KUDO'S TO PEACHES FOR THE REVEIW!!! =) Hi, appreciated readers. Just wanted to say sorry if you think it's a tad slow, I promise it picks up! Keep readings, fan fiction fans! I agree with peaches, there deffinately does need to be more FredXOC out there aha. Now I'll quit blathering and let you get on with the story.. Enjoy! =)
Chapter No. 2
Very dizzy and slightly nauseous, I stepped out onto the Hover's rug and into their living room. Mr. Hover was sitting on the couch, watching what he called the telly. The thing was pretty neat, it was like this box that told you and showed different stories. Janey's dad was pure muggle, but he knew Janey's mum was a witch when they started "going steady". They got married and had Thomas and Janey.
So far, Thomas hadn't shown any real magic ability, and he hadn't received a letter from Hogwarts, so we all assumed he must be muggle too. Thomas was nice though, he was a year older than Ritchy and a lot more keen and responsible. He was a musician too. The first time I met him in out second year, I had the hugest crush. But then he started dating some other muggle and I had moved on by our third year. I still thought he was awfully cute though.
" 'Ello, Holly. How've you been?" Mr. Hover said, looking up as I dusted soot from my cardigan.
"Hi, Mr. Hover. Pretty swell, yourself?"
"Fine, fine." He replied. "I'll go call Janey for you. I think she might be in the shower."
I set down my bags and looked around. Not much had changed since my last visit. It was still very cozy and homey, slightly mismatched and creatively decorated. Mrs. Hover was very artistic, she was a robes stylist for a fashionable shop. Janey got a lot of her creativity from her too, she painted and wrote when she could.
Janey and I had been best friends since our first year. We had ended up sharing the same compartment on the train with two or three other first year girls, all frightened of the older students. We began talking and found we had a lot of similarities, like how we both enjoyed reading and were slightly shy. It was more of those "just clicked" sort of friendships. We shared the same boat on our way to the castle for the first time, and were delighted to discover we were both in the same Ravenclaw dormitory. Since then, we were quite inseparable.
Except Janey didn't have much taste for Quiditch. She nearly always came to my games as she knew how important they were to me, but otherwise it wasn't really her subject. Apart from Quiditch, we also varied a lot when it came to schoolwork. I was often didn't do my homework, and ended up copying her notes and assignments more than a few times. Janey, on the other hand, got things done nearly as soon as they were assigned and got really good marks for it too. How, then, did I manage my way into Ravenclaw, you might I ask?
Well, upon putting that great, musty hat on my head, it slid down over my eyes and it said something around these lines: "Mmm, Holly Hugo Catten, eh?" It had whispered in my ear in that old, husky, wise voice it had. "There's quite a bit to consider in this noggin of yours… Brave, and honest. You could be a valuable Gryffindor. Hardworking, a lot of character… Useful in Hufflepuff as well. Crafty, and resourceful… Even traits of Syltherin's house. But let me see, let me see… You do not belong in Slytherin. Your heart is bright with compassion. Gryffindor would suit you well, but your cleverness is not meant to be there. And although Hufflepuff would be quite fitting… You will end up somewhere… somewhere that only dear Ravenclaw's magic could help you." Well, I was right petrified that I had some old hat prodding my brain, so I don't really remember exactly what it had said, except that I would end up somewhere only dear Ravenclaw's magic could help me.
I had pondered that often throughout my first year, but as time wore on it came up less and less. I hardly ever questioned as to what that hat could have meant nowadays, and when reminded of it during the fresh sorting every year, just assumed it must have foreseen me in a career that would take a lot of brains or something. At any rate, Ravenclaw was a pretty alright house.
The common room was fantastic, and there was a short cut to the library just outside the entrance that Janey and I had discovered in our second year. One of the best bits was that you never had to worry much about any boy in the house being stupid.
Janey finally came down the stairs, still towel drying her wet hair. She smiled when she saw me.
"Holly, where's your trunk? We're going straight to the station from Diagon Alley on the first." She asked when she saw that all I had was a rucksack and the bag that was constantly on my side. It contained random assorted necessities like lip balm and liner along with my current book and anything else I didn't want to lose or forget.
"Yeah, my Dad's got arrangements for it to end up at the castle by the time we get there. Would have been a pain in the arse to lug around all week. Where's your mum?" I asked her. "She's out with a friend, coffee or something. Should be back by supper. I think we're having her stew, she does spoil you." She replied and I grinned. I absolutely loved Mrs. Hover's stew. There was something about the spices and gravy that made my mouth water when I only smelt it. She usually made it on my visits when she found out what a fondness I carried for it.
"Bring your stuff to my room, we'll set up your cot." Janey said.
