Realité Tordue
Ripples - Chapter 3
By: Kamikazee E-Mail: neo_kamikazee@hotmail.com Disclaimer: I do not claim to own any of the characters or plots developed in either Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Harry Potter. No copyright infringement is intended. Summary: A single moment can affect the entire reality as we know it. Author's Note: Hey, look; it's finally been updated! Crazy, huh? For a while there, I never thought I'd pull my keyboard up for this story. Hopefully, updates will be more frequent now, but no promises. Note 2: Realité Tordue is French for Twisted Reality. Note 3: Thank god for the Harry Potter Lexicon. This site is a godsend. ~
The stone's already hit the water. It's too late now. The first ripple has started, promising many more to come. There's no way to stop it once it has begun. My best advice is to just ride out the waves. Maybe, it will all turn out all right in the end.
~
Remus looked down at his daughter and a heavy weight drifted into the bottom of his stomach. The young girl had dried tear tracks down her face, and downcast eyes. The sight of it wrenched his heart and made him want to fix everything wrong in her life.
Easier said then done. Because, Willow Rosenburg's life was over. There was no going back to what she used to be, and used to have. Now, he just had to try to make sure that Willow Lupin had the best life possible.
With a sigh Remus took the redhead's hand leading her down the crowded streets of London. In retrospective, she was dealing quite well; for someone who had just had everything they had ever known taken away from them. So, she was coping, but that didn't change the fact that the sadness she was projecting was making his protective instincts go into hyper drive.
It was only seconds before his determination kicked in. She may not be happy right now, but he could change that. Starting today. He was her father, as scary as that thought was, and he was going to make sure she was taken care of. So, that quite explains why the man was taking the 10 year old into a dingy looking pub. Well, at least, it does if you run in the right crowds.
Needless to say, upon entering, Willow took up a dose of healthy curiosity, not to mention a small bit of fear. It was the fear that made her scoot closer to the man whom she had recently had revealed as her father. Her eyes danced around the room, taking in the host of oddly dressed (and sometimes shaped) customers.
Remus turned towards the bartender, who resembled somewhat of a gummy walnut, and gave a nod, "Tom." He told the man politely. Tom gave a small smile towards Remus.
"Long time no see," he said, before looking down at the diminutive Willow, "and who might this be?"
"Tom, this is my daughter, Willow," Remus said, feeling an unfamiliar sense of pride with the first time introducing her as his daughter.
"Ah," the man replied, nodding, "I suppose you're off to get Hogwarts supplies, then. You better get on your way, it's quite busy."
With thanks to the bartender, Remus led Willow out through the back door. When the young girl saw that it simply brought them to a back yard, with a brick wall and a trashcan, she looked up at her father in confusion.
He smiled down at her, eager to introduce her to his world, "Watch this," whispered Remus in a conspiratorial tone. He pulled his wand from his pocket and carefully counted bricks. With Willow's sharp eyes on him, he took his wand to the third up and second across from the aforementioned trashcan. Once again smiling at Willow, he tapped the wall three times with what looked like, to Willow, a simple stick.
The brick he had touched quivered - it wriggled - in the middle, a small hole appeared - it grew wider and wider - a second later they were facing an archway large enough for a giant, in Willow's mind. But, even more surprising, was that the archway opened onto a cobbled street, which twisted and turned out of sight.
"Welcome," Remus told her in a clichéd mystic voice, "to Diagon Alley."
Willow's amazement was palpable as she stared in awe at the street in front of her. The father and daughter stepped through the archway, and as Willow quickly looked behind her, she saw it shrink back into a brick wall, right in front of her eyes.
The sun shone brightly around Willow as she looked towards the nearest shop. Stacks of cauldrons lay outside and within it, odd signs depicting their sizes and metals. The surprise on Willow's face was offset by a healthy dose of confusion.
Laughing slightly at her bewilderment, Remus pulled Willow forward, "You'll have plenty of time to look around, pup, but, first, we should probably get some money.
As they walked up the street, Willow swivelled her head in all directions, trying to take in everything at once. Everything was amazing her; the shops, the things outside them, the shoppers themselves. There were shops selling spell books, shops selling owls, shops filled with teetering rows of parchments and quills. Shops selling robes, shops selling telescopes and strange silver instruments Willow had never seen before.
