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Chapter Text

Day 17 D20 Challenge Roll Results:

World: Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire

Pairing: Viktor Krum

Main Tags:

1. Implied/referenced abuse
2. Soulmates – Words
3. Character Bashing – Ron Weasley
4. Mental Health Issues – non-existent self-esteem
5. Gender Change
6. Wish Magic – Time Travel
7. Everybody Lives
8. Alternative Universe – no big event
9. Found Family
10. Protective Characters – Weasley Family as a whole, Blaise Zabini, Theodore Nott

Additional Tags:

1. Arranged Marriage
2. Age Difference – older male/younger female
3. Ancient Myths and Legends – Anglo-Saxon
4. Asexual/Aromantic Character
5. Happy Ending

Anglo-Saxon Deities:

Niht – is the goddess of the night, and also the mother of Eorthe. The Norse night was the daughter of Narvi. She married three times; the first to Naglfari for whom she had Aud; the second to Annar for whom she had Eorthe; and the third to Dellinger Daeg.
Eorthe – whose name means “Earth”, is the wife of Woden and the mother of Thunor. She is also the daughter of the goddess Niht. Her worship is generally passive, as opposed to active, although she is asked for “power and might”. Her latent strength can be seen in her son, Thunor.
Woden – In Norse mythology, Odin is the supreme god. His role, like many in the Norse pantheon, is complex: he is both god of wisdom and war, roles that are not necessarily conceived as mutually sympathetic in contemporary society. His name has its roots in the Old Norse word rðr, meaning “inspiration, madness, anger.”
The chief of the Anglo-Saxon gods was the Father of all. As with many of the male Anglo-Saxon gods, Woden was often associated with war. He had two domesticated wolves and an eight-legged horse.
Thunor – god of thunder: Especially of thunder and lightning. He was also the god of the forge, so he was especially important for blacksmiths.
Frige – goddess of love. Woden’s wife was the goddess of love, Frige (or Frigg in Norse). She was the goddess of all things Anglo-Saxons attributed to love, marriage, home and children. The Anglo-Saxons also offered her tribute to aid the harvest and she is often attributed as the mother of the earth. Her day is Friday: Frige’s day.
Tiw – god of war. The god Tiw (the Norse Tyr) was another deity of great importance to the Anglo-Saxons, as he was the god of war, swordsmanship and the sky. Although the Anglo-Saxons appealed to both Thunor and Woden in matters of war, Tiw was the official god of war. He was also said to be the most skilled in combat of all the gods, despite having only one hand. Tuesday was Tiw’s day.
Wyrd – fate

Wælcyrge – Anglo-Saxon Valkyries

Chapter Text

Harry looked around and blinked back tears, they had won the war but the cost was too high. Fred, and only days later George because they were soul twins and unable to live without each other, Remus and Tonks, Snape, Colin, Cedric, Sirius and so many others. So many dead that didn’t need to be all because one man decided that he was the only one to know what was good for everybody else. All for one man’s ‘greater good’. He looked at the ruins around him as he walked the dark halls of Hogwarts, the sound of a mother’s grief ringing through the halls.

“Frige...I wish it hadn’t been this way...” He whispered as he looked around from the top of the  Astronomy tower.

Turning away he apparated to the one area that he knew he’d be able to settle and the one area that Ron and Hermione would be unable to find him. Ron had shown once again that he was a fickle friend, blaming him for not ending everything sooner and saving his brothers, for throwing away the Deathly Hallows even going so far as to break the wand, even for not getting back together with Ginny, and the fact that he wasn’t seen as one of the heroes of the hour but the backup for Harry. It had only been two days since the war had ended and already Ron was turning his back again and showing that he wasn’t the man Harry thought he was. He’d gone to the papers with the truth about Harry’s homelife and how he’d grown up just to get a bit more money. When Harry had gone to Gringotts the day before to clear things up and pay for the damages he had spoken to Hermione and Ron only to be brushed off by Ron as it was clearly Hermione and Harry’s idea that they had done the job. He refused to accept responsibility for any of his actions or inactions during everything that had gone on and turned on Harry for daring to ask why or speak up against things.

Harry walked up to Stonehenge under his invisibility cloak as the hour grew late and the last of the tourists were leaving. He cast a notice-me-not as he approached the center stones and stood there waiting until the last ray of the sun had gone down. “Niht, Eorthe, Woden, Thunor, Frige, Tiw, Wyrd...” He called upon the few Anglo-Saxon deities he knew of. “I wish...I wish I could go back to before this all happened...I wish I could change things for the better...to stop the one that did the worse damage...”

There was a crash of thunder and a flash of thunder before there were seven figures standing before him with one other to the side, the person to the side was a fierce armored female with long white hair and large wings behind her. She was one of the Wælcyrge, a Valkyrie of the Anglo-Saxon beliefs.

“There are many things that have happened that should not have.” Wyrd spoke in three voices their figure changing from young to middle age to old and back in a dizzying array.

“The harm to mine have upset the balance.” Frige spoke softly, the tone of a mother wanting to sooth her child. “But the harm to you child...” She walked forward and cupped Harry’s cheek. “That harm should’ve never happened.” She brushed the fringe away from his forehead. “But we can fix many things...” She whispered placing a kiss where the scar had been.

