Chapter 9: Getting the JobNotes:Here is the next Chapter. Hope you like it.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Croaker looked up from his papers as the door to his office opened. Hazel entered, her hair looking a bit disheveled. "Long night?" Hazel came up and sat on the chair in front of the desk. "And long morning. I cracked too much after my visit to Godric's Hollow." Croaker eyed her carefully. "If you need a bit more time, we can wait. Miss Tonks' report was plenty." Hazel shook her head, "No, I am good for now. I also have something else to add. I walked into the Potter Cottage last night and was able to get a feel for the magic there." Croaker dropped his papers and sat back. "We had a team inspect the place after the incident. Our results were inconclusive." Hazel nodded. "They would be when the magical residue was still fresh. I went out after ten years. What I found confirms our theory: Voldemort is still alive. His soul is fragmented." Croaker tapped the desk. "Then we can assume he is attached to Quirrell. I can also guess there's something more?" Hazel pulled out a book from her expanded pouch and leafed through a few pages before turning it over and placing it on the desk. "This is a Blood Magic ward. It's used to protect a home and even people from specific enemies. It can keep them safe from curses, potentially even the Killing Curse."
Croaker eyed the page and deciphered what he could. "Spell Deconstruction and Curse Breaking aren't my strong points. Are you suggesting something like this was done? If it was, why isn't it a more common protection, baring the illegality of Blood Magic?" Hazel sighed. "Because someone tied by blood has to die with all the preparations made beforehand. The defence will then protect their blood relations from further harm. A life for a life. If what I felt is correct, your Lily Potter carried out the spell, allowed herself to die and grounded the protection to her son via a blood carved mark." Croaker looked at the page, understanding dawning on him. "The stupid scar. It's a ward mark against Voldemort." He looked at Hazel. "Did you have one?" Hazel shrugged. "Dumbledore gave me a half-assed explanation about love protecting me and blood wards at my house. There were no blood wards to be found the moment I could feel for them and my mother didn't shield me with Blood Magic. Pretty sure the only reason Tom failed to kill me was because he was stupid enough to claim the Peverell Lordship. He then tried to kill me, the last possible Peverell Heir. Family Magics are… aggressive in our world. If a line is about to go extinct or has, it will seek out others and guard them, even if disowned. The magic refuses to die. Voldemort tried to kill the only Heir and the Family Magic punished him for it. I had a scar, supposedly cursed, but by the time I could remember, it was gone."
Hazel watched as Croaker examined the book and tapped it. "This ward that Lily Potter used. Can it be attached to a house by another person?" Hazel eyed the man, getting a sinking feeling. "It can but it's not recommended for those not of the family. It puts a magical strain on the primary recipient of the ward. Why?" Croaker sat back. "Gods damn you, Albus. Amelia Bones, Rufus Scrimgeour and myself asked Dumbledore under official capacity, and under oath to keep the information isolated, about what protections the boy was under. He mentioned a permanent watch and wards designed to stop Death Eaters tied to the boy and the house he lives in." Hazel felt her blood boil. "So he twisted Lily's Protection into a ward on the property? Great. God damn Blood Magic amateurs." Hazel frowned and looked at Croaker. "How are you able to tell me this?" Croaker grinned. "I might have added a condition that if the person I talked to already knew the secret, they could discuss it. You knew of the wards Lily made and how it could be shaped and applied. You also seemed to understand the implications that Dumbledore used this blood ward to safeguard the Dursley residence. You counted, if just barely." Hazel hummed. "Sneaky. Regardless, Voldemort can't directly harm Harry while possessing Quirrell. At least not right now. So, where does this leave us?"
Croaker pulled open his desk drawer and pulled out a box, placing it in front of Hazel. "It leaves us in a holding pattern. For now, I suggest you expand your skill set, develop a working relationship with your partner and help us unravel the people and mechanisms we can that would support Voldemort's return." Hazel took the box and opened it. Inside was her identification and assignment to the Department of Mysteries. She eyed the rank at the bottom. "Recruit?" Croaker nodded. "Operations has four active duty ranks; Battlemaster which is Horatio, Commander which is no one right now, Operative and Recruit. Right now you have to act under orders from the Battlemaster or the DoM Director, which is me. As an Operative, you get more independent action but must still report in, though you don't answer to the DMLE. If you become Commander, you get authority over Aurors and Hit Wizards on the field and can issue orders to Operatives and Recruits. I have a lot of expectations for you, Miss Peverell. Let's see how far you go." Hazel nodded and stood up. "Well, better get going. Teddy was attached to my leg all morning and I promised him a bit of a trip into Muggle London." Croaker nodded and passed her the book she placed on the table. "Keep it. If we need into the house of Harry Potter, you might be our ticket in. For now, take care of yourself."
-∞-
Dora stared at the identification in her hands. She looked up at Horatio who was smirking at her from his office seat. "I'm in?" He chuckled. "Yes, you are in. For the moment your callsign is R2. You get to Operative, you get your own callsign. If you want." He handed her a stack of papers, "Sign these and you can get started with a paycheck, in house quarters, Medical, Financial and Legal coverage and your new clearance level for classified intel." Dora sat down and made sure she read the entire document. She didn't have a lawyer as a dad for nothing. She blushed when she saw the passage about relationships between employees. Her Mom had been right, it's not frowned upon but it had to be brought to the attention of the Head of the Division. Seeing everything in order, she signed the papers and gave them back to Horatio, who checked the signatures. "Good. As standard policy you will be assigned quarters next to your partners. Your physical training regime is now in your hands. The next lessons from me will be to get you two to take on wider roles. R1, Hazel, is already cleared for Stealth Infiltrations and is working on improving her Ward Breaking skills. I will be evaluating you later to make sure you are at the level we require from you in Stealth. We are going to go over tracking and intercepting targets soon. Make sure you have your silent casting down by then." Dora nodded and stood up.
"Thank you for this, sir." Horatio gave her a toothy smile. "Oh, don't thank me yet. You just passed basic training. I got a lot of advanced work in line for you two. If you can thank me by the time you make Operative, then we can talk. Now get out of here and get down to Acquisitions to get your gear. I have a schedule to devise for how to torture you both for the next year." Tonks shuddered at the look on her Instructor's face. Guy was a sadist. She happily left his office, her new badge in hand. She remembered that Acquisitions was in the far end of the Training Area Hallway. Seeing a black door with no sign, she knocked on it. The door opened partially and a woman's voice yelled out. "Callsign!?" Dora shook off the momentary shock to her ears. "R2." The door opened fully. "Next time, press your badge to the door. Works as a key. Now get in here. Name's Quetz by the way. Your partner is inside getting fitted too, so get moving, muchacha." Dora walked in and whistled. The walls were covered in armors and weapons. She could even see some wooden staffs on the walls. She stopped and looked at a nearby display. "You have firearms?" She yelped as a muscular woman huffed beside her. "Why wouldn't we? We need to take out targets hiding among muggles all the time. A few shots, they are dead and the Statute of Secrecy is intact."
