His Little Princess
Papa Kendrick AU that nobody asked for. You’re welcome.
MC Friends: David Willows, Phoenix Lang ( @that-scouse-wizard )
I’m open to other MCs interacting with Judith’s father. Makes things more fun. This would be the first installment of this AU.
Warnings: Child abuse, child endangerment (mentioned)
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Kendrick knows that he really should allow his daughter to grow and develop on her own.
Away from him.
Where she can be her own person and things of that nature.
He knows this.
But he finds it to be a much more daunting task than he originally anticipated.
He raised his little girl alongside his mother. He took care of her and showed her the love he will always believe that she deserves.
She used to be a carefree child. A little shy but was very lively.
But ever since they moved to Europe, the bright light he was so used to seeing in his little girl’s eyes dimmed slowly with each passing day.
And for the life the of him, he couldn’t fully understand why.
He knew that the neighborhood kids are different from those in Barbados. They were definitely meaner like that harsh winters they experience in London. But he made clear to those kids not to touch a hair on Judith’s head if they knew what was good for them.
But eventually Judith didn’t bother try to interact with any kid her age. She favored to stick to herself or be with him.
Not that he opposed… but he still wanted her to have a friend.
Something she could’ve had with his old friends’ son, Talbott Winger. But thanks to Sade’s controlling behavior, he couldn’t bring her over the Winger household more often. His wife’s behavior towards their daughter always bothered him for some reason. She virtually ignored Judith, favoring their son more. But he couldn’t figure out as to why.
It wasn’t until that fateful night, everything clicked into place in the most horrible way possible.
It was the night where he was told that his baby girl was being rushed over to St. Mungos because she was terribly injured.
His “wife” was nowhere present when Judith came to hospital.
When he saw her, he felt a massive fracture form in his heart. Judith was bawling her eyes out, whimpering in pain as large burn stood proudly on the left side of her face.
Kendrick’s paternal instincts kicked in, not allowing anyone near his daughter except for himself.
The scar left on her face was a permanent one. He was glad to have been able to save her left eye, but he can do nothing about the scar.
Judith was very tight lipped about what happened and it took a lot of coaxing to get it out of her. When he realized it was Sade who done this to her, who caused her to be so closed off to begin with by abusing her in order to become the daughter she “wanted”, a calm sense of rage overtook the man.
He already had a sense it had to do with her.
She wasn’t there when their only daughter was rushed there. And not too long after that night, he did see a brief vision of her with another man and a young boy who looked younger than Judith.
He was very swift with the divorce. Sade wasn’t sorry for what she did and it showed when she easily handed him custody of Judith.
It hurt him to see his baby girl even more reclusive than she was before. She rarely stepped outside of the house unless she was in the backyard or she was near him.
Now that she’s attending Hogwarts, it made the man realize how bad his trust issues were when it came to her.
He already heard about her fight with some older Slytherins and Gryffindors when they exposed her biggest insecurity on her first birthday away from him. Judging by her first few letters following the event, she has yet to make any real friends while there. She mentioned two fellow House mates had spoken to her more often compared to others, but she never called them her friends. With her “secret” exposed, he knew the students there would either be more mean to her or even scared of her.
He couldn’t hug her or comfort her when she’s at school. Wipe away any tears that appeared in her eyes. Tell her that everything will be okay and that he loves her.
And that made him restless.
He couldn’t wait to have her back for Christmas break. He ended up flying to the school himself to pick her up, not willing to wait for the train. Seeing her bright smile as she ran up to him, soothed that restlessness. He didn’t hesitate to hoist her up and hug her close.
He made sure to make every day count during break. There was nothing he wasn’t willing to give his little girl after the hellish start of her first year at Hogwarts.
Even allowing Martin Lockheart to bring over young Nuri while Sade was at work so Judith could spend some time with her half brother, who basically jumped her the moment he saw her.
