A.N.: Here's a little Christmas present for all you readers out there. It's a bit shorter than what I'm used to, but it worked well with the chapter. Next chapter: the Quidditch World Cup! Thanks to JO, as usual.
A copy of Mr. Wilkins's report arrived a few days after the incident at the Ministry, rejecting all claims from my grandmother. Even if we had been expecting it, my family was nonetheless relieved to hear it. Mr. Wilkins had no doubt whatsoever that my parents were good parents. He did, however, advise that I see a Healer. He seemed concerned for my health as my 'physical appearance, that tends to change rather dramatically and sporadically, could be constituted as a bad case of the Spattergroits' Spatter-what? I thought. Anyway, I had an appointment with a Healer on August 26th, a few days after my fourteenth birthday.
What surprised us all was the official apology from the Minister for Magic that came along with it. Or, more precisely, the tickets for the Quidditch World Cup included in the envelope. Indeed, he wrote, I have never regretted acting so rashly and unprofessionally in my entire life, blah blah blah, therefore, I wish to invite you, and your family, to sit with me in the Ministry lodge to view the Quidditch World Cup match between Bulgaria and Ireland that is to take place on... I skimmed over the whole letter after that, excited as I was.
"We're not going," said Mom vehemently. "How dare that bastard -don't say that word, -ever think he can buy our forgiveness?"
"But-"
"Talia, think about it," argued Dad. "We've never had the chance to see a World Cup match! And here's a perfect opportunity. Granted, it's not quite the way we thought we'd go, but we would be seated with the Weasleys, at any point."
Disgruntled, Mom agreed reluctantly. "Besides," she said at breakfast the next morning, "just because we accept the tickets, doesn't mean we have to be nice to him."
I rolled my eyes at my cereal. Dad waved his wand and two pieces of bread flew towards the toaster. They placed themselves into the two slots. "Morning," he said, kissing the top of our heads. "What are the plans for today?"
"I'm waiting for Hermione to call," I answered. "She's supposed to ask her parents about having me over this weekend."
"Oh, I don't know, Mina," said Mom, frowning.
"What do you mean, you don't know?" I said, temper rising. "You said-"
"I know I said you could go, but I think... after what happened at the Ministry..." she sighed. "I'd really rather you stay home. You can always invite her to stay here." She ran her fingers through my long hair.
"Dad?" I said, turning to him.
"I said it was your mom's decision, Mina, and if that's what she decides..." he shrugged, charming the peanut butter to layer itself on his toasts.
"No, you said you thought it was a great idea," I reminded him.
"I was supporting her decision."
The phone rang. "That's probably her," I grumbled. "Are you sure I can't go?"
"Yes," said Mom sternly. It rang again, more insistently. "Invite her here if you want."
"Fine, I will." I ran into the living room to pick up the phone, which had begun to turn red from constantly ringing. Dad really shouldn't have played around with it, I thought. "Hello?"
"Hi, Mina? It's Hermione."
"Hey! I figured it was you."
"What, no one else calls?"
"Dad's off for the summer, so no one from the school calls. Ron called once, but he still doesn't have the hang of it."
"He didn't yell, did he?" she said, exasperated.
"Like I was miles away," I laughed. "Couldn't hear from my right ear for days."
I went on to tell her what had transpired during my stay at the Burrow, and at the Ministry after that. "I knew Fudge was a bit biased, but his reaction was rather blown out of proportion, wasn't it?" she reflected. "Although to be truthful, his apology is typical of a politician."
"How did you know Fudge's biased?"
"Susan Bones's mum works at the Ministry. She tells Susan loads of things you can't read in the Prophet," she explained. "Besides, you remember what Harry thinks about Fudge, don't you? He's not exactly the best Minister we could ask for."
"Well, I didn't expect him to be there at all, to be honest."
"Think about it, Mina, you're the first Connector in ages! And there you were, sitting idly in the Ministry, waiting for questioning. Sometimes I think you don't realize how big this is," she said.
