Kay, a small raven-haired ten year old, was chasing a puppy through the
house, well, originally she had been, now she was just crawling into the
closet, hiding. She giggled lightly and grinned as she saw the lightly
gleaming eyes of the pup, staring back at her. She grinned back at May,
wondering if she was aware that the chase had turned into a game, something
like hide-and-seek, with their parents. Except, their parents didn't know
it. She giggled again, forcing herself to be quieter as she knelt there on
her hands and knees.
May grinned mischievously back at Kay, her bright green eyes sparkling with mirth. She reached out to pet the pup with a soft giggle. "Think Mommy will find us here, Kay?"
Kay grinned widely, eyes shining like gems in the half-light as she too pet the puppy. "Not for a while I hope," she whispered through giggles. This was fun!
"SHHH," May hushed her sister with a giggle as she heard their mother step lightly down the hall. She felt sure her mother was looking for them, but she never called for them and that was unusual. Finally she heard her father speak softly to her mother in his rough male voice. "Sweetheart, we can't let them go. I know you want them to take after their father--"
"Turning out like their father has nothing to do with it, because, though I would love for them to turn out like you, hon, it's just not possible to keep them here. Surely you can see that..."
"Their powers will dim if we just leave it alone. I don't want them going to some stupid boarding school! They're my daughters, dammit," their father replied hotly.
May gasped and slapped her hands over her mouth, her eyes huge and terrified she had given them away. Her brain didn't seem to want to work anymore and she hugged the puppy to her as she cuddled to her sister.
"Daddy's not Daddy," she asked weakly.
Kay held back a whimper, trying to be strong as she listened, trying to comfort her sister. She said nothing. What could be said. Besides, she couldn't seem to voice any words. She just sat there, her back stiff as she let her sister lean against her. "I guess not," she finally breathed, working hard to speak even that.
"Their powers won't dim, and they will just get themselves into trouble! You know what happens! I don't want to send them either, but we have to," their mother argued.
May shivered and kissed her sister's cheek. She snuggled in and listened reluctantly to her mother's reply.
"But-- they're," their father replied in a choked voice.
It prompted May to ask her sister in a hushed voice, "Is Daddy crying, Kay," before he could continue.
"What if he finds out? You never told him that you were pregnant, did you? What if he wants them? I'm not sharing my daughters!"
Kay leaned in against her sister as she listened, refusing to answer May's question, especially not to herself. She put her arms around her sister's shoulders as comfortingly as she could, but remained silent, gaining comfort from her gesture of comforting.
Their mother's voice came through then, half-comforting and half- determined, "He won't want them baby, and if he does they are ours, but even so, we have to risk it. For their sake we do, surely you want to do what's best for them, don't you?"
"Of course I do," he exclaimed sounding exasperated. "I just don't want them hurt or caught in the middle of a custody battle. Don't forget, I'm the father that raised them!"
May hugged the puppy closer and let silent tears fall from her now sea green eyes. The puppy, not understanding what could make his mistress so sad, licked her tears, nuzzling her occasionally as it did.
"I know that, and they do," there was a pause, "but it won't come to that. I'm sure it won't. You have to trust me that he wouldn't, even if he did find out. I know him, remember? You have to let them go, just for now. Surely you would rather this then have them become outcasts, freaks to everyone that they know..."
Kay listened in silence, holding her sister close as her lip quivered softly, the only sign of any sort of reaction to this. Everything would be ok, it had to be, surely it had to be?
"I thought we were already freaks..." May said quietly, snuggling into her sister's embrace.
Kay grinned a bit then, taking it what their mom had said, and then she whispered to May, humor lacing her tone, "She says it like it's a bad thing." Personally she liked being a freak, it made life more interesting.
May giggled, "Yeah, I like only being similar to you."
"Fine," their father said after a few moments of silence. "Do what you want. They will go. But I don't pretend to like it."
There was another long pause before their mother continued, "I don't like it either, but it is for the best."
They heard their father sigh and his slow, heavy footsteps leaving the house, the screen door slamming shut behind him.
Kay giggled softly, hugging her sister more tightly for a moment, "We are freaks together," she paused catching her sisters eyes with her own matching pair, "forever?"
May grinned, her green eyes sparkling once more, "Forever!" She leapt forward and hugged her sister tightly, laughing softly so that their mother wouldn't hear.
By some chance of fortune, the puppy hadn't yelped, but merely squirmed as it was pressed between the two, whimpering indignantly, but softly. Kay giggled, keeping her voice down, but said no more as a smile spread across her face. Whatever happened...they would be together.
"Kay," May asked, her voice taking on the tone that warned of her dangerous curious tendencies coming to bear.
Kay tilted her head lightly, eyes sparkling, "Yes May?"
"Think our real Daddy is at the school where we're going," she looked into her twin's identical green eyes, her hands absently petting the soft fur of the wriggling puppy.
Kay tilted her head a moment, chewing softly on her lip, before nodding. "Sounds like...Why?"
"You think we could maybe find him? I wanna know what he's like," May said, looking slightly sheepish. "Why didn't he want us?"
"I bet he don't know, sounds like," she grinned then, "I hope we can find him." Her eyes were alight with a rare moment of serious contemplation, "I'd like to know him too."
"But Mommy said he wouldn't even if had known," May couldn't help pointing out. "Maybe we should surprise him when we find him! Maybe if we actually do well, he'll want to at least know us too."
Kay shrugged, and then grinned brightly, "I bet he will, and we can have fun surprising him with it. Imagine, a second daddy." She paused her eyes suddenly alight, "More presents!"
May clapped her hands and grinned, "Yes! And then maybe we'll even have other brothers and sisters to tease and play with. Wouldn't that be fun?"
Kay grinned mischievously, "Yes, very, I can't wait to go!" She giggled again, smiling widely now.
"Wanna go find Mommy," May asked excitedly. "Maybe she'll tell us now!"
Kay grinned brightly her eyes alight and shimmering like gems as she nodded rapidly, "Yeah, yeah, let's find her. K, May?" She giggled after the question, her whole mood bright and a bit mischievous.
"Kay Day," May chirped, titling her head. Her bright green eyes flashed with mischief as she rushed to stand and make her way out of the closet. She checked quickly, poking her raven-haired head from out the door before bounding out, the puppy at her heels.
