Ch. 2- A Day in the Town
Virginia submerged herself into the crowds of people, following the top of Mrs. Barrett's silvery hair. She didn't bother to catch up with Mrs. Barrett. After all, this place seemed too much like home for her to possibly get lost in. It was so cheerful here; everyone was smiling and chattering amiably. Of course, there were still your everyday arguments and the average morning rush, but over all, the atmosphere was a happy one. Plus, Tristan was walking closely behind her. She could feel his presence, even in this busy street, but she was no longer nervous by it.
She kind of hoped their friendship might turn into something more, but that was unlikely. After all, she was just scrawny, pale faced Ginny Weasley, sister of Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fred, George, and Ron. Nothing more. Nothing less. Either way, she was glad to have met a new friend at the very least. Tristan seemed to like her well enough and there was no harm in hoping for more.
Mrs. Barrett told her that they would visit Zion Alley first, an all magical alley, to retrieve the books for Virginia's studies. Then, Tristan had promised to show her Anthericum Court, where, she would find the flower markets, old shops, and tons of muggles.
Zion Alley was a long cobblestone road, with little shops up and down its sides. Of course, there was a newer, renovated area further on, but Ginny thought the older part was charming. First, they walked into a store with so many shelves that it was almost impossible to see the walls.
Mrs. Barrett picked up a few books, while Tristan and Virginia perused the store. Then, after finding some potions ingredients for Ginny in the apothecary, Mrs. Barrett said that it was time she headed back home to make lunch. She implored Tristan to have Virginia home in time for lunch. She departed, leaving Tristan and Ginny alone to explore the Courts.
Tristan out his arm to Ginny and she took it giggling softly.
Tall brick buildings with balconies lined the sides of the one way road.
"This is where most of the muggles live," he informed her.
There were many people on bikes and on foot, but not many vehicles in this particular part of town. Flowers seemed to be pouring forth from everywhere. It was one of the most beautiful things Ginny had ever seen.
Their first stop was a muggle bookshop. Ginny walked in with a sigh, not expecting to really see anything of interest. She hadn't wanted to complain though when she saw the expression on Tristan's face. It was obvious he loved this store.
To her surprise, she found that the muggle bookshop was very different from any she had ever been in. The stories here were so, different- but good different. Some of them were horrifying. Some were funny. And others seemed to portray a world, not unlike hers, but with so many errors that it was comical.
While searching the back shelf, she fell in love with an old hardback filled with fairytales. It had all the classics: Cinderella, Snow White, The Ugly Duckling, Sleeping Beauty, The Little Mermaid, you know, all the books everyone, except Ginny, knew of. She knew it was rather silly of her, but she decided to buy it. After all, it WAS second hand and her mother and father HAD given her extra money.
Once they had reemerged into the fresh air, Ginny turned to Tristan. "I never expected to find so many interesting books in one place, especially a muggle shop. I'm not normally into books, but that was really neat."
"I'm glad you liked it." He said politely.
Then, they walked into a store called Madame Rosato's. At first sight, Ginny knew she would love the place. It was filled with assorted treasures, or as some people might call it, junk. She decided to check out the muggle clothes in the back, as she was seriously lacking.
Tristan agreed to meet her at the front in ten minutes. She finally decided on some baggy flare jeans and a spaghetti strap shirt. When she was done making her purchases, she found Tristan waiting with a small bag in his hands at the front of the store.
"Hey, what did you get?" He asked her, eyeing the bag.
"Oh, just some muggle clothes, I figure if I am going to be here for the summer I can't exactly manage off of this one pair of jeans and t-shirt."
"Ah, I see."
"So, what'd you get?" She asked curiously.
"Well," he said slowly. "Something special but that is all I'm going to say for now."
She continued to question him, her curiosity growing, but he still refused to answer any questions. She finally gave up and decided to enjoy the view. They meandered along until they came upon the inner courts, where a big fountain stood. The cool water gushed forth from the top and water lilies floated peacefully in the lower pool. They decided to sit down on the edge to rest.
Ginny was staring into the reflecting surface when she felt warm hand slide around her neck. She started slightly, then realized it was only Tristan. She felt a cool metal slide around her neck. When she looked down, she discovered a beautiful necklace with an amulet hanging there. The stone glowed ever so slightly.
Tristan glanced at it and smiled broadly. "Aha, I thought it might be magical! So, do you like it?"
"Yes, it's beautiful." Ginny gushed, staring at the blood red stone.
She reached over and gave him a hug, a little surprised at her own daring. Their eyes met, his chocolaty brown ones melting into her piercing blue ones. After a second, she turned away uncomfortably.
He said mildly, "We really ought to be heading home soon."
"You're probably right," she said softly, feeling as though she had messed something up.
Just as they had gotten to their feet, a balcony came falling from one of the buildings with a loud crash of metal. A man on a bike had narrowly avoided being smothered. Then suddenly, the street split open, as though there were an earthquake.
