Chapter Three: Common Annoyances . . .

Jillian pulled the thick envelope from her pocket. She sighed heavily, brushing a strand of her dark hair away from her eyes. The supplies alone were going to cost a fortune. New cauldrons all around, robes. Robes, god what an antiquated idea. No wonder they had a bad name over there, wearing robes. Plus the twins needed wands. Text books. Not to mention the fact that she had to get used to handling wizard money and English money. Good thing Kathleen was a numbers wiz and Ann Marie was a money specialist. She replaced the letters for her and her sisters in the envelope and slipped her other hand into the opposite pocket.

Pulling out the other letter out, she sighed for another reason. This envelope revealed two more letters, one from her mother and the other with the Councils (or what remained of it) list for her. As if she hadn't been training for this for the past eight years of her life. Ever since the damned prophecy began. One of the blood had been chosen. She gave a quick glance at her list. Stakes, crossbow, hand bow, daggers in various shapes and sizes, holy water, crosses, a machete. A Machete. Who did they think she was? Jason? What a bunch of idiots, really. She could just see herself strolling around the school, the big ole blade strapped on her back or her waist under her robes. She rolled her eyes and opened her mother's letter.

"Dear Jillian. I know I gave you a warning not to open this before you reached England, so obviously, you've opened it in the middle of the in-flight movie. No, I am not using my Goddess-given talents to read into the future, I'm using my motherly instincts that I have with all of my children. I know lists of rules have already been placed before you, and I will not burden you with more. However, and don't roll those eyes young lady, you and your precocious sisters are to go straight to the Burrow, Molly Weasley is a very old friend of mine, and I know she will be more than happy to see you girls. Help her. These times are difficult on all of us, and her family is torn between the resistance and the Ministry. Give her my love and don't forget to congratulate her. Lucy. Always a suiting name. Corri, Tommy, Suzi, Bobby, Ethan, Ian, Dad and I give you girls all our love. Marina too. Be safe, my little one. Fight the Good fight. All the love I possess, Mom."

Jillian shoved the letters into her jean pocket and did another head check. Whit and Bri were giggling at the movie. Ann Marie was reading a magazine. Kathleen was dozing off, her headphones blaring into her ears. And Dorothy was trying to keep a low profile. Which meant she was obviously up to something. That was when she noticed one head was missing. She glared at Dorothy.

~* Where's Holly? *~ She demanded. Dorothy's head popped up, guilt written all over her face. Her eyes shifted nervously to the front of the plane.

"First Class?" Jillian said, rising from her seat.

"Jillian . . ." Ann Marie began, rising with her.

"Sit back down. Keep an eye on them, I'll be right back." Her glare hit Dorothy smack in the face.

~* We will TALK when I get back. You two are in so much trouble. *~

Jillian made her way to the front of the plane. One of the two cackling stewardess gave her a dirty look.

"Excuse me, but you can't go in there." She said, barring Jillian's way.

"Look, I'm not trying to sneak into first class. My sister wandered in there, and I'm just trying to get her back. She's petite, dark blond."

"I'm sorry, I can't let you go in."

"Too bad, cuz I'm going to get my sister. And you're going to let me go in there and get her back in her proper seat."

Jillian mumbled something under her breath that had the stewardess backing away. Her green eyes flashed as she made her way into First Class. There, in the third row of seats, was the blond girl. With a very spiked mimosa in her hand. She didn't have a prayer in hell. Two older men were sitting beside her.

"Holly Emilia Jane. You are so busted." Jillian's hand clamped onto her sister's shoulder.

"Jillian!"

~* Get your butt back by Dorothy, before I do something I regret. Like get you locked in an airplane bathroom. *~

The younger girl lowered her head as Jillian gave to two men evil looks. They looked pissed, but Jillian didn't care. Dirty old men.

"She's thirteen. Can I spell out jailbait for you?"

"Jillian!"

She pushed her sister back to their seats. Her hand was shaking in anger. This was gonna be a really interesting year. Holly had big ole crocodile tears in her eyes, but Jillian was past caring. Ann Marie looked from Holly to her.

"What happened?"

"Holly decided she was old enough to hang out with thirty-year-old men and drink." Jillian said, pushing Holly into her own seat.

"It wasn't like that, honest. They were just being nice." Holly protested.

"You used a glamour to make yourself seem older so they would hit on you. Don't feed me that bullshit. Don't you think I have enough on my mind without worrying about you getting raped?"

With that, the realization dawned on her. Real tears poured down her cheeks. Ann Marie was torn between comforting her sister and being equally pissed off with her. Jillian ran a hand through her hair.

"I'm going to the bathroom. Keep an eye on Bonnie and Clyde. I have to go tell Mother what her little darlings were up to."

"No, Jillian! Don't tell Mom!" Fear washed over her eyes.

"Get real. Mom needs to know what a dingle you two were being. I'll be back."

Ann Marie nodded, not wanting to go against anything Jillian said. She slipped into the tiny compartment. Making sure the door was locked, she said the words directly into the mirror above the sink.

"Sancre Mirrose Etre Lequellas Cabrileous" Her eyes widened at the image of her younger brother trying to pop a pimple on his forehead.

"Jeez Jillian, give a guy a warning before you use the mirror instead of a phone."

"Robert Douglas Jane-Happenstance, that is the grossest thing I've ever seen. Get Mom. It's important."

"Are you in the plane bathroom?"

"Duh."

"Hold on, HEY MOM! JILLIAN'S USING MAGIC OUT OF THE JURISDICTION!"

"Spaz."

"Dweeb."

"ENOUGH, children. Bobby, go help Tommy get ready for school. Jillian, what's wrong?"

"Holly used a glamour to sneak into first class, order an alcoholic beverage, and flirt with thirty year old men."

"Oh, dear. What can she be thinking?"

"I don't know, but can you please talk to her. Ooh, you can send her a howler thingy ma bob. That'll serve her right and proper."

"Jillian. I have to deal with your brothers, your sisters and Marina yapping at me because she's had to take a bus to Burkesville. Punish her as you see fit. She is your responsibility."

"Mom, I'm not her mother. YOU are. You had the whoopee to make the little sh- darling. And HELLO, weight of the world is already on MY shoulders."

"Jillian. Breathe. I'll talk to you girls when you're more calmed down. And don't forget to give my message to Molly. She expects you in a few hours. Mr. Hagrid will meet you at the airport. He's a big man, you can't miss him. He will take you to the Burrow. Love you dear. Watch over your sisters, and get those supplies. You have the bank key."

With that, her mother flickered out of the mirror. And in that instant, she wanted to kill her mother for having so many children. She growled at the mirror and slammed out of the tiny bathroom. Hitting her head and elbow at the same time.

"GOD DAMNIT!"

Oh, this was gonna be one hell of a year. And it was all hers.