And sick Azalea got. She promptly lost what little food she had eaten the day prior as soon as they landed in the grand hall of black manor, all over her already soiled clothing. She was still damp from being thrown into the horrid storm. Azalea looked down in fear, almost cowering. She just knew she would be hit for making such a big mess. She always was.

Cassiopeia noticed at once with a gentle frown.

"Oh sweet child, I will never intentionally, or not, cause or bring harm to you. You are forever safe with me here for as long as you want to stay." Azalea flinched at the gentle woman's tone. She was confused as to why someone was being nice to her. She was a freak. Uncle and Aunt said so.

Cassiopeia waved her dogwood wand and vanished the sick off of the shaking child, silently sending warming and drying charms while she was at it. She frowned. The girl was wearing tattered overly large clothing that looked to be more suited for a boy, much older, or rather, much larger than this skin and bones child.

"Can I ask your name?" Cassiopeia asked imploringly.

"My name is F-Freak." The child studded out after a long moment.

"Who says so, little one?" Cassiopeia said in an almost deadly whisper. It couldn't be. She must be joking. Would Albus really place Azalea in a home where she would not even know her own name?

"Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia. It's what they call me. That must be my name, right?"

"No, my dear child, your name is Azalea Dorea Potter. In fact, you were named after my older sister, Dorea Potter-Black."

"What?-" but Azalea was cut off by her empty stomach making itself known. The girl blushed, looking rather embarrassed by her body's announcement.

"Would you like to come and sit with me in the parlor? I can get you some nice warm food to eat, and we can talk some more. Were you aware that I knew your parents? Lily was such a nice young woman, very kind, and she always stopped by with the most delicious lemon bars."

"Wh-what? You knew my mum and dad?" Azalea stammered out in confusion.

"Yes, my dear child. Azalea, your father is James Potter. He is my older sister's grandson. That would make you my great-grandniece."

"What?" was all the small child could say. She was so very confused and overwhelmed now. Her name was Azalea? This woman knew her parents? She was my family to her? Would she hurt her too?

"You're really my family too?" Azalea asked Cassiopeia in a nearly silent voice.

"I promised I wouldn't lie, I swear on the Black family name." Magic swirled around them as the promise was made and sealed by Magic itself.

At this moment, Azalea finally looked up into her eyes, and she gently slipped in. Yes, it was a breach of trust, but she had to know. Glimpses and flashes went by, but she knew she couldn't delve too deep. She was looking for something specific. Ah-hah.

A glimpse of a younger version of the girl in front of her, two maybe three, fetching the mail from the floor in front of the mail slot. On the envelope was 4 Privet Drive. Perfect, she would be paying them a visit later, when she could get a moment alone. Justice would be dealt with. With her mind made up, she decided to call in her most trusted house elf, she knew just the one to call, her most gentle one.

"Zilly!"

In popped a house elf, proudly wearing it's very own miniature butler's outfit, complete with the Black family crest embroidered on the vest.

"Yes Lady Cassiopeia? How may Zilly be helping my lady?"

"Zilly, this is Azalea, you will be attending to her needs while she is staying with us. She's hungry, bring us something bland. Chicken and rice soup with fresh bread and some juice will do. I'll have a coffee, strong, with finger sandwiches. We'll eat in the red room.

"Yes, Lady Black, Zilly will be bringing it right at once." With that, the strange looking creature popped away, presumably to go fetch food from the kitchen at the women's command.

"Follow me, little one." With that, she led Azalea out of the grand hall and down the hallway.

"What was that thing?" Azalea asked the woman before her with huge eyes as they walked. She had never seen something like that before, and it appeared and disappeared right before her eyes! Just like magic!

"That my young charge is a house elf. I have a total of fourteen employed in my services. That particular elf's name is Zilly. You will treat her with respect. I have asked her to watch over you and attend to your needs. All you need to do is call out her name." Cassiopeia explained to the wide-eyed child before her.

She led the child into the room, and to the set of plush red wing back chairs, sat before a fireplace with a low burning fire in it. Between the chairs was a dark walnut coffee table, stacked neatly with books in a language that Azalea had never seen before. In reality, the Red Room was a smaller version of the Black family library, complete with a fireplace, plush chairs and shelves upon shelves of books lining the walls.

