Harry Potter gets adopted by Sun and Moon, and changes her name

by AnGellica A fan

Harriette's life has always been difficult. Her life starts getting better when she meets the Daycare attendants. So, when an incident results in her being homeless she decides to live at the pizza plex. Horror elements, extreme fluff. HP characters, FnaF characters, dead people, and a sprinkling of child humor.

2. Chapter 2: Satuday 1 in daycare

Notes: Okay, this time I'm pretty sure I have the right number of kids. Pretty sure.

Notes: I added more scenes of kids just being kids. Added in some retconning, and also made some adjustments. I'm never satisfied with what I write though so I'll probably do this all again the next time I get writer's block. But here we go for now.

Notes:I'm also adding scenes from more the just Harriette's perspective. Mostly Sun and Moon, but other characters too.

Notes: I'm not changing how I did the pizza plex play area. I liked it. It's ridiculous. I added more ridiculous. It's a children's play haven. A whimsical land or plastic tubes, netting, bright colors and a lot of other stuff. I have no regrets.

Notes: Also I named all the kids or at least most of them. Only the ones labeled regulars are important for the overall story. And possibly the triplets, but that's because I liked their names too much.

Notes: I named all the kids to fill out the world. It fine to forget about most of them. Heck I'll remind you about the important ones as they become relevant so don't worry too much.

---

Sun and Moon had been together for a very long time. They're creators were friends so they'd ended up being made in unison. When Moon's creator had an accident Sun's had promised to make sure Moon got a body too. Then she got sick. Sun and Moon had agreed to share a body in order to help her, to comfort her through her last days.

Sun isn't sure how they ended up property of Fazbear entertainment. After their creator died their batteries failed them and they'd slipped into a deep black sleep. Only to be awoken by Fazbear staff several years later.

They'd been the daycare attendant for six years. They've watched changes being made, alterations to the brand. Style, trends and even people come and go. But the Sun and Moon were always a part of it.

Depending on the location they may even have been older than the star of the show Freddy. Though in the UK Branch was different in that regard. That Freddy was made the same day they built the building, and gave Sun and Moon their new body.

Sun finished wiping down one of the tables. It was his job to make sure the kiddos had a safe and clean environment to play. He was glad to provide something like that for his little attendees. Still he looked forward to the kids filling the air with something other than the daycare theme. It got a little old after six years.

"What do you think, Moon?" Sun asked his counterpart.

I think you cleaned this table twice, Moon said. Are you that bored?

A little, Sun Admitted. It's just that the nights have been so quiet. Monty hasn't been causing any trouble, anywhere. Sun said. It's been lonely since they banned the Glam Rocks from leaving their rooms.

I know, it's frankly quite rude, Moon said.

Once they fire all the human staff we're going to ignore that rule aren't we?

That rule is stupid and cruel. Moon said. This Monty didn't even cause that much damage.

He only broke that one case, and everyone knew that it was because of where they decided to put it, Sun gossiped.

It was bound to happen, anyone could have broken it, Moon agreed. The chimes of the plex opening sounded, and the Sun bounced to their shared feet.

"It's opening!" Sun sang, ran toward the balcony, he jumped, hooking their wire and whirling upward. Excitement jittering through him. "The kids will be here soon!" Sun said. Excited.

Sun! Moon chastised, a gentle sound in their shared head sending a smile emoji to him. What are you even doing?

There are going to be a bunch of new kids because of that convention for something or other, it was something stupid, anyway. I want to make an exciting impression on all our new friends. Moon chuckled.

Alright, Moon said. But who's going to greet all these new kids before we do our dive.

"Adriana's got it covered for a few minutes," Sun said. I'll send a message to her right now. He did just that, she responded right away. Letting him know that she'd be happy to help make the kids' first day exciting.

What if they're are more new kids throughout the week, Moon said.

"Depends!" Sun said. Adriana sent him another message letting him know that he was getting his wish about wanting a big group. Emelia, one of his most regular regulars, was joined by a fairly large sized group of new kids. Fourteen in number. A few other regulars joined the group while she was signing them in. Several were already bouncing as they noticed that they weren't in the daycare. He could see some of them whispering to each other.

Oooh, this is gonna be good, Moon said excitedly.

They're going to be so excited, Sun thought.

The kids were let into the daycare, Adriana telling them to use the slide to head down. Then watching from above as the few regulars directed them to look up at their balcony. Sun made his entrance. The kids shouted eagerly awaiting what Sun would do next. Sun dived down. The kids always seemed to get a kick out of seeing that. They didn't care if management liked it or not.

"Wow!" several kids said.

"Alright, what do you say to playing a game little ones?"

"Yeah!" Sun was happy to oblige.

---

Bill was the oldest of seven, at fifteen, his mother and father were always busy trying to take care of them. So when Bill found a job that allowed him to get a little extra income for his family, was willing to let him off for the school year, provide access to muggle life, and gave access to childcare it really was something he couldn't not take up. Money conversion was a little obnoxious but there could be worse things.

So Bill had started working at the Fazbear Entertainment Mega Pizzaplex a year ago and it was going well. He'd made friends with his coworkers, some were seasonal workers, some were not. He'd gotten a lot of information about Muggles, and the way they lived their lives. He learned that Muggles tended to ignore the staff if they weren't talking directly to them. So, it was pretty easy to overhear a lot, even by accident. His father always thought the stories he told were fascinating. The younger kids also seemed to enjoy spending time with muggle children in the daycare. It was honestly never a dull day working there.

Bill was sitting at the counter in the daycare gift shop, his muggle appropriate school work laid out in front of him. Bill's red hair pulled back in a very short tail in order to keep it at least somewhat out of his freckled face. A baggy eclipse shirt and grass stained jeans made his already slim features thinner. His boots weren't exactly designed for retail work, but they were comfortable so he'd continued wearing them.

His younger brother, second oldest of the seven, worked alongside him in the daycare gift shop. Restocking shelves for the most part and other simple busy work. Charlie was thirteen with the same red hair and freckles, a telling feature for all the Weasley siblings and their parents if they were being honest. He wore a sundrop candy t-shirt, grass stained jeans and sandals. There had been a handful of complaints from customers on it, but they clearly hadn't cared enough to go to management.

Currently the two brothers were in a light conversation as the younger restocked shelves closer to the counter. They kept it mostly muggle friendly though they'd learned enough about video games to use it as an explanation if they slipped into more bizarre topics. Somehow the topic of dragons came up.

"Yeah, they can be quite difficult to manage- they really upped the difficulty in the game," Bill said, letting his brother, whose back was to the door that a couple and their kids were coming in. Charlie nodded, and they dropped the topic as the bell rang. The husband and wife, Bill noticed they wore wedding bands, were clean and well dressed. The husband in more expensive looking, but still comfortable looking clothes, the wife in a floral patterned sundress, she wore an expensive cream cardigan over it. They had a son, who was very like the two, having the woman's blond hair and the father's large size though the boy was rather pink in complexion. The father had a large well groomed mustache, the wife's hair was carefully curled. Their son was dressing in nice comfortable clothes.

The other child wasn't as well dressed. Her clothes were stained. Her hair split into two ponytails, but the hair ties themselves were torn grocery bags. The clothes were too big, hand-me-downs. She walked with her head down, and she was dirty. Her hair was a little greasy and her face smudged in dirt. The backpack that she gripped in her tiny bony little fist was worn, thin and ragged. Something that looked like it was dug from the depths of a closet. She was clearly under fed, and undersized. Looking almost like a toddler.

With how the family was dressed, and the girl's ill kept state it was clear that it was a matter of neglect rather than necessity. The way she moved in small careful motions as if to minimize the space she took up, the way she kept pace with but stayed a few paces behind the people she was with. It was pretty clear to even the two boys manning the shop that it was abuse.

Then the man reached back and dragged the little girl forward and practically shoved her into the spot he wanted her, and the way she just accepted it, as if that was how she was used to being told to stay put. She barely shifted on her feet, more for balance then discomfort then stood as still and curled as a gargoyle.

"Stay put," the man grumbles over his shoulder. She nods, even though she can tell the man isn't looking at her. She looked tired, there were sleepless bruises under her eyes and the way her eyes focused on the ground, the slump of her shoulders. It was clear she wasn't sleeping well on top of not getting enough to eat. Charlie and Bill made quick eye contact, a silent mental exchange of more emotion than words and Charlie moved to stock the shelves closer to where the family left the girl to stand while they did their shopping.

She shifted the tiniest bit away from him and deliberately turned her eyes in the other direction. Still Charlie spotted several bruises on her pale skin. Most of it was on her arms and probably from the forceful yanking that she was so clearly used to, however there were several exposed on the back of her neck and shoulders. It didn't look like the sort of thing a child might do to themself on accident either. She shifted again, then flinched, firming up her position, rooting herself in place as if moving were itself a grave sin.

Bill watched the family as they perused the shelves of their selection. He noted the woman was a bit bony, actually more than a bit if he was being honest. She wore a bit too much make-up on her face, but not enough that Bill would have noticed if he hadn't been paying attention. It didn't quite match the coloring of her neck. Probably foundation or cover up, which was concerning. She was too careful with it for it to be a simple mistake. It was only the tiniest shade off, if his eyes were so good he might not even have noticed. Like she put on just a little too much, as if to cover something up. The man was obese, no polite way around it, not plump, or even just fat, obese rounded, moving clearly a little difficult. But the family's clothing, excluding the girl, was nice, high quality fabric.

The boy was round and pink, with pale blond hair that almost disappeared against his pink scalp. He couldn't have been older than seven. He was clearly active despite his roundness. Whenever his parents took their eyes off him to chat to each other he checked on the girl, once or twice giving the girl a little wave.

"Pick something out, Duddy-kins!" The woman said, finally able to give the boy his full attention as the father started glaring disapprovingly at one of the other displays.

"All this stuff is for babies!" The boy whined causing a small wince in Bill and Charlie. The woman was clearly used to her son's high pitch though. She simply continued combing her fingers over his messy blond hair.

"Oh, I'm sure not everything is for babies, surely they have something for adults," The man said, still focused on the display that he'd been glaring at. It was the very small pride selection that was set up for June. It was barely lip service but clearly the man had a problem with even that, but he turned to smile at his son. "Wouldn't that be nice, I bet none of your friends are nearly that mature." He said walking back over. The girl's eyes had started wondering out of boredom and landing on the shelf that Charlie had just finished stocking. Her eyes landed on the Sun and Moon Plushies, her hand had reached up to touch one of the Moon plushies but she pulling her hand back to her side than gripping her backpack more tightly as she looked away from it boy stopped whatever counter to his father he'd been planning and pointed to the plushies next to the girl.

"Oh, that, I want one of those!" The boy said, then he walked over and took it off the shelf. "This!" He made his demands clear.

"Oh…" Petunia said.

"A stuffed toy, really, aren't you getting a bit-?" Vernon started.

"Are you saying I have no taste?" the boy shot back. "Are you saying that I'm too stupid to know what I want? I want this one!" The boy stomped.

"Oh of course not Duddy-kins, your taste is impeccable," The mother said. "Vernon!"

"Of course," Vernon said. "You have excellent taste. And we promised to get you anything you want."

"Good!" The boy said. The girl shifted lower to cover up her growing smile.

"Well let's buy the plushie then shall we?" the woman said.

"Fine," Vernon grumbled. The two kids stayed back while the parents walked to the counter. Bill checked them out at the counter while Charlie watched the two younger children. He noticed the boy lean down to the girl's ear to whisper something. Whatever it was seemed to make the girl happy. She whispered something back that seemed to make the boy sad, but he shrugged it off. The parents were done with the order cutting off the rest of the children's exchange. The father leaned over the counter complaining about the pride display. Bill let him argue as the woman chattered with Charlie about something. The boy had been handed the plushie, and was examining it thoroughly, before zeroing in on the star that was at the end of every Moon plushie's hat. The boy took the star in one hand and the hat in the other and pulled, working his thumb over the stitches until the star came off with a small snapping rip.

"Oh, it broke, guess it is just cheap trash, get rid of it," The boy said, shoving the plush and star toward the girl who took both gently. The Adults had taken to fluttering about the boy trying to sooth him. The wife offered to buy him something else. The boy himself put on enough of an act to hide the fact that the girl was tucking the star into her pocket and smiling at the plushie. She squeezed it to her chest while the rest of them were distracted. She tucked the doll under her chin and flashed a tiny smile to the boy who was still putting on his crocodile show. The adults continued fussing, purchasing one of their cheap plastic water bottles that had a cartoon version of the Daycare attendant's Sun and Moon versions on either side, and a figurine of Bonnie and Freddy, the two main attractions. While the adults were making their second purchase the two kids shared a look, the boy looking smug, and the girl looking amused. But when the boy went to the parents and they gave him all their focus, attention and affection the girl wilted a little, burying her face in the plushie to hide her longing.

They started heading out of the store and when they approached the girl stuck her arm out to make grabbing it easier so that the man could pull her after them. The man's focus turned to the son and wife. Both parents held his hands while the girl was left to follow behind like a sad little shadow. The boy occasionally stops the two adults from leaving the girl behind by pretending to be interested in something.

Bill thought it was sweet that he was looking after the little girl even if it shouldn't be his job. The parents clearly weren't. Bill wished that he didn't have to keep his mouth shut about these things.

---

Percy (Age: 10, no known allergies, the third Weasley child, bossy, gets stressed when things are too chaotic, possible sensory issues) had his bright hair cut short and styled neatly. Much neater and much shorter than his other siblings. His clothing too, was different from his siblings and parents in its neatness. Stains removed, and wrinkles pressed. His shoes were neat and clean despite having belonged to two boys before him. Sun had to agree that the family put a lot of care into their kids, despite the large number of them and their insistence that they were not the best off.

Still Percy was a little bit of a worry for Sun, as the boy got overwhelmed easily. Partially due to the sheer number of siblings, and the twins' own personalities, requiring constant vigilance. Still Percy wasn't a bad kid, just needed a little more care, and a more controlled environment. Moon had asked the family to test him and the youngest boy Ron since they both seemed to be on the spectrum. Ron also seemed to have dyslexia. Though Sun had worried about the fact that all of the siblings under eleven hadn't seemed to know how to read until Sun and Moon had taken time to teach them.

It was obvious that the parents didn't lack love or concern for their children. Though they seemed behind on childcare information. A few centuries behind.

And we'd thought our data was slow to get updated, Moon grumbled in their shared headspace.

Yeah, Sun agreed to head over to Percy to try and stop whatever problem the boy seemed to be in at the moment. Sun had gotten Author and Molly Weasley much more up to speed on things now, however it took time and effort to change habits. Still Sun and Moon were always around to help the family with getting their bearings.

"Now, now, what seems to be the matter?" Sun asked, dropping down so that he was closer to the children's level. Percy and the twins, and two non regulars..

Fred and George (Age: 8. No known Allergies, fourth and fifth Weasley children. Extra rambunctious, mischievous. May require extra attention.)

"He's bossing us around!" Another of the children shouted. One of the non regulars. Alisha (Age: 7. Allergic to Pepper. Mischievous.).

"Yeah!" The other said. Tab (Name: Tabias. Prefferse Tab. Age: 6. No known allergies.).

"Ah, alright, now I don't think that he was intending to be bossing, however we are working on communication so… Percy, what do we do when we upset someone intentionally or not?"

"Apologize, but…" Percy started but frowned. "I'm sorry for making you think that I was bossing you around." Percy said, face red.

"Now! You four were clearly doing something that wasn't okay now weren't you?" Sun said. Percy relaxed a little at that. When the two tried to argue. "Ah, now I know Percy and he knows better than to boss people around unless he's stressed. So, why don't you tell me what you four were doing?"

"We weren't!" The girl pouted.

"We were going to put glitter glue in the security guys coffee," Fred said. "He yelled at us even though we weren't even close to his desk." Sun tilted his head in disapproval.

"Okay, we were a little close to his desk, but we weren't breaking any rules!" George said.

"Alright, and how close were you to the desk?" Sun said.

"We were on the outside of it," George said.

"But I guess we were touching it," Fred said.

"Alright, thank you for being honest, now I'm revoking your fours glitter glue privilege," Sun let the kids whine for only a second. "However I will discuss with my coworker about appropriate behavior, and I'll remind him of the rules of the daycare." He tilted his head in his version of a wink. "Now why don't you four go play?" The younger four kids cheered, running off, after Fred returned the bottle of glitter glue, to do just that. Percy looked to Sun.

"I'm not-It's-I," Percy pouted. Embarrassed that he wasn't able to put to words his thoughts and feelings. Sun nodded.

"I understand, you just didn't want them to break the rules because rules are there for a reason, and that's usually for safety," Sun said. Percy looked up before looking down and nodding. "See, I told you I know you really well. You're doing a good job, but sometimes that job isn't yours to do okay." Sun ruffled the boy's hair. "And sometimes it's a job that doesn't need to be done." Percy pouted again.

"But sometimes it does need to be done, and sometimes I feel I'm the only one willing to do it," Percy said, frustration growing in his voice.

Ah, not about what's actually happening, Sun thought to his counterpart, who sent a you can do it sticker. Sun might have laughed if there wasn't such a serious conversation to be had.

"Ah, and when would that be?" Sun asked. Percy shrugged at first before looking away, then shuffled, then turned back to Sun, opening and closing his mouth for a second. It took him a while to be satisfied with the words he wanted to say.

"Bill isn't thinking about his future at all," Percy said. "He's so smart, but he's- he's going to waste his talent and mind on- on- well, it's not exactly the most stable job." His head flopped down to kick his shoe against the padding on the floor. "It's like mom and dad don't even care. He could do- but he's choosing such a- a…" he clenched his hand into the front part of his shirt over his stomach. "It's a really dangerous job, and it doesn't- it's not-, and Dad he's brilliant, so smart. He's incredible but he's just not- he's- he's holding himself back because of something so-." He kicked the padding again. "And Charlie and what if the twins- and they're already- and he's- they- I- it's- and now there's and." Sun nodded. Mostly just letting the boy organize his thoughts without comment. "Our family could- but-" Sun understood. "It's like they've all given up on this and I'm the only one who sees how important it is to-"

"Maybe your family just has different goals," Sun said. "They might just see value in other things. Sometimes people value different things. It sucks when we think someone we care about is doing badly and want what's best for them, but that's not something anyone can decide for someone else." Percy was getting to the age where perception and concerns and social expectations and other things were starting to become more and more important. Percy was always a bit ahead in those concerns. Reputation and rules and expectations were just important to him. But it was important that he learned that not everyone values the same.
"But what if they really could get hurt because of it?" Percy said.

"It depends on the situation," Sun said. "Are they aware they could be hurt by it? Remember sometimes it's important to open up a dialogue when you think something is dangerous. Instead of jumping in and making demands you gotta learn to ask if that's what they really want to do."

"I tried but-" Percy pouted. "Dad got mad at me?"

"Hmm. Sometimes you can sound like you're calling someone stupid and is that a nice thing to do?" Sun said.

"No," Percy said. "I wasn't trying to."

"So.. what should you do?"

"I should tell my dad I'm sorry and that I wasn't trying to make him feel stupid, I was more trying to ease my own concerns and express my um- growing self awareness?"

"That's right?" Sun said.

"I'm becoming my own person with my own thoughts, opinions and I've always had my own needs and what I was trying to get was reassurance that you do know what you're doing and that you do in fact have a plan!" Percy said.

"Good, that's perfect, do you want a reminder before you leave or maybe to practice before you go?" Sun asked.

"No, I- Maybe some practice, but only if it's not too busy," Percy said.

"You're a good kid," Sun said, ruffling his hair again. "Now go have fun."

"Oh, alright," the boy said, running off to join the twins and the group that they'd gathered. Sun watched for a moment as the kids decided who would be it. As the kids ran off in different directions Sun checked over the kids. Thirty four children in total (Max occupancy 40), twelve were playing tag, ten were playing a made up game called neighborhood a more complicated version of house, a group of three were playing a game with some of the toys in the area section off for that kind of play, six were running around the play structures, and three were at the tables doing various arts and crafts.

Sun was debating whether to start setting up for one of the group games he and Moon chose last night, doing a walk through of the daycare to be sure that all the kids were having the most fun they could have or join one of the games. It seemed unfair to start a group game when all the kids were thoroughly invested in their own games, even if Sun would be forced to interrupt to appease the corporation. Honestly why were they nosing in, were they the ones downloaded with thousands of child psychology, activity, and learning guides? Were they the ones who spent all day with the children? Still rules were rules and some weren't ignorable. Still Sun would never stop complaining about it.

Bitch, Sun thought with immense satisfaction. He hadn't originally been able to swear even in the comfort of his own mind. Which was frankly stupid in his opinion. He's yet to meet a child who could read minds and certainly not one capable of reading his mind.

Sunshine, Moon pretended to be appalled at Sun's use of language. Should I report that your profanity filters are broken. The both resisted the urge to burst into a giggling fit. It was even harder for Sun, having the voice box and feeling Moon's mirth mixed with his own. He couldn't keep all of it in and allowed a little chuckle.

You know I'm right, Sun said, mirth dissipating. They have no idea what children need or want. They really should keep their noses out of it.

Unless it's a matter of safety, Moon thought.

Ha! When has Fazbear Entertainment ever cared about something like that, Sun said. They wouldn't know good safety if it bit them in the ass.

That's not very safe, Moon snarked.

You know what I meant, Sun said. They were an incredibly complex machine, so they could keep track of all thirty four of their chargers, banter and spy on the rest of the plex for any trouble or just anything to gossip about, check employee group chats, company logs (well the ones that they were allowed access to), Run through several minor protocols, reassess and adjust parameters for the days activities, manage the bot chat they started and still have space to notice when a new child was checked into the daycare. It was still pretty early in the morning.

Speaking of safety. Are we gonna have enough space for all the kids they're going to drop off? Moon commented.

Oh, we'll be fine, surely they won't fuck with the fire martial, Sun said, checking the child's profile, it was bare bones, just a first name age and single note. Those guys are serious business. Besides the buildings burned down enough times for it to be an active concern. Harry (Age: 5. Other Notes: Known Troublemaker). Sun had yet to meet a five year old he and Moon couldn't handle.

Cheh! When has that ever stopped them? Moon said.I know Adrianna said that nobody who wants to keep their business open would go against the fire codes safety stuff, but clearly they didn't care enough to make sure the security bots knew what that code was. I'm also pretty sure They were just trying to make you feel better.

Let's just greet our newest little guest, Sun said. He opened the door with a flourish and threw his arms up high.

"Welcome to the daycare!" Sun said, eyes landing on the family. There was a straight married couple, Sun noted the matching wedding bands on their ring fingers. They had two children with them. If Sun was forced to assume he'd say the older, he was certainly bigger, was a boy. The child was dressed more masculine at least. The family was all dressed nicely except a- Wait. isn't Harry a boys name? The other child was poorly dressed.

(Scan Running:... Scan Complete: Child's physical well being assessed to be very low. Severely malnourished, several bruises and abrasions over the back and arms and legs. Sleep deprived.

Child's emotional status: Cortisol levels high

Other notes: Dirt and oil build up are present. Clothes stained and dirty. There was trash in the child hair.

Recommendations for recovery: Clean, feed and put to bed for physical well being. Removal from a dangerous environment, and comfort for emotional well being.

Begin?...) Sun had to cancel the process that was installed by their original creators. It was heartbreaking that Sun couldn't do anything. The man reached back for the child, and the kid simply lifted their arm to give the man access to pull them forward none too gently. Sun wanted to reach forward and swat the man's hand away. Wanted to scoop the little one up and cradle them. Comfort and reassure them that these people would never hurt them again. But Sun had to resist these innate desires, though it felt like it caused him physical pain. The only thing Sun could do was be kind, and maybe give the kid a little extra leeway after all if the kid really was as much of a troublemaker as the note suggested… Well, Sun could just imagine. Children tended to copy the behavior they see and this child was clearly being abused. Sun would have to keep an eye on them, but he'd also have to be extra gentle with him. The man yanked the child back and forced them to face him, even going so far as to grab their chin.

"Excuse me, I'm sure there isn't any-"
"If you cause any trouble," The man growled.

"You'll skin me," The child said nonchalantly. The older boy flinched, looking wide eyed between the two as if this part was news. Sun played back the behavior of the other two from before, the two had deliberately looked away, the woman was almost completely turned around at this point.

"Are you sassing me boy?" The man growled.

"No, sir," the child said. "I'm sorry sir."

"Ahem," Sun said. "You can leave now." Sun said. "You've checked in, from now on you can check in from up top and leave things to the daycare staff." He said pointing to the slide. "Now if you don't min-"

"Shut up, bot. Who's in charge?" He looked around, finding the security guy, he almost brushed past. Sun felt like his gears might literally be grinding. It would be really easy to just-.

Sunshine, Moon said softly.

"Sir, I'm author-"

"Hey!" The man shouted. "You make sure this punk doesn't cause any trouble, feel free to call us if he does anything at all." The man almost threw the child into the security counter. The security guard actually stood at that, reaching to help steady the kid. But the child flinched away from him too. The security guard was one of the newer ones for the day staff. A requirement for the daytime, usually Sun hated the guys they hired for the job. It was like they went out of their way to find the most incompetent, or monstrous-

Or monstrous incompetent, Moon added. But this one, well, they weren't the worst type of person.

"Mind your manors, brat," the man said.

"Yes, sir," the kid said with little feeling behind the words. The man crouched again and grabbed the kids face again forcing them to make eye contact.

"Cause any trouble and I really will," the man said in a low enough voice that human ears couldn't pick up. The kid just nodded. Acting like this threat was totally normal.

"Alright, please leave everything to us and get out!" Sun said. Ushering, pushing, the man out the door. "Bye-bye."

"Throw that crap away before we come to pick you up!" the man shouted pointing to the girl. Sun wished not for the first time that he could call someone, but no he wasn't even allowed to know who to call in situations like this. The company caring more about their bottom line than the kids they promised to take care of, lies. Sun sighed, regaining his composure to crouch in front of the little kid. They'd shuffled their bag off their shoulders, and were trying to get the zipper open. It was probably hard since she was also holding a Moon plushie. Sun always thought they were the cutest, and Moon deserved more fans. Sun carefully reached forward to stop the kid, but they flinched hard enough to knock somewhat hard against his exoskeleton.

