Summary Matilda Wormwood-Honey turns 11 and finds she is a witch and her dear friend Lavender Brown is already a year ahead of her at Hogwarts! This saga follows Matilda’s coming of age, discovering her connection to an ancient wizarding family, and making her way in the Wizarding and Muggle worlds with her usual cleverness and grace.
Source Material: Matilda by Ronald Dahl, Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter & the Cursed Child by J. K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, Matilda the Musical both stage and film versions, and briefly Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien, with appreciation and reference to Patricia Wrede. Art generated by img2go
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 1989: Miss Honey’s Honey
Chapter 2 1992: The Day was Long
Chapter 3 1992-1993: The Years were Short
Chapter 6 1996: Career Planning
Chapter 1
1989
Matilda Honey put her damp backpack down and went to the refrigerator to grab a snack. Her teacher turned headmistress and mum, Jennifer Honey, sat at the table and pushed a mug of hot chocolate toward her as rain lashed the window.
“So, how’s the new math teacher?”
Matilda could tell from her guardian’s carefully disinterested tone that she was quite concerned about the answer.
“Mr. Scott? Oh, he’s lovely. He’s quite brilliant in math, and very kind too.”
“And – good with students? I was hoping – when we hired him-“
“Oh yes, great with students. It’s just that -“
“What’s that?” asked Miss Honey.
“Oh, I can tell he’s sad, perhaps a bit lonely.”
“Well, his wife did die just a year ago.”
“He mentioned her. That’s terribly sad.”
“Yes,” murmured Miss Honey, looking out at the rain.
“Miss Hon-mum?”
“Yes, Matilda?”
“Would you ever date anyone?”
“Oh, I suppose. If the right someone asked. I’m not on the look out, though. I have you! Why do you ask? Are you scared if I date someone?”
“No, I want you to find someone,” said Matilda, quite truthfully. “You deserve someone – lovely.”
*******
Matilda and Lavender were the only ones in math lunch the next week.
“So you’re Matilda Wormwood-Honey,” said Mr. Scott. “You must be Ms. Honey’s daughter?”
“Yes, adopted,” said Matilda.
“Has she had you for some time?”
“Yes, my parents gave me up when I was six,” said Matilda.
“Really? But you are so bright!”
“Yes,” said Matilda. “They moved off to Portugal.” She repressed the addition “with my mum’s dance partner Rodolfo.”
“Their loss,” said Mr. Scott, smiling kindly.
“Yes, I’m so thankful for Ms. Honey.”
“She does seem – wonderful.”
“You think so? You should ask her out.”
“Mati!” squeaked Lavender, scandalized.
“Oh she’d never agree,” said Mr. Scott. “Besides, she’s my superior. It wouldn’t be appropriate.”
“She may need to – take a class and – hire someone else to handle administration,” said Matilda, thinking quickly,
“Then I could ask her out,” said Mr. Scott. “Hypothetically. Confidentially.”
******
At Matilda’s suggestion, Ms. Honey started teaching at the college and gave up her principal position, and was asked out at Matilda’s next student- teacher conference.
They were married by the Honey House in the spring and Matilda’s little twin siblings were born a year later, much to her delight.
The year after the twins, the owl came with its invitation to Hogwarts addressed to Matilda Wormwood-Honey-Scott.
Chapter 2
1992 – The Day was Long
“Just this way,” said Mrs. Phelps, the librarian, looking around craftily and then ushering them through a brick wall onto Platform 9 ¾. She had driven them to London and helped Matilda get her books.
“So how did you know about that Dagon- Dragoneye-“ began Jennifer Honey-Scott, following Mrs. Phelps bemusedly through another solid wall.
“Diagon Alley? Jenny, my mum and siblings were witches and wizards. I always preferred the magic of books, but they did ask me to keep an eye on your little girl,” cooed Mrs. Phelps. “And there it is, the Express!”
They stood on the platform beside a great puffing red engine.
“Aunt Genevieve!” cried a brown haired woman.
“Oh gracious it’s my niece!” murmured Mrs. Phelps, excusing herself.
Matilda looked up at her mum, who wiped her eyes as she kissed her eldest farewell.
“I know you’ve got to go, Matilda. It’s what you’re meant for. It’s just – I’ll miss you so much.”
