A/N Lots of familiar names in this one. I don't own any of them. JKR, Disney, Pixar, so many more I lost count. See how many you recognise!
After breakfast, Ginny set off immediately for her meeting with the town's mayor, not wanting to be late. She followed the yellow brick road all the way into town, and fifteen minutes later she came across the first main building of the town, the church. The sign for the church welcomed all to their Sunday service, which was led by Father Flynn. Ginny thought it quite the coincidence that her healer was also named Flynn, and decided to stop in to see the minister sometime soon.
Moving forward, she looked around eagerly. As it was still so early, most merchants were still setting up for the day. Ginny could see many of the same shops here that she usually saw in Ottery St Catchpole, including a general store and a bakery. A handsome man was filling the display counter with gingerbread, and he smiled interestedly at Ginny. She could smell the fresh bread and cakes as she walked past, and decided to stop in there for lunch after her meeting.
Looking across the yellow paved road, Ginny could see both a ladies and men's clothing shop, advertising the latest cloaks. Ginny wondered if this is where her hooded rescuer – she still smarted that he thought she meant to do herself harm – had purchased his from. He really didn't seem the type to go clothes shopping.
Right in the middle of the town was the city council office. As she entered she saw various departments to choose from, including the Department of Magical Transport, which incorporated the Floo Network, the Broom and Carpet Regulatory Control and the Portkey Office and the Apparition test centre, all on one floor.
The floor above it was the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, although the sign above it said - 'Closed as we are helping Gringott's with the Niffler invasion'.
"May I help you?" asked a curious woman.
"Hi, I have a ten o'clock meeting with the town's mayor, er, Mayor Cogsworth," said Ginny, looking at the parchment she'd been sent.
"Oh, you're the visitor," nodded the woman, looking at her up and down. Ginny felt like she was on inspection. "Please, take a seat and I'll let Chip, er, Mayor Cogsworth know you're here." She gestured for Ginny to go sit down. Ginny grabbed a local newspaper and flicked through it. There were advertisements for the local shops, and council reminders that it was time to renew their Floo licences.
"Miss Weasley? Mayor Cogsworth will see you now. Third floor, up the stairs, second door on the right," said the woman, eying her curiously. Ginny smiled her thanks and walked up the stairs.
Mayor Cogsworth met her at the door, beaming. "Come in, come in, welcome, my dear. It's not often we get visitors to our small village." He held out a seat for her, and she sank onto it.
"Thank you. I've enjoyed the little bit I've seen. Why don't you get many visitors?" she asked.
The mayor shook his head sadly as he rounded the desk and sat down. "Why, the curse, of course. Let's see, you're here for, ah..." he perused the letter in front of him.
"A few weeks. Maybe less," she said optimistically.
"Hmmm," he said, looking at her over the top of the letter, reminding her of Minerva MacGonagall.
"Well, all seems to be in order. As long as you obey Lord Stinchcombe's request and do not attempt to enter the castle, all will be well," he finished pleasantly.
"Lord Stinchcombe?" asked Ginny, puzzled.
Mayor Cogsworth nodded. "You are staying in his cottage, I believe? Settled in all right?"
"Oh, right, yes. Sorry, I didn't get his name last night," realised Ginny.
"You-you've met him?" asked the mayor, surprised.
"Yes, he, er, thought I needed some help with something on the beach," said Ginny.
"He was out of the castle? How surprising. He doesn't venture out very often unless he's...never mind. It's just mindless gossip. Now, just stay away from the castle, and you'll be fine. Now, any questions?" he asked, friendly.
"Erm, what do you do for fun around here?" she asked.
"We are a small hard working community, Miss Weasley, but we do like to wind down at the Green Dragon Inn. They offer a nice drop of Muggle ale, if I do say so myself. Course, you'll still get your Butterbeer and Firewhiskey there. Owner is Moe, whatever you do, don't say anything about his hunchback. Anyhow, Saturday night Moe's place is the place to be. The Sanderson sisters cook up a storm, I swear that Winnie cooks the best Cawl I've ever tasted. Oh, and you're in for a treat. Josie's singing at Moe's on Saturday night, then in the choir on Sunday, that is, if you join us for church?"
