the two and the longing from Hazel had made her heartache lessen considerably as the students waited for Dumbledore to speak. "Welcome Beauxbatons! Welcome Durmstrang! Tonight we unveil within this Hall the impartial judge that will select the Champions from our three schools. A reminder that Champions whose name are selected, regardless if they change their mind due to the dangers involved, must compete. They will not participate in the Academic Competition between the schools or be forced to sit for tests, as their primary focus must be the Tournament. Faculty members won't be able to aid their respective Champions in any direct way, beyond their medical needs. As Champions, you will stand alone as you take on the Three Tasks required to obtain the Triwizard Cup. Now, for our impartial judge." Hazel moved forward and followed Filch as he and a staff member from each of the schools lifted the Casket up to the raised section of the Great Hall, setting it down besides Dumbledore and the Speaker's stand. Once it was secured in place, Hazel placed six wardstone disks on the ground in an array around it and activated them.

Dumbledore eyed Hazel as she stepped to the side, crossing her arms over her chest. He gave her a soft nod before turning to the students and tapping his wand onto the casket. While the students watched as the casket folded into itself until it became a stand for the Goblet of Fire, Hazel's eyes focused on the Elder Wand in his hand. Like the Cloak and the Ring of this world, it failed to react to her presence. Leaving it in his grasp was a danger she wasn't entirely comfortable with, but Dumbledore's own paranoia and care would keep it safe for now. It would be retrieved in time. She looked over the school, giving Harry a warm smile and a nod before tuning into Dumbledore's speech. "The Goblet of Fire was constructed at the dawn of the Triwizard Tournament. In order to submit your name, you must merely write it and the name of your school down on a bit of parchment and toss it into the flames. The wards our Auror has set down are an added layer of security, designed to prevent interference by anyone with the selection process and to prevent people from having others submit their names for them. As of this moment, the Tournament has begun. You have until tomorrow's Dinner Feast to submit your name for consideration. Until then, I ask our students and our guests to please enjoy their meals. Our elves have done a fantastic job preparing meals from the Continent for everyone's pleasure. Now, tuck in."

Hazel walked slowly along the edge of the room once, making sure everything was alright and giving Harry a reassuring tap on his shoulder. The boy turned and smiled at her and she smiled back before continuing on, feeling Teddy's own warmth towards her as she passed the Hufflepuff table. The Slytherins looked at her with weary respect, but the Durmstrang delegates all nodded at her, with Krum looking thankful. Satisfied the students were secure, Hazel came up and sat at the opposite end of the Staff Table from Moody, who kept eyeing Karkaroff wearily. Hagrid and Maxime discussed the care of her school's Abraxans and of the food they would need to be provided with, the mention of whiskey making her almost gag on her drink. Hazel ate her modest sized meal before sitting back, her eyes scanning the Hall. As the meal ended and the Headmasters stood up, she approached the two visiting members. "It is my understanding that your transports include instructors who will be teaching the delegation throughout the year. As soon as the Auror contingent arrives on the 1st of November, I would like permission from you both to inspect and speak to your staff members, just so we have an adequate count of who is staying within the Castle's wardlines at all times." They both nodded and made their way to the tables to escort their students back to their transport for the night. Hazel sighed to herself as the Great Hall started to slowly empty out. One day to go before Harry became her main priority.

-∞-

Slipping out of the Carriage wasn't as easy as Dora would have liked. With the only entrance and exit being the door and apparition and portkeys not working, she had to literally wait by the locked door until someone opened it. She froze a bit when after thirty minutes of waiting someone opened the door. The staffer entered but the door was held open by a familiar slim hand. "Please inform the others as to the restrictions on movement. The day after tomorrow, with sufficient Auror presence, the students and staff will be able to spend longer periods of time outside of the castle. The Prefects will be doing the tour so please tell the students to dress warmly. Not everyone is proficient with warming charms and the warming wards burn out too quickly in their current state." The staffer nodded as Dora slipped past them both. "Of course we will inform them after the morning meal. Remind the Headmaster that our students have the right to choose not to partake in the Morning Feasts, with the exception of the one upon leaving or the ones tied to the Tasks. Good night, Auror." The staffer closed the door and Hazel started walking towards the Castle, a privacy ward activating around her. "Madame Maxime will be giving you access to the door, as the official Auror Guard for the Carriage. You will be able to leave at your own convenience."

Dora sighed. "It's frustrating, you know? I know for a fact my Disillusionment is as good as an Invisibility Cloak now." Hazel smiled at her. "True, but Moody, myself and probably Dumbledore will be able to see you. The magic I gave you, however, should negate the detection of your person on the wards if you so wish, but without my Cloak, it can't hide you from us." Dora frowned. "Then why could you still see me with that Cloak of yours?" A soft touch on Dora's waist made her skin flush. "Because the times you were under the cloak, you didn't move. Even so, you have a piece of my magic, my Family's Magic, inside of you. I can always find Teddy and I will always find you unless you ask me to purge your system." Dora felt the magic in her flair slightly, as if it was unhappy with that thought. "I will remember that." The two trekked silently through the castle until they reached Hazel's Chambers. As soon as she dispelled the disillusionment charm, two people tackled Dora to the ground. Hazel smirked as she walked away as the Invisibility Cloaks were pulled off, revealing the smiling faces of Harry and Teddy. "Welcome back, Tonks." Teddy hugged her harder, speaking after Harry. "Missed you, Dora." Dora tried to glare at Hazel but she decided to just hug the boys back. "Good to be back. Can I get up now?" Harry and Teddy chuckled as they sat up. When she looked at Hazel, she watched as her partner revealed a cake on the table. "Dessert?"

Everyone laughed at the instant growl of her stomach. Sure, she ate at the Feast, but her nerves kept her from eating a lot. Dora sat down between the boys at the table as they asked her between mouthfuls of cheesecake about Beauxbatons and how it was compared to Hogwarts. They also talked about Moody as their Defence professor, which was of big interest to Dora. Hearing that the gruff old man was keeping Hazel's Dueling instructions up and adding to them within the Defence course was great, even if it spelled disaster for Beauxbatons. Fleur might win her year bracket but the rest were going to get pummelled, especially in the fourth year division. Teddy looked to his mom. "You think Madam Maxime will let us get near the Abraxans?" Hazel rubbed his hair. "Sure. I believe Grubbly-Plank will do the same for her classes, but I will see if she can do something similar for the first two years. Having mostly tame Abraxans around here is a rarity and I am sure the others want the chance to see them." Teddy hugged her and Hazel kissed his hair. "Now, I believe it's curfew for both of you. Harry, escort Teddy to the Hufflepuffs and then make your way up. You have your father's map. Avoid Moody while you can." Harry nodded and he and Teddy stood up. Just before they opened the door, Hazel spoke up. "Remember. I have a map too. Don't get distracted." The dual reply of "Bye Mom!" cause her to freeze in place.

Dora smiled as she drank a bit of warm chocolate. "Harry is getting more comfortable around you, I see." Dora's words snapped her out of her momentary pause and she shook her head. "I think he did that with Teddy to mess with me." Dora raised an eyebrow. "Think or hope?" Hazel sighed as she sat down. "Both?" Dora chuckled as Hazel eyed her. "So, how was time being the roommate of a Veela? Anything I should know about?" Dora looked at her in the eyes, expecting to see jealousy. She wasn't expecting to see her being playful. "You… aren't mad or jealous?" Hazel's eyes shifted red and slitted. "Should I be?" Dora shook her head and raised her hands. "Nope! Nothing happened. I mean, she hit me with the Allure before your magic intercepted it but that's it." Hazel's eyes returned to their green shape and coloration. "Good. You get to sleep in my bed and Fleur gets to live for another few hours unharmed. I will, however, need to make our relationship clear to her." Dora swallowed the last of her hot chocolate before setting a mental reminder to talk to Fleur first. The two finished their meals and Dora stripped down until she and Hazel were wrapped in each other's hands. Hazel's hands traced Dora's face before she leaned in and kissed her. Dora's mind melted and the two remained lip locked for several minutes until sleep finally took them. It was good to be home again.

-∞-

"Why did your family post that article, Harry?" Harry sighed as he sat down at the Gryffindor table a bit later than everyone after taking his morning run with Neville and the others, before he started putting food onto his plate. "The one about my signed and sworn statement of intent?" Ron nodded. "Yeah. Why did you go and do that?" Harry took a drink of orange juice, courtesy of some helpful elves in the kitchen, before he turned to Ron. "Because it's the truth? I don't want to be in the tournament, I don't want anyone to think I want to be in the tournament and if someone somehow puts my name into the Goblet, I want it to be clear I had nothing to do with it." He started munching on a slice of toast and he started building himself a breakfast sandwich with the nearby trays of food. "My guardians were worried I would get pulled into it because of everything that tends to happen around me and they got together and we worked out a way to make it clear for everyone else. Whoever puts their name in and gets selected is the rightful Hogwarts Champion. If my name comes out, it's just going to be me getting through the Tournament to the end safely, nothing else." Ron huffed. "You could do it though. I mean, Fred and George just threw their names in, as did Angelina, but you could do it. You're The Boy Who Lived after all." Harry winced and Hermione and Neville glared at Ron, the latter speaking. "Ron, we have talked about this. He hates that name!"

Harry sighed and ignored the goings on as his friends tore Ron a new one. He ate his meal, looking over at the staff table. Dumbledore gave him an imperceptible look. He probably wasn't happy about the article but he had no say in the matter. Ted and the people Hazel worked for wrote that statement to be as detailed and truthful as possible before they checked it with him and he went through the process of making the sworn statement with magic, with the event being witnessed by the Prophet's typical news reporter and photographed, as well as under the careful eyes of Ministry Legal Personnel. The Prophet waited until the unveiling of the Goblet of Fire before publishing the article the following morning, letting out the information on how the Goblet worked as the judge. They were quiet on the security being placed on the Goblet, beyond Hazel's warding to keep anyone from submitting the name of another student. He felt a light tap on his back and turned, smiling at Hazel as she made her way around the room, checking for curses or enchantments that don't belong. Dumbledore's eyes seemed to follow her across the hall, something that Harry noticed. Her round completed, she went and sat down next to Hagrid and Grubbly-Plank, probably asking about Teddy's request.

He remembered what he called her the night prior and blushed a little. He did it as a bit of a tease but if he was honest with himself, Hazel was feeling like what he felt a mother should feel like. She probably knew he was thinking about her like that too as she had been a lot more careful and caring of him since summer. Teddy's own acceptance of it was what made him say the words and he was happy he said them. Though her training sessions were a bit rougher than he would normally like. With the worry over the Triwizard Tournament, Hazel had been teaching him and Teddy how to move and dodge better, how to use spells in a variety of ways and how to think on the fly. It was really exhausting work but it definitely had an effect. He had an easier time casting than ever before and magic felt a lot more natural to him now. He doubted he'd ever be as good as Hazel was in Transfiguration or Conjuration, but he was doing better with hexes and jinxes, as well as charms and especially wards. She also had him reading up on how to avoid, safely interact with or otherwise force your way through creature encounters of a great variety. His Care papers were coming out a lot more as if Hermione was the one who wrote them but he didn't mind. Magical creatures and beings were cool after all.

The rest of the day was quiet at Hogwarts, as the students held their breath. He watched as sixth and seventh year students added their name to the Goblet, as the Weasley Twins and Angelina Johnson of his own house had done earlier. Victor Krum added his name with much fanfare, though many got restrained by a sudden ward popping up that kept them all back while he added his name comfortably. The Quidditch star nodded towards Hazel, which made Harry smile. He watched with worry as Dora, in her Beaubaxtons' cover, placed her name into the cup, followed by a few others of the Beauxbatons delegation. The rest would add their names quietly and without much enthusiasm, as the schools settled down, believing the Champions had already submitted their names. He watched as Teddy, Susan and Hannah pulled Cedric aside, probably warning him about what members of the Coalition knew what was about to happen as the Dinner Feast began. He knew the Bones and Abbotts had approached the Diggorys about joining but the naturally timid Amos Diggory was dragging his feet. As soon as the dessert dishes vanished from the table, Harry felt a warm hand on his shoulder. "I will be here for you, Harry. Whatever happens." He silently gripped Hazel's hand in gratitude as Teddy came over and sat by his side.

Dumbledore and the rest of the Headmasters stood up from the Staff Table and stood together at the Speaker's Stand. "The time is upon us. The Champion Selection will begin shortly. As stated previously, the moment your name exits the Goblet and is read out loud, it constitutes a binding magical contract. The Champions must take part in the Tasks and complete them to the best of their abilities." The burning white flames of the Goblet turned red before a bit of parchment was launched up into the air. Dumbledore caught it and, after inspecting the name, handed it to Karkaroff. The tall man gave a toothy smile. "The Champion for Durmstrang is… Victor Krum." The Hall broke out into applause as Victor stood up from his seat in the Slytherin Table and made his way to the back room at the behest of one of the staffers. The Goblet's flame turned red again and another bit of parchment was launched out. Dumbledore passed it to Madam Maxime, who turned to the students. "The Champion for Beauxbatons is…Neaera d'Éon." Fewer polite claps came after Dora's name came up but she bowed courteously and went to join Krum in the back. The Goblet sent out a third bit of parchment, which, after being verified by the other Headmaster's, Dumbledore read out loud. "The Champion for Hogwarts is … Cedric Diggory."

Harry and Teddy, as well as a large chunk of the student body of Hogwarts, clapped for Cedric as he stood up from the Hufflepuff table and went to the back chamber. Hazel's hand squeezed his shoulder. A few seconds later, as Dumbledore was about to dismiss the students, a fourth bit of parchment was launched into the air before he caught it. The Headmasters read it together silently, Maxime looking quite sad from seeing it, before Dumbledore looked in their direction. "Harry Potter." Hazel's eyes stayed focused on Dumbledore and Karkaroff as she escorted Harry to the back of the Chamber, the student's struck silent. They all knew about the article and the oathsworn document. They knew it wasn't Harry's desire to be in the Tournament. They had no reason to celebrate or berate him. Soon enough, Hazel and Harry were in the back chamber, Dora giving him a sad look. Cedric came over and patted Harry softly on the shoulder. "Sorry you have been dragged into this." Harry patted him back as Krum came forward. "The article was a prelude to this. You knew." Hazel answered for Harry. "We suspected. We didn't want the students or the press to harass him for something he had no control over. They have done that enough for the last thirteen years."

Krum patted Harry's shoulder as well and looked him in the eye. "Then you have my support too, at least in surviving this, yes?" Harry chuckled. "That's the plan." Hazel watched as the Organizers came in along with the Headmasters. Karkaroff gave Harry a measured look. "I must protest that Hogwarts get's two Champions in this Tournament." Hazel nodded. "As is your right, Headmaster, but Harry made his position clear in the paper. If he was forced to participate, he would do so without the support of Hogwarts. Cedric Diggory is the only Hogwarts Champion and Harry will be participating under protest, carrying out the bare minimum required of him to complete the contract. He will not represent Hogwarts." Dumbledore looked a bit displeased but Maxime responded. "Then there is nothing else to say on the matter. I imagine the Aurors will investigate this matter thoroughly." Hazel smiled, her teeth bared. "Of course. Anyone found to have submitted his name will be charged with interfering in a ICW sanctioned event, endangering a minor and attempted murder by proxy. We will handle the investigation and I and Alastor will take the Goblet to be investigated for any alterations or manipulations."

Dumbledore frowned. "The Cup is ICW property. The DMLE doesn't have clearance." Hazel glared at him. "As an ICW certified Auror, I do have the authority. I will be securing a chamber and have the Goblet transferred there before it's returned to the ICW. For now, I believe you have information to share with the Champions?" Ludo Bagman, an organizer and the spokesperson for the Tournament moved up, rubbing his hands excitedly. "Very well. To our four Champions. The First Task will take place on the 22nd of November. You will be summoned to the Arena after Breakfast, so all schools are requested to gather on this date in the Great Hall. To our Champions, you have the following clue as your focus for preparation. In the Arena you will face dangers of every variety, as Nature and its most savage Elements will determine if you are worthy. The wand weighing ceremony will take place a week prior and you will be summoned to participate, the event being overseen by the press. For now, that is all." Hazel held her hand to Harry's back. He looked up to her with a pleading look. Hazel nodded. "Come on. I am sure Teddy is already there waiting for us." Her son had indeed been waiting for them outside of Hazel's Chamber and Dora arrived a few minutes later. Harry fell asleep, worried about the tournament but happy his family was there with him in his time of need.

Chapter 43: Preparations and the First Task

Chapter Text

Alastor made his way up the stairs of the Three Broomsticks as Hazel inspected the bar space. She handed Rosemerta the agreed upon sum of money and the woman nodded silently in return before tending to the other patrons. After Alastor made his scans of the door before popping it open, Hazel closed it behind her and set up the strongest wards she could. She watched Croaker do a sweep of the room and nodded as everyone sat down, before she spoke up. "Well Boss. What do you have for us? The Casket arrived sealed at the Castle and remained sealed until Dumbledore opened it in the Great Hall. My ward didn't detect any magic being used by the student body or anyone between the opening and selection, except for a few poor attempts at breaking it by wannabe Curse Breakers. Which means it was sabotaged prior to arriving at the school." Croaker handed her a file. "The Unspeakable that inspected it this morning at your insistence agrees, though we have confirmation the Goblet wasn't sabotaged. Not exactly. We believe someone activated the clause in the Goblet that allowed for the addition of a new school. The crafters of the Tournament weren't under any illusions that more academically minded magical schools wouldn't be founded and the Goblet was designed to always accept new schools. Harry's name was added as the only participant of a nameless fourth school."

Hazel sighed and looked at Alastor. "You think Dumbledore did it?" Moody shrugged. "Albus wasn't all too happy about the investigation but as you are operating under the ICW security force for the Tournament, he can't stop you. His downplaying of the danger of extremism in Britain is earning him a lot of negative feelings among the ICW Assembly. I do know that he wasn't part of the break in attempt at my house this summer, at least." Amelia looked to Hazel. "Which leaves Voldemort and his agents as the likely force behind the attempted attack on Alastor. Anything from Karkaroff?" Hazel sat back, thinking about last night. "All the Headmaster's expected the fourth name, which wasn't a surprise. Maxime was informed and releasing the article early spared Harry some political and social backlash, but it did give Karkaroff a cover. If he wasn't responsible for submitting the name, he at least knew it could happen, though I have no clue if Voldemort tried to contact him at all afterwards to verify the results." Croaker tapped the table. "Based on our information, the only people who could have known about the fourth school clause were the Headmasters and the Organizers. This leaves it as a possible action by Dumbledore, Crouch Senior or Karkaroff. All had access to the Goblet before it was guarded by the DMLE and us upon arrival at the school." Hazel looked to Amelia. "Are you checking Senior?"

Amelia sighed heavily as she drank her cup of coffee. "He was still displeased about the death of his elf and while we confirmed he was subject to the Imperius Curse and several other mental magics, he has refused to concede that he helped save his son from Azkaban. We will inspect him again for signs of new curse residue. If it did indeed happen again, we can pull him out of the project as a clear liability." Hazel rubbed her hair. "It won't change anything. Dumbledore and Karkaroff modified the tournament. The clue Bagman provided was never given in my world. Voldemort doesn't need anything from Harry or the Tournament now except for him to survive and get pulled away, likely in the Third Task on the Summer Solstice. He won't miss the grandstanding of beating Harry in his moment of triumph in the Tournament. His ego won't let him." Croaker rubbed his chin. "Agreed. Which gives us almost a year to find his last trinket. We have narrowed it down to Gringotts but there are no regulations on housing cursed objects in their Vaults. Our teams are working on developing a smaller tracking device for you to carry into the bank. While the Lestranges are the likely keepers, we are concerned over another family being trusted. It's even possible Voldemort stored it in the Gaunt Vault, so we are covering all our bases before sending you in."

Hazel thought for a second before she nodded. "Just be sure it's done by the 21st of June. If our plans go off the rails, we can't let him get away. No matter what." Croaker nodded. "Agreed. For now, continue your security detail. Quetz, with help from ICW Observers, is inspecting the cargo you helped secure from the terrorists the other day. Their plans to damage the trade routes have been thwarted but we are concerned over the source of the enchanted weapons. For now, it's an ICW matter, though if they call for help, you will be notified." Hazel nodded before turning to Amelia. "What's happening in the Wizengamot?" Amelia shrugged. "Sirius got his family seat secured and has positioned himself as an outsider. A few of the traditionalist families have been making nice with him, as well as the Neutrals, with Lord Nott being the more active party, as planned. The Coalition is keeping both of them out of its orbit for now, so the Traditionalists don't go running scared, which has further disrupted the typical votes. Dumbledore, Malfoy and Fudge have no means of pushing their proposals through. Umbridge tried to pass one to dismantle the relationship between the ICW and Britain but that failed, especially without Fudge's support." Croaker turned to a pensive Hazel. "Still not authorized to target her in any way."

Alastor chuckled as Hazel pouted at her Boss, before he stood up. "Well, I got some students that need to complete a test soon. I will be on my way." Hazel stood up. "I will follow him out. Keep me informed and I will pass it onto my partner without breaking her cover." Hazel disabled the wards and the two made their way up the path to Hogwarts. Moody refused to take the carriage, stating he needed to keep his feet moving. Activating a privacy ward, Hazel turned to the Auror. "Still surprised you took my origins as well as you did." Moody chuckled. "Oh Lass. I had a bit of an inkling. You had elements of my teachings in your dueling and no one was as good with Transfigurations as James was. McGonagall is a fine teacher but James had raw talent. Something you inherited fully and took it far further than that man could ever dream of achieving." Hazel blushed a bit under his praise. Her world's Moody had taken being replaced by Barty badly and, with Bella's blessing, had grabbed her during the summer after the Third Task and trained her in how to be an Auror. He was also a vindictive bastard so he showed her how the Death Eaters did a few of their tortures. She never wanted to try them out but after her Godmother's death, she didn't hesitate to embrace her more vindictive side.

"Anything I should know about Dumbledore that he might have told you? Anything I need to be careful about?" Alastor did his best not to laugh. "He thinks you might be possessed by Voldemort and that you are trying to warp Harry and keep him from killing you, as prophesied." Hazel hummed, trying to not show much of a facial expression. Moody was supposed to be watching her after all, especially if Dumbledore thought she was Voldemort. "Good to know. Too bad my Dumbledore never thought about that." Alastor eyed her. "I did notice a few of Voldemort's tells on you. He taught you how to fight?" Hazel sighed, her thoughts distant. "In my first year. I was a sh*t caster and a trembling mess. Hard to say what bothered him more, his ego not happy with how pathetically easy he could have ended me or his curiosity in what I could become if given the proper instruction. He wasn't a bad teacher though. His impersonation of Quirrell was well regarded as one of the better Defence Teachers. The fact Barty disguised as you did well too shows just how well they both knew the Dark Arts." Moody grunted. "Happens all the time, Lass. Students of the Dark Arts know them better than anyone. Make great teachers and all in how to stop their fellows. Surprised you haven't thought about taking the job." Hazel shrugged. "I am good at the Dark Arts but I honestly don't care. I just want to protect my family."

Moody gave her a soft smile. "That, Lass, is why I trust you. You are a Dark Witch alright, but you don't enjoy it. Not like Voldemort did or his Death Eaters. The fact that Albus can't see that in you is quite the loss on our part." Hazel turned to Moody. "Think Dora will ever accept the same truth? She still fears becoming Bellatrix, though this assignment has certainly kept her thoughts occupied. Still, the moment everything goes down, she will probably be in the line of fire. I don't like having my partner in the range of Voldemort's magic when she could be doubting herself." Moody nodded. "I think she will pull through and you are the right person for it." He turned to her. "Keep being yourself, Peverell. Show Tonks that being Dark doesn't mean she has to like it. The more she can sympathize with you, the better she will come of it. By the end, she won't be afraid. I guarantee you that." Hazel turned to him and lowered her eyes. "Thank you." Alastor grunted. "Don't go thanking me. When I leave this place next year, I better be thanking you. You keep the kids safe and go teach your troop how to do better. I want to see them all graduate in four years at the top of their classes." Hazel nodded and made her way down the side of the Castle. She'd do a sweep before checking in with her students. After today, training was going to get a bit more intense.

-∞-

"I will let my father know, Mademoiselle. Best of luck beating Potter." Dora waved as she did her best for her face not to crack. She pulled Fleur further into the Castle's Dungeons before the young Veela turned towards her. "That… was unpleasant." Dora shuddered, though she remembered to cast a privacy ward. "Well, I had to do that for four days over twenty times each one. I felt absolutely filthy everytime we returned to base. By the time the mission ended, I was seriously considering casting some curses at the pompous bastards." Fleur shook her head. "That doesn't sound like the most pleasant of jobs." Dora shrugged her shoulders. "It can be hard. I have had it bad, taking injuries and dealing with the burden it places on you. But I have seen the good that comes from it. Harry has a family now, one he never would have had if we didn't intervene. Lots of people are alive, at home and free from the things we did. It's not easy getting into it but I think it's rewarding in its own right. But, you can always take the research route. Plenty of Enchanters trying to make breakthroughs. All of our equipment is enchanted in the Department."

Fleur hummed. "That does sound a bit more appealing. The Conclaves have their own enchanters too but it's more about passing down the traditions and skills. Not a lot of effort is ever made towards research. At least none that I have ever seen." Dora nodded as they reached the entrance to the Chamber. After checking to see if they were being observed, she pulled out the map of the castle. She tapped it and used the phrase that caused an echo that would make it look as if she, her real name hidden from the wards by some obscure Blood Magic, and Fleur just walked on by and used her wand to trace the route back to the carriage. "There. The wards will register us as leaving. Give me your hand and I will pull you through." After tugging Fleur through the wards, the two made their way down the stairs, the sound of spells being casted filling the air. Fleur watched as several students practiced on moving targets on a large wall at the side of the Chamber. "Chamber of Secrets indeed." Dora stared at the large open space. "It's bigger than it used to be." Susan looked over and came up to them as Dora dropped her shift. "So, what do you think? Hazel had us help out in expanding it a bit. Daphne, Tracey and Theo were a bit put out about changing a Founder's Chamber but the changes can be undone later."

Dora hugged the redhead. "It's good to see you and it looks great." The gloomy lighting had been lifted with comfortable white light, the walls now taking on a grayish coloration. All the snake statues were gone, though some of the water canals were still visible on the sides of the large open space. They passed by the other training students and Dora saw a smaller alcove on the side where the younger members were gathered. She was happy to see the Carrows were doing well with the group as they seemed to be working on assignments with Luna and Astoria. To the back, she could see a Dueling Barrier ward taking a bit of a beating as Hazel seemed to push Harry through the sort of exercises Horatio had them on for better hand eye coordination, dodging of curses and improving their magical output. The wards dropped as Hazel passed a conjured towel to Harry. "That's much better. Why don't you take a break and relax. Your next classes won't be too intense but best not to drain you too much. You can use the tunnel up to the second floor prefect bathroom for a shower before heading to class." Harry nodded and cleaned his face with the towel. "Got it. Thanks." Dora hugged her cousin and kissed his sweaty cheek before he went to rest, a certain redhead joining him with a bottle of water. Dora turned to Hazel. "You got the passageways to open?"

Hazel winced. "Uh, define open." Dora pinched the bridge of her nose. "You blasted through it with a siege engine spell from the inside, didn't you?" Hazel summoned a bottle of water and drank from it. "To be fair, I sealed said bathroom and blocked it from leaking any sound. No one heard a peep." Dora sighed. "I suppose it will come in handy. I guess you reapplied the wards to block the Castle's tracking wards?" Hazel nodded. "It's as shielded from the main castle wards as the Chamber. Our maps still show us being here, at least the updated ones." Dora nodded and turned to Fleur. "Fleur, this is my partner. Hazel Peverell. She practices the sledgehammer approach to fixing a problem." Hazel glared at Dora. "I preferred it when you called it the "torch first, ask questions later" approach." Dora shrugged and Hazel ignored Dora before looking at Fleur. The Veela felt her skin breakout into goosebumps as those green eyes seemed to take her in. "Are you going to be a problem when it concerns me and my partner's relationship?" Fleur wanted to be insulted but the raw power that seemed to press into her made her hesitate. "I respect her choice and won't be pushing her into anything improper." The pressure vanished instantly and Hazel's scowl turned into a smile. "Then that's the end of that. Ready to have a taste of a real fight?"

Dora stood back and winced as Hazel started sparring with Fleur, the blonde being knocked back against the barrier quickly after it snapped into place. Susan came over and whistled. "Did she piss Hazel off?" Dora sighed. "Once. Fleur used her Allure on me." Susan hummed. "You might want to make Hazel feel better tonight. Otherwise, I think Fleur might quit." Watching the Veela's attempt at blasting her girlfriend with her race's magical fire fail spectacularly as Hazel's own black flames blocked the attack made Dora nod in agreement. "I will do that. Any word from Cedric about joining you all?" Susan shook her head. "He wants to do the Tasks on his own merits. He is fine with Harry training as he needs it just to survive but Cedric refuses to train with us." Dora could hear the hurt in Susan's voice. She and Cedric were friendly acquaintances for years. Dora patted her back. "He will be ok. I promise." Susan nodded and started to walk away. "Oh, and Susan. No spying on Harry as he showers in the Prefect's bathroom." Susan's face went bright scarlet. The redhead refused to answer and just walked away, as Dora chuckled to herself. She summoned a bottle of water as soon as the dueling barrier dropped a few minutes later.

Fleur took it as she laid on the ground, breathing heavily. "You weren't kidding about driving a person into the ground. Mon dieu." Dora chuckled. "Well, you did try to use Veela fire on her." Fleur pouted. "Of course I did! I was literally getting tossed around the arena like a rag doll. Where did she learn how to use cursed fire anyways?" Hazel walked over to them, smiling. "From some very nasty books on Curse Breaking." Fleur shook her head as Hazel turned to Dora. "So, let's see how much rust you picked up in the last two months." Dora swallowed at the intensity in Hazel's eyes. "Do I have to?" The yelp that came from Fleur getting banished back and out of the arena, and the instant snap of the wards around her, made Dora nerves pick up. Watching Hazel take her Basilisk jacket off made her whine. The next thirty minutes did indeed show that she had slowed down a little bit, though Dora's spell chains were a bit more creative. She watched Hazel activate a Dueling Shield a few times in the fight, which was always progress. Still didn't stop her from getting dragged off her feet and hanged from the ceiling by her legs like a bat. Hazel smiled as she came up to her, Dora having trouble with looking at her girlfriend upside down. "First to five?" Dora sighed. "Sure."

-∞-

Teddy tapped his fountain pen on his lip as he looked over his assignment within the Chamber of Secrets. They had been coming here for three weeks now since the start of October, after Hazel altered the Chamber's shape and form to be more receptive to hosting several students. The alcoves she made along the sides included several centuries worth of books that the elves had been collecting in the Room of Lost Things, but were now being used by the kids of the Coalition to have their own private place to study. While he liked studying in the library or in the unused classrooms, it became harder to do so as more and more people started to look for his friends. Hestia and Flora were being constantly bothered by the elder Slytherins on behalf of their parents, including the Malfoys, about coming to live with them. None of those people seemed to care that the girls were happy with Julia acting as their guardian or about essentially being new sisters to Daphne and Astoria. Daphne had taken them under her protection and it seemed to cause more issues in the Slytherin Common Room, with Professor Snape having to intervene a few times. Hazel had made sure to ward the room shared by the Twins in Slytherin and, with Snape's warning, the two were left alone in their Dormitories. That still didn't leave them much peace elsewhere. The abandoned classrooms were being searched constantly and they couldn't really afford to ward what was essentially a public space. The Chamber of Secrets became their new sanctuary for studying and practicing magic.

It wasn't all that bad really, as his Mom would usually be around, as would some of the older students who were tutored by her. Harry had tried to get his Mom to allow others to join them in the Chamber, more specifically his friend Hermione, though his mom had been very hesitant about letting her in. She agreed to Hermione being allowed entrance, but only after she had a stern talking to the Gryffindor girl, along with the other fourth years. The brunette had jumped at the chance to read from what amounted to an unrestricted copy of the library, though all the really nasty books were sealed away by his mom, who was left in relative peace whenever they focused on studying. Well, mostly relative peace as the First Task loomed closer. Harry had gone out with Hazel earlier today following a clue Ronald Weasley had provided him. Teddy could tell his mom knew more and was furious, which meant this was Dumbledore's doing. His Mom only ever got that mad about Dumbledore or the Weasleys and this one was about both of them. Well, mostly about those two. She had been clearly annoyed when the Weighing of the Wands ceremony was carried out, mainly because of Dumbledore's expected presence and the unwanted presence of Rita Skeeter.

According to his mom and Harry, Rita had been pushing hard for a "private" interview, something Hazel rejected outright. Any attempts to goad her into letting Rita interview him only seemed to increase his mom's ire. When Rita made an offhand comment about how Lily Potter would react to Hazel essentially stealing her son away from her family, Hazel snapped. The Quick Notes Quill and parchment was incinerated and Hazel had pulled Rita out of the Chamber for the Weighing Ceremony. Having summoned Nova to her side, Hazel had promptly dropped Rita off somewhere in the empty fields of Ireland, where even Skeeter would have trouble apparating back to any point in Britain or Scotland. As far as Teddy was concerned, the woman got off easy. The ceremony continued without a hitch, with Teddy agreeing with Harry that Ollivander was weird. The old man had spent some time inspecting Harry wand before nodding. "It seems that your new wand suits you well, Mr. Potter. It has accepted you fully and you have been very careful with its care." Dora's own inspection had been a bit more of a concern for his Mom. There was no way he would get to inspect the Elder Wand or Dora's original.

Ollivander had clearly been slightly disappointed when d'Éon's wand, which had been made to look like how the altered Elder Wand appeared, turned out to be one of Quetz' replacement wands. According to his mom, Quetz had been a bit furious when he called the construction subpar and unsuitable for Dora, but Dora refused to switch out of it, saying that it didn't matter. It was the wand she was willing to use and the fact that it worked made it so that Ollivander couldn't deny her. Madame Maxime's support ended any complaint after that. After that day, his Mom had kept a closer eye on the Map, vanishing a few times to deal with an incessant pest. Teddy almost felt sorry for the woman. Almost. He had heard about the Skeeter of their world and the damage she did to his mom's image before and after the war. The only reason she didn't end up dead was because Grandma Andi forbid his Mom from ever doing it. He wasn't sure his Grandma had made the right call. His Mom never deserved the hate that the woman sent her way. He was pretty sure that his Mom's Boss told her to spare her too, but Mom had been doing a lot of reading on the old Witchcraft curses in between Harry's training sessions, which had made him smile a little. Giving his Mom a bad order was never a good idea. She would always work around it.

Finishing his History assignment, Teddy was about to ask Astoria if she wanted to work on the Herbology paper, which he knew she was stalling on, before he sensed his Mom enter the chamber, followed by Harry. Seeing them both return from the search was great, but neither looked happy, which meant that the information wasn't good news. "Not Dragons?" Harry sat down and slump his head on the table, with Susan sitting closer to him and rubbing his back. Hazel went to the nearest bookshelf and pulled out a very thick book. " Well, we have one Dragon out there. A Hungarian Horntail that Charlie Weasley had a hand in transporting here. That's not the issue." Teddy closed his eyes and sent his Mom some of his love and concern for her. He watched as her shoulders relaxed a little and she gave him a knowing look and soft smile, before coming to stand by his side, rubbing his hair softly. "Thank you." Teddy nodded and started putting away his papers, with Astoria giving him an odd look. It made him feel warm. He would have to ask his Mom what that meant. Later.

Dora and Fleur came to join them after they interrupted their dueling session, both drying the sweat off their faces with towels. "That bad?" Harry lifted his head up. "We don't know. The cages were quite different than we thought. Hazel heard Charlie talking about his Horntail and being worried about the rest of the creatures. They have dozens of sealed cages out there. We did notice that Hagrid's Hippogriffs were missing too." Hazel dropped Scamander's larger annotated version of his book on the table, but kept another one opened in her palm. "The cold was a sign of Dementors, so we have those two covered as confirmed threats." Dora blinked. "Wait, wait. They brought Dementors here for the Tournament?" Hazel nodded as Harry started flipping through the pages. "We think they brought other aggressive but tameable creatures. The types that are dangerous if you don't know how to handle them. The Dragon suggests they also have a lethal magical creature, probably as the final obstacle." Dora looked at the book Hazel was reading. "It's more than just getting past a Dragon?" Hazel nodded. "Our boss got a notice on several requests for dangerous creatures to be imported. A few were denied, including a strongly worded letter from Greece about never letting a Hydra out of their sights. From what we gather, three creatures were imported successfully, including the Dragon. So that leaves two unknowns and a locally sourced fourth."

The group shuddered at the mention of the most dangerous water creature on Earth. Teddy looked at Harry, a thought crossing his mind. "Didn't Bagman say something about dangers and elements? Could they be trying to get the most powerful elemental magical creatures for the Champions to fight and survive?" Dora paled. "Well… that's not remotely fair." Hazel hummed. "And with a mixed assortment of creatures, added to possible last minute selection of which one the person must face, there is no room to study one single way to best them all. We have to prepare for all four within the next week." Dora sat down beside Harry and rubbed his back. "Ok, we have a Dragon. What's the next three?" Hazel turned the page on her book. "Checking on those now. Based on the Hydra failure and a missing import, the water creature must be the one they sourced locally. Grab that book and start looking up Kelpies." Teddy pulled the book to him and flipped the pages quickly before passing it back to them on the right page. He blushed when they looked at him oddly. "What? They are cool and they are known shapeshifters." Hazel ruffled his hair as Harry and Dora read up on the water creature. Hazel cursed under her breath. "If the Horntail is the Fire Elemental danger, with the Kelpie being the potential Water Elemental, that leaves Earth and Wind. I doubt they brought a Thunderbird as those are endangered and MACUSA would have protested heavily about it. That leaves one other alternative for a Wind based creature."

Hazel duplicated the section in her book and passed the parchments to Dora. She stared at the paper. "Q is going to be pissed." Hazel nodded in agreement, as she leafed through the book further. Susan looked towards her. "What book is that anyway?" Hazel stopped for a second. ""How to Slay a Monster and Live" by Perseus Ross." Hermione, Daphne and Astoria looked up from their nearby table. "WHAT? That thing is real?" Hazel turned and glared at the brunette. "Of course it is. All the books I keep here are real. If you want to know more about killing magical creatures, go ask McGonagall. This was written by her birth family. The Ross family is notorious for being contracted by the ICW for dealing with the most dangerous creatures. Pretty sure they are still disappointed that McGonagall settled for being a teacher, despite her having a decent grasp of their family's knowledge." She turned back to the other table, seeing the looks they were giving her, while Hermione seemed to have a heart attack about the sort of person her Head of House was related to. Hazel looked to Dora who seemed to be piecing a few things together. "I told you I wasn't taking the Care NEWT for a reason. I know jack about raising a creature, but I know how to kill them. If I don't, this book does."

Dora rubbed her face. "I don't think we are supposed to kill them in the Tasks, Hazel." Her partner hummed. "Right. You can avoid a Dragon somewhat or a Kelpie. Want to try your hand at the one I handed you? I'll bet you 100 Galleons it's on you in less than 5 minutes." Dora closed her eyes. "Ok. You have a point. What's the Earth Elemental?" Hazel looked over the book. "Well, as I doubt we have the space to keep a Giant Mongolian Death Worm from destroying the Arena, the spectator stands and the Castle, not to mention all of Britain once it got bored." Everyone stared at her as she copied the pages of the book and placed them on the desk. "Then we are probably dealing with the Scourge of the Sahara." Dora looked down at the page. "The F-" Dora's curse was instantly silenced by Hazel, as the students looked over the papers. Harry rubbed his eyes. "Is it bad I want to face the Dragon?" Hazel shrugged. "As someone who has two Dragons kills under her belt, I won't deny it's not as bad as some of these. The Kelpie seems fun though." Dora looked up as she dispelled the silencing spell casted on her. "That is not a vote of confidence." Hazel leaned back and watched them study the creatures, thinking about her own First Task. She hoped it went better for Harry than it did her.

-∞-

OW November 22nd 1994

Hazel watched as the ice spell she used on the dragon failed before she heard the creature take in a massive breath. She quickly rushed to the side. "sh*t, sh*t, sh*t, sh*t!" Hazel hid behind a large boulder as a spray of Dragon's fire filled the empty space she had just vacated. Being told she would be facing a Dragon had not been great. That was made worse when she only had a single bloody week to prepare. She leaned to the side and barely got a glimpse of black scales before her boulder was blasted with dragon's fire. Feeling the rock getting hotter and hotter, Hazel looked towards her sides. She was running out of room to escape. She hoped she eventually got the chance to meet the bastard who placed her name in the Goblet of Fire. Punching and knocking Rita Skeeter out within the Champion's Tent had been cathartic as hell after the sh*t the woman posted about her on the Daily Prophet. It even seemed to earn her the respect of the other champions. Well, two of them really. She and Fleur had never had any problem getting along well. Her less than appropriate language in front of the Headmaster's had left little doubt in the French Veela's mind as to her not being responsible for her name appearing. Too bad no else but her Godmother believed her. Bella had pushed her training a bit harder in the Chamber as they waited for the inevitable. Said training had kept her from being roasted the moment she stepped into the arena, but there was literally no way to counterattack the Dragon.

Feeling the Hebridean Black moving closer, Hazel tried to trick it with a transfigured sheep but the Dragon seemed unimpressed with her conjured animal. Needing to move behind another rocky outcropping, Hazel was forced to raise a shield to protect herself. The dragon's flames cut through it and she felt as her right arm was instantly engulfed in flames. Biting her lip enough to draw blood, Hazel successfully found another boulder to hide behind and rest, as she took her slightly singed wand into her left hand, Hazel looked back to the approaching dragon, her now useless right arm cradled in her lap. She could hear Bagman commenting on the severity of her injury and really wanted to smash his face in too. He had been delighted the moment her name came out of the Goblet. Hazel looked through her mind but found no spells to fight the creature head on with just how resistant their scales were to magic. Her curses were designed to tear into people, not magical creatures and even her cursed flames would be worthless against the strength of the dragon's magical fire. She took several deep breaths, feeling her mind slowly going blank. The pain from her burned arm was slowly eating away at her, though it felt odd that her dread was vanishing too.

The thuds of the dragon's footfalls made her deeply aware that her death was just a moment away from happening. After a deep exhale, Hazel looked up at the stands, watching so many people looking at her as a curiosity and entertainment. She hated them. She hated them all. This is what she amounted to, some piece of meat meant to entertain them at their whim, a celebrity only when it was convenient to them, a pariah when it sold newspapers and a liar that sought attention at every turn. She hated Wizarding Britain and she hated that Dumbledore and Voldemort kept twisting and manipulating her, treating her no better than a puppet on strings. She looked towards the dragon, her heart feeling cold and empty as a single thought took root. Perhaps it was time to let go. She wouldn't be the first Champion to die in this blasted Tournament. It wouldn't be all that bad, really. No more tournament, no more of Voldemort's mind filtering in to her own, no more Dumbledore trying to mold her into whatever he thought was best for her and no more despicable people who were too dumb to realize she just wanted to be left alone with… Hazel's mind froze. Bella. Her Godmother was out there in her animagus form, watching her. Waiting for her to come back alive. She bit back a sob as the dragon's lumbering steps drew closer and closer. She started to laugh as tears ran down her cheeks as she slammed her head back against the rock repeatedly.

She couldn't give up anymore, not now. Bella loved her. She cared about her. Every moment from the end of summer to now, they spent all of it together as much as was possible. Her Godmother's smiling face filled her mind and her left hand grew steady as it gripped her wand, her knuckles turning white. Hazel couldn't bear to make her Godmother cry. She risked everything every day to be with her. Bella deserved better from her. Feeling lighter than she remembered, Hazel crouched low to the ground and casted what spells she knew to reduce her weight and increase her speed. She looked at the Dragon one last time and was reminded of her fight with the Basilisk. She had no Sword of Gryffindor to help her here, but maybe a modified version of a spell she learned afterwards would be enough to beat it. She gripped her wand tightly and took a deep breath. It would have to be enough. She needed to win, no matter what it cost her. As the beast's head loomed over Hazel, the dragon's slitted red eyes focused right on her. She remembered the moment she first saw them as she exited into the Arena. The Hebridean Black was absolutely beautiful. It was also a lot more dangerous than anyone gave it credit for. She had tried a Druidic Spell that should have allowed her to understand the dragon yet the beast had responded to her pleas for peace with fire. Red eyes stared into green and for a second she saw something within them. Some echo of recognition. The moment passed as she watched as the dragon reared its head up again, ready to incinerate her once and for all.

Hazel exhaled deeply and did the only thing she could. She dashed straight for the dragon while casting the freezing charm underneath it. Her lower weight allowed her to move quickly, even as she felt part of her hair catch on fire, the scent filling her nose. Still, she slid further and further, her back being shredded by jagged rocks, until all she could see above her was a massive spread of deep gray scales. She raised her wand up, pressed it into the thinnest of gaps between the scales and prayed with all her soul that this worked. She channeled every ounce of magic into her wand. For the first time she remembered, it felt content. A phoenix cry filled her ears just before she spoke the incantation. " Monstrum Divellunt Maxima !" The spell had been one she had learned to help Dobby render down the Basilisk, though she was modifying it on the fly. She prayed that the modification worked. Hazel felt her breath leave her body as all of her magic seemed to vanish with the spell. For a second she was sure the Hebridean Black had decided to just lie down on top of her as the scales landed onto her body, her wand slammed onto her chest.

Feeling the body atop of her shift a little, Hazel was momentarily frozen in fear that her plan had failed, before her vision was suddenly flooded in red hot liquid. She coughed as her mouth and nose were filled with dragon's blood, the taste of iron overwhelming her tongue and she was certain she swallowed and inhaled it. Still, she was literally powerless to do anything else. So she waited for the torrent of blood to end. Once she felt as if all movement on top of her had ceased, she pulled away at the slime on top of her. It took her a second to realize she was covered in dragon guts, not all of which were pleasant to think about. Hazel stood up and stumbled as her hands gripped the edges of the dragon's spine. After much effort, Hazel managed to clear out her eyes before she could see her handy work. The entire torso of the dragon had been sliced wide open. Covered in blood and guts, Hazel spotted the golden egg left in a nest full of now orphaned dragon eggs. Her hands clenched as her heart ached, even as she moved on unsteady feet. She never wanted to kill the creature but she had no way of stopping it. It was her life or the dragon's. She knew that she should have been the one to die, not the dragon but she couldn't let Bella's sacrifices for her be in vain. She made her choice and would have to live with it.

Walking slowly across the arena, Hazel was thankful for the stunned silence of the audience. She didn't know what they expected of her. She was only fourteen and the Tournament was made for older students. She had no natural talents beyond her use of fire and conjuration, none of which worked on the beast. She was powerless to do anything else. If they expected anything else from her then she would dare any one of them to step into a dragon's den unprepared and do better. Hazel bit her lip again, unsure if the blood in her mouth was either hers or the dragons. Her vision was narrowing and her body felt numb as she crossed the distance and reached the nest. She picked up the golden egg, hugged it to her chest and stared up at the judges. "I claim the corpse of the dragon by Right of Conquest, as the Heiress to the House of Potter. Any attempts to deny me my rights to it will see my participation in this Tournament forfeited." Dumbledore stared back at her with contempt but Hazel smiled. He couldn't risk losing her now, so he had no choice but to let the corpse go to her. Hazel would take every small victory that she could. She maintained a steady but uneven walk as she exited the still silent Arena before she was pulled into someone's arms. "I got you, my sapling. I got you." Hazel closed her eyes, a smile on her face, as her godmother took her away to safety.

-∞-

NW November 22nd 1994

"Mom. That's the Kelpie. That means…" Hazel hugged her son from behind, kissing him on the head. "I know Teddy. I know." She watched as the shape shifting water horse magical creature was released in the larger as Dora made her way through the rest of the enclosures. The First Task of this world seemed to have been built as a Magical Creatures gauntlet as three enclosures held a variety of dangerous creatures before emptying out into the Arena. The first one was populated by hippogriffs, Bicorns, Snallygasters and Erumpents. None particularly lethal unless the person was a pompous moron but all decently territorial, making passage more about calm and knowledge about creatures than brute force. The second area was a lot less pleasant. Firecrabs, Ashwinders, Flaming Salamanders, Adolescent Wyverns and Firebirds. The Phoenix-like creatures shared none of the calm and gentle nature of their immortal counterparts, violently raining fire on anything that moved within their hunting grounds. The Salamanders kept the enclosure ablaze in never ending flames, but the danger of the Ashwinders hiding in the rocky terrain was something altogether unpleasant. The third area was one made by bastards that sought to make people suffer. The dark enclosure was filled with Dementors and it was closed off from light, with the audience seeing the champions through enlarged, floating, scrying mirrors. The Champion was forced to face the creature's effects and counter it before reaching the main arena.

Of the Champions, Viktor went first. He had some difficulty in the first section and it's less than appreciative and somewhat territorial creatures, but was better suited for the second, knowing a variety of anti-fire shields. The Dementors, however, took a lot out of him, as he never managed a strong enough Patronus shield. He brute forced his way through the enclosure and made it to the Arena to face the Hungarian Horntail. The Bulgarian learned the hard way that a barrier had been erected to keep the creatures in and objects out when he tried to summon what looked to be a Firebolt. The power the final creatures possessed was enough that no partly permeable barrier could hold them, not if they wanted to avoid injuring the audience. The only way in or out we're through the openings by which the creatures were released, where the Handlers waited in case they were needed, or the exit the Champions had to pass through in order to succeed in the Task. Viktor had been too magically exhausted by the Dementors to face the Hungarian Horntail on his own. He managed to permanently blind it in one eye, but it only served to infuriate the creature further. The Seeker was repeatedly pushed against the walls of the Arena before he activated the emergency portkey they all wore, mere seconds before the flames devoured him completely. Failing to escape the final arena meant his point tally would be lower than if he had succeeded. Karkaroff looked quite unhappy from Hazel's position in the crowd.

Cedric went second and passed the first enclosure easily enough. The second one was more difficult for him, as the Firebirds found him a particularly interesting target. He was almost out before an Ashwinder bit him on the leg, eliciting a groan from the Hogwarts students watching. The young man was forced to apply the freezing charm to his foot briefly to stop the spread of the fire inducing venom that doubled as a blood boiling curse. Sprout looked utterly terrified as she watched him do it several times, trying to avoid combustion and frostbite. He moved on with unsteady feet into the Dementor's Chamber and Hazel smiled as the Dementors were chased away by Cedric's horse. Unfortunately, the Hufflepuff took what was arguably the one creature that struggled with the rest for first place in the magical world in how utterly dangerous it was to humans. How Dumbledore and the Organizers thought the Scourge of the Sahara made for a great challenge was utterly beyond her. The jackal-like Salawa was feared all along the African desert as the demon of the sands. It literally conjured a sandstorm in its vicinity, blinding its prey utterly and completely. Hazel watched as Cedric used every type of elemental based magic he could but the young man was not powerful enough to counter the creature's naturally occurring sandstorm. The Salawa took its time, striking at Cedric's legs via hit and run attacks. The moment Cedric hit the ground, he activated the portkey, a second before the beast maws almost snapped his neck. The Handlers had an immense amount of trouble restraining the creature, eventually lulling it to sleep with ritually enhanced magic. The next creature was the one that made mother and son worried for the remaining champion.

In the tent, Dora hugged Harry as her persona's name was called out. "You got this. I know it's one of the hardest ones, but please make it through. I'll be waiting for you on the other side." Harry nodded. "Good luck." Dora sighed as she turned to the entrance of the enclosures and charged forward. She was happy she took a few pointers from Hazel about being respectful to creatures. She knew she could cross the area disillusioned, but she wanted to be careful how much magic she used. The Hippogriffs, Bicorns and Erumpents kept their cool around her but the Snallygasters weren't very pleased with her presence. A fireball to the face kept them away as she crossed over into the next area. Seeing the Ashwinders and Firebirds made her pause for a moment before aiming her wand. " Nix Tempestas. " The sudden snow storm caused all the creatures in the area to scurry away as she crossed the enclosure without incident. The moment she felt the unnatural cold of the Dementors, she was ready too. " Expecto Patronum." A shape launched into the air in front of her and banished the creatures before it turned around, leaving Dora speechless. Her Patronus had been a rabbit. She casted it several times at Hogwarts for the Dueling Club in the final weeks. Yet here she was staring at a dragon. Unlike Aithusa, it looked healthy and playful as it stared at her with its glowing slitted eyes. Shaking her head, she sent the dragon ahead, clearing the path.

She took a moment to rest the second she exited the Dementor enclosure, the emotions from Hazel and Teddy filling her up as she took a deep breath and turned the corner. Teddy was absolutely right. The Kelpie was utterly beautiful. It's blue fur looked as if it was perpetually shedding water, its darker blue mane swaying as if eternally caught in a river's current. It's silver eyes resting on black orbs stared at her, daring her to pass its territory. She noticed the entire arena was covered in water. Hazel had explained that like the Salawa, the Kelpie could conjure water if it was placed in a dry environment. It could then jump into the water and seemingly vanish, before appearing again, though it was limited by where the body of water it conjured connected to. Here it was limited to the size of the arena as it couldn't connect to the nearby lake. Not wanting to harm the magnificent creature, Dora decided to go with Plan B. She would take Hazel's displeasure later for it. After conjuring another snowstorm, she started freezing the water on the ground. Seeing what she was up to, the Kelpie rushed towards her, it's otherworldly neigh making her remember this was a dangerous creature that did enjoy eating humans. Dora used the slippery ground to move across the arena quickly, freezing more of the water before ending the storm. She disillusioned herself instantly and began transfiguring her robe. The Kelpie entered the area she was in quickly, looking for her by sound or scent and as soon as it looked the other way, Dora lunged.

The audience watched as Dora, now visible, landed on the creature's back and struggled to wrap a bridle onto its head. The water horse almost launched her off with a high back kick, but Dora gripped her hips tightly onto its back and leaned forward. The bridle slipped into place and Dora pulled back on the reins. The Kelpie stilled beneath her and she sighed in relief. The sudden roar of the audience made her wince but she could understand the uproar. Kelpies were a XXXX creature only for the fact they could be tamed, but only if the person was skilled enough to mount it and slap on a bridle before the creature drowned them. The Kelpie turned its silver eyes to her and Dora leaned forward and stroked its water soaked mane. "I will let you go, I just need to get past your territory. Mind taking me to the gate over there?" The Kelpie stared at her for a second before it nodded. It followed the direction she had pointed at and Dora was able to get off the back before pulling off the bridle. She rubbed its face and the Kelpie pressed into her with a surprising amount of affection before turning and laying down in the center of the Arena. Dora walked back a bit and sat down, sighing as she rubbed her hair. She could feel Teddy's pride filling her inside. Hazel… was a storm of emotions, some making her wince. Dora looked back into the Arena as the Handlers pulled the Kelpie away. "Please be safe, Harry."

Teddy nudged Hazel's side, trying to make her feel better. "Mom, Dora's ok. She's the first person to safely ride a wild Kelpie for almost a century." Hazel softly glared at Teddy. "That wasn't the plan." Teddy gave her a look and Hazel sighed. "Fine. She did great. Still going to be a bit hard on her later, for giving me a bloody heart attack." Teddy smiled and hugged her before they looked back to the Arena. Hazel watched as Harry entered the first enclosure safely enough. The lead Hippogriff was especially friendly with him and actually kept pace with him as he cleared the area, the rest of the creatures giving the temperamental creature and the boy a wide berth. She smiled as soon as she heard Harry cast " Aqua Vesica, " striking the fireballs out of the sky and pushing the Ashwinders back, his Aguamenti clearing a path in front of him, while a bit of Glacius prevented anything from catching him unawares from the side. Within the Dementor enclosure, his Patronus lit the entire room, surprising the students from the other school with a fourteen year old casting an advanced Defence spell. Hazel frowned though as the doe seemed to hesitate in maintaining its form, taking on a more jagged appearance, before it vanished. As soon as he reached the end, Hazel's nerves started up again. His Potter luck had to have been the reason for him fighting arguably the second hardest of the four creatures. That or Dumbledore wanted him to face a bloody snake. She would bet on both being true.

Harry swallowed as he stared at a massive snake that seemed to undulate in the air. He could see the clouds and lightning it generated clashing with the wards protecting the audience. Unfortunately, it meant that he was stuck in a confined space with a Quetzalcoatl. The creature's rainbow colored scales weren't scales at all. They were feathers. Four small wings covered in feathers lazily moved as they kept the creature in position. He had to swallow an impulse to speak with it. Hazel warned him about using it only when no one else could hear it. Even then, she told him he didn't have the training for Parselmagic, so it was practically pointless. He couldn't force the giant Mesoamerican snake to not attack him. He cast a few deflection spells on his person as well as a charm ward to prevent him from suffering damage from lightning. He eyed the exit and decided to go for Plan A. Rushing forward across the arena, Harry cast charm based wards on the ground. He felt as the air filled with a humming noise before he remembered to deafen his ears. He got them protected just in time before a lightning blast struck the area next to him, one of the wards redirecting it away from his body. Harry casted ward after ward, getting closer and closer to the exit until he spotted movement from his side. His Protego took the brunt of the swinging tail as his back impacted the wall.

The Quetzalcoatl continued to cast lightning bolts at him, but Harry could hear it growing frustrated. His wards kept deflecting the lightning away from him, but he couldn't protect himself from the powerful blows of the snake's tail. Having had enough of the wards, the snake's last strike with its tail pinned him against the wall, knocking the air out of him. He watched as the snake raised its head and opened its maw as it planned to kill him. He bit his lip, pressed his wand into a gap in the snake's feathers and focused all of his magic to it. Hazel had been teaching him the spell as a last resort. Something to do if he literally was about to die. He was certain he was. They had trained with it only on the weekends, since the spell left him exhausted. He felt his magic build as the snake lunged forward. " Monstrum Divellunt Maxima. " He felt his magic leave his wand but his ears were filled by the unnatural noise the snake made. He watched as large gashes appeared along its long body, the feathers becoming drenched with blood. The pressure from its body faded and Harry stumbled a little as he landed on the ground, his steps uneasy. He barely made it over the threshold of the Arena exit before he felt his legs give out. A pair of hands kept him from hitting the ground as Dora's voice settled his nerves. "It's ok, Harry. We got you. We got you."

Hazel turned to Teddy who hugged her, tears filling his eyes. "Can we go to him?" Hazel nodded and she pulled Teddy along. She watched as Dora, maintaining her form, dropped Harry into the Medical Tent before climbing onto a medical bed. Pomfrey rushed to the boy's side and cast diagnostics on him. "He has a severe case of Magical Exhaustion, as well as damage to his ribs but nothing life threatening." Hazel rubbed Harry's hair as he laid unconscious, and sat beside the boy as more people entered the tent. Her magic instinctively flared when Dumbledore entered. He looked at the boy with confusion before turning to her. "You taught him that spell." Hazel's eyes glowed green. "I taught him a spell of last resort, one he clearly needed. Or would you rather be burying a student than a snake that had no business being in this Tournament? There is a reason the Mesoamericans worshiped them as gods." Dumbledore glared back at her. "There were any number of other ways. The portkey would have taken him to safety." Hazel felt Teddy grip her hand to help calm her down. "Other ways? In an open field? Sure. He was in a sealed environment with a snake that prefers wide open spaces. Or did you not study exactly just how dangerous they were or what their preferences were? Had he activated the portkey while pinned down, you would have likely had a Quetzalcoatl rampaging outside of the arena. He had to choose between his life, everyone elses or the snake's. The snake's death is on you and the others who agreed to use it in the tournament. Now leave before I decide to rend you down and feed you to the Acromantulas."

Dumbledore glared but seeing the growing number of people around him, he decided to turn around and leave as Hazel's temper settled down. She and Teddy held Harry's hand as Andromeda, Ted, Sirius and Remus entered the tent. Pomfrey seemed to struggle between letting them stay or kicking most of them out. She heard Bagman's voice as the scores were announced. "In First place, with 50 of 50 points, Neaera d'Éon from Beauxbatons, with an impressive display of Cryomancy and for successfully riding a wild Kelpie, the first person to do so in nearly a century. In Second place is Harry Potter, with 40 of 50 points. He succeeded in completing the Task but our Judges were divided in awarding him points for the death of the Quetzalcoatl. Tied in Third place are Victor Krum of Durmstrang and Cedric Diggory of Hogwarts with 30 of 50, for failing to pass the final obstacle and for injuries received in the previous enclosures. This concludes the First Task!" Hazel shook her head before turning to Ted Tonks. "Go out there and keep the vultures away. Claim the corpse for Harry under the Right of Conquest. We will deal with the fallout from the Mesoamerican representatives and Handlers afterwards." Ted nodded but he stopped as he looked past Hazel. She turned around and smiled, her hand squeezing Harry's. "Hey, Harry." The clearly tired boy smiled at her wearily as he leaned his head down. "Can I sleep in tomorrow?" Hazel and everyone chuckled as she ruffled his hair. "Take all the time you need."

Chapter 44: Gestures of Love

Chapter Text

Hazel walked up to Harry, who was sitting on the railing of the Quidditch pitch, his feet swinging under him slowly. The air was crisp as the grass glimmered, covered in soft snow as the sun barely rose over the horizon. She swung her legs over and sat beside him. The two sat in silence until Harry turned towards her. "I… don't know what I am supposed to feel." Hazel turned towards him. "Shame? Guilt?" Harry thought for a second before he nodded. "I… knew I was about to die. I felt it. For a second, I thought I would be too slow. Then the snake died. I … feel like I should be happy that I survived but it bothers me. Killing the snake." Hazel scooted closer to Harry, her arm circling around his back and pulling him towards her as she gripped his shoulder gently. "Everyone feels that way. Well, most people should feel that way. You were given the choice between one life living and one life dying, with a pick of which one would succeed. You saved your own life, but you feel like it wasn't worth it." Harry nodded. Hazel hugged him closer. "There is no point in measuring the worth of a life, Harry. Death comes for all of us. Someday the Quetzalcoatl would have died. Someday you will die as well. The question isn't if your life was worth more or less, but what you will do with it now after surviving."

Harry looked at Hazel. "Does the guilt ever go away?" Hazel sighed and pulled out the charms attached to her belt. She handed them to Harry and he eyed them. "What are they?" Hazel looked to be in pain. "Remembering Charms carved out of wood. Like a memorial. For the lives of the people and creatures that meant something to me. I didn't kill all of them but they all died, mostly because of me. Two elves gave their lives saving my home. My Familiar, an Owl like Hedwig, took a Killing Curse for me. One is the Basilisk from your second year. My first Dragon kill. Teddy's Grandmother, his mother too, though she died for different reasons. My ex. An elf that died a few months ago." Hazel grew still for a second as she pulled one up specifically, a star carved onto wood followed by Druidic Script. "My Godmother. She pulled me aside, saving me from a Killing Curse before her body fell… There was no finding what was left of her." Harry saw a tear descend from Hazel's eye, running down her cheek before she wiped it away. "Every one of these people and creatures meant something to me. Yet, as much as I would like to say they were worth more than my life, I can't." Hazel turned to him. "Because living meant seeing Teddy grow up from a smelly bundle of diapers into a bright and smiling boy. It meant that I met Dora when I had all but given up on having anyone else in my life. It meant that I could be here, helping you regain your life."

Hazel gently took back her charms before pulling out a freshly carved one, a rough, rainbow colored feather attached to it. She handed it to Harry. "A life has left this world and it should be mourned. But you are alive. Live your life, Harry. Don't forget what happened, don't let yourself become numb to the shame of taking a life, but don't let the shame drown yours away. Honor the loss by living as a better person. For as long as Death let's you." Harry held the charm in his hand, rubbing the feather and the etchings. "What will happen to the body?" Hazel sighed. "There were some complaints by the Handlers but Quetz came over and smoothed things over. Her family is from the same community and she, as a friend of ours, has taken responsibility for the body, rending it and preserving the important parts. She will let us know what else we can do about it for her people later." Harry nodded, feeling the feather between his fingers. "Thank you, for everything." Hazel kissed his head. "You don't have to thank me, Harry. Ever. One day I will look on you as you hold a child of your own, same as Teddy. They will make you smile and warm your heart just by being a child, one you will have a large part to play in their life. You will know terror and anxiety, but you will know love and joy. In that moment you will know. It was all worth it. The pain, the loss. Even the shame. It will all be worth it." They sat in comfortable silence for some time, the cold wind forcing Hazel to cast a warming charm on them both, before Harry spoke up. "Susan asked me to the Yule Ball." Hazel hummed. "Interested?" Harry blushed. "I… would like to. She has been there for me these last two years and she always seems to know how I feel."

Taking a moment to think about her words, Hazel responded. "Has anyone else asked?" Harry nodded. "Ginny did but I don't feel right taking her. We are friendly and all but she is just Ron's sister to me." Hazel tapped her fingers on his shoulder. "What about Hermione?" Harry shook his head. "I don't think of her that way. I mean, she is pretty and she is great and all but she feels like the sister I never had. We look after each other." Hazel looked at him. "Then as your sort of sister, ask her what she would say about you going and ask her who she wants to go with. Look after each other and when you both go to the Yule Ball, make sure it's with someone you both want to be there with." Harry seemed sad for a second. "Sorry for bringing it up. I know you won't get a chance to dance with Dora at all." Hazel ruffled his hair. "Nope. I won't. I had my own major dance once but I got turned down so it was a bust. Though my second one wasn't as bad. But it's fine, Harry. I know what I feel for Dora and what she feels for me. It will have to be enough." She kissed him on the head. "Now go check on your friends and decide who you are taking to the Ball. We need to fix up your formal robes to match before the night." Harry hugged Hazel before jumping back off the railing and onto the stands. Hazel watched as he made his way to the Castle, happy that Teddy partially dodged that particular bullet. Sure, he had three girls circling him, but at least he didn't have to worry about who to take to the ball.

-∞-

OW December 1996

Hazel stared at her reflection in the mirror as she finished tying her hair into a braid. She had every intention to skip Slughorn's dance but when she got personally invited, she hesitated. During her fourth year, she had discovered that she wasn't interested in any of her classmates, except for one. Hermione had gotten a lot more pretty since they started classes together. She had stopped being as up front about her smarts and actually did the work silently. Even still, she never stopped offering to help Hazel. At first it was annoying as hell, but in their third year, they had come to an understanding. They would take certain days of the weeks to work on assignments together in the library and practice spell pronunciation. It had no effect on her spell casting at all but Hazel still enjoyed those quiet moments in the Library. Of the Gryffindors, Hermione was the first to come around and believe Hazel hadn't cheated to get her name into the Goblet. Hazel had no idea how anyone still didn't believe her as she cursed and swore with her every breath before the First Task started. She even attacked the Goblet with a Banishing Spell, but the Casket protected it. Dumbledore wisely took it out of the Castle soon after, as Hazel contemplated testing the Goblet's defences against her cursed flames.

So when McGonagall told her she was required to open the Yule Ball with the other Champions, Hazel hadn't rejected the suggestion outright. It took her a week to get past her nerves, with Bella's help, to go up to Hermione and ask her to the Ball. Hermione had stared at Hazel for over a minute until something finally clicked in her head. "Oh. Uhm, thank you for asking… Hazel. I… I already have a date. And while I am not really going with them as in date-date, I can't… I can't accept your request either. I am sorry Hazel. I am not interested in other girls. Not that you aren't pretty and all but I just don't see you like that. I am sure you will find someone though. Bye!" Hazel had stared into the retreating form of Hermione until she simply sighed. None of the other girls interested her. Susan and Sally gave her the cold shoulder since second year, none of the Ravenclaws were her type and Slytherins were off the table, though the blonde Daphne Greengrass was attractive. She knew McGonagall would complain and howler and try to force a date onto her to take to the Ball, so she did the wisest thing possible. She never brought it up. She read all about the supposed scandal her absence caused in the Prophet on the next day but she honestly couldn't care. Spending Christmas with her Godmother was worth the chaos she left behind.

Hazel bit back a sob that threatened to consume her as usually happened when she thought of Bella. Erring on the side of caution, she refused to put on any makeup, opting only for some lip gloss. She saw the time on the wall and sighed as she stood up. "Ok, Dobby. Apparate me back to the castle, just outside of the Slytherin Common Room." Her elf friend nodded and apparated her out of Grimmauld Place. She had been right that Dumbledore had been none the wiser about her nightly disappearances. While Grimmauld was a lot more comfortable than the Chamber, there were a lot more happy memories down there. Basilisk Venom and Phoenix Tears biological incompatibility notwithstanding. Wearing a black cloak clasped at the neck with the hood up, Dobby apparated her to a corridor that lead to a dead end near the Slytherin Common Room. She knocked on the hidden door and waited. Hazel watched as the wall opened and Theodore Nott looked out. "Heir Nott, please inform Heir Serpens his date is waiting for him outside." The pureblood Heir looked a bit surprised by the reversal of tradition but he nodded and stepped back inside. A few minutes later, the door opened and Tamlane Serpens stepped out wearing a tuxedo with a green tie, combing his hair. He turned to her and frowned. "You aren't going to wear that all night, are you?" Hazel sighed and pulled her cloak off from her body before vanishing it.

Tamlane seemed frozen by the sight of her. Or maybe it was her use of wandless magic. Ever since the First Task, her Magic had gone through a weird maturity. Her wand liked her now, though she found using her left hand with it was more comfortable, despite her right hand having healed correctly after the fire damage from the dragon. Even with her wand problems corrected, her wandless magic seemed to build up as well. She decided to just roll with it and ignore the issue. Her wanded spells were now stronger than her wandless spells and for once she was ok with that. "What? The cloak was conjured." Serpens shook his head as he snapped out of a daze before he gave her a smile. "I was going to say you look absolutely beautiful. Not the most traditional dress but more than acceptable in traditional circles." Hazel blushed. Her dress was something she struggled with. Eventually she went with a green and black dress with a high neckline that covered her chest and back, but highlighted her figure. While her arms could have been bare, she chose to wear long black gloves, exposing only her shoulders, as she didn't want to show the scars the dragon's flames left on her arm. Tamlane held out his hand to her. "Shall we?" Hazel placed her hand in his and the two walked towards Slughorn's Party. Her appearance caused quite a stir among the attendants but Tamlane kept much of the discussions brief. She took a moment to get a breather and serve herself a drink while Serpens talked politics with the other Heirs.

"You aren't good enough for him." Hazel sighed and drank the cup of punch before ignoring the pompous brat. Malfoy raised his hand and gripped her bare arm just above her glove. "I didn't dismiss you, halfblood. You don't deserve to be here or to be Serpens' date." Hazel's magic flared as she turned to him. "Release me, Malfoy." Draco sneered at her, reminding Hazel of Snape. "Or what?" Hazel's eye twitched for a second before she gripped the arm holding her. "You asked for it. Cr-" a loud voice stopped her mid curse. "Heir Malfoy. Unhand my date this instant." Hazel felt the magic in the room shift as Draco dropped her arm instantly. Tamlane took her hand and guided her out of the party. "I had that handled." Tamlane raised an eyebrow at her. "Cursing someone in the middle of a party with an Unforgivable? You call that handled?" Hazel shrugged. "It's not like anyone in there hasn't cast it at least once. Besides, Lucius Malfoy deserves to find his son twitching uncontrollably from a curse. Might make him more agreeable. Besides, if I ended up in Azkaban, who would bother coming for me? Dumbledore? He can barely do anything now with the war going on. Voldemort might make a visit but I would at least have enjoyed my final moments of freedom." Tamlane sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "You aren't much of a Gryffindor Golden Girl." Hazel glared. "I never wanted to be. I would rather be myself than what anyone else asks of me."

Tamlane brought her out to the inner courtyard and he spun her around gently. "And if I asked you to be my girlfriend?" Hazel blinked at him. "Aren't you required to court someone as an Heir?" Serpens shrugged his shoulders. "If I had a father, yes. But I don't. You and I are the last of our houses, so we don't need to Court. We can just be." Hazel searched his eyes. Those blue eyes look at her with expectation and maybe something like longing. She took a slow breath before she leaned herself up a bit and captured his lips. Tamlane took a moment to register the kiss before he kissed her back, with clearly restrained need. They broke the kiss as Hazel stared at his eyes. "Fine. But this relationship is ours. No one else gets involved." Tamlane nodded and Hazel smirked. "And I get to shorten your name. It's a bit of a mouth full and I feel like I am constantly saying it wrong." Tamlane sighed. "Fine. What will you call me?" Hazel tapped her finger on her lips in thought. "Tom." Tamlane glared at her. "Not happening." Hazel chuckled and slipped out of his grasp. She spun around a few times. "I don't know. I think it suits you." Tamlane rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Fine. Then I will call you Haze." Hazel laughed. "Sure. I don't mind." Tamlane stared at her. "You were supposed to back track." Hazel smiled. "Nope. You are Tom and I am Haze." She came up to him and kissed him briefly. "Goodnight, Tom." Hazel turned around and walked away. She barely spent much time at the party but maybe it had been worth it. Maybe she could make something of this. If nothing else, she would try and enjoy it while she could. After all, nothing ever seemed to last for her.

-∞-

NW December 24th 1994

Dora escorted Fleur back to the Carriage, having enjoyed a pleasant night at the Yule Ball. When she had asked Hazel if it was ok that she took Fleur as her date, Hazel had seemed almost distant. She didn't reject the suggestion, saying it was their fault that Fleur was missing out on being a Champion. So Dora agreed, wearing a much more masculine looking formal robe with a silver tie to match with Fleur's silver dress. Wishing not to harm Hazel further, she and Fleur agreed to switch dancing partners, reserving only the first and last dance on the floor for each other. After the exquisite dinner and the opening dance was concluded, all the Champions in an agreed-upon show of sportsmanship and cooperation, switched dancing partners. Dora danced with Susan for a second, letting Harry take a break from being enthralled by his date. The young Hufflepuff's green dress had surprised quite a few with it's simple beauty, especially as it showed her developing figure, but it matched perfectly with Harry's tie and eye color. It was funny, watching Harry stumble a few times with his steps whenever he got lost in her eyes. Hermione, as it turned out, had been approached by several people, including Theodore Nott, whom she agreed to dance with. The two had been getting to know each other ever since Hazel allowed the brunette to join them in the Chamber.

The other Coalition children were scattered about. Neville took his date, Hannah, and the two were quietly enjoying the evening, only dancing a few times to slow songs. Daphne had invited Zabini, who spent much of the night attending to his date, much to the dark haired girl's amusem*nt. The younger years weren't able to participate in the wider party, but Hazel had allowed them to stay in the Chamber together. Teddy, Astoria, Luna and the Twins were enjoying a quieter time in their own Christmas party under the supervision of the family elves. Dora hoped Teddy managed to enjoy the night, though she could guess at the mischief the Carrows would get up to. However, during the entire Ball, Dora's eyes wandered from face to face, looking for her girlfriend. Dora caught no glimpses of her white hair or green eyes anywhere and even Hazel's Magic remained oddly quiet inside of her, giving her a sense of melancholy. Even the appearance of her favorite band did little to lift Dora's mood. Seeing a few of the older students walking away, Dora felt it was time. "Mind if I escort you back to the Carriage?" Fleur gave her an understanding look and the two set off. "Sorry if I wasn't all that pleasant company."

Dora shook her head. "You were great Fleur. I am the one who has to apologize. All I can say is that I hope one day you find the person that makes you feel alive in events like these." Fleur smiled at her and nodded, kissing Dora on the cheek. "Thank you. Now go, as I believe your lady is waiting for you." Once inside their shared room within the Carriage, Dora shifted her appearance back to normal, wore her usual winter clothes and jacket, took her key and disillusioned herself. She made it all the way to Hazel's Chamber and unlocked it, stepping inside. It took her a moment to get her bearings as the wards within the room felt a bit rougher than normal. She stepped deeper in and looked around in the dark interior. "Hazel?" The magic inside her flared and seemed to pull her in the direction of their bedroom. The moment she opened the door, her thoughts lost any coherence. Hazel sat at the edge of the bed, staring into a mirror. Her eyes seemed lost in a memory even as Dora tried to understand what she was seeing. She had seen Hazel's hair be dark, but never the deep black that it was now. It certainly looked like it was the same as Harry's and Teddy's. "Hazel?"

A softer voice responded to her. "I heard you, Dora." It took her standing up for Dora to understand what she was seeing. Hazel's hair wasn't the only difference. She was shorter, thinner. She was also wearing a pretty green and black dress that looked so beautiful on her yet felt so wrong. It covered too much of the skin Hazel never seemed to not leave exposed. "Is this what you looked like when you were at Hogwarts?" Timid green eyes looked at Dora as she turned around. "Yes. At least up to my seventeenth birthday. I wore this when I went out to a Slughorn Yule Party with…" Hazel caught herself and she turned away. Dora felt something snap into place as she went and hugged Hazel. "You never took part in balls before, except with your ex." Hazel rested her head against Dora's chest, the change in size making Dora feel so out of sorts. "It was only once. After my Godmother… after things went bad, I was looking for anything to make me feel better. My ex invited me to the party but we left after I almost left Draco Malfoy in a puddle of his own drool." Dora chuckled, which seemed to make Hazel's mood better. "He asked me out after that. Should tell you everything you need to know about how crazy we were. I just about committed a crime in his presence and it didn't faze him."

Dora hugged Hazel tighter. "Did I make you feel like it was the same? Like we were repeating history?" Hazel shook her head. "What he saw in me was what he wanted. Nothing else. He couldn't see me at all. I, on the other hand, saw him for exactly who he was. I allowed myself to be with him to fill the emptiness inside of me. It worked. For five months we were ok. But like with all things in life, it had to end. The illusion had to fall sooner or later." Dora felt her fears rise. She knew where Hazel's thoughts were going. "Turn back. Now." Hazel turned towards Dora and stared at her. "I am somewhat tempted to make you work for it." Dora blushed but she felt Hazel's body shift back to her true form, the dress retaking its original shape as a long flowing robe. She stared at Hazel's hair, unsure why it wasn't shifting until Hazel pulled it off and tossed it aside, her short white hair growing out to its long state. Dora blinked for a second before she started to laugh, even as Hazel pouted. "I am sorry. I just… I feel so dumb right now. I forgot you couldn't take that color." Hazel glared. "I haven't lied to you." Dora looked up and smiled. "And I don't want there to be any lies between us. Ever." She handed Hazel a red present wrapped in a green bow. "Happy Christmas." Hazel took it and, with a questioning look towards Dora, opened it, freezing the moment she saw what was held inside.

Wrapping her arms around Hazel's waist, Dora kissed her girlfriend on the cheek. "Well?" She watched as tears fell from Hazel's eyes before she spoke up once more. "You gave me your magic, your Family's Magic, to keep me safe and alive. From the moment we met, you have been protecting me. This time, I wanted to protect you. Perenelle said you might recognize it." Hazel's fingers traced the charged magical crystal intricately carved into a medallion. The lines took on the form of a white dragon, it's wings forming the edges of the medallion, as its snout was pressing into the heads of two young dragons. A mother protecting its nest. Hazel could feel Dora's magic in the crystal, her body warming happily as it sought out her own. "A Patronus Echo. Designed to connect the feelings of the one who charged the crystal with the one who is the source of the happy memory." Dora took the medallion and looped the chain over Hazel's head. She felt instantly how Hazel's body seemed to fill with warmth. Those green eyes, filled with unshed tears, focused on her own purple eyes. Dora raised her hand up and cupped Hazel's cheek. "I can't put a ring on your finger just yet, but I promise you Hazel. I am here to be with you. Only you." Warm lips pressed into her own and Dora melted with the tenderness and love that seemed to spread across her body. She felt the back of her legs press against the edge before Hazel pushed her onto the bed.

Clothes vanished and the feeling of skin on skin made her mind lose focus as the world around her seemed to fade into the background. All that mattered was the feeling that seemed to fill her to the brim and her own essence responding back in kind. Green eyes stared at her as they both took a moment to breathe. Dora's voice escaped her lips in pants and moans as deft hands and warm lips sought out every inch of skin. She felt Hazel pressing into her and Dora's mind blacked out. The moment she could remember anything again, those wonderful warm lips were on her again. "Sorry about tomorrow, Nymphadora. But I need you to feel all that I am tonight. You, my most thoughtful and caring partner deserve it all and I am going to give you my all." The lips smashed into her again and Dora felt the meaning behind her words. Feeling and emotions filled her heart and mind as her body was driven to the edge of release. In one singular moment she felt Hazel in her entirety. A ball of blazing yet cold magic filled with desires, pains, insecurities and determination. But at the core of her was a single, all consuming desire. The desire to love and be loved back. Dora willed her emotions to reach Hazel and the momentary glimpse ended as her lips pulled back after the breathtaking kiss. By the end, she wasn't sure where she ended and Hazel started but at the moment she couldn't really care all that much. She was whole.

-∞-

"Harry! How are you, Pup?" Harry hugged Sirius. "I am ok, Sirius. Happy Yuletide." Sirius smiled and rubbed his hair. "And Happy Yuletide to you." He looked up and had to hold his breath as Hazel stared at him. "Happy Yuletide, Padfoot." Sirius blinked at her for a second. "Happy Yuletide, Miss Peverell." Hazel walked past him and Dora came up and hugged him. "Don't mind her. The fact she didn't think about cursing you the moment she saw you is a good thing." Sirius hugged Dora back as the families gathered at Grimmauld for New Year's Eve. Dora watched as Hazel's eyes searched the place, echoes of memories visible in her eyes. She had begrudgingly agreed to spending New Year's Eve at the Black London Townhouse as a gesture of support for Harry and Sirius. The Marauder had spent the last few months with Mind Healers and under Andromeda's care before he was given a clean bill of health, though the experiences at Azkaban would always haunt him. He found a strange comradery with Lord Nott as the two worked to redefine the Traditionalist families, finding ways to reduce the influence of the extremists from the Death Eater supporters. Lord Malfoy found his typical support exceedingly ineffective in passing any proposals, with Ted Tonks retaining his position as Peverell Proxy examining every single law and pointing out the dangerous loopholes and possible economic impact.

The Progressives were shifting as well as Dowager Longbottom took a stronger lead as both a Governor for Hogwarts and as Neville's Regent. With Julia and Nott's aid, proposals were being crafted in a way that appealed to the vast majority of the Wizengamot, barring any need for seeking individual families to vote with them. The recent Magical Creature and Being reclassification law had passed with a surprising amount of support, despite the Undersecretary's vocal arguments. While Vampires and Hags were still listed as dangerous, establishments could now be co-owned with them to help provide them with a more comfortable existence. The growing ties established by the Department of Mysteries with the British Government was helping get support with the introduction of blood from blood banks for the Vampire population. There were still restrictions on where Vampires could be but a study into the Vampire condition was being conducted by the DoM with ICW support, same as with the Hags. Ever since the summer of 1991, the ICW, member nations and the United Nations had been working on ways to diminish the impact a breach of the Statute of Secrecy could have on the world, with cooperation being a key factor. This included the careful integration of the more outlier magical creatures, beings who could become a threat to the human population. Hazel was happy for that, as every step seemed like a positive change away from the catastrophe of her world.

Hazel watched as the rest of the invited guests arrived, with Susan greeting Harry warmly, the boy blushing as they sat together. Of Hazel's students, she was the more balanced, enjoying a good mix of physical movement and precise spellwork. She wondered if the girl would seek a career in the Aurors like her Aunt Amelia, but it seemed too early to tell. The girl did seem an odd mix of quiet and contemplative with moments of spontaneity. It made her smile as the girl seemed to help Harry out with slowing down and enjoying the moment. Dora had shown her a memory of the two dancing at the Yule Ball, both clearly nervous but completely oblivious to everyone else. Her thoughts were sent elsewhere as soon as Andromeda and Ted arrived. Teddy ran up to Dromeda and hugged her as Hazel stood up. The witch turned to her after hugging Teddy back and smiled. "Happy Yuletide, Hazel." Hazel pulled Andromeda into a hug. "Happy Yuletide, Andromeda. Mind joining me elsewhere. I want to talk to you in private." Andromeda nodded and two slipped away into the library after she said hello to everyone else. The older witch looked at Hazel as soon as the door closed. "Everything alright?"

Taking a seat on a small couch in the room, Hazel fidgeted. "I wanted to apologize. About Harry." Andromeda sat beside her and frowned. "About what?" Hazel looked away from her. "I know you tried to take custody of him for years. You managed to get it finally but over the last year and a half … I am sorry he focused more on me." Andromeda gave Hazel a soft smile. "Hazel. I sought his custody to give the boy a better life. I never had any intentions of replacing Lily as the boy's mother. I only wanted him to be happy. And he is. In the months he spends with us, he is polite and calm, but when you are around he relaxes completely. You give him the sense of safety and familiarity he desperately needed." Hazel turned to her. "I never set out to become like a mother to him. I told your husband as much." Andromeda nodded. "You didn't, but you can't help being yourself either. You lived a nightmare that seemed to be Harry's fate. Yet, here we are, a larger family gathered together. We are all here because of your actions. You shouldn't feel guilty for any of what has happened. Hell, my daughter and I are closer than ever, even with her spending the last few months in Beauxbatons." Hazel looked towards the door. "What about Sirius? He is Harry's Godfather but my behaviour towards him has practically destroyed any chances of Harry looking up to him like a father."

Andromeda looked towards the door and nodded. "That is certainly true. But again, you did everything you could." Andromeda raised her hand to stop Hazel's next comment. "Your trauma prevented you from bonding with the man, yet you knew this was wrong of you. You gave Harry the chance to know him and bond with him on his own. And the boy has. Perhaps not as you and your Godmother did but it's not as bad as it could have been." Hazel searched Andromeda's eyes. "Dora told you. About who my Godmother was." Andromeda's face turned sad. "She did. She felt it was better that I knew, even if I never shared it with anyone but Ted." Andromeda leaned forward and hugged Hazel, surprising her. "My sister's life was not an easy one. Our world did to her much as what yours did to you. I had to bury the memories of the bright older sister she once was. She is gone from this world. So believe me when I say I am glad that her light lives on in you. That your Bella was there for you as she was meant to be; whole and kind. Keep that memory alive and share her light with us, Hazel." Hazel's eyes watered as she hugged Andromeda back. The two returned to the others after and Dora sat next to Hazel, who felt a bit different than from when she arrived. She leaned her head on her girlfriend's shoulder as everyone chatted away, waiting for the hours to pass by as the New Year approached.

-∞-

Sirius stared at Hazel as Amelia held his hands. "You… you were born to a different Prongs and Lily?" Hazel did her best to control her feelings as she nodded in response to his question. There was none of the madness she knew was present in her own world's Sirius Black, not anymore, but his appearance was still too close for her subconscious to just let it go. Worst of all were his eyes. This Sirius and Bella of her world were very much alike in appearance, though Bella's hair had a lot more curls. Seeing the same warmth and kindness she knew so well aimed at Harry from those eyes on Sirius' face made her emotions go into pure chaos. Sirius turned to Andromeda and the rest. "You are all sure of this? You all believe her?" Hazel sighed, looking for something, anything her world's Bella knew that might apply to Sirius. "In the summer before your fifth year, before you were due to inherit the Heir ring, Walburga took you aside. She tried to instruct you on what she wanted you to behave as. That meant breaking ties with James and Remus and getting friendly with the Slytherins. That meant sacrificing everything that ever mattered to you. In my world you refused, before your mother placed you under the Cruciatus. She kept you under for too long and my Godmother believes something in you broke that day. I am going to guess something similar happened to you but you managed to escape and spent the rest of the summer with Dorea and Charlus Potter."

Those grey eyes turned to her again, shock and horror written on them. "I never told anyone what happened, not even James. Only Dorea and Charlus knew about what happened at Grimmauld. Father… Father caught my mother torturing me. He forced her to stop and sent me away. He banished me from the house." Amelia squeezed Sirius' hand for support before turning to Hazel. "No one saved him in your world?" Hazel shook her head. "My Godmother only heard about it when word reached her via Regulus that Sirius had a need for a Healer. The Potters in my world had no real ties to the Blacks and Orion ordered the matter to be kept in house, so no one could say a word. Sirius went back to Hogwarts, jittery and suffering the effects but no one could do anything about it. He never recovered from that. Not really. He returned to Grimmauld every year until graduation, the last summer seemingly going better than the last two." Dora cursed. "They Marked him." Hazel shrugged. "That was the guess in hindsight. In our world, as soon as the children were seventeen years old, they could be Marked and they were. After they completed the initiation. Rape, Torture and Murder of an undesirable." Andromeda winced and turned to Amelia. The redhead sighed. "It's usually the same here, though a few got Marked for completing special assignments or being part of a prominent family."

Sirius rubbed his face and looked at Hazel. "You certainly know a lot about Death Eaters." Hazel turned away from him. "You know about Harry's nightmares. I had something similar. Voldemort could reach out to me. He could find me wherever I went and he could speak to me at a moment's notice. What do you think a megalomaniac with psychopathic tendencies did with that knowledge?" Sirius paled as Dora froze. "Your Family Magic." Hazel nodded as she marked the symbol of her family in the air with fire writing. "In our world he was the Lord Peverell and I was the Heiress. The magic decided that. Our magic bound us together. When he tried to kill me in 81, he lost control of the Family Magic. So it waited. It waited for me to be ready. In that time it waited we were equals, bound to never harm each other and to never usurp the other. He spent a great deal of that time trying to twist me to his side. He showed me every twisted memory, every great accomplishment. He took a perverse pleasure in making Purebloods behave no better than wild dogs as they unknowingly obeyed the orders of a Halfblood. He was proud of what he did." Hazel leaned her head back. "And I watched it all through his eyes." Everyone around shivered at that as Dora hugged Hazel. Sirius took a deep breath. "Andromeda said my look alike murdered your godmother." The air crackled with magic for a second before Hazel bit out her response. "Yes." Amelia gripped his hand, "Sirius…" The man pressed on. "You killed him, didn't you?"

The shift in magic in the room was instantaneous as black flames shot out from Hazel's feet before stopping a split second before they reached Sirius. The man jumped back as Amelia drew her wand. Everyone in the room was frozen as they stared at the black flames before they died down. There was no mistaking the hate in Hazel's words. "I did. First time I ever casted the Killing Curse against another person. First time I was so utterly consumed by hate that the curse turned darker than all other killing curses." Amelia smacked Sirius on the head. "Don't ever do that again." Sirius rubbed his head, looking somewhat ashamed. "I needed to know and she isn't the most friendly for me to talk to." Hazel took a deep breath and the air in the room felt far more comfortable afterwards. "Congratulations, Padfoot. You know." Sirius frowned before he realized why she called him Padfoot. "Guessing my alter ego had a different Marauder name?" Hazel lowered her head. "Not sharing it. I have enough trouble being reminded of him around you as it is." She stood up and green eyes that reminded Sirius of Lily glared down at him. "You have what you wanted to know. You know what I have done for your family. I am going to do my best to ignore the itch I have to hurt you because Harry deserves you in his life. Try not to piss me off again. Now if you excuse me, my son knows I am in a foul mood. I need to go to him and settle us both down." She kissed Dora and the cheek and walked out of the room.

Sirius rubbed his hair. "She reminds me of Lily. The woman was a terror when she got mad. Pretty sure I couldn't sit down for a week after I took Harry for a ride on my motorbike." Amelia scoffed. "You bloody well deserved it too." Sirius nodded as he looked towards the Tonks. "So, what do we do now?" Andromeda stared at him. "We treat her exactly as we always did. She is the closest thing Harry has to a blood family. Everything she has done in the last three years has been to make sure he doesn't turn out like her and for her son to live a happy life. The boys adore her because she has never hidden anything from either of them." Sirius sat back in his seat and rubbed his ring as the Head of House Black. A thought returned to him about what Kreacher told him. "Bellatrix was her Godmother." Dora nodded. "She was. Hers was younger, in your year at school and friends to both Lily and James. She was a Healer that worked as a double agent between the sides." Sirius sighed, feeling so conflicted. Now that he knew what to look for, she was certainly very much like Lily, but the ferocity in her was very much something all her own. "I will try not to set her off anymore and I have no problem with her being close to Harry." Dora stood up. "Good, because something tells me it wouldn't have mattered if she had your support or not." Dora left the room as Sirius looked to Andromeda. "Is she planning to tell Harry?" Andromeda nodded. "The boy is building up his Occlumency defences, but we believe Voldemort's connection to him bypasses that. She will tell him when Voldemort is dead and gone for good."

Dora, up the stairs of Grimmauld, found Hazel sitting beside Teddy in the boys room, with Harry sitting on his bed, both of the kids being wide awake. She watched as Aithusa flew around the room, Teddy's Alina following it around as Harry's doe pranced around beneath them even as it's form shivered. She watched as Hazel taught them how to vary the size of the Patroni, until Harry's doe was able to fit on the palm of his hand. "Focus your thoughts on a person that should receive the message and speak the words. The Patronus can carry the message pretty much anywhere." Dora flicked her wand and watched as her Snowball joined them. The name had originally been for her rabbit Patronus but Hazel and Teddy said it was still a good name for her dragon. Dora had pouted when they both said her dragon looked cute. She sat besides Harry as the three tiny dragons flew around their heads, the snow falling silently just outside the window. In no time at all the boys fell asleep and Hazel slipped out of the room with Dora by her side. That night there was no need for their clothes to come off. They cuddled together in the bed, comforted by the feelings they shared together, as the stars poked through the clouds, finding what peace they could before returning to Hogwarts. There was still much they had to prepare for in the coming year.

Chapter 45: The Second Task

Chapter Text

"So, there was no clue?" Both Dora and Harry shook their heads. "Bagman said the Second Task was a test of a Champion's capability. Preparation wasn't going to give an adequate test or show. All they said was to think about who we can trust to be by our side. The person has to be from the same school and the same year." Hazel frowned at Dora's words, looking at Harry. "I feel this was Dumbledore's work. That rule was designed to force the younger students to struggle more." Harry lowered his eyes, clenching his hands as Dora hugged his side. She looked up to Hazel. "You had a bit of intel on what the Second Task could be?" Hazel nodded. "We suspected the Tournament would use an old favorite. They like to use hostages in their tasks, but the trust thing is odd. Previous Tournaments hosted by Hogwarts utilized the Black Lake as an arena for a Tournament Task, but our research shows the Merfolk haven't been approached. The Centaurs, however, where. So the Second Task is likely to be in the Forbidden Forest, as the Quidditch Pitch just got sealed off by the Headmaster for what I am certain is the Third Task." Dora rubbed Harry's back. "Definitely a step up from XXXXX Creatures."

Hazel summoned a book from the library alcove in the Chamber to her hand. "Yeah, that's still a problem. The Centaurs have been kind enough to share with us the types of creatures currently living in the Forest. There is a massive nest of Acromantulas, courtesy of Hagrid's old pet Aragog. We have sightings of Barghests, which I personally put on a slightly lower level in danger than a Direwolf because they don't run in packs. We could see the Tournament release other dangerous creatures that prefer to hunt down targets in forests, but the Centaurs did mention that if the Organizers did that they would end peaceful relations with Hogwarts. Whether Dumbledore ignores the Centaur's threat or not is up for debate. My best guess is that the Second Task will involve safely traversing the Forest to a predetermined point, probably the area near the arena. I have no idea how the extra person is supposed to be used, since there is no indication they will be hostages. The wording Bagman used is wrong for that." Harry looked to Hazel. "So, what's the plan?" Hazel rubbed her chin. She sighed and looked at the chamber. "I can recreate the forest here. It won't be entirely accurate, but you can get a feel for it. I will keep changing the terrain so it's more skill improvement than memorizing paths. I can teach you some spells for direction and improved vision. Basic healing won't go amiss either."

Hazel turned to the Chamber and grew thoughtful as Dora turned to Harry. "Fleur will likely be my partner. She can get her taste of the Triwizard Tournament this way. You should check which of your yearmates you want by your side, Harry." Dora turned to Hazel. "We should have Fleur and the person Harry picks join us with this training your cooking up. Getting all four of us in proper form for navigating the Forest will be better, just in case." Hazel waved at Dora. "Sure. Get the word out. We can't train you to do the Task perfectly since we don't know if there is anything else to it, but we will get close. You two head on out while I work on the simulation. Tell your partners, go to dinner and then come back here." Harry stopped for a second as he made to leave before rushing back and hugging Hazel. Hazel rubbed his hair. "I know. Go be with your friends and have fun. We get this task concluded then we are one step closer to the end." With Dora a good distance away, Harry left the entrance of the chamber and made his way up to the Great Hall, where he sat down at the Gryffindor Table. He smiled at Susan from across the Hall and started to fill his plate as he thought about who would be the best to bring with him on the task. He knew those would be his friends that Hazel had been tutoring.

He had been training with them since the start of the year, so he knew what most of them could do. Neville and Theo were some of the best duelists, with Hazel pressing everyone not to stand still. Neville tended to take his time in mastering a spell, something Hazel said was a consequence of the use of his father's wand for a year, since he kept worrying if he was underpowering the spells or overpowering them. Theo had taken to dueling a lot better. The few matches he was in for the Academic competition made him a stand out in speed and power, but he was more focused on spells, jinxes and mild curses for fighting other witches and wizards. None of the Slytherins messed with him because he could beat them all but did that translate well to casting against creatures or using utility spells? Harry wasn't sure. He sighed as he downed his drink of juice while he looked to the two people he knew could do the Task with him the best. They were being trained for about the same amount of time by Hazel and they were more interested in a wider variety of spells than Neville and Theo. The question was if either of them wanted to come and if one of them wouldn't get mad at him for choosing the other.

-∞-

"Ok, I am starting to regret ever wanting to be a Champion." Dora pulled Fleur out of the water before casting a drying charm on her. The hackles on her neck rose as she heard a snarl right behind them. She swiftly turned around and casted a kinetic shield just seconds before a maw full of sharp teeth bounced off of it. She swung her wand around and bound the Barghest before casting an overpowered stunner, disabling the creature. She took a deep breath and turned to a surprised Fleur. "Told you this was going to be nasty." Fleur pouted. "When you said this was training, I expected more exercise and matches, not running through an exceedingly realistic bog and forest. How is your partner doing all this?" Hazel's voice echoed through the area. "Try spending a full year on the run while being hunted by Death Eaters. I had a lot of fun dragging the bastards into the Moor wetlands. You get pretty intimate with the terrain. I also spent a good chunk of my time in forests, so this is all relatively easy to conjure." Fleur pinched the bridge of her nose. "Please tell me I heard that wrong. Please tell me this isn't all conjuration?" Dora shrugged her shoulders. "Not the most impressive feat of conjuration she has ever-"

Dora heard a branch above her snap and she pushed Fleur back and duck to the ground. Eight massive legs slammed into the ground around her as massive pincers started snapping at her. She wiped her wand around. " Diffindo ." Half of the creature's feet were sliced clean off and Dora aimed her wand straight at its head. " Deprimo !" The spider's head exploded into a mist of gore and carapace as the creature's body slumped to the ground, one of its legs twitching. Fleur took some deep breaths as she stood up. "Ok, that is terrifying. How many of those are there in the forest?" Dora tried to remember what Hazel said. "Centaurs put the larger ones in the hundreds. They seem to have hit a plateau in population, probably from lack of food. They cannibalize their young to keep themselves fed and controlled." Fleur shuddered. "I am adding the spider banishing spell, and any other spider centric spells, to my repertoire." Dora nodded as the two made their way deeper into the woods, with Dora trying to increase their movement speed. The light in the area started going down and Fleur summoned a ball of blue flame into her hands as Dora casted a wandless light spell in her offhand. The two moved deeper and deeper into the woods until a familiar smell filled Dora's nose. "Oh, come on!" She ducked down as a massive club smashed into the tree behind her, showering the area with splinters. Dora rolled away and aimed her wand at the Troll's feet.

After tying the Troll's legs, she summoned the ropes, causing the creature to fall on its back before she banished the club into its skull. Fleur popped from behind the nearest tree, scrunching her nose and waving her hand. "That… is a disgusting smell." Dora covered her mouth as she cleared the air before she took some deep breaths. "And accurate. We took one down three years ago." Dora aimed her wand at Troll and cast a cutting curse, the spell practically bouncing off the creature's hide and into a tree, cutting part of the bark away. She rubbed her face. "Hazel, stop making them realistic!" The air was filled with an echoing giggle that seemed to send shivers down Fleur's spine. "I rescind my earlier statement, Dora. I am no longer interested in ever pursuing you or your partner. Pretty sure my Veela nature just told me to run as far away from her as possible." A voice responded from nearby. "Good! Mom is with Dora and no one else!" The forest seemed to lose cohesion as the trees and uneven ground vanished. Dora watched as Hazel stood nearby, an amused grin on her face, while Teddy glared at Fleur. The rest of the tutored students looked on with horror at what the practice entailed, including Harry. Well, most of them did. Daphne seemed exceedingly thoughtful. She turned to Hazel. "Would you say Cryomancy could be useful in this environment?"

Hazel shrugged. "Against Devil's Snare, Acromantulas and Barghests? Sure. Still a bit unsuitable if you start freezing the ground, unless you have the right gear. Same with Pyromancy, as I am sure the organizers will complain about burning the forest down, not to mention it would anger the Centaurs. Localized and controlled use of either should be fine, though. At your age I wouldn't recommend using Cryomancy too much. Unlike fire, it's far more magically draining." Daphne hummed as she turned to Harry. "Well, Partner? Ready to have a go?" Harry swallowed as Susan pushed him forward. "I no longer regret you keeping me out of this. Have fun you two." Harry turned to Susan, his face showing a bit of betrayal. "Fun? You call this fun?" Susan smirked and pointed to Hazel. "Well, it's fun for her to conjure and for us to watch. See you two in a bit." Hazel conjured pitch black bags and pulled them over the two kids heads, before disorienting them. She then proceeded to construct an entire forest from sheer conjuration and a few touches of transfiguration through the floor, the room building up with humidity and the smell of stagnant water, wood and composting leaves. Luna clapped her hands. "It's amazing! You sure you don't want to talk to the Weasley Twins? Ginny says they are making something similar." Hazel shuddered at the memory of the swamp she fell into in fifth year. She had trouble getting the taste of the putrid water out of her mouth for weeks until she cornered the two and demanded a fix. Her clothes had been burned the moment she took them off. "Nope. Not happening." Luna pouted as Teddy patted her back as Hazel whistled loudly, the bags over Harry and Daphne vanishing. "Begin!"

-∞-

OW July 1995

Hazel opened her eyes and saw the familiar roof of the Chamber of Secrets. Yet she knew she had just spent a month by her Godmother's side, training with her and Moody for the coming fight against Voldemort. She knew she had gone to sleep in Grimmauld, hearing word of Dementors being spotted over Little Whinging and about someone casting a Patronus within the Dursley residence. She had received a letter that very night, charging her with violating the Decree for Underage Magic and threatening the Statute of Secrecy. Dumbledore, like always, was sticking his nose in her business and went to get her expulsion revoked. For once she was happy to let the old man waste his time. If this was Voldemort's work, then it wouldn't matter. The man was clearly manipulating the Minister and taking advantage of Dumbledore's impatience to wreak havoc without so much as lifting a finger himself. Hazel sighed, trying to make sense of everything she knew of the man. There was no denying he was a phenomenal teacher, getting her to learn wandless magic in less than a year, yet Dumbledore liked to paint him as this violent madman bent on world domination. The megalomania she could see, especially in the young man from the Diary, but the madness? She had a hard time seeing it. Maybe it was just an act?

"You know, this is quite unexpected." Hazel froze as blue eyes stared at her as a man leaned over her. It took her a second to recognize him before she rushed to stand up. The moment her head crashed into his, she felt a sudden influx of thoughts and memories enter her mind, instead of the expected headache. She cleared her head and watched as Voldemort did the same. "Curiouser and curiouser. Hello again, Hazel. I must say, the inside of my mind was certainly the last place I expected to find you." Hazel scoffed. "Right, you expected to find me at my relatives house." Voldemort leaned his head to the side. "Considering what I have heard of your relationship with your relatives, no, I wouldn't." Hazel blinked at him and frowned. "Didn't one of your puppets send Dementors after me at my relatives place?" Tom rubbed his chin and shrugged his shoulders. "Not to my knowledge. I might need to summon my people and ask around." Hazel stared at the man. "You had nothing to do with the Dementors or my expulsion?" Tom stared back. "It might interest you my dear, though with Dumbledore filling your mind with lies I am not entirely surprised about your thoughts being what they are, but not all of my plans revolve around making your life miserable. I do have a country to conquer after all."

Well, he had the megalomaniac part down. Hazel sighed before she stood up, noticing she had awoken atop her usual conjured sofa. She looked around the Chamber, not seeing much difference between it and her memories, before focusing back on Voldemort who kept eying her curiously. "So, do you want to clear up some misconceptions for me about what is and isn't your fault in the last three years?" Voldemort narrowed his eyes on her. "I do have more important things to do, Potter." Hazel looked around the Chamber again. "Like house cleaning?" Voldemort rubbed his eyes. "You know, I can see why Barty likes you. You have the same sense of humor he has." Hazel crossed her arms. "Why don't we start there? How much of the Triwizard Tournament was by your design, my lord?" Hazel watched as a corner of his mouth twitched, as if Voldemort suppressed a smile. "I suppose that's fair. My plan was simply to put you in the Tournament and have you get yanked away by the Portkey in the Cup. Everything else was either your bad luck or Dumbledore's own maneuverings, minus the few times Barty gave you some hints. You had to win, after all." Hazel sighed, suspecting as much. After all, who the hell would pick Ronald Weasley as her hostage?

The Second Task had been an unmitigated disaster for her. Sure, Neville told her about Gillyweed, which she acquired easily enough from Snape's wares. She didn't care that the man suspected her and threatened her, he was an ass and she took the gillyweed as her own petty revenge. Unlike the bastard and his two masters, she could own up to her own failings. The Task itself was relatively easy. She jumped into the water with gillyweed giving her gills and webbed appendages, swan quickly into the Merfolk village and retrieved the person she thought she would miss most. Apparently, Dumbledore was a bloody moron and selected her hostage to be Ronald Weasley. Since the organizers can't be specific about anything, she had found the hostages and retrieved Hermione instead, being the first to return successfully. Only the judges didn't seem to agree with that. Rather than getting the top marks her performance deserved, the bastards gave her the same 25 participation points Fleur got for almost being Grindylow food. Now, Hazel didn't care for her score in the Tournament, as her killing of the Hebridean Black Dragon resulted in receiving a grand total of 5 points, leaving her well behind the other Champions, but it was the principle that mattered to her.

Hazel rubbed her hair, the motion followed by Voldemort's eyes. "Guessing Black's own attempt at leaving me as Dementor food was also not your plan?" Voldemort's face shifted. Hazel wasn't sure but he seemed… angry. "Most certainly not." Hazel sat back on her sofa and leaned back. "And that leaves the incident with the Diary." Again, Voldemort looked angry, only this time she was confused by the anger she felt. This one felt off from the previous one. Was he mad his followers disobeyed him or was it something else? "Again, not by my design. That book should never have fallen into your hands, or anyone else's." Hazel gave him a smirk. "Sounds like you have to get all your ducks back in a row then." Voldemort eyed her, his face turning expressionless. "As much as it pains me to admit it, it seems I do have a lot of business to discuss with my Death Eaters. So could you kindly leave my mind?" Hazel frowned. "I am pretty sure this is my mind."

Voldemort glared. "This is my family's Chamber." Hazel padded the sofa she was on. "And this is the sofa I use to sleep in it." Voldemort froze, his eyes darting around the room, as if looking for other inconsistencies, noticing the different lighting and the bookshelves on the wall. "Well, now this is very curious indeed." He turned to Hazel, who felt her heart stop for a second as a smile broke across his face. "Well, I think I will be going on my way. See you soon, Hazel." Hazel snapped awake in her bed at her Godmother's place, her heart beating wildly. She took deep breaths as she stared at her reflection in the mirror, her eyes looking reddish for a brief second before becoming green again. Whatever had just happened in her sleep had been something completely different than the dreams in the past year. She had a sinking feeling this wouldn't be the only time she would see Voldemort, the real living Voldemort, in her dreams.

-∞-

NW February 22nd 1995

Hazel watched as two Centaurs made their way towards her, recognizing them both. She bowed her head. "Arrive in peace, First Warrior and Stargazer of the Herd. What are you willing to share with us about those who foolishly send children to traverse your forest?" Hazel's eyes grew a bit in surprise as Bane bowed to her. "No humans have entered the land beyond the ones who we escorted for the Longbearded Headmaster, all of whom have left. The Forest is as it was for the last few years. A pack of wolves roam the land, as do several Barghests and Trolls. The Acromantula Colony is restless with the thawing snow. Their numbers are fewer as is customary at the end of winter." Hazel bowed her head respectfully at Bane. "Our thanks to the herd in keeping our young ones safe from the madness that afflicts our kind." Bane chuckled. "Indeed. We will patrol the edges as agreed upon, Huntress. A swift end to your prey in the coming months." Hazel watched as Bane left before turning to Firenze. "Please tell me he found a mate? There is no other reason he could be in such a good mood." Firenze laughed softly. "In fact, he has. The herd has grown well with the supplies of food you and yours have brought, as well with the barriers keeping the spiders and winter from harming our kin at home. Bane's successful hunts attracted a mate who is most eager for a child." Hazel shook her head as she smiled. "Well, if it means relations between us are this cordial, I am most happy for him."

Firenze nodded and looked towards the woods. "The eight move through the trees towards your kin. Two of the foreigners and two of the locals struggle with the terrain, but the rest move well in the uneven ground. The wolf pack has taken notice but is keeping it's distance as they observe for any weakness." Hazel sighed as she rubbed her hair. "The Headmasters sent eight young ones into the Forest as soon as the snows faded. The ground is saturated with water and the predators hunger for food. This was a bad idea from the start." Firenze walked up to her. "Indeed. We will watch closely and intervene if things become life threatening. Until then, may your foresight serve you well, Huntress." Hazel watched as Firenze galloped away before she switched her patrol with another Auror. As she walked along the back of the spectator stands, her eyes looked up towards the scrying mirrors used to watch the Champions. Four large ones showed the four sets of students for all the schools to watch, while four smaller ones were used by the judges. She found Teddy towards the back and hugged him from behind before patting Susan and Astoria on the back, with Nova perched on Teddy's shoulder in case she was needed. "How are they?" Teddy kept his eyes fixed on Harry and Daphne. "They are getting closer to the halfway point. So far, nothing bad has happened."

Within the forest, Harry and Daphne rushed through the forest as fast as they could while safely taking in the surroundings, with Harry feeling magically exhausted. At the start of the Second Task, Bagman revealed an extra condition to traversing the forest. "Each pair of students must carry a charm that is designed to drain you of your magic as time passes. At the same time, only one person is allowed to have their wand out at any given time. As soon as the portkey deposits you in the forest, the charm will activate and one of you must place the charm around your necks. You must decide who carries the wand and who carries the charm quickly. Prepare yourselves Champions and allies. Remember, you must successfully reach this place again together to have the right to the full points score! Take your portkeys and wait for the signal." As soon as a cannon blasted, all eight of them got portkeyed away into the forest. Aside from Dora and Fleur, Krum had selected a friend of his from Durmstrang while Cedric picked the Hufflepuff Keeper from his team as his companion. Daphne turned to Harry. "So, who goes first with the wand?" Harry looked around the area he and Daphne got portkeyed into. "I don't think the Creature danger will be as high the closer we get back to the stands."

Daphne looked at the charm that also worked as their compass back to the finish line. "Agreed. The closer to the people, the less dangers. Which means the most danger we can expect to come across will be between now and the midway point, which we have no way to measure." Harry thought for a second. "So, what do we do? Do you take the charm and I go with the wand, then we switch?" Daphne shook her head. "I don't think that's the best idea." Harry and Daphne heard movement in the woods and moved behind a tree for cover. Harry whispered to Daphne. "Then what do we do? While having a single person carrying the charm the whole way makes sense, I am pretty sure neither of us can handle the entire journey back on our own. We will get tired regardless and neither of us will be able to do magic." Daphne rubbed her chin before she snapped her fingers. "The clue! The task was for the Champion to bring someone they trust with their lives. What if it's less about who holds the what and instead who holds both." Harry thought for a second and smiled. "Of course. One will get tired regardless, but the chances of using magic the whole time are zero, so one person can be tired out but the other will be ready to fight at a moment's notice." Harry took the charm from Daphne and placed it around his neck, feeling the drain begin instantly.

The dark haired Slytherin girl stared at him. "Are you sure you want to go first?" Harry nodded. "I've been training hard for magical endurance, so I can take the strain at first. You've always been better at thinking quickly on your feet. If we reach the midway point and things go bad, you have a better chance of getting us through." Daphne blushed a little but nodded. "Alright. Let's get going." The two made their way quickly through the trees until they reached a section of forest where the ground was more marshland. Harry pointed his wand at himself and Daphne and casted the featherweight charm. With their weight reduced, they were able to travel the saturated ground much more easily, to the cheers of their friends watching via the mirrors. Their first major obstacle was one that Harry remembered clearly from the training. The sudden appearance of two Mountain Trolls wasn't as overwhelming as it could have been if Hazel's own simulacra weren't exceedingly detailed in their smell. Keeping Daphne behind him, Harry cast a modified water balloon spell, this one filled with paint. With both trolls blinded, he then bound their legs with ropes and toppled them over. A second dose of paint to the face and the two fourth years ran away from the danger, the Trolls left behind to fend for themselves.

In another part of the forest, Dora and Fleur made their own way through the difficult terrain. In order to avoid making it look like they and Harry's team had been practicing together, their method for traversing the area was made to be different. While the younger students focused on using spells any fourth or fifth year might know and apply them in unique and effective ways, Dora had elected to focus on a more elemental magic approach. Basing her plan on her performance in the First Task and Daphne's own musings, Dora used her wand to harden the ground beneath them with a freezing charm, with both her and Fleur using conjured snow boots with cleats to traverse the more wetland portions of the Forest without too much difficulty. Dora turned to Fleur and both casted silencing spells on their feet as soon as they saw the first spider webs. It was too little too late as several human sized spiders dropped from above and started chasing after them. Dora aimed her wand at the spiders and the cutting charms and curses started sending spider limbs everywhere. The screeching of the injured creatures seemed to call even more of their kin to the area, with the trees above them filling up quickly. Fleur turned to Dora. "We need to do something!" Dora sighed and cast a warming charm on them both. "Here goes nothing. Nix Tempestas. "

The Elder Wand unleashed a massive blizzard into the area behind Dora. "Grab my hand and guide me. I will keep the spiders busy." Fleur didn't think twice. Keeping her balance as much as possible, Dora could feel her chest warming up as they made their way across unstable leaf litter and massive roots. The snowstorm slowed down the spiders, the ones closest to Dora being flash frozen in place, but the mass of creatures did its best to pursue them. The two participants pushed on further away as Dora aimed her wand upwards, cutting off the movement from the spiders above their heads. It took several minutes of continuous casting before the two of them seemed to be safely away from the nest. Not leaving things to chance, they kept sprinting through the woods, their steps nimble and silent as darkness descended onto the forest. The change in lighting condition made them pause for a second before Dora enchanted Fleur's eyes and she adjusted her own to see in the lower light. They then picked up speed as the ground turned far more sturdy and the trees were spread out more evenly. Not even the sudden appearance of a Forest Troll slowed them down as Dora cast a curse that blinded the creature instantly.

As they moved further in the direction of the finish line, Dora caught movement out of the corner of her eye and smiled as she saw Daphne and Harry moving quickly through the underbrush, their path lit by wandless lumos charms on their hands. Fleur's yelp made her stop but Fleur's Veela Flames struck the Devil's Snare plant that had latched onto her foot. Dora flicked her wand and lifted Fleur up quickly before they kept pushing closer to Harry. Her elation at seeing her cousin ended where her hackles rose up. Two large howls seemed to pierce the air followed by snarling as she watched a Barghest heading straight for her, two bright red eyes sitting atop the creature's mouth dripping with saliva. It dodged several of her piercing and cutting curses until she nailed it with a wide area banishing spell. An overpowered cutting and piercing spell chain ended the life of the creature quickly. She and Fleur continued in their path, while Dora eyed the two fourth years. She watched as the other Barghest rushed towards the students before a fireball from Daphne knocked it back. A freezing spell froze the creature in place, making Dora sigh in relief. They two teams moved closer and closer and Dora waved as she and Fleur passed the young years ahead before reaching the finish line first. The Beauxbatons crowd cheered as Dora dropped onto the ground, feeling winded from the run as she pulled the charm over her head and passed it to the new judge.

The ICW judge, who had replaced Barty Crouch Senior after he was removed from the Tournament after the man was found suffering from several mental magics, including the Imperius Curse, disabled the charm from Dora and from Harry as Bagman addressed the crowd. "There you have it, Ladies and Gentlemen! Our first and second place winners for the Second Task are Miss d'Éon and her partner, Miss Delacour, as well as Mr. Potter and his partner, Miss Greengrass. They traversed the Forest at incredible speed, using a variety of spells to overwhelm the dangers from both the landscape and the beasts that dwelled within it. Their scores will be announced as soon as the remaining two teams arrive." Dora and Fleur sat down at seats in the lower end of the stands as Pomfrey checked on them both. Dora knew that the Healer spotted the same irregularity with her magic as before but still gave her a clean bill of health before checking Harry and Daphne. "You two have a few scrapes and bruises, probably from hitting branches. The bigger concern is your magical exhaustion. Miss Greengrass, I would suggest you spend two days without casting any magic. Mr. Potter, you are much worse off. No magic for over a week. I want you to show up for daily checks to make sure you are recovering." Harry, breathing heavily, nodded silently.

Astoria was the first to arrive, tackling Daphne into the back of the seat, as Hazel and Teddy sat with Harry, rubbing his hair and hugging him. Pomfrey informed Hazel of Harry's diagnosis, which made the white haired witch turn to the kid. "You kept the charm even after you stopped using your wand, didn't you?" Harry blushed. "Yeah. Daphne took it after I started slowing down." The young girl scoffed. "Bloody Gryffindor didn't want me to waste my magic." Hazel pulled Harry into a hug. "Well, what did you learn?" Harry smirked. "Daphne's stinging hexes hurt?" Hazel pouted. "No, wiseguy. You need to pace yourself. Pushing your magic to the extreme consistently can improve your casting and raise your limit but doing it severely like this is dangerous. Don't do it again, especially if it makes your family and friends get angry at you. Trust me, I have been glared at by Teddy for the same." Harry winced when he saw Teddy glaring at him. He pressed into Hazel's hug and nodded. "Ok. I won't do it again." Hazel kissed his hair. "Good. Come on, let's get you to the rest of the family." Harry smiled as he stood up and walked alongside Hazel, glad to have a family that cared about him enough to lecture him. Even after completing the Second Task, he found his family was much more important to him than the silly points they were giving out.

-∞-

"As expected, Beauxbatons leads us in History of Magic, Arithmancy, Potions and Alchemy, while Durmstrang leads in the Defence against the Dark Arts course, though just barely. Everyone is quite surprised Hogwarts is leading in the Dueling competitions, except with Beauxbatons giving us a hard time in seventh year. Our students continue to do well in Herbology, Runes, Charms and Transfigurations, especially the fourth year students. Babbling is quite pleased with how well her students are doing." Dumbledore sat back and smiled. "Ahh, then perhaps Hogwarts may yet win the Academic Competition. I may earn some galleons from Nicholas after all. Though I must say I am surprised we are doing so well in Dueling." Minerva smiled. "The credit seems to go to both Miss Peverell and Alastor. The lessons from the Dueling Club last year have done wonders for the students in all the wand based magic courses and Alastor has dedicated a good chunk of his class to reinforce those lessons. The only student doing better than our students is Miss Delacour, which considering her father was the head of the French DMLE, is not so surprising. The same can be seen with our Miss Bones, who remains tied with Miss Greengrass, Mister Longbottom and Mister Nott for the top scores in Dueling for her year group."

Dumbledore stroked his beard, trying not to show any irritation. "Now, for the Champions. How are Mr. Krum and young Cedric? Are they and their partners recovering well?" Minerva nodded though sadly. "Poppy believes they will be out of the Hospital Wing in two weeks. Mr Krum and his friend are recovering slowly from the Acromantula venom and there is only so much we can do about the effectiveness of the antivenom. They were fortunate the Centaurs entered the forest and rescued them as neither could activate the emergency portkeys. Mister Diggory's injuries to his legs and back from the wolf attacks and the Devil Snare are recovering faster, but Mister Fleet will be needing a longer stay and several bones regrown after his run in with a Troll. That Mr. Diggory managed to drag the young man out with him as they completed the Task was a miracle, though Poppy is certain it might have been better for Mr. Fleet to have received medical aid sooner." Dumbledore nodded absentmindedly. "Very well. The hedges for the Maze will be ready by the time the Third Task begins. Until then, let's focus our attention on the students' education again. We have a while to wait before the Tournament will enter its final stage after all." Minerva left the Headmaster's office as Dumbledore sat back, reflecting on the results of the Second Task.

The performances of the others went as expected. The young Diggory boy was too unprepared to complete the task without suffering injuries. Young Viktor had done better until he ran into the nest of Acromantulas. The snowstorm created by the Beauxbatons Champion had forced the creatures away from their previous position, catching the boys by surprise. Dumbledore was pleasantly surprised how amenable the Centaurs had been in rescuing the boys and guarding the determined area for the Task from external influences. The young d'Éon girl proved to be exactly as his information stated. Her father was from an old French family looking to expand into Britain, much as the Malfoys once did. His arrest in an illegal Dueling Circuit here in Britain seemed to have caused his reputation to plummet, which is why the girl was sent to Beauxbatons to compete in the Tournament. She was a Dark Witch, using a combination of advanced dueling practices and curses, though she showed remarkable restraint against the Kelpie in the First Task. A personal favorite magical creature of hers? That was probably it. A small act of sentimentality. In the Second Task she was ruthlessly efficient in handling all the creatures in her path and her application of Elemental Magic was quite the sight, though why she chose to carry the draining charm throughout the entire task was a mystery. A personal test to prove herself beyond the others? That seemed very likely to him.

His thoughts turned to young Harry and Dumbledore's mind was deeply conflicted. The boy showed skill and efficiency, but a reticence to cause any permanent harm, as seen by his encounter with the Trolls. That he volunteered to wield both the wand and the charm and later refrained from relinquishing the charm for some time showed the type of nobility of spirit Dumbledore expected from the young Gryffindor. His choice of partner, however, said otherwise, perhaps proving the boy belonged in Slytherin as well. Of the boy's friends, he expected Harry to pick young Neville or perhaps young Miss Bones. Yet he picked Miss Greengrass, the daughter of a traditionalist and known sympathizer of Voldemort's. The calculated choice told him it was likely the influence of the boy's now near constant shadow. Dumbledore suspected Peverell was teaching the boy how to succeed in the Tasks. His execution of the snake was a clear indication of that. His expedient run through the Forest, as well as Miss Greengrass' ease, proved they somehow learned what the Task could have entailed and prepared for it. What was a difficult and dangerous Task for a fourth year was simply made extraneous with the charm slowing them down.

Miss Peverell continued to present an enigma to him. Her brutal efficiency and attention to detail screamed of Tom's early years as a student and as the leader of the Death Eaters. Yet the devotion and care she showed for the boy could not be the result of the prophecy. They were destined enemies after all. Still, she was pushing the boy into a closer chance at a victory, which he believed Voldemort needed to achieve his ends. Dumbledore had, after all, tried to influence the cup to release the boy's name. So it surprised him to find the Cup had already been tampered to do exactly that. Crouch's dismissal from his position as judge due to signs of mental manipulations showed that he was the likely source of the breach and the means by which the Cup was altered. So, was Peverell acting against Voldemort or was she Voldemort herself? His thoughts turned to his own research into the sort of magic Voldemort sought to master. The mention of Horcruxes had bothered him and the magic attached to the boy's scar was especially concerning. Unfortunately, without a Horcrux to compare it to, he had no way of knowing if the boy was one. If he was, Peverell's treatment of the boy made a lot more sense. What better way to vanquish Harry's destined threat than by turning the boy to her side.

He pulled open the documents pertaining to the Third Task. So far, each of the Tasks was designed to test the boy. Harry, if he was a Parselmouth as he thought he might be with a Horcrux in him, should have tried to speak to the flying Feathered Serpent. It was why he rigged the monster selection after all. But instead the boy displayed an impressive understanding of charm based wards. The snake's violent behaviour was unexpected, as was the boy's ability to kill it. The tasks had been designed to test the boy's power and heart. His respectful approach to the lives of dangerous creatures spoke well for Harry's nobility and compassion and there was no denying his power now. But the violent death of the Feathered Serpent and the selection of Miss Greengrass spoke of a cold and calculating mind too close to what Tom's once was. Dumbledore looked at the Third Task documents and rubbed his beard. Of all the Tasks, this one was the one he modified the most. He needed to test the boy's spirit. To know for sure if he would be the Champion of the Light he envisioned, or another Dark Lord to put down. He needed to know before he took on Peverell and potentially Voldemort. Fighting one Dark Lord was hard enough. Fighting three would be impossible. He needed to know, to be sure, for the good of all.

Chapter 46: A Breath of Normality

Chapter Text

"Harry! Look!" Hazel looked on as the boys enjoyed a much needed break from the school, their eyes glued to the seemingly endless expanse of jungle beneath them. The end of the Second Task and the growing attention to the Academic Competition was weighing heavily on the students, many of them pushing themselves to the limit. Theo Nott and Daphne Greengrass were being particularly driven to succeed, as Susan and Theo stood at the top of the Forth Years in the Dueling Course and Daphne was considered the best in Charms and Defence. Hermione Granger had also taken to the Academic Competition with much fervor, devoting a lot of her time to studying for Transfiguration and Potions. With Harry's contribution to the Second Task completed and Easter Break on the horizon, Hazel had made plans for a week-long excursion away from everything. Quetz provided the perfect escape and a means for Harry to find some closure for the death of the Quetzalcoatl in the First Task. Her family originated from a close knit community deep in the Guatemalan jungle, right next to the Reserve from where the creature was acquired for the Tournament. She had managed to secure them access to the site and, after landing at the Mesoamerican International Portkey Terminal, they had jumped aboard a Disillusioned Airship and had made their way towards the city.

Quetz joined the two boys at the edge of the window and smiled, the blonde dressed in a traditional Mesoamerican outfit consisting of a huipil and a long skirt in deep orange and yellow colors with a blue sash around her waist. "That, chicos, is El Mirador. One of the oldest and largest cities in the Americas before the arrival of the Easterners. Archeologists are excavating it right now but it may take them centuries to uncover all it's secrets. The place was massive. Even further along, those little mountains that you see covered in trees? Those are all pyramids still buried under loose earth and jungle." Beyond the white and grey stone structure seemingly stretched the endless sea of forest that covered much of this region of Guatemala. Quetz turned to Hazel. "We should be running into the wards soon." Hazel turned to the front of the airship, her eyes having a hard time seeing the wards until she noticed a slight shimmer in the air. "No wonder we can't portkey or aparate here. What were the ancient Mesoamericans doing, trying to replicate an Otherworld? I can barely see the wards." Quetz laughed softly. "Something like that. Welcome to Xibalba, the hidden city." As soon as the airship passed through the wards, the sea of trees was suddenly replaced by a large stone urban complex of pyramids, roads and thatch roofs. Canals of water ran down the sides of the main roads, seemingly supplying the city with an endless supply. The airship landed, the large inflatable balloon collapsing inward until only the gondola remained, before the pilots opened the doors and allowed them to exit onto the city.

Teddy's eyes darted from structure to structure as they walked down into the main road. "There is so much color everywhere. I thought Mayan structures were white or gray." Quetz smiled at him. "That's what happens when the rain washes away the colors. El Mirador has sections that almost look bleached, a bit like here, but the Mesoamericans love to paint, so we tend to decorate what we can using our homemade dyes. Every major storm comes in and washes away the paint, but it just makes people want to try new colors. Makes for some fun times for the younger kids." Quetz's smile dropped, however, when she and the rest heard a voice speak up. "Kuku! Porque no me dijiste que venias? Ya no me quieres?" Quetz pinched the bridge of her nose. "Maldita sea. Tezca! Te dije que no me llames así!" A woman wearing similar clothes to Quetz, though made of darker colors, smiled, her honey colored brown hair cut quite short. "No, no. Tu eres Kuku y lo sabes! Oww!" The woman rubbed her head as an older man lowered his wooden cane back to the ground, his hair a deep grey and wrapped in braids. "Tezca! Así no se tratan a las visitas." The old man walked forward, wearing similar clothes to the two women but his in a deep blue color, and stopped before Quetz. "Kukulkan." Quetz hugged the man warmly as Hazel casted translation charm on the boys, herself and Dora. "It's good to see you, Aapo. These are my friends from Britain."

The old man's eyes scanned the group and spent some time staring at Hazel before he nodded. "Welcome to Xibalba. Our Kuku says you have come to make amends." Dora rested her hand on Harry's shoulder as he swallowed a lump in his throat. Harry bowed his head as he presented a box to the old man. "Back in Britain I ended up killing your people's Quetzalcoatl. I brought its remains here as prepared by Quetz to return it to your people and offer my apologies." The old man walked up to Harry and looked him in the eyes before he smiled. "I, Aapo, Elder of Xibalba, accept your gesture. Come and join us for dinner. It has been decades since we had guests here. Tezca, go tell the cooks we have five more mouths to feed." Quetz spoke up afterwards. "Make that seven. Two here are shapeshifters with high metabolism." Tezca came up and kissed Quetz on the cheek. "Will do. It is good to see you again, Kuku." The woman darted away before Quetz managed to smack her in the head. Teddy giggled. "Why do you call her Kuku?" Aapo looked towards the boy as he fell into step beside Quetz as they continued down the road, his cane making a soft noise on the white limestone paved road. "Quetz here is one of many Aztec descendants whose families took refuge here after the Conquistadors arrived onto our shores, same as Tezca. We Mayans share many deities with them and one of them is Kukulkan. For the Aztecs, the same deity was named Quetzacoatl. Hence why she will be called Kuku by Mayans, or those with a sense of humor, but Quetz to the Aztecs."

