Chapter 2: Staying at Arden House
Only a day had passed since Dasha had sent the letter to Patrick and Greywing had already brought back the reply. There was, however, no reply from Theo, but Dasha didn't despair. She charged down the stairs, clutching the letter tightly in her hand. "Mum, Dad! Patrick's invited me and Jai to his house for the summer. Can I go?" she asked, entering the kitchen. Marina nodded. "Sure. When are they picking you guys up?" she asked, in the process of chopping up carrots. "Tomorrow," said Dasha. Marina stopped. "Tomorrow? But, you need to get your things ready now. Go pack!" she said, mixing the liquid inside the pot. Dasha grinned and rushed upstairs to pack her trunk. When that was done, she ran down the stairs and still holding the letter, went over to Jai's house. "Hi, Ilaria, hi Phoebe. Where's Jai?" she asked, when the door was opened and Jai's younger sisters hugged her. "She's up in her room," said Phoebe, pointing up the staircase. Dasha entered the room and found Jai at her desk, attempting to do some more homework? "Hi Jai! Listen to what Patrick wrote," said Dasha, coming in and sitting down on Jai's bed.
"Dear Jai and Dasha,
My holidays are fine and everything's going well. My older brother accidentally turned Pusskins bright pink but other than that, nothing has happened. By the way, want to stay at my house for the holidays? My Mum and Dad said that it's fine and Dad will come over tomorrow to pick you two up, if you're game to come.
Patrick."
Jai grinned. "This is great! I get to be away from Ilaria and Phoebe for the entire holidays!" exclaimed Jai. "I'll go ask Mum right now!" she said, leaving the room. Dasha, while waiting for Jai, had a look at her homework and finding it easy, settled down to writing a few answers. "Dasha! Mum said yes! Oh, could you do my homework for me while I pack my trunk? Thanks!" said Jai, coming back into the room and pulling out her trunk. Dasha sighed. "Fine," she said, continuing with Jai's work while her friend ran about the room, collecting her uniform and clothes from various places. By the time everything was packed, it was time for Dasha to go home. "Goodnight! Seeya tomorrow!" she called, leaving the house and closing the door. That night, in her sleep, she dreamt of doughnuts and strawberry ice cream.
The next morning, Dasha was woken up by Jai, who was already dressed and ready to go. "Dasha! Wake up! Come on, Patrick's Dad is here!" she said, pulling the covers off her. Dasha sat up with her eyes closed and hair completely tangled. "He's here? Okay. Can you pass me my shorts please?" she asked, getting up with her eyes still closed. Jai snorted and tossed Dasha some white shorts. "See you downstairs!" she said, leaving Dasha to get dressed.
Five minutes later, Dasha came downstairs, wearing her now groomed hair in a ponytail. Outside, in the hallway, her parents were standing, facing a tall red-headed man, who was balding. "Hi there! You must be Dasha! Patrick's told all about you two," he said in a strong Irish accent. Dasha grinned. "Yes. Pleased to meet you," she said, shaking his hand. "Pleasure's mine," said the man, shaking her hand. "I think we'll get going now. I need to get back to the Ministry," continued Mr Guinness. "Okay, bye Mum! Bye Dad!" she said, hugging them goodbye. As they left the house and stepped out onto the street, Mr Guinness glanced around. Seeing that nobody was there, he took Jai's hand. "Right, now Dasha, hold hands with Jai, and I'll hold onto her trunk. You hold yours, Dasha. Don't worry about Greywing, she knows where to fly to," he said. After they had done as he had instructed, Mr Guinness once again glanced around. Dasha closed her eyes, knowing that they were about to Apparate. Jai, who had no idea what was going to happen, stood, looking at Dasha with confusion.
