A/N: Don't have them, don't know them, don't own them or have anything to do with them. Except (I'm naming characters for the next few chapters) Vella, Magentra, Leah-Jade and all them wonderful people whose names I forgot to mention. But, yeah, don't own HP, JK Rowling does (the VERY lucky woman), just own the characters you've never heard of before... that's about it :)
The place was 1374 Elvesheir Lane. Not a place one would think special. And really, at first glance, it wasn't. A two story brown stone house, it's white shutters looked out across the darkened neighborhood. It was just like any other normal house you would hope to see in a typical place such as this. Yet there was something special about this house. In it, there lived a man known as Remus Lupin, and tonight, a night seemingly like every other night, was very different from the previous nights such as these. The howling, swirling, winds of a good night gone bad whistled through the trees, giving the lane an eerie presence. The low stone wall that separated 1374 with the house to its left seemed deserted, except for a large, grey and black cat that had suddenly appeared. With a dignified manner, the cat gazed unblinkingly at the sky, as if searching for something. A slight popping noise marked the arrival of a tall, white haired man with wizard's robes and a tall, pointed hat. His half moon spectacles and long, white beard gave him an elderly, dignified look. Absentmindedly, he stroked the cat's fur and gazed at the house, which stood black and silent. The animal jumped off the wall and quickly transformed into none other than Professor Mcgonagall
she exclaimed in a startled tone, one should know better.
Quite sorry, Professor Mcgonagall, Professor Albus Dumbledore replied, stroking the long, white beard that matched his long, white hair. He straightened his slightly lopsided spectacles and slid off the wall to join Mcgonagall.
Then it's true, isn't it, Mcgonagall replied. If the Potters are dead and Harry's been left at the Dursley's then-
Dumbledore nodded gravely, Magentra has no place left to go but Lupin's.
Do you think it safe? Mcgonagall anxiously inquired, Leaving a small child with a werewolf who isn't exactly on Voldemort's list of favorite people well, forgive me Albus but it seems insane!
My dear Mcgonagall, do not fret. Both Harry and Magentra will be safer then you can imagine. The only danger lies in her being transported here. I met Black at the house; he should be bringing the little one shortly. Then we'll meet Hagrid at the Dursley's once he retrieves Harry.
Raising an eyebrow, Mcgonagall watched impatiently for signs of Black's arrival. A slight popping noise accompanied Sirius Black, as he appeared on the wall carrying a little bundle.
Hello Dumbledore, Mcgonagall, Sirius nodded as he unstrapped the bundle from around his neck. I hated to use magic on her, but she would've been too much to handle if she was awake.
Did you take the Knight Bus as I asked? Dumbledore questioned the man.
Aye, that I did, he replied. I walked two miles west of the Potter house, and took the bus to the Leaky Cauldron. Then I apparated here.
Most appreciative Sirius, Dumbledore smiled, taking the bundle from Sirius's arms.
Mcgonagall leaned over and exclaimed What a little angel.
Yes, she does look very much like her uncle, James Potter. But I must say she will have many of her father's characteristics as well, Dumbledore said.
But Dumbledore, you know how Remus loathes taking care of children, they drive him mad. Do you really think it wise to leave the child with him? Sirius anxiously questioned. The child was a matter of great importance to him.
I can think of no one better suited to keep the child than her Godfather, Dumbledore replied as he softly smiled down at the sleeping face.
The face. The face of Magentra-Rose. The girl with two, both legendary names of Potter, her mother's and Riddle, her father's. The blood of good and evil mixed in one, solitary child. The dark hair looked almost black in the night's overcast light. The clear blue eyes that looked like ice were shut under the bounds of sleep, and her subtle mouth puckered under a dream. The skin was smooth, and baby soft as the child was still but four years old. The hair was cut messily, with bangs that spread haphazardly across the forehead. Except, tonight there was a difference. Upon the forehead was a mark. A mark that only one other would ever have. A mark if love and sacrifice that still looked tender, was etched over her right eye. And though she had seen more horrors in her short life then many others would ever see, it would be a long time before the little girl would ever truly know how significant the lightening bolt shaped scar was.
