Chapter 2: Doughnuts

Remus Lupin and his young charge meandered down the High Street in the coastal town of Brighton. The brightly colored shops and fish market along the coast provided a quaint and merry backdrop to the warm Summer day. He watched the girl at his side undo her hair, combing it with her fingers. People about hardly noticed the strange man and the strange ebony-haired child at his side.

"Well then...my first task has been cleared with a bit more work than I'd hoped, but quite successfully. Why don't we stop and have a chat somewhere," he said, looking down at Rhiannon. She was placid enough now, walking alongside him as she re-braided her hair, trying not to look too subconscious over her clothes and general appearance.

"You don't look like you've eaten, Rin," said Remus with concern as he eyed her bony form, "is there anything you'd especially like? You can have anything you want. A special treat for getting out of that place. So? What is it?"

Looking very interested in her feet, the girl mumbled something inaudible.

"Sorry?"

"Doughnuts," said Rhiannon with more clarity, "I'd—like to have doughnuts. Please."

Remus gave a little chuckle of amusement; a child after his own heart. Rhiannon, much like him, took pleasure in the simplest of life's offerings. She'd been offered her heart's desire, and all she really wished for was a simple doughnut.

"Certainly, my dear Rin, provided of course you don't mind them with a looney," he said with a mischievous smile. For the first time, he caught of the ghost of a smile on the girl's face.

The pair of them were soon sitting in a bakery, sweet breads and muffins and all manner of other baked goods making the entire place smell wonderful. They had just done up a fresh batch of the sweet concoctions. He chose some doughnuts and a pair of seats for them as away from nosy ears and people as possible. Sitting with their treats over milk and tea, Remus got down to the point.

"Now then, Rin," he began softly as the last of the people left, "the fact is, you already know a lot, so I doubt there is much I need tell you. You're quite perceptive, you know—like your mother..."

Remus' voice trailed off in Rhiannon's mind at the mention of her mother. She had guessed he probably knew her, but now her suspicions were confirmed. She wrenched her mind back to the moment and what Remus was saying, hoping for more about her mother.

"...But I digress...so, you know that what you're able to do is magic, right?"

Rhiannon gave an impatient nod, anxious to explore the statement about her mother. Being a bit timid and not desiring to show any disrespect, she patiently waited for any chance to return him to the subject of her mother.

"Well—you're a witch. As was your mother before you. And I am a wizard, as you've seen. Most young children are unaware they have magic and how to control it, but you're of age now where you can begin to learn about both. You are even able to control a bit of your magic, which makes you even more ready. This is for you."

From the inner pocket of his jacket, Remus drew forth a sealed envelope. It was addressed in elegant and beautiful script:

Miss R. Delaney
Room Number 3
Princeton Asylum for Orphans
27 South Street West
Brighton

He then handed it to Rhiannon, who examined it with interest. The paper was of a good weight, and the seal was actual red wax, stamped with what she guessed was the seal of the school. She easily broke the seal, and read:

Dear Miss Delaney

We are pleased to inform you of your acceptance at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Please find enclosed a list of all necessary supplies and equipment. Term begins September 1st. We await your reply by owl no later than July 31st.

Sincerely

Professor S. Snape
Deputy Headmaster

Also enclosed, as promised, was a list of what would be needed.

"Cauldrons? Robes? Spell books? Remus, where am I to get all these...and with what? I've no money."

Despairingly, Rhiannon pushed the letter back to him, nibbling dejectedly on her doughnut, her mood crushed. Surely there was no way Hogwarts would take an orphan like her who had no money.

"Now Rin—you needn't worry about that. You see, I am your godfather, you see, and it is my responsibility to see to it you are provided for, and you will be. You have resources that up until have merely been waiting for you to stake your claim. That time has come. Now—I guess by the way you reacted to seeing my wand, you'd really like to go to Hogwarts?"

There was a moment of silence. Remus sensed that he would not need to convince her, that her mind was already more than made up. When she spoke, her face broke into an honest smile.

"Yes. I want to go," said Rhiannon, "but—I do have a couple questions that I want answered."

"Of course, Rin, but I'm afraid I must ask you to give over until a better time. We should be off now, since the next train to London leaves quite soon and we need to be on it."

And he paid for their treats, then led the way toward the train station.

"Couldn't we just—I don't know, use some kind of magical transport?" asked Rhiannon with a little pout as they sat to wait for their train.

"You will soon see, dear Rin, that you must be selective about where and when it is appropriate. Besides, the train will be another treat for you. You'll get to see some lovely scenery...ah, and here it is now."

