Thomas Hawthorne looked all around him. His head was throbbing, a smell of gasoline invaded his nostrils, but worse than that, he couldn't move! Looking down, Thomas saw that he had been tied to a chair. And standing in front of him, twirling a gun in one hand and holding his wand in the other, was Marielle.
"Marielle, darling! What's wrong? Why am I tied up like th-" Thomas stopped abruptly as he recalled what he had seen just before he blacked out. "Marielle....it was you...Why?"
Marielle sighed and leveled the gun at her husband's forehead. "I want one thing of you Thomas, and maybe I'll let you live...I want you to give me your powers. Don't lie to me, I looked it up in your books and I know you can do it!" She handed him his wand and gave him a sweet smile. "And don't try anything funny, or a bullet goes through your head!"
Thomas stared at his wand. Quite frankly, he was frightened of his wife right now. Ever since Ben had died, Marielle had not been in the best of mental health. He thought it over, then decided he had no choice. As soon as Marielle left he would notify the Ministry and they would track her down.
"ZRESQUARIUM OVERICUS!" Thomas shouted, and immediately began to feel strange. There was a draining sensation crawling all over his body, and when it was over 5 seconds later, Thomas lapsed into a tired faint.
Marielle laughed, grabbed his wand, and pointed it at Thomas' unconscious body. "Petrificus totalus," she said mischeviously, and chuckled as Thomas' arms snapped to his side in the body bind. She grabbed her suitcase and walked out the door, then poked her head back in.
"I almost forgot," she said sweetly to her husbands motionless body. Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out a match, struck it on the wall, then dropped it into the puddle of gasoline she had poured by the doorway. As the flames caught and licked around the house, Marielle let out a cackle. "Sweet dreams, dearest!" she cried, and with a wave of Thomas' wand, she disappeared.
********
"I would like ze first years over 'ere!" shouted Nella Maxime, the gamekeeper at Hogwarts. "First years, thees way please!"
Brandon and Lauren walked off towards the castle, Brandon waving cheerfully at Ellie, who giggled and waved back. Jordan Malfoy pushed huffily past Harley, continuing towards the castle with his hands in his pockets and his head looking at the ground. Harley gave him a quick look of disapproval, then caught up with her cousin.
"Hey, Harley, check out the squid!" James shouted.
"Where?" cried Zoe, darting her head all around.
James laughed as they got into a boat, and pointed out the tentacles of the squid to Zoe. As they crossed the lake Harley looked up at the sky and was reminded of a fading bruise. Ellie saw what she was looking at and sighed. "Isn't it beautiful?"
Harley gave a slight nod. "I can't wait to be at school....I think the year is going to very interesting!"
Ellie laughed. "Especially for me! My mum's a muggle, and she was very angry when she found out dad was a wizard. But, by that time, she was pregnant with me, and they decided to stay together! But, my mum didn't let me use or learn any magic. She didn't even want me to go to Hogwarts! But my dad put his foot down. It's his alma mater, you know!"
Harley smiled. "It's gonna be pretty hard for me, too. Both my parents are teaching. Do you know how annoying that is? And also, you didn't hear it from me, but the headmaster is a complete git. His name is Snape, and he's just awful! He despises my mum and dad."
Suddenly, the boat came to a stop and they all crowded inside the entrance hall, following that monstrous gamekeeper. ("What's with the tall lady?" Zoe asked.) Suddenly, Harley heard her name being called, and she jerked her head around. "Oh, hi, mum," she replied, a little disappointed.
"I'm glad to see you made it all right, jester! Did you make any friends?" Hermione asked.
"Mum, don't embarass me," Harley whispered, and Hermione turned a light color of pink and bristled. Harley sighed, and continued. "Um, mum, this is Ellie Thomas and Zoe Finnigan. Guys, this is my mum. She teaches transfiguration at the school." Ellie and Zoe both solemnly shook Hermione's hand, then Hermione began to hustle everyone into the Great Hall. "We're about to be sorted," Zoe whispered to Ellie, who gave a confused look and kept walking.
One by one, they were all called forward to try on a hat who would shout out which of the four houses they would go to. Harley was sure she'd be put in Gryffindor, so she was slightly upset when she saw Zoe had been put in Ravenclaw. After Zoe came "Kregore, William," "Lamkey, George," "Lenore, Alice" "Means, Ben" "Meyer, Carrie" and "O'Neil, Sarah" before James went up.
"Potter, James!" called Hermione, giving James a big smile. That wasn't what had caught Harley's attention though. At the mention of her cousin's name, that Headmaster, Snape, seemed to have gone into shock. His face was ashen, his eyes were open and staring. He was murmuring something, "It can't be, it can't be..." it looked like. Harley stared at him for a while, transfixed, and she let out a little cry as the hat suddenly shouted "GRYFFINDOR!!!!!!"
