Around mid-day, Molly called everybody inside for lunch. Everyone, with the exception of Hermione who read a book under a shady tree, came in hot and sweaty.
"Oh dear…you all are a mess. Erm. Go and wash up before you eat," Molly said, shaking her head at them, "Hermione, can you be a dear and help me set up the plates?"
"No problem Mrs. Weasley," Hermione said, and proceeded to help her.
Kiera walked up to her room and past the boy's room. She heard them talking and slowed her pace. She knew if she went to Hogwarts that she'd for sure be in Slytherin. She was sly and cunning. Also because she was a Snape descendant.
"Man, I can't believe she's that good at quidditch. You wouldn't know. She's bloody amazing!" Ron exclaimed.
"Yeah. She really is," Harry said sounding far away.
"Uhhh Harry? You okay mate?" Ron asked concerned.
Harry snapped out of the trance he was in, "What were we talking about? Sorry."
"Quidditch; and how brilliant Kiera is at it…I bet if she tried out for a major league Quidditch Team, she'd make it, especially with her advantage of that Firebolt," Ron responded.
"Yeah…I noticed she plays all the positions really well. Too bad she isn't at Hogwarts," Harry said.
Kiera walked by, pretending she hadn't noticed. She smiled to herself knowing now that people thought she was good at Quidditch. She trained everyday for a while since school started a year ago, but she had to stop when she came to the headquarters. She went into her room to put her gear away and change into clean clothes, and walked to the bathroom to wash her hands quickly.
As she was walking down the stairs, she heard Hermione talking to Ginny about S.P.E.W.
"Hermione," Kiera groaned, "You're still supporting it? Last time I was here you had badges and everything. It's never going to work Mione."
"I know I know. I was just telling Ginny I gave up. I thought I could save them but no, they won't give up….I guess I'll just have to find another way to save the Magical Creatures," Hermione said with a sad look on her face.
Kiera laughed and moved swiftly to the right as Ron and Harry came barreling down the stairs and stopped right where she was standing.
"Good. Now that everyone's clean, let's eat," Molly said.
Everyone grabbed a plate and loaded food onto it. After two helpings later, they sat at the table completely full.
"That was wonderful Molly, and thanks again for letting me stay here," Kiera said graciously.
"No problem dear, you can stay here any time you wish," She said.
"Now, may I ask…where is the rest of the order? How about Arthur or the rest of the Weasley clan," The girl questioned.
She sighed, "They're all on missions for the order. And Arthur has been working non-stop at the ministry. He's been coming home late at night when everyone is asleep."
"Oh…I was wondering where he went. I have yet to see him." Kiera stated.
"Yes, well, I believe things will get better soon," She said with a smile.
"I'm sure they will Molly. Don't worry," She said.
Kiera and everyone else helped clean up lunch and afterwards the girls went up to Ginny's room while the boys went back outside to play more quidditch.
"I think I'll take a walk out by the lake a few blocks by, Molly. I'll be back before dark," Kiera said.
"All right Kiera. Be careful," Molly said hesitantly.
Kiera walked down the street and to the lake. It was about a mile perimeter so it would give her a nice place to think.
To think about her life, Quidditch, Harry, Her studies---wait…Harry? She pondered at that thought. Well, he is really nice…and really cute. She smirked inwardly. I'll think about him later she thought.
Suddenly when she was about half way around the lake, and owl flew above her head. She looked up at it with confusion. The owl dropped the letter and soared away.
She opened the letter and read:
Kiera,
I hope you don't take this to too much alarm, but your parents have gone missing…I know you've had your feuds, but I know you would like to know. Since you don't have anywhere to stay at the moment, since you're not of age and can't live in your house alone, I suggest that you go to Hogwarts. I think that going there may be the best option for you right now. I can supervise you there and take the responsibility of godfather for the time being. I will be sure to check up on you as soon as possible.
S.S.
