Updated 9/9/2021: Edited


Family Secrets

March 1971

Paisley Burke stood there in the living room of her grandparent's house, the Burke Manor, as it was often referred to among the families.

She was nervous. She had been told during breakfast by her parents that she was requested to see her grandfather. In all her years, she couldn't think of a moment where she had been explicitly asked to her grandparent's house. Her parents tried not to speak of her grandfather too much. While she wasn't sure why she knew that her parents had utterly different associates to her grandfather's.

She also wasn't that surprised that her parents ignored her birthday. They typically did unless her birthday actually happened, which had only happened twice since her birth. You see, Paisley Burke was one of those people who was born on February twenty-ninth, a day that only occurred every four years.

She knew her brother, Lucas, would have sent a package that would arrive at some point in the day, most likely containing some sweets from the small village known as Hogsmeade that was situated not from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Which was where brother was located ten months of the year, where she would be due to start in the coming September.

"Ah, Paisley, I'm glad you could make it." Paisley spun around with a smile on her face as she took in the sight that was her grandfather, Septimius Burke, who was the current head of the Burke family and oversaw everything it entailed.

"Mother and father didn't say anything, just that you requested me here," Paisley spoke with a slight frown on her face.

"Because they do not know why I requested you," Septimius responded, giving her a smile that quickly removed her frown. "Now come give me a hug." Septimius held his arms out, and Paisley promptly rushed over and gave him a hug.

"Happy Birthday Paisley," Septimius spoke when they pulled apart, him leaving his hands on her shoulders as he examined her. "Come, I have an exceptional present for you."

Paisley followed Septimius as he walked through the house, most likely towards his office, as the path he took was one that Paisley had walked several times. She was correct with her thoughts and made her way over to a small couch under the window and took a seat. At the same time, she watched as her grandfather grabbed a rather large book from the bookshelf behind his desk.

"Now, this, my dear, is for you." Septimius handed the book over to her but didn't remove his hand from the top cover. "I need you to keep in mind that what I am about to share with you shall not be shared with your parents as I fear what they shall do with the information. I do not trust those they have aligned themselves with. Your uncle Sanders will know the truth in due time since he is set to take over from me when the time is correct."

Paisley's thoughts stalled with that information for a moment before they quickly sped up. What was it her grandfather wanted to tell her?

"What about Lucas?" she questioned softly, watching as her grandfather fell silent.

"Would he tell your parents?" He questioned, and Paisley shook her head. Her Gryffindor brother didn't typically trust their Slytherin parents with information.

"Doubtful," Paisley responded softly, averting her gaze. "They dislike his placement, but I believe it is you that prevents them from disowning him."

Septimius merely nodded as he removed his hand and sat back in the chair. "Our family is special. Everything I know about that has come from that book I have just gifted you. One of the writings is from a young girl, incredibly young girl by the sounds of it who came into her powers early as most of the others were eleven when they came into them."

"Powers? But I already know I'm a witch. I'm due to start at Hogwarts in September," Paisley cut, and Septimius shook his head.

"Not what I am referring to. Obviously, information is missing from the book. There is information stating to trust the other ten families. Still, only three other families are mentioned specifically in the book, Potter, Longbottom and McKinnon families," Septimius continued on. "I assume they have split the information up for whatever reason. Our families have always tried to align themselves with the Potter, Longbottom and McKinnon families to keep us all safe. Still, like our family, the Potter and Longbottom family haven't given birth to a girl in generations. Still, there is a passage in there that might explain why that is.

But nonetheless, there is information in there that will explain your power to you and possibly lead others out there. Despite them not being listed there are writings that state you are all connected, that you can feel each other." Septimius continued, but Paisley's mind ran rampant.

"Grandfather…" Paisley started, stopping for a moment with a shake of her head. "I don't understand."

Septimius let out a deep chuckle before clasping her hands in his own. "You, my dear child, are the first-born female Burke in generations, and you will possess the powers like those before you. Each Head has passed this book and the information onto the heir when the time is right. allowing us to continue to know what the information is to make sure it isn't forgotten by the time a female comes to our family."

