Minerva McGonagall had been horrified that despite a token argument that she left Albus behind at that dreadful Muggle home with the Potter boy.
She didn’t, in Minerva’s perception, feel capable of raising that bairn with the love the orphan deserved.
She apparated straight to Gringotts to get a purge.
Minerva paid the fee and fine for the emergency request.
Minerva was beyond horrified to learn she had a son, Aodhan Theodosian Apollo Urquhart, whom she had apparently abandoned, due to a memory charm, after her husband, who was also her maternal grandfather's brother, died mysteriously. A child who had been very much wanted, despite her difficulties in conceiving. It was inconceivable for a highly-skilled, high-ranking member of Magical Law Enforcement who had experience in the war with Grindelwald, a Dark Lord, would die due to a venomous tentacula bite.
Minerva was a bit unnerved in retrospect by the closeness of their blood, but Elphinstone had been a good man and despite his age, would have been a good father. He had already retired when they started trying for a child, and he intended to be the stay-at-home parent to look after their child while Minerva worked as a junior professor at Hogwarts. Neither had wished to chance orphaning a child when their relationship turned serious. Upon painful retrospection, Minerva wondered if their relationship had been instigated to get Elphinstone to retire.
Minerva was grateful that she was Deputy Headmistress and capable of excusing herself. She claimed to be ill that Monday, sending extra reading assignments to her students to make up for missing class with her.
Minerva apparated back to that awful house immediately after being cleared by the goblins and having them send copies to her younger brother Malcolm, who was the head of their family as well as to their family’s main vault.
Only to find that nasty woman screaming and beating the boy. Minerva was a former Auror trainee, who resigned after a few months as a probationary Auror, a Transfiguration Mistress, and a member of the Order of the Phoenix. It didn’t take much to realize that there were wards, cast presumably after she left, but not the protective ones that she might have hoped to find. Instead, she found wards to compel young Harry Potter into submission and servitude. Wards that would encourage his ‘guardians’ to mistreat him. As a former member of law enforcement and a professor, Minerva was a mandatory reporter. Not that Albus paid any attention, the man ignored abuse of any kind. Abuse that Minerva was disgusted to learn she turned a blind eye to over the years. Especially the sort of awfulness that poor Severus Prince endured at school from Albus’ pet Marauders.
Minerva stunned the awful woman, transfigured a golem to look like the Potter boy, and made it appear to have died as a result of shaken baby syndrome. She left the Auror department after such a case, especially when the adult in question blamed the infant victim, and as a former Gryffindor received a far lighter sentence than Minerva felt was appropriate at the time. Then, Minerva placed false memories to make the woman think she killed the boy and altered the wards subtly to anchor them to the awful woman’s life force so that they didn’t crash after the baby’s ‘death’. Minerva transfigured a kitchen towel into a stuffed cat to give the bairn a comfort item, before placing muggle-repelling charms on herself and the boy. She located what was left of his things, which wasn’t much, the nice diaper bag and carry-cot appeared to have been thrown out in the rubbish bin and ruined intentionally along with most of what had been left with the toddler on a doorstep that first morning in November.
To be safe, Minerva apparated back to Gringotts to have the bairn examined as well as asking the goblins to determine a more suitable guardian. If the chief warlock thought that awful woman was fit, he appeared to have lost his wits.
Grimlock, her family’s account manager, scowled, “Twice in one day, Miss? Unsatisfied with our service?”
Minerva sighed, “I am more than satisfied. I located the Potter bairn; I thought that after the awfulness that he ought to be properly seen by healers. He was the only survivor and to my knowledge, was not examined by a healer. Also, with his parents apparently deceased, suitable guardians ought to be determined via an inheritance ritual.”
Minerva didn’t trust Albus not to seal the wills, especially since she couldn’t imagine Lily Prince, as she had been before marry James Potter, her former student wanting her son to grow up with that awful woman. Someone Minerva didn’t even know... they had never attended Hogwarts.
Grimlock nodded, “Follow me.”
Minerva cradled the toddler in her arms and dutifully followed.
The goblin healers met them in the same place Minerva had been for a few hours prior.
She reluctantly handed the bairn off, before following instructions to be able to see what was going on, but at a safe distance.
The goblin healers became excited and spoke in hushed tones. One of the younger healers left and hurried out of the ritual room.
After some quiet, but fervoured discussion, the head healer, who introduced themselves as Silvervein, approached her frowning, “Professor, you did the correct thing. The child shows signs of not receiving adequate nutrition in the last day, with numerous bruises, and contusions. There is damage to the occipital bone from being struck across the face and severe bruising as if the child was beaten. Plus, the child has a scar with residual dark magic. We suspect a Horcrux, although we’ve never known a case of a human host of a Horcrux.”
“I believe that Andromeda Tonks is a healer specializing in treating Dark Magic and Lady Cedrella is a gifted curse breaker who removes dark curses,” Minerva mused.
The healer nodded, “Yes, I believe that Lily Potter’s elder sister Irma is an Archivist, and there is a Mind Healer in the family as well.”
Minerva nodded, “I believe that Albus will be or already has placed the Potter wills under seal. I can’t imagine Lily or James wanting their bairn with that awful woman. Albus called her the bairn’s family, but I don’t know who she was to Lily.”
The healer frowned, “Were you unaware that Lily and Severus Prince were twins?”
Minerva shook her head.
“Their elder sister Irma is the archivist.” Silvervein showed Minerva the inheritance report.
Name: Hieronymus ‘Harry’ Weylyn Potter b. July 31, 1980
Bearer: Lillias Athena Prince, b. January 9, 1960 d. October 31, 1981
Sire: James Seff Potter b. March 27, 1960 d. October 31, 1981
Godfather (sire’s choice): Petrus Alwyn Pettigrew b. September 9, 1959
Godfather (bearer’s choice): Severus Apollo Prince b. January 9, 1960
Bearer’s Relatives
Grandmother: Eileen Marcia Prince b. 1941, d. May 15, 1976
Grandfather: Adonis Clarion Prince (nee Rookwood) b. 1940, d. May 15, 1976
Aunt: Irma Elaine Prince b. September 18, 1958
Uncle: Severus Apollo Prince b. January 9, 1960
Grand Aunt: Evelyn Prince b. 1945
Grand Aunt: Akantha Shallot ‘Shell’ Nott b. 1942
Second Cousin: Theodotus Augustus Nott b. November 1, 1979
Great Aunt: Hope Alasia Burbage b. 1930
Great Uncle: Aurelius Polaris Prince b. 1929
Third Cousin: Faith Amatheia Burbage-Pucey, b. 1957
Third Cousin: Constance Nerisa (Burbage) Flitwick b. 1957
Third Cousin: Prudence Petunia Dursley (Burbage) Squib, 1958
Third Cousin: Charity Chryseis Crouch (Burbage), b. 1961
Sire’s Relatives
Grandmother: Odoratia ‘Doria’ Bay Black
Grandfather: Charlus Weylyn Potter
Great Grandbearer: George Henry Potter
Great Grandsire: Lyall Remus Lupin
Grand Aunt: Matilda Charlotte Parkinson (nee Potter)
Grand Uncle: Eustace Parkinson
Second Cousin: Eleanor Parkinson
Grand Uncle: Marrok David Lupin
Grand Aunt: Sarah Hope Lupin (nee Howell)
Second Cousin: Remus Louis Lupin
Great Uncle: Romulus Lupin
Great Uncle: Flavius Geoffrey Weasley
Third Cousin: Septimus Remus Weasley
Third Cousin: Octavia Cana Vector (nee Weasley)
Inheritance
Potter: through sire
Prince (heir due to godfather and blood through mother)
Slytherin: heir by conquest
Peverell: heir through Cadmus Peverell’s line and through conquest
There were other relatives…
That horrible woman was a squib cousin... probably not even on James or Lily’s list.