Dora leaned forward. "So, Kuku…" Quetz turned around to face her. "Oy, Rabbit! Don't you dare use that nickname for me now!" Dora blinked at her before her hair shifted color. "I knew it! You were still calling me a rabbit all this time." Quetz cursed under breath as the old man laughed. "I see you made some good friends beyond the great oceans, Quetz." Hazel smiled as they made their way to a home at the base of the grand pyramid where they sat down for a Mesoamerican meal. Hazel looked over at the old man. "I am surprised you aren't so angry about the Quetzalcoatl's death." Aapo sighed. "We are angry. With our government for agreeing to allow one of our sacred beasts to be shipped out like cattle, with the organizers of the competition for failing to understand the true nature of the Feathered Serpents, and… with ourselves. For allowing ourselves to be manipulated into letting her go. The boy, in my eyes, is blameless. He did what he had to do in order to survive, as all living beings must. Whether the Serpents agree will be up to them, though I see no danger for the boy."

Hazel drank from a ceramic cup full of water, her eyes looking around and out through the window, noticing that most people had a wooden staff along with them. She could feel and see the magic running through the objects and intersecting with their owners in a familiar way. "I am guessing staffs are your primary type of magical foci?" Aapo broke a piece of bread and shared it with her, Hazel nodding in thanks before dipping it in a sauce. Aapo chewed on a bit of bread before he answered. "That it is, though we are also capable casters without any foci. Our people have been using staffs for a millennia and while wands seem effective, we are comfortable in our ways here. Our craftsmen are quite proud of their work. As you might have noticed, we do use the feathers of the Quetzalcoatls as both a decoration and a component, but they must be freely given." Hazel nodded, hearing as much from Quetz when she had asked if any of the snake's leftover materials could be used for crafting. The only use they had were as rare potions ingredients. A young woman arrived and spoke into the old man's ear before he nodded. "Thank you so much, Cuella."

The same dark skinned woman bent down and hugged Quetz, before kissing her on the cheek. "Missed you, Quetz. Don't be a stranger and come see me later." Aapo turned to the rest of the group, though Hazel spotted the growing blush on Quetz' face. "My granddaughter has informed me that our shamans and priests have convened a ceremony tonight, to present the remains to the Quetzalcoatls in the Reserve. Would you be interested in participating? It may help the young man with his guilt." Hazel turned to Quetz who nodded before she checked with everyone else. "We would be honoured to observe." As the dinner progressed, Hazel asked Aappo about their people's concept of Transfiguration and Conjuration. The man laughed softly. "I am afraid an old man such as myself hasn't had the chance to study magic all that much in years. Instinct, not instruction, was my teacher. Cuella, however, has studied magic adequately. She is one of the caretakers of our people's children and an instructor in magic. I will ask her to make some time for you." Dora nudged Quetz' shoulder. "You sure? It looked like she would rather make time for Kuku here." The group seated at the table laughed softly as Quetz tackled Dora to the ground.

-∞-

As soon as the sun set over the horizon, Quetz guided them up the stairs of the grand pyramid, having them all stand in line on the sides of the lower platform at the top, as the shamans and priests anointed the upper platform with oils and placed bowls with offerings of food. Hazel held her hands at Teddy's shoulders as Dora did for Harry. More of the people of Xibalba came up the stairs and filled out the lower platform before Aapo addressed them all. "Tonight we welcome back the body of one of our feathered serpents. Our people allowed the transportation of one as a gesture of cooperation in an event that was meant to test young men and women to the extreme. The organizers failed to account for the way their tournament could have negative effects on one of the great feather serpents of our people. A child of fourteen years was trapped with it as he tried to escape, as our serpent, driven furious by its inability to fly freely and from lack of food, refused to grant him safe passage. In a moment between life and death, the young man chose to live and took the Quetzalcoatl's life. A woman of our people rendered the creature by the customs of our culture and the boy, in respect for us and the life he ended, has returned the remains to our home. We gather here to summon the Feathered Serpents so they may mourn the loss of their kin."

A soft prayer from the shamans and priests rose in a language the translation spell did not interpret. The sounds of drums and ocarinas filled the air, followed soon by a building feeling of magic that made Hazel's muscles tense up. Soon the air filled with a noise only Harry and Hazel could hear and understand. Quetzalcoatls of varying sizes filled the air, their voices mixing into an indecipherable cacophony until Aapo opened the chest placed on the raised altar. The serpents wailed in grief at the obvious sign of the death of one of their own. Overwhelmed by the noise and guilt, Harry lunged out of Dora's reach and made for the raised platform. Hazel passed Teddy to Dora. "Stay here." The two nodded as she made her way up the raised platform, but not fast enough to arrive before Harry spoke up to the snakes. "I am sssorry for the life I took. I did not wisssh for her to die. Ssshe would not lisssten to me. If there isss anything I can do to eassse your pain, tell me." The snakes approached Harry as Hazel's hands lit up with black flames with her barely restrained magic. She pulled Harry back from the snakes. Her appearance seemed to agitate them further and Hazel sighed, as she tried to control her magic. "The boy wasss forced into a life or death ssstruggle with your fallen sssister. He isss not to blame for her death. He ssshould not sssuffer any more than what hisss conssscience is already sssubjecting him to."

Two of the larger snakes descended towards them and Hazel's magic started acting up again. The lead one approached them, it's dark eyes focused on Hazel. "The child ssspeaker isss innocent. Thisss we tassste in hisss esssssence. He will not come to harm from usss." Hazel frowned at the creature's words before she lowered her gaze to Harry. "Get back to Dora and Teddy. Now." Harry could feel the anger in Hazel's tone and nodded before he slowly backed away. Hazel turned to the flying snakes. "You sssaid the child wasss innocent but you did not addressss me. What do you make of me?" The lead snakes licked the air infront of her with it's forked tongue. "You reek of blood and death. Many of your kin and othersss close to our kind have died to you." Hazel narrowed her eyes as they shifted to red in color and slitted. "I wasss forced to face death many timesss. I didn't choossse life. Death acted through me and ssspared me asss othersss died. I have accepted my place. I have accepted my purpossse." The snake licked Hazel's face. "Death, yesss, but not out of malice. Clossser to nature yet made flesssh. You we cannot judge. Return to your nessstlings, Predator in the sssoft flesssh. We will not ssseek conflict with you and yoursss." Hazel sighed in relief before she too descended, feeling the gaze of the people following her as she made her way to her family. She placed her arms on Harry's shoulders, who yelped softly before she realized her grip was too tight.

They stood silently as the feathered serpents approached the skull of their deceased member and the two of them heard as they offered their goodbyes. As soon as the last snake flew away, the drums slowed down as did the prayers before all sound ceased. Hazel stood with Dora, Quetz and the boys at the foot of the stairs leading up to the raised platform until Aapo walked down. "A most unusual night. We have heard of the Speakers who share the tongue of the snakes, but you are the first allowed to arrive here." Hazel's eyes remained fixed on the old man. "In our home it is a gift treated as a sin. Please do not share our names with the outside world." The old man nodded in understanding. "We won't, I can assure you. A gift such as yours is one many here will envy." He looked down at Harry and rested his hand on the boy's shoulder. "I assume you wished to apologize to them directly?" Harry nodded and the old man tapped his shoulder twice. "That was very brave of you. They have clearly found you forgiven so let go of your guilt, young man. Life is difficult enough without carrying a burden that has been lifted from your shoulders." His eyes returned to Hazel. "I take it they had more to say to you?" Hazel rubbed Harry's hair to help comfort him. "I have lived a hard life. Death is a part of who I am. The serpents could taste it on me and wanted to be certain I was not a threat to them or your people." Aapo hummed as he walked past her before stopping at the top of the stairs. "Quetz. Why don't you bring the other boy and your friend with you. I believe the pyramid may grant those two a bit of privacy tonight."

As soon as they were alone, Hazel released a deep breath before turning to Harry, his face lowered as he stared at his feet. "I am not really mad at you Harry. Nor am I disappointed. I am merely concerned for you. You don't need to risk your life for anything or anyone right now. You are just a boy with his whole future ahead of him. Do you understand that?" Harry nodded. "I just… I didn't want them hurting because of me." Hazel pulled him to the edge of the pyramid and she sat down on the upper most steps, before tapping the space beside her. As soon as he was seated, Hazel leaned forward. "Harry, pain is a natural part of life. Seeking it is dangerous, and inflicting it on others is wrong when done so without reason or purpose, but you can't make pain go away anymore that you can stop death. Pain is a dreadful thing, but it's important too." She pointed down towards the masses as they moved around in the illuminated streets. "This ritual was to allow people and creatures to come together, to share their pain and to mourn a life lost. By sharing it, they hoped to lighten the burden of loss and allow the wounds of separation to heal. It's why wakes and funerals exist. Pain, sadness and even anger can be cathartic when released appropriately. Now, do you know why what you did was just as wrong as it was right?"

Harry sat quietly for a second. "If something happened to me, you and everyone else would have been hurt by my loss too." Hazel rubbed his back. "Exactly. You are not alone, Harry. You are part of a family that loves you and cares about you. What you did was noble but it was also selfish. Selfish to you. Now, we are all selfish in one way or another and I prefer you to have a greater sense of self preservation over selfless sacrifice." Harry nodded. Hazel pulled him closer to her and she rested her head against his. "When I started thinking of Dora as more than a partner, I told her that I could only love her if she found a reason to live for herself. I want you to do the same, Harry. Don't live for me or for the family, or the brainless masses. Live because you want to live for yourself. Your life is yours alone, not mine, not Andromeda's, not Dumbledore's, not Lily's or James'. This life, this singular, limited ethereal life is yours alone. Please don't squander it. Not like I did. I am not a good person, Harry. I can't tell you to do the right thing without being a hypocrite. All I ask is that you become the person you want to be as all I can do is be there for you." Harry looked up and Hazel stared at him, green eyes affixed to the same colored eyes of hers.

"You have heard whispers of my life, Harry. As far as I was concerned, my life was a curse. I sought ways to be free of all the pain and suffering I accumulated. I was prepared to die before Teddy came into my life. I made a choice that was both selfish and selfless. I chose to live to give Teddy a better life. One day, as I said before, you will understand what that feeling is like. But for now, you are only a fourteen year old boy. Soon the monster hunting you will be dead and you can focus on just having fun. Until then, please. Promise me you won't do any heroic or noble things like that, unless you consult me first. I am not going to take your freedom away from you but you need to seek a second opinion. You might just find we can give you a better, less messy way of doing things where you still end up being a bloody Gryffindor. Ok?" Harry leaned into her. "Ok. I am sorry for scaring you like that." Hazel kissed his hair. "I know. You might want to apologize to Teddy and Dora too. Pretty sure they were scared more than I was." Harry nodded and they sat quietly as the sky filled with stars. "So, has Susan asked you to be her boyfriend yet? Or did you ask first?" Harry went red in the face. "Hazel!" Chuckling at the boy's reaction, Hazel ruffled his hair, happy he was ok.

-∞-

Teddy, Astoria and the Carrow Twins descended the stairs into the Chamber of Secrets and noticed that all the fourth years were resting their heads on the tables. Teddy looked at each of them as they approached the adjacent table. "Long day from the Academic Competition?" A collective moan filled the air. Astoria went and rubbed Daphne's back. "How did you do?" Daphne turned her head to the side to look at her sister. "Tired. I'm so tired. However, it's finally over. We can finally rest." Teddy pulled out the chairs for all the girls before pushing them in while seated. He spoke to Susan as he sat down. "What about the final exams? Is that something you need to study for?" Susan shook her head. "All the students taking part in the Academic Competition will have their final scores from the event used as their end of year course score." Teddy looked around at the exhausted fourth year students. "Guess you all took most of the classes to get them done early?" Theo lifted his head. "It sounded like a great idea at the time and sure, our grades will probably be better for it, but we are all so tired." He looked over at Hermione, who was sleeping with a conjured pillow and blanket. "Hermione here went insane and took her entire course load. Sure, she scored well but she collapsed as soon as the exams were over."

The Twins gave Theo a knowing look. "Heir Nott is quite the gentleman. Isn't he, sister dear?" Flora nodded in response. "Indeed, dear sister. The future King of Slytherin is quite the thoughtful person." They both turned to the sleeping Hermione. "Does the lady appreciate your concern?" Hestia grinned. "Does she return such kind gestures in full?" Flora giggled. "Have the young ladies of our Noble House lost the war before the first battle was even waged?" Theo's face took on a decidedly red color. "You two will not speak another word of this." The two girls giggled and responded in unison. "As you wish, our Liege." Theo rubbed his eyes before spotting Teddy's confused look. "Slytherin has a bit of a hierarchy based on academic excellence and political power. The highest position usually falls to a fifth year student or older who essentially shapes the behaviour of the House. A bit of an unspoken rule since anyone can remember. With Malfoy's favor dropping and my own academic and political position growing, there is a lot of discussion about me being made the next "King." It goes without saying that Daphne is the leading contender for Queen."

Daphne raised her head, a pout on her face. "I would rather not." Theo raised an eyebrow. "Would you rather Pansy take it? Or worse yet, Tracey?" Daphne shuddered. "Point taken. Slytherin would become a den of gossip larger than Hufflepuff." The two fourth year Hufflepuffs raised their heads. "Oi! We are not gossipers!" Daphne raised an eyebrow at Hannah. "Really? So you weren't sharing some juicy gossip with Lavender Brown a few days ago?" Hannah blushed as Susan gave her a measured look. "I was asking about the Prophet's change in tone since her Dad works as one of the printers there." Theo rubbed his chin. "To be fair, I noticed that too. Rita Skeeter's articles aren't as grandstanding as they used to be and they seem to be going more balanced in their reports. Did Brown say anything?" Hannah nodded. "House Black apparently managed to get a large majority share of the newspaper before they started laying down some ground rules. No unfounded gossip, respect for privacy and careful reporting around minors. Skeeter protested at first but she seemed to turn around. Her Dad thought she got mugged or something since she got supper jumpy as if she was being watched."

The Carrow Twins turned their gaze to Teddy, who seemed to be trying not to draw attention to himself by burying his face in a book. "Oh dearest Lion of Hufflepuff, wouldn't you know something about that?" Flora leaned closer. "Oh most pleasant gentleman, would your illustrious parent be the reason for Skeeter's change into a more decent human being?" Teddy's cheeks reddened. "No?" Astoria gave him a measured look. "Ted, I think we can all smell that lie. Care to share what you know?" Teddy sighed before resting his chin on the book. "Mom caught Skeeter within the Castle's grounds after she was deemed persona non grata to Hogwarts. She was a beetle Animagus. I am not sure what happened afterwards, only that Dora seemed both impressed and terrified of Mom and Skeeter has behaved herself since. All I heard was something about an old Witchcraft curse called "The False Cryer." Mom keeps the nasty books locked away and I can't read them until I am seventeen." Daphne, Theo and the Carrow Twins stared at Teddy while the rest looked around in confusion. A soft snort caught their attention as Hermione stumbled awake. "Wha… did … someone say… something?"

Theo drew his wand and conjured a handkerchief before handing it to Hermione. "You, ah, have some dribble on you." Hermione took a second to understand him before she blushed, taking the handkerchief and cleaning her face, and then the desk, before handing it back to Theo who vanished it away. He looked back at Teddy. "You sure that you heard that right?" Teddy nodded and Theo's face broke into a smile. "Remind me to never piss your Mom off. That is one nasty curse Skeeter has on her. Hard to break too." Hermione stifled a yawn. "What curse?" Theo leaned back. "It goes back to the Witch Hunts. Plenty of people would go around spreading lies about others just to ruin their reputation or to profit from the Inquisition arresting them. Witches invented the False Cryer curse as a counter. A person afflicted needs to spend twelve months without spreading what they know is a lie, or the curse resets. For every lie, the person starts seeing things chasing them. A favorite choice of the witches was using hellhounds. You lie for twelve months straight, the creatures get more and more solid. On the thirteenth lie, they become real conjured creatures that hunt the person down till death. Go twelve months without making a single lie and the curse is lifted."

Hermione stared at Theo. "That sounds nasty." Theo shrugged. "It can be. The thing with old Witchcraft curses is that few people know how to break them. Those that do will know why the curse was cast and may choose not to help those subjected to them. The Witches of the Dark Ages were very vindictive. Even the Wizengamot suffered their wrath. It used to be called the Council of Wizards. When witches were barred from getting equal representation, the council members were all cursed. The curse made their lives living hells as long as they practiced hypocrisy. Half the council died off and the remaining families decided to reform it into a more equal chamber. The witches got their voice in politics and the hypocrites paid the price for their misbehaviour. Lots of Witchcraft is like that. Sure, people can use it to hurt others out of malice but the same happens with spells and charms all the time. Those who practice Witchcraft, however, prefer it to Wizardry. It places the burden on the cursed person, not the caster, to be a better person and save themselves." Hermione frowned. "I guess that makes sense. So Skeeter has to go a full year telling, or rather, writing the truth?" Theo smiled. "Yup. It's a smart move too. The Prophet gets a full year of good reporting, people build an expectation, and by the time the year is passed, going back to how things were isn't an option anymore."

Astoria hummed before turning to Teddy. "Do you think your Mom could teach me Witchcraft?" Daphne raised her head from the table. "Hey! She's my tutor." Astoria pouted. "Oh, come on. You can't learn every branch of magic possible." Daphne crossed her arms. "I am willing to try." Hermione yawned. "All yours. Witchcraft sounds too rough for me." Theo touched her hand. "That's fine. There are plenty of other magical and non-magical options available to you." Hermione blushed at the gesture as Susan, Hannah and the Twins giggled. Hannah got up from the table after spotting the time. "Got to go. Neville's Herbology Test should be finished soon. See you!" Daphne noticed the time and sighed before she got up. "Tracey wants my help with picking out some clothes so I have to go too. Teddy, you tell your Mom I want to study Witchcraft with her too." Teddy nodded and the rest focused on finishing their class assignments quietly. Teddy looked over and saw Astoria's lips moving silently as she read. He smiled, knowing that she only did that when she found something interesting. Susan cleared her throat. "Did something catch your eye, Teddy?" Teddy blushed as Astoria looked at him while he turned to Susan. "I will tell you if you tell us about that time you pulled Harry into a broom closet." Hermione whipped head around, making Theo wince at the sound of her neck cracking. "What!?" Susan pouted even as her face turned red. "Traitor." Teddy smiled. "You started it." Astoria giggled. "Seems there is a little Slytherin in you after all." Teddy turned to her and smiled. "Nothing wrong with that."

-∞-

Harry approached Hazel as the Headmasters and the Champions dispersed, her arms crossed over her chest. "It's different." Harry blinked at her. "What is?" Hazel turned to him and pointed at the Maze with her thumb. "I have been keeping an eye on the Maze. The Hedges constantly move, which is typical of Magical Mazes. What isn't typical is the sudden buildup of enchantments. It's layered in such a way that even a Curse Breaker would have a hard time cutting through them." She reached out and touched Harry's back gently. "I am also guessing from the frown on your face that the clue provided by Bagman wasn't a pleasant one." Harry and Hazel started moving away from the edge of the Quidditch stands and towards one of the exits. "The goal is to find and retrieve the Triwizard Cup in the center of the Maze. When Krum asked what we were to expect from the Maze itself, Dumbledore was very cryptic, saying that we would face greater and greater threats as we approached the Cup and that we could easily get lost in more than one sense. That was all." Hazel took one brief look at the Maze. She seemed to come to a realization as the next words were bit out. "You … manipulative… interfering… bastard. Of course you would remove any real world threats."

The two walked quietly as they left the Pitch and started to enter the school hallways as Harry felt a shiver run up his spine. "That, Harry, is a privacy ward being erected around you. I am glad you are getting more sensitive to them, though it's probably going to be useless in the Maze." Harry blushed at the slight praise from Hazel. "What do you think is in there?" Hazel rubbed her hair, which was a bit shorter as the days grew warmer, though still long enough to reach down to the back of her neck. "My guess? Nothing physical beyond the Hedges and maybe some Devil's Snare. No creatures, except maybe a Boggart or two, and no grand traps. They want you to get deeper into the Maze because of the enchantments. My guess is that the Maze is filled with Enchantments designed to tug at your mind, creating hallucinations, visions, and vivid nightmares." Harry shuddered. "I have enough of those already." Hazel hugged him softly. "As do I." Harry looked at Hazel. "Do you see Voldemort too?" Hazel gave him a soft smile. "Once, a long time ago, I was in your shoes Harry. I had my own bad guy who hunted me and who invaded my mind. Not the best of ways to spend one's formative years. That part of my life is over, but I still have scars. I still dream that I am not almost thirty years old but still a teen. Still being hunted or doing things that no child should ever do to stay alive."

Harry hugged her back. "Does it ever get easier?" Hazel looking him in the eyes as she rubbed his head. "It will be for you, Harry. I promise you that. I am going to put an end to all of this soon and you will have the rest of your years at Hogwarts to have fun, study, go on dates and everything." She ruffled his hair. "Just make sure you don't go and make a baby too early. I already went through the teen mom phase. You don't want that just yet." Harry turned deep red. "I won't." Hazel smiled. "Good. As for passing through the Maze safely, I don't think it will be that easy. Those enchantments are probably strong enough to break through Occlumency. Your metal defences are better but still not stellar and even then, they would still probably fail." Harry lowered his gaze. "So, there is nothing we can do?" Hazel hummed. "Not nothing. I will check with my boss and see about a few long duration spells. Without knowing the enchantments and just how strong they are, we can't counter them, but we still give you an advantage. Pretty sure there are a few spells, charms or wards that can make you aware that you are being affected. Something like your nightmare counter. You will know it's happening and you should be able to fight back."

Nodding absentmindedly, Harry looked at Hazel. "And Voldemort? You said he had something planned for me at this event?" Seeing Harry's concern, Hazel smiled. "Trust me, Harry. We are working on it. The Maze will be sealed off and we will get everything ready. Whatever happens in there, you will be safe by the next morning. In the meantime, let's pickup Teddy, Dora and head back to my place. I have a cake that's been chilling in the fridge since last night." Harry beamed. "Cheesecake?" Hazel raised an eyebrow. "You know any other type of cake those two will like more, besides ice cream cake? I was hoping the one from Teddy's birthday would somehow have leftovers but you three devoured it too quickly." Harry blushed. "Sorry, it was just too good. I never had cookies and cream ice cream as a cake before." Hazel chuckled. "Well, it was supposed to be for your birthday last year but I got outvoted by the Tonks. They thought you would like a little something more traditional first." Harry nodded. "I liked it but the cookies and cream one was better." Hazel ruffled his hair. "Good to know. I will keep a decent supply of it in the freezer for the summer. Now let's get our sweet tooth taken care of before I call in the reinforcements." Harry, followed after Hazel, happy to have her in his life. In a month he would be facing the Third Task, but right now he was happy to just relax with his family.

-∞-

Hazel walked into the large meeting room in the Department of Mysteries with Dora and the two proceeded to sit next to Horatio and Andromeda. They were just one week away from the Third Task and they had been called to coordinate the final parts of the plan. Every essential member of the Coalition had been called, including Sirius and Lord Nott, in order to deal with the potential fallout. Hazel was happy there was no need for damage control with the Goblins. She had snuck into Gringotts just a few days prior, carrying a backpack full of magical equipment designed to act as a portable sensor. It would have been a long and boring assignment scanning the entire tunnel system of the Gringotts vault under the bank, but Hazel decided to start at the lowest levels, where the older and far more secure Vaults were maintained. She passed by several emaciated and nearly blind dragons along her path, feeling a small measure of guilt as she couldn't free them. The mission required leaving the Goblins, and by extension Voldemort, unaware of anything happening in the bank. The dragons would be cared for later, or the Goblins would have a mass breakout on their hands. Hazel smiled at that, knowing she was being petty but not caring in the least.

Her scanner led her directly to the Lestrange Vault, which was a lot harder to phase through with the heavy concentration of both Goblin and human wards. After taking a moment to collect her bearings once she was inside, and walking carefully around the stacks of cursed gold, Hazel found the ancient cup sitting on a platform easy enough to see, instead of being buried in the mounds of Galleons. The stupidity of the Death Eaters never ceased to amaze her. Said Cup was turned over to the Unspeakables as soon as she got back, with a few of the former Hufflpuffs looking at it with equal parts devotion and disgust. If everything worked as planned, the Cup would be safely turned over to its rightful owners, Horcrux free. Croaker, noting everyone was seated, began the meeting. "Alright, everyone. The time is nearly here to end the danger that a revived Lord Voldemort represents to our world. Within a week's time, Voldemort is likely to regain his physical form." He gestured to his Operatives. "Our two witches here have mitigated the dangers of this tournament as much as we could without overly endangering the success of the operation. We are now preparing for the final confrontation. Amelia." The redhead, seated next to Sirius, lifted her document. "The Third Task will have the "honor" of hosting Cornelius Fudge as a spectator. This has provided us an excuse to have a larger Auror presence. The current roster includes Aurors who have all been vetted by myself and Alastor, as well as by the French DMLE thanks to Monsieur Delacour's aid. No one is a supporter of Voldemort or Dumbledore. We will be onsite ready to secure it at a moment's notice."

Julia nodded. "As the current Chairwoman of the Board of Governors, I am capable of authorizing a lockdown of the Castle with the aid of Augusta, Doge and Esmeralda Abbott. We will have the grounds sealed further incase of possible escape and the students will be escorted quickly to their dormitories should something occur. The Floo access will also be sealed. Though if Dumbledore is as paranoid as we think he is, this measure may not be needed." Andromeda spoke up. "Healer Johnson and I have secured the cooperation of St. Mungos for the likely high number of casualties should the remaining Death Eaters answer their master's call. Any Aurors that were stationed at Hogwarts should be transferred to St. Mungos' high security ward as soon as the all clear is given." Quetz smiled as she leaned back. "Non-standard issue suppression cuffs have been prepared and will be used to keep our less than agreeable survivors locked up tight. We also have a large supply of Draught of Living Death and la madre of all magically dampening containment cells ready for the main guest." Horatio nodded and turned to Amelia. "Make sure you inform your Aurors as soon as they gather that this is a High Level Operation. Our Operatives will be moving about the area and leaving quickly to deal with the danger." He turned Hazel and Dora. "You two are ready for the evening?"

Hazel nodded but she frowned. "We are for everything except the enchantments of the Maze. I managed to avoid the effects under my Cloak but that's not a viable option for Dora or Harry. From what I could tell they are using the strongest Mind Altering Enchantments and Wards in existence. I can't weaken them without dismantling the whole thing and altering the organizers. The DoM and my own library only uncovered ways to mitigate the effect and prevent permanent alterations, but the hallucinations, vivid nightmares and visions will be all too real, even with the awareness charm attached to both of them. The other two are not likely to stand a chance." Amelia looked towards Croaker. "Mad-Eye and myself will be keeping tabs on Igor Karkaroff in case he tries to make a run for it or to actively interfere, same as Dumbledore. The kids that Hazel has tutored will be helping to keep the rest of the students from panicking and get them back to the Castle in an orderly fashion should things go belly up." Dora joined in. "Miss Delacour and Headmistress Maxime are aware that should anything happen, they are to have their students return to the Carriage. Unfortunately we couldn't inform Durmstrang for fear of them informing the Headmaster. ICW Overseer Badawi has been informed, will be onsite and will use his Authority to get them back to their ship safely."

Croaker looked at Sirius and Nott. "You two will have the difficult part of taking control of the remaining Traditionalists. Many were supporters of Voldemort but not marked. We doubt they will appear at the site, so they will be out and about. The moment word spreads about Voldemort's return, whether it's successful or not, they will start to make moves in the Wizengamot. The laws are secure enough that this operation will be perfectly legal but many won't see it that way. You two have helped many leave the sphere of influence of the extremists. When the next session is called, it's up to you to call in the rest. The stragglers will be earmarked as potential threats and will be monitored, same with any you two feel are only looking to avoid trouble. The survival of the Wizengamot depends on keeping as many people as possible thinking rationally. That will also mean pushing back against Dumbledore. Whatever happens tonight, we know Snape will inform Dumbledore of the summons. The old man will try to use this to galvanize the progressives. We are planning to end the war before it begins. We don't need him spreading fear and confusion everywhere." Nott gave him a smile. "Oh, I am going to enjoy this."

Sirius eyed the man. "Why do I get the feeling I am going to be the voice of reason out of the two of us in the next session?" Amelia patted him on the back. "Don't worry, it will pass and you can go back to being your typical crazy self afterwards. I will fetch the muzzle as soon as the session ends." Sirius turned to Amelia. "Not very comforting, dear." Croaker cleared his throat. "You lovebirds keep your kinks out of my head. Now, back on topic. The Operations Division has taken the necessary precautions and our other Divisions are ready to do their part. We have one chance at this, people. One chance at preventing another war and ending the previous one for good. Let's not squander it. I will be checking in periodically to make sure nothing is amiss in the next few days. Dismissed." Everyone stood up from there and started chatting in groups before leaving the heavily warded chamber. Horatio stood up and turned to Hazel and Dora. "We will be having a meeting of our own in a few minutes. You two aren't going to do this on your own. I have waited fourteen years to pay the Death Eaters back for the loss of my teammates. I am not missing this fight." Hazel watched Horatio go, confused on how to feel. She was glad he would be there giving them much needed support but he had been out of the fight for years. She eyed her blonde friend and pulled her aside. "Quetz, I need to ask if you can do something for me." If Horatio was coming, they wouldn't be taking any chances. Everyone was coming back home in one piece.

Chapter 47: The Third Task

Chapter Text

OW June 21st 1995

The mist surrounding the cauldron seemed to settle as a figure stepped out, making Hazel swallow the lump that had built up in her throat. Her eyes widened a bit as the figure seemed to gain definition, shapes in the flawless skin texture of the head changing into ears, a mouth, a nose and eyes. The hair was the last to form, growing slowly as the being summoned a wand to his hand and a conjured black robe covered his body, leaving only his head and hands exposed. The man took a deep breath and then another and another. A smile grew on his face and a cackle filled the air. "I must say, you never really take notice of the little things you end up missing in life until you become a wraith. The taste of the air, the smell of grass." His eyes turned upwards. "Even the stars seem even more beautiful than I remember." He turned around for a second as his faithful servant arrived at his side. "Ahh, Sirius. My most loyal Death Eater. Lift up your arm. Your sacrifice of flesh will not go unrewarded." The madman lifted up his stump of an arm. "I would willingly forgo ever having an arm to keep you hear among us, my master." Voldemort smiled. "Indeed, but you are deserving of a replacement. As my right hand, it would be odd for you to miss said appendage wouldn't you say, old friend."

The rabid dog of a man laughed. "Of course, my lord. Whatever you will of me." Voldemort waved his wand around the stump as it turned into a mass of black liquid before it seemed to harden and take the form of a black hand. Sirius stared at it, seeing his fingers move as if it was his own. "I am, as always, eternally grateful for your generosity, my Master." Sirius remained kneeled before Voldemort, the mad dog pulling back his left sleeve, revealing his Dark Mark. Voldemort smiled as he took the presented arm. "Now, let us call our comrades and see how many remained faithful." Hazel watched as Voldemort pressed his wand into the Mark and for a second nothing happened. Then, ever so slowly, the pops of apparitions filled the air as hooded figures in masks approached before kneeling to their master. Voldemort stood passively, his eyes darting from figure to figure before he nodded. "As expected. One remains as he should, the other two are probably … ah." Voldemort closed his eyes and smiled. "Well, it seems Barty took his revenge. Karkaroff will no longer be a concern. Now then, my followers, have you done as I asked? Have you prepared this country for my triumphant return?"

Hazel watched as Voldemort went from figure to figure, hearing of their achievements. Her stomach turned as she heard how deeply embedded they were in the Ministry, securing positions of power and authority. Many of them looked to Hazel, clearly concerned as to what she was hearing, but Voldemort insisted. Once the last Death Eater was interrogated, Voldemort returned to the center, vanishing the Cauldron away, revealing the limp form of Cedric Diggory. Hazel closed her eyes. The young man had personally apologized to her for the behaviour of his housemates and his own disbelief after the First Task. She had left the boy a note about the Dragons since she doubted Dumbledore would tell him. The man was more interested in her success than in Cedric's, which didn't seem fair. After the Second Task, Cedric had tried to mend the bridges between Hufflepuff and her but the boy simply didn't have the pull to do it. He had promised that after the Tournament, he would help her. After they worked together to go through the Maze, with Hazel blasting holes through it with her flames, she had begged him not to take the Cup, but Cedric showed that he should have been a Gryffindor instead and convinced her to go for it together. Black didn't hesitate to cut him down as soon as the portkey dropped them off.

"Now I am sure a lot of you are curious about why we revealed so much before Hazel Potter, the Girl Who Lived ." Good to know he hated that silly name as much as she did. "Her knowing these facts will only drive the Ministry into chaos. And best yet, no one will believe her." Voldemort turned around, his red eyes staring right at her. "You see, Potter, I am no fool. I knew one day I could be defeated. I made preparations for that eventuality. Even as I languished in the form of a Wraith, my followers prepared. The Ministry eagerly accepted them back into the fold, happy to let bygones be bygones. They have spent the last decade preparing not only for my return, but my ultimate victory. Now, Dumbledore believes you are the only thing that stands between me and my rightful place. Let's see how right he is." The angel statue released her onto the ground and she scurried away behind a headstone. Voldemort watched with a smile as Hazel's wand flew across the ground to her hiding spot. "Good, my dear. It seems you have kept up my lessons. Now come out and show me how much you have grown." The silence that followed seemed to irritate him before he blasted the headstone away, revealing nothing. He casted a wide range banishing spell and saw Hazel get launched into a headstone.

"Disillusionment by the end of fourth year? Not bad at all. But unfortunately, I want a better demonstration. Let's give you some motivation. Crucio. " Hazel groaned as the Torture Curse impacted her but she frowned. It was barely hurting her. She struggled a bit to get up as Voldemort seemed to notice how it didn't seem to affect her. "Curious. McNair, step forward please." The Death Eater walked up and was instantly dropped onto the ground at the touch of the Cruciatus Curse. Hazel couldn't help but smile. The man deserved it after the stunt he pulled with the Hippogriffs a year ago. Voldemort noticed it out of the corner of his eye as he released the curse before hitting her again and again, as the curse seemed to not hurt her. In fact, it felt weaker the longer he used it on her. "Curiouser and Curiouser. Well, let's try something else. Diffindo. " Hazel raised her hand. " Protego ." The cutter slammed into the shield and shattered it, but it took the cutter with it. Voldemort smiled. "Better. Let's see how much further along you are." Hazel was momentarily driven back as cutters and banishing spells rained down on her, keeping her from barely mounting a counter attack. She ducked behind a tall statue and launched it at Voldemort, before she started her own spell chains.

Voldemort seemed to only smile wider and wider as the fight dragged on. "Now, let's see how well you are trained to deal with the inevitable. Avada Kedavra! " Hazel transfigured the ground and erected a stone slab to block it. She heard Voldemort clapping as the stone turned to rubble. "That's it. Even death no longer fazes you. That's what I wanted to see. You have come a long way from the shaking leaf of a girl in first year. Or the desperate little girl looking for friends from your second year, haven't you, Hazel." Hazel froze as her eyes met his. She watched as his eyes turned blue. He knew. He knew about the Diary. No… he was the Diary. How? She destroyed it! Voldemort frowned as Hazel's own eyes shifted in color, turning red like his but also becoming slitted like a dragons. He watched as sparks started gathering around her left hand, tearing away at the fabric of her Champion Robes. "You… you…" he watched as tears started to escape her eyes. "Even now… after all that… you haven't changed, have you?" Voldemort frowned. "After what?" Something snapped in Hazel. " Perrumpo Expugnatio! " The siege engine spell seemed to fire out of her wand with greater speed than normal as Voldemort barely managed to dodge it. It did smash straight into one of the Death Eaters behind him, launching him back and smashing him into a tall gravestone. The stone cracked from the impact and the person dropped to the ground, seemingly lifeless.

Siege engine spell after siege engine spell were launched in his direction and Voldemort was getting annoyed. "I have no idea why you are so angry at me, but right now, you aren't being very cooperative. Stupefy !" He watched as Hazel aimed her wand straight at the curse. " Perrumpo Expugnatio! " The two spells clashed and the magics seemed to synchronize between the wands, creating a golden cage of light around them. Both Hazel and Voldemort ignored the sound of a phoenix cry filling the air as they focused on keeping control over the moment. Hazel dropped the connection quickly and aimed her wand directly at Voldemort. " Ignis Obscuras ." Seeing the familiar black flames headed his way, Voldemort dodged out of the way as the flames raced past him. It took him a second to realise his mistake as the flames latched onto the wards that protected the graveyard, devouring them. He watched as Hazel apparated from her position and next to the body of the boy. Hazel stared intently at Voldemort. "So, did I pass your test? Oh mighty Dark Lord?" All around her she watched as the Death Eaters drew their wands as she focused her magic. Voldemort eyed her carefully. "You have. See you around, Hazel." The way he spoke her name made her shudder even as she smashed through the hastily raised wards and apparated away with Cedric's body. She landed right in the middle of Hogsmeade and waved her wand to summon her Patronus, watching as Whiskers took form before turning towards her. "Bella, I am in Hogsmeade. I will wait for you at the Shrieking Shack."

Hazel levitated Cedric's body to the Shack and sat next to him, waiting for her Godmother to arrive with the cavalry. She knew that from this moment on, things were only going to get worse. Neither Voldemort or Dumbledore would willingly leave her alone. She watched as Bella entered the room and rushed in to hug her. "When you disappeared, everything went ballistic. Made-Eye seemingly killed Karkaroff before disappearing and only after I checked the map did I see Mad-Eye still in his office. I should have known. Someone was disguised as him." Hazel hugged Bella back. "Voldemort called the person Barty." Bella looked at her and frowned before she realized something. "Right, Junior. He must still be alive." Hazel gestured towards Cedric. "We need to get him to the castle but I don't want to go. I think Dumbledore is going to try and send me back to the Dursleys. He wasn't happy I escaped them last summer." Bella growled. "Over my dead body. Come on, we are going straight to Grimmauld. If he wants to know what happened he can come to us and ask but you are not leaving my sight." Hazel hugged Bella tighter, a small tear escaping her eye. It felt so good having someone to care for her. Maybe… maybe this next year wouldn't be so bad.

-∞-

NW June 21st 1995

Hazel stood at the opening to the boys' room in her Chambers, watching as both of them slept peacefully. Harry had wanted to spend the night here with them and Teddy wanted to be with him. She smiled at the memory of the two being joined by several of their friends before dinner started and her Chambers were filled with the usual amount of students the Chamber of Secrets held. The Castle wards groaned as she expanded the room to fit them better but she didn't care. As soon as everyone was comfortable and the elfs got called in, the evening became perfect. She could tell Harry was still nervous about tomorrow but his friends did everything they could to distract him. Of course, Susan had that particular task down as she kept kissing his cheek whenever he got too pensive, much to the teasing of everyone. Eventually curfew time came up and everyone left before the assigned time, with Dora arriving a few minutes later after keeping away to maintain her cover. As much as Hazel would love for the cover to be dropped as soon as the Tournament was over, the d'Éon cover identities needed to be preserved for any future forays into undercover work in both Britain and France. They owed that much to the Chevalier d'Éon who not only endangered their own life for France but willingly gave their family name to a witch they saved. The witch's family secured the family name as one to be used by the French DMLE or the ICW affiliates in times of undercover work, in honor of the master spy's legacy.

So the lie had to be maintained to the bitter end until the Beauxbatons' academic year was over. At least Hazel would get some enjoyment out of Dora taking her NEWTs again, though the one for Alchemy would come in quite handy. Said Metamorphmagus was running her small hands through Hazel's waist, making Hazel sigh in content, the medallion on her chest warming noticeably. Dora had no idea how comforting the medallion was to her. She had felt several nightmares getting drowned out in the feeling of Dora's love for her. Not that they never passed through. Some memories were too vivid to be contained, some pain too overwhelming to be buried. She might not have woken up screaming as she did last year, but the memory of her Godmother's death still surfaced again. She watched her die all over again before her eyes, felt the sudden and violent destruction of her own heart. She chased after Black and killed him again in revenge though now there was an undercurrent feeling behind his death. Hazel had trouble looking at Harry that morning, out of shame. Padfoot was Harry's Godfather and while she had accepted that her interference had ended any hope of the man becoming like a father figure to him, that didn't mean she didn't feel guilty when the thought crossed her mind that she still would like to see him, or more accurately the memory of the mad dog she knew from her world, well and truly dead.

She allowed Dora to tug her away from the door of the boys room and they silently closed it before they made their way to their own bed. Their clothes littered the floor before Hazel felt her naked back hit the bed. There was no need for love making tonight or give into each other's lust. The feel of flesh against flesh was enough as they kissed each other warmly and deeply. Dora shuddered as she felt Hazel filling her with her magic again. Hazel turned her beautiful lover over and pressed her body into her, her mouth sealing Dora's as she sought to fill Dora with enough magic until they both reached a balance point. By tomorrow night she would have most of her magic back, ready to give this world's Voldemort the best fight she could. She had dreamt of their previous encounter in the Graveyard the night prior and she had delved deep into that memory, seeking every little detail she could pay attention to. Anything that might become obvious should she face the man again. Based on Horatio's description, Croaker's profile and Harry's dreams, she knew this world's Voldemort wasn't her Tom. There were a few key differences that though many would say were quite small, but in a person like Voldemort, the distinctions were all the more clear. She knew what to expect and what to look for in case he wasn't as predictable as she hoped.

Dora's hand touched her cheek and Hazel sighed happily into the touch. "Still thinking about tomorrow?" Hazel turned and rubbed her nose with Dora's. "Tonight, tomorrow morning and all the way until the mission starts. I am not going to be caught by surprise. I refuse to let Harry suffer the same fate I did. It's bad enough Dumbledore's additions to the Maze are beyond my ability to safely dismantle without interfering with the Task. My skills with Witchcraft and Blood Magic can only help him and you so much." Dora kissed Hazel's lips. "It will be enough." Hazel glared and Dora sighed. "Sorry. Your assistance may not be enough to stop the worse the enchantments have to offer but they are the best you could do for both of us. That's comforting enough for me and Harry." Hazel sighed as she rested her forehead on Dora's. "I am still going to worry, no matter what. Until we all safely come home after the mission." Dora rubbed Hazel's back. "A mother's concern?" Hazel smiled softly. "Something like that. I do have to say I am glad I was here for the last two years. Seeing Teddy settle into the castle, make friends. Seeing Harry grow into himself and not growing up isolated as I did. It was worth it." Dora smiled before kissing Hazel's lips. "Good, now let's sleep. I have a Third Task to complete tomorrow."

-∞-

Teddy sat next to Susan and his other friends as music filled the air. He could see his Mom moving along the edges of the Maze that were grown within the Quidditch Pitch, the size greatly magically expanded to fit a larger Maze. Massive scrying mirrors were scattered hovering in front of the spectator stands for everyone to watch the ensuing Task. His eyes latched onto Dora and Harry. He had never really thought about having a brother. His Mom had confided in him that she was no longer able to carry a child to term because of the way her magic interacted with her body. No magic or potion could fix that. When they arrived in this world, he had been happy about his Mom finding more people to relax around and just be herself. When she started dating Dora, Teddy couldn't have been happier as it meant his Mom could finally be happy and maybe, just maybe they could make their family grow. Yet, over the last two years, the family grew in an unexpected way. Harry was this world's Hazel and his Mom was trying to make sure nothing bad happened to him. This meant they all ended up spending a lot of time together and as the days turned into months and years, Teddy realized that he didn't just acquire a cousin and a friend. He was pretty sure they were now brothers.

Sure, Teddy was the younger brother, but Harry never seemed to hold that against him. Everything they did together was agreed to first, with Harry always deferring to him. Teddy tried to break him out of that habit but his Mom was exactly the same and he couldn't really complain about it. As they studied and trained together, he realized that he eventually came to trust Harry not to take his Mom away from him. That had been a weird fear that came outta nowhere, one he knew his Mom noticed. Hazel always seemed to make more time for him whenever she spent time with Harry. Even in Guatemala, Hazel called him out one morning and they spent a great time with Aapo's granddaughter, Cuelli, guiding them through the fields where they grew their food and herbs. The Mesoamericans had had a great assortment of Herbs and Magical plants that simply weren't sold in Britain, which was cool. He had spent hours documenting all of them in his research journal, his Mom never once complaining about the long silences. In fact, he was sure she appreciated them. Even with Dora and Harry around, not to mention the Tonks family and his friends, there were times when he did miss the silence and peace of the years he spent with his Mom as his only companion. The fact she felt just as happy around him in these quiet moments was just the best. When they got back to the rest of the group that night, Harry had hugged him and apologized about what he did atop the pyramid. Teddy had blushed, but he was happy he had someone closer to his age who understood him.

He felt a hand grip his own gently and Teddy looked up at Susan who gave him a nervous smile. "He will be fine, Teddy. Your Mom and Dora too." Teddy nodded as he turned to look back at the Maze. Susan had also slowly become like a sister to him. She and Hannah had gone out of their way to care for him ever since he arrived at Hufflepuff. Most of his yearmates in the house were more interested in Quidditch and screwing around, so he was sorta of an outcast with them but the upper years were happy with him, as was Professor Sprout, who always checked on how he was doing. The fact Susan was sorta dating Harry only made him happier since she was so much fun being around. Unlike Teddy's yearmates, Susan always made sure she got all of her assignments done first before she went out to have fun. She had a similar outlook when she went to tutor with his Mom, being quiet and attentive and only relaxing as the training wound down. His Mom did tease her every once in a while with a surprise at the end, but Susan took it happily, learning as much as she could. The only person who could beat her right now from their year group was Daphne and that was because Daphne never seemed to have an off switch. Astoria's sister was scary with how obsessed she could be about learning about obscure magics. His Mom had to tell her that she wouldn't teach her Blood Magic or Witchcraft until she was of age, no matter what her own mom said.

Teddy's musings came to an end as a cannon blast filled the air with noise. He watched as Dora rushed into the Maze, one of the four scrying mirrors in front of him changing into a projection of her as she ran along the hedges. A few seconds later, Harry followed suit, with Cedric going out third and Viktor going in last. The stands filled with noise as the people started watching the Champions run around the Maze. The hedges were moving around seemingly at random, blocking each of the Champions from following certain paths while they also had to dodge Devil Snare that seemed to latch out from just underneath the walls at certain areas. He watched as Cedric got pulled to the ground a few times before he cast a fire spell at the plants, forcing them to retreat. Teddy suddenly started feeling something through his family magic. His Mom's concern filled him and was followed by the echoes of Dora's feelings. He watched as Dora seemed to struggle to stay up in a wide open area next to a fountain before she blasted the Fountain with flames. Bagman's voice filled the air. "Champion d'Éon certainly didn't seem amused by the use of a vaporized Essense of Insanity. Whether her tactics will work against the other potions filling the air that are contact based will be a sight to see, but time will tell if she can get past the enchantments as well! Harry Potter seems to have been fortunate enough as the Hedge prevented him from a similar fate! How long will the luck of the Boy Who Lived last!" Teddy glared at the speaker. As long as his Mom had anything to say, his good luck would last him the rest of his days. Teddy just hoped his Mom or Dora reached him in time.

-∞-

Dora aimed her wand at the fountain. " Nix Tempestas !" The fountain's water froze and the surrounding air instantly filled with a blizzard. Dora took a second to breath, her head still suffering from the effects of the vaporized potion she ran into with the first fountain. Burning it had been fine but it took her a second to realize freezing it and the air was safer. She really needed to give Hazel a long and pleasant thank you for teaching her about the conjured snow storm spell. She took a moment to shake her head even as she touched the concealed pouch she carried on her chest. Hazel had given her a copy of her Apothecary's worth of potions to carry, with her own mother adding a few more vials. She knew she had a Purging Potion as well as a Neutralizing Potion, but using them now could be a potential danger later on. They would delay or impede the use of any of the major Healing Potions and make her recovery just as long as it had been two years ago. Dora sighed and decided to save it for a more important threat. Spotting the three exits, she casted her point me spell again and went for the path that seemed to get her even closer to the center of the Maze. She found another wide open area filled with mist but there didn't seem to be any fountains or source of water.

Feeling her hackles being raised, she turned around and found herself pointing a wand at Hazel. Dora narrowed her eyes. This wasn't her lover and partner. The eyes on her were the same deep red and slitted she had seen plenty of times but these… these were filled with something she knew didn't exist in Hazel. Madness. The not Hazel tilted her neck to the side. "You are so close, my love. Oh so close. A few more violent murders on your belt and you will be just like her. Just like me. Are you exited? I know I am." A blood covered hand touched Dora's cheek and Dora did her best not to flinch or react. This wasn't real. The illusion leaned forward and bit Dora's bottom lip between her own, eliciting a mixed response from the Metamorphmagus. The apparition smiled at her. "You know it's in you. The Black Madness. It took so many of your cousins and predecessors. It will take you too. And you will enjoy it as we have. You already feel the yearning to curse your enemies. Soon you will curse the fools who stand in our way." Those familiar yet wrong hands kept touching her skin as the figure moved to the side, revealing a person tied to the ground in front of Dora. Soft lips whispered right into her ear. "You know you want to do it. Once you do, you won't have to wear a silly little charm. You will be whole. You will be a true Dark Witch. A Black Witch. Go on, my lover. Cast the spell I taught you. Fill it with all your hate and self loathing. As it leaves your wand, you will be set free."

Dora turned her eyes onto the figure bound into a kneeling position as it raised its head. Purple eyes as familiar as her own stared back even as the face cracked into a wicked smile. "Looky, looky. The mudblood's baby grew up looking like a Black after all. But are you one of us? Are you willing to serve our master?" Dora shuddered as Not Hazel's hands travelled across her back. "We don't need her or her Master. You can be the true face of the Black Madness. You can take your cousin's place. All you have to do is end her. Be rid of her." Bellatrix laughed from her position. "Oh, dearest Nymphadora. You will never be rid of me. Kill me and you will be just like me. Just like her and my master. They are remarkably the same, aren't they? She hasn't told you everything about her past. She still keeps secrets from you. This witch can't love you. But I will. We are family after all." The witch cackled madly as Dora's head began to swim. "Kill her, Nymphadora." Hazel's voice was followed by Bellatrix'. "Listen to her, asking you to kill her Godmother. The woman she said she loved. Isn't she just lovely? Will you do it, Nymphadora? Will you spill the blood of your family or will you turn on the woman you gave your heart to?" The two voices began to compete in her mind as Dora collapsed onto her knees. "Kill, kill, kill, kill." The word repeated in her mind over and over again as she tightened her grip on her wand.

"Will you betray your oath?" The words seemed to carve their way through her heart as the other voices were drowned out. Everywhere she looked, the Maze was simply gone. Dora saw herself surrounded by darkness. A voice echoed in her mind. "Will you lose yourself to a game of smoke and mirrors? Is this what your love amounts to, Nymphadora?" Dora felt her heart beating faster and faster, her eyes darting everywhere. She could only see darkness. "You still seem to doubt. You doubt her and yourself. A little seed of a doubt that the mages' magic exploited. Let's see what we can do about it, shall we?" Dora suddenly felt as if she was spinning in place before she collapsed. She didn't know how long her eyes were closed but a noise woke her up. A baby seemed to be crying. Dora frowned as she opened her eyes and the room came into focus. It wasn't just any room. It was her room at her parent's house. Her eyes landed on the source of the noise and her heart froze. There, lying on the bed, her hair short, matted as if it spent days without a shower and colored brown, rested a woman cradling a baby in her arms. A woman with purple eyes. Her attention broke once the door opened and a young girl walked inside. Her heart started beating faster. Hazel, her hair pitch black but her beautiful green eyes dulled, looked at the woman on the bed. "Congrats, Dora."

The woman on the bed chuckled. "Thank you, but I didn't call you here for a baby shower." A soft smirk appeared on Hazel's face. "You sure? I can rain some chaos out there so you can invite the rest of the Order. I am sure I can keep Tom's attention on me." The mother shook her head. "No, I don't want that either." She stared at Hazel in the eyes. "I want you to be Teddy's godmother." Hazel seemed… lost. "What?" The older Dora kept her eyes on Hazel. "I want you to be the Godmother to my son." Dora watched as Hazel rubbed her face. "Dora, you know what I have been doing these last few months. Rita and the Prophet don't need to exaggerate anymore because I am done playing the victim. I have left streets littered with the corpses of Snatchers and Death Eaters." The woman rocked the child in her arms. "So?" Hazel raised her voice. "Damn it, Dora! I am enjoying myself! I am leaving mountains of corpses and a trail of blood in my wake and I like it! I am not Godmother material! I don't know if I am even human anymore!" Dora watched as the woman shushed the startled baby, keeping it comfortable, before she gave Hazel a gentle smile. "Maybe. Maybe not. But I think you can be a great Godmother. And most of all, I want Teddy to be safe. The safest hands happen to be yours."

Hazel scoffed. "As Britain's Most Wanted? Is motherhood what it takes for the Black Madness to wake up?" The older Dora chuckled. "No Hazel. I am not mad. Even as Remus gets us ready to leave the Order, you know the Death Eaters will still come for us. If anything happens to me, Teddy will be safe with you." Hazel stared at the woman. "Your husband won't agree to this. I don't." Dora watched as the woman's face took on a hard edge. "My husband doesn't get to decide this. I do. Not after he tried to run away from us." Her face softened. "I know you don't see it anymore, Hazel, but you are a good person. Underneath all of that pain and blood, you are still a good person. A very human being. So please, won't you at least hold my son? Won't you at least look at Teddy and decide then?" Hazel seemed to move almost mechanically forward before Dora placed the child in her arms. The moment baby Teddy looked up at her, the boy giggled happily and it's little hand caught one of Hazel's loose bangs of hair. Dora watched as something seemed to change in Hazel. Tears started filling her eyes and racing down her cheeks. "I… shouldn't… Dora… he deserves better. He deserves to be happy. I can't…" The woman gave Hazel a smile. "He deserves the best. And that… is you. I know you are Hazel. I knew that from the moment I met you. So, will you be Teddy's Godmother? For me? For him? And maybe… for yourself?"

Dora watched as Hazel nodded and returned the baby to its mother. She almost lunged forward as Hazel drew a knife but stopped as she sliced her finger open. The mother of the child tried to stop her. "Hazel, you don't…" Hazel pulled her arm back from Dora and pressed the blood covered finger on Teddy's head. "I, Hazel Potter, swear by my Blood, my Magic and my eternal Soul to care for my godson, Edward Lupin, till the end of my days. I will act in the best interests of his health of body, mind and soul and to never cause the child to ever come to harm should I be capable of preventing it to the best of my abilities. I will love him as if he was my own should his parents pass on from this world and I will never dare abandon him, no matter what. So says I, so mote it be." Both Doras watched as the Blood Oath was sealed by the flash of a red light, both stunned by her actions. Hazel looked at the boy's mother. "I can't be trusted to do the right thing, Dora. I can never be trusted with that. This way… this way I know I can be a good Godmother to him. And if I fail, I won't have to worry about ever hurting him again." The older Dora face softened into a smile as she pulled Hazel into a hug. "You are a good person, Hazel. That oath proves it. Never doubt that." The image before Dora of Hazel and her world's Nymphadora Tonks vanished from before her eyes.

Back into an empty void of darkness, a voice that sounded like Hazel's spoke up. "Do you still doubt her? Her very being is held as collateral by that oath. Her will is not being twisted or warped by the magic that binds her and she receives no warnings. She acts every moment of everyday to see to the child's wellbeing, self doubt a constant companion. Yet in thirteen years she has never wavered. She has dedicated her life to being the best mother to a child not born of her womb. Is this the mark of a monster to you?" Dora lowered her head. "No. It isn't." The voice filled her ears, much softer in tone. "Then return to your other half. Return whole and undamaged, just as you swore. Life is a fleeting thing and the world is cold and merciless. She knows that best of all. Yet she still hopes. She still loves you. Return to her, Nymphadora and find your own happiness." Dora awoke with a start, staring into the starry sky. She stood up and looked around before she felt a magic tingle underneath her skin but more noticeable in her hand. She watched as the Elder Wand seemed to crackle with magic. Hazel's Magic. Dora took a deep breath, checked to make sure her shift stayed in place, and the wand seemed to settle as she held it in her hand as her own thoughts calmed down. "Point me, Triwizard Cup." She rushed forward in the direction the wand pointed to, her hand reaching up to touch her pendant. She poured her feelings for Hazel into her magic and felt two echoing responses, making her smile. She wasn't going to doubt any more. She had a family to return to and a woman who deserved all the love in her heart. She would make it through for them and for herself.

-∞-

Harry rested his throbbing head against a fountain, the cold easing away his headache for a bit. When Hazel warned him about the Maze, he thought it couldn't be so bad. He had been wrong. From the moment he got deeper and deeper into the Maze, his head started hurting more and more. Flashes of thoughts and memories seemed to pop out at every turn. Sure, he knew they were hallucinations, he was aware most weren't real, but it never seemed to do much. He kept hearing his mother's voice as she screamed and begged Voldemort to spare him. To let him live. He heard her beg for death. He saw the flash of green light and the mad laughter that haunted his nightmares as a kid. The thought instantly made him want to hurl as he brought his hand up to his mouth. He felt his throat burn but Harry closed his eyes and swallowed, feeling the burn go back down, his mouth left with the taste of bile as he took deep breaths. He stood up and looked around the exits, watching one vanish as the hedges shifted. He took his Willow Wand and held it in his open palm. "Point me, Triwizard Cup." He watched the wand spin for a second before pointing at the exit to his right. He took a deep breath before rushing through again, leaving the frozen fountain behind.

Everywhere his eyes looked, there were only hedges and hedges and more hedges. He had to jump a few times as Devil Snare sprang up from beneath, trying to grab him by his ankles. So far he had only been grabbed once and a quick fireball spell chased the plants away. He skidded to a halt as the hedges closed an opening in front of him and then they started closing down the entire passageway, with him still in it. He rushed back as fast as he could, almost pulling himself out of the hedges when they closed completely. After taking a moment to catch his breath again, Harry saw a new opening to his right and rushed through, trying to keep pace. He needed to get to the Cup. He slowed down as he arrived at another open area but he frowned, not seeing a fountain in the middle. With his wand in his hand, Harry walked up to the center, feeling his hairs standing on end. "You are walking down a dangerous path, my boy." Harry swung around and stared at the figure of Dumbledore. He watched as the old man seemed to look him over, judging him. "You are growing strong and powerful, but you are losing your way. Killing the creature was not the right choice." Harry glared back. "Was I supposed to let it kill me then? There was no other choice for me!"

Dumbledore shook his head. "Violence is never the answer. The more you harm others, the closer you will become to Voldemort. You will become the very being that killed your parents." Harry felt his temper rise. "Shut up! I am nothing like him. I mourned the Quetzalcoatl's death. I showed it the respect she deserved. As long as I care about others, then I am doing the right thing. So shut up and leave me alone." The figure seemed to vanish but even with it gone, it's voice still echoed in his ears. "Your parents were true heroes, Harry. They gave their life to protect you and all of Britain. Will you be capable of doing the same?" Harry felt his hand shaking as he stared at the empty space in front of him before lowering his wand down to his sides, his breathing turning heavy. Rubbing sweat off his face, he casted the point me spell again and pushed on through. He rushed deeper and deeper into the Maze before a glimmer of light caught his attention. Harry rushed forward as he saw the Triwizard Cup, sitting on a raised column just before his eyes. As soon as he stepped through another gap in the hedges, he felt his head spin. His headache seemed to get worse as he held the sides of his head with his hands. Soft hands rubbed his temples and Harry froze as a vaguely familiar voice spoke up. "I am here for you. Harry."

Green eyes met green as he stared into the face of Lily Evans-Potter. His lips trembled. "You are not real." Lily gave him a soft smile. "Of course I am, Harry. I gave birth to you. Or have you forgotten me already." Harry shook his head. "I haven't forgotten." Lily's next words seemed to chill his heart. "Really? Because you seem to have replaced me with that woman." Harry looked at Lily. "Hazel is good to me. She cares about me." Lily seemed to glare at him. "She is stealing you away from us, Harry. Turning you into someone you are not. You are abandoning everything we did for you." Harry raised his voice. "I am not abandoning you. You aren't here and she is." Lily's voice seemed to carve deeper and deeper into his heart. "Will she die for you as I did? Will she sacrifice it all for you to live? I gave everything of my life so that you could live. So that you wouldn't become a killer. You know she is one. You have seen the way she looks at Sirius. At Dumbledore. Is that who you want to become?" Harry clenched his jaw as tears rushed down his face. "You're not my mother. She would be happy for me. Happy that I found a family that loves me." Lily shook her head. "No mother would raise a child to become a killer. No mother would teach their child how to end a life as she did."

Harry closed his eyes. He knew Hazel was a killer. She told him. She had killed Death Eaters and creatures. Was that what he was becoming? He killed the Quetzacoatl. Would she make him kill again and again? Turn him into the person she is? Harry's knees hit the ground as he bent over, his head making contact with the soft green grass. Lily's voice filled his ears again. "It's not too late, Harry. You can still walk away from her. Don't be selfish, Harry. Return to Dumbledore and to Sirius. Follow in our footsteps. Be a better person. The person we died for so that you could be." As he felt the pain in his head worsen and his vision narrowing, a soft voice seemed to fill Harry's mind. "We are all selfish in one way or another." Warm hands wrapped around him and he felt someone rest their chin on his shoulder. Yet, when he looked there was no one there. Still, he knew who it was. He knew it in his heart. "I am not a good person, Harry. I can't tell you to do the right thing. All I can do… is be there for you… You will never have to thank me… we are family, Harry… This life. This singular, limited ethereal life is yours alone… you have people that love and care for you… the person who you want to be is up to you… and you alone." Tears ran down his cheeks as he looked up to the figure of Lily Potter. "I am sorry, but I can't follow you. Not any more."

The figure reared back as Harry pulled his feet out from under him and stood up. "I love you, for being the woman who gave birth to me. For dying for me. But I love her too. Because she is there for me and she never asks anything from me except to be myself. To not waste my life. I…" Harry swallowed a lump in his throat. "I know I won't become her. Because unlike you…unlike Dumbledore, I am not being asked to do anything except to live. To be a child. I am not the Boy Who Lived, mother. I am not just your orphan, the son of the selfless martyrs. I am Harry Potter. I am the last of the Potters. I have a family waiting for me to come home. I have a brother who cares about me." Tears spilled from his eyes again. "I… have a mother who is there for me, no matter what I might do. I don't have to wonder if she will ever come find me. I don't have to dream of you rescuing me from the cupboard anymore. I am already free and I have a home of my own. A family. And my Mom… will always come back for me. I am sorry mother, but I can't follow your path anymore. I refused to become the Boy Who Lived. I will be Harry Potter. Only Harry Potter." Harry took a deep breath and started walking past Lily's figure. "Goodbye mother. I will see you one day but you will have to forgive me if I take my time. I am not going anywhere but home."

As soon as he crossed the threshold Harry felt the magic snap away from his head. He leaned into the hedge beside him, breathing deeply, as tears ran down his face. He felt a tingle of magic on his arm and lifted it up, revealing the bracelets made of dragonhide that Teddy and Hazel had given him. He could feel that the wolf and the tree charms were warm, both glowing a soft light, though the tree seemed to be brighter. Even if you are the last of your line, you are never alone . Harry smiled as he rubbed the two charms in between his fingers, feeling their magic leaking into him. "You two are always with me, aren't you?" Both charms seemed to pulse in response and Harry closed his eyes. He almost said thank you again but remembered what Hazel would always say in response. Shaking his head merrily, Harry turned his attention forward and to the Triwizard Cup, glowing eerily with an internal blue light. Taking a deep breath, Harry approached it, knowing that the moment he touched it, the Third Task would be over. Every difficulty, ever day of training, every single moment of this year had led up to this moment. The moment he touched it, he would become the Triwizard Champion. Even then, he refused to be anything else. He was just Harry, and tonight he would be putting an end to it all. He stretched out his hand and reached for the cup.

Chapter 48: Death Comes to a Graveyard

Chapter Text

"He's here, my lord." Voldemort wheezed. "Grab him, Bartemius. Before he escapes." Barty moved forward and aimed his wand at the figure of the boy. He watched as the stunner launched the Potter brat into the statue behind him before Barty cast a transfiguration spell on it, until the boy was bound by the Angel's scythe. He ignited the fire beneath the Cauldron before approaching the tomb next to the statue. Barty looked up at the struggling boy. "Don't worry, Potter. Your part in this will be over soon." He laughed a little as the teen seemed to struggle further as he levitated a leg bone out of the grave beside the statue and dropped it into the Cauldron. "A bone from my master's deceased father." Barty turned to the cauldron and drew out a knife which he held between his teeth. He held his hand over the Cauldron and swung his wand down. Barty's left hand fell from his arm as the cutting curse finished severing it. Barty stowed his wand away, before taking the knife out of his mouth. "Flesh from a faithful servant, ever willing to sacrifice for his master's will." Barty turned to the boy, a manic look in his eyes. "And now it's your turn." Barty jammed the blade into the boy's leg, nicking bone. He smiled up as the teen screamed in pain. "Can't have you running off, Potter. Tonight is quite the special treat. Tonight, my master is made whole once more."

Barty returned to the Cauldron, shaking the blade as drops of blood entered the brew before returning to his master. "Blood of the enemy, taken against his will. Let it restore my Master in full." The man in the dark coat dropped the homunculi into the cauldron and stood back. "Return to us, my lord. Return so we may rain havoc upon our enemies once more." The Cauldron seemed to shake violently until a plum of white smoke exploded outwards. A tall and lanky figure emerged, its skin deathly pale and hairless. It's skeletal like arms gripped the edges of the cauldron as it pulled itself out. Standing on the soft grass, breathing deeply as the being centered himself before the silence was finally, the voice from the now completed homunculi body sounded much smoother than it once was. "My wand, Bartemius." Barty came forward and kneeled, presenting a jagged wand made of Yew to his master. Voldemort took it reverently into his hands and conjured black robes over his body before rubbing his face with his fingers. "Ahh, good. I had hoped my "modifications" would endure through the restoration." He walked up to the boy and looked up at him, his fingers rubbing his skin. "Tell me, Potter. Do I look familiar? You were only a year old but I am quite memorable, wouldn't you say?" The mad man laughed as he turned his attention back to his servant, his red eyes shining brightly. "Your arm, Bartemius. We have some friends to summon. It's been far too long."

Voldemort took a moment to take in his surroundings after summoning his Death Eaters and fixing his servant's missing arm. He waited as several pops filled the air, his father's skull in his hand. He took a moment to look at the dozen or so who arrived, clear disappointment in his face, before tossing the skull uncaringly back into the grave. "Now this is unfortunate. I sense two others remain at Hogwarts, which is to be expected. The rest are rotting in Azkaban, a matter we will address in a more appropriate environment. Yet, look how few of you, my most faithful, gathered here today. I heard many of your fellow Death Eaters fell at the World Cup. It seems there is much recruiting to be done." He looked each of the Death Eaters in the eyes, stopping in front of one of them. "A shame. So many of you had such fire and passion when last we saw each other. So much of it has seemingly been extinguished. Tell me Lucius, does your son believe in our cause as you once did? Will the other children of the old and noble houses join our cause as they did before?" Voldemort vanished Lucius' mask off his face. The man visibly swallowed. "In time I believe many will be serving you, my lord, though other families seem to have forgotten their place. The Heirs of the Houses of Greengrass and Nott have been associating with mudbloods, all because of the Potter boy." Voldemort sighed. "I suppose they will have to be made an example off. We can't have our most illustrious families behaving like common rift rats."

"You would know all about that, wouldn't you, Tom? After all, your magical mother lived in a ramshackle hut not that far from here. Actually, I would say you wouldn't know since you were orphaned, but poor old Morfin Gaunt would say otherwise. After all, you framed him for the death of your own father." Voldemort whirled around and aimed his wand at the still bound boy who had spoken up. "How do you know that!? Tell me, Potter!" The boy smiled. "What's the matter? Is Patricide too much of a bad memory or is it a sore subject for your servants? You can't have the Death Eaters think you would order their children to kill them as soon as their usefulness was at an end, right? Who would follow you then?" Voldemort growled. " Crucio!" The red curse raced across the open space before a wall of dirt rose from the ground, intercepting it. The statue released its prisoner as the boy's voice shifted. "Sorry to disappoint you, Tom, but I have had my fair share of the Torture Curse. As much as I would love to revisit that experience, there are far more important things to do." The boy's body reformed and his clothes were transfigured into a skin tight suit and black jacket as the woman pulled on her gloves, her short white hair blowing in the wind as her green eyes glowed in the low light. "A pleasure to finally meet you in person, Tom Marvolo Riddle. Name's Hazel Peverell. Hunter of Dark Witches and Wizards." Hazel gave him a toothy smile as powerful wards slammed into place over the entire Graveyard. "So, care to show me what you're made of, my lord?"

-∞-

Dumbledore stared at the blank scrying mirrors of the Judges platform on the grounds of the Quidditch Pitch just as he heard murmurings from the students. Minister Fudge leaned in beside him. "What's the meaning of this, Dumbledore? Why can't we see inside the Maze?" Dumbledore shook his head. "I don't know, Cornelius. Perhaps an Auror could go check." He was about to ask Amelia when the Director of the DMLE pointed her wand at Karkaroff's back. " Stupefy. " The Durmstrang Headmaster crumbled as Dumbledore reared back, drawing his wand. "Madam Bones. What are you doing?" Amelia gave him a smile. "Making sure some loose ends are taken care of." Amelia leaned down and pulled Karkaroff's sleeve back, revealing a very clear and writhing Dark Mark. Cornelius' grip on his bowler hat tightened as he pulled himself away from the Durmstrang Headmaster. "But, the mark… it should have faded!" Amelia nodded. "It was faded until last summer. My Aurors have been keeping an eye on former Death Eaters and their movements ever since." Dumbledore frowned, concerned at what the fully restored Dark Mark meant. He looked at the darken scrying mirrors and sighed. "It seems Lord Voldemort has returned."

"Proudfoot! Help your Boss restrain Igor. Damn it, Amelia. I wanted to take that shot." Amelia turned to the source of the voice, the gruff old Auror hobbling in her direction. "Sorry Alastor, but he started shifting in his seat. Couldn't risk him getting away." Alastor grunted. "I knew I should have taken your place. This is what I get for signing up for babysitting duty." Amelia raised an eyebrow before turning to the boy walking beside Alastor. "So, how is he as a babysitter? I was considering asking him to watch over Susan when I was at work in the summer as soon as she got a boyfriend." Harry paled slightly. "He's… he's ok. Though it was only for a few minutes." Amelia chuckled at the boy's nervousness around her as Proudfoot slapped suppression cuffs on Karkaroff. She gestured to her Aurors. "Get him back to a DMLE holding cell. We will decide what to do with him as soon as we can confirm whether he had a hand in Mr. Potter's selection by the Goblet or not." Dumbledore raised his voice. "Amelia, what is going on?" The director of the DMLE turned to the Headmaster. "Not enjoying being a spectator, Albus? Well, too bad. The DMLE is running a sting operation, dealing with terrorists that managed to escape justice at the end of the last war. This time, we are finishing what we started. Come along, Harry. Your family is waiting for you."

Harry nodded but Dumbledore stepped in her path. "Mr. Potter needs to complete the Task, or his magic is forfeit." Alastor's magical eye rotated in his head before fixating on Dumbledore. "Amelia, take the boy's hand please. Just so you know, Albus, Mr. Potter did complete the Task. He was the first to take hold of the Triwizard Cup." Albus frowned. "Then why wasn't he portkeyed here?" Alastor chuckled. "What, did you think his cousin would have let the boy be portkeyed anywhere without being sure he was safe? Please, that woman is as paranoid as I am. She had an anti-portkey ward raised over the area just in case. Good thing too, as the Cup had a different destination attached to your portkey enchantment. The rest of the Champions are being escorted to safety at St. Mungos so they can receive medical treatment. Hit Witch Peverell placed the boy in my care to deliver to Amelia while she took a portkey ride to determine who might have been trying to kidnap the boy." Albus shook his head. "If it's who I think it is, the boy is safer here, Alastor. The Castle's wards…" Alastor growled. "Are not as strong as they should be. You might have blocked access to the ward chamber for the Wardmaster, but they could still read the wards well enough. The wards are unstable and fragile, Albus. No, the boy will be safe with us."

As Alastor and Amelia guided Harry away from the judges stand, Dumbledore closed his eyes and reached out to the Castle wards. The air filled with magic as the wards snapped into place over the grounds. Albus opened his eyes. "The wards are now set to lockdown, Alastor. The boy stays here until the matter is resolved. I will send for the Order and have them search some of Voldemort's old haunts. He is sure to be at any one of them. Until then, we will all wait here patiently. I will send the students back to their dorms." He waved his wand and a Phoenix Patronus manifested. After sending the message to Minerva, he watched the Minister approach him. "Albus, you can't just lockdown the Castle with all of the invited guests here!" Dumbledore sighed. "As much as I would love to open the Castle up, the danger to the students is too high. Voldemort is-" a soft screech filled the air as a pure white bird with golden stripes swooped in and landed on Harry's shoulder. Alastor gripped the boy's arm and smiled at Dumbledore. "Sorry Albus, but Peverell is quite scary when pissed. I am staying clear of getting on her bad side. See you at the front gates." Albus aimed his wand at the bird but the sudden blinding white light that filled the immediate area left him completely blind and disorientated. As soon as he could open his eyes, he searched his surroundings as well as the wards, to no avail. Harry Potter was gone from Hogwarts.

-∞-

Teddy felt his feet hit solid ground, before Nova rubbed his cheek with its beak. Teddy smiled and rubbed the bird's chest feathers. "Thanks Nova. Think you can go watch over Mom and Dora?" The bird nodded and took flight before popping away. He turned around and watched as an older dark skinned woman wearing a long white coat smiled at him. "Hello young man. Your cousin and family are this way." Teddy smiled and followed after her. "Thank you, Healer Johnson." A few hallways later in the labyrinth that was the Department of Mysteries, the Healer opened a door and Teddy rushed in, tackling Harry into a hug. "You're ok!" Harry patted him on the back. "I am. Thanks to you and Mom." Teddy pulled back and Harry held up his wrist, showing his charms. "I felt you and Hazel through them. You two pulled me right out of the worst of the hallucinations." Teddy smiled at him before looking at Andromeda. "Mom is currently busy dealing with ugly snake face. Will you be able to help Harry while she is away?" Andromeda ruffled his hair. "We should. Our best minds had over a year to work on this and plenty of non-living objects to test it on." Another dark skinned woman with long black hair in a braid came forward, a red dot marking the center of her forehead. "A pleasure to see you again, Harry. We have all of what we need to get started and get that piece of nasty out of your scar. Are you ready?"

Harry nodded. "I am, Unspeakable Patil." The woman guided him to a raised platform surrounded by an intricate Circle with indecipherable markings. "That is Sanskrit. If you make it to NEWT level Runes you will learn how to read and write with them. Though my nieces will always have an easier time since they grew up with us speaking and writing it for years." Harry sat on the platform. "And this will get the piece of Voldemort out of me?" The Unspeakable nodded. "It's an old and tested array, just needing some modifications to be safer to use on people. The Subcontinent has had its fair share of Kings and Queens who claimed divine right, powers and even immortality, most of which being magical in origin. At least that was before the Statute could be enforced in our region. My family brought our traditions and knowledge with us here, including this ritual circle to strip foreign magic out of an object or person. Hand whatever items you are carrying that have magic on them that you don't want to see getting cleansed." Harry took his necklace, the bracelets and the Quetzalcoatl charm made for him off and handed them to Teddy. He also took off his wand holster and glasses. The woman waved her wand over him and nodded. "Good, that's everything. One last thing. This spell will strip the Blood Magic ward your mother erected to protect you. We could try another procedure to remove the fragment alone, keeping the ward intact, but it would take longer to dislodge the fragment."

Taking a deep breath, Harry thought of his experiences in the Maze. "It's ok. I don't think I will need it anymore." The Unspeakable gave him an unsure look but nodded. "Then lie down on the table. We are going to bring an object to act as the target for the purged magics. All the foreign magic will be transferred to it but without a living host, the blood ward will die. Last chance, Harry." Harry lied down onto the platform. "I understand but I am ok with it. Please, I want to be rid of him forever." The woman squeezed his shoulder gently. "Very well. We will get started. Here. So you don't bite your tongue. This will likely hurt." A soft block of leather was placed between his teeth and Harry bit down before he closed his eyes. At first he felt as if electricity was running down his arms, a small tingle that made his fingers go numb. Soon after a burning sensation began to build in his head and Harry was glad for the block of leather as he started to bite down harder. His ears filled with a chorus of people speaking in what he assumed was Sanskrit, the chorus building in volume as the minutes passed, along with the pain in his head. He clenched his fists as the pain kept on building and he could hear another man's voice in his head. For a brief second he watched through Voldemort's eyes as he traded spells with Hazel, before the vision passed and his world went dark and silent.

It took Harry a second to realize he could still breath and he did, opening his eyes and seeing the room around him was empty and bathed in white light. He frowned as he sat up, wondering where the mouth guard and everyone disappeared to when felt someone sitting beside him. He turned to look and saw a familiar looking woman with red hair. "Please tell me I am not back in the Maze." Lily chuckled. "No Harry, you are not back in the Maze. I am here to see you." Harry lowered his gaze. "I am sorry, if you heard what I said to that other… you." Lily wrapped her arm around her son. "You have nothing to apologize for. I am the one who should apologize to you. We trusted in the wrong people and your childhood was taken from you." Harry shook his head. "It's ok, I already forgave you for that. You couldn't have known." Lily frowned. "No, but I should've tried harder. Your father, for all that I loved him, was a stubborn man. I wanted to take you away from Britain. Despite the dangerous wildlife, Australia was wonderful when my family visited it once and I was sure it would have been a good home to us. But James wanted to fight the war. Even after he gave up his position as an Auror, he still wanted to fight." Lily smiled. "Ask Sirius about the fact I had to order him to practically drag your father back on your first birthday. Sirius brought him back alright, wrapped as a gift, for the two of us. It's one of my favorite moments with the mutt." Harry chuckled. "Sounds like Hazel. She did the same to Teddy's dad before his birth. Before she adopted him."

Lily smiled sadly. "If there is one thing I will regret about not being there for you is not giving you a proper home. But I am glad you found someone who could. Someone who clearly cares about you. I am happy for you, Harry." Harry lowered his eyes. "And you won't be mad if I call her Mom?" Lily shook her head. "No Harry. I won't. For all purposes she is your mother now, with that boy being your brother. I will never begrudge you that. That's why I am here, Harry. I am here… to say goodbye." Harry thought for a second. "The Blood Ward." Lily nodded and ruffled his hair. "Good to see you got my smarts and not James'. Just don't go studying that magic until you're seventeen. Suffice to say it bound me to you partly. Enough for me to see and know what happened to you. Enough to fight back against Voldemort's fragment as it tried to influence you. Now you are free of the fragment and of me too. So for me… this is goodbye." Harry closed his mouth. He turned his head to the side as he heard someone calling out to him. Lily hugged him and kissed his cheek. "They are waiting for you, Harry. Go on. Go home." Harry turned to her. "Will I ever see you again?" Lily smiled and rubbed his cheek with her thumb. "One day. Just make sure you keep your promise, Harry. Making your mother wait in this sense is a good thing. Oh, and be careful with the redhead. We do have a temper you know."

Harry smiled. "I figured but I am sure she is worth it. Goodbye, mother." Lily waved at him as her form faded away. "See you later, my son." The silence seemed to fill his ears before he heard a voice speak up. "Come on Harry. Mom is going to be so worried if you don't wake up." A bright light filled Harry's vision as he opened his eyes. He raised his hand to block it. "I am up Teddy. Sorry if I worried you." Teddy brushed tears out of his eyes. "It's ok. Mom can be just as bad when she comes back hurt. Sometimes it would take her a day to wake up." Harry winced at the thought. "Mind if I wish never to see that?" Teddy shook his head. "Trust me, I don't like it either." Harry turned to the approaching Unspeakable. "Is it gone?" The Indian woman gave him a gentle smile. "All gone. No trace of Voldemort left in your system. Sorry about your mother's ward. It was an impressive piece of magic." Harry hugged her, startling the woman slightly. "It's ok. I have her school journals and my own family. It's enough." The woman hugged him back. "Then go in peace, young man. And tell Parvati to come and see me sometime. That Gryffindor rebel hasn't sent me so much as a letter this year." Harry chuckled as he pulled away. "I will let her know." Harry turned to Andromeda who finished her own diagnostics scan on him. "Can Teddy and I wait with you at the infirmary?" Andromeda smiled as Harry dropped off the altar and onto the ground. "Fine, but you two don't go messing with anything sharp. We will be seeing some prisoners coming through too, so be careful. That is, if Horatio and Hazel remember to actually give a damn about taking prisoners."

-∞-

Dora raised a transfigured dirt wall, blocking an incoming Killing Curse, before she returned fire with a piercing hex. She heard a man grunt in pain as she disillusioned herself, before slipping back behind some cover. She kept her eyes open for the magical signature of the snake as she fought against the Death Eaters that had answered the maniac's call. "Come on you racist bastards. I am standing right here! You all got away from us last time but, by the gods, I am going to make you all wish you didn't get branded like the dogs you are! That's it! Try a little harder. What was that? My bloody students can cast a Killing Curse better than you, punk!" Dora wanted to rub her face so badly, even with her face mask on. Sure, having Horatio as backup was great, but the man was off his bloody rocker. She knew he was still holding a grudge for the time he lost his entire team and he certainly came here to collect. She watched as the black flames of the Hellfire Barrier burned up another poor Death Eater sent its way by Horatio and sighed. He definitely knew how to take advantage of his environment. Watching another errant curse almost hit her, Dora dispelled her magic and opened up against another Death Eater, striking him with her standard capture and binding chain and launching them away from the main battle.

Just as she was about to turn around, her enchanted eyes caught a glimpse of a specific magical signature. She disillusioned herself and moved far enough away, while still keeping her eyes fixed on the target. "O2 here. Priority 2 spotted." Croaker's voice came over the comms. "Take it out quickly. HP2 is being cleansed as we speak." Dora smiled. "Acknowledged." Hearing that Harry would be rid of Voldemort for good made Dora feel great. Making sure she had every possible spell needed to avoid detection, Dora approached the snake from behind. She had read Croaker's files on Nagini. Whispers of a Maledictus woman from a circus that got dragged into Grindelwald's conflict, only for the woman to disappear after the end of the war. Years later, the same name was spoken in front of an Auror spy and a giant snake was seen next to the then rising Lord Voldemort. The memories had been shown to one Newt Scamander, who confirmed the snake was the same as the Maledictus from Paris. Dora focused on the feelings that came from reading those reports and Harry's own dreams of the snake literally being compelled to act. There was no loyalty or faith in the snake towards her master, only obedience. No one deserved such a life. With her wand aimed at the snake, Dora cast the Killing Curse as silently as possible. The cyan light struck the creature and an inhuman screech filled the air, causing Dora to cover her ears.

She noticed too late as a revealing spell was cast within range of her and she barely managed to dodge the Torture Curse sent her way. She eyed her options as to which direction to go, none being all that great of a choice. She was about to attack the Death Eater, who looked a bit like Bartemius Crouch Junior's arrest photo, head on when the man collapsed onto the ground, a spray of blood blooming from the man's chest. "You owe me one, Coneja." Dora sighed in relief. "I'll get you some good tequila and beers, Kuku." She heard a groan over the comms. "I knew I shouldn't have left you alone with Tezca." Dora laughed. "Bad idea indeed. O2 to OPs, Priority 2 is down. BCJR is down too." She heard Croaker grumble. "Trust me, we noticed after the ear piercing screech filled the comms channel. That adjustment for background sound reduction can't come soon enough." Dora eyed the barrier of black flames. "What is O1's status?" Quetz spoke up. "Her ear comm is off for obvious reasons. I can see her giving cara de serpiente one hell of a workout though. You should help Horatio clean up the stragglers as she is probably going to be exhausted." Croaker added to Quetz' suggestion. "Alive, preferably. Some of these people have been working with other Black Magic Market dealers. Any intel we can get that cuts into the illegal smuggling activities is worth it." Dora eyed the remaining Death Eaters who were desperately trying to destroy the wards. Too bad the bastards were dealing with three overlapping deployable wards. Even Hazel worked up a sweat trying to break through those conventionally.

Several hundreds of meters away, wearing her own Operations tactical suit as she rested high up on a hill overlooking the Graveyard and the Riddle Manor, Quetz laid in waiting. She adjusted the magnification of the scope on her sniper rifle as she surveyed the scene in front of her. She smiled a little as Dora took out another Death Eater safely, this one having tried to be sneaky and keeping close to the ground. She switched to the second scope on her rifle, getting a thermal read on the battlefield and noticed a few sneakier Death Eaters trying to dismantle her wards. Taking a moment to check the wind and the angle of descent, Quetz adjusted the position of her reticle to compensate, before she pulled the trigger. While she could hear a faint pop and feel the reduced recoil of the firearm, even as it rested on a bipod, no one else heard a thing. Well, they certainly heard the Disillusioned Death Eater screaming in agony as she blasted his knee into dust. She took a breath and exhaled as she aimed at the other pest as they went for cover, giving herself a good enough lead before pulling the trigger. The woman, based on her figure, dropped to the ground, screaming in agony, as her hip bones took severe damage. Quetz panicked for a second when a screeching noise caught her attention. She spotted someone apparently getting the drop on Horatio, before she shot them right in the head.

Quetz sighed, happy she didn't need to give Hazel any bad news about the Battlemaster before looking at the white bird perched up on the bush beside her, its eyes looking at her as it shrilled softly. "Thanks for the warning, Nova. Next time though… a little softer on the noise. You almost gave me a heart attack." The bird nodded and took to the skies, circling over the graveyard silently. Horatio took a moment to look up and spotted the bird while he hid behind some cover. He nodded at it in a gratitude after catching Quetz' comment over the comms, before eyeing the area around him. He watched as another Death Eater, Malfoy by his platinum blonde hair, was dropped by Tonks as she moved closer towards his own position, but keeping herself right out of his own field of fire. Taking a calming breath, Horatio rushed forward and rammed his shoulder straight into a Disillusioned Death Eater's chest, before the unsuspecting victim was smashed into a gravestone. Using his Ebony Wand, Horatio fired a stunner at the man's chest, before binding him to the stone with conjured ropes. He disillusioned himself as he swept around the edge of the wardline, catching a few more Death Eaters in the back before he spotted Tonks signaling him. "BM to Q1, confirm status on hostiles." About a minute later she responded. "All hostiles within the wardline neutralized, except for Priority 1." Horatio looked over at the battle raging on within the Hellfire Barrier. "Come on, Hazel. You can do it."

Said witch was walking calmly inside of the Hellfire Barrier, raising earthen barriers instantly after every Killing Curse sent her way. "Is this really the best you have, Voldemort? Killing Curses and Torture Curses? You are one sad excuse of a Dark Lord if this is all you can do!" Hazel's taunt hit a nerve as a large Basilisk made of crimson flames formed right before Hazel's face. Hazel's mouth broke into a grin as she held out her right hand. No one could ever force her to cast Fiendfyre with her Holly Wand ever again. Out of the black flames behind her manifested a large skeletal dragon, its wings open and spread, it's roar shaking her eardrums. She might have to give her coworkers an apology for any hearing damage. At least a ruptured eardrum was fixable with magic. The dragon conjured out of black flames charged forward and pinned the Basilisk down with its claws before it's flaming maws bit into it. Hazel watched as the Basilisk's flames turned black before the creature dissipated, leaving behind a stunned Voldemort. The man's face, pale and snake-like, turned into a furious scowl as he sent every known curse under the stars directly at her. Hazel smiled, even as she started to feel the drain from all her counter spells. Voldemort was certainly as strong as her Tom in sheer power. "That's better Tom. That's more Dark Lordy of you." The man growled. "Stop calling me that!" Hazel laughed. "Sure thing, Gaunt."

Hazel watched as the man fumed. "Who are you!? How do you know so much about me!?" Hazel smiled bitterly. "I know you, Tom, because I was made in your image. Cold, calculating and cruel. Though that last part I could never truly compare to you. In 1981 you set out to slay your vanquisher. Unfortunately for you, Harry Potter wasn't the only person born at the end of July." Hazel smirked softly as Voldemort seemed to pale further. She watched him wave his wand at the ground and instantly her hackles were raised as soon as he spoke Druidic. " Rise and serve me, vessels of bone, flesh and rot! Rise and cut down my enemies! " Hazel's voice deepened, her eyes turned silver, as she watched as corpses began to dig their way out of the ground. "You dare! Not only do you desecrate the living but the dead as well!" Unleashing a wave of magic around her to force Voldemort back, Hazel slammed her right hand onto the ground and connected the Resurrection Stone to the wild and untamed Necromantic Magic that filled the area. A deep and resonant voice filled the air. " Vessels of souls now departed, return to the stillness of your earthen grave, let not the arrogance of man disturb your slumber. " Hazel dodged as a purple organ liquefying curse passed just above her, as the magic around her began to settle, the mounds of dirt resettling into solid earth as the Inferi were undone.

Voldemort looked around the graveyard, his gaze seeking his creations and finding none. "How? Necromancy is the height of Black Magic. How did you counter it?" Hazel chuckled to herself as she cracked her fingers on her offhand, her eyes slowly returning to green. "You forget who you are facing, Tom. I am a Peverell. We have faced Death since time immemorial. We know all the secrets and legends of the arts of Death Magic. In the end, Death reigns absolute. It is a thousand times easier to return the dead to their grave than to awaken them. But you wouldn't understand that, would you? How long has it been since you feared death? How long has it been since you had no other thought but to cheat your rightful fate?" Voldemort whipped his wand towards her. "Silence, I fear nothing!" Hazel grunted as she casted a dueling shield, feeling it buckle slightly under the power and ferocity of Voldemort's curse chains, one of which she was certain had a withering curse by the way it reacted with the ground as it was deflected. "Really? Then why did you spend so much time researching ways to cheat Death? Philosopher stones, accursed chalices and even Soul Magic? You are nothing more than a coward, Tom. So driven by your fear of death that you damaged the souls of others and your own to survive. Too bad for you your little trinkets won't save you now! So show me what you are capable of, Heir of the Gaunts, Defiler of Slytherin's Legacy and murder of children. Show me you are worthy of the title Dark Lord!"

The taunts had the expected effect as Tom screeched as he seemed to build up as much of his power before casting another curse. " Avada Kedavra! " Hazel raised her Holly Wand. " Stupefy ." The two spells intersected and the familiar magics linked. The cage of golden light began to manifest around them both as Hazel held the connection, the familiar song of a phoenix drowning out all noise around her. She watched as the echoes of Bertha Jorkins and a man she never met before manifested around her. Two more echoes sprang from the wand and landed beside Hazel. She turned for a split second to look at the spirits. James Potter gave her a calculated look. "Sirius doesn't deserve your contempt." Hazel grinded her teeth. "Working on it, you narcissistic prick." The man nodded at her softly, not dignifying to respond to her jab, as the woman moved closer to her. Lily Potter smiled warmly at Hazel. "Take care of our son. He has let go of his past. Show him. Show him that he deserves his own future." Hazel nodded at her. "He will have his path to choose from. All I can do is be there when he needs me." Lily smiled at her. The spirits turned to their killer and launched themselves at Voldemort, blinding his vision. Hazel focused her magic and felt as a familiar piece of Elder Wood returned to her offhand, its essence screaming in absolute joy. The rapid-fire spell chain that left her wand didn't go unnoticed as Voldemort raised a wandless duelist shield but Hazel's spell chains almost always contained a shield shattering hex.

The Dark Lord fell to his knees quickly. Not wishing to tempt fate, Hazel dashed forward and pulled out a vial full of Draught of Living Death, before emptying it down the man's throat. She unceremoniously dropped him face first onto the ground and bound his hands and legs from behind with suppression cuffs. Taking her first real breath since casting the Hellfire Barrier, Hazel took her ear comm out of her watch and slipped it on as she dispelled the barrier. "O1 here. Priority 1 bound and dosed. Status report." She heard a sigh of relief. "O2 and BM here. All DEs have been neutralized. We have a few of the big shots alive, bound and dozed. We are good to go." Another voice chimed in. "Q1 here. No other hostiles in the vicinity and the wards kept the action from being spotted by the locals. Statute is secure." Croaker joined in on the conversation. "Great work everyone. Q1, secure your wardstones. BM, O1 and O2, secure the prisoners for extraction. We have the arrival point safely guarded by our Unspeakables, while our Healers will stabilize the prisoners before they are sent to the containment cells or to St. Mungos for more intensive care. Start sending your prisoners in before returning safely home." Hazel levitated Voldemort before dropping him next to the growing pile of stunned Death Eaters next to Horatio. She watched as Dora took off her Unspeakable mask and smiled at her. "Mission Accomplished?" Hazel watched as Quetz walked up to them, two deployable wardstones in her hands, one strapped around her chest and resting on her waist and a sniper rifle strapped to her back. Hazel released a breath and smiled as Nova landed on her shoulder. "Mission Accomplished everyone. Let's go home."

-∞-

As soon as they appeared at the arrival point, Hazel pulled Quetz into a hug. "Thanks for coming out, Q. I am sure you had other things to do but having you there watching our backs was the best thing we could have hoped for." Dora pulled her into a hug too after Hazel released her. "Same here, Kuku. Loved having you out there." Quetz blushed before turning to Horatio. "You too, jefe?" Horatio shook his head but he smiled and held out his hand. "No hugs from me, Quetz. But you have my thanks for the support you provided. I'd probably look a lot more like Mad-Eye if you weren't around." Quetz shook his hand and pulled Horatio into a hug. The man froze before turning to Hazel and Dora. "Not… one… word." Both of them shook their heads as he managed to get out of the hug. "I'll go see Saul and give him my after-action report. You three have the night off and can give your reports in the morning. I'll do the rounds and see how many Death Eaters are being placed in the morgue." The ladies watched Horatio leave and Quetz turned to Hazel and Dora as soon as he was off the platform. "I got jefe to crack! Yes!" Quetz gave a high five to Dora before picking up the wardstone she placed down on the ground on arrival. "Well, muchachas, I have a lot of equipment to store and an evaluation to write on this enchanted rifle. See you two soon and thanks for the invite!"

Dora watched Quetz leave. "Think she can join the team? It might be nice." Hazel shook her head. "Nah. Quetz doesn't do well with magic beyond enchantments. Though her skill as a sniper is good, sending her out in full on missions is asking for trouble. Besides, she likes the quiet life. Come on. Pretty sure we have your mother and two kids waiting for us." They walked slowly through the hallways, passing a few Unspeakables helping with security as they carried away the incapacitated Death Eaters, before making it to the Medical Wing. Two dark haired missiles tried and failed to tackle Hazel to the ground, but she took the hit happily. She hugged both of them back. "Evening boys. We are back." Harry looked up. "How did it go?" Hazel smiled. "Full success. Snake face is currently locked up, for now, as are a few of the remaining Death Eaters." Teddy nodded. "We saw a few getting levitated in here before being taken by the Unspeakables. Dromeda and Healer Johnson have been busy patching them up." Said former Black witch walked up to the group. "You two, get on the medical beds in the back of the room now. I want a full scan to make sure you are both good to be left to your own devices." Hazel ruffled the boys' hair as they reached the back and sat up on opposite beds. Andromeda checked Dora first. "Magical Exhaustion, signs of exposure to Mind Magics, none permanent, a few cuts and bruises and a flushing potion in your system."

Andromeda pulled out a jar and handed it to Dora. "Rub this on the cuts and bruises. It won't be as effective with the potion still in your system but it should stop an infection." Andromeda turned to Hazel and frowned. "Severe Magical Exhaustion, a few cuts and bruises, not to mention that nasty blood magic concoction you cooked up to weaken Voldemort if your blood was used in the ritual, but nothing else of concern. How are you even still up?" Hazel shrugged and Andromeda sighed. "What am I going to do with you? Based on past experiences, you will be out for a while so I suggest you get comfortable and lie down in your room. I will fill out Teddy's and Harry's papers so they can stay with you for the rest of the day. While I haven't heard much out of Hogwarts other than Dumbledore and Fudge having a bit of a falling out and Amelia showing everyone why she is the DMLE Director, the conclusion to the Tournament should officially be the day after tomorrow. Usual rule when dealing with a Tournament where people get hurt and everything." Hazel thought for a second. "Any word about the other Champions in St. Mungos?" Andromeda passed a similar jar of cream to Hazel as she had her daughter and a purging potion. "Cedric and Krum are both going to be out for the day too. The mental strain of the Maze's enchantments was too much, even with Krum's Occlumency but especially for Cedric's low training in Mind Magics. We also found traces of mental manipulations on Krum, which leads us to suspect that Karkaroff was ordered to sabotage his Champion for this Task. We will know more later."

Hazel nodded as she dropped to the floor, her legs a little wobbly. Dora came up behind her. "Come on, partner. Let's get home and go to bed." Teddy and Harry helped her along all the way to the apartment, where Leafsby popped in. "Leafsby knew. Mistress Peverell is tired. Mistress is to sleep and let Leafsby cook tomorrow." Hazel gave the elf a smile. "No arguments from me about tomorrow." Hazel turned to the boys. "Are you two ok spending the night here?" Teddy nodded and Harry seemed to have wanted to ask something of her but thought better of it. Hazel kissed them both on the head. "Well, you two get some sleep too. We can chat about more important things in the morning." Harry caught her meaning and nodded. "Night, Mom." Teddy kissed the still somewhat stunned Hazel on the cheek. "Night, Mom." Dora chuckled as Hazel shook her head. "Do you think he might want to make it official?" Hazel sighed as she stepped into her room, stripping her clothes off, before dropping face first onto the bed. "That… is a discussion for another day." Dora settled into Hazel's side and spooned her, her arm wrapped around Hazel's waist. "Another day then." For the first time in a week, both managed to sleep without interruptions, content in each other's arms and being back home safe and sound.

Chapter 49: A Different Life

Chapter Text

OW January 1992

"Again." Hazel closed her eyes and tried to feel the magic inside of her again. It always took a lot of focus but eventually she could feel the magic building in her hand as she kept it pointed at a training dummy. As soon as she was sure she had enough built up, she spoke the incantation. " Stupefy. " The dummy was launched back and fell onto its back. She watched Professor Quirrell wave his wand at it and nodded. "A successful stun. Not bad, Miss Potter." Hazel rubbed the sweat from her brow. "It takes so long to build up the magic for it, though." Quirrell gave her a smirk. "That it does. For now. You are still only an eleven year old girl, so your magic is still growing. There is a reason the first two years of wanded magic is so… repetitive and underwhelming. The goal is to develop the child's magic to be better capable of sustaining a spell and to grow a person's magic limits. Not everyone will have the capacity of the greater witches and wizards of all time, but we do get a decent level. After that, it's up to the caster to develop themselves further." Hazel frowned. "Then why can I do transfiguration so easily? Well, at least without a wand." That caught Quirrell's interest. "Show me."

Hazel looked around the Defence Classroom and spotted a broom. She took it into her hands and walked up to Quirrell before she closed her eyes and focused. She felt the material shifting underneath her hands, but she kept her mind focused on the image before she was sure she got everything right, even as drops of sweat ran down her face. She opened eyes and smiled as she held a sword in her hand, panting softly. Sure it was simple and without ornamentation, but the hilt was clearly made of leather, the guard was adequate and the blade looked straight. Quirrell took the blade into his hands and held it flat on his palm, shifting its position. "The weight is off center. The balance of weight needs to be where the blade meets the guard." He held it so that his eye could travel down the length. "A few bends." He ran his finger down the edge and winced as he pulled his finger away, a thin line of blood blooming on his skin. "Not razor sharp, but still capable of cutting." He handed Hazel the sword back before he ran his wand over the cut, sealing it. Hazel gulped. The man did it without using a single word. Did it work like her magic or was it different? She looked at her blade. "Guess I still have a lot of work to get this right. Still slow to make as well."

Quirrell smiled at her. "Miss Potter. That sword, made by an eleven year old, is outstanding. Have you held a real blade before?" Hazel shook her head. "The closest I have come would be my Aunt's knives." Quirrell eyed her carefully. "Explains the way the shape of the edge was like. Sword edges are a bit more nuanced than a knife, especially if you worked with a serrated blade." He took the sword again. "This, my dear, is what's known as Free Form Transfiguration. I can tell you where to look for the books but most will be using wanded casting instructions. I would suggest you also wait to build up your magic before you try it yourself on a grander scale. Of all the forms of Transfiguration magic, it is often considered the most rewarding, but also the most taxing, next to Conjuration, of course." Hazel pouted even as she nodded. "I suppose that's why McGonagall doesn't give me the full marks." Quirrell looked bothered by that. "That's a shame, as she should be giving you top marks for this type of work. Then again, she studied under Dumbledore and the man abhorred anyone skipping steps. Still, it seems the Potter Transfiguration trait lives on well inside of you." Hazel watched as he restored the sword back to a broom. She bit her lip. "Sir, I have heard others mention Family Magic and traits. What are they exactly? The books mention them too but they all assume the reader already knows."

The professor sat back on his desk and crossed his arms. "I am not surprised. Dumbledore would not keep the original books in the Library. Not after the war." Seeing Hazel's clueless expression, Quirrell sighed. "Family Magic is something all magical families possess, in one form or another. Or at least they should. No one knows exactly how they came to be. The more traditional of our people would say they are a gift from the gods, a reward of faith and purity of blood. The more progressives say they are nothing more than a genetic trait passed down the bloodlines, with no real independent factor to them." Quirrell had a distant and faraway look on his face. "An old friend once said he believed that Family Magic took shape by the accumulation of magic over centuries, potentially taking on defined functions and even some form of sentience. It fixates on certain bloodlines because these are the most suitable to sustain the magic and perhaps even grow it. Of all the explanations, this is the one I find most likely as I myself have seen how… sentient Family Magics can be, though the belief is not as widespread. In the end, Family Magics tend to secure the future of the family, granting talents to the descendants to keep them safe and alive, passed from parent to child and spouse to spouse, and in so doing, securing its own existence. Nothing likes to die, after all." Hazel thought for a second. "That doesn't sound bad. Why was the subject banned?" Quirrell scoffed. "Because the Dark Witches and Wizards that sided with Voldemort believed it was paramount that the Family Magics were to be preserved. They felt the influx of mud- muggleborns, and their lack of Family Magic was endangering their future with their blank slates."

Hazel co*cked her head. "But if the muggleborns are blank slates, aren't they better suited to receive a Family Magic via a spouse? Wouldn't that be beneficial to sustaining a Family Magic, rather than mixing the Family Magics and losing them through overlap?" Quirrell chuckled. "A simple and accurate viewpoint. Muggleborns do in fact make the best recipients to Family Magics, but many have refused them. Though you are right about mixing the magics. Not all Family Magics can be mixed and this results in lines dying out or being replaced by another. The Magics are a relatively unknown factor to Muggleborns as well, but so many of them fear them or reject them upon marriage. This rejection, coupled with political, religious and ethical differences of opinion have made the subject… unteachable by the more progressive members of society." Hazel rubbed her arm, thinking about her Cloak. Was that what she felt tying it to her? Family Magic? If it was, then there was nothing wrong with it. It felt right. It made her feel like she belonged to something. So far, only the Professor and the Cloak made her feel that way. "So my ability to use Transfiguration is a trait of the Potter Family Magic?" Quirrell shrugged his shoulders. "Hard to say. No family would ever share the full extent of their Family's Magic gift. All that is known is that certain families have certain traits, but even then they are considered the less impressive feats of Family Magic. There is so much more to them than perhaps anyone can ever conceive of understanding."

Quirrell saw the time on the clock. "We will call this session here. If you're interested, keep practicing transfiguration on a smaller scale. Work on improving your detail. Get more intricate if you get bored. Right now, your magic needs to be unlocked by hard work. Do that for the next few weeks, in between sessions, and you might find casting to become much easier." Hazel rubbed her pocket and Quirrell noticed it. "When you have a chance, check with Ollivander. It's rare for a wand to refuse to work for their owner. He may have a better explanation as to why it's not working as it should. Also, buy yourself a wand holster or at least save up for it. It's worth it." Hazel nodded and picked up her bookbag. "Have a goodnight, Professor. And thank you for the history lesson. Much better than listening to Binns." The man chuckled. "Believe me, I fell asleep in his class too. Have a good evening, Miss Potter and know that you are doing well. Asking questions and working hard are the signs of an inquisitive mind, not an underachiever. No matter what happens, make sure you never forget that." Hazel left the Classroom and instantly pulled the Cloak on top of her. She owned it for almost a month now and there were days when she didn't feel like taking it off. Was that the Family Magic at work, telling her something? Quirrell said it was sentient enough to preserve its descendants. Was the Castle dangerous enough that the Family Magic was keeping her safe from it? She didn't know but she knew one thing. This was so far the only good thing about being born a Potter.

-∞-

OW November 1995

Hazel opened her eyes and knew she was back in her dreamscape. She could also guess Voldemort was in here, somewhere. She swung her legs over the edge of her futon sofa and stretched out her arms. "You know this is a mental landscape, right? That body is nothing more than an illusion." Hazel sighed as she pulled her braided hair over her shoulder. "Hello to you too, Tom." Voldemort, looking over the books in her book shelves, growled softly. "Stop… calling me that." Hazel co*cked her head. "Your teen self never complained while I called him by his name when we were both in the Diary." Voldemort closed the book and looked to the ceiling of the Chamber, his lips moving silently. "I was a different person then." Hazel stared at the man. "Really? Because from where I am sitting, you are very much the same. Arrogant, co*cksure and ambitious. Cunning too. Did the Hat take even a second to sort you?" Voldemort turned towards her, raising an eyebrow. "Oddly enough, it did take Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff into consideration. My ambition, however, superseded all other aspects." Hazel hummed as she watched Tom place the book back before opening and skimming another one. "No Gryffindor trait? Though I suppose your three out of four houses to choose from is better than my big, fat zero."

Voldemort turned to her. "I remember you saying that. I still say you might have been better off in Hufflepuff." Hazel chuckled bitterly. "Right. As if all the houses don't have it out for me. And while I know you aren't directly responsible for the Prophet's slander campaign, I also know you aren't doing anything about it." Voldemort replaced the book and took out another one. "True, but it has driven Dumbledore away from his more political positions. You can appreciate why I wouldn't stop them." Hazel sighed as she sat on her usual seat by the edge of one of the many alcoves as a fire sprang up inside of it, improving Hazel's comfort. "At least they were half right about the breakout last night. Or was it a third correct?" Voldemort frowned as he watched the fire burning in his family's chamber. "A third seems right. Black was with me when we broke my people out." He turned to Hazel. "You also have a terrible memory. All the books are either empty or an indecipherable mess." Hazel turned to him and shrugged. "And I suppose your memory is eidetic?" Voldemort approached her and smiled. "Very much so, as I told you once before. Here, let me show you." Before Hazel could stop him, Voldemort gripped her shirt and slammed his head into hers. While there was no pain, Hazel whimpered as she was dragged into a memory as seen through Tom's eyes.

"Please… don't… I can pay you!" Hazel felt a grin spread across her face, though she knew it wasn't really her. "I am afraid it's too late for that, Lady McKinnon. You and your daughters picked your side. Crucio. " Hazel watched as the woman writhed in agony under the effects of the curse, tears tracing paths across her cheeks. She watched as more people were brought into the exquisitely decorated house, one of the women familiar to Hazel. The curse on the Lady was lifted and Hazel went to the other young women in the room before turning back to look at the older woman, her body still prone on the floor, convulsing. "Now there is only one thing left to do. We have to make an example. A warning to the others who would dare rise up against us. Rodolphus, I hear you had a crush on this young woman at Hogwarts but she rejected you. Why don't you show her the price of her decision." Hazel closed her eyes, knowing exactly what the bastard would do to her. Mad-Eye was a distant relative of theirs and Hazel's and he made sure he learned what the bastards did to his family. He planned to pay back Lestrange in kind. Rather than letting herself experience this particular vision, Hazel instead dug up her own memory from two years prior and did something she hadn't done since. She allowed herself to relive the memory in full.

Her body started convulsing violently even as she refused to scream in agony. She did hear a scream and felt as Voldemort pulled himself back and away from her, his metaphysical body shuddering under the effects of the curse. Hazel lunged at him and pinned him to the ground. "We could have been civil, you know. We could have spent our time here just like in first year and in the Diary. But you can't leave things well enough alone, can you? Did it cross your organized mind that the McKinnon were my family too? Did it?" Hazel didn't give him a chance to respond as she pressed her head into his and dredged up the memory again. She held him under its effects for as long as she could before the memory itself drained her of her own strength. Voldemort pushed her off of him and scrambled back as Hazel glared at the man. "You… can't be happy with your meager accomplishments. You brought a country to its knees. You broke out your people from a practically inaccessible prison. You mastered magic no one else can, but it's not enough. You need to be in charge, you need to feel power over others. Newsflash, Tom. I AM NOT A GOD DAMNED PUNCHING BAG TO PLEASE YOUR EGO!" Hazel watched as the man flinched on the floor, his appearance shifting.

Feeling her own mind trying to wake up, Hazel released a breath. "I don't know what it is that binds us together, Tom, but I can tell you this. I won't be letting you use me in my own head." Tom stood up, a trail of blood running down from his lip. "I will keep trying, you know. You will see what I have seen. You will understand exactly why I am the Dark Lord everyone fears. You are powerful, my dear. You will either serve me or be broken by me. There is no inbetween." A tear slipped from Hazel's eye. "So my second year meant nothing to you?" Hazel watched as the man winced. "I…" Hazel approached him slowly, her hand arching with red sparks of magic. "You and I understood each other. I trusted you and deep down… you trusted me. Hell, your end game plans were insane and weren't all that appealing to me but you never once considered hurting me, Tom!" She watched as Voldemort's own image seemed to flicker, shifting into that of the boy who was closer to her in age before it reset back to his true form. Voldemort seemed to take a deep breath before his eyes opened again, showing clear blue eyes. "It seems… I have some thinking to do. You can enjoy your peace of mind, Hazel. For now." The man vanished and Hazel awoke inside the Chamber in the real world. Her body started convulsing again in pain as reliving the effects of the Cruciatus Curse tended to do. She did her best to not bite her own tongue as she waited for the feeling to pass. She hoped Tom was suffering the same. He deserved it for what he tried to show her. Too bad she was certain this wouldn't be his last attempt.

-∞-

OW May 1st 1997

Hazel dragged Tamlane by the arm through the Forbidden Forest on their latest date. While they had only three dates to Hogsmeade so far, they managed to spend several weekends alone together. The young Heir had been surprisingly sweet on Valentine's Day. He sent her messages and gifts through the elves, with Hazel waking up to Dobby screening a dozen roses for spells or potions, finding none. The young man had waited for her outside near the Thestral Carriages and the two spent a quiet day just chatting away. He was even courteous enough not to ask her for a kiss though she did kiss him back quite thoroughly for the moment of peace and quiet in a dreadful year. Dumbledore seemed to grow more distant from her, no longer seeming to care about her beyond using her to defeat Voldemort. Hazel was sure he had a hand in Ron's exceedingly awkward attempts to court her, something that seemed to amuse Tamlane as much as make him a bit territorial about who spent time with her. One time that Ron had tried to manhandle her in the hallways ended with the boy getting launched into a wall. Hazel had actually cast first but Tamlane's own banishing spell compounded the issue. Both of them had received detention for sending Ron to the Hospital Wing, but Hazel couldn't really care about any of that. Tamlane tried to take the blame but Hazel silenced him. He objected afterwards until Hazel dragged him into a broom closet and thanked him personally.

Tamlane was ambitious, hoping to improve the Ministry by entering the Wizengamot and building up a coalition to end the conflict between the Light and Dark families. While he said he wasn't overly fond of the Death Eaters' methods, he couldn't argue that force was sometimes needed, especially in societies where the prejudices were so heavily institutionalized in the laws themselves. Hazel had conceded the point, though her disregard for politics, or any socialicing for that matter, didn't appeal to him. At least not all the time. It was days like today when Hazel was sure that she was talking with the real Tamlane. They were seated out in a clearing of the Forbidden Forest under heavy wards as they dug into a premade lunch, a blanket keeping the smaller critters away. Tamlane bit into his sandwich and blinked. "What's in this?" Hazel thought for a second. "Roasted pork, beef, and chicken slices with sauteed onions and peppers, shredded lettuce leaves, sliced tomatoes and a touch of mayo. Why? Not to your taste?" Tamlane shook his head. "It's good. I was just surprised you commissioned such a complicated sandwich." Hazel shrugged. "I thought you were probably used to some more plain sandwiches, like the ones at Slughorn's parties. I wanted this to be a special meal, not another one in a thousand for you."

The soft smile on Tamlane's face made Hazel's cheeks feel flushed. "Thank you. And your elves for this. It's really good." Hazel blinked at him for a second. "I did all the work on the food myself, you know?" Tamlane froze just before he could take another bite. "Wait, wait. This was made by you entirely?" Hazel blushed fully. "Well, I didn't have someone grow the ingredients in a farm, though the idea is cool, but I did all the food preparation. My elves were quite annoyed with me until I agreed to let them cook for me for the next month." Tamlane shook his head. "How is it you are only an Acceptable student? You clearly work hard enough to be Exceeds if you put as much effort into cooking as anything else." Hazel finished her own bite of food and answered as he ate. "Well, the classes I have aren't that difficult but after my OWLs came back with mostly Acceptables, I just… stopped caring. I tried my best in Charms, Transfiguration and Defence and managed to score Exceeds on Charms and Defence, but Transfiguration…" Hazel sighed. "I know I can do Transfiguration well. Or more exactly Conjuration. It's fun and I get to try new things all the time. But the OWLs and McGonagall all wanted me to use the pre-written spells. I can do it all without the incantation, without the wand movements and without the particular spell. I get my best results in Freeform Transfiguration. So why should I care about casting any other way?"

Tamlane sighed. "I get your point but I don't think the school works that way. They need to have a way of measuring your success and failure. With the established spells, they know what they can expect and how to measure success. If you constantly disregard those means of grading, they can't do anything about it." Hazel finished her meal and looked towards the castle. "I think… I think people have forgotten what magic was about." Tamlane drank from his cup of tea. "In what way?" Hazel gestured to the Castle. "They treat magic and education as a system. Sure, you get results but the magic becomes stagnant. When was the last time anyone created a new spell that wasn't about something as simple as harming another person or just solving some small problem, rather than letting the magic itself guide you? When was the last time people tried to feel their way through magic instead of making it a tool? Sure, OWLs and NEWTs test people's education but do they really demonstrate a fundamental understanding of magic? I bet you if we asked people in the castle how magic feels to them, all they can describe is the effect of when they cast. Magic is more than action though. It's passive inside all of us. It's bloody alive. I can feel it shifting and coiling inside of me, building up when I just relax or get angry. Yet all they care about is what they can use it for."

Hazel finished her own cup of tea and served another to Tamlane and herself. "I just… get so mad that I can understand magic, maybe better than the professors do, but I somehow am wrong because the method I use isn't the established method. Sure, I can conjure a wolf that behaves as realistic as I possibly can and make it last for hours, if not days, on its own power without wards, but that isn't good enough because I didn't use the spell they wanted me to use, because I didn't wave my wand in a certain way or, hell, because I refused to use my wand at all." Hazel sighed. "Sorry I went on a rant." Tamlane gave her a soft smile. "I can see how frustrating that can be. I imagine that other systems and teachers would applaud your accomplishments but here… here we are too set in our ways." Hazel stared at the Castle. "I have thought about leaving Britain, you know." Tamlane froze. "Why?" Hazel turned to him. "You have seen the Prophet. You know what your fellow housemates are up to. I am tired, Tom. I am tired of seeing everything and everyone tearing each other apart. Worst of all, I am tired of being asked to be the one to fix everything. No one ever asked me to be a part of this war, they just assumed I would be. I would rather be done with this. I want to just be myself." Tamlane's hand reached out to Hazel's. "Stay." Hazel turned to him and looked him in the eyes.

She took his cup and placed it in the basket before straddling the young man. She saw his eyes darken and focus on her lips. "I would need a reason to stay. A good reason." Tamlane ran his hands under her outer robes and against her shirt. "I want you to stay." Hazel searched his blue eyes and leaned forward and captured his lips with hers. Hazel decided to not worry about anything. Not the war, not Dumbledore, not about the Horcruxes, nothing but herself in this very moment. Right now it was all about her needs. Hazel and Tamlane disrobed each other quickly, leaving their unbuttoned shirts on. Both struggled a bit with their pants but eventually there was nothing separating them but air. Then there was nothing separating them at all. Hazel barely felt the pain. All she knew was that she was burning with need. She bucked on top of Tamlane who groaned, his hands exploring her body before gripping her back. She felt his warmth inside of her and she revelled in the feeling. Soon enough all thoughts were being washed away. All that mattered was feeling better, wanting that warmth to last. When the moment came, she gripped Tamlane tightly.

Hazel saw his smug face and got a bit annoyed. Pressing him into the ground, she sought another release, one he seemed eager to provide. As she kissed him deeply, she suddenly could feel his magic just as she could her own. Out of curiosity, she tugged on it and felt Tamlane shudder. She grinned into the kiss and proceeded to pull and release his magic repeatedly. "Haze… stop that." Hazel breathed deeply as her lower body kept moving. "Why, Tom? Doesn't it feel great?" Tamlaine glared. "You are draining me of my magic." Hazel bit his lip and heard him groan. "Good. Because you seem to have gotten a bit co*cky back there." Hazel took his mouth again and proceeded to drain and refill him again and again until he seemed to lose control and increased his pace. Both gripped each other tightly as Hazel's vision blurred before they slipped onto the blanket in a tangle of limbs and cloth. Tamlane breathed deeply. "Don't … do that again." Hazel chuckled. "Sorry Tom, can't hear you. Because I am pretty sure you enjoyed it as much as I did." Tamlane glared at her. "Haze." His protests were silenced as she kissed him again, without draining him this time. Still, Hazel knew better than to listen to him. She knew why she did what she did. It was selfish and stupid but right at this moment she didn't care. She felt better now than she had for almost a whole year. That alone was what made it all worth it. At least for now.

-∞-

OW June 30th 1997

Dumbledore managed the apparition from Hogsmeade to the Astronomy Tower just barely as Hazel held him up, a certain locket hanging from her neck just beneath her shirt. "Come on, you paranoid bastard. Let's get you back to your office." Dumbledore seemed to be too tired to dispute her comment. "Summon… Severus." Hazel rolled her eyes. "Right. As if he wasn't the one who designed that potion that Tom left in his Family's Shack in the first place." Dumbledore actually managed to glare at her. "Just call him." Hazel shrugged her shoulders. "Your funeral." She drew her wand and casted a Patronus as they moved their way closer to Dumbledore's office. The spell seemed to shudder, the form becoming less defined for a second before Whiskers appeared, making Hazel close her eyes to avoid feeling the pain the image brought to her. "Snape, your Phoenix Puppet Master is calling for you. Make your way to his office." Dumbledore sighed as the cat vanished. "You could have been more civil with that message." Hazel turned to Dumbledore. "Right, I could have called you a goat and him Snivellus. I was in no way restraining myself at all when I sent that message." Dumbledore closed his eyes. Hazel hoped he was cursing in his head. After he confronted her after the battle in the Department of Mysteries, she had lost any respect for the man.

Hazel had been too emotionally distraught by Bella's death to care about a silly prophecy that day. Voldemort, who had arrived as soon as Sirius Black was dead, had moved around Hazel carefully, showing a rare bit of concern. Whether it was for her or for himself, she really didn't care at that moment. He asked her for the Prophecy and she agreed to give it to him. The moment she pulled the orb from her pocket, she felt her fingers bleed. Numbed to pain by that point, it didn't bother her but her grip on the now slick and cracked glass orb slipped and it smashed into the ground. An eerie voice that sounded like the few times she heard Trelawney speak when Hazel wasn't napping filled the immediate air. "The one that can challenge the Dark Lord approaches. Born as the seventh month ends to those who have defied him three times, the Dark Lord shall seek them and make them his equal. Bound together in life by magic most old, neither will be capable of dying while the other lives. Only Death will judge who is worthy to live and whose time is at an end." Hazel had barely caught the prophecy as Voldemort seemed to go through several emotions. Relief was clear enough to see, an odd emotion that came soon after confused her but his untethered laughter at the end she knew all too well. Dumbledore had arrived at that time and tried his best to defeat Voldemort but he failed to so much as dampen the Dark Lord's jovial mood.

When Dumbledore portkeyed her away to his office, she had been grateful for the silence the place provided. Her gratitude ended when he gripped her arms violently as soon as he arrived that evening. "You foolish girl. Do you realise what you have done? Voldemort knows he is invulnerable now. He will wreak havoc on our world and tear us all apart. You have given him the means to take over Britain without a care in the world. Everything we spent years to prevent, undone in a second. Your Godmother didn't risk her life for you to destroy everything she sought to protect!" Dumbledore's words dug right through to her heart. Only it wasn't regret or guilt that his words elicited. It was rage. Pure, unbridled rage that was now as familiar to Hazel as pain. Dumbledore got launched back to his desk, his breath knocked out of him completely as Hazel rose from her seat. Hazel summoned his wand into her hands the moment he drew it and snapped it. Neither of them noticed a flash of magic from the wand, a trail of magic that lingered on her skin for a second before it sank within, the magic racing through her veins. Her hands went straight for his throat. "You arrogant bastard. She didn't die for you! She died because of me. She risked her life to save me!" The walls of the Castle began to shake violently, the portraits of the Headmaster too terrified of their destruction to care about how she addressed the man. "She's gone. My… my mother…" Tears filled her eyes, the bright red coloration shifting back to green as tears ran down her cheeks. "My… mother… is gone. Because of me."

She had completely blocked the memory of her apparating straight through the wards soon after, landing inside of Grimmauld Place and searching everywhere for Bella, screaming at the top of her lungs for her, praying that the past few minutes were nothing more than a dream. She collapsed soon after that, her heart broken. Days later she would remember the prophecy and laugh herself silly, even as she cursed Dumbledore's interference. She knew Voldemort only got to the part of her being born. He never heard the warning of being incapable of killing her or about making her his equal. The prophecy could have manifested in so many different ways if the message had never been manipulated or intercepted. She had tried to see if Voldemort would bother showing up in her head and talk to her but he never did. She had a full year of mental peace and quiet and she was grateful for that. Still didn't stop Dumbledore from scheming or getting himself cursed soon after, trying to discover what she now knew were Voldemort's Horcruxes. The man, being the overachiever and paranoid prick he was, made three, all tied to his family. His Diary from Hogwarts, His Grandfather's Ring and his Mother's Locket. The Diary was burned, the Ring had been cleansed by Dumbledore and now they had a locket to destroy. Too bad her flames didn't work on it or she would kill Voldemort outright the moment he tried anything against her again.

She kicked the door to Dumbledore's office open and released the old man as soon as her vision was filled with a familiar green light. Said light struck Dumbledore in the chest, launching him back out the door and onto the ground, his body perfectly still. "That… is the single most cathartic thing… I have ever done." Hazel looked up from her position on the floor and stared at Tamlane. "Did you think about whether you could hit me or not, asshole?!" Tamlane looked at her and smiled. "Of course I did. But hitting you wouldn't have been a problem. After all, I can't kill you anymore than you can kill me, Haze." Hazel felt her eye twitch. "That's not the bloody point, Tom! You almost hit me with a Killing Curse again!" Tom blinked a few times, his eyes widening. "You knew?" Hazel rolled her eyes. "Of course I knew! You were left perfectly alone by the Slytherins, had the children of Death Eaters at your beck and call and spent all of your time negotiating with the rest, while you never bothered to visit me in my head again. I am ill tempered and somewhat suicidal, not a bloody moron." Tom blinked a few times before he sighed. Hazel heard a few shouts coming from the empty door. "Oh, looks like my Advanced Guard is near." Hazel turned back to him and he smiled at her. "While adjusting this body was a lot more complicated than anticipated, I think I can call this infiltration a success. Though that Vanishing Cabinet in the Room of Hidden Things was a lot more damaged than I had initially thought. Still, it did its job getting my followers here."

Hazel felt her heart shift inside of her. "Tom, why are you here?" The young man, or old man in a young body, smiled at her. "For a lot of things, obviously. Dumbledore is dead, my Death Eaters are storming the Castle from the inside and I got the chance to retrieve you." Hazel felt her heart shift again. "And what do you want with me? I told you I wanted to leave. I already planned to skip out next year." Tom shook his head. "Oh no, Haze. You don't have to do that anymore." He approached her and held out his hand. "I told you to stay. You won't be needing to bother with fighting this war. Just take my hand and I will take you home. Then, when I am done conquering this nation, you will marry me. Think about it Haze, you will be my queen. The mother of my heirs. My equal. Isn't that absolutely perfect?" Hazel's heart cracked. "You were dating me to get your Peverell Lordship back, weren't you?" Tom nodded. "Of course, my soon to be Lady Peverell. It is rightfully mine, after all." Hazel looked at his hand before lowering her eyes to the ground. Tears impacted the stone floor as Hazel's fingernails scraped the ground. She heard the truth in his words. The meaning behind them. He hadn't changed. Six months of dates, two months of passionate lovemaking and heartfelt and honest conversations and he was still the same. She knew what she was getting into when she allowed herself to date him. It didn't mean it would hurt her any less.

Ignoring Tom's outstretched hand, Hazel stood up and clenched her fist. "You never learn, do you Tom. I thought you had finally learned something. I thought six months by my side was enough for you to understand what kind of person I am. It seems I was wrong. You haven't changed one bit." Tom frowned. "About what?" Hazel raised her eyes, Tom taking a step back as they became as red as his. "You still have to ask? That's the point! You have known me for years and you still don't get it! Everything you claim to do and offer to me, you never once think to ask if it's what I want!" Tom glared at her. "I am offering you to be my Queen." Hazel growled as tears raced down her face, the entire office shaking again. "No, you are telling me. I am sick and tired of people telling me what to do!" Tom barely had a second to think as a wand snapped into Hazel's hand and a dark green spell raced towards him. He barely managed to dodge it as it pierced right through the chair he levitated in his path. "Haze-" his next words were lost as soon as a barrage of killing curses raced straight at him. While Tom knew he shouldn't be able to die due to the prophecy, he certainly wasn't interested in becoming a wraith again. Climbing down a hidden back exit to the Headmaster's Office, Hazel followed after the feeling bastard, before she caught sight of a certain Death Eater.

"Severus, Cast the Dark Mark over the Castle and make for the wardline. I will order the others to retreat." Snape frowned before his eyes focused on her. "You can't tell you are frightened over that brat!" Snape raised his wand at Hazel but Voldemort lowered it, even as he raised a barrier of stone from the ground. Again, Hazel's killing Curse pierced right through it, almost taking Severus down for good. Tom glared at Severus. "Don't be a fool. Feel the Magic in the air. She's pushing herself to the brink of full magical output. The Castle is shaking itself apart wherever she stands. Get out there, set the Mark and call for a retreat. We got what we came for. Go!" Severus scowled but nodded, barely dodging another curse. Tom casted a spell chain to try and immobilize Hazel, but a deep green barrier took shape around her and blocked them all. Hazel almost caught him with a piercing curse as he made for the nearest rampart and jumped off, using a featherweight spell to make his descent smoother. Hazel grinned maniacky when she heard him make a less than dignified noise when she apparated loudly just behind him on the ground, the Castle's wards recoiling around her. He did everything he could to slow her down or incapacitate her but Hazel was far too gone mentally to care for anything other than killing Tom. She watched as he grew more composed as the Death Eaters started vanishing just past the Castle's gates, with only Snape waiting for him.

Snape's attempt to slow her down ended with him being launched into a wall by an overpowered and wide range banisher, before Hazel's wand glowed green as she aimed it straight towards Tom. Tom sighed after he dodged the curse, before giving Hazel one last look before he stepped over the threshold and apparated away. Hazel was about to redirect her rage towards the recovering form of Snape and aimed her wand at him when someone managed to tackle her to the ground. "Get off! They all deserve to die!" Remus tried to pin her arms down. "Enough! He works for Dumbledore as a spy. He has orders that we need to trust." Hazel kneed Remus in the groin. "Albus is dead, you moron!" She pushed the Werewolf off of her before looking towards the gate. She growled as all the Death Eaters had vanished. She spun around and aimed her wand at Remus. " Argentum Lanceam. " The Were practically howled in pain as she skewered him through his stomach with a conjured silver lance. "Do that again and I will forget that Dora loves you. Everyone of those bastards deserved to die, especially Snape." Hazel silenced him as she made her way back to the Castle, feeling exhaustion settling into her bones with a vengeance. Feeling too tired to reach Grimmauld and not wanting to bother the elves with her less than stellar mood, Hazel made her way up to the Room of Requirement and made it so only she could enter it for the night. She'd find that cabinet and destroy it later. Her back landed on a comfortable bed and Hazel stared at the ceiling, before she lifted her right hand up.

