A/N:Thanks for the encouragement, hope you like the next chapter. It has
shopping!! And yes Loki does rock! ^__^
Chapter 2
Several weeks later she was in the kitchen fetching herself breakfast with the TV on in the background when she heard a special announcement. A convict had escaped. '.the public is warned that Black is armed and extremely dangerous. A special hotline has been set up, and any sighting of Black should be reported immediately.'
Tanwen turned back interestedly in time to see a picture of the man in question appear. He had a gaunt face surrounded by elbow-length matted hair. Moving to get a closer look she tilted her head to one side, just as she always did when she was thinking and looked at him thoughtfully, something about his eyes..they were almost.
A crash behind her broke her concentration.
"Loki!" she admonished as she turned to see the creature sat guiltily on top of the breakfast bar and her cereal bowl on the floor.
As she fetched a cloth and started to mop up the milk Loki's chattering made her look up. A large owl was headed for their window. Jumping to her feet she opened the large patio door to admit their feathery visitor. But it didn't stay long; no sooner had she removed the letter from his claws than he took off again. Loki snorted disapprovingly.
"Now Loki," she said as she looked at the letter bearing the Hogwarts crest, "he's working; he can hardly stay for a chat and tea at each place he visits." She opened the parchment to reveal a short letter.
Dear Miss Gray,
Please note that the new school year begins on September the first. The Hogwarts Express will leave from King's Cross Station, Platform nine and three-quarters and eleven o'clock.
A list of books for next year is enclosed. As you are new to the school a list of clothing and equipment has also been included.
Yours sincerely
Professor M. McGonagall Deputy Headmistress
Tanwen scanned down the list. Most of the equipment she already had, it would just be uniform and books that she needed really. And that meant a trip to Diagon Ally. She had been there earlier in the year briefly but didn't really know her way around that well, it was going to take a bit longer than normal to shop she guessed. Oh, and she had to check that her money had come through to Gringrotts, she had had it transferred earlier that year but hadn't been to check it was there. She had only needed her muggle money, and she had a credit card for that. When she had got the money she had put some into wizarding money and the rest into muggle money. The interest she got on her Swiss bank account was huge! All she had to do was leave it there and transfer some to galleons every now and then.
"Loki?" she looked down at the animal at her feet, "want to come shopping?"
He nodded.
"Ok then, but you have to make yourself invisible until we get there. Don't look like that, just imaging the fuss we'd make if muggles saw a red panda walking down the road!"
Loki was still quite young as his species went; in fact he was still a child really although she didn't think he'd grow that much more. He hadn't learnt to turn himself invisible 'til recently and he still found it hard work. But once he was invisible he loved it, he seemed to have a special talent for causing mischief and being invisible just made it that much more fun. She had had to buy an invisible leash so that she could keep control of him when they were out, she couldn't very well have a normal leash showing her leading nothing down the street.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The wall before her melted away to reveal Diagon Ally, as they stepped through and the illusion closed behind them Loki became visible. He didn't really like being on a leash and he knew that if he was visible then Tanwen would let him off it. He grinned smugly to himself as she bent down and removed the collar.
"Right," she said, "first port of call- uniform." Together they wandered off down the street. It was about as busy as normal, they usual people plus some Hogwarts students come to pick up new equipment or just out with their friends.
She entered a shop with Hogwarts robes in the window called Madam Maulkin's Robes for All Occasions. As she entered an assistant bustled up towards her.
"New robes?" she asked, "this way." She lead Tanwen to the back of the shop where a tall boy stood on a stool getting measured for new robes too. He had dark hair and grey eyes the colour of the early morning sky. He smiled at her as she approached, "outgrown your old ones, dear?" asked the assistant as she took out her tape measure.
"No, I'm new," Tanwen replied.
"Surely not a first year?" asked the boy next to her. "Sorry, that was rude of me," he added hastily.
Tanwen grinned at him, "no, that's ok, I'm not a first year. Going into the fourth year, but I used to go to Beauxbatons."