Suddenly, Jai felt as if she was being squeezed through a tube and all the air was being pushed out of her. Just when she felt that she would be actually sick, Jai found herself standing in an unfamiliar kitchen, with familiar people standing in front of her. "Are you okay Jai?" asked Dasha, peering in concern at her friends slightly green face. Jai nodded. "I'm fine. Hi Patrick!" she said, hugging him. Patrick grinned. "Jai, Dasha, this my Mum. Mum, these are two of my friends from school. Oh, and these are my two younger brothers, Finnigan and Perry. They're twins. They'll be starting at Hogwarts next year," introduced Patrick, as everyone shook hands. "Right now. You lass's go put away your things an' then come downstairs, I'll have a nice breakfast going for you," bustled Mrs Guinness. The girls nodded and followed Patrick to where they would be staying. "Dasha, you've got this room here, and Jai you're there," he said, showing them the rooms. Jai smiled. "Thanks. I like it. Where are you?" she asked. Patrick beamed. "I'm with my brothers. They've got a big room," he explained. Dasha grinned. "Thanks Patrick. I'll just put my trunk away. Now, let's go have some breakfast. I'm starving!" she announced and they all trudged downstairs to the kitchen, which was now filled with the smell of scrambled eggs and mushrooms frying. They all sat down at the table and Mrs Guinness bustled around, giving them each a large serving of eggs, mushrooms, bacon and tomatoes. "Mmm, this is good Mrs Guinness, thanks!" said Dasha appreciatively. Suddenly, a pattering of feet could be heard and a tall, beautiful, red-headed girl entered the kitchen. Patrick rolled his eyes. "That's my sister, Gabriel. She's so annoying," he said as she walked up to her mother and kissed her on the cheek before sitting down to join them. "I heard that smarty-pants," she said to Patrick before facing the girls. "You must Jai and Dasha. Patrick's told us all about you two and how he and his friend rescued you from a vampire! Is it true or is Patrick over-exaggerating it, like always?" she teased, a twinkle in her eyes, causing Patrick to flush. Dasha smirked. "Well, the rescuing from a vampire who was going to sacrifice us, is true. But anything added onto that might be exaggeration," she said. Gabriel grinned. "What about them going into the Room of Requirement and everything? Is that true?" she asked, continuing to tease him. Dasha was about to reply but Jai bet her to it. "Oh yes. He's not lying, that's true," she said hastily. Dasha grinned, catching Gabriel's eye, who was smiling secretly. Seeing their faces, Jai blushed and returned to eating her breakfast. "What house were you in, Gabriel?" asked Dasha, as Mrs Guinness passed Gabriel a plate of porridge. "Oh, our entire family has been in Hufflepuff for centuries," she said. "What Houses are you guys in?" she continued, eating her porridge daintily. "Oh I'm in Ravenclaw," said Dasha. Jai chewed rapidly before swallowing so that she could answer. "I'm in Gryffindor." Gabriel nodded. "What about your other friend, Theo?" she asked. "He's in Slytherin," answered Dasha. "Slytherin? And he's friends with you too Jai?" she asked incredulously. Jai nodded. "He was really stuck up at first, but Dasha put him in his place, didn't you?" asked Jai in a sickly sweet voice, paying her back. Dasha blushed slightly. "Well, he was being a real git," she explained to Gabriel.
Gabriel stood up and put her bowl in the sink. "See you guys later. I've got to go to work now," she explained, leaving the kitchen and a moment later, they heard her Disapparate from the house with a loud Crack! "Where does she work?" asked Jai as she finished her breakfast. "In the Ministry, but I'm not sure in what department. International Interactions or something like that, I think," he said. Dasha nodded and leaned back in her chair, waiting for Patrick to finish.
The next two weeks were filled with fun and relaxation, going down to the river every day for a swim, visiting Diagon Alley occasionally and playing Quidditch with Gabriel and the boys.
