Chapter 26

Fifteen years ago, a naive young daughter from a pure-blood family, Sia, fell head over heels for a Muggle youth. Sia kept her romance hidden from her Muggle-hating family and secretly met with her lover, sharing countless joyful memories. When Sia discovered she was pregnant, she was elated and planned to reveal her identity as a witch to her lover and elope with him, choosing to live a happy life as a Muggle with him.

However, her father discovered her secret and, in a fit of rage, ordered the Muggle youth to be killed. The poor young man died without ever knowing the reason. Sia's father demanded that she abort the "filthy Muggle spawn," but with the help of a house elf, a determined Sia managed to escape into the Muggle world. She remained in hiding until her child was born, using magic to ensure the child's safe delivery. Unable to escape further, the elf had no choice but to leave the newborn at a Muggle orphanage, hoping that at least the child would survive.

In less than a day, Sia's father's men found her and brought her back to the family estate, where she was confined to her room. The family regarded her as a disgrace, and her father told everyone she was too ill to see visitors. He was only concerned with the family's reputation and interests, showing nothing but disdain and coldness toward his fallen daughter. Sia, depressed and desolate, passed away less than six months later, joining her lover in death. Before she died, she freed the elf who had helped her, asking it to find and protect her child. Heartbroken, the elf left and searched for the child, only to discover that the baby who had been left at the orphanage had died shortly after arrival. Devastated, the elf encountered Headmaster Dumbledore, who persuaded it to come and work at Hogwarts.

Listening to the house elf's tearful recount, I pieced together the tragic story. Is this really how melodramatic it is? My biological parents were star-crossed lovers, my grandfather was a villain of epic proportions, and I was the catalyst for this tragedy. Could it get any more cliched?

After a moment of silence, I cleared my throat and asked, "How can you be sure that I am the child you've been looking for all these years?"

Tito wiped his tears and nose, hiccuping as he spoke, "On the first Saturday of this term, Tito saw Miss Sawyer and her friends at the Shrieking Shack in Hogsmeade. They looked so grown-up that Tito thought he saw Miss Sia! Tito was afraid of making a mistake, so he went to the records room to check Miss Sawyer's information. She was born on September 22nd, the same day Tito's little Miss was born! But Miss Sawyer has Muggle parents, so Tito was unsure. Tito wanted to find out, and while preparing for the Christmas dinner, Tito got the task of buying ingredients and went to the orphanage. He found the record of the Hills adopting Miss Sawyer. Oh, it's Tito's fault for not finding out sooner and making Miss Sawyer suffer. Tito is a bad elf, a bad elf! It needs to punish itself!" Tito began banging his head against the bedpost again.

"Stop!" I massaged my temples, exasperated. House elves were wonderful in many ways, but they were far too excitable. Now that Tito mentioned it, I recalled hearing strange noises when Bobo disappeared in front of me those few times. That must have been Tito.

"Calm down," I tried to soothe him. "Since you've verified it, I am indeed your Miss's child. You don't need to blame yourself. You haven't made me suffer; I've had a good life. My adoptive parents love me as their own. I'm happy. You don't need to punish yourself, really."

Tito, with tear-filled eyes, trembled as he took a breath. "Miss Sawyer is so kind! Just like Miss Sia—"

Finally, he seemed to calm down a bit. I sighed in relief. "Alright, you haven't told me about my mother's family yet. You only mentioned that they are the ancient pure-blood Rosier family. I'm not familiar with these ancient pure-blood families, only knowing of the Malfoys, Blacks, and Potters."

"The Rosier family is indeed an old pure-blood family. The former head, Miss Sawyer's grandfather, passed away two years ago due to an illness. Miss Sia had an older sister, Druella, who married into the Black family."

"The Black family? How is she related to Sirius and Regulus?" I wondered if we were somehow related.

"Miss Druella is the aunt of the two Black young masters. She has three daughters: Bellatrix and Andromeda Black, who have graduated, and Narcissa Black, who is in her seventh year and about to graduate. They are your cousins," Tito answered with wide eyes. So, I had blood relatives in this world.

"What are they like?" I hesitated to ask.

"Miss Druella was very fond of Miss Sia. Even after marrying into the Black family, she often visited her sister. Though she was disappointed when Miss Sia fell in love with a Muggle, she still cared deeply for her. When Miss Sia was confined at home, only Druella and four-year-old Cissy visited her. Oh, kind Miss Druella, she has always missed Miss Sia." The elf's large ears drooped. All these titles and names were making my head spin.

"Oh, my Aunt Druella… she still loves my mother. Someone in this world still remembers my mother…" I felt a dull ache in my chest. I had speculated about my origins, guessing they might be linked to wizards, assuming I was an abandoned illegitimate child. I never imagined my grandfather killed my father and drove my mother to death. Since being adopted by Isaiah and Hughes, I regarded them as my true parents, loving me as much as any parents would love their biological child. Thus, I rarely thought about my birth parents, and when I did, I only wondered why they abandoned me.

"How is Aunt Druella now? Does she also hate Muggles?" My grandfather couldn't bear the thought of my mother being with a Muggle and killed my father. The Black family was notorious for hating Muggles. I wondered if my aunt despised me for "tainting" the family bloodline.

"Oh… Miss Sawyer," Tito looked despondent. "Miss Druella and her husband follow that man. Because of Miss Sia's affair, Miss Druella grew to despise Muggles even more. But she would surely love you, Miss Sawyer!" Tito's spirits lifted. "You are beautiful and kind like your mother!"

I rubbed my forehead. To Tito, his little mistress was perfect, including her daughter. I decided not to dwell on his adjectives.

So, my aunt was a Death Eater. She might not trouble me too much out of respect for my mother. But I was also a Gryffindor. Even Sirius, a pure-blood Gryffindor from his own family, was called a blood traitor. Would my aunt accept me, a niece who suddenly appeared, just because of a faint memory of my mother? Ridiculous. Only a fool would seek out such a relative.

"You mentioned I have three cousins. How are they doing now?" My thoughts wandered as I asked casually.

"Miss Bellatrix idolizes that man. I heard from other elves that she got engaged to the Lestrange heir right after graduation, and they swore to follow the Dark Lord forever."

My heart sank further. So, this was the infamous Death Eater family.

"Miss Druella's second daughter, Andromeda, fell in love with a Muggle like Miss Sia and was disowned by the Black family. She is luckier than poor Miss Sia though..." Tito started to sob again.

I was already used to Tito's tears whenever he mentioned my mother. Andromeda was indeed luckier, only being disowned. Maybe the Black family had a bit of humanity, not going after the Muggle to the bitter end. Perhaps Aunt Druella remembered my mother's fate and didn't want her daughter to meet the same end. I felt a kinship with this unseen cousin.

Once Tito calmed down again, he continued, "The youngest, Miss Narcissa, is engaged to the heir of the Malfoy family."

That, I knew. The platinum blond prince of Slytherin and his girlfriend.