Rescue and the Malfoys

The next several days were worse than before. I was locked in my room except when I needed to use the bathroom, bits of food were pushed through the catflap in my door which wasn't much and I knew the true meaning of hunger as I had to split my food with Hedwig, I couldn't write to Cedric anymore but I had managed to get one last letter to him before being locked up and I kept having nightmares.

I woke up in the middle of the night and saw that it was one o'clock in the morning and my twelfth birthday. I had hoped to spend it at Ron's, but no such luck. I sighed as I held Snuffles close and that's when I saw it. Some kind of star seemed to be getting brighter and closer and then I realized it wasn't a star. It was a flying car and in it were Ron, Fred, George and Cedric!

"Hiya, Helena!" said Ron.

"Guys!" I said, happy and stunned to see them. "But how did you—? What're you all doing here?"

"We're getting you out of here, of course!" said Cedric. "Get your things, quickly!"

I shoved a jacket over my pajamas and grabbed my truck as they placed a grappling hook on the bars on my window and broke them off. The car turned around and I got my things in the trunk just as Uncle Vernon's voice yelled for me. The car swung around as I got Hedwig into it and then the Dursleys burst in.

"Petunia, she's escaping!"

I jumped into the car, Cedric and Ron barely managed to grab me in time as Uncle Vernon grabbed my leg and wouldn't let go.

"We've got you, Helena!" said Cedric.

"Let go of me!" I yelled to Uncle Vernon.

"Oh, no, girl. You and that bloody pigeon aren't going anywhere!" he snarled.

"Get off!" I yelled.

"Drive!" said Ron.

The car sped off and Uncle Vernon lost his grip and fell into the bushes below as I was placed in the safety of the backseat with Cedric. I couldn't believe it. I was free. I was free until the next summer! We let Hedwig out and she enjoyed stretching her wings.

"By the way, Helena," said Cedric, as he handed me a big slab of delicious Honeyduke's Chocolate. "Happy Birthday."

"Thanks," I said, as I tore into it and took a bite, moaning in delight and sharing it with him. "Thanks for everything guys. But how on earth did you know about this?"

"Cedric came by and told us he thought something was wrong because you'd stopped responding to his letters," said Ron. "We were already concerned ourselves, but then Dad said you'd gotten a warning from the Ministry for using magic in the house, so we came up with the plan to rescue you."

"Well, I'm glad you did," I said, gratefully. "It was a nightmare back there."

"So, what happened? Why didn't you get any of mine or Hermione's letters?" asked Ron. "Why only Cedric's?"

I explained all about the Dursleys and Dobby and they exchanged looks.

"I say that's very fishy," said Fred. "Do you think he was lying?"

"I don't know what to think. Like I said, every time he tried to explain further, he said he couldn't and started banging his head on stuff."

"Well, it doesn't matter now," said George. "If there is something going on, we'll find out later. Let's just hope we don't get caught by Mum."

I chuckled as I snuggled up with Cedric and started falling back asleep.

"I missed you," he murmured.

"Missed you too," I yawned, as I fell asleep.

I woke up when sunlight hit my eyes and saw we'd arrived. The Burrow was a place that looked like it was a house and half. The inside was clean and furnished and there was a pan washing itself and some bewitched knitting. There was a clock with spoons with the family's names on them that pointed to a different destination and some English muffins on the table.

"It's not much, but it's home," said Ron.

"I think it's brilliant," I said, smiling.

Just then, Mrs. Weasley came down looking furious. "Where have you been?" she demanded. Then she saw me and smiled. "Helena, how wonderful to see you dear." Then she continued screeching at Cedric and the others. "Bed empty! No note! Car gone! You could've died! You could've been seen! And, Cedric, I expected more from you than sneaking off like that!" She turned back to me, smiling. "Of course, I don't blame you, Helena, dear."

"They were starving her, Mum!" Ron protested. "There were bars on her window!"

"Well you'd best hope I don't put bars on your window, Ronald Weasley," said Mrs. Weasley, sternly. "Come along, Helena. Time for a spot of breakfast and we'll celebrate your birthday tonight at dinner."

I blushed. "You don't have to…"

"Nonsense," said Mrs. Weasley. "We want to. Now, go sit down."

We all sat down and Mrs. Weasley kept giving me large helpings of sausage, toast and eggs and pumpkin juice muttering about how I was so skinny and pale. Cedric nodded approvingly at Mrs. Weasley. Honestly! Did he think I was frail? Then a little girl with red hair came down.

"Helena, this is my sister Ginny. Ginny, this is Helena," said Ron.

"Hello," I said, politely.

"Hi," she said, timidly. "You're Helena Potter. Mind if I sit with you?"

"No, go right ahead."

She sat beside me. "How long are you staying? Forever?"

I chuckled. "Well, I'll see. So, are you going to Hogwarts this year?"

