disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, just Arabella and her story. Hope you all like it!

At Flourish and Blotts

Arabella showed Fred and George how to clean up their room and themselves the next morning before they went down for breakfast. Mrs. Weasley offered them all toast the moment they sat down.

"Letters from school," said Mr. Weasley, passing them the envelopes. "Dumbledore already knows you're here, Harry – doesn't miss a trick, that man."

For a few minutes there was silence as they all read their letters. It told them the usual: catch the Hogwarts Express from King's Cross station on September first. There was also a list of the new books that she was going to need for the coming year.

SECOND-YEAR STUDENTS WILL REQUIRE:

The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 2 by Miranda Goshawk
Break with a Banshee by Gilderoy Lockhart
Gadding with Ghouls by Gilderoy Lockhart
Holidays with Hags by Gilderoy Lockhart
Travels with Trolls by Gilderoy Lockhart
Voyages with Vampires by Gilderoy Lockhart
Wanderings with Werewolves by Gilderoy Lockhart
Year with the Yeti by Gilderoy Lockhart

Fred, who had finished his own list, peered over at Harry's. "You've been told to get all Lockhart's books, too! The new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher must be a fan – bet it's a witch."

At this time, Fred caught his mother's eye and quickly busied himself with the marmalade.

"That lot won't come cheap," said George, with a quick look at his parents. "Lockhart's books are really expensive…."

"Well, we'll manage," said Mrs. Weasley, but she seemed worried. "I expect we'll be able to pick up a lot of Ginny's things secondhand."

Percy walked in, already dressed and his Hogwarts prefect badge pinned to his sweater vest. "Morning, all. Lovely day."

He sat down in the remaining seat but leapt up at once, pulling from underneath him a grey owl that looked like a feather duster.

"Errol!" said Ron, taking the limp owl from Percy and grabbing the letter from under his wing. "Finally – he's got Hermione's answer. I wrote to her saying we were going to try and rescue you from the Dursleys."

He carried Errol to a perch just inside the back door and tried to stand him on it, but Errol flopped straight off again so Ron laid him on the draining board instead, muttering, "Pathetic." Then he ripped open Hermione's letter and read it out loud:

"Dear Ron, Arabella, and Harry, if you're there,

I hope everything went all right and that Harry is okay and that you didn't do anything illegal to get him out, because that would get Harry into trouble, too. I've been really worried and if Harry is all right, will you please let me know at once, but perhaps it would be better if you used a different owl, because I think another delivery might finish your one off.

I'm very busy with schoolwork, of course – How can she be?" said Ron in horror. "We're on vacation! – and we're going to London next Wednesday to buy my new books. Why don't we meet in Diagon Alley? Let me know what's happening as soon as you can. Love from Hermione."

"Well, that fits in nicely, we can go and get all your things then, too," said Mrs. Weasley. "What're you all up to today?"

Arabella, Ron, Harry, Fred and George were planning on going up the hill to a small land that the Weasleys owned. It was surrounded by tree that blocked it from view of the village below, meaning that they could practice Quidditch there, as long as they didn't fly too high. They couldn't use Quidditch balls, and instead they threw apples for one another to catch. They took turns riding Harry's Nimbus Two Thousand, which was easily the best broom Arabella has ever been on.

George mentioned something about wondering how his parents were going to afford their school utensils this year with five sets of Lockhart books and Ginny needed a wand and everything else. Arabella didn't say anything. It was a bit awkward considering there was a vault in Gringotts that had gold from her family. She inherited her mother and father's gold after their death and incarceration, respectively, as well as her grandmother, Walburga, leaving everything to her after her own death, and some uncles dying a long time ago. They left everything to Sirius, who in turn, left everything to her.

It always surprised her that Remus barely ever touched that money for himself or for the house. They only ever used it whenever it had something to do with Arabella – school robes, wand, textbooks, etc. Sometimes she wished he would just take the money, to use it for his own purposes, but he was stubborn and too proud to take any money from anybody like that.

