Harry Potter and Claire Smith Adventures: Book Three

Family Reunion

Chapter 23: Family Reunion

Claire was stunned. The woman was her mother and she suspected the other man, who's name was apparently the Doctor, to be her father. Claire was snapped out of her thoughts as Pettigrew regained consciousness and tried to make a run for it. Her mother yelled, "Petrificus Totalus!" and Pettigrew froze on the spot, falling to the ground like a piece of wood.

"So, anyone going to call the Ministry and take care of that rat? I'd like it if my brother was freed by the end of the week." Carina said.

"Remus," Dumbledore said turning towards Lupin, "Why don't you inform Fudge that we have a rodent problem and to come straight away with the Aurors."

"Of course, Professor Dumbledore," Lupin said.

Lupin still seemed to be in shock as he left the Great Hall.

Dumbledore turned to the student body. "Students due to unexpected events, dinner will be held in your house common rooms this evening. Prefects, if you would please lead your housemates to their appropriate common rooms. Teachers if you would wait outside the hall please."

The prefects from each house began to usher the students out of the Great Hall. The students were still baffled by what had just occurred. Claire, Harry, Hermione, and Ron were following the rest of the Gryffindors out of the Great Hall when Dumbledore said, "Miss Smith, stay here." Claire noticed the woman and the man look at her shocked. Then Harry, Hermione, and Ron looked at Claire.

"Go on, I'll catch up later," Claire said.

The Great Hall was soon left with only Claire, the woman, the man, Dumbledore, the Police box, and a paralyzed Pettigrew lying on the ground. The woman and the man were staring at Claire.

"Professor Dumbledore," Claire said, "Why exactly am I here?"

"I think you know, Miss Smith," Dumbledore said, his blue eyes twinkling. "I'll let you three catch up."

Dumbledore left and the woman and man smiled at Claire.

"Hello, Claire. My name's the Doctor aka John Smith. I am your father." the Doctor said.

"Oh, Claire," the woman engulfed her in a hug that knocked the air out of Claire's lungs. "You've grown so much since we last saw you."

"Well, that kind of happens when you leave me for thirteen years," Claire snapped, feeling the anger towards her abandonment resurface.

How could they just stand there and act like they did nothing wrong? She thought angrily to herself.

Carina noticed the sharp tone in her daughter's voice. "Claire, I know you must feel upset—"

"That's an understatement," Claire muttered.

"Don't speak to me that way. I'm your mother." Carina scolded her.

"Oh, so now you want to act like my mother?" Claire said furious. "No, you don't have the right to just waltz back into my life thirteen years later and pretend that you've been here for me when you haven't! My whole life I thought I would never see either of you again. I would always think about how I would react if you did happen to show up again. Would I be happy or upset? Well, if you couldn't tell I'm upset. Why? Because I've gone thirteen years without knowing the reason why my so-called "parents" just up and left me! I deserve to know that much!"

"You're right," Carina said in a small voice. "You're completely right, Claire. We should've told you, but your safety was at risk."

"My safety was at risk?" Claire scoffed. "Then why'd you leave me alone?"