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Chapter Text

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Chapter Text

Sirius Black stood defiantly against the looming threat of Death Eaters, his wand held high, fighting alongside his fellow Order members and his goddaughter, Adhara. The dark, cavernous room crackled with malevolent energy as tension filled the air. It reminded him of the days fighting alongside James. Adhara was so much like him. He would have been proud if only he understood the heart attack-inducing stunts she pulled—like fleeing school to race to the Ministry. But he'd get some answers once they finished defeating and rounding up these Death Eaters.

"Nice one, Ara!" Sirius beamed as he watched her disarm another Death Eater, knocking him out.

Bellatrix Lestrange heard his voice echo throughout the chamber. Her features twisted into a sinister grin as she aimed her wand directly at Sirius. He and the Potter girl were fighting side by side, and Bellatrix's eyes danced with delight. With a malevolent voice dripping with madness, she hissed, "Avada Kedavra!" A blinding green light erupted from the tip of her wand, hurtling towards Sirius with deadly intent. In that split second, time seemed to slow down. Sirius's eyes locked onto the one person who mattered most to him in this world—Adhara. She stood there, a vision of beauty and innocence, her eyes wide with horror as she witnessed the unfolding tragedy. "SIRIUS!!" Adhara's anguished cry pierced through the chaos, her voice laced with unbearable pain. She took a desperate step forward, reaching out towards him, her heartrending pleas echoing through the chamber. But before she could bridge the tragic gap, another figure emerged from the shadows.

Remus Lupin acted swiftly. He surged forward, arms outstretched, and held Adhara back, tears streaming down both their faces. His grip was firm but gentle, a barrier that separated her from the impending horror. Sirius's eyes remained fixed on Adhara, the image of her tear-streaked face etching itself into his mind. He longed to reach out to her, to comfort her, but it was a futile wish. He felt an indescribable pain surge through his body. His vision blurred, and his world turned to darkness. With his last breath, his heart ached for Adhara, for the life they would never share, for the future he had hoped to see her embrace. And then, with grace and finality, his body fell backward, disappearing into the mysterious veil that stood as a portal to the unknown. Sirius Black was gone, leaving only the haunting echo of his goddaughter's cries and the heartbreak etched on the faces of those who loved him.

As Sirius Black landed on the cold, unforgiving floor of the afterlife, he knew he was dead. But the darkness surrounding him was unlike anything he had ever imagined. It wasn't the void he had expected. There was no James waiting to greet him, or the small part of him that hoped to be reunited with his brother, Regulus. It was an empty space filled with nothing but him and the darkness. Then he heard something. A small little laugh, as if a baby was giggling at something, but it sounded familiar. Memories, emotions, and experiences that weren't his own. They were Adhara's. In the midst of this haunting darkness, he was bombarded by a flood of Adhara's memories, experiences she had never shared with him. These were the hidden fragments of her past, a heart-wrenching tale that unfolded before his eyes.

He witnessed the night when Voldemort ruthlessly murdered Adhara's parents, James and Lily. Adhara, just a helpless child, had watched in terror as her mother, Lily, had tried to abandon her in a desperate bid to save herself. Why did Adhara never tell him that Lily—that she—Voldemort had shown no mercy, killing Lily as well, before attempting to end Adhara's life? Tears welled up in Sirius's eyes as he watched how alone and terrified Adhara had been, trapped in the clutches of the Dursleys. They had subjected her to unimaginable cruelty—abuse, starvation, berating, bullying, and even physical harm—all while forcing her to live in a cupboard under the stairs. His heart ached at the thought of how she had been made to believe she was unloved and worthless.

But then, he witnessed the moment when Adhara received her letter, learning her true name, Adhara Potter, and the revelation of her magical heritage. Hagrid's arrival on her eleventh birthday had marked the beginning of her journey into the wizarding world, and she had discovered that she had been dubbed "The Girl Who Lived!"—in other words, the savior of the wizarding world. Sirius's heart swelled with pride as he watched Adhara navigate the pressures placed upon her, the adoration and betrayal of those around her, and the manipulation she had endured as a pawn in Dumbledore's grand plan. He couldn't help but wonder how he had never noticed the depth of her struggles before, or how manipulative Dumbledore had truly been. Then, he saw the day they had met all over again, this time paying close attention to the hope in her eyes, the hope that someone, that he, could love her for who she was.

His heart broke anew as he watched the tragic losses she had suffered, including his own death. But it didn't end there. Sirius saw a future that hadn't yet come to pass. He witnessed the torture, pain, and torment Adhara would endure at the hands of Voldemort, Bellatrix, and countless others. He saw her unyielding determination to find and destroy the Horcruxes, her battles against Death Eaters and Snatchers, her near-death encounter with Fenrir Greyback during a full moon. The images were overwhelming, culminating in the final battle at Hogwarts, where Adhara would make the ultimate sacrifice for a world that had never fully appreciated her. She was a scared and innocent child, thrust into a destiny she never asked for, and she would give everything to protect a world that had often failed to see the true depths of her courage and kindness.

As these visions unfolded, Sirius's spirit was filled with a profound sense of sorrow and love for his goddaughter. He understood now the immense burden she carried and the strength she possessed. In the midst of the swirling memories and emotions, a deep, bone-chilling voice pierced through the darkness. It echoed ominously, sending shivers down Sirius's spectral spine. He turned toward the source of the voice, and there, standing before him, was a figure cloaked in shadows. "I imagine... you know who... I am...," the figure whispered, its voice resonating with power and agelessness. Sirius, though taken aback, felt a strange sense of calm wash over him. "W-Why did you show me this? Her memories. Why am I here?" Sirius asked. "I have observed your anguish ... and your love ... for Adhara. Your willingness to protect her... I offer you a chance ... to lessen her pain, ...  to give her a life of happiness ... before she becomes who ... she's meant to be."

Sirius, taken aback by the revelation and the gravity of Death's words, listened intently. His spirit ached for Adhara, and he would do anything to ensure her happiness. Death continued, "But the chance comes with a price... You must accept a new identity... that of Leo Black... A secret son of your past self... You will be reborn as the same age as Adhara... However... you will never be able to reveal... your true identity or the knowledge... of her future that you have witnessed... You will no longer be her godfather... The second you go back to the past... the Sirius Black in that time... that is locked in Azkaban will die..." Death presented an offer that both astonished and intrigued him. To return to Adhara's first year at Hogwarts and to protect her from the shadows without her ever knowing his true identity or the knowledge he had gained from her memories.

Though he would no longer be Sirius Black, her godfather, Sirius hesitated for only a moment, torn between the desire to protect Adhara and the knowledge that he wouldn't be reunited with James. But the chance to be by her side, to ensure she had a life filled with love and happiness, was too compelling to resist. With determination and a newfound sense of purpose, Sirius nodded and accepted Death's offer. "I'll do it!" Curiosity burning within him, he couldn't help but ask, "Why have you given me this chance?" Death's shadowy form seemed to shift, and there was a hint of a smile beneath the hood of its cloak. "Adhara Potter... is special... to me... I wish for her to experience a life of... happiness... before her eventual destiny..." With that, Death extended a bony shadowed hand, and Sirius grasped it, sealing the deal that would take him back in time, into a new identity, and on a path to protect the one person who had come to mean everything to him, all in the service of Death's divine plan.

Chapter Text

Before he could so much as blink, he landed with a loud thud on solid wood flooring.

"Ow..." He groaned, annoyed. "You need to work on your landing!" Sirius muttered bitterly, hoping Death heard him. He didn't need to move much to already know where Death had dropped him upon his return. He's really gotta burn this place to the ground! Slowly, he picked himself up off the floor before a little "Pop!" sounded off from behind him, followed by a grumbling, croaky voice that could only belong to Kreacher.

"Who dares enter the House of Black!" Kreacher's voice echoed.

Naturally, Sirius got ready to turn around and berate the annoying elf before stopping and realizing—he was no longer Sirius Black. He could remember the memories of Adhara's that he'd seen, not clearly, but like a dream he'd had. Enough to remember that Kreacher was just as much a victim of the Black family as he was. Slowly, he turned around to face the old, grouchy house elf.

"Leo Black. I am the son of Sirius Black III," he announced calmly.

Kreacher narrowed his eyes accusingly back at him, and Leo raised his brow in response. "Kreacher thinks you lie! Kreacher knows—"

"Then let us check the tapestry, shall we?" Rebutted Leo, effectively cutting him off.

With a grumble, Kreacher hobbled to the room across the hall, followed by Leo, before they both inspected the tapestry. Kreacher's eyes widened as he looked at the newest branch extending from the scorched spot of Sirius Black III—marking the latest addition to the Black family tree: Leo Alphard Black I. Bloody hell! I'm actually on it!! He couldn't help but think to himself before calming his expression as Kreacher turned to face him.

"Master Leo Black, Kreacher must admit that you speak the truth..." Kreacher grumbled before continuing, "Kreacher serves the House of Black. It is not Kreacher's place to dispute the family tree. How can I serve you, Master Leo Black?"

Surprised by his easy acceptance, Leo spluttered a bit before clearing his throat. "I—I would like to go to Gringotts and uh—What's the date?" he added after staring at his smaller-than-remembered hands. Bloody hell, he's really a child again!

"As you wish... Today's date is Sunday, July 28th, 1991..."

"Right!" Leo quickly nodded in acceptance before adding, "Just call me Leo!"

Kreacher eyed him warily before hesitantly nodding. "As Master Leo wishes..."

"Pop!" Kreacher disappeared before another "Pop!" announced his return, holding a letter out to Leo.

"Master Leo, Your Hogwarts letter arrived..." Kreacher grumbled.

"Oh! Thank you, Kreacher!" Leo cheered appreciatively while plucking the letter out of his hands. If today was the 28th, that gave him three days before Hagrid took Adhara to Diagon Alley. He'd have to time his supply shopping to then so he could meet her sooner rather than later. When did the Weasleys go? He needs to get that rat... He trailed off his inner thoughts as he eyed Kreacher, with newfound determination.

"Kreacher!"

"Yes, Master Leo."

"Just Leo, not Master," he mumbled quietly before shaking his head and returning to his original train of thought. "I know you hate my father, Sirius, but he is still a Black—and has been wronged!"

Kreacher's face morphed into a grimace at the mention of Sirius. Leo chose to ignore it and continued on. "He has been framed by a traitorous rat, and I need your help in capturing him and ensuring justice for the Black name!" he finished confidently.

Kreacher seemed to be fighting a war in his head before reluctantly nodding. "Kreacher... will help... Kreacher lives to serve the House of Black."

"Right! Off to Gringotts. Keep an eye out for the Weasley family. Their daughter Muffy has a rat that is secretly an Animagus! You need to capture it without anyone knowing," Leo instructed.

Kreacher nodded stiffly, with a few foul mutters under his breath.

Kreacher readied the Floo, and they both stepped out into the Gringotts atrium. The grumpy old elf made sure not to be seen as he left to search the alley for the Weasleys. Leo took a calming breath as he subtly glanced at all the other witches and wizards in the bank before proceeding to a goblin desk.

"Name!" The goblin spat out without looking up from his papers.

Clearing his throat and raising his head confidently, "Leo Black. I'd like to take an inheritance test."

The goblin lifted its head to study him with its beady eyes. "Griphook!" The goblin thundered before a moment later, another goblin hobbled into view from the side doors. The two goblins exchanged some whispers before Griphook stepped forward, croaking out, "Follow me!"

Resisting a grimace at the uneasy feeling goblins gave him, Leo stepped in line as Griphook led the way. Eventually, they came to a stop at a great big metal door covered in depictions of goblins defeating their enemies. Griphook banged on the door thrice before turning and abruptly walking away. With a creak, the grand metal door opened, and Leo hesitantly stepped inside.

"Mister Black." The goblin sitting at the desk grimaced out before gesturing to the seat across from him.

Taking his seat, Leo opened his mouth but was quickly silenced by the goblin holding up his hand. "I am Lornok, the House of Black's account manager. You've asked for an inheritance test, yes?" grumbled the goblin. Leo nodded in response.

Lornok opened his desk drawer before pulling out a dagger, a black bowl covered in runes, a spare bit of parchment, and a vial of black liquid. Lornok then held the dagger out towards Leo, who hesitantly took it and sliced his palm before letting the blood drip into the bowl. Lornok proceeded to pour the black liquid out of the vial into the bowl as he began chanting in Gobbledegook. The runes began to glow orange as the liquids swirled about, mixing in the bowl. Slowly, the liquids began to rise up before dripping onto the piece of parchment. Leo watched with bated breath as the liquid slowly dissolved, leaving behind words written on the parchment.

Leo Alphard Black I

Birth: July 28, 1980

Classification: Wizard/Halfblood

Father: Sirius Orion Black III 

Classification:  Wizard/Pureblood.

Status: Incarcerated (Falsely-Never trialed)/Deceased

Mother: Morgan Kali 

Classification:  Muggle

Status: Deceased

Godfather: James Potter 

Classification:  Wizard/Pureblood

Status: Deceased

Godfather: Remus Lupin 

Classification:  Wizard/Werewolf/Halfblood

Status: Alive

Godmother: Unappointed

Magical Guardian: Remus Lupin

Former Guardian: Morgan Kali

Current Guardian: Remus Lupin

...

The goblin hummed to himself as he read over the parchment. Leo stared at the parchment in shock. He didn't even think of Moony... How was he supposed to keep his identity a secret from his best friend? Why did Death even make Moony his guardian? As much as he loved Moony like a brother... Moony worshipped Dumbledore.

"I'll inform your guardian. Heir Black," the goblin suddenly stated, bringing Leo out of his deep pondering. Before he could open his mouth, the goblin had already left. Letting out a small sigh, Leo glanced back down at the parchment as he continued reading on.

Well, at least he has money and properties... I guess Adhara isn't heir to the House of Black anymore because he exists now. Then again, he never actually had a chance to tell her that she was his heir... With a grimace crossing his face, realization hit him that he too had let Adhara down on a lot of things as Sirius. Of course, he knew that, but—knowing it and realizing just how much you failed were two completely different things.

The goblin returned with a disheveled and awkward-looking Remus Lupin trailing behind him. It took everything in him to act naturally and not make a joke to cheer up Moony. This is gonna be harder than he thought! Leo and Remus made eye contact, and Remus instantly stopped, wide-eyed, as he rapidly paled while staring back at him. Leo furrowed his brows before suddenly clueing in to the fact that he looked pretty much identical to his "past self" when he was this age.

"Mr. Lupin," the goblin glared at him before gesturing for him to take the seat beside Leo. Remus shook his head before hesitantly doing as the goblin wanted, trying his best to avoid looking to his right at Leo.

"Heir Black, if you will," the goblin grumbled, eyeing the parchment.

"Oh, right..." Leo quickly handed it to Remus, who hesitantly took it with a nod. With bated breath, Leo watched as Remus' eyes darted down the parchment, his face switching through an array of emotions.

"H-He was innocent..." Remus whispered quietly under his breath before suddenly looking to Leo in shock. "H-How is this possible? Sirius never said he had a—a—"

"A son," Leo finished for him. Remus just numbly nodded back.

Well, he doesn't, as we are the same person, but it's not like he could tell Moony that. "He never knew," Leo stated, as if it was a fact he's always known and this whole situation wasn't weird. 

"A- And your mother... -" Remus asked hesitantly.

"Muggle. She just passed," before quickly adding, "Died at sea—with her boyfriend. He had a boat," thinking up a lie on the spot.

"Oh, I am sorry for your loss..." Remus mumbled genuinely. The goblin cleared his throat as he gave Remus a sharp look to continue reading. With a deep breath, Remus did just that before seeing that it stated Deceased by Sirius's name.

"H-He's dead? But it wasn't announced! No one has said anything," Remus stated in a panic. His friend had died being falsely accused... his friend had died with him believing he was a traitor.

The goblin cleared his throat before stating, "Yes. Sirius Black had died this morning. Which is why it hasn't been announced yet. As for his innocence, well, that is up to heir Black to proceed with ensuring the right people clear his name." Remus sat in silence for a few moments as he processed this bit of news. A son, a false sentencing, and a death. Anymore bloody surprises?

Remus once again returned to reading over the parchment. With a sharp intake of breath piercing the silence that filled the room, Remus's eyes widened as he saw that he was labeled as the godfather and current guardian of Leo. A vast amount of emotions warred within him.

"I uh... - I am not well off, and I'm a werewolf... I would completely understand if you—"

Leo cut Remus off with a snort. "Sorry. It's just, I don't care if you're a werewolf, and you should finish reading the parchment if you're worried about money," Leo stated smugly.

Remus, confused, glanced back down at the parchment in his hands before his jaw dropped open in shock. "The guardian gets paid that much a month t - to - how - what - ?" He stuttered out breathlessly in disbelief.

Leo resisted a smirk as he watched Remus stammer over his words, trying to comprehend that he'd no longer have to live life just barely getting by. "I—I don't know what to sa—"

"Say you'll do it," Leo interrupted, looking at him, albeit a little pleadingly.

Remus pondered in his head for a few moments before nodding in agreement. "I will do my best to be a good enough guardian for you."

"Excellent!" Leo stated, beaming smugly before adding, "Well, we should probably choose a house to live in then, huh?"

Remus blinked back at him as if he'd never met such a human before. Ignoring his look, Leo quickly grabbed the parchment before spotting a property that he'd never heard of before... was this really a Black family property?

"How about this one, Mors Cottage."

Chapter Text

They spent another hour inside Gringotts going over the proper paperwork and bank statements before finally Remus signed the papers, officially agreeing to be Leo's guardian. Reluctantly, he also accepted the money that was to be given to the guardian of Leo for each month until Leo became of age. It was a standard contract for purebloods to automatically have in their files in case of situations such as this. With that reasoning, Leo managed to convince Remus to accept it. After all, how could someone expect you to take care of their child if you couldn't even take care of yourself?

The goblin looked down at the last file in his hand. "Who will you be naming for the House of Black seats until you take on Headship?" He grumbled, staring straight at Leo.

"Seats... right, uh—" He cut himself off as his gaze shifted to Remus. He doesn't have a job, and he was always the smartest out of the Marauders... "How about you?" He stated confidently.

"ME!?" Remus paled, looking back at him shocked. "I—I'm part werewolf... I don't even think I'd be allowed to—"

"Surprisingly, there are no rules against werewolves having a seat on the Wizengamot," Leo stated with a wide grin.

"I—I—"

"Won't you do it? I don't know anyone else... and I am clearly too young to do it," Leo urged.

Remus sighed, "The House of Black is a dark-aligned house, I couldn't possibly—"

"Was," Leo stated, cutting him off. "The House of Black was a dark-aligned house. Now, I plan on changing it to gray. Besides, dark or not shouldn't matter. Aren't you classified as part dark creature, being a werewolf and all?" He finished with a raised brow, receiving a perplexed look in return from Remus and surprisingly even the goblin.

"How do you know this? Aren't you new—"

Leo internally panicked for a moment before spluttering out, "I read ahead! I wanted to know what I was getting myself into and stopped by the bookshop. So, will you do it?" He quickly asked, directing the topic back to Remus.

Remus gave him a quizzical look before relenting, "I guess... I could until you come of age," he forced out.

The goblin looked from Leo to Remus in shock for a second before resuming his usual sneer. "I will get the ring," he said and quickly left the room.

Remus eyed Leo suspiciously. "How do you know all of this?"

"I told you, I read ahead," Leo mumbled, eyeing anything but Remus.

"But—" Whatever Remus was going to say was cut off by the return of the goblin.

ϟϟϟ

Kreacher skulked about invisibly throughout Diagon Alley, looking around for the filthy blood traitors and the rat, but with no such luck. Then he felt the Black family magic alert him to his new master's calls and quickly appeared before Master Leo, sporting a grumpy grimace. His grimace turned into a sneer upon noticing the filthy half-breed next to his master. "Yes, Master Leo... How can Kreacher help?"

Leo looked at Kreacher with narrowed eyes, as if he knew exactly what the elf had been thinking, before letting out a sigh. "Kreacher, this is Remus Lupin. My guardian, so you will treat him with respect. We are relocating from Grimmauld Place to Mors Cottage."

Remus offered a kindly nod to Kreacher. "Pleasure to meet you, Kreacher."

Kreacher grumbled bitterly under his breath as he hesitantly nodded in return. Then Kreacher's eyes widened horrified when realization dawned on him about relocating. "We can't!" Kreacher protested in a panic, unable to stop himself.

Leo looked at Kreacher. "I will allow you to bring a few items... but they can't be cursed or too dark."

Kreacher opened and closed his mouth before reluctantly nodding. "Yes, Master Leo..."

"No, Master, just Leo," he repeated, with a slight grimace.

"Well, shall we, uh, begin your back-to-school shopping or—"

"No. Let's just go to the cottage. I prefer to do my supply shopping on the... in a couple of days," he corrected.

"Kreacher, we'll see you in an hour at Mors Cottage," Leo stated before grabbing onto the portkey in Remus's hand and activating it. With a twist and a nauseating pull, they disappeared from Diagon Alley, landing on a rocky pathway leading up to a large cottage on a beautiful and secluded island. This definitely wasn't the style of any of his relatives... Did Death add this? Remus' jaw dropped in shock. "I thought you chose a Cottage..." He whispered, grabbing the parchment and eyeing it as if it would state something else.

