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Once Unrestrained: A Tale of a Forgotten Heiress and a Heavily Underestimated Heir

Summary:

Evelyn's summer after 4th year takes an unexpected turn when Gellert Grindelwald shows up at her dingy orphanage claiming to be her grandfather, and a goblin from Gringotts casually mentions a twin brother she didn't know she had, someone whose magic has been blocked, unbeknownst to him, and is set to die before their seventeenth birthday.

Harry's summer after 4th year hasn't been great. Being told to trust the adults while being shut in Privet Drive has done it for him. He's got no information, and no reason to think anyone even cares about him except his supportive godfather, so he's done playing puppet, and meeting an odd grandfather-granddaughter pair at Diagon Alley changes everything.

Notes:

NOTE: I have NOT planned any ships to appear early in the story, so every relationship will be a very, very slow burn. I'm the type of author who goes plot first, romance later. So if you're coming in this fic hoping to enjoy some romance, I'm just informing you that this fic is predominantly plot-driven and character-driven, not ship-driven.

I am planning for this to be a long-term fic.

No intentional bashing unless it's explicitly stated in the tags.

Updates can be super fast, normal, or slow, it depends on my schedule. I usually write more on holidays and less on school days.

Happy reading! I hope you enjoy my fic!

Chapter Text

Evelyn was just an unremarkable orphan who lived in a normal orphanage, and she attended a random boarding school called Hogwarts in the school year. That's what the kids said about her.

She was just there in the common areas when she needed to be. No one saw her otherwise. When she was younger, some older kids would want to 'talk' to her. Those 'talks' usually ended with Evelyn having to get a bandage somewhere

She never even flinched at her environment, and after she came back from her new school, she was even 'worse'. She had learnt to ignore everyone now, walking around in a slightly 'noble' and aloof way, even towards the Matron, who was good for nothing anyways.

It's been three years since she went to her boarding school. She came back for summer earlier this year, and someone said a senior from her school died in some competition. She had always been in the orphanage, but no one really cared about her.

So when a relative came to talk to her it was shocking, to say the least.

Everyone watched the Matron call Evelyn in a rather condescending manner, while Evelyn simply walked past, impassive, to the waiting area.

When Evelyn walked in the waiting area, there was an old man with expensive looking clothes on and some sort of robe.

"Hadn't the times for wearing capes died out when you were a child, old man?", Evelyn asked, with a slight tilt of her head.

The old man looked at her with glass-green eyes, and he was startled. "I didn't expect you to look so much like-"

"Like who?"

"Never mind that. Your mother looked similiar to you. Anyway, this, lady, is the most modern fashion in our area of Britain, or so I've been informed."

"You've been informed incorrectly." Evelyn said, looking at the man curiously with her brilliant green eyes. "Why is there a triangle with two Gs on the hem of your cape?"

"I'm surprised you noticed. Much like your grandfather, are you?"

"You knew my grandfather?" Evelyn's eyes widened, she glanced at the door and upon confirming the Matron was not there, added, "You're a wizard too, aren't you? That's Grindelwald's sigil."

"I am a wizard, yes." The man took a step forward and said, "I am Gellert Grindelwald, the-."

"The most infamous dark wizard of the 20th century." Evelyn said, crossing her arms and taking a seat. "What, come to kill off a Slytherin mudblood? Disgrace of Slytherin house? Go ahead."

"I am not here to harm you, my dear. It has come to my notice that you are the daughter of my long-lost daughter, hence, my granddaughter and my heir."

Evelyn blinked. "What the fuck?"

"Language, Evelyn. As I was saying, your other grandfather has kept many secrets from me. However, you are my granddaughter."

"You're a nutcase." Evelyn said, getting up. "I'll be leaving, and awaiting news of your deportion to Azkaban."

"Now, there's a Locking charm on the door, and if I'm right, your wand is in your trunk."

Evelyn just smiled, and said, "I don't need a wand. Alohomora."

The door opened, but before she could grab the handle, Grindelwald locked the door again.

"Look, we can play this game all day, or we could figure out what's happened. I, personally, want to find out how the existence of your mother was unknown to me for so long. You must have doubts, nothing a Line Test won't fix."

"So, you expect me to leave the orphanage, come with you to a fancy house, live as your pureblood heir, learn knowledge from you and be your granddaughter?"

"Well, hopefully. I'm not going to make it easy on you." Grindelwald said, looking at his granddaughter properly. Perhaps her intelligence was far from who she reminded him of.

"Obviously yes. No way am I staying here another second." Evelyn said, unlocking the door. "May I go get my things, grandfather dearest?" she said, in a high-pitched voice.

"Certainly."

Chapter 2

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

After Evelyn was done packing her things, she left the orphanage without even a glance at anyone. She returned just in time to see Grindelwald curse a boy a little older than her, whom she recognized, into not being able to talk.

"What's going on here, grandfather?" She smiled, and laid the word 'grandfather' a little too sweetly.

"This boy here was gloating about giving you a nice kick to the stomach when you were younger." Evelyn's face turned blank of thought, as if she was resetting, and Grindelwald's eyes darkened. "We protect our own, Evelyn."

"Alright. Don't make it permanent." She said, softly, "Dave wants to be a musician when he grows up." Dave looked at her with surprise, but Evelyn was still looking at some space, as if he was not there.

"Alright then, boy." Grindelwald undid the spell, and the boy ran away. "I didn't realize you cared about the Muggles."

"I had to, for eleven years. Didn't have magic back then. Also, the bit of wandless magic I did back there, will that be recorded on the Trace?"

"No, you're with me, of course it won't. The trace doesn't activate around me."

"Good." So as long as I'm near Grindelwald, I can do magic.

"All done with your packing?"

"Yes."

"Alright, hold on to my arm. Not very pleasant, the first time."

They apparated to a big manor with iron gates. A house elf appeared, taking Evelyn's things and disappeared with a loud crack.

"Welcome to Grindelwald Manor. Shall I show you around?"

Evelyn was surprised to see a different color scheme from her Slytherin friends' homes, which were usually silver, green and grey. Here, the walls were white and the furniture was navy blue or wood brown. "I didn't expect something so colorful in a dark lord's house."

Grindelwald snorted, "That dark lord running about's changed all the worldview of dark wizards. Some of us have a life outside our agenda. Anyways, I wanted to show you something. I don't doubt it, but let's see if you've inherited some family traits."

After a delicious lunch (Evelyn did not eat much of it) Grindelwald took her to the library. He showed her some books. "Read these, if you will. They explain the duties and privileges of the Grindelwald heir. I'll pick you up this evening, around six." Evelyn simply nodded, and after Grindelwald apparated out of the library she cast a Summarium charm and sat down on a comfortable sofa, which allowed her to get the important parts of the books.

She found out that the Grindelwald family usually had heirs who found wandless magic easier than magic with a wand. Well, that explained a lot. Especially her mishaps of previous years until Draco gifted her a Beginner's Guide to Wandless Magic Vol 1.