The compartment they shared was just right for the pair of them. Remus watched the girl as she looked out the window, making observations about the fields and countryside they passed. Soon, the buildings began to become larger and more tightly packed, and London loomed before them in all her splendor.

"Ah—London. It's good to be back," said Lupin with a smile, "very good indeed. I've been traveling for some years—working for Gringotts. International wizarding currency seems to be something everyone is interested in. There are only some minor differences, but enough to where it is necessary to consider changing things just a little."

Rhiannon nodded politely, smiling a little as they arrived in King's Cross station. Lupin took the girl's shoulder, leading her along through the crowd and out into the sunshine. The streets began to narrow, the houses became a bit shabbier. In a small and narrow street near the Whitechapel district was a narrow, old row house. Lupin went up to the door and tapped at it.

Answering the door was a pale, thin woman. She was dressed in a simple but worn brown dress, bedecked with simple jewelry on her neck and wrists. Her ebony hair was pulled back into a bun, but her green eyes sparkled mischievously as she eyed her new guests.

"You're a cad, Remus Lupin. More than three months without a word...tsk, tsk, tsk. I've a mind to turn you right back out."

"It's wonderful to see you again as well, dear Circe. It's been too long," said Remus with a sheepish smile, "although, I am in possession of our goddaughter, who deserves a better welcome than that, don't you think? I should hope that explains why I've not owled you..."

And Rhiannon stepped up to Remus' side, revealing herself. Then the enormity of what Lupin had just said smacked her in the face. This woman, her godmother? Oh, did they ever have some explaining to do. But now the woman was coming toward her.

"So—this is our Mi-chan's little girl, hm?" inquired the lady known as Circe, and began to eye the girl closely. Rhiannon returned her look with a quizzical gaze. Before she realized what was happening, Circe's arms were around the girl, and she was being held close.

"A thousand blessings on your head, Rhiannon," she said softly, smiling through the tears that were beginning to form in her eyes, "and welcome home."

A strange blend of warmth and security that Rhiannon had never known began to bubble up inside her as Circe hugged her. She was unsure of how to react, where to put her own hands as she awkwardly hugged back. Wrapping an arm around the girl, Circe led her inside. Rhiannon's earlier animosity was immediately swallowed up in the wonderful act of homecoming.

"I don't remember saying you're forgiven, Lupin," said Circe with a mock-serious look. Laughing, she gave him a gentle shove toward the interior of the house.

The little place which Circe called home may have been shabby, but it was clean and there was a certain amount of pride and dignity within the walls that Rhiannon caught at once. There was a small sitting room, furnished with a couple comfortable armchairs, a settee, and other chairs. The focal point of this room was the greying mantel and the fireplace beneath it. Photographs which appeared to be moving caught Rhiannon's eye. While Circe and Lupin were locked in conversation, she meandered over to the mantel, looking at the photographs.

The one which she was drawn to nearly at once was of two teenaged girls. Each had long dark hair, done up in different ways. They seemed to be laughing at some joke, and one was hugging the other from behind. Circe was easy to distinguish with her green eyes, but it was the other one Rhiannon was inexplicably fixated upon. Her hair was pulled back into a long braid, and blue-grey eyes glittered with mischief. She smiled gently at Rhiannon.

"Pretty, wasn't she?" asked Circe, making Rhiannon jump.

"I—I'm sorry, I—I wasn't hurting anything," mumbled the girl, but Circe merely chuckled a little, smiling down at her goddaughter.

"It's all right, Rhiannon. Someone one said to me that curiosity is not a sin...no harm done. That was your mother and I...many years ago."

"But—the picture is moving," said Rhiannon. Circe took down the photograph, offering it to the girl, who took it. She indeed saw herself in the silvery-eyed girl who smiled at her from within the frame.

"That's because it's a wizarding photograph, Rhiannon dear," replied Circe, "and they are able to move. It was taken during our fifth year at Hogwarts, where you will soon be going."

Rhiannon replaced the photograph, her mind wandering over the information she had just obtained. It was a moment before she nodded in response to what had been said.

"We'll be eating soon, dear," chimed Circe with a smile, "so go and wash up, eh? Upstairs, second door on the right is your room."

"Thank you—Circe," said Rhiannon, and trundled upstairs.

That evening, Remus and Circe watched the little girl, her tattered copy of The Sword and the Stone in her hands. By the light of a lamp, her eyes wandered across the page, and the only sound she made was the turning of a page every few moments. Her feet were pulled up to her chest, the book resting easily in her lap. The look of intensity in her eyes and face as she read only confirmed what Lupin had seen of the girl. Rhiannon soon put down the book, looking up at her godparents.

