Updated 10/03/2020 - Fixed miss spelt Grindelward, thanks Paulies1994 for that observation!

Chapter 2: Family Day

September 2015

"Where in Merlin's pants is Sage?" Thea complained as she stood up and made another lap of the room, ignoring the snicker that came from the corner.

"You do realise that Sage isn't the only one missing right, Parker is missing as well," Miller pointed out.

"We all know Sage and Parker are doing it," Turner continued while Thea spun around and faced the two.

"You're both disgusting," Thea wrinkled her nose at the two of them.

"Why do you care anyway Wood?" Despite Haiden not having said anything yet, there was another person in the room with them all.

Thea spun around and stared at Nikolaus Anastas, the Keeper for the Gryffindor Quidditch team while Sage and Parker were both Chasers with Sage being the current Captain.

"My problem?" Thea questioned. "My problem is you're a pompous asshole who can't actually save a goal for shit."

"That's funny considering we're undefeated," Nikolaus responded.

"I believe that is put down to exceptional Chasers," Thea responded, a smirk on her face.

"Are you sure about that Wood?"

"I believe our score of 350 against Hufflepuff last year proves otherwise."

"Yes, and their score of 30."

"Are you sure that doesn't have any reflection on our Beaters as well?"

"Enough you too," Sage commented as she entered the room, no one having noticed her, and Parker enter the room due to paying attention to the argument taking place between Thea and Nikolaus. "Honestly if someone had told me two years ago that you would argue like something crazy and want me to pull my hair out then I may have chosen someone else to take your places." Sage shook her head as she walked to the front of the room and sat down on top of the desk.

"What are we doing here Sage?" Miller questioned, he doesn't understand why Sage didn't call this start of year team meeting to happen within the Quidditch Pitch where Thea and Nikolaus were most likely to attempt to be civil instead of this unused classroom.

Miller wasn't too sure as to how it happened but assumed it was something on Nikolaus' part alone because he had a similar issue with himself but for some reason Thea always must react to his comments and make things worse.

It didn't help that Nikolaus was in the same year as them and as such he and Thea were regularly butting heads. First year they sort of ignored each other but it was in second year that things got worse between the two when Thea was placed on the Gryffindor Quidditch Team, claiming it was only because she was a Wood and that the Captain at the time wanted to play Quidditch Professionally and having a Wood on the team gave him an advantage since both Willa and Oliver would be there for at least one of Gryffindors games.

"I just wanted to speak with you all before the time for try outs are over, both Matthew and myself will be graduating in June and as such one of you will take the Captains badge next year, I have no idea which one and I won't tell you who I am recommending but I wanted to get your opinion on something. Whoever takes the badge next year will have the hard task of finding two chasers that can work well with Thea, I wanted to know if you all wanted to have two reserves to begin working in with Thea during practise only they won't get any game time. Or, whoever gets the badge next year can hold their own try outs," Sage spoke, and they all fell silent with thought.

"Do I get a say at all?" Thea commented and Sage looked at her.

"What's your opinion then Wood?"

"I don't see the point in bringing in two new players into our practises, removing me from working with you two and with two players who won't see a single game. I see it as a waste of time. Yes, it will suck for me come next year, having to learn very quickly to work with new players but that's to worry about next year." Thea explained and Sage nodded.

"Very well, anyone else?" No one else said anything. "Alright, show of hands for me getting two reserves?"

Miller, Turner and Haiden all looked to Thea for their decision knowing it affected her the most but when she didn't raise her hand, they didn't either causing a sigh to come from Nikolaus.

"I was all for it but seems like I'm out voted by the band of idiots over there," Nikolaus commented, waving his hand towards where they were sitting before he stood up and left the room, a hand on Thea's arm belonging to Miller preventing her from going after Nikolaus.

"Very well, I have my answer. I will let you all know when practise starts up. Enjoy the rest of your weekend," Sage spoke as her and Parker left the room.

Thea waited until Sage and Parker were gone before she turned and faced her brother, anger clear as day on her face. "What the hell was that for? He called us a band of idiots!" she yelled.