Martin Lockheart was Sade’s fellow employee and now boyfriend. However he proved to be more honorable than his ex-wife. After hearing about what happened, Martin came to visit Kendrick during on his shifts at the hospital. He apologized about ruining his marriage and about his little girl got hurt due to the hatred from her mother. Kendrick was surprised to see the man from his brief vision, let alone that same man coming to him to apologize. But…
Kendrick didn’t turn him away, embracing the man as he gave his thanks. Kendrick even allowed the man to meet his skittish daughter. While she did cling onto him, as expected, it surprised both men that the girl hugged Martin after speaking to her.
“Y-You don’t look a-at m-me with pity. A-and you a-apologized even w-when it w-wasn’t your f-fault… T-Thank you for t-that...”
Kendrick felt a sense of pride at his daughter. He knew in his heart that even though his little girl was more wary to everyone around her, she was the same insightful child he raised. On Martin’s next visit, he didn’t come alone.
It was then Kendrick and Judith met Sade’s other son, Nuri Lockheart. Nuri was a little nervous around the imposing man but quickly warmed up to him when he found out he was the father to his older siblings. Even seeing the scarred face female Harris, Nuri welcomed her with open arms.
Which was why he insisted the two spend Christmas together. It was one of the rare times he seen his little girl smile so genuinely as she and Nuri used their new gifts.
When winter break was over, that same sense of restlessness returned. Kendrick even contemplated on not sending her back. But he knew that he couldn’t do that. Judith needed an education in order to start a career of her choosing.
Luckily the rest of first year was uneventful at best.
The summer before second year, Judith asked him to help her with some basic Beater training so she can try out for the Hufflepuff Quidditch team. Something he was more than happy to do.
As a former Beater for the Ravenclaw Quidditch team many years ago, Kendrick was considered one of the best players for his time. For his little girl to play the position he once did made him beam with pride as she took the training well.
He could tell there was quite of bit of aggression pent up inside her. The whole practicing Muggle forms of fighting was a bit of issue at Hogwarts so it seems. So there were only a handful of times where Judith could really train. At least if she were to get on the Quidditch team, which he knows she will because he knows his daughter, beating dummies senseless was a pretty great stress reliever.
But... it never hurt to be extra sure, right?
At least that’s what the elder Harris told himself as he watched from the Commentary Booth with a Ravenclaw boy by the name Murphy McNully.
He watched from afar as Judith and another Hufflepuff wizard spoke with the Hufflepuff captain on their brooms.
“Um, is the captain this unique,” Kendrick questioned McNully as he watch the older Badger stand on his broom with one leg. McNully let out a chuckle.
“Orion is as unique as they come. His tactics may be a bit out there, but he’s captain for a reason,” the commentator supplied. The two watched as Judith and the wizard try to balance on their brooms. Judith proved to be quicker as Kendrick drilled into the importance of balance in her from a young age.
“That’s my girl,” Kendrick chuckled as he could spy the bright smile Judith sported. McNully nodded.
“Judith seems like a very capable Quidditch player. Makes sense seeing how you were many years ago,” McNully agreed as David finally found his balance.
Kendrick watched as a group of Hufflepuff Quidditch players fly out onto the Pitch with a raised brow.
A team that always stays ready for practice? Interesting...
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Kendrick grinned as he watched his baby girl jump up and down on the ground in front of the Hufflepuff captain.
His girl made the team. Grabbing his broomstick, he flew onto the pitch behind the little group.
“Congratulations, baby girl. I’m so proud of you,” he said softly. Judith stilled before turning to face him.
“Papa! What are you doing here,” she asked with a small blush. The older man chuckled, hugging his daughter.
“You thought I was going to miss the opportunity to see you try out,” he asked instead. Judith puffed her cheeks at her father but returned his hug with a small smile.
The sound of someone clearing their throat ended the little father-daughter moment.
“Hello, Mr. Harris. My name is Orion Amari, it’s a pleasure to meet a formidable player such as yourself,” the young man spoke. Kendrick smirked.
“The pleasure is all mine, Orion. And please call me Kendrick, I’m not that old,” he replied. Judith let out a quiet giggle at that.