"Oh right, I see," he replied, "Where are my manners today? I'm Cedric; as from September a fully fledged fifth year," he leant over and offered her his hand.
"Stand still young man," grumbled the woman attending him.
Tanwen giggled and shook his hand, "Tanwen," she told him, "enchanté"
He grinned back, "I wish I could speak another language."
Several minutes later he got his new robes and went to the front to pay. Tanwen watched him go; he's nice, she thought. Loki made a sound that sounded like sniggering as he watched her gaze. Tanwen caught his eye and blushed, "Loki!"
Thanking the assistant for her clothes she struggled with the many piled of new clothes to the till. Just as she got there she tripped over Loki and almost fell when Cedric, who stood at the till, stepped over and caught her by the arm and stopped her from dropping everything.
"Thanks," she said as she laid her things down to pay. As she handed over the money he asked,
"Do you want to go and get an ice cream or something? I'm almost done here, but I can show you were to go to get the rest of your things if you need other stuff."
"I'd like that," she replied with a smile, "Loki?" She turned round to look for the animal. He was sat on a pile of scarves under a rail of clothed, "we're going now."
"Is that your pet?" Cedric asked as they walked to Florean Fortescue's Ice cream Parlour.
"Sort of," she replied, "but he's a lot like a person so I don't really think of him like that. He's been with me a long time and when he speaks to me I can usually understand what he means."
"He can talk?"
"Well, no, not really, but I can understand the noises."
"Oh," Cedric looked down at the animal that trotted in front of them, "what is he?"
"A red panda," replied Tanwen, "at least that's the muggle name, I'm not sure if there's a different name, but he is magical."
"What can he do?"
"Well at the moment all he can do is turn invisible, but he's still only little so maybe he'll do more in time I don't know."
"Really? Neat!"
Loki turned round and cocked his head to one side at Cedric.
"He likes you," Tanwen told Cedric as they sat down at a small table outside.
"Well I like him too," said Cedric as he ruffled the fur on Loki's head who was leaning his front paws on the edge of Cedric's chair.
Several ice creams later they left for Flourish and Blotts. On the way they ran into Cedric's father.
"Hi dad," said Cedric, "this is Tanwen."
"Pleased to meet you," he said as he shook her hand, "a friend of Cedric's from school I bet."
"Sort of," replied Tanwen with a sideways smile at Cedric.
"Look, dad, will you take my stuff please? We're going to Flourish and Blotts next, Tanwen needs to pick up her books, and she's going to have so much stuff, I wanted to be able to give her a hand."
"Oh," Tanwen blushed, "that's really not necessary, I mean I don't want to be any trouble, I."
"Really, it's no trouble," said Cedric as he put his hand on her arm, "I want to help."
"Sure son, that's fine, hand over your bags and I'll take them." Cedric passed his bags over. "Are we still ok to meet in," he checked his watch, "two hours?"
Cedric looked at Tanwen, "what time are you going home?"
"It doesn't really matter," she replied with a shrug.
"Won't your parents' worry?" asked Mr Diggory.
"I don't," began Tanwen, "I mean they.errr.errr.they don't get back 'til late."
Loki nudged her legs, Tanwen knew what he meant. She didn't like lying to Cedric and his dad, but once people knew that you didn't have any parents then they tended to give you that look- full of pity. She didn't need their pity, she couldn't remember her parents so how could she miss something she couldn't remember? At least that was what she told herself.
"Ok well I'll meet you in two hours, Cedric," said Mr Diggory, "it was nice to meet you Tanwen."
"And you," she replied. "What?" Cedric looked at her oddly. She coloured and looked away.
"Are you ok?" he asked hesitantly.
"Oh, yes, I'm fine. Let's go get these books then."
".ok."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Half an hour later they emerged with arms full of book bags. Tanwen was laughing,
"Did you see those books?"
"Yeah, the Monster Book of Monsters," he grinned, "did you see the look on his face when that third year came in to buy one?"
"Yeah," she laughed, "I thought he was going to faint!"
