Eiry Potter
The Stone Forged from Death
For this chapter and all those that follow, I DO NOT OWN THIS STORY! I do however own the purchased works of all the books, ebooks, audio books (Jim Dale's version) and movies. I, however, am currently struggling to open a Pottermore account (stupid beta site).
Also, Eiry will have a stutter when she's scared, ONLY when she's scared.
"This, bold + italic, will be used for Parseltongue."
Chapter 1 – Sunlight
Our story doesn't start at the beginning, although that would probably have been wise. I however believe that it would be a waste of chapter to write it. That is why our story starts ten years after the beginning.
Not much has changed on Privet Drive. The sun still rose over the neatly trimmed gardens and hedges, lighting up the Brass numbers. We go into the house of number four, where the dust free perches and mantle pieces show the only signs on how much time had passed. Ten years ago the pictures had a laughable adaptation of a beach-ball wearing different colored bonnets. The beach-ball was, of course, Dudley Dursley. The pictures now had the resemblance of a price winning pig, sans the tail, in a wig, playing a computer game with his father, being hugged and kissed by his mother, and the various birthday gifts he got over the years.
The house didn't however show any signs of another child living in the house. In fact if you didn't live within the house you wouldn't know it either. Every night like clockwork, at 9pm, a small, thin, naked figure would creep out of the closet under the stairs and head to the kitchen. There it would eat the leftovers, which was meager at best, before starting on cleaning every surface of the house. At 6am, the mail would slide through the slot in the door and the figure would place it on the kitchen table and make breakfast before retreating to the cupboard for another day.
The figure belonged to a girl, a few weeks younger than Dudley. Her name is Eiry Potter, she was the Dursley's little secret. It was not always like this. Eiry was a part of the family, in the most nominal sense of the word. She went to Dudley's school and had top grades, which did not bode well with Dudley. When it got too much Dudley and his gang had chased Eiry around the grounds. The chase ended when Eiry mysteriously ended up on the roof. Her current education went up to the second grade.
Today, June 23rd, was Dudley's birthday. Normally the day was spent like every other inside her cupboard. It was however a great shock when Aunt Petunia knocked on her door.
"Y-yes," Eiry asked in a scared voice.
"Good, you're still awake. I left some clothes in front of the door, get dressed and come to the kitchen." It sounded like Aunt Petunia was sucking on a lemon as she said this.
Eiry was weary, the last time she was with the family, she was stripped of her humanity, pride and clothes. She was then made to stay out of sight and clean the house thoroughly, on Tuesdays and Thursdays she done the gardens outside.
The clothes were at least eight times too big for Eiry's body, but then you don't look a gift horse in the mouth. Unsure Eiry stepped into the kitchen, standing to the side of the door she made her presence known.
"I-I'm h-here, A-aunt P-Petunia." Eiry said in barely more then a whisper.
"Don't get too comfortable, the only reason you're out here is because Dudley let it slip you're in the house." Aunt Petunia spit out. "You're going to the zoo with us, smile, laugh and stay out of trouble. Then when we get home it is back to the routine."
"Y-yes, A-aunt P-Petunia," Eiry gulped down, "T-thank y-you, A-aunt P-Petunia."
A little less then an hour later Eiry was sitting between Dudley and Pierce on her first time out in the sunlight since she was nine. As they drove Uncle Vernon complained, he loved to complain, Eiry, the weather, Eiry, people at work and Eiry were just a few of his favorite subjects. Today however it was motorcycles.
"Roaring along, the hoodlums," He said, his walrus-like moustache shaking. If Eiry didn't have the fear beaten into her she might've mentioned the dream she had about a flying motorcycle.
At the zoo Eiry couldn't believe her luck. She wasn't made to stay in the car, like she feared. The Dursleys bought her an ice cream, a cheap lemon pop, but the lady didn't even need to ask her what she wanted. Pierce gave a quizzing look, but Aunt Petunia answered before the question was asked.
"She likes lemon pops, don't you?" although the words were sweet it had a hidden threat to it.
