"If God loves you, why did he let you leave the house looking like that?" –bumper sticker
Chapter 6
Furious banging on my door woke me. I was startled for a moment and was nearly out of bed before I remembered last night. I smiled happily and snuggled deeper under the covers. I hadn't been able to doge all their pranks, but they weren't long-lived. Those two really were underrated geniuses. I raised bleary eyes to check the time.
8:37 A.M
I groaned and rolled over.
The next time I awoke it was a little after noon. I turned over and blinked to clear my eyes. I was so comfortable here. The bed was warm and not so soft that it was uncomfortable. My blankets had that clean crisp smell that clothes fresh out of the dryer have. I sighed and thought about getting up but decided against it. It was nice to just lie here and think.
What was I going to do? I felt alone. I didn't have anyone left. My mom was dead, my dad was dead...everyone else was a million miles away. I knew the Weasleys were nice people; they were really caught up in this war. They had people to save, Death Eaters to kill. I was a liability. They didn't know me, why should they trust a strange girl like me? I hadn't done anything that proved me trustworthy. I could walk out of this house right now and be the little bird that tells Voldemort what he needs to know.
Tonks had briefly told me about Voldemort and that messy, black haired kid Harry Potter. I'd heard about him in school; it was weird. I mean I'd seen him last night when he tried to rescue me from that rampaging hippogriff but it was a little unreal.
The Order of the Phoenix was a kind of rebel group who warred against Voldemort and his followers, called Death Eaters, with little help from the Ministry of Magic. She had also filled me in on Harry's life. It was intense. I couldn't even comprehend facing the most powerful Dark Lord five times by the time I'd turned sixteen and live to tell the tale. To have experienced what he did and still manage to keep a positive outlook on life was admirable; however, I didn't hold him in awe, he'd simply earned my respect. I knew kids who had lived fates worse than death. They might not have influenced the world or made the history books but they were heroes to me. To have the strength of mind to keep and have hope when all seemed lost...I don't know if I had that kind of will power. I liked to think I did.
I sighed and decided it was time to take my shower.
Maybe I should try being nicer, more open...I dunno. Molly tried to get me to open up to her, to talk to her. Hermione did too. I just, well—I didn't like talking about my life. I liked my privacy and respected those who could take care of themselves and didn't need their hand held. I'm not a very loving person. I wasn't brought up that way.
I'm not going to comfort someone and pat him or her on the back when that person screws up. I'll tell the bawling individual to shut the hell up and learn from it.
I was about ready to gear up when I happened to catch my reflection in the mirror. I gasped and did the classical double take. My skin was bright blue and my short brown-black hair was now a deep red that stuck up all over the place.
I looked like an over grown pixie with my naturally high cheekbones and slightly pointed ears. All I was missing were the wings. As if to mime my thoughts I caught sight two nearly translucent things that protruded from my back.
"What in the world? How–?" I spun around and spotted my conditioner and body soap.
My wings beat feverishly as I let out a frustrated scream. I plopped back down on my bed and took deep breaths as I tried to regain my composure. I sat there for a good ten minutes before I actually began to calm down. I sighed and went to inspect my appearance in the mirror. My teeth glowed a faint bluish color and I scowled. I snatched up my toothpaste and inspected it carefully.
"Bastards! This isn't my toothpaste." I threw it down and crossed my arms. I looked like a giant fairy!
Thanks to a magical operation almost two years ago I even had the sharpened canines, though I don't remember much about the whole procedure. An old friend had talked me into doing it, which at the time hadn't been hard to do. My dad had been livid when I'd come home that day. Later I'd decided that it'd been a stupid idea, but I hadn't known where to go to fix it. The school nurse had tried several times before giving up. She had managed to shorten them a little but they were still unusually sharp and a bit longer than was normal.
I'd gotten used to the odd looks and hesitant questions. The girls at school used to say I was half vampire. The Weasleys had yet to notice it since I never smiled with my teeth.
"Stupid choices you can't fix." I muttered, bracing my hands on the counter as I examined my hair.
I'd gotten a funky looking tattoo that wound up my calf, another excursion from that year. I had no idea what it was. It made me dizzy if I looked at it for too long. It's some kind of twisted rope made out of runes. It had been done by some half-crazed witch with one tooth.
I'd told her to give me something dark, not caring what she gave me.
Stupid, stupid, stupid.
I hadn't watched her and I should have. She'd used some weird method that had burned like hell. I actually passed out from the pain. It had felt like the crusty hag-born strumpet had used a fire poker to do it. That part of my leg felt...different now. My friends had seemed awed by it. I hated it.
