Chapter Text
When Grace woke up, she was in a cleaner version of Kings Cross station. She looked around and noticed something in the corner of her eye. It looked to be a child version of Voldemort. She felt pity and mourned for what he could have been. He was brilliant, but he let his lust for power corrupt him so much that he wasn't remotely human any longer. She looked down at herself and noticed she was nude. She wished for one of her favorite outfits from Hermione, and was surprised when it appeared on her body — a black knee-length dress with lace, black heels, and a leather jacket. Her hair was in a fishtail braid with her bangs framing her face. She had gotten her eyesight taken care of the summer before her fifth year.
"Grace," she heard from behind her. Her breath caught. She knew those voices from her worst memory. She twirled around, beaming as she raced toward her parents, throwing her arms around them. It felt amazing to feel them return her embrace.
"You're not meant to be here, princess," her father said as they took a step back. "I wasn't going to live with that monster in my head, knowing he couldn't die if I still had a piece of his soul in my head," Grace said, her hazel eyes flashing with indignation.
"Sweetheart, we understand why you did that, and we are proud of you for wanting to save the world that failed you, Sirius, and Remus. What we're saying is, the Horcrux could have been taken care of by the goblins. Now, I know you don't think too highly of the goblins with Griphook betraying you, but they have magic that witches and wizards don't have," Lily explained when she saw Grace's expression close off, not revealing anything.
"You're getting a chance to go back and make some changes. And for Merlin's sake, do not get involved in the war. We never wanted that for you. That is why Dumbledore died. The Fates, Death, and Lady Magic weren't happy that he meddled with their champion," James said smugly. He hated that old man.
"The Fates can stuff it. They took my destiny out of my hands and made me a puppet. I lost my entire family, all because Fate couldn't keep its nose out of it. I don't care that the wizarding world needed help. As far as I'm concerned, that world brought it on themselves," Grace ranted before a flash evolved the area before a Being appeared in front of them.
"I understand that you don't think too highly of me or the magical world, but try not to be jaded about your life. Yes, you lost your family, but they were destined to die that year. They would have gotten Dragon Pox, and that is a painful way to go, so I arranged a painless death. Now, the Dursleys, that was the old man. He used to be our champion, but his hubris blinded him. I wouldn't say he's a bad man, but like every man or woman, he is prone to power trips. Sirius wasn't dead, falling into the veil. He was alive, but during the war, the veil was destroyed, so he could no longer get free, so Death intervened and gave him a painless death. I am sorry that the magical world mistreated you and those you hold dear, but you can change that, Grace," Fate explained, hoping to earn her forgiveness for taking her family.
"How?" Grace's voice was barely audible. She was stunned that her parents had been destined to die at a young age.
"Your bloodline and your parents' bloodline come with power and weight. You could change the world with your votes alongside your soul siblings," Fate said as she, Lily, and James smiled as a fire of passion lit up in her eyes. Over the last two years, they dispaired watching that fire of justice die in her eyes. They were hoping this chance would save their daughter's soul and purpose. She had made a vow when she was five years old that she would be the opposite of what the Dursleys were.
"That doesn't answer my question. How am I going to do this?" Grace asked as she felt the feeling of an all-consuming need to help envelop her heart.
"I am sending you back to the summer before your fifth year. I can't keep the Horcrux here. Go to the goblins. They will help, and they can locate the remaining Horcruxes and take care of them without damaging priceless heirlooms. While you're there, request an inheritance test. I think you'll find a few surprises," Fate smiled before sending her champion back through time, watching as the battle disappeared.
When Grace woke up, she remembered everything. With a smirk, she declared the Dursley house wasn't her home. She smirked wider when the wards shimmered, then collapsed. She heard the Durlseys freak before she heard, "Girl!" She wandlessly summoned her belongings into her trunk before going downstairs. They goggled at her when they saw what she was wearing instead of Dudley's castoffs. She was wearing a white strapless dress, black leggings, a black blazer, and boots. Her hair was curled down her back.
"What are you wearing?" Petunia shirked. "I have people who make sure I'm taken care of, Petunia. Unlike you, they're decent people who don't abuse or neglect children just because they're different, you jealous shrew," Grace said, wandlessly shrinking her trunk, and putting it in her pocket. She had Hedwig stay with Hermione because she didn't trust that Vernon or Dudley wouldn't hurt her.
"Listen here! Don't talk to your aunt like that!" Vernon exclaimed, and Grace rolled her eyes. "She may be blood, but she is not family," she said, smiling. "What did we feel around the house?" Petunia asked in a subdued voice.
"The wards collapsed. Why should I protect you by remaining here when you treat me and my people like crap? I have no reason to stay with the likes of you. You're no different from Voldemort and the Death Eaters. They want to hurt those who are different from them. How does it feel to be compared to rapists and murderers?" she asked before she walked out the door and summoned the Knight Bus.
"Leaky Cauldron, please," she said, blindly handing Stan the money before she sat down. It was time to make changes.