Hello my fans. I must apologize for the extreme lateness of this posting. To be honest, I had almost lost hope in returning to this. A short time after my last posting, my drive ended and later I suffered a family issue which took me away from writing. I cannot put into words what was wrong but I just could no longer find the words to properly write the story. I thank those fans who have kept me on their alerts and for the many favorites between my last posting and now. They served as a constant reminder of unfinished business. So here is my next part to the Dursley Witch story. I dedicate it to those who have kept hoping for one more chapter.
Chapter 10: Grey Times
Jane opened her eyes and looked around her room. It had not changed much since she last slept in it last August. Mercury was resting peacefully in his cage. It was comforting to have Mercury in her room. She had grown used to hearing the sounds of people breathing while she slept. Her eyes went to the small bank on her dresser. She had exchanged some pounds into Wizarding money before school started. But to do what she hoped to do before Christmas would require much more of her funds.
A whistling noise came from downstairs and Jane slid out of bed. Quietly walking down the steps, she saw her mother was up at the early hour of 7 in the morning. In her hands was a cup of tea.
"Morning Mom," Jane said as she entered. Her mother took a sip as one hand rubbed her large belly. She sighed in contentment and noticed her daughter.
"How was your sleep Jane?" Emily took another sip. Jane nodded.
"Mom, I was hoping to do some shopping today for Christmas," Jane said. Emily nodded.
"Well, I think I can drive you to a shop," Emily said, "How about after lunch?"
"Actually, I was thinking of looking for something from Diagon Alley to get for you," Jane explained. "And I figured I would need one of my cousin's help on this." Emily nodded.
"The your father will have to drive you to the Leaky Cauldron," Emily said.
"You don't trust Cousin Harry or Ginny to keep a close eye on me?" Jane asked.
"Not if he might be taking his children with him," Emily said, "Besides maybe your father and I have plans on getting something from there as well." Her voice dropped off as Jane's eyes went wide. "Let me give your father a call." Emily rose slowly and walked to the phone.
"Hello Alice. Is Dudley available?" Emily asked. She paused. "Hello yourself. You know what we were planning on getting for Jane?" She paused again. "Yes that. Well our daughter wanted to get something from there." Another pause. "No, I don't know what. But it is her money." Emily nodded. "All right, I'll have her write up a letter to Ginny and see when she's available." She turned off the phone. She looked back to her daughter. Jane was no longer there and rushed steps up the stairs could be heard.
As Jane rushed up the steps, Michael stuck his head out of his room. "Hey, why are you so excited?" he asked.
"I'm going to write Ginny to see if she would be willing to go with Dad and me to do some Christmas shopping at Diagon Alley," Jane said. Michael's eyes widened.
"Wow. Are you planning on getting something for mum or Dad?" Michael asked.
"Both," Jane said.
"Okay, how much do you have?" Michael asked.
"£40," Jane said.
"I have £50 I was planning on buying their presents with," Michael said, "Want to pool our money?"
"Sure," Jane said as Michael went in and came back with the funds.
"Get them something really nice," Michael said.
The day remained clear and no snow came to the city. Jane once more rode with her father. He was still in his business suit as he drove to the Leaky Cauldron.
"Dad, at Smeltings, are students permitted pets?" Jane asked. Dudley chanced a glance at his daughter.
"You need to be approved to use keep them," Dudley said "But they cannot be something like an owl, if that's what you're planning to get your brother."
"I wasn't," Jane answered, "I was thinking on something smaller."
"What exactly are you planning on getting him?" Dudley said.
"I'll show you at the shop," Jane said, looking out the window as they came onto the street with the Cauldron. Standing outside in a rose-red robe was Ginny. Dudley parked and the pair got out and walked to their cousin.
"Hi Ginny," Jane said as she approached her cousin.
"It's good to see you as well," Ginny said. Her gaze turned to Dudley. "Nice suit."
"Your robes are nice as well. I just got out of work and we drove right here," Dudley explained as the three entered.
"Same with me," Ginny said, "I just had to finish writing an article on how the Cannons are actually doing well this year." She turned her gaze to the excited girl.
"Now why couldn't you have just come with both of your parents Jane?" Ginny asked.
"Because I wanted what I was getting them to be a surprise," Jane said.
"Ah, well you should know most stores will deliver even on Christmas Eve Night," Ginny said. "So where should we go first?"
