Cleo Chestra and the wizards of America: Chapter 2
A Dream Come True
Cleo Chestra sat at her window...dreaming. She was a young girl of 11 with long flowing brown hair, blond, red, and black hilights glistening among the curling tendrils. Her mother loved her hair dearly and allowed it to grow out, to the point that is dangled slightly below her knees. She had extremely large blue, clear eyes that made her resemble something of a Disney Princess creation. Her cheeks and nose were often flushed making her eyes all the more bright and giving her extremely rosy lips. Cleo was rather short and was destined to be so for the rest of her life.
She was… smart, but a different sort of smart than you usually think of. In a way yes, she did get adequate grades in her old Elementary school but still some things that she understood or thought about some people wouldn't bother to think about in a good long time. One of theses things being magic.
Her hart was content as ever when she began to read the "Harry Potter" trilogy. Not only, because she found that she wasn't the only one who had their own idea's about magic but because they seemed so wonderfully real! She found herself most happy when she was among Harry, Ron, and Hermione on their riveting adventures. They seemed to grab her hand and take her as far away from Ashland Virginia as possible, which she was grateful for.
Her family had just recently moved from Maryland to Ashland that summer. To say at the least she hatted it in Ashland. All her friends, all she had thrived for were in Maryland and her parents had insisted in on bringing her to this low life hillbilly town.
She felt stupid for it, and she knew if she knew someone that was like her, she would probably try to get as far away from him or her as possible. Still, her thoughts were in Hogwarts, and she simply longed to go there. She knew every spell in the books perfectly and practiced them often. Not to mention Cleo always seemed to have an uncontrollable urge read them repeatedly until she had practically memorized them! She even had a wand! Well, not really a wand like in Harry Potter with unicorn hair in it or anything, hers was simply a stick that she had found and whittled down with a kitchen knife into a sad excuse for a wand. Not that you needed to be told it didn't work.
Cleo now felt thoroughly disgruntled as these thoughts skirted about her mind.
"I wish I could go to Hogwarts." She muttered soberly to herself while she clung to her stuffed cat that she had named Crookshanks.
This is just pitiful! Said a curt voice in her head. Honestly, you wouldn't think you had a brain in your head! You should know nothing like that's ever going to happen! Its Fictional! Why don't you go call Lindsey? Go have some fun, it's better than sitting here miserable! Some times Cleo hatted common sense. (Especially when it had a point.)
One good thing had happened in Ashland so far, and that was meeting the person she now called her friend, Lindsey
Lindsey was a lot like Cleo in the way they thought. She also believed in magic and simply loved the Harry Potter books, or at least the boy's how played the characters of Harry Potter in the movies.
Lindsey was much taller than Cleo with short, strait blond hair. She was fair skinned and had stunningly beautiful green eyes, and glasses to attractively frame them.
The thought of her friend did make Cleo fell better so she set down her cat and pulled herself from the chair set next to her window.
Sadly she closed her curtains and trotted down the spiral staircase into the living room on the left side.
Her father was sitting watching football. Cleo's Harry Potter was to his football so she didn't disturb him.
"Hi Dad." She muttered as she left the room. Mrs. Chestra was on the other side of the stairs in the kitchen making pancakes.
"Can I call Lindsey?" Cleo asked while she leaned against the wall. Mrs. Chestra, just now noticing her looked up, blinked, and turned back to her pancakes.
"What are you going to do?" she asked, now flipping one of the pancakes and reveling it to being serverly burned. Cleo shrugged carelessly and focussed her eyes on the opposite wall.
"I d'no. Guess go over to her house." Cleo's mother sighed, a sigh that Cleo wished to encore.
"Fine, call her." The first time in a while Cleo smiled and went back into the living room to retrieve the portable telephone.
Cleo turned the Corner and trooped up the stairs while furiously dialing the number of her companion. Two rings and then a cold deep voice greeted her.
"Hello?" It said. Cleo identified the voice to be the voice of Lindsey father. Cleo sat down on her bed and curled her hair around her finger.
"Hi, may I speak to Lindsey please?" Cleo asked sounding, much to her disturbance like a recording.
"Yea Cleo, hold on…Lindsey!" She could hear him say more distantly. An odd sound came which made Cleo think that he had set the telephone down. Another arose, like moving feet that got louder, until…
"Hello?" said a calm voice that Cleo couldn't mistake as none other than Lindsey's.