Dora nodded absentmindedly before she was physically dragged to the back placed on a platform beside Hazel. Dora had to look away for a moment. "Do I have to get down to my knickers too?" Quetz gave her a look over. "You left them at home?" Dora flushed. "Huh, half of them." Hazel chuckled beside her and Dora glared. "Hey, I am a Metamorphmagus. I don't need the lift." Hazel smiled. "Considering that if I didn't have a kid I might be right there with you, I won't judge." Dora turned before getting a face full of cloth. "Wear that for now. I can shrink it to fit. Make sure you keep your usual body type. The full body tactical suits will adjust by a bit but they won't take a massive shift. They are also made spell resistant for a reason." Dora nodded and turned her back to Hazel as she took her clothes off and placed the loose and short camisole over her chest. The next 30 minutes were spent getting sized from every possible angle. Dora tried to suppress a blush as Quetz worked around her waist in view of Hazel, who barely seemed bothered. "How are you so calm?" Hazel turned and blinked at her. "It's not worse than waking up on a morgue slab utterly naked." Both Dora and Quetz stared at her, with Quetz asking the question. "What got you there in the first place?" Hazel blushed. "A lorry sorta hit me. My magic took the brunt of it but the local cops thought I was dead."
Quetz turned to Dora. "You keep your friend off those streets. Getting hit by a lorry. Diosa mía, dame fuerza." Dora shook her head and eventually got to get dressed as Quetz went about her work. The blonde woman eyed Hazel's boots and leather arm and leg guards. "Where did you get Basilisk Hide?" Hazel grinned at the woman and she just closed her eyes. "Never mind, don't want to know. The guys who worked on this did good work. I can't improve it. I will still make you some of our Dragonhide sets that can work with minimal adjustments. You switch them out when you need to." Hazel nodded as she got her boots back. "Much obliged. Might stick to your gear anyways for Operations. Out of concern, does any of this gear impede Animagi transformations?" Quetz eyed her. "The grey cloak will. It's our heaviest spell resistant material. The body suit should be fine for you." Hazel nodded as Dora pulled her own boots on. "Animagus? Really? I thought that the Metamorphmagus magic negates it." Hazels pulled her black shirt on, though not her usual halter top. "It doesn't, it just makes it harder to work the magic. Horatio might not have it for our training but it could help you out. Helps with balance and wandless magic a bit too."
Dora nodded as she pulled her jacket on and the two started eyeing the weapons. Quetz walked up to Hazel. "Horatio says you are good with weapons but most are self conjured. Do you carry any physical knives on you?" Hazel pulled a few thin knives from under her arm guards and holster. Quetz eyed them carefully. "These have bitten into bones too many times. You've sharpened them enough but the damage is done. I got a few you can try out later. See if you get a feel for them." She turned to Dora who pulled two thick combat knives from her boots. Quetz held them and then eyed the blades. "Not bad, but not great. Not much action on these but they won't take much punishment, especially against magical resistance." She handed them back. "Your first set of body suits and cloaks will take about a month or two to make. I'll call you in when they are ready and you two can see if my selection of weapons suits you better so I can get them into custom holsters. Horatio will eventually get you both onto firearms, so if you want to practice, we do have a shooting range. I'm here from eight in the morning to nine at night, minus lunch and dinner hours. See you around, Recrutas." Dora breathed out a sigh as she left. "That was the longest I ever spent getting fitted."
Hazel hummed in agreement. "So, are you moving in?" Dora nodded. "I stayed with my parents expecting to get pulled into the academy dorms but a fully furnished apartment is too much to pass up. I will probably go over the weekends to see my family, but I really needed a break." Hazel eyed her. "That bad?" Dora shook her head. "No, I love my parents. I … just feel like I am a bit in the way. Plus Mom was never a fan of my being in law enforcement. Moving out should give us some peace of mind and room to breathe." Hazel thought for a second before she smirked. "Don't forget you have to get a full medical evaluation. I had mine when I got pulled in here and I am guessing you probably coasted in on your St. Mungos record. Horatio will want a full one before he starts getting serious." Dora stretched her arms over her head. "I'll get to it on Monday. Tonight and for the rest of the weekend, I am going out to celebrate. Going to see what bands are in what counties. Are you interested?" Hazel shook her head. "Nope. Got my music on vinyl, a pizza to bake, ice cream in the freezer and a kid waiting for me to get it all started. See you on Monday." Dora watched Hazel head towards the living quarters area, her mind a bit conflicted. Why did Hazel's afternoon plans sound so… pleasant? She shook her head and made her way to the Elevator. She had some clubs to check on.
-∞-
"Dromeda! Over here." There was a part of Andromeda that loved the sound of her name being called from her alter ego's grandson. Teddy had been such a delight to be around, so full of energy and curiosity, something Hazel always seemed to foster. She smiled as she neared the pair just sitting outside of the entrance to the Hebridean Black Dragon Reserve. "Interesting place." Hazel stood up and dusted her jeans before reapplying a warming charm on Teddy. "November isn't the best season for walks down the northern coasts and there is only so much mall window shopping I can take. A bit of warded areas with somewhat fair weather around dragons seemed like a good idea. I told Teddy some stories about dragons and he wanted to see them himself." Andromeda chuckled as Teddy took off for the Reserve's main entrance but always looking back, the two women walking behind at a softer pace. Hazel approached the reception area and handed them several Sickles to pay for the entry. Andromeda followed closely as they entered the Reserve, following one of the Handlers. "Nymphadora arrived quite late last night, with a lot of alcohol in her system and a bit of blood on one of her knives. Anything I should know?" Hazel sighed. "She got the job and should be in the Medical Wing on Monday for the full check up. Maybe you should take the shift. To make sure she is alright." Andromeda smiled. "Oh good, Ted is close to completing his Department of Mysteries classified info evaluation too. It will be nice, not having to watch what I say around the family as much."
Hazel watched as Teddy went to the edge of one of the pens, looking down as the black scaled dragons lumbered around, the largest one sleeping. She walked up behind Teddy and looked at the creatures, noticing a shift in their behaviour instantly. They kept eyeing her wearily, shifting their posture as if expecting an attack. The Handler came up to them, clearly confused. "They are typically more friendly than this. Never seen them look so spooked." Hazel hummed and looked towards the Dragons, their red and purple eyes staring at her intently. She bent down and nudged Teddy. The three of them moved towards another pen, this one showing a mother dragon and her brood. Hazel kept back and watched as the little dragons ran around the enclosure playfully, a few throwing fireballs at each other while the mother looked on. Every once in a while the mother would look up towards Hazel but not with the same weariness as the others. Andromeda moved closer to her. "Your magic and animals don't mix?" Hazel thought for a second. She took a deep breath and pulled in her magic tightly, like she used to do in her hunts. The weariness on the dragons vanished and they proceeded to ignore the humans entirely. Hazel eyed the mother practically falling asleep, probably from the cold weather. "Seems like it. I haven't been restraining my magic as much as I did back in my old world for hunting, so I sort of forgot animals don't like me."
