Chapter 3
Werewolf Meets the Boy Who Lived
….\~/….
Scars were a fascination in her world. They told stories, made memories, but also hurt you whenever you looked in the mirror. She once remembered a girl that she used to teach, she was so pretty, but when she angered a salamander in class, she was forever scarred. People always whispered to each other when that girl passed and pointed. Those scars ruined her…
Logan…? The scars on her face were going to draw attention. Hopefully, Logan had gone through enough of things like that to be used to it. But something in the back of her mind annoyed her: what if she wasn't used to it? What if people's stares drove her off and made her run away?
McGonagall stared intently down at the frying pan in front of her, breaking the eggs with the spatula. It was surprising that she could cook a decent meal for herself and Logan since she mainly ate the food prepared by the school elves. McGonagall could already see the look on Logan's face when she would be faced with a hundred different dishes. That girl could probably scarf down twenty plates.
The door opened to Logan's bedroom and she came out, rubbing the sleep away. "That was a good nap." she said, walking into the kitchen. The morning sun streamed into the room, making Logan squint. "Or I should say…night's sleep?"
"Miss Wolfram, are you packed?" McGonagall asked, handing the other a plate of food and a cup of milk. Logan nodded with a yawn and walked into the dining room, sitting down in her seat. The older woman followed her and sat in the opposite seat.
"How many classes am I taking and what are they?"
"Well, you're taking seven classes: Transfiguration, Astronomy, Charms, Defense Against the Dark Arts, History of Magic, Herbology, Potions, and Flying lessons. Your exams will be in June."
Logan nodded as she polished off her plate. "You should really slow down when you eat. You could choke." Logan gave the older woman a skeptical look. "If you think this is bad, you should see me at the diner in town." Minerva blinked and resumed eating.
"After breakfast…well, my breakfast, we will leave for Diagon Alley."
"Sweet!"
….\~/….
It was fortunate that Logan had a fireplace. The small pouch of Floo powder was in her pocket and ready to be used. Professor McGonagall and her soon to be student stood in front of the fireplace, staring down at the ashes.
"The fireplace…are you serious?" McGonagall gave her a stern look which Logan was starting to get used to. Logan rolled her eyes back to the fireplace. "I guess you were…well, how are we going to do this?"
Professor McGonagall reached into her robes and pulled the pouch out. "Step in."
"Um…okay?" Logan crouched down into her fireplace. "Hold out your hand." Logan did so and Professor McGonagall dumped some silvery powder into her hand, some escaping through her fingers.
"Now, I want you to throw the powder down and say loudly and clearly: The Leaky Cauldron."
Logan blinked and the other female nodded. The younger girl shouted, "The Leaky Cauldron!" and threw the powder down, gasping when emerald green flames erupted around her and she was gone.
Professor McGonagall sighed and disappeared herself.
The cottage was now empty and would be until next summer. Logan was probably going to have a fit when she would be welcomed by clouds of dust.
….\~/….
The Leaky Cauldron was dark and boring, only small chatter bounced off the walls. The scuffle of chairs was heard as a group of wizards made their way to leave, but turned when green flames roared from the fireplace and in came Logan, sliding to a stop on the floor.
She sat up, groaning as the room spun around, making her head ache as she tried to concentrate. Dust was whirling around her, causing her to cough as she had inhaled some. Logan started to get up as she continued to wave dust particles away from her. She brushed herself off and regained her posture, scanning the room.
Even though the place was dark and shabby, Logan felt an unexplainable warmth throughout her whole body, especially when an old, toothless man smiled at her from behind the counter.
"Well hello, how do you do?" he asked, pausing in his cleaning of the counters. Logan gave a grin, straightening out her plaid button shirt. The man was taken aback by her unusually pointed teeth and his smile faltered. Logan noticed the stares and pressed her lips together.
"Yeah, I get that a lot."
"Miss Wolfram," Logan looked up to see Professor McGonagall scurry in, flustered. "I was waiting for you in the back room's fireplace."
Logan nodded apologetically. "Sorry, I took a left when I should've taken a right." Professor McGonagall gave Logan a baffled look, setting her hand on the younger girl's back. "Come along, we have a lot of shopping to do."
