Error, Errol, Error
Hermione lay on her bed reading. Around her room boxes were still stacked. Many questions ran through her head about what the future would hold for her. She remembered that many, in the end, had died. She and Ron had been talking about their futures would hold and whether or not Harry would get together with Ginny again. They were then a couple, but it truth, they had still been arguing. Then the time rewind happened.
A computer sat on her desk, one of the first things to be unpacked as it was heavy. Her parents had more trust with her then they did with her little sister in matters of computers. Plus, she was older and never had found other children to befriend. They were worried that she was going into herself. So they were quite pleased that she had already made friends.
A tap was heard at the door frame and Hermione looked up to see her sister Elizabeth. "What is it that you want Lizzy?"
"I want to use the computer to check my e-mail. I need you to unlock the password for the internet." The other girl stated. She glared through her hazel eyes. She had the same color of hair as Hermione. The only difference was that it was straight. Elizabeth smiled at her sister, reminding her that she didn't have the beaver teeth. They had once been close. Then those books had come out. "And don't call me Lizzy. It's the same as Liz."
Hermione put her book down and got up and turned on the computer. She then typed in the password. Elizabeth went and peeked over her shoulder. "Could you hurry up. I gave people my e-mail at school. Plus ... my old friends still have it."
"Didn't they say some nasty things because I am your sister?" Hermione stated, remembering the angry E-mails that had come through to her sister. Elizabeth had cried for a couple of days.
"Some ... may change their minds."
"I hope for your sake they do. But if they don't ... "Hermione didn't get to finish as her sister interrupted her.
"Don't say I deserve better. They were ... are ... the best friends ever. It is you, not me that is the problem sis,"
"Just like it was Harry's mother's fault for the relationship between her and her sister. " Hermione didn't want the relationship with her sister to end up like that. Before it had been her sister just not wanting to believe. Now it was something else. "There ... your on the internet. Behave ... and if I leave the room, you have to get off. Those are the rules."
"Whatever."
Hermione just shook her head. It was then that she heard a huge thump from outside her window. Both girls looked up to see that a ball of ragged grey feathers had hit the window to the room. Elizabeth screamed and Hermione dashed to the window. She opened the window to find a stunned Errol there, his wings spread apart. She scooped u the poor owl into her arms.
"Hermione ... mother will kill you. You don't know where that ... thing ... has been." Elizabeth was backed against the desk. "I'm going to tell."
Hermione shook her head. "I'm just going to go outside and release it."
Hermione hurried out the door to head to the front door. She then remembered that Elizabeth wasn't allowed on the internet without supervision. It was then that the power went off in her room and she heard a squeak come from her sister. A small smile came onto her face. As she went out the front door, she called out to her mother that the wiring in her room may be wacky.
She then began to hurry down the street. She wasn't sure what to do. Errol, he never was in condition to fly again after he flew as he was old and he also always hit very hard whatever he flew into. That meant she had to find something to do with him until he could recoup or the Weaslys could get him. She glanced at him carefully and saw a letter attached to his leg. She removed it and continued walking.
Dear Hermione,
This is Ron Weasly. Do you remember Hogwarts? We're all wondering if you do. If you don't, then your probably wondering what this is all about, aren't you? But anyways, we're all fine. We're one big happy family again, all of us here. Everyone's the same.
We've tried to get in touch with Harry, but we haven't been able too. Mum's frantic with worry about the two of you. Especially since you aren't just underaged now, but also at the age before you go to school. Plus, no one around you knows magic as you both live with Muggles.
Mum wants to know if you could meet us at Diagon Alley this Sunday. Fred and George start this year and they are needing to get their new supplies, while Percy and Charlie need to get new stuff too. As new as they can get. If possible, meet us there. Maybe Harry too.
- Love Ron
P.S. We need to talk about the future.
Hermione almost crumpled the letter. Ron was still going on about discussions of the future. Every time they had tried to talk, they fully disagreed. And how exactly was she get to London from where she was. She wasn't paying attention and suddenly crashed into someone causing them to drop what they had in their arms.
Hermione glanced up and saw Ai, Irumi's twin brother. He was reaching down to pick up a sketchbook. Hermione saw a picture of a monk and thought for a bit that it looked somewhat familiar, but Ai had closed the book before she could inspect it some more. Ai glanced up to see that it was her. "I apologize for crashing into you."
She watched as Ai reached out and tapped Errol on the head. She shook her head at him. "I don't understand your signs. I haven't been around you long enough."
Again Ai repeated the tap on the owls head. Hermione frowned at the boy elfling. "I am quite sure that Errol doesn't like having his head tapped on. "
Ai tilted his head and nodded slightly. Hermione couldn't tell if he'd gotten what he wanted from her, if he agreed with her or both. He then raised his arms, bending the elbows at his waist and holding his arms outward at his shoulders. He flapped his hands a few times. Hermione just shook her head as he began to lower his arms. He then made a sweeping motion with his arm and tilted his head to look skyward. He then pointed a finger at Errol.
Hermione then nodded her head. She thought she knew what he wanted. "You want to know where he came from and why I have him?"
Ai nodded his head.
Hermione sighed. "He is a messenger owl. Those in the wizarding world ... they use them ... much like messenger pigeons."
Ai nodded his head acknowledging that he understood.
"A friend sent me a letter. Errol ... he is old and tends to crash. I can't keep him at my home, so I am trying to figure out what to do." Hermione startled when she saw Ai point to Errol then himself. "You ... you would take care of Errol for me ... until he can go home to his family."
A pleased smile spread on his face. He held out his arms. Hermione gently placed Errol into the elflings arms. "You promise to take good care of him."
Ai nodded his head and took off, giving her a thumbs up and waving his hand. He was still smiling as he disappeared. Hermione wasn't worried. She had read in the books and knew that Elves took great care in keeping their promises. Elflings, they should be no different from the adults.
Author's Note - Well, I read the seventh book. Many things happened like I hoped. Somethings ... didn't. But that's to be expected. I wasn't happy with the epilog though. I found it ... lacking. So, here I am not using it ... well ... not in it's full extent. When it comes to me using it, you'll understand. And ... for those who havn't read the seventh book. Please do. I will try to forwarn you when I begin to work things in, but I can't garantee it.