A/N: Oooh rapturous joy! Behold, the much anticipated sequel to Renee's Chronicle! As we said goodbye to Renee and her series, it only just began the story of her son, Timothy. And hark, here it is! Discover the Dawn, Timothy Potter's story! I knew you couldn't wait for this, and I was missing writing about Renee and the gang, so as soon as I had enough stuff set up to start this series, I began to write. I was going to make this a prolouge or something, but I figured to go ahead and make this chapter one. It only introduces us to Timothy himself, and how life in the Potter family is now... I'm still figuring out the plot of this story, but you won't see any hint of that 'till at least chapter 3. However, I'm sure you'll enjoy this chapter, it's long and juicy!
As for Renee herself, I've set up a website for her at http://www.expage.com/page/theworldofreneepotter GO and check that out, please! Her bio is there, and more to come... as well as updates on my current works in progress.
I'm still working on my own novel, Land Of the Four Powers. I was shocked to not get that many reviews for it... so if you have spare time, go read that and review please! ::gives puppy eyes:: I like reviews... hey, who doesn't?!
Oh gee, this is long, sorry! I'll stop for now and let you read. AND one important thing, if you're new to me, ::waves hello to new peeps::, I sudgest that you go read the 4 previous series of the Renee Chronicles before... but now that I think of it, you may not have to. Etam Luos is first, then Hatred's Prisoner, Break In the Darkness, and Battle of Destiny... as well as the Epilogue.
::sneaks to the side to let people read::
DISCLAIMER: Oh, here it goes! Hello world, my name is Orca... not J.K. Rowling and I am not responsible for anything Potter. However, I am responsible for Timothy, Renee, Kalina, Jeff... and anyone else you may not recognize!
Chapter One: Expectations
For as long as he could remember, Timothy Potter had always been gawked at whenever he left the comforts of his home. Being the son of the famous Harry and Renee Potter, he always got special treatment that all the other kids never got. He tried his best to cope with his celebrity status, even though that he himself never did anything, just his parents. Surprisingly, for a boy with as much popularity that he had, Timothy did not have too many friends. Everyone liked him for his name and heritage, not for himself. This did not bother him too much, for the people he admired most were the ones that truly knew him for who he was.
His parents.
"Timothy! Timothy, mum wants you!"
Timothy was in his room, under his bed, looking for his favorite toy.
"Timothy!"
"Kalina! I'm busy!" He coughed from the darkness. Blindly swinging his arm back and forth, he tried desperately to part all the toys that he secretly "cleaned" underneath there to search for the one he treasured most.
"Timothy, mum's gonna get mad if you don't come now!"
Annoyed and overwhelmed by dust, Timothy crawled backwards and pulled himself up from the floor, only to face his five-year-old sister. She was tall for her age, with long dark brown hair and green eyes. Kalina and Timothy had always had a close relationship, he always watched out for her. She was exceedingly bright for five years old, and she continued to baffle everyone she made contact with.
She was looking him up and down while stifling a laugh. Timothy looked at himself to see his black slacks and ivory colored shirt covered in dust. Quickly brushing himself off, Kalina jumped on his bed and lifted his pillow.
"If you're looking for Hoot, I believe this is him." She turned and held out Timothy's old stuffed owl.
Blushing quickly and swiping the well-loved toy from her little hands, Timothy uttered a small thank you. Kalina laughed and fell back on his pillow, staring at the ceiling. It was painted by their mother to look like the sky. Blue with fluffy clouds during the day, and a clear view of space at night. At mid-morning, the blue sky was as blue as ever and the clouds were few.
"A bird flew across my ceiling this morning," She said to her brother as he tried to push all the toys that he had kicked out from under his bed back in. "Has one ever flew across yours?"
Timothy fixed his round, black glasses and pushed back his messy black hair. He looked up at her with his blue eyes.
"Sure, all the time."
Kalina picked at his sheets.
"Mum's gonna be upset to see you haven't made your bed yet."
He stood up and grabbed the sheet from her.
"I could make it if you move." He said blandly.
His sister frowned and rolled off of his bed, standing at his side with her arms crossed as he made his rounds to fix his bed. Timothy stopped to look at her with exasperation.
"You could help, you know."
Kalina stuck up her nose.
"Why? You don't help with mine."
Timothy groaned and narrowed his eyes at her, roughly throwing the sheets over the bed and fixing the comforter. He threw the tossed pillows from the floor back on top and dusted off his hands while glaring at his little sister.
Suddenly, his door swung open and standing in the doorway stood his mother, Renee Potter. She was wearing her dark blue wizarding robes and her long brown hair was in a braid. Average in height, yet still towering over Timothy and his sister, her large blue eyes were narrowed directly at him.
"Timothy, I told Kalina to get you, what have you been doing?"
Kalina put on a cocky grin and strutted over to stand beside her, and stared at Timothy with an amused look. Timothy felt silly.
"I lost… I lost Hoot. I was looking for him." He blabbed.
His mother shook her head.
"Sorry." He added quickly.
"Well, hurry up then. Your Grand and Pa are waiting to talk to you through the fire. They won't be able to call again since they're going to Peru for the next four weeks."
Quickly fixing his hair, Timothy slid past his mother's stare and his sister's mocking smile to find himself in the living room. The fire in the fireplace was blaring and the face of his grandmother Springs beamed at him.
"There's my boy!" She cried. Timothy could have sworn that if she could, she would pinch his cheeks. He absentmindedly rubbed them at the thought.
"Hello Grand." He said politely.
Her New York accent was deep and she talked at a mile a minute.
"How's my big eleven year old doing, huh? Ready to start that boarding school, eh? Going to make us all proud, you are! Yes! Your mom was top of her class at there Hogwarts, and your dad… oh boy!"
She rambled on for another five minutes, Timothy putting on his sweet smile and nodding every so often to convince her that he was listening. He wanted desperately to get out on his broom and practice riding before his dad got home. However, every time Timothy wanted to finalize the conversation, his grandmother would start on something else.
"Oh, here's your Pa, hun. You be a good boy now and listen to what your mom and dad tell you, and be good at school and do all your work." His Grand's face disappeared to give way for his grandfather.
"Hello, young man. What'cha been up to?"
"Hello Pa, oh… just riding my broomstick, that's all. Dad's been teaching me some new tricks."
"Broomstick, eh? Why in my day, in the service that is…" He did exactly what his grandmother had done, go rambling on to more boring dialogue that had Timothy trying to prevent himself from yawning. Much to his relief, not soon after the front door slammed shut and he heard his father's loud sigh.
"Dad's home!" Timothy jumped happily.
His mother walked into the living room smiling.
"Hey, daddy, I'm sure Harry wants to speak with you." She came up beside Timothy who was squirming to go see his father, but she kept a hand on his shoulder.
His grandfather put on a professional look.
"Need more advice, huh?"
"That's right."
"Dad!" Timothy broke from his mother's grip to run into the outstretched arms of his father. After a hug and a ruffling of Timothy's hair, his wide smile turned up to his wife and then to the fire where his father-in-law stared blankly. He got up and started to converse with him, Timothy's mother in his arm and they got into an adult conversation. Timothy stood in the archway of the living room with a frown, as Kalina came to stand beside him. She looked up at him with large green eyes that belonged to their father.
"Adult talk is so boring, huh?" She said.
"Emm…" Timothy agreed, turning to go back to his room. Kalina bounded after him.
