"I'm just going to the library," Violet lied to her aunt on the next sunny morning, after packing a set of wizarding clothes and the rest of her money into her hand-me-down backpack. "I have a lunch, my chores are done, be back for dinner!" It was really difficult to hide her excitement and avoid running out the door, the wand- her wand- sheathed in the side pocket- but she thought she had managed.
Knight Bus...a quiet part of Surrey…There was a small back alley behind the public library, used mainly for staff parking and delivering new books. Violet used to go back by the dumpsters there and take the old books, until Ms. Kaur was hired and began to save them for her.
Violet absently strode into the cool, shady, book-smelling room, stopping just short of the stacks to fill up her water bottle. Aunt Petunia always said hydration made one's skin look better, and this way, "I'm going to the library," wasn't, strictly speaking, a lie.
"Violet! Aren't you going to stay? I have a new book I saved for you," the librarian offered.
"Uh...no thanks, Ms. Kaur. I have to, erm, go get supplies for school in the fall. But it's a bit of a trip. Maybe I could read the book on the way? Let's see it."
"All right. Just don't spill on it! So you're going to a new school, then? I've never seen you so excited for the fall term before!"
Violet fidgeted, biting her lip. "Well, erm, my parents went to a good boarding school. With...legacies entrance? I'm going to their old school in Scotland, come September. They left some money."
"Legacy admission, dear. That's what it's called. I'll certainly miss you here, though. I hope you come back for the holidays."
"Legacy admission. Thanks. I guess I'll be back in the summers."
"Do come see me again before you leave."
"Of course! And you can recommend some books with magic in them, for when I leave? I'll be away, so Petunia won't care what I read, any more." Privately, Violet wondered what the actual wizards would think of Lord of the Rings and C.S. Lewis. She hurriedly tucked the embossed book into her bag.
"No problem. I won't tell her. You just read what you want." Ms. Kaur nodded. "I'll get you a new book before you leave. An adventure for your next adventure."
An adventure for my next adventure. Violet mulled that over, wrinkling her nose at the smell of old takeaway that someone had thrown into the library dumpsters as she slipped out the back door. Well, here goes nothing. She looked over her shoulder, then stuck out her wand.
BANG. A triple-decker, violently purple bus nearly ran her down as it squeezed itself down the narrow alley. Violet jumped back, sending a few stray recycled books flying.
"Welcome to the Knight Bus! Transit for the stranded witch or wizard. Where d'you want to go?" A young, gangly man with pimples cratering all over his face opened the old-fashioned double doors.
Violet flattened down her fringe and checked the concealer over her scar in the window. "L-leaky Cauldron. London. Why does the bus bang like that? Won't the Muggles notice?"
"Them? Don't notice nuffink, do they? Now, the Knight Bus can take you anywhere in Britain and Ireland. Can't do nuffink underwater. Come on, then! Name's Stan Shunpike. And you are…"
"Erm, Vi- uh, Violet." She took a seat in the odd, shuddering bus, which looked like a cross between a Victorian dining room and an RV. "How much to get to London?"
"Eleven Sickles. But for firteen you get an 'ot chocolate or tea and a toofbrush-"
"No thank you. Just the fare. McGonagall said you'd probably just spill the drink."
"Well I never! Bloody cat…" Stan took a seat next to the driver. "Take 'er away, Ern."
BANG. Violet's chair almost slid out from under her as the bus- well, the best word was teleported- to another part of the country altogether. The bus jumped curbs, pushed trees out of the way, and seemed to fit through impossible gaps in tight traffic. She couldn't have read the new book, even if she weren't on a bus that kept banging and teleporting- Violet had never seen much outside of Surrey before.
Half an hour later, the bus gave a final explosive BANG, and Stan tapped Violet on the shoulder.
"There y'are, Vi. The Leaky Cauldron." She stumbled off the bus, wishing she had eaten less breakfast, and went into the pub's bathroom to wash her face and change into robes. Over prepared as always, she had two spares in case she spilled.
"Three up, two across. There." And Diagon Alley opened up to her. Alone. Time to really discover magic. But first, Gringotts. Just be careful.
Some time later, pockets jingling with gold, Violet sat down in front of a small cafe, drinking a hot chocolate that had much less chance of being spilled all over her. She took out Dudley's half-used school notebook and one of her uncle's fountain pens she had pinched from his desk. Magical objects. But what do I want to achieve? As her ideas formed, the pen slowly traced.
Be bothered as little as possible by the Dursleys.
Be able to study and be in peace in my room; keep people out
Protect myself. Against Dudley and Lord- Thing.
Something to help with chores- or, a way to provide for myself so I don't need to do them to stay on Petunia's good side.