Then their O.W.L letters came. Dasha had watched as three brown owls flew in through the open kitchen window and perched on the table. She rushed forward and collected all three letters, sending the owls back before opening hers. Inside were two thick pieces of parchment, one a stationery list and the other her exam results. Dasha carefully withdrew it from the envelope and read the results. She was startled from her careful reading by Gabriel, who had come into the kitchen for her morning porridge. "Oh! You've got your first O.W.L results haven't you? Can I see?" she asked as the porridge mixed itself. Dasha grinned and nodded. "Sure. I think it's okay for the first one," she said, handing over her paper. "Wow. Outstanding for all eight exams! That's more than anything I have ever gotten," said Gabriel kindly, handing back the letter. Dasha grinned. "Thanks. I'll go give these to the others," she said, picking up Jai's and Patrick's letters and ran upstairs, her heart pounding with joy. "Jai! Patrick! Wake up you two! Exams results have come in! I'll read them if you don't come and get them now!" she called, standing on the landing. Immediately, the Jai's door flew open and she ran out. "Where is it?" she asked. Dasha handed it to her. "Here you go. Your stationery list's there too," she said as Patrick came running down. "There you go, lazy-head," she teased, giving him his letter which he opened and read through quickly. "How is it?" Dasha asked. Patrick shrugged. "Not too bad. Wanna swap?" he asked. She nodded. "Sure," she agreed, taking his results and handing hers over. Dasha quickly read through Patrick's and looked up to see his reaction. His eyes were wide open in surprise and he was smiling. "Eight Outstandings?! Wow!" he said, showing it to Jai, who grinned and high-fived Dasha. "Well done. How much did you get Patrick?" she asked, swapping with Dasha. Patrick blushed. "Well, compared to Dasha's, it's nothing. I only got one Outstanding for Herbology and the rest were all either Exceeds Expectations or lower. What about you?" he asked Jai as they walked downstairs. Jai grinned. "I didn't get all Outstanding but I did get three and the rest were Exceeds Expectations," she said proudly. Dasha smiled widely. "Well done, you two! Good morning Mrs Guinness!" she said as they entered the kitchen. Mrs Guinness beamed. "'Morning. Gabriel told me you got your O.W.L results. Congratulations, all of you! Ah, yes you're stationery list! Well, let's have some breakfast and then we'll go down to Diagon Alley," she said, embracing all of them. Gabriel ruffled Patrick's hair. "Well done little brother!" she said, Disapparating. Mrs Guinness rolled her eyes. "She's always doing that in the kitchen when I'm working and it scares the livin' daylights out o' me. Tuck in!"
After a hearty breakfast, all six of them (the twins had to come) lined up in the backyard and holding hands, Apparated to Diagon Alley. Dasha grinned as she walked out of Florean Fortescue's and pulled her cloak around her. She loved the feeling of magic the filled the air and judging by Jai's face, she did too. "I think we'll go to Flourish and Blotts first. This way!" called Mrs Guinness, leading them through the crowd. Dasha tried to follow Jai when she suddenly stumbled and bumped into a man, who was walking in front of her. He turned around as she straightened herself. "Watch where you're going, young lady," he said coldly and continued forward. Dasha glared at him and moved on ahead, trying to find Jai.
She found them not far off. "Where were you?" asked Jai. "I accidentally bumped into someone," explained Dasha. Once Mrs Guinness was sure she had everyone, they stepped into Flourish and Blotts. "Girls, you go find your books and then meet up again here. You've got your money, right? Good," instructed Mrs Guinness, as the two girls went off to find their books. "Right…'magical Drafts and Potions', got that. 'Standard Book of Spells Grade Two'. Have you got it, Jai? Good. 'One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi'. It's right there!" And so continued the lost until they had all twelve books. "Okay, let's go back to the counter now," said Jai, staggering under the weight of the books. When they got to the counter, Patrick and Mrs Guinness were already there. "Got them? Good. Here, let me take care of those, while you wait outside," she said, Levitating the books in front of her and moving up to the counter. As they stood waiting outside, Patrick whispered to them. "Look, it's Dad's boss, Mr Böse. He's Head of the Education Department," Dasha gasped as she saw who he was talking about. "That's the man I bumped into. He told me to watch where I was going and just walked off," she explained to them. Jai frowned. "How rude!" she muttered as Mrs Guinness came outside. "Right, now, let's go get your cauldrons so that you can carry these," she said, gesturing to the books.
"You've got your uniform, right?" she checked as they left the Alchemist's. Dasha, Jai and Patrick nodded as they made their way back up the street. "Dragon hide gloves, check, Quills and parchment, we've got that. Okay, we've got everything. Hold hands everyone, come on!" she said, ticking the final items off their list. Her arm straining under the weight of her cauldron and books, Dasha managed to grab Jai's hand as they Apparated back to the Arden House.
