Kreacher took Regina Fawley to the rubble of a home that had once been the proud home of the pureblooded Fawley family. Regina followed Kreacher to a saferoom at the bottom of the rubble. With Kreacher's help, they opened the saferoom. They made sure that no one was left inside. They found nothing. At this point, Regina nodded to Kreacher who made a whistle with his two fingers.
At this point, Kreacher quickly popped away, but a second elf appeared.
The young elf looked at Regina, "Mistress Regina," he asked. "Is that you?"
Regina held her head, making sure to put behind some blocks of her former life as Walburga had been teaching her. "I'm sorry –" she replied. I made it to the safe room, but as I went in something hit my head really hard. I can't remember much, even your name – "
The elf was practically bouncing. "Niles –" he said. "Niles is so excited that Mistress Regina is okay. I can take your immediately to your Great Grandfather and Grandmother."
"That would be lovely," Regina replied.
Niles put his hand on Regina and they both popped away.
Regina had barely gotten her bearings when she heard a scream.
"I can't believe it!" her great-grandmother, Ethel Fawley said. "You survived, my dear Regina."
The old woman rushed to take in the dusty visage of her great-granddaughter, Regina. Ethel Fawley turned to Niles. "Go to Robert immediately. He will be so happy."
Niles popped away. Meanwhile, Regina's great-grandmother fussed over her. As she held Regina close, suddenly, Niles returned with Robert Fawley.
"Is it really true?" He exclaimed. "It is!" He shouted as his eyes took in Regina's face and hair. He happy family prepared to celebrate a big feast.
Regina didn't have much time before Hogwarts. She had to get a wand. She was going to skip her books – claiming that she had her elf get them. Regina's Great-grandmother and Great-grandfather were too old for the journey to Diagon Alley anyway. But she still needed to get her robes and her wand. So, they set up a chance for Regina to go with another girl who was likely going to be her age, Rose Zeller.
"Now, Rose is a Half-blood, dear," her great-grandmother, Ethel was explaining to her. "You can think of her as your companion and helper, but she is not your friend."
"I certainly understand, Grandmother," Regina said.
Regina sat straight in the chair as she and her great-grandmother awaited the arrival of Rose and her mother.
"Rose's family is under our protection. We make sure that nothing happens to them." She continued.
At just that moment, Niles appeared.
"Mistress, Ethel –" he said with a bow, "The Zellers are here."
"Please send them in – we are ready," her grandmother replied.
At the moment, two homely women, one the spitting image of the other walked in. Mrs. Zellar poked her daughter, Rose, forward.
"Hello, Miss Fawley," she said with some uncertainty, "my name is Rose Zellar."
Regina let the smile just touch her face. She wanted to be open and cordial but not too friendly. "I am glad to meet you."
Slowly, Regina stood up and walked over, offering an awkward hug for the Zeller girl. "I have most of my shopping done. I just need to get my wand and some robes."
Rose nodded. "Mother just took me for all my shopping last week, but we would be happy to escort you."
Mrs. Zellar stood up. "Are you two young ladies, ready?"
Regina nodded and so did Rose. "We had best be going."
As she turned to go, Regina's great-grandmother reminded Mrs. Zellar. "Regina is the only family my husband and I have left – "
She left the threat unsaid.
Mrs. Zellar responded. "We will take good care of her.
The three ladies went to the fireplace, each taking some powder for the Floo. First went Mrs. Zellar, then it was Regina's turn.
"Diagon Alley – " Regina said with confidence as she threw the powder into the fireplace. Then, she walked through the Floo.
She came out without even a stumble, the picture of the perfect pureblood princess that her great-grandmother wanted her to be. Soon after, Rose came through. Regina took Rose's arm and stated, "If we can get our work done early, Grandmother gave me some money for Madame Fortuna's."
Rose smiled. This appeared to be the friendlier Regina Fawley she remembered from their youth before her accident.
But that Regina Fawley didn't last long as they walked into the public portion of the Alley. Regina walked with Rose and Mrs. Zellar down the road as if she owned the Alley. The three walked first to Ollivander's. Regina put up her occlumency barriers just in case Ollivander would recognize something familiar about her.
Regina didn't forget coming in here with wonder as Harry Potter. She even held a little wonder now as that tinkling bell rang allowing the three of them in.
"Good morning, ladies –" a soft voice of an old man with the familiar pale eyes shone at them.
"Who do we have here?" he said.
Mrs. Zeller stood forward. "I want to introduce you to my charge for the day, Ms. Regina Fawley."
"Ah yes –" Mr. Ollivander said. Then, he turned to her with that long tape measure with silver markings out of his pocket. Regina held out her left hand. That had been part of what she had done in the ritual, making Regina left handed.
"A left-hander –" Mr. Ollivander remarked, "Very interesting."
He measured Regina from shoulder to finger, then wrist to elbow, shoulder to floor, knee to armpit – and around Regina's head.
"Ms. Fawley, as I am sure you understand, every Ollivander wand has a core of some powerful magical substance. We use unicorn hairs, phoenix tail feathers, and the heartstrings of dragons. No two Ollivander wands are exactly alike, just as no two unicorns, dragons, or phoenixes are quite the same. And of course, you will never get as good a result with another wizard's wand."
The first wand Regina tried was a beechwood wand with dragon heartstring that was nine inches long.
"Take that and wave it," he told her.