"Are you and dad going out to fly this afternoon before we go shopping?" She asked before he could shut her out of his room. The small window at the end of the room shown sunlight in, making the teal and scarlet textured walls bright. He grabbed for his broom which was hung on the wall and stared at it. Kalina came up to stare beside him.
"I really need a new broom, especially for Hogwarts." He muttered to her as he turned and went to sit on his bed. Kalina came and sat beside him.
"But I thought first years can't have brooms, dad only had one because he could play well."
Timothy frowned at her.
"Oh? And you're saying that I can't play well?"
Kalina shook her head quickly at his look. He shrugged and reached for the polishing kit that was just as battered as the broom. His broom, the Genesis, was a birthday gift from his parents for his 6th birthday. Five years later, the broom definitely showed the signs that it was well used and pieces were beginning to fray. Taking out the oil from his kit, he polished the handle with great care, doing everything that he had seen his father do to his own broom. Kalina watched with a slight yawn.
"I think Quidditch is boring, I'd rather color with mum's paints."
Timothy sighed and shook his head, he was used to hearing that from her. It was quite a shock to everyone, even his mother played Quidditch and was just as good on a broom as his father. But his mother's creative side went with full force on Kalina, and her only interests were in drawing and painting.
There was a knock on the door, and it swung open to reveal the messy black hair and round glasses of their father, Harry.
"Ready to go, kids?" He asked.
Timothy nodded and put his stuff away. Kalina jumped and ran to their father, him picking her up with a smile.
"Got your list, son?" He asked Timothy, as he fixed his glasses and went to stand beside him in the doorway.
"Uh huh." He pulled the list out from his pocket.
"Right then, let's go."
They walked into the living room, their mother waiting with Floo Powder. She smiled at them and tossed a handful into the fire, making it flare up with green flames and a slight hiss.
"I'll go first." She said, stepping inside the fire. "See you in a moment!" Their mother turned to the fire. "Diagon Alley!" And with a flash, she was gone.
"Go on, Timothy. You next." His dad gave him a gentle push at the shoulders.
Timothy stepped into the fire, yelled "Diagon Alley!", and he felt the floor disappear and the world began to swirl around him. He was used to it, and soon got off to stand by his mother.
"Hey honey." She tried to fix his hair. He sighed, because it was futile to make his hair neat… it was naturally messy, jut like his dad's.
Kalina got out of the fire next, giggling loudly.
"What so funny, Kalina?" Their mother asked, tucking a strand of Kalina's hair behind her ear.
It took the little girl a few moments to calm down, her dark brown hair ruffling with her severe giggling. Timothy just stared at her and their mother had an amused grin.
"Jeff woke up just before I left!" She managed to say. "He wanted to come with us, but dad said no. I left while they were arguing."
"Oh dear." Their mother sighed, still grinning. Timothy suddenly remembered telling his best friend, Jeff the Jefforagon, that he would be able to come with them. The little yellow dragon was in dire need of nail clippers. He bit his lip at the thought of Jeff's angry look when they got home. You did not want to mess with a dragon that can breathe fire.
Suddenly, his father leapt out of the fire place, looking annoyed and disheveled.
"I tell you, that dragon has quite a temper!" He said as he brushed ash off of his wizard's robes. Timothy couldn't help but giggle, as well as the rest of them.
"Sorry, I should of told him before we left. But he hates to be disturbed while sleeping." His mother said, giving his dad a kiss. Harry's annoyed look dissolved and he looked at them all, clapping his hands together.
"Well, let's go get Timothy's stuff, shall we?"
Everyone nodded earnestly and they stepped out from the large Floo Powder exclusive fireplace that stood outside the Leaky Cauldron. Harry took out his wand and tapped some bricks on the wall, and it opened to reveal a large cobblestone street. The four then walked through, Timothy watching excitedly as the opening closed behind them. With a large smile, he went to walk close to his father while Kalina took their mother's hand.
Diagon Alley was busy with customers. They passed by buzzing shops and stores. Timothy was always fascinated with Diagon Alley, and wasn't the least bit surprised to see people double back or stop to gawk at them all as they went past. Most wizards and witches bowed to them, his father and mother repaying the gesture. Before he knew it, they were standing in front of Gringotts, the wizarding bank.
"Mum," Kalina whined up at their mother. "Can we go look in the flower shop? I don't like it in there, the goblins scare me!"
Timothy sighed as his parents exchanged looks.
"I'll take Timothy inside with me, we'll meet you at… uh, let's say Ollivander's." His father finally said.
Kalina practically dragged their mother down the steps and down back the alley. Timothy looked up at his father and they exchanged smiles.
"More time for the fun stuff, eh?" His father whispered mischievously. Timothy beamed as his father took his hand and they went inside, the goblins at the doors bowing deeply as they went past. They reached the front desk and the head goblin nearly gasped to see his father.
"Mr. Potter, and honor to see you today. Come for a withdrawal?" The head goblin said importantly.
Timothy looked around as his father made arrangements and stared at the many goblins zipping in and out of small doors. His gaze did not break, even as his father took his hand again and they were following another goblin to one of the doors.
"Are we going to ride in the cart again, dad?" He asked him as they followed the goblin through a door.
"Yep, sure are." And as he said so, the leading goblin bowed and motioned for them to jump into a waiting cart. His father took his elbow and helped Timothy into the cart, then he sat down next to him. Timothy could hardly contain his happiness as the cart sped down the track and blew past vaults of various sizes, turning right and left then left and right and so one. By the time the cart jolted to a stop and his father had hopped out, Timothy nearly fell out himself, running to stand behind him.
"Better get some extra galleons for the school year, just in case." His father winked at him as the door to the Potter vault swung open. Timothy's eyes dazzled in the light of a overwhelmingly filled room of every magical coin. Helping his father fill a sac with some of each kind, they were soon done and back in the cart.
Side by side, Timothy and his father left Gringotts and headed for Madam Malkin's for his Hogwarts robes. Everyone inside, even Madam Malkin herself was excited to see the famous pair. In no time at all, Timothy had a complete wardrobe of wizarding robes himself. Next they gathered all his school books, a cauldron and potions supplies, telescope for astronomy, and everything else on the list except his wand.
"Better meet up with your mum and sister at Ollivander's, time to get your wand." His father smiled at him, only to see that Timothy's attention had been averted to the new Quidditch supply shop. Harry smiled broadly as Timothy looked up at him pleadingly.
"Dad… do you think…?"
His father looked over in the direction of the wand shop quickly, then looked back at Timothy, still smiling.
"They can wait a bit longer, I guess."
Timothy let out a whoop of joy, and his father opened the door to the shop, allowing him to skip through. He first ran to the wall that held on display the latest in brooms. In the number one spot was the Dragonsfire 800. Aerodynamically proportioned, a personalized handle molded for it's owner, each birch twig trimmed to perfection, and capable of speeds of up to 200 miles per hour. Only the most skilled and professional flyers owned this brand of broom, but deep down Timothy knew he could handle it.
"Hey dad, check this out!" He yelled at his dad, who was talking with an eager shop owner. Timothy did not take his eyes off the Dragonsfire, but looked at it with even more longing as he felt his father's hand on his shoulder.
"Emm…" He heard his father seethe with mutual delight. "I'd have to say that this broom is certainly made for those in the big leagues."
Timothy reached out a hand to stroke the mahogany handle as if it were a precious gem.
"I'm sure I could fly it." He sighed as if it that phrase could never come true.
"Oh, I don't know about that one… but maybe this one could fit to your liking just as much." Timothy looked at his father for the first time since they entered the shop, to see that he was holding a long packaged box. Very slowly, a large smile split on his face as his father opened the end just enough to see inside.
