Hiraeth

A few more weeks passed and the letters from Hogwarts had been set out, both Ron and I had received our acceptance letters and the older boys received their new class schedules. “Well, the only thing we have to do is get you uniforms and a wand. I am sure the twins don’t mind handing down their first-year textbooks.” Molly smiled while I looked away from her. I looked at the twins and they were already talking over each other saying two different things.

That caught everyone off guard. Suddenly the twins had seven pairs of eyes on them all ranging from curiosity to rage. “Forge, Gred you speak now one at a time.” Molly was pissed and I moved behind Percy. He on the other hand looked like he was going to pass out. 

“Well, you see we were making something and this goo acid ate my books back in the first year…” One of them spoke and the other picked up as he trailed off. “There was a first-year student who needed to borrow my set and then someone set the common room on fire… the books were a part of the wreckage…”

“You know what, I am not even mad that you hid the goo acid for almost two years. I am impressed. I am also impressed that you were nice enough to lend your books out to a student who needed the help.” Arthur spoke up and continued speaking, “Plus it’s not like you set the common room on fire we would have heard about it McGonnagle would have connected us immediately, and sent you home for a few weeks.”

The twins looked sheepish rubbed the back of their necks and looked down. “Oh Merlin you set the common room on fire AND you got away with it?!” Molly screeched at them.

Ron mumbled out, “Blimey.”

Percey glared at them like he was going to skin them alive. “You mean to say the reason the WHOLE house lost not only 350 points but the house cup this year was because of the two of you setting the common room on FIRE?!”

“Can we stop talking about fire please?” I whispered but no one either didn’t hear me or ignored me.

“Get dressed and don’t think you aren’t grounded you two!” Molly wagged her finger at the twins and I raced up the steps into the shared room with Ron. I grabbed the first pair of dress trousers and a nice dress shirt. This was going to be my first time in public with other wizards both real and fake memories. I recalled what he taught me though, Merlin I missed him even more now than I had realized in the past few weeks. 

Robes, I didn’t have any actual robes for me. I cursed under my breath and went to the twins’ room and drug in their old robes pile they were supposed to be handing down to us after we got our measurements. I threw the first one that looked to be about my size on, thanking Merlin that it was only an inch too long on my arms and the rest of it came down to the middle of my calves. It looked like it was still new too, which was unusual. 

“Why is this one not as worn as the others?” I turned around expecting someone to be in the room, but no one was. “Uh…” I shook my head and made my way down the stairs fully dressed and ready to go to Diagon Alley. I could hear Ron yelling that there was something wrong with Scabbers. I shook my head something was trying to pull me out of the present and I didn’t want to go.

“Oh, wow, who knew you to act like a pureblood with a family who forgets that they are. Are they going to marry you off to the first person they see that is your age?” An unfamiliar person spoke at the bottom of the stairs.

“I would like to have some decorum they aren’t my parents so they have no say, even Mother Magic agrees with that.” I tutted, and realized that this wasn’t happening, at least not the way other people would think. “Who might you be?”

“I came to tell you, your trial has started. You will find them today. I, Zuse, have found your intentions to be pure, my young Naw O Fywydau. You must keep the Rite as long as you can, the three of you are young yet. A warning to you though that it will be solidified and broken and reformed. You will die, but it won’t be permanent. That is all Fate has permitted me to share.

I came back to standing at the bottom of the stairs, with Molly looking at me upset. “Are you alright Zoi dear you look like you just saw Death.”

I hummed and slowly shook my head, “Inadvertently I did just…” I trailed off and shook my head slightly trying to come back to the present time. “Hot Chocolate might help calm my nerves,” I mumbled and started to make the water and look through the cabinets for some hot chocolate powder.

“Zoi, sit down, I will make you a cup of tea, that's what you need.”

I shook my head and continued to look for the jar of homemade hot chocolate. “No, I want hot chocolate.”

“You do not need something that sweet to calm you down.” She chastised me. I could practically hear her waving her finger at me.

I shook my head again wanting something familiar to calm me down. I was about to cry once more. “Just… Stop.” I whispered to her, “Just stop trying.” I found the mason jar pulled it out put the powder into the now hot water and stirred it. I sipped on it as I made my way to the living room and sat in one of the chairs near the fireplace that is never used. I stared at the lack of flames and thought about what was to come.