She then found a tapestry of the Grindelwald line on a wall in the library, magically maintained. After Gellert Grindelwald, there was nothing.

If it's magically maintained, why isn't my mother's name there at least?

"Because Miss Grindelwald never knew her heritage." a small house elf was cleaning the fireplace in the room. "She never went to get a Line Test, so the magic never claimed her. But once Miss Evelyn takes her Line test, we will finally know Miss Grindelwald's identity."

"How do you know what I was thinking?" Evelyn said, curiously.

"Vael has been through many decades, Miss Evelyn. There is only so much one can think when faced with the absence of their parents on their magical family tree." Vael gave a toothy smile and apparated with a loud crack.

At 5 minutes to six, after some exploring, Evelyn found herself in a child's room. The walls were bright pink, and some of the Tales of Beedle the Bard were depicted, especially the Three Brothers story, but also muggle stories on one end of the room, like Cinderella. (Once the Slytherins found out their fellow housemate didn't have any knowledge of their favorite magical childhood stories, they made sure she was well-informed.)

"This had been the greatest mystery of my own house to me." Grindelwald said quietly, entering the room after her.

"At least thirty-five years ago, the house created this room, surely for your mother. The room did not change as she aged, since only the owner of the room may change it. I suspect the muggle stories indicate she was raised among Muggles." He looked at Evelyn, attentively listening. "There are two other rooms that were added fifteen years ago. One of them is surely yours, and the other one is your twin's." Evelyn looked surprised at this, when Grindelwald closed the door of the room, which had a label.

____ Grindelwald.

"Because I never got to name her." when Evelyn enquired about the blank single name. "She will be referred to as Miss Grindelwald by the family magic for the rest of time, even if she used another name, unless her heirs want to legally name her."

"But I don't know who she was."

"Hopefully we'll know today." Grindelwald said, taking Evelyn to the manor's front gate.

Evelyn looked at the corridor once more before leaving, the blank space evidently on her mind. "Grandfather, if a Line Test was required, surely my mother would be in your line if she was daughter?"

"Unfortunately, a Line Test can only show you your ancestors unless the heir admits to being your heir. The Grindelwald family magic is quite liberal, in that sense, compared to, say the Blacks, or the Malfoys. If you want no part or know nothing about it, it will leave you. However, I found you solely through the muggle blood registry, and a Muggle Healer said you were my biological granddaughter. I confirmed it when you entered the blood wards of your mother's room. Your mother was never entered in these banks, which suggests a muggle family took her in. I had hoped- " Grindelwald stopped here, calling for Vael. "I was hoping I'd find both my grandchildren in the registry but it is no matter. Your Line Test will reveal him."

"Him?" Evelyn asked, "How do you know it's a him?"

Grindelwald just smiled, and said, "His room has a lot of blue and boyish clothes in the cupboard. They're quite excellently fit and designed impeccably." a dark look in Grindelwald's eyes flickered, as if he knew what that meant. He had seen the clothes appear throughout the years, all fit for a thin boy with a most fashionable sense. The house wasn't adjusting for preference, it never did that.

"Lord Grindelwald, Miss Grindelwald." A muggle chauffeur said, bowing. "Where do you want to go?"

"London, in the alley we usually go to, Mr. Richmond."

"Certainly, sir."

"Is this the way to the bank, grandfather?" Evelyn said, once they were in the car.

"Yes." Grindelwald said, sitting back. Mr. Richmond looked confused and started to say, "But sir, there's no-"

"I said yes, Mr. Richmond. Don't contradict me in front of my granddaughter."

"Apologies sir, I was just confused."

"You certainly were. Go on."

Notes:

Alright, we're off to Gringotts now!

And I'm off to my math preparation for exams T-T

Chapter Text

Gringotts Bank was as imposing as the first time he'd been here.

That's what Harry was thinking. Yes, Harry Potter, the Boy who Lived, etc, etc. Dressed in one of Dudley's ugly hand-me-downs, on the entrance of Gringotts Bank.

He had run away from No 4, Privet Drive, once it was clear no one cared about him, and once Vernon had done something Harry could never forget. Anyways, he hadn't received any letter this summer. To clear the obvious guards set by Dumbledore, he had set fire to one of Aunt Petunia's beloved curtains, so whoever guarded him would focus on the fire and saving the lives of whoever involved, rather than the boy exiting safely with his trunk and owl with a quick Alohomora. Let people think the guard had done it.

He had taken the Knight Bus to go to Diagon Alley, and he knew the first thing he'd need is money.

He took a deep breath, and entered the white marbled hall.

"I have come to withdraw money from my vault." Harry said, to the goblin in the middle.

"Key?"

Harry blinked. "My key is with Dumbledore."

"Well, no key, no vault, as they say, and you've got nerve, imitating to be Harry Potter."

"I am Harry Potter, you can't check with those- blood tests?" Harry shuddered, remembering the last time someone took his blood. Cedric-

"Goblins do not like spilling unnecessary blood, Mr. Potter, especially one's who has seen death too early." The goblin said, gently. "We can do a Line Test, it will reveal all your family members, traits and all. I have also been waiting to update you with your financial transactions and heirlooms removal."

"Removal?" Harry said, incredulously. "I haven't approved that! I-I'll do the Line Test."

"I thought so, Mr. Potter. Right this way." The goblin let Harry into a private room. "I will need to scan your magic, Mr. Potter."

"Do whatever you like." Harry said, sitting down on the bench.

The goblin murmured some things in a language Harry didn't know, and looking very concerned at the sentences in the air, said, "Mr. Potter, I am concerned. Your family magics are impeccably blocked and rigging magic like this to such an extent..." The goblin shuddered. "Someone wants you dead."

"A lot of people do." Harry said, unflinching.

"Let me rephrase that. This curse has been on you for a very long time, leaving you no access to your true potential and blocking off the magic- let me just show you. Interprete"

To Harry's shock, the gibberish turned into clear, readable English.

Name: Harry James Potter
Family magics: Potter (by blood), ~~~~~~~~(by blood), Black (by name)

Status: Blocked.
Parents: James Charlus Potter (Deceased), Lily Evans – ~~~~~~~~ (Deceased)
Grandparents: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (Alive), ~~~~~~~~~~~~ (Alive), Deceased Potters.
Foreign magic:
– Identity blocker (since birth)
– Family Magic Blocked (since age 2)
– Compulsion charms (since age 11)
– Identity eraser (since age 11)
– Loyalty potion (since age 11)
– Tracker (since age 12)
– Numbness charm (since age 14)

Other relatives - ~~~~~~ (sister)

"I- who did all that?" Harry asked, confused, "And why does it say I have a sister? And my grandparents are alive? I thought my aunt was the only family member I had left." Harry couldn't understand why he'd been left with the Dursleys if he had other relatives.

"What is more concerning, Mr. Potter, are the usage of these certain spells with the same magical signature. This is highly illegal, and I hope you have some idea of any wizard who had access to you at such times. These spells, especially the blockers, require a great power and a lot of time."

