Chapter Three, Familial Ties

The day after the Second Task an article came out in the Daily Prophet announcing that Khalida and Regulus were soulmates - without her, Regulus or her family's consent- along with the announcement that Crouch Sr had been murdered within Hogwarts grounds just mere hours after Sirius and Regulus had announced their threats - promises according to them - for all to read. The reporter of such an article was none other than Rita Skeeter, a vicious vulture-like reporter who was like a dog with a bone and had it out for the Potters after Monty had denied her from getting an interview at the start of the Tournament from Khalida.

Immediately Headmistress Minerva McGonagall gave her memories of the Second Task along with many other Professors and students to Madam Bones, ceasing all allegations towards Sirius and Regulus, expunging their record of anything to do with Crouch's murder. However, that didn't stop Monty, Sirius and Aziz from suing the Ministry, Skeeter and the Daily Prophet; especially when Minerva found out how she'd gotten that information for the article: she was an illegal and unregistered Animagus.

As the Potters had controlling shares within the Daily Prophet their lawsuit was applied to both Skeeter and the Editor in Chief Thomas Brown, meaning Monty was well within his rights to sack the pair of them for slandering an Heir and Heiress of Most Ancient and Noble Houses, a Lord of a Most Ancient and Noble House, as well as the Heiress being underage. While all this was happening in London as her family reshaped the Wizarding World, making it better for everyone, Khalida was lost in thought after completing her homework; remembering the time when she was five years old and Regulus was teaching her Seeker moves only to get the shock of his life.

~ Flashback: January 5th 1985 ~

Snow covered the immense grounds of Castle Black. Most within the castle were sound asleep recovering from the Yule Celebrations that Arcturus and Melania Black had held, except two who were bundled up against the cold and bitterly winds: Heir Regulus Black and, within his arms held tenderly, was five year old Heiress Khalida Potter who was drowsy from the Pain Potion her grandfather made to help with the pain but still she was unable to rest.

Wishing to aid his young friend, his young soulmate, Regulus had bundled them up in thick winter coats, hats, scarves and gloves over their pyjamas before they set off across the grounds that looked picturesque in the snow with the waning moon above them, heading for the Grimm Creature Sanctorum where all the creatures unable to cope with the cold British climate and the rescued creatures resided safe, behind the thick and impenetrable wards surrounding the vast grounds that was also shielded by a dense forest to the north and west. He knew how much Kali loved creatures and knew this would take her mind off of her pain while the potion did it's work.

"Where are we going, Reggie?" Khalida questioned, her words slightly blurred together from a mixed cocktail of the potion, pain and tiredness. Silver-grey eyes softened at the nickname bestowed upon him Regulus couldn't help but chuckle softly as he kissed her forehead.
"Look up Little Fox I'm sure you'll recognise where we're going." Regulus teased as the large awe inspiring domed glass structure came into view bringing forth an excitable gasp from the young Heiress. "Calm down." He chuckled. "I don't want to drop you in the snow and we're almost there."
"But if you dropped me then we could make snow angels, Reggie." Khalida pointed out with a cheeky smile causing Regulus to let out a barking laugh so similar to his brother's as they were both Natural Animagi.

They were the first in centuries within the Black family to bestow such a gift as their Father and Uncle Alphard were only partial Natural Animagi where the beasts had been awakened. Like their Father, Regulus was the second Death Omen known to Wizard kind: The Black Dog - which was a large black wolf with red eyes; whereas, Sirius took after their Uncle and became a Grimm which was a large black dog with either white or black eyes. Which was almost symbolic due to their association with the Potters who had Death Magick due to their ancestor Ignotus Peverell, but such magic had only become obvious in the last three generations: the Potter brothers Fleamont and Charlus, James and Khalida.

The moment they entered the sanctuary it was like all of Khalida's pain and worries had been left at the door as she gravitated towards the common area of the sanctuary where all creatures could be together if they so wished to be (there were wards set up so they could not attack each other). The moment she slowly eased herself onto the ground Ori the sandy coloured Niffler ran forwards, climbing into her lap letting out happy chirps and purrs as Khalida cuddled and kissed with the mischievous creature.

The cute but mischievous creature seems to be the starting point as Regulus seemed to have blinked before he found Khalida surrounded by creatures all happy to see her and vying for her attention taking her mind from the pain that wracked her body constantly. A satisfied smile stole across his lips as he conjured himself a comfy chair to wait; he was beyond pleased that his plan was working, he loved seeing that smile on Little Fox's face.