“I’ll miss you too. I’ll write you every week,” Matilda promised.
“We’ll see you at Christmas.”
“Of course. Goodbye, Mum.”
*****
Matilda stared out the train window as long as she could. Just as she had picked up a book Mrs. Phelps had given her, the door to her carriage burst open and a beautiful girl with wavy brown hair burst in.
“Mati! I heard you were on here!”
“Lavender!”
The two long-lost friends embraced.
“I’m so sorry, Mati-“
“Why did you stop calling and writing after you told me you were changing schools? I was worried about you!”
“I was worried you hadn’t gotten in!” cried Lavender. “I did think it was odd when you were so good at telekinesis and – and knowing things about people. I forgot that I was older than you. And the Wizarding world is so weird about secrecy.”
“I missed you,” said Matilda. “Now – tell me everything.”
“I’m so excited you will be there. You will love it! This huge library! Oh, but I wonder what house you’ll be in?”
“Can’t I be in yours?”
“No – you have to get sorted- you’ll see. Look, come to my carriage, I’ll introduce you to a few other friends.”
Matilda picked up her bag and followed Lavender to her carriage, where she met all sorts of lovely girls.
“There he goes!” whispered the one named Cho, blushing quite red.
“Who?”
“Harry Potter! And his odd friends, Ron and Hermione.”
“Who’s Harry Potter?”
The other girls stared. “Are your parents Muggles?”
“Er- I am not sure. What’s a Mugga?”
Lavender took a deep breath and started to explain the wizarding world. As her own father was named Harry, Matilda was predisposed to dislike anyone of that name, but she soon came around. By the time she arrived at Hogwarts, Matilda had been completely filled on the Wizard history of the past 100 years.
****
Matilda read about Hogwarts on the train so she knew roughly what to expect – the forest across the lake, the wild castle, the enormous tables, the enchanted sky-ceiling, the tattered Sorting Hat.
As Matilda Wormwood-Honey-Scott, she was one of the last to be sorted. When she finally sat up there and the hat fell over her eyes, she murmured to herself. “Please not Slytherin, not Slytherin.”
“But the Wormwoods have always been on Slytherin,” said a cool voice in her head. “Though the Ivies were Hufflepuff, and you’re a brave little one who never played by the rules. Still it’s clear… you’re… a Ravenclaw!”
To loud cheers she walked to the blue and gray table. She and Lavender exchanged one sad little wave before Lavender turned back to her friends and Matilda met her housemates.
Chapter 3
1992-1993: The Years were Short
Matilda loved her first year at Hogwarts but she had to admit it felt a bit… unsafe.
Some giant monster was prowling the castle, striking sporadically. The prefects were conducting them to and from class. Their Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher was handsome but apparently knew less than her (despite his books with claims to the contrary – Matilda smelled a rat!)
Matilda swore she could hear voices in the walls but she figured it was probably ghosts.
Matilda quickly found her favorite place, the library. Somehow no matter how many books she devoured, there were always more.
She missed her parents and siblings, and wrote them tons of letters. She was careful to avoid mention of the Heir of Slytherin and all the dangerous things that were happening. She was having too much fun to want to leave! She soon became a favorite in most of her classes due to her cleverness.
She made a very dear friend Lia and also got to know Luna Lovegood, an odd and dreamy girl, and Ginny Weasley, a kind Gryffindor girl. She spent time with Lavender and the Patil sisters when possible too.
Towards the end of the year, Ginny became more distracted and kept disappearing and acting oddly. Matilda confronted her one day in the girls’ bathroom.
“Where do you keep going? Are you okay?”
To her surprise, Ginny burst into tears and locked herself in a stall.
Matilda was devastated when she found out Ginny had been taken by the monster, but was enormously relieved when Harry Potter rescued her.
In confidence, Ginny told her that she had found a journal and reopened a secret passage. Matilda wasn’t overly concerned about any wrongdoing; she was just thankful to have her friend back.
1993
Matilda’s second year was a bit overshadowed by the fact some Wizard criminal was on the loose and there were dementors floating over the castle. Matilda found herself becoming depressed by the rainy, gloomy weather and frequent sight of spectral presences. At least she had a very competent Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher; Professor Lupin was excellent and she learned some wonderful spells.
