Magic
The familiar feeling of fear crept up the little girl's spine as the one thing she dreaded most in the world came hurdling towards her. A big beefy man whose face was beet red with fury, brows contorted in anger stepped closer to the girl, veins popping out of his neck as his voice strained, spit flying out of his mouth with the effort it took to make his voice that loud.
The little girl wasn't even sure what she'd done to upset him, but she'd learned that questioning him only made things worse.
"Are you even listening to me, you little shit?"
Murphy stared up at him with wide fearful eyes, pulling her hand in front of her fiddling with her fingers as tears began to pool in her eyes.
"You little-" the man raised his hand, the little girl's hands flung in front of her face as her entire body flinched backward in anticipation.
Moments went by before she had the courage to crack her eyes open and lift her head, realizing the dreadful impact hadn't landed.
There she stood, battered and bruised in a garden.
Squinting up to the sky as the cool wind nipped her exposed skin, she froze in shock.
"Oh dear," A loud gasp from behind her had the girl whipping her head around, her confusion and fear wrote entirely on her face as tears poured down her cheeks like an angry storm.
Molly stood staring at the small, frail girl, coming up with a few every apparent conclusions. One, this girl had clearly been through something entirely traumatic. And two, she'd just apparated into their garden.
The little girl looked ready to bolt by the time Molly had recovered from her initial shock, but before she could do so, Molly lowered her tone into a soft non-threatening little voice, "Hello, Darling. I won't hurt you. My name is Molly. How about I bring you inside and get you warmed up, it's awful chilly to be out here in that."
It took a few minutes of convincing before the small girl trotted hand in hand with Molly into the Burrow.
"That's it, dear." Molly smiled fondly as she draped a warm blanket around the small girl's frame.
"What's your name, sweetheart?" Molly questioned to which the girl kept quiet looking at her hands that she sat fiddling with on her lap. Molly waited a few more moments to see if the girl would respond before trying again, "I bet you're hungry. How about I make you something to eat, Hmm? Would you like that?"
Molly took in the girl's appearance once more and cringed slightly, despite the girls half swollen face from the bruise across her left eye and jaw, her face looked sunken in, even through the dirty old nightgown that fell loosely around the girl, Molly was certain that she'd be able to count every last bone through her skin.
Molly made quick work in the kitchen, quickly reheating a plate of food from dinner a few hours earlier before the rest of her family had made a visit to Diagon Alley.
Handing the food over to the girl, she was hesitant at first but after taking her first bite, it wasn't long before the girl all but shoveled the rest of the food into her mouth. "Easy there, don't want you to get choked. There's plenty more if you'd like seconds."
The little girl barely slowed down before picking back up at the same speed shoving more food into her mouth than before, as if she couldn't chew the food fast enough.
Molly was genuinely concerned she'd make herself sick.
It wasn't until the food was completely off the plate and mostly in her mouth as she chewed slowly did the little girl whisper, "Murphy."
"What was that?"
"My name is Murphy." And for the first time, she'd looked at Molly.
Molly beamed at the girl, "How about I get you a calming cup of tea."
As Molly was in the kitchen, it gave Murphy a chance to look around. From where she was sitting she could see a photo of what she assumed was the kind lady, Molly's, family.
Before she had the chance to really take it in, a cracking sound was heard and suddenly Murphy was surrounded by strangers.
Murphy jumped to her feet in surprise, trembling from the shock she tried to stumble out of the room only to trip over herself and fall flat on her bottom.
The house erupted into chaos and confusion as one of the boys with red hair peaked his head around the couch to where she had fallen.
"Are you okay?" He asked kindly.
Not a moment later, Molly ran into the room to sooth the girl and explain what had happened.
Murphy scurried to her feet nearly tripping once again as she stepped on the end of her dirty white Night gown, before scrambling behind Molly for safety.
"It's okay, Murphy, this is my family." Molly spoke reassuringly, quietly reprimanding herself for not warning the poor girl.
Murphy was scared and confused but not only because she was surrounded by strangers but also because of how they had just appeared out of no where. Almost exactly as she had.
All she could think in that moment was how if she could do it and these people could do it, how long until her father appeared out of thin air?
"I think she's a little frightened with all the people, kids go upstairs into your rooms until we sort this out." Molly gestures to her children before glancing back at the small girl behind her whose eyes darted from place to place.
After the children had filed up the stairs one by one, Molly gently sat the girl back onto a small chair before pulling Arthur into the kitchen so they could talk more privately.
Molly explained what had happened, how she’d appeared out of no where and soon enough they were sending a letter out to Dumbledore.
"We've contacted a dear friend of ours, he'll know what to do." Molly explained as she and Arthur made their way into the living room, sitting across the girl on the well loved love seat. "This is Arthur, my husband."
"Hello," he smiled gently. "It's nice to meet you."
Murphy didn't say a word as she went back to her original stance when she'd first come into the house, fiddling with her fingers which rested in her lap.
"Can you tell us what happened?" Molly prompted.
Murphy's eyes welled up again and soon tears were silently streaming down her checks.
