The Shock
Beta for this chapter: Xulophine
This universe belong to JK Rowling, I am not her.
Ginny and Harry sat at the kitchen table in a muted shock on what had been revealed that evening.
"You held yourself well at dinner," Ginny finally spoke. "Zinnia is a great cook, I guess…delicious casserole."
"She told me before dinner she asked Petunia for your favorite meal," Ginny said trying to sound casual.
"Never had it before, according to Petunia, that's my favorite," Harry said quickly. "Zinnia assumed she knew and not wanting to admit she didn't know, Petunia made something up."
"You got a little nervous around Carnation," Ginny said quickly, getting to the subject that was on both their minds.
"It was very hard not to!" Harry snapped.
"Zinnia and William seemed nice," Ginny said. "I couldn't believe she and Petunia were once best friends."
"Yes, strange two people who were so alike, put in the same situation and turned out so different." Harry said.
"Yes, Zinnia loved someone who looked like a man she most likely hated," Ginny added followed by a pause. "You have to tell Carnation sometime at work."
"Good morning, Dr. Marinova, I stole your dad, can I have the fingerprint results to me by nine. By the way, Teenage Inferi is your uncle. Have a great day."
"I doubt Sirius even knew he had a daughter," Ginny said. "Very sad."
"Sounded like she had a great childhood," Harry corrected. "And has lived a very successful life."
"I'm talking about Sirius. Not only did they take thirteen years of his short life but they stole the chance for him to know his only child, and robbed Carnation of knowing her father," Ginny pointed out. "You can't keep something like this a secret."
"Ginny, I'm an Auror, I keep secrets for a living."
"Harry, this isn't who killed who. This deals with personal connections. If she mentions her godchildren…you will crack. Heck, you looked like you were about to jump out of your skin when she was telling us how much she enjoyed having Teddy work with her at the lab."
"I like how Zinnia assumed Petunia knew who he was simply because I was his godfather," Harry shook his head.
"I think Petunia felt a bit inferior being more successful than the other." Ginny explained. "I'm a bit surprised Petunia knew what being petrified meant. Imagine if Colin would have known. Anyway, she's going to notice you acting different towards her." Harry first heard of Charlus Potter when Luna introduced Harry to her great-grandmother Venus. At one point the Malfoy family wanted to combine fortune with the Potters by arranging a marriage between Venus and Charlus. Charlus agreed considering Venus was the Ravenclaw Malfoy. However, Venus responded to the contract by eloping with David Lovegood instead.
"Well, finding out your grandfather caused the biggest finical crisis in magical history isn't an easy thing." Harry said. "People ignore that my family founded the first magical libraries or that Charlus fought in Burma and was a prisoner of war for eight months."
"You still felt some guilt. Hagrid even asked if you were on some strange medication," Ginny nodded. "Or your grandmother?"
"Dorea was acting on orders," Harry reminded Ginny. "I'm going to have to tell our kids that when they're older." Harry nodded.
He learned about Dorea Black when he studied the history of the Auror department. Dorea Black was a pureblood witch born in 1884. Unable to find arrange a marriage for the ambitious Slytherin, she was encouraged to become an Auror to strengthen the Black family's power in the ministry. Being one of few female Aurors, she had to be more fierce to prove herself equal. Today, she is revered as a corrupt Auror who used brutal tactics to snuff out those involved in the Muggle world. Dorea lead many raids before the Second World War to arrest witches and wizards for trying to smuggle Muggles away from the Nazis and even used the invisibility cloak to search homes without warrants.
Dorea was also involved in the broom brigade and aided Muggle fighter pilots in the Battle of Britain. She even enforced flying restriction laws that were ordered by Winston Churchill during the war to prevent the Royal Air Force from being distracted by brooms. This caused a lot of outrage since it was the Muggle prime minister's order but she went through and arrested her own family members for violating them. After the war and the death camps were discovered, David Lovegood pointed out many witches and wizards tried to save some of these Muggles but the Auror department deported them. It was the biggest scandal in the Auror Department that caused Dorea to resign.
One evening, May revealed that her mother, April was once the Potters' house elf. James sent her to Finland with a package of clothes, the family jewels and a fair amount of gallons before he and Lily went into hiding. When April finally met Harry at the turn of the millennium still had his father's pocket watch. After April described how James carried the watch everywhere with him Harry noticed a clasp at the back. When Harry opened it, he was shocked to find a concealed portrait of Dorea Black. After Harry asked, April simply answered: "Because she was his mother."
