Cheers To Memories, Both Old and New
Hello everyone! It has been a long time, I have been in and out as far as being social and creating, but I'm still around. Working on myself, both career wise and mentally.
As per my last several stories I've posted here and there, I've been leaning heavily into my "Kendrick Lives AU", and quite honestly, that's gonna be my more official timeline. I enjoy a lot, so I think it'll be something that'll be here to stay.
I've looking to make a book surrounding this, which I call "The Scarface Hufflepuff". I'm too all over the place to make it in order, since I would have the drive to jump ahead. So it'll be more like a series of stories that will arranged in order later, but they can be read as standalones.
To those who still read my stories, thank you. Sincerely. I've been going through a lot mentally and I missed the days where I was more lively, eager to post stories and drawings. I hope to get back there one day.
Without further ado, enjoy the story!
MC Friends/Side Characters: David Willows, Rue Willows, Thomas Tremblay Thornwood III A.K.A Old Tom, and Marcus Jacques ( @that-scouse-wizard )
Warning: Attempted Murder (mainly implied), Mentioned Child Abuse Cursing, Hurt/Comfort
Based off of @that-scouse-wizard story, Sightseeing: Part One and Part Two
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"Papa..." Kendrick paused at his spot at the sink, glancing over his shoulder to find shy but hopeful pale gold eyes looking up at him.
"Hey, princess. Everything okay," he asked his daughter as he used some lime to clean the shrimp that would be used for their dinner.
"Mhm... I-I... I wanna ask you something," Judith said, fingers fiddling with a piece of paper. The man stilled for a second before rinsing his hands. Turning around, he crouched a little to give his little girl his undivided attention.
"Of course. You know you can ask me anything, baby girl. What is it," he softly inquired. Judith bit her lip, shuffling a bit.
"I-I know...you remember David, r-right?" The man raised a brow. The memory of mischievous brown eyes came to his mind's eye.
"How can I forget my little princess's first friend at school? I'm guessing he sent you a letter," he teased, smiling at the girl to ease her nerves. As he predicted, some of the tension left her body as she gave a small nod.
"Y-Yes... He was asking if I could visit his home in Liverpool for a week. I-I was wondering if that was okay," the girl replied slowly. Kendrick hummed, pondering over it for a bit. The kids had just finished their second year at Hogwarts. It was Judith's first year of having friends her age. It did set the man on edge when he learned that his daughter's first friend was a boy at her Quidditch tryouts. But David Willows proved to be a good kid, praising his princess and not cowering before him. And it turned out that his mother was an old classmate of his as well.
His eyes briefly lingered on the scar on her face.
'It would be the first trip she's been on since the incident, too...'
Kendrick didn't see why not.
"Of course, princess. I'll come with you. Just to be safe, is that okay?" The girl beamed, the edges of her scar shifting to make room for her smile.
"Yes! Thank you, Papa! I'll go write to David to tell him when we'll be there!" With a kiss to his cheek, Kendrick watched as Judith scurried off with a chuckle.
'There's my little sunshine... this would be good for her...'
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Kendrick and Judith stepped off the train hand-in-hand into the hot, busy atmosphere of Liverpool Lime Street. As it was their first time there, father and daughter were slowly walking through the sea of people, admiring the building structure as they made their way to the car park. Judith wore a soft yellow sundress with white sandals, her long brown-black locs pulled up in a high ponytail, save for two locs that framed her face. Kendrick opted for a matching yellow muscle shirt, light blue denim jeans, and white sneakers. His locs were down and free. Kendrick and Judith had a small habit of wearing matching or complementary outfits since the girl was born, and weren't looking to stop now.
Kendrick, being the tallest of the two, was able to spot a familiar young boy dressed in a plain grey tee shirt, denim shorts, and black sandals, pacing back and forth at their promised meet-up spot. The man smirked, squeezing his daughter's hand to get her attention. Judith looked up to see her dad nod his head towards something before following his line of sight to find brown eyes meeting her gold ones.
She smiled.
"Judith!" David called out with a matching smile. The girl released her father's hand and ran up to her friend, hugging him. One in which he happily returned.
"It's good to see you, David," she replied happily. Kendrick walked up on their little reunion, greeting the boy with a kind smirk.
"Hello David, glad to see that you're doing well," the man greeted, ruffling the boy's hair. David chuckled, accepting the affectionate ruffle with a grin.
"Hello, Kendrick, and it's great to see you too. Welcome to Liverpool!" Kendrick took note of the hustle and bustle that went on outside the station. Many vehicles seemed to come and go in several directions. The Neo-Grecian-style stone building and a white tower tipped with a room with blue windows proved to be the main focal point that travelers see as they come out of the station. The view was impressive in its own right, but Kendrick knew that his daughter was promised a tour of the place and was ready to start exploring.
"Thank you for inviting us, David. Shall we be off," Judith inquired eagerly. The boy nodded, leading them out of the station.
