New Beginnings

I'm sorrrrryyyyyyyyy! My mind is bouncing between many fandoms. Additionally, I'm a senior in university, so I'm pretty busy right now because of midterms. So, while updates may not be regular, all fics will be updated in turn. None left behind! It may be a while between updates, but I won't be leaving for months on end. At least, I don't think so. Anyway, my dears! Thx so much for reading. Please feel free to leave a comment and check out the other fics in this series, A soul of Change, and watch our girl live and love and fight fate as she is reborn into new worlds again and again.

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"Why?" I ask, head tilting. My dad hums, setting me on his hip and adjusting my cloak, hood pulled low as always, and now being held that way with a little flower crown to limit the chance of someone getting a look at my rather distinctive hair.

"Two reasons: One, we're moving to a literal castle. Two, since I don't have magic myself, I could call on them to do certain tasks for me. I'm hoping they can help us pack."

"And take us places," I say, understanding the logic.

"So, house elves," Papa states.

"House elves," I agree. And with that, we were on our way back to Gringotts, who apparently, had goblin fingers in every business pie possible, even… acquiring house elves. The idea of purchasing them made me very icky, but I tried to console myself with the understanding that they would be treated like family and that elves need to be magically bonded to a witch or wizard to survive.

We passed through the Cauldron easily, nodding in greeting to Tom the barkeep, but not stopping. In the months since we started coming here, tensions had eased significantly in the Alley, but most still chose not to linger, the war is still fresh enough in everyone's minds. We make it to Gringotts, bowing to the goblins we see, and are quickly escorted into a private chamber once we give our identification. The chamber is less ostentatious and more practical than the other ones we've been in, but still gives off an elegant feeling of class with dark wood and gold accents. Papa and I settled into an armchair to wait. Soon enough, Redckaw, one of the goblins from our first visit, and our new account manager, appears, bowing. "Greetings, Princess, Steward."

"Greetings," we chime back at him with a small bow. The goblins waste no time in getting down to business. It isn't in their nature. Time is money after all.

"Based on the records we have of your property, and the ward check we did, we've determined that 3 house elves is the minimum recommended number for your house. Of course, more would be preferable, but this should do for now." The goblins haven't actually been inside the castle, of course. The whole thing has been on lockdown since the last Emrys died. Only someone connected to Emrys magic would be able to get in right , if we weren't so pressed on time, we would wait till we were sure it was move in ready, but it was determined by the strength of the wards still going strong that the place would at least have a few habitable places that the elves could very quickly deal with and make ready. It was more prudent to get everyone behind those badass Emrys protections that even the goblins couldn't figure out. "We determined that a house elf couple and their child would be best so that you can have a relatively young house elf to grow with the princess, and the other two will have enough experience to assist you where you may need. Shall I bring them in?"

Papa agrees, and I nod, perhaps a bit too enthusiastically. House elves were one of my favorite creatures from this world, and I had bawled about Dobby's death for a solid hour the first time I read it. I made a point to put it, okay, to have Papa put it, on my to save list months ago. Physically writing was still a pain in the ass for me, so dad has still been playing scribe for me, even if he doesn't know what the hell he's writing.

"Queenie! Good morning!" I flinch as a high pitched voice calls out in my head, a flash of a small creature flashing before my eyes. I freeze. What-what the hell did I just see? A vision?….No, it can't be. My eyesight is still fine. That-was that a fucking memory? Lady Magic said I'd start regain memories, but holy-

I don't get a chance to dwell on the implications of having past life memories with magical creatures in them when three short figures appear through the doorway. I lean forward, startling when my dad's hands tighten on my ribs, distaste and disgusted anger flaring. I don't understand why until I hear the rattling of chains as they move forward and I'm suddenly wondering how to get Herminoie's SPEW into actual law, albeit in more moderate form since freeing all elves would actually cause a genocide.

The elves that walk in are both terrified and hopeful, the two taller ones surround a smaller one. The parents, I guess. The mini elf was around my height, and I wiggle my way out of my dad's lap to investigate.

