Title: If Only For My Daughter
Author Name: Urania and Melpomene Black
Author E-mail: leggomy_
Category: General
Key Words: Mirabel, Germany, Krys, Remus, Sirius
Rating: R for some language and adult content and situations in later chapters
Spoilers: PS, CoS, PoA, GoF, OotP, HBP
Summary: When worlds collide everything stops for a moment and everything in the world makes perfect sense. You know why people hurt, why they die, what loving someone really means. But before you can take it all in everything crashes and you may never understand anything ever again.
DISCLAIMER: We own Mirabel, Krys, Leah, Catrina, and Michi. All else belongs to J.K. Rowling. Bless her for allowing us to put her wonderful characters through such torture.
WARNING: Despite the fact that this story is completely AU it still has spoilers for all six books: SS, CoS, PoA, GoF, OotP, and HBP. The reason there are spoilers for HBP even though this story was written almost a year before the book was released is because some of our story ended up being in HBP like the soul thing (only we weren't clever enough to think of the soul bit we had our own theory, but quickly realized our stupidity in the light of JK's brilliance). While we appreciate CONSTRUCTIVE CRITISIM all flames will be fed to David Malfoy (that's the recycle bin on my computer). Enjoy…or well don't, but don't say we never warned you!
Chapter Two: Shopping in London
12 Grimmauld Place – London, England – Saturday July 26, 1997
When the sun had first begun to poke its head over the horizon and flood the bedroom with the light Krys rolled over, grabbed her wand, and then muttered some spell under her breath. The curtains thickened, effectively blocking out the light. She rolled over to go back to sleep and only then realized Mirabel's sleeping form was not beside her. Before she could process this information she was fast asleep.
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Mirabel had slept for at least an hour before being violently awoken from a nightmare. Gingerly she sat up letting her eyes adjust to the darkness. Krys was sleeping soundly next to her, mumbling every now and then. Quietly she got out of bed her bare feet sinking into the carpet. The door opened without squeaking and she stepped into the hall. She climbed the stairs to the third floor, and then counted the doors on the left until she reached her father's. Silently she opened the door and slipped inside the room. She spotted a sitting chair near the window and with a flick of her hand and a spell she learned in Italy the chair moved itself next to the bed. She settled herself into it and began to watch Remus. Somewhere between watching him snore softly and day break she fell into a dreamless sleep.
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Remus awoke to Sirius's insistent poking.
"You had a visitor in the middle of the night." Sirius whispered in his ear and pointed to something behind Remus. He rolled over and saw his daughter curled into a small ball.
"What time is it?"
"Almost seven."
"She can't be very comfortable. Perhaps we should move her." Remus suggested.
"If you get up old man you can do just that."
"Thirty-seven is not old and if I remember correctly your birthday is before mine." Remus slowly began to get out of bed while Sirius headed for the bathroom. Remus dressed quickly before brushing his teeth. "Shall I take her back to Krys's room?" Remus asked as Sirius pulled on a black t-shirt.
"No, just put her in ours. She'll be fine." Gently Remus gathered Mirabel into his arms and laid her down on the bed. As he was tucking the blankets around her she stirred.
"Shh," he told her, "just go back to sleep."
"I just had to make sure you were real." She told him softly before falling back asleep. Remus stared at her and moved a piece of her hair behind her ear.
"I'm real and I'll be her when you wake up." He kissed her forehead before following Sirius out of the room.
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Krys slipped stealthily into the room. Then with a running start she flew silently through the air and promptly landed on the king sized bed next to Mirabel.
"Go away," she mumbled pulling the covers over her head.
"I hope you realize it's almost eleven." Krys said sprawling out next to her. For a moment silence filled the room and Mirabel was on the edge of sleep about to take the plunge when the door burst open.
"Dumbledore is here." Fred cried out.
"How can you sleep at a time like this? Fred and I have been up for hours." George said walking into the bedroom.
"Go away. I want to sleep. Dumbledore can wait." Mirabel said grumpily.
"You speak English." George gasped.