Kay followed, grinning as she darted out after her sister, bumping into her back at the pause to look around. He grin widened as her eyes darted around. Now, to find their Mommy.
The puppy leapt and ran around the twins' feet as they searched the house. Suddenly, May turned to her sister, almost causing Kay to fall over in her abruptness, "We can't let Mommy know." Then, just as suddenly, she brightened and grinned, slapping a hand out to her sister, "Tag!" With that, she took off running.
Kay grinned chasing after her sister with a laugh, chasing her as fast as she could, and being extra careful not to run into anything. Only because doing so would slow her down.
May squealed as her sister almost caught her and tripped over a shoe. She sprawled on the floor, stunned for a moment, before looking up to the worried expressions of her mother and sister.
Kay skidded to a halt just short of tripping over her sprawled sister, looking down, worried before looking up sheepishly to her mom.
"Hi, Mommy," piped up May from her place on the floor.
Their mom stood there, looking at her daughters and shaking her head as she knelt down, helping May up so that she could take both of them in a hug as she cleared her throat, trying to begin. "You two are going to a new school next year...very far from here, called Hogwarts, to teach you to use your unique gifts," she paused as tears welled in her throat, "I'm going to miss you, but it will help you."
May reached out to her mother's face, her heart squeezing and the sparkle in her eyes dimming, "Mommy, you're crying..."
Kay leaned into the hug not understanding her mom's tears totally, knowing she would be going far away, but not understanding how it was so bad. She would miss her mommy though, a lot.
"We'll be together, Mommy," May said softly. Then she grinned, "Nothing can happen to us when we're together!"
"I'm just. going to miss you two... so much," their mom said softly, a smile spreading gently across her lips as she released them, standing up fully. "Try to keep out of trouble, now, won't you?"
"We're perfect little angels, Mommy," May cried. "Kay Day?"
Kay grinned. "Right, nothing at all, no trouble even," she said brightly, though her fingers were crossed behind her back at the last statement, "Yup, we're angels."
Their mother shook her head, trying to hold back a bit of laughter, "Most mischievous pair of angels I've ever seen."
"What's our new school like, Mommy," May asked suddenly, pushing forward into her mother's embrace.
Their mom tilted her head lightly, more then a bit suspicious at their behavior, but choosing to let it slide. "It will be... fun, lots of boys and girls with unique gifts like yours. Special kids that you can make friends with," she paused, grinning "And I don't know what else really, I am not as special as you two, and have never been there."
"Can they turn people's hair green like me? Or make mean teachers float out the window like Kay," May asked even more excitedly now. Her eyes were almost glinting with pleasure.
Kay grinned widely, looking to her mommy, waiting for answers to her sister's questions. She wanted to know too!
Their mother shook her head, her face almost scolding, "Yes, though I don't think most are as gifted as that before going to school."
May giggled, "Kay Day! We're still special!" She bounced where she was at, he shoulder-length raven hair bouncing right along with her.
Kay grinned widely and bounced to, caught in with her sister's mood. "This is gonna be fun." She Stopped jumping abruptly, "So when are we going?"
May stopped as well and turned large inquiring eyes on her mother.
Their mother just sighed softly, "Soon enough, now... go get washed up. You two are filthy."
"But..." May said disappointed.
Kay grabbed her sister's arm, pulling her along away from their mom as she left. "Come on May," she whispered into her ear, "We will figure it out as we go." She was silent for a long moment then, grinning impishly as she released her sister's arm, before hitting it lightly, "tag!" With that, she bolted back down the hallway.
"Kay," May squealed as she set off after her sister, nearly tripping again over the little brown puppy that had finally caught up to them. "Come back!"
***************************************************
May burst through the brick wall and into Diagon Alley. She hadn't really wanted to leave the pub with all its interesting people, but Mommy had been right! This place was much much better! People were strolling down the streets wear their funny long dresses and cloaks and not all of them were even human. Owls flew through the streets and cats trotted alongside their humans. May squealed in excitement, deciding she would not rest until she had explored every nook and cranny of this place!
Kay followed behind her sister, looking around with eyes as big and round as coins. "Wow," she half whispered before looking to her sister. "Where to first?" she half yelped out in excitement.
May remained silent, too excited to even notice her sister's question. "KayDay!KayDay! Look! It's so strange," she exclaimed.
"Yes May Day, May Day," she exclaimed back pausing before continuing, "Let's get a pet!" She giggled, pointing at the cat's walking by with their owners, "Wanna go get a pet?"
May's eyes lit up as she saw the cat Kay was pointing at, "Kitty!" She turned to their mother who was frankly looking overwhelmed, "Mommy, Mommy! I wanna kitty!"
Mrs. Day sighed, once again glad that she had already come and gotten her money changed the day before, "Alright, alright. You can each pick out a cat." She watched as her daughters cheered and raced towards a nearby pet shop. "Be good," she told them, as she paid the lady behind the counter in advance. "And wait for me here, I'm going to go get some of your supplies."
"Kay Mommy, we'll be good!" Her fingers were crossed of course, as she began looking over the animals to find a kitty she liked.
May nodded absently as she ran her bright green eyes over the cats, not even bothering to notice as her mother left her and her sister alone in the Pet Shop.
Kay's eyes suddenly caught a Persian, and she grabbed May's arm, pointing with the other hand, "Look!" She grinned brightly, "I like that one!"
May nodded distractedly, her own eyes catching sight of a lounging calico. "I want that one," she cried, pointing at her own cat.
Kay's eyes caught a mischievous light as she looked between the two cats, and then to the other animals. "I bet all of them want loose," she whispered, barely audibly, to her sister.
May nodded, taking her cat as the lady from behind the counter extracted her. The cat mewed at her and she giggled even as one of her hands slipped unseen out to pop the latch to the other cats cages.
Kay was slowly but surely doing the same thing as she happily took her own kitty in her arms, hugging it gently, still moving and opening latches unseen.
It seemed to take a while for the cat's to realize their newfound freedom but when one did, all sprang forth, issuing from the cages in a flood of multi-colored fur. To put it lightly the lady who worked in this shop was dismayed and confused. Kay stood there a long moment, grinning widely as she held her new cat before glancing to her sister, and gesturing the exit with her chin. They needed to get out of there before the lady grabbed them and they got in trouble. She was moving quickly, and out the door before the poor lady even realized it, several cats coming out at her heels.
