Many thanks to mystrangecollectionmaker for all their help with Cedric's family.

"Are you sure you'll be all right?"

Normally Harry would have rolled his eyes. They had had this conversation far too many times over the last week. Today though, he could only shrug. Cedric ran a hand through his hair.

"It's not too late for me to stay-"

"No," Harry interrupted. "You need to see your parents. I know you miss them, and they'll be missing you too." He reached up to squeeze Cedric's shoulders. "It's two weeks. I'll be fine. You go and enjoy yourself."

Still Cedric hesitated. "I'll write. And I'll work out a way to visit. I haven't tried Apparating that far, but I can do it in stages." He nodded to himself. "Yeah, I'll do that."

Harry didn't even try to hide the warmth that flooded his body. He couldn't begrudge Cedric the time with his family, but it was good to know that he wouldn't be forgotten. Not that Cedric ever would. Cedric smiled at him, but it soon faded.

"You'll remember what we talked about, won't you?"

Harry sighed. "I promise I won't go into the Forest."

Cedric had not been pleased to hear about his adventures. Not because of the encounter with the centaurs, he had been surprised by the accuracy of their Divination but agreed that they wouldn't say anything about it, but he was concerned by the danger that Harry had felt and been warned about. He relaxed slightly at Harry's words.

"We will deal with it," he said. "Together."

Harry just nodded. He would keep himself busy somehow. Cedric studied him for a moment, then pulled him into a hug.

"It'll be okay," he whispered. "I'll be back in two weeks."

Harry hugged him back. Cedric was warm and solid in his arms, and Harry breathed in his familiar scent and blinked back his tears. It wouldn't be long. Cedric would write and he would visit and he would be back soon. Cedric's arms tightened around him, but he said nothing and after a long minute Harry pulled back.

"You should go. You'll miss the carriages."

He was proud to hear that his voice didn't shake. Cedric ruffled his hair. "Take care of yourself. Keep an eye on Helena and Edmund. You're not alone."

Harry managed a weak smile. Cedric gave him a final fierce hug and slipped from the room. Harry sank onto the sofa with a sigh. It was going to be a long two weeks.

"Knut for your thoughts?"

Cedric tore his eyes from the rolling countryside. "I'm sorry?"

Fred nudged his brother. "Not sure they're worth a knut."

"Sorry," Cedric repeated. He sat up straighter and forced Harry from his mind. "What were you saying?"

George eyed him for a moment before shrugging. "Not much. Just wondering if you were planning on gracing us with your presence over the holidays?"

Cedric felt his cheeks warm up. The twins had accepted his apology, but he wasn't expecting them to forget about it any time soon. In fairness, he hadn't been paying attention for most of the journey home.

"Don't worry," Fred added. "We'll stop Ron from pestering you."

Cedric frowned at them. "Ron doesn't pester me. And he's the only one of you who can give me a decent chess game, so don't you dare say anything to him."

The twins rolled their eyes, but Cedric meant it. Ron was a good lad, with an mind for chess that was really remarkable in a boy of nine, and Cedric didn't like how Fred and George could get with him. He scowled at the pair of them until George raised his hands.

"Fine. It'll stop him bothering us anyway."

Fred said nothing, but there was a glint in his eye that Cedric didn't like the look of. Making a silent promise to keep an eye on Ron over the holiday, he changed the subject.

"Reckon Charlie will be up for a pick-up Quidditch game over the holiday?"

"Definitely," said George. "He says everyone's given him an insane amount of homework because of the NEWTs, but that just means he'll want to get outside more."

Cedric laughed. Charlie was a good student, but there was a reason he was Quidditch Captain and not a Prefect.

The rest of the journey passed in a blur of jokes and laughter. Some of Cedric's friends from Hufflepuff stopped by, and Fred and George's friend Lee Jordan came by to hang out for a few hours. Cedric threw himself into the conversation and the experience of meeting new friends, but as hard as he tried he couldn't help worrying about Harry. By the time they reached London, he was more determined than ever to find a way to meet up with his friend over the holiday.

"Looks like Ron and Ginny came to meet us," said George. He jumped up to wave his siblings at the same moment Fred started to drag his trunk down. They collided with identical indignant squawks, and Cedric caught the trunk with a quick spell before it could squash Lee. Lee let out an explosive huff.

"Thanks, mate."

