Chapter 2: Diagon Alley
Mara was floating, it seemed… And she was falling, or what felt like that… Hands were grabbing at her, shaking her, or maybe strangling her… A bright light flashed. Her wrist burned, where that scar, from falling down the stairs as a baby, was.
"Mara, wake up! We're going for school supplies today!" Hermione said. She and Ginny were the ones shaking her, the bright light was the sun, and it was morning, her first in the Burrow, with her… new friends? She hadn't had friends for years, not since she'd found out she was a witch. A lot had changed since she came here, new friends, new sport, everything seemed to be so much better since she'd been brought to England.
Mara blinked. "Okay. Let me get dressed before we go down for breakfast." She blinked again, sort of rubbing her eyes. She was not a morning person. She couldn't see how Hermione was so… bright this early. Ginny wasn't too sleepy-looking, either.
After she dressed and started on breakfast, she was much more awake, and back to her bright, bubbly self. That was when the boys came down. Ron and Harry seemed about as sleepy as she'd felt, but Fred and George were just as cheerful as always.
"Morning," Harry and Ron said as they sat down. After they started eating, though, they got back to talking about Quidditch. This morning, Mara joined in.
"No, no, no, Harry, Ron! I said it was a lot like American football, not international football. Um… I'm not sure how to explain it… These big bulky fellows run around with an oblong-shaped ball, and will sometimes kick it over the goalpost." She shook her head. "Never mind, you'd never get it unless you saw it. I personally always saw it as boring as possible. And before you ask, Ron, it's not because of lack of flying. It's because I, like many girls, do not care for those sports of purely brute strength. Let me describe the average American football player. Picture the biggest, stupidest person you know. Add muscles. Um, and a lot of grunting, too."
Both Harry and Ron were picturing Crabbe and Goyle by the end of this. At first, Harry had pictured his cousin, Dudley, but the muscle part ruined that. They both looked at each other, knowing they were thinking of the same two Slytherin dimwits.
Harry told Mara, "When we get to Hogwarts, we have to show you someone."
"Okay…" She gave him a slightly confused look.
After breakfast, they all went to Diagon Alley, via Floo Powder. Once they were all there, Molly remembered something. "Oh, Albus told me you have a bit of money in the bank."
When they got to the vault, and looked inside, Harry was reminded of his own inheritance in another vault. Mara's jaw dropped a bit, as did the Weasley siblings'. Molly merely tried to regain composure, and had Mara get out the amount they'd need, for supplies, plus a little extra for the train.
First they went to get the supplies they'd need for potions, like Mara's cauldron, scales, etc., and a few things that the others needed, too. Then they went to get Mara a broom. She decided to get the newest model. After they'd visited the book store, Mara asked Molly if she could get herself a pet for school, like an owl, or other "magical" animal. "Of course! What kind do you want?" was the answer.
Mara looked around the street, seeing frogs, rats, owls, and cats. She immediately narrowed it to owl or cat. She looked to the others for advice. Ron, Harry, the twins, and Ginny said an owl would be best, but Hermione remained partial to cats. After Mara thought another minute, she decided on owl, because not only could she use it for mail and such, but they were so pretty. Cats were too, but when she just walked into the owl shop, she fell in love with this light grey one that she decided to name Mason for its stone color.
When she walked out of the store about 15 minutes later, she had both her cauldron holding her school supplies, and a cage holding Mason.
On the way to the fireplace to use Floo to get back, they were all chatting cheerfully, and laughing.
"I can't wait to get to Hogwarts! I just know it'll be great. I mean, I'm going out for Quidditch, I already have friends, and I've got one of the best owls I've ever seen!"
"That must be one of, what, three?" Ron said.
"Actually, four." She tossed her head away from him, and went to talk with Hermione and Ginny about classes and the professors.
Meanwhile, Harry was elbowing Ron and giving him a look, obviously annoyed with his friend's behavior. "Your mum said to be nice, remember?" He said to the scowling redhead.
"I think someone fancies a certain American…" was his reply, as red crept very quickly up to his ears.
"Oh, shut up."
They both remained silent the rest of the day.