AN: All rights belong to JK Rowling, I am not her
This was beta by Fiction over Reality
I am sorry this update took so long, I have been dealing with personal issues.
1987
May stood there, reading the letter from her mother in Finland.
"Did she send us anything?" Kreacher asked. May looked at the letter. Ten years ago, before James Potter went into hiding, he gave his last order to his loyal elf April: She was to go to Finland - the house elf's native land where elves were free and protected. She was never to return. Then James gave her a large sum of money to buy a house and all the Potter family heirlooms with orders to sell each to the highest pawner and use that money to live out her life.
April, saying farewell to her remaining daughter, asked that she watch over the Potter child. Walburga than asked her to watch over the Marinova child.
May read her letter.
"She has taken up mending for wealthy wizarding families and is going to send us a part of every pay so we are able to remain loyal to our Masters." May answered. She then started a letter giving a Potter update. The muggles are raising a wizard in the same manner a wizard raises an elf, but May couldn't worry her mother. Truth was, she had only checked in on him for a couple months. Her good friend Dobby had promised to eavesdrop on Death Eaters at the Malfoys and interfere if there was any real danger.
"This isn't going to be enough, Father," May finally said. "I need to go to Hogwarts. It's the only place in Britain that will hire free elves."
"May isn't free." Kreatcher mentioned.
"We aren't going to survive on loyalty," May said.
"What Black will free May?" Kreatcher asked.
"I know one we can trick easily," May answered. She then went up to the portrait.
"Walburga, I got an update."
"On my half-blood granddaughter that was given to muggles," Walburga sneered.
"Yes, well, her aunt gives her some sense of having magical heritage. From what I observe, the two little boys are wizards. Her aunt and uncle send her to a Russian Orthodox school, her aunt does photography for their tuition. Her uncle picks the three up in his milk truck. She likes to honk the horn. She likes going to the movies, roller skating and double dutch on the street. Her parish group went to a football game last year, she cheered for Liverpool."
"Hurts my ears to see a girl of Black blood participating in muggle squander."
"Well, the religious school they send her to takes time to teach her how to be a good person, so do her aunt and uncle. I will think I will use this to my advantage."
"May should stay in the House of Black unit masters return."
"Father, we can't, we have no money and no way of getting anything." May said. "I am going to Hogwarts and get a job, even though we aren't free, we can at least eat."
"May, Hogwarts only hires free elves." Phineas Black said.
"No one of the Black bloodline will free Kreacher and May."
"I know one who I can trick," May said, thinking. "I also know where to find her."
Halloween 1988
May stood there, reading the letter from her mother in Finland.
"Did she send us anything?" Kreacher asked. May looked at the letter. Ten years ago, before James Potter went into hiding, he gave his last order to his loyal elf April: She was to go to Finland - the house elf's native land where elves were free and protected. She was never to return. Then James gave her a large sum of money to buy a house and all the Potter family heirlooms with orders to sell each to the highest pawner and use that money to live out her life.
April, saying farewell to her remaining daughter, asked that she watch over the Potter child. Walburga than asked her to watch over the Marinova child.
May read her letter.
"She has taken up mending for wealthy wizarding families and is going to send us a part of every pay so we are able to remain loyal to our Masters." May answered. She then started a letter giving a Potter update. The muggles are raising a wizard in the same manner a wizard raises an elf, but May couldn't worry her mother. Truth was, she had only checked in on him for a couple months. Her good friend Dobby had promised to eavesdrop on Death Eaters at the Malfoys and interfere if there was any real danger.
"This isn't going to be enough, Father," May finally said. "I need to go to Hogwarts. It's the only place in Britain that will hire free elves."
"May isn't free." Kreatcher mentioned.
"We aren't going to survive on loyalty," May said.
"What Black will free May?" Kreatcher asked.
"I know one we can trick easily," May answered. She then went up to the portrait.
"Walburga, I got an update."
"On my half-blood granddaughter that was given to muggles," Walburga sneered.
"Yes, well, her aunt gives her some sense of having magical heritage. From what I observe, the two little boys are wizards. Her aunt and uncle send her to a Russian Orthodox school, her aunt does photography for their tuition. Her uncle picks the three up in his milk truck. She likes to honk the horn. She likes going to the movies, roller skating and double dutch on the street. Her parish group went to a football game last year, she cheered for Liverpool."