Percy dragged me up out of the seat as soon as my cup was finished. “You know I think we should go see your second favourite uncle while we are in Digaon. What do you think?” He muttered into my ear as the twins were causing a loud ruckus.

“I didn’t know Charlie was home.” I looked up and nodded to the twins knowing that it was scheduled. “I wouldn’t mind doing that.”

Alright grab a partner no one should separate from their group until we get back here to The Burrow. I stuck close to Percy and Ron went with the twins. “Alright, we should go one at a time. Arthur, you go first and then I will go last after everyone.” After he went through I made my way through the floo stumbling into Arthur as I came out. My robes and hair were a mess. I frowned, wanting to get the grim off. Percey came out of the floo as soon as I was settled. 

He guided me back away from people and cleaned the two of us up. “Best not to make bad first impressions.” He nodded at his work.

“Aren’t you going to get into trouble, mister perfect?” I smirked, “maybe the twins are influencing you for the better.” I knew I held mischief in my eyes.

He snorted, “Tell anyone you know this but the hat told me I could be in Ravenclaw or Slytherin and I begged to be in Gryffindor, I think the hat wanted to put those two into Slytherin without a doubt. No clue how they ended up in Gryffindor.”

I snorted, “No idea maybe catching things on fire or releasing an acid that eats anything, might have to do with it. Those two are not subtle at all.” 

All he did was nod for a few seconds, “Speaking of subtlety, let’s go get ice cream.” I nodded and chuckled following him out of where we were. “I am taking Zoi to get ice cream, I’ll show her around best not to overwhelm her with everyone going you know?”

We headed off to what looked like an ice cream shop before turning left straight for a large building. “That’s Gringotts,” we climbed the stairs and I held my breath as I remembered the night back in March. I moved my sleeves up a bit so my bracelet was visible as the crowd got thicker. People moved slightly away giving me and Percy space. We made it inside and I went to the next available teller and looked at Percy and then to the Goblin before speaking in Gobbledygook. “We are here to see Bill Weasley the Curse Breaker and Aznar. His niece and brother are here to talk with him and The King.” I play with my necklace as if it was a nervous habit and the Goblin’s eyes widen and nod slightly before racing off.

“Damn, when did you learn Gobbledygook? I didn’t know you could be so subtle. What else do I not know about you?”

I looked up at him and spoke in English again. “You don’t know me, didn’t know I existed in reality before the 11th of March. Someone implanted fake memories and I have been living at the barrow since then as well for my protection…”

He chuckled, not taking me seriously. Bill came out and picked me up, “Okay kid. Let’s get you checked out and Percy.”

I pouted, “You and I both know you don’t need to act like this Bill.”

He chuckled, “Of course I do. No matter what, I am your uncle so I will act like one.” He stuck his tongue out at me. I felt lighter and air.

“You always know how to cheer them up don’t you Bill?” Percy spoke and patted his shoulder.

We walk to the back room with an oversized office. “You think Percy is fine knowing? It is a lot to take in.” I whisper, waiting for the next person to come into the room. “I wonder if the King would advise me to take my necklace off, maybe we can find my father that way.”

“Absolutely not young one, it will disturb the suppressed magical signature you have.” Bill sat me in the chair in front of the desk. “We have it altered so you won’t even be recognized unless you say something about it.” The King spoke coming into the room. “However, we have made him aware of your status. He has reluctantly agreed to keep you in hiding for the foreseeable future. He has signed the contract to not try to contact you before you contact him. However, because no one knows anything about your line, he is not under any glamour.”

I stood up, “Are you kidding me?! Why is it that I am stuck with my Uncles’ and Grandparents, no offence? I want to meet my father, there has to be a way.”

The King nodded, “You will, just not today. As I said, without your glamour you look like the female version of him when he was your age.” It was at this moment I realized that Percy was no longer in the room.

“I think I can have one meltdown over not being able to meet my dad and tell him who I am,” I growl out in Gobbledygook.

He growled back, “When I tell you the history as to why you might not want to talk to him at all. So back down little one. This is not something you want to challenge me over.” I waved my hand for him to continue. He shook his head and spoke slowly, “Your father was a spy during the war.”

“He was a spy?” I shook my head not knowing what that meant.

