To Davina: had an amazing idea for you on the whole romance thing, but I shall not spill just yet…
To Crystal: I demand that you WRITE GIRL, you have no excuse now.
To Kailah and Alyssa: I know you don't like cats, but give Tiger a chance…
To Yuki: "Baby girl in the blue!"
To Alice: Behave.
Well I did promise I would write, and I spent all my weekend doing this, so be grateful.
You guys are going to be the death of me
Dawnie… xxx
To say that life went back to normal would be a lie. There was only one week of school left. But I demanded that I stayed home, reading the books that daddy bought for me. After a lot of arguing and pleading, I got my way. I wish I could say the same for Kailah, Yuki and Davina. Turns out, Crystal threw a mega tantrum with her mum, yelling all sorts about life-long lies and being selfish, she now is cooped up in her room, enjoying a week of no school, facebook and a guilty mum. Alyssa volunteered to go into school, but don't ask me why, she said that she might miss something important during those last five day that might save her life. Alice, well she's just bunking, waiting till her mother leaves for work, to go back home and drink at her secret stash of Malabo.
No matter how hard I tried, Regulus, aka Grumpy, would not talk to me about how he knew me. But don't worry, he can say 'shut up' pretty well.
With each passing day, I grew more and more excited, getting out my wand and admiring myself in the mirror. But my reflection was just a stick and I, no magical change there. Daddy talked about Hogwarts quite a lot, the classes, the castle, feasts, and lessons…
On Monday night, the eve of our deadline to decide whether or not to go, my dad paid me a visit to my room. "Dawn?"
"Yeah?" I was lounging on my bed, absently petting Grumpy as I leafed through a potions book, making note of the love potions…just for casual interest of course.
"Have you actually packed your trunk?"
"Um, yeah." I looked up. "Why?"
"Oh," my dad said in a light voice. "I was just wondering in what you were planning to go Hogwarts naked?"
I looked at him, frowning. "Er, no. Why?"
"Oh, it's just because you haven't packed any clothes."
Oh. "Shit, I forgot."
"Oi, no fucking swearing."
I opened my mouth then closed it, shaking my head. "Daddy, what about uniform?"
My dad sighed, his dark eyes looking part amused, part frustrated. "That's what I wanted to come talk to you about. Since we won't know your house until tomorrow, I was thinking that I could give you some money and go buy a few skirts and school shirts. You would have to buy the tie and hat in Diagon ally, but you can get the rest of your stuff in the muggle shops."
I couldn't help but grin. A rough translation was that I could have a shopping spree in primark and then spend the rest in new look, mostly on high heel shoes that I would probably never wear, but just like to look at.
"Okay Daddy," I smiled.
Left alone, I was unsure what I should pack. My GHD's were a must. Can't be going round school with fluffy hair, especially since it was mixed. My ipod, phone, three pairs of converses, four jeans, two skirts, one dress, two heels, a million pairs of bras and underwear and pajamas were thrown into the gaping suitcase that laid on the top of my bed. I chucked in all my tank tops and jumpers for good measure and scanned the contents of my room. It was already starting to look bare, and despite my excitement, I really wasn't looking forward to leaving my daddy. Daddy's girl through and through, that was me, and no amount of magic was going to change that.
I picked up a couple of things, like the framed photo of me and dad at Christmas about seven years ago. The same dark brown eyes stared up at me, shining with a Christmas glow. I rested it gentle on my unfolded clothes with a small smile. Sometimes, I realise that maybe; just maybe, I don't want to grow up. But stay in the warm, safe and protective arms of my dad. Right now, the big bad world could wait, I was with daddy and nothing, nothing was going to change that.
Blinking back tears, I slipped down to the living room, where my dad sat, watching the TV, eyes unfocused.
At the sound of my approach, he looked up and smiled, almost sadly. "My little girl's growing up,"
I shook my head and took the space beside him, tucking my legs underneath me and resting my head on his shoulder. "Not quite yet, Daddy."
The next morning was kind of a rush, although we didn't have to go anywhere. My friends were meeting me at my house and from there we would be going to the magical family's house, the Weasley's.
