The next hour or so she spent unpacking her things then searched out her wizarding pages. Flicking through the pages she stopped at the one with the large advert for 'The Floo Network'
Connect yourself to the rest of the wizarding world! Floo travel is both inexpensive and convenient. It delivers you almost immediately to your destination without the pesky problem of splinching that comes with apparating. No magical home should be without it.
To join now just touch your wand to the page here and say, 'register'. (You must be over eighteen to join.)
In the unlikely event you have any trouble with your existing connection touch your want here and say, 'unlikely'
If you wish to make general inquiries please touch your wand here and say, 'inquiries'.
Tanwen frowned as she pulled out her wand; she had to be over eighteen. Well, she would have to act older then; she hadn't the ingredients to make an aging spell and anyway, she wasn't that good at Potions. Putting her wand down next to the ad she went into the next room and stood before the mirror, surveying herself critically. She pulled her hair back off her face, turning this way and that trying to decide whether it made her look older. Then a thought struck her and she grinned. Abandoning the mirror for the moment she rummaged through her draws, throwing out the things she needed onto the bed.
She stood in front of the mirror again. She had changed into clothes that had been given to her by her French friends' last birthday. The simple cream dress fell stylishly to her knees and a black silk scarf was tied round her waist to accentuate her hips. She wore her hair loose, a black beret perched slightly to one side on top. She had applied a touch of make-up to her eyes and lips. She grinned at her reflection before walking back through.
Deciding it was extremely improbable that the person who came to connect her would be French she decided to use this to her full advantage. She picked up her wand and touched it to the page and said, "register."
Immediately there was a loud popping noise and a young wizard appeared in front of her. He was tall and gangly, with a slightly crooked nose and short, messy ginger hair. To be honest, Tanwen thought he looked new to the job. The look in his eyes told her he was inexperienced and slightly nervous.
"Bonjour monsieur," Tanwen said with a smile.
"Err hello," he replied.
"I'd like to register my fireplace with ze Floo network," she told him in her strongest French accent.
"Are you over eighteen?" he asked her as he fumbled around in a large black bag he had brought with him.
"But of course," she said with a laugh, "I 'ave lately moved from France, 'ave you visited my country before."
"No," he replied nervously as he handed her a contract and a quill, "just read this and sign at the bottom."
She surveyed it while he examined her fireplace. Leaning on a side table she signed her name 'Tanwen Gray', thinking with a smile to herself that this wasn't even her real name. As she handed it back to him he avoided her eyes and spouted the customary, "Thank you for connecting to the Floo Network, if you have any trouble don't hesitate to ask for help." Then he turned and muttered something with his wand outstretched at the fire. He handed her a large book from his bag and prepared to leave.
"Good day," he said
"Good day," she replied. And he disapparated.
Tanwen sat down in her chair in glee, it had worked- he thought she was over eighteen! She scanned through the book he had given her. It was the Floo Book containing the names and destinations of everyone connected and another section for shops, businesses etc. Most of her friends seemed to be on it, which was logical though, for the majority of people at Hogwarts had at least one magical parent.
She glanced out the window, it was dark outside. It was warmer down south than at Hogwarts and so there was no snow, but she knew it was still cold outside. Her stomach rumbled and she looked at her watch, it was almost half seven, time for dinner.
"Hungry Loki?" she asked as he nudged her legs asking to be picked up. Putting the Floo Book aside she picked him up and plonked him on her lap. "I so can't be bothered to cook," she told him, fondling his ears. Suddenly she spotted something glinting against his russet coat, "what's this?" A silver chain was wrapped round his neck, she undid it and held it up. It was plain except for a name written on a deep blue stone in the centre. She turned it over, "Sinea- oh Loki!"
He looked at her as if to say, 'it wasn't my fault!'
"Oh, ok, I know it wasn't your fault, we'll have to go give this back." She put him back on the ground and wandered over to the kitchen area, finding his bamboo shoots in one of the bottom cupboards, "here, I'm going out to get something to eat and maybe do a spot of shopping, then I'll drop round and give the necklace back." She placed the shoots in front of Loki, "is there anything you want before I go?" He nudged the TV, "Ok," she turned it on.