Paisley stayed silent, looking at her grandfather, wishing him to continue.

"You're different, special and possess a power that the rest of us can't. From what I've read, it sounds like you come from a group referred to as Time, allowing you to see the past and the future. Still, some writings make me think you can use the magics from other groups," Septimius explained, and Paisley could only nod.

"Trust who you wish. Find those like you. Most importantly, look after yourself because I fear what should happen if anyone found out about you," Septimius spoke, warning Paisley, and she slowly nodded.

Paisley didn't say anything else. She opened the first page and noticed only what was written was the word 'Time' in elegant script. She ran her fingers over it before turning to the next page, seeing a more extended passage there for her to read.

She didn't look up as Septimius softly kissed the top of her head and left her alone. The handwritten passages held her attention.

I was too young to understand what was happening the first time. I just thought my dreams were odd, and I had an overactive imagination. I tried asking my father about them, but he just made a passing comment about my mother, who died when I was too young to even remember her.

I took a chance and followed my dreams. It was the same dream happening over and over again until I found the spot I had seen at least once a week for five years. Following it to the location where I always saw the stranger stand, I noticed the strange headstone placed on the ground, an odd symbol etched into it.

It was a feeling. That is all I can say about why I desired to dig up the ground but am I ever glad I did.

It was full of books, a list of names, and I knew those names. It was families my father associated with. All of them had one child each, some male, some female, but the one thing they had in common was that each of the ten families all had their maternal figure die in a strange accident when the child died was young.

When I kept reading that, I noticed something, each family, all eleven of us, had a different strange name attached to the dead mothers.

Time, Earth, Fire, Water, Air, Nature, Mind, Life, Darkness, Light & Space.

They never had names, just a title, and it made me wonder.

One of the passages stated that only the females could be trusted. I spoke with the females, only the females, and quickly found they were experiencing odd things, but the males weren't.

Whatever it was that came from our mothers didn't affect the males.

We worked together in secret, having secret meetings as our lives went on and we continued to progress our families.

We learnt where each of our strange powers came from. I was Time and made sense, considering I could see into the past and future in my dreams. Still, when I managed to control Fire as well, theories ran through us all, us all trying to control the other clans, but we quickly learnt that I was the only one that could.

Paisley's mouth fell open as she looked up from the book, her thoughts going wild. She didn't finish that entry, just flicked through a couple of pages, wanting to read another.

I was so naïve, so incredibly young, and stupid. I look back now and see what Nature and Air were talking about was impulsive. Still, I had been told to trust them, that those families were ones my own could trust, but it was with the kind of words of the Elder Light that I realised my mistake before it was too late.

We had to bind Nature and Air, make sure their powers never came to the light of day again. We couldn't risk the person coming from those families once more and attempting to do the same thing.

Passages from Space's book indicate that it would be better to have all eleven clans participate in the ritual, but we are at a loss. Only five of us exist in this generation, and taking Air and Nature out of the running just leaves myself, Light and Space to perform the ritual. The only plus side is that it is still a prime number.

All our rituals need prime numbers.

I hate that we potentially pulled two of us from existence, never to be seen again, but as I've been told, Time runs the clans, and I need to be the one to make the decision.

Other writings in this book indicate that only the Time clan is in charge due to their ability to control all elements shall the elements deem them eligible.

I hate I'm dropping our numbers from eleven to nine, but I hope in time that the elements forgive Nature and Air and that they re-emerge in the future.

Space tells me it happens from time to time that the elements get angry with one of us and prevent us from having female descendants for a couple of generations. Like they wait and see if we are worthy of having our powers again, but I worry that what happened with Nature and Air will prevent them from ever existing.

Space is the only difference between us all. Time's second in command, I'm told. Because their family is maternal, they are constantly giving birth to females. Each generation allows us to continually contact the elements.

