Ron and Andrew sit across from one another in the small bedroom on the fifth floor of the magically arranged burrow. It is a familiar setting for both having spent a majority of their time together over the years within its confines. After being best friends for so long, it is inevitable that they would have their fair share of quarrels, which is why the tension between the two is similarly familiar. Because their relationship has spanned since they were toddlers, the two consider one another brothers in a sense as well as best friends. As such, squabbling with one another came with the territory, as does Andrew's current impatience with said best friend due to the latter's insecurities and oddly harsh treatment of his newly-acquired older sister.
Andrew Logan has always been somewhat jealous of the boisterous Weasley family and the chaos that came with the numerous children. As an only child, he found the idea of having a sibling desirable despite the many complaints of his best friend. He had practically given up at this point knowing his mother had had a difficult time conceiving and carrying him, and now the universe has granted him the chance to have an older sister. Despite being an adult internally, he found the older girl quite fun to be around. She was sassy and lighthearted and he enjoyed conversing with her, so much so that he found himself constantly seeking her out. Even after only knowing her for a short period of time, he found himself oddly protective of the older girl. As such, Ron's standoffish reaction irks him, especially if it is because of Shannon.
"Are you seriously going to be like this?" Andrew asks, feeling displeased with his best friend's cold attitude.
"Like what?" Ron spits, his ears red as he turns his glare to the cards in his hands.
Andrew purses his lips.
"You know exactly what I mean. Fred and George are just being themselves – trying to get under your skin like they always do. Are you really going to take them seriously?"
Ron purses his lips, the red in his cheeks beginning to fade as he sighs.
"Whatever. . ."
Andrew sighs.
"Alright then. If it's not Fred and George, are you going to tell me why you're so upset?'
Ron pauses, his cheeks darkening so that his face blends in with his hair and freckles.
". . . What's with the girl? When'd she even get here? I saw you a few days ago and you never said anything about getting a sister. Why didn't you tell me anything?" He asks, his expression falling.
Andrew pauses, his eyes widening somewhat. He had expected that Ron was wary and took issue with Shannon's sudden appearance, but something about his demeanour suggests that there is more to it, most likely stemming from Fred and George's comment about him being replaced.
Glancing down at his hands, Andrew recalls his mother's words.
". . . It's not that I didn't want to tell you. It really just happened. Shannon's parents died recently and it came to light that she is a Logan with the right to inherit – a long lost cousin or something, but her magic and blood are strong – stronger than mine or my mom's, maybe even Granny Logan's. Either way, we only just found out a few days ago and we only had her name added to the family register this morning," Andrew recites, eyeing his best friend intently. "We ran into your dad just after we left the Records offices at the Ministry. I hadn't had a chance to send an owl because we've been busy helping her adjust. Even Granny Logan has been staying with us to make sure she is taken care of."
Ronald in turn has turned pallid, the weight of the girl's situation hitting him as Andrew's words resonate in the quiet space. .
"Blimey. . ." The red-haired boy trails off, looking guilty. "She didn't seem like. . . bloody hell."
"Exactly," Andrew breathes, giving his best friend a meaningful look. "She's uh – pretty mature for her age. Practically an adult in some ways but also inexperienced when it comes to the Wizarding World. She grew up knowing about magic but not experiencing it, if that makes sense. . . and that's why I have a favour to ask."
Ron purses his lips at his best friend's cryptic words. "Let me guess – you want me to get along with her?"
Andrew smiles wryly. "I mean yeah, if you can keep from being a prat, I'd love for the two of you to get along seeing as you're my best mate and she's my sister – but that's not the favour," he tells the red-haired boy. "What I'm asking is for you to keep an eye on her while at Hogwarts."
Ron gives the boy across from him a displeased look.
"I'll try to get along with her, but I'm not a bloody babysitter."
"She doesn't need a babysitter – she needs someone to have her back," Andrew presses, growing a bit anxious. "She's not from around here and she's been through a lot in a short period of time. . . Look, if I could do it, I would, but I don't start school until next year and neither does Ginny. It has to be you."
"No it doesn't," Ron insists, looking similarly anxious. "I'll be nice, but you should have Fred or George watch after her – or – or Percy! You saw them all fawn over her – it was ridiculous! Let them do it. This is my first year at Hogwarts too. How am I supposed to look out for anyone?"
The Logan boy rolls his eyes at his friend's half-hearted objections.
"Ron, you're my best mate and she's in your year. Why can't you just do me this one favour?" Andrew asks, somewhat exasperated.
Ron grunts and throws his cards onto the bed, looking conflicted. "Who says she even wants me to look out for her? There's not even a guarantee we'll be in the same house. . ."
"I'm not saying you have to be best friends," Andrew assures him, leaning back on his hand and running his other through his hair. "Just. . . if she looks like she's struggling or if someone is hassling her, just give her a hand. Please Ron."