Just like how they were always depicted, they were green skinned and big eyed and eared. They wore their signature pillow cases and the lady elf had on a ratty apron. I wonder if I can put them in nice uniforms without distressing them, because this makes me feel shitty. I stop in front of them, and they quickly bow their heads, shaking in anticipation. "Hello! I'm Kamaria. Would you like to work for me?"

There is a brief moment of silence before all three elves fall to their knees, wailing, litteral motherfucking fountains shooting out of their eyes. My eyes go big as I dodge the incoming water in disbelief. Nope, nope. Abort, MISSION ABORT-

"Little Mistress asks so nicely! We is very honored!" Oh, was that all? I relax, finally taking a moment to check their auras and feeling that they were, in fact, not upset, but rather were crying tears of joy. Their hope and happiness was actually starting to make me lightheaded so I do my best to start blocking it out. Jeez, I know how they came off in the books and movies, but this is pretty crazy, I think, nudging a puddle that's rapidly forming on the ground with my booted foot.

"Okay!" I clap my hands, and they instantly stop, sniffling. "Names?"

"We is not be having names, Little Mistress. Theys was taken away when we was sold." The male elf tells me, shame and pain radiating from the creature. I feel my heart break for them. When I reincarnated, I didn't mind losing my name too much because it was often used in conjunction with the hateful things said by my bitch mother, but I'm still clinging to everything else that made me , me. If I had tried, I think I might have broken under the strain of pretending to be a normal child for my father, the most practical reason I had for telling him my secret. I was still born with a similar name, though, and I appreciate it, because my past and present fathers chose it for me. It is very much a part of who I am. I can't imagine having that taken from me.

"You want to pick new ones?" I ask them, lifting my dress so it won't get wet from the tear soaked floor. This was apparently the right, or wrong, thing to do as all three elves immediately started projectile crying again. Morganna's ovaries, this is madness, it like a real life cartoon-

It takes several minutes, and gallons, to get them to calm the fuck down, and for them to ask me to name them myself. At this point, my father has decided to make me deal with this on my own so he doesn't have to, much to my displeasure and his amusement. Abandon me, why don't you? I thought you loved me, Father. He openly laughs at my bretrayed look.

"I take it they are satisfactory?" Redclaw states dryly, bored with the whole thing. I nod. "Good. We shall start."

All three elves drop to their knees again, bowing their heads. "Little Mistress, may we serve you?" I blink, surprised, looking to my father.

"They must bond with the magical head of house," Redclaw explains to my unasked question. "It is your magic that will sustain them, and therefore you who will have their loyalty above all." I nod my understanding, turning back to them, and following the tug of magic, the instincts that were gnawing at me.

"Yes, you may. I give you the names…Oak, Willow, and Fern. Is that okay? You like ''em?" Why the hell did I give them tree names? At least they don't sound like pets, or worse, a name that's demeaning, like the Black house elf. The elves nod enthusiastically, still sobbing their little hearts out. Merlin's Balls, I hope they adjust quickly. This is emotionally exhausting. Their happiness is contagious and it takes a lot of energy to keep hysterics away.

I rub away my own tears, twitching slightly, as my father finishes signing the contract and organizing payment for the elves. I cringe at the feeling of wet socks, and waddle my way to my dad, determinedly not acknowledging the squishing noise from my boots and the sniffling, yet ecstatic elves paddling along behind.

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It was fucking time. Today is moving day. Coincidentally, Oak, Willow, and Fern are Deus ex machinas.

Unsurprisingly, house elves are frighteningly efficient creatures. By the gods, they do not play around. Our house was packed within the day, everything disappearing into a few bags they charmed and magically expanded. Everything but the bed we slept on, and a few items we needed for the day, and even that was gone by the time we finished breakfast. By the time we had dressed and showered, the dishes and our pajamas were gone, too. Their enthusiasm was damn near unsettling.

