Erica was lying on her bed, messing her hair about. Why? She didn't remember but it was probably for a good reason.

"Erica!" Molly banged on the door.

"Sh-" Erica nearly fell off her bed,"Yes, mum?"

"We're going to be late."

"I'm sorry!" She quickly got up and hurried out if her door.

"We aren't here forever, y'know." Molly sighed.

"I know, I know." She fixed her hair.

"What have you done?"

"Nothing."

"Your hair is a mess." Molly tried to fix it.

"I didn't mean to, it just happened." Erica sighed.

"It just... Happened?" She sighed.

"Mhm." Erica nodded, sometimes she didn't realize she was doing something until it was done.

"Come along." Molly nudged her

Erica nodded and walked slightly ahead of her mother.

"Took your time." Fred and George appeared beside her.

"I forgot." Erica poked Fred.

"You always forget." George shrugged.

"Maybe something's wrong in that mind of yours." Fred poked her head.

"If something's wrong, I need to fix it." Erica sighed.

"Dont think so much about it." George assured her.

"But what if something is wrong?"

"Then you have loads of help around you."

Erica nodded and poked him again.

"So, what's the plans today dad?" Percy sighed as they sat down.

"Percy." Erica whispered and hugged him.

"Oh- Erica." Percy sighed and gave a small hug back.

"You sound tired." She commented.

"I've been studying." Percy shrugged.

"But it's the summer."

"And it's my last year of school this year."

"Yeah... But exams are ages away "

"They'll fly in Er, trust me." Percy nodded.

Erica shrugged and sat beside him.

"You should be prepping as well." Percy warned her.

"But I'm not doing exams this year." Erica raised a brow.

"They will fly in, practice makes perfect."

"Whatever you say." Erica sighed, she really didn't like studying.

"Okay! Everyone here?" Arthur began counting heads.

"Yes, dad." Ron nodded.

"We're missing one... Oh! That's- Ignore me." Arthur chuckled.

Erica chuckled,"You can't forget yourself, dad."

"It's the stress of the holiday, dear." Arthur nodded.

"Well, we're going home soon so you'll be okay."

"Yes, yes." Arthur nodded.

Erica smiled, she'd get to see Cedric when she got home.

"Right! Let's get on the train." Molly nudged her children on.

"Alright, mum." George hopped aboard.

"Atta boy, George." Molly smiled.

"Fred." He corrected,"George is over there."

"Oh- Sorry Fred." Molly laughed jt off.

"Only joking, that is George." Fred smirked.

"Boys!" Molly sighed.

The twins laughed as they sat next to each other while Erica sat near Percy.

"How much longer?" Ginny groaned.

"Soon, Ginny." Molly told her,"We just got on."

"It's boring." Ginny sighed.

"Like Percy." George pointed

"Wh- George!" Percy gasped.

"Nice one, bro!" Fred laughed, high-fiving him.

"You guys don't think I'm boring, do you?" Percy turned to his older brothers.

"Course not." Bill ruffled his hair,"You're just you-"

Charlie looked out of the window,"Wow! What a nice cloud."

"I see the resemblance." Ron muttered, looking between Charlie and Erica.

Erica looked over at her older brother. She didn't get it, I mean, they did both like dragons.

"It is a nice cloud, yes Charlie." Arthur rubbed his arm.

"I wouldn't have said it wasn't if it wasn't." He shrugged,"Like, if it looked like Ron's nose I wouldn't have mentioned it."

"What's wrong with my nose?" Ron covered it.

"Nothing's wrong with it-" Erica spoke quickly.

"Its like Bill's feet." Charlie pointed.

"My feet are nothing compared to his nose!" Bill gasped.

"Have you seen them Bill? They're massive, how do get shoes?"

"Charlie." Bill covered his feet.

"Now you're both insecure, two points for Charlie."

"Who else can you make insecure?" Ginny muttered.

"You two are never complete without each other." Charlie turned to the twins.

"Because we're Fred and George, nothing can separate us."

"But what if something did?"

"Then we'd be lost."

"How sad." Charlie blinked,"Oh well."

"Charlie, a bird." George pointed.

"Oh, where?" He turned.

George highfived Fred and chuckled.

"Boys." Molly sighed

"So immature." Erica mumbled.

"Hush child." Fred covered her mouth.

Erica crossed her arms

*********************************

Finally the Weasleys were home and they could relax, they enjoyed their holiday but Molly was a nightmare when they got back.

Erica tried to sneak upstairs, she wanted to change and go see Cedric, she'd promised to see him when she got back.