Leo smirked up at him. "I did. Mo—" He cut himself off and quickly diverted attention before Remus could realize he almost called him Moony. "Let's go in!" They approached the large black and grey cobblestoned cottage with colorful stained glass windows and creeping vines crawling up the sides. "Bloody hell! It's even larger on the inside..." Remus whispered under his breath as they took one step inside, and he eyed the large art nouveau foyer. "Wicked skylight," Leo smirked, looking up at the sky.

ϟϟϟ

"Freak!" Uncle Vernon called. "Get me my tea, now," he demanded as he sat in his armchair and unfolded the paper.

"Y-Yes, Uncle Vernon," she whispered quietly, quickly rushing into action. As she waited for the kettle, she anxiously chewed her bottom lip as she gazed out the window in thought. Who was sending her letters? Was someone really looking for her? With a sigh, she leaned onto her fist. Was her name really Adhara Potter? Not freak—

The kettle began to whistle, bringing her out of her pondering, before she quickly rushed to get Uncle Vernon his tea and gently placed it on the side table next to him. Her attention shifted to the window. She could have sworn she saw something fly past it... and then she heard it. Better yet, they all heard it. Adhara and the Dursleys turned their heads to the chimney full of curiosity and apprehension. Suddenly, a letter shot out and hit Vernon in the face. Petunia and Dudley gasped, as Vernon stared perplexed at the chimney. Adhara swallowed a nervous lump in her throat as the house began to shake.

"What is that!? What are you doing!?" Shouted a red-faced Vernon, eyeing Adhara angrily.

"N-Nothing! I—I swear, it i—isn't me!" She stuttered as she anxiously backed away from him. Then, more letters burst forth from the chimney, a great deal more—and began flying around the room wildly.

Adhara stared gobsmacked before feeling a sudden urge of determination and quickly plucked one off the ground and ran for it. Uncle Vernon, unfortunately, spotted her and quickly stood up to stop her. "GIVE ME THAT LETTER!!" He thundered out as he seized her by the waist.

"N-No! It's mine!" She yelled, trying to keep it out of his reach. His fat fingers managed to clamp onto it and ripped it out of her hands before he tossed her back into her cupboard and locked it. "That's it!! Pack your things!!! WE'RE GOING AWAY!! FAR AWAY! WHERE THEY CAN'T FIND US!!!!" He shouted from the top of his lungs, his face turning a vibrant shade of red. And so, they did. The next couple of days they went from place to place, but the letters followed, leading to her huddling up in a ball on the dirty floor in a grim little shack on a rock in the midst of a storm. The loud crashes of waves and roars of thunder were all that could be heard. She was so cold and hungry, part of her couldn't help but secretly wish that the ceiling caved in to put an end to her misery—but also it might be warmer if it did. She stared at the watch on Dudley's large wrist as he slept on the couch undisturbed. The second it ticked midnight, a great loud bang erupted from the front door. Adhara quickly pushed herself up in shock as Dudley rolled off the couch in alarm. BANG!

ϟϟϟ

Leo lay in bed, unable to sleep. His mind was constantly playing the multitude of scenarios for his trip to Diagon Alley. Tomorrow—or better yet, today, he corrected as he noticed it was past midnight—was the day he'd finally have a chance to see Adhara. Tossing and turning, his mind gnawed at him with anxiety. What if he messed up? What if he accidentally made things worse? Or what if she didn't like him? Didn't want to be friends with him? He let out a puff of air. "What if I fail... ?" He whispered amidst the silence of his dark room.

Chapter Text

"You ready?" Remus asked, making sure Leo remembered his list.

"Yep," he stated as he quickly shoved the last of his toast in his mouth.

"Ever travel by Floo before?" Remus asked.

"I - How hard can it be?" Leo smirked before quickly grabbing a handful of Floo powder and shouting, "DIAGON ALLEY!" Throwing the powder down in the fireplace - Remus paled as he watched in horror.

"Wait - !" But Leo already vanished before Remus could so much as blink. Quickly, he grabbed a handful of Floo powder for himself and followed after him. Stumbling out of the Leaky Cauldron's fireplace, frantic, only to see Leo sitting there with a smirk on his face.

"Bloody hell... You are so much like your father," Remus muttered under his breath - feeling as though he almost had a heart attack.

"Well, you know what they say," Leo's smirk widened, "Like father, like son."

"That's what I'm afraid of..." Remus sighed before letting out a small snort of amusement. "Come on, we'll start at Ollivanders," Remus stated, as he led the way through the Leaky Cauldron to the entrance of Diagon Alley. "Bout time I get a wand," Leo muttered under his breath.

ϟϟϟ

"Still got yer letter, A'hara?" Hagrid asked as they got off the train.

"Uh -" She quickly pulled the letter out of her pocket. "Y - Yes," she beamed, holding it up.

"Good," said Hagrid. "There's a list there of everything yeh need." Adhara unfolded a second piece of paper she hadn't noticed the night before and read it all to herself silently.

"C - Can we buy all this in London?" Adhara wondered aloud.

"If yeh know where to go," said Hagrid. Adhara had never been to London before. Nervously full of excitement, she followed alongside Hagrid. Though it was a little difficult to keep up - he took such long strides. Might this not all be some huge joke that the Dursleys had cooked up? If Adhara hadn't known that the Dursleys had no sense of humor, she might have thought so. Yet, somehow, even though everything Hagrid had told her so far was unbelievable, Adhara couldn't help trusting him.

"This is it," said Hagrid, coming to a halt. "The Leaky Cauldron. It's a famous place." It was a tiny, grubby-looking pub but nonetheless, Adhara still beamed brightly up at the sign as if she was looking at a palace.

ϟϟϟ

"All right, that's your wand done - should we go to Madam Malkin's -"

"Not yet." Leo quickly stated, cutting Remus off, as he distractedly looked around Diagon Alley. Remus furrowed his brow. "Leo -"

"Emporium, first!" Leo stated quickly spotting the shop and rushing forward. He needed to stall until he can go to Madam Malkin's - it was the only time Adhara was left alone. He strolled through the shop, looking for the perfect owl - Adhara never got to have one but he remembered her saying that she thought the snowy owls were beautiful.

"This tawny owl seems to like you," Remus stated as he saw the owl leaning towards them as if it was waiting for an opportune moment.

"No, I'm pretty sure he likes you... besides, I'm looking for a specific kind," Leo eyed the tawny owl and sure enough, it flew and landed on Remus's shoulder. "Ah - good owl," he muttered hesitantly, "What kind are you looking for?"

"That kind!" Leo pointed out, finally seeing a beautiful snowy owl on the top shelf looking down at them.

ϟϟϟ

"Stand back," said Griphook importantly. He stroked the door gently with one of his long fingers and it simply melted away. "If anyone but a Gringotts goblin tried that, they'd be sucked through the door and trapped in there," said Griphook with a menacing grin.

"H- How often do you check to see if anyone's inside?" Adhara asked anxiously intrigued.

"About once every ten years," said Griphook, grinning even more nastily than before. Something really extraordinary had to be inside this top-security vault, Adhara was sure, and she leant forward eagerly, expecting to see fabulous jewels at the very least – but a grubby little package wrapped up in brown paper lying on the floor was not what she had in mind. Hagrid picked it up and tucked it deep inside his coat.

"Come on, back in this infernal cart, and don't talk to me on the way back, it's best if I keep me mouth shut," said Hagrid. One wild cart-ride later they stood blinking in the sunlight outside Gringotts. "Might as well get yer uniform," said Hagrid, nodding towards Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. "Listen, A'hara would yeh mind if I slipped off fer a pick-me-up in the Leaky Cauldron? I hate them Gringotts carts." He did still look a bit sick, so Adhara entered Madam Malkin's shop alone, taking small breaths as she tried to calm her racing heart.

ϟϟϟ

"Glad you bought the tawny owl for yourself," Leo stated with a small smile.

"As if I had a choice, even now he doesn't want to let go," snorted Remus, eyeing the owl on his shoulder. Leo suddenly noticed Hagrid walking past heading towards the Leaky Cauldron. "Time for Madam Malkin's - I don't think she lets owls in the shop. Would you mind looking after them until I finish getting my uniform?" Leo ranted, "Thanks," he quickly added before Remus could respond, as he handed the cage over to Remus and bolted to Madam Malkin's.

"Weird like his father too," Remus whispered to himself, amused, as he watched Leo rush to the shop. A squat, smiling witch dressed all in mauve - Madam Malkin - suddenly spoke as she noticed Leo enter the shop, "Hogwarts, dear?" Leo nodded. "Got the lot here – two others being fitted up just now, in fact." In the back of the shop, a boy - Draco - with a pale, pointed face was standing on a footstool while, on another stool next to him stood Adhara. Leo nervously wiped his sweaty palms on his pants before making his way over.

"Have you got your own broom?" He heard Draco ask.

"N - No," stuttered Adhara, looking down at the floor.

Draco had opened his mouth to say something else, only for him to shut it as he curiously took notice of a boy stepping up on the third stool. Adhara hesitantly looked over at him.

"Hi, I'm Leo. You?" He quickly asked with a small smile. Adhara visibly relaxed. "Adhara, Adhara Potter."

Draco made a strangled choking sound as his eyes widened. "Nice to meet you," Leo stated, ignoring Draco. Adhara sent him a small smile. "Nice to meet you too," she whispered back shyly.

Leo saw Draco quickly pulling himself together as he opened his mouth to say something, so Leo quickly cut him off as he mumbled out, "Want to get ice cream?" Adhara looked at him, surprised.

"I - I mean, after we get our uniforms of course but, I just found out I am a wizard and would like to make a friend, so... ?" He ranted quickly out of nervousness.

Adhara smiled at him. "I'd have to ask Hagrid, but I would like to. I just found out I'm a witch."

"WHAT!?" Draco asked shocked - a bit louder than he intended. Adhara flinched, and Leo sent Draco a sharp glare.

"That's you done, deary!" The witch that was working on Adhara's uniform suddenly spoke up. "Uh - Thank you," Adhara quickly whispered out as she hesitantly hopped off the stool. Draco was still looking at her in shock. How did thee - Adhara Potter, not know she was a witch!?

Leo quickly looked at the witch working on his uniform, silently pleading for them to HURRY UP! Adhara slowly made her way to the counter to pay for her uniforms.

"Close your mouth," Leo silently hissed to Draco, who did as he was told mindlessly before looking back at Leo - appalled at the audacity.

Finally, after a few long and slow, agonizing minutes passed, "All done," the other witch that was working on Leo stated. Leo let out a sigh of relief as he quickly hopped off the stool and made his way over to the counter and Adhara.

"I - I wasn't sure if you wanted me to wait..." Adhara whispered. Leo smiled back. "Glad you did." Quickly handing over the money, "Have you tried Fortescue's?" He asked as they made their way out of the shop, Draco glaring at Leo's head from his stool. He just had to be getting a new wardrobe today! Draco thought bitterly to himself.

ϟϟϟ

Remus quickly stood up as he noticed Leo exiting Madam Malkin's, though to his surprise, he wasn't alone. A long wavy raven-haired girl, with vivid mismatched eyes - one vibrant blue, the other a striking green, wearing extremely baggy clothes was following alongside him.

"You've made a friend," Remus suddenly stated as he joined them. "Remus, this is Adhara - Adhara, this is Remus," Leo quickly introduced. Remus made the same strangled choking noise Draco had back in Madam Malkin's shop.

Managing to pull himself together, Remus then awkwardly whispered, "Nice to meet you, Adhara." He glanced around looking for any sign of her relatives, but curiously, it seemed as if she was all alone.

"You too," she whispered shyly back up at him. "We're gonna get ice cream!" Leo stated.

"Uh - I think we should ask her guardians first," Remus stated still glancing around.

Adhara opened her mouth only to get cut off by Hagrid's arrival, "Finished getting yer uniform, already!" "Mhm," Adhara hummed while nodding her head.

"Hagrid?" Remus mumbled. Why was Hagrid escorting Adhara to Diagon Alley?

"Ah, Remus - Hello!" Hagrid beamed giving him a good old hearty pat. "How yeh been?"

"Alright, I uh - am now a guardian. W-When did you begin escorting students to Diagon?" Remus stuttered out.

"Oh, I don't - Just A'hara. Dumbledore's orders." Hagrid beamed, as he puffed up his chest importantly.

Remus nodded his head in response, still slightly confused, "Can we go get our ice cream now, while you two talk?" Leo impatiently mumbled.

"Ah - if it's okay with Hagrid," Remus quickly stated looking up at the giant man. Hagrid scratched his head in thought, as he eyed the supply list in Adhara's hands, "I don't know - Dumbledore will be wantin' -"

"We can take Adhara to finish shopping with us! Can't we?" Leo asked with a wide-eyed innocent expression directed at Remus.

Remus spluttered, as he looked from a pleading Leo to an uncertain Hagrid. "I guess we could... It would be no trouble at all," he managed to croak out. Hagrid opened and closed his mouth, Adhara looked up at him pleadingly, "C - Can't I?"

Chapter Text

'Please, Hagrid,' Adhara pleaded, adorably.

"Oh - Alright! I guess so -"

"Yes!" Leo cheered, and before Remus or Hagrid could say anything else, he quickly grabbed Adhara's hand and led her towards Fortescue's. With a chime of the bell announcing their arrival, Leo quickly brought Adhara to the selections.

"What kind do you want?" Leo asked, looking at her.

Adhara pursed her lips. "I don't know, I never tried ice cream before... I'll get what you get." She smiled.

Leo smiled back as he clenched his other fist tightly behind his back. Those damn Dursleys... he needed to get her far away from them!

"Let's start with the basics. One scoop chocolate, one scoop vanilla, and one scoop strawberry," Leo stated as he ordered their ice cream cups.

ϟϟϟ

Remus and Hagrid took a seat outside the ice cream parlor.

"What led to you escorting Adhara... I thought her relatives would have..." Hagrid sighed as he looked into the window at Leo and Adhara eating their ice cream.

"The Dursleys ain't no kind people, Remus. Something's off... Adhara's a sweet girl - she deserves better than how they treat her," Hagrid mumbled.

"Treat her?" Remus inquired, worriedly. Dumbledore had assured him she'd be taken care of properly.

"Look at her, Remus. She's smaller than the others her age, thin as a stick almost, and the things they said... called her. Let alone, threatened in front of me... imagine what they'd do without someone like me present," Hagrid whispered, sadly.

Remus turned to look at Adhara; she was very small for her age... and her clothes were definitely not her size at all, too baggy and looked as if she could drown in them.

"Poor thing, she didn't even know today was her birthday. She was surprised when I brought her a birthday cake," Hagrid added.

"You're not taking her back, are you?" Remus mumbled out, concern written all over his face.

"I'm afraid I have to, Remus. It's Dumbledore's orders, y'see. There ain't much I can do 'bout it," Hagrid sighed, regretfully before adding, "Don't worry, Remus. I'll have a word with Dumbledore, and I believe he'll definitely help Adhara out."

Remus sighed, as he nervously bounced his leg.

"Hagrid, I understand Dumbledore's orders, and if she's suffered as much as you say, she deserves a safe and caring environment. Let her stay with me and Leo for the rest of the summer. I'll make sure she's cared for, and we can keep her away from any more suffering. It's the best thing for her, and I know you want what's best," Remus urged, before quickly adding, "And once you tell Dumbledore, I'm sure he'd agree."

Hagrid looked to be debating between obeying Dumbledore's orders and Adhara's safety.

"Well, I reckon you've got a point there. It's just... it's hard seein' her go back there, y'know? But if it's for the best, I suppose I'll have to talk to Dumbledore and see what he says about it. In the meantime, I s'pose she can go with you," Hagrid stood to his feet. "I best be goin' now, Remus. I'll write to ya once I've had a chat with Dumbledore."

Remus got to his feet as well. "Thank you, Hagrid, and I'll be waiting to hear from you." With one last nod and glance at Adhara, Hagrid turned and left. Remus sat back down as he glanced back into the ice cream parlor at Leo and Adhara, letting out a sullen sigh.

ϟϟϟ

"So, which one do you like best?" Leo asked with a smile.

Adhara hummed in thought. "I think I slightly prefer the chocolate over the vanilla... not a fan of the strawberry, much."

Leo nodded in agreement. "It's better with real strawberries... I should have asked for that one instead," he mumbled.

Adhara let out a small laugh. "Next time," she stated happily.

"Next time," he repeated with a smile, "It should be a goal to try every flavor here."

Adhara's eyes widened in shock. "Leo, there's over a hundred different ice cream flavors here..." She whispered.

Leo smirked. "Exactly, we have a lot of work to do."

"Sounds like you two are having fun," Remus smiled down at them. He then pulled up a chair before turning to Adhara, "Hagrid and I thought maybe it would be best if you spent the rest of the summer with Leo and me, how do you feel about that?" He asked Adhara, worriedly.

"R - Really?" Adhara stuttered while looking up at him, hopeful.

"Really," he assured. "I - I would love to, Mister Remus - " She then cut herself off to look at Leo, "Is it alright w -"

Leo cut her off as he instantly smiled while stating, "Brilliant! Wait 'till you see Mors Cottage, you'll love it!"

ϟϟϟ

An hour later, they finally completed getting all their school supplies and slowly made their way back to "The Leaky Cauldron".

"How about... Smokey?" Remus questioned, as they slowly debated on what to name Leo's owl.

Leo looked up at him with a scrunched-up face. "That's too... common," Leo mumbled.

Remus snorted, and Adhara giggled at Leo's expression of disapproval.

"How about Ghost?" Adhara questioned with a smile.

Leo pursed his lips. "Add it to the list..."

"You have a list?" Remus asked.

"Yup! Loki, Hedwig, Alfredo, Trouble, Mischief, and Ghost!" Leo listed off.

"Can't you just name her Snowy?" Remus mumbled, confused.

Adhara and Leo both stopped and looked at him with shocked expressions. "Snowy? Everyone has eyes, Remus. They can clearly see she's a snowy owl, I mean it's not like you'd name your owl Tawny just because it's a Tawny owl -"

"I think he did," Adhara whispered cutting Leo off, noticing the look on Remus's face.

"It is a fine name, thank you very much," Remus mumbled defensively, as the owl still on his shoulder hooted.

"Your owl is so gonna be bullied by the other owls," Leo stated matter-of-factly.

"Well, I'm sure your owl will look out for mine," Remus laughed. "Now, let's get home so I can figure out what to make us for dinner and struggle making it."

ϟϟϟ

"Woah!" Adhara whispered looking around Mors Cottage. "Told you, you'd love it!" Leo whispered cheerily. She slowly glanced from the comfy looking velvet blue sofas to the vast amount of books on the shelves built into the wall before turning around and looking at all the cool moving magical paintings and interesting plants. It was her first time seeing a magical home. Her favorite part as she was given a tour of the fantastical place was the skylight. It had interesting skeletal-winged looking horses in the design.

"Why don't you put your things in your room, Leo? And I'll show you to your guest room, to do the same," Remus instantly stated looking from Leo to Adhara.

As Remus showed Adhara to the guest room, Leo immediately ran to his. As soon as he opened the door, Kreacher stood waiting with a cage in his hand. "Kreacher gots the traitor, Master Leo... What shall Kreacher do now?" He croaked out.

Leo immediately closed his door behind him and peered into the cage - sure enough, there was a stunned rat, none other than Peter Pettigrew, in the cage. A smirk grew on Leo's face. "Brilliant..." He whispered before straightening up. "You did excellent, Kreacher!" Kreacher grumbled, confused at being complimented - Leo continued anyway, "Now, I need you to deliver the rat anonymously to Amelia Bones... leave a note saying that... I don't know, someone's pet kneazle kept acting funny around it or something - something to make them investigate it."

Kreacher nodded before popping away.

ϟϟϟ

"Leo! Adhara! Dinner's ready!" Remus called from out the window. Leo and Adhara immediately made their way inside.

"How'd it go?" Remus asked as he set out the plates.

"Great! Adhara's a natural at flying!" Leo beamed.

Remus smirked. "Just like her father..." He whispered under his breath.

"You knew my father?" Adhara asked, looking up at him eagerly.

"Uh -" He took a seat clearing his throat, "Yes. Both Sirius and James were... the closest friends I ever had. Brothers in all but blood, we'd say..."

"R - Really?" Adhara whispered.

"Really. I'd be happy to tell you about them..." Remus offered to both Adhara and Leo.

Adhara nodded excitedly, as Leo hummed while taking a bite of his chicken pot pie. He scrunched up his face before looking at Remus and mumbling, "I don't think you cooked it long enough...."

Remus furrowed his brow before taking a bite of his own, "I believe you're right." He whispered.

Adhara snickered at their faces.

Remus pulled out his wand and quickly used a spell to heat up the food, "That should do it."

Adhara quickly stood up and grabbed another plate, and setting it to her left. Both Remus and Leo looked at Adhara confused but she ignored them as she called out, "Kreacher!"

A look of understanding crossed their faces as the elf popped in. "Dinner's ready," Adhara stated to the elf before sitting down in her seat again.

Kreacher looked from Adhara to Leo to the table in quiet shock and confusion. Remus looked down trying to hold back his snort.

Adhara turned to look at Kreacher bewildered on why he hasn't sat down yet. Leo cleared his throat, "Sit with us and eat, Kreacher." 

Kreacher looked at Leo suspiciously, "Kreacher is a house elf... Kreacher lives to serve... not -" He cut himself off as he began to grumble under his breath, quietly. 

"Do house-elves normally not eat at the table?" Adhara asked quietly. 

"No," Remus answered. 

"But aren't they a part of the family?" Adhara asked curiously.

"Most families who have house-elves typically consider them as - just - well, servants," Remus stuttered. Adhara tilted her head, baffled. 

