Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or the ideas or characters surrounding and involved in it. I don't take money from it, nor do I want to.
Chapter 3: Embers
After everyone had cleared out, Harry; Hermione; Ron; George, Fred went back to the shop, they'd switch place after about an hour; Moody; Tonks, she'd shown up as everyone was cleaning up; Remus; Molly; and Arthur Weasley all headed out to carouse the town. The only thing Harry still had with him was the small stack of papers that made up the adoption papers. Harry clung to those, afraid he would lose them. After a quick stop to Gringots to take out a small bit of cash, the shopping trip began. The adults were trying to be as unobtrusive as they could while still being able to protect the three youngsters. Tonks and George fluctuated in and out of the three, making idle conversation. They'd gotten candy all ready and were currently looking through the things in the Quidditch store, well, rather, Ron, Harry, George and Tonks were looking through the store. Hermione had joined Mrs. Weasley and Remus.
"Oh! Wow! These are so cool! Look!" The squeal came from Tonks who was looking at boxes that were partially transparent. Everyone joined around her to what she was looking at. The box read:
Hogwarts Flyers
Collect them all! They really Fly!
Each comes with unique action and
status chart.
Harry grinned. "Look! They have all the players from last year!" Harry was looking at the ones from Gryffindor. The whole team was there, they each had something unique. Harry noted that his did feints and would stop inches from the ground. He looked at Ron's and laughed. "Hey Ron! Your's play's Weasley is Our King (Gryffindor Version) and blocks all the rings!"
"Harry!" Ron exclaimed, "I always block all the rings. Well, now I do, at least." This brought laughter from most of the group."Hey, look! They have Ginny and Fred and George!"
"What do we do?" George asked, leaning in a bit more.
"It says you 'Bludgeon people with Super Twin Action.'" This came from Hermione who was looking at the various figures.
This sent George into a fit of laughter. "That's Priceless! 'Super Twin Action!' I'll have to get them! Wait 'til Fred hears about this!"
"What does Ginny do, dear?" The was from Mrs. Weasley.
"Well," Ron began. "She 'zips around catching things at superb speed.' Hm. interesting."
"Look, there's a Malfoy. Wonder if her turns into a ferret." Harry mad a move to grab one to read, when he was cut off by a girl picking it. "Huh?" He looked up to see a red head, only a few inches shorter than he holding it. Her crystal blue eyes scanned over the cover, twinkling with mirth.
Harry shot her a small glare and made for the box that had been behind that one. Catching his movement, the girl blinked, looking a bit startled. "Oh!" She exclaimed. "I'm so sorry! I didn't even notice you there! That was terribly rude of me!" She bit her lower lip. Harry noticed just how full they were and so red against her pale skin. Her voice rang with an accent, American, though he couldn't have placed what part of. Harry wondered what she was doing in London and why she was looking at Hogwarts dolls. The girl looked genuinely worried that she'd offended him and that made Harry feel less offended.
Harry shook his head and grumbled with less annoyance than he'd felt moments before, "Oh, don't worry about it. I was just looking to see what move they could have possible given Draco. All he does is sit there."
Much to Harry's surprise the girl chuckled a bit. "He is rather slow on a broom for Seeker, isn't he? I've always said he'd be a much better Chaser."
Harry frowned, slightly startled by this announcement. "You know Draco?" The girl smiled a bit more and nodded quickly. "And you're smiling about it?"
The amused look came back."Yeah, He's an old friend of mine. And who are you that yo- Oh! My! You're Harry Potter!" She paused a moment. "That sounded lame. You must hear that statement more than you care to, hm. I'm sorry. That was inappropriate of me to make that assumption."
Harry blinked a bit at the formal apology. He'd never had anyone apologize for knowing who he was before. Most people plowed right through telling how amazing it was to finally meet him as if it were something that they were bound to do. She was a very curious person. He stood and held out a hand towards her. He didn't think that she needed to apologize for it and was about to tell her so when a tall blonde came around the corner. He was wearing all black robes save for a trimming of green. Draco Malfoy. He walked up to the red head and places a hand on her shoulder. "I see you found them, Ember." His voice was deeper than Harry had remembered it to be. Draco also stood more sure of himself. Harry wasn't sure how he'd managed that, but it was almost as if, in someway, he was stronger and more sure of him self. Scary, that thought.
The girl, Ember, smiled and turned to face the young male."Oh, Yes. Yours is rather.. Dull. I mean.. Sure, you do 'sharp turns and quick maneuvers' but that's rather dull. Oh! And you come with stats for what you would have if you played Chaser." Draco snatched the box from her.
"I do not! Where would they get that information, anyway? I play Seeker. The hardest position on the team!" He turned his nose up in the air and scoffed, shoving the box back to Ember. The red-head stifled a bit of laughter."You're insufferable. So, Potter. What are you and your gang of miscreants up to in this store? Were you giving Ember a hard time? I heard her apologizing."
