Disclaimer: Not mine, anything else you recognise probably isn't mine either but I never know for sure since I've read so many stories that I can't tell anymore whether or not it was my idea in the first place.
Author's Notes: See Chapter 22 ^_^
-~/\~-
~...~ = Parseltongue
/.../ = Telepathy between Harry & Carya (in italics)
' ... ' = thoughts
~*~*~ ... ~*~*~ = Flashback or changing POV
************************************************** ******************************
Chapter 24 - Going Home and Electives or Aunt Marge and Privet Drive
Around curfew the six went back to their respective Common Rooms. The night was filled with strange dreams and visions though. Harry and Carya woke up early due to their usual nightmare and didn't bother going back to sleep.
Tom woke soon after and the three of them went to the Common Room and talked to their pet snakes for a short time. Salazar and Nyara were a couple now and Niamh had stopped being jealous. Harry had promised her to find a partner for her.
She would prefer to remain at Black Manor though through out the next term and the boy didn't want to deny her that wish. He would find a companion and leave her on the grounds before returning to Hogwarts in September.
They also talked about the problem Rita Skeeter. They would have to let her out some time soon. Carya had already placed a secrecy charm on her. She couldn't tell who had captured her and they knew she wouldn't since she was an unregistered animagus.
Harry and Hermione would let her out when Harry came to visit his girlfriend at her parents house. Morning and therefore breakfast came fast and the friends waited for Ginny and Draco to come down. The two lovebirds almost overslept though.
Their trunks would be brought to the train by the house elves and they didn't have to bother with them but the six preferred to keep their belongings with them. The trunks were shrunken and put into the robe or trouser pockets.
Whatever they wanted to use on the train ride was stuffed into enchanted backpacks. For the first time since the third task all of the 'Slytherin Six' were really happy. They knew summer would be great this year because they all could be together. Even Carya had someone this time.
When Carya and Tom entered the Great Hall the Weasley twins were smirking at them and giving the two Slytherin's a thumbs-up. The teachers thought that it was very suspicious but couldn't notice anything out of the ordinary.
They noticed too late that someone had spiked the food at their table. Every teacher suddenly sported different colours. Some foods changed your hair and others your skin while the drinks changed the colour of your clothes.
Dumbledore looked the funniest. His hair had turned pink while his skin was now a light sky blue. His robes clashed horrible with his hair because they were bright red. Snape was lucky this time. His hair had only turned green.
The water he drank wasn't spiked with anything since water was almost tasteless and he would have noticed anything in it. He hadn't eaten much and therefore his skin was still the same sallow colour. The students of course were laughing their heads of.
Now everyone knew what the Weasley's and the Potter girl had been talking about that one evening in April. They had planned a prank on their professors. The headmaster was just smiling at this.
It was good to lighten the mood of everyone with the threat that was now again hanging over the wizarding world. The exams had also shown that many of these students had great potential and that a greater number was quite good at defensive magic than during their parents time.
Soon after breakfast the children were filing out of the Great Hall to get the rest of their stuff and head towards the carriages which would bring them towards Hogsmeade station. Most teachers liked their job at Hogwarts but they were just as relieved as their colleagues when the train had left and silence fell over the castle.
The train-ride was as uneventful as it could be with so many excited students in one place. The chattering was incredibly loud and the older ones cast silencing charms around their compartments as long as they were still allowed to do magic.
The Potter's and their friends did the same. They also added a locking charm to their compartment door just in case. Draco and Ginny were discussing charms and Quidditch with Hermione and Harry before the boys turned their whole attention to their girlfriends.
Carya and Tom discussed some of the potions they would have to study over the summer in order to complete their summer assignments. They also started conversing in parsel and Harry didn't even bother to follow their conversation.
His sister was so much better at that language than he was, it was scary. He himself draped an arm around Hermione's shoulders and enjoyed the last few hours before they had to part for three weeks.
All too soon they reached 'King's Cross Station' in London and it was time to say goodbye to their friends. Ginny left with her brothers towards her parents. When Mrs. Weasley saw Ron and Ginny talking civilly to each other she almost burst into tears.