"Shh!" He put up a hand as Timothy was about to scream with joy. "Just, don't tell your mum yet. I'll tell her later. And you can't take this right away to Hogwarts, wait until your first lesson in flying… then write to me."
Timothy could hardly contain himself, he jumped into his father's arms squeezing with all his might.
"Oh dad! Thanks a million!"
He laughed and set Timothy down, putting the long package in his arms. Timothy took it like it contained a dozen glass eggs, carefully guiding it out as they left the shop.
When they reached Ollivander's, his mother had a suspicious look on her face when she saw their mutual grins. Kalina looked at Timothy closely and he smiled at her sweetly, making her giggle.
"Where have you two been? We've been waiting for an eon!" His mother mostly directed at his father, while walking into the old shop.
"Oh, just doing your usual father-son bonding thing." He said, running a hand through his jet-black, messy hair. He quickly took the long package from Timothy and with a sudden movement of his wand, the package disappeared. Timothy looked horrorstruck, but his father gave him a reassuring smile.
"Ah!" Came a voice from the back of the shop. Kalina took their mother's hand and Timothy was pushed forward by their father. "The Potters! How extraordinary to see you all!"
Timothy immediately backed into his father, feeling his strong hands comfort his shoulders as a really old and musty man came scuttling to meet them.
"Harry Potter." The man with wide, unblinking eyes said with pride and distinction. "You have truly become all that your parents were and more. Most honorable to meet you again, Order of Merlin, First Class. Your talent favored my most favorite wand; holly and phoenix feather, eleven inches, nice and supple." He turned to Timothy's mother. "And with no less praise, Renee Potter. Just as talented as beautiful, I see, always have been. If I remember right, as I always do, your wand is yew and phoenix feather, ten inches." He grinned at both of Timothy's parents. "Not a surprise for Etam Luoses, your cores are kin to each other."
Timothy looked up at his father, who was smiling politely. He had a strange feeling that his dad felt the same way towards this short, odd man. Kalina was peeking out from behind their mother, and Mr. Ollivander smiled at her, making her just jut behind their mother more.
"And so I have the pleasure, and honor, of serving the next generation of Potters." Timothy watched him closely as Mr. Ollivander looked directly at his father. "This would make the fourth generation to come stepping through my door, as I have served your father's parents, your own parents, yourself and your wife in a sense, and now…" He looked directly at Timothy, making him swallow dryly. "Your own son."
Timothy said nothing, feeling his father squeeze his shoulder reassuringly as Mr. Ollivander searched his pockets and take out a measuring tape.
"Hold out your wand arm then, young man."
Hesitating a moment, and hearing his father bend down and whisper in his ear: "Your right hand.", Timothy stretched out his right arm and Mr. Ollivander went to work measuring everything imaginable on his person. Before he realized it, the tape was taking measurements on it's own as the little man went to search his plain, stocked shelves.
"As you may have already guessed, my young Timothy, I remember each and every wand I've sold. It really is the wand that chooses the user, actually. And no two wands are exactly the same!" He said, climbing a ladder and taking packages off shelves.
Timothy had been so caught up in the man's old and odd appearance that it wasn't until the man said so that he realized that he did know exactly what kind of wands his parents owned. He unconsciously moved closer to his father, while glancing back at his mother who was soothing a curious, yet frightful Kalina.
"Here," Mr. Ollivander had suddenly popped in front of his eyes, presenting him with an open package containing a reddish colored wand. "Try this one. Mahogany and unicorn hair, eight inches, strong and pliable."
Hesitating slightly, Timothy picked up the wand gingerly with his right hand and squinted, expecting something to happen. Nothing did, and before he could fully open his eyes the wand was whipped out of his hand and Mr. Ollivander stuck another into it. Before Timothy could so much as blink, that one too was taken abruptly from his grasp.
"No worries, we'll find your match here somewhere." The old man said cheerily. Timothy looked up with a puzzled expression at his father, who looked as if he was trying to keep from laughing.
Wand after wand, package after package, Timothy must of held every wand ever created. His father had long since went to go by his mother, with Kalina on his lap as he sat beside her. Timothy was more frustrated than ever, but the strange Mr. Ollivander looked very pleased.
"Like father, like son as they say. Your father there went through very much the same process before his wand touched his fingers. Don't worry, my boy, your wand's here somewhere!" He picked up the last box on the last shelf. Everything else was piled in a corner, tried and failed wands.
"Ah, here now…" He said slowly, coming to stand in front of Timothy, who looked at him with a tired and blank look. "The most unusual combination that I have in stock." He picked up a long wand, pale in color with beautiful swirls of light brown in the wood. "Eighteen inches, oak compressed with cedar ash, and a core of gryphon feathers. Powerful and strong, this is."
Timothy took the wand in his hand, and instantly he felt a warm sensation in his fingers. Red and gold sparks shot out of the end, and Mr. Ollivander, as well of his parents let out a pleased applause.
Taking the wand back from Timothy and placing it in it's box, Mr. Ollivander smiled.
"An extraordinary wand for and extraordinary wizard, as the saying goes. Your parents have proved that much… I can say that we can expect some great things from you, young Potter."
Timothy wasn't sure what to say. Kalina had ran up to him, tugging at his vest and smiling. His parents came over and fussed over him; his mother fixing his hair, only to have his father mess it up again. Mr. Ollivander came back with a neatly tied package, handed it to him, and winked.
"Now, take good care of that. A well cared for wand, is a well serving wand." He smiled at Kalina who ducked behind Timothy. "And I shall be seeing you in a few years yet, eh?"
"Thank you, Mr. Ollivander." His father said politely, paying him twenty galleons.
"Good bye, Mr. and Mrs. Potter." The odd man said with a bow.
The four of them decided to have ice cream and sit down outside the parlor. Timothy stared hard at his new wand for a while, as his father considered him closely.
"Weird guy, huh?" He said, snapping Timothy back to earth.
"Yeah, he gave me the creeps." Timothy muttered, cringing slightly as his mother looked at him scornfully. But to his relief, his father laughed.
"Exactly how I felt when I met him, and I did try every wand there was before he gave me this one." He pulled out his wand, well cared for yet showing it's age.
"I missed it with my Godson, and now I've missed it with my great-Godson! No matter how old I'll get, I'll always be late for everything!"
Timothy whipped around to see his Great-uncle Us, dressed in his auror's robes. His mop of gray hair framed an old, yet cheery face.
"Sirius!" Timothy's father shouted, jumping up to hug him.
"Great-uncle Us!" Both Timothy and Kalina cried.
"Hey there!" He said, ruffling his black hair and smiling. "Sorry I missed out on the weirdo, amazing that guy is still around." Kalina leapt into his arms, strangling his neck with a big hug. "Hey, sweetie… careful now, I may be squishy but I still need to breathe!" Timothy simply looked up at him with admiration, as Great-uncle Us greeted his mother with a gentle kiss on the cheek.
Timothy's father had on a flat expression, looking seriously at Timothy's beloved great-uncle.
"There's nothing wrong in the Circle, is there, Sirius?" He asked. Shaking his head quickly and sitting down with Kalina on his lap, Great-uncle Us smiled.
"You worry too much, Harry. No, there's nothing wrong. I'm just here to spend time with my Godson and his family, is that alright?"
Timothy grinned at his father, who was sitting back in his chair with relief. His mother was grinning as if she knew all along.