"Erica." Molly crossed her arms.

"Yes mum?" She turned around.

"Have you tidied your room?"

"Mhm." She nodded.

"Have you unpacked?"

"I have."

"Have you-"

"Bye mum!" Erica hurried upstairs.

"Erica!" Molly sighed,"Oh what am I going to do with you?"

Erica made it into her and Ron's room and quickly changed. She could leave through the front door... But the window was right there.

Oh well, what's the worst that could happen? Erica shrugged and opened the window. It wasn't that big a drop so she began to make her descent, climbing down carefully.

Now... Where was she off to? Cedric's house! She promised to meet him after she got home. Off on the journey to Cedric's House! Only a little walk

She loved how close their houses were, it made things like this a lot easier to so herself. As she got closer to Cedric's house, she saw someone on a broomstick fly over her head.

"Cedric?" She looked up.

"Hey stranger." Cedric smiled.

"I kept my promise."

"How was Egypt?"

"It was fun." She shrugged.

"What did you do?" Cedric landed his broom next to her.

"We saw the pyramids. Oh, and Bill's work." Erica told him,"But I heard mum and dad talking about me on the train."

"What did they say? Good things?" Cedric raised a brow.

"They want to get me tested." Erica shrugged.

"Tested?" Cedric blinked.

"I don't know what for." She shrugged again.

"You're not sick are you?"

"I don't think so." Erica shook her head.

"You don't look sick." Cedric held his arm out for her to get on his broom.

Erica smiled and hopped on.

"Did you buy me anything from Egypt?"

"I got you an egypt rock."

"Oh? A famous Egypt rock? I'm honoured." He smiled.

"Mhm, I painted a sphinx on it." Erica nodded.

"It sounds very artistic." Cedric landed at his house.

"It is." Erica told him.

"Well, Dad's been asking for you." Cedric nodded.

"I like your dad, he's nice." Erica smiled.

"He's old." He joked.

"But he's nice."

"He is nice." Cedric chuckled, "Hi dad!" He shouted as he walked in.

"Ah, son. Welcome back." Amos grinned

"I've got Erica. She's back from Egypt and got me a rock."

"Oh, isn't that sweet?" Amos put his newspaper down.

"Hi, Mr Diggory." She smiled.

"So, want some tea?" Cedric tilted his head.

"Yes please." She nodded.

"Dad?" Cedric walked over to the kettle.

"Yes, son?"

"Want some tea?"

"If you don't mind."

"I'll make some, Er come help." Cedric patted fhe counter.

Amos nodded and walked out as Erica walked in happily.

"You can pick your tea." Cedric handed it to her.

"Alright!" Erica smiled, grabbing the box of tea.

"You take milk?" Cedric grabbed the milk

"Yes please." Erica nodded.

"Or... Do you just want milk itself?" Cedic suggested

"Yes please." She sighed.

"See? I know you." Cedric pointed.

"I know."

"Also, I have something to teach you."

"Ooh, what?" Erica asked.

"Have your brothers shown you how to ride a broom yet?" He raised a brow.

"A little bit." Erica shrugged.

"Well... I was thinking... What if we learn out back?" He smiled.

Erica stopped,"You'd teach me?"

"If you'd like." Cedric shrugged.

"Yes please!" Erica nodded.

"Drink up, I'll meet you out back." Cedric ruffled her hair before he took his dad's tea and walked to the living room.

"Thank you, son."

"I'm just heading out back with Erica, alright?" Cedric told him.

"Of course, just be careful with her." Amos nodded as he took his cup.

"She's not that fragile. But I'll protect her with my life from the scary brooms." Cedric held up his hands as he walked to the backgarden.

"You better, or I'll never here the end of it." Amos called to him

"Yeah yeah." Cedric chuckled,"Er?"

"Ced?" Erica tilted her head as she skipped out.

"Grab a broom." He grinned.

Erica grinned and hurried off before returning with a broom

"Okay, you ready to learn?"

"I'm ready to learn!" Erica smiled.

*********************************

After a while, Cedric helped Erica off the broom, wiping the sweat from his face,"So? How do you feel?"

"Amazing!" Erica jumped excitedly.

"But maybe... Keep it a secret from your brothers first."

"Why?"

"You can surprise them." He smirked.

"Oh, okay!" Erica smiled.

"Now, how about we get you back home?" Cedric looked at his watch.

"Aw, okay."

"You can come over again tomorrow, yeah?"

"Yeah!"

"Okay, cmon." Cedric patted her back.

"Coming." Erica hummed.

"Want a ride to your house?"