"I hope to," smiled Ginny, wanting to see the type of person who sang in a tavern one night and the choir the next morning.
"Just a word of warning, my dear. At the edge of town, you'll find Knobbler's Lane. Might I suggest it's not a place I'm sure you're parents would want a young lady such as yourself to visit," said the mayor, slightly embarassed. "It's a place not unlike Knockturn Alley, in London town, if you know what I mean. Not that you'd be familiar with that place, oh no."
"It's okay, I've heard my brother's talk," she said, smiling. She stood and held out her hand. "Thank you, you've been most welcoming."
Mayor Cogsworth stood and shook her hand. "My door is always open for you, my dear. Or, if I'm not available, you can go see our Law Enforcement Officer, Auror Woody, just down the street. "
Ginny walked to the door. "Thank you, again. I think I'll wander around the town, look around, then go back to the bakery for lunch. The smells were very enticing as I was on my way here," she confided.
"That'll be the Muffin Man. Best muffins this side of Neverland," quipped the mayor, opening the door. Ginny could see someone was waiting for the next appointment with the mayor, so she smiled and quickly left.
She continued walking down one side of the street. She passed Madame Mim's Menagerie and Owl Post. She came to Aladdin's Apothecary and decided to enter, in case she needed anything while she was here. She'd seen some basic items in the cottage, but being brought up by Molly Weasley had given Ginny a knowledge of the traditional household magic that witches had used for many many years, for protection, healing and prosperity, amongst others. Small magic that made a house a home and aided all that lived within. She had used several of her mother's charms on her little flat in Holyhead.
She was impressed with the range the Apothecary stocked, for such a small island with what she had been told was a small population. She was sure even Neville would be impressed, as he supplied many herbs and plants to Apothecaries in London. His reputation was growing rapidly.
"Well now, and who might you be, dearie?"
Ginny spun around to see a large, rather ugly looking witch behind the counter, stiring a cauldron. Seeing as how she didn't want to start off on the wrong foot, she smiled politely. "Hello, I'm Ginny. A visitor," she added, probably unnecessarily.
The witch's eyes narrowed, as she added eye of newt to the potion. "You're the one? The one staying at the cottage near the castle grounds?"
"Yes," said Ginny.
"I'm Ursula," said the witch, staring unashamedly. She nodded. "Yes... you might just be the one. Scarred inside as he is outside...hmmm." Her eyes narrowed as she studied Ginny intensely.
"I was just looking around to see what you stocked," explained Ginny quickly, seeing the familiar herbs and plants she'd grown up with. Belladonna, heather and aloe, as well as aloe, sage and lavender.
"If there's something you want and we don't stock it, Aladdin can get it in for you," offered Ursula.
"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind. I'm going to keep looking around, nice to meet you," farewelled Ginny.
She breathed easier when she stepped outside, not having realised how steamy the Apothecary had been. She heard someone whistle, and the sound of girl's giggling. She turned to see two girls looking after a rather handsome man that had winked at all three witches, then walked away.
"That Gaston, he's so dreamy," said one of the girls, swooning.
"He wasn't whistling at you, Anastasia," sneered the other. "He was whistling at her." She looked pointedly at Ginny.
"Shut it, Drizella, or I'll tell Mum you're being mean to me," bleated Anastasia. "Who is she, anyway?"
"Who cares, come on, or we'll be late," encouraged Drizella, shooting Ginny a filthy look. "She probably works down Knobbler's Lane," she giggled.
"Oh, you're terrible," giggled Anastasia, as she grabbed her sister's hand and they hurried away.
Ginny continued her explorations, and came across a small branch of Gringott's. Peering in she saw it was big enough for two goblin tellers to serve their customers. When she saw it was closed she remembered the Niffler invasion and continued walking.
