Chapter Text
July 31, Harry’s 17th birthday.
A flash of green light barely missed Harry Potter. He spun toward the source and froze. It was Dumbledore.
“Harry, you must die for Voldemort to be destroyed!” Dumbledore sighed. “You are a horcrux and as long as you survive, he cannot die and I cannot allow you to meet Miss Granger!”
Harry couldn’t believe what his so-called mentor and leader of the light was saying. “Are you nuts headmaster?” Harry hissed.
“There is no other way, I am sor—”
“Crucio!” a voice shouted. Harry gasped — it was Hermione. She had just used an unforgivable on the headmaster! “Sleepio!” she hissed. The headmaster collapsed. “We have to go before he awakes.”
“Her-Hermione? How?”
“Shush. Once we get to safety, Father will tell you everything.” Harry’s eyes widened as he realized where they were going.
“Don’t worry,” Hermione added, her voice softening. “He has a plan. It doesn’t involve your death. I would never let him.”
She hesitated for just a second.
“And… happy birthday.”
Harry was too tense to respond. He trusted her — but her father was an entirely different matter. Voldemort had wanted him dead since he was a child.
His worries didn’t have time to linger. Hermione activated the Port key.
HARRY POTTER NO MORE!
He looked at the clock on the wall and grinned. Voldemort knew that Hermione would be returning shortly with Harry. He got up from his desk and looked outside.
The ground was wet from the falling rain. He and his daughter, along with the Greengrasses and Malfoys, had lived in the mansion for two months, hidden away from the UK.
Voldemort glared at the rain, his eyes narrowed. He still could not believe that the so-called light kidnapped his daughter when she was a baby and put her in a household of Muggles. They had taken her. Raised her among Muggles. Taught her to despise everything she was born to be.Thankfully, her adopted parents had decided to reveal the truth after hearing so much about him being evil. Hermione had searched for him. Though she had severed all contact with the heroes of the Light, she had stayed in contact with Harry.
In fact, her loyalty and sibling love for Potter is the main reason that he had come up with this plan. If Potter agreed… the prophecy would collapse.
The fragment of soul within him would remain untouched. Dumbledore would lose his weapon. After all, Dumbledore will eventually go after Harry to destroy the horocrux within just to stop him! Always sacrificing others for his grand design.
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On the other side of the mansion, a teenager is nervous. Astoria looks at her and sighs. “I have no idea why you are so nervous Daphne.” A voice from the doorway says.
“I don’t know how you’re not nervous, Draco. If he agrees to the plan, you’ll have to treat him much nicer.”
“Honestly? Won’t be all that hard. I only ever was mean to Potter because he declined my hand of friendship and it was expected of me! If he does this, well then….”
“Even if he doesn’t won’t he be untouchable?” Astoria questioned.
“Yes. But he’ll be living elsewhere, under a new name. We’ll hardly see him.” Draco paused. “Not that I think that’ll happen, he cares too much for Hermione and well you know.”
Daphne rolls her eyes. “Just because I was nice to him doesn’t mean…”
“Sure Greengrass and that’s why you’re not stressed right?” Draco said smugly, leaving the girls alone.
“Prat!” Daphne grumbled as Astoria giggled.
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Harry really hated portkeys. The feeling of a hook grabbing your navel was just too uncomfortable for his taste. Hermione giggled looking at his face. “Still hate portkeys?”
“Hermione, it's only been 2 months, of course I do!” Harry stated.
“A lot can happen in 2 months Harry. Before we go inside, we need to talk. That’s why I had the portkey drop us off just outside the wards.” Harry looked at her nervously but before he could freak, she noticed. “It’s not bad, well I don’t think it is.” Hermione sighed. “Obviously you can tell I don’t dress the same…” Harry nodded as he looked at her black dress and small heels.
“I definitely noticed.”
Hermione smiled and then sighed. “Harry, Draco and I are together but that’s not all. I joined my father in the dark arts. I just can’t forgive the Order for what they did!”
Harry looked at her thoughtfully. “We have been owling since you left, do you really think that I hadn’t noticed the change of writing? Hermione I came because I wanted to. Of course I never expected Dumbledore to try to kill me for it.”
