James and Lily are killed along with Charlus Potter during an attack on Potter Manor when Dahlia is only a few months old. Dorea Potter takes custody of little Dahlia Potter and goes into hiding at one of the many Black manors in France. There she is raised to be the perfect Pureblood Heiress despite her own blood status. How will Wizarding Britain react when Dahlia Potter-Black, heiress to the Potter and Black fortune, returns to Britain just in time for the Triwizard Tournament? More importantly, how will Dahlia react when she realizes there is more to life than being the perfect heiress?

Tags: Pureblood culture, sexism, misogyny, old fashioned beliefs, female!Harry, BWL!Neville, unrequited love, possible cross-generation romance later.

Pairings: undecided for now.

Prologue

When Sybil Trelawney prophesized the end of the Dark Lord Voldemort at the hands of a boy born as the seventh month dies on that cold, wet February afternoon, there were only two pregnant women who fit the parameters: Alice Longbottom and Lily Potter. For whatever reason, however, the Dark Lord Voldemort had chosen, at least after initially hearing about the prophecy, to concentrate on getting rid of the Potters. There was speculation this was because the Potter child was to be a half-blood the same as Lord Voldemort.

Until the birth of the Potter child, that is.

The Potters had never bothered to inquire after the sex of their child-to-be. James Potter was the only son of a long line of only sons stretching back to the mid-17th century. In fact, it had been even longer than that, if the records could be believed, that a daughter was born into the Potter family. When the expected Potter heir, named almost from conception Harry James—Harry for his mother's father and James for his own father—turned out to be the Potter heiress instead, this threw a stitch into Lord Voldemort's plans. You see, Lord Voldemort did not think that a half-blooded girl could pose the same danger to him as the expected boy. Moreover, the prophecy itself seemed to prove his sentiments as it clearly referred to the prophecy child as a "he."

While the Potters were relieved that Lord Voldemort's attentions had moved elsewhere, they did not become complacent. Raising a child in the midst of war was a dangerous business after all, and it was for that very reason that James Potter moved his wife and infant daughter, Dahlia Callisto—named Dahlia after her mother's family's tradition of flower names and Callisto in respect to her grandmother's family's tradition of constellation names—into Potter Manor with his parents, Charlus and Dorea Potter.

As members of Albus Dumbledore's vigilante ground, The Order of the Phoenix, James and Lily Potter were actively acting against Lord Voldemort, so it should come as no surprise that they, once more, found themselves as a target of the Dark Lord's ire. It should also come as no surprise that James and Lily Potter died at the end of the Dark Lord's wand.

It happened on December 15th of 1980, nearly six months after the birth of their daughter. James and Lily Potter, as well as James' father, Charlus Potter, had spent the day decorating Potter manor for the upcoming Yule holiday while Dorea Potter nee Black had taken the young Dahlia with her to visit Dorea's aging mother, Violette Bulstrode-Black. When Dorea returned home with her granddaughter, she found the Dark Mark hovering over the decimated remains of Potter Manor and all three inhabitants dead.

Though custody of the six-month old Potter (and now Black) heiress was awarded to her godfather, Sirius Black, he gave guardianship to Dorea Potter, who took the infant and fled to the safety of France to raise her. There Dahlia Potter-Black remained even after the Dark Lord Voldemort was defeated ten months later, on October 31, 1981 by the young Boy-Who-Lived, Neville Longbottom.

And so the years passed until the beginning of our tale, the summer of 1994.

Dahlia Callisto Potter-Black was everything a Pureblood witch of fourteen ought to be despite not being a pureblood herself: composed, graceful, beautiful, talented, and most important of all, accomplished. She spoke a number of languages fluently, played both the violin and the lyre, could dance if the need for it arose, was a dab hand at magic, and could speak intelligently about a variety of subjects. In other words, Dahlia Callisto Potter-Black had been raised to be the perfect heiress of not one but two Noble and Most Ancient families.

Of course, it went without mentioning that Dahlia was not perfect by any stretch of the imagination. She had a fiery temper, which, coupled with her inability to hold her tongue, often got her into trouble with her grand-mère. She also had a tendency towards mischief if left to her own devices. Her grand-mère had said on more than one occasion that idle hands were the devil's playthings, so she strove to ensure that Dahlia's hands were very rarely idle which was one of the reasons she had so many accomplishments. Not that Dahlia did not enjoy her lessons, however, because with the exception of her dreaded dancing lessons, she did. Only sometimes she wished that she had more free time to walk through the immense gardens surrounding her home or to read a book for fun.