For another three weeks, the same relaxation as before continued, Mr Guinness telling them funny stories from work each evening and soon, Dasha and Jai began to feel right at home. Soon however, it was time to return to Hogwarts. That morning, Mrs Guinness had been rushing about the house, checking that they all had everything packed and nothing was missing, and that twins had been fed properly but eventually, she calmed down and kissed them all goodbye. Dasha and Jai hugged Gabriel goodbye, they had become quite close over the holidays. "See you next year, maybe," she said as they packed their trunks into the baggage area of a small-looking Mitsubishi Diamante. Jai had at first doubted that all three trunks would fit in but surprisingly, they did, with excess space. Jai got in the back with Patrick in the middle and Dasha on the other side. Again, there was plenty of space for them all to sit quite comfortably, with Mr Guinness and the twins in the front. "Buckle up, kids! King's Cross, here we come!" he said, driving out of the yard, the chickens squawking loudly as they ran out of the car's way.
During the car ride, they had all laughed at the twins jokes and Mr Guinness' stories and like no time had passed, when they finally pulled in at King's Cross. Dasha sighed with satisfaction as they got out of the car and entered the train station. At the entrance, Jai caught glimpse of a head of slicked black hair. "Dasha, could you carry it for me, I think I just saw Theo," she explained, dropping her trunk onto Dasha's trolley and rushing on ahead, pushing her way through the crowd.
"Excuse me! Sorry! Can you let me through please sir? Thank you!" Making her way through the people crowding the platforms, Jai managed to catch Theo. "Finally! Where have you been all summer?!" exclaimed Jai as she grabbed him by the arm. Theo grinned as they hugged each other. "We went to Mexico, my Mother's country. She didn't remember it until we had already gotten home. We meant to send and owl but didn't have any time to," he explained as his parents came to join them. "You must be Jai! I'm Ursula, Theo's Mother this is Marcus, my husband. Theo's told us all about you!" greeted Ursula, shaking hands with Jai, who grinned. "Yes, I am Jai. Oh look! Here come Dasha and Patrick!" she said as they came up to them, followed by Mr Guinness and the twins. "Mr and Mrs Lincoln, how nice to see you!" said Dasha, greeting them. "Yes, we're very glad to see you too!" said Ursula, hugging Dasha. "This is Patrick, his Dad Mr Guinness and his twin brothers, Finnigan and Perry. Patrick, Mr Guinness, Finnigan and Perry, this is Mrs Ursula Lincoln and Mr Marcus Lincoln," introduced Dasha, which was followed by an all-around shaking of hands and cheerful greetings. Their conversation was interrupted by a man's voice. "Lincoln! These are you friends and you haven't even mentioned me!" joked the man, coming to stand alongside Mr Lincoln. Marcus grinned. "Everybody, this is Malfoy, Draco Malfoy, my colleague and friend. Draco, this is Dasha, Patrick, Jai, Finnigan and Perry, Mr Guinness," introduced Mr Lincoln. Dasha traded glances with her friends, realising that this was probably Virtutis' father. Draco grinned as he shook hands with all of them. "Pleasure to meet you," he said each time. "Where's Virtutis?" asked Theo as they made their way toward Platform 9 ¾. "He's already on the train, I just came to say hello. Bye!" explained Draco, leaving the group. One by one, the children and adults passed through the barrier and found themselves on Platform 9 ¾. Bustled onto the train by Mrs Lincoln after being wished goodbye and embraced by everyone, the children stood outside in the corridor and waved goodbye, as the train began to move and leave the platform. Dasha smiled happily as she walked down the familiar train carriage corridor and pulling open a door, beckoned them all in. "Here's an empty one guys!" she called, as they all entered and sat down.
The four friends spent the entire train ride discussing their holidays, especially Mexico. Only when the lunch trolley had come around did someone leave the compartment. "One licorice wand and a box of Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans please," said Jai, giving the lunch-trolley lady some money. Just as she looked up, Jai saw the man that Dasha had stumbled into, Mr Böse, come around the corner and approach the lunch-lady. Jai too her sweets and quickly left the corridor. "Hey guys, guess who's on the train?" she asked, putting the Bertie Botts on the seat next to her. Theo shrugged. "Don't know. Who?" "You know that guy who was rude to you, Mr Böse. Yeah well he's on the train. I just saw him come up to the lunch-lady," said Jai, watching Dasha, who frowned. "What's he doing on the train, I wonder?" she asked, thinking out loud. "Who cares, unless he's shutting the school down, I don't care," he said, causing the entire compartment to laugh.