They sat on a small wall and Tanwen looked at all the things that she had to take back.
"How am I ever going to get all of these back?" she wondered out loud.
"Is your house not on the Floo network?" Cedric asked as he stroked Loki's head that was laid in his lap.
"No," she replied, "I should get it connected."
"Won't your parents do that?" he asked, "or are they muggles? I know that lots of muggles aren't really keen on that."
Tanwen twisted her hair thinking fast, she really didn't want to lie to him but.
"Hello?"
"Sorry, I was listening really," she smiled at him, ".I don't have any parents," she said at last, "or, well, not that I know of anyway."
"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry."
"No, it's ok."
They sat in silence for a while both thinking.
"Would you help me carry my things out onto the muggle side please?" she asked tentatively, "then I could get a taxi home."
"Sure," he replied, "I'd be glad to. Shall we go to the Leaky Cauldron now? We can grab a drink, I've got to meet dad there in about half an hour anyway."
"Ok."
Getting to their feet they gathered the bags and followed Loki's bushy tail back down the street.
"Two butterbeers, please," Cedric ordered.
"Please, let me pay," insisted Tanwen, "you paid for the ice cream. Anyway it's the least I can do; you've been so nice to me." As she said the last part he looked into her eyes and she quickly looked away and paid.
"So, do you know what house you're going to be in?" he asked.
"No," she replied, "I spoke to Dumbledore and he said.Loki!" She jumped up to drag him away from a wet ginger cat that was hissing and spitting at him. Loki had filled his mouth with water from the cat's bowl and spat it out in its face! She carried him back to the table and plonked him down on a seat. Loki sniggered to himself as his eyed the disgruntled cat in the corner. Looking at Cedric she saw he was grinning.
"Where can I get me one of them?" he asked with a laugh.
"He's a one in a million I'm afraid," she replied, "even if he is naughty." She tapped him on the ear and he frowned up at her. "Anyway, where was I? Oh yes, well Dumbledore said that I would have to go through the Sorting with the new first years."
"Oh, all you have to do is try on a hat," he said, "if the first years have older siblings they often get told cock and bull stories about having to do a test or something." He grinned, "Luckily I'm an only child."
"I bet that scares them even more than the thought of going to a new school!"
"Yeah," he agreed, "I'm in Hufflepuff, perhaps not the most prestigious house, but I like it. Captain of the Quidditch team," he added proudly, "d'you play?"
"Yeah, a little," she grinned at the thought of her Zephyr back home, "Chaser."
"I'm their seeker. Did you play for your school?"
"How do I get to the Hogwarts Express?" she asked changing the subject suddenly, "Sorry to change the subject but I've been to King's Cross and there's no platform nine and three-quarters."
He grinned again, "It's hidden, but once you're there it's obvious enough what you have to do. Just follow everyone else, the whole trunks and owls think makes us rather conspicuous. All you have to do is go through the barrier between platform nine and ten, there's an illusion there to fool muggles."
"Thanks,"
"Cedric, ready to go?"
The two turned round to see Mr Diggory enter.
"I guess you have to go now," said Tanwen, trying not to sound remorseful.
"Yeah, shall we go get you a.what did you say teski?"
"Taxi," she giggled, "that's be good."
"I'll be five minutes Dad."
They walked out the front and waited for Tanwen to flag down a taxi. After they had packed all her bags in and an invisible Loki had climbed in they turned to one another awkwardly.
"Well..errr," Cedric scratched the back of his neck.
"Yeah, thanks," said Tanwen, "I've had a really great day."
"Me too."
".I guess I'll see you on the train then,"
"Definitely, I'll watch out for you."
Another pause.
"Well, bye then,"
"Bye," Tanwen leant forwards and kissed him on both cheeks as she would in France, then remembered that this wasn't France and people didn't do that. She blushed.
Cedric grinned, "See ya!
She climbed in and waved to him as the taxi pulled away.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A/N: Ah the joys of making her sort of French ;) Don't you just love the cute awkward moment at the end? Hehehe Ok well what did you think R&R please!