"Of course, mum is waitin' for us in the car park. Kendrick may already know this, but just a heads-up, she can be a bit... intense," David warned warily. Judith frowned, fiddling with a silver chain ring on her middle finger. Kendrick easily caught this nervous tick. Taking hold of her hand, he gave her a comforting squeeze.
"Hey, it's okay, baby girl. I'm here with you, no need to worry. Alright?" Judith nodded, squeezing back in quiet thanks.
The trio moved along the pavement that ran parallel to the train platforms, towards the car park, which was separated from the rest of the station by a wrought-iron fence. There were a few parked cars there, all without their owners. All except one.
In front of a silver Ford Escort stood a woman with pale skin and shoulder-length dark brown hair. She wore a grey pinstripe suit, a pale pink shirt under it being the only other colour. Her only accessories were a small, sharp, and serrated tooth hung around her neck by a black thread and a red snakeskin handbag.
Despite it being many years, Kendrick was able to spot that 'no nonsense' look in those brown eyes from his first year anywhere.
Said eyes were mainly trained on his daughter, who was doing her best not to fidget under such a calculating gaze. If this were anyone else, Kendrick would've felt more defensive. But he could see a hint of curiosity and concern in those eyes as she studied his daughter's face. Rue's stoic face broke when her eyes finally met his.
"Well, I'll be damned to a dragon's hellfire... Kendrick Harris is that you," Rue inquired, almost in disbelief. Kendrick snorted, walking over to give the Irish woman a brief side hug.
"Of course, it's me. Who else taught you that you could breathe actual fire in our first year, little dragon," the man teased. Rue briefly returned the hug before smacking his arm.
"You little sh-" Rue glanced at the two kids in their midst, before clearing her throat with a glare.
"You're lucky there are children in our presence, Harris," she grumbled. Kendrick laughed.
"Didn't stop you when we were kids, what changed?" Kendrick evaded the second hit with a smirk.
"I became a mum, you stubborn git," she hissed. David watched in quiet awe as he watched the two adults interacted. He was so used to his mum being so serious and overbearing. Ever since Jacob went missing and she and his dad got divorced, his mother has become the helicopter parent of his worst nightmares. They butt heads constantly as the years pass, as Rue seems to want to shield David from everything that could harm him. After his tryouts for Hufflepuff Beater, Rue seemed to have begrudgingly accepted that she couldn't protect David forever.
It made her think of her father, whose parents wanted to control his life as they deemed fit. While Rue was nowhere near on their level, she understood that David was a growing boy with interests and desires that she may not want for him. Unless she wanted to be like her grandparents, who were completely cut out of their son's life for the remainder of their lives, she knew she had to try to meet her son halfway. Things have gotten a bit better towards the end of second year, as his mum allowed him to invite a friend over for summer break. Rue was aware how social he was and wanted to extend an olive branch of sorts, hoping to get a glimpse of her son's life outside of home. Of course, she didn't expect that out of all of David's friends that he seemed to acquire in his House, his choice would be Judith Harris.
Rue was well aware of the boy who disappeared alongside her son, Jamal Harris. The rumored sister who was around her youngest's age turned out to be Judith, who was rumored to be even more cursed than her brother. Rue didn't believe rumors, but she did try to insist that David chose someone else.
She didn't want to lose her last child because of another Harris. But David stood his ground.
"Mum, you don't understand. Judith is more than just my fellow Beater and more than someone who shares a bit of history with me. She's one of my best mates. I trust her and she would never hurt me. She even saved me from being skewered by the Ice Knight that protected the Ice Vault. Inviting her here is the very least I could do..."
Rue relented upon hearing that. Facing a magical fighter in such conditions takes guts. Anybody would want to run and hide to save their skin, but the girl proved to be loyal to her son. Her son, who probably wouldn't be standing before her anymore if she had not intervened.
Rue backed down, but she wanted to see the girl for herself. When the letter came with Judith's response, David excitedly told her that she would be coming with her father. Rue, albeit a bit confused at her son's behavior, was perfectly okay with that. She had planned on grilling the man to let him know that if anything happened to David, like it happened with Jacob, she would be feeding his remains to her dragons.
'Turns out it's this lovely bastard. Can't threaten a man who's already immune to my threats...'
"As much as you decided to be a pain in my neck within the first five minutes... It's great to see an old friend," Rue relented with a small smile. Kendrick chuckled.
"Sorry, not sorry, Willows. I had to show my little girl that you're not as scary as you make yourself to be. Speaking of which-" Kendrick pulled his daughter in front of him, holding her by her shoulders.
"Rue, I would like you to meet my little princess, Judith. Baby girl, this is my old House mate, Rue Willows," Kendrick introduced. Rue watched as the girl fiddled with a ring, those same gold eyes as her father's, meeting her brown ones.
"H-Hello, Ms. Willows... It's a pleasure to meet you. T-Thank you for allowing me to visit," the girl said. Rue's eyes soften a bit.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, too, Judith. Welcome to Liverpool." David, albeit a bit surprised, was pleased to hear the warm tone in his mother's voice when addressing his shy friend. His mother's eyes met his as she tossed him a large pouch of money. David looked into the pouch with wide eyes before looking at her with a silent question.