Minerva shook her head.
She wasn’t as observant of non-Gryffindors, Lily was a Ravenclaw and Severus was a Slytherin.
Minerva asked to have the Prince family summoned, as far as she knew, the Potter relatives such as Remus Lupin, and Harry’s other godfather, Peter Pettigrew as well as his wife, Molly were under Albus’ thumb and she worried that they’d agree that Harry belonged with that awful woman.
Not ten minutes later, the Princes arrived.
There was Lord Consort Burbage, Magus Aurelius Prince; Lady Consort Nott, Evelyn; Potions Master Severus Prince; and Archivist Irma Prince.
Like James’ parents, Doria and Charlus, as well as Lily and Severus’ parents; Eileen and Adonis had died while they were in school.
Minerva vaguely remembered that they were all temporarily removed to attend the funerals one school year.
James’ mother Doria passed away due to a bad heart, or so she’d been told, during the winter holiday of their fifth year and his father died just about James’ sixteenth birthday. Apparently, both Eileen and Adonis had died by poison, and it was said that Eileen brewed it, dosing them both.
Irma, Severus, and Lily were all at school at the time, it was just after the spring holiday during the exams when Lady Consort Nott appeared.
Severus noticed the bairn in her arms, “Harry!”
He hurried over to take the bairn from the goblin healers.
His elder sister turned her dark, narrowed eyes on Minerva, “Please explain how you came to be with my nephew. We were informed when the wards fell. James insisted that Lily and her child had to be where he was after their bonding. They would have been safer at Merrivale.”
“Perhaps,” Aurelius Prince sighed, “someone messed with the wards of the Bones’ family seat, trapping them inside and causing the house to collapse. The only surviving members of that family are Hit Wizard Emelia Bones and her niece Susan. Although, that is because they weren’t home at the time.”
Irma murmured, “Uncle Augustus, is investigating that with the Department of Mysteries. They suspected what we were told happened at Maison de La Manche happened at Ivy Cottage as well. Both had splintered wards, with the adults showing crushing injuries and the children vanishing. The Department of Mysteries is rumoured to be considering reaching out to the Archivists.”
Minerva vaguely remembered that the Department of Mysteries’ Unspeakables had a rivalry with the Library of Archivists which was said to be led primarily by the House of Fortescue.
She sighed, “Albus asked me to apparate to a set of coordinates in Little Whinging, Surrey. I spent most of the day before yesterday and the wee hours of yesterday there. I observed a woman I believe to be your relative. Albus insisted that she was the best choice to leave the bairn. I was not aware how she was related to bairn. Yet, I obeyed. I tried arguing but gave up too easily. So, I came straight to Gringotts to figure out why. I was under compulsion and memory charms as well as Gregory's Unction. After I had regained my self-awareness and control, I returned to find that woman beating the bairn. I stunned her, copied her memories, faked the bairn’s demise, and left. I took what of his I could find. She threw much of it into the rubbish bin and ruined it. I brought us both to Gringotts by portkey where I asked to have him treated by the goblins.
Minerva shook her head at Albus’ choices. “Since Albus was rumoured to be at the Ministry, I worried he sealed their wills, so I had an inheritance check. I wanted to know if and how the bairn was related to that awful woman. As well as other relatives who might be better suited. I suspected that Lily, Irma, and Severus were related since they shared the same surname, but I didn’t realize that you were all siblings.”
Irma scoffed, “You were just as oblivious as the odious Headmaster when it came to ignoring non-Gryffindors and favouring your own. Of course, you didn’t pay attention. You ignored the obvious targeting and bullying of Slytherins by James Potter and Sirius Black. I never understood how my sister could fall for that podex. He was so awful to Severus.”
Magus Aurelius sighed, “We insisted on checking her for love potions or other magical enticements when they announced their engagement. She and James eloped to Scamander, Australia in response, where they were married. We were surprised when she wrote Severus that she was pregnant, and she wanted him to be godfather. He saw the child once and then; they moved out of Laude Abbey and into what we assume was the cottage.”
“It was apparent that they were under a Fidelis charm,” Irma muttered. “That is the only thing that would thwart blood scrying.”
Minerva gasped, “Blood scrying is illegal!”
Irma scoffed, “Not if the scryer is using their own willingly shed blood and it’s meant to search for a missing relative. In my case, my sister, and my nephew. We had already voiced concerns with Lily’s unsanctioned bonding and more so after learning there was a child. Besides, the Ministry wouldn’t dare sanction an Archivist. The Department of Mysteries’ Unspeakables has an agreement that as long as we don’t use mutually banned magic such as the Unforgivables, that we’re to be left alone.”
Minerva swallowed, that made sense. Of course, willingly shed blood meant for protection couldn’t be considered dark or evil. It was embarrassing that she had to be educated on that caveat by an Archivist. “My apologies. I may have gone through a magical purge, but getting what Dumbledore verbally hammered into me is going to take longer to work through.”
“Glad that’s sorted,” Irma said dismissively.
She was very much like Severus, Minerva mused, and Lily had been more expressive. Likely why she ended up in Ravenclaw versus Slytherin like her siblings.
Magus Prince nodded, “Now that Harry is returned to the Prince family, we ought to decide custody.
“He’s mine,” Severus said stubbornly. “My nephew through my twin and my godson.”
“Albus is under the impression that his name is Harry James Potter.”
Severus scoffed, “His name is Hieronymus Weylyn Potter, Harry as a nickname was a compromise.”
“Perhaps, you should adopt him, Severus.” Magus Aurelius mused. “You are the heir to the family, since you are unbonded, it’s your choice if he’s your heir.”
“Well, Harry is rather unusual for a Prince.” Irma frowned.
“Why Weylyn?” Minerva frowned.
“That was Charlus’ middle name.” Magus Aurelius shrugged. “He was a good man, honourable. Have to be when bonding to a Black.”
“I see.” Minerva nodded before blinking, “Blacks are honourable?”
“Clearly, you have to reorder your mind. Blacks have always been honourable.” Irma scoffed.
“So, what is your intention as to his name?”
“Hieronymus means ‘of the sacred name’.” Severus mused. “Weylyn means ‘son of the wolf’, the Lupins have long been born with the ability to shift into a wolf. I have no intention of changing that. I will legally adopt my nephew for now. If I take a partner, we can discuss blood adoption,”
“I was just curious.” Minerva swallowed. “I know I have little right to ask this, but might I be kept updated as to his health? As Magus Prince is aware, I was the wife of his predecessor Magus Urquhart. As a former trainee Auror, sometimes when Aurors rescue children, we like to keep advised of their well-being.”
“Do you plan on telling Albus what you’ve done?” Magus Aurelius frowned.
Minerva shook her head, “No, I’ll take an oath on it if your family deems it necessary for the bairn’s protection. He irrevocably destroyed my trust with his choices over the last two days. I left a golem to convince that horrible woman that she killed the child she was responsible for and left the wards Albus crashed tied to her life force so they should remain intact for a time.”
