Chapter 8: The one with Mr Bombastic

Disclaimer: I am just a mere visitor in the sublime world constructed by the brilliant mind that is J.K Rowling. Anything that rings a bell is hers.

Nonno- Grandfather in Italian

Chapter 7

It was all very Casablanca. I mean, the whole I'm letting you go for your own good. I'd be surprised if grandma didn't end her goodbye with, 'here's looking at you kid.' That made me chuckle. I noticed three pairs of eyes on me, tentatively taking me in. I then realised they were waiting for some sort of reaction.

"You don't look like a grandfather." The old man raised his brows and chuckled at me.

"That's very gracious of you, Miss Thornton."

I bristled at the name, but before I could object Linus cut through.

"That's because he's not our grandfather. Like I said before. He's our great great great grandfather. And Nonna wasn't our grandmother, she was our great great great grandmother. Because she was a witch, she managed to outlive most of her children... whose magic she was binding. Taking into account that father said that his father died when he was just a boy, and well, father died when we were just boys…I should get better insurance." He laughed at the end awkwardly, I think he realised that he might be spooking me out.

"No, I mean, grandfather is too pretentious, and granddad too boring. I'm thinking...'Albuelo', or Papa D…or Mr Bombastic. I don't know, which one do you prefer?"

He laughed, and I liked it. It was a proper laugh, no pretence. "You can call me anything you like Kyrianna. Oh, my apologies, that slipped out."

"No, that's fine, Nonno. Hmmm Nonno!" Linus and Lenzo gave me stunned looks, I always protested at my full name. Insisting on Ky from a very young age. But somehow, it just felt right when Nonno said it. "But you might regret your previous statement. I'm not ashamed to call you Mr Bombastic in front of your students."

Nonno, hey it was becoming easier thinking of him as that, explained to us all about magic and Hogwarts. And that he was the headmaster here. I knew he was boss of this place! Unfortunately, there was no Lambo.

"Well since we're talking about names and such, I am Lenzo, just Lenzo. Maybe Len and even Zoey-poo" he looked pointedly at me, "but never Lorenzo."

"I don't have any particular preference for my name. I don't have a personality disorder." Linus looked at us pointedly.

They weren't taking the whole grandparent thing well. I guess it will take time to digest. I was always good with change, I was an easily distractable human, and I liked it that way. Change was always interesting.

It may also be the fact that they had to practically raise me on their own, this must feel like too little too late. My mother died in childbirth, a topic I didn't think of, and we never spoke of. I took it and put it in a little box and stuffed it in the depths of my soul. I wasn't ready to deal with the guilt. My dad died of an aneurism at the age of 33. I was 3. And we were left without a family. Our parents didn't have friends, at least nobody close enough that would take in their three orphaned children. Grandma died just before I was born. And Linus said our maternal grandparents, who lived in Italy, were dead before he was even born.

Now we saw why grandma was trying to be so secretive. I guess she thought she'd always be there for us, being a witch and everything. So, there we were, a twelve-year-old, ten-year-old, and three-year-old. All alone.

Linus realised if we were put into the 'system' we would definitely get split up. One of my first memories is of him tucking me into bed the night of dad's funeral (which consisted of us three and a priest), and telling me not to worry about a thing, that he had it all under control.

The next day a lady visited, dressed formally. She had a clipboard. She left after two minutes. Barely sat down. I realised when I was older and was more aware of my powers that Linus must have used it to change the social worker's mind or something.

Linus always had good control of his power, even at a young age. The next year was tough. I remember having to stay with a weird old cat smelling lady during the day.

Linus quit school full time but used whatever little money we had left to keep Lenzo in. I remember Lenzo wanted to quit as well but Linus refused. Linus spent the day working in the local book shop, doing the bookkeeping. I don't know how he managed to pull that off, being underage. But Linus was brilliant at numbers. He was faster than a calculator and I guess things such as age can be overlooked when one possessed such skill. And Mr Forsythe, who owned the shop, had a soft spot for our situation.

Lenzo insisted on at least getting an after-school job, so he worked part time at a mechanics. They'd both get home at 4pm, and that was the happiest part of my day. Saddest being when they left at 8 in the morning, I still had an aversion for that time of day. They took turns making my breakfast, changing, and bathing me, but it almost always ended up being a family effort. When they got home at 4, they'd ask me about my day and how Mrs Ketcher, the old lady that would look after me while they were at work or school, treated me. I would laugh and tell them it was very exciting. I'd tell them about all the things I drew and the stories I read.

I especially remember recounting an interesting storybook full of pictures that I found under Linus' bed, and how I knew that it was a colouring book and I coloured clothes for all the girls. I'd ask them about their day, and they'd tell me it was lots of fun.

I knew it was lies. It was all lies. I was bored and lonely and Mrs Ketcher slept most of the day and we didn't even have a TV. Linus borrowed books for me from the local library, but he had to use most of his limit borrowing books for himself as he was home schooling…himself.