"Oh, I'm sorry but did you happen to forget the argument that he and Turner got into this morning?" Miller snapped at his sister and she sunk back in her seat, completely forgetting about the argument in the Gryffindor common room, all because Turner accidently bumped into Nikolaus and his Charms essay ended up in the fireplace, it was saved but still caused an argument.

Thea looked at Turner, she couldn't believe she had forgotten about that argument and almost risked another one starting.

Miller didn't have the same quick to anger trait that came with having Black blood that both Thea and Turner had, but the downfall that Turner had was that he had the same explosions that Willa grew up with having to deal with when her anger got the better of her. It seemed as those both Thea and Miller were free of the explosions despite the one instance when Thea was younger, but they all put it down to a proper case of accidental magic.

"I'm really sorry Turner," Thea quickly apologised to her uncle.

Turner shook his head as he stood up and headed for the door and Thea's face fell. She turned and faced her brother and Haiden.

"Just let it go Thea, he will be fine once he's calmed down properly. How often has dad told us to leave mum alone when she's been set off, same with Turner growing up. There is a very good chance he may be going to speak with mum as well, but just in case, I'm going to make sure he doesn't break another bat," Miller stood up and headed for the door, going after Turner while Thea sat there feeling incredibly guilty.

"Just give him time to calm down, it's always this way. I have to go find Hasley for our Potions assignment," Haiden spoke as he too left the room and Thea was left alone.

Thea sat there for a moment before she dug through her bag and looked for her mirror.

The mirror she was looking for was special, although it could be used as an actual mirror but no it was a communication tool for wizards. Owls were still used by the older witches and wizards and usually by students when they would rather write home to prevent getting stuck on with their parents and of course Muggleborns used owls to communicate with their parents.

After the war Sirius and Octavia developed the mirrors and managed to mass produce them to the Magical Community of Britain with profits coming from the mirrors going into a fund. In the early years, it went into a vault that allowed students going to Hogwarts purchase supplies if they were to match the criteria if they were affected by the war. Nowadays, some of the profits from the mirrors went into a fund waiting for Teddy the moment he turned 17.

Neither Sirius nor Octavia wanted their godson to have to worry about anything, it was bad enough that he grew up without his parents they didn't want him to have any other worries once he leaves Hogwarts.

Thea took a deep breath before calling for her mother, she knew Turner wouldn't call her not wanting to speak of what may have happened this morning with Nikolaus or what could have happened should Thea started another argument and it would have resulted in Thea getting a lecture about being careful with starting arguments.

"Hi Thea," Willa spoke, a smile on her face as she greeted her daughter.

"Hi mum, listen. I didn't mean to do it, but I may have almost set Turner off just now," Thea quickly explained, and Willa took a deep breath.

"What happened?"

"I don't know what started it, all I know is that he and Anastas got into an argument and then we had a Quidditch meeting and Anastas made a comment before leaving, I went to go follow him but Miller prevented me. I'm really sorry mum," Thea explained quickly.

"I'm not pleased that my brother may be potentially blowing something up, but it happens, your father has set me off on a number of occasions, not to mention Fred and George, Merlin even Leighton did. It happens," Willa explained.

"You aren't mad?" Thea responded, shocked that she wasn't getting in trouble.

"That you're getting into arguments with people? Not particularly, I wasn't well behaved at Hogwarts. But I do wish you didn't get into arguments with your housemates, I understand things are different and you have friends in other houses but your house is family," Willa explained but was cut off by Thea letting out a groan at the mention of family.

"Merlin no. You were lucky, you got along with your housemates. Anastas is annoying as hell, believes I think I'm better than everyone else because I'm a 'Wood'. Mira complains about every little thing, makes me want to smother her with a pillow every night," Thea complained, quickly noticing that her mother stopped paying attention for a moment, causing a frown to appear.

Thea knew that her mother was different, didn't always understand and as such she was grateful for Emerson and her grandmother, not to mention everyone else in her family but at times she wishes her mother understood better.

"Sorry Thea, the fireplace lit up and I was looking to see who arrived. I have to go, but please be careful from now on with Turner and his anger," Willa spoke, quickly dismissing Thea.