Soon there were only a few people left. Ellie walked up nervously and tried the hat on. When it shouted "GRYFFINDOR" she glanced at the Gryffindor table, caught Brandon and James' eye, then grinned a VERY wide grin.
When at last Harley was sorted, she too was put in Gryffindor, and she ran over to join the others. She saw Zoe at the Ravenclaw table, and tried to wave, when Harley saw who Zoe was talking with. Jordan Malfoy. Harley's mouth dropped open. He certainly had seemed mean enough to be a Slytherin, but now he and Zoe were talking animatedly. Harley shook her head and returned her attention to the table, which had suddenly filled with food. Harley smiled. Yes, she liked this school, all right!
********
Seamus Finnigan was busy opening mail when she walked in. His desk was covered in a flurry of envelopes, and owls were coming in through the doors and windows. One of them had made a hole in the wall, and they were coming through that, too. It was no wonder he didn't notice as the lady walked in. She was quiet, and simply took a seat and waited. That is until an owl dropped a Howler on her head without her even noticing.....until it exploded.
Feathers flew everywhere, the woman was screaming, and her beautiful hair was charred. Seamus noticed that. "Oh damn!" he shouted. "These people are always sending me letters. Miss? Are you all right, miss? I'm sorry about that!"
The woman looked in a daze. "What....was....that?" she asked.
Seamus laughed. "Miss, you have just suffered the wrath of a forty year old woman who doesn't like what I said about the beautiful Aaron Lockhart, Heart Throb Extraordinnaire! I knew his father at school, and they are exactly alike!" Seamus sniffed angrily, then smiled. "Well, anyways, I am Seamus Finnigan, editor of the Daily Prophet and recent divorcee. How may I help you? If you're single, then I can really help you!" he laughed.
For the first time, the woman smiled. "My name is Mary Hawkins. And I'm looking for a job as a reporter."
********
James smiled at his Aunt Hermione. He had only met her twice, but even then he could tell that she was a real strict person. It was very evident in her classes.
"Mr. Potter!" Hermione yelled. They had double transfiguration with the Ravenclaws that day, and they were trying to turn a matchbox into a book. James had tired of that, and had been trying to turn Jordan Malfoy's wand into a snake for the past 10 minutes before Hermione caught him.
Hermione walked over to Harry's table. "Hmmm..." she murmured. "Well, Mr. Potter...it seems you decided to have your own lesson, hmm?" She grabbed Jordan's wand, which was now covered in scales, did a quick charm to change it back, then handed it back to Jordan. "First! You will make a written apology to Mr. Malfoy, to be read in front of the class tomorrow! Second, you will continue with the lesson, and heaven help you if you're not finished by the end of the class. Third, there will be 10 points taken from Gryffindor!" Hermione almost shouted. The entire class was looking at him, and James blushed a deep red.
"But Aunt Hermione..." he started.
"Don't you Aunt Hermione me!" she shouted back. The class burst into giggles, with Jordan Malfoy practically dying of hysterics. "I'm Professor GRANGER to you James, and don't forget it!"
James blushed again and reached for his wand. He stared at the matchbox angrily, realizing that he had not been paying attention when "Professor Granger" explained how to do it. Suddenly he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"James-" Harley began.
"Get away from me, Harlequin," James muttered angrily.
Harley gave him an angry look. "It's your own fault! If you had been doing your work instead of being a jerk to Jordan, Mom wouldn't have had to punish you!"
"You're just like her, Harlequin," James hissed. "Now get away from me."
Harley gave him a sad look and opened her mouth to reply, but then shrugged and walked away. James gave her back an angry look and returned to staring at the matchbox.
********
"Harley!" someone called, but Harley ignored them as she stormed down the corridors. She was not in the mood to talk.
"Harley!!!" the voice called again, but Harley still ignored them. It was probably James, wanting to apologize. Well, he was not going to get to apologize!
"HARLEY!!!!" the voice screamed, and another voice said, "Two points from Gryffindor for all ze screaming in ze 'alls!" Finally, Harley whirled around.
"What?" she asked, and was surprised to see Ellie come running up to her breathlessly.
"Oh, Ellie, I'm sorry I didn't see you! What is it?" Harley asked.
Ellie sighed. "I'm sorry that James blew up at you and all, but it was kind of embarassing for him...and he was just getting Malfoy back for being such a jerk to me on the train!" Ellie gave a sigh and batted her eyes dreamily.
Harley laughed. "But what about Brandon, Ellie?" Ellie waved a hand dismissively, and Harley chuckled. "How many hearts have you broken?" she asked.
Ellie smiled and pretended to count her fingers and toes. "Hmmmmm...." she murmured, and then proceeded to count Harley's fingers, causing Harley to start laughing again.
Ellie smiled. "Besides, if James hadn't done it first, I might have! After all, Malfoy is such a jerk!"