"I like to think I'm just an ordinary person, Hermione," I said, disgruntled. "Let me live in my illusions, would you?"
"Of course," she said, amused. "Oh! Before I forget, my parents agreed to have you over this weekend."
"Yeah," I started. "Mom said I couldn't come over."
"Oh," she said, disappointed. "Why not?"
"She said something about after what happened at the Ministry, she'd rather I stay home. But you're welcome to come over here!"
"I, oh, I don't know," she said and I could imagine her biting her lip. "Especially if I'm to spend most of August at the Burrow... can I call you back after supper tonight? I'll discuss it with my parents and see if they wouldn't mind."
"Sounds good. Dad's home all the time, if your parents are wondering about supervision. Mom'll be busy with the shop and all."
"My parents will be pleased to know someone's home," she acquiesced. "How is your mum's store going?"
I glanced at the kitchen and heard the clanking of dishes and my parents' laughter. "I'm not sure," I whispered, "but I don't think it's going very well. I sneaked a look at the books, and she hasn't sold anything for weeks other than a couple vials of Mrs. Scower's Magical Mess Remover, and diluted Bundimun secretion from the Bundimuns we found in the house last year before moving in."
"Oh dear," she replied just as quietly. "What do you suppose that means?"
"I don't know," I said honestly. "I really don't. If the shop closes, we'll be on Dad's salary only, but, well, we should manage, I think," I finished unsteadily. "I'm confused... it's not like Mom or Dad to keep things this big from me, so it mustn't be too big, right?"
"Sure," she answered uncertainly. "Look, I've got to do the dishes, but I'll call you around seven, alright?"
"'Kay. Talk to you soon."
"Bye!"
She hung up and I joined my parents in the kitchen. They were charming soap bubbles to fly at each other, covering them both from head to toe. Seeing me enter, they grinned wickedly. "Uh oh," I said, eyes wide.
"Well, my parents weren't very fond of the idea of a whole weekend away from home either, but they agreed to let me come over Saturday," Hermione said excitedly.
"It's better than nothing, I guess. You can see what I meant about the stars in my room!"
"And the lack of a telly," she laughed.
"That's the Muggle box with moving pictures, right? With actors and stories and stuff?"
"Exactly!"
"See? I don't need to take Muggle Studies," I said proudly.
"We should go to the cinema!" she suggested.
"The giant Muggle story box, right?"
"Yes!"
"I don't know, Hermione..."
"Please? I'm sure your dad would think it's a good idea," she pleaded.
"We can talk about it when you come over. What time will you be here, then?"
"Would 9:30 be alright? My parents have a few extra appointments this weekend."
"I think so. I should be up by then," I teased.
"I should hope so! I can't believe how late you sleep sometimes," she laughed. "See you Saturday then."
"Bye!"
As I hung up, Arianell returned from wherever she was. She landed on the arm of the sofa and extended her right leg so I could untie the parchment roll that hung there. It was addressed to Mom, but I was used to Arianell delivering everything to me first. She never let anyone else near her. I recognised the tidy handwriting as Lupin's and resisted the urge to open it myself.
"Who's that for?" asked Dad, wiping his hands on a towel.
"Mom. It's from Remus," I said.
"She's been waiting for that. Do you want to pop by the shop after lunch and give it to her?" he said.
"Might as well," I shrugged. "Were you doing dishes again?"
"Of course. See, you have to do them after every meal."
"Why isn't Bobby doing them? Actually, come to think of it, I haven't seen him in days."
"He's helping your uncle Allan renovate in Canada," grinned Dad. "He should be back by Friday, depending on magical air flight."
"I thought he hated traveling," I said.
"He does," chuckled Dad, "but we, ah, persuaded him to go. Apparently, his sister will be there."
"Which one?"
"Jinx, I think. The one who helps your aunt Andrea. I asked him to get news on everyone else while he was there."
