Chapter One
Holly really should’ve expected some sort of buggering outcome when she gathered the Hallows together. She’d been a tad careless and had absolutely forgotten Moody’s crucial words of wisdom.
She supposed she has no one but her charming self to blame for the subsequent events.
She’s lived a full and blissful life after the war, she believed.
She never did muster enough courage to go back to Hogwarts to finish her final year. Kingsley offered her and her friends a spot in the DMLE along with several offers from the other departments but Holly couldn’t really sing accolades, pretend even, when she didn’t have any good associations with them and, therefore declined. She wanted to finish her education however, and with the help of Hermione, the both of them crammed their way through their school books and took their exams.
Ron wanted to join the Auror Corps at first, but after a couple of weeks thinking about it, changed his mind and, together with Lee Jordan, helped George manage the joke shop when the latter was ready to start the business again.
Holly became interested in health care and eventually went back to Hogwarts to try her luck in getting an apprenticeship with Madam Pomfrey and was thankfully accepted. She initially considered applying in St. Mungo’s but thought about the erratic and horrid schedules and immediately balked at the idea. She swore to Andromeda that she’d be there to help take care of Teddy and she had no intention of breaking that promise, no matter how Andromeda kept on assuring her she should be painting the town red instead.
Holly didn’t know what made Hermione do it but she went full Gryffindor and applied for a job at the one place they’ve burgled of all places, to which she was astonishingly accepted with minimum complaints.
It seemed that Hermione urging them to pay reparations got them started again on the goblins’ gracious list, despite the fate of the Wizarding World at stake.
It was also where Hermione met Draco and it was the moment that started... well, almost everything.
Years passed and most of her friends got married. She might not have done the same, had never really genuinely found someone she liked enough to bond with and live with for the rest of her life, but at least she had Teddy. Her godson might have been a menace, an adorable, proper spawn of a Marauder, and they’ve had dreadful moments that made her doubt her capacity of being a decent godparent in the most unexpected of times, but he was a good kid overall.
It’s been a profound experience but Teddy grew up fine so she thought she’d done a fairly decent job.
Holly rarely felt lonely either.
With her friends pairing up, babysitting became a regular occurrence. She was the favorite aunt who the children went to for some good tales. When they weren’t tottering, little brats anymore, the stories were traded for a firm shoulder to cry on and numerous pieces of advice.
Well, she tried at the very least, but Hermione’s occasional stink eye and her husband's terrible scowl whenever her children did something Potter-ish would tell people otherwise.
So, the children became adults and they likewise grew old. Later on came the grandchildren, which ultimately led to the first rambunctious horde of great-grandchildren. Teddy was happy and her found family flourished in each generation and if those weren’t reasons enough, then she didn’t know what was.
Holly found love and peace in the end and now, at the grand age of a hundred and seventy-eight, with everything updated and sorted and a few instructions to the sniveling younglings about maintaining the tradition of being a proud Marauder— “You have to teach them that neat trick with the fireworks, Teddy, or else I’ll haunt you and tell them about that thing you did during your Fifth Year. In detail.” —much to the exasperation of their parents, Holly Potter thought about finally reuniting with her parents and the friends that went before her and drew in her last breath.
-o-
She’d been naïve to think it would be that easy.
Everything she could perceive didn’t sound like the world beyond. Wherever that is.
There were murmurs of a language she’d never heard before and she felt like she was being held, a piercing cry ringing in her ears and the room that surrounded her.
Holly realized she was the one crying and didn’t understand a single bloody thing happening. Holly didn’t have a clue about anything from the other side but she knew for sure she was supposed to be dead, and that she was supposed to be somewhere tranquil and beautiful and also sharing a hug with her family and friends.
This obviously wasn't the right place and Holly began to panic, which made her wail some more.
Someone made a shushing sound above her and a masculine voice spoke from the side, concern so distinct that Holly stopped herself, belatedly realizing that she was now understanding, “Is she well, love?”
Someone touched her forehead―a comforting touch, she grudgingly admitted―and said, this time, a feminine voice she perceived came above her, “Don’t fret, my love. I would think she was merely announcing her presence in this world, as are the other elfings when they’re being born.” There was a teasing lilt when she added, “And it’s not as if this one’s our first child for you to worry so much. Or have you forgotten your other daughter who likes to test your patience whenever the mood fancies her?”
“If she would only stop trying to slip away into the prairie outside the borders without an escort, then it would certainly ease my mind,” the masculine voice exasperatedly replied after letting out a sigh, a tender caress on her cheek as he continued, “But I digress, I am simply speculating that Celebrian wasn’t this loud when she was born. The little one must be feeling something that is troubling her.”