Mrs. Weasley woke them all early the following Wednesday. After a quick breakfast, they grabbed their oats and Mrs. Weasley took a flowerpot off the kitchen mantelpiece and peered inside.

"We're running low, Arthur," she sighed. "We'll have to buy some more today… Ah, well, guests first! After you, Harry dear!"

And she offered him the flowerpot. Harry stared at them all watching him.

"W-what am I supposed to do?" he stammered.

"He's never traveled by Floo power," said Ron suddenly. "Sorry, Harry. I forgot."

"Here, I'll go," said Arabella. "Harry, watch us first."

She took a pinch of the powder out of the flowerpot, stepping up to the fireplace and threw the power into the flames. With a roar, the fire turned green and rose taller than her. Arabella stepped right into it and shouted, "Diagon Alley!" and vanished.

She landed hard on the floor of Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. She got up and dusted herself off.

"Looking for some robes, love?" asked Madam Malkin, looking up from her desk.

Arabella shook her head. "No, sorry."

"Then I suggest you get going."

Arabella walked out of the store quickly. She waited outside the store for the others to show up, and they did. Fred and George came after her, then Mr. Weasley, Ginny, Ron, Percy and Mrs. Weasley.

"Where' Harry?" asked Mrs. Weasley, alarmed.

Arabella blinked. "We haven't seen him."

"He came before me," said Mrs. Weasley.

"Well, he must not have gone far," said Ron. "He's bound to be in one of these shops."

Arabella looked at the frantic street of Diagon Alley. It was going to be hard to find Harry in this mess. Mrs. Weasley, Ginny, Fred and George entered each shop, while the others stayed on the street, keeping an eyes out for Harry. They navigated through everyone, while looking at their faces, just to make sure they didn't lose him.

Arabella then ran to the steps of Gringotts with Ron right behind her. They stood on top steps, scanning the crowd. It was amazing to see the street like this. It seemed busier than ever, there must be something special going on somewhere.

"Look, there's Hagrid!" pointed Ron. "You can see Hermione's hair from here."

"And Harry's with them!"

Arabella, Ron, Fred, George, Percy, and Mr. Weasley sprinting through the crowded street and up to Hagrid, Hermione and Harry. Parts of Harry's face was covered in dirt and Hermione hugged Arabella quickly.

"Harry," Mr. Weasley panted. "We hoped you'd only gone one grate too far…. Molly's frantic – she's coming now –"

"Where did you come out?" asked Ron.

"Knockturn Alley," said Hagrid grimly.

"Excellent!" said Fred and George together.

"We've never been allowed in," said Ron enviously.

"I should ruddy well think now," growled Hagrid.

Mrs. Weasley now came running into view, her handbag swinging wildly in one hand, Ginny just clinging onto the other.

"Oh, Harry – oh, my dear – you could have been anywhere –"

Gasping for breath she pulsed a small brush out of her bag and began sweeping off the dirty from Harry. Mr. Weasley took Harry's glasses, gave them a tap of his wand, and returned them, good as new.

"Well, gotta be off," said Hagrid, who was having his hand wrung by Mrs. Weasley. "See yer at Hogwarts!"

"Guess who I saw in Borgin and Burkes?" Harry asked them as they climbed the Gringotts steps. "Malfoy and his father."

"Did Lucius Malfoy buy anything?" said Mr. Weasley sharply behind them.

"No, he was selling –"

"So he's worried," said Mr. Weasley with a grim satisfaction. "Oh, I'd love to get Lucius Malfoy for something…."

"You be careful, Arthur," said Mrs. Weasley as they entered the bank. "That family's trouble. Don't go biting off more than you can chew –"

"So you don't think I'm a match for Lucius Malfoy?" asked Mr. Weasley crossly, but he was then distracted at once by the sight of Hermione's parents, who were standing nervously at the counter that ran all along the great marble hall, waiting for Hermione to introduce them.

"But you're Muggles!" said Mr. Weasley delightedly. "We must have a drink! What's that you've got there? Oh, you're changing Muggle money. Molly, look!" He pointed excitedly at the ten pound notes in Mr. Granger's hand.

