Disclaimer: You know the drill
Chapter 10
Alessio stopped in front of a large wooden door and gestured for Harry to walk in. Harry pushed the door open and entered what appeared to be a study. Signore Garibaldi sat behind an enormous, polished cherry desk writing with a quill.
"Ah, Signore Butarelli, I've been expecting you." Said Signore Garibaldi, not with as large a grunt as he spoke with at meals.
Harry didn't respond. Instead, he looked around the room lazily, which had high bookcases reaching to the ceiling on either side of the desk. These bookcases did not contain books, as is customary for such pieces, but instead were filled with papers of all kinds that appeared to be filed in alphabetical order. Harry noticed a specific piece sticking out that read Garibaldi Family Tree. There was a large window behind the desk, which had a bench seat at the bottom of the windowsill. On the windowsill sat a glass case, which enclosed something shiny that Harry couldn't quite see. Signore Garibaldi caught Harry's eye as he was trying to see what the shiny thing was.
"Brilliant, isn't it?" Asked Signore Garibaldi proudly. "Want to have a closer look?" Harry only nodded.
When Lucia's father placed the case in front of Harry he gasped before he could control himself. Luckily, Signore Garibaldi took that as a sign that he adored the object sitting innocently in the glass case. It was a sterling silver pistol with a handgrip of black leather padding on the handle. It seemed to be custom made, as it had the word Garibaldi engraved in swirling, looping letters on the very end of the handle, where the leather padding didn't reach. Harry had never seen a gun so close up before, and he found himself wondering why Signore Garibaldi had a muggle weapon.
"Enough admiration, we have business to attend to." Signore Garibaldi said harshly, snatching away the glass box and replacing it on the windowsill. "Now, Alessio tells me you just graduated school this past spring?"
"Yes." Replied Harry hesitantly.
"And which school did you attend?" Signore Garibaldi kept prying.
"Hogwarts." Said Harry, even more hesitantly. Signore Garibaldi gave a non-interpretable sort of grimace at this.
"And I understand that your family, the Butarelli family, is very well known. In the magical world?" The grumpy man asked.
"Er...yes." Replied Harry, assuming it must be true.
Signore Garibaldi sighed and said, "Well, I have no problem with a friendship between you and my children, but I assure you, if you attempt to pursue a romantic relationship with my Lucia, you will be punished." The man was now growling, and there was a large, throbbing vein clearly visible through the skin of his neck. He was going purple and his eyes bulged. Harry knew this man meant every word he said, and his eyes wandered again to the pistol on the windowsill.
Harry narrowed his eyes and gritted his teeth as he made fierce eye contact with the man. He felt all of his courage at work as he spoke, "And why is that?" Demanded Harry, feeling offended, although in reality he didn't understand the complexity of the situation the way the real Zachariah would.
"Let's just say I have more appropriate suitors in mind." Signore Garibaldi replied. "I'm finished with you, feel free to leave." The older man grunted in an angry tone.
Harry was almost out the door when he turned over his shoulder and said sternly, "Signore, do not be mistaken when I say that if I wish to court Signorina Lucia, there isn't a thing that you can do about it." The older man now looked ready to murder Harry, who stood his ground firmly. He couldn't explain exactly why, but something had made him so angry he couldn't control his tongue. He just had to make one last biting remark.
"I wouldn't worry though if I were you. I wouldn't want to marry Lucia, I'd worry that she inherited your disagreeable personality traits." Harry said, looking Signore Garibaldi in the eyes for another second before slamming the door behind him, and stomping up to his room.
Once in his room, Harry grabbed Zachariah's wand and stuffed it in his pocket, deciding that from now on, he should be armed at all times. He may be brave, but he was not an idiot. Harry flopped down on the bed, still fuming, when he heard a knock at the door.
"Who is it?" Harry snapped angrily.
"It's only me." He heard Ginny reply timidly.
"Come in." Harry said, still sounding irritated. Ginny entered the room and sat down on the bed next to Harry.
"I just wanted to apologize for the way I behaved earlier." Said Ginny sincerely. She had done a lot of thinking, and had come to the conclusion that she could still be a friend to Harry. She'd only have to be very careful not to let it lead to more, she couldn't bare to get him into anymore trouble.