"Hay Lindsey." Cleo said falling back on her bed and looking up at the top of her canopy bed. "What's up?"
"Mmm, let me think. The sky, the birds, the trees..." Cleo shoved her head into the pillow and groaned.
"Err! I hate when you do that!" Laughing. Cleo waited until the laughter died before continuing the conversation.
"What to hang out?"
"Yea, ok. See you hear in five minutes?"
"Cool, bye."
"Bye." Cleo turned off her telephone and skipped down the stairs.
She skidded around the Corner of her stairs into the kitchen.
"Can you take me to Lindsey's house?" Mrs. Chestra set down the spatula and turned to look Cleo in the eyes.
"You know…why…fine!" She spun threw the door beside her to get her jacket. Cleo stood there a moment, wondering what he had done to upset her.
Quietly she pulled on her boots and slicked off to the closet next to Mrs. Chestra. Mrs. Chestra pulled her arm threw the sleeve of her coat and swiftly passed by her, making Cleo's hair that had come out of her braids flow passed her forehead.
What's her problem? Cleo thought irritably. She snapped her coat on her and rushed outside to Mrs. Chestra.
She was already opening the car door and sliding in. Cleo moved towards the car and did the same. She sat down and Mrs. Chestra sighed. Cleo was tired of this and turned to her Mother.
She didn't even think about what tone her mother preferred or what she said to her, but Cleo hadn't done anything and she wasn't going to take this for no reason!
"You know, why you don't tell me what's the matter instead of being a complete…" Quite suddenly the wheel of the car spun around. Cleo's eyes shot from to the wheel then Mrs. Chestra how had her hands up in the air.
"What the?" Screeched Mrs. Chestra. The car shot back into the street. Both of their backs slammed against the car seats, as they looked stunned at the empty street.
"What happened?" Gasped Cleo as she slowly turned her head to look at her frozen mother.
"Nothing." Mrs. Chestra said eventually. "I didn't do anything." They sat there a while in their country road until another car's horn beeped at them.
Cautiously her Mom's fingers reached for the clutch and slowly the car moved forward. They both let out a sweeping sigh of relief. They seemed to be on good terms after that although they were silent threw out the rest of the ride; perhaps the terms were simply based on the thrill of survival.
Their smooth road soon turned into a dirt one and their shopping centers turned to large forests. They had now reached the countryside, Beaverdamn it was called, where Lindsey lived.
After what seemed like millions of tress, the driveway to a large house appeared at which point they drove towards it. It must have been that Lindsey was watching for them because the minute the car pulled up in front of her house she shot threw the door of her house and meet Cleo halfway. She was smiling when Cleo raced up beside her.
There seemed to be more of a glow about Lindsey today. Her feet hardly seemed to reach the ground. Cleo said goodbye to Mrs. Chestra and the both of the girls galloped up the stairs to Lindsey room.
Lindsey's room is what Cleo liked to call "The sanctuary of a artiest." On the wall next to her door, she had posters from the Harry Potter movie that had come out that year. Cleo always screeched when she caught a glimpse of her favorite poster, of Rupert Grint. He played Ron, her utmost favorite character. And she reminded herself with a giggle if Ron weren't fictional character; she most likely would have a pitiful crush on him. On the next wall, where the only window of the room was, were two or three pictures from the movie, about a million pictures of Linken Park, System of a Down, and Avril Lavine, but the rest were drawings Lindsey had made. Beside that was a desk and another in the Corner. About these were scattered magazines and pictures but the most wonderful of all was the four Harry Potter books laying, among the rubble, neatly on the desk.
Lindsey picked up the first book and grinned.
"His first year at Hogwarts." She murmured.
"Yea, don't you wish we could go there instead of Liberty Middle school next year?" Asked Cleo with a growl, as she pushed some paper aside on the bed and sunk into it. Lindsey eyes flashed when she turned to nod at Cleo.
"Mmm." She said in agreement and turned back to look at the first book. "What kind of animal would you have?" She asked suddenly. Cleo looked up at Lindsey, confusing causing her to examine her face more closely out of curiosity.
"What?" Lindsey didn't notice the impeccable stair but instead answered her question casually.
"What animal…er…would you bring to Hogwarts," Then quickly stammered "if you could go?" Cleo looked around the room in bewilderment. She expected Lindsey to ask a question more like " Who would you Bang? Sean Biggerstaff or Daniel Radcliff?"