I grabbed my rucksack and bag and we trudged round the corner to her hallway. Her house was a small apartment in downtown London, so there wasn't much space with visitors. Her already small room was cramped without my cot, but it was quite cozy after you quit knocking into things. When we reached her room, I squealed as something ran over my feet.
"Shut-up, Holly, the neighbours don't need another excuse to call up angry! You should be used to Tim by now, honestly." I sighed in exasperation upon realising it was only Tim, Janey's mouse. Although cute he was rather annoying. It was like I was the only one he ever seemed to like to bother, always popping up in my bed, nibbling my toes in the middle of a nap, chewing on my text books. Janey thought it was rubbish, of course, but she loved that mouse too much to ever see any bad from it. Except for droppings. That was the only thing she couldn't stand. However, Tim, the brilliant mouse, was clever enough to leave them only in my shoes, so there was no problem for her.
Once we had set the cot up, while I put the bedding down Janey chucked a book at me. "Ouch, that was my head!" I voiced after a corner nailed me on my crown.
"Just read it when you've got the chance, you'll like it."
"What's it about?" I asked, turning it to the back.
"It's kind of neat, it's interesting stories about aurrors and this whole conspiracy they think is going on behind certain Death Eaters. Thought you might like it, with your dad and uncle in with the force. The conspiracy is rubbish but there's some memoirs and such. There's an over-sea's account from this one bloke that's kind of neat." Janey answered, now painting her nails.
"Huh." I replied, and stowed it under my pillow to read before bed. That was the best part of having someone like Janey for a best friend. Every night we spent together almost always ended in an hour or so of silently reading.
"SO," I said. "Anything interesting happened? Seen anyone? Met any decent guys? What about Dave, heard from him?" Dave was her not exactly ex. You know, that one boyfriend who even when you've stopped dating still seems like you are. That's Dave. Flirtatious, puppy-dog Dave.
"Well… I dunno. Things seemed to have changed a bit. He's quit talking to me like he wants me back, you know? Now it's like we're just mates. I wonder if he's seeing someone else… It's been hard to talk since stupid Adle broke his wing." She replied. Adle was their owl.
"Ah, well…" I said, giving her my wise best friend look. I knew she could tell from the sceptical look I received. "You need to move on, anyways. How're you gunna find any other snogs if you're still worrying about Dave? Who cares if he's seeing someone else, he's just out of your hair now." I said, quite satisfied with how convinced she looked.
"Yeah… I guess your right." She said, "But I forgot to mention-when mum went to Gringgotts the other week, I got her to take me with her and guess who I saw?" A grin was playing around her lips.
"Who?!" I asked with pretend over excitement.
"Oh, shut-up. It was Lee, Lee Jordan. He was their with his dad, taking out money for a new broom apparently. I actually chatted with him for quite a bit, he's really nice, and when I mentioned we'd be around Diagon Alley for the few days before term starts, he said we'd have to have lunch or something when he came for school supplies." She was pretty happy with this, I could tell.
"JANEY HAS A NEW CRUSH!" I said loudly, and shortly after received a stuffed owl to the face.
"Shut, up, Holly! My dad will here you! Or worse, Thomas! Maybe I'll have to out you to him after all these years!" I giggled and fended her off with another owl. She collected toy owls. Bonkers, isn't she.
"Well, do you like him?" I prodded. Her cheeks went faintly red as she responded. "Well… It's a bit early, isn't it, I hardly ever talked to him at school… I mean, maybe I'll be able to tell after this lunch thing, if it even happens, right…"
"Oh, bollocks, you want to date him. I know it. And this lunch thing- am I going to be stuck there watching or am I not invited or what?" I replied.
"Well I told him you were staying with us, obviously, as I'm such a fantastic and considerate friend, so he said he'd bring a mate or something." She said. I was happy there was a new boy in the picture. She and Dave had been involved with each other since last summer, so nearly over a year. Well, at least she actually had a love interest.
I had dated a few guys over the years, but the only one who really seemed to mean anything was Chase McDougan. Stupid Chase. We had dated for a couple of months last year, and it had been really, really great. But you know how things go, people change, life goes on, yada yada yada. Even though I've gotten over it for the most part, there's still a little bit of me that misses him. How things used to be. Now everything was just completely awkward, it was like I didn't know the guy since we broke up. But whatever. Maybe this year I'd meet someone worth while. Maybe Lee would bring an interesting friend.
We only knew Lee because the Gryffindor's of our year were in our herboligies class, and we were often grouped with him. He was pretty funny. He and the Weasley twins were really quite a hoot, even though we were never grouped with all three of them together. We never really got to know them, just sort of giggled at them during class, and otherwise never really spoke too much. They seemed all right, but not very serious. About anything, really. Their reputation preceded them a lot as the master pranksters of Hogwarts, especially the twins. Who knows, maybe one of their infamous red heads would be joining us for a possible lunch date.