"It's good to see that they're a real family again, isn't it?" asked Harry his friends and they wholeheartedly agreed.
They were far from being Ron Weasley's friends but he had been tolerable since his return in January. Hermione was collected by her parents soon after Ginny's departure. Remus and Sirius arrived around the same time and smiled at their kids.
Tom felt a little stupid while watching the two men hugging their adopted children. Suddenly someone laid his hand on his shoulder and Tom looked up into the smiling face of Remus Lupin.
"Ready to go home, Tom?" the man asked and Tom gaped at him.
Home, never did he have that before. He never had a place to really call home. Hogwarts had been something like that but it still was different. He looked around and caught his friends smirking at him.
"Are you coming home with us Tom or shall we leave you here?" asked his girlfriend while smiling warmly at him.
"If you want then our home can be yours too Tom. Carya cares a great deal for you and that practically means that you belong to our family," said Sirius and offered the boy his hand.
He had been the one to be the most wary of Tom Riddle since he knew about the boy's existence but it seemed that Sirius had gotten over his prejudices. Tom smiled back and took the offered hand. Together they walked towards the nearest wizarding café with a fireplace.
Ten minutes later the whole group landed in the entrance hall of Black Manor. Winky and Mikie were already there to greet them and to take their luggage upstairs. The kids enlarged their trunks and left them in the hall.
"Well, I believe you know where your rooms are? Tom, you'll have the same room you had over easter if you want. It's yours now and if you wish to remain here until you finished school it will be yours until then.
Dumbledore has already allowed that when we asked him a few days ago," Sirius told the kids and Carya's eyes went wide.
"He can stay? With us? As long as he wants?" she asked almost speechless.
Tom was gaping too. He couldn't believe it. He could have a home and a family if he choose to stay but did they really want him there?
"Tom, don't think we're just doing this because of Dumbledore or because of pity. We really like you and as Carya's boyfriend you kind of belong to the family. I couldn't live with myself if we'd left you at Hogwarts or heaven forbid at some muggle-orphanage," Remus said seriously.
Sirius just nodded and ruffled the boys hair affectionately. Tom mock-glared at the man but then smiled.
"I think I'll stay. I've never had a family and it is a very welcome change of circumstances," he said and hugged his girlfriend close. "I love you so much, do you know that?" he whispered into her ear and she responded by kissing him.
The other boys left with Sirius and Remus. Carya knew where everything was should the two become hungry. The couple went upstairs to pack what they needed for Privet Drive into a regular suitcase. They didn't want to alarm the Dursley's neighbours.
Tom had gotten a whole new muggle-style wardrobe from Sirius and Remus. He couldn't even protest. Sirius had cut him off with saying that every family member had to endure that and Carya had only groaned in agreement.
The children would floo to 'King's Cross Station' the next morning and then take a train to Little Whinging. Before they all retired for the night Sirius couldn't help but shout something after Carya and Tom when he saw them leave.
"Don't do anything that I wouldn't do too!" he yelled and Carya only turned around replying,
"Which means that everything is allowed, right Padfoot? Moony you better take care of him. We can't have him get lost!"
Sirius stood gaping. She had never said something like that before to him. Sure her replies had been quick and witty but never so much like something that Lily would have said. She really was becoming like her mother in many ways.
"She has you there Padfoot. I know what you're thinking. Carya is becoming more and more like Lily has been. She's different though. Lily was good in school but Carya's even better. And she's more powerful than her mother," Remus said thoughtfully.
"You're right Moony but she really caught me off guard with that reply. I'm not that bad, am I?" Sirius replied and Remus only shook his head at his friend.
The werewolf was glad that he had taken the offer to live at Sirius home two years ago. He could never have found a better home and a better family anywhere else. The two adults soon retired to bed too since they had to make sure the kids got up in time the next day.
Sirius wake up call came far too early for Carya's liking. Although he hadn't woken her up like Harry and Draco. Those two boys had been drenched in ice-cold water. Padfoot had taken up waking those two while Remus was responsible for Tom and herself.