"I was thinking, David. Maybe you could show Judith around the city centre. Even show her Under Mersey. I can catch up with this bloke in the meantime. We'll come and find you kids around 5. Sound good?" David, although taken aback, grinned.
"Y-yeah, okay. Thanks, mum." Kendrick hummed, reaching into his bag.
"That sounds like a great time. Here, let me see if I can-" Rue smacked the man's arm with a glare.
"Aht! You two aren't allowed to spend money here, you stubborn git. You're our guests, so don't even think about handing the girl a single coin, you hear me, Harris?" Kendrick laughed, raising his hands in mock surrender.
"Alright, alright. You win, Willows. You can leave your bags with me, baby girl. Go have fun," Kendrick said with a smirk. The two kids smiled at their parents and each other before taking off. The two adults moved the luggage to the boot of the car before turning to each other.
"So little dragon, where to," Kendrick inquired. Rue gave a small smirk.
"A pub and then the Under Mersey. We can catch up over a drink before searching for some grub." Kendrick returned her smirk before gesturing in front of him.
"Ladies first." Rue let out a graceful snort before leading the way to a nearby bar. The walk there was done in a comfortable silence, Kendrick taking the time to observe his surroundings. The two made it a small establishment, Rue nodding her greetings to the patrons there. Kendrick greeted their curious gazes with a small wave and a kind smirk.
"I must say, Rue, I never pegged you as someone who partakes in happy hour," Kendrick mused aloud as the two took a seat at an open booth. Rue playfully rolled her eyes.
"I don't drink often since I still have a kid at home, but I'm still an Irish lass at the end of the day, Harris. Plus, I'd figured it would be a good way to bond with an old classmate," she sassed. The man let out a soft laugh.
"'Classmate'? Here I thought I was an 'old friend'. That stings, little dragon," Kendrick ribbed. Rue narrowed her eyes before letting out a chuckle of her own. A young waiter came up to their table, asking them for their orders.
"Alright, what's your poison, Harris?" Kendrick raised a brow and shrugged.
"I never really tried much of European drinks outside of Butterbeer. When I became an adult, I never really drank until I moved back home a few years back, when Judith was born. You got anything similar to Bajan rum?" Rue tilted her head, mulling over the options before broaching a request.
"Describe the taste to me."
"Usually sweet, floral notes with undercurrents of spices, leaving a warm and smooth finish. They fall right in the middle of the lighter rums of Spanish-speaking islands and the heavier, romantic rums of English territory islands. But if that's still not helpful, I'll take something fitting for the summer weather," Kendrick stated, leaning back in his seat. Rue smiled.
"I know what will suit ya. A Bulmers for my mate here, and I'll take a Guinness for myself. Please and thank you," Rue rattled off to the waiter. Kendrick raised a brow in question, which Rue waved off.
"Trust me, you'll like it. Now, tell me, what's been going on with ya. It's been many years since we graduated, and now look at us. Parents. Who ended up marrying your romantic arse? Was it Camara," Rue asked, an impish grin tugging on her lips. Kendrick's eyes went wide as they quickly darted around as if the woman would magically appear.
"Damn it, woman! Must you bring her up?! No, I didn't, and I quote "Find my balls and get with her"... It was a harmless crush, nothing more," Kendrick retorted with a flushed face. Rue hummed.
"Bullshit, ya bollox. I would bet my month's earnings that if you ever saw her again, you would freeze like Diricrawl caught in the headlights. Forget Cupid giving you a love tap with an arrow; he stabbed you with one of them. Gods, you were such a sap for the little bookworm," Rue teased. Kendrick groaned, rubbing his suddenly hot face.
"Ya know..." The Bajan man peeked behind his fingers, seeing that same impish grin that usually resided on David's face on Rue's.
"I've heard from a little birdie that she works at Flourish and Blotts, selling books and such to the young lads and lassies at Hogwarts," she drawled. Kendrick stilled, his right eye giving a faint twitch. It was in that moment that the waiter brought their drinks. Kendrick quickly grabbed his, downing half of it in one go, shocking both Rue and the waiter.
"Bloody menace," he grumbled, still quite flustered. Rue laughed at the man's disgruntment.
"Well, that's usually my ex-husband and my boys. But they did rub off of me a bit, I'm not that much of a hard arse to admit that." Kendrick shook his head in exasperation.
"Looks like that's one thing we also have in common, we're both divorcees. What happened there? I thought you and Matthew were a match made in heaven, even though he was Muggle," Kendrick asked, flipping the attention onto Rue. The Irish woman raised a brow.
"You don't read the Daily Prophet?" The answering scowl was enough, but Kendrick provided a verbal response nonetheless.
"Hells no. Especially if anything is written by the rattlesnake, Skeeter. After what she wrote after Jacob and Jamal's disappearances, I could never forgive her for what she wrote in regards to our boys." Rue felt the unknowing tension in her shoulders ease.