"Owl." Cleo said as if it were obvious. "They're useful too."
"Good idea." Lindsey said nodding. This was most out of Lindsey normal behavior and much to Cleo's surprise it continued threw out the day.
"How long do you think the stairs wait before they movie?" She asked as they sat and listened to Linken Park.
"Flitwick, how tall exactly do you think he is?" Lindsey pondered aloud another time while they ate cake and sprayed Cleo with a considerable amount of frosting.
"Do you thinks Dumbledore ever dyed his hair?"
"Why do you care?" Cleo asked, now annoyed with all these questions.
"Thought it might be…cool to know." She said, and became quite interested in a picture of Sean Biggerstaff.
Lindsey suspiciously transitioned back to her normal self, even though for the first time ever one of their activities were reading the Harry Potter books for two hours. Cleo couldn't help but feel Lindsey was hiding something from her, least to say she didn't enjoy the felling. She decided that it would be best that she keep a close eye on Lindsey.
Lindsey and Cleo were in a chat group for Tom Felton (Lindsay's favorite actor) when the doorbell tragically rung. Cleo and Lindsey both sighed mournfully as if the sound announced an execution rather then the ride home; Cleo's Mom was most defiantly there.
"See yea." Lindsey said. Lindsey pulled herself up from the chair and moved towards the stairs. Cleo regretfully did the same. Mrs. Chestra stood at the top of the stairs, smiling the welcoming smile of forgiveness she often had lovingly put on.
"Well, see you at Liberty." Cleo dolefully sighed. Lindsey eyes flashed ones more, but one couldn't be completely sure because of her glasses.
"Bye." Lindsey said and turned back to the stairs to go down to the basement while returning to the beloved computer.
In the ride back home, the question that had been troubling Cleo finally spewed out of her mouth without really meaning to.
"Why were you mad at me this morning?" Her mother paused, perching her lips as they turned a corner, when they rounded around it, she inevitably sighed.
"I wasn't mad, I was just frustrated." Why do parents always say that?
"You always wont to rush away from us! No matter what I do you don't seem to care at all!" Her Mom broke off and was silent. Cleo felt it as the guilt rose deep from within her heart and rose into her tingling cheeks. She had never intended to make her Mom feel this way, she had never knottiest it before or ever thought how this might affect her family. Still there was no point in apologizing; it would just get her Mom thinking further.
"I'm glad your home." Mrs. Chestra whispered to her. Cleo smiled. She hatted that silence that seemed to yell at the both of them.
The more pleasant atmosphere about them lingered, even when Cleo's mother told her to gather the aggravating mail. Cleo crossed the street and opened the scorching metal box. She shuffled threw the mail in a bored routine. There was a Sports magazine, what looked like a bill and a thick letter that was made of light parchment. She was across the street when she saw this rustic letter, suddenly clutching the breath that so naturally would wish to arise.
To Miss. S. C. Chestra
Second largest bedroom
1096 Hunny Suckle St.
Ashland, America
She knew exactly what this was. But…it must be a joke; theirs no way…is there? With out even being aware of it, her feet began break loose into a trot, then a run, and then a full on sprint until at last she slammed threw the front door to confront her oblivious parents.
They were sitting silently watching a television program, unaware of her new discovery.
"Finally! That sport issue came!" Cleo's father said smiling up at the mail. Mrs. Chestra was the first to notice the peculiar letter.
"What is that in your hand?"
"It's a letter Mom." She said handing it to Mrs. Chestra. As Mrs. Chestra took it her eyebrows began to cross, as it often dose when she is thinking. Her mouth began to open, almost like she wished to speak but the words would not properly form. Turning to Mr. Chestra, who was looking down at it good naturally at the letter with little interest, the sounds began to gurgle out of her throat.
"I…it…erm, it almost looks something like those Hog…!" Her head shook quickly, almost with frustration before looking back down at it. The moments passed in increasing uneasiness until Cleo stepped forward and reached for the letter. Mrs. Chestra studied her face before deciding to hand it over. Slowly Cleo turned the letter over with her fingertips. All three of them let out their own little sound of astonishment. The Hogwarts Crest was on the back.
"It's a joke." Cleo's father said definitely. "It's a joke, no way could this be the real thing."
"It might." Cleo said meekly.
"Stephanie Cleo Chestra don't be ridiculous! There's no such thing as…" He stopped and looked at the letter.
