~ Chapter 5 ~
Harry sat on the front porch of the Dursley house, awaiting the arrival of his ride. He had been waiting for about five minutes, yet he still felt nervous. Hermione was coming to pick him up for the first time and he couldn't wait to see her. He was surprised that he had lived through the part of the summer that he had without any letters from his friends. One thing that he was proud of, and that he was sure Hermione would be proud of, was that he actually had finished most of his holiday work. He just had his Transfiguration and Potions essays to write. I still can't wait for Hermione to get here, Harry thought. Just as he thought it, Uncle Vernon came straddling out of the door. This felt weird for Harry because, and this looked out of nowhere, Uncle Vernon sat right next to Harry.
"Excuse me," Harry stated, "But why are you sitting next to me?" Uncle Vernon turned to him looking mean, as always.
"This is my bench," Uncle Vernon inquired, "And if you don't like that then go sit on the grass." He pointed at the lawn and Harry gulped.
"No, thank you." And Harry stared back at the road, hoping that Hermione would hurry up. Uncle Vernon saw this and turned back to Harry.
"If you must know, boy," Uncle Vernon said, "I was just remembering what you said last night. About you saying that this friend of yours has non-magic parents." Harry seemed surprised that Uncle Vernon had even listened to what he had said. He usually ignored everything Harry said.
"Yes," Harry replied, "I do remember saying that."
"Well, I don't believe you," Uncle Vernon bluntly said. His usually purple face was now a soft shade of magenta. Is Uncle Vernon getting soft? Harry thought. It surely seemed that way. "I want to see the ruddy girl's parents myself, you liar." I guess he isn't, Harry thought and turned back to the road. Just then he heard the sound of a car horn. He had never heard it before, so it puzzled him. The next second, he heard Uncle Vernon stammering like crazy. The honk of the horn came closer and Uncle Vernon's stammering grew.
Harry then saw a bright red sports car come up Privet Drive. It honked it's horn once more. Harry turned around to see Uncle Vernon's jaw drop. He turned back and saw the car come into the driveway. As the car stopped the back door opened. Out came Hermione in a fast sprint.
"Harry!" Hermione said, coming over and hugging him tightly.
"Hermione! Oh, it's so great to see you!" Harry said, hugging her back.
"It's the same here!" Hermione stated, letting go of the hug. She smiled wide as she said it. She then turned to Uncle Vernon.
"Hello, sir. My name is Hermione Granger. I will be the one picking Harry up. I should say that I hope that Harry has already told you about me." Uncle Vernon looked down at her, eyes as wide as ever.
"Hello, child," Uncle Vernon said in a sweet voice, one that he had never given Harry. He then turned to Harry and asked, "This is your friend?"
"Yes, it's her," Harry said. Uncle Vernon glanced and her and then back at Harry.
"It seems that you actually have good taste in something," Uncle Vernon said and stood back straight up. Hermione's parents then exited the car. They seemed to look just like Hermione, with some exceptions. Uncle Vernon immediately went over to them and their car. Hermione glanced at Harry's belongings, seeing the pile of things over his trunk and Hedwig in her cage.
"I guess we should start packing it into the car," Hermione stated, smiling again. Harry smiled back at her.
"I guess." With that the two of them started taking things from the porch and putting them in the trunk of the car. The both of them had to carry Harry trunk to the car, with it being so heavy and all. Hermione's things had been inside the car also, so it was hard to pack everything in it. The only thing they didn't put there was Hedwig in her cage. She was placed on the back seat, beside the sleeping Crookshanks. Once they were done, Hermione went over to her talking parents.
"Excuse me, if I may intrude," Hermione stated. All of their chatter about their 'Sabrorador 2000 LX' car stopped.
"You may," her father said. Uncle Vernon was astonished with the politeness.
"Harry and I have already packed his things and are ready to leave," Hermione said. Her father nodded his head in agreement and turned back to Uncle Vernon, who was still marveling at the car.
"Mr. Dursley, I believe it is time for us to go. We are so glad that we could make your acquaintance," he said. "Maybe we could talk together sometime later."
"Of course, Mr. Granger. Anytime," Uncle Vernon said with a smile. Harry thought that he was losing his mind when he saw that.