"Is Aunt Andrea going to visit? She said she would, even if she has to bring Andrew."
"I don't think she'll come this year, Andrew has a little league Quidditch tournament and she can't get Uncle Tony and his wife to take him in."
"It's 'cause Andrew's a savage beast!"
"Yeah, he does bounce on walls."
"And he has worse table manners than Ron."
"Andrew's not that bad, pumpkin."
"I feel sorry for Ron now."
Dad grabbed my hand as a large family ran past us. "Wouldn't want to lose you in this crowd," he said, squeezing my hand. I just hoped no one I knew would be here to see me holding hands with my dad. How embarrassing...
I pushed the door to Mom's shop. The little bell tingled joyfully. "Mom?" I called out. The shop was empty and really quiet.
"Wow," Dad exhaled. "Business is slow today."
"Yeah," I shivered. I rubbed my arms to regain some of the summer sun's warmth. I looked around, frowning. Almost all of the pieces I had washed and waxed over Christmas vacation were still here, collecting more dust. Suddenly, Mom came stampeding down the stairs from the upstairs office.
"Pumpkin!" she said, out of breath. She kissed my cheek. "I wasn't expecting you to visit."
"She seemed bored," answered Dad as he kissed her. "And Remus wrote back."
"Oh, good. I was getting worried. I can take a lunch break in about fifteen minutes, when Vera comes back from her lunch. Why don't you take a look around, pumpkin?"
"It looks the same as the last time I came here," I answered, eyebrows raised, "about seven months ago. I've got a couple Sickles, I'm going to go look around Diagon Alley."
I reached for the door handle when Dad put his hand on my shoulder. "Not by yourself you're not. We'll meet at the Leaky Cauldron for lunch in fifteen, Talia," he said, kissing her goodbye. I stepped outside and put my sunglasses on, crossing my arms as Dad took his time to join me. He finally came outside, putting his arm around my shoulders.
"It's not like I'm a kid, Dad," I huffed.
"I know, pumpkin," he sighed. "But after the Ministry fiasco..."
"It wasn't that bad!" I exclaimed, pulling away a little. He gave me a look. "Ok, it could have gone better."
"I'll say," he laughed. "Your mom and I came close to losing you and it makes us a little… clingy."
"I noticed," I stuck my tongue out at him. "Anyway, now it means I don't have to spend my own Sickles if I want something," I grinned.
"So where are we going?"
"Ah, you'll see."
We kept walking until we reached a bright pink building. On top of the lighter pink door was a sign marked 'Madam Primpernelle's Beautifying Potions'. Dad stopped and I tugged his arm. "You've got to be crazy if you think I'm going in there," said Dad, horror-struck.
"I'm not crazy," I smirked, aware that Dad was uncomfortable in these girl situations. I dragged him toward his possible nightmare. "I'm hoping to get something for my hair. Do you think I'd look pretty with blonder hair?"
"Uh..."
I left Madam Primpernelle's with Strengthening Solution for my hair and a handful of different coloured eye shadows. Dad left with a massive headache.
We met Mom on our way to the Leaky Cauldron. Tom greeted us happily and sat us near the window facing Charing Cross Road. Muggles walked past unaware of the building. As we ate, Mom sighed often and pushed her food around in her plate.
"What's wrong, Mom?" I frowned.
"Oh, nothing you should worry yourself about, pumpkin," she smiled tiredly. "What did you buy at Madam Primpernelle's?"
"A Strengthening Solution for my hair and a bit of makeup," I said. "I hope the solution works, my hair looks so dull at the ends." I made a sad face as I looked at the tips of my dirty blond hair.
"I hope it works too," said Dad, rubbing his temples. "Cost me two Galleons and my sanity."
"Two Galleons?" repeated Mom, incredulous. "I think I'll give it a shot too, then, to make sure it works."