“As much as I enjoy battle I am not one to ask for children to be the warriors.” Tiw snarled as he stepped forward his single hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

“The past shall be reforged!” Thunor bellowed raising his hammer in his excitement. “Let us remake things.”

“As with all great things there is that which must be sacrificed.” Woden spoke with his hands on his large dire wolves that lounged beside him.

“Whatever needs to happen...I simply want to keep this from coming to pass...” Harry whispered.

“Then let it be so.” The Wælcyrge spoke with a gentle nod before Harry knew no more in what would become the future that never was.

“Harry Potter!” Dumbledore’s voice cried out over the Great Hall as he read the name on the piece of parchment that had just been spat from the Goblet of Fire.

Harry let out of a scream of pain as flames shot from the goblet and washed over him as he moved to the front of the hall. There were more screams around him as he felt his very being changing, he felt as chains were being snapped around his magic and soul. What he didn’t see was that he wasn’t the only one being washed over by the flames, there were six others that were being affected at the time of Harry’s chains breaking. With a gasp he collapsed sideways on the ground looking up in shock as Hermione and Ron dropped to their knees around him only to freeze in shock at what they were seeing.

“Harry mate...” Ron whispered looking at his best mate with shock. He personally was shaken from having the flames wash over him though it wasn’t to the extreme that Harry had. “What happened?” He looked toward Hermione, she had also been washed in the flame from what he had seen.

A long piece of parchment shot out of the goblet and landed before Harry. With a thin feminine looking hand that was shaking from the pain of transformation and rebirth he read the parchment.

Helena Jasmine Potter (Harry James Potter)
Born: July 31, 1980, 11:59:59 pm
Emancipated: October 31, 1994, 7:46:59 pm via Choosing
Gender: Female (Changed to Male via in-utero Potion and Spell)(reversed by choosing)
Core: Gold (75% bound) (Removed by choosing)
Family:
                Father: James Fleamont Potter (deceased)
                Mother: Lily Jean Potter née Evans née Black (deceased)
Godparents: Bonded by Blood and Magic
                Father: Sirius Orion Black III (compromised)
                Mother: Alice Maria Longbottom née Brontë (compromised)
                                Brother: Neville Frank Longbottom
Guardians:
                Magical: Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore (illegal) (removed by choosing)
                Mundane: Petunia Maria Dursley née Evans (illegal) (removed by choosing)

“Seventy-five percent of you magic was bound?” Hermione whispered as she read the parchment with Harry.

“Forget that! You were changed in-utero! Those spells and potions are forbidden arts! Two things viewed worse than even the Unforgivables!” Ron cried out in shock as he read what was showing on the sheet.

There were whispers and gasps as they heard what Ron was saying.

“What are you saying Mr. Weasley?” Dumbledore looked around in shock. “It is obvious that this is fake...” He picked up the parchment that had fallen out of Helena’s hands as she read the gender information in shock.

“Obviously not Professor...” Helena whispered as she finally started to climb to her feet, glad that while she had filled out slightly and was still worryingly thin her pants weren’t loose enough to fall when she stood to her full 4’9 height. She wanted to curse due to her height after all as a male she had reached 5’2 already and now she had shrunk. “As you can see...” She made sure that people were able to take in her form. From the now shoulder length black hair, her wide almond shaped luminous green eyes that were framed by long thick lashes, her small nose, full lips, and clearly feminine curves. “I am very much not what everyone thought...” She looked around before seeing the looks of disbelief. Shaking her head she pulled out her wand, which felt as if it didn’t fit her as well any longer, and held it aloft. “I, Helena Jasmine Potter, formerly known as Harry James Potter, do here-by swear on my magic that I did not enter myself into the tournament nor did I ask anyone to do so for me. I will only compete if forced. I also had no knowledge of my true gender before this point. So, I say, so mote it be!” She called out before holding her wand in front of her and casting. “Expecto Patronum!” Prongs leapt from her wand to gallop through the Great Hall before returning to her and pressing his head against her own letting her feel the love that created her protector.

The whispers that were speaking of how she had cheated to get in the tournament were silenced before it even started. She glanced around and she was shocked to see so many change their tune so much faster then they had before. She took the parchment back from Dumbledore and cast a spell which would not only verify the parchment as authentic but also project it for everyone to see. There was a gasp from Slytherin when people reached her mother’s true maiden name. Even more whispers when they read the information of Helena’s godfather having sworn the bond via blood and magic, they knew then for him to still have his magic that he couldn’t have been the one to betray her family. She only hoped that people would let the word get out.

“Please go into the next room.” Dumbledore fought the desire to cast a school wide obliviate but the magic of the oath wouldn’t allow people to forget what she had sworn.

Helena was shaky as she moved to the anti-chamber after looking back at Ron and Hermione, both were looking extremely protective and as if they wanted to join her to keep her safe. She liked this Ron better than the one that blamed her for getting entered in her last life.

“What is it?” Fleur asked as she saw the young female enter. “Do zey want us back in ze Hall?”

“Harry?” Cedric interrupted with shock on his face. “What happened? How?”

“I was forcibly entered into the tournament by an outside party...I’ve sworn on my magic that I didn’t enter nor did I ask anyone to enter me into this...” Helena whispered her arms wrapped around her, after leaving the shelter of her friends her self-confidence went flying out the window. “As I walked toward the front to contest it flames shot from the goblet and...” She handed over the parchment that she was still clutching.

