Welcome to the Ashfield Family

By: LilPunklet17

Disclaimer: Sadly, I own nothing! Just the lovely characters of my own making.

Harry glanced at his watch with vacant eyes ringed in deep purple shadows. The numbers ticked down minute by minute marking the time left until his 16th birthday. For Harry, however, there was no joy in his impending birthday, there was no pre-gift suspense or anticipation—he wasn't even excited to get letters from his friends. There was no joy as there had been no reason for it for the last few months. At the end of his fifth year at Hogwarts, Harry had witnessed the death of his godfather, notorious mass murderer Sirius Black, in the Dept. of Mysteries, and though no one blamed Harry for Sirius' death, Harry could not stop blaming himself. In Harry's mind, if he had worked harder at protecting his mind in his lessons with Snape, Voldemort never would have been able to send him the false vision that led Harry and his friends—putting them all in danger—to the ministry in the first place. To Harry, if he had worked harder, Sirius would still be there.

Harry was drawn out of his dark thoughts by the simultaneous beep of his watch and the click of beaks on his window. It was his birthday, and the letters and gifts from his friends were right on time. Harry hadn't read or answered any of the letters from his friends in weeks, and he did not intend to start tonight, but the presence of a ruffled, tawny barn owl gave Harry pause. This was Remus' owl, and this was the first appearance of said owl all summer. With shaking hands, Harry detached the letter from the owl, and with a soft ruffle of feathers, the owl flew out Harry's open window.

For a few long moments, Harry simply stared at his name printed neatly on the front of the envelope in Remus' familiar scrawl.

'Why would Remus be writing to me?' Harry thought to himself.

With a heavy sigh, Harry decided to open the letter. As it was unusual to receive any sort of correspondence from Remus, Harry feared that it might contain bad news. Hands shaking nervously, Harry broke the wax seal on the envelope and began to read:

Hello Harry,

Let me begin by saying Happy Birthday! I hope this letter finds you well. I have news for you. After your discussion with Sirius last summer about your father and Kady Ashfield, Sirius and I began doing some digging. A few weeks ago, one of our contacts at the American Ministry of Magic owled me about a woman living in the state of Georgia that fit Kady's description.

After hearing from him, I decided to go there and see if there was any merit to his claim. And, as it turns out, he was spot on. The woman is indeed Kady. I haven't spoken to her, I saw her once—just long enough to ensure it was her—but she never saw me.

Since you expressed a wish to meet her, I would like for you to accompany me to the U.S. in order to do exactly that. I will pick you up from your aunt and uncle's home tomorrow at 8pm. If you do not wish to go to Georgia, then I will simply take you to the Weasley's home instead.

The decision is entirely up to you.

All my best, Remus

Harry, completely in shock, dropped heavily to sit on his bed. He read Remus' letter three more times before the contents seemed to truly sink in.

'He found her. She's real, she's alive…' Harry thought to himself before drifting off into an exhausted, restless sleep.

Harry did not sleep well that night. All he seemed to be able to do was imagine a million different scenarios of how meeting the woman his father loved so much would go. In one scenario, she hated him for belonging to the woman that took his father away from her. In another, she wouldn't even speak to him—just ignored his very presence as she spoke animatedly to Remus. He also dreamed that she welcomed him with open arms, and though he would never admit it, in his dream, when she hugged him, he felt at home. Needless to say, by the tie Harry was packed, and it was time for Remus to arrive, Harry had worried himself sick.

Promptly at 8pm, Harry heard a knock on the door of the Dursley's home, and shouting that he'd see them the following summer, he dashed out the door without even awaiting a response. If Remus shocked at his swift exit, he didn't show it. When Harry looked at Remus, he felt a renewed sense of guilt as he took in the haggard appearance of his old professor. It was apparent that Sirius' death had hit him hard as well.

"Hello Harry." Remus greeted him with a gentle smile.

"Remus." Harry replied with a polite nod.

"Have you decided where I will be taking you Harry? As I stated in my letter, it is entirely up to you." Remus asked.

Harry nodded. "I think I'd like to meet Kady. I mean, she was a pretty huge part of my dad's life, and though I have you, Remus, I would love to learn about my dad from her point of view; if she's willing to talk to me at all that is."

Remus smiled. "Harry, I am sure Kady would be delighted to meet you. After all, you're her last link to your dad, just as much as she is yours."

"I'm just nervous, I guess. I mean, I wasn't supposed to exist. She was supposed to be the one having kids with my dad; not my mum. Everyone knows that much." Harry replied his fear and doubt lacing his voice.

"Harry, I know Kady—well I knew her—she is not the type to blame you for something that was not your fault. Dumbledore on the other hand, I imagine she would have quite the bone to pick with him. Remus soothed.

Harry took a deep breath before nodding. "Okay, I'm ready. Let's do this."

Remus made quick work of shrinking Harry's trunk before pulling a piece of string from the pocket of his trousers. "I know you've used a portkey before, Harry, but international portkeys are a little more—intense—than the usual portkey. You might feel a little nauseous, but the feeling should pass quickly." Remus explained.

Harry nodded once, unsure, before taking ahold of the string.

"3, 2, 1.." Remus counted, and then Harry knew no more.