“I want a copy of your memories. I may not be the head of the Prince family, but if the woman is who I think she is,” Magus Aurelius winced, “I believe she is my daughter. I tried to give her an education as equal to her sisters as possible, but squibs can’t attend Hogwarts and well, she never forgave us or Dumbledore for denying her that.”
Minerva nodded, feeling a small bit of pity for the man, being related to that awful woman, much less being her father would be a bitter pill for anyone.
Minerva took an unbreakable vow to keep the truth of Harry Potter’s survival between herself, the Prince family, and the goblins present.
Then she flooed to Ross House, where she confessed to being under potions and compulsion charms to her younger brother. Her brother Malcolm had inherited the Ross Estates from their maternal grandfather Wallace.
It would take time to earn her family, but especially her son’s, trust.
XoooooooX
The last thing any of the Princes expected was to be summoned to Gringotts at the request of a Dumbledore pawn. Especially not by Minerva McGonagall, who always seemingly backed up the odious Headmaster.
The loss of Lillias Prince was still keenly felt by her twin, elder sister, aunt, and extended family.
At least Hieronymus, would grow up among family. His Aunt Evie had been discovered to be infertile, an irreversible curse was suspected, but unproven. While Shell had her mother’s weak body and was unable to carry a child to term safely. Thankfully, Irma and her wife’s father Oran had donated the necessary genetic components to allow them a child. One that was fully blood-adopted to remain Oran’s heir, but as his grandfather, rather than his sire. The boy’s name was Theodotus Augustus Nott, and he was doted on by the family as their miracle child.
Severus cradled his twin’s child and swore to do his duty. The boy would be raised with family who loved him and not reviled him for possessing that which they did not.
Severus vaguely remembered his cousin who had been raised Prudence Petunia Burbage. He had been closer to his own sisters Irma and Lily, but Faith, Connie, and Charity were more his age than his Aunt Evie’s. Even if his grandfather and their sire were siblings.
Yes, the Dark looked after their own.
XoooooooX
Hieronymus Weylyn Prince was the eldest of his siblings. His papa Severus and his dad Remus had two sets of twins: Theodorus ‘Teddy’ Lupin and Faelan ‘Fili’ Prince as well as Seraphina ‘Sera’ Prince and Nemia Lupin. His nearest sibling in age was Accalia Lupin, she was about five years younger, but they had an elder adopted sibling named Chiara, who was a werewolf like their dad. Despite dad’s worries, none of their blood children were werewolves.
Chiara had always had a gift for charms, picking up healing charms with ease. Teddy adored magical creatures and had a collection of less dangerous ones including a crup and a kneazel. Unfortunately, in the family’s opinion, Teddy’s near-constant companion, practically his familiar, was a niffler. Meaning that most of the families’ sparkly and glittery objects had to have anti-niffler charms and hexes for protection. Fili didn’t have a familiar yet, he hadn’t expressed a desire for one, preferring his art. His skill had been discovered at a young age and he was mentored by Aunt Bellatrix, who was an acclaimed artist herself. Accalia was decent at potions, but amazing at charms that she picked up just watching Chiara and their dad. Sera was the instinctive brewer, who seemed to have the most interest in papa’s field of specialty. While Nemia seemed to be interested in music and history, reading books recommended by Hermione Lestrange and their cousin Theo. Her gift for music was being nurtured by Aunt Narcissa, who was a rival of Celestina Warbeck.
He was called ‘Eri’, for reasons that were never quite explained.
He was grateful he wasn’t a “Ron”, apparently a former acquaintance of his honorary Uncle Sirius, named Peter Pettigrew had named his son Rhongomyant Percival Pettigrew, who was called Ron.
While Eri had known Ron’s cousins: Bill, Charlie, Percy (which was from Perseus), Fred and George, Colwyn, and Dinas; Eri was not close to Ron or his younger sister Ginerva Molly that was called Ginny.
There was some bad blood between the Weasleys, Prewetts, and the Pettigrews. If the Pettigrews were mentioned; Uncle Arthur, Uncle Fabian, and Uncle Sirius radiated fury, while Uncle Gideon just looked sad.
Uncle Sirius had become much closer to his dad Remus in school, around sixth year despite sharing a dormitory throughout Hogwarts. As well as knowing one another before Hogwarts, they hadn’t had much in common aside from his dad's adopted brother James.
Eri’s birthday was in early August, but he was surprised to find Nana Minnie at breakfast.
He ran up to meet her, “Nana Minnie!”
“How is my kitten?” his pseudo-grandmother said after ruffling his hair.
Eri blushed, “I’m fine, why are you here?”
Nana Minnie, the Head of Gryffindor and Deputy Headmistress reached into her green tartan robe and then held out an envelope.
“I came personally to deliver your letter.” Nana Minnie smiled.
It was a tradition apparently since Nana Minnie had personally delivered Chiara’s letter ages ago.
Chiara was sadly graduating in a few days. So, she, Charlie, and Talbot as well as Lesath and Seph Tonks weren’t going to be looking after them at Hogwarts in September. Chiara had joined Seph in Hufflepuff, and Talbot was in Ravenclaw like his adopted mother Alys, while Charlie had sorted Slytherin with Lesath, to his Grandmother Cedrella’s bemusement and Andromeda’s pride.
At least they would have Seventh Year Slytherin Lyra Scamander, Sixth Year Hufflepuff Lynx Scamander, and Fifth Year Ravenclaw Percy. There were also Charlie’s twin brothers, who were going to be third years, and like Uncle Fabian and Uncle Gideon, they had been Sorted into different Houses. Fred was a Slytherin through and through, while George had ended up in Ravenclaw like their papa. Lyra and Lynx’s twin siblings Leo and Leda had been Sorted to Gryffindor and Hufflepuff respectively last year. Oh, and Nana Minnie’s son Aodhan Urquhart was Sorted into Slytherin that year too. Seph and Lesath’s siblings were in Gryffindor and Hufflepuff as well. They had cousins in all the houses, so they would of course be well looked after.
‘Hieronymus Prince
Potions Master’s Apartment
The Dungeons
Hogwarts
Mr. Prince,
You are cordially invited to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in Hogsmeade, Scotland.
Enclosed you will find your ticket for the Hogwarts Express and your supply list for the year. Please be advised that familiars have been limited for incoming first years to owls, cats, and toads. Alternative familiars will have to be approved by both one’s Head of House here at Hogwarts and one's parent or guardian. During the school year it will be closely monitored for safety and will be sent away if they are not well-behaved.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Transfiguration Mistress
Head of Gryffindor’
Eri frowned, Uncle Tomas had been shocked to find Eri was a Parselmouth and when he was seven had been gifted a small snake.
Her name was Sage, apparently, through his dad Remus, Eri was descended through the Peverells, and a daughter of Slytherin married into the line. Sage was a silvery herb used in potions and was similar in colour to Sage’s scales.
Eri had a lot of Uncles and Aunts who were close to his parents through ways and means that gave him a headache to remember.
Papa smiled, “Remember, we will be proud of you no matter where you are Sorted. Chiara and Seph were proud Hufflepuffs like Aunt Charity, your Aunt Irma and I were Slytherins; Uncle Sirius was in Gryffindor with your dad, and my twin Lily was in Ravenclaw with my cousins Faith and Connie.”
Eri frowned, “Uncle Tomas will be so disappointed if I am not a Slytherin.”
Severus chuckled, “Perhaps, but if Blacks can be in Gryffindor and Hufflepuff, then Princes can be anywhere they are best suited.”