Due to the magic binding the elves to me, they had been able to head off to Emrys Castle on their own, the wards allowing them in as servants of the owner: moi. Fern, mother of little elf Willow, and mate to Oak, gave us a report on the conditions, and mercifully, it seems like the Emrys enchantments mostly held up. Very little had fallen into disrepair. In fact, a great deal had been put into long term statis, with preservation and anti deterioration wards built in. Of course, much of the fabric and less sturdy shit poofed into actual dust anyway, but elf magic was able to save a fair bit as well. So, overall, better than we thought. It's almost like the owner was expecting it to take centuries for a new Emrys to appear. The thought oddly sends a chill down my spine.

Oak is a mellow ass elf compared to his mate and daughter. He was also kinda quiet but warm and was able to confirm for me that the elves could and would wear uniforms without issue since it would still belong to us. He even seemed to like the idea. Oak also told me, after I had asked, that the best way to reward an elf was to give them honey. Not like handing them a bottle, but physically pouring out a spoon or saucer and giving it directly to them. The first time I did it for them, the elves had to banish the mini flood and use magic to dry the place. Apparently, doing so gave a magic boost to the elves and strengthened the bond between elf and wizard. It gave me a strong sense of warm nostalgia, and I could swear I could hear a high pitched voice calling out something I couldn't quite hear. I thought it was my imagination, until one day I very clearly heard the word "brownie."

Following a the Persia t nagging of my instincts, I had asked Oak a few nights before Moving Day, and I found out that brownie was the original name for house elves, the non-derogatory name they had used for centuries. This was way back when they had been able to show themselves to the mundane, before the statute of secrecy and other laws that split the magical world from the mundane one were put in place. From what I've gathered, the name change was a deliberate way for wizards to both insult and group them together as another sub-race of "Fae" creatures. This was at least partially a political move to oppress other magical creatures, particularly High Elves, a proud and noble humanoid race. If they were seen as connected to a very subservient race of creatures, like brownies, creatures that needed wizards to bond with them, but whose place was serving in a wizards house, they could be successfully "othered" and seen as lesser, even if it was fucked up, and brownies shouldn't have been seen as less than to begin with. It was partially successful, too, as High Elves, or just Elves, have long since hidden themselves away in a semi separate world because wizards pissed them off, taking the secrets of their incredible nature magic and, due to their longevity, their vast records of magic and history with them. Fucking wizards.

"In this house, henceforth, house elves shall be known as brownies once more!" I had loudly declared at dinner that night. We found out that magic was good for dealing with water damage.

Meanwhile, although it had only been about two weeks, where Oak had become a sort of butler and aid for Papa, and Fern, a head

Maid and cook, Willow had ended up as a sort of assistant to me. She was mentally a young adult, just barely meeting elf maturity, even though she was born just a few months earlier than I was. House el- No, Brownies, matured quickly, but lived very long as long as they had magic sustaining them. Willow has endeared herself greatly to me with her earnestness. Lately, she's been writing down my schemes for me so my dad can work on his own things, and she's even helping me practice magic.

Even though Brownie magic and wizarding magic feels different, the process of wandlessly doing something might be relatively similar. Having her demonstrate the spell, and being able to sense the way the magic moves to do the task makes things infinitely easier to do afterwards. In the short time we've had the Brownies, my magical growth has increased rather dramatically. And it's nice to have a friend!

"Ready, Princess?" I nod to Willow and take her hand as she leads me down the stairs carefully. I glance around, taking in the empty state of the only happy home I can remember. I bite my lip, scolding myself for the aching of my heart.

I step out the door, squinting and wincing at the blinding light of the sun, but enjoying the warmer air in my hair. I reach out blindly and my father scoops me up. I press my face into his collar, feeling better at the reminder that home can be a person, not a place. As Papa takes a cloaked and disguised Willow's hand to disapparate us to the Emrys Castle gates, I peel my light sensitive eyes open a fraction to look down the street at a particular, boring house that looked like all the others in this neighborhood.

