Just One of Those Days: Part Two

Chapter Two

~*~Angel~*~

Last time:

            I looked around, our mystery attacker was nowhere to be seen, while the now open window let wind billow inside the room.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Victoria's POV:

            What the hell…?  How did he manage to escape?  Mum put him under the Attonbitus spell, he should be frozen.  One of the men from the Ministry apparently was having the same thoughts I was, "What the hell happened?" he asked to himself.  He then looked to me, "Girl, you're sure that your mother put him under a spell?" he asked me with great misgiving.

            I shot him a look, "Of course I'm sure, Mum put him under Attonbitus!  He was frozen in spot!  There's no way he could've gotten away!" I said rudely.  Then added, "And my name's Victoria, not girl!"

            He ignored my last comment, "If what you're saying is true he wouldn't be able to move!  The Attonbitus charm freezes the victim on spot, not allowing them to move until the caster reverses the spell," he informed me.  He thought for a moment, and then with an uncouth smile said, "Maybe Ms. Malfoy's magic isn't as powerful as it used to be…" he suggested.   "Maybe she should consider stepping down…" And by that comment alone I knew who he was.  It was Blaise Zabini, a cocky little bastard who graduated with Mum.  Both her and Dad were completely surprised when he got into the Ministry.  Neither thought that he had the grades to pull it off, I figured he must have used some bribes or threats, whichever came first.  But he still managed to get it.  Many thought that he was trying to get the latest news to pass on to the last of the Death Eaters, others actually believed he'd turned a new leaf, that he had come to the Light side.  Yeah right.  Nonetheless, he went straight for the top, aka, Mum's position; when she beat him to it, he wasn't very happy and ever since then he's been looking at any reason to get rid of her.

            "Mum's just as powerful as she's ever been, which, might I add, is more powerful then you could ever dream!  It wasn't her spell that was defective, it's more likely your lack of intelligence!" I snapped.

            "What do you mean by that, girl?" he asked in a dangerously low tone.

            "I mean, if you took a minute to think, you'd realize that someone must have taken the body!" I said.

            He narrowed his eyes, "That's highly unlikely…" he said through gritted teeth.

            "Why?  Someone could easily Apparate in here and Disapparate away, no one would get him then!"  I said.  How did this idiot manage to get into the Ministry?  He was so dumb!  How could he not stop and think about that.

            "Then why would the window be open?" he asked stupidly.

            "A diversion, you moron!  He obviously knew that brainless dunce like yourself would be coming to investigate and figure it would be a good way to throw you off the trail!" I was on the verge of shouting.

            Another from the Ministry seemed to agree with me, "I think she could be right Blaise, what she's saying makes a lot of sense…" he suggested, almost in a manner that was timid.

            Zabini shot him a look, "Shut it Finch-Fletchley!  No one asked for your opinion!" he snapped.  Ah yes, Justin Finch-Fletchley, he went into the Ministry as well…I think he also graduated with Mum and Dad.

            And speak of the devil, just then, Mum entered the room, "Is there a problem Blaise?" she asked, eyeing him suspiciously.

            "In fact there is, Ms. Malfoy…I believe your very loquacious daughter said you used the Attonbitus charm of the man that was suppose to be in this room, yet is obviously not?" he asked in sarcastic politeness.

            She nodded simply.

            "Then, where, may I ask, is he?" he asked in the same tone, looking around the room as if trying to find him.  I did note that he couldn't keep the sardonic smirk off his unsightly face.  He was loving this.  Stupid bastard.

            "Apparently he's not here Minister…" she said, as if pointing out the obvious. 

            "I see that Ms. Malfoy, but where is he?  Your spell is supposed to keep the victim from moving…" he said back, losing some of the politeness he once falsely held.

            "It is…" she replied calmly.

            "Then how…" once again, through gritted teeth, "…did he manage to escape?"

            "I assume someone must have Apparated and taken him," she said.

            "Told you!" I said immaturely.  Yeah, okay so I was acting like I was five instead of fifteen, but that's beside the point.

            Zabini was looking as though he was going to explode, he knew that both of us were right and that he wasn't, so now he had to lose graciously, something he didn't do very well.  But everyone's full of surprises, "Ms. Malfoy, perhaps there is some validity in what you're saying.  I expect you'll be looking it to this matter?" he asked, in a sort of cocky politeness.

            Mum nodded, "You expected correctly, Minister."

            "Then we shall be leaving, now that you don't need us any longer, and if you don't mind, we'll be taking Cecile with us," he said, walking out of the room, nose held high.  Justin Finch-Fletchley and his comrade following closely behind, each sending Mum a sympathetic look.

            When they were all out of hearing range, I looked to Mum, "I can't stand that man…" I told her.