Cedric waved off the thanks. Fred and George untangled themselves with sheepish looks and mumbled apologies, and George leaned out the window. "Can you see your parents?"

Cedric took a quick look around him, then shook his head. "Dad's probably at work, and Mum doesn't like crowds. She'll be over by the fireplaces."

"I can see mine," Lee exclaimed. He squeezed his way past George to wave, and Cedric stepped back to give them more space. He had to smile at his friend's' excitement. He missed his own parents fiercely, having an adult's memories didn't change the fact that he had the physical body and brain of a child, but he had forgotten what it felt like to be away from family for the first time.

By the time the train finally came to a halt all four boys were ready and waiting by the doors. Cedric actually had to stop Fred from jumping out while they were still moving, something which earned him multiple eye rolls.

"You used to be fun," Fred grumbled, but the scowl vanished when two redheads bounded out of the crowd. "Ginny! Ron!"

Cedric stepped aside to let the twins join their younger siblings. Ginny was picked up and spun around, squealing with laughter, while George grabbed Ron into a rough hug, all four talking at the tops of their voices. Lee grinned as he watched them.

"Wish I had siblings."

Cedric thought of Harry and Helga and smiled. He nodded past the Weasleys. "There's your dad."

Lee was out the train before Cedric could even finish the sentence. Cedric cast a quick glance round, and seeing no one paying any attention to him levitated all four trunks out onto the platform with a silent spell. Being eleven and small and skinny again was a pain. He jumped out of the carriage and immediately felt a tug at his sleeve.

"Cedric, lift me!"

Cedric laughed, and swung Ginny up on to his back. Even as a weedy eleven year old he could manage that. She shrieked with glee, and he laughed. "Miss me, Gin?"

"More than I missed those two," she said impishly, earning indignant snorts from the twins. Cedric grinned, then spotted Ron standing slightly shyly off to the side.

"Ron! Been practicing?"

Ron lit up at being noticed. "Yeah, when I can! Can we play again soon?"

"I've been looking forward to it," said Cedric, and Ron's ears blazed bright red with pleasure. Cedric smiled at him. "I haven't had a good match in weeks."

None of his housemates were really into chess, and Harry had had other things on his mind. Ron beamed at him, thankfully not seeing Fred roll his eyes behind him, then further conversation was forestalled by the arrival of a redheaded hurricane.

"Ron! How many times have I told you not to run off? And you too, Ginny? I was worried sick! Oh, Fred, George, its so good to see you!"

The twins were pulled into hugs they didn't even try to escape from. Percy and Charlie had already been collected, and at Ginny's cry of delight Cedric let her down so that she could run to her other brothers. Ron, though, lingered.

"You'll come over next week, won't you?"

"Monday," Cedric promised. "We'll have a game and then go flying."

Ron gave him a brilliant smile, and Cedric couldn't help ruffling his hair. The youngest Weasley boy's lack of self-esteem reminded him horribly of Salazar sometimes. Unlike Salazar Ron didn't protest, just smiled even brighter before going to see his brothers. Cedric watched him go with a smile, then heard his name being called and turned to be enveloped in a fierce embrace.

"And Cedric, it's lovely to have you back. You've grown so much!"

"Thanks, Mrs Weasley," said Cedric. "It's good to be back."

Mrs Weasley patted him fondly on the cheek. "And thank you for keeping an eye on these two. Merlin knows what kind of trouble they would have got into without you!"

Cedric grinned. The twins had been so busy investigating him that they had appeared almost well behaved this first term. That wouldn't last long. Fred caught his eye and snorted, quickly hiding it in a cough when Mrs Weasley glared round. "What was that?"

"Nothing," said Cedric. "There was a cold starting to go round last week."

Fred and George grinned at him, and Mrs Weasley pursed her lips. "Oh dear. I do hope neither of you come down with something. Pepper-Up Potions for all of you when we get home, I think."

Her children exchanged looks, and Cedric decided it was time he excused himself. "I should find my mum. Is it all right if I come over next week, Mrs Weasley?"

"Of course, dear! You know you never have to ask."

"Lee's gonna visit sometime too," said George. "This holiday is gonna be great!"

"Lee?" said Mrs Weasley, and that was all she had to say before Fred and George were dragging her over to meet Lee and his dad. Cedric waved them goodbye, and Ginny ran over to hug him again.