The weird comments she caught, as she passed, did nothing to help her curiosity.
"Can never find any quality beetle eyes these days."
"The broom selection here is horrid, the only way to get good quality these days is to order."
"Can you imagine the humiliation, caught muggle-baiting."
"Excuse me," Willow asked timidly, pulling on Remus' sleeve, they were still debating what she would call him, "What's a muggle?" The question surprised Remus for a second, before he remembered that she didn't know these things, having been raised muggle.
"A muggle is a wizarding term for someone without magic," he tried to explain, "like your other father. Ira." He resorted to the example with distaste, still finding it difficult to accept that someone else had raised his daughter for the first 11 years of her life.
"Oh." She said, seemingly content with his answer. Of course, she was still thinking. However, Remus had discovered rather quickly, that seemed to be the girls natural state. It couldn't have reminded him more of himself at that age.
Remus leaned over and gently prodded the young girl with his elbow, before saying, in all seriousness, "Gringotts."
Willow looked up and was struck with yet another amazing site. It was a large snowy-white building that towered over the smaller shops around it. It had giant burnished bronze doors. But, standing beside those doors, was a creature that made Willow jump and emit a low-pitched squeak.
As Remus hurried her past what he identified as a goblin, the creature bowed low for them. The second pair of doors they passed were silver, this time, and engraved with some sort of poem.
Enter stranger but take heed
Of what awaits the sin of greed, For those who take, but do not earn, Must pay most dearly in their turn, So if you seek beneath our floors A treasure that was never yours, Thief, you have been warned, beware Of finding more than treasure there.
"A vague disclaimer's nobody's friend," Remus muttered as he pushed open the doors.
Remus walked to the long counter that covered most of one wall. He presented a small gold key to another goblin, before the two of them were shipped off with one more of the new creatures.
They were led through a door, which brought them into a hallway, which, to Willow's surprise, was narrow and stone, lit by torches. Getting into a nearby cart, she didn't know what to expect. One adrenaline-rushing ride later, she was quite certain she hadn't wanted to know what to expect.
As the young girl attempted to hold her breakfast, Remus entered his personal vault. The savings within were scarce, but they would do. He would have to find a steady job if he wished to support a child. One of the many adjustments he would have to make for parenthood.
Once again, they entered the small cart. This time, Willow squeezed her eyes shut and held tightly to Remus' hand, willing it to be over as quickly as possible. Sure enough, the two exited Gringotts several minutes later, Willow slightly greener than she had been upon entry.
Remus looked at her in worry, "Are you okay, pet?" his voice was soothing. Willow nodded before sending the man a wobbly smile. After closing her eyes for a second longer, she once again diverted her attention to the street around her.
Willow and Remus spent the next several hours working down Willow's school supply list. It would have taken much less time, but Remus allowed Willow to look around and explore in the stores. They picked up a standard pewter cauldron (size 2), a set of scales, for potions, and a small collapsible telescope.
In the foul smelling apothecary Willow wandered around, examining various ingredients, while Remus himself bought a set of standard potions ingredients. Next, they moved to the bookstore, Flourish and Blotts. Willow seemed to enjoy this immensely, meandering around and taking in some of the odd title and contents.
They left that store carrying considerably more packages. The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1), A History of Magic, Magical Theory, A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration, One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi, Magical Drafts and Potions, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, and The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self Protection, among her new school books.
Following this was the rather boring trip to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, where a squat smiling witch fit Willow for her school uniform. The robes themselves were long over-coat like things, which would go over her normal clothes during the school hours. She left with three of the thick black sheaths for daily wear, as well as a pointed black hat that reminded her of Halloween. Not to mention thick gloves made of what she was told was dragon hide, and a cloak.
"Hmmm.." Remus said, looking at her list, "Not much left. A wand. oh, yes! You do want an animal, don't you?" He looked down at the young girl and saw the slightly hopeful look in her eyes. "Come on, then."