Matilda continued to excel in all her classes. Professor Sinistra in particular took her under her wing. However, she continued to feel quite sad despite all sorts of draughts from Madame Pomfrey, the nurse.
To cheer her up, the Honey-Scotts took her on holiday to Spain and Portugal at Christmas.
They were playing in the sand at a beach when Matilda’s mum leaned over. “Matilda – over there – that’s not-“
“My other mum!” whispered Matilda disbelievingly. Her other mother was wearing a suit that left little to the imagination. She sat beside four boys and men.
“That’s your mum? Quite a harem,” chuckled Mr. Honey-Scott, who was helping the twins build sandcastles.
Mrs. Wormwood had noticed them and came sauntering over. “My word, Matilda! You’ve grown up so much! Come back a minute. Oy, Harry!”
“You’re surely not Matilda!” cried her father in disbelief. “You look good, for – not a boy. Eh, Michael?”
“Sister!” smiled Michael.
“Puny,” said his large friend. “Dudley Dursley,” he added, sticking out a paw that Matilda shook quickly.
“So are you still at Crunchem Hall?” asked Mr. Wormwood. “Great school, that was.”
“I’m at Hogwarts now, in Scotland,” said Matilda. “On – scholarship.”
Dudley screwed up his face. “Think my cousin Harry is there.”
“Good name,” said Mr. Wormwood approvingly.
“Oh, he’s a little jerk,” said Dudley. “Know him? Harry Potter?”
Just then the man on the end woke up with a start. “That’s your daughter?” he asked Mrs. Wormwood.
“Matilda, you recall – Rudolpho?” said Mrs. Wormwood.
Matilda inclined her head toward her mother’s dance partner. He had slick greasy hair and an oily smile but his eyes were perceptive. She could see a wand under his beach chair. “Pleasure to see you again,” she said.
“Ditto,” he said, losing interest. “Hey, babe, can you give me a bit more oil on the shoulders?”
“Great to see you dear,” said Mrs. Wormwood dismissively, pulling out some oil. “We’ve been completely safe here. It’s like magic. Your dad’s found a new job driving tourists. Much safer!”
“Good to see you too. Nice to meet you, Dudley.” Matilda walked back to her real family.
“Who were you talking to?” asked her little sister.
“Some people I used to know,” said Matilda, wrapping her in the biggest hug.
Chapter 4
1994: Of Dragons
Their first night of third year, the Ravenclaw dormitory was all a-twitter.
“The Triwizard cup! Can you imagine?”
“Those Beauxbatons boys are soooo handsome!”
“Are you going to enter, Matilda? If anyone can get in it’s you!”
“No thanks,” said Matilda, who had thought of ten ways to get past the age circle but could not think of a reason to do it. “A few tournaments ago someone got eaten and another drowned. I’d rather not.”
****
On the day of the first challenge, as Matilda entered the stadium, she felt a rush of excitement, fright and wonder.
“Dragons! There are real dragons!”
“Well, of course there are,” said Lia, her best friend.
Matilda watched the four contestants, breathless on the edge of her seat, as they suffered various injuries and misfortunes.
She was cheering for the dragons and almost felt as if she could read their sadness, pain, anger, and confusion.
“I do hope Cedric is okay,” sighed Lia dreamily as they left the stadium.
“Cedric?” murmured Matilda, who was thinking about the crushed dragon egg. “Yes, Madame Ponfrey will be busy. You know, I want to see if I can get a closer look at the dragons.”
“You’re mental!” laughed her friend. “Well I’m not going. I don’t want to compete for Madame Pomfrey’s attention!”
Undeterred, Matilda crept up to the dragon paddock where the keepers were loading the dragons into cages with lots of magical webs, fire, flashing lights and shouts.
“Oy! Kid! What are you doing?”
Matilda looked up, briefly alarmed, into the wide brown eyes of a red-headed young man. He was not precisely handsome but there was something irresistible about him.
“I wanted to see them a bit closer.”
“Oh sure. What year are you?”
“Third. I’m Matilda.”
“ Say – do you know my sister Ginny?”
“A bit. She’s lovely.”
“D’ya want to pet them? You can’t tell anyone I let you though. They’re stunned now.”
“Um – sure-“
He helped her over the paddock and led her to one or the crates. Tentatively she placed her hand on the shimmering cool dragon scale.
