Chapter 2
Eve had only apparited a few times before and it always felt the same. When it begins there is this pulling sensation coming from the stomach pulling back and it feels like being sucked through a tube. The process doesn't hurt or anything just feels weird, although the first time most would feel and do vomit.
'When the feeling stopped I could tell we were no longer at home because of all the noise. Our home is much more relaxed than the busy ways of Diagon Alley. It seems every time we come here there are always people around. I do like going to Diagon Alley and looking at some of the shops. Whenever we come I always make it part of my plan to run by Eeylops Owl Emporium to see a special fully black owl, sitting in the window', she thought. Every time she comes by the shop the owl is still there. However, Eve had things she needed to do before she visited her favorite owl.
"Ok, so were to first?" Eve asked her brother when they started to walk.
"Hmm, well I'd say we should stop at Gringotts to get some money to pay for everything we are getting for you today," Jon told her. They walked down the packed alley towards the bank so they could get started.
...
When they apparited to Diagon Alley, they had popped right in front of the entrance of The Leaky Cauldron that some use to get in from the muggle world. 'From where we came in I can see Gringotts in front of us. We walked past many shops that where on the left like Potage's Cauldron Shop, Eeylops Owl Emporium, Wiseacre's Wizarding Equipment, and Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour; on the right Slug and Jiggers Apothecary, Quality Quidditch Supplies, Stationary Shop, Flourish & Blotts, and Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions that was next to the bank. We reached the bank after the short walk and entered through the front doors. The walk there took some maneuvering because there were plenty of people there shopping for the new school year and other miscellaneous things. Once we were inside we walked towards the desk that stands the highest in the back. The goblins that work in here have always kind of creepied me out. The way they look and how mean and greedy they are don't help,' Eve thought to herself.
When they reached the end Jon pulled out the family vault key and got the attention of the goblin sitting at the front desk.
"Hello, we would like to make a withdrawal," he said to him.
"Ah, your name?" said the goblin. He looked down his crocked nose at us from his high seat behind the desk.
"Night," he replied.
"And do you have your key Mr. Night?" the goblin asked setting down his quill.
"Yes," Jon said as he pulled it out of his left side pocket, in his cloak.
"Follow me," he said. They followed him down a hall way that eventually opened into a cave like hall. The goblin walked to one who was sitting in a cart that would take them to the vaults.
"Sit in here. Take them to vault 196," said the goblin as they sat down in the seats.
"Thank you," Jon said to the retreating goblin. He nodded his head in response. The goblin already seated started the cart thing and it started to move rather fast down a track. They made a couple turns here and there, went up and down a few times till the cart came to a stop.
The goblin said to Jon and Skye as they stopped, "vault 196." He got out and said, "lamp please." Jon gave him the lamp, helped Eve out of the cart, and followed her and the goblin to the big rock door. It was one in a long line in the wall of doors and columns, making up this section of the bank. Having given the goblin the key when they got into the cart, the goblin opened a camouflaged key hole and put the key in it. He turned the key and stepped aside as the door started to swing open.
During this time Eve was thinking, 'I always found it interesting when we came to our vault. I know it's the safest place for our money but I wonder how many witches and wizards use it to.' Jon had already walked in, pulled out two bags of different sizes—one smaller than the other—and started putting some in the bags.
"Why are you filling two bags?" Eve asked as he finished with the bigger of the two bags.
"Well, one is for all your school supplies we are buying today and the smaller bag is for you. Mom and I thought it would be good if you had some money to spend while you're there. I remember using some myself when I was at school," he said to Eve closing the small bag and putting both in his cloak.
"Oh ok, thanks Jon. I'll thank mom as well when we get back," Eve replied while they walked back to the cart. The goblin closed the door and handed the key back to Jon.
Jon said to the goblin on the ride back to the entrance, "thank you." The goblin in turn nodded back. The goblins don't talk much even to themselves it would seem.
Five minutes later they were leaving the bank and headed to the first shop next the The Leaky Cauldron entrance.