The two of them entered the Magical Menagerie, and Willow was stunned by the amazing variety of different pets. Looking down once again, Remus cut in, "Now, it says you can either bring an owl, a cat, or a toad."
At the word toad, a terrified look entered Willow's eyes and an 'eep' escaped her lips. "Guess that's a no on the toad, then," Remus said hurriedly. "So, will it be a cat or an owl. The school has owls, of course, but it's completely up to you."
Calmed down a bit after her toad scare, Willow began moseying around the store, looking in various cages throughout. She was talking to a small eagle owl, heavily considering buying it, when a small bundle of fur hit her shoulder and ran around, straight into her arms.
She caught the small kitten, holding it tightly as she looked down. It's tawny fur was a mix of browns and reds, and patchy in its length. It was only a second later that a store attendant came up to her. "I'm sorry, miss. That one's always giving us trouble. She just won't go into her cage."
Remus walked up just as she finished speaking. Willow moved her head back and looked into his eyes, a sparkle in the green orbs. With a sigh, he turned towards the worker.
Five minutes later, the Lupins left the store, their newest member purring contentedly on Willow's shoulder. The two headed straight for the last stop, Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 BC. They quietly entered the shop.
It was silent and musty, the walls covered in many small boxes. The two of them looked around, trying to locate the storeowner to try and get Willow's wand. A voice behind them revealed itself, "Good afternoon."
Willow and Remus jumped, the cat once again twirling around the girl's shoulders and into her arms. They twirled around to face the man who had spoken, hearts hammering. Remus let out a sigh, "Mr. Ollivander."
"Ah, Remus Lupin," the voice was soft and raised the hairs on the back of Willow's neck, "Yew, 11 1/3", werewolf hair. Quite appropriate."
Remus shifted uncomfortably before finding his voice, "Yes, well, I'm looking for a wand for my daughter, Willow."
The look Ollivander sent towards the small redheaded child was curious. "Yes, I've heard about her. Quite interesting. Let's see what we can do."
After asking for her wand hand, he then took out a tape measure and began making calculations. He measured from her shoulder to finger; wrist to elbow, knee to armpit, and the list went on and on. "Now, no two Ollivander wands are the same. Each has a unique core of a powerful magical substance, Ms. Lupin."
As Mr. Ollivander continued to talk, Willow realized that he was no longer holding the tape measure, but it was still moving. As he flitted around with boxes, it measured between her nostrils and the space between her eyes.
"That will do." The tape measure crumpled to the floor at Willow's feet. "Right then, let's try this one. Ash and a unicorn tail hair. 10", bendy. Just give it a wave."
Willow, feeling foolish, took the wand and swished it through the air. Mr. Ollivander snatched it out of her hand almost immediately.
"Phoenix feather and oak, quite rigid. Go ahead and try-" As Willow went to try it was immediately taken from her. "No, that's not right. Hmmm. maybe something a little different."
The man immediately went off scurrying about the store. He was looking in boxes muttering to himself. Willow was nervous, but took comfort in petting her new cat. Soon enough, Mr. Ollivander returned with another wand box.
"This one is quite unique. Willow, 10 ¼", with a single drop of vampire's blood as its core. The one with the angelic face." Willow took the wand from the man, feeling unease at his murmuring. Feeling warmth spread throughout her entire body, Willow brought the wand around her body, arching downwards as she went.
A flurry of small butterflies erupted from the end, dancing around the delighted girl. The cat at her feet leapt up, attempting to grab them with her paws. The beautiful site faded into sparkles.
Remus let a large smile cover his face, enjoying the experience of finding his daughters wand. Mr. Ollivander was once again looking at her in curiosity, continuing to whisper of vampires and souls.
Remus quickly paid for the wand and ushered Willow back out on to the street. With another smile, Remus led his daughter towards Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour.
"So, have you decided on a name for your cat?
"I think I'll call her Liberty."
~
Okay, well, it's pretty long. But, I wanted to do all of Diagon Alley in one chapter, so what can you expect. Just a note, but Willow naming her cat Liberty is kind of an honorable mention to Captain Boulanger's wonderful Lady Liberty series at TTH. If you haven't read it, you should. It's definitely worth the read.