The werewolf had woken up the Riddle boy by knocking on his bedroom door. Tom had then come over to wake his girlfriend. He was the only one who could wake Carya when she felt safe. Not like at Hogwarts when the slightest noise could wake her unless she was trapped in yet another nightmare.
"Morning Tom, sleep well?" she asked sleepily.
"Yeah, but not as good as the nights in our place," the boy answered blushing slightly at the memory.
Nothing had happened between the kids those nights. They had simply laid in bed snuggling up to each other. The two teenagers could give the other a feeling of safety which no one else could.
"I wonder what we'll do over at Aunt Petunia's place. Would she let us stay in the same bedroom?" Carya inquired smirking and Tom blushed even more at her suggestion.
"Come on Carya, the others are already waiting for us. You really are a sleepyhead sometimes," the boy teased and the only response was a pillow flying at him.
Tom left her to change into his clothes and she did the same. Soon after everyone sat in the cosy kitchen for breakfast. Sirius observed the kids quietly before asking them what had been on his mind after getting their results and choice of electives for next year.
"I was wondering, why didn't you take Advanced Transfiguration? At least you Harry, it's one of your best subjects after all," the adult asked curious.
The kids looked at each other and grinned. Draco offered an explanation. "You see Padfoot, it's not that we don't like it but it's simply unnecessary for us. This particular course leads to Animagus transformation in seventh year and we do not need that anymore," the boy said grinning widely.
Tom stared at him open-mouthed. Carya caught his confusion and reminded him that Remus already knew their little secret.
"Don't worry Tom. Remus has known that we're animagi for quite some time now. Don't you remember Easter? I told you, Sirius is one too. Became one in his fifth year at Hogwarts together with our parents.
Only in that form they could spend time with Moony during the full moon, you know?" she told him and Tom nodded too surprised to speak.
"Tom, you should close your mouth, you know? You might catch flies otherwise," said Harry smiling at his friend.
Tom shut his mouth and looked at Carya and Sirius in confusion, "So, eh .. what's your form, I mean ... they call you Padfoot, right? Am I right to say it's something canine?"
"Yup, completely right, Tom. I'm a big black dog. People often mistake me as a grim, especially your dear Divination professor Trelawney," Sirius explained with a grin.
"What is your form then? I know these three but have never seen yours. I also know you showed Padfoot at Easter," the werewolf wanted to know.
"Uhm, I ... it's a green snake," the boy said very quiet almost inaudibly.
"Would you show me? I'm rather curious. I've never seen an animagus who could turn into a snake," asked Remus gently.
"Eh, okay. Can't hurt I guess," Tom replied and stood up.
He took a step back from the table and changed into his animagus form. Remus looked in awe and Sirius smiled. Carya only looked at him before talking in parsel.
~You have no idea how much I like your form Tom. It's incredible every time I see you. What do you think, should we let Padfoot and Moony take a photo of us all in our forms?~ she asked him and he nodded his head before changing back.
Carya and Harry briefly changed into their wolf forms and leapt at their godfather before they started licking his face. Sirius used to do this every time just before Remus transformed during the full moon.
It was funny to see that even best friends could pass on some traits. They transformed back a second later though when Harry decided to asked something.
"Hey Moony, Carya just had a great idea. Could you take a photo of the 'Slytherin Six' when we're all here at the end of summer like you did with the Marauders?" Harry questioned and the two adults smiled at the kids.
"Of course we can but hide that picture carefully. It would be too easy to make the connection, okay?" Remus warned them.
"It's time to go! Everything packed? Okay, then let's floo to King's Cross. Your train will leave in thirty minutes. We have to hurry a bit," Sirius said being the responsible adult guardian he should be for once.
The group arrived at platform three with fifteen minutes until the train left. The four children boarded the train an looked for an empty compartment. They found one near the front of the train. Remus and Sirius stood outside to say goodbye.
"Behave yourself and don't scare your aunt, okay? I know what happens when you two are with Dudley!" Remus shouted as the train started to leave and the kids smiled at him.
