Proxy Hunting

XXXXXXXXXX

Research is difficult. Logically, I know it's important, but being a toddler means I really don't give a fuck. Papa is smart enough to bribe me with snacks as a countermeasure, but my brain just isn't developed enough to take stuff en masse. It's not the magic, nor even the theory, no, that shit is fun as hell and I'm absorbing it like a sponge. It's the culture and politics.

Fucking nepotism, I bare my teeth, sneering at the book in my lap, slapping a sticky note on it with force before slamming it shut and flopping down to glare at the ceiling. Over the months since we visited diagon alley, we've prioritized 3 things. Freeing Sirius, my defensive magic (which is currently limited to magically tripping people and some weak shielding), and my new found royal status.

Turns out being an Emrys, and therefore a royal, means less and more power than I thought. In the end, the HP books were a bit inaccurate in their portrayal of the Wizengamot. The Wizengamot was closer to a congress or parliament than a court. It is the official law making body of the British Ministry, which is misnamed in itself because it resides over all of the UK. Laws can be proposed by any member and then debated and voted on and negotiated and voted on again, and eventually it passes or is terminated, or whatever.

As an Emrys, the only Ancient and Royal House, I have 5 fucking votes, the most of any individual house. Ancient and Noble Houses, including the Blacks, Bones, Longbottoms, Potters, Greengrass, Lestrange, Carrow, Prewett, and LeFey, have 4 votes, so combined I'm sitting at 9 votes total, (the Baddur Tribe is a Middle East thing so no votes there, although it seems to have political clout in the Arabian Magical Comunity). After that, it's the Noble Houses, including Malloy, Weasley, Carrow, Avery, Davis, Abott, Smith, Crouch, and many more. This is the largest category with 3 votes. The Ancient part is something that can't be given out, or bought, despite how much the Malfoys threw around their money. It's reserved for those with a certain legacy status that predates the current British Ministry.

After that, certain Ministry members get votes. Each department head and the headmaster of Hogwarts gets 2 votes, and the Minister and Chief Warlock gets 3. Fucking dumass wizards and their damn nepotism. I sit up using my magic to whip stuffed animals with force at the targets we set up on my bedroom walls. I was surprisingly good at it, despite my already shitty eyesight, and could hit the target without even really looking at it.

"My Raat Ki Rani, what did that wall do to you?" I roll my eyes at the latest nickname from my father as he appears in my room, honestly embarrassed. Night Jasmine, or Queen of Night in Hindi, is either cute or pretentious, and I can't figure out which. I huff, not in the mood for my father's teasing.

Papa scoops me off the ground kissing my head and snickering at my puffed cheeks and crossed arms. I'm starting to really miss my intimidation skills. Even I can recognize that the pigtails kill the vibe.

"Ah, counting votes again, Sweetheart?" I scowl, dropping my head into his shoulder. "Why are you doing this to yourself?"

I throw my hands up. "Need a proxy, Papa! Quick! So we can rescue the Puppy from monsters!" It was true, too. When it came to crimes committed by members of noble families, they are always tried by their "peers," AKA, by the Wizengamot. It's why Harry was brought before them for his farce of a trial, as he is the heir to House Potter. By every measure, Sirius should have got a trial.

"The problem is that even if we have the proxy bring up Sirius's right to trial, the Dark faction won't want him free, and the Light faction might not want a trial either. They might think he is a traitor, or, more nefariously, they want control over Harry. Lastly, the Grey faction will…" My dad waves a yummy looking cookie, baiting me.

"Stay neutral!" I yell, making grabby hands and dad gives me my cookie.

"The proxy will have to be really well versed in politics and pure blood culture and tradition. You said yourself it's not enough to just stop the Dark Lord. It's obvious, even from just the books we bought, prejudice has seeped deeply into this society. You won't be able to change anything if you don't play the long game."

I give my dad side eye. I'm not sure if it's because my critical thinking is flawed, but dad always sounds like he's a bit too good at political scheming. He's been almost too competent at helping me plan societal revolution and political upheaval. I'm sincerely starting to think he's a spy, and I can't tell if it's a reasonable assumption or not.

