Just One of Those Days: Part Two
Chapter Five
~*~Angel~*~
Last time:
"I think Orlando felt it too, but besides that, you know Tory, she always attracts trouble. And if she doesn't, it usually finds her." He had a point their. I loved Tory to pieces, but she was always the reason for us getting into trouble or why we lose points.
"Fine, but hurry up now, I want to go."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Tory's POV:
I was back in my room, putting the last of my things away. Fawkes was sitting in a chair in the corner, eyeing a robin that was perched outside on the windowsill. I noted that Fawkes almost looked angry. What? Afraid he's got a little competition?
I pulled out a piece of parchment, I had to write back to Dumbledore, he'd want a reply soon.
Dear Headmaster-I received your letter with Fawkes this morning. I'll be finishing my shopping and then heading straight to Hogwarts. I should warn you ahead of time, though, I'm also brining with me James Potter, Dominic Weasley, and Warren and Orlando Weasley. Mum and Dad are also coming. Thanks for appointing me as a prefect! See you when I see you!
-Tory
With that done, I broke off a piece of my breakfast biscuit and tossed it to Fawkes, who almost didn't catch it, he was still too busy glaring at the petit robin. I laughed, "What's up with you Fawkes? It's just a robin…" I headed to the window to open it, but reeled back when Fawkes let out a frightful cry. "Fawkes! What's your malfunction?" Just because I'm stubborn and now a little annoyed with the Headmaster's beautiful, yet indecisive phoenix, I decided to piss him off. Before he could cry out again, the window was open and the robin had flown straight to my bedpost. "See?" I said. "Nothing to be upset about."
Right as the word "about" left my mouth, all hell let loose. And oddly enough, it was all caused by that one little robin, who at that moment in time decided to go completely haywire.
My eyes didn't move fast enough to see where the robin was going, all I could pick out was a blur of red. He was like a shark circling its prey, and the scary thing was, I was his prey.
Then I felt it.
It was small and for the most part painless. A small scratch on my left arm. I could feel blood running down, but I was more concerned with finding that wretched little brat then my wound! I saw another blur out of the corner of my eye, but not before he cut my face, this wound deeper than the last. "Hold still you little shit!" I shouted to the last spot I had seen him.
That, unfortunately, only fueled him to go faster. Soon it came to the point where I didn't have time to feel one cut, because he'd given me another. This was getting preposterous! My shirt was becoming shreds, and my shorts weren't far behind! My arms and legs were dripping with blood along with my face.
And then, as if time slowed down, I saw him. Flying straight for my face, claws out. But time hadn't slowed down and I was about to get a nasty little cut someplace if I didn't do something! My wand…where was it? I reached for my pockets, shit! Not there? Did I pack it? My mind went blank, I didn't know where it was, I didn't know what to do!
To my partial relief, I heard the door open, but to my dismay, whoever it was, wasn't fast enough to stop that blasted bird from sending it's three razor sharp claws to my right eye.
And then, everything went black.
Warren's POV:
So I had packed all my stuff and ready to go. Originally, I was waiting for my brother, but you know me, I don't like staying in one place for long periods of time and I don't like waiting. So, why not go see what's taking Tory so long.
I wondered into the hall, leaving my stuff by my open door. "Tory…?" I asked curiously with a smile. "Tory, love, where are ya?" I asked again. Then was kind of surprised to find her door opened slightly. I opened it all the way, "Tory?" I was beginning to get a little worried.
And my fears where confirmed as I saw that Tawny chick laying over a very bloody Tory. "What the hell did you do to her?" I demanded, running to her and kneeling down by her side. Tawny didn't reply. I grabbed her shoulders, "I said, what happened, what did you do?" I said sternly.
She still remained silent, this time waving someone over. Or well, something I suppose. Fawkes was in the room. He flew to her as requested. They exchanged looks and without words they seemed to be thinking the same thing.
Fawkes' eyes began to water and salty tears ran down his cheeks, falling onto Tory's broken body. Her cuts started to disappear, the bruises were fading, and her skin stopped looking so pale. Another tear fell, this one onto her face. Both her cheeks were cut, along with her forehead, and she had three terrible gashes on her right eye. All those vanished, except the one of the cuts on her eye. It looked to be the worst of all and the cut was congealed, but there was still a very visible slash mark scar going down from a little below her eyebrow, down the center of her eyelid, and stopping right above her cheekbone.
Fawkes' eyes dried and he no longer was crying; Tawny was smiling and stroking Tory's curly main of hair. My index finger ran gingerly over her newly made scar, "What happened?" I asked in a whisper, still astonished at whatever the answer was going to be.
