=== January 4, 1998 ===
The Potters, along with Shannon and Gabrielle walk onto platform 9 ¾. "When we get into the train can I try the expansion charm you taught us?" Shannon asks.
Hermione nods. "Remember the train will resist more than the rooms in the house."
"Understood," Shannon says, then leads the way. She steps into the train car and casts the spell, after struggling for a minute she successfully enlarges the car.
"Very good, now Gabrielle, would you like to make the seats more comfortable?" Hermione asks.
"I'll try," Gabrielle says as she pulls her wand out and transfigures the benches into couches.
"Not bad at all." Hermione says.
"How do you do it as one spell?" Shannon asks.
"It's more complicated, once you've mastered both spells I'll teach you how to combine them." Hermione says.
"Fair enough." Gabrielle says and the all take their seats.
Moments later Ginny says; "Hi everybody!" As she and Luna enter the car.
"Aunt Ginny!" Rose and Iris shout as they go hug her.
Ginny hugs them both. "I missed you two."
"Does your Aunt Luna not get hugs too?" Luna teases. Rose and Iris let go of Ginny and hug Luna. "Much better," she says as she hugs them back then takes a seat next to Ginny.
"Aunt Luna, why do you and Aunt Ginny have matching rings?"
"It's because Colin has asked us both to marry him." Ginny answers.
"Two girls can marry the same boy?" Rose asks, excitedly.
"No, that doesn't mean you two can marry Magnus." Hermione says.
"Why not?" Iris asks.
"Luna isn't actually blood related to any of us." Hermione says. "We've just known her for so long she feels like family."
"So she's not really our aunt?" Rose asks.
"Not currently, once they have their ceremony Luna will actually be your aunt, and Colin will be your uncle." Hermione explains.
"Do we get to help with the wedding like we did when Uncle Neville married Aunt Hannah?" Iris asks.
"We'll see." Ginny says. "All we know is we want to get married after the end of our last year."
"But, we promise to keep you both in mind as we plan." Luna says.
The rhythmic thudding of running pulls all their attention to the door where Lotte and Eliza rush in. Both girls are dressed in red Christmas dresses, with their hair braided into pigtails and are wearing their glasses making it impossible to tell them apart.
"I was afraid we weren't going to make it." One of them says, obviously out of breath. She plops down on the bench.
"Sorry if we disturbed you." The other twin says as she sits next to her sister and the train starts off.
Shannon looks at the two girls and blushes slightly when she sees the first one splayed out her panties clearly visible. "Lotte, you might want to watch how you sit."
Lotte looks at how she's sitting and quickly moves. "Sorry!"
"It happens." Gabrielle says, reassuringly.
"Wait! How'd you tell us apart?" Lotte asks.
"Lucky guess based on the fact you prefer pants." Shannon answers.
Lotte nods. "You can thank our new step-mum," she says the term like it leaves a foul taste in her mouth, "for this. She insisted on a family portrait," The last two words said with more than a little sarcasm, "before they dropped us off at mum's"
"Mum got on them for dropping us off so late, she had our trunks and such loaded in her car. We literally jumped from one car to the other." Eliza says.
"Why didn't your Dad just drop you off at the train station?" Shannon asks.
"He doesn't know we are witches." Eliza replies.
"He thinks we're going to some prestigious boarding school." Lotte says.
"Not a complete lie at least." Hermione says.
"Why do you lie to your dad?" Gabrielle asks.
"He wasn't there when the Headmistress told us we were witches, so we're not supposed to tell him." Eliza answers.
"That doesn't seem fair," Harry says. "You should be able to tell both of your parents."
"We could take it up with the Minister if you want." Hermione says.
"No, it's fine." Lotte says. "I'd rather not have to spend more time with our stepmother than I have to."
"She doesn't hurt you does she?" Harry asks, as he remembers his abuse.
Lotte and Eliza look at Iris and Rose. "They can't hear us." Hermione says. "I'll come up with something to tell them later."
"If you need me to leave, I will." Harry says.
"No, you can stay." Lotte says. "Just, you're not going to tell anyone any of this right?
"If that's what you want." Harry says.
"But if you two are in a bad situation we might be able to help." Hermione says.
"You should trust them." Shannon says.
"You're the Headmistress's daughter, of course you think we should trust them." Lotte snarls.
"I wasn't always the Headmistress's daughter." Shannon says, tears in her eyes.
"You weren't?" Lotte asks in surprise.
