Disclaimer: Yeah, the usual routine! No, no, no, and no. But yes and yes to
the other two. Got it? Good.
Author's Note: What up? Well, I have a perfectly normal excuse for why I haven't updated.and it's because I kept getting grounded for no reason at all. Yeah, my dad has these little power trips where he doesn't let any of us do anything and he makes up fake excuses why we can't. Yeah crappy. And then, seeing as I have homework every single night, I don't really have much time to write. So I really am sorry, but here are the fruits of my..slow.labor. ^_^
But for now.On with the story.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I slowly crept out of my room, down the hall, and lightly opened the door to Krystal's room. It was almost ten, I had been up since eight, and I was tired of waiting for her to wake on her own so I was just popping in for a subtle wake up call.
I kneeled down next to her bed and leaned in so close that our faces were a mere half an inch away from each other's.
" Krystal. Krystal. Kry-stal. Krystal!"
Her eyes slowly opened and as soon as she realized what she was seeing, she shot straight up and I began laughing hysterically. I love doing that. It's always worth the look on her face.
" Bloody hell, Marina! I hate it when you do that! What in moon's sake are you doing waking me up this early?"
I gave her a skeptical look. " It's almost ten, Krystal! Remember the whole, ' We're meeting Wood at the Leaky Cauldron tomorrow at twelve' thing? Yeah, well that's today! So get up and get ready! We still need to take a shower, dress, and make our beds. Oh, wait. Correction: YOU have to take a shower, dress, and make your bed so hurry up!"
" FINE! You don't have to spell the whole bloody thing out for me! Spaz!"
" Oh, how cute. Yet another one of Elijah Wood's little Americanisms that you've put to use. He should be proud. That's two so far."
" Damn straight, he should be proud! Now scamper off and do what ever it is that you seem to find fascinating in the wee hours of the day. Like staring at the wall, or having a conversation with the toaster. What ever floats your boat."
I stood there just staring at her for a moment, deep in thought. " Kay! Sounds good to me! I'll be in the kitchen!" And I turned and left the room without another thought. I liked making her think; no matter how much pain it caused her. The end results were always different and sometimes scary.
Since I had gotten up so early, I didn't really have to worry about what I was gonna wear.not that I ever do. But you know how those things are. I don't do well when I'm in a rush. So, today I had decided to wear my pair of black Tripp® pants that have purple stitching on them, my black Sketchers®, and my red and black shirt that says, 'My mind works like lightning. One brilliant flash and it's gone'. That, my Spitfire® Sabbath watch and my Zero® button bracelet pretty much made up my common outfit. I dress how I like, and that can bug people sometimes. But, like I always say, they can learn to deal!
Well, first I stopped in my room, grabbed my book Advanced Spells from the Medieval Era, and brought it downstairs to the lounge. Then I went to the kitchen to get myself a Jammy Dodger. I munched on it as I came back into the lounge and plopped into my favorite armchair. I opened the book on my lap, but before I could start reading, I had to have some music playing. And it could be any ordinary plain music. It had to be rock, and the volume had to be cranked! So I turned on the stereo and played my Evanescence CD, making the speakers pound with the bass from it. Now these were the ideal reading conditions.
I poured through the book, finishing off the last five chapters and going back through a couple to get my technique perfect on the especially difficult spells. At length, I went up to my room, got my wand and entertained myself by transfiguring the coffee maker into a turtle, making a group of forks dance across the counter, and teasing the cats by levitating their food three feet off the ground and leaving it there.
Finally, Krystal got out of the shower and was ready to go. But ironically, she hadn't taken as long as I thought so it was only ten 'till eleven. But to keep us busy, we decided to try out our cleaning charms on our rooms, since they more than needed them.
All in all, I'd say that they worked fine. But I did forget to make sure that Simon wasn't sleeping in the laundry basket before I cast the charm. Yeah, he's gonna hold that one against me for at least a week. After that we both went into the lounge. I started on another book, Ancient Star Charts and Planetary Studies, while Krystal was at the other side of the room organizing the huge book shelf; Using her wand to guide the many books to their correct place. She's so touchy about these things.
" We should probably go now, seeing as it's like a quarter 'till twelve."
" Bloody hell, is that what time it is? Then come on, we need to get there soon!"
I jumped up from my seat, dropping my book onto the floor in the process, and we were out the door. The entire time we were walking, Krystal was asking me if we had brought anything that we had needed.