"Mine!" I grinned. "Anyway, what did Mr. Lupin write?"
"He just wanted to know how the examination went, how we were doing, that sort of thing," said Mom carefully. She glanced at Dad.
"What else?" I persisted.
Dad sighed. "We had written to him to ask about the branding," he answered.
Mom glared at him. "We wanted to know if Fudge would follow through with it and his own experience with it."
"Was it... painful?" I whispered worriedly.
"For him, yes, as the paint is part silver to make sure it stays on the werewolf skin, although he didn't admit it," she said, rolling her eyes. "Remus always felt a need to downplay the injustices of his life.
"Anyway, he doubts Fudge would actually make you get one. Remus thinks Fudge just wanted to intimidate you and assess the situation, and that it's more than likely the Minister feels you are not a threat."
"So I need to stay out of Connection-related trouble."
"And any trouble at all, if you can manage it," mused Dad.
"I'm sorry, I can't. I promised Harry I'd stick by him, and trouble seems to stick to him too, so..."
Dad ruffled my hair affectionately. "Well, we're going back home," he said. "We've got some cleaning to do for Hermione's arrival Saturday. See you at supper, Talia."
"Don't forget to take out the lasagna," she said to him as she tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. "Fold the laundry, would you, pumpkin? With Bobby gone, I'm head over heels in work."
"We'll see."
"Thank you," she said, eyebrows raised. She checked her watch. "Oh, I'm going to be late. Bye! Behave!"
"Won't!" I replied, grinning, but she was already out the door.
"Don't worry, Dr. and Dr. Granger," smiled Dad as he led Hermione's parents out. "I'll bring her home by car after the movie tonight."
Both her parents were relieved that Dad was bringing her back the Muggle way. "Oh, that's fantastic," sighed Mrs. Granger. "Not that we mind magic… but we feel so much more comfortable knowing she's getting home on something we understand."
Hermione rolled her eyes at her mom. "I understand perfectly, Dr. Granger," said Dad in his teacher-meeting-concerned-parent voice. "We can ring you when the movie is done."
"That would be wonderful!" beamed Mrs. Granger. "See you tonight, darling!"
"Be your normal perfectly behaved self," said her father as he kissed the top of her head. They left the house, Dad following them out, and I closed the door, relieved.
"Wow, your parents are hard to get rid of," I sighed.
"They're not used to letting me go so much," she said. "I never really had friends until Hogwarts. This will be the first summer I don't spend with them."
"It's kinda strange for this to be home to me," I shared. "I used to come home every day after school and now I'm gone ten months a year. Come on, I'll show you around." I motioned for her to follow me. "There's the dining room, which is connected to the kitchen," I pointed to the kitchen.
Dad entered the house. "I'm making pancakes, you girls want some?" he yelled from the entrance.
Hermione shrugged her shoulders shyly. "Did you eat breakfast?" I asked her.
"No, we didn't have time."
"'Pancakes sound good!" I shouted. "This way to the living room."
We passed the staircases and came into the living room. She looked around curiously. "I can't believe you don't have a telly," she laughed.
"We have the Wireless," I responded.
"And your fireplace is huge," she grinned. "Oh my goodness, Mina, I think your
phone is snoring!" she gasped.
"Well, what else is it supposed to do? You can't expect it to be waiting on the edge of its seat for a phone call all the time," I said. "Anyway, bathroom through that door. Let's check out my room!"
I ran up the stairs, Hermione following. "Slow down, Mina, I don't want to get lost," she breathed.
"You really can't get lost," I laughed. "Bathroom and parents' room to the right. Here, this is my room." I opened the door and plopped on my bed. "It's nice, isn't it?"
"I love your desk!" she admired.
"Mom fixed it herself," I said proudly. "Well, with magic, obviously, but it was in horrible shape when she first got it. Plus, it used to jig any time someone said 'magic'."
"Not very convenient if you're writing," she nodded, smiling.