“You do realize he won’t force you to join… but he will expect you to behave if you stay.””
Harry nodded. “So what is his plan?”
“You’ll have to wait until I gather the family, Pott— …Harry.”Voldemort said as he walked towards them. Harry was struggling to not draw his wand and Voldemort had noticed. “Harry, if I had wanted you dead, you would be. My daughter asked for you to be spared and you will be no matter your decision as long as you don’t rejoin the light.”
“That’s not an option anymore daddy, Dumbledore tried killing Harry!” She swallowed. “On his birthday!”
Voldemort thought for a second and smiled. “That old fool has done more for my cause than he realizes.” Harry glared. “I’m sorry but look at it from my point of view! This is glorious!” Harry sighed as he followed the father and daughter towards the mansion.
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Before the trio even made it to the house, Voldemort had sent a patronus to gather the family. By the time they had arrived, the group had assembled around the table in the dining room. Draco sat beside two empty chairs clearly reserved in expectation. Beyond them were Daphne and Astoria. On the other side of the large table sat Lucius, Narcissa, and the Greengrasses. Brian, tall and broad-shouldered with brown hair streaked faintly with silver, sat straight-backed. Beside him sat Carina, all blonde elegance — the source of her daughters’ striking looks was unmistakable.
When the trio entered the room, every conversation ceased. Chairs scraped softly against the floor as the assembled family rose.
Voldemort moved to the head of the table without a word. Only when he took his seat did the others follow.
Hermione crossed the room and sat beside her father with practiced elegance.
Harry remained standing a moment too long. He could feel their eyes on him.
Voldemort gestured to the empty chair between Hermione and Draco. “Sit,” Voldemort said. Not wanting to create a scene, he obeyed. The silence stretched just long enough to be deliberate.
“First off, Harry, I know that you know Lucius and Narcissa. As well as Draco, Daphne, and Astoria. But have you ever met the senior Greengrasses?”
“N-no, si-sir,” Harry stammered, the nerves finally catching up with him.
“Harry, there’s no reason to be nervous. We are under a ceasefire, after all.” Voldemort said as he grinned. “These are Daphne and Astoria’s parents — Brian and Carina Greengrass.”
After the pleasantries were over it was Hermione to ask the question that everyone was thinking. “Harry, what happened when we left?”
Harry sighed. “It’s only been 2 months but it seems like it was years!” Harry paused. “Shortly after your escape from Hogwarts, I was called into the headmaster’s office. He wanted to convince me that you were involved in a plot to kill me and that your father was Voldemort.” Harry’s eyes looked at his now former enemy. “He expected that I would believe the manufactured evidence and his word…and it was close.” Hermione looked sad. “I knew it couldn’t be true but he had so much proof!”
“Then why keep owling me?” she questioned.
“Because I knew deep down that you were innocent and then I got proof in the form of a certain firebug in his office. He never realized the bond with Fawkes had weakened years ago. That was the real reason that Fawkes came to my rescue in our second year. Fawkes showed me a conversation between the headmaster and the senior members of the Order of the Phoenix in his office.”
Harry took a breath and continued. “They spoke about it like it was a strategy. Your abduction. The way they placed you with Muggles. The way they shaped your life. As if you were… inventory.” Harry’s anger showed as he gritted his teeth. It was at this point that Hermione lightly held his hand. “The worst part is this was all part of the headmaster’s grand plan. He wanted Hermione to be my friend and wanted to have her betray me to lead me to him even more so. When it was obvious that Hermione would never betray me, he took matters into his own hands!”
“So you're telling me that my daughter’s abduction and framing was all to get you to his side?”
Harry nodded. “Ironic though, that it did the opposite. I kept owling her and Ron found out. I thought I could trust him. He’s the one who ratted me out to the headmaster and to stop me from coming here, he tried to kill me!” Everyone assembled except for Voldemort, Harry, and Hermione were shocked by this admission.
“Dumbledore tried to kill you?” Draco asked in shock.
Harry nodded but it was Hermione to answer. “He used the killing curse.”
Voldemort’s eyes narrowed. “How principled of him,” Daphne said coldly.