Andromeda hummed. "When did that start? Animals not liking you?" Hazel thought back. "It started a bit after November of 94 but got worse after 98. Guess an impromptu bath in dragon's blood wasn't a good idea." Andromeda closed her eyes and pinched her nose. "I really shouldn't ask and I won't because I want to believe your life isn't a never ending trainwreck. Just try and remember that you and animals don't mix well." Hazel shrugged. "Hedwig didn't seem bothered." Andromeda gave her a look. "Familiars probably know better. Still, be cautious. We don't want to start a stampede anywhere." The three moved along to a larger viewing area where one could see the dragons take flight and hunt sheep in the green flatlands and jagged cliff edges. Andromeda smiled as Teddy cheered for a sheep that got away into a crevice. "Speaking about Harry's bird, what are you and Croaker up to? Ted mentioned you secured legal aid for him from the Ministry." Hazel hummed quietly as the group sat down on a bench for a moment, Teddy using the Omniculars provided by the Handlers to watch the Dragons flying around in circles within the larger warded pen, waiting to spot their next meal on the ground. "Dumbledore has tied up the courts effectively on Harry's living situation. We secured his finances and can get a look and see that everything remains above board in his home. If he or the Malfoys try anything, we can spirit him away, especially now that we have an idea as to what wards are shielding his house." Andromeda frowned. "No chance of getting custody?"
Hazel eyed the older woman. "Any claims I could make as either a Potter or an Evans would draw a lot of scrutiny my way. Croaker has the authority to create our IDs and secure our rights, but we could see fallout outside of the Ministry if word got out of some unknown claiming guardianship over the Boy Who Lived. While we can't take him in, we can block The Malfoy's attempt, so he could fall in your hands. Without a reason to remove Dumbledore's illegal claim, however, we can't get there yet." Andromeda felt her shoulders sink but she nodded. "Guess that's for the best. You and Croaker keeping an eye on him?" Hazel grimaced. "As much as we can. Hogwarts is notoriously hard to get any accurate word out of. The fact Dumbledore hid the Troll incident doesn't bode well to continued transparency." Andromeda sighed before Teddy came up. "Mom! Come on! The Handler says there are more at the Cliffs!" Hazel sat up and followed Teddy as they made their way around a narrow winding path. The dirt and bright green grass faded and turned to dark sand as they reached the beach head. Teddy beamed and pointed. "Look at the cliffs. There are so many of them!" Hazel smiled and allowed Teddy to drag her down to the water's edge. She kneeled down and pulled out a wizarding camera, making sure she captured a picture of Teddy and the cliff wall full of shallow caves, more than half sporting an adolescent dragon. Their Handler guide offered to take a picture of the three together and Hazel agreed. She promised to send a photo to Andromeda later.
After applying a warming charm again, Teddy rushed off across the beach as they made their way around, several dragons flying over the water, their eyes searching for prey that breach the surface of the water. The Handler pointed towards one as it pulled up from a dive. "That one caught himself a seal. We had a lot of trouble reworking the wards to allow certain living creatures through them, so they can't go hunting for whales or dolphins. Not yet anyway. You might find some dragon bits on the beach though. We get a few loose teeth and claws sometimes washing up on shore." Teddy nodded and handed the Omniculars back to the guide as he started looking over the surf. Andromeda smiled as they followed closely, keeping their feet from getting too wet from the coming waves. "Any plans for Christmas?" Hazel eyed Andromeda and looked back at Teddy. "I think we will have a small Christmas this year. Two years in a never ending winter has sort of left a bad taste in our mouths. I know he won't say it but I could tell the sight of snow was bothering him. He's afraid he could lose his magic again." Andromeda looked towards the boy as he bent down and looked amongst the beach rocks. "I didn't think about that. A quiet celebration would probably be best for you two." Hazel nodded and then smirked. "Was going to see if Horatio would let us practice magic in the training room. The more snow Teddy sees and the more magic he can perform should lower his concerns a bit." Andromeda lifted an eyebrow. "And the Restriction for Underage Magic means what to you?" Hazel smiled. "A colossal waste of ink."
Andromeda sighed in resignation as Teddy rushed over to them. "Mom, look! I found a dragon claw! Can I keep it?" Hazel took the claw carefully and rubbed her hands on it. She could feel traces of magic on it still. She smiled at Teddy as she conjured a thick letter pouch before placing the claw inside of it. "Sure. But you leave it with me for now. It still has some magic in it which could make a nasty scar if you nicked the skin. I will ask Quetz back home to cleanse it and help preserve it. After that it's all yours." Teddy whopped in joy and hugged her leg. "Thanks Mom!" Andromeda smiled as Hazel rubbed his hair. "Just wait until he meets Charlie Weasley. Might get a dragon fang earring just like him." Teddy looked at his Mom. "Can I?" Hazel shook her head. "Not until you are of age. You do it behind my back and I will cut your sweets by half." Teddy pouted but on seeing the serious look from his mother nodded. "Ok, I promise." Hazel smiled before glaring at Andromeda. "If I see Charlie or any Weasley near him, I won't be happy. Got it?" Andromeda saw a bit of magic leak into her eyes. "Sure. No Weasley's till Hogwarts." Hazel all but growled. "Don't remind me."
-∞-
OW October 1998
Hazel had just finished her grocery run when she spotted a familiar mop of red hair. "Can I help you, George?" The last surviving twin eyed her wearily just outside the local grocery store, drawing attention to them both that Hazel didn't particularly care for. She had made it quite clear to Kinglsey that she wasn't going to be his poster girl or another brainless Auror. She had enough on her plate caring for her godson and his distraught grandmother. She pointedly ignored his letters and attempts to follow her now. She started wandlessly casting stasis and unbreakable charms on her bag as she felt someone move in from behind. "Yeah, you can. What did you do to our brother Ron?" Hazel blinked at him, shifting her head to the side a bit. "Me? You're asking what I did to him after he tried to potion me with Amortentia? Really? You know, I took you and Fred for the smart ones in the family. Are you also going to ignore the fact that your mother tried to potion me several times? Or that she and Dumbledore signed an illegal contract with my name on it? Sorry to say this Fred but I stopped caring about your family when I caught them trying to rob me of all I had left of mine. If you're looking for Ronald, I suggest you look for Granger. I heard she was practically attached to him."
She moved to the side inorder to leave until the other person made his presence known. William Weasley kept his wand lowered but blocked her escape back into the store. "We have. She's missing too. Not that anyone has bothered checking since she wiped her parents' memories. What did you do to them?" Hazel eyed the Curse Breaker. "You'd think you'd be more interested in being a father than playing vigilante. What would your wife say? If you drop dead here, what will happen to Victoire? Fleur is a quarter Veela in a country that just barely restored her rights. Did you think about what could happen to them before you accused me of being responsible for the disappearance of two people?" The man was taken aback by that, showing that he had in fact not taken his family's needs into account. Hazel couldn't help it. She laughed. "Wow, and I thought the Order had some brain cells left in its remaining membership. Clearly I was mistaken. Then again, the Order seemed cater made to draw in young impressionable people who never thought about the consequences of their actions. No wonder the Minister is having trouble restoring the government. Between the brainless morons and the racist pigs, one wonders who might be actually left to make an honest effort at governing from the two. Now if you two don't mind, I have a mouth waiting to feed back home."
