A/N Ok, here is another of my boring lectures. You know the drill. Harry Potter, and other characters in Rowling's books, do not belong to me and I'm not makeing money off of this. ( I wish I was, though.) Now, with that out of the way, on with the story. Let the genius work! (Ok, where did I put those cheat notes?)
Harry Potter and the Staff of Time
Chapter 14
Home for the Holidays
The evening before the Christmas holiday was to begin, Harry and Ron sat in the nearly deserted common room playing a game of wizard's chess. Harry wasn't completely focused on the game because he was thinking about his most recent vision and planning what he would do over the holiday while all of his friends were home visiting their families. Consequently, Ron was giving Harry a sound thrashing.
"Hah! Checkmate!" Ron crowed as his knight picked up Harry's king and threw it on the floor.
Harry sighed, picked up his chesspiece and placed it back on the chessboard. Ron's knight growled at it.
"I should know better than to play wizard's chess with you." Harry said and he rescued his king from two of Ron's pawns, who were threatening it. He placed the piece in its storage case, where it breathed a sigh of relief.
"You usually do a better job of it, than you have today. Is something on your mind?" Ron asked as he collected his pieces and put them away.
Harry shrugged and sat back in his chair. "Nothing I haven't already told you about."
"I'd better get upstairs and pack, then. Otherwise I'll forget something and my mum'll be upset with me the entire time I'm home." Ron said.
"She's going to be ready to shoot you anyway, once she sees what you've done to your dress robes!" Savana said with a laugh as she recalled Ron's torn, tattered and soiled dress robes.
"No, she won't, " Ron responded with confidence. "All I need to do is tell her the story of the whomping willow attacking me while I was risking my life trying to rescue Harry from the clutches of the evil you-know-who..."
"Oh, get over yourself!" Savana snorted.
She couldn't help but to laugh at him. Ron was accompanying his monologue with a comic pantomime of his brave battle with the whomping willow.
"...despite grievous, personal injuries, the forces of truth and light prevailed..." Ron continued his oratory as he strode dramatically toward the entrance of the boy's dormitory.
Someone threw a pillow at Ron, but missed him. The pillow slid down the wall onto the floor while Ron laughed and ran up the stairs, disappearing from their view.
"What are you doing for the holiday, Savana? I would imagine the States are too far away for you to go home." Harry surmised.
"Alex and I will be spending the vacation at our aunt's house. It's here, in England." Savana responded. "Where are you going, back to your uncle's house?" She asked.
Savana was rather confused at the response her question provoked. Harry and Hermione silently looked at each other with knowing smiles.
"They wouldn't still be mad at you because of the candy incident, would they? After all, it's not like you gave your cousin the candy and told him to eat it..." Savana asked, trying to make some sense of Harry and Hermione's behavior. Now they were both laughing heartily.
"Please, allow me to enlighten you in respect to my 'loving family'." Harry requested once he had brought his laughter under control. He then told Savana all about the Dursleys.
"...and my first Christmas here, they sent me a 50 pence piece. It was the best present they ever gave me, aside from sending me here." Harry concluded.
"How charming." Savana said with distaste. She didn't want Harry to spend the holidays alone, even if he did like it here. "Why don't you come to my aunt's house for the break? I'm sure she'd love to have you there." Savana offered.
Harry looked a little dubious.
"Oh, come on. Your parents and mine were friends and my parents will be there as well. My aunt and parents will love meeting you. It'll be fun!" Savana continued trying to convince Harry. Savana stopped talking when she saw that she had swayed Harry toward agreeing with her.
"Well, O.K., if you're sure I won't be a bother." Harry finally responded. "However, I'll need to check with Professor Dumbledore to make sure it's O.K. and to let him know I won't be here over the holiday. I'd better do that immediately."
Harry went off in search of Professor Dumbledore and found him with Professor McGonagall, in her office.
"Ah good, Harry! I wanted to see you about a message I've just recieved from Chief Minnehaha." Professor Dumbledore greeted him.
Harry's curiosity was aroused as he asked, "Has Chief Minnehaha said anything about my most recent vision?"
"Chief Minnehaha was quite intrigued with that and with the Halloween incident." Professor Dumbledore told him with a thoughtful smile. "He believes you have a very rare gift. You are a truth seer."
Harry didn't want to appear ignorant but, he couldn't tell the difference between a truth seer, or any other type of seer. His puzzlement must have shown on his face, because Professor Dumbledore hastened to supply an explaination.
"A truth seer's visions do not need interpretation because they do not contain much, if any, symbolism. The visions are interpreted literally the majority of the time."
Harry still must have looked confused because Professor McGonagall added, "You see things as they will be, Harry."
"Oh, now I understand," Harry said softly. "And, this is unusual?"
