Master of Mischief Keeperoliver Chapter 37
Oh the feeling of the open sky. The sights and sounds of the new day rising. People thought they were the only beings that could enjoy this moment. How single minded they were. All of Gods creatures enjoyed the start of a new day, whether it be dawn, or dusk, as some creatures were more adapted to the night time.
An Owl would usually fall into this category. However if it was a magical Owl, it was capable of enjoying both. Hedwig was such an Owl. She was currently on a letter delivery, for her familiars birthing mentor. She was a kind sweet person, and very caring. Hedwig loved her like she loved her own familiar. She would deliver the letter, however, she was feeling a little adventurous this morning.
She landed on the ground, and put the letter between two rocks figuring it would be safe there. She then took off, in search for a nice tasty morsel, preferably a mouse or small rabbit. She sighted a mouse not far from where she hid her delivery, and swooped down, and captured the poor thing before it knew what hit it. It was in Hedwig's clutches, when Hedwig saw movement where she had hidden her delivery. A squirrel had made of with it. Hedwig released her captive, and the mouse, being the luckiest creature alive, scurried away to it's burrow, and safety.
Hedwig made chase for the creature that dared take that, which was in her care.
The squirrel found something that would help in filling in what she needed for her nest. It took the letter up a tree, and made it into the hole it used for her nest, before Hedwig could get to her. Hedwig was quite upset with herself. Her familiar would be very upset, if he knew what she had let happen. She stood outside the hole in the tree, and made quite a ruckus. So much so, that the squirrel had to throw her winter stockpile of nuts at her. This did not phase Hedwig one bit. She continued tirade at the thief that stole her delivery. Hedwig, being as smart as she was, broke off a small twig that was behind her, and started to stick it in the hole, trying to worry the insolent rodent.
The squirrel had never seen such a persistent predator. But it was at the advantage right now, safe within the shelter of her nest. The predator was doing considerable damage to her nest though. All that hard work, was being demolished. Why was it so persistent in gaining me as a meal, when it had a nice juicy mouse in her clutches.
Hedwig continued her attack on the insufferable little thing hidden in this hole. If she could get it to leave, she could retrieve her delivery, and be on her way.
Finally, the squirrel had, had enough. It had to get this determined predator away from it's nest. She would have to take a chance and make a run for it, while the thing was preoccupied with the twig in it's mouth. She sped past the attacking creature, and made it to another tree. She looked back, only to find the predator still at her nest, poking with that twig. It looked like it wanted something.
Hedwig was finally able to get that pesky little varmint out of it's hole, and could now make an earnest attempt at getting her delivery. She got the letter up on end, and managed to get it stuck between the smaller twigs of her tool. She pulled it to the entry point, but it pulled free of the smaller weaker twigs, and fell back into the hole. It was close enough to the entry, where Hedwig could stick her head into the hole, and grab the delivery with her beak, and pull it out. She readjusted it, so that it would be less of a burden, looked back at the thief, and took off, headed for her delivery, without further delay. The squirrel watched as the predator got what it was trying to get, and then gave her a look like she dared the squirrel to try and take it again. The squirrel ran down the tree, and gathered up the nuts she used to scare of her attacker, to restock her nest, and then straighten out the mess the attacker had made.
Hedwig made it to Hogwarts in the nick of time, before the Professors broke off for class. Hedwig delivered her parcel to Lily.
Lily looked at the letter that was torn, and filled with leaves and twigs. She looked at Hedwig, who was eating a sausage. Hedwig saw her looking and Hooted, as if to say. 'What'?
"Have a little trouble did you?"
Hedwig hooted again, 'Nothing I couldn't handle.'
"Do you think you could leave the forest behind on your next delivery, Hedwig?"
'I thought it added a nice friendly touch, but if that's what you want.' Hedwig hooted.
Lily pulled all the dead leaves and twigs from the letter and read.
Dear Lily and James:
It's been a while, and I miss you, we all miss you, including Natalie. I hope we can get together for Christmas. I hate to be such a bother, but do you think we could meet at your house, as mine is kind of small.
I do hope your vacation was pleasant. We are sorry we were not able to make it, but we had already made plans elsewhere. However, if you will have us, we would definitely like to visit this summer for a month. Vernon has changed so much, he really missed you and James this past summer. You are all he talked about with his friends.
Lils, you have changed our likes so dramatically, but in a very good sense. Vernon has, if you can believe it, lost over 11 stones. He is so healthy, he is being used as a role model for people trying to lose weight. Our local dance club had only twenty members, and seldom ever had more than six or seven couples. Now, we have to search for a larger location, as our membership has risen more than 15X's what it was. And it is always a full house, often having to turn back members who got there too late. But there is always a seat for Vernon and I, and quite a few times, Dudley and Natalie.
What I am trying to say, sis, is that Vernon and I wasted so much time with our prejudice thinking. We turned our backs on the most wonderful people in the world, because we thought we were better than you, because we were normal. When in fact we were the freaks that should have been put away. I think that trip to the U.S. was the best thing that ever happened to us, as it opened up our eyes and led us to you. Whatever we have done to deserve being forgiven by all of you, I am thankful for.