George's wand came up to her face. "We aren't leaving till you tell us what you did to Ron!" Hazel eyed the man. "Sure, I have some words for you." George, taken aback by the response, loosen his grip on the wand. Which he then dropped when a heavy boot made contact with his family jewels while Hazel banished William against the wall behind her. She then stepped on George's hand, making sure he couldn't cast at her. "Threaten me again, Weasley, and your fiancée will have to find another man to marry. Your family threatened my life and future so as far as we are concerned we are done. I have no idea where your little shit of a brother ended up. I would suggest Hell but from what I gather it's a bit of a one way trip. Now I really must be going. Better not see you again. Might not leave any of your manhood intact if I do." She stepped harder on George's, hearing bones crack and George scream in pain before she took her foot off and apparated away. She had a feeling they would try again, ignoring the fact that the war was over and that they had people waiting on them back home. She honestly couldn't understand people who ignored what family's they had left. She had made sure that she wouldn't be like them. Her godson should never have to worry that she would just up and vanish. She would keep to that, no matter who came looking for trouble.
-∞-
NW November 1991
Dora rubbed her head and groaned. Maybe hitting three clubs three nights in a row was a bad idea. Sure, she had sampled the local bartender's wares and had enjoyed the beating of the music on her skin as she danced among the mass of people, but the creeps and mornings after hadn't been part of her celebratory plans. The first night an asshole had grabbed onto her chest and after an elbow to the chest he had walked off to find a more welcoming woman. Later, when she was about to leave, another moron tried manhandling her. Her knife sticking to this thigh and a cut across his chest made the drunkard stumble back and fall, leaving her alone. She was glad she had asked her mom for a portkey tied to the house. Sure it wasn't technically legal, but they couldn't track them unless she used them in front of magicals. She was pretty sure the law had been written so the people who knew the loophole could exploit it. There were a lot of laws in the Ministry like that, her Dad had been quick to tell her. While he hated bigotry, the man was a lawyer, a husband and a father. He made sure his family knew all the loopholes to keep them safe.
Not satisfied with the first night's festivities, Dora decided to try another nightclub the following night, this one being a lot more her style. She did manage to catch the Weird Sisters having a grand ol time in Cardiff, which was a blast. Less booze, no creeps and louder music. Sure, she couldn't hear well as she stumbled into bed but it had been worth it. The third night was the one she might call a mistake. No, it was definitely a mistake. She had way too much to drink and the club had some very scantily clad ladies. She had practically latched onto one and made out with her for several long minutes. When they got to a dark corner, the clothes started coming off and Dora had been about to take her hard against the wall before she started imagining her as Hazel. When the woman's unfamiliar voice begged her to go harder she felt the illusion break and guilt filled her. She excused herself, took a bottle of gin and portkeyed back home. Said bottle had been quite dry when she woke up in the morning with a massive headache. She had thought about taking a Hangover Cure Potion but if she went down and grabbed it, she knew her mother would notice. She was the one who kept the Potion Cabinet stocked for all occasions after all.
So, rather than raiding the family's stock, Dora arrived with a hangover to the DoM and hoped that the Healers in the Operation's Medical Wing had some cure for hangovers in her Potions Cabinet. She couldn't be the only person in the DoM with a drinking problem. Right? She thought of Hazel and thought that she had a kid at home. Either she was stone cold sober or she had to have a few drinks away from the kid. If she was honest with herself, then she knew Hazel was the former. That woman seemed way too focused to let herself get drunk. She didn't even want to know what a drunk Hazel would be like if she got into that odd mood of hers. The thought of Hazel made her remember last night. Her partner had been intruding in her thoughts a bit lately. Seeing her in just her knickers had made her feel flushed and she might have thought about what touching her would feel like. Well, she would have done more than touch her. That she had almost taken a woman imagining it had been her friend had made Dora so confused. She had wanted it so bad but the moment it clicked that it wasn't Hazel had made her feel so guilty. It wasn't like she had been cheating on her… right?
"What do you want first? The Hangover Cure or a talk?" Dora's thoughts came to a screeching halt as she realised she had entered the Medical Wing. It might have also been because she knew that voice, even by its tone. She looked up and stared. "Mom? What are you doing here? Did I go to St. Mungos by accident?" Andromeda gave her a glare. "No, Nymphadora. This isn't St. Mungos. Congratulations on your clearance level. Now you know I actually work here in Operations as the Chief Medic. On the bed, Dora, before I stun you." Dora didn't need to be told twice. She jumped on the bed. "This is going to be so weird." Andromeda smiled. "On the plus side, I don't have to charge you for medical visits. I am also going to be monitoring your health while you are here. So, how much alcohol did you drown your liver in?" Dora tried to think, having a hard time with her headache. "Uhh, one bottle of gin?" Andromeda stared at her. "Dora, I personally introduced you to gin and I know you aren't this bad after one bottle so try again." Dora thought a little harder. "Uhh, three full bottles?"
Andromeda nodded and went to the Potion Cabinet. "Did you read the papers you signed as a Recruit?" Dora glared before stopping. The room had started to spin when she did that. She brought her hands up to rub her eyes. "Of course I did." Andromeda measured out a dose and gave her the glass cup. "Then congrats on your first free Hangover Potion. You get one a month. Only one. After your third in a month the Department will have you go sober for the rest of the year before letting you drink again while supervised. We aren't training killers to take out the scourge of Wizarding Britain just so you can get drunk and become part of the problem. Got that?" Dora shugged the drink back and felt her body shudder. Her ensuing burp left a horrible taste in her mouth. "Yeah, got it. Party once a month and don't go overboard." Andromeda nodded before she drew her wand and pulled up a clipboard with some parchment on it. "Good. Now, you are here for your physical. Let's get started. Any injuries to yourself in the last few days since you saw me, any unusual magics or compounds in your system?"
Dora thought back. "No injuries except for maybe a little bruising from … grabby pricks. Magic… I was flooded by Hazel's magic at Hogwarts to avoid detection a few days ago. Hazel said that Dumbledore's glasses are probably enchanted to see through Disillusionment charms and cloaks, but not hers. She kept her magic in me for a few minutes until we got out of the wardline. No odd food in my stomach that I know off." Andromeda casted her diagnostic charm again. "Any side effects from Hazel's magic?" Dora thought back. "Ahh, I felt tired but refreshed at the same time." Andromeda checked her readings and nodded. "You have some residue left in you from the overexposure. Nothing serious, just a trace of her magic in you. No different from the charm on your neck. I will keep an eye on it since you two will be working side by side for the foreseeable future. Hazel's magic might conceal her from wards but it also has a negative effect with animals. Check on that if you ever get near one. Other than that and the recent damage to your liver and lack of proper sleep and water intake, you are just fine."