"No, he's not," a quiet voice murmured behind them.
"ZOE!" Ellie shouted. "Glad to see you back in the real world! How're things going in brainland?" she laughed.
Harley smacked her. "Hey, Lauren is in Ravenclaw!" she grinned.
Zoe stared at Ellie. "Jordan isn't a jerk. And don't let me here you call him that again!" she spoke furiously, her voice trembling.
Ellie feinted shock. "Dear me, Zoe has lost her mind from hanging out with those brainiacs too much! Of course he's a jerk, darling, didn't you hear what he said to me on the train?" She slung an arm playfully around Zoe's shoulder, but Zoe pushed it off.
"Maybe if you people hadn't been such jerks on the train, he wouldn't have acted that way," Zoe defended, then sighed. "I have to go now," she muttered, and scurried away.
"Wey-ell, that would definitely count as strange," Ellie said. "Oh well....we'll get her to come to her senses later. What class is next?"
Harley, who had been looking after Zoe, snapped back to reality. "Oh, it's my favorite! It's Potions, and my dad teaches it!"
Ellie smiled. "Too cool. So we make like magic drinks or something?"
Harley nodded. "Yeah, it's like cooking, only with a magical twist."
Ellie hooked her arm around Harley's. "Sounds delightful. Shall we make our entrance?"
"We shall," Harley giggled, and walked with Ellie into the classroom.
********
"Excuse me? Severus Snape? Is there a Severus Snape here?" the woman called, her Daily Prophet badge pinned to her robes at an angle.
"Yes?" Snape sneered as he walked out into the corridor. "And how may I help you?" he asked sarcastically.
The woman stuck out her hand and grinned at Snape. "Why, hello, Mr. Snape! I'm Mary Hawkins, Daily Prophet reporter! I'm here to do a wizard interest story on the job you're doing as Headmaster!" Mary smiled a very beautiful smile. "And I hear you are doing simply marvelous job."
Snape melted. "Oh....now, I wouldn't say that..." he stammered. "I just do the best I can. Nothing special!"
The woman chuckled and put a hand on his shoulder as Snape blushed furiously. "Oh, don't put yourself down! I hear you are doing excellent! You've really got this school into shape!"
Snape gave her a dopey grin. "Miss, I assume it is Miss, right?" Mary gave a demure nod. "Well, Miss Hawkins, why don't you step into my office and I can give you an interview!"
********
Harley hurried out of the potions classroom just in time for her and Ellie to see Snape and the woman depart into his office.
"Good God!" shouted Ellie. "Has the world gone mad?"
Harley quickly clamped a hand over Ellie's mouth as Snape glanced in their direction then disappeared with Mary into his office. When the coast was clear, Harley removed her hand and gaped at the corridors where the two had just been.
Ellie shook her head and rubbed her eyes. "I can't have just seen that old git with that beautiful woman. I mean, that lady can't even be 30 yet! What's Snape, 50?"
"60," corrected Harley.
"Even worse!" cried Ellie. "We have got to warn that lady!" With that, she started after them.
"Now wait a minute!" shouted Harley. "Just because Snape is with a woman doesn't mean they're going out! I saw she had a notebook and quill. She's probably a reporter or something."
Ellie relaxed. "I suppose you're right. But still, it's not good for Snape to be around that girl!"
Harley sighed and pulled Ellie towards the Great Hall.
********
That night at dinner the woman was sitting at the High Table with Snape. Harley could see her Daily Prophet badge clearly.
"See?" she whispered to Ellie. "I told you she was a reporter. She'd have to be nuts to go out with Snape!"
Ellie however, didn't seem to be listening. She was gawking at the High Table. "B-better call St. Mungo's then," she stuttered. Harley whirled around and nearly screamed when she saw the beautiful woman kissing Snape passionately.
"Good God...." Ellie whispered, then plunked into her seat still staring at the two.
Harley was also staring at the two as she sat down, and she didn't even notice where she was sitting.
"WATCH IT!" yelled a voice angrily.
Harley jumped as if she'd been goosed, then blushed furiously. She had sat in Jordan Malfoy's lap! He sat there glaring at her.
"S-sorry, Jordan," she muttered. She noticed Zoe was throwing her dirty looks, and tried to avoid her eyes.
"You better be! This is the Ravenclaw table! Go sit with the Gryffindors," Jordan sneered.
Harley scampered over and sat across from Ellie, who was laughing like mad.
"Did you see Zoe's face? That's proof, she's got a crush on Malfoy!" Ellie cackled. "Careful, Harley, you two might have to duel over him!!!!"
Harley flashed an angry look at Ellie to shut her up. "That was NOT funny!" she insisted, and dug into her dinner. Suddenly, Snape stood up.