The house elf, Zilly, popped back in holding a large silver tray, with a clear glass dome covering the requested foods, as well as coffee for Cassiopeia and what looked to be some biscuits. Her mouth started to water at the very thought of getting to eat one of the iced cookies. Maybe this kind lady would let her if she was very good.

Zilly placed the food and drinks in front of them respectively to what was asked for, and Cassiopeia began to eat her finger sandwiches, before frowning, seeing that the girl hadn't moved to touch her food. She could see the hungry girl clearly wavering over whether she was allowed to eat or not, could practically hear the internal debate over if the punishment was worth it for taking some of the delicious looking food. She decided to break the small girl's rather loud thoughts.

"Go ahead and eat up Azalea, this food is meant for you, I won't punish you for being hungry or wanting to eat in this house, not now or ever.

With that, what little resolve she had disappeared, and she began to dig in. It turned out to be the most delicious food she had ever eaten, even if it was bland chicken soup and plain bread and butter. She ate all the food rather quickly, still somewhat expecting the food in front of her to vanish at any moment. When she was finished, she hesitantly reached for the glass of juice in front of her, clearly tempted but still unsure if she was allowed, not wanting to push her luck any farther than she had already.

This woman, this kind woman, had claimed she was family. She took her away from the scary, bustling market, and was even feeding her! She must be dreaming. Maybe Uncle Vernon had finally succeeded in killing her and this was her heaven? No, freaks like her didn't go to heaven.

It was a few minutes later that Zilly popped back in, unannounced, and took away the tray and platters, now emptied of food. By that time, Azalea's face was absolutely throbbing. She absently rubbed at it, unaware of Lady Black watching her movement.

Cassiopeia snapped her fingers and called out, "Daemon!"

Another house elf appeared, also wearing the butler's outfit.

"Yes Lady Cassiopeia?"

"Call for Healer Gavina, tell her to come to me without delay."

"Yes my lady." with that the elf popped away again.

"Who's that? What's a healer?" Azalea asked with curiosity.

"A healer is sort of like a wizard doctor, but instead of things like medicines and casts, they use magic things like spells and potions to cure the body. They can put a fix to almost anything, except death." Cassiopeia smiled at the question.

It seemed the child was beginning to warm up to her, just a bit, if she felt comfortable enough to ask a question.

At that moment, the small fire roared to life a deep emerald green color, with a head sticking out.

"Hello Lady Black, what do I owe the honor of this summons?"

"Before you hear anything more, I will need you to agree to a privacy charm being placed upon you before you step through the fire. For patient confidentiality purposes, of course."

"Of course, it goes with being a Healer. I, Gavina McClain hereby swear on my magic to keep everything I hear, see, or say at Black Manor a secret, so mote it be." Magic flashed around the room as the contract was signed by word of mouth.

"Now, may I come though? It's rather uncomfortable hanging with my head upon the fireplace like this for too long. You know how the saying goes about achy bones and old age."

"Of course, of course, come on though at once."

Gavina McClain was a tall, burly woman, with tan skin and a broad chest. She had a mess of curly ash blonde hair and bright blue eyes. She wore a light moss green and white uniform with a green large plus on the back and a matching one on the breast pocket of her blazer. Likewise, she had a large dragon hide leather doctor's satchel, which was brimming with vials of potions and salve jars.

"Good Evening Lady Black, who may I ask is in need of healing at this late hour?"

"It is not I, but this young lady before us. She is in need of an immediate health scan as well as a full diagnostic spell. Can you help with that?"

"I will do a quick scan, and we can go from there with what we discover." She turned to the small girl and smiled at her, trying to get the clearly frightened girl to relax.

"Hello little one, my name is Gavina. What's yours?" she called out softly to the child resting on the hair. She was so small, her feet barely reached the end of the large chair.

The healer could see the girl visibly hesitating on what she would say.

"M-my name is Azalea Potter."

If the healer was shocked at the young charge in front of her revealing her true name, she did not show it.

