ONE
MINISTRY OF MAGIC EMPLOYEE
SCOOPS GRAND PRIZE
Arthur Weasley, Head of the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office at the Ministry of Magic, has won the annual Daily Prophet Grand Prize Galleon Draw.
A delighted Mr. Weasley told the Daily Prophet,
"We will be spending the gold on a summer holiday in Egypt, where our eldest son, Bill, works as a curse breaker for Gringotts Wizarding Bank."
The Weasley family will be spending a month in Egypt, returning for the start of the new school year at Hogwarts, which five of the Weasley children currently attend.
A young lady perhaps thirteen or so lay on a fading grey comforter the Daily Prophet spread out on the quilt on the foot of the bed. She wore a large oversized red sweater and red and gold striped socks on her feet. Her hair pulled back by a large black clip at the back of her head. It was brown curly and slightly poufy and untamed going every way. Her blue/grey hazel eyes scanned the black and white of the newspaper before her.
"Merrr…
***HARPER'S POV***
An ebony cat like figure had hopped upon to the comforter beside me. Nox was as black as midnight and eerie eyes that were like deep red rubies. He was gorgeous to be sure but also as eerie as anything, he often didn't blink when he stared and that was often unnerving. He padded over and lay against my ribcage as I stared back down at the black and white print.
"It makes sense…" mused quietly.
Currently I was in a rented room down at the Leaky Cauldron near Diagon Alley. The room was much to be expected of a place called the Leaky Cauldron. I was a familiar face here however, between Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade most of the shop owners new my face if not by name. Over the summer my correspondence from my friends from my magical school had been slim. I had heard a few times from my cousin Harry Potter. He was currently enduring a summer at our Aunt and Uncle, the Dursley family. Although from what I had heard from him about the Dursley's they were very similar to my own father in the States. Hermione had vacationed with her family in France and though her mail was more frequent than Harry's, it still wasn't as often as I was used to. But mail from my favorite family had been slim to none. However the article in the Daily Prophet explained their radio silence. And while I was extremely happy for them, no one was more deserving of such an amazing prize; I was saddened that I had to find out this way.
Normally I got frequent mail from my favorite pair of twins. Glancing down at the photo I could easily pick them out of the crowd of family. Putting the newspaper down, the charms on my charm bracelet jingled, another hurtful pang hit my heart. I didn't get a happy birthday from any of my friends this year, not even from my mysterious benefactor. Things were radio-silence all month. Hermione had said she would be in Diagon Alley this week to get her school things and wondered if I would meet her there. Nox nudged me again and I sighed rubbing his ears, he gently poked me with his claws, a reminder to stop moping about and pull it together.
"I know, I know got to quit moping and pull it together."
Shrugging off my sweater I pulled on a light blue elbow-sleeved top that was striped with white, a pair of jeans and light blue converse. After raking a brush through my hair and braiding it to tame it I put my wand in a wand carrier that hid up my sleeve. Although I doubted I would need it, the last few years at Hogwarts had taught me to never go anywhere without it. Summer vacation had been spent in the library researching new animals and scurrying about the castle in various animal shifts discovering new and amazing places. I had filled at least two journals of the stuff I had discovered. Part of me hoped I could show Fred and George sometime this school year. Nox had weaved himself around my neck beneath my hair as I grabbed my small satchel that fit my money and various items and tie it to my jeans loop. Rue the person who tried to steal from me. They'd get a nasty surprise when they tried.
It was the final day of the holidays and tomorrow I'd head to King's Cross and head back to Hogwarts on the Hogwarts Express. Slipping down in the bustle of the Pub I weaved my way around the patrons and out the back. Although this was my third year and third time shopping for things, Diagon Alley never lost its luster. There was always something new to look at. I wandered all over Diagon Alley and saw a few more Hogwarts students but none of the few I was looking for. After about an hour or so of wandering around, I figured I'd head back to the Cauldron and just re-read my school books again.
"Wandering again Evans? Don't do that enough at school?"
I'd recognize the scorn even without turning around. I came face to, well… chest, of Draco Malfoy. I looked up at the blonde, he had apparently grown during the summer holidays.
"You got taller," I murmured quietly.
Surprised by my comment he looked awkwardly at his dark jeans and dark green sweater.
"You're still as short as ever," he said with a cocky smile.
He had done something different with his hair, it wasn't slicked back like it had been the last two years, and he looked older, more mature. Not like he was trying to fill daddy's shoes, his own person. I had been utterly surprised one day when his family eagle owl was sitting on a perch I had installed in my room for the owls that came and went. Even more surprised when he actually wanted to keep in touch over the summer months. He was actually kind of fun to write to back and forth, he was intelligent and funny. I scowled at the comment and reached for the ice cream the witch handed me from the window.
