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PETER PAN AND WENDY
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GAMBIT HAD WOKEN UP by the shrill voice of Aunt Marge, calling all children down to the kitchen. Busybodies rattling down the stairs as they greet each other a good morning, with warm sunny breeze as Belle set the table,

"Alright children, settle yourselves down and grab a plate," Aunt Marge sighed, ruffling the young boy's hair beside her, "Stuff yourselves.. Dig in!"
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Children smiled as utensils clang, Gambit groggily served herself orange juice and spam, desperately trying to keep her eyes open as she chewed slowly. Belle smacked her back to help the sleepy girl awake but instead made her choke.

"Belle..! You almost killed me!"

"I was just trying to help!" the older girl snorted, "Sleep earlier next time! Don't stay up all night."
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Aunt Marge cleared her throat,
"Girls, please. It's too early in the morning to be fighting."

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The two girls apologized, finishing their meals.

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As the dishes stacked in the sink, Belle washed, Gambit dryed and Quill organized.

"How'd I end up helping with dishes?"
The tall boy sighed, earning a nudge from Gambit.

"Stop your complaining Quill. We're lucky to wash the dishes rather than cleaning the whole Orphanage,"
Belle started while rapidly giving plates to Gambit, a few almost slipping out.
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The three stayed quiet, washing, drying and organizing the dishes. With other children cleaning around the Orphanage as the younger kids played outside,

Gambit had always thought about how her life could have been if her parents were still around--seeing as they died when she was five--not much she can remember, other than their faces and names. And her real identity,

You see, she was a witch.

But she couldn't tell anyone of course, they'd all look at her like she was crazy. Some nights, she'd sometimes question if she's not a witch and is just turning slowly insane.

Her brown locks grazed behind her as Quill closed the window, sighing a breath of relief as the dishes have been washed. The boy noticed her expression, snaking an arm around her shoulders,

"Gambit, do you still think you're a witch?"
He teased, remembering when they were little she'd insist on the fact she was magical.

"Shove off, Quill. Of course not, I'm grown now. Not some five year old child,"
She lied.

⠀
Kids playing outside came in, just in time for their lessons with Aunt Marge.

Belle is almost nineteen, she chose to become a helper of the Orphanage. With Gambit turning seventeen, she will most definitely choose to not have lessons anymore once she turns.

Eugene, on the other hand, isn't an orphan. He's Aunt Margie's nephew--and his parents are quite wealthy. But spending time with Gambit and Belle are his favorite times, playing with young children and helping them overall.
He's also just turned eighteen this past month,

"She's lying, she's still waiting for a letter or so she says--"
Belle was cut off with Gambit blowing air at her direction, her face contorting to disgust.

"Ew! Gambit you disgusting git. Brush your teeth! Your breath can kill a meadow of cows."
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Quill laughed, with a grin almost splitting his face, as Belle shoved a toothbrush down Gambit's mouth, brushing her teeth squeaky clean.

The duo almost seemed like a mother and her child rather than close friends, which was amusing to watch, in Quill's words.

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Gambit had sat down in the library alone, doing her own reading about anything she could find about magic and wizards.

"Gambit, sweetie.. You've been reading for hours," the older woman brushes Gambit's hair away, "It's best to take a break, alright?"

"Yes Aunt Marge. I'll finish up after this book.. Actually, Auntie Marge?"

A question had popped into her head. She's been meaning to ask this but was hesitant, with every time she tried, Aunt Marge would disregard her and change the topic. It irked her to the core, if she was being honest.

"Yes, dear?"

"I was wondering if you could tell me more about... about my parents?"

Aunt Marge sighed, sitting down beside her.

"Ooh, you know I can't tell you much. You already know their names, birthdays and how they died.. What else do you want to know--"

"Were they special--by any chance?"

This question had caught Aunt Marge off guard.
In truth, she knows everything about Gambit but was told to not tell her anything. Everything has already been traumatic for her, she doesn't need to know how her parents actually died--Aunt Marge had told her they died in a car crash.

But in truth, they were murdered. By a wizard named Voldemort, although if they hadn't visited that night they would've lived.
Aunt Marge was livid to know there were actual wizards and witches hiding amongst muggles.

She felt bad for Gambit. Hiding away her from her real life, it was a harsh thing to do--but anything to protect her, Aunt Marge would do--especially now that a supposed war is going on in the wizarding world, she's much more worried for Gambit.

"No. They were not special, they lived their lives like us."
Aunt Marge lied, they were special. Magical even.

She doesn't know the finer details, but she know Gambit was a descendant of someone important in the wizarding world. Her parents were amazing in their crafts and were highly respected,

"But--oh okay."

Gambit felt hopeless, finally accepting the truth she's not a wizard or anything special.

She remembers how objects would move towards her when she was little, things falling off as she threw tantrums and wailed while her mother cooed at her, calming her down.

Bringing the books back to her room, Aunt Marge had instructed her to look at her drawers, saying a small gift was waiting for her.

"Thank you Auntie. I'll be in my room,"
Gambit smiled, stalking up the stairs back to her room.

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Ten kids in each ten rooms, Gambit had mastered the art of drowning everything else other than her own thoughts. This has caused her trouble a few times,

The gift Aunt Marge had mentioned was a VHS tape of a film, Peter Pan.

It was interesting enough that she put it on and watched it along with the other girls in her room,

Dreamy sighs echoed around as Peter appeared, giggles when Wendy tried to kiss him and angry mutters when they saw the mermaid scenes.

Gambit had thought, is this what wizards are like? Peter Pan was a magical, non-aging and flying boy. It's close to a wizard and Gambit had hoped not all wizards are huge twats like Peter Pan. He'd been rude to Wendy and that struck a cord in her, irking her a little. But she loved the film nonetheless,

A place called Neverland.

She wishes upon a star that she'd someday have a place she'll call Neverland. The film ended and Belle tucked everyone in--no one asked her to, she just likes doing it--Peppering kisses for the young girls and head pats for the older girls. Though, she's one of the oldest here, so everyone is young for her.

Gambit never got head pats but always, every night she'd get wet kisses on her forehead and she'd laugh whenever Belle would do it.

It was nice, she thought, to have family. Despite not being blood related, she's lucky to have Belle, Quill and the other children in the Orphanage.

Gambit closed her eyes, falling asleep with almost no trouble. Lights flickered off and everyone slept soundly.