We're all Family

Barzini gave Maria a drink and pat her on the shoulder.

"Hey. Don't be so upset over your father alright?" Barzini sighed and hugged her.

Barzini took out his flute, made out of pure jade and started playing a tune, which was a mixture of happiness and sadness flowing through the music.

"But he promised me... he promised..." Maria said unwillingly. She drank the drink in one gulp and put it gently down on the table. "He promised..."

"What did he promise? If you want a family, I'll be more than happy to take you in, Maria." He smiled, and hugged her again, patting her on the shoulder.

"He promised me that he would take me to Japan one more time, so I can see Mom," Maria cried. "I told him to never leave me and he said he wouldn't! Why do parents always break their promises?! It's just not fair! I hate God, why does he make this happen to children like us? He has to make everyone's lives a misery at some point, and he's already destroyed mine!"

"I'll take you to see mom okay? Do you have an address?" Barzini smiled, and whispered softly, reassuring her.

"Let's sing a song okay? Always look at.. The bright side... OF life..."

Maria looked at Barzini with her eyebrows raised. Then she started to laugh. "It's a bit hard to get an address, but I know exactly where I'm going, I could Apparate there if I was qualified."

"First. You're underage. Second, we're not allowed to use magic in a muggle area." Barzini said matter-of-factly.

"Actually, I won't mind you becoming my sister. The house becomes a bit lonely in the holidays... My parents are always out... Only me in a MANSION. Excluding maids and butlers of course." Barzini sighed.

"I know that, numbnuts. I'll have to stay at school during the holidays now... wait, did you say I could become your sister?" Maria exclaimed.

"Well.... Yeh... Actually, I did. I treat you more like a sister, so might as well be one." Barzini was surprised at his own frankness.

"So? Well..?"

"I've never had siblings..." Maria mused. Then she squealed and jumped onto Barzini, engulfing him in a bear hug. "Yes, yes, yes! Thank you so much, Barzini-chan! I owe you forever! I promise, I'll repay you someday, somehow, just ask me when you need a favour, I promise!"

"Yes... Yes... Sister." Barzini smiled, and hugged her.

"Call me brother once please? I'd love to hear it. Please?" Barzini pleaded.

"Onii-sama... brother," Maria smiled happily. She'd never been so happy in her whole life, not since her mother had died, and she liked the feeling.