The ring Dumbledore did his best to keep hidden from her sat comfortably on her finger. It had at one point been Tom's Horcrux, hidden in some nasty cave that Dumbledore stumbled his way through before the Withering Curse on the ring almost ended him. Why Dumbledore kept the ring on his person, she couldn't understand. Like the Wand and the Cloak, both seemed to call for her when she was near him, almost screaming at her to take them. The Wand had gone silent when she snapped it a year before and she never saw it again on Dumbledore's hand. The ring, though, kept calling to her ever since Dumbledore tried to teach her about Horcruxes. She had nicked the ring from his creepy dead hand while he bemoaned the death of what Hazel assumed was his sister after drinking from that basin in the basem*nt built beneath the Gaunt Shack, which was inaccessible to anyone who wasn't a Parselmouth, hence why the bastard dragged her along and explained what the things were. Aberforth was quite clear about his brother's own guilt the few times she talked to him this last year after her Godmother's death, though he refused to give her any of his alcoholic drinks.

The fact that Dumbledore tried to guilt trip Hazel into drinking the potion first was hilarious to her. She had never once taken one of Snape's potions. She wasn't about to drink the one left behind by Tom as a defence mechanism for one of his soul pieces. She made it clear she could care less if he succeeded with the hunt for Horcruxes, as she was only there to see if he hadn't lied to her about them being real in the first place. That and she had been curious as to what the Gaunt property had looked like. Dumbledore had given her a disappointed look before he drank the potion to reach the locket. Hazel's other hand rubbed said locket on her chest, snapping out of her thoughts. She needed to figure out how to destroy the locket, as her Cursed Flames had failed spectacularly as soon as she had a chance to use them on the object. Somehow, she needed to make Tom mortal again. Maybe then she could finally end him and be left alone. Hazel turned over and sighed. Maybe the only way to end it all was for both of them to die, just the prophecy suggested. The thought, oddly enough, didn't bother her at all. She had no one left to live for anymore.

-∞-

NW June 22nd 1995

The morning light touched Hazel's closed eyes and she stirred awake from her dreams. She rubbed her eyes as she thought about the man she had once known and, in some twisted way, came to care for. The Tom Riddle from her world was dangerous in so many ways, yet he was blind in other respects. Being raised in an orphanage during the Great Depression and World War II did him no favors. He learned to lie, cheat and steal in order to survive. When none of those options worked, he turned to violence. Yet he never forgot to manipulate first and use force later. It was his calling card throughout his life. She had seen and read the letters in the Black Library from one Alphard Black about his time at school. As the outcast of the Black Family before Bellatrix, he had the unique point of view to see the sort of person Tom was without falling for his charms. Tom never bothered with him at all, as he was considered politically toxic. What Alphard reported about Tom was what Hazel encountered in the Diary. Bright, charismatic and thoughtful, but always focused on what he could gain. He revealed his gift as a Parselmouth sometime after the incident of the Chamber and allowed several of the prominent family Heirs to become his acquaintances. He listened to them and heard about the pureblood supremacist movement. As a Halfblood, he was probably disgusted by it but the man was a pragmatist. He used the resentment and the hate of the community to suit his aims.

Hazel had hoped that what she had seen in the Diary of Tom had been real. There was a yearning there for companionship. He wanted her because they were exactly the same. He had accidentally made her that way, just as much as Dumbledore did. Yet if there was one thing that Tom never learned to do, it was to allow others to make up their own minds. Everything had to happen his way. Everything had to be under his control. What he controlled he didn't fear and as much as he was attracted to her, he feared her just the same. That fear took a back seat when he heard the prophecy. Hearing that she couldn't kill him made him feel safe. He spent a year trying to pursue her in a different way. She had never been fooled about who Serpens was but she decided to go along with it. His attentiveness and thoughtfulness touched her and she allowed herself to feel something other than resentment. She was willing to go along with his plans, on one simple condition. That Tom would allow her to choose. That he would be willing to let her go. She gave him her body and enjoyed their time together, hoping his changing feelings for her would overwhelm his need for control. They never did. He still saw her only as a prize, never as a person. She was a means to an end, never the point. Hazel had been so disappointed with him. His failure to let her go also made it clear there was no hiding or escaping from him. He needed to die for her to be free.

Taking a deep breath, Hazel sent her magic down her legs before she swung them over the edge of the bed. She stretched her arms and the rest of her body, hearing bones popping into place all over. "That can't be healthy." Hazel turned around and smiled. "Morning, Nymphadora. I assure you, I am in the best of health. Your mother says as much too." Dora yawned and sat up, rubbing her eyes. Hazel bit her lip and returned to the bed until she straddled Dora. She gave her pink haired lover a deep kiss on the lips, one that Dora reciprocated eagerly. They came up for air and Dora hugged Hazel to her. "I love my mornings with you." Hazel rubbed her back. "As do I. So, how about we get up before the other two wake up? We can enjoy each other later, once we hear about what's going to happen with our prisoners from last night." Hazel shuddered for a second as Dora decided to tease her with her hips before releasing her. Once out of the bed, She felt Dora's eyes on her back. "Save that for later, Nymphadora. You go shower in your room and I will in mine." Dora pouted. "Killjoy." Hazel shook her head as she smiled. Washing away any of the grime for last night, she slipped into her usual black halter top but went with regular jeans before stepping out into the kitchen. "Leafsby."

The little elf popped in. "Mistress promised." Hazel knelt down to the elf, who always fidgeted when she did that. "A promise is a promise, Leafsby. You get to cooking breakfast for the four of us. Four small pancakes each, a plate of scrambled eggs, ham, the usual vegetables and two and a half servings of bacon. The half serving is to go with a mango for our Familiars. After that, could you change all the sheets in the apartments. I think we were all rather filthy last night and too tired to wash up. Our apologies for making your night and day so exciting." Leafsby shook her head. "Leafsby is happy to serve the Mistress and her family. Elves have been whispering all night. Many bad masters didn't come home." Hazel chuckled. "Well, with them gone, we can finally pass the Magical Being Welfare proposal. No more bad Masters for the House Elves." Leafsby smiled. "Leafsby be happy house elves will be happy. Leafsby be starting on breakfast for best Mistress ever." The elf darted and popped softly from one corner of the kitchen to the next as Dora walked out after taking a quick shower, using a towel to dry her hair. "No off switch yet?" Hazel shook her head, bemused. "Nope." She kissed Dora warmly again before checking on the boys. Not finding Teddy in his room, Hazel checked Harry's and stared.

There were two balls of fur curled up on the bed. One was Teddy with his distinct pitch black coat and the other she assumed was Harry. She moved closer, her feet silenced, and took a good look. The fur was a nice tan and the beginning of a mane was marked with red and black patches of hair. She found a space between the two and patted their heads until both of the animals woke up slowly. "Morning boys. Care to shift back? Or should I go out and buy some dog and cat food and serve them up on plates on the floor with a bowl of water?" The two shook themselves awake and shifted back, both dark haired boys rubbing their eyes and yawning. "Morning, Mom." Their response in unison made her smile. "Morning. Leafsby is almost done with breakfast and she will be cleaning the bedsheets soon so you two should shower. You can wear your normal clothes and change them back to your uniforms at school, if it's safe to send you back. So go and wash up." She watched the boys nod and step out of the room for their respective showers. She waited in Harry's room after leaving a change of clothes for him in the shower. As soon as he arrived, he seemed to fidget with his hands. Hazel patted the bed. "Come here and tell me what's on your mind."

Harry sat beside her on the bed, his expression an odd mix of guilt and comfort. "I saw my mother yesterday." Hazel froze a little. That would explain the guilty look he had. "In the Maze?" Harry nodded. "Yeah. She told me that she didn't die for me… to become a killer. For me to replace her… with you." Hazel had to restrain her arm from reaching out to him. "Harry, after last night, as far as I know, you will never have to kill again." Harry looked Hazel in the eyes. "And if I choose to kill again?" Hazel didn't turn away from him, even as she felt her heart breaking. "I would never wish that fate for you, Harry. But the choice is yours. And I will be there for you for as long as you want me to be. No matter what path you pick." Hazel stared at the boy until his face softened. He lunged at her and hugged her. "I know. I don't want to be a killer, Mom. But I am happy. I am happy that you won't leave me, no matter what I become." Hazel rubbed his back and pressed her cheek against his head. "I won't ever turn my back on you, Harry." She felt him take another deep breath. "I saw Lily again. The real her, I think. When they pried Voldemort off my head."

Hazel pulled back and searched Harry's eyes. "And?" Harry smiled at her. "She was happy for me. She was happy that I had you and Teddy in my life. That I was able… that I was able to move on." Hazel rubbed his hair. "As am I. I never set out to have another son, Harry. But I can't imagine you not being a part of our family anymore. If you want to keep calling me Mom, that is your choice. Regardless, I will make sure that you have the best life you can. Because you deserve to be happy." Harry hugged her back. "Thank you, Mom." Hazel kissed his hair. "Leafsby has got breakfast ready. Go before those two bottomless pits eat the crispy bacon." Harry pulled back and nodded. He kissed her on the cheek and walked out of the room, as Hazel took some calming breaths. Dora shared a look with her as Hazel sat down, but focused on breakfast. As Hazel watched her two boys happily chatting away, her heart finally managed to calm down. This right here made last night and the entire year worth it. Voldemort was defeated, the Marked Death Eaters were mostly obliterated and Harry and Teddy, along with all the students, were alive and well. She knew she and Dora would soon face the aftermath of what they did, but no matter what came in the following days, it was all worth it.

Chapter 50: Final Goodbye to an Old Friend

Chapter Text

Amelia slowly made her way to the conference room next to the offices of the Minister for Magic and his staff, a large set of reports in her hand. While the report from the Graveyard was accurate, it omitted several details from the Department of Mysteries investigation. Alastor, Rufus and her had been called in by Croaker and Horatio late in the evening to go over the events at the graveyard. As Horatio was present for the incident, the debriefing of both Operatives weren't necessary. They had all smiled when they heard that the operation went off without a hitch. All Marked Death Eaters out of Azkaban who hid behind the Imperius defence arrived at the graveyard and were either killed in the skirmish or captured. The only ones not at the site were Karkaroff, who was being interrogated by the ICW's Observers and Aurors, and Severus Snape. The Potions Master's motives and loyalties were still in need of clarification. Susan, Harry and all the students noticed a change in the man's behaviour after the arrest of Marcus Flint. He had stopped being as antagonistic to Harry and was less involved in the deduction of points for worthless reasons. He still gave his house preferential treatment, but if his students broke the rules and he caught them doing it, they were given detentions as well, all handled by other professors. This change had thrown doubt as to what had been the man's motivations, something they would be looking into. While not a great priority mission, no one wanted to hear about the man getting found in the Forbidden Forest as a corpse because he pissed off a certain witch.

Rufus looked to Amelia as they neared the desk of the Minister's Secretary. "This is going to take a lot to sort through. The Wizengamot is going to be in an uproar." Amelia sighed. "They will be but we have reached out to the more agreeable members. They should be helping out with informing the seated gentry and keeping things from becoming chaos incarnate." Rufus chuckled. "You mean they will try and keep it just a little less chaotic." Amelia gave him a soft smile. "Whatever we can do. How were the students?" Rufus' partial smile thinned out. "Not overly concerned, thankfully. The lockdown bothered them, as well as Dumbledore's orders for a stop to all mail. After you sent word about his summons to the Ministry and the Board grew frustrated, the man finally lifted the restrictions. The students are nervous about what happened but not overly concerned for their safety." Amelia sighed in relief. "Good. We will send Hazel to give them all the official statements of what happened last night. We don't want Dumbledore to spin the story his way unnecessarily. Her presence has been a source of safety over the last year. She can help calm them down." Rufus nodded. "Agreed. Was there any issue with the prisoners?" Amelia shook her head. "Most of those who took a lethal hit went down quickly, which was to be expected. As Hazel kept Voldemort's attention on her, the rest were able to handle the Death Eaters. Many of them were too old or too out of practice to pose a viable threat, especially after the World Cup." The two stopped as an obnoxious voice filled the air. "Hem, hem."

Both turned to the sight of Dolores Umbridge, wearing her usual pink attire. "The Minister is expecting you." Amelia did her best not to narrow her eyes. "We are also here to debrief the Chief Warlock." Dolores sickly sweet smile turned into a frown. "Dumbledore is inside as well. We are ready to hear about what happened last night." Amelia raised an eyebrow. "I am afraid there is no "we" here, Dolores. The incident has been classified to its highest degree. You do not have clearance." Which was a partial lie. There were two other classified categories that were higher still. DMLE and DoM primaries only and the highest one being ICW and DoM only, but she wasn't going to tell that to the toad of a woman. There were things no one should know about in the world and Amelia was happy not to know about the things that kept Croaker up at night. Umbridge seemed to restrain an eye twitch but Amelia and Rufus opened the door, with Rufus shutting it in Umbridge's face, before he sealed it. A quick sweep for eavesdropping charms and animagi only revealed a few of the former, which were promptly dispelled. Amelia sat down as Rufus went to hand the reports to Fudge and Dumbledore. "Those are preliminary reports. Once we have the case closed, you will be provided with the final copy. We will be requesting you don't share the contents of what you read and that the reports are returned to us in full before you leave the room."

Fudge frowned. "Is all this secrecy really necessary?" Amelia decided to be upfront. "As it concerns the resurrection and the imprisonment of one Lord Voldemort, I believe it does." The Minister paled as Dumbledore looked a little smug, though still worried. The Minister swallowed noticeably. "Are you certain it's him?" Amelia shared a look with Rufus and looked back at the Minister. "We are. His wand, which was retrieved from a safehouse Peter Pettigrew hid in by Barty Crouch Junior, who died at the scene, matches the one sold to him by Ollivander and registered at the Ministry. He also successfully summoned over a dozen Marked Death Eaters, a large part of whom were arrested at the scene, while the rest died resisting arrest. All those not needing medical attention have been placed within DoM holding cells, in order to guarantee their imprisonment before they are properly interviewed and interrogated, all adhering to ICW standards." Dumbledore frowned. "While it pleases me that you refrained from having them all killed as what happened at the World Cup, are we certain imprisoning them is proper? Many have claimed they were forced to take on the Mark under the Imperius Curse." The door clicked open and Amelia watched as Saul Croaker entered the conference room. He resealed the door behind him and swept the room. "My apologies for the delay. Dealing with over a dozen prisoners isn't something my department is usually up to. At what point are we in the briefing?"

Amelia motioned him to sit. "Dumbledore is questioning the point of the containment of the Imperiused Death Eaters." Croaker sat down. "Ah, yes. The DoM is taking advantage of the situation and is reviewing the process by which the Mark was applied. We will have a report on it by the second regular Wizengamot Session in the Summer Schedule. Investigations on these matters are quite complicated after all." Fudge used a handkerchief to wipe his brow. "Is that wise? Many of the Gamot's more Traditional members were marked against their will." Croaker stared at the Minister. "The debate between the means of how the Dark Mark was applied has raged on for over twenty years, ever since the first Mark was found on a Death Eater corpse. We would like to bring that debate to an end. We might even find a way to dispel it, though that will depend on what happens after Voldemort is no more." Fudge winced at the name but Dumbledore turned to Croaker. "I am afraid that may not be soon. The man studied arts that have long since been lost or forgotten. We cannot assume his capture will be the end of him." Croaker eyed Dumbledore. "We were aware of Voldemort's survival for almost two years now. A detailed scan of one Harry Potter revealed a link to the man. While the DMLE prepared for his eventual capture, the DoM worked to uncover the secret to Voldemort's survival. We succeeded. Our Department will render him mortal prior to his appearance before the special Tribunal."

Dumbledore didn't seem to be all that convinced, though the mention of the boy concerned him. "Where is Harry Potter now?" Amelia glared. "He is with his family recovering from a magical ritual performed last night. His connection to Voldemort has been removed. Permanently." Dumbledore paled. That could potentially endanger his plans. If the boy was a Horcrux, it gave him an insight into Voldemort's mind. If the man succeeded in making several Horcruxes, there was no way the Department of Mysteries would have found them all. The successful completion of the prophecy had just been endangered. "I would like to see him." Amelia crossed her arms. "Sure. I'll just make sure to alert your brother as to your upcoming death. The boy is being guarded by Hit Witch Peverell, who is in a particularly foul mood. She was ordered to take Voldemort alive, which she did, after she prevented Mr. Potter from being kidnapped during the Triwizard Tournament. A Tournament you played a large part in planning. She is not going to like a surprise visit from you." Croaker turned to Dumbledore. "The procedure was carried out by my Department and under Healer supervision. The boy is fine, the scar is healing and his connection to Voldemort is now an emotional one. There is nothing to be concerned about the boy." Dumbledore pursed his lips. "I would like to be part of this Tribunal."

Amelia shook her head. "You will be allowed to witness the event, but not participate. The Tribunal has been deliberating for months as it stands, composed of members of the local and international magical community. They have already been selected to impartially look over the mountains of evidence, with a law professional playing devil's advocate when possible and to then make their verdict after the man is presented to them. They will all remain anonymous, for their safety and that of their families. This is not up for debate. The crimes Voldemort committed amount to War Crimes and that is the purview of the ICW Justice System. This Tribunal is under their management." Dumbledore straightened out his back. "I am the Supreme Mugwump. I have-" Rufus interrupted him. "No right to intervene in the ICW Justice System. You are the leader of the Assembly, nothing more. Observer Badawi made that very clear when he was consulted on the matter." Dumbledore clenched his hands and Fudge sighed in relief. "I myself am glad for the DMLE's expedient and effective response to this … threat. Is the ICW Justice System going to handle the Death Eaters as well?" Amelia resisted rolling her eyes at the obvious attempt to keep his administration from doing any work. "Only those found to have committed international crimes. For those whose criminal activities were restricted to Britain only, the DMLE will notify the Wizengamot as to the dates for their trials, as well as the charges." Fudge nodded, cleaning the sweat from his brow again. "Understandable. May I?" He motioned to the report and Amelia nodded.

Croaker kept his eyes on Dumbledore as he read the report along with Fudge. All mentions of Horcruxes and what Harry's scar was were removed, with the latter simply being referred to as a connection. Despite whatever the Prophecy Orb said in the Hall of Prophecies, the boy was no longer going to be dragged into any more dangerous situations. Now that Voldemort was no longer a pressing danger, Hazel's instincts would point her to the next threat. He hoped Dumbledore wasn't stupid enough to try anything but he wasn't so sure. The man hated being kept from exerting control. Croaker felt that he was lucky Hazel was kept busy most of the time. The woman was at times chaos incarnate. He thought back to their last meeting with Badawi and Hazel's request. Her request was unusual but an acceptable choice, one that would have benefits to their contingency plans. Now it was just a matter of waiting for the Tribunal to finish reviewing the evidence and making their primary conclusions before they faced the man himself. The Department would enact all magical dampening techniques possible, in order to prevent any tampering. He doubted Voldemort's charisma alone would get him out of a Guilty verdict. The ICW had made sure the members were all capable of making their own minds without being swayed by anyone else. He watched as Dumbledore closed the file and stood up. "If you excuse me, I will be returning to Hogwarts. I await the letter with the date of the Tribunal."

Amelia and the rest watched him leave, with Rufus closing the door and resealing it. Fudge finished his reading of the file soon after. He sighed and rubbed his eyes before looking at Amelia. "My congratulations to your Department's exemplary work, Amelia. Will your Hit Witch be willing to receive an Order of Merlin?" Amelia watched as Croaker covered his lower jaw as he tried to avoid laughing before focusing on Fudge. "I am afraid Hit Witch Peverell sees this as part of her duties to the Department and to her family. They had quite a few Dark Lords and Ladies under their belts before they vanished. If you are still interested, perhaps you could donate the usual money to St. Mungos?" Fudge smiled. "An excellent idea." He handed the file to Amelia before placing the hat on his head. "The Wizengamot may meet soon concerning the missing members." Amelia nodded. "We will have a partial report by then but the Trials must wait till after the investigation is concluded." Fudge nodded. "Of course. A good day to you all." As soon as Fudge left, Croaker recasted every privacy charm he knew. "Dumbledore didn't seem to be convinced. Alastor's comment on his belief that Hazel might be another one of Voldemort's fragments is likely to influence that." Rufus sighed. "Then what do we do?" Amelia rubbed her face. "We prepare for the worst while hoping for the best. It's the only thing we can do."

-∞-

Dora stared at Hazel as she fidgeted. "Your ex … was Voldemort." Hazel nodded softly. Dora eyed the bottles of firewhiskey, gin and wine at the table. She knew she was in for a long talk after they just dropped off Harry and Teddy back at Hogwarts. All the students were happy to see them back, safe and sound. Hazel had interrupted the Headmaster, silencing him with her wand, before addressing the school about the events leading up to the Third Task. While the magic of the Goblet was satisfied to declare Harry Potter the victor, the DMLE concluded that sabotage had played a hand in the victory. Viktor Krum showed signs of being under several spells and potions designed to diminish his capability in the final task. The Bulgarian had been understandably angry and embarrassed at the actions of his Headmaster. Cedric had been fortunate to not have suffered a similar fate, though he did show signs of a single dose of a Befuddlement Potion being in his system on the evening of the Third Task. Hazel explained that similar attempts were made against Beaubaxtons, but d'Éon's own safety measures caught them all, though she still arrived second to the Triwizard Cup. The students were told that the Cup itself contained a portkey spell applied by Headmaster Dumbledore, but modified by Karkaroff to include an additional destination.

Many of the students were surprised to hear that a sting operation was conducted to catch the perpetrators and masterminds of the sabotage, as well as their criminal associates. That a formal statement would be issued by the Ministry soon enough about the involved parties and their charges. The student body visibly calmed down after her assertion that the school and its guests were never in mortal danger and that the steps taken were successful in keeping them all safe. She left the matter of the Triwizard Tournament prize to the remaining organizers and to the Champions. Harry's acceptance of the proposal to declare the Tournament a four way draw was well received by the students, with the ICW Observer applauding the display of international cooperation he came here to see. A clearly annoyed Dumbledore addressed the students afterwards about the victory of Hogwarts in the greater Academic Competition and thanked everyone for their participation. Hazel and Dora left for their shared Chamber right after, leaving the Castle secure in the hands of the Aurors. Dora could tell something had been bothering Hazel of late, but she certainly hadn't expected the reason for it. "You do know he is over sixty years old, right?" Hazel bristled. "Of course I knew that. He was also in a homunculus body that he adjusted to be sixteen years old for an entire year. "

Dora blinked at that. "Wait… he was at Hogwarts with you? Did your world's Dumbledore not know he had Voldemort under his roof?" Hazel shrugged. "Hiding from the map and the wards isn't hard when you know how to fool them. He had the legal right to the Serpens Family name and his name was a Scottish variant of Tom. He was able to magically change it without erasing his original name, the same as me and Teddy when we took the Peverell name." Dora sighed and rubbed her eyes. "Did you know who he was?" Hazel blushed. "Yes." Dora glared at Hazel. "You knowingly slept with your parents' murderer?" Hazel glared back. "First of all, I didn't care about the Potters at all at that point in time. Second, my future with Bella had just been obliterated so my mental state was just short of suicidal. Lastly… he actually put a lot of effort into wooing me." Dora served herself a shot of whiskey and downed it. "What do you mean?" Hazel eyed her own drink options but refrained from taking any. "He stopped trying to manipulate me for the entire year. Left my head alone, directed all his Death Eaters to not target me or mine and then spent six months trying to be friendly. He was thoughtful, insightful and gentlemanly the entire time. At a time when I was considering leaving Britain for good or just being done with life as a whole… it was nice having someone else looking like they actually cared. So I allowed myself to be with him. To feel something other than pain."

Hazel's words made Dora pause. She had done the same once before too. Before Charlie, she had allowed herself to date another guy, a Hufflepuff, just to feel something other than the loneliness she had put herself in. He showered her with attention and affection and it had felt great. After making sure she was on the potion for long enough, Dora had given her first time to him. Her second time too. Their relationship crashed and burned when she heard him bragging about being her first and his plans to ask her to shift her form to match what his ideal girlfriend should be like. Sprout had chastised her for sending the brat to the Hospital Wing with a broken jaw, but not overly much. She actually dated Charlie for similar reasons the next year, just to get over the prick. Her breakup with Charlie hurt just as much because she actually liked the maniac. She looked at Hazel, who refused to take a drink. She felt her heart sink a little. Hazel had pretty much lost everything in life that mattered to her. Of course she would seek some way of making herself feel better. "You said he was different from our Dark Lord. How different?" Hazel grew thoughtful for a second. "Tom, my Tom, was manipulative and charming at first. It was his modus operandi. What good was violence if he could trick people into doing it all for him? He only ever got personally involved when it was something important to him."

The thing Hazel said earlier clicked into place. "He sacrificed a whole year worth of missions… all for you." Hazel nodded. "I … might have been delusional in hoping that us dating might reveal a better part of him. It sorta worked. I saw things from his point of view and he did see things through mine. Well, most things. I could empathize with his issues with our world. I agreed that there was no real fixing society, at least that society, the long way. Taking over and tearing the establishment apart was an effective way of fixing what was wrong. Getting the bigoted bastards to do it for him was just a stroke of ironic genius. But like any violent change, it had its casualties. Innocents were dying and he allowed it to happen because it simply was inconsequential to him. I mattered to him because of the prophecy, my position as the future Lady Peverell and as his equal in power." Hazel's eyes grew misty. "I had hoped it would have been enough. That me being so valuable to him could make a difference. That we, as the two most screwed up people in Britain, could maybe find our path together. But we couldn't. Because for all of the good that I saw in Tom, I also saw his greatest flaw. The thing he could never surrender. Not even for the person he might have possibly loved." Dora sat closer to Hazel and took her hands. "What was it?" Hazel looked up at Dora, a memory bubbling up in her head. "Control. No matter what it was, everything had to be under his absolute control. Even me. And I… would never accept anything short of a true partnership."

-∞-

OW June 1998

"Tom." Hazel watched as Tom turned around, a line of Death Eaters behind him as they gathered together in a familiar clearing within the Black Forest. It was weird, looking him in the eye since Christmas. He had been so confident and collected then. Now… now there was a manic look to his eyes that reminded her too much of Black. After she retrieved the Sword of Gryffindor from the Malfoy Vault, earning Hazel her second bath in Dragon's blood, she had wasted no time in destroying the Horcrux in the Locket. She felt Tom's instant panic, followed by his attempts at shredding his soul again and again. Unfortunately for him, Hazel had been doing a lot more research into what being the Head of the Peverell Family meant. She discovered that while she couldn't cast him out of the family or strip him of his power, she could direct certain curses at him from a distance. In her research into Horcruxes, she had found a Blood Magic curse designed to anchor his soul into his body. Using the very blood that ran in her own veins, which he had stolen from her at the Graveyard for his homunculi body, Hazel had effectively rendered him incapable of making another Horcrux. He could splinter, mangle and tear at his soul, but there was no way to extract the fragments. Not anymore. Only Death was left open to him. At the same time as she destroyed the last Horcrux, she heard of Neville's plans for a rebellion in the Castle. The Death Eaters posted there were chased out by the efforts of the students, the remaining Staff that had been loyal to Dumbledore and what cowards the Order of the Phoenix had left.

The Order itself were all cowards in her eyes. Throughout the entire year, she had taken to battling the Snatchers and Death Eaters in the open. Hazel had long forgotten how many people she had killed by now. According to the Prophet and the Underground Wireless Broadcasts, she was probably in the high hundreds. The attack on the Ministry itself took out an easily hundred casualties. When she got word of the locations for the Muggleborn concentration camps, she had gone straight there and slaughtered the guards. She didn't care if they were Ministry employees, Aurors or Death Eaters. They were there keeping innocents in camps. They earned at the very least a swift death. Hazel's campaign had been strangely effective. Voldemort's power base began to slip quickly and his supporters weren't as vocal as they once were. In a war where either side could kill you for speaking out against them, silence became the new golden rule. The loss of the Ministry damaged Voldemort's standing and the Order finally decided to join in. Not that they ever dared to approve of her actions. They bitched and complained about her decision. They called her a criminal and a monster at times. Kingsley Shacklebolt, the de facto boss, was the only one that kept them from attacking her. She knew he was just hedging his bets, but a part of her hoped his promises of a quiet peace after the war bore fruit. She was hoping for some peace.

As she walked calmly forward, her mind traveled back to the last people she went to visit. Talking to Andromeda was like talking to the dead. You knew they were there, watching. But the loss of her family had sapped much of her life from her. Only Teddy seemed to keep her going. Little Teddy still laughed as she held him, always switching his appearance to match hers. He especially loved pulling her hair, even if it was much shorter now. He tugged on the few stray bangs with quite the strength. Hazel had hugged him and kissed his head with all her heart. She kept replaying his giggling and laughing in her head as she walked the silent streets of Hogsmeade and made her way into the Forest. She had made her Blood Oath. With Dora and Remus dead now, there was no other choice left to her. She had to live. She had to get in here, slaughter every single bastard and live. But above all… she had to kill Tom. Fate said it was impossible. That they were locked in an endless struggle until Death decided for them. So Hazel came up with the only plan she could; force Death to decide now. She would drag herself and Tom to the edge of death. And she would come back. Crawling, screaming and broken if she had to. Teddy deserved a peaceful world where he was loved and she would give it to him.

"Haze." Hazel gave him a soft smile. "You know, you didn't have to bring a posse with you. This was our spot after all." Tom gave her a soft smile too. Too bad it didn't reach his eyes. "It is, but I highly doubt you are interested in surrendering yourself to me. Still, for old times sake, I will ask. Will you join me? With you by my side, the Order will collapse. You know this. We can still rule over Britain." Hazel stared into his eyes. "And if I say no?" Tom bared his teeth. "Then you die, right here." Hazel sighed. "Seven years, Tom. Seven years and you still haven't learned." Tom glared. "Haven't learned what?" Hazel looked back as tears fell from her eyes. "To let go. You could have been the king over an intact kingdom if you had let go. You heard a prophecy and hunted down a one year old to end it. You ask me to be by your side, but it's never a choice. It has to be your way. You look at me and see a powerful witch, a killer, a broodmare and… and equal. Except you don't know the meaning of the word. If you did, I might have taken your hand. I might have one day carried your child in my womb. But you don't. You don't see me as an equal. You don't let me choose. Everything has to be the way you wanted." Hazel moved her hand as if it was to wipe the tears from her eyes before she whipped it in an arch.

A dozen conjured lances sailed across the air just past a stunned Tom as the air was soon filled with gasps of pain and screams of agony. The wand in Hazel's hand turned to ash and two more wands dropped from her wrist holsters. Hazel moved closer to Tom as his other minions tried to move around the impaled corpses of their compatriots. Tom sighed. "You could have said so before. Things could have been different." Hazel shook her head. "I pointed it at you all the time. You always insisted. You always refused. If I have to tell you what it takes for me to love you, then that isn't love. We would just be actors playing roles. I played a role with you last year, Tom. I played a role in Dumbledore's schemes. I am done acting. I am here to be myself. I am here to end this game, once and for all." Tom's eyes softened for a brief second as a single tear escaped his eye. After a deep breath, he straightened his back as he opened his mouth. Hazel enchanted her feet and started gliding above the forest floor, her lances of metal filling the empty air as Tom screamed out his order. "Kill her!" Hazel did smile at that. For the first time in his life, he was giving up on doing it himself. Too bad for him, she wasn't going to let him or anyone else kill her. The myriad of wands she stored in her holster crumbled away as dozens upon dozens of Death Eaters littered the ground with spears sticking out of their bodies.

Seeing that his forces in the immediate area were gone, Tom wasted no time in unleashing a Fiendfyre curse straight at her. Using her offhand without a wand, Hazel roared as she unleashed a torrent of black flames. Her flames fed on Tom's magic as it took the shape of a massive winged dragon, before it lunged into Tom's direction, devouring the Fiendfyre in its mad dash. Tom canceled the Fiendfyre curse and, with his wand, unleashed a lightning storm that acted as a cage, stopping the flaming beast's movements. He had smiled at his handiwork until Hazel materialized beside him, sweeping a conjured blade up and tearing a massive gash across his chest. The man banished her away from him and sealed the wound, before being forced to move away again as Hazel struck him from the back with her spear, though the sound of her apparating through the wards was easy enough to follow. He yelped in pain as he found the floor coming alive with insects, lizards and mammals, all with sharp teeth, fangs and claws that dug into his legs as Hazel went through another wand to shield herself as he was able to predict where she would apparate to next, trying to cut her down with a Blood Boiling Curse. Freezing the ground gave him the chance to avoid any more creatures as he moved closer towards the Castle and possible reinforcements.

Having expended the last of the wands in her right holster, Hazel raised her right hand in the air, yanking the spears that remained straight off the corpses and launching them straight at Tom. His transfigured slabs of dirt and stone became pincushions but they pierced deep enough that he had to move away from his cover. He casted every Dark Curse he knew at her but they were all intercepted by a slab of stone. Tom growled as Hazel kept pushing him further back until he moved into a small depression on the ground. She concentrated her spears into a straight line just as she wiped her wand up to create a narrow corridor of stone. With his ability to dodge and his only escape sealed up by a wall of spears, Hazel physically launched her last spear just as she cast a curse straight at him. Her eyes never left his as the words left her lips, the same curse uttered by him in turn. "Avada Kedavra!" The two green bolts of magic raced past each other as Hazel waved her wand in order to conjure a solid barrier, with Tom doing the same. She watched as her curse was deflected, even as her spear pierced his conjuration, probably leaving a decently sized hole in his stomach. Her breath caught, however, as the slab of metal she envisioned failed to materialize, the wand in her left hand crumbling to dust. She closed her eyes and cursed the world. The moment she wanted to survive was the moment she was destined to die. Her last words were barely above a whisper as the curse struck her dead center. "Teddy." Then… only darkness greeted her.

For the longest time she was sure she was dead as all sensation had ceased, only for pain to consume her very being. Had she had a mouth, she would have screamed. Had she had hands they would have been clenched, her nails digging into her palm as blood dripped from her fists. Pain threatened to devour her very essence in its entirety. But even through all that pain and misery that seemed to stretch out for an eternity in the endless void, one thought lingered in her mind. She wasn't allowed to die. Her godson needed her. He needed her to be alive. Teddy needed her to raise him. She promised. Everyone else in her life had made promises. Promises of a better world. Promises of love. Family. A future. They were all empty. Broken. Meaningless. This however, was a promise she had made. She made the promise to a child who was less than a month old but it didn't matter. A promise was a promise. So within an endless cycle of pain, Hazel endured, her core sustained by the thoughts of the child that depended on her to come home. She had to live. In a moment that fell somewhere between the blink of an eye and an eternity, the all consuming pain vanished even as the darkness lingered, sound began to fill her ears. A voice that she knew all too well speaking up not too far from her. "Your Chosen One is dead! Hazel Potter, the Girl Who Lived, is no more! I, Lord Voldemort, have defeated your greatest Champion and your only hope for victory. Surrender now and you may be spared. Enough magical blood has been spilled."

Hazel slowly came to realize she was being carried in someone's arms just behind Voldemort. She opened her eyes slightly, realizing that she could see again, and saw Tom's silhouette as he paced back and forth, waiting as several children made their way forward. She tried to draw on her magic but it felt too drained for her to cast any spell wandlessly. What she wouldn't give to have a wand right now. As soon as the thought entered her mind, she felt a weight on her palm and something filling out her hand. Her fingers traced the wood and felt bumps along the stick. She also felt something else. Elation and satisfaction. It came from the wand and from the ring on her finger. She also felt it on her back where her Cloak was. Deciding to leave said thoughts for later, Hazel focused on the moment. Moving her hand as slowly as possible, she pointed the wand's tip right at Voldemort's back. "Goodbye, Tom. Sorry I won't be in Hell to greet you. You will have to wait for me." The man and everyone froze as they heard her voice before a green beam of light struck the Dark Lord in the back. Her relief ended as soon as she was dropped to the ground by whoever had been carrying her. "Oww." Hazel felt her back ache in pain for hitting the uneven ground as she looked up into the face of Hagrid. "You know, you used to say you carried me as a babe once. Now I am not sure I want to imagine that." The Half Giant had the decency to show some shame as Hazel got up from the ground, before turning to the shocked Death Eaters.

The moment they drew their wands, Hazel swung her new wand in a wide arch. Magic, that had a mere moment earlier felt so drained within her, now began to slowly fill her veins. She watched as her spears skewered every single one of the bastards she could see. She watched as many of the others dropped their wands and surrendered as the Order rushed forward to bind them. Seeing no more chances at getting cursed from the back, Hazel turned to the corpse of Voldemort. She knelt by his side and saw as the body began to disintegrate. The Dark Magic that sustained the Homunculus form having failed upon death, the body itself was collapsing into ash. There was no joy or sorrow left in her. Whatever feelings she had were partly muted by something. She would blame it on the pain. "Sorry Tom, but Death seems to have made her choice." She stood back up as she waved her wand, scattering his ashes to the wind. She saw people heading towards her but they were all irrelevant. None of them mattered. With an ear splitting crack, Hazel apparated right though the Hogwarts wards and appeared in a familiar backyard. A surprised Andromeda allowed her to enter and Hazel took the warm bundle of giggles and shifting colors into her hands. For the first time since she woke up she felt an emotion again. Joy. Pure, unadulterated joy. Tears raced down her cheeks as she felt her face ache. "It's over Teddy. The war is over and I am not going anywhere. You will have me in your life to the very end. I promise you that." Andromeda would later tell her that the pain on her face was from a smile. She had no idea she could smile properly again. For Teddy, she would always smile. Always.

-∞-

NW July 1st 1995

Dora held Hazel's hand as the large black casket binding Voldemort was brought into the center of the Courtroom, the Unspeakables clamping it down to the floor as a row of fifteen faceless robbed members that comprised the Jury watched in silence. None of them would speak or reveal their names or identity. They had three nearly identical pieces of parchment before them from which they would select their verdict and pass it along to Amelia, who was presiding over the Tribunal as the highest ranking law officer, with Observer Badawi bearing witness on behalf of the ICW. Once the Tribunal was concluded, the Jury would all be Obliviated of their memories associated with it by Badawi. There would be no records of who they were to be found anywhere. No one would know these people were the ones to pass judgement on Voldemort, for their safety and their families. The moment the judgement was made, there would be no further reprisals allowed on innocents. Only those in law enforcement would carry the danger, as it should be. As soon as the clamps were in place and the Unspeakables began to unlock the casket, Dora's hand gripped Hazel's tighter.

Hazel's confession had surprised Dora but she had been deeply understanding and gave her no further issues concerning the matter. She had asked Hazel if she felt anything for this Tom like she did for the one in her world. She said yes. Pity. Hazel pitied the man she had called mentor, friend, lover and enemy. She pitied what had become of a brilliant mind driven mad by fear, obsession and megalomania. There was nothing else left between her and Tom but pity. Dora had embraced her after that and the two went on to carry out their duties. Dora had been forced to return to maintaining the d'Éon cover for the remainder of their stay and would be flying back to France in the Carriage soon. Her lover had managed to drag her into the Beauxbatons communal bath, with permission from the Headmistress, for some much needed stress relief. Hazel was already making a list of places she was sure Dora would like to indulge in. She would ward all of them before her lover dragged them there, for everyone's sake. They didn't need any more attention, as was made evident by Harry. The sight of his healing scar had caused a stir among the population of the school. She particularly didn't like the way Dumbledore looked at it. It made her itchy to drop him dead on the spot.

Everyone's attention was fixed firmly on the casket as the lid was pulled open, revealing the body of a man bound in a magic dampening white straightjacket, chains binding him even further both in place and to the casket. The man's red eyes were darting everywhere. He was afraid. He should be. The Unspeakables led by Division Head Patil had successfully reintegrated all his soul fragments back into his current body. The pain he underwent for it was taken as a bonus. After checking that no further fragments remained, he had been locked up in the casket and kept in stasis, with everyone waiting for this day. Amelia struck the gavel down, her eyes fixed on Voldemort. "I, Amelia Bones, hear by preside over this Special Tribunal convened today, July 1st 1995, for the sentencing of one Tom Marvolo Riddle, known as Lord Voldemort, for innumerable crimes against the people of Great Britain. The charges are as follows." Amelia went through what Hazel was sure was the longest scroll she had ever seen, reading every single criminal offence they could trace back to him, beginning with the death of Myrtle Warren and ending with the Murders of the Potters. There were a lot of names and Amelia had to drink a lot of water. As soon as she finished, Amelia looked to Voldemort. "How does the defendant plead?"

Voldemort remained silent, staring at Amelia and everyone in the courtroom with murder in his eyes. Amelia turned to the members of the Tribunal. "You have all read the evidence files as presented to you by the DMLE and observed several pieces of recorded evidence in the form of unaltered memories. You have seen the identity of the prisoner as verified by blood and magic. For the safety of the members of the Tribunal, your decision will be made in silence. The verdict is now in your hands." Voldemort strained into the chains. "My followers will kill you all! You will see! There will be blood on the streets of Diagon Alley! The bodies of your families will be hanged from the roofs as a warning to those who dared to judge me. I am the rightful ruler of this country! When my followers avenge me, you will know. Lord Voldemort is beyond you all!" The Tribunal seemingly ignored him as their gloved hands passed the slips to Observer Badawi who verified with them all of their choices before presenting them to Amelia. Her eyes left the parchments and met Voldemort's without flinching. "By unanimous vote, Tom Riddle, you are hereby found guilty. Your sentence for all the crimes you have committed is death. May the gods have mercy on your soul. What's left of it." Amelia struck the gavel down and Dora released Hazel's hand.

Walking silently up to the casket, Hazel drew her Elder Wand, it's shape altered so as to not attract Dumbledore's attention. He and several other members of the Ministry, all vetted to not be supporters of Voldemort or his ideals, sat in the Visitor's Gallery, the area blacked out from view from the lower chamber. Hazel reached the opening of the casket and her eyes met Voldemort's. "Peverell." Hazel gave him a sad smile as silencing wards snapped into place around her. "Tom. I am afraid this is goodbye. Just so you know, I met a man like you once. Like you he had a promising future ahead of him. Fear, obsession and circ*mstance drove him down a similar path to yours. A great Wizard, turned into a monster by his own ego. He died by my hand, a curse to the back. He had deserved to die facing his death but circ*mstance denied him that right. You, enemy of my family, will have that honor now. Death has come to collect what you owed her since 1981." Hazel's eyes turned silver as she finished speaking those words. "Death always collects what is owed to her. Goodbye, Tom Marvolo Riddle." Hazel aimed her wand straight at Voldemort's chest. Flashes of memory of the man she knew filled her eyes for a split second. The face of a young boy no older than seventeen looked back at her and smiled. A true genuine smile. The memory faded and only the inhuman face of Lord Voldemort remained before her. "Avada Kedavra."

Silence filled the courtroom as the cyan light of her killing curse struck him in the chest. Like her world's Tom, his homunculus body slowly began to degrade. She stood aside for Observer Badawi to run his scans before he nodded. "Tom Marvolo Riddle is dead. The sentence has been carried out." Hazel closed the lid of the casket as the Unspeakables returned to retrieve it. Amelia struck the gavel down again. "This Tribunal for the verdict and sentencing of one Tom Marvolo Riddle is hereby dismissed. Members of the Tribunal, please follow the Aurors out of the Courtroom. Visitors may leave as well." Hazel watched as Rufus and Alastor escorted the members of the Tribunal out to another chamber, where expert Obliviators would be there to remove all traces of the events of today and of the lead up to the sentencing. The recording, official memories from Badawi and Amelia and the transcriptions would serve as the only evidence of what happened here today, though the reporters selected to observe would pass the information out soon enough. As Hazel took Dora's hand, her partner pulled her into a hug. "Come on, Partner. Let's head back to the Castle and take a walk." Hazel nodded. "Sure. Just not in the Forbidden Forest. Not today." Dora gave her an understanding look as they left the courtroom, hoping that the remnants of the last war would now be buried for good. If only they could be so lucky.

-∞-

A woman with purple eyes dug into her measly meal in a dark and damp cell of iron bars and blackened stone when she suddenly froze. She dropped her bowl as she pulled her sleeve back, showing unblemished pale skin. Thinking herself mad she searched her other arm and found the same. Her mark. Her glorious mark given to her by her beloved Dark Lord was gone. She slammed into the bars beside her. "Rodolphus! Rudy, honey! Come here. Now!" The woman watched as a man came closer to her, dressed in the same dishevelled prison clothes. "What do you want, woman? Lunch ain't done yet." Thin arms reached out through the bars. "Your arm. Give me your arm. I need to see it. Master's Mark. Show it to me!" Rodolphus Lestrange sighed and pulled up his sleeve. "See, it's righ-." The man froze as his eyes landed on pale, clear skin. Like his wife, he checked his other arm and found nothing. "Rabastan!" The man checked his brother's arms and found the same thing. Word travelled from cell to cell throughout the floor. The Dark Mark that so many carried was now gone. When the information was relayed back to Rodolphus, the man slumped in his cell. "He's gone. That's the only explanation. The Dark Lord is gone for good."

His wife's scream of agony filled the air, drawing the attention of the human guards. "Keep it down, will ya? We are trying to eat!" The prisoners remained quiet for the most part, with the exception of one. Tears filled her eyes as her hands shook. "He can't be gone. He can't be! He swore to us he was immortal. He swore that if something happened, all we had to do was remain faithful. That he would return for us!" Rodolphus sighed. "Whatever he did wasn't enough. He's gone, my wife. Get used to it." The man winced as his wife screamed even louder in agony. "If he's gone, we should make them pay. The people that did this. Our home that rejected his righteous rule. We must make them pay for this! They must all pay for daring to strike down their new god!" The human guards arrived, followed by the Dementors. "See that one there? The crazy witch you all seem so fond of? Have at her for today. Well fetch you after we are done eating. Don't go taking her soul." The man, shivering under the effects of the Dementor next to him, flees at a rapid pace from the hallway next to the cell. A woman's screams fill the air again, this time louder than ever before.

Beyond the confines of the prison of Azkaban, word had reached the home of every witch or wizard in the British Isles, as well as some homes in the Continent abroad. The Dark Lord Voldemort, found alive after thirteen years of silence, was officially declared dead via execution. Celebrations filled every major pub from the Hebridean Islands to Cornwall. The Aurors were toasted wherever they were seen as word of the achievements of one of their own spread. At Hogwarts, the students from three of the four houses celebrated the end of the man who seemed to haunt the Castle itself. The Slytherins were left in silent contemplation, with several unsure what their future had in store for them now as their parents had remained in DMLE custody, awaiting their own trials. High up in his tower, an old wizard stared out the window, his thoughts ever in motion, trying to understand what the disappearance of the Dark Mark from his Potion Master's arm meant about the future and the prophecy that he still believed was left unfulfilled. He turned back to his desk and began to write letters that would need to be delivered quickly. Back at Azkaban, even as her mind fought the aftereffects of exposure to the foul beasts, the mind of a witch struggled to make her own plans. Bellatrix Lestrange would avenge her Master's end and spread death and destruction upon the people responsible. She would make them all pay.

Chapter 51: Divergent Views

Chapter Text

" Fleur !" Dora watched as a blonde missile tackled Fleur as soon as they both entered through the Delacour Family Home's front door. After the conclusion of the Academic Year and the return of the Beauxbatons Delegation to France, Fleur had invited her to spend an afternoon with her family. Dora obliged, seeing as she still needed to maintain the persona of d'Éon for a few more days before she could make it back home. Her eyes left what she knew was Fleur's little sister and landed on what could only be the parents. The man came to her and shook Dora's hand. "Thank you for ensuring my daughter's safety. Jacques Delacour, former Director of France's DMLE and still in possession of my clearance level." Tonks smiled. "A pleasure to meet you, Monsieur. Please pass our thanks to the current head of the French DMLE and Director Chatelain for letting us use the d'Éon family name. It has continued to do excellent work so far, though we are probably going to hand it back after this. The more organized aspects of the British Underworld are too disorganized after recent events to be hosting any major parties." Jacques smiled. "The d'Éon family has eternally served France's interests well over the centuries, even if their blood dried up. Securing the lives of our best and brightest while ending the despicable crimes of our kind is a most worthy contribution to their legacy. May I present to you my wife, Apolline."

Dora remembered her tutoring from her mother and gave Apolline a few kisses on the cheeks. "A pleasure, Madame Apolline. Your daughter has been most generous with her aid." Dora stilled for a second as the Veela magic gathered around her but it just seemed to wash over her. The pleasant reaction of Hazel magic still inside of her made her blush. Hazel had explained to her that the magic inside of her was the Family Magic of the Peverells. It took listening to her to realize that what she described as Family Magic was something so foreign to their world. She thought it was some sort of spell passed from parent to child, spouse to spouse. To hear about a magic that exists independent of casters and their intent was so surreal but at the same time… when they visited Cornwall and she thought back on her years at Hogwarts, there were moments when even she could feel a magic in the air. She had ascribed it to wards until Hazel told her there were no wards at Cornwall. Magic literally seemed to exist in the ground and the air of the place. A similar living magic had taken residence inside of her, protecting her. When she asked if it could influence her thoughts, Hazel had disagreed. The Family Magic couldn't not compel a living creature, but it could pull and suggest in the direction of a desire it had. Hazel had blushed when she admitted that the magic yearned to tie Dora to Hazel. To secure the bloodline and its own existence.

The fact the magic didn't react to Apolline made Dora smile, as it seemed to mean she no longer needed to be protected from Veela. The older woman smiled at her. "Welcome to our home, dear. Tell me, was Beauxbatons an interesting experience for you?" Dora chuckled softly. "A little. I had hoped my days in the classroom were over. The Chateau is beautiful, of course, but I felt a bit out of place. Too used to Hogwarts, I guess. The weather is great, though." Apolline looked towards her daughter. "I imagine it was. Fleur made quite a few scathing comments about the Scottish cold." Fleur blushed. "Maman!" The woman guided Dora to a table in a small solarium to the side of the house and an elf started serving a small luncheon. Apolline eyed her daughter. "Have you decided on what job you will be applying for once your NEWT scores are delivered, Fleur? Your father spoke of the agreement that he and the DoM came to. Are you interested?" Fleur looked to Dora. "No offence to Dora here, but I am not considering a job with Operations. It seems the most exhausting life possible and I only lived it partly for one academic year." Jacques chuckled. "It can certainly be. I was scouted in my youth as a potential Operative too but my performance, while acceptable, wasn't what they were looking for. French Operations has been struggling to fill out their team since the fall of Grindelwald but they refuse to have anyone who isn't committed to the life of an Operative."

Dora drank from her tea and looked at Fleur. "Just because you don't want to be an Operative doesn't mean you can't work for Operations or the DoM. There are other divisions, especially in Magical Research. Our Operations family also employs Healers and Crafters." Grabrielle scrunched her nose. " What is a Crafter? " Dora took a moment to think. "It's like a mix between an Enchanter, Artificer and a non-magical tinkerer. They have a large amount of items at their disposal and it's their job to make them the best possible, via metalwork or magic. Ours is quite adept at mixing mediums. She loves to work with metal and leather." Fleur was silent for a short moment, before she looked at her Dad. He nodded at her. "There are Crafters here, if you are interested. If not, Enchanting is readily accessible to you." Fleur smiled and drank from her tea cup. "It sounds fascinating but I think I will be staying closer to home. Britain has its own charm and the recent changes to the laws have made it more appealing but I think I will be staying closer to my family." She rubbed Gabrielle's back. "I might pursue an apprenticeship at Beauxbatons. The academy is accepting of Veela but it is still a difficult time for us, especially as we mature." Dora smiled at how happy the comment made the little girl. As the luncheon settled down into a light dessert, Dora looked at Apolline. "How… familiar are you with the precious metal workers of Paris?"

Apolline raised an eyebrow at her. "A fair bit. We have a few members of the family working at the Place Cachée who are considered quite skilled with their craft and that isn't just me trying to earn any business for my cousins. What are you looking for exactly? We have people who work on fine cutlery, tableware, cooking pots and jewelry. They even have a standing agreement for Beauxbatons graduation rings, which you are technically entitled to." Dora shook her head. "I think that would be improper, though I suppose a physical link between my current persona and the next person to wield it could go a long way in preserving the cover." Jacques hummed. "Agreed. Graduation rings are often registered, so you are free to request it and have it turned over with your memory vials and the reports concerning the persona's history under your care." Dora nodded as Apolline caught her eye. "So, is it jewelry you're after?" Dora blushed. "While I have a great paycheck, I am probably going to stick to jewelry. The cutlery set sounds nice, though." Dora fidgeted a bit. "What's the selection on … engagement rings like here?" Jacques groaned. "You just had to ask." Dora looked oddly at the man before she noticed the massive smiles on Apolline and Fleur. The older woman looked at her watch. "You wouldn't mind spending the next six hours with us, oui?" Dora felt her stomach churn. Maybe asking for their input was a bad idea after all.

-∞-

"Honestly, I don't know how Charlus and Dorea were so accommodating to us here. James and I were terrors. Pretty sure that vase over there was broken every single day during the summer breaks from Hogwarts." Petersby stood by, shaking his head. "Petersby agrees. Young Master James and Sirius kept Petersby too busy. So much broken glass too in their bedrooms." Sirius blushed. "Ah, sorry about that. We might have been testing out some pranks that exploded in our faces a few too many times." Amelia rolled her eyes. "Gods were you two so annoying as teens. That time you two broke into Hufflepuff was the most angry I had ever seen Sprout." Sirius cleared his throat. "A break-in at Hufflepuff? I don't remember breaking into Hufflepuff. No siree." A stinging hex to his knee made the man yelp as Susan, Harry and Teddy laughed. The four families had gathered at Potter Manor for the day after Harry had insisted they all meet up at the old house. Sirius had looked to every corner of the place, his eyes not seeing the moment but the memories of his youth. For the first time in a while, Hazel could relate to the man. She had agreed to come because Harry asked her, even as she still had some subconscious anxiety around the man. Sirius rubbed his knee as he sat in one of the three large sofas that surrounded a large fireplace. Above the clay and stone structure stood a large painting depicting an old medieval jousting competition, with several knights taking each other out as the group chatted away.

He looked up to Hazel. "What was that for?" Hazel gave him a toothy grin. "Think of it as Lily Potter reminding you that you are talking to family. No lies allowed, Padfoot. And trust me, Sprout knows it was you two that broke in. According to her, Friar Simon was most apologetic about letting you two rascals in." Sirius blushed. "Uh, how come we didn't get in trouble then?" Hazel shrugged. "Because Pomona has the composure of a saint. She was mad that you two broke in and transfigured the Common Room into a mix of all four houses, which was a clever way to avoid getting singled out, but since you two avoided going up and down the stairs to the dormitories, she probably gave you a free pass." Amelia smiled. "Sounds like Pomona alright." Hazel nodded and glared at Sirius. "She also said she would have left you two to Filch had the two of you made your way through the protections on the girls dormitories." Sirius went red and Amelia looked at him. "Something you would like to share, Siri?" Sirius swallowed. "Well… we did try to break into the girls dormitory. The wards just turned out to be different from the ones in Gryffindor Tower." Amelia sighed in exasperation. "What am I going to do with you, mutt?"

Sirius smiled at her sheepishly. "Love me?" Andromeda chuckled. "Trust me, Amelia. This is just the bare minimum of the Black Madness. You dodged one heck of a bullet." Amelia watched as Hazel flinched slightly. Harry frowned and looked at Hazel. "What's the Black Madness?" Hazel cleared her throat. "Think of it like a cross from the Malfoys having blonde hair to having a sort of expected effect on a person. Word is you are born with it if you are descended from the Blacks and have a hard time controlling certain impulses that others have an easier time resisting. Sirius' love for pranks can count, same as the Tonks family's obsession with cheesecake." Dora turned to Hazel and smiled. "What, it's the best dessert ever! Why can't we have it everyday again?" Hazel pointed at Dora. "Case in point." Susan giggled. "That's not so bad." Hazel shrugged. "The current Blacks, minus three, seem to be fine. Word was that Walburga's madness was with Blood Purity." Andromeda sighed. "Cygnus had it too, though my mother being from the Crabbe family didn't help." Harry looked to Hazel. "Is that similar to how the Potters were good at Transfiguration?" Hazel smiled at him. "In a way. The gifts or curses aren't a guarantee, unless it's a Maledictus. They actually tend to skip a generation at times. So don't feel too bad about not being the top student in Transfiguration. I know I wasn't at your age, though I blame McGonagall for not being understanding of my situation."

Susan nudged Harry. "So, what's this I hear about you getting your animagus transformation down?" Amelia gave Hazel a glare. "You didn't." Hazel chuckled. "Define didn't. I didn't show him every step of the way. All I did was teach him the meditation exercises." Sirius sat up. "Wait, wait. Prongslet is an animagus? Show me!" As Harry shifted into his lion form, Sirius joined him as his black dog. Teddy, in his wolf form, bit down on Harry's fluffy tail, throwing the three into a chase that left the sitting room, causing the sound of a vase breaking somewhere. Petersby closed his eyes and sighed, but he did so with a nostalgic smile on his face as he moved to fix the mess they would make. Dora leaned into Hazel and kissed her girlfriend on the cheek. "I'll go chaperon those three." Dora shifted and took on the form of Lynx before darting after them. Amelia rubbed her face as Susan sat with her. "Can I learn it too?" Andromeda chuckled at the look of horror on Amelia's face as she sat next to Hazel. "Hogwarts is going to have an animagi problem in the coming years." Hazel nodded as she sat back and eyed the room again. Andromeda noticed her changing mood and remembered why they were all here. "Harry's request is weighing on you, isn't it?" Watching as Susan left the room, probably to watch the chaos unfold personally, Hazel sighed. "I never wanted to live here, Andromeda. This is the Potter Family Home."

Andromeda chuckled. "True. But it was the Peverell Estate first." Hazel turned to her. "We can build one elsewhere. It's not fair to either of the boys." Andromeda eyed her carefully. "Really? Because Teddy doesn't seem to mind." Hazel rubbed her face, moving the bangs of white hair out of her eyes. "I… want to leave a home to Teddy, Andromeda. It's something built in me. Probably the Peverell Magic calling out to me. Having a place where the magic can stretch out freely, suffuse a ward scheme and even sense the living members of the family inside of it. It is an incredibly tempting desire. One that I can't seem to make peace with if we end up living at Potter Manor. It feels wrong for me being here." Andromeda took Hazel's hand. "It's not going to be an easy choice, Hazel. Like you, Harry wants a home. For all purposes, this is his rightful home. But it's not the same if the people he wants in it aren't there." Hazel eyed the opening leading to the rest of the manor and sound of another vase breaking somewhere. "I will try to see if I can settle my concerns but I think I am going to have to talk to both of them together soon. For now, though, I am happy staying at the DoM." Andromeda smiled. "Good." Andromeda left the sofa that Ted and Hazel were sitting on and sat with Amelia. "So, what should we expect first? A wedding or a child?"

Amelia blushed. "To be determined? Though to be fair I am a bit old to have a child." Ted covered his mouth to hide his smile as Andromeda seemed to take that to be a wrong answer. Hazel turned to him and smiled. "Should I be happy she isn't targeting me for said questions yet?" Ted smiled at her. "Oh yes. While cheesecake is a Tonks Family staple, my wife loves gossip. She just doesn't get the chance to do it as much as she would like. At least, not until the Coalition came around." Hazel sat back. "Glad I skipped those meetings." Ted glared at her half heartedly. "I am not." Hazel smirked at him. "You sure? I could be there for the next one and let you pick up the pieces." Ted shuddered. "Fine. But you do have to make an appearance at the Wizengamot soon." Hazel pouted. "Fine." The pout vanished and was replaced with a laugh as the Animagi returned to the sitting room with a winded Susan close behind. What made Hazel laugh was the fact that Teddy was carrying Dora by the scruff of her neck, her girlfriend back into her first animagus form. Said brown rabbit was giving her and Ted the stink eye as she tried to get free from Teddy, only succeeding when she shifted into an owl. The rest shifted back and laughed on the floor as Dora sat beside Hazel in her human form. Her displeasure ended as Hazel's arm wrapped around her waist and her partner left a kiss on Dora's neck. Dobby popped in soon after, announcing dinner was ready. Hazel took a second to breathe in the moment as they all started heading towards the dining room. Days like today made her happy to be alive.

-∞-

Sirius sat at the back corner table in one of the magical restaurants in Edinburgh's Magical District. He drank a light beer from a mug as he kept his eye on the door leading into the restaurant, Remus seated nearby to watch his back. From the moment he was declared innocent, his cousin Narcissa had sent him letters, at first congratulating him on his freedom and ascension to Lordship of House Black and ever since then the woman has been careful with all her interactions with him and the family. He had heard about Dora's run in with her at the World Cup and decided to keep a close eye on the Malfoys since. While Draco's behaviour to Harry seemed to have improved a bit since that day, his interactions with the rest of Slytherin House showed that he was still trying his best to become his father's son. That he went super quiet after his father's arrest showed that the kid still had some brains to him still, as his political position in Slytherin House had deteriorated completely. The previous Slytherin leadership had already marked Daphne Greengrass and Theo Nott as the next Queen and King of Slytherin, as none of the upper years had Nott's political pull, Greengrass' connections, nor could any of them outmatch them magically after Hazel's tutoring sessions.

Thinking of the white haired witch made Sirius pause. Though he had a hard time seeing Hazel as a child of Lily and James, he couldn't deny the place she had made for herself and her son in their world. Andromeda doted on the boy just as much as she did Harry, whose own relationship with Hazel left Sirius feeling a little jealous. Then again, he had no one to blame for the wreck of his own relationship with Harry but himself and Dumbledore. Being sent off to Azkaban while Harry suffered mistreatment at the Dursleys had ruined any chance of getting to care for Harry. Hazel, however, was there for the boy first, seeing not only to his safety but his well being. Seeing an updated Potter Family Book with the full Family Tree had been surprising to Sirius but he could understand the value of it. Harry didn't need to grow up with stories about James and Lily alone. Charlus and Dorea had been like parents to Sirius. Walking through the hallways of Potter Manor reinforced that. That they never got the chance to sit for a portrait was a travesty. At least Harry's Grandfather, Henry, had a portrait that the boy could talk to. He would have to be the one to prepare Harry for what it meant to be Lord Potter. Not that Andi and Ted did a bad job explaining it to him. Soon Harry would be taking the Heir ring and in three short years it would become the Lord ring. Sirius fingered his own.

His thoughts came to an end when the restaurant door opened and a finely dressed Narcissa entered. The waitress guided her to his table and Narcissa sat down with all the grace of a proper lady. "Lovely day for a pint, wouldn't you say, Cissa?" The hint of a smirk on her face made Sirius happy. Being married to the peaco*ck didn't seem to have cost her that sense of humor he remembered. She always knew how to put people in their places. Or make them laugh their heads off. "It's good to see you again, Siri." The waitress arrived and placed two scones, toppings and a cup of tea, which the waitress filled, before adding the milk and one cube of sugar. Narcissa eyed Sirius, giving him a warm smile. "You remembered." Sirius chuckled. "After all the tea parties Arcturus and Walburga sat us all through? How could I forget?" Narcissa took a moment to enjoy her tea, releasing a satisfied sigh with her eyes closed. "I know you picked this place for the safety and privacy, but the tea is wonderful. Grandfather would be most proud." Sirius crossed his legs and waited for her to have a few bites of the fresh scones. "So, cousin, I imagine you are here to discuss your husband's upcoming trial?" Narcissa took a moment to organize her thoughts. "Is he truly dead?" Sirius raised an eyebrow. "You don't believe the notice from the DMLE and the ICW about the Dark Lord?"

Narcissa sat back against the seat. "There are whispers. Dumbledore has been spotted talking to his old Order of the Phoenix contacts. Word is he is telling them that… that he isn't dead. I don't know why he believes that. All I want to know is if it's true that he is dead." Sirius eyed Moony for a second before looking at Narcissa. "House Black is absolutely certain of his death. Dumbledore is jumping at shadows. He seems to doubt the fact that the Ministry could have eliminated that monster so easily." Narcissa seemed to sag in relief. "I had my doubts too. I heard from Severus that his Mark had vanished. I haven't heard from my husband, but I can only hope his own Mark has vanished as well." Sirius hummed. "I believe it has, not that it matters. The DMLE made sure to document their Marks. They watched them all disappear too. They won't be getting free on the claim they weren't marked at all. The evidence is there for the Wizengamot to review." Narcissa nodded softly. "I imagined as much. After the World Cup, I knew the DMLE would be reacting differently to a threat from my husband's associates. I begged him to give up any plans to return to his master's side. He didn't listen." Sirius eyed Narcissa. "So, what is it you are looking for from me? A plea for clemency? A request for his sentence to be reduced to a fine?" Narcissa shook her head.

"I don't believe any of that will matter. Any of the Death Eaters caught were lucky not to have been killed. The problem is many will be stupid enough to try again. That they might try and escape Azkaban. My concern isn't that Lucius doesn't deserve to rot in jail. He does. My son is my concern. My husband has been trying to groom Draco since he was ten. He has been teaching him how to behave. How to behave like a blood purist and a Death Eater." Sirius raised an eyebrow. "And you didn't?" Narcissa sighed and looked out the window at the people passing by. "I won't deny that I believe that we are in some ways better than the Muggleborns, but that is how I was raised. Ted Tonks has clearly been a good man to my sister and a good father to Nymphadora. Whatever my own beliefs, I don't think they are all the same. I don't think they should be enslaved or slaughtered. We would gain nothing from it and lose so much. It's not worth it." Sirius smiled a little. He knew Narcissa would never be the type to care for strangers. Her views were always more economic. That she could see the damage the extremists were doing to the old families was a good sign. Others could be convinced to take a more tolerant stance as well. "You want to keep Draco away from the sympathizers and his father?" Narcissa nodded. "He has taken the heir ring already. With Lucius getting arrested and likely being sentenced to Azkaban, I would be taking the position of Regent. I want to formally ask you to take House Malfoy, minus Lucius, under the aegis of House Black. At least until Draco claims Lordship."

Sirius rubbed his Lordship ring. He could do as Narcissa requested without much trouble, but he wasn't alone anymore. Acting impulsively had gotten him into Azkaban before. He needed to check with the others. With Narcissa under his protection, it could mean she and Andi could see each other again. He needed to make sure that this decision didn't hurt his house or the Coalition. They had come too far in bettering Britain. He wasn't about to be the one to undo all that hard work. He looked Narcissa in the eyes. "While I would love to grant your request, cousin, I need to make a few consultations first. This decision can have far reaching consequences. I am not in the mood to get dragged into another chaotic situation. Once our family and allies agree, I can then grant you and Draco said protection. At the very least, this means Draco needs to learn to behave himself like a proper wizard and a Black. The times are changing and I won't have our house split in half again because of an outdated and racist view of the world. Grandfather trusted me with our family's future. I am not going to fail him or those who are left." Narcissa gave him a surprisingly hopeful smile. "He would have been proud of you, Siri. You might not be like your namesake but I think you can do better. So, what is this I hear about you and Amelia Bones? Does Andi need help planning for a wedding?" Sirius whined, which seemed to make Remus chuckle at the other end of the restaurant. "You are all the same." Narcissa chuckled. "Of course we are. We are Blacks."

-∞-

Alastor looked around the table at the gathered people and he was surprised to see a few new faces, including Shacklebolt and Hestia Jones, two Aurors he trained. The rest he knew well enough from his time in the previous Order, giving a nod to Arthur Weasley before sitting beside Remus Lupin, his enchanted eye latched onto Severus Snape, who sat quietly in an oddly contemplative state. In the years he had seen Snape and the entire time they spent as colleagues at Hogwarts in the last year, the man had barely spoken up unless addressed. The few times Potter was mentioned, the man seemed to clench and unclench his jaw. Whenever Hazel Peverell was mentioned, Snape would get lost deep in thought. There was a part of Moody that wondered if Snape had pieced something of Hazel's true origins together. It took him seeing Hazel cast a particular spell chain with abbreviated wand movements for him to believe her story. That particular technique was one he had spent the last decade developing, especially as it required little movement from the caster to be effective. He had worked hard on that technique in case he ever got his prosthetic leg taken from him mid fight, never mind that it was enchanted to block summoning spells.

He smirked as he remembered a training fight with Hazel where she removed his leg by using a summoning spell on a conjured binding attached to it. The woman had clearly learned under him, developing techniques directed at countering his every weakness. Her present of a platinum flask with the McKinnon family crest on it had made him smile, especially as he went over the laundry list of enchantments on it. Gods did he miss working for the Department of Mysteries. He spotted Sirius entering the room and felt the mutt tap his back three times. Moody smiled, happy the old dog remembered the old callsigns. He suppressed a growl when he watched Mundungus Fletcher take a seat. He hated the fact that Dumbledore still used him as a contact in the seedier parts of Wizarding Society. Finally, the old man himself arrived and sat at the table. "Allow me to welcome you all to the first meeting of the restored Order of the Phoenix. These are difficult times ahead and our role to safeguard our world is now more paramount than ever." Hestia Jones sat back. "So you say, but what evidence do you have of this? The Death Eaters have essentially been contained completely. Those who aren't in Azkaban are awaiting trial under a Wizengamot that seems far more competent than it has been in decades."

Dumbledore sighed. "And that is what troubles me. While I applaud the reactions and expedient action of the DMLE, there is concern over the violence that seems far too common in its ranks." Alastor grumbled. "Had we had the initiative of the current DMLE back twenty years ago, the war would have ended swiftly, Albus. I wouldn't be covered in scars here, Snape would probably be dead and more than half of the First Order of the Phoenix members would still be alive. Which reminds me, where is Aberforth?" Albus shook his head. "My brother refused my summons, as did Minerva. They both wish to leave the war behind them. Sadly, they may fall victim to the next one." Sirius crossed his arms. "What next war? Voldemort is dead." Albus stared at Sirius but no attempts to pierce his Occlumency shields were detected as the rest of the table flinched at the use of the name. "I believe that Voldemort has pulled the finest trick possible in order to avoid open confrontation. Who would look to your return when everyone was certain of your death? I believe a soul fragment of Voldemort's decided to revolt against his maker and is now quietly taking its time, waiting for a new opportunity to present itself. The growing strength of the DMLE is the perfect target. I believe he is reshaping the DMLE and the Ministry from within, hoping to strengthen the system before he claims it for himself."

Snape, for the first time, spoke up. "While the Voldemort I met in the final years of the war was too sad*stic and obsessive to carry out such a plan, his earlier mental state could potentially conceive such a strategy. The question is whether or not he has, or if he is indeed alive. My Mark vanished the same instant the execution was carried out." Dumbledore nodded. "And that is where I believe Voldemort acted in his own best interests. I believe he executed his original form and, with control of the Mark, he severed the connection to make it seem as if he was indeed gone for good." Remus leaned forward. "Are you suggesting the person who executed Voldemort was another Voldemort?" Dumbledore looked at the werewolf. "Precisely. I believe a soul fragment from Lord Voldemort took control of the Hit Witch Hazel Peverell. The woman was a distant relative of his, was likely a practitioner of the Dark Arts long before the possession and, in the years since, has selectively positioned herself to eliminate or neutralize all the threats that attempted against her cover. The death of Voldemort is only the first step of her plan. Now she may seek to control young Mister Potter, turning the Boy Who Lived into her means of infiltrating the public consciousness. With the boy's support, she may seek being elected as Director or even Minister for Magic." Alastor did his best not to crack, and he could tell Sirius did too.

While Hazel Peverell was many things, a politician wasn't one of them. The lass would always seek either the direct approach or the closest thing. Hell, he was certain that if she cared to conquer Britain, she would. Most of the Isle would be long dead by the end, but that woman had the stones to do it. The fact she could never conceive of doing it was one of the reasons Alastor enjoyed her company. There was no mistaking her for anything other than a Dark Witch, but Peverell detested being a killer. She killed mostly out of necessity. The fact her Killing Curse against Voldemort had been cyan in color, not the typical green, had surprised him at first. Sure, he spotted signs before that she herself had some training from Voldemort, which made him curious as to her relationship with the man of her world. She never talked about him beyond what was needed. Tonks gave a better idea after the execution, saying that Hazel pitied the loss of a man capable of reshaping the world. That he had done it for the worse had been the travesty in her eyes. Alastor could agree with that, to a point. Dumbledore looked at Remus. "You spent some time with her at Hogwarts and reported that her presence seemed to affect your wolf. Have you found any other reason for this?" Remus stood quiet for a second. "None that I could find in my research."

Dumbledore nodded. "I thought as much. I searched for information within some less pleasant books I had removed from the Restricted Section. A few mention the effects of certain rituals, including those requiring dragon's blood and a few discuss the possibility of a similar effect with Necromancy." Molly Weasley gasped. "She wouldn't have." Dumbledore looked pained. "I am certain she has. Voldemort created many Inferi in the last war. It is beyond a doubt that Hazel Peverell has done as well." The table descended into quiet discussion as Alastor tried his best not to crack again. Necromancy was considered Black Magic. The attempt to undo the effects of death upon the world itself. The woman he knew would never dare use that magic. She was a Blood Witch and was delving into the complex and vindictive magic of Witchcraft, but she seemed to utterly despise Necromancy. He remembered the two spending a few minutes discussing security in his office during the Tournament when the witch's eyes latched onto an object he kept with him. It was a disgusting severed hand with an eye attached to its palm, a bit of Necromancy used to ward away scrying. He took it from a Dark Witch he caught out in the Moors once. Hazel's eyes had shifted silver and black flames had leaked from her hands for a brief second before she composed herself. Alastor kept that particular trophy hidden from view ever since.

Sirius spoke up. "Albus, I will be frank with you. I believe you are jumping at shadows. Peverell is a dangerous witch, anyone here who has been at the point of her wand can tell you as much. But her being Voldemort, even a younger version of him, seems like a stretch. As you can imagine, I have had to share breathing room with her since she is Harry's cousin. The woman is, as far as I am concerned, a reincarnated dragon. Leave her alone and you will never have a problem with her. Piss her off and you get a good taste of cursed fire, same as that Krum kid got in the Triwizard Tournament. But you aren't talking about pissing her off. At best you probably want to imprison her. At worst, you want her dead. Hazel won't take that well. If she were alone, I think she would kill you outright." Sirius heard Molly Weasley gasping, as if she never expected anyone to be happy to kill Dumbledore. The man stared at Sirius, who pressed on. "But she isn't alone. Her son is her priority. You target her, she will drop you by the side of the road and keep on walking. You endanger her son in any way, gods be with you because any mercy will leave her instantly. This is my warning to you, Albus. Don't ever consider attacking or manipulating Harry, Teddy or my family. She won't play games with you like Voldemort did. She will hunt you to the ends of the earth to kill you if you ever dare go down that path. Remember that."

As soon as Sirius left the gathering, loud discussions filled the air. "I can't believe I allowed any of my children near that woman. I knew she was trouble from the moment I saw her at Diagon Alley. She practically dresses like a Death Eater." Alastor tried his best not to wince at that. He knew her choice of clothes were unconventional, but he could see the why of her choices. Leather held enchantments better than robes, her jacket had the highest spell resistance of all dragonhide style jackets and the dark colors made it easier to not worry about blood splatter. Considering the state his Aurors constantly found Dark Witches and Wizards in, he could see her having a lot of blood splatter to work with. He felt Dumbledore looking at him. "And you, Alastor? Do you also disagree with me?" Alastor stared back. "I watched her as you asked. Tried catching her in lies or spotting half truths. The woman hardly ever tells the whole truth but I'll be damned if she ever lied to me. I don't believe she is Voldemort and I will be sticking to my job at the Academy. I am good if you need me for a second opinion, but I won't go after her. I am actually looking forward to retirement, Albus. Can't retire if I am dead." Alastor stood up and walked out, his enchanted eye fixed on Dumbledore. The man stared at him as if he was the delusional one. Moody left, thinking about what he should tell Horatio. If Dumbledore went after Hazel Peverell, it would be a bloodbath. He would try his darndest to avoid that.

-∞-

Hazel stood back and watched as her charges darted around Amelia's basem*nt in a mock fight. After altering the water balloon spell to be made smaller and made of paint, the kids were placed in teams and sent off to fight each other. For every successful hit, their team took a point. Those tagged had to wait a full minute before returning to the fight, their clothes no longer colored. She would usually adjust the field to be more restrictive but this time around, she was making sure the kids had a harder session. In a wide open field, they had to figure out how to duck and avoid getting hit while also hitting the targets back. As soon as the match started, Hazel smiled as she watched several casting Transfigurations on the ground. As Hestia, Flora and Astoria were invited, the three were placed in Teddy's team, while Harry took the other team. Teddy's better grasp of Transfiguration allowed him to raise walls around the girls, protecting them from direct hits. He then made his own set of walls that he constantly shifted or altered, throwing any attacks on their position in disarray as the girls would pop up from above the barrier and cast back.

Hannah and Theo took to the sides of Teddy's fort and shot back at Harry, only for a kinetic barrier to block the balloons of paint. Daphne smirked from beside Harry and waved her wand in a wide arch, the stone slabs shuddering from the impact but not breaking. Susan then tried cutting through the slabs and everyone watched as the slabs took a massive gash, only for it to be repaired instantly, before Harry had to raise his own stone slab to block the retaliation. Daphne turned to Harry under the cover of their own slab. "What was that? I never saw Hazel do that before." Harry took a moment to think before he groaned. "Teddy. The stone isn't solid. Not completely. He essentially stopped the transfiguration half way and is keeping it connected. It's how they keep shifting and reforming so easily." Daphne frowned. "That … is smart as hell. But it has to be draining him quickly." Harry shrugged. "I think it depends how malleable the stone is. If it's the consistency of wet clay or sand, repairs are easier and not as costly." Daphne thought for a second and looked at Susan. "You and Harry draw their attention." The two nodded and started trying to cut down Teddy's barriers as Teddy and Hannah shot back. Daphne, transfiguring Harry's barrier, aimed her wand at the opposing team's fortification. " Glacius ." The freezing spell struck the barriers and she heard Teddy curse for a second as Theo aimed his wand straight at her.

Daphne yelped as her face got covered in paint, while Harry and Susan targeted Theo together, pushing his ability to defend to its limit. Theo fell back onto the ground, a large yellow spot of paint on his chest, as Teddy and Hannah shot back at Harry and Susan continuously. The two sides kept casting at each other until Daphne returned, only for all three members of the team to get shot in the back by paint balloons. The three upcoming fifth years turned around and watched as three Disillusionment charms dropped, revealing Astoria, Hestia and Flora aiming their wands at them, smiles on their faces. Hazel called out as soon all three were hit. "And that's a match!" Daphne grumbled. "When did you three learn Disillusionment?" Astoria smirked. "We didn't, sis. Theo did. You didn't think we were sitting back in the fort cowering, did you?" Daphne blushed as Theo helped lift her up. Hazel came up to them and smiled. "Good work with that. Daphne, your idea to freeze Teddy's sustained Transfiguration was excellent. Keep thinking out of the box. Theo, Hannah, great move on Disillusioning the younger years and drawing attention to you. The foes you all will have a hard time fighting are the ones you don't see. Harry, Susan, you two had great teamwork, but you need to pay attention to your surroundings more. Teddy's eyes tracked the younger years the entire time and you could have too."

Hazel clapped her hands and restored the Training Room to a flat surface. Flora and Hestia whistled at the display of magic as Susan cleaned her face. "Miss Peverell, I have to ask. With all the Death Eaters caught now, why are we still practicing? Isn't the war over?" Hazel patted Susan on the shoulder gently. "The war that started with Voldemort is indeed over." Hazel waved her hand and dozens of lifelike statues rose from the ground. The kids looked at them as Hazel waved her hand again, knocking the head off from the one that looked like Voldemort. "The enemy leader is dead. The soldiers…" Hazel waved her hand again, and cracks formed in many of the statues, the majority of them crumbling to the ground, leaving only a thin line of people at the back. "Are captured or killed. Yet, the warring factions need more than just cannon fodder. They need financers, healers, politicians, even civilians. These people remain at large, innocent in everything but thought. They will spread their thoughts to other like minded people. In time, no other leader may form, no other army may rise. But that doesn't mean the danger has passed." Susan lowered her face. "Terrorists." Hazel nodded. "Terrorists will remain, spreading their beliefs and acting out in violence at the society they despise. For all the good it does us all that Voldemort is dead, like with Grindelwald, there will always be believers who will take their words to justify mindless violence."

Looking from kid to kid, Hazel's face remained emotionless. "These sessions are changing, as you noticed. We are trying to make them more fun, more creative and more educational. Because while I am always going to fight the Dark Witches and Wizards of the world, you will be too. Not always with spells and curses." Hazel looked to Theo. "Some of you will be fighting with words, leading men and women not to battle in the dirt but in the assembly of the Wizengamot." Theo blushed as Hazel looked at the younger ones of the group. "You can aid in the fight as healers, enchanters, herbologists, potioneers. Anything and everything that we do in normal, everyday life can have a hand in pushing back against those who can't accept defeat." Hazel looked at Susan and Harry. "Just because your families have had Aurors in its ranks, doesn't mean that you should feel pressured to become one. These tutoring sessions will focus more on making sure that you can take care of yourselves, take care of others and to be the best witch and wizard you can be. What you do with what you learn here, that is up to you."

Susan nodded as Hazel reshaped the statues. "One last thing to remember. Threats come in all shapes and forms. Just because a person appears to be on your side, it doesn't mean that they are. Be vigilant with the words of those who seem to speak for you. They are more likely to advance their own beliefs first. Think on the words they use, how they define right and wrong and how they intend to follow through with their beliefs. Just because a person seems to be a pacifist doesn't mean they aren't capable of attacking you without a moment's notice. We can never stop people from doing vile acts, whether for selfish or selfless reasons. That is merely the price of being human. All the education, all the fair and just laws and all the good in the world can never stop the vile parts of human nature. So we must always be vigilant. All it takes for evil to win is for good people to sit back and do nothing. So do your part in the way you believe you are most suited for. Because even as one battle ends, another may just be around the corner." Everyone watched as the statue took on the form of the Headmaster before it and the rest sunk back into the ground. Hazel rubbed Harry's hair. "So, who wants food?" The kids all felt their stomachs grumble and Hazel led them back up the stairs. Mad Eye and Sirius had warned her of Dumbledore's theories. Whatever happened now, she would do her best to protect all these kids, as she was certain the old man wouldn't care about collateral damage. She would never allow that to happen. Not now, not ever.

Chapter 52: Working Towards Something Better

Chapter Text

OW September 1998

Hazel felt her hair getting pulled back and held in place as a soft hand rubbed her back. The sensation wasn't enough to ease away her nerves as an all too familiar taste filled the back of her throat. The sensations and her mind's inability to leave things well enough alone made the bile rise up and she heaved again, emptying out more of her stomach in the process. That the smell only made her want to vomit more was not in any way helpful. Then again, her mind wasn't being helpful either. In her thoughts she could see Tom as a teen, an attentive, thoughtful young man that always greeted her with a kind and gentle smile and a kiss to the hand. They had spent almost every other moment together, the rest spent with either Snape's awful lessons or her own training exercises at Grimmauld or in the Room of Requirement. Of those later months of her sixth year, her time with Tom had been the most memorable, and that was even without counting their more intimate moments. She had loved his attention from the beginning and had found the momentary peace so meaningful. At the same time, she hated that attention, or what it became after the end of her sixth year. Because that attention of Tom's became the root of his incessant hunt for her all over the Island of Britain.

Every muggle port, every international floo access and every portkey provider was either being monitored or was closed down. After the attack on the Weasley-Delacour wedding, Hazel had suggested leaving for France until they found a way to destroy the Locket. Both of her acquaintances vehemently disagreed, saying it would have destroyed any hope the Witches and Wizards of Britain had of an end to the occupation. Hazel had ignored their disagreements and made for Southampton, hoping to disappear with the rest of the passenger vessels. She had felt the soft brush of wards a second before she heard the pops of apparitions behind her. Her running fight to escape the erected anti-apparition wards had taken a lot out of her, especially with her trying not to break the Statute of Secrecy. Hazel, realizing how stupid she was being, fired back with a massive Fiendfyre curse, destroying the wards and incinerating the Death Eaters, before she sent the flames straight at a fuel tank at the edge of the water. She didn't stick around to see what happened with the explosion but the news treated the incident as a gas leak. She took some comfort in the fact she had forced Tom to actually put some effort into governing the Ministry, forcing him to deal with the ICW and sending out Obliviators to the scene. Of course, he only responded by making the seas around Britain unstable for small craft. She had been effectively cut off from any escapes after that, as she had no memories of France to make a Portkey with and Hermione was refusing to share hers.

The constant chase and Hazel's counter attacks against Tom's forces and supporters had provided her with a proper distraction. The death of Dora and her husband, the partial destruction of Grimmauld and her near death experience with the Dragon guarding the Malfoy Vault had fueled her desire to end the conflict. She did end it. And now… now she hated what she was forced to become. Her dreams, when she had them, were filled with either the ghastly deaths of all the Snatchers and Death Eaters in the final year, her own near death with Tom or, worse yet, the death of her Godmother. Andromeda always asked her if she regretted what she did in the war. The answer she gave was always the same. With what Hazel knew, what she had at her disposal and what was happening at the time, she had no other choice. She didn't regret her actions, only that she was forced to make them in the first place by a world full of people that cared only about themselves. Her one regret had been allowing herself to feel something for Tom in her sixth year. She knew it was him from the start and knew how it was going to end but she wasn't able to not feel anything for him. They were too alike for that. Tom's face at the end made it clear he felt the same way for her too. He still cared and yearned for her, as she too cared and yearned for him too. But she had made a promise to herself. She would never let anyone manipulate her ever again. Tom would never not try to manipulate her. Their conflict only had one solution. Death.

Hazel felt the burning sensation hit the roof of her mouth again and she vomited into the toilet, Andromeda waiting for her to finish before flushing it away. Hazel felt as her whole body shook from the aftereffects of her dream. Of feeling Tom's love and affection for her as they shared a bed, before she plunged a dagger into his heart and proceeded to stab him repeatedly, drenching her in his blood as she had twice now been drenched when she faced the dragons. The guilt, followed by her dream's self attempting to end her own life had prompted her to wake up before her memories came crashing down on her again. At least she made it to the toilet this time. At least… she thought she did. Andromeda's hand kept rubbing her back in comfort. It took Hazel two more dry heaves before she was able to leave the toilet, before Andromeda sat her down on the kitchen table and drew her wand slowly in Hazel's field of view. The last time she drew it quickly, Hazel had almost killed her. She had felt so ashamed at that and refused to be near Andromeda for almost a week. "I am going to cast a spell to remove the taste from your mouth. Ok?" Hazel nodded and opened her mouth. The disgusting taste in her throat and mouth vanished instantly. Andromeda went to her Potion's cabinet and returned with a vial. "Drink it. It will settle your stomach and replace the nutrients you just lost." Hazel chugged it back quickly before handing the empty glass container back.

Her haunted eyes focused on the clock on the kitchen wall, saying it was three in the morning. She lowered her face in shame. "I am so sorry. You have a hard time sleeping as it is and here I am waking you up so early." Andromeda lifted Hazel's face by the chin and gave her a soft smile. "True, but Teddy already had me up before I heard you smash open the door to your room." Hazel winced. "Is he…" Andromeda kissed Hazel's hair. "He is ok, Hazel. I calmed him down and he went back to sleep after his bottle of milk. He should be fine… for about an hour or two." Hazel sighed. "I wish I could help you with him more. If I could keep him in my room, you might get some rest too." Andromeda rubbed Hazel's back. "I am ok with our arrangement as it is. This isn't my first time being a parent." Hazel rested her head against Andromeda's side. "No, but it's the first time you have to deal with a headcase like me while being a parent." Andromeda chuckled. "True, but if Ted were around, he'd probably say I was just as bad. Motherhood does no one any favors, let alone someone with the Black Madness running through their veins." Andromeda's mention of her Family Magic's quirk flew over Hazel's head as she conjured a chair beside her. Her mentioning Ted was always a trigger of things to come.

Sure enough Andromeda sat down, her own body being wracked by tremors. Hazel held onto her for dear life, doing her best to comfort the older witch back. In a few minutes the tremors eased as Hazel conjured a box of tissues in front of her. Andromeda used them before vanishing the tissues. "Think you can manage a conjured diaper that can last six hours? We could save a bit of cash that way." Hazel laughed a little. "Sure. Just let me cut one open and make sure I have a good feel for the material. It ought to work." Andromeda hugged her with one arm. "Thanks for that." Hazel hugged her back. "You know you don't ever have to thank me. I made my oath to Teddy. I will stand by it to whatever end comes for me first." Andromeda squeezed Hazel gently. "Doesn't stop me from wanting to say it to you. You could be out there rebuilding your own life." Hazel gave her an incredulous look. "Where? In Azkaban? Because that's where Shacklebolt would send me. I left hundreds dead in my wake, most of them being Death Eaters, sure, but plenty of Snatchers, Aurors and supporters too. There is a reason only utility bills are reaching the house, Andromeda." The witch leaned her head against Hazel. "You could appeal to the ICW. They could help you." Hazel shook her head. "Dumbledore died a martyr to them and to the Order. Rita's book did some damage, but his image is still good enough that his spirit still might haunt the Assembly in Luxembourg. Besides…"

Hazel looked up as soon as her ears caught the signs of Teddy waking up. "There is no other place I would rather be." Hazel and Andromeda made their way to Andromeda's room. Hazel had asked Andromeda to move out of her family home and she did, in order to avoid the echoes of her past. They did take all the furniture with them, minus the beds. Walking in circles around the new and very soft bed, Hazel held the little bundle of flailing arms against her shoulder and cooed at the boy, her hand patting his back. His burp was followed by a giggle, which made Hazel smile as she sat down on the bed. She lowered him until he was cradled in her arm, one of her locks of hair slipping from behind her ear, its eerie white coloration marking a physical change she began to notice since she was struck by another Killing Curse. Andromeda had been the one to notice the changes. How little she ate, how cold she was compared to what she had been almost a year ago. The change to her hair was the only visible proof that something was changing. Hazel told her it was the Peverell Family Magic. Ever since she obtained all three Hallows, with the Wand just materializing in her hand, she had felt the magic growing inside of her. She only knew about the Hallows after Tom tried to be cheeky, asking her in a dream about Dumbledore's Wand. His run-in with her in Christmas and the destruction of the Ministry's first two floors at her hand had left him spooked enough to consider turning to myths and fairy tales.

She could feel all the Hallows now, living inside of her. Hazel had no idea what it meant, but she was considering breaking into Gringotts again to find out if the Peverell Vault would answer to her now. That was, if the Goblins were still mad at her. She felt Andromeda pull back the loose lock of hair as the woman sat beside her, her eyes filled with a little warmth as she looked at the now sleeping Teddy. "Did you ever think about being a mother?" Hazel shook her head. "No. I know that I don't know the first thing about being a good mother. Bella was the closest thing I had and it was only for two years. I don't think Teddy will be quite the same as I was." Andromeda wrapped her arm around Hazel's shoulder. "No, it won't. But there is nothing like it. Not the horror or the joy that comes from it." Hazel hummed as she held Teddy. "I suppose it won't matter what I think. I will have to learn." She stood up and tried placing Teddy in the crib but the baby protested being left alone. She pulled him back towards her and stared before turning to Andromeda. "Uhm." Andromeda smiled and pulled her blankets off the bed. "Come on. He seems to want some company tonight." Hazel, too tired to complain, took one side of the bed as Andromeda took the other, with Teddy given plenty of room in between. The presence of the baby made Hazel hyperaware for the first hour, worried about hurting him. Exhaustion eventually forced her hand and her eyes closed on their own. Thankfully, there were no more nightmares that night.

-∞-

NW July 1995

Dora pulled her long pink hair into a ponytail before she took her seat next to Amelia as Dumbledore began to smash the mallet down. "Order, order! The Trial will commence as soon as we have order!" Amelia turned to Dora. "Your partner?" Dora shook her head. "She had a rough wake up call this morning. Her nightmares are getting less frequent than they were last year, but I think the execution of Voldemort finally caught up to her." Amelia frowned. "I thought she would be ecstatic that Voldemort was dead." Dora sighed. "She is. The problem is that his death made her… relive moments that shaped her relationship with her Tom. She kept the dreams back by working herself to exhaustion the last few days but they finally caught up to her last night. Her relationship with Tom was exceedingly complicated in a personal way." Amelia's eyes widened. "She didn't." Dora turned to Amelia. "In her defence, she lost the only person who gave a damn about her, was mentally unstable and he actually made an extraordinary effort to appeal to her. I hardly think anyone else might have resisted, let alone her at that moment." Amelia lowered her eyes. "You are right. It's just so hard to believe she can be so… vulnerable. The way she carries herself every time I meet her. Susan looks up to her."

Amelia's comment made Dora smile. "Then Susan couldn't have better role models than you and her. Hazel's a different person than the girl who went through the nightmare that her life was. She is trying to do so much better now. Having Susan looking up to her, as well as all the other kids, might do her a lot of good." Amelia smiled at that. "I think you might be right." The courtroom finally settled down as Dumbledore read the document in front of him. "Members of the Wizengamot. Today we gather here today to hear the case of several wizards and pass judgements based on the evidence and the recommended sentence as submitted by the DMLE. The first one on the docket today is Lucius Malfoy, Head of the Noble House of Malfoy. Aurors, bring in the accused and his defence." Dora watched as Lucius was brought in wearing heavy suppression chains before being seated on the chair, the chains magically latching to the seat and locking him down tight. Lord Selwyn, a known but unmarked supporter of Voldemort, and the poor soul tasked with replacing the disgraced Rowle after the Lockhart fiasco, stood as Malfoy's defence. "Chief Warlock, Members of the Wizengamot. I protest the measures taken to confine my client." Amelia watched as Undersecretary Umbridge stood up. "I second this. Lord Malfoy is a member of this assembly and of the Sacred 28. To be treated in this manner is a disgrace."

Rufus Scrimgeour, acting as the lead prosecutor in these cases, stood up. "The DMLE objects to releasing him from his bindings. Lucius Malfoy faces several charges, including the casting of an Unforgivable Curse at a Hit Witch carrying out her sworn duty. The man is also charged with several crimes, including funding and participating in several illicit businesses, possession of Dark Artefacts banned by the Wizengamot and conspiring to commit acts of terrorism against the Ministry and the populace as a willing member of the terrorist group known as the Death Eaters." The courtroom filled with chatter as Dora smirked. Hazel had personally infiltrated several of the homes belonging to the Marked Death Eaters that had been singled out by their participation or presence in the previous criminal enterprises they intercepted. They had difficulty finding Malfoy's stash of Dark Artefacts until Dobby was released. The little elf was more than happy to identify the location of Malfoy's hidden vault to Hazel, who made sure to document every little artefact that she found within the compartment hidden under the floor. Said information was provided to the DMLE when they carried out raids after the arrests, along with information on similar vaults and compartments found in the other Death Eater family homes, thanks to recently released elves. Having the information on the artefacts also helped when they were found in the hands of other Death Eaters, confirming that he was selling his hidden items. The DMLE and the DoM had spent a lot of time safely storing and verifying every single one. Lucius was in for a rough time.

Dumbledore looked among the seated members. "Let's put it to a vote. All in favor of removing the restraints." As expected, only the surviving traditionalist families that supported Voldemort either financially or from the shadows raised their hands. With the majority of Death Eaters dead or arrested, their vote was far too small to mean anything. Fudge, sensing the shift in power, wisely kept his hand down, despite the glare from his Undersecretary. Dumbledore sighed. "All opposed." Dora smiled as the majority raised their hands in response. Dumbledore struck with the mallet. "The objection is denied, Mr. Selwyn. Now, Head Auror Scrimgeour. Please read the full charges before the assembly." Dora leaned back and turned to Amelia. "Am I going to have to give a report before the assembly?" Amelia shook her head. "Your debriefing was a detailed one and while aspects of it were omitted to keep Operations hidden, the majority of your sworn statements were presented as evidence. Same as Hazel. You won't be summoned to make a report today, even if the defence tried to force your hand." Dumbledore did interfere in the trial during the discussion of the night at the graveyard, almost an hour and a half in, trying to hear about the fight from Lucius' perspective, which made Dora feel weary. His repeated requests on Lucius to comment on whether or not Voldemort was dead in his mind almost made her forget about Amelia's comment about Selwyn potentially summoning her to the stand. Almost.

Selwyn stood before his client and looked at Amelia. "The defence summons the arresting Aurors to be cross examined before the Assembly." Rufus stood up. "The DMLE objects to the summons. The Assembly has been provided with their debriefing after the incident, which was verified by magical oath and by the ICW Observer." Rufus turned to the Observer who stood up. "The ICW, as holders of licenses for both the Hit Witches Peverell and Tonks, can confirm this statement. I was present for the debriefing and can attest to the veracity of the information provided and the magically binding oath that was issued upon completion. Summoning them to the Assembly in an attempt to catch them in a lie or to attempt to embarrass or displace the blame onto them will not be tolerated." Umbridge stood up. "The ICW should not be interfering in an internal trial." The Observer turned to the Undersecretary. "It is the ICW's duty to verify that the laws of the member states are adhered to and that our licensed law enforcement officers have their rights protected. This is not up for debate." The comment drew some condemnation from the remaining traditionalists but Dumbledore called them to order. He looked to Observer Badawi who stared back at him. The old man wisely kept quiet and proceeded with the trial, Selwyn being overwhelmed with the sheer amount of verified evidence brought against his client, including Lucius taking Veritaserum despite his protests and verifying that he did indeed was aware and owned all of the Dark Artefacts that had been found in his Manor.

Soon enough the time for the verdict came and the results were as expected. The usual suspects voted innocent, but the votes for guilty held the majority. Rufus stood up before the Assembly, buttoning his coat. "Members of the Wizengamot. It is the DMLE's recommendation that Lucius Malfoy, found guilty by this Assembly, is to be sentenced to either life imprisonment in Azkaban, without possibility of parole or early release, or that he be executed for his crimes." The traditionalists raised their voice in objection and Dora noticed that execution seemed an unpopular idea among the other members. Amelia stood up and waited to be heard. "The recommendation for execution can be removed on the condition that the criminal accepts life imprisonment. Any attempts by the defence to reduce the sentence further will be regarded as a breach of this agreement and the request for execution will become the primary sentence requested by the Department." Discussions resumed in the courtroom quietly as Amelia sat down, with Selwyn speaking quietly to Lucius. The man turned around and looked at the Chief Warlock. "We will accept the life sentence, though we wish to guarantee visitation rights for my client's family." Rufus stared at the man before turning to Dumbledore. "Prosecution concurs." Dumbledore nodded and placed the matter to a vote, before he struck the gavel down. "By clear and overwhelming majority, Lucius Malfoy is found guilty. As you have been found guilty, you are hereby sentenced to life imprisonment within Azkaban Prison. This trial is concluded. The Courtroom will recess prior to attending the next trial on the docket."

Dora sighed as she stood up along with Amelia as soon as the gavel struck again. "I need to go check on Hazel. She was watching the boys today and getting lunch ready. You are welcome to join us. I am sure Croaker can get you in. Trust me, her food is well worth it." Amelia gave her a thoughtful look. "Let me confer with Rufus for a moment." Dora nodded and followed Amelia, her eyes lingering on the form of Lucius Malfoy as he was dragged away from the floor. The man had accepted the life sentence a bit too quickly, which made her feel like Hazel's warning of a potential prison break in Azkaban all the more likely. They had been checking the wards of the prison as much as they could but the structure's composition made it hard to tell what was a natural fluctuation and what was a vulnerability. The fortress' wards were laid down so many centuries prior that there was no known wardstone or wardscheme. The structure remained under the partial control of the Minister's office, despite attempts to place it under the DMLE's management or to even create a Department that would manage the prison in its entirety. With the current collapse of the Death Eaters within the Wizengamot, the Coalition planned to push the measure again. Dora only hoped they weren't too late.

-∞-

Teddy watched as Harry stretched out with his hand with his eyes closed in concentration. His lips moved silently and in a second a ward came into being around them, with Harry's face breaking into a smile. "I did it!" Teddy chuckled. "Told you wandless magic was easier after becoming an Animagus." Teddy watched as his Mom eyed them both in the living room of their apartment before giving him a soft smile and returning her attention to the stovetop, her hand using a large spoon to stir her skillet of grounded beef. Harry looked over at her. "Do you think she could still hear us through the ward?" Teddy shook his head. "She could, but she won't. She trusts us enough that if anything important is said, we will just tell her." Harry lowered his gaze, his thumb rubbing against the ring that now rested on his finger. It was standard practice that Heirs to old families were allowed to wear their rings a month or two prior to their fifteenth birthday. Hazel had taken him to the Legal and Financial Divisions of the DoM to retrieve it, since they had taken over the Potter accounts after several illegal attempts had been made to access Harry's Vault contents. The Goblins hadn't been too happy to lose an account, even if it had low activity, but they agreed to leave the matter to be resolved by future generations. The Potter Family Vault remained with them still, holding the bare minimum gold required to exist.

"I… feel like I might have made your Mom too stressed out lately. Think it might have been the reason for her bad dream this morning?" Teddy looked at his Mom. He felt her wake up from a nightmare, despite how much she tried to bury it. Her movements had been stiff and she barely spoke up. It always bothered him when she got sad like today, but it was certainly not as bad as the other times she woke up poorly. He looked at Harry and thought about his question. As soon as they returned to the apartment, Harry had asked her if she and Teddy would move in with him into Potter Manor. It bothered Teddy that he couldn't tell Harry why that was both a good and a bad idea. He supported it because he thought his Mom would like it, but ever since then he could feel her tense up when the Manor was brought up in discussion. Their evening at the Manor had gone well, but she still felt detached from the place the next day. "Maybe. Mom has a lot of bad memories, so it could have been a nightmare on its own, but maybe the stress built up in her." Harry clenched his hands. "I am sorry. I just thought it would make her happy. It's supposed to be your ancestral home too." Teddy thought how best to answer Harry. "It was but I think Mom sees it as something she was supposed to just accept as no longer hers. It's been the Potter Home since the families bonded through marriage. To her… it might feel wrong to want to be there. She probably feels like she is stealing your heritage from you."

Harry frowned. "But we would be sharing it together." Teddy sighed. "Mom doesn't see it that way, Harry. She won't tell me all the bad stuff that happened to her but it was enough that it made her give up on people. For years she would go and disappear for about a day before appearing again, bringing in money that she then divided into what was saved for me and what was needed for food, rent, and utilities. Sure, she went to Hogwarts as a student with her major expenses paid, but until her Godmother showed up, she never spent too much money. She learned from an early age that she had to depend on herself and only herself. She cares about you and she is probably flattered by the offer you made, but her instincts are not to take it. This is your family's legacy and your birthright, not hers or mine." Teddy could tell the answer didn't make Harry feel all that better. "I think she is also looking forward to making her own house." Harry blinked. "She is?" Teddy smiled. "Yeah. She talked about it with me after Grandma passed. She had wanted to use an old plot of land for our home back where we used to live, but when we moved here, she changed her plans a bit. Sure, we are comfortable here, but she wants to make a real home for us. Something she can pass on to me when it's my turn to have a family."

Teddy looked back at his Mom's back. "Leaving me a legacy means something to her, Harry. For years the only legacy she had to offer me was her name." He turned to Harry. "A bit like you. People knew her name and her parents, but she never got much out of it but unfair comparisons. Now that she has a steady job, with me studying at school with you, and with her and Dora getting really involved, I think she was looking forward to building our home from the ground up." Harry looked at Hazel, a wistful expression on his face. Teddy sighed. "You know she's already added at the very least a room for you, right? If not a whole wing?" Harry blinked and turned to Teddy. "But… I don't need so much space." Teddy smiled. "How do you think she feels in Potter Manor then?" Harry opened his mouth and closed it again. "I suppose you have a point." Teddy sat closer to Harry. "I am not kidding, though. I think the moment you first called her Mom, she started working on your own room and just kept adding rooms around it. She wants to be a part of your life, Harry, just as much as you want her in yours. She just has a harder time expressing it because she doesn't want to influence you or to take advantage of your kindness. It has to be your choice."

Harry rubbed his hair, which he was letting grow out a little bit. "Do you think… Do you think I should talk this out with her? About where we will all be living and everything?" Teddy smiled. "Sure. But I think she and Dora will be spending their summers here, at least until you and I graduate. They will probably keep one apartment together for work here, but after Hogwarts is done, I am sure they would like to get their own place together." Teddy tapped his chin. "How about this? If you are feeling guilty about stressing Mom out, talk to her about the offer and settle it with her in a way that you two can be happy about it. After that, check with Dora too, as she has been thinking about making a permanent change with Mom, so she will have some input too." Harry nodded. "Ok, I'll do that. I just wish I knew what would make us all happy." Teddy chuckled. "You know I spent two years living in a Wizarding Tent with Mom, right?" Harry turned to Teddy. "Why?" Teddy thought how best to explain it. "Living in a typical house wasn't safe for us at the time, so Mom got a comfortable Tent and we lived out of it. Mom actually hunted our food and gathered wild vegetables for us. It was a rough time, but I never felt like we lost a home."

Teddy leaned back and stretched his arms before focusing on Harry. "Even without four walls around us, a fridge full of food or money in our pockets, I never felt like I was homeless. Because Mom was there. After Grandma died and we left my childhood home, I started to realize that. We could be in any house, hotel room or wide open field and it wouldn't make a difference. Because I knew where my home really was and that was just being by Mom's side. Maybe you should try to see it that way." Harry thought for a second and remembered the last two years at Hogwarts, as well as the rest. His first two years had been ok, if a bit stressful, and while the last two were still stressful, he never felt isolated or alone. He had some great memories with Neville, Susan, Hermione and Daphne, as well as the rest of his friends, yet the moments that seemed the most meaningful weren't in the Gryffindor Common Room, the Chamber of Secrets or in the Great Hall. They were when he joined Teddy with Hazel and Dora in the Chamber that had been set aside for them at the school. It had also been here, at the apartment, in the summer and winter breaks. Moments where he could just relax and be himself, safe in the knowledge that he was amongst family. That he was home. Harry took a deep breath and dropped the ward. "Hazel, do you have a moment?" Hazel turned around from the stove and smiled at both of them. "Sure. What can I do for you?"

Hazel sat at the table with Harry and listened to his concerns. She smiled. "You have nothing to apologize for, Harry. Trust me, I know the feeling." She pulled Harry into a hug. "My Godmother took care of me as soon as she could. Despite her being a fugitive, she dragged me all over Britain and Ireland, camping out under the stars, teaching me a little of the old family rules and just being there for me. Returning to Hogwarts was the hardest thing for me to do after that first summer with her, same as the next one afterwards. The house we lived in the second summer became a home to me." She pulled Harry back and looked him in the eye. "A year later I learned the hard way that the place was my home because of who lived there, not the walls or the paintings. So, how about we do this. We can have lots of fun with Si-" Hazel stopped herself for a moment. "Padfoot. We can have fun with Padfoot, Dromeda and Ted, as well as all your friends, in the summers and winters, spending time in all the houses, including Potter Manor. When you graduate, you come talk to me and Dromeda over what you want to do about your living arrangement and we will work it out together."

Harry hugged Hazel. "Thanks Mom." Hazel patted his back and kissed his cheek, while trying to avoid the butterflies he kept leaving in her stomach when he called her that. "Now, let's get back to working on lunch." She looked at Teddy and back at Harry. "Want to help out?" The two boys joined Hazel in the kitchen as Hazel sat back, giving them instructions, though like her, Harry knew how to cook, with Teddy having learned with her. When Amelia and Dora arrived, Hazel smiled as the food was being set on the table with the boy's help. The five of them settled down for a comfortable lunch as Dora and Amelia filled Hazel in on the goings on at the Wizengamot. Dora and Hazel agreed to make further sworn statements to answer any outstanding questions that the Death Eater legal representatives could have, but neither wanted to be in front of the Assembly, at least not without the help of the Legal Division. Amelia agreed and the conversation turned to the next year at Hogwarts, with Teddy going into third year and Harty into fifth year. Hazel and Harry smiled as Teddy gushed over starting Care of Magical Creatures and Runes. Harry looked around the table and smiled as Teddy and Dora rubbed their bellies and Amelia and Hazel sat back and drank some tea. Hazel and Teddy were right. It wasn't the place but the people that made a home. He was beyond happy he had found his.

-∞-

Dora, disillusioned, looked through a pair of enchanted binoculars at the warehouse some distance away. The Observers and MI5 had managed to identify another possible site being used to handle enchanted items before the criminals passed them into the hands of terrorists. Dora had read Hazel's after action report on the warehouse she took out last year and could see the similarities. "O2 here. Six guards on the roof. A dozen or so moving about the area around the warehouse, all with bulletproof vests and what I assume are automatic weapons." Dora heard a man's voice respond. "LA here. Acknowledged. Vehicles ready to move into position." The comms went silent for a bit until a voice joined in, making Dora smile. "O1 here. We have twelve magicals inside the warehouse and an active wardstone. O2, prepare to take out the guards on the roof. LA requested minimal casualties and low magical presence. Silenced pistol and stunners for armored targets. I will disable the wardstone and the magicals. LA, the rest are yours." The MI5 agent chuckled. "Gladly. On standby." Dora lowered her binoculars and stretched. "O2, on standby." A few seconds later, Dora felt a shift in the ambient magic, followed by Hazel's voice over the comm. "O1 here, wards are down. Happy hunting." Dora took a running start and shifted into her owl form.

She could see the roof guards reacting to the commotion in the building, which gave her an opening to land safely on the roof and shifted. With her wand, Dora managed to stun two guards, before the other two responded. Vanishing from sight, she conjured a shadow form moving in the opposite direction, drawing the enemy fire. After stunning two more guards, Dora had to take cover from a hail of bullets shot in her direction blindly. "O2 here. I am pinned down on the roof." A few seconds later she heard an odd noise from the floor, just before the two remaining guards disappeared. Hazel's voice followed through. "Dealt with, as are the magicals. Still dealing with guards down here. Care to join the fun, O2?" Dora shook her head, first attaching the deployable wardstone after she apparated to her starting position to retrieve it, before shifting into a smaller finch and flying through the hole in the roof that she assumed Hazel made, the edges of the hole looking jagged as if broken down under water erosion and fatigue. She watched as shadow figures of people and dogs rushed through the interior, drawing the attention of the guards, before one of said figures fired back as soon as they dismissed it, taking several criminals down. Wanting to help without hindering Hazel, Dora made for the opposite area of the warehouse and shifted back to human form, before disillusioning herself.

Rather than letting her position be spotted from a distance, Dora made sure to stun the guards at point blank, using the armored but stunned bodies as shields when the weapon's fire was aimed her way. Hazel noticed her position and helped Dora by providing covering fire, using what she assumed was one of the automatic rifles from the guards to hit the ones that turned to take on Dora. The two synched up, catching the guards in a bind before successfully neutralizing all of them. A sweep of the warehouse returned many magical signatures, all of irregular forms stored within the boxes. Dora raised up her wrist. "O2 here, with O1. Warehouse roof and interior are secure." The lead agent of the MI5 forces responded. "Acknowledged. We have the outside forces under control. We are beginning to take them into custody. Get your targets and items out before we begin our sweep." Hazel raised her wrist. "Roger that." Hazel pulled out a bag from her expanded pouch and handed it to Dora. "Retrieve the wardstone and then attach the portkeys to the crates with enchantments in them. They will trigger with ours." Dora nodded and the two got to work attaching the portkeys to the various crates. After checking the amount, Hazel commed in. "O1, to BM and Q1. Contraband exceeds SH1's parameters. Switching destination to SH3. Have the staff make their way there."

Horatio, who had been quiet since the mission started, spoke up. "Acknowledged. Codes are as discussed in the mission briefing. Once the loot and prisoners are covered, you two are cleared to return to base." Hazel sighed in relief. "Appreciated." Hazel, latched onto six magicals, watched as Dora did the same, holding the deployable wardstone in hand and nodded. "Drake's Hord." The activation phrase triggered the portkeys and the dozen prisoners landed roughly on the ground of a smaller warehouse. After checking their prisoners were still stunned and cuffed, Dora went to the entrance as Hazel checked the security cameras. Three cloaked figures arrived and knocked on the door three times. "Here for a pickup and transport. Got any booty?" Dora chuckled at the code word coming out of Quetz' mouth. "We got the motherload. Standby." Hazel, seeing Dora's confirmation, disengaged the electronic locks. The two other Unspeakables started scanning the gear and one, a man, shouted back. "Same as the gear from last year, Quartermaster." Quetz clicked her tongue. "Great. That means the people breaking the Statute are still out there." Hazel sighed. "Seems like it. We will hold here as security until you get the stuff checked fully before transport." Quetz nodded and Dora and Hazel kept an eye on the security monitors.

Quetz came back to them after a thorough sweep of the crates and weapons. "No trackers on the crates or on the items. Just the type of things we expect from a cargo that was already delivered." Hazel crossed her arms and sat back. "The Boss will have to get in touch with the other nations then. This isn't a good sign. If this much gear has made it to Britain, there is no way it hasn't arrived at other ports." Quetz nodded. "Claro. We will be transporting the loot back to base soon. Fill out the paperwork here and let's get ready to leave." Hazel and Dora noted down the times and entries before locking the system down and stepping out of the warehouse, joining Quetz and the Unspeakable as they prepared for another portkey ride. As soon as they touched down, several more Unspeakables arrived, followed by Croaker. "Good job, everyone. We will do a thorough check of these to see if we can match the enchanter or where they were made. We will get the Veritaserum ready to interrogate the captured Witches and Wizards as soon as we are sure they aren't on any nullification potions." Hazel nodded and handed Croaker the copy of the safehouse registry. "Nothing suspicious on a cursory scan and no trackers but it's up to you if you want to keep the Safehouse where it is." Croaker took the papers. "I will have Horatio reach out to Moody. The Cadets could use some fieldwork and an Auror presence will make it look like a rival criminal group was responsible."

Hazel hummed in agreement. "Anything from our cousins in MI5?" Croaker smiled. "Nothing but praise. The Obliviators erased all traces of the stunners from the criminals memories and replaced them with high impact non-lethal rounds. You two managed to stun the lead smuggler working the Scottish Highlands, not to mention his terrorist buddies. London will deal with the foreigners, but MI5 is happy with your performance tonight. We also got approached by MI6." Hazel raised an eyebrow. "I thought they dealt with external threats only." Croaker eyed Hazel. "Which these terrorists and their suppliers are. They are interested in joining the MI5 agreement and potentially requesting magical support. They also approached the ICW Observers, hoping their joint intelligence network can pinpoint the source of the unrest and black market enchanted weapons." Hazel and Dora shared a look and Dora responded. "We should be able to help but make it clear we do have domestic priorities. Long undercover assignments aren't our idea of fun." Croaker nodded. "I will let them know. For now, get some rest. Horatio will take your after action reports and debrief you in the morning." The sighs of relief on his two Operatives made Croaker smile as the two walked out into the hallway leading to the platform. He eyed the notes before turning to the Unspeakables moving the loot. The Department of Mysteries had a lot of work ahead of it.

-∞-

"Anything else, Minerva?" McGonagall pulled her ledger back and hugged it to her as she looked at her mentor sitting behind his desk. "The Board is still requesting the name of the candidate you are nominating for the Defence position." Albus pulled his glasses off his face and rubbed his eyes. "I am afraid I have yet to decide, Minerva." The Deputy Headmistress frowned. "Albus, while Moody returning to the Academy was part of his agreement to teach here for a year, we already have another candidate. Remus turned in his request for the position with all of the expected documentation. Why aren't you reinstating him?" Dumbledore sighed. "While Remus was a wonderful teacher and is qualified, I am afraid his condition will draw unwanted attention to the school." Minerva raised an eyebrow. "To the school or to yourself? Your decision to drag out the Death Eater trials and attempts to get their opinion on whether or not Voldemort is dead hasn't done you any favors. Are you concerned that Fudge or his Undersecretary will do more than remove you as a delegate to the ICW Assembly?" Albus sat back. "Minerva, I merely wished to uncover the truth. While the Ministry seems to have done a remarkable job with the arrests and investigations into the Death Eaters, that doesn't mean they didn't miss something. Fudge is too… skittish to entertain the possibility that the dangers of a resurrected Voldemort aren't real."

Tapping her fingers against the ledger, McGonagall sighed. "Albus, I did what you asked me to do concerning Hazel Peverell last year and the year before that. I watched her whenever I could. She isn't some grand scheming woman possessed by a mad man. She is a deeply private woman who loves her family with a ferocity and gentleness that got my cat hairs to stand up straight whenever she was in one of her moods. I won't deny that her use of darker and dangerous magic is concerning, but her licence with the ICW and the authority she has as a Hit Witch gives her the right to use magics others would rather forget ever existed. Have you considered that the use of those types of magic is the reason Voldemort was captured?" Dumbledore nodded. "I have and that's why I am concerned. The spells and curses she used as confirmed by her oathbound reports make it clear she matched Voldemort blow for blow. She was his equal in power and knowledge and bested him through trickery. That can't be a coincidence. Despite your observations, I believe she is a danger to our world, at the very least. What's to stop one of our students from trying to live up to her capabilities? She may not be turning or gathering followers as Tom did, but I believe she is taking a more subtle and insidious approach."

Minerva pinched the bridge of her nose, her concerns over Albus growing. "And this relates to Fudge and your refusal to take in Remus, how?" Albus seemed to blush a little. "Right, right. I seemed to have gotten off track. As Peverell's influence grows, we need to retain a measure of power to thwart it. Selecting Remus again will draw the Undersecretary's ire and she will do everything in her power to influence Fudge on the matter. Remus is too easy a target for what remains of the Traditionalist and Neutrals and we can let them use the man as an excuse to affect the education of the students or what political power we still have." McGonagall sighed. She didn't agree with his statement. Remus had done a fine job as a Professor a year prior, with the exception of his early classes, though how much of that was Remus' decision or Albus' suggestion was something she still debated with Pomona and Filius. To keep him from improving as a teacher and continue to teach the students well was a mistake. It didn't surprise Minerva that the only reason the students of Hogwarts had improved their defence scores during the last two years was due to the training many took with Peverell, something Moody capitalized on and continued during the last year. Having a teacher who knew the effectiveness of what the Hit Witch taught and carried it on was something she knew was important.

Sadly, she knew that Albus would make up his own mind, regardless of her concerns. He was always more politically minded than focused on education, especially after his duel with Gellert Grindelwald. That it took her years to see it made Minerva so ashamed of herself. She had no idea which student Hazel had once been but it didn't matter. The woman had seen through her clearly. She saw her dependence on the man and her blindness and called her out on it. The Gryffindors had certainly been more vocal in the last two years and ever since young Miss Granger almost died, McGonagall had finally stopped holding herself back. Her duties as a Deputy Headmistress took a hit, resulting in delayed reports, but her Lions were showing signs of improvement. Well, most of them were. There was no fixing the Weasley Twins. She thanked the stars that their final year was at hand. Turning back to Albus, Minerva gave him a good look. "The Board won't wait much longer, Albus. They are eager to keep the quality of the Defence course established in the last two years. They might go over your head and appoint someone against your recommendations." Minerva's words seemed to stir something in him. "Yes, yes. Of course they would. I will get back on that. Have a good evening, Minerva."

As McGonagall walked down the hallways of the Castle on her way back to her office, her mind filled with her own thoughts. Thoughts she knew she would never have entertained a year ago. As long as Albus played politics with the kids' education, she knew Hogwarts wouldn't find any rest. The threats of the last twenty or so years had been all but silenced by the Ministry. Or more specifically, a certain Dark Witch who wasn't afraid to get her hands dirty. She knew the changes in the Wizengamot had something to do with her and Amelia. For the first time in years, things were looking hopeful. The death of Voldemort, the Death Eater imprisonments and, lastly, the education reforms. Britain was changing, clearly for the better, and Peverell was at the center of it all. If Albus was unwilling to accept the change or even recognize the truth that the woman was no Voldemort, then she needed to do something. Hogwarts couldn't afford to be left behind. Setting her ledger down on top of her office's desk, McGonagall eyed a bottle of scotch she kept on a bookshelf behind her. One shot from it later, she grabbed a handful of Floo Powder and threw it into the flames of her fireplace. "Bones' Office." The green flames flickered for a second and a familiar voice answered. "Yes?" Minerva squared her shoulders. "Amelia, it's Minerva. Do you have time? I would like to discuss some concerns of mine with you." She had at some point in her career placed the students' needs second to Albus' judgement. Never again.

Chapter 53: Dementors in the Skies

Chapter Text

Dora fidgeted under the gaze of her parents as they sat in their living room alone with her. "Guess it's too soon?" Ted snorted, which made Andromeda turn from her side of the sofa to look at him, raising an eyebrow. "Something you want to say, husband?" Ted blushed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Uhh, I mean. For some it might be too soon, but then again, you are a special case. And… I don't think we are to judge. You were conceived before Andromeda turned 17 years of age and we only dated for a year or so." Andromeda sighed. "We aren't exactly a prime example of a traditional progression of a romantic relationship, Dora. I was desperate to avoid a contract like the one that Bellatrix agreed to. So I looked for the one person I liked at Hogwarts who wasn't from a known family and dated him. In a way, Ted and I were quite fortunate that we fell in love at all, despite the pregnancy and my family's hatred of us." Dora nodded as her hand gripped a small box in her hand. Andromeda saw the box and looked Dora in the eyes. "How far are you willing to go, Dora? You have lived by her side now for years. You have seen her struggles and the parts of her she keeps hidden from most people. So, what have you decided?" Dora took a deep breath, searching her heart and mind for any doubt. She found none. Not anymore.

Looking her mother in the eye, she gripped the box a bit more tightly. "All the way, Mom. I love her with all of my heart and despite her troubles, I am willing to accept who she is in her entirety, just as she accepts who I am." Andromeda smiled and leaned forward to squeeze Dora's knees. "Then you have my blessing, Nymphadora." Andromeda and Dora both turned to look at Ted, who sighed. "No chance of you marrying a doctor or a clerk?" The glare from the two ladies made Ted raise his hands in surrender. "Just joking." He rubbed his wedding band with his thumb and looked at Dora. "While a part of me would have liked seeing you date someone less likely to break the law." Dora raised an eyebrow. "Really? Because I remember you showing me to the nearest concerts when Mom was busy at work." Andromeda leaned back and stared at her husband. "I suppose that's better than what I initially thought. That time I found lipstick on your shirt, I was certain I was going to let the Black Madness take over. You were lucky, husband, that it was Dora and not some young woman, who collapsed on you. Though we are going to have a talk about all the times you might have sneaked out behind my back."

Ted swallowed a lump in his throat. "I swear, dear. I never did anything inappropriate. Ever." Andromeda searched his eyes and nodded. "Good. Though we will still have a talk. Now, what were you going to say to our daughter?" Ted blushed softly before looking at Dora. "Ok, so maybe I had a part to play in your teenage rebellion. Anyways, while I can't say I approve of the type of person you are marrying, with regard to her issues with laws and rules, I can't fault you for the person you fell in love with. Hazel has been good to all of us, but especially for you. You have grown into quite the woman over the last four years." Dora blushed under his praise as Ted reached out and held Dora's hands. His brown eyes focused on her purple ones. "You have my blessing, Nymphadora." Dora made a face. "You promised not to say my full name." Ted chuckled as he sat back and lifted his cup of tea. "Sorry, Dora, but I will use it in full when it matters." Andromeda smiled at her husband and gave a cheeky look at her daughter. "So, when can we expect a grandchild from you two?" Dora's hair color shifted wildly. "Mom!" Ted chuckled after enjoying his tea before he noticed a change in his wife's demeanor. "Love?"

Andromeda got up from her seat and summoned her husband's wand before dropping it into his hand. She looked to her daughter, who was standing with her wand out and ready. "Mom, what is it?" Andromeda shook her head. "Something is affecting the wards. It feels… cold." Dora stared at her mother. "Cold as in ice or cold as in mental?" Andromeda took a second to think. "Both." Dora cursed. "Dementors." Ted frowned. "This is a muggle neighborhood. The hell are they doing out here?" Dora moved to the closest window and peered out through the pane of glass that was quickly frosting over. She pulled out her comm device from her wristwatch and placed it in her ear. "O2 to base. Dementors at the Tonks residence." The line was quiet for all but a second before Quetz answered. "Hazel has her unit off, same as Horatio. I will get to Hazel's apartment and send her your way. Keep your eyes open and don't do anything, stupid, coneja." Dora cast a defrosting spell on the window and watched as several people started exiting their houses in curiosity. "Damn it, Quetz. Muggles are stepping out of their homes. The Dementors won't care!" Dora went for the door and looked back at her Mom. "Get your kit ready and some Pepper Up Potion." Andromeda nodded as Dora stepped outside, locking the door behind her.

Invisible to all but her and her family, dozens of Dementors filled the air, a few coming low and clearly affecting some of her neighbors. "Quetz! If you get Croaker on the line, tell him to get the Obliviators ready. This isn't going to be easy to explain away." Her boss' voice responded. "Noted. I am contacting the department as we speak." Seeing a group of Dementors harassing an older woman, Dora rushed forward, her wand filling up with magic as she focused on her memory of the last Christmas dinner with the whole family together and of the smile on her lover's face. " Expecto Patronum !" The wand practically shoved back against her as a large dragon unfurled its wings, its roar rattling her ear drums and causing the Dementors to panic. Having the dragon swirl above her, Dora unleashed the Patronus in a widening spiral, forcing the creatures back and away from the people in the streets. The creatures, however, were relentless, diving in and attacking what they could, before the dragon could chase them down and away. Feeling irritated with the Dementors, Dora reached within her magic and drew on Hazel's, catching her partner by surprise, before she fed the magic into the Patronus.

The Dragon roared again, as it seemed to grow ever more defined and physical, before the luminescent creature unleashed white flames at the cloaked monsters. The sky was soon filled with the agonized screams of the Dementors, who no longer wished to continue their attack and vanished into the cloudy sky. Dora had the dragon fly around the air in a holding pattern until all the Dementors vanished, before cancelling the charm. Apparition pops filled the air, as Dora sighed, rubbing her long sleeve over her sweaty forehead. "Dementors are gone and Aurors are arriving." Her remark made her Boss pause for a moment. "Amelia hasn't sent them out yet." Dora had a bad feeling in her stomach, which dissipated after a loud crack drew everyone's eyes to her white haired and pissed off girlfriend. "THE HELL IS GOING ON?!" Dora watched as the Auror closest to Hazel tried to talk to her, pulling out a pair of restraints. She winced at the loud and clear noise of the Auror's face taking a direct hit from Hazel's fist, the man dropping onto the ground out cold, as the air suddenly felt heavy with magic. More apparition pops echoed across the street as Dora saw a familiar mane of brown hair among them. She hoped the Head Auror got these guys under control, before Hazel drew her wand and started doing it herself.

-∞-

"We got word on the one who killed our lord, as well as some ideas for breaking out." Rodolphus Lestrange leaned on one side of the cell bars, listening to his brother, Rabastan, relay the information. The planned breakout was slowed down by the fact all information had to be relayed exactly from one cell to another, rather than all at once. It also had to happen when the human guards were not on shift. As dreadful as the Dementors were, none of them cared about the witches and wizards plotting and talking. All they cared about was making all the prisoners suffer. Which made their absence today, of all days, quite noticeable. Though some Dementors were still around, the number missing was large enough to be noticed with the warmer temperature of the air and the absence of the mental weight the Dementors tend to impart on the prisoners. Rodolphus looked to the opposite side of his cell, through the bars, and noted that even Bellatrix was in a pleasant mood. "Who will be helming the breakout for the most part?" Rabastan chuckled. "Who do you think? Rockwood volunteered. He's taking advantage of the lack of Dementors to get his brain working better. He says he might have a viable plan in a month or two. Three at most."

Rodolphus kept his eyes on his wife. "Good. That's better than drooling on the floor. So, what was this about the killer of our lord?" A piece of stale bread was passed to him and Rodolphus snapped it in half before he started eating. Rabastan filled him in. "Your brother-in-law, the one with the platinum blonde hair that made all the girls swoon back at Hogwarts, got arrested. Same as many of our missing fellows. They started passing their story around, trying to get some sympathy from us, no doubt. Anyways, the sneaky bastard says a woman by the name of Hazel Peverell was the one who not only arrested the Dark Lord, but executed him in front of a courtroom full of hidden witnesses. The jury, as expected, are ghosts. That leaves Peverell as our main target." Rodolphus frowned, lowering his remaining bite of bread. "I thought the Peverells were dead." Rabastan shrugged as he swallowed his own piece of food. "Old Lucy says she was probably a Mudblood but the witch didn't behave like one of Dumbledore's people. Gutted people with curses just like any other Death Eater. She apparently took out a bunch of unmarked punks with the Carrows at the World Cup. Left a bloody smear and several houses extinct. Our boys tried to go after her but the law is more welcoming to Aurors with a backbone now."

That brought a bitter smile to his face. "Bet you old Dumbledore is fuming. This bitch stole his thunder and went around killing Death Eaters like a Death Eater." He turned his head to Rabastan. "You sure she ain't one of ours? You know, from those broads you tended to bed every other week back outside?" Rabastan waved his hand. "Doubt it. I am not the one who likes the crazies." Rodolphus reached through the bars and gripped Rabastan's throat, his voice low and his words growled out. "Careful, brother. My wife is as much a Lestrange as us. You saw her enjoy herself as she left that Longbottom whor* a drooling mess. I ain't letting anyone talk sh*t about her. Not even you." Rabastan nodded and his brother released him. After a few deep breaths, Rabastan started talking again. "Fine. Sorry I brought it up. Doubt the bitch who executed our lord was a groupie though. Apparently, she's a Hit Witch. One of the best. Do you want to call dibs?" Rodolphus looked across to his wife's cell. "Not for me. Our Lord enjoyed Bellatrix's zeal. If we want to make a comeback, we need to play this smart and get the message across. Letting Bellatrix turn this bitch into hamburger meat ought to be a good enough message." Rabastan sighed. "And here I thought you were going to be nice and offer me some sloppy seconds."

