We descended towards the dungeons, a feeling of warmth replacing my previous rage. We reached a stone wall. I looked at Mallory.
"Do you know the password?" I asked her. She shook her head.
"It's really not that hard to guess. The person who changes the passwords-Snape, I suppose-really has no imagination whatsoever," she nudged me and winked at me, "He should take a page out of McGonagall's book."
I laughed and Mallory declared, "Salazar."
Nothing.
Mallory tried again, 'Slytherin.'
Nothing.
We tried quite a few passwords.
"Pure-blood," I said.
"Snakes," Mallory said.
"Green," I said. Mallory turned to me, "Green. Really?"
I shrugged and said, "Hey! We have green on our everything, I thought I'd give it a go!"
A jarring sound cut out argument short. A stone door had appeared. I smiled and looked at Mallory as I entered, saying, "Green. Really."
We entered the common room, an underground luxury. I found it better than the Gryffindor common room, which was rowdy and loud. The Ravenclaws were either dead quiet reading or having a passionate debate. Hufflepuffs were really warm and welcoming, but their common room just wasn't' my style .I had been in each common room few times, mostly because my little posse of friends was a mixture of Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs, Ravenclaws, and only one Slytherin.
This common room, my common room, gave me a feel of power as well as a refreshing feeling of home. I traced my hands along the rough stone walls, looking up to find the same green lamps on chains, magically lit to give the whole room a strange, detached feeling.
The fireplace wasn't burning, though most of the time it did. Across from the huge mantle, my favorite chair sat. I would always sit in it, and if anyone else did, I would do anything to shoo them away. I wonder who had claimed its velvety cloth now.
I sat down in it, feeling the same comfort I always felt sitting in it. But it didn't last long, because suddenly I saw movement behind a giant glass window that allowed you to see into the lake. I stood up and scanned the deep black depths, looking for one, giant, eye.
Jeff, the giant squid, was nowhere in sight. But Ariel, a mermaid with one of the most beautifully eerie voices under the lake was swimming by when she saw me. She smiled and waved. I waved back. I had named her when I was a first year. I read the name in a book somewhere and found it to be beautiful. She'd loved the name and went by it since.
I had seen interpretations of mermaids by Muggles. They were shown as beautiful, almost humanoid like creatures. Real mermaids were nothing like this. To be honest, they were absolutely hideous. Yet I found them even more beautiful than those in the Muggle seemed mean, but if you truly were kind to them, they could be some of the kindest friend you could know.
Sometimes, when a new first year couldn't sleep, a prefect would ask the mermaids to sing a song to them. They had voices more harmonious than anything I have ever heard.
I found myself crying, I missed Hogwarts so much. It was truly home for me. I couldn't bear to be anywhere but here. But given my whole life, my 'home' back at the orphanage, even Azkaban, at especially dark times, seemed inviting.
Mallory came up behind me, saying, "We've got about a whole day at Hogwarts. All to ourselves. What do you reckon we do?"
I looked at her and said, "What do you think?"
She studied my face and rolled her eyes, "If you dare say-"
"The library!" I say, and run out of the common room.
"I swear, sometimes I think you ought to be in Ravenclaw at times!" Mallory shouted after me.
Before going to the library, I stopped by at the Great Hall. The tables were laid with snacks, little treats to grab on your way to class. I went in and grabbed a whole bowl of cookies. I always did this, and by this point, the teachers had grown used to my appetite.
Carrying the bowl, I walked to the library. Saying my greetings to the librarian, Madam Pince, I went to a cluster of chairs and put the bowl of cookies down on the table where the chairs sheer gathered around. Then I went to browsing the aisles, I randomly grabbed a few books and brought them back to my desk. Flipping through the pages, I found that I had grabbed a book on the American Revolution and the wizarding conflict involved. Several Muggles were mentioned, like Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton. They intrigued me, but Prince said she didn't have any books on them specifically. But I decided I would check the book discussing the events if the Revolution out. After a half of a second, I realized I wasn't officially a Hogwarts student, so I couldn't really check the book out. So, I spent another 2 hours in the library, reading and snacking.
Mallory came in, after that time, grabbing the last cookie and saying, "The house elf finally came."
I closed the book and got up. I followed Mallory and the house elf to Dumbledore's office, where McGonagall was pacing. Professor Dumbledore was sitting behind his desk. As soon as we arrived, Professor McGonagall stopped and Professor Dumbledore smiled. He stood up and greeted us, welcoming us in.
"Ah, Ms. Custos, Ms. Knox, please, come in," he turned to the elf, "Thank you, Hearth."
The house elf gave a small smile,nodded and left the room. Dumbledore looked at us now.