Dahlia was also prone to mischief if under the influence of her godfather, Sirius Black, who she loved to distraction though she did not get to see him nearly as often as she would like. Dahlia's desire to spend more time with Sirius was often a subject of discord between her and her grand-mère as well as between her grand-mère and Sirius. You see, Dorea Potter nee Black was rather old fashioned and set in her ways, and she was of the opinion that it was inappropriate for Dahlia to spend any time alone with a man. This had only increased, as Dahlia grew older. For the most part, Dahlia didn't have a problem with it. It was a sentiment that was quite familiar to Dahlia and her circle of friends as many of their families, the Delacour family especially, were also rather strict in that regard.

She never really understood why her grand-mère did not relax the standards when it came to Sirius as he was the closest thing to a father figure Dahlia had ever had and as such should really be considered a member of her immediate family. She knew that Sirius felt the same way. In fact, it had been only a week ago that she had overheard her grand-mère and Sirius have an argument that would lead to her entire world being overturned.

It was only a week into her holidays from Beauxbatons Academy of Magic where she had just completed her third year. She'd spent the morning working on completing her homework in preparation for Sirius' yearly visit, but when she heard the raised voices coming from the nearby parlor, she couldn't help but to go and investigate. She had always been a rather curious child.

"—she is my goddaughter! You have no right to keep her from me!"

"I have every right to keep her from you. You know very well how inappropriate it would be for a single man such as yourself to raise a young girl!"

She had heard Sirius make a noise of disgust then but her grandmamma had pressed on.

"Not to mention the company you keep! I know exactly what sort of hijinks single men get up to when they gather together, and Aurors are known for their bawdry ways. You would subject your goddaughter, who you profess to love, to their influence, knowing what could happen to her?"

"I would never—no one would ever! Lia would be perfectly safe!"

"My decision stands, Sirius. I will continue to allow you to have chaperoned visits with Dahlia as I have always done but no more than that."

"Every bloody minute of her life is chaperoned!" Sirius had spat then. "Don't think I don't know what you're doing to her. Raising her to be the perfect little Pureblood broodmare, aren't you? It's disgusting! James and Lily would be ashamed of how you're raising her!—"

There was a distinct sound of flesh on flesh then, and when she next heard her grand-mère speak, she sounded angrier than she ever had before.

"How dare you say such a thing? Everything I have done, I have done to ensure Dahlia has a successful future. I have done nothing but give her every opportunity to excel—the best tutors, lessons, and trips around the world for her studies! I have spared no expense when it comes to her education!"

"Yeah? Is that right? And what sort of future have you envisioned for her, huh? Is she to be the next Lady Malfoy? I think Narcissa's sprog is about her age. Or maybe you'll just marry her to some old man? I think Yaxley's still single, or how about the youngest Lestrange? Our latest Intel puts him in Germany, so it might be a bit of a commute, but I'm sure you could find him if you wanted.

But I bet they wouldn't take her, would they, since she's just a filthy half-blood to them? Maybe, if she's lucky, one of them will take her as a mistress instead! Some future!"

"Get—out—now. I want you out of here, and don't you dare come back until you can keep a civil tongue when speaking to me!"

"Oh, I'm leaving, but you'll hear from my attorney. I've let you keep Lia because I thought you'd be the best one for the job, but James and Lily named me her guardian in their will. I've never pressed it before, but I think it's high time I took custody of her. She should be in England with me, attending Hogwarts like her parents and every other Potter since its founding."

Dahlia had not even known she was moving until she found herself in the doorway of the parlor. Her grandmamma was on one side of the room, her face pale and trembling in fury, and Sirius on the other, his handsome face twisted into an ugly smirk, an angry handprint on his cheek.

"Did you mean that, Uncle Sirius?" Dahlia said, her accented voice thick with tears. "Are you really going to take me away?"

Sirius' eyes widened when he saw her there in front of them. "Lia, you know I love you and only want what's best for you—"

"No! I won't go. I can't leave grand-mère, and I don't want to go to Hogwarts. I love Beauxbatons and Madame Maxine."

And she truly didn't want to leave. Yes, she loved Sirius and wanted to spend more time with him, but this was the only home she knew. Ever since her parents died when she was a scant six months old, she had lived here with her grand-mère in France. Things weren't perfect—sometimes she did get tired of her lessons and all of the rules she had to follow, and maybe she and her grand-mère hadn't always gotten along, but that didn't mean she wanted to leave.

Her grand-mère gave Sirius a superior look. "You see? Dahlia is happy here with me. She is settled. Her entire life is here. If you really cared about her, you would see how selfish you are being in pushing the matter."

Sirius took a deep breath and a look of resolve settled onto his face. "For the first time in my life, Dorea, I am not being selfish. If you would just agree to the change in custody, we could save ourselves—and Lia—a lot of problems."

The tears that had been threatening to fall ever since she heard her godfather insinuate those vile things about her were now falling down her pale cheeks when she saw the resignation on her grand-mère's face. She rushed over to her and grabbed both of her hands. "I don't want to leave! Please, I promise I won't complain anymore about lessons, and I'll be on my best behavior."

