Disclaimer: I'm 14. Do you really think I could have come up with these intricate characters and plot line by myself? You do? Oh thank you I'm flattered!- Unfortunately it's JKR's characters and world *sigh* maybe next time I can think up something for myself....;) Or maybe there's something of my own in this chapter coming up! (hint, hint)
Even as Ron turned to go talk to Fleur, trailing along with him a suddenly moody Hermione. Harry didn't look up. How could it be Mrs. Figg? he wondered. She had been right there all those years...all the time! He just hadn't realized. Harry thought back to the wizarding tent that Hermione and Ginny had shared back last year at the world cup and remembered how much it had reminded him of Mrs. Figg's place on Privet Drive. As he thought farther and farther he seemed to remember from somewhere...something Dumbledore had mentioned about an Arabella Figg who was an auror or something. Harry was so engrossed in his thinking that he didn't understand that someone was trying to get his attention. As Harry looked up he realized that it was Ginny who was poking him.
"Harry! I think someone wants to talk to you..." Ginny leaned over casually flicking her hair behind her ear in a way that Harry loved. "Do you know her? She seems to know you though when Dad saw her he got quite excited and said that no one had seen her for almost 15 years!" her voice trailed off as she came to the realization that her whispers obviously weren't as quiet as she thought them to be.
Harry looked up hurriedly making sure that Mrs. Figg hadn't taken offense at this last statement. Seeing that she hadn't he awkwardly held a hand out towards her. As he did so he noticed that there was something different about her, what was it?
"It's nice to see you again." said Harry cautiously.
"It's nice to see you too." said Mrs. Figg. "I'm glad you have more friends now...you never seemed to get along with Dudley's gang much." she winked at him. "This one your girlfriend then?" she smiled impishly up at him.
"Erm, no." said Harry turning red.
Ginny who couldn't quite look him in the eye said in a rush "I think I'll go find Dad and ask him what he and Mum think of this portkey idea."
Harry looked up resentfully at Mrs. Figg but upon seeming her smile at him almost lovingly he remembered the stale chocolate cake and the cats and suddenly came to the realization that Mrs. Figg had been watching over him for fifteen years, making sure he was safe. Coming to the conclusion that he actually liked her he smiled back.
"She isn't eh? She seems to like you though...unless I miss my mark I gather you two will get together before long." she said kindly.
Harry only sighed in response
"Yup, very soon she said smiling at him mischievously.
Harry wanting to change the subject said "So erm, why are you here after all of these years? Why'd you come back? suddenly worried he was being rude said all in a rush "Not that we don't want you to be here! I was only wondering..."
Mrs. Figg laughed at him and suddenly Harry noticed what had been bothering him about her. She was younger looking! looking more solemn Mrs. Figg gave her reply.
"Oh don't worry you haven't insulted me. I was on a special assignment from Dumbledore to look after you. Though this year they couldn't get a good Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher for this year since poor Moody is still recovering from the entire of last year. Anyway since you're here under Dumbledore's supervision...there's not really much I can do for you on Privet Drive.
"Oh." said Harry blandly. He really wanted to ask her why she was so much younger looking, he just wasn't sure how to put it. He suddenly thought of a way.
"So Mrs. Fi- said Harry but he was cut off.
"Oh call me Arabella it's more comfortable I think I'll just have everyone call me that instead of all of this 'Professor Figg' nonsense." said Arabella kindly.
"Er right. Well I was just wondering what year you were at Hogwarts...I mean I was just wondering if maybe I knew anyone in your year or something." said Harry proceeding with his initial question
"Oh I see. You wanted to see whether I was with your parents. Poor dear." Harry didn't even have time to protest before she continued. "No I never knew them really. My sister did, but that's another story." She paused for a second. "No, no. Actually Harry I was quite like you at school. Just like your friends are another boy and a girl, mine were another girl and a boy.
"Oh" said Harry with only mild curiosity. "Who were they?" he asked politely. "Do I know them?" he asked on a side note figuring that there must be something leading up to this.
"Oh you know them alright, or at least of them." she said laughing slightly "Or you should at least. Their names are Arthur and Molly Weasley.
Meanwhile
Wow her accent's improved loads since the Third Task hasn't it? said an excited Ron.
Hermione who was in a foul mood after the entire Fleur episode said to Ron bitterly "Yeah Victor's has improved heaps also, he's even started to teach me some Bulgarian now! she said with false cheerfulness.
"Oh he's started calling you by the right name now has he?" said Ron sarcastically.
"I see Fleur finally looked your way though she still must think you're a sea slug!" aid Hermione angrily.
"No she even kissed me that last day by the train! She'd looked my way ever since I saved her sister from the lake don't you remember?" said Ron rounding on her. "Oh no wait! I remember, you were too busy reuniting with Vicky to notice!"
"She kissed you on the cheek like a brother." said Hermione savagely. "And you didn't save her sister Harry did! "I wasn't 'reuniting' with Victor I was cheering Harry on! And don't you ever, ever call him 'Vicky' again!" Hermione ran off in tears.
Ron looking momentarily stunned suddenly realized that Ginny was right next to him. "How long has she been here?" he wondered.
"They broke up you know." said Ginny quietly.
"What?" said Ron suddenly. "Who?"
"Hermione and Krum! In Bulgaria. She was awfully upset about it, but you know why she did it?" asked Ginny her eyes pleading.
"No..."said Ron "Why?" did he really want to hear the answer? he asked himself almost panic-stricken. What if there was someone else, not him that she liked he didn't know what he would do. The whole Yule Ball last year. Seeing her with Krum had almost killed him.
"Ron, Ron are you listening?" asked Ginny impatiently.
"She stopped it because of you. She knew that if anything really went on between the two of them that it would make things more difficult with you.
Ron caught his breath. Was it true? Was that really the reason? He had to go after her now. He was turning to leave when he thought of something.
"Why didn't she tell me herself?" Ron added as an afterthought...maybe it was a complicated scheme to reveal his true feelings for Hermione.
All Ginny said was simply "Why didn't you tell her how much you liked her?" she was really upset about the whole Fleur thing.
That was all the prodding Ron needed. He turned and ran after where he had last seen Hermione.
A/N: Just so you know I'm moving across continents...I won't actually leave for about a week but my house (including my computer) is getting packed up today. My Father will still have his laptop so I'll see what I can do! :) Also please check out my other story! It's called "Another Story" and it's a L/J...but with Mrs. Figg and Minister Fudge's sister! As well of course as the Marauders! See how they got there name! Please R/R!