"My name was Margaret." Shannon says, her voice little more than a whisper. "I lived on the streets with my mother, one day a man took us to a grand estate promising we'd be taken care of." Her voice breaks as she sobs. Gabrielle hugs Shannon who leans into her. "I don't know what happened to my mom, but shortly after she went upstairs the man who found us forced himself on me, again and again." She shudders as she thinks about it. "Then it gets blurry, but I remember Amanda Malfoy saving me and bringing me to Hermione."
"Shannon, you should have told us you were remembering what happened." Hermione says, concerned.
"I know, I just couldn't bring myself to say it until now." Shannon says. "My friends need to know that you can help them." She pushes herself against Gabrielle who just hugs her tighter, never saying a word.
Lotte sighs "Her name is Ursula. When we're there she has odd rules."
"She always has to bathe us." Eliza says. "Then she dresses us like we're dolls."
"She always puts us in identical outfits, down to the last detail." Lotte says.
"It sounds like she's abusing you two." Hermione says. "Have you considered going to the authorities?'
Lotte and Eliza look at each other, after a minute Eliza speaks. "We can't."
"What do you mean?" Hermione asks.
"Our Mum is here illegally, and up until recently we didn't legally exist." Eliza says.
"Mum says we were delivered by an old midwife in the middle of the country." Lotte says.
"All our lives we've moved around, never staying in one place long enough to learn people's names." Eliza says.
"Until Dad met Ursula and they ran off together." Lotte says. "We kept going as best we could, until Dad showed up and put us on the plane."
"He flew us all around, trying to convince us to join his glamorous new life." Eliza says.
"We might have, if not for Ursula dressing us and such." Lotte admits. "We finally told him we wanted to live with mum."
"So, he sent brought us back here and is paying for the apartment we live in." Eliza says. "Then the Headmistress showed up."
"Mum was a little shocked they they even knew about us." Lotte says. "Let alone that we could learn magic."
"That's pretty much everything." Eliza says.
"We don't have as much influence in the muggle world as we do in the magical one, but I honestly think we could help you both." Hermione says.
"Only if you want us to interfere." Harry says. "Otherwise what was said here stays here unless you two come to us."
"You really think you can help us?" Eliza asks.
"We have a friend that's a lawyer on both sides and would like to consult him to see what options are available, if any." Hermione says.
"Will we be able to hear the options?" Lotte asks.
"Of course!" Harry says. "We wouldn't do anything without your knowledge."
"Then we look forward to hearing our options." Eliza says.
=== January 5, 1997 ===
Harry walks into McGonagall's office. "Good morning, Headmistress."
McGonagall sighs. "Mister Potter, why aren't you in class?"
"I have urgent business that needs to be addressed." Harry says.
"Why kind of business?" McGonagall asks.
"I'm not allowed to be specific at this moment, but I can tell you I'm going to go talk to Ted Tonks." Harry answers.
"I trust you'll let me know if you need my assistance?" McGonagall asks.
"Yes, I promise." Harry says and McGonagall waves him towards the fireplace where he grabs floo powder and heads to Ted's office.
#####
Sometime later, Harry is sitting with Ted across from him, he's just finished briefing him about Lotte and Eliza. "That's the entire situation, is there anything we can do to help them?" Harry asks.
"If their parents are muggles there's nothing we can do to help them, but you could adopt the girls to get them away from the situation." Ted explains.
"What if they are like Mione and their mum is a squib?" Harry asks.
"If you could find her a job somewhere in the magical community then our laws would protect her, and the girls." Ted replies. "But remember, most magicals don't want to employ a squib because of the negative connotation around them."
Harry nods. "Thank you, Ted."
"I hope it helps." Ted says.
#####
Later that night Harry and Hermione sit on the bed in their room, their children tucked into bed. Eliza and Lotte sit across from them.
"So, those are the ways we can help you." Harry says.
"How can we find out if our mom is a squib?" Lotte asks.
"We'll have to get permission from the Headmistress to take you to Gringotts so they can do a bloodline test." Harry answers.
"Let's do that first." Eliza says. "Will you have to tell the Headmistress what's happening?"
"You two will." Harry answers.
"But we will be right there with you." Hermione says.
"Then let's get this over with." Lotte says.
#####
A tray of empty tea cups sits on the table in McGonagall's office. Harry, Hermione, Eliza, Lotte and McGonagall all sit around the table.
"Before I allow you to take them and have their blood tested, have you given any thought to the possibility that their father could be a squib instead?" McGonagall asks.
"Harry and Hermione have informed us of the complications this could present, and we are willing to take the risk." Eliza answers.
"Given the circumstances I will grant your request." McGonagall says. "Provided you take them on the weekend, I will not excuse them from class for this."