"Well, to make this long, sob story short: after Jacob's expulsion and disappearance, Matthew and I got into a lot of arguments. I made sure to use a muffling charm so David couldn't hear what we were saying, but he knew well enough it had to do with his brother. Matthew blamed the disappearance on the magical world, and I couldn't cope with the emotions of it all. When the shit show with the Daily Prophet finally died down, we agreed to divorce. Neither of us was happy, and we were making our remaining child miserable with our mess. We changed David's name to 'Willows' in hopes of distancing him from the situation with Jacob. No such luck with that blasted woman Rita Skeeter. She heard we were divorcing and exposed David to the malicious and gossipy eyes of the wizarding world. I couldn't handle the stress and threw myself into work while Matthew just upped and left..." Rue let out a heavy sigh before taking a swing of her drink.
"Ugh, I'm too sober for this," she grunted. Kendrick raised an unimpressed brow.
"Try not to get piss poor drunk, Rue. While I can easily carry you if need be, we still have kids to return to. Besides, it's good to have someone to talk about this stuff. Having that support can take you a long way than just handling everything yourself," Kendrick remarked bluntly. Rue glared and took another long drink.
"I'm Irish, ya twit. I'm not gonna kill over just one drink... and unless you got some sage advice on how I can mend my relationship with my son, I'd much rather continue ribbing you over your at least three decades long crush." Kendrick didn't rise to her bait, fixing the woman with an even stare.
"Well, I'm all ears. Based on what you said and what I've seen, you and David aren't close. Outside of Jacob's disappearance and your divorce, what's contributing to the strain," he inquired. Rue glared down at her drink as she answered.
"David claims that I'm being too protective and overbearing..."
"And are you?" The glare shifted to the man sitting across from her. It irked her more to see the cool gaze meeting her own as he took a slow, measured sip of his cider.
"What in the bloody hell is that supposed to mean, Harris? Is it wrong of me to be scared and worried for my last remaining child? David doesn't know all of the dangers that exist out there! It's more than just the dragons that I helped raise. Not everyone can be trusted. I'm not gonna be an oblivious mother and let the world take one of the last pieces of my heart. I'd burned the world for mine. I only want what's best for him!" Kendrick didn't take offense at Rue's angry tone, which made her Irish accent more pronounced.
"And what if what you think is best for him doesn't align with what he believes and needs?" Rue snarled.
"He's a bullheaded 12-year-old boy! Of course, he's gonna believe he knows what he's doing and what he needs out of there," Rue hissed. Kendrick only regarded her with a cool look.
"I'm not attacking you or your parental moral codes, Rue. You're right in a few aspects. The world, no matter if it's wizarding or Muggle, is a dangerous place. David is just a 12-year-old boy. Not only that, he is your son, your youngest child at that. It is your right as a parent, as a mother, to want to be there and protect your kin. But David isn't gonna be that 12-year-old boy forever. Just like he didn't remain the 8-year-old boy when his brother disappeared. Soon, he'll be 13, then 15, and then 18-"
"The. Point. Harris." Pale gold eyes only rolled at the small interruption.
"David is growing up, Rue. In your heart of hearts, he'll still be your baby boy whom you cradled in your arms all those years ago. But he's growing up and trying to become his own person. And being your own person means making your own decisions, even if you don't always know all the possible outcomes and which one you'll handed. This situation we're in is a perfect example." Rue eyed her fellow Ravenclaw warily.
"What are you going on about," she asked slowly. Kendrick leaned in, resting his chin on his folded hands.
"You didn't want David to choose Judith to come here for the summer. I could tell by the way you looked at my daughter when we were walking up. You were trying to study her, trying to see if she's truly trustworthy. Even trying to come across as unreadable and borderline intimidating. You probably deem my son partially responsible for Jacob's disappearance, as they both can't be found to this day. And I know you heard the rumors regarding Judith, how she was deemed cursed, even more so than Jamal. Before realizing who their parent is, you would probably die happy if you never had to deal with another Harris in association with your family ever again. If I didn't come, you would probably be more standoffish around her, only playing nice because David told you that she saved his life and wanted her here. You didn't trust David's decision-making and choices because you thought it'll hurt him in the end. But that changed when you realized that Judith was my daughter. You know me from our school days at Hogwarts. And you can trust that I would raise my children to be someone kind, steadfast, and loyal. David managed to prove you wrong that the Harris name is a bad one." Kendrick's verbal punches came quickly, powerfully, and precisely, bruising and shaking Rue's fears and steadfast beliefs to the very core.
"I-I...you don't struggle with the idea of the world being out to get your kid," Rue asked in a quiet voice. Kendrick took another decisive drink of his cider, finishing the drink.
"Of course I have that fear, Rue. I'm no deadbeat father. Judith is my little girl, my princess. I would lay my life for her. As protective as I am, I still took precautions to make sure she could defend herself. I may treat her as a princess, but I made sure that she would be no damsel in distress. As much as I tried to be there for her, the last person I would've suspected in the world ended up hurting her in a way that will stick with her for the rest of her life. Before physically and mentally," Kendrick finally spoke, his voice thick with remorse. Rue's brow furrowed.