" Okay, Krystal, I'm pretty sure that I've got everything. I have some money, you have some money. We're good."
" Well, you are the one who usually forgets everything humanly possible, so I'm just doing what you made me promise that I'd do.I made a promise to Mr. Frodo! A promise! ' Don't you leave him, Samwise Gamgee'. And I don't mean to.I don't mean to!" Krystal began to fake cry, while I was laughing hysterically. Well, when you both love The Lord of the Rings, what else can you do to entertain yourselves?
We finally reached The Leaky Cauldron, and when we walked inside Tom greeted us. Scanning the room, we didn't see Wood there, so Krystal and I found ourselves a cozy little table in the corner of the room. We had only been there for about five minutes before I saw Wood walk inside. He said hi to Tom, and I could see him looking around the small café for us. I could see the worry in his eyes, so I waved over at him.
Wood walked over to our table, smiling, and sat down next to Krystal and I.
" Hey, Marina. And you must be Krystal."
" Yeah, that'd be me." Krystal shook Wood's hand, then gave me that 'damn he's hot' look and I just nodded.
" Sorry I was late. I hope you guys didn't wait here very long." There's that worried look again.
" No, actually we got here about five minutes before you. So we were both late. Hurray for Earth." Wood laughed. I'm just friggin hilarious these days, aren't I?
Soon, Tom came over to our table and we ordered three butterbeers. We joked and talked as we drank them, and then we went through the back door, and into Diagon Alley.
" So, where do you and Krystal think we should go first?"
Krystal and I just looked at each other. We both smiled and said, " Flourish and Blotts."
As soon as we entered the shop the manager came up to us and said, " Krystal! Marina! My favorite customers. It's so good to see you again."
" It's good to see you too, Cristian." Krystal and I laughed as we each gave him a hug. Cristian wasn't his real name, we just decided one day that he looked like some one with a name like Cristian, and he didn't seem to mind that we called him that. So the name stuck.
" I've just got some new books in that I think you'll enjoy. You can sit over there while I go get them if you'd like."
" Okay, thanks."
Krystal, Wood, and I all sat on a small couch near the back of the shop.
Wood looked at us with an amused look on his face. " So, I take it that you two come here often?"
" Oh, Marina, he obviously hasn't seen the bookshelves in the lounge. Why else would we be his favorite customers?"
Cristian soon returned with a stack of books and set them on the coffee table in front of us. We thanked him and he attended some other customers that had come in. We looked through the books he'd set out for us. Cristian had been right; Krystal and I did find a few books that we really liked. In the end we ended up buying three: one I really liked, one Krystal really liked, and one that we both wanted.
" So, where do you two think that we should go?" Krystal asked.
Wood and I looked at each other and he smiled at me, making me blush slightly.
" Quality Quidditch Supplies it is!" Wood said as I laughed.
Krystal rolled her eyes at us both as we made our way to the Quidditch shop. Let's just say that Krystal isn't as into Quidditch as I am, a.k.a. she's not obsessed.
Once we entered the shop, Wood and I were inseparable. He showed me the best gloves to use, and I showed him some really good Quaffles to practice with.
"See, these ones are heavier so you'll be able to throw the real one farther and with more force when it comes down to it. Oh, and these ones are specially made for Keepers. They have accelerators built into them so they go faster than they are actually thrown. I guess that they're supposed to prepare you for the really hard throwers.like the Slytherins."
" Yeah, I can see why that one would come in handy. Have you ever practiced with any of these?"
" No. I don't know of anywhere big enough to practice except for Hogwarts. I figured that I'd buy one after I get my school list. Then I could take it to Hogwarts with me and I'd just practice there."
Wood shook his head, " You see, if you do that then you may not get half as much practice than if you'd just start now." Noticing the look on my face he added, " Don't worry. I know a place where you'd be able to practice, and no one would see you. It's a secret place that I found one day."
" That's cool, Wood. Thanks."
He just smiled. We spent the rest of the time looking around at the different brooms and accessories. When we had finished looking, I ended up buying a pair of black dragon hide Quidditch gloves, a weighted Quaffle, and a new book on the best Chaser tactics, moves, and pointers. I figured I would regret it if I didn't get it, and lord knows I'll read it.
At the end of the day, the three of us headed back to the Leaky Cauldron. When we got there, we found none other than Harry, Ron, and Hermione. They were all sitting at a table and as soon as they saw us, Hermione motioned for us to come over.