"Hurts my ears to see a girl of Black blood participating in muggle squander."
"Well, the religious school they send her to takes time to teach her how to be a good person, so do her aunt and uncle. I will think I will use this to my advantage."
"May should stay in the House of Black unit masters return."
"Father, we can't, we have no money and no way of getting anything." May said. "I am going to Hogwarts and get a job, even though we aren't free, we can at least eat."
"May, Hogwarts only hires free elves." Phineas Black said.
"No one of the Black bloodline will free Kreacher and May."
"I know one who I can trick," May said, thinking. "I also know where to find her."
Creevey farm, Lancastershire
May would check in on Harry and Carnation from afar; she was always amazed at the contrast in childhoods. She knew that the Dursleys didn't like Halloween but would take Dudley trick-or-treating and make Harry watch him eat the candy. It was on this day that Petunia monitored Harry closely to the point where he wasn't even allowed to look out the window. It wasn't a happy day in the Dursley household.
To Carnation, Halloween meant different things. One time, she noticed her uncle locking the door and double locking each safe. Zinnia mentioned to her children a cousin and husband killed on Halloween by a home invader only a time or two, but that was to explain the importance of keeping doors locked and a firearm close.
To Carnation, Halloween meant dressing like a saint for their parish party, trick or treating and her favorite tradition: going to the Creevey farm for their pumpkin party. It was there, William along with his eight brothers and sisters would come with their families, they would carve pumpkins, serve hot cider, have bon fires and tell stories.
"What a beautiful pumpkin you have there, Carnation." Mable Creevey said as she passed out candles.
"Thank you, Aunt Mable." Carnation smiled in her handmade Snow White costume. May watched above from a broken board on the second floor, looking down at an old barn on the farm where William and his eight siblings were raised. She saw the family move the milk wagon, set up tables, and now carve pumpkins. The children were dressed in strange costumes, Colin as a knight and Dennis as a dragon, with Carnation as a princess called Snow White with a yellow skirt, blue blouse and a red ribbon in her black curls. She looked outside and saw William with his brothers guarding a large fire, while Zinnia and William's sisters passed refreshments and helped the children.
"She's cute isn't she?" Carnation asked Mable.
"Yes, she is, and you make a wonderful Snow White." Carnation giggled at that.
"Yes, she is quite a darling you got there." May whispered to herself. Then a large man with white whiskers came in along with William and his brothers."
"Alright, who is ready for a hayride?" He yelled as the children let out thrills of excitement. May went up to the barn roof. She saw the Creevey woman going through making sure all of the children were bundled tightly as the men shuffled them in to the hay carriage. May smiled, seeing Carnation was at the end, looking out on the colorful leaves covering the frost covered field as she sat among the dozens of Creeveys, blending in. She went up to Colin, who smiled at her then to the Creevey daughters who eyed the pink coat Zinnia had picked out for her.
She then went to the edge, her eyes beaming at the bare trees as their branches entangled each other and their shadows appeared in the moonlight. That was when May snapped her fingers, causing the Black daughter to fall.
"Wait," Carnation called to the carriage tripping over the hoof prints. "Wait!" She wailed.
"They can't hear you," May said, approaching the child.
"But who will look after me?"
"I will," May answered.
"I am scared." Carnation said. "Are you a ghost?
"No, child."
"The Pedle Witch? Grandpa told me about you."
"I am not the one who's a witch."
"Grandma Creevey says there are fairies out here." Carnation said as May smiled at hearing the tales from English country muggles.
"I'm not a fairy, I'm an elf."
"Like Santa Clause?" Carnation asked. "The one who delivers to us on January sixth, not the other Christmas?"
"No, I am just a cold, tired elf." May then let out a shiver. "it's so cold, I don't know how I will make it through the night, I am freezing."
"Why don't you have a coat?" Carnation asked.
"Because we are too poor to afford one."
"Here, you can have mine. At school they tell us we must give to the less fortunate." It was then that Carnation took off her new coat and handed it to May.