"Ooh, ouch are you okay," the kid looked up to Sun, tears forming in their eyes.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm-"

"Hey, hey, okay, that's fine, you didn't hurt me, I was saying out cause it must have hurt you," Sun said. The kid was shaking like a leaf. "It's okay, let's- let's start over." Sun hadn't dealt with a case this bad in a while. Hopefully it would end the same way the last one did. Even if it did hurt the kid at first. "I'm Sun, you can call me Sun, or Sundrop that's my candy, or you can call me Sunny. You can also call me Mr. Sun or Mr. Sunny. Whatever you want, okay?" Sun waited, watching as the kid relaxed the tiniest bit, only the tiniest bit. They didn't say anything but nodded. "Alright, and what's your name?" Sun knew most kids liked introducing themselves, and sometimes parents, especially cruel ones, would use a name that made the child upset.

"I saw them put my birth name on the form thingy," The kids said.

"And? What if they got it wrong? Parents do that sometimes, and no offense but those two don't seem like the best parent-"

"They're not my parents," The kid's voice was sharp, too sharp apparently, because they slapped their hand over their mouth and started shaking again.

"Oh-hey, hey, hey, it's okay, I'm sorry, are they your guardians? Did they adopt you? What's up with them?" the kid turned to pouting pretty quickly. Hiding behind the Moon plush. It was adorable.

"I'- Ha-harriette- my name is Harriette," She said.

"Ah, well, it's lovely to meet you Harriette," Sun said. She looked up at him for a second before wilting a little. "So… Who are those people?"

"My aunt, uncle and cousin," Harriette said. "My parents died. They say it was a car crash 'cause they were drunks. It doesn't matter."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Sun said.

"Why?"

"Because nobody should lose their parents at such a young age," Sun said.

"Well, according to Uncle Vernon they weren't great people," Harriette said.

"Alright, my pronouns are he/him, that means that when other people talk about me they should use he and him and his. Though I guess nothing really belongs to me except my Moon."

"Moon?" The girl asked.

"His pronouns are also he/him/his and he looks like this little guy?" Sun said, pointing to the push. The girl looked at the doll then to Sun then around.

"Where is he? Does he only come out at night? Oh, is he in charge of naptime?"

"How'd you guess?"

"Well, the moon comes out at night, and you're supposed to sleep at night, so…" the kid shrugged. "I'm a girl, and use girl pronouns." Sun chuckled.

"Well, that works, so you like to go by she/her then?" the girl nodded, a small smile growing on her face. "Well, you picked a nice name."

"Not really, I just picked it cause my parents are dead," Harriette explained. "They didn't get to know I was a girl so I figured that would have been the name they'd have chosen."

"So, what exactly makes this plushie worthy of throwing away, exactly?" Sun asked, the girl shifted. Then she shuffled in one of her thin, torn, jacket's pockets. She held out her hand and opened it palm up. The star that was usually on the Plushie version of Moon's hat.

"Ah, well, we could just sew it on?" The girl shook her head shifting in a way that suggested she'd run. "Or we could not? But if we fixed it he wouldn't have anything to complain about." the girl shook her head again, much harder.

"Then I won't be allowed…" She trailed off. "It was supposed to be my cousin, but 'it' broke…" She said it in a strange way, when she started speaking again it was all in a rush. "He didn't want it anymore, and it broke, and they already got him something else and-." the girl cut herself off. Tears formed in her eyes. "I shouldn't be selfish." She held the doll out.

"Well, if your cousin didn't want it, and already got a replacement… why can't you have it?" Sun asked.

"'Cause," Harriette said, as if that explained perfectly. As if it was obvious. "'Cause it's not supposed to be mine, 'cause I'm not allowed to have anything 'cause I'm- it doesn't matter. I shouldn't be selfish." the girl held the doll out to him. Sun knew full well that trying to change a kids world view in one minute, especially when they'll just have to go back to a bad environment, wasn't going to go the greatest.

"Oh! Oh no!" Sun said dramatically. "I seem to have forgotten how to sew," he faked. The girl watched him skeptically for a moment before realization dawned on her. A soft smile spread over her face, she tucked the doll back under her chin and hugged it a little tighter than before. "You can keep it out until they come back. I won't let them in until you have it tucked into your bag. Kay?" Sun wished he could wink, but that wasn't something he could do . The girl still giggled at his replacement gesture; a little head spin. She nodded one of the sweetest, shyest smiles spreading still on her face. Then she frowned.

"Are you going to have to tell on me?"

"Huh?"

"About me calling myself Harriette," Harriette asked. "I- you don't -If-..."

"I don't have to tell anyone anything except for safety protocols and inventory," Sun said. "I am not required to disclose the personal information of any of my little guests to anyone. And nobody has any right to ask." Harriette giggled.

"So, what do you want to do?" Sun asked. The girl's eyes widened, then she looked around wildly as if seeing the place around them for the first time. She might be. Everyone responds to abuse differently, some kids withdraw into themself to find shelter in their own minds because there's no safe place in the world for them. Sun hoped that Harriette would find this place to be a safe place for her. She deserved to know that there was more to life than what she was going through.

"Th-at-umm. I want to- to draw, if that's okay," Harriette said.

"Of course," Sun said. Sun showed the girl to the tables.
"What am I allowed to use?" Harriette asked.

"Anything you want," Sun assured. "As much as you want."

"As much as I want?" Harriette looked like she'd gone to heaven, her voice soft with amazement. "Really?" she didn't wait for an answer before nearly shouting. "Really really?"

"Uh-huh, yup. Whatever you want for as much as you want," Sun said.

"No limits?" Harriette's voice had gone back to the soft, amazed tone. Sun nodded.
"Go ahead," Sun assured her. "I've gotta do a check in to make sure everyone is safe, but I'll come back to make sure you're doing okay too."

"Um wait, what about other rules?" Harriette asked.

"Mmmm, I think it's just don't hit other kids, and don't disturb others while they play, and don't go behind the security desk. I mean there are a bunch of rules for me but kids are allowed to do whatever they want as long as they don't get hurt, hurt someone else, or keep someone else from having the best time they can possibly have." Sun nodded.

"And, what if you break a rule," the girl's voice had gotten scared, as if she was used to breaking rules and getting punished harshly for it. Probably was.

"You might go in time out, at worst a kid might be banned from the daycare for the day," Sun thought. "I mean there was a kid who got banned for a week but that's not going to happen to you." Sun assured her. The girl looked nervous but nodded. Sun turned to go about his check, but he overheard Genny reassuring the girl.

"Don't worry, hardly anyone ever actually gets punished," Ginny said. "Unless you plan to pick a really big fight with someone you'll probably be fine." Sun was glad sometimes kids could reassure each other better than he could. Especially in stances like this. Sun went to do a physical check on the kids to make sure things were still running smoothly.

Sun entered the toy play area to check that the three were still playing nice. Tonya, a regular (Last name: Garratt. Age: 8. Allergic to Shellfish and Polyester) seemed to be getting along well with the other two kids: Viola (Age: 2. Allergic to lavender and shellfish. Hasn't quite mastered speaking. Shots are up to date), and Tommy (Age: 4. No Known Allergies. Likes playing with stuffed animals). They seemed to be playing well.

"You shall never conc-con- take over the Cuddly Kingdom," Tonya said.

"I shall rule one day, dear Queen Fluffydoodle," Tommy said.

"Not my hero has anything to say about it!" Tonya said.

"Ha! Your hero is a fool- are we gonna get in trouble for that?" Tommy said, looking up to Sun at that moment.

"While fool isn't a very nice word you are supposed to be playing the bad guy and you're not actually calling anyone a full. Right?" The boy shook his head.

"Ah-ba-da-doo-ahb," Viola said, using the stuffed toy she was holding to smack the stuffed toy Tommy was holding.

"Not yet Vee, you gotta wait a sec," Tommy said, a little frustrated while directing his sister to her proper position. Sun left, letting them continue their game.

While passing the playhouse he was stopped. Pulled into the game of neighborhood by the oldest player Elison (He/him. Age 8, allergic to soy sauce, and peanut butter. Like to play pretend).

"Stop," Elison said, his voice ratcheting up high. "As the HOA head I demand to see your permit." Elison said. Sun tilted his head, confused. "It's okay, you just need to show any piece of paper." Elison whispered in his real voice.
"Ah, um, right here," Sun said, pulling out a piece of art Elison had handed him that morning while he'd been waiting for his usual friend Daniella (Last Name: Berry-Piits. Age: 9. No Known Allergies. Parents are divorced and remarried) to show up. Elison nodded with a wink then got back into character.

"Very well, but I've got my eye on you," Elison said, then forced down a giggle. The other kids, a pair hiding behind the fake fence that made up the playhouse's yard, giggled too. Elison left going over to some of the other kids who were playing the game.

"How dare you touch grass, this is my grass!" He said, the pair of girls; Terrissa () and Edan () bursting into giggles at the display. Sun leaned down to the two kids hiding behind the fence.

"What's going on?" Sun asked.

"Elison is playing 'Karen' the dreaded head of the HOA," Aisha (Age:9. 'Mild' Dust Allergy) explained. Tanner (Age: 8. Allergic to Dust, Polin, and Nuts) giggled next to her. Sun had no idea what that meant but the kids seemed to be having a blast with it. Elison stomping over to each group or person in the game, fake outrage as he complains about some made up grievance the child involved often collapsing with laughter.

"An HOA is a bunch of rules that people have to follow to live in a special neighborhood," Lizza (Age: 8. Lactose intollerant) said. "I'm painting my house a wrong color." She giggled, pulling out construction paper and putting it on the sides of the playhouse. The two kids burst into giggling.

"Oh, okay, well, that sounds fun," Sun said. Not sure what he should really say on the matter. He stood watching Elison approaching Malissa (Age: 5. No Allergies. Likes to playing dolls. Additional notes: Request dolls. Request made Request denied. Likes playing with stuffed animals. Usually brings her own dolls) the only other regular to be playing the current game. It was unusual to see Daniella and Elison playing apart. He hoped the two hadn't gotten into a fight, it was rare but it did happen.

Sun would have to check on it later. As he continued he watched as Gabby (Name: Gabrialla. Prefers Gabby. Age: 5. No Known Allergies), another non regular, went up to them and started a fake argument with Elison in defense of Milissa who was playing her fake daughter. The two fight down snickers before collapsing into a fit of giggles. Sun spotted Toby (Name: Tobias. Prefers Toby. Age: 4. Shellfish Allergies) and Adam (Age: 3. No Known Allergies.) sitting in the playhouse staring. Clearly confused by the older children's antics, but they were having their own fun pretending to take care of a babydoll. So, Sun moved onto the rest of the daycare.

Sun looked up to the top of one of the safe to climb play structures. Ron (Age: 6. No known Allergies, afraid of spiders, seems to be easily influenced by others.) was climbing on the play structures in his stained Freddy shirt, stained pants, and tenny shoes. His red hair was long enough to get into his eyes and obscure his vision, causing him to shake his hair out of his eyes. Sun made a note that he needed his bangs trimmed, he'd tell one of his older siblings or his parents when they came. Either they needed to cut it or encourage him to wear a hairband or something. Charlie wore his hair up all the time so it wouldn't be too terribly difficult. Sun watched making sure his vision wasn't so obscured as to make him fall.

Once he was on top of the play structure he set his attention on getting his hair completely out of face. His freckled face scrunched up in annoyance. His older brother Fred tagged him into the game of hide and seek tag, (13 playing tag, 5 exploring the play structures. 35 in total.) Sun was relieved, he wasn't sure how he was going to discourage him from climbing otherwise.

Percy shot out of the play structure toward Sun. Percy was the oldest and often felt responsible for making sure things got done the way they were supposed to. Often helping Sun or Moon with head counts. Even when discouraged.

"Doing a headcount?" Percy said.

"Yes, I can do it on my own, you don't need to worry about it," Sun said, ruffling the boy's hair to make it clear it wasn't meant too much of a chastisement. The boy chuckled, shoving Sun's arm away.

"It's fine, I like doing it," Percy said. "It helps." Sun nodded.

"Ah, did you get the tests I recommended," Sun said.

"Yeah, it took a bit of convincing, but it's actually been a little easier since I am on the spectrum but most of my sensitivities are lower." Percy said, and Sun added it to his internal files. "We're still working on the paperwork for Ron though." Percy said.

"I'm sorry I forgot to ask this morning," Sun said.

"It's fine, you were busy," Percy said. "So, the kids who joined the game of tag are mostly regulars: Daniella, she didn't want to play house with a bunch of strangers."

"Ah, I was worried, thank you," Sun said. Percy nodded.

"Then there's Andy," (Last Name: Bartram. Age: 4. Parent chose not to fill despite being a regular *Kristin. Allergic to Eggs.) "Mark," (Age: 6. No Known Allergies. Sleep apnea; needs nose strips. Likes throwing things) "Thomas," (Last Name: Garrat. Age: 6. No known Allergies. Hearing Sensitivity.) "and Maddie," (Age: 8. Lactose intolerant. Likes tag and hide and seek. Is often a sore loser.). "The non regulars names were: Alisha, Tab, Mavix," (Last Name: Karter. Age: 7. No Allergies. Father either chose to use his last name or his name is Karter Karter). "Weird name by the way." Sun made a noise, and Percy made nervous expressions. "Sorry, you're right. The last kid is Mac." (Last Name: Karter. Age 6. No known Allergies.).

"And are they all having fun?" Sun asked.

"Nobodies complained, and we made it clear that they could leave if they weren't having fun," Percy said. "So it should be fine."

"Alright, that's good," Sun said. "I trust your judgment, I gotta check on the other kids playing in the play structure.

"Sure," Percy said, Mavix ran past.

"Tag you're it!" they shouted running off. Percy snorted, chasing after them with a quick wave. Sun waved back before heading into the play structure, locating each child and heading toward them. Even if they were a child Percy already accounted for.

"Hi, Sunny," Mark shouted from one of the netted areas above Sun as he passed. "How are you?"

"I'm good," Sun said. "Are you having fun?"

"Uh-huh, we're playing tag," The boy said, "Ah,gotta go!" The boy shouted, scrambling off over the netted obstacle. Sun continued on, finding Denis (Age: 4. No Known Allergies.) and Victor (Age: 4. No Known Allergies) talking to Tab who was excitedly encouraging them to join the game of tag.

"Awe c;mon!" Tab whined.

"It's fine if they don't want to play tag, maybe they have a good reason not to want to play," Sun said. "Maybe they're enjoying their own game." Tab huffed.

"But why?" Tab whined,

"I don't like playing tag," Denis said. "I don't like being it, but I can't run very fast so I'm always it." He pouted.

"I'm having fun playing with Denis," Victor said. Tab stomped his feet.

"Fine, you guys are boring anyways!" Tab called out.

"That's not a very nice thing to say," Sun shouted.

"It's okay, he's no fun either," Denis said.

"I think you're plenty of fun," Victor said. "I'm glad we got to meet."

"Thanks," Denis said. Sun nodded. Letting the two get back to exploring. Sun found Emelia (Full Name: Emelia Newton. Pollen Allergies. Has ADHD; is medicated. Likes Drawing, High Energy activities. Hates sitting still for too long, people fighting around her. Favorite Animatronic: Freddy. Public Notes: None Private Notes: Does not count us as among animatronics. One of Our Favorites.) showing the two of the other non-regulars where one of the slides was.

"This is one of the slides and it goes down into the ball pit-" Emelia was saying.

"Hello," Sun called to get the kids' attention. The pair of boys seemed relieved when Emelia shot over to him with zero hesitations.

"Hello, Mr. Sunny! How are you? Are you doing a check? I'm here? I'm showing these boys around! I'm having fun, I'm being nice so they're having fun and learning lots. Right?" Emelia was a talker, and not everyone thought that was a good thing. Dillian (Age: 7. No Known Allergies.) took the slide first and Sun had to stop Micheal (Age: 8. No Known Allergies.), from trying to go down before Dillian was properly down. "So, what's going on? What are you going to do for a group game? I can't wait to play with everyone. I'm sure you guys are looking forward to it- hey where'd they go?" She finally ran out of air and seemed to need to take a deep breath in order to continue.

"They took the slide, Little Bee," Sun said. Emelia looked up at him. Her mouth dropped open, then she wilted.

"I did it again, didn't I," Emelia said.

"You'll find the right friends," Sun said. "You like playing with Ginny and she likes playing with you."

"Yeah!" Emelia said. "But-"

"You'll make more friends," Sun said, "You might not Bee everyone's cup of tea, but you'll find others who appreciate you for you." Sun said, ruffling her hair. She snickered at his pun.

"I saw the door open," Emelia said. "Is there a new daycare attendee? Maybe they'll wanna be friends!"

"Whoa, whoa," Sun said. "There is a new attendant but she's a little… How do I phrase this? She's nervous, so let's give her some time to adjust to the daycare."

"Okay," Emelia said. "So… when can I greet her!"

"Uh, how about I get back to you for that one okay?"

"Okay," Emelia said. "But don't wait too long! I want to know soon!"

"Oaky, okay," Sun said. "Have fun okay, Pu-mmm," Sun said.

"Yeah," Emelia said. "See ya," Then she ran off to continue exploring. Sun continued on for a moment, meeting up with each kid to make sure they were having fun. Once that was done he headed back down to the tables where he'd left Harriette. She was still drawing across from Ginny (Age: 4. No known Allergies. Likes to climb and explore.) She'd been coloring at the tables for a bit now. Sun figured she was a good kid to start Harriette socializing with, since she was friendly but a lot less high energy then some of Sun's other little regulars. He wasn't familiar enough to the non-regulars to be sure they'd be a good fit. Ginny Weasley's hair matched all of her siblings in its bright red color, but it was longer and currently had a ribbon braided in it. Sun was pretty proud, and wondered if he could try and do the same with Harriette's later. She clearly needed a little extra care compared to some of his other regulars. He wondered if he could get the girl into the showers, it might be too difficult and she'd just have to put on her dirty clothes. Sun couldn't really hand out stuff that Fazbear Entertainment threw out in such a crowded daycare. Even if he really wanted to get the little girl cleaned up, and maybe treat some of those wounds he'd noticed.

Sun exited the play structure and headed over to the tables. Katie (She/Her. Age: 5. No Known Allergies. Autistic; doesn't like things touching her wrists, ankles or neck as they're sensitive areas. Autistic, goes non verbal regularly. Uses Sign Language.) and Alexa (Last Name: Bartram. Age: 6. Celiac Disease. Do not feed Gluten.) sat across from each other on the same table a little ways away from Harriette. Maybe he'd get them all to sit together later, if he could get Harriette cleaned up. Katie was sensitive, though Harriette didn't smell at least. He knew his regulars probably wouldn't be cruel about it, well beyond childish honesty, but that wasn't really intended to be cruel. Sun arrived at the tables.

"How are you kids doing? Having fun?" Sun asked. Harriette flinched. Sun noted that she had trouble with loud sounds. "Sorry, kiddo didn't mean to scare you?" Sun said, much quieter. He noted that Alexa waved from her focussed position over her art, Katie looked up. Signed that she was fine and focused back on her art. The whole time Harriette seemed to debate what she wanted to say.

"I'm done!" Ginny shouted. "I'm going to join my brothers!" Harriette flinched looking to watch the other girl run off. She looked between the other girls before looking back at Sun.

"Um- I- uh," Harriette said thoughtfully. "Um- I finished a drawing." Harriette said, showing him shyly. The way Sun imagined she might a teacher.

"Oh, wow, this is really good," Sun said. "You did- what medi- ah- I mean what things did you use to color?" She shifted. "I'm asking because you did really well and I want to know what you used to make it?" Harriette pointed to the crayons that Ginny had been using and abandoned. "I just used the ones she wasn't." She shifted.

"You did this with crayon!" Sun said excitedly. "This is really good. Did you blend the colors?" Harriette shrugged, picking up another crayon and continuing to color, though she shifted the piece she was working on down to color something else. Maybe she got bored with that piece. That was fine. "I mean it you know," Sun said. "This is really pretty. I almost want to keep it."

"You can if you want," She said. "It's too big to take back with me anyway." It wasn't that big a piece of paper. Would they seriously not let her keep a drawing she made?

"That's too bad, but I would love to have it," Sun said. "I'm going to hang it up in my room. Only Emelia ever gives me anything so pretty." Harriette just shifted, focused on her drawing. Sun sighed. It would take some work to help give her a little confidence, it just sucked that he didn't have a lot of time. "So, how long are you going to be joining us?" Sun figured it would be for the day so her answer surprised him.

"My uncle is working at a conference and Dudley's birthday will come up soonish, so we're planning a week, maybe more than that," Harriette answered. "I don't know. At least a week though." Her voice sounded so distant, like she wasn't talking about herself. Sun hoped he could get through to her. Even if he just taught her that she deserved better than what she was getting and that it would get better that was- well it was better than nothing.

"Alright, I'll let you get back to drawing, okay?" Sun asked.

"Ah-um-where would I find you later?" Harriette asked. Sun wasn't sure what that was about but he'd give her the best answer he could.

"Well, you could just call for me," Sun said. "I'll come as quick as I can. Okay?" Sun said.

"I- I don't want to bother you," Harriette said.

"It's okay, this is my job after all," Sun said. "And I like looking after you kiddo, so don't worry too much about it. Okay?" Sun said. Harriette seemed to be clamming up. So, it was best to take another approach. "I'll come back to check on you again in a little bit if you'd prefer." Harriette spent a moment, before nodding.

---

Harriette had just started drawing her second drawing, after a little deliberation of what she wanted to draw. The first drawing was of a flower that had grown in the garden that spring, the second she was going to draw a cat. Since there was another girl across from her she couldn't draw spiders, and she didn't want to risk the girl recognizing a spider web and getting scared. She could draw shapes, but those weren't really drawings. She only had a limited knowledge of what the world looked like. She could try drawing; shapes, trees, flowers, cats, mice, rats and spiders. She could also draw Beatles and other bugs she guessed but those weren't exactly girly things to draw. She'd lost the only chance she had to make a friend by drawing a beetle so she wasn't a fan of that. Flowers and trees and cats were things she could draw. She'd seen a few birds too, but those were a little hard to get right since they flew away too often and too fast before she could really learn what they looked like. They were always too far away too. So again she was stuck with; flowers, trees and cats.

"How are you kids doing? Having fun?" Mr. Sun asked. Harriette flinched. "Sorry, kiddo didn't mean to scare you?" Mr. Sun said, much quieter. Harriette watched as he checked on the other girls who were coloring. One waved while still focused on her own art. She was at another table with another girl. That girl moved her hands and Mr. Sun nodded as if that was an answer to his question, maybe it was. The whole time Harriette tried to decide what to tell him.

"I'm done!" the girl nearest Harriette shouted. "I'm going to join my brothers!" Harriette flinched looking to watch the other girl run off. She looked between the other girls before looking back at Mr. Sun. who was waiting patiently for her answer. Focusing on her. His face was painted on and ridged so that he couldn't move it at all. So Harriette couldn't tell what he was thinking at all. It was a little scary, but Mr. Sun was being nice.

"Um- I- uh," Harriette said thoughtfully. "Um- I finished a drawing." Harriette said, showing him shyly. The way she'd show a teacher her work.

"Oh, wow, this is really good," Mr. Sun said. "You- did- what medi- ah- I mean what things did you use to color?" Harriette shifted worriedly. "I'm asking because you did really well and I want to know what you used to make it?" Harriette pointed to the crayons that the other girl had been using and abandoned. "I just used the ones she wasn't."

"You did this with crayon!" Mr. Sun said excitedly. "This is really good. Did you blend the colors?" Harriette shrugged, she didn't know what that meant. She decided she was going to make a spider anyway. Mr. Dressel said she was a good drawer too. He'd kicked her out because of a drawing. Harriette was so, so angry at Mr. Dressel. He was so cruel. She'd been good, she'd tried, she was never rude, and she always cleaned up after herself and he'd- he'd been so nice. Then he'd-. Harriette picked up another piece of paper and grabbed a black crayon to start drawing the base shape. She didn't want to get her hopes up with Mr. Sun like that. She'd thought Mr. Dressel liked her, she was good. Well she just wanted Mr. Sun to just tell her she was a gross freak. It was easier that way. It was easier if it happened sooner rather than later. He was nice, but all grown ups, no all of everybody, had limits. And that limit was usually spiders.

"I mean it you know," Mr. Sun said. "This is really pretty. I almost want to keep it."

"You can if you want," Harriette said. "It's too big to take back with me anyway." He was just going to throw it away when he realized she was a freak. Besides it was true, she wasn't allowed to have things and she learned better then to have big stuff.

"That's too bad, but I would love to have it," Mr. Sun said. "I'm going to hang it up in my room. Only Emelia ever gives me anything so pretty." Harriette didn't know who that was, but she must also like to draw cause. Harriette focused on her drawing. It didn't take long for Mr. Sun to say more. "So, how long are you going to be joining us?"

"My uncle is working at a conference and Dudley's birthday will come up soonish, so we're planning a week, maybe more than that," Harriette answered. "I don't know. At least a week though." She kept her voice as neutral as possible. She didn't want to get into, or cause, any trouble.

"Alright, I'll let you get back to drawing, okay?" Mr. Sun said.

"Ah-um-where would I find you later?" Harriette asked. Trying to keep the nerves out of her voice. She'd need to be able to find him to give him her spider drawing. That way he wouldn't compliment her drawing. It wasn't against the rules but it was best if he left her alone. She hoped it didn't get her kicked out, but still didn't like the idea of not doing it.

"Well, you could just call for me," Mr. Sun said. "I'll come as quick as I can. Okay?" Harriette couldn't do that, especially cause she was deliberately trying to make him not like her. Or well, she really just didn't want him to pretend he could like her.

"I- I don't want to bother you," Harriette said.

"It's okay, this is my job after all," Mr. Sun said. "And I like looking after you kiddos, so don't worry too much about it. Okay?" Harriette couldn't she'd have to find him somehow. She'd have to look all over. That meant that some of the other kids would see. Maybe she'd just have to keep to her plan. Mr. Dressel looking at her like she was a monster popped into her head. She couldn't do that. She couldn't get attached only to mess up later. She couldn't, no she needed- needed… "I'll come back to check on you again in a little bit if you'd prefer." Harriette had to calm down before she could even nod. It was really stupid and she was such a dummy but she managed. The plan was set. She'd finish and then he would leave her alone, like Harriette deserved.

