Hey, all. ::grumbles testily:: I'm getting way tired of this story…I think
I would have quit it by now if it wasn't for all my reviews ::grins::
Special hugs go out to my Beta's, Snowlily and ReineDansante! ::squeezes so
tightly Chocolate Chips and Mrs. Nutbag's eyes pop out:: Review! And read
their stories if you haven't!!
Bella
The Power or Love
Chapter 4: A Visit to Australia
"Good morning, Mrs. Weasley." The guard at the entrance to the Ministry of Magic tilted his head respectively toward Hermione.
"Good morning, Harrison. I'm here with my husband, surely you know him?" Hermione gestured to Ron who was next to her.
"Of course! Head of the Department for the Control and Regulation of Magical Creatures!"
Ron grinned proudly. "Good to see you."
"And-Merlin's beard!" Harrison turned his gaze on Harry. "It isn't! It-it couldn't be! Is it?" He spluttered.
Harry stuck his hand out. "Harry Potter. Pleased to meet you."
Harrison went white. "Pleasure, Mr. Potter, a real pleasure! I read about your return in the Daily Prophet, but I must admit, I was skeptical! I couldn't even begin to-"
"Yes, yes, maybe you could talk to Harry later, Harrison." Hermione interrupted gently.
"Of-of course!" Harrison was still gaping at Harry.
This was Harry's first appearance in public, and he was surprised reporters weren't accosting him. Ron had showed him the Daily Prophet with the large picture of him on the front. Harry had given the members of the Weasley family permission to be interviewed, since the reporters had been lining up outside the door of the Burrow and cornering the Weasley's at work. Although they had been interviewed, Harry himself would have rather eaten his wand then been interviewed. He had gotten that all the time when he was in the Muggle world.
"Doesn't he need I.D.?" Ron asked quickly, seeing Harry's obvious discomfort.
"No, no, under normal circumstances, but of course, he's not normal-"
"Thank you Harrison," Hermione cut in as she walked in the huge marble building.
"Goodbye Mrs. Weasley! Mr. Weasley! Mr. Potter!" He called enthusiastically as they disappeared inside.
Ron grinned back at Harry. "Told you."
Harry scowled, but quickly smiled.
They were in a very large room that was circular. It was completely silent, and Harry was sure he would have been able to hear a pin drop on the other side. In the very center was a circular desk with a reception witch in the middle, looking very bored. She was smacking her gum and filing her shockingly pink nails.
Spaced around the huge room were doors, at least two hundred in all.
Hermione headed straight forward to a very, very large door. Now that Harry noticed it, all of the doors were varied sizes, but none quite as large as the one they were approaching.
Hermione noticed his looking and said, "The doors symbolize how large the departments are."
Harry spotted a very small door that he would have had to crawl in order to get through it. "What department is that?"
"The Department of Cauldron Bottoms." Hermione said matter-of-factly. Ron chortled.
"What?" Harry asked curiously.
"Well, you know how Percy is Minister?" Ron began, chuckling.
"Yes," Harry said slowly, wondering where this was going.
"Well, back in fourth year, he worked in the department of Magical Cooperation, and he was very interested in cauldron bottoms," Ron glanced at Hermione amusedly, "and he was promoted, so he got an assistant. His assistant became a friend of his, and he too was very interested in cauldron bottoms, so the first thing Perce did when he became Minister was to make a new department."
"So the reason it's so small is because there is only one person working in it?" Harry asked, a smile tugging the corners of his mouth.
"Yeah," Ron began chuckling again.
They reached the great door and Harry noticed a black box next to the door. Hermione stuck her wand into the bottom where there was a hole. Soon, the box flashed gold and a voice that sounded nothing like Muggle mechanical voices said, "Hermione Granger Weasley, Head of the Department of Magical Transportation. Access granted."
The door slid open and Hermione said, "Harry, just put your wand tip in and it can tell who you are. It reviews your wands history, therefore knowing who you are."
She stepped into the door and it immediately closed behind her.
Ron stepped up and put his wand in, and soon the box flashed orange. "Ronald Weasley, Head of the Department of the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. Access granted."