They ate at the zoo's restaurant, a full meal and dessert to boot. Eiry should perhaps have known that the day was too perfect to last. After lunch they went to the reptile house. Dudley and Pierce wanted to see the most venomous and largest snakes the zoo had to offer. Eiry settled for a spot close to the door, resting her head against the glass of the tank for warmth.
She took refuge in reading the sign stating the type of snake and its original habitat. This cage read: Boa Constrictor, Brazil. Just a little under that a plate was nailed into the wall: This specimen was bred at the zoo.
The Dursleys and Pierce made their way over to the tank. Trying not to cause a scene Eiry peered into the tank. The snake inside was easily enough the largest in the reptile house, it could easily wrap its body twice around The Dursley's car. Only it didn't seem like it was in the mood as it lay completely still.
"Make it move," Dudley whined to which Uncle Vernon rapped his knuckles sharply against the glass. The snake didn't move. "Do it again!" Dudley ordered, but the snake was yet to move. "This is boring," Dudley stated wobbling of to another tank. The rest of the group following.
When she was once again alone at the tank she whispered to the snake, apologizing for her family's behavior. The snake turned its head towards Eiry intent to rise to meet her at eye level, but taking in her appearance it thought better.
"It isss not a bother," Eiry heard a male voice in a Brazilian lisping accent say. "I get sssuch behavior often."
"You can underssstand me?" Eiry asked not noticing the change in her own voice or language.
"I mossst certainly can, ssseing asss you ssspeak in the language of sssnakesss." The snake paused, "The mugglesss are abusssing you. I would have attempted to ussse you to essscape, but my needsss doesss not matter anymore, I ssshall attempt to get word out to othersss of thisss finding, ssstay ssstrong for now, Amiga." The snake lay back down as The Dursleys and Pierce came back.
"Come, we are going home." Uncle Vernon said stiffly before turning waddling out the door. Eiry gave the snake one last look before turning and following. No one noticed that the glass had vanished, apart from the snake, whom would later that night escape to find Eiry a rescuer.
The drive home was pretty much uneventful. And later when Pierce finally left for home, the doors leading into the hall were closed. Dudley was so focused on his TV show he didn't notice at all. Eiry was made to take of the clothes she wore and retreat into the cupboard. Aunt Petunia told her to rest well and be ready to start her chores again the next day.
As The Dursleys got ready for another day of work, school and spying on the neighbors, they were unaware of the Tabby-cat watching them from across the street. Uncle Vernon was the first to notice the cat as it arrived when he pulled out of the driveway. He could've sworn he saw it before.
"Come on Dudley time for school," Aunt Petunia said as she opened the door. The she could've sworn the cat glared at her before she dismissed it.
"Why isn't Eiry in school with me anymore?" Dudley asked as he closed the car door.
The cat stared intently at Number Four Privet Drive. Its ears trained on the faintest sounds in the house. There, barely louder than the wind, was the sound of water splashing on a body. The cat gave the equivalent of a smirk, at least the last occupant tried to keep clean. Minutes later something less than a shadow appeared at each window opening the curtains. The cat didn't see anymore signs of the shadow nor heard any other noises from the house until Aunt Petunia returned.
The pattern repeated later that after noon, almost to the last letter. But instead of a shower the cat heard one of the toilets flush. When all The Dursleys all were back in the house the bustle of family time was clear, although it was missing a girl child's voice.
At 8h30pm the house went quiet, and the lights went out. The cat was ready to leave when it heard the feint creak inside the house around 9pm. The cat could hear the sounds of dishes being cleaned a mere five minutes later, followed by numerous other cleaning sounds all through the night. At 5am the front door opened revealing an unclothed girl putting the empty milk bottles out. The mailman arrived at around 6am and placed the mail in the mail slot, half in half out. A minute later it was dragged inside and sounds of cooking was heard. At 6h30am an alarm sounded just after the sound of a door clicking into place. The cat leapt of the wall and walked onto the corner, disappearing with a pop a second later.
That evening a middle aged woman could be seen walking from the exact spot the cat disappeared. Her black hair was tied in a tight bun on her head and she wore an emerald green cloak. She walked with a strict pace up to Number Four and knocked, considerably loud for her size and build on the door.
