Willow sat meditating of to the side of the Quidditch Pitch. After her and the other two girls had arrived with the sandwiches and juice, they noticed both Harry and Ron where just standing on the ground looking around nervously. Harry has begun to feel unnaturally anxious and thought he was having a panic attack of some sort, so both boys immediately landed.
Willow explained to Harry how the Malfoys had dropped by for a surprise visit. They apparently had business to discuss with their grandfather. The Wicca further explained how she accidentally read Lucius Malfoy and became troubled by her empathic abilities. Apparently there sibling twin connection was already strong, and Harry had picked up on his sister's destress.
Ron had not been happy to hear about the Malfoys. He had checked his sister and Hermione out thoroughly before he was satisfied that they were unharmed. His honest and hart felt concern had greatly helped the young witch calm down a little. Willow had excused herself to go meditate soon after with Sr. Huggs following to keep her company. He had wrapped his body around hers and hissed out words of comfort to help sooth her rampant magic.
Harry, Ron, Ginny, and Hermione flew around the pitch for a few more minutes. Ron had convince Hermione to fly after promising to go slow, and to stay close to her at all times. After a while Ron turned to Harry and asked. "So, what do you really think of Willow? She seems like a nice person."
Harry looked back at his best friend and answered. "She's really great. She knows so much about magic and especially Herbology. She's also really knowledgeable about wards, you should see her greenhouses."
"That's true." Hermione agreed. "She seems really nice and intelligent, but her snake is a little off putting. Though I must admit I love the name Sr. Huggs. What is it like talking to him Harry?
"He's very strait forward when he answers questions and most of his helpful suggestions are disturbing. He's a snake, so when he has a problem with something or someone invading his territory, he just eats them. He also does not totally get the problem with Grandpa Whitehall and the old families. About the only thing he understands is they may wish to harm or control us in some way, and sense he sees Willow as territory, more or less, he wants to eat them." Harry explained.
"Just think, all are problems gone in one satisfying gulp. No more Pureblood bigots or snot nosed Malfoy. It would just be so grand." Ron said. "How have you handled your grandfather and the old families?"
Harry looked a little uncomfortable as he just shrugged. "We haven't really crossed that bridge yet. We've just avoided the subject and pretend that there's no uncomfortable situation between us. I haven't forgotten about my Death Eater uncles, or the rumors that Grandpa Whitehall gave Voldemort money."
All three of Harry's friends trembled at the Dark Lords name. Ginny looked at Harry and asked. "Is this the first time your bond with Willow gave you trouble Harry? I don't remember Fred and George having problems, mind you there always together so that could be the reason."
Harry looked over towards Ginny and smiled. He noticed her blush bright red as she got embarrassed and looked away. "Today was the first time. From what both the Healers and Willow herself told me; this is the first birthday sense the day we were born that where together. Today are bond will return to full power and Willow's magical core will most likely repair itself fully. That's why she has to meditate so much right now. The damage from America isn't fully healed yet and the overactive surge caused by the Malfoys visit didn't help." Harry said with an angry look towards the end.
"I don't get it though. How did the Malfoys hurt her just by being present? If that's the case, how will she survive Hogwarts?" Hermione asked perturbed.
"I'm not fully sure how it works, but Willow is an empath. She can basically fell the emotions of people around her, which also gives her a greater insight into the person she's reading. My guess is when she read the Malfoys her magic tried to lash out on instinct when it registered how evil they were. She had to suppress her magic forcibly and it caused stress. When her core heals, this won't be a problem anymore." Harry said.
"She explained to Ginny and me about her magic. I still find it funny that there are some magics that we are not taught all because there different. Then again, there also supposed to be extremely dangerous. I wonder what Willow herself thanks about it." Hermione said.
It wasn't much longer when the four Gryffindors heard a large crack come from the ground as Tilly appeared in the Quidditch Pitch. Harry watched amused as the small elf took stock of Willow and realized Sr. Huggs was draped over her shoulders. Harry gave out a small laugh.
