Penny pulled her trunk through the gap in the wall into Diagon Alley. Dressed fully in Muggle clothes she drew stares from passersby, with her skinny fit jeans, black leather boots, black leather jacket and the bird nest kept under control by a head band. She smiled behind her dark sunglasses as a few boys by the Quidditch Supply shop took their eyes off some new broomstick in the window to check her out.
She began walking to Gringotts Bank but when she drew level with Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Palour, Hermione dashed out to greet her, followed by Harry then reluctantly Ron.
'Hey Penny! Wow' Hermione looked Penny up and down 'Birthday presents?' Hermione inquired. Penny's face flickered briefly before she replied.
'Something like that' Penny mumbled 'How was your summer?' Penny asked quickly, and was informed about Hermione's trip to France and Ron's Egyptian trip.
'Where you heading?' Hermione asked
'Gringotts' Penny said, Hermione frowned
'You don't have a vault though do you?' Hermione asked puzzled.
'I, erm, have some Muggle money, I heard they can exchange it.' Penny replied.
'Oh yes, they can, I'll show you' Hermione moved before glancing at Penny's shifty face 'What?'
'I'm sure I'll find it, don't worry' Penny said quickly
'Don't be silly' Hermione said before waving to Harry and Ron, who went to ogle at the Firebolt together. Entering Gringotts, Hermione lead Penny to one of the desks with a goblin behind. After stating they wished to exchanged Muggle money, Penny had shot a look at Hermione under her eyelashes, before retrieving a small bag from her trunk and pushing it across the counter. The goblin opened the bag and a dozen twenty pound notes poured out from within it.
'Wow Penny, how….?' Hermione eyes went wide as she looked from the notes to a sheepish Penny.
'I have a few friends, I do jobs for them, they give me money…and stuff' Penny shrugged evasively
'What kind of jobs?' Hermione began asking, but was interrupted as the goblin had counted out the Galleons and pushed them across the counter. On their way back up Diagon Alley they were rejoined Harry and Ron who were discussing a prisoner of Azkaban. Penny's head jerked around.
'Someone escaped from Azkaban?' She asked, a weird sensation going through her gut…could it be…?
'Yer, a man called Sirius Black, probably a relative of yours, wouldn't surprise me' Ron said bitterly, ignoring Hermione's muttered 'Rooon' and Penny's glare. They had never really seen eye to eye, but the bitterness between them had reached new intensity since the Chamber.
'Well, I doubt he is the worst branch on my family tree, with Voldemort being on it' Penny said dryly as Ron flinched, and Harry and Hermione shifted uncomfortably. After a minute of silence Penny made her excuses, said she'd see them tomorrow on the train and headed off to grab the stuff on her school kit list. On her way back out of Diagon Alley with her considerably heavier trunk, she took a longing glance back down Diagon Alley. As she did so she spotted a very blonde woman looking up the Alley at her, as if transfixed. The woman's facial features showed only a hint of surprise but the blue eyes that met Penny's burned with intensity. As the woman moved to walk up the Alley Penny flicked her wand and sealed the wall behind her.
…
The next day Penny arrived on Platform Nine and Three Quarters through the wall in King's Cross. As she made her way down the platform she saw a flash of red hair before she was engulfed in a embrace.
'Hi Ginny' mumbled Penny through the red hair. As Ginny released her and back off smiling, Penny barely got to take a breath before being engulfed by Mrs Weasley, in an embrace even tighter than Ginny's. Penny's face became confused, aside from seeing Mrs Weasley in passing in McGonagall's office last year, Penny had never met the Weasley parents or exchanged a word with them. She looked at Mrs Weasley as she regained her breath.
'I never got to say thank you' Said Mrs Weasley breathlessly 'For helping save my daughter's life. You are always welcome in our home, I swear it' Mrs Weasley promised heartily. Penny blushed and mumbled thanks as she stared at the floor. She couldn't help but wonder if the plump witch would have been so sincere if she'd known who her father was.
Penny, Ginny and Hermione put all their trunks into storage, whilst Mrs Weasley handed out sandwiches and Mr Weasley was talking to Harry a short distance away. Penny stood chatting to some of her Slytherin friends on the platform, when she felt a presence and glanced over her shoulder. The blonde woman from the day before was walking down the platform towards her, with none other than Draco Malfoy at her side. He looked particularly sullen about something. The woman slowed as she drew level with Penny. Hermione and Ginny sensing trouble, lurked nearby.
'Narcissa Malfoy' the blonde woman said stretching her hand out. Penny ignored it and glanced at Draco's scowling face.
'If this is anything about jinxing your son, then perhaps you should teach him to fight his own battles and not be such a wuss' Penny said challengingly before turning away and starting to step on the train. A well manicured hand reached across and barred her entrance. Penny turned with a sigh to face Narcissa.
'Your mother had just as much of an attitude problem when she was your age' Narcissa said coldly, with slight amusement at the emotions that flickered across Penny's young face. Before Penny could retort she continued 'My sister and I were very close when we were young.' Penny stared at the blonde woman, scrutinizing her face closely. Her eyes lingered over the prominent cheekbones, the heavy lidded eyes. Looking away Penny tried to control her frantic thoughts at this revelation. Suddenly the train whistled and everybody rushed onto the train. Taking her arm out of the way, Narcissa allowed Penny to board, pulling the door shut behind her. Peering through the open window Penny and her aunt eyed each other. Narcissa's expression showed a hint of the smile as she inclined her head as the train started moving.
'We shall speak again soon, Persephone.'