Andromeda finished writing Dora's medical evaluation as Dora jumped off the bed. "So, how long have you known Hazel?" Andromeda kept her eyes on the paper, her quill moving quickly as she wrote down what she got from the diagnostic spell. "Since that owl in late June when you signed up for the DoM. She and her son came in from a classified location and had a need for a thorough medical evaluation. Been checking with them once in a while." Dora hummed. "Dad said you were out on Saturday. You were here with them?" Andromeda finished writing, duplicated the files and placed one into her archive before turning to Dora. "I am sure you have noticed Hazel has a few issues. She refuses to see Mind Healers, so the boss assigned me to get to know her. Let her open up and work through her issues. Saturday we were actually in Scotland at the Hebridean Black Dragon Reserve. Hazel wanted her son to get a good look at them. They are his favorite dragon type." Dora looked at her Mom, seeing a new side to her. It was nice. "Cool. Outside of the Oppals, those are my favorites too. I was going to move in here by December. Is that going to be a problem?"
Dora was shocked to see a smile on her face. "It might surprise you but this is a safe place to have a home, at least before you need a house. I might not have approved of you being an Auror but I know Horatio and Croaker. I am also getting to know Hazel. They will make sure you can take anything out there and come back alive. It's the best I could ask for, barring keeping you at home locked in your room." Dora smiled and hugged her mother. "Thanks for not being mad. So far the job looks great and I really like Hazel. I think I will be good at this." Andromeda gave Dora a cheeky look. "Oh, you have a thing for a young hot mother? Should I get started on a betrothal contact or baby names?" Dora's hair went through several color changes. "Mom!" Andromeda laughed as Dora got her hair to go back to pink. "Were… just partners!" Andromeda nodded. "True. But remember what I said. The best partners are like the best couples. You need to trust each other intimately." Andromeda eyed her daughter, her hair cycling again. "And like all things, it doesn't happen all at once. Take your time Dora. None of us are going everywhere." Dora's hair stopped at pink again. "Thanks, Mom. I will remember that."
Notes:So, how was it? Quetz is a recuring OFC based on a character from Fate Grand Order, though here she is just a witch who works as the main supplier for the typical gear of Operations. No relation to her namesake beyond cultural links and similar apperance. She might also be my take on another character, this one more famous from film. Curious to see if you make the connection.
Next Chapter?: Christmas time
It's sort of appropriate. I post the chapter that covers the Dragon Reserve and I finish writing the chapter dealing with the First Task. Quite some time away before Hazel's comment is shown explicitely. Will soon be starting on writing the Second Task but I need to make scene outlines for the next few chapters. Until then, hope you all are still enjoying the story, even as I struggle as I keep adding more scenes. The Muse is back in town.
Leave a comment, discuss and see you all in three days.
Chapter 10: Quiet HolidaysNotes:Here is the next Chapter. Hope you all like it.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
"Easy Leafsby! Don't drop that box too hard. Vinyl is delicate." The little elf eyed her before levitating the box down and popping away. Dora sighed and looked around her new home. When Horatio said full apartment, he hadn't been kidding. While she knew the veranda that looked over an outside view was fake, the view itself was just amazing, especially with the snow now covering the rooftops of old London. Tonks pulled out her wand and started changing the colors of the apartment walls away from the cream and greys to warmer yellows and a bit of orange. She also shifted her furniture to a darker wood. The elf dropped the last of her boxes into the bedroom. "Thank you, Leafsby. I will go grocery shopping later. Anything you don't cook?" The elf eyed her carefully. "Leafsby been learning more recipes. Leafsby not wanting Mistress Peverell to cook too much but Mistress like cooking. Leasby's been learning for young master Peverell." Dora blinked. "Guessing we both share you?" Leafsby nodded. "Leafsby was asked to by Boss Croaker. Leafsby asked if Mistress Peverell was accepting of Leafsby sharing responsibilities with Mistress Tonks, who agreed on condition that young master remains priority. Does Mistress Tonks disagree? Other elf might serve Mistress Tonks."
Tonks shook her head. When Mom said elfs talked weird she wasn't kidding. Still, having the same elf probably helped with making sure they were both on time and looked after properly and she has no problem with the kid getting priority. "No problem here, Leafsby. I don't mind sharing." The elf nodded and snapped her fingers causing a door to appear on the wall. "Tonks and Peverell be partners. Door leads to Peverells. Speak with Mistress about wards between places. Leafsby be going now. Leafsby be trying to learn how to make Chinese food." Dora watched the spot where the elf had been. At least her menu options wouldn't be limited. She approached the newly made door and opened it, finding another door behind it. This one was locked solid. She knocked. The door opened and she stared with wonder at the boy in front of her. He had hair as black as a raven's feathers and … purple eyes. Why did he have eyes like her natural ones? Her mind stayed frozen as she locked eyes with the boy until a familiar voice spoke up. "Teddy, it's rude to stare. Same to you, Nymphadora." Dora looked at Hazel, her hair shifting to red. "Stop calling me that!" She heard a giggle and looked back towards the boy, seeing him change his hair and eyes to match hers.
"I can do that too." He then changed his hair and eyes to blue, green, yellow before returning to black, his eyes returning to purple. The boy grinned. "Mom talks about you all the time. My name is Edward Peverell. She can call me Teddy but you can call me Ted for now." Dora blinked for a second and smiled. "My dad's a Ted too, but his name is Theodore. A pleasure to meet you Ted. Name's Tonks. Forget what your Mom called me. That's a lie." Teddy shook his head. "Mom doesn't lie to me. Also Dromeda calls you Nymphadora. Why can't we?" Dora rubbed her eyes. "Because some people shouldn't be allowed to name their kids." Hazel chuckled from the kitchen as she stirred a pot of white rice. "You won't win that argument, Dora. Teddy likes weird names." Dora shook her head. "Then I hope his spouse vetoes his choices too." Hazel grinned before looking at Teddy. "Why don't you show Dora around, Teddy? Dinner will be ready in a second. You're invited too, Dora. I made enough for five people so I expect to see it gone by the end." Dora took a moment to smell the food. "Is that meatloaf in the oven?"
Teddy pulled her hand. "Yup! Mom goes crazy with the oven for Christmas time. We get Meatloaf, Turkey, even Roasted Pork. She is reading up on desserts other than cheesecake, despite me telling her it's the best one." Hazel spoke up. "Oi! There are desserts other than Cheesecake and Sponge Cake!" Dora laughed as Teddy pulled her to his room. She looked around, noticing the familiar colors of her old Hogwarts House. "Are you going for Hufflepuff at Hogwarts?" Teddy nodded. "Mom says I am a shoe in. I have been studying Herbology to not get Sprout mad at me and because it's fun. Mom is trying to see if someone here can tutor me in Potions too, so Snape won't pick on me, since she doesn't know a lot about Potions herself." Dora hummed. "Wish I had thought of that." She noticed the rest of the apartment was in soft blues and whites, with the wood being typical oak. She saw a large white bed across from Teddy's room. Teddy pulled her away from there. "That's Mom's room. Only me and Mom's future girlfriend are allowed in there." Dora chuckled as she sat on the kitchen table, Teddy sitting beside her. Dora looked towards Hazel, who seemed to be cutting into the Meatloaf. "Kid trying to get you a spouse yet?"