“What have you all been up to?” Harry asked, trying to change the subject.
Hermione didn’t fall for it but decided to answer him. “We’ve been home-schooled by Narcissa and Carina. The men handle combat training when they’re here. The rest of the time they’re managing business… or, in father’s case, the army.”
“How are you all practicing magic? What about the Trace?” Harry asked, glancing toward Astoria.
Daphne leaned back slightly. “We’re not in the UK — not even in Europe. And no one is looking for us here.
“Father was thorough.”
“Well Draco, I guess I’m going to be your reinforcements!” Harry stated. Draco’s lips twitched.
“That is to be determined.” Voldemort said.
“What? I thought -”
“You’re staying,” Hermione said calmly. “But Draco meant something else.”
Confused, Harry looked at Voldemort. “If I’m here, how am I not adding to the guys’ number?” Voldemort’s gaze shifted to Hermione. Something unspoken passed between them. After a moment, she gave a small nod.
“Harry,” Hermione sighed. “How do I say this?” Harry was starting to get nervous again. “Father is concerned about you staying with us… because of the prophecy.”
“So I am being kicked out?”
“No,” Hermione said quickly. “This isn’t about kicking you out, but he would feel more comfortable if you were willing to… make a change.”
“What kind of change? What is this going to cost me?” Harry asked as the rest of the family watched and waited.
Voldemort did not answer immediately. The silence stretched. “The prophecy names you,” Voldemort said at last. “It binds you as you are.”
Harry was about to say something but Hermione put her hand on him. She shook her head and Harry listened to Voldemort.
“But prophecies are precise things.” He paused as if to let that register to Harry. “You told Hermione the prophecy. Say it again.”
“The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches... Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies... and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not... and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives... The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies...” Harry recited it automatically, the words as familiar to him as his own name..
“Now let us examine it properly.” He paused as he looked directly at Harry. “Born to those who have thrice defied him,” Voldemort said. He repeated it softly, almost thoughtfully. “Born to those who have thrice defied him. What if your parents never defied me at all?”
“But they did defy you. You can’t change that—”
Voldemort sighed but continued. “The prophecy is not sentimental. It is exact. It binds the child born of those who defied me. If you are no longer born of them…” Voldemort’s gaze did not waver as he paused to let Harry digest the information. “...then the prophecy becomes nullified.”
Harry grinned. “Bloody brilliant.”
Hermione put her hand on Harry’s and looked thoughtful. “Harry, he’s not finished.”
“The Dark Lord will mark him as his equal… Either must die at the hand of the other…” Voldemort took a second before continuing. “The prophecy binds a son, Harry.” He let the words settle. “What if you were my daughter?” Harry went very still. For a moment, he thought he had misheard, but the words seemed to echo in his mind. ’What if you were my daughter?’ His pulse hammered in his ears. Around the table, no one moved. Everyone’s eyes were on Harry.
Hermione glanced at Harry’s pale expression, then at Daphne. “Harry, why don’t you, Daphne, and I go discuss this?”
“Daphne?”
“Two girls your age might be less intimidating than a room full of adults.” Hermione’s voice softened. Harry glanced once more at Voldemort before following Hermione.
Once the three teens went upstairs to Hermione's room, Harry sat in a chair as the girls sat on her bed. While the girls wanted to speak, they let Harry sit there in silence to digest it all. After a few minutes had passed, Harry looked at them again.
“What does it feel like?” he asked.
“Being a girl?” Hermione questioned and Harry nodded. “Considering that I have no idea what being a boy feels like, this is hard to answer.” Harry slumped at Hermione’s statement. “I will, however, try. It’s not something you notice all at once,” Hermione said thoughtfully. “You just… are. After a while it stops being something you think about. Yes, there are differences. You get used to them. Some things are simply… easier,” she added carefully, her gaze dropping.
It was Daphne who jumped in. “Cycles are awful,” Daphne admitted. “But I wouldn’t trade being a woman for anything.”
Harry nodded at that. “I’m just scared, what if I lose everything about me?”
“You won’t stop being you,” Hermione said gently. “That doesn’t change.”