Harry glared. "She snatched the box with your doll in it from my finger tips! Why shouldn't she apologize! At least she has the decency to do that!"
Ron, noting that Draco was now in close proximity walked over to join in the argument, followed by Hermione."Yeah, I mean, she was rude!"
The red-head blinked a bit, her eyes narrowing, but rather than join in the argument, she held the box out in front of her."I think I would look damn good as one of these things. I think I should become Beater or Chaser for whatever house I'm in this year."She chuckled a bit. "Yeah! My special move could be... 'Massacres the pionic fools who only wish they could keep up with her super awesome-ness.' What do you all think? Or maybe, '... amazing chaser skills.' would be a better ending. What do you think?"
The interruption of the argument caused the red head to be on the receiving end of a few shocked look. Hermione was the first to speak. "You're going to Hogwarts this year?"
"Yep!" She beamed. "The first transfer student in about twenty-eight years. I've already taken my OWLs. I must say, I did fantastic on them! So, I'm getting sorted with the first year! I'm so nervous. I wonder if the hat will have a hard time with me, since I'm so much older and all. I really don't know what house, I'll be in. Draco thinks I'll be in Slytherin. I mean, I suppose I would do really well there, but I would do equally well in Ravenclaw or Gryffindor or even Hufflepuff. From what I've gathered though, I would be frightfully bored in Ravenclaw and I get the impression I'd be ready to shot myself in the head in Hufflepuff. Gryffindor might be fun, though. And I wouldn't have to put up with people too afraid to do anything daring. Of course, everyone would be so... 'That's not the right thing to do!'" She sighed, finally taking a breath. Ah well, we shall see, we shall see."
"Gah! When did you breath in that?" The harsh tones of Moody asked Ember who promptly turned a shade of pink. "I mean, I'm impressed, but... I'm sure you could have said it in less words"
Draco smirked, slightly satisfied. "See, other people notice that you ramble. And of course you'll be in Slytherin. I mean, you're the one who's always got the best plans! I don't know what I would do if I have to put up with- "he cut himself off and looked at the Gryffindors that were present. "I mean, well, you know."
"Know what?" Harry asked. "That your friends are oafs. Or that we're practically at war with each other. Maybe she will be in Gryffindor. It's not for anyone but the Sorting hat to decide."
"Yeah," Ron glared at Malfoy. "It's a good thing, too! I can only imagine where you would have put people."
Malfoy glared and stood a bit straighter. "You would have gone to Hufflepuff where you belong and the Mudblood wouldn't have been allowed to soil our school.. And Potter... at the time he would have gone to Slytherin. I still get the feeling that part of him should have gone there."
"Shut it, Ferret!" Ron's hands were clenched into balls at the sides of his body. He was holding them so tightly that the knuckles were starting to turn white. "You've best apologize to Hermione!"
"Or what? You'll punch me like that one did?" Draco flicked his head to George who looked ready to pummel the male talking. "How very... uncouth. "He smirked, crossing his arms in front of him.
"Draco." The voice was firm. Ember had placed a hand upon Draco's arm. Draco turned to look at her. "I'd really like to get that book I was looking at before... You'd promised me at the very least one thing from here.. Can you go get that for me, please?"
"... You just want me to stop."
"How very astute of you." She commented dryly.
"I will not leave so you can apologize to them for what I said!"
"... I'll punch you myself if you don't get out of my sight for the next five minutes! I can't believe you said that word! You're such a putz!"
"Putz! Sometimes you're such a bleeding heart." He growled the last, sending a glare to the red-head.
Much to Harry's surprise, the girls eyes lost the sparkle that made them so lively. Her voice dropped to a low, menacing tone. The very swiftness of the change made Harry shiver. She'd been so warm and nice not to long ago. Now she seemed cold and dead. The words she spoke scared him almost as much as the dispassion she showed saying them. "I would kill you faster than any of them. If I'm such a damn bleeding heart, how can I admit to that?"
Draco smirked and let out a barking laugh. "Hah! And you think you're going to be in Gryffindor... Nice one, Em, Nice one." Much to the groups surprise, Draco left. He placed a small kiss on Ember's cheek before he disappeared.
By the time Ember's eyes found the group again, she'd regained all the vivacity that had left her only moments ago. The group starred at her for a few moments before she tilted her head slightly to the side and asked innocently. "Is... something wrong?"
Moody was the one who answered. "Girl... you're dangerous. I don't know if you're more dangerous because you can kill your emotions on a whim... or because you still bubble over with them. But all I know is, that you are dangerous, and that young man knows it. I'm not even sure I want to know how you got to be that way."
Ember's smile fell. Her full lips pursed a little in a thoughtful frown. Eyes downcast, she watched her hands. Her mouth moved, a small "I'm sorry," fell from her lips. Her eyes flicked up. They were filled with sorrow so deep that it sent chills to Harry's very core. Her eyes met each of the groups before resting at last again on Harry's. "He's horrible. And I'm sorry you saw something ugly from both Draco and myself."