~ End of flashback ~

* * *

~ Flashback: August 2nd 1986 ~

Despite not being very high in the air, Regulus was still a little nervous and worried to take a newly six year old Khalida up into the air to teach her some Seeker moves; however, she seemed happier, freer up in the air and he knew then that she needed this after the bad attack this morning. He could see she was still stiff and in severe pain but she was happy.

"Reggie, watch this!" Khalida called excitedly, directing her broom to take her higher, despite his protests, before she suddenly turned setting off as fast as she could downwards. Lying flat on the broom handle, the wind whipping at her hair and clothes, she unconsciously fed her magic into the broom making it go faster while trying to catch up with the practice Snitch never once taking her eyes off of it.

Regulus and their family's cries - having been attracted by Regulus's desperate shouts - became a white noise in her ears, filtered out by the wind and her delighted giggles, when several feet from the hard ground she levelled out her broom with the Snitch fluttering uselessly in her small hand a triumphant smile upon her lips.

It was silent for all but a moment until Sirius, Regulus, Monty and Charlus's cries wrenched the air as they raced to the six year old praises falling from their lips as they hugged her tightly in relief. They had all but had a heart attack when they saw their tiny Little Fox performing the Wronski Feint upon a child's broom (which shouldn't have been possible).
"That was amazing, Jamie." Monty praised. Each mischievous troublemaking man in her life peppering her face with kisses. After getting over their shock Farrah, Remus, Dorea, Arthur and Caitrin joined the celebratory praises while simultaneously begging her to never do it again.

Farrah was secretly planning to write to the broom company and informing them of what has happened to ensure this doesn't happen again as it would've been a disaster if Regulus hadn't been there if anything had gone wrong. Shaking her head of such thoughts she kissed her Princess holding her extra tightly as if to reassure herself that her only Granddaughter was still with her, it was only Remus's voice that pulled her from her thoughts as she finally let her granddaughter go to her Godfathers.
"James would be so proud of you, Cub." Remus praised.

"He always said his Princess would be a Quidditch star." Sirius added, a mix of elation and fear still surging within him.
"You better watch out Regulus," Dorea teased, "otherwise you and Jamie may lose your spots as the best and renowned Quidditch Seekers of Hogwarts in your Years."
"There's no one better to lose it to." Regulus declared, earning a blinding smile from Khalida.

~ End of flashback ~

* * *

~ Flashback: Potter Manor, Yule Ball December 23rd 1987 ~

Khalida as Heiress to the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter and Heiress to the Most Regal and Most Ancient House of Peverell stood between her grandparents as they waited to welcome their guests for the Yule Ball they were hosting this year. Both Grandmother and Granddaughter were wearing complementary colours which were also matched with the colours of Yule. Farrah was wearing a beautiful sea green saree with golden metallic heels, a golden bindi, natural makeup and her hair half up- half down. Whereas, Khalida was wearing a black and gold saree with green and gold shoes, a red bindi and her hair matching her grandmother's.

At seven years old Khalida was itching to go play with her cousin Draco and their friends - Heiress Luna Lovegood who was a year younger at six years old (not that it mattered to them), her cousins Heiress Daphne and secondary Heiress Astoria Greengrass (who was a year younger than Luna at five) through their mother, Heir Neville Longbottom, Heiress Pansy Parkinson, Heiress Millicent Bulstrode who was also wearing a saree but in red, Heiress Tracey Davis who was wearing a kimono type dress, and finally Heirs Blaise Zabini and Theo Nott - but she would never embarrass her family or her Godfather's family like that.

Once all of the guests had arrived her Grandparents Farrah and Monty smiled so happily at her kissing her forehead and hugging her tightly.
"Well done my Little Princess." Farrah praised, bestowing her Granddaughter another kiss to the forehead beside the bindi. "You have done so well and behaved exceptionally much better than your father did, I suspect he got that from your Grandfather and Uncle Charlus while you got yours from me and your mother." She whispered conspicuously, smiling widely as Khalida giggled happily. She loved learning about her parents as well as being allowed to flourish and become her own person and not a copy of her parents.
"I heard that!" Fleamont grumbled, arms crossed over his chest with a scowl (a pout) on his face.

"You were meant to, dear." Farrah teased, kissing her husband's cheek causing the scowl (pout) to melt away.
"Here you go, Ellie." Monty said, handing over a potion as he knew she had been fighting through the pain to greet their guests and they hardly had a moment to pause in between greeting them.
"Thank you Grandpa." Khalida sighed in relief as the potion immediately started working. She loved how amazing her grandfather was at potions and duelling and loved learning from him equally as much.
"You're welcome. Go on, off you go. I'm sure your friends are eager to see you and we know how dramatic Pansy and Draco can be." Monty teased her, smiling as she happily took off down the hall to the smaller foyer that was set up for the children.