10 Years, and some days later
went the medium sized cauldron onto the floor. Magentra shrieked. Grabbing her Godfather's wand that she had been borrowing, Magentra spouted a spell, and a few more choice words. The Wolfsbane potion that had been swiftly spreading across the floor disappeared along with the sickly twisted and melted cauldron. Magentra sighed and gazed about her workshop in the basement under the stairs. Her godfather, looking more tired than usual, in his shabby robes he refused to replace, appeared at the top of the stairs. Are you okay? he called down, trying to adjust his eyes to the dark so as not to topple down the steps. What the devil happened?
Magentra, now almost a teenager, had been attempting to make a potion for her Godfather, in order to keep him docile during his monthly transformation into a wolf. However, she'd clumsily knocked the cauldron to the floor while adding lacewings to the simmering potion. Eyeing the bottles and bags of potions ingredients lined up on her worktable, she replied, Just a bit of a mishap. Tis nothing to worry about. I don't suppose we have an extra cauldron lying around somewhere though?
Wearily, Lupin smiled from the top of the stairs, Or course. You may have changed my dislike for children, but never my caution of buying two of everything for them. A clattering and intense banging noise ensued from the upstairs closet and soon, Lupin reappeared at the top of the stairs with a cauldron exactly like the first, though in a much better condition at present.
Will it be done in time? he asked. His eyes had adjusted to the darkness and he'd just seen the haphazardly arranged room.
Magentra smiled, Have a bit of faith! I have a week till the next full moon; it should be done before hand.
All right then, continue with your work, he returned the smile, as he began to climb the rickety stairs again to the upstairs landing. he stopped in the doorframe, And don't worry about your grade. It's based on quality, not carefulness, or lack of it.
Magentra laughed and turned back to the task at hand. It wasn't long before the potion was simmering again and the smells of breakfast were wafting down the stairs. The chimes on the back door sounded loudly just as she finished.
she yelled, Owl Post.
Can you get it, I'm trying to keep the bloody breakfast from burning the house down.
Magentra laughed, Lupin was a terrible cook when it came to keeping things in a non-burnt state, but he tried. Wiping her hands she trudged up the stairs, through the kitchen were Lupin was busy turning knobs and cursing the frying pan that was smoking in front of him, and out the backdoor.
The owls, enchanted to be invisible to Muggles, swiftly deposited the letters and paper at her feet. Greenleaf, Lupin's slightly haggard, greenish-grey owl, delivered the morning copy of The Daily Prophet, into Magentra's hands and flew off with a squawk. There were three notices from the Ministry of Magic addressed to Lupin, and a few miscellaneous letters and bills.
Magentra picked them up and turned to go back into the house, when a large barn owl swooped down out of nowhere, and thrust a thick, parchment envelope into her hands. Then with a screech, it flew away as quickly as it had come.
Staring curiously at the seal, she walked back into the kitchen and shut the door.
What's in the mail? Lupin asked, glancing up from the burned bacon he was depositing onto a plate.
The Daily Prophet, some notices from the Ministry and a couple letters. It looks like Ms. Hagglesworth in the department of games and sports sent you another letter.
Lupin looked embarrassed, Tell her I'm not interested.
Fudge says she likes you a lot.
Fudge just wants to get her out of the Ministry so he can hire someone else.
Magentra giggled. What about Miss Potts at the leaky cauldron?
She reminds me too much of the tea pot in that confounded cartoon movie what was it, Beauty and the Beast, or something like that.
Magentra laughed as she looked through the letters. Suddenly, she grew serious as she saw the thick, parchment envelope was addressed to her in loopy green handwriting.