It's funny, but you think you have everything packed, until you walk past something and realise that it's meant to be in your suitcase and your like, how could I forget?
That's what I was like the whole morning, trying to keep myself busy so that my sudden feel of homesickness wouldn't catch up on me.
Daddy, on the other hand, was fussing with the fireplace, but please; do not ask me why, when I did, he said something about 'floo'.
Yeah, that makes a lot of sense.
Grumpy coiled around my feet and I looked down at him. "What's the matter with you?" I asked, bending down to scratch behind his left ear, a soft spot I found. He purred madly and blinked large glowing green eyes at me. "Nothing to bother yourself with."
I rolled my eyes. "If you say so," but I picked him up in my arms and ran my fingers through his silky black fur. "Your just as nervous as going as I am." And for once, the bloody thing didn't argue.
Around one that afternoon, Alyssa and Kailah turned up on my doorstep with like, seven suitcases between them. I raised my brown and Kailah shook her head. "Only two are mine," She grinned and shook her head. Alyssa shot a glare at the two of us and said with every ounce of dignity that she owned. "We're going away for a whole year,"
"It's called a washing machine." Kailah injected and kissed her teeth, but we said no more.
The twins were next to arrive, both dragging their own luggage, their both Asian eyes were bright, already thinking that having rid of parents for a year was like a permanent vacation, they joined the other two in raiding my kitchen, Grumpy already padding his way over to Crystal and meowing softly at her. "Hey cutie," She grinned.
"Hey Dawn," I looked up to see Yuki frowning at the living room door. "Is there something wrong with your fireplace?"
I sighed. "It's floo."
"Flu?"
"Never mind."
Twenty minutes later and my doorbell rang for the third time today. I opened it to see both Davina and Alice grinning at me. "So," I drawled, leaning against the frame. "What have you told your mum this time? Your going to church?"
Davina sniggered and Alice sighed, shaking her head at me. "Dawn," She said seriously, "I am really going to be in church for the whole year."
There was laugher from the kitchen. "Oh please, you would burst into flames quicker than I would." Called Crystal, who held a content Grumpy in her arms.
When we had all our suitcases piled into the living room, along side our new pets in their little carriers, we all made our way up to my room and blasted some music from the laptop.
"…She's not broken. She's just a baby. But her boyfriend's like her dad. Just like her dad…"
"Oh my God." Squealed Davina. "I love this tune!"
"GaGa for life," Agreed Crystal, her now dyed black hair shimmering as she, Alyssa, Alice and Yuki settled on top of my bed. I sat at my desk chair, Kailah on my lap while Davina perched on the desk.
"I can't believe that we're spending the whole summer together," I sighed, leaning my head back.
Alice made a noise somewhat like 'mmmm?' and corrected me, her tone both serious and floating. "No darling, it's the whole year."
I groaned. "Even worse."
"Hey," Yuki protested as Alyssa send a pillow my way, only it got to Kailah. "Ow," She mumbled. "Stupid rass ass fool, can't you aim?"
Alyssa sighed. "It's your own fault, get out of the way next time."
Alice was killing herself. "This is going to be the best!" she said finally, wiping away a non-existent tear. "The late nights, the dorm parties, the turning up to class hung over..."
Crystal perked up. "I want to do that."
Kailah started to laugh, her body shaking. "Stop that," I grinned, but it was too late, I watched as Kailah's eyes grow wide as she laughed and I couldn't help it, I laughed too.
"Um" Davina frowned, slowly edging away. "What are they laughing at?"
Yuki sighed. "Kailah's laughing because she's picturing Alyssa hung over at school, and Dawn's just laughing because Kailah is."
"Oh."
Slowly, we both recovered from our laughing fit and sighed, big smiles still on our faces. I looked at Yuki. "Please don't try to read my mind again."
Yuki smiled, shaking her head, strands of black hair flying. "You guys are kind of hard, fuzzy. And anyway," She grinned at me, a knowing looking her dark eyes. "Half the stuff that goes through your head gives me nightmares."
I raised a brow. "Come now, don't pretend you haven't been tuning in."