"Why would there be anything wrong, sweetheart? You know as well as I do that the tabs have been quiet for some time now."
"You're right, Renee. I'm just not used to having Padfoot here pop out of nowhere without something bad happening."
"Of course I'm right." Timothy's mother laughed as she put on a mocking, serious look at his father. He looked to his great-uncle who was staring at his father sternly.
"It's called a 'surprise', Mr. Harry Potter. Hello!" He turned and grinned at Timothy, who began to tap the table eagerly, knowing that something fun was always bound to happen with his great-uncle.
"Anyway," He replied, patting Kalina contently on her long dark brown hair. "Time for me and Timothy here to go."
"Go where?" Everyone asked in union, but Timothy jumped out of his seat in excitement. Kalina looked shocked and hurt.
He looked down at her and smiled kindly.
"You and me, little one, will do something later. Right now, me and your brother are going to do some male bonding."
Timothy could hardly contain himself, looking excitedly at his parents. His father looked at his great-uncle with amused suspicion, while his mother looked at him with the same look, without the amusement.
"Can I go, dad? Mum?" He asked pleadingly.
"Of course," His father replied, still looking at Great-uncle Us. His mother nodded, but showed signs of holding back objections.
Timothy leapt out of his chair, stuffing the rest of his ice cream in his mouth, and grabbed Great-uncle Us's hand. Laughing, and handing a disappointed Kalina over to their father, Great-uncle Us allowed Timothy to steer him further down Diagon Alley and away from the ice cream parlor.
"What are we going to do?" Timothy asked excitedly, looking around.
"Well, I figured I'd get you a going-away present. Something that you could have good use of at Hogwarts." His great-uncle replied, taking over the steering and leading Timothy down the alley of shops.
"Really?" He asked breathlessly with excitement. "What is it?"
"Well, you know your parent's owls are much too old to make long trips now, and their own fledgling makes the usual rounds for them these days… I figured that, well, Timothy Potter should have his own owl. Like your father did, and your father's father did at Hogwarts."
"Wow!" Timothy shouted, but he frowned slightly. "But dad said that I could use Albus for school already."
Great-uncle Us waved his hand and smiled.
"They need Albus since Hedwig and Keto can't make runs as quick as they used to; and they need an owl that can get messages out quickly, being aurors."
Timothy could hardly contain his joy.
"Thanks, Great-uncle Us! Won't Kalina be jealous to know that I'm getting my own owl!"
His great-uncle cringed slightly.
"Well, just remind your little sister that when it's her time to go to Hogwarts, she'll get an owl herself."
They entered "Talons, Claws, and Paws"; Timothy had never seen so many animals in his life. The walls were stacked high with cages, holding all types of owls. Tanks filled with scampering mice and rats filled the middle of walkways. Large compartments filled with carpet-covered furniture held cats of all sizes and colors. Fixing his glasses and leading the way with his great-uncle in tow, Timothy peered at each creature with excited wonder.
A tall, middle-aged witch came to greet him behind spectacles that reflected what little light that was inside the shop, hiding her eyes.
"May I help…" But she stopped in mid-sentence when she got a good look at Timothy, who realized what she just realized and sighed. "My! If I didn't know any better, I'd say I was in the presence of a miniature Harry Potter! Why, bless my soul it's Mr. Timothy Potter!" She grabbed his hand before he could blink. To his relief, his great-uncle interjected himself.
"Hello, ma'am. My great-Godson here is looking for an owl to suit him."
She looked up at Timothy and gave his great-uncle a respectable nod.
"Mr. Black, yes, I've heard of you. An honor to meet you as well." Although her tone was not as enthusiastic as it was when she addressed Timothy. "I'm Emily Bradshaw, and I believe I can help Mr. Potter here find his owl."
Closely followed by Great-uncle Us, Ms. Bradshaw introduced Timothy to nearly every bird in the shop. Each were fascinating, but they didn't take to him. Some owls were too big, some too small, others were too noisy, and some did not pay any attention to him at all.
After a while, Ms. Bradshaw trying desperately to find something that would work with him, Timothy looked around almost disappointedly when he noticed a ruffle of dark gray in a corner.
"What about that one, Ms. Bradshaw?" He tapped lightly up on her shoulder. She turned and he pointed to the cage he was approaching. Tucked in that corner, almost as if it were not meant to be seen, was a cage that held a stunningly handsome gray owl. It was large, but not as big as others had been, with real dark amber eyes that stared widely at Timothy. It's feathers were the darkest gray he had ever seen, dark as stone.
"Oh, I wouldn't consider this one, Mr. Potter." Ms. Bradshaw was quick to dismiss this particular owl. "He has not taken real well with customers."
Timothy didn't budge as the saleswoman tried to distract him with a smaller brown owl in a near by cage. He stared intently at the gray owl in front of him, and it stared right back, almost as interested.
"Why not?" He asked, his great-uncle coming closer for a better look.
Ms. Bradshaw had a bland, professional expression on her face as she turned to address him.
"This is a rare example of a great gray owl, usually they have specks of white in their plumage, but this one is simply a dark gray, almost black. He was shipped here from North America months ago, and he has bitten everyone who's tried to touch him since. Myself included," She inspected a red finger. "I don't think he's the right one for you, Mr. Potter."
The owl let out a long hoot, and Timothy smiled as it scuttled back and forth on the small, feeble branch that it was perched upon in the cage.
"I would say this owl doesn't agree with you, Ms. Bradshaw." His great-uncle said to her thoughtfully, staring at both Timothy and the owl.
"Can I see him?" Timothy asked her.
"I don't know…" She trailed.
"Please?" He persisted, the owl looking back at him with it's deep amber eyes.
"Alright," She sighed, taking out a key and opening the cage. "Be careful though."
Timothy held out his hand, trying to make it as unimposing as possible, and to his surprise and delight, the great gray owl hopped onto his wrist with great care. Not a scratch was etched on his skin, and Timothy took his other hand to stroke it's dark feathers. The owl hooted contently, leaning into his palm as he scratched it's head. Timothy turned and smiled broadly at his great-uncle, who returned the expression. Ms. Bradshaw was astonished.
"Well, I'll say! I've never seen this owl behave this way with anyone before!"
"Can I have this owl?" Timothy asked his Great-uncle Us.
"I think you've made a sale, Ms. Bradshaw."
When Timothy and his great-uncle stepped out of the shop, himself holding the cage containing his new great gray owl, he felt lighter than air.
"Boy, will mum and dad be surprised to see him!" He said happily.
"Just be sure to keep that dragon of yours away from him," His great-uncle whispered down to him. "I'm not sure how a new and young owl will react to his antics."
"Don't worry," Timothy reassured him. "I'll keep Windstone in my room and I'll tell Jeff to stay out."
"Won't he bet upset… hey, wait a minute… Windstone?" His great-uncle did a double take as they began to walk back to the ice cream parlor.
"Yeah," Timothy said, staring back into his new owl's deep amber eyes. "Wind for the air blowing over his wings, and stone for the intense color of his feathers."
"Nicely thought, Timothy." Great-uncle Us put his arm around him. "Fits him to a 'T'."