"Thank you, for presenting clothes to me," May said, taking the coat. She then lit a fire, keeping the child warm. It was then that May saw flashlights beaming across the field. May knew it was time to leave. She disappeared into the trees as William and his brothers shouted for Carnation.
"Uncle, I'm right here." Carnation yelled causing William to shine his light on her, instantly darting to his niece and picking her up, holding her tight as tears fell from his eyes. "Don't ever scare me like that again." He then hugged her again and kissed her face.
"Come on," one of the brothers said. "Lets get her warmed up at home."
She then went to the edge, her eyes beaming at the bare trees as their branches entangled each other and their shadows appeared in the moonlight. That was when May snapped her fingers, causing the Black daughter to fall.
"Wait," Carnation called to the carriage tripping over the hoof prints. "Wait!" She wailed.
"They can't hear you," May said, approaching the child.
"But who will look after me?"
"I will," May answered.
"I am scared." Carnation said. "Are you a ghost?
"No, child."
"The Pedle Witch? Grandpa told me about you."
"I am not the one who's a witch."
"Grandma Creevey says there are fairies out here." Carnation said as May smiled at hearing the tales from English country muggles.
"I'm not a fairy, I'm an elf."
"Like Santa Clause?" Carnation asked. "The one who delivers to us on January sixth, not the other Christmas?"
"No, I am just a cold, tired elf." May then let out a shiver. "it's so cold, I don't know how I will make it through the night, I am freezing."
"Why don't you have a coat?" Carnation asked.
"Because we are too poor to afford one."
"Here, you can have mine. At school they tell us we must give to the less fortunate." It was then that Carnation took off her new coat and handed it to May.
"Thank you, for presenting clothes to me," May said, taking the coat. She then lit a fire, keeping the child warm. It was then that May saw flashlights beaming across the field. May knew it was time to leave. She disappeared into the trees as William and his brothers shouted for Carnation.
"Uncle, I'm right here." Carnation yelled causing William to shine his light on her, instantly darting to his niece and picking her up, holding her tight as tears fell from his eyes. "Don't ever scare me like that again." He then hugged her again and kissed her face.
"Come on," one of the brothers said. "Lets get her warmed up at home."
May 1996
"Glad to see May is back," the house elf Winky said as May came to the grounds of Hogwarts with her twins. "Why haven't you worked?"
"Dumbledore told May she is allowed maternity leave, meaning May can have a whole year off and still get paid."
"Too generous," Winky commented, as she smiled at June.
"Dumbledore does the same for professors who have babies. Dobby got a whole week off." May went on as her babies laid in the same mini pram, eyes wide-awake side by side.
May smiled at seeing her husband Dobby walk across the field, out of the hall. The two walked off together.
"Dobby happy his wife came to see him." Dobby said as the two elf babies beamed.
"May is happy as well," May said. "I brought you lunch."
"Thank you," Dobby said. "Dobby talked to Dumbledore, he reinstated the original offer."
"Good, we can set money aside for a cottage. A place in the country, with lots of big trees, so we can be hidden and safe. We can have room for a garden. A place to keep our books."
"Did you see your Father?" Dobby asked.
"Yes, Sirius is back," May said. "He mistreats him, my Father remains loyal."
"Sirius is Harry Potter's Godfather. We shouldn't betray him like that."
"I have loyalty to Harry Potter." Dobby said as a group of Hufflepuff girls came in racing to Sprout. "If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have this." He said looking at May and their twin elves.
"Professor Sprout, Carnation had detention with Umbridge." one of the Hufflepuff girls huffed.
"I thought I told you that none of you are to attend if you had detention with her, or even be alone with her. I'll take care of it if Hufflepuff has any problems. What happened?"
"Now she is in the hospital wing."
"What happened?" Sprout asked.
"She found out that she was being pulled from the science fair, as punishment to her cousins for being part of that group." the red head girl said.
"Snape and I are fully aware of this, we told her and Miss Greengrass to let us take care of it." Sprout said. "Alright, what did she do?"
May looked at Dobby, he nodded and took their children. He then snapped himself to their room above Hogshead. May went to the hospital wing.
"Explain again what happened?" May heard Snape's voice as she came to Carnation's bed with Astoria sitting next to her.