I glared at my reflection. I consider myself to be rather plain, at least from the way guys ran from me. Bridget had once told me it was my smart mouth and intense distrust of men. She'd said that I could thank my father for that.
Whatever.
I peered into the mirror again, taking a closer look at my reflection. Yes, all my scars were still there. My body looked like a war zone, the result of years spent interacting with animals. White scare tissue from numerous disagreements with Mother Nature's mobile children decorated my arms, legs, shoulders, and more. I had lotions that helped heal the scars, making them less viable.
All I needed was a sword or a battle axe of some sort and the transformation would be complete.
I smiled slightly at my reflection. Those twins were something else to have come up with this. I hadn't even thought of checking my bathing products.
I rocked my head side to side, thinking. I might as well play the part of a big blue bug since that's what I looked like. I knelt in front of my trunk and dug through my clothes compartment. I had an old Halloween outfit that might do the trick.
"It's almost two! When d'you think she'll come down?" Ginny asked her brothers.
"Dunno. Might stay up there all day."
"That's asking for too much, Fred. Best not get our hopes up."
The twins had woken up this morning with purple feathers implanted in their hair and couldn't seem to stop itching. They also couldn't pull of their underwear from where it rested on their heads, making it seem as if they had red and purple pigtails.
Bill and Charlie had been soaked with ice-cold water this morning. Ginny's hair was standing on end like she'd been electrocuted and Ron had MORON written across his forehead in large black letters that wouldn't come off. All in all, the troops were not in the best of moods. They'd been waiting for Astrid to come down all morning so they could be turned back to normal.
They'd gotten no sympathy from their mother or the other order members who'd come into contact with the twin's pranks. Hermione had shook her head and told them they should have expected as much. Harry had grinned and took a picture. After hearing Harry laugh no one had really been angry. They all knew that lately it was hard to get him to even smile.
"Oh my." Hermione's eyes grew large and she tapped Ron on the shoulder. Harry looked over his shoulder to see what they were staring at.
Astrid had stuck them all as a darkly attractive girl. Nothing special, but whoever was smirking back at their stunned faces was…arresting.
"Morning my beauties." I drawled lazily as I made my way into the kitchen.
I wondered why none of them laughed. You'd think a big blue insect wearing a Tinker Bell outfit would earn a few laughs. Shrugging, I went over to Molly.
"Anything left?" I asked hopefully. She smiled and handed me a sandwich.
"You look different this morning dear. Don't you think that shirt is a little inappropriate though?" I decided not to take offense, she was a mother after all.
"Nope."
"And Merlin! Where did you get those marks?" Molly exclaimed, horrified.
"Animals don't like me." I said flatly.
I heard Ron grumble something and narrowed my eyes before sitting down next to Ginny. She was blatantly staring as a particularly vicious bite mark on my shoulder.
"Nice hair." I said after a moment, not really bothered by the staring…much.
She stuck out her tongue and turned her attention back to her lunch.
"Have a nice shower this morning?" The twins tried to look smug but didn't quite succeed. They were squirming in their seats and their whitey-tighties were still on their heads. I grinned, showing off my blue teeth.
"Yes I did. How about you two?" I directed my attention to Bill and Charlie who had been given directions to stay behind today. Unbeknownst to me, they were to escort their mum to Diagon Alley.
"Hah-hah, very funny Astrid." Bill said sarcastically.
My only response was to take a bite of the sandwich Molly had given me.
"How do you stop this ruddy itching?" One of the twins burst out suddenly. I took another bite of my sandwich.
"Please, Astrid?" Ginny asked, widening her eyes and moistening them. She looked absolutely ridiculous.
I gave her a disgusted look and turned back to my lunch.
"Come on, we'll call it a truce." The twins must have been very irritated indeed to give up so easily.
I'd gotten the impression that they were hard nuts to crack. Must be the itching powder.
"Fine. Ron, to get that off you have to say: I will not smack my lips or chew with my mouth open. Say it seven times."
I turned my head and looked at Ginny. "Drink a couple glasses of water. Fred, George, I believe the counter curse for yours is more physical. It's a dance called The Hokey Pokey." I watched their jaws drop in dismay.
"Oh, also." I paused to relish their horrified expressions. "The important part isn't the words, it's the moves. You must act it out, you two, if you want the underwear to come off. The itching powder is popular with American kids. It's an improvement on the muggle kind. You'll have to bath in tomato juice. I've found a muggle drink called V8 works best." I grinned wolfishly.
"She's mad, barking mad." Ron said.
"Act it out? I've never even heard of it!"
"Bath in tomato juice?"
Ginny didn't have any trouble downing a couple glasses of water. I saw a flash and noticed that the Potter boy had a camera in his hands. Ginny's hair fell down and I heard her sigh in relief.