The door slid open once again and Ron turned to Harry and grinned. "See you in a minute, mate."
He disappeared and Harry walked up and pushed his wand into a little hole on the bottom. It took a longer time than the other's, but finally Harry heard it exclaim, "Merlin's beard!" None to quietly, and then it flashed bright silver said in a louder voice, "Harry Potter, Conqueror over the Dark Lord You-Know-Who many times, and the last effectively saving the Magical world from torment, destruction, poverty, sickness, banishment-"
The box kept saying the worst things that could have happened to the magical community, and the witch at the desk was peering at Harry, her nail file long forgotten.
"And to him we owe our lives." The box finished dramatically. "Thank you, Mr. Potter from the bottom of my heart…er…my core spell." The box sniffled.
Harry coughed impatiently and loudly. "Oh, yes, Access granted, of course." It said finally, and the door swung open.
Harry gratefully stepped in, then heard the nutty box call after him, "WAIT! Can I have your autograph?!"
~*~*~*~*
Maria brushed her long, black hair out and sighed contentedly. She suddenly heard a pop in the unused fireplace next to her vanity and started.
"Oh, good, Ria, you're home."
Maria's best friend, Alison's blonde head appeared in the flames.
"Do you want to come over and have dinner with me tonight?" Alison's blue eyes looked at her pleadingly.
"Sure, Ali." Maria said happily as she placed her brush on the tabletop.
"Promise?" Alison asked sharply.
"Yes…why?"
"Just promise."
Maria looked shrewdly at Alison. "Okay…"
"Great! Oh, Ria, I found the perfect guy for you!" Alison's head bobbed excitedly.
"Oh, no," Maria said, getting up and backing away from the fire. "No, Ali, no!"
"He's a good guy, I swear! He's Rob's boss!" Alison was referring to her husband, Rob, who was manager of the large, classy hotel in the small town, which was located near Sydney, Australia. "He's the one who actually owns the hotel!"
"So, in other words, 'Rob-needs-a-promotion-so-I-decided-to-fix-him-up-with- my-best-friend-who-happens-to-be-a-model', right Ali?" Maria glared at her best friend.
Alison looked guilty. "Well, you haven't been on a date in what, a year? Not since you're job transferred you here!"
Maria sighed and said, "Ali, haven't I told you-"
"Yes, yes, I know, Ria, that whole you're still in love with someone thing. If you love him so much, why don't you visit him?" Alison's tone abruptly changed from impatient to curious.
"Because I-I just can't. I'll explain it sometime." Maria sighed wearily and looked at her hands. "I suppose it would be okay, I mean, if it helps you and Rob, I'd do anything. Just don't try to get me to become attached." Maria looked back up at Alison.
There was pity in her eyes, but Alison smiled anyway. "Thanks, Ria. Just work that charm of yours!"
"What, walk down the street?" Maria joked.
Alison grinned. "Dinner's at six. See you then!"
"Bye," Maria said as she found a towel and made her way to the bathroom to take a quick shower. It was half past four already.
~*~*~*~*
An hour and a half later found Maria standing in front of her full-length mirror examining her robes. They were an off-white that came to about an inch or two above her knee. He tan skin looked beautiful compared to it. Her long, thick black hair was pulled halfway back in a silver barrette and her dark brown eyes were framed with black eyeliner and a light, creamy eye shadow.
She took in her appearance, still very not used to the coloring.
In reality, her coloring was very different.
In reality, her name was not Maria Carmon.
She pushed thoughts frequently from her past life away and forced herself to look straight ahead at the future.
Miserable with herself for bringing up her previous life again, Maria stomped down the stairs and Apparated to Alison's home.
"Auntie Ria!" An adorable, blonde three-year-old came running toward her the moment Maria appeared.
"Hello, Clara darling." Maria greeted, picking the little girl up. "How are you?" She inquired.
"Good, Auntie Ria. Mummy's in the kitchen, and she told me to tell you to go in and see her when you got here." Clara informed her, lisping at the s's so they sounded like th's.
Clara and Maria entered the kitchen where Alison was taking a gorgeous apple pie out of the oven.