“Formidable player? I don’t recognize him from any Quidditch team...” Another voice spoke. Kendrick turned his gaze to a fair skin boy with long dark brown hair and eyes to match.
“I used to played Quidditch back in my day here at Hogwarts, son. I guess I was considered one of the best of my time but I never looked to take it as a profession. I rather be here for my kids rather than travel all the time,” Kendrick explained. Something about the boy was familiar but he couldn’t figure out from where.
“Oh...”
“I don’t believe you introduced yourself, young one,” Kendrick said. Before the boy could answer, Judith interjected.
“This is my new friend, Papa. Papa, I would like you to meet David.” Kendrick raised a brow, narrowing his eyes at the young wizard.
“Friend, huh,” he drawled slowly, sizing the boy. David squared his shoulders, standing as tall as he could.
“Yes, friend. Judith is a sweet girl, even though she is also fully capable kicking my arse and putting me in the Hospital Wing,” he said. Kendrick can definitely give the young boy credit for not cowering in front of him.
Kendrick knew he was someone who commanded respect, especially physically wise. Standing at 6′4, still maintaining his muscular build while being well in his 40s, with sharp glaring pale gold eyes, Kendrick can come of as intimidating as they come.
“You got guts, son. I can respect that. It’s nice to know that my little girl made a new friend,” Kendrick finally said, cracking a small smile. David’s face lit up a bit at this.
“Thank you, sir,” he said.
“What’s your last name, David,” Kendrick asked.
“Willows.” The elder Harris’s brows shot up to his hairline.
“Is your mother’s name Rue Willows by any chance?” David’s eyes went wide.
“Heh, I’ll take that as a yes. I went to school with her many years ago. The past has a funny way of catching up with you,” Kendrick mused. David gave a mute nod, still surprised to meet someone who know of his mother personally.
“I’m curious to know how you plan on training these two, Orion. Quidditch season is right around the corner if I’m not mistaken,” Kendrick said, turning his attention to curious older Hufflepuff.
“I have a candidate in mind. She’s from a rival team but one of the best Beaters to date. A Slytherin by the name Erika Rath. If she refuses to train them, then I will ask one of Gryffindor’s Beaters, Phoenix Lang. More famously known as Fireball on the Quidditch Pitch,” Orion supplied. Kendrick can feel his daughter stiffen ever so slightly in his arms.
Judith already has a messy relationship when regarding Slytherins and Gryffindors, despite it being from a year ago. It wouldn’t surprise him if she would feel a bit nervous around them.
“Come, I’ll introduce you two to Rath and see how this situation plays out,” Orion spoke gently, mostly directing it to Judith.
He must have sensed her discomfort.
Kendrick decided that he liked this caption...
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The group traveled to the Training Grounds, the telltale sounds of metal hitting metal filled the air. Kendrick spied the tall buff figure of a female, whacking dummies with her bat with impressive form and strength.
“Best to stay back a bit and wait for her to finish her training. Rath is notorious for her brute strength and for causing a few accidents to players because she doesn’t see them,” Orion informed. Kendrick cocked his head at this.
‘Blind spot,’ he silently mused to himself. Convenient for her since she really doesn’t see certain players so she wouldn’t be faulted, but inconvenient for those who find themselves the receiving end of a bludger.
“You alright, baby girl,” Kendrick asked his daughter. Pale gold eyes met and Judith gave a silent nod. A hum came from the back of his throat as he watched her study the Slytherin who seem to go by her last name.
It took a few more minutes until Rath finally whipped out her wand and froze her bludgers, finally taking notice to their little group.
“Rath,” Orion greeted warmly. The blonde hair girl gave a solemn nod, her pale green eyes studying them rest of them. Her brow creased when her eyes landed on the elder of the group.
“Rath, I would like you to meet my two new Beaters, David Willows and Judith Harris. As well as Judith’s father, Kendrick,” Orion introduced. The buff Slytherin Beater narrowed her eyes as she studied each one.