"What ever you're selling we're not interested." Mr. Dursley said as he answered the door.
"Oh no, Dursley," the woman spoke in a Scottish accent, "You aren't getting me out of here that easily." She shoved a piece of paper into his hand.
"W-what are you g-getting at?" Mr. Dursley went paler with every word he read.
"The charms set to protect your family, has been revoked as of this morning. The girl, Eiry Potter, will accompany me tonight. You heard about the snake's escape from the zoo last night?" Mr. Dursley nodded. "It slithered straight to the nearest Wizarding family and was brought to us. We extracted some of its memories and found out about your treatment of the girl. It wasn't until I personally investigated it that it was decided to take the girl."
With a wave of her hand Mr. Dursley was sent flying backwards and the woman strode into the house. She knocked on the closet-under-the-stairs' door and whispered to the girl inside to remain calm, before she waved her hand over the door. A second later Eiry walked out a confused look on her face.
"What happened and how'd I get these clothes on?" Eiry asked her stutter gone.
"We are leaving, Miss Potter. You're so called family has treated you ill for the last time, take my hand, if you would." Eiry hesitated, but seeing her uncle turn scarlet she shakily took the offered hand.
The sensation she felt was the same feeling she had when she appeared on the roof two years ago. They landed on a small patch of grass close to a welcoming house, Eiry gasp in excitement.
"Welcome, Miss Potter, to Fearnoch Forest." The woman in the cloak smiled. "I am quite surprised you didn't get sick when we disapperated. Although it might be because of your empty belly." Eiry's stomach growled at the mention of food.
"T-thank you for s-saving me m-ma'am, although I don't know who you are." Eiry said in a small voice.
"True, there was no time for introductions. My name is Minerva McGonagall. I am a teacher at the school you'll be attending this coming school year." Prof. McGonagall smiled gesturing Eiry towards the house. "Please do come in, I have prepared a meal before I came to fetch you."
After a nice meal and a warm bath, Eiry walked around the house scanning every surface, every crook every cranny. To state the obvious, Eiry was impressed. Every surface was cleaning itself as it got dirtied.
"A simple charm on the house for the few of us who spend most of our time away from home, it may not be as, efficient as say, doing it yourself or having a House Elf, but it gets the job done and gives you peace of mind." McGonagall said with a smile.
"I didn't mean to stare like that, everything is so, so different. It feels, I don't know, natural." Eiry said her stutter gone completely.
"Up the stairs to the right is your room, I'm just going to get the acceptance letters started before turning in myself." McGonagall smiled as Eiry all but rushed upstairs, she gave a small chuckle as she heard the content sigh escaping Eiry's lips.
XXXXXXXXXXX
The next morning Eiry felt a warm sensation across her face. As she opened her eyes she could tell it was the sun, having felt it only two days previously. Not truly wanting to leave the warmth of the soft bed, Eiry begrudgingly got up and made her way down stairs. After visiting the bathroom she took a seat in the sitting room. The corner of her eye caught the movement of something.
Walking curiously over to what it was Eiry noticed a quill busy writing on parchment. Picking up one of the already finished works she adjusted it until she could read it. She knew her eyes weren't the best there was but when she was in school she managed. The only trouble was that the smaller the writing the harder it was.
"Curiosity killed the cat, Miss Potter." McGonagall said with a laugh in her voice. "You would receive your own once it has been written."
"S-sorry, I was just…" Eiry stopped as she turned around. The voice came from where she saw a tabby cat when she came down, only now it was McGonagall.
"Quite understandable, I do however need to ask where your glasses are. One with good eyes does not fiddle with parchment like that."
"My eyes are just fine," Eiry countered before adding under her breath, "It's the letters that get out of focus."
"Oh, I didn't mean to sound like you need glasses all the time Miss Potter, only for reading." McGonagall made her way towards Eiry and raised a wand to her eyes. "Yes, you'd definitely need reading glasses, not too strong ones just to help with the focus."
"Ah here we go Miss Potter," McGonagall caught an envelope. Before handing it over and tapping Eiry's nose with her wand giving her a temporary set of glasses.