"Ok first we need 1 pewter, standard size two cauldron. We will get that at Potage's Cauldron Shop," Jon said after handing back Eve's school list.
"Ok let's get to work," Eve said back. She looked up at her brother smiling happily that the next part of her life had finally started.
...
After forty-five minutes they had visited three shops and Eve started to walk towards Eeylops Owl Emporium when her brother stopped her.
"Not yet, that will be the last place on the list," said Jon.
"Why, I know I want to get an owl and which one I want already?" Eve said turning to her brother.
"I don't think your owl will like being carried to all the other shops we have to visit today. So, we will go there last or at least I will when you go get your wand. Getting a wand can take a minute and Mr. Ollivander will tell you about the wands in our family. Then you will try some till you find yours. I also know which owl you want so I will probably be faster than you," Jon said to Skye after directing her towards Wiseacre's Wizarding Equipment.
"Ok, that makes sense. Let's go get me a telescope and can I get a new hourglass? When a letter was delivered a week ago the owl flew through my window and knocked it down and broke it," She asked her brother while walking inside.
"Yeah, mom told me so I made sure I got the money we need for it," he said while walking through the shop looking for what they need. "Although, I do understand why mom didn't repair it, that was an old hourglass that wasn't really working right anyway."
After getting what they needed from the shop they walked to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions to get Eve's robes.
Jon looked at Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour and asked Eve, "So after we finish with all the shopping today, if we have time, do you want to get some ice cream?"
"Yeah, I would love to have a hot-fudge sundae," she replied.
Thirty minutes later Eve, laden with parcels from all the shopping, was walking towards Ollivanders to get her wand when her brother stopped her.
"Ok you go get your wand and I'll be back in a minute with your owl," Jon said to her.
"OK, see you in a bit," she replied smiling and went inside the old shop. Eve walked in, observing her surroundings. The shop was very old and dusty. There were so many shelves filled with boxes and boxes of wands, they looked to be the only thing holding up the two-story shop. She walked up to the counter and taped the bell there. She heard him walking before she saw him come around a shelf to her right.
"Well hello there. You are here to get your first wand. By the look of you I'd say you are from the Night family. I heard they had a daughter whose name was?" Mr. Ollivander said to Eve, matter-of-factly, when he saw her.
"Um yes, it's nice to meet you. I'm Eve," she said a little surprised. She didn't expect him to know that much about her.
"Well let's see all of your family have similar wands. Ah here we are, and now the search begins," he said while walking up and down the aisles. He pulled a box from a shelf and walked to her. He opened it and bent it so she could get the wand from the box. She waved it towards a vase of flowers that immediately wilted. Ollivander didn't even stop to question it, just kept going. They did this for a few minutes looking for the wand that would choose her. Meanwhile her brother just left the other shop with Skye's favorite owl – a black Great Horned Owl.
Eve was starting to worry they would be here forever trying to find it, with the pile of wands on the chair next to her, but then he handed her one that she waved towards the vase with the flowers she wilted earlier, as soon as she did that they came back with more life and color than before. As Eve watched on the small vase of flowers grew into large vibrant blood red roses.
"Ah, I knew I was getting close," he said taking it back. "Ebony is used by all of your family but you have a Vine wand. That's why it took so long. The core is unicorn. Out of all of your family only you four have unicorn hair in the core, the rest of the family all have dragon-heart string cores. I would say the only difference in your wand would be its type, personality, and design. This wand is 9 inches and slightly plaint."
The design of the wand started at the bottom of it and reached to the middle. The reaching design was of vines with leaves attached to them every so often. The wand itself was a light fresh color making it hard to even see the design.
He looked it over and started to tell her about his experience with these wands.
"Vine wands are among the less common types. I have noticed that their owners are always those witch and wizards who have a vision beyond others and frequently astound those who know them," said, a mesmerized Mr. Ollivander. He had only ever given one other vine wand to someone and a great many things have come from the wizard.
