Chapter Text
POV-DOE
By mid August Doe had fixed her bracelet too and it was time to visit Diagon alley for the first time. She did visit leaky cauldron knowing that only 1 wall which had excitment carved into it had saperated her from those streets but she hadn't really been there. It was really her first time and she had to accept she was nervous. Harry had a reason - his popularity to worry about, but Doe had none of that. She wasn't supposed to be nervous.
'Nervous?' Harry asked sitting next to her. How did he know?
'Not much. Atleast not as much as you were' she said.
'It will be great. There is nothing for you to be worried about' he said casually.
He was right, but Doe felt something would be wrong. She didn't know what.
They apparated to the digon alley and it was brilliant. There were multiple shops offering everything. From cauldrons to brooms, from books to animals. Everything had its own store aligned on either side of a narrow streets. Excitement was in every wall here. They walked upto a marble building- Gringnotts.
'Okay, you guys can stay here, I'll the the money' dad said heading in.
'Dad, wait. May I join you? I'm curious to see what's inside' Doe requested.
Dad laughed, 'Ofcourse, you can come. It will be your vault one day'.
'Then I can come too?' Harry asked.
'Sure, Prongslet. Come on' dad called him over.
The three of them went inside. The old white building seemed to threaten them while they had secrets burried within. The goblin inside examined the key and took them to their vault.
The ride, as Doe thought, was epic. It was a small goblin driven cart, but it travelled in maximum speed over the train tracks, going through underground tunnels. As they stopped and landed infront of their vault, she turned to Harry who mirrored her excitement, meaning he had enjoyed the ride equally. When the goblin opened the vault, both their jaws dropped. They knew their family was rich- but seeing the vault - their vault- Inside were mounds of gold coins. Columns of silver. Heaps of little bronze Knuts.
They stepped in cautiously, the vault looked happy to have them there.
'Yes, I understand the surprise, kids. But one day this vault will be yours' dad said after seeing their faces.
'Dad, you never told us you were this rich' Harry said 'and Malfoy keeps braging about wealth in school'.
'Well, Malfoy's vault will have a little more than this' dad said 'and I never told you, we were rich because I thought you knew'.
'Because you never said no to us?' Doe asked thinking back. She couldn't remember any moment when she or Harry asked for something and dad had denied.
'Yeah,' dad replied walking upto them 'but the Malfoys have filled their vaults by keeping their hearts empty. Its pointless'.
'But we got both, right?' Harry said proudly.
'Yes, and Harry you can brag about this to Malfoy. And money? Combine the black family vault and this one, they won't stand a chance' Doe told him.
'You got the numbers right Doe, but you don't have to brag' dad told them, 'I never did... okay maybe I did strut a little, but never bragged'.
They nodded as they stepped out of the vault and it was closed again.
They enjoyed another round of roller coaster and exited.
'What did you guys see inside?' Padfoot asked.
'We saw our vault. We are really rich' Harry said in a shocked tone.
'You should have taken them to Black family vault' Padfoot said.
'We thought you hated your family' mum reminded him.
'Well, I hate them, but I definitely appreciate the money. Me and Reg have plans for that money, which they definitely won't like' Padfoot said already scheming.
'Anything to annoy them even in the afterlife' Regulus added.
They were walking to get their books in Flourish and botts when they met saw their friends.
'Harry!' Ron called out.
'Hello guys. Did you get your books?' Harry asked them.
'Not yet. Waiting for mum and Ginny' Fred said.
'They have went to get the money' George added.
'.....9 raids in one night. Unbelievable James' Mr weasley was saying.
'Thats a lot' dad responded seriously.
'Doe!' Ginny arrived.
'Hello dears, ready to get your items' Mrs weasley said behind her 'oh hello Lily dear.. I'm so glad shopping together.. there is so much to get'.
'Sure Molly let's go' mum went along.
'Come on' Doe signalled to Ginny.
The book shop was crowded.
'I think its better if only we go in.. there is too less space' Harry suggested.
They agreed.
So the adults stayed outside while only the students made their way inside. The place smelled of new books and information. There Doe saw the reason- Gilderoy Lockhart was there in the bookshop.
