Chapter Text
Prologue : The Atrium.
"Five knuts says she's here to pay an under-age magic fine" Callista Potter stared down the atrium of The Ministry of Magic to where a young woman and a girl were looking around curiously.
"No way, Sis" Thomas smiled "I say she's going to apply for a job as a clerk" They both continued to watch as the woman looked around, then Callista smiled.
"Shall we go ask her?" She asked "I mean - it would be polite" She glanced over to where another woman was leaning against a pillar, appearing to be staring in to space "Should we tell Miss Owens?"
"Probably best" Thomas nodded, but before he could say anything else the woman in question had turned, and a second later she was stood next to them.
"Tell Miss Owens what?" She looked down at them "Come on, little ones - you know how much I dislike secrets" Callista and Thomas smiled, then looked down the corridor.
"We were betting on what she's here for" Callista gestured to the woman they'd been discussing before.
"Off the top of my head I would say she is the new Ambassador from Volterra, and is here to present herself to The Minister" The older woman replied "And you can talk to her, but only if you let me come with you"
"Because you are not happy with us talking to vampires" Thomas rolled his eyes "Even in the middle of one of the most secure buildings in the country" He shook his head "You worry too much, Miss O"
"That is as maybe, young Thomas, but since I'm the adult, and have the backing of your parents, I think we know who's going to win this argument"
"I know" He sighed "Anyway - shall we?"
xoxox
Emily Brown looked around, then glanced down at her daughter.
"We're lost, aren't we?" Lucy asked.
"Pretty much" Emily sighed "You think there'd be better signs, or someone to help"
"We can help" Both of them turned, and almost unconsciously Emily took a step back. Callista stared at her for a moment, then continued as if nothing had happened.
"My name is Callista, and this is my twin brother Thomas" She glanced behind her "And the tall, scary woman behind us is our protection detail, Miss Jessica Owens" She saw Emily's eyes widen for a moment.
"Before you say it, my parents were big fans of Dune, and apparently didn't consider what my nickname might be" Jessica smiled wryly "And yes, I am what you think I am, but I promise you are in no danger from me" Emily continued to stare at her for a moment, then nodded, and turned her attention back to the two children.
"My name is Emily Brown, and this is my daughter Lucy" She glanced at Jessica for a second "And I am also what you think I am, but my daughter is not"
"Very nice to meet you" Callista held out her hand, and when Emily took it, she didn't shiver at the coldness of the touch "Thomas and I are sort of an informal welcoming committee to The Ministry" She continued "And since you and your daughter are looking a little...."
"Lost?" Lucy suggested "Tell me about it"
"....We thought we'd see what we can do to fix that" Callista finished.
"Thank you" Emily smiled "As I said, I am Emily Brown, and I am the new Ambassador from Volterra" She paused "Do you know where that is?"
"It is a small city in Italy" Thomas nodded "And since it is the seat of power for the clan that rules The Vampire World - the Volturi, I am going to take a guess it is they you represent?"
"You are very well informed" Emily grinned at him "I am here to present myself to Minister Potter to ask her permission to serve in this post"
"And I am sure she will grant it" Callista grinned back "Would you like us to escort you there?"
"If it's not out of your way - I wouldn't want to detain you"
"Oh - we were just about to go there anyway" Thomas smiled "Miss Owens has something to discuss with them as well"
"Very well - as long as I am not imposing"
"Then we will call that settled" Callista smiled, then the two of them turned and started to walk back through The Atrium, followed by Emily and Lucy, with Jessica shadowing them close behind.
xoxox
As they reached the door in to the executive area, Lucy stopped, then turned to stare back down The Atrium.
"Lu?" Emily paused "What's wrong?"
"Can you hear that?" The young girl asked "I'm sure I can hear...."
"The Ride of The Valkyries" Thomas rolled his eyes "You'll probably need these" Emily's brow creased in confusion as he pulled a large umbrella out of his bag and handed it to her. A moment later, his sister did the same and put it up over the two of them.
"Seriously - you should use that" Jessica said, raising her own umbrella. Emily did the same, covering herself and her daughter.
A few moments later, two people shot over them on broomsticks.
"I'LL GET YOU MY PRETTY" The woman cackled "AND YOUR LITTLE DOG TOO!"
"I AM INVINCIBLE!" The man yelled back with a grin, then flung a water balloon at her. She waved her hand, and it turned in to a dove. A moment later, she flung a similar balloon at him, and he waved his hand, but nothing happened and a second later he was soaking wet.
"INVINCIBLE MY TAILFEATHERS!" The woman crowed "NO ONE CAN DEFEAT ME!"
A few moments later, they vanished out of sight as they turned a corner. Callista closed her umbrella, then turned back to Emily.
"We can go now, but I should warn you - The Minister is going to be a little late to the meeting" She said with a grin "She's in a meeting with The Chief Warlock of The Wizengamot, and will take a little while to get back to her office"
"How do you know?" Lucy asked curiously.
"Because Minister Potter just flew over us, flinging water balloons at her husband, The Chief Warlock" Thomas grinned "They do this every few weeks or so, when they are having a dispute over something or other"
"Really?" Lucy smirked "What do they argue about?"
"I think the last time was a disagreement over the correct way to cut a cake in to six slices" Callista said with a slight grin "The Chief Warlock won that time" She paused, then realised Emily was staring at her in complete confusion "Oh, did I mention that our full names are Callista Leia and Thomas Luke Potter" Emily frowned for a moment, then her eyes went wide.
"So that would mean...."
"Yes" Thomas nodded "That was our parents"