"We won't do anything that you wouldn't do, Moony, promise!" Carya yelled back smirking widely and Remus shook his head.
When she was with family she was totally different from the studious girl everyone knew at school. She was cheerful, happy and very much mischievous. That was why the werewolf didn't think that she would fall for the Dark Arts even though the darkness had always been within her.
The kids settled on talking to each other since any of their usual books or games would certainly be suspicious at best. The ride didn't take long and about an hour and countless stops later they arrived at Little Whinging's train station.
Carya called for a taxi and the four kids were driven to Privet Drive. Petunia was just looking out of the window as the taxi stopped in front of their house. Her face lit up when she saw who was emerging out of the car.
Petunia swiftly made her way to the front door and opened it.
"Carya, Harry! It's so good to see the two of you," she said happily.
"Hello Aunt Petunia, we've missed you too. How's Uncle Vernon, Dudley and the twins?" replied Carya happy herself.
"They are fine. Now come in you four. You are Draco right? I remember you from the twins tales and the photos they showed me and ... Carya, why didn't you introduce your friends properly?" she scolded her niece mildly.
"Eh, sorry Aunt Petunia. As you rightly guessed this is Draco Malfoy, our adopted brother. And this is Tom Riddle. He's my boyfriend," the girl said proudly.
Tom had never heard her telling anyone about him like this. She seemed proud to be his girlfriend. That was completely new to him. Tom greeted the twins Aunt politely.
"Nice to meet you Mrs. Dursley," he said and shook her hand.
"Your friend is well mannered Carya. I doubt Vernon will have any objections of your visit anymore once he gets to know him. He's still scared of the neighbours, you know? Not surprising after what happened a month ago.
But I'll tell you later. Come in you lot, and please boys, call me Petunia," she told the kids.
Dudley had heard the door open and close from his room and came running down the stairs when he heard Carya's voice.
"Harry, Carya! Was about time you visited!" he exclaimed grinning and flung himself at his cousins.
"Uh, Dudley, we're not alone! Dudley, as you already know, this is Draco Malfoy and that's Tom Riddle and he normally doesn't scowl like that but you were just hugging his girlfriend you know?" she teased her cousin and he in turn blushed deep red.
"Oops, sorry. I'm Dudley Dursley, perhaps you remember me from London, I just missed the twins terribly. Nice to see you Tom, Draco," the Dursley boy replied a bit sheepishly.
"It's alright. I'm just not used to this, that's all," answered Tom and smiled a bit easing Dudley's worries.
"You'll never guess what happened last month. The twins, I couldn't believe it at first but they did it. Freesia made a bottle float and Lilian made a stuffed teddy out of thin air. Her's had been ripped apart by a dog in the park and she just made herself a new one after crying for about thirty minutes.
Dad nearly freaked when he saw that. Thankfully no one of the passers-by noticed anything. You were right. Muggles are completely blind sometimes. Dad had his boxers in a twist since then. I'm not allowed to take the twins to the park anymore.
The neighbours have been talking anyway whenever an owl made its way here. I think it's rather cool though I'm still a bit jealous of the two," Dudley reported in one breath stunning the others into silence.
"Did you just say the twins did accidental magic again? That's something, I can imagine that Uncle Vernon wasn't pleased at all. Poor man but you're right. The neighbours talk far too much," Harry told his cousin.
"Uh, Aunt Petunia, where do we stay this time? I mean, you needed our old room for the babies didn't you?" asked Carya carefully.
"That's right but we still have the guest room and the new room above the garage. Oh wait, the phone is ringing. I'll be back in a second," Petunia said and left the living room.
The children could hear what she was saying though.
"Hello, Petunia Dursley here! Oh it's you Vernon. What is wrong dear? Oh no, Vernon the children have arrived ten minutes ago. Can't you tell her to come later? Such a mess. I guess we'll have to deal with that. But don't forget that she was never fond of Harry and Carya.
I really don't understand her. They are just children for heaven's sake. It wasn't their fault that their parents died. Why has Marge to tease them about it every time she's here?" the woman said and Carya gulped.