"I need to exchange some money to use here," Jane said as she watched Ginny open the way to Diagon Alley. Christmas spirit seemed to have overwhelmed the place. Every store had holly wreaths and garland lining the windows. The glass sparkled like icicles. Besides the familiar smells, peppermint now filled the small space as signs outside the doors of stores advertised Holiday sales. The only shop that did not seem to be joining in the festivities was Olivander's as it looked untouched.
"I guess he doesn't have Holiday commodities," Dudley murmured as they passed.
"Besides wands, all he sells is wand care, so no not really," Ginny replied.
Soon the trio walked up the great marble stairs of Gringotts and passed through the doors. The halls of the bank quelled the outside noise. No one seemed to dare speak in loud voices. Only low whispers and clinking of gold could be heard. The three took their place in one queue.
"I need to exchange some money myself," Dudley said as he left Ginny and Jane for another line. Jane's line moved quickly and soon she stood before the counter.
"Um, I'd like to exchange … £90 please," Jane said as she put out the money. The goblin looked at the money briefly before turning to a cash register and inserted the money.
"You will receive 18 Galleons," the goblin said in a deep cold voice, retrieving the amount and putting it before Jane.
"Thank you," Jane said as she put the money into a purse that had what remained from her previous stash of Wizarding money. The gold jingled against a silver sickle and a few knuts. The goblin nodded and Ginny and Jane moved out of the way so another could be served. They saw Dudley near the entrance waiting patiently.
"Got enough?" Dudley asked, smiling at his daughter.
"I hope so," Jane said.
"So which store were you planning on going to first?" Dudley asked as they exited into the Alley.
"The Magical Menagerie," Jane said, "I was hoping to get Michael a rat to take with him to Smeltings." Dudley had a thoughtful look on his face.
"If you also get him a proper carrier for it, that should be permissible," Dudley said.
"Great," Jane said as she led the way to the shop. Caws from ravens, hoots from owls, and yowls from cats filled room. But Jane paid none of them any mind as she walked to the front desk which had a large cage with sleek black rats inside on it. A young wizard wearing purple robes and a red apron stood attentively.
"Afternoon, how may I serve you?" he asked.
"What can you tell me about these rats?" Jane asked politely. The sleek black rodents' ears perked up at their mention and put more effort into the tricks they were preforming. A glimmer appeared in the man's eyes as he took a breath.
"Well, like most magically augmented animals, their coats keep cleaner than most ordinary rats. Their teeth don't grow as fast so their don't need to gnaw as much either. And they are more than capable of following simple orders and desires. Watch," the man pitched. He reached into the cave. "Now, the smallest one please climb up my arm and stop on top the cage." The rats glanced at each other and one squeaked before running onto the man's arm and stopping where asked. Jane smiled at the show.
"Can one be tended to by a Muggle?" Dudley asked. The salesman looked at Dudley.
"Certainly," he answered, "They do not lose their abilities simply by being raised by a Muggle."
"Then I would like to buy one and a cage for it to live in," Jane said. The rats' ears dropped slightly. The glimmer in his eyes was gone.
"A cage is not needed as these rats won't run off young lady," the salesman said.
"That maybe but for appearance's sake one will be needed for the sake of others," Dudley injected. The salesman nodded slowly and walked into the back to find a spare cage as the rat on top of the cage looked at Jane. It certainly looked smaller than the others in the cage. The brown eyes twinkled in the light of the place. The salesman returned with a cage.
"Have you made a selection yet?" the salesman asked.
"I would like this one please," Jane said, pointing to the smallest rat. Its ears perked up and it squeaked.
"Very well. She is a young one and still growing," the man said.
"Is it possible for you to hold her and deliver her on Christmas Eve?" Jane asked. The man nodded.
"That would be an additional sickle on the original charge of 1 galleon for the rat and cage," he replied. Jane paid the amount and the man handed her a piece of parchment which asked for name of recipient and address. Jane filled out the information and gave it back to the man as he gave her her change. Smiling, Jane turned to her father and Ginny. They departed the store.
"So where to next?" Ginny asked.
"I was hoping to get mum and dad's presents now," Jane said.
"Then I will go look around for something to get you," Dudley said, looking at Ginny. "Thank you for this."
"It's not needed. Let's meet at the Leaky Cauldron," Ginny said as Dudley nodded and walked off. She looked at Jane. "All right, what do you plan on getting him?"
"I saw Harry use a watch with planets and not numbers on the face," Jane said, "So is there a jewelry store which sells that?"
