KRP: Thanks for the review. Yes her name will now be Lupin. It was Redding before. The cold is just a cold.
Chapter 16
"Happy Birthday, Meredith!" Meredith grinned as she entered the kitchen. She was eleven today. Her father and all the people she loved were gathered in the kitchen. There was a cake on the table and a large pile of presents. A big sign the said "Happy Eleventh Birthday" hung from the wall. She smiled as her family sang to her and she blew out her candles. She got a new set of robes from Andromeda and Ted. Dora got her a new set of exploding snap cards. Her dad went all out. A new quill, four new sweaters, a huge pile of books, and her most favorite gift, a beautiful tawny colored owl.
"So you can write to me and tell me all you're doing at Hogwarts."
She tried to smile a little at that but the truth was she was scared. Now that she was eleven she knew that her real education in magic would begin. She was excited about Hogwarts especially after all the stories Dora told her, but at the same time she was afraid to go. She was scared to leave her home, and her dad. What if she didn't fit in there, what if nobody liked her, what if was no good at magic? She pushed her worries away as Andromeda handed her a piece of cake. Her dad was looking at her and she gave him a fake smile. The laughing and talking paused, as there was a knock on the door. Remus opened the door to admit Albus Dumbledore.
"Good day to you all," Dumbledore greeted the group. "A very happy birthday to you my dear, Meredith." Meredith smiled at the Headmaster, whom she was still quite shy around, despite knowing him for several years.
"Your gift my dear," he said holding out a beautifully wrapped package. "And also, something I believe you have been waiting for, which I wish to deliver personally." Meredith eagerly took the yellowish envelope that Dumbledore held out. She tore it open and read the words written in emerald green ink.
"Dear Miss Lupin,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on September 1. We look forward to seeing you.
Yours Sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress"
"Congratulations my dear," Dumbledore said.
"This is so exciting Mer," Dora said hugging her. Meredith smiled but she was looking at her supply list. She knew this lot was not going to be cheap. Though her dad made light of it she knew that they did not have a lot of money.
"Anything wrong love?" Remus asked her as she stared at her list. She bit her lip as she looked up from the list.
"Dad?" she whispered. "How are we going to afford all of this?" He squeezed her shoulder gently.
"Don't you worry about it," he said. "Don't you want to open your present from Dumbledore?"
"Oh, yes of course." She carefully untied the black ribbon and ripped the silver paper away to reveal a pretty gold box. She lifted the lid of the box to find a key.
"What is this?" she said holding it her hand.
"The key to your mother's vault."
A trip to Diagon Alley was immediately called for. Meredith clung to Remus's hand as they entered the tall intimidating Gringott's bank. She held tight to Remus as their gobbling guide took them down to the vaults. Meredith's eyes widened as the goblin took her key and opened a large vault. There before her was more gold than she'd ever seen in her entire life. Remus said not a word as he swept a small pile into a bag.
"That should take care of first term at least," he said. "Be very careful not to lose that key, because you don't want to know what it takes to get a replacement."
Meredith shivered as she saw the evil look on the goblins face and squeezed the key tightly in her pocket.
"Dad?"she asked as they exited the bank.
"Yeah," he said.
"How come you didn't tell me about mom's vault before now?" Remus looked slightly uncomfortable.
"It's just the way your mom wanted it, love. That's all."
"Oh, okay," Meredith said. There was more to it she knew, but she didn't want to push the issue. There was too much to do, and too much to buy. The Tonks's met them at Flourish and Blotts the bookstore where they would buy all her school-books. Dora took her around showing her where all her books were.
"Transfiguration is the best class in the world," Dora said handing her a copy of A Beginners Guide to Transfiguration.
"McGonagall's a good teacher, but she's really strict. She's the only head of house that ever takes points from her own house. You'll find out soon enough."
"What if I'm not in Gryffindor?" Meredith said picking up a copy of Magical Theory.
"You will be," Dora said. "You're brave and daring, I mean how many other witches and wizards take on a werewolf when they're only eight. I didn't think I'd be in Gryffindor either. But the sorting hat said I had what it took." Meredith thought about that as she picked up the rest of her books. After the bookstore, they got her cauldron and went to the apothecary for potion ingredients. The last stop was Ollivander's for a wand. The Lupins agreed to meet the Tonks for dinner at the Leaky Cauldron and headed to Ollivander's shop.
"Well, well," An old man with silvery eyes came from the back room. "Remus Lupin, how many years has it been."
"Good to see you Mr. Ollivander." Remus said shaking the man's hand. "My daughter Meredith." He said placing his hands on her shoulders. The old man leaned close to her and stared at her for a long time.
"Yes," he said, "Let me see." He went to the shelves and pulled down several wands.
"Lets try a few and see how we do." Meredith took the first wand and gave it a wave. Nothing happened. She tried a second, third, fourth, and fifth wand and still nothing happened.
"Hmm," Ollivander said. "Perhaps…" he pulled a wand from the most top shelf and blew on it to get the dust off.
"Cherry and unicorn hair, eleven inches." He opened the box and handed the wand to Meredith. The moment she touched it she could feel a tingling sensation in her fingers. This was it, she thought. This was her wand. At her father's nod she gave it a wave. Red sparks shot from the tip.
"How interesting," Ollivander said. "Very interesting." Meredith wasn't paying attention to the old man however. She was too entranced by her wand. Remus however was very interested in Ollivander at that moment.
"Why don't you go along to the Leaky Cauldron and show Dora your wand, love. I'll be along shortly."
"Okay," Meredith said.
"Don't wave it around," Remus said as Meredith rushed off. Once he was certain that Meredith was gone he turned to Ollivander.
"I would very much like to know what you find so interesting." Ollivander rubbed his chin.
"I remember every wand I've ever sold, Mr. Lupin. Each one is slightly different. The unicorn whose tail hair resides in your daughter's wand was a rough thing. I only managed to steal two hairs before he kicked me. Only two. The one in your daughters wand, and the other, belonged to Sirius Black." Remus sucked in his breath at the mention of his former friends name.
"The wand chooses the master, Mr. Lupin. It is not always clear why."
"Thank you Mr. Ollivander," Remus said. "Good day to you."