Author's Note - So I was discussing an ongoing story that a friend was writing when this plot wombat spawned on me. I've had to do a lot of tearing through the Harry Potter Lexicon to ensure correctness in regards to dates, people, and lineage. To the people who have updated and kept up with that site, thank you so very much! As an afterthought, after going through things in regards to family trees and whatnot, all I can say is no wonder some of them were utterly mad! The amount of inbreeding that went on was absolutely mind boggling.

Disclaimer - I do not own Harry Potter, and all I own is the plot wombat that has spawned this tale. I make no money from this at all.

Chapter One - The First Mistake

When the elderly form of the wizard disappeared, green eyes hardened as they watched the man disparate from view. The owner of the emerald orbs was very much displeased with what she had heard and sensed from the visitor that had just departed. The words the old man had spoken replayed themselves in her mind, distracting her until the voice of her husband finally broke into her thoughts.

"Lily?"

She turned slightly to face him, looking both angry and worried. From the expression on her soul mate's face, it was obvious that James was feeling the same as she was. In a way, it helped to ease the knot of heated emotions that had coiled in her belly.

"What is it, James?"

"I really want to hear your thoughts on what Dumbledore had to tell us," the Potter lord told his wife.

"I think it's a load of shite," she answered, turning to face her spouse fully. "Divination is a wooly subject to begin with, and what little of the prophecy he shared with us seems more self fulfilling than anything else."

"It's almost as if he's hoping to drag us out of neutrality and into the war because of Harry's possible destiny," James shared, agreeing with his wife. "My father often warned me about the man, and I'm starting to agree with him. I don't like the look in the old man's eyes when he saw Harry."

"Neither did I," the red head said, thinking on things. "James, we need to set up a way to keep Harry out of his clutches should anything happen to us. There's too much that could be left open to his manipulations if we're out of the picture."

"With his position and contacts in the Ministry, the old man could easily put our wills into lockdown if Voldemort did come after us and successfully kill us. Right now, the man has no reason to come looking for us but that can easily change if he hears of that prophecy."

Lily got up and started pacing, trying to work out a viable plan to keep their child safe should the unthinkable happen. She put her worries and anger to one side, forcing herself to think logically.

"We need to make sure that Harry goes to where we want him to go and not where Dumbledore thinks will keep him humble and malleable," she said to her husband as she kept moving about the parlor. "A place where he'll be protected and kept away from Dumbledore until he's strong enough to withstand any manipulation."

"Someplace where he'll be trained to take up the mantel of Lord Potter and fit into society," James agreed, looking thoughtful as he pondered the problem. "Love, do you think he'll send Harry to your sister?"

The witch stopped for a moment, fighting the urge to throw something when she realized what her husband was thinking. Given what she had admitted to in front of the headmaster when speaking to her friends, it was a thought that horrified her.

"It's more than likely. Vernon would do all he could to squash the magic out of Harry. Petunia doesn't stand up to him most of the time," she said, frowning. "They wouldn't tell him about magic and so when his letter came, he'd be grateful to Dumbledore for getting him out of that mess. That would leave him exposed and vulnerable to the old man, and he'd never realize that this was a set up."

James got up, running fingers through his wild hair for a moment, before turning to head out of the room. There was a look of determination on his face.

"James, where are you going?"

"I know where to send Harry. I love my friends, don't get me wrong, but they're too close to Dumbledore's manipulations to be a full guardian to him. Add to that, Sirius is great as an uncle but doesn't really have father potential. I'll be back in a short while," he said, kissing her cheek before heading out.

Lily watched him go, pleased that he'd found a possible sanctuary and guardian for their son. Knowing her husband as well as she did, the red head was certain that his choice would be a formidable one indeed. There was simply no way they'd let their little boy go into Dumbledore's hands.

When Petunia Dursley opened her door to retrieve the milk, she was taken by surprise at first to see the bundled form of her nephew laying on her doorstep. The surprise was taken over by concern at first, realizing the child would be cold for being out in such temperatures all night. She found the letter after picking him up, reading it as she stepped into the house to try to see to the boy's comfort. That was when surprise gave way to two distinct emotions: sorrow and anger.