Don't spend all my parents' money in the process.
Just to be sure, Violet double-checked the item list that had come with the Hogwarts letter. She didn't think she'd missed anything, but it never hurt to be absolutely sure. Then, the last line of the supply list caught her eye:
"Students may bring either an owl OR a cat OR a toad. First years are not allowed to bring their own broomsticks." She shrugged. Broomsticks? You cannot be serious. Magical people really flew like in those Muggle drawings? But, she could get a pet, if she wanted.
Petunia hated animals. She had never allowed any of them to have any pets, not even when Dudley had begged and cried himself half sick, wanting a dog. It was his one whim that she had never given into. But Violet had asked, once, for a cat, swearing that she could be responsible for it. Her aunt, of course, had said no. Don't ever ask again. They shed- and the litterbox!
But if Violet was living at school except for the summer, found some way to keep the Dursleys out of her room, and kept the cat there...She was never a rebellious child, but the money in her pocket and the kittens at the window of a nearby magical menagerie seemed to beg for her to buy one. And after all, it was just a few days after her birthday. The Dursleys had only gotten her some clothes from the charity shop and given her the day off of chores.
She made herself stop fantasizing. She couldn't have a pet unless and until she solved the Dursley problem. If it could be solved with magical objects, not wands...but she didn't know where to start.
Wait. Tom the barman. He seemed to live at the Leaky Cauldron and act as the go-between. If anyone knew what to get where in the Alley, it would be him. Feeling inspired, and still a child, Violet almost skipped as she doubled back to the old pub.
"Mr. Tom?" She hopped up on the dusty stool so that she could see over the bar. "McGonagall said you could help me."
"No problem, lass. Need to get into the Alley?" He set down the glass he was wiping down and stepped to come around the other side.
"No, sir. She told me which bricks to tap, and I have my school supplies. I just came back to look for a few things. You must know Diagon Alley very well, so I thought I would ask your advice."
Tom smiled, showing a few missing teeth. Once you got over the effect, it was friendly enough. "What d'you want, then? I can't help you if it's dangerous or against the rules though."
"Not at all. It's that..," Violet dropped her voice, not wanting her personal life overheard, "my guardians don't like magic. But I want to be able to study and get ready for school even though I'll be with Muggles. Do you know where I might get something charmed to keep them out of my room? Or even just keep noise and such in my room from being heard outside of it?"
Without realizing it, she had leaned in close to Tom and scratched her forehead. He gasped.
"Blimey," he whispered. "You're Violet Potter."
Violet nodded. "Don't shout about it, or I'll punch you. My cousin is interested in boxing, I learned to hit hard to protect myself."
Tom flinched back. "Understood. You learn discretion as a barman. I've never lived in the Muggle world, so I've never needed what you describe. But, there's one Mr. Cohen. Runs Needful Things, a magical antique shop. He used...such objects...against Muggles during their last war. Usually, Muggle wars don't affect wizards, much...but that man didn't care. He just saw Jews and Aryans. But with the scrolls, the soldiers just passed right on by old Cohen's door."
Violet shivered, hearing phantom jackboots in her head. But, if the- had Tom said "scrolls"? worked to save a man's life, surely they would deter Petunia's snooping.
"Thanks for the tip, sir. Could you just top off my water bottle, please? Then I'll be out of your way." As she passed it across to him, Violet heard the door to the Muggle side of the pub bang open, and an excited young voice.
"-Flourish and Blotts again, I need to learn all I can. The other students have magic at home, how will I catch up? And please, please, can I visit the kitten in the creature shop again? Just to look!"
A girl about Violet's age with Muggle clothes, bushy brown hair sticking every which way, and over large front teeth stood next to a harried-looking middle aged man, also dressed as a Muggle.
"Hermione, we could barely carry all the books home last time! I'm not breaking my back again. And your mother and I told you before, you can get a cat when you prove you're responsible. You've been doing well, but a pet is a lot of work, and your mother and I work a lot, we can't help much."
Violet slid off her stool and took the water back from Tom, interested. "Are you going to start at Hogwarts, too, this year? I've already got the supplies, but came back to look for some other useful things."
"Yes, that's me as well. I wanted to come back to get more books and explore the alley. It's so fascinating, this whole separate society, don't you think? But I'm worried that I don't know enough, my parents are Muggles after all, so I didn't grow up with magic. I've already read all the course books three times, what about you? I'm Hermione Granger, by the way, and you are?" She said all of this very fast.
"Er...Violet. I've only lived with Muggles as far as I can remember, but a professor came with me on my first trip to Diagon Alley and helped me. Then I came here to ask Tom for some advice. I can open the entryway for you, if you like, spare him the trouble." Although slightly taken aback by the other girl's excitement, Violet somehow liked her immediately.