May followed her sister, her new cat mewling in confusion from it's spot in her arms. "Kay Day! Where do we go now? I wanna explore," she called up to her sister.
Kay shrugged picking a random shop and pointing, "How bout there?" Her smile grew as she saw what it was. Potions, well... that could make for some fun.
May followed Kay's finger and say the place she had suggested. It was dark and old, with barrels of interesting-looking stuff outside and creaky looking stairs leading up into the dimly-lit interior. Above the doorway was a sign announcing its occupation of a Potions Shop. It looked very intriguing to May.
"Kay Day," she yelled, changing direction to head for the place.
Kay virtually leapt after her sister, anxious to see the inside of this place, her mind tingling with excitement at what treasures this dark little shop might hold. Hugging her new kitty close to her she peered at it with large green eyes. Eyes that seemed almost innocent...almost
This place was truly very interesting to May. She wasn't even scared of its dark corners or the floaty things in the bottles on the shelves. "Kay Day," she said, breathless in her excitement. "I like it here..."
Kay's eyes darted around and she grinned widely. "This is great," she breathed, eyes focusing on everything in the semi-darkness. It was an amazing place, full of things that no doubt had great potential for fun or mischief. She didn't even notice as she accidentally dropped her Persian, her attention totally enwrapped in what she saw.
May wandered around a corner and, looking up in her amazed perusal of the tall shelves, noticed a section of shelves with very interesting bottles full of green cloudy stuff. She loved green; it was her favorite color.
"Kay Day, look at this," she called back to her sister. She dropped her new cat and began climbing up the shelves to the bottle without even waiting for her sister. She never noticed as a scowling man began to turn the corner of the bookcase she was climbing.
Kay's eyes widened as May began climbing, not because she was climbing, but because of the man coming around the corner. "May," she hissed loudly, "may- day!" Her eyes darted back to the man and she backed away, trying to find something with which to distract him lest he get her sister into trouble.
"What," May said, turning slightly to see her sister. That move was her undoing. Her foot slipped and then her body almost lifted off the shelves as she lost her grip. She fell, luckily not hitting a single shelf, but unfortunately batting the bottle she had so wanted to see down and onto the startled man dressed all in black that caught her.
"Oopsy," she said, terror rolling through her stomach and forcing her eyes wide. "I'm in trouble."
"Yes," breathed the man as he dropped her to the floor and reach up to wipe the green and awful smelling gook from his face, "you are. Where is your silly twit of a mother?"
Kay grabbed May's hand to pull her away from the dark and rather angry looking man, backing away with her, only to realize that the man stood between them and any way out. They were backed into a corner. Her nose wrinkled as she pushed May behind her, glaring at the man, "Our Mom is not a silly twit!"
"You're going to be a Gryffindor, aren't you," the tall, dark man breathed, though not too deeply. That green gloop did not smell at all nice. "Where are your parents? Answer me quickly before I have you arrested," the man's nostrils flared dramatically, scaring poor May. But only for a moment; it had been too much and he had started coughing from the fumes of the green stuff that now covered him.
Kay giggled, unable to help herself as she shrugged. "Dunno, and dunno," she paused, giggling a bit more, despite the smell coming from the man as she tried to eye some sort of escape route. Looked like they were both in trouble now.
May snickered before leaping out from behind her sister and grabbing her cat, which was batting at the man's long black robes as though they were a mouse and so something to play with.
The man's long thin fingers reached down and grabbed her as she straightened up, "You're not going anywhere, you little brat. We're going to wait right here until your mother comes to claim you..."
May squeaked in pain and terror, struggling to get away and squeezing her poor cat, which was not happy with the situation in the least.
Kay leapt forward, doing the first thing she could think of and regretting it afterwards. She bit down on the man's arm as hard as she could.
The man threw the both of them away as he reacted to the pain from Kay's bite. He hissed in pain and grabbed his arm, "You little..."
Kay glanced up at the professor, almost glaring. It was then she noticed a raven-haired newcomer with bright emerald eyes. Those eyes darted between all three for a split second, seeming to try to figure out what was happening. "Professor Snape," he exclaimed questioningly, interrupting the man mid-sentence.
Snape glared over at the tousled hair youth, "Potter. I should have known you had something to do with this."
May looked between the two, suddenly intrigued once more.
Kay tilted her head, confused, "But, we've never met him, how could he be with us?" Her bright eyes were dimmed with confusion as she looked between the older boy and the man.
Harry's glance darted from Snape to the girl who had spoken and back again. "Something to do with what Professor," he asked, his nose wrinkling suddenly as he too noticed the stench coming from the fluid that had spread over much of the dark man.
"I fell," May admitted with a sniffle, crouching behind Kay with her cat held tightly in her small, thin arms.
"Yes," Snape hissed at her angrily, "you fell. You stupid little brat. Your parents should keep a tighter reign on you."
"I'm sorry..." May told him fearfully.
Kay growled as she glared at the man, "Leave my sister alone you... you mean old man!" She remained firmly planted in front of May, keeping her out of harm's way.
Harry snickered, though he obviously was trying his best not to. It was obvious he and Snape did not exactly get along. Of course, Kay couldn't blame him, she doubted anyone could get along with this man.
May sniffled where she was before noticing the opening behind the tall professor. He had stepped forward in his anger and was no longer fully blocking the way out. "Kay, look," she whispered in her sister's ear as she looked straight at the spot.
Snape's nostrils flared again and an angry red flush appeared on his skin, "Why you! You should have more respect for your elders!"
Kay glared a moment, silent as her eyes darted to the opening, and immediately she pulled/pushed her sister towards it as she darted there herself. They needed to get out of here before they got into deeper trouble.
May didn't actually need telling twice. She darted, the cat still held tightly in her arms, at the opening, knocking into the tall scary man. The man seemed to seethe, but she barely noticed, only caring that her sister had managed to make it past before he fell right across the path they had just taken.
Snape practically roared in frustration as the girls rushed past and managed to knock him over. He'd only ever had this much trouble with Neville (The Jinx) Longbottom.
Kay giggled as she ran, scooping up her cat as she ran passed where it was sitting batting at colored bottles of potions on the lowest shelf. Several of the potions fell off the shelf and spilled across the floor, but Kay kept running, barely noticing the dark haired youth as he followed, curious at their amazing aptitude for mischief.