May gazed at Carnation, she sat in a bed with her arm prompt up and split open, being able to see the flesh and bones. Astoria sat next to her, holding her hand as Zinnia's boys, both wizards sorted into Gryffindor stood beside her. Colin, the older boy stood with his camera. Snapping picture after picture, while Snape stood over the edge.
"Would you stop," Snape finally said. Colin stopped.
"Well, when we heard Umbridge planned to pull us, we had to speak with her." Astoria started.
"And I told a number of Slytherins that they aren't to go to her," Snape snarled to his student.
"But my sister is a member of the Inquisitorial Squad," Astoria said. "And you know my family influences in the art and science. They are sponsoring Carnation."
"But my family has no influence, which is why she chose to punish me." Carnation whined from the pain as Astoria gave her a funny look. "You can see my radius and ulna for goshsakes."
"Which looks very interesting, you must admit." Astoria spoke.
"I agree." Carnation said.
"Well, Carnation, I have written to your aunt and uncle explaining the situation," Sprout came in.
"Our Father will be infuriated," Dennis spoke.
"Not that it's going to help."
"Severus, may I have a word?"
"Try to look sadder, more in pain," Collin suggested.
"That camera only captures stills." Astoria said, snotty.
"Maybe the wizarding world needs to see stills. Mum always said that a photographer has a duty to capture the moment that could change the world. Here, that moment is moved but if I get a good picture frozen in stone, it will really shock them."
"This was your fault," Carnation lashed out to Colin. "the reason she canceled me is because of your secret."
"What secret?" Dennis said.
"I know you're hiding something from me," Carnation lashed out. "I don't know why you can't let me in on it. You are so loyal to Harry Potter and just ignore me."
"He is a liar after all," Astoria said.
"Don't say that about him.' Colin said defensively. "Anyway, Pomfrey can cure it."
"To repair my flesh?" Carnation said. "It's hopeless. I need blood of a witch or wizard from a proceeding line. Cure is slim for a orphan muggle born."
It was then that May sat against the wall and shook her head.
It wasn't until later that evening, May came back to visit Carnation. She took an abandon school paper from an empty bed. May walked up to Carnation and noticed a picture sat on Carnation's bedside.
"Excuse me Carnation, I need to change the gauze," May said.
"May, you're back," Carnation said, giving a weakened smile as she ate her dinner.
"Well, I am still on maternity leave, but I needed to check in on you," May said. "Is this a picture of your Mother?" May asked, noticing Marigold had cut off her hair into a well styled cut.
"Yes, my dorm mates brought it down" Carnation said. "My Aunt took it, it was when she was pregnant with me."
"I can see, she is showing you off in it." May said, observing Marigold's finger cradling her belly while in a brightly colored maternity gown."I also notice her hair is short."
"Yes, she cut it." Carnation said. "According to Aunt Zinnia, Mum thought having short hair would make it easier to take care of a baby on her own. She could spend time with me instead of fiddling with her hair. She was beautiful, wasn't she."
"Mind if I borrow this picture to show to someone? I promise to return it."
"Yes, please do, my Mum took that picture just for me."
~X~
"Would you like some more tea?" Ginny asked Carnation at their table, noticing a scar along Carnation's arm.
"Oh, yes, please, and thank you for having me over; I know my daughter is bit of a hand full," Carnation said, speaking softly.
"It really was no bother," Harry said. "Orchid reminds us of..."
"My father," Carnation finished the sentence. "It is all right to say it now." She stared at the newly discovered picture of her younger self, going into a trance. "So he must have known. He had a hidden picture of me?"
"Carnation, no one knew he kept a picture of your Mother until years after his death; it's the only explication." Harry said.
"But I was told… he never knew about me. He would have been locked up by the time Mum found out she was pregnant. His mother kept my existence hidden from the family, from what I found during my research, she tried to get custody of me." It was then that Harry and Ginny stared at Carnation. "But the Ministry of Magic awarded me to Grandma Tulip, she must have kept me until she found out Wilburgah died." Carnation paused for a minute, touching the ink of the circle around her, realizing that her Father had made it upon recognizing his daughter. "He was the dog who visited me?"