All the true champions looked at the information shown to them in shock before looking at each other. They decided then and there before anyone else entered the chamber that they would protect Helena as best they could.

“Who vould do this?” Viktor asked.

Helena gasped in shock before closing her eyes and looking over at him. “Someone who wants me dead.”

Viktor straightened up and yanked his shirt sleeve up to show those exact words written along the length of his forearm. Helena recognized her handwriting in the works and had to sigh.

“I’m sorry...” Helena whispered.

“For vat Звездичке (little star)?” Viktor walked closer and looked as if he wanted to touch but noticed how she seemed to flinch at the movement.

“That you’ve got me as your soulmate...” Helena whispered still looking down, not wanting to see the disgust in his eyes.

“Oh... Гълъбче (dove)...Dat is not a challenge.” Viktor did gently cup her face and lift her eyes to him. “Dat is a privilege.” He made sure that the petite girl could truly see his honesty in his eyes. “I svore the day dat I got my mark dat I vould alvays protect the one so hunted. It is vhy I have vorked so hard to be the top of my class in defense.”

Helena just wanted to sob at the truth that she was able to see in his eyes. She didn’t have time though as the adults stormed into the chamber. At least this time the adults were all going off on Dumbledore and no one was accusing her of cheating to get into the tournament for glory. She was able to hide slightly behind Viktor when Dumbledore looked as if he was going to storm over to her. Karkaroff noticed that Viktor’s shirt was rolled up to see the words upon it and closed his eyes in pain. He knew that the boy would be protecting the girl behind him with everything he had and there would be no fighting it. After all soulmates were sacred and if you were blessed to have words show on your eleventh birthday then you were seen as one of those blessed by Mother Magic.

“Back off Dumbledore.” Karkaroff snapped finally when the man continued to try and get around his champion to get at the young woman. “Crouch vat are the terms for the first task?” He looked at the man attempting to get them on track.

“Why are you not questioning this?” Moody asked with narrowed eyes.

“Because she has svorn on her magic dat she did not enter but da parchment dat came out clearly stated that she was emancipated because of it. She is required by da contract to compete.” Karkaroff glared at Moody.

Harry looked toward the man with wide eyes before looking around again. She narrowed her eyes on the flask that Moody was taking a swig out of and made a mental note to find a way to switch it out so that the truth was revealed sooner rather than later.

“How was she entered?” Cedric asked. “We all put our names in ourselves with our names written in our hands and having our magic in the name because of how we wrote it...” He looked around.

“I am wondering the same thing.” Severus spoke up with his own eyes narrowed.

Dumbledore just held up the slip that had her name on it. “It is in his name and his magical signature.”

Severus snatched the piece of parchment and glared at it. “This is torn from one of her pieces of homework!” He looked around trying to figure out who had caused it.

Helena just watched and felt the exhaustion of the cleansing and change along with everything that had happened leading up to this moment. “May I see it Professor?” Helena whispered holding a slightly shaky hand out.

Severus looked at her and truly took her in for the first time, he had also been one of the people washed in the flames and had his eyes opened to what he had been ignoring since her first year and she arrived so much thinner and smaller than her year mates. He handed over the parchment with a nod.

“This is off my Defense homework.” She whispered as she looked at it.

“How do you know that?” Moody snarled.

“Because I always mark my defense homework with a small raised d in the top corner above my name, a p for potions, a c is for charms, a t for transfiguration, a d for divination, a h for history, an a for astronomy, and an m for creatures.” Helena explained softly. “It’s how I can tell that it’s my work that I turned in...”

“Why would you need to do zat child?” Madame Maxime asked carefully.

“Because my cousin would frequently steal my homework to turn in under his name so he’d get high grades. It’s how I knew that I had actually gotten the high grades instead of him...” Helena shrugged.

“Why didn’t you tell your teachers?” Severus asked with a furrowed brow.

“Because Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon had done everything they could to convince them that I was a liar and delinquent that didn’t know anything and wanted to get Dudley into trouble.” Helena shrugged. “And I would be punished if I did better then Dudley.” She whispered that part even softer than the rest.

It was only a short time later that Helena was released back into the school with Cedric and told to return to their dorms. She was apprehensive as she approached remembering what had happened in the past which is the future. She took a deep breath before stepping into the common room flinching back at the noise level that had risen. It wasn’t a party this time it was everyone speaking over each other wanting answers to what had happened in the side chamber.

“That’s ENOUGH!” Neville shouted at everyone moving to stand in front of his god-sister. “Can’t you see that she’s exhausted?! She was just forcibly cleansed had a large amount of her magic unlocked AND been forced into taking part into this shit show! BACK OFF!” He stood with his arms crossed.

Helena gave a soft smile at his back glad to see that the Neville she had come to know who knew how to stand up for himself and others was there in full. “Thanks, big brother...” She whispered as she leaned against his back.

“Helena...you’re things have moved to the female dorm. Dobby took care of it.” Ron spoke to her gently when he came to the side making sure she could see him at all times so he wouldn’t startle her.

“Thanks Ron.” Helena gave him a sad but happy smile.

“We’ve got...”

“Your back...”

“Little sister.” Fred and George spoke from each side of Neville looking at her and helping block the rest of the house from being able to get to her, only allowing Hermione, Ginny, and Ron close.

