The air was warm the day of Maeva Lee Hadlock's birthday.
Too warm, if you asked her, but that didn't damper the eleven year old's mood any. She was still hopping on the balls of her feet, a feeling of pure, unadulterated happiness making her smile as wide as she possibly could. Today was her birthday, yes, and that was a very special thing indeed, for she was a magical being.
She was a witch.
What was so exciting about turning eleven when you were a young witch, you might ask? Well, for Maeva, it meant the start of something new, something amazing, something wonderful. She would be starting her first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where she would learn to - obviously - control the magic she'd been born with. Her mother and father had attended the school before her, and their parents before them, and theirs before them, and so on. It was something Maeva had been looking forward to for quite sometime, and she was more thaShe in their footsteps.
When her father had asked her what she wanted for her birthday, she had been unsure at first. What did she want? She hadn't gotten a broom yet - her very own, anyway - and that had been something she'd been wanting. Maybe she could say that…
When the confirmation letter from the school had come, however, she had changed her mind.
"I want my school supplies to be my gifts." She had declared, grinning up at her father, who had looked rather befuddled.
"Your supplies?" He'd echoed, raising a brow at her.
"Yes. My supplies. At first I thought a broom, my own broom, would be a good gift, but I think my supplies would be a better idea. And my own owl, because Sani doesn't like me much and I don't want to take him along." Everything came out in one big rush, making it so that she had to suck in a giant breath when she was done.
"Well…" He murmured, chuckling softly, "If that's what you want, than that's what we'll do."
And that was how they had ended up at Eelyops Owl Emporium, with Maeva herself looking with wonder at the different species of bird and her father speaking with the shop owner about why they were there. Their conversation about the wand that'd chosen her not long before they'd come to the shop - 12 ¾" in length aspen wood with a dragon heartstring core and supple flexibility - had faded into the background while she was looking. She'd been excited to receive it - she saw it as being one step closer to being a full-fledged witch - but now, surrounded by so many owls, Maeva found herself being sucked in by it all, forgetting all that'd she'd felt moments before. There were a wide variety around her, that was for sure; screech, burrowing, barn, snowy… All of them were beautiful, and she found it difficult to choose a favorite. However, as Maeva's eyes scanned the rows scanned the rows of cages, they fell on one owl in particular.
It was white - though not as pure a white as the snowy owls were, it seemed - with light brown striping upon its head. Framing its nearly black dark brown eyes were rims of a similar darker brown hue, reminding her faintly of the glasses her father sometimes wore. It was watching her through slightly narrowed eyes, and Maeva found that she was grinning without though she at first didn't realize it. She approached the cage and watched the owl for quite some time before footsteps from behind her made her turn.
"I see young Elomyr here's caught yer eye!" The shop manager, who Maeva thought was named that started with a B, said, a wide and toothy smile on his bearded face. Though they came to the shop often and the owner was an old friend of her father's, she could never quite remember his name. "He's a fine bird, he is. A little on the small side, though; he ain't fully grown yet, just like yer tiny self."
"I'd prefer her to stay this size forever, truthfully." Her father muttered. "Much easier to worry about her while she's in the house than when she's at school getting up to Merlin knows what kind of trouble."
This earned an angry look from the little brunette and a hearty laugh for the shop owner.
"I will not be getting into any sort of trouble!" She spat, sounding all the part of a small, petulant child.
Quick to defuse any tension between the two, the shop owner leaned forward, glancing between the two with concerned eyes. "So, Arius, Maeva," He began, waggling his bushy brows in an attempt at humor, "Is this the owl fer you?"
His attempt worked, for Arius rolled his eyes in exasperation and Maeva giggled.
"If he's the one she wants, I've no issue with it. He has no nipping problems or anything like that, yes?" Her father asked, with the man shaking his head.
"None that I've seen thus far. He's a well-behaved little bugger; I'll be sad to see him go, but happy that he's goin' to someone who'll take good care of him."
"Then…?" Arius trailed off, looking squarely at Maeva. She nodded vigorously, though she said nothing; the excited feeling bubbling up within her was so strong she was afraid she'd do something stupid like scream her agreement if she spoke.
"Alright then!" The man said, his own excitement gleaming in eyes. "Normally my White Barreds go fer 15 galleons, but what with you and yer daughter being long-time friends and customers, I feel a deal's in order. How's about 10 galleons?"
"That sounds like a fine deal, Bulstrode. Can I ask a favor of you, though?" Arius asked.
"'Course you can! Anything fer an old pal."
"We've got to go and get some other things - books and the like - so could you just keep him here until we're through? It'd be less stressful for him."
Bulstrode nodded his bearded head in agreement. "Yes, yes, you may. I wouldn't want the poor bloke gettin' too spooked his first day with you."
"Thank you so much, Mr. Bulstrode!" Maeva said, causing him to blush a tad and pretend to shoo her away.
"Yer much too kind, girl. Now go on, get yer things; he'll be here when ye return."
