Hey! It's been a while on this one, hasn't it? Sorry! So now the Potters have their long-lost daughter back, but there is a lot they don't know. Who took care of Callie? How did she end up working as a prostitute? How does Grace fit into the equation? Who is Con? And later, who is Jace? Stay tuned to find out! Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. I just get picked on for my obsession in Catholic Theology. So what if I always make a Harry Potter reference? When did that become a crime, Mr. G? Honestly…
To the Potters, the last few weeks could only be described as surreal. Never in their wildest dreams did they ever imagine Callie would come back home, and yet she had. She was alive and whole, and there were parts of her they didn't know now. In some ways, Callie was the same as she had been as a little girl: infinitely bright, imaginative, and kind-hearted. She was all those things, and yet she was also mysterious, guarded, and much more solemn than she had been as a child. The family was reconnecting, slowly but surely, but Artie had many unanswered questions about his twin. James had expressly forbidden any questions being asked about Callie's time at the brothel, a rule Artie was all too happy to abide by. He wanted to forget that had ever happened to his sister, that men had hurt her like that, but he had other questions. He wanted to know how she had started to work there in the first place and why she took care of Grace. He had a sneaking suspicion, one that stood out in his mind every time he saw the two together, but he hadn't voiced it to anyone yet. He wanted her side of the story.
Artie stood in the doorway of his sister's room, smiling slightly as he watched her get ready, singing along to the CD playing some kind of Polish pop music. Her room had been redone slightly. A small bed was added for Grace, who had refused to be separated from Callie, though the house elves' complaints that they never got to make it told everyone Grace slept in Callie's bed. A vanity mirror was added with a tiny table, and over by Callie's bed was a corkboard with tons of pictures pinned on it. Some were newer, of the family since Callie came back, but others were of people Artie had never met. Many of them featured Callie with a group of boys, causing him much concern. It was going to be hard enough keeping boys away from his sister at Hogwarts without any more familiar ones to deal with.
Deciding he had spied enough, Artie knocked on the doorway. Callie turned around, smiling when she saw him. Mentally, he groaned. Callie was wearing a strapless gray sundress that stopped right above her knees and a pair of sandals with the locket she never seemed to take off. Honestly, did she want someone to die today? And surely their dad would be more overprotective than he ever could be…
"Hey," she said cheerfully, readjusting her headband. On a normal day, she wore her hair back in a careful plait, but days that she went out or dressed up, her long blonde hair was down.
"Hey," he said back. "Ready to go? Mum and Dad are waiting outside." It was time to get supplies for the new school year, and since this would be Callie's first (and only) year at Hogwarts, they had decided to make a day of it. The Weasleys, Lovegoods, and Longbottoms would be coming as well, Ginny, Luna, and Callie attached at the hip since she was found. Not all of her memory had returned, but enough had for Callie to know these two girls had been her best friends. Neville fit easily into the group as well, and it comforted Artie that someone would be watching out for his sister while he hung out with Ron and Hermione.
"Yeah," she replied, turning off her music and grabbing her purse. Artie cleared his throat. "What?"
"Jacket," he requested sternly.
Callie gave him a look. "It's hot outside," she exclaimed. He just gave her a look. She sighed. "Fine, I'll put on a sweater," she compromised, grabbing a light white one from her closet and grumbling the whole time she did.
"Hey, I'm going easy on you. If Dad came in here instead, you would be wearing a turtleneck," Artie pointed out. Callie rolled her eyes but smiled nonetheless. The only people who had ever been this protective of her were Con, Jace, and Damy, but now Jace was dead, Damy might as well be, and Con was going crazy. It felt good to have that again.
The two siblings made their way downstairs where their parents and Grace were waiting with an old tin can. Grace grabbed onto Callie's dress as she always did. Lily smiled at her daughter. "Isn't a bit warm for a sweater, love?"
Callie turned to glare at her brother, who simply shrugged. James smiled proudly while Lily just rolled her eyes, mumbling, "Boys," under her breath. James went through the Floo first and then his wife followed. Callie took Grace, and Artie came last. She never ventured into Diagon Alley much, the prices and its squeaky clean reputation being impractical for her, but if the Leaky Cauldron was an indicator she didn't think she'd like it.
"Callie!" She turned around to see Ginny standing there, practically bouncing on the heels of her feet. Luna was there also, smiling serenely. Ginny was wearing a fitted Holyhead Harpies t-shirt and an old pair of cut-off capris, her tied up in a ponytail, while Luna was wearing a long orange flowy skirt and a yellow striped tank top with a straw hat on top of her head, mangled blond curls spilling out, and radishes in her ears. The two made quite a sight, and Callie had to repress a laugh.