"Yes, the majority of visions are symbolic and must be interpreted...like dreams. Dreams can tell you something, but they usually are not what they first appear to be." Professor Dumbledore could tell from Harry's expression that his explaination still wasn't clear.
"Think of it this way, Harry," Professor McGonagall once again clairified. "If you dream that you came to potions class wearing only your underware, it usually means that you feel vulnerable. It does not mean that you will appear in class clad only in your knickers."
Harry smiled at the mental image this produced and said, "Now I understand. I had another question to ask you as well. Savana Walker asked me to spend the Christmas holiday at her aunt's house. I think it would be interesting...her parents knew mine..." Harry trailed off as he saw the twinkle in Professor Dumbledore's eyes. He knew he'd be allowed to go to the Walker's house for the Christmas holiday.
...`~*~`...
Harry and Savana were waiting with their baggage by the Hogwarts' entrance the next morning. Alex would soon join them and together they would make the journey to the Walker's ancestral family estate.
"How are we going to get from here to your aunt's home, Savana? Will we be taking the train?" Harry asked.
"No, I will be driving us there." Alex answered as he joined them.
He made a circle with his left thumb and forefinger, raised them to his lips and whistled shrilly. An ornate black and gold carriage drawn by two large, black pegasae emerged from the barn and rapidly approached them. The carriage came to a halt in front of the threesome.
"All aboard for the Walker estate!" Called Alex as he leaped up past an old fashioned lantern and climbed into the driver's seat. "We've got a long ride ahead, so relax and get comfortable." He called back to his sister and Harry as he adjusted the reigns in his hands.
"You want me to relax...with you driving?! You might as well tell a dragon not to breath fire!" Savana responded sarcastically.
"Harry, remind me to give her a tranquilizer potion before we make the return trip." Alex responded teasingly to his sister's dig.
Then he snapped the reigns, urging the pegasae into motion. The carriage began to move forward with increasing speed, then changed to a skyward vector.
Harry and Savana watched from the windows as the ground moved further away and eventually disappeared from view when they rose above a layer of clouds.
Harry relaxed in his seat and, encouraged by the comfortable rocking motion of the coach, soon fell asleep.
Savana looked on and began to do the same.
...`~*~`...
The coach came down to earth in a jarring manner and both Harry and Savana awoke with a start.
"Where did you get your diriver's license Alex, in a box of Wheaties?!" Savana demanded.
"Take a chill pill, Savana." Alex laughed at her. "You know landing this rig is the most difficult skill there is to learn and this team is still green."
Harry listened to the exchange between the brother and sister in confusion. He hoped the rest of the family spoke proper English. Otherwise, this holiday would be more like a trip to a foriegn country, the States to be exact.
Harry followed Savana out of the carriage and was about to pick up his bags when a small voice piped, "May I help you with your bags, sir?"
"That's not necessary, Galen. Would you tell my aunt and parents we're here?" Alex asked.
Galen bowed and dashed back into the house.
"You have a house elf?!" Harry asked in suprise.
"Four, actually," Alex informed him.
"Hermione won't be happy to hear that." Harry thought. "I don't know why I'm so suprised that they have house elves, most families of their status and station do."
Then Harry realised that Galen had been dressed in real clothing, which meant these house elves were employees of the Walker's, not slaves. Hermione's crusade was against the slavery of house elves, not their employment. Harry relaxed as he realised this, there was no cause for concern here.
Harry picked up his bags and turned to follow Savana and Alex into the house. It was after dusk, so there wasn't alot of light to see by, but Harry took in what he could of his surroundings.
Alex had landed the carriage in a large courtyard, paved with cobblestones and surrounded by the ancient, vine covered, stone walls of the house on three sides. The forth side of the courtyard was enclosed by another vine covered, stone wall which was about four meters high and dominated by a large archway.
"Wow! This place is enormous!" Harry whispered to Savana. "I thought you were talking about something much smaller, not a country mannor house!"
Savana grinned and said, "I had the same reaction when I first saw this place."
They went through the front door and into the great hall. Harry gapped a little as he looked around. There was a large, sweeping, central stairway which divided into two partway up and was flanked by two matching suits of armour. He could see ancient Coates of Arms and family portraits lining the walls.
Then, a door opened to his right and the threesome was approached by two witches and a wizard. The wizard, and one of the witches, looked alot like Savana, but with emerald green eyes. The other witch resembled a petite, feminine version of Alex.
"Harry, this is my aunt, Christina Walker." Savana said, indicating the auburn haired woman.
"And these are my parents, Gavin and Fiona Walker. Everyone, this is Harry Potter."
Harry went to them and they all shook hands. "Thankyou for inviting me, it's nice to meet you." Harry said formally.
"Relax, before you sprain something Harry." Gavin teased as he shook Harry's hand.