"Aunt Marge is coming? Why didn't you tell us Dudley?" she asked uneasy.
"Honestly, I didn't know! Crap, she's going to spoil our holidays together. Bloody hell, I swear if she again starts ridiculing your parents I'll find a way to use that wand of yours and hex her into next year!" the boy grumbled and Tom actually laughed slightly at that.
"Is she that bad? She's your aunt after all, is she not?" Tom asked politely.
"She is dad's sister and breeds bulldogs. I don't really like her. Of course she always 'rewards' me for my 'perfect manners' as she calls it but that woman is getting on my nerves. She's always harassing Harry and Carya and I resent that," Dudley said and Tom suddenly got a whole new view on Muggles.
"Dad tried to tell her that there was nothing wrong with the twins but she's persistent. I wonder what would happen should she find out about Lily and Freesia. She'll go berserk that's for sure. Why does she have to come this time?" Dudley sighed heavily.
"Dudley, don't worry. It'll work out. She can't make our life worse if we don't let her. Last year taught me this little bit. But where will we stay now? She'll surely insist on getting the guest-room all for herself," Carya remarked.
"What about our attic? Dudley, is it still our room?" Harry asked and Dudley nodded.
"Hm, that could work. If Tom and Carya take the attic room then Draco and I can stay in the smaller guest room above the garage. I hope that's okay with Aunt Petunia. And if it isn't I can always stay with my sister while Tom and Draco share a room.
We've done that for twelve years before. Why shouldn't it work out now?" Harry mused and earned curious looks from Draco and Tom.
"The two of you shared a room for twelve bloody years? Voluntarily?" Draco wanted to know.
"Yep, we didn't like to be apart until we met you all. When Harry had Hermione he didn't need me that close anymore and well, then I met Tom and ..." Carya explained trailing off at the end.
That moment Petunia walked back into the room, "I'm sorry kids, but Marge is coming over for a month!"
"We know mum, you were loud enough to hear in here. We will just have to make it work. But what about the strange things with Lily and Freesia?" Dudley interrupted.
"Yes, that is a little more difficult though. Carya, do you think that they are magical? I'm sure Dudley already told you what happened," Petunia inquired.
"Yeah, they are most likely witches Aunt Petunia. Do you mind?" said the girl.
"No! Of course not. It's just ... I hardly adjusted to you two being magical and now my babies are .. I don't know how to handle all this," Petunia admitted.
"Uh, I have an idea if you don't mind," Tom said shyly and got the attention of everyone, "Why don't you set up contact between your aunt and Mrs. Weasley? I know she's not the richest person in the world but she sure as hell knows how to handle magical children.
I don't know if you've met her eh ... Petunia but she has seven kids. She could probably give you a few tips before things got out of hand," the boy suggested.
"That could indeed work. We have to tell Ginny. Perhaps if Molly Weasley would learn to use a phone she could arrange meetings with Aunt Petunia. I'll write her a letter tonight," Harry added his thoughts.
"Thank you my children, now what do we do about the sleeping arrangement?" Petunia questioned.
"I'll take the attic together with Tom. It's not as if we haven't shared a room before. There's a screen between the two areas up there. And Marge never would dare to go upstairs. So we're safe from her scolding.
Harry and Draco have agreed to share the smaller guest room above the garage. That has to suffice for now. Marge really has a bad timing hasn't she?" Carya said and smiled sheepishly at her aunt.
"Yes she has, Carya dear. Thank you for your understanding. I don't know how Vernon can get along with her. Lily was never that way," Petunia sighed and went towards the kitchen to make lunch.
"I'll help you getting your stuff upstairs. Where are your pets? Don't tell me you left the snakes at home?" whined Dudley and Tom stared at the boy.
"Hey, I can't help that I'm amazed whenever they talk to them. It's fascinating and I wished I could do that too. You should have seen the visitors in the zoo when these two accidentally set a boa constrictor loose there after being shoved to the floor by some rude brats.