The two chuckled until a high pitched voice filled the air. "You two boys done snogging yet? Because I would like to have words with my husband." Rabastan shuddered. "Now lovely, you know we aren't Amycus and Alecto. Also, no offense to my brother, but I prefer my dates to…" Rodolphus reached out and covered his brother's mouth. "Do remember we are all trying to get out. My wife might not let you leave the cell if you piss her off." Rabastan shrugged and responded as soon as the hand left his mouth. "Yeah, yeah. Talk to you later, Rudy." Rodolphus, picking up the piece of bread he broke off, moved to the opposite side of the cell and leaned against the same bars that separates him from his wife. He handed her the bread. "Brother got some. You need to eat more." Bellatrix leaned against the bars, her head resting barely on his through the bars. "You know, most women would take offence to that." Rodolphus chuckled. "True, but you aren't most women, love. Care to hear what Rabastan has heard from the grape vine?" Bellatrix ate the bread silently as her husband shared the information. She sighed at the end. "At least Lucy was good for something." Rodolphus hummed in agreement. "Think your sister will help us out after the breakout?"

Bellatrix licked her grimey fingers. "Hard to say. Narcissa married the man because he actually bothered to treat her right. Well, at least for the times we could actually talk to each other. She was barely a believer, but she didn't find the fighting all that grand. If the others outside got gutted and served up as fodder, Cissa won't be looking to get herself into trouble. With little Draco, that's almost guaranteed, especially now with our Lord being gone." Rodolphus sighed. "We need to plan what happens after the escape. Going back to our homes will be too obvious. Sure, it might draw out this Peverell Witch to us, but it's also a bad place to get pinned down. One shot of Fiendfyre and the house will go up in smoke." Bellatrix rested her head back against his. "We will have to send out feelers to the old safehouses. If the Aurors found them, then we are just going to have to improvise. Maybe take out a muggle family and use their home." Rodolphus shuddered and Bellatrix snickered. "Not my first choice, but we have to be careful. We can't put up much of a fight right now. We need to get strong again, before we show this bitch and the cowards in the Wizengamot their place." Rodolphus nodded. "Fine. For now, we need to let Rockwood work his magic." The air suddenly filled up with an unnatural cold. Bellatrix's lips quivered. "Breaks over, apparently." The Death Eaters suffered through the effects as the Dementors returned. All they could do now was endure. Until the time was right.

-∞-

Hazel leaned back and watched as the kids played magical tag with each other in the grounds of the Greengrass estate. Julia had volunteered to host the birthday party this year at her family's estate and despite Hazel's sense that the woman was up to something, she decided to go through with it. When she called her and asked if she could host the party a day early, Julia didn't hesitate. Like the one from two years prior, plenty of the kids who were friends with Harry and Neville turned up, with one notable exception. She wasn't sure if Mrs. Weasley had a brain or not that wasn't operated by Dumbledore, but the man's belief she was either Voldemort, or at the very least a threat to the wellbeing of the Weasley family, made Hazel shake her head. The Grangers, who only tracked the story from what they got from the Prophet, arrived at the estate and thanked her profusely for her service. Apparently, Mr. Granger's father was a soldier in the Second World War and took part in the later stages of the war, rounding up Nazis who were doing their best to hide from the Allied Forces. That the man equated her actions in the last few years to what his father did made her blush. Hazel was at least thankful that Hermione had improved as a person.

Said bookworm was currently seated with Theo next to Daphne and Harry, looking over the myriad of books that Harry received as gifts. Hazel had already noted the reading habits of her two boys, making sure their rooms in the Ministry had large bookshelves and that her plans for the eventual Peverell Estate included bookshelves in every room. Based on the amount of books Teddy read, she had a feeling the family was going to be a lot more intellectually inclined in the coming years. "Thinking of children or murder?" Hazel turned to a smiling Julia, who placed a glass of red liquid in front of her. Hazel raised an eyebrow and the woman chuckled. "It's sparkling grape juice. Your girlfriend was quite clear on keeping you off alcohol." Hazel sighed in relief and after checking it for potions, drank from it. "I can't say I wasn't considering murdering a certain pink toad. Sadly, Augusta, Amelia and Saul all disagree." Julia sat down beside Hazel and drank from her own wine glass. "A shame. The woman would deserve it. She came by the last Board of Governors meeting, trying to submit her name as the best candidate for Defence Professor. She even brought a "revised" curriculum for the course. None of it was ICW certified, the course work she suggested would have left the students woefully unprepared for the OWLs and NEWTs and she had the gall to threaten us with Ministry interference if we disagreed."

Hazel rubbed her face. "What the hell is her problem? The Traditionalists are in shambles, Fudge seems to be getting some measure of a backbone as he fights back against Dumbledore's rhetoric in recent weeks. Does she want to fail the students and blame Dumbledore or is there something else?" Julia shrugged. "I try my best not to think about what goes on in her head. Probably too close to my dead husband's mind for my taste. My best guess is she wants to be the one to hand Fudge dirt on Dumbledore and get his approval for it. Her being proactive will look good if she ever tries to run for Minister." Hazel shuddered. "The fact certain morons would vote for her only makes it worse in my eyes. The woman is a megalomaniac with delusions and racist ideas." Julia chuckled. "Oh, I agree. Safe to say, the Board denied her request. She lacked the NEWT scores to qualify." Julia looked at Hazel expectantly and the white haired witch sighed. "I am not taking the Defence position at Hogwarts." Julia pouted. "You could, you know? Your Mastery in Transfiguration and your NEWT score in Defence is good enough. Pretty sure you could earn a Mastery in Defence if you tried for it." Hazel waved her hand. "Not interested. What I learned to fight the Dark Arts I will pass to someone who needs it, not a bunch of school kids."

Julia sighed. "Then I am going to have to see if Remus will take the job again. Dumbledore refuses to suggest anyone with the credentials for the job." Hazel hummed. "Best of luck with that. The man was, at least, wise enough to not go hunting for Greyback." Julia lowered her glass. "Are you on his case yet?" Hazel finished her drink and placed the cup down. "He and his pack have kept a low profile since the war, potentially using unturned people to fetch food. If we get word, Ops will end him, but for now there is nothing we can do but keep our eyes and ears open." Julia nodded and looked over Hazel's shoulder. "Well, I have to check on dinner with the elves. My offer still stands, dear." Hazel rolled her eyes. "I said no." Julia smiled at her as she walked by. "Wasn't saying that to you." Hazel blinked until Dora sat down beside her, a wine glass in her hand. Hazel glared at her. "Something I should know about, Nymphadora?" Dora took a moment to drink her wine. "Nope, nothing." Hazel's eye twitched. Dropping the subject, she turned her attention to the kids, watching as Teddy and Harry, in their Animagus forms, played with the others, often tripping them by taking out their friend's legs from under them. Dora smiled. "I am glad Umbridge's court appointment didn't ruin this." Hazel nodded. "She is petty for sure. Here is hoping Croaker gets the evidence he needs to send her to Azkaban."

Dora hummed. "At least no one got hurt. Well, no one but the Auror whose teeth you busted in." Hazel shrugged. "Dawlish was a prick. He was lucky I went for his face, not his balls." Dora and Hazel spent a quiet moment watching the kids, including Harry being ridden by a squealing Susan on his back as a Lion, before Dora stood up. "Walk with me?" Hazel took Dora's hand and the two walked along the edge of the Greengrass gardens, with a black wolf following their movements. Eventually, they reached a water fountain and the two sat down next to it. Hazel nudged Dora's shoulder. "Thought fountains would be a new problem for you, after the Third Task." Dora stuck her tongue out to Hazel. "Yeah, right. My only recurring nightmare from the Tournament is the bloody Acromantulas." Hazel chuckled. "Yeah, I can see that." Dora started fidgeting. "I was going to give this to you tomorrow, but with the Wizengamot meeting called and the birthday party moved to today, I think it's better for me to give it to you now." Hazel blinked as Dora pulled out a long felt box. Hazel took it into her hand and opened it. She smiled at the beautiful metal chain bracelet before her eyes widened on what was bound in it.

With Hazel distracted, Dora kneeled down before Hazel, as the guests and family watched in the background, hiding behind hedges and trees. Hazel pulled the chain out, as a ring, decorated with celtic knots and a large stud of a purple colored gem, hung from the chain. She finally registered that Dora was kneeling down in front of her, her form shifted to its natural state, purple eyes staring at her warmly. "Hazel Peverell. For four years I have gotten to know you for who you really are. While we have only been together as a couple for a year and a half, I have no further doubts as to what I feel for you." Dora took the chain from a stunned Hazel's hand and presented her with the ring. "I love you, with all of my heart. Will you marry me?" To the surprise of everyone, Hazel's hair seemed to cycle into every possible color until it settled on a surprising and familiar black color, until it softly faded to her usual white with black streaks. Tears traced down her cheeks. "Yes, Nymphadora Tonks. I will marry you." Dora's smile was blinding as she slipped the ring onto Hazel's finger before her mind blacked out as Hazel pulled her up and kissed her deeply. The torrent of emotions and magic that filled Dora left her breathless, at least until she heard the witnesses, who had given up being quiet.

The two spent the next few minutes receiving congratulations from everyone, including Julia who gave them both a knowing wink, before they all went inside for dinner. The meal was far less lavish than Hazel expected from Lady Greengrass, which seemed to have gone well with the children, all of whom enjoyed their time together. The party winded down after the elves brought out the massive birthday cake and Dora chuckled as her now fiancée cringed through the birthday song, though all the kids, including Teddy, smiled at her reaction. With most of the guests leaving prior to collapsing from a food coma, Dora took a brief shower as the boys did the same, now back at their apartment. Her fianceé joined her in their shared bed, a pensive look on her face. "Something on your mind?" Hazel looked at her and nodded. "I… there really was no good time to say." Hazel turned towards Dora, her hands fidgeting. "You need to know that… I can't get pregnant. As in I physically can't carry a child to term inside of me." Dora blinked. "Did Mom… ?" Hazel nodded again. "My Andi noticed it first and told me about never having the chance to have a child of my own. Dromeda checked and found that there was nothing different here. I … you needed to know."

Dora pulled Hazel into a side hug. "It's ok, Hazel. It doesn't change anything. I am also going to guess you picked your words carefully?" Hazel leaned in and nuzzled Dora's neck, making the pinked haired woman sigh in pleasure. "Yeah. I could technically get you pregnant with my child. I just wanted you to know I couldn't carry our child for you." Dora kissed Hazel on the lips before her purple eyes focused on Hazel's. "Like I said, it doesn't change anything. Unless this is your way of asking me if I want a baby soon." Hazel gave Dora an amused look. "As much as Teddy and Harry might like to be big brothers, there is too much going on right now to bring a child into the world. Once everything settles down and you are feeling up to it, then we can talk about having a baby." Dora smiled. "Good. Let's get some rest. Tomorrow, you have a Wizengamot session to listen to." Hazel's mood didn't go down at the mention of the session and the two settled into the bed, limbs wrapped around each other as they relished each other's presence alone. Despite the chaos of the last few days, neither of them had a problem sleeping well that night.

-∞-

Ted Tonks watched as Hazel took her seat next to him, a soft smile on her face. He smirked. "Good afternoon. Had a decent morning today?" Hazel chuckled. "We did. And no, you can tell Andromeda she won't be a grandmother just yet." Ted smiled. "Good to know. Guessing Dora is watching the boys today?" Hazel nodded. "With all the things going on, Teddy and Harry agreed to stay in. I'll be picking up the book list for them both as soon as this waste of time is over." Hazel's eyes scanned the Wizengamot Chamber, seeing that most of the people present were unhappy to be there. The last session had barely been a few days back, with the conclusion of the last of the Death Eater Trials, at least those pertaining to the Wizengamot's authority. Several Death Eaters had been charged by the ICW for breaking international law and were extradited to Luxembourg to be tried and likely sentenced. It surprised Hazel to learn that Lords Yaxley, Rosier and Avery were both charged with illegally smuggling people in and out of the country, mainly Dark Witches and Wizards from Continental Europe that sought to take part in the first war. The raids on their Ancestral Homes revealed ledgers that, while not entirely helpful as several peoples names were either false or missing, allowed the ICW to cross reference the absence of certain magicals in the continent. The paper trail between the Death Eaters and the terrorists in Europe would help shed some light on just who was fighting in the war.

Lord Rosier's name was of particular interest to the ICW. Of the Ancient Families of Britain, the previous Lord Rosier had been the greatest outspoken supporter of Grindelwald. The man had sent some of its members to fight in the years prior and during the war. Ledgers and invoices found in the Rosier home suggested that he and his son after his death were part of the terrorist smuggling operation that seemed focused on spreading Grindelwald's message and terror throughout the magical communities. Word that many of these sympathizers remained terrorizing the German and Balkan people made Hazel wary. The ICW and local Aurors were doing what they could to resolve the situation but the terrorists were too well hidden. Croaker's suggestion of helping MI6 in external missions came to mind. She needed to have a chat with Badawi and the ICW Observers. Maybe, just maybe, they could work on eliminating this threat before it too got out of hand. The progress in the last four years in interweaving magical and non-magical law enforcement agencies was steps ahead of the isolation of her world but until the dangers were eliminated, the Statute's security and the possibility of a catastrophic collapse remained high.

The sight of a diminutive woman wearing pink drew Hazel out of her thoughts and raised her hackles. Ted watched as red arcs of magic jumped across Hazel's fingers. "Hazel, dial it down. We aren't here to fight." She turned to the man. "Quite calm for a man who was part of the likely targets of those Dementors. Has it occured to you that she targeted you deliberately as well? You have been dismantling all her proposals since you took my family's seat." Ted rubbed his face. "I am aware that my family was probably targeted and that she was the likely perpetrator. I understand that she probably wanted all of us dead. We still need to be careful and calm about this." Hazel reined her magic back. "Fine, we will do it your way. I still reserve the right to gut her if she goes for the kids." Ted smiled. "I would expect nothing less." Hazel watched as Dumbledore took the stand at the Chief Warlock seat and took up the gavel. The man's reputation since the Voldemort execution had taken a massive dive. His constant warnings of remaining dangers and the possibility that Voldemort might yet return had driven many of his more reticent supporters straight into the Coalitions hands. The fact the Coalition treated them all fairly and allowed them to voice their concerns and even vote against proposals of their own free will left many with a greater appreciation of the work being managed by the Three Ladies. The term had been one used by Padfoot in jest but it stuck, much to the amusem*nt of everyone else.

Dumbledore struck the gavel down hard. "This Session will now begin. Aurors, please seal the doors. Director Bones, please inform the Chamber as to the reason why this emergency session was called." Amelia stood up. "A few days ago, dozens of Dementors left the confines of Azkaban and traveled deep into British territory. It is believed they acted on orders to target a particular magical family, as they were the only likely target in the area. Said family were the Tonks, most of whom were in the residence at the time of the attack. Hit Witch Nymphadora Tonks took note of muggles exiting their homes out of curiosity due to the environmental effects caused by the Dementors. Fearing mass casualties, she cast the Patronus charm, forcing the creatures away from the muggle population, while Aurors from the Improper Use of Magic office, acting under orders from the Undersecretary, arrived at the scene and attempted to arrest Hit Witch Tonks, unaware of the circ*mstances that permitted her violation of the Statute." Hazel closed her eyes as the toad interrupted Amelia. "Ehm, ehm. It seems you are forgetting to mention that another of your Hit Witches also violated the Statute by apparating into the situation in front of the muggles." Amelia turned her head and glared at Umbridge. "Hit Witch Peverell arrived on the scene after receiving a frantic message from her partner concerning the Dementors. She wasn't there to deal with the Aurors nor was she aware that the situation was already under control. She had every right to arrive there as she did."

Clearing his throat, Dumbledore interrupted the discussion. "Ladies. Perhaps it's best we return to the issue at hand. While the Prisoners at Azkaban weren't able to take advantage of the absence of the Dementors, the movement of the creatures is of great concern. Have we discovered anything about who ordered their release?" Amelia sighed. "According to the Warden, the orders arrived from the DMLE's offices. I have personally interviewed my staff and found that none of them were responsible. Auror Dawlish, and his team from the Misuse of Magic Office, however, did point to Undersecretary Umbridge as the one who ordered them to investigate a possible breach of the Statute of Secrecy at the Tonks Residence. Would you care to tell us how you knew of this breach, Dolores?" The toad raised her nose and huffed. "I do not appreciate your insinuation, Amelia. An informant of mine told me of the breach. I simply made sure the matter was handled adequately. There was concern that the source of the breach could have been an underage student. We can't have children endangering the safety of our world. This is why muggleborns and magicals who refuse to live within our communities are a threat. This entire situation would have been inconsequential otherwise."

The chamber filled with whispers as Dumbledore stroked his beard. "Undersecretary, did your informant mention who was the target for the Dementors?" Amelia bristled. "We have yet to prove that there is an informant at all. This may be all the doing of the Undersecretary." As the woman blustered and refuted Amelia's claim, Hazel turned to Ted. "What are the chances that she has a scapegoat, either from an Imperius Curse or a Confundus Charm?" Ted sighed. "In this case? Quite high. She is stressing the informant too much. The DMLE will find this person and probably hit a dead end." Ted frowned as Umbridge continued to answer Dumbledore's question. "It's hard to say, really, who the real target was. While it's possible it was the boy, it could easily have been the family. Had Auror Tonks not been there, it could have ended with the death of her parents, leaving young Mr. Potter without a proper guardian." Sirius stood up at that. "I can assure you, Madam Undersecretary, my godson would have been taken care off. Regardless, the concern is unwarranted. Nothing happened, which leaves us with figuring out who released the creatures." Dolores smiled. "Perhaps you could enlighten us, Lord Black? As a former Auror and Azkaban inmate, you would be ideal at figuring out what to do to get them away from the prison."

Hazel had a bad feeling. "She's trying to sow doubt among everyone." Ted nodded and looked towards Dumbledore. "And it seems she found a recipient. Dumbledore has been critical of Sirius' condition since he refused to rejoin the Order fully." Dumbledore looked at Hazel surreptitiously as he stroked his beard. "Perhaps this investigation should be headed by another person. If Lord Black had anything to do with this, it would place you in a difficult spot, Amelia." Dolores smiled. "I am sure the Office of the Minister- '' Amelia cut her off. "If that is true, I would prefer to hand the investigation to Observer Badawi. He has the neutrality and the skills required to see an impartial investigation through." Dolores glared at Amelia as Badawi stood up. "I would have no problem leading the investigation." Dumbledore nodded and eyed Hazel and Ted. "Might I suggest removing Harry Potter from the custody of the Tonks family? His placement there seems to be endangering them." Hazel growled and raised her voice. "Mr. Potter's safety and wellbeing couldn't be in better hands. The Tonks family endured quite a bit of difficulty at the hands of the wider Black Family during the previous war. They endured then and they will endure now." Dumbledore turned to her. "Is there a reason you are so inclined to leave the Tonks family vulnerable, Lady Peverell? Perhaps you should also be placed under investigation concerning this case. You certainly became quite familiar with the Dementors two years ago."

Ted had less than a second to reach out to Hazel before something started to happen. The entire Wizengamot Chamber began to shudder at first, before it started to shake in earnest. Hazel's voice came deep and filled with such power that the Witches and Wizard next to her recoiled. "You dare! You dare to insinuate that I would endanger the lives of my partner's family? My fiancée's family?! I ought to walk down there and show you what I am capable of, you bastard!" Ted reached out and held Hazel down by her shoulders. "Easy Hazel, easy. This isn't the place for this." Hazel turned to him. "The hell it isn't! I am tempted to challenge him to a duel right now and shove that wand of his up his ass!" Down at the Chamber floor, Dumbledore visibly paled at the thought of a duel against her. Or more precisely what would be at stake. Badawi cleared his throat, trying to defuse the situation, even as his eyes tracked the shaking of the chamber. "I don't believe the custody of Mr. Potter is as contentious as you make it out to be, Chief Warlock. However, I have to ask what your obsession with the young man is about. Ever since the boy's custody was changed into its proper hands, you have been exceedingly focused on removing him from his family. This latest incident, compounded by your political and alarmist calls to arms, would seem to indicate a dangerous precedent in your behaviour, one unsuited in the administration of a school. I would suggest the Board of Governors of Hogwarts should convene to determine if you are still fit to remain as Headmaster."

Hazel's anger simmered down, with the shaking of the chamber ending during the Observer's suggestions to the assembly. She leaned back and sighed as Dumbledore tried to refute Badawi's words. Julia rose up and addressed the chamber. "Regardless of your protestations, Dumbledore, I believe it's about time the Board of Governors reevaluates your suitability for the position of Headmaster. Your response to the incidents at Hogwarts in the last few years and your inflammatory statements in recent weeks will only damage the perception and state of the students and the Castle as a whole. We will convene a meeting within the following days to deliberate. Until then, I believe we should allow Observer Badawi to conduct his investigation of the incident." Dolores huffed. "What of the improper behaviour of the Hit Witches Tonks and Peverell?" Badawi pinched the bridge of his nose. "The matter was addressed properly by both of them. The Obliviators dealt with any problems quickly and the Aurors you directed had no right to attempt their detention without investigating the situation adequately. That will be all. I will convene with the DMLE as soon as this session concludes." The Observer's words left many of the Wizengamot members nodding in agreement. Hazel, discreetly, kept her eyes on Dumbledore as he brought the session to an end. He may have maintained a calm expression on his face, but his posture was quite stiff. His little stunt seemed to have backfired on him. Hazel doubted, though, that he would let matter lie.

-∞-

Albus Dumbledore made his way down to Level 9 of the Ministry, with a particular chamber in mind. Ever since the execution, he had dreaded what he would find down there. Now he needed to know. Despite Peverell's claims and the chance that Dolores Umbridge was making her own political moves, he simply can't ignore the danger the woman posed. If the prophecy was still active, then there was still hope. Hope that the Boy Who Lived could escape her clutches and conquer the Dark once and for all. Finding the prophecy active could also help convince the Order to act against her, rather than simply sitting back and observing as she deepened her grip over the Wizengamot. They needed to do something, before it was too late. Finding the correct corridor, Dumbledore opened the door leading into the Hall of Prophecies, as rows upon rows of shelves held over a thousand years worth of prophecies, just as many left unfulfilled as fulfilled, leaving the Unspeakables with a lot to study. Dumbledore made his way deeper and deeper until he reached the prophecies made in the late seventies. Eventually, he reached the one with his initials on it and stared at the darkened orb. "How?"

A voice answered his question. "Like all the other ones, Albus. By the conditions being fulfilled." Dumbledore turned towards The Director of the Department of Mysteries. "Harry Potter did not vanquish Voldemort!" Croaker blinked at the old man and hummed. "Is that what it said? Interesting. Regardless, the magic that governs the prophecies says it's resolved. This particular one was resolved the day Voldemort was executed." Dumbledore shook his head. "No, fate cannot be wrong. The orb failing has to mean something else." Croaker sighed. "Albus, what do you think we study in this Hall? Fate? There is no way to know, understand or even guess as to the existence of Fate. Philosophical and even metaphysical concepts of higher powers, while interesting in thought exercises and debates, are not to be trifled with. No, what we study here isn't whether Fate exists at all or that it's infallible. Here we study the impact the choices the human race has on prophecies. Every prophecy that we gather is preserved. We wait for it to be resolved before reviewing the information surrounding it's initial recording and its resolution. Interpretation, not Fate, is what matters to us. How a person interprets a prophecy in the moment versus with hindsight. You heard this prophecy as it was made, right? Well, your interpretation wasn't the only one that mattered, apparently."

Dumbledore stared at the orb, running every word of the prophecy through his mind. "I spent a decade agonizing over the prophecy, Saul. I know what the meaning behind it's words were. There is no chance I was mistaken. Voldemort marked Harry Potter as his equal. Only Mr. Potter can vanquish the Dark Lord and only the Dark Lord can vanquish Mr. Potter. That is the boy's fate. It can't be wrong." Croaker rubbed his chin and smiled. "Tell me, Dumbledore, are you familiar with the tale of Oedipus? Like you, the man heard a prophecy. He agonized over it, interpreting it as it was when he first heard it. So consumed by fear of what was said to come, he forsook home, family and honor. Years later, the prophecy was fulfilled, despite his attempt to escape it. Or perhaps it's better to say it was fulfilled because of his choices directed at preventing it's fulfillment in the first place. Poor interpretations and a series of bad choices resulted in his prophecy being fulfilled in spite of him. He could have chosen to do nothing and the prophecy would have remained unfulfilled, as so many are left here." Croaker lifted his hand and waved it around. "This Prophecy of yours is no different. You heard it, you interpreted it and thought you knew the answer. Yet choices made by people around the life of one Harry Potter could have altered the events needed to fulfill the prophecy. Fate is, after all, ever changing." Dumbledore sighed and walked past Croaker. "Fate is absolute. There is no choice, no actions that can disrupt the will of Fate. No, this merely means I need to prepare. I had hoped Mr. Potter would succeed in fulfilling his destiny. It seems the opposite has come to pass."

Croaker stood quietly in the narrow space of the Hall of Prophecies, his eyes focused on the darkened orb. From the moment Hazel arrived, the orb had reacted oddly as dark swirls of smoke filled it before fading to white, as if it was being fulfilled. The moment it went fully dark, Croaker knew. He knew that they had succeeded in one of their duties. "Sorry Dumbledore, but you are wrong. Sometimes Fate must give way to choice. If a person's choices are irrelevant, then free will would truly be an illusion. That simply cannot be allowed to ever be true." He thought of Hazel, driven to the edge of desperation, resorting to modifying an Archway to break the laws of time and space, all to save the life of her son. Her sheer force of will and the power that she wields allowed the impossible to become reality. If there was one person in the whole world that proved that choices mattered, it was her. Lily Potter's love saved the life of her son, but in so doing she bound the boy to a most cruel fate. So it was no surprise to Croaker that Hazel's love of her son resolved that fate. Hazel Potter, of what she had revealed, lived her life as fate's chew toy, the choices of others driving her into fulfilling the prophecy of her world. Here, she had the choice to sit back and do nothing. She refused to be so callous and the life of an orphan was spared. Her choices, her will, had saved the lives of thousands. Croaker turned around and walked out of the Hall of Prophecies, hoping that Hazel's choices would eventually save the lives of billions.

Chapter 54: The "New" Professors at Hogwarts

Chapter Text

"This meeting of the Board of Governors will now begin. I would like everyone to look at the documents in front of them. These were provided to us by the DMLE, as the case they were investigating was relevant to our discussion today and were concerned about the repercussions at the school." Julia sat back and watched as the rest of the Board read the file the DMLE submitted concerning Dumbledore's activities as Headmaster. While several members would know some of the content, such as Lord Doge and Augusta, most would be surprised by the latest bit of evidence. Amelia had certainly been surprised when Severus Snape walked into her office and agreed to be interviewed fully, with evidence of memory vials being provided. The man revealed the agreement he made with Dumbledore in an attempt to save Lily Potter after he inadvertently endangered her life by revealing the existence and first few lines of a Prophecy. Dumbledore's decision to keep him at the Castle as the Potion's Master, despite the fact he hated teaching, was driven by the old man's desire to see if any changes occured with Snape's Dark Mark. The excuse of being an infiltrator for the Dark Lord in Dumbledore's seat of power made the assignment the perfect cover. Bitter over the death of Lily Potter and his less than pleasant assignment, Snape maintained his cover as a staunch Death Eater supporter and watched over the children of the other Death Eaters.

Things changed for Snape as Harry Potter's years at school began. He had been ordered by Dumbledore to maintain his cover, meaning he was excessively cruel to the boy in class for all of a year, which wasn't hard considering the boy's similarities to his father. Snape's cover cracked when Harry returned the second year, emulating his mother's preparations in Potions. As the years piled up, he simply couldn't continue to maintain the charade, having been made aware of the dangerous behaviours he had been fostering. Now that the Mark was gone and the Dark Lord was dead, Snape decided to air out all the secrets he accumulated. Memories of Dumbledore's instructions for how to treat Harry, Snape's warnings about the danger the students were in throughout the second year and his recommendation to acquire the Restorative Potion early, the discussions he had with Dumbledore on Harry's performance in the Triwizard Tournament, as well as recent discussions with the Headmaster who asked about the potential effects of using potions to help Harry Potter distance himself from the Peverells. Left out of the report were Snape's own crimes committed as a Death Eater. It took days of discussions before a compromise was reached with the DMLE concerning his own actions. Severus Snape would essentially be under house arrest, working at an offsite potions research lab of the Department of Mysteries. The prodigious Potion Master would be allowed to pursue his calling, under strict supervision, for the rest of his life.

Finishing the file, Lord Doge closed it and sighed. "This certainly paints a less than pleasant picture." Lady Abbott, Hannah's mother and a recent addition, scoffed. "That is putting it mildly. Purposefully endangering the students, blackmailing a Professor, fostering bias and prejudice in the school. This is utterly unacceptable." Augusta nodded. "I agree. I believe our Chairwoman's comments in the Wizengamot are accurate. The danger this behaviour poses to the school is immeasurable." Doge leaned forward and rubbed his face. "The fact his own Deputy Headmistress has recently made the same recommendation makes refuting this report unlikely. While I would like to hear Albus try and explain himself, I am more than willing to consider his employment terminated. Now, the question is if we consider McGonagall a proper replacement." Augusta spoke up. "The fact she facilitated him for the last few years should be a concern, not to mention her own track record as a Head of House is very lacking." Julia hummed. "I agree that Minerva McGonagall's track record is spotty but the fact she brought her concerns to us at all speaks to a change in her character. Also, while her track record as a Head of Hogwarts House is indeed poor, her track record as a Deputy Headmistress is not as bad. In fact, evidence suggests she was handling more of the Headmaster's duties than was required of her."

Doge rubbed his chin and looked at the rest of the Board of Governors. "I think Julia has it right. Her failing as a Head of House was the fact she was also a Deputy Headmistress and teaching a class with a full workload. Reducing her workload to just being the Headmistress should be conducive to her professional improvement. Though this would create another problem regarding the staff of Hogwarts. We are already missing two Professors and one Head of House. Elevating McGonagall will add another two vacancies that need to be filled." The members nodded in agreement and Julia sighed. "Regardless, we can't allow Dumbledore to remain as Headmaster. The solution was bound to bring with it complications. Perhaps we should table the staffing discussion until after we deal with the man?" Seeing everyone nod in agreement, Julia summoned both Dumbledore and McGonagall to the Governor's Chamber. The old man looked over the faces of the Governors. "Gentleman and Ladies, I am sure the suggestion of removing me from my position was only a spur of the moment thought. There is no need to take such a drastic action." Julia leaned back and raised an eyebrow. "Really? Then let's start with the obvious. Who have you selected as a candidate for the Defence Professor post?"

Dumbledore shook his head. "I am afraid I have yet to find someone willing and qualified." Augusta sighed. "Really? Because we heard you received two offers. One from Sirius Black, though everyone in this chamber who knows the man personally can attest to that being a bad idea." The Governors who grew up with him shuddered at the memories while Minerva suppressed a smirk. Julia lifted up a paper from her desk. "The other came from Remus Lupin, who despite his condition and his initial performance as a teacher, remains a pleasant memory to the recent students. He is qualified to take the job and should have the curriculum from two years ago still prepared." Dumbledore frowned. "I agree that Mr. Black is unsuited. As for Remus, the man is a decent teacher, but I was under the impression he had personal business to attend to and wasn't interested in the position." Julia lowered the paper. "As this was submitted yesterday after the Wizengamot meeting, it seems you were mistaken." Dumbledore's eye twitched as Augusta spoke up. "You also claim all is well at Hogwarts, yet several events have taken place at the school that endangered the students. While we do not blame you for the reason those events took place, your reactions, or lack of reaction, are of concern. Your latest comments about how Voldemort is not dead and how we must prepare for the worst are not only causing distress among the people, but could harm the students."

Julia noticed that Dumbledore's expression shifted a little, but he quickly hid it. She wondered if what she saw was real regret, though she doubted it was due to his actions. "Everything I have done has been for the Greater Good of the School, it's students and of Wizarding Britain." Doge eyed his old friend. "That might be the truth, but as it stands the Board has to take the school's needs into account as well. As far as we are concerned, the war is over. Causing further upheaval with inflammatory statements and endangering the lives and wellbeing of the students by continuing to spread your own opinion without regard for the school cannot be tolerated. Based on recent events and the evidence of misconduct over the years, the Board of Governors hereby releases you from your duties as Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." The rings that denote the Governor's position in the school all glowed as they recognized the intent of their owners. Julia watched as Dumbledore swayed as control of the wards was stripped from him. "You… you don't know what you are doing… the enemy is still out there! You are weakening the defences of the Castle!" Julia glared at the old man. "No, you have done that yourself. We requested that the Castle's wards were to be repaired. You delayed the Wardmaster's inspection. Continued attempts by you in deciding unilaterally what is and isn't in the best interest of the school, against the Board's decisions, is now unacceptable."

The door opened and two Aurors from the DMLE stood just outside. Amelia had sent them to the Board, just in case Dumbledore refused to abide by their ruling. "Please escort Dumbledore to his chambers. One of us will join you as you escort him to his office to verify that all school property remains within the grounds." Dumbledore searched the eyes of all the Governors and seeing no support for him among them, the man lowered his face and left the chamber quietly. Julia turned to McGonagall. "The Board has debated the choice of elevating you to the position of Headmistress. This would of course require you to nominate a Deputy, Gryffindor Head of House and search for a Transfiguration Professor to take your place, beyond the issues concerning Potions, Slytherin and Defence. Are you interested?" Minerva took a deep breath and sighed. "I believe there isn't much choice in that regard. The Castle needs an administrator and I am the only person that knows how to manage the school." Julia chuckled as she leaned back. "True, but we did have to give you an option. It was only fair." The other Governors chuckled as Doge steepled his hands. "Now then, I suggest you contact the other staff members and find your replacements. Mr. Lupin is also waiting for a letter regarding his employment."

Minerva nodded. "I will send it as soon as I am able to. I will be contacting Horace Slughorn to take up Severus' positions as well, if only temporarily. For the position of Deputy, I was thinking of asking Pomona or Filius. Depending on their answer, I will call another meeting to cover the necessary interviews. As for the Transfiguration position." Minerva went silent for a second as Julia watched her rub her eyes. "My pick for apprentice sadly passed on in the war and no other gifted Transfiguration Masters have appeared on the scene. Since I doubt you will be hiring Albus to teach after all that has happened, I am sadly required to look outside of Britain for the position." The Board discussed the situation with each other as Julia bit her lip. "What are the chances of getting a decent Transfiguration Master that speaks English?" Minerva shook her head. "Not high. All of the ones I know of already have positions within their own schools. I am unaware of anyone having the Mastery without being committed to an academic institution." Julia sighed. She had the distinct impression her next words were about to ruin the possibility of her fantasies being fulfilled, but the school needed a competent teacher. She hoped Dora could get through to her after this. "As a matter of fact I know of an adult in possession of a Transfiguration Mastery. Though we may need to negotiate… terms before she agrees to the position."

-∞-

Hazel sat in one of the chairs of Croaker's office, one of her feet tapping the floor in irritation. "We know Umbridge was responsible for the Dementors. We have the evidence that proves it." Croaker sat back and sighed. "Circ*mstantial evidence, Miss Peverell. Unfortunately, that is all it is. The woman covered her tracks well. The paperwork exists but is so incomplete, it's worthless as evidence. That and we confirmed that the man who submitted the paperwork was afflicted with a Confundus Charm. They never saw the person who cast the spell as they simply submitted the form to be processed and issued the order." Hazel eyed her boss as Dora entered the room with Horatio, the former taking a seat next to her partner and the latter resting his back against a bookshelf, his arms crossed. "No evidence of an Imperius Curse?" Croaker shook his head. "None. Like I said, she skirted the issue well. Fortunately, Amelia has given her full support to the employee that got screwed over. They won't take a pay deduction, though they have been moved to a less secure position, for their safety and the DMLE's. The department is also making it harder for something like this to happen again by making sure all offices are manned by at least two people and Occlumency training is now mandatory for those who process orders."

Horatio snorted. "About damn time. Still not as well as having the entire staff being resistant to Mind Magic." Croaker turned to his Division Head. "She is working on that with the Academy for the Cadets in the final years of training. Getting the next generation to be safer is much easier than reshaping the current DMLE to its core." Hazel sighed. "Which is why she is still letting Order members to be within the ranks of the Aurors." Croaker turned back to her. "Indeed. Our Legal Division is looking up old employee binding contracts that can be used to prevent further infiltrations by any other organized groups. Getting the wording right is far more tricky than anticipated." Hazel sighed before she watched Dora handing Croaker a letter. She had a sinking feeling as Croaker looked over the letter and tried to look at Hazel surreptitiously. He failed. "Something you want to share with me, boss?" Croaker hummed and passed the letter to Horatio. The man read through it quickly. "It wouldn't be impossible but it would make our next year of missions a bit more challenging." Hazel felt her stomach sink. "What?" After snatching the offered letter, Hazel read through it before she tossed it onto the desk. "No." Croaker eyed her. "You are literally the only person for the job. The Board is looking for alternatives from MACUSA and Australia, but no one is free this year."

Hazel glared at Croaker. "We have been at Hogwarts for two full years already. Sure, the criminals were quiet the first year because of the Dementor infestation on the island and the second year the dead Death Eaters at the World Cup made most of them jittery to even try getting their hands dirty, but the current power vacuum is too massive. People will try to fill in the gap left by the arrested Death Eaters. You need all hands on deck." Horatio nodded. "All true, but we don't need you to be active the entire time. McGonagall can fill in when you are out on missions." Hazel stared at Horatio. "I may have a Mastery, but I am not qualified to teach kids." Dora snorted. "Amelia and the rest of the Coalition whose kids you tutored would disagree." Hazel rubbed her face. "I meant academically! I need to prepare these people for OWLs and NEWTs. I might be able to follow the curriculum McGonagall or anyone else started but there is a reason Defence still has the least steady grades of the Hogwarts courses. I can't teach the NEWT students what they need to know if I don't know myself how far along they are! Starting their education anew would be a mistake." Croaker leaned back and Horatio looked at him. "She has a point. A full position might be too much and detrimental to the school and the Division."

Croaker turned to look at Hazel. "Would you be willing to handle the students up to fifth year? I am sure McGonagall would understand and she could handle the last two years of students while you deal with the rest." Hazel sat back and thought quietly. Sure, she would be teaching both Teddy and Harry, not to mention all the kids she has been tutoring. That wouldn't be so bad. She was just so tired of Hogwarts. The last two years were helpful in burying some of her issues and she can say that she and Teddy were ready to trust each other with being alone for a few months. Hazel was very proud of her son. She could feel his anxiety still, but he has been able to ignore it at school. His friendship with the Carrows and Astoria, while unexpected, had done him wonders, drawing him out of his shell. Harry had also improved, overcoming some of the issues that plagued her at Hogwarts. The bond he and Teddy had built was a surprisingly strong one. Hazel didn't keep tabs on the boys all the time, as a way of showing that she trusted them, but she had a sinking feeling that Harry would potentially ask her to make their new relationship official. While she wasn't against it, she was concerned about what that could cost him in the long run. She also had to decide if Harry's Occlumency training was far enough along to tell him the truth. Though with Snape and Dumbledore gone from the school, the danger of a Legilimens probe was far lower.

Hazel looked up and focused her eyes on Croaker. "Fine. Up to fifth year is acceptable. However, I want you to run a few questions of mine by Legal. If I get asked, I don't want to cause any unnecessary stress just because I can't give a definitive answer." Croaker eyed her for a second and nodded. "That would be acceptable." Horatio spoke up. "We will work on how to get your freedom of movement increased to leave the school on short notice. Especially as the Board can now bring in the Wardmaster. Though there is concern over how hard it might be to update the wards at all." He turned to Dora. "Now, part of the reason we are agreeable to this is the concern over Dumbledore's machinations. Removing him from the school impedes his ability to act directly on anything dealing with Harry Potter. Having Hazel there too will keep his attention on Hogwarts and not on where she might be spending her nights. We have no issue with you spending your evenings there, as added security, but be prepared to run intelligence gathering missions on your own." Dora nodded. "I am ok with that." Croaker lifted the paper. "We will get in touch with the Board and the Department of Magical Education about your acceptance." Hazel stood up from her seat. "Fine. Let them know I will be following the ICW guidelines. The old Hogwarts curriculum is too slow for my tastes."

Dora followed after her fiancée as she left the office. "I thought you would be more accepting of the offer." Hazel turned to Dora. "As pleasant as teaching is, I love being an Operative, Dora. I prefer taking things slow in between missions. It lets me make my preparations easier. Now I have to delay the work on our future home again because I have to grade quizzes, tests and all the work a teacher has to do in between classes." Dora rubbed Haze's back. "I suppose that's a problem. Have you figured out where you will be setting down our roots?" Hazel leaned into her before wrapping her arm around Dora's waist. "I have it down to three locations. There is one that has a larger plot of land than the rest but it needs some extra work and lots of negotiations. It's still over a leyline and within a short broom ride away from Potter Manor." Dora smiled. "Sounds perfect. Need any help?" Hazel sighed and ran her free hand through her hair. "Not right now. Legal, Financial and a Ministry realtor I hired are working on it. When it's time, I will let you know." The two chatted away until they reached the apartment. Hazel looked around her oddly silent apartment. "Andromeda took the boys home?" Dora nodded, biting her lip. "Yeah, I… asked them for some alone time." Dora barely finished her sentence before Hazel's lips were on her and she was being guided into the bedroom for a well deserved moment of peace.

-∞-

Harry took his seat next to Hermione at the empty end of the Gryffindor table, both of them sporting the Prefect badges on their robes. His friends had all congratulated him on making Prefect as they got on the train, while Katie Bell took her place as Gryffindor Captain. With Oliver gone, Angelina and Alicia pursuing Quidditch careers after graduating, the Gryffindor team was in desperate need of new members. Harry had considered dropping out of his position as Seeker to focus on his studies, but Hazel and Teddy both supported his enjoyment of the sport. He decided to wait until after the year ended, all the while training the new teammates. Ginny, who was trying out for Chaser, was his pick for replacement Seeker, but they were going to go and make do with a larger group of reserve players, just in case. Harry watched as Ron came and sat next to him. "Feels weird, not seeing Dumbledore up there." Both Harry and Hermione looked at the staff table as McGonagall placed parchments on the Speaker's Stand. For the first time in years, the Staff Table looked so different. He was ok seeing Remus back there as Defence Professor. The man was decently smart and had been around a few times when he visited Sirius at Grimmauld. He was particularly proud when he asked Sirius who he was really dating between Remus and Amelia. The looks of indignation on the two Marauders were priceless, as was Amelia's laugh.

Hagrid and Plank were chatting away excitedly, meaning they might be getting some new Creatures in Care. Hagrid had been overjoyed with his position as Plank's Apprentice, after getting his OWLs and NEWTs completed, not to mention getting his old wand repaired. Plank just seemed happy with leaving the more dangerous stuff to Hagrid, which the Half Giant didn't mind at all. Though he heard there was some debate between them as to a breeding experiment that was left aside. The other side of the table was the one that was so different with the absence of a certain man. Snape had personally apologized to him about everything that happened between them and left Harry with two books when they met at the Ministry. One was Snape's own annotated edition of "Moste Potente Potions", which was an interesting reading experience. The man may have been a horrible teacher but he was a great Potions Master. The second book had stunned Harry as he read a handwritten Manuscript that was titled "A Guide to Safe and Effective Potion Making: Advanced Brewing and Preparation Techniques." Beneath Snape's name was his mother's. "Your mother and I had worked on this together since our second year. I had half a mind to burn it after our falling out in the latter end of our fifth year, but I never could bring myself to do it. I had intended to approach her again after the war and apologize for everything, but that never came to pass. I believe it should be yours now."

Dora had told him that if he ever wanted to chat with Snape about Lily, all he had to do was ask, as the man was essentially working offsite in the Department of Mysteries Potions Division, completing a Community Service agreement after he turned himself in and confessed to everything that Dumbledore and Voldemort had asked of him. He took his time reading the manuscript, no longer as driven to read about his mother's talents. Snape's replacement, a slightly balding man in a well tailored cream and brown suit scanned the Tables before turning to chat with Filius, all the while avoiding talking to the short woman next to him, her pink clothes making Harry miss Dora as well, as he looked away. At the center of the table, where Dumbledore and his golden throne once stood, were three plain wooden chairs, all empty. As soon as every student was seated, McGonagall cleared her throat. "Welcome all to another year at Hogwarts. As is abundantly clear to you all, we have a great many changes to announce. These will be addressed after our first years are Sorted." The doors of the Great Hall opened and the little kids walked into the Hall, their eyes taking in the Enchanted ceiling. Hermione spoke up to him. "Remember to stay to help guide the new ones to the Common Room entrance." Harry nodded and was about to comment on Sprout being the new Deputy Headmistress when his eyes landed on a familiar head of braided long white hair and green eyes.

"The hell is she doing here?" Hermione turned to the redhead beside her. "Ronald, that's rude! She has been a great guard and teacher!" Ron shrugged. "Sure, for a Dark Witch. You should have heard my Mom talking about her. She's certain it's her fault that Dumbledore got sacked. My mother was actually looking up whether or not we should return to Hogwarts with Dumbledore gone. If she is here, I bet you my family will be sending a few letters." Harry sighed. "Ron, Hazel works for the DMLE. She is probably here because of her work." The redhead, seeing the disapproving look from Neville, kept quiet as the students were sorted. As soon as the last person was seated, McGonagall spoke up. "Welcome to Hogwarts, everyone. Allow me now to go over our important announcements. As you are all aware, I will be acting as Headmistress for the coming year, after which the Board of Governors will evaluate me as to whether my position will be made permanent. Pomona Sprout has happily agreed to take the position of Deputy while retaining her duties as Head of Hufflepuff for the coming year as Professor Babbling gets acquainted with her future role as the next Head of Hufflepuff House." The Hufflepuffs cheered and clapped at the announcements, causing Pomona and Babbling to visibly blush at the outpouring of support.

Minerva clapped as well. "We all look forward to an interesting year as we welcome back Professors Lupin, to renew his teaching position as Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor, as well as Professor Slughorn, who has replaced Severus Snape as Head of Slytherin, as well as reclaimed his previous position as Potions Master. Madam Pince will be shadowing him this year before taking over as Head of Slytherin House next year, while we then begin the task of looking up future prospects for the position of Potions Master. Professor Slughorn was kind enough to leave retirement to help us in these changing times." The students gave him a more polite welcome as the man stood up and bowed, before taking his seat again. Minerva looked back over the students. "Now, the Position of Head of Gryffindor House will be taken up jointly by Professors Vector and Lupin, until the Board determines if Lupin should be offered a permanent position as Head of House and Professor. As many of you know, Professor Lupin is a Werewolf, but as with his prior time of employment here, he will be contained in a safe location under guard during the Full Moon. There is no danger to anyone who doesn't go looking for it." The students of the Gryffindor Table clapped, though Harry noticed that the woman in pink looked scandalized.

The Headmistress addressed the students once more. "Now, as Headmistress I am not allowed to permanently teach a class that encompasses all seven years of student education, so I have stepped down as the Transfiguration Professor. For all of my older students, I will continue teaching the NEWT level classes for the rest of the year as we search for a permanent replacement. For the students up to fifth year, I would like you to give a big round of applause for Professor Peverell, your new Transfiguration teacher. She has agreed to place her career on hold as a Hit Witch to teach for the coming year alone, as she is the only other person in Britain with a Transfiguration Mastery besides myself and our former Headmaster, who was not considered for the role." The silence from the students turned to loud cheers from the third year students onward as Hazel visibly winced at the loud noise. She turned to the Headmistress and bowed politely before following Pomona to their seats. Minerva seemed to chuckle at the student's support of the woman, before addressing the woman in the pink cardigan. "Lastly, due to concerns over the inflammatory comments that led to the changes in staff, the Ministry has appointed Dolores Umbridge, formerly of the Improper Use of Magic Office, as Inquisitor. She will be verifying that no further causes of concern remain in the Castle. As a standard reminder, the Forbidden Forest remains forbidden to all students, though we are working on changing that thanks to the aid of the Centaurs. Mister Filch has updated his banned items list so be sure to check it before we confiscate them. You have one free week before we begin enforcing it. Now, let the Feast… begin."

Harry and everyone clapped as the Headmistress left to take her seat, with Pomona and Filius to her sides. Hermione turned to Ron. "See? Told you there was a reason. Weird she has a Mastery in Transfiguration and not Defence as a Hit Witch." Harry started serving his meal. "I asked her about her scores once. She had to retake them after her first ones came out horrible. She has O's in NEWT Defence, Charms, Transfiguration and Dueling. She could technically take the Defence Mastery, but I think she doesn't want it." Ron scoffed. "Of course not. She'd be outed as a dangerous Dark Witch if she did. Probably get sent to Azkaban with the rest." Hermione raised her voice. "Ronald! That's a horrible thing to say. She spent the last two years guarding the students!" A young girl with sandy blonde hair tugged at Harry's robe. "Is the White Haired Witch bad?" Harry saw Ron opening his mouth and waved his hand at him, silencing him, before he could answer. Harry turned back to the girl and smiled. "Some people will say that she is, but she isn't. Are you muggleborn or magical?" The girl blushed. "Muggleraised. Dad died before he could tell Mom he was a wizard." Harry's smile faltered. "I am sorry for bringing that up. What you need to know is that Professor Peverell is like a cop for magicals. When people do bad things to others, she intervenes. The job needs her to know how to counter and fight bad guys, so she knows how to fight like them. But she isn't bad. Trust me, you will probably like her. She's nice when she gets a full night of sleep."

The girl giggled and went back to eating, the other first years who had been listening doing the same. Harry turned back to Ron and ended the silencing spell. "Ron, Hazel is my family. She has been like a mother to me in the last two years. If you can't say anything good about her, then fine. But you don't get to make the kids scared of her. She's here to teach and keep everyone safe. She doesn't need to deal with your Mom's ramblings." Ron's cheeks turned red. "My mom doesn't ramble! And she is a Dark Witch. You know she is! How can you just gloss over that like it's nothing?!" Harry sighed, regretting ever lifting the spell. "Because despite all of that she has looked after me from the first time we met. She is the most caring person you could ever meet if you don't get her mad. She has a dangerous job and she does it despite how it can make her feel at times. Because she cares about me, about Teddy and about the students who don't go hurting others with words or spells. Now please, drop the conversation before I silence you again." Ron glared. "You will go Dark if you stick around her, you know that right? You will end up just like her and Voldemort." Harry glared. "I won't. Because unlike Dumbledore and anyone else, she doesn't force me to believe what she says to be the absolute truth. She trusts me to know enough to make up my own mind and I have. She is my family and I care about her as she cares about me. That is all that matters."

Harry went back to his meal and to chatting with Hermione peacefully as Ron sulked. He would glance up at the staff table a few times, seeing Hazel chatting with Sprout and McGonagall. Sensing his gaze, she looked at him and smiled, making him smile back. The last few weeks of summer had been surprisingly peaceful. Sirius was busy with helping Remus out with the Defence curriculum, adding his own suggestions to liven up the class, while Hazel and Dora had been busy exercising and training. There were a few times he and Teddy were allowed to join them in a massive Training Room where they could easily let loose. Yet, unlike the year prior, Hazel focused less on defensive and offensive spells and more on utility. After he, Susan and Daphne lost their mock fight, Hazel decided to teach him disillusionment, as well helping him improve his ability to feel magic. The exercise proved easy enough to master after his Animagus transformation. Curious for a second, he allowed his other senses to dull and focused on feeling the magic around him. He winced a little after getting bombarded with so many sensations at once. But as soon as the sensation passed, he made a cursory glaze of the Hall. The spots of magic he assumed were people felt so distinct from each other. He eventually dropped the feeling and went back, wondering for a second why Hazel's felt different from everyone, though it certainly didn't feel like there was anything wrong. While everyone else's magic felt like a ball of warm energy, her's always felt cold.

-∞-

Hazel sat back against the desk of the now bare Transfiguration classroom. Besides the bookshelf behind her and the stacks of parchment and boxes on her desk, the room consisted only of the students' desks, seats and the windows that showed a clear early fall sky. She had her arms crossed over her chest, her wand tapping onto her shoulder as she waited, her unruly stomach the only sign of her nervous state. Her first class was going to be with the first year students. Harry and the others had warned her that some of the younger kids might be scared of her, as the older students would debate the merits of her being a Dark Witch that worked for the Ministry in front of them. Hazel was actually glad there were some debates on the matter at all. Back in her old world, people were too eager to label people as Light and Dark, as if the distinction would define them for the rest of their lives. That her Godmother was labelled as a Dark Witch for decades, despite the fact her greatest skill was Healing, showed just how unbalanced the discussion was. Here, however, the students seemed actually curious about how she could be a Dark Witch, yet still work as a Hit Witch, enforcing the same laws that many thought condemned her. While she had no intention of converting or teaching anyone how to be a Dark Witch or Wizard, there was some pleasure in seeing everyone take their time to think, rather than follow the herd blindly.

As soon as the last students took their seats, Hazel checked the clock hanging on the wall. "Everyone here is on time. That's good. While I won't be exceedingly strict about you arriving on time to my class, please make sure you do." Hazel uncrossed her arms. "Good morning, everyone. My name is Hazel Peverell. I am a Hit Witch and your Transfiguration Professor for the coming year. Now, for my first question. Who here has read the first chapter of the course book?" Hazel watched as most did raise their hands, minus a few scattered around. She nodded. "I want you all to arrive by the next class having read and completed Chapters two and three. For those who weren't able to read ahead, I will paraphrase what you all should have read." Hazel walked up the small aisle between the desks, seeing the various expressions on the Gryffindors and the Ravenclaws. One of the decisions made by the Board was to do away with the fixed groups of students that shared classes. Every year would now have the classes shift who they studied with, with the hope that the change would help the students interact better with the other houses. "Transfiguration is considered one of the most difficult disciplines to follow in magic. The reason for that is easy enough when you compare it to Charms."

Hazel tapped the side of her head with her wand. "Transfiguration requires a greater deal of concentration, visualization and even imagination, coupled with the usual requirements of power, will and intent. There is a reason that most students who graduate focus heavily on Charms. No offence to Professor Flitwick, but Charms are among the easiest spells to achieve." Hazel aimed her wand at her desk. " Wingardium Leviosa ." The desk lifted up in the air as the students watched. "You point the wand, do the movements, though you will all eventually learn how to cheat that rule, say the incantation, another rule which you can later ignore all together, with the right power, intent and visualization. Easy enough that by the end of the school year you will all be bored with the spell." Leaving the desk floating, Hazel walked up to the students. "Transfiguration is the art of changing the form of one item into another, temporarily. If you want a permanent change, do well in your Potions class. By the sixth year you can then take Alchemy. Now, because these spells are temporary, many witches and wizards will just dismiss them as worthless or pointless. However…" Hazel summoned books from her bookshelf and placed them before the students. She then took her wand and, one by one, tapped the books. The students were mesmerised as Hazel transfigured the books into a variety of items and creatures.

A young blonde Gryffindor girl watched as the book became a potted bonsai tree, while the boy beside her watched as his book turned into an intricately carved drinking glass. At the end of the long desk, the book was transfigured into a black cat that stretched out as if awoken from a nap, before it proceeded to rub itself against all the kids in its row, purring happily. The kids watched everything with clear wonder in their eyes as Hazel returned to her desk, which slowly descended to the ground. "The truth, the real truth, is that so much of what we see is temporary. By this time next year, your hair will be longer, your feet bigger and your skills with magic a far cry from this moment. But just because something is temporary, it doesn't mean it's worthless. There is beauty in a blooming flower because you know it might not last. You love a pet with all your heart, even as you fear they might leave you one day." Hazel held out her hand and restored the books into their original state. She smiled. "And while all the wonders that populated your desks are now books once more, you know that the magic to make them into something else, something beautiful, exists. It's real and it's inside all of you. And that is why I am here. By the end of this year, you will all be able to create every beautiful and wonderful thing you saw on your desk. And then, as you hone your skills…"

Hazel waved her wand about the room and the students watched as the plain walls of the classroom were covered in the flags of each of the houses. Suits of armour took form, spears and swords held at attention, beside every window, all of which changed from typical clear glass into beautifully ornate stained glass windows, each one depicting magical creatures in all their majestic glory. " … you will one day reach the pinnacle of Transfiguration; Conjuration. The ability to create anything your mind envisions, and that is within the realm of your power, from magic alone." Hazel held out her hand to the kids and they watched as an egg took form in it, before it started shaking, the surface cracking as a tiny falcon hatchling broke free. The infant's wings opened and the bird took flight, soaring over the students. Hazel smiled. "I will be getting you all started on some Conjuration a bit early, if only because it helps improve your control and it can be dead useful. So, now that I have your attention, let's get started." Hazel waved her wand and boxes landed on the tables of the students. "As you open the boxes, you will find two important objects inside, an ink well and some strips of parchment. The first important item inside is a stick I collected from the Forbidden Forest. The other is the most basic form of a dip pen made of wood and iron. Your exercise for today? Making the stick a dip pen. Quite handy, right? I know I broke my fair share of quills out of frustration alone."

The kids chuckled and Hazel walked through the center aisle again. "I want you all to spend a minute or two inspecting the dip pen. Feel its weight in your hand, the toughness and sharpness of the iron point. The texture of the wood handle. Using the provided ink well and with the parchment, practice writing with it. The easiest way to visualize something is to live it. A memory can be just as potent as a vivid imagination. So take your time and focus on the pen before you." The kids did as she told them and Hazel watched as the Ravenclaw and Gryffindor first years practiced with the pens. As soon as she noticed they were all comfortable, Hazel waved her wand at the stained glass windows, turning them opaque. "Now for the hard part. The means of casting effectively is determined by how attuned you are to the magic that runs inside of you. I want you all to hold out your wands and close your eyes. Focus on the memory of the moment you first held your wand. That sudden rush of energy that seemed to travel down your arms. Focus on that feeling, relive it. Try and see if you can grasp the sensation and maintain it." Snuffing out the lights, Hazel sat back and waited. The dark room slowly but surely filled with bright points of light. "That's it. Keep the feeling. Sustain it for as long as you can."

Restoring the light and the stained glass windows, Hazel levitated the sticks of wood in front of the students and placed the pen beside them. "Now focus on that feeling, point the wand at the stick and repeat the incantation. "Calamum Intinge." Visualize the stick becoming the pen. The pen that you weighed, practiced and focused on. Use the memory and the image and cast the spell." A spattering of Latin later and Hazel couldn't help but smile as the students turned to each other excitedly. Walking amongst them, she could see most of them got it just right on the first try. She stopped by a few who only got a partial change and she guided them through the mental exercise again. Eventually, all the students got the spell to work perfectly. Hazel clapped her hands. "Excellent work everyone. 25 points to Gryffindor and Ravenclaw. Now, let's practice reversing the change. While there are spells like Finite Incantatem, there are also Transfiguration exclusive spells. Refocus on the feeling of the magic running through your arm to your wand and use the incantation "Reverto." Make sure you aim at the transfigured pens. The others won't change at all." The kids all nodded and within seconds they all had their sticks in front of them.

Hazel had them practice the Transfiguration repeatedly, asking to try lowering their volume as they practiced casting, while focusing on how the magic reacted as the spell was cast. "As you all might have noticed, whispering increased the amount of magic pulled from you. I want you all to practice while changing the volume of your incantation. Get a feel for the flow of magic in you. When you go see Professor Flitwick, I want you all to try and do the same with the Lumos charm. You will see the way the flow of magic and the incantation affects the spell. This is the first step in learning how to cast silently. You all will have five years to get the skill down, but having a good control of your magic early makes casting spells easier at any moment." Hazel eyed the time on the clock and started summoning back the boxes of materials, leaving the stick, inkwells and the parchment. "You are welcome to take the sticks with you and continue practicing the spell at your own pace, though the parchment and ink provided were conjured so they will vanish by the end of the day. Take them if you want to practice your penmanship before they fade. As stated at the start of class, read up to Chapter Three in your textbook before the next class and bring some pieces of parchment to class. Now, let's go over a few things concerning Transfiguration. Raise your hands and ask. You have until the end of class."

After answering a few questions as to the limitations on what they could or couldn't transfigure by the end of the year, the students started packing their bags when the warning bell rang, with all of them leaving the classroom, chatting away happily and gesturing excitedly, as soon as the proper bell rang. "How did I do, Headmistress?" Hazel watched from the corner of her eye as a disillusionment spell dropped and Professor McGonagall appeared from behind the professor's desk. "How long did you know I was there for?" Hazel chuckled. "From the beginning. Your Animagus form has done wonders for your ability to walk softly, but I could still hear and see you. Price of paranoia and training, I am afraid to say. Though it wasn't a bad attempt." Minerva nodded and her gaze turned towards the empty doorway. "I must admit, I am impressed with your methods. They all mastered two spells today, one not usually taught to first years. The same for the lesson in how to tap one's magic far more easily, though the results certainly speak for themselves."

Hazel shrugged. "Kids will think of magic as both a wonder and as a tool. Teaching them a spell that serves a purpose in their everyday life gives them motivation. Hand them a sample of the expected target gives them a clearer image on what to visualize. Teaching them how to feel their own magic makes it easier for them to know when they are casting and when they aren't. All together, the end result can be quite predictable. As the lesson in sensing magic will aid them in other classes, I felt it was worth teaching it to them. Gives them more time to experiment." Minerva opened one of the boxes and held one of the dip pens. "Haven't seen one of these in years." Hazel hummed. "As the owner of a magical bird that is protective of its feathers, and based on my own personal experience with snapping quills, the choice was an easy one to make. I was thinking of teaching the students how to transfigure a fountain pen at some point. Let them try their hand at something more complicated. I was going to ask some of the kids I helped tutor these last few years if they can try it out so I can get a feel for when to ask it of the students. My best guess would be by the end of second year."

Minerva nodded as she returned the pen back to the box, her eyes searching the classroom that was currently occupied with all the remaining transfigurations and conjurations. "I take it you are leaving it bare on purpose?" Hazel nodded as she finished taking down her notes on the morning's class. "Students learn and are motivated by teaching through example. Show them what's possible at their skill level and they will feel motivated to try it. Show what lies just beyond their current level and they will work harder for it." The miniature falcon landed on Hazel's shoulder and she rubbed its head feathers. Minerva's eyes never left her. "You could stay here, you know? You are clearly a gifted teacher." Hazel sighed as she lowered her finger from the bird, before it vanished, along with all the other Conjurations and Transfigurations in the room. "It's pleasant enough, but I would get bored of it quickly. Besides, the only difference between the two of us is that I spent my years at Hogwarts struggling with my magic. The struggle helped me see and understand how magic behaves in the human body and all around us. Finding ways to build on that is what you just saw." Minerva lowered her gaze. "I wish to apologize to you, if I played any part in your difficulties at school." Hazel looked to Minerva as she prepared for the next class.

Seeing the honesty in the old Scottish woman's eyes, Hazel sighed. "I appreciate the sentiment. I want you to understand that whatever issues I had with you, I have made peace with them. You, Minerva, spent too much time focused on the job, the school and on the man who taught you the ways of Transfiguration. Like you and everyone else, I am a product of my own past. I…" Hazel took a moment to gather her thoughts. "I will also admit that I never truly got to know my Head of House back then. I was focused so much on my resentment and pain that I never tried to get through to anyone who disappointed me. What you have done for the school and the students this year… I believe it makes up for any mistakes you have made in the past." Minerva kept her face a bit impassive before she shook her head. "I don't believe I can let go of them so easily. I should have known better. I should have been able to see that I was failing my students." Hazel felt the students approaching the classroom. "In hindsight, everything is easier to see. If you still feel some guilt, then make sure you focus on doing the best you can for Hogwarts from here on out. The Castle and the students deserve a great Headmistress. I believe you could become that. In time."

-∞-

"Gods do I miss meeting up in the Chamber." Teddy smiled as he watched his friends taking their seats in a previously abandoned classroom that Hazel had repurposed for them. With the dangers of Lord Voldemort gone, the Chamber had been restored to its original state and the DoM was reaching out to several Parselmouth Mages from India in the hopes of getting the remaining wards dismantled. Not wanting to leave them all empty handed, Hazel looked for the largest abandoned classroom and placed the library's worth of books from the Chamber there. She hoped that McGonagall turned it and several more rooms into places where the students, regardless of house, could get together and study, just as the students she tutored were doing. McGonagall was apparently receptive to the idea, as was the Board, but they wanted to wait for the next academic year to announce it fully, with the kids of the Coalition essentially acting as the trailblazers for the project. "Considering we could have been left with nothing, this is perfectly fine, Astoria. Mom also said to write up any changes we might want to get the place to feel more comfortable and she would try to adjust it whenever she had a free moment."

The younger Ravenclaw pouted as Luna, who was seated next to her, lifted her head. "Do you think we could get paints and canvas? I love painting but I tend to run out of materials too quickly." Teddy thought for a second. "I think she won't mind, though she will probably get supplies for everyone evenly. I go through my fair share of sketching pencils." Astoria smiled. "You do, but your sketches are amazing. Have you tried sketching people yet?" Teddy frowned, but nodded his head. "Mom got me into sketching when my grandmother passed away. I told her one day I was scared that I would forget what she looked like. The next day, she got me a sketchbook and pencil set and started teaching me how to draw. At first I wasn't all that good, but over time it got easier. Then, one day, she asked for a sketch of Grandma. Taught me a mental exercise to see her in my mind clearly. I made the sketch, though it's smudged with tears. Mom told me that if I ever started to feel like I might forget her again, I should do the exercise, look for another memory and draw it. She keeps all the sketches I made in a book for me." Astoria leaned over and hugged Teddy. "I am sorry, Teddy. I didn't mean to dredge all that up." Teddy hugged her back, enjoying the comfort she gave him. "It's ok. It still hurts, but it gets easier. I try out a few portraits every once in a while, but I prefer to sketch plants and animals."

Luna came up to hug Teddy from behind too. "I do the same with my mom. I have a lot of paintings of her back home. Do you think I could see one of your portrait sketches one day? I can show you one of my paintings in return." Teddy dried his eyes and nodded. "Sure. One day." The door to the classroom opened then and the fifth year Gryffindors and Slytherins arrived, with Harry slumping down onto the table next to Teddy. "Remind me to tell the Twins they got lucky Mom didn't teach the NEWT Transfiguration classes. I think this is the first time I hit my limit since the Second Task last year." Hermione, after being helped into her seat by Theo, looked at her best friend. "Really? The class was great. I swear, this is the most I have learned about Transfiguration since we started! I was able to get all the details on the statues she had us transfigure right." Teddy looked at Harry. "Mom had you run the gauntlet since this was old stuff to you, didn't she?" Harry nodded, his head slumped on the desk as Neville sat beside him. Seeing Hermione's questioning look, Neville indulged her. "You know Hazel has been tutoring us all for a few years, right? Me, Daphne, Hannah and Teddy were the first. Theo here joined us about the same time as Harry, as did Tracy and Astoria. So, based on what she knows of our limits, Hazel tends to give us our own exercises. Lots of what she covered in class was stuff she already taught us, so she focused on reinforcing the teaching."

Daphne and Tracey took their seats, with the latter brunette looking smug. "I am so glad I hardly took her tutoring. The exercises she had Daphne, Theo and Harry go through were brutal." Daphne shrugged. "I feel exhausted, but I can't deny the exercises helped. Transfiguring and Conjurations were a lot easier to do by the end of the class." Hermione hummed. "I suppose that's fair. I didn't see anyone bored in her class, like some of the classes McGonagall taught. Even Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle were kept busy. It was the first time I ever remember those three casting anything in class so quickly." Theo chuckled. "That was actually surprising, but Professor Peverell's instructions are so detailed and personalized, they make it easier for anyone to follow them clearly." Hermione beamed. "I know, right? When she had us do the exercise to get a feel for our magic, I was a bit stumped as the first years did the same, when they came up to me to ask for some help with their Charms assignments. I thought it was supposed to be a way to help out the younger years with spellcasting. I had no idea I was being so wasteful with my spells until I felt my magic for the first time today!" Everyone had a similar look of understanding on their face, except for Luna, which Astoria noticed. "Did Peverell not teach you the exercise?" Luna nodded. "She did, but she told me not to try it yet. She gave me a book and told me to read through it first and do the exercises inside."

Astoria frowned. "Can I see the book?" Luna reached into her book bag and handed the book to Astoria. The younger blonde stilled at reading the title. "Luna, do you have Seer blood?" Luna nodded as the rest of the table turned to her. "Yeah. My grandmother was a gifted Seer. Mom had a bit of it but she had trouble controlling it." Astoria gave her the book back. "Peverell never does anything without reason. You really should read that thoroughly." Noticing the others looking at her, Astoria shrugged. "Mom's side of the family has some Seer blood in them. There are a few books, including that one, in the family library. Seers, true Seers, are rare. Word is that they have to go through some specialized training to manage their Magic safely." Hermione frowned. "Is that why she hasn't done the exercise?" Luna nodded. "Professor Potter says that if I did the exercises now, my visions and dreams could go out of control. Not having full access to my magic is actually a good thing for me right now. As soon as I get control over the visions, I should be able to use my magic freely and safely." Daphne sighed. "The school should have gotten you started on that in your first year." Luna shrugged. "I suppose. Daddy agreed with Professors Flitwick and Potter to document my progress. They want to submit a report to the Board to get the students checked by the Hogwarts Healer on arrival, to make sure anyone with special needs gets the help they deserve as soon as possible."

Everyone nodded at that and most of them started taking out their materials to get started on their assignments as Harry raised his head up from the table. "Luna, why do you keep calling Hazel Professor Potter? She's a Peverell." Luna looked at him with the sort of blank stare that made him feel uncomfortable, now guessing that was probably part of her Seer magic. She smiled. "Peverells and Potters are about the same now. Besides, you call her Mom too." Harry was about to ask for more but Teddy touched his hand. He watched as his cousin wrote a note on a bit of parchment. Luna is being Luna. If you want to know why, ask Mom. Make sure your Occlumency is the best you can make it too. I would wait until the term is at least further in as she will be busy with getting all the classes up to speed and it gives you a chance to strengthen your defences. Trust me, this is important. Harry took a deep breath and nodded, dropping the subject for now. Eventually, both Susan and Hannah arrived and took their seats, the latter speaking up first. "Have you all had Umbridge in your classes yet?" Harry checked the younger years, all of whom shook their heads. "Doesn't seem like we have. We haven't seen her in class yet." Susan sat down next to Harry. "She visited the 7th year students' Defence class with Professor Lupin. Cedric says she practically sabotaged the class, dragging the Professor down with personal questions."

Teddy winced, though not out of concern for Lupin. "I might need to call Dora then. If she goes after Mom in the same way, the Inquisitor might not last a second." Hermione looked up from her assignment. "She's a teacher and a Hit Witch, right? She can't just hurt the Inquisitor. She has to know that." The Carrow Twins chuckled in the back. "Oh noble Gryffindor, doesn't know just what a Peverell is." Hestia followed after her sister. "The fair maiden has only seen her kind side. We can't blame her for missing out on the rest." Flora hummed. "True, true. Still, that is one witch to leave in peace." Hestia chuckled. "Lest the deadly huntress be awoken yet again." Hermione glared at the two. "Firstly, how do you two do that?! When the Weasley's do it, I get a headache. You two make it terrifying. Secondly, I know she can be deadly and all, but this is a Ministry employee. It's not like she can just kill her and not worry about it." Teddy laughed nervously. "Right, sure. As if a Hit Witch doesn't know how to kill a person without leaving a trace of evidence. She was also raised by Muggles like you, Hermione, so unlike most of the people here, she knows how to kill in a non-magical way. Makes it harder for anyone to investigate if there is no magical trace at all." Hermione blinked at Teddy. "But she wouldn't do that, right?"

Theo reached out and squeezed Hermione's hand. "Peverell isn't like the rest, Hermione. Grandfather had a luncheon with her once. He said that in some ways it was like being next to the Dark Lord Voldemort again, except there was no ambition or madness in her as far as he could see. She is powerful and knowledgeable in ways we can't fully understand, all because she had no choice but to be capable of defending herself against Dark Wizards and Witches. That leaves its mark on a person, same as the mark that my father's actions have left on Grandfather. There is nothing wrong with the way she is because in a perfect world, she would be left alone to care for her family. This isn't a perfect world and Umbridge isn't a pleasant woman. Word is the Minister gave her the job to get her off his back. He doesn't want her to succeed, he just wants her out of his hair. Trust me, if there was ever a person who ends up placing their own life in danger out of pride, it would be her. Besides, I think you missed the point of Edward's concern. He doesn't care that his Mom might kill Umbridge. He is worried about how it might come back to harm her in some way. He doesn't necessarily want Umbridge dead, though." Hermione blushed and nodded. "Right. Sorry Ted. It's just… my parents made it clear to me that killing others is wrong." Teddy smiled. "It's ok. Besides, Mom says the same thing, only with the caveat that killing a person is acceptable if a life, especially your own life, is in danger."

Taking out his wand, Teddy waved it and everyone watched as the iridescent but smaller form of his dragon patronus took form, before landing in the palm of his hand. "Dora, you might want to give Hazel special attention. Umbridge is being overly cruel in her questions to those she doesn't like." Alina fluttered her wings before taking off and vanishing into the nearest wall. A few seconds later, Snowball flew to his side and landed on the table in front of him. "Thanks, kid. I will get right on that. If she happens to be in your class or Harry's when it happens, you two try to help ease Hazel's nerves." Everyone stared at Teddy who blushed. "I am guessing Mom forgot to teach that to the rest of you?" After an impromptu lesson from Teddy and Harry, all the students, minus the Carrows and Hermione, who still struggled with the Patronus charm, were able to send messages to each other effortlessly. After that everyone went back to studying, while Teddy thought about approaching his Mom. Harry had already gone two years with them not knowing who they really were. It wasn't fair to him to keep the secret hidden anymore. As everyone gathered their belongings to make for their common rooms for the night, Teddy sent off Alina to his Mom with a quiet message. Teddy was sure it was time to open up to the person he now called brother.

Chapter 55: Breakout in the North Sea

Chapter Text

"Harrykins, think you could put in a good word to Professor Peverell for us?" Harry looked at the Weasley Twins across the Gryffindor Table from him. "Why?" Fred stared at him. "You, kidding, right? Did you see what she did to our mother's Howler this morning?" George had a dreamy expression on his face. "Such showmanship, such ease. We need to know how she did it!" Harry rubbed his face as Neville chuckled. "You have to admit it, Harry. The Twins have a point. That was one transfiguration that was a beauty to see." Harry turned to his friend and nodded. Earlier in the morning, when everyone was receiving their letters, the entire school watched as Erol made its way towards the Staff Table, carrying a red envelope. For those who were in the fifth year Transfiguration Class, the reason for the letter wasn't a mystery. As Hazel led a practical pop quiz where the students were required to Transfigure a plate into a cup and then conjure water into it with minimal spills and no damaging the cup, it became quite obvious that one of the students hadn't studied the Aguamenti Spell as Hazel had instructed the week prior. Ronald Weasley spent several minutes working the ceramic plate into a cup, but he had trouble controlling the flow of water as soon as he cast the water spell.

The entire group of students in front of him, which was half the classroom since he sat at the far back with Seamus and Dean, was soaked. This was made worse since rather than the cool water that Hazel had asked them all to focus on, he had apparently gone for hot water instead. Parvati Patil, who was sitting directly in front of Ron at the time, was scalded badly. Hazel had acted quickly to block the remaining water and disarmed Ron, but the young girl was left screaming in pain. The entire class watched as Hazel and summoned her work bag to her before she pulled out several vials of potions, one of which she fed to Parvati, and the other was applied directly to the exposed and scalded skin, after she stunned Parvati. Hazel sent a Patronus message to Pomfrey while she dismissed the class, telling them she would inform them of their next assignment by letter. Ron, however, was unceremoniously forced to follow the Professor as she stunned and levitated him behind her after he refused to follow along. The entire school heard about the incident at dinner, which Ron missed, though none were surprised Gryffindor didn't lose any points.

Despite being a Professor, Hazel never deducted points from anyone, not even when she caught the Weasley Twins destroying a bathroom on the fourth floor or when she caught Adrian Vacey of Slytherin House calling someone a Mudblood. She instead was a big fan of issuing detentions, half of which were spent doing physical exercises until the person responsible was left exhausted, while the second half was usually spent helping Madam Pince sort through the books that were left at the counter top in need of being returned to their proper shelves, though she prefered if the perpetrators were sat down and forced to complete any outstanding assignments under Madam Pince's careful watch. Harry, personally, thought Hazel's approach to detention was perfect. Most of the people who did detention were known to be lazy or unconcerned about the consequences of their actions. Getting them to work up a sweat was both a benefit and a torture. Having them work in the Library was especially inspired. Everyone knew Madam Pince was overprotective of her books and a stickler for the rules and if they stepped out of line in any way, she would add to the detention, getting the students to pay attention to instructions in the process. Safe to say, the Twins learned not to get caught by her, which was essentially giving up as Hazel always found them, and the rest of the students made sure to pay attention in class and not be racist in her presence again.

Ron's classroom blunder had unfortunately left Parvati in a great deal of pain, forcing her to stay at the Medical Wing for the evening. Hazel had contacted Parvati's parents, letting them know what happened to their daughter. Pomfrey had been able to repair all the damage, though Parvati was left extremely sensitive to touch for the entire night. For his part, Ron had been given a full month of detention since he ignored a clear instruction that had been stipulated every time Hazel mentioned the exercise, with his first session starting that very night, after he got a very modest meal from the Hogwarts elves. He returned just before curfew, cursing Hazel's name, as he massaged his writing hand. Since Madam Pince didn't have time to watch Ron that night, Hazel checked with every professor and got his full list of outstanding assignments. He spent the second half of detention answering them, all on his own, while Hazel supervised. Despite the punishment being lauded as quite fair, Ron apparently complained to his mother in a letter. So as everyone settled down to eat breakfast, a red envelope was delivered to Hazel. Before a single noise could erupt from the Howler, Hazel wandlessly and silently transfigured it into a fireworks rocket that screeched right back towards Erol. As soon as the rocket exploded, the sparks took the form of a dragon that proceeded to chase the owl around the Enchanted Ceiling until it caught the bird in its maws. The sparks dissipated soon after, leaving the Weasley family owl unharmed, though thoroughly covered in thick black ash.

Harry had to restrain his laughter, despite the entire school finding the entire ordeal entertaining, as Hazel resumed eating her breakfast, not bothering for a second to watch her handy work or for the students' reactions. The staff table had looked at her with a mix of respect and amusem*nt. Sure, Harry thought it was a bit mean spirited on Erol, but seeing as the bird actually seemed to not only be perfectly fine, but fully awake and alert after the incident, he felt Hazel actually did the bird a favor. Erol was infamous for crashing into the tables with his parcels, falling asleep as soon as he completed his delivery. Sparing Hazel a look, Harry turned to the Twins. "How good are you with Freeform Transfiguration or Conjuration? Because I think I remember hearing from her that she was practicing the creation of blackpowder under pressure. That wasn't a specific spell, though I imagine she could figure out how to make it one. One day." The Twins blinked at him before staring at the Professor. "Say Gred, you think we got cheated?" The other twin nodded his head. "I agree, Forge. McGonagall doesn't teach any interesting uses of magic like that!" Harry thought for a second. "You know, if you two can avoid getting in detention for a few months, you might earn her goodwill. Enough that she might show you how she worked out the blackpowder trick." Fred and George huddled together and discussed in whispers before turning to Harry, speaking in stereo. "Agreed! Thank you, Harrykins."

Checking his pocket watch, Harry looked towards the Hufflepuff Table. It was weird how both Hazel and Teddy knew when someone was watching them for a brief moment, as Teddy turned and nodded in his direction, before ending his conversation with Susan and Cedric. Harry excused himself from the table and walked out of the Great Hall, following Teddy up the stairs until they reached the Chambers that Hazel got reassigned to her again. Dora opened the door for the two of them. "Get in. She will be up in a moment." Seeing the living room area had been changed to accommodate two sofas facing each other, Harry sat down in one of them, with Teddy joining him. A few minutes later, Hazel walked through the doors, stripping off her jacket and pecking Dora on the lips before the two sat on the other sofa. Hazel's green eyes latched onto Harry's instantly. "You sure you want to know the whole truth? Once you do, there is no going back. I would never Obliviate you." Harry swallowed the lump in his throat and nodded at Hazel. "I understand, but please, I don't want there to be any secrets left between us." Hazel sighed, her hand running through her hair. "Alright then. I guess I will start at the beginning."

"I was born about thirty years ago, in the final years of a war that dragged on for far longer than it should have. An old man heard a prophecy, proclaiming me as the only force that could challenge the Dark Lord that was ripping our world apart. My parents, for whatever reason, chose to remain in the fight and died for it. Like you, I stared down the tip of a wand as a green curse raced towards me. I survived, by a twist of fate, and was left orphaned. The old man, wishing to manipulate and control me, isolated me for ten years with my muggle relatives, who took sick pleasure in causing me pain. Then I received a letter and a Half Giant introduced me to the Magical World. Right from the start, something felt wrong. The feeling became prevalent when I sat under a Hat that searched my mind and found nothing but pain and dwindling hope. I was asked where I wanted to go because as much as the Hat tried, I simply wasn't a good fit for any house. I chose my parent's old house, in a desperate hope to fit in. I didn't. For six years, I was dragged into struggle after struggle, from one deadly situation to the next. I tasted death so many times." Hazel's hands shook before her eyes turned to Teddy, growing moist with tears. "I gave up on life so many times." Teddy reached out and held Hazel's hand, before she continued again. "In that time, my Godmother became my guiding light. My hope of a family and a bright future. Then, on the Summer Solstice when I was fifteen years old, I watched her die."

Dora held Hazel's body to her as her fiancée physically shook again. "Right after… right after her death I used my first two Unforgivables, killing the madman responsible for taking my light away from me. Exhausted and broken inside, I allowed the Dark Lord to hear the full prophecy. For the next two years, as he conquered our home, he pursued me, wishing to turn me to his side, to manipulate me into his puppet, just like the old man. The old man died before the fighting became a full blown civil war. Filled with anger and pettiness, I joined the fight against the Dark Lord and all who supported him. I left corpses in the hundreds in my wake, filling the forests, the ports and even the British Ministry with the bodies of the dead. I was stripped of everything that mattered to me, until one stubborn woman made me the godmother to her son. So, as soon as I knew I could kill the Dark Lord, I faced him down, slaughtering his followers in the process. I dueled him into a draw, as my killing curse raced towards him, but the wand I had used failed me at the last moment. For one brief moment… I was dead." Harry stared at Hazel as her body seemed to go perfectly still, his heart racing in his chest. "Then… I woke up. I woke up and I killed the Dark Lord and the remaining of his followers. For the next seven years, I hunted down every scumbag with a price on their head for a profit, went home to care for my son and hid from a Ministry and an Order that considered me the single greatest threat to the peace of our society, despite acts of terrorism dwindling to nothing in my wake."

Hazel took a deep breath. "Then the world changed. A nuclear war covered the skies in a never ending winter. For two years, I did everything to keep my son alive. Until I found a way to end the struggle permanently. Using Old Magic, every ounce of my strength, and a good measure of my will, I pulled us through into a parallel world." Hazel raised her head and looked Harry in the eyes. "A world a couple of decades younger and one were one Harry Potter was born, instead of me. Instead of Hazel Potter, the Girl Who Refused to Die. My words, not theirs." Harry's mouth opened and closed silently. "You… are me?" Hazel gave him a partial smile. "Not exactly. My grandparents weren't Dorea and Charlus. Sirius Black was a psychopath, not my Godfather, and for all of Dumbledore's best efforts, I was never able to be a good person. He wanted a saint out of me, as much as what the current Dumbledore probably wanted from you. Instead he got a soldier. Death made flesh. I obviously went through quite a bit more, some of which you will forgive me if I never want to share the experiences with you. You don't need to know what it's like to burn up from the inside as Basilisk Venom and Phoenix Tears interact within my veins, or how much of a monster I became that the Death Eaters actually called me Voldemort's Equal. When I first saw you in the Alley five years ago, I couldn't let my life be repeated again. I couldn't let you suffer as I did. So I took a job with the Department of Mysteries and I did everything in my very limited power to keep you safe."

Harry's body shook a little as he closed his eyes. His guardian angel. The person who made him feel safe, even when she wasn't standing next to him. She was more than just his distant cousin. More than the mother he always wanted. She… had gone through so much. Hazel had no reason to be there for him, yet she had. The last two years… she spent the last two years, not only in a castle probably filled with all manner of bad memories, but with the echoes of the people she knew surrounding her. All because he and Teddy were studying here. "Had… I asked you to take me away from Britain… would you have done it?" Hazel didn't take a single second to think. "For your sake and Teddy's? Without a moment of delay. I would have had you two study in either MACUSA or in Australia. I would have kept you away from the horrors of this island. Instead, I did what I could to leave you a better world than my own. No Voldemort, no Death Eaters and no chance of history repeating itself. But if you want to leave, all you have to do is ask." Harry searched the faces of Dora and Teddy, seeing them nodding at him in agreement. His eyes filled with tears as he launched himself out of the sofa and into Hazel's arms. He cried into her chest as he hugged her for dear life. "Thank you. Thank you so much for being here for me."

Hazel rubbed his hair and kissed his head. "I told you Harry. You never have to thank me for what I did. You, regardless of what we are to each other, are my family. I would never turn my back on my family." Harry's arms tightened around Hazel as he cried, releasing years of pent up anxiety and pain. For years he dreamt of his mother returning to take him home. For years he dreamt of a family that would love and care for him. He had accepted a few months back that Hazel, Teddy and Dora were his new family. Now he knew that they had always been the family he always wanted. That, no matter what, they would keep him safe and happy, even if it wasn't always the best thing for them. Because they cared. They truly cared about him. After a few minutes of hugging Hazel, he pulled away and hugged Teddy. "Thank you so much… little brother." Teddy hugged him back. "No problem… big brother. Though I still call dibs on the first stack of pancakes in the morning." Harry laughed softly at Teddy's words as Hazel and Dora pulled out some board games for everyone to play, all the while the outside world celebrated Halloween. They would spend the rest of the night together, with Harry asking Hazel some random questions about her life, as the rest of the school and magical world celebrated the end of the war, this time knowing fully that the Dark Lord Voldemort was gone for good.

-∞-

"It's time." Bellatrix snapped wide awake as her husband whispered from his side of the cell. She and the rest of the Death Eaters waited, hearing a struggle that was surprisingly quiet. She watched as Rockwood came up to her cell door, a bloody set of keys in his hand. After unlocking her cell, he showed her four wands. "Hoping you still have some of your talent with these. Pick one that responds to you, as I already have mine. We need to decide who else carries a wand, as I seriously doubt we will get one for everyone." Bellatrix held each one and found one that happened to be made of walnut, though not curved as her original one was. She could feel some resistance from it but it would do better than the rest. "Check with Rudy and Dolohov. If we get more, we can consider Travers and Nott." Augustus nodded and went to the next cell as Bellatrix kept her wand trained down the hallway. "What happened with the Dementors?" Rockwood smiled at her after he passed Rodolphus the wands to inspect. "The guards were a bit short staffed this month, with the Dark Lord being dead and all that, so The Ministry decided to post the Dementors further apart. Since tonight is Samhain, the rounds are at their lowest. Now it's just a question of getting through the Dementors at all."

As Bellatrix and the Lestranges made their way through the cell block, unlocking cages, Bellatrix caught movement out of the corner of her eye. " Avada Kedavra !" The guard that arrived barely had a chance to raise his wand before getting launched back by the green curse, his grip on the wand going slack. Rockwood came up beside her. "Good shot, but go for stuns next. The hallways are too narrow in the prison. You are as likely to hit your husband in the back as an enemy if we get drawn into a skirmish." Bellatrix glared at the man for a second. "Fine! But any I stun are mine to dispose of. I could use a bit of fun while we get the hell out of here. By the way, save a wand for Lucy. Pretty sure my brother-in-law is the only one here who can cast a Patronus." Rockwood stopped for a moment and chuckled. "Of course he can, bloody peaco*ck." They made their way deeper, releasing every Death Eater in their path, taking down two more guards. They barely released Lucius from his cell before the walls started frosting over. Rockwood pushed the remaining wands into Malfoy's hands. "Get a working one now and see if you can get your Patronus out. Everyone else, open fire! We just lost the element of surprise!" As Lucius scrambled with the wands, Bellatrix, Rodolphus, Dolohov and Rockwood aimed their wands down the corridor.

" Fluvius Igneus !" The four wands covered the entire passageway in flames, causing the approaching Dementors to screech in pain. Lucius came up behind the four, his eyes closed as he concentrated. " Expecto Patronum! " The four Death Eaters discontinued their spells, panting heavily as a blinding white light filled the void and chased away the Dementors that had been charging towards them. Bellatrix gave Lucius a kiss on the cheek. "Good to see you again, Lucy. How are my sister and nephew doing?" Lucius tried not to glare at Bellatrix for the way she addressed him. The last time he did, he had trouble walking straight for a week from the pain she left his nether regions in. "As far as I know, decently well. Your cousin took them both under the Aegis of House Black. You and I, however, aren't as lucky." Bellatrix pursed her lips. She had always held some anger towards her dear cousin Sirius. That he would turn his back on his family and betray his blood had been unacceptable to her. Hearing that he was now Lord Black and was actually looking after his kin, despite their previous allegiances, was a pleasant surprise. "Remind me not to kill Siri then. Anything else?" Lucius thought for a second. "Nothing we should discuss here. That said, how are we getting off the island at all?"

Rockwood grunted and pushed Lucius forward. "I have a partial plan worked out. If my grasp of time is right, the relief guards should be arriving within the minute. We need to get down to the docks, take down the guards that arrive and take the ferry. Otherwise, we are swimming back to shore." The last part motivated a lot of them as they moved through the prison. Rockwood would take the cell keys from the guard in each block they crossed and tossed them into the cells for the prisoners to unlock themselves out of, as Lucius kept the Dementors at bay, getting ever more exhausted. They eventually reached the solid steel main doors of the prison, which Rockwood inspected. He sighed. "Please tell me there is one other person here other than me that can cast a Fiendfyre curse in short range, without getting killed by it." Bellatrix shoved Dolohov out of the way and aimed her wand at the door. " Ignis Monstrum !" The group raced as far back from Bellatrix and the door as they could as the heat of the curse warmed their skins. The screech of the Dementors reached their ears. Rockwood screamed. "Malfoy, take the Left Wing entrance. Keep the creatures from reaching us. Dolohov, take the Right Wing. Use Fiendfyre if you have to but keep it away from us! I'll aid Bellatrix." The remaining Death Eaters gather together, protected by shields, as the four carry out their tasks.

The iron gate collapsed under the sustained flames of two Fiendfyre curses, after which Rodolphus shouted to the rest. "Make for the pier as fast as you can! We have to take the ferry!" The Death Eaters with wands flank the rest, cutting down what remained of the prison guards, while a half of the prison windows behind them went up in flames, the fire leaking out through the many windows seen from the exterior. The Aurors in the recently arrived ferry did their best to mount a defence as the boat tried to pull away, but Bellatrix and Dolohov managed to jump the gap at the last second. The Black Witch smirked as Dolohov eviscerated one of the guards, practically painting the ferry's wheelhouse in blood, before frowning as a thought entered her mind. "Please tell me you know how to run this thing?" Dolohov grunted, looking over the controls. "Not exactly, but the controls are labeled in English. I also doubt you will care at all if I scratch the paint." Bellatrix shrugged and checked the rest of the ferry, finding a poor soul hiding in the engine room. She smiled. "Hello, sweety. Care to give me some entertainment? " She aimed her stolen wand at the man. " Crucio! " The man's screams filled the air as Dolohov brought the ferry back to the pier, bumping the hull against the structure repeatedly until the Death Eaters moored it.

Rookwood and the rest boarded, with Rodolphus looking around. "Where's my wife?" A loud scream of agony filled the air again from an open hatchway, followed by some mad cackling. Rodolphus rubbed his eyes as Dolohov smirked. "Never mind, I will go check on her." After the Lestranges entered the boat hull, Rockwood turned to Malfoy. "Anything you can tell us about our old friends with properties on the coastlines?" Lucius' face turned pained. "Dead. Williamson, Burbage, Jacobin and the rest have been killed in several DMLE sting operations. The warehouses were all targeted and captured by the Ministry and muggle authorities. Our associates lost a massive amount of profits, despite our defunding of the DMLE over the years. The last two years, however, have seen all of our work undone. The DMLE can issue kill on sight orders for us, our finances can be monitored or frozen temporarily, despite our families being innocent, and many of our unmarked comrades have been found or declared dead, most of them working for those three and the rest as guards. It's a disaster out there." Rockwood stood silently by Malfoy's side, before turning to another inmate. "Travers, remove the mooring. I'll go relieve Dolohov of the helm." Rockwood turned to Lucius. "I will find us a civilian pier to dock with, after which we need to lay low. I don't like this change in the DMLE." Lucius snorted. "None of us did." As Rockwood took the lead, turning the ferry back towards Britain, though away from the typical course, his mind was busy thinking about what the aggressive Ministry response meant. They would have to be careful, if they wanted to avoid getting caught.

-∞-

Hazel and Dora arrive at the DoM via portkey, before making their way to a meeting room. They took their seats, seeing that Croaker had summoned Scrimgeour and Amelia to the meeting. Seeing everyone was in the room, Horatio did a security sweep before nodding to Croaker. "At four this morning, the Death Eaters in Azkaban managed to break out of their cells, steal the recently arrived ferry and left the island, while one half of Azkaban burned from a Fiendfyre curse running rampant, and the other was pandemonium, as prisoners were let loose." Amelia nodded. "My Aurors were only able to arrive at the island via brooms after the ferry failed to return with the guards getting off their shift. While several of our Hit Witches and Wizards are scouring the area where the ferry was found by the non-magical police, we doubt the Death Eaters would have lingered." Dora looked at the Aurors. "I thought Azkaban was inescapable, especially after Sirius' stunt revealed a flaw." Rufus sighed and rubbed his eyes. "Azkaban is a bit of a mixed bag. While there have been numerous prisoners who managed to escape their cells and harm the guards, they almost never make it out of the prison, let alone cross the turbulent waters. We never had a large part of the population working together to break out all at once." Hazel hummed. "Considering the news didn't arrive on time, I am guessing someone blocked the Floo communication terminals in the prison?"

Horatio smiled. "A good guess. After Umbridge made a fool of the DMLE accountants, the DoM installed a security system in all essential offices of the Ministry, including the Floo Network authority. Our Unspeakables reviewed the footage and spotted Dolores Umbridge entering the Floo Network office, leaving a few moments later. The system showed that she did cast a spell, which was verified by the evaluation of the employee as a confundus charm. She made it seem like the Azkaban Floo communication terminals needed to go through their periodic evaluation, which necessitated the shutdown." Hazel tapped her finger on her arm. "This… is too well orchestrated to be Umbridge alone. Also, please tell me we can charge and investigate her now." Rufus snorted. "I have a team of Aurors and Hit Wizards making their way to Hogwarts now. They will drag her out of the Castle and drop her off straight into a detention cell." Croaker nodded. "Good. Unfortunately, Hazel's analysis of the situation matches our concerns. We believe the breakout was orchestrated by a combined effort of internal and external forces. Based on Azkaban visitation logs, we suspect this to be the work of Lord Selwyn. He had access to the Death Eaters via his visits to Malfoy and Umbridge is his cousin. As a Voldemort unmarked supporter, he is our most likely external force."

Hazel frowned. "Who was the internal one? For all of Malfoy's wealth and skill as a duelist, I doubt he knows the first thing about breaking out of prison." Croaker turned to Horatio, who for the first time she remembered, looked furious. "We believe the internal mastermind was Augustus Rockwood." Both Hazel and Dora froze. "Your traitorous Recruit?" Horatio nodded. "Of all the Death Eaters, he would be the best suited for crafting the escape plan. Only reason he waited at all was because he and the other Death Eaters expected their master to return and rescue them." Dora sighed. "With Voldemort's execution, he lost any patience he might have had and planned the escape of all his comrades." Croaker nodded, before he turned to Amelia. "I recommend you keep the Aurors running security, while leaving the manhunt to the Hit Wizards and Witches. With Rockwood at the helm, they will be able to out-maneuver your forces every time." Horatio added in. "It might also be advised to have them run intelligence missions only. These bastards will fight back hard to stay free. It might be best to give them some freedom of movement. Hey, don't blame me, I am just giving you an idea of what to expect." Horatio kept his hands raised until Amelia lowered her glare. "I don't like the idea of leaving these criminals running free."

Croaker sighed. "Neither do we, but Horatio has a point. Keep you people away from them if spotted and inform us first. Our Operatives can bind them to their location and help capture or eliminate them." Amelia nodded, though begrudgingly. "I will contact Alastor and inform him." Hazel thought for a second, before turning to Croaker. "Ok, this covers the DMLE's response. What will Operations' response be?" Horatio looked at Croaker before turning back to his Operatives. "You two are to be on standby, with Tonks remaining at the DoM for security and faster deployment. Hazel will remain at Hogwarts, keeping Dumbledore's attention focused on her while we gather intel. As the executioner of Voldemort, we know you will be a prime target for the Death Eaters, but your being at Hogwarts will diminish their ability to take any actions against you. As the Peverell family is confined to two members with no properties or hotspots, the Death Eaters are left with no other major targets." Rufus leaned forward. "They can attack the Alleys easily enough." Croaker shook his head. "The majority of them have spent the last decade or more in Azkaban. Their main priority in the coming month will be recovery and preparation."

Horatio looked towards Scrimgeour. "That doesn't mean we should leave the Alleys unattended. Raise your Auror presence higher in all public settings, but focus on security. Operations will handle the Death Eaters personally." Rufus sighed but nodded in agreement. "I suppose it's the best we can do." Hazel turned to Amelia. "Check with Padfoot and Moody what Dumbledore's response will be. We can't have vigilantes mucking up our activities, especially if we get a lead on their base of operations." Amelia stood up. "I will let them know and pass on a few warnings to the Aurors. You two take care and keep me informed." As soon as the Aurors left, Croaker eyed his two Operatives closely. "We know for a fact Bellatrix Lestrange escaped and dealt most of the damage to the guards. Is her being on the Death Eaters side in a coming battle going to be a problem for you two?" Dora shook her head. "No, I don't believe so. If she was responsible for the deaths at Azkaban, then I have no problem targeting her for capture or death." Horatio looked at Hazel. "O1?" Dora saw her partner looking nervous. "I… don't know. I know she isn't a carbon copy of my Godmother, but it's enough to…" Horatio added into the silence she left. "To make you hesitate. I understand. For now, focus on guarding the school. The fighting will come later."

Hazel nodded as she stood up, before she and Dora left the conference room. Dora hugged Hazel by her waist as they walked side by side. "You can sit this one out, if you like. We can take similar precautions as we did for the Tournament." Hazel bit her lip but shook her head. "No, this is something I have to do. I will work through my hesitation, somehow." Dora kissed Hazel's cheek. "Sorry I won't be sharing a bed with you until the Death Eaters are either taken out or locked up." Hazel stopped and rested her head against Dora. "It's fine. We both knew work would eventually start sending us to seperate places. After the heavy training you took last year, you deserve this chance." Dora raised Hazel's hands and held them in her own. "True. Doesn't make it any easier." Hazel slowly pushed Dora into the wall and kissed her thoroughly before pulling back. "I will work something out where I can join you in our bed here some days of the week. I can't have you forgetting about me after all." Dora hummed appreciatively. "I will be ok with that. Say hi to the boys for me and watch over them." Hazel gave Dora another deep kiss before they went their separate ways. As Hazel reached the apparition point, she tried to settle her heart. Casting curses at Bellatrix Lestrange was going to be harder than at Voldemort. She was sure of that. Hazel would need to build up her willingness to fight her, even as her own heart screamed at her not to.

-∞-

Teddy and Harry closed the door behind them, seeing their Slytherin friends sitting at the table of their assigned classroom, all of them doing their work quietly. Theo was the first to look up and pointed to the seats in front of him. "There is a lot we have to talk about. Things aren't going well in our house." The two took their seats, with Harry taking the lead. "I assume this has to do with the escaped Death Eaters?" Theo nodded as Daphne lowered her quill and sighed. "As you can imagine, the deaths and arrests of the Death Eaters at the end of the Triwizard Tournament left many of the students of our house stunned. These were their parents and family members, getting dragged into a courtroom and found guilty of several crimes. Many were getting used to the idea that they wouldn't see them again in almost twenty five years, if not more." Theo took over from there. "Usually the escape would have been a point of pride for the children. It would have made it seem that their parents were in the right if the Ministry couldn't contain them. Sadly, the breakout seems to have had the opposite effect." Teddy frowned. "Wait, the children of the Death Eaters are scared? Of what? It's not like the Death Eaters can reach them here. Mom would make sure none would even reach the Castle's Main Doors."

Daphne nodded. "We know that. And so do they. That's the problem. The escape has essentially placed a kill on sight target on all the Death Eaters and if there is one person known for taking that option literally it's Professor Peverell. They are scared that the moment your Mom disappears from the castle, it will mean the death of their parents. Despite everything that has happened, none of them want to see their parents dying like this." The Carrows cleared their throat and Theo turned to them. "Present company excluded, of course." The girls giggled but Daphne dropped a book in front of them. "These are the basis of Elder Futhark. Professor Babbling is known for giving pop quizzes, even with only two months in of work. You need to know your stuff, not fantasizing about how Professor Peverell slaughters those monsters a year earlier." The twins groaned as Teddy smiled. "If you two do the exercises, I can help grading them. Mom had me working on Runes a year before we started school." Daphne rolled her eyes. "Of course she did. Now, back to the point. The kids of Slytherin are terrified and we want to help them get past this. Any ideas?"

Harry shrugged his shoulders. "We could ask Hazel not to kill the Death Eaters." The blank stare from everyone, including Teddy, made Harry sigh. "Ok, right. Stupid idea. Still don't know how we can do anything about this. The DMLE has them all declared as extremely dangerous, they are all running around with stolen wands and they might all be targeting Hazel because she executed Voldemort. I don't see a way this doesn't end with a lot of funerals or a large funeral pyre." Theo sat back in his chair. "Why did Peverell not cover herself for the execution, anyway?" Harry looked at Teddy, who responded. "Mom had a feeling that the Death Eaters might eventually escape. If an unknown person did the job, the Death Eaters would just attack everyone in their sights, especially the Aurors. But since Mom captured him and executed him…" Theo blinked a few times at the implication. "She made herself a target on purpose to draw the Death Eater's attention?" Teddy nodded and Theo whistled. "You know, Edward, I thought your Mom was scary before, but now… I almost want my father to run into her." Daphne whacked Theo's arm. "None of that now, we need to figure out what to do about…" Daphne's attention snapped to the door, with Teddy noticing the amulet on her neck. His Mom had made an adjustment to the wards of the classroom, making it so that when a person wore the amulet, they would have control of the wards, as training for any future Heads of Houses.

Everyone turned and watched as the door opened and a timid looking Astoria poked her head in. "Sis, think you can extend a one time pass for today to someone? They really want to talk to you all." Seeing no signs of compulsion spells on Astoria or anything of concern about the person behind her, Daphne touched the amulet and went through the mental instructions before the wards shifted slightly. "Ok, bring them in." Everyone watched as Astoria opened the door wider, allowing Draco Malfoy to enter. The blonde boy looked around the room, seeing quite a few people staring at him, before his eyes focused on Harry. He visibly swallowed. "Heir Potter, would you be agreeable to listen to a request of mine?" Harry's raised an eyebrow at the level of respect Malfoy was showing him. "I am, Heir Malfoy, as long as you understand that I can't influence someone else's decisions completely. I assume you are here to talk about your father's escape?" Draco nodded tersely. "I … wanted to know if you could… speak to Professor Peverell about her … not killing my father." Harry sighed. "You know it's not as simple as that. If he tries to kill her, she won't hesitate to kill him first." Draco nodded as Daphne chimed in. "We were discussing how we could lessen the chance of someone's parents dying, but we can't come up with anything concrete. If you can add a viable suggestion, we could try and put in a good word for you."

Draco went silent in thought, before something occurred to him. "Uhm, when Dad got sent to Azkaban, my mother made it clear he shouldn't expect any letters from her if he broke out. You think she might have meant that she could send him a letter if she tried?" The group was quiet for a second before Theo hummed. "Not a bad idea. If Malfoy helps with establishing the ward scheme that protects their hiding spot, his owl might be able to pass through it, even if no other owl could manage it." Teddy looked between the students. "How would this work in our favor exactly?" Theo stared at Malfoy. "If Lord Black asked his cousin, would she be willing to send the Malfoy family owl to deliver some letters from the Slytherins? They would all probably be screened by the DMLE, but it could help get the Death Eaters to calm down. They might even turn themselves in." Draco thought for a second. "I will send Lord Black and then mother a letter, but I don't see it being a problem." Daphne sighed. "I suppose this is the best we can do. Just remember, Draco. This is on the Death Eaters' heads. If they hold back and surrender, they can probably get away with being reimprisoned. The moment they kill someone or try to kill the Aurors, we can all guess where this is going." Draco nodded and left the room as the remaining people looked at Teddy. "I will go talk to Mom."

-∞-

"Surprised to see you here, Black. I thought Dumbledore didn't want you in the Order anymore. " Sirius shrugged his shoulders as he sat next to Remus at the table. "I guess the breakout is enough of a reason to get his priorities straight." Hestia and Kingsley cringed a little as Molly glared at Sirius. "The Dark Witches and Wizards that are teaching our children should be of similar concern. My son is currently getting mistreated by that awful woman." Sirius did his best to keep a straight face. "Really? Is she making him read "Magick Moste Evile"? Putting him under the Cruciatus Curse for extended periods of time? Having him kill puppies?" Molly's face turned red. "Of course not! She wouldn't be so blatant!" Sirius crossed his arms over his chest. "Right, so what is she making poor Ronald Weasley do? Exercise that after a month will do him better than the amount of food he ingests? Getting him to actually do his homework instead of copying from his classmates? Oh wait, I hear she is actually trying to teach him how to do magic correctly and be responsible for it. Or are you going to tell me he didn't mess up by not covering the material she went over twice in class? No other student in her class screwed up, not even the Slytherins students known for being lazy."

Molly's face had turned a surprising purple. "My son…" the rest of the loud statement went unheard as Mad-Eye walked into the room, silencing Mrs. Weasley with a wave of his wand. "The hell is wrong with you, Molly? That screech could have been heard outside of this place, Fidelius charm be damned." Arthur took Molly aside to calm her down as Emmaline Vance looked at Sirius from across the table. "Was goading her really necessary?" Sirius smiled. "Of course it was. She raised my point perfectly concerning Dumbledore's continued complaints about Hazel Peverell. The woman has been at Hogwarts for two months and in that time she hasn't done a damn thing that can be considered suspicious. All of her students speak well of her, even the slackers who are actually paying attention in her class. She sticks completely to her syllabus for the year, which every student and parent has access to and, sure, she is teaching the students advanced techniques. Techniques covered as appropriate for students their age in the ICW Educational Regulations. Hell, if what I heard about the stunt of hers with Molly's Howler is real, the woman apparently has a sense of humor I wasn't aware of. Even Narcissa got a complimentary letter about her teaching methods from Draco." Emmaline sighed, before she leaned back. "I hate to say it, but you have a point. Under McGonagall's administration, I got a few calls to the school to check on troubled students. None of them have had a real complaint against her."

Arthur, with a glaring Molly by his side, took his seat at the table. He looked at Remus. "How are our kids doing in school, Remus?" The werewolf smiled. "The Twins have been doing surprisingly well, though they certainly are treating this as their last year at Hogwarts, with Peverell usually being the one to keep them in line. Ginerva is studying hard with her circle of friends, but if Hooch is to be believed, the girl is more suited for a broom than a classroom. The Gryffindor Team is likely to have her play as one of the Chasers in the next game. Ronald…" Remus sighed as he rubbed his head. "Ron is having some trouble. Based on his scores, he might not be able to advance into any NEWT course, with his education ending with the OWL examinations. McGonagall and I have tried talking to him but he is just seriously unmotivated. With his last scores, we were going to suggest that he speak to a Mind Healer with you present. We need to understand if there is something wrong with him." Arthur closed his eyes and nodded, before checking with Vance. She smiled at him. "I will call Minerva and get an appointment with your son." Arthur gave her a soft smile. "Thank you, Emmaline." Discussion settled down as the last of the Order arrived, followed closely by Dumbledore.

The old man clearly took note of the empty seats and sighed. "I had hoped that Severus' decision to leave Hogwarts would not affect his position in the Order, but it seems he has chosen to leave us. Though I have no idea where Mundungus has gone." Moody chuckled. "Fletcher is indisposed. He got caught peddling an illegal potion by the DMLE." Albus frowned. "Couldn't you vouch for him? His insight into the Magical Underworld is invaluable." Sirius noticed Mad-Eye natural eye twitch at those words. "Right. Unfortunately, the potion he got caught with was outlawed by the ICW. The Observers and Aurors are waiting to interrogate him about where he found a supply of it. You are welcome to try and negotiate with them but I doubt the excuse of "for the Greater Good" will go down well with them." Dumbledore sighed as Arthur chimed in. "The ICW seems to have become exceedingly active over the last few years. I've never heard about them taking law enforcement with the level of effort they have recently. I… am not sure how I like this." Moody grunted. "You can thank the followers of Albus' ex for that. Fanatics of Grindelwald had apparently been building a network of smugglers, criminals and producers of magical supplies and were using it to sow chaos with the Muggles. The ICW was forced to get aggressive when it became clear this situation could lead to a collapse of the Statue of Secrecy."

Molly's face went red, though Sirius had no idea if it was of embarrassment or rage. "Albus had nothing to do with Grindelwald." One of the older members of the Order cleared his throat, as Elphias Doge eyed Albus. "Some of us have been around since that time, Mrs. Weasley. I can assure you, Albus had a relationship with Grindelwald. A romantic one." Sirius winced as he heard several necks pop with the sudden shift of so many heads, all of which were now looking at a clearly unhappy Dumbledore. "I can assure you all, he wasn't the megalomaniac he became later at the time we were involved. Like with all dangerous people, he seemed for all the world to be an innocent man with unconventional ideas. Much like another person." Sirius did his best not to glare, feeling that the comment was a clear indication that Dumbledore had listened in on the earlier conversation. "I believe you didn't gather us here for your thoughts on Professor Peverell, Albus. What do you know about the Azkaban breakout?" Dumbledore turned to Moody who grunted. "After the Dementor incident in the summer, security in the Ministry had been raised. On the night of the 31st, Dolores Umbridge was found to have tampered with the mind of a Ministry employee that dealt with the Floo access, while the Dementors had apparently been instructed to move to another section of the prison. The Death Eaters managed to escape, though the Aurors removed Umbridge from Hogwarts forcefully as soon as the evidence was found."

Shacklebolt leaned forward. "Director Bones and Head Auror Scrimgeour have ordered all Aurors to be vigilant, with a greater presence being deployed to the Magical Communities, but we have been ordered not to engage unless attacked." Emmaline Vance frowned. "That's unusual." Albus nodded. "It is, though as of right now it seems to be the right move. There was a report of a magical village in Norfolk having been attacked. The occupants suffered some injuries but none were killed. All who were in possession of wands, however, lost them in the incident." Sirius frowned. "Sounds like the Death Eaters are trying not to draw attention to themselves. Since the attack didn't cause any casualties, I imagine it took the DMLE longer to deploy to the site. Enough of a delay that the attackers fled." Hestia nodded. "That's what Scrimgeour thought too. We responded as quickly as we could, but with Aurors being kept elsewhere because of the high alert, we weren't able to get a look at the attackers." Remus sat forward. "This doesn't sound like the work of the Lestranges. They were fanatics in every sense of the word. The damage done to the Longbottom safe house had been excessive." Moody grunted. "Which means they aren't being stupid. They must have placed another Death Eater in charge. One who can see the larger picture."

Dumbledore nodded. "I agree. Though it's possible that this is all according to Peverell's plan. The escape could only have occurred with the arrests of the Death Eaters on the Solstice." Sirius whined in a similar way to a dog. "Oh come on, you can't seriously believe that Peverell engineered the escape? Are you also going to say that the DMLE's careful reaction is her fault too?" When he saw that Dumbledore was going to respond in the positive, he closed his eyes and slumped in his chair. "Something tells me that even her dying will seem like it's all part of some grand plan. You do know that the Death Eaters can think for themselves, right? For all of my cousin's madness, she could still make a solid attack plan. The only problem was that they involved a lot of Torture Curses being used." Molly glared at him and Sirius glared back. "Before you decide to say a damn thing about my family, remember that Arthur's technically my cousin, as are you, Molly. Just because you don't carry the name, doesn't mean you aren't susceptible to the Black Madness too." Dumbledore sighed. "Enough. We are here to decide what the Order's response should be."

Moody snorted. "I can tell you that if Jones or Shacklebolt here end up violating the DMLE's orders because of you, their careers will be done. I would say that you should let the Ministry handle this." Dumbledore turned to his old friend. "The Ministry is not equipped for this. Especially not with an infiltrator clouding their judgement." Alastor's natural eye twitched. "I can assure you, Albus, that the DMLE is in better shape than it has been in years. We can handle the escapees." Choosing to ignore Alastor, Dumbledore looked to the rest. "I propose we carry out our own patrols around important targets. Places that Voldemort targeted in the past to sow fear and confusion. The Death Eaters won't sit back and wait and neither should we." Sirius watched as several members of the Order nodded in agreement and sighed. The Death Eaters had just spent decades in Azkaban. As someone who did as well, he knew they would hold back for months as they recovered their strength. Dumbledore was wasting his time, again. For everyone's sake, Sirius had hoped the old man could be convinced to see reason. That hope now felt so pointless. He would have to let Amelia and the rest know. Albus was looking to confront Hazel, no matter what anyone else said. They would have to prepare for that eventuality, just as much as the Death Eaters' return to open warfare.

Chapter 56: Preparing for the Worst

Chapter Text

Hazel watched as about a dozen raggedly dressed men and women approached the village as the sun turned the sky orange, the figures having exited from the nearby woodlands, her finger firmly pressed against her wand. "O1 here. Targets spotted coming in from the East side of the village." Dora's voice responded through the comms device. "O2 here, nothing from the North and West side just yet." Horatio chimed in. "Keep watch, O2. Greyback loves using the more reluctant members of his pack as a diversion for his attacks. We have the containment building ready to go. At your discretion, O1." Hazel eyed the approaching group. "Intercepting the werewolves now." Hazel took a step of the building ledge she was on and dropped, her landing dampened by the momentum canceling spell and her approach hidden by her full mix of stealth spells. Seeing the group get close enough to the edge of the village, she waved her wand. A wall's worth of silver spears rained down in front of the werewolves, the metal creating a containment wall the shape of an arch, blocking their ability to move closer to their intended target. It had taken years of observation of all the active Werewolf packs in Britain, but they finally got one moving irregularly. That it happened as soon as the Death Eaters escaped wasn't a coincidence, nor was the DMLE willing to take any chances. Hazel used her magic to project her voice. "Halt. You are suspected members of the werewolf pack belonging to Fenrir Greyback. As tonight is the full moon, you are in violation of Ministry and ICW law. Stop advancing or we will use lethal force."

The threat seemed to jar them all out of their sudden surge of aggression, possibly the werewolf's nature beginning to rear up. A woman wearing heavily shredded clothes came up, shaking like a leaf. "We … had no choice! He would have killed us! He will kill our kids back at the camp if we don't do what he says." Hazel clicked her tongue. "I can assure you all, Greyback won't be making it back to camp to threaten anyone else. If you can provide me the location for it, I can rescue your families but you can't stay here. We have a location established that should keep you all safe. Cooperate and you will be portkeyed there. I can't guarantee you will go free afterwards, but if you were coerced or threatened, we can negotiate a community work program, with a supervised living arrangement. If you refuse and endanger someone's life, I can at least guarantee you a swift death." Hazel allowed her Family Magic to leak out, causing the wolves to lower their aggression. A few, couples probably, gripped each other in a search for comfort and support. The woman, who Hazel assumed could one day hold a leadership position in a pack, checked with the others. She moved away from the pack. "We agree to these terms. The camp is about ten kilometers east into the woods. The monster is keeping our families, all turned, in cages as collateral."

Hazel made her presence known by dropping her disillusionment and voice projection spells. She held up two lengths of rope and tossed them to the werewolves. "Make sure you are all holding onto the ropes. I will trigger the Portkey spell." As soon as everyone was attached Hazel spoke the activation's phrase. "Lycan's Den." The werewolves were portkeyed away as she checked the immediate area with her senses, before tapping her comms. "O1 here. Threat diffused. Our safehouse should have its first visitors. I also have the location for their forward camp." Dora's voice came through, though she sounded winded. "O2 here, following a pair of human werewolves that were flanking the village. They are heading east into the woods. One matches the description of Greyback. Had to break cover to block a siege spell aimed at a home." Horatio chimed in. "O1, cut them off at the campsite and secure it before O2 arrives. Moody and his Aurors have arrived at the village and will hold it until the werewolves are handled." Hazel's eyes turned east and she started shifting her form. "Roger that. On my way." Taking the shape of an owl, Hazel took flight, entering the woodlands. She was able to spot two large men rushing through the woods, one of which carried a wand. She watched as the Werewolf cast the Killing Curse towards her fiancée and had to resist shifting instantly and killing them. Taking their direction into account, Hazel rushed ahead of them. Within minutes her nose was filled with the smell of burning wood, her ears filled with the growls of caged animals, as the sky was now filled with stars.

Taking note of the four guards, all of whom were still human, Hazel silently dropped her owl form and conjured some silver blades in her offhand, just in case. As she neared the back of one of the men while disillusioned, she could see how two of the guards seemed jittery, which made Hazel guess they were Werewolves, just doing their best to resist the call. Their heads turned as the running spellfight drew nearer, with Hazel taking advantage of the situation. Two silver knives darted through the air and embedded themselves in the non-shifted werewolves' chests, before two stunners slipped from her wand and took out the rest. Seeing one of the men sitting down shift his posture as if to grab a wand, Hazel stunned him as well, before casting a defensive ward covering the entire camp. "Everyone settle down! Any attempt to run will get you stunned!" The occupants froze as Hazel commed in. "O1 to OPs, camp is secured. Two dead unshifted werewolf guards and three stunned wizards. I will be beginning transport of the caged wolves to the safehouse now. Camp has a barrier in place, so O2 should take it easier." Dora's voice responded, clearly stressed and winded. "Roger that! Switching to a more restrained attack now! Damn these wolves are fast." Hazel looked at the half a dozen or so human prisoners, drawing out her zip strips from her belt pocket. "Everyone kneel down with your hands behind your back. I need to secure you before transport, after which the authorities will process you at a safe location. If everything checks out, you will be home within a week. Resist and you will be kissing the dirt"

The hostages responded to her request quickly, many sporting thankful expressions and some even thanking her directly as she tied all of their hands with the zip strips, checking them for wands or any potential weapons. Finding nothing of concern, she stood back, saying "Artahe's Rest." As soon as the portkeys activated, she turned to the cages that now sported four young wolves, all whining and moving away from her. Hazel stunned them all before tying the ropes around one of their legs. As soon as all four had the portkey secured, she sent them with the rest of the wolf pack at the safehouse, before turning towards the barrier, watching as one massive man tried to break through it with curses. Hazel allowed the ward to drop, as a furious looking Fenrir Greyback charged at her, his arm partly transformed into that of a werewolf's claw. Hazel stood her ground impassively as the man reared back his arm, trying to slash at her, when his arm was impaled by a descending silver spear. His cry of pain intensified as she conjured another silver lance that impaled him into the ground, before she started transfiguring said spike into a tree. Branches protruded out through his ribs and thighs, with two large spikes piercing through his shoulder blades. The entire time the werewolf screamed in agony, his voice a mix of human and animal as tendrils of smoke escaped through his wound. As soon as she knew he was frozen in place, Hazel approached the man, taking the wand out of his grip.

"You have been responsible for the suffering of several hundred witches and wizards, countless muggles and the destruction of the lives of all whom you turned against their will. I could have stunned you, brought you before the Wizengamot and called for your execution. No one would think twice about sentencing you to your death. No one would care to save your life. But good werewolves would hear their kind be portrayed as monsters. Beasts to be culled and slaughtered in mass. A disease that can be eradicated with the death of all who are infected. These people don't deserve to be treated as monsters. So I won't be sending you to the Ministry. You, Fenrir Greyback, will die right here, right now. A mad dog to be put down for the safety of all magicals and non-magicals. If you see Voldemort in Hell, tell him hi for me." The werewolf's eyes turned gold but it was too late as more branches grew within his body, drawing out more screams of pain. The silver prevented his transformation. Seeing no point in extending his life, Hazel sent branches to pierce his heart and skull. The man shook for a second, his body twitching but for a few moments before it became perfectly still. Hazel turned her attention to Dora, who was dragging a body by the collar of their shirt. "What happened to him?" Dora shrugged. "Greyback there cursed him in the back as soon as he tried to surrender when I sent a spear through his leg."

Hazel hummed, before lifting her wrist up. "O1 and 2 here. Werewolves have been neutralized. Greyback and his Beta are dead, as are two others. How are our guests?" Croaker spoke up. "The safehouse is doing fine, with the wolves dining on some freshly caught deer carcasses. The pups you released were taken in quickly by the pack and have been treated well. As for the non-wolves, we are checking them out now, the Aurors getting their basic information down as St. Mungos Healers check them over. Attach the portkeys to the bodies and send them to the morgue for processing. Moody will be leaving a few of his Aurors behind in case any stragglers remain hidden tonight. Good work you two. Make your way home." Hazel pulled out her zip strips and attached them to the corpses as Dora did a few scans of them, Greyback being the last, the silver tree being dispelled from within him. Dora raised her wrist. "Corpses scanned. Nothing of note. Commencing transport." Hazel, after checking the portkeys were all attached, said "Arawn's Rest." The four werewolf corpses were portkeyed away, before Hazel placed a ward in the area, as well as a DoM beacon, for the Aurors and Unspeakables to finish an investigation. "All cleared for departure here, BM." Horatio's voice responded through the comms. "Good. Come back home, you two. Mission Accomplished."

-∞-

Hazel watched as McGonagall took the seat at the head of the table at the Staff Meeting Room in the Fourth Floor, looking far more comfortable now than in the previous meeting. "Can I say how wonderful it is that Dolores is now out of the Castle? Though I hate the reason for it, I am glad she is gone." Pomona sat beside her and smiled a little. "Considering how she eyed my plants and tried to call me neglectful for leaving such valuable resources for the students to damage, I don't disagree. We always have enough of my herbs and plants for a good number of them being potentially lost. How else would we keep the Potions supplies so well stocked for the whole year." Slughorn drank from his cup of tea. "Oh ho, and what an excellent job you and my predecessor had done. The supply cabinet for Potions is in impeccable condition. I was even surprised to see acromantula supplies there." Hagrid's expression turned sad. "Some of the Acromantulas died this February because of the Triwizard Tournament. Thought it would be a waste to let them go and rot away." Slughorn turned to the Half Giant. "A good thought, Hagrid. I was wondering if I could interest the school in brewing some more advanced potions with the NEWT students. Can't start too early with looking for my next apprentice."

Remembering some of the more dangerous brews the man got to make in her world, Hazel turned to him. "How about you check with the Department of Magical Education and the ICW regulators before you brew something you might regret. Might want to check with the Potioneers Guild while you are at it." Slughorn nodded towards her. "Of course, of course. Must keep everything above board. Are you any good at Potions, Professor?" Hazel shuddered at all the ruined potions she left in her wake. The worst had been the day that she melted Andi's cauldron in her one and only attempt to get Hazel to learn potion making. The witch wisely kept her away from her lab soon after. "As much as I would love to personally restock my Potions supply at home, I would rather not be responsible for the destruction of my apartment and getting my fiancée's disapproving glare for it. When the Peverell Estate is made, it will have a Potions Lab, just in case any of my family have the skill to use it properly, but it won't be me." Horace frowned but nodded. "A shame, but understandable." Slughorn turned to a clearly still recovering Remus. The full moon had barely been the night before. "Was my Wolfsbane Potion helpful, Professor Lupin? I made some modifications to it to reduce the physical lingering pain, but until a new Wolfsbane potion is made, this is the best I can do." Remus, his eyes still closed, nodded. "It did certainly feel better when I woke up but the echoes feel like they may still linger well into the week."

Hazel eyed the werewolf. "Let me know if there are any classes you want me to cover for you tomorrow. Your seventh year students completed their assignments today with me." McGonagall nodded. "As did the fifth year students with me. Everything is still on task with the syllabus you provided." Remus nodded. "Thank you." McGonagall turned to the rest. "Very well. Anything to report?" Grubbly-Plank sighed. "The Thestral's were a bit agitated earlier today. Had to repair some of the stables." Hazel winced. "Ah, sorry about that. Got called on a mission last evening and might have some lingering effects on my magic and my scent may have been overly appealing to them. They should settle down by tomorrow." The older woman nodded, even as Filius looked towards Hazel. "Anything of importance happen?" Hazel thought for a second and shrugged. "It will probably be in the papers soon. Fenrir Greyback won't be ruining any more lives anymore. His more dangerous pack mates are down as well. The rest are being evaluated by the DMLE before anything concrete is decided on concerning their living arrangements." Remus' head snapped up from the table, his eyes wide awake. "He's dead? You sure?" Hazel's eyes turned silver, making the werewolf shiver. "Trust me, he is well and truly dead. His corpse is at the DMLE morgue being examined before they decide how to dispose of it."

McGonagall smiled after seeing the relief on Remus' face. "Well. It's good to know that monster is gone too. Thank you for that." Hazel shrugged, her eyes back to green. "Just doing my job. As for my courses, everyone is keeping up with my syllabus. Only exceptions are Miss Lovegood, who I am providing with a modified course load due to the instability of her magic, and Ronald Weasley, who is still not applying himself fully." Poppy Pomfrey sighed. "Miss Vance of Child Services will be dropping by to check on him. Please make sure he is at the Hospital Wing in two days time in the morning, Septima." The well dressed Professor of Arithmancy nodded. "I will make sure he is there, Poppy." Minerva turned to Filius, who smiled at her. "Nothing to report on my end except that all my students are doing much better in class right now." He turned Hazel. "Our Transfiguration Professor's instructions on how to tap magic with better control has been most welcomed." Hazel blushed as Babbling spoke up. "Everything is going well on my end. Aside from having to give extra assignments to a few outstanding students…" Hazel blushed further from the Runes Professor's look. " … everything is just fine." Aurora hummed. "Everything is great on my end. The Centaur Stargazers of the Forbidden Forest that came to provide a lecture were quite popular with the students."

Hazel smiled. "I am glad to hear that. Firenze has always had a soft spot for young students and he loves to teach. His herd is among the most well educated in Astronomy and Divination in all of Britain." Trelawney huffed. "Just keep him out of my Divination classroom." Hazel resisted the need to roll her eyes as she and the professors discussed the upcoming winter exams before the Yuletide Break. McGonagall looked over the professors staying over the break. "Lupin, you and Peverell will take partial care of Gryffindor House while Septima heads home for some personal matters. The rest of the Heads of Houses and the provisional ones will be doing the same. Please let the students that stay behind for the season know who the other Professors are. Pomona will reorganize the Prefect patrols while the Head Boy and Head Girl are on Break. Will that be all?" Hazel raised her hand slightly. "I will be taking my son and Harry out on the 24th of December in the afternoon for a moment. I hope Professor Lupin can look after the Lions for me." McGonagall frowned. "Where will you be going?" Hazel sighed. "Godric's Hollow. It's been fourteen years since Harry has been there. I had hoped to take him there over the summer, but the focus has been on giving him a chance to have fun. He and my son have decided to remain with me in the winter. Seemed as good a time as any."

Slughorn looked at her. "And the Death Eaters? They are still loose. It might not be safe to take him out of the Castle." Hazel turned to the Slytherin Head of House. "He and my son will have the means to be safe and any moron that tries to harm them in my presence will wish they were under a Cruciatus Curse for a whole day if I catch them." The table collectively shuddered at the clear intensity of her threat. McGonagall cleared her throat. "Best we all keep quiet on that. Since everything is in order, we can call this meeting adjourned. See you all back here in two weeks." Hazel stayed behind as the room emptied out before she looked to Remus. "Greyback's extended pack is now under DMLE supervision. If you would like to have a talk with them, especially the children, it would be wise. A few will be of Hogwarts age soon and if your tenure as Professor endures, they may have a chance to study here as you did. Your insights will be invaluable to them. Contact Amelia to discuss the matter when you have the chance." Remus looked at her and nodded softly. "I would be happy to help." Hazel stood up. "You might still want to rest up, your wolf is too tired from last night. Might not do you well to get into a fight for dominance." Remus shuddered. "I will keep that in mind. Again, thank you for taking out Greyback." Hazel nodded as she left. "Trust me, I wish I got to him sooner. See you at breakfast."

