Damsel in Defiance

by ChatterChick

Summary: Emma Potter finds herself swept up in the political arena of the pure-blood nobility after meeting her grandfather, Fleamont Potter, after her first year. Meanwhile, Fleamont rallies the surviving members of his extended family to prepare for a second war.[For tagging purposes: fem!indy!Lord?Harry AU]

A/N I knew I wanted to run wild with a bunch of popular tropes and try to change them into something (hopefully) fun. I had started a similar story, but deleted it and turned it into this one when I realized that I hadn't outlined much of the plot. I also wanted to try to incorporate Euphemia and Fleamont as the grandparents and flesh out the extended Potter family. So I present my take on an fem!indy!lord?Harry story. For your reading pleasure, there will be titles, pure-blood politics, marriage contracts, Hadrian Potter, questionable Dumbledore and more. And maybe somewhere along the way they take care of that pesky Voldemort problem.

xXxXx

Part I: The House of Potter

Emma was so close to the mirror now that her nose was nearly touching her reflection.

"Mum?" she whispered. "Dad?"

They just looked at her, smiling. And slowly, Emma Potter looked into the faces of the other people in the mirror, and saw other pairs of green eyes like hers, other noses like hers, even a little old man who looked like he had Emma's knobbly knees - Emma was looking at her family for the first time in her life.

xXxXx

"Bye Emma!"

"See you, Potter!"

People called out to her as she made her way through Platform Nine and Three Quarters. It was a beautiful day in London and everyone was excited to be returning home for the summer holidays. The platform was crowded with students and their parents. Emma smiled and waved back, shouting out goodbyes to various classmates.

"Still famous?" Ron Weasley teased, grinning at her.

Ron was a lanky redhead with more freckles than she could count. They had become friends on the Hogwarts Express and were almost inseparable at Hogwarts.

"Not where I'm going, I promise you."

Emma Potter was not keen on returning to her aunt and uncle's home after an incredible first year at Hogwarts. She was going to miss the castle, the magic, the feeling of finally belonging. Most of all, she was going to miss her friends.

"Well, I will see you both this summer," Hermione Granger said. Hermione was just a few inches taller than Emma and had bushy brown hair. She was also the brightest witch in their year. Their friendship hadn't been an easy one at first, but had developed over the year as the two girls were often the odd ones out in their dormitory. Emma had been more of a tomboy and preferred spending time with the boys while Hermione was more of a bookworm and preferred spending time in the library. They clicked in a way that they didn't with their other roommates.

"Emma you're not far - my parents are happy to have you visit any time."

"Thanks," Emma said.

The prospect of visiting the Grangers and Weasleys was the only bright spot on what she was sure would be a long summer. Emma had been orphaned at the age of one when her parents had been murdered by Lord Voldemort and she had somehow survived, defeating him in the process. With no where else to go, Emma had been sent to live with her muggle aunt and uncle. Emma always knew that they resented her, but last summer she had finally learned the reason why. Aunt Petunia thought that she was a freak just like her parents and hated anything magical, including her niece. Emma was hoping that the Dursleys would ignore her like they had last August.

"And you'll both have to visit me," Ron added.

Emma gave Hermione a hug before they parted ways. Hermione was excited to see her parents, who were waiting for her beyond the barrier in the muggle area of Kings Cross. Emma had wanted to thank Mrs Weasley for the Christmas gifts and linger a little longer on the platform. She was also not in a hurry to return to her aunt and uncle any time soon. She had purposely given them a later time when she had owled them the date and time she was returning. Part of her wondered if they would even show or if she would have to find her way back to Surrey.

"Mum asked if you could see her before you left the platform," Ron explained, looking a little guilty. "There's someone she wanted you to meet."

"Who?"

"Just - trust me, alright?" was Ron's rather cryptic response. Emma had little time to think about it because soon Mrs Weasley and Ginny were waving them over. It was hard to miss them as all of the Weasleys had the same bright ginger hair. Soon she was swept up alongside Ron in a hug.

"Ron, Emma!" Mrs Weasley said. She released the pair of them and was now beaming at them "How was your first year?"

"It was fantastic," Emma said, before allowing Ron to fill his mother in on the details.

It was then that Emma realized there was an elderly man standing next to the Weasleys. He seemed familiar to Emma although she was quite certain that she had never met him before. He was a little shorter than the average wizard and had rather wild grey hair. His bushy eyebrows gave him the appearance of being permanently startled.

"Ah, you must be Emma!" The man said, his face brightening into a smile. His brown eyes crinkled and it seemed like years had been lifted from his face.