Yuki grinned. "Oh Dawn, you know me too well."
"When are they coming?" Davina asked, looking at the clock on my pink wall. It was five to three.
Alice grinned. "Now."
The doorbell rang.
"Alice," Kailah said, staring at the girl as if she had another head. "That was some scary shit."
Alice grinned, rising from my bed. "I know." She said sweetly, just as my dad bellowed, "Dawn!"
We all raced down to the bottom of the stairs, tripping and falling on top of each other to make it to the bottom first.
I stumbled and grabbed wildly for the wooding banister, to save myself from smacking my head. We tumbled to the bottom, all pausing dramatically in silence to see the scene before us unfold.
My Dad stared at us, the door held open, looking as though he wanted to laugh but was too shocked to try. The threshold was filled with the sigh of Professor McGonagall, her brows raised at us in question. There was long pause of silence, where all nine of us just stood there, in silence.
Then a voice came out of nowhere.
"Come on then, I haven't got all day."
I frowned, not seeing where the voice came from. "Um," Kailah said, also looking confused. "Okay."
The professor and my dad suppressed a smile, as McGonagall produce a battered old hat from somewhere beneath her robes. It was lined with age, looking tattered and worn, its creases took a vague shape of a face, with a nose, a mouth and deep indents for eyes.
Looking over at my dad, McGonagall said. "Is the floo ready?"
Daddy nodded, running his scarred and weather worn hands through his cropped short black hair. "It took a while, but we got there in the end."
Briskly the pair made their way to the living room, where daddy had spent the better part of his day. As they disappeared, the rest of us looked at each other uncertainly before following.
The scene that was before me was something I would be telling my therapist about in the next thirty or so years.
The Scottish professor was crouching down in my fireplace, surrounded by green flames, an irritated look on her face. "These muggles do them very small." She commented.
Daddy nodded. "That's why they're so perfect."
"Girls," The older woman turned to us. "When you are placed into the fire, you are to say in a clear voice; 'the Burrow' Understood?"
There was a mumble of agreement, just as my dad held out a large jug of ash to the Professor.
Taking a pinch, she cleared her throat and said, "The Burrow."
The flames grew, until they consumed her, powerful and hypnotic. A gasp escaped for my lips as I stared at the sight. Then, the fire died into a low hum, and the Professor was gone.
My dad grinned, probably finding the look on out faces priceless or something. "Who's next?"
Alice was shoved forward, glaring back at Alyssa who had become fascinated with her nails. "Oh, alright." She grumbled, dragging her luggage that rivalled Alyssa's.
My dad helped her and her four large suitcases into the fireplace. With a superior look, she turned to my dad. "So, its 'The Burrow'?"
Daddy nodded and she repeated the ritual that Professor McGonagall. Davina, the twins, Kailah and Alyssa soon followed after that. Then it was just me and daddy.
Feeling my heart race, I crouched into the small, confined fireplace, squashed between my trunk and suitcase. "See you in a bit," he smiled, offering me the powder. Taking a fistful, I noticed my hands were shaking. "The Burrow!" I nearly shouted, releasing the ash to the emerald flames.
They consumed me, until they were the only things I could see, flickering tongues of green fire dancing in my vision, blocking my view.
Then they died instantly.
"Dawn?" I blinked, seeing Kailah offer her hand to pull me out of a completely different fireplace. The supermodel St Lucian took my suitcase as I took my trunk. When I settled my belongings with the rests, I paused to take in my surroundings.
A large family of red heads peered at me with anxious eyes.
"Oh don't worry." Alice said casually, sitting at a well lived in table, sipping tea. "Dawn just has a fetish for people with red hair."
I glared. "Exposure, much?"
The mother hen clucked and came round to me with a warm smile. "Its such a pleasure to meet you, I'm Molly Weasley."
The fire's flames went sky-high again and died instantly as my dad effortlessly eased himself out. "Molly," He smiled. "Long time, no see." He looked around him and gave a low whistle. "These all yours?" It was at times like these that my dad's heavy Irish accent came out.
"John Heart," The redheaded woman smiled, shaking her head. "Back from the dead?"