"Mum?" Thea questioned but the call was ended, and Thea was able to see her reflection. "Bugger." Was all Thea said before she stood up and went in search of her brother and uncle, hoping to apologise once more.

She had a feeling that Turner was out in the Quidditch Pitch, while Thea was well used to her mother taking off for a run after something that has angered her Turner was different, he usually took to the Quidditch Pitch which while they were at Hogwarts was a risk in case anyone was in there.

She made her way down to the Quidditch Pitch, glad to find that both Miller and Haiden had found Turner as well. She wasn't surprised to find Haiden sitting on the side lines while he watched, Haiden had taken to being a Seeker while both Miller and Turner were the Beater pair for the Gryffindor team, she walked over and took a seat beside Haiden, giving him a small smile.

"A bat exploded as I got here," Haiden pointed out and Thea let out a groan.

Thea hated being the reason that Turner lost control, she had even been warned by her father to be careful when her mother was in a mood. Thea understood that both Turner and Willa suffered from the accidental magic that came with being the children of a Dreamer, they both suffered from uncontrollable explosions. It was the way that Oliver spoke that made Thea believe that out of the two siblings she would be better off setting Turner off.

Thea made a grab for Haiden's broom, knowing he wouldn't care if she borrowed it before she flew up into the sky and heading towards where Miller and Turner were in the middle.

"I'm sorry!" Thea yelled out, looking at Turner and he merely nodded, focusing back on the bludger coming his way.

Thea sat there silently on her broom waiting for any sign that the two of them were beginning to begin their descent showing that they were stopping, and as always it was indicated by Turner.

Once the three of them set foot on the ground, Miller didn't say anything just grabbed the trunk that the bludger was in and headed towards the storage cupboard.

Turner said nothing as he walked over and pulled Thea into a hug. "I'm okay," he whispered, and Thea tightened her hold on him.

"I hate setting you off."

"It happens, Willa assures me that as I get older, I will get a better hang of it while mum says I don't have anywhere near as many explosions as Willa did growing up. Both mum and dad say it's because I'm more like mum while Willa is more like dad, she doesn't back down from an argument while I pick and choose my battles, fight the ones that are deemed worthy. Today was just too much and it wasn't necessarily you that set me off. Mum and dad cornered me after breakfast, made comments about my grades in Potions. So, between that, Anastas and then you getting into with Anastas and my need to protect you. It was too much in the end." Turner explained and Thea pulled away to look up at him.

"I don't need you to protect me," she snapped.

Turner just let out a laugh before pulling Thea back in for a hug. "I believe you fell out of the tree house when you were 9 because you thought you could walk on the railing without any help."

"The tree house was gone the next day, Miller was so mad," Thea let out laugh. "The broken leg was nothing."

"We were all pretty disappointed about the missing tree house, because of you."

Thea pulled away and flashed Turner a smile. "Come on, let's go out and let Miller know we haven't killed each other."

"Where's the fun in that?" Turner retort and a smirk appeared on Thea's face before she pulled out her wand.

"Mum and dad will lose their minds when they hear word of this," Thea whispered. "Bombarda."

A loud noise was heard as a part of the ground exploded, dirt and grass flying everywhere. When the dust settled Thea and Turner were able to see Miller standing across from them, a strange look on his face.

"What did you do?" he yelled.

Thea shrugged, looking up at her uncle. "I have to go find Ari," she dismissed them both before leaving the Quidditch Pitch, forgetting about the hole she created in the ground.

"I didn't even know what was happening until the hole appeared," Turner explained, and Miller nodded.

"I just don't understand as to why the Quidditch nut put a hole in the ground," Miller argued.

"Because we fly around on brooms, not run around on the ground." Turner left as well, leaving Miller standing there shocked that he hadn't been able to think of that exact reason.

.oOo.

Family day was something that was becoming a welcomed day at Hogwarts, the children all loved the chance to see their parents because being away from them ten months of the year was hard on most people and the parents, the same ones who grew up during the last war always had that feeling in the back of theirs mind that maybe, just maybe the same horrors they witnessed will happen to their own child at Hogwarts.

