"I am rather glad it's vacation," Parker said happily, as the train pulled out of Hogsmeade Station, "Even if it does mean going home."
"So you've said a million times," Kylie said in an annoyed tone.
Parker ignored her. "No homework, no annoying teachers..."
"But Parker," Daniella interrupted, "We do have homework."
"Yes, yes," Parker said, waving her hand, "But it isn't due for another three weeks and I don't plan on doing it for, oh, say another three weeks or so."
Veronica laughed. "Talk about a procrastinator." Parker stuck out her tongue.
"And I wouldn't guarantee anything about not seeing the professors either," Kylie said.
"What does that mean?" Parker said suspiciously.
"It means," Kylie said grinning, "That my dad is throwing his annual Christmas party and naturally you are all invited. Of course, it also means that since my dad is a professor this year, he is obligated to invite all the other professors."
Parker smiled. "Well, I guess I could put up with them as long as there was a party, but I'm not so sure I can put up with you."
"Very funny," Kylie said, sticking out her tongue, "So Nicci, why did you ride the train home instead of just taking a portkey with your mum?"
"I don't know," Veronica said, "She said she had some sort of surprise for me, but it wasn't ready yet. I still don't see why we couldn't have gone home first though. I mean, America is a long way away."
"What do you think it is?" Daniella asked, looking up from her book, which she had been reading the entire trip.
"I don't know," Veronica said. She paused. "I'm more curious as to why."
"Maybe she has to go on some three month business trip," Parker said, "My parents usually do that. Last time I got another horse. I named him Zorro."
"I don't think she's going on any trip. She has to teach."
"Here's a thought," Parker said grinning, "Maybe there is no surprise. Maybe she's lying."
Veronica frowned. Kylie shot Parker a glare. "I was just kidding, Nicci," Parker said, her smile fading slightly.
Veronica forced a smile onto her face. "Yeah, I know.".
A slight tension began to feel the air, as the silence remained. However, it was interrupted moments later. Despite the fact she wasn't too fond of who walked in, Veronica was relieved.
"Hello ladies," James said, taking a seat. Orion, Shane and Jeff sat down with him. The girls looked up at them. Kylie and Parker groaned. Veronica sighed, and Daniella turned back to her book.
"Feel that tension," Shane said grinning.
"Yep," Jeff said, as the girls glared, "Who do you suppose started it?"
"Keowen," they chorused together.
"Did not," Parker said. She stopped. "Okay, maybe I did, but..."
"But nothing, Keowen," Orion said grinning, "You always start it."
"Do not," Parker said.
"Do too," Orion said grinning.
"Do not."
"Do too."
Here we go again, Veronica thought, rolling her eyes. Apparently, Kylie was thinking the same thing. "James, don't tell me you came here just to let Orion and Parker argue."
"Nope," James said. He turned to Orion. "Give it a rest will you?" Orion stared at him and shrugged. He winked at Parker, who glared.
"What do you want?" Kylie asked.
"Oh, we were just bored," Jeff said grinning.
Veronica looked around at them. Rob wasn't with them again. Now that she thought about it, he hadn't been hanging out with them as much for a while now. "Where's Rob?"
"With Annabel I think," Shane said.
"I don't know what is so great about her," Orion said, "I mean, for Merlin's sake, he would have so much more fun with us than some stupid girl."
"They've been with each other a lot lately," James mused.
"Uh," Parker said rolling her eyes, "They're going out."
"What?" The four boys said at the same time.
"Since when?" Jeff asked.
"Since two months ago," Parker said, "You guys really aren't very observant."
"No, we are," Orion said smirking, "We just have our own lives to lead."
"Yeah, sure," Parker sneered.
Veronica sighed and tuned out their conversation. Her thoughts drifted to her mother. She hadn't let on how much Parker's comment had got to her. If fact, she hadn't even told her friends how much stress her mother's lies were causing her. Parker wouldn't understand and Daniella would get too worried. Kylie was the only one who would get it. Perhaps I'll tell Kylie about it at her party, Veronica thought, as she was hit with a wave of exhaustion. She slowly closed her eyes.
Veronica opened her eyes and looked around. She was standing in a dark corridor. It was lit only with a few torches, that caused menacing shadows to appear on the floors and walls.
Someone was singing in the distance. Veronica slowly began to walk. She wanted to turn and run but the singing was drawing her to it. She stopped when she reached the end of the passage. In front of heard stood a large wooden door. She grabbed the knob and turned. The door creaked open slowly.
Standing in the corner of a room, was a woman with her back to her. Veronica walked forward slowly. She recognized the song. It was the one her mother always sang for her when she was younger.
"Mom," Veronica called to her.
The woman turned around slowly and Veronica gasped. It wasn't her mother at all. It was Professor Conway. "There is evil here," she said, her voice cold and raspy, "And you are the center of it all!"
Veronica watched in horror as Professor Conway suddenly changed into someone else. She wasn't sure who, since a dark hood covered the face. From their robes, the figure withdrew a large needle.
"Be on your guard Winters," Tristian's voice echoed in her head, "Haven't you noticed you are always just one step away from whoever is doing this?"