To Miss Magentra R. Potter-Riddle
In the care of Remus Lupin
1274 Elvesheir Lane
London, England
729440
The workshop under the stairs
Magentra sucked in a breath. How could anyone know she practically lived in the workshop under the front stairs? Turning the letter over, she tried to, again, recognize the seal, but the owl's powerful beak had cracked and broken it when it had deposited the letter in her hands. Figuring opening it was the only way to find out, Magentra slid her finger under the seal and ripped open the letter. The loopy, green handwriting the letter had been addressed in was on all the sheets except one.
he grunted, looking up from his plate of blackened bacon and eggs, and the copy of The Daily Prophet, which, unlike Magentra, he always found interesting.
What's this about? she asked, showing him the letter.
He glanced at the parchment and shrugged non-chalantly, I guess you'll just have to read it.
The phone by the stove shattered the silence with a loud ring. Magentra said once she'd picked up. They lived in a Muggle neighborhood, and kept a phone in order to keep in touch with the locals.
Magentra dear, this is Jemima Harrison next door. My lawn is getting dreadfully tall again and is in desperate need of a cutting. Would you mind trimming it for me, the old lady asked as if it needed a quick haircut.
Magentra glanced longingly at the letter and rolled her eyes, I'll be right over.
Who was that? asked Lupin once she'd hung up.
Miss Harrison. She asked me to cut her lawn for the third time this month. I'm telling you, her grass grows more than I do!
What about the letter?
She looked at the half-open envelope lying quite forlornly on the kitchen table. Guess it'll have to wait till later.
Lupin sighed, Well, don't forget about the breakfast dishes when you get back. The ministry's called me in, so I'll be back by tea time.
Magentra kissed him on the cheek. I'll see you then, and she was out the door before he could reply.
However, Magentra forgot about the letter that afternoon, and Lupin, preoccupied by business as usual, promptly forgot about it by the time he returned home. The letter, placed in a little used drawer by the silverware was soon, all but forgotten, despite it's importance. In fact, it wasn't until July 8th, Magentra's birthday, when she received her usual card from Albus Dumbledore and saw his familiar loopy-green handwriting, that she remembered the letter. The day, rather cool for July, had dawned bright and cheerful. Lupin had been in the basement making something all day. Fresh past the full moon, he was quite energetic, much more, in fact, than his usual self.
she called through the closed door. The intense clattering and banging stopped.
Where's the letter I got a couple weeks ago? You know, the one I left on the table when I went to mow Ms. Harrison's lawn?
There was a loud crash. Ah, CADSWALLOP, he shouted in pain. I can't believe we forgot about that, he continued absentmindedly. Magentra could picture him nursing a smashed toe or bruised head. It's in the drawer by the silverware, he called. Then the rustling, clanking and bangings continued.
The letter, slightly crumpled, was intact, and exactly where Lupin had said it would be. Magentra slowly re-opened it and pulled out the first page.
Dear Magentra Riddle,
I come to you in a time of great need. I know you rejected our offer 3 years ago to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, but I have written you to make a request that you attend this year. Before you reject this idea, please let me explain the nature of my request. First, and foremost, your cousin, Harry Potter, is entering Hogwarts as a first year. Arriving at the same time will be the Sorcerer's stone, placed into Professor Dumbledore's safekeeping, by his good friend, Nicolas Flamel. I fear with these 2 elements, trouble might arise. Despite the fact your father has only ever been afraid of Dumbledore, I fear even he might not be able to stop your father if he so chooses to rise again. And under the circumstances, such an event seems inevitable. I've been requested to, on behalf of the school, ask that you attend Hogwarts as a fourth year transfer student. Lupin assures me you are much more than adequately skilled to attend. Dumbledore says to tempt you with the promise of flying lessons as well. Enclosed is a supply list, letter, ticket for the Hogwarts express and your Gringotts key for vault 627 if you so chose to come.
Respectfully,
Professor Minerva Mcgonagall
Lupin came into the kitchen, covered in sawdust and looking quite haggard. He kissed Magentra on the head and smiled Happy Birthday sleepy head. He glanced at the letter she still held in her hands. Ah, so it was Mcgonagall's letter, as I had thought, though I cannot believe I forgot the bloody thing.
You knew about this.
Well, yes, of course. Dumbledore had to obtain by permission before asking you. In fact, I was the one who elected you as the best possible candidate for the job, he smiled When do you leave?