They passed the man, but Professor McGonagall stopped short when he asked, "Care for a gillywater, Minerva?" he asked. Professor McGonagall shook her head, pushing Logan towards him. "I've been asked to escort Miss Wolfram around Diagon Alley so she can get her supplies. Maybe later, Tom…"
Tom nodded, looking at Logan. "Well, I hope you have a wonderful year at Hogwarts." Logan nodded and was pushed towards the back room where a faint commotion of people was heard. And the commotion was behind the brick wall that stood before them.
Professor McGonagall brought her wand out. She tapped the bricks, three up and two across. Logan stared in amazement as the bricks shifted, creating a large gap in the wall, and found herself standing there, welcomed by an even warmer feeling. The stone roads were crowded with men, women, and children of all sizes and shapes. Mothers were pushing their kids around, probably getting last minute supplies and such. Logan could hear the faint sound of owls screeching, cats meowing, and children laughing, some crying.
"Wow…"
Professor McGonagall smiled, pushing Logan into the crowd. "We're going to Gringotts first."
"What's Gringotts?"
"It's a wizarding bank. There, you can withdraw money and treasures beyond belief. Logan, have you ever found a key that won't fit into anything at your home?"
The young girl nodded, bringing her fingers to her neck, pulling at a piece of string. Attached to it was a small key. One time, she had been shivering under her cloak when a small ping sounded. On the ground had been a key and she kept it around her neck at all times in case it came in useful for something important.
"That's your vault key. You'll need it whenever you need any money."
"Alrighty then!"
….\~/….
The building towered over all the others and was the lightest compared to the tanned building further down. Logan grinned happily when she pushed through the huge double doors. Her next expression was a look up awe when many small figures surrounded the place.
"They're goblins, they run the place. Nasty attitudes if you ask me so keep your nose out of places it shouldn't be…and be polite!"
The two walked to the front desk where a goblin sat upon, seeming to sneer at his work as he vigorously scratched his quill against his parchment. He certainly didn't acknowledge their presence which struck one of Logan's nerves.
"Oi," Minerva gasped at Logan's disrespect and placed a firm hand on the other's shoulder. The goblin paused and looked down at them. "Yeah, I'm talkin' to you. It is quite rude when you don't bother to ask how your customers are!"
The goblin's upper lip lifted in disgust and he dropped his quill in his ink bottle, leaning forward so he could get a better look at the two females.
"What do you want?"
Professor McGonagall stepped up, moving Logan behind her a bit. "We would like to make a withdrawal in vault 872. Miss Wolfram is starting her first year and needs to purchase her supplies." The goblin gave a look of disdain at the youngest and snapped his fingers. Another goblin scurried out and stopped beside Logan.
"Yes sir?"
"I need you to escort Minerva McGonagall and this…child to vault 872. They'd like to make a withdrawal."
The other nodded and motioned his hand towards them when he started to walk away. Logan glared up at the goblin, but Professor McGonagall pulled her away, causing Logan to stumble.
"I thought I told you to be polite?"
"You did; I just don't get along with rude goblins."
The professor sighed…she could already the future…Logan getting into numerous detentions because of her smart mouth.
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Logan enjoyed the soft sound of coins clinking together, especially when they were secure in her pocket. Her vault had been glorious with gold and treasures, just like Professor McGonagall stated, and now she possessed some of those riches. Who knew…?
"We're going to Madame Malkin's first."
"Why?"
"Because it's closer."
"That's perfectly logical."
The two walked, trying their best not to be knocked to the ground by impatient parents, but safely made it to a small building with the words: Madame Malkin's Robes for All Occasions etched into the sign that stretched out.
"Well, hello there Professor!" a deep, yet cheery voice said behind them. They turned and Logan had to look straight up at the man for he was a giant.
The other boy was slightly taller than her with a lanky build. He had messy, jet black hair and bright green eyes barricaded by perfectly round glasses. What was strange was that his hair parted just enough to where she could make out a lightning bolt shaped scar.
"Hagrid, this is Logan Wolfram. Logan, this is Hagrid, the gamekeeper at Hogwarts."