Harry's heart sank. Since birth meant someone his parents trusted indefinitely, but in Hogwarts? It had to be someone he knew himself, and he could only think of one person able to...

"Can you get them out of me? The spells?"

Chapter Text

"Diagon Alley really is different when you don't have to come with Matron." Evelyn said, as the designer took her measurements. "And if my brother already has clothes, why didn't magic make me any?"

"You never needed clothes." Grindelwald said, holding a copy of the Prophet over his disguise.

"So what?" Evelyn said, tying up her auburn hair with a worn-out black muggle hair tie. "Well, I've never even seen my room, perhaps something is in there for me." She raised her voice when she saw the designer's curious look. "My parents are renovating it." The designer just smiled at her, and said "I'm sure it'll be lovely, Miss. Now, would you like a red dress or a golden dress? I think gold would suit your hair." She held a piece of fabric next to Evelyn's hair. "Your eyes though- I'd say emerald would go just as well."

Evelyn laughed politely, and said, "Slytherins have enough emerald things."

"I suppose." The designer said, voice subdued. Evelyn gave a fake wide smile and looked at her grandfather as if to say, 'Seriously?' and he just gave her a pointed, amused look.

"Black and hints of gold will do, Madame Thorne. Make sure I can get designs added by a more respectable tailor, if you mean to mock my innocent granddaughter." He said, getting up from the sofa. "She requires a new set of school robes, Hogwarts, obviously. Add black fingerless gloves, size M, with a suitable design, preferably Selwyn's, and do you know where we can get her a new set of hair ties?"

"My hair ties are the best, Gellert." Grindelwald just smiled, as she added "Hers look like they came from a beaten up doll. I'll fix your collection, dear." Madame Thorne took her old hair ties with an Accio charm, leaving Evelyn's hair loose as the hair tie vanished, and the door opened to admit someone Evelyn could not see, but Grindelwald was seated with the Prophet again.

"Madame Thorne?" A familiar voice called out, as Evelyn looked back to see Narcissa and Draco Malfoy waiting for the tailor.

"Draco! Good evening, Ms Malfoy." Evelyn said, going up to them. Grindelwald just followed, reapplying his disguise.

"Hello, Miss-?"

"Evelyn, mother, this is Evelyn." Draco said, looking at Evelyn curiously. "I've never seen you with your hair open, Evelyn. And who is this?"

"Oh, my family found me this summer." Evelyn said, smiling, "This is my grandfather."

"Pleasure to meet you, sir." The boy said, while Grindelwald could barely control his glare at Draco.

"You aren't from the Sacred Twenty Eight." Narcissa said, looking at Draco confused. Draco looked at Evelyn, silently asking her to explain. Evelyn looked at her grandfather.

"We are from a reputed pure blood family, however, due to some circumstances in the war, the Sacred Twenty Eight neglected to add our family name in the list."

"Oh really? What is your family's name then?" Narcissa asked, as if she was certain he was lying. Grindelwald gave a short look at Evelyn when he realized they hadn't discussed whether her heirship should be public, but that was fixed soon.

"Evelyn Grindelwald." Evelyn enjoyed seeing their barely veiled shock on their face, Narcissa going pale and Draco's eyebrows raising.

"Now, how did that happen?" Draco asked, intrigued. Evelyn just gave him an innocent smile.

"Grindelwald is dead." Narcissa said, eyes furious. "Such a falsehood cannot be tolerated. Madame Thorne, see them out."

Madame Thorne returned with the hair ties, carefully selecting a black one with gold stitching before tying Evelyn's hair herself. "Ms. Malfoy, I cannot see out one of my earliest customers on your word. Gellert, would you like anything? A cufflink, with your symbol?"

"Thank you, Madame Thorne." Grindelwald said, as Madame Thorne smiled and went back to the parlour.

"I'll see you at Hogwarts, Draco." Evelyn said, collecting her clothes and her pair of gloves, while keeping a box for the hair ties.

"I'm certain this year will be... interesting." Draco said, wishing her farewell as Evelyn left the shop.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mr. Richmond took the bags with a bit of confusion.
"Sir, there are no shopping complexes here."

"Richmond, Richmond. Just take it home."

Evelyn simply smiled as the muggle man drove off in their car. "To Gringotts now?"

"Yes Evelyn, to Gringotts."

As they entered the bank, Grindelwald's disguise melted off, but the goblins didn't even blink. "They remain neutral, Evelyn. They don't care who the wizard is."

They walked up to the main goblin and Grindelwald said, "Ragnok. I want a Line Test from Mavrek."

"Mavrek is busy. Someone else came for a Line Test this morning with all sorts of complications. He's just ironing them out."

"Complications?" Grindelwald's eyebrows raised, intrigued. "That's something I've never heard of. Anyways, if Mavrek isn't free, we'll just do a Line Test with you, Ragnok. Come along, Evelyn."

"Actually, the boy is unconscious right now, so if you may, come with me, Lord Grindelwald." A goblin said, coming into the hall while removing the blood smear on his wrist as Evelyn straightened her back and looked pointedly away from the sleeve.

"Is it painful?" Evelyn asked, hoping her voice was still.

"Not at all, Miss Grindelwald. The boy is just... confidential information, but he's a special case."

"I see." Grindelwald said, walking after the goblin in the room.

"If you will sit down, Miss Grindelwald. Don't look at the enclosure on the side, it's not important." Evelyn's eyes fell on a warded enclosure. "Removal of years worth of spells. Nasty work."

Mavrek started placing the runes and the registry scrolls, and murmured stuff in a language unknown to Evelyn. She held her breath, waiting.

"Strange. How strange." The goblin murmured. A golden thread-like light shot out, as Evelyn's hand raised on it's own, calling for something, someone .
It leapt to life, as the people in the room watched it, darting to the enclosure as a red light emerged from it, rushing to it's golden twin. Then the connected shattered before they met.

"What," Grindelwald said, eyes widening in horror, "Is going on?!"

"It is grim, Mr. Grindelwald." Mavrek looked at Evelyn before saying, "Someone has heavily edited your information and put you and your twin's magical bond in a volatile state. It is rare, but at this stage, unheard of." He took a breath before saying,

"The wards are recognising Ms. Grindelwald as two different people."

Chapter 5

Notes:

My math exam went well :D

Here's chapter 5!

Chapter Text

Almost two hours later, Grindelwald looked almost menacing.

"Mavrek, my respect for you is the only reason I haven't taken my granddaughter away from this godforsaken room. Why the fuck are the wards holding her?"

"Lord Grindelwald, the wards are rewriting her lineage to prevent excessive damage from the extreme forgery. But what happened earlier... Would you like to visit the boy her magic recognized?"

"The boy with red magic? No thank you, red magic holders are heavily unstable." However, Grindelwald couldn't help but feel a prick of pride when he thought about Evelyn's golden magic- one of the strongest tiers.