"Oh now, it's okay dear. There you are," Molly hesitantly, not wanting to scare her off, rubbed her back in small soothing motions. "Alright we won't make you talk about that just yet."
"Can you tell us where you've come from?" Arthur asked.
After a few moments longer of silence when the couple thought she wasn't going to answer, only then did Murphy finally speak in a tone so quiet they almost didn't catch it, "London."
"A muggle?" Arthur's eyes widened in surprise.
Molly had figured as much, "thank you sweetheart. How about we get you cleaned up, it will probably be a few days until our friend can make it here, in the mean time you can stay here with us. It's not much but it's safe and warm and you'll never go without food."
Murphy gently nodded her head in agreement which cause Molly's smile to widen. "We have a daughter about your age, I'm sure you two will get along quite nicely. I'm certain she'll let you borrow some of her clothes for the next little while."
Molly gently prompted the girl into the bathroom beside the stairs before making her way up to her youngests's room.
Murphy was nervous and still very much jittery, wanting nothing more than to curl in on herself and cry. As she stood in the bathroom waiting for
Molly's return she couldn't help but think about what if the person to open the door wasn't the kind lady she was getting to know, but the cruel presence of her father.
Murphy moved a small stepping stool in front on the sink she'd found tucked away in the corner of the bathroom. Slowly she step on it, balancing herself on the sink and looking straight into the mirror.
She couldn't remember the last time she'd looked at her reflection properly. Always hiding away from her father when she wasn't locked away in her room.
Her hair was dirty and looked almost brown opposed to her usual golden stands. Her hair was all but matted together in chucks down her back.
Murphy's skin was caked in a thin layer of dirt but even so she could see just how pale it was.
Her blue eyes were dull and nothing like her fathers which shone bright with anger.
Murphy didn't move from in front of the mirror until she heard a small knock on the door, causing her to flinch back at the sudden sound, followed by Molly's head peaking through.
Molly helped the girl turn on the water to her liking, before placing a neat pile of fresh clothes on the small countertop. Molly even handed the girl a small jar filled with a blue cream telling her it was a special cream to detangle her hair before making her way out of the bathroom to give the small girl some privacy. Not before reassuring her she’d be just outside the door if she was to need anything.
Murphy stayed under the warm spray of the shower until her fingers started to prune, and even then she reluctantly turned off the shower.
After drying off and pulling on a light pink night gown which Molly had folded neatly on the counter, Murphy stepped out of the bathroom and into the average sized living room only to be greeted by the same boy who'd asked her if she was okay after falling.
"Hello," he greeted gently. "Mum and Dad went to fix you a place to sleep in Ginny's room. They'll be back shorty. I'm Bill, by the way."
Murphy bowed her head in uncertainty, unsure of what to do or say in front of the stranger.
Bill didn't say anything more and seemingly ignored her entirety in favor of a book he'd pulled off the small table beside the love seat, letting Murphy make the first move after giving her the opportunity for conversation if she wanted or just to sit comfortably together.
Murphy choose the later and after standing awkwardly for a few moments she hesitantly placed herself delicately on the edge of the love seat, pushing herself furtherest from him.
Minutes had passed with the only sound to be heard was the creaking of the house and the page turning from Bills book every once in a while, before Murphy slowly moved her head so she could take a look at Bill and truly take in his appearance.
Weather Bill simply didn't mind the small girls staring or he was completely oblivious as he was so engrossed with the book that he didn't notice the blue eyes piercing into the side of his head, he didn't acknowledge it.
Murphy took in his red hair that seemed to be a common occurrence in this house hold and blue eyes that were a few shades darker than her own but most definitely shone brighter.
His sharp jaw line despite still having his boyish features, Murphy concluded as she watched him completely ignore her existence, that this man, Bill, as he'd called himself, was a strange man indeed.
He'd said all but a few sentences to her and already she felt herself relaxing further into her seat than she had with Molly.
Felt an overwhelming sense of comfort despite her frayed mind, scared beyond belief that her father would show up unannounced, uninvited, unwelcome and most definitely, unwanted.
Murphy glanced downward where the same strange object he and Arthur clutched in their hands when they first appeared out of nowhere peaked out of his pocket.
Although, he made her feel more comfortable ignoring her presence than Molly's gentle prodding, Murphy still had to work up the courage to ask him one question that had been bugging her.
In fear that if he directed his attention to her, all sense of safety would fly out the window, to never be found again.
Attention in her house hold only ever meant one thing for her, and it usually left her sore for the next few days.
Swallowing thickly Murphy willed her voice to come out, "how'd you do it?"
Murphy's voice came out so quiet, she wasn't sure if Bill had even heard it. Before she could work up the courage to ask again, but this time louder, Bill finally spoke up.
"Do what?" He asked nonchalant, keeping his eyes focused on his book.
“Appear?" Murphy's voice was louder in curiosity and not as quiet as it had been before. "Out of nowhere I mean. One second, no one was here and the next, there you stood!"
Bill smirked slightly with a hum, before very slowly closing his book and setting it on the coffee table directly in front of him.