"Ah," My dad smiled. "You know me. Heaven doesn't want me, and hell's afraid that I'll take over."
Laughing, Molly smiled down at me. "I can see Isabelle in her, you around the eyes. Bit of your mother too."
There was a clearing of a throat and all eyes turned to Professor McGonagall, the creepy hat in her hands.
"Oh yes!" Molly went to the table and got a chair, placing it in the centre of the room. McGonagall stood at its side, hat raised along with an eyebrow. "Who would like to go first?"
"I will," Alice sauntered towards the hat and dramatically took a seat. As soon as the hat brushed the top of her head, a booming voice yelled, "Slytherin!"
There was a collective groan from the Weasley children and I looked over at my dad. "What's Slytherin again?"
"The cunning and the proud," My dad rolled his eyes. "Most of the…" My dad struggled to find a word.
"Evil?" a cheery vice suggested, and I looked over to see an identical pair of twins grin over at him. "Mouldy-butt loving?" the other suggested, or was it the same one? My dad chuckled. "Mouldy-butt…I like that. Oh," He caught my look. "Yes, well, most of the…not so agreeable witches and wizards mainly come from that house."
I looked over at Alice, who was standing, hands on hips, giving the ginger twins the evil eye. Sniggering, I muttered loudly. "I wonder why."
Davina went next and another "Slytherin!" was bellowed, which surprised me.
"Godric," one of the twins, who I learnt to be either Fred or George, "The house will be full of them."
Alyssa went next, and a clear "Gryffindor!" was yelled.
"Finally." I heard from somewhere in the heart of the family.
Crystal was next, she sat down at eyed the hat. "Its not going to bite of my head is it?"
The hat was plonked down.
After a few moments, the hat said with certainty. "Ravenclaw!"
I raised a brow at my dad. "The smart ones," He muttered gruffly, watching the proceedings with interest.
Yuki followed after her twin, almost skipping. "Ravnecalw!" the hat yelled, before the hat had time to sit on her head.
"What?" demanded Alice, "Yuki, smart?"
Yuki's eyes narrowed and she kissed her teeth. "Shut up Alice."
It was just Kailah and me now. "You go," I muttered, giving her a little push.
The hat took its time, but finally, it called: "Gryffindor!"
There was a round of cheers and the look of embarrassment on the girl's face was priceless. "Urgh," Alyssa muttered. "I'm stuck with you."
All eyes turned to me.
Rolling my eyes, I made my way to the dreaded chair and took a seat. I felt the hat being place on my head, a soft voice floating in my head…
"Hm, fire in this one. Attitude like the rest, not a bad mind either. Ahh, extremely vain, quiet proud and noble, you have a bit of a mean streak in you. Sly as a fox and ruthless too, not selfless enough for Gryffindor, not quiet a Ravenclaw…"
"Slytherin!"
My mouth gaped open.
"I win!" I turned to blink at the twins, where one was giving the other three large gold coins, Galleons.
"Oh," The one that was giving the money looked at me. "We had a bet to see which house you would be in. I thought you'd be more like your dad, since you live with him and all that."
I looked accusingly at the other. "You bet against me?"
"Yeah Fred," George said. "You bet against her?"
Fred grinned and shrugged, not looking the least bit ruffled at the prospect that I could be more like my Death Muncher Mother or whatever.
"Don't worry about it Dawn," Daddy smiled, giving my shoulder a small squeeze, but I caught the look he shared with McGonagall and Molly. It said clearly that he wanted an eye kept on me.
Asshole.
McGonagall stepped forward and all our eyes turned to her. "In light of your missed four years at Hogwarts, my colleges and I have decided that it is best that you girl begin catch up lessons through out the summer, and extra lessons after school hours if needs be. The headmaster believes that all girls in the same house can share a dorm. And due to events that are taking part on the school grounds this year, all students are required to have formal attire."
I perked up. "Like, prom?" I don't care what house I'm in, as long as I have an excuse got get me an expensive dress and heels, you can tattoo 'evil' onto my arse.
I could practically feel the rest of my girls livening up at the thought of a prom. Being in a Catholic all girls convent, we tended to just have mass.