"Students, I would like to introduce you to Miss Mary Hawkins. She is a reporter for the Daily Prophet, and she will be staying at the school for a few days. She has requested to stay with the Gryffindor students, and I expect that you will treat her with utmost courtesy!" He threw a glare Harley's way, and she ducked under the table.
"Cold," Ellie muttered. "So why do you suppose that lady wants to stay with the Gryffindors? It seems that if she was so into Snape, she'd be with the Slytherins!"
"I have no clue," murmured Harley, as she stared at the woman. The woman was also staring, or actually glaring, at the Gryffindor table. Specifically, at James Potter.
********
That night, Harley and Ellie stayed late in the common room, whispering about the woman.
"I don't trust her!" Harley insisted. "She can't like Snape. He's the ugliest, meanest person on the earth! And she's so beautiful...I think she's using him!"
Ellie yawned and stretched her arms. "I don't know, maybe she has a fetish for old ugly people. My mom made me go to muggle school for a while, and I knew this girl who thought Jack Nicholson was HOT!"
Harley stared at her.
"He's a really old, really ugly American star."
Harley sighed. "I doubt it. I think that woman's up to something, and I'm gonna find out what!"
Ellie yawned again. "You do that. I'm gonna go to bed. Have fun," she said sleepily as she walked up the staircase to their dorm.
Harley sighed and crept out of the common room.
********
Harley was creeping down the halls when she heard the scritch-scritching of a quill and froze.
Scritch....scritch....
"He is here," the woman murmured as she wrote. "Journal, revenge will soon......mine!"
Harley gave a slight gasp as she listened, then scooted closer. She was heading towards the woman's door when she suddenly banged into something.
"Watch it!" a familiar voice hissed. Harley looked up and was shocked when she saw Jordan's face sneering back at her.
"You!" Harley cried, forgetting that she was supposed to be quiet. The scritching immediately stopped, and there was a scrape along the floor as someone got out of a chair.
"Who's there?" called the woman.
"GO!!!" hissed Jordan, and pushed Harley with all his might towards the staircases. Stumbling backwards, Harley got ahold of herself, and she and Jordan bolted, while the woman peered curiously out her door then went back inside.
When they were sure they were safe, Harley stopped and turned to Jordan.
"Someone's in danger," they said together.
"We need to find out who she's after," Jordan murmured.
"How do I know I can trust you?" Harley accused. "You're probably as dark as she is!"
Jordan sneered at her. "Oh, shut up! Honestly, are you that narrow-minded to think that I am my father? Or even take after him? Honestly, I hate that man! Why do you think I'm in Ravenclaw?"
Harley paused, then looked down, ashamed. "I'm sorry," she whispered.
"Well, there's no time to be sorry! We have more important issues at hand!" Jordan snapped, and began to pace.
********
Harry was changing Marie's diaper and Ginny was cooking dinner when the doorbell rang several times in rapid succession. They exchanged curious glances, and Ginny went to answer the door. Harry finished with Marie and followed Ginny into the living room, and suddenly grew very frightened at what he saw.
There was a man in the doorway, with a bit of a beard on him, hair that hadn't been washed in about two weeks, a dirty face, and holey clothes. Ginny was sobbing and trying to push the door closed, but the man was forcing his way in. Suddenly the man threw the door open, and Ginny went staggering. She quickly regained her balance and ran towards Harry.
"Take Marie, Ginny," Harry murmured, "I'll handle this."
Ginny grabbed Marie and ran for the back of the house, and Harry reached for his wand and prepared to curse the stranger.
"No, don't!" the man shouted, and Harry hesitated.
"Who are you and what do you want?" Harry asked, not taking his eyes off the man or lowering his wand.
"I'm Thomas Hawthorne, husband to a deranged murderer," the man chuckled, but Harry only stiffened. The man stopped immediately and continued. "I'm sorry, but I think you and your family may be in danger."
"What are you talking about?" hissed Harry.
"It started 6 months ago, in the hospital. My wife had just given birth to our baby...."
********
"I think she might be after your son," Thomas finished. Harry's face was pale.
"Ginny!" he called.
Ginny poked her face out from their bedroom, then slowly came out into the living room, all the while staring at the dirty man seated so casually on their couch. "What is it, Harry?" she asked timidly.
"I'm going to Hogwarts for a while. This is Thomas Hawthorne. He'll be staying here while I'm gone," Harry said quickly, and began heading out the door.
"Wait, wha-" Ginny began, but Harry whirled around.
"Don't ask questions!" he hissed, then suddenly realized how much he sounded like the Durseey's. "James may be in danger. I'm going to go to Hogwarts. This man, Thomas, is going to protect you while I'm gone. Trust him."
"Oh Harry," Ginny murmured, and kissed him. "Please, don't hurt yourself."
"Goodbye, Ginny," Harry whispered, and disappeared out the door.