The woman let out a soft laugh and Holly thought it sounded very lovely, before the woman replied, “Ailith has told us all we needed to know, my love. We only need rest. There is nothing to worry about.”
The man let out another sigh, sounding affectionately acquiescent when he responded, “If you say so, my love.”
The touch on her cheek didn’t stop even when the conversation did and Holly became curious. If she was to try and hazard a guess, Holly has been reincarnated as a baby and these people with her were her parents. They also mentioned another daughter and Holly deduced she must also have a sister. Holly’s never had living parents before, much less a sister, therefore she was feeling desperate to see what these people looked like.
But her blasted eyes remained firmly close and she was feeling rather agitated at the limitations and so Holly squirmed within the arms of her new mother, also feeling so close to tears again.
Damn baby hormones.
Her new father faintly remarked, “She must be hungry.”
Her new mother let out a hum and replied, something unreadable in her voice that Holly didn't want to broach, “I don’t think so.”
That was when Holly pushed herself even more and finally opened her eyes.
Everything was bright and hazy, until her eyes eventually grew accustomed to the light. Everything remained indistinct however, and Holly unknowingly grimaced for the inconvenience it was giving her. There were far too many limitations in being a baby. How was she ever going to survive?
There was a gasp on her side and Holly became fixated on the unexpected sound, turning towards it as she tried to blink to improve her eyesight but to no avail. Was she cursed to remain partially blind even with this second life of hers? Merlin, that was so unfair.
With undisguised wonder in his voice, the man breathed out as his hand remained attached to her face, callused yet gentle and warm, “Look at her eyes, my love! I’ve never seen such a vivid color before! Such wonderful gems… Do you think they will change like it did with Celebrian?”
Another hand came up to her forehead, as if brushing the tendrils of hair that wasn’t clearly there yet, and remarked, sounding certain, “I don’t believe they will.”
“I’ve never seen our kind with such brilliant, green jewels.”
Kind? What kind? Things weren’t adding up in her brain.
“Neither have I and yet here she is,” she replied, light-hearted and indulgent, “It appears we’ve been blessed by the Valar, beloved.”
Still feeling utterly confused, Holly felt like she was being passed into another’s arms and a cooing sound came from the person holding her when she fidgeted, rocking her soothingly in their arms.
Holly suspected it was her new father holding her, because his chest rumbled when he spoke, “Would now be the auspicious time for you to finally give her a name? Or would you allow me to do that honor?”
Her new mother humorously bantered, “After you’ve named our first daughter? Perhaps not, husband. Moreover, you’ve given me your word you’d let me do it.”
Her new father chuckled and Holly, against her more developed conscience, gravitated towards the sound and tried to burrow herself further into his arms, “And you know I never break my word, my beloved wife.”
Holly didn’t like the thought of being the only one who has this particular shade of eye color. It would mean she was special― different, more likely ―and Holly wanted to be anything but.
However, it was something she'd managed to bring with her, which was quite comforting now that she thought about it. She supposed that also asking to keep her name would be a bit of a stretch.
Not that she has that capability either. She wasn’t stupid to think she could articulate full words and sentences this time.
There was a stretch of silence, her sense of anticipation growing more evident as she once again began squirming. After quite some time though, her mother finally declared, “Laiquaril seems to fit her better this time. ”
“Laiquaril…” She felt her father draw her closer to him, and with a kiss on her forehead, he lovingly expressed, “I welcome you, daughter of mine.”
-o-
Laiquaril was in her teenage years and currently working on her magic alone in the middle of a forest―adequately protected, she might add―when she heard footsteps coming her way.
Her head snapped towards the unexpected sound, tensing, and the Lumos she’s been improvising and practicing above her palm abruptly vanished, silently berating herself for being completely careless and inattentive.
And that was what her mother said when it was only her that appeared between the dense bushes, her long hair trailing after her like a flimsy cloak of silver and gold.
Holly Potter couldn’t imagine having authentic, white hair―like Draco’s but… much prettier ― but Holly Potter never envisioned being Laiquaril either so she couldn’t really complain about such trivial things when she had other serious matters to contemplate about.
Like how she’s having trouble with her nearly uncontrollable magic.
And her secret finally coming out.
Because Laiquaril knew her mother knew what she'd been doing and this was the time where she was going to finally get a piece of her mind.
Galadriel gestured a hand to the area around them and gave her a discerning look. “Did you really think I wouldn’t find out where you're always going when you keep slipping away so obviously, my little dove?”
Laiquaril felt and tried to look affronted as she met her mother’s gaze, because she’d obviously been a master of subterfuge in her previous life there wasn't any reason why she couldn’t be one in this life.