"Well, it seems Ginny here is the only one who doesn't look like a moron anymore." I soon heard Ron faintly promising to eat civilly.
I snickered. He gave me a murderous glare and grumbled something unintelligible as his mother bustled off to retrieve something from the pantry. I laughed at him and put my plate in the sink. The twins cornered me and demanded that I teach them the Hokey Pokey. I smirked and told them to turn me back to normal.
"We can't. It's a prototype—"
"That's supposed to fade after a few hours."
"So we would change you back—"
"But we can't."
"Then I'm afraid I can't help you. You'll just have to find someone else." I told them firmly. Molly had returned from the pantry, a disapproving frown still on her face.
"Whenever you're ready, Mum." Bill said, stretching in his chair.
"Alright. Might as well, seeing as they're all up and have eaten." Molly tossed down a rag and put one hand on her hip and shook the other at us menacingly.
"I want you all to behave your selves! No more of this horseplay, at least while I'm gone. Is that clear?" The Army looked ready to revolt against their general. Even so, they grudgingly nodded their heads. They were sending poisonous looks at me.
"Yes, Mum. Yes, Mrs. Weasley." They chorused.
"Where are you going?" If she was going to get out of this house I was coming along.
"To Diagon Alley. Fred and George have to leave because of their shop, but the rest of you are staying here." She looked loath to admit that Fred and George could leave and glared at the rest of us.
I considered being left behind with the others and found I didn't like the idea at all. I wanted to get out of this house and maybe see some of the city.
"I want to go." I stood and walked over to her. She shook her head.
"No, I'm sorry my dear. Dumbledore's orders." I shrugged that off. I knew that name held a lot of power around here, but that wouldn't stop me from getting some fresh air!
"I'm coming with you, Molly. No one knows who I am and they'd be hard pressed to recognize me anyway seeing as I'm now a giant blue bug." I said persuasively. Maybe if I gave her a title. She was nice...
"I've never been to Diagon Alley before. Please, Aunt Molly, let me come with you. Bill and Charlie, not to mention the regular cops patrolling the area, can keep us safe. If anything I should go while the rest of you stay here! They know to look for you and it's easy to spot you with that hair." I didn't widen my eyes or stick out my lip because I had a feeling that wouldn't work. Instead I kept a clear face and a soft, persuasive tone.
"Let me come with you, just this once." I could see she was considering it, to my delight and the Army's amazement. Her eyes had lighted up at being called aunt.
"Well…" I saw something in her eyes shift and knew she was still going to say no.
"If Dumbledore gives me permission can I go?" I asked quickly. This seemed to do the trick.
"Oh, alright. But he's a very busy man so I doubt you'll get a chance to ask him."
"Thanks Aunt Molly!" I said hugging her. My wings beat excitedly.
I noticed that Ron was about to say something and I gave him a warning look. He glared at me but snapped his mouth shut. I didn't want anyone to give Molly a reason to not let me go. The last thing I needed was for everyone else protest and demand to come along.
Hermione was frowning at me and Ginny slouched down in her chair. Ron was still giving me an ugly look but nevertheless kept his mouth shut. I had a feeling they were reflecting back on my pranks.
"Who says I have to ask him in person? Can't I just send him a letter by owl?"
"Yes, you could do that too. Now, does anyone have any requests? I have all your school letters right here." She passed out some think creamy envelopes with emerald green writing on them. I recognized them as letters from Hogwarts like the one I'd received earlier this summer.
"Also, you three; you too my dear," Molly said looking at me, "you're O.W.L.'s scores have been included." Hermione let out an excited squeal and dove for her letter. Ron gazed as his apprehensively. The Potter boy seemed to have lost himself in his thoughts. He did a lot of that I noticed. From what Tonks said it seemed he had a lot of guilt riding on his shoulders.
An indignant sound from Hermione drew my attention.
"I can't believe them! Look at my Astronomy score. They should have taken certain events into consideration!"
"But Hermione, you got an O in Arithmancy, History of Magic, Care of Magical Creatures—" Ron had snatched her scores from her and was giving her an incredulous look.
"Yes, but that's not the point, Ron!"
"You got twelve O.W.L.'s. How can you be upset with your Astronomy score?"
"Well what did you get?" She grabbed Ron's paper and I saw her face brighten considerably. "This is brilliant, Ron. Really! Eight O.W.L.'s, what did you get Harry?"
"Same as Ron." He said, handing her his paper. I watched her twitter over them for a couple more minutes before quietly grabbing my own letter and heading up to my room.