"I really like it, it's perfect to me," Eve said looking at her wand he handed back to her. By the look on Eve's face he could tell they were perfect for each other. During this time, he frequently looked to the roses that seemed to emit their own force from their spot in the corner. The sound of the shop door opening told them someone else had arrived.
"Ah yes, thought I would be seeing you or your mother sometime today. You are also just in time. We have found Skye her wand," said Ollivander to Jon, who had just walked through the door with half of what they bought today including the owl she wanted.
"Well that's good then, I'll pay you and then we can go get that ice cream if you want while you show me it," said Josh.
"Ok, that sounds good to me. Thank you Mr. Ollivander," Eve said as her brother paid and they both walked to the door.
"You're welcome dear and don't forget to treat your wand well. You both have a nice day now," he said after waving goodbye to them.
Jon and Eve left the wand shop and headed to the ice cream shop before they went home with all their purchases. Eve was thrilled with all that had come about today and was about to get more information she didn't know was coming her way.
...
Since they had just gotten all of Eve's school supplies and her owl, they decided to sit outside. They ordered their ice-creams, Eve got a hot fudge sundae and Jon got a vanilla cone drizzled with chocolate and strawberry on top. As they were waiting for their order an old teacher of Jon's walked by them.
"Hey that's Professor Snape! Hey, Professor Snape!" Jon said.
"Are you talking about your potions teacher?" Eve asked watching Jon get excited about this man.
After hearing his name called he stopped walking and looked for the one who called him. He spotted them when he saw Jon waving his hand in the air. He remembered having Jonathan Night as his student for 7 years. Snape thought as he made his way to them, 'Johnathan was a pretty good student and I believe he was in Ravenclaw. He also played on his house quidditch team, he played…. oh, chaser. Looks like he's been shopping with the young girl here, this must be his younger sister.'
By the time Snape had reached their table Jon had moved to a seat next to Eve so she and Snape were sitting across from each other. Jon was thinking that he was so happy Eve would be meeting one of his favorite teachers before she even gets to school. Eve on the other hand was thinking this man looked a little strict and sad. She couldn't come up with a real reason why she thought he was sad but still did all the same.
Only moments after Snape took a seat Jon started the introductions.
"Professor Snape I would like you to meet my younger sister Eve. She will be starting at Hogwarts this year. Eve, this is my old potions master Professor Snape and I think you will like the class as much or even more than I did," Jon said to them.
Professor Snape on hearing this said in turn, "It's a pleasure to meet the sibling of one of my better former students." He was looking at Eve now waiting on what she would say at all of this.
Eve, surprised to have to speak said, "Oh, it's a pleasure to meet you as well Professor. I'm very much looking forward to your potions class and hope to earn some of your approval." After replying Eve went back to finishing up her treat.
"Ah, well yeah, Professor she might be a bit shy but very smart. You know I could remember coming home during breaks and she'd ask to see all my books and stuff. She couldn't wait to go to Hogwarts. So, what are you doing today in Diagon Alley?" said Jon after seeing the coming awkward moment of silence he wanted to avoid.
Snape answered, "Well, intelligence is definitely a quality that your family possess. I will also be waiting for when she appears in the first few days of classes. To answer your question, I'm here to get a few things for myself."
"Oh and what are you here to get?" asked Jon.
"Just a few ingredients I ordered for classes," replied Snape after seeing the owl Eve was fascinated with.
"Oh, yes it seems you're not the only one who fancied this particular owl," Jon said to this. He looked over to see Eve blushing slightly.
"Quiet," Snape said. Snape, now with nothing to do in Diagon Alley anymore, because he had just left the apothecary shop saw his need to depart. "It was a pleasure to see you Jonathan and a pleasure to meet you Eve."
"You too Professor," said Jon seeing time was up with him.
Eve said to the departing wizard, "Oh, yes. It was very nice to meet you as well."
So, Professor Snape left the two to apparite in front of the Leaky Caldron to appear on the outskirts of Hogsmead. He was going back to Hogwarts to finish preparing for the coming school year.