A/N: So, what'dja think huh? Going OK? Like I said, no hint of plot yet until about chapter 3... I only have a faint idea about what it is and I'm taking a new approach to figuring it out. Trying to do this and LOtFP at the same time is challenging, not to mention I have a swarm of books that I'm reading as well. Right now, I'm reading Lackey's "OwlSight"... awesome book trilogy there! And in waiting is "A Swiftly Tilting Planet" by the infamous L'Engle. Awesome series too! Hmm, not to mention I have a whole Christmas list of books I need to make for my mom that I'll have a hard time keeping myself from getting them beforehand! Oh well... be that cool reader that you are and review please! Thanks you ever so mucho! 'Yall are the greatest you know! ::Grins::
~OrcaPotter
As for Renee herself, I've set up a website for her at http://www.expage.com/page/theworldofreneepotter GO and check that out, please! Her bio is there, and more to come... as well as updates on my current works in progress.
I'm still working on my own novel, Land Of the Four Powers. I was shocked to not get that many reviews for it... so if you have spare time, go read that and review please! ::gives puppy eyes:: I like reviews... hey, who doesn't?!
Oh gee, this is long, sorry! I'll stop for now and let you read. AND one important thing, if you're new to me, ::waves hello to new peeps::, I sudgest that you go read the 4 previous series of the Renee Chronicles before... but now that I think of it, you may not have to. Etam Luos is first, then Hatred's Prisoner, Break In the Darkness, and Battle of Destiny... as well as the Epilogue.
::sneaks to the side to let people read::
DISCLAIMER: Oh, here it goes! Hello world, my name is Orca... not J.K. Rowling and I am not responsible for anything Potter. However, I am responsible for Timothy, Renee, Kalina, Jeff... and anyone else you may not recognize!
Chapter One: Expectations
For as long as he could remember, Timothy Potter had always been gawked at whenever he left the comforts of his home. Being the son of the famous Harry and Renee Potter, he always got special treatment that all the other kids never got. He tried his best to cope with his celebrity status, even though that he himself never did anything, just his parents. Surprisingly, for a boy with as much popularity that he had, Timothy did not have too many friends. Everyone liked him for his name and heritage, not for himself. This did not bother him too much, for the people he admired most were the ones that truly knew him for who he was.
His parents.
"Timothy! Timothy, mum wants you!"
Timothy was in his room, under his bed, looking for his favorite toy.
"Timothy!"
"Kalina! I'm busy!" He coughed from the darkness. Blindly swinging his arm back and forth, he tried desperately to part all the toys that he secretly "cleaned" underneath there to search for the one he treasured most.
"Timothy, mum's gonna get mad if you don't come now!"
Annoyed and overwhelmed by dust, Timothy crawled backwards and pulled himself up from the floor, only to face his five-year-old sister. She was tall for her age, with long dark brown hair and green eyes. Kalina and Timothy had always had a close relationship, he always watched out for her. She was exceedingly bright for five years old, and she continued to baffle everyone she made contact with.
She was looking him up and down while stifling a laugh. Timothy looked at himself to see his black slacks and ivory colored shirt covered in dust. Quickly brushing himself off, Kalina jumped on his bed and lifted his pillow.
"If you're looking for Hoot, I believe this is him." She turned and held out Timothy's old stuffed owl.
Blushing quickly and swiping the well-loved toy from her little hands, Timothy uttered a small thank you. Kalina laughed and fell back on his pillow, staring at the ceiling. It was painted by their mother to look like the sky. Blue with fluffy clouds during the day, and a clear view of space at night. At mid-morning, the blue sky was as blue as ever and the clouds were few.
"A bird flew across my ceiling this morning," She said to her brother as he tried to push all the toys that he had kicked out from under his bed back in. "Has one ever flew across yours?"
Timothy fixed his round, black glasses and pushed back his messy black hair. He looked up at her with his blue eyes.
"Sure, all the time."
Kalina picked at his sheets.
"Mum's gonna be upset to see you haven't made your bed yet."
He stood up and grabbed the sheet from her.
"I could make it if you move." He said blandly.
His sister frowned and rolled off of his bed, standing at his side with her arms crossed as he made his rounds to fix his bed. Timothy stopped to look at her with exasperation.
"You could help, you know."
Kalina stuck up her nose.
"Why? You don't help with mine."
Timothy groaned and narrowed his eyes at her, roughly throwing the sheets over the bed and fixing the comforter. He threw the tossed pillows from the floor back on top and dusted off his hands while glaring at his little sister.
Suddenly, his door swung open and standing in the doorway stood his mother, Renee Potter. She was wearing her dark blue wizarding robes and her long brown hair was in a braid. Average in height, yet still towering over Timothy and his sister, her large blue eyes were narrowed directly at him.
"Timothy, I told Kalina to get you, what have you been doing?"
Kalina put on a cocky grin and strutted over to stand beside her, and stared at Timothy with an amused look. Timothy felt silly.
"I lost… I lost Hoot. I was looking for him." He blabbed.
His mother shook her head.
"Sorry." He added quickly.
"Well, hurry up then. Your Grand and Pa are waiting to talk to you through the fire. They won't be able to call again since they're going to Peru for the next four weeks."
Quickly fixing his hair, Timothy slid past his mother's stare and his sister's mocking smile to find himself in the living room. The fire in the fireplace was blaring and the face of his grandmother Springs beamed at him.
"There's my boy!" She cried. Timothy could have sworn that if she could, she would pinch his cheeks. He absentmindedly rubbed them at the thought.
"Hello Grand." He said politely.
Her New York accent was deep and she talked at a mile a minute.
"How's my big eleven year old doing, huh? Ready to start that boarding school, eh? Going to make us all proud, you are! Yes! Your mom was top of her class at there Hogwarts, and your dad… oh boy!"
She rambled on for another five minutes, Timothy putting on his sweet smile and nodding every so often to convince her that he was listening. He wanted desperately to get out on his broom and practice riding before his dad got home. However, every time Timothy wanted to finalize the conversation, his grandmother would start on something else.
"Oh, here's your Pa, hun. You be a good boy now and listen to what your mom and dad tell you, and be good at school and do all your work." His Grand's face disappeared to give way for his grandfather.
"Hello, young man. What'cha been up to?"
"Hello Pa, oh… just riding my broomstick, that's all. Dad's been teaching me some new tricks."
"Broomstick, eh? Why in my day, in the service that is…" He did exactly what his grandmother had done, go rambling on to more boring dialogue that had Timothy trying to prevent himself from yawning. Much to his relief, not soon after the front door slammed shut and he heard his father's loud sigh.
"Dad's home!" Timothy jumped happily.
His mother walked into the living room smiling.
"Hey, daddy, I'm sure Harry wants to speak with you." She came up beside Timothy who was squirming to go see his father, but she kept a hand on his shoulder.
His grandfather put on a professional look.
"Need more advice, huh?"
"That's right."
"Dad!" Timothy broke from his mother's grip to run into the outstretched arms of his father. After a hug and a ruffling of Timothy's hair, his wide smile turned up to his wife and then to the fire where his father-in-law stared blankly. He got up and started to converse with him, Timothy's mother in his arm and they got into an adult conversation. Timothy stood in the archway of the living room with a frown, as Kalina came to stand beside him. She looked up at him with large green eyes that belonged to their father.
"Adult talk is so boring, huh?" She said.
"Emm…" Timothy agreed, turning to go back to his room. Kalina bounded after him.
"Are you and dad going out to fly this afternoon before we go shopping?" She asked before he could shut her out of his room. The small window at the end of the room shown sunlight in, making the teal and scarlet textured walls bright. He grabbed for his broom which was hung on the wall and stared at it. Kalina came up to stare beside him.
"I really need a new broom, especially for Hogwarts." He muttered to her as he turned and went to sit on his bed. Kalina came and sat beside him.
"But I thought first years can't have brooms, dad only had one because he could play well."