“We’ll talk more in the morning after you get some sleep.” Neville looked at her as he turned to wrap her in his arms. He leaned down so he was right by her ear. “You can tell me then why I remember things that haven’t even happened yet and how we can prevent them from ever happening.”

“You’ve got it.” Helena nodded in response as she hugged him back before turning to Hermione and Ginny for them to show her to her rooms. “I’m gonna have to borrow some clothes until we can get to Hogsmeade...” She looked at her trunk of things and saw how all her clothing was still masculine.

“I’m sure we can figure out something.” Hermione said with a soft smile.

“You could just ask the house-elves to find you something.” Lavender shrugged in response.

“Or they can adjust your clothing to fit you in your current body.” Parvati said as she looked through her things.

“But...” Hermione started to speak up about using house-elves.

“Hermione...you’re not the only one who’s been doing research...” Helena spoke, her voice soft to interrupt. “I just went to the source instead of looking for books...” She explained.

“What do you mean?” Hermione looked at Helena with shock in her eyes.

“I mean that...” Helena took a deep breath before looking at her friend. “I spoke with the house-elves about their bond with families...yes there are those that need to be saved but even they need to be bonded to someone after being freed from the abusive situation. The head house-elf of the school told me that for them a bond acts as a filter...If they don’t have a bond their magic builds up so much in them it literally kills them.” She whispered looking around instead of toward Hermione. “Dobby secretly bonded to me after I freed him from Malfoy’s father...and I bonded with Winky...” She wrapped her arms around her concerned that Hermione would be mad and lash out, she had a habit of hitting arms to express frustration, anger, or to get attention. “By attempting to free them...Hermione you’re attempting to kill an entire race.”

Hermione blinked in shock before looking toward Lavender, Parvati, and Lily Moon who were all nodding their heads in agreement. She closed her eyes in pain. “Thank you for telling me.” Hermione sighed out. “I’ll change my plans...instead of looking to free them all I’ll look into finding ways to help those that are being harmed.”

“Thank you...” Helena whispered before turning to grab her things to brush her teeth and get a shower. “I’m going to get ready for bed...”

Thanks to Winky and Dobby they were able to find and adjust some of the uniforms so that Helena was dressed as she should be for her gender. She was amazed at how comfortable she felt in the skirt and tights that the girls were supposed to wear. She also liked the slight platform on the Mary-janes that she was given that put her at an even 5’. When Saturday came she went down to the Great Hall only to be stopped by Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape.

“Ms. Potter, you’re going to be going to Diagon to get supplies for yourself. I’ve got to remain at the school due to the Headmaster being at the ministry for meetings tied with what was discovered with the goblet. Professor Snape will be accompanying you.” Professor McGonagall handed over the key that Albus had given her. “Please keep that on you from now on. As you are emancipated it is up to you to manage your accounts.”

“Yes ma’am.” Helena nodded in answer before turning to Professor Snape.

“Follow me, Potter.” Snape snapped as he turned and walked out of the castle. “Your soulmate will be joining us.” He said softly once they were away from the portraits that would report to Albus. “He requested at the suggestion of his headmaster that I act as chaperone during this venture.”

Helena gave a soft smile of joy at the thought of being able to see Viktor again, she hadn’t seen him since the choosing of the champions. She was glad that she allowed Lavender and Parvati to convince her to wear the golden metallic ankle length skirt with the gray mock turtleneck sweater with the ankle boots that had a heel. She was also glad that she had pulled her hair half back while leaving the rest to hang long, Winky had spelled it so that it was now at her lower back in length.

“We will be going to the bank first where you will lock down your account and ask for a full accounting of everything from the time that your grandfather was lord of your house. You will also request the family rings.” Severus said as he moved them toward the boat that the Durmstrang contingent was housed on.

“Yes, sir.” Helena nodded in response while clutching the small purse that Lavender was lending her for the day closer to her. She had put her wand, money pouch, and the lip gloss that Hermione had given her into it, along with the key that she had been given moments before.

“After we will get you fitted for clothing that you won’t have to borrow, along with anything else you might need.” Severus explained when they stopped at the boat waiting for Viktor to join them. “Mrs. Weasley will be joining us at that time to help you with what you will need as a young woman.”

“Can we stop and see Master Ollivander?” Helena asked with a timid voice worried about being rejected.

“May I ask why you need to see the Wand maker?” Severus looked at her with a furrowed brow.

“I...” She took a deep breath and pulled out the wand that had been hers since she turned 11, it was showing burn patterns along the length of it as if it was burning up from the inside out. “I think my magic is too much for it now...” She whispered. “I don’t want to hurt anyone...”

“Very well...we will stop there after your fittings with Mrs. Weasley.” Severus nodded in response.

“Thank you sir.” Helena nodded before putting the wand back in the purse.

Three hours later Helena, after spending two hours in the bank where they had discovered that the gender change and core block weren’t the only things removed but also a soul piece from Voldemort and binds on family gifts, she was looking between two dresses she’d been reminded that she would need something for the Yule Ball and almost froze, that is until Viktor had spoken up asking her formally to attend with him and she accepted. The first dress was a pale pink creation A-line that seemed to float around her, the bodice was a V-neck with floral embroidery across the bust and stomach, with a little flowing down the side of the skirt. There was a floaty cape attached as sleeves that gave a slight goddess feel to it. She knew though that it wasn’t the dress for a Yule Ball but more a Spring Equinox or Summer Solstice celebration. That brought her attention to the second dress, this was a heavier material that was a yellow cream with golden thread embroidery across the whole dress. It was a full ballgown that was sleeveless with a subtle but deep cut v in the bodice. There was a caplet that gave the illusion of sleeves with a subtle fringe. She thought it would look beautiful next to Viktor’s formal uniform that she remembered.