Suddenly we heard a loud pop from the living room, followed by a call of
"Holly, you here yet? Where are you, Janey?" We got up from the bed and went to the living room to find Mrs. Hover. She was dressed in a very bright robe full of different colors, with her hair tied back in a yellow bandana. She was also carrying a huge bag she claimed her purse. When she saw us, she instantly beckoned for a hug. I loved Janey's mum.
"Holly! How've you been, dear? How was your summer? How's your mum?"
"Hello, Mrs. Hover." I replied, grinning. "It's been good, she's a little stressed by a visit from my grandparents but other wise everything's fine. Do I smell your stew?" Mrs. Hovers grin grew and she ruffled my hair and sent us to set the table.
That night, I flipped through the book Janey had given me. There was some interesting accounts of battles and such in here, with details of what spells and jinxes were used and how. I didn't have time to really look at the conspiracy theory thing that Janey had been talking about because Mrs. Hover popped her head in to tell us lights out.
The few days before we left with Janey's parents for Diagon Alley weren't extremely interesting. We went out a few times and Janey's dad gave us money for one of those muggle film thinger's, and I bought an interesting muggle book with some muggle money I had found on the street. I had seen Thomas round at dinner and in the evenings or mornings once or twice, but otherwise he was out and about, apparently.
The time finally came when we had to pack up to drive to the pub Diagon Alley was located. Thomas wasn't coming with us, he had been aloud to stay by himself at home the three nights we would be gone. However, he endured several heavy warnings from Mrs. Hover that of there were any parties or shenanigans, he would be in big trouble. Me and Janey would giggle and imitated her when she was gone just to bug him.
We arrived at the Leaky Cauldron after Mr. Hover had parked his car in some sort of lot, and were taken to two reserved bedrooms. It was actually quite a pleasant place to stay. Janey and I shared a room and Mr. and Mrs. Hover were across the hall in their own. Janey had of course brought Tim with us, and him making himself a nest in my suitcase after I had left it open during lunch reminded me of the pet business. Mum and Dad had said there would be a note and some extra money in my vault if they decided I was aloud.
Janey and I informed their parents that we were going out for the afternoon, and we made our way over to Gringgotts. As we entered the street, I realised I still wasn't sure exactly what kind of pet I wanted. There were owls to consider, and rats, and cats, and toads too even. I was pretty sure I wouldn't get a mouse. Maybe their would be something else interesting at the pet shop. I asked Janey's opinion.
"Well…" She said thoughtfully. "I dunno. I mean, you've already got Ginger, cat wise. Your dad's got an owl to use, too, doesn't he. And there's the school owls as well. From the feed back I get about Tim I take it you don't want a mouse. And rats are nasty. So are toads. What else is there, really? You could have a rabbit. They're cute." I considered a rabbit on our way. They seemed kind of vulnerable. Ritchy used to have one when I was younger and Phil wasn't around. It just sat, really. It was quite fat, too. I think it got eaten by something.
Heading into Gringgotts, we got to a goblin that was just finishing dealing with some middle-aged wizard and I gave him my key and pulled out my change purse. I watched in amusement as Janey shut her eyes and grasped the cart with white knuckles as a different goblin took us hurtling into the pits of the bank. My vault wasn't too far down, but Janey gets motion sickness quite easily. I guess that's why she doesn't like brooms.
We reached my vault and I stepped inside, finding a small pile of coins, mostly silver and bronze, on the top of a note that said "You were alright this summer, Holly, so get a pet you'll keep for a good while. Love, Mum and Dad." I grinned and scooped up the pile into my change pouch. Janey looked faintly green and nearly reluctant as the goblin pulled the lever for us to return above ground.
"Uhhng," Janey moaned as we descended the white marble stair case outside of Gringgotts. "I knew I should have waited outside…" I grinned sheepishly at her and pulled her along faster so we could get to the pet shop.
Once there, the door opened to smells mixed of dung, rotten fruit, and that animal scent. I looked around in astonishment. I had only ever been in here once before, when Janey had taken me to pick out Tim the summer before second year. I saw cats in pens and rats scurrying about, and a huge thing with a shell full of jewels that was spitting fire out of it bottom. There were owls in the rafters of all different colors and sizes, and little black things with snouts in a see-through container full of dirt and glittering objects like jewellery and coins. The sign on their cage read "Nifflers- 12 galleons each, bargain." Janey was giggling at some guinea pigs, and beside their cage was one with three or four extremely rambunctious looking ferrets.
