Chapter Twelve
It was with relief that I packed up my trunk to head home for Christmas two weeks later. I had passed my Transfiguration test and was allowed to continue taking it next term and even Aalgard had begrudgingly given me an E on my last Defence essay. As the students going home gathered in the Entrance Hall waiting for the carriages to the train, I looked around to see if I could spot the Gryffindor boys since I hadn't seen them since lessons had ended the day before. Of all the Gryffindor Sixth Years I could only see Lily Evans and Dorcas Meadowes getting in to the carriages, so I assumed the boys were staying at Hogwarts over the break. I joined Ollie, Arron and Nicola in a carriage feeling a bit sad that I wouldn't see Sirius again until next month but when Ollie put an arm around me, I felt worse thinking about not seeing my boyfriend in as long.
"Can I come see you over the break? I'd like to meet your parents," Ollie said when we were saying our goodbyes at King's Cross. I cringed inwardly at his choice of words but smiled anyway.
"Sure, write to me and you can come and have dinner with my brother and I."
I saw his face break into alarm as he started to apologize profusely.
"Ollie, it's okay!" I said, giving him a long kiss to shut him up. "I'll talk to you soon."
"Bye Bridge," he said, hugging me one last time before heading to where his parents stood. They gave me an enthusiastic wave that I returned tentatively but quickly turned to Nicola.
"Oh no, did Arron leave already?" I asked, looking around.
"Yeah, Mr O'Reilly was in a bit of a rush. So, I'll see you on New Year's Eve? You are still coming over right?" Nicola asked as we hugged goodbye.
"Of course I am Nic, I wouldn't miss your party for anything!" I said with a grin.
"Good – I'll see you soon then, bye!" she called as she hurried over to her mother who called Happy Christmas to me before the two of them rushed out of the station chatting a mile a minute.
I looked around feeling a bit odd. Chris didn't normally pick me up so I wondered if he'd remembered where to meet me. Feeling a bit worried I went over to a Muggle ticket inspector to ask where I could find a fellytone. He gave me an odd look but nodded at a black box mounted to a wall.
"The telephone's there if that's what you mean, dear. Are you foreign?"
I shrugged and hurried away the wall to inspect the device and try to figure out how to use it. We didn't use them much growing up but now that Dad was gone and Chris was more involved in the Muggle world, he'd gotten one installed in the house since he had little use for the floo network. Rummaging in my pockets, I unfolded his last letter that had listed a bunch of numbers. Then, feeling a little embarrassed I stared at the telephone and wondered what to do next.
"Should have taken Muggle studies," I mumbled.
"'Scuse me love, but will you be long?" A tall man behind me asked. He was wearing a Muggle suit and looked a bit agitated.
"Yes, go ahead please," I said, stepping out of the way and watching him carefully. He threw me a look of confusion but stuffed his hand in his pocket reaching for some change. To my dismay I saw him put the Muggle money in a hole in the box before he pressed various buttons and held a knob up between his ear and mouth. I didn't listen to his conversation because I was suddenly worrying about how to get Muggle Money. I didn't really know how to get to Diagon Alley from here to change my money at Gringotts and I wasn't old enough to apparate yet. I suppose I could get the Knight Bus but did it show up in such crowded Muggle areas?
"Are you okay? Do you need me to fetch a bobby? You look a bit lost," The man in the suit, asked as he put the knob back on the box.
"Um...I have to call my brother but I don't have any money," I said, scratching my head. "I suppose I could take a bus home though."
"How are you going to take a bus without any money?" he asked, glancing at his watch and scratching his chin as he looked at me. "How old are you?"
"Sixteen," I said, looking down at my letter. Chris knew that he was picking me up today, didn't he?
"Here," he said, putting some coins in the box and lifting the knob to hand to me. I took it in confusion, putting it to my ear in what seemed like the same way as he'd done. He stared at me like I had two heads before turning the knob upside down and putting against my ear.
"What's the number?" he asked, dialing for me as I dictated.