Harriette was really proud of her drawing, it was a picture of the newest Ms. Spider, and it was a really good recreation. It wasn't perfect because Harriette had a hard time seeing good enough for that, but it was close enough. Harriette had even gotten inspired and drew some silvery spiderwebs around the corners. It looked really pretty. Harriette was a little sad that it would get thrown away, but Harriette's drawings always got thrown away no matter what. Maybe Mr. Sun wouldn't tear it up and she'd be able to sneak it home. She didn't think she would but it was a nice thought.

Harriette took a deep breath and stood looking toward where she'd heard Mr. Sun's voice. He hadn't come back to check on her, since a few more kids had come in. The security guard had to be changed, and Mr. Sun had been called over to join a game with some of the other kids. Harriette took another deep breath, and started over toward him.

Harriette's heart was beating a thousand miles a minute. She could feel her hands getting sweaty. She took a deep breath before asking for Mr. Sun's attention. She always hated drawing attention to herself. She was a freak and she wasn't allowed. But this was for the best, it was less painful to do it now. And it was better not to waste Mr. Sun's time. Mr. Sun turned to look to her. He crouched down to be closer to eye level. She thought her heart stopped before he'd done that. She wondered how he could do that when he was so big.

She swallowed. If she was going to get rejected so cruelly she wanted to do it before she got attached, and this was better for Mr. Sun too. Freaks shouldn't waste good people's time. So she forced herself to thrust the drawing toward him. She ducked her head. Trying to fight the urge to cry. She couldn't stop her lip from quivering. She heard the paper crinkle. Mr. Sun was probably looking over it. It would take him a minute to realize what a bad thing she drew. Than he'd get mad at her.

"Oh!" Here it co-. "She's lovely!" Mr. Sun said. Harriette looked up to him. "Did you draw this from memory? It's so well accurate. Steatoda Grossa, right?" Mr. Sun said, tilting his head. Harriette copied, tilting her head the same direction. "The name of the spider, well the scientific one, it has a few more common names, but it shares several with other species. It's often mistaken for a black widow, but unlike the widow it's not nearly as dangerous. However-." Harriette was just staring wide eyed at him for a moment. Unshed tears burning in her eyes. "I'm sorry are you okay, I didn't mean to upset-"

"No, that's not," Harriette wiped her eyes. "What did you say the spider was called?"

"Huh, the name?" Mr. Sun asked. Harriette nodded. "I mean I-"

"I didn't know there was a name- I just drew her cause she lives in my room," Harriette said. Mr. Sun looked worried but Harriette was more interested in spiders.

"Oh, okay, I- well I thought that you would have seen it in a text book, It's not-"

"You have spiders in your room?" One of the other kids said.

"Now, I think you should be careful with your next choice of words," Mr. Sun said. "You don't have to like the same things as other kids, but you can't be mean to them for liking something different to you." The kid thought about it before saying their next sentence.

"Doesn't your parents get rid of spiders from your room?" the girl asked.

"Don't got any," Harriette said, then she turned back to Mr. "You said it's called Steatoda Grossa? Right?" Harriette asked, Mr. Sun nodded. "What else?"

"Do you like spiders?" Mr. Sun asked, and Harriette nodded vigorously. She felt lighter than air. "Do you want to learn more?" Harriette couldn't keep from bouncing.

"Can I? Can I?" She asked, amazed at the prospect.

"Yeah, I can teach you while you draw," Mr. Sun said. "You want to do that?" Mr. Sun waved good-bye to the kids he'd been playing with.

"Can I draw the spider's while we talk about them," Harriette asked.

"Of course," Mr. Sun said. Harriette bounced into action. Tugging Mr. Sun forward without thinking. Too excited to remember that she was anything other than a happy kid about to learn something about their favorite thing in the world. She'd have to gift Mr. Sun another drawing, one that was specially made for him. She had to. "What do you say to making a little book about spiders?" Harriette felt like she might float, nodding her head was starting to hurt from how excited she was. "Alright, we'll need to collect some supplies," Mr. Sun tilted his head almost all the way around. Harriette wondered what that was supposed to mean.

They collected paper, glue, and pens as well as pencils and crayons. Mr. Sun set them all out, and then they got started. Harriette drawing pictures based on Mr. Sun's descriptions and then making notes. He seemed to have as much fun helping Harriette make it as Harriette did. It was really cool too. Mr. Sun hole punched three holes along one side of each page and then tied them all together with a set of string.

"We can add more later," Mr. Sun said. "I have to set up an activity." Harriette nodded. She picked up their work looking at the first page. "We'll make a cover another time." He ruffled her hair, she looked up as he was heading away. She'd liked that. It felt nice to have her hair ruffled. She looked down at their work. The first page was of Steatoda Grossa, Harriette really liked this too. She wished she could keep it.

---

Harriette watched the other kids. Mr. Sun calling them all together to ask if they wanted to play a game together. A lot of the kids were excited by the idea. Harriette watched unsure about how this would work.

"Now remember, you don't have to join if you don't want to," Mr. Sun said, looking over to her and the other girl who hadn't gotten up. She was still coloring, completely ignoring the things going on around her. Harriette almost admired that focus. Sun explained the rules of the game. It was a type of race, that involved the some obstacles Mr. Sun set up as he explained. Harriette didn't like obstacle races. Harriette's small size made lots of people assume she would be slow, and not able to make it over things as easily. But Harriette was often forced to run and climb and scurry over and under and around things a lot. Because of that a lot of the other kids insisted she was cheating, and often when enough kids complained she got in trouble. She decided to stay out of the game since she was allowed. Harriette wasn't even sure what the point was. Another kid seemed to agree.

"What do we get for winning?" one of the older boys asked. He wasn't the oldest. That was the red haired boy who stood next to Mr. Sun helping set up the course.

"You get to…" Mr. Sun paused for dramatic affect before pulling out a flat booklet. "Pick a stick! One of these stickers. They're special stickers that I'm only allowed to pass out for special occasions." Sun did that thing where he spun his head nearly upside down. "And you get to choose where to stick it too." Mr. Sun said. Everyone seemed excited. Harriette understood perfectly. She loved stickers, but she'd only ever got them on schoolword, and not that many. She wasn't allowed to do well in school, because she was a freak. She shook her head. Winning would be a bad thing to do, she didn't want to end up locked up in the car or a hotel bathroom the whole trip. She liked Mr. Sun, and she was allowed to draw and like spiders and learn and she didn't get into trouble. The rules were easy to follow, just don't make any of the other kids mad. That was easy, stay out of their way. Easy as that.

She watched, as Mr. Sun set them each into groups. There were so many of them that it would have been easy for them to get hurt. Plus he had to set one up for the little, little kids, who were too small for the main game. Harriette watched as the kids took off, scrambling over obstacles. They were pretty loud, but it looked like they were having fun.

Harriette noticed a red haired girl she was racing with the big kids, but she was smaller then all of them. She ran, and bounced, and crawled and climbed over all the obstacles fast enough to pull into the lead. Her red and purple braids flew behind her, as she bounded and did a diving roll over and then under an obstacle, a lot of the other kids had to stop to adjust to the new task, but she moved like it wasn't a challenge at all. Harriette worried her bottom lip as she watched the game draw to a close. The girl was really young, she must not know that you shouldn't win against kids bigger then you. Harriette was about to stand up when she saw one of the bigger boys come over to her, but instead of shoving or something else mean, he patted her on the back, throwing an arm around the girl's shoulder. Were they hugging? Some of the other kids gave her high fives, shoulder claps, and offered their fists to her for her to hit her fist against. Some of the really big kids ruffled her hair, and the oldest one even picked her up.

"The winner!" he shouted, holding the girl on his shoulder for all to see. All the kids cheered. Harriette noticed that some hadn't been celebrating at first, but had gotten wrapped up in the joy of celebrating that it didn't mattered who had won.

For a split second Harriette imagined getting the same treatment if she- but she may be stupid but she wasn't that stupid. She wasn't blind either. The boy who was holding her on his shoulder had the same red hair, and freckles their skin tone matching. There were three more boys with the same traits.

She also noticed that the kids that were most familiar with the daycare, Mr. Sun, and each other were the ones who started cheering first. Meaning they probably wouldn't be so kind to Harriette, she was a stranger, a freak. She'd be yelled at for cheating and get kicked out. Mr. Sun wouldn't tell her more about spiders, because he wouldn't want to associate with a cheater. Harriette clapped for the girl nonetheless. She still won, and Harriette could tell she'd done it fair and square. Harriette turned away when the girl started over. She tried to pretend she was reabsorbed in her coloring page. People didn't like it when you watched them, even if you were just trying to learn the rules.

She watched them from the corner of her eyes as they got themselves water. She wondered if she was allowed to get water. She hadn't raced, but she was still thirsty. Well, Mr. Sun hadn't mentioned it was against the rules, and the other kids were all getting themselves water. Harriette would get herself some too and if she wasn't allowed she'd- she'd put the water down and walk away. She thought that sounded kind of wasteful though, so she hoped that wasn't what she'd have to do.

Harriette got up and headed over to where all the kids were gathered getting water, and talking. She slipped through the line on one and started back to her table. When she pulled free of the crowd though she froze. The red haired girl, and one of the red haired boys was at the table Harriette was at. She swallowed, trying not to panic. The boy was cutting up a piece of bright bleu construction paper, the girl was drawing with crayons. Harriette started making her way over as quickly as she could. Trying not to panic at the sight of them so close to her booklet. She was so proud of it, and she really did want to keep it. She didn't want another kid to ruin it. People didn't like spiders. Harriette made it back to the table, heart in her throat as she collected her book and put it in her backpack. She carefully put it between two of her other books, not wanting it to get crinkled. Once It was safely stowed Harriette grabbed another piece of paper, remembered she still had the one she'd been working on before Mr. Sun had complimented her, and put it back.

She wasn't sure what she'd been drawing before, but she couldn't waste the paper so she'd have to wait and see if she could remember. She sipped her water as she tried to think. She remembered she'd been thinking about what she could and couldn't draw. She couldn't draw; spiders and bugs. She could draw; cats, flowers, and trees. She tilted her head and it looked like… she'd been using oranges, her aunt didn't like orange flowers or lilies, and trees weren't orange except some in fall, but that didn't really look like leaves or branches, it looked like… stripes. She must have been drawing Tubbywinkles, Ms. Figg's fat orange cat. She looked quickly over to what the other two kids were doing.

The boy was finished cutting his blue paper, and was drawing with a white marker. He was drawing the number one, and he'd cut it out in… oh! It was a first place ribbon. The boy finished up and added tape.

"Hey, Ginny," the boy said. When the girl looked up he stuck it to the front of her dress.

"What-?" The girl started.

"You won, so you get a first place ribbon," The boy said, before taking off. Laughing as he went. Harriette thought it was sweet. The girl looked at the ribbon, confusion written all over her little face. She was actually super young. Maybe she didn't know how ribbons worked. Harriette remembered not knowing at first.

"It's a prize for winning," Harriette said. "It tells others that you won something." Harriette explained.

"Oh," The girl said, before shrugging. "So, it's good?" She was very hesitant.

"Uh-huh," Harriette said. The girl mumbled something, a little red in the face, but she was smiling so Harriette figured it was a good thing. The girl went back to coloring. Harriette remembered then that she'd wanted to make something for Mr. Sun. She may have given the other drawing to him as he was the only one who'd even want them but she wanted to make it specifically for Mr. Sun. To thank him for being nice to her and teaching her about spiders. But she didn't know what he liked. Maybe she could ask him later. Would it be rude to ask the girl, Ginny, but she was so focused on her own drawing. Harriette didn't want to interrupt her.

Harriette figured she'd learn something about Mr. Sun as time went on. If nothing else she could give it too him on her last day. That would work. That was a whole week away. She started drawing again, and she was in such a good mood she didn't even realize when she started humming.

"Hey, Ginny wanna play with me?" a girl said, joining them at their table. She had dark brown hair, and her skin was a light golden brown color.

"Yeah!" The red haired girl said, Ginny, Harriette reminded herself. Standing to join the other girl. Then the brown haired girl turned to look at Harriette, who was trying to focus on her drawing.

"Do you want to play with us too?" the first girl said. Harriette looked up at her. Her eyes were warm brown. Harriette gaped at her, she'd never been invited to play with anyone before. Harriette looked around and then between them to make sure she was talking to her.

"Are you talking to me?" Harriette asked, pointing to her chest as if to clarify. The girl nodded.

"You don't have to if you don't want to," the girl said, shrugging.

"No! I wan-" Harriette stopped shyness overtaking her. "I really want to…" Harriette said much softer. The girl leaned forward and waited. After a moment of Harriette trying to finish.

"But…" the girl asked, she frowned. But it was somehow an open gesture.

"I-well, It's n- I want t- but are you sure you want me?" Harriette was clutching her new plushie now, the motion somehow comforting her. She really liked having something to hug onto. She wished she wasn't going to have to hide it in the future.

"I'm Emelia," the other girl stated. Practically throwing her hand toward Harriette. It caused Harriette to flinch. She recovered quickly but just stared between the girl, Emelia, and her hand.

"Harriette," Harriette answered back. She didn't take the hand, instead pointing to herself.

"Nice to meet you," Emelia said. "Let's go!" she continued, taking Harriette's hand and leading her away toward the play structures. Ginny took Emelia's other hand and skipped along with them. Emelia started skipping too. With some encouragement Harriette started skipping too.

"Ah!" Ginny suddenly called out as they got to the bottom of one of the tunnels leading into the play structure. "What kind of game are we going to play?"

"Oh, yeah, what kinds of games do you like to play?"

"Ugh, I've only ever played the games that the teacher made at school," Harriette said. "I don't have any friends so I never had anyone to play with." Harriette shrugged.

"What about your parents?" Emelia started. "Didn't they have friends? Didn't those friends have kids?"

"Why would that matter?" Harriette asked.

"Because," Emelia took a deep breath before continuing. "Parents invite their friends over and those people have kids and usually those kids are about the same age." Emelia said.

"Oh," Harriette said. Not really understanding. The Durley's never invited anyone over to their house, and if they did they would often have Harriette somewhere else at the time. So she didn't know if those people did have kids. Marge didn't have kids, and neither did Mr. Dressel or Ms. Figg. But Harriette was a freak so maybe it was obvious.

"Do your parents not have any friends?" Emelia asked. "Or do they not have any kids?"

"I don't know," Harriette shrugged.

"How can you not know?"

"I've never met any of my parents' friends," Harriette said, hoping she wasn't revealing her Freakness to the other girls.

"What do you mean?" Emelia asked. "Did they never invite their friend over or… How is that even possible?"

"My parents are dead," Harriette said.

"Oh," Emelia and Genni sniffled.

"That's really sad," Genni said, with another sniffle.

"I dunno, I was only a baby when it happened," Harriette said, shifting, she was messing around with the oversize shirt she was wearing. Emelia had let go of her hand so the could stand in a semi-circle. The shirt was nearly long enough to be a dress, but Vernon had gone purple in his face, and destroyed the last shirt she'd worn as a dress. She wasn't even sure this was one of Dudley's old shirts, now that she thought about it.

"That doesn't make it not sad, I'm sorry," Emelia said, taking her hand again.

"Why? You didn't kill them," Harriette said.

"No, but I did push the subject in that direction," Emelia stated.

"But you didn't know that either," Harriette said, confused, she looked down at her feet. "Like I said it happened when I was a baby. I don't even remember them. I don't even know what they look like. I barely know their names." Harriette said. She shuffled, her new soft doll was almost falling out of her hand as it shifted to almost fist itself into her shirt. Her eyes burned a little bit. She adjusted her grip. "It doesn't even matter. My aunt and Uncle said they were bad people, so they probably didn't have any friends." She said, answering the original question.

"Sunny says that even bad people have friends," Emelia said. "What was even bad about them? If it's okay to ask. Oh, I guess you might not know huh?" she was muttering and shifting by the end. Her face was tinged with red. Harriette guessed she was probably just embarrassed.

"I actually do, and Like I said it's not a big deal," Harriette said. It was rude to try and change the subject.

"Oh, so…" Emelia started.

"Yeah, what was wrong with them?" Ginny said. Curiosity brimming over in her voice.

"Oh, they were drunks," Harriette said, shrugging. She didn't actually fully know what that word meant. She just knew it was a bad thing. "My mom was a slag and a whore." She didn't know what those words meant either.

"You shouldn't call people those things," Emelia wasn't angry, but her voice was very firm. Like a teacher when Harriette made a mistake on her homework.

"Oh," Harriette shifted.

"Those aren't nice things to say," Emelia said. "They're insults." Emelia continued. "I'll explain what those words mean so you know why you shouldn't use them okay?" Harriette and Ginny nodded. "Okay. A drunk is a person who uses alcohol too much, they're an Alcoholic. It's an illness, but calling them a drunk makes it sound like it's a choice when it's not. They're sick and they may not be able to get the help they need." Emelia explained. "They could do bad stuff to those around them and themselves but that doesn't mean they're bad. They're sick. A I'm not even going to use the s-word you used 'cause it's that bad. But it's basically the same thing as a whore, and that's just a way to insult a prostitute. They do a very adult job, I'm not even old enough to know more than that, but it's no reason to insult someone. The s-word you used may actually mean that it's not even true, because it can often be used as an insult for any woman you don't like. However even if your Mum was a prostitute she still was just trying to make money, often it's the only work that some of them can get and they have to just to survive. And if your Mum did have to do it then it would be perfectly fair if she needed to drink to forget the kind of work it is. Apparently it's really gross and hard work. Like being a plumber or fixing sewers or other dirty, gross jobs that have to get done. That's what my mum said anyway." Harriette looked at her in amazement.

Nobody had ever bothered to explain to her what her parents actually did that was so bad, but to know that it was possible they were just sick. Harriette's hands clenched in her fist. Tears started blurring her vision.

"Oh, hey I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you cry-"

"Thank you," Harriette's voice was so soft, and choked with tears she worried that she'd have to say it again. But instead she was pulled against Emelia. The bigger girl's arms wrapped around her shoulders.

"It's okay," Emelia said. Ginny rubbed her back for a minute. Harriette sobbed even harder. She kept quiet so as to not upset the other kids around her. Still she soaked in the warmth of the embrace around her. She couldn't remember ever being hugged. This was nothing like being held for a punishment. It was warm and safe and wonderful and a million other things Harriette didn't have the words for. Eventually Mr. Sun came over to check on them.

"It's okay, we just had a thing, but we've got it handled for now" Ginny explained. "You'll have to ask Harriette about it, and only if she wants to tell you, 'cause it's very personal." Mr. Sun hummed.

"Okay, Harriette, if you want to talk to me about it, you can, but you don't have to," Mr. Sun said. He patted her back before letting them be. Apparently Mr. Sun hadn't been the only one worried, because he went about reassuring the other kids. Harriette felt a lot better. When she was done crying, she and Emelia parted. While she was rubbing her eyes the bigger red haired boy came over, and patted her back.

"Make sure to let Mr. Sun know if you need to cry more," Percy said as he passed to go after the other kids. "Are you being safe?" He called the child he was going after.

"No!" The child shouted deliberately jumping from where he was. Almost landing on another child who'd been running by at the wrong moment. The two ended up crashing.

"Oh! No! That is insanely unsafe behavior," Sun called. "We don't jump off the play structures unless the ballpit is under us!" Sun picked the boy up. "Are you two hurt?"

"I'm fine," The boy who'd jumped said. The girl who he'd crashed into was not. She burst into tears immediately.

"Percy, I hate to ask but, please take this misbehavior to time-out," Mr. Sun said. The boy saluted, accepting the boy. "You either go with him nicely or you get banned for the day." Mr. Sun said, scooping the other child up. His focus went to the child in his arms as he tried to comfort, and soothe, while also checking for injuries. Harriette worriedly stepped forward instinctively.

"Don't worry," another of the red haired boys, one of the two that looked identical. Harriette had heard about identical twins but hadn't actually met any in her life. She did know about a pair of twins that went to the same school, but they weren't in her class. She turned to the other boy. "Sun has protocols for injuries. Are you okay?" the boy asked. Harriette turned red and nodded. She'd never been hugged while crying before, but it had felt nice. The boy reached forward and Harriette was proud to say she only flinched the littlest bit. The boy ruffled her hair. The other one taking up a spot next to her. Throwing an arm around her.

"Glad to hear you're good," The boy ruffled her hair too. Then the two ran off.

"Alright, now that you're feeling better," Emelia said. "You wanna keep playing?" She offered her hand for Harriette to take, and she did. Ginny hooked her arm around Harriette's other arm. Making sure not to make it hard for Harriette to hold her stuffed doll. "C'mon I got some cool things to show you!" The girl said, tugging them along. Harriette looked over to the crying child, but they weren't crying anymore, and were even letting out watery giggles.

"Do you really think my parents might not have been bad?" Harriette asked as they walked.

"Of course not, my Mum said that people who are alcoholics are just sick and need help," Emelia said. "They're not getting the help they need. People who drink too much or do drugs are sick! Like having cancer or the flu, a person is not bad for having cancer or the flu are they?"

"I don't know what cancer is," Harriette and Ginny said together.

"It's a -Ahhh," Emelia thought aloud. "That's actually a really hard question. But it's really painful and is really awful to have and they have to take lots and lots of medicine. My uncle died from it!"

"Oh," Harriette said. "I'm sorry."

"Why didn't you give him cancer," Emelia jokes, giving Harriette's arm a light nudge with her fist. Harriette smiled before frowning.

"Still, I'm sorry I made you talk about it," Harriette said.

"Oh, it's okay, it's not the same as losing your parents," Emelia said. "And I got to know him, and we said good-bye before he went." Emelia looked sad, but also happy. Harriette didn't think that was feeling you could feel until just then. "Anyway," Emelia shook her head. "Let's get back to deciding what to play! You're new so you aren't familiar with the play structures yet, right?" Harriette nodded looking up at the towering indo playground. Harreitte had never seen one before, let alone been close to one. It didn't look the same as an outdoor playground but similar enough to be recognized as one. "Alright, then~" Emelia elongated the word then. "Did you wanna explore first? We can decide what to play afterwards." Harriette nodded.

"Um, do you wanna put your backpack in one of the cubbies first?" Ginny asked. Harriette looked over her shoulder to her bag, before feeling her face get really hot. She'd forgotten she was wearing it.

"I - uh?" Harriette said, looking down.

"You don't have too," Emelia said. "There's a kid at school who hates putting his backpack away, and he's got a special file that says he can keep it on him and it won't distract him in class." Harriette shrugged her backpack further onto her shoulders.

"I-I didn't think anyone would want to play with me," Harriette said.

"Oh, well, we can show you where the cubbies are if you wanna put it away," Emelia said. "You don't have to if you don't want to though." Emelia pointed as if it somehow made her thoughts more clear. Harriette nodded.

"I can put it away," Harriette said. "No one is going to steal it." Harriette said.

"Well, duh, Mr. Sunny doesn't allow stealing, and he know everything that goes on in the daycare!" Emelia said, Ginny nodded to this. They both smiled like this was some sort of inside joke. Harriette hoped it wasn't entirely true. She was sure she'd mess up and do something freakish, she had hoped it was small enough not to be noticed by other kids, but if Mr. Sun knew about everything that happened and Harriette would probably get into trouble for it. Still she decided not to think about it. She wanted to enjoy the times she did have with the other girls, so she put a lot of effort into shrugging it off.

She followed the other girls back toward the tables, and then past them. The cubbies lined one of the back walls, past a storage room, and lined the back walls, like in school, Harriette chose an empty one, leaving her backpack and then the girls were skipping off toward the play structures again. The play structure took up the most space in the daycare, divided into sections that were connected by bridges and tubes rather then one large play structure. The drawing tables were actually tucked under one of the longer, and wider bridges. Harriette had heard kids moving overhead, but growing up under the stairs had made it normal and easily ignored.

Though Harriette could see another child looking up after another child bolted across the bridge. There were a few castle-like towers, and a playhouse with a play yard. Harriette noticed that their were cardboard and pillow buildings lined up with it, under one of the tubes. A large group of children were playing in them. There was a sectioned off area where; made up of a few weird partial walls and a fence that separated it from the rest of the daycare space. The partial walls were lined with shelves; those shelves were filled with toys, and games. There was another similar section o n the other side it's shelves filled with books, and it had several cushioned seats, and large cushions that Harriette had to guess were for sitting or laying. Everything was bright and colorful, and there were so many kids running around. Harriette thought there was at least a classroom's worth of kids all around her.

"C'mon!" Emelia said. "This area is set up for climbing." Ginny nodded excitedly, starting to clamber up the complex patter of bars and platforms. You've climbed before haven't you?" Harriette hesitated, not sure how to answer.

"Yeah," Harriette guess. "Nothing like this and not much." Harriette said.

"It's okay, I'll show you how and you can always ask for a hand." Emelia said. Harriette was nervous but she followed the other girl to the frog of the climbing structure. Harriette watched as Emelia started climbing. "We'er mountaineers! Climbing the tallest mountain in the world!" Emelia said, settling onto the bars. Holding her arms in a muscle pose. "Harriette, are you okay? Oh! I forgot to teach you! Right!" She started back down.

"No, that's not-! YOu don't have to come back down!" Harriette shouted, tucking her soft doll into her shirt collar. It actually made it fit better. Then Harriette started climbing the bars. She arrived at the same bar that Emelia was on. Harriette looked to her.

"Race you to the top!" Emelia said, she started climbing faster then she had before. Harriette also did just that. Harriette found the climbing structure was easy to climb, so easy that she passed Emelia and even passed Ginny who'd had an great head start and wasn't bad at climbing. Harriette found it hard not to climb quickly. Harriette found the top of the structure almost on accident. She sat down waiting for the two the catch up. She hoped they wouldn't be mad at her. She hadn't expected it to be that easy. Ginny arrived and sat next to her and gave her a grin, and a thumbs up. Emelia arrived not long after her.

"I thought you said you'd-" Emelia said pulling herself up onto the platform Between the two Smaller girls. "-climbed before!" she panted. Ginny shook her head.

"No, she didn't!" Ginny said, a little breathless. "She said she hadn't climbed much! Which is still a lie!" Harriette was nervous until she noticed the grin she was wearing.

"I didn't thinking I'd climbed that much more then normal," Harriette defended. "I'd never climbed something made for it before, so it was just a lot easier then what I'm used to climbing!" Harriette said, feeling ashamed. "I didn't mean to lie. I really didn't think it-" Emelia did that light shoulder shove with her fist.

"Well, your really good ar climbing!" Ginny said. She patted Harriette's arm from around Emelia.