Hagrid smiled, "It's very nice ter meet ya, Logan."
"And this is also a new student, Harry Potter." Logan gave a grin. Harry noticed her long canines and was sort of frightened by their gleaming sharpness. It must've been hell when she bit her tongue.
"Off ter get new robes too?" Hagrid asked. McGonagall nodded and turned to Logan. "Why don't you and Mr. Potter go inside and get measured and buy your robes while Hagrid and I wait out here?"
Logan was already opening the door, waiting for Harry who looked a little nervous about going in the shop alone. "Don't worry; I'm here." she said and gave him a grin, letting the door go after he stepped in.
They were greeted by a short, smiling witch who was dressed in nothing but mauve. "Are you dears both for Hogwarts? Another young man is in the dressing room getting fitted as well." The witch which Logan assumed to be Madam Malkin pushed them into the back where a young, pale boy was having his robes fitted by a second witch.
Harry stood up on the stool next to the blonde boy and pulled a robe on where he was immediately being fitted by Malkin herself. A third witch came from the back room and handed Logan a set of robes which she pulled on and the witch started to fit her robes.
"Hello." said the blonde boy. "Hogwarts too?" he asked Harry who replied with a "Yes."
Logan listened to the blonde talk about how his father was over at Flourish and Blotts buying his books as his mother was looking at wands for him. He said something about dragging his parents to look at racing brooms.
The blonde glanced over at Logan and smiled who in return gave a small smile back.
"Know what House you'll be in yet?" he asked, question directed towards Harry.
"No." Logan noticed the helpless look on Harry's face and gave an amused smirk. If she was being asked the questions, she'd feel stupid too.
"I already know I'll be in Slytherin. My whole family's been in Slytherin. My father would be highly disappointed if I was sorted into a House like Hufflepuff…ugh, just thinking about being in that House makes me sick."
There was something about this boy that annoyed her; probably his I'm-better-than-everyone-on-Earth attitude. Or maybe it was his constant glancing over that annoyed her. Either way, she already knew that his kid would have a nice chat with her fist someday.
He looked over at Logan, eyeing her intensely.
"What?" she snapped. The boy frowned, his look reminding her of the goblin from earlier. "I know where you'll be sorted."
"And that would be?"
"Gryffindor. It seems all the poor people go there." He eyed her clothes: patched, dark blue, plaid shirt with the sleeves rolled up to her elbows, showing off her numerous scars. Her jeans were worn with many extensions and lastly, her trainers were second-hand also. She wore wristbands to cover the scars that covered her wrists.
The two glared at each other.
"Don't be mean to her!" Harry said loudly, causing the blonde to jump.
Before the other could defend himself, Professor McGonagall came in. "Are we almost done here?" she asked. The witch that was fitting Logan's robes nodded. "I just need to adjust," She stood up. "The hood…" The fitter was obviously new because she bit her tongue just to concentrate.
"There…that should do it."
Logan jumped down, allowing the fitter to take off her robes and fold them. "Now that we know your size, we can easily find you some robes."
Logan waved good-bye to Harry and left the fitting room.
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"Duck!"
All the wizards and witches in the store crouched down as a Frisbee flew over their heads. It looked like it had fangs which were all the more reason to duck. It snarled in the owner's hand as he threw once more to his friend. Logan stared in fascination as the boys continued to play, but Professor McGonagall ruined her fun by pulling her into the nearest shop.
"Those boys are students at Hogwarts. They'd better enjoy that toy while they can. Those horrible things are prohibited at school." Logan has to wonder why; they looked like fun!
The store was quiet, seeming to block out the crowd outside. A boy was propped up near the front window, a book in hand, reading the contents carefully. Logan's jaw dropped at all the wonderful things that surrounded her and she couldn't help but notice how the pictures moved. Professor McGonagall had already begun searching for the needed textbooks. Logan paced around the store, fingering all the spines.
She traced the spine of one book in particular and smirked, pulling it out.
"Ah, that's one of the textbooks you need." Logan looked up to see Professor McGonagall standing there, other textbooks in her arms. "Are you ready to leave?" she asked. Logan nodded and followed the woman to the counter where they paid for their books and left.