After getting her clothing sorted, and explaining to Mrs. Weasley that she was going to give the formal robes she had purchased for Harry to Ron to wear since she had no need for them anymore, she followed Professor Snape to Ollivanders with Viktor beside her holding her hand. She saw an optometrist beside the wand maker and made a mental note to ask to go there knowing that her glasses were bargain bin lenses and frames and she was struggling with headaches because of it. She had been glad to know that she was no longer tied to the bastard. The goblins had been horrified to see that she had been a living horcrux and that in her second year another portion had attached to her. They were able to get readings even though she no longer was host to the piece and were going to work on taking care of the bastard.

“Ahh...Ms. Potter...I was wondering if I’d see you again.” Ollivander spoke as she entered the shop pulling her out of her thoughts about things that needed to be done. “Come let’s find a wand that fits who you truly are...”

It took another hour and half before Ollivander gave up and made her a custom wand: Blackthorn and the Holly from her first wand for wood, dragon heartstring wrapped around the feather from her original wand, an obsidian stone at the base, and copper flowing around the handle all tied to her with her blood as the seventh element of the wand.

“Amazing!” Ollivander gasped and clapped when they finished making her wand. “A merging of your old life and your new...combining masculine with feminine power with compassion. Oh, I said you’d do great things with the one you had before and still that is true.”

“I’d like to get a wand holster as well please...” Helena whispered thinking of what had happened at the Quidditch World Cup and how her wand had been stolen to be used to cast the Dark Mark. Thinking back her wand hadn’t felt the same since that happened it was sluggish in responding.

“Of course!” Ollivander pulled out his wand holsters, he had ones for thighs, boots, arms, and lower back. She chose the one for her thigh and one for her arm that were done in an opaleye skin. “Wonderful...that will be 15 galleons total.” He told her the total and she was quick to pay before leaving.

“Professor...” Helena whispered as soon as they were out of the shop. “Do you think it would be acceptable for me to get my eyes checked? Its just...Aunt Petunia found these in a bargain bin after my teacher spoke of the chance I was having trouble to see the board...”

Severus snarled under his breath about how Petunia was a bitch, yes he knew that people thought he was in love with Lily and hated James for stealing her from him. What they didn’t realize was that she was his heart-sister and that he was firmly Asexual and repulsed by thought of sex. He’d hated her choosing James because the man had bullied him for so much of their school life. But they had made up before her death and sworn blood-sibling bonds to each other.

“That would be acceptable.” Severus nodded, mentally thinking of the issues that were happening in potions and how some of them might have been caused because of her being unable to clearly see the instructions in the first place.

Viktor was angry at the small things that he was hearing through the trip. Her amazement at the fact that she had more than one vault so didn’t have to worry about spending what she had, her wonder at clothing that actually fit her (and charmed to grow with her after Snape had promised nutrient and appetite stimulant/stomach sealer potions so she could gain necessary weight), casual mentions of something not hurting, her disbelief at being allowed to pick books for fun reading, and now the mention of her glasses. He was tempted to hunt down the family that had treated her as they had but refrained because thanks to the information shown on the secondary inheritance test she had taken that day, instead of just the small one that came from the goblet, it was revealed that this Petunia wasn’t even related by blood to her mother and that Professor Snape was through the blood-sibling ritual they’d performed. He also was horrified to see just how tiny his little soulmate was, if he wanted and she would allow it he could easily carry her wherever they needed to go. He was a full foot and one inch taller than her and she was very much underweight.

It took another two hours to take care of getting the rest of her things, when asked about the books that she had gotten in her first year Professor Snape had been angry to learn she didn’t have half of what was needed for muggleborn or muggle-raised students to fit in with their peers. He made sure she got them and the supplemental items, including a primer to help her learn how to write with a quill so that teachers could read her essays easier, though he did admit that her being able to see what she was writing would make a difference as well. They stopped after the optometrist for lunch before getting the rest of her things and then returning to the school.

Once back at the school Dobby took everything to her room and replaced the clothing in her trunk with her new items. He had also replaced her trunk for one that wouldn’t wrinkle the formal garments that she had, she told him her plan to have Ron wear the robes that she had originally gotten when she had still been male. Instead of returning into the school where everyone was watching her Viktor escorted her on a walk around the lake, Winky taking over the chaperone duties while invisible behind them.

She noticed Moody in the distance taking a drink from his flask and cocked her head to the side. “I wonder what he’s drinking that he has to do so every hour...I know it’s not alcohol...”

“Vat do you mean?” Viktor followed her line of sight to see the Defense professor.

“He drinks out of that flask every hour on the hour...I’ve asked some of the older students to verify and they said that he had as well...” Helena sighed. “I don’t think it’s water I mean he winces every time I’ve seen him drink it shaking his head as if to rid himself of a foul taste. And I’ve smelled no alcohol on him so I know it’s not that...” She looked at Viktor. “I would think polyjuice but Dumbledore is supposedly one of his only friends and would be able to tell...wouldn’t he?”

“I vould think so.” Viktor nodded in response.