-∞-

"You know, I sort of miss Azkaban." Bellatrix looked towards Rabastan across the table from him. "Really? Whatever for?" Rabastan grunted and waved his hand. "I don't know. Maybe the decade we spent there warped my mind, but waking up in a bed? Having some food and water at my beck and call? It feels wrong now. And I hate the fact it feels wrong." Bellatrix turned back to the sets of knives she found in the muggle residence. She could relate. Sleeping beside Rodolphus in the same bed, actually having a warm meal of food in front of her in the morning, not to mention being able to bathe in a large tub of warm and scented water. It was wonderful. Yet every moment of it felt wrong. "Like living in a dream." Rabastan snapped his fingers. "Exactly! I swear I spend every moment waiting for something to wake me up. Hell, I half expect a Dementor to give me a visit sometime in the night." Bella winced at that. "Yeah, let's not talk about those, Raby. I thoroughly enjoy my nights, thank you very much." Rabastan looked at Bellatrix and wiggled his eyebrows. "Ohh, big brother still got it even after a decade apart?" Bella tossed a knife at him, the blade being too unbalanced to land properly, as it skidded across the table and fell off the edge. "As I told you when we were just out of Hogwarts, what my husband and I get up to at night is not your concern, Raby."

Rockwood, having heard the crash of the knife on the floor, looked through the open doorway. He sighed. "Please don't go wrecking this place too much." Rabastan turned to him. "Why should we care? It's an abandoned Muggle residence." Rockwood looked like he wanted to knock some sense into Rabastan. Physically. "Which we may be leaving at a moment's notice. If we want to stay hidden from the Ministry, that means leaving no trace from anyone, not even the Muggles." Rabastan pouted. "Great. Here I wanted to redecorate my room." Rockwood rubbed his face as Lucius and Rodolphus returned, wearing some shabby clothes and showing signs of a Polyjuice Potion wearing off. Augustus looked them over. "Anything?" Rodolphus pointed at the room Bellatrix and Rabastan were in and the three entered, Rodolphus heading to his wife. Bellatrix hugged him warmly and kissed his cheek. "Welcome back, husband. Got anything for us?" Rodolphus pulled out an extended bag and handed it to his brother, but not before he pulled out a pastry box from inside of it and handed it to Bellatrix. She beamed. "Oh Rudy." Lucius turned his gaze away from the two Lestranges currently kissing deeply, and focused on Rockwood. "Aside from the supplies we got from the muggle's less frequented food stores, we also got word from what's happening in civilized society."

Leaning his body against a bookshelf, Rockwood crossed his arms. "What did you hear?" Lucius sighed. "Selwyn and his cousin Umbridge are under arrest for aiding our escape. Apparently, security is tighter in the Ministry now, courtesy of Umbridge sending the Dementors out in the summer. They sang under Veritaserum." Rockwood sighed. "Unfortunate but not catastrophic. Now you know why I refused to take Selwyn's suggestions for possible safe houses." Lucius nodded as Rodolphus, a bit blushed, entered the conversation, as Bellatrix was busy slowly eating a small box of pastries, clearly enjoying the taste. "Aside from those two arrests, we also tried contacting Greyback, as planned. We managed to get him to agree to creating chaos as a distraction for us. As we finally started making our way back here after staying away for a few days to lose any tails, we checked with our mutual contact, only for the vampire to state that Greyback was dead and that he was getting out of the more shady part of his business. All he could tell us is that Greyback went to attack a village on the full moon with his pack and got killed for it. His Beta is dead too and there is no trace of the others." Rockwood frowned and looked at Lucius. "No official report from the Ministry?"

Lucius shook his head. "Nothing from the Prophet or the talkers. I guess they are keeping it quiet until they can be assured the other werewolves aren't a threat. The Wizengamot under the Bones, Greengrass and Longbottom Coalition had been improving the living situation of the werewolves these last few years. It's possible the DMLE is trying not to undo all that good publicity by being overzealous in the Greyback reveal." Rockwood rubbed his chin. "Do you trust this source of yours?" Lucius nodded. "He works along the Ministry workers who handle the DMLE morgue quite a bit, because of his own mortuary business. They were a bit unwilling to share the info at first, but they told him about Greyback, probably as a warning to stay clear of danger. He is taking it. He won't be sharing any more information with us." Rockwood sighed and looked at Rodolphus. "Taking Greyback out in the first of his attacks is too much of a coincidence. The Aurors aren't this good." Rodolphus stared at him. "Your former teammates at the Ministry?" Augustus shrugged his shoulders. "In their heyday, this would have been easy pickings for them. They would have the means to monitor the werewolf populations and check for any unexpected movements. Greyback may have placed his Beta as the official pack leader with the Ministry, but if they moved their entire pack for an attack, there was no hiding that from my people."

Rodolphus sighed and rubbed his face before turning to Lucius. "Then we have no other choice. Tell the rest to keep practicing as much as they can. In a few days, we will look for another safehouse and move out quietly. If the enemy can catch and kill Greyback the moment he poked his head out of the sand, they can certainly try to do the same for us. We aren't ready for a fight." Lucius nodded and took the bag of provisions with him. Rockwood's eyes followed the blonde Death Eater's movements till he was certain he was out of earshot. "You know the only way any of us will survive this is if we take the fight to the enemy straight on, right?" Bellatrix swallowed a pastry to join in on the conversation. "Oh, oh, do we get to attack this Peverell woman who killed our Dark Lord?" Rockwood took a moment to respond. "As satisfying as that would be, she is apparently holed up at Hogwarts, which was a fortress our Master never considered attacking blindly. However, if she is part of the group I worked with at the Ministry, then we can be sure she will come running at the first sign of trouble. I believe our best and only shot at taking our revenge and surviving to live another day is to target the Ministry directly. And ignoring the obvious advantage of that, the damage to the morale of the populace will be immeasurable if we succeed." Rodolphus looked to his wife who took a moment to think on Rockwood's words. Her eyes sparkled with glee. "I say we go for it, Rudy. Let's show the old geezers that they had no right to take our Master away from us." Rodolphus nodded and turned to Rockwood. "So, how are we doing this?"

-∞-

"Why am I here again?" McGonagall chuckled. "Seeing as you were the school's primary form of security for the last two years, having your opinion on any changes to the Wards is paramount." Hazel sighed as her eyes took in the Wardmaster that had arrived from the Continent, the diminutive man chatting away with Professor Flitwick in what she could only assume was Goblin Speech. It shouldn't have surprised her that another half or quarter Goblin existed in the world, or that this one was a Wardmaster. She wondered if his being independent from the Gringotts and other Goblin Banks was a sign that he had broken ties with them. While Goblins constantly complained about some of the restrictions on their people from the Magical Governments, a few of them Hazel found to be genuinely racist restrictions, they didn't tend to regard their descendants of mixed heritage all that well either. Those born of Goblin and Human unions learned the language and the customs of their mutual races, but many at times seemed to openly defy the Goblins. Hazel could imagine that Flitwick's record as a Dueling Champion and this man's accomplishments as a Wardmaster were their way of sticking it to both the Goblins and the Humans. McGonagall led the group further into the Dungeons, heading towards an area Hazel could guess as being close to the Castle's center. That the entrance of the Chamber of Secrets was no more than a few corridors away told her as much as she needed to know about how secret Salazar's project had been from the rest of the Founders.

"Here we are." Hazel sweeped the corridors with her map and senses before focusing on the wall McGonagall had her hand placed onto. She watched as the old Scotswoman closed her eyes and her mouth moved silently. The corridor's two exits were instantly closed off by walls of stone that slid into place, before McGonagall stood back. The wall in front of her slid back a foot before moving to the side, revealing a staircase leading further down. The small group reached the landing at the end, where another wall of stone slid to the side. The Wardmaster's mouth dropped open at the sight. "By the Triple Goddess! Look at this place! I have never seen anything like this!" Hazel felt her stomach drop at that statement as they entered the chamber, the Wardmaster heading to a central pillar that held a large stone within several rings of rune circles. Hazel's eyes, however, lingered on the walls. The walls seemed to physically hum with raw magical power as extensive runic circles covered almost every single one of the seven walls of the eight sided chamber. Her knowledge of Futhark, far better now than when she first arrived, allowed her to read some of the runes. Many seemed to be exactly as expected: sigils for wards that denoted a boundary line, barriers that prevented entry upon a lockdown. A few were even reinforcements that kept the Castle's stones from being damaged.

"Oh no. Who did such a travesty!" Hazel turned around as McGonagall spoke. "What is it, Wardmaster Weber?" The man turned to her, standing on what Hazel assumed was a conjured platform so he could look at the central pillar. "This! This Wardstone shouldn't be here! Sure, it contains all the modern wards, but to attach it to the Ward Chamber like this? It's a disgrace! I will have to dismantle this." McGonagall frowned. "Why did a Headmaster add it then?" Hazel's eyes scanned the chamber. "Because the information on how to add a ward to the existing scheme on the walls was lost." The man snapped his fingers. "Exactly! Ward Chambers like these are practically unheard of! The Goblins and Dwarves use layered and linear wardstones to keep their banks secure. Both Beauxbatons and Durmstrang have similar setups as well. The idea of a central Ward Chamber where the room itself is the focus of the wards is an ancient concept born from before the Roman Empire. It's among the most powerful in defensive capabilities, but it's the most complicated to update and maintain. If the means of updating the Ward Chamber are lost, it's almost recommended to dismantle it and start anew." Hazel felt a surge in the room, a sensation that was as familiar as it was alien. "I would keep any thoughts of dismantling the Chamber to yourself." McGonagall turned to her. "Why?"

Hazel's eyes were instantly drawn to a Runic Circle that was exceedingly complicated compared to the rest. She approached it, feeling drawn by a magic that seemed to recognize something within her. Her eyes widened slightly as the runic language became clear to her. "Wardmaster, how fluent are you in Druidic Script?" The Wardmaster turned to her from his examination of another wall. "Miss Peverell, Druidic Script is a lost language. No one knows how to translate it." Hazel grinned at him. "Oh, I know of a few people who might know. My son is an amateur but he is learning it. I have mastered it over the years. Another was an Heir of Salazar Slytherin's, who is no longer amongst the living. A book was found in Salazar's repository, or more accurately two books. One was an old book that translated Druidic to Futhark, the other was a handwritten journal that used the previous book as a way of translating Druidic script directly to English. It's a bit of an in-house secret, so best not reveal this information to anyone. I have some suspicions of a few contacts of mine but that's it really." Hazel lifted her finger to her lips in a silencing motion. "The words "Can't say" are a good enough response, after all." The Wardmaster's eyes widened, showing he knew of the term. His mouth twitched slightly until a small smile appeared. "I look forward to the day that information is made public." Hazel nodded. "One day."

The Wardmaster came up to her and examined the wall she was looking at. "What is this exactly?" Hazel scanned the circle. "I believe this is the primary axis of the Ward Chamber. All the other circles in the seven walls are tied to this one." Hazel raised her hand to the circle and touched it. Her mind was instantly flooded with images and sensations not her own. Echoes of memories, ancient thoughts and whispered secrets. Her Family Magic flared inside of her but not in defence of her. The magic reached out through her and seemed to commune with the circle, until Hazel realized what she was feeling. She waited until the two magics settled down before pulling her hand away, only now noticing that McGonagall was trying to pull her away from the wall. "Peverell! Are you alright?" Hazel shook her head and looked towards the others. "Ah, sorry for zoning out. Hogwarts had a lot to say." Filius blinked at her in confusion. "Hogwarts?" Hazel nodded. "Are any of you aware of the myth that Hogwarts has a consciousness?" They all nodded and Hazel pointed to the circle behind her. "I doubt this is the entirety of the Druidic Circle, but the myth is true in a way. Hogwarts has an awareness and consciousness to it. It can see, hear and feel everything that happens within its walls. That's why the Chamber can't be removed. This is literally the Heart and Soul of the Castle."

Weber seemed to practically jump in excitement. "A living magical construct the size of a Castle! The Founders must have worked on this night and day! Is there any way the Castle could tell you where we could add the new wards safely?" Hazel reached out to the circle with her hand and closed her eyes. She kept thinking of adding new wards in her mind and felt the Castle touch those thoughts, before showing her images. Familiar images. Hazel opened her eyes and pointed to the two runic circles closer to the entrance. "The one closer to the entrance is the input point for the wards, while the one to its right is both a guide on how to formulate the wards for integration and the activator that draws them into the array." The diminutive man rushed to the walls in question and whistled appreciatively as Hazel drew her hand away from the wall, a feeling of gratitude lingering in her mind from the Castle. The Wardmaster spoke up after contemplating the runic circle in silence. "Oh, this is genius. Though it will take some time to rearrange the standard ward scheme format to the one used here. I suppose I will have to leave the existing ward scheme from the wardstone active until we are ready to replace it." McGonagall nodded. "I would appreciate that." The Headmistress turned to her friend. "Would you mind staying here with Weber while I make some calls to the Board of Governors?" Filius eyed the walls and nodded. "Not a problem, Minerva. I am sure there is plenty for me here to keep me entertained." Hazel followed the Headmistress out as she locked the Ward Chamber up, before the two started walking back towards the Headmistress' office.

Minerva turned to Hazel and smiled. "I am grateful for you being there. I can't imagine the Castle would have been pleased if we tried to eventually dismantle the Chamber." Hazel nodded, her mind distracted as she rubbed the hand she used to touch the Runic Circle. "I imagine you wouldn't have made it out of the Chamber alive." Hazel took a moment to think on what she could say before she sighed. "Headmistress, if you were to contact the DoM, I am sure Director Croaker would like to have a word with you. The fact the Wards of Hogwarts were formulated partly with Druidic Script means that you may need a crash course on the subject. Your Deputy as well. I learned it prior to my employment with the Ministry and no one has the right to question me teaching it to my family, but the DoM has kept a gag order on letting the information on the translation of Druidic Script leak. You need to check with them if Hogwarts is to recover this lost part of its legacy." The Scotswoman eyed Hazel carefully. "I have no problem with that, though it certainly makes me curious as to how well acquainted you are with that Department." Hazel smiled at her. "You talk to Croaker first. If he gives you clearance, maybe we can talk about things that can't be said." The Headmistress sighed. "Very well. I suppose I can add him to my list of people to call tonight." The two women advanced through the Castle in silence, one in deep thought, while the other kept her senses active.

Now that she knew what the Castle was capable of, Hazel could feel the subtle shifts of the Castle's magic. The distinction was so small, she could tell why most would never be able to notice. She herself would never have noticed it at all until she came in contact with the Hogwarts consciousness. Now she could feel the magic observing her, judging her. Whether it was the fact she was able to communicate at all with it that made her such an interest, or if it was the Family Magic running in her veins, Hazel wasn't entirely sure. She flexed her fingers again, feeling her Family Magic beneath her skin. She had assumed that there was no Family Magic in this world since the DoM had no records of them. Perhaps it had less to do with the fact that no magics like it developed in this world and more with the fact that such magics didn't develop further and simply died out. Because the Castle's Magic felt exactly the way the Family Magic of the Black's felt at Grimmauld Place in her world. The Black ancestral home could have rejected her as a foreign element after Bella died but it didn't. That same level of awareness seemed to be part of this world's Hogwarts. Hazel smiled a little, hoping that Croaker might let her look over the Slytherin texts they recovered from this world's chamber. Maybe, just maybe, she could find some information on Family Magics there and hopefully uncover a clue as to why they seem to have vanished entirely in this world.

-∞-

Dora walked through the quiet and unassuming town of Sankt Georgen an der Gusen, her form shifted into that of a middle aged, dark haired man, as she followed the steps of her temporary partner, a member of Britain's MI6. The young man was ordered to act as her guide and guard for the mission as they approached a building that was a bit more rowdy than the rest, as the ground was already covered in a fresh layer of snow. The agent opened and held the door for her to enter, her eyes taking in as much of the pub as she could as she shook her feet to loosen the attached sludge, before walking a few steps further in. As soon as her guard was clear of the entrance, she made her way to the counter where the bartender was serving two large glass mugs to the waitress. The young man turned to look at her, speaking a Bavarian variant of German that had her translation spell working overtime. "Evening, Gentleman. What can I serve you?" Dora pulled out her wallet and drew out some Austrian schillings. "Two mugs of the local brew." The man smiled and nodded. He filled the two mugs to the brim before presenting them to her. Dora drew out several hundred schilling bills and placed them on the table. "I am also on the market for some specialty items. Grindelwald's Finest?" The man happily took the offered bills and gestured with his head. "Gentleman on the far right corner with the cigars. He can sell you what you need." Dora nodded and lifted the lid of the beer mug, savoring the beer as it went down her throat, before letting out a satisfied huff of air.

" Good for warming the soul. Thank you ." The young man chuckled. " Soul and the skin. We got a cold winter ahead. Good to see clients liking our local brews. Don't be strangers and come back for more if business is good ." Dora and her guard took their drinks and moved towards the far right corner of the establishment, taking the table next to the contact, her back facing them. After downing another swig of beer, she turned her head slightly. " On the market for Grindelwald's Finest ." The older man drew a breath through his lit cigar and blew out some smoke, which Dora did her best to ignore. " What are you looking for? Got some mementos, recent stock and some new cases ." Dora hummed. " As we are just getting acquainted, I would like to see some of the mementos. Father served in the war on the Kampfgruppe Hexenmeister, 4th Infantry Division. He told quite a few tales of his unit's commander and their accomplishments ." The older man smiled. " Ahh, good old Schulz was a fine man. " Dora turned towards him so that her eyes were staring into the man's. " Schulz was a pig that enjoyed too much of the taste of the local women. Lehmann was the star of the unit. Till the Brits had a sniper scatter his brains all over the Rhineland. " The man took a longer draw from the cigar before blowing out some more smoke. " Quite, Quite. What sort of mementos are you looking for and how many? " Dora took a second to think. " A dozen of Grindelwald's P-39E. Got some good old boys back home wanting to relive the glory days. " Dora pointed her finger at her guard.

" This boy here will be testing them out for me. Got my dad's P-39E back home and he got a good feel for it. I will pay extra if you let us test these guns out before we buy them. " The old man nodded. " Acceptable. We have a shooting range where the officers of the Reich used to meet during the war. You are welcome to join us there to test our mementos. We will also show you our more recent stock. Might make your young men wet their sheets ." Dora hummed appreciatively, even as she found the idea of anyone getting aroused by firearms unappealing. " Then I will bring some more extra cash. So, how much are you looking to make from these?" After spending the next forty minutes negotiating the price and reliving some old war stories of the old man, Dora and her guard returned the mugs back to the bartender and left the pub. Pulling her coat tighter around her throat as the colder air signaled the time as much as the now darkened sky, Dora walked in the direction they came from, letting her senses expand, searching for any magical signatures nearby. Finding none, she and the guard took a corner into a dark alley and she reached out with her hand. Her apparition dropped both of them just outside their safehouse in Munich, the MI6 agent doing his best not to lose the beer from earlier. Once his dizziness passed, they knocked on the safe house door. " In for the night. "

Dora waited until a voice from inside called out. " It's a long one. " Knocking twice in response, the door opened and the two got inside, leaving behind the freezing air. She went inside of her assigned room and exited back out a few minutes later, her form back to normal. "We have a tentative deal for P-39Es. They will be showing them to us at the shooting range we have heard rumors from, plus some new stock items." The lead MI6 agent, who was acting as the Field Leader for the operation, nodded. "Good. SAS and American reconnaissance photographs mark the entrance of the facility as being several kilometers behind the shooting range during the war. Continue to integrate yourself with the sellers. We will call a surveillance flight over the area in the coming days." Dora sat on the nearby chair and summoned a bottle of water from the opened cabinet nearby to her hand. "Or you could let me handle the surveillance. I can take the forms of animals native to the region. Less chance of spooking the locals or telegraphing our presence." The older agent looked at her for a second, in which she shifted into her owl form before taking her human form again. The man chuckled. "You and the ICW are going to spoil us rotten." Dora smiled at the man. "Hey, that's the point of these joint missions. Magical and non-magical cooperation when dealing with the scum of the Earth." The two agents chuckled as Dora went over the entire interaction in her debrief.

She eventually dropped face first onto her assigned bed in her pajamas, sighing to herself. With the Death Eaters going to ground and the werewolves behaving themselves now that Greyback was dead, Great Britain had gone eerily quiet. It felt like everyone, criminal or not, was holding their breath, waiting to see what came next. Because of that and the fact the Department of Mysteries was revamping its security measures, Horatio had given her the green light to join MI6 on this operation. While MI6 was acting as the lead agency, the CIA and the ICW were coordinating behind the scenes. As far as they knew, this base was supposed to have been abandoned during the postwar Allied occupation of Austria. With surveillance photos still showing some activity well into the seventies before the locals seemed to have taken a greater interest in concealing the entrance, and evidence collected from the confiscated weapons crates pointing to the region, a Task Force was established to deal with the potential dangers. Dora wished she was back home with Hazel, but she understood the importance of this mission. Taking out the people who seemed all too happy breaking the Statute of Secrecy, and by supplying enchanted weapons to terrorists to boot, was a priority of all the governments. So Dora buried her yearning for home and focused on getting some sleep. If everything went well, her partner would be here to back her up in the assault on the base. She couldn't wait for that to happen.

Chapter 57: Blood and Snow

Chapter Text

Harry felt someone take a seat next to him. He instantly relaxed when Susan's familiar scent filled his nose. The young girl rested her head against his, taking his hand into her own as they sat together on one of the stone benches of the inner courtyard. "Any reason why you skipped out on us? The snowball fight wasn't so bad, was it?" Harry shook his head. "No, it wasn't. I just wasn't feeling up to it today." Susan hummed. "Because of Hazel taking some time off?" Harry nodded. It had been three days since Hazel had to leave the school, though thanks to the weekend, no one missed one of her classes until earlier today. "Yeah." Susan eyed him carefully. "She left for work, didn't she? The work no one should know about?" Harry nodded again and Susan hugged him with one of her arms. She kissed his cheek. "She will be ok, Harry. She and Dora know how to take care of themselves." Harry sighed. "I know. It just feels so different now. Before she was just this cool cousin of mine that seemed almost indestructible. A constant reminder that I was never alone. Now that I have gotten to know her and care for her like a mother, to see all the pain she is in when she can't keep her emotions hidden anymore, it makes me feel like she could one day never come back."

Susan pressed her body closer into Harry's. "I know the feeling, Harry. I spent years worrying over my Auntie. Before she was the Director of the DMLE, she was an Auror like the rest. She had to guard the Alley, go on assignments against suspected Death Eater hold outs and even try to hunt down Greyback and his werewolves. Every time she left me with the Abbotts, I was scared that she would never come home. That I would be left alone. It wasn't a great feeling." Harry hugged her back. "Did it ever get any easier?" Susan shrugged. "Yes and no. When she became Director, she spent more time handling desk duty, though that kept her away from home a lot until about three years ago, when she started spending more time with me. I was always scared that she wouldn't come home, though. I think… I think I will always be scared. But I can't let my fear control me anymore. Over time I also realized that I wasn't alone anymore. I always had the Abbotts." She smiled and kissed Harry's cheek again. "Then Daphne and Astoria came into my life, along with Neville and Teddy. Now there is also Sirius, Hazel and you. It's not the same, of course. It never will be the same as having Auntie around, but it does make me feel better. Seeing Sirius care for her has helped too, since I know he will look after her when I can't."

Harry nodded. "I suppose I can see that. It's just weird for me. Four years ago I didn't have anyone to care for. Then I met Hermione, Ron and Neville. Then I got to meet you and the others properly. It all feels so new to me. Feeling scared about losing someone feels so new to me as well." Susan remained quietly by his side, letting her presence be a comfort for him. "Have you talked to Teddy about this? You know he has had a few years of this already on his own." Harry sighed. "I did. It's weird with him, though. He says he knows his Mom is in danger but he feels certain she will always come back home. He can apparently still feel her through the magic they seem to share, which tells him she is fine, if a bit busy." Susan hummed, which eased his nerves. "Then trust that if anything happens, he will let you know." Checking the time, Susan stood up and held out her hand for Harry. "Come on. The other's should be in our study room already. Babbling's exams are notoriously hard in December before the OWLs Exams, so we need to practice Runes more. I have Elder and Younger Futhark down, but Greek is so confusing." Harry smiled and took her hand, which he held all the way through the castle. As they opened the door to the study room, the two ducked in time, a snowball passing harmlessly over their heads. "Drats!"

Astoria giggled. "Sorry Sis, but that's still two to one, with me in the lead." Daphne pouted. "Only because Theo was too much of a gentleman to let Hermione get hit by a snowball!" Said bookworm blushed as she waved at Harry and Susan. "Come on in, Daphne is just too focused on doing target practice. You guys want to work on Runes?" Theo's pleading look made Harry chuckle as they joined them on the separate table. "Sure. That's what we wanted to work on today. Guessing Daphne is working on Arithmancy?" The girl grunted as she went back to her book. "Of course I am. Professor Vector is a bloody tyrant. We just barely covered simple equations. Why do we have to cover multi-step equations so early!" Theo shuddered and Harry noticed. "Guessing you are leaving your Arithmancy work for later?" Theo nodded. "I had a bloody nightmare about failing the upcoming tests last night. I need to study something else before I crack." Hermione cuddles up to him, making him blush a little. "And the company is better here than at Slytherin." As everyone took out their books, Harry's eyes swept the room and landed on a curled up ball of fur sleeping on a doggy bed. He turned to Astoria who shrugged. "He wanted to take a nap. You are free to wake him up. There are only five minutes left for him anyways, and we have a class in forty five minutes."

It took a few shakes for Teddy in his wolf form to wake up, the boy stretching out his canine body and shaking himself awake before shifting to his human form. He yawned as soon as he could, rubbing his eyes. "Hey Harry." Harry ruffled Teddy's hair, which he knew woke the kid up quickly. Teddy gave him a mock glare before he started combing it back with his fingers. "Have you heard anything from Mom?" Teddy nodded. "She wasn't happy with me trying to reach out to her but she didn't try to hide from me either. She's calm and perfectly fine. Dora is too, by the way, though they were working at a distance from each other and Dora is always harder to read." Harry's nerves went down quite a bit. "Good to hear. Want to join us for a bit of Runes? Before you and Astoria have to head for class?" Teddy nodded. "Sure. Professor Sprout has us working on how to keep Valerian alive and healthy during winter without drowning it, so it's not as annoying as it could be." Teddy checked with Astoria first, after catching her softly spoken traitor, before joining the rest at the Runes table. After a few minutes helping them out, Susan noticed he seemed to lose focus. "Everything ok?" Teddy blushed. "Yeah. Mom and Dora are in the same room again so our Family Magic got flooded with their emotions. They're both ok, though Mom feels tired."

Hermione shook her head. "I've never heard of magic working like that." Teddy shrugged. "Mom is looking into it. For her, this has always been a part of her, though growing up she only had a distant relative connected to her. She's researching in her downtime what made our type of magic vanish for the most part. She found some evidence recently that it was at least known to the Founders, but nothing on what happened afterwards." Theo hummed. "Curious. Something had to have happened. Anyway, how do you translate this Rune sequence in Elder? I think I screwed it up with Younger." Hermione looked over his sequence. "No, you mixed it up with Saxon Futhorc." Theo looked it over and groaned. "I think I did the same with the rest of my homework." He drew a new parchment out as the rest of the students settled in. By the time Teddy and Astoria left, the rest were just studying quietly, with Susan holding Harry's hand under the table in comfort. Harry went to bed that night feeling a little better after spending an evening with his friends and a few quiet moments with Susan. Their goodnight kiss after they both finished their Prefects Patrols leaving him quite warm all over. He went to sleep that night, hoping Hazel would be home soon.

-∞-

Bellatrix watched as Lucius entered the main gathering room where the Senior Death Eaters were discussing their plans for attacking the Ministry. Rockwood, McNair and Dolohov were proving invaluable, with the first two providing as much information as they could of the building's floor plans, while Dolohov made sure the younger and less experienced Death Eaters were worked back into shape. The use of Confundus charms and Imperius curses on Muggles had been essential to their obtaining not only muggle money, but food, clothing and even the home they were currently in. Rockwood had insisted that they do as much as they could without leaving corpses behind. Convincing well off humans to allow their large homes to be rented out for a week at a time was working well in keeping the Aurors off their trail. The entire situation, though vastly different from the previous war, made Bellatrix feel nostalgic. There were moments when she had to stop herself from calling out the Dark Lord's name as she once did when she returned from a supply run. Unlike before, however, the enemy didn't fear them as much as the Death Eaters would like, but sowing fear now would only get them killed. The enemy had to be defeated first. Then chaos could reign.

"What's wrong, Lucy?" The blonde man gave her his usual disapproving look whenever she called him that. "Narcissa sent our family owl out to deliver something to me." Bellatrix frowned. "I thought she said she wouldn't." Lucius shrugged. "I gave up trying to figure out how you Blacks think." Rockwood looked up from his floorplans of the Department of Mysteries. "Let me check it out first." Lucius huffed in annoyance. "I know how to check for enchantments and curses, Augustus. Besides, this is my wife." The former Unspeakable sighed. "It might surprise you, Lucius, but the DoM knows how to conceal some enchantments. Let me check." Malfoy sighed and handed over the thin box to him. Rockwood ran through several scanning spells. "Odd. Not one trace of magic beyond a featherweight charm and an extension charm.'' He handed the box back to Lucius who opened it. He frowned as he saw a stack of letters. He looked them over and saw they were all addressed to other Death Eaters, all written in different hand writings. "Nott. Come here." The scarred man with dark brown hair looked over. "What is it?" Lucius presented him with two letters. Frowning, Tiberius Nott opened them and read who they were from, everyone else looking at him expectantly. "Their… from my father and son."

Everyone who had family instantly crowded around Lucius as he handed out the letters to the recipients. He himself pocketed one that he recognized was from his son before walking up to Bellatrix. She eyed the stack oddly. "Four letters for me?" Lucius nodded. Bellatrix took them and left to read them in her own little corner in the muggle's own library, though all the books were on subjects Bellatrix could care less for. Rodolphus entered the room a few minutes after she entered. "Who are they from?" Bellatrix sighed, rubbing a few tears from her eyes. "The first one was from Sirius. For a second I thought it was Grandfather Arcturus talking. Siri was never one to write so formally. As Lord Black, he made it clear that he stood against me and the Death Eaters, but that at Narcissa's insistence, I wasn't cast out of the family. He asked me to think about what it means to be a Black now that there are so few of us left and asked me to surrender." Rodolphus blinked at her. "Most of the letters for others said the same thing. Please turn yourself in. We don't want you to die. Nott actually looked gutted from reading his family's letters. The others?" Bellatrix smiled a little. "One is from Cissy. Telling me she misses our tea time and asking me not to let the Black Madness make me forget that Family should always come first. The other one is from Andy."

Rodolphus sat beside his wife. "That's… unexpected." Bellatrix snorted. "My last words to her were I would kill her as soon as I saw her again. Yet… she forgives me for saying that to her. She doesn't want me to die. Why is everyone so sure we are going to die?" Rodolphus shrugged. "If the information Lucius gave us is accurate, it does seem like a likely outcome if we screw up. The Carrows got slaughtered at the World Cup and that was them having a full year to recover. Who's the last one from?" Bellatrix lifted up the envelope. "It doesn't say. I don't recognize the handwriting." Tearing open the letter, her husband leaned over Bellatrix's shoulder to read it along with her.

To Bellatrix Lestrange née Black

You don't know me, but I know of you, to a degree. I know that from an early age you loved Narcissa and spoiled her as much as possible. I know you resented Andromeda, first for being the proper pureblood young lady that your parents wished you could have been, and later for her rejecting everything that you considered to be the only path for a witch of House Black. Those who fear you would point to your acts of violence against animals and students as signs that you were destined to be a murderer and a Death Eater. We both know that those were signs of something else. A desire to feel some form of control. Bound to your parents will, acts of violence were a means for you to exert control over others. Eventually you enjoyed the pain that you caused and found a target that your family could accept. You were good at causing pain, you enjoyed it and you could get away with it at your leisure. So when a man spoke of getting greater power, greater control of our world, and that you would be free to use your talents to your heart's desire, how could you refuse?

I know you believe you knew the Dark Lord well. He was charming, attentive and eloquent. People hanged off his every word. He offered you a place for you and your husband's family at his side. You accepted, riding the high of such a being giving you attention, responsibility, and power. He gave you the means to feel powerful, to hold the power over life and death over others. It's an intoxicating feeling. It makes you want to hold it for longer. Eventually, the weak were not enough to satisfy your thirst. The strong gave you a greater rush. You must face greater and greater dangers to feel the same rush you once did as a child. And he provided you with targets. Older families, entire families. Soon you start killing the very people you identified as your own, only because he asked it of you. I know his ways better than anyone, if only because he and I were so alike. As are we.

I will not ask you to think of your family, as they already have asked you to surrender. I will not ask you to think of your husband, as I cannot judge if your love is true or healthy. I will not ask you to think of your peers. We both know that beyond the Lestranges and Malfoy, you would kill them all without any hesitation. They might have served your master, they might have fought by your side, but their lives are as expendable to you as they were to him. Instead I will ask you to think of yourself. To continue down this path will only lead you to certain death. You will go down as one of many who were fooled to follow in the path of a madman's act of revenge against the world that abandoned him. You will be no different than the people you killed. But if you give up the thirst for violence. If you give up this path, you will live. You may find something inside yourself worth living for. Whether that is one day seeing your great nieces and great nephews, to waking up beside your husband not for another night but for years and years to come. To find that your hands are better suited to breathing life and purpose into an object than they are to ending the lives of others.

If these things mean something to you, then please. Let go. Before it's too late. Let go of the thirst, the pain and the rage. If you do, there will be hope for you. If you do not, I can only guarantee you one last chance before the end. Because one way or another, the story of the Death Eaters will end. Yours doesn't have to end with them.

Bellatrix's hands shook as Rodolphus took the letter from her hand. She wrapped her arms around her body. "How… how?!" Rodolphus held her tightly. They sat quietly as Bellatrix remained silent, shaking sporadically. "We can do as the letter suggests. We can leave this all behind. If we do a better job telling the Wizengamot everything that happened, and I do mean everything, we might get a lighter sentence. All you have to do is ask." Bellatrix shook her head. "Thank you for offering, Rudy, but it's too late now. I might have loved enchanting but I can't see myself doing that anymore. I am sorry I can't let go." Her husband hugged her tighter. "Then I won't let go either. We are in this till the very end." Bellatrix nodded, her face buried in his chest. "No matter how soon it might be."

-∞-

" How was the sale? " Hazel took a deep draw of her cigar and blew out a plume of smoke. " Two dozen auto rifles to our brethren from Argentina. " The men around her cheered as Hazel did her best not to show any unfamiliar facial expressions. She and Dora had been forced to meet the seller several times looking like different prospective buyers as they both did everything they could to memorize his body language and posture, before they finally stunned him and his guard and replaced both of them. Dora's flights as an owl revealed that the path behind the local shooting range was indeed still active, as the suppliers would constantly move the items they planned to sell to and from the clubhouse that sat next to the shooting range. As soon as the ICW verified that the weapons bore the same enchantment signature as the ones they secured back in Britain, Horatio had called her in from Hogwarts and sent her out to Austria to take part in the operation. The MI6 agents had been surprised by her ability to physically walk through the compound's walls and reinforced steel doors. She did, however, have a moment of panic when she felt a familiar lingering sensation in the air, which made her rush back to base, keeping her distance from everyone. The geiger counters they kept for emergencies confirmed her fears.

After the British and American agencies were warned of the danger of radioactive material being stored in the military compound, the gloves came off. Military personnel from both governments' special forces were being deployed covertly to the area, with Austrian government officials being notified on a need to know basis. After Hazel verified she could still purge the radiation from her system as she had done in her old world, she went right back into the underground base, continuing the process of mapping out every area she could find. She was able to locate the rooms being used by the enchanters, one specifically being used for the mass production of enchanted weapons, the other more than likely being a testing room for new prototypes. Finding the reason for the nuclear radiation in several chambers and ammo crates had been a surprise, as the terrorists seemed to be testing the feasibility of using dirty bombs, rather than full nuclear weapons, Hazel also found some smaller rocket systems that looked to be far less sophisticated than expected. When the agents said the base was partly connected to the Bergkristall facility that was captured during the war, they were able to surmise that several of the rocketry and jet engine projects from the Nazi research base had been moved to the location, before the entrances were destroyed or buried as the researchers fled.

Hazel chatted away with the man she and the agents believed was the chief architect of the base. He had apparently been part of Adolf Hitler's inner circle and a member of Grindelwald's Thule Society in his early twenties, making him one of several non-magical officers who knew the full extent of the war. That he had carried on the weapons projects his two defeated leaders started fifty years ago spoke volumes of his dedication or at least his ambition. Hazel's observations came to an end as an alarm sounded throughout the base. " Base under attack! I repeat, base under attack! Unknown military force is attacking the south entrance! " The man next to her cursed and moved towards the communication panel on the wall, just as Hazel and Dora unleashed a spread of stunners at everyone in the room. The older gentleman had barely enough time to turn around before he too took a stunner to the face. Dora went to the closest door and started casting a false wall onto it, shaping it into a copy of the door that hung on the inside part of the frame, as Hazel approached a false wall she spotted in the back of the room in her sweeps. After breaking through the wards, she reached the wardstone and destroyed it, before placing her own portable one in its place. As soon as the portable ward was active, she placed the comms piece into her ear. "O1 and O2 here. Priority 1 and Trojan point secured."

An older man's voice responded. "Acknowledged. Assault forces are currently engaging the enemy at the base entrance now. Trojan forces awaiting transport." Dora, having completed the false door, placed the portkey destination beacon in place, before charging the runic circle. "O2 here. Beacon is lit. Send in the troops." No sooner had her words left her mouth that the beacon glowed with magic. Every two minutes heralded the arrival of five task force soldiers. Dora went ahead of the officers, expanding their room of deployment as Hazel travelled from hidden alcove to hidden alcove. Unlike with the main wardstone, Hazel used the blood from the lead Enchanter to take control of the existing wardstones, activating their lockdown settings partially. Having reached and taken control of the closest wardstone to the main entrance, she lifted her wrist up. "O1 here. Wardstones under our control. Will be joining the attack force to aid in the infiltration. O2, standby for me to give the order to advance." Hearing Dora's acknowledgement, Hazel apparated silently to the forward command center. "O1 here. Ready to assist."

The lead Special Forces officer looked towards her and smiled. "We'd be happy to have you. Boys say you have a deployable kinetic shield. Can you take point and guard our men?" Hazel nodded. "Sure. They can shoot from behind me through it too. Just watch for friendly fire. Your boys hit me or my partner, you will have to explain to their families how they got their balls handed to them. Literally." The man chuckled. "These boys miss their shots, I will be glad to lend a hand with that. See you on the other side." Hazel nodded, receiving the written orders and apparated out to the front assault team, the soldiers hiding behind dense mounds of snow and thick trees. The commanding officer took the offered paper and confirmed the orders, signalling his people to form up behind her. Hazel dug deep into her magic and as soon as she neared the entrance, she drew her Holly Wand and held the Resurrection Stone in her offhand beneath her skin. The stone cheered with joy as she ran the kinetic shield through it, the special forces soldiers lining up behind her as the shield took every bullet the terrorists had to offer. Hazel would only wave her wand whenever she spotted an enemy soldier pulling out a heavy ordnance weapon. She had no idea if her shield could take an RPG and had no desire to test that with lives at stake.

For the next hour, the special forces soldiers and Hazel swept level by level of the compound, taking out every soldier that drew their weapons on them, a few of them doing a number on her shield due to several having enchantments tied to their weapons. Eventually she saw a familiar dark tactical suit attached to a magical signature she knew all too well. Quetz had finally figured out how to adjust the suit to accommodate a Metamorphmagus shifting form, though it came at a partial cost of weaker defences on the full bodysuit. This she worked around by introducing attachable armor plates to the suit, giving the Operatives higher protection than normal when in need of it, the plates being stored in expanded pockets on the suit's belt. Hazel was happy the equipment was ready for this Operation, as she already spotted some dents in Dora's plates. She turned to the soldiers. "Clear the chamber! Once we are done, switch to occupation force configuration!" Hazel lifted her wrist up. "O1 here. Reached rendezvous with O2's Trojan Forces. Base has been secured." She caught a bit of celebration from the Field Commander's end. "Acknowledged. ICW and Intelligence personnel will be on site soon." Hazel turned to a heavily sweating Dora, suddenly feeling her own level of exhaustion. "Shields fail you?" Dora blushed. "I took an RPG to the kinetic barrier. It wavered enough that a few shots got through." Hazel sighed before she cast a diagnostic spell on her partner. "You have two bullet burn marks on your lower thighs and a deeper one on your side. You also have shrapnel on your stomach."

Dora looked down at her stomach. "No wonder it feels itchy." She shrunk back at Hazel's glare. "O1 to H1, O2 needs healing. You're free to skip the anesthetic." Dora winced at Andromeda's unhappy tone. "Right. I will keep that in mind. H2 to H4 are ready to receive allied casualties. H5 to H8 are ready for enemy survivors." Hazel hummed. "Understood." After silencing Dora and deactivating the anti-portkey wards, she and the rest of the injured but living personnel were sent back to the medical triage. Hazel lingered behind, helping the non-magical special forces to steer clear of the cursed objects and radioactive material in the compound before she watched the ICW and allied Unspeakables enter the building, along with a smiling Observer Badawi. "The agents and officers in charge are over the moon with this operation. We did lose two soldiers in the initial attack, but the rest will pull through." Hazel shook the man's hand. "Our condolences to the families and friends. Are we clear to get some rest?" Badawi nodded. "You are. Go rest up. Tomorrow we can cover your debrief and you and your partner can then head home." Hazel looked around at the soldiers nearby, as two gurneys covered in black cloth passed by, with Badawi noticing where her attention went. "You two saved a lot of lives today. Not only here but elsewhere in the world. Be proud of that." Hazel nodded. "I know. It feels good, knowing all this makes a difference. It has to, for their sake." Hazel returned to her assigned room and after making sure all was safe, she checked on Dora and Dromeda, before exhaustion finally forced her to collapse onto the bed. She hoped her dreams would be kind tonight.

-∞-

OW August 1995

"Woohoo!" Hazel squealed as Bella drove her enchanted motorcycle through the Irish countryside. Since most of the Ministry's announcements and searches, even a year later, were being carried out on the Isle of Britain, Bella decided to give Hazel her first real vacation by taking her out to Ireland. While crossing the Irish Sea via the ferries would have been viable, Bella decided to show off her enchantment chops, taking a flying bike all the way from Cumberland, over the Isle of Man and onto the county of Louth, before speeding off deeper on Irish country roads. They eventually reached the old Druidic sites of County Sligo before Bella took the next exit heading up to Knocknarea. The hill looked absolutely stunning from the road as the setting sun painted its limestone walls and patches of grass in deep orange and purple colors, the roving clouds above signalling a chance of rain. Hazel felt the first rain drop on her face as the sky darkened further. Bella spotted an abandoned barn and turned her bike off the road. "Let's take a minute off the road while the rain passes. I don't need Andi breathing down my neck if you happen to catch a cold." Hazel giggled as they reached the cover of the wooden building, before stepping out of the sidecar.

Pulling out a bag of food from the expanded bag on the side of her motorcycle, Bella conjured a comfortable sofa and invited Hazel over. They sat and ate some fruits, cheeses and torn pieces from a fresh loaf of bread as they listened to the rain striking the roof several feet above their heads. "Bella, what was the rest of your family like? You only ever talk about Andi. We can also avoid the obvious." Bella sighed. "To be fair, it was a bit of a mixed bag once upon a time. Cygnus and Orion were the rougher heads of the family, while the former's brother, Alphard, was the playboy. That man loved finding a new and exciting person to share his bed with, so long as they expected nothing more from him than a good shag. Further up you get the once powerful Arcturus Black and his wife, Melania. They had the most beautiful gardens in Castle Black. The House of Black flourished under Arcturus, with alliances spreading the entire breath of the Neutral and Traditional Families. Then… Grandma Melly died. Arcturus just retreated into himself. Left Cygnus and Walburga to do whatever they wanted with the House, with Orion barely putting up a fight. When Voldemort started his movement, they were all too eager to join him. Narcissa avoided getting dragged into the mess by being married to Malfoy. Unfortunately, my crazy cousin and his younger brother, Reggie, got pulled in with them."

Hazel turned to Bella. "Is that why you decided to help the Death Eaters? To keep the Black family safe?" Bella nodded. "As a Healer I couldn't be forced to take part with any of the Death Eater's more violent activities. It would have damaged my capabilities, which were considered to be as good as Dorea Black's, Grandpa Arcty's sister. I wanted to keep an eye on Reggie and watch out for my family, while passing what information I could to James and Lily, to keep them safe. When… when Reggie died in a raid on the Bones family, I knew I wanted to get out. You know the rest." Hazel nodded. "I wish I got to know the other's of House Black. Alphard sounded cool." Bella chuckled. "He wore the most flamboyant clothes imaginable. Though he kept to the family color with ease, he still made it look good. Though if you were a good looking man, he'd hit on you faster than a Bludger chasing a player at a Quidditch match." Bella went quiet for a second. "Hazel, I want you to promise me something." Hazel turned to her and Bella looked her in the eyes. "If you ever run into my sister, Narcissa, promise me you'll give her one chance to surrender. To turn back and leave the war behind." Hazel frowned. "Just one chance?"

Bella ran her hand through her curly hair and nodded. "I know my family and I know the Death Eaters. Dumbledore has made many mistakes in his life, but giving Death Eaters second, third and fourth chances to redeem themselves is one of the greatest mistakes he continues to make. I have complained about it but when you have asskissers hanging off your every word, ignoring dissenting voices gets to be all the easier. So if you ever have her in your sights. If she draws her wand against you, at the most give her one chance to walk away. If she doesn't take it, then end it. We Blacks are many things, but kind is one of our rarest traits. She won't be kind to me, let alone you. If you run into any of them as Death Eaters, give them that one chance. After that, let them have it. Believe me, it's better to give them that one chance, because no matter what happens, they will never give you the same. They won't show any mercy to you or others if they have made up their mind. Will you do that for me?" Hazel nodded silently and cuddled into her Godmother's side. Not long after, thanks to the sound of the rain and her godmother's gentle hands, Hazel fell asleep, dreaming of wide open fields of green and soft rain on a roof. It felt wonderful. It felt like home.

-∞-

NW December 1995

Hazel's eyes snapped open as her eyes focused on the Hogwarts roof over her head. Sending magic rushing through her body, Hazel lifted herself up and swung her legs over the end of the bed, before cradling her head in her hands. The dreams of her past had grown less frequent in the last few months. Being a teacher at Hogwarts certainly kept her busy enough. Though she had expected that the longer periods of time without her fiancée would have only made things worse. Yet the weekends proved to be the best moments for both of them to relax and catch up. The mission in Austria, with the exception of the two British Special Forces soldiers dying, had been a groundbreaking success. Though most of the base's personnel died from the assault, the top members of the organization had all been captured in their infiltration. Johann Himmler, the lead officer of the base and member of the Thule Society, was transferred to ICW custody. Word along the grape vine was that he was likely to be sent to Britain or the United States to face charges, though the sentence might be lessened if he accepts Veritaserum and Legilimency probes. The Observers were concerned with stockpiles of the enchanted weapons being kept on several continents for sale to other extremist groups and they were very keen on finding every last one of them.

After completing both their debriefings in the Luxembourg ICW Observer Headquarters, Hazel and Dora went through another set back at the London DoM. The Unspeakables had gone crazy reorganizing the structure of the department, turning the place into a maze that spilled out into large open areas, something Hazel assumed was done to better ambush attackers. She could feel gaps and hidden passageways in the walls around her, areas where she assumed the non-combatants could move freely through to safety. Horatio and Croaker were quite happy with the debrief and the mission as a whole. The ICW and MACUSA were already in talks with the FBI and CIA about similar joint operations, same as what had been agreed to with MI6. Hazel was glad all the groups were focusing on keeping the arrangements as strictly law enforcement and counter terrorism missions. No one wanted to start a new arms race, not so soon after the collapse of the Soviet Union. MI6 had agreed to keep requests of future joint Operations low, though they would be providing some basic information on potential threats and threat assessment, including the likelihood of them knowing about and using magicals for their illegal activities. Croaker had been eyeing the growing stacks of documents on his desk with equal parts terror and excitement.

Dora got a bit of the cold shoulder treatment from Quetz as they returned to Acquisitions. The new and improved tactical full body suit had been her pride and joy and while it did the job as intended, Quetz wasn't happy that she had to pull shrapnel out of the abdomen section, buff out the obvious dents and rework the removable plating on the stomach area to prevent another similar incident from repeating itself. Hazel herself was at least happy that she had forced Dora to take the Elder Wand for the operation, even if her concentration failed for a split second when the kinetic shield took a hit from an RPG. She was at least heartened by the fact the Trojan Forces by Dora's side took the attack personally and were far more thorough when clearing out a room with her. They all knew they would probably be dead if it wasn't for her. Despite Hazel's initial reaction to seeing her partner injured again she made sure Dora knew she wasn't angry at her. Not really. Hazel was certain she left more bruises and scratches on her fiancée than what she got from the entire operation but Dora's moans of pleasure had been too stimulating. She left Dora with a massive grin on her face and with as few bruises as she could with what her episkey spell could manage.

Her boys had been absolutely wonderful to her when she returned to Hogwarts, not to mention the whole school. That McGonagall's teaching methods didn't lend well to the standards Hazel had established in the classroom was an understatement. The Scotswoman had been left decidedly stunned with just how advanced all of Hazel's students were in the class. Hazel always had the students study ahead of time, and since everyone had her syllabus, all of her classes could, for the most part, manage the Transfiguration spells in a given day on their very first try. She did have to check on Luna though, finding the girl was now in much better control of her magic. She wasn't ready to gain full access to the magic in her body like the rest of the students, but she was getting closer. She wasn't, however, willing to drop the whole thing about calling her Professor Potter. Blasted Seers and their abilities. Her thoughts came to an end as Dobby popped into the room. "The Great Harry Potter and Edward Peverell wish to have breakfast with you in your chambers. What should Dobby tell them?" Hazel combed her bangs of white hair with her fingers away from her face and sighed. She looked at the clock. "They have thirty minutes to complete their morning run, even if it is inside the Castle. After that you can help me get breakfast ready."

Dobby jumped in joy. "Dobby will let the young masters know. Dobby will return shortly to aid Mistress Peverell." Shaking her head at the elf's excitement after he popped away, Hazel pulled her at home clothes on before entering the kitchen, seeing Dobby hard at work preparing the toast and cracking the necessary amount of eggs open. Standing by his side as she whisked the eggs and added the seasoning, while Dobby diced the vegetables before softly sauteing them in the pan with some olive oil, Hazel's mind returned to the morning of her fifteenth birthday. She had been surprised to see Bella cooking in the kitchen with Dobby and Kreacher, though it was safe to say that the elves seemed to be doing more damage control than cooking. The thought had been heartwarming though. That Bella accepted her request for a break from all the training and to go out and have a fun time in Ireland had been the best birthday present she received in her old world. As she personally scrambled the large batch of eggs and Dobby added the meat and vegetables, her thoughts returned to her world's Bella and her request. By the time she had confronted Narcissa Malfoy, the promise had been forgotten. Hazel simply didn't give it much thought when she killed Narcissa, not until much later. The guilt of betraying her promise weighed heavily on Hazel's conscience as the promise to raise Teddy was the next to be challenged.

She had sent Bellatrix Lestrange that letter in the hopes that some trace of her Godmother was still in her, that she could make amends for her broken word. She knew in her bones that they would be crossing paths soon. When that time came, would she be able to follow her Godmother's advice? Would she be able to kill the woman that looked so much like her world's Bella if she refused to give up? She honestly didn't know. Watching the smiling faces of her two boys after they washed their faces in the bathroom as she and Dobby brought the breakfast to the table, however, made it clear that whatever was about to happen, there were some things that she had no desire to let go off. No matter what happened, she would be coming home to her boys and to Dora. She would make sure that these quiet, peaceful moments stretched on for as long as they could. Because her family deserved to be happy. After four and a half years of hard work, the Magical World of Britain was entering into a real state of peace, not the false one brought about by the sudden and unexpected disappearance of Voldemort. The Death Eaters were almost completely outed, the populace, despite the breakout in Azkaban, felt safe and the government was well on its way to being functioning. Whatever the Death Eaters had planned, Hazel swore she would stop them. One way or another.

Chapter 58: Death at The Ministry

Chapter Text

"I don't like this." Bellatrix nodded as she and her fellow Death Eaters took defensive positions at the landing of the 9th Level of the Ministry of Magic. The guards at the entrance and at reception had all reached for their wands but were quickly killed by her compatriots as they made their way to the elevators. As soon as the last group entered, Rockwood came towards her, his eyes searching the far ends of the three major hallways leading away from the lifts. He spared a look at Rabastan after the man made his comment on the situation. "What, that there are no guards visible here? That's nothing new. The Department of Mysteries relies on its reputation and the difficult nature of the labyrinthine hallways as their primary defence. There is a reason that solicitors and aides get lost down here when they try to reach the Courtrooms, even though the stairs are always to the right of the lifts. Wonder how many are missing now. There was a betting pool if certain people would be found within the century." Rodolphus came up besides Bella, his eyes also on the corridors. "So, Plan A?" Rockwood nodded and turned to the rest of the Death Eaters. "You know your teams! McNair and Nott with me on the left. Dolohov, Travers and Rabastan take the center corridor. Lestranges and Malfoy take the right. Move it!"

The three large groups of Death Eaters made for their assigned corridors and it took the leads a few minutes of winding hallways and abandoned laboratories to know that something was wrong. Rockwood was the first to notice, holding his hand up, causing his men to stop in their tracks as they entered a large intersection, with two other exits leading elsewhere into the Department. Nott and McNair moved closer to him, the former's eyes on the two intersections. "What is it? Did you see something?" Rockwood cursed and cast a finite on himself before turning to the rest. "Cast a finite on everyone! We have been caught in a trap!" He turned to Nott and McNair, each shaking their heads as the effects of the Confundus spell they were all on vanished. "There aren't supposed to be any large open sections like these in the DoM. They must have updated their layout. The confundus charm was to make anyone think that nothing was amiss. Bloody Dementors left my mind too damaged to notice quickly enough." He turned back to the others. "Pull back to the lifts!" No sooner did his words leave his mouth that the entire back line of Death Eaters got banished further into the intersection by a spell, followed by the sudden appearance of figures garbed in grey Unspeakable cloaks, their faces pitch black under their hoods, surrounding them from every direction. Rockwood noticed one Unspeakable who wasn't wearing a mask, his short grey hair did nothing to hide the massive scar on the man's scalp. The smile on Horatio's face was certainly not of the pleasant variety. "Hello, Traitor. Ready for Judgment Day?"

Down the central corridor, it took Dolohov a second to notice the change in his surroundings as he divided his forces into three to check out the three branching off corridors that led away from the crossroad section they arrived at. He instinctively rubbed his wand, a habit of his in the Dueling Circuits, both Legal and Illegal. When the sensation in his head felt strangely familiar to him, he cast a finite on himself. As soon as the Confundus was dispelled, he knew something was terribly wrong. "Everyone, gather back in the corridor we entered from! The blueprints were wrong!" The call barely registered in the Death Eaters' faces before the ones in the front formation suddenly collapsed as the corridors were suddenly filled with the bright red light of stunners. The cackle of an all too familiar man reached the ears of every Death Eater. "Took you long enough, Dolohov! Azkaban didn't do you any favors, did it? Alright, Death Munchers! This is your one and only warning! Drop your wands and surrender! You start casting lethal curses and we will respond in kind!" Dolohov, Rabastan and Travers, as well as all the other Death Eaters watched as three of the four corridors, including the one they just came from, were suddenly filled with red coated figures. A heavily scarred man searched the sea of Death Eater Robes, his Enchanted Eye latching onto Travers. "There you are! Come here, you gutless coward! I have a bloody bone to pick with you!" A few Death Eaters rushed towards the right corridor that seemed empty until a dark figure with pink hair materialized at the center of it, the area behind her suddenly turning into a massive wall. "Sorry folks. This lane is closed."

In the right hand corridor, the Death Eaters took a more cautious approach into the wide open intersection. Rodolphus nudged Malfoy forward. "You and your group check down that corridor. I'll check to the left, while Bellatrix holds the fort here." Lucius nodded and made his way forward as Rodolphus made his way to the right. He froze when he felt Rabastan's sudden surprise and a spike of fear through their bond as twins. He turned around towards Bellatrix, who was gripping her head as if suffering from a headache. "Something's happened to Rabastan! We need to move!" Rodolphus' orders were swiftly followed by a chuckle coming down the forward corridor, with all the Death Eaters aiming their wands towards it. "Sorry to say, but there will be no cavalries coming to your fellows rescue tonight." To the back of Rodolphus a Death Eater screamed as he was tackled to the ground by several badgers, their claws and sharp teeth digging into his back as other predatory animals began to materialize in the corridor. Lions, griffins and wolves stared down at the retreating Death Eaters.

Bellatrix heard a man scream again and she turned towards the corridor from which they came. She and the others watched as large lumbering dragon-like creatures appeared on the ground as they dropped from the roof, their backs covered in jagged spikes as flames and molten rock dripped down from their maws. Lucius barely had a second to move as a black gloved hand materialized, taking his wand hand and crushing it, bones and wood snapping under the sheer force. His stunned body was tossed to the side as a woman wearing a full body suit stood alone before them, her white hair hanging loose but short. "Welcome Death Eaters, to the Department of Mysteries. I asked the Boss to place a sign saying "Abandon all Hope, Ye Who Enter Here" but he felt it was too much of a hint, not to mention rather macabre. Still, the meaning holds. You punks have one chance. Surrender now or…" seeing a few wands lighting up with a familiar green light, Hazel waved her wand. Lances of silver were conjured above said Death Eaters, before they found themselves impaled through their spines to the ground, all screaming in pain as Hazel transfigured the spears inside of them into having branches and thorns jutting out into the rest of their bodies. Her eyes swept over the remaining Death Eaters as the room was filled again with the roar of her creations. "As I was saying, this is your last chance…" her eyes landed on Bellatrix's face and her heart skipped a beat. "... please… surrender."

-∞-

Horatio launched a cutter straight at Rockwood, the man dodging out of the way, a grunt behind the traitor making it clear that his jinx found a target, as a man's arm dropped to the floor. He watched as the other two senior Death Eaters drew their wands before the Unspeakables behind him opened up with their own curses and jinxes. While most of the Department was Research oriented, Croaker, after taking over from his predecessor, introduced a self-defence prerequisite for the entirety of the staff, especially as it was discovered that Rockwood only managed to get away with most of his crimes by using and manipulating other staff members. When Croaker called in all the Division Heads about the restructuring of the Departments' configuration with the threat of a possible attack by the Death Eaters, the entire population of Unspeakables volunteered to take part in the preparations. Those of the Mind Arts Division suggested the passive casting of a Confundus Charm that would prevent any unwanted visitors from being aware there was anything wrong about their surroundings, which would also slow down their perception for a few minutes, letting the defensive forces get into position in the choke points with enough time to spare. Enchantments Division, which was already hard at work experimenting with greater curse protective gear thanks to the Basilisk hide provided, passed along several prototype cloaks to the rest of the Unspeakables who wanted to take a stand as the vanguard.

Using an overpowered banishing spell, Horatio launched the other two Death Eaters away from Rockwood as he charged straight in at the traitor. The bastard cast killing curses straight at him. He was glad that Hazel had been his primary sparring partner over the last four years. The woman's natural gift with Conjuration and her desire to spread an understanding of the intricacies of the art meant he himself learned how to conjure defensive barriers to block curses that tended to overwhelm shields that much faster. Spinning his wand to face downwards, Horatio threw his body weight behind his punch, which connected with a crack into Augustus' upper arm. The Death Eater grunted in pain but smiled. "I had a feeling I would be seeing you again, Horatio. I knew your Division was responsible for the dismantling of the Death Eater remnants." Rockwood grunted again as Horatio's knee connected with his thigh, before a banishing spell from Horatio's wand forced the two apart. Horatio followed through with a wide cutter that Rockwood dropped underneath, who responded with a scatter of piercing charms. Horatio blocked as many as he could, conscious of the fact there was a high chance of collateral damage here. "Funny, we thought you would guess as much. Or more accurately, we planned for that exact deduction to happen."

Rockwood frowned before he was forced to dodge again, this time forcing Horatio back with an overpowered Reducto, followed by several fireballs that Horatio had to counter. "Wait. You bastards! You made that Witch into a target of ours on purpose!" Horatio smirked. "That Witch is the best Operative to come out of our Division. Trust me, she could handle all the curses you could throw at her." Rockwood growled as he started to cast darker cutting curses at Horatio. The older Operative transfigured several rows of stone slabs from the floor as he circled around the enraged Death Eater. He slid across the ground and managed to clip the traitor with piercing curses on his shoulder, though the bastard simply took the hit and aimed his wand right at where Horatio's momentum would take him. Horatio managed to block a killing curse headed his way with a conjured shield, but Rockwood had also cast a dark cutting curse right after. He felt the curse strike his outstretched leg, the cuts going deep where the plates of his suit failed to cover for mobility's sake. Cursing to himself, Horatio changed his plan. Rather than using the now damaged leg to get up, he used his other leg to launch himself forward, rolling out of the following curse and raising a series of transfigured slabs between him and his attacker.

He watched as Rockwood smirked towards him. "You have gotten slow, old man." Horatio was about to curse him back when Rockwood's face changed, the self satisfied grin being suddenly replaced by a grimace of pain. Said pain forced Rockwood to scream as his two bleeding knees made contact with the ground. Horatio watched as the man's wand arm was ripped into by what he assumed was a bullet. Not willing to take a chance, Horatio aimed his wand straight at the Traitor's chest. The bright green light of the killing curse struck Rockwood dead center and Horatio watched as his former student's eyes lost all signs of life before the body dropped back onto the ground, its legs bent beneath the thighs. Horatio took a few deep breaths as he watched a figure materialize next to him, wearing the same advanced tactical suit he and his Operatives wore, though this one carried an automatic rifle in their arms. The familiar voice of his Crafter spoke through the faceless hood. "You owe me for getting my suit scratched. Cast the counterspell on your leg and let Healer Tonks check you out later. Here." Quetz dropped a bottle of what he assumed was a healing potion, wrapped in an Unspeakable hood and face covering. "You got your revenge. Time to get to work, jefe." She disappeared from view as he downed the potion. He watched as several Death Eaters dropped to the ground, one looking like McNair, as blood bloomed from their chest, as he pulled the hood over his eyes. "Right. We still have work to do."

-∞-

Alastor cast his spell chains at every Death Eater that got in his way, using his staff as an alternative foci for shields as he advanced further and further into the corridor intersection, where his Aurors had a third of the Death Eaters pinned down. When Tonks and Horatio called him up about setting up an ambush at the Department of Mysteries, he had been bloody overjoyed. The breakout at Azkaban had been a disaster for the DMLE. Several of the young members of his recruits would usually be deployed at Azkaban on guard duty, as a way of getting them all to experience all the jobs the DMLE had to offer. It was also a way to fill out the roster of guards because being assigned to Azkaban was no one's idea of a fun time. Depending on the reasons, few of the senior Aurors would ever be sent to the prison for guard duty. So when the breakout happened, not only did the DMLE lose several young and promising Aurors already there as guards, they also lost the ones who were arriving on the island by ferry to the bastards. The setup for the ambush was, of course, kept quite classified, so much so only he, Amelia and Rufus knew of the operation. Since there were some hard feelings between Horatio and Rufus, the Head Auror was tasked with handling the Ministry's safety by himself.

When he heard the Death Eaters came out and killed the guards and attendants on the upper floor, he had been pissed. It was a good thing the spooks anticipated that, substituting all of the personnel between the entrances to the Ministry and the DoM with golems equipped with disposable wands. The Death Eaters didn't catch on to the ambush until it was far too late. Getting the large part of the Aurors into the DoM without alerting anyone was the hard part. When a call came in from the dispatch office that placed the Death Eaters at Edinburgh's Magical District, he knew he got the perfect excuse. He made it look like all the Aurors apparated away, when in fact they were portkeyed into the DoM, all of them placed at the primary intersection because of their numbers. Of course, Horatio didn't trust numbers alone. Alastor's enchanted eye looked through all the bodies in the way and focused on young Nymphadora Tonks. The woman had become a powerhouse since he first got his eye on her at Hogwarts. Horatio's training and her partner's support had done wonders for the girl's skills and self esteem. He watched her take out several of the younger Death Eaters and almost overwhelmed Rabastan Lestrange, when Dolohov joined the fight. The two experienced Death Eaters kept the witch busy, but they weren't able to overpower her. This gave him the chance to get some personal payback.

Using his staff to clear a path, his wand unleashed a spellchain of stunners, shield piercers and cutters. He watched as Travers raised a shield and snapped out of the way of the piercer when the shield shattered. The gash that half tore off the sleeve of his robe showed that at least the cutter made its way home. "Good to see you again, Travers. How was the food at Azkaban, huh? Was it rotten? I better hope it was. Especially after what you did to my bloody family!" The Death Eater responded with a killing curse that he deflected by summoning a Death Eater into its path. Dropping the corpse to the side, Moody kept his Enchanted Eye fixed on the Death Eaters around him, looking for anyone that tried to cast a curse towards him, or for another body shield. Travers growled at him. "You're one to talk, Moody. You killed my wife and siblings." Alastor gave him a smirk, even as he forced the Death Eater to dodge again with another of his spell chains, before banishing and stunning some of the other bastards who were turning their wands in his direction. "Damn right I did! Did you think I didn't hear what you and your brothers did to Marlene?! Did you think I didn't hear how your fellow Death Munchers bragged about the raping of the McKinnon women! Your wife was so damn proud of that! Too bad you decided that her mission to hit the Bones family wasn't all that important! I would have killed you along with her and Rosier!"

Travers lunged his wand at him, a purple blood boiling curse heading straight for Moody. The gruff man simply raised his staff and intercepted the curse with it, before hitting Travers with another spell chain, followed by banishing off his feet with the staff, along with the other Death Eaters around him. Travers barely got onto his arms before several piercing charms struck his chest and shoulders. Moody kept banishing, piercing and stunning Death Eaters away from his path, before he summoned Travers' wand right out of his hand. The man seemed to reach for either a knife or another wand but Moody decided he wouldn't let him have it so easy. A cutter carved right through his arm and into the man's chest behind it. The man screamed and then screamed louder as Moody slammed the pointed end of his staff into the open wound. Moody growled. "How does it feel, you punk? This is how you had my Grandmother, Ailene, isn't it? Damn woman took out a few of your pals before Voldemort took her down. Then he let you and his other dogs have fun with her and my cousins. Well, guess what? There is no Dark Lord or Wizengamot here to bail you out! You should have stayed in your cell in Azkaban." Travers' next words were silenced by Moody's cutter to his throat.

Alastor turned around, casting a piercer towards the man's heart as he looked away, before surveilling the fight. The floor was littered with bodies, a few wearing red coats, but many more in black robes. Seeing Tonks was still holding her own against a much more bloodied Rabastan and a somewhat injured Dolohov, Alastor started making his way towards her. In his path he continued stunning and banishing Death Eaters, casting a few well aimed cutters at their hands. Those who lost an appendage were swiftly stunned and pulled away from the fight by a few Aurors whose job was to capture and contain those Death Eaters that were somehow captured or taken down alive. He watched as Hestia Jones and Kingsley Shacklebolt took turns fighting off some Death Eaters, the two of them keeping to using stunners and shield piercers only. He shook his head as they ignored the orders he and Amelia gave about the freedom to use lethal force for this operation, the two sticking to Dumbledore's pacifist approach. He desperately hoped the two got that man's teaching out of their heads soon. Then again, Auror work should get easier soon enough. Alastor's Enchanted Eye was momentarily blinded as the barrier Tonks erected behind her broke. He charged forward as fast as he could but there were too many Death Eaters in the way.

-∞-

Hazel watched as several of the Death Eaters, probably thinking they could take her down together, aimed their wands towards her. She sighed as she jumped, her low bodyweight and accelerated momentum taking her well over their heads as a myriad of lethal curses sailed in the direction she had been standing in. She effortlessly swung her wand again in an arch, as a new set of conjured spears impaled another row of Death Eaters, her Transfigurations guaranteeing the bodies remained standing upright, rooted in position. Hazel landed in between a few of the other Death Eaters, many of whom turned their wand towards her. Dropping onto the ground, Hazel swept her legs out, knocking several of the Death Eaters onto their backs before unceremoniously ending them with a wide range cutter. She watched through her peripheral vision as a few of the Death Eaters rushed past her into the corridor she had appeared from. She turned towards the Death Eaters who remained in front of her. "I wouldn't go that way. I felt bad that Tom Riddle kept the truth of Salazar's Guardian from all of you so I decided to give anyone stupid enough to go that way an object lesson. There was no way I could conjure a Basilisk the size of Meretseger, but a few smaller but fully matured Basilisks were well within my skill set."

The Death Eaters who were not wearing a mask paled as they heard several of their fellows scream in terror, said screams cut short due to the suddenness of their death. Without saying a word, Rodolphus shot a killing curse straight towards Hazel, who guarded against it with a conjured shield, before returning fire with a spellchain. She watched Rodolphus raise a shield, only for the man to be banished out of the way of her spells. Her eyes pivoted to the woman whose wand now turned away from her husband's direction. Those purple eyes reminded her so much of Andy, yet there was no mistaking that this was Bellatrix Lestrange. She looked very much the same as her Godmother did after her time in Azkaban, her cheeks sunken in, dark bags under her eyes and her hair an unruly mess of tangled knots. She had to bite back a suggestion of combing her hair again, doing her best to shake away her surfacing memories. The Black Witch took her momentary distraction and ran with it, casting spell chains of shield piercers, finites and dark piercers. Hazel was forced to double her usual defences to keep said curses from reaching her, as the two passed around each other. Seeing an opening, she transfigured the sleeve of one of the dead Death Eaters into a snake and had it attack Bellatrix's leg. The former Slytherin looked almost affronted by the attack and vanished the creature but not before Hazel pressed the advantage.

She cast spellchain after spellchain repeatedly, forcing Bellatrix to take ever more defensive spells, wasting away her energy. Even if they recovered to full strength, something Hazel doubted just under two short months since the escape from Azkaban, she knew that she could outpace them all magically, even without the Elder Wand in her grasp. She was forced to raise a shield on her offhand as Rodolphus and the other Death Eaters tried to attack her while her attention was focused on Bellatrix. She was about to impale a good chunk of them again when Bellatrix screamed. "Stop! Everyone just stand back! She's mine!" Oddly enough, only Rodolphus seemed to head the order. Hazel launched herself back, with Bellatrix trying her best to catch her with a curse mid air, even going as far as casting a Killing Curse, but Hazel's accelerated momentum made it impossible for them to get a good read as to where she would be. Adding another layer of impaled Death Eaters to the intersection, Hazel watched as Bellatrix took advantage of them as well to cut off Hazel's line of sight on her. Hazel dropped the conjured spears and the impaled bodies hit the ground, revealing Bellatrix with her wand aimed towards her.

Shuddering at seeing the woman that looked like the mother she was never allowed to have, Hazel gave her a pleading look. "Please, Bellatrix. You can stop. The war is over. Voldemort is gone. There is no reason for you to keep fighting. You can let go." Bellatrix growled. "I can still avenge him! I will avenge him!" Hazel kept her wand aimed at Bellatrix. "And then what? How many more people must you kill before you're satisfied? A hundred, a thousand? When is it enough? Because I know you are aware that this won't end. Until you are willing to put your anger away, the blood won't stop being spilled. Not for your enemies and not for yourself. You know that. By the end you won't be a Black or a Lestrange. You won't be human anymore." Bellatrix huffed. "What about you? With how many of my master's followers that you have killed you are well on your way to not being human as well." Hazel gave her a bitter smile. "I stopped being human… a long time ago. That's why I know. It's not too late for you, Bellatrix. You have a family that loves you, despite everything that has happened. You have a chance at being human again. Just stop." Bellatrix screamed at her. "I can't stop. This is who I am!"

Hazel countered Bellatrix's killing curses with her own, the curses negating each other on impact. "Please, you can stop. The only thing left down this path is death. You will die here! Bellatrix Black will die here!" Bellatrix closed her eyes as tears ran down her cheeks. "Bellatrix Black died a long time ago. There is nothing left of her." Hazel's heart turned to lead as her eyes spotted all the remaining Death Eaters drawing their wands on her. She ignored Bellatrix ordering them all to stop. Digging deep inside, she held her right hand forward to shield from any attack by Bellatrix. Switching her wand to a reverse grip, Hazel wrapped her arm as far back as she could and swung it around in a wide arch. Countless spears manifested in the air between her and the Death Eaters before they were all launched at high speed. Hazel opened her eyes as the screams of dozens of Death Eaters filled the air, her right hand deflecting every curse sent her way by Bellatrix, with several conjurations blocking chains of spells cast along the Killing Curse. Her eyes locked onto Bellatrix as she switched the grip on her Holly Wand once more. The desperation and rage on Bellatrix's face suddenly vanished and was replaced by her Godmother's smile and outstretched arms. Hazel's vision filled with tears as her mouth released a sob before she managed to cast the spell she had prepared for this moment, just in case. " Moram… Mortis. " A black and silver curse shot out from Hazel's wand. Bellatrix raised a shield and tried to dodge it but found her legs being held in place by transfigured silver roots.

Bellatrix turned in terror as the spell approached, bypassing her shield as if it wasn't there before striking her in the chest. In an instant all strength fled her body, her arms becoming limp at her sides. The silver roots slowly lowered her to the ground as she watched the White Haired Witch come around to her, soft thighs cushioning her head as her body was lowered to the ground fully. Bellatrix watched as tears raced down the witch's face, sobs being wretched from her throat. "Why are you crying?" Hazel tried to brush her tears away, but more kept coming out of her eyes. "You could have lived. Why? Why couldn't you let go? I gave you time to think about the life you could have lived. Why?" A thought occurred to Bellatrix. "You sent that letter." Hazel nodded and Bellatrix closed her eyes. "That was not my life." Hazel hiccuped. "It could have been. I met a woman who was so much like you. Fierce and loyal, but kind and loving to her family. A woman who found joy in making people smile rather than killing, though she wasn't afraid to end a life when the time came. You could have walked a similar path." Bellatrix smiled, as tears began to escape her eyes. "She sounded like a wonderful woman. What was her name?" Hazel found her voice failed her twice before she could answer. "Bella. She died, at the hands of her mad cousin, saving the life of a girl that should have been her child." Bella opened her eyes and stared into the misty green eyes of Hazel. "I… see. We took so much from you, didn't we? Thank you for … believing in me… and for … letting me dream… of a better… life." Hazel watched as the life faded from Bellatrix's eyes. Her voice failed her again as she tried. She tried so hard to scream in pain.

…

"Hazel, look! It's a sea dragon!" Hazel leaned over the edge of the railing at the pier, her Godmother's arms wrapped around her in both comfort and to keep her from falling over. She watched as this beautiful silver blue serpentine dragon broke through the water, a seal gripped tightly in its maw. What should have made her feel a little queasy had no such effect, her body warm in the embrace of Bella, as she watched this woman that loved her smile with unabashed wonder. Hazel smiled at her and looked back over the sea.

…

"It's perfect!" Hazel shook her head as she looked down at the green dress that her Godmother had asked her to wear. "I look like a doll!" Bella laughed. "But that's the point of a dress. You're supposed to wear it for that special boy or girl you like." Hazel's face turned beat red and she rushed back into the changing room. "Not happening!" Hazel's face remained red in embarrassment, even as the gentle laugh of her Godmother from outside made her smile.

…

"Bella?" Hazel heard her Godmother hum from behind her as the two cuddled together in her bed at Grimmauld Place, the room lit only by the soft silver light of the full moon. "Yes?" Hazel tried to say what she wanted to ask but for some reason she couldn't. Why was it so hard to ask? "Did my parents… love me?" Bella hugged Hazel tighter to her. "They did." Tears fell from Hazel's eyes. "Then why didn't they stop fighting in the war? Why didn't they leave? And don't say it was to make a better world for me! You know Dumbledore's lie doesn't work on me." Bella went silent for several minutes. "I don't know Hazel. I really don't know." Hazel wrapped her arms tighter around Bella's. "Would you take me away from here, if you could?" Hazel felt a kiss on her head. "Without a second thought." Hazel closed her eyes as tears of joy slipped out. "I wish you would have been my mother." Bella hummed. "One day, I will be. I promise."

…

As she looked down at the woman she had just killed, memories and reality seemed to coalesce. A gut wrenching scream of pain escaped Hazel's throat as she bent over Bellatrix' body. "Why? Why? Why? Couldn't you let go. Why did I have to lose you again? WHY?!?!" Hazel cried over Bellatrix, her tears dampening the black dress beneath her. She sobbed as the last desperate hope she had of seeing her godmother again died forever. Her face pressed into Bellatrix's body, Hazel paid no mind to the approaching footsteps or to the wand pointed at the back of her head. "Thank you, witch. Thank you for caring about her enough to make her feel alive again. A swift death is the only thing I can offer you in return. Avada Kedavra ." Rodolphus watched as the bright green curse struck the witch on the head, her body going slack on top of his wife's. He groaned in pain for a second before casting an episkey on the puncture wound in his stomach. Seeing the wound close up just a bit, he sighed, turning to look around at the absolute carnage surrounding him. If the body's weren't still propped up by spears, they were dropped on the ground, the stone floor made slick by the layer of blood that seemed to cover the entire breath of the intersection. Sensing his brother was still in trouble, Rodolphus made his way towards the left corridor, blasting away at the conjured creatures that remained stubbornly alive in his path.

-∞-

Dora's breath was coming out ragged as she tried her best to press the advantage against Rabastan Lestrange, only for Dolohov and several other Death Eaters to push her back again. She could see why the Death Eater was the only Dueling Champion to match Flitwick's official record. Unlike the diminutive Professor, Dolohov didn't have much in speed. What he had in spades was power and precision, being able to penetrate her shields almost as quickly as she raised them. Casting another wide range cutter, Dora managed to take out the small fries again, only for Dolohov to press his advantage against her. She cursed under her breath as she struggled to keep the Death Eater from landing a curse on her. Hazel would have another conniption if she went back to her injured again. Dora spared a moment to hope that her partner was alright when the wall behind her exploded around her, blinding the two Death Eaters in front of her. Not wanting to waste the opening, Dora cast two fast spell chains at the Death Eaters, catching Rabastan in the stomach with a piercer that sent him sprawling onto the ground. Dolohov deflected the piercer but took another cutter to the arm. The former Duelist Champion took a few steps back, testing his arm's movement, his eyes turning to something behind her.

Feeling the hair on the back of her neck stand on end, Dora managed to dodge and turn around, raising up a conjured barrier before a curse managed to strike it. She watched as Rodolphus Lestrange arrived, his movements impaired slightly as he tried to overwhelm her with curses. Not wishing to get caught between three skilled Death Eaters, Dora jumped some distance back, knocking down several more Death Eaters in her way, before her shields were suddenly being struck by curses from the three senior followers. Dora drew deeper from the magic Hazel gifted her, not really noticing how cold the magic felt inside of her, as she needed to push them further back. She managed to cast enough overpowered spell chains to push all three Death Eaters off balance. Dolohov took a banishing spell to the chest that sent him flying, which allowed her to focus on the two Lestranges. Rodolphus seemed to take a closer look at her through all the spell fire before he gave her a smirk. "Tell me, was the White Haired Witch called Peverell your partner? Because I left her sprawled out on the ground. Though to be fair, she did kill all of the other Death Eaters. Our Lord would have loved to have had her on our side." Dora frowned. "What do you mean sprawled out?" Rodolphus chuckled. "She's dead, witch. I struck her with a Killing Curse myself."

Dora's heart froze, even as her body kept going through the motions of casting and blocking. Hazel couldn't be dead. She couldn't be. Searching deep inside of her for the link she knew existed between them, Dora noticed that she could feel Teddy's emotions very vividly. He felt scared, in pain and worried. When she focused on Hazel… her steps grew unsteady. Where Hazel's presence usually was, now there was a cold, almost devouring feeling of dread. She snapped back into the fight and fed her anger and rage into her curses, throwing everything she had against Rodolphus. She tore into his shields and was about to lob his head clean off his body when she felt as if a thousand blades struck her body, before being launched back by a banishing spell. Using her own momentum, Dora turned her uncontrolled movement into a roll, aiming to land on her feet, before being forced to raise a barrier to take stock of her injuries, as she stumbled onto the ground. Quetz' modifications to the armor seemed to have taken the brunt of the curse, though she could still feel two gashes on her side. Casting a countercurse that would keep the gashes from growing, Dora was forced to raise barriers repeatedly as the Death Eaters pelted her with Killing Curses. She tried to dash away when she again struck the ground hard, this time rattling her jaw, as she was forced to roll away from further curses.

She was momentarily confused as to why her balance was off until she touched her upper chest, noticing a certain weight was missing. She had noticed the charm growing warmer and warmer in the last few major fights, with it being exceedingly hot just a few minutes ago. Cursing under her breath, she took Hazel's advice to heart, dropping her shift in its entirety. She watched as the three Death Eaters seemed stunned by the way she looked, an opening she took advantage of. After catching all three with a wide cutter curse to their torso, she managed to launch Rabastan and Dolohov back as she tried to finish off Rodolphus. The Death Eater looked at her with a sudden realization. "Ahh, Andromeda's daughter. You were more than just partners with Peverell, weren't you? Was that why she cried after killing my wife? Because she was reminded of you?" Dora's thoughts slowed down, realizing now why Hazel could feel so wrong. If she had killed Bellatrix… a banishing spell launched her back a few feet and she watched as Rodolphus raised his wand at her. "Don't worry, I will send you to her now. That should help comfort her." Dora was about to conjure a shield when Rodolphus seemed to freeze in place. She watched as sharp and jagged black claws pierced right through Rodolphus' chest before arching back and tearing a wider hole through flesh and blood. The man's lifeless body dropped to the floor before her eyes registered what was attached to that claw.

"Ha… Hazel?" Iridescent silver eyes on her partner's face seemed to look into her soul before Dora screamed. "Hazel!" She tried to raise her wand up to push Hazel out of the way of Rabastan's Killing Curse, but there wasn't enough time. The curse struck her partner… and was seemingly absorbed by her skin. Dora watched as her partner slowly, almost mechanically turned towards Rabastan, before Dolohov unleashed a torrent of piercing and cutting curses towards her. Hazel did nothing to block the curses, her body becoming mired with open wounds and exposed and even broken bones that left Dora feeling cold with dread. The fingers she loved to hold on a cold night seemed to elongate right before her eyes, as Hazel's form seemed to shift away from that of a human. Bones popped and twisted in shape, as cuts resealed themselves, before the pale skin beneath the black suit suddenly turned as black as night. Her beloved's face became elongated and sharper, her jaw splitting the skin back as it grew in size to accommodate long and jagged rows of teeth. An unnatural and almost cackling screech filled the air as everyone's attention was drawn towards the creature that had once been Hazel. The creature dropped to all fours and, with the grace of a feline, pounced onto Dolohov, forcing the man onto the ground. Screams of pain filled the air as torn bits of flesh and cloth were carved from the man's body, before the creature, it's claws and jaws dripping with fresh blood, charged towards Rabastan. The last Lestrange tried to raise a shield but the creature's claws tore right through it, before carving a bloody path through the man's face.

Dora turned her face away as the creature tore into the man's chest as it had done to Dolohov before she tried to approach it. "Ha… Hazel?" Dora's eyes took in her partner's appearance as the creature turned to look at her. Where there had once been human flesh, there were now black and smooth scales, with a silver light seemingly glowing through the seams. Its eyes fixed on her own, those same silver iridescent eyes now sitting in black, fathomless orbs. Those eyes seemed to take her in again, before they settled onto her side. She touched the area they seemed fixated on and saw her gloved hand come out moist. Dora tried to tell Hazel it was ok but it was too late. The creature's eyes turned slitted as it screeched again, this time unmistakingly filled with unbridled rage. There was no amusem*nt or madness in its unnatural roar. The Death Eaters, faced with an unexpected and terrifying threat, panicked, rushing towards the Aurors in a desperate plea for help. The creature leapt across the open space before landing on top of one of the Death Eaters, the woman screaming in agony as claws and fangs tore into her with unrestrained ferocity as she was forced to the ground. Dora rushed towards her partner, screaming her name, "Hazel! Stop! STOP! HAZEL!", all the while wondering if she could stop what had just been unleashed.

Chapter 59: Consequences of Fate and Choices

Chapter Text

Teddy's eyes kept darting to the clock on the wall as Madam Pomfrey brought him a cup of tea. "I am sure everything will be fine." Teddy took the tea but didn't speak a word. His mom's Patronus had arrived to warn him that tonight might be a bad night. That they would be taking care of the Death Eater Escapees. Teddy, seeing Harry enjoying his Christmas Eve at Hogwarts with Susan and a few of their friends that chose to stay the night, decided not to pass the message along to him. He would happily take Harry's anger about not telling him over getting him worried about Mom. While Mom's last job ended without trouble, her long time away from Harry had done a number on his brother. He wouldn't add to that. So as the hours ticked by and no word came, Teddy began to rely more and more on the Peverell Family Magic that tied him, his Mom and Dora, if only temporarily with the latter, together. After the long mission away, Harry had asked if he could one day share in the magic. Teddy was sure he could, if Harry ever built up the nerve to ask Hazel. His Mom would never offer to pass the Peverell Family Magic to him, especially with how much she knew of what came with it. She had no choice but to offer it to Teddy to keep the Aurors of her world from trying to steal him away again.

The hypocrisy in how the Ministry under the remnants under the Order treated his Mom became all the more clear to Teddy as the years passed. They couldn't afford to give Remus Lupin a proper burial because he was never an Auror or officially in service of the government. Neither would have had him to begin with with Remus being a werewolf. That they suddenly cared about his son's welfare and had tried to contact the man's cousins to make a claim for Teddy's custody had been a massive joke. His Mom had not been amused. When he accepted being blood adopted by Hazel, he watched as his Mom looked over the ritual in several old books. in what he now knew was Druidic Script. She could have blood adopted him by replacing Dora, but Mom had been scared about potentially stripping him of his Metamorphmagus trait. She couldn't bring herself to take the last thing that tied him to his Mama. So she found a work around that allowed her to replace Remus instead. Teddy had no problem with that. The Aurors received the updated registry on Teddy's new status as Hazel's son soon after and the Lupin extended family stopped trying to sue for custody. The Ministry kept trying to take his Mom away regardless. They never did, even though his Mom refused to tell him how close they got. All he knew was that her hair had gone whiter still just before the world went insane.

Teddy took a moment to touch the Peverell charm on his wrist before taking another sip of tea. His earlier check in with his Mom and Dora showed they were both ok. He could feel something had changed now. They were both stressed, which he thought meant they were both fighting the Death Eaters. The feeling from both of them remained the same for several long minutes. He was about to ask Pomfrey for more tea, who had agreed to let him stay at the Hospital Wing tonight because of what might happen to his Mom, when his cup slipped from his hand. His Mom's constant presence had been cut off. Ignoring the shattered glass on the floor, Teddy gripped his heart as his body was suddenly wracked with pain. The Healer came to his side quickly, drawing her wand to scan him. "Mr. Peverell, what's wrong? Your scans aren't showing anything different." Teddy bit back a curse he knew his Mom would have chastised him for. "Mom! Something's happened to Mom!" Pomfrey frowned. "I am afraid there isn't much I can do about that. Madam Bones warned us that the Floo Network would be down for the night." Teddy's grip on his heart tightened as he tried to understand what was happening. He searched his memories and couldn't find anything that was the same except some nightmares… Teddy's heart stopped.

His Mom usually worked at night. The only other time he remembered feeling this pain in his chest was when the Goblin's managed to pin her down to the ground and had raised an axe as if to strike her head from her shoulders. He remembered the pain that followed. The hollow dread that seemed to fill his entire body. He remembered waking up in his Mom's arms, her face shifting from impassive to relieved in an instant. Silver eyes shifting to green. Silver eyes. Ignoring the pain in his chest, he sought his Mom through the bond again. He could feel Dora was now aware of the change and that she could feel him too. Throwing caution to the wind, he used his magic to reach out to his Mom's essence, even if he couldn't feel her. The same cold and consuming dread filled him, even as a noise echoed in his ears through his mind. An unnatural growl he thought he had only imagined as a child. When he felt Dora panic and the cold and dread that was his Mom's presence flare with rage, he knew he had to go. He had to help Dora and his Mom. "Nova!" The white magical bird entered Pomfrey's office quickly with a soft burst of light. She landed on Teddy's arm, her eyes searching the boy's with a clear look of concern. "I need to be there, Nova. Mom needs me. Please!"

"Mr. Peverell!" Was the only thing he heard from the Healer as he was enveloped by Nova's magic. His familiar's magic always felt so warm and comforting to Teddy. Even now it helped to steddy his nerves. His vision cleared as his feet hit the ground, Nova shifted position to sit on his shoulder, as he looked around a wide open space, the ground sparsely covered with bodies. "HAZEL! STOP! DON'T MAKE ME DO THIS!" Dora's words drew Teddy's eyes to her and the sleek black figure that scanned the throng of people who were aiming wands at her. Teddy had to cover his mouth and avert his eyes as he spotted the corpse of a Death Eater, it's ribcage ripped open, beneath the creature. The figure looked like a blend of a big cat and a dragon, minus the wings, though its claws and even its tail looked to be more for tearing flesh than anything remotely natural. As the creature scanned the covering line of Aurors, with some Death Eaters bound and cuffed in between them, one of the red coated wizards shot a stunner that went wide, hitting the floor quite some distance away. The creature's head snapped and was looking intently at the Auror as a low growl started to build up from the creature's throat.

Teddy's heart skipped a beat when he watched Dora raise her wand at Hazel. "Hazel, get a hold of yourself!" The creature kept its eyes on the Aurors, even as its hind legs seemed to be preparing for a lunge. As Dora was prepared to cast, Teddy yelled at her. "Dora, don't! She won't attack anyone as long as you keep calm!" He watched as Dora froze, surprise written all over her face as she turned towards him. "Teddy, how… Nova! Why did you bring him here! It's not sa…" Dora's words were cut off as the black figure darted past her and pounced across the space, before stopping right in front of Teddy. For a second Teddy wondered if he should feel any fear from her. The creature's maw and claws were covered in blood and other bits and pieces of human flesh, but the sight only made Teddy feel a little ill. Even as those piercing silver eyes took him in, searching him for signs of injury, he simply felt no fear, knowing that despite everything, this was his Mom. She would never hurt him. The reptilian-like elongated face was about to turn away when Teddy reached out and gripped it's jaw. "Please don't. You don't have to keep going." Those silver eyes turned to him again, this time feeling as if they were searching his very soul. Teddy smiled. "It's ok Mom. It's ok. It's over now. Nova!"

Teddy felt the magic from Nova latch onto him and his Mom, pulling them both away from the ambush point before dropping them off at the landing point Teddy had always used with his Mom for Portkeys and Apparitions into the DoM. He watched as the figure of his Mom stalked the chamber, searching for any threats, before he turned to look at Nova. "Think you can get Dora here?" Nova nodded and vanished from his shoulder, before appearing again in front of him with Dora along for the ride. "Damn it Nova, what…?" Teddy reached out and covered Dora's mouth as Hazel turned towards them. "Dora, Mom is in a bad place right now. How about you don't get her more agitated. The less noise and agitation, the more controlled she should get." Dora sighed and pulled his hand away from her mouth. "Got it." She took a vial of healing potion from her belt and downed it quickly. A quick diagnostic showed that the wound on her side was healing slowly and that the counter curse she used earlier had negated the lingering magic of the curse. She turned her attention back onto Hazel. "I don't know what happened to her. Rodolphus said he struck her with the Killing Curse. Rabastan did it again, yet here she is. What's left of her." Dora regretted her statement as soon as Teddy flinched. "Sorry, poor choice of words." The shift in Teddy's emotions instantly drew the creature's gaze towards them.

Hazel approached them wearily but allowed Teddy to touch her jaw again. Trying to figure out how to get his Mom back to normal, he remembered the gift Dora had given her for Christmas. Teddy closed his eyes and thought of every pleasant memory he shared with his mother, everything that told him that she loved him, and every moment that he felt that he truly loved her. As the feelings and magic flooded the link between them, the form whined. Teddy shook his head. "It's ok, Mom. It's over. You're still here. I am here. Dora and Harry are safe. You can come back. Please, come back." Dora watched as the creature's face started to shift, along with the rest of the body. She winced as bones popped, snapped or otherwise shifted into place. Within a minute of shifting, the familiar form of her partner, wearing her tactical gear minus some clear gashes and punctures from Dolohov's curses, stood before her, her eyes closed. Teddy, seeing the change even as he now held his Mom's gloved hand, kept his eyes focused on Hazel's face. "Mom?" The two of them watched as Hazel's eyes opened, her eyes back to the familiar green, though glowing with magic. Tears streamed from her eyes as they focused on Teddy, even as she smiled at him. "Hi… Teddy…" Hazel's voice was soft, as if hoarse by excessive use.

Dora moved to Hazel's side and hugged her tightly, Hazel's heartbeat feeling slow to her. "Hi… Nympha… dora…" Dora chuckled and pulled back, with Hazel scanning her partner's face. "Your … shift." Dora glared softly at Hazel. "That's the first thing you want to talk about?" Hazel blinked at her until a tremor racked her body. She looked down at her hands, her fingers still jagged and sharp. "Ohh… right…" The tremors happened again after Hazel struggled to shift her gloved hands back to normal and Dora moved Hazel's face to stare into her own eyes. "Do I need to get Mom to look you over?" Hazel blinked at her slowly. "For a … bit… I need… sleep… long … sleep." She turned and went to ruffle Teddy's hair until she remembered what was coating her hands. Pulling her bloodied glove off her hand with her teeth, she touched Teddy's head gently. "Tell Harry… I am ok. Just… need… rest. Actually… tell him. Don't hide… it." Teddy nodded, as he brushed a few tears away. "I will, Mom." Hazel nodded and pulled Dora into a hug. "Catch… me." It took Dora a second to catch her meaning, when her partner's body went limp on her. Decreasing her weight with a charm, she and Teddy left the platform for the Medical Wing, happy Hazel was back to her old self.

-∞-

Croaker entered the meeting room and his bloodshot eyes immediately landed on the large pot of coffee on the table. "Please serve me a cup. I have a few more hours to go before I can clock out." Augusta reached over and served her brother his cup of coffee as Amelia nursed her own mug. A few quiet minutes as Croaker allowed the coffee to fire him up again, he proceeded with the meeting. "Ok. The official tally of the incidents for last night are in. All but fifteen of the escaped Death Eaters died in the ambush last night. Four survivors from the left ambush point, ten from the center point and one from the right were the only survivors, most dying from injuries acquired in the fight." Amelia ran that through her head. "Who did Hazel spare?" Croaker waved his hand. "Lucius Malfoy. And I think spare is incorrect. Malfoy had his wand hand and the stolen wand he was carrying crushed just at the start of her ambush. He was knocked out and essentially ignored by the Death Eaters and by Hazel's conjurations. If it was by design, we will have to wait for her to wake up. She is still in the Medical Wing, recovering." Amelia nodded softly. "I assume we should shelve all discussions on what happened with her after she wakes up?" Croaker sighed. "Probably for the best. How are your Aurors doing?"

Amelia lifted up her paper and took a sip from her coffee. "The coats provided by your Department put in quite some work. Many of our Aurors took several lethal hits but ended up with minor scratches and punctures. Sadly, we did lose seven Aurors in the ambush. Moody and Rufus are working on the notifications for their families now." Croaker exhaled deeply. "My condolences. You have no idea how happy I was to hear that the DoM only had injuries last night, Horatio among them. Our Crafter, Quetz, and the Enchanters had been working on several prototype cloaks and most of them worked as expected. Add to that Quetz' support using an enchanted firearm, it all ended up with the Death Eaters getting wiped out, minus the four that surrendered rather quickly. They and the others are being processed and will be transferred to DMLE custody after we are done with them." Amelia nodded. "Take your time. The Aurors are going to be busy the next few days, helping to settle the population down. I will send a few to Hogwarts to ease Hazel's nerves when she wakes up." Croaker chuckled. "Much obliged." He turned his eyes to Augusta, the only person not having spent the last 24 hours awake. "So, what are you expecting for the Wizengamot?"

Augusta sighed. "The official first meeting of the year is on the second of January. That gives you two a week to come up with a report. The question will be whether our Chief Warlock will call an emergency session to cover the incident at the Ministry." Amelia rubbed her eyes. "We did have a gag order on the Aurors about the potential mission taking place last night. Unfortunately, it's very likely that Albus will have inside knowledge of the aftermath, at least. We tried to enforce the same gag order as we had during the Williamson incident, but it seems that Dumbledore might have worked around it. Both Shacklebolt and Jones were missing for five minutes in between the end of the operation and the summons for the debrief." Croaker tapped his fingers on the table. "Not enough for a full report from either of them, but enough time to apparate out of the Ministry, drop off a memory vial and then return." Amelia nodded. "That is Alastor's guess. The two will be summoned to a second debrief and asked about their actions. If Alastor's suspicions are true, we will probably be dismissing both of them and potentially charging them if it's deemed necessary."

Croaker closed his file and downed his cup of coffee entirely before serving himself another cup. "While slightly off topic, Peverell has brought to my attention that perhaps it may be time to bring McGonagall into the fold." Amelia looked up from her report. "Is that wise? She has been part of Dumbledore's supporters for years. Sure, her ethics and performance as a teacher and a staff member have been brought up before and we have seen some improvement, but I don't know if it's enough." Croaker shrugged. "That is part of the reason Hazel is asking. She has willingly revealed that she has a connection to the Department of Mysteries to the woman and the fact remains that the Headmistress of Hogwarts will be incharge of safeguarding certain secrets of the Castle. Hazel believed she herself couldn't be impartial concerning revealing further information to McGonagall. She left the question to me. As far as I am concerned, the woman has shown improvement with regards to taking a position herself and consulting with the more pertinent authorities, rather than relying on Dumbledore's judgement, which she seems to have dismissed completely. If she passes the necessary security clearances, she is welcome to the knowledge."

Augusta looked at a pensive Amelia. "Would you like me to approach her? As one Gryffindor to another, as well as Neville's former Head of House, she may be more open with me." Amelia looked at Augusta and gave her a soft smile and nod. "Very well. The Coalition will consider McGonagall as a potential ally currently under review." Augusta and Amelia stood up, with Augusta touching her brother's shoulder as she was about to leave the room. "The Lestranges?" Croaker looked at his sister. "Nymphadora faced off against Dolohov and Rabastan before Rodolphus joined in the fight. It was a drawn out fight for the most part. Hazel had at the time killed Bellatrix. In a less than conscious state she followed Rodolphus and killed him. Rabastan and Dolohov followed soon after. According to our scrying mirrors, only Bellatrix had a painless death. The other two suffered, if only momentarily." Augusta took a deep breath and Saul could almost see years of pent up anger and pain slip away. "When she wakes up, thank her for me. She once offered to end their lives for me and Neville, as payback for the pain they caused us. I can understand Bellatrix being spared after we were told of Hazel's Godmother. This is more than enough." Croaker watched as his sister exited the meeting room. "I will let her know."

-∞-

Dora rubbed her face, feeling the last twenty four hours weighing down on her, as she walked through the corridors of the DoM. She and Hazel had been smart enough to go into a magically induced sleep before Croaker woke them up as soon as the perimeter silent alarms were triggered. She had been worried about leaving Hazel alone to deal with the right flank, especially knowing who was going to be there, but Hazel had been adamant on taking the risk. Watching the recordings of the scrying surveillance system, she could see that Hazel had no real difficulties fighting the Death Eaters. Her troubles came in the form of Bellatrix Lestrange. Dora had no idea what the two said to each other, as the system that covered the entirety of Level 9 didn't include an audio aspect to it yet, but she could see how devastated Hazel was upon killing Bellatrix. Dora was far more devastated watching Rodolphus kill her fiancée so effortlessly. A few moments later she watched as Hazel literally picked herself off the ground and moved in the direction Rodolphus went, her steps almost mechanical in nature. Nothing Hazel had ever told her matched what had happened last night. When she asked Teddy, he was only sure of two things. The first is that it has something to do with the Hallows, specifically the Resurrection Stone. Hazel had given it to him only twice in his life, the first time to acquaint him with its existence. He said it felt cold to his hands, as Hazel's presence had felt in their link.

The second thing was that Hazel was partly aware of this being something that could happen. He remembered distinctively that Andromeda and Hazel argued about something, with the arguments usually leading up to Hazel's hair getting whiter and whiter. The last time this change in color occured, it had been during their Nuclear Winter years, with Hazel coming back with a lot of Direwolf meat and pelts, her hair having lost almost all color within the next month. The silver eyes were something that Teddy only ever saw in passing, though for Dora those eyes were a lot more vivid. Hoping to get some answers, Dora had dropped off Teddy at Hogwarts, checking in with a somewhat mad Harry, before returning to the DoM. Her Mom had done a few scans of Hazel, all of which seemed to show her bodily functions were all well below functioning levels, yet there was no sign of physical deterioration. As far as humans were concerned, Hazel should be needing extensive medical attention, yet her body wasn't suffering for it. Somehow. After taking a small break to go over the recordings with Horatio and Moody and finish her after action report, Dora finally made it to the doors of the Medical Wing. Walking inside, her eyes sweeped the room and landed on a figure who seemed to be inspecting potion vials.

The figure turned to her and smiled, sending Dora's hackles into overdrive. "Who are you?" The figure's silver eyes seemed to be filled with equal parts mirth and equal parts curiosity. "Come now, Nymphadora. You couldn't have forgotten about your fiancée, right?" Dora drew Hazel's wand from her holster and pointed it at her. "You may look like her but you don't feel like her. Who are you?" The figure hummed approvingly as she placed a vial gently back where she found it. Wearing a long white medical gown, she sauntered over to Dora, swaying her hips along the way. Those silver eyes remained fixed on Dora. The moment those slender, pale hands touched the wand, Dora's entire body froze as the magic running throughout her body seemed to turn to stone, holding her in place. The wand was removed from her hand as the being examined it. "I must say, my other half isn't as showy as the original. Though I can see the merit of hiding the wand in plain sight." Dora watched as the elder wand seemed to melt away into the beings's hand. "What… are you?" The being giggled. "Deep questions there, Nymphadora. The answer, as with most beings, is beyond me. Because to know what I am, I would need a name. The Peverells once gave me one, but it's hard to say if it was out of fear or belief. Either way, I simply do not know."

Those slender fingers now touched Dora's face, as the being hummed to herself. "Though I must agree with my other half. You are much prettier in your natural form, though you can shift your hair. Neither of us mind if you keep changing your hair color. We both love the pink look on you, but that nice red you often wear when in the throws of passions is just as alluring." Dora froze. "What are you to Hazel?" The being smiled. "Now that I can answer." Dora watched as she walked further back, her hands gently touching some scalpels left by the Healers to dry. "My memories only go back about a thousand years. Vague memories. Thoughts and echoes of men and women. All so different yet very similar. All Peverell by blood, if not name. My last memories before a few years ago were of two people. An older man with an ego that dwarfed any of those in my memories and a babe who felt so … familiar to me. Said man tried to end the child's life. I refused to let that happen. Stripping him of any right to my true essence, I fixated on the girl who was now my one final tie to the world. What a life she lived. Pain, despair, loneliness, betrayal. Death. Yet despite it all, by her choices and those of others, she endured. She lived long enough to recover my fragments. Then, in possession of all three, she died."

The figure lifted a sharp scalpel, eyeing the edge. "She had a chance to let go of life, to be at peace. She desperately wanted it too, but she had made a promise. She swore by her entire existence to give a child a better life than the one she was forced to endure. At that moment when the essence of existence was due to fade away into the void, she refused to die. And from that moment forward, we became whole." The being smiled at Dora as she lowered the scalpel back onto the drying sheet. "Many would call her my Mistress. While I think vessel was a more appropriate term. As the years passed, the line between us has blurred. Now we simply are. She is me and I am her. Only from the other side." Dora scrunched her brow, until something clicked in her mind. Something Perenelle had told her. "Your partner's role is a dreadful one. To be tied to something as tenuous or as abstract. To be a Mistress of Death. It's nice to hear that she doesn't give it too much importance. No one should put much emphasis on such a dreadful fate." Dora's eyes widened. "Death. You are Death." The woman shrugged. "I do not know if I am Death. As I said, my memories stretch back only a millennia. All I know is that Hazel and I are one in the same. And I could not be happier." A shiver rippled through the beings body, it's face filled with ecstasy.

Those silver eyes focused on Dora as her tongue licked her own lips. "I have tasted so many lives thanks to her. Deadly lives. Men and women, beast and sentient. Magical and non-magical alike. I have tasted them all. And I want to taste more." A thoughtful look came to her face and she smiled. "And yet I have also tasted something else. Something just as sweet." In the blink of an eye the entity was suddenly up close to Dora, those fingers tracing Dora's face. "Through her I have known love. The love of a mother to a son. A soul to a soul. I have watched as lives have been nurtured. Grown. Tended to. I want to continue to feel that too. Forever." The silver eyed beauty smiled at Dora, a warm and caring smile. "So you have nothing to worry about, Nymphadora. Hazel will remain by your side, as she always has. And I will remain a part of her, for as long as we both endure. Because that is who we are." Cold lips kissed Dora on her own softly, before the entity pulled away. "Be true to yourself, Nymphadora. Be true to her to the end. You have not betrayed your words to me. Do not betray them to her either." The being had a far away look to her eye. She smiled. "Our time is up. Goodnight, Nymphadora. We will meet again, one day." Dora watched as the entity returned to the bed where Hazel had been laid down, before seemingly falling asleep, leaving a now free to move Dora with a lot to think about.

-∞-

"Please sit down. We have a lot to go over concerning the incident at the Department of Mysteries." Sirius felt his stomach churn as Dumbledore called the meeting to order. Amelia had personally briefed him on the incident, just in case Dumbledore tried to spin it in a way that didn't match reality. She had also shown him the recordings of the event. If he was being honest to himself, the ambush by the DoM and the Aurors had been a slaughter. The Death Eaters went in expecting to catch everyone with their pants down. Instead, thanks to some insider information and a massive reconfiguration of the Departments interior structure, the escapees of Azkaban had no way out except surrender. The morons who refused to heed the warnings from their families and the last offers of surrender were wiped out without much restraint. The decision to keep the Aurors and the Unspeakables seperate was a wise one, even Sirius could see that. The Aurors did try to pull their punches, minus Moody who was out for blood, with the casting of stunners and jinxes, rather than going with full blown curses. The curses did start flying from the Hit Witches and Wizards first and soon enough most of the Aurors followed. The Unspeakables, by contrast, had no such reservations. The Death Eaters came for them specifically, targeting them in their place of work and for quite a few, their home. The spooks in the faceless hoods went all out, a few casting curses he was sure were either forgotten or brand new. Sirius made sure to add the DoM as a "Don't prank" location, especially with Harry living there part of the time.

That went double after watching Dora and Hazel's performance against the bastards. Dora was the match of every single Auror he had ever had the pleasure of working with, all at once. Watching her manage both Dolohov and Rabastan Lestrange at the same time was incredible. The woman he had met as a babe was every bit the powerful witch. When her shift dropped revealing her real appearance, he had to rub his eyes. There were differences of course. Her body was less thin and far more muscled, her face nowhere near as angular and her eyes held none of the madness. Yet even he couldn't deny her resemblance to a younger Bellatrix. He couldn't fault the Death Eaters for being momentarily stunned by her. Sirius would have been too. The real surprise, and he assumed was the reason for the meeting of the Order, was what came after. Hazel's fight with the Death Eaters was on its own brutal and efficient. She hardly wasted any magic on any of them, Lucius most of all getting the muggle treatment. Knowing she had been raised for two years by her world's Bellatrix Black, he couldn't really fault her for restraining herself against his cousin. Neither could he blame her for losing her composure after killing her Godmother's look alike. When Hazel shrugged off not one but two Killing Curses, Sirius thought he had seen it all. Watching the woman turn into a beast out of hell and rip the remaining Death Eaters apart was certainly not what he ever expected to see. He was sure Dumbledore took that bit of information poorly.

Sirius watched as the gathered members of the Order leaned forward, with Doge's eyes noticing the absence of certain people. "Where are Moody, Shacklebolt and Jones?" Dumbledore sighed. "It seems that Amelia Bones got wind of Jones and Shacklebolt getting away from the scene of the incident prior to going through the necessary oaths of silence that would have been applied. I believe they will suffer some disciplinary action." Sirius sighed. "Congratulations, your actions probably just cost them their careers." Molly Weasley glared at him. "I am certain that Dumbledore had his reasons for asking them to return." Albus nodded, his hands held together in front of him on top of the table. "I did. While I wasn't sure if the planned mission to deal with the Death Eaters was going to be successful, I believed crucial information could have been revealed within it. I was correct. During the ambush on the Death Eaters, Hit Witch Peverell was seen surviving a Killing Curse, not to mention several more lethal curses cast towards her by Dolohov, whose skill with curses is infamous. Kingsley's and Hestia's memories showed her shapeshifting into a horrifying beast that proceeded to brutalize the Death Eaters. She would have harmed the Aurors as well if she had not been whisked away. I fear that my theory has now been proven correct. Voldemort remains alive and is now in possession of an immortal body."

Molly physically paled. "And she is teaching two of my children. What are we going to do, Albus? We can't let her remain at Hogwarts! We must do something!" Sirius muttered under his breath. "Right, as if they were any safer under your care." Remus punched Sirius on the arm. "Not now, Sirius." Molly glared daggers at Sirius even as Arthur looked conflicted. Vance's diagnosis of young Ronald hadn't gone as well as the Weasleys would have liked. He had been transferred to St. Mungos to be given a more extensive evaluation. What they found had been appalling. Due to the cramped nature of the Burrow, Molly Weasley hadn't bothered to make a proper Potions Lab to continue her work in said field from home. As a decent potioneer, she helped keep the Apothecary in Ottery St. Catchpole stocked and supplied, a job which became a necessity after the birth of the two younger children. Sadly, her craft had caused a great deal of harm to the family unknowingly. Without the necessary precautions, fumes from the potions filled the air of the house's bottom floor, the particulate landing on the ingredients for the food the woman would be preparing later in the day. The only reason most of the kids were fine was due to their ages, diets and how often they were out of the house. Ronald's heavier than normal diet and less active habits resulted in him getting the worst dose, as Ginny's own predilection to spend days with Luna and her father spared her a similar fate.

The DMLE's investigative report on the situation had devastated the Weasley family, especially as Molly had technically been working as a Potioneer without a license. A fierce debate had apparently happened between the DMLE, St. Mungos and Child Services on what was to be done about the incident, as the woman's neglect and illegal activities had essentially been poisoning her family for years. While Amelia hadn't been fond of charging her with a stay at Azkaban, she didn't want to appear lenient either. The DMLE had lowered their sentence to a four year probation period, a permanent ban on any future brewing from home or anywhere else without Ministry approval, sporadic and surprise inspections of the house by the DMLE, as well as interviews for the remaining children under the family's care by Child Services, and mandatory sessions with Mind Healers for Molly, who had stubbornly refused to accept any guilt or responsibility for her actions, while Ronald would be on a strict diet and potions regimen in the hopes that some of the damage could be undone. The other children currently at Hogwarts had a less stressful set of potions to take to negate some of the build up. Arthur had willingly agreed to all this after Emmaline had volunteered to be the family's Child Services agent, with the house going through some heavy duty decontamination work that made even Sirius wince. Sirius didn't like the fact that Vance had been selected as their agent from Child Services, as she wasn't a neutral party as they were in the Order together. Then again, she had spotted the problem first, so maybe it was fine.

Dumbledore's throat clearing and his next words drew everyone's attention away from the staring contest between Sirius and Molly. "Believe me, Molly, we intend to rid ourselves of this abomination. But we must be careful. I believe that Voldemort has successfully secured a far more dangerous position than simply having the Transfiguration post at Hogwarts. Based on the deployment of the forces at the Department of Mysteries, I believe Voldemort's vessel was once an Unspeakable. It would explain her advanced knowledge of all forms of magic, not to mention her incomplete records surrounding her origins. Unspeakables have, in the past, operated as Hit Wizards. This means that the entire Department of Mysteries could potentially be under Voldemort's control. As dreadful as it might be, her being posted to Hogwarts is a blessing. As long as she remains in the castle, she can be observed. As such, the Order will currently focus on eliminating this new and most dangerous threat, while she remains within our reach." Sirius bit his tongue as the rest of the Order debated setting up patrols at Hogsmeade and at the Ministry, no one bothering to question Dumbledore's orders. He and Remus patiently went through the entire meeting in silence, the rest of the Order apparently taking it as his way of not admitting to having been wrong about her. Well, most of them did, as he was approached by Elphias as soon as the meeting came to an end.

"Lord Black, would you walk with me? I suddenly feel the need for a stiff drink." Sirius followed behind Lord Doge after bidding good night to Remus, as the two left the Order's Headquarters in an apartment situated in one of the many smaller streets leading away from Diagon Alley. These areas were the usual places where Muggleborns and more independent witches and wizards tended to call home as they worked at either the businesses in the Alley or within the Ministry itself. He had at one time held an apartment here himself, not soon after leaving Hogwarts. Lord Doge took him further into the Alley and away from the Leaky Cauldron, before leading him to the door of Oberon's Lounge. The minder allowed them to pass, after Lord Doge revealed his family's ring, up a narrow staircase. Since the place had no advertisem*nt on the front, most of the Witches and Wizards passing by the nondescript entrance would just glance over it. As soon as they reached the second floor landing, the real Lounge revealed itself. An exclusive bar and restaurant that only catered to Heads of Houses and their families, specifically those who contributed to its continued existence through the last three hundred years, it was considered the perfect place for Heads of Houses to meet in the Alley. Security was very much part of the reason no one, not even Voldemort, ever violated its sanctity, as it was essentially a neutral ground that all the Old and Ancient Houses invested in.

Taking a seat at a corner booth, Sirius watched as a lovely young lady with dark skin and braided hair came up to them. "My Lords. A pleasure to have you here as always, Lord Doge. May I be the first to welcome you to Oberon's Lounge, Lord Black. I am Kadija Shafiq, the owner of this fine establishment. Are you here for a meal, or drinks?" Elphias smiled at the young woman. "Drinks only, my dear. And tell your mother I do miss her company greatly." Kadija chuckled. "I am sure she would be delighted to hear that. What will you be having?" After placing and receiving their orders, Doge took a small shot of his scotch. "Lord Black. As a Governor of Hogwarts, I have had the distinction meeting many of the best and brightest that would hold a position of distinction as Professors for years at Hogwarts. As such, I hope you can consider me a good judge of character." Sirius raised an eyebrow and Doge raised his hand. "I also watched as Dumbledore ignored our recommendations time and again. Snape was too young to be Potions Master and Lockhart should never have set foot in Hogwarts again. He deserved his fate a thousand times over." Sirius chuckled and took a sip as Doge continued. "As such, I wish to ask you for your opinion on Lady Peverell. Do you believe she is who Dumbledore claims her to be?"

Sirius shook his head. "She isn't. For all of her knowledge and skills, she isn't another Voldemort, resurrected or otherwise." Doge sighed, looking at his drink. "I have stood by Dumbledore's side since he returned from Germany in 1945. I believed he was the best candidate to be Headmaster after Dippet retired. Now… now I see a man who is so blinded by his own vision of the world, and by the fear of a man who is now well and truly dead, that he is willing to destroy a woman's life to prove himself right. I looked into Lady Peverell's eyes. I saw the same thing the other members of the Board who lived through Grindelwald or Voldemort saw. I saw a witch that has fought her way through Hell and somehow, somehow she remains whole. Headmistress McGonagall shared several of her memories of Peverell's classes. I am not ashamed to admit that I learned something new about Transfiguration and Conjuration from her. But the students…" Doge finished his shot of scotch and served himself another. "The students were all smiling, using magic for the very first time and getting it perfectly right thanks to her instruction. She can still see the beauty and wonder of magic and inspire it in others, despite being forced to wield it as a weapon. That is not the way of a monster or a threat to our world. So please tell me you are planning to keep Albus from destroying such a wonderful person's life." Sirius smiled. "Well, Lord Doge. I can say that I am not alone. Your colleagues in the Board would probably like to hear this too." Doge looked Sirius in the eye. "I am listening."

-∞-

"Thanks for the reading recommendation again, Professor Peverell!" Hazel sighed as Hermione Granger left her classroom at the end of their first class after the New Year. When she had agreed to teach at Hogwarts, Hazel had forgotten the fact she would have to teach more than just Harry, Teddy and the kids of the Coalition. Teaching them was always a pleasure since they sort of knew what her style was, so they all read the lesson plan ahead and worked out the mental exercises. By the time they came to class, they could all successfully cast what spells she had assigned. After that, she would let them focus purely on practicing the spell, learning how the spell could be altered by their imagination and intention. The rest of the the students soon followed suit, resulting in her classes usually beginning with a short theoretical discussion, followed by her leading them through the correct mental exercise to get the initial Transfiguration and Conjuration down, followed then by her watching the kids have fun taking the base design and modifying it to their heart's content. By the time they all left the classroom, each student could not only cast the base spell, but adjust it to their personal tastes. Even students who had poor academic results like Crabbe, Goyle and Weasley of the fifth years could usually get through all the exercises well enough, though Weasley spent a lot of his time grumbling about not having enough time to have fun or eat well.

Unfortunately, Hazel had forgotten about a certain group of students. People like Hermione Granger and Daphne Greengrass. The two and several others were driven to not only follow through her already fast paced course, but they were determined to deconstruct the spells as much as possible. The dark haired Queen of Slytherin at least knew better than to assault her with a dozen questions, instead opting to just ask her for her source material. Since the young girl had already read the Advanced Conjurations text that Hazel had used as her primary inspiration, the Slytherin's drive for knowing just about everything concerning magic left Hazel little recourse than to peruse other advanced Transfiguration texts, pointing the girl to the ones that she thought were closer to the ideas she uncovered through instinct and practice. Hermione Granger, however, was not as accommodating. After chasticing her for asking too many questions in class without letting the other students get a chance, the Gryffindor bookworm turned to asking her afterwards. Rather than going through her laundry list of questions, Hazel decided to focus on the ones Hermione could read through and discover the answers to the other questions along the way. Her strategy didn't always work but it was better than spending her free time answering questions normally she would say that she learned via practice. No one seemed to believe her when she said that she had based her conjured dragon's firebreath on the sensation and magic behind the firewhiskey magical effect, which was a better option than saying that she had been on the receiving end of Dragon's fire several times in her short life. Oh well.

As she finished sorting all the books used as Transfiguration material back on to her bookshelves, she heard the door open behind her. "Is Croaker having you shadow me now, Dora?" Dora sighed as she closed the door behind her, dropping her disillusionment. Hazel eyed her without turning around completely, seeing that Dora was keeping herself closer to her natural form, minus the pink hair. It looked perfect on her. "No. With the Death Eaters decimated and no missions currently on the docket, I am officially free to spend my evenings with you again." Hazel turned around fully and smiled at her partner. "Ummm, sounds like the perfect time for date night. Dinner?" Dora smiled back at Hazel. "Sure. Kids or no kids?" Hazel paused for a second and gave Dora a sheepish look. "With kids? Harry has understandably taken my absence this past week poorly." Dora nodded. "Sure, not a problem." Hazel waved her hands at the classroom walls, dispelling the transfigurations and conjurations. Dora took the sight of it all and whistled. "Damn. I could have used you as my Professor. You certainly make the classroom feel alive." Hazel chuckled and threw her old expanded book bag over her shoulder. She playfully tapped Dora's hip with her own as she passed her along the corridor between the desks. "Right, and while I am certain you were a fine student, I can also believe you would be one hell of a distraction for everyone. Are you coming?" Dora followed quickly behind her, her eyes on Hazel's face. Her partner noticed the look. "What?"

Dora stared at her as they walked through the corridors. "Are you sure you're ok?" Hazel blinked at her. "I feel fine." Dora raised a ward around both of them. "You died a week ago." Hazel shrugged. "And I feel fine. To be fair, this isn't my first brush with death. I did tell you about my unexpected run in with a lorry. I might have also died to a Goblin Retrieval Team. They chopped my head clean off and tried to get back to Gringotts with it. Don't ask me the specifics as to how, but I did manage to kill them all afterwards." Dora stared at her fiancée. "You do realize that you are talking about you dying, right?" Hazel stopped in her tracks and sighed. "Believe me, I am aware of that Dora. I know that I died. I expect what's left of my black hair to go full white sometime next month. In the end, does it matter? You are alive, though I and Horatio are going to have you run through harder drills, the Death Eaters are no more and we are enjoying a break from work. Well, you are. I apparently got another job. By the way, if you are still interested in marrying me, I do have an excursion planned for Easter Break with the boys that might or might not have something to do with the future Peverell Estate. Are you interested?" Dora pinched the bridge of her nose. "Of course I am going! But why doesn't your constant brushes with Death bother you? Also, you do know your Family Magic actually woke up in your body and talked to me, right?"

It was Hazel's turn to blink at Dora. "Huh. That's unexpected. What was it like?" Dora shivered, but she was confused as to why a part of her found the interaction exciting. It took her a second to realize it was because, despite how different the entity was and felt, it was still Hazel. Somehow. "She says you and her are one in the same. That she will make sure you will be around as long as you want." Hazel smiled. "Well, that's good. For a second there I thought you were going to say this was my last life. I am just about all out of black in my hair after all." Hazel started walking and Dora followed suit. "Wait, you thought you had a limited number of lives? And that you went through them all?" Hazel's glare made Dora stumble slightly. "No, Nymphadora. I didn't just go through them. As I noticed the change, and my concern over my ability to come back to life became more prevalent, I decided to train myself to not die. Do you honestly think I got as good as I did before being an Operative for no reason? As I and my Family Magic can't talk to each other as you just did with her, I had to guess. My repeated deaths happened in spite of my best efforts to the contrary. I was suicidal a few times in my life, but not when Teddy entered it." Dora lowered her gaze and hugged Hazel to her. "Sorry. It's just hard to process the fact that you, strong, hot and willful you, could just die like that."

Hazel pressed Dora to a wall and took her breath away with a kiss that made Dora's legs shake. As soon as Hazel pulled back, she looked at her partner's eyes. "Trust me, Dora. Despite everything that happens with me, life is still just as fragile and precious. So when the time comes and I have a breakdown about what happened the last few days, I will deal with it then. But right now I want to taste the good things in life. I want to sit at my dining room table with the boys and hear about their day. I want to hold your hand throughout much of that, feeling the warmth of your skin and the beat of your heart. When both of them head out for their common rooms, I want to take you to bed." Hazel pulled softly on Dora's lower lip. "And if you are a very good fiancée, you won't be leaving my bed till morning. Not easily, not without a need to erase some of the evidence of what I want to do to you tonight and not without a smile that I want to wake up to every day for the rest of our lives. So, can we just live our lives today and worry about the complexities of my Family Magic later?" Dora's hair shifted to red. "Could I get a preview for later?" Hazel raised an eyebrow. "Sorry love, I am still not a fan of taking you outside of our own private place. As soon as the Peverell Estate is up, you can do your best to show me otherwise. For now, it's a no."

Dora pouted and followed after Hazel. "Spoilsport." Having sent a message out to Harry and Teddy via Athusa, Hazel found them both already in her Chambers. She made sure to hug both of them tightly and kissed their cheeks before asking them what they wanted for dinner. Dora sat down with them and a three way discussion took place on the merits of Chicken, Beef, Pork, while Hazel shook her head at them all and went to work on getting the vegetables chopped up. A chorus of "Chicken and Beef Fajitas" filled the air. Hazel sighed and turned around. "Harry, want to help me out with cooking? I am getting the vegetables done soon and Dobby can get the meat carved into strips. Mind seasoning them and then helping me with frying half of them?" Harry nodded and stood up from the table. "Sure." Hazel looked at the other two. "Teddy, why don't you and Dora set the table and start pulling out the cheese and sauces out of the fridge. I will be making Mexican rice as a side and filler, so keep that in mind." As Hazel separated out the fried onions, tomatoes and peppers, she looked over at Harry. "How are you doing?" Harry shrugged. "Alright, I guess." Sensing more to it than that, Hazel sighed. "Harry, the job Dora and I have is a dangerous one. That means long days, maybe even weeks before we can get back in touch with our family. But…"

Hazel nugged Harry's shoulder and he looked up at her from the frying pan. Hazel smiled at him. "I promise you, Harry. We will take things easier from now on. With the work the ICW, National and International governments, magical or otherwise, are putting in, things will quiet down soon. If you and Susan don't have anything planned for Easter Break, would you like to see a few possible plots of land we are looking at for the Peverell Estate? I know you would like us to live at Potter Manor, but nothing wrong with checking out and even spending a night out under the stars. And since any construction project might take a year or two to complete, you will have us spend some time at the Manor. So, what do you say?" Harry searched her eyes. "You promise you won't go on any more dangerous missions?" Hazel's smile faded slightly. "I can't do that Harry. What I can promise is that you won't go a full day without seeing us for quite a while. We will also be upfront and warn you ahead of time if we can't even manage that." Harry turned to his pan and he moved the chicken strips around before putting them aside. He sighed and hugged Hazel. "Ok. Deal. And I would love to camp out with you and the others in the Break. Though can I invite Susan?" Hazel chuckled and ruffled his hair. "Sure. But no proposals or babies until after Hogwarts though. Preferably after you have a job."

Harry nudged her away and straightened out his hair. "Of course not!" Hazel smiled as she took out her own strips of beef out of the pan. "Good. Because, despite the color of my hair, I am too young to be a grandmother." Harry cracked a smile and laughed as Hazel fried the vegetables a bit with the heated pan before bringing everything to the table. Dobby, as always, refused to eat with them, no matter what was offered. He did stay and chat with Teddy and Harry as Hazel ate her meal, before leaning into Dora's side. The boys stayed behind for a cheesecake dessert Hazel had made for Christmas and they all left, promising to meet up for New Year's Eve. After getting through some of the dishes before Dobby kicked her out, Hazel waited for Dora to finish showering before getting cleaned up as well. As soon as the door to the bedroom was closed, Dora was pressed into the bed, with Hazel's lips unto her own. There was no rush tonight as Hazel took her time loving Dora over and over again, slowly and thoroughly. By the time they both collapsed, neither of them wanted to let go. In a tangle of limbs Hazel took a deep breath. Days like today were the reason she loved being alive. If Death, the Family Magic, or whatever had helped make sure that this was her life, she wouldn't complain. Not anymore.

Chapter 60: A Peaceful New Year

Chapter Text

Teddy allowed the feeling of the Portkey to wash over him as the group landed at the edge of Godric's Hollow's main street. Hazel stored her rabbit's foot portkey away, with Dora giving her a stink eye. "What? Tell me that wasn't the smoothest portkey you have ever used?" Harry and Teddy giggled at Dora's exacerbation. "I can shift into a rabbit, you know?" Hazel hummed. "And I can shift into a cow, a pig, a chicken and a fish. Only thing I refuse to shift into is a goat. That's Dumbledore's shtick. Besides, I hunted this rabbit fair and square. First rule of eating in the wilderness: never waste a damn thing. Everything is usable, in one way or another. If you are going to end the life of an animal, make it bloody count. So why wouldn't I use a rabbit's foot as the smoothest catalyst piece for a portkey?" Dora rubbed her eyes. "Fine, fine." Harry handed a galleon to Teddy, and Dora stared at them both. "Traitors." Harry raised his hands. "Hey, I put my money on you winning that argument." Teddy giggled, before a gust of wind made him wrap his neck tightly with a scarf. Hazel cast warming charms on everyone, before nudging Harry on the back. "We are here for you." Harry nodded and the group made its way down the street. Hazel could see Harry eyeing the streets, noticing the fact most of the people had already removed the wreaths from the doors.

Hazel had planned to bring the boys here before New Years, preferably on Christmas Eve before returning to the Tonks household for a party, but when the DMLE got word that the attack would take place on the same night, they had to postpone the trip. Her slow recovery and the massive cleanup afterwards resulted in classes starting up again. So Hazel waited patiently for the next free weekend to bring Harry here. As they trudged through the ankle deep snow under an overcast day, they reached the edge of the Potter Cottage. Harry looked up at the statue of his parents in passing, before staring at his old home. Hazel stood by his side. "Dumbledore had the Order clear out some of the inside before the Ministry arrived. They took control of the property and left it as it was on that day. I have put in a request to either return the property to us or to compensate us fully for it. If it's returned, it would be up to you what you would do with it." Harry turned to Hazel. "Did you ever come back here?" Hazel nodded, her eyes fixed on the property. "I tore that statue down with Fiendfyre on Christmas Night once. I came back a year later and burned the house down. I was tired of being compared to them. Of never measuring up to their legacy. So I did away with it." Hazel turned to him and patted his back. "What you decide to do with it is entirely up to you." Harry nodded and they continued down the street.

Slipping under the wards of the graveyard, Hazel pulled out two wreaths from her bag and handed them to Harry as Dora waved her hand, brushing away the snow that covered the Potter graves. Harry lowered the two wreaths of black roses and white lilies and placed them on top of the marble slabs. He read the epithet. "The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death?" Hazel sighed. "Corinthians. A quote from the Christian Bible. In the eyes of the faithful, death had no power. People were expected to embrace death, in the hope of some great reward of eternal life. Probably placed there by Dumbledore trying to reinforce the idea of martyrdom in your head, most likely." Hazel turned to the other grave they came to visit. "Yet death is no great evil, nor monster to be vanquished or defeated, but an old friend to be greeted at the end of a long journey." Hazel placed her own wreath of black roses on top of Ignotus Peverell's grave, after she cleared it of snow. "I won't tell you what you should believe, Harry. I only want you to know what Death means to the Peverells. To our ancestors, Death was at first a deity to be feared and worshipped. In time, they grew to respect Death. They wore black cloaks and carried the mark of Death, or what they described as the mark of Death, with them as a reminder. Everything dies eventually. You cannot cheat Death, you cannot refuse Death. Death decides our ultimate fate. But just because Death claims all, it doesn't mean the lives it claims lose meaning. There is meaning to life because it ends. There is growth to be had, because things must change. To them, celebrating Death was as if they celebrated Life. They are one in the same, in a way."