"Thank you, that sounds good. Are you here by yourself, Violet? I'm Dr. Granger," the middle aged man said.
Violet nodded. "I'm used to going about by myself. My guardians didn't take kindly to magic, so I got the bus here myself."
"It would be so nice to know someone already before I start school! Maybe we could help each other study and catch up to the magic-raised students! Do you like to read, too? We could share some books. Are you here to get more books as well? Would you like to shop with us?" Hermione seemed to barely pause to breathe.
"One question at a time! But yes, I agree. I don't much like the idea of walking into the complete unknown when it comes to people, either. I actually already have a lot of books, though. My parents were magic, and died when I was really young. But they left money, trunks, books, and other personal stuff in the bank, Gringotts. Their stuff plus the course books should have me covered. I never turn down a trip to a bookstore though, I go to the library all the time in the Muggle world. There's one shop I have to stop in on, but otherwise I don't have anything in particular to do. Let's go, then. You liked the kitten in the window of that one shop, too?" They were about to open the back door to the courtyard when something occurred to Violet.
"Wait, Hermione. Do you want to change into wizarding clothes? I did that straightaway in the restroom here, so I wouldn't stand out. I have a spare set in my bag, and I think they would fit you."
"Thank you, sure. You won't have any robes for my father, though, so I don't know how much me changing clothes will help."
"If you're concerned, I can charm your father's clothes. Just temporarily. To look like robes," Tom chipped in.
"Thank you, sir. We would appreciate that," Hermione said, hurrying off to change.
"Okay. Now we're ready." Five minutes later, Violet tapped the correct brick and opened the way for them. If Dr. Granger hadn't put a firm hand on Hermione's shoulder, she would have bolted straight off to Flourish and Blotts, but the girls forced themselves to walk calmly. Since both of them wanted as long as possible to read, and, Violet thought, coo over the kittens in the other shop, she suggested they visit Needful Things first.
It was a cramped, cluttered shop that didn't, at first glance, appear to hold much of value. Feeling almost as apprehensive as when she got her wand, Violet called through the gloom. "Mr. Cohen? Tom at the Leaky Cauldron told me you can help me."
"So I take it you're not here for my antiques?" came the reply from a back room. After some shifting noises and muffled swearing, a short man with salt-and-pepper hair emerged.
"Well, no. Sorry, sir. It's that…I need a magical object that keeps Muggles away from my room, and stops any noise and such they might notice."
"You're a bit young to need that, dear. What's going on? Did Tom, er, tell you what the scrolls were first used for? I developed the charm after my brother was killed. We have magic, but they had guns and lists, after all."
"I'm sorry to hear that, Mr. Cohen. I just thought that if the scrolls worked so well as to save people, they can give me some peace. My relatives…don't like magic. I'm afraid they'll sabotage my things, or just plain snoop! And please, I just can't go to Hogwarts knowing nothing! I know I'm not allowed to use magic outside of school, but Professor McGonagall told me magical objects-"
Mr. Cohen waved a wrinkled hand. "Say no more. I was in Ravenclaw, dear. I understand. I can enchant a small scroll or two for you, but it requires a bit of your input. We'll do it together. Come around the counter. Would your friend like to watch? Is she starting Hogwarts as well?"
Violet nodded, watching as he drew out a tiny parchment scroll. Hermione drew closer, fascinated.
"All right. First, the scroll needs to know who it's protecting." Mr. Cohen directed his wand, and the paper shimmered an electric blue. "Just say clearly who needs to not be noticed by the Muggles- sounds like that would be you, yes?"
Trying to whisper so that no one would make a scene out of it, she said, "Violet Potter."
Mr. Cohen's wand hand shook, and he brought himself back to concentration with great effort. "I…thought I'd never see the day. Violet Potter." Strange Hebrew lettering appeared on the scroll, and it shook slightly. Then, he pulled out a small knife.
"I'm sorry, Violet. But the charm is based on a very ancient Jewish spell ritual, and so it requires a bit of blood to create the ward. A finger will do." He handed it to her, and she gasped as she sliced her pinky finger, allowing a few drops onto the scroll. It flashed red at the edges.
"Now I have to say the blessings. You can look around. Here," Mr. Cohen handed Violet a handkerchief. "Just a minute or two. Baruch atah adonai…"
"You're Violet Potter!" Hermione whisper-squealed after the girls were behind a nearby display. "I've read all about you, of course! You're such a hero to everyone in this world!"