Timothy frowned at her.
"Oh? And you're saying that I can't play well?"
Kalina shook her head quickly at his look. He shrugged and reached for the polishing kit that was just as battered as the broom. His broom, the Genesis, was a birthday gift from his parents for his 6th birthday. Five years later, the broom definitely showed the signs that it was well used and pieces were beginning to fray. Taking out the oil from his kit, he polished the handle with great care, doing everything that he had seen his father do to his own broom. Kalina watched with a slight yawn.
"I think Quidditch is boring, I'd rather color with mum's paints."
Timothy sighed and shook his head, he was used to hearing that from her. It was quite a shock to everyone, even his mother played Quidditch and was just as good on a broom as his father. But his mother's creative side went with full force on Kalina, and her only interests were in drawing and painting.
There was a knock on the door, and it swung open to reveal the messy black hair and round glasses of their father, Harry.
"Ready to go, kids?" He asked.
Timothy nodded and put his stuff away. Kalina jumped and ran to their father, him picking her up with a smile.
"Got your list, son?" He asked Timothy, as he fixed his glasses and went to stand beside him in the doorway.
"Uh huh." He pulled the list out from his pocket.
"Right then, let's go."
They walked into the living room, their mother waiting with Floo Powder. She smiled at them and tossed a handful into the fire, making it flare up with green flames and a slight hiss.
"I'll go first." She said, stepping inside the fire. "See you in a moment!" Their mother turned to the fire. "Diagon Alley!" And with a flash, she was gone.
"Go on, Timothy. You next." His dad gave him a gentle push at the shoulders.
Timothy stepped into the fire, yelled "Diagon Alley!", and he felt the floor disappear and the world began to swirl around him. He was used to it, and soon got off to stand by his mother.
"Hey honey." She tried to fix his hair. He sighed, because it was futile to make his hair neat… it was naturally messy, jut like his dad's.
Kalina got out of the fire next, giggling loudly.
"What so funny, Kalina?" Their mother asked, tucking a strand of Kalina's hair behind her ear.
It took the little girl a few moments to calm down, her dark brown hair ruffling with her severe giggling. Timothy just stared at her and their mother had an amused grin.
"Jeff woke up just before I left!" She managed to say. "He wanted to come with us, but dad said no. I left while they were arguing."
"Oh dear." Their mother sighed, still grinning. Timothy suddenly remembered telling his best friend, Jeff the Jefforagon, that he would be able to come with them. The little yellow dragon was in dire need of nail clippers. He bit his lip at the thought of Jeff's angry look when they got home. You did not want to mess with a dragon that can breathe fire.
Suddenly, his father leapt out of the fire place, looking annoyed and disheveled.
"I tell you, that dragon has quite a temper!" He said as he brushed ash off of his wizard's robes. Timothy couldn't help but giggle, as well as the rest of them.
"Sorry, I should of told him before we left. But he hates to be disturbed while sleeping." His mother said, giving his dad a kiss. Harry's annoyed look dissolved and he looked at them all, clapping his hands together.
"Well, let's go get Timothy's stuff, shall we?"
Everyone nodded earnestly and they stepped out from the large Floo Powder exclusive fireplace that stood outside the Leaky Cauldron. Harry took out his wand and tapped some bricks on the wall, and it opened to reveal a large cobblestone street. The four then walked through, Timothy watching excitedly as the opening closed behind them. With a large smile, he went to walk close to his father while Kalina took their mother's hand.
Diagon Alley was busy with customers. They passed by buzzing shops and stores. Timothy was always fascinated with Diagon Alley, and wasn't the least bit surprised to see people double back or stop to gawk at them all as they went past. Most wizards and witches bowed to them, his father and mother repaying the gesture. Before he knew it, they were standing in front of Gringotts, the wizarding bank.
"Mum," Kalina whined up at their mother. "Can we go look in the flower shop? I don't like it in there, the goblins scare me!"
Timothy sighed as his parents exchanged looks.
"I'll take Timothy inside with me, we'll meet you at… uh, let's say Ollivander's." His father finally said.
Kalina practically dragged their mother down the steps and down back the alley. Timothy looked up at his father and they exchanged smiles.
"More time for the fun stuff, eh?" His father whispered mischievously. Timothy beamed as his father took his hand and they went inside, the goblins at the doors bowing deeply as they went past. They reached the front desk and the head goblin nearly gasped to see his father.
"Mr. Potter, and honor to see you today. Come for a withdrawal?" The head goblin said importantly.
Timothy looked around as his father made arrangements and stared at the many goblins zipping in and out of small doors. His gaze did not break, even as his father took his hand again and they were following another goblin to one of the doors.
"Are we going to ride in the cart again, dad?" He asked him as they followed the goblin through a door.
"Yep, sure are." And as he said so, the leading goblin bowed and motioned for them to jump into a waiting cart. His father took his elbow and helped Timothy into the cart, then he sat down next to him. Timothy could hardly contain his happiness as the cart sped down the track and blew past vaults of various sizes, turning right and left then left and right and so one. By the time the cart jolted to a stop and his father had hopped out, Timothy nearly fell out himself, running to stand behind him.
"Better get some extra galleons for the school year, just in case." His father winked at him as the door to the Potter vault swung open. Timothy's eyes dazzled in the light of a overwhelmingly filled room of every magical coin. Helping his father fill a sac with some of each kind, they were soon done and back in the cart.
Side by side, Timothy and his father left Gringotts and headed for Madam Malkin's for his Hogwarts robes. Everyone inside, even Madam Malkin herself was excited to see the famous pair. In no time at all, Timothy had a complete wardrobe of wizarding robes himself. Next they gathered all his school books, a cauldron and potions supplies, telescope for astronomy, and everything else on the list except his wand.
"Better meet up with your mum and sister at Ollivander's, time to get your wand." His father smiled at him, only to see that Timothy's attention had been averted to the new Quidditch supply shop. Harry smiled broadly as Timothy looked up at him pleadingly.
"Dad… do you think…?"
His father looked over in the direction of the wand shop quickly, then looked back at Timothy, still smiling.
"They can wait a bit longer, I guess."
Timothy let out a whoop of joy, and his father opened the door to the shop, allowing him to skip through. He first ran to the wall that held on display the latest in brooms. In the number one spot was the Dragonsfire 800. Aerodynamically proportioned, a personalized handle molded for it's owner, each birch twig trimmed to perfection, and capable of speeds of up to 200 miles per hour. Only the most skilled and professional flyers owned this brand of broom, but deep down Timothy knew he could handle it.
"Hey dad, check this out!" He yelled at his dad, who was talking with an eager shop owner. Timothy did not take his eyes off the Dragonsfire, but looked at it with even more longing as he felt his father's hand on his shoulder.
"Emm…" He heard his father seethe with mutual delight. "I'd have to say that this broom is certainly made for those in the big leagues."
Timothy reached out a hand to stroke the mahogany handle as if it were a precious gem.
"I'm sure I could fly it." He sighed as if it that phrase could never come true.
"Oh, I don't know about that one… but maybe this one could fit to your liking just as much." Timothy looked at his father for the first time since they entered the shop, to see that he was holding a long packaged box. Very slowly, a large smile split on his face as his father opened the end just enough to see inside.
"Shh!" He put up a hand as Timothy was about to scream with joy. "Just, don't tell your mum yet. I'll tell her later. And you can't take this right away to Hogwarts, wait until your first lesson in flying… then write to me."