“It would be amusing I think if someone were to switch out the flask to see what would happen...” Helena said loud enough to Winky to hear but not the professor. “Good afternoon Professor Moody...” Helena gave a polite nod to the professor.

“Ms. Potter...” Moody had a clear disgust at her walking on the arm of Krum. “Mr. Krum.”

At the evening meal there were screams that broke out when Moody had taken a drink of his flask only to start to run from the room when he realized it wasn’t what he was expecting and everyone watched as a change started to flow over him. Severus was quick to stun him at the first sign of rippling skin and asked Susan Bones to contact her aunt, Dumbledore was still absent from the school attending meetings at the ministry dealing with the issue of Sirius Black and the innocence of his being the secret keeper bringing up other questions on what had happened that night. Helena watched with wide eyes just like those around her, Neville hid a smirk behind his goblet as the man that had helped curse his parents into St. Mungos for the rest of their lives was caught out and arrested again. This time there would be true justice and he wouldn’t simply be kissed without answering any questions.

On the fifteenth of November, Helena entered the chamber for the wand weighting and went to stand near Viktor when she felt Skeeter literally dig her claws into her arm to drag her away for a ‘story’.

“Ms. Skeeter please refrain from grabbing me in such a way and dragging me around.” Helena sneered at the woman. “I refuse to speak with you and I refuse to have you use anything about me in your stories. This is to be a report on all the Champions. If you use your acid green quill I will burn it.” She leaned closer. “If you go against my statements as the Lady of the Ancient and Noble house of Potter I will let the DMLE know just how you get your ‘exclusives’ how do you think Madame Bones will take her little ‘bug’ problem.” She raised an eyebrow with a sneer.

“How?” Rita sputtered in shock looking around.

“My magic tells me a lot...especially when I see a bug with particular markings all around the castle and just days later there’s exclusive articles with information that isn’t for public knowledge such as the fact that I was cursed in-utero. I may be emancipated but I am still a minor and you do NOT have permission to write about me.” Helena sneered at the woman. “Now...I believe that the judges want to get this underway so please release my arm.”

“Are you okay, Звездичке (little star)?” Viktor asked quietly when she finally reached him.

“I’m good just warning that wanna-be reporter that it would be smart to leave her magic bugs behind.” Helena answered with a smile.

“Wanna-be?” Cedric sputtered as he looked between Rita and Helena. “She’s the Prophet’s top reporter.”

“Yes who uses a quick-quotes quill to write her stories with to embellish them instead of letting the truth of the matter speak for itself. She also finds information that isn’t for public knowledge and lets it out there not caring that it could hurt legal cases that are happening or could happen if the knowledge became common. Such as with my godfather. He never got a trial but because of Skeeter’s reporting EVERYBODY knows that he’s guilty. But now everyone knows that he wasn’t actually guilty of the betrayal of my parents and I. Now they are questioning if the story about Pettigrew is truth or fiction. No one thought to ask the Goblins for to find out if his vaults are still active...” Helena shrugged in response, knowing he’d mention it to his parents, specifically his father. “The only reason they’d be active still is if he was still alive since he’s the last of his line.”

Forty-five minutes later the group were leaving the classroom where the wand weighting took place and headed to the Great Hall for the meal. They had done the weighting then taken five photos, one individual and one group, of the champions with their Headmasters. Helena had refused to have Headmaster Dumbledore in her picture with a statement that she was not the chosen Hogwarts champion but instead the champion of the Alantis School of Magic which is what was written on the parchment that had led to her choosing being the only one entered from that school, even though that school no longer existed having been destroyed when the country was swallowed by the sea.

On the 24^th when Helena stepped out to meet the Hungarian Horntail dragon she froze for she let herself truly listen and was able to understand the dragon. Instead of summoning her broom she cast a sonorous on her throat and yelled in parseltongue to the dragon. She was glad she had warned Viktor, Fleur, and Cedric that they were using the real eggs in the nests for Viktor didn’t use the conjuctivitis curse but had figured out a different method around the dragon keeping form having the destruction that had happened in the past.

“* I’m not here to hurt your babies! I was forced into this! Those that have caused me to be part of this have placed a false egg in your nest! *” She cried out, there were screams of shock from those that didn’t know she was a parseltongue. “Oh, shut up! The best healers and Merlin himself were parseltongues!” She was pissed that they were so scared of a language that she felt she couldn’t use it. “There are hundreds in India, Asia, and the African nations that can speak parseltongue!” She then turned back to the dragon who had calmed down and was cocking her head in Helena’s direction which caused her to smirk, she could understand English even if she couldn’t speak it. She was amazed though to see the golden egg set a short distance from her; she’d been distracted enough to not notice the dragon moving the egg to her. “* Thank you Fierce Mother. *”

“* Good luck little warrior. *” The Hungarian Horntail bowed her head to Helena then went back to her nest and wrapped around her true eggs.

“What was that?!” Ron shouted when he found her on the edge of the enclosure.

“That was me being able to understand the dragon and deciding to test something.” Helena shrugged.

“You know the reserves are going to be battling to get a hold of you after you  graduate right?” Charlie came up to her with a smile on his lips and amusement dancing in his eyes.

“Depends on what my soulmate wants to do...” Helena looked at Viktor who’d come over and wrapped himself around her in relief that she was unharmed.