"Apology accepted." Said Harry calmly. On the inside, however, he was flabbergasted. He had been quite sure she would continue to avoid him more and more before it got better. Harry came to the conclusion that he really didn't understand girls. He vowed to himself never to attempt to figure one out again.
"Harry, what's wrong?" Ginny asked, having noticed his irritated mood. She lay down on her side, facing Harry, though his back was to her.
"Nothing." Harry snapped, still flaming mad and not feeling much like a chat.
"Don't get short with me Harry, you accepted my apology very easily so whatever it is you're in a twist about hasn't got anything to do with me! I was only trying to help!" Ginny scolded. Harry could literally feel the future onset of a Weasley temper in the room and decided to avoid it. He rolled over onto his other side to face her, and told her everything Signore Garibaldi had said. He left out only the part about the gun.
"That awful git!" Exclaimed Ginny.
"Well, I for one certainly understand why Lucia and Zachariah are keeping their engagement a secret." Said Harry.
"As do I! I can't believe Lucia still lives here, I would have run off by now!" Ginny was now shouting.
"There's no need to shout, besides we don't want to be overheard." Harry hissed.
"Right, I just got a bit carried away." Said Ginny, blushing scarlet.
"Besides, I have something else to tell you." Said Harry gravely. "I think I know what that loud sound was at the end of the dream." Ginny's jaw dropped in shock. She was unable to find words, yet made a hand gesture intended to egg him on.
"Well, Signore Garibaldi has a gun in his study. I think he came up behind Zachariah to shoot, and Lucia saw him coming. That's why she looked so horrified at the end." Harry finished.
"Oh my god, Harry!" Ginny exclaimed, "Signore Garibaldi is going to kill you! Father told us all about muggle weapons like that, they're very dangerous!"
"I know, I know. But I won't get killed, not if there's anything I can do about it." Said Harry determinedly.
"Harry, I'm not going to lie to you, I'm scared." Ginny began to sob a bit, unable to hold it back. She still didn't let it all out though.
Harry was taken a back; he hadn't seen Ginny cry since, well, the Chamber of Secrets. He rubbed his hand up and down her arm to try and comfort her a bit.
Once Ginny had calmed down he said teasingly, "I knew you'd cry again someday."
"Well, I've been sent back in time over a hundred years and ripped from my life and family, I think I'm entitled." She said hotly. Harry chuckled.
"Can I use that excuse too? I feel like such a pansy lately. The subject of Sirius just keeps coming up in my mind and then when I thought I'd never see Ron or Hermione or anyone else again on top of that, I couldn't take it."
"Harry, don't be silly, you're the bravest person I know."
"Thanks, but I still don't like myself lately, no more crying. When we get back to our own time, I'm going to find Bellatrix and give her what she deserves!" Harry stated fiercely.
"You mean if we get back." Said Ginny, emphasizing the word if. She began to tear up again, and before Harry could do anything, she had grabbed and pulled him into a tight hug.
"We'll get back, I promise." Replied Harry.
"Then I have no reason not to believe that we will." Said Ginny, toughening up again and feeling more like her usual self. They lie there in silence for a few moments before Ginny spoke again, "Harry? What are we going to do about Signore Garibaldi?"
"Well for starters I'm going to be sure I'm armed at all times." Responded Harry.
"How are you going to do that? Our wands got left in the cave!" Ginny inquired.
"This." Said Harry, reaching into his pocket and pulling out Zachariah's wand. Ginny snatched it from his hand and examined it. She noticed Zachariah's name on it immediately.
"Zachariah's wand?" She asked quizzically.
"Yes, but you know what's even weirder?" Harry questioned.
"What?" Ginny asked, taking his bait.
"Well, it's the same wood, length, and core as my wand. And, when I use it, it feels just like my own. If it weren't for the engraving I'd never know the difference." Harry explained.
"Wow!" Ginny exclaimed incredulously. "You have to admit, the line between us and Lucia and Zachariah keeps getting thinner and thinner. Sooner or later we won't know the difference."
"Sure we will, Lucia's only got one brother...and she has sisters!" Harry joked.
"You know what I mean though, Harry, this is getting kind of scary, the similarities I mean." Said Ginny seriously.
"I know." Responded Harry.