"Mmm," Maria said as she smelled the delicious scent. "I do love your apple pies. Ali."
"Ria! You're here! And looked fabulous, as usual," Alison said as she examined Maria's robes.
"Thanks, so do you," Alison was wearing robes the same style but instead they were a stunning blue the color of her eyes.
"Thanks," Alison smiled. "Clara, why don't you go find Daddy?"
Clara grinned. "Okay, Mummy!" and scampered off.
Alison turned back to Maria. "Ria, I've been thinking…this is a bad idea. You are obviously troubled about someone you know and love from…where did you come from? Ottery St. Catchpole?" Alison was a native Englishwoman.
"Yes," Maria said, swallowing the lump in her throat.
"Well, there, and I don't think this is a good idea." She shook her head miserably. "I'm a terrible best friend, for pushing you like this when you're so obviously in love with someone else."
Maria hugged her tightly. "It's okay, Ali, I promise. I'll tell you about him, if you like."
Alison looked up at her. "Oh-would you? Is he wonderful?"
Suddenly, they heard the doorbell ring, following quickly by Rob's shout of, "I'll get it!"
"We can talk about this later, alright?" Maria said.
"Sure," Alison agreed. She removed her apron and walked into the front hall. A tall, muscular man who looked to be in his mid thirties was standing in the front hall, greeting Rob.
"Good to see you again, Rob," he boomed in an Australian accent as he forcefully shook Rob's hand.
"Yes, you too, Mr. Burke."
"Oh, please," Mr. Burke said, waiving a hand. "Call me Alex." He turned and caught sight of Alison and Maria.
"Mrs. Waldron, a pleasure to see you again," he said politely to Alison. He then saw Maria.
"Great Scott-is this Maria Carmon? The English supermodel?" He looked dumbstruck.
"Yes. It's a pleasure to meet you," Maria said, holding out a small hand.
"Just as beautiful as the pictures, if not more so," Alex said as he took her hand and kissed it.
Maria colored prettily. Alison looked on with discomfort. "Well, I have a wonderful meal planned! I hope you like steak, Alex!"
~*~*~*~*
"Oh, oh, ooooh!" Alison moaned. "I'm suuuch a bad friend!"
Alison and Maria were at Maria's house in their pajamas on Maria's bed, looking more like two seventeen-year-olds than anything else.
"It's okay, Ali! I promise!" Maria assured her for the billionth time.
Alison sniffed dramatically and then recovered. "Alright, Ria, spill. I want to hear all about the man your in love with."
Maria sat back on her pillows and tried to think of his appearance, not the times they had shared.
"Well, he was tall and very muscular. He was a Quidditch nut and was a year ahead of me at Hogwarts." She began.
"What position?" Alison asked, stuffing popcorn into her mouth.
"Seeker. He was the youngest in a century."
"Okay, what else?"
"He had black, very untidy hair and glasses," Maria closed her eyes.
"Yes? And?" Alison urged.
Her best friend really didn't understand what Maria was going through. How unbelievably painful it was to talk about her favorite part about him…
"Come on! What color eyes did he have?"
Maria opened her mouth, but nothing came out. She swallowed and tried again. "Green. They were-they were green!" Her voice broke and she began to sob uncontrollably.
Alison held her close until Maria had slowed down, and then she said quietly, "Maria, I doubt I've been through whatever you have, but it always helps to talk about things with my best friend when something is bothering me."
Maria pulled back and croaked, "Ali, I'll tell you the truth. But please, please don't hate me. You swear?"
Concern filled Alison's eyes. "Ria, you know you can tell me anything! I'll never hate you!"
"Even if I've been lying to you the entire time?" Maria said in a voice barely above a whisper.
"What?" Alison whispered.
"I'm not who you think I am, Ali," Maria said finally, looking Alison straight in the eyes.
Alison looked bewildered. "Then who are you?"
Maria sighed. She grabbed her wand off of her desk and pointed it at herself. "Finite Incantatem," she said clearly.
And before Allison's eyes, Maria's dark skin got paler and paler until it was a creamy white, and her black hair became a bright red. The only part of her that stayed the same was her chocolate brown eyes.