May didn't stop running until she was back outside the Pet Shop where her mother had told them to meet her. She turned back to see Kay and the boy, Potter, still running to catch up with her. "Kay Day!"
Kay skidded to a halt abruptly, grinning as she hugged her cat, "May Day?" She turned abruptly as the older boy came to stop behind her. She looked him over a moment, debating if perhaps they should run to get away from him as well, but deciding against it.
He breathed a moment after stopping, his eyes focusing through tasseled hair on the pair.
"What was that all about," he asked them after a moment.
"I fell," May told him sheepishly, edging closer to her sister and looking at him with wide, innocent green eyes. "I didn't mean to knock the bottle down. I just wanted to see."
Kay grinned and shrugged, "Yeah, it was an accident," she paused for a long moment then, "Besides... it was fun." Her bright green eyes sparkled as she looked up at him.
Harry blinked at the sparkling green eyes in amazement, wondering how the Weasley twins could have been reborn before they had even died. Then again, "You're even more mischievous than the Weasley Twins..." He spoke in stunned awe, not even realizing he had.
"Who're they," asked May, stepping forward to grin up at Harry.
Kay tilted the her head, grinning to her sister a moment, "Yeah, who?"
"They're another pair of twins that like to get into mischief," Harry told them. "You're Muggle, then?"
Kay tilted her head curiously, glancing once more to her sister and back to him, "Muggle?" Her eyes shone out with sheer curiosity as she looked to him, wondering exactly what he meant.
May blinked and waited for the boy to answer.
"You come from a non-magic family," Harry told them with a grin. It felt good to be the one with the knowledge for once.
May titled her head and glanced at her sister before replying, "I'm May Day!"
Kay tilted her head and then nodding, choosing not to mention the unknown daddy. She grinned then, "And I'm Kay Day!"
"Kay Day and May Day..." Harry repeated wonderingly. "You must have an interesting Mom."
Kay nodded brightly, "She should be back soon, actually," she began distractedly, looking around, "she left us here to pick out kitties while she got the rest of our stuff."
"And you just happened to wander off to the Potions Shop," Harry grinned. "I'm Harry, by the way and that was Professor Snape that you met. He teaches Potions at Hogwarts. Are you going there this year?"
May eyes widened in fear and she hoped that she wouldn't have to take this Potions class.
Kay grinned mischievously, suddenly hoping she would get to take potions. "Yup, we are," she chirped happily. Her eyes alight as she smiled to her worried sister.
"Do we have to take Potions class with him," May asked worriedly, squeezing her cat a little for comfort.
Harry nodded, "Unfortunately. Everyone hates him, except the Slytherins, so if you lose points with him, no one will ask why."
"Points," May asked.
Kay tilted her head, grinning a bit impishly, but staying quiet as she waited for Harry to answer her sister's last question.
"You'll find out when you get there," Harry told them. "What are your cats' names?"
Kay's face went blank as she looked down at the little Persian in her arms. She immediately glanced to her sister with wide eyes. Surely she could help think up a name for both of them.
"Uhh..." May said, thinking. "This is...Patches!" The cat mewled and began purring, almost as though happy to have been named.
Kay looked blankly back down at her cat, still drawing a blank. "Uhhhh..." she began, thinking hard as she stared at the squirming cat, "Stitch." She grinned a bit, "Yeah, Stitch." With that the cat managed to squirm loose, pouncing at Harry's foot.
Harry blinked, suddenly glad for the thick material of his sneakers as Stitch batted at his shoelaces and proceeded to curl around his foot.
May giggled at Harry's helpless look, "Stitch likes you!"
Kay giggled too, but made no move to get Stitch off of Harry's shoe, "Yup, he does!" She giggled some more as she looked, noticing that their mom was coming into view.
"Mommy," May yelled as her gaze was inexplicably drawn to where Kay's was.
Harry attempted to turn, but tripped over the cat on his foot and ended up sprawled on the ground.
Their mom looked relieved to note that the pair was still at the pet shop where she had left them. "You two stay out of trouble," she asked as she drew near, turning her glance to the boy sprawled on the ground.
Kay giggled loudly a moment and nodded, "Yup mom, totally outta trouble. We got kitties!"
"And we made a friend," May told her. She kneeled down beside Harry and pointed at him, "He's Harry!"
Their mom tilted their head at the boy for a long moment, "Good day Harry, have these two little miscreants been causing you any trouble?" She was silent a moment then, thinking, "well, too much trouble." It was obvious there had been some, otherwise the boy would not be on the ground.
Harry grinned and shook his, "No, they haven't been causing me any trouble at all. I just tripped." He wasn't about to get the girls in trouble, not when it had been Snape to suffer the consequences of their curiosity.
May let Patches go to curl up on Harry's lap as he sat up and then plopped herself down beside him. "How old are you Harry," she asked, her green eyes sparkling.
Kay grinned, sitting down herself and looking at her cat as she waited for Harry to answer her sister's question.
Their mother cleared her throat, not liking the emphasis on "me" that the boy gave, but letting it pass. "Girl's," she began again, "I need you with me to get your wands, other then that I have all your supplies... You can talk to Harry later."
"Thirteen," Harry said as he gently handed Patches back to May and stood.
May stood with him, "Mommy, Mommy, can Harry come too?"
Harry blinked in surprise and glanced at the girl's mother.
"No, May, Harry probably has other places he has to go to get what he needs for school," their mom said softly but firmly.
"Do you Harry?" Kay looked to him questioningly, awaiting his response.
"Not really," Harry replied slowly. "I've already been here for two weeks and gotten everything I need." He wasn't really sure what was going on, but he figured he'd see what the outcome was anyway.
"Then, you'll come," May squealed excitedly, bouncing in place next to him.
Their mother looked a bit indignant for a moment. "Well Harry, would you like to come with us?"
Kay smiled brightly at her mom's slightly reluctant approval, grabbing Stitch as she looked to Harry, "yeah, come!"
"I-I don't think you mom wants me to," Harry said, uncertainly. Maybe if he continued to put it off to their mother he could get out of this.
May looked crushed and pouted towards her mother.
"I don't mind," she said, unable to fight the pouts of now both of her daughters. "The more the merrier," she finally said, "If you want to come you're welcome."