Grandpa Lyall swore that Accalia was headed for Ravenclaw, Nemia was a future Gryffindor; Teddy and Sera were meant for Slytherin, while Fili was going into Hufflepuff. But was always perplexed about how Eri would be sorted.
Eri smiled, “Either Ravenclaw or Slytherin I think would suit me best. Theo could go either way too.”
Theo was Aunt Evie and Aunt Shell’s miracle baby, they had adopted orphaned Muggleborns they named Ned and Gracie, who were quietly investigated by Uncle Barty and Aunt Charity. Grandma Minnie slipped them names from the Hogwarts Book of Students when it was updated. She had been the custodian of the book since she wrote the Hogwarts letters every year.
Seph had a twin Lesath, who identified as gender free, while Seph was a Metamorphmagus who changed their gender presentation to suit their mood. It got the Tonks twins a ton of detentions from the odious Headmaster, until the House of Black sued him for harassment. Then all detentions had to go through Seph and Lesath’s respective Heads of House at Hogwarts, which was Professor Pomona Sprout, who had been just a few years behind at Hogwarts with Grandma Minnie as well as papa, who was Lesath’s Head of House.
To Headmaster Dumbledore’s irritation, Papa had remained a professor after completing his Potions Mastery having been approved by the Governors. Despite his papa’s strictness in the classroom, injuries had gone down significantly, and more students were continuing through to their N.E.W.T. exams in potions. Dad had a joint mastery in Defence with an emphasis on Dark Creatures and a Charms Mastery. While he wasn’t an official professor, Dad often substituted for Professor Flitwick, Uncle Tomas’ father, and occasionally, the Defence professor of the year. The post was rumoured to be cursed, rarely did a DADA professor remain past the final exams of the school year.
All Board hires continued beyond their probationary years, but those hired by the Headmaster usually ended up with some reason or another to leave after a school year.
Something that irritated Grandma Minnie and annoyed both Uncle Regulus as well as Uncle Lucius. Uncle Sirius, well, he just found it amusing.
Like his father, Uncle Sirius had no interest in politics. Like most of his generation, Uncle Sirius had been an Auror. But he got bored and left before completing the Academy, so he went into business making things like Patronus globes and communication mirrors. Between the Black Estate and the Malfoy Estate, Uncle Sirius didn’t need to work a day in his life, but he preferred to keep busy.
Uncle Lucius had become a solicitor but managed the Malfoy Estate as well as being a Lord of the Wizengamot and a member of the Board of Governors. Uncle Regulus had taken up duties as Regent of the House of Black succeeding his mother Walpurga, so no one’s surprise apparently. Uncle Regulus was married to Uncle Fabian, who was also a former Auror, while Uncle Regulus had been a professional Seeker for the Appleby Arrows.
They had issues having kids, supposedly due to one too many bludgers from his time as a Seeker, but when Uncle Fabian’s squib brother died leaving his two kids Matilda ‘Mal’ and Owain orphans, they adopted them immediately. Only to learn they were both magical, to Fabian’s pride.
There were a bunch of adopted kids in the extended family, Aunt Bella and Uncle Rodi had their sons Rigel and Rion, but had adopted a Muggleborn orphan named Hermione Rose. Uncle Frank and Aunt Alys had adopted Talbot, who she found on a case. Not long after, she discovered she was pregnant with Neville, so she retired as an Auror. Going on to have twins herself, Galiene and Fabiana, as well as another son Gareth. All the while managing the Longbottom Estate, so Uncle Frank could remain an Auror.
Talbot had been welcomed with open arms just like Chiara had been. Chiara’s parents had died when she was attacked by a werewolf, the same werewolf who turned his dad. Making them siblings in werewolf thinking, but given their age gap, his dad Remus was more of a parent.
Aunt Faith adopted her squib sister’s son Dudley when he was two, while Aunt Andromeda adopted Samuel, Jason, and Ariel.
Jason was a Metamorphmagus descendant of Dad’s Aunt Doria’s squib brother Marius, but was welcomed all the same. Aunt Cissa had tried to claim him since she was the elder Metamorph in the family, but Seph insisted he had to be their brother because Seph was the next eldest Metamorph, so it was their job to teach Jason.
Samuel and Ariel were other chosen members of the family, but were welcomed all the same.
Eri was looking forward to being an official student at Hogwarts. He might be a professor’s child, Dumbledore tried to discourage professors and staff from having personal lives, but they typically ignored the nosy goat. Eri had attended school at the wizarding primary school in Hogsmeade like a number of family members.
Percy met his best friend Oliver Wood, who was a Keeper for Gryffindor, there and despite being sorted into different Houses, had stayed friends.
Despite the odious Headmaster’s worst efforts, due to the varied sorting and family ties, the Houses got along well.
Why he was still Headmaster was a mystery...
Eri wished that the man would quit, Grandma Minnie would be so much better. Professor Flitwick and even his papa Severus would also be loads of a Headmaster.
Eri thanked her again for delivering his letter before he flooed to Tomle Chase to hang out with Neville.
Neville was his best friend and the closest to his age. He was friends with Uncle Sirius’ eldest son Draco, but Eri just liked Neville’s down-to-earth personality. Theo, his cousin, was close in age, and a bit more bookish than Eri himself. Theo was however very good friends with Hermione and the two often had spirited debates about books they read, which was usually amusing at first. Then when it got intense with them throwing quotes at one another, it was usually over everyone else’s head. Aunt Bella and Uncle Rodi were very proud of their daughter, heavily encouraging her to haunt any library in the extended family. Rumour had it that Aunt Irma was already considering both Theo and Hermione as potential Archivists.
At any rate, Eri was definitely looking forward to starting Hogwarts. Just being the son of a professor was well, not as cool. Even if he’d been allowed to watch the Sorting Ceremony in the Great Hall since he was seven.
XoooooooX
Eri arrived on Platform Nine-and-Three-Quarters, where he immediately spotted Neville and called out, “Nev!”
Neville was sporting his green aventurine Wiggentree leaf necklace on a Black Hebridean dragonhide cord around his neck. Slung over his shoulder was his every present matching Hebridean dragonhide bag with weather-activated charms. Both were gifts from his brother Talbot, Neville had been given his toad by their great-uncle Alger Wood, who encouraged Neville’s interest in herbology. Neville was great for finding the freshest plant ingredients for potions, in Eri’s opinion anyway. Peeking from his pocket was his also ever-present Bowtruckle Cadan.
Neville waved, despite having a snake familiar, Eri’s Sage had been told that Trevor was a friend, not food.
Normally, birds and toads were snake food, but Sage knew that she had to leave toads and owls alone.
Eri’s other friends Theo Nott, Hermione Lestrange, Draco Malfoy, and Draco’s friend Blaise Zabini hurried up to join them.
“I’m so excited!” Hermione gushed, “Finally, I get daily access to Hogwarts’ library!”
Since Eri was a professor’s kid, some of his friends occasionally did their primary school homework in the library. Having Aunt Irma around as the Hogwarts librarian was really cool, she might be gruff with other people, but she enjoyed teaching about her “kingdom” as she called it.
Eri said goodbye to his dad Remus, papa Sev was already at Hogwarts with his siblings. Minus his sister Chiara, who was with Aunt Andromeda, who was supervising her healing apprenticeship.
His younger siblings Acalia, Teddy, and Fili were at the primary school in Hogsmeade. Accalia was nine, while Teddy and Fili were barely seven, having an August birthday. Sera and Nemia had gone on a playdate with some of their friends since they were barely five. Accalia would be a Hogwarts student herself, with Eri a third year when Sera and Nemia were finally primary school students.