"Okay – I have to go to a meeting but there's plenty of Policemen around if you need help," he said, pointing to a booth where some official looking Muggles were standing.
"Thanks Mister," I said as politely as I could before he rushed off mumbling about irresponsible parents.
The phone was making a ringing noise in my ear and then suddenly Chris' voice was on the other end of the line.
"Hello?"
"HELLO – CHRIS?"
"Who's this?"
"CHRIS IT'S BRIDGET. I'M AT KING'S CROSS. YOU FORGOT ME!" I said, loudly and as clearly as I could.
"God, Bridget stop yelling!" my brother yelled back.
"BUT CAN YOU HEAR ME?"
"Of course I can you idiot! Now, you say you're at the station? I thought you weren't coming back until December 23rd – isn't that when schools usually break for Christmas?"
"I told you in my last letter! Hogwarts ends earlier on the 19th," I said. "I've been going there for six years, Chris – you should know that!"
"Sorry! I'm usually not responsible for that sort of thing. Lucy is coming to dinner tonight, I was just cooking."
"Well what about me?" I snapped irritably. I didn't care if Chris' longtime girlfriend was going to be around, I just wanted to be at home.
"Oh okay – but it'll take me an over hour to get there in traffic – can you find your own way home? What about the Knight bus?" he asked.
"Chris!" I yelled, obstinately.
"Sorry Bridget – I didn't get your last letter. I was having lunch with Lucy's family at a restaurant and I didn't want to scare them off. I had to shoo the owl away – everyone thought I was nutters."
I exhaled in annoyance. "Chris – you've had owls flying in and out of your house since birth – stop shunning your heritage."
"Well, I'm a bloody Squib, aren't I?" he snapped back. "Look, the pasta sauce is smoking – please just find a way to get home and I'll see you soon. I heard a click and then Chris' voice was no longer there. Sighing, I looked around the crowded station wondering if I should risk the Knight Bus or talk to a Muggle Pleaseman instead. Unfortunately, I didn't have a choice because someone was grabbing the back of my shirt and turning me to face them. One of the official looking Muggles was staring at me sternly.
"Where are your parents?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Dead," I replied, glaring back.
He looked suitably confused for a moment before asking. "Are you an orphan? How old are you, what are you doing here all alone?"
"My brother couldn't pick me up," I explained.
"Well, we'll have to take you home then," he said, putting a hand on my back and steering me out of the train station to a car with lights on top of it.
"What's your address?" the Pleaseman said as I sat in the front seat and fiddled with the belt. Thankfully I'd been in cars before so I didn't have as much of a problem with this.
"243 Circe Street."
He raised an eyebrow again. "Are you having a laugh? That's not a real street!"
I was really panicking now, remembering that I lived in a Wizarding area of London and had no idea what the surrounding Muggle area was.
"How old are you again?" he asked, looking like I was a bit dim.
"Sixteen."
He harrumphed before starting the engine. "I suppose I'll just have to take you to the Station and call your brother," he said, keeping his eyes on the road.
I sighed and sunk down in my seat a little. The Christmas Holidays were not off to a great start.
"Bridget! What happened?" A very harassed Chris demanded when he hurtled through the Please Station and saw me sitting there entertaining some of the officers with a card trick. They couldn't seem to understand how I was making the cards blow up!
"Chris!" I said, jumping up and flinging my arms around his neck. He patted my back before looking at the officers.
"Is she in any trouble?" he asked them.
"No, no. But you ought to teach your sister her real address. Said something about Circe Street!" they laughed.
Chris paled a little bit but forced a smile.
"Oh Bridget!" he said, ruffling my hair and smiling at the officers. "Well, thank you officers, I'll take her home now."
"Oi, hang on – Bridget – tell us how you did that card trick!" One of the officers called as we turned to leave the Station, Chris carrying my trunk. I felt my brother's grip on my arm tighten as we turned but I merely smiled.
"A magician never reveals her tricks," I said, repeating the phrase I'd heard from several of them. They chuckled and waved goodbye as Chris and I made our way to his car.