"Meet you back here," Ron said to Hermione as the Wealseys, Arabella and Harry were led off to their underground vaults by a Gringotts goblin.

They had gotten two carts attached together for their journey down to the vaults. Arabella thought of Lucius Malfoy on the way down, and that dreadful court day. It was irritating to think about it. She tried to push it out of her mind and enjoy the air blowing against her as they arrived at the Weasleys' vault. But she felt horrible when it opened as there was a small pile of silver Sickles inside and just one gold Galleon. Mrs. Weasley took everything into her bag and they journeyed towards Harry's vault. He blocked the contents from their view and Arabella paled when she realized that they were heading towards her vault now.

"Vault seven hundred and eleven next," said the goblin in front.

They went deeper into Gringotts and she quickly slid in and out of her vault. She tried her best to make sure they did not see the contents – mountains of gold, silver and bronzes, jewels, golden plates, cups, armour in gold and silver, large pictures of members of House Black, and in general, treasures that she inherited from her grandmother.

When they left Gringotts, they all separated. Percy muttered something about needing a new quill. Fred and George spotted Lee. Mrs. Weasley and Ginny were going to a secondhand robe shop. Mr. Weasley was insisting on taking the Grangers off to the Leaky Cauldron for a drink.

"We'll all meet at Flourish and Blotts in an hour to buy your schoolbooks," said Mrs. Weasley, setting off with Ginny. "And not one step down Knockturn Alley!"

Arabella, Hermione, Harry and Ron strolled off along the street. Harry had bought them strawberry-and-peanut-butter ice creams as they wandered around. Ron and Hermione entered Amanuensis Quills to get some new quills and ink, while Arabella and Harry entered the shop next door, Eeylops Owl Emporium. Remus was allowing her to get an owl for a very late birthday gift, and after finally realizing that Bruce was getting very old.

Entering the shop, they were greeted with screeches from the many different owls. In the front was a man that was a couple years older than them. He looked bored and irritated at the screeches. He barely looked up from his magazine as they entered.

"Welcome to Eeylops Owl Emporium," he drawled, "where we have many owls such as the barn owl, the brown owl, the screech owl, the tawny owl, and the snowy owl, and we have many owl treats to meet your pet's animal needs. If you act now, we can give you a discount on your –"

Arabella and Harry walked away quickly. The man kept drowning on and on, even as they left him behind. They looked around the shop.

"Do you know what you want?" asked Harry.

"Something nice, I suppose," said Arabella, shrugging.

"What about that one?" Harry pointed at a plain owl with dark eyes.

Arabella shook her head. "I don't really want a plain owl. All the ones at Hogwarts are plain. Kind of want something that stands out a little, you know?"

They kept walking around the store, checking each owl out. The owls hooted and seemed happy at the company. There were a lot of brown owls in different shades, and some owls that looked a lot like Hedwig. It seemed almost hopeless and Arabella was about to go for an owl with chocolate coloured feathers and milky eyes when Harry called her over.

"I think I found something you might like," said Harry as he led her over to a particular one.

It was a beautiful grey owl with specks of black and white, but the eyes were the ones that stood out. It had bright green eyes with speckles of yellow around its iris. Arabella smiled at him and extended her finger. He did not retreat from her and Arabella slowly petting his cheek.

"He's brilliant," said Arabella, beaming at Harry.

Arabella paid twenty galleons for him, the cage and the food. They met Ron and Hermione outside the store.

"What are you going to call him?" asked Hermione.

Arabella stared at the owl for a moment and then said, "Shay."

They met Fred, George, and Lee outside of Gambol and Japes Wizarding Joke Shop. They were stocking up on a bunch of fireworks and they found Percy in an old junk shop. He was deeply immersed in a small book called Prefects Who Gained Power.