"It just couldn't be." He said finally. Cleo licked her lips when she felt the excitement increase. Trying to embrace the moment, she tore open the crest and pulled out the first peace of paper.
Dear Miss. Stephanie (Cleo shuttered at the sight of her first and dreaded name.) Cleo Chestra,
We are pleased to inform you that you among the few first American Wizards have been excepted to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Hagrid the schools gate keeper and Care of Magical Creatures teacher will visit your home August 23 and discuss the situation with you.
If you agree to come to this school, He will then take you to purchase your school supplies (that are listed in the next sheet of paper.) and escort you to school. The school year will begin September 1.
We would like your answer to be decided by the time Hagrid returns.
Yours sincerely,
Professor Minerva McGonagall
Professor Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Cleo finished reading and gave it to Mrs. Chestra to look at.
"They don't give up easy do they?" Her father spat with frustration of the preposterousness of it all, while at the same time he leaned over to look at the letter himself.
"I guess we'll find out August 23." Cleo said while she watched her parents for a reaction. Mrs. Chestra looked up from the paper with an expatriated look on her normally cheery face.
"But this really could be dangerous Cleo. How do we know this isn't just some horrible trap?" Cleo didn't need Mrs. Chestra to remind her of this chilling hypothesis.
The worst part about it was that it was all too likely. This sucks! Cleo always thought that if she got this letter that she would be happy, and celebrating with her family, not worrying weather they were in danger or not!
Her thoughts wouldn't be settled until tomorrow, August 23. She awoke on the opposite side of her bed than she normally sleep on. She apparently was tossing and turning a lot that night. She had a dream that a man came that day and kidnapped her from her parents. A trembling breath hardly made it out of her mouth.
Well said the annoying voice in her head that she normally attempted to restrain. Your never going to find out if you don't go. Cleo nodded and pushed herself of the bed. (This was a little difficult because she was tangled about her blankets.) She found herself aching to lay back down. Her head almost seemed to be weighting the rest of her body down.
Fine, just chill. This might turn out to be ok. She thought, but not very convincingly. She stumbled about her bed, looking for suitable clothing for this…particular accession. She found the pants her brother donated to her, baggy light and comfortable, with a black shirt. She figured if she was uncomfortable inside, she might as well fell comfortable outside.
Her parents were down stairs, silence weighing down on them. Her father was in the living room watching "Sports Reporters" while Mrs. Chestra walked in with a large mug of coffee. Cleo tried to smile at them but they didn't seem much in the mood.
"Are you going to have some breakfast?" Mrs. Chestra mumbled. Cleo began to say yes but then shook her head. Mrs. Chestra didn't make augment this morning. Instead she turned back to the television and took a sip of her coffee. (It had no cream in it Cleo knottiest with a frown.) Cleo sat down in the rocking chair beside Mrs. Chestra, then got up again. She wasn't sure what to do.
Maybe I should go wait at the door for Hargid. Then it hit Cleo harder than ever, as if some one had chucked a boiling ball at her head.
How was he going to get here?
Certainly he wasn't going to fly in on a flying motorcycle or something like that; it was broad day light! Though, Sirius's motorcycle was really cool. On the other hand, perhaps it would be floo powder, but it could not be. The only reason the Wesley's got to Harry's home was because Mr. Wesley worked directly with the ministry and could work out the kinks, Course Dumbledoor could always work something out, if he could. Hargid couldn't do that could he?
Cleo stood there thinking (Reminding herself with a sneer how pitifully well she knew those books, like some real hopeless fan.) when suddenly a sound like a canon sounded right behind her. Cleo was so startled that she screamed and knocked into the rocking chair. With a tumble the chair and her body both collided with the floor.
Mrs. Chestra flung herself to Cleo's side and screamed higher than Cleo was sure possible. She rapped her arms securely around Cleo, as Cleo herself, burred her face into those arms. Mr. Chestra just sat transfixed at the cloud of smoke that was before his daughter and his beloved wife. After most of the shock was finished, Cleo and Mr. Chestra looked as well. The cloud of smoke was starting to spread around the living room but one peace seemed unable to move. It was only then Cleo realized that it wasn't smoke she was looking at (Although there was quite a lot of it.) It was the figure of a man. But she couldn't see how, it was so horribly large and seemed to have trouble fitting in her living room!