"Wow, I didn't know you got a car! Once I'm of age, I can charm it to fit loads more people in if you like," I said as I settled in the seat beside him.
"Maybe. Look, I had to leave Lucy at the house so let's just get there as quickly as possible. It's a big night, we want to tell you some stuff," he said.
"Okay," I muttered, knowing this was probably about them getting serious.
"How was your term?" he asked as we turned down a few roads.
"It was okay, I've made some good new friends and I have a boyfriend," I said. "We went to a Christmas party together – I sent you a photo."
"Oh, sorry I didn't get that," Chris said weakly. "Is he a good guy then?"
"Yeah, he's great. I used to talk about him all the time – Ollie Chamberlain?"
"Right," Chris said distractedly turning down a road that I recognized. Chris pulled the car over in front of an abandoned house and looked around strangely when he got out of the car. He walked over to the familiar brick wall and tapped a few bricks in random places and the entrance to our Wizarding neighborhood was revealed. He hurried back to the car and drove through the entrance quickly making me roll my eyes.
"Why are you in such a rush? Muggles never notice this kind of thing."
"Well Lucy's seen it and she's always a bit uncomfortable – I have to be quick," he mumbled looking like he had a lot on his mind. When we finally pulled up in front of our old Victorian House, I smiled in delight.
"It looks just the way it always has," I said with a big grin as I helped unload my trunk and pull it to the front door. Lucy was on the doorstep looking a bit nervous.
"Thank God you're back. There have been three different owls flying in here and I can't get them out," she said, looking a bit disheveled. Lucy had long, golden hair and was tall and pretty but I'd always thought she was a bit of a complainer. It had taken Chris years to own up to his family being magical and though in the end she hadn't taken it too badly, I always got the feeling that Dad and I used to give her the creeps.
"Hi Bridget – you look well grown up!" she said, hugging me briefly as the three of us walked in to the house. "Chris, I've opened a bottle of Pinot, do you want any?"
"Yeah, I could use it. I had to get this idiot from a Police Station of all places!"
"Well if you'd just have picked me up from King's Cross, it could have been avoided," I said crossly.
Chris rolled his eyes. "Go unpack, we'll heat up dinner and you can come down when you're ready."
"Yes, Bridget we have quite a lot to discuss. And I want to hear all about your term at Hoggywarts," Lucy said, brightly.
I stifled laughter but corrected her without much fuss before heading up to my gorgeous bedroom with my trunk. Sadly, I had to haul it up there without magic since my 17th birthday wasn't until April. Chris had left my bedroom the same as it had always been: a mixture of my childhood and the exciting tokens from my first five years at Hogwarts. I saw photographs of Nicola and I, Ravenclaw banners and even a few letters from Professor Flitwick informing my father about my excellent progress in classes. I was happy to see three letters addressed to me lying on the desk. The owls were waiting for food so I grabbed a box of stale owl treats and some water to feed them before I sat on my bed, running my hands over the duvet Dad had picked out and lay back on my pillows. As I had predicted inwardly, I felt strange. I had had so many new experiences at school that the tragedy I had suffered last summer had only affected me at random, poignant moments. Being in my house on the bed that my father had insisted on tucking me in to for many years brought back feelings that I'd pushed to the side for months and I lay there thinking for a few hours before I heard Chris calling me downstairs for dinner.
It still felt strange to sit at our round dining room table with Lucy in Dad's usual place but Chris' kidney pie had gotten much better since the summer and I was pleasantly full before the conversation turned from light to serious.
"So, Lucy and I are glad that you're back earlier than we expected because we have some exciting news," Chris said, putting his hand on Lucy's. They were quite a handsome couple with Chris sharing my black hair and blue eyes and Lucy with her blonde hair and soft brown eyes – they looked like opposites but seemed to fit very well. They were smiling excitedly, although I thought they also looked a bit nervous.
"We're getting married," Lucy said, her face breaking into an enormous grin.
"Wow! Congrats!" I said, clapping my hands though I wasn't surprised. It had always been on the cards. "When's the wedding?"