The moment Khalida pushed open the door multiple excitable yells wrenched the air almost sounding like an explosion as she was pulled into the room and hugged tightly being passed from one arm to another before she was back in her cousin Draco's arms for another hug.
"You only saw me the other day, Dragon." Khalida teased, but a happy smile was upon her face as she returned the hug whole heartedly.
"And that's much too long!" Draco declared dramatically. "Two whole days without you to fly with or play pranks with, I nearly died! Theo doesn't like to fly but loves reading and pranks whereas Blaise is the opposite and loves flying and flirting. My cousin is off limits to all of you!" He protested passionately to rounds of laughter.

"Does that include me when she is of age, dear nephew?" Regulus teased him as he entered the room.
"YES!!!" Multiple voices shouted at once.
"If you hurt my friend I will set the Bubbling Humdingers and Nargles on you, Regulus." Luna declared fiercely.
"I have a few dangerous plants in my Greenhouses at home we could also use if you hurt Khali." Neville added.
"And I'm sure we can come up with a plan to prank you mercilessly." Pansy declared strongly, glaring at the Black Heir who was her best friend's soulmate.
"I shall keep that in mind but I promise you all, I will never hurt Khali." Regulus assured them.
"Good." They stated decisively, before they changed the topic as they caught up on what they had all been doing since they last saw each other.

~ End of flashback ~

* * *

~ Flashback: Malfoy Manor, August 30th 1990 ~

Draco and Kali couldn't help but giggle as they waited for Sirius and Regulus' appearance so their prank could be enacted, as if realising they were giggling they quickly covered each other's mouth with their hands trying to stifle their laughs as they peered out through the travel cloaks contained within an ancient oak wardrobe in the foyer the door left slightly ajar so they could watch their prank unfold. As the pair would be attending Hogwarts the following year, they had decided to throw the biggest prank ever as their send off so to speak. So they had convinced Dobby to give Sirius and Regulus a glass of water laced with colour changing potions that would affect their hair.

After all they were both a Black and you didn't mess with a Black's hair. It was pure common knowledge but the troublesome twosome had decided it would be a perfect target for their pranks. As Sirius and Regulus walked past the mirror directly opposite the wardrobe Khali and Draco were hiding in both men caught sight of their once curly and lush black locks which were now luminous purple with sickly green spots and looked rather scraggly and let out the most high pitch scream that either ten year old had ever heard. At their scream and the running feet of Narcissa and Lucius, both Draco and Khalida lost their composure completely and collapsed in a heap at the bottom of the wardrobe laughing raucously with tears pouring down their cheeks while clutching their sides.

It didn't help matters that when Narcissa and Lucius arrived they stood there blinking owlishly at the pair before they too descended into deep uncontrollable laughter especially when the Black brothers had matching looks of horror on their faces as they stared at their reflection with mounting horror lifting each lock desperately as if that would make it return back to their jet black colour and healthy bouncy curls.
"Y-your faces!" Draco and Khalida gasped, tumbling from the wardrobe as they laughed deep belly laughs clutching their sides. "Oo-ooh that hu-hurts!" They gasped through their laughter.

"Did you two do this?" Sirius asked in a mix of horror and pride. Not able to speak, the two ten year olds just nodded their heads rapidly. "I'm so proud!" Sirius crowed, swooping down and bear hugging the pair. "But next time prank ol' Lucius or Regulus and not me, okay?" Sirius asked desperately, ignoring the indignation from his brother and Lucius just smiling happily at his Goddaughter and nephew's delight.

~ End of flashback ~

* * *

~ Flashback: Hogwarts Express, September 1st 1991 ~

Khali had just left her compartment with her friends to use the bathroom ignoring the looks directed at her while keeping her head held high despite the rising anxiety within her. She didn't want to have a meltdown in front of the student body and needed to escape to the bathroom as quickly as possible for some semblance of solitude. However, luck wasn't in her favour when she was stopped by an obnoxious redheaded boy in her year and a girl with brown bushy hair.
"You're Khalida Potter!!!" The redhead shouted, causing Khali to wince at the loud noise. "Wow! Do you have THE scar?! Can we see?! Oi, I said: can we see!?" He shouted when it seemed like Khalida either didn't hear him or wasn't listening.

