I haven't celebrated my birthday since I was ten. Yes, I marked the occasion and received gifts, but somehow the addition of another year seems meaningless without those closest to me; especially when that day is the day they were taken from me. It's been eight long years since I last saw them; eight years since my brother and his wife were murdered. And I am the only one who knows the full truth of that horrid birthday. Living itself seemed almost purposeless until the day everything changed.
I pulled my jacket tighter around me as I walked through muggle London. It was only August, but the air had a bite to it. The street was busy in the late afternoon, but I wasn't bothered. No one would notice me if I didn't want them to.
The world seemed ordinary today. The muggles drifted by, wreathed in a myriad of colors. I felt their emotions as I passed, happy, sad, anxious, fuming, confused; ordinary people feeling ordinary things. Occasionally, I would notice the shimmer of a magical being, but it was rather rare. Few wizards or witches choose to walk when they can floo. I felt myself drift over to the far side of the street. The wisps I was getting were strong, and made me curious. What was a child doing all alone at a time like this?
I turned into an alley, and instantly spotted her. She was propped up against the cold brick wall, examining the contents of a letter excitedly. Her aura was colorful. Bright blue joy, green, curiosity, yellow hope, and the faint shimmer marking her a witch. She was young, only about ten or eleven, too young to be on her own.
"Going to Hogwarts?" I asked, leaning on the wall.
The girl's head snapped up. Her eyes met mine, searching. "It's real?" she asked excitedly, "There are others like me?"
I smiled bemusedly, "It's real alright!" I laughed. "What's your name girlie?"
She stood and offered her hand, "I'm Riya."
"Olivia Gemini Potter, but my friends call me Via" I nodded, taking her hand. "I assume you haven't got your supplies yet?"
" I don't know where to find them, and even if I did, I don't have any money," she replied sadly.
"Well, I guess I'll just have to lend you some money, Riya. Follow me," I ordered. The girl grinned and did as told.
The walk to the Leaky Cauldron was short. I had been on my way there before I got sidetracked. I glanced down at the girl as she stared around at all the people. It must have seemed strange to her that everyone was wearing robes. I had grown up with this, but to a muggleborn… well everything about the wizarding world is strange. Riya caught my eye and grinned. it was that grin that told me she would adjust quickly.
The first place I took her was Gringotts. Riya was going to be a Gryffindor, I discovered. She was unflappable. The goblins didn't scare her. She found the ride to the Potter vault fun. The only thing that bothered her was the fact that I would be paying for her supplies.
"It only money," I shook my head with a smile. "I have plenty of it."
"But…"
"You can pay me back by doing something with your life. You're going to be incredible", I told her. I expected the blast of emotion, joy, gratitude, amazement, but I was surprised when her hair turned a vibrant yellow.
My jaw dropped. I felt her tensing up, afraid. She probably wondered if that was to strange, even for the magical world. I shook my head, and ruffled her hair, "You're a metamorphmagus," I whispered. "That's so cool!" I exclaimed. Riya started laughing, relived.
We got our galleons quickly. I was in a hurry to get out of there. We still had to get our supplies. It was guaranteed to be busy, and I didn't do well in crowds. Perks of being an empath I guess.
The bookshop was always the busiest, so I decided to get everything else first. We got a trunk for her. It was sturdy, but light, and was enchanted to fit everything we needed in it. Riya took one look inside and exclaimed, "IT'S BIGGER ON THE INSIDE!" I burst out laughing. Muggle culture was wonderful. She looked over and smiled impishly. "I've always wanted to say that."
Our next stop was Madam Malkin's. Riya was somehow able to be still long enough for a fitting, thank Merlin. The we hit the apothecary and cauldron shops. I needed a refill of almost everything, and she needed a starter set. I promised to show her how to work everything and we set out on our way.
Finally we got to the shop I was most looking forward to. Ollivander's. The old man was fond of me. I had apprenticed for him last summer, and I had learned a lot. I couldn't wait to introduce my young friend to him.
The old wand shop was dusty as usual. I remember trying to get him to let me clean it, but he insisted I leave it be. Something about a mysterious aura? Riya stayed close to me as I called out for him.