Eri and his friends headed onto the train after they waved goodbye to their families, finding an empty compartment. They spread out with Eri and Neville sprawling on the floor beneath the window, pulling resizing cushions for themselves. Meanwhile, Theo and Hermione chose one bench, leaving the other for Draco and Blaise.
Neville and Eri pulled out a specially ordered set of dominos with pictures of plants used in potions.
Hermione and Theo curled up with their latest book, leaving Draco and Blaise for their usual gossip session.
The door banged open, and standing there was an unfamiliar redhead. He shared some similar features with the Weasleys and the Prewetts. Eri had a sinking feeling that this was that cousin, Ron Pettigrew.
“Is Harry Potter in this compartment?”
Eri frowned, “Who is Harry Potter?” he’d never really heard the name.
“He’s supposedly this baby who defeated the last Dark Lord.” Hermione offered.
“Supposedly? He’s a bloody hero! Who are you?” Ron snapped.
Draco looked down his nose regally, “Don’t you have any manners? It’s polite to offer your name before asking for another.”
“Blonde hair and pointy features. You must be a Malfoy; you look like a blond rat.” The supposed Ron spat back.
Draco sighed, “Yes, my name is Draco Malfoy. You are?”
“Ron Pettigrew?” yep, definitely Ron Pettigrew, the estranged cousin to the Weasley brothers.
“What makes you think that this supposed hero would be friends with a rude boy like you?” Theo said in a tone very similar to Eri’s papa.
“Because he certainly would have more sense than to be friends with a bunch of future Slytherins like you!” Ron said indignantly.
Eri sighed, “My papa may be a Slytherin, but my dad was a Gryffindor.”
“My parents were aurors; mum was a Ravenclaw, and dad was a Gryffindor. They were both Head Boy and Head Girl.” Neville added while fidgeting with his Wiggentree crystal leaf. “Gran was a Ravenclaw and so is my brother.”
“What would your parents say about you hanging with future snakes?” Ron said cruelly.
Neville flinched, “My dad helped train Draco’s before he left the Aurors.”
“Lucius Malfoy would never have been accepted by the Aurors!” Ron practically screamed.
Draco scoffed, “My father thought he had a better future than raring off and putting himself in danger for an ungrateful public. Instead, he’s a solicitor who argues for better educational standards. My dad is an acclaimed inventor.”
“Who would stupid enough to tie themselves to a dirty snake like Lucius Malfoy?” Ron sneered.
“Sirius Black, he’s technically Lord Black, but he has no interest in Politics. So he left it in the very capable hands of our mutual Uncle Regulus.” Draco said smugly.
“Mutual Uncle?” Ron sputtered.
“Yes, haven’t you studied your family history? Your mother is Mary Lynnette, formerly of the House of Prewett? She has three brothers, the eldest is Lord Fabius Prewett and he’s bonded to Regulus Black, Regent of the House of Black. We share about a dozen cousins between us. Uncle Fabian has two, Uncle Gideon has seven, and I think Uncle Jason has at least one. He and his wife Gwenog of the Harpies are so busy with Quidditch that we rarely see them.”
Ron stumbled back, “I refuse to accept we’re related.”
Draco looked at him up and down, “I too have no interest in furthering our acquaintance. You’re welcome to leave.”
Ron glared at Eri, “What’s your name anyway?”
“Eri Prince.” Eri shrugged, despite knowing that shrugging was considered beneath him.
“Wasn’t Harry’s mum a Prince?” Ron glared, “Shouldn’t you know something about him?”
Eri frowned, “I heard that my papa had a twin sister, and that she ended up in a star-crossed relationship with my dad’s cousin James. There was some sort of attack, both his twin and her husband died. I believe Dumbledore spirited away Harry Potter.” He turned to Hermione, “You read about this “Harry”, do you remember if there was anything more recent than the deaths of his parents?”
Hermione mused thoughtfully, tapping her chin with her right index finger. “I think Dumbledore released a statement to The Daily Prophet about for the boy’s own safety, that he had him raised by family outside of the Wizarding World. Perhaps a relative who married a Muggle or Muggleborn? We know Aunt Andromeda married a Muggleborn and your Nana Minnie’s father was a Muggle.”
Percy appeared in the compartment looking worried, with his boyfriend Oliver Wood behind him. Percy was of course a Ravenclaw Prefect, while Oliver was a Gryffindor Quidditch captain. Similar to Percy’s parents’ House Sorting, plus they had been inseparable since they were small.
“This is Ron Pettigrew, our cousin. He barged into our compartment and demanded to know if Harry Potter was in here. It was quite rude. He’s insulted nearly all of us, calling both us and our parents filthy snakes. He actually asked Neville if his parents would be alright with his choices in friends.” Draco reported dutifully.
“Why you rotten little talebearer!” Ron hissed.
“This is Ron?” Percy scowled.
“Yeah, what’s it to you?” Ron glared.
“I’m Prefect Percy Weasley.” Percy sighed.
“You’re a son of the wizard my mother loved in school.” Ron sniffed distainfully.
“50 points from your future House for trespassing. The door was closed and you forced your way inside. 50 points for insulting your fellow yearmates and 25 points for disrespecting a prefect.”
“Someone’s taking being a prefect too seriously.” Ron retorted.
“It should be 150 points.” Oliver drawled his Scottish brogue thick.
“Negative points will be a hard swallow for any House.” Percy sighed.
“You can’t take points before the year starts!” Ron protested.
“Actually, according to every edition of Hogwarts: A History printed after 1830, the school year officially starts after the train leaves the Platform.” Hermione interjected.
Theo smugly nodded.
“You shouldn’t be allowed to take points before Sorting!” Ron refused to yeld.
“Why not? This is school property, all rules and decorum should be observed.” Draco scoffed.
“Spoken like the son of a solicitor.” Eri praised.
“Well, my father would be proud.” Draco preened.
“Of what? Teaching you all sorts of Dark Magic?” Ron taunted.
Draco rolled his eyes, “As if. My dad was an Auror. He’d drag my father to Azkaban himself if he used illegal Dark Magic. He might not like enforcing the law, but he still believes in abiding by them.”
“You don’t even look like a Black.” Ron sneered.
“Yes, I have father’s blond hair, his exact shade too. I have eyes the colour of black pearls that often shows up in the Blacks instead of father’s silver.” Draco got tired of being claimed to not look like his dad Sirius. Due to their age gap and how Lucius was a solicitor while Sirius was an inventor, people thought that his father had an affair while Sirius was away as a trainee Auror. Even his grandfather Abraxas tried to accuse Lucius, in private, of course. A potion from Aunt Andromeda and an oath on his father’s magic cleared that up in the family.
Not long after, Draco’s grandfather came down with an untreatable variant of Dragon Pox that no one else got. Not even his pregnant Aunt Cissa, who was married to his father’s twin Xenos Malfoy, or himself who wasn’t old enough to have the vaccine. Children who hadn’t completed their dragon pox series of shots starting at three months, six months, and a year were very susceptible to it. It was expected to be followed-up with boosters at 18 months, 3 years, and age six. Boosters were recommended for one’s eleventh birthday since there was a possibility of someone being vaccinated and still being a carrier of a variant strain. So, all of them had been vaccinated after their birthday party, within a week.