She walked over to her friends, and they immediately started to talk and laugh. Lily smiled, enjoying the sight of her daughter laughing. It was just as it should be, though she knew there was more to her daughter than what she had seen so far. Sometimes her daughter woke up in the middle of the night screaming and wouldn't tell them why. She anxiously read each letter she received, seemingly waiting for bad news, and though she had warmed to both her father and brother immediately, she was reluctant to trust Remus and Sirius. These were all pieces Lily was frantically trying to add together, and she wasn't sure if she liked the picture being produced.
The group decided to split up. Lily, Molly Weasley, and Alice Longbottom headed to the apothecary to get the children's potion supplies while James and Frank Longbottom took the boys for a quick look around Quality Quidditch. The Lovegoods and Mr. Weasley was left to take the girls to get their robes. Everyone was going to meet at Flourish and Blotts in an hour.
The walk to Madame Malkin's was generally unremarkable except for the fact that every male they passed stopped to stare at Callie. She ignored them, Ginny rolled her eyes at them, and Luna made a few comments about a Wrackspurt infestation. Madame Malkin was crowded, and the girls were separated to different seamstresses to be fitted. Callie was fitted along with a handsome Italian boy around her age. She could feel his eyes on her. "Like what you see, handsoe?" Callie quipped, playing up her accent slightly.
He raised his eyebrows in surprise. "You speak Italian?" he asked curiously, looking at her directly now, much to the annoyance of his tailor.
"And French, Polish, Spanish, and a little bit of Portuguese," she replied with a smile.
"An accomplished lady," Blaise complimented, switching back to English.
Callie shrugged her tiny shoulders, earning the ire of her seamstress. "I try," she said.
"Blaise Zabini," he introduced himself.
"Callista Potter," she replied, extending her hand. Blaise, intrigued, took it and kissed it gently. The two talked while they were fitted for their robes. Blaise flirted outrageously with Callie, which she returned just as skillfully. Blaise hated to admit it, but he was impressed. Callista was beautiful, yes, but she also had an aerobically sharp tongue and wit. When their robes were hemmed and taken and such, Blaise offered his hand to Callie as she stepped off the platform.
"Addio," she murmured softly in his ear, wanting to see what effect she had on him. Much to his credit, Blaise only reacted slightly.
"Addio, fiore," he replied, his own voice low. Callie threw him a charming smile and walked away, adding a little swaying of her hips. She knew he was watching her. She always knew.
Ginny and Luna were waiting for her by the door. Both of them saw Blaise Zabini, one of the handsomest boys in seventh year, eyeing Callie. "What's that about?" Ginny asked.
Callie smiled a little. "Nothing," she replied as they left the store. "Only a conversation."
Artie and the others waited patiently (or not so patiently in his case) in front of Flourish and Blotts. The girls hadn't returned yet with the Lovegoods and Mr. Weasley from Madame Malkins, and Artie was getting worried. He was still getting used to having his sister back, his whole family was, and none of them wanted to lose her again. Uncle Moony summed it up perfectly when he said one night after Callie came home from a night out with Luna and Ginny, "I don't think I'll ever breathe easy again unless that girl is in my eye line."
Artie was beginning to pace back and forth in front of the store. Ron rolled his eyes. "Arthur, calm down," he stated. "They'll be back any minute." Artie just gave him a look that could kill if looks could. Ron backed down.
James and Lily shared a look. Artie seemed to share their worry, a thing they both appreciated and were guilty about. After all those years, they couldn't bear losing Callie again after just getting her back. It was a fear they didn't want Artie to have because it was their responsibility. The only family member that seemed calm was Grace, who was being entertained by Neville of all people.
After what seemed like an eternity, Callie, Ginny, and Luna appeared. Callie was smirking while Ginny pestered her about something. As always, Luna was in her own little world. "What were you and Blasie Zabini talking about?" Ginny asked yet again. A hunk like Blaise Zabini must be discussed, even if he was a Slytherin.
Callie shrugged her small shoulders, her hair swaying slightly. Artie immediately sprang up. Blaise Zabini was hitting on his sister? Damn, it'd be much harder to kill a Slytherin, but he was sure it could be done. "He just introduced himself, and we talked about Hogwarts and classes and what languages we can speak. He was impressed with my Italian."
"And the kiss?" Ginny prodded.
Artie saw red in that moment. "He kissed you?" he exploded. It was official. Blaise Zabini was a dead man.
Callie rolled her eyes. "On the hand, Artie," she said exasperatedly. "What was he going to do? Steal my virtue through my fingers?"
Lily and James watched in amusement as their children squabbled familiarly. They entered the bookstore, the twins still fighting, until Grace tugged at Callie's dress. The beautiful blonde looked up and around at the store, her nose crinkling. Artie noticed and raised an eyebrow. "What's up?" he asked his sister.