The main building at the end of the road was the hospital. Stinchcombe General, as she read the sign, treated many of the same maladies as St Mungo's, including artefact accidents, creature induced injuries, magical bugs and diseases, spell damage and potion and plant poisoning.
"Are you in need of aid?" asked a weary wizard, smoking a pipe. By the smell of it, Ginny recognised Magiweed, and perhaps something else. Herbs of some kind, she surmised. It was comforting, reminding her of her dad, out on the family porch on a summer night.
"No, I'm new in town, just looking around," explained Ginny.
"Thank Merlin!" he exclaimed. "I just delivered twins, and I'm exhausted."
"Oh, you're the healer. Hello, it's nice to meet you. So, boys, girls or one of each?" asked Ginny.
"Girls. Mary-Kate and Ashley," sighed the healer, puffing away, "but please, call me Doc."
"Doc? Like, the muggle word, doctor?" asked Ginny.
Doc nodded. "Real name is Everett, Everett Brown, but I'm best known as Doc around here."
"I went to Hogwarts with a witch named Lavender Brown. Any relation?" asked Ginny.
"Ah yes, let's see, that would be my brother's niece," nodded Doc. "Such a shame," he sighed.
"So you treat a lot of different cases here," noted Ginny, happy to change the subject of her former Gryffindor's grisly death at the hands of Fenrir Greyback, a werewolf, during the final battle.
Doc nodded. "If anything is too bad, we send them straight to St Mungo's, but that's pretty rare. We take care of our own here, for the most part."
Ginny pointed to the name. "Stinchcombe General. So what do you mostly treat here?"
"Drunken brawls on a Saturday night, especially when Josie and her Pussycats sing," teased Doc. "Nah, I'm teasing. It varies. There's always spell damage, when young 'uns use accidental magic. Broken bones from Quidditch accidents, or-"
" Quidditch?" asked Ginny, perking up in interest.
Doc looked at her in a new light. "You're that Harpy that's visiting, arent you?"
"Does everyone know about me?" asked Ginny, ruefully.
"Reckon so. Don't get many visitors here," said Doc, taking a last puff of his pipe.
"Why is that? I've only seen this part of town, but it's nice," said Ginny, looking around. "What else is there?"
"Well now, it's the curse, you see. Folks don't visit, and the locals are even packing up and leaving. Now, over there is the travel shop. You can find brooms or carpets, whatever you prefer."
"Flying carpets? I haven't been on one of those since I was twelve, and my family went to Egypt to visit my brother Bill," said Ginny, excitedly.
"That's right, they're banned in London, aren't they?" asked the healer. "Legal here," he added.
Ginny nodded, then listened as he continued his tour of the town.
"That big building there is the Green Dragon Inn, the local tavern. Now, the laneway behind it is Knobbler's Lane, not that you'll be wanting to be going down there. Next to the tavern is Auror Woody's office."
"What's down Knobbler's Lane?" asked Ginny, purely out of curiosity.
"How would I know," he winked. "Now, on the outskirts of town, you'll find Stinchcombe Elementary, Tony's Pasta Restaurant, and of course, the Cleansweep Factory."
"Pardon? Did you just say- the Cleansweep Factory. As in-the broomsticks?" she gasped.
"Yeah. Thought you might have heard of them," he chuckled.
"Heard of them? I love them, they're the best brooms for Chasers," exclaimed Ginny.
"You should stop in and see them. Tell them what you think of their brooms. After all, you're a professional. I'm sure they'd love to talk to you," encouraged Doc.
"Really? I'd love to. I've always been fascinated by the making of brooms. I'd love to go for a tour," she exclaimed.
"'Scuse me, Doc, sorry to interrupt, but Mrs Davis just brought Andy in. Spell damage, again." A young healer's aide shot a curious look at Ginny.
"Sid again?" sighed Doc.
The aide nodded. "Yep. Fighting over some toy. Andy's got green spots all over his face this time."
Doc nodded and stood. "Back to it, then. Nice to meet you."
"You too," said Ginny.