"Is it okay with you if I do a quick medi-scan on you? It won't hurt or tingle, and I don't have to touch you." The medi-healer asked the girl before her.

Azalea nodded, giving her consent. The Healer raised her Hawthorne wand and said the words Velox Sanitatum.

Around her swirled purple and white sparks, almost but never quite touching her skin. The healer waved her wand again and tapped a roll of parchment, and waited for words to appear. The medi-healer frowned as the roll unfurled and got longer and longer. This was not good, as it was a sign of long term health injuries or complications. This was not good at all.

She shot a veiled, concerned look at Lady Black. If this was really Azalea Potter, savior of the Wizarding world, she had grave concerns for the child's health.

"Azalea, do you know how to read?" She asked the child gently, as to not startle her.

"Yes Ma'am I taught myself from Dudley's old discarded books! I nicked them from his second bedroom." Azalea said with pride, unaware of how horrible it was that she wasn't taught to read by an adult, but by herself instead.

"Azalea over there is a bunch of books about fairy tales, they have lots of pretty pictures. I think you'll like the book, The Tales of Beedle The Bard." Cassiopeia gently instructed the child, silently imploring her to go over to the corner of the room, so the two adults could talk in privacy without alerting the child.

"Okay!" Azalea said with a smile and walked over to the corner of the room where a smaller bookcase held children's books.

"Just think about the name of the book, and it will fly into your hand." Cassiopeia called out, aware that the child would have no clue how to use the enchanted bookshelves.

"But how?" Azalea called out in confusion.

"Magic dearest. Remember, you're a witch Azalea." Cassiopeia reminded the girl. She would have to take into consideration that Azalea was not used to magic; she did not grow up with it, was not steeped in it, like Cassiopeia had been. As a Black, she had been surrounded by magic from the moment she was born. And, if Azalea's parents weren't murdered by he-who-should-not-be-named, she was betting Azalea would have been too.

With that, Azalea walked up to the bookcase.

"Remember, just think the name and the book will fly to you." Cassiopeia said gently. A soft reminder wouldn't hurt, she decided. She decided to walk over and show the child how it was done.

"Bookcase, can I please have the book The Tales of Beedle the Bard? Please?"

The book flew into Cassiopeia's hand promptly, delighting the child.

"Whoa, that was cool!" She squealed happily.

She handed the girl the book, and made sure the girl had settled into one of the nearby chairs. While Azalea was reading, Healer McClain shot a meaningful look at Lady Black. Cassiopeia nodded and followed the Healer, putting up a privacy charm, so little Azalea didn't overhear something she shouldn't.

"She's severely malnourished, and I can see more than a few improperly healed broken bones. I recommend you take her to St. Mungo's at your earliest convenience. I can handle small things like broken bones or dragon pox, but she needs acute expert care."

"St. Mungo's? Is it really that severe?"

"Yes, ma'am, I am dead serious."

"Thank you. I will take her tomorrow morning after breakfast. In the meantime, I can heal the cut and bruise on her face. Apply this dittany salve to her face after a nice long soak in this bruise heal potion. And give her a level one mild pain reliever potion while you're at it."

"How long should she soak in it?"

"For half an hour at least. She really needs it to seep into her muscles."

"Thank you again for coming over so quickly."

"It's not a problem. Call me at once if anything comes up. We can set up a potion's regiment after you consult St. Mungo's for her proper physical health scans. They can help a lot more than I can reach."

With that, Healer McClain walked over to the fireplace and left.

"Azalea! Come here please?" Cassiopeia called out after the healer had left.

"Yes Ma'am?"

"Why don't you go with Zilly and get cleaned up? I'll call her to draw a bath for you so you can have a nice long soak. Zilly! Why don't you prepare a warm bath for Azalea and add these potions to the water? Make sure she is thoroughly washed and that she soaks for at least 30 minutes. Rosen! Clenty! Prepare a room across from mine. I want it dusted with the cherry wood furniture placed in it. Have the room prepared within the half hour. Assign other house elves to help you, Rosen, if needed. Just get it done."

"Yes, Lady Black, right away."

"Miffy, bring me parchment and my favorite quill and some of my best blue ink. I have a letter to write to Twilfit and Tattings."