Harry sighed and gave in as both the twins began pulling Harry back down the street, "Alright, alright." Harry was used to winning, but he did know when he was beaten. 'These kids could be scarier than Voldemort,' he thought to himself as he attempted to not trip over the cats, which were both now walking beside their young mistresses.
May grinned mischievously back at Kay, her bright green eyes sparkling with mirth. She reached out to pet the pup with a soft giggle. "Think Mommy will find us here, Kay?"
Kay grinned widely, eyes shining like gems in the half-light as she too pet the puppy. "Not for a while I hope," she whispered through giggles. This was fun!
"SHHH," May hushed her sister with a giggle as she heard their mother step lightly down the hall. She felt sure her mother was looking for them, but she never called for them and that was unusual. Finally she heard her father speak softly to her mother in his rough male voice. "Sweetheart, we can't let them go. I know you want them to take after their father--"
"Turning out like their father has nothing to do with it, because, though I would love for them to turn out like you, hon, it's just not possible to keep them here. Surely you can see that..."
"Their powers will dim if we just leave it alone. I don't want them going to some stupid boarding school! They're my daughters, dammit," their father replied hotly.
May gasped and slapped her hands over her mouth, her eyes huge and terrified she had given them away. Her brain didn't seem to want to work anymore and she hugged the puppy to her as she cuddled to her sister.
"Daddy's not Daddy," she asked weakly.
Kay held back a whimper, trying to be strong as she listened, trying to comfort her sister. She said nothing. What could be said. Besides, she couldn't seem to voice any words. She just sat there, her back stiff as she let her sister lean against her. "I guess not," she finally breathed, working hard to speak even that.
"Their powers won't dim, and they will just get themselves into trouble! You know what happens! I don't want to send them either, but we have to," their mother argued.
May shivered and kissed her sister's cheek. She snuggled in and listened reluctantly to her mother's reply.
"But-- they're," their father replied in a choked voice.
It prompted May to ask her sister in a hushed voice, "Is Daddy crying, Kay," before he could continue.
"What if he finds out? You never told him that you were pregnant, did you? What if he wants them? I'm not sharing my daughters!"
Kay leaned in against her sister as she listened, refusing to answer May's question, especially not to herself. She put her arms around her sister's shoulders as comfortingly as she could, but remained silent, gaining comfort from her gesture of comforting.
Their mother's voice came through then, half-comforting and half- determined, "He won't want them baby, and if he does they are ours, but even so, we have to risk it. For their sake we do, surely you want to do what's best for them, don't you?"
"Of course I do," he exclaimed sounding exasperated. "I just don't want them hurt or caught in the middle of a custody battle. Don't forget, I'm the father that raised them!"
May hugged the puppy closer and let silent tears fall from her now sea green eyes. The puppy, not understanding what could make his mistress so sad, licked her tears, nuzzling her occasionally as it did.
"I know that, and they do," there was a pause, "but it won't come to that. I'm sure it won't. You have to trust me that he wouldn't, even if he did find out. I know him, remember? You have to let them go, just for now. Surely you would rather this then have them become outcasts, freaks to everyone that they know..."
Kay listened in silence, holding her sister close as her lip quivered softly, the only sign of any sort of reaction to this. Everything would be ok, it had to be, surely it had to be?
"I thought we were already freaks..." May said quietly, snuggling into her sister's embrace.
Kay grinned a bit then, taking it what their mom had said, and then she whispered to May, humor lacing her tone, "She says it like it's a bad thing." Personally she liked being a freak, it made life more interesting.
May giggled, "Yeah, I like only being similar to you."
"Fine," their father said after a few moments of silence. "Do what you want. They will go. But I don't pretend to like it."
There was another long pause before their mother continued, "I don't like it either, but it is for the best."
They heard their father sigh and his slow, heavy footsteps leaving the house, the screen door slamming shut behind him.
Kay giggled softly, hugging her sister more tightly for a moment, "We are freaks together," she paused catching her sisters eyes with her own matching pair, "forever?"
May grinned, her green eyes sparkling once more, "Forever!" She leapt forward and hugged her sister tightly, laughing softly so that their mother wouldn't hear.
By some chance of fortune, the puppy hadn't yelped, but merely squirmed as it was pressed between the two, whimpering indignantly, but softly. Kay giggled, keeping her voice down, but said no more as a smile spread across her face. Whatever happened...they would be together.
"Kay," May asked, her voice taking on the tone that warned of her dangerous curious tendencies coming to bear.
Kay tilted her head lightly, eyes sparkling, "Yes May?"
"Think our real Daddy is at the school where we're going," she looked into her twin's identical green eyes, her hands absently petting the soft fur of the wriggling puppy.
Kay tilted her head a moment, chewing softly on her lip, before nodding. "Sounds like...Why?"
"You think we could maybe find him? I wanna know what he's like," May said, looking slightly sheepish. "Why didn't he want us?"
"I bet he don't know, sounds like," she grinned then, "I hope we can find him." Her eyes were alight with a rare moment of serious contemplation, "I'd like to know him too."
"But Mommy said he wouldn't even if had known," May couldn't help pointing out. "Maybe we should surprise him when we find him! Maybe if we actually do well, he'll want to at least know us too."
Kay shrugged, and then grinned brightly, "I bet he will, and we can have fun surprising him with it. Imagine, a second daddy." She paused her eyes suddenly alight, "More presents!"
May clapped her hands and grinned, "Yes! And then maybe we'll even have other brothers and sisters to tease and play with. Wouldn't that be fun?"
Kay grinned mischievously, "Yes, very, I can't wait to go!" She giggled again, smiling widely now.
"Wanna go find Mommy," May asked excitedly. "Maybe she'll tell us now!"
Kay grinned brightly her eyes alight and shimmering like gems as she nodded rapidly, "Yeah, yeah, let's find her. K, May?" She giggled after the question, her whole mood bright and a bit mischievous.
"Kay Day," May chirped, titling her head. Her bright green eyes flashed with mischief as she rushed to stand and make her way out of the closet. She checked quickly, poking her raven-haired head from out the door before bounding out, the puppy at her heels.
Kay followed, grinning as she darted out after her sister, bumping into her back at the pause to look around. He grin widened as her eyes darted around. Now, to find their Mommy.