Timothy could hardly contain himself, he jumped into his father's arms squeezing with all his might.
"Oh dad! Thanks a million!"
He laughed and set Timothy down, putting the long package in his arms. Timothy took it like it contained a dozen glass eggs, carefully guiding it out as they left the shop.
When they reached Ollivander's, his mother had a suspicious look on her face when she saw their mutual grins. Kalina looked at Timothy closely and he smiled at her sweetly, making her giggle.
"Where have you two been? We've been waiting for an eon!" His mother mostly directed at his father, while walking into the old shop.
"Oh, just doing your usual father-son bonding thing." He said, running a hand through his jet-black, messy hair. He quickly took the long package from Timothy and with a sudden movement of his wand, the package disappeared. Timothy looked horrorstruck, but his father gave him a reassuring smile.
"Ah!" Came a voice from the back of the shop. Kalina took their mother's hand and Timothy was pushed forward by their father. "The Potters! How extraordinary to see you all!"
Timothy immediately backed into his father, feeling his strong hands comfort his shoulders as a really old and musty man came scuttling to meet them.
"Harry Potter." The man with wide, unblinking eyes said with pride and distinction. "You have truly become all that your parents were and more. Most honorable to meet you again, Order of Merlin, First Class. Your talent favored my most favorite wand; holly and phoenix feather, eleven inches, nice and supple." He turned to Timothy's mother. "And with no less praise, Renee Potter. Just as talented as beautiful, I see, always have been. If I remember right, as I always do, your wand is yew and phoenix feather, ten inches." He grinned at both of Timothy's parents. "Not a surprise for Etam Luoses, your cores are kin to each other."
Timothy looked up at his father, who was smiling politely. He had a strange feeling that his dad felt the same way towards this short, odd man. Kalina was peeking out from behind their mother, and Mr. Ollivander smiled at her, making her just jut behind their mother more.
"And so I have the pleasure, and honor, of serving the next generation of Potters." Timothy watched him closely as Mr. Ollivander looked directly at his father. "This would make the fourth generation to come stepping through my door, as I have served your father's parents, your own parents, yourself and your wife in a sense, and now…" He looked directly at Timothy, making him swallow dryly. "Your own son."
Timothy said nothing, feeling his father squeeze his shoulder reassuringly as Mr. Ollivander searched his pockets and take out a measuring tape.
"Hold out your wand arm then, young man."
Hesitating a moment, and hearing his father bend down and whisper in his ear: "Your right hand.", Timothy stretched out his right arm and Mr. Ollivander went to work measuring everything imaginable on his person. Before he realized it, the tape was taking measurements on it's own as the little man went to search his plain, stocked shelves.
"As you may have already guessed, my young Timothy, I remember each and every wand I've sold. It really is the wand that chooses the user, actually. And no two wands are exactly the same!" He said, climbing a ladder and taking packages off shelves.
Timothy had been so caught up in the man's old and odd appearance that it wasn't until the man said so that he realized that he did know exactly what kind of wands his parents owned. He unconsciously moved closer to his father, while glancing back at his mother who was soothing a curious, yet frightful Kalina.
"Here," Mr. Ollivander had suddenly popped in front of his eyes, presenting him with an open package containing a reddish colored wand. "Try this one. Mahogany and unicorn hair, eight inches, strong and pliable."
Hesitating slightly, Timothy picked up the wand gingerly with his right hand and squinted, expecting something to happen. Nothing did, and before he could fully open his eyes the wand was whipped out of his hand and Mr. Ollivander stuck another into it. Before Timothy could so much as blink, that one too was taken abruptly from his grasp.
"No worries, we'll find your match here somewhere." The old man said cheerily. Timothy looked up with a puzzled expression at his father, who looked as if he was trying to keep from laughing.
Wand after wand, package after package, Timothy must of held every wand ever created. His father had long since went to go by his mother, with Kalina on his lap as he sat beside her. Timothy was more frustrated than ever, but the strange Mr. Ollivander looked very pleased.
"Like father, like son as they say. Your father there went through very much the same process before his wand touched his fingers. Don't worry, my boy, your wand's here somewhere!" He picked up the last box on the last shelf. Everything else was piled in a corner, tried and failed wands.
"Ah, here now…" He said slowly, coming to stand in front of Timothy, who looked at him with a tired and blank look. "The most unusual combination that I have in stock." He picked up a long wand, pale in color with beautiful swirls of light brown in the wood. "Eighteen inches, oak compressed with cedar ash, and a core of gryphon feathers. Powerful and strong, this is."
Timothy took the wand in his hand, and instantly he felt a warm sensation in his fingers. Red and gold sparks shot out of the end, and Mr. Ollivander, as well of his parents let out a pleased applause.
Taking the wand back from Timothy and placing it in it's box, Mr. Ollivander smiled.
"An extraordinary wand for and extraordinary wizard, as the saying goes. Your parents have proved that much… I can say that we can expect some great things from you, young Potter."
Timothy wasn't sure what to say. Kalina had ran up to him, tugging at his vest and smiling. His parents came over and fussed over him; his mother fixing his hair, only to have his father mess it up again. Mr. Ollivander came back with a neatly tied package, handed it to him, and winked.
"Now, take good care of that. A well cared for wand, is a well serving wand." He smiled at Kalina who ducked behind Timothy. "And I shall be seeing you in a few years yet, eh?"
"Thank you, Mr. Ollivander." His father said politely, paying him twenty galleons.
"Good bye, Mr. and Mrs. Potter." The odd man said with a bow.
The four of them decided to have ice cream and sit down outside the parlor. Timothy stared hard at his new wand for a while, as his father considered him closely.
"Weird guy, huh?" He said, snapping Timothy back to earth.
"Yeah, he gave me the creeps." Timothy muttered, cringing slightly as his mother looked at him scornfully. But to his relief, his father laughed.
"Exactly how I felt when I met him, and I did try every wand there was before he gave me this one." He pulled out his wand, well cared for yet showing it's age.
"I missed it with my Godson, and now I've missed it with my great-Godson! No matter how old I'll get, I'll always be late for everything!"
Timothy whipped around to see his Great-uncle Us, dressed in his auror's robes. His mop of gray hair framed an old, yet cheery face.
"Sirius!" Timothy's father shouted, jumping up to hug him.
"Great-uncle Us!" Both Timothy and Kalina cried.
"Hey there!" He said, ruffling his black hair and smiling. "Sorry I missed out on the weirdo, amazing that guy is still around." Kalina leapt into his arms, strangling his neck with a big hug. "Hey, sweetie… careful now, I may be squishy but I still need to breathe!" Timothy simply looked up at him with admiration, as Great-uncle Us greeted his mother with a gentle kiss on the cheek.
Timothy's father had on a flat expression, looking seriously at Timothy's beloved great-uncle.
"There's nothing wrong in the Circle, is there, Sirius?" He asked. Shaking his head quickly and sitting down with Kalina on his lap, Great-uncle Us smiled.
"You worry too much, Harry. No, there's nothing wrong. I'm just here to spend time with my Godson and his family, is that alright?"
Timothy grinned at his father, who was sitting back in his chair with relief. His mother was grinning as if she knew all along.
"Why would there be anything wrong, sweetheart? You know as well as I do that the tabs have been quiet for some time now."
"You're right, Renee. I'm just not used to having Padfoot here pop out of nowhere without something bad happening."
"Of course I'm right." Timothy's mother laughed as she put on a mocking, serious look at his father. He looked to his great-uncle who was staring at his father sternly.