Callie made a face. "New books," she said disdainfully. "No character at all. No footnotes in the margins, no inscriptions…" She trailed off.
"Do you know a better bookstore?" Callie nodded. "Then let's go."
She hesitated. "It's in Knockturn." She watched as Artie's eyebrows knitted together in worry. "I know a back way in," she suggested. "It avoids the seedy part."
Her brother nodded and went to explain what they wanted to do to their parents. James looked skeptical but agreed when he saw Callie's hopeful eyes. The Longbottoms had to go meet Madame Longbottom for dinner and so declined the offer, but the Weasleys and the Lovegoods tentatively agreed to go along. Callie lead them through the Alley, stopping when they got to the very end of the street. A foreboding guy with a shaved head stood in front of a boarded up building, glowering at them as they approached.
James hesitated. "Sweetheart, maybe we should…" He didn't even get to finish his sentence before Callie was walking up to the man. His glower melted into a smile as soon as he saw her. Artie vaguely wondered if his sister had that effect on all men.
"Hey Cal," the guy greeted with a smile. "Haven't seen you in a while."
Callie shrugged. "I've been busy. How are Irina and Micka?"
"They're doing well. Irina's been getting a bit of sewing here and there from that secondhand robe shop so that helps, and Micka has started talking."
Callie's eyes lit up. "Good for him! I'll have to stop by and see them. I haven't been over since Micka's birthday."
"Come over anytime," the guy offered. "You know my wife adores you."
Callie smiled. "I will," she promised. Her smile disappeared. "Dimitri, you haven't seen Con lately, have you?"
Dimitri shook his head. "He doesn't leave the neighborhood often." Seeing Callie's lips pursed together in worry, he added, "I wouldn't worry about Con. He can take care of himself."
He might as well have told her to turn into a pink donkey for the look Callie gave him. She said something insistently to him in Polish, gesturing with her hands. Dimitri only laughed and tapped his wand on the boarded up door. The boards moved away, allowing the door to open. Callie flashed him a beautiful smile. She walked through the door, her guests following with looks of awe and a little bit of shock.
Artie looked around Knockturn Alley, raising an eyebrow. His parents had always told him horror stories about this place, but it didn't look too scary to him. Some of the buildings could use a coat of paint and a few repairs, but the streets were clean and not filled with hags.
"Where to, sweetheart?" James asked warily, clutching his wand tightly. Yes, the entrance to Knockturn was probably the roughest part of the neighborhood, but he also knew that Teufel's men were everywhere.
Callie led them down the street. Occasionally someone would yell out a greeting to her, and she'd wave in return. Grace followed closely behind Callie, obviously comfortable walking down these streets. James watched the little girl closely. He unknowingly had come to a similar theory as his son when it came to Grace, but he wasn't sure he should prod further into the details. He didn't want to know what had happened to his daughter in that awful brothel, and digging into Grace's origins might reveal some of those things. Finally, they stopped at a small store with the windows blocked by the backs of books. Callie opened the door and stepped inside, everyone following her.
The store itself was overwhelming. Books were everywhere: the floor, the shelves, the windows, etc. A young man was sitting at the counter, reading what looked to Lily to be Crime and Punishment. Callie rolled her eyes and whistled. The blonde haired man jumped a little bit in his chairs, his glasses skewed. She laughed musically while the man scowled. "Don't do that, Lista. You're going to give me a heart attack one of these days."
Callie rolled her eyes. "Sorry Rein," she apologized, leaning against the counter with a teasing pout. "I forget sometimes that you're actually 60 years old." Most men would've found the pose irresistible, but Callie knew Rein better than that. He didn't see her as a pretty face or a nice body; unlike many men, he liked her mind more than anything else.
"Ha, ha, ha," he deadpanned, placing a bookmark at his page. Before anyone could blink, a small boy ran into the room and clung to Callie's legs. She smiled brightly, not at all bothered by the boy.
"Hi Asher," Callie greeted softly, brushing a piece of the little boy's hair out of his face. "It's nice to see you again." Asher didn't say a word, but he did offer her a small smile. His pale blue eyes took in each new person in the room before settling on Grace. He let go off Callie's legs and walked over to Grace, extending a small hand. The normally shy girl grinned and grabbed it, looking up to Callie.
"Go on," Callie urged. The two little kids ran up the stars behind the counter, causing both Callie and Rein to shout, "No running!" Everyone else in the room chuckled.
"He's like a heat-seeking missile whenever he sees you," Rein stated, coming out from behind the counter.
Callie smiled. "He's a cutie. Girls will be fighting over him one day."
Rein raised an eyebrow. "You'd be an expert in that field, wouldn't you Lista? I distinctively remember a trail of boys following in your wake." Callie blushed while Artie and her father exchanged a look. "So what can I help you with?"