The puppy leapt and ran around the twins' feet as they searched the house. Suddenly, May turned to her sister, almost causing Kay to fall over in her abruptness, "We can't let Mommy know." Then, just as suddenly, she brightened and grinned, slapping a hand out to her sister, "Tag!" With that, she took off running.
Kay grinned chasing after her sister with a laugh, chasing her as fast as she could, and being extra careful not to run into anything. Only because doing so would slow her down.
May squealed as her sister almost caught her and tripped over a shoe. She sprawled on the floor, stunned for a moment, before looking up to the worried expressions of her mother and sister.
Kay skidded to a halt just short of tripping over her sprawled sister, looking down, worried before looking up sheepishly to her mom.
"Hi, Mommy," piped up May from her place on the floor.
Their mom stood there, looking at her daughters and shaking her head as she knelt down, helping May up so that she could take both of them in a hug as she cleared her throat, trying to begin. "You two are going to a new school next year...very far from here, called Hogwarts, to teach you to use your unique gifts," she paused as tears welled in her throat, "I'm going to miss you, but it will help you."
May reached out to her mother's face, her heart squeezing and the sparkle in her eyes dimming, "Mommy, you're crying..."
Kay leaned into the hug not understanding her mom's tears totally, knowing she would be going far away, but not understanding how it was so bad. She would miss her mommy though, a lot.
"We'll be together, Mommy," May said softly. Then she grinned, "Nothing can happen to us when we're together!"
"I'm just. going to miss you two... so much," their mom said softly, a smile spreading gently across her lips as she released them, standing up fully. "Try to keep out of trouble, now, won't you?"
"We're perfect little angels, Mommy," May cried. "Kay Day?"
Kay grinned. "Right, nothing at all, no trouble even," she said brightly, though her fingers were crossed behind her back at the last statement, "Yup, we're angels."
Their mother shook her head, trying to hold back a bit of laughter, "Most mischievous pair of angels I've ever seen."
"What's our new school like, Mommy," May asked suddenly, pushing forward into her mother's embrace.
Their mom tilted her head lightly, more then a bit suspicious at their behavior, but choosing to let it slide. "It will be... fun, lots of boys and girls with unique gifts like yours. Special kids that you can make friends with," she paused, grinning "And I don't know what else really, I am not as special as you two, and have never been there."
"Can they turn people's hair green like me? Or make mean teachers float out the window like Kay," May asked even more excitedly now. Her eyes were almost glinting with pleasure.
Kay grinned widely, looking to her mommy, waiting for answers to her sister's questions. She wanted to know too!
Their mother shook her head, her face almost scolding, "Yes, though I don't think most are as gifted as that before going to school."
May giggled, "Kay Day! We're still special!" She bounced where she was at, he shoulder-length raven hair bouncing right along with her.
Kay grinned widely and bounced to, caught in with her sister's mood. "This is gonna be fun." She Stopped jumping abruptly, "So when are we going?"
May stopped as well and turned large inquiring eyes on her mother.
Their mother just sighed softly, "Soon enough, now... go get washed up. You two are filthy."
"But..." May said disappointed.
Kay grabbed her sister's arm, pulling her along away from their mom as she left. "Come on May," she whispered into her ear, "We will figure it out as we go." She was silent for a long moment then, grinning impishly as she released her sister's arm, before hitting it lightly, "tag!" With that, she bolted back down the hallway.
"Kay," May squealed as she set off after her sister, nearly tripping again over the little brown puppy that had finally caught up to them. "Come back!"
***************************************************
May burst through the brick wall and into Diagon Alley. She hadn't really wanted to leave the pub with all its interesting people, but Mommy had been right! This place was much much better! People were strolling down the streets wear their funny long dresses and cloaks and not all of them were even human. Owls flew through the streets and cats trotted alongside their humans. May squealed in excitement, deciding she would not rest until she had explored every nook and cranny of this place!
Kay followed behind her sister, looking around with eyes as big and round as coins. "Wow," she half whispered before looking to her sister. "Where to first?" she half yelped out in excitement.
May remained silent, too excited to even notice her sister's question. "KayDay!KayDay! Look! It's so strange," she exclaimed.
"Yes May Day, May Day," she exclaimed back pausing before continuing, "Let's get a pet!" She giggled, pointing at the cat's walking by with their owners, "Wanna go get a pet?"
May's eyes lit up as she saw the cat Kay was pointing at, "Kitty!" She turned to their mother who was frankly looking overwhelmed, "Mommy, Mommy! I wanna kitty!"
Mrs. Day sighed, once again glad that she had already come and gotten her money changed the day before, "Alright, alright. You can each pick out a cat." She watched as her daughters cheered and raced towards a nearby pet shop. "Be good," she told them, as she paid the lady behind the counter in advance. "And wait for me here, I'm going to go get some of your supplies."
"Kay Mommy, we'll be good!" Her fingers were crossed of course, as she began looking over the animals to find a kitty she liked.
May nodded absently as she ran her bright green eyes over the cats, not even bothering to notice as her mother left her and her sister alone in the Pet Shop.
Kay's eyes suddenly caught a Persian, and she grabbed May's arm, pointing with the other hand, "Look!" She grinned brightly, "I like that one!"
May nodded distractedly, her own eyes catching sight of a lounging calico. "I want that one," she cried, pointing at her own cat.
Kay's eyes caught a mischievous light as she looked between the two cats, and then to the other animals. "I bet all of them want loose," she whispered, barely audibly, to her sister.
May nodded, taking her cat as the lady from behind the counter extracted her. The cat mewed at her and she giggled even as one of her hands slipped unseen out to pop the latch to the other cats cages.
Kay was slowly but surely doing the same thing as she happily took her own kitty in her arms, hugging it gently, still moving and opening latches unseen.
It seemed to take a while for the cat's to realize their newfound freedom but when one did, all sprang forth, issuing from the cages in a flood of multi-colored fur. To put it lightly the lady who worked in this shop was dismayed and confused. Kay stood there a long moment, grinning widely as she held her new cat before glancing to her sister, and gesturing the exit with her chin. They needed to get out of there before the lady grabbed them and they got in trouble. She was moving quickly, and out the door before the poor lady even realized it, several cats coming out at her heels.
May followed her sister, her new cat mewling in confusion from it's spot in her arms. "Kay Day! Where do we go now? I wanna explore," she called up to her sister.