"You have both done a marvelous job. Becoming Animagi at such a young age. It is truly astounding. Only a handful of students have achieved such a thing at a younger age. Most wizards can't even imagine casting such a magnificent spell until they are as old as me!"
Dumbledore leaned in, a twinkle in his eyes, "Between you and me, my age may as well be impossible." He winked at us and we failed at concealing laughs. Dumbledore always had a way to make the students smile. He was a happy old man, and I would hate for him to be otherwise.
"But now, down to business!" he said, clapping his hands. McGonagall spoke behind us, "Apparently, after you delivered those letters at Cokeworth, Ms. Custos, the Dursleys moved yet again. This time to a further and harsher destination. The owls won't be able to sustain such weather. So, we've decided to send Hagrid. Hagrid will take Harry to Diagon Alley, to get his school supplies. Harry, like any young witch or wizard, will need an owl."
Dumbledore's eyes sparkled with the glint of a brilliant idea. "We have an owl right here, don't we?" I cracked a grin. Of course. "Professor McGonagall has spoken to me about both of your previous assignments, and what she plans on allowing the pair of you to do while you are at Hogwarts. She's even concocted some polyjuice potion for you to try out. Together, you will be Astoria," he handed Mallory a small shot glass of a strange bubbling, blue liquid, "and Daphne Greengrass. Twins." He handed me the other glass, this one a smooth yellow. "Drink up!" Beside me, Mallory shrugged. Then, with one swift motion, she knocked back the glass and swallowed.
"Ugh!" Said Mallory, making a face. "Awful texture, but tastes…" she looked at the clear glass. "Tastes surprisingly okay."
I followed her motion, gulping down the yellow stuff. It certainly felt funny going down, but tasted like dandelions. How peculiar.
I looked at my friend, remembering the strange books we had read in NEWT levels, and the painful transformation. It was really a strange thing. Her skin started stretching, pulling over her jovial face, making her facial features looking sharp. Her hair started looking the ginger quality I had started getting used to, quickly turning into a stark black. Mallory grinned at me, and her eyes still sparkled. My own skin felt like Silly Putty, moving and growing and shrinking, my bones moving like cooked spaghetti, shrinking until I was shorter but slightly lanky. "Hello, Daphne! Pleased to meet you," Mallory said, sticking out her hand like we had just met. I took the handshake and responded, "You as well, Astoria." McGonagall handed us a mirror, and we took turns looking into its glassy surface.
I looked very similar to Mallory, with eastern Asian features. But the edges of my face are less sharp. We looked eleven years old, with the same hair, black and silky.
"Awesome!" Said Mallory, or Astoria now, clapping me on the back.
"So, you lady's will have a day job and a night job." Dumbledore swept a silver sliver of beard from his face. "During the school day, you'll be students. You will perform homework and tests, but you've done it all before, so it shouldn't be to hard. But keep at average, we don't want you drawing attention to yourself. The Muggle Astoria and Daphne Greengrass live in Yorkshire, but I've met a Greengrass couple outside of Glasgow, they let me stay with them one night after a long trip. I've convinced them to keep you over the summer. They'll love to have you. Of course, Ms. Custos will have to stay in her owl form over the summer to stay with Harry, but if you're allowed out, you can visit Ms. Knox, who won't have to keep the disguise all over the summer, that won't be necessary, but at school, you will have to keep the mirage. Polyjuice will be delivered to your bedside every morning, but only enough for that day. Take one gulp at every meal, or whenever you feel a change. You will be able to tell the students it's medication for a person family medical problem. Ms. Custos will be an owl during the night, or whenever Harry needs to deliver a letter, when you will have an excused absence from class. If there are any other questions…?" We shook our heads. He pulled a long, thin wand and flourished it, making a large owl cage appear out of thin air. It fell onto the desk with a clang. "Ms. Custos, Ms. Knox will take you to the Owl Emporium, where you will stay until Hagrid comes tomorrow. I will tell him personally to get the snowy owl for Harry." He nodded towards me, and I took the gesture to mean my animagus would need to come in now. I turned into my black spotted, powder white owl, and jumped onto Mallory's arm, who placed me onto the perch of the cage and shut the door with a click.
Suddenly, I felt very trapped. I could not leave this cage of my own free will and it scared me. I could feel my blood pressure rising, my heart pumping hard. I wanted to trash my way out until I broke the iron bars, or bite the lock until my sharp beak sliced through the cold hard metal now restricting my flight. I was meant to be free, not shut up in a cage. I don't know if this was just the owl part of me, or because it was part of me, I was an owl, but I sure did hate the fact that I couldn't spread my wings all the way out to there full length.