"The boy had his magic blocked. We are keeping him under observation, for now. Do we have your consent to run some tests? The magical recognition earlier... is too strange for us to resist." Mavrek held out a form. "You won't know the boy's identity until you and your granddaughter consent, the boy doesn't have a guardian so he doesn't need a guardian's signature." He explained upon seeing Grindelwald's frown on the blank name. "It's the same for Ms. Grindelwald, the boy just regained consciousness and is being asked the same question, with the same limits."

"What of my granddaughter's situation?" Grindelwald asked, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"She... hasn't regained consciousness. Our best team are at work, removing the blockers."

Grindelwald shoulders tensed, "What do you mean... blockers? Aren't those illegal by now?"

"Her magical core has been extensively blocked, although thankfully with distance from the caster and as she ages, they have shrunk as her core grows. Unfortunately, we also found many other charms added to the mix - memory charms, concealment charms, you know the like. Someone wanted her to remain silent, weak, complacent and no one the wiser. I'd like to say I haven't seen a similiar case, but I got one just this morning."

"No. Someone's manipulating children as if they're prisoners in Azkaban?" Grindelwald's jaw clenched.

Such charms were only reserved for the maniacs who didn't have a Kiss in their sentence.

"When were the charms placed?" Grindelwald said, already formulating plans. Could a wizard have visited her before, in her orphanage? What about a foster parent? The Matron had said Evelyn had been placed until there were too many accidents. Hogwarts? When his daughter passed away or left her?

"When she was two years old." Mavrek said, as if something was deeply troubling him. No way. Someone could cause permanant damage, having such charms on such a young age even with perfect conditions.

And from what he'd heard of the incidents in his granddaughter's orphanage...

Grindelwald closed his eyes against the onslaught of rage he was feeling.

"Mavrek, I know that look. Something's bigger here. What do you know?"

"I know," Mavrek said, "that the boy was placed in very similar conditions. I'll need you to sign the form if you want our study to reach further."

"Before I sign this form." Grindelwald said, cautiously, "I want full confirmation that no further harm shall reach my granddaughter from this bank. The moment anything seems untoward, pull her out.And an exact report, to the letter, do you understand?"

"Yes sir."

Grindelwald didn't waste a second.

Chapter Text

--5 days later...--

Harry awoke with a gasp, trembling with pure hyperactivity. He felt alert in a way he hadn't been in months, no in years.

As he rubbed his eyes, he found himself in a small enclosure, with a bench and several strange spells. He was disoriented, as if his mind and magic were finally reuniting but also failing to keep his slow physical state stable.

It was a huge drain.

He didn't know much. He didn't know so much. How did people expect him to fight that- that Dark Lord?

But he knew something.

He had to get to the pull.

A tugging sensation called. Risk. Hurt.

He rested his hand on the doorframe, clearly the goblins hadn't noticed he was awake.

There was an enclosure right next door.

Here. The voice said. Safe.

To Harry's astonishment, a girl was on the bench, sleeping soundly as all sorts of magical hues could be seen operating on her.

He felt the uncomfortable prickling sensation on his mind as if he had seen her before when he saw her carefully. Pale skin, auburn hair, a simple black dress with black boots on the corner of the berth, as if someone had carefully removed them before settling her down.

Oh.

This was the Slytherin girl, wasn't it? The muggleborn Slytherin who was Malfoy's best friend but had never actually antagonized or even crossed paths with them before. She preferred to go elsewhere when Malfoy was being... Malfoy. He'd even seen her arguing with him some times after their quarrels.

To his shock, the girl woke up in a similar gasp, almost breathless, before her green eyes found his own matching pair.

"You." She said, almost in surprise, but as if she wouldn't expect anyone else in his place. "Can you hear it too?"

"Hear what?" Harry asked, though he thought he knew what she was talking about.

Reunited at last.

---------------------------------------------------------
Grindelwald finally understood what had happened.

Looking at the almost identical results for the Line Test, he realized that he apparently did find both his grandchildren in the same day.

He also realized that someone had found them first.

It was too much of a coincidence. The boy's mother's entire lineage was wiped out in favour of a muggle line called the Evans, and Evelyn's parent's lineages were wiped out entirely, replaced by fake placeholders. No wonder the wards recognised her as two different people. It was a miracle both Lines were finally reset after five days.

The Evans must be the family that took his daughter in. They seemed to be kind to his daughter.
Not to his grandson. Grindelwald scowled, if the potions administered for Hadrian's untreated wounds even made sense to a Mungo's trainee he'd be surprised.

He twirled his wand around. Damned muggles. His grandson was apparently supposed to be the Boy who Lived, so why hadn't anyone, hell even Dumbledore made sure he was living that life safely?

He closed his eyes, revisiting the memory when the Lines were finally clear.

Lily. The name given to his daughter. The girl he'd never known.

His grandchildren, Hadrian and Evelyn, would never want a thing after this. He'd make sure of it, remembering the clothes in the boy's room, as if he never had clothes that fit. The simple, but fancy items in the girl's, as if she thought she had everything she needed except what she wanted- someone to truly care about her.

"Lord Grindelwald, they're awake and currently speaking to each other." A junior goblin said, nervously.

"I thought I told you I'd address them before they met." Grindelwald responded, standing up.

"Well, actually... Hadrian woke up and went to Evelyn's room, as if in a trance."

Intriguing.
Had they inherited the Grindelwald twin bond? It hadn't been seen since 1843, when the last pair of twins died during the Stature.

"Sir, the girl is asking for you."

"Yes, tell Evelyn I'll be there and let Hadrian stay. I'll talk to them."

---------------------------------------------------------------

"Your grandfather will be here soon, Ms. Grindelwald."

"Grindelwald?" Harry exclaimed in surprise. "I thought you were muggle-born."

"I thought so, too." Evelyn laughed, not realizing why she was suddenly so exhilarated, dizzy and eager to talk to Harry, as if making up for lost time. "But bloody Grindelwald comes to my orphanage this summer, scares the shit off Matron, says he's my grandfather, and off, I'm now Evelyn Grindelwald." she giggled, still confused at her overexcited state. Harry seemed to be in a similar condition.

"Sounds hilarious." Harry said, laughing. "So what, am I visiting Dark Lord no. 2?"

"Oh, be serious, Harry." The first name rolling off her tongue as if it had always been there. "He's my grandfather, and he's very prim and proper, Voldemort's nothing compared to him!"

Then Evelyn looked keenly at Harry, like a child and says, "What about the Headmaster's Golden Boy? Aren't you supposed to be with the muggles?"

Harry's face darkened. "I, I don't think Dumbledore is helping me." He said this as if it was a huge weight lifted from his shoulders.

"Oh." Evelyn said, almost regaining her composure. "That's the first time you've said your doubts aloud, right?"

"Mhm." Harry said.

"Well, I've always thought your relatives are awful. I mean, my upbringing was definitely much better, at least I didn't have hand-me-downs. Even Draco said something was wrong, y'know?"