"What did you get?" Ginny asked me, rolling her eyes as Ron's ears turned red under Hermione's praises.
I gave her a polite smile and shrugged.
"Oh, well, alright then. See you." She said, her smile faltering.
I nodded and left. Watching those three together had reminded me of home—everyone I'd left in America that I probably wouldn't see for some time. It was very expensive to buy a portkey that would take me home. The American Ministry had grudgingly paid the fee for me to come here seeing as it was the law that I had too. Not to mention that I'd told that stupid idiot that I was certainly not paying for something I didn't want to do.
"Great. Homesickness. Just perfect." I shut the door behind me and sat on the floor.
I sat there thinking about my friends and how excited they would be over their test results. I imagined them squealing in delight, calling me up, sending an owl, even traveling by the floo network.
"This sucks." I sighed and opened my letter, remembering how Ron had almost ripped his in half. My eyes scanned the note and then became wide in surprise.
"Merlin!" I checked again to make sure it was right.
Classes
Theory
Practical
Charms
O"
O"
Herbology
E
E
Magical Animal Care
A
D
The Dark Arts
O"
O"
Transfiguration
O"
O"
Astronomy
A
A
Potions
O"
O"
History of Magic
A
A
Arithmancy
A
A
Ancient Runes
E
E
"Grading is as follows…blah, blah, blah…Aha!" I scanned the sheet and the mark beside the grade apparently indicated an honorary mark.
I scowled at my Magical Animal Care score. According the grading scale, that score didn't qualify as an O.W.L.
Animals hate me, I don't know why. Ever since I was a little girl I've had to watch my step and make sure I wasn't going to get eaten by the neighbor's dog or get rabies from a stray cat. The more disconcerting ones were covered up with Concealment Potions.
I scanned the rest of the letter and grinned. My honorary marks had made up for my lesser scores, totaling my points to equal ten O.W.L.'s.
I smiled broadly and let out a little whoop before putting the letter on my night stand. I decided I had better send an owl to that Dumbledore guy. I scribbled out a quick note and promptly realized that I didn't have and owl. Nonplused, I opened my door and whistled. I might not be able to sing but I did pride myself on my mimicry. Birdcalls were easy to copy and were one of the few animals that liked or at least tolerated me.
A little gray tennis ball came hurtling towards my head. I gently snatched it from the air and cooed to it. I coaxed it to accept the note before sending it off.
I waited in my room for a reply, leaving the door open just in case. I didn't have a window to let the bird in through. I sat down on the floor again and stared around my room. My gaze settled on the bookshelves and I remembered the books Roy and his wife had given me before I'd left.
"Lets see." I lugged all them off the shelf where I'd left them. I hadn't really paid them any attention, leaving them for later inspection. There were eight total in the stack. I ran my fingers over the covers, patting the dust from some of them. My eyebrows rose in astonishment as I read the titles.
"Where did she get these?" I glanced sharply at my door and decided that leaving it open wasn't such a good idea. Coming back from shutting the door, I picked up my books and tossed them on the bed. I placed them so I could read their tittles, if they had any.
To become an Animagus by Lynn Crowe, The Darkest Arts, Secrets of the Mind, and the small leather backed volume I'd found behind the other books I'd snatched off the shelf were lying in front of me. The last one Bridget had given me didn't have a title.
I flipped open the other book, looking for a title page or a table of contents. I smiled softly as I began to read a note Bridget must have wrote in before I left.
Hello Astrid,
I suppose you're wondering where I got all these books, or why I gave them to you. Well, fact of the matter is that they were your mothers. She and I were good friends and she often came by to pick up a book or two, much like you. I've had these for a long time and with you moving away I decided it was time they were returned. You'll always be able to call on Roy and I if you ever need anything. You were the granddaughter we never had and we couldn't be prouder of you. You do look so much like your mother, though she was never so saucy. Well, I'd best be off.
Your loving Grandmother,
Bridget
I laughed weakly as I read the letter. It sounded so much like Bridget it seemed she was in the room with me and not a whole ocean away. I'd known them for so long. I remember their excitement when I'd first walked into their little bookstore to buy my schoolbooks. They really had treated me like I was family. Dad didn't talk about mom. He'd shut up like a clam every time I asked. I guessed it was painful for him. The only time we ever spoke was when he was ordering me around like some worthless house elf, or arguing. We had not been a happy family.
"Well. That was touching." I sniffed and flipped through the book.
I frowned. All the pages were blank. I flipped back to the front. Slowly, I turned the first page, then the second. There, on the bottom left hand corner there was a faint scribble that I couldn't quite make out.
I leaned closer to the book, my nose almost touching. "Guh-heem-seet…what?" I tried to sound the word out a couple more times before finally giving up.