Emma couldn't help but smile back at him.

"I would recognize you anywhere you look just like - "

"My dad, but I have my mum's eyes." It was something that everyone who had known her parents had told her. She had even seen it herself when she had found the Mirror of Erised over the Christmas holidays. She had the same messy, dark hair and poor eye sight as her dad. Emma had always loved her eyes, she thought they were her best feature. Now she loved them that much more knowing that she had shared them with her mum.

The wizard paused, as if she had caught him off guard. Then he gave a hearty chuckle. "Well yes, I suppose you would hear that quite often."

"Emma, dear, I hope this doesn't come as too much of a shook, but this is - " Mrs Weasley glanced towards the wizard as if uncertain how to proceed.

"I'm Fleamont Potter," he gently explained, "I'm your grandfather."

Then she realized why he had looked so familiar. He had been the old man in the Mirror with her knobbly knees. Emma felt as if time had slowed down around them. The roar of the crowd deadened and she could only hear her pulse throbbing in her ear. Her skin felt warm and her heart was lodged somewhere in her throat.

Her mind was spinning with a race of emotions and half formed thoughts. She had no idea where to start. The most pressing question bubbling at the surface was why hadn't she known? Why hadn't he been around before? Uncle Vernon's parents had been actively involved with Dudley until Mr Dursley died of a sudden heart attack. Mrs Dursley was in a nursing home, however the Dursley's made sure to take her to church every week and then visit her afterwards. Emma was usually left with a neighbour during these visits as she 'stressed' Uncle Vernon's mother.

She had never even considered asking what had happened to her father's family. She had believed the Dursleys when they told her that her dad had no siblings and his parents were dead. She had often dreamed of some distant relative coming to take her away; perhaps a distant cousin of her dad's. Now to learn after all this time that she had a grandfather -

"Emma?" Ron nudged her, bringing her back to the present. He glared at his mother. "I warned you that we shouldn't spring this on her!"

"She deserved to know the truth, there was no gentle way to do this. It wasn't right, keeping her from the Potters - "

"Keeping me?" Emma faintly echoed.

"Perhaps, this isn't the best place to discuss this. Ginny, can you wait with Percy? Help him find Fred and George."

There was a bit of protest that she wanted to stay, but Mrs Weasley managed to send Ginny off with her brother. Mrs Weasley then made a silent loop with her wand and the sounds of the crowd died down.

"There, that should give us a little more privacy."

"After your parents were killed, you seemingly vanished into the night. The last person to see you was Sirius Black, but he had sustained some spell damage and his memory of the night was foggy."

Fleamont paused, as if uncertain how to explain the next bit.

"Professor Dumbledore had hidden you away in the muggle world, for your protection, as he told me. I'll spare you my excuses, but I did search for you with no success. I took small comfort in knowing that if your own grandfather couldn't find you, well, then You Know Who's followers couldn't either. No one even knew that Lily had a sister until Hagrid let it slip that he delivered your Hogwarts letter last summer. It was as if our world had collectively forgotten. I had hoped that once you went to Hogwarts it would be easier to meet, however it seems that your owl post is ah - heavily monitored." Fleamont then looked apologetic. "I was hoping to find you before you disappeared back into the muggle world for your summer holidays. Molly was kind enough to make the introduction as she had already met you. I would like to meet your guardians, see if they would be agreeable with me taking you for a few hours or visiting for a few days over the holidays."

It was a lot to take in. Emma felt as if her entire world had been flipped upside down. She realized everyone around her was waiting for her to speak.

"Can't see them having a problem with that."

She was quite certain that this was going to be a shock for the Dursleys. This might be the day that Uncle Vernon finally had a stroke. While the Dursleys had a lot of faults, Emma doubted that they would have kept this from her. She suspected that had they known she had a grandfather, they would have shipped her off to him years ago.

"We should probably go find them," Fleamont said. "I wouldn't want them to worry."

Emma refrained from making a comment that the Dursleys never worried about her. Adults always gave her worrying looks when she spoke of them. A primary teacher had once called a meeting with her aunt over it. Aunt Petunia made a big production about how much she loved her niece and how Emma struggled with abandonment issues due to the deaths of her parents. Then when she returned home, Emma was locked in her cupboard for the weekend as punishment for telling stories.

"Send an owl," Ron urged her. "Let me know how everything goes. We'll have you over to visit soon."

Emma gave her best friend a small smile. "I'll owl as soon as I can."

Mrs Weasley gave her a tight hug. "I think this will be good for both of you. We're only a floo call away if you need anything."