Ms. E. Potter
Room on the Right
Cabin near the Lake
Fearnoch Forest
Eiry read, a slight smile on her face, she turned it over and unsealed the envelope taking out the letter.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Ms. Potter.
We are pleased to inform you that you have a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on 1 September.
We await your owl by no later than 31 July.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
"Owl ma'am?" Eiry asked a bit confused.
"It is how we deliver mail in the Wizarding world, for now you don't need to concern yourself about it. All you need to do is tell me your answer." Eiry nodded.
"I'm excited to be accepted into the school, Deputy Headmistress McGonagall." Eiry said with a smile.
"Prof. McGonagall would suffice, Miss Potter."
"Okay then, but could you call me Eiry, outside of classes. The Dursleys never used my name and I kinda forgot how it sounds coming from someone else."
"Very well then, outside of class you may call me Minerva, or if that's too informal, Miss McGonagall. Now I'll suggest a nice breakfast before we head of to Daigon Alley."
The breakfast was as filling as the food the previous night. Eiry went to was the dishes but they were already washing themselves so she went to wash herself instead. By the time she was ready to leave she went outside in search of McGonagall. She found the older woman tying the parchments envelopes onto owls. She stood back as she saw McGonagall taking out a map and pointing her wand on key areas. As she did that the last owls left.
"Just sending out the letters, are you ready to go?" McGonagall asked. Eiry nodded.
McGonagall held out her hand and Eiry went to take it. A second later they arrived at a bright market district, in front of a magnificent white building. McGonagall told Eiry that the building was called Gringotts, the bank, and that it was run by goblins. Inside the bank McGonagall walked towards a free goblin and placed a key on the desk.
"Miss Potter wishes to make a withdrawal. This key opens vault 687, her family's vault." McGonagall said sternly stopping any questions from the goblin and Eiry.
"My family has a vault? Why didn't they come for me?" Eiry asked receding into herself.
"Well Eiry, the vault belonged to your family for generations. Unfortunately, you are the last." McGonagall bowed her head.
The ride down to the vault was a long one. It seemed to Eiry that they went down at least sixty kilometers (around 38 miles) underground. That didn't even include the countless kilometers they spend on the straights. While they were riding Eiry thought what she would find in her vault. Her best guess was a single stack of bronze knuts. She remembered McGonagall explaining the different currency units.
They reached her vault and the goblin, Criphook, led them to the door. When the green smoke died down Eiry gasped. There was a stack at least ten times her height and fifty times her width in bronze, twice that in silver and quadruple that in gold.
"Remember Eiry, we're going to convert two hundred gold galleons to buy you some muggle clothes." McGonagall said smiling at the girl.
"It's five to one, isn't it? Five galleons to one pound." Eiry asked/stated trying to go over the little maths she knew.
"The other way around, you'll have a thousand pounds." McGonagall helped the girl out.
Once outside in the sunlight, or what passed for it, Eiry sat on the stairs of Gringotts waiting for McGonagall, who went to exchange the galleons for pounds. Quickly getting bored Eiry read her supply list, not that she had to.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY
Uniform
First-year students will require:
Three sets of plain work robes (black)
One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)
Please note that all pupils' clothes should carry name tags
Set Books
All students should have a copy of each of the following:
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling
A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble
Other Equipment
1 wand
1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set glass or crystal phials
1 telescope
1 set brass scales
Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST-YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS
"Eiry Potter, if I see you read like that again I will pull on your ear." McGonagall said strictly, "Since we won't spend money on an eye-exam. I will teach you the untraceable reading glasses spell I used earlier. Heaven forbid the ministry find out about my little charm."
McGonagall led Eiry through the square towards the robe shop. McGonagall sized Eiry up and went to get the grey uniform all students wear under the robes. Eiry was taken to a slightly hidden part of the shop to get measured for her robes. She didn't really see the other pieces of the uniform which was probably a good thing, because as soon as McGonagall came back into few Eiry raised a brow to the weird looking grey thing.
"What is that Prof. McGonagall?" Eiry asked wary.
