Flora looked at Mr. Fudge as if he had two heads at his remarks. Her? Having babies? She was eleven!

"I hardly think my mother would keep me around for that reason," she nearly shrieked, her cheeks heating up at the remark. Besides, Merriweather was perfectly capable of doing something she couldn't do: carry on the Mulciber name. "Besides, I - I -" And then he called out to two complete strangers.

"No, Mr. Fudge," she huffed, tugging his arm so they'd move away from the people. "Those people are not my mother and brother. My Mama dresses better than that!"

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