An hour later, they all headed for Flourish and Blotts, and it seemed as though everyone else was heading there as well. As they approached it, they saw a large crowd jostling outside the doors, trying to get in. The reason was outside in a large banner stretched across the upper windows:

GILDEROY LOCKHART
Will be signing copies of his autobiography
MAGICAL ME
Today 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

"We can actually meet him!" squealed Hermione. "I mean, he's written almost the whole booklist!"

The crowd seemed to be made up mostly of witches around Mrs. Weasley's age. A tired looking wizard stood at the door and said, "Calmly, please, ladies... Don't push, there…. Mind the books, now…."

The four of them managed to squeeze inside. They each grabbed a copy of The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 2 and snuck up the line to where the rest of the Weasleys were standing with Mr. and Mrs. Granger.

"Oh, there you are, good," said Mrs. Weasley. She sounded winded and kept patting her hair. "We'll be able to see him in a minute…."

Gilderoy Lockhart came slowly into view, seated at a table surrounded by large pictures of his own face, all winking and flashing dazzlingly white teeth at the crowd. The real Lockhart was wearing robes of bright blue that exactly matched his eyes; his pointed wizard's hat was set at a jaunty angle on his wavy hair.

A short, irritable-looking man was dancing around taking photographs with a large black camera that emitted puffs of purple smoke with every blinding flash.

"Out of the way, there," he snarled at Ron, moving back to get a better shot. "This is for The Daily Prophet —"

"Big deal," said Ron, rubbing his foot where the photographer had stepped on it.

Gilderoy Lockhart heard him. He looked up. He saw Ron —and then he saw Harry. He stared. Then he leapt to his feet and positively shouted, "It can't be Harry Potter?"

The crowd started to whisper excitedly. Lockhart dived forward, seized Harry's arm, and pulled him to the front. The crowd burst into applause, but Arabella was disgusted at the display and it seemed as though Ron agreed with her.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Lockhart said loudly. "What an extraordinary moment this is! The perfect moment for me to make a little announcement I've been sitting for some time! When young Harry here stepped into Flourish and Blotts today, he only wanted to buy my autobiography – which I shall be happy to present to him now, free of charge –"The crowd applauded again. "He had no idea that he would shortly be getting much, much more than my book, Magical Me. He and his schoolmates will, in fact, be getting the real magical me. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I have great pleasure and pride in announcing that this September, I will be taking up the post of Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!"

The crowd cheered and clapped. Arabella and Ron looked at each other, not too pleased with the news.

"He's going to be our teacher!" Arabella said in a hushed voice. "Can you believe this?"

"Aren't you excited?" asked Hermione, star-struck and excited. Ron rolled his eyes at her.

Harry managed to get away from Lockhart with a bundle of books on her arms. Arabella, Ron and Hermione tried their best to fight though the crowd to get to Harry. Unfortunately, they found Malfoy there with him, with his usual sneer. Ginny was scarlet in the face while her cauldron was full of the books Lockhart gave to Harry.

"Oh, it's you," said Ron, looking at Malfoy. "But you're surprised to see Harry here, eh?"

"Not as surprised as I am to see you in a shop, Weasley," retorted Malfoy. "I suppose your parents will go hungry for a month to pay for all those."

Ron went as red as Ginny and started toward Malfoy, but Arabella and Harry grabbed the back of his jacket.

"Ron!" said Mr. Weasley, struggling over with Fred and George. "What are you doing? Did you get your books yet?"

"Well, well, well – Arthur Weasley."

Pointed face, pale blond hair and cold grey eyes, Lucius Malfoy stood with his hand on Draco's shoulder, sneering the same way. They looked so alike at that moment. Arabella glared at the man, and held onto Harry's arm, pulling him closer. Lucius will not touch him, she will make sure of it.

"Lucius," said Mr. Weasley, nodding coldly.

"Busy time at the Ministry, I hear," said Lucius. "All those raids… I hope they're paying you overtime?" He reached into Ginny's cauldron and examined a very old, battered copy of A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration. "Dear me, what's the use of begin a disgrace to the name of wizard if they don't even pay you well for it?"

Mr. Weasley flushed darker than either Ron or Ginny. "We have a very different idea of what disgraces the name of wizard, Malfoy."