"Yes, I'm really excited. Do you think I'll have excitement like you did last year?"

"Maybe. They say something always happens at Hogwarts."

Ginny beamed.

"Cute, isn't it?" said Cedric, smiling.

I nodded. "So, how're things are your house?"

"Same as usual. Dad was ecstatic when he found out what'd happened with the Stone. Mum was hysterical and said I'd better not worry her like that again or she'd skin me alive," said Cedric.

Ron laughed and then a redheaded man joined us saying, "Morning, Weasleys! What a night. Nine raids! Nine!"

"Raids?" I asked.

"Dad works at the Ministry in the Misuse of Muggles Artifacts Office," Ron explained. "Dad loves Muggles, thinks they're fascinating."

Mr. Weasley sat across from me. "And who're you?"

"Oh, sorry, sir. I'm Helena, sir. Helena Potter."

"Goodness me, are you really? Well, Ron and Cedric have told us all about you. When did she get here?"

"This morning," said Mrs. Weasley. "Your sons and Cedric flew that enchanted car of yours to Surrey and back last night."

"Did you really? How'd it go?" But his expression changed when Mrs. Weasley smacked him. "I mean, that was very wrong indeed, boys. Very wrong of you."

Cedric and I chuckled.

There was an owl's screech and then a grey feather duster seemed to hit the window before it got up on the window sill, carrying the day's post.

"Errol's always doing that," said Ron. "He's so stupid."

Percy got up and fetched the post. "Oh, look, it's our Hogwarts letters. And they've sent us Cedric's and Helena's as well."

"Dumbledore must know you're here, you two," said Mr. Weasley. "He doesn't miss a trick, that man."

"This lot won't come cheap, Mum," said Fred. "Just the spell books alone are very expensive."

"We'll manage," said Mrs. Weasley.

"I could help out a bit," I offered. "It's the least I can do for rescuing me from the Dursleys and letting me stay here. Please?"

"Well, that's very kind of you. We'll see, Helena," said Mrs. Weasley.

It turned out to be a fantastic summer.

It was so completely unlike the Dursleys who usually kept things orderly and in a strict manner. Nothing about the Weasleys was really predictable which made it all the more fun and enjoyable.

I enjoyed a birthday cake and homemade presents from the Weasleys and Cedric I stayed with Ginny in her room and the two of us formed a sisterly bond. I spent most of my time outside playing Quidditch in the Weasleys' grove and we took turns riding my Nimbus Two Thousand the twins' Cleansweep Sevens. Mr. Weasley kept asking me about Muggle stuff finding it interesting that they could work without magic.

As Mrs. Weasley didn't want me paying for some of the school supplies this year, instead I pitched in around the house, cleaning and de-gnoming the garden, which she found quite helpful. I responded to Hagrid and Hermione's frantic letters and we agreed to meet at Flourish and Blotts in Diagon Alley. And best of all was when Cedric would take me out stargazing at night and explain about the constellations.

It was the first time I ever felt like I had a family to call my own. Late in August, we went to Diagon Alley by Floo Powder. Whatever the heck that was!

"I'm sorry, what?" I said, confused. "What's Floo Powder?"

"Goodness me, you've never used it?" asked Mr. Weasley. "But how'd you buy all your things for school last year?"

"She went with Hagrid down the Muggle route," said Cedric.

"Well, this is a lot quicker, believe me," said Mrs. Weasley. "Ron, you go first so Helena can see how it's done."

Ron nodded and took some of the powder out of the flowerpot. "Diagon Alley!" he said, and then he dropped the powder and disappeared in a puff of green flames.

"Go on, Helena, it's easy. Just speak very, very clearly," said Mrs. Weasley.

"Okay," I said, slightly afraid.

I picked up the powder and dropped it after telling it my desired destination. I felt like I was I going at Mach Five and kept coughing on soot and ash and hit my head once or twice before finally coming out of a fireplace. I coughed and got up. Floo Powder was definitely not my favorite way to travel.

I cleaned my glasses with the handkerchief in my pocket and then I realized I was not in Diagon Alley. The desk's nameplate read borgan and burkes. The shop was filled with things I'd read about that were strictly forbidden to all normal witches and wizards. There was cursed jewelry, shrunken heads, skulls, a Hand of Glory, scary looking statues, and other such stuff that made me feel worried.

No one was around, so I got out as quickly and as quietly as I could. The alley's sign read knockturn alley. Where on earth was that? Where was Diagon Alley? I wandered the streets, passing several scary-looking shops until a greasy and creepy-looking wizard put his hand on my shoulder.

"Not lost, are you, my dear?" he asked.

"I'm fine, thank you," I said, trying to pry his fingers off me.

"Come with us, we'll help you find your way back."

"No, please, just—"

"HELENA?" said Hagrid, appearing in the corner.

"Hagrid!" I said, relieved as I got free of the wizard.

