Authors note: I checked my email and gushed at all the favorites and follows I've been getting for some of my stories. Thank you:)
Brynn was always the first to wake up. But today she dreaded that because today was her birthday. She wasn't sure how she knew that, but she just did.
She slowly got up looking at her crazy curls that were flying all over the place. She hoped that the Potters and Weasleys wouldn't discover what today was because making a fuss out of nothing wasn't something she liked. Brynn smiled at her reflection. Her best friend, Rose, was the only one that knew what today was and she hoped that Rose kept it secret. Sadly she didn't.
Brynn walked down the stairs after using the washroom to find everyone already awake and grinning madly at her. Only one thought was present in her mind. "Rose is lucky I can't run fast." The Weasley's were already there. Rose was holding out a package, her younger brother Hugo was rolling his eyes expressing how Brynn felt. Suddenly an owl flew through the window dropping a letter in Brynn's hand.
Happy Twelfth Birthday Brynn!
Rose sent me a letter! She said you didn't really like being fussed over, but
C'mon it's your birthday! I didn't really know what to get you so I decided that you could
pick something out in Diagon Alley when we get our school supplies next week!
Your friend,
Scorpius Malfoy
Brynn was tempted to eat the letter but Mr. and Mrs. Potter were staring at her expectantly and she tried to find someone anyone to turn to that would help her escape this nightmare. Albus wasn't a big help, nor was Lily they both held packages too. The only person who didn't posses something was James. Brynn locked eyes with him and hoped she had a pleading look. Apparently she looked pretty pathetic because he got the message.
"Alright everyone, she's just woken up let's let her take in the day and eat something before we bombard her with gifts and questions." James said causing everyone to nod putting the packages in a corner. She sat down in between James and Albus and smacked her head on the table. "Not your favorite day, love?" James smirked as she smacked him. Albus had a very confused look.
"ALBUS SEVERUS POTTER!" Albus cringed as his mother yelled his name.
"Coming mother!" He called, he eyed James and Brynn before leaving.
"What do you think has her nickers in a bunch?" Brynn asked between sips of pumpkin juice.
"Probably his room again." James replied. They thought for a moment then nodded. "So what do you want to do for your birthday?" He asked the dreaded question.
"Hide. Under a rock. Far away. From everyone." Lily looked at her with sad eyes.
"Even me?" Brynn smiled
"No, Lily you can come with!" this caused Lily to smile. James rolled his eyes.
"Why do you hate your birthday so much?" He asked
"At the orphanage it meant you got an extra swirly." She said flatly. He dropped his fork and stared at her hoping she'd burst out laughing. "I'm serious. Birthdays were not fun. It's also sad because I don't have parents to spend them with." James saw where she was coming from and nodded.
"Okay, I see your point." Mr. Potter suddenly ran through the dining room to get the door.
"Neville! Luna!" He hugged them both. Brynn noticed immediately that the man he called Neville was Professor Longbottom. Mr. Potter led them into the dining room. "Have a seat! We were just celebrating Brynn's birthday." Mr. Potter gave Professor Longbottom a funny look. Luna, Professor Longbottom's wife looked at Brynn.
"You're quite lovely." She said as she looked around. Brynn looked at her nose. They did have the same nose! That was odd.
"Uh- thank you." Brynn wasn't sure what was going on, but she felt an awkward tension. "You know, James, I think I want to ride the broomsticks for my birthday." James nodded getting the hint and they left the table. She walked out the door with James following her but she quickly grabbed him and pulled him to the side.
"What're-"
"Sh!" They listened.
"Lily, could you go up to your room for a bit?" They heard her feet march up the stairs.
"Right, now. What do you think?" It was Mr. Potter's voice.
"I think she looks exactly like Luna, except her hair is a bit darker and her eyes well...they're mine." Professor Longbottom's voice cracked.
"How did she end up in a muggle orphanage?" Mrs. Weasley asked
"Who knows, the thing is we can't prove that she's our daughter unless we look at her memories." It was Mrs. Longbottom's voice. Brynn took in a breath she squeezed the hand she didn't know she'd been holding.
"Do you think she'd let you.." Mr. Weasley asked she wasn't sure what he was getting at, but all she knew was she had to get out of the house. She had to get out, fast. She let go of Jame's hand and ran out the only exit available in the house-through the dining room. The three couples stared at her and James ran into the dining room after her.
"Well now you've gone and done it!" James shouted at them. He was sure if it was any other day and under any other circumstances his mother would have hexed him. "You couldn't have gone out to lunch and discussed it?! There's a very high chance she won't come back after hearing that!" He wasn't sure why he was so angry, but all he knew was that they had to find Brynn. "WHAT ARE YOU JUST SITTING THERE FOR?" He ran out the door. He ran right into Albus.