“Do you get burned much?” she asked.
“Oh, sure. Not too badly so far. We have our own staff of healers. Are you interested in magical creatures?”
“Er – not sure yet,” she admitted frankly.
“Well – if you’re interested in an internship down the road – write me here.” He magically produced a plume and a piece of paper and wrote down his name. “I’ve got to go now, my best to Ginny if you see her.”
She looked at the name and address he had scrawled: Charlie Weasley, Dragon Centre, Romania.
****
“Can I enroll late in Magical Creatures?”
“Well, of course, YOU can,” said Professor Sinistra. “It’s a rather soft class. Are you sure-“
“Yes, please and thank you. I want to learn more about dragons.”
Chapter 5 1995: Aunt Agatha
Unfortunately, the magical bullying of professor Umbridge and her Inquisitorial Squad dominated Matilda’s fourth year.
Matilda had once used her magical gifts against a bully, but she was quite at a loss about what to do with a magical bully. She heard murmurs of a resistance but never found her way into the group. Mostly, she locked herself in the library and studied like mad.
Once at the end of Defense against the Dark Arts, Umbridge praised Matilda’s test-taking. “Who are you related to, dear?”
“Nobody that I know of,” said Matilda. “You remind me of someone, actually.”
“A favorite aunt or teacher, no doubt?” giggled Umbridge.
“Yes, a beloved teacher named Agatha. Agatha Trunchbull.”
Umbridge frowned. “You’re very perceptive, child. Yes, Agatha and I were cousins. She had no magical talents whatsoever. I put her memory charm on myself.”
“And what a great memory charm for a – delightful person!”
“Indeed!” Umbridge simpered and Matilda excused herself.
Matilda enjoyed Care of Magical Creatures although she had to remind Hagrid to stay on track. She especially enjoyed reading about dragons, finding them endlessly fascinating.
One day she was reading in the library when Fred Weasley sat down beside her and Ginny.
“Say, Mati. Do you have any ideas how to stop a nosebleed?” murmured Fred.
“You know dragon scales have a natural coagulant.”
“Thanks!”
Soon after the Weasley boys left Hogwarts in a most dramatic and swampy fashion. Matilda was rather disappointed; the Weasley boys were fun to watch at Quidditch, and so handsome and clever too.
Chapter 6
1996:Career Planning
That summer, Matilda was delighted to find out she would be a prefect. She took her responsibilities very seriously much to her friend Lia’s amusement. She shepherded the first years along and kept them in line in the common room.
****
Professor Flitwick called her in the first period for class planning. “Let’s talk about your OWLs. What career are you considering?”
“I’d like to be a healer.”
“Of course you would,” he sighed. “Well, it’s everything for you then!”
“I’d like to learn more about dragons too. Might I try to get an internship?”
He looked thoughtful. “An interesting combination of interests, healing and dragons. Let me talk to some people. I know you go by Matilda Honey but I see your last name is Wormwood-Honey-Scott. Are you related to the Wormwoods?”
“The sorting hat talked about Wormwoods and Ivies,” she said. “My bio dad was a Harry Wormwood, and my mum must have been an Ivie. They never talked about their families though. They were rather – awful.”
“Wormwoods! Ivies! I’ll look into this,” he said, scribbling furiously. “Off to class. Your schedule is full. And prefect duty too!”
****
Matilda thought Professor Snape was a good Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, and Slughorn a great Potions teacher. She became part of his Slug Club of favorites although she missed several meetings due to prefect duties.
She got to see more of Lavender as Lavender was dating another prefect, Ginny’s brother Ron. However, Lavender was quite obsessed with him. Matilda resigned herself that the relationship would never be the same and spent time with Lia, Luna, Ginny and the Patel twins as much as possible. Personally, she was not much interested in boys. There were too many interesting things to learn!
****
Madame Pomfrey asked her to start volunteering a half-day a week with her. “It will look good when you start as a healer!” she promised. Most of Matilda’s work was preparing supplies but she got to help a bit with first aid for house elves and teachers and preventive care in the dormitories. “You have quite a knack!” said Madame Pomfrey. “And such a good intuitive bedside manner! I should speak to the headmaster. I think you have some gifts as a Legilimens.”