Hazel gave a sigh of relief as she brought two plates of food onto the table. "Thankfully not. He knows I don't usually like people so he leaves it up to me." Hazel ruffled his hair as she summoned her own plate of food. Dora took a bit of the Meatloaf and groaned. "Ok, I need to eat with you more often. The cafeteria has nothing on you." Hazel blushed. "If you want to, you are certainly welcome to join us. Though, I might get you to pay me back by watching Teddy." The kid eyed Dora for a second. "I … don't think I would mind. Though I don't know about her choice of shirts." Dora mock glared at the kid. "Oi, the Weird Sisters are the best band in the UK." Teddy went back to eating, ignoring her, which made Hazel chuckle. "Try for less bleeding from the ears and more relaxing tunes. Wish I could sing though, it would have made getting this little guy to bed much easier." Dora hummed, enjoying the white rice and beans that were served with the meat. Hazel was about to stand when Leafsby popped in. "Mistress, sit. Mistress asks Leafsby what to bring." Hazel sighed. "Applejuice for Teddy, my Blended Fruit Juice for me. You got a drink you want, Dora?"
Dora blinked for a second as she thought about her options. Asking for wine would be rude and she had a good idea that beer was out too. "I'll try that blend." The elf popped away and three full glasses appeared on the table. Teddy chimed in, "Thank you, Leafsby." Dora smelled the drink and tried it. "Huh. Not bad." The three settled in and ate a bit quietly, with Leafsby providing Dora and Teddy with second servings of food. Eventually Dora gave out a bit of a burp that made Teddy chuckle and Hazel looked at her, clearly not amused. "You ruin my son's table manners, Andromeda might just forget the anesthetic the next time you visit the Medical Wing." Dora shivered at the thought. "Noted." Teddy chuckled. "Dromeda scary like Grandma." Dora noted a look of longing on Hazel. "You hardly talk about her." Hazel was about to take the empty plates before Leafsby popped them away. She sighed, exacerbated with the elf. "Thank you, Leafsby. Teddy's Grandmother and I bonded over Teddy. As you know, he was my godson before I blood adopted him. We sort of pulled each other out of the hell from the war. She passed on a few years back. We both miss her. Every once in a while I think about her. Hard not to when Teddy has her eyes. Or at least a shade of it."
Teddy saw the sad look on his Mom's face. "Dessert?" He grinned at the amused look she gave him. She knew why he did it too. Hazel turned to Dora. "Do you like Cookies and Cream ice cream?" Dora eyes practically sparkled. "Damn right I do." The three dug into the tub and before long Hazel looked at the empty carton. "You know, I might regret having you over. Feeding Teddy was a full time job already." Dora pouted. "Hey, I am only 19. I am still growing." Teddy giggled. "Mom, you know you like cooking." Hazel sighed. "Fine, but if our entire paycheck goes into food, you and I will have words, Nymphadora." Tonks groaned. "I'll pay you to stop calling me that." Teddy sat back and watched his Mom tease this version of Mama for a bit more, feeling very happy before Dora stood up. "Ok, better get to my apartment and get my bed set." Leafsby popped in. "Bed has been prepared, Mistress Tonks. Your toiletries are in the bathroom as well." The elf popped out. Dora blinked for a second before looking at Hazel. "I don't know whether to love the elf or tell him to stop," Hazel pulled Teddy into her arms. "You ever find the off switch, let me know. Until then, goodnight Dora. Teddy needs his bath." Teddy waved at her. "Night Dora." Tonks waved at them both with a smile. "Night you two."
After taking a shower and slipping into a long shirt, Dora dropped onto the bed in a bit of a haze. The hours she spent with Hazel and Teddy felt almost like a dream. Sure, seeing her own purple eyes reflected on her was weird, but the kid was a Metamorphmagus like Hazel. The fact the eyes were a trait from a woman that died made Dora's worries vanish. The warmth between them, the love they had for each other just seemed to eat all of her fears away. She knew her parents loved each other and would sometimes catch them in awkward and traumatizing situations, but it hadn't felt so warm and inviting as that apartment had felt. Though she knew it had everything to do with the people. Hazel… She had always thought of Hazel as a bit distant but friendly. She was also scary and absolutely hot. So seeing her smiling all the time, being playful and teasing had caught her completely by surprise. It had also made her seem even more beautiful, even if she seemed to wear much more modest clothing around her son. There was some of that weariness she could see in her eyes but it practically melted away. Hazel was happy. Why did that thought make her own heart so warm? Why did she want to be a part of that? Dora sighed and turned to her side, adjusting her alarm. She fell asleep remembering she had invited herself to dinner with them everyday, meaning she would be with them quite a bit. She had no idea she fell asleep with a smile on her face.
-∞-
Hazel felt a growing sense of deja vu as she wandered the Halls of Hogwarts alone under her cloak. Croaker had been reticent at first but agreed to let her explore the castle alone on Christmas Eve. Which meant she had a short window of time while Dora and Leafsby watched over Teddy. She needed to verify a few things, while also dropping off a present. Not finding her target on the first and third floors, but definitely confirming that Dumbledore had a Cerberus in the school behind a door any advanced first year could open, Hazel made her way closer and closer to Gryffindor. If the intention was for it to be found, then it had to have been placed somewhere Harry would stumble onto it, especially if he received the Peverell Cloak as she had. She walked past a partly opened door on the fourth floor and stopped. Wrapping herself ever deeper in her magic she pushed the door open and found further proof that Dumbledore was definitely up to something. The Mirror of Erised was categorized as a cursed object and it's inherently private subject matter had no business in a castle, especially not as a piece to educate anybody.
Eying the reflective surface for a moment, Hazel turned around and left the room. Once she had fallen for that trap. Now… now she wouldn't dare. Whatever her deepest desire was, she would leave it be. She had far more important things than chasing shadows or false hopes. She had a son to raise and a world to keep from falling apart. No bloody pressure. She paused as she stared at a blank wall before retracing her steps. The entrance to the Gryffindor Common Room was not where she remembered it being. In her world it had been at the end of a long and empty Hallway, one of many in the castle designed to keep the untrained lost. It took her a bit of searching but she finally found the right portrait. Why was the entrance of the Common Room here to the side of one of the many moving staircases? Even the portrait looked different. Sighing to herself, Hazel pushed herself through the portrait and entered the Common Room. How she had ever loved spending time here was beyond her. Shielding her eyes from the onslaught of red and gold, Hazel made her way up the stairs and into the first year boys dormroom. The familiar snoring from one of the beds forced her to swallow the sudden buildup of rage as she eyed the rest of the beds.
