A Potter Secret

Return

Isabella sits up in her cot, looking around. Everyone who was with her in Death's Realm is waking up. Her hands glow as more souls return to their bodies. Fred steps over to her dazedly, smiling. "Hey Izzy," Fred starts. "How're you feeling? That was a lot of magic."

Isabella beams. "It feels a lot better," Isabella replies. "Like I don't have to worry about anything else for a while. Except for the fact that I am the minister for magic."

Fred's eyes widen in surprise. "That's great, Izzy. Come on, it's almost time for everyone to wake up. Want to come watch the sunrise with me and Georgie?"

Nodding, Isabella let's Fred pick her up before nudging George with his foot. The three of them step outside.

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As they watch the sky light up as the sun rises, Isabella says, "You're one of the few that remember what happened in Death's plane and that I was the one to bring you back. You need to keep it to yourself, alright?"

Fred nods. "Who else knows?"

"People who know me," Isabella explains. "It's like the closer their connection to me, the more they remember. Papa probably remembers everything while you have a few fuzzy spots. They sit there for a while before they start hearing cheers and happy tears from the Great Hall. Harry, Hermione, and the Weasley's rush out, looking for Fred and hoping he's returned.

Fred stands up and Ginny is the first to reach him, hugging him. Mrs. Weasley is next, followed by the rest of the Weasley's. Harry sits beside Isabella as Remus steps outside the Great Hall with Sirius and Tonks at his side. Isabella smiles widely and tries to get up but her knees fall from under her. A few aurors follow Remus and Sirius, surrounding Isabella as Kingsley appears. "Isabella, you know you need to have a guard constantly, right? You're the minister for magic and our world is in havoc. For your safety, I must insist," Kingsley states. Isabella nods. "Is there a safe place you can stay? Hogwarts needs to be repaired and you need a place to rest and recover."

"Grimmauld Place is in disrepair," Isabella lists. "Papa's homes are in even further disarray, same with Hogwarts and the Potter homes. I'll start the house elves on cleaning the Potter estates."

"We have house elves?" Harry asks.

Isabella smiles and whistles. Dobby appears first, followed by a few others. "Harry, I'd like you to meet the Potter house elves."

"Dobby?" Harry asks. "I- I thought- Bellatrix's knife-"

"Dobby's alright Harry Potter. Isabella Potter is knowing of House Elves. I is being bound to Ancient and Noble House of Potter. Is good for House Elves to have homes. Dobby wanted good family. Isabella is good family. She treats House Elves good."

Hermione looks at Isabella shocked. "Isabella, Dobby wanted to be free. How could you enslave him?!"

Isabella smiles as Dobby sits beside her. "Hermione, House Elves need to be connected to a master in order to survive longer. Their magic is connected to their masters. A free elf lives a fraction of the time. They just need to find a master that will treat them well. If they ever want to be free, they are more than welcome to leave. I'll free them if that's their wish. I'm perfectly fine with them roaming so long as one is available in case of an emergency at all times. The Potters have hundreds of House Elves across our properties. It's beneficial to both sides, Hermione. I promise that if they want to leave, they are more than welcome to."

Hermione looks at the house elves there. They're all smiling at Isabella and Harry. "Lily and James were great masters," Winky starts. "We miss them greatly. Without us being bound, we've been wasting away at the properties. Now we have strong master."

Severus steps through the rubble, coming towards the group. "Sweetie," Severus calls softly.

Isabella turns and tears start to gather in her eyes. Kingsley steps in front of Isabella, his wand out to protect her, but Isabella grabs his arm. "Kingsley, it's alright."

"This man is a traitor!" Kingsley reminds. "He killed Dumbledore!"

"On Dumbledore's own orders," Harry states. "I saw the memories. Snape has been a spy for Dumbledore and the Order since the first war."

Kingsley looks at Isabella for a moment before stepping aside. Isabella reaches forward and Severus pulls her into his arms. "Hello Sweetie. Are you alright?"

Isabella nods as he clears away her tears. "I missed you, Papa," Isabella starts.

"I missed you, too," Severus replies. "You were so brave and so strong, Sweetie."

Isabella smiles at him before turning to Kingsley. "I want it publicized that Papa was a spy in the Dark Lord's forces and that he is innocent of all charges. He is not to be prosecuted for what he has done in the pursuit of our future."

Kingsley nods warily before walking off, leaving two other aurors with Isabella. "What was all that about?" Severus asks.

Sighing, Isabella looks up at Severus. "I have been declared by the entire wizengamot the new minister for magic effective immediately."

Severus' eyes widen in surprise. Sirius kneels beside Isabella. "We need to find you a safe place to stay," Sirius starts. "There are still Death Eaters out there that will want revenge."

"I know where she can stay," a voice calls. Everyone turns to see Cedric standing there.

"Cedric?" Severus asks. "How is this possible? You don't even seem to have aged."

Isabella smiles. "Remember that bracelet that I gave him?" Isabella asks.

"My parents told me it sent me into stasis," Cedric explains. "When the killing curse was near me, it induced the stasis and the killing curse couldn't kill me." Cedric turns to Isabella. "You're more than welcome to stay with me until the Potter Manor is cleaned enough."

"And Harry can stay with us," Mrs. Weasley assures.

Isabella nods. "Guess that's decided," Isabella yawns. Cedric leans down and picks Isabella up before apparating away to his house.

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