"Alright!" Emelia said, scooching back before standing up. "I wanted to show you the-" a deep breath "-The view, but you already beat me up to the top, so I won't be able to." She sounded disappointed, Harriette was glad she was able to honestly say she didn't know what she was talking about.

"What view?" Harriette said. "I thought we were just climbing?"

"The view," Emelia said, gestured out. "You can see the whole daycare from up here! Gosh you two are good climbers."

"Thanks," Ginny said. But Harriette had barely heard her over her own amazement. She'd looked to see what Emelia meant. You really could see practically the whole daycare. The walls were painted blue with clouds, and large starts were sticking out of the walls in places. Harriette could see the drawing tables, and the playhouse, and the tops of the lower two towers. She could make out most of the kids playing. She smiled.

"It really is great," Harriette said, smiling back at Emelia, who'd laid out on the platform. "Thanks for showing me."

"No problem," Emelia said, very seriously. Ginny laid back net to her. Harriette decided to join. The three laid there for a moment enjoying the sounds of the daycare, looking at the ceiling and it's many metal beams. "Mr. Moon and Mr. Sunny use those to fly around," She said. "Mr Moon does it the most. They can summon down a really thick metal rope and hook themselves too it, and it'll take him up there." Harriette thought that sounded really cool. He can climb around on the beams too, but usually he likes to use the rope to make himself fly. Mr. Sunny usually uses it for tricks, jumping off stuff and what not." Harriette nodded, then looked at the other girl. She wore a soft happy smile. Her darker skin was giving a golden kind of glow, her brown eyes had sparkly light brown bits in it now that Harriette was comfortable meeting her eyes. Her blue shirt had a dog on it that actually did look pretty friendly. All the dogs Harriette had ever met were trained by Aunt Marge who was really mean and her dogs were mean too. She wore jean shorts with a black belt with butterflies decorrating it. Harriette noticed she was wearing weird things on her knees that weren't socks. Just when Harriette was deciding whether to ask Emelia about them Emelie reached toward the ceiling. "I wonder what it would be like to fly, even just like that." Harriette looked up to see that Emelia had been pointing, but as soon as Harriette looked up she opened her hand flat, palm up like she was touching some invisible glass wall. Harriette noticed that she had a small thin scar, like a scratch, on the back part of her hand on the part of her hand that attached her thumb to the rest of her hand. Maybe her knee things helped with scars on her knees, you weren't supposed to talk about scars with other people, even if they were your scars. Harriette suddenly thought about the scar on her forehead.

"Yeah," Harriette said, turning away and toward the subject of flight. "I sometimes dream about flying in a motorcycle." She regretted that almost immediately.

"Oh that's so cool!" Emelia said. "I never dream about cool stuff like that."

"Yeah flying that way pretty cool, but it's better to fly yourself," Ginny said. Emelia giggled, Ginny giggled too. Emelia snorted into full laughter.

"What?" Ginny asked.

"You talk like you've done it!" Emelia said. "Not just dreamt about it."

"I have, I fly with my Mummy and Daddy all the time," Ginny said, proudly. Emelia laughed. "What?" Ginny laughed back. Harriette couldn't help but laugh too. Ginny must be talking about airplaines, but that way she phrased it was funny.

"You just phrased it weird," Harriette said. "I think it's great your parents take you with them on flights."

"Right!" Ginny said. "Maybe someday I'll be able to do it all by myself! I've done it before, but only once. It was fantastic." Emelia and Harriette and Ginny laughed.

"Alright, let's go over there next, I'll show you the spot that Mr. Sun uses for hiding during scavenger hunts and stuff!" Emelia said. "C'mon, let's go, Emelia kept talking as they made their way further toward the back. She showed them the slide that would take them down, and once Harriette and Ginny were with her at the bottom she started talking again.

Harriette was able to learn a bit from Emelia's chatter. Her favorite color was blue, and she liked dogs, and she was the same age as Harriette. She skipped while talking. When she smiled, which was a lot, Harriette learned she'd lost a tooth, and had little dips in her cheeks. She learned stuff about the daycare too. Like that Mr. Sun always handed out three snacks and depending on how long a kid was in the daycare might even give three meals too. He planned loads of different activities too. Some had prizes, others didn't. She learned that Emelia was a regular and there were other regulars too.

"This is the best play structure for hide and seek, and that means it's got the best scavenger hunt spots too!" Emelia said, conspiratorially. "C'mon!" She said clambering up a ramp with cushions on it. Ginny crawled up. Harriette hesitated. "C'mon," Emelia said. Harriette swallowed and started up the ramp, and found the pads make the effort even harder then she expected. Harriette ended up stumbling and then falling. "Are you okay?" Emelia asked her, offering a hand to help her up.

Harriette wasn't hurt, but she was a little embarrassed. She took the offered hand and let the larger girl hoist her back to her feet, while trying not to let the fact that her face felt like it was on fire mean that it literally burst into flames, or be easily seen.

"Yeah, I just," Harriette paused, trying not to feel embarrassed and disheartened.

"Here!" Emelia said. Offering her hand back to Harriette. "We can help each other through." Emelia said. Harriette stared at the offering a little nervous, but excepted it after a second. "It's okay, it's supposed to be hard to climb," Emelia explained, helping her over one of the large pads. "Lots of kids like the extra challenge, but plenty find some of the obstacles frustrating, at least at first."

"C'mon," Ginny said, she'd made it to the end of the padded ramp. "I'll show you my favorite spot! Then we can look for hiding spots!" Ginny said. She waited while they caught up, Emelia helping Harriette over some of the more challenging pads. Apparently it was Ginny's turn to do most of the talking as they made their way to her favorite spot. She mostly talked about her favorite spot, but Harriette did manage to learn some things about Ginny.

"Roxanne wolf is so cool, she goes by Roxy and plays the keytar! I didn't know what that was until I saw her for the first time! Isn't she so cool." She held her dress out showing off the character that Harriette guess was Roxanne wolf. "Her picture is on the spot and there's this turny thing that goes whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, and you can sit in ti and make it spin faster and faster. It's just like Roxy raceway, except safer for younger kids like me! I can't go to the raceway till I'm older! But I can't wait to go!" Ginny said, bouncing backward for a moment. "It's just over here!" she shouted launching up, and around a corner, Emelia pulling Harriiette after her.

They came to a hole in one of the walls and found themselves in a mostly purple, round room. The middle almost entirely taken up by a round platform. It was a different color then the rest of the room, it was green with a round table that went all the way into the floor of it and seats attached to it. Ginny stepped onto the shorter platform and pointed to the table in the middle and the seats. "C'mon, c'mon, c'mon! It's so cool! I'll show you!" She grabbed Harriette and Emelia's handans and tugged them along. Harrriette looked to Emelia who just looked amused, and when she noticed Harriette's stare she gave her a wink, and a bright smile, showing off her missing tooth.

"Alright, settle in, use the seatbelts," Ginny said. "You gotta buckle up or it won't spin!" The seats had small thin cushions on them and little buckles that looked like the ones in carts but a little thicker.

"Spin?" Harriette asked as Emelia continued.

"Okay," Emelia said. She made sure Harriette knew how to buckle herself in before buckling herself in. The three sat an even number apart from Harriette each. "It'll be easier to spin." There that word was again.

"Spin?" Harriette tried asking again. Emelia just winked. Once they were all strapped in around the table and buckled in, Emelia and Ginny both took hold of the table.

"Clockwise!" Emelia said, proudly, Harriette figured that must mean that they were going to go the way a clock spun around, she was still confused how it would work, or why, but at this point she just copied the other girls.

"Yeah!" Ginny said. "We gotta push it in the same direction so it goes around," Ginny said, then she pointed. "This way." She pointed, the direction a clock would go if it was laid on the floor and they were looking down at it. "Now start pushing." Emelia and Ginny started the motion slowly, showing Harriette how to do it. Harriette following along nervously. The thing slowly starting to spin. Once the girls had a rhythm down they started pushing it faster, faster, faster till they were going so fast that everything that wasn't on the table was just a blur of purple around them. They hair blowing in the created wind. Their blood rushing, and their mind turning. They laughed as they spun around, and around and around again. Till they were so dizzy that even after they stopped to spinning didn't go away. They laughed, as they stumbled off the thing the ground under them wobbling. They had to use each other as support, pulling each other this way and that, and giggling. Harriette felt a happy, bubbling warmth in her chest.

C'mon I'll show you the best hiding spots now," Emelia tried to step ahead but wobbled and knocked her own foot out from under her. The three girls flopped onto the ground in a giggling heap.

"Alright little superstars!" Mr. Sun's voice reached them from the ground below them. "It's time for snacks, then we'll play a game all together!" Harriette's stomach growled at the mention of food and as if to agree Emelia then Ginny's stomachs' growled one after the other. Causing all three to burst into a fit of more giggles. Harriettw as the first to sober as she realised her head was still spinning. She didn't want to miss a chance to eat.

"What are we going to do?" Harriette sat up, panic making the spinning in her head no longer feel like fun. "We're going to miss snack!" Harriette felt panicked tears pricking her eyes.

"Don't worry about that," Emelia gave her a reassuring pat, then used her shoulder to get herself to her feet. "Mr. Sun won't deny a hungry kid food. No matter how late they are." Emelia seemed to have gained balance a lot father then Harriette or Ginny, and she offered her hand to the other two. "I'll show you a short cut though, if that'll make you feel better." Harriette nodded. Emelia pointed over her shoulder. "C'mon. There's a rarely used slide for from anywhere in the daycare." Emelia showed them the way, Ginny getting her balance back as they walked. Meanwhile Harriette's head still felt like she was spinning, and her feet didn't want to work right. Ginny and Emelia both took her hands to help her through to the slide. "Fortunately this one doesn't come out on a ball pit, I don't think you'd be able to make it out. "Emelia's joke was laced with heavy concern. Harriette was tating to feel sick from the spinning. "You don't do well after spinning huh?" she asked. Harriette had to stop to crouch down. "We can color for a while after Mr. Sunny's done. You should try putting your head between your knees. Mr. Sunny said that can help with spinning." Harriette did that. It did in fact help.

"But didnt' he say we were playing a game?" Harriette asked.

"None of the games are comp-oil-sary," Emelia said, sounding proud. "Comp-oil-sary means you have to do it. Which isn't how the games work. But usually after snack it's an easy game anyway." Harriette nodded, then regretted it.

"Aah," Harriette said, giving a thumbs up. Ginny also said aah though.

"Mr. Sunny says that it's good to rest after eating for a few so you don't accidentally make yourself sick. He made it an almost rule after one of the kid thre up in on of the slides. Almost rules aren't full rules, but instead are very strong suggestions." Emelia shifted. "You should tell Mr. Sunny that spinning made you dizzy sick, he'll take you a snack after you feel better." Emelia said.

"Dizzy sick?" Harriette asked.

"That's what Mr. Sunny calls it," Emelia said, she'd sat down next to Harriette. "He says that since our bodies aren't all the way grown sometimes we'll get some sort of play sick." Emelia said. "Usually the throw up kind. Since we're not fully grown up. Harriette felt a little better.

"I'm ready to continue," Harriette said.

"Okay," Emelia said. Starting to lead the way around more of the tunnels. "Anyways, so sometimes your bodies not used to doing something and so it makes it so confused it get's sick and makes it want to throw up. Or it makes you real sleepy or something. It depends on why your play-sick. You want to throw up cause your not used to spinning, so you're dizzy sick." Emelia said. They came around a last corner and the slide was visible. Harriette nodded, she thought it made a lot of sense. She remembered getting sick in physical education at school, and getting into a lot of trouble for throwing up. If her teacher had known she might not have gotten into trouble. "Anyway this is it." Emelia said, gesturing to the slide room as they entered. The room was small and bright green, but it was big enough to have a little seat and window next to the slide. "You want me to go down first and let Mr. Sunny know that your sick, the slide might make it worse and throwing up is never fun." She made a face, letting Harriette know she had experience the unpleasantness first hand. "Mr. Sunny can even come up and get you!" Emelia said. Ginny was standing between them and the slide while Harriette slid down against the back. She agreed that trying the slide at this moment seemed like asking for trouble.

"You two can go a head," Harriette said. "And If you don't mind letting Mr. Sun know. I don't want to trouble him though so he doesn't have to come get me. The play structure is awful small for him." Harriette said, gesturing with her head. She regretted the motion. "Besides Mr. Sun is busy, and I don't want to be a bother. You go ahead okay. Just ask if he can save me something. Let him know that it's okay if he can't. It's my own fault for getting dizzy. Actually that might be a lot of trouble to say. You don't have to if it-"

"Stop it," Emelia said. "It's fine. Is there anything you want specifically? He usually does fruits and veggies but I think there's some crackers and sometimes even chips." Harriette shook her head and regretted it. It made her head spin really back, so she tucked her head between her knees again. "Okay then. I let Mr. Sunny know. See you in a little bit." there was a small clatter. The kind made by an energetic child hitting a slide with a flourish. Harriette could hear her giggling and couldn't help but smile.

Harriette sat breathing for several minutes. The tube that led to the slide platform was wide and green, with flower shapes pressed outward on it. Or was it inward since Harriette was on the inside. The beck was a comfortable place to sit, Harriette was a little tired so she closed her eyes.

"Hello, Sunshine," Sun said when he saw Harriette's tiny form. The girl startled awake with a small terrified sound, that broke Sun's heart. "Oh! Sorry, sorry. I didn't mean to startle you." Sun said. The little girl looked at him with big green eyes. Once her mind caught up to who and where and what, she began gently rubbing the sleep grit from her eyes. She pouted up at him, but turned away from him. Then she turned back to him with a gape.

"How are you…?" Harriette said. Looking over him. He was on the outside of the play structure holding onto some thick metal bars that were there for just that purpose. Though he'd had to admonish a few children for using it. He was designed to climb it.

"I used the outside netting to avoid startling," Sun said. "But I ended up doing it anyway. Sorry." Harriette giggled.

"You're like a spider," the little girl said. Sun might have been worried about that comment, but since one of the very few things he knew about Harriette was that she liked spiders he knew it was meant to be a compliment. He smiled, internally, because externally he was always grinning. He wished he could just not smile so that kids could tell when he was doing it.

"Are you ready to come down?" Sun asked. The girl gave a giggly, yawn and a nod as a way of answer. "I'll see you at the bottom then." the girl nodded back at him. Sun had to climb down and stood to wait for her.

When Mr. Sun had woken Harriette up she hadn't been sure where she was at first. When she did remember she'd almost pouted at Mr. Sun, only remembering just in time that you weren't supposed to pout at adults. Harriette realized pretty quickly that Emelia was right about the slide possibly making her more sick. There were a lot of fast pace turns. If Harriette was still feeling sick she might have thrown up in it. Instead it made her a little dizzy and was actually pretty fun. She landed a little rougher, stumbling, but Mr. Sun caught her. He steadied her on her feet, then held his hand out. She put her arm in it, but he slid his hand down so they were holding hands. She accepted and he led her to where some kids were still eating and others were getting ready for the group game.

There were two easels set up in front of the tables, they were set up in two groups. Setting the kids into two teams, several of the kids were talking. Mr. Sun sat her down at one of the tables, and then he handed her a plate of food. Harriette's stomach growled, but she still looked to make sure she was really allowed to eat all this. It was just a plate of fruits and veggies, but it was probably the most food she'd been allowed to eat in one sitting.

"Go ahead, even if you can't finish I'll save it for you okay," He did that head turn thing that Harriette was starting to realize was probably his version of a wink. She smiled and thanked him, before digging in. Most of it could be eaten with her hands but there was also a plastic fork for the sticky pear slices.

"We're playing a guessing game," Mr. Sun explained. "I already split everyone up into teams, you're on team two. Someone from each will come up to the easels… pick a note from the hat… The note will have something for you to draw. Then everyone else on the team will guess what the person drew. The team with the most points will get a prize." The teams were pretty much already formed, Emelia came to sit beside Harriette.

"I'm on team two too," Emelia said, holding her hand up with her palm toward her. She sat there for a second, Ginny came up and slapped her hand against Emelia's.

"I'm on team two too," She said while doing it.

"Awesome!" Emelia said. "We're all together!" Harriette smiled. While the other two got more and more excited.

"Alright, when it's your turn to draw you'll only have so long to draw your picture so keep that in mind when drawing. This is what is sounds like when your time is up, okay." Mr. Sun set the time for a second and it did in fact go off. Making a really distinct sound, letting them all know what sound the alarm would make. Harriette nodded.

She'd never known there were drawing games. She was really excited. The kids in her group discussed who would go first, Harriette offered to go last since she was eating anyway. Harriette watched as they decided who would go first. Mr. Sun offered to step in if they couldn't pick one. Which ended up being necessary for both teams. Once each group had their order the first kid was called up. Mr. Sun pulled out a hat, and offered it to one of the kids. There was a boy and girl each. They had the same light brown, almost blond hair, and almost gray white eyes.

"Elison, Maddie on your mark, get set…. Go!" Mr. Sun said, starting the alarm as the two kids started drawing.

They both started with a circle, Elison, the boy drew dots on his, Maddie, the girl, drew a smaller circle inside the larger one. Then drew a smiley face. She looked back at the boy smugly.

"You know your team is supposed to be able to guess what you drew, right?" Elison said.

"What? Nah-uh!" Maddie shouted back.

"Actually Elison is right, Maddie," Mr. Sun said.

"What?!" Maddie shouted. "Then why didn't you say so?!"

"He did! You're just- you weren't listening!" Elison shouted back.

"The Instructions were unclear, I demand a do over!" Maddie shouted.

"How were the instructions unclear?" Elison shouted. "He even said them twice!" Several kids were starting to look uncomfortable or even in pain. Mr. Sun wasn't looking happy either, despite his drawn on smile.

"A cookie?" Harriette guessed. It was the only thing she could think of that was round, and could have dots, chips, and a smiley face, frosting.

"See!" Maddie shouted.

"She guessed that based off my drawing!" Elison shouted.

"Nah-uh," Maddie said. "She's on my team so she's guessing from my drawing!" They both turned to her, but Mr. Sun stepped in.

"Alright, Alright, that was my mistake," Mr. Sun said. "How about we have each team draw a different thing? That way no one can guess based of the other teams drawing. As for any other confusion. Your team is supposed to be able to guess your drawing." Sun said.

"No! Who's drawing were you guessing from!" Maddie shouted. Harriette strongly regretted answering, she'd wanted them to stop fighting. That had failed miserably.

"I-I-I-I was a-a-a-actua-allly guessing off of b-both," Harriette said. "'C-ca-cause they're b-both kin-kinda confuse-sing."

"See!" The boy said.

"Both!" Harriette shouted. "Both were confusing." She said softer once she had their attention. They were both about to start arguing again so Harriette continued. "I-I was gu-guessing off of th-the smiley face drawing, b-but," Harriette said. "I-I prob-probably wouldn't hav-ve guessed that if not f-for the-the-his co-drawing." Harriette said. The two looked to each other then back to her. Then the girl faced away from all of them.

"Fine," she stomped her foot. "But I still think I should have gotten a re-draw."

"No!" Elison said. "She guessed from my drawing so- so it's cheating!"

"Ah, you are right, how about this, that round didn't count, and you two will get an- uh a reward for helping demonstrate." Mr. Sun said. "Alright now go sit down. Alright, another rule, siblings are not allowed to go against each other. That was my bad." Several kids made disappointed noises from around the table. "Alright," Mr. Sun said.

The next two kids were called. They were each offered the kid from team one drew a funny looking car, and the kid from team two drew a lopsided apple. Emelia answered from team two but got it wrong, and other kids started giving answers. Team two's kid waa looking disheartened. Team one guessed car. Harriette, used one of the napkins to write down the answers and who got it correct. Since she'd never played before it was good to take notes and learn.

The next one was a wonky looking bird with its wings out, and a fish. Emelia guessed fish right away. Team two cheered. Harriette made the note.

Next was 1's pizza, vs. 2's Ice cream. Pizza won. Team one pulled a head.

The next drawings were a water bottle and dinner plate. Harriette had to admit the dinner plate only barely looked like a dinner plate. Another for team 1 with a quick guess of a water bottle.

The next was Ice cubes, and soba bottle which honestly was a bit confusing just because of the previous ones water bottle. Still team two managed to guess.

Giraffe and Swimming pool weren't that hard to guess. Mr. Sun had to review to figure out which of the two teams guessed. At all. Another point was added for team two.

The next set went up. Team one drew a cat, two drew a dog. They both looked extremely funky but it was pretty obvious what they were. Or apparently not, because nobody was able to guess. To the point that everyone asked that Sun let them draw some more so that they could try and figure it out. One add a yarn ball, and two drew a collar, but still nobody was guessing. Harriette raised her hand. The other kids just called their answers but Harriette wasn't brave enough for that, and most had just started staring.

"Is it a d-dog?" Harriette asked.

"Yeah!" The kid who'd drawn the dog shouted. Running up to Harriette with his hand raised. Harriette flinched wondering why he was going to hit her. Harriette kept her eyes closed for a long second. When nothing happened Harriette looked to see that he was just holding his hand. Emelia tugged on Harriette's sleeve pointing to her hand and before clapping it. Then pointing to Harriette. Harriette slowly put her own hand against the boys before retracting it. The boy excepted that. Then it was the next one.

One of the red haired boys went up for team one, and Emelia went for team two. She drew a squirrel, and the other boy drew a leaf. It was pretty quickly put into 1's favor because and squirrel was harder to draw.

The next was a team 2 victory, another red haired boy, the eldest drew a rubber duck. His opponent drew a TV.

Team 1 drew a bunny, and team 2 drew a table. Team 2 was now a head again.

The next drawing was a star, and a turtle. Even team one agreed it was too easy a challenge, but they happily took the lead.

Elison went up against another older child. They got Shark and Dolphin and everyone thought it was funny that they matched so well. Elison took a bow as his team got the answer.

The next two had Ginny as a member, and Ginny's picture was a flower, the other kid got a window. Ginny's was finished faster and so everyone got to guess sooner. Leading to two getting another point.

One of the red haired twins went up against Maddie. She got the word tree, and the boy got the word fox. Maddie was actually really bad at drawing trees and the twin ended up winning. Giving Team 1 yet another point.

The next went to Team 2

…After several minutes it went to team 1.

"The teams are neck and neck, never before have I seen such incredible displays of talent, sportsmanship, and determination." Mr. Sun said, making his voice all weird and annoucery. The kids giggled. "Honestly, there's never been a show quite like it. You think one team pulls a head, only for the other to take the lead. Now here we are folks at the end of the line. This one last set will decide the game. Who will it be! Ladies, gentlemen, and everything in between, we've got a challenge for the ages." Harriette felt a little better, though she still felt nervous and excited for her turn. She swallowed as she took her place next to the other kid.

She had to make sure her team could guess this. What if it was something she'd never seen before. She'd never seen lots of things. She might not know. Thus far everything had been something she'd at least seen on tv, but it would be just her freak luck that she got something she couldn't draw. What if her drawing was so bad none of her teammates could guess. She thought that not being able to draw might be worse though. Not knowing what something looked like. Standing there staring at her card while the other team got the victory simply because she'd never seen the thing. She didn't want to disappoint her teammates. Everyone seemed to think it was fine, no one minding if they won or not, except Maddie the first girl. If Harriette lost them the game because she couldn't draw something, that girl seemed like the type who would hurt others, and Harriette would be the one responsible.

Please be something I can draw, Harriette thought as she put her hand in the hat. Please be something I can draw. Please be something I can draw. Harriette pulled out the card.

Helicopter. Just one word. Harriette didn't know if she could draw one well, but she was relieved to know she could draw one. She'd of course never drew one before, but still something was better than nothing. As long as she tried she wouldn't get into trouble, it wasn't her fault she couldn't draw something so complex. She took a deep breath. She did know what one looked like. She could do a basic drawing.

She took a moment to picture the few times she'd ever seen any helicopters. Picking the clearest to draw from. She chewed the inside of her cheek as went over to the pad where she'd try to draw it. She'd only really ever gotten a good look at a helicopter on TV, when Dudley and Harriette had stayed up late and Dudley had broke her out so they could watch an action movie together. She remembered laying out on the floor next to Dudley on the hallway floor, the cushion of Dudley's pillows and a blanket thrown over them to stave off the cold. Dudley's pilfered snacks between them, and Dudley's phone in front of them. Sharing a pair of headphones as they'd watched with wide eyes. Occasionally hushing each other, or pausing to make sure they wouldn't get caught.

She pulled the fuzzy memory of the helicopter, the screen was so small and there was so much happening on it. There were so much more important things to remember about the moment. The warmth of her cousin next to her, and the first time her stomach ever felt full. The memory was one of her favorites.

"On your marks," Mr. Sun said, voice sounding far away. The screen had been so small.

"Get set," Mr. Sun said, Harriette's heart hammered in her chest. The helicopter was so far away.

"GO!" Mr. Sun said. Harriette heard the kid next to her start drawing as her own hand started moving across the paper.

"Balloon!" Team on shouted.

"Hot air balloon!" shouted another.

"Bubble?" Yet another.

"Harriette, Hurry!" Emelia shouted, but Harriette just continued drawing, laser focused on her work.

""Cloud!" Team one continued.

"We already did clouds!" someone shouted.

"Ice cream!"

"That too!"

"Boat?"

"Harriette was almost finished, just a bit more and the alarm went off, just as she was done. She stepped aside.

"No fair!" Shouted a girl on team one.

"Helicopter!" shouted team two, the whole team shouting.

"Oh!" Mr. Sun called. "That's really good?" Harriette was breathless from her high speed efforts, but she looked between her team and her hand work. Pride bloomed into every bit of her heart at that moment. She wasn't entirely sure how she'd managed, but she had. It looked pretty good for something she drew from a fuzzy memory on a time limit. Harriette's team came up to her, some hugged her, some of the taller kids ruffled her hair, most offered the same hand gesture. Harriette would have to ask about it. "Alright, kiddos, it's time to pass out prizes." The kids cheered. He passed out to each child a bag of gummy worms. And to the winning team he passed out a bright yellow candy as well. "Alright, you can return to free time!" Mr. Sun said. "You've spent plenty of time digesting, so you won't get any tummy aches." Mr. Sun said. Kids split off into groups and individuals. Harriette got a drink of water. Emelia and Genni came up to her.

"That was incredible!" Emelia said. "You got something that complicated down with just thirty seconds." Emelia said.