Alison's first instinct was to run, but her promise to Maria or whoever that was kept her in place. "Who are you?" She whispered.
"My name is Ginny Weasley."
Yes, it sucked, I know, but please review anyway.
Bella
The Power or Love
Chapter 4: A Visit to Australia
"Good morning, Mrs. Weasley." The guard at the entrance to the Ministry of Magic tilted his head respectively toward Hermione.
"Good morning, Harrison. I'm here with my husband, surely you know him?" Hermione gestured to Ron who was next to her.
"Of course! Head of the Department for the Control and Regulation of Magical Creatures!"
Ron grinned proudly. "Good to see you."
"And-Merlin's beard!" Harrison turned his gaze on Harry. "It isn't! It-it couldn't be! Is it?" He spluttered.
Harry stuck his hand out. "Harry Potter. Pleased to meet you."
Harrison went white. "Pleasure, Mr. Potter, a real pleasure! I read about your return in the Daily Prophet, but I must admit, I was skeptical! I couldn't even begin to-"
"Yes, yes, maybe you could talk to Harry later, Harrison." Hermione interrupted gently.
"Of-of course!" Harrison was still gaping at Harry.
This was Harry's first appearance in public, and he was surprised reporters weren't accosting him. Ron had showed him the Daily Prophet with the large picture of him on the front. Harry had given the members of the Weasley family permission to be interviewed, since the reporters had been lining up outside the door of the Burrow and cornering the Weasley's at work. Although they had been interviewed, Harry himself would have rather eaten his wand then been interviewed. He had gotten that all the time when he was in the Muggle world.
"Doesn't he need I.D.?" Ron asked quickly, seeing Harry's obvious discomfort.
"No, no, under normal circumstances, but of course, he's not normal-"
"Thank you Harrison," Hermione cut in as she walked in the huge marble building.
"Goodbye Mrs. Weasley! Mr. Weasley! Mr. Potter!" He called enthusiastically as they disappeared inside.
Ron grinned back at Harry. "Told you."
Harry scowled, but quickly smiled.
They were in a very large room that was circular. It was completely silent, and Harry was sure he would have been able to hear a pin drop on the other side. In the very center was a circular desk with a reception witch in the middle, looking very bored. She was smacking her gum and filing her shockingly pink nails.
Spaced around the huge room were doors, at least two hundred in all.
Hermione headed straight forward to a very, very large door. Now that Harry noticed it, all of the doors were varied sizes, but none quite as large as the one they were approaching.
Hermione noticed his looking and said, "The doors symbolize how large the departments are."
Harry spotted a very small door that he would have had to crawl in order to get through it. "What department is that?"
"The Department of Cauldron Bottoms." Hermione said matter-of-factly. Ron chortled.
"What?" Harry asked curiously.
"Well, you know how Percy is Minister?" Ron began, chuckling.
"Yes," Harry said slowly, wondering where this was going.
"Well, back in fourth year, he worked in the department of Magical Cooperation, and he was very interested in cauldron bottoms," Ron glanced at Hermione amusedly, "and he was promoted, so he got an assistant. His assistant became a friend of his, and he too was very interested in cauldron bottoms, so the first thing Perce did when he became Minister was to make a new department."
"So the reason it's so small is because there is only one person working in it?" Harry asked, a smile tugging the corners of his mouth.
"Yeah," Ron began chuckling again.
They reached the great door and Harry noticed a black box next to the door. Hermione stuck her wand into the bottom where there was a hole. Soon, the box flashed gold and a voice that sounded nothing like Muggle mechanical voices said, "Hermione Granger Weasley, Head of the Department of Magical Transportation. Access granted."
The door slid open and Hermione said, "Harry, just put your wand tip in and it can tell who you are. It reviews your wands history, therefore knowing who you are."
She stepped into the door and it immediately closed behind her.
Ron stepped up and put his wand in, and soon the box flashed orange. "Ronald Weasley, Head of the Department of the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. Access granted."
The door slid open once again and Ron turned to Harry and grinned. "See you in a minute, mate."