After the war, Dorea took a position at the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts when the Wizarding World became frantic over nuclear bombs. The thoughts that Muggles now had the potential to obliterate them caused a lot of fear. After Dorea retired and married Charlus Potter, her long-term lover. She taught Defense Against the Dark Arts for a year but left due to pregnancy. Harry could have imagined the shock it would have created when Dorea had her son at the age of seventy-two. She died when his father was nine. He asked for the watch on his tenth birthday.
"Harry, you're missing the point," Ginny said. "Your father's parents are …questionable but at least you had the opportunity to look. You are able to say that you know your father's family. You know your roots both good and bad. Grandma Weasley may be a pain, but at least I can say she's my pain. Carnation, like you, also had a great and wonderful father with a questionable family, but she isn't able to say that. You can't keep her in ignorance."
"Informing a thirty-something woman a fact that could possibly change the way she views herself won't be an easy task," Harry reminded his wife. "Keep in mind, I knew her for a long time. She's always been a proud Muggle-born."
"Did you know she was an orphan?" Ginny asked, curiously.
"Yes, she informed me when I interviewed her years ago for the Head of Forensics Investigation Team. I asked her why she chose to study that field. Her mother was a large part of the answer. Her mother was a forensic student and died of kidney failure contracted during pregnancy. She felt that going into the same field was her way of paying her mother back."
"So, of course you hired her." Ginny shook her head. "I remember her at Hogwarts."
"I don't," Harry brought up. "Two years below and in a different house, we didn't cross paths much. I first met her after the Battle of Hogwarts, when she came with Dennis."
"She was actually in some of the classes. She was able to advance in potions and herbology," Ginny remembered. "Snape actually liked her, he even wrote her a letter of recommendation, which is now very ironic. I do remember her as a teenager, but not fondly. For a Hufflepuff, she was very full of herself. An arrogant little berk that the boys seemed to adore with her dark features and rebellious attitude. She would always go around pretending not to notice them, making most of the boys below my year want her more. Anytime a boy tried to ask her out, Colin was right there which was rather funny because she was taller than him. She and her Slytherin friend were bullied a lot by the Gryffindor girls below us, until they told Dumbledore. That resulted her and Astoria Greengrass being suspended upside down. Didn't she mention her father in the interview?"
"No, she never mentioned her father, but that same month I appointed Hestia Head of Domestic Affairs. So afterwards, there was a rumor that I favored orphans. Hestia cleared that by informing everyone that she's not an orphan. Her father's alive and in jail for being a Death Eater."
"Is that the one who George is good friends with?" Ginny asked.
"Yes, I introduced them after Hestia's twin was killed. Now how should I go about this?"
"I don't know…I wonder if anyone else knows Sirius fathered a child?" Ginny questioned. "I wonder if Sirius ever found out about her."
"What!" Ron suddenly walked into the kitchen.
"I thought you were at your in-laws?" Ginny questioned.
"Yes, but the Doctor came on, so I came here." Ron explained.
"Hermione didn't want you there for the doctor's reports?" Harry asked.
"Not that doctor, The Doctor." Ron sighed.
"What?" Harry asked.
"They watch this show on television, well according to them it's not simply 'a show'. It's called Doctor Who." Ron said trying not to roll his eyes.
"Doctor what?" Ginny asked.
"It's about this time-traveling alien and these crying angels. The Grangers have to watch it every time a new episode comes on; they're glued. One episode premiered during Monica's chemo treatments, and they demanded a television. Cancer wasn't going to make her miss Doctor Who."
"They must really like it," Ginny said.
"Like isn't the word. Well, Hermione tries to explain their things, like the weird writing on their wedding rings that's supposed to be elfish. Hermione thinks it's romantic, but I think it's weird. Inside Windel's ring is inscribed: 'one ring to rule them all' and Monica's ring has 'my own precious' written inside hers. When I asked they went off about hobbits and Middle-Earth, I get lost."
Harry chuckled.
"Anyway, they apparently got Hugo into this stuff too. The other day he asked for a light saber," Ron sighed. "But that's beside the point, who is this person that you think Sirius might have fathered?"
"Dr. Marinova," Harry answered.
Ron paused for a moment to think. "I remember her back when I was an Auror, she was on the forensics team. Attractive thing…she does bare a resemblance and can turn into a dog…why didn't you or she notice these things before."
"She always strikes me as the woman who's sees satisfied as happy," Harry explained. "She grew up loved. She spends hours getting paid big money to do something she enjoys and goes home to a very active daughter. Carnation has a very good life."
"How did your aunt take to her aunt?" Ron asked.