The dust started clearing and Cleo saw that man was, waving the smoke away with his enormous hand.
"It's him!" Cleo shrieked, jumping up but soon being pulled down by her mother. It was by no mistake Hargid in all his glory.
"But it couldn't be!" Mrs. Chestra gasped under her breath.
"Oh Honestly mother who else could appreciate like that! And theirs no way any human could even dress up to be that big…no offence." Cleo said kindly to Hargid how looked a little uneasy.
"I didn't mean ter' of startled yer' or nothin', it was either that or floo powder." Hargid gave a shudder, taking the house with him as he did.
"Mind not telling' any body at Hogwarts 'bout that, I'm not…"
"Supposed to do magic, I know and don't worry I wont tell." Cleo ushered him. Hargid didn't seem to mind the all knowing comment and smiled down at Cleo and Cleo smiled back. (Her neck did hurt though from having to look up so high.) Both of her parents seemed to have been tuned to stone until this moment when Mr. Chestra stood up.
"How are we supposed to pay for this…Hogwarts?" Cleo turned around to look at her father.
"You're going to let me go?" Cleo asked, rather amazed that he was going along with this. Mr. Chestra gave a week grin.
"Well yeah… I mean how much more proof do I need to know this is the real thing?" He asked with a supposed chuckle and uneasy glance at Hagrid. "The problem is getting you there." Although this was a pressing question the riddle seemed almost trivial to her. Cleo was overflowing with bubbling pride that her joy cascaded over into her fathers pondering arms, embracing him as if it could not truly express her gratitude.
"Oh thank you!" Cleo walled as she squeezed tighter to her father. "Thank you!"
"You welcome." He smiled; patting her on the head, obviously unaware of the glory that was the situation. "But to get you there." He said in a more thoughtful tone.
"Dumbledore told me how much Muggle money it was going ter' be." Hagrid's booming voice informed them.
"How much?" Mrs. Chestra asked fretfully, obviously over the shock.
"Er…let me think…2,000 L and 22 pence…er…cents." Cleo's heart then seemed to travel down her esophagus and land with a splashing CERPLUNK in her stomach. $5,045 and 22 cents were not often acquired easily. Mrs. Chestra gazed at her husband, such in the manner of questioning, begging for a solution to such a plaguing problem, even though he returned the desperate expression. Cleo sprung from her gloomy state at ones, again spewing forth possibilities.
"My bank account!"
"What?"
"I have loads of money in my account!" But much to Cleo's dislike, Mrs. Chestra shook her head.
"That would only break the ice…but." Mrs. Chestra looked up at Mr. Chestra again with an expression Cleo couldn't quite put her finger on.
"Collage savings?" She said softly. (Hagrid looked a little confused.) Mr. Chestra shook his head more savagely at this.
"But that's for her… collage!" He moaned.
"But I won't need to go to collage." Cleo insisted, becoming increasingly worried that her dream might disintegrate over such at thing as money. "Hogwarts is full Wizard training!"
"And the best Wizard trainin' at that." Hargid puffed proudly. Cleo smiled at him. Mr. Chestra stood with his shoulders hunched and grinding his teeth, as if trying devour the entire situation and digest it into nothingness. However powered his teeth were to become the three on lookers only seemed more real with every second of anticipation. At last his teeth came to a stand still and a sigh released from that mouth, nodding with a slight glint sparking in his eyes.
"Alright then. I'll go take the money out of the bank." He said quietly, as if still not used to the idea.
"No need sir." Hagrid interrupted suddenly, causing the whole family to jump. "Greengots can take it out for us, Dumbledore already explained our situation. He just needed you permission." Mr. Chestra seemed even more shocked at this, and even Cleo had to admit that this seemed like some wonderful dream. Mr. Chestra put his hand in his pockets and looked from one extremely different expiration to the next. He looked at Cleo last whose smiling face hardly expressed the excitement that effervesced up from her stomach.
"Well, go get your stuff." Cleo could felt her breath clench. With a quick nod, she threw her self up the stairs and into her room.
Grabbing the biggest suitcase she owned, she shoved her cloths, diary, pictures, and stuffed cat Crookshanks into it until she had immense difficulty jostling it all in. Cleo looked up on her white dresser table and saw that she was about to forget the most important thing, her Harry Potter books! Feeling immensely stupid, she seized the four heavy books and by feats of great…magic perhaps…she some how she managed to fit them in. Closing the case with a satisfying SNAP, she took it by the handle and then possessed to dragging the monstrous load down the stairs.