She did, but there was only a little sputtering of sparks.
She tried a Maple and phoenix feather – seven inches long. Nothing. They tried about three more. Then, Mr. Ollivander handed her another.
Then, he handed her a Yew wand. "This one has a Welsh dragon heartstring," he told her.
The minute she felt it in her hand, she knew that this was it. She raised the wand above her head and brought it down swishing through the dusty air. Red sparks popped up from the end of the wand, throwing dancing spots of light on the walls. "We have your wand, Ms. Fawley."
It was a whole hour of work in that dusty shop for Regina's sensitivities. She was happy for the sunshine and the lack of dust in the air. Next it was Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occassions.
"Oh," the voice of a squat smiling woman spoke, "another one starting for Hogwarts."
Regina gave just barely a nod.
"First year?" She asked.
Part of Regina wanted to respond – "No fifth year," but that was not going to work. She nodded.
She handed Mrs. Malkin the list, and Mrs. Malkin began the work of measuring her.
Regina spoke, "I will also need a full wardrobe as well. There was an accident at my home at the beginning of summer."
"Oh," Mrs. Malkin said. "Of course."
She had Regina stand on a stool. She slipped a robe over Regina's head and began to pin the robe to its proper length. She was quite efficient. She annoyingly hummed and strutted around Regina, poking into the fabric, but never once poking Regina.
"Your clothes will be ready tomorrow, dear" she said.
Regina nodded. "My elf, Niles will pick them up tomorrow."
With some time to spare, Regina said. "We can sit at Florean Fortescue's for about an hour."
Rose smiled – along with her mother.
Her mother said. "There is some shopping that I need to do." She told them. "I will let you two ladies eat and visit while I get some potion supplies."
Rose and Regina walked to the Northside of Diagon Alley at Florean Fortescue's.
After sitting down, a young lady who must have just graduated stepped out.
"What would you like to have?" She asked.
Regina motioned to Rose that she should go first.
"I would like a large chocolate ice cream with fudge and whipped cream." Rose said.
After she had written that down, Regina said, "I would like Strawberry ice-cream with hot fudge, gummy candies, and a strawberry on top."
With that the young lady left to get the magical ice cream. She returned with two large ice creams.
As they were eating a brunette approached them.
"Are you Regina Fawley?" she asked.
Regina peeked up and nodded slightly.
"And who are you?" Regina replied smoothly.
"I am Gale Weatherby." She told her. "I believe that we are going to be in the same year at Hogwarts."
Regina motioned to her. "Would you like to sit with us?" she motioned. Gale nodded.
"I would like that," she said, "but I can't stay for long, because I still have to go to the Apothecary yet."
Regina turned to Rose. "Gale, this is our family friend, Ms. Rose Zeller." She pointed to Rose. "She will also be in our year."
Gale looked down at Rose. She nodded her head up, "A pleasure – I'm sure."
Regina quickly made it clear. "Rose and her mother are accompanying me to Diagon Alley for my shopping today, because my parents can't go, and the Zellers are under our protection."
At this, Gale perked up a little better. "That is very commendable of you to maintain that alliance."
The two chatted lightly, while Rose withdrew and just ate her ice cream – afraid to say too much. Gale ended up staying a whole hour with them. They chatted about the others who would be joining Hogwarts in their year. There seemed to be a little battle of wills there to see who the Queen would be, but if your name was Regina, you had to be the queen of your year. Regina's maturity and mannerisms made that clear within fifteen minutes of the conversation.
After an hour, Regina stood up. "We shall have to sit together on the Express, September 1st – " she said with a slight smile. "Will you look for me or save me a spot?"
Gale also stood and gave Regina a gentle hug. "I would love to do so."
Regina turned to Rose. "I see your mother waiting for us in the Second-Hand Bookshop," she said with a smirk.
Gale giggled slightly.
"I think it is time to go."
She turned one more time to Gale Weatherby. "It was a pleasure to meet someone of my age and station," she said.
Then, they walked to the store.
Regina would not go into the store, so Gale was left to go in and get her mother. Then, the three were back at the Fawley Manor.
Regina took Rose to a smaller tea room on the first floor while Mrs. Zeller and Mrs. Fawley spoke further. Regina told, Rose.
"Weatherby must think she is something, but clearly she isn't one of the Sacred Thirty-Eight. It is no matter – she understands now."
She turned to Rose. "What house do you think you will be sorted into?"
"My mother was a Hufflepuff –" she said. "I think I would do well there."
"I agree!" Regina said. "I will send you a letter about a week in. I would like to have you help me network within our year."
Rose spoke, "It would be my honor."
Then, Rose cleared her throat. "What about you?" She asked. "What house do you think you will be in?"
Regina turned her eyes just slightly, giving Rose the idea that she didn't need to ask the question. But she said, "It would have to be Slytherin of course," she said. "I am a pureblood, the last of the Fawleys. It is my duty to network and help my family and house regain its former glory as one of the sacred Thirty-Eight."
Rose looked disappointed. Clearly, it seemed Regina was nothing like she was when they were younger.
At this moment, Mrs. Fawley entered the room.
"Rose," she said. "Your mother is ready to go."
Rose stood up and gave Regina a warm hug.
"It was an interesting afternoon, Regina. Thank you for the company," she said.
Regina smiled – barely. "I will see you on the train, Rose."
Then, Rose turned and joined her mother in the room where the Fireplace was.