"An illegal Animagus," she answered simply. I looked up at her, taken aback. She continued, "There seem to be more and more of them these days, legal or otherwise…" she was dodging my eyes as she spoke. "…He was in the form of a robin, or at least I think it was a he, but he got away before I could pull out my wand. Fawkes tried to chase him, but I wouldn't allow it. I needed him to heal Tory," she explained, and that's when she finally looked at me.
She was very pretty, I'll admit that. Much prettier than any girl I had ever seen, Tory included. But she gave me the creeps and I couldn't help but get this tinge of déjà vu with her. That fair skin that would make Snow White look like a joke, the left eye covered by strands of brown hair that were softer than silk. Where had I seen it before…?
Before any thing else happened, Tory stirred and a moan escaped her lips. My attention was immediately drawn to her, instead of the mysterious Tawny. "Tory, love? Are you alright?" I tried not to sound worried.
Her eyes opened slowly, and she looked around. God, I was so happy to see those beautiful auburn eyes looking back at me. "Wh-what happened…?" she asked, her voice cracking. I've always considered myself a man and my motto was men shouldn't cry. But I couldn't help the tears that started to pool in my eyes as I embraced her. She returned it, surprised, but returned it nonetheless. Then said, "Uh…Warren? Love, I can't breath…"
I immediately let go, "Oh, heh, sorry about that one." She tried to get up and, despite Fawkes ability to heal, she was still very sore. Tawny and I each took an arm and helped her to her feet. "How do you feel?" I asked as she steady herself.
"Like I was attacked by a rabid robin…" she replied, holding her head. "Oh…I've got such a headache," she headed for her suitcase and pulled out some kind of bottle. Noting my confused look, she said, "Advil, muggle medicine, it helps for aches like these." I simply nodded. She walked into the bathroom, filled a glass of water, and downed two pills. When she looked into the mirror, she was much calmer than I thought she'd be. "WHAT THE BLOODY HELL HAPPENED TO MY EYE!?!"
"The 'rabid robin' happened to your eye," I answered, walking into the bathroom as she mimicked a movement I had done earlier, running her index finger over the scar. "Fawkes cried and got most of your cuts and bruises, but that one was so deep that not even a phoenix's tears could heal it fully."
For a moment she looked a bit upset, but then, like always, a smile appeared on her face. "Well…if you take a second, it's really kind of cool…" she said, now admiring her 'battle wound.'
I shrugged, "I suppose so…"
She raced out of the room saying, "We'll get a girl's opinion on this one! Hey Tawny—" but she wasn't there, the only ones in the room were her, me, and Fawkes. "Where'd she go?"
Again I shrugged, "Beats me, but I really don't care too much either, she kind of gives me the creeps, if you know what I mean." I walked over to Tory's bed and sat down, tossing the bottle of Advil back into her bag. "Hey love, where—Ow!" something just scratched me! And out from underneath her bed popped Nera, her new cat.
Tory walked over, "Nera…!" she said in an almost baby voice. "Come here kitten…" and Nera obeyed instantly. Tory got down on her knees and the little snowballed cat jumped onto them and started purring softly. "How are ya babe?" Tory asked, scratching the cat's ears.
I frowned, "Tory, she scratched me!" I whined.
"Cry about it."
"I will," I pouted.
"You would," she replied rolling her eyes, but smiling still. "Maybe she just doesn't like you, or maybe you were in her way," she said.
"Don't you start taking sides with that cat…" I said.
Just then Hermione walked in, "She gets it from me, I was just like that with Crookshanks when I was her age, you wouldn't believe all the fights Ron and I got into over him," she said. She walked over to Tory, "Almost packed love?" but as she looked at her daughter's eye, she gasped, "Victoria! What happened to your eye?" she asked.
Tory took a deep breath and explained everything, I filled in the parts when Tory was unconscious. "And then I woke up," she finished.
"Oh my dear, Tory! I can't believe that…A robin?" she asked, still looking at her daughter's eye.
"Actually," I added. "Tawny was here and she says that it was an illegal Animagus…"
Aunt Hermione looked around, "Where is she? Where's this Tawny?" she asked.
I shrugged, "Dunno, she left while Tory and I were in the bathroom. Makes me wonder though…how did she know the robin was an illegal Animagus?" I said.
"She was probably just guessing," Tory said, waving it off. "Any way, it doesn't really matter, Tawny's the one who saved me, not attacked me; let's just go, I'm all packed now and I want to see what all the fuss is up at Hogwarts and why Dumbledore wants me there so early."
No one argued, we put the last of Tory's things together and I helped her pull it out. When we were greeted in the lobby (by James, Nic, Orlando, and Uncle Draco), they all noticed her eye and immediately asked what happened. We, of course, told them and they all seemed quite perplexed by the whole thing.
"An Animagus attacked you…?" Nic said, looking wide-eyed.
She nodded, "Yeah, in the form of a robin…weird, huh?"
"Just a little, but who would want to attack you?" Orlando asked.
