In which Tabitha goes shopping
Or
In which Tabitha walks in on Ron
Chapter Three:
We landed right out side the bustling city, inside a wood. I asked why didn't any one else see us, and Ron told me that an invisibility charm had been placed on the brooms. I nodded as if this was the most normal thing in the world. Which, I might as well get used to it, because apparently, this is my world too now.
We walked inside a pub and Hagrid raised a hand in greeting to the bar tender, "We'll stop in on the way back, Tom, but right now we've got some business to do."
He nodded and went back to wiping dirty glasses.
We walked to the other side of the building, and my cell phone started going crazy.
Ginny took my phone from my pocket and turned it off, "Any kind of technology that hasn't been charmed goes haywire around magic."
I said "Oh." And placed it back in my pocket.
Hagrid moved a brick from the wall, and walked right through it, as if he was a ghost.
I gasped as Harry followed suit. Ginny nodded at me, and I slowly stepped forward and took the brick, and with one last cautious look at Ron, I stepped forward.
The world I had stepped into was amazing. Witches and wizards bustled about, in robes of all kinds, and many clutched a long stick.
The sight around me was indescribable.
The first shop we went into was called "Olliviander's Wands"
It was a dusty place, with a single counter in the middle of the store. Numerous bookshelves stood behind it, with tiny boxes stack on them.
A short, round wizard came out from behind a shelf and grinned.
"Harry Potter! Back again, are we? Is the wand still satisfactory?"
Harry nodded.
"We're here to get Tabitha a wand."
The man peered at me through half-opened eyes. "Tabitha, eh?"
I nodded as he beckoned me closer.
"Hmm… I wonder."
He turned around and reached under the counter, coming up with a pale green box.
"This one's been jumping around lately, I guess it knew it's owner was near, eh?"
I smiled sheepishly.
He set the box down, and ceremoniously opened i.
The wand itself was a pale green, almost white, and the length of my forearm.
"Phoenix hair. Made from cedar. 81/2 inches."
He handed it to me, and I turned it around in my hand, amazed as the handle set off a light glowing warmth.
"Try it out," He encouraged, "Know any spells yet?"
I nodded, and waited for something to come to me. What was that lighting charm again?
"Lumos." I whispered, and the wand flickered.
"Lumos." I said louder, and I waved it around.
The wand gave off a brilliant green glow, and lit up the store room.
I couldn't help but smile, and the shopkeeper patted me on the back.
"Glad to help you out, then."
Hagrid cleared his throat, "Just send a note to Dumbledore. She hasn't any currency yet."
He nodded, and with a final grin, bustled back behind the shelves, waving over his shoulder.
"Where are we off to now?" Ginny asked.
"Gringotts. Her mother and father left a fortune that could rival the Potter's."
Harry grinned at me, "Doesn't seem like we're too different after all."
I smiled, but what on earth was he talking about?
It was nearing five in the afternoon by the time we got back to the burrow. Harry had showed me how to shrink my belongings so they all fit in my pocket.
Once I was up in Ginny's room, I pulled them out and waved my wand over them, murmuring the engorgement charm.
I now had 4 lovely new robes, a wand, parchment, ink, and a quill, a trunk to put my things in, my very own broom, a cauldron, Exploding Snap cards, extendable Ears, One vial full of Magical mess remover, 3 Patented Daydream Charms, 4 decoy detonators, 2 rolls of spellotape, one Revealer, One two-way mirror (Fred and George said they would charm it like they did Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny's to make it a… 'five-way' mirror.') A variety bag from Honeyduke's, one camera, and a medium-sized bag full of galleons, sickles, and Knuts.
Ginny and Hermione said that I would come to realize that I would need much more (as if this wasn't enough all ready!) as the summer went on, and that we would be able to get it when they went school shopping at the end of the summer. I thought to myself, They practically shopped FOR me! How could I be missing something?
That night, Hermione set up a cot in between My bed and Ginny's. We talked and giggled for awhile, especially when Ginny started to lightly snore. But then Hermione dozed off, and I was left alone. My bed had a wondrous view of the night sky, and every so often, I saw a shooting star, or something of the sort, fly across the sky.
I realized that I couldn't even be sure that even the most normal thing in my life right now, I wasn't even sure of. Was it magic? Or… 'muggle'? I took a look around. What about my old things? My cell phone? My iPod? My photos? Would they start moving? What would happen? I sat up, starting to get really worked up about all this. How come I believed them so quickly? Normally I would have never believed in someone so quickly. With me, it takes time to build trust. What was I getting myself into? Was this all real? Or was it some kind of hoax? Was I being kidnapped? I looked around, I had to get out of there.
The window.
It all happened so fast. I grabbed my things, even the magical ones, and opened the window. Spying my broom leaning against my bed, I grabbed it. I stood on the slanted roof, tying the pack onto my back. How Was I supposed to get on this thing again?
I slowly took my wand out, and being as silent as possible, I muttered a lighting charm. I sighed gratefully. Sitting down, I realized I was crying. Crying? Why was I crying?
I couldn't leave. Where would I go? Back to America? No…
I knew this was real. I knew that these people around me were real. I was just having a hard time understanding it. I never was quick to trust something, and I guess this was just my late response to what had happened that day.
I leaned in the window, and set my pack on the bed. I laid the broom on the roof, and placed my hand over it. I smiled widely as it came up into my hands.
I'll just go for a quick ride.
I swung my leg over it, and leaned forward.
I was in the air.
I pushed off from the roof, and found myself gliding high over the Weasley house. I circled the house a few times, then the yard around it, but then stopped. What if someone saw me? I went closer to the house and started swooping over it, and around it.
When I landed on the roof again, Ginny was standing right outside the window.
"Having fun?" She said.
I turned red. "I'm sorry, did I wake you?"
She shook her head, "Hermione's snoring did."
"Oh."
She took my arm, "Tabitha, I know you probably couldn't sleep. And I know you probably just needed to get out and think about things. But please tell me you didn't go far. There are muggles nearby, and if they saw you…"
I shook my head, "I only flew around the yard."
Ginny sighed, and dropped my arm, grinning she said, "Great. Now, it's a bit chilly. Are you coming inside?"
I nodded, and crawled back in through the oval window.
I fell asleep before my head even hit the pillow.
Still clad in only a long t-shirt and underwear, I toddled to the bathroom.
"ACK! Sorry Ron!" I screeched, slamming the door shut.
I ran back to Ginny's room, and upon jumping onto my bed I thought, "Wow. Nice abs."
Someone knocked on the door as it slowly opened. Sticking his head around the door, Ron grinned, "The loo's free if anyone needs to use it."
I smiled sheepishly from atop my pillows, "Sorry."
He shook his head, "I'm used to it." He nodded at Ginny and Hermione, who were just waking up.
"What're you doing up so early Ron?" Hermione asked, obviously amazed that he was up before she was.
"Mum said that I can have the first of the bacon if I got up early."
"OH NO YOU'RE NOT!" Ginny yelled racing out of the room and into the bathroom.
"NOOOOO!" I cried, falling over onto my bundled comforter and sheets.
Hermione raised her eyebrows.
Ron just laughed, "See you lot downstairs."
I followed Ginny downstairs, (finally after getting to the bathroom!) and plopped into the seat between her and Ron. He had gotten to the bacon first.
When everyone was seated around the table, Ron slipped me 4 pieces of bacon in a napkin.
"Shh." He said, looking at his plate, "Don't make a scene about it. I figured since it's your first breakfast here, you shouldn't have to fight for bacon just yet. Tomorrow, maybe."
I giggled, "Thanks."
