Chapter 9
Reconciliation and a Plan
A week passed from my arrival. The last August day was brighter then ever and extremely hot. The sun shined into my room that was shared with Ginny. Ginny turned out to be a very interesting and intelligent girl. She was always cheery and didn't hesitate to land a hand with anything that she could help with. We often talked about Hogwarts and Quidditch, but our conversations did not drift to any other direction. She was much more careful of what she says after the argument that I had with Hermione. Sometimes she'll think for a very long time, as if making sure that the phrase she's about to say is precisely right. She became more cautious around me, always on he guard.
Hermione avoided me at all coasts. She rarely left her room. The only times she was in the company of the others was during breakfast, lunch, and dinner. At times we would meet each other at the halls, but she quickly walked passed me, avoiding eye contact, and turning a bit pink. Ron told me that she would sit in her room and read for hours. I love reading myself, but my eyes fly out of their orbit, if I would read the small font of the heavyset books unstop.
Finding no better company, I've spent all of my time with Harry and Ron. They taught me how to apparate, and it was thrilling. It took me about four days to fully learn the apparation process. I would practice, practice, and practice. Of course we had to do it so no grownup would see us doing it. I wasn't allowed to apparate before passing the test, but because I was new in England the Ministry had no way of keeping track of me. However, if Mrs. Weasley had caught us, we wouldn't hear the end of it. Ron was amazed at my fast progress, but Harry declared it was nothing special. He told me that Hermione learned it as fast as I did, and it was only proven difficult for Ron and himself. It took them nearly a month.
"Even Nevil Longbottom got it before us. He managed to apparate with full control after two weeks!" Harry told me.
I usually closed myself within the four walls of my chamber when Harry, Ginny, and Ron practiced Quidditch. Ron's brothers were very keen to help. The only draw back was they had to play inside.
Playing inside was proven to be as enjoyable as playing outside. Of course there was no fresh air, but the space was much the same. The Black Manor had a huge room resembling the Quidditch stadium. Actually it was a Quidditch stadium only under the roof. The room was on the first floor above the Eert Ylimaf room.
The house was amazing! I couldn't hold in my excitement and eager to examine every bit of it. Harry told me that it was a mess the first time he got there that I got to the nice and clean circumstances. I was quite pleased and relieved that there was no more cleaning, even though some of the rooms were still untouched.
When I took little walks about the mansion, I couldn't help myself of being disgusted by the stuffed faces of house elves that were hanging on the walls and were staring at me with their big yellow eyes. Sirius got rid of his own old elf, Kreacher. Professor Lupin filled me in about the elf's poor sanity.
"He was driving my poor friend mad, so we decided to give the elf the honor and cut off his head." Lupin explained. I was not thrilled about the poor elf's bitter end. I pitied the poor creatures and though elves deserved freedom or at least to die of old age. Lupin told me that it was an old ritual in the Black's family. He said the elves though of it as an honor that meant they were very good servants and are granted the quick death compared to a bitter old age. I was still convinced it was wrong to do such a thing, but if the elves felt it was for the better; it was their choice. Besides, they did it out of their own free will.
Sirius's mother also gave me the chill every time I heard her terrifying screams. She was out of her mind; and it was just a painting. I wondered what was Sirius's real mother like. Her piercing voice woke me up in the middle of the night. She was shouting over the furious Mrs. Weasley. With this Ginny moaned in agitation; Harry would slip out of his room and eavesdrop. Ron, on the other hand, slept as if dead.
Both of Ron's eldest brothers left on my second day stay. I didn't have time to talk to them about Egypt and dragons. It really got me down, but the prospect of reading about everything at Hogwarts lifted my morose spirit.
My stubbornness prevented me from listening to anyone that tried to help. My mood swings ended up with some rude comments to Professor Snape. I was rebellious with everyone about everything. Professor Lupin and Sirius were always present as Mrs. Weasley lectured me, but their eyes were laughing, and they never came between me and whatever I set my mind to do. Actually they were fond of my character. They encouraged me, as Mrs. Weasley barked at them like a mad dog.
This was one of those wonderful days that I've spent in Black Manor. I wasn't sure where it was located, and didn't bother to find out. Today was more special then all the other days that I've spend here. First of all it was the last day before the start of term. I couldn't wait to examine the grounds of Hogwarts. Ron told me it would be the most incredible place that I ever been to and the most tidies as well. Second of all today was my birthday.
As the early rays spilled upon my face, I pondered about the portrait of my father that was hanging at the bottom of the stairs at my old house. I could not wait to heat its cheerful voice greeting me and wishing me Happy Birthday. I loaned for it and for his warming smile. Now more then ever I wished to talk him. I wondered if Dumbledore would take me there, so I can gather the things that I'll need.