Tory shrugged, "Obviously someone who didn't like me very much…"
Then Zabini walked in, "Well, that's a pretty long list, isn't it then?" he said arrogantly.
Dominic looked livid, "You stupid ferret, you're in Animagus Studies! What's to stop us from accusing you!?" he said, taking a step and pointing his finger towards him.
Garrett laughed, "You can accuse me all you want, but it wasn't me. Just because some other Animagus attacked the wretched halfblood, doesn't make it me. Any way, where's your proof?"
Draco stood up, "I would hate to have to teach you another lesson, young Zabini, I suggest you watch your tongue…" his tone was unwavering, but still just as threatening. I didn't know what he meant, hell I wasn't truly sure why Nic called him a ferret, but if I were Zabini, I wouldn't say anything back. Garrett narrowed his eyes at all of us, but they soon fell to Tory and he glared menacingly at her alone. But then, without a word, he turned and left.
"Good riddens…" James mumbled and sat back down.
Aunt Hermione walked over, "Let's go everyone, I just called the Ministry and they'll be sending a flying car over."
James and Dominic exchanged looks, "Could we drive?" they asked in unison.
Hermione snorted, "Not a chance. Both your fathers got into a heap load of trouble trying that stunt!"
"Really? When?" James asked.
"In our second year, and I don't want history repeated!" she said sternly. "Now come one, they should be here soon!" And sure enough, there they were, three candle-apple red corvets. James, Nic, Tory, and myself all stood with our jaws touching the floor. Hermione looked irritated, "What is the meaning of this? I asked for a car with some class, not—not these!"
"Oh don't worry about it Mum! I'm not arguing!" Tory said. The rest of us agreed.
Hermione looked as if she was about to hurt someone, and Draco was closest to her. He put his hand on her shoulder reassuringly, "Don't worry about it Herm, I'll drive Dominic, you drive James, and Orlando's got a license for flying cars, he can take Tory and Warren…" he rationalized.
Hermione was still looking, well, pissed, but she curtly nodded her head, "Fine, I suppose that's what we'll have to do. Orlando," he looked up at the mentioning of his name, his jaw finally reattaching with the rest of his head. "You drive carefully and I want you to follow us, alright?" He nodded. "Alright everyone, pack your stuff into the trunk, if you can manage to find any room!"
We didn't have any problem at all, though I was impressed at that fact having all of Tory's stuff. Orlando got into the driver's seat, then noticed, "Warren, there's only room for two…" he said as I sat down.
I smirked, "Then I guess Tory will have to sit on my lap!" I said happily. Tory had no problems at all and sat down without a second thought. Orli wasn't looking too thrilled by the idea, but I suppose he really didn't have any choice in the matter.
The engine started and Hermione was in the first car, leading us all like sheep. Draco went next, and we, as previously stated, followed.
"It shouldn't take too long to get to Hogwarts, will it?" Tory asked, squirming a bit. Oh dear, maybe she shouldn't have ridden on my lap…
"I don't think so, we're taking a direct route and so it shouldn't take long at all. Or at least I hope not. I figure it will take…" but I had stopped listening. Having Tory's cute little bum on my lap was having quite the effect. But no worries, nothing noticeable…yet…I had a good amount of self control like that, unlike some people I know *cough, cough, Dominic, cough, cough*. But if this continued, oh dear…I didn't want to think about how I'd explain the situation to her mother…
"How long is this going to take?" I asked suddenly.
Orlando looked at me in annoyance, I assume he'd already answered that question. "As I previously stated, it shouldn't take more than a half hour or forty-five minutes or so," he then looked at me suspiciously. And then, as if a light bulb was lit in his head, his lips curved into a cocky, arrogant smirk. "Why? Having a problem Warren?" Oh you stupid bastard, you know full well what problem I'm having.
"No, it's alright Orli, I'm fine, it just reeks of your stank in the car that I was hoping to get out of it soon…" I shot back.
He glared at me and opened his mouth to reply, but Tory cut him off, "I don't think he smells bad at all, but if it really bothers you, you could always open a window, you know?" she said, smiling at me.
"Yeah, you could always open a window. Ya twit," Orlando added.
I glared at him, "No one asked your opinion…" I mumbled as I unrolled the window completely and let my elbow set on the door. Despite what it may look like, Orlando and I aren't really upset with each other at all. We do this all the time. Then it occurred to me, "Hey Tory…" she looked to me. "Why did Dominic call Zabini a ferret and what was your Dad talking about when he said 'I wouldn't want to teach you another lesson?'" I asked.
Orlando nodded, "Yeah, I mean, It's a fitting name for him and all, but what's up with that?"
Tory laughed, "Oh, well, to make a long story short, Zabini started insulting us to the point where it really annoyed my Dad, he used a little Transfiguration on him, turned him into a ferret, and that's about it!" she said.