"Additionally, the proxy will need to be well respected by all with connections to the Light, Dark, and Grey. They have to be a force of nature with charisma and a sharp mind, but willing to do your bidding without us having to check for a dagger coming at our backs," Dad huffs, setting me on the big floor pillow before sitting in front of me. "Is there even anyone like that?"

The world shifts around me, and I jerk, breath freezing in my chest. Its clear? I stare at the world around me, shocked down to my core. Vivid colors and sharp edges, a crispness I've never experienced and my heart thunders in my chest.

"I'm glad I chose you as my proxy. You were and are the best I could of asked for." I shake myself free of my own fascination, and actually focus on the scene in front of me. Two women sit in a gazebo, a beautiful garden sprawling around them, a picture so stunning my chest aches from simply bearing witness to it. My eyes are drawn to the young girl, long silver hair spilling down her back contrasting against a dark dress and warm olive skin, her hands delicatly braiding pastel flowers together. My heart jumps as I process what I'm seeing. …Merlin's saggy balls, is that-?

"You underestimate yourself. You gave back some of the family I had thought lost to me, and made me a place in our world, one I thought unreachable. Even more, you gave me a way to change the things I thought set in stone, the things I had resigned myself to. I've grown to adore you, Kamaria, as one of my own, and I want to see you break the wheel of fate."

The girl, (Fucking Future Me!), just laughs. "Oh, please, as if you won't be right there along with me," I don't recognize the gorgeous older women in front of me, sipping tea with a sense of poise and regality that draws the eye, and speaks of incredible charisma. I start doing my best to memorize every detail of her that I can see, and it makes me want to weep, because it's so much more than I'm used to. Somehow, I know that this vision will be ending soon, I can feel it in the way my magic is starting to recede back into my core. Panicking at the thought of losing this foreign, world shattering clarity, my only lead to my future proxy, I grasp at the magic in my body, feeling it pull taught.

"Hey mom!" A young woman comes strolling up the path, and I see my proxy wave just as the string of magic snaps, and I wheeze, tumbling onto my back at the slight stinging sensation. "-maria! Kamaria!"

"I-I'm b-back," I stutter out, eyes clenched, feeling frantic hands pulling me to a solid chest, a heart beating rapidly against my head. I inhale the dark, but warm scent, something like expensive cologne with a hint of incense. A scent that screamed safety and home. "Sorry Papa, had a vision." He shushes me, rocking me gently, and I can feel the shaking in his hands. Guilt claws at me for scaring him so bad, guilt for desperately wanting to go back so I can fucking see more, but he firmly bats my apologies aside.

I blink, confused, before reaching up a hand to brush my eyes. Panic floods me as I realize that my eyes are open, but the world is still dark. "Papa! Can't see! Papa-"

He pulls me tighter, as I start to struggle, breath evading me. "No, honey, remember, what Lady Magic said, this is just a side effect of the visions. Breath, Little Love." It's hard, but after a few minutes I'm calm again, and my vision is starting to return, light and vague shadows breaching the pitch blackness from before. The clarity is gone and its soul crushing. It's lucky he got through before I was too far gone. Stupid, stupid, I forgot what Lady Magic said. My eyesight is compensation…Seeing is not for me.

"Can you tell me what you saw?" My father leans me against him, rubbing my back gently in long slow strokes. I perk up, remembering my new information as a large manic grin starts splitting my face as I try to find my fathers eyes among the blues and shadows. I tell myself it doesn't bother me.

"My future proxy! I'm happy with them." I quickly give him a run down of the vision, excitement humming in my magic, and after I'm done I realize I can see colorful sparks, like mini fireworks shooting off my fingers. So dull, not like the flowers.

"Little Love, you said you did not recognize her or hear her name, yes?" I nod, still grinning. "It's going to be difficult to find her off that description. It wasn't terribly distinctive."

I cackle, ecstatic. "I didn't rec-og-nize her, but I know the girl who called her Mom!" After all, how many girls would go around rocking bubblegum pink hair and a pig's snout?