'Ah this explains the crowd' Doe thought loudly.
Since Doe had decided not to buy his books she went to the other section to buy the normal ones. When she and Ginny gathered those books, they distinctly heard Harry being noticed by Lockhart and when Doe looked up she saw them both take a picture together. She almost dropped her books unable to control her laughter.
He further handed Harry a free copy and announced that he would be teaching at Hogwarts.
She exchanged a look with Ginny, both equally horrified. Their first year- taught by this man.
They paid for their books and were about to leave when they saw Mr Malfoy along with Draco stop infront of Harry at the exit.
'Famous Harry Potter, Can't even go to a book store without making it to the front page' Draco commented.
'Its not like he wanted all of that' Ginny said coolly.
'Oh look Potter, you got yourself a girlfriend' Droco told Harry.
While Ginny turned red, Doe had a hard time controlling her laughter. Ginny glared at her. Taking the hint, Doe stepped forward.
'You must be Draco Malfoy. I'm Harry's sister, Diana' she said.
Draco was surprised at first. He looked at her cautiously and finally extended his hand - 'Guess you have better sense than your brother' he said.
Doe didn't refuse the handshake rather more determined about house unity.
'Guess you have better hope' she replied.
'Okay guys, let's go' Mr weasley said as he came up behind them.
'Well, well, well- Arthur Weasley' Lucius Malfoy spoke up. Doe scanned him.
'Lucius' Mr Weasley said in acknowledgement.
'Busy time at the ministry, I heard,' said Mr Malfoy. 'All those raids...I hope they are paying you overtime?'.
He reached into Ginny's cauldron and extracted a old copy of A Beginner’s Guide to Transfiguration.
'Obviously not', he said 'dear me, what's the use of being a disgrace to the name of wizard if they don't even pay you well for it?'.
'We have a very different idea of what disgraces the name of wizard, Malfoy' Mr weasley responded.
'Clearly' Mr Malfoy said dropping Ginny's book back in her cauldron. Doe sensed a shift in magic but it did not last long. She must have assumed it.
'Lucius!' Padfoot called out, his voice teasing.
Doe tried to hide her smirk. This would be interesting.
Padfoot threw an arm around Mr Malfoy and led him into the streets outside, followed by the others.
'Long time my man. How is Cissy?' He asked as they walked, 'Haven't seen her in a while'.
'She is good' Mr Malfoy said clearly not wanting to be a part of this conversation, 'I never recall a time you being this close to your family Sirius'.
'Oh we were quite close. Trust me' Regulus interrupted with the same idea as Padfoot.
'What a surprise, Narcissa, never spoke of you' he said trying to, unsuccessfully, get away.
'Ofcourse she won't. Why would she recall cousin secrets infront of her husband?' Padfoot questioned. 'But you don't have to mind. You are also one of the men who had to deal with women from the Black family'.
'We are the experts here. We know our dear cousin' Regulus said with a hint of mischief.
'Hey guys- oh Lucius, how wonderful to see you' dad joined in.
'I do appreciate your collective hospitality' Mr Malfoy said, 'but I have business to attend to so I'll shall take my leave... Draco come on'.
Padfoot now turned to Draco who was walking next to Harry,
'Oh hello Draco, I haven't introduced myself to you yet, have I? I'm your uncle Sirius and this is your uncle Regulus. You can ask your mum about us. Bet she got some good stories'.
'Um...sure. I will' Draco said before running to his father and they both left.
'You good Arthur?' Dad turned to him, 'you looked ready to punch him so we had to take him away'.
'I'm good, don't worry. And is this a new way to prevent fights?' He asked.
'Well, we learnt too much hospitality makes a person equally uncomfortable' Moony answered, 'and it doesn't cause a scene'.
'That was truly brilliant' Mrs weasley complimented, 'never actually fight again Arthur, I'm warning you'.
Behind them, Ginny turned to them and asked 'that was fun, but was it right? They deserved much worse right?'.
'They did' Doe replied, 'but it wasn't the right time or place for that'.
As they walked through the streets Doe bought everything necessary. At last it was her turn to get her own wand. She had been waiting for this. She knew borrowed wands didn't work as well as the wand that chose her.