"Huh." I shrugged and tossed it back on the bed.
I browsed through the other books. They were all really old and the authors were unknown on a couple of them. The most surprising thing was that all of them were handwritten. I propped open Dropped Your Wand? and began to read. I soon found myself gaping. It was a guide on wandless magic!
I inhaled sharply as I read the introduction. Apparently not everyone could perform magic without the aid of a wand. Some wizards and witches could do little things like opening doors and the like, but usually you could or you couldn't.
A tapping on the door startled me. I jumped off the bed and threw a blanket over the books. I looked around to make sure nothing was amiss. I knew that if someone found me with the book on how to perform dark magic I'd be burnt toast. I straightened my clothes before opening the door. I opened my mouth in greeting but instead got a face full of small owl.
"Yuck, bleh!" I spat out feathers and wiped my mouth, glaring daggers at the energetic owl. It was twittering and flying in a circle at breakneck speed, tremendously pleased with itself.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Just give me the letter." It dove at me.
Growling, I managed to capture it in a choke hold while I quickly untied the letter. It peeped excitedly while I wrestled with its feet.
"There." I tossed the note on the floor and walked back to the door, keeping my hold on the bird. I hurled it down the stairs, chuckling as feathers flew everywhere. It chattered happily and flew around in a whirling circle down the stairs.
"Hey!" I looked down and saw three sets of eyes.
Ron, Harry, and Hermione had been climbing the stairs. Ron's face was turning red, like his ears. I had to act quickly before he blew his top. Still a little sore over the moron incident evidently, totally understandable.
"I didn't hurt the little monster. He'll be fine Ron. Here, watch." I whistled to it and a few seconds later it came flying around the corner. I ducked in time and it went tumbling into my room.
"See? Still works. A little crazy, but there you go. By the way, thanks for letting me use it." I ducked again as if flew towards Ron. He caught it and held it to his chest protectively. I pulled a face at his dramatized action.
"I didn't give you permission to use my owl, and from the way you treat it I'm not bloody likely to—" He began.
What did the boy want from me? I certainly wasn't going to coddle him like the rest did whenever his feathers got ruffled. I wasn't his mother—hell, I wasn't even his friend. I'd thought I'd gone out of my way as it was just by answering him. I had kept my tone, civil and even a little cheery. Narrowing my eyes at him, I dropped all pretenses of being even remotely nice.
"Get a life Ron. I simply called and your bouncing sugar ball answered. Whatever." I went back inside and slammed the door.
I wasn't used to dealing with so many people. I was an only child for crying out loud! Now all of a sudden I had six cousins and an aunt who I'd never met before in my life.
I stopped suddenly, surprised at myself. I'm calling her aunt now?
I thought about Molly for a moment and decided I kind of liked the idea of calling her that. It made me feel closer to her and for the first time since meeting her, I didn't mind it.
Ron's face disrupted my thoughts and I scowled. How was I supposed to deal with this? Like you deal with everything else, I told myself. You cope.
I nodded absently to myself. I'd just have to deal with it. But how? I was quick to snap at somebody and long to forgive. I couldn't change just to make them happier! No, but it would make things easier if I could calm down a bit and be more...tolerant. Especially where that impulsive, ham-fisted, moron was concerned.
Sighing wearily, I picked up the note and scanned it. It was from Dumbledore saying I could accompany Mrs. Weasley to Diagon Alley as long as I took the "proper precautions".
"Okay then." I rubbed my nose and opened my trunk. I found my purse and pulled out some cash. I didn't expect Molly to buy my things, that wasn't her job. Besides, they looked a little short on money. There was only one reason I worked during the holidays, and that was for spending money.
"I'll have to stop by Gringotts." I shoved the money in a small wallet and went to pull on a jacket.
"Aw, shit." It wasn't gonna happen. My wings prevented me from wearing anything remotely warm.
I'd just have to ask Molly to place a Warmth Charm on me. I thought for a moment and wondered if she'd even allow me out of the house. I glanced in the mirror and tried to think of possible solutions.
I was wearing a modest enough skirt. I mean the slit up the side was a bit risqué, but so what.
"Nah, if it was allowed at school there shouldn't be a problem." I grabbed some socks that were high enough to hide that cursed tattoo and pulled on some waterproof combat boots. I'd heard London weather was cold at the best of times.
I debated on leaving my wand behind but decided against it. While it might be illegal to use magic, there was no telling when some sort of emergency came up. Number one rule in all magical defense books: never go anywhere with out your wand. With that in mind, I thumped down to the kitchen.
"Let's go." I showedMolly the note.