Ron asked. "What's so funny Harry?
Harry looked back at his best friend and said. "The first time Willow's snake met the house elves he tried to eat them. He was confused and thought they were food, so now the elves are afraid of him. It took Willow a whole afternoon to explain to Sr. Huggs that you don't eat the help."
Ron and Ginny both laughed, and Ginny replied. "I guess elves look tasty to snakes."
Hermione appeared to get a little angry as she hotly replied. "I don't see what's so funny about it. The house elves should be free in the first place as slavery is wrong." She said.
Hermione angrily crossed her arms over her chest until she realized she was hovering above the ground and quickly grabbed the broom handle. This caused her friends to laugh again and she quickly landed in a huff. Her friends landed behind her feeling guilty.
"Where sorry Hermione, please don't be mad. We were just kidding around and didn't mean anything by it." Ron said.
Hermione just turned her nose up and walked towards Willow to see what Tilly wanted. The rest of the group followed her.
"Good afternoon young Masters. It is almost time for the party, and I've been sent to fetch everyone. Please make your way back to the manor so you can get ready please." Tilly said. With one more nervous look at Sr. Huggs she popped away.
All the children made their way back to the house along the stone path through the woods. When they reached the house and reentered threw the side door of the right wing, they met a nervous Lord Whitehall.
"Willow," He began. "You have a visitor that would like to see you and then we need to talk about your preparation for tonight's party."
"Sure Grandpa. Who's here and, where are they?" Willow asked as she looked around the room. No one else was present.
"You're Godfather Rubeus Hagrid has brought you an early birthday present. He is in the dining room eating lunch at the moment." Lord Whitehall answered her.
Willow was happy to fill no animosity from her grandfather as he spoke about Hagrid. When the half giant had started coming over to check on her and Harry, she had felt a lot of resentment from Victor. He wasn't to trilled about the Grounds Keeper being Willow's Godfather, but had slowly come to except it. He would still have some aggravation when Hagrid drank too much or got a little loud for his liking.
Willow, Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Ginny all went to the dining room to see Hagrid. Upon entering the Wicca quickly ran over and hugged the large man around his upper arm, as it was the only part of his body she could actually hug. He smiled and laughed at Willow's actions.
"Someone wants a present I see." Hagrid laughed.
"Hello Hagrid, how are you? What did you bring me?" Willow asked getting straight to the point.
"How have you been Hagrid? You look well." Hermione inquired.
"I've been good Hermione. Just got in a whole shipment of Brights. Wonderful little creatures that eat bugs and insects that live in magical forests." Hagrid said with a proud smile.
"I heard those where extremely dangerous. They are small rock like fairies that glow because they can make their bodies really hot. They could burn threw solid ice if they had to." Ron explained.
"Aw, there harmless Ron, just need a little understanding that's all." Hagrid said.
"So back to my earlier question, what you bring me." Willow asked impatiently.
Hagrid chuckled as he reached in his oversized coat and pulled out two wrapped packages. They were made of simple brown paper with a small rope holding them together. The children could hear what sounded like purring coming from inside.
Harry began to wonder if Hagrid had brought them something alive. He also felt dread as he thought of all the creatures Hagrid thought where good pets that everyone else would call dangerous. His heart jumped in his throat when his sister grabbed the paper and ripped it open without caution.
At first it appeared to be a book. It was green with The Monster Book of Monsters written across it in gold lettering. It was decorated with four small black eyes and what appeared to be a mouth along the opening for the pages. It had numerous small tentacle feet coming of the sides. Suddenly, it jumped at Willow's face and tried to bite her. Hagrid quickly caught the book and held it in one large hand.
"An it funny?" He laughed. "This is actually one of the books you'll need for Care of Magical Creatures class next year. Though I'm na' sure if your taken it Willow." There was a hopeful look in the half giant's eyes.
"I haven't decided which classes I'll be taking just yet, but I'll definitely take Magical Creatures." Willow told her Godfather. She could almost fill him glow with happiness when she declared that she would take the class. She knew he liked Magical Animals but there seemed to be something more going on here.