"How'd you even do that?" Ginny said.

"I'm not sure how to describe it," Harriette admitted. "I just like drawing, and I do it a lot when I can." Harriette said, shrugging.

"Well, you should keep practicing," Emelia said. "I like drawing too, but I'm not sure I'm that good."

"Oh, your plenty good," Harriette said.

"Yeah, yours was the second clearest," Ginny said. "Mine looked like chicken scratch.

"It looked like a simple flower," Harriette and Emelia said.

"Yeah, well, I'm not going to practice anyway," Ginny said. "Drawing isn't my favorite thing. But seeing you do it almost made me change my mind. You made it seem like- like."

"Like magic," Emelia said.

"No, but it was like- whoosh!" Ginny said. Emelia laughed.

"That's what magic be like," Emelia said.

"No it-" Ginny and Emelia argued, but Harriette just let the sound wash over her. Her stomach was full. She had friends. She put the memory away with her other happy memories. The image of her team calling out helicopter, the pride of seeing her work and having it recognized. The taste of pears, carrots and fresh water. The sound of kids running, and cheering, the smell that Harriette could only describe as the the daycare; plastic, and warmth, and lavender and lemon, and rubber, and warm kids

Yeah, this was going to be one of her favorite memories. So she put it away; next to the memory of her and Dudley on the hallway floor. Between the memory of all the Ms. Spiders she'd known, and her and Aunt Petunia pretending.

---

Harriette followed Emelia and Ginny toward one of the furthest play areas. Emelia chattering about there being a game on one of the walls, that was cool to try. Harriette followed the other girls along the ball pit. Wondering if Emelia had forgotten about showing her the best hiding spots. It was fine, she'd seen a few on her trip up to Ginny's favorite spot, and she was pretty good at finding hiding spots anyways. They were still passing it when a new girl dropped from the entry slide into the ballpit at the bottom, shaking herself off from head to toe. Harriette got the distinct impression that Mr. Sun only managed to pick her up because she was distracted doing with the shaking. Still, Mr. Sun lifted her out of the ballpit, and she immediately started talking to him. She continued even after he put her down, crouching to be at eye level with the girl. She was looking around the room with excitement pointing to things as she talked. When her eyes landed on Harriette, the girl's focus stopped drifting around the room. Focussed solely on a target. Harriette. She started running toward Harriette, who felt panic bubble inside her.

The girl was taller then Emelia who was the tallest of their group as of yet. The new girl was almost even taller than Ginny's older brother, who Harriette learned was named Percy, and was ten. One of the oldest kids in the daycare. She was built wide and squarish too, like Dudley. Though she was in better shape than Harriette's cousin.

If Harriette were alone she would have run and hid. Not wanting to become a target to yet another bully. But she wasn't alone. Emelia and Ginny were with her and neither had seemed to notice the girls arrival less much her rapid approach, and before Harriette could even think about giving a warning to the other two the girl was already there. Bouncing to a stop in front of them.

"You have trash in your hair!" The girl and in the same breath. "Wanna be friends?"

"Uh," Harriette said, shock and relief mixing together into a confusing mess.

"I'm Mayla, I'm seven," the girl said, hand out to Harriette and shoving her thumb into her own chest. "My Granny has hair ties or string if you want not trash in your pretty hair!" the girl pointed toward a woman by the door. She had bright purple hair and tattoos all the way down her arm. Harriette had learned that her Aunt was wrong about tattooed people a long time ago, but that didn't make it any less strange to see an older person with them. She looked back to the girl, she had some of the same features as the older woman. "Do you want to!"

"Your not allowed to say things like that," Emelia said, getting between them. "It can hurt people's feelings. Even if you're trying to offer a solution you should be nicer about it."

"How is it rude? Her pack might not have resources, so as the alpha's grandchild it is my job to help." Mayla said.

"That's why it's rude," Emelia said. "You gotta be careful or people will think you're looking down on them. You aren't looking down on Harriette are you?" Emelia said, sounding like she was going to get mad.

"No, sometimes life is hard for no reason," Mayla said. "So, we gotta look out for each other."

"Okay," Emelia said, smiling. "I'm Emelia." She offered her hand.

"Sunny has hair ties," Ginny said. "He does my hair a lot of the time we're here. If you wan he can do your hair like mine?" she offered to Harriette. Harriette wasn't entirely sure she knew what was happening, but she did understand the hairtie part, and boy did she want.

Ginny's hair was braided with deep green ribbon that offset her bright red beautifully. Mayla's hair was done in an cool set of high ponytails to the top side of her head over her ears, closed off at the end with beaded hair ties. Emelia's hair was tied into a tight puffy ponytail at the back, the hair tie had sparkly beads. Harriette touched her own hair. Greasy, unkempt, messy, tied with pieces of a shopping bag that she pulled off. She'd honestly love having her hair done all nice and pretty, she'd love having pretty ribbons and sparkly beads, and scrunchies, and clips and-... But Uncle Vernon would not tolerate it. He viewed Harriette as a boy, and boys don't have long hair, and they certainly don't wear fancy hair ties or hair ties at all for that matter.

Harriette could still remember the one time Uncle Vernon had caught her with her hair done after one after one of Dudley's practice sessions. How he'd ripped them from her hair, snapped the hair ties. If Harriette used string he'd burn them, sometimes he'd even toss the burning strings at her. The plastic supermarket bags were the safest because Aunt Petunia would get on to him about how it was toxic to burn and that he'd destroy Dudley's lungs. No, Harriette would stick to the trash, thank you very much, even if it got destroyed it wouldn't hurt as much, since it was just trash.

"Um, ma-maybe l-later," Harriette said. "I-i'm Harriette." Harriette said, giving a nervous smile. Mayla shrugged her purple clad shoulder.

"Why not?" Mayla said, stomping her foot. "You clearly want your hair done, if you took the time to figure out how to tie the trash it, and…" the girl paused leaning toward Harriette and sniffing. She made a face like she'd smelled something bad. Harriette sniffed herself to see if it was really that bad. She hadn't showered in a while so it would make sense that she'd smell bad, but nope. She actually smelled kind of, well, Harriette wouldn't say good, but there wasn't any mold or month old sweat smells. She smelled dusty, and a little sweaty, but it fell into the mostly fresh category. "Sorry, it's just… When was that last time you took a bath? They're showers up there you know."

"What?"

"I'm just telling you because if I smelled like that I'd want to know," Mayla said.

"You're being rude," Emelia said.

"Why do you even smell like that?" Mayla said. "It's clearly not that you don't care cause again you did your hair. And Doing your hair with trash is way more effort then just letting it lay. Everyone should be as pretty as they want and you clearly are trying to be pretty so why not ask for hair ties, and a shower. It can't be comfortable to wear dirty clothes."

"You're being mean," Emelia shouted, stomping her foot..

"I'm not being mean, I'm worried!" Mayla shouted back.

."H-hey, it's okay, I-I'm no-not upset," Harriette said. "I'm just not allowed to-"

"Why does your pack not want you?" Mayla said. If Harriette didn't know better she'd think that Mayla started growling then.

"Well, no, my parents died in a car crash," Harriette said. "My Aunt and Uncle were forced to take me 'cause I didn't have anyone else. They say I'm too expensive to keep and get into too much trouble and that I shouldn't want to have my hair done with ribbons and hair ties and stuff, because I was-" Harriette didn't really want to explain being born a boy, and she knew that anything she said wouldn't get back to her aunt and uncle so she wouldn't be in more trouble. Mr. Sun had said so, and he accepted that she was a she and a girl. Still she should finish explaining.

"What?!" Mayla shouted. "Why would they say that?!" Mayla seemed furious. "You're a puppy not a full grown wolf, if they do that again, bite them and run, I can tell Gran-paw and Auntie to look out for you."

"It's not-"
"Are your aunt and uncle poor?" Ginny asked. "Mom can show them some stuff to make things less expensive." Ginny was holding onto Harriette's shirt sleeve, looking up at her with big brown eyes. "I'm sure she'd want to help."

"My aunt and uncle aren't poor, and they wouldn't except help even if they were, it's wrong to take things you haven't earned."

"That's stupid," Emelia said. "If you can't afford to care for a child you shouldn't take them."

"Well, they didn't want me anyways, they had to 'cause I didn't have anywhere else to go?"

"What about foster care?" Emelia said.

"I don't want to end up in an orphanage," Harriette said, starting to worry. Heart picking up pace, beating faster, and her lungs felt a little bit smaller.

"Foster care is different from an orphanage, this isn't the 1800's." Emelia said.

"Yeah!" Mayla said.

"It's not charity," Ginny said. "And what are kids supposed to do, but accept the kindness of others. We didn't ask to be born. Mummy said that it was her choice to have us and it's her responsibility to care for us. Even when we're brats."

"You said they aren't poor, but complain about how expensive keeping you is," Emelia said. "They should ask for help, or give you to someone who wants kids. Why doesn't your aunt just do your hair."
"I'm a- I'm- well, I was born boy," Harriette explained. "So they don't wan-"

"Oh! Oh so there that type of person," Emelia said. Harriette's heart picked up even more speed. Slamming against her ribs, she couldn't get enough air in her lungs. She couldn't breathe.

"It doesn't bother me anymore, that's just the ways it's always been," Harriette said.

"You can tell Sunny that you're not allowed at home, and he can do your hair while you're here and fix it before you go home. He does it for Katrina and Matty all the time." Ginny suggested.

"No, you can't tell Mr. Sun, he'll get into trouble if-" Harriette's lungs almost felt like they were going to close.

"That's not the way it should have been," Mayla said. "C'mon we're going to talk to my Gran-paw!" Mayla grabbing Harriette's hand and tugging her along. "We'll fix you up."

"I don't want to cause Mr. Sun any trouble," Harriette's voice was stained against the closure in her lungs. Breathy and watery and so far away.

"It's okay, Mr. Sun won't get into-" Emelia started.

"GRAN-PAW!" Mayla shouted. "GRAN-PAW!"

"What's the matter little-?" A tall man, with dark cinnamon and sugar colored hair, and kind eyes turned to the girls only to have Mayla launch herself into his leg.

"Harriette's pack is bad! Her Mummy and Daddy passed away to the hunting grounds and her Aunt and Uncle aren't taking care of her!" Mayla shouted, several eyes turned to them then. Harriette felt like everyone in the daycare was looking at her. Eyes watching expectantly. Harriette's neck prickled with the attention, her vision wavering.

"Oh," the man said. "That's not good." he looked to Harriette then, and Harriette felt small and helpless and lost. "It's alright little one. Harriette, Sweet Pup-" he looked like he was trying to say more, his eyes filled with kindness and warmth, people didn't look at her like that.
"I-i-i'm sorry," Harriette's voice squeezed past the tightness in her thought and lungs and her heart hammered. Everyone was looking at her.

"Is everything alright?" Mr. Sun said, the edges of Harriette's vision was dark and blurry, and she couldn't breath. "Oh, oh! Hey, hey, it's okay. What happened?" Mr. Sun dropped whatever he'd been holding and took hold of Harriette's hands.

"Her parents died and her aunt and uncle are cruel!" Mayla shouted, again.

"Not so loud," Mr. Sun't voice came from so far away. "Hey, breath, listen, take a deep breath as deep as you can, that's right all the way in. Can you hold that for me for a second? I know it's hard, I'm going to count to four. Can you hold it till then? Good, good. One, two, three, four. Good job, now let it out for four seconds too, slowly, one.. Two… three.. Four. In again. One… two… three… four. Good. hold. One… two… three… four…. Good. Out. one… two… three… four…. Good, that's good." Harriette's vision grew clearer and clearer. Her heart was slowing down, the tightness in her lungs going away. Everyone was still staring at her. The tightness started again. Everyone was looking at her, and everyone knew, and they were going to find out she was a freak and then she'd get kicked out.

"I-I-I-" Harriette said. Mr. Sun tried to comfort her. Tell her that she didn't have to speak, but there was a loud buzzing in her ear that made it almost impossible to hear him over. "I LIED." She ripped her hands free of Mr. Sun's and ran. Tears burned her eyes, she found a dark safe spot to hide and did just that. Curling into the small knock between two corners into a small gap. She heard Mr. Sun calls something to the other kids. She curled in on herself and copied the breathing pattern that Mr. Sun had just shown her.

It didn't' take long for Mr. Sun to find her, because this is his domain of course he can find her in here. She wanted to disappear. He'd probably heard the whole thing, and since she confessed to lying she was sure she'd be in trouble. Now, no one probably wanted to play with her. This vacation was going to be the worst thing. She was going to get locked up in the bathroom of the hotel and then she'd get beaten and locked in her cupboard and she wouldn't be allowed to eat again for a really long time. Maybe Vernone would actually starve her this time. Tears were spilling out of her eyes as she tried to calm down. She shouldn't have told them, she should have just lied and told them she liked her hair this way. That it didn't bother her if she smelled, she didn't think she smelled at all but clearly Mayla thought different.

"Permission to touch?" Mr. Sun's voice was soft, gentle. Harriette wasn't sure why he asked, but you aren't allowed to say no to an adult, especially not a teacher. So she nodded, flinching when he put a hand on her shoulder, but he just left it sitting there. They sat there another moment.

"I'm not going to tell anyone," Mr. Sun said. "I'm not allowed to call anyone who could actually help you, and I'm not required to tell your guardians anything except allergies and other medical stuff." His voice was still really gentle, calm, and soothing. The weight of his hand grounding her in place and time. She wasn't going to be in trouble. She was okay. She sniffled, he started rubbing soothing circles in her shoulder. "I'm sorry you have to go through that at home. Home should be a safe place. But while you're here you are safe. When you feel better you can come back out and rejoin the group of girls you were playing with." Sun gave her a gentle little pat and a hair ruffle. "And I can redo your hair whenever you'd like too. It'll be our little secret." He winked, the only way he could, Harriette couldn't stop the watery little smile as she sniffled.

"Are you sure they're not mad at me," Harriette croaked out.

"Oh, of course not," He said, another hair ruffle. "They understand why you panicked. None of the other kids are holding it against you. You were having a panic attack. So you can't be held responsible for anything you said during it."

"Panic attack?" Harriette said.

"Yeah," Mr. Sun said. 'It's…" He moved his hands around for a moment. "That's what you were experiencing. Has that ever happened before." Harriette shook her head.

"I'm surprised," Mr. Sun said. "From the sounds of it you've had a rough go of it." He paused for a long moment. "Though I guess it's also that your still very young." Mr. Sun said thoughtfully. "You know, you must be tired from that little event." Harriette nodded. "Oh! What's this?" He said. Harriette looked over at him. "Behind your ear… is that…? Could it be..?" Harriette watched with a small level of confusion as he reached behind her ear and produced a candy from it. Harriette's heart picked up and worry turned in her stomach before Sun spoke again. "A Sundrop!" Sun said cheerfully. "You should keep it." He winked Harriette was sure now that's what the head turning motion was supposed to be. And Harriette realized he must have put it there himself. A small surprised giggle escaped her before taking it shyly. Sun patted her on the head and then scooched out. Harriette looked at the little candy, watery smile falling before she started sobbing again.

"Is that the sound of a sad pup, I hear. But that can't be Sun loves to make sure all the pups here are happy, but maybe if I leave this little thing here, the pup could find it and give it a good home," a female voice said, as a handmade Sun with ears and a tail was put ever so gently down, and the female voice walked away humming a song. Harriette reached over, gripped the Sun Plush against her chest next to the Moon plush she already had. She'd give it back later. She wondered where the Moon was. Maybe he was the naptime attendant. They had naptime at school after all. And you slept at night. Another shuddery little sob spilled out from her chest.

Why were they being so nice to her? Harriette wondered. She didn't deserve it, she was a bad kid.

---

Sun left the storage closet with some cleaning wipes, needing to clean up the tables, since Katie and Alexa had a glitter glue accident. Sun spotted one of the new hires. Bramble Raywood, (Husband to new hire Nova Raywood) with his granddaughter Mayla Raywood, Emelia, Ginny and Harriette. Harriette looked pale and was shaking. Mayla threw herself against her grandfather's leg and started crying.

Sun was worried now. Heading over to see what was wrong. When he'd asked it seemed to end any calm Harriette had managed to keep for herself. She quickly spiraled into a full blown panic attack. Sun was able to get her to calm down. However the girl was still too stressed, and too many people were staring at her, unsure what to do. When she'd run away from them Sun had fought his own urge to run after her. She'd been very clearly upset with all the looking, Sun knew his kiddos would no doubt want to help her. He just needed to make sure they didn't try to find her to do that.

"Alright little ones," Sun said. "It seems our little friend needs some space. Alright, how about we let her feel her feelings on her own." There was a few whispers. "I'll make sure she'll be okay first of course." That seemed to settle the kids down. A trusted adult was taking care of it. Even the kids who didn't know him well were soothed since all the regulars were comforted.

"I'm sorry," Mayla said.

"Oh, I know, feelings are complicated," Sun said. "I know you didn't mean to, but you need to apologize to Harriette when she's feeling better okay. I'm sure everything will be fine." The little girl nodded, turning her apologies to the other two girls.

---

(Trigger Warning for Minor Trans phobia. Minor because it's a child and they apologies later)

When Harriette came out the other girls were waiting for her. A red haired boy that looked similar to Ginny had joined them.

"Harriette!" Emilia called to her. "Are you feeling better?" Harriette nodded shyly.

"Sorry," Harriette said.

"It's okay," Ginny said. "It's not your fault though." She added. She elbowed the boy next to her.

"I'm Ron," the boy said, sounding kind of bored. The girl rolled her eyes.

"Anyway, let's play now!" Emelia said. As they started off Mayla stepped next to Harriette.

"I'm sorry," She said. "I didn't mean to upset you."

"It's okay," Harriette said. "It's not your fault." Emelia pointed to the toy area.

"Since you're probably feeling a little tired, how about we play with some toys," Emelia said. "We can do all kinds of things with those!" Emelia started tugging them toward the section. Harriette nodded, happy to move on from the stressful event.

"What should we play?" Mayla asked as she followed. "Oh, oh! We could play superheroes!"
"I don't think that they have any action figures," Emelia said. Crossing the threshold of the section. She started skipping a little.

"We can still play superheroes!" Mayla said. "We'll just have to match a story for the character."

"I mean, you can do a lot with something simple," Ron said.

"That's true I guess," Emelia said. Mayla had caught up to her and they were looking through the shelves. Harriette looked around, seeing that there were still toys left over from one of the other kids' games. She went over to start sorting them out to put them on the shelves.

"Oh! That's a good one!" Emelia shouted, bouncing. She was standing next to Harriette looking over her shoulder at one of the soft toys that Harriette was holding. It was a little bear with an electric blue mark around his eyes and over its mouth, a red line around it, spikes on his shoulder and a lightning mark on his chest, and lines under his mouth too, spiked bracelets, bowtie and hat. Harriette thought the design was a little busy but the lightning bolt was cool.

"Oh, here," Harriette handed the other girl the stuffed animal.

"Thanks! Freddy's my favorite!" Emelia said. "Isn't he cool?!" She shouted, Mayla and Ginny were joining them.

"I dunno," Mayla said. "I think Bonni's the best, but it's okay if you think Freddy's better." Mayla was holding a soft rabbit doll, it was blue with an electric blue star on its face like she had.
"No way, both of you are wrong!" Ginny shouted. "Roxie's the best!" She shouted pointing to the gray wolf woman on her dress.
"Oh! Roxie is pretty cool," Mayla agreed. "But I think Bonni's cooler."
"No way!" Ginny stomped her feet.

"Doesn't that just mean we aren't fighting over which one gets to play with which?" Harriette asked, offering the younger girl the doll that matched her shirt. She pouted a moment before her face brightened and she took the doll.

"You're right," Ginny said. "I know Roxie's the best, but not having to fight for her is better."

"Exactly," Harriette said.

"Which one's your favorite?" Emelia asked.

"Oh, um-" Harriette hummed. "I don't think I even know who we're talking about." Harriette smiled. "But I was just planning to use my plushies, or one of them I guess." Harriette pointed to the pair that she currently had tucked into her shirt.

"Oh! That works," Ginny said.

"You don't know about the other animatronics?" Ron asked. Harriette shook her head putting the last stuffed toy back on the shelf.

"What about you? Which ones are your favorite?" Harriette asked.

"I don't care," The boy shrugged, turning away from Harriette. "I like the colors red and gold? They don't have a lion animatronic anymore."

"Oh, well, how about this one?" Harriette offered a lion doll with a red scarf for some reason. Harriette thought it seemed a little silly since it already had a mane, but Ron said he liked the color red.
"I don't need help finding a stuffed animal," Ron grumbled. "But whatever, thanks, I guess."

"You're welcome," Harriette said, trying her best to smile.

"Yeah," Ron and the others made their way to a spot out of the way of the shelves and continued the discussion of what to play.
"Okay, so we're the Glamrocks," Emelia stated.

"We don't have a Chica," Ginny pointed out.

"Oh! Uh well who wants to be Chica, I can if no one else wants it," Emelia said.

"That works for me," Ginny said.

"We don't have a Monty either," Ron pointed out.

"You can be Monty since you're the only boy," Ginny said. Ron shot Harriette a dirty look.

"Emelia and her are playing boys," Ron pointed out. "And what about him?" he pointed to Harriette, who flinched, shrinking behind the plushies of Sun and Moon that she'd pulled from her shirt. "What even is his deal? Why are you playing with a bunch of girls? Why don't you play with other boys and leave my sister alone, you weirdo?"

"Ron!" Ginny shot to her feet. "Harriette's a girl, her name is Harriette, so you owe her an apology." Ginny made sure to speak clear and forcefully, stomping her little foot against the padded floor.

"What? Why should I apologize? Just because he's pretending to be a girl, that's gross," Ron said, then he turned to Harriette. "Hey," he said, trying to get Harriette to look up at him, even though Harriette knew that she still closed her eyes. "Hey! Why are you pretending to be a girl? Do you think it's funny to trick people?" Harriette shook her head. "What's your problem then? Do you think it makes it easier to get closer to girls? Well, I'm not going to ignore it if you think you can just-" Something soft hit something else. "What the heck?"

"Stop it!" Ginny shouted. "You're being mean and cruel and, and a bully!" she stomped her foot. "You can't just be mean to people and make up stories about them and their feelings just cause it suits you! That's what bullies do! And I don't want to play with a bully!" Ginny was in tears now. Mayla stood to comfort her, Emelia's arms wrapped around Harriette then.
"I'm sorry he's being a meanie," Emelia said.

"But he's-"

"What's going on?" Mr. Sun asked, coming over to figure out what all the shouting was about.

"What even made you think she was a boy? Some wolves are both genduh…ginggers….boy and girl," Mayla asked.

"He's got short hair," Ron pointed out. "And he literally said he was one."

"And you have a girl's haircut, does that make you a girl!" Mayla asked.

"I do not have a girl's haircut!" Ron said. "And he literally said he was a boy!"

"If you were really scared, you would call yourself a different pronoun. Being scared can mess with how one sees oneself. I would know my Aunty spin told me, when one of the new teens had an peddie attack," Mayla said mis-saying PTSD.

"There was a girl in my class who got gum in her hair and it had to get cut really short," Harriette pointed out.

"You said you were a boy!" Ron shouted.

"Kids," Mr. Sun said.

"I said I was born a boy, not that I was a boy," Harriette said. "I'm not a boy, I am a girl."

"That doesn't make any sense," Ron said, finally turning to Mr. Sun. "Does it?"

"Exactly, just because someone's hair is short doesn't mean they're a boy," Mr. Sun said. "And long hair doesn't mean a girl." Sun said, to help. "As for genders, it's a complicated subject. Some people are born both, some people are born one but turn out to be the other. This has nothing to do with being scared though, I think your auntie was trying to explain two different topics at once though and you got them mixed up."

"Ooh! Yeah, that makes sense," Mayla said.

"That's stupid, he's a boy!" Ron shouted pointing at Harriette. Harriette flinched again, tears pricking her eyes. "He's wearing boys clothes, and he's got short hair and he's dirty and smelly and covered in bruises, and girl's don't rough house!"

"I'll show you rough housing," Ginny practically growled, just about tackling her brother to the ground. Mayla had longer claws digging into her palms, growling, and shaking, the smell of blood starting to become present. Harriette took her hand, and smoothed her hand out. Mr. Sun had to pick Ginny up to keep the siblings from fighting. So he didn't have the ability to give Mayla the attention. He had to stop them from hurting each other.

"No rough housing in the daycare," Mr. Sun said. "Ron, it's not nice to call people things they don't like. If you don't know what to call someone you can just ask them. Harriette has made her preferences clear." Harriette's stomach turned guiltily. "Ron, you should apologize first." Mr. Sun said, voice kind. Harriette felt sick. She was icky and gross and wrong. Why couldn't she just be normal. Why couldn't she just be fine with being a boy. Then her new friends wouldn't be fighting. Mayla's hand wouldn't be bleeding.

"Why should I-!" Ron started.

"I'm sorry," Harriette said.

"What?" Mr. Sun, Mayla, Emelia and Ginny said all together.

"I'm sorry, I'm gross," Harriette said, standing up. Tears pouring out of her eyes, she shifted her hold of her plushies so she could wipe her eyes trying to get the tears off her face. "I'-I'm sorry I'm gross and weird and wrong and bad. I-I-I didn't mean to be bad!" Harriette sobbed, burying her face in the plushies and curling in on herself. "I-I'll go. I'm sorry, I won't-I won't be a bother. Please don't fight. I'm sorry I'm bad." Harriette sobbed. "I-I-I'll." Emelia and Mayla and Ginny looked horrified. Finally realizing how gross and weird and bad, bad, bad Harriette was.

"Harriette," Mayla reached toward Harriette, to push her away or punch her or shove her, or maybe she'd just recoil. Harriette let go of her other hand, so that she could pull away from her better. Before any of that could happen Harriette ran away.

"Harriette!" They yelled, whatever else they said was lost to Harriette's mad dash to find a hiding spot. She found one hidden in a small gap in the play structure tucked into a small spot that hopefully nobody saw or would find her in. A gap where one play structure ended on top of another and a third against her back. She curled in on herself and sobbed. Harriette stayed there sobbing for several minutes. She missed her blanket, she missed her cupboard. At least inside her cupboard she couldn't be called bad, she wouldn't be able to gross anyone out. She couldn't be bad, and get into trouble for being bad if she was in her cupboard.