"A skirt Miss Potter, all girls are required to wear them for the first three years."
Eiry was in an all boy's school when she still went there, not only was she the only girl, she was the only female on the school grounds, not surprising she didn't know what a skirt was.
"I supposed that you wouldn't know about feminine clothes. That was why I suggested we buy muggle clothing. I'm going to teach you how to properly behave like a girl, or at least pass as one."
The next stop on their shopping spree was the set books, Eiry noticed that McGonagall was going by the letter, word for word. McGonagall smiled at Eiry once she got the last of the course books.
"Would you like any other books? I know sometimes at night most people enjoy some reading" she said with a smile.
"Well, Transfiguration, Charms and Potions sound fascinating." Eiry stated. "Could I perhaps have more books on them?"
"All three of them is most difficult, I'd suggest choosing one for private study per year."
"Transfiguration," Eiry said immediately without thinking.
McGonagall smiled and walked towards the back of the shop, once she returned she was carrying a book at least 30cm (12 inches) thick and long. The title read: Most advanced Transfiguration – From Teacups to Animagus and Substitute Metamorphic Changes.
The next stop differed from the list only slightly, instead of going to the wand shop they went to the apothecary. There they bought the rest of the supplies and all Eiry's potion ingredients. It was like a wizard's flea-market in there, but besides the smell Eiry enjoyed the shop.
"Now, all that is left is to get your wand. Ollivander's is the most popular of the seven wand shops, not to mention the only one this side of Britain. I do advise caution though. Mr. Ollivander has a very unnerving stare. Getting a wand is very personal, that is why I'll go get us some ice-cream." McGonagall said as she walked Eiry to the shop.
Inside the small shop Eiry waited for the owner to arrive. The shop was filled to the brim with every make and model of wand Eiry could imagine. There was a box on the counter that read: Cherry and Kitsune tail, Eiry wondered what a kitsune was. Her musing was cut short when a very old man walked from the back of the shop. Even with McGonagall's warning Eiry wasn't prepared. She stepped back as the old man came closer. That was until her back was against the window and her hand on the wand inside. She only registered the cry of "No". Eiry felt warmness flowing through her and into the wand, which emitted red and gold streaming from it as if in victory.
"How very curious," Mr. Ollivander said as he saw the magic. "When I made that wand, I didn't think it would choose anyone, Holly and Phoenix feather, very curious indeed."
"S-sorry s-sir, I d-don't u-understand?" Eiry said picking up the wand.
"No need to be scared, Miss Potter. It just so happens that the phoenix that gave a feather for this wand gave one other, only one. It's curious that you are destined for this wand when its brother gave you that scar."
"Scar?" Eiry questioned, raking her mind for information, not having access to a mirror does that then she remembered, "You mean this one?" Eiry lifted her bangs. "I completely forgot about it, how much is the wand?"
"Seven galleons Miss Potter," Mr. Ollivander said wrapping up the box. "Ah Minerva, just finishing up, you should tell Dumbledore that I just sold the other one, he'll know what I mean."
They had lunch at The Leaky Cauldron, Eiry was quiet for the longest time before her mind finally got too full and she asked her question.
"Who gave me this scar?"
"We do not speak his name, Eiry. Just know that he was, and most probably still is, the vilest of the dark wizards that existed. Once he went out to kill no one survived. The night your parents died was no exception." She paused for a second gathering her nerves. "His name is Voldemort, but we don't say his name at all. Somehow, You-know-who, found out where you stayed and went there to kill you all. That much every one knows, what boggles the mind though is that he wasn't able to kill you and lost his powers."
"Voldemort, sorry, You-know-who couldn't kill me? A baby, but he killed fully trained wizards and witches?" McGonagall nodded.
"It truly is a mystery. I have some pictures of them in my office at Hogwarts, but you might hear this phrase often. You look like your mother, but you got your father's hair, longer yes, but still his." McGonagall eyed Eiry's hair that was almost down to the ground when she stood. "When was the last time you had a haircut?"
"Aunt Petunia never took me to get a haircut, or combed my hair." Eiry said in less then a whisper.