The youngest Weasley brother sighs, his cheeks still tinged pink.
". . . If it's only that much, I suppose I can keep an eye on her. . ."
Andrew beams and leans over to clap Ron's shoulder.
"That's why you're my best mate."
A little while later, Shannon is significantly more comfortable in Ginny's yellow sweater and denim skirt and a pair of slightly worn tennis shoes. The scent of the burrow has enveloped her in an aroma of sun, grass, and flora, the scent calming some of her nerves and turning her rather giddy with elation. She's let down her hair from the pinned style that Granny Logan had insisted on so that it hands about her shoulders in loose curls.
With a refreshed spring in her step, Shannon allows Ginny to lead the way up the remaining stairs to the fifth floor, where a haphazardly orange painted door sits slightly ajar. From the open door way the two girls are able to make out the two boys chatting loudly as they arrange sickenly-orange cards atop a twin bed shoved into the crevice of a wall, taking up a majority of space in the similarly orange-plastered room.
Without so much as waiting for an invitation, Ginny opens the door the remainder of the way and walks straight in, leaving Shannon to follow after her. Both boys start at the girls' entrance, but unlike earlier, the tense atmosphere surrounding them is gone. As soon as Andrew sees his sister in her new attire, he grins, while the boy beside him appears more annoyed at his own sister's bold entrance.
Andrew addresses Shannon with an expression of approval. "Much better, Shan. You look like you can actually breathe."
Shannon smiles at the young Logan boy, hands fanning out her skirt to show off her new attire. "I feel like a person again. Ginny even let me borrow her sneakers. We're actually pretty close in size," she says, turning her smile to the young girl, whose eyes are timidly locked on Andrew.
"Those are trainers," Andrew corrects with a gloating smirk. "You're in England now."
Shannon rolls her eyes, but before she can reply, the red-haired boy across from him erupts at his younger sister.
"Oi! Ever hear of knocking?" Ron interjects in an accusatory tone toward his sister, his nose scrunching in distaste as he glares at her. The question pulls Ginny's attention away from Andrew toward her brother.
"Of course I have," Ginny throws back, looking both cocky and irritated by her brother's tone. "Mum told us to come here, remember? We're supposed to 'get familiar' with Shannon."
Ron bristles, scowling at his younger sister as he huffs, "Yeah well, you should still knock. What if we were changing?"
"The door was open," Ginny replies easily with a roll of her eyes as Andrew lets out a short laugh, smirking at his best friend.
"You're impossible," Ron mutters with pink cheeks before turning to Shannon with pursed lips and wary eyes. "Right then. 'Suppose we should get on with it before Mum gets cheesed off. . . I'm Ron. 'Cheers." Without moving from his seat upon his bed, he holds out a hand for Shannon to take.
A bit surprised, Shannon blinks with wide eyes and her mouth slightly ajar before breaking out into a wide smile that reaches her eyes. With gusto, she steps further into the room and takes the boy's hand eagerly.
"Yeah, cheers! I'm Shannon. It's so – I've heard a lot about you! I've been looking forward to meeting you," the Logan heir introduces herself, catching her words before her true thoughts escape her lips. In truth, she is overzealous with meeting Ronald Weasley in the flesh, so much so that her fan-girl instincts have risen to the surface.
While Shannon had other favourite characters growing up (Harry, Cedric, Luna, and the twins being just a few), Ron had always been up there because of how relatable he is as a person. He's not perfect, something that is shown time and time again, but he always strives to be better and to do the right thing, even if he missteps along the way. To Shannon, admitting one's mistakes and attempting to learn from them is extremely courageous. While Ron is known to be stubborn and somewhat irksome to most, to Shannon he is a caring friend, especially book Ron, who spent weeks studying for Buckbeak, who faced his worst fears for a friend, who in the middle of battle was more concerned for the safety of house elves than his own life. Yeah, he could be an idiot and often let his insecurities get the better of him, but he always managed to redeem himself – at least in Shannon's eyes.
Said boy stares back at Shannon with wary blue eyes, so different and yet oddly similar to Rupert Grint. As Shannon fixes her gaze on the boy, obviously studying him and lost in her own thoughts, Ron considers her in turn, a bit taken aback.
For one thing, her hand is smaller and more gentle than Ron had expected, yet despite the petite size she shows great enthusiasm and confidence as she shakes his. Now out of the ghastly attire provided by Granny Logan, the boy has to admit that she is quite pretty with a mature and oddly mischievous air about her that reminds him a bit of the twins. Like Andrew, her eyes are a vibrant green-gold, solidifying herself as someone with Logan blood, but unlike his best friend, hers seem to glow subtly from within. Her gaze holds a certain pressure that sends a chill down his spine, as though she can see right through him to his most inner thoughts. It's an uncomfortable feeling that makes him wonder if he had agreed to Andrew's request to watch out for her a little too easily. Still, at the very least Shannon seems to be enthused with meeting him, which considering he is the least interesting Weasley (by his own opinion), he finds his ego stroked by her bright smile aimed at him.