Ginny walked back down the town centre. She stopped in to get a muffin from the bakery, and they practically melted in her mouth. Matthew, the one known as the Muffin Man, introduced himself and looked anxious. "So good," she drooled.
He beamed and slid her another. "For later," he confided. "Welcome to our island."
And just like that, Ginny made her first friend.
/*/*/*/*
She made the trip to the town every day for the next week, taking the time to really get to know the shopkeepers. To her consternation, the Cleansweep Factory was closed till further notice as the employees were helping Gringott's with the pesky Nifflers. Seems like half the town were there.
"They've called in some fancy Magizooligist. His great grandaddy wrote that book, you know," confided Matt, as he served her a freshly baked mini Shepherd's pie. She was reading her first task from Healer Flynn. 'Tell me what you are missing the most?'
Ginny took a bite and rolled her eyes. She quickly jotted down. 'My family and Quidditch', and rolled the parchment back up. She was really going to have to stop coming to the bakery, she was sure she'd gained weight already since she'd arrived.
She thought back to their conversation, thinking back to her Hogwarts days and her Care of Magical Creatures lessons. "Scamander? Newt Scamander?"
Matt nodded, waving goodbye to the old lady who lived in a giant's shoe with her ten unruly adopted children. "That's the one. 'Fantastic Creatures and What to do with Them, or something?" he said.
Ginny chuckled. "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them," she corrected. "Hmm, I didn't know his great grandson continued on with his work. I hope I get to meet him," she said. She thought of Hagrid, and his love of many creatures.
"Not this time."
Matthew and Ginny turned to see Ursula standing in the doorway. "However, you will see him again, in fact, he plays a part in your future. Matthew, I need chocolate," she implored, coming to peer in his display cases. She left with a bag full of eclairs.
Ginny didn't question Ursula further, for every time she had seen Ginny this week, she had made some random statement. Ginny simply smiled politely and ignored her. How could this magizoologist possibly be a part of her future? Her feelings were still ambivalent to Ursula, especially when Matthew told her she was a noted Seer.
"So..." Matthew indicated the pie and looked back to her. He was always keen to know how it rated against the food in London. Unfortunately, unknowingly, he was competing against Molly Weasley.
"One of the best I've ever had. My coach is going to kill you," she sighed, patting her stomach.
"Ooh. Does that mean I'll get a chance to meet the Gwenog Jones," he sighed, hopefully.
Ginny grinned. Matthew was as gay as Dumbledore, meaning discreetly, but as he and Ginny became more and more comfortable around each other, he let his true side show. He had been desperate for a confidante, and Ginny had become it. He had told her about his true love, a famous chef in both the magical and Muggle world. Matthew wasn't interested in the celebrity world, or all the travelling his lover had to do for his career, and his lover wouldn't give up his career, so they'd split. Matthew had returned home to the island with a broken heart.
"If this Scamander bloke turns up, the Cleansweep people can return to their jobs," reminded Matthew.
"Yeah, I hope so. Well, I should probably go," said Ginny, seeing Matthew's mother giving her approving looks. She seemed to think she and her precious son were becoming a thing, sure that Matthew being gay was just a phase. "Got to post this," she said, grabbing her parchment.
"Haven't seen the Beast again?" teased Matthew. She had confided in him about the meeting her first night there.
"No, and I don't want to see him – at all," laughed Ginny, as she waved goodbye.
She took her time walking back to the cottage after sending off the owl with her letter to Healer Flynn, taking the long route so she could go past the school. She tried to time it so the children were all out playing, and she liked to watch them. In a way, it reminded her of time spent with her brothers when they were all little and home at the Burrow.
She watched the girls jump rope and play hopscotch, and the boys play Gobstones. Some climbed on the playground equipment and some played chasey. Games she herself had played when she was little, some with her brothers, some with Luna, her closest neighbour and best friend.
Smiling at their innocent ways, she walked back to the cottage. She was close by when she heard voices. She hurried closer to the cottage, wondering if she had visitors. Mum, Dad? My brothers? she wondered, suddenly aware of how much she missed them.