She found the one she was looking for when she spotted the same pair of glasses she had seen on the boy's face at the Leaky Cauldron. She knelt down to look at his face. He looked a bit like Teddy did, though his hair seemed a bit more tamed for now. He turned onto his other side and Hazel caught a glimpse of the scar. She resisted the urge to touch it. Lily Potter had gone quite deep into Blood Magic to find that little gem. Hazel had been impressed with her if only for a second. The Potters had still given birth to a boy in the middle of a war and made no attempts to flee to safer territories. She would admire Lily's ingenuity but always condemn the Potters lack of foresight. Hazel stood up and approached the pile of presents at the foot of the boy's bed. A few looked like candy boxes, one looked suspiciously like it held a certain disgusting piece of knitted wool and the other two were clearly books, probably from a certain bookworm and a Half Giant. The last one, wrapped in brown paper and twine, was especially familiar. She touched the surface of it and felt the magic within. It felt… weaker than hers. Hazel frowned as she casted diagnostics on it. There weren't any enchantments on it or anything that could explain its weakness and its lack of reaction to her magic.
Hazel thought back to the differences she had found between the two worlds. The lack of Family Magics had been the most unexpected. They had played a part in her own Voldemort's crusade against the Light families, clamoring for the protection of the Magics of the Sacred 28 as they were passed down from parent to child in the face of the Muggleborns and their blank slates. She knew she had survived that fateful night because of her connection to the Peverells. Even now the same Family Magic existed inside of her and in Teddy. But it was nowhere else in this world. Did that mean the Hallows here were worthless trinkets from a long dead family or did they need to be assembled again? Bagshot's warning came to mind. Her Hallows were a part of her now. She could potentially destroy these and end their place in the world. For now… for now she would leave the Cloak to Harry. It would help keep him safe until Voldemort was gone. She'd figure out what to do with the other set later. Making a bit of room, she placed her own present onto the pile. The boy had been dragged into the world with nothing but stories of his parents. There was more to the Potters than the self-sacrificing martyrs and their slanted view of duty.
The book she had gone to great pains to find in this world was the complete listing of all the achievements of the Potters for the last 700 years. It even contained a Family Tree. She had gone to the Legal Division in the DoM to get this book's tree updated to its most recent state. The boy would know his place amongst a family full of people; from Potioneers, Alchemists and Artificers to Healers, Politicians and even Professors. She had been denied her legacy to the point that most of it had been destroyed when she discovered it. If she was to change things, then she needed to make sure Harry knew where he came from. He needed to understand his ancestry and that there was more to his life than being his parents' echoes. The note she left in it should help the boy understand. Just because you are the last of your line doesn't mean you are truly alone. Be safe. From a friend. " Hazel looked at the sleeping boy one last time before slipping out of the Gryffindor Tower. She made one last stop, one she found in a lone tower at the edge of the castle. "Hedwig?" Even partly masked by her magic and cloak, the snowy white owl descended from her place in the Owlery. Hazel lifted the hood of the cloak from her head, a smile on her face as the owl landed on her exposed arm. She opened her hand to it. "Here, I brought some treats for you. Thank you for choosing him." The bird chirped happily and ate the treats before rubbing Hazel's cheek. Hazel caressed Hedwig's chest plumage, "Take care of each other." The bird screeched in agreement and took off as Hazel left the Castle grounds once more.
-∞-
OW December 25th 1991
Hazel pulled the Invisibility Cloak tighter upon herself. The note had said it had been her father's before he died. While getting it had felt great, wearing it was a different matter entirely. She felt free. Absolutely free. Her magic, which she still had so much trouble casting, vibrated under skin as she wore it. She had waited until curfew to step out and just enjoy the night free from all thoughts of bullies, exams and stupid expectations. Sure, she got some presents, including a book on how to pronounce Latin better from that annoying bookworm called Hermione, but that didn't mean she was going to be friendly all of a sudden. She couldn't understand why the girl was following her so much, especially in the library. At least her private bathroom remained private. She also got a weird jumper from Mrs. Weasley. Why the mother of the kid she hated most from her housemates was sending her presents had been a mystery until the Weasley Twins told her that Ron had sent a letter home, asking his mother to send a present to her. Weirdos. At least the Twins seemed nice, when they weren't terrorizing the school. Professor Quirrell's lessons made her feel safer, even if her stunning spells and shields were below the usual strength, but she doubted she'd manage to keep the twins at bay. Her wand still didn't like her.
Her thoughts came to an end when she caught an odd reflection from an abandoned storage room near the courtyard. As she pushed the door open Hazel noticed a massive mirror dominating a corner. There was some weirdly spaced writing on it but it seemed just like an ornate mirror until she looked at her reflection. Or lack of one. Sighing, she took off her cloak, letting it spill at her feet. Her breath caught as her image appeared, followed by two others. Her eyes watered as she started to hiccup. "Mom? Dad?" The two people smiled at her and nodded. She lunged forward and slammed into the glass. She was surprised by it being there. Why was there glass between them? She wanted to be with her parents. "Mom! Dad! Let me in! Take me with you! Please! Please don't leave me. Not again! Please! MOM! DAD!" She screamed over and over again. as she punched the glass, but it withstood her. A hand pulled her away and she fought back. "Let me go! My parents are in there! I want to be with them! Let me go!" An old man's voice reached her ears. "It is just an illusion, young Hazel. Nothing more than a spell projecting your heart's desire for you to see. They aren't there, no matter how much you want them to be."
Hazel felt her feet collapse under her as her eyes remained fixed on her parents. An illusion? It was all… she cried. A lie. It was a lie, like everything else in the castle. She cried as the man tried to comfort her. "There there, young Hazel. It is not good to dwell on the past, especially that which can never be. You should look to your future." She turned towards the old man. "Why? What's so good about the future? So far everything that I have seen is one big lie after another. I tell you what's happening to me, I ask for help but no one listens. So why? Why should I care about any of you!" She gripped the Cloak in her hand, pulled it over herself and ran. "Miss Potter! Miss Potter!" She ignored the Headmaster's calls. A lie. Hagrid had told her the Wizarding World was her home. That she would find friends and family here. Instead everyone ignored her suffering, calling her a troublemaker and underachiever. They ignored her. Now they showed her her parents and it had all been an illusion on glass? This world that she had been brought to felt like such a lie. What was really here for her? She gripped the cloak tightly around her and felt its magic wash over her. At least… at least the Cloak felt real. She could feel a connection to it beyond who owned it last, beyond it just being her father's. It was a part of her. Hazel Potter would vanish from that day on all the time at night, disappearing into the castle beyond the gaze of anyone or anything. In those short fleeting moments, she was free.
