The Wizard, the Turk, and the Sinful Entourage.

Chapter 3

Author's POV

Staying with the Weasleys for the week prior to the new school year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was…. Well there were no words, the occupants were rowdy, loud, and exciting, there were always explosions coming from the twins' room and whenever someone asked about it they would smile like the epitome of innocence and change the subject. Cid found companionship in Mr. Weasley who was fascinated by anything non-magic related. Zack and Cloud sparred whenever possible, which gained them the reluctant and readily stifled admiration of Harry and Ron. Most likely because they had their buster swords within arm's reach constantly. The females in the house were partial to our favorite vampiric turk. Hermione, however, hid her infatuation better than Ginny. On the fifth day of their stay they all went out for supplies.

Cloud POV

"Um…. Mr. Weasley?" I asked shyly. We were on our way to a wizard market.

"Yes, Mr. Strife?" His sorrel-colored eyes flickered to the backseat of the car where Zack and I were sitting… to see me with my eyes closed and leaning against the headrest, praying that this Gaia-be-damned ride would soon end.

"What are your markets like?" I asked to distract myself

"Well…. There are quite a few shops, a large bank, that'll be our first stop, a little crowded. It's interesting."

"Oh…. Alright." We all fell silent

After what felt like forever we arrived at a dingy bar. Zack and I were overcome by an uneasy feeling; Vincent was stoic as always… and Cid….. "Hey, where's Cid?" I asked Zack

"He's in the bar." Vincent responded

I glanced at the sign, it said 'The Leaky Cauldron' in faded and peeling yellow paint "Lovely." I muttered as we all walked in. Mr. Weasley led us through a door in the back into a dead-end alley. There was nothing out there except a few trashcans and a non-descript brick wall. Mr. Weasley started counting the bricks while we looked on.

"Mr. Weasley, it's not that nice of a wall." Zack burst out

"Hush." He tapped a brick with his wand and we entered the place called 'Diagon Alley' "Alright. First stop, Gringott's." He looked us over and noticed the missing fifth of our group. "What happened to Mr. Highwind?"

I jabbed my thumb towards the leaky cauldron. "In there."

"I will go and retrieve him, you may go ahead and we will meet you in the wand shop." Vincent's carmine gaze said there was no room for argument. With a flap of his cloak he was striding back into the bar.

"Well gentlemen, shall we?"

"Of course!" Zack grinned

Mr. Weasley led us to a large building. "This" he gestured "is Gringott's, the safest place in existence to store your valuables, except for Hogwarts."

We were led through at least three doors; all guarded before we entered the actual bank, where we were led to a desk. Behind which sat a wrinkly thing with large ears "Can I help you?" it growled

"Yes." Mr. Weasley said pleasantly "We need a currency exchange."

"What is the original currency?" It asked in a bored voice

"Gil." Zack said carefully

"Ah, so you're residents of Gaia."

Zack and I were shocked. How did this THING know about Gaia?

"Hand over the amount to be converted." Zack and I pulled out our wallets and emptied them onto the desk top. We each had a nice little stack. The goblin picked up the money and counted it quickly before retreating into a room behind the desk.

"H-"I placed a hand on Zack's shoulder to keep him from calling out.

"Relax." The goblin had reappeared with two black leather pouches which looked like they were filled with…coins?

The goblin set the pouches into our waiting hands and we quickly stowed them in our pockets. "You two have amassed quite the fortune." He also handed us more than half of what we had given him. "Have a nice day." It bit out

I felt a chill run up my spine as we turned and quickly left.

We quickly walked across the street into a small dusty shop, almost immediately an old man appeared from the back room "Ahhhh, new customers Arthur?"

Mr. Weasley nodded an affirmative "Young Mr. Strife needs a wand."

The old man smiled a creepy smile. "Well you came to the right place; I am Ollivander the wand maker." He bowed with an old timey flourish, but then he caught sight of the swords donning our backs and his smile became forced. "Kind sirs, I would very much appreciate it if you would place your weapons by the door."

I turned and looked into Zack's mako-tinted violet eyes before we unclipped the buster swords from our backs and leaned them up against the wall nearest us. The old man grinned again and pulled a tape measure from his pocket "Which is your dominant hand?"

"I'm ambidextrous but I prefer my right." I stuck out my arm and as he prepared to measure my arm an overly dusty box hurled itself from the back room and hit Mr. Ollivander in the back of his graying head.

Mumbling curses that would have shocked the entirety of the sleepy little town of Niebelheim he bent to pick up the box. He dusted it off and opened it. He pulled out the wand and gingerly handed it to me. "A combination of Egyptian ebony and Rosewood, with a…. let me see if I am reading this correctly…. A… chocobo feather core and a wolf hair core? You have a very special wand here Mr. Strife."

My eyes widened as a silvery mist shot out of the tip and encircled Zack and me, urging us to step closer to one another. Zack chuckled and obliged the strange mist, stepping close enough to me that our shoulders touched. Liquid heat flooded my face.

"Thank you, Mr. Ollivander, but we must take our leave."