“Oh, I know he’s quite busy,” protested Matilda. She felt that her gift to know about people – for example, when she met Hermione Granger at a Slug club even she knew immediately that she really liked teeth – was a bit odd even in the wizarding community.
“Well all right then,” said Madame Pomfrey. “I don’t want to lose you to Magical Law Enforcement or the Wizengamot!”
***
Professor Flitwick summoned her to a private meeting. He was almost quivering with excitement.
“You have a summer internship working with dragons!” he cried. “I called in a favor!”
“Oh, yes! How do i get to-“
“Madagascar, oh, it’s lovely.”
“Madagascar? Er – how delightful!”
“Yes I knew you’d be thrilled! And also – here – a letter from your great aunt.”
Matilda unfolded the letter and read.
My dear Matilda
I cannot wait to meet you. Your professor has told me the next Hogsmeade date and I will meet you.
When my brother’s only child, Harry, proved to be a Squib, it was such a family disappointment. The end of the Wormwoods! We were all horrified. Poor Harry, he felt our disapprobation and distanced himself and was so horrid he ended up getting his memory wiped.
However he met out in the real world another Squibb, Zinnia Ivie, another only child, and – I suppose you carry on the magic!
The Ivies were an old family but quite poor. But the Wormwoods have a lovely house, which you are heir to.
I will tell you more when I meet you next month!
Hilda Wormwood
Chapter 7
1996: The Wormwoods
When she came out of the gate for her next Hogsmeade date, Matilda was shocked to find her great-aunt was purple.
“I’ll be all right this trip,” said the witch, who walked well for a lady of 97. “But I do have Prussian Blue Flu. It’s a very slow acting disease.”
Over tea at the tea house, with Ron and Lavender snogging a little too close, Hilda surveyed Matilda critically. “I hear you’re smart as a whip. That’s Ivie all the way! You’re pretty but not foolish enough to use charms to make yourself too much. Now – have you looked up the family? Ah, I thought you might! What did you learn?”
“That the Ivies are very good at growing things, and had some great Legilimens,” said Matilda.
“Yes, yes, that mind-reading makes folks uncomfortable though. Best to keep it hidden,” said Hilda. “And the Wormwoods?”
“Great with potions. And I saw the sign of the house is a dragon?”
“Yes! It was spelled W-Y-R-M-wood back in the day. Wyrmtongue runs in the family. Dragon speech, you know.”
“Really!”
“Yes. Family legend says that a demon named Wyrmwood gave us the house and the gift of dragon speech for some unknown service, hence the name. Nothing to do with absinthe.”
“Lovely, demons,” said Matilda.
“Also one of our ancestors was apprentice to the dark wizard Saruman. He actually went by the name Wormtongue. It’s said he preserved an egg sired by the great dragon Smaug.” Hilda sighed. “So, I hear you’re to go to Madagascar. You’ll know if you have Wyrmtongue then, won’t you?”
For the rest of the visit, Hilda showed her pictures of the manor and told her all about her ancient relatives. Matilda had never felt more of a sense of belonging.
****
Alas, her aunt died of her disease a few weeks later. Matilda was able to attend the service in London. A lawyer gave her a key to her aunt’s vault and to Wormwood Manor. He told her a resident staff of house elves would keep it up until such time as she chose to visit it.
“And how do I get there?” asked Matilda. “Is it in London or Wales or Scotland-“
The lawyer giggled nervously. “Actually you can get to it from anywhere, but as to where it is I’m not sure. Just use this key on any door.”
“Any door?”
“And this key to leave and be sure to say where you want to go. And always, always, shut the door!”
****
After her OWLs, Matilda decided to try to visit Wormwood Manor. She chose a door in Ravenclaw dormitory and used the key and walked through. She closed it behind her-
and found herself inside a magnificent house. When she opened the door, she could see she was now on an island.
“Miss Wormwood?” A pretty young house-elf stood there twisting a hat.
“What’s your name?”
“Sophi, ma’am.”
“May I have a tour?”
Sophi showed her the gardens that grew food, the dragon paddocks that now stood empty, and the lovely beaches of Wyrmwood Isle. Inside, she showed her 18 bedrooms, 2 kitchens, and all sorts of art and history, as well as a magnificent library.
“Wow!” cried Matilda, falling into a chair after the tour.
