Cold Skin

Thirteen: Summers at Grimmauld Place

Gia spent the next two weeks getting stronger. By the end of June, it was as if she had never gotten sick. She learned to cook with Molly. Fred seemed very interested in Gia's newfound love for cooking. He was constantly in the kitchen with her. Testing her takes on Molly's recipes. He liked to sit in the kitchen and listen to her fumble with heavy dishes until she asked for help or realized she had a wand for help.

Kreacher had gotten very close with Gia. Her resemblance to Sirius and Regulus made him more fond of her than he was of anyone else. He helped her up the stairs and out of bed every morning so she could help cook with Molly. He made sure she was taking her potions at the proper times.

She never felt better than when she was with Fred, cuddled up on the couch reading all the books the house had to offer. Him attempting to help cook but ends up setting fire to half the kitchen. His smile is what kept her going.

    Although she did spend most of her time at the piano. She and Sirius had not played since she was young. She spent hours with her head on Sirius' shoulder while they played songs and sang, very loudly, at the expense of the entire house's eardrums.

    "You've gotten quite good," Sirius said. He ran a hand over her hair and rested it on her cheek. He had only spent time with her alone when she was sick. He hadn't been alone with his daughter since she was three.

    "All of my natural talent comes from you." she was quite cheery with him. She wore old band shirts and ripped jeans. Her hair hardly left a messy ponytail.

    "You remind me so much of Marleen sometimes. Doesn't she Moon?" He looked over at Remus who was sitting on the couch with a copy of the Daily Prophet. James was on the floor cleaning his broomstick.

    "Both these children. Constantly in trouble. I sometimes wonder if they are both your kids." Remus walked over and planted a kiss in Sirius' hair.

    "Technically, we are both of your children. We do act like both of you. James' mood swings are worse than mine." Gia said to both of them.

    "Shut up Gia. You're the one who cried because she got an 'Exceeds Expectations' on her Divination O.W.L.'s" James' said getting up and putting Gia in a chokehold.

    "Yeah, but I can still kick your ass any day." She flipped James over her shoulder and he was laying on his back holding his side.

    "Fuck Gee. Was that really necessary?"

    "Quite!" She held out her hand to help him up. Remus and Sirius were sitting on the piano bench laughing. Alice was coming down the stairs when James saw her. He ran towards her and kissed her.

    "Good morning. Sleep well?" He asked. It was still quite early. Gia and James got up early to go to the market. Sirius sometimes went with them in his animagus form. Remus went to Hogwarts every morning to get information from Dumbledore.

    "I did until I heard Gia almost kill you!" Alice said. She was holding back laughs and looked at Gia.

    "Come on Al, he's a grown boy. I'm sure he can handle a little wrestling, with what you and him do every night."

    "Gia, don't be crude!" Remus said. There were more footsteps and she heard a crack next to her. Fred was standing next to her.

    Gia led Fred into the kitchen. There was coffee and tea on the stove already. Gia made him a glass of tea while he sat watching her. She stayed over at the stove and after a few minutes of wandwork, Gia had a full meal ready. Eggs, sausage, toast, bacon, cereal, English muffins. She waved her wand again and many plates flew out of the cupboard and onto the table.