Family day always occurred the first weekend in October, just before Quidditch started so that way it didn't interfere with any of the teams plans for practise. But most parents were also excited for the idea of the Quidditch season starting because they were all excited at the idea of watching the games.

A few things had changed with the Hogwarts Quidditch season, parents were now allowed to attend games but with one strict condition. Any parent who worked within the Quidditch Industry, no matter what job, weren't allowed to attend more than one game per year as it gave an extra benefit to said club.

As such for the Bennett and Wood children, their parents were only allowed to attend one match but as such they always picked the one that allowed them to watch all of the children within their family and for the time being that was the Gryffindor vs. Slytherin match. Willa was always disappointed that she was unable to watch Teddy's games since he was in Hufflepuff and she tried to switch it up over the years. Even Nikki and Zane had to occasion switch and watch the Slytherin vs. Hufflepuff matches since their youngest was sorted into Hufflepuff.

The other thing that was changed with the Quidditch season was that each team played each other twice, allowing for the occasion off day for a team or player. It was harder trying to fit them in throughout the year, making sure it didn't collide with Hogsmeade weekends, also allowing for other clubs to run meetings and other things that are needed on the weekend because some Quidditch players are also in other clubs.

So, the way it ends up being is two games before Christmas break and then four games in the second half of the school year for each house.

"Are your parents coming to family day this year Ari?" Thea questioned, her and Arabella were sitting in their dorm, grateful it was just the two of them.

"No idea, they didn't come last year." Arabella shrugged. "They're always so busy but I think them being here the first two years, allowing them to see everything and meet your parents has given them the acceptance they need to let me feel at home where I please, whether it be here for Christmas or at your house during the summer." Arabella explained and Thea nodded.

"I still can't believe you spent Christmas here last year, mum would be so disappointed if I decided to not come home for Christmas. But you're still joining us this year yeah?" Thea questioned, she hated being separated for the summer from Arabella, she had gotten so used to having another girl around since growing up it was just her and the boys.

Yes, there were other girls within their extended family but between them all was their own little groups with ages. At one-point Connor, Hendrix and Hartley joined them but it was rare since Hartley was a bit girlier, she wasn't one to play Quidditch or the pranks that the rest did.

"Not sure yet, mum and dad haven't approved that. Something was said during the summer about dad's family having a family reunion during the time that is our Christmas break," Arabella explained.

Thea could tell just by the look on her best friend's face that she wasn't thrilled at that idea.

Arabella's parents, despite them being distance at times did truly love Arabella. They provided the best for their only child, they let a stranger come into their home and convince them that a Magical school would be best instead of the one that they had planned for her muggle education. It was Arabella's father's family that didn't approve of the choice in sending her to a boarding school instead of the same one that his family had attended for generations.

"Your parents love you; they wouldn't force you to deal with the comments from your dad's family," Thea pointed out, but Arabella merely shrugged in response. "Ari?" Worry filled Thea as silence settled in from Arabella.

"What's going on. You made me tell you what happened during the summer with Mike," Thea pointed out.

"My parents refuse to tell dad's family why they decided to send me here, which is required by the Ministry of Magic and I get it because his family wouldn't understand the whole magic thing as well as my parents did. But because of this, they think I'm a trouble child that they sent me to a boarding school instead of a legacy school because of it and that they don't have to deal with me," Arabella explained.

"What about your mums?" Thea questioned.

"They're all Australian, so they don't notice that I'm gone all the time. Yes, they find boarding school to be a strange concept but they're fine since there isn't a such thing as a legacy school for their family." Arabella responded as she leant over the side of her bed and dug through her bag, looking for something. "Now I need help with my Magical Lore work 'Miss Pureblood'."

Thea knew Arabella was ending the topic surrounding her family, Thea understood because there were still things that Arabella didn't fully understand when it came to the Black and Wood family members.

Thea jumped off her bed and walked over to sit beside Arabella and help her with her Magical Lore essay.