Chapter 2
Several weeks later she was in the kitchen fetching herself breakfast with the TV on in the background when she heard a special announcement. A convict had escaped. '.the public is warned that Black is armed and extremely dangerous. A special hotline has been set up, and any sighting of Black should be reported immediately.'
Tanwen turned back interestedly in time to see a picture of the man in question appear. He had a gaunt face surrounded by elbow-length matted hair. Moving to get a closer look she tilted her head to one side, just as she always did when she was thinking and looked at him thoughtfully, something about his eyes..they were almost.
A crash behind her broke her concentration.
"Loki!" she admonished as she turned to see the creature sat guiltily on top of the breakfast bar and her cereal bowl on the floor.
As she fetched a cloth and started to mop up the milk Loki's chattering made her look up. A large owl was headed for their window. Jumping to her feet she opened the large patio door to admit their feathery visitor. But it didn't stay long; no sooner had she removed the letter from his claws than he took off again. Loki snorted disapprovingly.
"Now Loki," she said as she looked at the letter bearing the Hogwarts crest, "he's working; he can hardly stay for a chat and tea at each place he visits." She opened the parchment to reveal a short letter.
Dear Miss Gray,
Please note that the new school year begins on September the first. The Hogwarts Express will leave from King's Cross Station, Platform nine and three-quarters and eleven o'clock.
A list of books for next year is enclosed. As you are new to the school a list of clothing and equipment has also been included.
Yours sincerely
Professor M. McGonagall Deputy Headmistress
Tanwen scanned down the list. Most of the equipment she already had, it would just be uniform and books that she needed really. And that meant a trip to Diagon Ally. She had been there earlier in the year briefly but didn't really know her way around that well, it was going to take a bit longer than normal to shop she guessed. Oh, and she had to check that her money had come through to Gringrotts, she had had it transferred earlier that year but hadn't been to check it was there. She had only needed her muggle money, and she had a credit card for that. When she had got the money she had put some into wizarding money and the rest into muggle money. The interest she got on her Swiss bank account was huge! All she had to do was leave it there and transfer some to galleons every now and then.
"Loki?" she looked down at the animal at her feet, "want to come shopping?"
He nodded.
"Ok then, but you have to make yourself invisible until we get there. Don't look like that, just imaging the fuss we'd make if muggles saw a red panda walking down the road!"
Loki was still quite young as his species went; in fact he was still a child really although she didn't think he'd grow that much more. He hadn't learnt to turn himself invisible 'til recently and he still found it hard work. But once he was invisible he loved it, he seemed to have a special talent for causing mischief and being invisible just made it that much more fun. She had had to buy an invisible leash so that she could keep control of him when they were out, she couldn't very well have a normal leash showing her leading nothing down the street.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The wall before her melted away to reveal Diagon Ally, as they stepped through and the illusion closed behind them Loki became visible. He didn't really like being on a leash and he knew that if he was visible then Tanwen would let him off it. He grinned smugly to himself as she bent down and removed the collar.
"Right," she said, "first port of call- uniform." Together they wandered off down the street. It was about as busy as normal, they usual people plus some Hogwarts students come to pick up new equipment or just out with their friends.
She entered a shop with Hogwarts robes in the window called Madam Maulkin's Robes for All Occasions. As she entered an assistant bustled up towards her.
"New robes?" she asked, "this way." She lead Tanwen to the back of the shop where a tall boy stood on a stool getting measured for new robes too. He had dark hair and grey eyes the colour of the early morning sky. He smiled at her as she approached, "outgrown your old ones, dear?" asked the assistant as she took out her tape measure.
"No, I'm new," Tanwen replied.
"Surely not a first year?" asked the boy next to her. "Sorry, that was rude of me," he added hastily.
Tanwen grinned at him, "no, that's ok, I'm not a first year. Going into the fourth year, but I used to go to Beauxbatons."