Hold on just a bit longer, Harry. I'm sorry it's taking so long, but I won't stop until I give you a home in this world, just as I found my own. And with that thought, the world warps and twists and squeezes, and with magic overwhelming me, filling my mind, body, and soul, we're gone.

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My father staggers, dropping to his knees and then his rear in order to make sure he doesn't hurt me in his disorientation. I groan, pulling away to plop onto my back in the tall grass near him, arm covering my eyes as I wheeze. I'm stunned still by the feeling of the magic surrounding me. It's deep, seemingly endless, and ancient. It should be terrifying, but even as it steals the air from my lungs, all I feel is safe in a way I can't remember ever feeling. Warmth, love, protection, family, welcome home, lost one, we've been waiting- "Princess? Master?"

"A glass of water, if you would, Willow?" Papa breathes out weakly. Amid the ocean of magic I'm submerged in, I feel the zing, like a ripple in water, before I'm gently pulled into a sitting position. I send a nasty look at whoever's moving me without opening my eyes even as a cool glass is pressed to my lips. I take a few sips before pushing it away, and flopping back down, basking in the feeling of serenity that's coming from all around me even as I'm struggling to breathe in it. Papa sighs, "I hope it's not like that every time because that was bloody fucking awful. I'd rather walk the hundreds of miles next time."

"Swear jar," I snicker, shakily getting to my feet and painfully peeling my eyes open to take the first look at my house. However, all I can see is a giant ass gate that connects to a grey stone wall, spanning out far longer than I can see. It's a dark metal piece of art depicting all sorts of magical creatures, most notable of which were dragons, phoenixes, unicorns, griffins, hippogriffs, grims, mermaids, centaurs, giants, and more. Beyond the gate, all I could see was dense forests, and behind me, from the sound of crashing waves and the scent of the sea in my nose, a beach. Nicely done, Grampa Merlin. Excellent property value here.

Papa has also regained his bearing, thankfully without losing his breakfast, and comes over to me, setting a hand on my hooded head. "It's beautiful. I can see the beach down this way. Are…are you ready for this, Little Love?" I understood what he means. From this point on, there would be no going back, no return. But, I'd already made my decision, perhaps even before Lady Magic had finished speaking with me. There was nothing I could do, but move forward and seize my second opportunity with all I had. I nod again, squeezing his hand.

"Alright, my heart. Willow, please go bring our guests." I adjust the cloak hood to make sure my hair is still concealed. The Tonks' will be joking with us today, moving in as well, and it is also the day they meet Princess Emrys Le Fey: Me.

We hadn't really meant for there to be a dramatic reveal. At first, we didn't tell them so that I could comfortably scout them out. And then, my father wanted them contracted and unable to snitch. After that, we were busy getting ready for the move and it just wasn't urgent. In the end, Papa and I decided to make it a grand reveal for shits and giggles. It was a frivolous decision, but neither of us really cared.

There was a pop, and Willow was back. Andy was as elegant as ever, dressed in grey robes that I strongly expected were fancy and expensive. I found myself desiring to look to her as an example, something I've sure as hell never felt in regards to my mothers, past and present. I think I can learn a lot from her. Ted Tonks was dressed in a posh looking suit, and splayed out between them on the ground was a nine year old girl with dark hair tinged a sickly green. I giggled. I guess Nymphadora Tonks was always a klutz.

The sound brings the attention of the older Tonks', and both seem to have their anxiety eased by the sight of my father and I. Ted steps forward, taking my dad's hand in his, shaking it strongly. "Darius. It's good to see you."

"Wotcher, Ted," my father replies cheekily. "What's got you lot so strained?"

Andy ushers little Tonks over. "You do realize this will be our first meeting with Her Magesty? We have no intention of making a bad impression," Andy replies dryly, but her worry is very real. I laugh again, finding the whole thing a bit too amusing. My dad is fighting his own mirth next to me, his hand warm around mine.