Then she walked through into her bedroom, she couldn't be bothered to change. So she just pulled off her beret and located a thick coat from her wardrobe. She loved this coat, although she didn't realise it at the time now it reminded her of the coat her mother used to wear when she was little. It was dark grey with a faux-fur grey edging at the cuffs and from neck to floor. Pulling on a pair of knee-high black suede boots she grabbed her coat and put the necklace in the pocket. She picked up the purse that held all her muggle shopping things, like her cash card and muggle money, to which she added a bag of wizarding coins. "I'll see you later," she called to Loki as she pulled on her coat and walked out the door.
Tanwen walked out into the night, her hands thrust deep in her pocket to keep them warm. The streets of London were still busy with people; the shop doors stood open, bright and inviting. Picking up several gifts on the way Tanwen took the tube and headed for Diagon Ally. It was warm on the tube, groups of people sat together chatting happily showing off the latest Christmas presents they had bought.
Jumping down onto the platform Tanwen headed for the escalators like the rest of the crowd. She hummed to herself contentedly and swung the brightly coloured plastic bags containing her purchases by her side as she walked.
Several more shopping stops later Tanwen paused to buy hot chestnuts from a stall. Cautiously pealing her chestnuts she sat down on a bench to eat them. It was odd being by herself again after such a long time with her friends. But she liked it all the same.
Finally she reached The Leaky Cauldron. It was late by now and she hoped the shops would still be open. Deciding to eat properly later she walked though and headed straight to Diagon Ally. If she was going to return the necklace then she needed floo powder to get there.
She was just in time, they were just about to close up when she arrived. Quickly purchasing a large pouch of floo powder she dropped it into one of her other bags and returned to eat.
It was almost eleven o'clock by the time she got home. She'd got on the wrong tube on her way home, there had been sections of the track closed…she sighed and shook her head, good old London. Loki was fast asleep on the couch making little snoring noises.
Taking the necklace out her pocket she debated what to do. Whilst it wasn't really very polite to visit people in the middle of the night she really thought she should give this back soon. Sinea might not remember that she had attached it to Loki and it looked really expensive. Maybe, she thought, she could find their house elf, he could give it to them at a convenient moment and no-one would think she was rude interrupting them so late.
Flicking through until she found the address she lit the fire, using matches of course, she couldn't risk that the Department for Underaged Use of Magic would find out about her.
She threw a handful of powder into the flames and stepping into the green flames said, "Lindley Manor."
Seconds later she arrived in a medium sized room, it was thankfully empty. Using a conveniently placed duster she dusted off the little soot that clung to her coat and looked around her. The rich cream coloured walls had several cloaks hanging up on them. It seemed that everyone was home, and asleep, she reminded herself.
She was just about to wonder what to do next when a small creature walking into the room wearing what looked like a royal blue pillow case.
"Can I help you miss?" it squeaked.
"Yes actually," she replied, "Bromley isn't it?"
"Yes miss," replied the house elf a little confused.
"I'm a friend of Jon and Alex's," she explained, noticing its confusion, "earlier today they gave me a lift home and Sinea put her necklace round the neck of Loki. I wanted to return it at the earliest opportunity, I'm sorry to intrude so late."
"Miss is most welcome," Bromley said bowing and taking the necklace from her offered hand, "would you care to stay for a drink?"
"Oh I don't know-" Tanwen hesitated.
"Bromley wishes very much to thank you for your kindness to our family in bringing this back so quickly. Very valuable it is, with protection spells for Miss Sinea."
"Oh, ok then, just quickly," she conceded, he really was very eager.
"May I take your coat miss?" he asked politely.
"Thank you," she took it off and handed it to him. He made a gesture to the side and it flew to one of the waiting hooks.
"This way Miss," he beckoned and set off out the door.
Tanwen followed him, her eyes wandering along the walls as she walked. Even the hallways were richly furnished, the polished wooden floors caused her footsteps to echo rather unnervingly behind her. They turned corner after corner and it wasn't long before Tanwen felt utterly lost.
Eventually they came into the kitchen.
"What would miss like to drink?"
"Um, tea would be nice."
"Please take a seat while Bromley fixes it for you," he motioned to a cushioned chair near the fire that burned merrily in the grate.
Tanwen sat and watched the flames while in the background she could hear Bromley clattering around as he set a kettle to boil. She was so mesmerised by the flames she didn't notice someone come in behind her.
"By the- Tanwen?"
She turned to see Jon standing in the doorway. His hair was tousled and cheeks flushed from sleep. Over the top of the usual boxers he wore to bed a black dressing gown around his shoulders hung open. "Hello sleepy head," she greeted, walking over to him.