"There is something I'd like to know," she said softly, "and that is—why? Why now? Why didn't anyone come for me sooner? Why was I left in that place? What happened to my parents, and why did they leave me? I don't know anything about them...and that's all I want to know. Why?"

And the book fell from her lap. She gently closed it, setting it on the table with a certain amount of reverence. Wrapping her arms around her knees, she began to sniffle, blinking back tears. Her godparents exchanged glances, and Lupin went over to sit before to her on a little stool. He leaned forward on his elbows, hands clasped in front of him.

"Rin," he began softly, "I am sorry. Inadequate as those words are, they are from the heart. There is a simple explanation as to why we did not retrieve you sooner. Had we been sure of where to find you, you would have been able to enjoy many more doughnuts before now." Here he paused a moment before continuing, "your mother was a strong woman, Rin, but she died, right after you were born. There had been no word of her whereabouts, and we were unsure of where to find you. Your father had disappeared as well, around the same time. I assume whoever was with your mother at the time is the one who made the decision and left you at the orphanage. Be assured, dear girl, you would have been here much sooner had the circumstances been different."

And Lupin gathered up the girl in his arms, carrying her the little distance to the sofa. Wrapping her arms about his neck, she buried her face in his shoulder and wept. Circe came over to join them, wrapping her arms about the both of them. And for the first time, young Rhiannon Delaney experienced something of a honest and pure love. For all her brilliant mind and magical talent, she was still a girl with a desire to be loved.

Rhiannon awoke the next morning in a narrow but comfortable bed, stretching luxuriously. She sat up in bed, able to look out the window at the street below her. Cars and people went by about their days, perhaps not even knowing of the house or the little surrogate family within its walls. She suddenly reached out, pinching her right arm. She gave a tiny grimace of pain, repeating the gesture several times. Satisfied that she was in fact, wide awake, she looked down at herself. Somewhere along the line between her crying and bed, her simple grey dress had been exchanged for a nightgown, short-sleeved and in a pretty shade of blue. Hearing noise below her, Rhiannon slipped her feet into the little slippers which resided on the floor by her bed, and went to make her presentable.

"Good morning," said her godmother as she laid a plate of bacon, eggs and scones before Rhiannon.

"Good morning—and thank you for the meal," replied the girl dutifully, and set to work on it immediately. The bacon was crisp and salty, the eggs fluffy and perfectly done, and the scones with clotted cream were, Rhiannon thought, the best things she had ever tasted.

Circe laughed just a little, smiling down at the child.

"Really, Rin—based on what Remus told me, I thought you'd be a little savage. He mentioned that little—incident yesterday."

Her godmother's tone became reprimanding, and Rhiannon bowed her head.

"I didn't start it," she mumbled.

"No, dear—but perhaps you didn't know what you were doing—magic can work that way, you know, when you're young. Now—eat up, and then you can help me 'round the house."

In this way, nearly six weeks of Rhiannon's life passed by. She would rise early, eat the breakfast her godmother prepared, and set to work dusting, polishing, or sometimes cleaning outright. She took regular baths, gained a healthy amount of weight, and learned manners from her godmother, who taught them to her out of an old Muggle book brought back from America written by someone named Washington. In short, she learned what it was like to be a proper young lady.

One morning in early August, Circe pressed a plate of scones upon Rhiannon, urging her to make haste.

"Today's the day," she said, "we're off to Diagon Alley, Rin. Since your godfather Remus works for Gringotts, he went into your mother's vault yesterday and pulled some money for you. It's enough to get you started anyway. Hurry up now—we should get going as soon as possible."

A/N: I have to apologize for the lack of really good editing for this chapter. Life has gotten a bit in the way, so on behalf of myself and my beta, I am sorry this chapter is, at least to me, not as up to snuff as it could be. On another note, I'd like to commission to help of my readers. There are certain events which you are going to see in Rin's life later on in this story, such as her Sorting, and of course who her father is or maybe was, but what events in particular would you like to see, aside from the obvious? Rin's first kiss? A Triwizard Tournament with Rin as Hogwarts champion? Would you like to see more of Remus interacting with her? Please leave a review or PM me with your suggestions. Each person who gives a suggestion used in the story will be given full credit for doing so. Again, my readers will tell you I read and respond to each and every single review I receive. So please, don't be shy, and please let me know what you'd like to see!