Willow grabbed the book back and placed a small freezing charm on it. She did the same for Harry's copy as she called Tilly to take them to her room.
They talked for a little while about Hagrid's summer and about the creatures he took care of. He said they would be having a few Unicorn Colts being born soon. All the girls where excited to hear this and wanted to meet the babies after they were born. Soon Hagrid had to leave, and they all walked back to the Parlor together. Willow's Godfather said goodbye as he left in a flash of green flame.
As the children were leaving the Parlor, they heard behind them the arrival of someone else. When they turned around, they were treated with the site of Lady Malfoy eloquently stepping out of the fireplace.
No one knew what to say so Willow addressed the woman. "It's good to see you Mrs. Malfoy, what can I help you with or would you rather I summon my Grandfather?"
Narcissa had, for a moment, been caught off guard but quickly regained her composure as best she could. Willow was impressed by the act the Malfoy Matriarch was showing. You would never know just how discussed the woman was by Hermione and the Weasleys if you didn't have empathic ability.
She politely smiled at all the children and said. "Thank you dear, that would be fine. I came at the request of Lord Whitehall. I believe he had some questions to ask about the party decorations as you know how hopeless most men are when it comes to such things."
Willow had her doubts about the truth of that statement. Mrs. Malfoy was exceptionally good at faking facial expressions but not at hiding her emotions, and Willow felt no curiosity nor annoyance coming from her. She was nether curious about why she was asked to come nor was she annoyed by being called. Narcissa knew why she was here but was lying about that fact for some reason.
Sense Tilly was busy at the moment she called Misty to fetch her grandfather. Lord Whitehall appeared moments later and greeted Lady Malfoy.
"Thank you for coming my dear. I know it's short notice, but I had a favor to ask of you if it would not impose to much?" Her Grandfather said kindly.
Willow expected people like the Malfoys to lie and cheat to get their way. It was there natural born nature to do so. It angered her, however, to see her grandfather lie right in front of her. She could sense that he didn't want Narcissa there anymore than she did, and he certainly didn't invite her over.
The children watched the grownups talk for a little while about this and that. Ron bristled a little when they brought up his father and the Muggle Protection Act that had been resonantly made law. They didn't say anything rude, only that it had already embarrassed several old families. Finally, they reviled what was really going on.
Lord Whitehall turned to Willow and said. "Dear, I asked Narcissa here to see if she wouldn't mind helping you get ready for tonight's party. I thought that you, Hermione, and Ginny would like advice from a woman who was familiar with these sorts of occasions." He then looked at Hermione and Ginny and gave a friendly smile.
Willow could instantly fell out everyone in the room and all their emotions. Harry was completely dumbfounded by what was happening. Ron was nervous and worried for his friends and little sister. Hermione and Ginny where completely shocked, horrified about what was happening. Victor was pissed and Narcissa was reluctant but determined. This confused Willow as it appeared Narcissa was on a mission, which she probably was.
"I would not wish to impose upon Mrs. Malfoy with this request. I'm sure she is terribly busy and also needs time as well to get ready for the party." Willow said. She hopped her grandfather would take the polite way out.
"Nonsense dear, I would love to help out such lovely young ladies such as yourself. I don't mind at all and can get ready rather quickly after so many years of practice. It would be an honor dear." Narcissa replied.
Victor felt trapped. He knew his granddaughter didn't want Narcissa to stay but he also knew that he couldn't refuse the Malfoy's demand. The Pureblood Families wanted these matches to go through even if they had to force them.
With a reluctant heart he smiled at his grandchildren and said. "Well that's settles it. This will be perfect for Willow and her friends to get some firsthand knowledge about formal parties from an expert, why I help Harry and young Ronald get ready."
Willow was resigned to her fate. She would have to keep a close eye on her guests at the party tonight. She would be taking several potions before the party to dole her senses so she would be vulnerable.