"It's called a 'surprise', Mr. Harry Potter. Hello!" He turned and grinned at Timothy, who began to tap the table eagerly, knowing that something fun was always bound to happen with his great-uncle.
"Anyway," He replied, patting Kalina contently on her long dark brown hair. "Time for me and Timothy here to go."
"Go where?" Everyone asked in union, but Timothy jumped out of his seat in excitement. Kalina looked shocked and hurt.
He looked down at her and smiled kindly.
"You and me, little one, will do something later. Right now, me and your brother are going to do some male bonding."
Timothy could hardly contain himself, looking excitedly at his parents. His father looked at his great-uncle with amused suspicion, while his mother looked at him with the same look, without the amusement.
"Can I go, dad? Mum?" He asked pleadingly.
"Of course," His father replied, still looking at Great-uncle Us. His mother nodded, but showed signs of holding back objections.
Timothy leapt out of his chair, stuffing the rest of his ice cream in his mouth, and grabbed Great-uncle Us's hand. Laughing, and handing a disappointed Kalina over to their father, Great-uncle Us allowed Timothy to steer him further down Diagon Alley and away from the ice cream parlor.
"What are we going to do?" Timothy asked excitedly, looking around.
"Well, I figured I'd get you a going-away present. Something that you could have good use of at Hogwarts." His great-uncle replied, taking over the steering and leading Timothy down the alley of shops.
"Really?" He asked breathlessly with excitement. "What is it?"
"Well, you know your parent's owls are much too old to make long trips now, and their own fledgling makes the usual rounds for them these days… I figured that, well, Timothy Potter should have his own owl. Like your father did, and your father's father did at Hogwarts."
"Wow!" Timothy shouted, but he frowned slightly. "But dad said that I could use Albus for school already."
Great-uncle Us waved his hand and smiled.
"They need Albus since Hedwig and Keto can't make runs as quick as they used to; and they need an owl that can get messages out quickly, being aurors."
Timothy could hardly contain his joy.
"Thanks, Great-uncle Us! Won't Kalina be jealous to know that I'm getting my own owl!"
His great-uncle cringed slightly.
"Well, just remind your little sister that when it's her time to go to Hogwarts, she'll get an owl herself."
They entered "Talons, Claws, and Paws"; Timothy had never seen so many animals in his life. The walls were stacked high with cages, holding all types of owls. Tanks filled with scampering mice and rats filled the middle of walkways. Large compartments filled with carpet-covered furniture held cats of all sizes and colors. Fixing his glasses and leading the way with his great-uncle in tow, Timothy peered at each creature with excited wonder.
A tall, middle-aged witch came to greet him behind spectacles that reflected what little light that was inside the shop, hiding her eyes.
"May I help…" But she stopped in mid-sentence when she got a good look at Timothy, who realized what she just realized and sighed. "My! If I didn't know any better, I'd say I was in the presence of a miniature Harry Potter! Why, bless my soul it's Mr. Timothy Potter!" She grabbed his hand before he could blink. To his relief, his great-uncle interjected himself.
"Hello, ma'am. My great-Godson here is looking for an owl to suit him."
She looked up at Timothy and gave his great-uncle a respectable nod.
"Mr. Black, yes, I've heard of you. An honor to meet you as well." Although her tone was not as enthusiastic as it was when she addressed Timothy. "I'm Emily Bradshaw, and I believe I can help Mr. Potter here find his owl."
Closely followed by Great-uncle Us, Ms. Bradshaw introduced Timothy to nearly every bird in the shop. Each were fascinating, but they didn't take to him. Some owls were too big, some too small, others were too noisy, and some did not pay any attention to him at all.
After a while, Ms. Bradshaw trying desperately to find something that would work with him, Timothy looked around almost disappointedly when he noticed a ruffle of dark gray in a corner.
"What about that one, Ms. Bradshaw?" He tapped lightly up on her shoulder. She turned and he pointed to the cage he was approaching. Tucked in that corner, almost as if it were not meant to be seen, was a cage that held a stunningly handsome gray owl. It was large, but not as big as others had been, with real dark amber eyes that stared widely at Timothy. It's feathers were the darkest gray he had ever seen, dark as stone.
"Oh, I wouldn't consider this one, Mr. Potter." Ms. Bradshaw was quick to dismiss this particular owl. "He has not taken real well with customers."
Timothy didn't budge as the saleswoman tried to distract him with a smaller brown owl in a near by cage. He stared intently at the gray owl in front of him, and it stared right back, almost as interested.
"Why not?" He asked, his great-uncle coming closer for a better look.
Ms. Bradshaw had a bland, professional expression on her face as she turned to address him.
"This is a rare example of a great gray owl, usually they have specks of white in their plumage, but this one is simply a dark gray, almost black. He was shipped here from North America months ago, and he has bitten everyone who's tried to touch him since. Myself included," She inspected a red finger. "I don't think he's the right one for you, Mr. Potter."
The owl let out a long hoot, and Timothy smiled as it scuttled back and forth on the small, feeble branch that it was perched upon in the cage.
"I would say this owl doesn't agree with you, Ms. Bradshaw." His great-uncle said to her thoughtfully, staring at both Timothy and the owl.
"Can I see him?" Timothy asked her.
"I don't know…" She trailed.
"Please?" He persisted, the owl looking back at him with it's deep amber eyes.
"Alright," She sighed, taking out a key and opening the cage. "Be careful though."
Timothy held out his hand, trying to make it as unimposing as possible, and to his surprise and delight, the great gray owl hopped onto his wrist with great care. Not a scratch was etched on his skin, and Timothy took his other hand to stroke it's dark feathers. The owl hooted contently, leaning into his palm as he scratched it's head. Timothy turned and smiled broadly at his great-uncle, who returned the expression. Ms. Bradshaw was astonished.
"Well, I'll say! I've never seen this owl behave this way with anyone before!"
"Can I have this owl?" Timothy asked his Great-uncle Us.
"I think you've made a sale, Ms. Bradshaw."
When Timothy and his great-uncle stepped out of the shop, himself holding the cage containing his new great gray owl, he felt lighter than air.
"Boy, will mum and dad be surprised to see him!" He said happily.
"Just be sure to keep that dragon of yours away from him," His great-uncle whispered down to him. "I'm not sure how a new and young owl will react to his antics."
"Don't worry," Timothy reassured him. "I'll keep Windstone in my room and I'll tell Jeff to stay out."
"Won't he bet upset… hey, wait a minute… Windstone?" His great-uncle did a double take as they began to walk back to the ice cream parlor.
"Yeah," Timothy said, staring back into his new owl's deep amber eyes. "Wind for the air blowing over his wings, and stone for the intense color of his feathers."
"Nicely thought, Timothy." Great-uncle Us put his arm around him. "Fits him to a 'T'."
A/N: So, what'dja think huh? Going OK? Like I said, no hint of plot yet until about chapter 3... I only have a faint idea about what it is and I'm taking a new approach to figuring it out. Trying to do this and LOtFP at the same time is challenging, not to mention I have a swarm of books that I'm reading as well. Right now, I'm reading Lackey's "OwlSight"... awesome book trilogy there! And in waiting is "A Swiftly Tilting Planet" by the infamous L'Engle. Awesome series too! Hmm, not to mention I have a whole Christmas list of books I need to make for my mom that I'll have a hard time keeping myself from getting them beforehand! Oh well... be that cool reader that you are and review please! Thanks you ever so mucho! 'Yall are the greatest you know! ::Grins::
~OrcaPotter