FIC: Filling in the Pieces [The Dresden Files]

[darktrent182]

TITLE: Filling in the Pieces
DISCLAIMER: The Dresden Files doesn't belong to me – the TV series belongs to Lionsgate, and the characters themselves were created by Jim Butcher. Written for entertainment purposes, no money made, please don't sue, yadda.
FANDOM: The Dresden Files
WORD COUNT: 432
RATING: G
WARNINGS: Short and unbeta'd.
SUMMARY: Sometimes, what Harry gets paid with is more than what he was expecting.
PRAISE BE: Thanks beachkid!
AUTHOR'S NOTES: For crimsonquills, because she had a bad day.

***

I knelt down by the footlocker and opened it, Bob watching over my shoulder.

"And you say this arrived as payment for services rendered?" Bob asked, curious and skeptical.

I nodded. "Remember the little old lady who wanted some wards placed on her husband's urn?"

"The same woman who drove a motorcycle?" Bob blinked. "If it weren't for her lack of magical talent, I would have...."

Bob's voice trailed off as I opened the footlocker, but I couldn't really blame him. I was as surprised as he was.

Inside were photo albums, framed pictures, dusty books. On top of the neatly organized stacks was a yellowed envelope, with "For my son" printed neatly on the front. I picked it up, surprised by the weight. There was more than one letter inside.

I looked up at Bob just in time to see Bob's eyes widen.

"This woman..." he said slowly, turning to me, looking shocked, "did she have an English accent?"

I nodded, frowning. "Said she was from Liverpool. Bob?"

Suddenly, he smiled and chuckled low and deep, sending a thrum through my veins. "Have I ever told you," he said to my confused frown, "that your mother was a very devious woman?"

I shook my head. "It must've slipped your mind."

"She was," Bob murmured, still smiling. "The letters, I'm sure, are from her, addressed to you." He bent down and shoved his head into one of the photo albums for a moment before lifting his head to look at me. "And these appear to be your baby pictures."

I blinked, looking from him to the envelope in my hands, and back. "But Mom died because of some shadow wars she and Justin were involved in."

"Most likely, yes," Bob agreed. "But you're also forgetting one thing."

"What's that?"

"That she loved you very much, and she would have made sure to leave you something to remember her by."

I bit my lip and ducked my head, my eyes starting to water. I sniffed a little.

"Harry?" Bob asked gently.

"Allergies," I grunted.

"Ah," he said, nodding once. "If you need me, I'll be in the living room reading."

I nodded, relieved he didn't stick around.

I'd never known my mother, and now... I had a footlocker full of pieces of her. It wasn't the same as having her here with me, but it was more than I had before.

I sat down on the dusty floor of my lab, not caring how cold it was. I opened the envelope carefully, not wanting to tear it.

And I started discovering my mother.

Comments

[crimsonquills.livejournal.com]

This was oddly happy and sad and touching all at the same time. *hugs Harry* I love the idea that his mom made sure that Harry could know her somehow, no matter what happened.

[leaper182.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I like Maggie. The fact that she was able to arrange a soulgaze between her two sons in the book series just shows how much she would've thought ahead to make sure that Harry (and in the books, Thomas) knew her. She's an awesome, awesome lady. <3

[greenflavordink.livejournal.com]

Oh.. that's wonderful.

Good for Harry.

[leaper182.livejournal.com]

Glad you enjoyed. :D

[soophelia.livejournal.com]

This was so sweet how Harry learns about his mother. I especially loved the last line.