Paisley shook her head as she closed the book. It was huge and most likely filled with countless passages like the two she had already read. With varying degrees of age, helping indicates how old they are. Still, not a single section of writing has been dated or given a name. If Paisley looked over at her family tree, there would be no way for her to look at those years to determine what happened. Those that referred to as Nature and Air wondered if that was the Potter and Longbottom family, explaining why they haven't given birth to any females for a long time.

She closed the book, staying in her seat for a moment, not wanting to read anymore as her mind was already reeling. Instead, she stood up and went looking for her grandfather, the book in hand. She wished to find out exactly what he knew, especially these other families to which she could potentially be connected.

She did know one thing, though. The second passage mentioned how one of the families was a maternal family line. There weren't too many of them among the Sacred Families or those they associated with.

July 1971

Paisley hesitated outside Lucas' bedroom. He had been back from Hogwarts for a week. She hadn't raised the courage needed to inform her brother of the information she had been told and discovered back in March.

She knew she needed to have someone she could trust, someone who would never judge her. Lucas never once did. He was always accepting of her and listened to thoughts or varying opinions from what their parents typically discuss at the table.

She took a deep breath before taking a step into the open doorway and knocked on the door frame. "Lucas?" she questioned softly, and he looked over at her, throwing down what she could only assume was a Quidditch magazine.

"Paise." He flashed her a grin, and she knew she could enter the room, but she turned and shut the door behind her, and when she looked back at him, his grin was gone. "What happened while I was gone?"

Paisley knew Lucas was worried, but she just walked over and took a seat beside him on his bed and placed the book she had been given in front of them.

"Grandfather says that there is a long-lost trait among the females of our family," Paisley spoke quietly. Not looking up at him instead of at where her fingers played with the edge of the book. "Grandfather said our parents are to never know, that he doesn't trust them because of who they associate with."

"Whatever you tell me, I won't tell a soul. You know this," Lucas spoke, hoping to reassure Paisley, and she felt a little safer sitting here with her brother.

Paisley nodded before she looked up at her brother, giving him a small smile. "According to this book, my magic is slightly different and that there could potentially be others out there like me. I've read a lot of it since March. I think I'm linked in with the clan of magics referred to as Time. Some say I can see the past and future in my dreams." Paisley looked over at him, and she could see the sceptical look on his face.

"Bull Paise, I love you, I do truly do, but this sounds a little far out there," Lucas responded.

"I know, but I had a dream you make the Quidditch team this year," Paisley gave him a smile knowing just how badly her brother wanted to be on the Gryffindor Quidditch team.

"But there were no prior graduating players," Lucas pointed out, and Paisley merely shrugged. She wasn't sure how it happened because she just saw him up there flying on a broom in a Quidditch match against Slytherin.

"At least read the first passage, and through the book, I want someone I can trust until I find out who the others are. All I know is I can trust Potter, Longbottom and McKinnon. There are no female Potter or Longbottom, so I'm assuming it is just the Head that will know the truth. I don't know too much about the McKinnon family," Paisley explained, pleading with her brother.

Lucas didn't say anything, just let out a sigh before grabbing the book and doing as his sister requested of him.

Paisley sat there, watching her brother as he read through the book, flicking through pages as needed. She knew he grew more curious as he kept reading more and more, the book was like a damn rabbit hole, and you couldn't stop until your mind was reeling from the information.

"This is fucking insane," Lucas muttered, and Paisley let out a laugh. "Like, if it was fake, it would be impressive work since every few pages, they swap handwriting styles."

"I also can't see grandfather playing such a prank on me."

"Pranks aren't really his style," Lucas pointed out, and Paisley nodded. "But the McKinnon family do have a daughter, their youngest, set to start at Hogwarts in September like you."

"That's right, one of your friends is a McKinnon," Paisley responded, and Lucas nodded. "Is she eleven yet?"

"She is. I believe she turned eleven back in November. I'm assuming her brother doesn't know anything since Graysen hasn't said anything to me since he knows I have a sister," Lucas responded. He fell silent for a moment before he climbed off the bed and walked to where his trunk was. "What if I see if we can meet up in Diagon Alley, I doubt mother and father will follow us around while we buy our supplies."