“Did I hear right? Harry Potter is the soulmate of Viktor Krum?” Rita appeared from behind a tree with her photographer close at hand. “What were your words?”

“Really? You’re gonna dead name me and ignore the fact that I’ve told you repeatedly that you do NOT have permission to write about me? There is no way in hell that I’d tell YOU what our words are. Now if you’ll excuse us we’ve got to meet in the tent for further instructions.” She grabbed Viktor’s hand and dragged him to the champion’s tent to get the instructions about the second task.

Ron and Hermione looked at each other and smirked before moving off ignoring Rita’s attempts to get a statement from either of them. Ron had already stepped up and asked Hermione to be his date for the Yule ball even though it hadn’t been announced yet, he knew the traditions around the tournament and knew there would be one. With whatever had happened when the fire washed over him and the others it removed something that was causing him to be a jealous prat and not letting his analytical mind work to its finest. He was a champion at chess and he’d been letting jealousy and embarrassment mess with him. They’d learned that Snape, Malfoy, Neville, Ginny, Hermione, and himself had all been cleansed of things that made them act out of character and for no one to notice it. Now they were working together along with Draco’s true friends Blaise Zabini and Theodore Nott to keep Helena safe and keep an eye on Dumbledore and those faithful to the dark lord.

December 22^nd the papers held news that shocked the world. Helena looked at the headline with wide eyes and amazement before breaking down in tears.

TOM MARVOLO RIDDLE JUNIOR, AKA YOU-KNOW-WHO, AKA HE-WHO-MUST-NOT-BE-NAMED, AKA LORD VOLDEMORT DEAD FOR GOOD! CONFIRMED BY GOBLIN NATION, DEPARTMENT OF MAGICAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND UNSPEAKABLES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF MYSTERIES IN THE MINISTRY OF MAGIC!

In a report that shocked those of us at the Daily Prophet we are overwhelmed with joy to inform the world that the one formerly known as Lord Voldemort is truly dead and gone. Tom Marvolo Riddle Junior, last of the Gaunt line, half-blood, was declared deceased by the Goblin Nation and the Department of Mysteries yesterday, December 21^st, 1994. On the Winter Solstice the head of the Unspeakable met with the head of the Goblin Nation and together with five other witnesses cast a black oily seeming gem through the Veil of Death. Those that witnessed the event spoke of hearing an unholy screech and seeing a vague black mist that held a face within it before it was sucked through the Veil after the gem. The Unspeakables and Goblins informed this paper that through the use of a forbidden BLACK magic Tom Marvolo Riddle Junior had anchored his soul to this plain of existence. They explained that through the capture and interrogation of Barty Crouch Junior they were able to discover not only the homunculus of Riddle but also the previously believed dead Peter Pettigrew and a Maledictus female previously believed deceased as well. Through the finding of the homunculus and female Maledictus the Unspeakables and Goblins were able to cast the ritual that allowed them to assemble all pieces of Riddle into the gem that was thrown through the veil. Moments after a death certificate appeared for Tom Marvolo Riddle Junior.

Helena could hardly believe that Voldemort was gone without her having to do anything. She wanted to weep from joy but she looked toward the front table and could see that Dumbledore was pissed as he read the paper. It was obvious that he had not been invited to witness the destruction of Voldemort and from what she knew of the man he would say that they hadn’t gotten every piece. He’d bring up how she had once been host to a piece.

She was shocked out of her worry when the doors to the Great Hall were thrown open and the board of governors, Madame Bones and a contingent of Aurors, two Unspeakables and three Goblins, one of them being the one that she had spoken to about her accounts and getting them audited, stormed into the Hall.

“Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore you are here-by removed permanently from your position as headmaster of Hogwarts.” Dowager Augusta Longbottom, head of the Board spoke first and handed over a formal parchment.

“Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore you are here-by under arrest for the use of illegal spells, potions, and rituals on minors.” Madame Bones spoke up next while she handed over her own parchment.

“Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore you are here-by banned for life from Gringotts Bank for line theft, attempted line theft, interference with the fulfillment of magical wills, and theft.” The Gringotts head said with a smirk.

“Why are they repeating his name?” Colin whispered to Helena from where he was sitting two seats down from her.

“Because it is the legal method of ensuring everyone knows that it is him and not his brother Aberforth that they are arresting. If they just said Dumbledore someone could twist it that it was his brother the charges were against.” Helena whispered back just as the Unspeakables stepped forward. She noticed something no one else seemed to be looking for and stood quickly. “EXPELIRAMUS!” She shouted and watched with wide eyes as his wand, the elder wand, came flying to her and she caught it.

“NO!” Dumbledore surged to his feet stepping forward only to freeze in his steps at the number of wands now pointing at him.

“Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore your magic is here-by bound for the use of it in binding a phoenix to you illegally as well as the use of our forbidden records to obtain the ritual and potion for the in-utero gender change of Helena Jasmine Potter, formerly known as Harry James Potter.” As soon as the head Unspeakable stated that there was a flash of light and Fawkes appeared looking more vibrant and majestic then she ever had and another flash surrounded Dumbledore before he gasped in shock as his magic was bound in such a way that he was unable to even feel it anymore. Oh, it was still there, they didn’t want him to die just yet not until they were able to put him on trial and learn everything that he had done for his ‘greater good’. “I would suggest you come quietly...” They smirked at the old man as the aurors stepped forward and placed cuffs on the man before leading him out of the school.

