Chapter 8
Now that Meredith knew that Remus would come always back for her she didn't mind staying at Ted and Andromeda's house. She liked
it there. Andromeda was so nice and she always had something baking in the oven when Meredith stayed with them. She liked Ted a lot
too. He was smart and funny and he told neat stories. Being a muggle born Ted mixed in with both the magical and non-magical world.
He worked for a muggle newspaper in London. But it was Dora who made staying at their house fun. Even though Dora was four years
older than Meredith she treated her like an equal and never talked down to her. Dora told her a lot about the magical world. She told her
about Quidditch, and owl post, and the Knight bus. She was teaching her how to play wizard games like gobstones, and exploding snap
and wizard chess.
"The Chudley Canons are the best quidditch team in the league," Dora said. They were sitting on the living room floor in the living room
playing wizard chess while Andromeda made lunch. Her hair was bright orange today.
"No other team has a seeker like Quinn. Pawn to E-three"
"The seeker catches the Stitch," Meredith said trying to remember what Dora had told her. "Castle to E-nine"
"The Snitch," Dora said studying the board. She was concentrating very hard on the chess board.
"Hmm," she said. "Knight to C-four"
"Queen to C-four." Meredith grinned as her queen took Dora's knight. Dora looked dumbstruck.
"Checkmate," she said. Dora groaned and laid her head on the ground.
"I can't believe it," Dora said. "I can't believe you beat me. I taught you this game"
"Don't feel bad," Meredith said. "I still can't beat Remus"
"No one can," Andromeda said coming into the room. "Lunch is ready girls." They were sitting at the table eating ham sandwiches and
hot cocoa when Ted came home from work.
"Hello all," he greeted them brushing snow off his coat and kissing his wife and daughter and patting Meredith on the head.
"You're frozen stiff," Andromeda said in a scolding tone. "I do wish you would apparate from work"
"Now Meda, we've been over this. I can't risk being seen. It's not as though the office is hooked up to the floo network"
"Oh, that reminds me," Andromeda said. "We're running low on floo powder. We need to take a trip to Diagon Alley soon"
"We'll go this evening," Ted said. "Meredith has never seen it around Christmas time. Besides she does still need a present for Remus.
She can't get his present when she's with him." Meredith giggled. She was so excited for Christmas. Christmas was never much fun at the
orphanage. This year would be different. She had had so much fun helping Remus put of their tree and make the house look pretty. Every
now and then another brightly wrapped package would appear under the tree. She needed a present for him. Something special. But she
didn't know how she could do this.
"But Uncle Teddy," she said. "I don't have any money"
"Don't worry, about that poppet," Andromeda said. "We'll work something out." After lunch they bundled up in cloaks and scarves and
took the floo network to Diagon Alley. Meredith may have preferred floo powder to apparating but that didn't mean she particularly
enjoyed it. Once everyone was out Andromeda brushed her off and they set out on their way. Diagon Alley was beautiful. Lights
twinkled from every shop window, wreaths and fresh piney scented greenery hung on the doors and from the roofs. It gave her a warm
feeling in her belly like she'd never felt before. They went into the different shops stocking up on potion ingredients and other neccessities.
Meredith looked around trying to find a gift for Remus. She saw a couple things she thought he might like but nothing that seemed just
perfect. It was when they went to Madam Malkin's to get new dress robes for Dora that she spotted the perfect gift. It was a pretty red
and gold scarf. She picked it up and ran the soft warm fabric through her hands.
"Find something you like poppet?" Andromeda asked coming over to her. Meredith held up the scarf. "Oh how pretty," Andromeda said
taking the scarf from her. "Is this what you want to give Remus?" Meredith nodded.
"Well I think he'll love it." Meredith grinned but then her smile faded.
"How am I gonna buy it?" Andromeda smiled at her.
"Check your pocket." Meredith wrinkled her nose in confusion but reached into her pocket anyway. She gasped in surprise as she pulled
out several galleons.
"How..." Meredith started to ask, but stopped herself because she already knew.
"Magic," she said. Andromeda nodded. Meredith grinned as she proudly handed the lady behind the register six galleons. The lady smiled
down at the little girl behind the counter.
"Is this a present for someone special?" she asked. "Yup," Meredith said. "Someone very special." The lady smiled and put the scarf in a
pretty box.
"Here you are dear. Whoever this is for, I'm sure they'll love it." "Time to go poppet," Andromeda called to her. Meredith took her box
and hurried to catch up with Ted, Andromeda and Dora. After lunch at the Leaky Cauldron they were ready to head home. They were
gathering their bundles when a cold voice addressed them.
"Oh my, look who it is dear." Meredith looked at the man who had spoken. She knew at once that this was not a nice man. He was very
tall and had long blonde hair. His black robes looked very fancy. But there was something mean in his eyes, that made her afraid. From
the way Ted and Andromeda were looking at him she could tell they didn't like him either. A woman with long blonde hair appeared at
his shoulder carrying a small boy with blonde wisps of hair on his head.
"Well well," the woman said looking at them with an expression that she had something smelly under her nose.
"It's been too long Andromeda," the woman said.
"Not long enough, Narcissa," Andromeda snarled. Meredith was startled by the angry tone of Andromeda's voice. She'd never heard
Andromeda speak to anyone like that.
"Now now Andromeda," the man said. "Is that anyway to speak to family"
"I believe I stopped being family when Auntie Walburga blasted me off the family tree"
"Well you had that coming," the blonde woman said nastily. "Running out on your own wedding, after all those plans were made"
"I'm sure Rabastan got over it," Andromeda said sarcastically. "Speaking of how is dear Bella? Has Azkaban actually made her crazier
than she already was"
"All right dear," Ted said placing a hand on his wife's shoulder. "It's time we were leaving. Come on girls." He took both girls hands and
made to walk out the back door.
"Don't walk away from me you filthy Mudblood," the man said. "Don't you dare call my dad that," Dora yelled breaking away from her
father and kicking the man in the shins.
"How dare you," the man yelled smacking Dora away and pulling out his wand. Before he had it completely out Andromeda's wand was
at the man's throat.
"Touch my daughter again Malfoy and I will kill you," she said her voice a low growl. The man seemed to take her seriously because he
lowered his hands to his sides. Ted after picking up Dora up off the floor went to his wife and took her arm.
"Come on dear. We're leaving." Andromeda shot a final glare at them and followed her husband. Meredith who had hidden behind a
chair the whole time hurried to catch up. They flooed back to the house and no one said a word for the rest of the evening.