"That would be amazing, Lucas," Paisley flashed her brother a smile while he bent down and dug through his trunk so he could write a letter to Graysen.

"I might see if I can pass it off as introducing our sisters since you both will be in the same year," Lucas responded quietly, more likely to himself. Paisley didn't reply. She just picked up the book and randomly opened it.

I found Mind today, I've read other passages, and they all claim about running into the other clans during their education. Still, I made it through all seven years at Hogwarts without ever meeting one.

I was starting to conclude that maybe I lucked out, but I knew that Space was out there somewhere. It's the way the clan is done now. There is always a Space for every generation.

But Mind was a confused little girl who must have been considered a squib and was dumped in a muggle orphanage. I've helped the girl as much as I can. Her parents were correct in believing she was a squib. I tried to see if she could be given a wand, but there was no magic in her except for the Elemental magic we all share.

I must help her, but at the same time, I can't help but feel sorry for the girl who has to live in the magical world, around those who can use magic while she can't. That alone would upset anyone but add that Mind can read the minds of those around her would be tough on anyone.

Paisley's head shot up. "What is it, Paise?" Lucas questioned, looking at his sister in worry.

"Mind can read minds," she responded quietly before rushing off the bed. "I think I need to start writing things down, try and work out who is who. I know Potters and Longbottom must be Nature and Air, but I don't know which while Space is a maternal family." Paisley left the room, muttering to herself as she went.

She perched herself on her bed with an empty book she had found. She already had one that she was starting to put her dreams in; a prior Time had mentioned she wrote her dreams down to try and remember just in case they were significant. Now she would have two, one with her dreams and one with her suspicions of who the other clans were.

August 1971

Life came to me with a thought today after watching the males from the Nature and Earth families.

She believes that some males, while not having access to the full power of their clan, get some benefits from being born from that line. While they couldn't control the same aspects of the element, they were more in tune with those aspects, making them incredibly gifted in their chosen profession.

Paisley looked up before she leant over and grabbed the booking containing her suspicions on the families. She still suspected some things and slowly learned what each clan could control because it wasn't heavily documented.

But there was a passing comment about how, when a Time and a Nature existed together, Nature always managed to grow the most stunning flowers.

Paisley pondered the idea that maybe Nature controlled the living elements of nature, plants possibly or perhaps even some animals that are heavily linked to plants. So, she wondered if perhaps that left the non-living parts for Earth.

Could Nature's male family members be more inclined to Herbology while Earth was possibly something else?

"Paisley, it's time to leave!"

Paisley let out a sigh as her mother's shrill voice travelled up the stairs.

They were going to Diagon Alley today, and Lucas had managed to get Graysen and his sister to join them as they shopped for their supplies.

Paisley just closed her books. Moving them to the bookshelves where her grandfather installed a magical compartment that only she could access until she got a trunk where she could hide the things. She didn't wish her parents to find out about it.

She grabbed her cloak before heading downstairs, where her mother and brother were waiting for her. She looked at her mother, taking in her elegant beauty and defining features shared among the Greengrass family she was born into.

Paisley didn't know what her parents saw in each other. They barely spent any time together unless it was the two of them travelling the world. Paisley also knew it was an arranged marriage between her parents. Her grandparents wanted to merge the Greengrass and Burke family lines with their youngest children. Spencer Burke and Emmeline Greengrass were married in the summer of 1955. They gave birth to Lucas in January 1957, and then Paisley was born three years later.

Nothing was said as Emmeline held out the floo pot, indicating that Lucas first travelled through the floo network. When he was gone, she instructed that Paisley went next.

Paisley stepped out on the other side, appearing in Diagon Alley just off to the side from the main street where all the main shops were located. Paisley knew that if she looked around, there would be a total of five fireplaces that allowed the magical community to travel to Diagon Alley without causing a backlog in the fireplaces.

"Lucas, here are some galleons that will cover both your and your sister's supplies. I will be having some lunch with friends; I will meet you both back here in three hours." That was all Emmeline said before she turned and left, walking away from the two siblings while they shared a look.