"Of course, Headmistress." Harry says. "That was always our intention."
=== January 10, 1998 ===
Harry and Hermione enter Gringotts with Lotte and Eliza between them. Harry recognizes Rustlik and walks up to him. "Morning, Rustlik." Harry says.
"Morning, Lord Potter, what can I do for you?" Rustlik asks.
"We have an appointment with executive branch manager Ragnok." Harry hands Rustlik a letter.
Rustlik takes the letter and reads it. "I will get him immediately."
"Thank you." Harry says then walks back to the others as Rustlik rushes off.
Moments later Ragnok comes out. "Morning, Lord Potter." He says.
"Morning, Ragnok." Harry says.
"Are these the children in question?" Ragnok asks.
"They are." Harry answers.
"Then please follow me." Ragnok says as he leads them to the back and one of the silver tables. "Now, which one of you two will be doing the test?"
"I will." Lotte answers as she steps forward, grabs the silver knife and cuts her palm, putting it on the table immediately.
The tree spreads out. "That's interesting." Ragnok says. "It says your mom is a witch."
"That's impossible, she would have told us." Eliza says.
Hermione looks at the table and asks. "Ragnok, forgive me but why is her mother's name written in red?"
"Obviously means she's magical." Harry says.
"Do you remember when you took this same test?" Hermione asks.
"Of course, we had to go to the other room to confirm I was the heir of Gryffindor." Harry says.
Hermione sighs. "Your parent's names were written in blue, your aunt and uncle in gray. So blue clearly means magical."
"It means she did something to have her wand snapped and memories of magic sealed." Ragnok finally answers.
Lotte and Eliza gasp. "No." They say together, their voices barely above a whisper.
Hermione turns to them. "Don't fret just yet, we'll figure this out."
"I'll go to the Ministry of Magic and see if I can find out what she did." Harry says.
"I'll take these two back to Hogwarts, they look like they could use some hot cocoa." Hermione says.
#####
Sometime later Harry returns to Hogwarts. Lotte and Eliza look at him eagerly. "I'm afraid I don't have any news yet, as it's a weekend most of the Ministry is closed. However, I do have our lawyer looking into it."
Eliza nods. "So what is our plan from here?"
"For now we just wait." Harry says.
"Thankfully her being expelled from the magical world doesn't stop her from learning about it again." Hermione says. "So nothing changes at all right now."
"Can the aurors take us away from her?" Lotte asks.
"No, she'd be in Azkaban if she did anything that serious." Hermione answers.
=== January 14 1998 ===
Harry and Hermione work on homework as Rose and Iris play with their siblings and Lotte and Eliza are playing cards with Shannon and Gabrielle when McGonagall walks into the common room.
The whole room suddenly gets quiet as everyone stops what they are doing. A first year drops a needle they had just transfigured and the sound of it hitting the floor echoes.
"Nobody is in trouble at this time." McGonagall says as she walks up to Harry and Hermione. "You have a visitor in my office."
"Understood." Harry says as they clean up their homework then looks over to Shannon and the others. "You two should come along."
When McGonagall doesn't object, Shannon gets up as Gabrielle cleans up their game. "We'll keep an eye on your kids.' Shannon says.
"Thanks." Hermione says as Lotte and Eliza get up and they all follow McGonagall to her office. Once inside they see that the visitor is Ted.
"Oh good, you brought the Williams sisters." Ted says.
"We figured the odds were they should hear this." Harry says.
Ted nods as they all take seats. "I have managed to obtain your mother's records."
"Does it say why she was kicked out of the magical world?" Eliza asks.
"It says she was found guilty of using magic as a minor, the exact charge was malicious use of magic on a muggle." Ted answers.
"Does it say what exactly happened?" Lotte asks.
"No, she was a minor so any record of the trial is sealed and can not be unsealed." Ted answers.
"Do you have any any good news?" Harry asks.
"Her prosecutor was Delores Umbridge, so her case can be re-evaluated." Ted says.
"How can her case be reevaluated if it's sealed?" Eliza asks.
"Her memories weren't erased, just locked." Ted answers.
"So they can unlock her memories and have a new trial?" Lotte asks.
Ted nods. "Exactly!"
"Would you be willing to be her lawyer if Lotte and Eliza move forward with this?" Harry asks.
"Of course, this is exactly the kind of thing I became a lawyer for." Ted answers.
"That would be great." Eliza says.
"But we can't exactly afford to pay you." Lotte says.
"We'll take care of that." Hermione says.
"We can't let you do that." Eliza says.
"We already pay to keep him on retainer." Harry says. "This way he'll actually work for his money."
