Ruth Spence always had it good. Born into a family of pure-blooded wizards that ran down the line, the young woman was blessed with the top education and a leg up in the Wizarding World even before she’d gotten her letter from Hogwarts. She showed an excellent aptitude for magic of all kinds as a baby. She swaddled herself when she’d been unwrapped as a baby, managed to get her toys down from high places when she toddler, and smacked her siblings with twigs when she was a bit older. Ruth was the ideal student for Hogwarts and she was the perfect child.

Mostly.

Ruth Spence was a bit of a wild child when it came to things. Once she’d grown out of her perfect child phase, she became far more rambunctious. She had a curiosity like fire in a dry field. It caught everything around it and burned it till there was nothing left but ash behind. This fire is what spurred her all throughout school. She had a fire for learning, for spells and potions, and for transfiguration. Arithmancy she excelled at, she could’ve practically taught Herbology, and most other skills came naturally to the woman.

She did all of the things whilst still managing to get up to no good.

Ruth’s time at Hogwarts was as ordinary as it could be, albeit memorable for the woman and those she made friends with along the way. She could only recall the good from her years at Hogwarts and once she’d returned to start her career, she found herself becoming progressively more bored with everyone around her.

It was so posh and clean and neat. Even the greenhouse she worked in seemed too neat, considering the herbologists that worked there worked with dirt and all sorts of messy things that should’ve been seen in their day-to-day. Living life like this, without fire, and without fun, just would not do for Ruth Spence.

And as it was… Ruth Spence had always wanted to live among muggles. It was doable, considering her profession. Wasn’t too difficult for a woman who grew plants for a living! Hell, she could’ve run her own greenhouse from her home… Which is exactly what she did. Ruth Spence packed her bags and moved from the big city of London to a tiny town in Scotland with a population of 650.

Killin Scotland became her new home.

The little town, however small, was filled with so many exciting avenues for the witch. There were so many things to learn, things to see, people to meet. She had new horizons, and she had a new environment she couldn’t wait to delve into. Sure, she was miles away from her family, in a place that was strange and foreign to her, but to Ruth, there was nothing more exciting than that. Adventure was practically spelled out in that…

Louie Finch, on the other hand, was quite plain. Plain and muggle-born. He’d been gifted with magics which caused quite the trouble when he was a child. He’d been from a large family, a family of almost nine children, all of which were rambunctious and loud. Louie, on the other hand, was a quiet, awkward, and wallflower of a child. He had always preferred reading to playing sports like his brothers. Researching was far more intriguing than an outing into the city. Even in his years at Hogwarts, Louie remained relatively plain… Quiet, in the background, smart enough not to draw attention to himself.

With no desire (and no connections) to stay in the Wizarding World, he returned back home, where he established Killin’s only remaining bookstore.

Finch’s Books and Library for the Common Folk.

He loved the bookstore. Not only could the man live in his hometown, but he also could spend every day around the things he loved most. He collected muggle books, he indulged in magical books once in a while, and he made a meek living off of the town of Killin and their limited interest in books and stuff. Life was static until a wild-haired blonde woman came barreling into his shop one day.

━━━

Ruth was frazzled. She’d come running from a potion gone wrong, with a coating of soot around her face, and tainting her hair. But she was thrilled. Chemistry in the muggle world was something unlike she’d ever experienced. She was panting, out of breath and heart racing, attempting to soothe her burning lungs which begged for air and a break.

Louie was also frazzled, only, Ruth was the cause of his disturbance. “Em, miss…?” He stammered out, eyes wide as he observed the woman. She was striking, even in this disheveled state. Ruth threw a finger up, indicating to give her one more moment.

“Books…” She managed out, finally straightening herself up as she pat her chest. “Books?” Louie repeated back and looked around, before offering a nervous smile. “Well, we certainly have ‘em.” He said, forcing himself to laugh.

A wild grin spread over Ruth’s face. It was a charming, beautiful smile, one that could’ve knocked Louie over if it tried. “Not to worry, mate, I know you’ve got books.”

“Right, of course.”

Ruth Spence was an enigma that took Louie by storm unlike anything in his life. That fated encounter turned his world upside down forever…
Their friendship-- and eventual romance--blossomed.
Louie was enamored with Ruth. She was spontaneous and bold and courageous and wild. He made Louie feel alive and brave. She made him realize life was so much more than the spine of a book, but the words... She made life seem like it was bright and filled with wonder-- And he soon realized it was. Completely fallen in love, Ruth married the muggle and soon enough, the two were with child… That child, however, was not Orla.