Veronica turned and ran. The cloaked figure laughed. "Nicci," It called after her. "Nicci!"
"Nicci," A voice said softly. Veronica eyes snapped open. She glanced up to see Kylie staring at her looking concerned. Veronica sighed with relief. It was just a dream. "Are you alright?" Kylie asked.
Veronica smiled. "Yeah, it was just a dream," she said. She suddenly realized the train wasn't moving. "Why are we stopped?"
"We're at Platform 9 3/4," Parker said, grabbing her bag.
"How long have I been sleeping?" Veronica asked. It seemed like just minutes ago, they had just left Hogsmeade.
"A good four or five hours," Kylie said, heading out the door. Parker followed her. Veronica shrugged and followed them through the door.
"Are you sure you're alright?" Daniella asked quietly, as they got off the train onto the platform. It was packed with chattering students and parents. "You look pale."
"Yes," Veronica lied. The dream had actually disturbed her. "It was just a bit frightening, that's all."
Daniella shrugged, but accepted her answer. Veronica stopped beside Parker and Kylie, and then began searching the crowd for her mother. She was starting to get worried, when she heard a voice shout, "Nicci!"
She turned to see her mother making her way through the crowd. Veronica smiled. She hugged her friends one by one and said a quick goodbye, before she moved toward her mother.
"Hey sweetie. Ready for your surprise?"
Veronica smiled nervously. "I guess so."
Ginny smiled and held out the empty soda bottle in her hand. "Grab hold."
Veronica groaned. "I hate portkeys," she muttered, as she reached out and touched the bottle.
Ginny smiled and laughed. "You'll get used to it. After all, if we didn't go this way, going home would be a very long trip."
Veronica was about to answer, when she felt a pulling behind her naval. She closed her eyes as she was jerked from the ground. She groaned loudly, as her butt smacked something hard. She opened her eyes when she heard her mother's laughter.
"Very funny isn't it?" Veronica grumbled, as she got up off the ground. It took her a few moments to realize she didn't know where she was. She looked around slowly. They were standing in front of a large set of wrought iron gates. The walls where brick, but they were so thick with ivy, it was hard to tell.
Ginny smiled at her. "Come on.". She pushed open the gates and disappeared inside. Veronica stared after her for a moment and then followed.
The gates gave way to a winding cobblestone path, lined with maple trees. Veronica quickened her pace and caught up with her mother. There were small paths that led off the main one, but they didn't venture off it. They rounded a sharp bend in the path, which led to a large lawn and circular driveway. A small rose garden could just be seen far off to the right.
In the clearing was a large, three story, white house. It was done in the Victorian style and had a wrap around porch. Smoke was coming from the chimney.
"Do you like it?"
"It's beautiful," Veronica said, "Who lives here?"
"We do," Ginny said. Veronica turned to look at her. "At least for the holidays, and maybe during the summer for a while. This way I can be closer to you when you're at school." She smiled and headed toward the house.
Veronica followed her. She stepped into the entry, removed her coat, and looked around. It was quite large. A small chest stood on one side. Above it was an intricately carved mirror. Veronica turned. There was a loud pop and a puff of smoke. She gasped. A strange looking creature appeared. It was short and thin, with huge green eyes and large pointy ears. It was wearing a dirty rag and smiling at them.
"Hello, Misses," the little thing squeaked. She turned to Veronica. "I is Trinka, and you must be Miss Veronica."
Veronica forced a smile. "Yes, I am."
Trinka smiled. "I bet you is being hungry. I'lls be takin your coats now, and then I'lls be fixin a snack for you Misses."
"Thank you Trinka," Ginny said, handing Trinka her coat and Veronica's.
Trinka nodded, and disappeared in another puff of smoke.
"What was that?"
"A house elf," Ginny said smiling, "She'll be helping me with the cooking and cleaning." Veronica nodded. "Come one. Let's go see your room."
Ginny led the way up to the third floor and down a long hallway. She opened the last door on the right and stepped aside so Veronica could go in. Veronica smiled. The room was large and spacious. The walls were painted a deep green, her favorite color. There was a large bed in the center, a wooden dresser to the right, and a vanity set on the opposite wall.
"Do you like it?"
"I love it," Veronica said, hugging her.
Ginny pulled back and smiled. "I let you get unpacked. I think I'll help Trinka with that snack." She smiled once more and closed the door.
Veronica stared at her bags, which she was sure she hadn't brought up. One contained her clothing and the other was her book bag. Must of been Trinka, she thought. She noticed her owl sitting next to them. She opened the cage carefully and let Zani out for a fly. Veronica silently opened her bag and placed her clothing in the dresser.
She looked around the room once more. She smiled. All thoughts of her mother's lies had been swept from her mind. Still smiling, she left her room and headed off to try and find the kitchen.
Veronica woke up the next morning feeling very refreshed. She glanced over at the clock and felt a wave of surprise. It was 6:00 a.m. She never felt very well in the morning. She sighed. Her mother would not be up for another hour. Her eyes swept the room and landed on her book bag. The professors had piled on a lot of homework for the holidays.
