Chapter One

The sun shines brightly when you're screwing somebody over

Heathrow Airport was busy as usual, it being the summer holidays. Families were taking trips as their children were out of school and were taking the chance to do family things. The Grangers did not differ from any other family entering Heathrow, at least not on the surface. The only difference was their daughter, she only just returned from her time at a magical boarding school where she learned to grow her skills as a witch. The Grangers were not overly knowledgeable about the magical world, something they've always found a bit worrisome yet their daughter seemed happy, most of the time.

Today though, as the Grangers looked back at their daughter who was following behind them they could see the worry in their teenage daughter's eyes. Something that simply did not seem to belong in the eyes of a teenage girl. To be fair, it was a worry that their daughter always seemed to have ever since coming back from the Magical world. Something was concerning their daughter and the young witch was telling them nothing of what was worrying her, only hiding it behind fake smiles that they didn't know when she'd learned.

For Hermione Granger today was not turning into the day she thought it would be. She had just received word moments before they were to leave for the airport, that her best friend hadn't returned to Privet Drive and that the Order had declared her as missing. The information was to be kept as low key as possible to stop the Dark from realizing that she was missing yet it didn't mean they would. She didn't know what her friend was thinking, running away as she had.

"Hermione!" Came a cry that had her freezing in shock before she spun.

She hurriedly looked over the crowd of strangers, looking for the figure that had called her name. Her parents had only just realized that she stopped and were making their way towards her. Before they could, she was engulfed in strong arms that had her tensing at first but relaxing and returning the gesture quickly enough, especially as she felt her friends magic swirling around her.

"Téa!" She exclaimed relief flooding her mind as she realized that her best friend was before her and not missing. "I've been so worried! You didn't return to the Dursleys' and the Order has been looking for you -"

"We don't have much time Hermione," Tea hurried to interrupt her before pulling away and it was only then that Hermione noticed that her friend looked unharmed and casual in her short white high waisted shorts and green crop top long sleeve shirt. Her silver-haired was pulled into a set of twin buns with highlights of purple, blue and green mixed within. "I had to bring you something before you head on your vacation."

"What - but" yet Hermione didn't know what to say as her friend grabbed her hand and slipped a ring onto her finger.

"That ring is a portkey, it will bring you to safety if you ever need it just activate it by saying the activation word. It's a family heirloom, been in the family for a long time. It will work internationally as well. I know you're worried and you should be but just remember to be on the lookout for anything suspicious while also having fun." Tea explained as the Grangers arrived at their daughter's side. "Hope you have a wonderful trip,"

With that, Tea hugged her once more before whispering into her ear, "Harvest". With that, she pulled away before smiling at Hermione's parents.

"Nice to see you both again Mister and Misses Granger, I can't tell you how grateful I am to have Hermione as a friend. Doubt I would have passed any of my exams without her. I hope you all have a wonderful trip." She chirped before letting her head fall to one side and smirking. "Sorry I have to go, avoiding the Order is harder than you might think, plus Sirius has a nose like a hound and finds my sent pretty fast, gets annoying you know."

"Wait - Tea you shouldn't be avoiding them." Hermione hurried to say but her friend simply laughed and waved her goodbye before falling into the crowd. It wasn't long before Hermione came face to face with Sirius and Amelia who both looked worried.

For a moment, Sirius looked like he was trying to find her before he seemed to deflate.

"Lost her scent," he sighed tiredly before running a hand through his hair and turning to Amelia. "I'm thinking she might have been sorted wrong, she's sneaky like a snake that one."

"Slipper like a Snake, sneaky like a badger," Amelia grunted before turning to Hermione. "I'm guessing you didn't know she was going to visit you before your flight."

"No, sorry Madam Bones,"

"What's going on, who was that?" Mrs. Granger questioned, concern lacing her voice as she placed a hand on her daughter's shoulder.

"You didn't recognize her because of her hair mum, that was Tea, my best friend. She was supposed to return to the Dursley's, but she didn't and now people are looking for her so they can bring her back."

"Maybe there is a reason she doesn't want to go back to the Dursley's," Mr. Granger remarked, remember having a small conversation with the wale of man when they were waiting to pick up their daughter. He hadn't been impressed. "But we need to go if we want to make our plane, come on Hermione."

"We'll find her Hermione, don't worry," Sirius grunted before he and Amelia and Hermione was almost dragged away by her parents.

Throughout the endless droll that was going through Security and all other areas Hermione, kept her attention on the slim bad now attached to her finger. Her friend had found a way to protect her and her family if they were ever attacked, a portkey. She would be able to whisk them all away and out of danger if the need arose. How she gained it she didn't know but she did know that portkey's were not easy to come by and the Ministry didn't hand them out for no reason. The ring was quite ornate and yet it was a slime band and you only noticed it if you looked closely.