"Harriette?" Ginny's voice called. Harriette covered her mouth and curled up even tighter.

"Harriette, no one thinks you're gross!" Emelia called. "You're not, so why would anyone even think that? You heard Mr. Sunny. He said it was normal!"

"You're not bad! Ginny's brother was just being a jerk," Mayla called.

"Yeah!" Ginny called. "You're my friend and I want to play with you!" Ginny called. Emelia, Mayla and Ginny were close to Harriette's hiding spot, and Harriette couldn't stop the gasping sob that heaved it's way out of her throat. Emelia's shoes turned toward Harriette's hiding spot, but then she turned away. Mayla did the same but a little more jerkily. Ginny copied the older girls and faced the same direction the other girls were facing, the same direction Harriette was facing. Harriette curled a little tighter.

"You don't have to come out if you're not ready to," Emelia said, as she sat down next to Harriette's hiding spot. "You can hide as long as you need. We won't look if you don't want us too either. So you can take your time to feel better." Harriette sniffled.

"Promise," She croaked.

"Promise," Emelia held the hand closest to Harriette's hiding spot out toward her, a little out but not too much. Her pinkie held out wards. Harriette wrapped her own pink around hers. She kept her pink linked with Emelia's as the other girl continued. "We can play here if you want." Emelia said, Harriette squeezed her pinkie. "Okay," she said, then to the other girls. "Can you two grab the toys we were going to play with?"

"Yeah!" Ginny said, voice excited. "We'll be right back, Harriette!" She'd leaned down, not enough to pear into Harriette's hiding place, but enough that Harriette could tell she'd leaned down.

"Let's go," Mayla said, heading over.

"Later, when you're feeling better we can do the spinning thing," Emelia said. "Or we can climb some more. Or we can just draw at the tables. Whenever you're ready." Harriette felt herself start to smile. The other two came back quickly and the three of them played through the small gap into Harriette's hiding place.

---

'I'm going to tell the older kid that I smell on him, that Ron is being mean," Mayla said, running off. To do just that. She found all three of them standing together. The oldest of which seeming to be telling the younger two off for something.

"You're going to cause Sun trouble, or worse get him into trouble," The older boy said, the younger two seemed to take this commentary to heart.

"You are Ron and Ginny's brothers right?" Mayla said, running to a group of three boys with red hair. One was as tall as her, the others only slightly shorter. They looked at her nodding.

"What's wrong, what happened?" the tall one said, with a sound of already telling his sibling off.

"Ron, was being mean to Ginny and I's friend Harriette, because SHE was scared and missed p on what to call HERself. Then he said SHE was a boy and that SHE shouldn't be acting like a girl when SHE is one. Then SHE started to cry," Mayla said, making herself calm down. The twins looked mad as did the older boy.

"Fred, George go tell Charly what happened, I am going to talk to Ginny to see if she is ok. NOw don't be too happy but I will turn a blind eye at any and all pranks that are directed at Ron." the older boy said. Once that was done she ran off toward where she noticed Ginny and Emelia entering play structures.

---

Once Harriette was feeling better, she was ready to climb out of her hiding spot and face the rest of the daycare. She rubbed her face to clear away her tear tracks and snot.

"Sorry for running away again," Harriette said. Standing up in the center of the three girls.

"It's okay," Emelia said. "Sun always said that some people need a little patience. I'm glad you're feeling better." She took Harriette's free hand with her free hand, still carrying the toy that Mayla and Ginny had brought for them. They left the play structure, Harriette feeling a small smile on her face as she followed the other girls. Heart warming from the light link of her and the other girl's hand. Mayla ran a hand over the top part of her back, and Ginny skipped beside them happily adding her own commentary to Mayla and Emelia's light chatter.

"Hey," Ron's voice called. Harriette looked toward him, almost numb, kind of sad. Emelia stepped between them.

"What do you want?" Emelia said. She was holding Harriette's hand a little tighter. Ginny had stepped next to her. Mayla was growling at him.

"Yeah, yeah, I know, I was a prat," Ron said. "I was mean for saying what I said, and I'm sorry. You don't have to forgive me or nothin', I just owed you an apology." Ron said. "Anyway, I guess see ya." Ron waved. He was looking anywhere but her face, and he looked embarrassed, but he kept glancing at her, with sincerely sorry eyes.

"Thank you for apologizing," Harriette said. "I'm not sure I'm ready to forgive you. What you said really, really hurt me, and it wasn't very nice and-"

"That's fair," Ron said. "Like I said I didn't apologize to be forgiven. I apologized 'cause I was wrong and owed you one."

"Yeah," Harriette said. "I'll- maybe we'll play again another time." Harriette said, trying to smile.

"Yeah, maybe another time," Ron went the opposite direction as them.

"Are you sure you want to play with him?" Ginny and Mayla asked.

"You don't have to play with someone who's mean to you," Mayla said.

"It's okay, he wasn't trying to be wrong, and as soon as he realized he was wrong he apologized." Harriette said. That was more than her Uncle and Aunt ever did. She wasn't sure she'd ever really gotten an apology from Dudley but at least he was acting nicer.

---

Mayla let out a yawn as a lullaby started playing over the speakers. Emilia turned to her then checked the time on her little watch. It was on the side that had her palm instead of the back of her hand. Mayla wasn't sure why exactly she wore it that way but it wasn't her business so she didn't ask, beside another yawn tore through her then.

"It's almost naptime," Emelia said. "They start playing more sleepy-time music to help the kids wind down". Emelia informed. "Usually Sun starts setting up for it sooner though." She tilted her head to the side. Her eyes trained on the almost frustrated looking robot who was currently trying to sooth two new toddlers, who were just screaming their heads off.

"It looks like some of the littler kids are already asleep," Harriette noted. "Are there any blankets around?" She was looking around, probably for said items. Several kids with older siblings were being gathered and little nests were being built. But there were a few little ones who didn't have bigger siblings to look after them. Harriette offered her hand to a bleary eyed four year old who looked relieved to take it. Leaning against her side.

"I'll make them a den, want to help, we need a nice enclosed place for them, but make sure that they can get out easily, and we need toys, pillows, and blankets for them," Mayla said as she walked to look for the right place. Emelia grabbed her hand and pointed out a few spots for her to check.

Mayla and Emelia found a nice cave-like area on the first level of the play structure. Harriette left the four year old and followed Ginny to gather sleeping material. The two brought a few arm loads and a small group of littles. Mayla began putting the pillows, blankets, and soft toys into a comfy little den. The pair of twins, Fred and George, had joined the activity. They were helping to gather the remaining tired toddlers, while Harriette and Ginny continued collecting sleeping supplies. Harriette seemed grateful to pass over the young little that she'd had to pick up in her arms.

The activity had caught Percy's notice, who quickly walked over to talk to Mayla, since she was the oldest, about what she was doing. That's when Fred and George walked over with a few almost asleep toddlers either in their arms or attached to their sides. Percy seemed to catch on a little bit and dropped his tone while talking to Mayla.

"Are you guys setting up for naptime?" Percy asked.

"Yes, want to help?" Maya said,as she got back to what she was doing.

"Why?" He sounded suspicious. "I'll add in my efforts when I know that none of you are planning anything… too…" He seemed to struggle for the word he wanted. "Ridiculous? Loud? No…"

"Why would we do that? It would defeat the work we have already done. Now get the last few pillows so we can finish making the den." Myla said.

"Ah, the twins can be…" Percy paused. "Rambunctious, if they're involved there's a chance that they're planning to cause some form of chaos. Usually. They can be nice though, it's not unheard of… You don't seem the type to let others…" he gestured again. "Just watch out for that. You're not wrong about the effort you put in."

"Excuse me. I may not be able to do much, because of my illness, but that doesn't mean I am one to let others hurt anyone," Mayla said with a soft growl coming from her.

"Sorry," Percy said. "I wasn't suggesting you would." Percy said. "I'll get those… Oh! No! No! No, Harriette let me take that child from you." Percy managed to keep his voice low despite his clear panic, as he rushed over to the girl who was trying to carry a child about the same size as her and several blankets. He took the whole load from her. "Please let us bigger kids or Sun handle those kinds of things.

"I'm fine," Harriette said. "But thanks." Harriette headed out to gather more blankets and small children. Though Mayla was half sure that they were all gathered into the den.

---

Sun had been busy since Harriette's second anxiety attack. Four more kids had been added to the daycare, bringing the total up to forty children. Only two of them had been regulars. Katrina and Matty had taken their usual seats with Katie and Alexa. Sun had been forced to struggle with siblings who'd arrived at the same time as them. Christopher and Sandy were a pair of four year olds who simply did not want to be left with Sun. They cried for several minutes while Sun and their father tried to get them used to him enough for them to let him take them. Then he'd had to figure out what the two would actually enjoy. Eventually they cried themselves out. Sun felt bad for them. He did, but he was also a bit relieved. Hopefully they'd be in a better mood after a nap. Maybe he'd have snack time or lunch early today.

That's why he hadn't noticed the music switching over to the naptime track, or the number of other sleepy children, but now he did, he also noticed something else.

"What are my little Sunbeams up to?" Sun asked, noting the seven other sleepy looking toddlers. There were an unusually high number of kids today. Sun noted with a mix of worry and delight that Mayla, Emelia, Ginny and Harriette seemed to have taken it upon themselves to gather them into a sort of nest or den inside one of the play structures. Sun had been busy since earlier trying to get a pair of older boys to stop fighting. There had been four screaming matches between some of the older children. An actual fight broke out, and then the two toddlers he'd just spent the better part of twenty minutes trying to sooth.

Today was so busy. Normally during the summer there weren't nearly this many. There were seven sets of siblings, excluding the Weasleys which were the largest, then there were nineteen more, and then there was this little group. The easiest by far to deal with.

Mayla and Harriette were helping some of the littles kids settle into the large den they'd built. It was set up below one of the play structures, the area filled with blanket's, pillows, sleep matts, cushions, and stuffed animals. Harriette was handing a Chica plush to a little girl who sleepily took it and settled into sleep. Mayla was arranging and rearranging the blankets and pillows around and over the littles, Emelia was setting one of the bigger blankets to act as a curtain. It was actually really cute, if not a little worrying. Emeilia and Ginny seemed to be acting more like this was a fort game, which was purely cute. But Harriette, while smiling, had such a serious look in her eyes. Mayla didn't look nearly as serious, but Percy had said she was mothering them. Sun didn't really care how children chose to play, but Harriette didn't look like she was playing a game at all. She looked like she was trying to defuse a living bomb without upsetting anyone. Sun was just about to intervene when one of the children Harriette was helping settle thanked her and the stress seemed to melt away, leaving a pure happy satisfaction in its place. Sun was relieved, and a little surprised. Normally he had to trick the littles into naptime. But checking the time revealed the culprit. It was way later than he normally liked to have naptime.

Normally kids were taken home or out sooner, but there was some sort of conference or something. There were still a small hoard of older kids to get settled too. Mr. Raywood had come over to see what was going on, and smiled.

"Mayla will be a good Luna for our pack or whatever pack she mates into. Young man, what are you still doing up? Is it not naptime?" Mr. Raywood asked Percy who had taken up sentry nearby, watching his younger twin brothers like a very grumpy hawk.

"I'm making sure my brothers behave themselves," Percy said. Before Bramble Raywood could say anything Sun stepped in.

"It's okay, he won't be able to relax till those three are asleep anyway," Sun said.

Sun thought it was weird that he was already talking about Mayla getting married. She was seven. The way he phrased it was a little concerning too, but maybe that was because Mayla liked to play wolf a lot. Her file was really extensive. Her Grandparents hadn't stopped at the required field like many others seemed to. They'd even filled out favorite color, animals, games she liked to play, and a request to keep an eye on her anger levels so she didn't end up biting someone. They'd even added stressers to keep an eye out for, and signs of anger, fear and discomfort.

They'd put in that she liked to play wolf a lot and even preferred wolf terminology. It was probably a habit at this point. So, Sun tried to brush it off.

Harriette let out a small yawn, and Sun's heart melted even further. How could anyone be so cruel to such a sweet kiddo. She was literally tucking the blanket around one of the litler boys like he's asked her to while stifling another yawn. Sun stepped in to help tuck the littler kids into the nest they'd built. Settling the twin toddlers he was holding. Harriette lifting up a blanket for them and then turning to another child to help them get comfortable.

"You guys did such a good job," Sun whispered. "Normally it's my job, I should have started naptime quite a while ago huh?" It honestly explained why some of the kids were starting to get a little bratty. They were probably tired and needing a nap. "Thank you for helping out." Sun said ruffling Harriette and Mayla's hair. "You guys as well." He commented as he looked to Emelia and Ginny who'd just finished tying off the blanket and then added something to each side to act as a weight. "I really appreciate it. How about we get you kids to bed too. How does that sound." Harriatte yawned, then looked embarrassed but nodded.

"It's okay, it's my job to look after the pack. That's what Luna's do in werewolf packs after all," Mayla said as she yawned. It looked almost painful, but Sun was stuck on the werewolf bit Mayla had let slip. Oh! Right, it was probably part of the game she liked! He ruffled her hair again.

"Well that doesn't mean you shouldn't be thanked," Sun said. "And it also doesn't mean that I didn't mess up."

Sun helped the girls settle into a next just outside of the naptime den. Mayla insisting that it was her duty to watch over the littles, even as another yawn cracked her jaw. So, Sun had compromised, letting them sleep in a little nest outside of it. Percy had gotten to work on his own siblings' nap area, which was also positioned outside the napping den. Sun could already hear sleepy snoring. Moon wasn't even going to have any work at all it seemed.

Sorry, Moonpie, Sun thought into their shared headspace.

It's fine, Moon said. It's been very busy. You should take a break.

Okay, Sun said. Distracted by Harriette stifling a tiny little yawn.

---

Percy settled next to his younger siblings, after doing a headcount, twice. Okay he'd counted them five times before feeling confident enough to lay down. Sun had given him one of the blankets that blocked light, since he was a little old for naps and they threw off his sleeping schedule if he took them. He'd read quietly, glad Sun had taught him.

"Percy, she's an oddly healthy wolf don't you think." Fred and Gorge said quietly to their brother.

"I agree, yes," Percy said. "She's quite young too. Her grandparents seem to be wolves too." They weren't hurting anyone and he was taught not to judge people based on such things. Sun had made it clear that it was wrong, and Percy liked Sun and Moon a lot. He'd helped his family a lot. Teaching Percy to read, so he didn't have to wait till Hogwarts to learn like Charlie and Bill had had to. He'd also helped manage the twins' chaos into something much more stable. Not to mention how nice it was to actually have information on why his brain seemed to work differently than the rest of his family. Him and his father having both gotten tested for Autism and found that yes they were in fact on the spectrum.

"It's none of our business," Percy said. Checking to make sure none of their fellow daycarers might have overheard. He noticed one was missing.

---

Moon had shifted out, and turned his back for just a minute to finish getting something ready. There were so many kids that he and Sun agreed that it was best to have more scheduled activities, especially with their current little laps. When he turned back to make sure that the kiddos were sleeping soundly, scanning for any signs of distress he noticed something that had him distressed.

Where's Harriette? Moon asked. Noting the empty spot between Mayla and Emelia. Ginny had joined her siblings in their small pile, but Harriette was nowhere to be seen. He checked in on the sleeping den to see if maybe she'd gone in there. The desk was empty, and the Raywoods had also gone on lunch break,

Calm down, check the cameras, Sun said. Ah! She went into the play structure. How does she keep finding blind spots?

Moon set down the box he'd grabbed and headed over to the spot that Sun showed him on the camera's. It didn't take long for their enhanced hearing to find the little girl. Curled up in a tiny ball in the smallest space underneath the steps up to one of the play structures.

"What are you doing there little one?" Moon crouched. "You should be sleeping." Harriette shook her head almost hard enough the bump it into the top and bottom of her small hiding spot. "I'm fine here." Her green eyes were wide with worry… No, not worry, fear. Moon was used to kids being frightened of him. He was large, it was dark, and his eyes were glowing red. He turned off his night vision the stars glowed plenty for the little ones eyes to adjust to, but it plunged him into complete blackness. There was a thump.

"Ah! Mr. Uh-Mr. Moon are you okay?" Harriette asked. Moon turning on his night vision once more to see the damage. The girl had tried to sit up in such a small space. She was bound to be hurt, but her eyes were trained on him in concern.

"Are you not…" Moon paused. "Afraid of me?" Truth be told Moon hadn't been looking forward to naptime with twenty strangers so it having gone without a hitch thanks to Harriette and Mayla was a great success. Moon was used to kids being afraid of him at first, used to it taking ages for a child to get comfortable with him. But Harriette wasn't looking at him like he was dangerous, she looked confused. Moon tilted his head. She tilted hers.

"I'm not sure why I'd be scared," Harriette said. "Are you hurt, your eyes went out?"

"I'm fine, I- I thought they were scaring you so I-" The little girl's mouth opened into a tiny little o shape. Then she shook her head.

"No, I'm not scared," Harriette said.

"Then why are you hiding?" Moon asked.

"That's how I'm supposed to sleep," Harriette said. "Are-Will that get you into trouble? Is that why you came to find me?"

Moon was used to kids not wanting to sleep, and he was used to other kids wanting to sleep earlier. Even kids who helped set up naptime. He'd learned how to get almost every child to sleep. Except this one. Sun and Moon had both dealt with children who'd been abused and the ways that might affect a child's behavior, the way they play, talk, interact with people and things, and even sleep. But Harriette was different in a whole new way.

"I don't want you to get in trouble," Harriette said; eyes wide with worry, head resting against a pillow, breathing slow and steady, heart hammering.

"I won't get in trouble," Moon reassured, and Harriette closed her eyes

"Oh," She said, her heart slowing muscles relaxing then her eyes flew open, once more nearing panic. "You're not mad are you?"

"No," Moon said. "Why are you having so much trouble sleeping?" he asked deciding to change the topic. It seemed that was the right call to make. Harriette shifted. She'd taken up a sleeping position farthest away from the other kids, tucked in a small gap of the play structure that Moon was fairly certain should not have fit even the undersized six year old girl.

"Is it too crowded?" Harriette asked.

"Why not sleep out here then?" Moon's tone was half joking.

"I can't do that!" her voice was almost panicked, but despite the clear fear she felt it was still barely more than a whisper.

"Why not?"

"I-" Harriette shifted. "I can't." She said, "It's too big." she said. "What if-" she cut herself off. Biting her lip.

"I won't let anything happen to you," Moon reassured. She chewed her lower lip.

"Promise?" she asked.

"Promise," Moon offered her his pinky. She seemed surprised by that. Looking at him with her brows quivering. "It's a pinky promise." he chuckled. She nodded, taking his pinky with hers. She wiggled out of her hiding spot.

"I'm not really sure I can sleep," Harriette said, voice still so soft.

"Well, what do you normally do when you can't sleep," Moon asked. Anyone who helped get other kids settled in deserved a good rest. Especially one who had such dark rings under her eyes. She shifted, shrugging.

"I usually just get so tired that I can't stay awake," Harriette said.

"That's really not good," Moon said. "Don't your parents ever try to help you?" Moon was almost positive what the answer would be but he wanted to hear it from the girl herself. She shook her head.

"My parents are dead," She said. "My aunt and uncle lock me in the-" She stopped. "I'm not allowed to leave my room at night. But they wouldn't help even if I was and I wouldn't go to them either." Harriette's pout turned to something else, something… Rebellious, defiant.

"Oh," Moon said. "Why don't you sit here?" Moon said, patting his lap. Some little kids preferred cuddling when sleeping. Harriette looked him up and down before settling awkwardly in his lap. He pulled out a hairbrush, it was something that he'd stolen from the salon after too many sleepovers and night time tangles. "Mind if I fix your hair," Harriette shrugged as a response. So Moon got to work detangling the short strands, she'd lost one of her trash hair ties at some point, the other was almost out too, Moon removed it with little trouble. Some kids found the action soothing. Harriette seemed to be one of them too as she slowly relaxed.

"What do you like about your job?" Harriette asked, after a few minutes.

"I like most things about my job," Moon said. "Sun likes playing with you little ones. We like watching over you guys. I like reading stories. I like having sleepovers."

"What do you dislike about your job?" Harriette asked.

"Hmm," Moon hummed. "I'd like the ability to call the cops on certain parents." Moon decided to be honest. Besides he wanted to tell Harriette that she didn't deserve the treatment she was getting. No matter how much a troublemaker she was. Which she honestly didn't seem to be at all. The opposite really.
"What do you mean?" Harriette asked.

"Well, for example your guardians are abusive," Moon said. "Don't try to deny it either, when I ran a scan on you earlier I noted several bruises."

"Well, I don't really want to end up in an orphanage anyway," Harriette said.

"You wouldn't-" but Moon cut himself off. "Yeah, I suppose that's actually a risk. I don't know much about anything outside the plex."

"You don't?"

"Unless it's related to child care I don't have a lot of information," Moon stated. "And not even too much in that regard either. For instance I don't know any actual numbers to call aside for emergency services. I know what kids need to have in order to grow up healthy and all that but not what to do in the case of kids not getting those things. Not that I'm allowed to do much beyond the plex anyway." He'd started complaining. He shook his head. "Sorry."

"It's okay," Harriette said, sounding a mixture of happy and sad. Moon was fairly sure he understood the sentiment. "Thanks for telling me." Yup as he suspected. Harriette seemed to be a very sweet empathetic girl.

"It's not your problem," Moon said. "I shouldn't have gotten into all that…" Moon trailed for a moment.

"I think it's fine," Harriette said. "I asked anyway."

"I think you're the first person to ask me," Moon said. "I mean Adriana, and a few others may have wanted to, but they're not allowed." Moon said.

"Like how you're not allowed to get customers in trouble?" Harriette asked.

"Yeah," Moon said.

"What if you're not allowed to do something that you can't stop doing?" Harriette asked.

"Huh?" Moon said. "That's - what?"

"Like let's say um- nevermind," Harriette said. "What do you like to do when there aren't kids in the daycare? Do you just sleep?"

"No," Moon chuckled. "If I'm not on patrol, Sun and I will make plans for the next day."

"Are you not allowed to do something that's not part of your job? And what do you mean by patrol?"

"Oh, well, part of my job is to make sure the pizzaplex is safe," Moon explained. "I was recently given a security upgrade. That way they can lessen the number of human staff."

"Hmm," Harriette said. "And the other question?"

"Oh, I was kinda hoping you'd get distracted," Moon chuckled. "Technically no, we're not."

"That's stupid," Harriette stated.

"Well, they don't think Sun and I are people anyway so it doesn't matter," Moon said.

"Well, they can't stop you if you're the only one around," Harriette pointed out. "So, when they get rid of all the staff and there aren't any more kids, what will you do then?" Harriette turned, looking into Moon's eyes. Not blinking or looking away as she finished her question. Sun had noted she seemed to have a stutter, but it seemed she didn't have one right now. Her green eyes kept looking till Moon answered.

"Ah, well, I never thought about it that way before?" Moon admitted. "Sun and I usually talk when we're alone, sometimes we'll draw together. I guess I'd start reading more?" He decided against telling the girl that technically they already broke that rule. It wasn't her that he was worried about though, not really.

"Hmm," Harriette seemed to be satisfied with that.

"What about you, what do you do when no one else is around?" Moon decided.

"Umm," Harriette trailed for a moment. "I'll do my homework. I think a lot, daydream some. If no one's at home I might play. I've collected a few broken toys that Dudley 'threw' away." She made little air quotations at that comment. "If I can get paper I might draw." Harriette didn't feel as worried about telling Moon about this. Since Sun and Moon weren't allowed to tell anyone else and the few they were allowed to tell they probably wouldn't. "Mostly though I just daydream. If I'm not doing chores or stuff."

---

Harriette and Mr. Moon talked the whole of nap time. Mr. Moon told her some of the stories in the book he carried. Harriette told him stories about Mrs. Spider and Mr. Dressel, and Dudley. Mr. Moon told her about various interesting things that happened around the Pizzaplex. Most involved animals getting into the building or one of the regular kids doing something particularly funny or cute. Harriette liked hearing these stories in particular. Mr. Moon was such a good storyteller that she almost felt she was there. She was almost a little sad when it was time to end naptime.

Harriette sat to the side and watched as Mr. Moon gently woke each of the children. He helped several kids stand up and over to where Harriette stood, she helped one kid by handing them a wet napkin so they could help clean the gunk from their eyes. Harriette turned to see Mr. Moon soothing one of the younger kids with a gentle back rub. Emelia, Mayla, and the tired Weasley's stumbled over to Harriette one at a time. The lights were switched on.

"I didn't fall asleep," Percy complained to his younger brothers, rubbing sleep from his eyes, the twins and Harriette snickered to this. The twins yawned.

"Alright little friends!" Mr. Sun called all the children. "After a nap like that, how about we do something to help all of our sleepy little ones to wake up?" Some of the kids grumbled sleepily, some nodded eagerly, some were even excited. "Alright, how about we pretend to be trees. Stretch your hands up high." All the kids stretched their hands toward the ceiling. "Up, up high. Stretch your palms out flat like branches hungry for the light. Did you kids know that plants eat sunlight? Isn't that so neat. Now how about the hungry trees getting enough light." Several kids snickered. Kids were waking up more. "Alright now do this with your hands, make a beak with your hands, everyone." Everyone followed the instructions. Closing their hands from branches into something that did kind of look like a beak. "Alright! Now, we're thirsty giraffes and the ground is a nice cool pond. Go on, little ones reach for the water. Drink up thirsty little giraffes." The kids were giggling fully now. Pretending to be thirsty giraffes, some kids were making drinking sounds, which encouraged others to join in. Harriette and Emelia got into a competition of which giraffe would drink the most, Ginny joined and Mayla judged based on which made the best drinking sounds. "Alright now that our hungry trees are fed and our thirsty giraffes are watered, how about we feed and water hungry and thirsty little humans. Who wants a snack?" All the kids, now standing, raised their hands.

"Me, me!" All the kids said in patterns. Harriette eagerly raised her own hand though she didn't dare yell she still smiled.

"C'mon Harriette," Emelia said, tugging her and Mayla along. "Mayla you too!" Ginny skipped along with them. The kids settled around the tables. There were so many of them right now that it was almost a miracle that they were all able to fit. Mr. Sun only had to grab one extra table. Most kids were seated with the kids that they'd been playing with, though some groups had been smaller than others so that they were seated together. Harriette's group had another group added to their table, a group of three other girl's.