McGonagall nodded. "In many respects, yes."
My dad sighed, "My pockets feel lighter already."
I chose to ignore that comment, since he had a point.
Continuing as if my dad hadn't interrupted, Professor McGonagall carried on. "You will have on week to adapt to your new surroundings before Hogwarts professor's will begin you lessons."
Waving her wand, some sheets materialise in her hand and she handed them out to us. "There is a list of subjects, some compulsory and some optional. You can choose a maximum of four optional lessons. You will have to choose your subjects within three days."
I looked down at the paper I was given and studied the list.
All required books must be read before or during the summer lessonsCompulsory:
Charms: Standard books 1-4
Herbology: Standard Books 1-4
Defence Against the Dark Arts: Standard books 1-4, incl. Dark Arts and forces by Patrick Fellowes
History of magic: Standard Books 1-4 incl. The Origins of Magic by Elizabeth Darcy
Potions: Standard Books 1-4
Transfiguration: Standard Books 1-4
Siren Studies: No books needed
Optional:
Astronomy: The skies and beyond by Amy Paragon, a students guide to Astronomy by Maxwell Doe
Care of magical creatures: The students guide incl. Magnificent beasts and where to find them
Divination: Unclogging the future, Art of Tarot
Ancient Runes: The forgotten words, by India Powell
Magical Law: Higher level wizarding Law and A History of the Ministry's most famous trials.
Home economics with Magic: Magic and Me, by Patricia Biggs
Muggle studies: Muggles and their mysteries by Alexander Howard
Magical business and trade: Magic and Money by Trent Skyes
I looked up with raised brows, we had all the compulsory books already, and I had begun to read some, but for Kailah, Alyssa and Alice, I was sure they hadn't even opened the books yet.
"Since you would normally be taking your O.W.L's this year, external tests, Professor Dumbledore believed you girl should be held back a year and doing your lessons with the fourth years." With that, McGonagall fixed her tartan shawl and nodded to both my dad and Molly before disappearing.
"Well," Molly said after a pause. "We really should be getting down to the introductions,"
My dad nodded. "I better be off," He turned to me and have me a tight hug. "Behave and I'll drop off some money for you in a couple of days to get your uniform, books and whatever else."
Trying to fight back tears I hugged him back. Hey, I was a daddy's girl, what can I say?
Stepping a way, he gave me one last kiss on the forehead before disappearing himself. Blinking, I turned to the rest with a tight smile.
"Hi, I'm Bill." A mature redhead stepped forward, with a growing ponytail and fanged earring. He shook all our hands and we muttered shy hi's and hellos, each giving our name. As Bill sat back down, I noticed that his had a nice ass. Seeing the rest follow him with predatory eyes, I could tell that they thought so too.
"Charlie," A stocky redhead with muscles arms that held different shades of burns was next to introduce himself. His hand felt rough in my small one, but his smile made my heart jump, just a wee bit. Okay, I was a sucker for redheads, give me a break.
"Percy," A lankier guy with an air of self-importance came and shook our hands before departing to his room, with an excuse about Mr. Crouch and a report about toilets.
The twins were next, making an elaborate show of kissing all our hands, making sure we knew which one was Fred and which one was George.
The next Weasley was a boy more about our age, who was taller and thinner than his stockier brothers. He smiled shyly and muttered that he was Ron, the tips of his ears turning pink with embarrassment.
Then there was the only girl, Ginny, who gave us a bright smile. All in all, the Weasley family was cute.
As we were shown to our rooms and left to unpack and settle, I turned towards the rest. "This is really happening," I breathed, still unable to believe it.
Alice was grinning, as she unzipped one of her many suitcases, pulling out a large bottle of Vodka, WKD and fruity red wine. "Here," She said, pushing the wine to me. "You're the only one who drinks this."
Davina and Crystal were already descending on the Vodka, while Kailah and Yuki were sipping and the blue concoction of WKD.
Alyssa shook her head, but smiled, she never approved of us drinking, but she said it was entertaining.
Watch out Hogwarts, the Convent Hoes are coming.