"Clearly," said Lucius. His eyes strayed to Mr. and Mrs. Granger, and then towards Arabella. There was a sort of delight in his eyes when he saw her. "Arabella Black. Nice to see you again."

"Wish I could say the same," said Arabella firmly.

"How long as it been? Eight, nine year?" asked Lucius. "Time flies fast. Tell me, how's Remus Lupin? Finally found a job?"

Arabella's nose flared. "I do not see how that is any of your concern," she said hotly.

"It's such a shame, however," said Lucius, "that you had to be subjected to living with his kind and keeping in the company of the Weasleys and Muggles," his eyes snapped towards the Grangers, "and I thought your families could sink no lower –"

There was a thud of metal as Ginny's cauldron went flying; Mr. Weasley had thrown himself at Lucius, knocking him backward into a bookshelf. Dozens of heavy spell books came thundering down on all their heads; there was a yell of, "Get him, Dad!" from Fred and George; Mrs Weasley was shrieking, "No, Arthur, no!"; the crowd stampeded backwards, knocking more shelves over; "Gentlemen, please – please!" cried the assistant, and then, louder than all –

"Break it up, there, gents, break it up –"

Hagrid was wading toward them through the sea of books. In an instant he had pulled Mr. Weasley and Lucius apart. Mr. Weasley had a cut lip and Lucius had been hit in the eye by an Encyclopedia of Toadstools. He was still holding Ginny's old Transfiguration book. He thrust it at her, his eyes glittering with malice.

"Here, girl — take your book — it's the best your father can give you —" Pulling himself out of Hagrid's grip he beckoned to Draco and swept from the shop.

"Yeh should've ignored him, Arthur," said Hagrid, almost lifting Mr. Weasley off his feet as he straightened his robes. "Rotten ter the core, the whole family, everyone knows that — no Malfoy's worth listenin' ter — bad blood, that's what it is — come on now — let's get outta here."

They bought their books quickly ad hurried up the street, the Grangers shaking with fright and Mrs. Weasley beside herself with fury.

"A fine example to set for your children… brawling in public… what Gilderoy Lockhart must've thought –"

"He was pleased," said Fred. "Didn't you hear him as we were leaving? He was asking that bloke from the Daily Prophet if he'd be able to work the fight into his report — said it was all publicity —"

They went inside the Leaky Cauldron and headed towards the fireplace, using Floo powder to get back. They said goodbye to the Grangers, who were leaving for the pub on the other side of the street. Arabella had hugged Hermione briefly before parting ways back to The Burrow.

They put their things away, Ginny and Mrs. Weasley packed all of Ginny's things in her truck and Arabella went to the kitchen table with Shay, and wrote a letter to Remus.

Dear Moony,

This is Shay. Isn't he beautiful? I like him, and I think he'll get along with Bruce.

Things at the Weasleys are going fine. I sort of had a prank war with Fred and George. Harry, Ron and Ginny were on my side. We did a bunch of things, but I definitely used that hair potion we made a couple years ago, and the blue skin and yellow hair one too. It was brilliant! The last one I used was the colour bomb. I think they liked it. I might give them the hair colour one for Christmas. What do you think?

Anyway, we went to Diagon Alley today and met our new Defense teacher. He's Gilderoy Lockhart. He seems to care only about publicity more than anything else, but we'll see how he turns out. You would be a lot better than him. We also met Lucius Malfoy. He said something's about you and the Weasleys. Mr. Weasley and Malfoy got into a fight after he insulted you and the Weasley family.

Hope you're all right. Send a reply soon. Be nice to Shay. I love you.

Arabella.

Arabella read the letter a couple time before she rolled it up and attached it to Shay.

"This is for Remus Lupin," said whispered to Shay as she stroked his feathers. "He lives near Dufftown. You'll like him."

Shay seemed to understand. Arabella brought him closer to the door, opened it, and watched as Shay flew away. Arabella watched until Shay flew completely out of her sight. She then went to the living room with her copy of The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 2 and began to read. She needed something to distract her from what had happened earlier.