"They also tend to be treated rather cruelly," Leo added, taking another bite of his pot pie.

"B - But - You guys don't -" 

"Oh, Merlin no. We'd never," Remus stated right away, "His previous masters... however - " 

"Were arses!" Leo mumbled with his mouth full. Remus looked at Leo, struggling whether he should agree or chide him for his language - before settling on both. 

Adhara looked over at Kreacher, "I'd like you to sit and eat with us, but it's okay if you don't feel like it." She whispered to him.

Kreacher looked at her as he seemed to be fighting between reluctance and gratitude, before ultimately muttering, "If the young miss insists, Kreacher will sit, but Kreacher knows his place," as he reluctantly took a seat. 

Adhara smiled at him brightly. "Thank you, Kreacher!" She cheered.

Chapter Text

"Shh, come on," Leo whispered, trying to fight off his snickers. Adhara bit her lip to keep from laughing as they slowly crept into Remus's room.

"Go on that side," Adhara whispered, pointing to the opposite side of the bed nearest the window. Leo quickly did as instructed before quietly scooping out some peanut butter and putting it on Remus's hand, then sending Adhara a thumbs up. Adhara smirked as she used the feather in her hand to lightly tickle Remus's face—the reaction was immediate. Remus raised his peanut butter-covered hand to his face and splat!

"What the—!" Remus groaned as he sat up groggily and confused. Leo and Adhara burst into laughter. "Morning!" they chorused, jumping onto the bed. Remus shook his head before he too began laughing.

"Is this peanut butter!?" he snickered, baffled.

"Possibly!" Adhara beamed.

"I regret telling you both about the Marauders and their pranks," Remus mumbled with a smile.

"But you did! So you shall live with the consequences!" Leo smirked.

"Is that so?" Remus questioned with his own smirk.

"Uh oh, run for it Leo!" Adhara stated as Remus launched to get them back with the peanut butter on his hand. Just then, an owl landed on the windowsill and pecked the glass to be let in.

Remus pursed his lips. "Appears I got a letter." He quickly cleaned the peanut butter with his wand and made his way to the owl. The brown owl hopped in and held out its foot that had a letter tied to it—flying off as soon as Remus took it.

"What is it?" Leo asked curiously.

"It appears... Dumbledore would like a word. I'm to Floo to his office," Remus stated as he scanned over the letter with his eyes.

Leo tensed, as Adhara looked back at Remus, curiously.

"Dumbledore's the Headmaster, right?" she asked, excitedly.

Remus smiled. "Yes, the greatest wizard there is."

Leo resisted his urge to scoff, but he didn't bother holding back his eye roll.

"I best get ready, Kreacher can cook up breakfast while I'm gone," Remus added as he quickly made way to the bathroom.

"Wonder what the headmaster wants?" Adhara whispered while in thought.

"To manipulate people like pawns..." Leo grumbled under his breath, quietly.

"Huh?" Adhara questioned, not having heard him clearly.

"Nothing. Come on, I'm starved!" Leo stated as he clasped hands with Adhara and led her to the kitchen. As Kreacher made them breakfast, Leo pondered over what he figured Dumbledore was bound to say to Moony. He needed to somehow prevent him from giving in to Dumbledore's lies and manipulations—something concrete! That would keep Adhara away from returning to the Dursleys. But what!? And then it hit him.

ϟϟϟ

Remus came down the stairs, all showered and dressed. "Hey, Remus. Can Kreacher take me and Adhara to Diagon Alley today? For some more ice cream."

Remus paused in putting on his jacket, thinking it over. "It's a bit early for ice cream, don't you think?"

"Yeah, but I mean—before lunch or something... if you're not back from meeting with Dumbles," Leo stated.

Remus tilted his head side to side. "I guess. There and back—should be fine."

Adhara smiled while Leo smirked. "Thanks, Remus," they chorused.

Kreacher joined them for breakfast when he finished cooking; he barely protested this time—Adhara just had a way of naturally winning him over. As they ate, Leo couldn't help but continuously glance at the clock.

"Are you that excited for ice cream?" snickered Adhara, as she noticed his constant eye glances.

Leo looked back at her with a caught expression. "N-No, well, sort of ... I also had another thought, though."

"Another thought?" Adhara asked, intrigued.

"Have you ever gotten an inheritance test done?" Leo asked, knowing full well she hadn't. Adhara looked back at him confused as she tilted her head in question.

Leo quickly got out of his seat and ran to his room, grabbing his inheritance test he'd gotten done, before returning and placing it down on the table in front of Adhara. "Go on," Leo urged at her questioning look. Adhara grabbed the parchment and slowly read it over.

"S-So, this tells you everything?" Adhara asked, amazed.

"Pretty much. I mean, if you wanted to do the lineage test to tell you about all your ancestors and stuff ... you could also do that, though it takes a month. Depending on the size of your magical bloodline," Leo stated as he sat back down in his seat.

"A-And this one?" Adhara asked, holding up the parchment.

"Oh, that one just takes a few minutes," Leo stated before taking a bite of his omelet.

"All right. Let's do it," Adhara smiled.

"Great! We'll go after breakfast!" Leo declared as he took another bite of his omelet.

ϟϟϟ

The two of them excitedly ran through Diagon Alley, hand in hand, while an invisible, grumbling Kreacher followed along. They came to a stop outside of Gringotts, Adhara bowing to the guards outside the doors before going in with a smiling Leo copying her. Kreacher waited outside; the goblins were not too keen on elves remaining invisible during business. They found it particularly suspicious.

The two of them walked up to the nearest free goblin teller. "Name!" the goblin grumbled.

"A-Adhara Potter, Sir. I would like an inheritance test done, please," Adhara stated anxiously.

The goblin looked up from stamping the files in front of him to peer down at Adhara and Leo. He narrowed his eyes as he spotted her lightning bolt scar. "Krypki!" the goblin suddenly shouted, and another goblin hobbled into view. The two of them exchanged whispers before the goblin, Krypki, took a step towards them and muttered, "Follow me!"

The goblin led them through a set of large double doors into a long stone hallway until abruptly stopping outside a great big metal door with depictions of warrior goblins standing victoriously in a battlefield. Krypki banged on the metal door thrice before turning and walking away. With a creak, the metal door opened, and Adhara—with Leo leading the way—entered. They took their seats in front of the goblin who looked at them.

"Ah, Miss Potter..." the goblin grumbled, focusing on her lightning bolt scar. "It's about time you came in. I am Throgar, the House of Potter's account manager. I assume you've finally had enough of evading our letters," he sneered.

"L-Letters, sir?" Adhara stuttered anxiously, sinking into her seat.

Throgar looked at her annoyed. "We've been trying to get you to come into the bank since your tenth birthday. We've sent letter after letter, only to receive no response or sight of you." Adhara swallowed a nervous lump.

"I never received any letters, sir. I just found out I was a witch." The goblin's jaw dropped—Leo couldn't help but snort; he'd never seen a goblin shocked before.

"W-What do you mean you just found out you're a witch!? Who have our letters been going to!?" the goblin stuttered, baffled. Adhara just shrugged in response.

Throgar, then in a slight rush, pulled open his desk drawer, pulling out a dagger, a black bowl covered in runes, a spare bit of parchment, and a vial of black liquid. Throgar eagerly held the dagger out towards Adhara. "Go on, child! We must get our answers," he stated impatiently.

Adhara hesitantly took it and as instructed, sliced her palm before letting the blood drip into the bowl. Throgar proceeded to pour the black liquid out of the vial into the bowl as he began chanting in Gobbledegook. The runes began to glow orange as the liquids swirled about, mixing in the bowl. Slowly, the liquids began to rise up before dripping onto the piece of parchment. Throgar, Adhara, and Leo watched with bated breath as the liquid slowly dissolved—leaving behind words written on the parchment.

₦.₣.ł

Adhara Lovella Potter

Birth: July 31, 1980

Classification: Witch/Halfblood/Unidentifiable

Father: James Charlus Potter

Classification:  Wizard/Pureblood

Status: Deceased

Mother: Lily Jade Evans

Classification:  Witch/Muggleborn (Rekindlorem)

Status: Deceased

Godfather: Sirius Orion Black III

Classification:  Wizard/Pureblood

Status: Deceased

Godfather: Remus Lupin

Classification:  Wizard/Werewolf/Halfblood

Status: Alive

Godmother: Alice Longbottom

Classification: Witch/Pureblood

Status: Incapacitated

Godmother: Dorcas Meadowes

Classification: Witch/Halfblood

Status: Deceased

Magical Guardian: Albus Dumbledore (Illegally Appointed)

Intended: Remus Lupin (Falls to the only currently capable Godparent)

Current Guardian: Petunia Dursley (Illegally placed)

Intended: Remus Lupin (Falls to the only currently capable Godparent)

...

On and on the words kept going. The more that filled the page, the wider Throgar's eyes got.

"Galleons!" Throgar exclaimed in shock, as Leo whispered out, "Merlin!"

"What's the stamp at the top?" Leo asked.

"N.F.I - Needs further investigation," Throgar muttered, keeping his gaze on the test.

"W-Why? A-And what does it mean by Unidentifiable?" Adhara stuttered out.

"Yes, that!" Leo stated before also asking, "And what's a Rekindlorem?"

But Throgar didn't answer as he immediately got out of his seat and left the room.

"W-What's he doing? He's coming back right?" Adhara whispered to Leo, nervously.

"Of course, it is his office after all," Leo stated with a smirk.

Adhara snorted, which made Leo smile wider.

ϟϟϟ

Throgar returned with three other goblins.

"Miss Potter, this is King Ragnok," he stated, gesturing to the goblin next to him, before gesturing to the other two behind King Ragnok, "And these are brothers Glintforge and Flintgrin, our healers."

King Ragnok took a step forward. "Miss Potter, your test has been marked with N.F.I. Therefore, we must look further into why—our healers will be running a checkup on you, while we clarify some things."

Adhara looked nervously at Leo before glancing back and nodding to King Ragnok. Glintforge and Flintgrin approached Adhara. One handed her a potion to drink while the other pulled out a vial and took some more of her blood after she finished drinking it. The two then left the room.

King Ragnok then sat in a chair next to Throgar. "Now, first things first—Who have you been living with, Miss Potter?" King Ragnok asked, placing his clasped hands in front of him.

"Oh. Um... I live with the Dursleys. Though, at the moment I'm staying with Leo for the summer," Adhara answered.

"Have you been in contact with Albus Dumbledore while you've been with the Dursleys?" King Ragnok asked.

Adhara shook her head. "No, sir. W-Why?"

Instead of answering her, he asked another question. "And, have I been told correctly that you just recently found out you're a witch? As well as you haven't received a single letter from Gringotts?"

Adhara pursed her lips before answering, "Yes, sir—I just found out from Hagrid. And I've never received anything from Gringotts."

The goblins huffed. Leo then raised his hand and pointed to himself, so he could draw their attention to him as he asked, "Would you mind filling us in?"

The goblins narrowed their eyes at Leo before turning back to Adhara. King Ragnok then asked his final question, "Miss Potter, were you being abused?"

Adhara's eyes widened as she tensed before looking down at the ground. She didn't answer, but she didn't need to—the goblins knew just by the way she reacted. Adhara flinched as the two goblins from before entered carrying a stack of parchment. One quickly handed the parchment stack to Throgar, as the other began whispering viciously to King Ragnok.

Leo reached over and took Adhara's hand to comfort her, seeing how nervous she was. The two goblins then left, as King Ragnok and Throgar perused the parchments in front of them, while whispering to one another.

"C-Can you tell us what's going on?" Adhara stuttered out.

Chapter Text

King Ragnok and Throgar ceased their whispering and browsing, turning their attention back to Adhara and Leo.

"What is going on, Miss Potter? It seems you have been dealt a great injustice," King Ragnok stated firmly. "You were never meant to be placed with the Dursleys, and Albus Dumbledore was never meant to be your Magical Guardian—clearly, he has not fulfilled his duty."

Throgar held up several parchments that the goblin brothers had delivered. "Your medical history... it states every injury and illness you've experienced and the current status of your health." Throgar's expression darkened. "You have a number of bones that have healed incorrectly, bruised ribs, reopened wounds on your back, malnourishment, an illegally placed magical block, and an anomaly that the tests could not pinpoint."

Adhara worried her bottom lip. "An anomaly?" she inquired, while Leo asked, "A magical block?"

The goblins hummed before addressing their queries. "We do not know why it's marked as unidentifiable for you... we have every known species keyed into our tests. It appears there is one we must not have," Throgar explained, eyeing Adhara with interest. "As for a Rekindlorem, it is the term for those born from old magical bloodlines of cast-out squibs. Rekindlorem's are the ones strong enough to restore magic to their bloodlines, though the ignorant refer to them as 'Muggleborns'," he added, with a hint of disappointment.

"So, what happens now?" Adhara hesitantly asked, prompting a shift in the goblins' expressions to anger.

"It is a complicated matter. Unfortunately, Albus Dumbledore managed to illegally designate himself as your Magical Guardian and placed you unlawfully with the Dursleys through the Ministry's means," King Ragnok muttered, seething with anger. "Gringotts operates under its own laws and protocols, in contrast to those of the Ministry. It's a first-come, first-served situation. As you're already filed as such in the Ministry, your rightful guardian will have to petition for custody of you through the Ministry."

"But Dumbledore has the Ministry under his control!" Leo protested anxiously.

"You will need to secure a full Wizengamot trial. With evidence of your mistreatment and a solid defense, you should emerge victorious... even wizards aren't as heartless as to leave a child in such a dire situation," King Ragnok stated, though his tone suggested he was trying to convince himself as much as Adhara. Throgar rose from his seat. "I will go and contact your rightful guardian, Miss Potter," he declared, heading towards the door.

However, he paused as Leo interjected, "He's not home, he's in a meeting with Dumbledore."

Throgar's gaze flickered between Leo and the others before nodding. "Very well. I shall return once I have more information," he said before exiting the room, the heavy door clicking shut behind him.

Adhara's eyes darted anxiously between King Ragnok and Leo. "What are we going to do now?" she whispered, her voice quivering slightly.

King Ragnok let out a deep, rumbling sigh. "You'll need to gather your evidence and build a strong case for the trial, ensuring that every detail of your mistreatment is documented and presented before the Wizengamot."

Leo nodded, his jaw clenched in determination. "We have to find every bit of proof we can. Any records, witnesses, anything that can show how the Dursleys have treated you over the years."

Adhara's shoulders slumped, a wave of exhaustion washing over her. "But how do we even start? Everything at the Dursleys' is always so... secretive. They make sure no one sees how they treat me and have convinced all the neighbors I'm nothing but a troubled miscreant they took in out of the kindness of their hearts," she finished, hopelessly.

King Ragnok's eyes glittered with fierce resolve. "Gringotts has its ways, and we will use them to uncover the truth." Placing a heavy hand on her shoulder, he added, "You are not alone in this, Miss Potter. The Potter family has always been kind to Gringotts... we will ensure justice for its heiress."

Adhara's eyes brimmed with tears as she looked up at King Ragnok, overwhelmed by the support and determination he had shown. "Thank you, King Ragnok," she said, her voice quivering with gratitude. Leo squeezed her hand comfortingly. "We'll get through this, Adhara. Together! I promise," he stated confidently. "We'll start by gathering what we can here at Gringotts. Throgar will return soon, and we'll build our case from there." King Ragnok nodded, his features softening slightly.

ϟϟϟ

An hour later, Throgar returned with a confused Remus. "Children?" Remus questioned as soon as he entered the office and saw them. "Hi, Remus," they chorused, Leo with a smirk and Adhara with an anxious smile. "I thought you two were just going for ice cream..." He trailed off as he took a seat next to Adhara.

"We were! Honest! But Adhara had never gotten an inheritance test done, so... ta-da!" Leo beamed. "How was your meeting?" Adhara asked, anxiously.

Remus opened and closed his mouth a couple of times before forcing out, "Disappointing..." "Didn't go how you expected, did it!" Leo snarked, crossing his arms with a dramatic huff.

"What—" Leo cut Remus off as he stated, quite simply, "Look at her test." Remus glanced at Adhara, who nodded in agreement. Remus then looked to Throgar and grabbed the test he was holding out for him to take.

His jaw slowly dropped, and he began to pale the more he read. Adding to his shock, Throgar pushed the stack of parchments towards Remus, showcasing Adhara's medical test results. Remus couldn't believe his eyes as he reviewed Adhara's test results. His face turned a ghostly shade of white, and his hands trembled as he continued to scan the documents. The room fell into an uneasy silence, broken only by the occasional rustle of parchment as Remus examined the overwhelming evidence before him.

Leo leaned over and gently squeezed Adhara's hand again, offering her a reassuring smile. King Ragnok, who had been observing the situation closely, broke the silence. "It seems we have uncovered something quite significant," he remarked, his tone a mixture of concern and determination. "Mr. Lupin, what do you make of this?"

The severity of the abuse she had endured was undeniable, leaving Remus at a loss for words. Adhara watched Remus closely, her anxious smile giving way to a mixture of emotions, ranging from fear to hope. She knew that this revelation could change everything, but she also worried about how it would affect Remus.

Remus finally managed to find his voice. "I can't believe they did this to you, Adhara," he said, his eyes filled with anger and sorrow. "But we'll make sure they pay for it. No one should ever have to endure what you've been through."

"And Dumbledore?" Leo asked before adding, "Dumbledore intended to send her back to the Dursleys, didn't he? That was the purpose of his summoning you." As the weight of Leo's words settled in the room, Remus's expression darkened further. The name of his former mentor, a figure he had respected for so long, now seemed tainted. Adhara's grip on Leo's hand tightened, a silent plea for support and reassurance. The others in the room watched Remus closely, waiting for his response.

"I trusted him," Remus muttered, his voice thick with disillusionment. "I trusted him with her safety." His gaze flickered towards Adhara, the pain etched deep in his eyes. "H-He said... How could he have intended to send her back to that place?" The bitterness in his voice was palpable, his fists clenched in barely suppressed fury.

King Ragnok's brow furrowed as he observed Remus's distress. Remus looked at Adhara, "Adhara, I... I'm so sorry. I never knew. I—" Adhara looked up at him and placed her other hand over his. "It's okay, Remus. I don't blame you."

Chapter Text

The Wizengamot Trial of Adhara Lovella Potter - August 24, 1991

In a grand chamber within the Ministry of Magic, the Wizengamot trial of Adhara Lovella Potter commenced. The chamber was filled with the finest witches and wizards, their robes adorned with various symbols and colors, all eager to witness this extraordinary case. Remus Lupin, standing at the center, looked determined as he prepared to fight for the guardianship of his goddaughter.

Remus Lupin: Rising to his feet, he cleared his throat and addressed the assembly 'Members of the Wizengamot, esteemed witches and wizards, today we gather to address a grave injustice suffered by a child, Adhara Lovella Potter. My accusation is against Albus Dumbledore, who, as an appointed magical guardian, has egregiously failed in his duties to protect and care for young Adhara.'

Remus began to present his evidence, confident and unwavering.

Remus Lupin: 'First and foremost, I submit the results of a comprehensive inheritance test, revealing a shocking truth. Albus Dumbledore, in his position as magical guardian, appointed himself without legal authority. He did so illegally, disregarding the rightful choice of godfather – myself, Remus Lupin. It is clear that he manipulated Adhara's situation to maintain control over her, a grave injustice to a defenseless child.'

The courtroom buzzed with murmurs and gasps as the members of the Wizengamot absorbed the shocking revelation.

Remus Lupin: 'Now, I present irrefutable evidence of Adhara Lovella Potter's physical suffering at the hands of the Dursleys, the family Dumbledore placed her with. Medical scans reveal severe physical abuse, malnourishment, and trauma. Every improperly healed broken bone, every scar – both new and old – serves as a testament to the neglect and cruelty she endured.'

The members of the Wizengamot couldn't help but feel a collective shiver of anger and empathy for the young girl.

Remus Lupin: He continued to lay out his case, displaying a series of photos to the assembly. 'Behold, the abhorrent conditions in which Adhara was forced to live. The tiny cupboard under the stairs, with no bed, old bloodstains, and claw marks, testifying to the years of torment she suffered. The words "Freak's Room" written in chalk, a heartbreaking reflection of her own self-worth imposed by those who were meant to care for her. Her "new" room as you can see has been fitted with bars on the windows, seven locks on the outside, and a cat flap on the door, akin to a prison cell.'

Remus Lupin's voice grew more impassioned as he revealed further evidence.

Remus Lupin: 'I present to you the scars on Adhara's back, evidence of belt lashings she endured. And, finally, Albus Dumbledore acted of his own accord and placed an illegal and altered magical block on her, which not only prevented her own magic from healing her properly from her years of abuse but was an attempt to hold back her true potential. This is not the life Adhara Lovella Potter deserved, and it is my duty to protect her and provide the love and care she has been unjustly denied. She saved you all as a mere baby, is it not only fair you save her in return? Has she not lost enough?'

As Remus Lupin concluded his presentation, the courtroom was filled with a resounding silence, the weight of the evidence and the shocking revelations weighing heavily on the hearts and minds of all those in attendance. 

Albus Dumbledore, the accused, stood before the Wizengamot, his eyes carrying the weight of the world and an aura of wisdom that had earned him the respect of many within the wizarding world. As he began to address the assembly, a hushed anticipation filled the chamber.

Albus Dumbledore: Clearing his throat, he spoke with a measured and somber tone 'Members of the Wizengamot, I stand before you today, accused of failing in my role as the Magical Guardian of Adhara Lovella Potter. I wish to shed light on the circumstances that led to the decisions I made in her best interest.'