Harry looked confused and Christina shot Gavin a dirty look.
"That's enough out of you Gavin. The poor boy has only just met you!" Christina admonished her brother.
Gavin just shrugged and grinned.
"It's nice to finally meet you, Harry. Sirius has told us so much about you." Fiona added with a peculiar lilt in her voice.
"You know Sirius?!" The question popped out of Harry's mouth before he even realised that he had spoken outloud.
"Sirius is an old friend of ours, from our school days." Gavin replied with a smile.
"He'll be here on Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day, " Christina added. "I'm sure he'll be delighted to see you here."
Harry smiled with delight. It had been so long since he'd last seen Sirius! This trip was beginning to show some promise.
Galen and another house elf had appeared behind the adults. "May I show you to your rooms, so you can freshen up before dinner?"
"Thankyou, Galen, that would be appreciated." Alex said.
Galen and the other house elf picked up all of the bags and staggered toward the stairway while Harry, Savana and Alex followed.
"Dinner will be in the family dinning room at half-past seven." Fiona called after them. Harry listened to her underlying brogue with interest.
Harry tried to place Fiona's underlying accent. The task was more difficult because Fiona's overwhelming accent was American, but the underlying accent, though originating from the British Isles, wasn't English. He mentally compared some other accents...Welch? No, the vowels were pronounced differently. "I know, she's Irish!" Harry thought triumphantly.
Harry gazed in awe at the various portraits of Walker ancestors as he passed them. Many of the portraits waved to them as the group walked past. The group came to a halt outside the open door of a bedroom suite.
"This will be your room, Master Harry." Galen said as he led Harry into the suite and placed Harry's bags on a stand near the bed. "Will there be anything more, sir?"
Harry mutely shook his head as he tried to take in the opulant chambers.
"Very good, sir." Galen said. Then he bowed and left the room, closing the door softly behind him.
"This is incredible!" Harry thought as he looked around him. "It's like staying in a posh hotel or a palace!"
Harry had read about estates such as this one, but never even dreamed he'd stay in such a place.
The room decore was done in rich tones of red and gold. The four large windows, with leaded glass panes, were framed by curtains of red and gold brocade. The large, four poster bed had heavy red velvet bed curtains hanging around it and was covered with a gold satin, down comforter. One wall was dominated by a large, stone fireplace. A fire burned cheerfully within and took the chill off the room. The hearth was flanked by two, oxblood, leather wing chairs. There was a door on the left side of the fireplace which led into a large dressing room, closet and lavetory.
Harry suspected his present accomidations were on par with the London Ritz. (Which he had never seen, but had heard about.) He grinned, kicked off his shoes, and dropped back onto the bed so he could daydream for awhile.
...`~*~`...
A little while later, Harry's reveries were interrupted by a soft knock upon the door.
"Harry, we came by to escort you down to dinner. Are you ready to go?" Alex's voice was somewhat muffled by the thick, oak door.
Harry slipped his shoes onto his feet and opened the door. "I'm famished!" He said, closing the door behind him. "I know your father and aunt are British, but where is your mother from, Ireland?"
"Very good, Harry." Alex responded. "Mom grew up just outside of Bantry, Ireland, by the sea. That's probably why we live near the ocean in California. But, most people think she's Native American. What gave her away?"
"She still has a bit of an accent. Though I can understand how her dark coloring would confuse people." Harry admitted.
"Our great-great-grandmother, mom's great-grandmother, was black Irish."1 Savana chimmed in as they approached the family dinning room.
"As you say, cool." Harry said as they entered the dinning room and the topic of Fiona's past was tastefully dropped.
Harry was pleasantly suprised at the cozy intimacy of the family dinning room. It must have shown on his face because Christina said, "We'll be using the formal dinning room when our other guests are her tomorrow evening and on Christmas Day. When it's just the family, however, we prefer a less formal setting."
"This is wonderful." Harry said as he placed some roast beef on his plate. "We eat in the kitchen at my uncle and aunt's house." He chose not to elaborate about the fact that he was treated as the kitchen help there, as well.
Orion appeared then, as if on cue. The cheeky little fellow hopped down next to Alex's plate, placed his front paws on the edge of the china, and surveyed the foods upon it as though he were at a buffet. He daintily selected a large piece of boiled potatoe, then proceeded to drag it with his teeth back toward the edge of the table, and Alex. Once Orion had positioned his prize at the table's edge, he let go of it with his teeth, then gave it a hard push with his nose. The piece of potatoe fell onto Alex's napkin, upon his lap. It was swiftly followed by Orion, who then began to consume his treasure in the safety of Alex's lap.
"Oh, Alex, for Pete's sake! You know better than to bring your pets to the table with you!" Fiona scolded him.
"Oops! Sorry mom." Alex said, blushing.