“To get back to school just use the blue key,” said Sophi. “That will take you back, quick as a wink.”
And it did.
****
“Madagascar!” grumbled Madame Pomfrey. “All right, dear, here are two injections, three potions, and four charms. You should be protected from Dragonpox and most other endemic diseases.”
“Thanks,” said Mati. “Can you give me some tips for burns?”
Madame Pomfrey almost glowed. “Oh, dear Matilda. I never thought anyone would ask. Look at this book would you? All kinds of Magical Burns. I’ll lend it to you for your trip.”
“Oh, thank you!” cried Matilda.
****
Dumbledore’s death at the end of that year both sobered and saddened Matilda. She had known from a glance at his cursed arm that he did not have long but his murder upset her deeply. She visited her family and then by special arrangement used the Floo network to travel to Madagascar for her internship.
Chapter 8 1997: Talking with Dragons
Matilda jumped into the fireplace and pronounced the words. “Dragon Centre, Madagascar.” The world spun faster and faster, and it seemed to go on quite a long time. Then she tumbled out onto a wood floor and lay staring at the white washed walls, drenched in warm sunshine. She felt bathed in the tropical humidity.
Outside, she marveled at trees and flowers she had never seen before, at tropical magical creatures peering at her from the trees. A harried looking wizard appeared, his white teeth flashing in his handsome dark face. “You must be Matilda! I’m Mohamed, the director. Welcome to the Dragon Centre. Sorry I was not at Headquarters to welcome you, we are having a situation with one of our dragons.”
“I’ll come with you,” said Matilda. “Nothing like on the job training. What’s wrong?” She had to jog to keep up with him as he set off into the trees.
“It’s Tansy, one of our Australian Rainbow Serpents. She won’t let us near to check out her young one that just hatched. She’s burned one of our keepers badly. We’re trying to fix him up enough to go to St. Mungo’s.”
They came out into a clearing where a magnificent worm-dragon with iridescent colors lay curled protectively at the edge of an enormous flooded sinkhole. Matilda heard a dreadful clicking and hissing.
She closed her eyes and suddenly the music made sense; the mother dragon was crying a lament. They’ll take them away, take them all away. Can’t someone hear me? Help me, sisters.
Faintly another voice murmured, “They won’t take them, sister. They are trying to help.”
Matilda opened her mouth and found she could sing her response, her tongue making noises she didn’t know she could. “We just want to check the baby out. Please let us help.”
She opened her eyes to see Mohamed giving her a strange look. Tansy swiveled her head, her great golden eye staring at Matilda. “Wyrmtongue. That language has not been spoken for many years. Who are you?”
“I am Matilda Wormwood-Honey-Scott. Will you let us check your baby?”
“Yesssss, but you come with them.”
Matilda turned to Mohamed. “I speak Wyrmtongue. She says you may approach as long as I do too. And of course don’t take the baby.”
Mohamed gestured to a slight curly-haired woman whose robes were torn and singed. Looking nervous, she accompanied Matilda to the edge of the pool. The worm slithered aside and Matilda realized she was floating magically in mid-air.
The tiny rainbow worm baby looked wriggly and perfect, and the dragon vet agreed and quickly set off for safety again.
“I’m sorry I burnt Edo,” said Tansy. “My tears are healing. Do you have a vessel?”
Matilda pulled her water bottle out of her backpack and emptied it, and Tansy leaned over and dropped one perfect gold-tinted tear into the bottle.
“Thank you,” said Matilda.
Tansy did not reply, but raised her head and neck above Matilda, weaving like a cobra, then bowed deeply. “Welcome, Wyrmtongue.”
****
Matilda found the injured Edo weak but stable. She used her knowledge of magical burns and Tansy’s recommendations to create a poultice. The color returned to Edo’s face. “Look, it’s gettting better already!” cried the curly haired vet, impressed.
The rest of the summer continued in a similar fashion – Matilda served as interpreter and therapist between the dragons and their keepers, helped heal up various minor ailments, and enjoyed the beautiful climate and occasional flights on the winged dragons.
At the end, Mohamed asked her if she really needed to finish Hogwarts or could just work there, but she said she wanted to be a healer.
She couldn’t help asking the dragons about Charlie Weasley, and several had met him. “Eyeing him as a mate, are you?” teased Tansy.