Albus Dumbledore let out a somber sigh, acknowledging the accusations brought against him.

Albus Dumbledore: 'I must first address the matter of Adhara's godfather, Remus Lupin. At the time of her parents' tragic demise, I was not aware of his status as her godfather. The events that unfolded on that fateful night were marked by chaos and uncertainty, and in the absence of such crucial information, I believed it best to act as her Magical Guardian to ensure her safety. While I understand Mr. Lupin's best intentions, I must express my concern about the inherent risks. As a werewolf, there are unique challenges and potential dangers associated with his care for Adhara. We must consider her safety above all else.'

He then turned to the issue of his lack of involvement in Adhara's life.

Albus Dumbledore: 'I admit that I failed in checking in on Adhara as I should have. My high positions within the Ministry and at Hogwarts, as well as the immense responsibilities I undertook to rebuild our society after the war, left me stretched thin. While it was not an excuse, it was the reality of the situation.'

Albus Dumbledore continued on to address the matter of the magical block.

Albus Dumbledore: 'Regarding the magical block I placed on Adhara, it was done out of an abundance of caution. No one had ever survived the killing curse before, and the circumstances surrounding her parents' death were unique. I didn't wish to risk any potential residual magic from that night causing harm to her later in life. It was an act of protection, not an act of negligence. I planned on having her looked at once she began Hogwarts, to see if it was safe to remove.'

His voice grew more impassioned as he addressed the issue of Adhara's living situation.

Albus Dumbledore: 'As for her placement with the Dursleys, I understand the concern, and it grieves me deeply to hear of the suffering she endured. However, there were compelling reasons for that decision. There were protections in place that kept her safe while living there, and it was essential that she remained hidden from those who would wish to harm her. I believed that the Dursleys, despite their faults, would love her as their own, providing her the best chance at a normal life.'

Albus Dumbledore concluded his defense with a heartfelt appeal.

Albus Dumbledore: 'I swear to you that I was never aware of the abuse Adhara suffered while living with the Dursleys. If I had known, I would have taken immediate action to protect her. Everything I did, I did for her safety. The world we live in is not without danger, and my intentions were always to protect and prepare her for the challenges she would face in her future... I humbly ask you to consider this, as you pass judgment. However, It is of utmost importance that Adhara unfortunately ... returns to the Dursleys. The blood charm placed on her is a powerful protective measure. We all know their remains many uncaptured Death Eaters out there, who would stop at nothing to get their hands on her ... as long as the blood charm remains ... Adhara Potter is untouchable in the safety of the muggle world. Though, I do agree we cannot let her continue being abused, so I recommend that someone be placed nearby to ensure her well-being and safety as she remains there.'

As Albus Dumbledore finished his defense, the Wizengamot chamber was filled with contemplative silence, the weight of the difficult decisions made in the name of a young girl's safety hung heavily in the air. The fate of Adhara Lovella Potter now rested in the hands of the Wizengamot.

The Wizengamot chamber was cloaked in tension as the members of the esteemed council absorbed the gravity of the situation. The fate of Adhara Lovella Potter, a young girl who had already faced immense tragedy and hardship in her short life, hung in the balance.

The arguments put forth by both Remus Lupin and Albus Dumbledore had cast doubt and raised complex questions about Adhara's best interests. Remus Lupin's presentation had been powerful, revealing shocking truths about Adhara's living conditions and the unscrupulous actions of Dumbledore. The evidence he presented painted a grim picture of a defenseless child subjected to physical and emotional abuse. The members of the Wizengamot couldn't help but be moved by the images and testimony.

Albus Dumbledore, on the other hand, had defended his actions with a mix of somberness and apparent concern for Adhara's safety. He cited unique challenges associated with Remus Lupin's status as a werewolf and expressed the belief that placing her with the Dursleys had been the safest option, even if it resulted in her suffering. He acknowledged his own failure to adequately oversee Adhara's well-being but insisted that his actions were motivated by a desire to protect her from unknown dangers.

As the members of the Wizengamot contemplated the evidence and arguments presented, they knew they faced a difficult decision. On one hand, there was the undeniable evidence of Adhara's suffering and the shocking revelation that Dumbledore had acted as her magical guardian without legal authority. On the other hand, Dumbledore's appeal for the continuation of the blood charm's protection raised a compelling point about the potential dangers facing Adhara in the wizarding world.

The fate of Adhara Potter rested in their hands, and it was a responsibility they did not take lightly. The deliberations that followed would determine whether Adhara would be returned to the Dursleys, placed under the watchful eye of a protector, or granted guardianship to Remus Lupin. It was a decision that would shape the course of Adhara's life and the wizarding world's future.

Chapter Text

With the flare of the Floo, Remus stepped out into Mors Cottage's living room. "Well?" Leo asked eagerly, anxious. "Don't know yet, they're currently in deliberations," Remus sighed, taking a seat in the nearest armchair. "Well, how long is that gonna take!? And why can't she stay here with us while they deliberate!?" Leo pouted, taking a seat opposite Remus.

"She should be, I don't like her being kept at the Ministry either. But we have no choice... not until we get the verdict," Remus whispered, sullenly. His eyes couldn't help but shift and linger on the unfinished drawings done by Adhara, left out on the coffee table.

The Floo flared up again, announcing the arrival of Throgar, who stepped out with a scowl. "How did it go?" he grumbled.

"Well, I think it went... hopeful. To say the least. Dumbledore made it a point to bring up my Werewolf affliction. He lied about not knowing I was the godfather—" Remus stood to his feet and began pacing with his arms crossed as he continued his rant, "He's clearly lied about the reason for placing a Magical Block on her. The killing curse doesn't leave residual magic! You'd think a well-over-hundred-years-old wizard, as studied as he is, would know that! And to dare say she remains there! What the bloody hell is he thinking!?" He huffed, coming to a stop to look at Leo and Throgar, who in turn, stared up at him in agreement.

"It seems you've got it quite handled, Mr. Lupin," Throgar stated, raising his brow.

"Of course, perfectly handled," he mumbled. Remus then remembered the purpose of Throgar's visit. "Oh, right! The uh... the basement's this way." He gestured down the hall, leading the way to the sky-blue-colored door at the end of the hall. He quickly pulled out his wand and unlocked the door before opening it. Throgar took a step in before grumbling as he glanced around curiously.

"I am not needed, Mr. Lupin." Stepping off the first stair, back into the hall.

"What?" chorused Remus and Leo. "What do you mean? I have to safeguard the basement for when I—" Remus worried, only to get cut off by Throgar, "It's already been safeguarded."

Remus and Leo blinked at Throgar, confused. "Whoever made this place has already safeguarded the basement for werewolves. The enchantments, however, are unlike anything I've ever felt—stronger than anything I've ever felt," Throgar stated as he began to walk about and observe the intricately done enchantments of the place.

"W-What do you mean? I don't feel anything..." Remus mumbled in thought, looking around as Throgar does.

"You wouldn't. You're not trained to, as well as not a goblin. There is a reason Witches and Wizards become curse breakers at Gringotts, and not under the Ministry. Goblins have a better intuition for feeling magical enchantments—presences... and such," Throgar explained.

"But it doesn't look—" Leo began, only to be cut off by Throgar, "The enchantments appear to be designed to activate the day before the full moon. In the meantime, it looks like any other ordinary basement—multipurposed," he stated, curiously.

"Mr. Lupin. Would you mind if I were to study such enchantments on your home? It is most curious..." Throgar asked, turning to look at them with a hungry curiosity in his eyes.

"I—um—I guess that would be fine... best to know what we're dealing with and all," Remus stammered.

"Excellent!" grinned Throgar. "Moony! Look! Ministry owl!" Leo spoke up from behind him, pointing towards the window. A large Great Grey owl was standing on the sill, with a letter clutched in its beak with a Ministry wax seal.

Remus immediately rushed to the window, unlocked it, and grabbed the letter. "It's time for the verdict!" he announced after skimming through the contents of the letter. Leo looked back at him with a mixture of worry and determination. "I'm coming!" he stated. "Leo, you can't be in the—"

"I know that! I'll wait out in the atrium or something. But, I'm coming!" Leo huffed, before adding, "Whatever happens... Adhara will need me." Remus smiled at him before shaking his head and whispering, "All right. But no pranks, no trouble—nothing! You will stay with Kreacher at all times and patiently wait." "Deal!" Leo smirked.

ϟϟϟ

The Wizengamot Trial of Adhara Lovella Potter: Verdict - August 24, 1991

The deliberations had come to an end. There was a lot of back and forth before resulting in a majority rules vote, over what to do. The letters were sent out, and the parties returned for the reading of the verdict. Madam Amelia Bones, acting as the interim Chief Warlock, had heard the arguments and evidence presented in the Wizengamot trial of Adhara Lovella Potter. She knew that the decision she was about to announce would have far-reaching consequences, not only for the young girl at the center of this case but for the wizarding world as a whole.

Madam Bones rose from her seat at the center of the council chamber and addressed the gathered witches and wizards with a voice that carried the weight of authority.

Madam Bones: "Members of the Wizengamot, esteemed colleagues, we have been presented with a case of great complexity and gravity. It is our duty to weigh the evidence, consider the best interests of the child, and render a just verdict."

She took a moment to gather her thoughts, her eyes scanning the room, her gaze resting on Remus Lupin, who stood before the council, still bearing the hope of gaining custody of his goddaughter.

Madam Bones: "In light of the evidence presented, it is clear that young Adhara Lovella Potter has suffered grievously during her time with the Dursley family. The images and accounts of her living conditions and abuse are both heartbreaking and deeply troubling."

The members of the Wizengamot nodded in agreement, acknowledging the shocking nature of the evidence.

Madam Bones: "Furthermore, it has come to light that Albus Dumbledore acted as the Magical Guardian of Adhara Potter without the legal authority to do so, and his actions have been called into question."

She paused, her expression showing the gravity of the situation.

Madam Bones:  "After careful deliberation, the Wizengamot has reached a verdict. Custody of Adhara Lovella Potter shall be granted to her godfather, Remus Lupin, who shall take on the responsibilities of her guardianship with immediate effect.  It is with great reluctance that I acknowledge the concerns raised about Mr. Lupin's status as a werewolf,  but we must also recognize that he has shown himself to be a devoted protector, and it is our duty to act in the best interests of the child. Therefore, an Auror will be sent from the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures to insure that Mr. Lupin has safely established a proper and safe place for himself during the full moons. With that being said..."

Madam Bones then turned her attention to the matter of the Dursley family, who had been Adhara's former guardians.

Madam Bones: "As for the Dursley family, who are not present at this trial, it is clear that their actions have been inexcusable. They subjected a defenseless child to physical and emotional abuse, and for this, they must face the consequences of their actions. We will issue a warrant for their arrest and conduct a full investigation into their treatment of Adhara Lovella Potter."

Finally, Madam Bones addressed Albus Dumbledore, who had been accused of acting without proper authority and placing a magical block on Adhara.

Madam Bones: "Albus Dumbledore, while we understand the concerns you raised about the need for protection, your actions in this matter have raised serious questions about your judgment and your respect for the rule of law. As a result, I hereby issue a formal warning to you regarding your actions in this case. Additionally, you will be relieved of your title as Chief Warlock until further investigation is conducted into your actions. It is imperative that we maintain the highest standards of integrity within our governing bodies."

With her verdict delivered, Madam Amelia Bones brought her gavel down, closing this chapter of Adhara Lovella Potter's life. The assembled Wizengamot members, having taken their responsibilities seriously, knew that their actions would shape the future of a young girl who had already faced too much adversity.

ϟϟϟ

"Well!?" Leo asked, as Kreacher and he stared up at Remus in anticipation. Remus's face broke into a smile. "We won!" he cheered.

"YES!" shouted Leo happily, Kreacher even breaking his usual grumpy demeanor as he began mumbling happily to himself about all the things he'd need to prepare for her.

An Auror came up to them with a small smile. "Mr. Lupin. Right this way," the Auror stated, gesturing towards a corridor before leading the way.

The Auror led him past a few doors before finally coming to a stop and opening the door to their right. Adhara looked up from the book she was reading. "Remy! Leo! Kreacher!" she shouted with a smile and immediately ran over and hugged them. "What's the verdict?" she asked, looking up at Remus hopefully.

"Welcome to the family, Adhara," Remus stated with a bright smile.

Chapter Text

"Leo! Ara! Why am I touching the ceiling!?" Remus exclaimed as his alarm clock blared, rousing him from sleep. Two snickers followed his bewildered question.

"Good morning!!!" echoed from his doorway. Glancing around, he quickly realized that all of his furniture was floating toward the ceiling as well. "Kids! Put me down!" Remus declared, feeling a mixture of amusement and mild irritation.

"Okay!" Leo smirked, swiftly waving his wand while whispering a spell. Suddenly, everything dropped to the floor, and Remus plopped back onto his bed. "Why!?" he groaned, prompting another round of snickers from Leo and Adhara.

"We found the spell in the library! We wanted to try it out!" Leo grinned. Remus reluctantly gave a thumbs up. "You did good," he conceded, before adding, "But no more using that spell in my room."

"What if you need our help with something!?" Adhara asked.

"Yeah, what if you drop a sickle behind your table?" Leo added.

"Or drop a comb behind your dresser?" Adhara chimed in.

Remus cut Leo off with a small snort as he sat up. "Why don't you let me worry about that, while you two go finish packing for tomorrow."

"But—" Leo began, only for Remus to interject, "I'll call you when breakfast is ready."

"Okay..." echoed the two before leaving to complete their packing.

Adhara quickly ran back into his room and gave him a kiss on the cheek before running back out to go finish packing. Remus smiled as he shook his head.

ϟϟϟ

"Kreacher, would you mind setting the table while I start breakfast?" He hollered out as he made his way to the kitchen.

"Very well, half-breed. Kreacher will set the table for breakfast," Kreacher grumbled in response.

"Well, at least you removed the words 'filthy' and 'm-blood lover'... baby steps," Remus whispered under his breath.

"All done!" Adhara cheered entering the kitchen. "Need any help, Remy?"

Remus turned around and smiled at her. "No, thank you. I've got it handled. Why don't you go get Leo, it's almost ready."

Adhara quickly ran off to Leo's room. "Letter came for half-breed, Kreacher collected it, here," Kreacher stated, placing the letter in front of him.

"Letter? From who?" Leo asked as he and Adhara entered the kitchen.

"Throgar," Remus stated, "Giving me a heads up about the Daily Prophet headlines for this morning." And right on cue, Tawny flew in carrying the latest Daily Prophet and dropping it on the table.

----------------------------------------------------

The Daily Prophet - Special Edition

EXTRA! EXTRA! EXTRA!

Ministry of Magic Unveils Shocking Revelation: Pettigrew Unmasked! Black Proclaimed Innocent!

By Rita Skeeter

In a stunning turn of events, the Ministry of Magic has been thrust into a whirlwind of chaos and revelation that has left the wizarding community in shock and disbelief. The supposed demise of Sirius Black in Azkaban has been overturned, and the true orchestrator of the Pettigrew affair has been unveiled.

Late yesterday evening, Ministry officials received an anonymous tip that led to the apprehension of a seemingly unremarkable rat found wandering the premises. However, upon closer inspection, it was discovered that this seemingly innocent creature was none other than Peter Pettigrew, the traitorous wizard believed to have perished over a decade ago!

It appears that Pettigrew had been living in an illegal Animagus form, cunningly disguised as a rat, and had successfully avoided detection for years. Sources within the Ministry suggest that Pettigrew's capture was a result of an intensive investigation prompted by the mysterious tip. Once Pettigrew was unmasked and taken into custody, an even more shocking revelation emerged.

During questioning, Pettigrew confessed to orchestrating the events that led to Sirius Black's imprisonment in Azkaban. Black, who had been presumed guilty of heinous crimes, was, in fact, innocent all along. Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge, held an emergency press conference to address the public and confirm the startling developments.

"It is with a heavy heart and a sense of disbelief that I stand before you today to announce that Sirius Black, who was wrongly accused and sentenced to Azkaban, is innocent. The true culprit, Peter Pettigrew, has been apprehended and will face justice for his crimes."

The Ministry is now working tirelessly to review the evidence and revisit the legal proceedings surrounding Sirius Black's case. Steps are being taken to formally exonerate him and rectify the injustice that has plagued him for so many years. This unexpected twist has sent shockwaves through the wizarding world, with many questioning the competence of the Ministry and the accuracy of past investigations.

As the truth unfolds, one can only wonder how this revelation will impact the delicate balance within the wizarding community.

The late-night edition of the Daily Prophet will continue to provide updates on this unprecedented turn of events. Stay tuned as we bring you the latest details on the Pettigrew revelation and the exoneration of Sirius Black.

----------------------------------------------------

"A tip? A tip! I bloody delivered him to the Ministry myself!" Leo grumbled under his breath, annoyed, then noticed Kreacher's look before smiling sheepishly at him. "I meant you," he whispered. Kreacher nodded slightly, pleased with his acknowledgement.

Adhara turned to Leo. "This is good news, right? Your father's name is being cleared!" Adhara smiled and hugged him. Remus, however, looked at Leo and Kreacher confused... Did he hear that correctly? Or was he imagining things?

Leo hugged Adhara back happily. "It's great news!" Then a Ministry owl arrived with a letter stating the formal apology on behalf of the Ministry of Magic, along with compensation for Leo Alphard Black I.

"You have a rich boy name..." Adhara mumbled. Leo gasped dramatically. "I do not!"

Remus snorted. "Actually... she's not wrong." Leo gasped even more dramatically, causing Adhara to burst out laughing. "All right, you two. Now let's hurry up and eat, so we can enjoy our last day together before you go to Hogwarts," Remus smiled.

ϟϟϟ

And so they did. They went to the Muggle world and went shopping, to the movies, they even went bowling before eating at a Muggle restaurant. Finally, after a long and eventful day, they returned home to Mors Cottage. Adhara then read "Peter Pan" to them all as they sat in the living room. Surprisingly, Kreacher loved being read to by Adhara—it was one of his favorite things.

As Adhara continued reading "Peter Pan" aloud, Leo and Remus listened attentively while Kreacher sat in a corner, seemingly absorbed in the story. The warmth of the moment filled the room, a cozy contrast to the earlier chaos surrounding Leo's father's name being cleared. As the final pages of the book were turned, Adhara closed it with a satisfied smile.

Remus glanced at Leo and Adhara with a soft smile. "Well, Leo, Ara, tomorrow is the big day," he said, a mixture of excitement and nostalgia in his voice. "Off to Hogwarts you go." Adhara grinned, but there was a hint of sadness in her eyes.

"Yeah, but we'll still see each other during holidays, right?" Remus nodded reassuringly. "Absolutely. And don't forget, you'll make new friends and have incredible adventures. Hogwarts is a magical place, in more ways than one."

"What if... we don't get put in the same house?" Adhara whispered, worriedly. Remus chuckled. "Ah, the Sorting Hat has a way of surprising us, doesn't it? But houses won't change the fact that you two are best friends, no matter where you end up. And who knows, maybe you'll end up in the same house after all."

Leo grinned, adding, "Yeah, and even if we're in different houses, we can still sneak out at night and have our own little adventures. Just like the Marauders." Remus gave Leo a look, Adhara giggled, feeling reassured.

"True, we'll make it work. And no matter what, we'll always have each other's backs," Remus said with a chuckle. "That's the spirit. Now, get some rest. Tomorrow is a big day, indeed."

As Leo and Adhara headed to their rooms, Remus exchanged a glance with Kreacher, who was still sitting contentedly in the corner. As the night wore on, they lay in their beds, feeling a mix of anticipation and apprehension for the coming day. The next morning, the air was charged with excitement as they prepared to leave for King's Cross Station. Remus, Leo, Adhara, and even Kreacher all played a part in ensuring everything was ready. The journey to Hogwarts awaited them, and the adventures that lay beyond would shape their destinies in ways they couldn't yet imagine.

Chapter Text

"You ready?" Remus asked.

"Ready!" echoed Leo and Adhara.

"Got everything needed?" he asked again, just to make sure.

"Yes!" echoed Leo and Adhara, once again.

"All right, I'll Floo on ahead with the trunks. Leo, you Floo with Adhara after me," Remus stated, before picking up their trunks and making his way to the fireplace.

Adhara immediately turned to Kreacher and hugged him. "I'll miss you, Kreacher! Please, take care of Uncle Remy until we're back for the Holidays!" She then gave him a kiss on the head.

"Miss Adhara is kind to Kreacher. Kreacher will take good care of Master Remus. You go, be safe, and Kreacher will be here waiting for your return. Have a safe journey, young miss and Master Leo," Kreacher croaked out.

Leo put his hand on Kreacher's shoulder. "What she said," he whispered to Kreacher with a small smile.

Remus stepped into the Floo, "Platform Nine and Three Quarters!" he stated as he threw down the Floo powder. With one last hug with Kreacher, Adhara and Leo followed next.

The sensation was disorienting, and in a whirlwind of green flames, they were transported to the bustling platform. Emerging from the fireplace at the magical platform, Leo and Adhara found themselves in the midst of students, families, and the iconic scarlet Hogwarts Express waiting on the tracks. Remus was already there, their trunks neatly arranged by the side. The three exchanged glances, sharing a mix of excitement and nervousness about the upcoming school year. Remus patted both Leo and Adhara on the shoulder, reassuringly.