She felt a warmth blossom inside her though as she considered that her friend had gone through so much trouble to find her a way to protect her family. Looking over at her parents who were chatting over some documents, she felt her lips twitch up into a smile before she dug her book out and flipped to her marked page.

...

Sirius wanted to curse. He shouldn't have allowed Dumbledore to have a say in where Tea went to during the summer. He should have put his foot down and told the old goat that his goddaughter would stay at Grimmauld Place. Now he had a runaway teenage girl who seemed perfectly able to hide from anybody who wanted to find her. The fact she had appeared at Heathrow was a surprising chance they could not claim as she left, leaving no trace for them to follow or use to track her movements. If he didn't know better, he would say she knew how to apparate the little witch but that wasn't possible.

"She takes after you with her rebellious stage," Amelia grunted as they returned to Grimmauld making him snort.

"No, that would be Lily she takes after. Her mother wouldn't have let herself be forced into a situation any more than Téa would." He remarked while opening the door for the woman.

Making their way to the basement, they found other search teams already present and an order meeting only moments away from beginning.

"Any news Sirius?" Dumbledore asked making Sirius' anger grow.

"Yeah, spotted at Heathrow. She hugged Hermione and then disappeared again before we could even get near her." He remarked surprising the others.

"Why were you sending her back to the Dursley's?" Alice Longbottom questioned while turning her attention to Dumbledore. "Sirius is her legal guardian now that he's free, she shouldn't be returning to the Dursley's not to mention I'm very well aware of the fact that Lily wanted Tea nowhere near the Dursley's, to begin with."

"The Blood wards that protected Tea after her mother's sacrifice are the reason she must return to the Dursley's. Sadly, I believe that tonight they will fall and she will have lost that protection. Now that we cannot return her to the Dursley's she will be forced to return to Grimmauld." Dumbledore remarked, a frown in place as he considered his options. "We must continue the search and keep her disappearance as quiet as possible. If Voldemort were to learn of her disappearance, he would have Death Eaters out and about searching for her and if they were to catch her, it would disastrous."

It has become quite clear that Téaleon Potter did not want to return to Privet Drive, to begin with," Frank remarked before shaking his head. "Did anybody discuss this with her or did you simply choose for her?"

"Frank, Alice you both have not met Tea since she was a babe -" Molly began but Alice quickly interrupted.

"Wrong, it is thanks to Tea that we are here today sane and able to get to know our son, she brewed the potion that saved our lives." She began only for Snape to snort with disgust.

"Potter couldn't brew a potion to save her life, there is no way she could have created a cure to bring you both back to sanity." he sneered earning a glare from Frank.

"Téaleon Potter found the recipe in her family vault, it was created long ago by one of her ancestors, and she took it upon herself to brew the potion and bring it to Saint Mungo's. She saved our lives Severus Snape. Our son has also informed us that she is an exceptionally talented witch not to mention far more mature than most teenage girls her age, little alone witches twice her age. My wife did have a point however, was she ever consulted in where she wanted to go for the summer holidays if I remember correctly she is Lady Potter."

"Adults made the decision," Dumbledore began causing Alice to snort.

"Meaning she was not consulted. Well, it is clear Tea left of her own accord, not wanting to return to Privet Drive. As she is an adult she is allowed to live wherever she chooses." Alice declared while sending a glare towards Dumbledore and disappointed looks to Sirius and Amelia who both looked down with guilt.

"I believe Tea has shown her exceptional talent at staying out of the public's eyes. For now, we will allow her to stay where she is." Frank declared while grabbing his wife's hand and squeezing it. "We should not focus our attention solely on a person who left of her own free will; instead we should be concentrating on the war and the fact that Voldemort has made multiple bold attacks."

There was a murmur from around the room before Dumbledore reluctantly agreed and continued with the meeting. As the meeting ended, Amelia turned her attention to Sirius who looked utterly miserable and she couldn't blame him. Walking over she placed a gentle hand on his shoulder before sitting down.

"I shouldn't have listened to Dumbledore," he muttered before burying his face in his hands. "She was right; Privet Drive wasn't safe last summer, why would it be any different this summer. I should have told him that where she lives during the summer is not the responsibility of the Headmaster of Hogwarts but that of her guardians and even then, she's right again! She's Lady Potter, she can choose where the hell she lives and she has made her choice. For crying out loud, Frank and Alice know this and they were insane for the past fifteen years!"

"I think she had this planned Sirius," Amelia whispered making the man look up with startled eyes. "I don't know why but I feel she planned this entire thing. She wasn't willing to return to Privet Drive, but for some reason, my gut is telling me this is just to spite us."

"What do you mean?"

"I think - she's been planning something for a while now and even if she wouldn't have returned to Privet Drive, I have a feeling she would have disappeared for a good portion of the summer," Amelia remarked a frown marring her features as she contemplated her goddaughter.