" Krystal, Marina! It's so good to see the both of you again!" Hermione threw her arms around me in a warm hug. It really had been a long time. Last time we saw each other was on the train ride home from Hogwarts.
" It's good to see you too! Have you finished the book we lent you?" I stepped back next to Wood as Krystal hugged Hermione.
" Oh, I finished it ages ago. It was wonderful, thank you so much for letting me borrow it. Wood! What have you been up to?"
" Oh, I'm just hanging out with Marina and Krystal. But right now, I'll let you three be alone. Hey, Harry."
Hermione gave me one of those 'Oh my God, I can't believe that you're actually hanging out with him!' looks. We went up to the bar and asked Tom for some Butterbeers. Then we walked back over to the big table that the boys were sitting at.
We all sat, drinking butter beers and talking, until Wood had to leave.
" Well, I had a good time hanging out with all of you today, but I'll have to be off now. It was nice meeting you, Krystal," Wood said as he hugged Krystal goodbye. Then he hugged Hermione before walking over to me and hugging me. I wanted to dye. Then, before Wood let go of me, I felt him slip something into my pocket.
" Bye, Wood. I had a great time."
" Yeah, I'll see you all later then. Later Harry, Ron." And he left. A while later Harry and Ron left using floo powder and Hermione, Krystal, and I were left. That's when I finally reached into my pocket and pulled out a small piece of paper.
" What's that?" Hermione had seen the paper. Then Krystal looked over in interest.
" That's what I'm figuring out." I unfolded it and saw that it was a note from Wood that said that he'd send me an owl tonight.
hehehehehe!!!! CLIFFHANGER!!! Sorry, but I had to. Cuz I love you all and I know that you'll all be sending me death threats after this chapter. So please, keep them coming! ^_^ Yes, I'm in a freakishly good mood considering how crappy things are, but fear not! I no longer have writer's block and I know exactly what I'm gonna write in the next chappy. So I figured that I shouldn't prolong the chapter any more and just get it to you A.S.A.P. So I really hope you liked it so far, and all forms of criticism are accepted so fire away! Oh, and don't forget to review. And no, death threats don't count as review. I know they're fun, but where exactly do they get us? Exactly my point.
Author's Note: What up? Well, I have a perfectly normal excuse for why I haven't updated.and it's because I kept getting grounded for no reason at all. Yeah, my dad has these little power trips where he doesn't let any of us do anything and he makes up fake excuses why we can't. Yeah crappy. And then, seeing as I have homework every single night, I don't really have much time to write. So I really am sorry, but here are the fruits of my..slow.labor. ^_^
But for now.On with the story.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I slowly crept out of my room, down the hall, and lightly opened the door to Krystal's room. It was almost ten, I had been up since eight, and I was tired of waiting for her to wake on her own so I was just popping in for a subtle wake up call.
I kneeled down next to her bed and leaned in so close that our faces were a mere half an inch away from each other's.
" Krystal. Krystal. Kry-stal. Krystal!"
Her eyes slowly opened and as soon as she realized what she was seeing, she shot straight up and I began laughing hysterically. I love doing that. It's always worth the look on her face.
" Bloody hell, Marina! I hate it when you do that! What in moon's sake are you doing waking me up this early?"
I gave her a skeptical look. " It's almost ten, Krystal! Remember the whole, ' We're meeting Wood at the Leaky Cauldron tomorrow at twelve' thing? Yeah, well that's today! So get up and get ready! We still need to take a shower, dress, and make our beds. Oh, wait. Correction: YOU have to take a shower, dress, and make your bed so hurry up!"
" FINE! You don't have to spell the whole bloody thing out for me! Spaz!"
" Oh, how cute. Yet another one of Elijah Wood's little Americanisms that you've put to use. He should be proud. That's two so far."
" Damn straight, he should be proud! Now scamper off and do what ever it is that you seem to find fascinating in the wee hours of the day. Like staring at the wall, or having a conversation with the toaster. What ever floats your boat."
I stood there just staring at her for a moment, deep in thought. " Kay! Sounds good to me! I'll be in the kitchen!" And I turned and left the room without another thought. I liked making her think; no matter how much pain it caused her. The end results were always different and sometimes scary.