Anyway, Lily, I hope we will be able to see you at Christmas. Until then, always know we love you and the rest of the family.
Please give our love to James, Harry, Ginny, Samantha, and Colin, as well as the rest of the group.
Love you baby sis.
Tuney, the dancing fool (That is what they are starting to call me at the dance club)
Lily laughed and cried at the letter. How did Tuney do that.
MoM-}
Draco and Daphne were walking along the shore of the lake, watching the Giant squid as it floated in the water, moving it's tentacles, creating waves, that broke as they hit the shore line. It was soothing to hear the waves as they broke. A gentle sound, not like that made by a storm.
They sat and watched as the Squid raised a tentacle in the air, as if to say hello, and the couple waved back in greeting. Although a little chilly, it was a beautiful Saturday morning. Unusual for a November morning, which were normally cold and windy. They took advantage of this by having this little walk.
They laid back, with Daphne using Draco's chest as a pillow, and Draco using his elbow as a support to hold his head by using his hand. looking down at his love, he leaned forward, kissing her lips. "Daph, do you know I love you?"
"I love you too Drake, more than you can imagine."
"I don't know, I can imagine quite a bit."
"Imagine all you want, and I will still love you that much."
"Do you ever think what our life will be like after we graduate? I mean, do you see us being together?"
"Draco, I never see us being apart. I see us getting married, having three maybe four children, loving them, as we love each other. You will be a great father, and I hope that I will be the mother to them."
"Then, will you? Be the mother of my children that is? What I am trying to say is, Daphne Greengrass, will you do me the honor of being my wife?" He pulled out a beautiful ring, to put it on her finger to seal the request.
Daphne looked at the ring, and extended her hand as she said, "I would love nothing more than to be your wife Draco my love."
He slipped the ring on her finger, and then brought it up to his lips,and kissed the ring, and then her hand, He then trailed kisses up her arm, shoulder, and neck, until he came back to her lips. He kissed the tears that glistened as they rolled down her cheek.
They laid there in each others arms, enjoying the sounds of the soft waves, as they continued to hit the shore line.
MoM-}
Hermione had made her decision. She would have to talk to Fred, and then Lily, but in order for her to maintain her sanity, she had to do it. two years for being away from the one she loved was too much. One was bad enough.
In order to save her from having to explain herself twice, she requested a meeting with professor Potter, herself, and Fred. It was granted, and that was where her and Fred were headed.
"What is this all about Hermione? Why all the suspense? Have you got an idea for the Yule Ball?"
"You'll see Fred. Trust me, it is nothing to worry about, at least I hope not, anyway."
They got to the Professor's personal chamber, and knocked. They were asked to enter, and they did, to six of their Professors sitting around a dinner table.
"I am sorry, Professor, we will come back another time, when you are less busy." Hermione said.
"Hermione, Fred, please come in, and sit down. We are We are pretty certain why you are here, and I asked these others to be here to help explain your options."
"You know why we are here? How could you, when I don't even know?" Fred asked.
"As much as you hate to admit it Fred, we are intelligent people, even if we are Professors. I am also a bit of a seer, and I see you being hung upside down by Professor Snape, if you don't sit down." Fred looked at Severus, and sat down, before he found out if Lily really meant what she said.
"Now, Hermione why don't you begin?"
"Well, I am sure you know why I am here, so I won't beat around the bush. I would like to take my NEWTs at the end of my sixth year. I don't know if this is what you were thinking of earlier Professor Potter, but if it possible, this is what I would like to do. I will be seventeen at the end of next school year, so I will be of age, in the magical world, and my parents already know of my intentions, and they have sent a letter of agreement. So if it possible then I would like to do it."
Minnie took this request, as it would be her final judgement as to whether she would allow it or not, "Do you know what you would like to do, once you have graduated, Hermione? Being of age does guarantee you a job. Even with top marks, you could be looked at as not completing your schooling. You do realize that some firms may look at this as the inability to cope with the boring life style of a student, and transferring it to not being able to cope with the boring life a position or a job would bring."
"I have thought of this Professor, but what it may also show, is the determination to receive an education and join the job market as a reward for my hard work. If you were to allow this, I would ask all of my Professors for letters of recommendation, and from some influential people, who know my work ethics. I will not ask for suggestions, just the truth of my accomplishments. If they feel I have not tried to the fullest of my extent, then they should refuse my request. I would hope that they would give me a good explanation for this refusal however, as I have always strived to do my best in all my classes."
"Fair enough, Miss Granger, we will consider your request, and you will have an answer two days, as we have to run it by the Board of Directors. Do you have any questions, before we end this meeting? No, then good. Will you both join us for a cup of tea?"
For the next hour, they sat and talked about The new Minister, and Under Secretary, the letter Lily got this morning, and the shape the letter it was in when Hedwig delivered it. They all tried to think what could have happened to Hedwig to have her deliver a letter in the shape she delivered it. They couldn't think of anything.