Chapter Six:

Evan looked around Brielle to see Harry and Lily, both looking panicked, jostling through the crowd in order to get by.

"Sorry," Ev said as soon as his cousins reached his side. "I didn't mean to worry you!" he explained quickly. "It's just that I- quite literally- ran into Brielle here. And I was just helping her pick her stuff back up. She's separated from her parents," Ev added, in case that added any sympathy.

Harry turned promptly to Brielle. Ev suddenly remembered that Harry was the magical equivalent of a police officer. What was the word? Ev tried to remember. It starts with an "A." Awroar? "Where did you see your parents last?" Harry asked.

Brielle waved the question off. "Don't worry about it. We've only been here a little while. I've got money and I know my way around here really well. I thought I'd buy my wand…" After a second she added, "My dad wouldn't leave without me."

"Really," said Harry. "It's not a problem. We'll help you find them. I'm Harry; I'm an Auror, by the way. And this is my daughter, Lily. We're Ev's cousins."

Auror. Right, that was the word.

Brielle let out a short, surprised laugh as she stared at Harry's forehead. She looked from Harry to Evan. "You… You… Harry Potter's your cousin! This is brilliant!" Her laughter continued. "Wow. Uh, hi. I'm Brielle."

Evan bit his lip. He had heard that Harry was famous; his uncle Ben had most excited when he found out who Dudley's wizard cousin was. But Ev had never heard the details and rarely dwelled on it. Harry seemed perfectly normal to him. Well, as normal as a wizard could be.

Still giggling, Brielle turned back to Harry. "As much as I would love to see my mother's face if I turned up with you… My conscience wouldn't hear of it. I really can't ask you to subject yourself to that. Too bad."

"Who is your mother?" asked Harry, sounding more curious than concerned now.

Brielle's laughter died instantly. She hesitated and then said, "Pansy Zabini. I think you used to know her."

Harry's eyes widened. His tone was polite, but slightly strangled. "You're- Pansy- and Blaise's- daughter?"

"Oh, yes, sir, indeed I am one Brielle Zabini," she replied in an exaggerated upper-crust sort of accent. "Well," she continued in her normal voice. "It was nice meeting you." She waved to Harry and started to turn, her Kneazle following after her.

"And I guess I'll see you two in a couple of days," she added to a very confused Ev and Lily, who was peering down at Brielle with great curiosity.

"Wait," Harry started, obviously both of his Auror and parental instincts kicking in again. "I'd really feel better if-"

Brielle had not gone two paces before a dark-haired boy of around thirteen reached out of the crowd and caught her wrist. "Gotcha," he said. "Why do you have to make everything difficult?"

"I needed to get my wand, Thad," Brielle growled, yanking herself free of his grip. "I figured you and Circe would rather go to Quality Quidditch Supplies, okay?"

"Mum's been in an absolute state-" the boy began.

"Oh yeah right!" scoffed Brielle.

"Listen to me, you little-"

At this it seemed, Harry could take no more. He approached them. "Is there a problem?" he asked, still in full Auror mode.

"Only that my little sister is a pain in the-" The boy- Thad- noticed Harry, obviously recognizing him. "Sorry if my sister bothered you. Sir," he added grudgingly. "She's back where she belongs, now. Thanks." He sounded anything but grateful. "C'mon Brielle, we've got to go to Twilfit and Tattings. Mum, Dad, and Cee are there."

Harry frowned after them but let the brother and sister go.

"How did you know her parents, Dad?" asked Lily as soon as Brielle and Thad were out of earshot.

"I went to school with them. They were in my year," said Harry, still watching the crowd, even though the Zabinis were long out of sight. "I didn't know them very well, though. They were Slytherins. Pansy was never very fond of me, though. Or your mum. Or Hermione. Or anyone, really."

Lily's eyes narrowed with distaste.

Harry finally turned back to Ev and Lily. "Come on now. I think we better get to Ollivanders, now. Otherwise we'll be late for dinner."

A/N: A few of you have commented/messaged me about the chapters being short. So I don't have to keep repeating myself, I'll say it here: I only wrote fan fiction on another site for the better part of 6 years. We had a roughly 800 word limit so that's just what I'm used to. Old habits die hard, especially for me. I'm trying to work on making chapters longer. But I've already written up to chapter 16, so chapters will remain at this length for awhile. But I can update just about every day, at least.