She could not get Lucius's face and voice out of her head. The way he sneered when he talked about Remus and the Weasleys made her blood boil. He did not know them, he understood nothing. The Weasleys were caring, loving and kind to her, and Remus was one of the best people she ever knew. He's her rock, her compass, he kept her sane above all and made sure she always knew that she was valued and cared her. She loved him more than anyone else, and she will be damned if someone was just going to insult him like that.

Arabella must have read the same sentence twenty times before she finally slammed the book shut and gripped it tightly. The Malfoys infuriated her to no ends.

"You all right, Arabella?" asked Harry. He entered the living room and looked at her with concern.

"What? Oh – yeah, I'm fine," said Arabella, waving it off. "Just… thinking."

Harry took a seat next to her on the sofa. "Are you sure? If you want to get it off your chest or anything…."

"Its fine, Harry, really."

Harry did not say anything as they sat together in silence, staring at the wall, the floor, and outside the house. Arabella's mind dwelled on the matter for a while before she said, "It's… it's just Malfoy's father."

Harry looked at her, confused. "If it's about what he said –"

"It's not just what he said, it's how he said it. It's how he says everything! I've only met him a couple times before, and it was a couple times too many!"

"What happened?" asked Harry.

Arabella took in a deep breath. "It was for my custody hearing after my Mum – after what happened to my Mum." She felt uncomfortable bringing up Kassandra, but Harry nodded, understanding. He knew that she was gone, but Arabella never mentioned what exactly happened.

"Anyway, The Ministry wanted me to go to a family member after what happened, and Malfoy's mum, Narcissa petitioned for me to go live with her and Lucius. Bring me up with their son."

"You almost lived with the Malfoys?" asked Harry in disbelief.

Arabella huffed and nodded. "Narcissa only had Draco at the time, and seemed to want a daughter as well. My grandmother, Walburga, wanted me to stay within the family that she approved of. She wanted me to grow up to be her perfect little granddaughter under the care of Lucius and Narcissa. She thought I was a pureblood, and I wished I told her I was really a half-blood – she would have died of a heart attack right then and there.

"Andromeda, my aunt and Narcissa's sister, petitioned against them, wanting me to live with her or Remus, and Remus followed in suit. Dumbledore and Mad-Eye – a close friend – backed Remus up when the hearing came, and in the end, The Ministry had to abide by my mother's last will and testimony. But, boy, Lucius Malfoy put up a good fight – he even tried to bride the Minister with some money, but Dumbledore put a stop to it at once."

Arabella breathed heavily for a moment, closing her eyes and remembering that horrible hearing. She remembered sitting in the middle of the court, scared, alone and having all those adults yelling over her, about her, and not regarding her at all. Remus was the only one who seemed to pay her any attention, smiling at her reassuringly.

"I can't believe it," said Harry after some time. "You and the Malfoys…."

"I know," said Arabella, sighing. "I don't think I would be sitting here if... they had gained custody of me."

Harry reached out and patted her shoulder quite awkwardly. "But you are, and that should count for something."

Arabella smiled at him gratefully. "It's just… odd, you know, thinking about them and remembering that day, and how I might still turn into them, they've done some horrible things. I fell so stupid for feeling this –"

"No, you're not," said Harry instantly. "It's not stupid, feeing this. There's nothing wrong with it. And if it helps, I don't think you're anything like them, and you've got us as well – your uncles and aunts, Hermione and the Weasleys, and me. We'll always be there, so I doubt you'll turn into anything like them with us around. We won't let you," he added with a smile. "We like you too much to see anything like that ever happen to you."

Arabella's cheeks turned red and she was grateful for her olive skin complexion. "Thank you, Harry." She then hugged Harry tightly for a moment while still sitting on the couch. Once she had let go of him she said, "I think I'll go pack up now, and it's getting late. Good night, Harry."

Harry bid her good night as well, and they both went their separate ways. Arabella clutched her book close to her, and her grin barely left her face.

Thank you all for reading! Hope you liked it!