Not till September first, but we should get my supplies she trailed off.
You're agreeable then?
Well what else can I do, Magentra replied incredulously, They need me. I can't very well say no.
You could.
she looked at Lupin, Tis my duty.
We'll shop for supplies then next month when I make my monthly trip to Diagon. Goodness knows you don't have a quarter of what you need, he winked at her. Happy Birthday Mage.
The rest of Magentra's birthday went well. While she contemplated the letter and its meaning, Lupin proudly finished a magnificently carved trunk with her preferred name, Magentra Potter, carved on the lid. The only person who ever addressed her as Magentra Riddle was Dumbledore, for formality reasons. A rose, in place of her middle name, was ornately carved and stained a deep crimson. The sides were carved with scenes of Hogwarts, the forbidden forest Lupin talked about so often, and the Quidditch pitch, were there was a carving of her Uncle James, Lupin, and their friend Sirius Black, flying about the pitch with huge smiles on their faces.
It's for your things, when you go to Hogwarts, Lupin said sheepishly.
Magentra hugged her godfather, Thank you.
Lupin baked the cake as well. Luckily, this time he used magic to cook, and the chocolate cake with vanilla frosting was a delicious tradition that he got just right every time. At first glance the party might have seemed a bit lonely. There was a trunk from Lupin, her birthday card from Dumbledore with a Galleon inside to spend on whatever she liked, a necklace from Mcgonagall, who'd taken a liking to Magentra ten years previous, and a best wishes, note from Ms. Harrison. No guests to entertain, no loud party, not another soul to share those moments. But in truth, those moments were some of the happiest of all.
The day of the shopping trip dawned as wonderful as the previous, and before one could say Magentra and Lupin were rumbling down through the tunnels and curves of the wizarding bank in a cart. The cart came to a halt outside of her aunt and uncle's vault, the key, which had been given to Magentra by Mcgonagall. Mage knew she was sharing money with her cousin, Harry, and hoped it would be enough. Actually, she was rather nervous. Though Lupin occasionally worked for the Ministry, and Magentra occupied her time with muggle jobs when she felt like it, they weren't rich and never really had any money to spend on extra things such as new school supplies. All her supplies she'd use to learn at home with had either been second hand or from Lupin's school days. It would've been a bit unfair to ask him to buy her the whole lot when he already had bought everything she needed for the past ten years. Luckily, her aunt and uncle had taken her in when she was a baby, after her mother was killed, and set aside money for such an occasion.
Vault Six hundred and twenty seven, squawked the goblin that'd been assigned as their keeper and driver, as they braked to a halt in front of the vault door. Key please, he held out his hand in Magentra's direction. Magentra reached down and gave him an old-fashioned, tiny, gold key.
Stand back, the goblin motioned for Magentra and Lupin to step away from the door. Slowly he turned the key and the door swung open. Magentra gasped. The vault was filled to the brim. Gold, silver and bronze coins were stacked throughout the entire vault from the floor to the ceiling.
Lupin chuckled at her surprise, You really didn't think they would leave you with nothing did you?
Amazed at how many Galleons, Sickles and Knuts the vault contained, Magentra filled her bag to the brim and returned to Lupin's side. The ride back up to the main building was seemingly quicker than the first, and they were back on the street before a normal being could blink.
The next stop was Flourish and Blotts. After a bit of bargaining, and much yelling, Magentra managed to purchase ink, quills, parchment, and nibs for such a low price that the storekeeper nearly gave himself a heart attack.
Satisfied, Magentra stepped back out onto Diagon Alley and stopped to look about. Around her witches and wizards rumbled about, buying the things they needed, or in some cases, merely wanted. The different shops full of brooms, potions ingredients, wizards clothing, wands, animals and miscellaneous items proudly displayed samples of their wares, hoping to draw customers into their shops. Children gaped and wondered at the new Nimbus 2000 broomstick, and adults tediously haggled prices down in hopes they could afford what street vendors were selling, as the actual shops were sometimes insanely expensive.