"Hogwarts books," Lily replied, graciously changing the subject much to her daughter's relief. She handed him her children's book lists, and Mrs. Weasley did the same.
Rein gave Callie a look, and she simply shrugged. He smiled. "Okay. I think we have everything you'll need. Lista, I assume you want books with stuff written in the margins." She nodded. Rein navigated his way through the store effortlessly, grabbing exactly what they needed with no guide. Callie got up and sat on the counter, opening up the book Rein was reading and skimming through it.
"You know, if anyone else sat on my counter, I'd yell at them," Rein commented offhandedly, his head barely visible behind a stack of books he was digging through.
Callie gave him a genuine smile, not her dangerously alluring smile. "Good thing I'm not anyone else then?" It was easy for James at that moment to understand why Callie had such a following of boys. His daughter was effortlessly charming, not putting on airs or flaunting her looks, and infinitely kind, a combo that must have endeared her to these boys he kept hearing about.
Rein brought all their books to the counter and starting to add up their totals, Callie still talking. "So, how did your date go with that waitress?"
"Great. We went to dinner, and everything was good until I happen to mention I have a four-year-old son," Rein commented lightly. "After that, it went downhill."
Callie made a face. "That's okay. You wouldn't want to go out with a girl like that anyway. Sophia might start haunting you then."
Rein laughed, but his eyes looked sad. "Yeah, that sounds like her." He gave Lista a serious look. "What about you?"
Callie played with the ends of her hair, looking anywhere but at Rein. She still seemed relaxed in the store but also distinctly uncomfortable with the topic. "What about me?" she forced out, fiddling with her locket.
Rein didn't budge. "Jace, Lista." She didn't say anything. "He's been gone a year now."
"I know how long it's been," Callie answered, a hint of anguish in her voice. "What are you trying to say, Rein?"
"He would want you to be happy, Lista, and you're not happy. I think you should consider-"
Callie got off the counter. "I'm going to go get Grace," she said, heading up the stairs. Rein watched her go, shaking his head.
"Should've known," he muttered to himself, placing all of the books into bags. Nobody asked why he didn't just shrink them magically. Wand usage in Knockturn Alley was highly monitored, and James knew that no one in this neighborhood was willing to bring attention to themselves, especially in front of an Auror.
"Should've known what?" Ginny asked curiously, leaning against the counter a bit. With very little romantic experience of her own, she was interested in her best friend's love life. Sure, she flirted a little bit with Dean Thomas last year, but her overprotective brothers had quickly put an end to that.
Rein shook his head. All the parents paid him, and he handed them receipts. Artie crossed his arms. "Who's Jace?" he questioned gruffly.
The other boy picked up his book and sighed deeply. "Jace Lawniczak," he stated flatly, "was Lista's boyfriend. He died last year."
James instantly recognized the last name as one of his Auror trainees. His mind quickly connected this dead boyfriend back to the boy Callie had fought with back at the Ministry. Obviously Damien felt some kind of responsibility towards his dead brother's girlfriend, though why he didn't know.
"Was it serious?" he asked casually, dreading the idea that his daughter had already had a major heartbreak in her life at seventeen.
"They lived together," Rein replied casually much to the shock of the parents in the room. Before anyone could ask more questions, Callie came back down with Grace in tow, smiling.
"Your mother offered me half the store if I dated you," she informed her friend with a laugh. Rein chuckled. His mother had been trying to set him up with Lista for months since they were both single.
"Hey, I have something for you." Callie raised an eyebrow as Rein pulled something out from behind the counter and handed it to her. There was nothing she was able to say as her fingers ran across the title: Mary Poppins. Of all the tales she devoured during her childhood, this one was her favorite. Instead, she simply pressed a purely platonic kiss to his cheek. Rein smiled crookedly, making him look infinitely younger.
The group left the store, Callie chatting happily with her friends and her brother with Grace sitting comfortably on top of Artie's shoulders. The children, all of them, seemed as carefree as could be, but James and Lily were more troubled. They were so happy to have their daughter home and safe, but it still didn't feel like she was completely home yet. Too many things still haunted her from this place, people and events, and they weren't sure how to make it better. Hopefully, after Madam Rostov's trial and settling into Hogwarts, Callie would begin to feel more like theirs again. The Potters could only hope that at least.
Lumina: Now, now. You can't expect me to tell you everything at once. Info is forthcoming, but patience is a virtue. You'll find out a little bit about Jace in this chapter. Hope you enjoy!
icyquest4: Hmm, not really the pairing I was planning on, but a little flirting couldn't hurt. Hope you enjoy!
MSupernatural: Thanks! I have a problem keeping people in characters sometimes, and I have an OC addiction. I tend to use more than really necessary or interesting but whatever. I hope I can make the new OCs believable because you're about to meet a bunch more.