Magical Lore was one of the first new classes implemented after the war, the Professor still being Octavia and over the years the class changed a bit depending on the feedback from past students. Now, the class was set up that at times the required essays meant talking to fellow students, ones that grew up in the magical community and compare childhoods instead of reading books for the required material and since the subject was more helping Muggleborns and Muggle raised integrate within the Magical Community easy and as such it was about asking questions instead of reading information.

To begin with the subject was offered to all required first through third year students but after a while they decided to change to make it second through fourth, allowing the first years to stay to the steady schedule that they have done for years with not much free time because of various things that have been implemented, like duelling clubs, flying lessons, required sexual education classes and so on.

The other new compulsory subject was Modern History, starting with Grindelward and going through the Rise and Fall of Lord Voldemort. Again, another subject taught by Octavia, but this was given to fourth- and fifth-year students. To begin with it was offered to three years' worth of students but after a while Octavia learnt that it was too spread out, with Octavia running out of topics come Fifth year.

Again, much like with Magical Lore things were changed and altered over the years, Octavia listening to what her students were saying when it came to how she taught the subject, what they did and didn't like and as such the subject had been condensed. Fourth year covered the topics surrounding Grindelward, containing the events before his rise and after. It also included events that happened in other countries while fifth year covered Lord Voldemort. But the end of Fourth year did start with the rise of Lord Voldemort, since the years did have some overlap.

The one thing that all students seemed to enjoy was the big partner assignment that came in the middle of fifth year just before Christmas break. Working in pairs, the pair had to do a very descriptive family tree for both students.

But some students were more cautious than others when it came to the family tree assignments because of who their family was, what family members would come to the light of day. Thea was one of those students who feared for the assignment because she knew just how many charged Death Eaters, both alive and dead, were among her family members because of her Maternal blood lines and she just hoped she was paired with someone understanding.

.oOo.

Family day was among them and everyone was excited at the prospect of seeing their family that wasn't within Hogwarts.

Arabella's parents in fact did manage to make an appearance, stating that they had a break in their schedule and wanted a day with their daughter in the middle of nowhere where they didn't get bothered by the constant ringing of their mobile phones.

Turner, whose parents were Professors at Hogwarts took the time to spend it with Willa and Oliver along with Miller and Thea. He knew it was both a blessing and a curse having his parents at Hogwarts with him but he also knew his own parents were pretty laid back, only interfering in his time at Hogwarts unless he was in severe trouble, Willa explained it was the same deal she had when she was at Hogwarts. The only difference that Turner had compared to his sister was that Octavia his head of house and she couldn't avoid giving out punishment all together.

During Family Day Hogsmeade was only open to fifth through seventh years, to try and prevent the number of people in the small village but it mostly consisted of Fifth year Muggleborns wanting to show their families what Hogsmeade looked like after two years of stories in letters and visits home. First years typically gave their parents a tour of the Castle and grounds while introducing them to friends and professors.

Occasionally, Family Day was also a moment for some professors to pull parents aside and let them know what a student was up to, usually bad behaviour or low grades but that was in extreme circumstances.

Most of the time it consisted of families sitting among the tables that had been set on the grounds and in the Great Hall with food provided by the elves. This year, it consisted of the Wood family doing just that.

Thea sat there, a pensive look on her face as she looked over where Arabella sat with her parents.

"Is everything alright princess?" Oliver questioned, noticing the look on his daughter's face but Thea didn't respond or remove her gaze from Arabella. "Thea."

"What's going on?" Willa questioned, having joined them after having a word with Octavia and Sirius.

"Theadora is just obsessed with Ari at the moment," Miller responded, and they all became worried when Thea didn't even respond at the use of the name Theadora.

"Miller, Turner, what's going on?" Willa questioned.

Turner shrugged, taking a bite of the sandwich he had in his hand.

"Bugger if I know," Miller responded, and Turner nodded in agreement.

"Thea," Willa spoke, a warning tone in her voice.

A sigh came from Thea, but she didn't turn around. "Ari is worried she will be forced to spend time with her dad's family during Christmas break, the same ones that apparently look down on her for the decision that was made for her to come here. They believe she is a troubled child." Thea finally explained.