He disappeared and Harry walked up and pushed his wand into a little hole on the bottom. It took a longer time than the other's, but finally Harry heard it exclaim, "Merlin's beard!" None to quietly, and then it flashed bright silver said in a louder voice, "Harry Potter, Conqueror over the Dark Lord You-Know-Who many times, and the last effectively saving the Magical world from torment, destruction, poverty, sickness, banishment-"
The box kept saying the worst things that could have happened to the magical community, and the witch at the desk was peering at Harry, her nail file long forgotten.
"And to him we owe our lives." The box finished dramatically. "Thank you, Mr. Potter from the bottom of my heart…er…my core spell." The box sniffled.
Harry coughed impatiently and loudly. "Oh, yes, Access granted, of course." It said finally, and the door swung open.
Harry gratefully stepped in, then heard the nutty box call after him, "WAIT! Can I have your autograph?!"
~*~*~*~*
Maria brushed her long, black hair out and sighed contentedly. She suddenly heard a pop in the unused fireplace next to her vanity and started.
"Oh, good, Ria, you're home."
Maria's best friend, Alison's blonde head appeared in the flames.
"Do you want to come over and have dinner with me tonight?" Alison's blue eyes looked at her pleadingly.
"Sure, Ali." Maria said happily as she placed her brush on the tabletop.
"Promise?" Alison asked sharply.
"Yes…why?"
"Just promise."
Maria looked shrewdly at Alison. "Okay…"
"Great! Oh, Ria, I found the perfect guy for you!" Alison's head bobbed excitedly.
"Oh, no," Maria said, getting up and backing away from the fire. "No, Ali, no!"
"He's a good guy, I swear! He's Rob's boss!" Alison was referring to her husband, Rob, who was manager of the large, classy hotel in the small town, which was located near Sydney, Australia. "He's the one who actually owns the hotel!"
"So, in other words, 'Rob-needs-a-promotion-so-I-decided-to-fix-him-up-with- my-best-friend-who-happens-to-be-a-model', right Ali?" Maria glared at her best friend.
Alison looked guilty. "Well, you haven't been on a date in what, a year? Not since you're job transferred you here!"
Maria sighed and said, "Ali, haven't I told you-"
"Yes, yes, I know, Ria, that whole you're still in love with someone thing. If you love him so much, why don't you visit him?" Alison's tone abruptly changed from impatient to curious.
"Because I-I just can't. I'll explain it sometime." Maria sighed wearily and looked at her hands. "I suppose it would be okay, I mean, if it helps you and Rob, I'd do anything. Just don't try to get me to become attached." Maria looked back up at Alison.
There was pity in her eyes, but Alison smiled anyway. "Thanks, Ria. Just work that charm of yours!"
"What, walk down the street?" Maria joked.
Alison grinned. "Dinner's at six. See you then!"
"Bye," Maria said as she found a towel and made her way to the bathroom to take a quick shower. It was half past four already.
~*~*~*~*
An hour and a half later found Maria standing in front of her full-length mirror examining her robes. They were an off-white that came to about an inch or two above her knee. He tan skin looked beautiful compared to it. Her long, thick black hair was pulled halfway back in a silver barrette and her dark brown eyes were framed with black eyeliner and a light, creamy eye shadow.
She took in her appearance, still very not used to the coloring.
In reality, her coloring was very different.
In reality, her name was not Maria Carmon.
She pushed thoughts frequently from her past life away and forced herself to look straight ahead at the future.
Miserable with herself for bringing up her previous life again, Maria stomped down the stairs and Apparated to Alison's home.
"Auntie Ria!" An adorable, blonde three-year-old came running toward her the moment Maria appeared.
"Hello, Clara darling." Maria greeted, picking the little girl up. "How are you?" She inquired.
"Good, Auntie Ria. Mummy's in the kitchen, and she told me to tell you to go in and see her when you got here." Clara informed her, lisping at the s's so they sounded like th's.
Clara and Maria entered the kitchen where Alison was taking a gorgeous apple pie out of the oven.
"Mmm," Maria said as she smelled the delicious scent. "I do love your apple pies. Ali."
"Ria! You're here! And looked fabulous, as usual," Alison said as she examined Maria's robes.