Since I had gotten up so early, I didn't really have to worry about what I was gonna wear.not that I ever do. But you know how those things are. I don't do well when I'm in a rush. So, today I had decided to wear my pair of black Tripp® pants that have purple stitching on them, my black Sketchers®, and my red and black shirt that says, 'My mind works like lightning. One brilliant flash and it's gone'. That, my Spitfire® Sabbath watch and my Zero® button bracelet pretty much made up my common outfit. I dress how I like, and that can bug people sometimes. But, like I always say, they can learn to deal!
Well, first I stopped in my room, grabbed my book Advanced Spells from the Medieval Era, and brought it downstairs to the lounge. Then I went to the kitchen to get myself a Jammy Dodger. I munched on it as I came back into the lounge and plopped into my favorite armchair. I opened the book on my lap, but before I could start reading, I had to have some music playing. And it could be any ordinary plain music. It had to be rock, and the volume had to be cranked! So I turned on the stereo and played my Evanescence CD, making the speakers pound with the bass from it. Now these were the ideal reading conditions.
I poured through the book, finishing off the last five chapters and going back through a couple to get my technique perfect on the especially difficult spells. At length, I went up to my room, got my wand and entertained myself by transfiguring the coffee maker into a turtle, making a group of forks dance across the counter, and teasing the cats by levitating their food three feet off the ground and leaving it there.
Finally, Krystal got out of the shower and was ready to go. But ironically, she hadn't taken as long as I thought so it was only ten 'till eleven. But to keep us busy, we decided to try out our cleaning charms on our rooms, since they more than needed them.
All in all, I'd say that they worked fine. But I did forget to make sure that Simon wasn't sleeping in the laundry basket before I cast the charm. Yeah, he's gonna hold that one against me for at least a week. After that we both went into the lounge. I started on another book, Ancient Star Charts and Planetary Studies, while Krystal was at the other side of the room organizing the huge book shelf; Using her wand to guide the many books to their correct place. She's so touchy about these things.
" We should probably go now, seeing as it's like a quarter 'till twelve."
" Bloody hell, is that what time it is? Then come on, we need to get there soon!"
I jumped up from my seat, dropping my book onto the floor in the process, and we were out the door. The entire time we were walking, Krystal was asking me if we had brought anything that we had needed.
" Okay, Krystal, I'm pretty sure that I've got everything. I have some money, you have some money. We're good."
" Well, you are the one who usually forgets everything humanly possible, so I'm just doing what you made me promise that I'd do.I made a promise to Mr. Frodo! A promise! ' Don't you leave him, Samwise Gamgee'. And I don't mean to.I don't mean to!" Krystal began to fake cry, while I was laughing hysterically. Well, when you both love The Lord of the Rings, what else can you do to entertain yourselves?
We finally reached The Leaky Cauldron, and when we walked inside Tom greeted us. Scanning the room, we didn't see Wood there, so Krystal and I found ourselves a cozy little table in the corner of the room. We had only been there for about five minutes before I saw Wood walk inside. He said hi to Tom, and I could see him looking around the small café for us. I could see the worry in his eyes, so I waved over at him.
Wood walked over to our table, smiling, and sat down next to Krystal and I.
" Hey, Marina. And you must be Krystal."
" Yeah, that'd be me." Krystal shook Wood's hand, then gave me that 'damn he's hot' look and I just nodded.
" Sorry I was late. I hope you guys didn't wait here very long." There's that worried look again.
" No, actually we got here about five minutes before you. So we were both late. Hurray for Earth." Wood laughed. I'm just friggin hilarious these days, aren't I?
Soon, Tom came over to our table and we ordered three butterbeers. We joked and talked as we drank them, and then we went through the back door, and into Diagon Alley.
" So, where do you and Krystal think we should go first?"
Krystal and I just looked at each other. We both smiled and said, " Flourish and Blotts."
As soon as we entered the shop the manager came up to us and said, " Krystal! Marina! My favorite customers. It's so good to see you again."
" It's good to see you too, Cristian." Krystal and I laughed as we each gave him a hug. Cristian wasn't his real name, we just decided one day that he looked like some one with a name like Cristian, and he didn't seem to mind that we called him that. So the name stuck.
" I've just got some new books in that I think you'll enjoy. You can sit over there while I go get them if you'd like."
" Okay, thanks."
Krystal, Wood, and I all sat on a small couch near the back of the shop.
Wood looked at us with an amused look on his face. " So, I take it that you two come here often?"