Mrs. Weasley spoke first. "Oh, dear, don't worry about it. We all have our darkness. You're such a nice, polite girl. I know you didn't mean any harm.
Ember watched Harry until he spoke. "Yeah, don't worry about it."
Finally, Ember smiled. Her face lit up again. "Great! You shouldn't let Draco get to you, by the way."
It was George who answered this one. "Yeah... well, he's such a twerp. Maybe, if you're ever here without Ferret-boy you can stop by Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes and we can head out for a day and you can give me tips."
Ember blinked at him, the turning a bit pink, she nodded. "Er... um... That is one of my favorite shops... I'm sure to run into you sometime." George smiled and nodded.
Ember took a step backwards. "Well, It was nice meeting you all... Uhm, Harry, and..."
"Ron. Weasley. Ron."
"Right, Ron. And you are?"
"Hermione Granger. Hermione, please."
"Hermione and... "She looked at Mrs. Weasley and guessed. "Mrs, Weasley...?" Molly Weasley nodded
"Molly Weasley."
"Mrs. Weasley, and Mr. Weasley?"
"Arthur."
Ember looked to George and flushed a bit. "I'm sorry.. I don't know your name..."
"George, George Weasley. I have a twin, Fred. He owns the shop with me."
Ember smiled and looked down before looking back up. "George. I'll remember that..I mean, to ask if it's you first. Unm. Yeah. And you, Sir?" Her blue eyes rested on Remus who smiled.
"I'm Remus Lupin."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Lupin. And you are Ms...." She looked at Tonks who seemed a bit startled to be addressed the was ember was addressing her.
"Oh! I'm Tonks. Just Tonks. Nothing fancy."
"Tonks." Ember grinned, but her smile faded a bit as she met Moody's gaze. "Uhm, you, Sir are..."
"Moody. Alstor Moody." Moody Grunted out his response.
"Mr. Moody. Right. Harry, Hermione, Ron, Mr and Mrs. Weasley. "She and looked at Remus. Bitting her lip she closed one eye. "Wait! Don't tell me!... Lupine... Lupin! Heh! It's very wolfish!" Remus looked a bit taken aback, then nodded.
"Yeah... Wolfish."
Ember blushed looking a George. When she spoke again, her voice was slightly lower than it had been. Harry couldn't help grinning. He looked to Tonks and noted that she was doing the same thing. Tonks looked to Harry and raised her eyebrows mischievously. "George and Tonks!" At Tonks approving nod, Ember grinned. "Fantastic! It was a pleasure meeting all of you. Harry, Ron, Hermione, I will see you all at school, maybe at the Gryffindor table. George." She nodded to him and gave a wave. "I shouldn't keep Draco waiting anymore. Bye! It was nice! Bye~e!" With that, she skittered off.
Before she was out of ear-shot. Tonks spoke. "Way to go George!" Ron took up the train of thought. "Really! Could you make it anymore obvious you like her?" Harry grinned and took a jab at the older boy. "Yea... but she wants to right back, dear brother of mine... so I suppose we can forgive your... uncouthness?" This sent a fit of laughter through the group. George was a bit red.
He cleared his throat and walked through all of them. "I must get back to the shop. Harry, I'll send Fred right over... whenever your ready, your gift from us is there. No hurry." He stopped for a moment then turned back to the group with pleading eyes. "Don't mention this to Fred, please? I'll never hear the end of it!" Laughter erupted again. "I'm serious!"
"Don't worry, Ron and I will act like proper siblings." Harry slunk an arm across Ron's shoulder and couldn't keep from grinning. He was going to be a Weasley! Ron simply smiling innocently and nodded without saying a word.
George groaned and crumpled a bit. "Help me! I'm so doomed!" then slumped out of the door.
End Chapter 3~!
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Authors Notes:
Hallo~! This one was a titchy bit longer. I know, the first two chapters were written like.... 4 hours between each other. But... I only got three review ::Sad Joey:: Any way, as a response to the three that I received:
ILOVETOWRITE456: Thank you! I updated today! Does that make you happy? I'm really glade you like it. I was a bit worried, to be honest.
KawaiiGir: Oh god, what have I done, I've given you something new to say. Thanks for reviewing. Though I get the feeling you only did so because I'm your best banana. KEEP REVIEWING! RAR!! ^^ I love you Ally!
Ponykid: Well.... I know that Harry didn't take Arithmancy and Ancient Runes and Muggle Studies. That's why it says N/A next to it. N/A means Not Applicable. Which is like saying it can't be answered because there's nothing to put there. I'm sorry if that was confusing. To you, but that you for trying to help me.... But I must confess I could have done without the "Duh."
Anyway! Next Chapter! I promise Harry will get The Present from Fred and George. And He'll show his aunt and uncle the adoption papers... though they're really more like legal gaurdianship papers. ... Hm.. There's something for you to answer me... which do you think they should be called? Tell if I should change it or not and I will or won't based on your support! Rockin' my cat's tellingme it's time for bed. And I have to work in the morning. Later!