Kiera read the letter over a couple more times. She couldn't believe it. Her parents were missing. She'd been fighting with them for ages, but she couldn't believe it. Sometimes things got so bad, she had to take a plane all the way to England and then the Knight Bus to Severus'. This happened on more than one occasion so she was used to living with him.
"Wow…I can't believe this," She said letting the shock seep in. She continued walking around the lake and then walked to the house. When she got in she laid the letter on the table for Molly to read.
"Molly I'm home," She said.
"Oh good dear. I was worried. Wash up for dinner. It should be ready soon."
"Um Molly, I'm not really hungry…I think I'm just going to go straight to bed," Kiera said and started up the stairs slowly.
"If you're sure dear, we'll be here if you need anything," said the plump woman with a concerned look on her face.
She nodded and proceeded up the stairs to her room. She laid on her bed for a while and finally fell asleep. Creaking noises in the hallway woke her up. It was dark out and she suspected it to be later in the night. She looked around for a clock and it said 10:27 P.M. She groaned loudly and closed her eyes.
She sat up and stretched, yawning, enjoying the bliss of getting away of... Something... What was it? Suddenly, everything flooded back towards her. She couldn't think. Or breathe. She racked her hands through her hair, and tried not to cry.
Stop being such a baby. You're ridiculous sometimes, you know that?
But still, she couldn't help it. Crystal glass slowly sped down her cheek as she glumly tried to fight it. It was no use.
As the glass faded away, she focused more on her surroundings. People were talking downstairs... and two emerald eyes were perched in the door frame.
She jumped up. "Oh Harry! You scared me for a moment there! Come on in," She offered.
"Sorry. I couldn't sleep and heard you... and uh... wondered if everything was okay..." Harry awkwardly said. He shuffled his feet.
Ugh- Why am I so stupid, of course she bloody doesn't want to talk, way to go idiot---
She patted a place on her bed next to her.
He smiled and sat down next to her. "I read the letter..."
Her face darkened at those words.
"Oh…yeah," She said with a slight frown on her face and looked down.
"I really hope you don't mind…" He trailed off.
Yeah, that's really going to make her like you. Talk about how her parents are missing. She's already crying. Haven't you learned anything from the Human Hosepipe, Harry?
She nodded numbly. "No, I don't. You were going to find out anyways." She mumbled.
"But... I don't know. I took them for granted... We didn't always get along. And now... they could be dead... they could—"
She stopped and hiccupped. She didn't want to cry anymore. The glass would shatter later, when the lights were out, in a fort of solitude. Crying in front of others showed she was weak.
"Kiera... no. Just. Don't. Please. I..." Words were just not Harry's forte tonight. He leaned closer towards her, and tried to give her a small smile.
Her heart lifted a little, and her former miserable thoughts began to fade. She smiled back, genuinely. It was nice to share this one tiny golden thread of sunshine with him, to smile. She enjoyed his company.
Quidditch. Yes, that's it. It'd get her mind back to normal.
"Hey, want to have a game of mono-e-mono tomorrow with a Quaffle tomorrow, Potter?" She smiled again, and stuck out her tongue at him.
He smiled, "That's not fair though! You'll win!" He half laughed.
"Hmm, I guess we could use the snitch instead. Even though I'll win either way," Kiera teased.
"Now that's my game!" He grinned.
"Then we're on for tomorrow," She laughed.
"And... you know, thanks for talking to me. I really appreciate that you just came in here tonight." She said, somewhat nervously.
Oh my God, you are so cheesy. You might as well propose to him right now. She mentally winced.
"I don't mind, Kiera. It's no problem." Harry whispered.
He laid there for a moment, and she tentatively moved closer to him. They laid there for a while, floating on a cloud of shy, mixed feelings, drifting together, closer towards dreamless sleep…
A door creaked open, and a tall, dark shadow stepped into the room. The sound of the door opening caught Harry's attention and he cracked one eye open. This unexpected visitor was not happy to see them. Not at all.