"I saw your mum over there," she said, pointing in the direction of the Floo fireplaces.

"Thanks, Ginny," said Cedric. "See you next week, everyone!"

He left with a chorus of farewells ringing in his ears. He weaved through the crowd, the charms he had placed on his trunk making it manageable even for him, and finally made his way over to the fireplaces.

"Mum! And Dad? I thought you had work?"

Dad laughed and caught him into a hug. "As if I'd miss picking you up from your first term," he said.

Cedric grinned and hugged him tight, then shifted so that he could hug his mother too. Her hand came up to brush the back of his neck. "It's so good to see you, bubbele."

Cedric felt his cheeks heat up at the old endearment, but after so long away he just relaxed into her embrace. "Its really good to see you too, Mum," he mumbled, into her shoulder, and felt her chuckle.

"My clever boy still needs me," she teased. She drew back to look at him, dark eyes studying him closely before she finally nodded. "Hogwarts is treating you well."

Dad clapped him on the back. "It certainly is. He'll be as tall as me soon."

Cedric couldn't help straightening, then blushed as his parents chuckled. Dad bent to pick up his trunk and blinked when he lifted it with no effort. "Did you bring anything home with you?"

Cedric had meant to take the charms off before he got home, but seeing his father had distracted him. At least had learned enough from Salazar to be able to cover with a sheepish smile. "I got one of the seventh years to charm it for me." He grinned at them. "Then I didn't tell Charlie and he nearly threw it across the hall when he picked it up."

It had been a while since the older boy had looked that startled. His dad's loud guffaws drew startled looks, but Cedric was too busy soaking in his parents' presence to care. He had missed them. Mum wrapped an arm around him again.

"We'll get you home and catch up properly. I hope you didn't bring home too much washing."

Ten minutes later found Cedric dumping his trunk in his room and bounding back downstairs. The whole house smelled like cholent, and it soothed the tension he hadn't realised he had been holding onto. Godric hadn't been particularly religious in his first life, and so growing up in a Jewish family, even one that followed Reform Judaism, had been something of a revelation. Going to Hogwarts and getting caught up in the chaos of the legacies of his life had left him neglecting the laws and traditions he followed now, and being back with his family brought home just how much he had missed it.

It wouldn't happen again, he vowed. For now, he would celebrate what left of Shabbat and be with his family and let himself be at peace.

Remus had been getting worried about Sirius. With no further information on where to start looking for Harry, and being restricted to the house thanks to his fugitive status and Moody's dire warnings about being more discreet, his friend had been growing steadily more agitated with every passing day.

Harry's second letter had only aimed that frenzied energy in another direction.

"Oh, and we have to tell him about the time Lily called out half the seventh year Ravenclaws for bullying that first year." He sniggered at the memory. "James was so starry-eyed he walked into a statue."

Remus looked at the table. It was covered in half-written notes and discarded pieces of parchment. "We're sending him a letter, not a book," he said. "And I thought you were supposed to be writing a statement to give to Moody."

The sooner the Ministry had some sort of statement about what had happened all those years ago the sooner they could get on with proving that Pettigrew had been the culprit. Moody had already found Sirius' wand somewhere in the depths of the Ministry and it was being tested, but Sirius' own account would help.

Sirius though, just glared at him.

"I don't give a damn about my innocence," he growled. He rummaged around in the chaos and shoved a piece of parchment against Remus' chest. "Harry is more important."

Remus didn't need to read the letter again. The words were burned into his brain. Harry had been understandably cautious, but one passage in particular had spoken of something deeper

Could you tell me about my parents? The Dursleys never talked about them.

Sirius' grey eyes were flashing with barely suppressed rage.

"He doesn't know anything. He doesn't know that James used to sing in the shower, or that Lily followed Muggle football from Hogwarts. He doesn't know that James asked her out fifty-seven times, or that he took her to that stupid tea shop for their first date and she hated it and he was convinced he had screwed everything up until she told him to stop being a prat and they went for ice cream instead. He doesn't know that James would do anything for his friends and Lily would never stay silent if she saw something wrong, and he has no idea how much they loved him."

"Stop it," Remus whispered. His vision was blurring, and he had to take a moment to wipe away tears. Sirius suddenly paled.

"Fuck, does he even know that James was Tamil?"