"You mean to tell me that scar was done by a person? And someone you knew at that?! Who would do such a thing to a wee girl," Rue asked in disbelief. Something dangerous flashed in the man's pale gold eyes before disappearing.
"My ex-wife and the mother of my children. You remember Sade Cadet, don't you?" Rue's jaw dropped.
"Sade Cadet is your ex-wife? The same Sade Cadet who would borderline stalk you from afar after your Quidditch matches like a creepy schoolgirl? The same Sade Cadet who tried to slip you a Love Potion? The same Sade Cadet who would act like a bitch to you whenever you do confront her on her deranged behavior, all because she didn't want to admit that she was "in love" with someone from an "inferior" House? THAT same Sade Cadet?!" Kendrick sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Yes, Rue. That Sade Cadet." Rue dropped into her seat like dead weight.
"I'm definitely too sober for this shit. What in the name of the seven Hells possessed you to marry that deranged woman?!" Kendrick gave her an even look.
"Believe it or not, she did grow up quite a bit after graduation, mellowing out most of her... unhinged tendencies. She was also quite persistent. Since I didn't know what happened to Camara after graduation, I agreed to date her. However, all it took was too much alcohol and a single bed. She told me she was pregnant a little while after the fact, and her parents were pushing me to make an honest woman out of her. So I married her in a shotgun marriage. I couldn't even invite my mother with how rushed it was. Though she later told me that she wouldn't have come even if I had sent the invite to her. She didn't like Sade at all. A few months later, Jamal was born," Kendrick breezily explained. Rue shook her head.
"A loveless marriage. Good grief, Kendrick. But how did you not realize that she was abusive?"
"Because she was never like that with Jamal. She adored and doted on him. Eventually, Jamal felt tired of being the only child and wanted a sibling. And I did want a second child. Sade never openly objected. But she was very disgruntled throughout the second pregnancy. I understood that pregnancy could be a difficult time for women, so I tried to make it as comfortable for her as possible. Eventually, I was feeling homesick and wanted to go back to Barbados to be with my mother. I put in my resignation at St. Mungos, and she requested time off for all of us to go. Judith was born there. After a short recovery time, Sade took Jamal and fellow back to Europe so he could attend Hogwarts. I stayed in Barbados with my baby girl and my mother. We lived together for six years until my mother passed away from old age. I decided to fly back with Judith so we can all be a family. Judith, albeit shy, was a very lively and loving child. But I noticed as time passed that the same light I was used to seeing was dimming slowly. For the life of me, I couldn't understand why. Judith insisted that she was fine, but I could tell she was lying to me. But I couldn't help if she didn't tell me. Sade seemed to carry on like normal. While she did take care of her, it was not on the same level as Jamal. It was after Jamal's disappearance, Sade was inconsolable. And it was her breaking point. She found Judith using her wand to light the fireplace with the fire charm Jamal taught her. And burned her." Rue covered her trembling mouth, eyes wide with horror.
She saw the scar branded on the girl's face. With a burn like that, it would've been enough to kill the girl, who would've been 8 or 9. The same age as David. Kendrick didn't wait for Rue to try to respond.
"She threw my daughter's unconscious form out onto the snowy sidewalk before making her way to work. Thankfully, a few minutes later, one of my neighbors found Judith lying there. I was at St. Mungos, retaking my old position as a Healer, so they brought her there. The cold grip of fear on my heart upon seeing my little girl in so much pain isn't something I will ever forget for as long as I live. For weeks, she suffered. She could've died... but thankfully, she pulled through. When she was well enough, I finally coaxed her into telling me what happened. The pure, naked fear in her eye when she said she couldn't tell me the identity of the person who hurt her pained me. It wasn't until she let it slip that it was a woman, I pushed for her to tell me. When she told me it was Sade and how she's been abusing her ever since we moved to London, I just remember my world coming to a stop. The same woman who gave her life just tried to take it. I decided to divorce her as soon as possible," Kendrick recounted, staring at his empty glass. Rue slammed a fist on the table.
"Fuck a divorce! That woman deserves to rot in Azkaban for what she's done to you two," she snarled. Kendrick let out a humorless chuckle.
"Oh wait, there's one more thing. While we were living in Barbados, Sade fell pregnant by another man at her job. Had a son and created a happy little family with him and the father." Brown eyes stared into gold ones in a dead silence.
"For the love of all things holy and unholy, please tell me you're just pulling my leg here, Kendrick."
"'Fraid not, old friend." Rue growled.
"That does it, that bitch is dragonbait-" Kendrick shook his head.
"Fangs in, little dragon. We're divorced, and that's all that I care about. Sade wants nothing to do with us anymore, and I'm perfectly content with that. She has already done enough harm to my daughter. Besides, we ended up growing our family in a way. Sade's boyfriend, Martin Lockheart, found out about Sade's actions the same day I came to her office with divorce papers in hand. He was outside of the door, listening in on our argument. He came to see me at St. Mungos to apologize that he played a role in breaking up my family, even though he didn't know about me and Judith. I could see that he was genuine about his apology and accepted it. Even brought him to meet Judith, himself." Rue sputtered in shock.