"In July so that you'll be able to come," Chris said but quickly carried on, "But there's more."
"More than that?" I asked in surprise.
"Well, we're moving – to Cornwall. I just bought a beach house there."
My mouth dropped open. "But...what about our house here?"
"Bridge, I already told you I was going to sell it," he said, exchanging a worried look with a quiet Lucy.
"I thought you were just considering it – why don't I have any say in this?"
"Bridge," Chris said calmly. "Dad left me in charge. I've been in contact with your Ministry and Dad's will stated that the House would be in my name and the Gringott's vault would be in yours. You can't access it until you come of age in a couple of years but..."
"What? But I come of age in April!"
"Oh, right...I forgot it's seventeen for you," he muttered.
"Chris – you grew up around witches and wizards – stop acting like a Muggle!" I snapped.
"There's nothing wrong with being Non-Magic, thank you!" Lucy huffed.
I sighed. "I know that Lucy! I'm sorry, it's not what I meant – but Chris is acting like he knows nothing about how our world works and he grew up in it!"
Lucy shrugged and looked at Chris who had a stiff expression on his face.
"Yeah...I know how it works. You mean the world that Dad was so intent on saving before he went and got himself killed?" he asked, raising his voice.
"GOT HIMSELF KILLED?" I yelled, practically shrieking and getting out of my seat. "How dare you talk about Dad like that – he's a war hero!"
"NO! No, he was a reckless old man who never thought about anything but running off for a bit of glory," Chris snapped before his face immediately looked regretful. I could feel the tears that I'd tried to keep at bay all term start to well up in my eyes.
"You can't blame him for dying, Chris! And you can't pretend he wasn't the best dad in the world," I whispered, unable to stop the tears from trickling down my face.
"Bridget," he said softly getting up and putting an arm around me. "I loved Dad too...he was my hero. But now he's left us and I have to worry about you and..."
"Sorry to be such a burden," I sniffled, sarcastically.
"He doesn't mean that, Bridget – but he's so young and you're so young – it's terrifying being fully responsible for another human being," Lucy tried to say but Chris held up a hand.
"You'll come live with us in Cornwall – this house has too many bad memories now. I can't live here – especially when you leave school and join the Wizarding world – I'm not like you, Bridge," Chris said, his eyes round as he looked at me. And I suddenly realized that it was probably worse on my brother than me. He had been stuck dealing with Dad's will and living in a house that he didn't feel he belonged in anymore. I got to go to Hogwarts and make friends and get a new boyfriend while Chris had to grow up even faster than he thought he'd have to.
"I'm sorry," I whispered and he hugged me.
"I'm sorry too Bridget. I love you, please understand why I have to do this," he said and I nodded.
"When do we move?" I asked dully.
"Not until after the New Year and don't worry, I can use some of the money from the sale to get a flat in London so that you'll have somewhere after you leave school. I'm sure you won't want to live in Cornwall with us forever."
I nodded. "Okay. Can I have the portraits? We're abandoning a really old pureblood house you know?" I said and he shrugged.
"Course – all the wizard stuff is yours," he said, watching my face carefully. I tried to arrange it in to an uncaring mask – something I saw Sirius do quite often but I wasn't sure I succeeded.
"I'm going to go upstairs now," I said. "Goodnight." I nodded at my brother and Lucy and headed up to my room to brood.
I understood, but I couldn't say I was pleased about the whole thing. I thought it was pretty odd that Dad had left Chris the house that he knew he'd hated – but then again, it was possible he hadn't updated his will before he died. I paced the room up and down for a while before I picked up the only photograph I owned that showed our entire family. Chris was standing in front of my father holding an Action figure – he was about seven and was very preoccupied with the doll. My father however had a smile on his face though he also seemed to be glancing worriedly at the woman in the hospital bed. And there was my mother – her long, dark curly hair that mirrored my own when I didn't straighten it, was plastered against her forehead and although she looked sickly and pale, her smile could not be denied. She stared lovingly down at the pink bundle in her arms and I saw a few small, black curls resting on my newborn head. She had died a mere four hours after the photo had been taken and Dad was left to fend for us from then on. And now he wasn't here anymore. It was just Chris and I and all he wanted to do was forget. Angrily I threw the photograph across the room where it landed on my desk and pushed the three letters I'd received on to the ground.