"Of course I speak English. I lived in America for three years. I was forced to learn English."
"Fred, George, stop annoying our guest." Harry said as he and Ron entered the room.
"What is this, a party?" Mirabel asked exasperated.
"You speak English?" Ron asked. Mirabel groaned as Krys began to laugh. Finally Mirabel threw back the covers and rose from the bed.
"Is everyone happy? You have officially annoyed the guest who traveled non stop from India to Germany and then from Germany to here. I've barely slept in a week, but Dumbledore the almighty god is here so who cares."
"Mirabel," Krys dared to interrupt her rant, "you might want to cover up. I don't think the boys have heard a word you've said." Mirabel looked down at her sports bra and the boxer shorts she had borrowed from Krys.
"What's wrong with what I'm wearing? I just got out of bed. Did you expect me to hop out fully clothed?"
"Nothing is wrong," Fred began.
"With what you are wearing," George finished.
"Did I mention I'm single?" Fred offered.
"I don't date. Besides I didn't pack anything so I have nothing to wear."
"You can borrow my old clothes," Harry offered, "they'll fit you better than Remus's anyway or Sirius's for that matter."
"And you know the sad thing is he's offering out of the goodness of his heart because it would be dead sexy to see you in his clothes." Fred explained putting his arm around Mirabel's shoulders. There was a loud thump as Krys fell from the bed laughing.
"Asshole," Mirabel muttered, "Come then Harry. I should get dressed before I meet his highness." Mirabel followed him out of the room and down the hall to his bedroom.
"We are supposed to go to Diagon Alley today so maybe we could go into London afterward to get you some muggle clothing. I'm sure Ginny and Krys would love to go shopping." Harry suggested.
"Strange, I thought the Boy Who Lived would be different." Mirabel said.
"What do you mean?" he asked grabbing a pair of jeans from his dresser.
"How about those clothes? I'm freezing." Mirabel said ignoring his question.
"Yeah, clothes." He said after a moment of staring.
"Hermione seems nice," Mirabel said taking a seat on his bed.
"She is." He answered absently from somewhere in his closet.
"How long have you been dating?"
"We aren't really. I mean nothing is official. Actually I've no idea what we are." He handed over a plain red t-shirt. Mirabel pulled it over head and it fell to just above her knees.
"Well don't you think you should find out?"
"During February we talked and I guess we're considered a couple, but I haven't asked her to be my girlfriend. I guess we're more like friends with benefits." As Harry explained to Mirabel about his love life she pulled on the jeans that were two sizes to big.
"How does Hermione feel about all this?" Mirabel asked checking her reflection in the mirror.
"Don't know actually."
"Hmm, maybe you should find that out as well. Thanks for the clothes Harry. I'm going to go meet god now." She waved and left the bedroom. Harry stood still for a moment mulling over what she had said.
"Ron," he called out, "Ron."
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"A father, you can't be serious." Severus said after taking a sip of his tea.
"Nope," Sirius said, "Remus is the new father." Severus glared at him.
"You know what I meant."
"Please stop bickering. I'd like to know how Catrina kept Mirabel's name out of the Book and how come even when Dumbledore searched Germany he couldn't find her."
"The answer to that should be obvious," Dumbledore told them, "She did not wish to be found. I think talking to Mirabel is the only way we might get any answers at all."
"You might want to brush up on your German then." Sirius said. Remus bit his tongue as Mirabel entered the kitchen. She turned to Remus.
"Why does everyone assume I only speak German?" she asked Remus exasperated. Switching back to English she turned to Sirius, "I speak English. Maybe next time you should just ask me if I understand you."
"I'm sorry to hear that both Catrina and Teresa have passed on. How is Michi fairing?" Dumbledore asked.
"She's doing fine. Still refuses to do magic or speak English." Dumbledore smiled at this news.
"Mrs. Weasley informed me that you received a letter from Minerva McGonagall. May I see it?"