But her mother’s gaze was a bit piercing, and she really can’t stand a chance when she’s so proficient with mind reading, and Laiquaril reluctantly admitted, sounding defeated, “Of course not, Mother.”
There was no strong breeze but the branches from the trees nearby swished and crunched, and Laiquaril knew she’d also been followed for Merlin knew how long.
“Since the pie incident, my little love,” Galadriel obligingly supplied as she read her mind like a book.
Laiquaril put Occlumency on her list as one of the immediate things she should do when she’s able to.
“Mother, you know that the pie incident wasn’t truly my fault,” Laiquaril mulishly said for the nth time.
Her mother gave a few nods, looking completely indulgent just like the previous times, “Of course not, sellig, but we both know how Lurien is.”
“Only Lurien?”
“And Ethuil,” Galadriel added.
Laiquaril stomped her foot on the ground like a spoiled elfling and glowered at the thick foliage above them, hissing, “It was just jam, nana! I told them it was jam!”
Galadriel took a few steps closer as she answered, “Ahh, but Lurien and Ethuil didn’t know that, did they? The terrible mess you made in the kitchens similarly didn’t help when they found out.”
Laiquaril let out a huff, feeling frustrated, as she crossed her arms across her chest.
Galadriel laughed softly and brushed a few strands of hair from her face, sounding playful, “But I applaud, Laiquaril.”
“Why?”
“Because you certainly possess a more sensible mind to sneak away when something else occupies your father’s attention. Your older sister never quite managed to think of such a strategy when she was the one doing all the sneaking.” She tapped her nose and remarked, “But perhaps you should put more effort on your footwork next time.”
Laiquaril crinkled her nose but never pulled away, mumbling, “Celebrian only thinks about slithering away and not the finer details.”
Galadriel’s eyes crinkled when she smiled at her. “That’s true.”
Laiquaril added stubbornly, not really wanting to let her win all of it, “And I walk perfectly well too.”
“Do you?” her mother asked her, her look turning cryptic and unclear as she brushed a few strands of hair away from her face. “Hmm… I suppose that’s true. It’s when you run however, that makes some things a little obvious.”
Laiquaril asked with a frown, “What do you mean?”
Her mother let out an almost inaudible sigh and crouched down, her hands never leaving her face as her grey eyes never wavered from hers, “You never notice, my little jewel, but there are times when you trudge a bit strongly and your footfalls become heavier.”
Laiquaril went completely still, her emerald eyes growing wide with dread and understanding.
Because she’d already slipped a couple of times without her bloody notice and other people…other Elves were starting to see that something was wrong with her.
Laiquaril suddenly felt faint and her mother might’ve continued talking since her mouth was still moving but Laiquaril couldn’t really focus when everything was starting to become dim and hazy and the only other thing she can hear besides the awful ringing in her ears was her adolescent, little heart thundering against her ribcage trying to break free as she hurriedly thought about the implications for her blunders.
About her flaws of being a common Elf. Such a simple act she couldn’t maintain. Now everyone knew she wasn’t normal.
And worst of it all was her parents finding out she was a―a freak and then everything was going to change. They weren’t going to handle someone like her so well. They’d probably abandon her, probably move to another Elven city far away from here as well.
Gods! Today was becoming a nightmare. And she started her day feeling great too.
It was never her idea to begin with, but she never really should’ve come here.
With her breaths coming in hard and terribly unsteady, it was as if she'd been running on a long marathon, and Laiquaril felt her hands become clammy and cold. Nothing much was making sense anymore and all she could think about was how she could continue by herself when she was just this small and obviously underdeveloped.
She’s been so absorbed with improving her magic she didn’t think about making additional plans just in case everything went down the proverbial drain. Now that it was, Laiquaril was left feeling stumped.
But Holly Potter had been a resourceful woman and a foolishly courageous bitch, and Laiquaril might still be a pubescent little elfling but she could definitely learn. This wouldn’t be the first time she'd survive on her own. And she knew this wouldn't be her last either.
‘…come back, my love. Oh, little Laiquaril…’ came the soothing whisper in her head that sounded like her mother.
Laiquaril was feeling determined and secured enough because of her makeshift plans that she somehow managed to hear her mother inside her head.
Bit by bit, she felt like she was coming back. Her heart might still be pounding in her chest but at least she could feel and hear everything else again.
Her mother continued urging her to come back with her soft, tender voice and Laiquaril didn’t even realize she’d closed her eyes.
Feeling wholly like herself again and steeling herself for the confrontation, she opened her eyes and met her mother’s gaze with unwavering strength.