"Very well. I want the rest of you to clean the dinning room. It's becoming too crowded in here. Ginny, go tell your brother. I love you all. Be good." She pointed sternly at the twins who were busy waggling their arms and feet.
They'd evidently found someone to teach them the Hokey Pokey.
"You put your left hand in and you shake it all about…" They looked like they were enjoying themselves actually. Fred rolled his eyes as George happily and enthusiastically started in on the right leg.
I followed Molly into the hallway, Bill leading and Charlie trailing behind.
"I tried to put on a jacket but nothing else will fit with these wings. I'm glad I had this backless thing or I probably be stuck in my room all day." I hadn't realized that till I said it. Yes, the twins certainly deserved the itching powder.
"Would you mind putting a Warmth Charm on me?"
"Yes, that's fine dear. Charlie?" Charlie nodded and tapped his wand on my head. I immediately felt warmer. This house was cold!
"Good. Now, Astrid, put this on." Molly handed me a piece of string with what looked like a paper clip on it.
"That's an emergency portkey. If anything happens all you have to do is grab this. The word is Pigwigeon." I looked at her curiously.
"We had to think of a word that's usually not said in normal conversation. Ron's bird was the best we could come up with." Bill said.
"Oh." I pulled it over my head.
"Yes, and you must stay close. I don't want you wandering off. Under no circumstances are you to leave my side." I tried not to roll my eyes. Did I look like I wanted to be murdered?
"Now, we wait for Tonks to give the signal." A couple minutes went by.
"There it went." I hadn't heard or seen anything. I looked around.
"Another of Fred and George's inventions." Charlie supplied.
"Ah." I said following them out the door.
A small old lady walking a poodle passed us. She had short curly blue hair and was wearing a trench coat. Something about her seemed familiar. I watched her closely as she passed. She turned towards me and I smiled.
"Tonks?" I hissed quietly. I remember her telling me about her unusual ability last night. Metamorphmagi could change their appearance at will; they were really rare.
Tonks pretended not to recognize me and gave me a suspicious look. "No, I'm sorry, deary. You must have mistaken me for someone else."
"Come along, now." Molly said, leading me away from Tonks and toward a black car.
I shrugged and eased myself into the back seat, careful not to crush my wings. I looked out the window with wide eyes as we drove; it was certainly gloomy and overcast. I really liked the buildings though. I wished I'd brought my camera along. The others laughed at me but I ignored them. A man I hadn't seen before was driving the car. It was weird driving on the other side of the rode, it felt wrong and backwards.
After a while we stopped in front of a shabby looking pub. I followed them inside and out to the back. I was looking over my shoulder at some toothless hags when I bumped into someone as I was walking out.
"Sorry." I said. A handsome guy with a shy smile caught my arm to keep me from falling.
"No problem." I grinned as he walked away, winking at him when looked back. He turned bright red and quickly turned away, embarrassed to be caught looking. I smirked. Charlie scowled at him.
"Keep your eyes in your head. You have to be more careful. Did he plant anything?"
Yeah right.
"It'd be hard to plant anything in here besides what all ready in it." I said bluntly.
"Just stop drooling, cousin, and keep walking. I don't want to have to tell Mum. She might decide you need to hear the Talk. Trust me that is something best avoided."
"Oh please. I've already taken a sex education class, thank you very much. " I said before turning my attention to whatever Bill was doing. He was prodding a stonewall. I was about to ask what the hold up was when the brick wall moved.
It began to shift, the bricks folding away to from an opening that soon grew into a large archway. I was impressed. Behind it wove a cobbled street filled with all sorts of people. I received just as many curious looks as I was giving others. Molly grabbed my arm to make sure I didn't wander off. It was nice, this place. The stores were interesting and filled with all sorts of curious items.
What I really liked was that all this stuff was in one place. In America everything was scattered about to throw off the muggles.
"I asked Dumbledore to send the school list with your O.W.L.'s because I knew it would be safer to get those things now than later." Molly pulled out a list and directed us over to a store called Flourish and Blotts. It was a huge bookstore, ten times larger than Roy's little shop.
"I brought my own money with me, Aunt Molly. Don't feel obligated to buy me anything."
"That isn't necessary dear—"
"I insist. The only thing I have to do is run by Gringotts to exchange my money."
"Very well. Perhaps we can stay here while Bill takes care of that for you."
I shrugged and handed Bill the cash I'd stuffed into my boot.
"Alright, I'll be right back." He disappeared with a crack.
"Here, dear. This is your school list. I'll be over there." She pointed to the used book section. I perked up at that.