The blond haired woman gently set the child on the couch, rubbing her face with her hand as she sat down as well. Her eyes filled with tears for a moment as she contemplated the news she'd been given.

Lily was dead.

The words formed a deep crack in her heart as she realized her bright little sister was never coming back. Despite her envy at not being able to use magic, Petunia had been pleased when Lily had found a way for them to keep in contact in such a way as to keep Vernon out of it. Her husband was very much against magic, considering it to be unnatural, and as long as Petunia visited her sister outside of the home and never mentioned Lily, he was fine with the two meeting up at times.

It was the memory of her last meeting with her sister that pushed the sorrow to the side, allowing the anger and determination to flow through her. The woman rose, going to the kitchen and pulling out the letter that Lily had given her.

"Dolly," she called out, following her sister's instructions to her.

Within less than a second, a female house elf, clad in a miniature maid's uniform with a crest embroidered on the white apron appeared.

"You summoned Dolly, Mrs. Dursley?"

She blessed Lily for having introduced her to this creature before or she'd have had a bad reaction when she'd summoned the elf. The last thing she needed right now was to have Vernon aware of what was going on, though she didn't think he would object to the plan that the Evans sisters had agreed upon.

"Lily's worries have come to pass," the former Evans sister told the elf. "I will meet with my nephew's caretaker in an hour."

The house elf nodded, having been waiting for this and hoping that it wouldn't happen. However, now that it had, she would ensure that her mistress would be informed of the news and the safety of her mistress's young cousin taken care of.

"Dolly will inform Mistress, Mrs. Dursley. Mistress will be at the rendezvous point within the hour."

Petunia was left alone a mere second later when the female elf disappeared with an almost silent pop. She drew in a slow breath to steady herself, heading into the living room and up the stairs.

"Vernon, would you mind looking after Dudley for me for a couple of hours? I've an important errand that's come up."

Her husband, who was tending to their son, called back to his wife.

"Of course not, Pet. Take your time," he told her. "Dudley and I will enjoy our morning together."

"Thank you, Vernon," she said, picking up her handbag and car keys before going back to the living room. Petunia carefully picked up her nephew and headed outside, determined to make it to the destination that Lily had set up.

Two cups of tea and almost an hour later, Petunia was relieved when an elderly woman approached her. She was clad in a black and gray dress suit, accompanied by a strand of tasteful pearls and pearl earrings. Silver hair was coiled into an elegant but simple bun at the back of the woman's head. Judging from the attire and the way the older female held herself, it was obvious that this was a woman of high breeding and education.

"Petunia Evans Dursley?"

At the cultured tone, Petunia rose to her feet in a sign of respect but also to be ready to run with her nephew if the security question wasn't answered correctly. Lily had been very specific in this.

"The former head girl had a unique ability that she shared with her husband. What was it and the form she could take?"

The older woman gave her a nod of respect, knowing what she was doing. James had warned her of the question that would be asked and provided the answer for her to give to his sister-in-law.

"Lady Potter was an animagus and could take the form of a jaguar," she responded, giving the proper answer.

Petunia relaxed slightly, gesturing politely at a chair as she spoke. She was relieved that the question had been answered correctly.

"Please have a seat."

The older woman nodded, sitting gracefully as she did so. She refused the tea when offered before speaking to her companion.

"I am Callidora Black Longbottom," she introduced herself. "James was my cousin through Dorea Black Potter, his mother."

"I'm glad he'll be going to family," Petunia told her, looking at where her nephew was dozing. "Lily didn't give me very much in the way of information as to who was going to take him and where."

"Probably best for your safety and his," the lady told her. "Lily did ensure you have a way to protect your mind from any outside influences?"

The younger lady nodded her head, fingers going to a small ring she wore on her right hand. It had been her mother's, and Lily had laid a strong enchantment on it to help protect against any mental intrusions that could happen.

"She has. She also set up spells to ensure that anyone scanning the house would pick up the presence of my nephew, something about blood wards."