"Well you all do spend a bit of time in detention," Oliver responded, trying to make a light-hearted joke.

"Please Ol," Willa cut in. "I honestly believe had things been different you would have been in detention too; you started a prank war with me." Willa pointed out but Oliver merely shrugged in response, having no rebuttal to what his wife pointed out.

"Anyway," Miller cut in, not wanting to listen to his parents go down memory lane.

"Thea, I'm sure things are fine. Ari's parents love her and will do whatever it takes to protect her. I doubt they would force her into a situation that made her uncomfortable," Willa spoke, hoping to ease her daughters concerns but it just caused Thea's head to snap around and glare at Willa.

"No? I've heard the stories, the number of times you and Leighton had to associate with the so called families, that you hated spending time with them and at times it was uncomfortable for you both because of your family or the people you associated with!" Thea yelled before she stood up and stormed off.

Willa stood up with the idea of following her, but Oliver stopped her, placing a hand on her arm. "I think it would be best if you didn't love."

"I should explain…" Willa responded, trailing off as she looked at Oliver.

"She doesn't want an explanation love, she just worries for Ari, and plus, Mike happened to catch her," Oliver responded, and they all looked over to where Mike had joined Thea in her attempts at weaving through the tables.

"Zane and Nikki couldn't make it?" Miller questioned.

"No, we needed someone at Puddlemere today and since I was told of someone blowing a hole in the ground of the Quidditch Pitch we decided we needed to be here," Oliver responded, narrowing his eyes at Miller and Turner but they both held their hands up in defence.

"Don't worry boys, we know it was all Thea," Willa quickly spoke and they both looked relieved. "Why she did it in the first place is beyond me."

"We all know Thea isn't exactly the brightest tool in the shed," Miller spoke, not at all phased by the look his mother gave him.

"If only your grades were as good as your sisters," Willa spoke dismissively, causing Turner to burst out laughing. Willa stood up looked at her family. "I'm going to find George and Angie; they should be around here somewhere."

"Dad?" Miller questioned, looking at his father.

Oliver just let out a laugh before he too stood up and left, not telling the boys where he was heading.

Thea and Miller, as much as they loved their parents they were getting to an age where they were fine going to Hogwarts for ten months of the year and not overly miss their parents and as such when it came to Family Day it wasn't a big deal to them if their parents came or not or even if they didn't spend that much time with their parents.

Miller turned and looked at Turner, but he had a massive grin on his face. "Come on mate, we all know that Thea is smarter than us."

"That's bogus," Miller snapped. "Flying?" he questioned, and Turner nodded, the two standing up and heading towards the Quidditch Pitch

.oOo.

Thea sat there in the stands, watching the boys up in the sky fly around on their brooms. She knew she could go up with them, join in on the fake Quidditch match they were playing since they weren't always allowed to grab the balls put aside for the Gryffindor quidditch team but the boys had placed an old Quaffle of theirs in the Gryffindor team that they could access as they pleased and sometimes just played a quick game with just the Quaffle.

After Thea had walked away from her parents and ran into Michael, the two going for a walk so she could calm down only for them to be interrupted by his girlfriend Rory. Thea took the moment where he turned to greet for her to escape, not wanting to witness anything.

It was when she was walking back to the tables that she ran into the boys and while they were rounding everyone up Michael had reappeared with no Rory in sight.

"Can we have a discussion without one of us storming off?" Willa spoke as she sat down beside Thea.

Thea turned and looked at her mother, "one of us normally does," she pointed out.

"I do for your own safety, you do it out of rebellion," Willa pointed out and Thea shrugged. "About what you said about my own upbringing and having to spend time with the families."

Thea turned and looked back out at where the boys were still flying around. "I'm sorry for what I said, I know things are different now."

Willa nodded, "we did everything possible to make sure you had a better up bringing just like what my parents did for me. Leighton and I were forced into those situations because of mum's place in it all and because of Amycus."

Thea turned around and stared at her mum, it was rare for Amycus to be mentioned. All the children knew that he was in Azkaban as a convicted Death Eater and occasionally stories from Willa, Leighton and Emerson's childhood.