"Oh, hello dear. Kamaria, was it? A beautiful name. This is my daughter Nymphadora. I hope you'll be friends." Andy pushes a woozy Metamorphmagus towards me.

I stare, taking in the older child. This must be her base form because she looks a great deal like her mother with her father's face shape and some of his structure. I blink at her, and tilt my head before giving her a big dimpled smile. "Hi. You're pretty."

She squeaks, embarrassed, her hair exploding into fire engine red and I clap my hands, rather impressed. She gives me a shy smile, and takes my smaller hand in hers, and I mentally declare my mission for friendship off to a successful start.

Andy's aura radiates satisfaction as she turns back to my father and her husband. "So, this is it? It's lovely. Look at that view." I feel a smirk start to slide onto my face, sensing my moment to cause chaos approaching. I tug an unresisting Little Tonks, (oh, that's gonna get annoying-), along with me to the beautiful gate, basking in the feeling of the magic I can feel thrumming in and around it. Welcome home, protection, come in, safety, excitement, love, power, home, welcome- "So, who is letting us in?"

Dad finally breaks, and his warm laughter echoes out around us, much to the confusion of Ted and Andy. "The Princess will, of course. If you would, Princess?"

Letting my hood fall, silver hair spilling out to the sound of litteral gasps, I hold back a gleeful cackle as I raise my ringed hand to the metal of the door. Feeling a wave of magic press against me, forcing me to lean on… Dora for a second, I feel my chest warm. The gate fucking glows, and with a click it splits open. There is silence for a moment before the Tonks' propmtly lose their minds.

It's fucking epic.

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"So, the Princess Emrys Le Fey is a toddler, born to muggle parents, from a squib line most likely, and a seer, which is how she chose Ted and I as her retainers. Did I miss anything?" Andy states, her hands pinching the bridge of her nose. I grin shamelessly, nodding enthusiastically. Papa, at least, is semi apologetic for the ruse.

Ted groans, "I didn't even realize you were a muggle. I thought you might have just been a sheltered or foreign muggleborn. Damn it, Darius, you had us completely fooled." Papa shrugs sheepishly, but I can feel his hidden smugness. I snort.

"This is great and all, but I'd like to make it into my castle now. We've been standing here for 20 minutes, and the novelty has passed," I state blandly, flicking my hair over my shoulder. Ted and Andy gape, still unable to fully comprehend such things coming out of such a small package. Meh, they'll get used to it. I won't be telling them about my reincarnation or Lady Magic and Lord Death if I can help it, so my ability to see the future will have to suffice as an excuse for my unchildlike behavior.

"Of course, Princess," Andy replies a bit uncertainty, but I just smile, and clap my hands.

"Willow!" I feel that tiny little tug of magic from within, a sign of our bond, and with a pop, she appears.

"Yes. Princess calls?"

"Can Dora and I get a ride to the front door. It seems far." I ask politely.

"Yes, almost three kilometers. Willow will take the princess and friend!" Before the adults can say anything else tedious, Dora and I grasp a small brownie hand each, and with a pop, we're gone.

I'm more prepared this time, so I keep my balance well enough, although Dora still ends up on her ass, much to my private amusement. I glance up and feel my heart leap in my chest at the sight before me.

Tall, grey walls reach to the sky. Towers span across the massive structure. I count seven towers, the center one being the biggest and widest. Windows and balconies are placed abundantly, light bouncing radiantly off the glass, and I can't wait to see the view from up there. Ornate carvings span the place, and the sheer enormity has my jaw gaping. Merlin's Muffintop, when did he have time to build this? And it's so boujee… oh god, the stairs! Fuck it, I'll have Willow take me everywhere. I'll be damned if I just have such a badass place to live and let it go to waste. This going to be fucking amazing!

I hear the popping signifying the arrival of our parents, and I turn to watch their reactions with a manic smile. Emrys Castle is everything I could have hoped for, and I can feel an instinct settle into my bones; this is the start of something great.

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