She then looked up at Harry. "You know what it's like, growing up without parents. You don't have that identity, so you create one." Harry nodded to her. "I used to imagine my Father being a Hufflepuff wizard, like me. Hard to believe, looking back he would have been alive when I had this image. He was born to a prestigious pureblood family, I'm not Muggle-born, I am half. He was a Mander, Gryffindor, bit of a trouble maker, and I was robbed from him." She finally said.
"He would have been a wonderful Father," Harry added.
"I know," Carnation said with a laugh, and cried at the same time.
"Where is your elf, May?"
"She left for the afternoon. If you would like to talk to her, we can arrange it."
"I need to," Carnation said. "I have had so many questions all my life, none of which resurfaced until recently. Some have already been answered, such as who he was and what happened," Carnation closed her eyes, and opened them again. "This was easier when he didn't know about me. I feel strangely relived. When will your house keeper be back?"
"Soon," Ginny answered.
Carnation gazed at the picture, touching it, letting her fingers outline her parents. "Gotta admire my Mum," She said looking at Ginny and Harry. "I always thought I was a product of a one night stand. I always admired her for keeping me despite the risk. She marched on the streets for a woman to choose motherhood, she knew the health risk but she had me anyways. Now here I am, 35 years later and finding out she had a beautiful and tragic love story."
Carnation looked at the picture of her parents. Her parents, Carnation thought to herself. For the first time in her life, it was her parents. She looked at the picture, her Mum smiling and in love. She had never seen or heard about this side of her Mother. She watched as her father kissed her Marigold's forehead in a protective manner. She smiled.
"Thank you for letting me have this, Harry."
~X~
2 Days Later
Andromeda Tonks was at her desk. It was Slytherin IEP week, which meant any Slytherin student that needed accommodations for a fair education was expected a meeting with Sprout, Fudge, the house leader and parents. She went over year two through seven, fixing and addressing former IEPs as well as creating new ones by reading observations of other professors. She then looked at her first years, the neediest group of students that had ever been sorted into Slytherin.
She first did Scorpious, and wrote an outline of reasons that he be transported to a muggle speech clinic, so he may see a well qualified speech therapist.
She had a werewolf boy, who inherited his condition through his deceased witch Mother and was currently being raised by his muggle Father, she spoke with him. He raised the child very muggle, with stories of Batman and Superman. At the same time the Werewolf Association kept in contact with his Father. She was going to do the usual, professors were to deliver lessons to Hanna during that part of the month.
She still had to deal with her Autistic boy, the emotional unstable boy, the girl who couldn't read, the mute girl and the girl with severe social anxiety. Yet, from what Andromeda observed, they were the most hardworking groups despite their difficulties. If anything, this group of needy first years showed how persevering Slytherins could be.
"Professor Tonks, I need to talk to you," Violet said, coming in quickly to her classroom.
"You have to make it quick, Miss Dursley, we need to make it to a meeting."
"But Professor Tonks," Violet said, upset.
"It's Slytherin IEP week, Violet, I have to be in Fudge's tower in ten minutes. I will make some time to talk to you afterwards."
"I can help you, if you wish?" Madam Malfoy suggested. Violet looked at her, took her phone out of her bag and went to the Muggle Studies tower."
She pressed the button for Siri to come on. "Call Dad."
"I heard you won the case," Ally said, following Dudley.
"Thanks to you," Dudley smiled towards the kind and loving nurse as he followed her down the stairs. As soon as the two were alone, she turned and placed her hands around his neck.
He put his briefcase down, putting his hand around her scrub-covered waist in such a kind manner that she smiled. He kissed her and she kissed him back.
The two liked this hidden romance that they formed; nothing serious, just sweet. Just as Ally started going to Dudley's neck, the phone rang. He stopped for a minute, recognizing the ringtone.
"It's Violet," Dudley said, as Ally instantly stopped. She was a single mother, which was one of the reasons why Dudley chose to be involved with her. When he first started dating again, he had girlfriends who would go all dramatic on him about their needs not being first. Ally knew full well that she would never be first in his life, just as Dudley understood that he would never be.
They were both alright with that.
"Violet," Dudley answered.
"Father, I need your help," Violet said instantly. "Just don't ask questions, listen to what is happening. Gidget should be coming to your window tonight. There is a note on it explaining everything. Make sure you keep Gidget."