She entered Ollivanders and saw an old man sitting at the counter. The shop seemed to invite her in.
'Here to get your new wand, Ms Potter?' He asked her kindly.
'Yes. I'm starting Hogwarts this year' she responded not even trying to hide her excitement.
He smiled at her as he went and took out one of the wands from from the shelves.
'Try this' he said handing her a wand.
She gave it a wave and nothing happened. He took it back muttering 'no, no, not this' and returned with another.
She ended up trying 4 wands and he brought out the 5th one with a skeptical look on his face-
'Rowan wood, 12 1/4 inches, try this' he said with a serious expression.
Doe was surprised as he did not mention the wand core like he did with the others.
She gave it a wave and nothing happened for a heartbeat. She started to feel the warmth spread slowly in her hand. It had chose her and it was so beautiful, she could have cried out of joy.
Ollivander’s pale eyes lingered on the wand a moment longer than usual.
'Thestral hair,' he murmured. 'They are loyal… but only to those who have seen enough' Mr ollivander said as he wore a surprised expression and continued 'An unusual wand. It listens before it acts. Miss Potter, you will find that it will not obey you unless you are honest with it'.
'Mr Ollivander, you speak as if Wands have personalities. What decides it?' She asked him.
'Well, a wand's personality depends on its material, core and its choice- and the witch’s silences,' he added 'Wands learn those too'.
Doe did not understand his words completely, maybe in future, but now nothing clicked.
She paid him and exited the shop with her new wand.
'Ah took you long enough to find the perfect wand!' Her dad said cheerfully.
'Which is?' Mum asked curious.
'Oh right. 12 1/4 inches. Rowan wood. Thestral hair core. Mr Ollivander said something about this being unusual and demanding honesty' she answered.
That sentence still did not feel right. Why would someone lie to their wand?
'It suits you... just respect it' Moony adviced. She nodded.
'Its perfect for you Doe' mum said, words heavy.
Padfoot had a more dramatic reaction, 'A wand that listens to you! It loves you already'.
'It did choose wisely' Regulus agreed.
'Sure it did' dad said, 'take care of it like the witch you are'. Doe nodded.
'Let's get going, the Weasleys must be waiting' mum reminded.
They met them and got ice creams together. The spent the afternoon talking things over and by the time they bid farewell, Doe was tired.
The returned home, all tired enough to fall asleep.
'We will get going then' Padfoot said.
'Stay for dinner pads' dad asked.
'Can't. Kreacher would have prepared it anyway' he replied.
With that Moony, padfoot and Regulus left to Grimmauld place.
'Okay kids, come have dinner and you could go to bed' mum called.
'Is it necessary mum?' Doe said wanting to sleep.
'Yes it is. How would you survive Hogwarts if you don't eat or sleep?' Mum asked.
'Magic Ofcourse' Doe said dryly.
During dinner she remembered about the magic shift that she had sensed in Flourish and botts.
'Did any of you notice anything odd at the bookshop?'she asked.
'At the bookshop? No, why?' Dad asked his spoon in midair.
'I sensed magic...shift. briefly' she said in confusion.
'Maybe your senses are sharper than ours, Doe. Shops like that have all sorts of enchantments. it’s easy for a kid with a curious mind to notice things adults overlook' mum said.
'Maybe...or maybe not' Doe said.
That night, Doe couldn't stop thinking about it. What if it was dark magic? Doe didn't know much about it but she knew exactly where to find out more.
The next day she asked her parents if she could visit Grimmauld place.
'All of a sudden? Doe you haven't been there since you were 6' mum said.
'Well I do want to visit it' Doe requested.
'Fine, you can go...I can't stop you anyway' mum gave in.
Dad apparated both of them to the old house. It looked like it could do with a renovation. They entered the place- the walls looked closely and the floors creaked, almost unwelcoming.
'Okay Doe, Moony will be at home, I and Pads have some work. Let him know when you are ready to leave. He will take you back to Potter Manor' dad told her.
She agreed and saw them leave.
'Moony, can I see the library?' She asked, voice polite.
He looked up from his work, surprised- 'you can, but Don't go in too deep' he warned. She agreed and left.