Where do you want to go next, asked Lupin, still laughing from their experience at Flourish and Blotts.
Magentra looked about and noticed a clothing shop that didn't seem to be as busy as the other shops. She pointed the store out to her Godfather.
He looked at the supplies and nodded, You're going to need robes anyway. We might as well get this over and done with.
The door was frosted glass with an ivy pattern around the edges. A bell tinkled as they opened it and entered the shop. Magentra was surprised. For a robe shop, there were, surprisingly, very few robes. In fact, there weren't any at all except one hanging on a peg by the door. Instead, shelves lined the walls from the floor to the ceiling, and were home to boxes shoved into every nook and cranny where they could possibly fit. The floor was bare with the exclusion of a two-inch platform large enough for only one person, and several chairs circling it.
Just a minute, called an old, squeaky voice. Several, unattached shelves full of more boxes led off into the farther corners of the T shaped store, and a tiny, cheerful looking woman peeked her head around one, Jus' make yourselves at home.
Lupin glanced at the clock and blanched, I have a few packages I was supposed to pick up a half hour ago and several things I need to pick up that might take me a bit. How about you buy your robes and potions ingredients and we'll meet at the bookshop at one o'clock sharp so we can find a place to get your wand.
Magentra grinned, Sounds good. She'd learned a long time ago that Lupin had taken her as a service to his good friend, and had even taken her out of love for his god-daughter, but when he went off somewhere without stating his destination, god-daughter or not, it was absolutely none of her business.
squeaked the lady, who came scurrying out from behind another shelf, pins clasped tightly between teeth, white hair frazzled, carrying a tape measure in one hand, and a slightly beat up wand in the other, Stand on the platform my dear.
Magentra did as she was told and the woman started measuring with the long yellow tape, muttering to herself and ferociously scribbling notes in a notebook she'd produced from the pocket of her robes. After about five minutes of this, she put down the notebook, flicked her wand at the tape measure, which began to do the measuring by itself, and sat down heavily in the straight-backed chair.
Well dear, how many do you need?
W-w-what? Pardon me? Magentra stuttered.
Robes dear, she threw up her hands in exclamation, how many robes will you be needing?
A bit distracted by the tape measure that was presently measuring the height of her ears and the distance between her fingertips and the bridge of her nose, Magentra was slow in replying. the Hogwarts just said I needed robes.
Ooohhh, Hogwarts! You'll need enough plain black for a week, and a couple dress robes couldn't hurt. Maybe just some different colored ones for variety and off the little old woman went, pulling out threads and bolts of black, crimson, forest green, salmon, purple, indigo, cyan, navy and yellow cloth, uttering about sparkles and sequins and eyeing Magentra from time to time.
Meanwhile, while the woman, who never once offered to give her name, squeaked in excitement over cloths and threads, colors and designs, the measuring tape measured the circumference of Magentra's head and fell to the floor with a thud.
The woman looked up from the huge pile of materials she'd amassed in the corner of the room, Just a second! She came bustling back to Magentra, nearly out of breath. With a wave of her want, the bolts of cloth, spools of thread, and packages of needles leviated and followed her at a swift pace. Picking up the tape measure she winked at Magentra, and this my dear, is the best part. Her wand flicked at the floating materials and she shouted As fast as lightening, the bolts of cloth began to unwind, the tape measured out precise proportions and scissors cut the cloth. The thread unwound from the spools, threaded itself through the needles, and began sewing the robes faster than a sewing machine could. The woman laughed at Magentra's surprised expression, Didn't know that was possible now, did you? She laughed again and handed Magentra a large package. It's got rhinestones, beads, buttons, ribbons, lace and the like with instructions for sprucing up yer robes when ya get tired of just plain old colors.
The robes finished in no time, wrapping themselves in brown paper and securing it with a bit of twine the woman had pulled from a box. Magentra handed the woman her price, and insanely low amount, and thanked the woman one last time. The bells above the door tinkled merrily as she left. Slowly she lugged the huge package, which contained ten black robes, eight colored ones, and her witch's hats, toward the bookstore.