Remus swallowed. Somehow he doubted that Petunia Dursley had ever bothered to think of James as anything more than that foreign boy. Vernon was no better. He had to swallow again before he could reply, "Probably not."

Sirius slammed a fist down on the table, sending parchment flying over the floor, but tears were gleaming in his own eyes. "Fuck," he repeated. "Fuck them, and fuck everyone who left him with them."

Remus could feel the magic building in the room, not all of it from Sirius, and crossed the room to grip his friend's shoulder. "We will tell him," he said fiercely. "We'll teach him about his family and his heritage. We'll teach him everything James ever taught us. We will fix this."

James had been fiercely proud of his heritage. They couldn't do anything about Harry's childhood, about how he had grown up knowing nothing about where his family came from, but they could change things now. Sirius rubbed a hand roughly across his eyes and sat up.

"You kept our notes from when James was teaching us Tamil?" Remus nodded, and he gave a grim smile. "That's a start. We'll work on it more when we can teach him in person."

Remus glanced up at him. Did that mean... Sirius pulled a fresh roll of parchment towards himself. "You come up with some more good stories, Remus. I've got a statement to write."

Relief flooded Remus' body. He had always known Sirius would make an amazing godfather. This would be the last time Harry spent Christmas away from his family.

Then Remus sat bolt upright.

"Sirius. It's nearly Christmas."

Sirius stilled, grey eyes going distant. "Lily loved Christmas." His grip tightened on the quill until Remus thought he would break it. "He should be celebrating with us."

"I know," said Remus. "He deserves better." Sirius frowned, and Remus let his grin appear. "I think we can manage a bit more than just a few stories. Don't you?"

Cedric came down for breakfast refreshed and full of energy after a night spent in his own bed. He could hear his dad humming in the kitchen as he made scrambled eggs on toast, and when he poked his head into the living room he found his mother sat on the carpet surrounded by potions notes that would have turned Harry green with jealousy. It was a wonderful return to what passed for normality in their family.

Breakfast brought another surprise. Dad waited until they had finished eating before clearing his throat.

"Now, Cedric, I've got some exciting news."

Cedric brightened. "Did the Harpies qualify for Europe?"

"What? Oh yes, they passed with flying colours. Spectacular game actually, I've got the Prophet report somewhere-"

"Amos," said Mum gently. "The other exciting news?"

Dad coughed. "Ah, yes, of course. Thank you, dear."

The look the two of them shared reminded Cedric far too much of how he used to look at Rowena. The resulting ache in his chest was far too familiar, and he leaned forward. "Dad? What is it?"

Dad tore his eyes away to smile at him. "Oh, yes. " He puffed himself up. "I've been promoted! You are looking at the Head of the Spirit Division of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures."

"Congratulations!" Cedric exclaimed. He stood up to give his father a hug. "That's great!"

"Isn't it?" said Dad proudly. "And I already know what my first order of business will be." He didn't wait for Cedric to voice the question. "It's about time we found out what really happened to Professor Binns."

Only decades of practice kept Cedric's grin on his face. "Binns? I thought the Aurors already looked into that."

Hogwarts had passed on the results of the investigation as soon as they made their report to Dumbledore, but neither Cedric nor Harry had been particularly worried. Harry's spell had been an old and highly effective one that left no traces. Dad frowned.

"They did, but to find no evidence whatsoever? It's a disgrace!" He paused. "Of course I'm sure that Rufus managed the whole affair correctly, but the Aurors don't have our specialist knowledge after all. I'm confident that we can find something they missed."

Cedric rather doubted that, especially after two months, but he just shrugged. "Okay, but they did say that Binns went voluntarily. Professor Bagshott is brilliant anyway."

The young woman taught stuff that had happened in the last century for a start. Dad chuckled. "I'm sure, but it's the principle of the thing. In fact, I was planning on having a word with Rufus at the works do."

"Works do?"

It was Mum that answered, "Amelia Bones is hosting this year's Ministry party. We have been invited."

She didn't look too happy at the prospect, she liked large gatherings about as much as Harry did, but Dad was beaming at the perceived honour. "It's about time! It'll be a fine evening." He slung an arm around Cedric's shoulders. "And I've told them all about you. Top of your year already! They're keen to meet you."

Cedric nodded, then blinked. "I'm invited?"

He couldn't imagine why anyone would want a bunch of children running around at a party, but Dad was nodding. "It's tradition to bring children of a suitable age, or so I'm told. A chance for you to expand your horizons a bit."