"Harry, with all the similarities, did you ever wonder if there's a sort of version of Voldemort in this time period, one that Zachariah's meant to defeat?" Asked Ginny cautiously. Harry's face contorted into a look of shock.
"You know, Gin, I hadn't thought about that." Said Harry. Just then, there was a knock at the door.
"Who is it?" Asked Harry.
"Alessio. Can I come in?"
"Sure." Said Harry. The door cracked opened and Alessio's head poked in.
"Not interrupting anything, am I?" He asked, winking at Ginny.
"No." Harry and Ginny said in unison.
"I just thought you might want to get to dinner a bit early, the twins are planning to put something in your food if they get there before you." Alessio said. "As much as I hate to ruin their pranks, you guys aren't used to their sort."
"Actually, my twin brothers are just like that." Ginny giggled.
"But thanks for the heads up!" Said Harry while grinning at Alessio. "I guess now that I know about it, I'd better get down there before they can do anything."
Harry, Ginny, and Alessio were the first ones to arrive in the dining room. They took their seats on one side, with Harry in between Ginny and Alessio. Almost immediately, Theresa and Rosalia came bursting in, with matching mischievous grins. Their faces fell, however, when they saw that Harry was already there. They took their seats across the table, and immediately began whispering about something. All the others could hear was some mention of bed sheets. The doors to the double dining hall flew open once again and Signore Garibaldi entered the room.
Signore Garibaldi took one look at Harry and shouted angrily, "You! Get out of here, you are not permitted at meals in this house any longer!" The man was turning purple, and the vein was throbbing in his neck once again.
Harry was reminded of that afternoon, and a pistol flashed in his head as he returned the icy glare Signore Garibaldi was giving him. Harry mustered up the steadiest glare he could, and he stood up and marched out of the room assertively, slamming the doors behind him.
AN: Hey everyone I'm back! I wish I could say camp was great, but in fact, I was there for two days before getting extremely sick. Now I am rather mad about that, but I'm feeling better now. Annika (annikask8s2005) and I are in the midst of making a Harry Potter website and it is very nearly up and running. I'll post a link in an author's note at the end of a chapter once it's finished. Anyway, thanks a lof for reading. Please review, really it makes an author's day, I'm begging you!
Chapter 10
Alessio stopped in front of a large wooden door and gestured for Harry to walk in. Harry pushed the door open and entered what appeared to be a study. Signore Garibaldi sat behind an enormous, polished cherry desk writing with a quill.
"Ah, Signore Butarelli, I've been expecting you." Said Signore Garibaldi, not with as large a grunt as he spoke with at meals.
Harry didn't respond. Instead, he looked around the room lazily, which had high bookcases reaching to the ceiling on either side of the desk. These bookcases did not contain books, as is customary for such pieces, but instead were filled with papers of all kinds that appeared to be filed in alphabetical order. Harry noticed a specific piece sticking out that read Garibaldi Family Tree. There was a large window behind the desk, which had a bench seat at the bottom of the windowsill. On the windowsill sat a glass case, which enclosed something shiny that Harry couldn't quite see. Signore Garibaldi caught Harry's eye as he was trying to see what the shiny thing was.
"Brilliant, isn't it?" Asked Signore Garibaldi proudly. "Want to have a closer look?" Harry only nodded.
When Lucia's father placed the case in front of Harry he gasped before he could control himself. Luckily, Signore Garibaldi took that as a sign that he adored the object sitting innocently in the glass case. It was a sterling silver pistol with a handgrip of black leather padding on the handle. It seemed to be custom made, as it had the word Garibaldi engraved in swirling, looping letters on the very end of the handle, where the leather padding didn't reach. Harry had never seen a gun so close up before, and he found himself wondering why Signore Garibaldi had a muggle weapon.
"Enough admiration, we have business to attend to." Signore Garibaldi said harshly, snatching away the glass box and replacing it on the windowsill. "Now, Alessio tells me you just graduated school this past spring?"
"Yes." Replied Harry hesitantly.
"And which school did you attend?" Signore Garibaldi kept prying.
"Hogwarts." Said Harry, even more hesitantly. Signore Garibaldi gave a non-interpretable sort of grimace at this.
"And I understand that your family, the Butarelli family, is very well known. In the magical world?" The grumpy man asked.
"Er...yes." Replied Harry, assuming it must be true.