"Oh right, I see," he replied, "Where are my manners today? I'm Cedric; as from September a fully fledged fifth year," he leant over and offered her his hand.
"Stand still young man," grumbled the woman attending him.
Tanwen giggled and shook his hand, "Tanwen," she told him, "enchanté"
He grinned back, "I wish I could speak another language."
Several minutes later he got his new robes and went to the front to pay. Tanwen watched him go; he's nice, she thought. Loki made a sound that sounded like sniggering as he watched her gaze. Tanwen caught his eye and blushed, "Loki!"
Thanking the assistant for her clothes she struggled with the many piled of new clothes to the till. Just as she got there she tripped over Loki and almost fell when Cedric, who stood at the till, stepped over and caught her by the arm and stopped her from dropping everything.
"Thanks," she said as she laid her things down to pay. As she handed over the money he asked,
"Do you want to go and get an ice cream or something? I'm almost done here, but I can show you were to go to get the rest of your things if you need other stuff."
"I'd like that," she replied with a smile, "Loki?" She turned round to look for the animal. He was sat on a pile of scarves under a rail of clothed, "we're going now."
"Is that your pet?" Cedric asked as they walked to Florean Fortescue's Ice cream Parlour.
"Sort of," she replied, "but he's a lot like a person so I don't really think of him like that. He's been with me a long time and when he speaks to me I can usually understand what he means."
"He can talk?"
"Well, no, not really, but I can understand the noises."
"Oh," Cedric looked down at the animal that trotted in front of them, "what is he?"
"A red panda," replied Tanwen, "at least that's the muggle name, I'm not sure if there's a different name, but he is magical."
"What can he do?"
"Well at the moment all he can do is turn invisible, but he's still only little so maybe he'll do more in time I don't know."
"Really? Neat!"
Loki turned round and cocked his head to one side at Cedric.
"He likes you," Tanwen told Cedric as they sat down at a small table outside.
"Well I like him too," said Cedric as he ruffled the fur on Loki's head who was leaning his front paws on the edge of Cedric's chair.
Several ice creams later they left for Flourish and Blotts. On the way they ran into Cedric's father.
"Hi dad," said Cedric, "this is Tanwen."
"Pleased to meet you," he said as he shook her hand, "a friend of Cedric's from school I bet."
"Sort of," replied Tanwen with a sideways smile at Cedric.
"Look, dad, will you take my stuff please? We're going to Flourish and Blotts next, Tanwen needs to pick up her books, and she's going to have so much stuff, I wanted to be able to give her a hand."
"Oh," Tanwen blushed, "that's really not necessary, I mean I don't want to be any trouble, I."
"Really, it's no trouble," said Cedric as he put his hand on her arm, "I want to help."
"Sure son, that's fine, hand over your bags and I'll take them." Cedric passed his bags over. "Are we still ok to meet in," he checked his watch, "two hours?"
Cedric looked at Tanwen, "what time are you going home?"
"It doesn't really matter," she replied with a shrug.
"Won't your parents' worry?" asked Mr Diggory.
"I don't," began Tanwen, "I mean they.errr.errr.they don't get back 'til late."
Loki nudged her legs, Tanwen knew what he meant. She didn't like lying to Cedric and his dad, but once people knew that you didn't have any parents then they tended to give you that look- full of pity. She didn't need their pity, she couldn't remember her parents so how could she miss something she couldn't remember? At least that was what she told herself.
"Ok well I'll meet you in two hours, Cedric," said Mr Diggory, "it was nice to meet you Tanwen."
"And you," she replied. "What?" Cedric looked at her oddly. She coloured and looked away.
"Are you ok?" he asked hesitantly.
"Oh, yes, I'm fine. Let's go get these books then."
".ok."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Half an hour later they emerged with arms full of book bags. Tanwen was laughing,
"Did you see those books?"
"Yeah, the Monster Book of Monsters," he grinned, "did you see the look on his face when that third year came in to buy one?"
"Yeah," she laughed, "I thought he was going to faint!"
They sat on a small wall and Tanwen looked at all the things that she had to take back.