Kendrick felt his hackles rise when she studied Judith’s face more closely.
“Nice to meet all of you,” she finally said.
“Likewise,” Kendrick spoke, seeing how David was rendered mute (with a faint blush on his cheeks) and Judith was reading the older girl as well.
“To what do I owe to this visit, Amari? I was training,” Rath asked with crossed arms, eyeing the Hufflepuff captain.
“As one of Hogwarts’ best Beaters currently, I would like to request your tutelage to my teammates.” An arched brow was directed at the older Hufflepuff.
“What do I get from training these two? Quidditch season is right around the corner, Amari. I don’t have time to play babysitter.” Kendrick glanced at Orion, finding a small smirk on the young man’s face.
“It was a simple request, Erika. If you don’t wish to spend time teaching them, I can easily find Fireball and ask her to train my students instead.” Rath remained silent for a few moments and if Kendrick wasn’t playing attention, he wouldn’t have noticed that her posture straighten ever so slightly.
“Harris, Willows. Grab a bat and show me your form, your training starts now,” she ordered. Judith and David walked up to a nearby crate to grab a bat. Kendrick raised a brow and let out a silent chuckle.
Orion knows how to works people.
He definitely likes this captain.
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“Judith seems to have a bit experience already.” Kendrick glanced at the Slytherin Beater who walked up to him. He’s been watching David and Judith beat a Bludger towards each other, which was an interesting training practice.
“She does,” he simply said.
“I’m assuming you got something to do with it,” Rath asked casually, trying to figure out the giant in front of her.
She didn’t need Amari to tell her that who’s father he was. His daughter is basically the female version of him.
Down to the marred face, on the same side.
“You’d assumed right, Erika,” Kendrick replied evenly.
“You got her training for the Beater position,” Rath pressed. Kendrick gave her smirk.
“You can say that...” Rath tried not to let her annoyance show. Kendrick was definitely a man of a few words and she’s nowhere near closer to pinning his identity.
Not just any adult was allowed on Hogwarts grounds and Amari seemed to be content by the man’s presence.
She’d figured he was here to support his daughter. The infamous scarred Cursed Child.
Rath has seen Judith around before. It was hard not too when a couple of Slytherin blokeheads had their asses handed to them on a silver platter by a first year witch in the Courtyard.
Rath saw the embarrassment, fear, and shyness flash on the young girl’s face. She could see the tears building in her eyes. All before the boiled down to cold, unbridled rage.
Judith didn’t need magic to be dangerous. She was viscous without it.
Something told Rath that Kendrick had to do with her strength and fighting skill...
“Hey Rath, I’ve been looking for...” The pair turned to find a stylish wizard approach. His robes and tie with outline in blue, meaning he was a Ravenclaw.
“Andre? What’s the matter with you,” Rath asked the shell shock Ravenclaw, who seemed to staring at the elder Harris.
“K-Kendrick H-Harris? One of the greatest Ravenclaw Beaters Kendrick Harris,” Andre asked breathlessly. A sharp brow rose at this.
“I wouldn’t go that far, son. I was good for my time but yes, I’m Kendrick Harris,” the man confirmed, slightly amused.
“Oh my Merlin, I’m such a huge fan of you, sir! Well next to my grandmother. You were a force to be reckon with when you played. Your aim was second to none on the Pitch,” Andre fanboyed. Rath stood rod straight when Andre’s words suck into her mind.
He was a former player.
And an actual Beater at that.
She just assumed that he found someone to train Judith to prepare her for Quidditch.
He has the wisdom and knowledge of a Beater and is passing it down to his child. Erika felt herself finding some newfound respect for the elder Harris...
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Kendrick sat in the Commentary Box as the match between Hufflepuff and Slytherin raged on.
He’s been stopping in on occasion to see his daughter train. She’s been getting better under the watchful eye of Rath. He could see that the older girl taken a liking to David and his daughter.
