The rest of Penny's evening was pleasant, Juno had gone off to explore the house and garden. Both she and her aunt kept sneaking looks at one another whilst Ted and Nymphadora spoke of her recently completed Auror training.
"Almost failed Stealth and Tracking" Dora groaned to her father who nodded sympathetically as they lounged along the sofa. Andromeda and Penny sat in squishy armchairs squashed in near the fireplace as Dora went on. "Dawlish didn't think I would qualify, told me I might be better suited to being his secretary" Dora said in disgust as her father frowned.
"Sexist old git" Ted muttered "Sorry love" He added quickly as Andromeda made a noise of protest.
"He is though Mum" Dora said immediately. "Well I showed him didn't I?" She went on proudly "Can't let the boys have all the fun now can I?" She said winking at Penny who grinned widely with a shake of the head. Andromeda looked between the two of them thoughtfully before speaking.
"Ever thought of being an Auror?" Andromeda asked Penny who stared into the distance as she thought.
"Maybe. But I have always planned on being a Healer." Penny replied "Not that Narcissa approves" She added without thinking. Andromeda smiled sadly as she responded.
"No, I imagine a Healer would not have enough influence for Narcissa's taste." Andromeda said bitterly, her eyes quickly darting to Penny face with a look of apology as Penny's lips thinned slightly. Continuing more cautiously Andromeda went on "After all" She said slowly "Why do you think Lucius holds his Ministry job when the Malfoy family have obscene amounts of independent wealth?" Penny made a noise of agreement as she shifted in her seat.
"She called Healing a Hufflepuff career" Penny said with disdain that was met with an offended outcry from across the room.
"What is wrong with Hufflepuff?" Dora demanded, her jaw slack in indignation as Ted raised his eyebrows. Penny raised an eyebrow at her cousin in surprise before snorting.
"You are part of the leftovers?" Penny sniggered as Dora narrowed her eyes. "Would have thought you as more of a Ravenclaw if you managed to become an Auror." She added as Dora rose to her feet.
"Hufflepuffs are very kind people." Andromeda injected quietly, shooting Dora a warning look, who avoided her mother's stare. "Something many people undervalue." She finished as Dora crossed the room, drawing her wand.
"And this Hufflepuff could wipe the floor with you." She said, brandishing her wand threatening as Penny stood too, a thrill shooting through her gut as she drew her own wand.
"Wanna bet?" Penny shot back challengingly as Dora smiled widely, the tip of her tongue placed teasingly between her front teeth.
"A thirteen year old against a trained Auror?" Dora said grinning "You couldn't beat me" She teased as Penny puffed up.
"Could so." She said jutting her wand upward to point at Dora's infuriating smile.
"Could not."
"Wands away both of you." Andromeda snapped as the two witches eyed each other, daring the other with their eyes. "Enough." Andromeda said stepping between them. "Penny you are not allowed to do magic, Nymphadora I will not have you blowing up my sitting room again." She chastised.
"Dora." Ted's affectionate voice cut through from where he sat on the sofa watching the scene unfold, his features quirking in good natured amusement. At her father's voice Dora lowered her wand, pocketing it.
"Maybe next time Penny." She said brightly with another wink as she turned and resumed her seat as Penny glared after her, even as the corners of her mouth mimicked Dora's smirk. Pocketing her own wand Penny flopped back on her armchair as Andromeda lowered herself back down elegantly.
"I take it this property is registered with the Department of Magical Dwellings?" Penny asked as Andromeda looked at her in surprise.
"Not anymore. Dora has been of age for a few years now so it was lifted." Andromeda replied before her lips thinned in realisation. "Even if it was I would expect you to be respectful in my home." She finished stiffly as Penny peered at her, her resemblance to Narcissa more evident than ever at her words. A roar of laughter made the two of them look round to where Ted thumped the sofa lightly. Looking at Dora she smirked mischievously, sniggering quietly into her hands. "You should retire soon, it is getting late." Andromeda said, glancing at a clock on the mantel piece. "You'll be sharing with Nymphadora, I hope that is not a problem?" Andromeda said, pulling an apologetic face. "It's all a little cramp I'm afraid." She added.
"Poor Mum has never quite gotten used to the poor person lifestyle" Dora joked as she led Penny up a narrow staircase into the smaller of two upstairs bedrooms. Looking round Penny felt as if her guts had been jabbed harshly, the room starkly matching Ginny's room, the Weird Sisters poster and Quidditch teams covering the walls. A small bed tucked into the corner next to a little bedside cabinet that had a book lying face down, propped open in a way Penny was sure would make Hermione cringe.
"Here you are Penny" Andromeda's voice came as she appeared in the door, her arms full of blankets. Placing them down gently she swished her wand gracefully, making a mattress unfold in the tight space before the blankets arranged themselves neatly to make a comfortably looking bed. "Would you ladies like hot coco?" She asked as both Dora and Penny nodded enthusiastically. As she left Dora snuck across the room, cursing as she tripped crashing on to the mattress beside a bemused Penny. Clambering to her feet she peered down the stairs after her mother before closing her bedroom door gently. Turning round Penny watched her carefully, as the older witch sized her up.