"Sure," she reached into her pants pocket where she kept the letter. She paled and patted her pockets frantically when it wasn't there, "it's gone. How can it be…Oh that's right I'm wearing Harry's pants," she sighed and visibly relaxed. She held out her hand, palm up, and said, "Grandmother's letter." The parchment fluttered into the room and into Mirabel's outstretched hand. She passed it off to Dumbledore, not noticing the three other men in the room staring openly at her.
"How did you do that?" Sirius asked.
"Well, I am a witch. Although Krys did show me that glow stick thing she uses. They don't use glow sticks in America, which is where I trained formally for three years. In Africa you chant, in Italy you cook, in Germany you use mostly potions, and in India you sing. There are many different ways to use magic."
"This is very interesting, Mirabel. Is there anything else you might need to tell me?" she thought for a moment immediately discarding the thought of showing Dumbledore her mother's letter.
"Surely you've heard of the Curse of the Maye's," Dumbledore nodded, "the Curse sent me here and I know Krys can feel it too."
"Why would Krys have the Curse?" Sirius asked worriedly.
"Because she spent five months with me in Germany. We were like sisters, which is all the Curse needs to take hold."
"I'll be sure to look into it. It is a very old curse."
"I have a question," Remus interrupted, "Last night Krys spoke of you being only part werewolf. What did she mean by that?" Mirabel looked at him strangely.
"I thought it happened to all children who have only one cursed parent. I can control my changes. If you'll excuse me I need to find Krys." Mirabel left the kitchen before anyone could stop her, Remus then turned to Dumbledore.
"I'd like her to attend Hogwarts if that is possible." He told Dumbledore.
"That would be difficult indeed Remus. The American schools are very different from our own. If that is the only formal training she has had she might not be capable of successfully passing the seventh year courses. Usually we don't accept transfers I don't think it would be in her best interest to attend Hogwarts as a student."
"Well then I will send you my resignation by the end of the day." Remus said shortly.
"Why ever would you think of doing that?" Sirius asked putting an arm on his shoulder.
"Mirabel is obviously here for a reason. If she has known for seventeen years that I am her father why didn't she seek me out sooner? Perhaps she's in trouble. Perhaps she just got curious to who I was. We don't know, but whatever it is I intend to show her that if she needs me I am here for her."
"You don't need to give up your job Professor Lupin," Dumbledore said calmly, "Mirabel is more than welcome to stay on at Hogwarts. She could be of some help to you during the full moon since I have no doubt Sirius will not always be able to be there."
"Sirius where are you?" Harry's voice asked.
"Kitchen," Sirius replied, "do you need something?"
"Could we take a trip in to London today after we go to Diagon Alley? Mirabel didn't bring anything with her so she needs to get some muggle clothing."
"Yes, Remus and I were planning on a trip to London at some point. Today will be fine. Be ready to leave in an hour. And if you see Mirabel, Dumbledore has another question for her."
"I think she's in Krys's room. Last I heard they were trying to teach Ginny German."
"Thanks Harry." Sirius said.
"I see that the communication system from Diagon Alley works well." Dumbledore commented.
"Yes, it's very nice," Remus told him, "Will you be joining us in London today Severus?"
"I do not have the time for frivolous outings. Some of us have business to attend to. Someone has to make sure we are not ambushed." Snape bit off before excusing himself from the kitchen.
"That's a no then. How about you Dumbledore," Remus turned his question to the Headmaster, "would you like to join us for an afternoon in London?"
"I have been meaning to get some more lemon drops. I have developed quite a taste for them. I do believe they may be my favorite sweet."
"Well I'll find out if Molly and Arthur wish to go as well." Remus left the kitchen while Sirius began to pick up the remnants of the morning tea.
"You certainly have added many things since I was last here." Dumbledore watched as the dishes washed themselves when Sirius set them in the sink.
"Molly suggested a few things to help it feel more like home for Harry and Krys." Sirius said as way of answering.
"Material things do not turn a house into a home. But then you already knew that. Something is troubling you Sirius, care to share with an old man." Sirius sighed and sat back down on the bench. He ran a hand through his freshly washed hair as he thought of how to voice his question.