"You idiot! You brought the boyfriend of that blasted witch to meet your injured daughter-" Kendrick raised his hand, the same hand gesture she would use on him and disobedient dragons. Her eye twitched at that.
"I said 'fangs in, little dragon'. You know me to be a good judge of character and a good liar detector. Besides, my mother was a Seer. I did inherit some of her abilities, but nowhere near her level. I had a vision of Sade's infidelity before confronting her. So I knew about him way before he knew about me. The man had nothing to gain from coming to me at my place of work and apologizing to me. He could've very well carried on with his life, being a willing participant in the dark. But he came. Judith even claimed him as a stepfather. His next visit, he brought his son to meet her. The two of them became inseparable ever since. Which was good because Judith needed a village around her, people who are willing to show her love. When the bandages finally came off, I closely monitored her sight and hearing in hopes of improvement. I saw that it shattered Judith when I broke the news that she was now semi-deaf and semi-blind due to the scar, which will never fade. Nuri was determined to let her know that she was still loved, even when she struggles to see it herself. And Martin proved to be a good pillar of support for me whenever I let my emotions and thoughts consume me. And you could have that too, Rue..." Kendrick reached out and clasped one of Rue's shaky hands in between his own.
"We can be scared for our kids all we want, but we have to give them space to grow and make their own decisions. Did you know that after her 12th birthday, I didn't want her at Hogwarts anymore. It was her first birthday away from home, and the scar she tried to hide was exposed by some dumb kids seeking a weak target for their entertainment. But she wanted to go back. She knew she needed school to get into her dream career. That's her decision, despite my fears of her being ostracized and being a target for bullies. I have nightmares that she cuts herself as a way to cope, and eventually, the pressure becomes too much for her, so she ends up ending her life. I could never tell if it was something my mind made up or a possible vision for the future. It downright terrifies me to leave her in a place where kids whisper about her, her scar, her missing brother behind her back, and to her face. But then she met David—her first real friend at Hogwarts. I couldn't be any more grateful for him because I saw that bit of sunshine in my little girl's eyes again. I know those two will cherish the friendship that they've found, and they'll help support each other to be better people. Release the lease you have on him, Rue. Let him find out who he is on this adventure called life, and be able to meet and love the people he deems worthy of his heart. You're not the only person who wants to be there for him. Trust in these two things: that even when the world tries to hurt him, he will not go down without putting up a damn good fight and that he will be surrounded by people fighting alongside him so they could all get out alive..." Rue sniffled, wiping her face with her free hand.
"You sappy, old man... fine, I'll take what you said into consideration," she relented. Kendrick smiled at her, eyes glassy.
"Trust me, I know it's not easy to trust the whole world with part of your heart... but they're gonna want to find the parts of the world where they feel like they belong. Just be there for him. Offer guidance, but don't insert your opinion as his final answer. Your love will speak louder than your overprotectiveness ever will." Rue nodded, giving the man a smile of her own.
"Thank you... I appreciate you, Beastie." She laughed at the groan the man let out over that particular nickname, the mood lightening between them.
"Some thanks you have. Here I thought you forgot that nickname," he grumbled. Rue snorted.
"Are you kidding? That's how we first met, how could I forget," she teased. The woman took a glance at the clock on the wall before standing.
"C'mon Beastie, let's grab some food and then find our kids. The Under Mersey city centre has some restaurants and food vendors. It's probably likely we'll find them there too," Rue prompted. Kendrick sighed, following the woman out of the establishment, nodding his thanks and farewells to the people there.
"Could you at least not call me that in front of David," the man grumbled. Rue snickered.
"So the Winter Beast hasn't haunted the Hufflepuff Common Room, or did it skip your kids entirely? Jacob never said anything weird or ominous prowling the Gryffindor Common Room." Kendrick grimaced.
"Jamal was born in this type of climate. He's used to it. And there's a reason why Judith comes home during winter break, and it's not just because I'm a selfish parent..." Rue cackled.
"Leave her there this winter, I want to hear the stories of the Winter Beast returning to roam the halls of the Hufflepuff Common Room and scare almost everyone shitless," she grinned as they approached Matthew Street.
"Are you trying to scar your child, Rue? I don't know what it is about the cold, but for whatever reason, Judith seems to possess the strength of all her ancestors. I'm pretty sure she could toss anyone like a ragdoll if even so much as anyone let in a small draft," Kendrick sighed. Rue waved him off as they stopped before the Cavern Club.
"Think of it as a way of passage for knowing the Harris clan. Besides, I'm sure David will be fine; you never threw me whenever you were like that. Now, shush up, we're gonna use one of the entrances to the Under Mersey. And fair warning, brace yourself," Rue waved off. Kendrick's brow furrowed as he watched Rue tap her foot six times.