"You didn't have hand-me-downs?"

"Nope."

"But don't kids without parents all get hand-me-downs?"

"No, Harry. Even the rougher orphans have their own stuff." Evelyn looked positively troubled by this. "Surely your relatives aren't so horrible? I mean, hitting's pretty common." Both the teens flinched. "But we all had our own stuff at the end of the day."

"I'm glad I ran away." Harry said, firmly. "I'm learning way more this way."

"I'm glad you ran away before they did something more harmful to you too." The strange bond between them pulsed, as if it agreed.

"Harry?"

"Yes?"

"We can't ignore this-" Evelyn waved her hand between them, "connection for so long. What do you think it is?"

"I know what it is." Grindelwald said, entering the room. Harry looked almost as if he didn't know how to react. He settled to focus on Evelyn.

"Hadrian. Look at me."

Harry looked at Grindelwald with surprise, his magic reacting with relief. Safe.

"I have something to discuss with you two. Hadrian, do you know of a Lily? Lily, as in, your mother."

"Uh- yes? She was my mother. Why are you calling me Hadrian?" Harry and Evelyn looked at each other.

"The goblins encountered a few... anomalies when working with the two of you. It has been rectified. I think I'll just let Mavrek show you the final results, your true Line."

Mavrek walked in, holding a clipboard. "It has been found that Ms Lily Potter was done a grave injustice during her short life. She was, in the truest sense of a word, failed by the legal proceedings, and she never knew her true identity. She was the daughter of Gellert Grindelwald, and an unnamed man, who Lord Grindelwald does not wish to disclose to you two for now."

Harry and Evelyn's eyes widened.

"This evidently means that Gellert Grindelwald is the grandfather of Hadrian and Evelyn Potter, and while Hadrian rose to fame for defeating the Dark Lord as the Boy who Lived, Evelyn was hidden by her family and consequently after their deaths and relocation, forgotten by all else and placed in an abusive orphanage close to Godric's Hollow."

Evelyn took a deep breath in recognition, while Harry glanced at her with worry. Grindelwald gripped the bedside rail tightly, his knuckles going white.

"The Gringotts Bank are investigating into who caused this unforgivable oversight of Lily Potter's identity, and we ask for forgiveness from the Grindelwald family."

----------------------------------------------------

Grindelwald naturally refused.

He was enraged, enraged at him for leaving Lily on her own, enraged at the world for leaving Evelyn behind, enraged at his daughter's adoptive sister for her cruel treatment of Hadrian.

So he told the goblins to find a way to do a ReSorting for Hadrian and Evelyn's year, because like hell he'd leave them both alone after such a massive reveal in identity. Both had protested, but seen reason after he silenced them.

Perhaps, since their year had grown since eleven, their friends would join them in whatever House the Sorting Hat placed them in. Merlin knew no previous Grindelwald cared about the House. He himself was a Ravenclaw, while his mother was a Hufflepuff and father was a Slytherin.

"Grandfather." Evelyn said, taking Grindelwald out of his thoughts. They were eating dinner, him at the head of the table and the twins sitting together on one side, Hadrian looking intently. "Hadrian and I, we'd like to know how you're going to convince Dumbledore to ReSort our whole year. He's..." Evelyn glanced at her brother. "Unpredictable."

"I will tell you both. Let me make a Floo-Call." He casually threw Floo powder in a small flame next to the dining table, reserved for calls. "Dolores Umbridge. It's Grindelwald. Time for me to call in that favour." The woman on the other end gave a squeak, as if she had been hoping he'd forgotten. Grindelwald made the Floo Call silent, as if he didn't want to hear her excuses. "You're going to be the High Inquistor of Hogwarts when you go for teaching Defence, correct? Yes I know. I want you to order a ReSorting of Harry Potter's year. Yes, I do. Just tell them Fudge thinks Dumbledore messed it up so Harry could have his friends or something, you know he's incompetent. Yes, I expect it to be done." He reversed the spell.

"Well, I suppose I can manipulate certain things in your favour, Lord Grindelwald. I'll- ehm- I'll try to convince our Minister."

"Good."

Chapter 7: Chapter 7 Part 1

Notes:

Finished this at 2a.m. First time I'm going this late to bed without exams. This fic seems to be growing on me.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

A week later, the Grindelwalds had successfully settled into a routine of their own. Basically, they did as they liked, the twins sometimes did their homework, and they all ate together at mealtimes.

One afternoon, Grindelwald had been re-reading one of his books on magical cores when Evelyn burst into the room, dragging Hadrian with her. "Grandfather, Harry's still wearing those hand-me-downs!"

Grindelwald lowered the book, and taking a look at his grandson, yes, he was wearing a tattered grey shirt at least five sizes too big for him, while his granddaughter had quickly adjusted to her new and appropriate wardrobe. "Hadrian, I'm certain your room provided you with clothes." Harry's face flushed, and he mumbled something.

"What was that?"

"They're... too nice." Harry whispered, "I'm- I'm worried I'll tear them." He looked at the holes in his shirt's hem.

"Didn't you say Dudley was the one who tore them?" Evelyn said, as if she'd been in this conversation before.

"Well, I don't think it matters." Harry said, slightly firmly. Evelyn blinked. "Hey-"

"Hadrian, Evelyn. I had intended to speak about this at lunch, but this will do." Evelyn and Harry stopped bickering, listening intently to their grandfather.

"The Ministry has approved my ReSorting idea, naturally." Harry coughed a bit at that, "But you both will have to act clueless. I want intel," Grindelwald stated, his eyes darkening to a deeper green, "about who changed your lineages. I suspect it is someone from Dumbledore's side, or maybe even Dumbledore himself. That means no public interaction at school. Evelyn," Grindelwald made eye contact with his suddenly quiet granddaughter, face impassive, "You are to act as my sole heir, until it is safe to reveal Harry's identity."

"That means more hiding." Harry stated, sounding resigned.

"I would wish you both could be together in your presentation, but it is too risky. I only hope you both go to the safe House upon ReSorting. Evelyn," Grindelwald frowned, "Umbridge is a very stupid, cold, and evil woman. But she will suck up to you, being publicly known as my granddaughter. You must protect Hadrian, silently but surely, as people will get suspicious if the Grindelwalds appear to be taking a stand."

Evelyn just smirked, "I understand, Grandfather."

"Grindel- Grandfather." Harry corrected, stammering, "Is there anything you want me to do?"

"I want you to keep quiet." Harry flinched, and Evelyn almost glared at her grandfather before she went still, fists clenched, head bowed down. "Not like a puppet, Hadrian. I want you to observe. Observe the faculty, observe the students, even your rivals, observe Dumbledore. Make connections, especially to other children. But, do not, and I repeat, do not be self-sacrificing." Grindelwald gave Harry a very stern look, "The moment it looks like they're on to you, come home through the emergency Portkey."

Grindelwald had given the twins each a matching necklace which was actually a Portkey to Grindelwald Manor.

