[ Anything that's not blatant is
a riddle ]
Please read and review if you can!
Author's penname: Elixa Amethyst
Voices of the Past Part II
Written March 2002 onwards, pre Order of the Phoenix.
All characters and things you recognise, are © JKRowling, no infringement
intended.
All references to
"mediwizard" mean healer.
Read Part I at ALIGN="center">---------------
Chapter Two
Unwanted Attention
The St Mungo's emergency team took Arnie quickly off to St Mungos, leaving me and Kerry with the crowd that had been watching outside Ollivanders.
"Walter Halter here, Daily Prophet, that was amazing, you just saved that wizard's life, how do you feel?" I saw Kerry forcing her way towards me.
"I just did what anyone else would have done. I just hope he recovers." Kerry put her arm around my shoulders.
"Well done Elixa." As she said it, the reporter caught my name.
"Elixa? Would that be Elixa Amethyst, now orphaned?" I looked up, the first time anyone had mentioned being orphaned to me!
"Yes, I'm Kerry Alanis her best friend, now I'm sure there's more interesting things to report about than us Mr Halter, surely?" I could tell Kerry wanted just a fraction of the limelight, but knew that Daily Prophet reporters often were pushy and exaggerated.
"Will you be going to St Mungos now?" Walter asked.
"No doubt we'll read how Arnie gets on in your story before we get a chance!" I exclaimed.
"Now really, Mr Halter, there's nothing much to report here." Kerry said.
"Good day to you Mr Halter." We gave a nod and walked quickly past the reporter, back through the crowd. Walter was already talking to the witnesses.
"Oh Merlin, why me?" I groaned quietly.
"Fate Elixa, do you think those two blokes will still be up for buying us a drink?"
"We can always see." I replied, giving a smile.
The Leaky Cauldron was slightly less busy, but still quite packed. The wizard who had called out to me earlier was not there, but Peterson was.
"Elixa Amethyst everyone, life saver!" He called. There was a round of applause from those who heard. Peterson shoved a butterbeer each into our hands, and took us to sit at a table.
"Wonderful, your parents would be proud." I felt very uncomfortable; Claude Peterson was more or less trapping me between the wall and him.
"Thank you Mr Peterson, but if I hadn't been with Kerry, I don't think I'd have been able to do it." I smiled thankfully at Kerry. Peterson looked at my friend suddenly, and he stopped being so interested in me.
"Claude Peterson, Department of Potions, Ministry of Magic. You are Kerry…?"
"Alanis." Kerry smiled. Peterson was turning on the charm and Kerry was taking it hook, line and sinker. I gave her a look that I hoped she'd interpret as a warning, but she failed to acknowledge it. I wondered if her butterbeer was spiked with love potion.
It was just before seven when Kerry left. Peterson had gone with her. The two of them had basically ignored me for most of the time we were sat there, which I wouldn't have minded, apart from it was quite boring for me. I stayed because I was trying to point out to Kerry that Peterson wasn't anything she wanted to be interested in, but I had failed miserably. I went upstairs, and found Severus letting an owl go from the window.
"You made the front page." He said, watching the owl. I saw the latest edition of the Daily Prophet on the desk and picked it up.
ORPHANED ELIXA SAVES FRIEND OF LATE FATHER
…This afternoon outside Ollivanders, 77 year old Arnie Griffin collapsed, bystanders were shocked, and it looked as if no-one could help poor Arnie until the brave Elixa Amethyst forced her way through the crowd to his side. Her school friend Kerry Alanis, who summoned St Mungo's at Miss Amethyst's demand, accompanied her. Elixa performed what witnesses described as "healing magic to put Arnie more at ease".
Arnie Griffin was a good friend to Cassius Amethyst, Elixa's late father, who was murdered by the dark lord a few months ago on Ministry business. The life saving action was "in her father's memory to a beloved family friend". He is now recovering at St Mungos.
Miss Amethyst and Miss Alanis declined that they were in anyway lifesavers, although it was clear that if they had not acted, Arnie would not be with us now…
The article went on to discuss the reactions of witnesses, which made me sound overly praised.
"He's exaggerating." I told Severus. My uncle looked back at me from the window.
"Whatever you did, I'm proud." I gave a smile that warmed me from inside. Severus walked from the window and gave me a short hug, to show how proud he was.
"Thank you." I replied. He sat down at the desk and I took the robes I bought out my bags and hung them up.
"Kerry helped me choose them. Her parents run a robe shop." I explained. Severus gave a nod to show he approved. "You should try wearing something a different colour." I said with a grin.
"I don't think any other colour would go with my eyes Elixa." I looked round in amazement, was that a joke? Also was that a smile on my uncle's face! It changed his face so much when he smiled.
"I wish you cracked jokes more often, you look much more alive when you do." I said, giving a wishful smile.
We ate downstairs. I told him about Peterson and Kerry.
"I wouldn't be surprised if he had." Severus said, a slight frown on his face.
"Should I warn her to be careful?" I asked.
"Unless she's found out for herself, I think it might be wise to give her a warning, but be tactful." I nodded. I could just see through the door to the end of the bar, and I heard someone greet Arthur Weasley, and I soon saw the red hair. Severus seemed to stiffen, and put down his fork. I put my hand onto his hand, and gave him a look. He picked his fork up again and continued to eat, although he was listening to snippets of conversation that came through the door.
"Yes, Fred and George have both finished at Hogwarts now, Molly was slightly disappointed that they couldn't even make it to prefects. We're hoping Ron will hold the Weasley family name a bit higher instead." Severus and I were both listening.
"They've gone and set up their joke shop, hoping to buy a piece of shop floor on Diagon Alley actually, aiming high. Surprised they didn't do better at potions the things they work on over the summer, although I don't think Severus Snape would have let them get a decent mark, cold hearted man." Severus put his cutlery down and wiped his face with a napkin. I watched him stand up silently and walk to the door to the bar. I thought to stand up, but I realised I could hear everything that was being said soon after.