XXXXXXXXXX

Using Pluto, we got in contact with Gringotts. Apparently, the goblins offer a large variety of different services, especially ones regarding legal matters. Today, we are taking advantage of one such service.

For a fee, the goblins rent out a secure conference room on an hourly basis. The interesting and important part is that the room is guarded and wands are taken. It's a completely neutral place to meet whoever you need without being worried you'll be attacked, ambushed, or spied on. The goblins even arrange the meeting themselves, verifying the participants' identities. I imagine this was pretty common during the war.

Papa, and I on his lap, are seated in a comfortable armchair in front of an ornate, wooden table. The room is small, but tasteful, with a stone fireplace and gold detailing catching the light. It's comfortable, meant for putting people at ease, but still professional.

Papa's a bit tense, but I guess the goblins sold him on the security of the room. They made it clear that any violence started here would be met with swift consequences. I smile at him, and he relaxes a bit more.

I grew wider, turning my head as the door opens. Show time.

XXXXXDARIUSXXXXX

I stand, settling my child on my hip as a couple walks in, carefully putting my body between them and Kamaria as subtly as possible. I let a small welcoming grin tug at my lips, even as I analyze every detail.

"Mr. and Mrs. Tonks, I presume?" I keep my voice cheerful and friendly, even as I watch their hands hover near what I know will be empty wand holsters. I have to keep the ruthless satisfaction from crawling onto my face, because I know for a fact that right now, I could fucking take them out. I wasn't able to bring my gun or knives, but I wouldn't even need anything but the vase on the side table.

They're a handsome couple. Andromeda Tonks was a tall, elegant woman with dark, curly hair, hooded grey eyes, and an ice cold mask on her face. Ted Tonks was built with broad shoulders and strong features, a rugged handsomeness that most would find intimidating, but he couldn't hide his emotions half as well as his wife, even if that was more than enough to fool most people. But not someone with years of training on how to decipher what people are trying to hide.

"Yes, and who are you? We were told that someone wished to request me as a proxy, but not who." Andromeda drawls, head tilted up as she seats herself next to her husband across from us. Her tone is polite, if haughty, and her body language screams nonchalance, but she can't quite hide the quiver in her hands or the way her eyes flick, just briefly, around the room, lingering on the exit.

I can understand. She's considered a blood traitor for marrying a muggleborn and was disowned by the Blacks, her own family, for it. This would have been when Voldemort was gaining power as well. I can sympathize with that fear, especially considering we both have young daughters to protect. It won't keep me from eliminating a threat to my child, though.

I adjust Kamaria's cloak hood a bit more, before answering her, the smile on my face unfaltering. "My name is Darius, and this is my daughter Kamaria, who I unfortunately had to bring along today. I'm the steward of Princess Emrys-LeFey."

That's apparently shocking enough to shatter the composure both were carefully portraying. Andromeda actually rears back like someone slapped her, and Ted's jaw falls open, eyes wide. Andromeda adapts quicker, voice turning sharp and glancing at the exit again, before almost hissing, "That's not possible."

I smile wider, showing just a touch too many teeth, and Andromeda catches the threat for what it is, stiffening and leaning slightly closer to her husband. Very smart, I can see why Kamaria said it had to be her. "I assure you it is. The goblins would not have arranged the meeting otherwise. I'm here to offer you a contract. The princess wishes for you to be her proxy until she is willing to show herself to the community at large. Of course, you may negotiate the terms."

Ted makes a choked noise, eyes flicking to his wife. Hmm, balanced marriage there if he can so easily defer to her, which, from what I've read, isn't entirely common in the wizarding world, especially with the popularity of marriage contracts. Andromeda inhales a bit sharply, seemingly

scrutinizing me, trying to figure how she might be being tricked.

"Why me? I'm not even particularly well known outside of my…family matters." I want to laugh, because she is referring to how she ran off and had a child with someone that was essentially against every one of her families' and friends's values, and then was nearly murdered for it several times. Calling it family matters is such a huge understatement that it's utterly comical.