“He’s much older than me!” said Matilda indignantly.
“What, ten years? I’m 100 years older than my mate,” sang Tansy.
The other dragons close enough to hear snickered and chimed in. “A good mate is worth waiting for.” “That fellow does have red hair though. Does that indicate a fiery disposition?” “I’ve 300 years on my mate!”
Matilda was sad to bid her new human and dragon friends farewell.
She was even sadder to return to England in the grip of DeathEaters.
****
“Whose house is this?” asked Mrs. Honey-Scott suspiciously as the family walked into Wormwood Manor at the end of that summer.
“Those movers were quite efficient!” exclaimed her husband, looking around. “All our stuff here and unboxed. They really are Magical Movers!”
The twins ran all around the island, giving Sophi and her two sisters enough to do just keeping them alive.
Matilda had decided to move her family to the Manor for safety, and they had reluctantly agreed.
***
Matilda had a special dispensation from Professors Snape and Sinistra to be a day student at Hogwarts that year and the next which she took full advantage of. Hogwarts was a pretty miserable place while Snape was headmaster. The Carrows were not only terrible people, but worse – awful teachers!
****
Matilda fought well in the Battle of Hogwarts. Her finest moment was sparring with and binding Rodolphus Lestrange.
As she healed his injured leg before sending him off to Azkaban, she looked him in the eyes. “Rudolpho?”
“Zinnia’s brat!” he cried in surprise.
“How did you – haven’t you been-“
“Well, I don’t suppose it matters now.” He lowered his voice. “I was always a wizard that loved to dance. I met your mum at wizarding parties. The Wormwoods and Ivies and LeStranges are all related, of course.
“Then in Azkaban I actually found out I could get away for bits of time. I would bribe the dementors with happiness I brought back. That’s how I became your mum’s, er, dance partner. It helped me stay sane for my wife – who loved me in her way, though I was always second in her affections. And recently third..” He looked mournfully at the spot where Mrs. Weasley had blasted Bellatrix to bits.
“I don’t know what to say,” said Matilda.
He looked up at her with those dark familiar eyes as though he wanted to tell her something.
But then the moment passed and he was taken away.
Chapter 9: 1998-2005, Healing & Dragons
Another year at Hogwarts passed, much more pleasantly, and Mati was enrolled at St. Mungo’s to learn magical healing. She had told her mum and dad they could move wherever they liked now that Voldemort was gone, but they had grown fond of the Manor. The years of training passed quickly and sleeplessly.
“When are you going to find your special someone, Matilda?” Mrs. Honey-Scott asked one day that Matilda was actually home over tea.
“Too busy now, Mum. I dated Arjun Patel but he fell for a nurse. Anyway you waited awhile.”
“Yes, but – you do everything early. I thought you’d be married and six babies in by now.”
“I’m quite happy being a heal- doctor, mum.” Mati smiled brightly at her mother. “Oh, say, mum, next vacation I was thinking Romania. What do you think?”
“Oh, you go on, dear. We’ll keep the house. You know us, Greece and Portugal! We saw your parents again last week in Portugal, did I tell you? Your mum was so cut up. I guess her dance partner ended up – in prison!”
“No!”
“But she was dancing with your brother’s friend. Durian? Dyson?”
“Not – Dudley Dursley?”
“That’s it. He’s grown quite svelte.”
*****
The fresh air of Romania appealed to Matilda and she enjoyed seeing and talking to all the dragons, but was a bit disappointed when the other keepers told her one of their senior keepers, Charlie Weasley, was visiting family in England.
“But you should apply for a job!” they encouraged her.
“Maybe,” she agreed. “Maybe so.”
****
She did finally meet Charlie again on rounds in St. Mungo’s. She didn’t recognize him at first, so focused was she on her healing students.
“That was a nasty dragon burn, sir. How’s that poultice working?”
“So well, it didn’t even scar.”
She sent the students on and hung back to release him, checking the notes, when he murmured: “Say, you look familiar.”
She looked at him. Those same dark eyes, that same red hair.
“Charlie? Charlie Weasley?”
“Ginny’s friend! You weren’t at the weddings. I looked for you.”
“I was in Healer Training. I couldn’t. I did get to her bridal shower.”