"Hey Jude."
"Why are-WHALOSS!" Kendrick's shout turned into a series of curses in his mother tongue, and he and Rue slid down an almost vertical slope and were quick to pick up speed. Rue was laughing her head off as if she had lost all sense as the two went further down the dimly lit abyss before eventually slowing down through a small tunnel into a fairly busy pub. Kendrick and Rue got off the slide, albeit the former on shaky legs. Once the man was steady, he grabbed the shorter woman by her shoulders and began to shake her.
"Wuh wrong wid yuh, woman?! Yuh tryna kill me," he demanded. Rue had the nerve to smirk at him, brushing his hands off her shoulders before straightening her suit jacket. A boisterous laugh stole Kendrick's attention. The bartender gave the two an amused look.
"Rue! It's been a while since I last saw you here, and you brought yourself a friend much like your boy," the man said with a grin. Rue smiled back.
"Always good to see ya, Tom. And good to know David has been here with Judith. This here is Judith's father, Kendrick," Rue replied. Kendrick cleared his throat, mustering a small smile.
"Pleasure to meet you, Tom."
"Oh yeah, definitely like father like daughter. The girl was screaming bloody murder on her way down and made sure to serve David a knuckle sandwich for putting her on that "bloody death trap" as she called it," Tom teased. Kendrick coughed with a small flush.
Not ever was it said that the Harris family ever liked surprises...
"As much as we love to stay and chat, we're gonna find some grub and our children. But we'll make sure to come again. Say hi to Crocky for me," Rue said, dragging the man out of the pub. Tom laughed and waved the two off.
As the two walked through the Under Mersey, Rue was rattling off the different sights and history of the place. As much as Kendrick hated how they got there, he couldn't help but admire the magical world under Liverpool. Soon, they were able to reach the city centre, bustling with life and an assortment of restaurants bringing in hungry customers.
French, Chinese, Greek, Spanish, Indian...
"So Beastie, which one of these places seems to tickle ya fancy," Rue asked as they walked through. She wasn't in the mood for anything specific, so she would be okay with whatever her friend chose. Kendrick's eyes scanned the different names and decorations, none of them holding his attention for too long, until his eyes landed on one.
The establishment was smaller and had significantly less traffic compared to its competitors that lined the street. There was an assortment of flags that hung above the doors of the restaurant, including a three-striped flag. Blue on both sides and gold in the middle, with a black trident amid the gold.
The flag of his homeland, along with the flags of the Caribbean.
"Jacques' Caribbean Cuisine," the sign read. Kendrick smiled and, without saying a word, he headed straight for the restaurant. Rue, not expecting the sudden laser focus, sped walk behind him to keep up.
The smell of familiar spices that reminded him so much of home hit the man immediately upon entry. A lean, dark skin man, a few inches shorter than himself, with a balding head and greying goatee, turned to greet the newcomers with a smile.
"Welcome-" Jacques started before pausing, taking in Kendrick's appearance. A slow smile graced the man's lips.
"Wah gwaan, bredda! Welcome to mi restaurant, I'm Marcus Jacques. Nice fi meet yuh!" Rue and Kendrick blinked in surprise as Jacques quickly walked up and enthusiastically embraced the Bajan man. The man's Jamaican accent was clear as day to Kendrick's ears. The Barbados native allowed a smile to grace his features and returned the hearty embrace.
"Wa gine on... Da name's Kendrick, and this is my friend, Rue. How yuh know I was from the islands," Kendrick asked, pale gold eyes curious. Jacques let out a good-natured laugh.
"A young, sweet gyal is here with her friend. A real sell-off she is, yuh! Yuh two might as well be twins," Marcus teased as the fond memory came to mind.
It was a slow day for business, which wasn't too odd for Marcus. Not everyone was open to exploring different food options, especially if their spice palette isn't high. But it was a pleasant surprise to find two young kids, a boy and a girl, enter his restaurant.
"Welcome," he greeted the young children with a smile. Their eyes immediately trained on him, though he noticed the girl (Good Gods above, what a scar on the girl! Who would harm such a sweet and innocent face?) had a sparkle in her pale gold eyes, her smile big and excited. "What can I interest you kids in today?"
"Good afternoon, Mr. Jacques! Wa gine on, uncle? Yuh body good," the bright-eyed girl asked. Marcus's eyes widened when he heard her words and the distinct accent in her young voice.
'A child from the Caribbean here in my restaurant...'
"Kiss mi neck! Yuh from the islands, sweet gyal," he asked, crouching to her level. The girl nodded, proud.
"Sure am! I'm from Barbados. And yuh self?" He laughed merrily, gently patting the Bajan girl's unscarred cheek.
"Jamaica, my child. Good stuff! Girl, if I was born a few decades later, you and me would have practically been neighbors," he replied, clearly enthused. It was incredibly rare for him to encounter someone from the Caribbean, so this was a very pleasant surprise for him. The girl giggled.