Virginia and Tristan looked fearfully around for the source of the trouble. Their eyes landed on several men dressed in black cloaks standing in a tight circle. They were obviously death eaters. They had their wands out and were causing pandemonium everywhere. Most of the muggles were so confused as to what was causing the trouble, that they didn't stand a chance.
Virginia knew she should run for her life, but something held her to her spot. It was as if she was paralyzed. She couldn't bear to leave these defenseless people behind. The rational part of her brain told her that they could run just as well as she could, but she quashed the thought. After all, they didn't even know what they were running from.
When the chamber of secrets had been opened, Harry had risked his own life for hers. Shouldn't she bestow the same courtesy upon these people? These people- who were even more defenseless than a little first year with a diary?
The men heading her way. It was too late to run. Tristan tried to pull her into hiding behind a statue. She moved behind it, but not to hide. She took her wand from her jeans pocket and raised it. Using the statue as a shield, she shot curse after curse at the foul men.
At first, they ignored her and continued to torture the muggles, but she was like a fly ever present and annoying. One of the men impatiently shot the cruciatus curse at her. She ducked it, and it rebounded off the statue and back onto the man. He was not amused. He ended the curse and shot 'avada kedavra' towards her. It was coming towards her quicker than she could move. Suddenly, she could see her life in slow motion. The green light coming closer, then suddenly it was intercepted as a body- not just any body- flew through the air. It was Tristan. The curse hit him dead on and he fell- never to rise again.
Ginny felt a wave of cold travel up her spine. Then, it turned to fire. She had never been so angry in her life! She fired every curse she had ever learned at the death eaters. When she was done, a few of them lie on the ground among with the dead, unconscious.
The remaining death eaters formed a circle around her, ready to torture and finish her off. Fortunately, the magical hit squad apparated on site. With one last parting shot, the death eaters disapparated away. But Ginny could see the green light rushing towards her. She knew it was the end; it was aimed right at her chest. There was no one to save her this time. The impact of it socked her in the chest and she fell.
FYI: Anthericum is the name of a flower, I was actually searching for the name of a French flower, but I liked this one too much. Then Zion(in this particular use of the word) is like an utopia, a perfect society with the perfect political system. Yes, I am aware it does kinda sound like Diagon Alley, but I didn't realize that until after I had chosen it. Lol.
AN: This was such a fun chapter to write, I hope you like it! So what's the deal? Are Ginny and Tristan really dead?! To find out, tune in next time to Summer in France.
Feedback please? R/R!! Also, if anyone would like to offer to beta, I'd be more than happy to let you! Thanks!
Virginia submerged herself into the crowds of people, following the top of Mrs. Barrett's silvery hair. She didn't bother to catch up with Mrs. Barrett. After all, this place seemed too much like home for her to possibly get lost in. It was so cheerful here; everyone was smiling and chattering amiably. Of course, there were still your everyday arguments and the average morning rush, but over all, the atmosphere was a happy one. Plus, Tristan was walking closely behind her. She could feel his presence, even in this busy street, but she was no longer nervous by it.
She kind of hoped their friendship might turn into something more, but that was unlikely. After all, she was just scrawny, pale faced Ginny Weasley, sister of Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fred, George, and Ron. Nothing more. Nothing less. Either way, she was glad to have met a new friend at the very least. Tristan seemed to like her well enough and there was no harm in hoping for more.
Mrs. Barrett told her that they would visit Zion Alley first, an all magical alley, to retrieve the books for Virginia's studies. Then, Tristan had promised to show her Anthericum Court, where, she would find the flower markets, old shops, and tons of muggles.
Zion Alley was a long cobblestone road, with little shops up and down its sides. Of course, there was a newer, renovated area further on, but Ginny thought the older part was charming. First, they walked into a store with so many shelves that it was almost impossible to see the walls.
Mrs. Barrett picked up a few books, while Tristan and Virginia perused the store. Then, after finding some potions ingredients for Ginny in the apothecary, Mrs. Barrett said that it was time she headed back home to make lunch. She implored Tristan to have Virginia home in time for lunch. She departed, leaving Tristan and Ginny alone to explore the Courts.
Tristan out his arm to Ginny and she took it giggling softly.
Tall brick buildings with balconies lined the sides of the one way road.
"This is where most of the muggles live," he informed her.
There were many people on bikes and on foot, but not many vehicles in this particular part of town. Flowers seemed to be pouring forth from everywhere. It was one of the most beautiful things Ginny had ever seen.
Their first stop was a muggle bookshop. Ginny walked in with a sigh, not expecting to really see anything of interest. She hadn't wanted to complain though when she saw the expression on Tristan's face. It was obvious he loved this store.
To her surprise, she found that the muggle bookshop was very different from any she had ever been in. The stories here were so, different- but good different. Some of them were horrifying. Some were funny. And others seemed to portray a world, not unlike hers, but with so many errors that it was comical.