Lupin met her with a cart piled high with supplies, including her potions ingredients she'd forgotten completely about. There you are. I wondered where you'd gotten to. He smiled at her ruefully, It looks as if you bought the whole store.
The woman, she-
Ah yes, that Miss Stalor is a differen' one she is! Interrupted the jolly storekeeper, who'd just joined them, carrying a large pile of books, but she'll deck you out in London's finest for next to nothin'. He laughed merrily as he handed Lupin the huge stack of books, We had em all in stock since most people shop the last week of July.
Thanks Harold, Lupin shook the man's hand and paid him for the books. Oh, Harold, this is my god-daughter, Magentra.
Pleasure to meet you, the fat, bald, Scottish, storekeeper shook her hand heartily. He winked at her and whispered, Never think that man, he pointed towards Lupin who was trying to fit the books on the cart amongst all the other packages, Never think he isn't proud of ye, he talks bout you all the time. Magentra blushed. I see yer as shy as Harold laughed, Jus' be careful in that Hogwarts place, you won' make friends if you don' speak up ev'ry once in awhile.
Lupin grinned, I'm sure she'll do just fine Harold.
Oh I no, the man chortled, but it's fun to see how they react. Good day Remus! he called as Magentra and Lupin wheeled the cart out of the store.
continued Lupin, glancing at the list he held in his hand We just have to get you a wand, and then we'll pick up your surprises at the Leaky Cauldron. We'll stop to pick them up and have a bite to eat before we head home if that's okay with you.
Magentra nodded in agreement.
Let's see. Olivander's wand shop is one of the best there is, he said, pointing towards a shop painted in black with a gold advertisement that stated exactly what Lupin had just said.
The two wheeled the cart next to the shop, and stepped in the door. The store was shaped much like the robe shop, but was two stories high and had a messy desk stuffed in between the floor to ceiling shelves, each which were piled high with long, thin boxes that contained a single, magic wand. There were wand boxes stuffed into every nook and cranny, boxes piled on the floor, the stepladders, the steps and the desk. Needles to say, there were too many wand boxes to count. A ladder rolled along one of the shelves, and an older, cheerful man of medium height, with short, frazzled white hair, poked his head out. Olivander looked at Magentra and smiled warmly.
Magentra Riddle! I wondered when I'd be seeing you, he climbed down the ladder, already holding several boxes. I suppose you need a wand- hello Remus, he greeted, when he saw Lupin standing along side Magentra.
Olivander pulled out a long, wooden wand from the first box and handed it to Magentra. It's willow, supple and swishy, give it a wave.
BOOM! A ceramic ink holder exploded all over Lupin. Olivander tossed Lupin a rag, which wiped his face with a sputter. No, oh dear, that's not it. Dumbledore did write me giving special designations. I imagine you'll love Hogwarts, it's quite nice-''
CRASH! Wand boxes spilled onto the floor with the try of the second wand.
No, no, most definitely not. After all, the wand chooses the witch my dear, he continued cheerfully, handing Magentra more wands as he returned exploded cups, split books and shriveled plants to their previous state with a flick of his own wand.
After almost a half-hour of mass destruction, Magentra began to feel quite stupid waving dozens of wands without much effect. Finally, once an hour had passed, Mr. Olivander furrowed his brow and muttered, That's strange. It's never taken this long to fit a wand. Hmm I wonder. He took a key from the pocket of his robes and used it to unlock a padlocked cupboard above his desk. Inside were ten, very dusty boxes.
What are those? asked Magentra curiously.
Olivander pulled out the first box, made of red velvet and roughly fifteen inches long. Blowing the thick layer of dust off the tope he replied, Long ago the headmaster of Hogwarts, not Dumbledore, it was the fellow before him mind you, wanted display Hogwarts' health and power by giving the ten school governors elaborate wands made of jewels, precious metals, and cores of only the purest form. But the wands cost more than he could afford, so we had them delivered with his promise of payment later. Something went wrong though, Olivander said sadly, shaking his head, He was called to London mysteriously. He set off at once with the promise he'd be back in a week. is body was found a month later, killed by a curse. Dumbledore returned the wands when he was cleaning out the headmaster's office. He looked at Magentra, they've got the house each governor was in when he attended Hogwarts engraved on the handle. Three Ravenclaws, four Hufflepuffs, two Gryffindors and a Slytherin I believe.