"I'm sorry, ma petit—"

"I won't go—I won't."

Sirius took a step toward her. "Lia—"

But Dahlia would have none of it. She wretched her hands out of her grand-mère's and rushed from the room. At the doorway, she stopped just long enough to throw Sirius a look of utter betrayal and loathing.

Sirius had returned the next day with the change of custody in hand, and Dahlia had been forced to have her belongings packed by her personal house lf and leave her home and her grand-mère behind. However, that did not mean she was happy about it.

In fact, even now, seven days after the argument and six days since her removal from France and her placement in the dank and dark house, Grimmauld Place, that Sirius called home, she had not spoken a word to Sirius if she could absolutely help it. She had encased herself in her chambers and left only for meals, to visit the owlry in order to send letters to her friends and her grand-mère back in France, or for her lessons. Her grand-mère had insisted that Dahlia be allowed to continue her lessons if she desired, and though Sirius did not seem happy about it, he had allowed it. She had also been allowed to take her personal house elf, Tippy, with her.

Just then, Tippy appeared before Dahlia, startling her out of her pensive thoughts.

"Mistress Dahlia! It is being time for dinner. Master Sirius and Master Remus is waiting for you."

Sighing, Dahlia set the book she had been decidedly not reading for some time aside and stood to dress for dinner. Though Sirius had told her time and time again that it was not necessary for her to do so, she always had. In truth, Dahlia loved all the niceties of the Pureblood Wizarding Culture, the traditions and rituals. She knew that they were considered old fashioned, especially in Britain where many witches and wizards had embraced Muggle culture, but in France these traditions and rituals were commonplace.

Dinner was the same that night as it was every night since her arrival. Remus Lupin, a friend of both her deceased parents and Sirius, sat between Sirius and Dahlia and attempted to make pleasant conversation with the two of them.

"Are you looking forward to seeing the school your parents attended?" Remus asked, a kind smile on his face. "I'm sure Sirius has regaled you with a number of stories about what we got up to there."

"I am not," Dahlia answered coolly. "I would much rather continue my education at Beauxbatons, but as that option has been taken away from me, I suppose I will simply have to persevere."

Beside Remus, Sirius flushed hotly. He opened his mouth to speak but a pointed look from Remus had him closing his mouth. Instead, he continued eating. After a few minutes had passed, he spoke.

"I thought it might do you some good to spend time with some kids your own age and make friends, so I got us all tickets to the Quidditch World Cup. A chap I know from the ministry will be there with his kids. I think two of them are about your age."

Warring emotions arouse within Dahlia. On one hand, Quidditch was Dahlia's guilty pleasure. Her grand-mere did not think it was a done thing for young girls to ride on broomsticks, so she had only done so a handful of times and had never actually played Quidditch herself. Sirius, however, had taken her to several games a season ever since she was young enough to really understand the game. On the other hand, though, she was still—rightfully so, she felt—furious at Sirius for removing her from her grand-mere's custody.

When Dahlia did not immediately respond, Sirius pressed on. "The match starts in two days, but since the Ministry is staggering the arrivals, we have to arrive at the campground in the morning. I've already owled your tutors and let them know. All you have to do is be packed and ready to go in the morning."

She took one last bite of her dinner and set her fork and knife aside. "May I be excused then?"

Sirius' face seemed to crumple at Dahlia's indifferent tone. He heaved a sigh of resignation and nodded.

"It was lovely to see you again, Mister Lupin," Dahlia said before leaving the room. She stopped just passed the doorway when she heard Remus speak.

"It'll get better, Sirius, just give her time."

"It's been a week already, Moony. A week, and she's barely said two words to me. I just—do you think I did the right thing?"

There were several beats of silence before Remus replied. It was a carefully worded response. "Dumbledore is adamant that there are whispers telling of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's impending return even if the Minister refuses to listen. If the Headmaster believes that Dahlia could be in danger in the event he does return, then I believe that as well."

"But couldn't I be putting her into more danger by bringing her back to Britain?"

"Perhaps, but the Headmaster is the only one You-Know-Who has ever feared. She'll be safe enough at Hogwarts."

"I hope so. Otherwise, I've made my only goddaughter hate me for no reason."

"She doesn't hate you, Padfoot. I told you she—"

"Just needs time," Sirius finished ruefully. "Yeah, I know."

There was the clatter of silverware on china and then the sound of two chairs sliding back.

"Come on, Paddy. How about a game of chess before bed? We've an early morning, but I should have enough time to thrash you!"

Not wanting to be caught eavesdropping, Dahlia hurried upstairs, her mind fixed on one question: why would You-Know-Who want to hurt her?