"Someone's at the door!" Fred Weasley called out from the attic. "It's Bella Bulstrode!"
"Bella?" Ginny stuck her head out, peering at her brother from the wooden spiral stairs. "She actually made it!" Excitement filled her voice as she hurried downstairs, followed closely by Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
"Hey there!" Bella broke free from Mrs. Weasley's embrace and bounded toward her Gryffindor friends. "Thought you lot wouldn't bother showing up!" Her mischievous grin spread across her face, taunting them.
"Well, we managed somehow," Bella replied with a sly smile. "Be down at 7! I'm conjuring a roast for dinner, kids!" Molly barked her orders as she helped Bella with her bags. "Severus left, Bella?" Arthur Weasley inquired, passing by with muggle batteries in hand.
"Yeah, he had no desire to stick around for dinner, as expected from ol' Snape," Bella responded nonchalantly. Arthur nodded knowingly, fully understanding the nature of Severus Snape.
As Bella unpacked her belongings in Ginny's bedroom, the windows were wide open, offering a breathtaking view of the lush green fields. The sky painted a mesmerizing mixture of violet and orange hues as the sun began to set, casting its enchanting spell over the Burrow. Bella stood by the window, inhaling the crisp, clean air, the refreshing scent of grass washing away the stench of Cokeworth's sewage and pollution. "Ah!" she let out a contented sigh.
"Bringing those muggle magazines was a brilliant idea," Hermione praised, her eyes lighting up at the sight of the numerous fashion and style magazines strewn about.
"I needed some inspiration. You see, I'm planning a complete transformation," Bella revealed with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Transformation? But you look perfectly fine as you are," Hermione responded, rolling her eyes, slightly annoyed.
"Oh, it's not about looking fine, Hermione. I want to be extraordinary. At Sirius's party, I felt so dreadfully dull and outdated," Bella explained, her voice tinged with a touch of frustration.
"Nonsense!" Hermione retorted, poking Bella playfully. Bella couldn't help but giggle in response.
"Listen, Bella, you're my dearest friend, but I think you could use a little more pizzazz! I mean, come on, you're far from even being considered basic," Ginny chimed in, her words laced with a hint of playful cruelty.
"Far from basic? That's rich coming from you!" Bella shot back, glancing at herself in the mirror, desperately trying to pop a bothersome red pimple on her chin. "Harry, do we have any photos from Sirius's party?" She turned to him, her eyes pleading.
Harry smirked mischievously. "Oh, we've got plenty. Want me to show you?"
"No! Burn them all!" Bella declared dramatically, her words met with laughter from the Gryffindors, except for Hermione, who couldn't hide her disapproval of their teasing. Meanwhile, Ginny was determined to help Bella revamp her style.
As dinner time approached, the conversation turned to the upcoming semester. Hermione passionately debated why the history book author had been changed, Ron fretted over the Quidditch World Cup with Fred and George, and Harry dreaded the thought of double Potions on his schedule. Bella sat silently, savoring her soup, her mind wandering to her recent encounters with Severus. She pondered how he planned to reach out to her father. Her parents had never inquired about her since she left, and her owls to them remained unanswered. Did Severus possess some magical means of delivering a letter to the Tibetan mountains where her parents were currently exploring?
"Bella?" Mrs. Weasley's gentle voice broke through Bella's thoughts, bringing her back to the present moment.
"Yes, Mrs. Weasley?" Bella replied, a touch absentmindedly.
"Are you alright, dear? You seem a bit distant," Mrs. Weasley inquired, concern evident in her voice.
"I'm fine, just lost in thoughts about the new term, that's all," Bella reassured her, offering a warm smile before returning to her hearty meal.
"Harry and Bella are having seconds again! My, my, you two are getting skinnier each summer. I'm afraid you'll vanish into thin air soon!" Molly playfully scolded as she refilled their plates with more buttery roast beef and potatoes.
Late into the night, Bella, Harry, Ron, and Hermione reconvened in the cozy confines of the attic room, continuing their lively conversation. Ginny engaged Hermione in a discussion about which dress she should bring to Hogwarts, as the school list now required dress robes.
"Speaking of dresses," Bella interjected, "I'm actually planning to buy a new one."
"You're really committed to this makeover, aren't you?" Ginny exclaimed, her excitement palpable.
"I refuse to return to Madam Malkin's," Bella declared with a smirk. "That Aminta dress is better suited for grandmothers."
Harry couldn't help but contain his laughter as he chimed in, "You should see Ron's robes."
Ron's ears turned a shade of crimson as he protested, "Stop it! I am not wearing that thing, and no one shall lay eyes upon it!"
The girls giggled merrily, persisting in their efforts to persuade Ron to reveal the ancient robes that Molly insisted he don. After much teasing and coaxing, Ron finally relented, revealing the somewhat outdated attire.
Their laughter was interrupted by the arrival of a large owl, its feathers a shade of beige, perched upon the exposed roof. "That's Sirius's owl!" Harry exclaimed, rushing to receive the letter and eagerly reading it aloud to his friends.
"
Dear Harry,
I write to inform you that I will be arriving tomorrow morning to pick you up and accompany you and the others on school shopping trip. You see, I thought it best to see you one last time before embarking on a journey to the East with Remus before term starts, where we plan to bask in the warm sunsets and indulge in delectable cuisine. I apologize for not mentioning this when you were at my house; the decision was made in agreement with Mooney, as we sought to relive some of our old Marauder days in the enchanting realm of Bali!
Make sure to inform the Clan as well, and expect me at Molly's doorstep by 9 AM!
Padfoot
"
Harry looked at his friends expectantly, " So, what do you say? Are you all in?"