He pulled out the first, a Hufflepuff by the looks of the dragons carved into the handle. Silver and jade, with a pure unicorn hair. Try it.
Magentra flicked her wrist and a roll of parchment floated into the air, bursting into flame.
No, most definitely not.
Carefully he pulled out a box covered in black velvet and sparkling stones. The wand he pulled from it had lions circling the silver shaft, each with eyes made of pearls.
Magentra flicked her wrist and Olivander's hair flashed a shocking shade of green, before returning to its normal colour.
Olivander grunted, Blasted wands. They're more powerful than the other ones too.
The next three had ravens on them, were made of gold, copper and silver, and produced nothing more than an exploded flower vase, a wilted rose and a slightly charred Mr. Olivander. Nothing seemed to work. None of the Hufflepuff, Gryffindor or Ravenclaw wands worked.
Finally, Olivander pulled out the final box. The last wand in the shop, my dear.
The pure silver, thirteen-inch wand had serpents encompassing the handle, their red ruby eyes flashing and green emerald tongues sparkling even in the dim light of the shop. The word Slytherin was engraved on the handle.
Apprehensively, Magentra picked up the wand. The moment her hands touched the surface of the serpent bound handle, she felt a warm, tingling sensation travel from the tips of her fingertips to her toes.
Olivander gasped, Strange, very strange.
She looked at him wide eyed while Lupin stayed tight lipped. What is it? Is something the matter Mr. Olivander?
Well my dear, the man seemed a bit dazed, The phoenix that gave the feather for this wand gave but two others. One is in the wand I sold not long ago to your cousin, Harry Potter, and the other he trailed off.
He studied Mage, The other was in the wand I sold many years ago to your father, who has sadly used it to commit many, horrible crimes, including the murder of your mother, uncle and aunt.
Lupin cut in, You mean to tell me there are identical cores in Voldemort's, Harry's and now Magentra's wands?
Olivander sighed, It is unusual, but the wand chooses the witch, not the other way around.
How much? Magentra whispered.
Pay we the same as the others-
But surely you'll want more, Lupin began.
Olivander shook his head, Remus, I said the same as all the others and I mean what I say. Think of the rest of it as me paying you to take it off my hands.
Magentra handed him the coins from her pouch. As they slowly turned to leave, Olivander whispered, I believe we can expect great things to come from that one, he turned back to his work, Great things indeed.
When they stepped outside the shop, Lupin was grim. Neither he nor Magentra spoke a word until they reached the Leaky Cauldron. As they stepped into the smoky, dark interior, the bar tender called out Aye Lupin! Haven't seen you in a bit. Mala put your packages in a room upstairs so no one would make off with them.
I'll take them now, thanks, Lupin replied.
Muttering, the cheeky imp of a man retreated up the stairwell to fetch them.
Do you want anything Mage? Lupin asked, calling Magentra by her nickname.
No, but thanks. And thanks for all you've done today, with the exception of my new found wand, the day's been quite fun.
You're welcome.
The bar tender returned carrying two, rather large packages. Lupin them handed to his god-daughter expectantly, Here, I thought these would be useful for school. He smiled slightly, though every bit about the wand still bothered him immensely.
Magentra pulled the cover off the first and gasped. It was a birdcage that contained a rather large owl of the purest black.
An owl! Jiminy, I didn't know we could afford this!
Don't worry. They're quite useful, as you might recall, they carry all sorts of mail. He should give you his money's worth in about a week.
Magentra hugged her embarrassed godfather, Thank you very much.
Ah, but the fun's not over, he pointed to the next package.
Carefully Magentra untied the string that was wrapped tightly around the second package and practically dropped it in surprise. Out tumbled a shimmery cloak.