Eve and Jon, now done with their shopping, felt it was time to go. Earlier when they first arrived Jon decided they would leave through the Leaky Cauldron entrance to take muggle transportation back home. They only felt the need to do this because of Eve's new owl Hazel. They had spent; having left around 10 and leaving Diagon Alley at 5 and the extra time it took to get home, around 7 hours at Diagon Alley and an hour and half to get home. They reached home only a little over an hour, at 6:30, after their mom did, which didn't upset her in the least.
Within an hour of muggle transport and 20 minutes of walking they were back home safe and sound. They spent all that time talking about wands and potions and spells that Eve would be learning in the coming days.
Eve, now with all her new school supplies, felt the over whelming need to go through it all and pack that very night. Her mother on the other hand had a few different plans about her new things.
"Eve, dear you can look through all of that after dinner. Now come set the table," said Karen. She waved her wand to set the food on the table while Jon was opening Hazel's cage so she could get used to her new surroundings.
"Ok, but can I at least go through it all in the living room?" she asked. Eve didn't want to have to carry all the supplies upstairs until she looked at it all.
"Yes, of course you can now come on, set the table so we can all eat," replied her mother. Jon, having put Hazel's cage down next to the stair case after releasing her, went to the table for dinner.
Karen, already sitting at the table started to poor Lamb stew into some bowls. Eve walked over to one of many drawers and retrieved some spoons. She walked over to the family table that had been passed down through the generations of the Night Family. For the next 15 minutes they sat and ate.
The kitchen was a modest and welcoming room. A wall adjacent to the entrance to the living room had a large hutch filled with dishes, pictures, and other wizardly nick-knacks. On the other side of the hutch was the wall that had a door leading to the front yard. A few feet down from the door, was the counter tops and sink that came out and rounded out the rest of the kitchen around the family table. The Night family table had six chairs, two of which were put away somewhere else in the house. The remaining four were set for the only people who used them. The table was very simple but beautiful in its own way. It was made of mahogany and had a swirling design that went around the entire outer edge of the table. It had its fair share of scratches and others marks.
Finally finished with eating, Eve put her dishes in the sink to be cleaned later.
"Mom, Jon, can we look at what we got today now?" Eve asked with pleading eyes that almost put puppies to shame.
"Yes Eve. Let me put the rest of this stew in the fridge and I'll be right there," said Karen as she started to move. Jon knew how impatient Eve was at the moment, thought ahead.
Jon blurted, "I got it!" With a wave of his wand the remaining dishes and scraps on the table flow to their different places in the kitchen; the remaining stew to the fridge, the used dishes to the sink, where they were cleaning themselves, and a rag wiping off the table.
"Oh, thank you Jon," Karen said lovingly. Now that everything was done in the kitchen everybody had moved to the living room to see what Jon and Eve had bought earlier that day.
Eve was sitting on the floor unwrapping the packages, while her mother sat in her rocking chair and Jon sat on the floor at her feet.
For the next few hours Karen, Jon, and Eve went through her school supplies and talked about what she may expect for her first year at Hogwarts. By the time Eve had finished looking and talking about everything she and the rest of her family could think of that night, it had already gotten very late.
"Alright you two I think it's time for bed. Eve, you can leave your things where they are until tomorrow and then we can organize and pack it then," Karen told Eve as she started to make her way to her room upstairs.
"I agree little one. I'm tired and you're falling over from the looks of it," Jon said to Eve as he stretched.
"I'm not tired," Eve yawned. She was leaning against the couch trying to fight the sleep that was threating to take her at any moment. Jon knowing better got up from his spot across from her and picked her up. He carried her upstairs to their rooms with no complaints from her. He laid her out on her bed, kissed her forehead good night, and left her room shouting the door behind him. About an hour before everyone changed into their pajamas so when they go to bed they wouldn't have to worry about it.
The following day Eve and her brother spent a good bit of the day packing and getting her ready for her first year at Hogwarts. They packed everything they could fit into the new trunk her mother had bought her while they were out earlier.
...
Thanks for reading! I'll get the next chapter up soon, promise. ;)