That little episode led to a lengthy discussion about Alex's animals and their many antics, as well as the occasional disasters. Harry enjoyed hearing these stories.
As Gavin finished telling 'The Ferret Story', as the family liked to call the incident, Orion's sooty nose poked up over the table's edge. The nose was quickley followed by a pair of bright, ruby colored, beady eyes.
"No you don't, buster! There are no rats at my table, not even enchanted ones!" Fiona warned him.
Orion vanished from view as quickley as he had appeared. The he climbed up to Alex's shoulder, where he sat half hidden in Alex's hair, and chattered his teeth in anger at Fiona. Then Orion went back into Alex's pocket, to pout.
"Don't be so hard on Orion, mom. Hagrid and I normally let him eat at the table with us, so now Orion thinks that's where he belongs." Alex passionately explained.
"You just be sure to leave Orion in your room for the rest of our meals while you're here." Fiona said stearnly.
"Sorry fella, you've been grounded." Alex whispered into the pocket occupied by Orion, while he slipped the rat a piece of carrot.
Orion sneezed in response and sullenly ate his carrot.
The adults began telling Harry, Savana and Alex some stories about Harry's parents and the years they had all spent at Hogwart's.
Harry was suprised to learn that Gavin, Christina and Fiona had been in Ravenclaw while they were students at Hogwarts. He'd assumed they were in Gryffindor.
Harry fought a yawn and noticed Savana was doing the same. They were fatigued from their long journey and Fiona appeared to notice.
"It's getting late and we should all be heading to bed." She said gentley.
Harry didn't want to appear rude, but the idea of going to bed was quite attractive. So he joined the group as they trudged upstairs to their respective bedchambers.
Harry was asleep almost before his head hit the pillow.
...`~*~`...
Draco sprawled across a chair in the library of his family's house. He was trying to read a book, but emotionally he was doing a slow burn.
His father was on a rampage about another one of the Death Eaters and Draco was recieving a large portion of the fallout from it. Draco had wanted to make himself scarce, and remain that way, until his father's temper had burned itself out.
Draco was becoming more angry, not less, about his father's behavior as time passed. Lucius never attempted to change his behavior, but he constantly tried to change Draco's, and Draco was sick of it. Why did he always need to try and please his father instead of just being himself?
Draco contemplated the source of Lucius' current tirade, Raven. Raven was a powerful wizard from the States who had just joined the Death Eaters this past summer. He had quickly become one of Voldemort's favorites and the bane of Lucius Malfoy's existance (and, by extension, Draco's). Lucius claimed that he couldn't tolerate Raven's arrogence, but Draco suspected the real problem was a power struggle which Raven was winning. Whatever the real cause was, Lucius inevitably took out his frusterations on his family.
Draco heard something outside the door. He quickly picked up his book and pretended to be engrossed in it. Lucius threw open the door, stomped in and slammed the door shut behind him.
"So, this is where you're hiding?!" Lucius stated the question as a demand.
"I'm trying to get some of my assignments finished early, so I don't have to waste the holiday thinking about them." Draco responded cautiously.
"Why is he angry with me now?" Was the thought that ran through Draco's mind, however.
"I saw Marigold Parkinson for tea today..." Lucius gave Draco a penetrating stare.
Draco chose not to react to the look, but couldn't help thinking, "Why should I give a flying fig who you saw today?"
"...she spent the entire time bending my ear about how badly you've been treating her sweet, little Pansy." Lucius said the last part in a sarcastic imitation of Marigold.
Draco snorted and said, somewhat bitterly, "I don't think she, or any of the other girls at Hogwarts, has noticed any guy this year except that git who's assisting Hagrid. The way most of the girls act around that guy, you'd think he was a modern Adonis."
"Well, Pansy was aware enough to say that the only girl you're paying any attention to is some Yank in Gryffindor House." Lucius sounded suspicious.
"I'm not romantically interested in Savana...and Pansy knows better...I took Pansy to the Halloween dance!" Draco sputtered as he sought an explaination for his behavior that would put him back into his father's good graces. "I was just keeping an eye on Savana. There's something strange about her...and Professor Snape said something about her family coming back from the dead." Draco was encouraged by his father's sudden smile. "Father, who are the Walkers?"
But Draco's question went unanswered, because Lucius had lept up, shouted gleefully, "Oh, yes! I've got him now!" He left the room in a rush.
Draco was left with a dark, cold feeling inside and the suspicion that he had just betrayed the girl he loved and put her in harm's way.
1. The Black Irish have dark skin, hair, and features due to their African (Moorish) heritage. They are
descendants of the Moors (Africans). Some Black Irish families can trace their lineage back to
when the Moors invaded Europe and the British Isles, but most families are of mixed race-White
European and Moorish.