"Also... Dumbledore has discovered you are not in Surrey, and is currently assigning his Order to look for you."

"Classic." Evelyn murmured in a dark tone, scoffing. "Is Hadrian supposed to go back to those animals?"

"No, Evelyn." Evelyn blinked, refocusing. "I will never let Hadrian go back to your adoptive aunt. We will just send a letter to Dumbledore, saying that since the Dementor attack made his muggle relatives feel unsafe, ever since their son went into a permanent unconscious state-"

"What do you mean, Dementor attack?" Harry asked, worried. "Was anyone-"

"Except your cousin, everyone's good."

Notes:

OK OK OK- I'm sorry for the cliffhanger (ig its a cliffhanger? It'll be resolved in part 2, like I intended it to be.) and I will be posting part 2 of chapter 7 ASAP! Goodnight

Chapter 8: Chapter 7 Part 2

Chapter Text

"What do you mean, Dementor attack?" Harry asked, worried. "Was anyone-"

"Except your cousin, everyone's good."

Harry's face went white and he whispered, "My aunt and uncle must be furious at me-"

"Harry." Evelyn said, gripping his hands, "It's not your fault. Anyways, we should see what we have to do, now that the Headmaster knows you're not at your relative's place."

"Like I was suggesting. We write him a letter from Petunia Dursley, saying that during the fire, and the tragic fate of her son, Harry ran away to goodness knows where and that she's asked the muggle police to look for him."

"My aunt wouldn't do that." Harry warned.

"Does Dumbledore care? I don't think so, otherwise you could've easily been placed with the Child Protection Auror services of Hogwarts against abuse long ago. It's applicable to anyone, not just students. You and Evelyn both fit the category. I suspect there's a lot less kids there than there should be."

"What of the orphanage?" Evelyn said in a slightly London accent, looking directly at Grindelwald. "My orphanage. Did the damn Matron snitch?"

"No." Grindelwald said, "She's perfectly happy pretending you don't exist."

"Typical." Evelyn said, closing her eyes.

"Anyways, what now? You both do know I usually go to the Weasley's by now, right?" Evelyn and Grindelwald looked at him with confusion, Evelyn especially, before she took a breath, and said, "How did you expect us to know that?" in the same London accent as before.

Grindelwald pinched the bridge of his nose. "Hadrian will have to go. It'll be unusual, that he says he's happy to be at the Dursley's place."

Evelyn blinked, but then said in her normal tone, "Can't he just say he left? He's emancipated, isn't he?"

Grindelwald and Hadrian looked at her in surprise.

"Well, yes, he's emancipated! Grandfather, I thought you knew. The Goblet of Fire automatically has to consider him a legal adult to participate. The teachers had to give consent, and Draco certainly knew, he wouldn't shut up for weeks about how bloody Potter became an adult before him. And since Dumbledore said the blood wards would only hold till Harry turns 17 or is considered a legal adult." Evelyn laid emphasis on 'legal', " Harry should be allowed wherever he wants. Actually, he can just go tomorrow and claim the Potter seat, unless the magic recognises me as the older, Potter heir instead of our maternal lordship, which is Grindelwald. Draco explained it the Malfoy way, not the Potter one."

Grindelwald looked at Evelyn oddly. "The other day, you were requesting me to explain your heirship, but I suppose you've already understood it from Heir Malfoy. However, it is done very, very differently from old blood supremacist families by the Grindelwald family. Regardless of whether the magic is maternal or paternal, all the children can be considered for any seat they are related to. It was a way to stop inter family politics, as I'm sure you've seen from the Black family. There is also the option of joint heirship, in the very special case of twins." Harry and Evelyn took in a breath.

"So, officially, Harry and I are Heir and Heiress Potter and Grindelwald?" Evelyn asked, confused.

"Yes, you will be termed so. If you both so choose to hold one seat each, that is also acceptable. The magic will respond to both of you as if you are the same person."

"I think we can have this conversation again when I'm a legal adult too, Grandfather." Evelyn said, the London accent returning. "We better figure out what we'll be doing about Hadrian going to the Weasleys."

"Yes, but for now... We must go to Diagon Alley." Grindelwald got up from his chair, casting a glamour on Harry so Harry's scar was gone, his hair replaced by auburn curls, similar to Evelyn and his eyes were just the lighter shade of emerald. He handed them two letters from Hogwarts. Noticing the twins tense, he said, "The Hogwarts registry blurs the address to students from anyone who isn't the student themself. It's a privacy precaution."

Evelyn and Harry nodded.

"Richmond! Where is that daft Muggle?" Grindelwald called, heading out of the parlour, while Evelyn and Harry snickered behind him, not able to help themselves at their grandfather's confusion. Turns out they had pranked Richmond earlier...

Chapter 9: Chapter 8

Chapter Text

~~Diagon Alley~~

Hadrian and Evelyn were now surrounded by people. Grindelwald had kept a tight grip on their letters, just letting them see they had arrived.

Apparently a surprise was in order.

"Harry, do you think you got Prefect or something?" Evelyn whispered to Harry, cautious no one heard them. "He looks mad. And proud. But mostly mad."

"I don't know, he didn't even let us compare our letters! Just snatched them like a-"

"Be careful, I can hear you both." Evelyn and Hadrian immediately shut up.

A few shops later, Grindelwald decided to get Evelyn an owl, in case she couldn't access Hedwig. He went on his own, but before that-

"Now, the two of you. Keep an eye out. Hadrian, don't remove the glamour, even if the Minister for Magic comes. You two are just two teenagers here for shopping. Your father is in the Bookshop next door, and he left you at the ice cream parlour. That should be enough for anyone who asks."

"What if my friends come?" Evelyn said, "They know me and they know I don't have a father anymore."

"My glamour is much younger than me." Grindelwald frowned. "They're purebloods, they won't judge. Just say you're with your cousin. And Hadrian, make sure your sister doesn't start talking to that Malfoy boy."

Evelyn looked offended, and Harry looked amused. "Why is that? Draco's my best friend!"

"That's the problem." Grindelwald muttered, and walked to the owl shop.

Evelyn started sputtering, "It-it's not like THAT!" while Harry tried to control his laughter.

Then it was as if cold ice was pressed on their backs.

"If only Harry would stay put, he'd be much safer."
"He said that he was still being a crybaby about his relatives last summer too. How annoying."

They knew those voices.

Harry knew them too well.
They turned around to see Mrs. Weasley talking to Ginny and Ron Weasley ranting off to one of the twins. The twins didn't seem to be paying attention, and were rushing towards a joke shop.

Suddenly alarmed, Harry looked at Evelyn as he felt the bond magic pulse.

Something's wrong.

Evelyn was taking deep breaths, as if she couldn't hold it, her eyes widened and she simply said while walking, "How fucking DARE YOU!"