"But - I - h - why?"

"That's the question now isn't it, not to mention where is she hiding. Nobody has spotted her in Diagon Alley or any other magical location unless Gringotts is hiding her. I don't see why however they wouldn't usually help a witch or wizard unless there was something in it for them." Amelia remarked before drawing a sigh, she was about to continue but stopped a letter flew out of the fireplace and settled in front of them making both adults blink in surprise.

Shaking hands grabbed the envelope and Sirius immediately noticed the writing as being Téa's. With hurried motions, he opened the envelope and began to read aloud.

Dear Sirius and Amelia,

Sorry for avoiding your attempt at catching me. It would not do well for my plans if I were to be relocated into a more confined environment. I have plans for this summer and I consider them extremely important.

As it stands, I would recommend that Dumbledore cease using Order members to look for me, as it is a waste of time and resources. Also, remind him that he is but my Headmaster and has shown little respect towards me as a legal adult. He is not my guardian, he is not my husband - which would be very gross, to be honest - he is but my headmaster and the last time I looked had no control over where I chose to spend my summer holidays, something you both should take note of before listening to the old fart.

I won't tell you where I am, or what my mission is, however, I can tell you it has nothing to do with the war, well this mission at least. I can also inform you that I will write to you letters once every week to tell you I am alive and unharmed.

I can firmly defend myself in many situations, more so than you might consider and hope that you will trust me in knowing what is best for me. We will have a nice long chat when we see each other next so no worries.

I love you both and please be safe.

Téa

Finishing the letter, both adults fell silent before Sirius took a deep breath and rose to his feet.

"I guess - I guess it's time to trust in her."

...

Entering Gringotts, Téaleon Potter gave a nod to a goblin before slipping into one of the many pathways and find her way to the study room Gringotts assigned her. The Room was like a large office with an expansive wooden desk, a stone fireplace that added warmth to the room and a sofa before it with a wooden coffee table. There was another door that led to a small bedroom that housed a single size bed and it held a comfortable bathtub and toilet area. Another door in the room was connected to her own personal track system. A goblin was positioned at the cart during day times and would bring her down to her vaults when she had need. It avoided that chances of her being seen.

Already the room was littered in paperwork; from scrolls and stacks of paper, to a large map that was pinned to an old-fashioned mobile corkboard and books. Near the desk and on a pillow near the fire, was Attor. The Serpent seemed to have grown since leaving school and now could wound his way around her arm and lay its head on her shoulder without worrying about falling.

"You should have brought me with you," the serpent hissed moodily as she noticed her arrival.

"Oh yeah and have Security find you on me as I'm going through Heathrow, no thanks. Didn't need that headache thank you very much." She remarked before sitting down. "Plus I had to be quick, Sirius was on my trail, guess they suspected I'd see Hermione off,"

The moment she left Kings Cross, she disappeared. She wasn't going to give the Order a chance to see her off for the summer, or in this case following her back to Privet drive. She was peeved at Sirius and Amelia to be certain but she was happy that she was going to have the chance to do her search. She was determined to find her Ancestral home this summer and she would let nobody stop her. She wasn't going to deny that Dumbledore would have the Order outlook for her, couldn't have her not return to the Dursley's but she cared very little for the Dursley's, after everything they did to her, they could kiss her ass.

Therefore, after leaving Kings Cross, she made her way to Gringotts. Her Ancestral vault carried many old documents and books with plenty of history that she hoped would help her find what she was looking for. Gringotts was gracious enough to allow her the usage of one of their study rooms, something they didn't do often. It carried access to her vaults and secrecy from the outside world.

"We'll back to work I go," she mumbled before diving into her scrolls yet just as she was about to get deep into it an envelope appeared at her side in a letter tray.

Dropping the scroll, she picked it up and found Neville's familiar scroll. Opening it, she swiftly began to read.

Hi Téa,

I have heard from mum and dad that you have up and disappeared from the radar. I thought I would try writing to you so I hope you get this letter.

Mum and dad wanted me to tell you that they will not help Dumbledore search for you. They respect the choice you have made and simply want you to know that if you are ever in need of aid or a just a place to have tea; you are always welcomed at the Stronghold, actually any property we're staying at, to be honest. They wanted me to pass on that the Longbottom's will always stand by the Potters.

We hope you are safe and taking care of yourself, eating properly and not doing anything too dangerous. I have to admit; I am curious about where you went this time but I know you won't tell me. Wouldn't want to get it leaked into the wrong hands and that doesn't just mean Voldemort now.

Well, I should end this letter here. I hope to hear from you but if I don't I will take it as a sign that you never received the letter.

Truly at your side,

Neville Longbottom, heir of to the Longbottom Family