Disclaimer- Thank you J.K. Rowling for granting this indulgence. Bethany "Brevity" Tilde and her parents are mine.

Date Modified- Monday January 25, 2010


A Different Kind of Girl

Disaster Strikes

~*~

My alarm clock stared back accusingly, "Damn, overslept." Vaulting out of bed I showered quickly. Running around in my sports bra and ole cottons. Pulling my cup of tea out of the microwave, I let it finish steeping on the counter.

Into the bedroom for blue jeans and a loose hemp top. Tippy toeing to reach the blasted case on the top of the clothes closet. I just barely touched it with my fingers. I wish I was a bit taller. So maybe a little jump will do it. My fingertips rake it loose, I stepped on something sharp and my attention was distracted. The not so empty suitcase hit my nose. It was a bad break. Blood fountained out of my nose all over my clothes. It was so pathetic, my "DAMN" forced air through my swollen nostrils, spraying even more blood and mucus.

Grabbing my wand off the nightstand, I went to bravely survey the damage. "Merlin, no." I looked like I wore some grotesque half-mask. My nose looked more like a plum than a human feature. I was able to fix the break and syphon the blood up, but I couldn't manage to make any difference with the impressive shiners. "Good lard! It looks like I've been in a bar brawl, and I lost."

Catching sight of the digital clock from a mirror I didn't have any more time to devote to watching the purples and blues grow more vivid and spread in a wide band. It was pretty interesting in a macabre way.

Sucking down my tea and chomping a crust of toast, I hurry to the Bazooka wrapper. Forgetting all about my confrontational luggage, grabbing my wallet instead. I seized the gum paper. I hate this part.

~*~

I toppled badly on the Ministry of Magic Portkey office landing pad. "Move please there are others coming through Ms. Tilde."

I nodded my thanks to the man, and set off in the main foyer when I was grabbed by fussy red-headed man. "Miss, Miss let me help you with that." He pulled out his wand.

I put my hand in his face. "Leave me be." I shooed him.

"But Miss you're badly bruised." He insisted.

"That's not bruising, I'm going retro with my make-up. Over did it on the eye-shadow though. Thanks, have a good one." I walked off in the direction of the visitor's entrance. Topside I ducked into the alley to Apparate to my Mum and Da's.

~*~

"Luv what's gone amiss?" Mum greeted me with the usual.

"Come on, I thought it was stylish." Actually it did look pretty neat, but I didn't dare sound like I meant it around my Mum. "Love you Mum where's Da?"

"He's due any-time. Luv you look like some kind of technicolour raccoon. Did you hex him dear?" Mum fussed.

"Hex him? Mum look at me, do you see a suitcase?" Mum inspected her. "Well, that's because I was running 'round half-mad trying to get ready. The suitcase had other ideas. It decided I needed a broken nose and two shiners instead of clothes and other nonsense. I didn't have time to pack anything. It was a bloody mess, literally. I just got the Portkey in time. So I'll need to run to a couple shops when Da gets in." I just shrugged, no big deal."

"I heard my name," Da looked terrified seeing my face. "What's gone on? Look like you been hit by a bus."

Hugging Da, "I love you too. I'm afraid I lost the fight though."

"You've a bloke? He ruff ya up? Well, I'll show him." Da, such a man, he rolled up his sleeves.

"Na Da. Stupid accident," he looked like he didn't believe me. "Da do you honesty think I'd let a bloke get hold of me without hexing him into oblivion?" He smiled good natured after-all I was the son my Da never had. "When I get home though I'll be giving the suitcase a 'what for.' I wonder what would happen if I cast the Avada Kedavra on it? Probably the damn suitcase'd hit me again."

"Cadavar? What?' Da looked worried.

"The Killing curse Da, don't know what'd happen if I did it to the suitcase. Be neat to try though." It was a pretty cheerful thought. "I hate to be a bother, but could you run me to the second-hand shop and the pharmacy? I know you just got in. I'd Apparate but I wouldn't know where I needed to end-up."

"All right. It waits until after dinner, okay?" His smile wins me over every time.

"Thanks Da. My ten year reunion is tomorrow, I've been out of touch so I have no idea who will be there. I admit I'm a little anxious. I hope Professor Snape is there." I had to resist licking my lips.

"You little scamp. Don't make me have to spank your bum for you." Da looked half-serious.

"Da, don't be a prude, in my seventh year he was only 29 to my 18; that's hardly anything. Especially since witches and wizards can live a long time." We passed through dinner comfortably they caught me up to date on local news. Filling me in on all of the 'Betterment Projects,' planned for the neighbourhood. The three of us went shopping. I planned on dressing casual for the reunion.

The magic of being back in my childhood home was irresistible. Sleeping in my too small bed, was like travelling through time. The smells, the sounds and falling asleep looking at the same pattern in the wallpaper. They had left my room completely untouched, save for cleaning. Who says you can't go home?

~*~

Author's Note Re-edited 25/1/10. Thank you for reading!