Harry knelt down and touched the cold stone of Ignotus Peverell. "You said The Cloak came to my family because of him?" Hazel nodded. "Even if the name of the family was lost, and the ancient duties rescinded, there was a need to keep the relic alive. To keep it among the family. For their safety and as a prayer that one day the Peverells would rise again." Hazel stood quietly by as Harry paid his respects before she sensed movement from across the street. She guided Harry and Teddy along as an old woman watched their approach from her opened door. "Ah, welcome back to the Hollow, young Heir Potter. It is also good to see you, young Master Peverell and Lady Peverell. Please, please, come in." As soon as they were all inside, Hazel hugged Bathilda softly. "Thank you for inviting us in." The older woman waved the comment away and guided them to her living room. "Nonsense. I don't usually have many visitors. And you? You, I have much to thank you for, Lady Peverell." Dora bowed her head after she took off her coat. "Professor." The woman nodded. "You must be Miss Tonks, the Consort of Lady Peverell. A pleasure to meet you." Dora blushed as an older elf placed a few cups of hot chocolate for everyone to drink from on the coffee table. Harry stared at the woman and chuckled. "My friend Hermione would be quite excited to meet you, Ma'am. She has read "Hogwart, A History" cover to cover several times."

Bathilda chuckled back. "Then I hope she isn't too devastated when my next edition gets released." The old woman looked at Hazel. "I have lived a long time, yet never in all my years did I hope to read the journals of the Founders, incomplete as they are." The boys looked at Hazel, who blushed. "I may have sent her translated copies of Salazar's journals, as well as his incomplete copies of the other Founders journals. The Protean Charm and its enchantment hadn't been invented yet so the four each would write down the entries of the others, just in case one was lost." Bagshot drank from her cup. "Incomplete or not, having a clear window into their era has been most enlightening. To think that we forget so much of the people we exalt almost every day of our lives." Hazel lowered her eyes. "History tends to favor the simplest of answers. What did the everyday person care for Godric's drunken benders and the burden that the horrors of war that weighed upon his heart. What do people care about Helga's desire to communicate with all forms of life, at great personal cost. Or Rowena's difficulty with expressing or even understanding human emotions that seemed so alien to her overly rational mind. What did the people care that Salazar was first and foremost a family man that lost everything to the religious zealots he feared so desperately. People are quick to forget that all people were just that… people. Flawed, vulnerable and desperate to make something of the time they were given."

Harry turned away from Hazel and looked to Bagshot, who nodded. "Indeed. People will forget these things. But historians must try to never let that get in the way of the truth." She looked at the two boys. "Because to turn your back from the truth is to build your life on a lie. That lie may one day be mistaken for truth, but the nature of the world will always seek to reveal that which is hidden. Like the Death Eaters, so many who build their entire lives on lies find that in time, the truth will catch up to them. When it does, the life built upon the lie will crumble into dust." She turned to Hazel and Dora. "The official report may not be out but I doubt there is another person responsible. You have done your ancestors proud." Hazel turned her eyes to both Teddy and Harry. "I didn't do it for them." Bathilda followed her gaze and nodded. "No, I don't suppose you did. Learn from this, young masters Potter and Peverell. There is nothing wrong honoring the past, but you must always honor the future. While you still can." She touched a stack of parchment beside her. "By revising the story of the Founders with their own truth, I hope to do both. To undo what part I played in propagating a lie and to make sure the next people who read my work learn from my mistakes." Harry and Teddy smiled at her and answered in stereo. "We won't forget." The two turned to each other and laughed softly at each other, as Bathilda raised her cup to Hazel.

"Thank you, my dear, for the opportunity to meet your family and for the chance to do one last act of service to my country." Hazel nodded. "You are welcome." Dora leaned forward. "Professor, out of curiosity, have you heard about Family Magic?" The woman turned her eyes to Dora and nodded. "I have. Your consort here has been researching it with my aid." Dora blushed. "I was just curious… if you thought this was considered dangerous magic?" Bagshot shook her head. "Some people might, but I don't think it is. Whatever scares you about it, my dear, try to make peace with it. The Ancients saw it as proof of the divine. Proof that Magic was more than just a tool. After all, if the magic that runs through our blood happens to endure for millennia and develops a mind of its own, what does that say of our magical world, where magic is embedded into every corner, the leylines no different than the veins under our skin?" Dora blinked and sat back. "I never thought of it that way." Seeing Hazel's look, Dora explained. "I know you would have told me when you were ready, I just wanted an outsider's perspective." Hazel's snuggled up into Dora's side. "It's ok. I have the research back home for when you want to look over it. Andromeda will be doing another examination soon, anyways."

Hazel turned to Bagshot. "Any idea what happened that made the other Family Magics go extinct?" The old woman drank from her cup of tea, before she stared at it. "I am afraid all I can give you is a hypothesis, one that is somewhat verified by the official records. Sometime after the conversion of the Wizard's Council into the Wizengamot, there was a great upheaval among the Founding Houses. Blood was spilled, alliances were broken and lines went extinct. It was around this time that the last mention of Family Magic was found in legal documents. The ones right after discussed the breaking of oaths. The end of the Old Guard came soon after." Hazel closed her eyes, trying to remember what her history said of that time. "No new oaths tying Families together in alliances were made after that day?" Bathilda shook her head as Hazel slumped her shoulders. "An old friend once told me that the Family Magics needed centuries to flourish and gain a sense of sentience, but that they were initially meant to help the families. To guide the Lords and Ladies, creating a continuation of oaths and agreements, as well as protection from family members who would dare betray their kin. If the descendants of the Family Magics refused to honor the agreements and acted against their blood family before they gained sentience… the Magic could have died out. Betrayed by the very blood that gave it life."

Bagshot sunk into her chair. "If that is true, then our people suffered a greater loss than I could ever have imagined. Perhaps that was the true source of the term "Blood Traitor." So many Ancient Families turned against each other and even themselves. It was a Dark Time indeed." Dora held a pensive Hazel, with the two kids looking at her with concern. Hazel took a deep breath. "Thank you, for looking into it, Professor. For me and my son, the Family Magic of the Peverells has been a blessing. If the theory is proven true, then it explains Hogwarts as well. What Headmaster would like to be shackled to a centuries old oath if they could have their way with the Castle instead. They never dared to touch the Ward Chamber out of fear of death, if not for the Castle's demise, or they would have stripped it bare. At least now, through us and Headmistress McGonagall, we have a chance to set things right. Because what good is it to make a promise, an oath even, if you can break it as soon as it becomes inconvenient." Dora rubbed Hazel's back as she kissed her fiancée, her thoughts on her own promises to her lover as the kids started bombarding Bagshot with questions, lightening the mood considerably. Her fiancée had lived a life of hollow words and promises, only to realize now that in some ways this world was the same. Dora made an oath to herself that day as she watched the old woman smile as she waved goodbye at them. She would keep her promises, as Hazel had done, so that they never lost their meaning.

-∞-

Minerva opened the door to her new office. "Augusta? What brings you here to Hogwarts?" Madam Longbottom smiled at her old friend. "Just here for a small chat, Minerva. Nothing to worry about." The older woman inspected the office as she stepped inside. "I see you did away with Albus' idea of an organized office." Minerva chuckled. "Please, the office was only ever organized in his mind. After he was removed, there was quite a bit of cleaning up to do." Augusta hummed and waved her wand to scan for eavesdropping or scrying devices. She found a few with spells her brother taught her and dispelled them. "It seems Dumbledore didn't trust you. He left two eavesdropping spells right here next to the desk." Minerva eyed the spot where the magic had been. "Every day I sit here, I find more and more reasons to question how I ever trusted that man. How I ever looked up to him. Spying on me. Really, Albus?" Minerva sat down and sighed before looking at Augusta in the seat across from her. "I take it you wish to discuss things that you don't want Dumbledore to know?" Augusta shrugged. "Eventually. Right now, how is my grandson doing?" Minerva smiled. "I must admit that young Neville has been a surprise. I did consider him to be the fifth year Prefect, but after reviewing his last few years, I felt he wasn't as well suited to watch over the first years. Then again, I am considering changing the Prefects for next year, since a few like Neville were almost well suited for the role to give them a chance."

An elf brought some tea to them at Minerva's request and after checking the cups and drinks thoroughly, Augusta took a sip. "An interesting idea. I am sure Julia and Elphias would approve. We can certainly discuss it more in the next session." Minerva added a bit of scotch to her drink, as Augusta eyed her. The Scotswoman raised her cup to Augusta. "Helps keep me a bit less wound up. This job has a lot more to it than I ever imagined." Augusta nodded. "As has taking a Governor's Seat. Then again, Julia does have her own ways of dealing with the work. I hope that you don't mind my saying that Neville's scores seem to have improved further this year." Minerva nodded. "As has the entire student population. The last two years prior, we saw small changes to the students' performance, thanks to that initial Dueling Club Peverell ran with her partner. As a full teacher her effect has been even more pronounced. Filius is absolutely delighted by the control his students have in Charms. Same for Lupin. Slughorn, of course, has been restoring faith in the students concerning Potions. For the first time in decades the students seem overjoyed to be in the school." Augusta smiled as she drank her cup. "Then it sounds to me that Hogwarts is finally back to the way it should be. At least concerning the students' wellbeing."

Minerva nodded. "Neville is also part of an inter house study group. The students gather in a classroom that Professor Peverell cleaned out for them. Aside from studying, they also learn how to hold control of a small ward that gives them an overview of the classroom. A bit of practice for what will one day become a daily occurance." Agusta finished her tea and placed the cup on the saucer. She sat back, looking at Minerva. "I am sure you are aware that this group is formed by specific children belonging to certain families. Though I trust you aren't as interested in politics as Albus was." Minerva lowered her cup and sighed. "Most certainly not. But I am not so disinterested as to be detrimental to the school. I am aware of a growing group of families coming together, passing important legislation through the Wizengamot. Legislation that has impacted the school." Augusta nodded. "As you are aware, I am part of that. This isn't an official invitation to the Coalition. Instead, this is but an offer of cooperation. If you wish to remain out of the politics of the Wizengamot, then we can accomodate you. That said, we want to see Hogwarts be the best school it can be. This means securing finances, greater focus on the children's well being. We even have discussions about having the parents, all the parents, spend some time in the Castle. To help them understand what their children's time here will be like."

As much as she thought that Hogwarts was fine as it was, Minerva couldn't find any fault with the suggestions. "I assume that you want me to open up to discuss these proposals? To be kept in the loop?" Augusta smiled at her. "And to help write the proposals down. You have been the administrative heart of the castle for years. You would know it financially just as well, not to mention being able to bring the concerns of the staff to the Board or us. Hazel Peverell's cordial relationship with Hooch led to the improvements in the school brooms for all the House teams. Not to mention the fact that the Centaurs are being exceedingly more helpful in taking care of the students' safety by better managing the Forbidden Forest." Minerva chuckled. Hagrid had been of two minds about the changes in the Forest. Aragog's death and the near extermination of the Acromantula colony had been a devastating loss for him, but the Centaurs had been far more friendly and helpful. Unicorns were now more common, with younger foals being born just at the edge of the Forest. Even the Thestrals and the Hippogriffs seemed calmer now. Some of the students even thought they saw a fairy or two darting from tree to tree. Minerva sighed. "Very well. I would be quite happy to learn more about this Coalition." Augusta pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to Minerva. "Good. We will be meeting soon so be sure to make time. Well, most of us will be. Getting Peverell to show up is a battle we don't always try to win." Minerva chuckled. "I am glad she has a better work ethic for Hogwarts then."

-∞-

Andromeda waved her wand over Hazel's body, who was lying on a medical bed, while Dora looked on. She lifted up a board with documents on it and double checked the results. "Base heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature and metabolism are all down from your first scans. Despite that, your magic remains steady, your body still shows no signs of any long term damage, no loss in muscle mass and your brain doesn't show any signs of irregularity, besides working fine under said conditions. You seem to be perfectly fine. Though I have to say that based on Teddy's and Dora's scans, you are very much an anomaly. With them I can see the clear distinction between their magic and the Family Magic. That distinction in you is all but gone now." Andromeda finished filling out the information and signed the paper before tapping Hazel's shoulder. "You are free to get up now." Hazel sat up and stretched her arms out over her head. She looked over at Dora. "Satisfied? Or would you like to do the inspections? I can wear a hospital gown and you can bring gloves." Dora blushed, her hair turning red, as Andromeda chuckled. "Aside from the unusual nature of Hazel's body, there is nothing really wrong with her." Dora nodded. "Fine, I believe it. I was just worried. Talking to an entity that wore your face was a bit disconcerting. That's all."

Hazel pulled her jacket off a chair and started slipping her arms into it when she looked over at Andromeda. "What about you? Anything?" Andromeda looked over at Dora before looking at Hazel. She sighed. "A small growth in my ovaries. The DoM Medical Division is working along with Oxford University's Medical Department to get a good idea on how to observe it magically. I have an appointment later in the week after the Division has had a chance to review the medical papers." Dora blinked and looked at her Mom. "What small growth?" Hazel shivered at a memory, her eyes shifting as memories surfaced. "Ovarian Cancer. My Andi ended up never being diagnosed early. By the time it was confirmed, it was too late. It had spread to the liver, bones and her lungs. She was having trouble just leaving the bed." Dora paled as Andromeda touched her daughter's shoulder. "Hazel warned me about the disease as soon as she could. I got checked every six months for any signs of a problem. This was the first time anything was found but it's early enough that it can be treated safely. The Medical Division is just curious to see if they can diagnose it faster and check deeper into the tissue. The better they can understand the disease, the better a treatment can be made, magical or otherwise. There is nothing to worry about. There is no chance of it becoming terminal."

Dora sighed in relief until a medical tray full of instruments dropped to the floor, startling the two women. "Hazel!" The white haired witch was physically shaking as she lowered herself down onto the floor. Andromeda kneeled down next to her and the moment green eyes met purple, Hazel's eyes filled with tears. "Stop. Stop! Please don't. Don't ask me to do it again." Andromeda frowned. "Do what?" Hazel shook her head as memories filled her mind. "Andi. It got so bad. She was in so much pain! She wanted it, needed it to be over. She… asked… Don't ever ask me to do that again! Please! I can't do it a second time!" Dora knelt down by Hazel's side and hugged her, pulling her fiancée's head against your chest, as Andromeda realized what Hazel meant. "It's ok Hazel, it's ok. You stopped that from happening again. She will have a long and pain free life because of you. Shhh. It's ok." Hazel shook her head, her mind not hearing Dora. "Please, Andi. Don't. Don-'t ask me to do that. How could I… how could I look Teddy in the eye… Andi… Bella…" Dora kissed Hazel's head as her fiancée cried into her shoulder. Hazel eventually blacked out and Dora pulled her up and laid her down on the bed, pulling a blanket over her body. She got some distance away before casting a noise canceling ward and sighing. "I was expecting something like this sooner. Especially after Bellatrix." Andromeda nodded, tears in her eyes. "I did too. For years she kept asking me the same question and nothing ever happened. I guess the confirmation of my diagnosis and the memory of her Andi was the last straw."

Andromeda felt Dora's eyes on her. "Does Dad know?" Andromeda sighed. "I told him after Hazel warned me and we both started going to get check ups. He was there when the doctors read the last results. He knows what's next. We don't think it will require anything excessive, but Medical wants to be more thorough. Just in case." Dora pulled her Mom into a hug. "If you need to take a break from work, please do, Mom. We can hold our own. Healer Johnson isn't retired yet and the newbies you mentioned should be done with their St. Mungos training soon enough." Andromeda hugged Dora back, kissing her hair. She looked over at Hazel's sleeping body. "I can't believe my alter ego asked that of her." Dora sighed. "I can. After I started this job, I always wondered what would happen if either of you were gone or if I was gone. Losing me and Dad, suffering from a terminal illness and seeing the burden she was being to Hazel… hell, even letting Teddy see her like that must have been so devastating for her." Andromeda winced, her eyes widening as the moment she first met Teddy came to mind. "I can see that. When Teddy first met me, he was devastated soon after. I must have reminded him of what he lost just a few years prior." Dora pulled away and looked into her mother's eyes. "Please look after yourself. I don't like the idea of a world without you anytime soon." Andromeda raised her hand up and rubbed Dora's cheek. "I will, Nymphadora. Besides, I am very much looking forward to being a grandmother." Dora's cheeks and hair turned red but she didn't yell at her mom in embarrassment. Not this time.

-∞-

Tiberius Nott was escorted out of a holding cell, his hands cuffed, as two Unspeakables moved him along. He had thought the Dementors of Azkaban were terrifying but the utter silence from the faceless hoods of the Unspeakables felt even more unnerving. With the Dementors he knew they were creatures, their thoughts unlike anything he could likely comprehend. These were regular people who could look him in the eye and he wouldn't know what they were thinking at all. Were they planning to kill him? Devising any number of ways they could avenge a family member without him ever knowing who it was? Or if he was even the person responsible? These thoughts were a constant companion of his at the Holding Facility somewhere in the DoM. He had expected a quick relocation back to Azkaban after the break in at the Ministry. With the way the mass of Unspeakables unleashed curses at the Death Eaters in the ambush, he had expected to die in the crossfire. The curses that were absolutely silent, leaving nothing but a hole in its target's head and blood leaking out, had been the most terrifying. His thoughts slowed down as the Unspeakables opened a door for him, the person inside speaking up. "Well, you are certainly looking well."

The captured Death Eater stared at his father, seated comfortably behind a plain table. The Unspeakables bound his manacles to the table and sat him down. They turned to Lord Nott, one of them speaking in an altered, androgenous voice. "You have thirty minutes. As agreed, you two will be observed and recorded." Theodore Nott nodded and the Unspeakables left, locking the door behind them. The elder man turned to look at his son, his head bowed over the table. "I should be dead." Lord Nott leaned back. "For leaking the date of the break-in to the DMLE? Or for everything you did in your life in service to a cause that wasn't anything like you thought it would be?" Tiberius sighed deeply. "Both." Theodore nodded. "I suppose that would be the easier way. No guilt, no shame, no consequence. Part of why the other Death Eaters chose to follow through with the attack. If they succeeded, they avenged a Master that would have killed them in a moment of anger. But they failed, just as the letters we sent to them warned. The Ministry isn't what it once was. Actions and words have consequences and times are changing to make sure that appropriate responses are the norm, not the exception, regardless of a wizard or witches blood or wealth." Tiberius raised his head. "You almost sound happy for the change?"

Lord Nott stared at his son. "I believed in the Knights of Walpurgis because they promised to protect our families and all the magical families of our world. So when Riddle had you and the others slaughter the same ancient and noble families we should have been defending, I knew he had been playing us. I tried to warn you to stay out of it. To stay away from that man. But Lucius and the others had you so enamored of the dream of a Pureblood Society that had nothing to fear that you disobeyed me. I almost threw you out of the family. Can you guess why I didn't?" Tiberius lowered his eyes. His voice cracked. "How… how is my son?" Lord Nott smiled at him. "Doing quite well, actually. Top of his year in Slytherin House. Among the top ten students of the year, which is saying something, considering he has to contend with so many other gifted and studious students. In fact they all study together, despite their houses being different, which has allowed them to remain well ahead of the rest. He is also the current King of Slytherin." Tiberius smiled softly at that. "I am glad. He deserved better than what happened to me." Lord Nott smirked. "The Malfoy Heir certainly tried but the training he received from a tutor and the support of Heiress Greengrass has kept their position secure. Word is the atmosphere of the House is quite different now. A drive for excellence, not control, has taken root."

Tiberius leaned back, sighing to himself. "Thank you, for raising him as you did. He deserved a better father than me." Lord Nott eyed his son. "Perhaps. Despite it all, you are still his father and he does still care about you, to some degree, considering how many years you spent in Azkaban. Family is family, whether by blood or choice. Now then…" Theodore sat straighter in his seat. "The DMLE has agreed to review your case in full, under the new laws. You have a chance at seeing your prison time drastically reduced. This, however, will depend on how much you decide to cooperate and how many crimes you managed to hide from your initial arrest. If you cooperate fully, revealing every single crime you ever committed, with and without the Mark, and provide either Veritaserum testimony or unaltered Pensive memories, you could potentially walk out of the Minimum Security Wing of Azkaban in five to ten years. If things go smoothly, you might be around to see your son married, if not with a child of his own." Tiberius looked up at that, seeing some of his father's old mischief back in his eyes. "He is courting?" Theodore snorted. "Please. He is of age, but I refuse to put my grandson through that. No, he is dating a young witch. She is his equal, if not his better, in academics. The two have been studying together for a while now. Nothing too grand, but Theo hasn't been looking for someone to be servile to him. She had a need for support and so did he."

Lord Nott watched as his son lowered his head. "After everything that happened with us, I can understand." Wanting to test his son, Theodore spoke up. "She is a first generation witch." His son's eyes lit up for a second before they dimmed. "Is she good to him?" Lord Nott chuckled. "She is. She ran into a cursed object that did some damage to her, but the school saw to her recovery, as did Theo. She has a thirst for knowledge that has been tempered a bit. Theo has been teaching her our ways, guiding her through why we treat each other as we do, the value of our Ancestral Homes and the old stories of our people. She has taken the lessons well. She may not be a pureblood, but she will never betray Theo, nor will she be taken advantage of by him. If the relationship lasts, she will be a good match for him. If it doesn't, she will become a lifelong friend that Theo can trust never to betray his confidence." Tiberius nodded his head. "Then I am happy for him. Miriam wanted a good match for him. Seems he found it." Lord Nott watched as his son struggled for a bit with what to say before he straightened out. "I already helped the DMLE with the Death Eaters. Might as well go all the way. I will provide them with whatever they need."

-∞-

Hazel's eyes scanned the crowd of the bar called the Magical Scotsman, Dora stepping inside just behind her. The two of them arrived in the form of two middle aged men, as they were told to be discreet. Hazel nodded at the far corner and Dora headed that way, taking a seat. Approaching the bartender, Hazel asked for one of the private rooms in the back and three bottles of Ogden's Firewhiskey, aged fifty years. Seeing Hazel make for the private rooms, Dora spoke up to the man under an invisibility cloak beside her. "Horatio says you wanted a word. Come along." Feeling the figure moving behind her, Dora followed Hazel into the private room, pausing for a second to let the figure enter first, before she closed the door behind her. After the entire room was sweeped for animagi, scrying and eavesdropping spells, the figure dropped his invisibility cloak and the two others dropped their shift. "Gods, lass. I was hoping to catch you all a bit by surprise. Those are some fine skills you have." Hazel nodded in Dora's direction. "She can't see through the cloaks yet on her own, but she has gotten better at sensing the magic that makes them work. It's a subtle thing but it's possible with the right magical sensitivity." Moody chuckled. "Aye, but damn if it doesn't work well on it's own." The three sat at the table and waited as Moody tested the glasses and the alcohol.

He served three shots and sat back, lifting his shot in salute. "To damn fine work. I thought I would never see the day the Death Munchers would be gone, but they are as good as gone thanks to you two." Dora took her shot and downed it with him as Hazel sat back. "Heard you did a good job with Travers yourself. Any word on the survivors?" Moody shuddered as he suppressed the effects of the drink, followed by Dora. "Aye, of the fifteen survivors, only two have taken the plea agreements. Nott is singing about every little detail he knew of the Death Eaters. Lucius is apparently trying to play coy. We will see how long that lasts, before we make it clear he isn't telling us anything new. The rest will be seeing Trials soon enough for any charges that we missed the first time, plus the escape from Azkaban." Hazel ran her hand through her hair. "Well, that's as good as we thought. Any word on the final plan for the prison?" Moody served himself another drink. "There is talk about turning Azkaban into a maximum security prison only, meant for the real bastards. The DMLE is looking for a new location to make into a less dreadful prison, somewhere for criminals to get reformed. With the Wizengamot missing the Traditionalists, the motion will eventually pass, but Amelia wants to make sure it passes the right way. Good chance we get a new department handling prison security exclusively." Hazel chuckled. "About damned time."

Dora took another shot, getting a look from Hazel. Smiling at her partner, Dora turned to Moody. "So, why call us here?" Moody eyed Hazel and pointed at her. "Dumbledore has it out for you, now more than ever." Hazel sighed. "Of course he does. I am guessing that Shacklebolt and Jones' memories didn't paint me in a pretty picture." Moody nodded, looking down at his drink with a sad expression. "I don't think he is mad or senile. Not yet, but he is fixated on you. Kingsley and Hestia showed their memories of your transformation and it seems to have settled the matter in the old man's skull. You are, as far as he is concerned, Voldemort in a body capable of resisting a Killing Curse. He has been researching ways to kill you since." Dora sighed. "Peachy. Any idea what he has planned, beyond what Sirius told Amelia?" Moody grunted. "I know he will try to hit you sometime between now and the end of term at Hogwarts. He will try to hit you at your most vulnerable. No clue if he will target your family. If he were acting like the man who led the Order the first time, he would never consider it, but the man he has become…" Hazel sighed and rubbed her face before looking at Dora. "Between the possible targets, your parents are the most vulnerable. Andromeda is less so with the DoM, but Ted is working at the Wizengamot." Dora nodded in thought. "What should we do?"

Hazel eyed Moody. "It would be too suspicious if we suddenly change any of our routines. I think we need to warn the family to look after itself, but to be discreet. Ted can manage it by focusing on his work as a solicitor. Since I have some legal documents to go through in the next few months, I can keep him busy." Dora looked at Moody. "Any idea if every Order member is on board with this madness?" Moody took another shot, before taking a moment to answer. "The two former members of the DMLE may hold a grudge and their fear may be enough to put them firmly in the old man's corner. The Weasleys…" Moody felt the hairs on his neck stand up on end at Hazel's growl. "Are divided. Arthur is being overly careful but Molly is being her stubborn self. Dumbledore tried to recruit William Weasley, but the young man has been buried in his work, getting sent to a new digsite in Greece. The old guard are a bit more divided. With me and Sirius backing you, the others have been less interested. Maybe Vance." Moody definitely felt the magic in the room shift slightly until Dora touched Hazel's hand. Dora looked at Moody. "Did your debrief with Shacklebolt and Jones say anything about whether or not they saw what happened with Teddy? I thought that would have changed the old man's mind,"

Moody sat back. "Jones was down at the time, receiving medical treatment for a dark cutting curse to her neck that almost sent her to an early grave. Shacklebolt did see the interaction. According to him, Dumbledore seemed to consider what it could have meant. He mumbled something about you possibly having a living Horecrux in the form of…" Dora turned Hazel face toward her and kissed her deeply as soon as the room started to shake around them. Moody wisely kept quiet as Dora did everything possible to calm Hazel down, drinking his firewhiskey as he pulled his enchanted eye out of its socket, as he tried to avoid thinking about the sudden and overwhelming build up magic he just glimpsed through it. He pushed it back into place as soon as Dora pulled away from a very red faced Hazel, before she turned to Moody. "Right. Let's never discuss that insane thought ever again, for everyone's sake." Moody nodded. " Aye, I can do that. Anyways, Dumbledore has dismissed any possibility of you not being a threat. That's about it. Most of the Order that will follow are his fanatics like Molly and the newer recruits who have no memory of Dumbledore's previous time as leader. Doge is trying to mitigate the danger, but I believe the next meeting might see the Order tear itself apart."

Making sure Hazel's emotions were stable, Dora turned to Moody. "Thank you for the warning. We will try and avoid being caught off guard." Hazel rubbed her face, getting the blush from earlier down under control. "Thank you for trusting us. By the way, why did I get a bunch of McKinnon Family Grimoires a few days ago?" Moody smirked. "What can I say? After Travers took his final breath, I looked over the boxes sent to me after the McKinnons passed away. I know I can't give those books a good place to pass on the information. You and your son are descended from the McKinnons. Who better to inherit what's left of their legacy." Hazel sighed but nodded. "I will keep them safe and make sure Teddy reads through them. I wish I had known something, anything about Euphemia." Moody nodded sadly. "I only met her a few times while we worked together at the DMLE. She had been a bit saddened by Dorea and Charlus getting to have a son while she and Fleamont couldn't. I know they kept trying, until there was no point. Glad you can carry on their legacy in their stead." Hazel took her shot and toasted with the rest. "To the end of this madness and to a quiet year ahead." Moody chuckled. "I second that." They sat around chatting a little more about the McKinnons, especially the shy but brave Marlene, with Dora and Moody finishing off two of the bottles. Hazel made sure they both made it home safely, before she returned to the Castle, wondering just how far Dumbledore sought to fall. Whatever he did, she would have to be ready. They all would have to be.

Chapter 61: Fall from Grace

Chapter Text

"Head Auror. You have a visitor." Scrimgeour lifted his head up from the stack of papers on his desk, his eyes on his attendant at the door of his office and sighed. "Give me a moment." The door closed and he went back to his papers, signing the remaining sections of the associated stack before placing them all in the folder and depositing them into his document box. If there was something he was grateful about the changes in security at the Ministry, it was the bloody letter and document boxes. The Department of Mysteries Records Division, an independent entity from the Ministry of Magic's Archives, had come together with their department's Research Division and successfully established a network of boxes anchored to the individual offices. The boxes were used to submit the documents, with the DoM and the Archives keeping copies of each submitted document, before they were transferred to the destination box, with no documents being recognized as official until they were confirmed by both the Archives and the Records as having the necessary signatures and originating from the correct boxes. Unlike owls or Departmental Memos, these were difficult to intercept and the paper trail was easy enough to follow. No one wanted to see a repeat of the Dementors fiasco again. Storing away all of his sensitive materials and making sure his wards were still active and reading clear, he opened the door to his office and looked at his assistant. "Yes?"

The young man sprang to his feet and bowed his head. "Head Auror. The Chief Warlock would like to have a word with you." The moment Rufus spotted Dumbledore and his flamboyant silver robes, he sighed, taking a step back. "Please come in, Chief Warlock. I will soon be heading home." Albus walked up to him. "Keeping short hours?" Rufus grunted. "A welcome respite after weeks of overtime. The mess from the attack in Level 9 is now finally being closed and the Auror Division is all too happy to get a bloody break." Albus nodded as he passed by, taking a seat while Rufus sealed the door and returned to his place behind the desk. "What can I do for you, Chief Warlock?" Albus looked at Rufus' eyes. "I was told some colleagues of mine under your employ were dismissed. I was curious as to why that was. Both are exceptional people." Rufus rubbed his eyes. "I take it you are referring to Ex-Aurors Shacklebolt and Jones. While the full details as to their dismissal are private, I can say they were dismissed because of behaviour that endangered the lives and safety of their fellow Aurors. Were this an isolated incident, it might have been dismissed, but there are a few reports of this occurring multiple times. If they can't behave in a manner that protects their fellows, then they can't be allowed to remain as Aurors." Albus looked thoughtful. "Would this not also apply to Hit Witch Peverell? I am told her behaviour may yet be worse than that of my colleagues."

Rufus looked back at the Chief Warlock, feeling his nerves rearing up. Hazel Peverell had always struck him as dangerous. From the moment he met the two metamorphmagus witches, she had stood out as different. The missions she had taken part in conjunction with Aurors always ended with a high degree of physical damage to the perpetrators. When she was allowed to be lethal, there was no stopping her. He still had a few nightmares from the Williamson Manor's interior scenes, with the basem*nt level of the Manor and it's macabre forest of silver and bodies being vividly engraved into his mind. Yet despite his dislike of her methods, Rufus couldn't disagree with the woman's results. The majority of the organized magical criminal enterprises were essentially dismantled in their entirety, with the former Death Eaters being either behind bars or dead. Calls about illegal potions suppliers, deadly dueling circuits and dark artefact smuggling had dried up entirely. If it weren't for the Death Eater Breakout from Azkaban, he would have called this last year the quietest yet. He remembered the chaos after the war came to a screeching halt. This felt different. It felt like real change had taken place. Coupled with the reforms to the Judicial system, and he could happily say that they were all living in very different times. All apparently stemming from Hazel Peverell and Nymphadora Tonks and the DoM's Operations Division.

"While I can agree that Peverell's conduct in combat verges on the extreme, the truth of the matter is that she does quite well at staying within operational guidelines. As much as I might find her skills dangerous, she has used them adequately in combat and not outside of it. I also don't have to tell you she was considered to be an excellent Auror by the ICW during her long duration mission guarding the Triwizard Tournament. Where your two colleagues acted in ways unbecoming of an Auror, she has been exceedingly professional." Dumbledore frowned at him. "Even when she became an abomination in the Department of Mysteries?" Rufus stared at the man. "You are aware that you just confirmed to the Head Auror that the two "colleagues" of yours informed you of classified information." Dumbledore waved the comment off. "That is irrelevant when compared to the abomination we are talking about. She survived a Killing Curse and physically turned into a monster." Rufus leaned back. "She was also wearing experimental gear provided to her by the DoM, the same as several Hit Wizards and Aurors. As for her shapeshifting, she is registered as an Animagus and has a Transfiguration Mastery. That she was able to manipulate her form at all to such an extent was far more surprising than the whole Killing Curse thing, but neither are concerns of ours. Hell, young Mister Potter survived one too."

Dumbledore slapped his hands on the desk. "That woman isn't an Auror. She's a monster. A killer. Potentially even a vessel for Lord Voldemort. She is hiding within your ranks, erasing any traces to her former life and influencing the Ministry from within. You must see how dangerous she is! She must be stopped." Rufus stared at the man. He knew that Peverell surviving the Killing Curse wasn't a trick of the armor, though that transformation was well within her capabilities as a mix between an animagus and a metamorphmagus. She was a killer and powerful witch that gave him plenty of concerns. Despite all that, he knew she wasn't a monster or Voldemort. She had been working to dismantle Voldemort's base since she met Amelia and the Director trusted that woman with her niece's life. He personally kept a close eye on Peverell since the Williamson Manor. What he saw was a hardworking woman and a single mother that made even him wonder if he would ever find such a person willing to marry him. In his time as an Auror, he had found himself in Voldemort's presence, especially in the final years. There were similarities between them, but there were far too many differences to be the same person. He knew beyond a shadow of a doubt she wasn't Voldemort. "I believe you are seeing things that aren't there, Chief Warlock. She is a Dark Witch and Wizard Hunter. She is the embodiment of the Peverell legends of old. She is no Dark Lady and she is certainly not Tom Marvolo Riddle. I can assure you he is dead for good."

Seeing as Rufus wasn't budging on his position, Albus pulled himself back. "And my colleagues?" Rufus glared. "Still dismissed. They brought this on themselves. Now if you excuse me, I have a few more stacks of paperwork to go through before I head home." Albus shook his head. "I expected better from you, Rufus. I thought you, of all people, would understand just how dangerous she truly is." Rufus stood up and opened his office door. "Oh, I think I have a good idea. Now, please leave. And if I were you, I would keep your Order out of DMLE business. The wars are over, Dumbledore. It's time for the soldiers to rest and for the law to be enforced peacefully. We don't need vigilantes making things worse for everyone." As soon as the old man was gone, Rufus did a sweep of his office, finding a few discreetly placed eavesdropping spells on his desk. It seemed to the Head Auror that the Chief Warlock didn't like losing access to Auror information. He called his Curse Breakers in to document the findings, followed swiftly by the DoM. Once all the evidence was acquired, the spells were disabled. Rufus turned over the documents on the findings to Amelia, who sighed after reading the report. "Keep this under wraps for now. We can bring it up together in the next Wizengamot Session." Rufus nodded. "Very well. Anything else?" Amelia shook her head. "Peverell is aware of the danger and she and the Tonks family are taking matters to mitigate the danger to themselves. For now, let's just do our job. If Dumbledore wants to dig his own grave, that's his choice. We'll just have to be there to clean up the mess."

-∞-

"They look so cute together. Though Theo looks like he wants to bolt." Harry chuckled as he pulled back from the window of the Hogsmeade bookstore. "It's a bookstore. Hermione is likely to be in there for hours. I imagine it's a bit like if Hannah dragged Neville into a clothing store." Susan giggled and pointed at the clothing store on the opposite end of the street. "She did. They have been there for five minutes already." Harry shook his head and presented his arm to Susan. "Well, I suppose we are on our own. Shall we get something to eat?" Susan looped her arm around Harry's. "Sure, but if you take me to Puddifoot's Tea Shop, we will have an afternoon one-on-one training session later." Harry smirked at Susan. "Might be worth it." After seeing Susan's pout, Harry wisely went to the Three Broomsticks and the two sat down on a quiet stall, before Harry wandlessly casted some wards after Rosmerta took their orders. Susan smiled at him. "Nice." Harry smiled back at her. "So, what do you want to talk about?" Susan played with one of her locks of hair, humming to herself. Harry swallowed a little, especially since Susan was wearing a tight fitting long sleeved turtleneck, which he hadn't noticed under her heavy coat.

Susan looked at him and smirked a little, making him think she knew what he was thinking about. "I have a few ideas." She frowned and held Harry's hand across the table. "But first, are you feeling ok? You have been really quiet since January." Harry nodded and squeezed her hand softly. "Yeah, I just had a lot on my mind after visiting Godric's Hollow. Seeing my parents' graves, hearing about Hazel's Family Magic and talking to Professor Bagshot left me with a lot to go over in my head. I am sorry if I wasn't the best company." Susan shook her head. "No, it's fine. I was in a similar state after I went to see my own parents' graves for the first time." Rosemerta arrived with their meals, teasing them a little about them holding hands, before she went to deliver other orders. After eating a bit of the beef stew, Harry looked at Susan. "So, what was it you wanted to talk about?" Susan cleaned her face with a napkin. "I was curious if you had given some thought to what you want to do after we graduate. We are going to be taking our OWLs soon and next year there are NEWT courses." Harry took a drink from a glass of water and thought for a second. "I can't say I have thought too much about it. Hazel always tells me to take my time and just enjoy myself as a student." Susan chuckled. "Sounds like her. At first, she was very strict about our training but eventually she started loosening up and encouraging us to have fun along the way."

Harry took another spoonful of stew and thought about her question. "Have you thought about what you want to do?" Susan nodded. "I have. At first I wanted to be an Auror like Auntie. Then Hazel came around. Being around both of them taught me a lot about what both their jobs are like and I don't think I want to do either of them exactly." Susan took a drink from her glass of butterbeer. "But what Hazel did during our third and fourth years? That seems more like my speed." Harry thought back. "You want to work security?" Susan nodded. "Outside of Aurors and Hazel's work, there is no one else but Gringotts doing the job. Yet Auntie has always complained that Aurors can't be used for Security all the time and that they are needed on the field. As Security, I can still get the same training, but my hours would be more stable and I feel like I can do my part without putting things off." Susan's expression turned sad. "If I ever become a mother, I don't want my child to have the same fears I did. Auntie did a good job these last few years, but I want to be better from the start." Susan then smiled with a bit of mischief in her eyes. "Besides, if I start the security business myself, I can set my own times. Plus, I bet there are others who like the physicality of the Aurors' work, but not the long hours or the danger. Security is on paper safer since we don't go looking for trouble."

Having finished his meal, Harry wiped his mouth clean. "No, instead trouble has to come to you." Susan shrugged. "True, but if we spend so much time training, we eventually need to put it to use, one way or another." Harry nodded and started thinking. He felt the same way. For the last two years, Hazel made sure he was safe and protected, teaching him how to do it himself. That said, he didn't like putting his own life in danger or risking hurting anyone again. It wouldn't be fair after everything his parents, the Tonks family and Hazel went through for him. He felt his wards shift slightly as Rosmerta returned to take the used dishes, leaving behind a pumpkin cheesecake for both of them to enjoy. After eating a few bites, Harry spoke up. "I think I want to go into Warding. It's something I actually enjoy a lot. Hazel found that I had a knack for warding, same as her, and taught the craft to me earlier during the Triwizard Tournament. I haven't really gotten into rune based warding as much as I would like but the little I have managed of it is interesting." Susan smiled at him. "That sounds great. You'd actually be the first Wardsmaster raised and taught in Britain in the last seventy five years or more." Harry hummed. "I think some of my ancestors were Wardmasters too."

After finishing their dessert and donning their coats, Harry walked with Susan back up the path heading to the Castle. "Hey Harry. Seeing as you will be working along with security stuff… do you think you'll have a chance to work alongside me?" Harry thought for a moment. "That isn't what you are really asking, is it?" Susan blushed and hugged his arm to her. Harry stopped and turned to her, pulling her into a hug. "Whatever plans we end up making, I know that I don't want to be alone. I … would like it if you were there with me. But only if that's what you want too." Susan looked into Harry's eyes and gave him a short but sweet kiss on the lips. "I would like that too. Come on." Pulling Harry by his hand, Susan took him through the Castle's main doors and into the dungeons, before pulling him into an abandoned classroom near the Hufflepuff Common Room. After they shedded their coats, Susan conjured a sofa and the two sat together. "I don't think either of us is ready for more but would you mind waiting till the time we have to leave for patrols here with me?" Harry smiled at her and kissed her forehead. "I would love to." A few hours later, the two would make the rounds of the castle's corridors together, their faces flushed, but happily holding hands.

-∞-

"Order, order! This Session will begin as soon as the Wizengamot is fully assembled! Aurors and aides! Members of the Visitor's Gallery, please settle down!" Ted sat back and watched the Minister trying to get everyone's attention, his mood soured a bit by recent events. His daughter had been spending more time at home, her concern over Andromeda's health clear to him. Sure, the cancer was nothing more than a small growth right now, but Hazel's concern and the echoes of what happened in her own world lingered in the minds of everyone who became aware. Healer Johnson, who had been working part time at St. Mungos' getting the two trainees some much needed experience, returned to her post in the Operations Medical Wing to help lighten the load on Andromeda. His wife took the strong show of support quite warmly and was spending a lot of her time with the Medical Division as they did far more in depth scans of the tumor, doing their best to grasp what Medical Science had already worked out through invasive and noninvasive procedures. Ted was by her side through all of it until the Session was called by the Ministry. His wife had been clear in where he needed to be. The woman that would one day be their daughter-in-law was being targeted by Dumbledore and he needed to represent her in the session.

Some of the laws passed in the last few years made articles in the Daily Prophet stick closer to the truth. Hazel confirmed that Rita Skeeter had successfully gone a full year without lying in writing. Based on when the curse collapsed, it seemed the witch had failed quite a few times to keep herself on the straight and narrow, but eventually succeeded. The woman's articles, especially those that remained grounded in facts and good reporting, actually expanded her readership, including gaining readers in the international markets, which seemed to have helped mellow her out about delving too much into gossip. Said witch was kind enough to warn them about an opinion piece being printed in the Prophet concerning Hazel Peverell. The warning wasn't enough to prevent the publishing of it, but it was enough for them to post a refutation of it in the next day's issue. The opinion piece was written by Dumbledore himself, calling out Hazel Peverell as a monster hiding in plain sight, claiming he had no choice but to present his findings to the public as the Ministry refused to act on it. Hazel, who almost never read the newspaper and had been eating breakfast in the Great Hall, had apparently noticed the looks from everyone else. McGonagall had wisely pulled her outside of the Great Hall with a copy of the paper under her arm. The students didn't hear anything incriminating, though the entire castle seemed to vibrate for a few minutes before the Headmistress returned to the Hall alone, urging all students to consider Defence class a self study period for the day.

He later got a message stating that Nova had graciously removed Hazel from Hogwarts and had brought her to her apartment in the DoM, where there was a slight shaking reported soon afterwards, not to mention some blackouts on the streets above. Ted shook his head at the thoughts. Hazel was beyond a doubt one of the most powerful witches in Great Britain, powerful enough to shake two massive structures to their foundations, and Dumbledore was going out of his way to piss her off. Had Teddy not convinced her to stay at home and not go out and gut Dumbledore in front of the Wizengamot today, Ted was sure he would be looking at a very different scene right now, as Minister Fudge tried to get the chamber under control. The man had survived the culling of the Traditionalist Extremists by the skin of his teeth. He donated a massive sum of galleons that was probably the majority of his bribes to both St Mungos and Hogwarts, and had kept his hands clean ever since the anti-corruption laws were put into effect. There was a betting pool in the Ministry and in his old Law Firm about how long it would take him to lose his job. Ted wisely kept out of such bets.

Minister Fudge sighed as the Chamber was finally quieted down. "This emergency session will now begin! The session was called by several members of the Assembly that feel that Albus Dumbledore is no longer fit to represent this body. His inflammatory opinion piece against a decorated member of our law enforcement community, not to mention a Head of House who has wisely placed the representation of her family in the hands of a respected solicitor while she personally instructs our children as a Professor of Hogwarts, shows that our Chief Warlock is unable to maintain the neutral position required to hold one of our most essential legislative postings. It is my opinion as Minister that this debate should be led within this chamber and that the gathered Heads of Houses cast their votes at the end as a Vote of No Confidence is held. I call Albus Dumbledore to the witness stand to explain himself before the Chamber." After the strike of the mallet, the lower doors were opened and Dumbledore entered the Chamber, his posture stiff and his head held high. "Minister, members of the Wizengamot. I urge you all not to turn a blind eye to this threat that walks among us. Despite what was reported, Voldemort is very much alive, as foretold by a prophecy. The man can only be vanquished by the Boy Who Lived. His apparent death was a ploy perpetrated by his executioner. The destruction of the Death Eaters is the erasure of this person's ties to the past. Please, do not be blinded by complacency."

Ted stood up as the Chamber descended into whispers. "This is slander of the highest order. Hit Witch Peverell has placed her life in danger multiple times for the safety of all magical citizens of this country. Her dedication to the dismantling of the Death Eater terrorist group was born from her hatred of the group that left her orphaned, abandoned and betrayed in the conflict years ago. From the moment she arrived at our shores, she has adhered to the Ministry's rules and has lived up to her family's reputation. She is a Peverell, dedicated to keeping our people safe. Voldemort, a distant relative, was her enemy from the start, as any Head of House must ensure their family members adhere to the family's ideals. His actions in the war made him an enemy to House Peverell. As for the claims to her being possessed or a vessel to some form of Voldemort, I can assure you she is not. Her line of work leads to quite a laundry list of injuries. Her Healers have found no evidence of possession. This is verified in her files with the DMLE." Amelia stood up as Ted sat down. "I can assure the members of this assembly and the visitors that Hazel Peverell is not possessed by anyone. I can, however, attest to the fact that Dumbledore, not Peverell, has been caught violating the laws of this Ministry."

Amelia's words silenced the Chamber. Dumbledore turned to her. "Every action I have taken has been for the Greater Good of the Wizarding World." Amelia raised an eyebrow. "Right. Was it for the greater good when you placed eavesdropping spells in the office of the Head Auror not a few days ago? Or when you had members of the so-called Order of the Phoenix betray their operational security oaths by delivering classified memories before we had a chance to issue an official statement?" Dumbledore ceased on that. "And what exactly were you trying to hide? The fact the woman was immune to a Killing Curse? Or that she is a monster?" Amelia sighed. "As was reported, her apparent immunity stands as a likely combination of the unique magic inherent to her family and the equipment she was wearing. The Department of Mysteries is researching with her as to whether the phenomenon can be replicated. As for her transformation, she is a master of Transfiguration and an Animagus. This gives her an advantage that far surpasses her predecessors with regard to her ability to control her animagus form. Everything that occurred was reasonable when taken in the correct context, which you did not have." Dumbledore screamed, catching the more progressive members by surprise. "You are merely spinning a narrative to conform to your false story. The woman is a threat who right now is poisoning the DoM and this Ministry!"

Croaker stood up from his place in the Assembly. "I can assure everyone that is not the case. Hazel Peverell is not a DoM Unspeakable and she has gone through a rigorous safety screening before we began to research the events of the attack on Level 9 of the Ministry. We can verify that she isn't possessed as well, as we were quite thorough in our attempt to understand her survival of a Killing Curse. The investigation is ongoing but we can infer it may have been for similar reasons as to why Harry Potter survived. Hit Witch Peverell has shared some fascinating Grimoires of her family, which the late Lily Potter had access to prior to her death. If a complete verification is eventually achieved, a report may be published, but only with the consent of the Potters and Peverells. This magic is very much their families' legacy, something this Chamber is intimately familiar with as something that must be protected." Croaker sat back down as murmurs spread amongst the attendees. Fudge struck the gavel down. "Director Bones, are there any further violations of the law you believe our Chief Warlock is responsible for?" Amelia nodded. "There are. The DMLE, after being contacted by the Peverells and the Tonks families, began a thorough investigation as to Dumbledore's illegalities. As was witnessed before this Chamber, the man has consistently broken the law, primarily by committing obstruction of justice, over the last few years. While he may not have been charged for these improprieties, these events constitute a dangerous precedent. I would like to inform this chamber without interruptions from the accused."

Dumbledore was forcefully sat down as Amelia adequately painted the picture of the chain of events since the final days of the war, citing Dumbledore's own words regarding a prophecy as proof, with Croaker adding in that said prophecy was already fulfilled. The Neutrals and remaining Traditionalist were eyeing Dumbledore with clear dislike, while the more progressive members, many colleagues of the Chief Warlock, looked on with a mix of horror and disbelief. As Amelia ended her report, Dumbledore, now free to speak, snapped. "None of what you have accused me of doing can be adequately proven within a court of law!" The Minister struck the gavel down and addressed the Chamber. "Whether that is true or not I will leave to the DMLE prosecutors to decide. I do, however, call now for the Vote of Confidence, as I do not believe this man can adequately represent this Assembly with honor and distinction." Augusta stood up, startling the progressives. "I second that. The position of Chief Warlock or Witch cannot be held by a person so thoroughly under investigation." Ted raised his hand as the votes were casted. With a few hold outs, the vast majority agreed with the Vote of No Confidence.

Minister Fudge turned to Dumbledore. "The Vote passes. Albus Dumbledore is no longer the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot. Aurors, please escort him out of the chamber. I would also like to hear nominations for the now vacant position before we call this session to a close." Ted watched as several people, including Amelia and Julia, were nominated as soon as Albus was lead out the Chamber by the Aurors, both of whom turned the nominations down due to their current positions as Director of the DMLE and Chairman of the Board of Governors, building a great deal of respect among the chamber for not overextending themselves. When Hazel was nominated, Theodore sighed and raised his hand. "The Lady Peverell has left behind written documentation where she dismisses all nominations for any political position within the Ministry and the Wizengamot. She added that should anyone attempt to force the issue she would be more than happy to challenge them to a Duel to the Death with the Wizengamot as an audience." The nomination was swiftly retracted, causing the chamber to chuckle. To the surprise of many, the front runners for the position were Augusta Longbottom, Theodore Nott and Amos Diggory. Regardless of who would win, history had been made. Dumbledore, once one of the most venerated men in Great Britain, was now just an ordinary wizard.

-∞-

Sirius' foot kept tapping the floor repeatedly until Remus slammed his foot down on top of his, getting a whine out of his old friend. "Mother-, what was that for!?" Remus glared at his friend. "You are being annoying." Sirius raised his hand and waved it around. "These meetings are annoying. Every meeting is bloody annoying. Do you have any idea how many times I have had an unexpected visitor at Grimmauld Place? Every Lord and Lady wants to have a chat with me! Even bloody Gringotts won't leave me alone. My account manager, one that was born into the family in charge of our Vaults since as far back as the Bank remembers, is exceedingly interested in investing my family's gold." Remus chuckled. "Right. Complain about how much money you have just sitting around, collecting dust, behind a dragon guard." Sirius made a face. "Oh, no. I asked them to remove the dragon. I was not going to have any of the kids looking at me as the devil incarnate for having a dragon guarding the Black Family's gold. Sheesh. What happened to kids liking dragons?" Remus hummed. "Oh, I am sure they still like them well enough. They just prefer they look healthy and have the freedom to fly like those in the Preserves. Not half blind and lethargic." Sirius sighed. "Right. Still, my point stands. Meetings are boring!"

As soon as the door opened and two more people entered, Remus lifted his eyebrow. "I think this one might be the exception." Sirius looked towards the door and stared. "Here I thought you were dead." The former Potions Master of Hogwarts gave him a satisfied smirk. "Then I am most happy to exceed your expectations, Black." Snape moved to the end of the table, taking a seat, with Alastor sitting beside him. The rest of the Order started muttering to each other. Snape had stopped coming to the meetings since the summer of the previous year. There had been no word of him at all. Sirius, however, definitely knew where Snape had been. Looking over the man, he could say that Community Service at the Department of Mysteries was doing him wonders. His hair was, for the first time, not looking as greasy and it had clearly been trimmed. His skin didn't seem to be the same level of paleness that made him famous with the kids as the Dungeon Bat. Even his clothes weren't their usual full black piece robes, going for a mix of dark and regular browns. When Dumbledore arrived at the meeting, even he did a double take. "Severus?" The Potion looked towards Dumbledore. "Albus." The old wizard shook his head. "Where have you been, old friend?" Severus raised an eye. "Under arrest. Since you "vouched" for me, I never was charged for my crimes, so I was brought forward with the full charges for everything I ever did as a Death Eater."

Albus shook his head. "I am so sorry, Severus. Perhaps if I have a talk…" Alastor grunted. "You will probably do more harm than good, Albus." After raising an eyebrow at Alastor, Severus focused on Dumbledore. "As… unpleasant as my situation may seem… I cannot deny it could have been far worse. While I am not entirely free to move about at my leisure,… there is a certain degree of peace that my current situation grants me. A peace I am willing to surrender for tonight. Just this once." Albus frowned but nodded. "Regardless, it is good to see you again, old friend. I feared the worst." Sirius muttered under his breath. "Seemed the best option for me." Severus glared at Sirius but the animagus swore he saw a measure of amusem*nt in those eyes. Albus took his seat and sighed. "I am afraid these are dark times. Hogwarts, the Wizengamot and the Ministry… all now lost to us. If we do nothing to stop the spread of Peverell's poison, we risk losing all of Britain. That cannot happen." Alastor grunted. "Why? Because the people you thought should listen to you for the rest of their lives have grown a spine? Or is it because you can't stand being left in the dust?" Molly screeched. "Mad-Eye, what is the meaning of this? You know that Albus has never steered us wrong!"

Moody laughed out loud, startling everyone. "Really? Because half the people here are all that's left of the old Order. And why? Because our good, fearless leader couldn't be bothered to treat Voldemort as a real threat in his prime! Look at him now! Old snake face is dead and you want to ruin a young lass' repose? You really need to make up your bloody mind, Albus." Dumbledore glared at Moody. "I will admit I may have made some mistakes in the past. I am doing my best to correct them now. But we cannot allow the danger that Peverell is to our people endure! She will destroy Wizarding Britain. Unlike before, she will destroy it from within, eroding the traditions of our people, the rightful concern over teaching our children magic at the right moment in their education. The students will take her example to tear the country apart, an army without a single commander to lead or take the blame, leaving the country in ruins. We cannot allow this to happen. We need to remove her threat to our world permanently!"

The meeting room was left speechless until Elphias sighed. "Albus, I am afraid you aren't thinking straight. Many of us have been near her, spoken to her. She isn't Voldemort." Albus slammed his clenched fists onto the table. "And that is why she will succeed! Because you are all too blind to see the truth. The greatest victory the devil achieved was making everyone believe he wasn't real. As long as you refuse to believe, we will lose everything." The silence that followed was broken by the most unlikely person. "You are wrong about her, Albus." The old man turned to Severus. "Not you too!" The Potion's Master sighed. "Albus, of all the people here, there are three that have seen her true nature. Those are myself, Lupin and Black. I will not speak for the others, but I stared into that woman's eyes. She didn't look at me as a man. I was a Death Eater to her, one she would have put down without a second thought if I ever proved her right. In the two years I was around her, she never once acted against me. She could have. I may be the best to spot a poison, but I do not possess the skill that she does with magic. I would have died within a second of facing her and she could have disposed of me, with the world none the wiser. Yet I was allowed to live."

Lupin sighed. "I agree with Severus. When that woman first arrived at Hogwarts, I was certain I would have died at her hand. Yet for all of her threats, both verbal and physical, for all the fear she instilled into my wolf with her presence alone, I never once felt unsafe around Hazel Peverell. Had I endangered a student's life, I am certain I would have been dead, yet here I am. She had me all to herself for most of my transformations. She could have ended my life and suffered no consequences for it. She didn't. That is not the way Voldemort would have behaved." Dumbledore looked incredulously between the two before turning to Sirius. "You can't say that you agree with them! She has taken Harry away from you." Sirius sighed, his eyes staring down at the table in thought. "No, Albus. We did that. I lost any chance at raising Harry as James would have wanted me to because I was too stupid and you were too happy to keep me away from him. That woman was there for Harry when he needed her most. She gave him a sense of safety, of belonging. She gave him a family, Albus. What you, the war and Voldemort denied Harry, Hazel gave it to him without a second thought. She could have kept him from me but she allowed him to make up his own mind. I cannot fault him for his choice… I would have made the same one myself. In fact, I did make that choice once upon a time."

Elphias spoke up. "Albus, I believe you should stand down. If Peverell is a threat, the Order can simply take a position of passive observation. There is no way she would be capable of hiding her true nature for years, if what you say is true. But if, as many of us believe, you are wrong about her, then there is nothing to be concerned about. The world is changing, that much is clear to all of us who lived through the last two wars, and the Wizengamot is changing with it, along with the Ministry. There is no stopping this change. So please, for your sake, leave Peverell and the Ministry be." Dumbledote searched the eyes of the entire gathered Order, seeing most of them were against his position. He lowered his hands off the table, hiding how tightly he was clenching his fists. "Very well, I will ask everyone to remain watchful. But mark my words. Voldemort is Lady Peverell. When she reveals herself as a Dark Lady, it will be too late to stop her without a great loss of life." The man left the Headquarters swiftly as the rest of the Order scattered into the night. Sirius remained behind, sweeping for eavesdropping spells, before approaching Severus. "He isn't going to stop, is he?" Severus stared at Black and shook his head. "I don't believe there is anything that will convince him he is wrong. This will end when either of them is no more."

Sirius sighed and rubbed his hair. "I take it this was your one visitation allotment for the Order?" Severus nodded. "The DoM is being exceedingly careful with me. They understand my talents from the war, not to mention my skills in a Potion's Lab." Sirius smirked. "Must be nice, not having to deal with making the same potions every year, all while keeping the kids from blowing themselves up." Severus searched Sirius' face and saw no mockery in his eyes. "Indeed. Being around other gifted Potioneers… it's very liberating, in a way. Everyone is aware of every known reagent and material, not to mention having access to other less common ones. It's almost like…" Sirius stared at his old rival. "Like finally living the life you always wanted." Severus nodded silently. Sirius fidgeted a little, his eyes at where Albus had disappeared to. "It's an odd feeling, looking back at my childhood and seeing all the mistakes I made. Watching Albus targeting Hazel feels like I am watching myself and James, when we went after you." Severus eyed Sirius critically. "I… thought it felt familiar." Sirius turned to Severus. "I doubt we will ever go for a pint but I wanted you to know. I am sorry. For everything that happened between us. You didn't deserve to be treated the way we treated you."

Severus stared deeply into Sirius' eyes and eventually lowered his. "Thank you. I also doubt that I will be inviting you for tea, but Elphias is right. Times are changing." Severus looked in the direction Albus had disappeared to as well. "And holding onto grudges no longer seems to bring anything to anyone other than suffering and pain. I… have a chance to live my life as I always should have. I might be under house arrest and all my work is scrutinized, but it's the right price for me to pay for all of my mistakes. See you around sometime… Black." Severus gave a nod to Remus as Moody escorted him further away before they apparated. Remus shook his head. "Never thought I would see the day." Sirius smiled at his friend. "You worked with him a full year. That he turned himself in to the DMLE might have been an act of self preservation, but I think his remorse is real. We all made mistakes, some not even consciously, but many were. It's time to focus on being better, for all our sakes." Remus nodded. "Well, I have the weekend free. Want to hit up your family's liquor cabinet?" Sirius laughed. "Oh hell yes. Though I am hiding some bottles for later." Remus chuckled. "Saving them for a special occasion with Amelia?" Sirius' face lit up. "Damn right I am."

-∞-

"Thanks for the escort, Cedric." The Head Boy waved at Teddy. "No problem, Edward. Have a good night." Teddy waved back as Cedric vanished down the corridor before he turned and knocked on his Mom's door. The wards reacted to him instantly, the door swinging open, before closing after he walked inside. He found his Mom on the sofa, sitting with her legs bent beneath her. He came from behind her and hugged her. "Hi Mom." Hazel kissed his arm gently. "Hi Teddy. Spending the night?" He walked around the sofa and watched as she lowered her legs to the floor to give him more room. He sat down beside her and rested his side against her. "Yeah. I don't feel comfortable staying in my dorm while Dromeda is at the hospital." Hazel wrapped her arm around him. "Yeah, I feel the same." Teddy's eyes focused on the book in Hazel's hands. He always found the Druidic Script to be so beautiful. At one time it was mysterious to him too, until his Mom taught him how to read it. She had been teaching him the spoken component for a few months now, since it was an important aspect of using the script for warding and enchantments. "What's the book about?" Hazel turned the page. "Some of the oral traditions of the Druids. About the Isle of the Blessed, as well as their Old Religion, especially of its final moments. Salazar had been worried about the Druids dying out and wrote them down."

Teddy giggled. "It's weird. We call the faiths and rituals of the Druids the "Olde Ways", meanwhile they called it the "Old Religion." I wonder if at any point it was considered new." Hazel chuckled. "True. Then again, faiths before the rise of the organized religions were always fragmented, stemming from centuries, if not millennia of oral traditions. I don't think we can ever truly trace back a real origin, same as with the dawn of magic. They were just there, a part of the world. A part of our existence." Teddy hummed. He rested his head against his mom's shoulder. "Do you think Andromeda will be ok?" Hazel nodded. "She has the top Doctors and Healers of the country looking over her at the same time. What one misses the other will catch. The surgery will be relatively safe and the mix of medicine and potions should keep her from having a long recovery." Teddy cuddled into his Mom more as she closed the book and placed it on the table. "Do you want to go see her before the break?" Teddy shook his head. "No, I think it would be better to wait." Hazel rubbed his hair gently. "I was thinking the same." Both of them sat quietly together, memories of Andi swirling in their minds, when Hazel's attention was drawn towards the door. She watched as Harry poked his head in. "Could I … join you?"

Hazel waved him over. "You never have to ask to enter our chambers, Harry. Unless it's me and Dora's bedroom, then please, always knock first." Harry chuckled as he walked into the living room, closing the door behind him. Hazel scooched over and he sat on the other side of her before she hugged him too. "Worried about Andromeda too?" Harry nodded. "I think I feel more anxious than worried, but I didn't feel right heading back to Gryffindor Tower after my patrols." Hazel rubbed his hair gently. "So, what's this I hear about you becoming the next British Wardmaster?" Harry blushed. "It's something I thought about after discussing NEWT classes with Susan. Do you think I could do it?" Hazel kissed him on the head. "If it's what you want. You are a natural at wards, Harry. But what really matters is not only that you are good at it, but that it interests you. That it drives you to be the best version of yourself. If you feel wards are your way, go for it." Harry nodded, feeling more comfortable with his decision now. Hazel then hugged Teddy tighter. "And you are welcome to take your time, Teddy." Teddy nodded his head but frowned. "I just wish I was more certain. Don't get me wrong, I like Herbology and it's fun taking care of plants, but after two years helping Professor Sprout, I don't think I want to go as far into it as she has."

Humming to herself, Hazel kissed her son on the head. "And that is perfectly fine too. I am not the same person I was at thirteen. The things I liked then are very different to who I am now. Even Harry here is different than when he started the OWL electives." Harry thought for a second. "Huh, I guess I am. I liked Charms a little more back then and Potions was interesting, but it just doesn't hold the same passion it once did for me. I never thought of it that way." Hazel conjured a seed into her hand and held it aloft for both to see. Slowly the seed broke as thin tendrils of roots grew out. "That's part of being a living thing. We grow up, changing every step of the way. In appearance, thought, dreams and even in our souls. We grow every minute of every day for the rest of our lives." After a minute, a small bush rested in her palm. "So allow yourselves to grow. Let your dreams grow every day until you find the ones that you yearn for." Hazel vanished the conjured tree from the palm of her hand. She stood up and looked at her boys. "So, sleepover?" The three settled into Hazel's large and expanded bed, after she made sure to change the sheets. Harry sighed in relief. "I am so glad you aren't like the girls. Susan said most of them spent our whole Island Black vacation gossiping about boys."

Hazel gave Harry a smirk. "Really? I could ask you about how you are doing with Susan if you'd like." Harry blushed and shook his head. "Maybe later. Besides, I think Teddy would be a better person to ask about girlfriends, seeing as he has three." Teddy bristled. "They aren't my girlfriends!" Hazel hummed as she pulled her legs under her body. "Really? They would be so heartbroken to hear you say that." Teddy blinked at his mom in confusion before he groaned. "I didn't mean it like that!" Hazel chuckled and ruffled Teddy's head. "Of course not, but you better be careful how you answer that question around them. Hurting a person's feelings is a lot easier than you might think, even if they know how you meant your words to sound like." Teddy's hair shifted color before settling back to black. "I'll remember that." Hazel kissed his blushing cheek. "Good." After turning on the record player, the three settled under the covers as soft Irish songs filled the air. Hazel turned the music off at a distance after the boys were both snoring softly, before the warmth of their magic surrounding her pushed Hazel into a peaceful sleep.

Chapter 62: Dead to the Last

Chapter Text

Shots rang out repeatedly as Horatio entered the shooting range, seeing Hazel continuing her weapons training during the very beginning of the Easter Break, her boys and partner spending time with a recovering Andromeda. He stood back and watched as she paused a few times before resuming fire, until two things struck him. Firstly, Hazel was using a ballistic chronograph while practicing, the speed of her bullets changing slightly until they started to match more and more. The second thing he noticed was that his Conjuration Expert wasn't reloading her magazine, despite her pistol not usually being able to account for that many rounds. He smiled as he continued watching, letting his own magical senses feel Hazel's improvised wandless magic. He had to admit, he barely felt the conjuration at all, but it was there. He was also aware that Hazel knew of his presence but she kept her focus on her training. She knew if it was important, he would interrupt her. So the two stood quietly in the shooting range as Hazel continued her target practice. A few minutes later, Quetz entered the range and joined Horatio in watching Hazel. The old Battlemaster knew that his Quartermaster learned of Hazel's new trick the moment she groaned. "This bruja is going to make me retire."

Horatio chuckled. "I don't know about that. She's just taking the menial work off your hands. We all know you have been working on enchanting rounds in your workshop. How is that going, by the way?" Quetz smiled. "Quite well, actually. The notes we took from the bastardos in Austria came in quite handy. They got quite far with the modified pistols. Improved structural integrity, limited recoil, limited heat generation from rapidfire. They had a few people working on enchanting bullets, but their tests kept failing. Looking over their work and comparing it with mine fixed the issue. Though getting the right materials for the rounds to sustain an enchantment for a long time is hard to do. I handed the job over to the Enchantment Division, letting them have the kicks of trying out all the usable metals and alloys. Orichalcum seems the most promising, though we might use it like a copper jacket for the rounds, keeping the cores as your standard lead, minus the armour piercing rounds, of course." Horatio hummed. "Be sure to submit all this to the ICW. We don't want you getting pulled in for replicating the work of terrorists. Even if yours is better." Horatio added the last bit after Quetz glared at him. "Of course I am documenting everything, jefe. The ICW will have a full patent and research project on their hands. Can't wait to hear what the other Departments of Mysteries make of them, though."

Hazel pulled off her hearing protection and looked at the two. "Afternoon. How was my aim?" Quetz pouted. "It was good. Want to talk about you conjuring bullets on the fly?" Hazel shrugged. "It's hard getting the powder pressure right but once you get it, it works well." Quetz sighed and raised her hand up. "Fine. Let me go ahead and clean up your gun. I want to see the damage you did to it." Hazel blinked at her and paled slightly. "Ah, not. It's fine. I can clean it." Quetz' left eye twitched. "Hazel, hand me the gun." Seeing no way out besides making a run for it, Hazel sighed and handed her the gun. Quetz inspected it thoroughly before she drew her wand. "Finite." Horatio watched as the handgun vanished into thin air. Quetz stared at Hazel. "When?" Hazel's shoulders slumped. "I got a bit frustrated with the powder and igniter, so I tried conjuring the whole thing. I didn't think I'd make it work but spending so many hours doing maintenance on the damn thing gives you a good idea of the internal mechanics." Quetz pinched the bridge of her nose and Horario heard her counting in Spanish, before he spoke up. "While I am sure our Quartermaster is delighted you secured a new and unique set of skills, maybe it would be best if you stick to just conjuring the ammo. Besides, I think Quetz has some new rounds for you to inspect. The type you can't conjure."

The three sat down at a table in Acquisitions as Quetz went over each round's unique properties. "This last one is a bit experimental. It carries suspended Basilisk Venom in the round." Hazel turned towards Quetz. "I am guessing this a "if nothing else works sort of bullet," isn't?" Quetz smiled. "Of course. You aren't going to be carrying more than half a clip on you, all of them well sealed, just in case you run into something unexpected." Hazel shook her head. "Well, that's good. I wouldn't want to be the one to ask Andromeda to keep me still while Nova starts doing her magic." Horatio nodded sagely as Quetz leaned back. "How is our Head Healer doing?" Hazel stored the new rounds from Quetz into a sealed box and placed them into her expanded ammo bag. "Better now. The operation was a success. Not only did they get the growth, but the Healers are sure they took out the root cells that were causing the cancer in the first place. Both the magical and non-magical healers are writing a joint report that will be turned into the ICW and, hopefully in a few years, WHO. If the Statute drops or an exception is made, cancer treatment could see a massive change in success rates and remissions." Quetz sighed, a smile on her face. "La diosa la bendiga. Some good came of this at least."

Hazel looked at the old Battlemaster. "Speaking about Healers, any word from Johnson as to her trainees?" Horatio nodded. "They have been stationed at St. Mungos for a year and a half, going through each of the different sections and medical wards, though a stronger focus on the Spell Damage and Physical Injuries Wards. Both continue to show exceptional skills as Healers, though we have noticed one of them is better suited for field work, while the other is a bit more research oriented. If all goes well, Andromeda will have two juniors to break in and a Field Medic to get up to speed. What about you? Any potential Operatives among the Hogwarts students?" Hazel leaned back into her seat, her thoughts cataloging all the students she was currently teaching. "If I am honest, not for two more years. Of the kids I personally tutored, only three would be capable of it. Unfortunately, I think Theodore Nott will be more focused on his political career, Susan Bones has expressed interest in a more private endeavour and Daphne Greengrass strikes me as a full Unspeakable in potentia, not an Operative. I would say that it might be worth running all three through the trainee program and getting them to Recruit level, if they are interested. Would do the Division some good having some reservists out there in case of emergencies."

Horatio rubbed his chin. "Interesting. Your reservist idea has merit and all three have proven themselves trustworthy to the DoM. I will bring it up with Croaker and then let him approach Lord Nott, Amelia and Julia. Anyone else?" Hazel sighed. "I don't want to presume too much… but I think I know of two people who might be suitable candidates. Depending on how we want to proceed, we could approach them, get them some early preparation in place. Might reduce their training period and we could instead focus on group combat, infiltration exercises and advanced techniques a bit earlier." Horatio leaned back. "I am guessing these two candidates are young?" Hazel nodded. "Third year students currently. Flora and Hestia Carrow." Horatio tapped his fingers on the table. "Explain." Hazel looked towards the weapons racks to her left, her eyes not really focusing on anything. "They were both harmed by their parents. Of everyone at the school, their sense of safety is the most damaged. I have watched them applying my teachings to defence spells and they spend a great deal of time reading up on jinxes, curses and shields. They want to feel safe again, but the school will only give them a sense of safety for so long. If we don't do something soon, they may start practicing far more dangerous curses, without proper supervision."

Quetz looked towards Horatio. "I have seen this sort of thing happening back home as well. Our refugiados go through hell on earth before they reach our sanctuary. They struggle for months and years before signing up for the Guardianes, or eventually going out themselves to inflict unholy vengeance on the traficantes in the jungles. Letting the girls feel lost or to struggle with their fears won't do them any good and no amount of counselling will help them feel entirely safe within their own home, not when their own familia harmed them. Reaching out to them early, helping them by training them along the way, giving them an outlet for their pain, with a promise at a life when they don't have to feel unsafe ever again… it's the best help we could give them and we could get two exceptional candidates for our troubles." Hazel looked back at them both and nodded. "I already started them on some physical training and group exercises in the summer along with the other kids. Their gift as twins lets them synchronize well, thinking up strategies with more than one person in mind. They could be an asset to the Operations Divisions, if they so choose. I would never dare take the choice away from them. Not after what they went through."

Horatio looked between the two and saw the conviction in their eyes. He sighed. "Very well. I will confer with Croaker and Amelia, before we address Julia and the girls directly. If they agree, tutor them privately. Give them a leg up. When they graduate, we will call them in. For now, just focus on getting your tenure at the school completed." Hazel nodded before looking at Quetz. "By the way, did you send the letter to your friend back home?" Quetz smiled softly. "I did. She's intrigued by the offer and is getting accredited and certified by the ICW. If all goes as expected, she will be arriving in London by early June to apply for the job. I am pretty sure Cuella will be sending a letter to the Headmistress soon." Quetz then pouted. "Though Tesca was insufferable when she wasn't invited to come over." Hazel chuckled. "Well, that's not a surprise. You seem to have a complicated relationship with her, Kuku." Quetz glared at her friend. "Now don't you bloody start, bruja." Horatio drew their attention by standing up. "Well, now that we have everything else covered, how about a sparring match, O1?" Hazel's face turned into a smile. "Magical or Non-Magical?" Horatio thought for a second. "Let's go Magical." Quetz sighed. "I will go set the wards on high, before you two wreck the training room… again."

-∞-

Dora felt her feet hit the ground before she reached over and steadied Harry, though his latest arrival did seem to be smoother. Hazel looked him over and smiled. "Getting better at handling the Portkey drops, huh?" Harry nodded. "Yeah. After a while, you just get used to it." Dora released Harry's arm and took in her surroundings, feeling her mouth slowly opening in wonder at the large field of grass stretching before her. "Hazel, how big is this plot of land you bought?" Her fiancée hummed to herself as the boys released Hedwig and Nova, the two birds circling each other as they inspected the area. "Not sure. Somewhere past six or eight acres. I was more interested in the terrain and location than the exact dimensions." Dora groaned. "How much did you pay for this?!" Hazel smiled. "A little below three quarters of the market value. It was still within the budget left behind by the Peverell Trust, thankfully." Dora had a sinking feeling. "And why was it so cheap?" Hazel shrugged her shoulders. "It might have been cursed at some point. The land had been sold to the Goblins who kept sending Curse Breakers to the property to cleanse it but nothing seemed to work. After a while, they tried selling it to unsuspecting customers, getting some nice deals where they sold the property cheap before buying it back at inflated prices. I had Legal and Financial work them over and we got it for far lower than expected. We think the Goblins are waiting to make quite a massive offer to buy it back. Not that I would ever sell it."

Pinching the bridge of her nose in exasperation, Dora counted to ten before talking to Hazel again, who had turned around towards some trees that seemed to be within the property line. "Hazel, I have to ask. How dangerous is the curse on this land?" Hazel turned to her. "Not at all." Dora's left eye twitched. "Hazel, your idea of danger and mine is very different. How likely is it that this place will see an accident in the near future?" Hazel pouted. "Oh do give me some credit, love. I have looked at the curse properly and it's been taken care of. The land is perfectly safe now." Hazel turned to the woods and knelt down on one knee. Dora heard what she assumed was Druidic before three Elves popped in front of her. Harry and Teddy both looked at the Elves, noticing how they weren't wearing cloth, but what looked to be animal hide or leaves. The three elves cheered and hugged Hazel, before they popped away. After standing up and dusting her knee, Hazel turned to her family. "Those are the co-owners of the property. In exchange for protecting their trees and growing the woodland, we now have the freedom to develop the adjacent land without issue."

Teddy rushed to Hazel's side, his eyes darting all over the trees. "Those… those were Woodland Elves, weren't they?!" Hazel ruffled his hair. "Yup. Their names are Aelwen, Lindir, Calen. There are a lot more of them in the area, each group protecting what woodlands they can. This plot of land in particular holds a Fae Circle within the woods and is the gathering place for the nearby woodland elves in grave times, hence the local elves treat the area with a lot of respect and would protect it violently. Most of the people who bought the land sought to turn it into a massive farm, but the elves always fought back whenever the woods were threatened. Damaged equipment, leaky roofs, scary noises at night. When I arrived to view the property, I felt the echoes of their magic and traced it to the woods. Most Curse Breakers, not acknowledging the fact that these elves even exist, tried to break the local magic that permeates the area. I simply walked up to the trees and called out in Druidic. They were quite surprised to hear the old tongue." Dora rubbed her face. "So, is the land safe?" Hazel nodded. "Perfectly. There was no real curse, just elves and fairies protecting their home. There is a larger and more detailed agreement with the Woodland Elves that extends to the others in the area that makes whatever we build here a sanctuary for them in rough times. I don't think it will be a problem, right?"

Checking on Harry, who was shaking his head at them in amusem*nt and saying that Susan was going to kick herself for missing this, and Teddy, who was speaking in Druidic, which did draw the attention of one of the elves, Hazel walked up to Dora. "So, what do you think?" Dora looked at the wide open field of grass behind her and at the woods behind her girlfriend. "Harry, Teddy. Why don't you go ask the elves about what it's like for them out here. I need to monopolize Hazel's attention for a minute." Getting the hint, both boys started talking to the little elf, with Teddy translating for Harry. Dora touched Hazel's face gently before tightening her grip around the back of her head. "I think it's just like you. Perfect." Hazel barely had a moment to blush before Dora locked lips with her. The pink haired witch pulled Hazel down onto the grass and the two embraced each other as Dora deepened the kiss. They eventually broke the kiss, both breathing heavily. Hazel seemed to search for something in Dora's eyes. "So, do you want me to cover the plans the architects have been working on and that the elves agreed to? Or should we just set up camp and enjoy the day?" Dora took a moment to look at the kids, both of whom were now joined by their Familiars, talking to all three elves now. "How about we set up camp and go from there?"

As soon as Teddy saw Hazel pulling out a case from her backpack, he and Harry excused themselves from the elves. "Come on! I want you to see this!" Hazel opened the case as the boys arrived and, with her wand out, started to raise the Wizarding Tent to its full height. Harry stared at the taller tent. "How big is it on the inside?" Hazel sighed. "Not as big as you might think. It doesn't have a second floor or anything like it. Just a bathroom, dining room, kitchen and bedroom. At the time it was the best I could get." Hazel pulled open the tent and Teddy pulled Harry inside. Dora walked up to Hazel, her hand touching the soft waterproof fabric of the tent as she approached. "Is this… ?" Hazel nodded, her eyes seeing more memories of her past than the moment. "Where Teddy and I lived for almost two years when the Nuclear Winter started. Don't worry, the DoM decontaminated everything we brought along from our world." The two walked inside and Hazel's heart grew warm as she watched Teddy showing Harry all the old art he had made as a young kid in their shared bedroom. Dora wrapped her arms around Hazel from behind, resting her chin on Hazel's shoulder. "This place… feels like a home." Hazel wrapped her arm around Dora's. "After a while, it was. That's why I wanted to go on a camping trip. So that we could plan our new home here."

Dora spent the afternoon watching as Hazel used her conjuration to create an impressively detailed model version of the future Peverell Estate. Hazel pointed at the initial building stage of the Estate, which was a modest looking two story building with a basem*nt. "Since finances are a bit tight, the engineers and I agreed on a design that could be built out incrementally, without weakening or overwhelming the original structure. This modular approach will also help as we build a Ward Chamber, similar to the one at Hogwarts, to act as the primary anchor. The DoM is testing out with my help a way to attach wardstones and make them act less as ward anchors and more as relays for such a chamber." Harry looked it over as Hazel expanded the Estate to have up to four floors and far more rooms stretching a bit around and to the back of the building. "I see. You want each layer outward to add further protection, like a castle with more than one retaining wall." Hazel nodded, and built out a glass like structure on the back. "Of course, we are going to be having a lot of the standard things a Family Estate needs. Potions labs, Herbology garden for the usual materials, several workshops, a ritual chamber and so on." Harry looked at Hazel. "Do you think the DoM would be ok with me looking over their warding work?" Hazel hummed. "Maybe. If you keep their secrets via oath, you should be able to work with them. If you do well on your NEWTs they might even offer you an Apprenticeship." Teddy watched as more buildings sprang up around the back of the property. "Stables?"

Hazel shrugged. "And barns. The point of an Estate is to be self sufficient, or at least mostly self sufficient. We won't be able to hold livestock for meat, but we can have our own fruits, vegetables and even some grains. Maybe even some animals for milk." Dora hummed as she leaned back. "If you wanted a larger terrain, you might have started your own vineyard." Hazel blushed and Dora stared at her. "You thought about it." Hazel nodded. "It won't be massive by any stretch, but we could make our own grape juice and wines, as well as apple ciders. Nothing for selling, but enough for our own family." Hazel waved her hand and conjured some familiar looking woods in the far back. before more trees in between the woods and the farmland. "Part of the agreement will be growing trees in the woodlands, expanding it for use by us and the Fae. The Elves would be more comfortable with that and we could grow a variety of trees to use for wand making." Harry looked at the larger display of the planned estate grounds. "You really are planning to restore the full Peverell Estate. With the means to allow the future generations to branch out into every field." Hazel pulled him and Teddy closer and kissed their cheeks. "Of course I am. I know Potter Manor will still be there and grow on it's own one day. We might even find a way to get the two estates working together, since it's only ten minutes away by broom."

Dora watched as Hazel went into even greater detail with the boys, focusing on the house and it's rooms. It warmed her heart knowing that several rooms were being planned specifically for her parents to spend summer or winter breaks over for visits. She went to touch her pendant absentmindedly, thinking that Hazel did seem to make a perfect Head of House, even if she hated the part where she had to waste time at the Wizengamot, when she felt something poking into her chest. Frowning, she dug her hand into her shirt and pulled out her pendant, her heart beating quickly. She stared at the pendant Hazel had given her a little over three years ago, as several roots poked through the metal of the casing. It took her a second to notice that the tent had gone silent, until thin, shaking hands cupped her own. Dora looked up into Hazel's startled face, as tears started spilling from her green eyes. "I… I never… how…" Dora pulled the chain over her neck and presented the pendant back to Hazel. Her fiancée visibly shook as she held the pendant to her chest, Dora noticing the crystal pendant she had given Hazel was glowing brightly through Hazel's shirt. There weren't any words she could accurately describe the feeling of following her lover out of the tent.

Under the watchful gaze of the boys and the elves, with Nova and Hedwig flying circles above their heads and making happy bird calls, Hazel and Dora dug a deep enough hole and planted the sapling, before pressing the dirt back over the area. The elves approached and Hazel spoke to them, getting three enthusiastic nods from them. "They will mark the area for us and make sure the tree grows unimpededly." Dora wrapped her arms around Hazel's waist from behind and kissed her on the cheek. "There is no going back, is there? This is our home." Hazel leaned into her, rubbing her cheek into Dora's. "It will be. One day. All I know is… I couldn't be happier." Dora pecked Hazel's lips. "Neither could I." She took Hazel's lips passionately afterwards, forcing the teens to look away before the two broke apart, panting. Hazel pressed her forehead to Dora's. "Sorry to say, but you will have to wait for your reward, love." Dora chuckled. "I don't mind at all." Hand in hand, the four of them walked around the property, the group finding a small creek near the woodlands, before the sun started to set. After a comfortable dinner that left everyone feeling full, the group laid on top of blankets outside, their eyes fixed on the stars. They were together in a place they would all one day call home. There was no place they would have rather been.

-∞-

Dumbledore moved down a dark passageway, his path lit by the soft light still held within his Deluminator. He stepped carefully, his wand out before him, sweeping for traps or tripwire spells. He walked over a few that he spotted, his mind thinking about the events of the last few months. After his removal from the Wizengamot, his Order had fractured severely as so many were fooled by Tom's brilliant strategy. The woman was a perfect decoy. She was violent, Dark as any of his Death Eaters, but she was unapologetically so. Where Tom's followers had to train themselves in the use of curses within the confines of their Ancestral Homes, Hazel Peverell could be as violent and deadly as she wanted to be right before the entire Ministry, without any fear of reprisal. The vessel's close ties to Harry Potter meant that vanquishing his foe would be all too easy. But Tom wouldn't need to vanquish Harry Potter, only turn him. The boy was meant to be his equal after all. Using the vessel, he must have heard the Prophecy. Peverell's actions since the end of second year proved that Voldemort had switched his strategy. What better way to conquer Britain than by fooling the entire country of his demise and of the grandeur of his vessel's power?

Stepping over loose rocks and bricks, Dumbledore reached deeper and deeper into the passageway, perfectly hidden from view. For now. He had heard the town's folk of Hogsmeade talking about how the wards of the area were being changed, prompted by the Hogwarts wards being repaired and repurposed fully. If the wards were completely altered, then his means into the Castle would be jeopardized. He had debated breaking in much later into the year, especially around the weeks around the OWLs and final exams, knowing just how time consuming those dates tended to be. Then the Easter Break happened. Voldemort's vessel had left the Castle, along with the young Edward Peverell and Harry Potter. For the entire week, they were just gone. His spies and contacts throughout the Ministry, Gringotts and the magical communities saw no trace of the group of people anywhere. His monitoring of Peverell revealed that she had been searching for some plots of land, many close to leylines, but his contact in Gringotts wasn't able to confirm a purchase or change in address. The one she was listed under was ridiculous, especially when he checked the location himself. Post Office boxes. What weird things muggles come up with. His search proved fruitless, until the three missing people returned to the castle. He knew he couldn't afford to wait for the late academic term. If he did, the wards would be changed and the woman could vanish, never to be seen again until she was ready to conquer the rest of Great Britain.

Seeing no other recourse, Dumbledore waited for a few weeks after her reappearance at the Castle and, in the dead of night, entered one of the secret passageways that lead from Hogsmeade into the school. During the woman's year as a guard against Sirius Black, he made sure to follow her movements as much as possible on the grounds. He was aware of the many passageways, including the one he himself made. So he watched them from afar and noticed that they searched the collapsed tunnels thoroughly, but they never cleared them. As his position in the castle grew weaker and weaker, Dumbledore planned for what seemed inevitable. Finding the small, finger sized recess to his right, he used the Elder Wand to summon the item he had hidden deep within the stone, far enough away that no spell would detect it if they didn't know to look for it. He grasped the white king chess piece, rubbing it fondly. He remembered the times that he and Gellert had played chess against each other in their youth, before Ariana's death. He had visited him at Nurmengard several times, hoping to convince him that their dream could still be achieved in a less devastating way. Gellert refused to concede and he never agreed to play chess with Dumbledore again, no matter how many times he offered. Dumbledore sighed, knowing that after tonight, he might not be able to see Gellert ever again. "Check."

The Portkey activated and he felt relief when he found himself at the other end of the collapsed tunnel. He hid the portkey in his robe's pocket, just in case he would be in need of a fast exit, before he pushed the statue guarding the entrance to the side, avoiding the few detection spells he located in the entrance. He did notice a spell that triggered when he pushed the statue to the side, so he made haste. He needed to reach the Great Hall, before his plans were ruined. Following the many secret hallways and shortcuts he had mapped himself after years in the Castle, Dumbledore made it quietly into the trophy room to the back of the staff table. Disillusioned and silenced, he slowly opened the door, peaking through, before he closed it again and moved to the opposite door. There, to the right of Minerva, sat his target, her eyes scanning the Great Hall. Dumbledore took a steadying breath and thought about the monster that had entered his school, seeking the position of Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor so many years ago. If he was honest with himself, Tom should have died that day. So much bloodshed and loss of life could have been prevented. He now had a chance to correct his mistake.

He stared at the new monster that haunted the Great Hall, feeling a measure of guilt. He knew that slaying it would not be easy but at the very least he needed to open the eyes of all the children to the truth. While a deadly blow would not end Peverell's life, as he saw in the memories of his friends, it should reveal the truth of her monstrocity to everyone, even if it ended up costing the country a few of its children. Their lives were a necessary sacrifice to save the entirety of Great Britain, if not the world from a far greater threat than Tom Riddle and Gellert Grindelwald had once been. Dumbledore took a deep breath, thinking of the man he once loved with all of his heart, who revealed himself to be no better than the muggles they both feared so greatly. He thought of the young boy he went to introduce the world to, hoping to draw him away from the dark path he was already treading, only to fail miserably. Both times a Dark Lord had risen, with thousands and even millions dying for his unwillingness to do what was necessary to keep everyone safe. Raising the Elder Wand, which he begrudgingly brought in order to have the best chance at succeeding in slaying the abomination, he focused on all of his pain and anguish over the lives lost in over half a century, and the men responsible for their deaths. He was ready to do what was necessary now, even if a few more innocents would die, for the Greater Good of all. "Avada Kedavra."

-∞-

The moment the Dinner Feast started, Hazel felt something was off. She just couldn't place it. Dora was currently looking over some intelligence files Horatio had provided and was preparing to do the initial recon missions, so she wasn't the source of the odd feeling. She looked over at the Ravenclaw Table and watched as Teddy chatted with Astoria and the Carrow Twins, all perfectly safe, as far as her enchanted eyes could perceive. As Hazel frowned, trying to think what could the odd feeling be, she felt an old ward trigger. She recognized where she placed it. It was in the caved-in passageway in the Dungeons that lead out to Hogsmeade. Her eyes darted to the Gryffindor Table, where she spotted Susan and Harry chatting along with Hermione, Neville and Hannah. Ronald Weasley had steadily lost much of Harry's attention over the school year as he constantly spouted his mother's condemnations of Hazel. Though his attention span had improved under the care of the Mind Healers and the potion regimes, he was still unapologetic about everything, just like his mother. The boy sat further away now, mostly with the other Gryffindor boys of his year group. Ginerva seemed less interested in listening to her mother and more concerned over the next Quidditch game of the Holyhead Harpies, as Hazel spotted the Gryffindor Chaser discussing something with Katie Bell and Alicia Spinnet, probably concerning the upcoming championship match against Hufflepuff.

Hazel's eyes focused next on the Weasley Twins, but they were both at the table themselves, talking with several of the Seventh Year students, most likely about their plans for their mail order business. Hazel swept the Great Hall again, not seeing any of the students missing. Pomona, who was sitting to her right, noticed the change in Hazel's attention. "Something wrong?" Hazel nodded. "I think so. I just don't know what it is." Minerva looked over at her and seemed to close her eyes. "I don't feel anything specific from the wards, except-" The Headmistress' statement was interrupted as Hazel's magic flared. Acting on instinct alone, Hazel pulled Pomona back and away from the table before she reached out with her hand. It barely registered what she was about to do when her hand intercepted a familiar green curse that would have likely killed her or Minerva. Her Family Magic reacted to the curse and started absorbing it as the familiar pain of death traveled up her now slackened arm, as the darkness of the void threatened to overwhelm her mind as it normally did. Her eyes landed on Teddy's shocked face and her heart stopped. There was no choice. She refused to give in so long as her boys were in danger. There was no other choice but to push on, the void be damned.

Pushing back on the approaching darkness and the all consuming pain as she had done before when the Direwolves had managed to bleed her out, Hazel slammed her still functioning hand onto the Staff Table and Transfigured it into a protective barrier between the staff and the door to her right. Her enchanted eyes pierced through Dumbledore's Disillusionment Charm and she growled deep in her throat. "Everyone take cover! Students, make for the exit now!" Seeing everyone making a panicking retreat, Hazel watched as Dumblodre turned his wand towards the opposite end of the Great Hall. His voice boomed, amplified by a sonorus charm. "No! You must all bear witness! The enemy must be revealed to you all!" Hazel slammed the former Headmaster back with a banishing charm, breaking his camouflage, but not before a spell exited his wand and seemed to seal the Great Hall. Hazel turned to the rest of the staff, all of them shocked beyond reason by the apparent identity of the attacker. "Minerva! Get the students out. Everyone else, help her out and keep them safe. Do it now!" At her raised voice, Dumbledore aimed his wand straight at her. "Sectumsempra!" The dark cutting curse dissipated over most of her Basilisk hide jacket, but the open front allowed for the spell to carve deep wounds into her chest, the slow trickle of blood hidden by her black turtleneck.

Willing her body to knit itself back together, Hazel watched as Dumbledore aimed again towards the students, all of them still trapped by the locked and likely warded door. Doubting anything short of an Elder Wand would unlock it, Hazel tried to Transfigure the tables and the floor of the Great Hall with her offhand into a barrier against the old man, but the floor resisted her magic. The Tables, at least, took the brunt of Dumbledore's attacks, which seemed to be hexes designed to impede the students ability to leave, though one had clearly meant to kill something. Dumbledore turned his attention towards her, launching a fire whip aimed straight at her neck. Not wanting to lose her head a second time in her life, Hazel raised her right hand, willing the Resurrection Stone into it, before catching the flames. The thin layer of black flames she had summoned into her offhand latched onto Dumbledore's flame whip and rushed towards the Elder Wand at its source. Dumbledore, seeing the flames, ended the curse, before launching a barrage of piercing hexes towards her, most of which were intercepted by her dueling shield. Getting tired of fighting with only one hand, Hazel sent a massive surge of magic through her left arm, regaining mobility, though not the feeling of touch, from it. Summoning her own Elder Wand to her left hand, Hazel dispelled the charm ward on the door of the Great Hall. Her attempts at Transfiguring the floor again proved just as ineffective.

Cursing under her breath, Hazel conjured a pack of wolves and sent them after Dumbledore, before slicing open her right hand with the Elder Wand. Slamming her open palm into the ground, she felt her magic link with that of the Castle's. Consciousness of stone, blood and earth. This man is trying to harm the students within your hallowed walls. Lady Hogwarts, protector of those born with the blessing of magic, please grant me the ability to alter your true form. Please! Let me protect the children. Let me protect my sons! Hazel felt the Castle's magic rush through her body, tasting her essence and searching for her mind. Hazel lowered her mental defences without a second thought. The castle's magic pierced through her very being, before it retreated from her mind, leaving behind a clear thought for her to interpret. So be it. Her hand still touching the ground, Hazel unleashed her magic through the stone, dispelling the reapplied ward on the door, before erecting massive columns of stone between Dumbledore and the students. "No!" No longer having to divide her attention, Hazel gripped the Castle's wards and slammed them shut as the old man launched a final curse directly towards the students. Teddy's face flashed before her eyes as the transfigured blocks of stone blocked the attack, making Hazel's heart stop beating. Dumbledore had just made his last mistake. Those old eyes latched back onto her own as Hazel's turned red and slitted, as she summoned within her every last ounce of magic to bring down upon him. Seeing his plan foiled, Dumbledore shouted. "Fawkes!" Hazel, not wishing him to escape, touched the link that existed between her and her son. "Nova!"

The two magical birds manifested into the air before them, the Hall filled with their competing shrills. Nova dove quickly and chased Fawkes away from Dumbledore. The old man returned his attention to her, hurling curses and hexes, all of them bouncing off her dueling shield. Hazel unleashed her conjured spears, which caught the old man by surprise. He was barely able to deflect and dispel any of them, a few barely scraping his arms. Seeing Fawkes making another dive, Hazel aimed her wand at it's likely path. "Avada Kedavra!" The dark green curse sailed across the open space, with Dumbledore conjuring a shield to intercept it, but Hazel dispelled it, allowing her curse to reach its target. The phoenix was struck by the curse and started it's burning cycle. Not leaving anything to chance, Hazel conjured a ball of water around the flames, diluting the ashes of the phoenix and trapping them in place as she froze the floating orb of water into ice, before Nova grabbed it with its claws and vanished in a flash of white light. Dumbledore stood staring at the spot where Fawkes had just been, allowing Hazel a chance to catch her breath and calm down somewhat. She could still feel the effects of the first Killing Curse running through her body, but she was certain she was clear of any complications. The old man snapped out of his shock and raised his wand towards her.

Two slim spears of silver embedded themselves into the old man's chest as he was launched back, becoming impaled into the wall behind him, his own spell ricocheting off a transfigured slab. Dumbledore quickly dispelled the spears, before unleashing a massive wall of fire towards Hazel. Unleashing her own black flames, Hazel was able to keep Dumbledore's magic at bay, though the nearby screams reminded her that the students were not yet out of the Great Hall, the stone pillars not very well suited for restraining a wall of flame. Altering the pillars into a solid wall, Hazel turned her attention back on the old man. She knew she could best Dumbledore on sheer power alone, but Hazel had no desire to add more injuries to her body. Her family would be bothered enough with the injuries she had already taken. Looking to end this quickly, she fed more magic to the Resurrection Stone and the Elder Wand, her Black Flames overtaking Dumbledore's firestorm. The old man raised his wand again when a soft and gentle voice called out to him. "Albie." Dumbledore froze, before turning around, his body shaking. He looked at a young girl, dressed in a blue dress that he knew matched her eyes and his, her dirty blonde hair tied in the braids his brother Aberforth would help her with. His mouth opened and closed silently several times before he was even able to speak her name. "Ariana?" The girl smiled at him and nodded, causing the old man to step back, shaking his head. "No, this is a trick. You aren't real." Ariana gave him a soft smile. "Do I need to knit you a pair of wool socks for you to believe me?"

After a second of shock, Dumbledore dropped his wand and rushed to her, hugging her tightly against him. "It's you. You are real. Oh Ariana. I am sorry. I am so sorry for that night." Ariana hugged him back. "It's ok, Albie. I understand. But it's time to let go. It's time to let go of the things that have been driving you down the wrong path." Dumbledore pulled back and shook his head. "I can't. I have to be the one to change the world. I have to be the one who will make sure what happened to you isn't repeated again." A voice spoke out as manacles attached to chains latched onto his ankles and wrists. "That won't happen again. Not after we are done." He turned around to Hazel, her eyes now turned silver, as her hands held his Elder Wand. He watched the eyes turn green, the bright green of the young Lily Potter and her son. Dumbledore shook his head, his expression turned sad. "You might have caught me with this illusion, but it won't change anything. I won't stop fighting you and neither will the Order. Capture me or kill me, it won't change anything." Hazel sighed. "In that you have a point. Alive or dead, you will continue to be an inspiration for others. I do, however, want to make something clear. This is no illusion. That is Ariana Dumbledore, your sister. Courtesy of this." Hazel held the Resurrection Stone between her fingers, drawing Dumbledore's eyes.

The old man sighed. "The Potter's Cloak is probably in your possession, and now you hold the wand. So you have become the Master of Death. What happens now, Tom? Are you satisfied? Is your fear quenched at last?" Hazel rolled the stone back into her skin, her magic still sustaining Ariana's existence in this plane. "Even if I told you the truth, you would never believe a word of what I would say, like so many others in my previous life. But no Dumbledore, I feel nothing but gratitude for my fate as Death's vessel, because everything in my last fourteen years of life has been because of her mercy. But this isn't about me anymore. Now it's about you." Hazel turned to Ariana, who hugged her brother around his chest from behind. "While his sins against man would deny him any kindness, can I ask you to show him the way to the other side?" Ariana nodded, smiling at her. "Of course, Mistress." Shaking her head at the dead girl's tone towards her, Hazel aimed Dumbledore's Elder Wand at his chest. "While there are merits to sparing your life, your death would solve a lot of problems. I doubt anyone other than Grindelwald knows you have the Elder Wand. I am also sure that I don't want you planning my death, let alone that of my son's, for whatever is left of your natural life." Hazel watched as the man reached into his pocket. "Portkeys don't work any more, Dumbledore. Hogwarts was kind enough to give me control of the wards for the fight."

Confused by her words, Dumbledore muttered "check" under his voice, but the portkey failed to activate. Hazel kept her eyes on him, her irises becoming silver once again. "There is no more hiding, Albus Dumbledore. You have brought much death to this world. It is only fair that it claims you as well. As it will claim all, one day. If you run into Tom in the realm beyond, do try and apologize to him. You carry just as much blame for his life as his family. Goodbye, Albus. Avada… Kedavra." Silence filled the Great Hall as the bright green curse snuffed out the light within Dumbledore's eyes. Ariana looked at Hazel and nodded, pulling a translucent and struggling Albus out of his body, before taking his hand. The two walked away, vanishing into a small and ethereal arched opening that formed on the wall behind them, disappearing into a void of darkness. As the doorway vanished, Hazel's eyes returned to green, causing the woman to sigh. She lifted the lockdown she had set the wards of the castle into, and returned the Great Hall to its original form, before pressing her blood stained hand against the wall. Thank you, Lady Hogwarts. The children, all of them, are safe now. A sense of gratitude filled her mind as the control of the wards slowly slipped from her will. Hazel took stock of her body's condition and sighed, taking the ear comm out from her wristwatch and placing it in her ear before speaking. "O1 here. In need of medical attention at the Castle. AD1 has fallen as well. Send the Aurors to retrieve his body from the Great Hall." Hazel slowly walked out of the Great Hall, her fiancée's startled voice filling her ears as she made her way to the Hospital Wing.

-∞-

Andromeda dusted her dress as she arrived in the Hospital Wing of the Castle, her daughter following close behind, as Pomfrey opened the door of her office. "She's resting comfortably in one of the beds but refuses to let me scan her, let alone treat her." Andromeda chuckled. "Believe me, she hardly lets me look at her too. Her physiology has some unique characteristics that when improperly diagnosed can be quite concerning. As her private physician, I can look after her without issue." Pomfrey sighed. "Very well. I am at least glad that she is the only patient. The rest of the school simply needed some Calming Draughts and Dreamless Sleep potions." Dora rushed to her partner's side quickly, looking her over. "How bad is it? And don't you dare say it's nothing. You wouldn't call Mom in if it was nothing." Hazel blinked at Dora for a second before sighing. "Some damage to my chest because my jacket was still open from dinner, my left arm will be stiff for about a week and some minor blood loss." Dora looked at Andromeda. "Isn't minor for her somewhere between half of her blood and most of it gone?" Andromeda shook her head and placed her Healer's kit to the side of Hazel's bed, before drawing her wand. "We will see. Stand still and keep that magic of yours low." Hazel nodded, burying her Family Magic deep into her chest.

The scans made Andromeda sigh. "Severe nerve damage to your left arm, Sectumsempra curse damage to your torso and a few piercing wounds on your thighs. Signs of severe blood loss and heavy magical exhaustion." Hazel swallowed her casual response at Dora's glare. She remained silent as Andromeda got to work, applying the counter curse to Hazel's chest and stomach, before digging into her bag and pulling out a few vials of healing potions. As Hazel finished downing the last bottle, the doors to the Hospital Wing opened slightly as two dark haired figures rushed in shouting out "Mom!", followed closely by the Headmistress. The two boys hugged Hazel, despite Andromeda's warning not to, as McGonagall approached the group. "I am afraid they refused to head to bed before they could confirm her wellbeing." Hazel kissed her two boys on the head and rubbed their backs. "I am ok. See? Still in one piece." Andromeda's whisper of "barely" got her a soft glare from Hazel. "Not helping." Teddy searched her eyes. "You sure? You felt cold again like in December." Hazel winced. "I am ok. Whatever is happening with my magic, it's settled down. Seeing as you two are here, how about we all get to my room as soon as Andromeda gives me the all clear."

Dora stopped her mother from what she was about to say. "I can watch over her there. Trust me, she will stay in bed. I'll even put Dobby and Leafsby on her." Hazel pouted at Dora. "Traitor." Her fiancée smiled back at her and leaned in for a deep kiss. "For you, always." McGongall cleared her throat. "I thought you ought to know that Alastor Moody is leading the investigation, along with Head Auror Scrimgeour. Both arrived and… retrieved the body from the Great Hall after sweeping the area for evidence. Not that there was much to go on. You certainly cleaned it well, minus the missing tables." Hazel chuckled. "Sorry about those, Minerva, but Hogwarts stones are spell resistant for a reason. The tables… not so much." Minerva's face softened. "Quite. I must also offer you my thanks. Without you, I would not be here. I can only imagine how many more would have died if you didn't hold Albus and yourself back." Hazel waved the comment away with her right hand. "To be fair, he was aiming at me. If I hadn't pushed my seat back, it would have been me taking a direct hit. My stopping the curse from hitting you was a correction of my leaving you vulnerable in the first place."

Minerva nodded but still smiled at her. "Regardless, thank you for that. Pomona will likely offer her thanks in the next few days as well. The attack shook her and the rest of the staff deeply. Hagrid seemed inconsolable after the students were safely beyond the Great Hall." Two more figures arrived, one hobbling towards them with his staff in hand. "Peverell." Hazel nodded at him. "Mad-Eye. If you need my memories of the event, you know you need to wait in line." The gruff Auror chuckled. "Aye, I can wait for those. Just wanted to get a preliminary statement. Don't worry, I'll pass it along to the rest quickly enough." Seeing that no one was likely to leave, Hazel described the events of the evening as she remembered. "You might want to check Dumbledore's pockets. There was a portkey in it with the activation being the word "check." I believe it was his method into the Castle. He tried to use it to escape, but the wards were shifted to block all entries, exits or short jumps even within the boundary line." Rufus wrote all the information down. "You are aware that his allies are going to come after you for this." Hazel nodded. "I am. Get in touch with the powers that be. We can arrange for a thorough interrogation under Veritaserum. One that should dissuade the more level headed people." Rufus finished his notes and nodded. "We will get to that. Regardless, good work keeping the casualties down as much as you did." Hazel smirked at him. "You won't ever let me live that down, will you?"

Rufus chuckled. "Never. Rest up, Professor Peverell. You are in for some busy days ahead." Hazel looked at her boys and smiled. "It's worth it." The boys smiled and Rufus nodded. "I believe it is." The Aurors left with Minerva in tow, the three discussing any official statements between them and the school, as Andromeda continued her treatment of Hazel, whose right hand was held within Dora's, her sons dozing off slightly in the bed next to her. Andromeda rubbed her own forehead clear of sweat as she started removing her gloves. "Your wounds are sealed up well enough, but the tissue and muscles underneath need time to mend. After you reach your quarters I want you to rest. I would offer you a Dreamless Sleep potion but we both know that those don't work with you at all. So instead, I am recommending a week's worth of bed rest, bathroom breaks being the one exception. I will check in with you after three days and then be back at the end of the week." Hazel chuckled. "I have a feeling the Wizengamot will want me there sooner." Andromeda glared at her. "Well tough. Healer's Orders supersede a Court Order." Andromeda turned to Dora, her face softening. "Watch out for her, will you?"

After saying goodbye to Andromeda, Hazel was escorted by her family to her Chambers, Dora supporting her from under her arm, until they helped lay her down on top of her still expanded bed. Dora looked at the two boys, who shifted into their animal forms and did their best puppy eye impression. She sighed. "That's bloody cheating, you two." Seeing that their faces didn't change at all, Dora rubbed her face. "Fine! Pick your form, take a corner and sleep." Dora turned to Hazel and pointed at her. "You. Stay." Hazel's very dog-like bark in response lightened Dora's mood as she went and showered, before joining her family in bed, keeping Hazel spooned next to her. Dora wrapped her arms around Hazel's stomach and was rewarded with a whine. "You do know I have injuries there, right?" Dora winced and softened her touch. "Sorry. I just… I know why you didn't call for help and all but I feel like I should have been here for you." Hazel lifted Dora's hand and placed it on her own chest, just over her heart. "You were there for me. Right here. I am here, recovering, because of you, Harry and Teddy. Without you, there would be no point in me coming back. You have nothing to apologize for." Dora cuddled into Hazel's back more. "I love you." Hazel lifted Dora's hand and kissed it. " I know. And I love you." The four, comforted in each other's presence, managed to sleep peacefully after the night's events. They only prayed the next few days weren't anywhere near as chaotic as today had been.

Chapter 63: The Peace of Empty Battlefields

Chapter Text

"Honored members of the Wizengamot, please calm down! We can't start the session unless we have order in the Chamber!" Ted's eyes scanned the chamber, hearing everyone trying to talk over each other, as the previous day's events went over in his mind. He was thankful that the DMLE and DoM had handled the investigation into Dumbledore's death quickly, rather than drag it out and allow the population to make up its own conclusions. Then again, this was Amelia and Croaker on the helm, two people he found to be quite good at their job when not bogged down by bureaucracy. Hazel was still very much under observation by his daughter after the attack, despite Andromeda finding her to already be back in peak physical shape, minus some lingering stiffness in her left hand. He shook his head as he remembered sitting with her in her Hogwarts Chambers, being interviewed first by Croaker and later by Rufus, the second interview being far more streamlined and narrow in its questions to keep certain anomalous events of the day quiet. The DoM had reviewed Hazel's memories, as well as several of the staff members, before allowing the DMLE access to it. The only section that had been omitted was Hazel's explanation of the Resurrection Stone, which was a relief to everyone. One could only imagine how many people would be knocking on her door if word got out she could summon the dead, however briefly.

Not that there was a door for them to knock on yet. Hazel and his own daughter, with the input from Harry and Teddy, had just barely completed the classified registry of the land she was going to build the Peverell Estate on. Ted would admit he found the expense and the massive size of the grounds excessive, but that stemmed from his own experiences as a muggleborn. After spending the last three years as a Proxy, certain things about the Old Families became clearer in his mind. The Old Family Estates may have evolved into grand, ostentatious and physical manifestations of wealth and power, but that wasn't their initial purpose. Estates were common in medieval times, extending out even further back in time in certain regions of Europe. The purpose had been a bit more geared towards defence rather than opulency. Sure, they represented the wealth and power of the old Families, with even plenty of references to how the serfs were part of the estate, but these places kept the average people from being victims of raids, whether from barbarians, zealots or vikings. To the modern Heads of House, the need to protect their family and allies remained a large part of their duties. The finished Estate, if it ever stopped being built out, would be capable of securing every member of the Coalition, should the other Estates fall. Of course, the immediate family had first dibs on the rooms. The section of the Peverell Estate that Hazel had personally designed for him and Andromeda had warmed his heart and he was curious to find out what books had been set aside for his personal study. As the Wizengamot grew rowdy, Ted gave a passing glance at his surroundings.

That Dumbledore had snuck into Hogwarts during the Evening Feast and attempted to assassinate Hazel before the entire school or, at the very least, prove to the school and the Wizengamot that she was a monster, caused even his blood to boil. He had watched the entire exchange from beginning to end and asked her about what was going through her head, in case he would have to report on the event before the Wizengamot. He had hoped no one would try to call for an early session, but the supporters of Dumbledore, now greatly diminished, still had enough members to appeal to the Minister and the Chief Witch to call a session. Augusta, acting as interim Chief Witch until the vote was finalized, had no choice but to follow procedure. He watched as she patiently waited with an hourglass beside her. As soon as the sands emptied out, she stood up and cast a massive silencing charm on the entire Chamber. No wonder no one was stupid enough to piss her off. Ted Tonks felt the spell to his core. "Enough! This session will begin shortly. Those permitted to speak to the Assembly may do so, but if anyone repeatedly speaks out of line, I will have the Aurors escort you out. I ask that everyone be on their best behaviour." After glaring at everyone in the newly silent Chamber, she sat down and read from her parchments.

"This emergency session has been called due to the incident that occurred at Hogwarts Castle. Before we begin, I would like to call Head Auror Scrimgeour to give this chamber the DMLE's current understanding of the incident that transpired." Ted sat back as the silencing spell dropped, before he felt a hand touch his shoulder. His wife leaned down and kissed his cheek. "Sorry I am late. I was checking up on the trainees. Johnson is giving them a tour of the Medical Wing and I wanted to be there." Ted gave his wife a smile, happy to see Andromeda's mood had only improved since the end of her medical leave. "Scared them stiff?" Andromeda chuckled. "Not exactly. Fawley takes the job seriously and is eager to get started. Clearwater is a bit more squitish, but after her run in with a Basilisk in her six year, I don't blame her. She's gotten better and has even signed up for field medic training, so she seems to be interested in conquering her demons." Ted hummed. "Hazel and Dora could help her with that." Andromeda sat next to him. "I am sure they will. For now, they are being acquainted with the layout of Level 9 and the Medical Wing's configuration. Horatio will bring the matter to Clearwater of getting her up to the acceptable athletic component of the field medics, after I remind him he can't treat her as an Operative. He and Quetz are going over their own medical files so both can stay clear of the Medical Wing while Johnson gets them ready." Ted smiled. "That's the lovely woman I married. Always looking after her charges."

Rufus closed his file, leaving the chamber in stunned silence. "Based on the evidence recovered, the narrative as seen by the unaltered memories of several witnesses that I just relayed to the Assembly seems to line up. A portkey was discovered in Dumbledore's pocket that would have allowed him to bypass the wards, it's arrival point set in a hidden passageway that had collapsed. The Wardmaster has now reset the portkey wards and no further unauthorized intrusions should occur." A member of the Wizengamot known to be a supporter of Dumbledore stood up. "What about the claims that Peverell instigated the incident?!" Rufus sighed. "Aided by her Proxy acting as counsel, a DMLE Healer and under the monitoring of Observer Badawi, the DMLE conducted a Veritaserum questioning of Hit Witch Peverell. She has confirmed that she held deep animosity towards Dumbledore but that she was content to just let the DMLE handle him as she was too busy to care about his behaviour until he attacked her. Fearing for her own life, the lives of her family and the safety of the students, she took the decision to use deadly force against him. As he started the altercation with a Killing Curse, by DMLE and ICW rules of engagement, she was well within her right to use deadly force in return."

Another progressive stood up, with Andromeda recognizing them. "Lady Jones. Her daughter is a member of the Order." Ted sighed. "Lovely. Sirius and Mad-Eye are going to have a lot to work on to keep them in line." The chamber grew silent as Lady Jones spoke up. "What of the allegations that Hazel Peverell is being possessed by Lord Voldemort?!" The Chamber entered into quiet discussions as Rufus turned towards Jones. "As the issue reported in the opinion piece of the Daily Prophet seemed to be the reason for Albus Dumbledore's attack, we asked the question of Lady Peverell. She responded that she was not being possessed, influenced or is in any way emulating Lord Voldemort. She further added that while she will always call herself a Dark Witch, she refuses to ever call herself a Dark Lady and has no plans, active, imagined or inactive against the Wizengamot or the Ministry. Though she did admit that if the Ministry, an organization or any other individual threatened her life or that of her family's, she won't be against adding them to the Peverell Bloodline extinction list." The Chamber shuddered at the veiled warning. Augusta, not bothered by the threat, pushed the session onward, until the supporters of Dumbledore were left with nothing to cling to.

Ted did notice that some of the Traditionalists, those who were supportive of the Death Eaters but kept their own hands clean, did try and assist in trying to find fault with Hazel's actions against Dumbledore. He wrote down the names of those likely in need of observation. Eventually the questions dried up as the DMLE's investigation found no reason to charge Hazel with a crime in relation to Albus Dumbledore's actions and death. Augusta, seeing the matter was resolved, stood up. "Well, while this has been an informative session, I believe we can all agree that we could have allowed the DMLE to bring this up at the next scheduled session on the docket. As this was an emergency session, I hereby bring it to a close. I advise everyone to review the proposals already submitted for consideration for the next meeting. This emergency session of the 28th of April is now concluded." With the strike of the gavel, the doors of the Wizengamot opened. Ted stood up and offered his hand to his wife. She stood up and kissed his cheek. "We have been invited to the Castle to dine with our daughter, the boys and Hazel. With the approval of the Headmistress. Interested?" Ted smiled. "Of course. Though do you think they would mind if we take our time leaving? I know a few lovely broom closets that we could revisit." Andromeda playfully swatted his shoulder. "Now I know where our daughter gets her mischief." Ted kissed the back of her hand. "But of course, love. You said it yourself. You have to be a bit crazy to love a Black."

-∞-

"Alright, settle down!" Molly's frustrated scream made Sirius wince, as did everyone else near her. "Settle down?! Albus is dead, Elphias! He was murdered by that harlot! We can't just ignore that!" Sirius shuddered, deciding it was best to provide Amelia with the memory of this meeting and not the DoM. There was no telling what Hazel would do if she heard what Molly Weasley was calling her. Elphias sighed. "Molly, Albus acted on his own and attacked her in front of the students. The woman went out of her way to keep the students safe, while Albus wasn't interested in their safety, only their presence. Hell, he even cast lethal curses in their direction! Your own children could have been harmed because of Albus' actions. If it wasn't for Peverell, they could have been gravely injured." Molly hollered. "They were in danger because she was there! Albus wouldn't have acted against her if she wasn't a danger to the children! The Order has to do something about her!" Elphias sat back and sighed, rubbing his face. "A candidate to replace Lady Peverell has already submitted her resume to the Headmistress and she will be reviewed as the next possible Professor of Transfiguration when we convene in the summer. Peverell is more than willing to leave Hogwarts and is only refraining from doing so until she has seen to the completion of the academic year, as per her contract."

Arthur took Molly's hand and tried to calm her down as Shacklebolt addressed the meeting of the Order. "Albus wouldn't have acted without reason, Elphias." Moody grunted from the far end of the table. "He would have, Kingsley. He had been obsessed with Peverell since she first appeared. Her upfront nature and willingness to stand up to Albus rubbed him the wrong way from the start. Despite his beliefs, the Veritaserum testimony carried out by the DMLE proves she isn't Voldemort or a Dark Lady." Molly snapped at him. "She could have taken an antidote to prevent the effects of Veritaserum before she testified!" Sirius whined in exasperation. "Molly, Rufus knows his stuff better than anyone. If there is someone who would have checked her for the antidote, he would be the type. Ask Shacklebolt and Jones just how the bloke is always so through. Only Alastor here would be any more paranoid." Though Sirius did question whether Veritaserum would even work on Hazel as Hestia sighed from across the table. "Black has a point. Rufus would have swept her for anything that could prevent Veritaserum from working. Her testimony is the truth as far as she knows it and based on the mental evaluation of her, she isn't suffering from any obligations or Mind Magics. I hate to say it, but Albus was wrong about Peverell."

Sirius watched as Arthur had to hold Molly back. "Enough! Enough, Molly. Albus may have been the head of the Order and our friend, but everything points to him making a serious mistake. He obviously took matters into his own hands because he couldn't trust that anyone else would believe him. Come on. Let's go home. We can send a letter to Minerva and ask her if we can enter the Castle and visit our kids, to make sure they are alright." Molly slumped onto her chair and nodded silently. As the couple went for the door, Mad-Eye blocked their path with his staff. "You better be careful about this, Arthur. Hazel Peverell isn't a Dark Lady, but if you or Molly threaten her or her family, she won't hesitate to leave your kids orphaned. The woman has been targeted by people her whole life, Voldemort amongst them. She learned the hard way that asking nicely doesn't stop anything. Be civil to her and her family, and nothing bad will ever happen. You have my word on that." Arthur looked at Alastor and nodded. "That was never the plan but thank you for the warning, Mad-Eye." As soon as the Weasleys left, the whole order seemed to take a sigh of relief.

Hestia looked towards Mad-Eye. "What happens to the Order now? We can't just disband, believing all the threats are gone." Sirius waved hand, dismissing Hestia's comment. "We can't go on believing the Death Eaters are active either. The DMLE has taken care of most of them. The only people left are the supporters who kept their hands clean and themselves out of the limelight." Moody grunted. "Black is right. We can't run the Order as Albus once did. The DMLE won't stand for vigilantes any more than they will stand for terrorists and I don't see anything wrong with that. If we don't want to disband, I believe we can remain intact. As a network of informants. We can make sure to have eyes on the people most likely to break the law and pass the information along to the right people." Kingsley sat silent for a moment but nodded. "I agree, though with me and Hestia not working for the DMLE anymore, that might be a bit harder to do." Sirius whispered under his breath. "Your own damn fault." Remus quicked him on the shin, before turning to both of the former Aurors. "With the proposed changes to the laws regarding Werewolves, Vampires and Hags, there is going to be a need for able bodied personnel that can handle dangerous situations. I know a few Werewolves gathering their resources together as a pack that could use a few non-cursed guards. Interested?"

The remaining members of the Order started dividing the new tasks among each other under the careful eye of Alastor, each one leaving as soon as they were sure on what their new role was. After checking the room thoroughly, Alastor took a moment to sigh. "That could have gone worse." Elphias chuckled. "Indeed." Sirius looked at the old man. "So, what do we do about the Order's leadership? I don't think a single leader will sit well with anyone. We want to also avoid setting anyone up to potentially be forced to make the Order act against the general good of its members. I doubt even Mad-Eye could keep everyone in line, despite doing so well today with dividing out the new assignments." Elphias nodded and looked between the remaining four people. "Perhaps something akin to what the Coalition is doing? Three representatives elected by the Order's members." Alastor growled in his throat. "Elphias." Doge chuckled. "Don't worry, Alastor, I won't be nominating you. But someone else might." Remus rubbed his chin. "The idea has merit. We can leave the Order in Mad-Eye's hands for now, but we can do the vote in the next general meeting, once we are certain that the Order's new agenda is holding up well enough." Sirius looked towards a clearly unhappy Mad-Eye until the old Auror growled under his breath. "Fine, I will do it until the next meeting." Elphias stood up and motioned towards Sirius. "Come along, young Lord. I have a meeting of the Board of Governors coming up soon and I would like your opinion on something."

-∞-

Julia stood up before the Board of Governors and began it's session as the Chairwoman. "With Augusta's election as Chief Witch, she has withdrawn from her position among us as a Governor, for which I don't blame her. Handling the Wizengamot alone is enough to drive anyone to drink." The Board, including Elphias, chuckled at that. "Indeed. That leaves us the question of an empty seat on the Board, as well as an official statement regarding the incident at the Castle." He looked over towards where McGonagall was standing in the room. "The Headmistress' own statement to the DMLE and the Wizengamot can be seen as sufficient, but as Chairwoman Greengrass stated in previous sessions, the time for the Board to be silent is over. We must add our own voice to incidents within the school, especially one so serious as this one." Julia sighed. "Agreed. The question is what our official statement must be. In the past I accused Dumbledore of presenting a threat to the school with his presence alone. It seems the same could be said of Miss Peverell, for different reasons." Elphias and most of the Board looked towards her. "Are you considering censuring her publicly?" Julia waved the comment away. "Not at all, but it would be inconsiderate of me to not point out the obvious. While I don't believe the Board should condemn Hazel Peverell for acting in self defence, we can reiterate that her employment at Hogwarts will end at the conclusion of her one year contract."

The Board murmured in agreement and Elphias nodded. "That would be the safest course of action. Those who still idolize Dumbledore can't be seen as urging us to break a binding contract. It would set a dangerous precedent for the staff of the school and the Board. I volunteer to be the one to pen the official statement." Julia hummed and looked towards the Headmistress. "Minerva, would you be willing to provide an unbiased review of Hazel Peverell's conduct as the Professor of Transfiguration for the year?" It took a moment for the Headmistress to reply. "I take it you wish to include this in the official statement?" Julia nodded. "While we can agree to her not returning to teach at the castle, there will be those who will question her remaining months among their children. We can also attempt to not draw the ire of those who support her by being clear about her performance at the school so far." Minerva nodded. "Of course. I will say that my relationship with Hazel Peverell has never been the best. She held a great deal of resentment towards me, fully justified based on my performance as a Head of House. However, from the time when she worked as a guard to the school, to her current position as Professor of Transfiguration, Hazel Peverell has shown a dedicated work ethic and great care for the student body. Her understanding of the discipline of Transfiguration, I am in no way ashamed to say, surpasses my own."

Julia watched as an older member of the Board, and a former friend of Albus Dumbledore, spoke up. "There have been accusations that she might have been teaching specific spells out of turn. It is the belief of a few older members of the community that the way magic is taught at Hogwarts allows the students to gain a respectful approach to magic. Do you believe these accusations and that she may be sabotaging the student's understanding of magic?" Minerva sighed. "I won't deny that Peverell willingly chose to teach Transfiguration at a different pace. However, her syllabus was in keeping with the ICW standards and the times that I have observed her classes, I can attest that she kept to the syllabus accurately. As for the impact of her approach, I can assure you that it has seen a marked improvement in the way the students use magic. However, they do so with a greater degree of restraint and focus than what the previous instruction allowed. Her approach has even helped identify individuals who are in need of a different pace of instruction due to how unstable their raw magic tends to be. It is my opinion that Hazel Peverell's tenure as an instructor at the Castle has been of great benefit to the student body's magical aptitude, academic performance and the general well being of the school."

The older woman sat down, clearly rattled, as Julia smirked. She turned towards Elphias. "Do you have enough material to write the Board's official statement?" Doge nodded. "Indeed. I will try and complete a rough draft before submitting it to be evaluated by the Board. We can then bring the document to the Prophet and submit it to the Ministry." Julia nodded. "Very well. This just leaves us with the empty seat on the Board. Any nominations?" Julia sat back and listened as names were thrown in, but many were the typical older members of the Wizengamot. The nomination of Augusta had been to strengthen the Board's ability to stand up to Dumbledore, but due to the Board's make up of older members, the need to improve the School's curriculum had not been pushed as greatly as she would have liked. There were quite a few classes that the ICW recognized as accredited that could help the Ministry and Magical Great Britain in the long run. If only she could get a sympathetic ear that could push the matter through with her. "I nominate Hazel Peverell." Julia's mind crashed instantly as she looked towards Lord Doge. "Could you repeat that, Elphias?"

The old man had an amused smile on his face. "I nominate Hazel Peverell to fill in the empty seat of the Board of Governors." Doge's comment drew a lot of chatter from the others as a soft smile spread across Julia's face. That could work. The same woman as before spoke up. "Is that wise? We are already removing her from the School's faculty for the danger she represents to them, even if it's not directly because of her." Doge nodded. "Indeed, but, as a member of the Board, I believe she could continue to improve the academic performance of the school. Her history as a Professor, while short, should give her an unique insight into the sort of people we may want to see carrying on the education of the students. It is my understanding that she is quite popular with the students herself, which in a way provides them with a person they could approach with their own concerns. Lastly, thanks to her law enforcement career, she would be better capable of elaborating ways to improve the Castle's security. The current measures being taken should be tested to see if another incident like what just occurred cannot be repeated." The Board seemed to murmur among themselves as Julia spared a glance at McGonagall. The woman looked quite pleased with the discussion. "Very well. All those opposed to Peverell's nomination?" Two hands were raised, but were well short of the majority. Julia smiled. "All those in favour?"

-∞-

"Someone please explain to me what the hell this is?" Croaker swallowed a bit of his nervousness as he felt Hazel's magic act out as an outlet of her clear irritation. "It's exactly what it says it is. As of the conclusion of the Academic year, you have been elected to sit on the Board of Governors. Congratulations." That was apparently the wrong thing to say as the woman just glared at him even more, her eyes seemingly having a hard time deciding between staying green or switching to red. "I can read that clearly enough. What I want to know is why? Why did they even think about electing me!?" Amelia, who had been invited to the meeting, chuckled. "Because of everything that you have done for the school. Or did you think no one was paying attention? Minerva had nothing but good things to say about you, your relationship with the staff and students speaks for itself and your expertise makes you a most valuable candidate. The Board of Governors agreed and voted you in." Hazel closed her eyes and seemed to be counting silently as Dora patted her on the back.

Looking over towards her boss and Horatio, Dora spoke up. "I am guessing that the Department of Mysteries has its own reasons to support this appointment?" Horatio cleared his throat. "Indeed. In the past it was standard policy to have the Director of the Department as a member of the Board. This changed with the previous two Directors, thanks, in part, to Dumbledore and Voldemort's machinations. Neither side wanted their prime candidates for soldiers vanishing into the void of the Unspeakables. Students and Graduates lost any direct references into the Department, with us having to look through the Department of Education's registries to evaluate candidates before approaching them. With you posted as a Governor of the Board, you will be able to visit and observe the students at the school, interact with them and get a feel for who might just be a proper fit. Just as you did a few weeks ago." Hazel groaned. "I swear if you planned this…" Horatio raised his hands defensively. "I most certainly did not. Unfortunately, I did have to pass the information to Croaker here. When Augusta heard who was selected as her replacement, she notified him first."

Hazel's eyes focused onto Croaker, who seemed to understand just how annoyed she was. Smart man. "And why exactly aren't you taking up the position? Augusta could have nominated you." Croaker hummed to himself. "True, but even if she did, with the Board given the option to pick between me or you, the end result would have been the same." Hazel slumped into the seat as Dora leaned towards her. "Think of it this way, Hazel. You get a free pass to visit the school, oversee the students in their classes and can make sure that all the rules are being followed. Not to mention you can watch over Harry and Teddy whenever you can't find my company to be enough to ease your worries. It's perfect." Hazel glared at Dora but her expression softened before she sighed. "Fine! But this is as far as I will go! I refuse to be Professor or the Headmistress beyond anything temporary and if anyone tries to force me into taking the position of Director, Minister or Chief Witch, I am burning the entire Ten Levels of this building to the ground! Dora, you and I are going to go see your dad. I am not going to sit in as a Governess and as a Head of House in the Wizengamot. He better be ready to hold the job for a few more years or recommend a replacement!" Dora stood up and bowed softly towards her boss before following after her partner, who just left Croaker's office.