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The bell at the door jingled when they opened it. The walls were covered in small rectangular boxes, brown, white, and black which was something that Logan took notice to very quickly.
No one was at the counter, but two people were looking at wands though. It was the blonde boy from before and what seemed to be his mother because she too had sleek blonde hair that fell around her waist and cold grey eyes that had scanned the many boxes, but now looked to see who the new arrivals were.
"Ah Minerva, what a pleasant surprise." the woman greeted stepping up to the older woman. McGonagall gave her that tight-lipped smile and said, "Narcissa, I would love to chat, but I'm here strictly on business."
The woman named Narcissa looked down at Logan and again, eyed the scars on the girl's face. "You look to be around my son's age." She pushed the blonde boy forward who gave Logan a frown.
"This is my son Draco. He'll be going to Hogwarts as well."
Minerva stood behind Logan with her hands on her shoulders. "And this is Logan Wolfram." she said. Draco narrowed his eyebrows, giving a sneer; Logan gave him a dangerous look of contempt.
"Hello…second-hand loon…"
"Pleasure to see you again…fatuous snob…"
"Ollivander, we are in need of your assistance." McGonagall called out, pulling Logan away from the soon to be argument. A man came sliding in on a ladder; he grinned at Logan which made her raise an eyebrow.
"What?"
He chuckled, climbing off the ladder. "Miss Wolfram, I knew someday that you'd appear in my shop." he said and was already pulling a box from its place. "I remember your mother's wand. Eleven inches, mahogany with a strand of unicorn hair; good with defensive spells." He took a wand out of the box and presented it to her.
Before Logan could do anything, Ollivander snatched it from her hands and gave her a new wand. He took it in mid-wave and put a new wand in her fingers. Sudden warmth filled her fingers, almost running up her hand when Ollivander smiled.
"Your father had the same core and wood, but his was twelve inches. In your hands lies a ten and a half inch, cedar wand with a strand of unicorn hair in the core. He was a powerful caster with a knack for Transfiguration, am I correct." His eyes moved over to Minerva who nodded and his gaze quickly floated back to Logan.
"I expect great things to come out of that wand, just as your father's did."
Logan looked at her wand and frowned, "How can I do that when I didn't even know my father." she muttered. Professor McGonagall heard her and paid ten Galleons for the wand.
As they walked out, Draco gave one last scowl in her direction; Logan returning the same look of derision.
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The sun was starting to set, giving the shopping place a warm, still welcoming glow to it. She couldn't help but not ignore the warm feeling in her stomach and the fuzzy feeling in her head. All day, goose bumps had sprouted on her arms and the hair on the back of her neck bristled because of the good feeling she had. All her life, she had felt so alone even though she was around people every day. Now, she was meeting new people and reciting all the possible answers for questions that wizards and witches were asking her today…except for the ones that contained her parents. She lied on those…
Logan sat at a table, watching the people do their last minute shopping. Little kids tugged at their moms, wanting them to see the latest broomstick, the Nimbus 2000. Their mothers would smile down at their eager faces and tell them, "Maybe for Christmas." Logan…? For Christmas, she would set up a small tree, barely enough needles on it to even give it the name evergreen tree, and decorate it with old ornaments she would find in the junk yard. She'd wrap boxes up in old newspaper and on Christmas Eve, she would open her presents, containing all the items she already owned.
In front of her was her third sundae. She slowly consumed it, wondering if she would get anything for Christmas this year. Her mind kept on wandering to how that kid Draco had a mom that cared for him; how she didn't even know her parents. And why wasn't Professor McGonagall allowed to tell her anything?
"Because I've been told not to. I've been ordered by Albus Dumbledore to have you find out by yourself." What kind of an excuse was that?
"Miss Wolfram," Logan looked up to see Professor McGonagall standing there, looking tired. "Are you almost ready to go back to the Leaky Cauldron?"
Logan nodded, standing up and throwing her dish away. She laid a Galleon on the table and walked away with the older woman.
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Prof. McGonagall had gone up to bed without dinner and left Logan to eat alone. Personally, the woman looked like she was about to drop so Logan didn't necessarily care if she ate dinner on her own.