~ Kamikazee
Ripples - Chapter 3
By: Kamikazee E-Mail: neo_kamikazee@hotmail.com Disclaimer: I do not claim to own any of the characters or plots developed in either Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Harry Potter. No copyright infringement is intended. Summary: A single moment can affect the entire reality as we know it. Author's Note: Hey, look; it's finally been updated! Crazy, huh? For a while there, I never thought I'd pull my keyboard up for this story. Hopefully, updates will be more frequent now, but no promises. Note 2: Realité Tordue is French for Twisted Reality. Note 3: Thank god for the Harry Potter Lexicon. This site is a godsend. ~
The stone's already hit the water. It's too late now. The first ripple has started, promising many more to come. There's no way to stop it once it has begun. My best advice is to just ride out the waves. Maybe, it will all turn out all right in the end.
~
Remus looked down at his daughter and a heavy weight drifted into the bottom of his stomach. The young girl had dried tear tracks down her face, and downcast eyes. The sight of it wrenched his heart and made him want to fix everything wrong in her life.
Easier said then done. Because, Willow Rosenburg's life was over. There was no going back to what she used to be, and used to have. Now, he just had to try to make sure that Willow Lupin had the best life possible.
With a sigh Remus took the redhead's hand leading her down the crowded streets of London. In retrospective, she was dealing quite well; for someone who had just had everything they had ever known taken away from them. So, she was coping, but that didn't change the fact that the sadness she was projecting was making his protective instincts go into hyper drive.
It was only seconds before his determination kicked in. She may not be happy right now, but he could change that. Starting today. He was her father, as scary as that thought was, and he was going to make sure she was taken care of. So, that quite explains why the man was taking the 10 year old into a dingy looking pub. Well, at least, it does if you run in the right crowds.
Needless to say, upon entering, Willow took up a dose of healthy curiosity, not to mention a small bit of fear. It was the fear that made her scoot closer to the man whom she had recently had revealed as her father. Her eyes danced around the room, taking in the host of oddly dressed (and sometimes shaped) customers.
Remus turned towards the bartender, who resembled somewhat of a gummy walnut, and gave a nod, "Tom." He told the man politely. Tom gave a small smile towards Remus.
"Long time no see," he said, before looking down at the diminutive Willow, "and who might this be?"
"Tom, this is my daughter, Willow," Remus said, feeling an unfamiliar sense of pride with the first time introducing her as his daughter.
"Ah," the man replied, nodding, "I suppose you're off to get Hogwarts supplies, then. You better get on your way, it's quite busy."
With thanks to the bartender, Remus led Willow out through the back door. When the young girl saw that it simply brought them to a back yard, with a brick wall and a trashcan, she looked up at her father in confusion.
He smiled down at her, eager to introduce her to his world, "Watch this," whispered Remus in a conspiratorial tone. He pulled his wand from his pocket and carefully counted bricks. With Willow's sharp eyes on him, he took his wand to the third up and second across from the aforementioned trashcan. Once again smiling at Willow, he tapped the wall three times with what looked like, to Willow, a simple stick.
The brick he had touched quivered - it wriggled - in the middle, a small hole appeared - it grew wider and wider - a second later they were facing an archway large enough for a giant, in Willow's mind. But, even more surprising, was that the archway opened onto a cobbled street, which twisted and turned out of sight.
"Welcome," Remus told her in a clichéd mystic voice, "to Diagon Alley."
Willow's amazement was palpable as she stared in awe at the street in front of her. The father and daughter stepped through the archway, and as Willow quickly looked behind her, she saw it shrink back into a brick wall, right in front of her eyes.
The sun shone brightly around Willow as she looked towards the nearest shop. Stacks of cauldrons lay outside and within it, odd signs depicting their sizes and metals. The surprise on Willow's face was offset by a healthy dose of confusion.
Laughing slightly at her bewilderment, Remus pulled Willow forward, "You'll have plenty of time to look around, pup, but, first, we should probably get some money.
As they walked up the street, Willow swivelled her head in all directions, trying to take in everything at once. Everything was amazing her; the shops, the things outside them, the shoppers themselves. There were shops selling spell books, shops selling owls, shops filled with teetering rows of parchments and quills. Shops selling robes, shops selling telescopes and strange silver instruments Willow had never seen before.