"Yes please." Erica smiled.

Cedric chuckled and hopped on his broom, helping her on, "Hold on."

Erica smiled and held on tight.

"And off we go!" Cedric flew off.

"Weeee!"

*********************************

"Draco?" Parker called out as she walked down the stairs.

The house... It was oddly quiet for a place so big. She hadn't been woken by anyone, no noise and hadn't heard any of Draco's complaints.

"Draco, this isn't funny." Parker scoffed and walked into his room.

Empty. Where the hell was he?

Parker hesitated before she walked down the hall,"Mother? Father?"

Again. Nothing. No footsteps or arguing.

Parker looked around,"The fuck?" She muttered and walked around the whole Manor.

Then, in the dining room, was a note and quill, still wet with remaining ink.. Parker raised a brow and picked it up. It was from her father... Left on holiday, be back soon.

"Holiday? Wh-Without me?" Parker blinked.

They'd just... Forgotten her? On one hand, Parker was upset they had just... Gone. But on the other... She had total freedom.

She could do whatever she wanted whenever! She could bake! But... she needed a partner...

Erica's on holiday... The others were busy... Who else could she get? Blaise! But... Draco would be so mad! Then again... Draco wasn't here right now!

Parker smirked before she grabbed the quill from the table, writing a letter to Blaise. She called her owl over, handing it to them and off it flew.

Soon he returned with a quick reply, he was coming!

"Fuck." Parker held her head, she needed to tidy the place!

*********************************

Eventually, there was a knock at the door. Parker fixed her outfit, looking at herself in the mirror before she ran and opened the door. There he was. Blaise.

"Hi Parker."

"Hi Blaise." Parker waved.

"Can I come in?" He asked.

"Of course." She nodded.

Blaise smiled and entered.

"So... Draco and my parents have went on holiday." Parker sighed.

"Without you?" He raised a brow.

Parker bit her cheek and nodded.

"Oh... Well, I'm here now." Blaise patted here shoulder,"And we can have plenty of fun without them."

"Yeah." Parker hummed,"I was thinking, why don't we bake something?"

"Oh, I've never really tried baking before." Blaise admitted,"But if you like it. I don't see why not."

"Oh it's great." Parker smiled,"What about... Strawberry puffs?"

"What are those?" Blaise questioned.

Parker turned to him with her mouth open in shock,"You don't know strawberry puffs?"

"No... Should I?

"Blaise you're missing out on so much." Parker chuckled, taking his hand and pulled him to the kitchen.

Blaise had never been inside the Manor before, only once when he was hanging out with Draco but that was only in his room.

"You've got a really nice kitchen." Blaise commented.

"Eh, I'm not in it much." Parker shrugged,"My aunt Andie helps me make these when I get to go to hers."

"I remember you mentioning her." Blaise nodded.

"It's basically this pastry with strawberries... And a little cream." Parker nodded as she took off her jumper, turning the oven on.

"Right, I can manage that." Blaise rolled up his sleeves and walked over to the sink to wash his hands.

"You... Can help make the pastry." Parker grabbed a towel and wiped the water from the sink.

"Got it!" Blaise smiled as he dried his hands.

"It's in that cupboard there." She pointed.

Blaise nodded and reached into the cupboard, pulling out some pastry mix.

"I'll cut the strawberries and make the sauce." Parker washed her hands as she grabbed spoons and other utensils.

Blaise began reading the instructions on the back before he looked over at Parker... Noticing a bruise on her wrist.

Parker was too busy putting stuff neatly on the countertop, making sure it was perfect in the way it sat.

"Parker? How did you hurt your wrist?" Blaise asked her.

"Hm? Oh... That?" Parker blew a raspberry,"I'm... Clumsy. But not as clumsy as Erica."

"Are you sure?" Blaise furrowed his brow, he knew she wasn't all that clumsy.

"Mhm. Totally." Parker gave him a small smile

"Parker." Blaise sighed.

"What? It's a small bruise." Parker sighed too.

"But you're lying to me."

Parker turned away slightly,"Blaise you got- There's some powder there." She grabbed a towel.

"Just tell me what happened."

"Blaise you need to clean it." Parker tried to lean over, ignoring him.

"Parker." He grabbed her shoulders.

Parker took in a shaky breath and looked at Blaise.

Blaise bit his cheek and let her go,"Sorry- Sorry, I shouldn't have."

Parker closed her eyes and held her head,"No... No. Blaise, it's not you."

"I just don't want something bad happening to you." Blaise rubbed the back of his neck.

Parker pushed herself up onto the counter, staying silent before she spoke, "It's my dad."