Slowly he turned his attention to the girl with a mischievous smile leaning in like he was about to tell her the biggest secret ever, causing the girl to mimic his movements until they were only a few inches away from each other, "Magic."
Murphy's whole face lit up in excitement before giving him a hesitate look. "Really?" She asked unsure.
Bill nodded with a shrug, "mhmm." Turning back to his books, "I could show you but if you don't believe me-"
"No!" Murphy yelled a little too loudly before quieting her voice shyly. "I believe you."
"Alright," Bill grind pulling out his wand. Turning to the girl once again before uttering a word Murphy couldn't even comprehend, small little flashing lights danced all around the girl in bursts almost like fire works. Bill watched as the girls eyes glittered with all the exploding lights, flicking around them in awe.
"Whoa," Murphy's mouth and eyes were wide open with amazement. "Are you like a magician. Like the ones on tv?"
Bill scoffed as if offended, "I'm better than a silly magician, I'm a Wizard."
"A Wizard?" Murphy questioned, curiosity burning through her eyes.
"A Wizard." Bill confirmed, "don't be too shocked, you’rea Witch you know?"
Murphy all but flinched at the word before shaking her head adamantly. "No, no. I'm not a Witch."
Bill raised his brows in amusement, "how can you be so sure?"
"Witches are evil creatures that cast spells on people, that's what my daddy said. I don't do that." Murphy concluded matter of fact, "My daddy said that my mommy was a Witch, and she cast an evil spell on him too."
"Yeah, that's what muggles who are too scared of the amazing things Witches and Wizards can do say." Bill nodded seemingly coming to some sort of conclusion of his own. "How do you suppose you showed up here today? No ordinary person can do that."
"I'm not evil." Murphy stated.
"Well neither am I. Nor my mother, or my father, or the rest of my family."
Murphy sat thoughtfully for a second before nodding with a shy grin, "can you do that again?"
"There's plenty more where that come from," Bill stated simply, "How about tomorrow morning after breakfast I show you a few more?"
"And you'll teach me how?" She asked in excitement.
"If you want to learn, you have to have one of these." Bill stated simply, twirling his wand in his hand. "Until then you can't do much without it."
Murphy hummed before coming up with another idea, "and how do I get one of those."
"A wand." Bill corrected, "you get one when you turn twelve. From Olivander's."
"Twelve?" Murphy question dejectedly, "how do
I know when I'm twelve?"
"When's your birthday?" Bill questioned.
Murphy only offered him a confused frown, Bill sighed and tried again, "what day were you born?"
"I don't know," Murphy admitted. "Is that something everyone knows?"
Bill couldn't contain his shock, but before he could say anything more, Molly came down the stairs, "oh goodness dear, I almost didn't recognize you. Your hair looked almost brown before." Molly stated taking in the girls freshly washed golden blonde hair.
Murphy instantly went quiet as if she wasn't just chatting up a storm with Bill only moments ago.
"Thank you, Bill." Molly smiled at her eldest.
"No problem." He smiled at his mother before turning to Murphy. "Goodnight, Murphy."
Molly gently pulled out her wand, expecting the girl to ask a few questions but when she did not Molly simply explained. "This is my wand, I'm going to heal some of those bruises now that you’re cleaned up and I can see them properly. Is that okay?"
Murphy nodded, "Magic."
Molly smiled slightly surprised, "Yes."
It took Molly much longer than she expected to heal all the bruises that littered the poor girls skin as there were much more than she anticipated.
Molly ushered Murphy up the stairs Bill had disappeared up. It was a long winding staircase before they got to the first of what looked like many landings, when they stopped in front of a door.
Molly didn't bother knocking as she opened the door to reveal a little girl with red hair and a pink night gown much like her own.
"This is my daughter, Ginny. We've set you up in the little cot in here, I hope that's okay?" Molly gestured over to a small cot opposite of what she assumed was Ginny's bed. "We've given you extra covers as it tends to get cold at night."
"Hi," Ginny whispered shyly.
Murphy looked around the room in curiosity, before her eyes landed back on the redhead not much shorter than she was. "Hi." She whispered back shyly.
Molly grinned at the girls before ushering them into bed, "alright you two, off to bed. I'm sure Murphy is tired after a long day."
Once Molly tucked both girls into bed, she blew out the candle which kept the room alight before walking out and closing the door behind her.
Murphy stared at the ceiling for what felt like hours listening to the old house creak before she heard shuffling on the other side of the room.
Murphy turned her head to see Ginny hovering over her, "here," Ginny whispered holding out a small plush object. "My mum made this for me when I was younger, cuddling this always made me feel better when I was scared and couldn't fall asleep."
Murphy gently grasped the object in her hands, realizing it was a small stuffed doll. "Thanks."
Ginny grinned before climbing back into her own bed and twisting around until she was comfortable enough to finally fall asleep.
Murphy grasped the doll in her hands tightly before bringing it to her chest with a small prayer that her father wouldn't appear out of thin air and whisk her away while she slept.
Closing her eyes tightly, slowly, she fell asleep.