" Oh, Marina, he obviously hasn't seen the bookshelves in the lounge. Why else would we be his favorite customers?"
Cristian soon returned with a stack of books and set them on the coffee table in front of us. We thanked him and he attended some other customers that had come in. We looked through the books he'd set out for us. Cristian had been right; Krystal and I did find a few books that we really liked. In the end we ended up buying three: one I really liked, one Krystal really liked, and one that we both wanted.
" So, where do you two think that we should go?" Krystal asked.
Wood and I looked at each other and he smiled at me, making me blush slightly.
" Quality Quidditch Supplies it is!" Wood said as I laughed.
Krystal rolled her eyes at us both as we made our way to the Quidditch shop. Let's just say that Krystal isn't as into Quidditch as I am, a.k.a. she's not obsessed.
Once we entered the shop, Wood and I were inseparable. He showed me the best gloves to use, and I showed him some really good Quaffles to practice with.
"See, these ones are heavier so you'll be able to throw the real one farther and with more force when it comes down to it. Oh, and these ones are specially made for Keepers. They have accelerators built into them so they go faster than they are actually thrown. I guess that they're supposed to prepare you for the really hard throwers.like the Slytherins."
" Yeah, I can see why that one would come in handy. Have you ever practiced with any of these?"
" No. I don't know of anywhere big enough to practice except for Hogwarts. I figured that I'd buy one after I get my school list. Then I could take it to Hogwarts with me and I'd just practice there."
Wood shook his head, " You see, if you do that then you may not get half as much practice than if you'd just start now." Noticing the look on my face he added, " Don't worry. I know a place where you'd be able to practice, and no one would see you. It's a secret place that I found one day."
" That's cool, Wood. Thanks."
He just smiled. We spent the rest of the time looking around at the different brooms and accessories. When we had finished looking, I ended up buying a pair of black dragon hide Quidditch gloves, a weighted Quaffle, and a new book on the best Chaser tactics, moves, and pointers. I figured I would regret it if I didn't get it, and lord knows I'll read it.
At the end of the day, the three of us headed back to the Leaky Cauldron. When we got there, we found none other than Harry, Ron, and Hermione. They were all sitting at a table and as soon as they saw us, Hermione motioned for us to come over.
" Krystal, Marina! It's so good to see the both of you again!" Hermione threw her arms around me in a warm hug. It really had been a long time. Last time we saw each other was on the train ride home from Hogwarts.
" It's good to see you too! Have you finished the book we lent you?" I stepped back next to Wood as Krystal hugged Hermione.
" Oh, I finished it ages ago. It was wonderful, thank you so much for letting me borrow it. Wood! What have you been up to?"
" Oh, I'm just hanging out with Marina and Krystal. But right now, I'll let you three be alone. Hey, Harry."
Hermione gave me one of those 'Oh my God, I can't believe that you're actually hanging out with him!' looks. We went up to the bar and asked Tom for some Butterbeers. Then we walked back over to the big table that the boys were sitting at.
We all sat, drinking butter beers and talking, until Wood had to leave.
" Well, I had a good time hanging out with all of you today, but I'll have to be off now. It was nice meeting you, Krystal," Wood said as he hugged Krystal goodbye. Then he hugged Hermione before walking over to me and hugging me. I wanted to dye. Then, before Wood let go of me, I felt him slip something into my pocket.
" Bye, Wood. I had a great time."
" Yeah, I'll see you all later then. Later Harry, Ron." And he left. A while later Harry and Ron left using floo powder and Hermione, Krystal, and I were left. That's when I finally reached into my pocket and pulled out a small piece of paper.
" What's that?" Hermione had seen the paper. Then Krystal looked over in interest.
" That's what I'm figuring out." I unfolded it and saw that it was a note from Wood that said that he'd send me an owl tonight.
hehehehehe!!!! CLIFFHANGER!!! Sorry, but I had to. Cuz I love you all and I know that you'll all be sending me death threats after this chapter. So please, keep them coming! ^_^ Yes, I'm in a freakishly good mood considering how crappy things are, but fear not! I no longer have writer's block and I know exactly what I'm gonna write in the next chappy. So I figured that I shouldn't prolong the chapter any more and just get it to you A.S.A.P. So I really hope you liked it so far, and all forms of criticism are accepted so fire away! Oh, and don't forget to review. And no, death threats don't count as review. I know they're fun, but where exactly do they get us? Exactly my point.