"He's going to eat us, Hansel. He'll gobble us all up."
'Leave now.'
Ginny recognised Asim talking and hurried faster.
"Stay behind me, Gretel, I'll try to kill it. Go away, snake."
As Ginny came up the path to her cottage, she saw a girl cowering behind a boy, about the same age. As she watched, the boy threw a stick at Asim, which only angered the snake more. It coiled up, hissing furiously. 'Leave. Now.'
Ginny hissed back. 'They don't underssssstand. Let me talk to them.'
Asim stopped hissing. Unfortunately she focused on Ginny, and didnt see Hansel pick up a metal spike and throw it. It became embedded in the snake's skin, and it thrashed in agony. "Hurtsssssss."
"No," cried Ginny, hurrying closer.
"He stabbed it. It's gonna die," cheered Gretel.
Hansel wasn't crowing. He watched in shock as the snake slithered in obvious distress.
"Get back, kids. She might lash out in because she's hurt. What are you doing here, anyway?" asked Ginny.
"Sid dared us to come and sneak into the castle and see the Beast," piped up Gretel.
"Who's Sid?" asked Ginny, keeping a close eye on Asim. The snake was slowing down.
"Sid Philips, he goes to our school," explained Gretel.
"Is she, is she going to be okay?" asked Hansel worriedly. He hadn't taken his eyes off the snake.
"I don't know, I have to help her. You need to leave, and mustn't come back. The castle isn't a place for children," said Ginny.
"Come on, Hansel," implored Gretel. "I want to go home." She pulled his arm.
Hansel stepped back, his eyes still on the snake. "I'm sorry," he said, tears forming. "I-I just wanted to protect my sister."
Ginny nodded, needing them gone. The ran off quickly, although Ginny didn't see Hansel stop again to look back.
"Assssim, what can I do, how can I help?" hissed Ginny.
Asim lay limply. "Need...the masssssster. He...can...help."
Ginny looked up at the uninviting castle. "I'm not allowed to go up there," she said.
"Then here is where I ssssshall die," said Asim solemnly.
"No! I'll go find him...sssssomehow," vowed Ginny, for the castle was huge.
"Take me to him," hissed the snake, in obvious pain.
Ginny approached the snake. The wound was oozing, and she could see the metal spike was deeply embedded. "I'm going to freeze you sssso when I move you, it sssshouldn't hurt too much. Okay?"
"Asssssim trusssstsss you," hissed the snake, closing its eyes to the pain.
"Petrificas Totalis," said Ginny, after getting her wand out of her shorts. The snake froze, it's tongue flickered out. She hoped the spell would stop any pain too. After casting a featherweight charm on it too, Ginny carefully picked it up, then glanced at the castle.
She had obeyed the rules and never ventured up there, so she couldn't picture her destination in order to Apparate. Still she pictured a huge front door, and closed her eyes in hope.
Opening them seconds later, she did indeed find herself standing at the base of the steps that lead to the front door of the castle. A huge stone wolf and dog were either side of the steps leading to the front door. Trying to use her wand whilst nursing a boa constrictor wasn't the easiest thing to do, so she didn't even bother trying to. "Alohamora," she called, and the door opened.
She hurried in. "Hello. I need help," she called. "Asim needs help," she corrected. "HELLO?"
/*/*/*/*
He was up his laboratory, checking the latest data from the Ministry. Dammnit, it had failed again! He screwed up the parchment and threw it angrily across the room. All these years, all his attempts, and he was getting nowhere with the potion.
"Hello? I need help."
It was her. His brow furrowed deeper in anger. How dare she enter his home! She had been told to never come in here.
"Asim needs help." He froze.
"HELLO?"
He immediately Apparated downstairs, landing on the staircase. She was about to step up; her foot already on the first tread, her face down as she looked on in concern at Asim. He loomed over her in anger, looking at his still companion.
'WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO TO ASIM?" he bellowed angrily.
Ginny looked up and froze.