"Alright, you two. Stick together, and remember, if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask your professors or any of the older students. Hogwarts is a big place, but it'll become like a second home in no time," Leo nodded, his eyes scanning the platform for familiar faces.

"Got it, Moony. We'll do our best," Adhara, with a determined expression, added, "And we'll write to you and Kreacher every chance we get. Don't worry - we'll be back before you know it."

Remus smiled warmly, proud. "I'll be waiting for your letters. Now, go on, find an empty compartment on the train and settle in. I'll see you both during the Holidays, and until then, make the most of your time at Hogwarts. And stay out of trouble," he added, looking at them both with a small smile.

Leo and Adhara exchanged a quick glance. "No promises!" they echoed with innocent smiles. Remus sighed as he shook his head, amused. The train whistle blew, attracting their attention. Adhara quickly hugged Remus. "I'll miss you, Remy," she whispered.

"I'll miss you too," Remus whispered, hugging her back. Leo nodded. "What she said." Remus snorted. "I'll miss you too, Leo," he added, pulling him into their hug. After a few seconds, they broke apart and grabbed their trunks. With a final wave to Remus, they hoisted their trunks onto the Hogwarts Express, ready for the magical journey that awaited them at Hogwarts. The train doors closed, and they waved through the windows from where they stood as the train began moving.

"Come on, let's find a compartment," Leo stated.

"I'm glad we got feather-light charms on these things," Adhara mumbled as they picked their trunks back up and began walking down the train corridor. Leo looked from one compartment to another, wanting to change who she sat with this time. He came to a stop outside a compartment with a round-faced, blonde boy inside - Neville. Leo smirked. "Let's sit here!" he stated.

Adhara nodded, and Leo slid the door open. "Mind if we sit with you?" he asked, strolling in and hopping up on the seat to put his and Adhara's trunks up on the top shelf.

"Oh, uh, sure. I mean, you can sit if you want," Neville mumbled, shifting a bit in his seat nervously. Adhara smiled at him. "This is Leo Black, and I'm Adhara Potter. You?" she asked.

Neville's eyes went wide, and his jaw dropped. "T - The Girl Who Lived!? T - That Adhara P - Potter!?" Adhara smiled back sheepishly. "Just ... Adhara's is fine... y - you?" she mumbled, hoping to move past her famous identity.

Neville stammered for a moment, his face turning a shade of pink. "I-I'm Neville. Neville Longbottom," he managed to say, still wide-eyed. Leo gave a friendly nod, acknowledging Neville. Adhara, sensing Neville's nervousness, tried to ease the tension.

"It's nice to meet you, Neville. Leo and I were just talking about how exciting it is to finally begin Hogwarts. Have you heard anything interesting about the school?" Adhara asked.

Neville, grateful for the change of topic, visibly relaxed. "Oh, uh, well, my gran told me lots of stories about Hogwarts. She says it's the best wizarding school in the world. I-I hope I won't mess up too much," he admitted, playing nervously with the collar of his robes.

Adhara reassured him with a warm smile. "Don't worry, Neville. We're all in the same boat – excited and a bit nervous. I'm sure we'll do just fine." Leo nodded in agreement.

ϟϟϟ

As the train rumbled along the tracks, the trio engaged in friendly conversation. Adhara and Leo shared stories about their summer, with Neville becoming more comfortable around his newfound friends. Suddenly, the compartment door slid open, revealing Draco Malfoy flanked by his cronies, Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle. Draco's eyes narrowed when he saw Leo, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Well, well, if it isn't my dear long-lost cousin, Leo, was it? What a surprise to find you here," Draco sneered, his tone oozing with mock politeness. Crabbe and Goyle stood behind him, wearing matching expressions of indifference. Leo raised an eyebrow, unimpressed.

"Draco, isn't it? Didn't get to properly introduce ourselves last time... Adhara, this is Draco Malfoy, my second cousin," Leo said, emphasizing the word "second." Adhara, remembering Draco from Madam Malkin's, offered a polite nod. "Nice... to see you again, Draco."

Draco's eyes shifted between Leo and Adhara. "Potter and Black together? How quaint," he remarked with a sly grin. "Did you know, Potter, that you're sitting with a Black? Quite the family reunion, wouldn't you say?"

"Well, we do live together, Ara and I," Leo smirked, throwing his arm over Adhara's shoulder. Draco's expression flickered with a mix of surprise and annoyance, clearly not expecting such a casual response.

Leo continued, "And meet Neville Longbottom. Our friend. Neville, this is 'the' Draco Malfoy." Leo's introduction was laced with subtle sarcasm, making it clear he was not impressed by Draco's attitude. Draco's smirk faltered for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure.

"Longbottom, Potter, and Black. Quite the trio you've got going on here," Draco said, his tone dripping with condescension. Crabbe and Goyle chuckled half-heartedly in response. Ignoring Draco's attempt at provocation, Leo gestured to the empty seats.

"We were just discussing our favorite sweets as we wait for the trolley. Why don't you and your friends join us? The more, the merrier, right?" Leo's invitation was delivered with a mischievous twinkle in his eye, hinting that he was ready for whatever Draco had in mind.

Draco hesitated, exchanging a quick glance with Crabbe and Goyle. After a moment, he decided to accept the invitation, sliding the compartment door shut behind him. The atmosphere tensed as the two groups settled into an uneasy coexistence within the compartment. Adhara maintained her friendly demeanor, attempting to steer the conversation away from potential conflicts. As the train journeyed through the scenic landscapes, Leo, Adhara, Neville, and the unexpected addition of Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle found themselves engaged in an odd yet surprisingly civil conversation.

Adhara skillfully guided the discussion towards neutral topics, such as potential favorite subjects and expectations for their first year at Hogwarts. Leo threw in occasional witty remarks, making an effort to keep the atmosphere light and amusing. As the trolley cart laden with magical treats approached, Leo grinned and pulled out a handful of Galleons.

"Anything anyone wants from the trolley?" he asked, looking around at everyone. Adhara's eyes lit up at the prospect of sweets, and Neville eagerly nodded. Draco, however, maintained a composed exterior but couldn't hide a subtle twitch of curiosity.

"Surprise us," he remarked, a hint of arrogance still lingering in his tone. Leo returned shortly with an assortment of Chocolate Frogs, Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, and Pumpkin Pasties. Adhara eagerly unwrapped her Chocolate Frog card, revealing a moving image of Salazar Slytherin.

"Hey, Draco, look! It's one of your ancestors," Leo teased, holding up the card for him to see. Draco smirked, seemingly unbothered. Adhara rolled her eyes playfully. The awkward tension that initially hung in the compartment began to ease the further along they traveled. Adhara, Leo, and Neville discovered common interests, and even Draco found himself drawn into the conversation, begrudgingly admitting his excitement about certain aspects of Hogwarts.

When the time came to change into their school robes, Leo pulled out a small mirror from his pocket and adjusted his hair, prompting Draco to scoff.

"Going for the disheveled look, Black? Trying to emulate your infamous father?" Leo chuckled, unfazed. "Nah, just going for the 'I don't care' look. It suits me better." Adhara smiled at him, amused, before messing up his hair playfully. Leo gasped before trying to fix it as she and the others laughed or smirked. The train eventually slowed as it approached the Hogsmeade platform, and Leo, Adhara, Neville, Draco, Vincent, and Gregory disembarked.

Chapter Text

As they stepped onto the Hogsmeade platform, the students were greeted by the majestic sight of Hogwarts Castle in the distance. The excitement among the first-year students was palpable, and Adhara couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the grandeur of the magical school. The group made their way to the other first-years who were grouping around Hagrid.

"How yeh been?" Hagrid smiled down as he spotted Adhara and Leo.

"Brilliant! You?" Adhara smiled up at him.

"Alright, m'self!" Hagrid responded before standing up straighter and announcing, "First years! Follow me!"

Draco eyed Hagrid and her with a slight, baffled grimace. Leo subtly elbowed him, feigning innocence as Draco made a small grunt and glared at Leo's back as they began to follow Hagrid. They were led down a winding path to the edge of the Black Lake where enchanted boats waited for them, each large enough to accommodate groups of students. Adhara, Leo, Neville, Draco, Vincent, and Gregory climbed into one of the boats together, exchanging curious glances as they settled in.

As the boats glided across the Black Lake, they couldn't help but marvel at the beauty of Hogwarts. The castle loomed larger with each passing moment, its towers and turrets reflecting in the still waters of the lake. Adhara leaned over the edge of the boat, captivated by the giant squid that neared the surface. Leo grinned at Adhara's fascination.

"Pretty impressive, huh?" he remarked, nudging her gently. Adhara nodded, her eyes wide with wonder, "It's incredible! I can't believe we're actually here." 

Neville anxiously peeked over at the squid, "Do you think it's friendly?"

"Do you think it's friendly?" Draco repeated, unable to hold back his sarcasm, "Oh, I'm sure it just wants to be friends. Maybe we can invite it to dinner." Vincent and Gregory snickered, amused. Leo chuckled.

"Well, if it does, I hope it likes mash. Maybe we can teach it some magic tricks." Adhara stated as she playfully tapped Draco's foot with her own, shooting him a teasing look, "Come on, Draco, don't be such a pessimist. Maybe the giant squid is just misunderstood." 

Draco rolled his eyes but couldn't suppress a small smirk, crossing his arms, "Misunderstood? Right, because that's what we need - a giant squid with emotional issues." 

Leo laughed, "Hey, you never know. It might be the most sociable creature in the lake."

Neville, still looking worried, chimed in, "Well, I hope it's not hungry. I'd rather not be on the menu for our first night here."

Adhara smiled, "Don't worry, Neville. I hear the giant squid prefers a vegetarian diet."

Vincent chuckled, "Maybe it's a fan of Herbology. We can offer it some magical plants as a peace offering."

Gregory added with a grin, "Or maybe it's just waiting for the next Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher to fall in. Uncle Arwen says the post is cursed."

Adhara looked at him wide-eyed, "Cursed?"

Gregory nodded as the boats reached the rocky shore, and Hagrid ushered them out. The first-years followed him up the path, the castle looming ever larger. 

ϟϟϟ

Hagrid opened the big entrance doors and led them all up the stairs before stopping right outside the entrance of the Great Hall.

"Good luck!" He smiled before leaving to sneak into the Great Hall, as they remained nervously waiting.

Leo turned to Adhara with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I bet you a Chocolate Frog that Draco gets sorted into Slytherin," he whispered, casting a sly look at his cousin.

Draco overheard and scoffed, "Oh, please! Like I would be anywhere else. Slytherin is the only house for someone of my caliber," he retorted, arrogantly.

Neville, still looking a bit anxious, added, "I just hope I don't end up in Slytherin. My gran would probably disown me."

Vincent, with a reassuring pat on Neville's shoulder, reassured him, "Don't worry, Longbottom. You're more of a Hufflepuff type."

Gregory chimed in, "Yeah, Hufflepuff suits you. They're known for being kind and loyal. Nothing wrong with that."

Adhara, scanning the group with a smile before nervously turning to Leo, whispered, "W - We'll be in the same house ... right?"

Leo grinned at Adhara, swinging his arm over her shoulder. "Of course, Adhara. We'll stick together no matter what. Hogwarts can't keep us apart." He winked, trying to ease her nerves.

Draco, who overheard the exchange, couldn't resist adding a touch of sarcasm. "Well, isn't that heartwarming? A reunion in whichever house you end up." He smirked, teasing Leo.

Adhara shot Draco a playful glare. "Oh, hush, Draco. You know you'll miss us if we're not in Slytherin with you."

Draco scoffed, "Miss you? Hardly. I'll have the common sense to choose my company wisely."

Leo rolled his eyes. "Don't worry, Adhara. Pureblooded Slytherins are just allergic to emotions." Before Draco could retort, the large oak doors swung open. A tall, dark-haired witch in emerald-green robes stood there. She had a very stern face, and Adhara swallowed nervously, inching closer to Leo.

"My name is Professor McGonagall. Welcome to Hogwarts," said Professor McGonagall.

ϟϟϟ

She began a whole speech explaining the sorting, the house points, and so on. Adhara was so nervous, she almost didn't hear Professor McGonagall telling them to follow her. Feeling oddly as though her legs had turned to lead, Adhara got into line behind a boy with sandy hair, with Leo behind her, and they walked behind Professor McGonagall into the Great Hall.

Adhara had never even imagined such a strange and splendid place. It was lit by thousands and thousands of candles which were floating in mid-air over four long tables, where the rest of the students were sitting. These tables were laid with glittering golden plates and goblets. At the top of the Hall was another long table where the teachers were sitting. Professor McGonagall led the first-years up here, so that they came to a halt in a line facing the other students, with the teachers behind them. The hundreds of faces staring at them looked like pale lanterns in the flickering candlelight. Dotted here and there among the students, ghosts shone misty silver. Thank Merlin! Remus had told them about the ghosts. Mainly to avoid all the staring eyes, Adhara looked upwards and saw a velvety black ceiling dotted with stars. It was beautiful. She heard some girl whisper, "It's bewitched to look like the sky outside, I read about it in Hogwarts: A History."

It was hard to believe there was a ceiling there at all, and that the Great Hall didn't simply open onto the heavens. Adhara quickly looked down again as Professor McGonagall silently placed a four-legged stool in front of the first-years. On top of the stool she put a pointed wizard's hat. This hat was patched and frayed and extremely dirty. She tilted her head curiously at it before glancing around, confused - noticing that everyone in the Hall was now staring at the hat, she turned back and stared at it too. For a few seconds, there was complete silence. Then the hat twitched. A rip near the brim opened wide like a mouth - and the hat began to sing a song, to her immense shock! The whole Hall burst into applause as the hat finished its song. It bowed to each of the four tables and then became quite still again. A hat? A hat is what sorted them ... brilliant! Though, she did wish they could have tried it on without everyone watching. The hat seemed to be asking rather a lot; Adhara didn't feel brave or quick-witted or any of it at the moment. If only the hat had mentioned a house for people who felt a bit queasy, that would have been the one for her. Leo sensing her nervousness, took her hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze. "We got this!" He whispered. Adhara nodded back.

Professor McGonagall now stepped forward holding a long roll of parchment. "When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted," she said.

ϟϟϟ

Student after student was called up and made to put on the hat before it simply shouted out a house name. She couldn't help but smile and clap along whenever a table would explode with cheers as it gained a new student. Adhara also could see red-headed twins catcalling whenever someone joined Gryffindor, which made her giggle. She was brought out of her pondering as Leo was called up. She was starting to definitely feel sick now. Leo made his way up to the stool and sat down, all while thinking, "Please be in the same house!" over and over again. The Great Hall fell silent as Leo placed the sorting hat on his head. She exchanged a nervous glance with Draco, who seemed surprisingly focused on the sorting ceremony. The hat seemed to take its time, as if deep in thought, considering Leo's qualities. After what felt like an eternity, the hat finally shouted, "GRYFFINDOR!" The Gryffindor table erupted into cheers, and Leo beamed as he took off the hat and joined his new housemates. Adhara couldn't contain her excitement and clapped enthusiastically.

Sometimes, Adhara noticed, the hat shouted out the house at once, but at others, it took a little while to decide. Professor McGonagall worked her way down the list alphabetically, each student going to either one of the Houses. Vincent was sorted into Slytherin, Gregory following after him. It was now Neville's turn. He looked even more nervous than Adhara felt. "It's going to be alright Neville, just take a slow, deep breath," Adhara whispered to him. With a nervous smile and a grateful nod, he made his way up to the stool. The Hat fell to just above his eyebrows as he sat there for a few moments before the Hat called out, "GRYFFINDOR!" Leo, naturally, stood up on his seat and began cheering wildly. As he got up with the Hat on his head Adhara quickly waved her arms attracting his attention and pointed to her head. Realization dawned on him and Neville quickly took the Hat off, placed it back on the stool, before walking towards the cheering Gryffindor table. Draco swaggered forward when his name was called and Adhara tried so hard not to snicker: the hat had barely touched his head when it screamed, "SLYTHERIN!" She cheered and clapped for him, he looked at her slightly surprised before quickly making his way to the Slytherin table and sitting next to Vincent and Gregory.

ϟϟϟ

She looked around. There weren't many people left now as another student was called up... and then, at last - "Potter, Adhara!" As Adhara stepped forward, whispers suddenly broke out like little hissing fires all over the hall. "Potter, did she say?" "The Adhara Potter?" The last thing Adhara saw before the hat dropped over her eyes was the Hall full of people craning to get a good look at her. Next second she was looking at the black inside of the hat. She waited.

"Hmm," said a small voice in her ear. "Don't be frightened, dear child. It's just me, the Sorting Hat. Now, let's see. Hmm, difficult. Very difficult. Plenty of courage, I see. A very intelligent mind you've been forced to hide, but learned to use this to your advantage. They underestimate you. You're loyal to those you love, fiercely loyal in fact, despite the hardships you've faced already in your young life. I am sorry, dear child." The Hat said, making Adhara tense and fear what he'd seen. "Difficult. There's talent, oh yes. Such talent indeed. And a thirst to prove yourself, my dear girl, you are a tricky one. It appears the founders all want you in their house and you could indeed go into whichever one you want," The Hat exclaimed, seemingly shocked. "Now that's interesting... So where shall I put you?"

"Gryffindor, please! I want to stay with Leo!"

"With that being said, better be... GRYFFINDOR!" Adhara heard the hat shout the last word to the whole Hall. She was so relieved to have been placed with Leo, she hardly noticed that she was getting the loudest cheer yet.

Chapter Text

----------------------------------------------------

Dear Uncle Remy,

I hope this letter finds you as soon as possible! GRYFFINDOR!!! We've been sorted into Gryffindor! I couldn't wait to write and tell you all about our first week at this amazing place! Hogwarts is beyond anything I could have imagined. The castle is enormous, and there are so many secret passages and magical surprises! Leo and I have been exploring everything, just like the Marauders!! We've also made some friends such as Neville and Leo's cousin Draco. Vincent, and Gregory have become our friends too (They're Draco's best friends). Well, Neville definitely has ... Draco, Vincent and Gregory are still a bit closed off but I feel we're winning them over! We also visit Hagrid a lot, and I've also begun giving Hagrid some baking help - his rock cakes are edible now! And delicious! (Don't worry, we've stayed far away from the Whomping Willow as you warned) Classes are fascinating! I have already learned so much about magical creatures, spells, and potions. Professor McGonagall is strict but really kind, and Professor Flitwick is so cheerful! Professor Sprout is lovely! She's Neville's favorite! Professor Snape is a little ... well, he's a Professor! And as you told Leo, if you ain't got anything nice to say, then it's best to say nothing. The other professors however, are interesting too. Professor Quirrell is a bit odd at times ... I could of sworn his eyes changed color when speaking to me once, but - I could have just been imagining things. We had our first flying lesson, and I was nervous at first (I didn't want to make a fool of myself in front of everyone!), but Leo encouraged me, and we ended up racing around the pitch. It was incredible! Though Madam Hooch was not pleased, however she admitted that she was impressed by our flying! The Great Hall is magnificent, and the feasts are beyond delicious. The enchanted ceiling shows the real sky with an enchantment! I love looking up to see the stars during dinner. Also, Dumbledore made some announcement during the feast on our first night, that the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to anyone who does not wish to die a very painful death. Is that a normal thing at Hogwarts? Leo said it was a rule we should abide by and stay far far away from that corridor ... Quite odd for Leo to be the behaving one. Also, everyone's a buzz about the break in at Gringotts! Apparently, it's never been done before! I wonder how they did it, what do you think? I remember when Hagrid took me to Gringotts, the goblin told me about one of the door trap enchantments. Quite grim! Anyways, I miss you and Kreacher so so so much. I hope you're doing well. Please give Kreacher my love and tell him that I promise to read a bunch of stories to him, as soon as we return home for Holidays! Leo and I are planning to write to you regularly and share all our adventures. I can't wait to hear from you. Please take care of yourself, and listen to Kreacher after the full moon! He knows what he's doing.

Sending lots of love and magical hugs, 

Adhara

----------------------------------------------------

"I'll be right back! Gonna take my letter to the owlery, to send off to Remy!" Adhara stated to Leo, getting up from the common room floor. Neville and Leo opened their mouths to ask if she wanted them to come with, but she was so excited, she immediately ran out.

Adhara hurried through the corridors of Hogwarts, clutching her letter to Remus in her hand. The castle was alive with magic as she ran past the chattering portraits and maneuvered through the changing staircases, her excitement bubbling with each step. Finally, she reached the Owlery, a tower filled with fluttering owls of all colors and sizes.

Entering the room, Adhara spotted Leo's beautiful snowy owl perched on a wooden beam. His feathers were pristine, and his large, round eyes stared at her with a sense of intelligence. Adhara smiled and carefully tied her letter to the owl's leg.

"There you go, Mischief," she whispered, giving the owl a gentle stroke on his feathers. "Take this home to Uncle Remy, alright? And be safe, I promise to feed you extra bacon when you get back!"

Mischief hooted softly, as if acknowledging the task. With a swift movement, he spread his wings and took flight, disappearing into the sky through the open window. Adhara watched until the snowy owl became a distant speck against the darkening evening sky.

As she turned to leave the Owlery, Adhara couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching her. She scanned the room but found no one. Shrugging off the sensation, she made her way back down the owlery tower.

Back through the corridors she went, however, it was when she got on the changing staircases that something happened. Normally, they changed in the direction the majority wanted, and as she was the only one on the staircase... it should have connected to the stairs leading up - towards Gryffindor tower. But, for some unknown reason it connected downwards to a different stairway.