Caspian Finch was born May 1st of 2009 to Ruth and Louie and one year later, Orla Finch was born on the 4th of May, 2010.

Orla Finch was a particularly small child. Weighing in at 5 pounds, 6 ounces at birth, her parents were a bit worried she wouldn’t make it… Especially in comparison to her older brother Caspian, who weighed nearly 9 pounds when he was born. The nurses at the Killin hospital goggled over her for days as she stayed in the hospital.

“Oh Mrs. Finch! She has the loveliest eyes!”

“Mrs. Finch, what a beautiful baby!”

Mrs. Finch wasn’t too much for being overcrowded with onlookers and after about three days she stormed out of the hospital with Orla on her teat and a worried Louie running after her with Caspian in his arms. “Ruth!” Cried Louie, holding onto her bags and onto Caspian. Hardly able to carry both of them and chasing after his wife who looked like she’d just escaped from the hospital was a task in itself. “Hold on, darling! Shouldn’t we wait for the doctors to discharge you.”

“Absolutely not! One more moment of cooing and I might’ve lost it, Lou!” She shook her head and let out a hearty laugh, one that infectiously caught onto Caspian. “Besides, I’m a strong woman. Now, let’s get home before they wonder where I’ve gone.”

“Ruth… You didn’t tell anyone--”

“Get your rear in the car before I drive us home. I’ve got Asphodel to harvest today.”

And so Ruth and Louie took Orla home after three days in the hospital.


━━━

Unlike some, Orla had an extraordinarily loving home. Her family was warm, they were loving and while they were a bit kooky at times, they had only the best intentions for both her and Caspian. While Ruth was a more relaxed parent, Louie made up for her laxness with all of the worrying he did for the both of them.

“Their diapers, Ruth!”

“Already changed, Lou.”

“The pacifier is on the floor, Ruth…”

“And there’s a clean one in her mouth, Lou…”

“Where are the children, Ruth!?”

“In bed, Lou, like they were an hour ago…”

Lou had been incredibly anxious about being a father. He never doubted Ruth, but rather doubted himself. His constant worry was a result of his insecurity as a parent, and Ruth, better than anyone else, understood that and forgave him for his nagging and incessant reminders. Ruth and Louie loved their children fiercely and wonderfully, and nothing would get in the way of that and nothing would get in the way of making their children's childhoods filled with wonder and fun.


━━━

Caspian began showing signs of magical aptitude at a young age, unlike Orla. Similarly to his mother, her began to exhibit signs of being a powerful wizard before the age of five, much to the delight of his parents and to the disdain of a confused and frustrated Orla.

She’d been surrounded by magic her entire life, she had two magical parents, she knew she could do it! But why couldn’t she!? Why couldn’t she just do something magical? Frustrated was a minute word to describe the pure amount of emotion she felt each time Caspian would accidentally affect Ruth’s plants or break a plate when he was angry out of pure emotional energy.

Orla was a jealous child at times, watching as her brother progressed without her, watching as he received his letter to Hogwarts before her, watching as he began to distance himself from her with his magical knowledge.

━━━

“Perhaps… Perhaps she does not possess magic…” Louie said in a hushed voice. This was two years prior to Caspian’s letter from Hogwarts. Orla was only eight years old at the time. “Perhaps.. She is a Wizard-born muggle--” Ruth took hold of Louie’s arm, shaking her head. Her upset was clear, something unusual for the cheerful woman. “Do not speak like that, Lou. Orla is… She is simply a late bloomer, like you, I just know it.”

Louie let out a sigh, looking out the kitchen window. Something was heavy on his mind. “I was six, Ruth. She is eight… What if she never gets it?”

“We still have time. She still has time…”

Orla shifted back, knocking something off the counter and alerting both of her parents to her presence. They were spooked, startled by the sudden commotion. Ruth’s heart plunged to her stomach when she saw the sight of the child standing in the backlit doorway to the kitchen.

“Sweetheart--” Before the words even got off the lips of, Orla had turned on her heels, running to her room and sealing herself away. What if her father was right? What if she was a muggle? What would happen to her? Would she be cast out from her family?! Would she be put up for adoption?!?

━━━

(work in progress)