Emma waved goodbye to the Weasleys before leading Fleamont over to meet the Dursleys. They crossed the barrier into the muggle section of Kings Cross. She could see her aunt and uncle off to the side. Dudley was standing behind them, looking nervous and clutching his bottom. Emma wondered if they had been successful with getting the pig tail removed from when Hagrid had hexed him.

"Ready, girl?" Vernon barked. He spared a moment to look warily look at Fleamont. "And who is this?"

"Allow me to introduce myself, I'm Fleamont Potter," Fleamont extended a hand. "Although you're welcome to call me Monty. I'm Emma's grandfather."

"Grandfather?" Vernon growled. He was starring at Monty's hand as if he didn't quite know what to do with it. "And just where have you been for the past decade? Leaving the girl to her hard working relatives, just like her lazy, no good father - "

"Vernon, you're making a scene!" Petunia hissed at him. Her eyes glanced around the station, although no one seemed to be paying them any attention.

Monty responded in a flat, even tone. "My son was murdered, as you very well know. It was not a choice to leave his daughter with you. Then you went along with Dumbledore's plot to kidnap my granddaughter. Her guardianship should have been handled by the ministry in the world to which she was born, not a headmaster at a school."

"Kidnap?" Petunia said. She had gotten paler as Monty spoke. "Emma was left on our doorstep with a note, her parents were dead and Dumbledore said that we were her only living relatives. She was my niece, so we took her in."

Vernon looked like he had more to add, but shut his mouth at the look Petunia was giving him. His face was still purple in colour and he was grinding his teeth so loudly that Emma could hear them. It was always fun watching Vernon hold his temper while in public.

"Dumbledore was not entirely honest with any of us," Monty tiredly said. "I have, regrettably, missed out on over a decade of my granddaughter's life. I was hoping to spend some time with Emma this summer."

Petunia pursed her lips. She glanced at Emma. "Is this what you want?"

Emma quickly nodded her head. So it was decided that Emma would be allowed to visit her grandfather for the weekend. Petunia had asked that they be back Monday afternoon. With that, the Dursleys left the platform, Vernon grumbling that he had wasted his time coming to London that day.

Monty released her snowy owl, Hedwig, from her cage. "Would you be able to meet us at Crochenwraith?"

Hedwig gave him a look that could only mean obviously before taking off. A few muggles gasped as she took flight, startled that an owl suddenly appeared in King's Cross. Monty then shrunk her trunk and tucked it into the inner pocket of his robes.

"Have you had lunch?" he asked.

"I ate something from the trolley," Emma said.

"It's been a few years since I was a Hogwarts student, but I believe the trolley only has sweets. Have you ever been to the Leaky Cauldron?"

"Once, with Hagrid. I liked it."

"Wonderful, let's head there."

Emma followed Monty towards the Underground. From the little that Emma had learned about her parents, she knew that her dad's family were pure-bloods. Monty seemed to be able to get around muggle London well enough. He didn't question muggle money and seemed to be able to maneuver his way through the Underground like the crowds of people around him. If he was uncertain about the muggle world, he was better at hiding it than Hagrid.

"Molly told me that you were a Gryffindor?"

"Yes," Emma said. "My parents were also Gryffindors?"

"Yes, as was I." Monty grinned at her. "Fortune favours the bold, who find their home among the red and gold. Effie was a Ravenclaw, though. "

"Effie?"

"Euphemia - your grandmother."

"Will I be meeting her too?" Emma asked.

"Unfortunately, no. Effie passed away several years ago. Fire Flu." Monty closed his eyes, seemingly lost in thought. "She loved you very much. I have letters that she wrote for you in my study."

Their stop was announced and that put an end to their conversation as Emma followed Monty up to the street. It wasn't long until they reached The Leaky Cauldron. For an older wizard, he certainly moved quickly. Emma had to scurry behind him to keep up.

"Monty! It is good to see you. And who is this young lady?"

"Hello Tom," Monty grinned at the grizzly old bartender. He seemed excited to make the introduction. "This would be my granddaughter, Emma. Just picked her up from the Hogwarts Express. I don't suppose you have a private table for us?"

"Ah, Miss Emma. I remember Hagrid taking you here last summer. I hope you had a good first year."

Tom lead them towards a booth in the back corner of the pub.

"Er - so what do I call you?"

She thought it would be too odd to call him Mr Potter as he was family, but it seemed impolite to call him Fleamont or Monty.

Monty's bushy eyebrows went up and he looked as unsure as Emma. "Well, I suppose whatever you feel more comfortable with. Most people call me Monty, but when you were a baby I was Granddad."