"Thanks, so do you," Alison was wearing robes the same style but instead they were a stunning blue the color of her eyes.
"Thanks," Alison smiled. "Clara, why don't you go find Daddy?"
Clara grinned. "Okay, Mummy!" and scampered off.
Alison turned back to Maria. "Ria, I've been thinking…this is a bad idea. You are obviously troubled about someone you know and love from…where did you come from? Ottery St. Catchpole?" Alison was a native Englishwoman.
"Yes," Maria said, swallowing the lump in her throat.
"Well, there, and I don't think this is a good idea." She shook her head miserably. "I'm a terrible best friend, for pushing you like this when you're so obviously in love with someone else."
Maria hugged her tightly. "It's okay, Ali, I promise. I'll tell you about him, if you like."
Alison looked up at her. "Oh-would you? Is he wonderful?"
Suddenly, they heard the doorbell ring, following quickly by Rob's shout of, "I'll get it!"
"We can talk about this later, alright?" Maria said.
"Sure," Alison agreed. She removed her apron and walked into the front hall. A tall, muscular man who looked to be in his mid thirties was standing in the front hall, greeting Rob.
"Good to see you again, Rob," he boomed in an Australian accent as he forcefully shook Rob's hand.
"Yes, you too, Mr. Burke."
"Oh, please," Mr. Burke said, waiving a hand. "Call me Alex." He turned and caught sight of Alison and Maria.
"Mrs. Waldron, a pleasure to see you again," he said politely to Alison. He then saw Maria.
"Great Scott-is this Maria Carmon? The English supermodel?" He looked dumbstruck.
"Yes. It's a pleasure to meet you," Maria said, holding out a small hand.
"Just as beautiful as the pictures, if not more so," Alex said as he took her hand and kissed it.
Maria colored prettily. Alison looked on with discomfort. "Well, I have a wonderful meal planned! I hope you like steak, Alex!"
~*~*~*~*
"Oh, oh, ooooh!" Alison moaned. "I'm suuuch a bad friend!"
Alison and Maria were at Maria's house in their pajamas on Maria's bed, looking more like two seventeen-year-olds than anything else.
"It's okay, Ali! I promise!" Maria assured her for the billionth time.
Alison sniffed dramatically and then recovered. "Alright, Ria, spill. I want to hear all about the man your in love with."
Maria sat back on her pillows and tried to think of his appearance, not the times they had shared.
"Well, he was tall and very muscular. He was a Quidditch nut and was a year ahead of me at Hogwarts." She began.
"What position?" Alison asked, stuffing popcorn into her mouth.
"Seeker. He was the youngest in a century."
"Okay, what else?"
"He had black, very untidy hair and glasses," Maria closed her eyes.
"Yes? And?" Alison urged.
Her best friend really didn't understand what Maria was going through. How unbelievably painful it was to talk about her favorite part about him…
"Come on! What color eyes did he have?"
Maria opened her mouth, but nothing came out. She swallowed and tried again. "Green. They were-they were green!" Her voice broke and she began to sob uncontrollably.
Alison held her close until Maria had slowed down, and then she said quietly, "Maria, I doubt I've been through whatever you have, but it always helps to talk about things with my best friend when something is bothering me."
Maria pulled back and croaked, "Ali, I'll tell you the truth. But please, please don't hate me. You swear?"
Concern filled Alison's eyes. "Ria, you know you can tell me anything! I'll never hate you!"
"Even if I've been lying to you the entire time?" Maria said in a voice barely above a whisper.
"What?" Alison whispered.
"I'm not who you think I am, Ali," Maria said finally, looking Alison straight in the eyes.
Alison looked bewildered. "Then who are you?"
Maria sighed. She grabbed her wand off of her desk and pointed it at herself. "Finite Incantatem," she said clearly.
And before Allison's eyes, Maria's dark skin got paler and paler until it was a creamy white, and her black hair became a bright red. The only part of her that stayed the same was her chocolate brown eyes.
Alison's first instinct was to run, but her promise to Maria or whoever that was kept her in place. "Who are you?" She whispered.
"My name is Ginny Weasley."
Yes, it sucked, I know, but please review anyway.