"Krys knew about Mirabel. Why didn't she tell someone? All this time Remus could have been getting to know his daughter. Why would she keep that to herself? Does she realize what an impact this makes on all of us? There are so many more unanswered questions now and Catrina isn't alive to give us any insight into what in the hell she was thinking."
"I think you underestimate your daughter. I think she knew exactly what she was doing. Maybe the question you should be asking is why hasn't Mirabel looked for Remus before now?"
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Mirabel was more than thrilled to be shopping in London. Krys smiled to herself knowing that Mirabel could spend a thousand pounds and think nothing of it. Remus wondered slightly what he was getting himself into. Especially since there were only three adults to the nine teenagers, four of which were girls.
"Michi told me she has opened a vault for me at Gringrotts. She put in fifty thousand Euros. Do you think that will be enough?" Mirabel asked Krys.
"Depends on what you're going to buy. I think you might be able to buy all of Diagon Alley." Mirabel glared.
"Will you be serious for a moment? I'll have to pay for room and board while I'm here and then I'll need money for the train back to Frankfurt and-"
"Have you lost your mind? Room and board? I'll smack you if you say another word about that." Krys told her sharply.
"But-" before Mirabel could finish her protest Krys raised her hand and smacked the back of her head.
"I gave you fair warning. Deal with it." Mirabel choose to change the topic and turned to Ginny and Hermione who were seated next to her on the underground.
"What's Diagon Alley?" she asked. The rest of the time was spent describing every detail of Diagon Alley to Mirabel.
Diagon Alley – London, England – Saturday July 26, 1997
Tom greeted them all as they entered The Leaky Cauldron.
"Why don't you all go along Sirius and I will pick up all of you school books with Dumbledore." Remus told them as Mirabel looked around eagerly.
"Ah the advantages of shopping with the Headmaster." George commented. The girls quickly led Mirabel out back with the boys rushing to catch up. Hermione pulled out her wand and tapped a series of bricks. She stepped back as the entry to Diagon Alley began to form where the bricks used to sit.
"Wicked," Mirabel said clapping her hands together, "when can I get my glow stick?" Hermione looked at her curiously.
"A glow stick?" she questioned as she and Mirabel entered Diagon Alley together.
"She means a wand, but she insists on calling it a glow stick after I used lumos last night." Krys explained.
"Well I know I need to go to Gringrotts before anything else. I'd be happy to take Mirabel with me and show her around." Hermione offered.
"Sounds like a plan." Harry said.
"We need to get some more broom wax at the Quidditch shop anyway." Ron added.
"Then shall we meet at the joke shop in an hour or so." Krys suggested. The others nodded in agreement and went their separate ways. Krys and Draco went window shopping; Fred, George, and Ginny headed for the joke shop; Harry and Ron went across the street to the Quidditch shop; and Mirabel and Hermione headed straight for Gringrotts at the end of Diagon Alley. Hermione pointed out everything as they went along and gave a summarized description of all the shops in rapid German. Mirabel was content to look around and take in the wonder of once again being surrounded by magic.
"There's nothing quite like it," Hermione smiled, "I still wake up sometimes thinking it might all have been some fantastic dream. I hope I never get used to magic."
"I know exactly what you mean," Mirabel replied, "I still get a little shot of joy when I perform a spell." The pair entered the wizarding bank and walked to the nearest goblin. Mirabel handed over her key explaining her purpose while Hermione went to the next goblin and handed over her own key. While they waited to be taken to their vaults Mirabel asked why Ginny was not taking out any muggle money for their shopping spree.
"Fred and George are treating her today. If they weren't Ginny wouldn't be able to afford anything new. The Weasley's don't have a lot of money. It is a very touchy subject for them." Mirabel nodded in understanding as she followed Hermione into the cart.
After a brief conversation with one of the goblins Mirabel followed Hermione to Ollivander's. It took a good twenty minutes for the correct wand to select Mirabel.