Twilfit and Tattings,

Prepare me a private room and your best tailor.

Expect me at high noon tomorrow.

Lady Cassiopeia Black,

Lady of the Most Ancient

And Noble House of Black

She rolled the parchment up and poured golden wax onto it, pressing her black lord insignia ring into the wax as it cooled, marking it as an official correspondence of the Black estate.

In the meantime, she went to her room and pulled out a pale green shirt and some black slacks, gray outer robes, as well as a pair of soft white pajamas. She laid them out on the bed and waved her dogwood wand, and shrunk the clothing down to size to fit the small body of her new charge. It would have to just make do for the evening, until they could get to Twilfit and Tattings the next day. By the time she was done selecting and shrinking the clothing, Azalea was almost done with her bath.

"Daemon!" She called out softly as she snapped her fingers. The house elf appeared before her.

"Bring these pajamas to Zilly and Azalea. She should be just about done drying off. She's in the largest bathroom, the one with the white claw foot tub. In the morning, lay out the robes and clothing. And have Rosen wash Azalea's clothing that she's wearing, so she can have clean undergarments in the morning. Do it promptly." She instructed her house elves.

"Yes Lady Cassiopeia." They all answered at once in a bow.

She walked out of her room to walk across the hall to Azalea's open door and peered into the room to check upon the progress. Cassiopeia noticed the girl was now clean and dried off, wearing a four sizes too big for her white opulent robe. Azalea was staring in awe at the grandiose four-poster canopy bed facing what was the south wall of the room. It was built with solid cherry wood, as was all the furniture in what would become her new room, and hung with sheer ivory curtains. It had matching cherry nightstands. At the foot of the bed was a charmed steamer trunk filled with toys both magical and muggle, meant to play with and entertain a six-year-old. There were arts and crafts supplies and dolls and even wooden blocks. There was everything she could ever want or need.

The walls were the prettiest powder blue and the ceiling was enchanted to look to the starry skies above. The floor was enveloped in a matching ivory, luxurious carpet. There was a massive window taking up the eastern facing wall with a silver leather chaise lounge basking in front of it. It had a coffee table and two matching chairs across from it. To the north-east, facing out of the window, was a massive lake and even larger forest that resided on the Black family estate. On the eastern facing balcony, was a plush lounge chair on the far end and a set of table and chairs on the other side.

Two empty bookshelves lined the northern corner of the room, and next to that, was a massive solid cherry wooded wardrobe, with charms to make it even bigger on the inside. Facing the western wall, was placed an empty rack that was for weapons, and a smaller vanity with an enchanted talking mirror. In the south-western corner, was a privacy screen where she could change clothing without a worry.

"Come here Azalea. I have this to put on your cheek. It's a salve to heal bruises."

"Will it hurt bad?"

"No child. I told you I would bring you no harm, and I meant it." With that, she applied the salve to the child's still injured cheek.

"Would you like some nice warm milk?" Cassiopeia asked Azalea, with a soft smile.

"I've never had milk before. What is it like?" She asked curiously. Azalea hadn't of had many foods in her lifetime, but she was very open to trying new things.

"It's cold, and slightly sweet and creamy; I think you'll like it." Cassiopeia offered to the young girl, trying to tempt her to take the potion spiked beverage.

"Pepper!" Cassiopeia snapped her fingers and called out.

"Bring Azalea some warm milk. And put this in it." She handed the elf that appeared a level one pain relieving potion, and a child's version of a dreamless sleep potion, just a quarter dose of the adult version.

Azalea was handed the glass of warmed up milk, and gulped it down without a single protest.

"This is delicious! Can I have more?" She let out a huge yarn mid-question.

"Tomorrow morning child, now, it's time for you to go to bed." Cassiopeia helped Azalea into bed, and tucked her in.

"Goodnight Azalea, I will be right across the hall if you need anything. I will be here tomorrow morning to lead you to the dining hall."

"Zilly! Watch over Azalea and let me know the moment she wakes up. Lay these clothes out for her and instruct her to get dressed in them tomorrow morning. Help her if you must."

"Yes Lady Black.