It's an invisibility cloak.
They're so rare though, how'd you find it? Magentra looked at Lupin, wide-eyed.
Special shop, my secret, Lupin winked, but I figured it'd be useful.
Magentra chuckled; trust Lupin to give only gifts. Lupin glanced at his watch, it's getting late, would you like to take the Knight Bus home?
Knight Bus? Magentra said, confused.
I've never told you about the Knight Bus, Lupin smacked his head, I can't believe it. It's a huge double-decker bus with beds instead of seats. For wizards and witches only.
They piled the packages and miscellaneous items onto the cart before leaving the Leaky Cauldron. Outside on the darkened street, the few, leftover, passing Muggles seemed to slide from one shop to the next, as the Leaky Cauldron, and all its customers, were well hidden from sight. Lupin pulled out his wand and stuck it out in the street, much as a hitchhiker sticks out his thumb and winked at Magentra. Stand back.
A very large double decker bus, painted bright purple, appeared out of nowhere and barely missed running Lupin and Magentra clear over.
The doors opened and out stepped a very old man, dressed in what looked like a bellhop uniform. Knight Bus, he droned sleepily, you signaled?
replied Lupin, We need passage to Elvesheir Lane.
Climb on, the man replied, muttering wingardium leviosa, an easy leviating spell, in order to get their belongings aboard.
The driver greeted them warmly and took their coins. Last two on back, need to make a couple drop offs before we get you two to Elvesheir.
And with a loud bang they were off, racing down a completely different road, somewhere in the countryside. Not sticking to any particularly specific path, anything from cows to mailboxes appeared to leap out of the way of the swiftly traveling bus in order to keep from being run over.
Lupin was quickly snoring in his bed, oblivious to the fact the bus was traveling almost a hundred kilometers per hour. Magentra, however, held tightly to the bedpost praying the bus wouldn't tip over.
Suddenly, the bus screeched to a halt in front of a large farmhouse, sending Magentra tumbling out of her bed and onto the floor. screeched the driver, who was as old, if not older, as the man who'd greeted them at the door.
Magentra was confused. It looked like they had landed in the middle of the shires of Tolkien's Middle Earth, more so than London.
The driver laughed, Actually, that's the name of Mrs. Eleanor's farm house. She's a different one she is. I believe she actually named her shoes and stockings one day, just because she had nothing better to do.
Magentra scowled and rubbed her arm where she'd hit it, falling off the bed. Sleepily, a cross, middle-aged woman climbed down the stairs, her white nightgown looking a bit rumpled, and her nightcap falling askew every time she yawned.
Thanks Ernie, she called to the driver, sleepily, and plodded off the bus, looking quite disoriented.
the doorman groaned, flopping down heavily on a bed near the front door, I'm getting too old for this. Retiring next year you know. Letting that blasted son of Mr. Shunpike Stan, I think his name is, take over my job. I guess it's for the better though, I can' wait to get off this bus mos' nights, he spoke to no one in particular.
Magentra must have dozed off during his continuous droning, because before she knew it they were screeching to a halt in front of 1374. Lupin was gathering their belongings and Ernie was shouting
Wake up sleepyhead, Lupin whispered, handing her the owl's cage and bringing the cart along, floating close behind, time to go.
The doorkeeper looked as if he were about to collapse. Thank you for riding the Knight Bus the doors slammed shut.
Magentra did her best to unsuccessfully stifle a yawn as Lupin unlocked the door to the house and flipped on the lights. One look at the clock told him it was a bit later than he had thought.
You'd best get to bed Mage. Don't want to miss your train tomorrow.
Clutching the owl that she'd decided to name Pimpernel after her favorite book, the invisibility cloak, and her knew supplies and robes following close behind, she climbed up the stairs and fell into bed.
Another A/N: Please R&R!! I want to know if it needs improvement or if I need to go back to the drawing board. Tell me if anything needs correcting or doesn't make sense. NO FLAMERS PLEASE! Constructive Criticsm is great but no flamers please (you should know the difference :)