Ron looked around, surprised and clearly wanting to see the drama before being brutally punched across the face. A very bewildered and stunned Ron coughed blood. Mrs Weasley shrieked, immediately rushing over to Ron with a healing charm, as Harry quickly rushed over to Evelyn with urgency, looping his arms around hers and holding her back as she kept panting while shaking her head.

"How dare you speak about him like that! Once I'm done with you, your own mother won't recognise you, you filthy, filthy whining brat!" Evelyn cursed, "Let me go, 'drian! LET ME GO!"

"Evelyn, calm down! EVELYN!" Harry cried, shaking her.

Evelyn blinked. "Oh, why are you holding me, Ha-?" She saw the crowd as if for the first time. "Let me go, I'm not a child." The crowd looked on in surprise and belwilderment as the girl looked at the boy she had just slapped and cursed at with indifference.

"What happened to Weasley?" Evelyn said, confused. "Let me take a look, my friend's taught me some healing spells-"

"GET THE FUCK AWAY FROM HIM!" Ginny cried out, "You just threatened to beat him up and you expect us to let you NEAR HIM?"

Evelyn blinked, before straightening her back and saying in a London accent, "Apologies, I was mistaken."

"Mistaken?" Ginny said, hysterical, "Mistaken?! Aren't you Malfoy's girlfriend?"

Evelyn blinked, before saying in her normal tone, "No, what-"

"I KNEW IT! YOU JUST WANTED TO CREATE TROUBLE, DIDN'T YOU?!" The crowd was whispering in a very hushed tone.

Evelyn looked potentially terrified now, glancing at the glamoured Harry, before he stepped in.

"I'm sorry for my cousin. I hope your brother is alright. We didn't mean to cause him harm-." He said, worried about his friend, and also his sister.

Why didn't she know what she had just done?

"Shut it!" Ginny said, helping Ron up. "You're lucky the twins aren't here."

"What is going on here?" A familiar voice rang out, coming from the crowd. He was carrying a birdcage with a snowy owl in it, a glamour that looked like Harry's, but the twins would know him anywhere.

"Gran- Uncle!" Evelyn cried, running to him, Harry following close behind. "They're accusing me of hitting their brother. I don't know what happened, truly, I don't! I just blanked out, and woke up to Ha- cousin shaking me awake."

"A likely story." Ginny scoffed, but Mrs Weasley looked worried.

"What are you all doing, watching us? Get lost. Scram!" The crowd dispersed as Grindelwald told them to, leaving Mrs Weasley, Ginny, Ron, Harry, Evelyn and Grindelwald himself at the gates of the parlour. "Now, Evelyn." Grindelwald asked, softly, "What happened?"

"I don't know." Evelyn said, with the wide eyes of a deer caught in the headlights. "One minute, I was hearing them talk badly about their own best friend, the next, there's an ache in my knuckles like someone brutally punched my hand against a brick wall, and my head along with it" Evelyn winced as her headache flared "and he was holding me back from something." Evelyn was visibly freaked out, and Harry went to hold her hand in support.

"Someone's got anger issues then?" Ginny said, angrily, hands shaking as she watched her brother getting healed by her mother, "Stop trying to play pretend! You're just a family of no-good Slytherins! Hold up, aren't you the muggleborn orphan? Muggleborns are usually nice! Don't you have any decency? You don't even act like an orphan! Your parents would be ashamed of you! Don't you have any shame, acting as if him talking about Harry worries you? What about the rest of the year? Or did you decide to become Harry's girlfriend because Malfoy rejected you-"

"That's enough, Ginny." Harry snapped. "She's clearly frightened, and she wasn't even acting like herself earlier. How about you stop acting like a blood supremacist, saying that just because someone's a muggleborn means they can't ever be what they like."

"And I'm not just a useless orphan." Evelyn said, London accent returning, standing up. "Or even someone who wants to adhere to your expectations, so how about you shut up and go hand-me-down shopping with your brothers? We won't bother you again." And she walked out, dragging Harry with her as Grindelwald followed behind his grandchildren, his surprise for them spoilt by a misunderstanding teenager.

The owl was screeching as he gave it to Evelyn. Evelyn's eyes were red-rimmed, and she just said softly, "I want to go home."

Chapter 10: Chapter 9

Chapter Text

--Grindelwald Manor--(The living room/parlour)

"Evelyn, I can have a doctor look into it-"

"It's fine." Evelyn said, in her normal accent. "I don't need a doctor. Anyways, what was your surprise for us?"

Grindelwald gave the twins their letters. "You may open them."

Harry opened his letter and scanned through his booklist. There was a notice not to buy anything House-related for now. Grindelwald just smiled when he saw that.

Evelyn opened her letter, seeing she had received her booklist, a package and a similar notice.

"What's in this?" Evelyn said, shaking the package. Harry's eyes widened, "I've seen that badge on Percy Weasley. You're a Prefect!"

Evelyn blinked, "Shouldn't they assign Prefects after the Re-Sorting- oh, here's a notice from Professor McGonagall."

"Read it out, Evelyn." Grindelwald said, with a rare smile.

"Miss Carter," Evelyn scowled as she read out the surname the orphanage had assigned to her, "It is our delight to inform you that you are one of the four Interim Prefects. You are not to inform anyone other than a fellow Interim Prefect about this, but the Ministry has demanded a Resorting of Year Five of Hogwarts, namely your year, under what they deem as 'valid concerns'. If you do get Resorted in a different House than Slytherin, that House's girl Prefect will be made deputy or revoked, depending on your choice.

The Interim Prefects of the Fifth Year of Hogwarts are:

Evelyn Carter

Hermione Granger

Draco Malfoy

Ron Weasley

We look forward to seeing you in Hogwarts. Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress."

Evelyn then frowned, reading the list again. "How is Ron Weasley an Interim Prefect? Even Longbottom had better grades than him."

Harry looked downcast, before Grindelwald simply patted his back. "Dumbledore's meddling. He wants Hadrian jealous and his friend delighted. It's of no matter. If Harry gets Resorted into a House other than Gryffindor, he'll be the obvious choice. There's no one else." At this, Harry just smiled at his grandfather.

"Thank you, Grandfather."

Grindelwald froze.

It was the first time Harry had clearly called him that without stuttering.

"Anyways," Evelyn said, "Who thought assigning Slinkhard's copies was a good idea?" Then her London accent came out, "I've heard they only focus on theory, what a bore."

Harry and Grindelwald looked at each other, clearly noticing the accent change.

"Did you say Slinkhard?" Grindelwald said, horrified, "Slinkhard's a useless old fool who wouldn't know the stunning charm if he ever saw it."

Evelyn and Harry looked alarmed, less at what Grindelwald was saying, but more as how he was saying it.

"What? Your grandfather can't always be proper, at least, in front of you both." The twins began laughing, as Grindelwald smiled.

Looks like they needed the joke.

An eagle owl then swooped, a letter attached to its leg, and Evelyn got up from her chair. "Heidi! Is this for me?"