She stood there for a few minutes, waiting for it to change again... only for the stairs to suddenly turn into a slide. She fell on her arse and slid all the way down and landed with a thud onto a darkened corridor stone floor. Which was quite painful! To say the least.

She stood up and turned back to the stairs, only to see that they had gone. Looking around, baffled, she tried to figure out where she was - but she was still new to Hogwarts and she didn't think she'd ever been in this corridor before.

Adhara stood in the dimly lit corridor, her surroundings shrouded in an eerie silence. The walls seemed to close in on her, and she heard a distant click noise, like a door closing.

"Hello? Is anyone there?" Adhara called out tentatively, but her words echoed unanswered. Feeling a mixture of curiosity and trepidation, she decided to head towards where she heard the noise, hoping to run into a Professor or a Prefect. The air felt colder, and the further she walked, the more she noticed the walls adorned with peculiar tapestries depicting scenes she couldn't quite comprehend.

As she rounded a corner, Adhara stumbled upon an ancient-looking wooden door. It bore no markings or signs, and curiosity got the better of her. Pressing her ear against the door, she couldn't hear anything. There wasn't any other door nearby, and she was certain the noise had come from this direction. Slowly, she opened the door, and her breath caught as she froze in place.

Before her, a large, three-headed dog slowly rose to its feet, emitting a low growl that sent shivers down her spine. Adhara's face paled as she took in the unexpected and perilous sight. The realization dawned on her – this must be the third-floor corridor, and she had inadvertently stumbled upon something far more dangerous than she could have imagined. She immediately backed out of the room, and the heavy wooden door slammed shut just in the nick of time, the sound echoing through the corridor.

Leaning against the door, her heart pounding in her chest, Adhara heard the Cerberus's snarls echoing from behind the closed door, its massive paws scraping against the stone floor. Her mind raced, realizing the danger she had narrowly avoided. She knew she had to find a way out of there and fast!

Pushing away the slight curiosity within her about why the Cerberus was there and what it was guarding, she saw the trap door below its massive form. Adhara ran back towards the direction of the stairs, and for some reason, the stairs were acting normally again. But she didn't care enough to question it further, too busy fleeing from what she had just stumbled upon.

Without a single stop or break, Adhara hurried back to Gryffindor tower and entered the common room. Breathless and wide-eyed, she rushed toward Leo and Neville in the corner of the Gryffindor common room. Leo's concerned eyes met hers as he noticed the urgency in her expression.

"What's wrong?" he asked, worriedly.

Adhara took a moment to catch her breath before blurting out, "The third-floor corridor, Leo! I accidentally stumbled upon it, and there's a Cerberus guarding something! I don't know what it is, but it's dangerous, and you were right! We need to stay away! Far, far away!"

Her words tumbled out in a hurried whisper, fueled by the fear and adrenaline still coursing through her veins.

Neville, wide-eyed, looked between Adhara and Leo, realizing the gravity of the situation. "A Cerberus? Stumbled upon it? How?" he asked, a mixture of concern and fear on his face. Adhara shook her head, still trying to process the intensity of the encounter. "I don't know! The stairs were acting strange, and I ended up there by accident. But we can't go near that corridor; it's off-limits for a reason! Dumbledore must be mad in the head!"

Leo swallowed anxiously. "Dumbledore is most definitely mad in the head!" He quickly stood up and hugged Adhara, realizing that Dumbledore would have made her find the dog one way or another. He'd been so careful to stick by her at all times. Now that she's seen the dog, Dumbledore would try to make her see that mirror next. Something he's got to prevent from happening!

ϟϟϟ

There was a tapping noise at the window, and Remus quickly stood up to let Mischief in. The beautiful snowy owl flew in and landed on the table, holding out the tied letter for him. "Hello, Mischief. Good flight?" he greeted as he untied the letter. The owl puffed up and hooted. Remus sat down in his chair by the warm fire and read Adhara's letter. He couldn't help but furrow his brow as he finished reading.

The mention of the third-floor corridor and Dumbledore's ominous warning caught his attention. The cryptic message about avoiding it to escape a painful death raised questions in his mind. He leaned back in his chair, lost in thought. The letter conveyed the usual excitement of a first-year at Hogwarts, but the mysterious atmosphere surrounding the third-floor corridor intrigued him.

He had experienced enough in his own time at Hogwarts to know that Dumbledore didn't make such statements lightly, especially after everything with the trial. There had to be something significant and potentially dangerous in that corridor. He pondered over the possibility that Dumbledore was placing a subtle test or challenge for the students, a rite of passage perhaps? Or, on a darker note, there might be an actual threat hidden on the third floor that Dumbledore was, for some reason, bringing into a school full of students.

He knew all too well that Hogwarts held its share of secrets, but the safety of the students was paramount, and Remus couldn't shake the feeling that there might be more to this warning than met the eye. With a sigh, he folded Adhara's letter, placing it into the side drawer table. He should try to inquire any information he can at the next Wizengamot meeting. There are plenty of school board members there, and if they aren't aware of the third floor being "out of bounds," then surely Dumbledore is up to no good!

He really wished they removed Dumbledore as headmaster. Having him so close to Adhara and Leo, after everything she had to go through because of him, was worrying.

Chapter Text

Adhara stirred from her slumber, blinking sleep from her eyes as she noticed a mysterious package resting at the foot of her dorm bed. With a mix of curiosity and caution, she picked up the accompanying note, recognizing the wax seal from Gringotts, and read it silently to herself.

----------------------------------------------------

"Your late father cited in the Potter file that this family heirloom should be given to you on your eleventh birthday. We've recently reclaimed it from Dumbledore and had it looked over for any enchantments and spells. After several tests and scans, it was deemed safe enough to return to you. - Throgar"

----------------------------------------------------

Her heart raced with a whirlwind of emotions. Her father's? A family heirloom? With trembling fingers, Adhara unwrapped the package and lifted the cloak that was inside, its fabric smooth beneath her touch. Curiosity overcoming her, she draped it around her shoulders and glanced at herself in the nearby mirror. To her astonishment, she watched as her reflection gradually faded from view until she was left staring at an empty space where she once stood.

A gasp escaped her lips as she realized the cloak's capabilities—it made her invisible. Eyes wide with disbelief, Adhara marveled at the cloak's enchantment, her mind racing with possibilities. Who knew what adventures awaited her now that she possessed such a remarkable artifact? With a sense of both excitement and trepidation, she carefully folded the cloak. She needed to tell Leo and Neville!

ϟϟϟ

Remus Lupin's mind was preoccupied with Adhara's letter and the unsettling information it contained about the third-floor corridor at Hogwarts. He listened attentively to the discussions, but his thoughts kept drifting back to the safety of Adhara and Leo.

Finally, as the meeting concluded, Remus seized the opportunity to approach some of the Hogwarts school board members.

"Excuse me," Remus began, addressing the group of officials. "I couldn't help but overhear mention of the third-floor corridor being out of bounds at Hogwarts. Could you, perhaps, shed some light on this matter?"

The school board members exchanged puzzled glances before Mrs. Chang, a stern-looking witch with spectacles perched on her nose, responded. "I'm sorry, Mr. Lupin, but I'm not aware of any such restrictions on the third-floor corridor. Perhaps it's a new security measure implemented by Headmaster Dumbledore?"

Remus frowned slightly, his concern deepening. "It's possible, but I find it troubling that such information hasn't been communicated to the school board. The safety of the students should be a top priority, and if there are areas deemed off-limits, we need to ensure that everyone is aware of them."

Another member, a wizard with a bushy beard, Mr. Corner, chimed in. "Indeed, Mr. Lupin. I'll make a note to follow up with the headmaster about this matter. It's important that we have a clear understanding of any potential risks within Hogwarts."

Remus nodded, appreciating the acknowledgment of his concerns. "Thank you. I just want to ensure that Adhara, Leo, and her classmates are safe while they're attending Hogwarts. If there's anything I can do to assist in addressing this issue, please don't hesitate to let me know."

With that, Remus excused himself from the conversation, feeling a sense of urgency to gather more information about the mysterious third-floor corridor. He made a mental note to talk with Amelia Bones and to keep a close eye on developments at Hogwarts as well as the investigation into Dumbledore. He needed to stay vigilant in protecting Adhara, Leo, and the other students from any potential dangers lurking within the castle walls and from it's Headmaster.

ϟϟϟ

Adhara quickly got ready for the day before rushing out of her dorm and over to the boys' dorm. She knocked twice before Leo's voice called out, "Come in!" She burst into the room immediately. "You'll never guess what I just got!" she stated, wide-eyed and excited.

Leo turned around from where he was sitting on his bed, a curious expression on his face. "What did you get?"

Neville looked up from making his bed with interest, clearly intrigued by Adhara's enthusiasm. Adhara beamed, holding out the cloak for Leo and Neville to see. "Look! It's an invisibility cloak! It was my father's! Can you believe it?"

Leo's eyes widened in shock as he reached out to touch the cloak, his fingers grazing the smooth fabric. How did she have it already? The goblins must have reclaimed it from Dumbledore. Things are changing too fast... she shouldn't have been given this until Christmas. He cleared his throat before pasting on a smile. "W-Wow, that's incredible, Adhara! An invisibility cloak? I've only heard of these in stories. Your father must have been quite something to possess something like this."

Neville's eyebrows shot up in amazement. "Merlin! Is that real? Those are very rare! But, uh, w-we should probably use it responsibly, right?"

Adhara nodded eagerly, her excitement bubbling over. "Of course! We'll be careful with it. But just think of all the possibilities! We could explore Hogwarts without anyone knowing, or maybe even sneak into the restricted section of the library! We could even sneak out and visit Hagrid!"

ϟϟϟ

They made their way down to the Great Hall together for breakfast. Leo was lost in thought and worry. Why on earth are things moving faster? Is it because of the trial? Did that speed things up? He thought he had until Christmas to worry about the mirror. But clearly, he needs to do something now! With the cloak reclaimed from him, Dumbledore surely knows that Adhara must have it now, or at least suspects she does.

"Leo?" Adhara whispered.

"Huh?" Leo mumbled, turning to look at Adhara, then realizing she was sitting. "You okay?" Adhara whispered as he finally took his seat.

"Yeah, perfectly fine. Just had a funny dream last night," he lied.

"You sure?" she whispered.

"Of course! It was... about a flying car," Leo stated.

"A flying car? Is that a thing?" Adhara laughed quietly.

"People have enchanted stranger things," Neville stated as he added more bacon to his plate.

Ignoring Adhara's concerned glances, Leo quietly mulled over his worries. Just then, Dumbledore strode into the Great Hall, his presence commanding attention as usual. But Leo noticed something different in the Headmaster's demeanor—a subtle smugness lurking beneath his usual facade of benevolence. It sent a shiver down his spine. What if he informed Adhara about the mirror... just in case. But he couldn't just outright tell her! Death said he couldn't reveal the truth about him or the knowledge he knew. Was it a spell preventing him? Or would there be consequences if he did so? He didn't know... but he knew he had to do this in a roundabout way instead.

"How about we go to the library today? After breakfast?" Leo asked.

"The library?" Adhara and Neville echoed. "What about class?" Neville added.

"It's only History of Magic. We can skip that," Leo stated.

Adhara pursed her lips in thought. "Why the library?"

"I was thinking we could do some research," he suggested, his tone casual but purposeful. "There might be some interesting things we could learn."

Adhara's eyes lit up with enthusiasm. "That sounds like a great idea! What kind of research were you thinking? A new spell or idea of a prank?"

Leo hesitated for a moment, choosing his words carefully. "Well, you know, there are a lot of hidden secrets within Hogwarts. I thought it might be interesting to explore some of those mysteries."

Neville worried his lip at the mention of mysteries. "Like what kind of secrets?"

Leo glanced around the Great Hall, ensuring that no one was listening in on their conversation. Lowering his voice, he leaned in closer to Adhara and Neville. "There's one in particular that I've been curious about lately," he said cryptically. "Something about a mirror. I've heard whispers about its powers, but no one seems to know much about it."

Adhara's curiosity was piqued. "A mirror? What kind of powers does it have?"

Leo shrugged nonchalantly, masking his nervousness with a casual demeanor. "I'm not entirely sure. But I thought it might be worth looking into. Who knows what we might discover?"

Adhara nodded in agreement, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "I'm definitely intrigued. Let's head to the library after breakfast and see what we can find."

Leo breathed a silent sigh of relief, grateful that Adhara seemed receptive to the idea. He knew they were treading on dangerous ground, but he knew that he needed to let her uncover the truth about the mirror before it was too late.

ϟϟϟ

"Where do we start?" Neville asked, as they found a nice and secluded spot and sat down at the table.

"Hmm, why don't we split up? Adhara, you should search the Magical Objects and Artifacts section. Neville should check out the Divination and Magical Arts section, and I will search through the History of Magic section. Meet back here after grabbing some books and tomes," Leo stated.

Adhara, Neville, and Leo dispersed into different sections of the vast Hogwarts library, each determined to find clues about the mysterious mirror. The library's towering shelves and endless rows of books created a labyrinth of knowledge that was both exciting and intimidating.

Adhara made her way to the Magical Objects and Artifacts section, her fingers brushing against the spines of ancient tomes. She selected a few promising volumes and carried them back to their meeting spot. Neville ventured into the Divination and Magical Arts section, his eyes scanning for anything that might hint at the mirror's powers or history. Meanwhile, Leo delved into the History of Magic section, hoping to uncover any historical references to enchanted mirrors.

After what felt like hours of searching, they reconvened at their secluded table, each carrying a stack of books. Adhara spread out her finds first, eager to share her discoveries.

"Look at this," she said, opening a dusty old book titled Enchanted Relics of the Wizarding World. "There's a chapter on legendary magical objects. Maybe the mirror is mentioned here."

Leo nodded, flipping through the pages of a thick history book. "I found some references to mirrors used in ancient magic, but nothing specific about the mirror of—that I've been hearing whispers about." He corrected. 

Neville laid out his books, looking slightly frustrated. "I found some information on scrying mirrors and prophecy tools, but nothing that matches what we’re looking for."

They spent the next hour cross-referencing their findings, hoping to piece together the puzzle. He knew it would most likely not be in any books or tomes, as it was such a well-hidden artifact and not really well known. So, he knew he'd have to get... creative.

"I think I forgot a book. I'll be right back," Leo stated.

Leo quickly made his way to the History of Magic section, his heart pounding in his chest. He needed to find a book that looked old and authentic enough to fool Adhara and Neville. After a few minutes of searching, he found an ancient tome titled Beneath the Surface: The Hidden Meanings of Magical Artifacts. With a quick glance around to ensure no one was watching, he flipped to a section before using a simple illusion charm to make text describing the mirror's supposed dangers and a stern warning to stay away from it. He inspected it, hoping it would hold up fine—after all, he was a little rusty. It seemed good, so he quickly turned and quietly rushed back to the table where Adhara and Neville were poring over another book.

"Did you find it?" Adhara asked, her eyes shining with curiosity.

"Yeah," Leo replied, placing the book on the table. "I found this book on magical artifacts. It might have something about the mirror."

Neville leaned over to get a closer look. "Beneath the Surface: The Hidden Meanings of Magical Artifacts? That sounds promising."

Leo nodded, opening the book to the page where he had used the charm. "Look at this," he said, pointing to the text. Adhara and Neville quickly gathered to read the text.

----------------------------------------------------

The Mirror of Erised shows the deepest, most desperate desire of a person's heart, but at a great cost. Its inscription reads: Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi. When read backwards, it says: I show not your face but your heart's desire. The Mirror of Erised is one of the most dangerous magical artifacts known to wizards. Those who gaze into the mirror are often driven mad with longing, as they become obsessed with what they see. Many wizards have been lost to its enchantment, wasting away before it longing of what they can never truly possess. It is advised that no one attempts to use this mirror, as its power is too great and its consequences too severe. For your own safety, stay away from the Mirror of Erised.

----------------------------------------------------

Neville's eyes widened in alarm. "Blimey, that sounds terrifying."

Adhara bit her lip, a look of concern crossing her face. "I had no idea it was so dangerous. We should definitely not go looking for it."

Leo nodded, feeling a bit of relief. "Exactly. We don't want to mess with something that powerful. It's not worth the risk."

Adhara sighed, closing the book. "You're right. It's better to be safe."

Leo smirked. "At least we know to stay away from it should we ever cross its path now."

Adhara and Neville nodded.

"Should we go to our next class?" Adhara asked.

"Let's go," Leo smiled, throwing his arms over Neville and Adhara's shoulders.

Chapter Text

The grand wooden doors of Hogwarts swung open, revealing the magnificent entrance hall. A group of stern-faced parents, members of the Hogwarts School Board, entered with determined strides. They had come with pressing questions, spurred by the alarming words of danger lurking within the walls of the ancient school. Their primary concern: the mysterious third-floor corridor, which had been declared off-limits by Headmaster Albus Dumbledore himself.

As they approached the grand staircase, Professor McGonagall greeted them with her usual air of authority, leading them to the Headmaster's office. They ascended the spiral staircase and stood before the impressive oak door adorned with a brass knocker in the shape of a griffin. With a swift knock, the door creaked open, and they entered to find Dumbledore seated behind his cluttered desk, a serene smile on his face.

"Welcome, esteemed members of the School Board," Dumbledore began, rising to greet them. "I understand you have concerns regarding the third-floor corridor."

The parents exchanged glances before the chairman, a stern-looking man with silver hair, stepped forward. Mr. Smythe.

"Headmaster Dumbledore," he began, "we've heard troubling tell about the third-floor corridor being off-limits. Parents are worried about the safety of their children. What exactly is the danger there, and why has it been restricted?"

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled behind his half-moon spectacles as he gestured for them to sit. "Ah, yes. The third-floor corridor," he said, his voice calm and reassuring. "You see, we have some rather... delicate renovations taking place. As you can imagine, Hogwarts is an old castle, and certain areas require extensive work to ensure they remain safe and secure."

Mr. Corner with a worried expression spoke up, "But why was it necessary to make it so ominous, saying that entering the corridor would result in 'a most painful death'?"

Dumbledore chuckled softly, the sound echoing through the office. "I must admit, that may have been a tad dramatic on my part. However, it was crucial to impress upon the students the seriousness of the situation. The renovations involve some hazardous magical elements, and I wanted to ensure they stayed far away until it is safe again."

Mrs. Chang, a woman with a keen gaze, inquired further, "And what exactly are these hazardous magical elements?"

Dumbledore's expression remained placid. "Certain enchanted objects that are being re-calibrated. They pose no threat under normal circumstances, but in their current state, they could be unpredictable. Our expert staff is working diligently to resolve this, and I can assure you, no harm will come to the students."

Mr. Selwyn, skeptical but slightly eased, asked, "Can we inspect the corridor ourselves, just to be certain?"

Dumbledore nodded, his demeanor open and accommodating. "Of course, I understand your concern. However, I must insist that you allow our experts to finish their work first. For your safety and that of the students, I recommend we postpone the inspection for a few weeks. In the meantime, I would be more than happy to provide regular updates on the progress."

His response was met with murmurs of agreement. Mr. Smythe, sensing the other parents' growing trust, decided to press on with one last question. "How can we be sure that the students are safe in other parts of the castle while these 'renovations' are taking place?"

Dumbledore clasped his hands together, leaning slightly forward. "The safety of our students is my utmost priority. I have placed additional protective enchantments around the third-floor corridor to contain any potential risks. Furthermore, I have instructed the staff to be extra vigilant. Rest assured, every precaution is being taken."

The parents seemed to relax, their initial worries eased by Dumbledore's confident reassurances. The chairman stood, signaling the end of the meeting.

"Thank you, Headmaster Dumbledore. We appreciate your transparency and dedication to the students' safety."

Dumbledore stood as well, offering a warm smile. "It is my pleasure. Hogwarts has always been a place of learning and safety, and I intend to keep it that way. Please feel free to reach out if you have any further questions."

As the parents filed out of the office, Dumbledore's serene smile never wavered. Once the door closed behind them, he dropped his smile and glared at the door. Lupin was behind this, he was certain of it.

ϟϟϟ

The Great Hall buzzed with the usual lunch chatter, but Leo, Adhara, and Neville had finished their meals early. Leo, with his trademark mischievous grin, leaned in closer and threw an arm around Adhara's shoulder.

"Fancy a bit of an adventure?" he whispered, eyes sparkling with excitement. "I heard there's a secret room behind one of the grand clocks."

Adhara's curiosity piqued immediately. "A secret room? Where did you hear that?"

"Just a rumor," Leo said nonchalantly, as if he didn't already know almost every nook and cranny of this place. "Come on, let's check it out before the next class."

Neville looked hesitant but nodded. "Alright, but let's not get into trouble."

The trio slipped out of the Great Hall, navigating through the maze of Hogwarts corridors. Leo led the way confidently. They finally reached the Grand Staircase, where one of the immense clocks stood, its pendulum swinging rhythmically.

"There it is," Leo said, pointing to the ancient timepiece. "Help me look for a way to open it."

Adhara and Neville inspected the clock closely. Adhara found a small, almost invisible latch on the side. She looked at Leo, who nodded encouragingly. She pressed the latch, and with a soft click, the clock face swung open, revealing a hidden passage.

"Wow," Neville and Adhara echoed, eyes wide with amazement.

"Come on, let's see where it leads," Leo said, stepping into the dark passageway.

The passage was narrow, barely wide enough for them to walk single file. The walls were lined with cobwebs, and the air was thick with dust. They walked in silence, their footsteps echoing eerily. After a few minutes, they emerged into a dimly lit room filled with ancient, forgotten artifacts.