Kay shrugged picking a random shop and pointing, "How bout there?" Her smile grew as she saw what it was. Potions, well... that could make for some fun.
May followed Kay's finger and say the place she had suggested. It was dark and old, with barrels of interesting-looking stuff outside and creaky looking stairs leading up into the dimly-lit interior. Above the doorway was a sign announcing its occupation of a Potions Shop. It looked very intriguing to May.
"Kay Day," she yelled, changing direction to head for the place.
Kay virtually leapt after her sister, anxious to see the inside of this place, her mind tingling with excitement at what treasures this dark little shop might hold. Hugging her new kitty close to her she peered at it with large green eyes. Eyes that seemed almost innocent...almost
This place was truly very interesting to May. She wasn't even scared of its dark corners or the floaty things in the bottles on the shelves. "Kay Day," she said, breathless in her excitement. "I like it here..."
Kay's eyes darted around and she grinned widely. "This is great," she breathed, eyes focusing on everything in the semi-darkness. It was an amazing place, full of things that no doubt had great potential for fun or mischief. She didn't even notice as she accidentally dropped her Persian, her attention totally enwrapped in what she saw.
May wandered around a corner and, looking up in her amazed perusal of the tall shelves, noticed a section of shelves with very interesting bottles full of green cloudy stuff. She loved green; it was her favorite color.
"Kay Day, look at this," she called back to her sister. She dropped her new cat and began climbing up the shelves to the bottle without even waiting for her sister. She never noticed as a scowling man began to turn the corner of the bookcase she was climbing.
Kay's eyes widened as May began climbing, not because she was climbing, but because of the man coming around the corner. "May," she hissed loudly, "may- day!" Her eyes darted back to the man and she backed away, trying to find something with which to distract him lest he get her sister into trouble.
"What," May said, turning slightly to see her sister. That move was her undoing. Her foot slipped and then her body almost lifted off the shelves as she lost her grip. She fell, luckily not hitting a single shelf, but unfortunately batting the bottle she had so wanted to see down and onto the startled man dressed all in black that caught her.
"Oopsy," she said, terror rolling through her stomach and forcing her eyes wide. "I'm in trouble."
"Yes," breathed the man as he dropped her to the floor and reach up to wipe the green and awful smelling gook from his face, "you are. Where is your silly twit of a mother?"
Kay grabbed May's hand to pull her away from the dark and rather angry looking man, backing away with her, only to realize that the man stood between them and any way out. They were backed into a corner. Her nose wrinkled as she pushed May behind her, glaring at the man, "Our Mom is not a silly twit!"
"You're going to be a Gryffindor, aren't you," the tall, dark man breathed, though not too deeply. That green gloop did not smell at all nice. "Where are your parents? Answer me quickly before I have you arrested," the man's nostrils flared dramatically, scaring poor May. But only for a moment; it had been too much and he had started coughing from the fumes of the green stuff that now covered him.
Kay giggled, unable to help herself as she shrugged. "Dunno, and dunno," she paused, giggling a bit more, despite the smell coming from the man as she tried to eye some sort of escape route. Looked like they were both in trouble now.
May snickered before leaping out from behind her sister and grabbing her cat, which was batting at the man's long black robes as though they were a mouse and so something to play with.
The man's long thin fingers reached down and grabbed her as she straightened up, "You're not going anywhere, you little brat. We're going to wait right here until your mother comes to claim you..."
May squeaked in pain and terror, struggling to get away and squeezing her poor cat, which was not happy with the situation in the least.
Kay leapt forward, doing the first thing she could think of and regretting it afterwards. She bit down on the man's arm as hard as she could.
The man threw the both of them away as he reacted to the pain from Kay's bite. He hissed in pain and grabbed his arm, "You little..."
Kay glanced up at the professor, almost glaring. It was then she noticed a raven-haired newcomer with bright emerald eyes. Those eyes darted between all three for a split second, seeming to try to figure out what was happening. "Professor Snape," he exclaimed questioningly, interrupting the man mid-sentence.
Snape glared over at the tousled hair youth, "Potter. I should have known you had something to do with this."
May looked between the two, suddenly intrigued once more.
Kay tilted her head, confused, "But, we've never met him, how could he be with us?" Her bright eyes were dimmed with confusion as she looked between the older boy and the man.
Harry's glance darted from Snape to the girl who had spoken and back again. "Something to do with what Professor," he asked, his nose wrinkling suddenly as he too noticed the stench coming from the fluid that had spread over much of the dark man.
"I fell," May admitted with a sniffle, crouching behind Kay with her cat held tightly in her small, thin arms.
"Yes," Snape hissed at her angrily, "you fell. You stupid little brat. Your parents should keep a tighter reign on you."
"I'm sorry..." May told him fearfully.
Kay growled as she glared at the man, "Leave my sister alone you... you mean old man!" She remained firmly planted in front of May, keeping her out of harm's way.
Harry snickered, though he obviously was trying his best not to. It was obvious he and Snape did not exactly get along. Of course, Kay couldn't blame him, she doubted anyone could get along with this man.
May sniffled where she was before noticing the opening behind the tall professor. He had stepped forward in his anger and was no longer fully blocking the way out. "Kay, look," she whispered in her sister's ear as she looked straight at the spot.
Snape's nostrils flared again and an angry red flush appeared on his skin, "Why you! You should have more respect for your elders!"
Kay glared a moment, silent as her eyes darted to the opening, and immediately she pulled/pushed her sister towards it as she darted there herself. They needed to get out of here before they got into deeper trouble.
May didn't actually need telling twice. She darted, the cat still held tightly in her arms, at the opening, knocking into the tall scary man. The man seemed to seethe, but she barely noticed, only caring that her sister had managed to make it past before he fell right across the path they had just taken.
Snape practically roared in frustration as the girls rushed past and managed to knock him over. He'd only ever had this much trouble with Neville (The Jinx) Longbottom.
Kay giggled as she ran, scooping up her cat as she ran passed where it was sitting batting at colored bottles of potions on the lowest shelf. Several of the potions fell off the shelf and spilled across the floor, but Kay kept running, barely noticing the dark haired youth as he followed, curious at their amazing aptitude for mischief.
May didn't stop running until she was back outside the Pet Shop where her mother had told them to meet her. She turned back to see Kay and the boy, Potter, still running to catch up with her. "Kay Day!"