"Can you keep a secret?" Dora asked whispering as Penny smirked at her sheepish face. Nodding Dora scanned her face before stepping closer to whisper. "Mum isn't technically right about the Trance shield being lifted" Dora said, her eyes twinkling as Penny grinned mischievously back at her. Creaking floorboards announced Andromeda's return as Dora hurriedly threw herself back onto her bed. "I'll show you later." Dora promised quickly before her mother entered the room, carrying two large mugs with cream and marshmallows on top of steaming hot chocolate.
"Sleep well ladies. Don't stay up too late" Andromeda said, leaning across to kiss Dora's cheek. "No scaring her with your stories" She said sternly to Dora who smiled coyly. Looking down at Penny, the young witch saw her aunt hesitate slightly before she reached down to grip her shoulder affectionately. "Good night Penny." She said politely before exiting the room.
"Good night Andromeda." Penny called after her. Looking round she saw Dora downing her hot chocolate rapidly, apparently oblivious to the small trickle that was running onto her bedsheets. Sipping her own hot chocolate more delicately Penny watched as Dora placed her mug down too hard, smashing it.
"Opps." Dora muttered pulling a face. "Reparo!" She said flicking her wand to fix it as Penny placed hers gently on a nearby shelf. Noticing the chocolate stain on her bedsheets Dora paused before tentatively pointing her wand at the mark and saying "Tergeo!" Quick as a flash the patch ignited before Dora put out the small flames with a spurt of water from her wand tip, cursing colourfully. Looking round Dora saw Penny creased up with laughter, tears streaming down her face. "Shut up" Dora muttered without venom screwing up her face until her hair flashed red.
"I can…see…why you're a..Hufflepuff" Penny struggled to get out as she cackled joyfully.
"Oi!" Dora replied throwing a pillow at her cousin, which only made her laugh harder. Diving onto the mattress Dora retrieved her thrown pillow and began whacking the cackling teen repeatedly. Penny raised her arms defensively as she giggled, the older witch using her larger size to her advantage as she carried on her onslaught of blows.
"Ok, ok" Penny said at last, putting up her hands in surrender. Smirking triumphantly Dora climbed off the mattress and resumed her still smoking spot on the bed. Sitting back up Penny reached for her hot chocolate, raising it to take a sip.
"So have you and Harry kissed yet?" Tonks asked suddenly as Penny stopped, her mug millimetres from her mouth. Lowering it back down Penny stared at Dora, her wary eyes piercing the older witch. To Penny's surprise she met mental walls, though she should have expected that of an Auror, Penny reflected internally. Looking away she took a slow sip before answering.
"I am not with Potter anymore." Penny answered coldly as Dora tilted her head to the side.
"How come?" Dora pressed, apparently unaffected by Penny's scowl. Feeling her magic brewing Penny suppressed flicker of anger, busying herself by drinking more of her hot chocolate. "It's sad but oh well, plenty of fish in the sea." Dora commented brightly, jigging her leg. "You're a pretty girl, you'll have another boyfriend in no time, or girlfriend" Dora added as hot chocolate sprayed across Penny's mattress. Dora smiled widely, her dark eyes twinkling in delight as she watched Penny coughing violently, going a healthy shade of crimson. "Oooooooooh" Dora dragged out the sound dramatically as Penny fought to regain her breath. "I think someone has a thing for the fairer sex" Dora said teasingly, the tip of her tongue poking through her teeth as she watched Penny gleefully.
"I do not!" Penny denied, cursing how unconvincing she sounded even to herself. Huffing, she scowled her deepest scowl at Dora's knowing smirk before downing the last of her hot chocolate.
"Oh don't be so prudish" Dora giggled, her leg jigging even faster "I've had a girl or two in my time" She said with a wink as Penny's eyes analysed her face before glancing at the door. "Oh Dad knows" Dora answered the unspoken question. "Mum…" Dora began carefully "Mum is quite traditional…even if not by her family's standards." Dora said with a slight laugh. "Mum wants a grandchild." Dora said with a smile as Penny pulled a face. "You don't want kids?" Dora asked.
"No." Penny said firmly as the door creaked open slightly and a thin shape slide across the floor. Dora glanced down at Juno as the serpent hissed a greeting at Penny before curling onto her lap.
"I never used to either." Dora replied "Way too much fun to be had. Think I would have to meet the right person." Dora said contemplatively. "I mean a lot of people are fun to pass the time with, but most people are very shallow. I think I would need to meet someone with real depth." Dora finished staring into the distance as Penny remained silent, stroking Juno's head gently as her guts squirmed unhappily.
"What did you mean Andromeda was not right about the Trance Shield?" Penny said changing the subject abruptly. Dora looked round at her, grinning widely.
"Well as Mum doesn't know about my Bunker, she couldn't tell the Ministry officials about it." Dora said as Penny's eyes widened.
"You have a secret bunker?" Penny asked, a Cheshire grin spreading on her face. "Why and how?" She asked, moving to lean against Dora's bed.