"Right, right. Have a nice day kind sirs." He waved us off

"But what about your payment?" I asked

"Consider it a gift." He walked back into the back room.

"Thank you!" I called as we retrieved our swords and left the dusty store

"Next stop: Ro-"

"No." Zack said "We need a full range of movement, which we can't get if we're wearing those stupid robes. No offense."

"None taken." A dazed Mr. Weasley whispered "How about a pet? Do either of you like animals?"

"I think I'd like a cat…. What about you?" I turned to look at my mentor

"I'll have to see if anything catches my eye." He laughed and tousled my blonde spikes "But, we can't forget about Cid and Vincent can we?"

"Oh, um, right."

"No" hic "No need. We're right here." We all turned as one to see Vincent being supported by Cid, both very much drunk.

Mr. Weasley raised a ginger eyebrow "May I inquire as to how the two of you became intoxicated so quickly?"

"How do ya think? I went inta tha' damn bar an' got my ass the strongest drink they had! An' I tol' Vince I wouldn't leave until he sat down and had a few drinks wit' me." Cid barked and grabbed Vincent's face, crushing their lips together. Naturally my cheeks flared crimson. Zack laughed and our guide had the decency to look away. They separated after an impossibly long time.

Zack elbowed me "Cloud you naughty, naughty boy, watching such a private moment."

"You looked too!"

"So you're not denying it?"

It seems there was no end to my mortification today "Neither are you!"

He rose his hands in a defensive gesture "Alright, you win this round."

I smirked "So, pet store?"

"Sounds lovely." Vincent hiccupped

"Right this way then." Mr. Weasley said warily

` ~ ` ~ ` ~ ` SCENE CHANGE! ` ~ ` ~ ` ~ `

It turns out that 'Miss Mary's home to beasts' was a small pet shop. It was dark and cool inside. Owls of all species sat preening themselves, or some had their heads tucked underneath their wings, sleeping.

Cats and kittens alike yowled from a different area of the shop to which I immediately walked. "Welcome! I'm Miss Mary-Jane, how may I help you this fine day?" A young woman most likely no older than twenty with large golden eyes and long chestnut waves popped out of a small office.

"H-hello, I'm looking for a kitten, would you happen to be able to part with one?" I gave her a small smile

"Hmmm…." She looked me up and down with appreciation and returned my smile "I believe I could part with one, so long as they go to a good home, and I think I know just the one for you!" She went to the wall of cages and pulled out a large ball of white fluff "How about this cutie pie?"

I reached out to pet the 'Cutie Pie' which uncurled and regarded me with slit eyes before it clamped its teeth around my hand.

I winced and Mary gave me an apologetic look "That's strange; usually she's so friendly…."

She put the cat back while I perused the rows of cages before a single silvery-gray tabby kitten with strange folded ears caught my eye. I opened the cage and the kitten tumbled into my hands. It mewled softly and licked the teeth marks the devil-cat had left behind. I suddenly knew without a doubt, that this cat would be mine. "Miss Mary! I believe I have found my kitten. "She looked at the purring kitten in my arms and her eyes widened.

"You tamed him?"

Zack came up behind me "What do you mean, 'tamed him'?"

"Oh!" Her cheeks became dusted with a light pink blush and I felt a white-hot stab of…. Jealousy? Over Zack? No, over the way SHE was LOOKING at Zack. Which was just plain weird.

Mary continued "Well, we got him in about week and a half back and he wouldn't let anyone touch him, at first I thought that he was just scared, but after a couple days I thought he was just a mean little cat. He does seem to like you two though." She looked contemplative for a moment "I'll just go and get his stuff."

She retreated into the office before returning with a cloth bag, a quill, and a sheaf of parchment. She handed Zack the bag and handed me the quill. "Just sign on the dotted lines"

I quickly did so. "Congratulations, you now own a little bundle of joy. I'll even cut you a deal, only four galleons. "

I dug four gold coins out of my pouch and handed them to Mary-Jane "Thank you very much mister…."

"Cloud. That's Zack." I supplied

She smiled "Thank you very much Mr. Cloud, have a nice day, you too Mr. Zack."

"You too!" Zack grinned and waved as we left

I giggled as the kitten crawled his way up to my shoulder and curled up there, asleep in a few seconds

"He's cute, but not nearly as much as you Mr. Cloud." He said mockingly

"What's with the piece a' fluff on yer shoulder?" Cid asked and reached out to pet the cat.

I slapped his hand away. "You touch my cat; you will die a slow and painful death." I growled

"Calm down short stuff!" He muttered an unlit cigarette dangled from his lips again

"Let's just go back to the cars alright? We should head back to the Weasley's."

"Sounds like a good idea." Mr. Weasley said and led us back to where we had parked earlier.

Back at the house the little kitten was a big hit.

END OF CHAPTER THREE! YAY! SORRY IT TOOK SO LONG TO UPDATE, I HAD TO REWRITE THIS CHAPTER. I HAVE A REQUEST FOR YOU MY DEAREST READERS, CAN YOU GIVE ME SUGGESTIONS FOR THE KITTEN'S NAME?