After much strain and effort Cleo accomplished her goal in getting the suit case down the stairs, and which point Hargid took over, picking it up as if it were nothing more then a toothpick. Cleo saw her two parents creep behind Hargid to look at her. Without warning she felt something she didn't expect…sadness. She hadn't given much thought to the fact that she wouldn't be seeing her parents all year, except for breaks of course.
Hagrid seemed to sense this and was silent, he's beetle black eyes filled with a mixture of disconsolation and great restraint, the look of memories from long ago shining in his eyes, such as the time he left his father for Hogwarts.
"So…so I'll guess I'll be seeing you." Cleo said shyly, like she had already been gone for so long. Mrs. Chestra nodded and made a sort of whimper that brought Cleo back to when her mother had said goodbye to her oldest brother, Andrew, when he went to collage. She rapped her arms around her and rocked back and forth for a moment until it seemed Mr. Chestra would wait no longer for his turn. He stood strait and proud although his eyes seemed to suggest other wise. Deeply blue they were with tears that shimmered like the waters of Greece. He suddenly hugged Cleo hard and kissed her on the check. Cleo guessed he wanted it to be quick so it wasn't too hard.
With one last hug from her mother, Cleo waved good bye as a tear trickled down her pail face. Hargid took Cleo's hand (this Cleo hadn't knottiest because she was still gazing at her parents) and appreciated. Cleo had come to realize this with a grate shock and practically leapt on Hagrid. It felt as she was flying in an aircraft… without the craft. Cleo didn't have a chance to examine this however, because the next minute she was some where else.
She was at Lindsey house! But she found this out only after the smoke had cleared. The shock was over whelming similar to the reaction of Cleo's family. Lindsey was on the Corner of the couch and was clinging to the edge. Her older sister, Steph was beside her and had her hand on Lindsay's arm. Mrs. Edward's was sitting in an easy chair with a plate of food on her lap and a fork beside her foot. All of them were starring bewildered at Hargid.
Hargid seemed now used to this reaction and began to speak.
"Hello, I'm…"
"Lindsey!" Cleo screeched at the sight of her friend. "Why didn't you tell me you were going to Hogwarts!" Lindsay's hassle eyes turned to Cleo and almost pooped threw her glasses.
"Why didn't I tell you I was going? Why didn't you tell me you were going!" Insisted Lindsey, now on her feet.
"So that was why you were asking me all those stupid questions about Hogwarts, and you didn't even tell me!"
"Neither did you!"
"I didn't know!"
"Well you do now!"
"What the flip is that supposed to mean!" Cleo and Lindsey were barring down on each other in a most sinister way, abolishing Hagrid's positive outlook of the visit and instead was slowly shrinking into a hobbit like state of fright. Much to all's amazement, before one could distinguish the change there was laughter spewing from the two girls as they embraced.
"I can't believe it! Were going to Hogwarts!" They said similar things for at least five minutest until Lindsey ran into her room to get her things. There was the familiar scramble for belongings that Cleo had just done only a few minutes ago. They could both hear the routine explanation about money and the situation of Hogwarts.
Lindsey was fitting her second Harry Potter book into her suitcase when she looked over at Cleo in a thoughtful way.
"Cleo, why are we going to Hogwarts?" Cleo who at the time was trying to push some of Lindsey clothes into another case looked up, (clothing spilling out) and needless to say a little confused.
"Because were Witch's." Cleo said as if it were apparent. She felt a slight tingle up her spine after hearing her sentience. I'm a witch. The normally annoying voice said gleefully in her head. Lindsey however didn't get the same sort of reaction. She was still looking at Cleo in a searching sort of look.
"But doesn't America have a school for wizards?" Cleo starred at her blankly for a moment. The question had seemingly never crossed her mind before, now causing an all to appropriate frown.
"It is a little odd isn't it?" Cleo thought allowed. Lindsey had a hungry look on her face as if unable to be wondering any longer. "Suppose we just ask Hagrid, someone's going to have to tell us some time!" Lindsey had reached her decision (Judging by the look) and agreed to ask Hagrid after they left. They both struggled, but managed to drag the suite cases into to living room were Hargid and Lindsay's family sat.