“Oh, Laiquaril…” Galadriel voiced out as she continued to run her soothing hands through her hair, “There’s no need to fear, sell nin. What you’re thinking will never come to pass. I’ve known who you had been the moment you were born and even without telling him, your father also knew, but perhaps it is because your glow never diminished. The others have noticed of course, but have never felt the need to question such transcendent events. We understand that some of the works of the Valar are mystifying and that it is in our best interest to leave such instances be.”
“But―But why didn’t you say anything before? Why now?” she asked, disbelief painted on her face as she tried to digest this new turn of events.
“Because I saw the life you had, my little flower child, and despite achieving the life you had wanted in the end, your father and I love you so much to decide you deserved more than what you had worked for and to live the life you truly wanted,” her mother explained, grasping her hands with hers and continued, “And it was enough for a while but you’ve been practicing your magic, your power, without proper guidance and I fear there will come a day you might harm yourself if I let you continue.”
“But you know what I’ve been up to so you must know that I’m safe,” she replied petulantly, still feeling a little cautious.
Galadriel nodded, “I do, but there were times when I couldn’t and for that, I am grateful to Luthein and Ethuil for guarding you.”
“I knew it wasn’t just because of the jam,” Laiquaril grumpily muttered under her breath before she realized a little detail her mother said, completely forgetting her current dilemma, gasping, “Wait… Nana, did you say I glow?”
Galadriel chuckled and gave her plump cheek an affectionate pat. “Have you never seen yourself in the mirror?”
Laiquaril pulled on a face as she answered, “You know I don’t like mirrors.” She stretched her arms in front of her and remarked when she saw nothing out of the ordinary, “How come I don’t see it?”
Galadriel gave her cheek another pat before standing up, replying, “You’ve been thinking about being ordinary the moment you were able to think, penneth. Perhaps your power is simply displaying as you wished it to be.”
Laiquaril frowned even more. “I don’t understand.”
Galadriel held her hand as they started to walk back to the city. “And you will. In time. On the other hand, you’ve grown frustrated with the little progress you are making and what do you think will happen when you become even more frustrated?”
Laiquaril looked up at her and gave her a sulky look worthy of a child. “I wasn’t frustrated. And I was being careful.”
Galadriel responded, sounding patient, “But being careful isn’t always enough, therefore I’ve decided you need a teacher.”
“A teacher?” she parroted back, feeling excited at the prospect of proper education at last, “Who is it going to be, nana?”
Her mother gave her a smile worthy of a Slytherin and replied, “I am.”
Laiquaril let out a gasp as she bounced in delight. “Seriously?”
Galadriel gave a radiant laugh before repeating, “Seriously, sell nin.”
Laiquaril happily swung her arms as she exclaimed, “That’s great, nana! A proper teacher! And it's you!” And stopped short when she realized something, making her mother stop too. “Does ada know that I have this―this magic? And what about Celebrian?”
“There’s no need for you to worry, Laiquaril. Your father knows everything, as does your sister.”
Laiquaril nervously picked on her dress as the child in her asked for reassurance and hopefulness, “And they’re fine with it? They… They don’t hate me because I have magic?”
Galadriel bent down before her and asked her instead, “Do you think they hate me because I have my own power as well, my love?”
Laiquaril snapped her eyes towards her mother, saying, “I’ve never seen them get angry at you so I don’t think they are.”
Galadriel gave a nod. “And they’re not. Our kind is gifted with all kinds of power, Laiquaril, and the choice is up to you whether you’ll use them wisely or you don’t use them at all.”
That one made sense to Laiquaril, to which she gave off a thoughtful nod before they continued their way towards their home.
But because she was clearly more of her father’s daughter, just like how Celebrian’s more of their mother’s daughter, she couldn’t help but ask again, “Did ada say anything else, nana? Did you and ada have a serious talk about it?”
Her mother let out another chiming laugh before appeasing her, “Apart from your ada saying that you should be receiving the best of everything, I’m afraid we’ve not talked about anything else, beloved, and you know your father makes time for you if you want to talk with him.”
Laiquaril gave a slow nod, distracted from her own thoughts, and asked, “And Celebrian?”
“Your older sister is simply waiting for you to show her how remarkable your magic is, penneth,” her mother replied before thinking more about it and saying, “Hmm, I think not. Your sister isn’t an elleth who simply likes to wait. Patience has never been a strong suit for her.”
“That’s true,” Laiquaril affirmed and began insistently tugging on her mother’s hand as she tried to hurry them along. “Come on, nana! I’ve decided to have a talk with ada about some things. Where is he right now? Is he busy?”