"I'm sure you and my Papa would've been great friends if you knew him. He should be around your age. He raised me alongside my Gran-Gran in Barbados for a few years. My name is Judith, and this is my good mate, David," she introduced herself and the pale boy next to her, who seemed very intrigued by their warm interaction. Marcus grinned as he chatted with the children who seemed instantly to brighten up his day...
Kendrick chuckled as the man retold the encounter.
'That's my little sunflower for you...'
"Could you take us to them, Mr. Jacques," Rue asked kindly. Marcus turned to the woman, taking her in before chuckling.
"Ya mon. I'll take yuh to your little ones. I hope yuh taste palette is better than yuh boy's..." Rue raised a brow while Kendrick snorted, already knowing what could've possibly happened. Marcus led the parents to a small table further in the establishment. Judith was feeding a flushed-faced David some yogurt, an amused smile on the girl's face. The two looked up to find Marcus and their parents approaching.
"Papa," Judith cheerfully called, putting down the bowl before running up to her father. Said man was quick to scoop her up, kissing her forehead as she snuggled close. David gave his mother a sheepish smile as she took over Judith's seat to take a look at her son.
"David here accidentally bit into a piece of scotch bonnet, and it proved to be a little too much for him. I got him some yogurt to help cool him down, and Judith here was kind enough to feed it to him," Marcus informed. Kendrick smirked as he carried his daughter to the other side of the table, seating her in the chair beside his. Rue looked up to find a glint of laughter in the man's eyes.
"Like mother, like son." Rue blushed, glaring at the man.
"Shut it, Harris." Kendrick only grinned. Marcus looked between the two adults with an amused look.
"You two came to eat, so let me feed yuh a taste of the Caribbean. What would you like?" Kendrick didn't have to think too hard about what he wanted.
"Mahi-Mahi sounds delicious right now. I take it with some seasoned fries, if that's okay," Kendrick said. Marcus let out a hearty laugh, slapping a friendly hand on the man's broad shoulder.
"Ya mon! I got yuh, and for you miss," Marcus said, turning to the mother, finishing what Judith started and feeding her son the rest of the yogurt. Rue didn't even get a chance to glance at a menu when Kendrick interjected.
"Actually, I want her to try a Barbadian dish. Fish cakes, if you have them, make a bread and two with some fries and hot pepper sauce on the side." Marcus nodded with a smile before walking away from the table. Rue raised a brow at her old friend, who only smirked in response.
"You gave me an Irish drink, it's only right that I return the favor. Plus, I cooked for you before, you should be able to hold your own against some spice," Kendrick said with a shrug. Rue only shook her head, a small smile on her lips.
"Alright, alright, Beastie. You win." David blinked at the nickname, his throat cool enough to speak.
"'Beastie'? Why call him that," the young boy asked. Kendrick coughed into his fist as Judith continued to eat her brown chicken stew with a small flush on her face. Rue patted her boy's head.
"You'll find out one day, David." Kendrick, eager to change the topic, turned to his daughter.
"So, princess, what do you think of Liverpool?" The girl beamed.
"I'm really enjoying so far! I was just telling David we should do something like this in the future! ...W-Well, if that's okay with you, Papa...?" The man chuckled, squeezing her briefly.
"Of course, baby girl. I'm sure Rue wouldn't mind either, right little dragon," Kendrick confirmed, turning to his friend. Rue seemed to be lost in thought for a few moments, looking at his daughter before giving a small smile.
"That's fine with me. I'll make sure to have a room readily available just for you two." David looked at his mum in slight awe and confusion. The woman turned to her son's curious gaze with a slight quirk in her brow.
"Is that something you would like, David," she inquired gently. The boy paused for a brief moment before nodding.
"Y-Yes. It would be nice to have Judith over. And Kendrick, if he decides to come." Rue nodded.
"Then it's settled. A Willows-Harris tradition," she proclaimed with a grinned. Kendrick laughed freely, grasping his friend's forearm in a familiar old greeting from when they were kids.
"Cheers to memories, both old and new," he said. The kids seemed to agree, clicking their glasses, echoing the sentiment. It was then Marcus came with the adults' meals, alongside some homemade lemonade, free of charge. Kendrick and Rue talked the man before tucking into their food. Rue only coughed a bit when she tasted the hot pepper sauce, but complimented the food with a smile. The Caribbean natives laughed while David pouted at his mother's cool ease.
"You don't get to this level of comfortability without being exposed to it. Trust me, son, Kendrick did not go easy on me the first time around," she assured her boy. Kendrick only chuckled, sipping his lemonade. Rue smiled, her gaze landing on the man across from her.
"...Sooooo, is there any applications for step-mother but not married to you but there for your daughter? David could use a sister. I'll leave the actual step-mother role to Camara," she said, a sly smile on her lips. Kendrick proceeded to spit out his drink, while Judith cocked her head at her suddenly flustered father.
"RUE! NOT THE TIME!"
"Papa? Who's Camara?"
That summer proved to be a start to a lasting friendship, forged from shared pain but filled with chaotic energy and good fun.