"Sorry, Angel," said Mallory as she picked up the cage. "I know you despise it." I let out a chirp of agreement. I sure did hate it.
"I will take you to Diagon Alley." Dumbledore held out an arm, and Mallory hesitantly placed her arm on his. "Professor, please call Hagrid. We need to, ah, brief him." McGonagall nodded, and Dumbledore twisted on his heel, and we were sucked through the Apperation tube.
We found ourself standing in the bustling lane of Diagon Alley, blinking in the shocking sunlight. Wizard and witches were hurrying about, getting school supplies and ice cream and brooms and robes and everything inbetween. I remembered coming here as a kid and being in awe at so much magic in one place. The Ministry Official who had taken me was very nice, and let me enjoy the whole experience without rushing it. But I had still always hoped and prayed Mum and Dad could have been the ones holding my hand and showing me the shops, buying me my wand, having my robes tailored. But we couldn't think about what ifs now, because Dumbledore was talking. I altered my attention back to him, squinting my yellow eyes at the headmaster.
"I'm sure you're wondering about Apperation inside Hogwarts grounds." He said, answering Mallory's questioning face. "Well, Ms. Knox, my answer to you is this." A smirk spread across his face. "I am the headmaster, I can do whatever I want." Mallory was left quite speechless and in the dust, because Dumbledore had already taken off, taking long strides towards a shop with a dark sign reading, 'Eeylops Owl Emporium'. Next to the words where a collection of owls, of all different sizes and shapes. They flew around the sign with a letter in their beak, wings flapping. Looking at it only reminded me of my inability to fly at that moment and I had to look away.
Dumbledore pushed open the door and Mallory followed. Owls of all kinds and sorts whooped and hooted in the rafters, calling out to each other.
"Gerald! They got new owl food!"
"Did you hear who they sold Susan to? Lucky owl."
"I tell you, Mark, I'm tired of this place. If I don't leave soon I'll be tired of this life. How to hold out hope on such a depressing planet, I haven't a clue."
"It'll be fine someday, Brian, I promise. Someday."
Wow. I had no idea owls could be so depressed.
Dumbledore walked up to short witch pouring over what looked like a checking book at a high desk. She perked up when she saw the High Warlock of the Wizengamot approaching her, all smiles. "Can I help you, sir?" She asked, her voice squeaking.
"Well, as it happened, you can." He swept up his robes to avoid an owl dropping, but continued smiling at the witch. "I have an owl here, and she'll be staying at this lovely little shop for the night. Tomorrow a man, his name is Hagrid, will come in and request to take her out."
"Is that all?" The witch asked. Dumbledore nodded. "Well, that'll be one sickle for the overnight service." The Headmaster nodded and pulled out a silver coin.
Mallory was still gawking around the shop when Dumbledore cleaned his throat and said, "Ms. Greengrass, the owl please." She jumped a little, but put my cage on the desk anyway.
"Well aren't you a beauty!" Exclaimed the witch. "What is her name?" She asked, tapping the lock of my cage with her wand and gently pulling me out. It felt good to be free, but a little strange to be looked at with such scrutiny.
"Angel," said Mallory, speaking for the first time since we entered the shop. The witch stroked my feathers and said, "Well hello, Angel. My name is Abigail. Now fly up with your friends, that Hagrid fellow will be here to pick you tomorrow." I took flight to the rafters, and all the owls stopped talking as I landed away from the group, ruffling my feathers and straightening my back.
Dumbledore left, and Mallory followed with one last pitiful glance back at me. Another owl clicked her beak and walked over to me along the beam. "My name's Deborah, and I heard the whole thing. What's your name?" She asked in a very nonsense set of way.
"Well if you were listening to the whole thing you would know my name is Angel." I scooted away, wanting nothing to do with this Deborah.
"Those humans never get names right. You must be brainwashed to think that your name is the name they give you. It's always wrong, trust me sweetheart. So, what's your real name? The one your mama owl gave you?"
I really was starting to hate this bird. She was high and mighty, she was. My mother always called me her Angel, but my mother was gone, left to meet the real angels, for all I knew.
"Oh, give it a rest, Deborah. If she says her name is Angel, it's Angel. Don't pester her." All the owls where looking at me now. Deborah rolled her eyes and sighed.
"Well then, Angel, I hope you love your stay here. I really do." She flashed an evil smile and flew off, leaving me to tuck my head under my wing and feign sleep until Hagrid came to pick me up.
I woke up to two large hands grabbing me. Startled, I started hooting loudly and waving my wings like a madman. Madowl? Madbird?