It was amazing. Everyone ran away screaming. And afterwards Carya told me what the hissing meant. The snake had apparently said something like' Thanks, my friend's! Brazil, here I come'. That was the best birthday I ever had," Dudley told Tom and the other boy shook his head in disbelief.
A muggle - no, a squib - who liked snakes and envied his cousins about their gift of Parseltongue. This Dudley was certainly a strange boy. Nothing at all like any non-magical folk Tom had ever known.
The day passed in a haze and the kids were busy exchanging memories. Draco and Tom listened to the stories about the twins when they were still younger than eleven. At dinner Tom and Draco got to know Vernon Dursley.
He thought that both boys had good manners and raised an eyebrow at his son, niece and nephew as if saying 'Look at them, that's how you should behave!' which sent the three into small fits of laughter. He told the family what was going to happen now.
"Well, Marge will be arriving with the ten o'clock train tomorrow morning. Dudley, you'll accompany me to the station. Carya could you help your aunt in the kitchen? And Harry, could you help too? I know she's not your favourite person because of the way she treats you but please try, okay?" he explained and Dudley groaned.
"Do I really have to dad? Okay, okay, I'll come with you tomorrow. But she better has not that much luggage again or I'll scream!" Dudley answered sulking.
After that was settled the children excused themselves from the table. Carya went upstairs together with Tom and wrote a letter to Ginny while Harry and Draco stayed with Dudley to discuss the various pranks the other boy and his friends had played at Eton Academy.
Suddenly Carya had an idea, "Tom, I have something to talk about with aunt Petunia. Do you mind if I go? You can come with me if you want to."
"Why not, I'd like to get to know your aunt better. She was your mum's half-sister after all," he replied.
Carya all but stormed into the living room where her aunt and uncle were sitting by a glass of wine.
"Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia, does Marge still love chocolate cakes that much?" she inquired and met two puzzled adults.
"Yes dear, why do you ask?" Petunia answered.
Carya smirked a bit and Tom knew exactly what she had in mind, "Eh, I've become really good at baking cakes and perhaps if I make one for her and it's good enough she stops telling everyone that I'm useless and will never make a 'good house-wife' as she dubs it."
Tom hadn't caught the last bit because he was too upset about Carya being called useless, "She calls you what?!"
"Don't fret Tom, she's very much like Minister Fudge, you know? Much on the outside but little brain for thinking. She has medieval views on everything and to her Harry and I are freaks. But if we do this right we can perhaps convince her otherwise," she soothed her friend.
"That is a good idea Carya. How long do you need for that? And what exactly do you have in mind?" asked Petunia.
"Hmm, I think if I start now I'd be finished around two or three in the morning. That'll give me plenty of time to sleep after that. I'm going to look if we have everything I need in the house now. Eh, if there's something missing do you think you could take me to the 24-hours supermarket Uncle Vernon?" the girl inquired.
"Of course I can. Does your friend here want to accompany you?" the man asked in return.
"I'd like to if no one objects," said Tom slightly embarrassed since he was definitely not used to such treatment from a muggle.
After a quick search Carya saw that she'd need several things from the store and dressed in pants and sweatshirt. It was warm enough to go without anything over it. The two kids took the backseat of Vernon's car.
Carya bought plenty of chocolate icing, tiny chocolate leaves, butter, fresh eggs, cream and several other ingredients. Tom could only watch. So much had changed since his last trip into the muggle world. The girl paid and Vernon took them back home.
She then immediately started on the cake. She would need more time for this one since there were no house elves to help her. But Tom was with her and he helped as best as he could this time. Blaise had been right. Potions was very much like cooking.
After hours of work the cake was finally finished. Only the icing and the chocolate decoration was still missing. Carya would add that in the morning when she was more awake. Petunia and Vernon had long retired to bed and the two teenagers were doing the same around two thirty.
The cake was currently cooling off on the table. A note was lying next to it that no one who loved his life was allowed to touch the cake or something nasty would happen to them. Petunia saw the note when she was up to make breakfast and smiled. That sounded pretty much like her beloved niece.