"I'll go with you. I like a good bargain. Why pay more for a new one when you can get the same thing for a better price?" I said, a little perplexed. She'd seemed a little ashamed. I must have imagined it because she laughed and grabbed me around the shoulders in a hug.
"Hey, hey! Watch the wings."
"Sorry, dear. Now let's see." We hunted and searched for all the books, exploring the shelves and small discount racks. After Molly grabbed Ron and Ginny's books she went over and gathered up Harry's and Hermione's along with whatever books they'd requested.
"What classes did you decide to take?" Bill asked after he'd returned from Gringotts with her exchanged money.
"I dunno."
"Well, you do know that you only buy the books for what classes you decide to take, right?"
"Sure." I scratched my head. What classes did I want to take?
"In sixth year you're pretty much deciding where you want to go in life. You'll be studying for the N.E.W.T.'s that you'll take seventh year. Didn't you talk to anyone about a career?"
"Not really." I had an idea of what I wanted to be but… "What do you do?"
"I'm a Curse Breaker for Gringotts. Charlie there works with dragons in Romania. Dad works for the Ministry, Fred and George beat their own path and started a joke shop."
"I think I'd like to do whatever Tonks does. No, I'm positive that's what I'll do." I said, tapping my chin.
"Become an Auror? Well, you'll need top marks for that." He seemed to hesitate. "Like an O in Potions, Charms, Transfiguration, and Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"Which I have." I said arrogantly. I was proud of my grades and couldn't help feeling a little smug.
"Right. Well then you should get these books here." He pointed to some books on my list. I gave him an incredulous look.
"That's it? Those are all the books I'll need?"
"Yep."
I was silent for a moment. "But—I—are you sure? Because I've already read those ones and I'm sure they're somewhere in my trunk...alright, I guess I'll just browse." I walked off feeling a little disappointed.
I couldn't believe those were the only books I would need for class. I knew I didn't need to review any of the books either. I have a knack for magic. It comes easily. The teachers at the Salem Institute used to say that such talent was being wasted on someone with such a disagreeable disposition. Apparently I was ill-tempered, disrespectful, and academically lazy. I smirked. My O.W.L. scores seemed to suggest otherwise.
Immensely satisfied with this revelation, I decided to buy some more books. I don't consider myself a bookworm, I just like to know how to do things so I never have to ask.
Taking my time, I dug through the cauldrons filled with musty textbooks and old paperbacks. I picked out a couple slim volumes that looked interesting. One had an interesting snake skin design of the cover while the other was simply added on impulse. Who ever said you couldn't judge a book by its cover? Not me.
I gave my things to the clerk so I could join Molly at the door.
"I'm sorry, only wizards are allowed to purchase spell books. Please leave; you're preventing customers from making their purchases."
"Pardon?" What was he, some kind of sexist pig?
"I will have to alert security if you do not leave now. It's a direct violation of Ministry law for us to allow you to leave here with these books." The clerk was maybe a little younger than Charlie and had a pompous air about him.
"I don't think you understand. You will allow me to purchase those books or I will personally ensure that you no longer have a job here. Do I make myself clear?" I snarled.
"You are in no position to threaten—"
"Damn right I am! Where's the manager?"
"I am the manager!"
"Fine then! Just get me someone who can fire your dumb ass!"
"JERRY! I have a situation here—"
"Situation! I'll give you a situation!" Lucky for him Charlie restrained me.
A good thirty minutes went by before I was allow to leave with my books, free of charge, which I scathingly informed them was the least they could do. I hadn't forgotten that I looked like a giant blue fairy, I just wasn't aware how convincing mycostumewas. In the end, it had all been a misunderstanding.
Though I couldn't resist the urge to remind him that by law this book store should have a detection spell placed upon it that would alert the employees if a non-wizard or witch tried to purchase a spell book of any kind. Roy had mentioned such a thing to me once.
"Stupid British snob. Can't tell the difference between a witch and a fairy. See if I ever come here again." I tossed over my shoulder.
I continued to blacken his name further as we finished the rest of our shopping. I bought some plain black school robes off the half off rack and then left. I made Charlie pay whenever it was time to leave. I didn't want to go through the same thing twice.
We were walking down the street when I caught sight of the Magical Menagerie. I debated if there was any point in trying to find something that wouldn't bite my hand off. I decided there was.
Despite my intense dislike for animals, a small childish part of me refused to admit defeat. One of these days I'd find a pet that wouldn't hate me.
"Aunt Molly?"
"Hmm?"
"Can we stop by the Magical Menagerie, please?"
"Well, let me see. Bill, what time is it? Oh, all right. That's fine as long as you're quick about it. Your choices are a cat, a rat, or a toad. Anything else will have to be run by the Headmaster."