Sighing, Veronica got up and opened her bag. She rummaged through it and grabbed out her Potions book. In the process she knocked out some papers, but she didn't mind. "Might as well get started," she murmured. Forty five minutes later, Veronica sat down her quill. She had managed to write about half a parchment on Shrinking Potions before it became unbearable.
She picked up her book and went to return it to her bag. She put it in her bag and began sorting through the papers she had knocked out earlier. Most of them were old assignments from Transfiguration and History of Magic. She began to throw them away, when a small piece of paper caught her eye.
She picked it up curiously. It was a photograph. Veronica turned it over and gasped. The picture was moving. Shaking off her surprise, Veronica concentrated on the faces of the people. There were four. Two girls and two boys. She recognized three of them immediately as Professor Potter, Coach Weasley and his wife Professor Weasley. The second girl looked familiar, but Veronica couldn't remember from where. The girl was small with fiery red hair, and brown eyes. She was no older than twelve. She flipped the picture over once more. The handwriting was barely legible, but she managed to read it. It said Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Harry Potter, and Ginny Weasley, 1992.
A soft creaking noise came from the hallway. Veronica quickly shoved the picture into her bag just as the door opened. Ginny smiled in at her. "Oh, good! You're up. Come on. Breakfast's ready."
Veronica smiled and followed Ginny silently toward the kitchen. Her mind lingered on the picture. Who was that other girl, she thought. Ginny Weasley? Was she related to Professor Weasley? They looked somewhat similar. She let the questions fade from her mind, when the smell of breakfast drifted in from the dining room.
Veronica took a seat across from her mother and waited for the food. Trinka popped in moments later carrying bacon, eggs, sausage and pancakes. Veronica smiled and began to eat. She was just getting started on her eggs, when a large snowy owl flew in. It landed softly on the table by Ginny and held out its leg.
Ginny took the letter curiously and handed the bird a few bread crumbs before it flew off. "To Miss Virginia Winters and Miss Veronica Winters."
Veronica stopped eating and looked up. "Who's is from?"
Ginny opened the letter and skipped to the bottom of the page. "The Potters," Ginny said with interest.
"Read it," Veronica said smiling. Ginny smiled.
Dear Virginia and Veronica,
On behalf of the Potter family, we would like to invite you to a Christmas Party, December 24th, from seven to midnight. Please RSVP as soon as possible. We hope that you can come.
Sincerely,
The Potter Family
"Can we go?" Veronica asked, smiling.
Ginny shrugged. "I don't see why not and why don't you ask Parker and Daniella if they would like to come over before the party and we'll take them. Then they can just spend the night. I'm sure they were invited too."
Veronica hugged her mother quickly and darted up the stairs to her room. It had only been one day and she already missed her friends. She had never really had friends before Hogwarts. Most people only nice to her because of her mother. The others avoided her all together because they thought she'd probably be a stuck up brat. The fact that she was mostly home schooled also didn't help.
She grabbed a quill from her bag and quickly jotted two notes. One to Parker and one to Daniella, asking if they wanted to come over and stay before the party.
"Zani," Veronica called. Zani hooted quietly and flew over to the desk. She held out her leg and Veronica tied one of the letters on. "Take this to Parker." Zani hooted again and flew out the window. Veronica smiled, picked up her other letter and headed downstairs to use her mother's owl.
Veronica sighed quietly. It was past midnight, and no matter how hard she tried she couldn't fall asleep. She heaved another sigh and got up. She got up slowly and headed to her book bag. Might as well do some work, she thought irritably. She had just pulled out her Transfiguration book when another book caught her eye.
Hogwarts During the Time of Harry Potter, Veronica read silently. She grabbed the book and took a seat on her bed. She opened slowly to the page she had marked entitled The Mystery of the Chamber of Secrets and began to read slowly.
The book told the story of several students being petrified and even a ghost. The teachers could find no cause or any real relationship between the students except that the were all of Muggle descent in one way or another, other than the ghost of course. The attacks were random and the only connection was seen with Harry Potter who seemed to be at every crime scene.
Veronica stopped reading for a moment. She kind of saw how Professor Miller had related the attacks, even though what was done was completely different. However, she still didn't see why her mother had gotten so defensive about it. She was about to start reading again, when a side caption noting all important people in the story caught her eye. She carefully ran her finger down the list. Her mother was not there.
Sighing, she began to close the book when she saw a familiar name. Ginerva (Ginny) Weasley. That's the girl from the picture, Veronica thought. She flipped to the page that Ginny Weasley was on and started to read.
At the end of school year, something even more horrific
than the attacks took place. A first year, Ginerva Weasley was
taken into the Chamber of Secrets. Nobody knew where the entrance
was. Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley, Ginerva's older brother,
over heard the teachers talking and went after her themselves.
Veronica stopped reading. Professor Weasley had a sister? I don't remember Kylie telling me about her, Veronica thought. I thought he just had five brothers. She yawned loudly. The fatigue was starting to set in. Veronica carefully tucked the book underneath her bed and turned off the light.
This Ginny Weasley business was still bothering her. The answer to her dilemma came to her immediately. She would simply ask Kylie at the party. She seemed to know a lot about the Weasleys. Smiling, Veronica drifted off into a dreamless sleep.