Expression softening slightly, Ron nods and releases Shannon's hand, his cheeks still subtly glowing red. "Yeah well, it's nice to meet you too. . . So, uh, you're starting Hogwarts this year?"
Shannon nods happily and takes a seat on the floor beside Ginny, who has already made herself comfortable. "That's what I'm told. You are too, right? Are you excited? Nervous?" She prods, curious to the inner thoughts of the eleven year old Weasley.
To his own surprise, Ron seems to relax a bit, turning thoughtful at the earnest nature of the girl's questions. Truth be told, he hadn't thought about the matter too much, nor had he met anyone besides Andrew who was truly interested in him or his feelings on the matter.
"'Not sure what to feel to be honest," Ron starts, chewing on his words as he struggles to voice his thoughts. "I mean, it's school right? 'Can't say I've ever liked school all that much, but we finally get to use a wand and do actual magic so that's great. Plus, there's quidditch – blimey, I can't wait for that. Fred and George are on their house team – beaters, the both of them. . ."
A sudden realisation dawns on Shannon and she turns to Andrew in excitement.
"Oh my god – I completely forgot! I get to watch an actual quidditch match!" Shannon cries, her eyes sparkling as she begins to ramble. "Andy, do you have a broom? Can you fly? Do you play quidditch? Can you teach me? Holy shit – this means I get to fly –"
Ron's expression shifts as he beams at Shannon with a sudden spark of enthusiasm. "You like quidditch?"
"Of course!" The hazel-eyed girl cries, flushed at the prospect of flying.
The girl's words seem to break the last of the walls that Ron had put up and the two begin to gush over the sport with Andrew and Ginny chiming in when able to get a word in.
Seeing that the two eleven year olds have found a subject of commonality, Andrew grins in relief, knowing that his worries have been reduced significantly. Even if they don't end up in the same house, he is sure that Ron will keep his word and that at the very least Shannon will have someone to turn to should something happen.
Conversation falls over the small group of children, moving between quidditch, growing up in America, and their anticipation of the new school year. As time passes, Shannon grows more comfortable with the two youngest Weasley's, finding that even though they are technically six years younger than her, she is able to converse with them almost as easily as she does with Andrew. It is hard to tell whether it is because they do not know she is older or because her new body has affected her mentality, but she comes to the conclusion that she doesn't care. Even with all the regrets and sorrow that came from her moving across realities she is happy, finding solace not only in the fact that she is not alone, but in the fact that in a way, she has found a place where she feels truly happy and anticipatory of her future.
An hour later Mrs. Weasley's voice echoes up the stairs, calling her children and the Logan children down for lunch. Unlike earlier, the youngest four barrel down happily, continuing their earlier conversation on what quidditch position is the most desirable with fervour. Upon entering the kitchen, the four find Percy already seated at the table in deep discussion with Arthur and Henry while Eliza and Molly bustle about with their wands, transferring plates and glasses to the table where a decent feast is haphazardly arranged.
"Oh – Shannon! You changed," Eliza states as the children enter, looking surprised and a bit guilty nas she takes in the young girl's relaxed ensemble.
"Ginny lent them to me," Shannon replies, a bit conflicted at her aunt's expression.
"You can't blame her, mum," Andrew quickly interjects. "She looked positively stifled, didn't she?"
Eliza nods, looking a bit relieved to see Shannon much more relaxed and comfortable, but before she can reply,
"Alright, alright, take your seats," Molly chimes, smiling at the group before turning towards the stairs. "Fred! George! Get down here before your lunch gets cold!"
A moment later the infamous twins enter the kitchen with partially wet hair and fresh clothes, carrying the scent of herbal shampoo with them. Now freshly clean, Shannon is able to get a better look at the two, finding that they are truly identical down to the last freckle. While admittedly handsome and stocky, there is a gleam in their eyes that gives Shannon a sense of mischief that reminds her of someone, only she can't seem to remember who.
"Ah, this is much better," one of the twins chimes, nodding his head in approval at Shannon's new look.
"Smells better too," the other adds on, a smirk making its way into his expression.
Shannon raises a brow at the boys, a small smile betraying her as she shakes her head.
"Shan, come sit," Ron ushers Shannon from behind, urging her to take the seat across from Andrew and Ginny as one of the twins falls into the seat beside her. Once she is seated, Ron continues, "like I was saying – there's a reason that keepers are usually captains –"
"I don't think that's right, though," Andrew cuts him off, shaking his head. "Chasers are just as often captains as keepers are. The rare ones are seekers and beaters."