"Maybe I could tell you the stock I use to help out that company of yours, Grunnings?" Uncle Vernon's smile grew wider, hearing him say that he would help his company. Mr. Granger nodded his head good-bye and Mrs. Granger and him went into the car. Harry and Hermione also entered the car to sit next to their pets. Mr. Granger looked back at them and said, "Is everyone back there buckled up and ready?"
"Yes," they said in unison. Mr. Granger smiled, turned around, and started the car. Harry then looked out the window of the car to see Uncle Vernon actually waving him good-bye. What came next was a total shock.
"Have a great time at your friend's house and at school," Uncle Vernon said clearly. This can't be happening, Harry thought, Uncle Vernon is actually telling me good-bye and having people hear it. Harry weakly smiled and waved back. Harry turned back to Hermione, a wide smile on his face, and spoke.
"So, how was your summer?"
*****
Ron sat anxiously awaiting the arrival of Hermione, Harry, and Andrea. To pass the time, he thoroughly cleaned up his room. Every time Fred and George walked pass his room they snickered, and every time he glared at them. It was now 1:30 PM and he had gotten hungry. He exited his room and went down to the kitchen. All that was in there was his mother, Ginny, and Percy. Percy had locked himself in his room for quite sometime now to do this report for the again sane Mr. Bartemius Crouch. He wished he were insane again, so that Percy would shut up about him.
Ron sat down at the kitchen table and asked for a sandwich. A ham and cheese sandwich with the crusts cut off then popped in front him on a plate. He sighed as he took a bite into it. He was obviously heard by Ginny.
"Don't worry, Ron. They'll get here," Ginny said, trying to comfort him.
"I know they'll get here, I just want to know when," Ron replied and took another bite of the sandwich. Percy didn't even notice him come in. Therefore, he just kept on talking to his mother.
"Well, Mr. Crouch says that my report on the reason for the wand leak was very informative and thorough. Maybe Mr. Crouch might promote me. Mr. Crouch says that I have potential for a promotion. Mr. Crouch also thinks that he can get me passes to Gerald Clopperman's Theory of Matter and Justification for Mathematical Components Convention." Percy gleefully smiled and sighed. Mrs. Weasley didn't seem to have the fondest idea of anything he was talking about.
"Oh," she said, and smiled weakly.
"I know," Percy said, "The way that Mr. Crouch has moved you has left you speechless."
"Right!" Mrs. Weasley said, trying to keep from Percy noticing that he bored her.
"Well, Mr. Crouch wants me to look over the copper cauldron, this new one that we are testing out. Isn't Mr. Crouch wonderful?" That was it. Ron could no longer listen to Percy's jabbering mouth.
"Mr. Crouch this, Mr. Crouch that. Do you ever stop talking about Mr. Crouch?" Ron yelled. Ron breathed hard and fast as if he had yelled his lungs out. All of the people around him stared at him in awe. After a moment Ginny started giggling.
"Well! Mr. Crouch wouldn't yell like that if I talked to him about you!" Percy replied.
"Shut up!" Ron yelled back. Percy stood up and glared at him. He then stuck up his chin and walked out of the room. Feeling satisfied now that Percy was gone, Ron took a few more bites into his sandwich. At least something is going my way, Ron thought and smiled.
*****
Jaden sat and thought for a moment before she started writing.
"How sweet it was on that summer's day,
To see my friends Harley and Kay;
We laughed and played and danced all night,
But when the lights went out there was a horrible fight.
Passion and emotion with Harley was a side,
While affection and protection was Kay;
The feeling fought through me and went for a ride,
But was Kay the winner, no way."
Jaden read over what she had wrote and smiled. Writing was a simple pleasure of hers and poetry was her best. She just loved writing love poems. Her friends always asked her for some to give to their boyfriends, and she happily obliged. As she thought of the next thing to write her aunt came rushing in. She had a large smile on her face and two envelopes in her hands. Jaden wondered why her aunt would be so happy and asked her.