Signore Garibaldi sighed and said, "Well, I have no problem with a friendship between you and my children, but I assure you, if you attempt to pursue a romantic relationship with my Lucia, you will be punished." The man was now growling, and there was a large, throbbing vein clearly visible through the skin of his neck. He was going purple and his eyes bulged. Harry knew this man meant every word he said, and his eyes wandered again to the pistol on the windowsill.
Harry narrowed his eyes and gritted his teeth as he made fierce eye contact with the man. He felt all of his courage at work as he spoke, "And why is that?" Demanded Harry, feeling offended, although in reality he didn't understand the complexity of the situation the way the real Zachariah would.
"Let's just say I have more appropriate suitors in mind." Signore Garibaldi replied. "I'm finished with you, feel free to leave." The older man grunted in an angry tone.
Harry was almost out the door when he turned over his shoulder and said sternly, "Signore, do not be mistaken when I say that if I wish to court Signorina Lucia, there isn't a thing that you can do about it." The older man now looked ready to murder Harry, who stood his ground firmly. He couldn't explain exactly why, but something had made him so angry he couldn't control his tongue. He just had to make one last biting remark.
"I wouldn't worry though if I were you. I wouldn't want to marry Lucia, I'd worry that she inherited your disagreeable personality traits." Harry said, looking Signore Garibaldi in the eyes for another second before slamming the door behind him, and stomping up to his room.
Once in his room, Harry grabbed Zachariah's wand and stuffed it in his pocket, deciding that from now on, he should be armed at all times. He may be brave, but he was not an idiot. Harry flopped down on the bed, still fuming, when he heard a knock at the door.
"Who is it?" Harry snapped angrily.
"It's only me." He heard Ginny reply timidly.
"Come in." Harry said, still sounding irritated. Ginny entered the room and sat down on the bed next to Harry.
"I just wanted to apologize for the way I behaved earlier." Said Ginny sincerely. She had done a lot of thinking, and had come to the conclusion that she could still be a friend to Harry. She'd only have to be very careful not to let it lead to more, she couldn't bare to get him into anymore trouble.
"Apology accepted." Said Harry calmly. On the inside, however, he was flabbergasted. He had been quite sure she would continue to avoid him more and more before it got better. Harry came to the conclusion that he really didn't understand girls. He vowed to himself never to attempt to figure one out again.
"Harry, what's wrong?" Ginny asked, having noticed his irritated mood. She lay down on her side, facing Harry, though his back was to her.
"Nothing." Harry snapped, still flaming mad and not feeling much like a chat.
"Don't get short with me Harry, you accepted my apology very easily so whatever it is you're in a twist about hasn't got anything to do with me! I was only trying to help!" Ginny scolded. Harry could literally feel the future onset of a Weasley temper in the room and decided to avoid it. He rolled over onto his other side to face her, and told her everything Signore Garibaldi had said. He left out only the part about the gun.
"That awful git!" Exclaimed Ginny.
"Well, I for one certainly understand why Lucia and Zachariah are keeping their engagement a secret." Said Harry.
"As do I! I can't believe Lucia still lives here, I would have run off by now!" Ginny was now shouting.
"There's no need to shout, besides we don't want to be overheard." Harry hissed.
"Right, I just got a bit carried away." Said Ginny, blushing scarlet.
"Besides, I have something else to tell you." Said Harry gravely. "I think I know what that loud sound was at the end of the dream." Ginny's jaw dropped in shock. She was unable to find words, yet made a hand gesture intended to egg him on.
"Well, Signore Garibaldi has a gun in his study. I think he came up behind Zachariah to shoot, and Lucia saw him coming. That's why she looked so horrified at the end." Harry finished.
"Oh my god, Harry!" Ginny exclaimed, "Signore Garibaldi is going to kill you! Father told us all about muggle weapons like that, they're very dangerous!"
"I know, I know. But I won't get killed, not if there's anything I can do about it." Said Harry determinedly.
"Harry, I'm not going to lie to you, I'm scared." Ginny began to sob a bit, unable to hold it back. She still didn't let it all out though.
Harry was taken a back; he hadn't seen Ginny cry since, well, the Chamber of Secrets. He rubbed his hand up and down her arm to try and comfort her a bit.