"I'll show you the stars. Can you close the blinds, please?" I asked.
She moved towards the window. "Are those Quidditch posts in your backyard?" she said, looking down.
"Yeah, Dad helped me fix my old Comet Two-Sixty, so you can play with us this afternoon. He loves Quidditch," I said brightly.
"But this is a Muggle neighbourhood, isn't it? What if someone sees you?"
"This might look like a Muggle neighbourhood, but it's not," I said. "It's an entirely magical community. They're not very common. One of the reasons Mom wanted this house bad enough to keep it despite the Bundimun infestation. There isn't a Quidditch pitch or anything, but we can fly in our backyards."
She pulled the curtains closed and came to sit on my bed. "Is it dark enough?"
"It should be." I tapped the closest star and they all started to twinkle softly.
"Oh!" she gasped. "They're so beautiful!"
"I don't always put them on, but once in a while, it's nice to look at and just think."
"Mina! Hermione! Pancakes are ready," shouted Dad from downstairs.
With a flick of my wand, the curtains parted and the stars stopped twinkling. I looked guiltily at Hermione as she shook her head disapprovingly. "What's a tiny bit of magic?" I said sheepishly.
"I'm really, really sorry, Mr. Champlain," repeated Hermione, her face concerned. "I didn't mean to lose control of the broom!"
"For the last time, don't worry about it, Hermione," Dad said, wincing slightly as I poked a large purple bruise with my wand.
"Maybe we should have started her on my Nimbus," I commented as the bruise became a dark yellow. "It's easier to handle."
"It's the whole concept of flying," breathed Hermione, trembling. "It's just a stick! With straw bits at one end! Flying at goodness knows which speed…"
I placed a bit of wound-cleaning potion on a large gash on Dad's wand arm. It smoked and Dad yelped. "Suck it up, you big baby," I teased.
"I never get used to that potion," he hissed. "Next time, Hermione, Mina can fly with you."
"There won't be a next time, Mr. Champlain," said Hermione adamantly.
The fireplace suddenly burst into flame and out stepped Mom, looking exhausted. "I know, I know, I'm late," she sighed, dusting herself off. "Hello, Hermione."
"Hello, Mrs. Champlain."
"Hey, Mom."
"You're just in time for supper," Dad greeted her.
Mom took off her hat. "Smells delicious," she said, sniffing the air. "Girls, could you set the table please?"
Nodding, Hermione and I headed into the kitchen. I grabbed utensils and plates and handed her the glasses. We made quick work of setting the table. Mom and Dad brought the food and drinks out while we washed our hands in the kitchen sink.
"So, Hermione, I hear you've convinced Mina to go to the movies with you," said Mom as we ate.
"Surprisingly, yes," she answered. "It took a bit of pleading, but I think she's secretly excited."
"Very," I said, rolling my eyes. "I don't understand the concept of watching people pretend they're something they're not, just for the sake of entertainment."
"Well, Muggles have more extensive ways of entertainment than Wizards do," said Mom.
"Although most are boring as hell compared to magic entertainment," winked Dad.
"Compared to Quidditch, you mean," corrected Mom, smirking.
"Not only Quidditch! There's Gobstones, Exploding Snap, uh… the Wireless, too, and uh… plays, of course, but most are horrid... music, dancing and singing!" And he broke out in a loud and not too off-key version of Celestina Warbeck's 'A Cauldron of Hot, Strong Love'.
"And generally having fun with spells and charms," I shrugged when Dad finished. Hermione giggled.
Mom checked her watch. "How about we charm the dishes to do themselves for tonight?" she suggested. "We don't want to be late."
"Have you girls decided what you want to go see?" asked Dad as he spelled the dishes towards the kitchen.
"Apparently, the best option Hermione could come up with was 'The Mask'," I said.
"It's the only one that didn't have extensive violence and Muggle political plots you wouldn't understand!"
"Whatever. It better be good."
"Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant," I exclaimed once back in the car.
Hermione shrugged. "I'm surprised you enjoyed it, pumpkin," said Mom from the front seat. "I thought you didn't like Muggle entertainment."
"Are you kidding? Muggles have it best! I can't believe you never told me, Mom," I said, buckling up. "I mean, the part where the green faced man eats that explosive thingy, you know, at the end? Priceless. Even wizards can't do that! And the guy, he didn't even die or nothing!"
"And you, Hermione?" asked Dad as he drove out of the parking lot.
"It was… alright, I suppose," she hesitated.
I looked at her. "Didn't you like the part where he goes to see the blond woman sing and he starts dancing and singing with her out of nowhere? Or when he's being followed by the Muggle law enforcement guys and they all break out in song and dance?"
"To be perfectly honest, I found it dreadful," sighed Hermione, crossing her arms.
"Dreadful?"
"Yes! It was so far-fetched and hardly thought provoking," she huffed disapprovingly. "Just another actor doing the most ridiculous stunts on film and then pretending there's a story to go along with it."
"You're just miffed you had to keep explaining all those Muggle contraptions to me," I nudged her, grinning.
"Yes, that too," she said, attempting to hide her smile. I raised my eyebrows at her. "Oh, alright! It was rather funny at parts," she conceded.
The ride to Hermione's was filled with conversations about the impending Quidditch World Cup. While Hermione wasn't a big fan of Quidditch, she did find the idea of international Quidditch exciting.
"There will be fans from all over Europe! It will be so interesting if I could meet someone from Bulgaria, to ask them about their magic schooling," she said.
"Arthur came by the shop today," Mom said. "He reserved two lots at the camp ground. Said it was alright if we all bunked together, seeing as Harry and Hermione will be with them as well."
"Good," said Dad. "I wasn't looking forward to buying a tent for a single use."
He parked in front of a massive Victorian house. Hermione sighed, eying the house. "It doesn't look like they're home," frowned Mom.
"Wow, Hermione," I said, impressed. "Your house is huge!"
"They're home," Hermione assured my parents with a smile. "They like to spend the night out in the backyard when the sky is clear. I sometimes teach them a bit about astronomy!" She opened the door. "Thank you for everything, Mr. and Mrs. Champlain! I really enjoyed myself today."
"It was a pleasure having you over," smiled Dad. "We'll see you at the World Cup."
"Mina, don't forget Harry's birthday tomorrow!" Hermione reminded me. "Don't wait until the last minute to-"
"Have some faith," I cut her off. "I've got something picked out."
"The pictures?" she said happily.
"Yeah, and I put a bunch of wizard candy with it too."
"Splendid! See you soon!"
"Bye!"
She closed the door and my parents waited until she was let inside by her father, who waved at us, before driving home. As soon as we arrived, I raced upstairs to grab the box with the pictures of Harry's parents, already wrapped in pretty red and gold paper.
"Mom, have you seen my owl?" I yelled as I stomped down the stairs.
"Check her cage!" she answered from the kitchen.
I went into the living room to find Arianell pecking at the window. "Never mind, found her!" I let her in and patted the top of her head. "This is for Harry, alright?" I whispered softly as I tied the large package to her leg. "You remember the way, right?"
She nipped my finger a little too hard, insulted that I doubted her and yet flattered I hadn't written the address on the package. "Don't get prissy with me!" She flew off into the night with a rustle of her wings.
Mom walked in, turning on the Wireless. She sat on the brown sofa and stretched. I joined her, propping my feet up on the coffee table. I rested my head on her shoulder. "You trust me, don't you, Mom?" I asked tiredly.
She sat up straighter. "Of course I do, Mina!"
"So if anything important was happening, you would tell me?"
"Yes," she answered strongly.
I wasn't sure whether to believe her or not, but I did. "'Kay," I said, standing. "Goodnight."
"Sleep tight, pumpkin."