"Want some company?"
Logan looked over her shoulder to see Harry standing there, crooked smile on his face. He sat down across from her, eyeing her large dinner. She caught his staring and grinned, "Yeah, I eat a lot."
"I can tell."
Logan bit into her roll and sat there quietly. "So," Harry started. "Excited for the new school year?" She nodded, cutting her turkey. "Yeah…"
"I bet your parents were happy to see you get your letter."
Logan paused in her chewing, swallowing her food, and pushed the plate away from her. "Yeah…they were thrilled." Harry gave a small smile, "Full?"
"No…no, I'm just not hungry anymore…" she muttered. The green-eyed boy's smile faltered a bit and asked, "You're lucky to have parents…mine are dead." He thought she would know that certain fact, being that everybody knew him more than he knew his self. Logan looked up at him, "Really?"
This took him by surprise, and he nodded hesitantly. "Yeah…I thought you would know that."
"No…why would I?"
"Because everyone around here seems to know me."
"I didn't know you…" Was she supposed too? Was the boy in front of her famous or something? "Why would I know you if I've never met you?"
Harry shrugged. "What about your parents? What are they like?"
Logan hesitated, but before she could answer, a hand came down on Harry's shoulder. "Time fer ya to go ter bed Harry!" Logan smiled up at Hagrid and he smiled back. "Ya should off ter bed too Logan!"
Harry looked at Logan, "Good night." he said quietly. The two walked away, leaving Logan by herself again.
"My parents…? Well, they're invisible and have been gone for most of my life." she said under her breath and jumped off the stool, walking to her bathroom to take a shower.
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Heavy footsteps pounded against the floor, making hard, hollow sounds. A girl with black hair was running towards the stairs, slightly out of breath. She turned the corner sharply, but fell backwards when she ran into a hard object. The book in her arms scattered around her, littering the floor. Looking up, she saw a girl standing there. She had shaggy brown hair, emerald green eyes, and worn-looking clothes on. Her hands were shoved down in her pockets, a surprised look on her face.
"Um…s-sorry…" the smaller girl mumbled, getting on her knees to start gathering her books. The other, taller girl smirked and kneeled down as well, grabbing one of the books. "Hogwarts A History; fascinating book, read it in ten minutes!"
The black-haired girl looked at the book, "I'm only on chapter three…"
"Ah well, I won't spoil it then…what's your name?"
"L-Lunar Calypsa. You?"
"Logan Wolfram…first year at Hogwarts I presume?" Lunar nodded, taking the book from Logan's hands. They stood up, Logan grinning. Lunar noticed how Logan's teeth were frighteningly sharp looking…she liked it in a way, very unique.
"Your grin…it looks wolfish…"
"I get that a lot."
The two laughed and they looked down the hall when a, "Lunar, time for bed!" came from the stairs. "Okay mom!" Lunar looked back at Logan and smiled again. "I have to go…maybe we'll see each other tomorrow?"
"You bet!"
Lunar nodded and walked around Logan, jogging down the hall again.
The wolfish girl smiled softly and headed towards her room. Lunar…she had a feeling they were going to be friends.
….\~/….
In the middle of the night, Minerva stood by the window with Albus' reply in her hands.
Dear Minerva,
I'm glad you've made a safe arrival to Diagon Alley. How was the shopping trip? By the way, did you remember to get me a package of lemon drops? Muggle candies…I do fancy them! It's a shame that Logan is in such critical condition. I hope the students don't recognize her signs and if they do and word gets out, we'll be in trouble. But we have to take in account that we've had a werewolf here before; I do hope you remember Mr. Remus Lupin? Also, it would be wonderful for her to have an attachment towards a student. I'd like to see what she would do!
Minerva, Logan needs to figure out her history on her own. Even though she was cursed with the Obliviate spell, her memory will come back if she does certain things, such as playing in the snow like she might have done when she was younger.
I trust her with Hagrid. I'll see you soon!
Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
Professor McGonagall rolled the parchment up and hurried over to her bed. She wrapped her cloak around her neck, clasping it.
"Well Albus, we'll have it your way then."
Minerva disappeared from the room.