Once Ginny had calmed down he said teasingly, "I knew you'd cry again someday."
"Well, I've been sent back in time over a hundred years and ripped from my life and family, I think I'm entitled." She said hotly. Harry chuckled.
"Can I use that excuse too? I feel like such a pansy lately. The subject of Sirius just keeps coming up in my mind and then when I thought I'd never see Ron or Hermione or anyone else again on top of that, I couldn't take it."
"Harry, don't be silly, you're the bravest person I know."
"Thanks, but I still don't like myself lately, no more crying. When we get back to our own time, I'm going to find Bellatrix and give her what she deserves!" Harry stated fiercely.
"You mean if we get back." Said Ginny, emphasizing the word if. She began to tear up again, and before Harry could do anything, she had grabbed and pulled him into a tight hug.
"We'll get back, I promise." Replied Harry.
"Then I have no reason not to believe that we will." Said Ginny, toughening up again and feeling more like her usual self. They lie there in silence for a few moments before Ginny spoke again, "Harry? What are we going to do about Signore Garibaldi?"
"Well for starters I'm going to be sure I'm armed at all times." Responded Harry.
"How are you going to do that? Our wands got left in the cave!" Ginny inquired.
"This." Said Harry, reaching into his pocket and pulling out Zachariah's wand. Ginny snatched it from his hand and examined it. She noticed Zachariah's name on it immediately.
"Zachariah's wand?" She asked quizzically.
"Yes, but you know what's even weirder?" Harry questioned.
"What?" Ginny asked, taking his bait.
"Well, it's the same wood, length, and core as my wand. And, when I use it, it feels just like my own. If it weren't for the engraving I'd never know the difference." Harry explained.
"Wow!" Ginny exclaimed incredulously. "You have to admit, the line between us and Lucia and Zachariah keeps getting thinner and thinner. Sooner or later we won't know the difference."
"Sure we will, Lucia's only got one brother...and she has sisters!" Harry joked.
"You know what I mean though, Harry, this is getting kind of scary, the similarities I mean." Said Ginny seriously.
"I know." Responded Harry.
"Harry, with all the similarities, did you ever wonder if there's a sort of version of Voldemort in this time period, one that Zachariah's meant to defeat?" Asked Ginny cautiously. Harry's face contorted into a look of shock.
"You know, Gin, I hadn't thought about that." Said Harry. Just then, there was a knock at the door.
"Who is it?" Asked Harry.
"Alessio. Can I come in?"
"Sure." Said Harry. The door cracked opened and Alessio's head poked in.
"Not interrupting anything, am I?" He asked, winking at Ginny.
"No." Harry and Ginny said in unison.
"I just thought you might want to get to dinner a bit early, the twins are planning to put something in your food if they get there before you." Alessio said. "As much as I hate to ruin their pranks, you guys aren't used to their sort."
"Actually, my twin brothers are just like that." Ginny giggled.
"But thanks for the heads up!" Said Harry while grinning at Alessio. "I guess now that I know about it, I'd better get down there before they can do anything."
Harry, Ginny, and Alessio were the first ones to arrive in the dining room. They took their seats on one side, with Harry in between Ginny and Alessio. Almost immediately, Theresa and Rosalia came bursting in, with matching mischievous grins. Their faces fell, however, when they saw that Harry was already there. They took their seats across the table, and immediately began whispering about something. All the others could hear was some mention of bed sheets. The doors to the double dining hall flew open once again and Signore Garibaldi entered the room.
Signore Garibaldi took one look at Harry and shouted angrily, "You! Get out of here, you are not permitted at meals in this house any longer!" The man was turning purple, and the vein was throbbing in his neck once again.
Harry was reminded of that afternoon, and a pistol flashed in his head as he returned the icy glare Signore Garibaldi was giving him. Harry mustered up the steadiest glare he could, and he stood up and marched out of the room assertively, slamming the doors behind him.
AN: Hey everyone I'm back! I wish I could say camp was great, but in fact, I was there for two days before getting extremely sick. Now I am rather mad about that, but I'm feeling better now. Annika (annikask8s2005) and I are in the midst of making a Harry Potter website and it is very nearly up and running. I'll post a link in an author's note at the end of a chapter once it's finished. Anyway, thanks a lof for reading. Please review, really it makes an author's day, I'm begging you!