"Woah there! Calm down, I'm just here ter pick ye up," a gruff voice said. I turned to see Hagrid, and relaxed.
He smiled and a warm feeling filled me. Hagrid was an old friend of mine, he was always there for me. I saw that Harry was next to him, looking at me in awe. My heart was beating like mad, and I'm sure his was, too. Hagrid put me down on the counter next to an open cage and I walked in. Harry gently closed the door and latched it. Soon, they had 'bought' me, and we were out.
Harry was stammering his thanks to Hagrid, while I looked out with love at the boy who I wanted to do anything to protect. It was so fulfilling to see him again.
"Don' mention it," Hagrid said gruffly. "Don' expect you've had a lotta presents from them Dursleys. Just Ollivanders left now-only place fer wands, Ollivanders, and yeh gotta have the best wand."
I loved wand shopping, it had been one of my favorite parts of my first trip to Diagon Alley. It was the best thing you could ever see. Who needs Muggle comedy shows when you could see first years smash stuff with wands?
We reached Ollivander's. It was a small space, with boxes of wands stacked high to the ceiling. There was no furniture besides for a spindly chair that Hagrid sat on, resting his shocking pink umbrella beside him.
"Good morning," said a soft voice. Harry and Hagrid jumped, Hagrid standing up quickly because he almost broke the chair.
Garrick Ollivander stood before us, his silvery eyes shining like the moon.
"Hello," Harry said a bit awkwardly. I knew how he felt, Mr. Ollivander was indeed intimidating.
"Ah yes," said Ollivander, "Yes, yes. I thought I'd be seeing you soon. Harry Potter."
He examined Harry, a faint smile on his lips.
"You have your mother's eyes. It seems only yesterday she was in here herself, buying her first wand."
Ollivander talked about Harry's parents and I felt an empty nostalgic feeling engulf me. I hardly knew my parents, but what would their first wands be like? How would they find the wand that was perfect for them? I had many questions, but I had to snap myself out of my trance when a stream of red and gold sparks brought me back to reality. Hagrid whooped and clapped.
"Oh, bravo!" Ollivander cried, "Yes, indeed, oh, very good. Well, well, well… how curious… how very curious…"
He muttered while putting Harry's wand into it's case.
Harry asked the question that was on my mind, "Sorry, but what's curious?"
Mr. Ollivander looked at Harry with his pale eyes as he said, "I remember every wand I've ever sold, Mr. Potter. Every single wand. It so happens that the phoenix whose tail feather is in your wand, gave another feather," Ollivander paused, "Just one other. It is very curious indeed that you should be destined for this wand when its brother… Why, its brother gave you that scar."
Ollivander diverted his eyes to the wand as he continued, "Yes, 13 and a half inches. Yew. Curious indeed how these things happen. The wand chooses the wizard, remember…"
Ollivander's voice got even quieter, which I didn't think was possible. It had a strange way of carrying through the room despite the volume, "I think we must expect great things from you, Mr. Potter… After all, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named did great things - terrible, yes, but great."
I saw Harry shiver. He paid for the wand and we left.
The sun hung low in the sky as we made our way down Diagon Alley, to the Leaky Cauldron, down to the underground trains. Hagrid and Harry had a bite to eat, and we climbed on the train back to the Dursleys. Hagrid told Harry all the details, even though I was sure he was missing something, and Apparated away, leaving me and Harry to endure the next month together.
It was a long, slow month. Even though I was allowed out of my cage for the most part, and I never had to look at those awful Dursleys, I could still feel their suffocating presence of hate all around me, from the way Harry continued to look malnourished, to the taunting jeers you could hear from outside the bedroom door, coming from Dudley's rats nest of possessions.
Still, Harry was kind. He fed me scraps from the dinner table, and the water in my bowl was always fresh and clean. He had decided to name me Hedwig off of a name he had read in his History of Magic textbook, enough to put me asleep, sure, but he was fascinated by the names and places of wizarding history. I couldn't blame him, when you really started to get past names and dates, history could be fascinating
One of the most heartbreaking things about sharing a room with Harry was the calendar on the wall. It looked like something Dudley had discarded, because he certainly wouln't have wanted it. Each month was a different set of kittens. Harry didn't seem to mind, but the real heart breaker was the calendar part, the part with the days and weeks. Harry was counting down the days he would get to Hogwarts, where he would get to be in a place with so much possibility and so little Dudley Dursley. Every night, he would cross off another day and stare wistfully at the last day on the calendar, the last day he had to spend with the Dudleys until next summer.
Chapter 10! *streamers and stuff* We have way more to go, so just you wait, just you wait. Don't forget to comment and share and name your first born child after one of our characters. Thanks for reading!