As if Uncle Gideon and Aunt Andromeda, who were both healers, would allow them to not be vaccinated for both magical and muggle diseases. Uncle Gideon was a paediatric healer, while Aunt Andromeda treated both witches, pregnancies, and those injured by Dark Magic.
Anyway, it was Oliver who spoke up next, “Ye’ve got two choices. Ya can follow us and give the impression that you’re bein’ honoured by bein’ lett’ina into the Prefect Carriage.”
“Or?” Ron said petulantly.
“Or, I cin truss you up like a stag and carry ya like ya be a hunter’s prize.”
“You wouldn’t dare!” Ron sputtered.
Oliver leaned in, “I’m a Gryffindor Quidditch Captain. I dare a lot. I dared to be a Keeper when Ravenclaw had Bill and he made it look like he was born to fly. I dared to be captain when Slytherin had Charlie as a Seeker and Captain. Gryffindor hasn’t won in years. We about gave up when I joined the team. Once Ravenclaw had Bill, they were winning, then Slytherin got Charlie and the new rivalry was Slytherin vs. Ravenclaw. Charlie’s team only got better when he brought on his younger brother Fred. Unfortunately, Bill got George, so the teams were more evenly matched. No one really expects anything out Gryffindor these days, not after we’ve been trounced for years.”
“Am I supposed to know those names?” Ron rolled his eyes.
“Ya weren’t kidding that ya don’t know yer Aunt Mary’s kids.” Oliver shook his head. “Your older cousins Bill, Charlie, this is Percy, then there are the twins Fred and George. Next year, Colin’s coming and two years after that, it’s Dynas.”
“Can you even feed that many mouths?” Ron scoffed.
“Dad works as the liaison between the Auror department and the Wizengamot, while papa is a healer.” Percy was dismissive of the rude question.
“Given that he got mum disowned,” Ron muttered, “your papa doesn’t deserve to be a healer.”
“Actually, it was Uncle Fabian. Uncle Fabian caught your mother up to tricks, he turned her into their father. She was disowned for her own poor choices. Don’t put her up on a pedestal, there are few from our parents’ generation who aren't at least vaguely aware of your mother’s scandals.” Percy interjected.
Before Ron could launch into a loud diatribe, Oliver flicked his wand. Ron’s mouth was quickly sealed shut, and he was wrapped in rope that looked so tight that Eri winced. Oliver hoisted him over his shoulder, offering his arm, “Well, Percy, shall we?”
Percy’s face was quite red by now, not that anyone in their compartment blamed him.
Eri had forgotten that their estranged cousin was their age and would be in their year. It looked to be an uncomfortable few years at Hogwarts if Ron stayed that awful.
Percy did charm the compartment door, so only they could get in or out. They pulled out their lunch baskets and shared what they had between them.
Eri was thrilled to find his favourites he’d gotten to try at both Theo and Neville's homes as well as his own favourites from Hogwarts’ kitchens.
They settled in to eat quietly before going back to their previous activities before they were so rudely interrupted.
XoooooooX
As the sky outside the train windows darkened, there was an announcement that they were fifteen minutes from Hogsmeade.
Luckily, they already had their uniforms on and just needed to fetch their pointed hats and school robes. The hats were silly and in all his time as the child of a professor, never saw them worn after the Opening Feast. Yet, they all dutifully put on the hats, even Hermione who fretted that it would mess up her hair. She had unmanageable bushy hair when she was adopted, but it had darkened some and become a bit more tamed afterward. She looked more like Aunt Andromeda than Veritate or Lesath did. Then again, other than colouring, Andromeda and Bellatrix shared a lot of features.
They were escorted to the boats like the others in their year by Percy and Oliver. They ended up splitting up: Eri shared with Theo, Hermione, and Neville. Draco and Blaise ended up with Vince Crabbe and Greg Goyle, whose parents were schoolmates with their own. Blaise had spent most of his time with the Goyle family since their uncle had been one of his stepfathers, raised almost as a sibling since their uncle had adopted him.
Ron had been magically leashed to Percy and looked like a human version of a thundercloud. Percy and perhaps, Head Girl Lyra Scamander, who was a cousin through Percy’s Uncle Bilius, had decided that he needed supervision.
Eri supposed this because when Ron attempted to head for the boats, he was unable to go more than a foot before being magically retracted to stop six inches from Percy.
A spell that his fathers had used on them, it was more apparent in his little brother Teddy, who always tried to wander off if he spotted an interesting creature.
Once all the boats had at least three students within, they took off at a comfortable speed, allowing them to see all the glory of the land between Hogsmeade and Hogwarts.
Despite having mostly grown up at Hogwarts, it was a new perspective for Eri. They had picnics around the Black Lake, or on Hogwarts’ proper on the occasional weekend. Eri hadn’t come from this way, he’d have to recommend this trip to his brother Fili, who was the artist.
They were met in a grotto that Eri had explored ages ago where the boats were usually docked by Nana Minnie.
Eri bounced on his toes, he knew that now that he was a student that Nana Minnie would insist on calling him “Mr. Prince” and he would be lucky if he’d be able to visit her outside of classes for tea. Nana Minnie was usually busy during the year, plus, she had her son Aodhan as a second year Slytherin. Apparently, his father was a Slytherin as well.
They followed her into the castle proper where they were escorted to a small ante-room and a house elf was waiting with a note.
Nana Minnie asked them to wait patiently and quietly, she had some headmistress business that couldn’t wait.
They cliqued into smaller groups, with Theo and Hermione as Draco and Blaise moving closer to Eri and Neville.
It was about ten minutes before Nana Minnie returned, accompanied by Ron and she looked irritated, “My apologies, I had disciplinary duties, and the Welcome Feast hasn’t even started yet. Come along, let’s get you Sorted. Each House has its own strengths and values, please go into them with an open mind. You’ll soon find it’s your rightful place, while it is definitely acceptable to have friends in other Houses, in fact, I encourage it. Just because your family is typically Sorted somewhere, if you’re drawn to somewhere else, it’s your future and your life. If your family has anything unkind to say about it, I assure you that your Head of House will be more than willing to stand in a guardian if asked. You are welcome to stay here during winter and spring holidays. We’ll even be willing to held you find other living situations in the summers if you need it. Now, let’s go take the first step into your futures, shall we?”
Eri looked around and saw much of the nervousness melting away from his yearmates and smiled widely at his Nana Minnie.
She nodded and led them off through the door kitty-corner like little ducklings.
Waiting politely and more or less patiently were the older students.
Eri and his group of friends stayed more or less in the middle of the pack of first years.
Nana Minnie stepped forward with a sulky Ron dragging his feet, clearly the leashing charm had been recast with Nana Minnie as the guardian.
How embarrassing, Eri almost felt sorry for Ron Prewett.
Hannah Abbott was the first to be called, and was quickly Sorted into Hufflepuff.
Susan Bones, another distant cousin soon joined her.
There were a number of others, Vince and Greg were Sorted into Slytherin and Gryffindor respectively.
Next was Hermione Lestrange, who surprised absolutely no one by being Sorted into Ravenclaw. Only to be followed by an Asian-looking girl named Su Li.
Neville was a bit of a Hat Stall, only to end up being Sorted into Hufflepuff.
The Headmaster had a look that gave the impression of being disappointed, but Neville handed the Sorting Hat to Izybel MacDougal who joined Hermione and Su Li in Ravenclaw, followed by her twin Morag.