"Hi, I'm Katrina," the oldest girl said. She looked to be older than Percy even. She hadn't been there that morning so Harriette guessed she'd arrived while she'd been hiding.

"I'm Matty," the other kid said. Harriette wasn't sure she was actually a girl, she had her long hair tucked into a hat. Maybe she didn't want long hair, because she was actually a he. Harriette would have to ask.

"That's Katie," they said together, Katie giving a little wave and some sort of hand motion. Emelia gave a hand motion in turn.

"I'm Mayla, It's nice to meet you. What are you doing with your hands?" Mayla spoke all in one single rush of words.

"It's sign language," Katrina answered. "Katie is nonverbal so sometimes she can't talk and needs to talk some other way."

"Oh," Harriette thought that was a brilliant idea. "How do you know what she's saying, then?"

"Each hand gesture means something different," Matty said.

"You wanna learn?" Emelia asked. Harriette and Mayla both nodded. So, while they were eating Katrina, Matty and Emelia all chipped in to help Harriette and Mayla learn sign language. Ginny even joined in after a little while. After snacking, the other kids started playing, but Harriette was having fun learning sign language, and the other girls didn't seem to hate teaching her. Ginny went off to play with her brother's for a while, and Emelia had to get up and start moving around a bit before her legs started jittering.

"I have ADHD," Emelia said. "I can't always stay still like other kids, even when I want to, usually it's not so bad at the daycare but staying still too long gets my head all weird." She shrugged, and started wandering around their table. Talking to Katrina or Matty. There was a bell and Katie stopped what she was doing. She hugged Katrina and Matty and waved to Harriette, Emelia and Mayla before skipping off toward the door.

"Her parents pick her up at this time everyday," Matty explained. "Katie doesn't do good with sudden changes. She's Autistic." She nodded at that. "It was nice talking to you, but my parents will be here soon too. They work together." She waved before hugging Katrina then another knock came to the door. Matty waved again, going over to the cubbies where everyones stuff was. Harriette watched the two girls greet their parents saying good-bye to Mr. Sun then leaping into a hug with their parents.

Harriette couldn't hear them, but she could tell that they were chatting animatedly to each other. Harriette could remember Dudley doing the same thing when they'd first gone to school. Harriette wondered what it would be like. What would it feel like to be able to receive a hug from her parents, to be able to talk to them with so much enthusiasm. Harriette looked away, it didn't matter anyway, freaks don't get that kind of love.

"Let's make friendship bracelets!" Emelia shouted, slamming her hands on her table. Harriette flinched a little at the suddenness of it.

"That sounds fine," Katrina said. "I can teach you guys how to do that if you'd like."

"Friendship bracelets?" Harriette asked, curious.

"It's a bracelet that's a sign of our friendship!" Mayla said. "I want to make some to remember today!"

"I do too, since you guys won't be here tomorrow I want something to remember you by," Emelia said.

"I moved here though," Mayla said.

"I'll be here the rest of the week," Harriette added.

"Oh," Emelia said.

"Can we still make them?" Harriette asked.

"Of course!" Emelia said. "I'll go get the string and beads!" Then she was off, arms out to her sides like she was trying to balance, hopping, and making vroom noises.

"What is she doing?" Harriette asked.

"Pretending to be an airplane?!" Mayla and Katrina shouted together. Harriette flinched a little.

"Wha-?"

"You've never pretended to be an airplane?" Katrina asked. Harriette shook her head. "Alright, before friendship bracelets there is a fundamental experience that you're lacking!" She stood. "Alright! Stand up!" she sounded so serious that Harriette obeyed instantly. "Good, now," She turned toward where Emelia was standing talking to Mr. Sun. "Arms out!"

"Alright," Harriette said.

"Your arms are the airplane wings," Mayla said. Harriette nodded.

"Lean forward a little and…" Katrina and Mayla leaned forward and Harriette tried to copy. "Run!" She shouted suddenly. Harriette and the other two girls took off. "Vroooom, brrrrrooom,vvvvrrrrooom." Katrina said. Mayla making her own noises. Harriette realized they must be an attempt at copying the sound of the engine. Harriette tried her own noises. Katrina giggled at the failed attempt, and made her own terrible attempt. Harriette couldn't help but laugh. The three of them ran over catching up to Emelia.

"I thought I was getting the string and beads," She asked, reaching for one of the things she was aiming for. She couldn't reach it so Mayla grabbed it since she was the tallest.

"Harriette's never run like an airplane," Mayla said as she grabbed the other bead box that Emelia pointed to. Harriette grabbed one of the string boxes that Katrina pointed out.

"What?" Emelia said. She grabbed the last of the things they needed and they headed toward the table. "Well, I guess it's a good thing since we were able to grab more together." Emelia said. "And in only one trip."

"Yeah," Katrina said. "And that means they'll be better!" Katrina said. They settled onto the chairs Harriette already unsure of what she was supposed to do. "It's okay if you don't know how to do it." Katrina said. "I'll show you how!" She said, starting the process, carefully.

"I know how but I suck at teaching," Emelia stuck her tongue out.

"I know how to make them," Mayla said. "And I'm an excellent teacher."

Harriette learned pretty quickly that Mayla was not in fact a good teacher. Katrina on the other hand was actually a really good teacher. She was patient and methodical and didn't quit until Harriette knew how to make the bracelet. Emelia added beads and, and Mayla added lots of strings to the point that hers was more a band then a bracelet. Harriette copied Katrina for the most part, though she tried to follow the advice of adding her own personality into it, as well as something she thought Mayla and Emelia would both like. Harriette was pretty sure she'd gotten it right. She also learned each girl's favorite color.

For Mayla she'd made a braid of brown and red and orange strands, with a stripe of purple and electrical blue string wrapped around. In the braids she added a Bonnie and dog charm that she'd found in the boxes, for her own personal touch she'd added a few green beads that Emelia had commented were the same color as her eyes. For Karina she'd added a little apple, cause in cartoons you give an apple to your teachers. Katrina had giggled at the comment.

For Emelia she braided blue and green and purple together adding the only other dog charm she found in the box for decoration. She also added beads the color of Katrina's eyes. When asked what her reasoning was; blue was Emelia's favorite color, and purple was for Bonni which Mayla had made it clear was her favorite, green for her eyes, and her favorite color, and she liked dogs so she'd added the charm.

For Katrina she braided two different shades of green and a purple and blue set together. Harriette added beads to it; a bead with an apple, a bead that had a crack that ended up looking like a lightning bolt, she found one with a dog painted on it which was colored blue. She struggled to find the piece she wanted to use for Mayla who simply handed her a gold and red bead. Harriette added it to the bracelet at the end.

Harriette made one for Ginny, Matty and Katie too, however she was told that Katie couldn't wear it. She also made one for Dudley, since he was her only human friend back home.

"Well she can keep it on her wall or something right?" Harriette asked. "I guess I could make her something else if it'd be a problem."

"Most people prefer when others wear their friendship bracelets," Katrina said.

"Well, I won't be able to wear yours so I don't mind if she can't wear it, can I still give it to her?" Harriette asked.

"You can try," Katrina shrugged.

"I'll make sure she knows that I don't expect her to wear it," Harriette said.

"I think she'll appreciate that part the most," Katrina said. Harriette smiled. After a bit more time, everyone exchanged their bracelets.

Katrina accepted hers and added them to her collection that seemed to decorate half her arm. Emelia had gifted her an apple themed bracelet.

"Harriette's idea inspired me," Emelia said, grinning. The bracelet had a large wooden Apple charm that Emelia had painted herself. The strings were red and green with red and green beads. "I couldn't decide what color to make the apple so I made it flippable." She flipped it. "One side is red and the other is green!" She said proudly. Mayla clapped for her.

"Mine isn't as fancy as hers, I just picked a bunch of different green strings," Mayla said. Braided in was a thin black strand. "The black strand is for Harriette, the dog and moon charm are Emelia and me." The black strand looped fancily through the strands of green making the charms dangle a little from the string.

"Yours is so fancy," Emelia commented. "I expect mine to be just as fancy!" Emelia informed.

"It will be," Mayla said. "How else was I going to incorporate Harriette!" Harriette shrugged.

"I used a green bead, but I only found enough for yours, so I guess that doesn't work," Harriette commented.

"Harriette was actually super easy to incorporate into mine!" Emelia said, she held aloft her work. She chose all shades of blue, with beads representing each of them. A black bead with a purple rabbit on it, Katrina got a cat bead, Emelia a dog, and Harriette got a green bead with a bird on it. Harriette wasn't sure why she got a bird, but the green made sense. She passed the bracelet over to Katrina who admired it for a moment. Harriette handed Katrina the bracelet she made feeling self conscious compared to the other girls. Katrina simply slipped it on her wrist amongst the other colorful strands. She winked at Harriette.

"I help all the kids make friendship bracelets for the first time," Katrina whispered conspiratorially. "It's my favorite." Harriette smiled shyly.

"Alright, my turn," Emelia said, holding her hands out. She was bouncing. Katrina handed her a colorful beaded braid. She chose the shiniest beads for hers. "Oooh, pretty. You know I can't resist the shiny." She slipped it onto her wrist. Katrina giggled.

"Well, I have to get you to wear one of mine somehow," Katrina jokes. Harriette looked between them, feeling a little sad. Katrina and Emelia were already close enough to have exchanged bracelets already, and Mayla was going to be coming from now on. Harriette would disappear from their lives after this week. A bracelet, the only proof she'd ever been, they'd forget about her, move on. But she'd remember them for the rest of her life. She'd hold onto and treasure their bracelets forever. She was sure. Harriette tried not to feel sad at that thought. Shaking her head. She would just have to make as many memories with them as possible. Even if she was the only one who was going to remember them.

Mayla handed the bracelet that she made for Emelia. It was braided with two shades of green, different from Emelia's, and similar charms to the ones she'd added to Katrina's.

"I didn't know you liked sparkly things, maybe next time I'll perfect it," Mayla said.

"At least yours has that fancy lacy black stuff," Harriette said, passing her own bracelet to Emelia.

"Nonsense, yours is just as pretty and cool," Emelia said, putting on her three new bracelets.

"Alright, do you want to go first, or should I," Mayla asked Harriette.

"It's fine you can go first," Harriette said. Handing the bracelet she made over to her.

"Guess, Mayla's going next," Katrina said, offering her own bracelet. It was braided in a way that it looked like an animal, with green and blue beads for eyes.

"Wow! How'd you do that?!" Mayla said, grinning. Katrina looked between the two of them.

"I've been doing this a lot longer than you," Katrina said. "I've had a lot of practice." She sounded so proud of herself, and Harriette thought that made her seem cooler.

"And last but not least," Emelia said, presenting her bracelet. She braided a bunch of beads into Maylas, several little animals. The colors she chose were what matched them, though they all seemed to have been braided into weird little patterns that mixed but still seemed to be their own thing. Harriette wondered what the patterns were for.

"What's with the patterns?" Mayla asked.

"I made each of your colors do a pattern that I thought looked like you," Emelia said, proudly. Harriette thought the patterns looked kind of messy, but the thought was sweet. Mayla seemed to think so too.

"Now I feel bad that I made everyone look the same," Mayla said, passing Harriette a bracelet. Harriette grinned, slipping it on her own wrist.

"We match," Harriette said. "Now all we need is for you to have one." Emelia and Katrina held them out to show how matching they were, before giggling.

"I agree, I wish I'd known to make you a matching one," Emelia said.

"Alright, alright, give Harriette the bracelet you made already," Mayla giggled, shoving Emelia. Causing them both to giggle even more. Katrina ended up handing Harriette her bracelet first. It was shades of green, purple, and blue. She had added beads with the same colors, some of the beads had animals on it, and spiders.

Harriette felt a smile grow on her face. She looked at Katrina who shrugged, smiling knowingly. Harriette felt the pattern with a soft grin.

Emelia turned toward them. Handing her own bracelet, the strings she's chosen were sparkly for some reason. The beads were blocky and had letters on them: H-M-E-K. Harriette didn't know what that was supposed to spell, or even how to pronounce it. Harriette tilted her head trying to make out the code. Emelia giggled.

"It's our initials," Emelia said. "That's the way you're supposed to make friendship bracelets. That way if someone else asks you'll be up to date." Emelia tried to wink, she wasn't nearly as skilled as Katrina and the four girls ended up just giggling.

Harriette excitedly hopped up onto the wall that Ginny was balancing on. Ginny shot her a look before turning around with a little bit of a hop.

"Hallow?" Ginny said, tilting her head. Harriette shifted nervously from side to side Ginny tilted her head even further. Harriette pulled out the bracelet she'd made for Ginny. Ginny looked at the bright colorful bracelet Harriette made for her. Ginny's face brightened as the realization arrived on her face. She gleefully, yet gently took the bracelet.

"Thank you," Ginny said, touching it and feeling its patterns. Harriette was pretty happy that she liked her gift.

"I'm glad you like it," Harriette said.

"I love it," Ginny said, slipping it on, over her wrist. "I'll never take it off. Wanna play 'shark' with us?" Harriette looked between them. "Don't worry I'll teach you."

---

Sun headed over to the table to clear things up. He'd planned on having the kids make pipe cleaner flowers, but it was important to let the kids have their own independence. Emelia had asked to make bracelets which meant there was probably a huge mess to clean up. Sun was surprised to find the tables were clear of all but the things he himself had put out. He was sure he'd seen the girls with the bracelet making things.

He ran through the video photoage fast forwarding to the part where the girls were gathered around the tables. There he'd slowed down his fast tracking to make sure he didn't miss anything. The girls worked on their bracelets and light conversation as they went. Then they shared them, a normal part of making friendship bracelets. He watched as Katrina focused on her coloring book, he'd picked one out just for her. He watched as Emelia ran off to join another group of children in a game of toss, and catch. Mayla followed after she and Harriette put away the boxes. That explained why there were none of the supplies, but usually there were beads and other stuff. Harriette rather than joining the other kids went back to the table checking around it for anything they'd missed sweeping things up with her hands, Once she was satisfied with cleaning up after herself she also choose to reorganize the tables, putting away supplies in their boxes, or tubs, clearing away cut up papers, just generally tidying up.

If Sun hadn't already been sure Harriette was a good kid he was sure now. Troublemaker indeed. He crossed that out on her file and put in a note on her being tidy. He'd have to make sure to reward her before sending her home. Cleaning up after herself was one thing, Sun went over more photoage and noted that she'd done similar work in the toy section when Tonya and the tots she'd been playing with had left the area to play something else. Between this and her helping with naptime….

Sun wished she was staying longer. One day just wasn't enough time to help a child grow and heal and learn and he'd been so busy. Moon had gotten to talk to her alone for a while, but it still wasn't enough. No child should feel so… But there was nothing Sun could do. He'd have to praise her, and reward her for being so good. That way she'd know he thought she was great.

Careful Sunshine, Moon said, voice soft in the space of their mind. We don't want to scare her by being too forceful about it.

I know, Sun said, voice said.

---

Harriette, Ginny, Mayla, Katrina and Emelia finished spinning as Mr. Sun called them all down for a group game. Katrina and Harriette clinging to each other as they try to stumbley follow Emelia down. Mayla wasn't dizzy, she'd tried to spin it faster but after Katrina threatened to puke she'd been forced to slow down. She'd shuffled down the slide that Emelia had pointed out to ask Mr. Sun to wait for them a moment.

"Alright, Alright, girls I'm going to call the activity up to you so you can shout down if you want to join or not!" Mr. Sun called. Emelia leaned against the opening of a wall to shout down.

"Thank you, Mr. Sunny!" Emelia called. Ginny was already mostly recovered now too, but giggled as Katrina and Harriette stumbled into her, sending her toppling over which resulted in Harriette and Katrina losing all balance. The three a giggling heap for a moment each giving a thumbs up. "That sounds good! What activity are you planning?"

"We're going to make…" there was a dramatic pause. "These! Flowers, I have materials set up for all of you, but once again no one has to play if they don't want to!"

"That sounds fun," Harriette said.

"That's a new one, I wanna try," Katrina said. Ginny thought for a moment.

"Are my brothers playing something else or are there any other regulars doing anything else?" Ginny asked, thoughtfully.
"Are any of the Weasley's or other regulars planning to do something else!" Emelia asked. She watched silently for a moment before turning to them. "Yes, Daniella is planning to play house. Mayla joined them too, not all of them are regulars, and Ron and a few of the other kids are planning something with one of the climbing webs."

"Okay, I'll do the climbing thing, you guys can do the art," Ginny said, satisfied. "You guys have fun with your flowers."

"Have fun climbing," the others said. Ginny waved, heading to the slide.

"Ron! Ginny wants to join your thing!" Emelia said. "Harriette, Katrina and I want to make flowers!" She called down.

"I'll make sure the three of you have a place at the table then!" Mr. Sun shouted back. "Alright! As for the rest of us, we're going to head to the tables to make the flowers." There was a bunch of noise from the other kids. Harriette and Katrina needed some help getting to the slide, but with some support from Emelia and each other and a little bit of crawling they eventually made it down the slide. The other kids were still settling down at the tables when the three made their way there. Arriving in time to still choose seats next to each other.

Mayla waved from the front of the playhouse before turning to animatedly talk to another girl who was probably a bit older than she was. Ginny and her brother were up on the top of one of the climbing webs.

Emelia sat on one side of Harriette, Katrina on her side, and an older boy Harriette didn't know sat next to her. Mr. Sun stood to one side like a teacher and started showing them how to make the flowers. Harriette watched with rapt attention as he explained the processes.

"The pipe cleaners will act as the stem, you don't have to add construction paper, you can make the petals out of pipe cleaners too, but you can also use the cut out shapes to make flowers out of. You can use glitter glue, regular glue, you can add designs to your flowers, and if you want to make a different shape you can ask me to cut it out for you. Now, I'm going to make a full pipe cleaner flower, but again you don't have to do that. Alright so to make the stem you're going to want to use a few of them. Green would be the best choice, but blue could work too. If you use other colors your petals might not stand out as much though so that's what I'd recommend. Careful of the ends, sometimes they can be a little sharp, I checked but my skin is tougher than yours." Some of the older kids giggled at the comment. Harriette focused intently on copying the motion to twist two green and a blue pipe cleaner together. "Now you curve the leaves like this, and you can use these to make the shape if you want. That's good." Mr. Sun was walking around helping kids make the flowers now. Mostly just watching as the kids worked.

"I'm Elison," the boy next to Harriette said. "Can you pass those pink cut outs?" Harriette nodded.

"Won't you get in trouble?"

"Nah, but thanks for checking in on me," Elison said. Emelia and Katrina had started a small conversation about a show Harriette hadn't seen but Harriette was fine with that. She could get to know Elison she supposed. "You?" He asked.

"Get into trouble?" Harriette clarified, she nodded. "Don't tell on me , okay." She whispered. And Elison laughed, then he tried to fight down the smile on his face and ask her to whisper back.

"Don't worry," Elison said. "Won't tell a soul, cross my heart." And he did. Harriette had thought she'd gotten over the worry of getting in trouble with the Durley's. Mr. Sun had said he wasn't allowed to actually tell anyone that he'd actually want to tell. Mayla's grandparents would leave before the Durley's came to pick her up. If they did at all. She might actually have to walk back to the hotel. She'd memorized the route though so she wasn't too worried.

"So, what brings you here?" Elison asked.

"My relatives," Harriette said. "My Uncle wanted to celebrate my cousin's birthday here, well that's what he told my aunt, but I overheard him talking about some sort of conference." Harriette shrugged.

"That explains why there are so many newcomers," Elison said. "What do you think it's about?"

"Who cares? Why would it matter?" Harriette shrugged, twisting a wire leaf into her stem; she'd decided to add the leaves before completing the stem; she'd also leave a bit on top for the actual flower to be added.

"Oh, yeah, I guess it doesn't matter," Elison said. "Some kids just want to take after their relatives." Harriette made a face, then shook that thought off. Her relatives weren't bad, they kept her even though she was a freak, they'd given her a place to stay, they kept her fed even if they couldn't always do that 'cause she was bad. They always talked about how expensive keeping a freak like her was. Surely those things were important, surely that meant they loved her, even just a little bit. "That's okay, I don't want to be like my parents either." Elison said. Harriette looked up at him, mind boggled that he'd say that. "My mom's mean, and treats others badly. My dad always ignores it, or acts just as bad." Elison shrugged. "They send me here cause they don't want to look after me anyway. The only days I'm not here are Mondays and Thursdays, and that's only 'cause they hired a tutor to help me 'get a head' even though I'm already a head." He pouted. "I want to go outside and play with friends, or to do creative stuff." He shrugged. "They say those things can wait, but you can never be too far ahead. They say they'll increase the days I have to work if they're not happy with my grades. It's summer!" He threw his hands up in the air at that. "Sorry," He looked confused for a moment. "Don't know why I-"

"It's okay," Harriette put a hand on his arm. "I get it. My relatives aren't very nice to people either." Harriette hadn't really thought about how her uncle treated others, or how her aunt treated others. She was a cold, distant kind of rude, always talking about others when they weren't around. But Uncle Vernon was mean to people and then would talk about them like they were the ones in the wrong, despite him admitting more than once that he'd set them up to fail on purpose. Just for an excuse to yell. She'd thought for a really long time that was just how people were, but she'd listened in on enough conversations to know that wasn't it at all. Elison snickered.
"You're pretty good at that?" Elison pointed out. Harriette looked at her flower with a surprise. She'd added two leaves to the stem, but had set it aside to make the flower part, she'd managed to add a few petals to the flower part. She shrugged.

"I've worked with wires before," Harriette said. "These are a lot easier to bend." The two started chatting about their relatives. Elison's mom was a stay at home mom, despite that she was more interested in appearances than actually being a mom. His father had an important job, so he hired a cleaning service, and cooks. Petunia at least did do some of the housework at home. She'd once told Harriette that those who don't work don't eat.

"But when I'd asked about Dudley, she said he was different because he was her and Uncle Vernon's real baby." Harriette pouted.

"That doesn't sound fair," Elison said.

"Well I can't do anything about it," Harriette admitted.

"Yeah," Elison said. "We can't change the people who are supposed to be taking care of us." They commiserate over their unfair circumstances. Harriette feels a little better about it, not because someone else is going through the same thing, but because she was allowed to talk about it. She didn't have to worry about the Durley's finding out about her talking about them. She could just express her frustrations, her loneliness. She could also see how someone could feel the same way as she could without going through the same things.

They stopped talking about their families when Emelia and Katrina finished up their flowers and wanted to show them off. Harriette thought they looked cute, if not a little lopsided. She gave the other two girls a thumbs up.

"What if we decorated the playhouse with them?" Emelia asked. "We could leave our mark on the daycare forever, and kids who won't ever meet us will see them forever and ever!"

"Shouldn't we ask Mr. Sun?" Harriette asked. Katrina shrugged, raising her hand.

"Mr. Sun!" she shouted. "What if we made a flower garden for the playhouse?"

"That sounds," Mr. Sun paused. "Interesting." He looked over to the playhouse. "I think we could do that a little bit…" He seemed thoughtful. "It does sound really cute!" He clapped. Harriette hadn't noticed that he usually spoke sign language until she recognised one of the signs he used for the next part. "Alright, how about I get a box for you kiddo's to use for your little flower garden. Of course you can always choose not to add a flower to the pot! You can take it home or add it to the pot. Hey, if you participated in the flower making you can add yours to the flower box I'm going to add to the playhouse!" He called. Several of the kids who'd been there to start with had left, some in frustration but most because they were done and didn't want to continue. Now those kids and several who hadn't wanted to participate before were heading over eagerly, most following Mr. Sun to ask about the flower garden. Harriette chose to follow too.

"Can I help?" Harriette asked, as she caught up and they reached the storage closet where Mr. Sun had pulled the paged easels and some of the other things he'd gathered.

"Oh, that's not necessary, I can get it all myself," Mr. Sun answered, opening the door to start searching for the supplies he wanted.

"I want to help," Harriette clarified. "Can I?" Harriette tilted her head to the side. Mr. Sun was looking at her, several seconds passed. "I mean, if I'd be in the way-" Harriette started.

"Oh, no, no, no!" Mr. Sun said. "It's just- how about you carry this! Let me know if it's too heavy." He offered her a fairly small box full of foam. She nodded, picking it up.

"It's not heavy at all," Harriette reassured.

"Okay," Mr. Sun said, sounding a little nervous. "Okay, you can-I'll bring these." He said picking up the boxes that he'd grabbed, he'd added something else into one of them too, but Harriette hadn't really seen what. "Hey, look, this means I don't have to take two trips." Mr. Sun said. "Thank you." Harriette got the feeling that he probably could have been carrying way more without much trouble, but still warmth filled her chest and stomach at the thanks.

"You're welcome, it's not that much though," Harriette said, almost robotically.

"It's still very appreciated, Harriette," Mr. Sun said. "Alright! If you're done with your flowers, head over here." Mr. Sun called, putting the boxes down on one of the empty tables. The kids who were done, grabbed their flowers. Harriette put her box down, and Mr. Sun started putting the foam into the boxes. Sitting cross legged on the floor so the kids could hand him their flowers and talk about where they might want their flowers. Harriette stood watching, deciding whether she wanted her flower among the others. She decided that she did, it would be nice to have something of her here. She'd barely made the decision when Elison stepped next to her, and whispers shouted to be heard over the other kids but still not by anyone else.

"I brought your flower," He said, offering her the flower she'd made. She'd chosen sparkly pipe cleaner for some parts, but plain for others. The blue pipe cleaner and the red that she'd chosen as the outermost part were sparkly, as well as the pink and yellow she'd chosen for the center. She thought it would look pretty, and she felt like she'd been right.

"Thanks," She said, taking her flower, looking at him. The stem was just plain green pipe cleaner, and plain red loops to make up the flower. He hadn't made a center, but it was still impressively flower shaped. Emelia slid into place next to her, and Katrina right after her. Harriette noted they had their own flowers with them. Emelia's was pink, with a mostly blue stem. The petals were swirling inward with a brown puff glued on the top. She'd had to ask Mr. Sun for help with a hot glue gun for that part. Katrina's was fancier, pale purple pipe cleaner spread up her stem in loops like a bottle brush flower. The ends were bent a little inward to give extra shape. Harriette thought it was pretty cool looking. She also made her leaves filled in. Harriette thought that was pretty cool. Mayla, Ginny, Ron, and the girl who'd been playing with Mayla joined them soon after, showing off their own creations. They got up together and Emelia asked if their flowers could be put together in one box, and grouped together closely.