I was too shocked to laugh right away, "Serious?" I asked, just to make sure she wasn't making it up.
She nodded, "Seriously. Apparently Alastor Moody aka "Mad Eye" had done the same thing to my Dad back in their…third--no fourth year at Hogwarts…" she said, recalling the memory.
Orlando had to stay in control while driving, but me, I burst out laughing. Though to my surprise, Orli didn't look the least bit amused, "Come on bro, that was funny. Us human beings laugh at such occasions," I said, wiping a tear from my eye, my laughs still coming.
He ignored me (so what else is new?) and looked to Tory (again, so what else is new?), "Alastor Moody? I've read about him, for a book report once, in third year, I think…" he said, still looking as if he was lost in thought.
Tory looked intrigued, "Really? Me too, except I was just doing some light reading in the library…" Orlando and I each snorted at the thought of Tory's idea of light reading. She continued as if she hadn't heard, "…It was in Hogwarts, A History, the newly re-written version, my personal favorite. But any way, he was one of the greatest Aurors of all time—"
Orlando cut her off, "Yeah! That was what my report was on, Aurors! We had to find a famous one and I picked him!" he said, most pleased with himself.
"Now who's the twit…?" I mumbled.
Yet again, they both ignored me. "Yup!" This was Tory. "He must have caught thousands of Death Eaters in his time! But, back in Mum's fourth year, Barty Crouch had kidnapped him, I think, or something like that and impersonated him to get closer to Uncle Harry. It didn't work, of course, Dumbledore stopped him right as he was about to finish it. And they used the Veritaserum potion on him. He spilled the whole thing about his father and Voldemort…everything. Quite useful information!" Tory finished, sound matter-of-factly.
Orlando looked at her, "Yeah…I remember reading that…kinda cool if you ask me. Is he still alive? Mad-Eye?" he asked.
Tory shook her head, "No he died three years before I started at Hogwarts; a natural death is what I'm told. Too bad though, it would have been amazing to meet him…" her voice trailed as she looked out the window.
I sighed, "You two are way too into your schoolwork…" I mumbled.
Tory looked at me with this weird 'How-can-you-say-that!?' kind of look, "But Warren, it's absolutely fascinating! How can you not be intrigued?" she asked.
Orlando laughed, "Yeah Warren, how can't you be? Of course, maybe if you paid attention a little bit, you would find it interesting…" was that suppose to be a dis? If it was, it failed miserably.
Tory laughed, "Any way, let's talk about something else, hmm? I don't like hearing you two bicker--" but she was cut off as the car bucked.
"Orli! What are you doing!?" I demanded, steadying myself by holding on the car, Tory held onto me.
Orlando looked as confused as the two of us, "I dunno, it's just doing it!" I think he was going to say something else, but the car bucked again, more violently this time. "Hold on to something!" Thank you Captain Obvious. We're already doing that!
Another buck, nearly launching us out of the protected sanctuary of the clouds. "Orlando, keep a little control over it, will ya?" I shouted. Okay, so I know that none of this is his fault and he's trying the best he can, but I felt the need to yell and yelling at Orlando is just so easy.
He went to say something back at me, but was cut off as the car jumped again. I was sitting in my seat and I nearly got thrown off. I felt the blood flow stop going to my left arm as Tory squeezed so tightly. I really didn't have much of a problem with that, expect the pain, her nonexistent nails were digging into my flesh. It was getting just a pinch bit excruciating.
Another one, this one causing time to slow down. The car stopped and bucked to side, Tory's grip was wretched from my arm and she was flown out of the open window. And that's how time slowed down. Every second became like a minute as I saw her grip fail her, her hair brushed across my face as she fell, I saw the expression: shocked, scared, surprised all rolled into one. And I just watched, my reflexes didn't kick in until she was completely engulfed by the open sky.
My hand shot out and by sheer luck or maybe some greater force, I managed to catch her. "Tory! Hang on!"
She snorted, despite the situation, she snorted, "What do you think I'm going to do? Let go?" such sarcasm for a girl who's sitting elbow deep in trouble.
Orlando was trying to steady the car, "Do you have her?" he shouted in a wanna-be calm and collected voice. He kept trying to slow down, to still the car, but the harder he tried, the more rowdy it got. "Dammit! Hold still you ruddy piece of shit!" he shouted, louder this time, pounding the dashboard.
Ohhhh…Orlando, this car doesn't like being abused. It's engine roared in what could have been taken as anger and bucked worst than any other time. My whole body was thrown from the seat and my head connected with the ceiling. And I wouldn't cared if I could have managed to keep hold of Tory's hand, but the force behind this mechanical monster's last jump made me lose my grip.
Tory and I exchanged a brief look as she fell into the sky.