            She smiled, "Understandable, love.  But get to bed, I'll put a protection charm around your room, it should help keep any unwanted visitors away," she said, kissing me on the forehead.

            I nodded and went to my room.  Tomorrow was going to be fun, despite tonight's misfortunes.

Next morning

            I woke up earlier than I usually do, at around six in the morning or so.  Diagon would be opening all the stores at seven, so I wanted to be ready right away.  I walked into the shower, the warm water waking me up.  I loved the smell of the shampoo, vanilla was one of my favorite scents. 

            As I stepped out, an overly large wool towel wrapped around my body, I noted that Tyon was sitting on my bed, a letter strapped to his leg.  I eagerly unfolded it and began to read:

"Tory-

            Hey, glad to hear that you're already in Diagon!  Dominic convinced Uncle Ron to take us early, we should be there by the start of the week!  Isabella doesn't want to come with us for some reason, she said she'd stay behind with Aunt Meredith, but Dominic, me, and Nicole will be coming! 

            Oh, and you were right, by the way, Nic and Bella's truce didn't last very long—Bella tried to ride Nic's racing broom, that didn't go over very well, they got into quite the row over it. 

            Well, we'll be seeing you on Monday then!  Don't do anything too exciting without us! 'Till then!

Love and hugs-

  James"

            I smiled, it would be good to see James and Dominic again.  Mum told me that I was just like she was when she went to Hogwarts.  She would be the only girl hanging out with Harry Potter and Ron Weasley, they were the famous Dream Team.  Now I hang out with James Potter and Dominic Weasley.  James looks just like his father, only minus the scar and glasses.  But he has the same sexy, messy black hair and the same beautiful emerald eyes.  He also had a few freckles that he inherited from his mother, Ginny.  He had a lean, strong body, probably from all the training we did for Quidditch (Megan Wood was just as bad as her father—she was a chaser, by the way).  Harry had been the Seeker, James is now a Beater, just like Dominic. 

            Dominic was a carbon copy of Fred or George, take your pick.  He had the fire red hair, the mischievous-sexy smirk that let you know he was up to no good, and could pull off the same 'I-didn't-do-anything-wrong' look when he had done the exact opposite.  He was adventurous and fun loving, but when he got mad, you didn't want to be around him.  He had the same temper as his father.  He didn't seem to inherit anything from his muggle mother (whose name was Meredith Smith, now Meredith Weasley), except the color of his eyes, they were an interesting shade of brown, with a little bit of green in them.

The three of us were all going to be fifth years, and I'm praying to whatever God there may be that I make prefect, James and Dominic are also hoping to be appointed. 

James' younger sister, Nicole is going to be a second year and is the cutest thing you've ever laid eyes on.  She had auburn curls that fell just above her shoulders and cinnamon eyes that could you make smile just by glancing at them.  Yet, unlike her father and brother, she was terrified of heights, just like her mother.  She loved Quidditch, but is much too afraid to actually fly on a broom. 

Dominic's sister Isabella is going to be a third year.  She, unfortunately, took a few too many characteristics from our Uncle Percy.  While she wasn't as bad as him, sometimes she was just too much to deal with.  She had, oddly enough, raven hair that ended a little after her shoulders, but if you've never been to the Burrow you wouldn't know.  Because aside from when she's at home, her hair mimics Professor McGonagall's; every day it's up in the same tight bun.  She had a pale complexion and dark, coal eyes, making her look a bit frightening if the moonlight hit her right.  She was taller than the average third year and hardly ate, making her quite lanky.  Which was really too bad, because if she wasn't so skinny she'd be rather pretty, in a mysterious kind of way. 

            But any way, it would be good to see them all again, so for now, I figured that I should just get my school shopping done.  Mum had my list of requirements and I was also hoping to get a new wand, the one I had now just wasn't working so great…

            I grabbed a gray Adidas t-shirt from inside my bag, the back read: Soccer Never Stops.  A saying I particularly liked for some reason, mainly because soccer didn't stop, not in my opinion anyway, though it had a time limit, the game never really ended.  Next, I pulled out a pair of my regular, slightly faded jeans that hugged my hips just right and the most comfortable things I owned.  I made Mum buy me four pairs so I could wear them every day.  Once I threw on my shoes and threw up my hair, I was out the door, running down the hall to meet my parents. 

            Mum was waiting in the lobby, Dad was just shutting the door.  He smiled as he saw me coming, "Ready to go pumpkin?" he asked.

            I scowled, "Yes Dad, and stop me 'pumpkin'!" I said, though I couldn't help but smile as he laughed.

            "Right, right, any way, your mother's all set, we should head out then, where do you want to stop first?" he asked, sending a smile to my mother.  I sighed, they always did that, flirted when they didn't think I was looking.  Part of me was grateful that my parents hadn't lost interest in each other, the rest of me just wished they'd stop shagging every other night, thinking I was asleep or couldn't hear them.  They're not as quite as they thought, especially Dad.