"Well, as you already know, your headmaster at Toppinsole Academy for Girls, Headmaster Banders, sent your application to transfer to this other school," Sierra stated. Jaden nodded and urged her to go on. "Well, here it is." She held out the first envelope and handed it to Jaden. Jaden took it from her hand and turned it over. On the back was a shining emblem divided into fours with an animal in each part – a lion, a snake, a badger, and a raven – and a big "H" in the middle of it all. She opened up the envelope to reveal a letter. It read:
Dear Ms. Maxwell,
You have been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. As a transfer student we will expect the best out of you in your schoolwork and your attitude. You will be treated like any other student. Your school supply list for your 6th year is enclosed in the envelope for this letter. Term starts September the 1st. You will be picked up at King's Cross train station at 12 noon on the Hogwarts Express at Platform 9 ¾. We will be expecting your arrival.
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Jaden was in awe that she had been accepted. She then remembered what Voldemort had said about her going to Hogwarts been 'taken care of'. She smiled up at her aunt in joy.
"But that's not all," Sierra said with a wink. Jaden's eyes widened in anticipation. Sierra held out the other envelope. Jaden carefully took it. It had the same emblem on the back of it as her acceptance letter did. She wondered if this was a letter that said that they changed their mind. She trembled at the thought of it. She took the envelope in her hand and carefully opened it. As the letter showed up she took it into her other hand and dropped the envelope. It read:
Dear Ms. Maxwell,
I have acknowledged that you have been accepted to our school, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and am delighted to know that you are coming. Since you are the best and brightest transfer that we are having this year, we want to reward you. We are rewarding you by giving you two tickets for you and your aunt, Sierra Sophburg, to come to England to make it a shorter trip to London, where King's Cross train station is positioned. We are glad to have you as a student and happily grant you the tickets. Our groundskeeper, Ruebus Hagrid, will be waiting for you to take you to your summer home that we have provided for you.
Albus Dumbledore
Headmaster, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Jaden was speechless. Getting into the school was a certain shock for her, but her being treated like she was valedictorian of her school was the most amazing thing that happened to her. She quickly picked up the envelope and fingered inside of it. After a moment, she pulled out the two tickets out of it. Jaden's spirits rose as she entirely saw them. She looked at her aunt, who hadn't stopped smiling since the start.
"Do you know what this means?" Jaden asked her. Her aunt nodded her head in joy.
"We're going to England!" they shouted in unison. They took a one-minute hug and stared at each other. Jaden then gasped in surprise and ran out of the den. Sierra looked out at her.
"Where are you going?" she asked her.
"To tell my friends," Jaden replied and rushed downstairs and out the door in a flash.
*****
Voldemort smiled at the figure in front of him, as if he was sure he had planned it this way.
"Are you sure that the tickets say that you are leaving tonight, and to England?" Voldemort asked the figure.
"Yes, my Lord," Jaden replied with a nod.
"This will work well with the plan I have thought of," Voldemort replied. He stroked his chin and thought for a moment. "Yes, this will work very well. That Dumbledore has always played along with my plan without knowing it. And I can finally get back to where I belong."
"If I may ask permission to speak, sire?" Jaden asked him. Voldemort looked her over and thought about it.
"You may," he agreed.
"I need to get back to my house to pack for the Muggle plane ride. I do not want to be late for it, or I will miss it," Jaden said. Voldemort gave her no quick answer. She may have sounded loyal, but she didn't cower like many others did. This bothered him a bit.
"I see your point," he said to her. "You may go." Jaden then bowed to him and turned on her heel. He darkness engulfed her body as she exited the chamber. "Wormtail?"
"Yes, my Lord," Wormtail said with a quiver. He had been beside him the whole time. Voldemort liked the quiver that he gave.
"Set a course for our home. Our Ms. Maxwell is going there and we want to keep an eye on her, always. Send out owls saying that we are coming back."
"Yes, my Lord," Wormtail replied and went off to work. Voldemort could almost feel his chamber in his bones. He sat in his golden chair, cleared his throat and waited for Wormtail's return.
*****
Ron sat and took another bite into his fourth sandwich he had had today. He was becoming restless, trying to keep from loosing his mind. He had been sitting at the table for over 2 hours and really was anxious to tell them the big news.
"Do you think they will come now?" He asked his mother at the stove.
"Ron, could you stop being a bloody nag!" Mrs. Weasley yelled at him, since it was the tenth time he had asked in the last hour. Mrs. Weasley calmed down and said, "They'll be here when they get here." Ron groaned at hearing this. He wanted them to be here now. At that second, he heard the doorbell ring. He thought it had been his imagination, but it rang yet again. He smiled brightly and got up from his chair slowly. This obviously aggravated Mrs. Weasley.