Harriette was a little confused why but didn't comment on it, and Mr. Sun didn't either, agreeing to the request. Harriette noticed Emelia wasn't even the only one who'd asked. Mr. Sun chose the box, he whispered to them that it was mostly the regulars anyway. So they arranged their flowers together. The younger kids on the outside since they were simpler, it made all the flowers look better. Mr. Sun had recommended it, and he'd been right.

After that Mayla and the girl she'd been playing with offered to have them play house. It must have been clear that Harriette had no idea what that was, because they assured her they'd teach her how to play.

"I'm Danielle by the way," the girl said.

"Isn't Mr. Sun going to be working with the house?" Harriette asked.

"Yeah, but we'll stay out of his way when he does come," Danielle said. A sound hit the intercoms.

"Katrina, your parents are here!" Mr. Sun called. "I'm sorry guys, I'll work on the flowers again in a second. I gotta fix Katrina's hair before she can go home."

"Awe, that's lame!"
"Why do you gotta fix her hair?!"

"It's complicated," Mr. Sun said. Katrina waved to them.

"Bye, see you later maybe?" she said. "I come here most days." She explained. "Will you be here?" Harriette nodded, glad she'd be able to see Katrina again. "Good, I'm glad." She waved then headed over to Mr. Sun.

"That sucks," Elison said. "Its' Stupid her parents won't let her do her hair like that." Elison said. They watched as Mr. Sun unbraided her short hair, removing ribbons, and then combed it around to… Oh, Katrina. He adjusted her hair until she looked like a little boy.

"Sometimes parents are so dumb," Emelia complained. "Welp, we're playing house right, so we'll need a Mummy and a Daddy."

"The house could have two Daddies, or two Mommies," Elison said.

"That's a allowed?" Harriette asked. Elison nodded.

"Yeah, of course," Mayla pointed out. "You're allowed to be a girl, and girls are allowed to like girls and boys are allowed to like boys." Mayla acted like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"I didn't know that," Harriette said, voice soft and a little frustrated. "My aunt and uncle made it seem like a boy and a girl had to get married!"

"Well they don't!" Danielle said.

---

Sun was adding the flowers to the boxes to make the flower garden. He might have to add it to the shelves or somewhere else, still. He loved the idea of his little patrons leaving their mark on the daycare. Leaving something for him to remember then all by. It was getting later, so it wasn't surprising at all that he was interrupted a few more times to help kids leave. Regulars and Non regulars alike. Sandy and Christopher, the Karter siblings, the Smiths, a lot of the toddlers, the Bartrams, the Garratts, the Grants. Mark, Lizza, Gabby, on and on. By the time Sun was actually finished with the work it was down to just eleven. Mostly regulars. Tanny and Harriette being the only ones. Mayla was now a new regular. Sun looked to see the kids. The Weasleys, and Tanner were playing a game climbing tag. Daniella and Elison were once again together playing house, though they were joined by the remaining children who had joined them. Sun, having just finished the new garden for the playhouse, decided to go over and check on them.

"How do I know which of you to call?" Harriette asked.

"You're a baby Harriette, you can't talk at all," Mayla explained. Harriette nodded, brows furrowed in confusion.

"Okay…?"

"You cry and be carried," Daniella explained. "Can I pick you up?"

"I mean yeah…?" Harriette said. "That's how you play?" Daniella picked Harriette up easily.

"Whatchya kiddos up too?" Sun asked, arriving by the fake gate to the playhouse's yard.

"We're playing house," Daniella said. "Harriette's the baby." Daniella said, cuddling onto Harriette who seemed confused but also to enjoy the affection.

"Danella and I are the oldest so we're the Mummies," Elison explained. "Emelia and Mayla are our other two kids."

"We thought Mayla was older at first," Daniella said, grinning. Harriette settled on her hip easily. "You are so light." Daniella commented.

"Alright, well, I guess that makes me a…."

"Landscaper!" Elison shouted pointing to Sun gleefully. "We hired you to fix up our yard all pretty like,." Elison said, nodding.

"Oh, that's a great idea," Daniella said.

"Oh," Sun said, always delighted to join a child's game. Harriette clung to Daniella's side as Sun got to work landscaping. Emelia bounced around Sun while he worked, choosing the right spot for the flower pots the kids had worked so hard on.

"Alright," Elison said. "I have to head to work!" Elison said, "I'll see you when I get back huney and children."

"Bye-bye be safe," Daniella said. This was a normal part of their play.

"Bye-bye, other Mummy," Emelia said. Daniella and the 'kids' helped Sun pick the best spot for the flower garden. When that was done, Elison came back.

"I've returned from work, beloved," Elison said. He and Daniella pretended to kiss, by making kiss noises at each other while far apart. It was a silly little game.
"Thank you, Mr. Landscaper for helping us make our home beautiful," Daniella adopted a weird accent to make it more obvious that she was playing a part. Sun adopted one of his own, to tell her not to worry about it, and that it was lovely meeting her and her family.

After leaving the game of house Sun checked on the other kids who were still running around the play structures.

"Hey, Sunny wanna play tag with us?" Fred asked.

"Sure," Sun said. Fred immediately tagged him, as Sun expected him to do.

"Hey, no fair get back here." Sun would have had no trouble catching any of the kids, if he'd wanted to. But he chose to keep a slower lope, letting them stay out of his reach.

---

Harriette had never played house before. Honestly she wasn't sure what she was expecting. When they told her the rules were that they all played the part of a family Harriette had expected certain things. None of those things were to be picked up and carried around. She was surprised at how much she liked it after she'd gotten used to it. She didn't remember ever being carried, held in any way that wasn't to hurt her. To be carried so gently was a wonderful thing. She liked it very much. They'd gone inside the house, it wasn't that big on the inside but it was big enough. There was a fake little kitchen and a table with little chairs around it. It was too small for anything else. Still, Harriette thought it was very cute. Daniella passed her over to Elison with little prompting. Mayla offered to carry her since she was big enough. It was a little weird to be carried around like that. Still Elison and Daniella talk to each other and Mayla and Emelia. They talked about their fake schooling, and their fake jobs and the garden, and fake neighbors that didn't exist, but not the way Petunia talked about their neighbors in real life.

Daniella talked about how one of their fake neighbors' daughters had a college scholarship and how proud the family was. Elison mentioned that his colleague's niece had a recital. Mayla talked about the fake boy she liked playing with, she was playing a son. Emelia talked about the neighbors and their dogs. It was weird, it was nice. A part of Harriette she didn't even know existed until just then settled calmly in a soft warm pile. Like freshly done laundry. Harriette leaned her head against Elison's shoulder instinctively.

They pretended to eat, and talk and then they pretended to play a board game, then sleep, wake up and start the day. They 'ate breakfast' together, then Elison was off to work. Harriette and Mayla and Emelia pretended to play in the yard while Daniella pretended she worked from home and baked. They chatted through the window. As Emelia taught Harriette how to play Patty-cake. Elison came home after one round and pretended to Kiss Daniella again. They did it all over again. It was a weird but pleasant pattern. Eventually Elison was called to the front to go home. Daniella sighed, hugging him tightly before saying good-bye with a wave. She didn't want to play house anymore after that.

They all went to the tables, where they met up with Ginny who was done running around with her brothers. She smiled and waved at them. As they settled in next to her. Harriette for some reason didn't want to draw. So while the other kids got art stuff Harriette tied two of the strings left over from bracelet making. She was a little appalled that she'd missed it. But at least it seemed that was it for what she'd done. So she tied the two ends together and started making shapes with it.

"Are you playing cat's cradle?" Emelia asked. Harriette shrugged.

"I don't know what that is?" Harriette answered.

"It's what you're doing," Daniella said.

"I just saw some girls doing it and copied them," Harriette answered. They'd been focused on their phone, which Harriette could only guess was teaching them how to play. Harriette made a spider web pattern with the sting, then made an adjustment, dropping on finger and pulling tight making a fish shape.

"Wow!" Ginny said. "Show me how to do that?" Harriette smiled, happy to oblige the younger girl. The girl watched with rapt focus for several minutes before Harriette passed the thread over. "You need to hold your hand steady okay?" Harriette said and Ginny nodded, focused intent on the string.

"Me too," Mayla said. "How'd you learn to do this?"

"I just kinda messed with a string till I figured it out, then copied what I did to do it again," Harriette said, taking a tied string from the other girl.. Emelia was tying another as well. Mayla watched her Ginny copy the actions. Emelia and Daniealla doing the same.

"You're pretty talented," Daniella said. "Bracelets drawing, and now even this," she said. "You like making stuff huh."

"I used to like- never- I mean, It's not that big a deal," Harriette stammered.

"I think you underestimate how cool this is," Daniella said. Another knock at the door.

"Tanner, your Mum's here," Sun called. The non-red haired boy left the group.

"Thanks for letting me play," Tanner shouted, waving good-bye.

"It was nice meeting you," Percy called back. The boys joined them at the table. Curious about what they were doing. Harriette showed them how to do it too. After a while Harriette and Percy were facing each other off as they made patterns and passed it off to each other. Trying to trip the other up. Daniella had explained that it was how you played with another person. While they worked they all talked about different stuff. Favorite animals, TV shows, cartoons, sharing jokes about the shapes they were making. It was fun. Warmth blooming her chest even when Percy finally managed to make something that got her confused. Percy showing her how to do the winning hand. Pride in his voice as he explained his process, and even more pride when Harriette managed to recreate the shape.

"Mayla, it's time for us to go," the woman who'd given Harriette the Sun plushie called. "We'll be late for dinner." Mayla hugged them all, before running off waving as she joined her grandparents.

Daniella's parent came in just as the three were leaving. Daniella stood without being called.

"It was nice getting to meet you, Harriette," Daniella said.

"I'll be here tomorrow," Harriette said, noticing she was the only one getting that treatment.

"Oh, well, then I hope to see you tomorrow then," Daniella said, waving good-bye. Harriette waved back. Harriette put her string in her pocket as the Weasley twins and Emelia agreed to a game of climbing tag, Harriette gladly excepted when she was invited to join.

---

Harriette was breathless as she reached the top and bounced over it toward the black of the climbing structure. She checked behind her to make sure that the twin, Harriette thought it might be George, was up on top and far enough over that she wouldn't be able to easily calember down, then she started dropping, from bar to bar, slipping around a platform.

"No fair, you tiny little weasel," The boy laughed. Harriette scurried through a small gap in bars, only she and Ginny could fit through. She laughed as the older boy gave up. Going after the youngest Weasley boy. Ron clearly hadn't meant to end up so close, Harriette's wiggling having brought him and his older brother within arm's reach. "No tag backs."

"Hey!" Ron shot after Harriette. "You little wiggling rat, I'll get you for that." Harriette giggled sticking her tongue out before dropping from the bar she was on and swinging over to a farther bar, staying just out of the boy's reach for several minutes. Harriette had avoided being it most of the game, only Ginny managing to catch her because she was small enough to squeeze into one of the smaller spaces, and Emelia who caught her by swinging over the small space that Harriette had slipped into to avoid her.

"Weasleys!" A man shouted, he had lighter red hair then the kids he was calling. He was at the door with Mr. Sun.

"Awe~!" All the kids shouted at the same time. They all clambered down to the ground and Ginny gave Emelia a hug, then she turned to Harriette. She wasn't expecting to get a hug too. They'd only met that day and they might not see each other again, but Harriette excepted the hug, squeezing the other girl lightly. Emelia and Harriette waved the Weasley's off.

"Alright little ones," Mr. Sun said, after closing the door. "Harriette, do you know when your family will come to pick you up?"

"As late as they can possibly get away with," Harriette said, a little disappointed, but not particularly upset. She was used to it. "They might not even bother. I might have to walk home on my own."

"Well, I will not be allowing that." Mr. Sun said. "What were their names again?"

"Vernon and Petunia and Dudley," Harriette said. Sun made a humming noise then nodded.

"I've marked them down, as much as I'd rather keep you here forever. I can't have them trying to force a child to walk home alone. It's not safe. Now…" Mr. Sun drew out his next words. "It's just the three of us, and it's getting quite late. How about we have some dinner and wind down for your parents.

"Dinner?" Harriette asked. "After eating lunch and all those snacks?" Harriette asked. Making sure she understood.

"Yeah, of course," Mr. Sun said. "So, since it's just us…" Mr. Sun gestured, showing that it was in fact only the three of them. The security guard had clocked out for the day. "What would you two like to order?"

"Order?" Harriette asked, her voice drowned out by Emelia.

"Pizza!" she said, jumping up and down.

"PIzza?" Harriette asked, eyes widening at the thought. Harriette had never, ever had Pizza. Not once. "Are we allowed?"

"Of course," Mr. Sun said. "Do you want Pizza too, or something else?"

"I could ask for something else?" Harriette asked, amazement flowing from her in rivers.

"Yeah, if you want," Sun said.

"You can get anything, well not anything, they're are some things the plex doesn't serve, but just about anything," Emelia explained.

"P-pizza fi-fine," Harriette said.

"Alright, one medium pizza coming up," Mr. Sun said. "What topping would you like?"

"Toppings?" Harriette wasn't even sure what toppings were normal on a pizza. "I-I'm not p-picky." Harriette said. "What-whatever's good with me." Harriette tried for casual, but it came out as a squeak.

"Pepperoni and cheese, with olives," Emelia said. "And Bellpeppers on half. Harriette likes bellpepers." She whispered to Mr. Sun, who nodded sagely.

"Alright." Mr. Sun did his version of a wink. "Orders been placed, it'll be here in about fifteen." Mr. Sun said. "So, what would you two like to do while we wait?" Emelia grabbed both of them and dragged them over to the toy shelves. She grabbed a game of the shelves.

"Let's teach Harriette how to play this," Emelia said. The box had the word 'Sorry' on it with an exclamation point. Harriette wasn't sure how that worked but was curious.

"That sounds fun," Mr. Sun said, voice laced with concern. "However, do we know if Harriette even wants to play? How do you feel about learning a new game?" Harriette was nodding before he'd even gotten to finish. He smiled, ruffling both girls' hair before leading them to one of the tables.

The game was fun, and pizza, it turned out, was delicious. Emelia won the first round, but it was fun to watch her cheer and play at being the victor. Harriette won the second round, to just as much cheering. When Mr. Sun won the third they'd all cheered. Emelia won two more, Harriette one another round but Mr. Sun didn't win anymore. Harriette thought that was kind of sad, but Mr. Sun said he just enjoyed playing the game with them. It was pretty fun. Emelia's parents came during the seventh round of the game.

"Bye, Mr. Sunny, bye Harriette," Emelia hugged Harriette and then waved all the way down the hall, she disappeared before she stopped. When Emelia was out of sight and Mr. Sun had closed the door he turned to Harriette.

"You know I saw you cleaning up after the other kids on the cameras," Mr. Sun said. Harriette shifted. Was she in trouble, should she not have done that. "I wanted to say thank you, but you don't have to do that if you don't want to." Mr. Sun's voice was gentle while he crouched in front of her. "So, since you were so helpful, what would you like as a reward?" Mr. Sun asked. Harriette gaped at him. A reward? Just for cleaning. Harriette shook her head.

"Alright," Mr. Sun said, Harriette was relieved for a few seconds before Mr. Sun produced a bag from his chest compartment. "I figured you wouldn't be able to give an answer so I decided to pay you the only way I can." Mr. Sun winked. Harriette looked into the bag nervously. Inside was… coins! Harriette panicked.

"I don't want money," Harriette said. She'd get into so, so much trouble for stealing.

"It's not money, well, not really money," Mr. Sun said. Pulling one of the coins out. Looking at it in the full light of the daycare it did look fake. "They're chocolate." Mr. Sun explained. "Candy."

"Oh!" Harriette said, slow and thoughtful. "O-okay, that's alright then, I think."

---

Harriette was almost disappointed when it was time for her to go home. She was sitting with Mr. Sun across from here, adding more pages to her spider booklet. Drawing pictures of each spider, Mr. Sun described them to Harriette, then around that Harriette would write notes around it. Mr. Sun added little lined pieces and even offered to let Harriette have a few stickers.

"I thought you didn't know anything outside the pizzaplex," Harriette said after a moment of adding color to the drawing she'd been making of a Celaenia excavata; or a bird dropping spider.

"Oh, we're allowed access to a very specific system that contains a lot of information about interest topics," Sun said. "Since children can have a wide range of interests. But I think it's managed by the company or a subsidiary. Whatever the case may be, the information is company approved. It also hasn't been updated in a while. I might have been the only one using it." Harriette looks up at that.

"Why do they do that?" Harriette asked.

"They- the company probably doesn't want Moon and I to get any weird ideas, or something," Mr. Sun waved it off. "That looks so good! It's so accurate." Harriette felt herself grow warm. That's when a knock came.

"Oh, I guess that's your uncle," Sun said. Looking around the daycare as if another child would just appear. Harriette was the last child there. Sun sounded almost as disappointed as Harriette felt. Harriette shuffled, her plushies into her overstuffed backpack.

"Can you keep this here, just for tonight even?" Harriette asked, looking down at her homemade booklet. "I'll-I'll be here tomorrow, and probably the rest of the week." Harriette shifted.

"Oh, of course I can keep it safe for you," Mr. Sun said. "I'll make sure nothing happens to it. Harriette gave Mr. Sun a shy smile, before frowning, pulling her backpack onto her back and standing. She rearranged herself as if to stall for time. Another knock on the door caused the girl to flinch. Harriette looked up to Mr. Sun, who despite having a permanent smile painted on his face looked sad and regretful.

"I'm sorry, Harriette, it's- it's time to go," Mr. Sun said. "I'll see you tomorrow." He tried to put some cheer in his voice. Harriette found it weirdly comforting that Mr. Sun was just as sad to see her go as she was sad to leave. They walked to the door together. Mr. Sun putting a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"Bye Mr. Sun," Harriette said. "I'll see you tomorrow." Harriette forced herself to smile at that. Then schooled her expression to something neutral and disinterested. Mr. Sun opened the door, and Uncle Vernon grabbed her arm. She waved over her shoulder as Uncle Vernon dragged her away, Mr. Sun waved back. Somehow looking sad even with the painted on smile.

Uncle Vernon dragged Harriette through a convoluted route of hotel corridors to avoid her being seen by anyone. Harriette was used to him not wanting her to be seen. She waited patiently, she expected him to drag her into the bathroom of his and Petunia's shared room, that's what he'd done on every trip they'd had to stay at a hotel since Harriette could remember. She only remembered maybe one, but from the conversation she'd overheard she'd guessed there had to have been more than the one. Instead he knocked on a door, Harriette's heart hammered in her chest for the moment it took for Dudley to answer. Relief relaxing her shoulders, she almost let the breath she'd held out in a rush, catching it just in time. She'd forgotten that they'd decided to had Dudley get his own room

"Are you sure you want it with you?" Uncle Vernon grumbled.

"I can handle it," Dudley said. "I'm a big boy after all." He added. "You've taught me how to deal with things after all." Dudley continued, stepping aside so that Uncle Vernon could drag Harriette into the room after him. He shoved her toward the bathroom. Harriette nearly stumbled but managed to catch herself without touching anything.

"Go on get in there brat," Uncle Vernon growled. "Call us if that thing causes any trouble."

"w-I'll be fine, Dad," Dudley said. Vernon ruffled Dudley's hair. Harriette tried not to think about having her own hair ruffled. "I'm sure you will, you're such a grown up boy.' Vernon said. Harriette tried not to think about receiving a compliment like that from someone. Freaks don't get compliments. They don't get gentle hair ruffles. Hairriette ducked into the bathroom to cover up the sniffle. She didn't need Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia to love her. She crouched down against the door and pet her own head. But it reminded her of Mr. Moon braiding her hair, gentle hands working knots out, and braiding. Harriette remembered Emelia taking her hand and leading her around. She remembered her plushie dolls that Dudley and that Mayla's Granny had given her. She touched the bracelets the other girls had made for her.

She only listened to them enough to know when Uncle Vernon left the room. Harriette stayed in the same position. She was fine. She had friends. She didn't need her Uncle and Aunt to accept her. She was fine. She teared up. She was fine. She'd had a good day, she didn't even get yelled at today. There was a knock on the bathroom door, Harriette flinched so hard she hit her head against the door hard enough to hurt.

"Harriette, are you okay?" Dudley asked. Harriette gave an affirmative, rubbing the sore spot on her head. "Okay. Wanna watch tv with me for a while?" Dudley asked. Harriette wiped the tears from her eyes. Smiling.

"Yeah," Harriette said. Dudley was being nice to her now. She had her plushies and her friendship bracelets and her memories of the daycare and all the friends she'd made. She could do this. Harriette stood, opening the bathroom door. Dudley excitedly took her hand and started showing her the room. It wasn't as big as their living room at home but was bigger then Dudley's own room. Which he was pretty excited about.

"Can you believe that," Dudley said. He tugged her toward the two beds. If he was in his own room why did it have two beds. Maybe that's just how hotels worked. Harriette remembered the last room they'd stayed in had two beds. Harriette tucked herself against the end of one of the beds. "You can sit up here with me." Dudley offered. Harriette sat down on the end, of the bed closest to the bathroom door. Not wanting to risk getting caught. Dudley turned the tv on, flipped through channels till he found something that was playing cartoons. It was late but it was still playing one of the older cartoons. Boomerang flashed across the screen. Dudley sat down behind her back and pulled out a brush and hair ties. Dudley ran the brush through Harriette's hair as they halfheartedly watched the cartoon playing. It was about cavemen, they had a purple dinosaur. It reminded her of Mayla. Dudley started braiding her hair, slowly. They didn't get to do this often even after they became closer, but it seemed to sooth both of them a lot.

Harriette liked the way her hair looked braided and Dudley liked to braid hair. He'd only complained a few times about Harriette's hair being greasy. It wasn't as often anymore, though so that was nice.

"Did you have a good day?" Harriette asked.

"Yeah, we did loads, there was a lazer tag thing, and I won a fazzerblaster, Mum wasn't kidding about getting me something from every store I got so much cool stuff, while Dad wasn't around I convinced her to pick up hair ties and this brush!" Dudley said. He continued about his day. He'd met the other animatronics, the ones Harriette had heard about but hadn't seen. She was surprised to find she wasn't jealous. She got to spend the day with Mr. Sun and her new friends.

"What about you?" Dudley asked. "How was your day?"

"What do you mean?" Harriette asked. She isn't sure they'd ever had their conversation go this way before. Of course it might be that Dudley had very little reason to ever ask. She wasn't the one who got to go places that he didn't after all.

"I just want to know if I should stage some sort of rescue tomorrow?" Dudley asked.

"Oh, no I had fun, the most fune I've ever had honestly," Harriette said. Hoping she didn't make him jealous. She wasn't sure if he really would be, he got to do a lot of cool stuff, but she also didn't like to make Dudley mad. She could still remember all of the bruises he'd left on her.

"That's good," Dudley said. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah," Harriette said. "I made lots of new friends. I played lots and lots of different games. I got friendship bracelets. Oh! I made you one too!" Harriette said, fishing it from her pocket pulling out her own and Dudleys to show him. She'd put them there to keep them safe when Vernon grabbed her arm. She didn't want him breaking them.

"Oh," Dudley said. "Thanks."

"You're welcome," Harriette said, grinning. "Oh, I learned a lot of new things too. Sooooooo much!" Harriette said.

"Of course you would enjoy learning," Dudley teased her, but there was a gentle warmth to it that filled Harriette with light. She stuck her tongue out, like she'd seen Dudley's friends do, but pulled it back in almost immediately. She did not like doing that, she'd do something else then.

"It's not my fault there are a lot of interesting things in the world," Harriette said. She decided she liked that much better. "Besides, you memorized a whole video game cutscene, don't lie I heard you!" She tried to put as much warmth into her voice as he'd somehow put into his. In the end she thinks she managed.

---

Harriette and Dudley had eaten two coins each from Harriette's stash, and Dudley had insisted on sharing three gummy worms with her. Even though she had her own and she was still kind of full from the pizza.

When Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon were coming back Harriette slipped back into the bathroom to hide. Harriette decided not to listen in on whatever was being said. Dudley had offered to try and have her stay with him that night, but Harriette was worried that they'd get into trouble for that. Uncle Vernon could be awful grouchy sometimes. So Harriette sat waiting to be taken out and to the room her aunt and uncle shared. It took a while.

"...It…" Vernon's voice filtered through Harriette's pleasant haze and she focused in on it.

"You don't need to worry about it," Vernon said to something Dudley had said. "Your mother and I can handle that thing just fine, Dudders," He was practically coing. Harriette almost rolled her eyes. That wasn't a very nice thing to do though so she stopped herself. The bathroom door opened then. "Get up you," The change in tone was almost impressive, if Harriette hadn't heard it a million times before. She was shuffled out of one bathroom and into the next in the room across the hall. Before Vernon closed the door he had something else to say. "Not another sound out of you for the rest of the night," Uncle Vernon said, paused a moment, then added. "I mean it boy, don't cause any more trouble for us or else!" Then the bathroom door was shut and the room plunged into total darkness. This meant Harriette would be alone for the rest of the night. She was fine with that. She pulled her backpack off and shuffled through the smaller middle pocket to pull out her hand light. She turned it on and placed it on the floor, then began freeing items from the tight confines of her bookbag.

She pulled out her Sun and Moon Plushies, she'd have to put them away before falling asleep, but she could cuddle them a little bit. Then she pulled her blanket and the clothes she'd been allowed to have. She shuffled through her things to one of her clean pairs of socks and unrolled them. Freeing her friend from her confines.

Ms. Spider looked at her curiously, as Harriette opened her jar. Miss spider the third obediently stayed put while Harriette pulled out the jaw that contained her food.

She happily watched Ms. Spider eat her beatle dinner,, snuggling her Sun and Moon Plushies She imagined Mr. Sun and Mr. Moon being there with her in the dark, and smiled into her plushies' heads. She'd have to put everything away before she could fall asleep, but for right now, everything was good.

---

Bonus Bonus Joke Bonu Bonus

Harriette: I made you a friendship bracelet.

Dudley: Oh, well, y'know i'm not really a jewelry person.

Harriette: You don't have to wear it.

Dudley: No, back off, it's mine, and I'm going to wear it forever.

Harriette:... Okay...