Notes This is my very first fanfic, and I'm excited to hear your replies about it. Gemma has been in my head for a long time, but I just recently started to write her story down. I've spell checked (no pun intended) loads of times, but since English is not my first language, some errors may have escaped my notice. Sorry in advance.

Following the advice of CoudlISlytherin I have adjusted my chapters, I hope they are more readable now

This story stands only because of the beautiful world J.K. Rowling created for us. She owns everything in it.

Finding a Home

Mr. Hood would long remember the day in August when he had to pick up the toddler in Godric's Hollow. Her father had left the little thing two nights before and she was covered in all sorts of dirt. Mr. Hood saw that the fire was still burning and he shivered at the thought of what might have happened. He took up the child and left the rest of the house for the Aurors to invest. He had instructions to bring the child to the Burrow, the home of the Weasley family, and a little horrified he kept her as far away as possible and apparated.

Mrs. Weasley had been informed and was waiting for them. She gasped when she saw the child and stretched her arms out. Mr. Hood was very happy to hand the little girl over.

'Are you coming in, mister?' mrs. Weasley asked over her shoulder while making her way to the house.

'The name is Hood. If you'll have me. There are some papers to sign' answered mr. Hood, and he followed the redheaded woman inside the house. He was a bit taken back by the chaotic and busy kitchen. Mr. Hood counted at least six children. After a while, he even discovered a baby, lying on the counter. The oldest boy, a nice looking chap of around nine years old, came up to him and politely asked if he wanted a drink. Mr. Hood asked for a coffee and with a sweep of her wand mrs. Weasley putted the kettle on.

'I will be right back, mr. Hood. Please sit down and make yourself comfortable. First I will clean up this little dearie' she said with a warm voice, 'Bill, Charlie, look after the baby and Ron and keep an eye on the twins.' She looked very stern at two little boys who were sitting on the ground and who seemed quite innocent. That quickly changed however when mrs. Weasley left the kitchen.

The boys got up before mr. Hood even blinked his eyes and where climbing the kitchen counter, tickling the baby and threatening to bathe her in the sink. Bill tried to stop them, but the twins were to quick for the boy. Mr. Hood was just in time to rescue the baby girl with a levitation spell before she would get drenched with cold water. He was still standing with the baby in his arms when mrs. Weasley came back.

'Ah, mr. Hood, admiring my youngest?' she asked proudly, 'here is your little girl back.' Mr. Hood looked up and smiled when he saw her again, all cleaned up now. With a fresh face she was rather a pretty child. And there was quite a family likeness. Mr. Hood could only hope that, for the girls sake, this likeness would wear off with time.

'So, where are these papers, mr. Hood?' asked mrs. Weasley after she putted the girl next to her own one year old.

'Are you sure you'll be fine, mrs. Weasley?' mr. Hood asked carefully.

'Of course, why wouldn't I be? As you can see I already run quite a day nursery, one more won't make a difference' said mrs. Weasley casually.

'No, I don't mean that. It's just that,' here, mr. Hood lowered her voice so the children couldn't hear, 'it's just that we cannot promise no one would come for her.'

'It is not for long, is it?' Mr. Hood heard the slight hint of fear in mrs. Weasley's voice.

'No, not at all' he assured her kindly, 'her grandmother will send someone to collect her tomorrow, I've just had word from the Ministry. She's away for the night, but in the morning our little lady will be with family again.'

'Better family, we hope' mrs. Weasley said sharply.

'We certainly hope' mr. Hood agreed. Mrs. Weasley suddenly looked at him with a warm look in her eyes. 'Then there won't be a problem at all' she said with a stout voice. Mr. Hood and mrs. Weasley shook hands and shared a knowing look. After mrs. Weasley had signed the papers with a hurried signature, mr. Hood said goodbye tot the children, winked at the twins and left the Burrow.

'What's wrong mom?' little Percy asked curiously.

'Nothing, darling' mrs. Weasley said, 'why don't you all go play?'

'Can we go outside?' Charlie looked out of the window longingly.

'No' mrs. Weasley answered quite sharp. 'It might rain' she explained when her older boys looked at her in surprise, 'why don't you go to the living room?' There was a lot of noise when al of them moved, Percy picking up Ron and Charlie taking the black haired girl.

'Mom, what's going on? Anything with the girl?' Bill asked after his younger siblings had left. Mrs. Weasley looked at the worried face of her oldest son and smiled.

'Don't you worry, dear. She's just staying over for the night. Isn't she a lovely thing? We'll have a very nice evening' she answered, and Bill smiled relieved and went after the others.

They did have a nice night, but when mrs. Weasley was lying in bed she couldn't get to sleep. She listened to her husband snoring for over an hour before she got out of bed and went to the room where little Ron and the visitor were vast asleep. She stayed there all night, sitting in a chair and looking at young Gemma Black.

Next day, when all the Weasleys were having breakfast, an old house elf came to collect the girl. He muttered a lot under his breath about traitors and muggle lovers, but the redheads ignored him.

'Boys, say goodbye to Gemma' mrs. Weasley said stern.

'Bye Gemma' all of them said in a cheery voice. The twins, seated on each side of her, gave her a sandwich hug and George even kissed her on her forehead. Mrs. Weasley smiled, picked up the child and cuddled her herself for a moment before handing her over to Kreacher the house elf.

'Bye little Gemma, till we meet again' mr. Weasley said kindly whilst stroking her hair. Kreacher snored and apparated with the child in his arms, leaving all the Weasleys smiling.

Back home, Kreacher went straight up to the mistress.

'Here's the child, my lady' he said with the utmost respect. Lady Black, covered in lace and with a wild look in her eyes, looked at her granddaughter and started laughing maniacally.

'Oh yes, a Black, a Black. Toujours Pur' she screamed, suddenly not laughing anymore but standing all stiff and scary.

'Certainly, my lady' Kreacher agreed before he bowed and took the child up to her room. She stayed there all day, only disturbed by Kreacher when he brought her food or changed her diapers. It was the first of many days Gemma would spent alone in her room at Grimmauld Place.

When she was a little older, she liked to go exploring, but she always stayed clear of her Grandmother's room. The only times she did go there were when Lady Black would ask for her and Kreacher would take her to the Big Room. Sometimes, she gave her granddaughter a lecture on family values. Most of the time however, Grandmother would go through different stages of extreme joy and rage, where she would throw things or let them explode. She however never aimed her anger at Gemma, and Kreacher always stayed there to protect the little girl from any accidental damage. Gemma would stay at her spot, fixate on the little paintings on the wall and wait until she was allowed to leave.

Normally however, she was free tot run up and down the stairs, and through all the empty rooms. There were only two rooms that where locked and one that was Grandmothers, all the others were her domain. She would play and climb the furniture and talk to the portraits.

Some were always asleep, but most of them would tell her stories. Uncle Phineas told her about Hogwarts and the wonderful House of Slytherin. He promised her she would go too, but Gemma could not really imagine how it would be, surrounded with so many children. She could not remember the Weasleys or the other kids she had played with before and she had no idea what it would be like, being with people of he same age.

She preferred the portrait of her great great grandmother Belvina, who would tell her fairy tales and scary stories. If she got too terrified, she would run down to the warm kitchen and to Kreacher, who was never to busy to comfort her, taking her on his lap and telling her about her proud family history.

All in all, she had a relatively nice life, until her grandmother died. This time, she could stay at home with Kreacher while her future got decided. Once again, her upbringing got decided on by the Ministry and once again, the custody of little Gemma was given to someone she had never met before. Kreacher was informed to bring her to her new home the next day. Gemma had just turned four when her life once more changed drastically.