CHAPTER 4
Cedric had invited Tulip to spend their last week of summer with him and his family. He actually mentioned it months before. It wasn't something her dear family would approve but Tulip really wanted to go. So she had made a good plan for it. Whole summer she play it nice. She did what her mother asked and she was very respectful to others. She asked it nicely and begged just a little. Having her brothers support was also a big point on her side. Also her parents met the Diggorys last summer and they had her mothers approval. So her mother allowed her to go.
It was the best week of her life. Mr. Diggory took them to the lake with a few of Cedric's other friends. His friends liked her company, well most people did, she was good company. She didn't know how to swim but she enjoyed the water. Cedric tried to teach her a bit but they ended up playing around.
Last day before school Mr. Diggory took them to Diagonally to get their supplies. Tulip didn't have a pet. Her mother didn't see it necessary in her first year. It was actually because Auva Ulster didn't like pets. Tulip thought if her mother could find a way to communicate without owls she would be rid of them too. Her brother managed to have his own owl when he became a prefect but Tulip wanted one now. After months of begging and arguing with her mother she had convinced her.
Her mother allowed her to buy an owl. She didn't want an owl they had a family owl already, she didn't want toad because well who wants a toad. What she really wanted was a big wolf like dog but that was out of the question. She would also be content with a cat but her mother would have a fit. She was hoping to find an inspiration at the Magical Menagerie.
They entered the shop and it was smelling a bit funny. She wrinkled her nose but moved along. When she looked at the little kittens she wondered what would her mother say if she turned up with a kitten in her arms.
" I thought you were going to get an owl" said Cedric beside her.
" Well, mom allowed me to buy an owl, she doesn't want a cat the house." She moved her hand in and petted the little kitten. It was so soft.
" But they are so cute, look at it."
Cedric chuckled at her " Your mom will kill you if you buy a cat. "
His eyes were darting out of the window. Tulip followed his look and saw that he was looking towards the Quality Quidditch Supplies. In the window they were showing the newest and the fastest broom.
" Go" she said. " Go and admire the new awesome broom, I'll catch up."
" Really? Thanks." he said moving towards the door but he stooped and turned before leaving .
" And Tulip, don't buy the kitten. I need my friend alive this year. " he winked at her.
Tulip made a face at him and he left. She turned towards the cage filled with ravens. She moved towards them. They stopped making a noise and started watching her too. She noticed the small raven with shockingly blue eyes. It looked so beautiful.
" Beautiful companions ravens are. Loyal to the bone, sharp as a knife and they can deliver letters just like owls" said the shop worker. She was about to ask more but shop door opened and her dearest friend entered with non dear people.
" Mon! " she exclaimed and hugged Hermione. Hermione squealed and hugged her back.
"Oh Merlin, I missed you." Tulip said into her hair.
" I missed you too. I have so much to tell you. "
They were still hugging until they heard a rude noise behind them. Ron Weasley had cleared his throat.
" Right" Tulip said her smile falling. " Hi."
She gave them a small fake smile. They did the same. The awkwardness filled the air. It was no lie that Tulip didn't got along with Potter and Weasley. Specially after last year when Hermione was petrified and they acted rudely towards her as if she was responsible. They did that a lot, assumed that she was bad because she was a Slytherin. She didn't like them too because they were arrogant and acted as if they were the best. She loved Hermione so she tolerated them.
" Are you buying a pet? " Hermione asked to her just as Harry asked " How was your summer?" Although no-one seemed to hear Harry other than himself. Harry blushed a bit but no one noticed that either. Harry felt ashamed of his behaviour last year and neither Ron or Harry apologised to her yet. Ron didn't like Tulip because she was a Slytherin, Harry didn't like that she was a Slytherin too but he thought she wasn't bad.
Ron started to drag Harry forward and out of his thoughts as the girls turned right to look at the other animals.
Tulip raised an eyebrow when she heard a noise towards the boys. She saw a blur of orange attacking a ginger head. She started to laugh but stopped after Hermione poked her. The boys left the store quickly. Hermione walked towards owner and started to talk about the cat but Tulip went towards the raven cage. She had set her mind.
"Excuse me, hi" she said to the worker that informed her before. " I would like the buy this little raven with blue eyes."
" Excellent choice, dear. This one is a young one so he will need a bit guidance from you. But it will make your bond stronger too." He took the raven from the cage.
Tulip look at the raven's eyes again. The others had black eyes. " Why does he has blue yes?" She asked.
" I am not sure, it could be normal but it could also because of magical touch. Don't fret dear, even if it's magical it wouldn't be something drastic, his feathers might be useful in potion that's all. If you want you can buy one of the others."
"No." Tulip said quickly. " I want this one."
The man informed her about how to care for a baby raven. At the counter Hermione was making payment while struggling with the orange blur in her arms.
" Did you buy that?" Tulip raised her eyebrows.
"That is Crookshanks and yes I did. I think he is lovely" Hermione said seriously. Tulip reached towards the cat and started to pet his head. Cat started to purr.
" You just want some love, aren't you?" Cat purred in reply.
" There you are dear." said the owner to Tulip gesturing the little raven in the new small cage. She made her payment.
" And you bought that?" Hermione asked this time.
" He is.. well he doesn't have a name yet but yeah I did and I think he is lovely." Tulip said smirking.
" I know that it's not an owl but I don't think mom would be too cross with me on this one." She reached a finger to play with the small bird through the cage.
" You'll be fine" Hermione assured when they left the store.
" Do you want to come with us to the Leaky Cauldron?"
" No but thanks though. I'm here with Ced and he is over there drooling over the new broom" Tulip looked disapproving towards Cedric.
" Boys." both of them said sighing.
"I'll see you at the train, alright?" Tulip asked.
"Right, See you" They hugged and she went towards the boys.
Tulip sneaked up behind Cedric quietly and said "Bo!" Cedric jumped and quickly fixed himself. He paused when he saw the cage.
" I didn't buy a cat" Tulip defended herself.
" Well it's not an owl either, a raven ?"
" I wanted something different and this little guy was so cute. Look at him" she said raising the cage to her head cocking her head to right, the bird copied her action. This made Cedric chuckled.
" He is very cute, What are you going to name him? "
" I don't know yet... How about Night?"
" Too obvious."
"Blue?"
"Too ordinary"
"Birdie?"
" Do you even have an imagination?" He asked her and Tulip punched his arm. They started to walk towards Mr. Diggory.
"Bringer of Darkness?"
" Way too special."