"What're you doing down here? Come on!"

I ran away from the wizard and ran up to Hagrid, who took my hand and led me out of Knockturn Alley and into Diagon Alley. "You're a mess, Helena. Hold still." He brushed off the soot and ash on me. "What were you doing there? Sulking around Knockturn Alley? Dodgy place. Don't want no one to see you there. People will think you're up to no good!"

"It wasn't my fault," I said, indignantly. But I was too relieved and happy to see him to be angry. "I was traveling by Floo Powder and got lost."

Hagrid nodded. "Never did trust Flood Powder. First time I tried it, I wound up ill and in a strange place."

"So, what were you doing down there?"

"The Weasleys said you were missing and I was looking for Flesh-Eating-Slug-Repellent 'cause they're ruining all the school cabbages."

Just then, we came up to Flourish and Blotts and Hermione ran out to us, hugging me tightly. "Helena! Hagrid!"

"Hello, Hermione," said Hagrid.

"It's so good to see you," said Hermione.

"It's great to see you too," I said, smiling.

"You'll be alright now, then, Helena?" said Hagrid.

I nodded.

"Okay, then I'll see you at school."

We waved good-bye and then went in shop where Cedric looked relieved to see me and Mrs. Weasley began fussing.

"Oh, Helena, thank goodness. We'd hoped you'd only gone one grate too far," she said. Then she turned when Gilderoy Lockhart came out. He was the author of half our school books this year. He was blond with blue eyes and dazzling white teeth and looked like a smug idiot as he posed for pictures. Then his eyes met mine.

"It can't be, Helena Potter?" he said. "Well, this certainly is a surprise! Come here, dear girl! Come here!"

Before I could protest, I was shoved up front and Lockhart grabbed me and held me tight as some pictures were taken.

"Ladies and gentleman, what an extraordinary thing this is!" said Lockhart. "When young Helena came into Flourish and Blotts this morning to purchase my autobiography Magical Me, which is currently celebrating it's twenty-seventh week on top the Daily Prophet Best-Seller List. She had no idea that she'd be leaving with my entire collected works free of charge." He handed me all the Lockhart books for the year.

"Thank you," I said, as I yanked myself free of him. I slipped the books to Ginny. "Here, you can have these. I'll buy another set."

"I can't take this!" said Ginny.

"Yes, you can. Consider it an early Christmas present. Really, it's no problem," I assured her. I turned to Cedric. "Let's get our stuff and get out of here."

"Agreed," said Cedric, eyeing Lockhart with disgust. "Would you believe he's going to be Quirrell's replacement?"

"You're kidding!"

Cedric shook his head. "Nope. Dad says Dumbledore hired him a month ago."

"Oh, no," I moaned. What was Dumbledore playing at, hiring the pompous idiot as a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher? I sighed as we quickly bought our books and then started to head outside when my least favorite person besides Voldemort appeared. Draco Malfoy, the self-centered jerk from Slytherin.

"Bet you loved that, didn't you Potter?" said Malfoy. "Famous Helena Potter can't even go into a bookshop without making the front page!"

"Leave her alone, Malfoy," said Cedric, growling.

"Oh, look Potter, you got yourself a boyfriend!" said Malfoy.

A man with long white blond hair placed his snakehead staff on Malfoy's shoulder. "Now, now, Draco, play nicely." He turned to me. "Miss Helena Potter, at last we meet." He pulled me close and brushed aside my hair and showed my scar. "Your scar is legend, as of course is the wizard who gave it to you."

I yanked myself free of Mr. Malfoy and glared at him. "Voldemort killed my parents. He was nothing more than a murderer."

"You must be very brave to mention his name or very foolish," said Mr. Malfoy.

"Fear of a name only increases fear of the thing itself," said Hermione, disdainfully.

"You must be Miss Granger," said Mr. Malfoy. "Draco's told me all about you and your parents. Muggles, aren't they?" He turned to Ron and Ginny who were scowling at him. "Let's see. Red hair, vacant expression, tatty second-hand book, you must be the Weasleys." He turned to Cedric and his face just about turned to a sneer. "Well, well, well, if it isn't little Cedric Diggoy, Amos's son. Funny, I would've thought you would've preferred a more…suitable crowd than one that's a disgrace to the name of wizard such as this."

"I have a very different idea of what disgraces the name of wizard, Mr. Malfoy," said Cedric, coldly.

"Really?" said Mr. Malfoy, picking up one of Cedric's books. "Associating with Muggles and freaks, and I thought you were one of us." He placed Cedric's book back into the cauldron where it'd been resting. "Tell your father I'll see him at work. Come, Draco."

"See you at school," said Malfoy, scornfully.

I clenched my hand into a fist as they walked away.

"Creeps," said Ron. "Come on, let's just get out of here before I kill something."

"Gladly," said Hermione.