It was then that I decided what kind of pet I wanted. Going over to the ferrets, there was one that was a dark brown with its feet, belly, snout and the tip of its tail beige. There was a black and grey and white one, an orangey looking one with light brown markings, and the smallest was pure white with a pink nose and eyes. He was putting up a ferocious play fight against the dark brown one, who had him tackled and put him on his back.
"Ohhhh, Janey look! Janey look how adorable this little white one is!" She turned over at my cooing and grinned into the cage.
"He is quite cute. Aha, look at his little feet. He's tiny." I called over the store lady. "Excuse me, ma'am, could you take out this little white ferret for me to see?" She walked over from a tank full of what looked like newts and replied,
"Only if you're seriously interested in buying. These little buggers love running loose. However, you're the first person who's shown interest in the little albino one." She said, thinking. "Maybe he won't scarper, you never know till you try." She opened the cage and shooed the brown one off him, picked the white one up and held him securely for me to pet. "These ones are pretty easy to take care of, once you get to know them." The store lady said as I stroked his nose. She had a husky voice and seemed slightly butch, kind of chunky with wild, frizzy hair bunched back in a pony tail. "The wild one's hunt, but these four have been brought up on canned ferret food. They do enjoy the odd mouse once in a while, though. He never usually get's much, as the others clobber him since they're bigger. He seems alright, want to hold him?" I nodded and my grin widened as she passed him gently to my hands.
His head was about the size of all my fingers put together. The curious little ferret's eyes never left mine, and he even let me sort of cradle him. Then he scampered up my arm to my shoulder and began snuffling and sniffing my hair, going under it and round my neck to the other shoulder and nuzzling my cheek with his damp little nose. I giggled, ticklish and the store lady had her hands up, ready to snag him should he make a dash for the ground. But he stayed on my shoulder until I gently pulled him back to my hands, where he laid and let me stroke him.
"Oh, Holly, he's great! You've got to get him!" Janey almost pleaded as she tickled under his chin.
"How much is he, then?" I asked, finally looking up at the store lady. Her name tag said Henrietta, like my chicken! I made a mental note to tell Janey soon as we left the store.
"Well, you're the first person to even take a second glance at this runt, so I'll give you a bargain- six galleons, eleven sickles and four nuts, throw in a an extra two galleons for three tins of food right now. And you're a Hogwarts student, right? If you fill out a form we can send an owl with food for a fee every month." Henrietta told me.
"Perfect!" I replied, beaming. There was a bit of the money from the vault left over, so I bought a food dish and a toy for him as well, and filled out the form at the register. When I was paying and giving in the form, he sat on my shoulder, clever as anything. Before I left, I asked if their was a name he was used to.
"Well, not really." Henrietta replied. "We refer to him as runty, but we've never had to call him or nothing before."
"Brilliant, thanks then." I said as we left. I was almost wary of him being on my shoulder in the streets, but he never took off or anything.
"So, what are you going to call him, eh?" Janey asked as we made our way back to the inn. I pondered for a moment, before replying with
"I really have no idea. What do you reckon?" Janey thought for a minute or two, and then said "What about Bimbo?" He licked my cheek with a scratchy tongue, and I said
"Yeah, Bimbo. That's cute." We went to our room, and Janey suddenly cried
"Holly! You don't think he'll eat Tim, do you?" She snapped her fingers for the mouse whose tiny head popped out of my suitcase. Bimbo showed no interest.
"Well, there's only one way to find out. Bring him over, I'll hold on to Bimbo."
Janey picked Tim up and cupped him cautiously in her hand. I took Bimbo from my shoulder and held him gently but firmly, making sure he couldn't escape my grasp.
Bimbo looked up at me curiously as Janey approached with Tim, and then turned to face the new coming mouse. He simply stared, again with curiosity. Janey slowly brought Tim closer, who also seemed curious to me, far as mice go. They were practically nose to nose, with no reaction. Then Bimbo licked Tim over his tiny head. We both stood still, shocked, until Tim reached out with his head, sniffed Bimbo, and licked him back. How utterly adorable.
Janey smiled and we set them both down on a bed, where they continued with the licking and sniffing until a playful game of rodent tag arose.
"I didn't realise what a sucker I was for these furry little buggers." I said to Janey, giggling as we sat watching on the end of the bed.
"Me neither." She replied.
The rest of the night was pleasant, even if a lot more cooey than I'd have ever imagined. After dinner we went for a walk then sat up till midnight talking and such, while Bimbo got acquainted with everything new to him. I was excited, just in general. Being here with Janey, just getting Bimbo, school to start soon… What a nice life.