            "I think we should go to Ollivanders first, I want to try out a new wand, the one I have now just doesn't seem right…" I said.

            Mum nodded, "Alright then, love.  That'll be our first stop, let's go then," she said, taking hold of Dad's hand and giving it a little squeeze; they each exchanged a mischievous glance and Dad licked his lips.

            "Would you two not do that in public, please…?" I asked sternly, taking my next few steps at a faster pace, getting ahead of them.  I didn't look back, but I could tell Mum was blushing because of the way Dad kept laughing.  I smiled.

            I glanced at my wristwatch, it was 7:10, all the stores should be open by now.  So while Mum tried to hide her embarrassment, I'd go shop for a new wand.  I walked into the store, it was still as narrow and shabby as it had always been.  The gold letters that read 'Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C.' were still peeling from the door, the same bell still tinkled as you entered, it was still rather empty except for that one chair.  The only thing that had changed was the owner, instead of the old man with the pale, wide eyes that would sneak up behind you, was his son.  A young, flirtatious man that was nothing like his father.  He walked into the room, a smile on his face, "Ah, Victoria Malfoy, how are you, my dear?" he asked, his voice as smooth as silk.  He sent me a wink as he brushed a lock of his black tresses out of his face.

            I couldn't help but smile, "I'm fine sir, and you?" I asked politely.

            "Never been better, you know it always brightens my day when a lovely young lady like yourself comes to visit!" he said cheerily.  "But tell me, my dear, what can I do for you?"

            "I need a new wand Mr. Ollivander, mine just doesn't feel right, I was thinking maybe I could try a few of yours?" I asked.

            He nodded, "Of course, any thing for a beauty!" he said, reaching for a box.  "Try this one," he handed me a wand.  "It's maple and phoenix feathers, seven inches, quite whippy!"

            I gave it a swish, but nothing happened, "Nope, not this one…" I said with a sigh.

            "No need to be discouraged, I have plenty of wands, let me see yours…" I gave it to him.  "Ah, yes, ebony and unicorn hair.  Nine and a half inches, a bit springy…hmmm…give it a wave, let me see the effects…" he said.  I did, and though there were a few sparks from the end of my wand, it wasn't like when I first got it.  It had made me feel so powerful, like I could take on Dumbledore himself (who, yes, oddly enough, still is the Headmaster at Hogwarts).  But now, now it was just kind of there, the warm feeling that I always got when I took hold of it wasn't there any more.  He noted my look, "Yes, yes, I see what you mean…not like it was five years ago, eh?  Well, let's find you a new one…" And with that he went back to searching; within about five minutes he brought out three different wands.  "I think one of these will do…" he said, handing me one.  "Another maple, this one is, eight inches, bendy…"

            I gave it a wave like I had done previously, yet still, nothing happened.  "Let's try another, shall we?" I said, smiling as he handed me a second wand.

            "This one has not yet found in owner, it has been here since before my great-great-great-great-grandfather, and still has not found an owner…" he said almost sadly.  "Oak, twelve inches, a combination of two unicorn hairs, one phoenix tail feather, and the heartstrings of a dragon.  Very peculiar wand, this one is, but I think it's meant for you," he said.

            "Why?"

            "Because you are quite the peculiar girl!" he said as if stating the obvious.

            I laughed, though I wasn't too sure if he was joking or not.  No more words were spoken as he handed me the wand.  And in an instant it was like electricity was shooting through my body, waves of it ran through my very veins.  I gave it a swish and the effects were unbelievable, a gust of wind shot through the air, knocking both Mr. Ollivander and myself off our feet.  I landed hard on my back, right into the wall…ow…okay…that hurt.  I got up, wiping the dust off my clothes and looked for Mr. Ollivander, who was in the same position I was in seconds ago.  "Are you alright?" I asked, giving him a hand up.

            He nodded, "Yes, a bit shaken, but not stirred…" he said, and to my surprise, he was still smiling.  "Looks like it's found its owner!" he stated, giving me a peck on the cheek.  "I've wanted to do that the first day I met you!" he said.

            I giggled, "Thanks Mr. Ollivander!" I paid him the eight gold Galleons for it and left, hoping to meet up with my parents.  Mum was standing by Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions.  I waved to her, "Hey Mum!" I shouted.

            She saw me and waved back, "Hello, love!  Everything go well?  Find a good wand?" she asked.

            "Yeah, I'm all set there, now I just need robes, books, and maybe a few other little things and I'll be all set!" I said.

            She smiled, "Well, your father's getting your books, so let's get you fitted, shall we?"

            I nodded, "Right, let's go," and with that we entered the shop. 