"Aren't you going to answer that?" she asked him. He then shook his head as if he had been in a trance. Ron to the door and slowly opened it. There he found his two friends, Harry and Hermione, smiling as wide as ever.
"Hey guys!" Ron said with a hug to both of them. He then looked behind them awkwardly. Hermione looked behind her in surprise and then turned back to him.
"Is there anything wrong, Ron?" Hermione asked him. Ron then frowned.
"Oh, it's just that I hoped that Andrea would come with you," Ron replied. He then sighed and went back over to the kitchen table to sit. Harry and Hermione followed him there. Harry then thought of something, and he whispered into Hermione's ear. She nodded her head and turned back to Ron.
"So, Ron, you wouldn't happen to have a crush on Andrea, would you?" Harry asked him. Ron then jumped in his chair in surprise of this question. "I thought so."
"So…So…So…I have this great surprise for the both of you!" Ron said, trying to get off the subject as quickly as he could. "You won't believe this!"
"Well, what is it?" Hermione asked him.
"It's colossal! It's stupendous!"
"Come on, say it," Harry said with a frown.
"It's the best thing that's happened since…"
"Spit it out!" Harry and Hermione said in unison. They then giggled after they did so.
"We're going to go in this Muggle summer home in south England for the rest of the summer!" Ron said with a wide grin. Their faces lighted up with smiles and wide eyes. Ron then said the only thing that he could think of saying. "I knew you would do that."
*****
Jaden stepped out of the cab after her aunt did and thanked him. She then gave him the $15 and went into the airplane terminal. She looked around, but could recognize nothing. She hadn't taken a plane in her life, and her aunt had been but it was so long ago. She then saw an information stand and dragged her aunt with her to it.
"Excuse me, miss," Jaden said but was stopped.
"Call me Nancy," the lady said with a point to her badge.
"OK, Nancy," Jaden said with a weird expression on her face. "Can you tell us where our gate is?"
"Sure," Nancy said, and took the tickets from Jaden's hand. She then smiled and said, "This plane leaves in 15 minutes. I'll get you registered and get your bags onto the plane. Your gate is just left at your second turn." Nancy then typed their information and pointed them to their gate. They both thanked her and rushed to their gate. A minute after they got there, the plane started loading.
They happily gave their tickets to the man at the gate to check and went onto the plane. Jaden stared at her ticket, and then at the seats until she found her seat, 21 A. She sat down at her window seat while her aunt sat right next to her. They busied themselves for a moment by talking about what it would be like in England. A second later, a girl walked past them, looking for her seat. Jaden didn't notice her pass until she passed their chairs again. A minute later, the girl stood right before them, looking confusedly right at them.
"Excuse me," she asked, "but, ma'am, I think you're in my seat." Sierra quickly came back at her.
"I'm sorry, but these seats were given to me and my niece," Sierra replied sternly.
"But my ticket has '21 B' on it. This has to be my seat," the girl said.
"Well, my ticket has '21 B' on it, too," Sierra said. "There must have been a duplication of tickets because my niece's ticket says '21 A', so my ticket must have '21 B'." Jaden nodded her head in agreement. She wanted her aunt to know that she was behind her on this, for once. She didn't want to sit by some stranger anyway. One of the stewardesses down the aisle heard the argument and came over.
"Excuse me, but what is all the racket about? The pilot is about to start the plane," the stewardess said.
"Well, my ticket says that I sit here, but she says it's a mistake," the girl said, pointing at Jaden's aunt.
"Let me see both of your tickets," the stewardess said. They put their tickets in her hand and she checked them over. She then frowned and turned to Sierra in despair. "I'm sorry, but the girl is right. Your seat is twenty-two B." Sierra frowned even more than the stewardess had.
"I'm sorry ma'am," the girl said. Sierra interrupted the girl right when she heard the word "sorry".
"No, child, it was my fault. I guess my eyes are going," Sierra said and got out of the seat. Jaden almost felt like pulling her back, but she didn't. It felt like she couldn't. Sierra nodded her head to Jaden and was pointed to the seat in front of them. The girl sat down next to Jaden and smiled. Her smile faded when Jaden didn't return it. Jaden frowned instead and turned to look out the window. It was going to be a long trip and not sitting next to her aunt would make it even longer.