"Well…if he's already getting paid, then I say go for it." Lotte says and Eliza nods.
"Very good." Ted says. *I just need you two to sign this form." He says as he puts a form in front of them. "It simply states that you are allowing me to act as attorney on your mother's behalf." They both sign and he rolls up the parchment.
=== February 7, 1998 ===
Ted leads the way through the Ministry of Magic; Lotte and Eliza follow behind him in their best robes, just behind them is Harry and Hermione in their heir robes. Ted opens the door to a small courtroom where Minister Fudge sits in the judge's seat. A middle-aged woman, obviously Lotte and Eliza's mother, sits at a table, Ted goes and stands beside her. The rest stand behind both of them.
"Welcome, to this special re-evaluation." Fudge says.
"Thank you for arranging it so that my client's children could attend." Ted says.
Fudge picks up a piece of parchment. "Elizabeth and Charlotte, correct?"
"Yes, your honor!" Eliza and Lotte says together.
"Might I ask why Lord and Lady Potter are here?" Fudge asks.
"Your honor.." Ted starts only to have Fudge stop him.
"I wish to hear it from them." Fudge says as he points at Lotte and Eliza.
"Lord and Lady Potter are here at our request." Eliza answers. "They have already provided tremendous emotional support to both of us and we rely on them to be there beside us no matter the results of this re-evaluation."
Fudge nods. "I can't think of two people I'd rather have beside me. You may be seated." They all do so. "Now, Mister Tonks, you may begin."
Ted pulls out his wand, nobody hears the spell as he casts it. "Moira, my name is Edward Tonks, I'm your attorney."
"I don't understand, my trial is over." Moira says.
"Due to recent events we are re-evaluating your case." Ted says.
"Recent events?" Moira asks.
"You will be filled in if it becomes necessary, but first the man sitting at the podium is the current Minister of Magic, and he needs to speak with you." Ted explains.
Moira looks at Fudge. "I apologize, sir."
"It's expected." Fudge says. "Take a minute, and when you are ready I would like to hear why you were originally on trial."
Moira takes a deep breath, then slowly releases it. "I was out shopping with my friend Anna. Anna had left a store before me, when I finished she wasn't where we agreed to meet. Then I heard her voice yell help, so I ran to her. I found her, two men had ahold of her while a third had a knife, he had apparently already cut her dress and her panties, he was undoing his belt when I saw them. So I pulled out my wand and stunned all 4 of them."
"You defended a friend, a very noble thing." Fudge says.
"Madam Umbridge didn't think so." Moira says. "Especially once I told her Anna was a muggle, she seemed to think I should have just let them have her."
"Really?" Fudge asks.
Moira nods. "Yes, sir. Then the judge said I admitted to using magic on muggles and pounded his gavel."
"I'm sorry to hear that." Fudge says. "It sounds like you were a victim of a gross miscarriage of justice, and I would like to offer my sincerest apologies. I'm ordering your case dismissed, your memories will be merged with your current memories, and the Ministry will bear the cost of a replacement wand for you."
"What's that mean?" Moira asks.
"That we won." Ted says. "I can merge your two sets of memories if you're ready."
"I'm ready." Moira says.
Once again Ted uses a spell that no one can hear. "Moira, I need to ask you some questions now. What is today's date?"
"February 7, 1998."
"Very good." Ted says. "Now, do you know who these two are?" He motions for Lotte and Eliza to step forward.
"Elizabeth! Charlotte!" Moira exclaims as she hugs them both and they hug back.
Off to the side Ted comes over to the Potters. "We did a good thing today." Ted says.
"Certainly a step in the right direction." Hermione says.
"Ted, do you think there are other cases like this?" Harry asks.
"I wouldn't be surprised." Ted answers.
"Find them all." Harry says. "I don't care what it takes, my fame, our money it's yours to use to get justice for them."
Ted nods. "It'll be my pleasure."
They nod then walk over to Moira and the girls. "I wanted to introduce myself, I'm Hermione and this is my husband Harry Potter."
Moira instantly looks up at Harry's now faded scar. "You're really him."
"Yes, and you raised two great girls." Harry says. "They're friends with a girl we consider our daughter."
"He's talking about Shannon, the Headmistress's daughter." Eliza says. "She's the one who convinced us to do all this."
"I hope to meet her someday." Moira says.
"You will." Lotte says.
"How can I ever thank you?" Moira asks.
"You can start by taking whatever time you need to readjust to everything." Hermione says. "After that I have an idea I want to discuss with you."
"I look forward to that discussion." Moira says.