I knew they were super tired. But the lies got us through that tough time. We were too bothered about shielding the other from guilt. Lenzo became quite a good cook, it was mostly TV dinners, but he did learn how to roast chicken and lamb, but that didn't happen too often.

Linus and Lenzo would teach me things whilst Lenzo cooked, they'd just speak to me about things like the water cycle and the planets for hours, they knew I bored easily so they changed the topics a lot, and I remember them answering every question I asked (and there were a lot of them).

I thought they were the smartest boys in the world. I still do think that. At 8pm, Linus and Lenzo would tuck me into the bed we shared (we sold most of everything when we found out dad didn't leave much behind), and I remember waking up at 2 in the morning sometimes and seeing Linus at the desk in our room, studying. Fourteen months later things changed though.

Linus, already skipping a few grades, was in the ninth grade when dad passed away. He took the SATs early and got a perfect score for everything and got a full ride to MIT. He was thought of as a promising mind of the generation, and he got a lot of funding. He used the excess, a tidy sum, to rent an apartment just off campus where we lived. Not only was there a TV, but Linus bought me loads of books, and even a laptop, which they monitored my use of, of course.

I was four and a half at the time and was itching to go to school. Linus and Lenzo had other ideas and chose to teach me when they got home from their respective schools and college. We obviously couldn't splash on a lot of luxuries, but we made it by quite comfortably, and they even managed to get me a younger more fun nanny, Max, who kept me busy during the day. Two years later Lenzo graduated, similar fashion to Linus, and got the same scholarship as well. Of course, this brought in more money. But we continued living comfortably and the guys saved the extra money and invested a lot. Something they were very good at.

A year later Linus graduated with majors in Computer Science, Business Science, Applied Maths and Statistics. I was seven and a half at the time, and overdue for school, but I was still using my powers uncontrollably, so Linus used most of his first paycheck to get me personal tutors.

We stayed in Massachusetts for two more years, waiting for Lenzo to get his degree in computer and mechanical engineering, Economics and Statistics.

We then left for New York, as Linus and Lenzo had invested and saved up enough to start their first Information Systems and Technology Company. That was five years ago, and ThornCorp now stands at number 122 in the international Fortune 500 companies.

I mused to myself; was it magic? It wasn't impossible, people graduated early, did multiple majors, achieved great feats even without magic, so far as I was aware of, but could it have actually been magic? I felt slightly guilty, it felt sort of like using performance enhancement drugs if it was all thanks to magic.

Linus was staring at me, "Ky, were you listening to me?"

I gave him a small smile, "I kinda took a detour at the parietal and got lost in my frontal lobe. What were you saying?"

Len smirked at my quirky way of saying getting lost in my thoughts. He explained,

"We were discussing your future. Erm…He was saying that he could speak to the relevant people and get you a place at this school. Well actually the place is guaranteed, but you can enter the fourth year instead of first if you catch up on the curriculum. Term starts in a month though, and I don't want to stress you unneccesari…"

"I'll do it!"

Li rolled his eyes, "Ky, this is an important decision, one that you should take time to think about."

"Ahh time shmime, I know what I want, and I want to do this."

"Look Ky, this is… you are not holding me back you know that. You're not in the way of anything. The one thing that I had made very clear from the get-go with Agnes is that you are my first priority, and a constant in my life. Don't make this decision if you're doing this for Lenzo and myself."

"Li…this is the most selfish decision I will ever make. I want this, I can feel it in my bones. It's definitely going to be weird not seeing you every day, but we will still see each other. We're family, whether we live under the same roof or not. And anyway, you and Len have put your life on hold for...No don't, let me finish, I could never explain in words what your sacrifices mean to me. I know I was ten handfuls and sometimes more and I know I'm going to miss you incredibly, but I also know that you need to start making Agnes your number one priority. You're marrying her Li, and that's not short term. That means you're choosing her to be the mother of your children. And Len, I know you've been itching to travel and grow your professional racing career but leaving me for long stretches has been stopping you. You gave up your childhood to raise me…"I couldn't help but tear up at that, "please, let me give you this."

Li dropped to his knee in front of me and Len sat on the arm of my chair, holding me to his side.

"Don't think for a second the life we created, we shared, was holding me back. If anything, the need to do right by you two is what pushed me forward and gave me strength. And no matter how many kids I have, or who I choose as my wife, you will always be my number one girl." He wiped a tear off my cheek.

"Yeah, what he said." I gave a watery laugh at Lenzo. I knew he meant the same, not one for words though.

I looked up and caught the eye of Nonno and gave him a grateful smile. He had a weird look on his face…but it disappeared when he saw my smile and returned it easily.

After the waterworks, Nonno figured we'd left the others out in the hall for too long. It seemed that they were waiting for the conclusion for what was a very eventful day. Can't blame them though, I was on the edge of my seat, and I was part of the act.