Emma nodded, still unsure herself.

Monty did the same silent loop as Mrs Weasley and the hush of the pub disappeared. There was a few minutes as they both silently read over the menu. Emma eventually ordered the fish and chips at Monty's recommendation.

"I'm sure you must have a lot of questions for me."

"Do I have any other living family members?" Emma asked. She supposed it was best not to have any more family members surprise her. "Any aunts or uncles or cousins?"

"I'm not sure what you have been told about your parents. James was an only child. His best friend, Sirius, is your godfather. He would be the closest you'd have to an uncle. I've always considered him like a second son. He's quite eager to meet you, I had to remind him that we shouldn't all show up at the Platform today or you might faint from shock! My brother and sister both had children, so there is a bit of an extended family on the Potter side. My niece, Miranda, has three children close to your age. I believe her daughter, Susan, started Hogwarts this year."

"Susan Bones?"

"Yes, have you met her?"

"A few times." As they were in different houses, Emma didn't interact much with her or the Hufflepuffs, however had seen her in the library and between classes enough to know who she was. "She's nice."

"Wonderful. Perhaps you'll get to know her better this summer. I understand you're friends with the Weasleys' youngest son?"

"Ron, he's one of my best friends along with Hermione Granger."

Never had an adult taken such an interest in Emma's life before. It was a little strange at first, but Emma relaxed more as she filled in her grandfather - a word that still sounded strange to her - on her first year at Hogwarts. She left out the parts about the Philosopher's Stone as she felt that might be a conversation for another time. She did fill him in on the troll that she and Ron saved Hermione from and how she became the youngest seeker at Hogwarts.

Monty was most eager about their shared interest in Quidditch. "Do you have a favourite team? I'm quite partial to the Caerphilly Catapults."

"Ron supports the Cannons. I don't know any other than that."

"The Cannons are not the best in the league, but they have the most loyal fanbase. We'll have to find you a favourite team this summer then."

Their lunch had come and gone and still they remained at the table.

"I suppose we should get going. We could take the floo to my home."

"Floo?"

Monty explained travelling by floo network as he paid their bill and lead them towards the Leary's fireplace. He opened a small pouch of green powder.

"Crochenwraith." Monty's carefully pronounced for her. "Best practice it a few times so that you don't get off at the wrong gate. I live a little ways outside of Cardiff."

Once Emma was able to say Crochenwraith to Monty's satisfaction, she tossed a handful of the green powder into the fireplace and stepped into it. She barely remembered to tuck her arms and legs together as she she found herself zipping along the floo network. She was quickly spat out of a fireplace. Emma coughed, clearing her throat of the powder and soot. That was definitely her least favourite way of travelling.

She climbed out of the fireplace, gazing around at the room she was in. It was a fairly large room, but it looked cozy. It reminded her a little of Gryffindor common room. The exposed walls were made out of stone. However most were covered by tapestries and portraits. The back wall was curved and upon a closer look, Emma realized that it was contained a staircase that spiralled upwards along the perimeter of the room. Glancing up it, Emma realized she must be in some sort of tower. There were two maroon couches that surrounded the fireplace. On the ledge of the fireplace, Emma could see the wedding photo of her parents and a single baby photo. She realized that it must be her.

Around her she could hear the whispers of the portraits.

"Is that her?"

"She looks just like James, doesn't she?"

Monty stepped out behind her. "Good, you found your way. I was worried you might have gotten lost. Welcome to Crochenwraith."

"This is incredible. Is it a castle?"

"Technically, yes. This is the drawing room at the base of the tower. I used to spend a great deal of time in here, back when Effie and James were alive." The enthusiasm was tinged with sadness as Monty gestured around. "These days I spend most of my time in my study or in the dungeons. I'm a potioneer, so that's where I have my lab set up. I can give you the tour."

Monty showed her the kitchens and great hall, which were in a long two story building attached to the tower. He explained that this was the building that had once been used to entertain company while the tower contained the private family chambers. Perhaps it had been grand at one point, but it felt empty and cold compared to the room she had just been in. The two long tables were covered up by sheets and the fireplace was unlit. There were large windows that ran the length of the room, but despite the sunlight, it still looked dim. Near the back of the room were two doors hidden by a pair of portraits. One of them lead back into the tower, however Monty showed her through the second one into the kitchens. The kitchens were much more inviting. The walls were white washed and the large windows filled it with light. Small jars with herbs spurting in water lined the windowsill and pots and pans were hung up on the walls. The kitchen lacked any of the technological amenities of a muggle kitchen. In fact, Emma felt like she has been transported back in time. There was a table and some chairs set up and Monty mentioned that he usually took his meals in here.