"How am I ever going to get all of these back?" she wondered out loud.
"Is your house not on the Floo network?" Cedric asked as he stroked Loki's head that was laid in his lap.
"No," she replied, "I should get it connected."
"Won't your parents do that?" he asked, "or are they muggles? I know that lots of muggles aren't really keen on that."
Tanwen twisted her hair thinking fast, she really didn't want to lie to him but.
"Hello?"
"Sorry, I was listening really," she smiled at him, ".I don't have any parents," she said at last, "or, well, not that I know of anyway."
"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry."
"No, it's ok."
They sat in silence for a while both thinking.
"Would you help me carry my things out onto the muggle side please?" she asked tentatively, "then I could get a taxi home."
"Sure," he replied, "I'd be glad to. Shall we go to the Leaky Cauldron now? We can grab a drink, I've got to meet dad there in about half an hour anyway."
"Ok."
Getting to their feet they gathered the bags and followed Loki's bushy tail back down the street.
"Two butterbeers, please," Cedric ordered.
"Please, let me pay," insisted Tanwen, "you paid for the ice cream. Anyway it's the least I can do; you've been so nice to me." As she said the last part he looked into her eyes and she quickly looked away and paid.
"So, do you know what house you're going to be in?" he asked.
"No," she replied, "I spoke to Dumbledore and he said.Loki!" She jumped up to drag him away from a wet ginger cat that was hissing and spitting at him. Loki had filled his mouth with water from the cat's bowl and spat it out in its face! She carried him back to the table and plonked him down on a seat. Loki sniggered to himself as his eyed the disgruntled cat in the corner. Looking at Cedric she saw he was grinning.
"Where can I get me one of them?" he asked with a laugh.
"He's a one in a million I'm afraid," she replied, "even if he is naughty." She tapped him on the ear and he frowned up at her. "Anyway, where was I? Oh yes, well Dumbledore said that I would have to go through the Sorting with the new first years."
"Oh, all you have to do is try on a hat," he said, "if the first years have older siblings they often get told cock and bull stories about having to do a test or something." He grinned, "Luckily I'm an only child."
"I bet that scares them even more than the thought of going to a new school!"
"Yeah," he agreed, "I'm in Hufflepuff, perhaps not the most prestigious house, but I like it. Captain of the Quidditch team," he added proudly, "d'you play?"
"Yeah, a little," she grinned at the thought of her Zephyr back home, "Chaser."
"I'm their seeker. Did you play for your school?"
"How do I get to the Hogwarts Express?" she asked changing the subject suddenly, "Sorry to change the subject but I've been to King's Cross and there's no platform nine and three-quarters."
He grinned again, "It's hidden, but once you're there it's obvious enough what you have to do. Just follow everyone else, the whole trunks and owls think makes us rather conspicuous. All you have to do is go through the barrier between platform nine and ten, there's an illusion there to fool muggles."
"Thanks,"
"Cedric, ready to go?"
The two turned round to see Mr Diggory enter.
"I guess you have to go now," said Tanwen, trying not to sound remorseful.
"Yeah, shall we go get you a.what did you say teski?"
"Taxi," she giggled, "that's be good."
"I'll be five minutes Dad."
They walked out the front and waited for Tanwen to flag down a taxi. After they had packed all her bags in and an invisible Loki had climbed in they turned to one another awkwardly.
"Well..errr," Cedric scratched the back of his neck.
"Yeah, thanks," said Tanwen, "I've had a really great day."
"Me too."
".I guess I'll see you on the train then,"
"Definitely, I'll watch out for you."
Another pause.
"Well, bye then,"
"Bye," Tanwen leant forwards and kissed him on both cheeks as she would in France, then remembered that this wasn't France and people didn't do that. She blushed.
Cedric grinned, "See ya!
She climbed in and waved to him as the taxi pulled away.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A/N: Ah the joys of making her sort of French ;) Don't you just love the cute awkward moment at the end? Hehehe Ok well what did you think R&R please!