Kay skidded to a halt abruptly, grinning as she hugged her cat, "May Day?" She turned abruptly as the older boy came to stop behind her. She looked him over a moment, debating if perhaps they should run to get away from him as well, but deciding against it.
He breathed a moment after stopping, his eyes focusing through tasseled hair on the pair.
"What was that all about," he asked them after a moment.
"I fell," May told him sheepishly, edging closer to her sister and looking at him with wide, innocent green eyes. "I didn't mean to knock the bottle down. I just wanted to see."
Kay grinned and shrugged, "Yeah, it was an accident," she paused for a long moment then, "Besides... it was fun." Her bright green eyes sparkled as she looked up at him.
Harry blinked at the sparkling green eyes in amazement, wondering how the Weasley twins could have been reborn before they had even died. Then again, "You're even more mischievous than the Weasley Twins..." He spoke in stunned awe, not even realizing he had.
"Who're they," asked May, stepping forward to grin up at Harry.
Kay tilted the her head, grinning to her sister a moment, "Yeah, who?"
"They're another pair of twins that like to get into mischief," Harry told them. "You're Muggle, then?"
Kay tilted her head curiously, glancing once more to her sister and back to him, "Muggle?" Her eyes shone out with sheer curiosity as she looked to him, wondering exactly what he meant.
May blinked and waited for the boy to answer.
"You come from a non-magic family," Harry told them with a grin. It felt good to be the one with the knowledge for once.
May titled her head and glanced at her sister before replying, "I'm May Day!"
Kay tilted her head and then nodding, choosing not to mention the unknown daddy. She grinned then, "And I'm Kay Day!"
"Kay Day and May Day..." Harry repeated wonderingly. "You must have an interesting Mom."
Kay nodded brightly, "She should be back soon, actually," she began distractedly, looking around, "she left us here to pick out kitties while she got the rest of our stuff."
"And you just happened to wander off to the Potions Shop," Harry grinned. "I'm Harry, by the way and that was Professor Snape that you met. He teaches Potions at Hogwarts. Are you going there this year?"
May eyes widened in fear and she hoped that she wouldn't have to take this Potions class.
Kay grinned mischievously, suddenly hoping she would get to take potions. "Yup, we are," she chirped happily. Her eyes alight as she smiled to her worried sister.
"Do we have to take Potions class with him," May asked worriedly, squeezing her cat a little for comfort.
Harry nodded, "Unfortunately. Everyone hates him, except the Slytherins, so if you lose points with him, no one will ask why."
"Points," May asked.
Kay tilted her head, grinning a bit impishly, but staying quiet as she waited for Harry to answer her sister's last question.
"You'll find out when you get there," Harry told them. "What are your cats' names?"
Kay's face went blank as she looked down at the little Persian in her arms. She immediately glanced to her sister with wide eyes. Surely she could help think up a name for both of them.
"Uhh..." May said, thinking. "This is...Patches!" The cat mewled and began purring, almost as though happy to have been named.
Kay looked blankly back down at her cat, still drawing a blank. "Uhhhh..." she began, thinking hard as she stared at the squirming cat, "Stitch." She grinned a bit, "Yeah, Stitch." With that the cat managed to squirm loose, pouncing at Harry's foot.
Harry blinked, suddenly glad for the thick material of his sneakers as Stitch batted at his shoelaces and proceeded to curl around his foot.
May giggled at Harry's helpless look, "Stitch likes you!"
Kay giggled too, but made no move to get Stitch off of Harry's shoe, "Yup, he does!" She giggled some more as she looked, noticing that their mom was coming into view.
"Mommy," May yelled as her gaze was inexplicably drawn to where Kay's was.
Harry attempted to turn, but tripped over the cat on his foot and ended up sprawled on the ground.
Their mom looked relieved to note that the pair was still at the pet shop where she had left them. "You two stay out of trouble," she asked as she drew near, turning her glance to the boy sprawled on the ground.
Kay giggled loudly a moment and nodded, "Yup mom, totally outta trouble. We got kitties!"
"And we made a friend," May told her. She kneeled down beside Harry and pointed at him, "He's Harry!"
Their mom tilted their head at the boy for a long moment, "Good day Harry, have these two little miscreants been causing you any trouble?" She was silent a moment then, thinking, "well, too much trouble." It was obvious there had been some, otherwise the boy would not be on the ground.
Harry grinned and shook his, "No, they haven't been causing me any trouble at all. I just tripped." He wasn't about to get the girls in trouble, not when it had been Snape to suffer the consequences of their curiosity.
May let Patches go to curl up on Harry's lap as he sat up and then plopped herself down beside him. "How old are you Harry," she asked, her green eyes sparkling.
Kay grinned, sitting down herself and looking at her cat as she waited for Harry to answer her sister's question.
Their mother cleared her throat, not liking the emphasis on "me" that the boy gave, but letting it pass. "Girl's," she began again, "I need you with me to get your wands, other then that I have all your supplies... You can talk to Harry later."
"Thirteen," Harry said as he gently handed Patches back to May and stood.
May stood with him, "Mommy, Mommy, can Harry come too?"
Harry blinked in surprise and glanced at the girl's mother.
"No, May, Harry probably has other places he has to go to get what he needs for school," their mom said softly but firmly.
"Do you Harry?" Kay looked to him questioningly, awaiting his response.
"Not really," Harry replied slowly. "I've already been here for two weeks and gotten everything I need." He wasn't really sure what was going on, but he figured he'd see what the outcome was anyway.
"Then, you'll come," May squealed excitedly, bouncing in place next to him.
Their mother looked a bit indignant for a moment. "Well Harry, would you like to come with us?"
Kay smiled brightly at her mom's slightly reluctant approval, grabbing Stitch as she looked to Harry, "yeah, come!"
"I-I don't think you mom wants me to," Harry said, uncertainly. Maybe if he continued to put it off to their mother he could get out of this.
May looked crushed and pouted towards her mother.
"I don't mind," she said, unable to fight the pouts of now both of her daughters. "The more the merrier," she finally said, "If you want to come you're welcome."
Harry sighed and gave in as both the twins began pulling Harry back down the street, "Alright, alright." Harry was used to winning, but he did know when he was beaten. 'These kids could be scarier than Voldemort,' he thought to himself as he attempted to not trip over the cats, which were both now walking beside their young mistresses.