"What are you doing here?"
"Well it's nice to see you too," she grinned.
"What? – No, I don't mean to be rude- I just woke up, don't be mean to me!"
Tanwen smiled, "Sinea put her necklace on Loki, I was just returning it. I would have come round sooner but traffic was really bad in London tonight!"
"Oh right," he didn't really look like he understood, he yawned and surveyed her from head to toe, "You look different."
"What?" Tanwen glanced down at her clothes, "oh this, I had to make the guy from the Floo company think I was over eighteen."
He grinned.
"Can Bromley do anything for you, Sir?" asked the house elf hopefully.
"Just a glass of milk please," Jon said. He caught Tanwen smiling at him, "What? There's nothing wrong with milk!"
"I never said there was," she grinned.
"Your tea, miss," Bromley held out a tray with a cup and saucer.
"Thank you," she told him. As he turned and went to fetch Jon's milk she turned to her friend, "aren't you cold?"
"Nope, I'm a hot blooded male," he grinned.
"Jon!" she groaned, "you're incorrigible!"
"I know."
They walked over to the fireplace but there was only one chair.
"Don't tell me you're going to sit on the floor? We all know that only slaves sit on the floor," she joked.
"Nope, I can stand," he hesitated and grinned slyly at her, "unless you want to sit on my lap?"
"With you just wearing your boxers? I don't think so!"
"And dressing gown," he amended with a grin. He took his milk from Bromley and true to his word stood until Tanwen sat.
The two of them chatted companionable until they heard a clock chiming midnight. Tanwen jumped and almost dropped her empty cup. Jon laughed, "I forgot, that can be a bit of a shock if you aren't used to it."
"I'd better get going," she said, rising.
"Ok. But now I know that your floo connection works so there are no excuses for not coming again when the sun is up."
He walked her back through the labyrinth of corridors to the entrance room she had emerged into. She picked up her coat and walked over to the fire.
"See you soon," she threw a handful of floo powder into the fire and stepped into them. Jon waved as she said, "Manderly Crescent" and vanished in a flash of green flames.
Yawning she stepped out of her fireplace and hung her coat up next to the door. Hearing hooting, she turned to the little silver owl that sat patiently in its cage.
"Oh I'm so sorry," she apologised, running to set it free. It flew once round the room silently before coming to land on her shoulder and nipping her ear gently. Tanwen held out her arm and it flew down to settle there. Thoughtfully she looked into its bronze eyes. "I haven't named you yet," she said to the bird as she wandered through to perch on the end of her bed. The owl cocked her head on one side indulgently. Tanwen stroked its silver feathers with her other hand, "You are beautiful," she told it, "maybe I'll name you after a star, you are silver after all. Hmm how about Io or Leda or maybe Dione? Io's a nice name-nah you don't look like and Io, how about Artemis? I think I like that, you?"
The owl looked at her considering for a moment then hooted in agreement.
"Ok then, Artemis it is. Would you like to go outside oh goddess of the hunt?"
Artemis ruffled her feathers' importantly before sailing up into the air.
"I'll take that as a yes," Tanwen said, half to herself. She crossed to the window and pulled back the floor length white gossamer fabric that hung over the wall-sized sliding windows. After unlocking it she slid one window along to let the silver owl fly out into the night. Tanwen shivered as the cold wind blew into her room, her hair flowing out behind her like the delicate curtains. She watched as Artemis sailed effortlessly through the night's sky until she could no longer be seen.
Closing the window once more and pulling the curtains back across, she got ready for bed. As she crossed back into her bedroom, drying her face, Loki came trundling through and used the strategically placed boxes to clamber onto the bed. She yawned again and rifled through her draws to find her night clothes.
"Oh that's just great," she muttered to herself, "all my warm things need to be washed." She pulled out a short, sleeveless silk nightdress, "this'll have to do for to night," she said. Undressing she changed into it and added a cardigan on top. Then she crawled into bed next to Loki, thinking, 'it's nice to be home."
A/N: Majorly sorry for the wait!! Had serious internet problems, as in I didn't have it! I'm so glad you like this Nestle! Yay someone likes this story enough to post multiple reviews!! And don't worry, there are plenty more chapters to come and there shouldn't be any more huge delays, especially if I know at least one person is eager awaiting it! And as for your question, yes Sirius does think she's dead. Anyway, hope you liked the new chapter!