Cedric couldn't help the face he pulled. He loved meeting new people, but not like this. Dad was looking so proud though that he summoned a smile. "Sounds like it'll be interesting."

Dad beamed at him, and Cedric exchanged a resigned look with his mother as he was pulled into another hug. The things they did for family.

Harry stared out of the window at the stormy sky. The bad weather tugged at his magic, making him feel itchy and restless, and he tossed aside the battered cauldron he had been examining.

"No."

Harry blinked up at his niece. "You don't even know what I was going to say."

Helena arched an elegant eyebrow. "I know you, Uncle," she said, and her tone was scarily reminiscent of her mother. "And I know you have more sense than to go flying in a storm."

"I wouldn't get hurt," Harry muttered. Even without full control over his abilities, lightning had always been kind to him.

"No," Helena repeated. "If Cedric gets back and you've flow into the Whomping Willow he'll murder me. And I've already been murdered once, and I doubt it will get any more pleasant with repeated experiences."

Harry flinched, and she had the grace to look apologetic. "Sorry. Force of habit."

Harry managed a small smile. Thinking about his own murder was difficult, and he had only been aware of it for nine years. He couldn't imagine having a thousand years to dwell on it, but he could understand developing a somewhat dark sense of humour, if only to stay sane.

Instead, he focused on the less morbid part of her statement.

"What's the Whomping Willow?"

Helena waved a hand. "I'll tell you about it in the morning. Not that I think you'd go out investigating it now..."

Harry felt his cheeks heat up and looked away. "I promised Cedric I would stay out of trouble."

Helena's expression spoke volumes. Harry scowled and slumped back into the sofa. "I am, I'm just bored!"

Helena shook her head fondly. She floated down until she was closer to Harry's level. "Remember how scared I used to be of storms?"

Harry blinked, then smiled at the memory. "It's hard to forget. You always used to come to me."

"You felt safe," said Helena softly. She met his gaze and smiled. "You always did, but especially then."

Harry's hand moved of its own accord before he realised he couldn't touch her. Helena reached for him at the same moment, and Harry couldn't quite suppress a hiss at the icy cold. For a moment he remembered how she used to scramble into his arms and throat her arms round his neck and it was a physical ache in his chest. Helena's own smile had turned bittersweet.

"Look how far we've come," she murmured.

Harry took a deep breath and let it out slowly. It did hurt, but he had Helena, even if it wasn't in a way either of them had ever thought possible. He looked back at his niece and smiled.

"Remember when Godric had too much of Hengist's ale and thought the thunder was a giant attacking?"

Helena snorted. "Its hard to forget, he nearly blew the main doors off!" She grinned. "That was a good one. Though not as funny as the time the older students got hold of the really good stuff and threw a party."

Harry groaned at the memory, but there was no heat in it. "It was the first time I saw Rowena completely speechless."

Helena laughed, bright and clear, and Harry smiled. There were worse ways to spend a holiday.

"Are you both ready to go?"

Cedric tore his gaze from the first flickering candle on the menorah and pushed himself to his feet. "Have been for an hour," he called.

He tried to inject some enthusiasm into his voice, but knew he hadn't succeeded when his father sighed. "I know this isn't how you wanted to spend the evening, Ced, but this is important to me."

He slung an arm around Cedric's shoulders, and Cedric leaned into the embrace. "Yeah, I know it is. I'll be more excited when I get there."

"That's my boy." He raised his voice. "Naomi? Are you ready?"

"We don't have to leave for another ten minutes," Mum called down, and Cedric covered a smile with his hand. His mother had never been late for anything in her life. Dad sighed and brushed some fluff off of Cedric's dark blue dress robes.

"Am I being too eager?"

"Maybe just a little," said Cedric dryly. He glanced up at his dad. "We are really proud of you, but you don't need to worry about impressing them. You're good at your job and that's what matters."

Dad blinked, then smiled and patted him on the back. "It's nice that you think so, but Ministry politics is a bit more complicated. You won't get anywhere in life if you don't play the game, my boy."

Cedric suppressed a sigh with an effort. This was the most frustrating thing about being eleven again. Being considered mature for his age wasn't enough to get even his parents to take him seriously. About the only people older than him who didn't treat him like a little kid were Bill, Charlie, and Percy Weasley.