“But society will treat you differently.” Hermione shot her a look. “What?” Daphne said. “He needs to know.”
“Why would I even care?” Harry asked.
Daphne smiled. “Harry, you need to know this because Voldemort was never a half-blood, that was a lie spread by Dumbledore in order to discredit him. If you go through with this,” Daphne continued, “your blood changes. Completely. You’d be counted as pure.” She looked straight at him. “Completely,” Daphne repeated.
Harry’s jaw clenched at this information.Pure blood. Lily’s green eyes flashed in his mind. As a pure blood, he knew that he would be forced to go to balls and other functions. Harry dropped his head back against the chair. “Merlin, help me.” The girls laughed.
After a few minutes had passed, the two girls had stopped and looked at Harry seriously. Harry’s mind was racing. ‘I already lost them once.’ Harry considered. ‘Would I be betraying my parents and their sacrifice?’ This was the biggest fear. After thinking about it, he realized he wouldn’t be. His mother sacrificed herself not to defeat Voldemort but to save her child and even if he were no longer biologically hers, she would always be his mother. She would want Harry to do what kept him safe and happy.
Being with Hermione felt safe. It felt right. This would allow him - no her - to stay by her side. Would it be so wrong to do this? Dumbledore had made his choice. Now she would make hers. The silence returned, heavier now. The room felt smaller than before. It was time. Harry sighed and got up. “Let’s go, you two.”
Hermione searched his face, looking for any indication of his choice.. “Are you sure?” Harry nodded and the three teens went back to the gathered family.
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As the three girls re-entered the dining room, Harry noticed that the family were still sitting. Hermione and Daphne walked elegantly back to their seats. Harry took a breath. She knew that this was the right choice for her.
A part of her wondered if maybe she had always been a girl. Taking one last deep breath to calm her nerves, she took her place next to Hermione and Draco and sat down.
The gathered family looked directly at her, but it was Voldemort that spoke. “Well?
Harry thought long about how to answer him and decided she would in typical Harry fashion. “Congratulations. It’s a girl.” Hermione tried and failed to stifle a giggle.
“Very well,” Voldemort said, a small grin touching his lips. He glanced at Carina. She gave a single nod.
“Harry,” she began as she held a vial of pinkish purple liquid, “This potion will rewrite your blood,” Carina said calmly. “When it is finished, you will be Voldemort’s biological daughter. Hermione’s full sister.” Carina paused. “This is irreversible. There is no cure. And even if there were, your body would not survive a second transformation.” Carina looked at the teen intently. “Is this what you really want? If so, go with Hermione and take the potion.” Harry thought for a second, nodded, and slowly took the potion. Soon, the two girls were heading upstairs.
Hermione took Harry to a closed door next to hers. “I thought we’d be going to your room.”
Hermione smiled softly but shook her head. “I shouldn’t be with you Harry. This is a private thing. Once it’s done, knock on the wall we share and I’ll come to help.” Harry nodded as Hermione went into her own room.
Harry took a deep breath and placed her hand on the doorknob. She could feel her nerves affecting her but turned the knob anyway. As she switched on the light, she gasped. It looked just like Hermione’s but in a green color scheme. This made her smile. Harry slowly shut the door and crossed the room to her bed. After undressing and putting on a bathrobe, she looked at a picture that she had always kept on her. “Mum, Dad,” she began as tears flowed. “I hope you understand my decision and know that I will always love you and you will always be my parents no matter what!” With that, she put the vial to her lips and drank.
Hermione sat on her bed in the room next door, trying to read a book, but all she could think of was if Harry was okay.
Harry gasped as she felt a monumental shift to her body! The fabric of her robe shifted as her body changed beneath it. Her black hair had lightened to match Hermione’s as it grew longer. Her eyes darkened as they no longer were the striking green they once were. Last thing she felt before passing out was her insides rearranging.
Harry slowly got up and noticed that she wasn’t in her bedroom anymore. It was some kind of forest. She quickly realized that her wand was missing. Frantic, she looked around trying to get her bearings when she heard a familiar voice, one that she thought that she would never hear again.
“Hiya pup. What’s new?” Sirius said as he stood right in front of her.