"Like you expected any different," Lucas spoke, a laugh following. "Come on. Graysen said he would meet us outside Gringotts since they had to travel to their vault first." Lucas tilted his head as he turned and headed for the main street while Paisley was forced to follow.

"Do you ever wonder that the book was wrong?" Paisley questioned.

"You're fascinated by the idea; does it really matter if it is?" Lucas shot back, and Paisley shook her head. "Worst case scenario, you make another friend before September first."

Paisley didn't say anything in response, just looked around at Diagon Alley with fresh eyes. She had been here before. Except it never really meant anything knowing that many of these shops held items needed by Hogwarts students. There was one shop that specifically sold wands and wands only.

"Lucas!" Paisley looked up as someone called out her brother's name, and that was when she felt it, the strange feeling inside of her, and she looked around, catching sight of where her brother walked.

"Graysen," Lucas greeted with a giant smile before she walked over and hugged the other boy. "How has your summer been so far?"

Paisley tuned out the conversation, looking around as she caught sight of the young girl standing behind the boy her brother just greeted, looking at her strangely.

"Marley come here," the other boy called out, and Paisley stepped closer to her brother, giving them a smile. "This is my sister Marlene. Marlene, this is Lucas and his sister."

"Paisley," Paisley greeted with a smile.

"Where are my manners? I'm Graysen," he finally introduced himself, and Paisley gave him a smile before looking at Marlene once more.

Having caught the two looking at each other, Lucas pulled Graysen ahead, asking about their parents.

Marlene and Paisley walked behind their brothers, a few steps behind.

Paisley didn't say anything as she studied Marlene, taking her in and being marvelled at the sight of her hair. It was a tangled mess of curls, a red colour with blonde highlights that look similar to that of fire.

"Have you received your book?" Marlene questioned, and Paisley looked at her.

"You know who I am?"

"Only a guess," Marlene shrugged. "My book mentioned only the Burke, Potter and Longbottom, families. Neither of the latter has females. I take it your brother knows to set up this little meeting?"

Paisley nodded. "My grandfather said I could tell him if I trusted him. My parents weren't to find out. Is that weird feeling inside me? Is that connecting with you?"

Marlene shrugged. "You're the first clan I've met. I can only assume so."

"Am I allowed to ask what clan you are?" Paisley questioned softly, entering Flourish and Blotts behind Lucas and Graysen.

"Fire," Marlene gave her a significant smile.

"Time," Paisley responded, her own smile, and Marlene's eyes went wide. "What is it?"

"My book states that Time is always in charge, that her abilities outweigh the rest. Apparently, I can teach you the magics of my own clan," Marlene whispered, and Paisley nodded.

"I knew about learning other clans magics, but I was unsure about being charged. Some passages state I was in charge, while other passages I've read made it seem like it's just whoever is older. One referred to Life as Elder Life," Paisley confessed, a little confused.

Marlene shook her head. "Mine said that Time was always in charge, Space her second in command. Elder is the title used for just literally the eldest living Elemental at the time."

"I suppose it makes sense. I'm only eleven," Paisley joked, and Marlene let out a laugh. "Space is a maternal line. I know that much and that Potter and Longbottom have been banished. Doing something that my clan almost got caught up in."

Marlene stopped walking, eyes going wide. "How do you know that? I just know who I can trust, while I have to trust my magic to find the others."

Paisley didn't say anything at first, pulled her Hogwarts letter from her pocket and unfolded it, looking for her book list. "One of my passages was that ancestor talking about what happened, how they had performed a ritual to bind Nature and Air. That whatever they did was really bad. But grandfather said that the Potters and Longbottoms haven't had females born to their family for a while. Apparently, our abilities are why our families are close. Still, I don't know why we weren't introduced before now."

"That is rather interesting, I'm curious to see what hidden secrets are within the books that we could swap, but I'm told we aren't to share the books. The books need to stay within our families," Marlene responded, and Paisley's eyebrows furrowed for a moment.

