Disclaimer: Anything from the HP universe belongs to JK Rowling, the charractrers of Orlando Baragon, Anna Ominous, and Maleficent Killington belong to Vega Sailor, so they're on loan from her.
Liz blinked back tears for a moment, he mind quickly flash forwarding through the years.
The Baragons sent her back to Seattle where she spent a year on the streets since Bunny had moved on her (Liz would later learn there was a letter never given to her) and in the United States, you weren't of age until 18. She met up with Richard again when she came down with an infection and he was a third year med student who happened to be on ER that day. He had helped her in every way possible until Liz was of age and inherited the part of the Potter fortune that didn't belong to Harry.
After she finished her high school diploma, she decided it would be safer for them to live like muggles as much as possible. So she'd gone to a muggle university, majoring in Secondary and Elementary education. She even went as far as to earn a Doctorate.
While still in her undergraduate years, Liz and Richard began to see each other more and more. When Gabby was about four, he presented Liz with a ring, and she'd accepted. Three months later, she was married, Veda was her Maid of Honor. Richard had almost immediately adopted Gabby and they'd enjoyed ten good years together.
Then, summer before the world cup, Richard a drunk in a Mercedes had ended Richards's life and Gabby had never been the same. Who could after…?
Then, shortly after that, Veda and her husband had passed away in an accident at one of his archeological sites.
At that point, Liz quit speaking to God.
She gently picked up a photograph taken first day of her first year. There was two girls. One had wild raven pigtails waving along with her hand, grinning and proudly displaying the Gryffindor crest on her uniform. The other had her ebony hair in a braid and, displaying her Slytherin crest with equal pride, was also waving. The two embraced, cheering something. Liz smiled. She and Veda had been so innocent then. If only they could've known…
Liz sighed and sat the picture back on her desk, closing her eyes. Oh well, they could not undo the past…
After arriving in the common room, the two cousins both agreed they weren't tired yet, so they began bonding over a game of go-fish.
"That really was an impressive display you know." Harry said, after Gabby asked if he had any eights and he told her to go fish.
"Mum always taught me not to tolerate that cr-ude, that crude." Gabby quickly stopping herself from cursing. Harry laughed.
"And I really should've corrected Hermione about that American comment. Truth of it is, I'm an odd duck even by American standards." Harry looked at her, eyes wide. Gabby blushed.
"You can blame Mum for that. She's the femme-Nazi. Always taught me never to take guff from anyone, except your parents." Then Gabby thought about that.
"Why that sneaky…" Harry had to laugh as he asked her if she had any sixes. She tossed him one of her cards and he laid it down.
"So who was that anyway?" Gabby asked, figuring she would owe the boy an apology the next day. Harry felt his eye twitch.
"Draco Malfoy." He muttered. It might have been his imagination, but he swore he saw Gabby pale slightly.
"Did you say… Malfoy?"
"Yeah, why? Heard of them?" Gabby swallowed for a minute then pretended to look down at her cards. Oh merciful Kwan Yin… she'd had just gone after her own brother! But… she hadn't known!
"Who hasn't?" She returned. Harry accepted this, even he if he did sense there was something going on, and let it go.
"So, what was growing up with Aunt…?"
"Liz. She likes to be called Liz. And, it was great. She was a wonderful mother, did all she could to be there for me, that's why she became a teacher, more time at home. She can be little overprotective at times, but nobody's perfect…" Gabby trailed off, seeing the look on Harry's face. She blushed heatedly, whispering, "Sorry." Harry shook his head.
"It's alright, you didn't know." He muttered a tad gruffly. Gabby wasn't exactly sure what it was she didn't know, but thought better of asking about it. The two went back to their game. At one point, Ron, Hermione and Ginny joined them, and soon, they took over storytelling, telling Gabby about the last five years of their lives.
Gabby gasped and shuddered in all the right places as they told of their various misadventures. Just when Ron reached the good part about Professor Lupin transforming, Harry jumped up, saying, "You know, I think it's bed time. School tomorrow and all." Gabby and Hermione hurriedly agreed and the five separated, three to the girls dorms and two the boys dorms.
While Harry and posse journeyed to bed, The Slytherin Quidditch team were lounging about, waiting for him, discussing the spectacle the Slytherin Prince had made at dinner.
"You have to admit, it was pretty original of her!" Laughed Melifacent Killington, seventh year Chaser, "I would have just made his hair fall out."
"I'm amazed she had the courage to do that, and to someone like Malfoy…" Blaise Zambini, sixth year Chaser, offered.
"What did he say to make her react like that? And who was she?" Anna Ominous, seventh year Keeper wondered aloud.
"New exchange student from the States." Orlando Baragon, seventh year Chaser and Team Captain since Montague's graduation, stated.
"Ah, that's where she gets it." Blaise commented. Orlando shrugged.
"I just hope this doesn't turn into another Potter obsession." Just then, the subject of their discussion arrived, hair wet from a shower. Anna and Mel exchanged knowing smirks. At first, he just took his seat, then noticing the way everyone was staring at him, sneered.
"What?"
"What did you say to that girl?" Asked Mel, fighting back a snicker.
"Nothing! I was talking to Potter!" There was a collective groan from all but Anna.
"Well then what did you say to Potter then." Mel dug. No one looked too impressed when he answered.
"Alright… that was an overreaction." Mel admitted, the others nodded their heads
"Well you wanted a rise, and you got one. Just not the one you wanted." Blaise said diplomatically, earning a glare from Draco while Mel and Baragon began sniggering, and Anna bit her lip to hide a grin. Blaise blushed an adorable schoolgirl pink before declaring, "I didn't mean it like that!
"Alright, enough about Malfoy. Let's discuss the team strategy this year." Baragon interrupted. This received another groan.
"You get more like Oliver Wood every day Baragon." Mel stated as the others settled in for a long night…
A note from The Chica: And there you have it ladies and gentlemen. Most of the key players have been introduced, except Voldie the Moldy. But he'll come in soon enough. Don't worry m'dears. Also, thank you to all my lovely reviewers, you make it all worth it when I struggle with a chapter. So please continue to review!