Amelia watched as Croaker deflated. "Thank the Gods. I thought she was going to refuse." Her eyebrow rose after that comment. "I am guessing you weren't expecting her to agree?" Saul looked at her and shrugged. "Undecided. The points Tonks made were the ones we were hoping to sell her on, but I wasn't keen on bringing it up myself." Horatio chuckled. "Though if we are being honest, the Board made the right call. Her ability to gauge people quickly, with certain exceptions, does her well as the DoM eyes and ears at Hogwarts, as her previous observations made quite clear. I am also sure that she wouldn't be adverse to serving a similar role with the Auror Academy. It would certainly make Alastor's life easier with his recruits." Amelia nodded with a soft smile on her face. "Oh, I know. The summer before Alastor got selected as Defence Professor saw quite the skilled and motivated group of cadets arriving at the Academy. The ones that arrived the summer afterwards were similarly well trained. Alastor is itching to see the skills of the cadets that arrive this summer." Croaker nodded. "And that is why I was glad not to take the job. As much as she might hate interacting with others, Hazel is certainly the best person for it. Now then, the ICW Observers have been getting some unsavory reports about enchanted weapon shipments whose signatures don't match those from Austria…"

-∞-

Pomona Sprout sat down at the staff meeting table and sighed, drawing the attention of Madam Pomfrey. "Do you need some more Dreamless Sleep potions?" Pomona shrugged. "Probably. Though it's certainly less needed now than it was a few days ago." Dumbledore's surprise attack at the Great Hall had caused a panic among the students, with the situation worsened by the doors being locked down for some time. The sudden and massive burst of magical fire terrified the younger years, the heat of the flames, the blinding light, and the roaring noise becoming a recurring nightmare to many of her younger charges, even as the stone structures blocked the attacks while the doors were opened and the students tried to leave the Great Hall without hurting one another. Pomona watched as Flitwick, Vector and Slughorn took their own sweet time to sit at the table, all them sporting dark circles under their eyes, the latter speaking up. "I can't remember a week like the last happening in all my years." McGonagall sat down at the head of the table and placed down the records book. She looked at her colleagues. "I suppose I don't have to ask if there has been any improvement with the students. Should I call St. Mungos to send more Mind Healers to check on the children?" Vector nodded. "Please do. The younger years have only gotten worse as the days went by since their initial visit."

The door opened and Lupin entered, taking his seat. "My apologies for my delay. The Weasley Twins decided to throw an improvised comedy show that left the second floor corridor… unpassable." Flitwick looked down at the man's pants. "Did they make a pool? You are certainly wet enough." Remus shuddered. "Worse. A swamp. They caught me by surprise by their instant Darkness Powder before I tumbled into waist deep water. The smell is remarkably accurate." Flitwick whipped out his wand and tried to dispel the water. After a few tries, he finally succeeded. "Interesting. A conjuration tied to some strong charmwork." Pomona looked towards the Headmistress. "Speaking of conjurations. Will Peverell be showing up today? I understand Andromeda has been checking on her health every other day." Remus nodded. "She will be right up. She was dealing with the swamp while some of her creations were chasing the Weasley Twins down. The first year and second year students were certainly enjoying seeing Fred and George being chased around by actual badgers." Pomona chuckled. "Oh, I am certain they were."

Vector took a sip from the tea, which had just been provided by the Hogwarts elves. "Well, she does have a way with children. The talent of an excellent mother, no doubt. It's a shame she refused to be the Gryffindor Head of House. I think she could get them to actually behave themselves for longer than ten minutes." Slughorn chuckled. "Oh, I think the greater shame is that she was never properly taught potions. Her attention to detail is uncanny, just what a good potioneer needs." McGonagall shook her head. "I think she is happy the way she is. Which reminds me. Have Edward Peverell and Harry Potter been doing well? The shock of seeing Hazel nearly dying was quite clear on both their faces." Remus leaned back. "Harry seemed to be fine, better than most of his classmates, really. Edward is harder to read." Pomona turned towards the werewolf, raising an eyebrow in question. "You did apologize to him about the Boggart incident, right?" Remus nodded nervously. "I did and he accepted it. He is just… cold towards me. I asked him if it was because I was a Werewolf and he said that didn't bother him at all, especially since his Mom was very skilled in teaching him how to take one out." He shivered. "Apparently he just doesn't like me and would rather just leave things to be professional between us."

Minerva hummed to herself. "Perhaps it's for the best. Now…" The door opened and Hazel walked in, before pausing for a moment as she took in everyone's expression. She turned around and made for the door before Pomona spoke up. "It's nothing, Professor. We aren't going to be asking you to do anything uncomfortable. We were about to start the meeting, actually. How are the Weasley Twins?" Hazel sighed and went to take her seat. "Currently scrubbing out the stench of swamp off the second floor corridor floors, under Filch's supervision." After she sat down, she produced two wands and handed them to Professor Vector. "Here. I thought they could use a little lesson in hard work. Filch agreed they needed it, especially after Mrs. Norris got caught in the swamp. After getting a whiff of that smell, letting them clean it with magic just didn't seem fair to Mrs. Norris." The table cringed as Vector took the wands. "I will be sure to check on them." Grubbly-Plank chimed in. "Remind me to follow you, Septima. I know just the stuff to get Mrs. Norris cleaned up after that mess." Hazel turned to the Headmistress. "So, when should we be expecting the Examiners? I have had my students working on OWLs preparations for the last few months." McGonagall smiled. "They will be here in three weeks' time." Hazel sighed in relief. "Good. Another month of reviews and my fifth year students would be rioting." The Professors chuckled as they all began to discuss the best schedules for their students' examinations.

After going over all the upcoming tests schedules and important dates, including when Lupin would be taking his next Full Moon induced break from work, the staff meeting ended. Hazel closed her folder and looked towards Pomona. "You have been strangely quiet. McGonagall said the students would be getting another visit from the Mind Healers. Did they keep you up at night?" Pomona nodded. "Most of them did. Cedric has been helping out a lot, though. Even your son has been helping out with the younger students." Hazel smiled at that. "I thought he might." Pomona sighed. "How do you do it? Just… move on from what happened so easily. You should be dead and here you are, just like every other month of the year." Hazel looked at her in the eyes. "I have been acquainted with Death for years now. As for how I can just move on from what happened? It's not easy. Not at first. But I had to swallow down anything and everything because someone depended on me. You have almost a hundred students depending on you, so I can't really say it's all that relatable." Pomona rubbed her face. "I just… wish I could have done more. You had to handle Dumbledore on your own and there I was, panicking about getting my students to safety."

Hazel stood up from her seat. "Well, I suppose you could try and prevent yourself from panicking in situations like that. As for helping more… there is only so much anyone can do at any given moment. You are a professor of Herbology. Sure you took Defence Against the Dark Arts, but I can tell you that it's not the same. No one is ever really ready to be in a situation like that the first time." Sprout sat quietly after that until Hazel touched her shoulder. "For what it's worth… the nightmares you are facing now will pass. As someone who is haunted by her past and will be scarred by both what happened and what I have done, even someone like me has trouble sleeping." Pomona looked her in the eye. "Then why keep doing it? Why not retire and teach? Why go back into dangerous situations like that?" Hazel gave her a soft smile. "So that Teddy or Harry don't have to. There will always be monsters in the world, ready to harm the people you care about. I would rather go to sleep expecting a nightmare or two for being a killer, than going to sleep, knowing that my boys are gone and that I could have done something for them. It's a price I am all too willing to pay. Just don't think you have to pay the same price I did. The boys need me for now just the way I am. Your students need you to be there for them. To care for them as best as you can."

Later that evening, Pomona sat in the far back of the Hufflepuff Common Room, watching as the Prefects tutored some of the younger kids on how to do the Arithmancy equations and how to translate Futhark into English, her mind hearing Hazel Peverell's words. The words of a soldier. She remembered that her own father had left his work at an Apothecary in Diagon Alley to fight in the Second World War. He came back with an eyepatch and a lot of scars, with nightmares becoming common soon after. Yet he never regretted taking the time to fight in the war. Sure, he was only a single foot soldier in the conflict, not even carrying a wand since he was born without magic. Yet, despite that, he still felt the need to do something, anything to help end the war just one second sooner. In the grand scheme of things it might not seem like much, but to those who lived and died fighting, just one second could mean so much. A little first year walked up to Pomona, breaking her out of her thoughts. "Professor, could you help us a little with the Herbology text? We got a little confused about how to prepare Asphodel root for potions use." Pomona smiled at her. "Of course, dear. I will be right there." Pomona stood up and straightened out her robes. Hazel was right. She could only do so much for the children when compared to her and Pomona was satisfied with that now. She could look after her students happily, knowing there were others out there willing to do what was needed so that moments like the incident at the Great Hall were never repeated again.

Chapter 64: The Changing Times

Chapter Text

Harry sat at the Gryffindor table as the students chatted amongst themselves. After the shocking attack by Dumbledore, it had taken a little over a month for the school to get back to normal. Eventually, though, it did. The younger students weren't as jumpy as they were just days after the incident and even the teachers seemed to have relaxed back into their roles. Well, most of them took a bit longer than the rest. Hazel had been the surprising breath of fresh air the students needed to recover quickly, being calm, collected and in a generally pleasant mood in the days after the incident. He heard from the younger years, especially the first year girl he now knew was called Lana, that Hazel had shifted her classes a little to involve the students more with transfigurations and conjurations, letting them have a greater degree of creative freedom with their work. The younger students took to the change exceptionally well and he remembered hearing them talking excitedly about their classes with her in the Common Room. Looking over at the staff table, he couldn't help but smile at Hazel. Despite her dislike of most people, she couldn't help herself when it came to children. She always made sure they were happy and that they learned something from her, so long as they remained respectful of their peers.

Neville nudged his shoulder. "Already thinking you're going to miss her as a teacher?" Harry turned to him and nodded. "Yeah. She's going to focus more on her real job for the next few years, though she promised to come visit when she could." Neville looked over at the staff table. "I hope whoever they get can keep up with the style she championed. The students really liked her as a teacher. I just hope she likes the surprise they have in store for her." Harry narrowed his eyes on Neville. "What surprise?" Neville chuckled. "You will see." Harry closed his eyes and prayed that Hazel wasn't about to get spooked. That never ended well for anyone. He looked over towards where Teddy was and prayed he sensed his eyes on him. The young Hufflepuff turned and looked over at him, growing pensive at Harry's odd look. Then something weird happened. He smiled at Harry. Teddy's reaction did have the intended effect Harry wanted, at least. The change in Hazel's posture was minimal but it was there. Harry hoped it was enough to prevent any mistakes. As the feast neared its end, McGonagall stood at the Speaker's Stand and called for silence. She looked over all the students. "It is finally that time of year. Tomorrow, after breakfast, the trains will be returning you to your families. For our seventh year students, I wish you all the best of luck in your future endeavours."

Harry and the rest of the Hall clapped their hands at the seventh years, all of whom went through the graduation ceremony in the last weekend before the Leaving Feast. As the applause faded, McGongall spoke up again. "As it is customary of the Leaving Feast, the House Points have been tallied. In a very narrow lead over the rest of the four houses, the winner of the house cup is… Hufflepuff!" Harry heard a few of the Gryffindors' curse but he applauded the Badger's victory. He had played as Seeker with the Gryffindor team now missing several of its previous star members. Without Angelina or Wood, any victories of theirs were narrow and hard fought, which made their obtaining the Quidditch Cup pointless. Cedric had managed to bring the Hufflepuff team to the final round against Gryffindor in an incredibly difficult game. Harry caught the Snitch, but not before the now more organized Hufflepuffs gave themselves a massive boost in points. He was at least grateful that they had successfully trained several reserves to take over the roles for Wood, Angelina and Alicia, the latter of whom was graduating this year. With the banners appropriately changed to the Hufflepuff colors, the Headmistress addressed the students. "Yes, well done Hufflepuff. Now, for our one last bit of news. As you all know our current Professor of Transfiguration will be leaving the school tomorrow."

Sparring a glance at Hazel, he could see the frown growing on her face. The Headmistress continued. "Though we may get to see her a bit as she will be taking a seat at the Board of Governors in the coming years. As her tenure as Professor not only saw the single greatest improvement in the academic scores of all her students, but also received the greatest amount of support from said students, I would like all of you personally to show us what Professor Peverell's tenure has meant to you." The Great Hall was instantly filled with fireworks that became animated creatures of flame and light. Dragons, griffins, quetzalcoatls and thestrals filled the air as the students cheered. Harry struggled to keep a straight face while looking at his mother figure. The woman looked like she wanted to apparate or make for the nearest exit as the students showed her how much she became a beloved teacher in her one short year, though many more still were grateful for her service since Harry's third year. The staff joined in with the celebration, standing up and applauding at Hazel, who only seemed to want to sink further into her seat. Hermione, sitting opposite him, spoke up after she and the students finally settled down. "I think Professor Peverell would like to be anywhere but here right now." Neville chuckled. "She does, but it was worth it. We owe so much to her."

Harry nodded, as he looked over at the staff table where Nova flashed into being just in front of Hazel, dropping off a rather thick stack of letters. He turned his gaze away from her after Nova perched herself on Hazel's shoulder and looked towards Teddy. The smile on the boy's face made a few things clear to him. "Teddy organized this, didn't he?" Neville smiled. "A little bit. Hazel never had any good memories at Hogwarts, or so Teddy told us. He wanted to make sure her last big memory wasn't about Dumbledore but about the school. The students agreed and the Weasley Twins were all too happy to pitch in. Apparently McGonagall got wind of this and decided to make it official." Harry shook his head. He saw Teddy looking at him and decided to smile back at his brother in everything but name. He was right, of course. After everything that had just happened and everything Hazel went through in both worlds, she deserved a night like today. She might see herself as this dangerous and violent person, but she was a warm person that genuinely cared about the children of the school. She deserved to be celebrated by everyone for all that she had done and what she will continue to do.

-∞-

"How did she take it?" Teddy sat down on the opposite seat of Harry's as they filled into one of the Hogwarts Express cabins. Harry sat down after helping Susan and Hermione with their trunks now made smaller and lighter. Teddy chuckled. "She hated it as much as she loved it, so it went as expected. She did threaten to rescind my access to sweets if I ever did that to her again, so it was worth it as my one attempt at a surprise." Theo shook his head as he sat down besides Hermione. "Well, it's better than the alternative. Any idea if we ruined her mood for the summer? Daphne, Astoria and The Carrows seemed interested in taking more tutoring sessions from her." Hermione lit up. "Do you think she would mind if I joined you all? Seeing the progress on Harry's spellcasting since our third year has been amazing." Harry looked at Teddy, who shrugged. "Honestly, you will have to send a letter to Amelia. She is the host of the tutoring sessions. Though Mom might want to take a break this summer after teaching all year long." Susan leaned into Harry's side as she looked at Hermione. "I can tell my Auntie about you coming over but it's all going to depend on your parents. Auntie only lets anyone tutor under Hazel if the parents or guardians are ok with it. Astoria, for example, only really started tutoring after her first year."

Harry looked over at Teddy. "Did she mention any other plans for the summer?" Teddy tapped his chin. "We might get a trip somewhere just the four of us. Mom and Dora are still a bit mad at Sirius for disrupting their summer plans two years ago. Other than that, it's mostly getting to work on the Ancestral Homes. Potter Manor has been cleaned up, but you still need to start moving the clothes out of the old rooms into storage and check with all the portraits. Then there is the construction of the Peverell Estate. Mom wants to get started on that soon, since it could take up to a year, even with magic." Theo looked thoughtful. "That's odd. I thought it would be quicker." Teddy shrugged. "Mom might be planning to do some non-standard changes to how a Magical Estate is made. Since we are probably going to be targets for the rest of our days because of our names, she wants it to be as safe as possible. Not to mention that it won't be cheap and money has always been tight for us." Hermione shook her head. "It's weird thinking about it like that. That people will target you two out of fear because of a name." Susan hummed. "It's not so surprising. Think about the Flamels. They can't exactly announce where they are all the time because of all the people after their philosopher stones. Having a reputation as a witch or wizard is always going to draw people to you. Good or bad."

Teddy snapped his fingers and cast a ward on the cabin. "I just remembered! We have an invitation to see the Flamels! Please don't tell anyone else, though." Hermione's voice made everyone wince. "WHAT?" After apologizing profusely for the outburst, Teddy looked over at Harry. "Since Mom returned their stone to them, they have been in contact with her. After everything that happened with Dumbledore, who was an acquaintance of theirs, they invited us over to discuss a few things. Dora also got taught by Perenelle some Alchemy, so we could see them work on some interesting stuff while we visit." Harry hummed to himself. "Might be interesting. I was considering taking Alchemy in the fall as a NEWT class, but it all depends on how I did on my OWLs." Susan grew thoughtful. "I think I can ask Auntie if we can gather at the Manor when the scores are delivered." She looked at Hermione. "It should be easier for you to come too, since you won't be doing anything strenuous. It would still be best to ask your parents for permission though. Since Hazel worked at Hogwarts for a year, she could know the date that the letters will be sent out and we can all have a party!"

Theo watched as Hermione clapped her hands together. "I would love that!" She looked towards him and he smiled back at her. "I will be there too. It might be nice for my grandfather to meet your parents. He has been reading up on muggles these last few years. And not the outdated stuff either." Harry chuckled as Hermione beamed at her boyfriend, before looking towards Teddy. "Sounds like it's going to be a busy summer." Teddy smiled at him. "Fine by me. I just hope Mom doesn't get buried with work. If everything stays peaceful, we can certainly have a lot more fun with everyone." As Susan and Hermione discussed the plan to have the OWL get together to become a sleepover, much to the boys' amusem*nt and terror, Teddy looked through the window and over the roving hills. After everything that they had been through over the years, they finally had a chance to just relax and enjoy a quiet life. He smiled to himself, remembering the quiet days he had with Andi and Hazel in their old world. He missed those quiet days the most. Maybe he could convince Harry to tone down their summer plans a little bit. Just a little.

-∞-

"This is new." Hazel nodded at Dora's comment as they both walked up a ramp and boarded a decently sized warship of the Royal Navy. Wearing their Operative gear minus the masks and the armor plates, the two followed a Naval Officer until he gestured them to enter a room. Inside they found several men and women looking over an electronic map of the immediate area, with a vessel clearly marked as their target, it's position slowly moving. One of the agents looked up and smiled at them and Hazel recognized him as being from MI5. "Still a Lead Agent?" The man chuckled. "Got promoted actually, but desk duty isn't for me. Still, it's good to see you two." He gestured to the table. "To business. Earlier today a vessel docked at the Southampton Port and refueled, yet it neither dropped off any cargo or personnel. Customs Officers went to check the vessel and returned, giving the vessel the green light. Since they returned far too quickly, MI5 grew concerned. We sent our own agents in impersonating Customs Officers and the same thing happened again. What we did notice was that our agents experienced a period where they lost time. That's when we called you. Sadly, the second inspection seemed to have spooked them. They left port ahead of schedule."

Dora leaned over the table as Hazel's eyes followed the expected course, before speaking up. "Sounds like Mind Magics. I am guessing you want to hit the target while the vessel remains in territorial waters?" The lead agent nodded. "The Navy and the Marines have kindly lent us some of their vessels and personnel for this mission. What we need from you is to counteract the target's magical safeguards and personnel. You can stun anyone else in your way, but as soon as you two are sure that the magical defences are down, we will be sending the ships in." Dora stood back and looked at her partner. "We don't have any intel on them or the vessel's configuration." Hazel nodded but she smiled. "Based on their speed, I think we have time for a recon mission just prior to engagement. I want you to station yourself with the Marines. I will pass on what intel I can before disabling their magical defences. The Marines will have a better time boarding with you there to block any incoming curses or bullets." Dora searched Hazel's eyes. "Are you sure you are good for this?" Hazel smiled at her. "I am." She turned towards the agents. "Get your personnel ready and keep the comm line open. Have your engineers help out as I try to describe the interior in a way that you can use to orient your Marines."

Kissing her partner and getting a "good luck" from her, Hazel shifted her form into that of a dark feathered seagull. She flew out and circled over the medium sized cargo vessel, noticing a heavy presence of armed guards patrolling the upper deck. Finding a point of entry, she landed and verified that there were no security cameras before she took human form again. After applying her armor plates and pulling down her mask, she pulled her Cloak over her body and vanished. Even on the upper deck she could feel the magic crackling over the iron and steel ship, like static electricity making her hairs stand on end. With a few noise canceling wards cast on herself, she spoke into the comms on her wrist. "O1 to LA and O2. Vessel is heavily warded. Will search for the focal point. Armed guards with automatic weapons patrolling the upper deck and between the cargo containers. Will inspect a few of these in my sweep. Over." Slipping through the thin steel walls, Hazel found a lot of industrial equipment that wouldn't look out of place on a ship. She slipped down a staircase, stopping every few minutes to update the engineers as they made a rough map of the vessel with her descriptions. Finding fewer guards on the lower floor, Hazel found rooms that were filled with weapons and ammunition, a few looking familiar and giving off the faint trace of magic.

"O1 to BM. Possible cargo from Austrian depot located. Issue warning to ICW." Horatio's voice chimed in. "Acknowledged. Boss is making the inquiries." Hazel then swept through more of the vessel's floors, finding enough food supplies to last the ship for years, a few held under enchantments. As she made her wait to the lower level of the ship, she touched the outer hull and felt the way the magic interacted with it. "O1 to all on Ops comm. Vessel has ward repeaters embedded into it's superstructure. No signs of it being retrofitted. Vessel was designed with M in consideration." Horatio cursed. "Understood. Will be updating the ICW. Observers will be on site with our spooks to evaluate it." Having passed that information along, Hazel swept through the lower holds until one area caught her attention. She pushed through the warded walls and scanned the room with her eyes before pulling back. "The vessel has human cargo. I repeat, the vessel has human cargo. Lowest deck to the far back, just a few corridors from the engine room." This time the Lead Agent cursed. "We will notify the Bootnecks to watch for human shields and collateral. Get the defences down and our soldiers on there as soon as possible, O1." Hazel looked at the heavy concentration of magic that seemed to be radiating from the engine room. "Acknowledged. Standby."

Inside the Engine Room, Hazel shielded her ears as she sensed her way through the people nearby. None of them had control of the wardstone that stood hidden behind a panel close to the engine. Doubling back to the upper deck and reaching the bridge, she scanned the men at the wheel, detecting a few Magicals amongst them. Finding the person in control of the wards, Hazel made sure the doors and hatches were safely warded by her own magic before she drew her wand. Taking most of them down with stunners before they knew what happened, the last few tried to aim their handguns or wands at her but ultimately collapsed as her red jinxes struck them all. Getting a blood sample from the person she assumed was the captain by breaking his nose, Hazel quickly made her way back to the wardstone, before she felt her wards on the bridge being triggered by someone trying to open the door. She pressed her bloodied conjured glove onto the wardstone. "Too little too late." After taking control of the wardstone and locking the ship down, she turned to the engineers who were terrified of her when she physically appeared before them out of thin air. "So, which one of you wants to show me the way to stop this ship?" The sudden appearance of black flames in her hands made them panic, one of them shutting the engine down entirely. Hazel smiled at all of them. "Much obliged."

After stunning the engine room crew, Hazel spoke into her comm. "Engines offline and wardstone under my control. Begin your approach. O2, you are free to engage from the upper deck. I will make my way up." Dora's voice responded. "Finally. On my way." Hazel heard her giving some comments to the marines as she checked and stunned the guards stationed with the human cargo. She then made her way through the vessel, stunning everyone in her path, even as she felt her body growing heavier with every person slumped over. Taking a moment to catch a breather, she heard the Lead Agent on the comm. "Vessel is being engaged. O2 is drawing fire away from the Bootnecks. Reports of high caliber impacts." Not wanting to leave her partner to handle it alone, Hazel pushed through her exhaustion and reached the upper decks. The sound of guns firing and bullets ricocheting off the containers filled the air. Seeing a boat pulling up to the cargo vessel, Hazel turned her attention to the guards and drew her pistol. The criminals had little time to aim towards her before her bullets hit their mark, striking many of them on the neck area just above what she assumed were bullet proof vests. After gesturing the Marines to pull up, Hazel took to the skies as a bird before taking position at the highest point, crushing a sniper's legs, before turning him over and shooting him in the face. Seeing no further snipers taking position, Hazel asked for a report.

An out of breath Dora spoke into the comm. "At the port side. Marines have safely jumped aboard and are making their rounds through the upper deck and the one just below." Hazel sighed in relief. "Starboard side Marines are stepping aboard now. Lowest floor should be secure. Any personnel in their cabins are sealed in." The Lead Agent spoke up. "Acknowledged. O1 and O2, do a final sweep of the ship. After that you are clear to stand down. Great work you two." Hazel sighed. "Will do. Moving down starboard stairs." With Dora sweeping from the port side, the two completed the sweep of the vessel quickly, before stepping into the bridge. She watched as the MI5 agents were trying to break into a safe. "Let me." With the agents standing clear, Hazel dispelled the wards on the safe and used an unlocking charm. The safe popped open, with the agents shaking their heads in amusem*nt. "Thanks for the aid." Hazel nodded as the Lead Agent arrived. He smiled at her and Dora. "No casualties on our end minus a few bruises from high caliber impacts on body armor from snipers. Thanks for taking those out quickly." Hazel nodded and gestured to the safe. "Make sure you send our boss a copy of those. This ship was too well warded to be a fluke." The agent nodded as Hazel sat next to Dora, both of them breathing heavily. Her partner, her face still obscured by the mask, leaned her head into Hazel's shoulder. "Can we go home now? I think I am going to be seasick." Hazel chuckled. "Sure love. Let's go home."

-∞-

The Medical Wing's doors opened as Dora swallowed the contents of a vial. She shuddered at the taste as Andromeda ran another diagnostic on her. "That should take care of your seasickness in the next few minutes. Do try and remind me to give you the potion prior to getting on a ship. It should last you a few days." Dora shuddered. "Right, I will remember that. It's a good thing that the Black Lake was calm that first night or I would have been puking my guts out in the Great Hall as a first year." She looked over at the door as Hazel stepped in, smiling softly at her. "Are we all good?" Hazel nodded but gestured with her thumb to the door. "We are but Croaker wants us in for a meeting in half an hour." Andromeda hummed from her desk as she noted down the diagnostic scan results and made an addendum to Dora's medical file. "Other than magical exhaustion she will be good to go by then. Now it's your turn. Sit." Hazel sighed and sat down on the medical bed opposite of Dora. Andromeda waved her wand over her and frowned. "That's odd. How much magic did you use?" Hazel blinked at her. "Enough to get winded. Why?" Andromeda scanned her again. "Your magic seems to be mostly restored. Some signs of exhaustion, but nowhere near as bad as Dora. How are you feeling?"

Hazel closed her eyes and tried to feel how her body felt. "A bit of muscle fatigue but otherwise fine. I also felt that scan you just did without asking." Andromeda blushed. "Sorry, I was curious. Your ability to sense your physical state seems to be partly tied to your magic. There was a surge of it when you concentrated. Is everything alright with your magic?" Hazel frowned and checked her Family Magic. It flooded her easily enough before she dissipated it. "It seems to be fine. It's easier to call up, though. Maybe since I have been using it for so long now, it's become more integrated with me?" Andromeda did one final scan. "It would seem that way." She went and scanned Dora. "The traces of the Family Magic in you are exactly like before, it echoes and is clearly distinct." Dora bit her lip. "Might have something to do with what her other self said. About the two being one. Maybe it's been happening slowly. The more you use it, the more it becomes a part of you." Hazel hummed. "Sounds about right. I am feeling fine, though. Just need to get some sleep." Andromeda made her notes on Hazel's file before she signed both. "Well, I suppose that will be all. You go on and check in with Saul. After that, you can go to bed. The boys went to bed early today, so you can go see them tomorrow morning."

As soon as they opened the door to Croaker's office, Dora spotted two other people inside, one of them being familiar to them. "Observer Badawi. It's good to see you once again. Did you find something of interest on the vessel?" The dark skinned man nodded. "We did. And it is good to see you both and hear about your continued work. The Observer Department is always eager to hear what new exploits you two get up to." Dora blushed as Hazel scrutinized the woman standing beside the Observer. Her body held no magic beyond what she could sense in all living creatures, meaning she wasn't a witch, as was also evident by her gray business suit. Her light graying brown hair seemed to betray the fire in her eyes. "I am going to guess you are either with MI5 or MI6." The woman gave her a knowing smile. "Indeed. A pleasure to meet the young women who have kept our agents in both agencies from enduring too many losses. I am the head of MI6. You can call me M." Dora couldn't help herself. "Oh, is there a Q working under you as well? Have they made the exploding pen yet? Oww!" Dora rubbed the back of her head as Hazel glared at her before turning to the woman. "Our apologies. Your agency does a good job of keeping it's activities secret and we are cultured enough to enjoy the fictional stories you use as cover." The woman took a much more thorough look at Hazel and smiled. "While our work isn't as glamorous as the movies portray, it's important for the safety of our country. I am here to thank you for your excellent work with our agents and to go over what was uncovered on the CS Errant Venture."

Dora lowered her hand and looked at Croaker. "I am going to guess and say they were part of a wider network. I have never heard of a ship having the type of warding Hazel described." Croaker nodded, with Observer Badawi and M taking their seats to both sides of Croaker as Hazel and Dora sat in their usual seats. "Our spooks went over the superstructure and the inner workings of the vessel as the Interrogators worked on the Magicals aboard, which weren't many. Probably just enough to run the wards, keep the victims in line and erase the memories of any inspection teams." Badawi joined in. "Their findings suggest a wider network operating in open violation of the Statute of Secrecy. However, the make of the ship and the weapons aboard is what really raised the concerns of our international contacts." M sighed. "Based on the ship's files and its physical characteristics, we can accurately say that the vessel wasn't constructed at any of the major or minor shipyards of the world. It's designs don't match anything being made out in the open. Of greater concern is that it seems to contain elements that were usually found in German vessels prior to and during World War Two." Hazel stilled. "More of the same weapons from the Austrian Munitions Factory were found aboard." Croaker nodded. "That and some that weren't being produced there. The intel acquired from the vessel indicates that there is at least one base of theirs still active. Our concern is that there might be more."

Badawi spoke up. "Out of all the Operatives in the world, you two have the best track record for infiltration and sabotage of magically protected bases. The ICW, CIA and our partner here from MI6 will be using satellite imagery to locate these hidden targets based on the intel we are decoding. Once we have them, we will need you both to take part in their infiltration." M looked at both of them. "While I am not as versed in what the impact of magic can be in a combat scenario, we can assure you that you two will likely have military support, beyond what the ICW will be providing. If there are indeed more than one of these bases, this operation may require a lot out of both of you to complete." Dora grew pensive as Hazel searched Croaker's eyes. "Do you think this might have something to do with my warning?" Croaker looked at her with a sad and tired expression. "We believe so. While your warning was not detailed enough, the elements at play do seem to suggest a link to Grindelwald's "Zweite Welle" plans as detailed from the classified intel we gathered at the Austrian base." Hazel turned to Dora who looked her in the eyes and nodded. Dora looked up at Croaker. "We are in. If this can diminish the threat of a catastrophic failure of the Statute of Secrecy, we will do what we can to take them down."

M stood up and pulled the files against her chest. "Very well. Keep your itineraries open for the next few weeks. As soon as we have a clear idea as to what we are facing, the British Government wants to see the threat neutralized. The Americans are in agreement and we are communicating with the Intelligence agencies of our allies to coordinate a response wherever the threat might be located. Best of luck to you two and do take care." Badawi stood up as well. "The ICW will get the Special Forces from the Aurors or Operatives from our allies to lend a hand as well. If there are more than one base to target, we will secure your international travels. Ma'am." M nodded at him and allowed herself to be escorted out by Badawi as Croaker sighed as he slumped into his chair. He looked at his two Operatives. "Horatio will have you two go through some drills so you can be better prepared and Quetz will work on your equipment to get it as safe and effective as possible. You two are free to plan some gatherings, but any excessive use of magic outside of training is discouraged." Hazel stood up and Dora followed suit. "Understood." After being dismissed, the two reached their apartments. Stripped of all clothing, they snuggled into each other and fell asleep quickly. They both knew they were in for some heavy training in the next few days. They would need all the rest they could get.

-∞-

Andromeda placed the plates of omelettes on the table before tapping into her house's wards. "Breakfast is ready." She handed Ted his cup of coffee and kissed his cheek as soon as he arrived before smiling as Harry and Teddy came down the stairs. Seeing the two teenagers rubbing their eyes made her feel warm again, with the house always feeling full with both of them here. She knew Hazel and Dora would be arriving soon after going to sleep in their Apartment, so she had placed two servings of food aside for them under stasis. "So, what will you be drinking today?" Harry yawned. "Orange juice, please." Teddy stretched his arms behind his head. "I'll have apple juice." After serving them their drinks, Andromeda joined them at the table. "Hazel and Dora should be back soon. They were dead tired after their last job and had to spend the night at the DoM." Teddy nodded as Harry swallowed a forkful of eggs and ham. "Hazel mentioned something about a clearance process I have to go through." Ted Tonks lowered his mug of coffee onto the table. "I went through it myself. With Dora and my wife working at the DoM and my being potentially being asked to aid them in the legal side of things. It's a bit involved, including psychological profiles, Occlumency training and signing a lot of oaths, but you can certainly do it."

Harry drank from his juice before continuing. "What do the oaths cover?" Ted shrugged his shoulders. "The usual non-disclosure agreements, the legal penalties you are liable for if you break the oath, an understanding that the DoM can't be betrayed at any cost. It's not as bad as it might sound since the oaths are very well detailed and cover a lot of exemptions, though those are for family and law enforcement purposes." Harry paused for a second. "If I do this and…" he swallowed some nerves, "... eventually marry, do they have to go through the same?" Ted nodded. "If they aren't working for the DoM, yeah. Trust me, it can get annoying. Andi here never told me exactly what she did for a while, though it was mostly because she was allowed to work at St. Mungos to keep her skills sharp. Because of that there was no need for me to know about who was really paying her checks." Andromeda looked at Harry. "It's a necessary part of the whole Unspeakable business. With people like Rockwood getting in and spreading classified intel, the DoM clamped down hard on leaks." She smiled at Harry. "Though if it's about a certain redhead, she will likely get the clearance as fast as you. She has been learning Occlumency since her first year at school."

Blushing a little, Harry nodded. "Thanks. I don't like there being any secrets between us so I needed to know what it all would mean." Ted nodded as Andromeda raised her head and looked at the door. Teddy jumped off from his seat and opened the door, getting pulled into a hug. "Hey Teddy, did you have a good night's sleep?" Teddy nodded at his mom. "Yup. Harry and I stayed up and read about woodland elves from the books you brought out of the Chamber." Dora followed them in and closed the door behind her. "Nice. I am going to need to read that. Morning Mom, Dad." Dora kissed Andromeda and Ted on the cheek and cleared the stasis spell off the plates before serving her fiancée and then herself. Andromeda looked at them both. "Anything you can share?" Hazel looked at her boys. "More work, sadly. We were ordered to keep our itineraries open and not to use magic beyond what is necessary. Though we can certainly have the get together you all have been planning. No tutoring sessions until we are cleared, though." Harry and Teddy smiled at each other. Andromeda knew the two had been making some plans about the summer with the rest of their friends. She hoped that whatever order Hazel and her daughter had wouldn't interfere too much with those plans.

As the family finished up breakfast, they all moved over to the living room, with Harry and Teddy going over their plans for summer with Hazel and Dora. Teddy looked at his mom. "Do you think we will be able to do all this?" Hazel sighed. "I don't know. Like we said, our boss wants us ready to deploy on a mission at a moment's notice. The sleepover at the Bones Manor should be easy enough, but spending a week in France won't be easy." Seeing Teddy and Harry's mood dropping, Hazel rubbed her short hair. She always shortened it for the missions and tended to forget to get it back to being longer until after a few days. For a brief moment she remembered Bella taking her out to Ireland, even after the events of the Graveyard. If her Godmother could make time for her, despite being hunted by the Ministry, she could too. She looked at the two boys. "Since the plan for a French trip might not work, how about a trip to Ireland in a day or two for about a week with just the four of us? We won't need much and it's easier to make our way back home than France. If our world's aren't too dissimilar I certainly know a few amazing sites to visit." The boys looked at each other and Hazel swore they had their own bond, as they turned to her and said "Sounds great!" at the same time.

Andromeda frowned. "Are you sure that will be alright?" Hazel nodded. "The boss won't be sending us within the next week or so. It would be too soon and the non-magical side will take a while to coordinate. That gives us a window of freedom. Horatio might be a little annoyed with us, but we can focus on some training exercises on our own, as long as we warn the Irish. I am going to need a little bit of help from S-Padfoot and from the DoM Enchanting Division. It shouldn't take too long to prepare." Hazel turned to Dora. "Ready to put that motorbike license that Quetz forced you to get to use?" Dora blinked at her and paled slightly. "You're not serious?" Harry smiled at Dora. "No, that's your cousin." The entire family turned towards Harry, with Hazel being the first to break the silence. "Well, if Padfoot ever complains about not spending enough time with Harry, please remind him about this." Andromeda laughed along with the rest, including Harry. Sure, they were planning to have some time away from home, but after a year cooked up in the Castle and the DoM, they could all use some fresh air. She would make sure Sirius gave them what they needed to have this moment of peace to themselves.

Chapter 65: A Well Earned Respite

Chapter Text

"There is so much green everywhere!" Hazel chuckled, keeping her eyes on the road. "That's Ireland for you, even up here in the north." Sparing a glimpse to look at her rear view mirrors, she was happy enough to see Harry and Dora just behind her, her fiancée looking a lot more comfortable now than earlier. The loss of her Godmother's motorbike had always weighed heavily on Hazel's mind in her old world. The Ministry under Voldemort had destroyed it after the crash, claiming it was a breach of the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts laws. Technically it was, but they could have just fined her. Then again, Tom had never been that sentimental when it came to leaving her with mementos from her past. She had struggled to find a suitable replacement for it in her old world and had given up when Andi died. Aside from the money she had been saving towards buying the land where the Peverell Estate would one day be completed, Hazel had been setting a little aside in the hopes of getting that little piece of home back. Sure, Hagrid had kept the bike that Sirius had acquired in this world, but she wasn't interested in getting his bike. She wanted it to be hers. So she kept her eyes on the market and saved just enough to buy a slightly newer model than Bella's was, before getting it some needed care and upgrades.

The Department of Mysteries Enchanting Division had a bloody field day with it when she brought it in. Apparently, most of the Unspeakables there had their own custom vehicles modified and enchanted to the extreme. Even when she told them not to go too far, they went ahead and added enchantments that really made her question just how many of the Witches and Wizards in the Division grew up on the James Bond films, though their attempt at an ejection seat in the sidecar was vetoed. At least her requested magical enhancements and modifications had been completed to perfection. The ride was far smoother on the road than she ever remembered, the bike had no need for gasoline and the side car wasn't too uncomfortable. Dora had no problem getting Sirius to lend her his bike, especially when Amelia heard he had been working on it in his spare time after recovering it from Hagrid. The redhead had practically dragged him by the ear for a private chat, the gist of it, Hazel assumed, had something to do with keeping Susan away from it. The sidecar had been of great benefit to Dora, as she struggled a little with the balance of motorbikes, though her clumsy nature had diminished quite a bit since she stopped altering her physical appearance beyond just her hair length and color. Hazel was never shy in telling her that she was beautiful. Though Dora did have a new charm to replace the one that broke at the Ministry, she only ever used it for undercover work. Hazel was proud of how far she had come in the last five years.

"Mom, look! It's the Causeway." Hazel looked towards the shoreline and slowed down a little as they entered the area near the Giant's Causeway. With the weather being a bit less than ideal with an overcast sky, the road between Dunseverick Castle and the Causeway had been relatively empty. She spotted the car park nearby and drove past it, slowing down to a stop in an area where she could conceal the bikes from the muggles with wards. As soon as Harry and Dora were off their bike, they proceeded to walk down towards the Causeway. Far in the distance, barely visible with the cloudy sky, was a silhouette of Scotland on the other side of the open water. Walking carefully across the rocks, they reached an area few people knew about. With the permission from the locals, Hazel made a gap in the wards, allowing her family in, before closing the gap behind them. She smiled when Harry and Teddy breathed sharply at the sight. "So, what do you think? The regular area wasn't made by the gods or giants, but this place was. Well, it was made by the Druids, Giants and the Fae, not gods, but close enough." Walking under the massive archways of the partly ruined ancient fort, Harry and Teddy went straight to the nearest wall, with Teddy translating the Druidic Scrypt on the walls for Harry, detailing the events around the fort's construction.

Hazel felt her heart ache a little, but the feeling passed as soon as Dora hugged her from behind. "Your Godmother brought you here?" Hazel nodded. "I read the writings for her as Teddy is doing for Harry. We heard about this place from a friendly witch and the Selkies were kind enough to give us permission to enter." The look Dora gave Hazel made her laugh. "Don't worry, I came by earlier to make sure the structure was here and asked for permission. Word apparently had reached them of the White Haired Witch that was friendly to the Centaurs and the Woodland Elves. A few even remember the name Peverell. They were all too happy to let us in." Dora shook her head. "How do you do that? You practically hate spending any time with people, but the magical creatures seem to like you almost instantly." Hazel pouted. "First of all, it's not instantaneous. Their first bloody instinct when meeting me is to run away in terror. Secondly, the Fae are careful in how they speak, a bit like I am. Lying is a taboo among their people. Being direct, open and truthful earns you a lot of respect from them." Dora looked over at the boys, both of whom were moving further into the structure. "Even after these five years, you can surprise me so much."

The four of them reached an old area near the docks and Hazel asked the boys to wait. After casting charms on everyone that would help with translating the languages, she approached the dock and sat at the edge, dipping her now bare feet into the cold water. "Selkie, children of the sea, we come as promised, to hear your tales and to share in the beauty of what once was." She felt the magic pulse out of her and into the water, the waves lapping at her ankle. She watched as shadows moved closer, bulbose rubbery heads breaking the surface of the water. They eyed her carefully before they barked at each other, until a single seal approached the landing next to Hazel. As the seal touched solid ground, Hazel turned to her family. "Whatever you do, don't touch the pelts without permission. Be courteous and truthful at all times. We are visitors in their home." Seeing them nod, she turned to the seal who slowly stood up before it peeled off it's pealt, revealing a dark haired woman with wide eyes and fair skin. The woman pulled the pelt around her naked body and tied it around her waist, before coming to sit besides Hazel. "You are the Peverell, yes? The Witch of Death? Hazel sighed. "I am but that name is not one I appreciate." The woman giggled. "We can imagine. But that is what you are to us." Waving her webbed hand at the other Selkies, Hazel called the boys and Dora over to sit on the dock and to remove their shoes and socks.

They were soon joined by the other Selkies in their human form, with both Harry and Teddy being bombarded with questions by the younger boys and girls, many of them wondering if they shared a Selkie ancestor because of their black hair. Her boys were clearly awestruck by the stories of the deep waters beneath the islands and of the creatures, magical or not, that dwelled in the deep. Hazel smiled as she watched them all relax, with the boys touching the pelts after being offered a chance to feel them, but always respectful of the Selkies and their anxiety. One of the Selkie males was even flirting with Dora, something that made Hazel glare at the man, before Dora jumped into the water. The male thought he had won and jumped in after her, until he rushed out of the water via the landing as a crocodile snapped it's jaws at him, barely missing his foot. The group laughed as Dora retook her human form and sat right against Hazel, wrapping her arm around her fiancée, who proceeded to glare at the males. "Careful. This one is mine. She is also a Kelpie tamer, first in a century. It would be unwise to anger her." The message was received loud and clear and the Selkie males kept their distance while the females and the younglings laughed. As the light began to dim and the clouds grew darker, the Selkies slowly returned to the water. The woman who first exited, who revealed herself as the tribe's protector, bowed her head to all of them as the last Selkie to leave. "Thank you for this evening. It was good to speak amicably with the mages of today. Go in peace, family touched by Death."

The seals waved their flippers at them as they waved back, before the shadows vanished beneath the waves. After returning to their bikes and finding a patch of land that wasn't being battered by the growing wind, they raised the Wizarding Tent and took shelter from the rain. Harry looked at Teddy as they sat by the warm oven as wood crackled inside, the two boys holding their hands out towards it for warmth. "Do you think there is a Selkie village near Hogwarts? I know there are Merfolk and Kelpies in the Black Lake, but I haven't heard anything about Selkies." Teddy shook his head. "I don't think so. They have a better way of hiding than most Fae." Hazel chimed in. "I believe there are a few in the northern shores, but many still fear humans. The hunting of seals remains prevalent, even when food is nowhere near as scarce, so they tend to keep their distance. They have a stronger connection to nature than the Merfolk or the Centaurs, so they haven't made any treaties in the centuries since the Druids faded into memory." Harry looked at Hazel. "How come the Druids were able to interact with them so easily?" Hazel shrugged. "Druids were a nomadic people who deeply respected the land and saw a divine will in magic and nature. Their beliefs aligned well with all Fae and their language was altered by magic to be one that all Fae could understand. At least by those in Europe." Teddy grew thoughtful. "It's a shame they're gone. Who knows what they could have taught us about the world and magic."

Hazel thought about a particular pair of ancient mages and rubbed her Patronus Medallion. "Indeed. Though Salazar's close relationship with them at least made sure we have some records of their beliefs and ways. If you two are still interested, I will get you some copies of his memoirs. He spent years learning the ways of the Druids. I think even the incomplete copy of Helga's memoirs includes her own interactions with them." Their curiosity thoroughly peeked, the two chatted away into the night. Though night was relative. With the sun barely setting at ten in the evening, Hazel manually dimmed the walls of the Tent and watched as the boys collapsed into their beds. She cuddled up with Dora on their conjured bed in the main area lightly dressed to avoid overheating so close to the active heat source. Her fiancée searched Hazel's eyes. "Sorry if I worried you for a moment earlier." Hazel shook her head. "I wasn't worried. I trust you with my heart, Dora. I know you like to play and tease." Dora looked relieved before she pressed Hazel into the bed. "So, how early do we need to be up for?" Hazel thought for a second. "Five in the morning, I suppose." Dora whined and was about to complain but was silenced by Hazel's lips claiming her own.

-∞-

"How was Northern Ireland?" Hazel smiled at Julia as they made their way down the path past the gates of Carrow Manor. "Wonderful, though the weather played dirty. Half the time it was raining and I didn't want to draw attention to us with wards keeping the rain away. Since we were driving along the shoreline, we had to take our time. We barely covered half the expected route before we decided to come home. The Causeway Fort at least gave my boys something to talk about. We took plenty of photographs that they will probably show at the next get together." Julia hummed. "Well, at least they had fun. I tried showing my girls some of the family business, especially when it concerns the larger plots of land we use to grow potion supplies. They took it well, though I could tell their attention wavered a lot." Hazel shook her head. "I did warn you. You have two budding Unspeakables as daughters, though Astoria might not go down that path. She strikes me as more hands on than a pure researcher when compared to her older sister." Julia nodded knowingly. "Agreed." She smirked a little and wrapped a hand around Hazel's waist. "Speaking about doing, have you and Dora considered my offer?" Hazel sighed, peeling off the hand from her body before it started to wander. "We have, the answer is still no." Julia pouted. "You ladies need to have some fun."

Hazel was glad that they reached the front door and proceeded to use the knocker before turning to Julia. "We have plenty of fun as it is. How about we have a deal. Ask again after we are married." Julia bit her lip. "Fine, but don't think I won't be making the most elaborate plans possible. I would love to have you both come back for seconds or thirds." Hazel rubbed her face as the door opened. "Of course you would." The older woman at the door smiled at them both. "Ahh, Julia making it hard to have a civil conversation again? She's been that way since she was a teen, no matter what my own older sister tried. There was no discouraging her." Hazel bowed her head. "Madam Fawley." The older woman with graying hair bowed her head in return. "Lady Peverell. I hope my niece has been behaving herself in the Wizengamot. My sister and I taught her better." After entering the foyer and waiting for the woman to close the door, Hazel shook her head. "My Proxy says Lady Fawley has been suitably agreeable. I also hear your great-niece has demonstrated exceptional skill as a Healer at St. Mungos over the last two years." The woman smiled. "Gemma has been a credit to our family. A full fledged Healer in two years of training." The woman shook her head in mirth. "Mama would have been proud. She served during Grindelwald's War as a Healer alongside Dorea Black."

As they made their way through the Manor, Hazel's eyes took in the view, noticing some fresh wallpaper on the walls. "The girls have been redecorating?" The woman nodded. "They have. It's been quite the sight. This old Manor always struck me as quite foreboding. The paintings themselves were unpleasant to have around. Always staring at you silently with reproach. The girls had the portraits moved into a Hall that is now specifically for them. With that and the changes in the rugs, curtains and paint, not to mention some work on restoring the wood, the Manor now feels much more alive. Much like the girls." Madam Fawley looked towards Hazel. "I hear I have you to thank for that. The girls talk about you and your son all the time." Julia chimed in. "And Astoria, though it's all about how to tease her more, I imagine." The Madam nodded. "Indeed. But it's good seeing and hearing them so animated. After their parents returned, I was so worried about their state. They looked so frightened, even as they tried to be the perfect examples of Heiresses." Hazel growled under her breath. "No child should ever fear their parents. Discipline learned from pain only invites more misery." The woman gave her a soft smile. "That was something my mother once would have said. It's good to hear those words again. Here we are."

The woman knocked on the door and waited to be called in. Had Hazel not been paying attention to her surroundings, she would have ignored the faint whispers she heard. "Hessstia. Wake up! It'sss the Lady Greengrassss and the Lady Peverell. Come on!" The Madam knocked again and a girl shouted softly. "One moment please!" Hazel narrowed her attention and her senses. "Ok, I am up, I am up. Help me with my hair." Julia gave Hazel a measured look. "Everything alright?" Hazel smiled to herself. "Yeah, nothing to worry about." The door finally opened and Flora invited them in. Madam Fawley bowed to the girls. "If you have a need for me, please call. I will have the tea ready in half an hour." As Julia took a seat on the small circular table, Hazel surreptitiously looked over the two girls a little, seeing some familiar traits that she had overlooked before. Julia spoke up first. "Hestia, Flora. Lady Peverell has come here to offer you two an opportunity. One that will see you two employed almost as soon as you leave Hogwarts. While the fringe benefits aren't as appealing to heirs as they are to others, the job can be rewarding on it's own." The two girls shared a look before turning to Hazel. "What sort of job?" Hazel smiled at both of them. "Mine." The girls blinked in confusion as Hazel raised a ward around them. "First of all, you two believe I work as a Hit Witch, correct?"

Seeing their nod, Hazel continued. "That is primarily a cover. There is a Division in the Department of Mysteries that involves the deployment of people with a variety of skills. The job concerns missions too dangerous and too difficult for Aurors and Hit Witches to do on their own. I am here to offer you two a spot as Candidates. If you accept it, you two will receive advanced training starting the moment you two sign a contract. Trust me, it's exceptionally detailed but not all that dreadful if you aren't intent on ruining the Ministry." Julia chuckled. "Not that you don't try that on your own." Hazel glared at her. "Not helping." Turning back to the girls, Hazel crossed her arms. "The training will include increasing your physical performance, magical capacity, mental fortitude and any other skill you can muster and is deemed necessary. That includes the licensed use of curses." The Carrows perked up at that. "On… who would we be permitted to use such magic?" Hazel smiled at them. "Anyone and everyone deemed a threat to a peaceful life. Rapists, Murderers, Smugglers, Drug Dealers and Terrorists. Anyone who chooses to advance their own agenda at the cost of the freedoms and wellbeing of others. Interested?"

The two girls stared at each other for a long moment before speaking at the same time. "Why are you offering this to us?" Hazel leaned closer to them, refusing to break eye contact. "Because I was exactly where you were once. Abandoned, betrayed, manipulated. Harmed by those who should have been caring for me. As soon as I could, I sought to learn magic not for magic's sake, but for my own safety. And my own petiness. I studied curses and I got good at them. I then studied how to kill witches and wizards as efficiently as possible. I got really good at that. But despite it all, I was left with an empty feeling. Sure, I was safe but the cost had been high. I am offering you two a chance to avoid that fate. To find a place where you can learn what it takes to feel safe within your own skin at any moment and to go every night to bed knowing that there is a smaller chance now than before that your own pain will be part of anyone else's life. We can offer you that and perhaps a little more." The girls searched her eyes. "What more could you offer us?" Hazel smiled at them both. "Family."

Watching the twins blink at her in surprise and confusion as she leaned back was almost as fun as the dumbfounded look on Julia's face. "You do know I am so going to be after you harder for that. Do you have any idea what that talent is known for beyond just Dark Lords?" Hazel looked at Julia and glared at her. "One, there are fourteen year olds in the room so try and have some decency, Lady Greengrass. Two, I am aware. My fiancée is quite familiar with all of my talents." Turning back to the girls while she left Julia to her daydreaming, Hazel gave them a soft smile. "I don't know exactly where you inherited the gift, but it isss a gift. Asss long asss you don't abussse it to harm othersss, including the sssnakes, we can work on developing the talent together. And if you are the rightful dessscendants of Sssalazar Ssslytherin, I can ssshow you the textsss he left behind revealing hisss true ssself, not the propaganda of the Gauntsss. You two can help ressstore your houssse to itsss rightful ssstate and do ssso with the help of your dissstant family. What do you say? Interested?" The girls snapped their jaws shut and smiled brightly, the first time Hazel ever remembered seeing the smile reach their eyes. "We would love to!"

-∞-

"Watch out!" Sirius pressed himself against the wall as a lion, a wolf and a wolf-like dog and two familiars rushed past him and out the back door, before taking a deep breath. He looked over at Andromeda's daughter and shook his head. "Well, today seems like it's going to be a busy morning." Dora shrugged as Amelia and Hazel came into view from a hallway that led deeper into Bones Manor, with Amelia glaring at Hazel. "I told you I didn't want her to become an animagus." Hazel shrugged. "I stopped her training on the subject, but she clearly possessed all the information she needed or secured it from her boyfriend or the Hogwarts Library. That she has completed the transformation at this point suggests that she worked hard at it. So instead of chastising her, how about you remind her of how proud you are? You can then cut her sweets rations down as a punishment." Amelia rubbed her face and sighed. "You have a bloody point. I just wish we didn't have a zoo out in the yard first thing in the morning." Hazel chuckled. "Better that than having Julia on your case. Ever since I revealed myself as a Parselmouth to her, I swear I feel her eyes glued to my ass." Dora went to swat it but got intercepted and blushed at Hazel's glare, swallowing her next words.

Sirius chuckled to himself and looked out the back as the kids chased after each other in their animagus forms, with Hedwig and Nova diving in and causing a distraction whenever their other halfs would get caught. "Seeing this really makes me remember the good old days. Even Remus as a werewolf had a decent amount of fun with us out in the Forbidden Forest on the full moons." Hazel and Dora sat down on the table outside to watch over the kids, with Sirius and Amelia joining them. "Speaking of Parselmouths, any idea how the Carrows got the trait?" Hazel looked over the kids. "They aren't cursed, if that's what you are asking. No Gaunts or Slytherins on their official family tree either." Sirius looked at Hazel wearily. "And unofficially?" Hazel turned to look at him, her eyes turning red. "First off, I don't like that tone, Padfoot. Whatever their bloodline might look like, they have a right to be treated fairly." Amelia's own glare made Sirius sigh. "Ok, fine. But you have to have a guess. Probably the same one I had." Hazel shook her head. "Hard to say. The girl's would have to have been conceived just before his downfall. Based on records, they were almost born in Azkaban." Hazel looked to Amelia. "Which I swear better not become a habit. That rock is a magical syphon. A fetus won't survive there for long."

Amelia winced. "Yeah, it's possible she was doing something to delay their birth, which might have inadvertently protected them from the prison's effects. It took the Carrows months to be processed and sent to Azkaban and we weren't the wiser until she started to show and was transferred out to give birth." Sirius made a noise of disgust but kept quiet when he watched a red arc of magic travel down Hazel's arm. "Anyways, it's possible that their bloodline isn't as twisted and bent as the Blacks as we previously thought. Regardless, I am taking those two under my wing. They are Teddy's friends, not to mention the wards of House Greengrass and Fawley. They have the right and the chance to live their lives without the stigma of who their parents were." Amelia nodded, and looked over when her family's elf popped in. Soon enough Neville, The Grangers, the Carrows and Greengrasses arrived. Seeing as the kids were all enjoying themselves in the garden next to a small pond, Hazel went over and conjured a round table for them all to sit at, with the family elves checking with them on any snacks they would like before lunch. Hazel came back and sat next to her fiancée before Augusta asked the obvious question. "So, when is the wedding?" Mrs. Granger, who had come with her daughter as Augusta's guest while her husband worked a shift at the office, perked up. "A wedding? Who's getting married?"

Dora looked at Hazel and downed her cup of tea. "We haven't discussed it yet. With everything that has been going on, we have just been waiting for a moment of peace." Julia snorted. "Please. Peace isn't likely to come all that often for you two. That job of yours is exciting as hell, I bet, but it doesn't give you much time to plan for anything meaningful." Hazel hummed to herself as she added a cube of sugar to her tea. "I wouldn't say that. Right now we are dealing with remnants of the Voldemort and Grindelwald campaigns of terror. Soon enough those factions will run dry. After that it can be generally trusted to let the Hit Witches and Wizards handle the hard stuff. We should know after the next job or two and then we should have a better idea as to what we want for a wedding date." Augusta eyed the two of them. "I suppose that is reasonable. It's just difficult for the more traditional members to watch you two take such a long engagement." Hazel eyed her. "Right. And betrothal was so much better. How long were you betrothed to the former Lord Longbottom, Augusta?" The older woman blushed. "Yes, well, we were quite young. Besides, I am more concerned about you two having a child before the wedding. It may be more acceptable now, but your position as Lady Peverell does make anything you do quite trendsetting for the Neutrals."

Hazel raised an eyebrow. "Since when am I the poster child for the Neutrals? I thought it was agreed you three were the heads of the Coalition." Julia nodded. "Oh, we are. Yet your visibility with the Death Eaters and Dumbledore's downfall has earned you a reputation. We may be the Three Ladies, but you are the Witch Who Conquered." The whine out of Hazel's throat made all of them chuckle as Dora rubbed her fiancée's back in support. Hazel kept her face slumped on the table. "Well, you can tell the women of Magical Britain I don't care what they do. Besides, why aren't you on Amelia's case? She is the one who is currently pregnant." The silence that followed her statement made Hazel look up and at the others on the table. Everyone was looking at the clearly stunned Amelia, the witch touching her stomach gingerly. "I … there is no way. I am much too old." Hazel rested her chin on her hand, her elbow propped up on the table. "Amelia, your magic is warped and turned inward, with a second compatible magical signature developing slowly inside of you. You are pregnant. Congratulations." The women soon followed, with Julia hugging her friend, as Hazel's eyes turned to Sirius. The man made her laugh a little. He looked like a deer caught in the headlights. "I am going to be a father?" Hazel smirked. "Ohhh yes." Hazel laughed herself silly when he promptly fainted, falling off the chair and onto the ground.

-∞-

"What do you think they are talking about?" Susan looked over towards the adults and frowned. "I don't know. They all seem to be crowding around Auntie and I don't see Sirius anymore." Teddy looked over and felt his mother's thoughts through their bond. "Amelia is going to have a baby." Susan took a sip of her tea. "Oh. That's nice." A few seconds later she spat out her tea and started coughing uncontrollably as Harry softly patted her back. Using a napkin to clean her tearfilled eyes and her mouth, she looked towards Teddy. "Is she really?" Teddy nodded. "Mom is sure. She seems to be enjoying the reaction out of Sirius the most though. He's out cold. I don't think they were planning on having a baby." Daphne hummed and looked towards Susan. "Well, congratulations on a future sibling or cousin. They might even call you Auntie." Susan blushed and stammered. "I … wouldn't… I don't know the first thing about babies. What should I do if Auntie asks me to help look after her child?" Teddy leaned back in his chair, enjoying the breeze that just blew through their spot. "I don't think there is such a thing as being ready. Mom was almost eighteen when she had to raise me on her own with Grandma, who wasn't doing all that well either."

Harry winced at that. "That had to have been rough, especially with the war just barely being over." Teddy nodded. "I don't remember much of the early years. Just Mom and Grandma arguing a little, but never to the point of yelling. Both of them always felt tired then, but they always did their best for me. I think that's the most anyone can ask. To make the best of the situation at hand." Neville looked towards his grandmother, watching her interact with the others, a smile forming on his lips. "Yeah. That seems right. It doesn't alway go well, but when you give your best, then there is nothing more you can do." A spattering of screeches and hoots filled the air as owls descended on them, dropping off their letters from Hogwarts. Teddy, Astoria, Flora and Hestia opened theirs first. The twins cheered. "We got Exceeds in all of our classes! Even Transfigurations." They stood up and kissed Teddy's cheeks, thanking him, while Astoria glared at them both, the rest of the table looking at the new fourth years with amusem*nt. Teddy looked over his results. "Outstanding in Transfiguration, Care, Runes, Herbology and Defence. Exceeds in History, Charms, Potions and Astronomy." Harry patted him on the back. "See, I told you could do better."

Teddy looked towards Astoria and smiled. "I had a good tutor and study partner." Astoria blushed, with Daphne giving her a knowing smile. "So, how did our Ravenclaw do?" Astoria stuck out her tongue at her sister. "Outstanding in Runes, Charms, Defence, History and Herbology. Exceeds in Arithmancy, Transfiguration, Astronomy and Potions." Daphne smiled at her. "Not bad. Still, you tied with a Hufflepuff." Astoria shrugged. "So? We both studied about the same for our classes. Nothing wrong with that. How about you? How are those OWLs?" Daphne smirked. "I got Outstanding on everything minus Herbology and Arithmancy, which are Exceeds. I swear if Granger passed me again…" Harry smiled as he looked at his best friend, though he was saddened that Theo couldn't join them until later in the evening. She cursed. "No, you passed me in Potions." Daphne sighed contently. "Finally. Though to be fair I told you not to follow the textbook instructions too religiously. NEWT Potions is about adjusting the brews to get the most out of each ingredient." Hermione pouted before turning to Harry. "What about you? How did you do on the OWLs?"

Harry looked over his results. "Outstanding for the most part, with Exceeds in History and Transfiguration. Though my O in Runes has a plus on it." Teddy looked over his notes. "Same as mine. I think it means you had a perfect score." Hermione almost cracked her cup of tea as she slammed it on the table. "What? How?" Harry blushed a little as Teddy explained. "Hazel has me and Harry working hard on Runes since it's integral to working with wards. Apparently the OWLs have some questions that only students who study later materials can answer, as a way of rewarding students who show real passion for the subject." Hermione pouted as Susan read hers. "I got Outstanding in Transfiguration, Charms and Defence! All with pluses." Harry leaned over and kissed Susan on the cheek. "Congratulations, Susan." The young Bones redhead went bright red, with Daphne, Astoria and the Carrows snickering. "That's one way to get her to settle down." The glare that Susan gave Daphne made everyone laugh as the older students started talking about what classes they were taking come September, most being quite happy to drop Astronomy and History, with Daphne being the only one to keep the former. At Hermione's questioning look, Daphne shrugged. "Ritual based Magic requires specific conditions, including star alignments, runes and Arithmancy."

Looking over the application form, Harry filled in Enchanting as an elective. Susan looked over and smiled. "You are taking it? I thought you wanted to try out Alchemy." Harry nodded. "I do but I can study that in my own time. Taking Enchanting will help out with Runes for Warding." Hermione bit her dip pen. "I think I will take Enchanting too. Making magical objects seems so fascinating, especially when you consider what you can do with modern materials." Harry nodded and paused for a second. "Oh, when I wrote the letters about my road trip with Hazel, Teddy and Dora, I forgot to mention. Both bikes and their side cars were enchanted. I don't know who worked on Sirius' bike but Hazel's was really well done. Both of them could fly and go invisible with the passengers, though we went over to Northern Ireland on the ferry through Belfast." Hermione narrowed her eyes at him. "Oh. And did you take it up flying?" Harry shook his head. "Ahh, nope. Hazel says that's for emergencies only. Hers has a safe landing enchantment to avoid crashing, but she really doesn't like flying." Teddy hummed. "Oh, she likes flying, just under her own power. She doesn't trust anything enchanted to keep her up in the air after her first crash cost her her godmother's bike."

Susan frowned and sighed. "So… no chance of me getting her to teach me how to drive one of those?" Teddy smiled at Susan. "With Amelia pregnant and probably mad that you completed the animagus transformation… Probably not. But if Harry learns it, I am sure he could teach you. One day." Harry shrugged his shoulders. "I mean, it was fun and a lot more comfortable than using a broom. If Hazel doesn't mind, I wouldn't mind learning from her how to ride one." Hermione sighed. "Well, I suppose it's safer than a broom. And the enhancements make it better than a typical motorbike." As the day wore on, Theo joined them, with him getting high grades as well, while his Grandfather had a pleasant time speaking to the Grangers. Unlike anyone else, Theo chose to continue studying History at the NEWT Level, saying that if he wanted to sit at the Wizengamot he needed to know everything that came before, so that the mistakes of the past were not repeated again. Lunch was a large affair at the Bones Manor dining room, with the adults and kids eating together. Teddy sat next to Astoria, much to the chagrin of the Carrows. Seeing them talking with his mom excitedly, though, made him smile. He knew what they were being offered. They were his friends and he could understand the draw. They fact they might be distant relations of his only made it feel like he was gaining a bigger family. That certainly didn't feel wrong at all. It felt right.

-∞-

"So, when are we getting married?" Hazel sighed as she sat on the bed of the Bones Manor guest room they had been provided for the sleepover. The kids had really enjoyed themselves after lunch when everyone was around, a few going down to the Training Room and trying out a few of the spells they had been wanting to practice. Under Hazel's supervision, the kids had a few mock fights against each other, using a lot more transfiguration and conjuration than she ever expected. Their ability to intercept spells with conjured shields was well above what many Aurors could do. Throughout it all, Hazel kept a closer eye on the Carrows. Even as third year students, it was clear they took her dueling lessons from their first year at Hogwarts and ran with it. While Theo was a good duelist, he still struggled at times with standing still. The same happened with Neville, though she could see that his heart wasn't really into dueling. The young Gryffindor took her tutoring lessons to prove to himself that he could be better. Now that he was, he seemed to mostly go through the motions. For his sake and Theo's, Hazel was already planning some less involved training exercises. They would never be at the level of either Daphne or Susan, but they would be able to protect themselves.

Said girls spent most of the time practicing with the Carrows, both teaching them a few of the more advanced spells they were using, while also having a few duels in pairs. Hazel was proud of the former Hufflepuff and Slytherin fifth years. If Susan kept to her career of choice, she would be one of the top security personnel in the country, outpacing several of the Aurors and Hit Wizards all on her own. The Twins, however, were clearly on their way to being special. Sure, Hestia and Flora would need some individual based training, since it was clear they depended a lot on each other for covering their vulnerabilities, but their coordination and teamwork could one day surpass hers and Dora's. Poor Astoria learned the hard way that the Twins had her outclassed when they doused her in paint, though Hazel was proud that Teddy held up against both of them and made it out with barely any paint on him. She knew he would never be an Auror, Hit Wizard or an Operative. Her son was too kindhearted to ever want to hurt someone intentionally for a living. Like with Neville, Theo and Harry, she intended to make sure he kept his training up so that no matter what he could keep his friends and family safe. A family that now was getting larger than either of them anticipated.

Looking over at her fiancée, who was clearly expecting an answer from her, Hazel sighed. She patted down the bed beside her. "It's not as easy as us getting in front of a judge and saying our vows, Dora." Her partner sat down. "Well, no. We have to get dressed, invite the family over, have lots of catering, a massive wedding cake, and a nice big room to have our way with each other once we are done." Hazel chuckled. "True, but it has to be more than that for us. Also, we are having a very long discussion as to what qualifies as a wedding cake." Dora blinked at her. "This has to do with your Family Magic?" Hazel nodded. "Being born into it is easy enough. With me feeding you the magic for years, your body is pretty much adapted to it. It's just the ceremony needed to make it a part of yourself. Permanently. You could technically be married to me without it, but the drawbacks can get severe in time." Dora hummed. "Ok, what does the ceremony entail?" Hazel shook her head. "Sorry love. Until you carry the family name, that is a secret I have to keep. What I can say is that it requires a ritual. A ritual that has to take place at the Peverell seat of power."

Dora clicked her tongue. "Right. The Peverell Estate, which so happens to be incomplete at the moment." Hazel wrapped her arm around Dora's waist, leaving kisses along her fiancée's neck that left the metamorphmagus shivering in delight. "Indeed. It's part of the reason I was focusing on getting the construction for the Estate started. Without the Peverell Estate and the ritual chamber, I can't add you or Harry to the Family Magic." Dora leaned into her fiancée's embrace. "Has he asked?" Hazel shook her head. "Not yet, but I can see him thinking about it. He has been asking Teddy about how it would feel for him to be tied to the magic. I should be able to feed him some of the Family Magic, if he asks, so that he can get a feel for the way it would interact with him. After that it would be his choice." Dora nodded. "So, how long do you think it's going to take?" Hazel hummed to herself. "About a year. At least that's the hope for the initial construction of the building which includes the Ward Chamber and Ritual Chamber. After those are completed, I can start applying the Family Magic to the grounds."

Hazel pressed her fiancée and two fell onto the bed. Hazel gently touched Dora's cheek. "So, that just leaves one last question." Dora searched Hazel's eyes. "Children?" Hazel nodded. "I already told you I can't have your child, but I can get you pregnant. If we get married in a year… when would you like to try to have one?" Dora thought for a second. "Not immediately. As things are going, it would be best to focus on work and give Harry and Teddy the attention they deserve." Dora smiled and had her hands wander down Hazel's body. "After that I will be happy to have your child. Though I am not opposed to practicing." Hazel chuckled. "Of course you aren't. You have been quite insatiable." Her breathing grew deeper as Dora's fingers found her sensitive spots. "What can I say, you are quite irresistible. Want to practice tonight?" After feeling a heavy ward activating around them, Dora found herself pressed into the bed, eventually feeling her fiancée's magic rushing through her again. Exhausted from their amorous evening, the two fell asleep, dreaming of a day not too far away in the distant future. A day when their family would be bound together by vows and magic.

Chapter 66: The Last Bastion

Chapter Text

Hazel felt that her ribs might actually crack under the pressure from both Harry and Teddy hugging her. "Do you have to go?" Hazel sighed and gently rubbed Teddy's hair. "I do. The job for the coming week is important, Teddy. That's why I took you and Harry out to Ireland early. If I don't go, the criminals won't be as easy to take down. It's my job to end the fighting as soon as possible." Harry squeezed harder. "You are coming back, right? You and Dora? You won't disappear on us, right?" Hazel kissed his cheek. "Trust me, Harry. We will be back as soon as we can. With some bruises and cuts, but we will be back. You remember Quetz, right? She made a lot of improvements to her gear that will do a better job of keeping us safe. When we get back we can make some tasty food together, watch some movies and then go see your friends. Ok?" Harry pulled back and watched her eyes, with Teddy doing the same. "You promise?" Hazel nodded to both her boys. "I promise." They pulled her into a much softer hug. "We love you, Mom." Hazel closed her eyes, letting the feeling of both her kids saying that to her fill her with joy. She was adding that to the memories for summoning Aithusa. "Love you both. Now go say goodluck to Dora. She is getting jealous."

The boys chuckled and went to an expectant Dora who got practically tackled to the ground. Andromeda walked up to Hazel, her eyes fixed onto her daughter. "I am not all too happy about this mission." Hazel looked at her. "You will be deploying with us on the first part of the mission, right? You and Johnson?" Andromeda nodded. "I will be, but since you two have a two day long journey to go through, I get to leave tomorrow. We are leaving the trainees to handle the Medical Wing in our absence. Both asked if they could come and help, but they aren't ready for what's to come." Hazel hummed to herself, pulling her backpack onto her back. "I am guessing all of the Medical Division is coming?" Andromeda shrugged. "I believe so. We are being stationed aboard a medical frigate, along with non-magical medical personnel. A lot of the work that has gone into integrating the two practices will be tried out in full if the injured start piling up." Andromeda's eyes narrowed onto her. "I know you and my daughter. Promise me you will try not to come back with every possible injury known to us. I will heal you back up if only to knock some sense back into your skulls for making me worry." Hazel nodded. "I promise, nothing stupidly dangerous. Not for us, anyways."

Andromeda pulled her into a hug and kissed her on the cheek. "Good. Ted, Amelia and Sirius will watch over the boys while we are away. I will go say goodbye to my daughter. Make sure to only come to my station when you're magically drained. I will have a medical file ready just in case you are required to leave on more deployments since I will probably not be able to join you." Hazel nodded and watched as Andromeda practically cracked Dora's back via a hug. She watched as Susan and the visiting Hannah were trying to make the boys cheer up. Hazel knew it wasn't going to be easy, though Teddy's connection to her should give them a good idea of what was happening. A soft shrill was followed by four claws landing on Hazel's shoulders. She felt both Hedwig and Nova nuzzling her head. Touching them gently, Hazel responded to their unvoiced feelings. "We will be back. You will see. As for you, Nova. If and only if it becomes necessary, I will call you to pull one or both of us out. Until then, the children are your priority. You two look after them for me, ok?" The birds voiced their acceptance in their own way before taking to the air and landing on their owner's shoulders.

Hazel watched as Dora went through the same with the rest as she reached down and touched the items under her skin through her magic. Dora was currently holding both the Wand and the Stone that were from her old world, the latter as a ring on her hand. Should something happen to them, those were easier to retrieve. Hazel was, instead, wielding both this world's Elder Wand and Resurrection Stone, the latter incorporated inside of her hand as she usually kept her stone. She had been feeding Dora the Peverell Family Magic for weeks now. While Hazel felt weaker, she was more than happy to know that her partner and fiancée was as safe as she could possibly be. This mission was going to require them to split up once they arrived at the location. For the plan to work, Hazel needed to leave Dora behind and do a quick recon and sabotage mission of the facility. After that, the mission could then begin in earnest. A mission that had been years in the making, utilizing the combined strength of the ICW and the corresponding non-magical militaries. Once this was over, then they would all be back home to relax. Dora looked at her as she finished saying her goodbyes, her own eyes showing determination that went further than Hazel ever remembered seeing on her. She was as ready as she was going to be. Hazel was as well. Now it was all a matter of time.

-∞-

Feeling the vibrations of the ship's engine stop, Hazel leaned down and tapped Dora on the shoulder three times. Feeling her partner tap her back, Hazel made her way out of the cargo container filled with women that had been kidnapped, and made her way up the ship, all under the protection of her Cloak. The mission had started a few days earlier, when Hazel cautiously removed a woman from one of the containers while the ship was refueling at port. Their earlier raid on a similar ship had made the current crew jumpy, making it difficult to find the hidden compartments and get Dora in and a victim out. Eventually she did and, using a portkey and taking temporary control of the ship's wards, they were able to take one of the women out to be replaced by a shifted Dora. The plan had the possibility of replacing the entire cargo, but MI6 had made it clear that such an infiltration would have been noticed. The previously captured crew had been known to "sample the goods." M had looked sickened by her own words when she revealed that during the pre-mission debrief. Since hiding anyone else on the ship would have been detected on the wards, going with just the two of them became the only working scenario to ensure they reached the ship's base of operations and cut off the problem at the root.

As soon as she reached the upper deck, the glare from the sun made Hazel wince a little, before she followed the smugglers down the ramps and onto the dock of the hidden island. The intel retrieved from both the Errant Venture captain, documents and the wizards on board revealed that the ship made port at a hidden base in the English Channel, close to the border between France and Belgium and obtained during the Invasion of France fifty years prior. The location had been warded to high heaven to conceal its existence, something Hazel could feel first hand. Tapping into her Family Magic, Hazel's eyes lost a sense of color and focused on the thin trails of magic that seemed to envelop the island. She quietly made her way deeper into the fortified structure that looked closer to a World War II concrete bunker than a smugglers' hideout. Pressing deeper into the structure, she could feel the wardstone location drawing nearer. It wasn't until she passed one room that she was forced to pause. Quietly getting the six men in the room to fall asleep, she used Legilimency on the one wizard tied to the wards and cursed in her head. There were seven officers controlling the wardstone. Taking a sample of this man's blood, placing a remotely activated portkey on his person, and trapping the criminals inside of the room, Hazel ventured further into the complex, now looking for the rest of the wizards controlling the wards.

After collecting five blood samples from the officers scattered throughout the base, she found the remaining two in what she would call the base's command and communication center. Counting a dozen people inside, she surreptitiously placed silencing wards on all the exits, before she moved in as close as possible to the two targets. Hazel swung her wand in an arc, her stunner knocking both men down, before she unleashed a spread of cutters. Limbs, blood and soft screams filled the air, before her spears materialized and impaled the remaining people in place. Taking a breath, she looked behind her at a locked door, feeling the wardstone just behind it. With blood from the two remaining wizards collected, she used a Blood Magic spell to emulate their magical signatures. The wardstone fell into her control easily after that. Smiling to herself, Hazel placed her comm device into her ear and altered the lockdown wards. She spoke into her wrist. "O1 to CIC. Wards have been secured. Activating portkeys attached to the seven leading officers, initiating lockdown settings and disabling the island's concealment spells." The CIC operator's voice came in loud and clear. "Roger that! Assault forces will begin their approach. Activate the Trojan Map."

Taking out a small enchanted disc out of her belt pocket, Hazel placed it at top of the ward stone, before binding it. Based on the Marauder's map, and after years of work by the Enchantment and Warding Divisions, the Trojan Map discs were able to latch onto a wardstone and use the wards themselves to create real time maps of the installation on parchments distributed across the fleet, with the location of every living person inside of the wards range shown in real time. The ICW and Operations had been waiting to test it out in the field for months now. "Trojan attached." The operator's voice replied to Hazel's status report. "Confirmed. Base floor plans are coming through. O2, you are clear to begin your attack on the defences on the port where your vessel is currently docked. O1, move to the eastern port and disable the docked vessels and defences. Lethal force is authorized. Good hunting." Dora's voice chimed in. "O2 here. Cargo containers with victims have been secured. Commencing attack." Hazel sighed in relief and made her way out of the newly sealed wardroom. "O1 here, on route." Hazel dropped her Cloak's concealment and went to work, carving down anyone and everyone in her path as she reached the eastern docks.

As soon as she reached the outside area, she noticed several witches and wizards in the air on brooms, searching the grounds as people started shouting out orders. "O1 to CIC. Hostiles have magical air superiority. Hold off on the helicopter deployment. I have an idea." Not paying attention to the response, Hazel focused her mind on the creatures she met with Quetz and her family in Guatemala. While a dragon could take the riders out, the feathered serpents were the undisputed rulers of the sky. Time to put that reputation to use. Feeling a massive drain to her magic, Hazel took a deep breath and opened her eyes to gaze at her three beautiful creations, their rainbow colored scales glistening in the bright summer sun. Hazel spoke to them in Parseltongue, happy that at least they would listen to her. " Attack the two leggersss flying the ssskies on pieces of wood. Do not leave the barrier. Cut them down by fang or lightning. Return to me once the ssskies are free of pesssts. " The three conjured Quetzalcoatls took to the skies, their magic unleashing lightning strikes at the poor morons on brooms. Hazel smiled at her handiwork until she heard a panicked voice over the comm. "Unidentified creatures in the skies over the facility!" Dora's sigh was heard soon after. "CIC, check with O1. Pretty sure those are her creations." After confirming to the startled CIC that the snakes were hers, Hazel turned her attention to the port.

Lowering her weight and increasing her momentum, Hazel jumped over the dock, spying the location of all the anti-air and anti-ship gun emplacements. With the Elder Wand in hand, she stared down at one of the turrets. " Perforo Reducto !" The piercing explosive curse shot out of the wand and pierced the outer layer of the turrent's shielding. A few seconds afterwards the turret burst open in a massive explosion, the jagged metal bent outwards covered in blood and ash. Hazel repeated the spell over and over again, using her Resurrection Stone as a shield to block bullets and spells alike as she cleared the bay of the fixed turret emplacements for the soon to be arriving craft. Feeling a massive drain on the Family Magic that she could feel came from Dora, she pinned down one of the wizards and jammed her hand into his heart. "Sorry but I am in a hurry and the two of us are going to need this." The man screamed in agony as Hazel pulled the magic right out of his flesh, before crushing his heart with her bare hand. With her Family Magic somewhat renewed after taking down three more Magicals, Hazel refocused her attacks. Seeing people rushing towards a vessel that looked too much like a U-Boat for her own liking, she launched herself onto the ship's upper deck and pressed her wand onto the ship's hull. " Sectumnavis !" Whipping her wand back and forward, the spell sliced right through the hull of the U-Boat.

Jumping off the now sinking ship and draining the magic of another wizard, Hazel was approached by the Feathered Serpents. " Two leggersss on wood are gone from the ssskies. " She nodded at them. " Thank you. Metal beasssts with two leggersss will arrive from sssea or air. Protect them from two leggersss on wood until they all return to ground. " The serpents returned to the air as Hazel lifted her wrist up. "East dock is secured, as are the skies. Send the cavalry in, CIC. Oh, and the flying snakes are on defence, so don't shoot them." The CIC responded quickly. "Acknowledged. Landing troops incoming. Standby." Hazel took a moment to rest, her eyes following some of the smugglers getting out of the water. Soon enough, the sound of engines and rotors filled the air as the Marines arrived, all of them escorted by Hit Witches and Wizards from Britain, France and America, with destroyers taking up position just outside of the dock. She signaled a few of the landing personnel with a wave and they acknowledged her position. "O2 here. West dock is secured. Send in the cavalry." Hazel sighed in relief as the CIC acknowledged her. "O1 and O2, your job is done. Return to the flagship and take a rest. Curse Breakers will check for intel in the Command Centers. Amazing work, you two. Come back home." Hazel took a moment to breathe and relax, pulling out her portkey as her weariness began to set in. "O1 here. Acknowledged. Returning to the flagship. Code Omega." The activation phrase triggered and Hazel was portkeyed away.

-∞-

"Oh come on! No way Jurassic Park is real!" Hazel pushed her kinetic shield against the twenty feet or so tall creature that looked remarkably like a T-Rex covered in feathers, as it's maws attempted to take another bite out of her and her partner. "Yeah, well tell that to Rexy here! Depulso! " The creature yelped as it got launched into the air before crashing down onto a concrete structure behind it, the stone cracking from the impact. Dora aimed her wand straight at it. " Avada Kedavra!" The flash of cyan light impacted the creature and it finally went still. Dora and Hazel sighed as the heat of the bright scorching sun shined down onto them. "First those weird seal-like tentacled creatures with massive jaws, then those massive amphibians that were like scaleless dragons without wings and now a bloody T-Rex? What is this, Isla Nublar?" Hazel laughed a little. "Welcome to my life. I thought that after the Salawas in Tunisia's hidden fort, the Direwolf pack on the Norwegian base we took out, we would be done with the dangerous creatures kept as guards. Leave it to Indonesia and Australia to have some nastier ones." Dora ran her hand through her currently soaked, short brown hair. "No kidding." The two perked up as a voice called through the comms. "O1 and O2, Marines have confirmed the capture of the Command Station and most of the remaining personnel. You are free to return to the flagship. Job well done."

Dora raised her wrist up. "Might want to get your Australian Handlers out here. Bloody monsters caught us by surprise after the smugglers opened their pens. One looks straight out of a Spielberg movie." The Australian CIC chuckled. "Local Ops run into those all the time out in the wilds. Don't worry, we got them covered. Come on home." Hazel gripped Dora's hand and kissed her fiancée hard. Dora sighed happily before activating the portkey, dropping both of them onto the deck of the flagship. Since the seventh and final installation was located in the Indonesian archipelago, the operation was handed over to the Australian and American navies, with the local governments giving their blessings, the local Operatives and Hit Wizards lending support as well. The officers on deck checked them both over before sending them up to the bridge. The Australian Battlemaster, a young blonde man with brown eyes, looked them over as they entered and plomped themselves on the nearest open seats. "You two look like sh*t." Hazel gave him a rude hand gesture. "In the last three weeks we have hit seven hidden bases crawling with magicals and non-magical criminals that were trafficking humans, magical and conventional weapons, plus bloody dangerous creatures. We are beyond exhausted!" The man laughed softly. "True that, but your bloody track record is beautiful. Minimal casualties on assault forces, all primary leaders captured and no casualties on innocents. Damn fine job."

"I agree." Hazel and Dora looked over as Observer Badawi arrived, handing them both a keychain and a cold bottle of water. "Go get looked over by the medics as soon as you can. After that and some showers, those portkeys should take you back to the arrival point for your base of operations. Other than that, your work has been perfect. You have helped in successfully taking seven bases in the last three weeks, with the criminals unable to move their resources thanks to the wards and the blockades established around each one by the Allied Forces and their magical support units. There hasn't been a month like this since the end of the Second World War." Hazel swallowed several mouthfuls of water before responding. "You will forgive me if I say I don't want to see a month like this ever again." The dark skinned man gave her a knowing look. "Believe me, O1, we all feel the same. Regardless, the missions have been successes. You two are going to be getting several citations for services rendered by a lot of countries." The Battlemaster nearby smiled. "I am sure my country will be in that list." Hazel and Dora sighed, the latter waving her hand. "Just give us time to rest, please."

The two spent about an hour being looked over by the flagship's medical staff before being given a clean bill of health, though the Healers and Doctors had a lot of trouble with Hazel until Andromeda's instructions were verified through Floo calls. As the two stepped out of their cabin's shower and were storing their clothes away before leaving, a knock came to the door. Hazel checked to make sure Dora was decent before checking who it was. The Australian Battlemaster looked them over and smiled. "Damn. You two sure you aren't interested in spending a week here? I can promise loads of fun in the sun. My boys and gals would love to get to know you." Hazel shook her head. "Not right now, though a visit to Australia may be on the books for our honeymoon." The man sighed dramatically in disappointment but still presented Hazel with a bag. "Our Handlers wanted you to have this, since the other Operatives have been gossiping about you two. A memento from Australia for you to take home." A bit curious, Hazel looked inside. "Those are some familiar looking teeth and claws." The man nodded. "That last creature you faced was a Burrunjor. Australia is a dangerous place, and that's not even accounting for magic. The Bunyip and Euroa Beasts you killed were some of the continent's most dangerous, just behind the Burrunjor. We are only glad that the Rainbow Serpents weren't part of the illegal haul. Those things are considered divine out here. Since they were your kills, you get to keep these."

Hazel smiled a little. "Well, I suppose my son's collection of exotic claws and teeth just went up again. Thank you for this and for the warm welcome." The man shrugged. "It's no trouble. You and the British have made one hell of an impact, you know. We have been working alongside the ASIS for a few years now and we are all loving the results. Our delegation is part of the ICW and UN negotiations on the integration of Mages into the world should the Statute fall. In the Outback, the Statute is hardly a thing, really. The Aboriginals and us work together to make sure the local creatures don't vanish because of them getting spotted by the general population. You have no idea the trouble the Thylacine fiasco cost us and the continent as a whole. Though don't be feeling bad about these kills here. These creatures had been trained to be killers. Only mercy that we could have given them was a quick death." Hazel nodded. "Yeah, sounds about right. We are glad for the changes around the law enforcement agencies and our fellow operatives. You tell your people to take care and if we manage to make it out here for a honeymoon, maybe we will hit you guys up." The man smiled. "You do that. My husband and I make some damn fine meats on the barbie that go great with the local beer. Take care and see you both around, O1 and O2."

Dora sighed to herself as the Battlemaster left, with Hazel closing the door. "Well, I certainly wouldn't mind coming down here for a honeymoon." Hazel hummed to herself. "Neither would I, though I am reading up on the best wildlife repellent wards. For now, let's just get our stuff ready and make our way home. Though I do have a place I want to go visit after we get our gear back. That is, if the ICW and Croaker give us clearance." Dora looked at her fiancée. "And where would we be going?" Hazel placed the gift bag on the bed, sweeping it for foreign magic, before sealing it up into her backpack. "Austria." Dora thought for a second. "For the weapons facility? I thought MI6 cleared the place." Hazel shook her head. "Not there. After taking out these seven locations, I think it's time we went ahead and visited the mastermind, or at the very least the inspiration. After all, there is no way these bases were a fluke. They were built during the heyday of World War II with a particular goal in mind. That goal probably got distorted as the bases turned to smuggling, piracy and hostage taking in order to survive but, according to Croaker, they all started from the same place. The same group of people responsible for driving my world into a Nuclear War." Dora moved up and hugged Hazel. "You sure you want to go? We can let him rot." Hazel hugged her fiancée back and kissed Dora's lips. "I am sure. The war is over. It's time the old man admitted his defeat. For everyone's sake."

-∞-

"He's all yours." Hazel nodded at the guard as she and Dora passed by the last of the checkpoints within Nurmengard Prison. In the lead up to the operations against the hidden bases, the guards of the prison had gone under a thorough review. A few were found to have been charmed by the old man's intelligence and charisma, while others were the descendants of some of his officers. After verifying that they had been passing along information to him from the outside world, they were all transferred out and many were detained. This was just an example of just how dangerous Gellert Grindelwald remained, even after fifty years since his defeat. If it had been up to Hazel, he would have been executed. Instead, Dumbledore advocated for clemency for both his former lover and his supporters. There was a part of her that wondered if Dumbledore knew about the hidden facilities and ignored them, potentially using them as justification for any takeovers should they become a viable threat. She had no idea if these bases facilitated the attacks on the G8 summit in her world, but she was at least certain they could have existed and that the younger and more idealistic generations of Grindelwald's followers were responsible for the outset of the war. At least now that threat was reduced considerably.

As they approached the last cell, Hazel checked on Dora. Her partner nodded, touching the protective disc she was wearing under her shirt. Both of them came wearing their Hit Wizard jackets closed and with mind art blocking charms, just in case. Their wands were safely stored away. Well, the Elder Wand was never far away from Hazel, but they couldn't bring any wands up here for safety reasons. As they reached the prison cell's door, they peered inside through the wrought iron bars. Within the thin cell sat a frail looking old man. Sitting with his legs crossed underneath him, Gellert Grindelwald seemed to be meditating, his eyes closed. " Can I help you? It isn't dinner time just yet ." Hazel checked with Dora, who nodded, confirming the translation charm was working. "Sorry to disappoint you, but we are here to provide you with some recent news. You see, not far from here, a research and munitions base dating back to your war was located. Imagine our surprise when it was found fully managed and in operation. What was the name of the town again? Sankt Georgen an der Gusen? It was connected to your pal's Bergkristall installation."

The old man uncurled his legs and turned his attention to them, his heterochromatic eyes taking them both in. "Who are you?" Hazel bared her teeth. "Just a couple of soldiers bringing you some news. Most of them are sad, really. Well, sad for you. After that base was taken out, we got word of other hidden locations, all dating back to your reign of terror. Imagine our surprise when all of them were found active. Some had some interesting facilities on them. Chimera-based research installations in the Indonesian Archipelago, Elemental magical training stations in the desert coasts of Africa and the tundra of Norway, plus a recruitment and personnel base in Argentina. Not to mention how most bases had drydocks and shipyards. Old and slow in production, but still impressive, especially in how they incorporated magic and conventional construction techniques. Too bad all seven of your "Zweite Welle" bases are now under the control of Allied countries." Hazel watched as the man's composure slowly unravelled. "You lie." Hazel raised an eyebrow. "Really? Your Austrian base might have been an extension of your partner's Wunderwaffe projects, but we both know that wasn't your goal. With the war getting worse, you had these seven locations all around the world sealed off. Warded and erased from German files, no one would know about your back-up plan. A "Second Wave" of magically enhanced forces like your Hexenmeister Kampfgruppe ready to take on an unsuspecting world."

Dora chimed in. "They hardly worked, you know? After the fall of the Reich, these bases were so isolated, they could hardly sustain themselves. They used their U-Boats and assault ships for piracy, not war. Sure, you made them with your best and brightest from the Thule Society, but they couldn't do much. It took them years to be anywhere close to what you envisioned. By then it was easier to just be pirates than soldiers. Human trafficking, drug and weapon smuggling, hostage taking. So much for your grand army or your supposed Greater Good." The man practically shot up to stand, his fist clenched in indignation. "Do you have any idea what has been lost? In a few years, the Statute will collapse. Those forces were my guarantee for Wizardkind Ascendancy. When the muggles hear about our kind, they will turn their weapons on us." Hazel shook her head. "They won't. Not anymore. Those bases weren't taken just by magicals. They were taken by non-magicals, with our support. The nightmare scenario you were irrevocably pushing this world into won't happen. We have learned from the mistakes of the past. Britain, the Americas, Europe and Oceania are all well on their way to a new treaty, with the rest of the world warming up to the idea. Inclusion and fair treatment for magicals should the Statute fall."

Hazel and Dora moved back as the man slammed onto the bars. "That won't happen. You will see! The Muggles will turn on us the first chance they get! When that happens, you will wish you hadn't destroyed my reserves. Dammit Albus, I should have told you about them. You would have understood their value and protected them." Dora stared into the man's eyes. "Unlikely. Albus Dumbledore had his own agenda. Unfortunately, it will never be fulfilled either. He died several months ago." Gellert froze, his hands gripping the bars tightly. "No… I would have felt something. I would have been told." Hazel blinked at him. "You really didn't realize just how much your followers hated him? Not the officers he helped keep from getting executed, though I am sure very few of them actually cared for him all that much as your vanquisher. I am talking about the second and third generations. They all despised Dumbledore. They probably celebrated his death. They had no reason to let you know." Tears ran down Gellert's face. "No. Damn it, Albus. We could have saved the world. Together. We could have saved them all." Hazel reached out and gripped his neck. "You wouldn't have. The only future you could have led us to was one of death and destruction."

Dora gently held Hazel's shoulder. Feeling that Dora was only making sure that Hazel didn't kill him, the latter pressed on. "I saw what the world born from your ideals would have led us to. A cold dead wasteland. No magic, no people, no life whatsoever. That would have been the legacy of every one of your plans. The world is moving down a different path. Cooperation, peace, acceptance. For now the steps are small, but we are moving forward. We are making a difference. When the Statute falls, our people will live. Nothing will be the same, but the people, the world and our future will be there. No thanks to you. Well, some thanks actually. Your forces actually galvanized our countries into cooperation. No one wanted another world war. Together, the world silenced your soldiers' threat. Together, we made a difference. In a century, you will be nothing more than a memory. A footnote. The children will be safe and my family's legacy will have been restored." Gellert glared at her. "Who are you?" Hazel pulled back her jacket sleeve, revealing the bracelet her son made for her, revealing the mark of the Hallows. "I am Peverell, the head of my family. I am the one tasked with restoring the true meaning of our family's emblem, not your bastardization of it."

Gellert looked at the emblem and then at her. "The Wand?" Hazel glared at him. "Snapped in half. No one else will carry Antioch's Shame. The Deathstick has seen it's last change in masters. From here on out, the Peverells will live free from that accursed tool of destruction's infamy. Soon we will be freed from your stain, just as we freed ourselves from Dumbledore's. It will be in a better world, made by everyone working together towards a common goal. Peace. We came here to let you know, Gellert Grindelwald, Butcher of Europe. We came here to tell you that you have been defeated. No followers will come to your aid now. No Dumbledore will shield you from the cruel world. The war is over and you have lost. If I were you I would start to think about your soul. Right now, that is all you have left." Hazel released him and walked away with her fiancée, with Dora catching a small glimpse of magic lingering on Grindelwald's skin around his neck before it faded. As they made their way out of the Castle, Dora took Hazel's hand into her own. "What did you do?" Hazel looked at Dora and caught her meaning. "A bit of Witchcraft. Consider it insurance. Whatever happens, if he fails to learn and regret his actions, his fate will be sealed." Dora leaned into Hazel's shoulder as they approached the guards maintaining the Portkey Entry and Exit point for the Castle.

Word would eventually reach them that the old man wept for days, bemoaning his state and his defeat. Over the next few weeks his condition would seem to deteriorate quickly, so much so that Dora asked Hazel for the rundown on the Witchcraft spell she had used. After confirming that the effects could only manifest with Grindelwald's own lack of regret and further thoughts on how to endanger the lives of others, including attempts at bribing the guards, she learned that the DoM and ICW had signed off on the curse being used as a final line of defence against Grindelwald. Dora's concerns evaporated away as it became clear that it was only a matter of when, not if. Just a few days after Albus Dumbledore's birthday, Gellert Grindelwald's body was found hanging from a noose made from his bedsheets. The Butcher of Europe passed on, his death barely being a footnote in the magical and non-magical governments of the world. Very few, if any, mourned his passing. For those that counted him as an enemy, there was no need to celebrate. His death now merely closed the books of the Magical and Non-Magical World's most devastating war. The autopsy revealed nothing of real note except one thing. There was no trace of magic found within his body. No trace at all.

-∞-

Harry took a deep breath and sighed. He looked over at Teddy, who seemed to be doing better today compared to the last few weeks. According to him, Dora and Hazel were fine now, neither of them pulling on the Family Magic to fight anyone. The Family Magic of the Peverells seemed to have been exceedingly active in the last month, with both Dora and Hazel using it severely, enough that it made Teddy worry about both of them. Which only made Harry worry more. He felt a soft hand touch his shoulder and he looked up to find Andromeda, looking at him with concern. "Everything ok?" Harry nodded. "Yeah. Just wondering when Hazel and Dora will be coming back." Teddy perked up a second when he heard Andromeda's voice. "Have you heard anything from them?" Andromeda nodded. "They dropped by London to give their debriefings and went out to Austria for a second. They should be on their way back now." Harry sighed in relief. "Are they both ok?" Andromeda sat down at the table in the Bones Family Library with them, as Amelia had them over to keep them both entertained. "They are. Dora took a few nasty cuts to her arms and legs over the month, but she was able to stabilize them. The Healers and Doctors had no problem with any of them and she was fully healed before going onto the next fight."

Teddy scooched his seat closer to Andromeda. "And Mom?" Andromeda sighed. "You know how she is. She was practically unscathed, minus her Magic being severely depleted. Despite that she was able to recover it to usable levels quickly." Teddy made a face. "Bet you she wasn't happy about that. It's rare for her to reach her limit, so she never had to forcefully recover Magic. They must have done a lot of fighting." Harry looked over at Teddy. "How would she do that?" Teddy gave him a sad look. "Harry, the Peverell Family Magic isn't all fun and games. I have it because of the blood adoption and Mom had me read the Grimoire because it could mean the difference between living or dying. There are things in there that are … terrifying, things that I don't want to share with you because when given the choice of living or dying…" Harry lowered his eyes. "Oh. You two use it all the time. I never thought it could be used in a way that was dangerous." Andromeda rubbed Harry's hair gently. "But that is who Hazel is, Harry. It's what it means to be a Peverell who lives up to the family name. To do everything in their power to not only defeat Dark Witches and Wizards, but to return home alive. And it's not just them coming home alive."

Andromeda sighed but decided it was fair to let them both know. "The people they went after were criminals of the worst sort. Enemies of an evil of a bygone era. In a way they were worse than Death Eaters. They didn't just kill non-magicals. They kidnapped them, raped them and sold them as property. They also sold enchanted weapons and magical creatures to people who had no interest other than to cause pain and misery with them upon innocents and soldiers alike. Had Hazel and Dora not taken part in these missions, hundreds of victims wouldn't be on their way back home to their families and thousands of weapons would have fallen into the hands of terrorists and pirates. Hundreds of law enforcement or military personnel, magical or non-magical, would have died trying to stop these people. That is what Hazel and Nymphadora were up against. That's why you shouldn't judge them for using less than pleasant methods to survive. Because they have survived, to save hundreds if not thousands of people. To come home to you two and make sure that every day the world is a better place. That is what this job means to both of them."

Harry looked down at the table and clenched his fist tightly. "I just wish… that they wouldn't get hurt because of us. That they wouldn't have to do these things when they could be here." Andromeda nodded. "As do I. But they can't help themselves. Nymphadora always wanted to make a difference in the lives of others and Hazel only ever wanted a better world for Teddy. Well, Teddy and now the rest of her family. They get to fulfill their dreams and duty every time they go out for work now. It was the same for me, when I became a Healer. The fulfillment that came from helping others in their time of need. One day, when you become a Wardmaster, you will know the feeling. When you hear about all the people your wards could and will save." Teddy reached out and touched Harry's hand. "I know it's not easy now, but it will get better. Mom will always come back and she will keep Dora safe. Telling them to stop won't do any good to anyone. Sure, Mom could be a teacher at Hogwarts, but she would be miserable there. Because it's not the castle or the students that matter to her." Harry relaxed his hands. "It's us." Teddy nodded. "That's why she will come back. Because while she likes her job, she loves being with us more. Right, Mom?"

Teddy chuckled a little as Dromeda and Harry looked around, until the rippling of an Invisibility Cloak gave way to the appearance of Hazel. She bent down and kissed Teddy on the cheek. "Hello Teddy. I am back. How was the sleepover? Did Harry sneak into Susan's room or did Susan sneak into his?" Harry's face went the reddest it had ever been. "We didn't do anything!" Hazel looked at Harry and smiled. "Ohh? But you aren't denying you were in each other's rooms." Harry froze. "Uh… well… you see." Harry blinked as Hazel seemed to vanish before her arms wrapped around his shoulders from behind. "Do we need to go over the birds and the bees again?" Harry closed his eyes and raised his voice. "Mom!" Andromeda and Teddy laughed, as did Hazel. The pout on Harry's face slowly melted as he began to ask Hazel about the different places she saw. The bag of exotic fangs and claws she showed them made all of his worries vanish. He smiled when he saw Nymphadora come into the library, her short hair in bright pink as always as she hugged her mother. Something told Harry that he would always worry about Hazel and Dora when they left for work. But he couldn't deny that moments like these, where Hazel, Teddy and Andromeda were all with him laughing and smiling were as important to him as being by Susan's side. His family was home, safe and sound. It was everything he ever wanted and more.

Chapter 67: Time Marches On

Chapter Text

Hazel glared at the smiling Julia as she entered the meeting room of the Board of Governors within Hogwarts Castle. "For the record, dragging me into this job doesn't in any way make me want to invite you over to my bed." Julia pouted. "Really? I thought you would love to have a better excuse to sneak into the castle to check on your boys." Hazel sighed. "And I appreciate that. But I have made it clear I am not fond of people. There is a reason you, Augusta and Amelia handle all the work for the Wizengamot." Lord Doge passed beside the two women on his way to his seat. "As unlikely as it might seem to you, Lady Peverell, you are possibly one of the more important members here because of that. It will be quite refreshing to hear someone speak whose tongue isn't restrained by etiquette or social standing. As a former Professor, and a guard of the Castle for years now, you are in some ways better prepared to be a Governess of the Board than most people, even myself." Hazel's eyes followed Doge as he sat down before she wandlessly shot a stinging hex at Julia. The woman's soft yelp made the rest of the Governors chuckle as they all took their seats. As soon as Hazel was seated and the Headmistress and her Deputy were present, Julia called the meeting to order.

"Welcome to the first meeting of the Board for the 1996 to 1997 academic year. Our first task on the docket is filling out the current vacancy on the Hogwarts Staff. As our former Professor of Transfiguration is currently sitting among us on the Board, with some measure of protest for it… " The Governors laughed softly as both McGonagall and Sprout covered their mouths to hide their smiles, before Julia continued. "... It falls to all of us to find a suitable replacement for her. Headmistress McGonagall, do you have a candidate to present to the Board." Minerva walked up to Julia and handed over a stack of documents. "I do. A most unusual recommendation, but the candidate is certified by the ICW as holding a Transfiguration Mastery and is able to speak English, though it is not her original language, and has been certified to teach Latin based spells." Hazel looked over the file as it was copied and passed along. "Having a Magical Language as a Primary Language should present quite the interesting viewpoint concerning magic. I am sure Professor Babbling would welcome the challenge of conversing with her, or at the very least learning the intricacies of Mesoamerican Logographs as a Runic Language."

Elphias hummed to himself as he looked over the file. "Reference material from her community where she spent years as a caretaker for the younger children, a citation for excellent and imaginative Transfiguration with a focus on the Visual Arts from her examiners. She will definitely be an interesting choice." Lady Abbott looked towards McGonagall. "May I ask where the recommendation for the woman's candidacy came from?" McGonagall smiled. "I believe the initial introduction by letter was facilitated by Miss Peverell." The Governors looked towards Hazel and she sighed. "I took my family on a vacation to the Yucatan Peninsula with the help of a friend. While among the locals, my friend introduced her and we got to talking a bit. Like me, she was a firm believer in the application of art and magic together to help a child develop their ability for memory retention and increase their enthusiasm for learning magic safely. Her village has a few other caretakers so her leaving isn't an imposition and she was always looking for a potential job out of her cultural borders." The Governors discussed the recommendation further and agreed to a vote. The decision was unanimous. Julia turned to McGonagall. "Please inform Miss Cuella Pech that her application has been approved. As is policy, she will be a Provisional Professor for one year before being evaluated for a permanent position."

McGonagall nodded. "I will write it as soon as I can. Speaking of Provisional Professors." Julia moved the meeting to the next subject. "Very well. Professor McGonagall, what is your opinion on Remus Lupin and his likelihood of remaining as Defence Professor on a permanent status?" Handing a parchment over to Julia, McGonagall spoke up. "He is certainly willing to take on the job. As a Professor, his instruction has improved in both retaining the students attention and reinforcing the lessons prior to examinations. Among the students, while not the popular pick for the class…" Hazel glared at everyone when they looked her way, before a smirking McGonagall continued. "... He is considered more than adequate. The scores for the students that have taken the Defence course over the last three years have been the highest they have ever been since Galatea Merrythought's tenure." The Governors discussed the matter amongst themselves, though Hazel spoke up. "What of his performance as partial head of Gryffindor House?" Minerva sighed. "Also adequate. He handled the students well during the traumatic experience at the Great Hall. However, he was obviously unable to perform the role on certain days of each month. Professor Vector, for her part, was just as effective and covered for him on those dates."

Hazel turned towards the Governors. "While it's not standard policy, I believe we should amend the Charter and have a male and female Head of House for each of the Four Houses. As a Professor, I can attest to seeing much improvement among the students' well-being when they could safely approach multiple professors for their troubles. Though the Gryffindor Co-Heads were chosen due to one of the Professors having personal concerns, the two together probably did better than a single Professor, without sacrificing their performance in the classroom." Hazel looked over at the Headmistress. "I also believe that some students are uncomfortable in approaching some staff members regarding personal matters. According to Mr. Potter, a few of the first year students were being selective concerning who they visited between Vector and Lupin. A system like this should help the students immensely and decrease the workload of a Head of House who happens to teach all seven years worth of students." Pomona spoke up. "I agree with Peverell's assessment. Of all my students, there are a few who are always uncomfortable coming to me for advice. While Bathsheda and I did what we could to be accommodating, it is not always possible to reason with them." Hazel looked over at the Governors. "Though it's a more difficult suggestion to fill, having a male Healer on Staff should also present a similar comfort to the students and alleviate Madam Pomfrey's work schedule to a more manageable level. It would also open up both Healers to the possibility of taking up the Healing Elective that has been inactive for half a century."

Julia looked on at the other members of the Board of Governors with a smile. For all of Hazel's protestations, Julia knew the woman was insightful and observant. Her suggestions would have fallen on deaf ears under Dumbledore, but the change in staff and the now more open Board were taking the suggestions seriously. She tapped the malet down on the desk. "All recommendations should be explored further. For now, I believe we can move to a vote on the selection of Professor Lupin as a Permanent Member of the Hogwarts Staff. We can continue his position as Co-Head of Gryffindor House with Professor Vector as we take the matter of more Co-Heads into serious consideration." Lady Abbott nodded. "I second the motion." The vote for Lupin's appointment passed and the Governors began to debate Hazel's suggestions further in earnest, mostly speaking of them in a positive light. As the hours dragged on in peaceful debate, for which Hazel only gave a few scating remarks, nothing else could be agreed on instantly. Seeing the time, Julia tapped the malet down repeatedly. "I am afraid that this meeting must be adjourned for now, unless we want to be here for supper." Seeing the Board in agreement, Julia turned to McGonagall. "Please bring the discussion of the suggestions debated today up during your next staff meeting, as I am sure we would all like to hear about the Staff's point of view on the matter. I will go over the school's funds with Doge to see how we can allocate the necessary expenses for the suggested changes. For now, this meeting is concluded."

As the Governors began to leave the chamber, McGonagall and Sprout approached Hazel. "I believe Lady Greengrass was correct. Having you as a member of the Board will be just as effective in improving the school. Though I have to ask where you came up with the Co-Head recommendation?" Hazel blushed at Pomona's words. "As a single mother, there were moments when I had to ask for a bit of help with my son from his Grandmother, while she lived. There were questions that were a bit difficult for me to answer, though I don't believe the difficulties cannot be overcome in time. In a gender fluid family, these difficulties might never present themselves at all." McGonagall nodded in understanding. "But our students don't come from gender fluid families. Not all of them." Hazel nodded back. "Exactly. The focus should be on helping the students be comfortable in the Castle and with the adults in charge of their wellbeing. While adding more staff is an expense, the benefits to the students, I believe, outweighs the economic considerations." Pomona tapped her chin. "I think I might know a few Potions prodigies that passed through my House. Slughorn won't work for Hogwarts for long and they could take the position of Co-Head with Bathsheba."

McGonagall turned to Pomona. "Do contact them. I will see if there are any former Slytherin or Ravenclaw Healers in St. Mungos willing to help Pomfrey in the Hospital Wing and potentially teach the Healers course. I am sure a few would be interested after years of working in the hospital." Hazel chuckled. "I can imagine. Though I know one crazy woman who wants to work at St. Mungos. Her replacements are actually from Ravenclaw and Slytherin, so my apologies if we stole your prospects." McGonagall gave Hazel a soft glare. "I doubt you are truly sorry." Hazel smiled. "You'd be correct." Pomona came up and hugged Hazel, catching her by surprise. "Thank you, though, for everything." Both Hazel and McGonagall watched Sprout exit the chamber. "What was that about?" McGonagall looked at Hazel from the corner of her eye. "Though you do inspire fear in quite a few people, you certainly seem oblivious to all the good you do. Hogwarts is on it's way to living up to its reputation, with you being a major contributing factor. We are all grateful for what you have done." Hazel stared at the back of McGongall's head as the old woman left, before she took up her own papers. She shook her head and stored her thoughts and feelings away as she left the Chamber, checking the clock as she left. It was time to go home.

-∞-

"Cuella!" Hazel leaned back against the wall of the international portkey arrival point at the Ministry as Quetz rushed forward to greet her friend from home. Dora leaned into Hazel's side as the dark haired Mesoamerican girl took their Quartermaster into a rib crushing hug. "So, what do you think?" Hazel shrugged. "We will have to wait and see. Her bad luck with dates could have been because she already had her eyes on Pech." Dora chuckled. "Yeah, sounds like Quetz. She had a pick of a hundred or so weapons to test her enchanted bullets, but no, it had to be using a specific make and model. If it's not perfect, she won't be satisfied." Hazel leaned over enough that her breath sent shivers down Dora's neck. "Speaking about perfection, what's this I hear about Andromeda and Narcissa spending massive amounts of time together looking over wedding dress designs?" Dora swallowed a little. "You know, Amelia is going to be marrying Sirius in a few weeks. The wedding of the Lord Black and the Director of the DMLE is going to be massive news. Nothing like having the two Black Sisters reconcile over their broken family ties like helping to plan their cousin's wedding."

Dora watched as Hazel vissibly seemed to repress a memory and she sighed. "Sorry, bad subject matter." Hazel raised her hand and waved it. "It's fine. We can't tiptoe over everything for the rest of our lives. Like the morons having to stop flinching whenever Tom's name comes up, it's something I have to get over. Getting back on topic, please tell me those two aren't also looking for dresses for our wedding too." Dora kissed Hazel's hand. "If they are, I haven't been consulted. I promise you that." Hazel sighed in relief. "Thank goodness." Seeing Quetz approaching with her friend, Dora pulled herself off the wall. "Though we are going to have to discuss that at some point." Hazel nodded as she shook Cuella's hand. "Welcome to England, Cuella. How is Aapo?" The tanned woman smiled at Hazel. "Doing well. A huracán just did a number on the area, but no one got hurt from the village. He sent out some of our guardianes to help the non-magical indigenous population recover. A good chunk of them know about magic, so the guardianes don't have to be as careful, only watching out for missionaries or traficantes." Hazel hummed as they made their way out of the arrival point, and waited patiently as Cuella registered with the Customs Officer, with Quetz giving her DoM apartment address as the location where Cuella would be staying.

Cuella looked over at Quetz as they left the Customs checkpoint and entered the Ministry Atrium. "Should I go see the duendes about a bank account?" Quetz thought for a second. "Up to you. If you are getting the DoM clearance, you can get Legal's help. Though getting a Gringotts basic account should be fine. You are going to need it to get your payments from Hogwarts." Hazel and Dora waited outside of the Bank for them to finish setting up the account, before Quetz dragged Cuella into Madam Malkins. They spent a lot of time going over the warmer sets of clothes the shop had to offer, much to the discomfort of the Guatemalan. She dropped on the table at the nearby café, with the rest looking on in bemusem*nt. "Cómo es que necesito tanta ropa!?" Quetz patted her friend on the back. "Because you will be in the furthest point north of the Island where winter is longer and colder than our dry season back home. Warm clothes are a definite must." Hazel leaned back in her seat. "At least you can wear most of your clothes in well heated apartments and homes. My son and I had to buy warm clothes completely after spending two years in arctic conditions." Dora pointed her finger at Hazel. "This one barely wears any clothes even when it's cold. It's down right cheating."

After Hazel stuck out her tongue to Dora, Cuella chuckled, before taking a drink of coffee and making a face. "This isn't good coffee." Quetz tried a bit of hers. "About what you will get out here. I have some beans I have imported from home, so we should be fine when you are staying over at my place." The latina hummed approvingly. "Sounds like I will be spending plenty of time with you then, Kuku." Leaving Quetz blushing, Cuella looked towards Hazel, who seemed to not be bothered by the coffee at all. "So, what can I expect from the students?" Hazel smiled as she lowered her cup. "All good things." After the two discussed the current curriculum while Quetz and Dora ate their sandwiches, Cuella leaned back into her chair. "I might need to shift some things around but yours was close to what Xibalba covered in our private studies." Hazel thought for a second. "I think I have some copies of the syllabus back home and the textbooks we used. You can have them and adjust it to your specifications before appearing in front of the Board. I had to start teaching quickly but you have more than enough time to get your syllabus verified. Anything else you can check with the Headmistress, since she was our predecessor." The four chatted about Hogwarts and made their way down the street, where Cuella and Dora went into the Owl Emporium after the Latina admitted to not owning an owl.

"So, you staking your claim?" Quetz gave Hazel a glare. "Oy, bruja. You are taken." Hazel smiled. "And you, Kuku, are not. Not only did you suggest for her to be my replacement at Hogwarts, but you also invited her to spend time in your DoM apartment when she wasn't living at the Castle and offered to keep her coffee palate intact. Any more territorial marks from you and she will be wearing a ring on her finger and a hickey on her neck." Quetz went deep red. "Ella es mi mejor amiga." Hazel raised an eyebrow. "And your eyes were glued to her rear end as she and Dora entered the store because…" Quetz cursed. "Ok, si. Posiblemente quiero algo más. Feliz?" Hazel pulled her friend into a hug. "Por tí? Claro que sí." Quetz' blush softened. "Do you think you could teach me how to make some of those Italian dishes that leave me and the Coneja in a food coma?" The sudden burst of "I heard that!" from the store made Hazel smile. "Sure, but you aren't allowed to be mad at me for my use of conjured bullets and guns." Quetz sighed. "Fine. But I want to inspect them properly. I don't want to see a gun blow up on you, real or otherwise." Hazel nodded as Cuella came out with a tiny barn owl on her shoulder that kept tugging on her dangling earrings. "You have a deal."

-∞-

Teddy walked out of the massive Wizarding Tent that had been erected on the Peverell property and found a tree that had fallen over in a recent storm. After verifying the bark was clear of bugs, he sat on it and took a deep breath of the cool and crisp air. Just a day prior to the festivities, his Mom had arrived at the property line and, thanks to the Ward Chamber being the first thing that had been completed of the construction, she infused and activated the wards with the Family Magic. Though still nowhere near as complicated as the Hogwarts wards, the joint project between the DoM, the Wardmaster that visited Hogwarts and his Mom's knowledge in utilizing Druidic Script, the wards in the area were some of the most complex ones ever raised. Even now he could feel the magic just barely over his skin. He knew that eventually the feeling would become almost second nature to him and he had no problem with that. From the moment he entered the wardline, Teddy knew he was safe here. In a way it reminded him of the way his mom's magic wrapped around him when they crossed the Archway. Even Nova seemed to enjoy the feel of the magic in the air, falling happily asleep on the birdstand that had been placed outside the tent just for her and Hedwig.

"There you are." Teddy turned his head and spotted Astoria walking over towards him. He blushed a little as he caught himself looking over at how much she had grown in the last year alone. Today her long hair was tied in a simple braid and left hanging over her shoulder. "Sorry, I just wanted a moment of peace and quiet." Astoria snorted. "Right, and did you think to offer that to your Mom? She looked about ready to make a run for it when I left the tent." Teddy chuckled a little. Even after six years in this world, his mom still hated celebrating her birthday. She had put up with the planning and the mess of people for Harry and Neville's sakes, but the moment the adults started to focus on her, her irritation became easy enough to see. "Dora is in there with her. I am sure it will be fine. If anything goes wrong, Nova will just flash her out back to her apartment." Astoria sighed. "I suppose as back up plans, that definitely works." The blonde Ravenclaw sat beside Teddy and leaned back, her eyes scanning the sky. "It's really nice out here. You can hear and feel the magic in the air so clearly. Those Woodland Elves you introduced us to were very interesting too. I was thinking about inviting our family elves to talk to them but a part of me felt like it would be cruel."

Teddy nodded. "I know the feeling, but, according to Dobby and Leafsby, there is nothing wrong. The Elves always knew their woodland counterparts existed and have always talked to them over the years. They understand how the magics used by the Witches and Wizards of old twisted them into an existence that depended on others to survive, but as long as they are not harmed, they actually enjoy the company of humans." Astoria hummed to herself. The passage of the Magical Creature Welfare Act had been a massive success for the Coalition. The Act was essentially a bill of rights for the magical creatures, whether recognized by the Ministry or the ICW as fully sentiant or semi-sentient, as deserving of the same protections that Magicals enjoyed. The House Elves were given a provision that allowed them to continue with the Magical Families, though the sale of them was prohibited. The Elves that weren't attached to any specific family had become wards of the Ministry, with the DoM researching ways to remove the magic that prevented them from returning to the Woodlands. With his Mom's help with translating the original texts and asking the surviving Woodland Elves as to how they interacted with magic, there was a strong hope that the magic used to bind the elves could be lifted. With how much he knew Hazel loved elves, Teddy was very happy that his Mom took the initiative in helping them all.

"Here." Snapping out of his thoughts, Teddy looked over and took the small present box tied with an orange bow that was offered to him. "What's this?" Astoria blushed. "It was supposed to have been a birthday present for you in April… but I had a hard time finishing it. I eventually needed my Mom to help me out, hence why it took so long. It's been shifted in size so you need to cancel the spell before opening it." Teddy nodded and cancelled the spell, causing the box to widen considerably. Opening it, he froze at seeing what was inside. "You made this?" Astoria blushed but nodded. "Like I said, I ended up needing a bit of help. I always notice how miserable you look in winter, despite being quite warm with your jackets. I thought… something a little more personal could help with that. The wrap for the shoulders and throat, however, was all my work." Teddy pulled out the large jacket of the box, with the wrap folded nearly on top of it. He felt the small traces of magic running through it, telling him it had some enchantments. The feel of the fur and the leather felt familiar to him. "Did you ask Mom for the Direwolf leather?" Astoria nodded but she pouted. "I tried to buy it off her since it's really expensive stuff but she wouldn't hear of it. All she told me was to make sure it was made for an adult and to then have magic adjust it to a smaller size."

Teddy chuckled. "That's Mom alright. Her Godmother tried to do something similar with the Basilisk hide Jacket and boots but neither liked to be affected by magic directly. You could only shrink them when the space around them was already warped." Astoria hummed. "That's interesting. I wonder… Anyways, you should grow into it and… if it ever gets too tight, just bring it to me. I will get it fixed up and return it good as new." Teddy stood up and tried the jacket, feeling the enchantments on it activate to better fit his form and to adjust the temperature into a more comfortable level. The wrapping for his neck felt very comfortable. It reminded him a bit of his Mom's really crude attempts at making weather gear for both of them back in their old world. He smiled as he pulled it off and stored it back into the box, before looking at an expectant Astoria. "I love it. Thank you, Story." Astoria blushed. As soon as he sat back down he felt Astoria fidget beside him. When he turned to ask her what's wrong, his mind misfired. It took him a second to realize that Astoria was kissing him on the lips, before he kissed her back. They broke apart and stared into each other's eyes before both moved in for another kiss.

"Tell me, dear sister, do my eyes deceive me?" Teddy and Astoria snapped away from each other, both looking at the smirking Carrows. Flora's smirk widened. "No, dear sister. They do not. Edward Peverell and little Astoria, found kissing on a tree." Astoria's face turned red. "Don't you dare!" The girls giggled and Hestia carried on. "Oh no, little Story. We wouldn't think about singing that awful song." Flora moved further back, her arms behind her head. "We were, however, thinking a certain lady and older sister should know." Both Teddy and Astoria paled and spoke in stereo. "Please don't." Another voice joined in. "Please don't what?" The Carrows and Astoria froze as they turned their eyes towards Hazel, who was holding a slice of cake on a plate. Both Teddy and Astoria rushed forward and wrapped their hands around the Carrows' mouths, casting wandless silencing charms on them just for good measure. "Nothing!" Hazel's eyes narrowed before she dispelled the charms on the twins. "Why don't you two go back inside and get some more cake. It seems I need to have a chat with my son and his potential girlfriend about lying to me… in private." The two giggling Carrows left as Astoria was stared down by Hazel, with Teddy moving close to her and taking her hand into his. They were in for a very long talk.

-∞-

"You know, there was a moment I thought I needed to stun you on your birthday." Hazel glared at Dora as they made their way through the hallways of the Department of Mysteries towards the Medical Wing of Operations. "Whatever do you mean?" Dora sighed. "I mean your near meltdown with the whole Astoria and Teddy thing." Hazel looked away from Dora. "I will admit that my first thoughts were… not pleasant. And undeserved. Both of them have been close for years and it was a matter of time that they would eventually date. It was just… that was the first time Teddy almost lied to me. I say almost because as much as my son can try, I will always know when he is lying. I will also know when he is being sneaky and after verifying he isn't going to end up dead or hurt then I am perfectly fine letting him have his fun. But he was never that direct about it." Dora shook her head. "Did it cross your mind that it was because he didn't know exactly what he was feeling at the time and became confused?" Hazel nodded. "Of course it did. Hence why I sat with those two under heavy wards for close to an hour. I needed to make sure they both knew what they were getting into." Dora smirked at Hazel. "Politically?"

Hazel shuddered. "Hell no. I don't care one way or another how this looks to the vultures of the world. If Teddy eventually loves Astoria enough to marry her and she feels the same for him, I am not going to stand for any bullsh*t from anyone. The first moron who tries to insist anything at all will be reminded that this is my family and they can ignore it or join the rest of the morons six feet under." Dora shook her head. "You know, I think it was a good idea that you left Hogwarts. You were already overprotective of Harry concerning Susan." Hazel raised an eyebrow at Dora. "As were you." Dora waved her hand. "Not the point. Letting Teddy have a chance to pursue this relationship without feeling your eyes constantly on his back will be good for him." Hazel stopped just outside of the Medical Wings doors. "Was I… that bad?" Dora pulled Hazel into a hug. "No, you were the best mother you could be. But he is fourteen now. It's time that he feels a little bit more independent from you. Astoria will be good for him and the Carrows will keep them in line. Not to mention Harry, Susan and Daphne." Hazel released a deep breath. "Fine, but I reserve the right to contemplate murder if I find him heartbroken."

Dora released her fiancée from her embrace after kissing her softly on the lips. "Trust me, that's the most normal parental thing you could do. There was a reason Charlie never dared to walk up to my Mom. As a Black, he knew she could kill him in a second. And I know for a fact that she thought about it. Especially after our breakup. Now come on, let's meet the new medics." Dora pushed open the door, seeing Healer Johnson giving both of the new Healers a few last minute pointers. Both Andromeda and Johnson had distinguished themselves among the Medics during the assault on the first of Grindelwald's bases. A few of the marines arrived with spell damage and serious injuries ast they fought their way to capture the island with the Hit Witches and Wizards. Both of the Ops Healers were quick and thorough with their diagnostics, with the medics using standard medical practices to stabilize the injured while the Healers applied the potions and spells to repair the damage. The exceptional work from both groups had become one of the major talking points in the UN and ICW negotiations, especially concerning the Statute collapse. The benefits to the field of medicine combining conventional and magical practices was something everyone wanted to safeguard, regardless of the economic impact such a change could have.

Seeing the two Operatives enter, the dark skinned Healer waved them over. "Lastly, these two are going to be your main patients for the moment, along with Battlemaster Horatio and Quartermaster Quetz, the former for training injuries and the latter for long nights of experimentation." The blonde Crafter who was seated next to Horatio bristled. "Hey, I have gotten better at avoiding any accidents or overtime!" The older woman ignored her as she drew the two young women attention to Hazel and Dora. "These two have unique physiologies, which Healer Tonks will go over with you today as she gets you acquainted with them. This is important as it does affect how their bodies react to magic and potions, particularly on Operative Peverell. Potions need to be administered with her being aware, or the magic in her system will just ignore it, with a few potions like Dreamless Sleep being worthless on her. Also, if Operative Tonks here is unconscious, be wary around Peverell. Her instincts are to protect her partner through curses first, questions never." Hazel merely smiled at the two Healers, not bothering to deny the allegation. It was true enough.

Her eyes did look over the two witches, recognizing both from her and Dora's first year long deployment to Hogwarts. "Miss Clearwater, Miss Fawley, how has St. Mungos treated you two?" The red-headed former Slytherin Prefect bowed her head to Hazel. "It's been educational, Lady Peverell. Though I must admit it was rather quieter than I thought it might be. Then again, my Aunt and Mother say it was mostly your contribution. As the Heiress to House Fawley, my gratitude on preventing the extremist Death Eaters from gaining any political ground." Hazel looked the girl over. "I take it you were worried about being forced into a marriage of convenience?" Gemma shuddered. "The thought was one I had been forced to entertain for years. Despite having to deal with some unpleasant people, first at Hogwarts and then these last two years at St. Mungos, though the latter was mostly the crazies and the drunks who kept getting themselves splinched on a weekly basis, I can't say that I wasn't happy. When Healer Johnson approached me with the offer to not only practice medicine but also help with some interesting research projects, I certainly couldn't refuse."

Dora shook her head. "You know you don't have to be so formal all the time here, Gemma." The former Slytherin glared slightly at Dora. "I am being respectful. You two did a lot to help us all out, if your mother and Johnson are to be believed." The other young woman walked up to Hazel, her long dirty blonde hair tied in a neat ponytail. "I know for a fact that I owe you a lot, Miss Peverell. Both for the Basilisk and the instructions in our third year. I don't think I would have passed my Healer's certification without it." Gemma nodded. "That I can agree with Clearwater here. Your lessons in silent casting and better magical control have been a blessing on the more celebrated holidays. The amount of patients with broken teeth, splinched arms and transfigured legs was quite distressing. We only managed those days with your lessons in mind." Hazel blushed as Dora nudged her side. "See? You are too good of a teacher." Failing to land a wandless stinging hex on Dora, Hazel turned to the two Healers. "So, which one of you is thinking of being a Field Medic?" Penelope raised her hand timidly. "That would be me."

Looking her over, Hazel sighed. "Miss Clearwater, you do know what that means, right? Curses will be thrown around you and you will have to heal patients in non-optimal conditions. Are you certain you want to place yourself constantly in dangerous situations?" The former Ravenclaw seemed to steel herself a bit. "I… ever since the Basilisk, I had trouble getting my confidence back. The shadows always seemed to hide something scary and deadly. Your Defence Lessons helped me a lot. I doubt I would have been able to make it through as Head Girl without you two helping me conquer some of my fear. I want to conquer the rest. I want to be able to help anyone I can, no matter where they are." Horatio came up to her. "You understand that this will require you to take some of the basic training required of an Operative, including the use of curses and Unforgivables?" Seeing the young Ravenclaw looking affronted, Dora stepped into the conversation. "Trust me, it's not easy to accept the fact that you will be using such curses, but there is a reason. There will be patients who will do everything in their power to make your ability to heal them impossible, even if they plead for treatment. Being able to hold them down will be important and the Imperius avoids the hand-ups of dealing with an uncooperative body."

Hazel nodded. "As for the other two, the Cruciatus curse was initially a neurological jinx, designed to test muscle spasms and check that there was no damage to the patient's nerves. You will be learning what it takes to cast the original spell, not the one bastardized by extremists who delight in causing others pain. As for the Killing Curse, you will be forced to face the worst fate all Healers must suffer. The possibility that the only comfort you can give a patient is a swift and merciful death. These moments may be few and far between, or you may be fortunate to never experience it, but you need to be ready to face that eventuality. Operations primary order is that no one gets left behind, but we need to be ready for the moment we can't keep that order. So I ask again, are you sure this is what you want to sign up for? No one will hold it against you if you stay here in the Medical Wing." The young woman clenched her fist and shuddered a little before shaking her head. She stared Hazel in the eyes. "I am. I want to be there for the people who helped me live. I want to help as many people make it home as possible. If it requires so much out of me, I will gladly pay it."