"Ten inches, willow, unicorn hair for the core. Excellent wand for healing." Mr. Ollivander informed Mirabel as he placed it carefully in its box.
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Mirabel hurried through the crowd in order to show the group her new wand. Maybe she might even be able to do a simple spell. Hermione fell behind and walked at a leisurely pace. As Mirabel turned into the alley that ran along side of Wizarding Weasleys when the sight in front of her stopped her cold, Sirius and Remus stood outside the back door holding hands. Sirius whispered something into Remus's ear before giving him a quick kiss. They entered the store hand in hand. A few minutes later the twins came out each levitating a bag of trash.
"Mirabel," George said lightly.
"Fancy meeting you here." Fred lowered his bag into the bin where it promptly disappeared. Mirabel stared at him unblinkingly not really acknowledging their presence.
"You all right there mate?" George asked worriedly. Mirabel began speaking rapidly in German flailing her arms about wildly.
"Mirabel we don't speak German." Fred interrupted.
"A little French, but no German." She drew in a deep breath before shakily switching to English.
"My father is gay?" she practically whined. The twins were silent for a moment, but laughter soon filled the alley.
"He didn't tell you."
"He's dating Sirius."
"No, he never mentioned it." Mirabel shot back annoyed at their behavior.
"You don't have anything against homosexuals do you?" Fred questioned carefully.
"No, but it's a bit of a shock. That's all." She whispered, unsure of what to with this new found information.
"Come then and show Remus what you've bought." George said encouragingly. Mirabel beamed at them. Fred held the door open and she walked through.
"Mirabel," Hermione said with relief, "I thought you had gotten lost." Mirabel shook her head no.
"What have you got there?" Sirius asked pointing at the box Mirabel had laid on the counter.
"Hermione and I purchased my glow stick." Carefully she opened the box and extracted her freshly polished wand. She thought for a moment before she waved the wand in front of her, "Lumos," she looked expectantly at the tip of the wand, but nothing happened. Waving it once again she said firmly, "Lumos." Again nothing happened. "It's broken," Mirabel cried outraged. Remus laughed and it was the first time Mirabel had heard him sound even remotely joyous.
"It's not broken, Mira. You just need a bit of practice." Mirabel rolled her eyes and threw the wand unceremoniously back into the box.
"Stupid stick," she muttered holding out her hand palm up, "Lumos," she said once again. A small ball of light formed in the palm of her hand and she smiled, "See I don't need a glow stick."
"Wand, Mirabel, it's called a wand." Krys sighed as she entered the shop with Draco in tow.
"Glow stick, wand, whatever you want to call it I don't need it. Nox." The ball of light disappeared.
"However you should still learn," Remus told her, "Hermione can help you. She's the smartest witch I've ever met." Mirabel smiled when Hermione blushed and bowed her head.
"Cool and I'll teach you wandless magic in return. Now that everything is settled let's go shopping." Mirabel grabbed Krys's hand and led the way out of the shop.
London, England – Saturday July 26, 1997
Draco was thoroughly bored. They had been in the same store for the past two hours. Remus, Sirius, and Dumbledore had gone shopping for necessities, Fred and George were talking business with the proprietor, while Harry and Ron, the dynamic duo, were busy keeping an eye on Mirabel at the other end of the store so she didn't wander off on her own or get stuck talking to some hotshot guys twice her age (which happened earlier right in front of her father). Draco turned his head when Mirabel emitted a happy squeal and began speaking in German.
"I found the perfect outfit for you Hermione. Will you try it on?"
"Yes, Mirabel," she sighed, "I'll try it on." Mirabel tossed a couple of pieces of clothing over the door and into Hermione's changing room. Ginny was the first to emerge with a cheshire grin on her face.
"I love it." Mirabel said as Ginny twirled around for her.
"Ginny," George's voice boomed from the other side of the store, "what on earth are you wearing?"
"I think it would be easier if we asked what she wasn't wearing." Fred countered.