“But what about the Triwizard tournament? Isn’t he needed as a judge?” One of the Ravenclaws spoke up.

“The position of Judge is filled by the head of the school. From now on that is Headmistress Minerva McGonagall.” Augusta answered with a gentle look. “Her deputy shall be Filius Flitwick. We’ve also got a contingent of new professors coming to fill in for the remainder of the year, especially the position of Defense. The Goblins of Gringotts are also going to be looking over the wards and chambers to find the so called ‘curse’ on the position if it is there. If so they will be removing it.” She looked around. “After the Yule holiday we will also be restoring several classes, those who are taking Divination will be tested for the gift. If they do not have it then they will be allowed to choose a different elective.”

Helena smiled softly to herself, she knew she was already going to be dropping the class and taking up Runes and Arithmancy in it’s place. There were whispers and conversations that broke out throughout the Great Hall as people talked about the different things that were happening and would continue to  happen. She just sat back and watched as things began changing all because she had found the cost unacceptable.

At the Yule Ball Helena felt much more at ease dancing with Viktor, she had been uncomfortable leading when she had been a male and now felt so much more at ease. She smiled seeing Fred and George dancing with their dates, though she knew they were together with Lee they had been denied the right to come as a trio by Dumbledore before his removal and now that they would’ve been able to they had already invited Kate and Angelina and didn’t want to ruin it for them by backing out. Though she did watch as they danced with Lee frequently throughout the night. She enjoyed walking with Viktor through the garden with his cloak draped over her to help her remain warm. They talked of their plans for after the tournament was over and what they would do from there on out. Viktor was already planning on moving to England and Hogsmeade so that he could be close during her last three years at school.

As Viktor lead her through the gardens he led her to the  gates and there in formal wear was Sirius and Remus arm in arm.

“Happy Yule Звездичке.” He whispered into her ear as she went running to hug her godfather and uncle.

“I’m free baby...” Sirius whispered into her hair as he hugged her. “They announced it in the paper this morning. With the discovery of Peter with the bastard and the arrest of Dumbledore who was stopping it I finally received a trial...I’m free my little moon.”

When some of what they had talked about ended up in the paper Helena had simply raised an eyebrow and sent a letter to Madame Bones. Two days later there was a report in the paper about Rita Skeeter’s arrest treason since she had reported on things that would affect the security of the nation. They explained that an anonymous source had revealed her unregistered animagus form was a beetle and so she had been able to go undetected because of it. She had been arrested and sentenced to Azkaban for her law breaking. On the third page under the fold where they put advertisements for magical pest control she read about Peter Pettigrew receiving the Kiss along with information about Dumbledore being taken to the ICW to be tried by them as well as things were being revealed. When Helena read that she just smirked and took a sip of her hot tea.

Remus and Sirius were up at the head table, Remus back this time as the History teacher while Sirius there as the first through fourth year transfiguration teacher something that made Helena so happy for both of them. Helena just sighed as she enjoyed the changes that she had made. Yes they were still having to face the remaining tasks but this time it would be a fair fight for the title and there would be no minors that didn’t have parental permission to participate as the hostages. Everyone was also aware that there would be protections in place to keep the champions safe along with their hostages. Plus, the creatures had to be registered and verified, the Acromantulas were being removed from the forest to a special reserve to make it a little safer, and not used in the final task, no creature that is a verified man eater would be allowed.

Helena leaned against Viktor, who had started to sit with them, watching the Great Hall. Draco and Ron started up a chess tournament in the Great Hall to finally answer who was the best in the school at that time, while Fred and George pitched their idea of their business to those around them, while Lee made plans in a notebook. She made a mental note to draw up a formal contract to back them knowing they would be successful, though she’d make sure a condition was that they couldn’t hold back on their NEWTs like they had in her past. Ginny was talking to Colin about a photography club that she was thinking of starting, she had looked at some of his pictures of Hogwarts and loved how he had  done them and gotten into conversations about pictures which lead to him letting her try his camera and her finding a passion for it. Helena had gifted her a top of the line camera for Yule. Ron had gotten a new broom; the twins had gotten a bunch of mundane prank items so they could plan how to make them magical in nature. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had been gifted a new family owl. She had introduced Bill and Fleur; he’d come to assist with the breaking of the Defense curse which was found to be tied to the award for special services to the school that belonged to Riddle. Charlie was given a translator spell she had Professor Snape help her create that would allow him to understand if not speak with the dragons he worked with, it worked on parseltongue and she let Professor Snape patent it under his name. She gifted Professor Snape with the basilisk carcass that was in the Chamber, he’d only been seen out of his lab for meals as a requirement from Madame Pomfrey and Headmistress McGonagall. For Percy she had gotten him books on government and politics along with a never ending notebook and fountain pens to make it easier for him to keep the notes he needed to. For Madame Bones she had sent anonymous information on the corruption of Madame Umbridge and Minister Fudge, including who was bribing and who was blackmailing whom, leading to both being sacked and arrested.

She smiled as she watched Cedric and Cho talking over in the corner, she was glad that Cho wouldn’t experience the death of her soulmate like she had in the past.

“How do think the stories going to end?” Hermione asked as she read one of the books that Helena had ordered for her from the mundane world.

“And they lived happily ever after until the end of their days...” Helena whispered as she thought about how her story was going to be ending if she had any further say in it.