Chapter Text
If there was one thing Barty missed about living on the isle it was the different attitude to schooling, over the past 16 years he had managed to only attend school for 9 months out of that, learning most of what he did from his father. However Hogwarts took schooling much more seriously, focusing an obscene amount of time and money into making sure the four kids from the isle were taken up to speed among their peers.
“Children, excuse me,” McGonagall coughed, walking between the desks and breaking Barty and the others from their thoughts. “As you know, this Sunday is family day here at Hogwarts prep. And uhm.. since your parents can’t be here due to…distance.” She scoffed lightly, moving her eyes across the group before continuing. “We’ve arranged for a special treat.”
Before the group had a chance to express their concerns or questions, Fairy God Mother was moving back towards the TV screen [which Dorcas pointed out hadn’t been there yesterday]. The gang remained frozen in their chairs, each looking onward with curious eyes as a button was pressed, and their parents faces appeared on the screen.
Walburga was face first in the camera lens, attempting to get it to work and mumbling to herself, “I can’t see anything” she groaned, leaning back to expose Jafar and Dr Facilier [Barty and Dorcas’s dads] sitting behind her with equally bewildered expressions. Jafar agreed, groaning about being unable to hear anything, taking his own attempt at fixing the connection.
“Kids!” McGonagall waved them over, a bright smile on her face as she watched the teens cautiously approach the front. As the group walked closer each one felt a sinking ship in their gut as their parents last words echoed in their minds. Regulus’s fists clenched by his side as he slowly trailed behind the others, silently praying that Fairy God Mothers plan would fail so he wouldn't have to come face to face with his mother. As Regulus made his way to the front he felt a familiar presence at his side, Padfoot was sitting between him and Barty, his paws scratching at the other boys trousers.
“Can someone hand me a remote?!” Walburga snapped, yanking the control from the Evil Queens hand and attempting to turn the laptop on. The adults descended into chaos and complaints as they fumbled around with the technology before Dr Facilier eventually clicked the right button and their children's faces brightened up the screen.
“Oh Evan! Its mummy!” She called out, waving her hand in that fake eloquent way that Evan was so used to, “oh look how beautiful. You know what they say? The poison apple doesn't fall far from the tree.” The Queen continued, ignoring Evans obvious discomfort with his mothers insistence.
“Don’t you mean the weeds?” Walburga shot back, jabbing the Queen in her chest to keep her quiet.
“Who's the old bat?!” Jafar cried, pointing towards Fairy God Mother in the middle of the screen, the smile swiftly falling from her face. However Dorcas quickly stepped in, gently placing a hand on the older woman's shoulder.
“This is Fairy God Mother,” Dorcas nodded, trying to remain neutral despite the anger and dear rising in her throat.
Walburga laughed her gaze fixed on McGonagall rather than her son, “still doing tricks with eggplants?” she scoffed, causing the rest of the crew to burst into sniggers.
“I turned a pumpkin into a BEAUTISUL carriage!”
“You really couldn’t give Cinderella till one am? I mean really, the hamsters had to be back on their little wheels?” She scoffed again, continuing to jeer and mock among her friends. Finding amusement in Fairy God Mothers upset.
“They were mice!” She shot back, turning to face the four teens with a frown, “they were not hamsters.” The group nodded in agreement. “They were mice,” she scoffed at the camera before walking off to the side to give the children a chance to catch up with their parents.
—
“Hi mum.” Regulus grimaced, nervously tugging at a necklace, trying to not make eye contact with his mother .
“REGULUS! I mi…miss you,” his mother faded off as she remembered their audience, after all McGonagall was only stepped to the side and could easily hear their entire interaction. Regulus bit his tongue at his mothers horrid attempt to seem like the loving and caring parent.
“You children are never far from out thoughts!” Dorcas’s dad interrupted, before getting instantly shut down by Walburga’s glare.
Shoving into his side his mother ensured all attention was once again on her. “I got it. “ she sneered, before turning back to the camera with a practised smile. “How long must mummy wait to see you?”
“Uhm there's a big coronation coming up. I think probably some time after that.” Regulus confirmed, feeling the dog nudging into the back of his leg making it hard to deny that comfort that their furry companion was giving the group. However he still saw the twitch in his mothers eye, an obvious tell that was she getting impatient with him.
“When?!” She barked, practically slamming her hands against the coffee table back at home. Used to this kind or reaction Regulus managed to remain composed, although he felt Padfoot shake slightly at the sudden noise.
“Friday. Ten am,” he shot back, his arms now firmly crossed over his chest, sensing both his friends and their parents discomfort with being monitored.
“You sure I cant see you before that. I don’t know what I’ll do if I don’t get my hands on that magic wa.… you! You little nugget, that I love so much!” Walburga grinned wickedly, the words that she was spouting clearly being fake as the group around her echoed the sentiment towards their own children.
“Yes I completely understand mother.” Guilt swelled in his chest, Hogwarts had been kind and accommodating for the most part,. Suddenly they didn’t feel the need to hide in their rooms all day. Evan and Barty had the time of their lives playing quidditch among the other boys, Dorcas was finally beginning to find her footing with the other students. And even Regulus couldn't deny how much he enjoyed James company that day at the lake,
“BARTEMIUS IS THAT A DOG?!” Jafar jumped up in front of the screen. After Walburga had began demanding things of Regulus and getting more aggressive Barty had picked up the dog in an attempt to calm its growls. “Yes! Son don’t you understand, he would sell for a pretty penny back here. He’s the perfect size for dinner.” His father grinned, Walburga nodding in agreement as her eyes bore into the dog. Before Barty even had the chance to set in Dorcas was already in front of the group,
“He’s the perfect size for a pet!” Dorcas spat, looking back and smiling at the large creature bundled in Barty’s arms, practically snarling at the screen.
“Yeah! Pads loves me and I love him!” Barty added, ruffling the dogs ears with a wide grin before facing the camera again. “And FYI, its Barty. So give it a rest!”
After the first cut, almost instantly their parents turned on each other;
“Why don’t you go sell a toaster you two bit sales man!”
“People who can’t say their kids names shouldn't throw stones.”
“People who sell coasters should have more manners!”
“Enough you insolan…”
Before their parents could do anymore damage Evan turned off the call, allowing the room to descend into an deafening silence. Each teen feeling partially responsible for their parents tantrums.
“I am so sorry,” McGonagall whispered, seeing the dejected and fearful looks persist on the students faces. However Barty instantly perked up, attempting to placate their worried teacher.
“It’s fine. Thanks for the special treat Miss,” he barley smiled through thinly pressed lips as he set Padfoot back down on the floor.
“Of course, and..” she started, however was quickly cut off by Regulus pulled away from the group and moving towards his desk, the action quickly followed by the others as they gathered their things to leave.
As the group reached the threshold, where they would likely be gawked at by half the student population Evan stopped him,
“Reg. What do you think they’ll do to us if we don’t pull this off?” He whispered, loud enough so only the four of them could hear.
“I think.. they will be silently disappointed in us. But ultimately… proud of us for doing our best.” He grinned, a clearly fake smile passing over his face before he returned to neutral.
“Really?”
“No. I think we are definitely goners.” Regulus nodded, taking a deep breath before leaving to face the rest of the student body, with the others following in tow. All of them knowing that deep down they didn’t belong in a place like this, and it was only a matter pf time before everyone else figured that out.