"But aren't keepers kind of like goalies?" Shannon chimes in, intrigued by how much she is learning about the intricacies of the magical sport. "They might be primarily defence, but aren't they able to see more because of it? Wouldn't chasers be too in the thick of things to be able to see the fruition of certain strategies or the opponent's weaknesses?"
"What's a goalie?" Ginny asks softly, giving Shannon a confused look. However, before she can respond Molly addresses the table, beaming at the large group that is squished together.
"Right then," the red-haired woman begins, her warm brown eyes gazing fondly at the lot of them before focusing in on Shannon where she sits wedged between Ron and one of the twins. "I think a few words are in order. Shannon dear, we are truly grateful to have you with us. You're always welcome here and we are so excited that you and Ronald will be starting Hogwarts together in a few weeks. We wish you all the best and we'd like you to know that like Andrew, you are always welcome here," Molly finishes with tears in her eyes. Arthur sees his wife brimming with emotion and urges her to sit down beside him at the other end of the table, taking her hand in his affectionately.
"Well said, Molly dear," he tells his wife before turning to the group. "With that let's tuck in, shall we? I need to be getting back to work soon."
Chatter ensues as everyone loads their plates generously with Molly's cooking, only half paying attention to the food as they converse.
Time passes and just before Shannon is stuffed to the gills, Andrew, who had been defending his chess strategy against Ron, is cut off by a loud tapping at the nearest window. Glancing back, the Logan boy quickly rises to his feet and strides towards the source of the noise. Shannon turns to watch as Andrew opens the window to allow a large, sleek brown owl with amber eyes flutter into the kitchen and perch itself in the centre of the table beside a plate of sausages. Shannon stares wide-eyed and slack-jawed at the elegant bird who is staring her down pointedly while clutching an envelope in its beak.
"Apollon is here already?" Eliza asks in surprise as the bird hops toward Shannon, avoiding the plates and glassware as he does. "That was rather quick. I wasn't expecting him until tonight at the earliest."
With those words, the owl Apollon chucks the letter in its beak on Shannon's lap pointedly, his feathers somewhat ruffled in its impatience.
"What's that then?" Ron asks, leaning over Shannon's shoulder as she gently cradles the letter in her hands, her expression filled with emotion as she reads the address printed with green ink on the front.
Shannon Logan
The Burrow
Otter St. Catchpole, Devon
Carefully turning it over, Shannon finds the letter held closed with a similarly green wax seal, pressed with an all too familiar crest.
Frowning, Ron turns to the girl in confusion. "Hogwarts? Are you just getting your letter now?"
"She only registered with the family this morning, remember?" Andrew reminds his friend as he studies Shannon's wide-eyed expression with a curious smile on his lips.
Excited murmurs erupt from the table, some directed to one another and others directed at the girl in question, but Shannon is unable to break away from the stunned elation that is building within her as she ever so carefully runs the edge of her fingernail under the wax seal to separate it from the sepia-coloured parchment. Heart beating heavily in her chest, Shannon gently lifts the seal and urges the two letters from their sleeve. Unfolding the first page, Shannon holds her breathe as she begins to read.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock,
Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Miss Logan,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Tears well in Shannon's eyes as she reads and rereads the words inscribed in the letter in her hands before falling down her cheeks. All her life she had wished to receive this letter yet understood there was no way she ever could as it was a fantasy, a fairy tale. Yet, here in her hands lies that letter she so dreamed of informing her that that childhood dream is coming true. Overcome with happiness, Shannon breaks out into a smile as her tears continue to flow, turning to the second sheet excitedly.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
UNIFORM
First-year students will require:
1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)
2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
4. One winter cloak (black, with silver fastenings)
Please note that all pupil's clothes should carry name tags.
COURSE BOOKS
All students should have a copy of each of the following:
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1)
by Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic
by Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory
by Adalbert Waffling
A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration
by Emeric Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi
by Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions
by Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
by Newt Scamander
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection
by Quentin Trimble
OTHER EQUIPMENT
1 wand
1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set glass or crystal phials
1 telescope
1 set brass scales
Students may also bring, if they desire, an owl OR a cat OR a toad.
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS
ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICK
Yours sincerely,
Lucinda Thomsonicle-Pocus
Chief Attendant of Witchcraft Provisions
Beaming, Shannon reads her list of school supplies repeatedly, marvelling at the realisation that this is real; that she will be attending Hogwarts in a little less than two weeks. She will be trained as a witch at the greatest school of witchcraft and wizardry in the world alongside the real-life versions of her all-time favourite characters. Heartbroken and homesick as she's been, nothing can dilute the happiness this thought brings her.