"Well I like it," Ginny protested, "Krys come out and tell me what you think." Ginny's seamless black skirt fell to about mid-thigh and the deep red tank top barely reached the top of the skirt. A knit black shawl hung just below the shirt. Krys stuck only her head out of the door.
"I like it too." She told everyone before stepping out of her own dressing room.
"Oh I like yours." Ginny returned the sentiment as she took in the designer hip huggers, white collared t-shirt, and light blue sleeveless sweater.
"Hermione," Mirabel called, "come out and let me see."
"I'd really rather not. I only really need a new pair of jeans."
"Just humor us Hermione. Besides it's only Mirabel, Ginny, and I." Krys said. The lock slid out of place and the door swung open. Hermione nervously tugged on the short blue jean skirt in a failed attempt to make it longer. Her three quarter length collared shirt was white with thin stripes of blue.
"You look wonderful. What's wrong with it?" Mirabel asked, "Harry, Ron come tell us what you think." Hermione's eyes widened and she dashed back into the changing room. By the time Harry and Ron had gotten to the dressing rooms Hermione had change back into her faded jeans and t-shirt.
"She's wearing the same thing." Ron said. Hermione rolled her eyes and hung the outfit back up on the rack.
"I just want a pair of jeans like Krys has on." Hermione told Mirabel as a way of apology. Her eyes brightened at the mention of jeans.
"I love jeans." Mirabel said happily.
"I'm limiting you to seven pairs Mirabel," Krys said smiling.
"Only seven." She said feigning disappointment.
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Once again Draco was thoroughly bored, but at least this time he had company.
"I say we walk down and look at the other shops. We'll be near by. Plus there's four of them and it's daylight." Draco reasoned.
"I second that." Ron said. The twins nodded in agreement and before long they had Harry convinced as well. With a farewell to the girls they left the clothing store. Shortly after there departure the girls purchased their clothing and moved on to walking out in the sunshine, which was a rare thing in London.
"Oh I need to get Harry his birthday present. I only have five days left." Krys said. They entered the next shop which was the jewelry shop and looked around for a gift. Ginny was looking at a small pendent when she felt a jolt of magic shoot through her arm. She let out a squeak and quickly dropped it.
"Ah I see I have a group of witches in my store." The jeweler commented.
"Yes," Krys said smiling, "I'm looking for a birthday gift for my brother, Harry Potter." Hermione smiled at the look on the jewelers face, "My name is Krys Black, my father is Sirius Black, Harry's adopted father."
"I see. Well the magical items are in the back, just through that door." He pointed to a door off to his right that was labeled 'Employees Only'. The girls thanked him and walked through the door. After half an hour of looking Krys discovered an odd looking watch that became invisible to all but the wearer when it was put on.
"Awesome," she said, "I think I'll get him this. I've never seen him with a watch so it's practical as well."
"A very wise choice my dear," the man said as he rang up her purchase, "Please read the directions before he begins to fiddle with it." He advised.
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"So Harry's birthday is five days," Mirabel said as the girls milled around outside of the sporting store the boys had entered, "Any ideas on what I should maybe get him?"
"I don't think he would be expecting you to get him anything," Krys responded.
"Well I feel obligated to because my father was his father's best friend and my father is dating his godfather who was also his father's best friend, which makes us kind of related in a very roundabout sort of way. Don't even get me started on all of our mother's being friends."
"That's like beating around the bush six times."
"Yeah well what do you suggest I get him?" she asked ignoring Krys's comment. Krys shrugged.
"Ask Hermione she'll no better than I will." Mirabel looked at Hermione questioningly.
"I know he wants a snitch so he can practice on his own and he'll be needing a new broom care kit soon." Hermione began to list things, but Mirabel stopped her.
"Where do I buy a snitch?" she asked.
"Diagon Alley is the only place I know of." Ginny said adding in her two cents.
"The only place you know of for what?" Harry asked as the boys came out of the store.
"Nothing." The four said quickly.
"Yeah, that was believable." Draco said.
"Don't worry about it. Let's find the adults and head home." Krys took Draco's hand and they began to walk down the street toward the grocery store.