"Clever girl," Callidora murmured, glad to hear that Lily had thought this far ahead. "This should keep the meddling old man away from you and your family. He won't know where Harkin is until the Hogwarts acceptance letters go out. By that time, he will not be able to interfere in custodial issues. Did the Headmaster leave any sort of papers regarding custody for the muggle world?"

Petunia shook her head, not having thought of that until the older woman had brought it up. Thankfully, Lily and James had been a step ahead of them.

"He didn't so how I was supposed to keep up with his inoculations and enroll him in school, I don't know. Lily said to give you this though," she answered, handing Callidora a folder.

The aristocrat opened it, looking over the parchments that the folder contained. The child's birth certificate, medical report, as well as custodial papers had been placed inside of it. The custodial papers held a Gringotts' seal, showing it to be legal and binding once the signatures were in place.

"Mrs. Dursley, I will need you to sign something for me," the Longbottom matriarch told her companion, pulling a special quill out of her purse. "This will ensure that custody of Harkin James Potter goes directly to me and cannot be challenged in court. The quill will use your blood, which is binding, even for non-magical beings."

Petunia nodded, reading over the document. It was fairly straightforward, listing that Harkin would go to Callidora and that whoever had been chosen by anyone other than James or Lily Potter must sign in order to ensure that custody remained where the Potters wished for it to be. She quickly signed her name below her sister's, ignoring the slight prick in a finger as the quill drew her blood to use as ink. Once done, she handed it and the document back to the woman sitting with her.

"Will you keep me up to date in how he's doing? I know I wasn't as involved in Lily's life as much as we both would have liked, but she did write to me between visits and sent me pictures of her family."

"Of course," Callidora reassured her. "He is your nephew, and family is important. When he is old enough, I can also have him write you, if you wish."

She gave the matriarch a rare smile that turned her face from plain to lovely. Petunia was happy to know she would be in touch with her sister's child. Granted, she would never have been able to be a good mother to the boy but being an aunt was something she could do. The woman could send occasional gifts and provide stories of his mother to him as he grew.

"I would enjoy that a great deal. Thank you for taking him, Lady Longbottom."

The elder just smiled in return; unlike her other Black relatives, she had no issues with muggles and Petunia had risen in her estimation by showing her care for her nephew. The Dursley woman was doing the right thing, and Callidora was pleased that James and Lily's plans were falling into place.

"Thank you for acting so swiftly once Harkin was brought to you," she said, rising gracefully. "Now I must go. I need to register this with the bank and begin the steps needed to preserve the belongings his parents kept at the cottage. Mrs. Dursley, was there anything Lily possessed that should go to you?"

"There were a few pieces of jewelry that belonged to our mother," Petunia answered. "Lily and I divided that after she passed. However, I believe those should be held in trust for him in case he marries and has a daughter. She'll be an Evans through him. I'm going to do the same thing in case Dudley has a daughter in the future as well."

"I'll do that then," Callidora told her, watching as Petunia picked up the small child and kissed him on the cheek.

"Be a good boy, Harry," she told him. "Your parents would be proud, and I know you'll be happy with your cousin."

Once the farewell was spoken, she handed the still sleeping boy to the older woman, looking happy that her nephew would be safe and taken care of. Callidora gave her a small smile, then walked away from the café.

After getting to a safe spot, the Longbottom Matriarch apparated to Diagon Alley, heading directly to Gringotts. She knew she needed to get things moving before Dumbledore completely locked everything down.

A goblin teller looked up as she approached, not reacting when he recognized the woman.

"May I help you," he asked, watching her closely as he did so. One never knew with humans as to how they would react to someone non-human.

"I need to speak with the goblin in charge of the Longbottom and Potter accounts," Callidora said, knowing that her request would be carried out discretely.

"Of course," the goblin answered, gesturing for another to take his position. "Follow me, Lady Longbottom."

She followed him out of the main area and into a nicely decorated meeting room, settling into a comfortable chair once the matriarch was left alone to wait. Gray eyes looked down at the bundle she carried, features softening as she examined the tiny one in her arms.

The sound of the door opening drew her attention away from her charge, and she became a bit more alert in posture as three goblins entered the room.