Horatio smiled at her. "I think I am going to like you, Miss Clearwater. Have you both agreed to in house living arrangements?" Both young Healers nodded, causing Hazel to frown. "Penelope, aren't you in a relationship?" The growl out of the young Ravenclaw's through made Hazel raise an eyebrow. "That pig Weasley can go find himself another trophy wife. I refuse to be manipulated by him into being someone I am not." Gemma came up and patted her coworker in the back. She looked at Horatio. "We will both be taking the DoM apartments. While I won't be a Field Medic, I wouldn't mind joining in on the daily exercises." She blushed a little. "The ones Lady Peverell suggested have been very beneficial to both of us." Horatio smirked at Hazel. "Should I be worried you are stealing my job from me?" Hazel glared. "You and I both know you will be leaving your post in a stretcher or a body bag." Horatio laughed. "Damn right I am." Looking over both girls, he nodded. "Up and early at 5 am, ladies. Clearwater will get the full training and Fawley will be taking our less stressful training program. Make sure you all follow Head Healer Tonks' nutrition guidelines. You will be dead in a week if you don't." The two women nodded and went to finish signing a few papers with Andromeda and Johnson.

Quetz hummed as she walked up to her friends. "Seems like our family will be getting bigger. I wonder when I should start looking for an apprentice myself." Hazel thought about her birthday. "If you're interested, check on the Greengrass family. Young Astoria Greengrass showed some interesting initiative. She made Teddy a decently effective jacket out of some spare Direwolf pelts I still had. She ended up buying more than she could chew and had to ask her mother for help, but she showed great promise." Quetz rubbed her chin as Dora's eyes narrowed. "Are you scheming something?" Hazel shrugged. "Her getting the clearance level needed to know the truth about Teddy and myself will be an issue later on. The girl has a narrower interest than the Unspeakable in everything but the name she calls a sister. It would solve one issue while also giving her the best education a budding enchantress could get right out of Hogwarts." Quetz nodded. "I will give the Greengrass family a call and check her talents for myself. If she shows interest, then I will help her get ready sooner." Horatio chuckled. "Look at that. Not seven years in and we are getting this Division back into shape." Hazel smiled at her boss. "That's the idea. So, do you want to show those two Healers what we do here for practice?" Horatio smiled as the other two sighed. "Sure thing. Let's go O1. O2, you are coming as well." Dora groaned. "There goes my hope for one easy day back on the job."

-∞-

"Oh, wow! Look at all the flowers!" Perenelle laughed merrily as she stored away the rope she used as a portkey. The boys' eyes took in the massive field of flowers that stretched as far as the eye could see, the only things breaking the view being some ancient looking trees and a small but comfortable looking two story house just down the path. The immortal witch ushered them down the path. "Yes, it's quite the achievement. A lot of the flowers are from all across Europe, but we do have a few from all over the world. After a few centuries on one continent, there is nothing like stretching your feet and seeing another. We were just planning a trip down to Oceania. We hear there are some lovely flowers and interesting Magical Creatures in the Indonesian jungles. Who knows, Nicholas might even uncover some new Alchemical ingredients." Hazel followed behind the group, her eyes taking in the magic that seemed to emanate from the ground itself. Over the flower fields, her eyes were able to perceive the traces of fairies flying about. Dora chuckled to herself. "Just make sure you two are ready to encounter some weird and dangerous creatures. Hazel and I got surprised by some nasty ones on a mission down there." Perenell hummed to herself and smiled. "Sounds fun." Dora sighed. "You sound like my fiancée."

As Teddy and Harry bombarded an amused Perenelle with questions, Hazel spotted Nicholas sitting down just under the shade of one of the old trees. Nova landed on her shoulder and shrilled in question with Hazel nodding in response. "I will ask him. Why don't you go and watch over the rest? If you think it would be safe, see if you can play with the fairies. I doubt they have had the honor of your presence." A merry shrill filled her ears as Nova took flight, with Hazel following the soft path of short green grass that led to the wooden bench under the tree. The bench itself looked almost to have been a tree or two whose branches were grown into the familiar form. The old man closed his book and placed it aside as he waved her over. "Welcome to our home, Lady Peverell. Please, join me." Hazel nodded and sat besides the old immortal, her eyes looking over a young looking field of flowers. The old man smiled at her. "Do they look familiar?" Hazel nodded. "The flowers from The Isle of the Blessed." Nicholas leaned back with a satisfied look on his face. "Indeed. They started to grow under our care and the fairies around made sure they were pollinated. We started growing the seeds in the field about two years ago."

Taking in the fresh and familiar scent, Hazel exhaled. "I thought you might manage to breed them. You recognized them, after all." Nicholas shrugged. "I am an immortal. I have seen quite a lot of the world." Hazel eyed him out of the corner of her eye. "Indeed. Though I find it interesting that you also recognized my Family's Magic. The latest the Isle was active was just after the Fall of Camelot, while the Hallows were made in the twelfth century. Both incidents happened in the British Isles, before your first publication in France." Nicholas hummed. "What can I say? Keeping the Philosopher's Stone secret became much more difficult in the heyday of Alchemy." Hazel leaned back. "Keeping the stone a secret? Or finding an adequate explanation as to why you never seemed to age. Which is it, white mage?" The old man's blue eyes searched her face. "What do you know of the name?" Hazel shrugged. "Just what I read. One of the last to visit the Isle of the Blessed was a man dressed in white robes, his once jet black hair turned white, yet his eyes never once dulled in their sharpness or kindness. He was known for his love of flowers, his rivalry with a witch that loved to dress in black was legendary, though his legend was built more around his connection to magic, a young king and the Old Religion that saw his birth. Am I wrong… Merlin?"

The Immortal began to laugh. "Morgana owes me a nice bottle of elven wine. I told her you would figure it out." The stiffness in his body all but melted away as he raised his foot to rest it on his knee. "I am glad that you did figure it out, actually. It gets dreadfully boring not having anyone to talk to about the old days. My wife and I can only have conversations so many times before it gets … well … repetitive." Hazel smiled at him. "I can imagine. Though I think my son and Harry will be better conversationalists. My curiosity is entirely utilitarian, I am afraid." The old mage gave her an understanding look. "I was like that in my youth as well. Every spell, potion and incantation I learned I did so to keep my friends safe. Not an easy thing to do over a thousand years ago." Hazel shrugged her shoulders. "I had to scavenge for survival for two years in a world where magic was dying and the land was covered in a never ending winter." Merlin's look turned sad. "A most unfortunate fate. One I hear you have been working hard to prevent from being repeated here." Hazel nodded, as Nova's shrill drew her attention. The bird dove into the field of flowers and shot back out, a small group of fairies chasing after her. "I actually did bring something with me. Since you have been around so long, I thought you were better suited to deal with this little problem of mine."

Pulling out a jar of glass, she handed it to Merlin, who gazed into it. "What's in the ice?" Hazel hummed to herself. "Phoenix ashes. Didn't feel like broadcasting the best way to capture a phoenix to the other handlers of the world." Merlin nodded. "True enough. Especially with how valuable phoenix feathers are." He held the glass jar in his hand as the ice began to melt, before his magic turned the water into vapor. A snap of his fingers and flame ignited within the ashes. The fire burned until a soft shrill escaped from the jar, before Merlin vanished the glass, leaving an ash covered phoenix chick struggling to wake up in his palm. "Hello Fawkes. Sorry about your former owner. Are you willing to spend some time with me and my wife here? The magic in the area should help restore you." The chick shrilled and the man smiled. "Perfect. Don't worry, I will have your nest placed by the chimney as soon as I get back in the house." As Nicholas held the chick to his chest, Nova came over and landed on Hazel's shoulder. The man chuckled. "It's good to see you too, old girl. I see you found your family once more." The bird responded happily, before proceeding to peck Hazel on the head. "Oww. Ok, I get it! We will be walking back now." Nova took flight as both Hazel and Merlin stood up.

"Must admit, seeing her with you is quite comforting. That poor Caladrius spent centuries waiting for a Peverell to reclaim the Family Magic." Hazel eyes followed said bird as it circled around the house. "I can imagine. I went through a lot of trouble researching what she was after she bonded with my son. If it wasn't for Helga Hufflepuff's notes on the variety of magical birds that we found in Salazar's repository, I might never have gotten a bloody clue. I mean, who in their right mind calls an Augurey a phoenix? The Caladrius' reclusive nature certainly didn't help matters, but it's definitely closer to a phoenix in the way it's magic behaves when compared to the Augurey. The Sanctuary at Ballycotton was sure that Nova was a real Irish Phoenix too, but their research papers kept getting denied for "ignoring centuries of magical documentation."" Merlin laughed. "Nothing new about those misconceptions, my dear. There are plenty of errors like that in the ancient texts that are taken as gospel. They still believe my father was an incubus, despite the original text being quite clear that my mother was simply visited by one. Do you have any idea how many women attempted to sleep with me, thinking I guaranteed a good time for them in bed?" Hazel chuckled at that. "I am guessing your wife's legendary jealousy comes from having to deal with all those women?" Merlin nodded. "Bloody right, that is." As the two entered the house and joined the rest, Hazel noticed Morgana looking between them before sighing, "Damn. I lost another bet. That's five in a row now."

Hazel sat next to Dora and kissed her cheek. "Oh, I think that's fine. Finding someone capable of being your soulmate is the greater success. Wouldn't you agree, Le Fay? Or is it Emrys?" The woman scrunched her nose. "Please. I prefer my title more than my husband's true name. I spent years hearing every bloody Fae from the Hebridean Isles to the Cliffs of Dover singing the praises of the great Emrys. When he finally told me it was him, I smacked him on the head as hard as I could. Would have gone for a mace if I had been near an armory." Merlin kissed his wife on the cheek. "I will happily take all the lumps you give me dear, as long as I deserve them." He turned to the two confused boys before raising a finger to his lips. "My wife and I can tell you some amazing stories, as long as you promise to keep some of them a secret. It's not every day we entertain guests whom we can be honest with." The boys nodded as Merlin began to tell them of the first time he met his wife and her half brother, as Hazel went to aid Morgana in the kitchen. The Immortal Witch smiled at Hazel as she stirred her pot of stew. "Thank you, for giving Aithusa's name a chance to mean something good again. It's been a long time since my old friend's name was spoken with anything other than fear." Hazel nodded. "And thank you for helping my fiancée and I grow closer."

Morgana eyed the medallion on Hazel's chest. "I take it the Promise Token was broken?" Hazel nodded as she pulled out the utensils. "It did. Woodland elves are caring for it as our home is being built." The dark haired immortal hummed to herself. "Getting the trust of the Woodland Elves is not an easy thing. You are a fine student of the Old Religion. Have you taken to practicing the old rites?" Hazel sighed, shaking her head. "I know of the Triple Goddess and the rituals for the festival days of the year, but I haven't practiced them. As someone who cursed my fate for so long… giving anything back to the divine would seem a bit hypocritical of me." Morgana chuckled. "Merlin was the same way. He spent years fighting the High Priests and Priestesses of the Old Religion who sought to avenge the loss of their faith's eminence in the courts. He couldn't bring himself to pray to the Goddess." Morgana's voice grew softer, even mournful. "After a while… neither could I. We are grateful for the life we have lived, but the things we did. The blood we spilled." Hazel searched Morgana's face. "Perhaps it should be less about practicing the rights… and more about living one's life in a way that honors what has come before. A way that honors the price we paid to be where we are now." Morgana turned to her and smiled softly. "Not even a half a century under your belt and still you give good advice."

Using a bit of wandless magic to levitate the served plates, Hazel stared out the window, her eyes on the fields of flowers. "In the end… does it matter how long a life is lived? A century, a millennium or just a decade. I think… I think what matters is that a life is able to live and experience what the world is like, to find worth within itself. As someone who hated my life for years… it's a hard thing to find fulfillment. But once you do… Death stops being either a fear or an escape. It just is." Morgana closed the lid of her pot. "You, my dear, are going to be a favorite of mine if you keep that up. Do consider giving us an invite to your home one day. I am sure Merlin could use another blank canvas for his flowers." Hazel looked towards the living room where the two boys were listening intently to the oldest living wizard. "I am sure my boys would love that. Teddy's love of Herbology might be nothing more than a hobby now, but I am not against my son helping to set up a garden with the Mage of Flowers." Morgana laughed softly. "There was a time my husband hated that name." As everyone gathered at the table, Hazel watched the two immortals. After over a millennium together it was hard to believe they still loved each other, but the way they held hands and how their eyes lingered on each other was all too real. She had been honest with Morgana. Hazel had no intention to live forever, despite what her body might say about that. If she could manage a century or two with Dora by her side and love her the entire time… that would be more than enough for her.

Chapter 68: Commitments to a Better Life

Chapter Text

"Lady Peverell." Hazel nodded as she walked up the path. "Headmistress." Waving thanks at Hagrid for escorting her, the two women made their way through the Castle's main entrance. "I hope this isn't an imposition." McGonagall shook her head. "Not at all. The first few weeks of school aren't as rough on us as they once were. Not to mention that the small changes the Board implemented have done wonders for the staff. While our future Potions Master is completing their Mastery with the DoM, Healer Proudfoot has been most welcomed by Poppy. Even with the current free elective of Healing being offered to NEWT students, both are getting plenty of rest. Not to mention the implementation of the Co-Heads system. Our latest staff meeting since the start of term was the first one where everyone looked like they were not falling asleep." Hazel chuckled. "While I enjoy waking up early, nothing beats getting a good long rest. Speaking of changes, how are you and Pomona adjusting to the wards? I imagine the feeling is a bit strange?"

McGonagall nodded as they started walking up the stairs, a few students bowing their heads at them as they passed by, before the children returned to their merry conversation. McGonagall touched her chest softly. "It is an odd sensation. I can see why the old Headmasters moved away from it, though the benefits, at least in my eyes, outweigh the oddness of the feeling. To have almost a second, vague consciousness whispering in the back of my mind, to see through eyes of stone and even canvas. It can be quite disorienting. Still, I can accurately sense how all the students are doing. As the first years arrived under a heavy storm, a few felt a bit off and I sent them to the Hospital Wing. They were all suffering mild hypothermia and were on their way to getting a cold." Hazel sighed. "Remind me to ask my contacts on ways to apply a protective ward to the boats to keep the occupants safe and dry. We can also ask the Merfolk if they would mind if the school activated a weather control ward temporarily over the lake on the times the boats are being used. I am sure we can come up with a good offer to them to help protect their village as we did with the Centaurs. How are they doing, by the way?"

The old Scotswoman smiled. "You should ask Hagrid. From what I hear and feel, they have been doing a number on the remaining Acromantula. The Forest has been looking much healthier as well. Aside from a few fairies, young Miss Lovegood found a Dryad in one of the nearby trees. Wilhelmina was beside herself from the moment she saw the ancient Fae." Hazel nodded as they approached the entrance to Gryffindor Tower. The portrait bowed her head to them, and allowed them to enter. "He should be on the sixth floor, third door on the right." Hazel thanked McGonagall for the escort and went up the stairs of the Boys Dorms, before knocking on the door. She opened it after being told to enter. Looking at the four posters covered in red curtains made a few memories surface but she pushed them down as she sat next to Harry, before wrapping her arm around his shoulders. "How are you?" Harry shrugged. "It's weird. At first I felt panicked but the more I thought about it, the more it just felt right. It's just… I feel guilty because of that." Hazel nodded. "Can I see it?" Whipping out his Willow wand, he whispered the spell. " Expecto Patronum. " Hazel watched as a small dragon took form, before it curled up quietly at her feet. She rested her head on Harry's.

"My first patronus was a cat, though it could have been something else before I mastered the spell. I called her Whiskers." Harry made a face and Hazel chuckled. "That was my Godmother's animagus name. She loved torturing McGonagall with it as she left lots of pranks and traps for her around the Castle, though she got along great with Mrs. Norris. When I first did the spell successfully I was thinking of her. Of our life together. When that dream died… I had trouble casting the Patronus for a while. It always reminded me of what I had lost. Then, when Teddy was four and was crying a bit because I arrived home a bit hurt, I used the Patronus charm to calm him down, first time in five years since I had last cast that spell. Only there wasn't a cute cat purring into my son's side, but a small skeletal dragon. Left me stunned for a while, though I think that might have been the reason for Teddy's obsession with magical creatures." Harry smiled. "I can definitely see that." His smile faltered. "Did you find out what it meant for a Patronus to change?" Hazel nodded. "It meant a change in the person, a shift away from the source of what made them happy before. In my case, it was Teddy. My love and passion for protecting him connected well with my inherent violence and ill temper."

Harry thought for a second. "But Teddy and I aren't ill tempered." Hazel rubbed his hair. "For now. Wait till you have a kid waking you up at two in the morning. As I told you, Patroni can run in families. Your doe was your connection to Lily and James. They meant something more to you then… now…" Harry leaned into her. "Now it's different. I don't love them any less, at least I don't think I do. But you, Teddy and Dora…" Hazel kissed his hair. "You have nothing to be ashamed of, Harry. There is a good chance your Patronus will change again. I doubt Teddy's will remain the same forever either. And that is a good thing, Harry. You need to grow into the person you want to be. You seem to have stepped out of The Potters' shadow. One day, you will step out of mine." Harry nodded and replied softly. "I guess so. I just hope you don't mind if I take my time with that?" Hazel kissed his hair and rubbed his back. "Take as long as you need. I am here for you and Teddy, always. Now, what's been going on with my son and his girlfriend. Any visits to a broom closet yet or is that only you and Susan for now?"

Harry playfully shoved her away. "Mom! We haven't done anything!" Hazel smiled at him. "I can hear the "yet" at the end of that sentence, Harry." The young Gryfindor blushed. "Ok, so… maybe it's going that way. But I promise, we aren't pushing each other and we will be safe." Hazel hummed. "I feel I should warn you that McGonagall has a better feel for what's happening in the castle than Dumbledore ever had. While I don't know if the wards will tell her you two are being… intimate, I would advise you two to save that for a place that means more to you two. If that is Hogwarts, then I need to teach you some very strong wards if you want some privacy, so long as you are both safe and your duties to yourself and the Prefects don't suffer." Harry blush softened. "Thank you… I think we would both appreciate that." Hazel raised her leg onto her knee. "Good, now about Teddy." Harry smiled. "Trust me, they are being discreet. No closets, no kisses out in the open and only a few times holding hands." Hazel sighed. "I thought so. I might have scared them too much." Harry shook his head. "You didn't. I asked and they just don't feel like sharing that with the rest of us. Trust me, they are both happy."

Hazel felt the truth of his words and sighed in relief. "Ok." Seeing the time on the clock by Harry's bedside, she looked over at Harry. "You should go get dinner. Before your housemates clear out the plates." Harry nodded and stood up. As they made their way down and arrived at the Great Hall, he looked back at her. "Will you join us?" Hazel looked into the Hall and saw a few people looking their way. She sighed. "Fine, fine. But only because I can hear the please in your tone." Harry hugged her before rushing off to sit at the table. Hazel made sure to pass by Teddy's side and hug him, kissing his cheek, before arriving at the Staff table. McGonagall and Pomona moved their chairs to the side and Hazel shook her head before conjuring a chair and sitting down with them, the elves placing a plate and glass of her usual apple juice on the table. Hearing about the Transfiguration class being a big hit with the younger years made her smile, as Hazel mentally added Cuella to her Christmas presents list. Though she would certainly be teasing Quetz about the hickey that was just barely visible on Cuella's neck. Hazel left the Great Hall as soon as dessert vanished from the tables, spending a few moments with Teddy and Harry before waving goodbye at them. She was happy to have taught at Hogwarts and to have made some acquaintances with the staff and the students. It certainly left her feeling better about what the Castle meant to her and what it might mean to the next generation.

-∞-

Hazel froze slightly as the woman pulled her into a hug, one made a bit awkward with her being in her sixth month of pregnancy. Sighing to herself, she hugged the redhead back, before Amelia pulled her into Bones Manor. "I am so glad you are here. I have been going stir crazy. Do you have any idea what you have done?" Hazel blinked at her. "You mean cutting down on the types of jobs that Aurors were supposed to do?" Amelia grunted. "Exactly! My entire department is as stir crazy as I am! Guard duty, patrols and breaking up drunken brawls." Hazel smirked at her. "So you are complaining about how utterly functional society is currently?" Amelia raised her arms in exasperation. "Yes! When I agreed to the Coalition, I didn't think it would be this bloody successful." As they reached a small room with comfortable sofas and a window overlooking the grounds, Hazel waited for Amelia to sit down and order her drink, before she herself sat down. The redhead looked on at her glass of grape juice with a measure of distaste. "I can't even get a cup of coffee anymore! I blame you for this!" Hazel smirked as she drank her own apple juice, a quiet gesture of support for what she assumed was a somewhat hormonal Regent Bones. "I think you should blame yourself and Padfoot for that. You two were the ones that thought the rules you apply to the kids don't apply to you."

The glare she got from Amelia made Hazel somewhat regret her choice of words. "That better not mean that Susan-" Hazel cleared her throat. "Neither Susan nor Harry are at that stage of their relationship, though I am sure they would like to be. I had a talk with Harry a few months back about it and I saw Susan and asked her after the last Quidditch match for Hufflepuff. You don't have to worry about becoming a great aunt too soon." Hazel kept the just yet out of the conversation, as she doubted those two love birds would hold off on having children for too long. Then again, they were both relatively serious about their careers, so who knows when they would have kids. Regardless, her words helped deflate Amelia a little, enough for her to actually drink from her glass of juice. "I am sorry for snapping at you." Hazel chuckled. "Well, I believe I would be your only candidate. Augusta is wise enough to know what you are going through, not to mention that the Wizengamot keeps her quite busy. Julia, I am assuming, would rather not have her head bitten off after every inappropriate comment out of her mouth." Amelia smiled softly. "Yes, I imagine that she wouldn't. Then again, I think she is still a bit cross with me when I made you my Maid of Honor." Hazel grunted softly. She would have happily skipped the Black-Bones Wedding in August all together if Amelia hadn't done that particular sleight of hand.

The wedding took place within the chapel of Castle Black, which had been opened for the ceremony. Hazel had to admit that Amelia was a bombshell in her wedding dress, which had led to an interesting discussion with Nymphadora about the sort of formal wear they would be picking for their wedding. Both Amelia and Sirius went with a tasteful mix of traditional and non-magical styles, with Amelia being swarmed by the other ladies of the Coalition with how well she looked in her flowing white dress. There had been a decidedly mischievous look to Julia the entire time, but the agreement reached between her and Hazel to avoid any of her shenanigans on Amelia's big day held. The after wedding celebrations ended with the adults essentially leaving Hazel to babysit the kids with Dora, which was fine for her. Seeing Harry and Susan dancing together had made her smile. When Teddy took Astoria to the dance floor, Hazel had to admit that they looked great together, with both kids slowly breaking out of how uncomfortable the situation was and eventually enjoying the moment. The wedding ended well enough, the only casualty being an exceedingly drunk Sirius that Hazel had to practically stun in the morning with how much he was complaining about his hangover.

"Yes, well, where is that husband of yours?" Amelia waved her hand. "Dealing with Narcissa concerning the consolidation of the Malfoy properties. Lucius had apparently used a lot of his land as collateral for loans, none of which had a hope of being fulfilled if Voldemort never returned. Narcissa has wisely decided to parcel out the Malfoy properties and Sirius is helping her out with some Black family loans to keep the Malfoy family from having to sell too much." Hazel chuckled. "Such a shame. I am guessing these loans come with a lot of stipulations that can extend out for centuries." Amelia shook her head. "Just one century. Any more would have been cruel." Hazel kept her mouth shut. As the reason the Malfoy went extinct in her world, she was probably the last person to comment on that. Hazel finished her drink and placed it on the drink coaster in front of her. "I personally think that you making me your Maid of Honor was far crueler. Julia was insufferable for weeks." Amelia raised an eyebrow. "Do I want to know what made her so mellow on the wedding day? I always thought it was odd but the two of you have been avoiding me for months."

Hazel sighed. "Let's just say it was some measure of a compromise that didn't necessarily violate any of our personal standards, though with Julia it's a miracle at all that she has some, and leave it at that." Amelia crossed her legs. "Hmmm. I will be sure to ask her then." Hazel sighed. She turned and looked over at the grounds, watching as snow started falling softly on the ground. Amelia wasn't wrong about Operations having been too effective in the last few months. The Isles had lost the majority of their illegal financiers and muscle with the deaths and imprisonment of the Death Eaters. While Julia was probably avoiding Amelia, she was also pulling the Traditional Houses into a more established and reasonable ideology, with Lord Nott's help. While Magical Great Britain was definitely going through some changes, the assertions of the fundamentals of what made a Traditionalist under the new leadership had focused more on the cultural aspect of their society, which the Coalition was all too happy to support. The proposal of two new courses concerning Magical and Non-Magical Cultures and Laws had been submitted to the Ministry and the ICW Education Department. If accredited, the two would hopefully start bridging the divide between the two worlds. Something the ICW was interested in getting done soon.

"... You there or do I need Julia to snap your attention away from your thoughts?" Hazel turned to look at Amelia and shrugged. "Just thinking that your rant had some merit, that was all." Amelia smiled. "Oh, good. For a second there I thought I was already experiencing the Black Madness. Even after I didn't take the Black Family name. I am curious, though, if you and Nymphadora have been working on your own wedding plans." Hazel glared at Amelia. "That is still over half a year away." The redhead chuckled. "And? That's how long it takes for a standard wedding to be planned, at least for the Magical Community. Besides, with things being quiet and no one having the capital to invest in anything illegal, you two must be awfully bored. I am sure that the plans are keeping you busy, when you are practicing baby making." Hazel blushed a little. "Fine, we have touched on a few things, but not a lot. Secondly, while Magical Britain is quiet, the rest isn't. MI5 has had us join a few missions to keep casualties down on both sides." Amelia looked thoughtful. "That will be our future, won't it? Cooperation and Integration with the Non-Magical Government agencies." Hazel waved her hand. "The alternative is a war. Be happy that the ICW is making sure that never happens again. For all our childrens' sake."

-∞-

Dora sat at the back of the UN General Assembly chamber, beside Croaker, as the representatives of the United Nations began to sign the new proposal into international law, having been assigned to the Assembly as a guard for this historic occasion, in case of any attacks or threats aimed at impeding the signing of the International Agreement on the Peaceful Integration of Magical Races. After years of discussion in the ICW Assembly and negotiations with the more influential nations, the Agreement was finally brought to a vote in a confidential session of the UN's General Assembly. Her boss had gotten an invitation to watch the signing, as one of the driving forces behind the change. She smiled as Observer Badawi made his way towards them. "How were the final negotiations?" The Observer took the middle seat between Dora and Croaker. "We had some issues concerning the nations with strong religious inclinations, not to mention the more militaristic countries, but the way the law was written made it clear that any who opt out of signing end up forfeiting any of the aids our experts could provide in any potential crisis."

Croaker leaned forward. "What about the concern for the use of Magicals for military purposes? The ICW didn't go through this process to prevent a Nuclear War just to open a new Arms Race. That said, I can't see certain countries signing this into international law without complaining about not being able to use magicals for defensive research, development or combat." Badawi nodded. "We got the wording just right. While on the national level all Magicals belong to their native countries, any attempts to violate their rights places them under the ICW's jurisdiction. With the ICW being recognized as a sovereign nation with no territorial borders, we can and will defend our own no matter what government attempts to abuse their power. When the Statute falls, the ICW will also become a permanent member of the Security Council. As for using magic for military aims, we took cues from the Antarctic and Lunar treaties that prevent weaponizing or militarizing what essential amounts to a global resource. There was a concession in aiding all countries in resolving food shortages and helping with scientific research, but these are all going to be supervised by the ICW. Magic in all incarnations will be protected from those who would abuse it. You have our word on that."

Saul sighed in relief. "That's good. I am guessing the measures for the DoM and the Law Enforcement treaties passed as well?" Badawi chuckled. "Yes, they passed, though each nation can petition to access the information of their Department of Mysteries if it concerns an internal issue, like say the Dragon Reserves in Eastern Europe, the more dangerous and esoteric information like magics dealing with time, death and genetics are protected. The ICW laws will remain as the primary laws first, with non-conflicting laws passed by the magical and non-magical governments second." Dora hummed as she watched more UN dignitaries signing the document, before sweeping the chamber again, finding nothing of concern. The ICW Aurors had been stationed outside, but no one wanted any surprises. "What about Rogue States?" Badawi sighed. "Those are a lot more complicated. We have the authorization to evacuate Magicals out of any country that could potentially begin to act against them, but actually convincing the locals that leaving their homes is for their own good will be hard. Religious zealots, authoritarian regimes and tribalism still remain a clear danger to the world, regardless what side of the Statute of Secrecy they fall on." After the last signature was given, the document was sealed and taken away amid the Assembly's applause.

Dora looked over at Badawi. "I am guessing the ICW has a copy?" Badawi nodded. "It will be getting replicated and sent to every magical government associated with us. The moment the collapse happens, the documents become binding international law." As the chamber began to empty out, Dora walked besides the dark skinned Observer. "So, what's next for Operations? Our Battlemaster and my partner haven't been following the negotiations all that much, what with the former training our Field Medic and the latter finishing up the work on her family's new ancestral home. Oh, before I forget." Dora pulled out an envelope and handed it to Badawi. "It's still a few months off but you are cordially invited. Your assistance in keeping my fiancée out of trouble has been most appreciated." The man chuckled as he took the letter. "I will send a notice if the date isn't an issue, but thank you. I must admit, when I initially took my position in the British Wizengamot, I wasn't expecting to see so much work." Saul nodded. "For what I can remember, we were seen as the worst possible assignment, only surpassed in danger and difficulty by the Italian Assembly."

Badawi shuddered. "That is one assignment no one wanted. Having to deal with the chaos of the Ancient Assembly and the first generation magicals with less than understanding families made for some dangerous work, and that's without even talking about the Vatican. For Britain, we were expecting to see more of the isolationist and racism that gave rise to the Death Eaters. I had been warned that the movement was on the rise. Hearing about the restoration of the Operations Division and the changing political landscape, and then watching it unfold." The man touched his heart. "It has been a great honor, one I hope to continue to enjoy as your country's Observer." Croaker nodded as they reached the portkey departures point. After they each passed through security, Saul reached out and shook Badawi's hand. "It has been a privilege for us as well. Thank you for your service and we look forward to more. Safe travels, my friend." Badawi nodded at Croaker and kissed Dora on her knuckles. "Safe travels to you both, my friends." Dora watched as Badawi went to the portkey point directed towards Luxembourg, before turning to her boss. "So, what's your answer to our RSVP?" Saul cleared his throat. "I might be available." Dora smiled. "Oh good, we thought we had to send Augusta your way and drag you out of your office." Saul shuddered. "I am more than happy to avoid that. And seeing your fiancée squirm under the attention is always worth it." Dora hummed as the portkey began to activate. "I will let her know you said that."

-∞-

OW May 1st 2004

"Have you given any thought to getting married?" Hazel, her hair a mix of black and white streaks, looked up from the pot of beef stew that she was preparing on the stove. "What brought this on, Andi?" Andromeda, who was peeling potatoes on the kitchen table, chuckled. "Just curious. It's been almost six years now since the war ended. You haven't exactly been on the news for a while and both Gringotts and the Ministry seem to have left you alone. You could finally let your hair down and look for someone to have a romantic relationship with." Hazel chuckled bitterly. "And what exactly am I going to tell them? Hello, my name is Hazel Potter. You know, mass murderer, assassin for hire and mother to a six year old. Interested in a serious romantic relationship? No, I am not going to kill you if you don't at least split the bill with me." Andromeda sighed. "When you put it that way, yeah it becomes difficult. But you're a metamorphmagus now. You could make yourself look like anyone else, or simply become a whole new person. With the money you have been saving up, you could look for a job with the muggles. Like a cook."

Hazel came up to the table and picked up the peeled potatoes before taking them up to the counter and dicing them. "I suppose that's true. But we both know cooks don't make all that much money, except for the high-end establishments. Not to mention it would mean getting Teddy into a school, since I couldn't work from home. What then? Sending him to a muggle school will get him spotted as a wizard all too quickly, wizarding tutors are too expensive and if the Ministry ever heard he was a Metamorphmagus, I would have to pull him out quickly before Child Services tries to kidnap him again. There is no scenario that ends well with me getting a normal job, Andi. Besides, sending Teddy to school and then pulling him out of it after he made friends just because his emotions got the better of him… it would be too cruel. Not to mention schools aren't always the best places to be, especially for outsiders." Andi perked up at that as she finished throwing the potato peels into the trash. "I don't think I ever heard you talk about your time in Primary." Hazel dropped the potatoes into the stew and started stirring it again, before looking over at the spice rack and pulling out the spices she was going to use.

"What was there to talk about? The Dursleys would starve and beat me whenever I did better than my cousin. The teachers didn't believe me when I said that all the bruises were from my guardians, not kids in the playground being rough. Even when I tried screwing with my grades, trying to catch anyone's attention by how obviously wrong or even disturbing my answers on my exams were, nothing happened." Andromeda frowned. "Did it occur to you that it might have been Dumbledore manipulating people to not investigate your conditions? That he wanted you in the Dursley residence?" Hazel nodded to herself. "In hindsight, sure. But can you really tell me that there aren't people who just don't care about others in the world? We see them all the time in Wizarding Britain. With the muggle population being ten times or more, how much worse do you think it is with them? You've seen the news. Terrorist attacks are on the rise all over the world, wars have broken out in the Middle East and the population is looking for the next group to harrass for being different. This is the worst time to be a wizard in the muggle world. Without Ministry support…"

Andromeda sighed but nodded. "Things could get worse. You are right. I still worry about you though, Hazel. You go out and come back with scars and bruises, with that blank look in your eyes that terrifies even Teddy. You can't keep being an assassin forever. You need to stop. For your sake." Hazel stepped away from the stove and looked at Andi. "And then what? You know I can't work in any job that requires an ID and a public record. What does that leave me? Working the streets as a prostitute? A drug dealer? There is no other job out there for me, Andi. Every restaurant, kitchen or even a private catering company is going to want references, and they will check. Keeping up any illusion or falsehood takes up too much work. What I am doing now is keeping people alive. The scumbags are filling out the mortuaries and I can bring enough food for all of us to eat healthily. I can also be here for Teddy, to make sure he has at least some semblance of a proper education. I am sorry, Andi, but as I told you a thousand times, my being an assassin is my only option." She turned back to the pot, stirring it again as she tried to hide her tears. "It's too late for me to stop anyways. No amount of good, honest work will wash the blood off my hands. No one in their right mind would want me as a wife. No one."

Hazel kept stirring the boiling pot until she froze as thin arms wrapped around her from behind. "You are wrong Hazel. You are a good person. You have kept me and Teddy alive and healthy for five years, all on your own. Despite everything, despite the fact I would never have wished this burden upon you, you have done more than anyone could have asked for." Hazel's tears started running down her cheeks. "I would have traded my life so that your daughter could have been here with you, you know that right? You and Teddy would have been better off with her. The Ministry wouldn't be after you and Gringotts would never have frozen your accounts. You would have been safe." Andromeda shook her head. "For all that I loved my daughter, I doubt she would have done as well as you have. If there is anything that I regret is that I didn't push her more to think about the people around her. Remus was terribly irresponsible, while you, barely fifteen, were finally growing into your true self. At seventeen, you placed my grandson's future ahead of your own happiness. That's why I didn't fight you when you decided to blood adopt Teddy. You, Hazel, are the best mother he could have ever had. Don't ever think otherwise."

Andromeda made Hazel turn around and cleaned up Hazel's face with her long sleeve. "And I promise you. One day you will find the right partner. They will take your hands into their own and not care about the blood on them. They will care about the wonderful person underneath. A woman who truly understands what it means to have a family and care for them, despite the world turning its back on her. I might wish you to have a better life, but never think I want you to be any different. You are perfect just the way you are." Hazel closed her eyes and fought the sobs that wanted to escape her throat. "Mom? You ok?" Hazel cleared her face with water from the sink quickly and dried it with a towel before going to the little boy looking at them from behind the door frame. "Yes, Teddy. I am ok. Come on, dinner is almost ready. What do you want to drink with your stew?" Teddy's eyes searched hers for a second before he smiled. "Apple juice?" Hazel rubbed his hair before setting him down on the raised chair she had transfigured for him. She went to the fridge, putting any thoughts of work or marriage away. Those things didn't matter to her right now. Seeing the smile on Teddy's face as he and Andromeda enjoyed their home cooked meal? That was all that mattered.

-∞-

NW July 3rd 1997

Dora fidgeted with the collar of her dress as she waited at the top of the altar within the Festivities Chamber of the partially completed Peverell Estate. She had to give it to her fiancée, the massive chamber felt like she was standing at a Cathedral, with high ceilings, rows of seats and enchanted stained glass windows that emulated sunlight. With their close friends and families being the only attendants, their wedding would be a smaller affair than the Black and Bones wedding. Dora was happy that Hazel had pushed for a smaller ceremony. She watched as Teddy entered the chamber from the main entrance, before rushing up to the podium, taking his place as the Best Man. "Everything ok?" Teddy nodded from his position next to her. "Mom had a bit of a moment when she looked in the mirror. She remembered a time when she and Grandma talked about her getting married. Grandma believed Mom would eventually find her one. Seeing herself in the dress made it all too real for her. Everything's fine now. Quetz and Julia are putting the finishing touches on her hair and cleaning her face." Dora sighed in relief. "It's a good thing she has never been one for makeup. Just warn me if she pulls a runner, I would have to hunt her down, though she above anyone else could literally vanish into thin air."

As she waited for her future wife to arrive, Dora ran her hand down the front of her dress. Despite the best efforts of her aunt and mother, she had refused to wear a traditional white wedding dress, though both were surprised she allowed her hair to reach her shoulders and stay it's natural brown. She had instead opted for a black dress with white trimmings and designs and no veil. Andromeda had relented after Dora threatened to show up wearing a tux, not that Hazel would have cared. Her fiancée's dress was a mystery no one outside of her seemed to know. The only people who apparently knew were the Flamels, who helped make it, and now Quetz, Julia and Teddy. Her eyes swept the room, seeing Harry and Susan talking excitedly beside Amelia, who was currently holding her son, Leo, in her arms, the little baby having fallen asleep after being introduced to everyone who hadn't had a chance to see him after his birth. Sirius stood by her side, his arm draped over Amelia's back and shoulders. The sight of the baby made Dora's heart swell with warmth, knowing that one day it would be her turn. She briefly wondered for a second who her first born might resemble more before her eyes landed on what she could only describe as her vision of perfection.

Wearing a gray dress with white flower designs that glittered in the light and holding a bouquet of similar looking white flowers, Hazel walked slowly towards her, the music suddenly starting behind her. To Dora, all sound had essentially stopped except for her beating heart. As her fiancée approached, she could see the same white flowers woven into Hazel's almost pure white hair, which had been tied and styled in beautiful braids, while the crystal medallion that Dora had given her a few years prior was sitting upon her exposed chest, a soft light beaming from within. When she stood before her, it took Dora a second to hear Croaker clearing his throat. The Director of the Department of Mysteries had been stunned by their request to officiate their wedding, but he accepted, after some very veiled threats about what could happen to him if they were forced to go with Fudge. Holding her fiancée's hands, Dora did everything in her power to remember her vows, with Hazel's own face betraying similar nerves. When Croaker declared them as married, Dora's mind misfired at the passion that ran down her entire being from the kiss Hazel gave her. She was sure she had a smile frozen in place on her face as everyone came to congratulate her. The Flamels came up to them, with Perenelle kissing Hazel's cheek, before she turned to Dora.

"It's been years since we tried our hand at dressmaking. The expression of awe on your face was a great pleasure to see." Nicholas chuckled. "Indeed. Weaving flowers into cloth has never been my strong suit, but my wife certainly knows how to do it beautifully. I am almost tempted to have a ceremony to renew our vows." The two immortal soulmates moved on and joined the others at the large table that sat within the expanded adjoining dining room. Dora was grateful for Hazel's dry streak with alcohol, as her new wife kept a close eye on how much she was drinking. The thought about calling Hazel her wife now made her squirm in her seat. Hazel leaned over and kissed Dora on the ear. "Sorry love, but keep those warm feelings in check. The wedding isn't over just yet." Dora nodded, kissing Hazel on her hand. As day turned to night, the invited guest went up and turned in for the night on the rooms that had been temporarily made for all of them, with Harry giving Susan a very heated kiss of goodnight. Hazel led Dora and her family down to the basem*nt level, before opening a chamber with a massive ritual circle sitting at the center. Hazel spoke up. "Everyone is to stay out of the circle at all times. This isn't a game. People have died crossing this line. Only Teddy will be safe to enter once the ritual begins and that's just barely."

Those beautiful green eyes then turned towards Dora as they both crossed into the circle. Standing face to face, Hazel searched Dora's eyes. "Last chance." Dora shook her head. "I am with you to the end." Their lips met briefly before Hazel closed her eyes. At first the words from Hazel's mouth were the same ethereal tone she knew as Druidic, but eventually she heard her wife's voice echoing within her. Tonight a soul asks to be joined to the Magic that binds Peverell to Peverell, from birth till death. Let her love of our kin be judged. Let her character shine through the darkness of the Void. Let her soul shine eternal within the magic of our beloved family. " Dora felt as if the floor vanished from beneath her before she tumbled onto the ground. Her fingers felt cold dirt beneath her and dead leaves crinkled as she stood up, a soft and cold breeze making her hair shift slightly. The sky above her head was now a sea of endless stars, with tall trees stretching out as far as her eyes could see. Feeling for a brief second as if she was back in the Forbidden Forest, Dora made her way through the trees, eventually hearing a noise in the distance. Once she reached its source, she recognized the noise as moving water. Before her ran a wide and fast moving river some twenty feet below her at the bottom of a gorge.

Seeing a glowing figure in white walking through the trees just beyond the other side of the river that looked vaguely like her wife, Dora was about to cast a spell to get across the river before she stopped. Hazel's words to Harry about the Peverells at the graveyard in Godric Hollow came to mind. You cannot cheat Death, you cannot refuse Death. Death alone decides our ultimate fate. Shaking her head, Dora lowered her hand and walked by the gorge's edge, going further and further up stream. The cliffside narrowed down until the ground now stood flush with the banks of the river, the water rushing by at a far less violent speed. Even now she could see the glowing white figure standing on the other side. Steading her heart, Dora waded into the river, feeling the water coming up higher and higher as she fought against the strength of the current. She eventually felt the river reach her chest before she heard a rumbling noise coming from upstream. Her heart froze as she watched a massive wall of water coming towards her. Seeing no way of escaping it, Dora took a deep breath plunged into the river, her hands digging into the river bed. She held on for dear life until the strength of the current overwhelmed her. The last thing she knew was the feeling of water rushing down her throat. Then there was a silence unlike any that she ever knew, as if the world itself had ceased to exist. "Hello, Nymphadora."

Dora's eyes snapped open as her eyes focused on a figure that looked remarkably like her wife, except for her silver eyes. Her voice echoed around and from within Dora's chest. "Why did you cross the river directly? You had quite a few options yet you chose that one. Why?" Dora took a few deep breaths. "What other path was available to me? Something told me you would have killed me if I tried to use magic to cross safely." The entity hummed to herself. "True, though it wouldn't have been a quick death. Still, you pressed on into the river head on, knowing that death was only a second away. You did not flee." Dora stared at the woman. "Because there is no hiding from you. You will be with me till the day that my life ends if you so choose. You can also end my life right here and now. All I can do, all anyone can do, is press on and live as I wish to live. Even if it means dying young, even if it means suffering, so long as it was by my choice, it was worth the struggle. I made the best possible choice with the options given to me and fought with all my strength. That is all anyone could do." Glowing silver eyes stared at Dora for a moment in silence until a smile took form on the entity's face.

"An answer worthy of the oldest Peverells. You now understand what it is to live. However, that may not be the end of your struggles. Not anymore." Soft fingers touched Dora's face and the expression of the entity turned serious. "Beyond this point you will be a part of something greater. A burden carried by millennia of Peverells willingly and unwillingly, one that has led to the deaths of many who simply failed to grasp the truths of this cold and cruel world. Your fiancée willingly carries the burden and it will be one that she will hesitate to share with you. Will you take your place by her side, to support her throughout her life, no matter how long, bitter and painful it might be, right to the end?" Dora nodded. "I do. And every step I take will be to make sure that our lives are filled with love, joy and belonging. No matter what happens in the future, I will be there to remind her that her life is worth living." The figure searched her eyes. "Sharing her burden will mean that upon death, you may not move on. You may be forced to endure as she has, a life drawing eternally closer to death. Will you still follow her down this path? Will you risk it all for her?"

Taking a deep breath, Dora nodded. "I will." The figure leaned forward. "Beware, Nymphadora. Beware and live. To have the family you both wish for, you must live long enough to carry them within you. When you can no longer live, I will be there for you. Then you and her will choose your fate. She has always chosen to endure for those she loves. Through pain unimaginable she chooses life. Will you do the same?" Dora clenched her fist. "For her? For as long as she wants me to." The figure smiled and her lips touched Dora's briefly. "So be it. Nymphadora… I welcome you now as a true member of this family. A Peverell in more than just name. Till we meet again, one day." Those lips melded with her own and the magic that lived within Dora's flesh flared. For a second Dora felt as if someone had burned her skin from the inside, before the feeling dissipated. Then another, more familiar sensation came from within her soul. She felt a young boy suddenly becoming aware of her, his love and relief washing through her like a balm. Then she felt another presence, a strong and almost all consuming desire. Any fear within Dora washed away as the feeling was mirrored within her own heart. Love. The love of her wife rushed through her and warmed her skin, awakening every nerve of her body. Lips found themselves pressed tightly against hers before she wrapped her arms around the woman she loved with every fiber of her being.

Glowing green eyes stared back at her and Dora could see a bit of her own purple eyes, now emitting their own light, reflecting off her wife's. Hazel smiled at her. "Hello, my love. How are you feeling?" Dora pressed her forehead against Hazel's, breathing in her scent. "Alive and whole." The light around them faded and Dora felt as two body's slammed into her. She laughed as she hugged Harry and Teddy, before hugging her parents. After Andromeda checked her over and gave her a clean bill of health, the four sat together for a few minutes talking about the ritual, with Dora noticing Harry's clear interest. Hazel rubbed his hair. "One day, Harry. When you are old enough to understand. When that time comes, if you are still interested, I will add you to the Family Magic. But no sooner." She watched as Hazel kissed her boys goodnight before closing their bedroom doors, her own parents having retreated to their bed for the night. Hazel and Dora slipped onto the bed of their new home, their clothes left behind on the ground. Hazel caressed Dora's face softly. "I love you, Nymphadora." Dora rubbed her nose with Hazel's. "And I love you, Hazel. Always." There was no more need for words between them that night.

Chapter 69: Finding a Home

Chapter Text

"Edward Peverell of Hufflepuff House, graduating as Head Boy and with high marks in six of his eight NEWTs." Teddy blushed slightly as he took his graduate certificate from Headmistress McGonagall before getting a hug from his former Head of House, Deputy Headmistress Sprout. He bowed his head to the clapping audience, seeing a few familiar faces before taking his place next to Astoria, who playfully shoved him on the shoulder. He smiled at his girlfriend of four years, the Head Girl and Valedictorian of their graduating year group. As the Hogwarts Graduation settled down, he looked over at the guests, spotting his family, including Harry. While Harry didn't go on to become Head Boy, an honor that went to Theo Nott for his exceptional hard work, he did graduate in the top of his year group. Teddy's brother was currently apprenticed under the Warding Division of the Department of Mysteries, where he was working on rediscovering and developing ward schemes based on Druidic Script. While said skills remained classified and banned for commercial use, they could be applied to his home on a trial basis. Teddy knew that Harry was still planning to eventually go independent, but the contract with the DoM made sure that he was always on call for any emergencies or consultation. His fiancée of six months, Susan, had a similar contract with Operations as she trained under his Mom before starting up her company, with both her and Harry hoping to get a Mastery for their chosen careers.

As the students began to step down from the raised platform that had been established within the Quidditch pitch, he slowly made his way to the White Haired Witch who looked at him with a big smile and tears in her eyes. He hugged his mother warmly as she kissed his cheek. "I am so proud of you, Teddy." As he pulled back, he got pulled into another hug by Nymphadora, her hair its usual pink but currently left long and tied at the back of her head, before she ruffled his own partly long and messy black hair. "You did amazing, kid. Beating both our scores." Teddy blushed before he felt his arms getting wrapped around from either side of him and two lips kissing his cheeks. Astoria's loud "Oi!" was quickly followed by his two friends giggling at his sides. "The Lion in the Badgers Den did quite well indeed. Right, sister?" Teddy looked over at the source of the voice and saw the smirk on Hestia's face, as she pulled over her ear some loose locks of green hair. Her and Flora had both dyed a thin stretch of their brown hair green, something he and a few knew was their way of supporting their ancestors' house quietly. Her twin from his other side responded. "Indeed, though it's a shame he couldn't beat our scores."

Flora was shoved away from him, before Astoria yanked him away from Hestia. "Hey, I said no funny business." The two twins chuckled before going to Hazel's side, who congratulated them both on their exceptional scores. Teddy smiled as his Mom hugged them both softly. Ever since they agreed to be tutored under her directly as future Operatives, his Mom had been a lot more caring of their wellbeing. Like with Harry, Teddy knew that Hazel saw a bit of herself in them and wanted them both to have a better life, even as they sought to follow in her footsteps. Astoria's wandering hand over his chest drew his eyes back to her and he stared into those deep blue eyes before leaning down for a short kiss. Astoria whined as they parted. "You said I would be getting a reward if I beat you with my scores." Teddy chuckled and hugged her tightly against his body. "You will. Later. I don't think you want anyone else to interrupt our time of celebration." Astoria pouted. "Fine, but I am going to be monopolizing you for a bit so don't go making too many plans." Astoria's eyes wandered over to Hazel and Dora, spotting a familiar tanned blonde behind them, her arm wrapped around the waist of Professor Pech. "You wait here. I need to go see my future tutor!"

Teddy watched as Astoria rushed to Quetz' side, with her talking excitedly with the DoM Crafter. The squeal from her made it clear what the Operations Quartermaster had decided. "Well done, little brother." Teddy turned and hugged Harry and then Susan, the both of them having rushed out to see their former graduating housemates for a moment. Teddy smiled at Harry. "Thanks, Harry. Has work finally slowed down for you?" Harry nodded. "Yeah. My boss is looking over my work on some properties out by Godric's Hollow, along with a Wardmaster. After they evaluate it, they can then start me on focusing on the more experimental wards." Susan rubbed Harry's chest, an engagement ring clear for anyone to see. "As long as those don't go blowing up in your face. I will be cross with you if you end up under Andromeda's care." Harry raised an eyebrow at her. "You are in there every week." Susan pointed at his mother. "Because Hazel and her boss are insane. I am not even going to be a full time Operative and I get thrown around like a ragdoll, and that's without magic being used." Teddy chuckled. "True, but Mom likes you. As her future daughter-in-law, she wants to make sure you can protect yourself and Harry." Susan sighed. "True enough." Harry leaned over and kissed Susan on her head as the group started making their way back to the Castle, with Astoria returning to his side and taking his hand into hers.

Seated among his family and the Greengrasses in one of the many round tables that dotted the Great Hall as was customary during the Graduation Dinner, Teddy listened in as Dora went over some of her not so appropriate escapades during her own graduation, her narration getting interrupted periodically by, what Teddy assumed was, a swift kick on the shin from his Mom. While it was embarrassing thinking that his own Mama could have done some similar stuff back in his old world, the sight of Astoria's face progressively getting redder and redder had him smiling, especially as she never touched the alcoholic drinks. His girlfriend looked to be dying of embarrassment when her mother added a few of her own embarrassing stories. Julia's gaze focused on him for a second and she smirked. "Though I have to say, none of those were anywhere close to the time I spent with your lovely ladies, Edward. I count that night as the best-'' Teddy blinked for a second before he noticed that Julia was still talking but he couldn't hear her. He looked over at his Mom and paled when he saw her eyes go red. "Don't ask about that… ever." Teddy nodded quickly as Astoria giggled, all the while Julia did her best to gesture at herself to get Hazel's attention, but his Mom just ignored her.

With the night arriving quickly, Teddy and Astoria excused themselves and said goodbye to their families for the time being, before returning to their own adjacent chambers. As Teddy finished packing away his dirty clothes in his old trunk, he felt soft hands wrap around his naked chest. "Sorry about my Mom. She doesn't have a filter when she drinks." Teddy chuckled as he turned around and hugged Astoria to him, noting she was wearing a robe. "It's fine. My Mom does a good job keeping people like her and Dora in check." Astoria giggled against his chest before looking up at his eyes. Teddy held her face and rubbed a thumb against her flushed cheeks. "We don't have to do this today." Astoria shook her head. "By tomorrow, we will be going home. Sure we will have a DoM apartment all to ourselves for the rest of the summer and maybe the year, but I want our last memory of Hogwarts to be special. And I want it to be with you. Only you." Teddy's heart melted from hearing her words. He grunted softly as she pushed him onto the bed before she straddled him, her robes becoming undone, but Teddy's eyes didn't get a good view in that moment as her mouth latched onto his. Neither would forget that night or the rough morning afterwards, but Teddy was beyond happy with his time at Hogwarts.

-∞-

Dora felt her body freeze in place as soon as she crossed the invisible and nearly untraceable wards. It wasn't from a spell or any magic in the area, it was simply from the sheer weight of the presence that seemed to take her breath away. Like at the Flamel's home, the area they just entered was covered in flowers of every color under the sun, with vines and other plant matter growth running up stone ruins that looked to be as massive as those they had seen in the Giant's Causeway in Ireland. Yet, the ruins here felt… heavy. There was a weight to the area that she now knew was ambient magic. Hogwarts had it, though the Castle's wards concealed most of it and the land of Cornwall, devoid of any such ruins, felt heavier than those. Yet here, in a place straight out of their peoples' oldest tales, there was a magic that seemed to pulse with life. How many centuries, if not millennia of people visited such a place. In some ways it seemed almost impossible to deny the existence of something divine. This ancient temple on it's own seemed to be proof enough. Her thoughts snapped back to the moment when a soft hand took her own. Green eyes that glowed softly looked at her with concern. "You ok?"

Perenelle, whom Dora had trouble referring to her as Morgana, chuckled as she walked past them. "Don't be too hard on her. I am certain you yourself were stunned by the weight of millennia that the Isle of the Blessed is known for." Hazel looked at Morgana and then checked with Teddy, who shook his head. Her eyes searched the faces of the rest of the invited guests, seeing a similar face of awe on Harry, Susan and Astoria. She turned back to Perenelle. "Maybe it affects us differently? Back in our world, we were awed, sure, but not overwhelmed by the magic of the place. Then again, the magic of the world was dying, so we probably caught a fragment of what it once was. Spending a few days within the ward as I activated the Archway might have made us used to the pressure of the magic." Morgana rubbed her chin, looking closer to thirty now than when they last saw her, before her husband spoke up. "Perhaps. Then again, Mistress of Death, the magic that runs through your veins and young Edward's does feel heavier to us, though if that were all the young Dora shouldn't have been affected. It is quite vexing really, your Family Magic and how it interacts with others. I might remember meeting old Alexander and sensing the magic in him to a lesser degree, but the origins of said magic are a mystery to me as well."

With the other snapping out of their trance-like states, Hazel shook her head. "I think our Family Magic should remain that way. If we are indeed tied to a primordial power that seems to defy Nature and Fate, asking too many questions would seem all too dangerous." The much younger looking Merlin, though his hair was as white as Hazel's, nodded. "I agree. The Old Religion was a source of great knowledge and power over the world, including over life and death. Yet these Magics always carried a price. What price Alexander paid will never be known, but one can't deny that it was a heavy one. Considering how much the family struggled to endure just one generation afterwards." Teddy cleared his throat. "Can we get started?" Merlin looked at him and smiled. "Of course, of course. Follow us please. While most of the Isle is covered in flowers, there are enough sections that we can use for our purposes." The group moved forward, with Harry and Susan running their hands against the exposed stone walls, the former speaking up. "It's weird. The magic here feels like Hogwarts, except it's heavy but softer." Susan nodded beside him. "It feels alive yet so peaceful." Perenelle walked up to them and touched the walls. She smiled. "That's because you are feeling Fae Magic."

As if summoned by the words, several fairies, glowing with their magical light, appeared from the trees, circling them. Hazel's magic flared instinctually, which made them avoid her presence, before their eyes latched onto Merlin, who gave them a wave. The female creatures squealed in joy. "Emrys! Emrys has returned!" The group heard the name shouted across the grounds before another voice silenced them. "Oi! How is it that after a thousand years you all are still cosying up to my husband and completely ignoring the one whom you all named as Le Fay!" Harry, Susan, Astoria and Teddy laughed softly when the fairies did a complete turn around and started apologizing to her, before they all started staring at Hazel. Morgana sighed. "Everyone, stop staring. Yes, her magic is scary and if you anger her, she is just as scary with her temper. However, she is here with her family to honor your home and to leave behind plants that can help any weary traveler that happens upon this place. Times are changing and sanctuaries like these may become havens for the weary and persecuted. I am certain you can all agree to this, yes?" The fairies flew around excitedly, asking questions out of everyone but Hazel, who shook her head and went to work on the nearest open field.

Wanting to try something she read in the Kabbalah Mysticism texts, she pressed her hands onto the ground and concentrated. Instead of allowing her magic to warp the Earth itself as she normally would do with Transfiguration, Hazel tried saturating the soil, making sure to not use her Family Magic, before willing her magic to move the earth. Jagged but shallow ditches stretched out in the field in front of her, as Hazel pulled back her magic into herself. She felt a hand touch her shoulder and looked up at Merlin, his eyes appraising the plot of land. "Not bad. Kabbalah in origin?" Hazel nodded, wiping the sweat from her brow. "It's interesting, with the way one has to insert their magic into the physical surroundings to change them in a permanent form. Some Druidic texts cover something similar, with the magic used to weave trees into shelters." Merlin nodded. "I remember those days. It's a fine display of magic, though a lot more draining in an age where ambient magic has grown sparse, as you just discovered. A fine skill to know but not all that worthwhile in this day and age." Hazel stood up and Merlin took her bag from her hands. She watched as the fairies came to him and collected the seeds, before flying over the opened ground and placing the seeds within.

Turning to look back, Hazel smiled as she watched the younger members of the group taking each plot of land in pairs, with Morgana speaking with her wife. Dora was simply using charms to gouge out holes in the ground. "Is it still happening, the decline?" Merlin shook his head. "It hit a plateau sometime in the seventeenth century. I have some theories as to why, but I won't bother bringing it up. Unless another decline were to happen, I think we can leave it be for now. And before you ask, the DoMs of the world are researching it already." Hazel shrugged her shoulders, her eyes following her son's movements. She smiled a little when Astoria took advantage of him being bent over and jumped onto his back, before squealing as she straddled a massive wolf that took off at speed. The wolf proceeded to cut in front of Harry, with dirt and grass getting thrown into his face. Soon enough there were three animagi running around in their animal forms, with a laughing Astoria holding onto Teddy for dear life. Hazel sighed happily. "It's frustrating. My memories tend to focus on the worst parts of life, yet these moments… these are the moments that I feel are the best parts, the things I want to remember forever." Merlin gave her a knowing look. "Believe me, I know. The nightmares will come and go, but as long as you keep these moments in your heart, you have nothing to worry about."

-∞-

Astoria pushed open the door to her new apartment and whistled. "Wow. You weren't kidding when you said these places were nice." Teddy came up from behind carrying a few cardboard boxes. "Yeah, I think Mom and Dora are having the hardest time leaving their Apartment because of how nice it is. That and we have lots of good memories there. I think they will be keeping it as long as they work in the Division." Astoria helped Teddy by lifting the upper box and setting it on the counter. "This was Nymphadora's apartment first, right?" Teddy nodded and gestured to the door on the wall. "We could change the wards to hide the door if you aren't comfortable with it being there." Astoria stared at the door and shook her head. "No, it's fine. As long as we can't hear each other, then I don't mind. It's actually a bit comforting, knowing they are just a knock away." Teddy blinked and looked over at Astoria. "You do know my Mom can literally walk through walls, right?" Astoria waved the comment away. "Yeah, I know. But she was ok with us moving in together so I doubt she would do something like that." Teddy smiled at Astoria and leaned in for a kiss. Astoria groaned as he pulled away from her. "You can't keep doing that!"

Teddy rushed out of the Apartment, leaving Astoria behind, her face turning into a soft smile before she started unpacking the first box. She looked at the closed door that led to Hazel and Dora's apartment, her mind going back to the Christmas of their seventh year, when she had been asked by the Peverell Matriarch to sit with her. She thought she was going to get another version of the shovel talk. She was so wrong. Seeing the memories of their former world as shown by a Pensive and hearing about what happened there… it had been quite the surprise. Yet, at the same time it felt like there was no other explanation that could have worked. Teddy's poor scores in History in their first few years at school together had always surprised her, especially when he still got the gist of the events right, it was only the dates and names of the people or events that he tended to get wrong. Hazel had summoned her to tell her the truth personally because she could see just how serious her relationship with Teddy was developing. Astoria had blushed up a storm when Hazel had asked her if they had been intimate, though it was more out of concern about what Astoria could get into accidentally.

Reading the book on Family Magic had been so confusing, but the references to the impact she could suffer because of her not understanding the way Teddy's magic could interact with her made a lot of sense. The few times they had kissed she had felt a touch of magic that she wasn't familiar with, yet it was just that, a touch. According to Hazel, that was the Family Magic becoming aware of her closeness to Teddy. It would only judge her if she decided to eventually marry Teddy, though carrying his child early could be dangerous in its own right, as the Family Magic would be both within her and be separate from her, placing her life in danger. The thought of marrying Teddy and having his children made Astoria blush. She couldn't deny it was appealing to her. A lot. His physical appearance was as good as she ever could have hoped, but it was the kindness and thoughtfulness of Teddy that really drew her to him. While she was at home, she always had to measure up to Daphne, which wasn't easy. Her sister's unquenchable thirst for knowledge was only matched by her independent streak. For Daphne, what mattered was to prove to herself that she could be the best witch possible, all on her own. That didn't mean that she wasn't looking for a partner, because she was, it was simply the fact that she wasn't faking it as her top priority. Or second and maybe not even her third one. With Teddy, however, Astoria didn't have to hide who she was, ever.

Taking a picture frame out of the box, she placed it on top of a nearby table. She smiled, looking at her mom and sister laughing together during the summer vacation at the Black Family Island. Their lives had changed so much over the last nine years. When her family started bonding with the other members of the Coalition, the tenseness in both her mother and sister had washed away. Daphne still had some of that, but it was only when she was in public. In private and among friends she was more relaxed. Astoria had thought about having a similar performance at school but decided against it. She decided to just be herself and to enjoy her time at Hogwarts. This caused a rift between her and the rest of the house, especially after she became good friends with Luna, but since her scores were always high, the older Ravenclaws had just ignored her. The younger ones, however, seemed to find her way a lot more appealing, resulting in a shift within her house. By the time she had been made Prefect, the House of the Eagles had felt a thousand times more welcoming. When the Head Girl badge appeared in her seventh year letter, she was stunned. Professor Flitwick explained to her that in all his years as a Head of House, he never saw such a positive change in the students. Some of it could be traced back to Professor Peverell's short tenure and the changes she and the Board brought to the school, but he assured Astoria that it was thanks to her that the changes were integrated into her House.

Placing a picture of her and her family and friends on the same table from after her graduation, she felt a familiar pair of hands wrap around her waist. The dual feeling of content joy and arousal was always welcomed by her. Astoria shivered slightly as Teddy kissed her neck. "You ok?" Astoria nodded. "Yeah. It's just… it's been an interesting road. Well, a little less interesting for me than for you, but still… we had some interesting years at school." Teddy nodded. "Yeah, though I hope you forgive me for saying that I preferred the quieter later years. Sure, nothing major happened, but just being able to relax was the best." Astoria turned around and wrapped her arms around Teddy's neck. "You didn't enjoy having your Mom at the school?" Teddy's eyes looked towards the apartment door that led into his Mom's apartment. "It was less about enjoying her company, because I did, and more about getting used to the change that was expected of us. The things we went through in our old world forced both of us to depend on each other. We don't regret it and I never will because I love my mother and she loves me, but aside from the dangers she had to protect us from, our time together at Hogwarts was for us to get ready to not see each other as much."

Astoria chuckled. "Well, with you taking that research program into the management and development of Magical Reserves, it will probably force you to spend longer periods of time away from here." Teddy nodded. "Yeah, I suppose it will. Still, it's what feels right for me. Though I hope you don't mind that I will be spending more time with Luna than with you, since she and I will be studying under the same researchers." Astoria pouted. "As long as you make time for me, then that's fine. Besides, Luna isn't interested in you. Unlike those other two." Teddy kissed Astoria's cheek. "You do know they are on the same floor here, right? Probably a few doors down the hall? Sure they will be heading home when they aren't dead tired and free to do so, but they are going to be our neighbors for quite a while." Astoria glared. "I better not be catching you in their apartment, Edward." Teddy cupped Astoria's face and rubbed her cheek with his thumb. "I will never cheat on you, Story. I promise you that. Besides, what do you think my Mom would do to the twins if they ever did something like that to me?" Astoria shuddered. "Right, point taken." After blushing as Teddy gave her a longer kiss, the two brought in the remaining boxes before Teddy closed the door to the apartment. "Leafsby."

The young female elf appeared before him. "What can Leafsby do for Master Peverell?" Teddy kneeled down before Leafsby, seeing the elf blush. As much as the elves would complain, he agreed with his Mom in that there was no reason not to be polite with them and to speak to them as close to eye level as possible. "Are you sure you want to work with us too?" Leafsby nodded her head. "With both Mistresses living together now, Leafsby has less work. Lady Peverell still refuses to let Leafsby handle all the work in the kitchen. Leafsby wishes to be useful to the new family. Will Master Peverell allow Leafsby to care for him and his future lady?" Teddy chuckled. That sounded like his Mom alright. Even after being formally accepted as the Peverell House Elf, Leafsby remained the quintessential workaholic. Despite the orders his Mom added to make sure she wasn't overworking herself, the little elf always wanted more to do. "Very well, Leafsby. But please remember that I too will be working the kitchen like Mom, though I will be spending some time away at Reserves for overnight research. It will mostly be Astoria here." Leafsby nodded. "Leafsby understands. Leafsby will care for future Mistress Peverell in Master's absence."

Leafsby then vanished, followed by a soft shriek from Astoria. "Leafsby, I can do that myself!" Teddy shook his head. The more things changed, the more they stayed the same. Seeing the time, Teddy made a quick run to the grocery store, after a short stop at his Mom's apartment to confer with her about her chicken pasta recipe, before buying all the necessary fresh supplies, plus everything else they would need over the next week or two. Finding a note in the apartment saying that she had been called in by Quetz made him smile, as he started to work in the kitchen, much to Leafsby's dismay. He did notice that Astoria had changed the Apartment's colors to be more woodland inspired, with the walls a comfortable green and the furniture a darker oak and browns. After checking in with Quetz about how long he had before Astoria would be back, he spent a bit of it setting up the dining table and finishing dinner. The moment Astoria returned, her surprised "eep" made him smile. He could see just how much she enjoyed the meal by the way she groaned after the first bite. "You are going to spoil my palet worse than what Rigsby and Leafsby have already done." Teddy kissed the back of her hand. "It will be worth it."

After they were both shooed out of the kitchen by Leafsby, Teddy waited for Astoria to step out of the shower, since he had cleaned up just after finishing in the kitchen, before stripping down to his underwear. Astoria came out, her body covered in a soft blue robe, before she sat beside him, kissing him on the lips softly. "Thank you for this, Edward. It's been a great first day. I can't thank you enough." Teddy shook his head. "You never have to thank me for this, Story. You are worth all the hard work. I am just sorry that our jobs will keep us away from each other so much." Astoria rested her head against his. "True, but as long as we have moments like these I think the separation will be worth it. Though I am sorry I am not feeling energetic enough to break in the bed. The food coma from dinner and the long day of settling in has left me tired." Teddy kissed her forehead, before pulling her to bed, his arms wrapped around her. "That's fine, we will make the time for that later. For now, let's just rest. Goodnight, Story." Astoria yawned before she closed her eyes, her senses filled with Teddy's scent, her soul feeling beyond content. "Goodnight, Edward."

-∞-

Standing atop the edge of one of the many skyscrapers of the London skyline, Hazel looked down at the moving rows of cars, her short bangs of white hair brushing against her forehead. A young feminine voice spoke up in her ear comm. "R3 and R4 in position at the back entrance." Dora joined in. "O2, in position at the front entrance." Hazel spoke into her wrist. "LA, what's the position of your forces?" A young man's voice replied. "Unit 1 is gathering behind O2 as we speak, while Unit 2 is two minutes away from R3 and R4's position. Trying not to be too obvious here, CM." Hazel kneeled down, letting the world fall away from her as she focused on sensing the magic around her as she buried the mixed feelings that surfaced upon hearing her new comm code. The moment Horatio cleared Flora and Hestia as field ready Recruits after a year of training, the bastard had surprised her by elevating her to Commander. She had complained vehemently, but neither he nor Croaker would hear it. Dora's support of the move sealed her fate despite the fact that Hazel didn't want to be incharge of the team. She wasn't a people person and the job, with the current changes to the Interactions between Government agencies, had only made the position all the more involved, with the way the world was changing.

A year after the signing of the Agreement between the UN and the ICW, the Magical governments of the world began a massive reorganization, the British Wizengamot among them. With the inevitable integration into the British Government, the Wizengamot had begun to alter it's form, to prepare for the moment the chamber would be connected to the British Parliament. After an agreement was reached with the two Houses of Parliament, the Wizengamot's structure was adjusted to include nine new seats. Six members were now to be elected from the general population, taking up posts that would eventually be reflected with their positions as the Magicals representatives in the House of Commons. Unlike the Parliaments own fluid structure of representative parties, the six would be proper representations of British Magical Society, two from the Neutrals, two Progressives and two Traditionalists, a gesture aimed at making sure that every aspect of the Magical population was represented. The other three were individuals who already held Seats in the Wizengamot as Heads of Houses, being elected by the Wizengamot itself to represent the three groups in the House of Lords. Hazel had to be present for the elections, shutting down the Neutrals recommendation of her as their candidate. Croaker's appointment of her as Commander almost felt like his way of telling her that she wasn't going to be getting away with keeping herself away from the responsibility of making the new arrangements work.

The other changes that came soon after was the fact Horatio and Croaker now had to meet with the members of the various Committees that handled both the Military and the Law Enforcement matters, passing them what information was pertinent in keeping them appraised of internal and external dangers to them and the general population, withholding only what the ICW described as information too dangerous for them to know, which was to be handled by the UN and ICW officials. This, of course, ment that Hazel spent much more time training Flora and Hestia in the use of curses and non-magical weapons, the former of which they demonstrated impressive control with, the latter requiring a lot more work, while also babysitting Quetz and Astoria, who were too eager to find new and volatile ways to apply Magic to every piece of gear on an Operative's body. Sensing the wards that protected the twentieth floor of the skyscraper from being used by the non-magical tenants, and the current build up of the forces just outside the building, Hazel stood up, letting her vision return to normal, before she spoke into the comm. "CM to all teams, beginning insertion and going dark. Move quickly into the building and prepare to take the twentieth floor on my mark. Don't get caught in an ambush. Everyone here knows their primary order. We all go home. Going dark until wardstone is offline."

Leaping off the edge, Hazel shifted into the form of a white dove as she dived down the floors, letting her sense of magic guide her. Seeing the warded windows, she reared up and allowed the magic of the Cloak to fill her before she rushed into the window, passing through it with no problem. Shifting back to her human form and keeping herself invisible, Hazel pulled her mask down and made her way through the structure. After noting several magicals on the floor, Hazel found her way to the wardstone. Wanting to test out a theory that had been floating around the Division courtesy of a discussion between Harry and Daphne concerning the way certain creatures could interact with the magic of the wardstones, Hazel conjured an Amphiptere. The small creature turned to her, it's leathery wings folded onto it's long and narrow body. "Would you wrap yourssself around the ssstone filled with magic and allow my magic to run through you?" The creature nodded, before it unfurled its wings, taking to air by the aid of magic. Seeing the creature successfully wrapped around the wardstone, Hazel sought out the connection her magic had to the conjured creature, before channeling her magic through it. She watched as the creature reared a little bit back before it unleashed a small but concentrated burst of magical flames.

Hazel sighed in relief as she vanished the creature, the wards collapsing around her, before she dug into her belt pouches and deployed a smaller version of the portable wardstone that Quetz had been working on. Rather than erecting new wards, this one traced the old ward perimeter and powered it, using the original ward boundary lines against their owners, without the need for Blood Magic. Stunning a guard that rounded the corner before she sealed the entrance to the wardroom, Hazel spoke into her comms. "CM to all teams. Commence assault. Ward has been substituted. Q1, if you are listening, you owe ten galleons to Q2's sibling." Hazel smiled as she heard the two Q's respond, after the assault teams checked in. Letting her senses sweep the floor, she felt a heavy concentration of magicals and non-magical heading for the stairs. "Assault teams, be advised. Hostiles are moving to your position. I recommend you keep them out of the stairwells." Dora responded. "Understood. Going glacial. Hope you guys brought your cold weather gear!" Hazel sighed, shaking her head. Seeing a bit of the main stairwell getting blasted by a snowstorm, Hazel directed her eyes to a group heading straight for her. Stepping out of the wardroom, Hazel prepared to drop her invisibility and drew her wand.

The moment the gaggle of criminals turned the corner and Hazel was certain there weren't anymore coming, she dropped her cloak and launched a spread of body piercing curses. The overpowered modified piercers had been a personal project of hers and Horatio, with them focusing on ways to avoid unwanted collateral damage. Using the natural biological magic of living creatures as a guide, the curses tore their way through armor, cloth, bone and flesh, over and over again, until they struck the far back wall, dissipating on impact. Hazel smirked as the rows of men dropped to the ground, a few paralized by the magic tearing through their spines. Not seeing her target amongst the downed criminals, she stunned the survivors before stepping over them, vanishing from view. As she made her way to the last big gathering of signatures in one of the central rooms, Hazel heard a call over the comm. "CM, R3 took a hit to the arm! She can't lift it and is losing blood quickly." Hazel clicked her tongue. "R4, activate R3's medical evac portkey. FM1 will help her. You are to keep up with the Unit." Hestia's voice trembled a little. "But…" Hazel sighed. "R4, I know it worries you. I know you want to be there for her. But your companions need you too. FM1 will fix her right up. So please… focus. Send her out for help, believe in yourself and push on." Seeing their location and still hearing Hestia fighting off a panic, Hazel amended her last command. "I will meet up with your force and relieve you in a few minutes. You can go to the Medical Wing after that."

"Ack… acknowledged." Hazel started dropping wards and conjurations in the path between her and the stairs. If anyone tried to flank her, they would be dealing with a nasty surprise. Taking down several more guards along the way, she reached the group of Magicals that were keeping the back unit from leaving the stairwell. "Fire in the hole!" The MI5 operatives pulled back as the criminals turned towards her. A sudden burst of bright orange flames engulfed the corridor, leading to the criminals screaming out in agony for as long as their throats didn't get filled up in flames, as Hazel sustained the Fiendfyre curse long enough until the corridor went silent. Transfiguring the floor to make sure it didn't collapse, not to mention to make it cooler in temperature, Hazel reached the door. "CM to R4 and Unit 2. Hallway is clear." The lead officer saluted her upon reaching her and started sending his forces to cover the hallway, as Hazel looked over at a clearly troubled Hestia. Placing her hand on Hestia's shoulder, Hazel spoke softly to her. "You can go check on your twin now. I will take it from here." Hestia shook her head as she straightened out her back. "I need to do this. For her and me." Hazel looked her in the eyes. "There is no shame in turning back now."

Hestia stared back at Hazel, the comflicting meyions clear enough to see on her face. "This… isn't about pride or shame. We swore to see this through. I will do my part. Until I can't do it anymore." Hazel raised her wrist. "FM1, status of R3." Watching Hestia's face, Penelope's voice came in loud and clear. "Enchanted bullet wound to the arm, designed to cause profuse bleeding and some necrosis. I removed the bullet and stored it away for research. I have stopped the bleeding, repaired the damage to the bones and muscle, and reversed the necrosis. R3 should be fine in a couple of days." Hazel frowned. "Have you checked with the injured officers?" A man's voice joined the call. "LMO here. We noticed something similar with our forces. Medics have extracted all the bullets that managed to miss the armor. We could use FM1's expertise in stopping and reversing the necrosis." Hazel looked towards the Unit leader, the man giving her a signal. Hazel replied to the Lead Medic. "You heard him, FM1. Go give our injured agents some support. We will try to end this now, before more friendly casualties pile up." As Hazel led Hestia and the MI5 agents down the corridors, smiling as she passed a few petrified morons that ran into her now dispelled conjurations, she heard Dora speak. "O2 to CM, Unit 1 has control of the forward stairwell. Moving into position."

As her team reached the door leading to the last major concentration of souls, Hazel pulled out a vial filled with dust as she scanned the structure of the chamber, dropped a pellet into it, and started to shake the resealed container. "Masks on, everyone." The Unit members and Hestia complied, as Hazel had them stand clear of the door, before she transfigured herself a small enough gap to toss the uncorked vial into the room, before sealing the gap back up, along with the rest of the vents and gaps in the walls and ceilings of the chamber. Hazel turned to Hestia. "Go check on R3." Hestia tilted her head, her face masked by the black hood and covering. "You sure?" Conjuring an enchanted window for them to look through, Hazel pointed towards it. "You tell me." Both the Unit leader and Hestia looked through the window, the former chuckling to himself. Within the chamber, the entire group of armed and wanded terrorists was seen collapsed across the various pieces of furniture and piled up on the floor in the more defensible positions. The Unit Leader pulled off his vizor before looking at Hazel. "That's one way of doing it. Why not do the same to the rest o f the floor in the first place, Commander?"

Hazel pointed at the ventilation shaft above their heads. "Too many chances of a leak impacting the civilians in the building if it was applied to the whole floor. With me in here, I was able to selectively isolate the room. Besides, R3 and R4 needed experience, as did your strike force." The Unit Leader nodded as Hazel sent Hestia to see her sister, calling out over the comms. "CM to all units. Main enemy force has been secured and the Priority Target has been disabled. Mission Accomplished." Dora sighed through the comm. "BM, can I get my maternity leave documents when I get back? This is taking too much out of me." Hazel was about to pass on an order to the lead agent when her partner's words registered. She sighed in relief. "Finally!" Dora's "I heard that!" didn't dampen Hazel's mood, even though she was certain to regret that statement when they made it back home. Her pregnant wife was getting out of the line of fire after months of her refusing to take it easy. She'd take her hormonal wife chewing her out for being over protective any day if it meant she stayed out of Operations until the baby was born.

-∞-

Susan took a few deep breaths, which Harry, who was standing beside her, noticed. "Why are you stressing out over this? She's just eight months along. There is very little chance the baby will be born yet." Susan shuddered. "You don't remember when we went to my Aunt's place during Christmas?" Harry thought back and Susan felt some measure of vindication as he visibly shuddered. "Ok, yes, fine. Amelia was bloody terrifying when she was pregnant with Leo. I highly doubt Dora is going to be any worse." Susan raised an eyebrow. "Right, the only female currently pregnant who is directly descended from the Black Family. And before you start, we both know she has a little bit of the madness. We both saw how temperamental she was in the first few months of her pregnancy." Harry chuckled. "Pretty sure that was simply her getting stressed out by not being able to do, well, anything that her work required, with the exception of watching over the Carrows' training. Mom fussing over everything around her probably didn't help either." Susan giggled a little. "Yeah, but it was sweet. The most terrifying woman in the world was behaving no different than an overeager house elf. Though I do hope you don't take after her."

Harry lifted up her hand and kissed it, their wedding bands clearly visible in the warm light of the Potter Manor foyer. Their wedding had been just a few months prior, celebrated within Potter Manor. Despite the best attempts by the press to make the wedding a massive spectacle, since this was the wedding of the Boy Who Lived, a title that Harry now hated twice as much as they kept calling him that even after now being of age, the wedding was a simple, quiet affair. He was mercilessly teased by both Neville, his best man, and Teddy, since he was literally tongue tied the moment Susan walked out wearing her traditional white wedding dress. He was eternally thankful for Hazel, who pulled him aside and helped to ground him, allowing the rest of the ceremony to go on without a hitch, ignoring the drunken mess Ron Weasley had been. Even now the two of them had just barely returned from their honeymoon in Australia, with Susan definitely enjoying the benefits of summer in the Southern Hemisphere. Well, as much as she could when not spending too much time at the beach. Despite all of the spells and potions, she spent quite a few nights in cold water baths, easing the damage from the sun on her overly sensitive skin. Despite that, she and Harry loved their time alone down under, with their honeymoon being extended after they both received training from the Australian DoM, as a favor to Hazel and Dora.

Which was why Harry started feeling some nerves too, with both of them having spent far longer away from home than planned. Amelia had named Susan as Leo's godmother and Sirius had named Remus as the godfather, despite some concern from Hazel. With this child being Hazel and Dora's first, there were some discussions going around concerning who the two would ask to be the godparents. Harry had no problem being selected but Susan was stressed about having another life depending on her should something go wrong. The thought of that and one day having her own child only made her more determined to get her company off the ground. At the same time that she was training and preparing herself, Susan had also been scouting candidates who would be interested in working under her, most being wash outs from the Academy who weren't capable of handling the gruelling schedules and the expectations. Her security firm was already a far easier sell, with most recruits now going over some basic exercise routines. The real training would start as soon as Susan had her firm fully established, with a property to work out of. She was beyond happy that Harry hadn't been too interested in having another place to call home. The money she had been saving up for any apartment rentals was firmly going into her business.

"Let's go. Peverell Estate!" Susan tossed the powder into the Floo Terminal flames and stepped on through, waiting on the other side. She helped catch Harry when his feet stumbled out before they both looked towards the front of the house. Hazel, being the paranoid person that she was, kept the Floo, Portkey and Apparition arrival points of the Estate outside of the main structure at a seperate building that also served as the archway of the front gates. Susan sighed softly as she took in the sight before her of the grounds leading up to the front doors as the inner gate unlocked and opened on it's own. The Flamels had done a beautiful job interweaving flowers, trees and bushes, though the garden was currently flowerless thanks to the blankets of snow that covered every surface in view. The area just before the doors and even behind felt like it was right out of a fairytale, the grounds covered in the soft shade of trees and the pleasant aroma of flowers in the summer. Only the main path was opened to the sky, showing the façade of the building. Hazel had chosen to keep the structure as a two story building for now, even though the walls and foundations were designed for two more floors. The decision, however, meant that in the four short years since construction started, much of the first two floors and the basem*nt was now completed. The outer stone walls of the structure were a mix of grey and white, giving the place an almost timeless feel.

As the two moved through the path, their boots crunching down on the thin layer of snow, Susan's eyes took in the surroundings, her senses picking up the wards and the magical creatures that now took refuge within the property. According to Teddy, the Woodland Elves had spread the word on the location of the new Peverell Estate and of the details of the agreement reached between them. The fairies soon followed, which drew the attention of Undines, who took residence in the fountains, creeks and ponds. With all three magical creatures gathering, and the natural growth of new and healthy trees in the area, there was even the presence of Dryads, though many of them would probably be taking refuge in the Solarium in the back of the property during the winter. Hazel had apparently taken the new tenants well, making it clear that the Peverells would honor the past agreements with the Fae in exchange for their aid. The wards were now not the only means of protection for the property as the Fae were more than eager to protect an estate that was both comfortable for them to live in and caring of their wellbeing. "Do you still have your Druidic texts?" Harry nodded and nudged her shoulder. "Thinking of doing something similar back home, Mrs. Potter?" Susan grabbed his arm and rubbed his chest with her free hand. "As if you yourself weren't thinking of it, Mr. Potter."

The moment they opened the door, they watched as Leafsby appeared. "The ladies of the house are in the family room with the rest of the family. They are eager to see you two." The two followed the elf through a home that defied the outer appearance, the walls covered in soft colors of cream and contrasted by beams of soft brown wood. As soon they entered the family room, they smiled. Teddy and Astoria were the first to come up and hug them. "How was Australia?" Harry hugged his brother. "Very pleasant at this time of year. Keeping in mind the seasons across the hemispheres is definitely a good idea when planning a honeymoon." Teddy pulled back and smiled. "I will keep that in mind when we start planning ours." Harry turned and smiled as Hazel and Dora stood up for him, the latter showing quite a large belly hidden under her robes. They both kissed his cheeks and welcomed him home, before Susan joined Dora at the sofa, asking her about how the pregnancy is going and gently touching Dora's baby bump. Harry pulled a slightly frazzled Hazel aside for a moment. "Everything ok?" Hazel shrugged. "You know how it is. I try to make her days comfortable and I either get a wonderful kiss or an angry retort, followed by an apology." Harry shook his head. "Not painting a great picture for me to get started on children, Mom."

Hazel smiled at him the same way she always did when he called her that. "Trust me, it's worth it. Years and years of dreadful sleep, but all the time together with those that you love, seeing them grow in surprising ways? There is nothing like it. The moodswings will pass soon enough." Harry smirked at her. "Do you think or hope?" Hazel punched his shoulder lightly. "Both, wiseguy. So, have you taken my advice? Have you come to a decision?" Harry looked at Susan who looked up at him. Seeing her husband and her Mother-in-law together, she nodded. Harry turned to Hazel and nodded as well. "I know it's not pleasant but we want to be part of the family. Truly part of it. For centuries the Potters and Peverells were one in the same. There is no reason to change that now, beyond just keeping our two families with different names. We are ready." Hazel searched his eyes and saw his determination, before sighing in resignation. "Fine. But not today. Today it's about everyone coming home for Yuletide." Harry smiled as he walked over with his mother to sit beside Teddy as Astoria and Susan eagerly asked a lot of questions from a somewhat flustered Dora. Hazel was right. This was the Yuletide and he and Susan were home. It could wait.

Chapter 70: A Better World

Chapter Text

OW February 2007

Teddy shivered slightly as he gripped the heavy fur blanket around him, his mother just a few steps away from him. He watched as she added several more logs into the wood fired heater, before using her magic to set the wood ablaze, their last batch of lighter fluid having disappeared some time ago. Teddy's eyes stared at his mothers back and the hair that was now turned far whiter than he ever remembered on her. Even Grandma Andi, who was older than his mom, never had that much white hair. Grey hair definitely, but not white. Still, it was weird to Teddy. There was a part of him that was worried about the fact that his mom's hair was changing and yet he couldn't dislike it. It seemed to suit her more now than the more even mix of white and black he remembered from his younger years. His memories of those days were few and far between. He definitely remembered the warmth of the sun and his mom's near constant presence. The sun barely shined through the dark clouds now, with only the faintest change in light heralding the sunrise from the night, his mom having to spend long periods of time out hunting for what food she could find.

"That should do it." His mother turned towards him and sat down on the small bed roll on the floor, pulling a large fur blanket that she spent weeks sowing together and looked at him on his cot. She frowned. "Is it still too cold? Did the warming charm fail?" Teddy nodded softly and Hazel lifted up her blanket. "Come on, Teddy. You know you don't have to ask." Teddy, still wrapped in his blanket, joined his mom on the ground, who made sure to wrap as much of the two blankets around him. The cold was washed away the moment her forehead touched his, as magic filled his body once more. "Better?" Teddy nodded, feeling the warmth sufficing his body. Hazel hugged him, kissing his cheek. "If it gets too hot, don't be afraid to wake me up, ok?" Teddy nodded again and watched as his mom wandlessly turned out the lights of their tent, the only source of light now being the wood fired heater, the walls of the tent looking as if they were alive as shadows and orange light danced upon them. Teddy snuggled closer to his mom. "Do you think we will find it? This place you are looking for?" Hazel sighed but nodded. "If magic is failing everywhere, then the wards to keep it hidden should fail too. It will be a little scary though, crossing over the lake around it by foot."

Teddy looked his mom in the eyes. "And from there we can find a better place? One that isn't so cold?" Hazel's face turned sad. "If for some reason the means for us to find a better place isn't there, then I will look elsewhere. I promise you Teddy, I won't rest until we are free from this place. You will have a better world to grow up in, one where we don't have to struggle every day for food." Teddy and Hazel went silent for a little and Hazel noticed he wasn't falling asleep just yet. "What would you like to see after we cross over?" Teddy thought for a second. "No snow?" Hazel rubbed his hair and chuckled. "Well, it's going to snow a little bit if we stick to Britain. We could go south to avoid long winters but it will be harder for us to make a living there, unless I learn Spanish or Arabic. I think there were some English speaking islands in the Caribbean, some even belonging to the UK, though I don't think they would welcome someone with my skill sets there." Teddy giggled. "You could always cook food for a living. Your food is always tasty, even if it's just what you can find." Hazel sighed. "That's because I stocked up on spices before we left home. As for being a chef, sure I could do it. But the food won't be as good. Not cooking it for you and family makes a big difference."

Snuggling closer to his mom, Teddy asked her a question that was on his mind. "What about you, Mom?" What would you like to see on the other side?" His mom went still and silent for a bit and Teddy decided not to press. After a while, she answered. "I don't know. Right now, all I want is to get you across. To make sure you can eat healthily every day for the rest of your life and that you never have to worry about anything." Teddy saw a mischievous smile grow on her face. "Except finding a boy or a girl for you to get married with and having babies. I can't help you there, son, except in chasing away the wrong sort." Teddy chuckled at the thought. "I am only eight, mom. Besides, you will probably chase all of them away." Hazel kissed his hair. "True enough." Teddy looked at her eyes. "You mentioned babies. Don't you want to have a baby yourself?" Hazel rubbed his cheek, her face sad again. "I can't, Teddy. Unlike your Mama, I can't have children of my own." Teddy saw a few tears in her eyes and felt sorry he asked. "Would you like someone like Mama, though? Some to be with you and make you happy?" Hazel's eyes faded a little in color. "I don't know if that will ever happen, Teddy." He struggled a little before pressing his forehead against his mom's. "Will you at least try? For me and Grandma Andi?" Hazel sighed but pressed back into his touch. "I will try, Teddy. For you, once we are in a better world, I will try."

-∞-

NW June 2011

Teddy stirred awake, an insistent itch on his nose forcing him out of a memory from so many years ago. As soon as he opened his eyes and realized it was a lock of hair from his wife, he sighed in content, his arms wrapping tightly around her. He felt her stir at his touch. "Is it morning yet?" Lifting his head up from the pillow to look at the window, Teddy did notice a thin ray of light leaking through the gap of the thick curtains. Astoria was a light sleeper in a lot of ways, which meant that she usually woke up first. "Seems like it." Astoria groaned and did her best to cover herself up in the blankets. Teddy rubbed her stomach and got a responding groan out of her, which only served to stir him up further. He allowed his hands to roam and explore his wife's body and soon enough the groans of protests turned into a far more enticing sound. "Ed…" Teddy smiled to himself as he peeled the blanket away from her before pressing his body into hers, with only the thin layers of their pajamas preventing him from making love to his wife. Her blue eyes started to shine brightly as her emotions started to echo inside of him.

From the moment she took the Peverell name and went through the bonding ritual, their feelings only grew deeper for each other. While he worked tirelessly at the new and still growing Magical Preserve in Wales, he could feel Astoria across the distance through the Peverell Family Magic. At first it was only a vague feeling of her checking on him, but the tease kept testing to see how vivid and overwhelming the feelings could become at a distance. Teddy would make many hasty apparitions back to the DoM to find his wife and drive himself and her to relief. The bond between them was as much of a blessing as the one that he had with his Mom. Though it could be a curse too. As Teddy was about to drive himself into Astoria and ease their mutual need, another presence entered their bond, followed by a sudden and constant scream of attention. Teddy sighed as his body dropped onto his wife, her face sporting a smile that was equal parts amusem*nt as it was annoyance. "Looks like someone else woke up hungry." Teddy nodded as he pulled himself off Astoria and out of the bed, before making for the nursery just across from their bedroom door. He peered over the crib and watched as his almost six month old baby boy reachout with his hands towards him.

Taking little Andrew into his hands, Teddy checked his diaper before carrying him back to Astoria. His wife took the baby with a smile and pulled him to her chest before lifting up her shirt and letting him feed from her breast. She sighed in relief as Teddy wrapped his arm around her waist. "Do you have work today?" Teddy shook his head. "No work today, Story. But we do have to go see the family." Astoria smiled softly. "Do you think Hazel will mind if she and Dora can watch Andrew? I know their kids are a bit of a handful and I don't want to inconvenience them." Teddy kissed her on the cheek. "I am sure she would love to tend after her grandson for us, as long as we spend the night there." Astoria nodded. "Sure. It's been a while since we stayed at the Estate." Teddy lingered by Astoria's side as Andrew finished his breakfast before she stood up and walked out with the baby to the living room of their apartment. "Leafsby?" The Peverell family elf popped in. "Yes, Mistress Peverell?" Astoria shook her head as Teddy chuckled. Try as they might, neither Leafsby nor Dobby were willing to drop the titles for anyone in the family. Though Teddy knew his Mom had it the worst, being called Lady Peverell by the Elves and Lady Death by the other Fae, despite her clear protests on the matter. Her anger only seemed to fuel the Fae's interpretation of what her magical name was.

"Could you prepare our chambers in the Estate for us? My husband and I wish to spend a few days, if not weeks with the family." Leafsby practically glowed as she nodded excitedly. "Leafsby is getting the Heir and Heiress Wing ready for Master and Mistress and their child. Leafsby be telling the Lady and Mistress Peverell of your return!" Knowing what was coming, Teddy spoke up. "Could you help me prepare breakfast before you do that, Leafsby?" The young female elf turned to him and shook her head. "Master Peverell forgets. Master Peverell lost a bet with Leafsby about Mistress being mad the day he stayed too long at work. Leafsby cooks breakfast alone as the Mistress reminds Master that he must be home for dinner on time." Teddy sighed as Astoria giggled, before she cooed at their baby boy who seemed to be struggling with staying awake as Leafsby darted back and forward in the kitchen. "I told you she wouldn't forget. That's what you get for spending too much time with Luna. It's a good thing I know she's into witches and has Ginny to keep her company, or I would be jealous." Teddy nodded as he went to brush his teeth in the bathroom.

The new Magical Preserve in the vicinity of Gwydir Forest Park was a massive project being conducted between the DoM and the new Department of Magical Creatures. As the ICW prepared the world for the eventual collapse of the Statue of Secrecy, it and the local Governments began projects like the new Preserve to help educate and build the confidence of the non-magical population to coexist with magical creatures. The Preserve was especially important as it was being jointly managed by the Ministry, the Centaurs and the Fae. Thin swaths of woods were cut down and used to build paths and enclosures, with the new open spaces being prime ground for Leucrottas, Bicorns, Hippogriffs and Unicorns. The areas many abandoned mines were cleaned out, checked for dangerous toxins and repurposed, with Common Welsh Greens and some uncommon Welsh Red Dragons taking up residence, though keeping these two breeds from overwhelming the food supply in the region was an eternal nightmare, especially as mating season saw their numbers nearly double. The other Dragon Reserves in Britain were helping, especially now that Helga Hufflepuff's translation spell was successfully refined and improved, resulting in communication with the Dragons now being possible. Though telling the dragons not to breed was never an easy task.

Still, a lot of work was going into making the new Preserves as close to self-sustaining as possible, with the new wards being established around and within the wilderness, doing a better job of tracking and containing the magical creatures. The wards had been established by Harry, who had kept to his dream of being the newest British Wardmaster in decades. His work with the DoM allowed him to have a far better grasp in creating wards that were now far more specific in how they interacted with a variety of creatures. The new wards even allowed the Dragons to safely interact and migrate between the Preserves, with any creatures that deviated being checked on quickly by Teddy and his fellow Rangers before their camouflage spells faded. The work and cooperation of the Fae was of particular interest to the ICW, with Hazel begrudgingly being forced to mediate some discussions between them concerning protections and even representation. "Breakfast is ready!" Teddy snapped out of his thoughts as he finished brushing his teeth, before joining his wife at dinner table. Andrew was now comfortably sleeping on a small baby carrier besides his wife. "So, what woke you up in such a pensive mood?"

Teddy smiled at Astoria as he sat beside her. "A memory from the other world. It's twenty years today, you know." Astoria blinked at him for a second before she smiled and nodded. "Yeah, I forgot about that. What was the memory about?" Teddy dug into his meal first before answering. "Me and Mom talking about what sort of world we wanted to see on the other side. We were still a few days out from finding the Isle of the Blessed and it was cold as hell." Astoria chuckled. "You aren't a fan of the cold, even now." Teddy nodded but he leaned over and kissed Astoria's neck. "True, but your jacket certainly keeps me warm, especially when neither of us are in bed together." Astoria shuddered as his breath tickled her neck. "You keep this up and Andrew will be having a sibling soon." Teddy looked at her in her beautiful blue eyes. "Would that be unwelcomed?" Astoria blushed slightly. "No. Your Mom and Dora had the right idea. If they can keep Andrew company tonight… I certainly wouldn't be opposed to getting started. Quetz did tell me to take my time, since she wasn't looking to retire with Cuella anytime soon." Teddy looked over at Andrew and gently rubbed his cheek, getting a sleepy giggle in return. "Hear that, Andrew? You might be a big brother soon."

-∞-

"Hannah?" Susan called out as Harry closed the door to Potter Manor behind her, conjuring a towel and cooling it to clean the sweat off his face before handing it to his grateful wife. He heard her best friend from youth answer. "We're in the Library." Harry raised an eyebrow at the "we" and checked the wards of the Manor, which were just as good as the ones in the Peverell Estate after he and Hazel went over each one in excruciating detail. They were both also connected to the Peverell Family Magic, which did give him a sense of whether there was any potential danger at all in the immediate area. Like the few attempts of the group calling themselves Neo Death Eaters who tried to get in his property, hoping that his death would sow chaos across the country. Too bad the wards were designed to capture the culprits alive and unharmed, minus some third degree burns on their flesh from their attempt at a Fiendfyre curse. While no ward could block a Fiendfyre curse, his Mom's unique relationship with it allowed them both to come up with a partial counter. The wards essentially created a path for the curse to follow through, before it was drawn into a magical dead zone and severed from the caster. The wards were undamaged, though partly drained from the exertion. That wardscheme alone earned him his Mastery, not to mention lots of calls for its implementation everywhere.

Finding only familiar magical signatures in the home, he helped to take his wife's weapons vest off her back and stored it in the weapons locker hidden in the closet just beside the entrance to the manor. Of all the students Hazel had tutored, she went the hardest on Susan with her training, even after graduation. Despite the fact Susan didn't want to be an Operative, Hazel made sure that nothing short of an Operative would take her down. His beautiful redhead took the training to heart and never allowed herself to complain too much, which only seemed to endear her more to Hazel. By the time they were married, Hazel had no trouble inviting her to join them in wielding the Family Magic, giving both of them till after the honeymoon to decide to take part in it. Harry and Susan had blushed their way through the morning after the ceremony, as the years worth of feelings they carried for each other overwhelmed them both. If it hadn't been for the contraceptive potion, they were absolutely certain to have conceived on that first night. Instead they waited till after Susan had established her company and had gotten their Security Officers trained and out in the field before they tried for a child. They were blessed with twins.

Making their way up to the second floor Library, Harry smiled as he heard the shouts of "Mom! Dad!" before they were both hugging their twin daughters as they rushed out of the library. Though identical in appearance, Liliana, the oldest by thirty minutes, always wore her deep burgundy hair cut short, while Anabelle had hers long but braided. Harry kissed his oldest girl on the cheek after lifting her up a little, before setting her down. The girls pulled them both by the hand into the Library, where Hannah sat next to Amelia. Susan went to the Aunt and kissed her on the cheek. "I thought we would be seeing you at the Peverell Estate?" Amelia, her hair a bit grayer now after a few years married to Sirius, chuckled. "True, but Sirius wanted to have a boys day out in the Alley. Pretty sure he is getting Leo a new broom for Hogwarts as this September is his first year." Harry sighed from his side of the Library. "Of course he did. It's a good thing the first year ban on brooms was lifted." Liliana and Anabelle came up to him and showed him two large pieces of parchments. "Look what we made, Dad!" Harry looked down and smiled at the beautifully intricate maps they made.

With both girls being almost nine years of age, they had been invited to see the Isle of the Blessed. The extended Peverell Family, after Hazel had been given access to the island by the Flamels, because calling them either Emrys or Le Fay always started an argument between the two immortal millennials, made visits to the site every year. They constantly checked the groves of fruits and vegetables, not to mention the stability of the wards and the Archway, before leaving a small offering of food for the fairies that cared for the ruins. The girls, having developed an interest in drawing, painting and even cartography, had drawn a very detailed map of the site, though Liliana went with an overview map, while Anabelle tried to show it from the front in a more three dimensional style. He pulled them both to him for a hug and kissed them both on their heads. "These are beautiful. Well done, you two." The girls smiled, though Anabelle fidgeted with her parchment. "Do you think you can help us copy these? We want to give them to Grandma Hazel." Looking over at Susan, who nodded at them, he pulled the girls to the other side of the Library, where they had an alchemically based copier. "Come on, I will show you how it's done. Just remember, they need to dry for a bit before lifting them." The girls cheered and rushed ahead of him.

Susan watched her husband follow the twins further into the library, before turning to her friend as she took a seat beside her at the table. "I hope they weren't any trouble for you today." Hannah waved the comment off. "Please. Your two girls are practically angels. You should hear the nightmare stories that Tracey says her cousin goes through when dealing with the Malfoys." Amelia lowered her cup of tea and sighed. "I am not surprised. Narcissa is the only thing keeping that family afloat. Draco has learned some self control but he spoils his sons rotten, with Pansy being no different." Hannah leaned back. "I am just glad they aren't my headache to deal with. Being a governess isn't all it's cracked up to be. At least Theo and Hermione have given us a break." Susan smiled. "Especially with the Peverell children?" Hannah pouted. "Now that's not fair. You know they are a delight to be around, even though they are restless balls of energy." Susan chuckled. "Good to know. With Leo going to Hogwarts soon and the Peverells going soon after, there was some debate as to who would get McGonagall to retire first." Amelia muttered to herself. "Of course she would." The three laughed softly before Amelia looked at her niece. "How was Hogwarts?"

Taking a sip of the tea after she thanked Dobby, Susan hummed to herself, though the sight of Dobby was always a bit melancholic for both Susan and Harry. Petersby lived long enough to hold the twins in his hands before the old elf passed on, leaving the family in mourning. Remembering the question and pushing away the less than pleasant thoughts, Susan lowered her cup to the table. "Doing quite well. According to Harry, the Wards are finally stabilized. McGonagall says the slight noise she was hearing from the wards is gone now. Apparently the previous Wardmaster missed some of the repeaters from the improvised ward scheme, which was causing the interference to build up over the years. Other than that, and a visit from the Neo Death Eaters that ended with the punks being sent to Blackrock Prison, there was nothing wrong. Though McGonagall swears that if the arrival of the next generation of Blacks, Potters and Peverells ends the last ten years of peace that she has had as Headmistress, she will seriously consider retirement. Pomona and Flitwick are all making the same threats. Though Hooch is keeping quiet. She doesn't want to give Julia any more headaches than she already has as the Board is trying to look for any new potential Professors to take over for them. Pomona, at least, has no excuse after Neville took over her job as Head of Herbology." Hannah chuckled. "True, but Neville is too soft to be intimidating as a future Deputy Headmaster. He's better suited as the Co-Head of Gryffindor."

Susan looked over at her friend. "You two are still ok?" Hannah nodded. "Yeah. Augusta is essentially having me vet all of Neville's girlfriends, but I don't mind. Out of all of us, I am the person who knows him best." Susan drank from her tea. The break up between Neville and Hannah had been a surprise, but the way they still cared for each other showed that they still remained the best of friends. Augusta had been disappointed but she knew better than to force Neville into a relationship that wouldn't work out. The two had the friendship and the trust needed in a life long partner, but not the passion. Passion was certainly not a problem for the current Lord and Lady Nott. Though Theo and Hermione enjoyed quite a long engagement, the two eventually married just last year, mostly to settle the nerves of the now retired elder of the Nott family. They were deeply committed to each other and their careers, with Hermione working her way through the Ministry's Departments, with plans to run for Minister for Magic soon, while Theodore Currently held the position of Chief Warlock in the Wizengamot after Augusta retired. The older Theodore Nott was known to boast of his family's achievements in politics, especially to his son, who was a few years away from being released on probation.

The union of Theodore and Hermione did bring with it its fair share of detractors from the Traditionalists, though Hermione's ability to deconstruct some of the assumptions and misinterpretations of Traditionalist values at the many social gatherings certainly made the more critical voices quiet down. With Amelia potentially retiring soon and Susan already having to handle many of the responsibilities of the Head of House Bones, the Wizengamot itself had changed much from the dawn of the Coalition. Susan looked over as Harry returned with the girls at his side, both of whom sat down to write messages on the back of their maps, happy that she found everything she could ever need in a husband with him. The two together kept both their families legacies intact and had been tutoring the girls in both traditions, the choice of who would inherit which being theirs alone. She was also glad for the family she had married into. The girls adored their Grandmother Hazel and wanted to give her a special gift for her today. Twenty years. It had been twenty years since their world changed for the better with the arrival of Hazel and Teddy Peverell from their hell on earth. Her warmer relationship with her Auntie Amelia and her loving relationship with Harry could all be traced back to her. Leaning over, Susan hugged Anabelle and kissed her on her head. She was the mother of two beautiful girls and married to a wonderful husband. There was no life she would have rather had than this one.

-∞-

"That looks painful." Hestia chuckled at her sister's words as they watched two Candidates get knocked out onto the mats. "Definitely painful. Though to be fair, they tried to get one over on our Battlemaster." Flora chuckled back. "Indeed. Poor Candidates. Any idea when you will be taking over for Horatio, Boss? Before he ends up murdering a Candidate." Hazel looked at the Carrows beside her, as the three of them stood against the farthest edge of the Training Room Chamber in the Department of Mysteries. "You two know that for that to happen, Horatio would have to quit, right? Our beloved Battlemaster won't quit until he literally can't walk himself back into the facility." Hestia and Flora nodded before wincing as another Candidate got taken out by a swift kick to the head. Horatio's "Next!" was heard loud and clear. "Yeah, that's not happening any time soon. You sure he ain't taking anything to keep himself going, right?" Hazel chuckled. "Aside from some bottles of alcohol, no. The man's physical health and training will hold him up until his body just can't take it. Besides, you two are ones to talk. You only spent a year under his training regime before getting out on the field and two more before getting Operative certification, tying up with me and Dora's record."

The Carrows smiled at her with pride as Hazel's eyes looked back towards the Candidates. Twenty years ago today she had crossed over between the worlds. A few days later she had started down the same path as those Candidates were now doing their best to follow. In that time, the world had changed so much. Mostly for the better. The new and more inclusive Wizengamot was a lot more effective when it gathered, the elections of Representatives from the general population being quite the important factor in the new Assembly's composition, with the Minister for Magic post now having a set term limit of six years with a maximum of three terms. To the surprise of many, the first Werewolf was freely elected to the Assembly, a young man who had been saved by Operations during the raid on Fenrir Greyback's Pack. Ever since that night, the Werewolves knew things would be different for them after the Ministry went to a lot of trouble to not damage their reputations. Wishing to not be lost again in the sea of the rest of the Magical population, they banded together to form a multi pack representative body, with the head Alpha becoming a regular voice in the Assembly when the matter of Werewolf rights was necessary to address. Young Lucian took the position of Head Alpha recently, before being formally elected to the Wizengamot.

Seeing the Werewolves incorporated into Magical Society, the rest of the Enhanced Magicals followed through. The Vampires of Britain, which had gone over a century without a representative or leader, finally managed to establish a proper British Court. After some infighting that required Operations intervention and the Ministry's mediation, the Vampires got their own representative in the form of one young but surprisingly stubborn vampire called Seras. The Hags organized soon after into a proper coven with their own representative. The three factions successfully negotiated representation within the Wizengamot and obtained their own Seats, taking their place next to the Centaurs, Merfolk and a Fae seat that rotated in representative for the species that weren't as common or organized, something Hazel had begrudgingly been forced to play politics for. Three new Seats to the House of Lords were also introduced, two being for a Representative of the Enhanced Magicals and the Fae respectfully, while a third was for First Generation Magicals. These representatives, while not currently active in the House of Lords, had already been making overtures to them, reaching agreements with Parliament as they all waited for the inevitable.

The subject of magic was being slowly but surely introduced into the Non-Magical world. Movies, television and the growing scene of online entertainment saw a massive shift in popularity for the fantasy genre with the introduction of magic being at the heart of it. For the most part, the public was embracing it as expected, with a fondness for the fantasy and the wish fulfillment they all remembered as kids. The ICW hoped that within a few years, the presence of Magic in the world could be safely revealed, before the advances in surveillance technology outed them first. The thing that kept the ICW up at night was the rise in religious extremism and sectarian squabbles across the globe. Not twenty years since the end of the Cold War and the world was struggling to keep the peace. With Aurors, Operatives, Law Enforcement and Counter Terrorism forces banding together, terrorists attacks became far less frequent in the more developed countries. The major attacks that Hazel remembered happening just prior to the collapse of the Statute had been prevented worldwide. Unfortunately, the chaos that followed in the Middle East was only slightly lower in intensity as the UN struggled to negotiate with the local governments on a suitable way to end the violence. Even within developed countries, violence and disinformation were taking root. The ICW and the UN were doing what they could to stem the tide of the growing unrest.

Magical Britain was no different. Despite the massive strides in representation and inclusion, elements that thrived on violence were still manifesting. The Neo Death Eaters from her world had made an appearance in this one, but nowhere near as organized as their predecessors once were. Hazel smiled as she remembered hearing as to how all of the attacks being carried out had been thwarted. Potter and Bones Security had taken off with a bang, with Harry providing his services to anyone, his prices benefiting many in the form of agreeable payment plans. The Ministry would often subcontract him around the time that the newer members of society were introduced to the existence of Magic, this happening a few years in advance than it once was decades ago, giving parents and their children a chance to adapt to the change, with the wards established to protect the families, before the kids went of to Hogwarts. Susan's Responders were placed in charge of these wards and would contact her Security Officers or the Aurors depending on the circ*mstances. Gringotts had been angry that their monopoly on security forces had ended, threatening to start another goblin rebellion. Instead they were added to the Wizengamot just like the rest of the Magical races. The Goblins still complained about the loss of revenue and the release of their Dragons but they weren't threatening to rebel anymore. Magical Britain felt safe, truly safe, for the first time in decades.

"So, anyone of interest?" Hazel hummed as she looked over the trainees, her eyes latching onto a young blonde with short hair who showed to be a lot older and far more stubborn. As the Candidates started making laps, she was the only one that seemed to be keeping a serious face, her movements a lot more fluid than the others. Looking over the paperwork, Hazel found her name. "One so far. Lana Benikos. She went to work for Harry and Susan after she graduated Hogwarts and spent years with them as a Security Officer, before becoming one of the first Administrators. Susan says that her friend has grown bored with her line of work but isn't interested in being an Auror. She's the blonde that gave Horatio the left hook before he dropped her with a kick to the chest." Hestia looked her over. "I remember her. We initially evaluated her for you as a possible candidate. She didn't have the right motivation back then." Flora bit her lip as her eyes took in Beniko's physique. "She has certainly been working out since school. Think she'd be interested?" Hazel looked towards Flora. "You two know the rules. Hands off until she is a Recruit and no pulling rank on her if you're interested and she shows interest in return. Otherwise you two are to be professional with her at all times." The two straightened out and saluted her saying "Yes Ma'am!", making Hazel sigh after they giggled.

Their abrupt movement was enough to wake up their two pseudo familiars as they unwrapped themselves from around the Carrows' necks. " Have the two leggersss finissshing playing? Can we go eat with the nessst? " Hestia and Flora cooed at the two, promising them a nice meal after they turned in for the night. The two Amphiptere hissed back in agreement as Hazel smiled at them. The Parselmouths and her had gone through all of Salazar Slytherin's papers. Unlike her world's Tom, the one in this world left the Parselmagic Grimoires behind, though many were written by Salazar's less pleasant descendants. Seeing how much of the work dealt with controlling the snakes, and forcing them against their will, Hazel had sent out the Twins on their first summer as Recruits to India. With a letter of introduction from the Patils, the Twins were able to learn the Subcontinent's approach to Parselmagic, finding it to be less abusive towards the snakes. Together with Hazel, they tested the magic, first with conjured serpents, then with the non-magical variety of snakes, before finally introducing the two girls to a nest of Amphiptere. They were able to form Pseudo-Familiar bonds with several snakes, with them switching them out when the creatures grew bored of being with them. The two newest ones were the longest serving yet, holding out for two whole years. Their presence had allowed the Operations Division to be a lot more fluid with their teams, as Hazel was no longer needed to disable wardstones. At least most of the time.

Horatio walked up to them after cleaning his face with a towel. "You three believe me now how it was a bloody miracle we found you? I bet you those Candidates quit by the end of the week." Hazel handed him the papers she was holding. "Even Benikos?" Horatio looked over at the mentioned woman. "She might make it, though it's a toss up. She has the body for the job, but her personality is still a bit off from what we are looking for. I will ask Fawley to look her over." Hazel's eyes followed the blonde's movement. "What led to the change in evaluation from years ago?" Horatio sighed. "She was the victim of psychological domestic abuse from her lover. That's as far as we have gotten from her. We are hoping the psychological evaluation and treatment will help her out." Hazel sighed and rubbed her eyes, with the Carrows giving her a knowing look. "Auntie Peverell's instincts have been awoken." Flora continued after her sister. "Will we have another member of the family soon? What would her wife say?" Hazel looked towards the two. "Oi! I am not that bad! Now how about you two head on to the Estate and go say hi to Dora and the kids? They miss you and my son and his wife are planning to come over for the next week or so. I have to stay a bit longer for paperwork before I get back home." The two Slytherins smiled devilishly after the mention of Astoria, before they rushed out of the Training Room.

Hazel sighed, before looking at her smirking Boss. "Not a word. If Gemma finds that we can help Lana and that she can be a member of the team, we will work a bit more on helping her out in every way we can. For now, just work on her like you would all the Candidates." Horatio nodded as he flipped through the papers as Hazel pulled out her pen. The two wrote down their evaluations and signed the documents before Horatio stood up and looked at the growing group of Candidates exhausted on the floor. He made his way towards them, his voice making Hazel wince. "All right, Candidates! This was day one and you'll look like you're about to cross over into Anwn. In a week I expect you all to do this in your bloody sleep!" Hazel shook her head as she watched them leave, many not looking all that happy. Still, Operations was an important job, even more so now in a time of peace. It was their job to watch for patterns and track any growing unrest, before preventing any terrorists and illegal organizations from taking root. Operations had gone through the trouble of clearing them out. They would make sure the bastards stayed gone. One way or another.

-∞-

Dora walked quietly into the family room of the Estate, her steps silenced and made light, her scent masked and her appearance disillusioned. She closed her eyes and focused on the magic in the room, looking for an anomaly. Which wasn't easy. Every room of the entire Estate was saturated with magic from both the wards and the materials, making it the most secure structure in the world that wasn't a magically retrofitted nuclear bunker. The Estate was very much a physical representation of her wife's paranoia, though Dora couldn't deny just how beautiful their home came to be. For everything Hazel did to the home to make it unassailable, she spent just as long considering how to make it comfortable and beautiful. Still, Dora's ability to sense the ebbs and flows of magic around her had increased greatly since the first time Hazel taught her how to feel magic through her own. So she was able to feel the small but bright magic that hid just beneath the sofa, the being feeling calm and content in their safe hiding spot. Dora's grin grew as she silently closed the doors into the room, before drawing her wand, the soft feel of the grains of Elder rushing with the magic that was now very much her own. She bent down and tapped the sofa, levitating it quickly. The small ball of black fur stirred before it opened its eyes, bright green orbs scanning the room before landing right on her, seeing right through the disillusionment spell. Cursing in her head, Dora lunged forward, just barely catching the cat in her hands. "Gotcha!"

The cat protested for a few minutes, but it never sank it's claws into Dora's now visible hands, before it proceeded to purr as Dora rubbed it's back. "Time to change back, Isa. The others will be arriving soon and we still need to find your brother." The cat sighed, before it jumped out of her hands and shifted form, taking on the appearance of a little girl with black hair and green eyes, her arms crossed over her blue dress as she pouted. "It's not fair. You always find me first." Dora pulled the girl against her and hugged her. "To be fair, Isabelle, you enjoy nice and comfortable spots. Your brother likes to make things difficult for me and your Mom. Now help me find him before the others arrive. Leo will be here soon, followed by Liliana and Anabelle." Isabelle's face brightened, her hair turning a bright shade of blonde for a second. "Ok, ok! I am pretty sure he is hiding in the solarium. Check around the fountains and ponds." Dora bent down and kissed Isabelle on the head. "Thank you, sweety. Now go freshen up. You want to look your best before everyone gets here." Dora was about to comment that she shouldn't run up to her room in her cat form, but by the time she thought about saying the words it was too late, as Isa rushed up the stairs on four soft and soundless paws.

Dora sighed, though with a smile on her face, before she made her way through the house. Disillusioned again, she entered the solarium, feeling the cool temperature of the air. Unlike most greenhouses and solariums, Hazel had made sure this one had better temperature control, meaning it was comfortably warm in the winter but refreshingly cool in the summer. Sighing contently at the floral scent of the space, Dora once again sunk deep into the ambient magic, seeking the anomalies around her. Isa's brother had picked his spot well. The solarium was home to Fairies, Undine and a Dryad in the summer, meaning there were many anomalies to pick from. She walked by the large fountain at the center before she stopped and doubled back, her eyes fixed on a blue frog trying to blend in with the pond's coloration. Drawing her wand, she quickly froze the frog in place and bent down. "Time to come out of hiding, son." The frog shuddered as the spell around him dissipated before it burst out of the water, shifting form into that of a brown haired boy. Dora pulled him back and hugged him. "Gottcha! Nice try, Alex."

The boy turned his purple eyes towards her, his brown locks of hair sticking to his forehead. "Using your wand is cheating!" Dora smiled at him. "Really? Because it was an excellent hiding spot, one that left you with quite a few exits if I hadn't stopped you first. Now, your cousins will be here within the hour and your Mom will too. Do you want to see them covered in water?" Alex lowered his head and shook it. Kissing his hair, Dora wandlessly dried up his grey shirt and jeans. "Your sister is upstairs, freshening up. Why don't you go and join her? If you two behave, we have some freshly baked cookies and nice cold ice cream in the freezer." Alex's face lit up. "Yes! I'll be right down, Mama!" Dora released him and smiled as he, keeping his normal form, rushed out of the solarium and into the house. Taking one more calming breath of the flowers around her, she made sure the house's wards were set to a less dangerous level, before returning inside. After a few minutes checking that the room they would be receiving the family in was set, Dora made her way up to the front door. As she passed by the main foyer she paused and sighed. "Flora, Hestia. You can drop the disillusionment." The distant cousins of her wife appeared, both pouting at her. "But Mrs. Peverell! Ted and Astoria will be arriving soon!" The other, whom Dora was certain was Hestia, nodded. "We haven't seen either of them in months!"

Dora rubbed her eyes as she heard two loud squeals from behind and above her. "Aunties!" She smiled a little as both Carrows captured her two children in hugs, kissing them in the cheeks. She watched as the snakes wrapped around their necks poked out and hissed at them, with both of her children hissing back. She could technically understand what the snakes were saying, thanks to a translation spell Hazel had found when sweeping Hogwarts for any further hidden repositories, this particular one believed to be Helga Hufflepuff's since it was located between her Common Room and the Kitchens, but she chose not to do so now. In the years following Teddy's graduation, the publications out of the Department of Mysteries and Bathilda Bagshot did quite the number on the previously held beliefs of the general population. The highly revised version of "Hogwarts, A History" was a bitter pill to swallow for the Traditionalists and the Progressives, but the vast majority of the population took the findings as proof that there was still much to learn.

After she and Hazel found more hidden chambers in the Hogwarts walls, thanks to Headmistress McGonagall's growing relationship with Lady Hogwarts, more texts from the Founder's age were translated, including a completed copy of Helga Hufflepuff's Journal, which detailed much of the events following Salazar Slytherin's death. The Traditionalists were quite surprised to hear about Godric Gryffindor literally going on a revenge fueled warpath across the Scottish Highlands to recover the bodies of Salazar and his wife, but the man succeeded, with the revelation that they were brothers by oath doing much to bridge the gap between those who had taken the school rivalries of the two houses to ridiculous extremes. The reverence and respect the remaining three Founders showed the body of their fallen comrade and revelation of the close bonds of family between them did much to ease the tensions among formerly bitter Houses. Still, there were those that refused to accept the truth that the Journals, all accessible with restrictions by the DoM that was still engaged in translating the remaining texts from Helga's Repository, leading to the growing support for the Neo Death Eaters and their Revisionist look at the lives of Salazar Slytherin and Lord Voldemort.

The two rightful heirs to Salazar Slytherin lowered Doras children onto the ground before they rushed up to their mother. She kissed both after looking them over. "You two look great. We will be in the large family room next to the Dining Hall. If you want to surprise someone, go hide there." Their chorus of "ok!" ended quickly as they vanished behind the door, as Dora turned to the two Carrows. While they had yet to decide who would one day take up the mantle of Lady Slytherin, both were focusing on gaining as much strength politically and physically as possible, in the hopes that the eventual reveal would only strengthen the more calm Traditionalists and diminish the growing Neo Death Eater movement, though no one in law enforcement was optimistic, as the youths that composed the growing list of fanatics were unwilling to listen to reason, even if it was repeated by the Parseltongue speaking descendants of their idols. "I am guessing Hazel will be here soon." The two nodded and Flora spoke up. "We were watching Horatio run the candidates into the ground. She had to stay behind to cover some last minute paperwork." Dora smiled softly and started heading for the living room. "You two can carry on, just no spooking the babes!"

Receiving their response of "you got it, boss" in stereo, Dora walked into the family room and sat down, letting the feel of the wards wash over her as her two children giggled as they hid behind the curtains and sofas, waiting to catch the next unfortunate soul to enter. She opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling, the light from the chandelier reflecting off it's many glass reflectors. Dora had never expected to ever find herself in such a large home and call it her own, yet she had done just that. And it was her home. Sure, their DoM apartment was still technically theirs and she and Hazel slept and lived in it during the more hectic work assignments, with the children joining them in their shared bedroom, but over the years, she found herself growing fonder of the larger house and it's grounds. The Alchemy lab in the basem*nt became a favorite haunt of hers as she continued to practice the craft, with Morgana dropping by to check on her progress from time to time, the immortal witch and Dora debating the possible ways of improving the consistency of certain complicated mixtures. The areas that called to her the most, however, were the second floor bedrooms that surrounded the master bedroom and the small clearing out in the grounds. While the kids could have any room to themselves, Hazel had insisted that they share a room in their youths. Her wife had the right idea, as the bond that grew between them was beautiful to see.

Of her two children, Alexander was the more adventurous. More often than not, he could be found on the Estate's grounds, conversing and playing with the large variety of Fae that now called the area their home. As they helped to keep the family safe, Dora never minded their presence. Though she had been surprised when a certain Kelpie took up residence in the small stream out on the grounds. It took her a while to realize that the Kelpie from the Triwizard Tournament and her had developed a Familiar bond, something that had Teddy and Hazel in hysterics when they heard. A shapeshifting magical creature becoming the Familiar to a Metamorphmagus seemed all too appropriate. Since it was her Familiar, Dora had no problem letting Alex or Isabelle ride it so long as they stayed on the grounds. Though she liked the outdoors decently enough, her daughter was very different to her brother in temperament. Where Alex was boistrus and overly excited, Isabelle was calm and reserved. If she wasn't outside with her brother or playing with Dora, she was usually found in the library reading quietly. It always warmed Dora's heart when she would look in on her, only to find her and Hazel reading together in silent company. The two were really very much alike, though a few times, her first born would sit down in Dora's favorite place to read, a small bench that sat underneath a Hazel tree that had grown quite quickly since Dora and Hazel planted it in the grounds all those years ago.

Thoughts about Hazel always warmed Dora's heart as she reached up and touched the crystal medallion her wife had made for her. After acquiring a crystal from Morgana, Hazel had spent months practicing on other crystals of similar grain and structure, painstakingly learning how to carve a material that wasn't wood. After she was finally satisfied, Hazel proceeded to charge and craft the crystal into a Patronus Echo Medallion. Unlike hers where the dragon's wings were wrapped around a nest of two dragons, Hazel's design for Dora's had the dragon soaring in flight, joined together by another dragon, this one distinctly skeletal. Soaring in the air around them were four adolescent dragons, two flying the same as the older dragons, while the others had a more playful disposition, the entire scene rimmed by clouds. Hazel had given the Medallion to Dora a few months after Isa's birth. Dora was pretty certain that Alex had been conceived that night with the joy that she felt running through her veins. Though that wasn't to say they didn't have any rough patches. With Hazel elevated to Commander, Dora had often butted heads with her concerning the cold and calculated approach she used when planning missions. Sure, collateral was kept low, but there was no need for such a high kill count. Hazel always took her concerns to heart and did her best to accommodate them, though never at the expense of the team. Dora couldn't ask for more than that.

Where Hazel really shined, though, was exactly where Dora knew she would: as a mother. With a Primary School exclusively for children born with or knowing about magic still a couple of years away from being established under Tracey Davis' direction, much of the time for both Dora and Hazel when not on mission was spent with their children. Dora was beyond grateful for her wife. Those early years were not easy for her. The two back to back pregnancies were exhausting, and the sleepless nights were never easy. Hazel, having raised Teddy practically on her own, took charge of handling the babies in those early years as Dora recovered. Seeing the dedication and care her wife showed the children drove Dora on to do better as Alex and Isa deserved better from her. As the four grew together as a family, a pattern emerged. When the kids wanted to play, they always went to Dora first, before Hazel eventually joined in on the fun. When they needed help fixing something they broke, they always went to Hazel, who was willing to fix the toys and decorations with only a warning for the two not to hurt themselves. Despite being so different to each other, neither Alex nor Isa fought all that much. Sharing a room had allowed them to grow up understanding each other better. Though it always was great to see when it was Isabelle, not Alex, who was the more protective of the two when they played with the other kids. She really took after Hazel a lot, especially with how deeply she cared about her family.

Thoughts on the kids of the friends of the family seemed to draw them to the Estate's front door as the bell rang. Dora smiled as she felt both Susan and Astoria getting spooked by the Carrows as they each arrived, with Teddy carrying his son in his arms and Harry keeping the Twins back after she sent them both a silent warning. She chuckled to herself as she felt Susan retaliate in kind with a few hexes, leading to a short fight in the foyer. She dug deep into the Family Magic, feeling the presence she never dared to address again by name as it's attention was momentarily on the fight before shifting to her. It wasn't so much that Dora feared it. It was more that it was harder to call her anything but Hazel. As the years passed and her children were born, the entity visited her less and less. It was always there in the back of her mind, but never feeling out of place. This was made more unusual as Dora noticed that Hazel's green eyes were slowly becoming covered in flakes of silver. Had she been anyone else, she would have been worried. But after years with Hazel, she had nothing to fear. The entity said they were one in the same and Dora had to agree that in some way they were, the line becoming even more blurred now. No matter what, however, it didn't change how she felt about the woman she loved with all her soul.

Hazel's words from years ago rang true in her mind now. No matter what appearance she took or the words out of her mouth, beneath it all was the same person. A wonderful woman who loved her beyond words and who doted on their two bright and gifted children at every turn, but never to the point of spoiling them. Neither Isabelle nor Alex doubted either of their parents' love. Whenever work called, their grandmother, who had already retired from the DoM, or their many aunts or uncles, would look after them and both of them knew that their parents would return quickly. This wasn't a hard promise to keep. The changes to the world had led to a massive drop in organized magical crime, with each nations' Operatives or Aurors arresting the criminals before they could grow their businesses. In the last decade alone, almost all work had been in conjunction with the non-magical agencies, meaning the missions were completed quickly. With a training room in the basem*nt that included a firing range, neither Dora nor her wife needed to be too far away from their children while keeping their skills up to Division guidelines. In time Dora and Hazel knew that this peaceful state of being would change. Their childrens' Hogwarts letters would be arriving soon. When that happened, the dynamic in their home would change again.

Soft and thin arms wrapped around her neck and over her chest from behind as familiar lips kissed Dora on her waving pink hair. She looked up and smiled as the Cloak that hid Hazel was pulled away, revealing those loving green eyes and her beautiful smile. "Hello Dora, I am home." Dora leaned her head back and her wife's lips captured her own before they pulled apart. "Welcome home, Hazel." Taking a seat beside Dora, Hazel pulled a somewhat unhappy Isa, who had been running after an excited Leo with his new broomstick, into her arms, before the girl squealed as she was tickled by her loving mother. Their first born looked up and smiled at her mom, hugging her back, before being dropped off. Alex came quickly of his own accord and jumped into his mom's arms, before Hazel kissed him on the cheek too, before Anabelle and Liliana pulled him away and showed Hazel their drawings. Hazel kissed both redheads on the cheek. "They are beautiful, girls. Thank you. I will have them in the Library later tonight." Dora leaned into her wife's side as the older children started playing together while the younger ones were held on the laps or arms of their family, the adults catching up after a long set of months being kept busy. Dora sighed to herself, her hand interwoven with Hazel's, as a thought passed silently between them both. They were home with all of their family. Neither of them could be happier with the life they had built together.