"Her Highness is well aware. It's part of why she chose you. She requires someone well versed in wizarding politics and customs while not being a blood purist. Additionally, you're well respected considering how often people tried to murder you and your husband, and how you managed to survive the war without support from either side. You're also an acclaimed healer, and your husband is a lawyer with an impeccable record himself, something the princess is also interested in acquiring for her House." And it was true. The goblins dig up information on people for a certain price, although it's limited to public record because they take confidentiality very seriously. Supertoddler with visions and past lives aside, I can't just rely on her to figure out everything on her own. She isn't infallible or all knowing, as seen by how often she accidentally runs too fast and ends up smashing into something. I have to hide a wince remembering a particularly spectacular tumble this morning that ended with Kamaria nearly putting her head into the bloody toilet.

Andromeda leans forward, understanding flashing across her face. "She wants someone capable and knowledgeable of both sides, while not being a supremacist. Why not someone from the light faction?"

"She doesn't quite trust Albus Dumbledore. Something about a man with too much power." Andromeda grimaces, and nods, and I make a note of that for later. Interesting. She isn't fond of him either. Even Ted agrees and muggle borns usually see Dumbledore as their champion. I slide two sets of documents over to rest in front of them. "The contract for both of you is simple. First, House secrets remain a secret. Neither of you can betray the princess's trust at any point with malicious intent. Secondly, you will be required to aid her within reasonable expectations to the best of your ability, working to achieve her goals, but also in her best interest. You cannot make House decisions without consulting her or her explicit consent. There will be times, however, when she asks you to handle something for her at your own discretion. Should you decide you no longer wish to aid her, you will be required to explicitly state so as soon as you can. If you bring harm to her or her prospects with malicious intent before that, it will be a breach of contract. Your employment may be terminated by either side at any point, but no sensitive information can be revealed even after you part ways with the House, if you choose to do so. In return, you will have the protection and support of House Emrys and its resources for you and your family, within reason and in good faith. These are the main points, but please look over the rest."

"This is rather intent based for a wizarding contract of this importance," Andromeda murmurs scanning the document sharply, her husband leaning close next to her.

"The princess merely wishes for an amicable relationship. She has no desire to have a proxy that she must hover over, and watch every move of. She believes you are competent, and trustworthy, enough on your own. So long as you work with honest intent, she does not care." I lie, the smile still on my face. We put in all the fail safes we could think of, but neither Kamaria nor I have enough experience with magic, or even proxies to make it more in-depth. Add to that that Kamaria physically lacks the ability to think critically past a certain level, and you have this vague, slightly redundant bullshit. The goblins helped, but still. Rita is sure they have integrity and won't screw us over, but I'm still skeptical. I love her, but I'm not sold on her judgement and visions just yet. She's still so young.

I shift my little menace a bit, handing her a lollipop. The girl became my whole world the second I first held her in my arms, and she's been turning it upside down since. Maybe it was foolish to trust her story, accept her and the insanity that comes with, but abandoning or not believing her was never an option for me. I knew of magic, and for a split second I thought perhaps I was bewitched, but then I looked at her and saw the fear of rejection in her eyes, and I remembered all the little things. How quiet and timid she was in the beginning, and how hard it was to make her laugh. How she would try to keep from waking me up in the middle of night when she had bad dreams, instead of seeking comfort. How wary and almost scared of her mother she could be. How she would try to distract me and cheer me up when I was in a bad mood. I don't know if that many memories and emotions could be faked with magic, but when she looked so terrified and asked if I would hate her, the answer wasn't even in question. My little girl is a weirdo, but she's mine.

"We will need to think about this. But, I have a question. Many proxies live with the Head of House, even if they continue to have an additional career. Will that be available to us?" I raise an eyebrow. She wants to live with us? Why? She doesn't even kn- ah, I see.

"You want the protection of our wards." The war is barely over, and many don't really know if Voldemort is truly gone. There is also his death eaters, stupid, fucking names for a bunch of useless, sadistic cowards.

"Her Highness will completely change the political landscape. Enemies and allies will flock. I don't know how she's managed to stay hidden," she paused, but I just stare impassively, not willing to offer her any additional information until she signs the contract. " But, she needs allies before she is revealed, or she'll be eaten alive. I take it she won't be joining the Dark faction? I'm assuming because she is against blood supremacy."