"Lady Longbottom," the tallest one greeted, giving a bow of respect to the woman he had worked with for a very long time.

"Ironfist, may your vaults overflow with gold," the witch greeted politely. "I thank you for your time as well as the time of the others. I know it is valuable to you."

"I have discovered that time spent working with you has been profitable indeed, Lady Longbottom. May I present the goblin working for the Potter Estate, Bronzespear, and the goblin that handles the Black accounts, Darksteel?"

She gave a regal nod, greeting them traditionally. The witch had learned that respecting magical creatures went a long way in ensuring the peace as well as encouraging them to work a bit harder for you as they knew they would be treated well.

"May your vaults overflow with gold," she said to them, turning her gaze back to Ironfist. "While I requested to speak with Bronzespear, I am a bit surprised as well as honored to meet with Darksteel."

The three goblins took a seat, focusing on the intelligent human in front of them. Ironfist nodded at the goblin that managed the Black accounts.

"Your young cousin was arrested and is being sent to Azkaban," he told her. "All for a crime that we know he did not commit, and a trial is not forthcoming. James Potter ensured that we were given legal proof that Sirius Black was not their secret keeper."

"I take it that Walburga has not seen fit to give this information to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement?"

Darksteel shook his head, not surprised that Lady Longbottom had nailed the problem directly on the head.

"She will not hear anything regarding young Sirius Black. At the moment, you are the only member of the House of Black that we have been able to reach in regards to the situation, Lady Longbottom."

She frowned a bit, doing a running tally on where her surviving family members were. It broke her heart to know how few they were in numbers now thanks to some of the beliefs some of them held.

"Arcturus is actually out of the country," Callidora mused. "Pollux retired out of London for the moment to stay out of the way of the problems going on. His health hasn't been the strongest lately. Cassiopeia is at the manor with him, helping Irma look after him since she has healer training. Last I heard, Lucretia and Ignatius were with their family since the loss of the twins. Given their unfortunate associations, the ones closest to Sirius's age will have no desire to aid him."

Her voice trailed off for a moment as she contemplated what needed to be done next to ensure that her charge's godfather was not imprisoned falsely. If her cousin would not do what was right and be loyal to her own blood, then she would do it herself. This miscarriage of justice would not stand.

"Dumbledore has not spoken against this accusation in regards to my cousin?"

"No, my lady, he has not," Darksteel informed her. "In fact, I was informed that he has indeed confirmed that Sirius Black was indeed the Potter's secret keeper."

"That man is going too far to see to it that his will is enforced and forgets that the innocent must be protected. Darksteel, I need Gringotts to work with the firm of Marchbanks and Wenlock to get the information regarding the Potter's secret keeper out into the Wizengamot. Tell them to call in favors if they have to, even ones owed to the Black family. I want Sirius given a trial with the truth potion as quickly as possible, even if it means going to the press with the documentation. I will pay for this service and any expenses that occur, of course."

"It will be done," Darksteel promised, making notes. The goblins didn't like it when their documentation was ignored; it was bad for business.

Callidora set the folder that Petunia had given her onto the table, shifting the weight of the drowsing child so that she could do so without waking him.

"I have the documentation for custody of Harkin James Potter, Head of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter and fifteenth Marquess of Orkney. It's been signed properly as per the wishes of James and Lily Potter," she said to them.

Bronzespear's eyes gleamed as he took the folder, looking over it to ensure nothing had been missed.

"This legally sets you as both his caretaker and magical guardian," the goblin informed her. "Which is good as Dumbledore has sent in paperwork to try to place himself as Lord Potter's magical guardian, requesting the keys to the Potter vaults. He's trying to seal the wills of Lord and Lady Potter as we speak so we will have to move swiftly to circumvent him. With you having guardianship, this will make it easier to keep the wills open and have the reading of them soon."

"The old man moves quickly," she murmured, frowning slightly. "Why would he want access to the Potter vaults?"

"There's an item he said that the prior Lord Potter agreed to allow him to borrow for a time," Bronzespear answered, pulling the request in front of him. "One invisibility cloak that has been handed down since the time of Ignotus Peverell."