"It's rude not to listen, you know!" The girl said snootily. "I've read all about you, you know."
"There all lies." Khalida refuted but that seemed to upset the girl as she glared at her and put her hands on her hips.
"How can they all be lies?! It's in a book!!"
"You both are being very rude, you know, that's not how you talk to someone." Khalida argued as calmly as she could, putting her Heiress lessons into effect and closing off all expressions as much as she could when she was seconds from a meltdown.
"Oh you're one of them!" The redhead spat in disgust. "An Heiress."
"Well yes. Merry Meet, I'm Heiress Khalida Eilonwy Jamie Potter. Heiress to -"
"Why must you introduce yourself like that!? It's very annoying." The girl argued.

"That's how you're supposed to introduce yourself, it's the proper introduction." Khalida informed them. She was feeling more and more anxious as they were attracting a crowd.
"RONALD!!!" Two voices shouted, from behind the boy and girl in front of her. Two identical redheads appeared with scowls on their faces which turned into glares directed at their brother and the girl when they noticed how uncomfortable Khalida was. "Did you seriously ask her that!! And have a go at her for the proper greeting!?" They asked incredulously.
"Oh go away Fred, George!" Ronald snapped, waving his hand at them.
"No!" The taller one argued. "I suggest you apologise, both of you to Heiress Potter, and go back to your compartment and stay there. Or we will write to Bill and Charlie." He insisted when it looked like he would argue further.

With a huff the pair stormed off stomping their feet petulantly.
"That does for all of you too!" The shorter but louder one shouted to the crowd which quickly dispersed. "We're sorry about that girl and our younger brother, Heiress Potter, he's been spoiled by our mother. Merry Meet I'm George."
"Merry Meet, I'm Fred." The taller boy introduced, the pair holding out their hands. Khalida assessed them for a moment before she smiled and shook their hands and what she said next shocked the pair but endeared her further to the twins who had already been taken in by her doe-like emerald eyes.

"No you're not. You're Fred," she said, pointing to the boy who had introduced himself as George. "And your George." She added pointing at the taller twin.
"How did you know?" They asked, shocked.
"There's little things." She confessed before introducing herself to the twins who made her feel calm much like her family did.
"If Ron or anyone else bothers you again, no matter what House you enter, let us know and we will prank them." Fred assured her, smiling widely that he and George had someone other than Bill and Charlie who could tell them apart.
"You like pranks?" Khalida asked, her eyes sparkling in joy. "What ones have you done? My cousin Draco and I love pranking our friends and my Godfather and soulmate."

"Do you now?" Fred asked intrigued, at that the trio shared all the pranks that they have pulled so far and even once they wished to in the near and far future.
"George, it looks like we have someone to join in on our pranks and perhaps make them better!" Fred crowed elated, physically vibrating on the spot.
"Fred, I was thinking exactly the same thing!" George confessed, a Cheshire Cat-like smile upon his face as they followed Khalida back to her compartment with her friends planning pranks for the remainder of the journey, even with some input from Draco and the others. From that moment on Fred and George had become a permanent fixture within her life and friend group.

~ End of flashback ~

* * *

"Kali, are you alright?" Luna asked, as she sat down beside her friend in front of the grand fireplace in the library section of the Ravenclaw common room. "Did the Nargles get you?"
"Oh, sorry Moon. No, I was lost in my memories. Don't worry they didn't get me." Khalida assured, accepting the hug from her eccentric friend. She absolutely adored Luna and refused to let anyone bully her or take any of her belongings and warded her trunk, bag and around her bed to avoid such a thing from happening after the first time in Luna's First Year, her Second Year. Luna was like her little sister and the pair were equally fiercely protective of each other.

"Good I'm glad." Luna sighed with relief. "I won't let anyone or anything hurt my big sister." Luna declared fiercely, her silver-blue eyes turning into shards of ice.
"And I won't let anyone or anything hurt my little sister." Khalid declared, grasping Luna's hand as Luna rested her head on her shoulder while Khalida rested her cheek on Luna's head. The pair sitting peacefully with each other and just soaking up the comfort and security the other so surely offered. They had been each other's lifeline for years and were most likely platonic soulmates given how at ease they always were with each other. They had a feeling the worst was still yet to come but for right now, they could just be sisters giving each other comfort they needed during this turbulent year.

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Author's note: DO NOT ask me to update!!!! There are other ways to say whether you liked this chapter or not!

Author Note 2: what should the Animagi and nicknames be for the following:

• Khalida needs an Animagi form as her nickname is Mischief.

• Fred needs an Animagi form as his nickname is Chaos.

• George needs an Animagi form as his nickname is Mayhem.

• Luna needs both a nickname and an Animagi form.

• Neville needs both a nickname and an Animagi form.

• Draco needs both a nickname and an Animagi form.