-∞-
NW December 25th 1991
Memories of her first Christmas day in the Castle flooded Hazel's mind until she felt her bed dip. It dipped again and again. She buried her past pain and smiled. This! This was worth it. This was worth all the pain. "Mom! Mom! Wake up! It's Christmas morning! We got presents!" Hazel lazily turned her face into the pillow. "Just 5 more minutes." Teddy fell onto his arms and crawled up to her head. "Come on, Mom. It's Christmas!" Hazel wrapped her arm around Teddy and pulled him into a hug. She sighed in content. "Christmas brought me a Teddy pillow. Must sleep. Five more minutes." Teddy whined playfully. "Mom, it's Christmas morning. You can sleep later. We got presents!" Hazel opened one of her eyes and looked at Teddy. "Presents?" Teddy grinned and giggled. "Presents!" Hazel released him and pulled herself up. "Ok, presents first, sleep later." Teddy shifted into his animagus form and ran circles around her feet until she carried herself over to the family room sofa. The Christmas tree had been one of the few things Teddy agreed to go out under the snow for, her brave boy refusing to back down even as she felt his feelings spike several times.
One long visit to a Tree farm and hundreds of pine trees later, they had finally found one Teddy had liked and would actually fit in the apartment. Hazel had to use a bit of the Confundus charm to assure the owner of the tree farm that they indeed arrived in a car and left with the tree on said car. She certainly didn't shrink it and carried it in her pocket as they apparated back to the Ministry. Hazel pulled Teddy into a warm hug afterwards and the two drank some hot chocolate, his lingering fears slowly melting away. They then went to a store that only sold Christmas ornaments and proceeded to buy the decorations. It had taken a bit of pressure on Croaker, but he readily admitted that the apartment could be adapted to run electricity. They just didn't do it unless asked. Hazel asked and in two days the apartment was sporting quite a few modern amenities, from a TV with a VCR to a food blender. The apartment eventually featured a Christmas tree with actual Christmas lights. They had pulled Dora in to help decorate, which made the witch smile. The three of them got it done with time to spare and spent the rest of the day swaping Christmas stories before Dora headed home, after promising to watch Teddy on Christmas Eve for a second. Andromeda hadn't minded that Dora spent about an hour with them before heading home.
Finally tired of running circles around Hazel's feet, Teddy shifted back and brought the presents onto the coffee table as a cup of coffee popped into existence in front of Hazel. "Thank you, Leafsby. You can show up for a second." The elf popped in and was startled when Hazel passed her a small present. "We know it's not Elf Custom, but we felt you deserved a gift. It's not clothes." The elf pulled the box open and stared at a glimmering crystal. "Where we came from we visited an island known as the Isle of the Blessed. Among the ruins we found this, which I remembered an old elf friend once told me about. If I am right, it's a crystal that elves use for special ceremonies. We thought you might like it." Leafsby held it to her chest, her ears fluttering as she nodded. "Leafsby knows of old crystals. Leafsby be honored for such a gift. Leafsby's Mistress and young Master are the best." The elf popped away to store her crystal as Teddy finished sorting the presents. Hazel placed a present in his lap. "You know the rule. Youngest first." Teddy ripped into his present, and smiled. "It's from Quetz. It's a Griffin's claw!" Hazel chuckled as her son eyed the immaculate white claw. If her son kept getting these he might just need a display case.
Hazel gave Teddy a mock frown when Dora sent him a lot of sweets. She might just need to tell off her partner. Or she could force Dora to babysit him on a sugar high. Hazel hummed to herself happily as she planned some revenge as Teddy opened his gift from Andromeda which made him squeal. Leave it to Medic to have a book specifically on Herbs and Potions. At least Hazel was sure her son would avoid Snape's more vicious nature. After a bit of cajoling and a promise to not overindulge on sweets, Hazel agreed to open her own presents. She was surprised to find a Basilisk Hide hair pin and tie from Quetz. Apparently it was what little remained in stock, practically worthless to the Division, so the woman repurposed it for Hazel to match her set. Hazel thought about the snake currently sleeping under Hogwarts. If things went bad then at least Quetz would have a decent supply of Basilisk Hide for the foreseeable future. She could also see the rest of the Department fighting over the carcass. Returning to her gifts, Horatio's was a particularly obscure book on Transfiguration and Conjuration. She would look into it. She hoped the old man enjoyed what she knew was a fine bottle of scotch and some new padded fighting gloves. His last right hook had left her jaw a bit scratched. Teddy giggled when he saw his mother had two more books which made Hazel pout.
The next book was from Croaker and it came with an interesting note. Don't make me regret this. She leafed through the book and grinned. A Druidic book on Blood Magic Curses and Witchcraft. She was definitely taking a closer look at it later. The last book had surprised her. Croaker must have screened it as it was from Bathilda Bagshot. She traced a hand over the Peverell family crest on it. She knew that Family Magic didn't exist here but it would be nice knowing about the people she called ancestors here. She would have to find a suitable gift for the old history professor. The second to last gift was from Dora and Hazel actually smiled. The vinyl disc of the Weird Sisters would probably sit on the shelf for a bit but the disc on Scottish Folk Music would see plenty of use. Teddy landed beside her. "This is from me!" Hazel opened the box and froze. "Where did you get this?" Teddy hugged his mother. "Croaker has a pensive that can be photographed. He took the memory from me and got it framed. Do you like it?" Hazel looked into the Wizarding Photo of the moment Hedwig landed on her arm in Diagon Alley. She hadn't remembered smiling at all at that moment. She hugged her son and kissed his hair. "I love it. Thank you, Teddy."
Her son beamed as she placed her present on his lap. He stared at the photo album and opened it. Inside were photos from their own world, with a few of Mama holding him at birth and Mama cooing over him while Grandma and Grandpa laughed. Mom looked so different in it, with her hair still raven black, her face looking so young. The last pages had photos of their new home, with a few from the Dragon Reserve and two from a few days back as they decorated the tree with Dora in the frame with them, probably taken by Leafsby. Hazel hugged her son. "I had this with me all the time. It started as a small book with photos of you, your mama and grandmother. As we spent time together, I got a bigger album and kept adding photos. I thought it was time for you to keep it. We will keep adding photos together as we go forward but I wanted you to have it with you from now on." Teddy teared up a bit and hugged his mother back. "I love it! Thank you, Mom." Hazel popped a disc of Christmas music on the record player as Leafsby brought out their breakfast. Hazel sat back and watched Teddy dig into his meal. There were no doubts in her mind now. Everything she did to get him here safely was worth it to just see her son smiling and talking about what other claws he could get for his collection. She prayed that he could be a kid for quite a while longer.
Notes:So, how was it? Everyone is settling in and Harry has an extra important present. And yes, the differences are again with Hazel having a Hogwarts looking closer to the first two movies while the NW being closer to Prisoner of Azkaban and so on.
Next Chapter?: Suiting up and A taste of the Job
Second Task is now complete. Just one chapter for the in between moments (which includes some unexpected worldbuilding), before I tackle the Third Task, followed by the Graveyard. The outlines for said Chapters and the aftermath are set. Can't wait to start them but sleep becons.
Leave a comment, discuss and see you all in three days.