Violet sighed. She could already tell that this would get old fast. "Yes, I am. But I'm not anything, really. I'm Violet. Just Violet. And my aunt showed me how to use makeup to cover up the scar. Please don't shout about it. I only found out about being famous a few days ago. I never meant to be anybody. I've always made my own way in the world. I don't want to be congratulated for something I'm too young to remember happening."
"That makes sense," Hermione said, after a pause. "That would be like being famous because your parents had you throw the Ring into the fires of Mount Doom when you were a baby. It doesn't necessarily mean you're special."
'You read Lord of the Rings too? Someone gave the series to my cousin, Dudley, for his last birthday, but he didn't like them, so I got the lot. Seriously, yes, it's like that."
"Speaking of books, let's get done so we can go to Flourish and-"
"-adonai. There, dear. Your scroll is ready," Mr. Cohen called. "Nail it to any point of the doorframe of the room or house you want to protect. The Muggles won't even notice the room. Won't see the door, won't hear or even smell anything in it!"
Violet's heart leapt, and she thought of the kitten again. Perhaps…
Two hours later, Mr. Granger groaned. "Hermione Jean Granger, I am not a Sherpa! Are you sure you'll even have time to read all of these books?" The trip to Flourish and Blotts had been a great success; even Violet had found a few interesting books on warding, rune magic, and foreign language. Magic or Muggle, she reasoned, it never hurt to be able to talk to all kinds of people. They had also each bought copies of Hogwarts, A History, more to allay nerves than anything else.
"Sorry, Dad. We're done now. Could Violet and I please just have a last look at the magical menagerie before we leave?"
"I suppose. But I am not buying you a cat until after your first year, if you get good marks and prove you can be responsible living away from home."
Hermione groaned, and just then, an idea occurred to Violet. "Mr. Granger?"
"Yes, Violet?"
"I was thinking of buying a kitten for myself as a late birthday present, but my aunt doesn't like animals, and I'm not so sure I can put the scroll on my room correctly right away to keep the family out, and noises in. And anyway, I'm not sure it's fair to confine a pet to one room. It wouldn't be a problem for me to keep a cat at Hogwarts, it's just…" She glanced at Hermione, trying not to grin and knowing that the other girl was picking up on her train of thought.
"Dad, please! Violet just needs someone to keep a kitten for a few weeks until Hogwarts! I promise I'll take good care of it! This way, I can start proving to you how responsible I am!"
Mr. Granger threw up his hands. "Don't put the cart before the horse. Let's let Violet go in and even see if there's a kitten she wants in there."
A plump saleslady covered in various animal hairs pointed them towards the litter. "Twelve weeks old, just went on sale this morning. They're weaned, sterilized, and ready to go. You can have your pick, no one has chosen yet."
Violet surreptitiously checked her pockets. "How much?"
"Five Galleons for the cat and the carrier. I can sell you anything else you need for it, here, or you can go into the Muggle world and buy there if you're so inclined. They're just ordinary cats, after all."
She had six Galleons, and some Muggle money, in the bottom of her pockets. Just enough. Entranced, the girls moved over to the pen where the kittens were kept. They spent half an hour deliriously happy in the pile of animals, but Violet was drawn to one in particular.
It was the smallest, coal-black all over with a tiny white spot near its nose that looked a bit like a mustache. Several of the other kittens frequently play-fought with it, but it seemed to be at a disadvantage.
Violet knew all too well what it was like to be overlooked. Left alone. Bullied. Made second class. The choice was clear. "This one." She picked up the small, struggling void and placed it on the counter.
"Now, dear, are you sure? She's the runt of the litter, perhaps you want something a bit sturdier."
"Yes." Violet said icily. "I've spent time, being unwanted, myself."
Ten minutes later, they were leaving the shop, with a deliriously happy Hermione hugging Violet a bit too hard. "I promise I'll take good care of her! Anything she needs. You write or call and ask me how she's doing! I'll mail photos, even. Have you decided on a name, yet?"
Violet shook her head. "No, I guess you'll have to tell me what she's like, and I'll look through my books and see if I don't get some ideas. Thank you so much for taking care of her for a bit for me."
Dr. Granger nervously checked his watch. "Er, Hermione dear, we were supposed to have left fifteen minutes ago. I scheduled some procedures this evening instead, so I could bring you to Diagon Alley. We really must be off."
Both girls sighed, then Violet knelt next to the wicker carrier, petting the kitten with a finger through the lattice. "I'm sorry, baby, they're in a hurry. I have to say goodbye now. I love you. Hermione's going to take great care of you, and I'll see you in three weeks. Hermione, I need you to meet me on the train platform before the trip, I don't want the kitten to get lost in the shuffle." They started jogging back towards the Leaky Cauldron, and Violet stopped just short of the door. "Keep her safe and- love her. I'm so glad we met today, Hermione."