He closed his eyes and breathed out his annoyance. It wasn't just his dad that was the problem. The last thing he wanted to do was go to a boring party when there were so many better things he could be doing. In particular, he still hadn't been able to sneak away long enough to see Harry. He couldn't vanish for that long during the day without his mum getting suspicious, and she was good enough friends with the Weasleys and Lovegoods that he couldn't pretend to be seeing them. A party would have been the perfect opportunity.

"Ced?"

Cedric shook his head. "Just thinking." Maybe he would just pretend to sleep in in the morning and Apparate up to Hogwarts. It might end up taking two jumps, but he was pretty sure he could do it. He stepped away. "I'll go and see how Mum's getting on."

He took the stairs two at a time and nearly walked into his mum when she came out the bedroom.

"No running in the house," she said automatically, and Cedric gave her a sheepish smile.

"Sorry, Mum. You look great!"

She did, in traditional robes of a blue that matched Cedric's, and she straightened his outer robe with a smile. "Thank you, and so do you." She brushed a lock of hair back from his forehead. "I know you don't want to do this," she said softly. "But it does mean a lot to your father."

Cedric leaned into the hug she offered. "I know," he murmured. "But I get to go flying all day tomorrow, right?"

She laughed and hugged him tight before letting him go. "While it's light," she amended.

Cedric grinned. That was good enough. Mum tidied his hair one more time then sighed. "All right, we should get going," she said. "Don't worry, we won't be staying long."

Cedric's grin widened. "I can say I'm sick and need to go home whenever you want."

Mum laughed and pushed him gently in the direction of the stairs. "Come on."

She hadn't actually said no, and Cedric was still grinning as he made his way downstairs. Dad was pacing back and forth in front of the fireplace and he brightened when he caught sight of them.

"You look lovely, darling. Now, are you both ready to go?"

"Yes, dear," said Mum patiently. "As long as you're sure we won't be too early."

"Of course not! Come on, I've already called ahead, and Madam Bones is expecting us."

Mum quirked an eyebrow, and Cedric covered a smile with a hand. His dad was enthusiastic and passionate and that wasn't a bad thing, but he could get carried away. Dad clapped his hands. "You first, dear?"

Mum sighed, but took a handful of Floo Powder and stepped into the flames with a grace that Cedric didn't have a chance of imitating. Dad waved him forward. "You next, Ced. Don't worry, I'll be right behind you."

Cedric smiled and stepped into the Floo. He still couldn't decide if it was more or less disorientating than Apparating, but at least it took less effort. He still staggered as he stepped out onto the carpet, but his mum was there to catch him and he gave her a grateful smile before straightening. The amount of magic in the house made his skin tingle, but he collected himself and turned to their hostess.

"Madam Bones. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Madam Bones smiled down at him. "And you. Your father has told me a great deal about you, Cedric."

Cedric smiled, but before he could reply his father stepped smartly out of the fireplace. He straightened his robes and immediately held out a hand to Madam Bones.

"Madam Bones! Once again, thank you so much for inviting us. It really is a great honour."

"It's a pleasure to have you, Amos," said Madam Bones. "And you are right on time."

Dad puffed himself up, but Cedric caught the glint of amusement in Madam Bones' eyes. Her long braids brushed against her robes as she turned to him. "You are the first ones to arrive, but my niece, Susan, is upstairs."

Cedric could take a hint, even if he would rather stay with the adults. He thanked Madam Bones, waved to his parents, and headed for the stairs. Somehow he wasn't at all surprised that they were the only ones there.

Cedric could feel the magic in the house as he made his way upstairs. The Bones were an old magical family and generations of witches and wizards had left an imprint that prickled at his skin. It seemed to get even stronger as he climbed the stairs, and without realising it Cedric quickened his pace. There was something here, something important, and he had to find out what. He moved along the corridor on silent feet until he came to the final room and opened the door.

He saw a girl around Harry's age, her yellow robes glowing against her dark skin, but all physical senses paled into insignificance next to the overwhelming rush of his magic meeting hers. Her eyes widened, at the same moment Cedric's jaw dropped.

"Helga?"

Thanks for reading!

Also I am not Jewish, Tamil, or Black, and while I'm trying to research as best I can I am going to make mistakes. Please do tell me when I do so that I can correct it, and any other advice and feedback would be very much appreciated.