"What kind is that?" He asked looking curious at my cone of ice cream.
"Mint Chocolate Chip,"
He made a face.
"Don't knock it till you try it Malfoy," I said simply and sat down at an empty bistro table nearby.
I watched as he asked the witch for a sample and my grin widened when he got a cone of the same thing and sat down across from me.
"Don't say a word,"
I shrugged but hid my ever growing grin behind my cone as we ate in a comfortable silence.
"You were quiet the last few weeks,"
"Missed me?" He asked.
I rolled my eyes at his tone.
"Would have been nice to have someone other than Nox to talk to all summer,"
He frowned.
"What about your other friends?"
I shrugged.
"Hermione and Ron were both on vacation and Harry has trouble getting letters out to begin with."
He looked at me curiously but didn't ask the question that burned behind his grey eyes.
"He lives with our Muggle family members; they don't exactly embrace magic…like at all." I explained quietly.
"I thought Muggles were fascinated by magic?"
I shook my head.
"Not all, some are scared of it. Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon's family is a prime example,"
"That's stupid," He retorted.
I looked at him for a moment.
"What?"
"We often fear what we can't see or can't explain,"
Draco looked thoughtful for a moment.
"What are you doing here? Figured you be already up at the castle."
"Hermione said she was going to be around somewhere, I must've missed her," I said watching the people in Diagon Alley.
We fell in a comfortable silence.
"You? You don't usually wander too far from your parents," I said slowly.
Draco frowned.
"They had business to do in Knockturn. That place gives me the creeps," He admitted.
I nodded. Knockturn Alley was an alley close by Diagon, less than reputable witch and wizards conduct business there. Whether it was illegal or Dark Artifacts, things down that alley were creepy. I gave it a wide berth whenever I traveled near its entrance.
"So where are you holed up till term?"
"Leaky Cauldron," I mumbled digging into my ice cream.
I couldn't help but notice the wrinkle in his nose as he remained quiet.
"It's not that bad Malfoy, maybe not as pristine as what you're used to in the Manor, but it's not filthy. A little dirt never hurt anyone, besides, not as though you've never gotten dirty before…."
Draco's face flushed and pointed a finger threateningly at me.
"Shut up Evans, you swore not to repeat that incident."
I grinned but ducked my head.
"But isn't it so…loud?"
I could hear the genuine curiosity in his voice.
"No more than the Hall at dinnertime. It's fun to watch different walks of life come in and out. It's good people watching." I admitted.
Draco fell silent for a few moments.
"Sometimes I like to imagine where the people are going or coming from, watching them gives some insight of who they are as a person. It's actually pretty fun." I said quietly.
I quietly finished my cone.
"Do they know you've been writing me?" I asked.
"Mum knows I imagine, she hasn't said anything though. Father hardly knows what's going on that day without her to tell him." Draco said rolling his eyes.
The sun was starting to get low in the sky and the shopkeepers were slowly kicking people out and lighting their lamps.
"I should get going before they send a search party," Draco said finishing his own cone off.
I nodded and stood, throwing what rubbish I had collected in the nearby bin. Both of us stood there awkwardly.
"Stay safe Evans," he said after a moment in a soft voice.
I smiled up at the blonde.
"You too Draco,"
A gentle hand on my shoulder and he was gone, lost in the crowds. Nox began purring around my shoulders.
"Oh now you like him do you?"
He just continued purring; I shook my head at the antics and weaved my way back through the crowds to the bustle of the Leaky Cauldron. It was busy as per usual. What surprised me were the three tables put together as I walked into the main dining hall. Almost immediately two pairs of arms wrapped around me sandwiching me between two bodies. Startled I looked up and my face broke into a grin. It was the Weasley twins; both were now sporting a slight tan on their usually fair faces. Both of their eyes twinkled mischievously at me.
"Have a nice holiday?" I asked quietly.
Both of their faces fell slightly.
"Mom wouldn't let us send many messages, too far for Errol to fly, and she didn't want us to brag."
"Even thought this trip was total brag material," George added.
They did look apologetic and it did make sense. Errol was their family owl; he was ancient, and not entirely all there.
"Come join us for dinner," Fred pleaded.
Sighing I smiled softly and they knew they were off the hook. Nox however wasn't purring at their presence, probably upset with their lack of contact too. His tail was flickering slightly but allowed their closeness. I was led to the family table where I was greeted with warm hugs from Mrs. Weasley and a dozen apologies from her as well, and I was happy to find Harry and Hermione there as well. It was almost like I hadn't left, and their presence seemed to fill the void that was spreading during the summer.