As she climbed the stairs creaked at every step, the house told her to leave.
She stopped, closed her eyes and listened properly.
Another creak, and the curtain covering a potrait fell open and Doe heard a woman- 'Who is there? Who dare enter the noble house of Black?'
She went to close the curtain and the woman in the potrait started yelling.
'Scums-blood traitors- disgrace to the wizarding world-'.
'Please stop. Don't you realise, you loose respect if you scream like this?' Doe asked calmly.
The woman fell silent, almost shocked.
'Who are you?' She said finally.
'Diana Potter' Doe replied, still calm.
'You filthy blood traitor, how dare you enter the noble and ancient house of Black-' she started again but Doe interrupted-
'Ancient? How old is this house?'.
'The ancient and noble house of Black was built back in 14th century, by my noble ancestors, devoted to the culture-' the woman answered but Doe interrupted again.
'Its fine then. I live in a Manor built in 12th century and I haven't destroyed it. And this house looks...tired' she said.
'How dare you- you filthy blood traitor- disgrace to wizarding world-' she started again.
'Now I see why they keep you covered' Doe said and closed to curtains. Her voice was muffled.
She turned around to see Moony, standing in the doorway, smiling at her.
'Did I disturb your work? I didn't mean to-' she began but he cut her off.
'You were the first one to make her have a normal conversation since a decade' he said, 'that is Wulburga Black. Mother of Sirius and Regulus. She thinks pure blood witches and wizards are supreme. Thought Voldemort was right. Ever since she passed away, the portrait kept screaming at everyone- until today'.
'I was curious, that's all' she responded.
'You have the right to be' he smiled and went back to his work.
Doe processed the house. It was almost 6 centuries old. She placed a hand on the wall saying 'you are old and tired, right?' She asked.
The house hummed faintly in agreement.
'Its okay...I believe you are strong' she said to the walls.
The house nudged her towards the library now. She got the permission. She walked upstairs, the stairs had stopped creaking now.
She pushed open the library doors, and it looked dusty. It made sense, if it was filled with books about dark magic, no one in this house would want to read anything from here.
There were tall shelves loaded with books. She went through few of them but found nothing in it.
'Which book would tell me about magic shifting briefly?' She wondered aloud-
THUD. Silence.
One of the book fell off the shelf. She picked it up. It was about cursed objects.
Going through it, she found a variety of cursed objects but none of those were in the book shop. Some of these would be big and visible. Some other lost and never found.
She came across cursed books. It could be a possibility which Doe did not want to consider. She always believed books, filled with knowledge were sacred and cannot be cursed. Now she was reading about cursed books and was forced to believe.
“The most dangerous cursed objects do not announce themselves as dark. They behave like confidants.”
She did not wanted to believe that books could be cursed and how that was the only item that could be hidden well in a book shop. So she went through the whole book again trying to see another possibility, but none occurred. Annoyed Doe closed the book and returned.
Downstairs Doe saw a room that she had not noticed before. Inside the walls were painted - The Black family tree.
She read the title - 'the noble and the most ancient family of Blacks - Tojurs Pur'. It sounded like something the Black family would have.
'Oh you are here' Moony said as he entered, 'Padfoot and Prongs have come back'.
'Oh right. Let's go then' she said and left.
Downstairs she saw dad and Padfoot talking.
'Ready to go?' Dad asked.
'Yes. But a question, Padfoot, why is that room left unused?' She asked.
'The room with the family tree' Moony specified.
'We don't like seeing the family tree' Padfoot replied factually.
'Then you can paint over it' Doe suggested.
'You know, we never considered it' Regulus came in.
'I think the house will be happy with a little renovation, right?' She asked.
The house walls hummed faintly in agreement.
'Talking to walls now?' Dad asked.
'They respond if you listen closely' she adviced. The house agreed.
Regulus, smirked. 'You’ve always had a knack for noticing the little things'.
Sirius leaned back in his chair, grinning. 'That’s our Doe. One day, that ‘little knack’ might save someone’s life'.
Doe left the place, happily, knowing one thing for sure - houses behave like systems, they can accept you or reject you.