Neville was fiddling with his leaf crystal pendant as he marched to himself to claim a seat beside Susan. Susan was more Draco’s cousin through his dad’s Uncle Alphard’s eldest Addi and her wife Marlene.
After the MacDonald twins was Ernie MacMillan, who also ended up in Hufflepuff.
Draco didn’t even get the Sorting Hat on his head, he touched it when he accepted it regally from Ernie. The Hat loudly proclaiming that Slytherin was his rightful House. Draco was practically preening when he passed it off to Theo.
Theo was a bit of a Hat Stall himself, only to follow Hermione into Hufflepuff. Also, not a surprise… to Eri anyway.
Glaise Ollivander also ended up in Hufflepuff, odd since his family typically Sorted Ravenclaw, but like Nana Minnie said, you should go where you belong, not your family.
The first of the P-surnames was called, Pansy Parkinson and again, no surprise, she was declared a Slytherin. She smiled as she handed the hat to one of the Patil twins. Pavarti went off to Gryffindor and Padma to Ravenclaw.
Pansy knew them from the Malfoy Primary School in London, despite being from Scotland herself and the supposed heir to the ownership of the Wigtown Wanderers. Pansy had a half-sister named Scilla, who preferred to be called Skye. Skye had been a Chaser on the Slytherin House Team and had still been a close friend of Veritate. Skye had followed their father onto their family team as a Chaser.
There was a groan of dismay with Ron Pettigrew was Sorted into Gryffindor and their House points dropped to negative 150. Wow, Nana Minnie must have been really upset. Last Eri knew Percy had only taken 125 points.
Finally, it was Eri’s turn.
As he stepped forward, the Headmaster interrupted the Sorting.
“Minevra, my dear girl, I believe you skipped a name.”
Nana Minnie adjusted her spectacles, “Albus, this is not the time. I have not skipped any names. I called the names as they are magically spelled to the list by Founder Magic.”
“Minerva, you skipped Harry Potter.”
Nana Minnie’s eyes hardened, “I did not skip his name. It wasn’t in the Book of Students. No letter manifested under that name for me to owl it. You were not around due to having many claims on your time. For the rest of my duties as Transfiguration Mistress, Head of Gryffindor, and Deputy Headmistress, it quite slipped my mind. As Harry Potter’s self-appointed guardian, it’s on you to ensure his well-being and that he was properly introduced to the Wizarding World. He was not my responsibility.”
“Really?” Dumbledore frowned, “Then why are you always bothering Muggleborn and Muggle-raised students’ families by having them pre-emptively investigated?”
“Because someone has to care, as someone with Muggle ancestry, I know how narrow-minded Muggles can be. No child should have to hide their magic for fear of being mistreated. Harry Potter had you, I didn’t see a reason to publicly interfere with your guardianship.”
Eri was surprised, that was an interesting way for Nana Minnie to put things. If Harry was the nephew of his papa and the adopted nephew of his dad, shouldn’t they have gotten custody? It was odd that with living relatives that Dumbledore would bypass legal and social precedent. Especially someone who took pride in being the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot as well as Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards.
“Where is Harry Potter?” Dumbledore frowned.
Nana Minnie just shrugged, “Not my business to publicly question. You’re supposed to be his guardian, surely you've checked on him over the years.”
“Of course, of course,” Dumbledore assured her before rising and stalking out.
Nana Minnie turned to the other students, “My apologies, that conversation should have been had privately after you were dismissed for the evening.” She smiled at Eri, “Now Eri, it’s your turn.”
The Hat was placed on Eri’s head after he primly sat on the stool before her.
‘Hello, Mr Prince.’ Came a voice in his head.
Given that he’d heard the details of his extended family’s Sortings, Eri wasn’t surprised.
‘Call me Eri, what’s your name?’
‘You’re the first person since Lily Prince to ask. My name is Arnold. Lady Helga said every sentient being, even a hat deserved a name.’
‘Nice to meet you, Arnold.’ Eri said politely.
‘You’re a bit of a Hat Stall like Lily and Remus. She would have done just as well in any House. Remus would have made an excellent Ravenclaw himself, just as Sirius would have been a fine Slytherin. I’ll give you the same chance to weigh in on where you’d like to be Sorted.’
‘My best friend is in Hufflepuff, but most of my friends are spread out between Ravenclaw and Slytherin. I’d like to be in papa’s House, I know dad wants me to go where I belong more than he wants me in Gryffindor.’ Eri said thoughtfully.
The Hat loudly announced him as a Slytherin.
Eri politely handed the hat to his cousin Dudley Rise Pucey.
Dudley was immediately Sorted to Gryffindor, joining his best friend, Greg. Dudley was closer to Greg and Vince than anyone else, even if he was a third cousin to Eri and a second cousin to Theo.
There were a number of mostly unfamiliar names being Sorted, the final name was part of Harry’s circle: Blaise Zabini.
Blaise surprised no one by joining them in Slytherin.
Nana Minnie welcomed them all to another year at Hogwarts. Introducing each of the professors, her fellow Head of Houses, the Head Boy, the Head Girl, and all of the House Prefects. Even pointing out the small table with the professors’ kids that included Eri’s siblings Accalia, Teddy, and Fili, as well as Aunt Charity’s eldest Patience Carina Crouch. Patience’s sisters Elara Bliss and Serenity Cassiopeia were five and soon-to-be three, meaning that they ought to be in bed by now. Just as Nemia and Sera should be.
Nana Minnie reminded them that the staff were all here for their safety and academic support. That their office hours would be posted in their Common rooms and mentioned during their first classes.
Then finally, she told them to enjoy their meal.
There was some polite chatter as they asked for certain dishes to be passed. It was nice to finally be Sorted and to be an official Hogwarts student, but not just a professor’s kid.
All too soon, the dishes were gleaming and empty.
Nana Minnie dismissed them before filing in with Gryffindor and their prefects.
Slytherin rose as one, prefects heading out first and meeting up with papa, who escorted them to the Dungeons.
Papa had allowed Eri to accompany him to his first meeting with Slytherin since he was eight. The opportunity Accalia clearly hadn’t chosen to accept…
They were welcomed, and introduced to papa’s expectations. His office hours were posted, a reminder that the House marched to breakfast during the school week and after the evening meal. That Slytherin was full of the ambitious, yes, there were those whose ambitions took a darker turn and earned infamy rather than fame. Being Sorted into Slytherin implied they had potential, and the drive to make their mark on the world.
They might not be the House of the Wise, but they were intelligent enough to make decisions. They might not have similar morals to Hufflepuff or any other House. Papa had high, but reasonable expectations. Members of their House were not late to class or with their assignments. It was not a sign of weakness to identify one’s limitations, if a subject is not your best, it is smart to find someone whose strength is where you are weak. Trading assistance between your skills is a balanced relationship. It is a rare person who is equally gifted in every subject we offer, so do not berate yourself if you struggle. Struggle builds character, if everything was equally easy, what would we learn?
Papa was so brilliant, Eri’s pride in him glowed in his heart.
A house elf appeared as he wrapped up his usual speech.
Papa skimmed it, his expression darkening, the note lighting itself on fire before he called for those of certain families to step forward.
There wasn’t a wizard from the House of Slytherin, or a witch from the House of Black presently. Lesath graduated last year and only begrudgingly led the House, having inherited the Queenship from her mother Andromeda, who was still considered practically legendary.