Her father also thanked the man, and then they were off. Several other families of various magical backgrounds - you could tell by how they dressed - swept past them in droves, and Maeva felt a sliver of fear enter her mind. She disliked large crowds, but, she supposed, she'd have to get used to it once she got to Hogwarts. Her father wouldn't be there to hold her hand forever.
Deciding to take a little initiative - though hating herself a little for it, in all honesty - she grabbed her father's sleeve, causing him to halt.
"Can… Can I go to Flourish and Blotts on my own? I want to try doing something for myself for a change, and it'd make the time 'til we have to go and get Elomyr shorter." She sounded a little sheepish, and she cursed herself for that - her father, being the overprotective man he was, would catch on and probably say no.
To her surprise, however, he simply chuckled a little and, perhaps looking a little sad, replied, "I guess, if you really want. Are you sure you'll be alright though? I know how you are…"
Stunned by his allowance, she hardly managed to stutter out, "Y-yes! I have to get used to stuff like this, don't I?"
"I suppose so. Be careful though, please! You're my favorite daughter and I don't want to hear that you got hurt." He ruffled her dark brunette hair, causing her to look rather annoyed.
"Please, dad. I'm you're only daughter; I've gotta be your favorite. I'll meet you outside Flourish and Blott's when I'm done, okay?" Maeva took the small pouch of money her father offered her, and when he nodded silently, she grinned excitedly and took off down the alley.
As she went, she would never know of the growing feeling of emptiness opening up within Belarius Hadlock's chest. She wasn't dying, not like Arianna had, but the idea that his daughter would be out of his care and in a place where he couldn't guarantee her safety was terrifying all the same.
Outside the book shop, witches and wizards of all ages seemed to be waiting for a companion to come back out. A lot of them appeared to be older schoolaged kids, possibly waiting for their parents to buy their books or some for a younger sibling. Maeva cringed inwardly. She would have chosen to do this on one of Flourish and Blott's busiest days.
Steeling her resolve, she made her way past them, feeling small and insignificant next to the taller adults and kids. Opening the door, she realized it wasn't as bad on the inside; there were a lot less people there. As always, the amount of books amazed her, and she felt an itch to browse the magical creatures section; it was her favorite subject, after all.
Luckily enough, Newt Scamander's Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them was on her list, and she smiled to herself. This was a book she would definitely like. She had wanted to read it before going to school but figured she should just wait until than to do so.
There was a display of them out in front of the section. It wasn't a large book by any means, but she could pick out the green of its cover anywhere. Picking it up was easy enough, and Maeva found herself smiling yet again. I can do this, she thought, looking down at the piece of paper containing her list and not watching where she was going. It isn't that ba-
She slammed into another body, and, not being that large, the force of it sent her tumbling backwards off her feet - right into the display of Fantastic Beasts books. Towers of them fell, sending them crashing to the ground. All the while, loud peals of laughter rang out somewhere above her, and Maeva became incredibly irritated. How could someone just laugh when they'd run into someone and caused them to fall down as she had?
She lifted her head and squinted at the boy - for it was indeed a boy who she had run into. He was tall - certainly taller than she was, though that wasn't hard to achieve - and hair that was possibly the reddest she had ever seen. He was doubled over, holding his stomach, laughing and laughing and laughing at her fall, not bothering to see if she was okay or anything. Just laughing.
Thankfully, a hand hesitantly touched Maeva's shoulder, and the dark haired brunette turned her head to see another redhead. She nearly grimaced before realizing the girl's hair was a much darker and richer shade and that she looked nothing like the boy. Not related, maybe? Merlin, she hoped so.
"Are you uh… okay?" The girl asked, drawing her hand away as soon as she saw Maeva's face turn toward hers.
"Yeah, I think so. Just a little mad at that git," She waved a hand carelessly in the boy's direction, "over there. Got jabbed by some corners, but I'm good."
"Y-you're sure?" The girl replied, offering her hand hesitantly. Maeva took it, and a few seconds later she was upright again, dusting off her clothes.
"Mhm. Thanks for your help; clearly he wasn't gonna give me any. What's your name?"
"Isabelle." She answered quickly. Her gaze kept darting toward the other side of the shop. "I, um, have to go; I only stayed because I saw you get hurt, but my Grams and dad… They're gonna be waiting for me." She stood there quite awkwardly for a moment, averting her eyes and looking anywhere but at Maeva. Tucking a strand of hair behind her left ear, she offered a small - very small - smile before hurrying away. At the counter, she joined a man who looked to be her own father's age - who looked pretty out of place himself in muggle clothing, just as Isabelle did - and a woman who looked quite old. Her Grams, probably.
The day keeps getting weirder and weirder… First this stupid boy, and then a girl who helps me only to run away right after. Without realizing it, she rolled her eyes. I'll think about her more later, though. First, I've got to deal with him.