"Oh, she felt totally inferior," Ginny said. "Here is this family put in the same situation, but with way less financial means yet their ward was fully integrated. Basically, anytime Zinnia made a hint how close her and Carnation are, Petunia would make something up to show her and Harry have the same relationship."
"Well perhaps I could tell her." Ron suggested.
"Well, out of respect for Sirius, I think I should," Harry sighed. "It's quite a shame, he would've been a wonderful father. "Do you have any suggestions?"
"You could fame his wanted posters and leave it on her desk," Ron suggested. Causing Harry and Ginny to smirk.
"What's so funny?" A voice asked behind them. The three turned to see Lily holding Pumpkin.
"Nothing," Ginny answered.
"Alright, I'm going to take Pumpkin out," Lily informed. "Uncle Ron, I want to tell you about my new friend." She then left out the backdoor.
"Her daughter, Sirius's granddaughter, is exactly like him," Ginny added. "I thought it was strange how Orchid and Lily just connected."
"She named her daughter Orchid?" Ron bellowed.
"Yes, we discussed that at dinner, Orchids mean strength. There a lot of women named after flowers in my family for some reason," Harry said shaking his head.
"You had dinner with her?" Ron asked.
"And the aunt and uncle that raised her, as well as her grandparents," Harry explained.
"What did you eat?" Ron asked.
"Baked chicken with a side of parsnips along with rhubarb pie for dessert," Harry answered. "For trivial information, Zinnia chose this particular meal after asking Petunia my favorite foods. Having no clue, she made things up."
"You two sound like you had quite the evening," Ron said.
"Yes, it was nice seeing Sirius's eyes again," Harry replied.
"You mean the same set that you've been working with for ten years?" Ron asked.
"Carnation seemed to have a good life, it's not like she was missing anything," Harry added.
"You know that's not true," Ginny reminded.
"Sirius most likely didn't know but if he did, he certainly would have revealed himself to her," Harry said. "He would have gone to the ends of the earth for her… people do that for their kids."
"That or he may have realized she lived a happy life and was best alone." Ginny suggested. "Who knows?"
"From what I remember about Sirius, he would have gone for custody right after his name was cleared." Ron pointed out.
"What makes you say that?" Ginny asked.
"Because Dad found custody papers in his things from the Ministry of Magic," Ron answered.
"It could have been for Harry, but again we aren't even sure if Sirius knew. She was born in June, nine months after October."
"Did you ask her mother?" Ron asked.
"No, she died. She was my Mum's cousin as a matter of fact," Harry said.
"That would have been a connection, a chance to meet," Ron pointed out. "I always wondered about that story about Sirius being involved with a Muggle."
"Who told you Sirius was involved with a Muggle?" Harry asked.
"Andromeda, when Percy brought Audrey home to the family," Ron explained. "She mentioned it."
"I wasn't there that night, what did she say?" Harry asked.
"About the Muggle?" Ron asked. "She said they met at her cousin's wedding and started dating. She wanted to meet his family, so he asked Andromeda if they could come over for dinner. Andromeda found her little strange, after explaining Tonks's metamorphmagus ability, she plucked a hair when she thought Ted wasn't looking and folded in a tissue then put it in her purse. When Andromeda offered her dessert, she asked how much sugar was in it."
"Did Andromeda mention her name?" Ginny asked.
"Marigold, Carnation's mother," Harry answered. "I wonder if she knew what happened to Sirius? He was accused wrongly, thrown in Azkaban without trial. The woman he loved thought he betrayed him and was robbed of being a father to his daughter. I'll have to tell her at some point. I hope she takes the news well. Sirius was denied so much in life, his living descendants' honor won't be one of them," Harry finally agreed as a snap came through the air with May appearing with a bunch of suitcases.
That was when the door opened, causing Ron and Ginny to look over to see May entering with several suitcases from her weekend visit to Finland to see her mother and daughter.
"Good evening, May," Ron greeted her.
"Evening, Mr. Weasley," May said. "Nice to see you Harry and Ginny as well."
"How was Ostrobothnia?" Ginny asked.
"Where does your Mum live again?" Ron asked.
"She lives in the wizarding city of Sisu, specifically in the neighborhood of Ljósálfar which is mainly free elves, most who are employed in some kind of domestic service. When June got accepted into Volundr University, figured it'd be easier for her to live with Mum then to pay rent. She's a fashion major thanks to the scholarship Hermione provided; She is there on a full ride," May explained. "Most of her classmates are witches and wizards and a lot of the students and faculty assume she's staff. Her fashion show went great. A lot of people loved her outfits but no buyers just yet. It's hard to market designers clothes and accessories to a species that wore pillow cases for the majority of history."