Dare he say it, she must’ve adopted the two as her little siblings. Judith seemed receptive to the attention, which brought a smile to his face.
His theory was cemented when they all met Phoenix Lang.
————
Kendrick was watching his daughter and David practice their aim with the metal dummies as a warm up. Erika had to be pulled away for a quick meeting with Professor McGonagall and promised she’ll be back with a new lesson.
Less than 20 minutes in, they all heard a loud, excited squeal.
“Oooo, cute new Beaters!”
Kendrick only blinked for a second, and the next time he opened his eyes, David and Judith were being squeezed by a tall buff female.
The young witch had shoulder length black hair, bright cerulean blue eyes, and a pale scar going down her left eye.
Both Hufflepuffs looked confused, save David who had a small flush on his cheeks, as they were nuzzled by the overly excited girl.
“I know my little princess is adorable but I would greatly appreciate it if you didn’t break her or her friend in half,” Kendrick drawled. Curious blue eyes finally noticed the elder and widen.
“Holy crap! Two cute Beaters AND a famous ex-Beater?! Best. Day. Ever!”
Kendrick cocked a brow at this.
‘I really didn’t expect to be that well-known…’
The dark haired female finally set the two down before turning towards him.
“Excuse me, Mr. Harris, with your permission I would love to train-“
“HEY!” The small group turned to find a seething Slytherin marching up to them.
Erika was quick to snatch both David and Judith and hold them close to her.
“I know what you’re doing, Lang. Back off, these are my students, find your own!” “Lang” gave Erika a pout.
“Oh c’mon! How did you get them already?!”
“Orion, who else?”
“Sorry to interrupt but… who are you and what’s going on here,” Kendrick interjected.
“Oh! My apologies, I completely forgot to introduce myself. I’m Phoenix Lang, fourth year Gryffindor and one of Gryffindor’s Beaters. Nice to meet you, Mr. Harris,” Phoenix grinned. Kendrick blinked and chuckled.
“Pleasure is all mine, Phoenix...” Blue eyes wandered back to the two young Hufflepuffs, still being held in Erika’s arms.
“Soooo... shared custody?” Pale green eyes glared.
“Fat chance, Lang. I already have to share these two with two other people. Over my dead body I’m sharing Beater custody,” Erika huffed. Kendrick tilted his head at this.
He’d figured Erika was talking about Orion, he’s seen his little girl bond with the Hufflepuff Captain. But the other person remains to be a mystery.
‘I’ll ask Judith later...’
Phoenix narrowed her eyes.
“Mark my words, Rath. I’ll find a way to be their big sister somehow,” she said with a knowing smirk before walking away. Erika glared daggers at the retreating Gryffindor.
“... so what’s this new technique you’ve mentioned, Erika,” Judith spoke after a few moments of silence.
—————
After that day, Erika acted more of a big sister to the two. Something Kendrick was greatly for. He knew how much his little girl missed Jamal. He was glad she was opening up to the new older role models that were appearing in her life, pushing her to be better and opening up to new connections.
Kendrick smiled as her watched Judith performed a well executed Bludger Backbeat.
Watching his daughter play brought a warm sense of pride in his chest. He can tell she was going to a superb player in her own right.
Everything seemed to be going smoothly in the match.
Until it wasn’t.
Kendrick felt the chill before he saw the ice. Out of nowhere a tall pillar erected from the Pitch, causing teams to break their formations out of panic. Students began to push for the nearest exit as the ice spread in the seats.
“That blasted cursed ice...” Kendrick side eyed the frowning Potion Master. Cursed ice?
“JUDITH, LOOK OUT!” Kendrick’s attention snapped back to the field. The field was covering with ice pillars. Just as Judith evaded one, one caught the end of her broomstick.
Kendrick’s heart seized his chest as he helplessly watched his little girl free fall.
Only exhale loudly when David managed to catch her just a few seconds before she could hit the ground.
“Mr. Harris, we have to leave now,” Dumbledore said urgently, pulling the man along. Kendrick spared one glance at the pair, Judith was clenching onto the boy’s waist as they flew out of the pitch.