The rest of the afternoon was spent shopping in Muggle-London, McGonagall forbid Eiry from buying any pants, as she was determent to teach Eiry to at least be able to sit in them without giving anyone a free show. McGonagall also treated Eiry to her first haircut. Eiry found that she liked the soothing sensation of shampooing her hair. They went to King's Cross station at around 6pm where McGonagall made her way unto platforms 9/10. After buying tickets to the first station beyond the Scottish border.
"On September 1st every year this wall opens an invincible barrier," McGonagall mentioned. Eiry noticed that they are exactly three quarters down the platform.
"But if Hogwarts is in Scotland why do I need to know this?" Eiry questioned.
"It is because all students are required to ride the Hogwarts Express to school each year. That and I can't, unfortunately, look after you each year." McGonagall looked sad as she said this.
"Will I be placed into foster care, with a Wizarding family?"
"What?" McGonagall asked clearly surprised.
"Foster care, it is when a family takes in a child and gets paid for it. Don't you have something like that?"
"We do not, or else a family… you said that foster care pays a family to look after a child?" McGonagall asked clearly thinking it over.
"I had a friend in foster care when I still went to school. He said that his foster parents received payment for themselves and that the government paid the school fees for him." Eiry answered with a strained memory.
"Did your friend mention what said payment was?" Eiry shook her head.
"I'll speak to the head master about this foster care. If he agrees with it, Oh look the train is coming."
XXXXXXXXXXX
McGonagall didn't mention foster care again on their journey to Scotland. She took this time to teach Eiry the charm to conjure the reading glasses. She had no doubt that Eiry would start reading as soon as they got back.
On July 31st, a snowy white owl landed on the window sill outside Eiry's window. A letter was addressed to her in a messy scrawl. She felt the warm sensation of her magic forming the glasses, something that almost happened automatically ever since she learned the spell, she read the letter:
Dear Eiry
I was the one who got you after your parent's death.
If only I'd have known what they were like, those ruddy muggles.
I got you more than just the cake, this snowy owl is yours too.
She'd be the right side of useful delivering your letters.
Happy Birthday Eiry
Rubeus Hagrid
Keeper of keys and grounds at Hogwarts
Eiry looked at the calendar McGonagall seemed to have all around the house. She took note of the date, July 31st. She made a note to remember this date as her birthday. She gave the snowy owl an examining look before saying:
"You look like a Hedwig, do you like that name girl?" the owl hooted in response.
Eiry got dressed in her latest enemy, the skirt, grabbed the cake and went downstairs. The glasses fading back into air. McGonagall was already downstairs busy talking to a man with very long hair and beard.
"Someone called Rubeus send me a cake and owl for my birthday." Eiry said before she registered the presence of the man in the room.
"Ah yes, Hagrid did say he'll be sending you a cake, chocolate if I'm not mistaken." The man said his eyes smiling.
"Sorry, but who are you sir?" Eiry asked politely, unconsciously pulling the skirt down to cover herself, even if it wasn't necessary.
"Prof. Albus Dumbledore." The man bowed.
"Prof. Dumbledore has brought word that a family has been selected to take care of you in this foster care you mentioned. You'll be leaving with him when I leave for Hogwarts after breakfast. Oh and I hope you enjoy your presents." McGonagall motioned towards the pile of gifts on the table.
The breakfast was a filled with idle chatter and nothings before Dumbledore gone over the details of the foster care. It turned out that Dumbledore trusted only one family with the task of guarding Eiry, the Weasleys. When the conversation went into what Eiry would consider fair payment she thought deeply.
"Well from what I saw in Daigon Alley, the Wizarding world can be quite expensive. What does the Weasleys pay normally?" McGonagall smiled at Eiry.
"Spoken like a banker," Dumbledore laughed. "Mr. Weasley is the only one working and I dare to say it isn't much, one thousand galleons, three thousand sickles and 6000 knuts monthly."
"How much is the Ministry willing to pay?" Eiry asked.
"Since you brought it into our world, and have the money, the Ministry thought that you should set the bar for it. The orphans after you will receive the same courtesy."