"I haven't given you the same upbringing I had, it wasn't anything like the one your grandparents had but it isn't the same as mine," Willa spoke and Thea slowly nodded, unsure as to where her mother was going.

"It was odd growing up, being raised in a house with essentially two parents that weren't married or in love. I would look at Andromeda and Ted and see how they raised Nymph, the same goes for Molly and Arthur. But it was when I went to visit Leighton that I saw not every family is the same, I didn't understand it. But for me and Emerson, having mum and Remus raise us was normal for a time being, even having Amycus there for certain events. Much like how you and Miller were taught to ride brooms by your father and I, I was taught by mum and Amycus," Willa explained.

Thea was shocked to be hearing this much about her mother's childhood, she understood why she didn't always get stories and why it wasn't the best to ask for them no matter how much she wanted to hear them.

"Some of the darker families had traditions that I would never consider forcing on you and your brother, much like how my mother never forced them on me," Willa spoke.

"I know that but why are you telling me this?" Thea questioned.

"I thought maybe you needed an explanation. You know your grandparents broke away from their families, ran away when they were 15. If they hadn't, they were set up to marry other people since arranged marriages are a tradition for the families we come from. It was organised for Leighton and myself to spend time with those because it made it easier on Amycus, he refused to put a marriage contract in place for either Leighton or myself but to make it easier on himself he claimed there was one set up with a connection he had for Leighton. But my mother refused to even lie for my sake. Instead she told every patriarchy that came her way that she wouldn't do it. It was after a while that she gave in partly, agreed that monthly lunches would be okay and if I happened to decide that I wanted to marry one of those boys then my mother would be happy for me. Mum said she also agreed to it for Amycus' sake, claiming that they were also harassing him stating that he was the head of the Carrow family while there was no head of the Black family to object to the marriage contract." Willa explained the basics of the darker part of her childhood and it was clear that Thea was shocked at the information.

"I didn't know," Thea spoke quietly.

"I know, your father and I agreed that we didn't see the point in telling you and your brother. Do you remember your first year Family Day? You were so excited to introduce Ari to us when we came to see you all, claiming that your grandfather had brought you home a sister during the summer. I'm thrilled that you guys are inseparable, forming such a strong bond. Fred and George mean everything to me, but Emerson, Merlin without Emerson I would have been so lost throughout Hogwarts and I was my first year here. Your father and I are married because of Emerson and her need to make sure I'm always happy and have everything I've dreamt of, even if I don't know it," Willa continued on, a smile on her face and Thea couldn't help but laugh softly at the information.

"But what you don't know is just how many questions that Ari's parents asked us after you all ran off. They were so scared of letting Ari come here, they were so scared of letting her leave with a total stranger that after she left with dad they stopped for a moment and regretted their decision and worried the whole time until she was returned a few hours later. The discussions we all have at the station each year, waiting for you all, after you had all left. It's those conversations that allow Ari to spend as much time with us as she wishes, her parents now see that this world that we live in is also intended for Ari and they don't plan on keeping their daughter from it. Now, they have never said anything about David's side of the family when we've spoken but I don't think for a second they believe what they are saying about Ari being a troubled child. Yes, you all spend time in detention, and we all make these jokes regarding them, but I spent so much time in detention with Fred and George, my own parents spent so much time in detention as well. You, Miller and Turner were all doomed from the started with that much marauder blood in your system." Willa was glad at seeing a smile on her daughter's face.

Willa knew that when she growing up that the relationship she had with Octavia was put down to it just being the two of them in their small family, that Willa's at times inability to connect with other people made it harder for her to let others in. But at times Willa wished she had that connection with her own daughter, but it was in these moments that she knew her relationship with Thea was just fine, that she shouldn't stress because things were just fine.

Thea leant over and hugged her mother, "thank you for telling me this mum, I love you," Thea whispered, and Willa tightened the hold.

"I love you too Thea."

.oOo.

A/N: Thank you to everyone who read and set alerts for this story, it means a lot to me.

Thank you to Paulies1994 and Raven that flies at night for reviewing, it means a lot to me.