"This is incredible," Adhara whispered, her eyes scanning the room. "Look at all this."

Leo nodded, picking up and fiddling with one of the objects. "Cool, don't you think?"

"Ooh! Look! It's a remembrall like your Gran sent you, Neville. At least, I think it is," Adhara mumbled, inspecting the item closely. 

As they explored the room, they heard a noise from the passageway they had come through. Leo's eyes narrowed, and he motioned for them to be quiet. They hid behind a large, dusty bookshelf just as Professor Quirrell entered the room.

Quirrell's eyes darted around nervously, and he muttered to himself, his voice barely audible. "Must find it... must find it for him..."

Adhara shivered. There was something unnervingly wrong about Quirrell, something she couldn't quite place. She exchanged a worried glance with Leo, who looked more alert than ever.

Quirrell moved closer to their hiding spot, his mutterings growing louder. "The girl... she knows something..."

Neville anxiously backed up a little, and accidentally knocked over a box behind them. 

"Who's there!?" Quirrell hissed, his eyes looking all around.

Leo stepped out from behind the bookshelf, placing himself between Quirrell and Adhara. "Professor Quirrell," he said, his voice steady. "What are you doing here?"

Quirrell jumped, startled. His eyes flickered with a mix of fear and anger. "I could ask you the same, young Mr. Black," he stammered, his eyes locking onto Adhara with a disturbing intensity. "Exploring where you shouldn't be, perhaps?"

"We were just curious," Leo said, his tone casual but his eyes sharp. "We'll be leaving now."

Quirrell's gaze lingered on Adhara, a creepy smile forming on his lips. "Be careful, Miss Potter. Curiosity can be dangerous."

Adhara felt a chill run down her spine, she tried her best to keep composed, but she couldn't keep from anxiously moving closer to Leo and clutching his sleeve.

"Come on," Leo said, taking Adhara's hand, leading them out of the room.

Once they were back in the corridor, Adhara let out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding. "What was that about?"

"Nothing good," Leo said grimly. "We need to stay away from him."

Neville nodded vigorously. "I agree. That was... creepy."

Leo forced a smile. "How about we find something more fun to do? Fancy a trip to the Black Lake to see the giant squid?"

Adhara's face lit up. "Yes, let's do that. Maybe we can finally invite him to tea!" She jested, smirking at Neville. 

"Do giant squids even like tea?" Neville mumbled, in thought. 

Adhara shrugged, "He loves toast. Why not tea as well?"

The trio made their way to the Black Lake, the unnerving encounter with Quirrell already fading from their minds as the excitement of seeing the giant squid took over. They reached the lake's edge, where the giant squid often surfaced, especially for curious students who brought treats.

"Look!" Neville pointed nervous but excitedly, as a massive tentacle broke the water's surface, waving lazily at them.

Adhara laughed, the sound light and carefree. She pulled out a biscuit she had saved for later and tossed a piece of it into the water, and the squid's tentacle gently took it.

"See? Much better than dusty old rooms and creepy professors," Leo said, grinning.

ϟϟϟ

Draco Malfoy sat in the dimly lit Slytherin common room, his thoughts tangled in a web of confusion and conflict. The flickering flames in the hearth cast long shadows, dancing on the walls, mirroring the turmoil within him. Beside him, Gregory Goyle and Vincent Crabbe lounged in the plush chairs, their faces etched with similar uncertainty.

Draco glanced around, ensuring they were alone. The Slytherin "King," a seventh year who was appointed leader among the Slytherin students, had made his decree clear on the first night: Adhara Potter was to be shown nothing but disdain or indifference. Anyone who disobeyed would face severe consequences. But the problem was... Draco liked Potter, and not just her, but also Black and, surprisingly, even Longbottom.

He sighed, running a hand through his pale blond hair. "I don't know what to do," he admitted quietly, breaking the silence.

Gregory shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "I know what you mean. They're... not so bad."

"Not so bad?" Vincent echoed, his brow furrowed. "They're actually pretty fun to be around."

Draco nodded, staring into the fire. He remembered meeting Leo and Adhara for the first time in Diagon Alley. They had been different than expected. Draco had planned to bully Leo and Adhara on the train to Hogwarts, but instead, they ended up sitting together. They got along well, to his surprise. And she still tries to stay friends with him, despite him being a Slytherin.

"Remember what he said," Draco muttered, thinking of the Slytherin "King." "Anyone who shows Potter anything but disdain will be disciplined."

Gregory frowned. "Yeah, but it's stupid. Adhara hasn't done anything to us. And Leo... he's your family."

"Family," Draco repeated, the word heavy with meaning. He thought of his own family, of his father's expectations and the dark legacy that loomed over them all. Lucius Malfoy had instilled in him the importance of their bloodline and loyalty to the Dark Lord. But here he was, conflicted over the simple act of choosing his friends.

Vincent leaned forward, his expression earnest. "Draco, what if we just... ignore the decree? We don't have to be best friends with them in front of everyone, but we don't have to be cruel, either."

Draco's mind raced. It was a dangerous game they were considering. Defying the Slytherin "King" could bring serious repercussions, not just from their peers but from their families as well. But the thought of hurting Adhara, Leo, and Neville felt equally wrong and he didn't want to ignore them.

"I don't want to hurt them," Draco admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "Leo's... he could be like... the brother I never had. And Adhara, she's... well, she's been through enough. We've all heard about the Wizengamot trial."

Gregory and Vincent exchanged glances. It was rare for Draco to speak so candidly, but they understood. They had seen Adhara's resilience and the way Leo looked out for her, even as first years. Neville, too, despite his clumsiness, had shown a kind heart and unwavering loyalty.

"We could try," Gregory said slowly. "We could be friends with them... secretly."

Draco considered this. It wasn't ideal, but it was a start. "We'll have to be careful," he warned. "If anyone finds out..."

"They won't," Vincent said firmly. "We'll make sure of it."

Draco felt a weight lift slightly off his shoulders. It was a risk, but it felt right. "Alright," he agreed. "We stick together, no matter what. And if anyone asks... we're just playing along."

The three of them sat in silence for a while, the fire crackling softly in the background.

"We should go to bed," Draco finally said, standing up. "Tomorrow's another day."

As they headed to their dormitories, Draco couldn't help but feel a spark of hope.

ϟϟϟ

He approached the office of Amelia Bones, now acting as Interim Chief Warlock after Dumbledore's removal. The guards nodded in recognition and allowed him entry. Amelia's office was a stark contrast to the chaos outside, a haven of order and calm. She looked up from her paperwork as Remus entered.

"Remus," she greeted, her expression serious. "Please, have a seat."

"Thank you, Amelia," he replied, taking the offered chair. "I appreciate you meeting with me on such short notice."

"Not at all. I understand the urgency. How is Adhara?"

"She's adjusting well, all things considered," Remus said, a flicker of warmth softening his features. "She's resilient. But that's part of why I'm here. I need to know if there's been any progress on the Dursleys' case."

Amelia leaned back, her gaze steady. "The warrant for Vernon and Petunia Dursley was issued during the trial, as you know. Our team coordinated with Muggle authorities, and Aurors were dispatched immediately to apprehend them. Both Vernon and Petunia Dursley were apprehended and taken into custody."

"And the boy, Dudley?" Remus inquired, concern in his voice.

Amelia's expression softened slightly. "Dudley Dursley has been placed in the care of Muggle Child Services. Given his age and the circumstances, they're investigating suitable long-term guardians for him. He will be going through a program to help with his ... unstructured upbringing."

Remus nodded, a mixture of relief crossing his features. "It's a small comfort, knowing he's safe now. But what of Dumbledore? Have there been any developments in the investigation?"

Amelia's expression hardened. "Dumbledore has always been adept at covering his tracks. The investigation is proving to be... challenging. Every lead we follow seems to dissipate into thin air. He's left very few traces."

"I figured as much," Remus murmured. "He's had decades to perfect his methods. However, I do have something that might be of interest. Adhara sent me a letter from Hogwarts. In it, she mentioned that Dumbledore made an announcement to the school about the third-floor corridor being off-limits. He claimed it was dangerous."

Amelia's brows furrowed. "The third-floor corridor? Do you have any idea why?"

Remus shook his head. "No, but it struck me as suspicious. I informed the school board of his warning, and they said they'd speak with him about it. Given everything we've uncovered so far, I thought it worth mentioning."

Amelia tapped her quill against the desk, lost in thought. "This could be significant. Perhaps he's hiding something there, or it's connected to whatever he's trying to keep concealed. I'll have a team investigate it immediately."

"Good," Remus said, a note of relief in his voice. "We need to uncover whatever he's hiding. For the kid's sake, and for everyone else he might have wronged."

Amelia nodded. "Agreed. We'll proceed with caution. The safety of the students is paramount. I'll also see to it that our investigation into Dumbledore's past actions is intensified. He won't evade justice forever."

"Thank you, Amelia," Remus said, standing up. "I can't tell you how much it means to have someone like you in charge. Someone who genuinely cares about the truth."

"Thank you, Remus. And for what it's worth, I believe we're on the right path. It might take time, but we will get to the bottom of this."

ϟϟϟ

Later that night, the Gryffindor common room was filled with the quiet sounds of crackling embers in the fireplace. The dormitory above was silent, save for the occasional soft snore. Leo lay in bed, feigning sleep, his senses hyper-aware of every breath and movement around him. Finally, when he was sure his dormmates were deep in slumber, he quietly slipped out of bed.

He didn't have the luxury of the Invisibility Cloak he used to share with James. It now belonged to Adhara, and borrowing it would require explanations he wasn't ready to give. Instead, he relied on a Disillusionment Charm. With a whispered incantation, he felt the familiar cold trickle down his spine as the charm took effect, rendering him nearly invisible.

Silently, he grabbed the ornate box he had acquired with Kreacher's help. The old house-elf had been an unexpected ally, he could now sort of see why Regulus was so attached to him. The box was plain on the outside, but he knew its true value lay in its potential to be transformed.

He slipped out of the dormitory and down the spiral staircase, moving as quietly as a shadow. The common room was deserted, the only light coming from the dying fire. He navigated through the portrait hole and into the silent corridors of Hogwarts. His destination was the Room of Requirement, a place he knew well from Adhara's memories. He still couldn't believe that him and the Marauders had never found this ...

Reaching the seventh floor, Leo paced back and forth three times in front of the blank stretch of wall, focusing on his need. "I need a place to create something powerful, a place where I won't be disturbed," he thought fervently. The door slowly carved and formed into the wall, and Leo slipped inside.

The room was exactly as he envisioned: a quiet, well-lit workshop equipped with everything he needed. Ancient tomes on enchanting and protective spells lined the shelves, and a sturdy workbench stood in the center, covered in tools and materials.

Leo placed the box on the bench and began his work. He had spent countless hours studying the runes and enchantments required to craft a containment strong enough to hold Horcruxes. The box had to be more than just a container; it had to be a fortress against the darkest of magics.

He opened one of the tomes to a marked page, revealing intricate diagrams of protective runes. Taking a deep breath, he picked up a fine carving tool and began etching the first rune into the wood. Each stroke was precise, each symbol meticulously crafted. He worked in silence, the only sound the faint scraping of the tool against the wood.

After several hours, the runes were complete. They glowed faintly, a sign that the initial enchantments had taken hold. Leo then moved on to the next stage: imbuing the box with protective charms. He raised his wand and began casting a series of complex spells, each one layering additional protection onto the box.

"Protego Totalum," he whispered, circling the box with his wand. A shimmering barrier enveloped it. "Repello Inimicum," he continued, adding a repelling charm. The process was slow and meticulous, each spell requiring intense concentration and precise wand movements.

As dawn approached, Leo felt the exhaustion creeping in, but he pushed through. The final enchantment was the most critical: a containment charm specifically designed to trap and neutralize the dark magic of Horcruxes.

"Custodia Tenebris," he intoned, his voice steady despite his fatigue. A powerful, shimmering light enveloped the box, sealing the runes and spells into a cohesive protective barrier.

Leo slumped back in his chair, breathing heavily. The box now pulsed with a faint, steady glow, a testament to the powerful magic within. He knew this was only the beginning, but it was a crucial step in their fight against Voldemort.

He took a moment to catch his breath, then carefully placed the box in a secure corner of the room. It would remain hidden here, waiting for the time when it would be needed to contain the Horcruxes.

With one last glance at his handiwork, Leo exited the Room of Requirement, the door vanishing behind him. He made his way back to the Gryffindor common room, and removing the Disillusionment Charm. As he climbed back into bed, he couldn't help but feel a sense of grim satisfaction. He was one step closer to changing the future, to ensuring Adhara's safety, and to ultimately defeating Voldemort. 

For now, though, he needed rest.

Chapter Text

Professor Albus Dumbledore sat quietly at his desk, the soft glow of candlelight illuminating his thoughtful face. He held a single letter in his hand, meant to have been sent out to Lupin. He had luckily intercepted it in time. Unfolding the parchment with delicate fingers, he began to read:

----------------------------------------------------

Dear Uncle Remy,

I hope you are doing well. I know I am writing early but I have some news that I need to share with you right away. You'll never believe what happened to me at Hogwarts! As you know, the staircases here are magical and constantly changing. Well, after I sent my first letter to you three days ago, I found myself on a staircase that decided to take me on a little adventure of its own. Before I knew it, I was completely lost and ended up in a part of the castle I'd never seen before.

At first, I thought it was just another part of the school, but then I realized I was in the forbidden corridors! I tried to find my way back, but the more I walked, the more lost I felt. It was really eerie and quiet. I knew I had to get out of there as quickly as possible, but then something horrifying happened.

I stumbled upon a room and discovered exactly why the corridor was forbidden! Inside, there was a gigantic three-headed dog! I couldn't believe my eyes. It looked exactly like the Cerberus from those Greek mythology books you had at home. I remembered reading about them. The dog was guarding something, but I didn't dare get any closer to find out what it was. I was so scared! But I got away in time!

I couldn't believe what I had seen and I told Leo and Neville, but I also thought I should tell you as well. So here I am, writing to you. Why would Dumbledore be keeping such a dangerous creature in the school? Do you think there is something important hidden here that needs protection?

Please write back as soon as you can. I'm trying to stay out of trouble and follow the rules, but it's not easy with so many mysteries around. Speaking of mysteries, Leo had found a hidden room behind one of the clocks - but the strange part was Professor Quirrell. He came in and was muttering to himself madly, he gives me the heebie jeebies. We manage to leave pretty quickly and instead went to visit the giant squid. Did you ever notice the cave with the mosaic of the squid? It seems quite fascinating. Anyways, I can't wait to hear from you and get your thoughts on all of this. I miss you and Kreacher so so so much. I hope you both are well, and that you aren't missing us too much! 

Sending you lots of love and magical hugs,

Adhara

----------------------------------------------------

Dumbledore's expression grew even sterner as he finished reading. He knew that this information must not leave the castle walls, let alone reach Lupin. Nosy little werewolf. With a determined look, he waved his wand, "Incendio," he whispered softly, and the parchment ignited in a gentle flame. The letter curled and blackened before disintegrating into ash.

With a sigh, Dumbledore stood and walked to the window, looking out over the grounds of Hogwarts. As the last embers of the letter faded away, he smirked and whispered to himself, "For the greater good."

ϟϟϟ

The Great Hall buzzed with the usual morning energy as students gathered for breakfast, the enchanted ceiling reflecting a clear, bright sky. Leo, Neville, and Adhara, huddled together at the far end of their house table, eyes glinting with excitement and a touch of mischief.

Leo, glanced around making sure no one was listening, before he whispered, "Are you both ready?"

Neville, slightly nervous but determined, nodded. His round face was flushed with a mix of fear and exhilaration. "I think so. But are you sure this will work?"

Adhara, her long black hair neatly braided back, grinned confidently. "Trust me, Nev. They won't know what hit them."

They had spent weeks planning this moment, inspired by tales of the Marauders' legendary pranks that uncle Remy told them. Of course, Leo knew all of them as he lived it, but he couldn't tell them that. 

The Weasley twins, Fred and George, were notorious pranksters, but Leo, Neville, and Adhara were determined to prove that they could play the game just as well.

As breakfast continued, the twins were engrossed in a conversation, their attention divided between each other and their breakfast. Leo gave a subtle nod to Adhara, who discreetly slipped her wand under the table. With a flick, she sent a tiny charm they practiced towards the twins' goblets of pumpkin juice.

Neville, nervously whispered, "They're drinking it now."

Within seconds, the twins' faces contorted as the juice turned into a thick, magenta bubbling sludge. They spluttered, spitting it out, and the entire Gryffindor table erupted in laughter as they slowly began to turn the color of the sludge. They went to reach for their napkins only for Adhara and Neville to both discreetly use the levitation charm to move the napkins away from them everytime they reached for it. 

Fred looked down baffled. "What the!?"

George, equally disgruntled, tried to grab literally anything else - yet it all kept moving away from him. "Lee, is this -" He began only for Lee to cut him off, "It ain't me, mate." He stated, holding his hands up to prove he wasn't doing it.

They let out an amused huff, before sitting down and using their hands to wipe their mouths instead.

"It appears we're being pranked, Gred." George smirked.

"Wonder who it is, Forge." Fred smirked back. 

Leo then glanced around before sending out his spell for the big finisher. Fireworks began popping off in the hall, before words in elegant, looping handwriting, formed by a magenta firework read:

" The heirs of Messrs. Moony, Padfoot, and Prongs salute you.

Welcome to the Prank Wars.

— The Marauders II"

The twins jaws dropped, and they exchanged excited glances. Leo smirked, he remembered how big of a fan they were of the Marauders.

The entire Great Hall was now abuzz with excitement. Whispers and giggles filled the air as students speculated about the mysterious "Marauders II." The Weasley twins were clearly intrigued, their eyes gleaming with admiration and competitive fire.

"Well, Forge, looks like we've got some opponents."

"Indeed, Gred. This should be fun."

Leo, Neville, and Adhara exchanged triumphant smiles. The thrill of pulling off such a successful prank filled them with pride. But Leo, felt a deeper satisfaction. The spirit of the original Marauders was alive and well. He'd have to keep things tame for now, as they are first years and Neville and Adhara are still learning ... but he was back and so too, were the Marauders. 

Meanwhile, Professor McGonagall's reaction was one of reluctant amusement, tinged with nostalgia. She watched the unfolding scene with a raised eyebrow, trying to maintain her stern exterior but finding it increasingly difficult to suppress a smile. The words formed by the magenta firework, "Moony, Padfoot, and Prongs salute you," stirred memories of a time long past.

"James, Sirius, Remus... It seems your legacy lives on." She whispered to herself under her breath.

She glanced at the three first-years, noting their proud expressions. It reminded her of the original Marauders and their antics during their school days. Despite her strict demeanor, she couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in the students' ingenuity and teamwork.

As Snape stormed towards the Gryffindor table, McGonagall stood as well, but with a different intent. She intercepted Snape before he could reach the first-years, placing a gentle yet firm hand on his arm.

"Severus, let's not be too hasty. It was a harmless prank, after all."

Snape glared at her, his expression full of contempt.

"Harmless? Encouraging such behavior will only lead to more chaos."

"Perhaps. But let's remember, they are just children. And sometimes, a little laughter is what this school needs."

Reluctantly, Snape withdrew, muttering about irresponsible behavior and lack of discipline. McGonagall watched him go, then turned her attention back to the students. She caught Leo's eye and gave him a small, almost imperceptible nod. Leo's eyes widened slightly in surprise but then he grinned. 

"Same old Minnie." He whispered to himself, fondly. 

ϟϟϟ

Leo was determined to remake the Marauder's Map. Knowing the Weasley twins had the original, he quickly dismissed the idea of stealing it back due to the potential traps and the effort involved. Instead, he found the prospect of creating a new map with Adhara and Neville exciting, especially if he could enlist the help of Draco, Vincent, and Gregory.

"What if we make a map of Hogwarts? Find all its secrets..." Leo suggested quietly in the common room, his voice just above a whisper.

"A map? Isn't Hogwarts unplottable?" Neville mumbled, frowning slightly.

"Nothing is unplottable. Uncle Remy said he and the rest of the Marauders made one," Adhara grinned, her eyes twinkling with the thought of adventure.

"Exactly." Leo smirked, his eyes meeting hers with a shared excitement.

"I'm in! It'll be fun and exciting to make our own. The Marauder's Map II! I can see it now." Adhara's smile widened.

They turned to Neville, who seemed to be contemplating the idea deeply. After a moment, he nodded, a small smile forming on his lips. "Okay. I'm in as well."

ϟϟϟ

Draco Malfoy, Gregory Goyle, and Vincent Crabbe were diligently working on their latest History of Magic assignment. Draco's concentration was broken when a note slid in front of him. He glanced around quickly to ensure no one had seen it before picking it up.

"Furthest aisle on the right.

Bottom shelf.

Pull on the book "The Chronicles of the Concealed."

— The Marauders II"

Draco Malfoy stared at the note, his curiosity piqued. He scanned the library again to make sure no one was watching. Gregory and Vincent were still deeply engrossed in their own work, oblivious to the mysterious message. Trying to remain inconspicuous, Draco stood and made his way to the indicated aisle.

Finding the bottom shelf, Draco's eyes searched for "The Chronicles of the Concealed." His fingers brushed the spines of several dusty books before landing on the right one. Taking a deep breath, he pulled the book.