The eagle owl perched on the window looked glad to see Evelyn, hooting and sticking out its leg. "It's from Draco!" Evelyn exclaimed.

Harry gave her a look like isn't that obvious? while Evelyn glared at him.

"I don't see Malfoy naming his owl something that isn't a constellation or some Malfoy-thing." Harry said, coming closer to the owl while Evelyn read Draco's letter.

"That's because he didn't name it." Evelyn paused, reading the letter in the light. "He's terrible at names." Evelyn dismissed, "I named Heidi, first year."

Grindelwald looked at Evelyn oddly, "Why the name - Heidi? Is it the muggle tale?"

"Yes, it's a muggle tale. She's the main character of a story I liked back then." Evelyn smiled. "She was also my favorite." Evelyn paused, grinning before ducking her face.

"Anyways, what did Malfoy say?" Harry said suspiciously, "It's obvious his owl is waiting for your response."

"And Heidi will be getting it." Evelyn hushed Harry, taking out parchment and a quill from the desk. " Dear Draco, I hope you are doing well! I received the letter just a few moments ago..." She mumbled while drafting her letter.

Harry looked back at the owl, but its eyes were narrowed at Harry in such a Malfoy way he couldn't help but snort.

Thinking about his sister's letter, he couldn't wait for the shock on everyone's face on the 1st of September.

Chapter 11: Chapter 10

Chapter Text

~~31st August, night~~
~~Grindelwald Manor Backyard~~

"Don't worry about Dumbledore, Harry. Grandfather already sent Sirius Black a notice saying a policeman found out how you were being treated at the Dursleys and took you in as witness protection. You just have to say you lived there with the policeman, so all Dumbledore might do is read your mind." Evelyn watched as her rock skidded perfectly through the water.

"Have you forgotten something, Evelyn? I don't know how to block my mind!" Harry exclaimed, throwing a rock in the lake. It sank.

"Which is why I've arranged for these." Grindelwald came outside, holding two packages. "'A Beginner's Guide to Occlumency.' Hadrian, you'll have to disguise it, Evelyn, no one will dare to read your mind, being my granddaughter. I've already arranged for a legal name change. Since I've served my sentence, I can attest this in front of the Wizengamot. Just avoid looking people in the eye, especially Dumbledore."

"So if we don't look in anyone's eyes, our minds won't be searched?" Evelyn said, casually.

"Yes, Evelyn. Now," Grindelwald rubbed his hands together for warmth in the cold air. "I've heard from Vael that our heirs have still not packed their trunks?"

Harry and Evelyn looked at each other in alarm and dashed inside.

"Kids." Grindelwald sighed, clearing the water splashes the rocks had made. "I never knew they were this difficult. Vael, help them out, will you?" The house-elf disapparated away.

~~1st September, daytime~~
~~King's Cross~~

Harry was carrying his trunk, Hedwig, and a small mirror, courtesy of Sirius coming as Padfoot with the Weasleys. The Weasleys looked quite confused when Harry explained the cover story Evelyn told him about, but Hermione's understanding brought them around. He discreetly looked around, and found Evelyn with Grindelwald, near them at the station. Grindelwald was wearing the disguise he had worn at Diagon.

"Oh, it's that bitch." Ginny muttered, coming up to Harry and seeing Evelyn. "She punched Ron at Diagon for no reason. I didn't know she was at Hogwarts."

"Really? Evelyn's pretty nice though." Hermione said, "For a Slytherin."

"She's nice in general." Harry muttered, watching Draco Malfoy greet his sister. He quickly averted his gaze, knowing how many questions he'd get if they saw him looking at her.

"What did you say, Harry?"

"Nothing! Let's find a seat on the train, Ron? Hermione?"

The trio went to the Hogwarts Express and 'found' a carriage. Technically, Grindelwald had already told the twins to pick carriages next to each other, so if they looked for each other before making sure of their carriage no one noticed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Evelyn was sitting between Draco and Pansy, the latter looking quite upset about this detail. The Slytherins were bringing everyone else up to speed on their holidays, while Blaise looked at Evelyn with a cunning smile.

"What do you want, Blaise?" Evelyn said, looking directly at Zabini once everyone was finished except her.

"Rumour has it, a pureblood family claimed you this summer." Blaise said, propping his legs up. "A very renowned pureblood family."

"So?" Evelyn glanced at Draco, who was scowling at Blaise but looked confused.

"Do tell, Evelyn! I'm not your best friend for nothing!" Blaise said, in mock horror. "I thought I'd be one of the first to know. I'm offended."

"Not many people know in the first place." Evelyn laughed, gesturing at the confusion of the rest of the Slytherins. "I'm a Grindelwald."

A heavy silence followed, while Evelyn carelessly tied her hair.

"That's... nice?" Blaise said, blinking. "But I think Grindelwald's a bit too old to-"

"Sod it, I'm his granddaughter."

"Oh, that explains it! Hey, Draco knew?" Blaise said, pointing at Draco's unconcerned face.

"Well, we met them at Madame Thorne's shop, so it was quite a scare for Mother, seeing my muggleborn friend at such a renowned shop." The other Slytherins laughed.

"Do you know what this means?" Pansy said, looking at Evelyn, "You're the heir of quite a legacy. Anyways," Pansy got up and took out a black tie for her uniform, "Why was there a notice not to get anything House related?"

Draco and Evelyn smiled at each other, Evelyn's a little more cheeky. "We know why."

"Hey! Another secret?" Blaise scoffed. "The death of me, you are."

"We are the chosen Interim Prefects, we're supposed to know, Blaise." Draco said, "There's going to be a Resorting. Do not tell anyone else."

"What?" Crabbe, or was it Goyle asked in astonishment. "Would Dumbledore do that? For house unity?"

"I bet the Ministry did it. Daddy had been telling me to be cautious." Pansy said, tying the black tie. "Feels weird that it's not green, doesn't it?"

The other Slytherins agreed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Harry, where were you during the summer holidays? Dumbledore said he couldn't find you anywhere, and then Sirius unexpectedly got a letter saying that..."

"I know Sirius got a letter, I sent it, remember?" Harry had started to get a headache from the amount of questioning his friends were doing.

"But why would a policeman take you to his house for witness protection when you were perfectly safe? It doesn't make sense." Hermione added, while Ron looked at her darkly.

"Harry's relatives literally put barred his window shut, second year. But they wouldn't do it after Dumbledore's warning."

"What warning?" Harry said, blinking.

"Dumbledore told us not to send letters to you because it would antagonize your relatives and you should be allowed to grieve Cedric-" At the mention of Cedric, Harry felt the familiar weight in his chest, "And because you were perfectly safe at the Dursleys."

"Forty-eight." Harry said, bitterly. "Forty eight po- medicines the muggles had to put me through, and that was just this summer."

"I'm sure muggle medicine isn't as advanced as magic." Ron said, trying to be reassuring, "In a magical sense, you'd only need a potion or too."

Harry didn't feel like telling Ron that he had needed more than fifty to account for the permanent damage.