Elysian Potter: The Forgotten Queen.
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, nor do I own the original idea for this story. All rights for the characters go to the magnificent J. K. Rowling and the original idea belongs to CharmedMilliE-Karry Master.
Note: For those reading on Fanfiction.net, the previous chapters have all been updated and changed so you may want to go back and reread the old chapters otherwise you'll be very confused.
Elysian's Theme Song: You Should See Me In A Crown, Billie Ellis – Castle, Hasley – The Devil Within, Digital Daggers – Don't Make Me, MALINDA
Chapter Twenty-Nine: A New Home
The Potters had to be present for the trial, or that was what Dumbledore had said when he arrived at Potter Manor the day after the break had begun. He was really putting it on thick: his eyes were twinkling; his grandfatherly act was working full force; his robes had been toned down and were all in soothing colours and he was smiling with way too many teeth to be natural. The Potters had to be present for the trial so they could pretend that it was James who had called this trial under the name Heir Gryffindor. It was a rather ingenious move.
One problem: Elysian had already sent a letter to Cornelius Fudge and Madam Bones – as Heiress Gryffindor – and informed that not only was she definitely a girl, she was also not a Potter. It was technically the truth as the Slytherin name outranked her Potter name so in any papers she signed, she had to sign them as Lady Elysian Potter-Slytherin for them to be legal. Made things easier when it came to signing things her family gave to her.
So yes, Dumbledore was the reason Elysian was sitting beside Lily and Harry in the over-crowded Wizmagots chamber while her Uncle/Godfather was sat in a chair in the centre of the room. Everyone was sure of his guilt, especially a woman in a pink cardigan so atrocious that even Dumbledore would call it too much. There was also a lot of whispering about the identity of Lady Slytherin and Heiress Gryffindor, people were constantly wondering why either of the founders would help a Death Eater.
Looking up, Elysian smirked as she saw Lucius – looking as superior as ever – sitting in the massive throne that was reserved for the Slytherin Lord/Lady. He sent her a secretive wink and turned to look towards Dumbledore, who was seething with every lookup as it seemed he had realised that he wouldn't be able to sit up there any time soon.
Cornelius stood up, his wand at his throat so that everyone could hear him, and Elysian immediately noticed a tiny beetle fluttering onto her shoulder. She knew this was Rita Skeeter, Narcissa and Lady Zabini had informed all of the children about the nosy reporter who was an illegal Animagus, and decided to allow miss Skeeter to hear everything her family was about to say when the truth was revealed. After all, what's bad for them is great for her.
"Esteemed Members of the Wizmagots! We are here today to give Lord Sirius Black the trial he had been denied those twelve years ago!" Cornelius was pale as a sheet as he spoke. "We will begin with Veritisirum, as protocol dictates, and move on from there!"
Sirius was practically glowing as Madam Bones administered the potion. His face then became very calm and Madam Bones placed the charm on him before stepping back to her podium so she could ask the questions. Dumbledore was very pale – he had managed to grab a glance at the questions on the sheet and was dreading the answers – and that meant both James and Lily were worried too – they did, after all, go along with everything Dumbledore had said without questioning the consequences.
"What is your name?" asked Madam Bones.
It was the usual control question.
"Lord Sirius Orin Black," his tone was completely flat and monotone.
"Tell us what happened on that Halloween Night, thirteen-years-ago."
"James had just called me, telling me that Peter Pettigrew had betrayed them and sold them out to You-Know-Who, who had attacked them. He told me that Harry had saved their lives but when I ask about Elysian he said 'the girl is fine too' before leaving. I wanted to punish Peter for his betrayal and tracked him down to a heavily populated area where Peter proceeded to cast 'Bombarda' at a pipeline before using the severing charm on his finger and transforming into his Animagus form and disappearing."
Everyone was silent as Sirius finished. No one dared make a sound until Madam Bones decided to scrap the questions and ask something completely off-script.
"What were you doing in Hogwarts?"
"After I got out of Azkaban, I saw a picture in the paper of a family of red-heads with a rat. The rat was missing its toe and I knew that this was Peter in his Animagus form. I wanted to protect Elysian and Harry from the traitor who had almost killed them once but I failed and he got away."
"You said Animagus, who else, other than Pettigrew is an Animagus as we only have you on file," asked Madam Bones.
"Myself, James Potter and Peter Pettigrew. We learned in third-year so we could help Remus during his shifts and keep him in control of his human side. Though James mostly did it to impress Lily."
James went bright red with rage as everyone turned to look at him. Sirius was slowly returning back to his senses just as Cornelius read the verdict.