I could hear Lucy and Chris murmuring outside my bedroom but thankfully they did not try to bother me. I picked up the photograph and cleared the broken glass from the frame before bending down to retrieve my letters. The first was an invitation to Nicola's annual New Year's Eve party. I RSVPed immediately and sent it away with one of the owls before opening the next two letters.
"Bridget,
It's only been two hours and I miss you already. My parents are taking me to Spain until after the New Year so I won't be able to see you until we're back at Hogwarts– it'll be far too long, I'm dreading it. Anyway, I hope you have a wonderful holiday! Please write to me tons! I'll send along your present in a few days – I really miss you,
Love,
Ollie"
I sighed a little feeling a bit worried. Was I supposed to miss him already? He was a great boyfriend but sometimes I wondered why he was so keen. I'd just seen him this afternoon and I was already getting letters. No, I tried to convince myself – Nicola sent one too to give me details about her New Year's Party and Ollie was only letting me know he'd be in Spain – there was nothing too eager about it at all. I sighed and reached for the last letter, hoping desperately that it wasn't another one for Ollie marking the third or fourth hour we'd been apart.
"Bridge!
You old bat! How did you leave without saying goodbye? Me and the boys were looking for you at Breakfast but Fenwick and Pritchett said you'd left already. Anyway, we'll be sticking around Hogwarts for the holidays – we have some things to help Remus with and the castle is better suited to it than James' house. I was walking around the corridors after everyone left and realized how bloody quiet it is – it's seriously annoying. Not to mention Snivellus Snape has been following us everywhere for the last few weeks trying to figure out what mischief we've been up to. Either he's the most dedicated prefect ever; a nosy, sniveling git; or he's in love with Remus. I like to think it's a mixture of the three. Anyway, thought I'd send you this to check you weren't abducted. Have a good Christmas and write to me so that I don't die of boredom.
Cheers,
Sirius."
I smiled at this letter and even felt myself laugh. Sirius on paper was the mirror image of Sirius in person and I felt as though there was much more I could write back to this note in comparison to Ollie's. It was much easier writing to a friend than a boyfriend and I was a bit irked to realize I seemed to prefer having a boy as a friend rather than a boyfriend. I smiled again at Sirius' note and sat down to write.
"Sirius,
I looked for you in the Entrance Hall but I suppose you lazy gits got up too late to see me off. Say hello to the lads for me. Is everything okay with Remus – what are you helping him with? As for being bored – why don't you wait a few shakes – you've only been left in the castle for a few hours, surely you four will come up with something to entertain yourselves with. Did Emmeline go home for the break? Ollie's going to Spain and has written to me already – do you reckon that's a bit keen or is it just me? Nicola has a party every New Year's Eve so I'm looking forward to that. Chris has also officially decided to sell our childhood house so I'm a bit annoyed to be honest. I also got picked up my some Muggle Pleasemen because they didn't know how to get to Circe Street – apparently Muggles have never heard of it. I thought you'd enjoy the fact I was caught up with the law! Have a good holiday – keep out of Snape's way – I reckon he's in love with you not Remus – haha!
Bridget."
"Ollie,
It's great that you're going to Spain – will it be lovely and warm? I can't wait for Christmas and until you see the gift I got you, I think it's pretty cool. I'll send it along soon too. Have a great holiday!
Love,
Bridget."
I stared at the two letters wondering if I ought to write more to Ollie but in the end just scratched in a slightly insincere "Miss you too" and sent the two letters off and the card RSVPing to Nicola's party with the waiting owls. Then, feeling as though I could finally sleep, I collapsed on to my bed.
A/N: Thanks to those who did review, it would be very nice and encouraging if there were a few more this chapter. The story is going to take a turn in the next couple of chapters. Anyway, thanks for continuing to read.