With only brothers younger than Veritate and Lesath, Hermione in Ravenclaw, and Luna already determined to Sort to Ravenclaw, it was likely that there wouldn’t be a Queen this year. Mal Prewett, who was Uncle Regulus and Uncle Fabian’s daughter was a possibility though. Perhaps, Luna’s younger sister Nyx or Draco’s sisters Tania and Kore might take the mantle.
Draco stepped forward as the Prince, but asked Lyra Scamander, the Head Girl, to retain her leadership. He didn’t feel quite ready for the role of Prince of Slytherin, but he wanted Blaise as his second. Eri blinked in surprise as he and Vince were named guardians.
Papa reminded them about curfews as well as light-out before bidding them goodnight and stalking out of their dungeon common room.
Draco advised for his year to head to bed and the boys followed Draco, while the girls followed Pansy.
XoooooooX
Severus had been worried, he doubted that anyone would divine Eri’s original identity. Those who knew had agreed to unbreakable vows, the entire extended Prince family’s adults, as well as Sirius, his former fellow Aurors, the extended Black Family, and the elder Lupins.
He made his way to Minerva’s office to find her pouring a large drink of scotch before handing him one.
“That bad?”
“Given that Albus didn’t officially bring pictures of a supposed Harry Potter to us, I knew he never visited. He refused to admit this, we know that within two weeks of Samhain, Prudence Petunia Dursley, was arrested and custody of her son passed to her eldest sister with her parents’ consent.”
“Yes, because Vernon was found guilty of accessory to the murder after the fact of Harry Potter. How is Albus taking Harry’s supposed death?” Severus snorted distainfully.
“He keeps muttering about that wretched prophecy. Anyone with sense knows that Sybil is a fraud. I’d fire her if it was within my power.” Minerva complained for the umpteenth time.
No one but Albus truly knew the contents of said prophecy, not even Severus. Lily reached out and invited him to Harry’s Wiccaning, wanting someone she trusted with her son. Her first rebellion after being bonded to James.
Severus dreaded that he might have to upend Eri’s identity and self-concept by informing him of his origins as Harry Potter.
He swallowed, “Is he going to inform others?”
Minerva snorted, “Of course not, he’s staring at his chessboard.”
Severus shook his head, “I’ll never understand that man. Well, we all know that our Head Girl Lyra will be passing it to her mother.”
It wasn’t commonly known that Rita Skeeter’s true identity was Rivati Scamander, having taken a penname so as not to embarrass her family when writing “scandalous” stories, usually targeting Dumbledore. She’d met Bilius Weasley through an interview about his then latest Quidditch-related book under his own penname Kennilworthy Whisp, and they ended up courting. Rita’s eldest was Lyra who was in Slytherin, her slightly younger brother Lynx was Sorted into Ravenclaw, while Leo ended up in Gryffindor, and Leda was a Hufflepuff.
The Scamanders had zero love or trust for the Headmaster.
Minerva sipped at her drink, “Good. That means that it will be in the morning paper. I do feel for the Burbages, the sisters and their children will be shamed by this.”
Severus sighed, “They’ve known this day was coming, especially since Aurelius saw to it that his daughter was properly punished even if it was for a golem.”
Minerva stared into her drink, “They are a good family, it’s just awful that they have someone like Petunia Dursley in the family. Is Dudley aware of his connection to Harry?”
Severus nodded, “He was informed when he was ten about his birth family, and he was properly horrified. Having been sixteen months old at the time of his birth parents’ arrests, he has no conscious memories of them. He’s emotionally bonded with his parents Faith and Tiberius, as well as his brothers Adrian and Gary, and his sister Blythe. He was introduced to Vince Crabbe and Greg Goyle as a small child, and they are friends.”
They finished their drinks before Severus went to tuck Accalia, Teddy, and Fili into bed. His soul ached on Eri’s behalf. Would he need to confess that he and Remus weren’t Eri’s birth parents? That he was born to Lily and James? They sort of glossed over much of James’ bad qualities, so if Eri had to learn of this, that he wouldn’t feel shame about James. Even if the Prince Family adults had a great loathing for how James treated not only Severus but several other Slytherins as well as turning his back on Sirius for falling for Lucius and how James managed to get Lily to mostly turn on her family that she had loved.
After finishing Accalia, Teddy, and Fili’s bedtime routine, Severus and Remus headed to bed themselves. Remus was quiet as Severus explained what happened to disrupt Eri’s Sorting.
Severus gave Remus a calming draught before telling him of course, even still Remus was growling and muttering darkly about Albus.
Remus had been on a tracking mission for the Department of Magical Creatures when James and Lily were killed. He’d managed to track Eri using a Potter spell, and after determining that neither Remus nor his grandfather Lyall were a threat, Severus slowly let them spend supervised time with Eri. Even if Sirius and Lucius were willing to vouch for him, Severus’ relationship with Remus was a slow-building thing. Remus’ interactions between himself and Eri or Remus and Chiara had kindled feelings in Severus. Their firstborn Accalia hadn’t been planned, while both their sets of twins were.
Remus had apparently crushed on Severus all through school and while Lily had been acceptable to James, neither Lucius nor Severus had been. It resulted in breaking the friendship between James and his childhood friend Sirius as well as the brotherly bond between James and Remus. Eri had helped rebuild some trust with the remains of the House of Potter, since Remus and Lyall had nothing to do with James’ rudeness.
Knowing that Remus was just as upset about how Albus behaved made Severus assured that he hadn’t been unduly furious.
Being held by Remus help ground Severus’ emotions enough to sleep.
XoooooooX
Eri didn’t subscribe to The Daily Prophet, preferring to get his news from Uncle Xenos’ The Quibbler. However, Pansy and Draco did to keep on top of the political issues.
Draco turned to glare at their Head Girl Lyra Scamander, who merely raised an eyebrow, but he didn’t further react other than maintaining his scowl.
Eri sighed, “Do I want to know?”
Pansy mused, “Well, it’s been revealed that the Sorting Ceremony was rudely interrupted against tradition by a seated Headmaster. Your name wasn’t included, probably because Skeeter is wary of insulting the very families that she married into by disregarding legal and social propriety, referring to a legal child by name. She did however mention that Albus was revealed as the self-proclaimed guardian of Harry Potter and yet was shocked when he didn’t arrive to be Sorted. That he didn’t even have a letter magically created to be sent out. She is requesting a full investigation about how Albus came to be Potter’s guardian and how he handled said guardianship.”
Eri nodded, he worried for this Harry who must be a cousin.
XoooooooX
Albus Percival Brian Wulfric Dumbledore had been found to be guilty of kidnapping, and neglect being sentenced to fourteen years for the kidnapping and seven for neglect that resulted in the death of a child who he claimed responsibility for. Both were to be served back-to-back rather than concurrently, giving a term of twenty-one years that at his age, might as well be a life sentence. He had been fired by the Board of Governors, without hope of a pension. He was voted out as Chief Warlock, with Madam Faith Burbage-Pucey being appointed in his stead. The Dumbledore Estate was, with Aberforth’s consent, transferred to the House of Flint since his Aunt Honoria had been Lady Flint and he was childless as was Albus. Due to how the House of Potter was devastated by the loss of Harry, Lord Brutus Flint had transferred it to Lady Honoria’s son Lyall Lupin, the great-grandfather of Harry Potter. Making it part of Eri’s inheritance at present, not that the young Slytherin really was party to such things.
The entire extended family was pleased, finally at the justice served, they just hoped that Eri would be able to grow and mature without being haunted by the metaphorical ghost of Harry Potter and the socio-politcal expectations for the boy.