"Well I decided I wanted to be an Auror when I was in fourth year and you have to get top grades to be an Auror. I begged Dad for somewhere to practice in the holidays but we knew Mum would never approve. So he built me a bunker underneath his shed and let me train in it. Took him months to build." Dora said as Penny stared at her, her mouth hung open before her Cheshire grin spread even further, excitement and intrigue flooding her system.
"You have to let me use it." Penny said as Dora raised an eyebrow, enjoying Penny's fascination. "Please please please." Penny said rapidly "Please Nymphadora." She said as Dora wrinkled her nose.
"Only if you never call me Nymphadora again Persephone" Dora said as Penny rolled her eyes. "Let me just check Mum is in bed." Dora said rising.
"Oh Juno can do that" Penny said hissing at her sleepy snake, who hissed grumpily before sliding off to check. On her return the snake curled up in the bedsheets as the two witches crossed the room, Dora going first. Penny observed carefully as Dora swished her wand, muttering incantations Penny knew would conceal the sound of their movements down the stairs. Making their way gingerly through the house Dora led Penny into the back garden and into a shed at the end of it. Moving a few items aside Dora revealed a large metal ring pull pressed into a large trap door on the floor. Tapping it with her wand Dora stood back as it unfolded, revealing a slim ladder. Smiling at Penny's eager expression Dora climbed down, Penny following closely behind. Reaching the bottom of the ladder Dora swished her wand igniting the lanterns that lined the walls. Penny's head whirled around her rapidly, taking in the large space, the small book case in one corner, the piles of manikins in another with a range of other equipment that had clearly been used frequently judging but their burnt and battered state. Looking back at her cousin, Penny saw Dora's dark eyes twinkling.
"Like it?" She asked
"It's dudey" Penny said as she gazed around herself.
"It's what?" Dora replied chuckling.
"Oh. Cool, awesome." Penny said shrugging as Dora starting walking round the edge of the bunker, muttering incantations as she went, a shimmering light forming from the tip of her wand. Penny watched her as she circled, turning to face the dark haired witch as she finished her perimeter walk.
"So still think you could beat me?" Dora asked, Penny's eyes flashing darkly as she drew her wand. Grinning the two shifted, coiling like springs their wands directed at each other's faces as they stared each other down. As Dora grinned Penny made her move, flicking her wrist as a red spell shot out the tip of her wand. In one smooth movement Dora side stepped, blocking the stunner with ease. Penny's eyes narrowed at her cackle and she swished her wand dramatically, a wall of water appearing, before it collapsed onto the startled Auror. As the drenched older witch gasped for air Penny sent another volley of spells towards her, making her stagger backwards as she struggled to block them. Sending a spell back at Penny, the young witch dove to the side to avoid the black mist that singed the shimmering boundary of the bunker. Coming out of her roll Penny stood just in time to block the stunner sent her way. Blue eyes meeting black, both sets glowing brightly as they circled each other, hexes and curses intermittently crossing the space between them.
Before long they were both panting, robes singed and torn, both limping slightly with scratches on their arms and faces as they continued to circle one another. Eventually, lowering her wand slightly Dora spoke.
"As much as I hate to admit it…I think we may have to call it a draw before we have a lot of explaining to do to Mum." Dora said as Penny narrowed her eyes before reluctantly lowering her wand as well. Turning away Dora removed the shredded remains of the light shield that lined the walls. Opening a cabinet Dora pulled out a couple vials and walked over to Penny who took one and started dabbing the scratches along her cheek. Dora undid the other vial and lifted her top to pat a burn that ran down the side of her abdomen and along her left hip.
"You are darn brilliant" Dora commented, the patch of skin she was working on smoked as it healed. Penny smiled before grimacing as her she ran her wand along a gash on her shoulder. "You sure you are only thirteen?" Dora asked as Penny nodded.
"Fourteen in August." Penny replied before they swapped vials.
"Damn" Dora said peering at her with something like wonder. "A third year, a young third year at that, pulling off spells many NEWT students struggle with" She said before taking both vials and replacing them in the cabinet. "You'll be running with the likes of Dumbledore in no time." Dora said brightly as Penny wrinkled her nose in disgust. "What?" Dora asked as Penny led the way back up the ladder and into the shed.
"Why does everyone think the sun shines out of Professor Dumb's arse?" Penny snarled as Dora looked at her in surprise, the light from her wand tip sparkling in her dark eyes.
"Well aside from being considered the greatest sorcerer of our time, he always seemed really nice" Dora said as Penny rolled her eyes.
"A nice guy who is as smart as he is, is making a choice to appear nice." Penny said acidly as they crossed the garden. "The one that comes so nice that you would never suspect him of any wrong doing, is usually the one who has been nicking everybody's candy." Penny said as Dora chuckled.
"Well as I recall he does have a thing for sweets, so I will be sure to raid his office next time I lose any." Dora laughed as Penny scowled before they fell silent to sneak back up to Dora's room. Curling back up in bed Juno sleepily snuggled up to her Mistress' warmth. Settling down for the night Dora and Penny talked for a while before the two of them settled and the sound of Dora's snoring filled the room.