From the outside, the castle appeared to be very small. It was just the great hall with the tower attached to it. Monty explained that it had been built by muggles as a defensive keep and then later abandoned. The stones were covered by ivy that had crept its way up over the building. The grounds were enclosed by a stone wall, however Emma could see three golden hoops just beyond the property. Monty showed her the greenhouse where he grew his potions ingredients along with her grandmother's gardens.

Monty lead her back inside the tower. This time climbing the staircase that spiralled around it. From the inside, it seemed much than the outside suggested. Emma had her suspicions that the place was magically enlarged, especially as the tower looked to be several stories high with each floor being its own room. Monty's room was on the top floor while his study was on the second.

"The Potters are able to trace our ancestry back to Linfred of Stinchcombe, not that he ever lived here. The Potters were a common family back then who made their fortune through potions. This castle actually belonged to my grandmother's family, the Fleamonts. They were a noble wizarding family who are now extinct through the male line. My grandmother was the last of them and asked my father to continue the name. I suspect she meant the surname, but that's how I ended up with my rather unfortunate first name. Let me tell you though, carrying a name such as Fleamont makes you quite the dueller in the schoolyard - ah, here we are."

Monty stopped on the landing for the third floor. He opened the door and showed her inside.

"This is your room, for whenever you want to visit," Monty said. He leaned against the doorway. "I'm afraid I'm not sure how witches your age decorate. Effie decorated it when you were a baby - purple was a nice neutral colour, no house affiliation. I didn't think to change it."

Emma could tell that the room had been designed with a younger girl in mind. Still, she was touched that she had a room in her grandfather's home. The walls were white washed and made the room much brighter. The purple bedspread had white swirls on it and there was a few plush animals on top of it including a pink unicorn, lime green and purple dog and a baby deer. There was a large window over looking the gardens that had blankets and pillows seated on it. Off to one side was a bookshelf filled with some children's books along with an empty desk.

Throughout the day she had been getting a feel for the childhood that had been taken from her. She silently mourned that childhood. Her childhood with her parents had been stolen from her by a dark wizard who had murdered her parents. Her childhood with her grandparents had been stolen by a kind wizard who had always seem to have her best interests at heart.

Why? Why did Dumbledore think I was better off with the Dursleys?

"It's brilliant, thank you."

"You are welcome to decorate it of course, we could make a trip to Diagon Alley." Monty took her trunk out of his pocket and undid the charm so that it returned to its full size. He then put it at the end of her bed. "I should let you get settled, I imagine it's been a hectic day with leaving Hogwarts and then having all of this sprung at you. There is a washroom that is attached to your room. The castle is yours to explore."

Monty paused as if he had another thought.

"I don't suppose you've ever met a house-elf?"

"A what?"

"They tend to hid at Hogwarts, but they do all the cooking and cleaning. Kappa, come introduce yourself."

There was a crack and a little creature appeared in front of her. Emma tried not to shout. The creature had bat-like ears and large, blue eyes the size of tennis balls. He had an off-white dish towel fashioned around himself like a toga.

"Kappa is happy to meet the little Miss Emma," he said in a high pitched voice. He was nearly bouncing on the balls of his feet. "It has been a very long time since the little Miss has come to visit. Kappa has kept her room spotless. Not a speck of dust!"

Monty chuckled. "Kappa is also around if you need anything."

"Oh yes, Kappa is most helpful." His ears drooped and his voice went to a stage whisper. "Mr Monty may be a great wizard who knows many potions, but he does not know how to cook. And he would lose all of his socks without his Kappa."

It was only once Emma was left alone in the room that she had time to really process the entire afternoon.

She was still an orphan, but she was not quite as alone as she had been lead to believe.

With a pang, Emma realized that Dumbledore had known that she had seen her family in the Mirror of Erised and still said nothing of it. It had also been implied that her mail at Hogwarts was being monitored or blocked. But why? Why would a headmaster interfere with her guardianship like that? Why did it matter to him that she lived with the Dursleys rather than the Potters?

Emma had really only talked to the headmaster a handful of times since arriving at Hogwarts. He had always been kind to her, giving her guidance and seeming to care. She tried to remember the few conversations she had with him.

"Your mother died to save you. If there is one thing Voldemort cannot understand, it is love. He didn't realize that love as powerful as your mother's for you leaves its own mark. Not a scar, no visible sign... to have been loved so deeply, even though the person who loved us is gone, will give us some protection forever. It is in your very skin."

Perhaps there was an answer in her mother's sacrifice.