Dragons and Flowers
Disclaimer: I don't own any Harry Potter characters or anything related to the books and movies J.K. Rowling does.
Chapter 16
Christmas was approaching fast. Dahlia was curious to see how her parents were going to treat her after spending the summer with Aunt Matilde. At least she was sure her aunt told them good things about her time with Dahlia. Her parents never sent her one letter over the summer. They only corresponded with her aunt; she guessed they were making sure she was behaving.
One morning while they were having breakfast at the Great Hall, she finally saw her family's owl making its way towards her. She was surprised, to say the least. What could her parents possibly want to tell her? Her guess was that they wanted her over during the Holiday. She hoped they were sending her to her aunt's home again. Nothing could ever prepare her for what she read in the letter.
Dahlia,
Your father and I decided it is time to accept things as they are. You are never going to change, and your behavior will only continue to taint our family's name. We are tired of the situation and made a decision that is best for all.
We are casting you out of the family.
It is the only way to salvage our status around our close friends and in front of society. We already inform Dumbledore of your situation, and he will take care of it. Your belongings were already sent your way. Don't try to contact us again. Any doubts you may have direct them to Dumbledore.
Mrs. Froid
Dahlia was shocked, to say the least. The boys noted her change in mood and asked her what was wrong.
"Dahlia, are you okay?" Mike asked her, concerned.
Dahlia could only look at them with a hurt expression on her face. No words would come out of her lips.
How could her parents do this? A letter, a short message was all she got. No sentiment, no emotion in it. As if Dahlia was a business inconvenience.
"Dahlia, you are looking a little pale, what is wrong?" Jackson tried to bring Dahlia's mind to the present.
"My parents cast me out of the family" was all that Dahlia could manage to get out. Her gaze lost, and her voice quiet.
"They did what!" Paul exclaimed, looking confused. Dahlia just handed them the letter.
The boys read through the letter and looked livid.
"Why are they so emotionless? You are their daughter!" Charlie angrily exclaimed.
"Everything will be okay. We'll talk with Dumbledore and sort this out." Mike tried to calm everyone down.
"Don't worry, Dahlia, you can stay with my family, my parents will understand." Charlie offered her with a determined face. Charlie would do anything to keep Dahlia safe and happy.
Dahlia silently cried. She felt lost and abandoned. Never in a million years, she thought her parents will hate her to the point of casting her out of the family. Her own family, her own blood, despised her. Dahlia knew she wasn't a horrible person, and having different standards than your family is not enough reason to be so cruel, so cold. Her own parents treated her like this… Dahlia felt numb.
The boys took Dahlia to Dumbledore's office. They walked in silence, while Dahlia numbly followed them with tears streaming down her face.
"Boys, thank you for escorting Mrs. Froid to my office. If you could be so kind as to wait outside." Dumbledore instructed nicely. His face looked saddened, already knowing about Dahlia's situation.
"Mrs. Froid, please take a seat."
Dahlia sat down and looked anywhere but at Dumbledore. She was embarrassed to be in this situation and having to depend on him.
"Mrs. Froid, I suppose you already receive correspondence from your parents explaining the situation?" Dumbledore asked her after giving her a few minuted to get adjusted.
"Yes, sir." Dahlia quietly answered.
"As you may know, I will be making the arrangement for what is to happen with you while you are still not off age."
Dahlia only nodded.
"You don't need to feel embarrassed. This is not your fault. I don't mind being a helping hand in your predicament." Dumbledore offered her a small smile.
"Thank you…" Dahlia answered in a small voice. A few tears going down her cheeks.
How was it that everyone else was kind to her, offered her help when her own parents tossed her to the streets? This was all Dahlia could think about. Years of being the perfect daughter, but her parents couldn't handle her having her own mind and morals.
"I contacted your Aunt Matilde in France. She has agreed to take you in as long as you need it. She did tell me she will be traveling this Christmas. The Weasley's decided to have you in their homes for the Holidays until your aunt returns. They understand your aunt is old and also has other business to attend to and have offered to take you in whenever you needed it." Dumbledore informed Dahlia.
Dahlia was surprised. His aunt has decided to go against her parent's wishes and took her in. Suddenly her future was looking much brighter. The Weasley's had offered to be there for her too. Dahlia was starting to feel a little more loved and accepted than what she did a few minutes ago. Her parents may not want her, but she sure did have a lot of people who loved her and were willing to accept her in their families and lives.
"What about my expenses?" Dahlia asked, feeling embarrassed that others will have to take the burden of taking care of her.
"Your aunt will take care of all of it. Your parents also send me your belongings." Dumbledore informed her.
"Thank you for everything, sir," Dahlia shyly smiled at him. She was very grateful to know she was not alone in her difficult situation.
"Anything you need, Dahlia, don't hesitate to ask. We are all here for you." Dumbledore told her kindly.
After Dahlia exited Dumbledore's office, the boys were anxiously waiting for her.
"What did he told you?"
"What is going to happen?"
"Do you have a place to stay?"
Dahlia was bombarded by questions. She offered them a sweet smile and told them to calm down.
"Guys calm down, I will answer all your questions" Dahlia laughed a little.
"So?" Charlie asked, waiting anxiously for her to answer them.
"My aunt Matilde will take me in, but for this Holiday, I will be staying with your family since my aunt will be traveling," Dahlia told them
"Oh, those are great news!" Jackson exclaimed
"We thought they were going to send you away! We were so scared!" Paul cried
"We didn't know what was happening and were hoping for good news like this," Mike said while rolling his eyes at Paul.
"You'll be staying with me?" Charlie asked again, not fully believing his luck.
"Yes, your parents offered to take me in whenever my aunt can't, is that okay?" Dahlia asked, suddenly feeling bad about being an imposition.
"Of course, it is okay! I will love to spend the holidays with you. I am glad you will be with people who love you and will take care of you." Charlie said while giving her a hug. A million butterflies exploding in their bodies while they hugged, but neither said anything about it. They tried to look as normal as possible.
"Thank you, guys. I honestly don't know what I will do with you," Dahlia told them while giving them a bear hug.
Realization suddenly hit Dahlia like a million bricks. She was going to stay with Charlie and be around his family. Nerves were starting to set in her stomach.