"Who am I kidding?" I thought. "Me going home and checking things out? Besides I'll get there very soon to gather everything. Dumbledore would not sell the house with all my things. Would he?" What if he'd sell it with everything that I treasured? I was beginning to panic. My soft red hair was spread upon the pillow, and my chocolate eyes wondered upon the ceiling. I heard Ginny's calm breathing and compared it to my own fast and sharp breaths.
"That's rubbish!" I began reassuring myself. "Dumbledore wouldn't do that to you. He has a heart after all. Besides, who would want to buy all of those things?" I began twirling a bunch of my hair and was humming an old tune that mother sang to me when I was little.
"But why should I wait? I can go home myself."
"Are you crazy?" My subconscious mind gave out a voice.
"No I'm not! Why should I wait?"
"Because those Death Eaters can be waiting for you! You are so stupid!" The voice screamed at me.
"Am I really stupid?" I thought again. "No I'm not! I'm going to go! Tonight! I mean no one will ever know. I'll apparate into my room, get everything that I need, and then apparate back."
"What if you wont be able to apparate back? What if there are spells that are not allowing you to apparate?"
"Then I'll cast a return spell." I said firmly to that annoying voice within my head. "It's settled then, I'm going to go tonight after everyone would settle down." I finally declared to myself. I kicked off the covers and jumped to my feet. The cold floor brought a cold current over me. I looked for my shoes, but they were nowhere to be found. I dropped to my knees and looked under the bed.
"Who kicked them in?" I asked myself aloud and very irritated.
"Well, well, well...what a picture." A slimy voice spoke behind me. For a moment I thought it was Snape and was immediately embarrassed. I sharply turned around to see a young man with dark brown hair and gray eyes staring at me. It was a portrait of Dendevol Black, Sirius's great-great-grandfather at his teen years. He was usually missing from his frame and was wondering in other pictures. A nasty little fellow, but if you would catch him at the right moment and present the right topic, he was a rather interesting guy to talk to. He knew allot of things. Sirius drained all of the information about Voldemort that the portrait new. Mrs. Black often spoke of Voldemort, so he knew quite allot.
"Oh, hello." I said and quickly pulled on the shoes. "Nice day is it not?"
"Yes, charming," the portrait answered.
I didn't feel like continuing the conversation, so I turned to other matters. My bed needed new sheets, so I dragged the old once off. Not having the new set, all that I could do was flip the covers on and place my bare pillow upon it.
"Do you mind?" I asked irritated of his presents. He simply stared at me, grinning. Even though he was just an old portrait, his glance was penetrating.
"Not at all! Help yourself!"
"It would be advisable for you to leave. I would also ask not to poke your face into this room ever again, if you don't want me blasting you into millions of little scraps. What are you doing in your frame anyhow? You're usually wondering about and disturbing the others."
"Not at six in the morning I don't! I always keep an eye on you until eight. By then someone is bound to wake up."
"You look after me then?"
"Just so you don't run off. Well, I see you're quite awake, so I'll wait for you in the kitchen. Bye!" With that he disappeared. I was puzzled and for a while stared at the empty frame. They are watching me? Why would they? I gave no reason for them to suspect that I'll run away. When I thought about the past week everyone were sweet and kind to me.
"It's not because they don't trust you." I told myself greatly amused. "They are just making sure you're safe." With that all cleared out, I came up to the closet and pushed the door open. Ginny had kindly agreed to share her wardrobe with me. We were about the same size, so her robes and muggle clothes fitted me well. They were kind of worn-out, but it didn't bother me. It's not like I had spectacular things to wear at home.
I took out a summer yellow dress and slipped into it. The Weasleys were fond of muggle clothes, and I was glad they were. Muggle wear was much more suitable for everyday wear then those long robes that made one clumsy and were unsuited for more effective movements.
I quietly opened the door and similarly closed it behind me. I headed for the bathroom, which was not that far away. It was across Ron and Harry's room, which was silent as the grave.
The light from the small window illuminated the clean bathroom. The circular mirror reflected the lights that crept out to the hall. I turned on the water and waited for it to heat up. My enchanted toothbrush was magically filled in with toothpaste and zoomed into my mouth brushing vigorously. In the meantime I took care of my hair. Their wasn't that much that I could have done with it. It was too short for any hair ties. I couldn't just leave it hanging because it fell to my eyes. All I could do was tie them with hairclips wishing to have my long blond locks back.
Getting myself presentable I preceded into the kitchen. To my surprise Hermione was eating cereal fully absorbed in her book, Protect Yourself From the Most Dangerous Monsters.
"You shouldn't read while eating. The kitchen is unpredictable, you can ruin it." I simply told her and walked towards one of the cabinets to get myself a bowl. She blinked at me but didn't say anything. I took out a spoon and joined her, sitting opposite of her. The jug of milk was by her side, and before I could ask for it she handed it to me.
"Thanks."