“Well I wasn’t at that, was I? I was at the stag night.” He grinned at her.
“Let’s go out,” she said impulsively.
“Nah, I’m too old for you.”
“I’m old for my age. Let’s go out.”
****
Their first date was a Renaissance Faire for Muggles that was run by some friends of Charlie. They asked Matilda to work the fortune booth for a bit which she did.
“Can’t I work in healing?” she groaned.
“Oh, the Muggles wouldn’t like that,” she was told. “We have a licensed Muggle nurse for that.”
So she sat in a tent dressed the part looking over the cards the customer had picked, quite bored.
“The Empress. You like quite like her, with your pretty hair. You’re a mother but – I’ve drawn the queen of swords – that’s not where your identity lies. Ah, the wheel of fortune! You’re quite lucky, aren’t you. And you were asking about your husband. The chariot, he did something with cars. But, Death – he’s dead, isn’t he? You want to know about your current man. The Ace of Swords, he’s quite powerful. The King of Pentacles, he is handsome and kind and generous. And finally, the Lovers. He’s a good guy for you.”
“Such a relief,” said the woman, and something in her tone made Matilda look again.
“Mum! It’s me. What happened to Dad?”
Zinnia looked back, uncomprehending. Plastic surgery and Botox made her look like a waxwork of her former self. “Matilda?”
“Yes, I go by Mati now. So – Dad died in Portugal?”
Zinnia sighed. “He cheated one arms dealer too many. But Enrique – my new partner – I danced with Dudley Dursley, but he’s on Dancing with the Stars now! Anyhow Enrique defended me. I feel bad about how it started but he treats me well.”
“Sounds like a good fellow, Mum. What about Michael?”
“He’s doing something with boats. No grandkids from him. You look good, Matilda. I guess those brains never did you much good though. Working as a fortune teller!”
“Right, Mum. But it’s so good to see you.”
The tent flapped open and they heard Charlie’s voice. “Mati, your shift is up, are you done?”
“Charlie, come in. This is my birth mum. Mum, Charlie. My boyfriend.”
Zinnia tittered. “Oh, my! The red hair. Er, nice to meet you.” An awkward laugh. “Well, I’d best be off and find Enrique.”
“Goodbye Mrs. Wormwood – er -“
Charlie and Matilda looked at each other when they were alone. “Want to do my reading?” he teased.
“The Lovers,” she said, kissing him.
*****
Three months later, Mati and Charlie came to family dinner at the Burrow. Ginny wrapped Matilda in an enormous hug.
Hermione nodded at her coolly. “Good to see you again, Matilda.”
“You too, Hermione.”
Mrs. Weasley looked around the table, her eyes full of tears. “So good to have all of you and your wives here.”
“Mom!” said Ginny.
“And husband – Harry Potter-“
“And Charlie’s not married yet, mum!”
“Oh- right-“
Charlie held up Matilda’s hand, where a dragon blood ruby glowed. “Mom is just seeing the future, aren’t you?”
“Don’t look at that rock, Angelina!” warned George, and everyone dissolved in fits of laughter and congratulations.
*****
“Should we have a big wedding?” wondered Mati. “At the Manor, with dragons and fireworks and a tent and a huge cake?”
Charlie leaned over and squeezed her hand. “I don’t think either of us are like that. Let’s elope.”
“Okay. Somewhere with dragons. Maybe Madagascar.”
“Of course.” There was a pause and Charlie added “What should our last name be? There are a lot of Weasleys…”
“And I’m not sure about Wormwood… or Wormwood-Honey-Scott-Weasley.”
“Bit of a mouthful.”
*******
“Another set of twins!” cooed Grandma Molly, bending over their cradle. Ginny and Hermione had come to visit as well, all bearing enchanted gifts and self-filling casserole dishes.
“That’s Cosmo Arthur with the red hair and that’s Mali Jennifer,” said Charlie with pride.
“So nice of you to name your girl after me,” teased Ginny. Matilda looked up nervously but then saw that Ginny was grinning at her. “Just kidding, love. I know it’s Jennifer for your mum!”
“Well, it honors both of us, doesn’t it,” said Mrs. Honey-Scott. “So fun to have babies around again!”
“They’re lucky to have such a lovely family,” said Matilda Drakon.
The End
SiRNita Fan Fiction 