"The princess will probably be Grey aligned. She is fond of many of the traditions and practices of the Old Way, but not the morality that many of that side has taken. She doesn't like the censorship of the Light faction and their blind acceptance of Dumbledore. For that reason, she has decided to be neutral or Grey and take each matter individually."

"Censorship?" Ted asks, speaking up for the first time in a while, a confused frown on his face.

I nod. Kamaria and I have spent many hours discussing it and piecing it together, but the final picture was both familiar and troubling. It's heavily implied, and even explicitly stated, that one of the reasons Voldemort rose in popularity so quickly was because those that followed the Old Way felt like their way of life was being trampled on, particularly by ignorant Muggleborns. It's the main cause in the rise of blood supremacy in the last century, predating even Dark Lord Grindelwald. It's not a justification, but it didn't come out of nowhere. It's the age-old immigration conundrum. Should newcomers assimilate into a culture or bring new practices to it? In this case its muggleborns bringing "inferior muggle ideas" into the wizarding world.

"More naturalistic magics and paganistic ideology are slowly being painted as evil magic despite how many centuries this has been common practice among magicals worldwide. Things like rituals for healing or luck, things that should be considered light magic, are now classified and even banned to various extents, especially in the wake of the war. Several laws pushing that narrative have already been passed since it began, like the banning of blood magic, even for warding or cleansing. The debate on the Old Way is isolating people from one another, and now, because of You-Know-Who, the old way is synonymous with blood purity, and the reason many old families chose to become "blood traitors" and abandon those practices entirely, at least publicly. The pure bloods complain about ignorant muggleborns and vice versa, but no real strides have been made to correct it. Something's going on, specifically in Western Cultures, were the lines between muggle and magic is most strictly enforced, and it's either extreme incompetence-"

"Or something more malicious," Andromeda's openly scowling now, seemingly having not realized this the bigger picture before now.

"The princess wishes to bridge the gap, more than anything, and she can't do it from either polarized end."

"I assume we will be able to meet her after signing?" Kamaria giggles, near hysterically, and I have to bite back my own laugh. The kid is going to be so much trouble when she can start her scheming without my assistance. The thought is both terrifying and a little sad.

"Yes, you will. Assuming you wish to take the position, we can negotiate pay and living arrangements. I hope to hear from you soon." I stand up shifting Kamaria back to my hip, and offering my hand for a shake to both, who accept, and then Kamaria and I are heading to the bookstore for more books. Again.

XXXXXKAMARIAXXXXX

Papa and Ted and Andromeda, who goes by Andi to friends, spend two months getting to know each other and negotiating. I don't really get the details, and frankly, I'm uninterested. I've been focusing on my magic and leaving the rest to Papa.

The good news is that Papa has been taking me down to the basement gym to practice with him. A sketchy basement with a matted area for fighting and endless cases of weaponry that I know can't possibly be legal in Britain. Not that flash grenades are legal for people to have anywhere. I've decided not to think of it with my already limited brain power.

Papa's been having me sit in the center of the mat, and then I have to use my magic to force him back. I've only been able to knock him down once, but I'm getting damn good at slowing him down. Papa's always proud and that's enough for me to keep practicing.

It's after many long debates that Papa and Andromeda seal the deal, Papa eventually giving in to living with them for only two reasons; One, my vision and his own instincts deciding it's safe enough, or at least, that he could take care of them if there was an issue, (and boy, wasn't that some scary shit to hear as he tucked me in one night). And two, it was more protection for me, both physically and politically. We could at least say that we knew them better than most roommate situations.

It was decided that we would all meet outside our new house. The house the goblins, who apparently also do real estate, have officially confirmed to be habitable and in good condition despite literal centuries of vacancy, with badass wards and magical everything. The house that was Emrys fucking Castle, because like hell was I not gonna live in a castle when given the opportunity. There is gonna be so much cool magic shit everywhere. I can't fucking waitMorganna'sthickthighssavinglivesthisisgonnabesomuchfun-

XXXXXXXXXX