Harry and his two friends walked in with the same red-haired man before. Harry stared at me expressionlessly, he seemed to be thinking. Hermione gave me a small smile, and the other one was too busy staring at the other adults that walked in. I noticed he was grimacing in particular at the Dracula cosplay guy. He really did not like the man.

Nonno stood, and started speaking,

"I must apologise Arthur, for keeping you here for such a time."

The red-haired man replied, "It's not your fault at all Albus. This lot didn't want to go until all the I's were dotted. You know how they just love a good mystery."

"Well, a young lady appears out of nowhere, can't really blame them." This comment came from the plump witch with the fly away grey hair.

"You never did say how you got here." That came from Hermione, and she blushed at the attention.

"Well, it's not a very interesting story. Nessie, don't look at me like that Li, I called her Agnes in a vulnerable moment, and it won't happen again. Nessie was driving past this lake, and when I looked up and saw this castle. I really wanted to go see it, and the next second, my stomach twisted, and I was standing in a strange village."

"That village was Hogsmeade. It's a magical village and an apparition point if you want to enter Hogwarts, seeing as you can't apparate right in here. Oh, apparate is what I think you did, do you do it often! That's advanced magic, we only get our apparition license when we're off age."

"No, I don't do it often Hermione, just about three times before. And never intentionally, so I wouldn't be able to do it on command. Then when I was standing in the village, Dracula over there…"

"It is Professor Snape"

"Ok, Ok, Professor Snape, was thanking this lady named Rosmerta for the shag she had given him…"

"WHAT?"

"KY!"

"SNAPE AND MADAM ROSMERTA, NO BLOODY WAY."

"I did no such thing. Headmaster this girl is…she's, I have no idea how this perverse child came to such conclusions…"

"It's alright Severus, I'm sure it was a joke. Kyrianna?"

"Unfortunately not Nonno, I may be fourteen, but I know what a walk of shame looks like."

"Why! You insolent brat! Where do you get the nerve to…"

"You thanked her all awkwardly and stuff and she was all, 'anytime Sevvvvverrrrus…'"

"I'll have you know, you perverse little ingrate, that Rosmerta had ordered a type of brandy for me from an overseas client, one that I needed for a potion I was brewing and needed a liquor license to purchase!" He ended with a hiss, and I think his sallow face was going red.

"Whatever you kids call it these days…"

Nonno and Linus gave me the same look and I stopped. Wow. Freaky.

"Anyway… I had a cold sensation down my back, and for some reason he couldn't see me afterwards."

"That's a disillusionment charm. They're very hard to…"

"We get it Hermione, you're smart. Get to the part about the suit of armour and the head thing."

The red haired, who seemed to be enjoying this too much looked at me with very badly repressed glee.

"I think that's enough. This brat snuck in whilst I entered the castle. She managed by chance to run away from me. I, of course found her, where else but with Potter and the other two and brought her over here, where you all experienced her annoyance first hand!"

"Pleasure meeting you too, Sev!"

I really thought he was going to burst a vein if the one on his temple got any bigger.

"That's quite enough Ky. If you continue in this manner, I'm going to have no choice, I won't let you stay." I looked up at Linus, with big puppy dog eyes.

"What, stay, why would she stay? Albus, that whole grandfather thing was…"

"Absolute truth Severus. I am extremely proud to introduce you all to my great great great grandchildren, Quilinus, Lenzo and Kyrianna…"

"Just Ky."

"Oh… it seems that privilege is exclusively mine. It is a long story and one I will happily share with anyone who wished to know it in this room?"

None of the adults seemed interested, it seemed they trusted whatever Nonno said as gospel. Oh man, he rolled like a boss. It must be the beard.

"I would then like to ask a favour. It seems Kyrianna is much too old to start from scratch and would like to join in fourth year. That means she has 3 weeks to cover 3 years of curriculum and is therefore in need of tuition. I know it is the vacation but…"

"Of course, we would help Albus…but 3 weeks! 3 years of curriculum. That's impossible. Even if all the staff joined in which is quite improbable seeing as most are still on leave…?" The stern looking lady with the bun started murmuring to herself.

"I'll help too..."Hermione looked awkward for a second. "Not that I think I could take on a teacher's job, it's just that I have good notes, and well, I could help," She looked shyly, "like a study buddy…"

"That's extremely generous Miss Granger, and your selflessness is admired, and much appreciated."

She blushed at what Nonno said. I smiled; it was nice of her.

"Albus, I think you might be pushing the girl slightly. I mean its three years of work. If she had to take this on, she'd be doing a year's work in a week. " The little man squeaked, and then immediately turned contemplative, 'Though, we could devise a curriculum that entailed only the most vital course work be completed, and train her magically so she could pass the third-year exams. It would be very gruelling though."

"Lucky I'm Albus Dumbledore's granddaughter then." And I smiled my biggest smile. I could do this. This was what I always wanted. I most definitely would not be bored.

A/N

Nonno is grandfather in Italian.

I'm not American so please excuse any mistakes I might have made pertaining to the tertiary system.

Please drop a review to let me know what you think.