"Ollivander! Ollivander, get out here, I brought you a customer, I think she's gonna be a good one!"
"I'm coming, I'm coming! You don't have to yell at me you nuisance!" his voice sounded from the back. "Who do you think you are, coming in here and yelling up a storm?"
"You know you love me!" I responded as he came into view.
"Yeah, yeah. So, who is this?" he asked, peering over the counter.
"I'm Riya Johnson," she answered, offering a hand. The old man smiled at the girls manners, and turned to get a selection of wands, animating his tape measure as he went. Riya's eyes grew wide as she saw some of her first real magic. The tape was still measuring when he returned with a pile of wands to try. I smiled and took a seat, deciding to get comfortable.
Three hours later, they were still trying wands. They had tried all sorts of wands, long ones, short ones, a few in between. Ollivander had went from the heights of excitement, to extreme irritation. Riya was unique alright. As the time went on, I had an equally strange idea.
"Ollivander, do you mind if I pick one?"
"Go, on, Go on." he waved me on.
Last year, when I had my apprenticeship, we had experimented with an idea of mine. I had chosen to use blackberry vine, and four core types. It was very temperamental, and extremely unpredictable. I had a feeling it was going to choose this incredible girl.
Something had gone on when I was gone. Riya was especially confused and Ollivander didn't give away any hints. I brought my focus to the present and carefully handed the thorny wand to the girl. Once it was in her hand, the wand glowed, emitting a fantastic light show, filled with vibrant color. The wand chose the wizard, ...er witch. Riya had found her wand.
By the time we got out of Ollivander's, it was almost dinner time. I hurried Riya through the bookshop. We were headed back to the Leaky Cauldron, when Riya pulled me into a pet shop. She headed straight to a black and white puppy. It was adorable. I felt my heart melt just looking at it. Riya lifted it up, and it licked her nose. Riya laughed and turned to me if I had wanted to say no, two sets of puppy dog eyes were impossible to resist. Riya got a dog.
I quickly escorted the girl back to the inn before she could sidetrack me even further. We were going to spend the night at the Leaky Cauldron, and head to Platform nine and Three Quarters the next day. We were both exhausted and hungry by the time we deposited our stuff and Riya's dog, who she named Oreo, in my room. I headed downstairs to bring a tray up, while Riya got herself sorted. I knew this was a major adjustment for her. She was going to have tons of questions for me when I got back.
Surprisingly, I was able to eat in peace. Riya seemed more interested in food than conversation. I took the time to decide exactly what I was going to do with the girl. She had been living on the streets when I found her. I could tell the girl was smart, and mischievous. She had also shown a surprising amount of control over her emotions. I hadn't gotten a headache all day, despite hanging out with the little imp. Riya and I were going to be good friends.
As soon as we finished eating, she launched into a seemingly endless stream of questions. I laughed, and answered them as best I could. Most of the questions were about magic itself. She wondered how many people could change their appearance at will, what were Hogwarts Houses, and why did people stare at me wherever I went.
I went quiet. She deserved a response. No child should be kept in the dark, and the girl desperately needed someone she could trust. Being alone during major life events was not fun. The subject was just painful.
I told her. I told her about Voldemort, about my brother and his wife, about my nephew Harry. Actually, I told her more than I had told anyone before, including my guardian, Professor McGonagall, or as I called her, Grandma Minnie. Somehow, I just knew I could trust her.
I told her about my ability. The only other person who had known was James. Most people would have freaked out, but Riya just nodded, deep in thought. I assured her that I kept the things I knew secret. Except for one thing. I told her about Sirius and Wormtail. I left out Remus's secret, but I explained everything else. I knew Sirius hadn't betrayed James, Lily, Harry, and I. I knew it was Wormtail. It felt good to finally tell someone all this.
At first I worried that I had told her too much. But I knew better than anyone just how much an 11 year old girl could handle. Riya looked me directly in the eye, and she made a promise I will never forget. She promised that she would help me, she would help me protect Harry, and clear Sirius's name. That night everything changed, I was no longer alone.