"Lord Sirius Orin Black, you are hereby cleared of all charges! And will receive Ministry compensation for this transgression. Your wand will be returned to you and you will be free to return to normal society after you are checked over by a mind-healer."
Sirius stood up and was about to be escorted out when he turned and looked up towards Elysian.
"Before I go, Minister Fudge, I wonder if I may be able to do some business of my own. Just while we're all present that it."
"Of course," said Cornelius.
"Thank you. By the rights of Magic and my powers as a Godfather, I hereby judge James and Lily Potter nee Evans as unfit parents for one Heiress Elysian Potter Black and request judgment to place her within my care under terms of Neglect and Abuse."
Everyone was shocked into silence as both Sirius and Elysian glowed, showing that these allegations were true, before turning to look at Lily and James who cried out as they were branded for their crimes. Elysian was immediately stood up by the nearest Aurors and led towards Sirius, who was grinning like it was Yule. No one dared say anything as Sirius and Elysian were escorted out but Elysian had seen the beetle fly off her shoulder and knew things were about to change.
~EP~
Sirius led Elysian into his childhood home without a hint of hesitation. Once upon a time, he would have rather died then return to a place that reminded him so much of his old life, but now he would rather die than return to any place that could remind him of James and Lily Potter.
Grimmauld Place was almost completely clean, which was something neither Sirius nor Elysian expected. There was a picture frame just above the first flight of stairs which was covered by a large black curtain. The curtain seemed like it had just been closed, and probably in a rush too, as there was a tiny part of the picture still exposed.
"Sirius, what's under that curtain?" asked Elysian.
"My mother," said Sirius, with a grimace. "I should probably remove the curtain and apologise to her. She always told me James was bad news, I just thought it was because he was in Gryffindor and was dating Lily."
Elysian nodded and walked up to the curtain. She could feel a pair of eyes boring into the back of her head as she gently removed the curtain and was confronted with the stunning beauty that was Walburga Black. It took a few moments for the painting to realise that she had been uncovered and when she did, she was staring at Elysian with eyes full of shock, those eyes softened when Sirius appeared behind her.
"Hello mother," said Sirius, his entire body was tense as he expected her to yell at him.
"Sirius, my baby boy! It's been so long. I have missed you."
The voice that came out of the painting was nothing like what Sirius had expected. It was full of motherly love and deep-seated regret which was reflected in her eyes as she took in every detail about Sirius' appearance.
"You have? But-but you kicked me out, told me to never return until I revoked my friendship with James Potter," said Sirius, standing beside Elysian now.
"That wasn't me," said Walburga mournfully. "The day after you went to Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore visited us. He said he wanted to speak to me about you and your upbringing as well as possibly getting you a resort. As worried as I was that you weren't fitting in, I forgot to replace my protection ring and he managed to cast a few compulsion charms on me which remained even after my ring was back on my finger. I never hated you, my son, nor did I ever want to cast you out! The spells were broken after you were sent to Azkaban and I was left with memories of things I would never have done in my right mind. I am so sorry!"
Elysian didn't think she'd ever seen Sirius so happy after speaking with his mother. He was beaming a watery smile and was practically holding in the sobs that were threatening to emerge from his throat.
"And who are you, my dear?"
"My name is Elysian Potter... well, it's actually Elysian Slytherin-Potter-Black... I'm Sirius' Goddaughter."
"Your Lady Slytherin!" said Walburga, eyes widening in shock and awe. "But how? I thought the Dark Lord was the only Heir."
"He is," said Elysian, "But I gained the title through Right of Conquest."
"But that means Harry didn't defeat You-Know-Who," said Sirius, "you did."
Elysian nodded and rubbed the back of her neck with a timid smile. Both Walburga and Sirius just stared at her for a moment before Sirius began to speak once more.
"Well, that just confirms it! We need to find a way to destroy James, Lily and Dumbledore, for everything they've ever done to us. Question is, how?"
"What does everyone seek? Power? Youth? Beauty? Love? Once you know that, you can tell where their weak point is, and then you can exploit it!"
"That means we must Fight every battle, everywhere, always in our mind so that we cannot be surprised by what they do afterwards," said Sirius.
"You were listening!" cried Walburga with a proud smile.
"I always listened, mother," said Sirius. "I may have been a Gryffindor but that doesn't mean I don't know good advice when I hear it."
"Shall we begin planning then?" asked Elysian.
And so the planning began. Hogwarts wasn't going to know what hit them when Elysian returned. Things were going to change, for better or for worse depending on what side people fell on.
I have actually had time to write this chapterso I decided to post it early. The next chapter probably won't be for a while,most definitely will be on the 30th of this month at