"We can consider that request denied," Callidora told him. "In fact, Harkin's trust vault can be merged back with the main Potter vaults. I will see to it that he has everything he needs, and the money in the trust vault can be used to invest and draw interest with the rest of the fortune his family has worked hard for over the centuries. This way the only way anyone can access the Potter vaults outside of a goblin is with the Potter signet ring. That was recovered, I trust?"

"It was," the goblin assured her. "Dumbledore has started funeral arrangements, but nothing has gone forward due to the fact that he is not blood related. The Ministry will not release their bodies to him because of that issue."

Callidora was grateful that blood held more power over politics in this instance. The higher echelons of the Ministry knew that the Potters had relatives still living, which meant that the family would have the right to determine funerary arrangements for the deceased.

"Let me guess, he wishes to have them buried in the cemetery at Godric's Hollow?"

Bronzespear nodded, fighting back an urge to grin at the look of anger on the Dowager Countess of Glastonbury's face.

"Absolutely not," she answered coldly. "The fourteenth Marquess and Marchioness of Orkney will be buried with their ancestors at Teach na Laochra as is the custom of that line. I will not have their spirits disturbed for being laid to rest in the wrong soil nor will I allow their tombs to be used as a pilgrimage site so Dumbledore can use them as martyrs for his cause."

"As you will it, my lady," the goblin told her. "I will inform your attorney of your wishes and ensure they are carried out."

"I will bring Harkin to Teach na Laochra at various times so he can study his history as well as train as his ancestors have. Otherwise, no one will have access to the grounds and during the funerary rites, no one may enter the keep."

"I will make sure the Potter house elves are informed of this," he told the witch. "There have been motions made to seal the cottage in Godric's Hollow and turn it into a war memorial."

Callidora frowned a bit, thinking on what Bronzespear had told her. A memorial wasn't a bad idea but only if certain criteria had been met.

"It needs to be emptied and the contents placed in trust in the Potter vault for safekeeping. If the Ministry wishes to turn it into a memorial, they will need to negotiate for that. I'll not have property stolen from the Potter estate simply because they feel it needs to be a memorial."

"It will be done," Bronzespear answered, agreeing with the woman's orders so far. He was glad that James Potter had chosen her to look after his son and the interests of the Potter family. "I will bring this to the firm's attention as well and ensure the young lord's interests are well taken care of."

"Good," she said, settling her charge a bit more comfortably on her lap. "There's a few other items that need clearing up. First, James mentioned a prophecy to me. I need to determine what the contents of the prophecy are and have it verified by the best goblin and centaur seers. If it's false, then I will have more ammunition to use against Dumbledore and be able to keep my charge safe against any retaliation in the future.

"Second, I need Harkin examined by your healers to ensure that he has no injury or contamination in regards to what the Dark Lord did. I have a feeling the wretched Headmaster didn't consider that when he brought the child to his aunt's home."

The three goblins looked at each other for a moment. The requests were unexpected, and they were angered at the idea that Dumbledore would have allowed a child to go unattended after facing such a horrible attack. They didn't comment though as the Dowager Countess continued.

"Finally, after the funeral, which will be held after Sirius is taken care of, we will have the will reading here at Gringotts as per tradition. The Wizengamot cannot seal the wills if the magical guardian of the heir overrides their decision."

She rose, shifting her charge in her arms as she did so. Gray eyes watched the trio for a moment before speaking again.

"Ironfist knows how I prefer things done and will work with the two of you to ensure that everything goes smoothly. Do not hesitate to contact me should any problems arise."

Ironfist nodded, rising and bowing to the lady.

"We will contact you as soon as we have the healers lined up for the exam as well as finding out about the prophecy."

"You have my thanks," she answered back. "May our business continue to be prosperous and plentiful."

Now that her business was concluded, Callidora Black Longbottom returned to her home and the new home of one Harkin James Potter. There was much still left to do, the witch knew, and she vowed again to ensure that her little cousin would be ready for whatever lay ahead of him.

Author's End Note – I hope you enjoyed this first chapter. Please let me know what you thought of it. See everyone next chapter! Laran