"No problem," she said and closed the book. I filled in my bowl and dropped a handful of Magical Puffs into it. The round cereal balls began changing color as soon as they toughed the cool milk. We set in silence for sometime, but Hermione cleared her throat, and I glanced at her.
"I'm going strait to the point," she began, "and I wanted to apologize for days. At first my stupid pride didn't allow me to do so, and later on I was feeling ashamed about all the nasty things that I've said." She dropped her eyes downward to her hands while her fingers smoothed out a napkin.
"But I had to come up to you sooner or later. I know I've been stupid and only wanted you to feel miserable because I was."
"It's about me entering the trio, isn't it? You feel pushed out?" She barely nodded. Her cheeks were burning red.
"It's about Ron as well." I didn't ask this time. I just stated the fact. She gazed at me astonished and nodded once again.
"Then you are stupid, but I can clearly understand why and do not blame you. Don't sweat about it; I forgot it a long time ago, but just be worn that I take no garbage about my family."
"I know that. I wouldn't either. I would have punched someone as well, if they were talking the way I did. It's just I was the one those two consulted with for the past six years. They never left me out of a conversation. The night you came in everything seemed to change. They simply forgot about -"
"First of all it was you that didn't take part in the conversations, and second of all they didn't forget about you; it was you that simply locked yourself in your room. If you want to know, both of them missed you very much. They tolled me allot about you."
"They did?" She looked surprised.
"Don't sound like it was some deep lost secret that no one knew about. Of course they would be interested in me and talk to me. I'm new in this old house. You three were stuck here for two years and all you heard about was Voldemort this and that. I was only some distraction and fresh news. I have my own mind, my own ideas, and new advise. Just because they are interested in me, doesn't mean they forgot about you. Honestly Hermione, they said you were smart. I thought you'd get it for yourself." She looked at me quite embarrassed. I was feeling sorry for her, but I had to get her out in the open.
"Another thing, don't worry about Ron." She smiled sadly.
"I'm not worried. I know he likes you."
"He might like me, but I don't share the same feelings with him. If he asks me out or something, I'll simply open his eyes. A person can't like someone forever if the other one doesn't share the same feelings. I don't think he likes me. I think he fancies you."
"What!"
"Well, actually I don't know whom he likes. To tell you the truth, I don't think he know it for himself." I placed the last spoonful of cereal into my mouth.
"Guess what!"
"What?"
"My mum told me about this potion that tells you who your soul mate is."
"And you believe it?"
"Well, she said she met dad like that. They were married for eighteen years."
"Ok so what are you getting on?"
"It's all tied to the full moon, and I checked the astrology charts. We are in luck because the moon is in the right position this September. All we need is gather all the ingredients by today."
"How many?"
"Well we would need about thirty different things."
"Thirty!"
"Ya, but I have most of them. The things that we still need I can get at my mum's basement."
"What are you talking about?"
"Don't tell anyone but I'm planning to sneak of tonight."
"What!"
"I need to get my things from home, so I can simply attend school."
"No way! You can't! It's too dangerous."
"Don't give me a lecture, Hermione. I know what I'm doing, and you won't be able to change my mind. I'm going, and that's that." She looked at me worried.
"Well, anyways how is this potion works?" I carefully told her everything that mum told me. She listened to every single word that I've said without interrupting me once. After I finished, she sat quietly trying to work out every new detail that she gathered.
"We can try to make it, but we would have to go to the library after the Start of Term Feast."
"No need, mom has many books on potions. I bet there is one that contains this one as well. I'll get all the things."
"No you won't because I'm coming with you."
"Are you series?"
"Yes I am. It's better to have back up."
"Back up for what?" We heard Ron's voice at the entrance to the kitchen. He looked at us perplexed and then his face brightened. "Blindly! You two are on speaking terms again!"
"That must be something! Are we having a good day?" Harry asked.
"So what were you talking about backup?" Ron asked once again. Hermione and I exchanged glances. I decided it would be better to tell Harry and Ron. After all, they might decide to go with us. They must be tiered of this old house by now. I told them that I need to go back home and get my trunk and some stuff. I, of course, left out the part about the potion.
"We want to go!" Harry exclaimed. "You weren't trying to go without us?"
"If we were, we wouldn't have told you." Hermione said, as if they were stupid.
"What time?" Ron asked excitedly.
"We were thinking when everyone goes to bed." I answered. Suddenly Mrs. Weasley entered the room, and we fell silent. She smiled at us happily.
"Up already? That's nice! The earlier the better!" She smiled at us once more. We exchanged looks and fell to our cups of tea.
N/A: A new chapter! I hope you like it! Once again thanks to all my reviewers. I can't wait to read your thoughts after for this chapter. I'll try to update very soon, but I'm not sure. I'm still working out the whole thing. For all of those that think Katie is Revers and Victoria's daughter, you are (oh well, I'm not going to tell. You'll have to wait and find out!) It's more then meets the eye.
Cheers to all!