“Yes, he was a spy for Dumbledore. At least that is what came out at the trials.” He continued and nodded his head, “There is no reason as to why he would have been so deep to have accepted he-who-shall-not-be-name’s madness into going after his family.” Given only the goblins are aware that he and your mother were together since we approved and filed their marriage. We never filed it with the despicable wizards because of the war and who knows how that information would have been used.”

I sat in the chair and leaned back. I stared at him, thinking about what I could say or do. The door opened and Percy and Bill came into the room. Percy looked like he was relieved about something but a bit worried. “Not going to lie to you, I will be getting myself checked like that every break and when we are out of school every month.” He shivered, I was told it could have been worse and you are only letting a few of us do it.” He gave me a questioning look.

“I can only let a handful of people know who I am and what I am capable of doing. I have my five people picked out already. A few other people are left for Mother Magic to pick. I won’t know the exact number, but it will be at least three.” I looked off as if I was in a trace while speaking, shaking my head and coming back to the conversation.

The Goblin King bore a smirk, “Yes, at least three, we were made aware that you have two mates, and we were also contacted that a hierde has been awakened. He is waiting at a location in knockturn alley right now if you wish to meet before school starts. You will have to show it though.”

My upper lip curled, “I would never show it to anyone who wasn’t-”

He cut me off, “He knows what he is looking for though, it was the only way we could tell him who to look for. We couldn’t very well tell him your name or how you look with or without the glamour, it’s against policy. If you wish to meet before school starts in a few weeks that is what was compromised and it was given a blessing, as there will be a callout meeting as there has always been on the first night, you will have to bear it now and then or just then.”

I nodded to him and stood up. “While I have my wits about me I shall go meet. Can you debrief them?”

The king nodded and gave a sad smile giving me a small slip of parchment with the address.

~~~

After leaving I found myself in front of a sketchy-looking tea shop. I placed my robe into the crook of my left arm. My upper right arm was now in full view, showing The Helm of Awe tattooed into my skin. It shined with wild magic and anyone aware of what it represented either moved away or slightly leaned forward. The latter was only one boy who looked to be my age. He stood and placed his right hand loosely covering his left shoulder. He bowed slightly as well. I made my way to him. “It is an honour to meet you before school starts. My name is Theodore Nott.” I inclined my head and my eyebrows rose slightly. I sat down and he followed. 

“I hope to keep this short, I don’t know how long I will be… lucid. As I hope you know, I won’t be able to hold a proper conversion in a normal situation. This state I currently am in happens in random bursts of time.” Tea was delivered and I sniffed it and smiled slightly at the orange chocolate aroma.

“I am aware I will need to make sure you are…” he trailed off trying to find the right words. “Aware of your surroundings. I am to be your shield, the position I am in is stronger than any bond that can be between witches and wizards as it has been made by Lady Magic herself.”

I tsk, “Mother Magic,” I corrected him before speaking again. “Lady Magic is not something you should say unless you want to be cursed by her.” I pause as I sip on my tea again. “If we are to stick together, should we have a plan if we get sorted into different houses, and what name shall we call each other?”

He chuckled at me, “Considering you have yet to tell me a name, I could always call you Malady as hierde has always called… you.”

I cringed at the ma’ lady and shook my head. “Anything but lady or princess or heiress or anything in that gender category.” He nodded and I spoke slowly in Old English. “You may call me Welig or Zo. Both are the false name that my family calls me.” I start feeling like my head is being shoved underwater and look at him. “I should try to find my brother before I get too confused.” I stood up and grasped the table to keep my balance. I felt the air vibrate and shook my head slightly trying to keep myself in the present time, not that it had worked so much last time.

“Yes, I will meet you on the train if you wish we can meet there publicly for the first time.” I nodded and pulled out my black journal. I scribbled down the interaction quickly in Old English. “Listen I need to get my second wand as soon as I get my first one from Olivander’s can you make an appointment for me and meet me outside of Olivanders' in a bit? Say fifteen minutes?” I mumbled out didn’t hear a response and left out the door. My sound filled my ears as if it was at full volume and the sound of crashing waves. My vision was overlapping with someone being pulled under. As I kept making my way down the alley I felt my left footfall out and I took a tumble not knowing how close it came for someone grabbing me from falling. Words were muffled somewhere between underwater and ringing that you only experience if something loud has recently exploded. I held onto the side of my head. Thinking for only a second that I had hit it. I looked up and realised not only was I no longer in an ally but I was in some type of room with several people I didn’t recognise.