The atmosphere was much different from when they had left it. It was calmer and almost excited. Steph was grinning broadly and taking long deep breaths between her teeth. Mrs. Edwards looked solemn but pleased. Lindsey set her suite case beside Hagrid's enormous foot and looked about the room at her mother and Sister.
Their goodbye could not have been more different. There was a trickle of tears from Mrs. Edwards but other wise they all seemed thrilled beyond words. After Lindsey gave a cheerful goodbye to her mother Mrs. Edwards turned to Cleo. Cleo smiled at her but did not begin to expect that Mrs. Edwards would hug her!
"Good Luck Cleo!" She whispered in her ear. She steeped back and smiled.
"Thank you Mrs. Edwards." Cleo said awkwardly but soon smiled. Steph told her to have fun and before Cleo could respond, they had appreciated. Lindsey gave a slight shriek but seemed to be having fun all the same. With a small Pop, they landed in a little room; rather plain with dirty white walls. There was a stone fireplace in the center of the wall in front of them and two small beds. Beside each of the beds was a table that had a pitcher of water and a glass.
"Dose someone live here?" Lindsey asked, noise wrinkling.
"No ner't really. Is ther' Leaky Cauldron." Hargid explained. Lindsey expression still hadn't changed in the slightest. Cleo couldn't have been more excited herself.
"Honestly? We're in the Leaky Cauldron?" Hargid looked down at Cleo with a pleasant smile.
"Yea' heard of it eh?" Cleo nodded happily. "It's a good thing yea' like it 'cause your gonna be here for a while."
Cleo knew she probably sounded silly to be excited over sleeping in the Leaky Cauldron but :squeal: It is! A thought suddenly struck Cleo.
"Are their butter bears at the bar?" Hagrid nodded absentmindedly. "OH! PLEASE, can we go get some! I've always wanted a try!" Lindsey gave her a smirk and nodded.
"Ooh, good idea." The three of them trooped down the narrow dark stairs
"Do you really think we should be having a beer right about now?" Cleo whispered to Lindsey.
"Screw it." Lindsey said with a chuckle, Cleo giggled.
"Well this is…" Lindsey stopped while she looked a around the pub "charming." She said finally with a sarcastic glance at Cleo, Cleo tittered. Hargid seated himself at a stool (That looked as if it were about to bend under the weight) while Cleo sat beside him and Lindsey beside her. Tom came up to Hargid and smiled a toothy grin, or it would be if he had teeth.
"Hello Hargid, who are these lovely ladies?" He said directing his smile over to Cleo and Lindsey. Cleo beamed back.
"Hogwarts Students." Hagrid said with a seemingly contagious smile.
"Well than what will we be having?" Tom said promptly to Cleo and Lindsey.
"Butterbeer." They said in harmony, followed by laughing. Tom grinned, nodded and left to get their orders. Tom came back with their drinks (Slightly leaning to the left because of Hagrid's) and gave it to them in seconds. He slipped them on the table, or rather dropped them and walked off with his shoulders forward.
"Cheers." Cleo said lifting her jug to Lindsey.
"Cheers." They clicked them together and drank. Cleo felt pure sweet warmth swim threw her body. Lindsey have a violent shutter as her eyes popped open.
"Damn!" She said, awe stricken looking at the jug. Cleo laughed so hard her stomach hurt. Hargid had a hard time containing herself as well. The three of them sat, enjoying the drinks thoroughly, even Hargid dissipate the fact he didn't have his normal brandy. They drank until their eyes grew heavy and Hagrid insisted that they go to bed.
"But it's so early!" Cleo whined groggily. Lindsey dragged herself behind Cleo up the stairs.
"Nah'" Hargid said when he opened the door to their room and pushed them in. "yea' had quite a day. Besides we're gonna be getting yea' stuff tomorrow." Cleo nodded and slipped into her bed still fully dressed. Lindsey got in the bed beside her and took of her glasses. Hagrid hesitated, but slowly pulled the sheets over Cleo, then Lindsey.
"I'll be next door if yea' need me." He said stepping back. Cleo looked at him threw closing eyes.
"Goodnight Hagrid." She drowned.
"Goodnight Hagrid." Cleo could hear, but not see Lindsey say for her eyes had closed now.
"Goodnight." He said simply and left. Cleo would have expected that in this sort of situation, where she's just been dropped into her favorite stores with her best friend that she would be eager to talk. However both of them seemed to have been drained of their energy from the day and had hardly began to say goodnight before they were asleep.