She had to admit that the cake looked really good even without decoration. If it tasted like it looked Marge would have to change her mind about the girl. She began preparing lunch after she made breakfast for her family though.
Marge would only accept the best and sometimes she even annoyed Petunia to no end with her constant bickering about cooking skills. Around quarter past seven Carya and her boyfriend came trudging down the stairs.
"Morning Aunt Petunia, would you mind if I had some coffee this morning?" the girl asked sleepily.
"No of course not dear, here you are," the woman said and handed her niece a cup of the brew, "Do you want anything in particular Tom?"
"No thanks, uhm ... a glass of milk if you have," he answered.
"Alright my boy, here you are. There's bacon in the pan over there Carya, would you mind helping yourself today? I'm quite busy preparing lunch to satisfy Marge later," she told the kids and returned to her vegetables.
Carya took out two plates and began filling them with bacon, bread and various other things. A second plate contained a pile of pancakes and next to it stood some maple syrup. Carya handed Tom a knife and fork before starting to eat.
"Go on Tom, it's great. Aunt Petunia's pancakes are some of the best in the whole world!" she said trying to get him to taste them.
"I wonder why Harry and Draco are still sleeping," came Dudley's voice from the doorway, "Oh, pancakes. Great, that's just what I need right now!" the boy exclaimed before taking a couple of them and starting to eat them.
"They are sleeping in I guess. That's typical. But let them sleep, they'll have to drag up Marge's suitcases later," Carya said smirking evilly.
"You know Carya, you really scare me sometimes. If I didn't know better I'd say you enjoyed tormenting them," Dudley remarked.
"Not really no, but it's fun to see the shocked faces they always have if I do this," she replied grinning.
"Oh, did I tell you? They never found the snake again, you know? The one we set loose that day. I wonder where she ended up," Carya told Tom casually.
After finishing with breakfast Carya and Tom got to work on the cake once more. Dudley who hadn't known about it all was curious and took a look.
"Wow! Where did you buy that one mum? Can I have one for my birthday?" he wanted to know.
"Dudley, if you want a cake like this you have to ask the cook," his mother answered smiling mischievously and Tom could see a resemblance to Lily Potter in Petunia's face.
"And who's the cook mum? Did you make that?" he asked impatiently.
"Nope my dear son. You'll have to beg your beloved cousin if you want one," she said teasingly and Dudley gaped at Carya.
"Y ...you made this? Wow ... I can't ... this is unbelievable. I knew you helped mum with the cooking sometimes but you never where this good. When did you learn that?" Dudley asked.
"Practise Dudley, loads and loads of practise. But it wasn't that difficult. I have five close friends and two guardians who have at least one reason to celebrate every year," she replied smiling and returned to her work.
Around nine Harry and Draco staggered into the kitchen. Both looked as if they hadn't slept all night. They greeted Petunia and their friends before starting with their breakfast. Dudley was meanwhile making himself presentable for Aunt Marge.
Carya and Tom were almost finished with the cake too. The only thing missing was what had taken them the most time. Tiny dogs made of chocolate. It didn't matter to Carya anymore if Marge liked it or not.
She loved baking entirely too much and creating yet another delicious looking cake was enough praise for her. Once the figurines were added to the decor she put the cake into the refrigerator for cooling since it was already quite warm outside.
When they had done that the two children went upstairs to shower and to change clothes. Harry had set up the guest room for Marge in the meantime. It was as perfect as always. But of course Marge was never satisfied with them.
Ten minutes to ten the twins suddenly started crying and Carya dragged Tom towards them. Petunia was still busy in the kitchen and therefore she took care of her youngest cousins. Tom did a double take when he saw the little girls.
Both had dark strawberry blonde hair and crystal blue eyes. Their skin was rosy and they looked absolutely adorable. But right now both were crying loudly. Carya suspected that their diapers needed to be changed and she was right.
She had learned that during a babysitter training course when she was just ten. Her boyfriend watched in awe how skilled she was with babies although she didn't have any younger siblings. It simply amazed him. Soon the doorbell rang and Petunia called for them.
************************************************** ******************************
Finished September 30th, 2013