            Madam Malkin was a squat, smiling witch dressed all in mauve, "Hogwarts?" she asked, her tone very kind and gentle.

            "Yes," I replied.

            "You're quite early, but don't worry, there are a few other students here too, I have them being fitted right as we speak," she went to the back of the shop and gestured for me to follow.  I did, Mum telling me she'd just be looking around.  In the back of the store, were three people I didn't want to see, Blaise Zabini's son, Garrett and Vincent Crabbe's daughters, Grace and Dove.

            Despite the fact that Garrett's father and mother (who happened to be Pansy Parkinson) were the most unsightly people I had ever seen, they managed to produce a son who was quite the looker.  Garrett had spiky brown hair with highlights of blond running through it.  He had a pale face and deep brown eyes that normally would have been rather stunning, if of course, they didn't belong to him.  He was the Slytherin Seeker and with all the training he did, it kept him in shape just like it did James or Dominic.  So, even though I'd rather not admit it, he was very attractive.  And the little bastard knew it.

            Grace and Dove were twins, and neither resembled their names.  They were the daughters of Vincent Crabbe and Millicent Bulstrode and even though their parents were giant lumps of dumb, Grace and Dove were lanky, pug faced little brats.  They each had disgustingly greasy black hair and gray-blue eyes.  Their laugh was shrill and bitter and they used it as often as possible.  Unfortunately though, they weren't as dumb as I thought they'd turn out to be.  While neither outwitted me in anything and weren't even close, they did outwit some of my fellow Gryffindors and friends, so I never dared to insult them in the level of intelligence.

            "Well, well, if it isn't Victoria Malfoy…" Garrett said, leering at me.  Grace and her sister each started giggling.

            "Very good Garrett, I'm impressed, now can you tell me what day it is?" I shot back.  He merely smirked.  An attendant came over and asked me to stand on a stool as she slipped a robe over my head.  I stayed silent as she began to pin it to the right lengths.

            "So Malfoy…why are you here early?" Grace asked rudely.

            "I don't think that's any of your business," I stated, not bothering to look at her.

            She scowled and began to whisper things to her sister, I could catch words like "unsightly", "bitch", and other things like that.  Things I didn't care about.  When Garrett was done being fitted he walked over to me, "Why are you here Malfoy?" he asked seriously.

            "As I told tweedle-dee and tweedle-dumb, it's none of your business," I said, casting him a look.  I was surprised that my attendant hadn't asked us to behave, instead she merely told me that she was done and she'd go and fit several other robes like that and they'd be ready in a matter of moments.  I stepped down from the stool and pulled the robe over my head, folding it.  Garrett was still standing there, "What do you want?" I asked impatiently.

            "An answer, why are you here so early?" he repeated.

            "It's none of your business, Zabini!" I went to walk away, but he grabbed my arm forcefully and pulled me back.

            "I want an answer Malfoy!  Us purebloods don't like to be ignored and while you're a halfblood, you've still got some of that Mudblood mother in you!" he said in a deadly low tone.  "You should watch what you say to people as important as me!"

            I pulled away, "Yeah?  Well my Mudblood mother is your pureblood father's boss!  Maybe it's you who should be watching what they say!" With that, I stormed off to find Mum.

            She was at the register, smiling as I walked back, my robes in my hand, "Hey, love!  Dad's got your books and waiting outside," she said.  I smiled back, I loved my Mum more then anything, so it really burned me up to hear people like Garrett call her a mudblood.  I knew full well what it meant, and I couldn't stand it, she was just as good as all those pureblooded wizards, better actually.  So why did people always bust her like they did?

            "Thanks Mum!" and to her surprise, I gave her a hug.

            "What was that for?" she asked, paying for my robes.

            "No reason," I replied.  We walked outside, Dad was standing there with my cauldron, full of books and in his hands a snow-white cat with a brown patch over its left eye.  My mouth dropped, "Dad!  She's beautiful!  It is a she right?" I asked. 

            He nodded, "Yes and her name is Nera," he replied, handing her to me.  She jumped into my arms and immediately started purring and from that moment, I knew I'd love this cat.  "I think she likes you," Dad said, putting an arm around Mum.

            "I'd say so," a voice from behind him said.  One that I knew so well, but wasn't expecting to hear until later.  And there, following my dad, stood the infamous James Potter and Dominic Weasley.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

            Hey sorry that took so long, but like I said, my track coach is insane, I don't leave my school until 6:30 or 7 at night!  That's NUTS!  But it's okay, cause he's a good coach and he knows what he's talking about!  Any way, the third chapter is almost done, I'm proof-reading it and maybe adding a little more, I haven't decided yet!  Hope to get loads-o-reviews!  Thanks bunchies! 

Peace out

~*~Angel~*~