"How are she and April getting along?" Harry asked.
"You mean the traditional house elf who still prays for her deceased masters and the born free elf who likes frilly clothes and shiny jewelry? They're getting along great, no tension or generation gaps that I have to monitor or need to compromise between my mother and daughter." May shook her head. "Mum was about to go through the roof when she heard June address you by first name, Harry."
"Does your son still work at Hogwarts?" Ron asked.
"Yes, library aid, he remains there because his girlfriend, Blink, is there. Her mother, Winky is still a drunk. July is really enjoyed it, taking book carts to the different common rooms, setting up displays, disciplining students, directing student helpers, and getting books shelf ready. Now, it's a bit awkward after he found out his father once belonged to Madam Malfoy's household. She doesn't know July is Dobby's son though. She seemed happy that he knew how to read and even took his ideas for student events at the library. He wants to be an historian, but I want him to be an accountant. July ran into Albus the other day, sweet boy. Now! The reason for this gathering?"
"You grew up in the Black household right?" Ron asked.
"Yes," May answered. "By their loyal servant. Nothing gets your confidence up when your father's biggest ambition for you is to be a head on the wall."
"You still belonged to them during the first war right?" Ginny asked. "Did the family ever hear anything about Sirius dating a muggle?"
"Yes, because I was so involved with Sirius's love life," May bellowed sarcastically.
"Calm down," Ginny assured her.
"If you must know, kind of," May answered. "I don't know her name, but she was often referred to by the lovely mistress, Walburga as the 'muggle whore', 'the magic-less Jezebel' and 'a wizard's harlot' and kept insisting her son was using her to 'sin in flesh.' She was grossed out by their relationship."
"Did Walburga keep tabs on this woman after Sirius was in Azkaban?"
"She was banished from the magical world," May said quickly.
"But did she keep tabs after? The reason being I think the forensic investigator may be his daughter." Harry explained.
"Gosh, I'm too tired for this right now," May sighed. "If you must know, yes, Walburga kept tabs, but I didn't pay attention as I was often too scared to speak. I was a houseelf, house elf, not to be seen or heard. The most of the time I spent at old Grimmauld Place was in fear. Anyway, Ginny, Harry, I'm still off until Tuesday, but I brought your children gifts. Spoiled things."
"How did she get free?" Ron asked when May retired to her room.
"No idea," Harry answered. "I met her the afternoon after the Battle when she and Kreacher were bringing me a meal. May was wearing all black when Kreacher introduced her as Dobby's wife, which surprised some, since most elves don't marry."
"It's actually common among free elves," Ron pointed out. "I remember this, Kreacher wanted you to claim her and her younglings because her mother belonged to my father. She then said she was freed and would provide for their children. Mainly, she just wanted to know how Dobby died and were he was buried."
"Later Kreacher wanted me to claim the younglings since they are his grandchildren," Harry remembered. "That was before Hermione made it illegal to separate younglings from their parents or to legally claim ownership of an elf without their consent."
"May and Kreacher use to have huge rounds about that," Ginny remembered. "May stated that she and Dobby planned to raise their younglings as free and educated elves. Kreacher would point out house elves that have bleak futures without a family to serve. We'd only butt in when Kreacher suggested she'd let the Malfoys claim one of them."
"We'd always keep tabs, since their father died saving us," Harry remembered. "Kreacher loved when they visited but found their free spirits and lack of house elf manners bothersome. I would have freed Kreacher but he didn't want to be freed, as freedom scared him."
"Meanwhile, May continued to work at Hogwarts. Her mother was my father's nanny and taught her the trade. She was placed in the children's room to take care of the professors' children during the day. Ted loved her," Ginny continued the story. "Andromeda offered her extra money by babysitting outside of school and suggested her to others rising orphan relatives from the war. I was pregnant with James when Kreacher was coming close to his end. Harry approached her again with the offer to be our housekeeper and nanny. She took that offer, mainly to be close to her father and so her children wouldn't be so confined in castle walls. She fooled Kreacher into thinking that Harry claimed her, so he would die in peace."
"So your father freed her with her mother?" Ron asked.
"No," Harry answered. "Like all house elves she had a twin, her sister, March, belonged to my parents. She was killed in the First War. I wanted to know why March didn't flee the country like Dad ordered her, but April didn't answer me."
"You don't know how she was freed?"
"No." Ginny and Harry said at the same time.
Please show appreciation for this chapter and leave a review!