"What's going on?" James grabbed Albus' hand and they ran after the retreating figure that was Brynn. It was a good thing she couldn't run fast or she'd be in the thicket of trees by then. Albus saw who they were chasing after and started yelling at Brynn. "BRYNN! BRYNN STOP!" Albus, a faster runner than James made it to the thicket of trees and saw that the blonde girl was still running. How she had so much stamina was beyond him. Suddenly Brynn was out of sight. Albus stopped and called her name. "BRYNN! Brynn! Where are you!" He heard crying and by this time James had caught up. They both ran in the direction of the crying, twigs crunching beneath their feet.
Finally they found her. Her eyes were red and puffy and her hair was a mess. She had grass stains on the knees of her jeans and mud caked on her boots. James and Albus sat on either side of her. She sniffed "why didn't they want me?" more tears began to fall. Albus wasn't entirely sure what was going on, but he wrapped an arm around her and James began to explain what had happened not long before.
"You mean..Professor Longbottom is your dad?" Both James and Brynn nodded. Her head was on Albus' shoulder and both of them had arm around her. "I don't think that's what happened. They wanted you I bet. Something just happened." Albus said in a rather hopeless tone. Then James started chuckling.
"What?" Brynn asked, raising her head.
"Happy Birthday." He said as he broke out in a grin.
"Oh shut it!" She punched his arm.
"We should probably go back, it's getting dark" They nodded and started walking back when it dawned on them that they didn't know the way back. They stared at each other and sighed.
"Sorry." Brynn muttered as they pulled her over a huge root. They shook their heads.
"Just another day in the life of a Potter." Albus said nonchalantly causing James to nod. Then they heard it. It was a long howl, from a were wolf. "Dad did say not to wander in the thicket at night...didn't he, James?" James slowly nodded he was just as scared as the rest of them. Suddenly they heard it again, but it was closer. They stood frozen in their spots, wands out. This was an emergency, right? The Ministry would surely understand that they had to defend themselves against a werewolf. Suddenly it was heard again loud, clear, as if it was right on top of them. James looked up and down fell Teddy Lupin.
"BLOOD HELL TEDDY! YOU SCARED ME-ER US HALF TO DEATH!" Albus screamed at him. He was the most afraid of werewolves and being that their 'godbrother' if you will was part werewolf was very unnerving for him. James just started laughing.
"I came to bring you kiddies home." He looked at the wands pointed at him. "You gonna use that, or is it just for pretend?" He sniggered as he took the front to lead the way back to the house.
When they got back Mr. and Mrs. Potter were sitting at the table. Mrs. Potter immediately pushed past her boys to get to Brynn.
"Darling, I'm so sorry. That conversation-it wasn't for your ears. You have to understand.." Brynn was hardly listening she glared at the ground then heard a cough. She saw in the corner of the room Professor Longbottom. Brynn couldn't contain herself.
"You're still here!" She practically hissed. She covered her mouth after it escaped and let out a much annoyed apology.
"Everyone OUT!" Mr. Potter shouted. "Neville and Brynn have some things to talk about." Slowly, everyone departed to their rooms. Brynn stood in a corner, her arms crossed, her eyes glaring at the ground hoping that if she glared hard enough it would burn a hole. Well, she was a witch so it probably could. Finally she heard Professor Longbottom shift.
"Sit down" his voice was gentle and awkward as if he was just as uncomfortable as she was. "I'm sure you're wondering why we decided to barge in on your birthday." Brynn looked up, she wanted to slap him! She could give a rats hind end about her birthday!
"Actually, no." Her answer came out coldly.
"Then does it happen to be why we didn't want you?" Her face squished. She way trying not to cry. She couldn't talk because every muscle in her body was focused on making sure she didn't cry. She simply nodded. "I'll have you know we didn't give you away." Professor Longbottom spoke with so much venom it was surprising. She took in staggered breath.
"Then what happened? How come I ended up in an orphanage where on birthdays they give swirly's instead of cake! Two by the way! If I was lucky enough not to get caught by the other kids! So for your information I don't give a rat's hind quarters about my birthday! No offence to everyone in this house, but I wanted to hide when they started shoving presents in my face! Do you know what that's like? Do you!?"
It all spilled out at once. Once the first sentence escaped it was followed by a flood of others it was as if someone had pulled the plug on her feelings and everything was draining, her mouth the drain. She finally met Professor Longbottom's gaze. That's when she broke down and started crying she couldn't control it. She heard the Professor get out of his chair. He knelt down in front of her.
"Hey, hey don't cry. You know what? I think that's enough for tonight. We don't want you completely emotionally wrecked in one night." She couldn't help but laugh. He stared into her eyes "you are a lovely young lady. Has anyone ever told you that? Now, is it to much to ask for a hug?" He had his arms outstretched and she complied wrapping her arms around his neck. He kissed her forehead and shooed her up the stairs. Now that Brynn thought about it she was exhausted. However it wasn't over.
She saw James' door open and she peaked inside. He looked up from his essay and dropped his quill.
"Don't just stand there! Come in and close the door!"
So there you have a rather...longish chapter. I hope it doesn't feel rushed or anything I think it's the best yet...but that's just me! Comment, rate, review! Shpanks for reading;)