The weird comments she caught, as she passed, did nothing to help her curiosity.
"Can never find any quality beetle eyes these days."
"The broom selection here is horrid, the only way to get good quality these days is to order."
"Can you imagine the humiliation, caught muggle-baiting."
"Excuse me," Willow asked timidly, pulling on Remus' sleeve, they were still debating what she would call him, "What's a muggle?" The question surprised Remus for a second, before he remembered that she didn't know these things, having been raised muggle.
"A muggle is a wizarding term for someone without magic," he tried to explain, "like your other father. Ira." He resorted to the example with distaste, still finding it difficult to accept that someone else had raised his daughter for the first 11 years of her life.
"Oh." She said, seemingly content with his answer. Of course, she was still thinking. However, Remus had discovered rather quickly, that seemed to be the girls natural state. It couldn't have reminded him more of himself at that age.
Remus leaned over and gently prodded the young girl with his elbow, before saying, in all seriousness, "Gringotts."
Willow looked up and was struck with yet another amazing site. It was a large snowy-white building that towered over the smaller shops around it. It had giant burnished bronze doors. But, standing beside those doors, was a creature that made Willow jump and emit a low-pitched squeak.
As Remus hurried her past what he identified as a goblin, the creature bowed low for them. The second pair of doors they passed were silver, this time, and engraved with some sort of poem.
Enter stranger but take heed
Of what awaits the sin of greed, For those who take, but do not earn, Must pay most dearly in their turn, So if you seek beneath our floors A treasure that was never yours, Thief, you have been warned, beware Of finding more than treasure there.
"A vague disclaimer's nobody's friend," Remus muttered as he pushed open the doors.
Remus walked to the long counter that covered most of one wall. He presented a small gold key to another goblin, before the two of them were shipped off with one more of the new creatures.
They were led through a door, which brought them into a hallway, which, to Willow's surprise, was narrow and stone, lit by torches. Getting into a nearby cart, she didn't know what to expect. One adrenaline-rushing ride later, she was quite certain she hadn't wanted to know what to expect.
As the young girl attempted to hold her breakfast, Remus entered his personal vault. The savings within were scarce, but they would do. He would have to find a steady job if he wished to support a child. One of the many adjustments he would have to make for parenthood.
Once again, they entered the small cart. This time, Willow squeezed her eyes shut and held tightly to Remus' hand, willing it to be over as quickly as possible. Sure enough, the two exited Gringotts several minutes later, Willow slightly greener than she had been upon entry.
Remus looked at her in worry, "Are you okay, pet?" his voice was soothing. Willow nodded before sending the man a wobbly smile. After closing her eyes for a second longer, she once again diverted her attention to the street around her.
Willow and Remus spent the next several hours working down Willow's school supply list. It would have taken much less time, but Remus allowed Willow to look around and explore in the stores. They picked up a standard pewter cauldron (size 2), a set of scales, for potions, and a small collapsible telescope.
In the foul smelling apothecary Willow wandered around, examining various ingredients, while Remus himself bought a set of standard potions ingredients. Next, they moved to the bookstore, Flourish and Blotts. Willow seemed to enjoy this immensely, meandering around and taking in some of the odd title and contents.
They left that store carrying considerably more packages. The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1), A History of Magic, Magical Theory, A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration, One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi, Magical Drafts and Potions, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, and The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self Protection, among her new school books.
Following this was the rather boring trip to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, where a squat smiling witch fit Willow for her school uniform. The robes themselves were long over-coat like things, which would go over her normal clothes during the school hours. She left with three of the thick black sheaths for daily wear, as well as a pointed black hat that reminded her of Halloween. Not to mention thick gloves made of what she was told was dragon hide, and a cloak.
"Hmmm.." Remus said, looking at her list, "Not much left. A wand. oh, yes! You do want an animal, don't you?" He looked down at the young girl and saw the slightly hopeful look in her eyes. "Come on, then."