To his surprise, the shelf swung open, revealing a hidden passage. Draco stepped through, the door closing silently behind him. The passage was dimly lit, casting eerie shadows on the stone walls. At the end of the corridor, a small room opened up, where Leo, Adhara, and Neville stood, waiting.

"Welcome to the Marauders II headquarters," Leo announced with a grin, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

Draco looked around, impressed and slightly unnerved. "What is this place?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

"This," Leo gestured around, "is where we're going to create a map of Hogwarts. With your help, of course."

Draco raised an eyebrow. "And why should I help you?"

"Because, it'll be fun!" Adhara chimed in, "Besides, imagine the power of knowing every secret passage, every hidden room. You could use it to your advantage, and it also gives us something to bond over!"

Draco hesitated for a moment. Pursing his lips in thought.

"Did I take it too far with the bonding comment?" She whispered ever so quietly to Leo, anxiously waiting. Simultaneously chanting in her head - Please say yes! Please!! Say!! Yes!!

"Give him a second," Leo whispered back, amused.

Draco tilted his head, side to side ever so slightly, before nodding slowly. "Alright. I'm in. But this stays between us. If anyone finds out, it's over."

"Yay!" Adhara cheered, with a beaming smile. Leo snorted, as she hugged Draco and Draco froze like someone had just hit him with a petrificus totalus spell. She let go and went back to her spot, happily.

Draco, opened and closed his mouth, before clearing his throat and asking, "So, where do we start?"

"First," Leo said, plopping into the nearest arm chair, "we need to gather as much information as possible. We each take a section of the castle and start exploring. Make notes of anything unusual, any hidden doors, anything that looks out of place. As well as drawing that specific section's perimeter."

Draco, Adhara, and Neville nodded in agreement. They spent the next few hours planning their exploration, assigning sections of the castle to each member of their newly formed group. The excitement was palpable, and even Draco couldn't help but feel a thrill at the prospect of discovering Hogwarts' secrets.

As they left the hidden room, Draco felt a strange sense of camaraderie with the group. Despite his initial reluctance, he couldn't deny the appeal of having friends who shared his interest in the unknown. The adventure had only just begun, and he was eager to see where it would lead.

For Leo, the plan was more than just recreating a map. It was a way to bond with Adhara and ensure she got to fully experience a joyful time at Hogwarts full of adventures and fun.

ϟϟϟ

Later that night, past curfew, Leo waited for everyone to fall asleep before sneaking out of the dorms, down the stairs and out the common room. Moving silently through the dark corridors of Hogwarts, he made his way to the Room of Requirement. He focused on the workshop room he'd used before, and the door appeared. Stepping inside, he quickly retrieved the enchanted ornate box he had crafted to contain Voldemort's Horcruxes.

With the box securely in hand, Leo exited the workshop and returned to the Room of Requirement, this time willing it to transform into the Room of Hidden Things. As he entered, he found himself amidst towering piles of forgotten objects and ancient artifacts, the air thick with dust and the scent of old parchment. The room stretched endlessly, filled with the remnants of centuries of students' secrets and discarded treasures.

Leo remembered the Diadem of Ravenclaw was hidden somewhere within this vast labyrinth of lost items on the far left. He placed the enchanted box on a nearby table, carefully putting on a pair of earmuffs to block out any sounds, and slipping on a pair of dragon hide gloves. He didn't want to take any chances.

He began his search, methodically moving through the cluttered space. His eyes scanned every shelf, every pile of forgotten objects. Time seemed to stretch as he delved deeper into the room, his heart pounding with anticipation and a touch of fear. The dim glow of his wand illuminated the way, casting eerie shadows on the walls.

Finally, after what felt like hours, Leo's eyes caught a glimpse of something shiny and ornate hidden beneath a pile of old robes. He carefully moved the fabric aside, revealing the Diadem of Ravenclaw. It sparkled brilliantly, even in the dim light, its presence almost palpable. The diadem seemed to hum with an energy of its own, and Leo could feel its pull, even through the protection of his earmuffs.

With trembling hands, Leo opened the box. Slowly, he hovered the diadem, using the levitation charm, feeling its weight and the power it contained. He placed it gingerly into the enchanted box, the runes on the box glowing brightly as it sealed shut.

Leo let out a breath he didn't realize he had been holding. The diadem was secure, and another step in his mission to defeat Voldemort was complete. He knew he had to get back to his dormitory before anyone noticed his absence. With the box securely in hand, he retraced his steps, making his way out of the Room of Requirement and asked for a room only he could ever enter through. A door appeared, and he entered, before safely placing the box down. He added a few more spells and protections around the box, just in case. Then he left, back through the silent corridors of Hogwarts.

ϟϟϟ

Adhara had only intended to go down and sit by the fire, unable to sleep, but then she saw Leo sneaking out of the portrait hole. Where was he going at this time? And all alone? She hesitated only a moment, thinking she should grab her cloak, but she didn't want to lose him. So, she quietly made her way down the girls' dormitory stairs and out the portrait hole. She saw him turn a corner in the distance, and she set off to follow him.

She moved silently, her heart pounding with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. The corridors were eerily quiet, the only sound her soft footsteps on the stone floor. She kept quiet, trying to catch up with Leo. He moved with purpose, his legs moving faster than her own.

Then she felt it ... a tug. It was strong and all-consuming. Before she could blink, she had came to a stop, turned, and set off in a different direction altogether. The pull was irresistible, drawing her deeper into the castle. Adhara's mind was a whirl of confusion as the magical pull led her away from Leo. She felt an irresistible urge guiding her steps, her body moving of its own accord. The corridors seemed to blur around her.

She turned down a corridor she had never noticed before, the walls lined with portraits of ancient witches and wizards who seemed to watch her with knowing eyes. The tug grew stronger, pulling her toward a large, ornate door at the end of the hall. Her hand reached out, despite her attempts to pull away, and pushed the door open.

Inside, the room was dimly lit, a soft glow emanating from a single source. There, in the center of the room, stood something tall and draped with a dusty sheet. The pull intensified, drawing her closer.

Her hand reached out, trembling, to pull off the sheet. Just as her fingers brushed the fabric, her eyes glanced down and she gasped as she saw a piece of an ornate frame peeking out with a slight shine of mirror. The Mirror of Erised. Her hand froze, and trembled as she fought against the pull with all her strength. Her breathing unsteady, and her mouth going dry. She finally yanked her hand back, breaking the lure and fell back onto the floor.

"No." she whispered to herself, trying to even her breaths. She couldn't lose herself to the mirror's enchantment. She turned and fled, running as fast as she could through the corridors, her only thought to get away from the mirror's dangerous allure.

As she rounded the final corner, she collided hard with Leo, who was just entering the common room. The force of the impact sent them both sprawling to the floor.

"Adhara?" Leo gasped, scrambling to his feet. "What are you doing out here?"

Adhara struggled to catch her breath, her eyes wide with a mix of fear and relief. "I... I saw you sneaking out. I tried to catch up with you, but then... the Mirror of Erised... it pulled me in. I almost uncovered it."

Leo's expression shifted from surprise to horror. He quickly cupped her face, "The Mirror of Erised? Adhara, are you okay? You didn't look into it, right!?"

"I didn't," she stated, shaking her head. "I felt this overwhelming pull. As if I were in a trance and it led me to the mirror. It was terrifying." She whispered, anxiously.

Leo's face softened with a mix of relief and concern. "Thank Merlin you're alright," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. He glanced around the empty corridor, ensuring they were alone. "We should get back inside the common room before someone finds us."

Adhara nodded, still shaken but grateful for Leo's presence. Once inside, they collapsed onto a sofa by the fire, the warmth a stark contrast to the cold fear that still lingered in Adhara's chest.

Leo turned to her, his expression serious. "Why were you following me, Adhara?"

She looked at him, before whispering. "I couldn't sleep, and I saw you leaving. I was curious... and worried. Where were you going, Leo?"

He ran a hand through his hair. "I uh - I needed some air, to clear my head. I thought maybe, a snack would help." He paused, looking into the fire. "But now I realize I should have been more careful. The castle at night... it's not safe alone."

Adhara frowned, he always ran his hand through his hair when he was nervous about something. "Leo, if something's bothering you, you can tell me. We can figure it out together."

Leo looked at her, his eyes reflecting the flickering flames. He wished he could tell her the truth, but also he was a little glad that he couldn't. He didn't want her to ever know of that past. "I appreciate that, Adhara. But, I'm okay. Honest." He smiled softly, taking her hand. 

Chapter Text

Adhara sat at a small desk by the window in her dormitory, quill in hand, her brow furrowed in concentration. She dipped the quill into the ink bottle and began to write:

----------------------------------------------------

Dear Uncle Remy,

I hope you are doing well. I'm writing again because I haven't heard back from you and I'm getting a bit worried. I know it's only been two days since I sent the last letter, but, it was a very important letter. I hope you and Kreacher are okay.

A lot has happened since I last wrote to you. I have something important to share. The other night, I couldn't sleep and saw Leo sneaking out of the common room. I followed him, thinking he might be up to some mischief. I lost track of him in the corridors, but then something strange happened. I felt this overwhelming pull, like a trance, and it led me to a room with the Mirror of Erised. I don't know if you know what that exactly is or not, but, you tend to know everything usually, so if not, ask me when you write back and I'll tell you. I'm just glad Leo had heard of it, and we all researched what it was before this incident. It was as if the mirror wanted me to uncover it. I almost did, but I managed to pull away at the last moment.

It was terrifying, Uncle Remy. The mirror's enchantment is so powerful. I felt like I would lose myself to it. I don't know why the mirror is here or why I was drawn to it. Please, if you know anything about it or why it might be in Hogwarts, let me know.

Also, we've been having some fun too. Leo, Neville, and I pulled a prank on the Weasley twins. It was a huge success, and everyone in the Great Hall was talking about it. We even left a message signed by the "Marauders II." I think you would have been proud of us. We're also working on something special—trying to make a new map of Hogwarts. It's a big project, but I think it will be worth it.

I hope to hear from you soon. Please write back as soon as you can. I miss you and Kreacher so much.

Sending you lots of love and magical hugs,

Adhara

----------------------------------------------------

Adhara read it over a couple times, as the ink dried. She then gently placed it into the envelope before finishing it up to send. She then excitedly, left her dorm room and made way for the owlery before returning just before Leo and Neville wake up.  

ϟϟϟ

The dawn's early light barely touched the ancient stone walls of Hogwarts when Amelia Bones and her group of trusted Aurors appeared at the school's grand gates. Clad in dark robes and emanating an aura of authority, they held a magical warrant in hand, a hard-won document obtained after navigating the labyrinth of political obstacles placed by Minister Fudge. Determination etched on her face, Amelia led her team through the grounds with purpose.

The gates creaked open at their approach, and the group marched through the corridors with the precision and swiftness that characterized seasoned Aurors. Professor McGonagall, ever vigilant, met them at the entrance hall. Amelia wasted no time, thrusting the warrant into McGonagall's hands.

"By order of the Wizengamot, we are here to search the third-floor corridor," Amelia declared, her voice leaving no room for argument.

McGonagall's eyes widened as she scanned the warrant, her lips pressing into a thin line of concern. "Very well, Madam Bones," she replied, her voice betraying a mix of worry and resignation. "I shall inform the Headmaster."

Without another word, Amelia and her Aurors continued their brisk pace towards the forbidden corridor, their footsteps echoing ominously through the hallways. Students and staff alike turned to watch the unusual procession, whispers of speculation and curiosity following in their wake.

As they reached the third-floor corridor, the atmosphere grew tense. Amelia's sharp eyes scanned the surroundings, searching for any sign of danger or deceit. She nodded to her team, and they began their methodical examination of the area.

To their surprise and frustration, the corridor was filled with the unmistakable signs of magical repairs. Shimmering spells danced around damaged sections of the walls, tools enchanted to mend and reinforce the ancient structure floated in mid-air, and the air was thick with the scent of magical auras intermingling.

Amelia's expression darkened as she realized they had been outmaneuvered. "He's outsmarted us," she muttered, her voice laced with frustration. "Dumbledore knew we were coming."

One of the Aurors, a tall witch with a keen eye for detail, approached Amelia. "Madam Bones, should we proceed with the search? There might still be something here."

Amelia shook her head, her mind racing with the implications. "He's covered his tracks too well. We'll find nothing incriminating here today. But do it, regardless."

As the Aurors continued their examination out of thoroughness, Amelia stood back, her thoughts already turning to their next move. Dumbledore had managed to elude them this time, but she was determined not to let it happen again. They would have to be more cunning, more prepared. The safety of the students depended on it.

With a final, resolute look at the corridor, Amelia turned on her heel and led her team back through the castle, the determination in her step undiminished.

ϟϟϟ

From the lofty window of his Headmaster's office, Albus Dumbledore watched with a menacing smirk as Amelia Bones and her Aurors departed the school grounds. The sight of their retreating forms filled him with a sense of grim satisfaction. He had anticipated their move and had been well-prepared. The well placed magical runes that created the illusion of repairs had worked flawlessly, diverting their suspicions and buying him more time.

As the last of the Aurors disappeared from view, Dumbledore turned away from the window, his expression reverting to one of calm composure. At that moment, Fawkes, his loyal phoenix, soared gracefully into the room, landing on the edge of Dumbledore's desk with a soft flutter of wings. In his talons, he carried a letter – another missive from Adhara intended for Remus Lupin.

"Ah, thank you, Fawkes," Dumbledore murmured, gently taking the letter. His eyes narrowed as he read it, his mind calculating the implications of its contents. Just as he finished, the door to his office creaked open, and Professor Snape entered, his expression one of stoic indifference.

"Ah, Severus," Dumbledore greeted, setting the letter aside. "I trust the runes have been removed?"

Snape nodded, his dark eyes reflecting a mix of irritation and grudging respect for the Headmaster's cunning. "Yes, Headmaster. The enchantments have been dismantled. There will be no trace of them left."

"Excellent," Dumbledore replied, his tone calm and measured. "We must ensure that our... preparations remain undetected. The safety of what we guard is paramount."

Snape's lips thinned slightly as he considered the implications. "And the Cerberus?" he asked, his voice low and measured.

Dumbledore's eyes gleamed with a dangerous light as he issued his next command. "Have Hagrid return the Cerberus to its post. We cannot afford any further interference."

Snape inclined his head, acknowledging the order. "It will be done, Headmaster." With that, he turned and left the office, his robes billowing behind him.

Dumbledore watched him go, then turned his attention back to the letter from Adhara. His expression hardened momentarily as he contemplated the young girl and her friends. He had a feeling that Leo Black was a potential threats to his carefully laid plans. He had this feeling that the boy knew more than he let on ... "Incendio," The letter curled and blackened as it turned to ashes, just like the letter before.

ϟϟϟ

In their secret room within the library, Neville, Adhara, and Leo sat huddled together on the floor, surrounded by a haphazard collection of parchment sketches and notes. The trio had spent countless hours sketching every nook and cranny of the Hogwarts common rooms and surrounding areas, each sketch representing a piece of the intricate puzzle they aimed to solve. Adhara's eyes sparkled with a mix of excitement and curiosity as she laid out the latest drawings on the floor.

"How could the Aurors and Amelia Bones not find anything?" she mused aloud, her brow furrowed in thought. "Surely they wouldn't have left without investigating properly. I mean, it would be hard to miss a giant three-headed dog."

Leo clenched his jaw, his eyes fixed on a sketch of the Slytherin common room, Draco had completed for them. He didn't say anything, but inside, he silently acknowledged what Adhara had yet to realize. Dumbledore had outsmarted the Aurors. The old wizard had always been several steps ahead, his cunning and plotting almost unmatched.

Neville, frowning slightly, picked up one of the sketches. "Maybe they were looking in the wrong place? Or Dumbledore moved it?"

"Perhaps," Adhara murmured, not entirely convinced. She sighed and pushed a lock of hair behind her ear. "I just can't shake the feeling that something's not right."

She leaned back against the side of the table's leg, her thoughts drifting to more personal concerns. "And I haven't heard from Uncle Remy since I sent my first letter. Do you think it's too soon to worry? I mean, I sent another one this morning, but..."

Leo's eyes softened as he looked at her. He knew all too well the anxieties that Adhara carried, remnants of the trauma inflicted by the Dursleys. "It's not too soon to worry, Adhara. But remember, sometimes letters can get delayed."

Adhara nodded, but the worry in her eyes didn't fade. "I know, but what if something happened? What if he's hurt or... or worse?" Her voice trembled slightly.

Neville reached out and placed a comforting hand on her arm. "He's fine, Adhara. Remus is strong. He'll write back soon, you'll see."

Adhara gave a small smile, appreciating their reassurances. "I hope you're right."

Leo picked up one of the sketches, changing the subject to lighten the mood. "We've done a great job so far with these drawings. We just need to keep exploring and mapping out more of the castle."

Adhara nodded, her determination returning. "Yes, let's focus on that. The more we know about this place, the better we can figure out what's really going on and create our amazing map II."

Neville and Leo nodded in agreement. They continued to arrange and review their sketches, the excitement of discovery mingling with the undercurrent of concern for the mysteries they were unraveling and the loved ones they worried about.

For now, their task was clear: map out Hogwarts, uncover its secrets, and stay one step ahead of Dumbledore and any other threats lurking within the ancient walls. But in the back of their minds, each of them knew that the challenges they faced were only beginning.

ϟϟϟ

Draco Malfoy, Gregory Goyle, and Vincent Crabbe were lounging near a corner in the dimly lit corridor, working on their latest sketches, when they heard the familiar clipped tones of Professor Snape. Curious, they crept closer, staying hidden behind a large suit of armor, straining to catch the conversation.

"...the Cerberus is back in place," Snape's voice was unmistakable, low and precise. "And Hagrid has received the dragon egg at the Hogs Head Inn by a cloaked and disguised Quirrell. In his usual naive manner, Hagrid revealed information about the Cerberus."

Dumbledore nodded, his face partially hidden in the shadows. "Excellent. Everything is proceeding according to plan."

Draco's eyes narrowed, curiously. He exchanged a quick glance with Gregory and Vincent. They remained silent, their breaths held as they listened intently.

"Now, Severus," Dumbledore continued, "I need you to persuade Hagrid to invite Adhara Potter for tea."

Snape hesitated, his usual stoic demeanor faltering slightly. "Headmaster, is it really necessary to test the girl in this manner? Surely we can handle Voldemort ourselves."

A low chuckle escaped Dumbledore's lips, a sound that sent chills down the spines of the hidden trio. "Don't question me, Severus," Dumbledore said, his voice dripping with authority and a hint of menace. Without another word, he turned and walked away, his robes billowing behind him.

Snape stood there for a moment, his face a mask of reluctant compliance. He then turned sharply on his heel and strode off in the opposite direction.

As the sounds of their footsteps faded, Draco let out a shaky breath. "Did you hear that?" he whispered urgently.

Gregory nodded, his eyes wide with a mix of fear and confusion. "They're planning something with Adhara. A - And mentioned You - Know - Who!"

Vincent frowned, his mind racing. "What do we do? We can't just let them... you know, use her."

Draco's mind was already working on a plan. "We need to warn her. And Leo. They need to know what's going on."

Gregory and Vincent nodded in agreement. With a shared look of determination, they quietly made their way back towards the library, knowing that the information they had just overheard could change everything.

ϟϟϟ

Back in their secret room within the library, Neville, Adhara, and Leo were still deeply immersed in their collection of sketches. The excitement of discovery mingled with an undercurrent of concern for the mysteries they were unraveling and the loved ones they worried about.

Draco, Gregory, and Vincent entered the room, their faces unusually serious. Adhara looked up, her curiosity piqued by their expressions.

"What's wrong?" she asked, her voice edged with concern.

Draco wasted no time. "We overheard Dumbledore and Snape talking. They mentioned something about you, Adhara. And it involved You-Know-Who."

The room fell into a heavy silence, the gravity of Draco's words sinking in. Adhara's face paled, and Neville looked panicked and fearful. Leo clenched his jaw, trying to remain composed.

"What did they say?" Leo asked, his voice tense. How much did they overhear? Maybe, this could help him determine how much things have sped up.

Gregory stepped forward, his usual bravado replaced by genuine concern. "They said Hagrid is supposed to invite Adhara for tea. And Dumbledore has some sort of 'test' planned for her."

Adhara's heart pounded in her chest. "A test? What kind of test?"

Vincent shrugged, his expression grim. "We don't know, but it sounded serious. Snape seemed reluctant, but Dumbledore was insistent."

Leo's eyes narrowed in thought. The dragon? Already? Isn't it too soon ... he did speed up the mirror as well. "We need to be prepared. If Dumbledore is planning something, we can't let Adhara walk into it blindly."

Neville nodded in agreement. "We need to figure out what this 'test' is and why it's so important. And we need to be ready to help Adhara if things go wrong."

Adhara took a deep breath, her determination hardening. "Alright, let's focus. We need to find out more about what Dumbledore and Snape are planning. And we need to keep mapping out Hogwarts. The more we know about this place, the better we can protect ourselves."

Draco, Gregory, and Vincent nodded, their expressions resolute, they were in this together now. 

Leo took her hand, calming his and her nerves, with a gentle squeeze. It was just tea. And a baby dragon. It was also a piece of the puzzle, Dumbledore, hopes for her to connect. This time, things will be different. He needed to find a way to safely unearth Quirrell and Voldemort. Something public, to prevent the Minister's blatant denial and slanderous campaign like before in her previous future. One way or another, things will be different. He was gonna make sure of it, even if it was with his last dying breath.