"Okay, if it's up to me, six thousand galleons monthly, and the foster child's school fees and supplies." Eiry said after thinking it over. "That's about what Uncle Vernon made a month, after bills."
"Six thousand galleons?" McGonagall asked shocked. "Considering the family I would agree but the Ministry…"
"Would only pay half of that," Dumbledore finished the thought.
After breakfast Eiry timidly opened her gifts. The first one was from McGonagall, a book called: Faeries of the British Isles – How to deal with these creatures. Eiry flipped the book over and read the single line on the back cover: This book covers more creatures then your school books.
Eiry smiled, McGonagall walked into her room a few nights ago and saw her reading her course book and asked if she'd like to know more about them. The second gift was from Dumbledore, it was a cloak that felt more like liquid. He said it belonged to her father.
"It is not for rule breaking, mind you," Dumbledore laughed when Eiry's body disappeared under the cloak.
The last two gifts were from the family Eiry would live with, The Weasleys, one package contained a sweater with the letter E on the front and the other was a box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, there was a letter with it. The letter was from Molly Weasley it read:
Dear Eiry
Arthur told me that the Ministry is trying something new in regards to orphans that exhibit magical traits, called foster care. It is apparently a muggle initiative, and like all things muggle related, my husband jumped aboard. It saddens me that we will get paid for something we do for love of it.
Happy Birthday
Molly Weasley
Eiry smiled as she set the letter aside, McGonagall asked Eiry to go and pack while she finished up downstairs. Dumbledore told her they'd leave for the Ministry and she'll go with Arthur Weasley when he left for home. Eiry had only her school books and muggle clothing to pack. The rest mostly never left the small trunk they bought in Muggle-London. McGonagall placed a textbook extension charm on it to save Eiry the hassle of logging a massive thing with her everywhere. After packing Eiry took a bit of parchment and wrote a letter to Hagrid.
Dear Hagrid
Thank you for the owl, I named her Hedwig. I'm going to The Weasleys until term starts and wondered if you could take care of her for just until term starts, it'll give me an excuse to visit you, other than personally thanking you for the cake.
Thank you again
Eiry Potter
After sending Hedwig of to Hagrid, Eiry went downstairs with her trunk. Dumbledore led her outside and offered his hand.
"Minerva said you are had done side-apparition before." Eiry nodded, "Good so you'll keep your… lunch." Dumbledore said the first part at Fearnoch Forest and the last word at the Ministry of Magic's Visitor's entrance, a phone booth located in a back alley in London.
"That was cruel, sir," Eiry giggled as she let go of the old man's arm.
Dumbledore ushered her into the booth and, after checking for muggle money in the returns and dropped two knuts into the coin slot. The floor began to drop with them until Eiry could see a beautiful marble hall way. Her mind was boggled as she took her surroundings in. If she wasn't clenching Dumbledore's she would've been left behind.
They made their way to the top floor. The man sitting behind the desk was a short, portly man with rumpled grey hair and an anxious expression. He was wearing a strange mixture of clothes: a pin-striped suit, a scarlet tie, a long black cloak and pointed purple boots. On his desk was a lime-green bowler, Eiry suspected he carried it around instead of wearing it on his head.
"Cornelius, this is Miss Eiry Potter, the one who suggested the foster care system." Dumbledore nodded towards Eiry. "And Eiry, this is the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge."
"Nice to meet you sir." Eiry said politely.
"And you, Miss Potter. Albus, did you come to an acceptable amount to pay the children's guardians, if Miss Potter's evaluation period works out." Fudge said looking at Dumbledore.
"Ah yes, after Miss Potter here, we came up with three thousand galleons a month and the foster child's school fees and supplies."
"So how much is Miss Potter going to provide her foster family?"
"Double that and she's paying for her own supplies, her school fees were taken care of when she was born."
"Ah well then everything's in order, what is your vault number Miss Potter, so that we can request the payment to be made into The Weasleys' vault."
"Vault 687 sir." Eiry answered getting a flight-or-fight feeling from Fudge.
"Very good, you can take her to Arthur's office now. He'll be going home earlier today, for Eiry's benefit of course."