"Do you want Wizard or Goblin quality?" Ginny asked as she led Jane.
"What's the difference?" Jane asked.
"Goblin-made is far superior but goblin's don't see the item as bought so much as rented until the owner dies," Ginny said, "Even with the advancements in relations between us, that much has not changed."
"Then Wizard-made," Jane said as Ginny took her down one side street. On the corner was one man selling the Daily Prophet. Jane caught the headline as they passed.
WILLIAM'S BOY RETURNED TO FAMILY! UNKNOWN IF BITTEN!
"Ginny, who was the headline referring to?" Jane asked, looking up at her cousin.
"A young boy who was kidnapped by some werewolves last month," Ginny said.
"Werewolves are bad guys?" Jane repeated, "Why did they take him?"
"It's not werewolves in general. Just this pack. They follow the ideals of an evil man named Fernir Greyback. They kidnap young witches and wizards and turn them against their family," Ginny said darkly, "Harry and other Aurors just found him yesterday but the leader, Conan Greyback, and some of his followers escaped." Ginny took a breath. "Now enough of this. We're here." Jane blinked and looked at the shop before them. The shop was named "Magnus and Adela's Timepieces and Jewelery." Ginny opened the door and let Jane in. The store seemed to be split down the middle. To the right were rings, bracelets, necklaces, and earrings. To the left were clocks and watches of various sizes and styles. A head was a lone desk with an elderly wizard with a short white beard watching his customers attentively. He spoke as Jane and Ginny came midway into the room.
"Good day. My name is Magnus. How may I serve you?" he asked.
"I was hoping to get a watch for my father," Jane said as she looked over to the watch counter. She looked at the many designs. While most every watch had the same planets and moons, the outsides had varying intricate designs. Jane's eyes passed over many. She came to a small watch with a fob designed like a snake and the loop was replaced with a snake head. Magnus came to the other side of the counter and looked at which watch Jane was examining.
"You have made a nice choice," Magnus said, "This design isn't as popular as it once was but a few old families like to buy it now and then."
"I can imagine," Ginny said, "How much?"
"It's fifteen Galleons," Magnus said. Jane turned to her gaze to one with a ruby coloured face and an emerald-coloured chain.
"May I see the back of this one?" Jane asked. Reaching in, Magnus pulled out the second one Jane was interested in. A rose was engraved on the back. "I'd like this one."
"It is ten Galleons," Magnus said.
"I think I'd like it," Jane said, "I'm also interested in some earrings." Magnus smiled and nodded. He wrapped the watch in a cloth and went around the perimeter to meet Jane and Ginny as they were looking at the earring selection.
The selection of earrings was even more vast than the watches. Jane looked carefully over the uncountable number of long ones, short ones, stubs, loops, hoops, gilded ones, some with gems in them and others without.
"Oh," Jane said as she saw a pair of ruby stubs on what looked like silver. "Those look nice." Magnus pulled out the selection.
"Do these interest you Miss?" Magnus asked. Jane nodded. "They are six Galleons."
"If you don't mind me asking, who crafted these and the watch?" Ginny asked.
"We craft and set the jewelry and timepieces here," Magnus said, looking at Ginny.
"No goblin assistance?" Ginny asked.
"No ma'am," Magnus said firmly.
"Just making sure," Ginny said. Magnus nodded.
"Will those be everything?" Magnus said, smiling calmly. Jane nodded and handed over the money. Magnus set the watch in a box and in another box set the earrings. "Would you like them wrapped?"
"Yes please," Jane said. Magnus took out his wand and waved it. Paper floated over and wrapped itself on the two boxes before two white ribbons appeared. He put the gifts in a bag and handed it to Jane.
"Have a nice day," Magnus said. Jane nodded and left with Ginny.
"Is that everything?" Jane nodded again.
"I cannot wait to see the look on mum and dad's faces when they open these," Jane said.
"I imagine they will be very surprised," Ginny said as they walked back to the Leaky Cauldron. Back in the bar room, Dudley was sitting and waiting.
"Got everything?" Dudley asked.
"Yeah." Jane turned to Ginny and hugged her. "Thanks for the help today."
"You're welcome." Jane broke away and went near her father. There was no package of any size or sort near him. The pair walked back into the Muggle world.
"So what did you get me?" Jane asked as she got into the car.
"You'll have to wait until Christmas Day," Dudley said as he started the car up and drove home.
I do hope you have enjoyed this chapter and once again I am sorry for adding nothing in such a long time.