While searching the back shelf, she fell in love with an old hardback filled with fairytales. It had all the classics: Cinderella, Snow White, The Ugly Duckling, Sleeping Beauty, The Little Mermaid, you know, all the books everyone, except Ginny, knew of. She knew it was rather silly of her, but she decided to buy it. After all, it WAS second hand and her mother and father HAD given her extra money.
Once they had reemerged into the fresh air, Ginny turned to Tristan. "I never expected to find so many interesting books in one place, especially a muggle shop. I'm not normally into books, but that was really neat."
"I'm glad you liked it." He said politely.
Then, they walked into a store called Madame Rosato's. At first sight, Ginny knew she would love the place. It was filled with assorted treasures, or as some people might call it, junk. She decided to check out the muggle clothes in the back, as she was seriously lacking.
Tristan agreed to meet her at the front in ten minutes. She finally decided on some baggy flare jeans and a spaghetti strap shirt. When she was done making her purchases, she found Tristan waiting with a small bag in his hands at the front of the store.
"Hey, what did you get?" He asked her, eyeing the bag.
"Oh, just some muggle clothes, I figure if I am going to be here for the summer I can't exactly manage off of this one pair of jeans and t-shirt."
"Ah, I see."
"So, what'd you get?" She asked curiously.
"Well," he said slowly. "Something special but that is all I'm going to say for now."
She continued to question him, her curiosity growing, but he still refused to answer any questions. She finally gave up and decided to enjoy the view. They meandered along until they came upon the inner courts, where a big fountain stood. The cool water gushed forth from the top and water lilies floated peacefully in the lower pool. They decided to sit down on the edge to rest.
Ginny was staring into the reflecting surface when she felt warm hand slide around her neck. She started slightly, then realized it was only Tristan. She felt a cool metal slide around her neck. When she looked down, she discovered a beautiful necklace with an amulet hanging there. The stone glowed ever so slightly.
Tristan glanced at it and smiled broadly. "Aha, I thought it might be magical! So, do you like it?"
"Yes, it's beautiful." Ginny gushed, staring at the blood red stone.
She reached over and gave him a hug, a little surprised at her own daring. Their eyes met, his chocolaty brown ones melting into her piercing blue ones. After a second, she turned away uncomfortably.
He said mildly, "We really ought to be heading home soon."
"You're probably right," she said softly, feeling as though she had messed something up.
Just as they had gotten to their feet, a balcony came falling from one of the buildings with a loud crash of metal. A man on a bike had narrowly avoided being smothered. Then suddenly, the street split open, as though there were an earthquake.
Virginia and Tristan looked fearfully around for the source of the trouble. Their eyes landed on several men dressed in black cloaks standing in a tight circle. They were obviously death eaters. They had their wands out and were causing pandemonium everywhere. Most of the muggles were so confused as to what was causing the trouble, that they didn't stand a chance.
Virginia knew she should run for her life, but something held her to her spot. It was as if she was paralyzed. She couldn't bear to leave these defenseless people behind. The rational part of her brain told her that they could run just as well as she could, but she quashed the thought. After all, they didn't even know what they were running from.
When the chamber of secrets had been opened, Harry had risked his own life for hers. Shouldn't she bestow the same courtesy upon these people? These people- who were even more defenseless than a little first year with a diary?
The men heading her way. It was too late to run. Tristan tried to pull her into hiding behind a statue. She moved behind it, but not to hide. She took her wand from her jeans pocket and raised it. Using the statue as a shield, she shot curse after curse at the foul men.
At first, they ignored her and continued to torture the muggles, but she was like a fly ever present and annoying. One of the men impatiently shot the cruciatus curse at her. She ducked it, and it rebounded off the statue and back onto the man. He was not amused. He ended the curse and shot 'avada kedavra' towards her. It was coming towards her quicker than she could move. Suddenly, she could see her life in slow motion. The green light coming closer, then suddenly it was intercepted as a body- not just any body- flew through the air. It was Tristan. The curse hit him dead on and he fell- never to rise again.
Ginny felt a wave of cold travel up her spine. Then, it turned to fire. She had never been so angry in her life! She fired every curse she had ever learned at the death eaters. When she was done, a few of them lie on the ground among with the dead, unconscious.
The remaining death eaters formed a circle around her, ready to torture and finish her off. Fortunately, the magical hit squad apparated on site. With one last parting shot, the death eaters disapparated away. But Ginny could see the green light rushing towards her. She knew it was the end; it was aimed right at her chest. There was no one to save her this time. The impact of it socked her in the chest and she fell.
FYI: Anthericum is the name of a flower, I was actually searching for the name of a French flower, but I liked this one too much. Then Zion(in this particular use of the word) is like an utopia, a perfect society with the perfect political system. Yes, I am aware it does kinda sound like Diagon Alley, but I didn't realize that until after I had chosen it. Lol.
AN: This was such a fun chapter to write, I hope you like it! So what's the deal? Are Ginny and Tristan really dead?! To find out, tune in next time to Summer in France.
Feedback please? R/R!! Also, if anyone would like to offer to beta, I'd be more than happy to let you! Thanks!