"One of my ancestors has read a passage from Space's book," Paisley shared quietly.

"I don't know, maybe we can read different passages, but if Space is a maternal line, then her books aren't the same as our own. It could be different," Marlene pondered allowed them both falling silent as both Graysen and Lucas appeared in front of them.

"No books yet?" Graysen questioned with a frown, and Marlene forced out a laugh.

"Like we know where to find our books, you're meant to be helping as mother requested of you," Marlene pointed out, pointing her finger at him, and a sheepish look appeared on Graysen's face. "I might just have to tell on you."

Graysen threw an arm around Marlene's shoulders. "Well, let's find you some books."

Graysen pulled Marlene away while Lucas stepped in beside Paisley. "Well?" he questioned quietly.

"She's from the Fire clan," Paisley responded. "But keep that quiet in case she didn't want me to tell you."

"I promise, but her hair does look like fire. I wonder if all the clans have those traits. Your eyes are rather distinct, and the only thing we don't share," Lucas pointed out before he led Paisley in the direction of where she would find her books.

Lucas was correct, though. The two siblings shared remarkably similar facial features and the same shade of blonde hair. While Lucas had blue eyes, Paisley had a colour that resembled amethysts. While she loved the colour when she looked in the mirror, her brother's comment about the clans' traits made her question.

She made a mental note to add it to her book later, but for now, she had Hogwarts supplies to shop for and a new friend to get to know.

Their last stop of the day was Ollivander's. Marlene and Graysen had already left them, stating they didn't have as much time as Paisley and Lucas to buy their supplies. Paisley was secretly glad because it meant that it was just her and her brother as they stepped into Ollivander's for her to get her wand in case something was said.

She trusted Marlene, but since Graysen brother hadn't been looped in on the clans and their magics, she wanted to keep that secret for now.

When she entered the shop, she felt the same strange feeling within her that she did when she came across Marlene.

"Ollivander is male correct?" Paisley whispered to her brother, but he just gave her an odd look.

"Ah." A voice came from somewhere in the stacks. "Lucas Burke, a pleasure to see you again. How is your wand holding up?"

"It's perfect. You certainly helped me find the perfect wand. I'm here for my sister," Lucas spoke, softly placing a hand on Paisley's back and urged her forward.

"Wand arm?" Ollivander questioned, and Paisley lifted her right arm, watching as tape measures magically took measurements. "Wait here."

"There is another Elemental in here," Paisley whispered to Lucas.

"Nonsense," Lucas responded quietly. "It is only ever that one lone Ollivander here has been for years."

Paisley raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything, just looked over at where Ollivander disappeared and returned with a box in his hand.

"Try this one," Ollivander held the box out, and Paisley stepped forward.

"Is there anyone else here?" Paisley questioned.

"No, just myself and yourselves. Try the wand, my dear," Ollivander responded, but Paisley had a feeling he was lying.

She didn't say anything, just looked at the wand noticed it was strikingly different from those she had seen over the years. "That's odd."

"Yes, a double helix wood type wand. I have a feeling it will suit you just fine," Ollivander responded calmly, watching Paisley with curious eyes. "A Phoenix feather core as well."

Paisley didn't say anything else, just picked up the wand, and she couldn't help but smile as a warm feeling rushed through her before a gust of wind picked up around her.

"Marvellous, truly marvellous. I do love with I match a wand with their owner on the first go." Ollivander responded before quickly telling them the cost of the wand and disappeared once Lucas had handed the gold over.

"Why do I get the feeling we are being kicked out?" Paisley questioned as they left the shop, and when she looked over at her brother, there was an odd look on his face before he shrugged.

"Everyone talks about how odd Ollivander is. No one even knows his first name since they all just call him Ollivander despite it being a family name," Lucas responded. "Come on, it's almost time to meet mother."

Paisley nodded and followed Lucas, unable to keep the interaction out of her head and how odd she found the whole thing. She had a feeling if she went back to question Ollivander, he wouldn't give her the answers she wished for.