The two of them entered the Magical Menagerie, and Willow was stunned by the amazing variety of different pets. Looking down once again, Remus cut in, "Now, it says you can either bring an owl, a cat, or a toad."
At the word toad, a terrified look entered Willow's eyes and an 'eep' escaped her lips. "Guess that's a no on the toad, then," Remus said hurriedly. "So, will it be a cat or an owl. The school has owls, of course, but it's completely up to you."
Calmed down a bit after her toad scare, Willow began moseying around the store, looking in various cages throughout. She was talking to a small eagle owl, heavily considering buying it, when a small bundle of fur hit her shoulder and ran around, straight into her arms.
She caught the small kitten, holding it tightly as she looked down. It's tawny fur was a mix of browns and reds, and patchy in its length. It was only a second later that a store attendant came up to her. "I'm sorry, miss. That one's always giving us trouble. She just won't go into her cage."
Remus walked up just as she finished speaking. Willow moved her head back and looked into his eyes, a sparkle in the green orbs. With a sigh, he turned towards the worker.
Five minutes later, the Lupins left the store, their newest member purring contentedly on Willow's shoulder. The two headed straight for the last stop, Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 BC. They quietly entered the shop.
It was silent and musty, the walls covered in many small boxes. The two of them looked around, trying to locate the storeowner to try and get Willow's wand. A voice behind them revealed itself, "Good afternoon."
Willow and Remus jumped, the cat once again twirling around the girl's shoulders and into her arms. They twirled around to face the man who had spoken, hearts hammering. Remus let out a sigh, "Mr. Ollivander."
"Ah, Remus Lupin," the voice was soft and raised the hairs on the back of Willow's neck, "Yew, 11 1/3", werewolf hair. Quite appropriate."
Remus shifted uncomfortably before finding his voice, "Yes, well, I'm looking for a wand for my daughter, Willow."
The look Ollivander sent towards the small redheaded child was curious. "Yes, I've heard about her. Quite interesting. Let's see what we can do."
After asking for her wand hand, he then took out a tape measure and began making calculations. He measured from her shoulder to finger; wrist to elbow, knee to armpit, and the list went on and on. "Now, no two Ollivander wands are the same. Each has a unique core of a powerful magical substance, Ms. Lupin."
As Mr. Ollivander continued to talk, Willow realized that he was no longer holding the tape measure, but it was still moving. As he flitted around with boxes, it measured between her nostrils and the space between her eyes.
"That will do." The tape measure crumpled to the floor at Willow's feet. "Right then, let's try this one. Ash and a unicorn tail hair. 10", bendy. Just give it a wave."
Willow, feeling foolish, took the wand and swished it through the air. Mr. Ollivander snatched it out of her hand almost immediately.
"Phoenix feather and oak, quite rigid. Go ahead and try-" As Willow went to try it was immediately taken from her. "No, that's not right. Hmmm. maybe something a little different."
The man immediately went off scurrying about the store. He was looking in boxes muttering to himself. Willow was nervous, but took comfort in petting her new cat. Soon enough, Mr. Ollivander returned with another wand box.
"This one is quite unique. Willow, 10 ¼", with a single drop of vampire's blood as its core. The one with the angelic face." Willow took the wand from the man, feeling unease at his murmuring. Feeling warmth spread throughout her entire body, Willow brought the wand around her body, arching downwards as she went.
A flurry of small butterflies erupted from the end, dancing around the delighted girl. The cat at her feet leapt up, attempting to grab them with her paws. The beautiful site faded into sparkles.
Remus let a large smile cover his face, enjoying the experience of finding his daughters wand. Mr. Ollivander was once again looking at her in curiosity, continuing to whisper of vampires and souls.
Remus quickly paid for the wand and ushered Willow back out on to the street. With another smile, Remus led his daughter towards Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour.
"So, have you decided on a name for your cat?
"I think I'll call her Liberty."
~
Okay, well, it's pretty long. But, I wanted to do all of Diagon Alley in one chapter, so what can you expect. Just a note, but Willow naming her cat Liberty is kind of an honorable mention to Captain Boulanger's wonderful Lady Liberty series at TTH. If you haven't read it, you should. It's definitely worth the read.
~ Kamikazee