‘Keep my little girl safe, Willows...’
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Kendrick may seem calm on the inside, but he was seconds way from losing his composure.
In the midst of the panic of the cursed ice spreading throughout the school, he couldn’t find his daughter anywhere. The two Quidditch teams regather with the other students, but David and Judith where nowhere in sight.
He was about to go on a hunt for them himself until the Headmaster expressed the danger of the ice and how massive the castle is.
They could be anywhere.
Which didn’t settle Kendrick nerves whatsoever.
But just as abruptly ice appeared, it seemed to have melted away.
“What in the sevens hells...” Kendrick was about to curse to the high heavens on the oddity that seems to going on in this school until he heard,
“Papa!” Turning around quick, he saw his little girl jogging up to him with David, a Hufflepuff witch, and a older Gryffindor wizard. Kendrick was quick to catch his daughter in his arms, hugging her close. He breathed in, taking in her familiar scent.
“Don’t you ever scare me like that ever again, do you understand me,” he demanded as he looked into her eyes. Judith shrunk into herself a little.
“Sorry Papa, but David and I needed to break the curse... it’s about Jamal...” Kendrick frowned at the sound of his estranged son’s name.
“What about him, baby girl?” Judith pulled a broken wand from her pocket. A wand Kendrick recognized.
“Jamal’s wand? Where... where did you find this,” he asked softly.
“In the Ice Vault. Hidden behind one of the stairwells. Papa, I heard him. He’s alive. Trapped.” Kendrick felt his heart ache at the sight of his little girl’s watery eyes.
“Papa, I can help bring him back-”
“No, baby girl. I can’t let you-”
“Why not?! Don’t you want your son back? Papa, it’s been 4 years! We can have Jamal back...” Judith sniffled, her Barbadian accent coming out much thicker. Kendrick remained silent for a few moments before sighing.
“Uh... Kendrick?” The elder turned to the young Willows boy.
“We both have a stake in this. If Jamal can be found, my brother can’t be too far away. She wouldn’t walk this path alone. We have each other... and our friends,” he said, gesturing towards the witch and wizard.
“H-Hi, Mr. Harris. I’m Penny Haywood,” the Hufflepuff witch introduced.
“And I’m William Weasley. But I normally go by Bill,” The redheaded wizard added.
Kendrick frowned.
“Dear Gods, you two shivering. All of you, Hospital Wing. Now.”
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In the midst of taking care of the four kids alongside Madam Pomfrey, Kendrick pondered over his daughters words.
It was a shock to learn that his firstborn was alive. After he disappeared shortly after Judith’s 9th birthday, things haven’t been the same. Even though he doesn’t show it, he silently worried about his son’s whereabouts.
Silently prayed that he was alive somewhere, and not dead in a ditch somewhere.
But those prayers went unanswered for many years.
Until now.
“Don’t you want your son back?”
Of course he did. He would love to have both his children with him. Seeing his little girl’s tears reopened the wound from when Jamal disappeared so many years ago.
He made his decision.
“Baby girl?” Judith turned at the sound of her nickname. She watched her father’s face twist into odd mix of anxious and resolve.
“If you give you permission to pursue to Cursed Vaults with David, can you promise me that you would do your upmost best to be careful?” Pale gold eyes lit up as the young girl nodded.
“Of course, Papa!” Kendrick lowered himself until he was on eye level with his daughter.
“I’m serious, Judith. Promise me, you’ll be safe.” Judith sobered up a bit, seeing the naked fear in his eyes.
Judith wrapped her arms around her dad’s strong shoulders, squeezing him tight.
“I promise I’ll be careful, Papa. I’ll come back to you. Always...” Kendrick collapsed against her, burying his face in her locs.
He couldn’t handle another loss if something were to happen to her.
“I love you, Papa,” Judith whispered softly, nuzzling her father. Kendrick placed a kiss on the crown of her head.
“I love you too, my little princess...”