I went inside with Charlie while Molly waited outside with Bill.
A witch was sitting behind the counter, muttering and scratching herself as she glared at a dull looking bird that seemed very pleased with its self.
"Welcome to the Magical Menagerie. Can I 'elp you?" She asked, still glaring at the bird.
"Uh, yeah. I'm looking for a pet that I can take to Hogwarts. I was thinking about some kind of feline." I informed the frumpy little witch.
I figured I could use the school owls if I needed one and rats were nasty creatures; toads were useless and tacky. I vaguely remembered a bandy legged cat with a squashed face running loose back at Number 12 and hoped the two cats would get along.
"Right then, this way." She clamored between cages and cages of all different sorts of squeaking, screeching, spitting, and cursing animals. I stared as one particularly nasty bird covered in grime gave me the finger as I squeezed by.
"'Ere we are. There are all kinds o' cats in this area. Just holler if y'need anything." She left muttering about what she'd like do to a certain bird when she got back.
"Thanks." I took off down the row with Charlie, peeking into jars, boxes, and cages as I went. I had to back up or stand up quickly a few times to avoid injury.
There were color-changing kittens, barking cats, cats that shrank and grew, singing cats, and more. I was backing away from a Cheshire cat that looked a lot like the cat off Alice and Wonderland, when I heard a pitiful meow behind me that caught my attention. Inside a wooden box on the highest shelf—naturally—I could just glimpse a tuft of silky black fur.
"Charlie, what do think's in that one?" He stood up from where he'd been examining a fire breathing feline. I'd totally bypassed that row.
"Dunno. Why don't you ask."
"Hello, ma'am? MA'AM? I would like to know what's in this small crate here!" I yelled over all the noise the animals were making. I waited a couple seconds before trying again.
"I hear ya, I hear ya!" The frumpy little witch had arrived. She stood back, looking doubtfully up at the box.
"I don't think you want 'im Miss. He's not a very, ah, pleasant thing."
"So? I didn't ask you if it was nice. I said I wanted to see it." I raised my eyebrows expectantly. I was still a little touchy after the bookstore. This clerk was a lot smarter than that last one. She knew that the customer was always right.
"Right you are then, Miss. I'll just carry him to the front for ya then." The witch spelled it down and then trotted off, Charlie and I trailing behind.
"Here we are." She placed the crate on the counter top and rapped on it five times. The crate slowly expanded until it was large enough to where I could see through the planks of wood.
"Oh, he's beautiful." I breathed. The little witch looked at me as if I were crazy.
"I thought he was mangy myself. What with all that fur sticking out in all directions, some of it shorter in some places and just missing in other areas? Not pretty. Look here; he's missing his left eye. I don't even remember why I took him in in the first place! When I tried to fix him up 'e about took my 'ead off he did!" She proclaimed dramatically.
Frankly, I thought the woman needed to see and eye doctor. The cat was perfectly healthy. He wasn't ugly at all. He had gorgeous, glossy blue-black fur that looked as fine and soft as baby hair. I reached out tentatively and rubbed his head. No, it wasn't as soft as baby hair; it was much softer.
Intelligent, dark blue eyes surveyed me. I felt as if he were the one making the purchase, not I. He was the size of a regular house cat, but by the looks of him, he could probably eat a house cat. He looked like a small baby jaguar with those sharp claws and talk about fangs! However, all this was nothing compared to his wings. They were stunningly bright white wings that were generously proportioned.
"Charlie, do you think he can fly?" I asked, completely taken. My own temporary wings fluttered excitedly.
"Err…"
The witch laughed. "You must have hit your 'ead this morning, Miss. This hideous thing doesn't have any wings, o' course 'e can't fly."
I was becoming extremely irritated with her frequent interruptions. "How much?"
"I don't know about this, Astrid. Maybe we should ask Mum." Charlie said uncertainly. I shushed him and waved him to be quiet when he opened his mouth again.
The witch sighed. "He's right miss. I shouldn't have let you see 'im in the first place. Now off with ya, I'd better stop you while you're ahead."
"How much?" I repeated, more firmly this time. I was not leaving this store without him.
"Ten galleons." She said smugly. "No one in their right mind would pay so much for that dirty thing. Now, I think you should listen to your friend here, Miss. Where's your mum?" She asked, looking around.
"She's dead." I said shortly. "Five galleons and you've got a deal."
"Fine. But don't you come back 'ere complain' about 'im! It'll be your own fault when 'e tries to take a bite outta ya!" With that she scooped of the money and shooed us out of the store, waving her hands.
A/N:
Sorry for the atrocious accent, I tried.
Sighing resignedly, the author.