Turning to the boy - who had finally stopped laughing, thank Merlin - she fixed him with the meanest scowl she could muster. Admittedly, it wasn't that scary; she wasn't that big, and her cheeks were kind of chipmunky. Not exactly the best thing to use against someone you hated, but hey, Maeva would use what she had.
"You're very rude, you know that?" She spat, jabbing a finger in his direction.
"Me, rude? You wound me, miss." He said dramatically, laying a hand over his heart.
That cheeky git! She thought angrily, taking a step forward. By now, she was surprised the shop owner hadn't come to see what was going on; it'd been a bit now, and the noise had been loud. No matter; the more time she had to be angry at him, the better.
"You knocked me down and didn't even say sorry! You didn't offer to help me up, either! In fact, all you did was laugh!" Maeva retorted. "Didn't you think that I could've been hurt? Why didn't you help me, or get help?"
He paused in his amusement, his blue eyes becoming troubled. "I thought it was funny. I didn't stop to think that a bad thing could have happened."
She snorted. "Yeah, that's the entire problem, isn't i-"
"George, where'd you go off to?" A voice called, a hint of worry laced in it's otherwise warm tone. "I thought I told you to - GEORGE FABIAN WEASLEY, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!"
The boy - whose name was decidedly George - blanched at the use of his full name.
"Merlin spare me," He muttered under his breath, turning to face the angry figure coming toward them.
"I was looking away for how long to try and find that shop keeper and you go and do this?" The woman, who was a little on the heavy side and as red haired as her son, asked. Her expression was one of pure exasperation and anger.
"It wasn't even my fault, mum, let me expla-" George tried to say, which Maeva interrupted with a sharp snort.
"Not your fault? You ran into me and I fell into those books!" She snapped, pointing at the pile that was now in great disarray. Muttering what Maeva was sure were unkind words, the older witch pulled out her wand and waved it a few times. In the span of a few heartbeats, the books were back in perfect order.
"Is that true?" She asked, an edge of warning clear within her words.
"Mum, I didn't mean to do it! I wouldn't ever -"
"You were probably trying to prank the poor thing," his mother practically growled. Turning to Maeva, she smiled as warmly as she could, adding, "Hello, dear. I'm Molly Weasley. I'm sorry about all that; my son is a little bit of a prankster, as I just said. I do apologize for any harm he's caused you. Who might you be?"
Smiling a little herself - the lady was rather nice if you weren't on her bad side, it appeared - Maeva replied, "I'm Belarius Hadlock's daughter, Maeva."
Molly's eyes widened some. "I thought you looked a tad like someone I use to know, but I wasn't sure… Arius and Ari's daughter, hm? I knew the both of them before…" She trailed off, unsure of how to proceed, before adding, "I wasn't sure what had happened to poor Arius after the war. He dropped off the face of the planet with you, it seemed. You were so little then! I remember Ari bringing you over…"
"Mum, you're rambling." George said matter-of-factly.
"And you're getting on my last nerve. You and your brother both." Molly retorted, glaring at him. Looking back to Maeva, she added, "Anyway, dear, point is that I'm sure Arthur would enjoy seeing your father again. When you're done here, what do you say to getting Arius and bringing him to lunch?"
Maeva paused for a moment, sending a thinly veiled look of disdain his way. While she didn't want to spend anymore time with the boy than she really had to, she wondered if it'd be a good thing for her dad to do. He didn't do much of anything except stay with her at the house or go out to get what they needed. Their family had plenty of money, so he always said that "working wasn't important to him; she was," but Maeva got the feeling there was more to it than that, just not exactly what it was. He'd made his life all about her; protecting her, making sure she was okay, trying to fill the shoes that'd been empty since her mother's death had occurred… Maybe he thought he'd lose her, too?
Perhaps it was what he needed to get him back into the wizarding world and out of the do-anything-and-everything-for-Maeva one.
"Okay," She conceded, nodding once. "It sounds good; I think he'd like seeing an old friend, too."
"Lovely! How does Florean Fortescue's sound?" Molly suggested, immediately making Maeva's mouth water. That place had the best ice cream she'd ever had!
"Great! We'll see you there!" She responded with as much enthusiasm as she could; while she was excited for the ice cream and to see someone from her father's past, she still wasn't looking forward to whatever shenanigans she was sure were going to happen.
After she said goodbye to Molly - and said not so much as a word to George - Maeva came to find out exactly why it was that no help had come when she'd fallen. The owner had left, leaving a single employee in charge, so he could go and get lunch. He'd returned while she'd been waiting for someone to actually sell her stack of books to her, looking incredibly irritated to find his employee gone. According to the owner, the girl who was supposed to have been working the counter had opted to take a nap in the back instead. He apologized profusely, even going as far as to give her a small discount on her books, though she assured him that it was okay and that it wasn't his fault.
As she left, the man - who she later learned was a very distant descendant of the store's founder and was named Wynnstan Flourish - wished her well for the new school year, and she thanked him. While she hoped that it would be a good year, she had her doubts.
And all of them had to do with George.