"What is it for?" Dudley asked.
"Something happened to me," Violent said quietly, going to the corner so no one could hear her.
"Are you alright?" Dudley asked, concerned.
"Yes," Violet said vaguely.
"You don't sound it," Dudley said concerned. He nodded towards Ally, she left the room.
"Something has happened to me," Violet said. "Promise you won't get mad."
"Are you in danger?" Dudley asked.
"I'm not in danger," Violet assured her Father. He may be a muggle but a Daughter feels more comfortable confiding in her Father above all else. "But Vernon may be, so be sure to keep him home."
~X~
A Few weeks earlier
Vernon couldn't help but smile at the way Argus' face tensed at seeing the lightsabers on his grandmother's new LG Blueray screen. He got his phone out just as he heard the clabber. Argus practically jumped when Darth Vader cut off Luke's hand.
"There is no escape, don't make me destroy you," Darth Vader spoke. "Luke, you don't yet realize your importance. You have only begun to discover your power. Join me and I will complete your training. With our compounded strength and we can end this constructive conflict and bring order to the galaxy."
Vernon watched as he pressed record on his phone.
"I'll never join you," Luke said, still holding his came out, noticing her grandson had got out her phone and started recording. She smiled at Vernon.
"If only you knew the power of the dark side. Obi-Wan never told you what happened to your Father."
"He told me enough," Luke said as Vernon zoomed in. "He told me you killed him."
"No," Darth Vader spoke. "I am your Father.'
"WHAT!" Argus said suddenly clasping his hands to his mouth. "What the… how, what… is he lying! Please tell me he's lying. WHAT!"
"Alright, that's enough, Zinnia's family is coming over and they have that situation going on right now." Petunia said, trying not to laugh.
"Yes, grandma," Vernon answered closing the screen and plugging it in to charge as Argus remained focused on the movie. "I want to see if he's lying."
Petunia and Vernon set out different trays. He'd then go back and answer Argus's endless questions. Petunia enjoyed spending time with her grandson amongst all things. She loved how her current lover was becoming like family.
~X~
Petunia waited for her old friend Zinnia, whom she was blessed to be related to, show up at the door, along with her family, excluding Carnation who had gone to visit her Father's cousins.
"Where is your Father again?" Zinnia asked, surprised at Petunia's sweet Grandson.
"He has to get something for someone," Vernon said, careful about not letting the muggle in. "Would you like something to drink?"
"Very much, thank you," Zinnia said as Dudley handed over the coat. The door bell rang; it was Dudley. He had come back from the store with the list Petunia had texted him.
"Dad, I taught Argus how to play on my iPad," Vernon said coming to his Father.
"Good, taught him anything of value?"
"Blasted birds, I'll show ya angry," Argus hissed as loud pings came from the iPad.
"So who is coming to this thing?" Dudley asked his mother.
"My cousin, Zinnia, her husband William and her Son, Dennis along with his wife and child. Carnation was to come as well, but apparently she is meeting with some of her Father's relatives. Poor girl never knew her parents."
"Do you really want to mention that?"
"I suppose you're right," Petunia said. As the rumbling sound came up the driveway. "I can't stand that of-course-I-cared-for-her-like-my-own, she's-my-dead-sister's-child, Petunia mimicked.
"We should have hung out with these people sooner," Dudley mentioned. "What happened?"
"Well, it is my fault truly. When Lily died, leaving a young child, Zinnia came to our house. She took care of you and Harry along with her son. Then eight months later, my cousin, Marigold, was in a coma after giving birth to her daughter. I did nothing. She then died, and I never even contacted her nor sent her a card."
~X~
"So, what do you do again?" Dudley asked awkwardly, alone with Dennis Creevey with whom he had nothing in common.
"Hard to explain," Dennis answered while their Mothers chattered in the living room. Neither of the two wanted to admit that they found the other a bore. "What are those shiny things?"
"My son is to collecting rocks," Dudley explained. "He has interesting fascinations. He has been marked as gifted at school."
"What does that mean?"
"He is really smart," Dudley answered. "Better at math than I ever was. Did Harry mentioned he's a wizard?"
"No," Dennis answered. "As a matter of fact, I didn't even know he had cousins until I met your Mum."