"What? He... Hit you?" Blaise blinked.

"It's not the first... Or the last probably." Parker admitted.

"Parker, he- Why?"

"I don't know, Blaise... I think- He just doesn't like me. I think he just wanted a boy. I mean, I look nothing like any of them. I don't act like them, I don't have the same opinions."

Blaise sighed and held his arms open,"Well... Well I still like you."

Parker looked at Blaise,"Really?" She moved into his arms.

"Really." He hugged her.

"Don't tell Draco... Please?"

"I... I promise."

"Thank you Blaise." Parker smiled,"Now, let's get these puffs." She clapped.

"Y-yeah."

Parker playfully nudged him before she began to cut the strawberries. Blaise gave her a small smile and went to start the pastry.

*********************************

Finally, the puffs were ready and were on plates,"Okay, I need your honest reaction." Parker handed Blaise a plate.

"Alright." Blaise picked one up and tried it,"That- This- I'm in Heaven."

"You really think so?"

"Yes!"

Parker smiled,"I told you they're really good, I don't know why you haven't tried them before!"

"My mum never bakes." Blaise sighed,"And if she did, she'd never make these."

"Well, I can be your personal baker. I make cookies for Erica when she's sad."

"I don't think I've ever seen Erica sad." Blaise finished his strawberry puff.

"She's good at hiding it. But I can tell, I always can." Parker nodded.

"Like a good friend." Blaise smiled at her.

"I try my best." Parker shrugged.

"Well, I think Erica really appreciates that."

"And whenever you're sad, I can make you these." Parker jumped off the counter.

"And I'll always share them with you because they're just so good, you can't possibly eat them alone." Blaise told her.

"Thanks Blaise." Parker put a hand on his arm.

"No problem."

"Now, let's clean up." Parker clapped her hands.

"Right!"

*********************************

After around a week, Parker was putting away some dishes in the kitchen when she heard the front doors unlock. It's was about time they got back, laughing together like a family.

"Oh hey family, forget anything before you went away?" Parker walked over to them.

"Hm, no, nothing important." Lucius hummed.

Parker looked at her mother and Draco, "Mum?"

Narcissa stayed quiet, looking towards Lucius.

Parker scoffed,"Well I had great fun here, myself."

"I'm sure you did.' Lucius rolled his eyes,"Go on, Draco. Tell her where we were."

"We went to France. Father got to meet the Minister of Magic over there. It was great." Draco crossed his arms with a smirk.

"Shame, we must've left you behind." Lucius smirked.

"Oh yeah, shame. I mean... I had fun of my own, I invited people around here, Blaise... Erica, Harry, Hermione and Ron." Parker shrugged.

"You invited blood traitors and mudbloods into my home?" Lucius hissed.

"You went on a holiday, without me." Parker retaliated.

"You have been disobeying me and interacting with the wrong sorts for the past two years." Lucius shot back,"You've done nothing to deserve a holiday with us."

"I'm your daughter!"

"No daughter of mine should associate with blood traitors. Those people are beneath you!"

"You know what? Love the blood traitors, I might just go meet some more." Parker threw her hands up in anger.

"If you even think about it, you'll be out of this house!"

"I'm thirteen, it's illegal." Parker pointed, "Besides, I've heard it all before!" She ran out of the kitchen.

Lucius scoffed, holding Narcissa back as Parker ran off,"Leave her."

"She's upset Lucius." Narcissa shook her head,"I can talk to her, get her to stay-"

"No."

"You want her wandering into the unknown?"

"She won't get far, she always comes back. We'll find her.'

Narcissa sighed,"I'll send Andromeda an owl... Just in case she shows up."

"Yes... You do that."

Meanwhile upstairs, Parker was packing her case for Hogwarts, it was too close to the first day back. She'd just have to stay at the Three Broomsticks until the train came.

That wasn't so far, she could make it there before it got too dark. Parker finished packing her case, making sure she had everything before she began to make her way down the stairs.

Narcissa was waiting for her,"Parker?"

Parker jumped and looked at her mother, "What do you want?" She sighed.

"Please, your father didn't mean what he said."

"He always means it, you know he does." Parker shook her head.

"Deep down he does care-"

"Mum." Parker looked up at her,"We both know the truth."

Narcissa stayed quiet,"Its not safe out there."

"I'm sure I'll be fine. I've survived much worse than a bus ride." Parker picked up her case.

Narcissa looked around,"I love you, be careful.

"Yeah... I'm sure you do." Parker muttered and walked away.

Narcissa sighed and watched her leave.