Chapter 17: The one with wizard Hitler

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

Chapter 16

"I must admit I am quite jealous of you." I looked over at Minnie as I threw another sweater in the bag. She and Mona where sitting on my vanity bench.

"I can't imagine why! What with your lovely high cheekbones and billowing black hair, I say age only pronounced your beauty. And let's not forget the sexy Scottish accent." I said winking at her whilst Mona chuckled. Minnie just gave me her usual stern look,

"I think I might just accompany Severus when he pushes you off that cliff." She muttered.

"Haha, go ahead, Nonno would just catch me. Why jealous though?"

"Minnie is a huge fan of quidditch. She played for the house team when she was in school. She was brilliant of course."

"Mona exaggerates, about my skill, not about me being a fan. Oh, Bane you're going to love it." I smirked at the new nickname Sev picked for me. She seemed to take a liking to it. "There's little in this world that brings one such joy as a good game of quidditch. I don't want to spoil it too much, but you're blessed to have a professional match to be your first game. And a World Cup final no less! You must thank Arthur and Molly for inviting you."

I looked at Minnie and she seemed to have lost years in her face just talking about the game. Not that I ever thought of Minnie as old. I sat down on the bed as she continued,

"Of course, you're in good hands. A lot of the Weasleys have been on our team. Well, my team, not ours…yet." She had this sinister smile on her face at that, and paused for a second, lost in thought. I had a feeling she was thinking of Sev. Mona told me they had a bet going on about my placement in a house. "Charlie was captain in his year, he was very good. Could have gone professional. And the Twins, they've been on the team for years. And I'm sure Mr Potter is going as well, he is one of the best flyers I have seen in my life, and I watched Fabian Watkins fly for the Montrose Magpies in the seventies!"

I blushed slightly when she mentioned Mr Potter and tried to hide it by ruffling through my bag. I've been busy these few weeks, but his face has been popping up in my head every so often. He seemed so intense and mysterious, the total opposite of myself. Of course, I've heard his story, but not a lot of it. Just the basics, I was meaning to ask the ghosts, but it slipped my mind. I caught Mona's eye, and she was giving me a knowing look. And here I thought I was being so inconspicuous.

"…but that was the game before his last in '75. He was a right loss to quidditch, and so young too. I don't know how he didn't see that helicopter."

"Now now Minnie, let's let the young lass continue with her packing. I'm sure the young un's will explain all she needs to know about the game. See you later pet."

"Right you are Mona. Don't forget to pack extra scarves; they tend to fly off in the stands what with the wind and altitude. And Linus wrote me and told me to make sure you carry your Parch in case anything happens. That boy worries too much, but can you blame him? Well stop staring at me and continue packing, it's rude to show up late."

A few minutes later I placed my bag onto the floor of the Great Hall. Sev looked up at me from his seat at the table, placing down his napkin. I hadn't seen him all day, no wonder he had such a smile on his face. He stood, as did Minnie, Mona, and Fil.

"It seems today is my lucky day, that bag seems heavier than a two-day trip." He said lifting up my bag, "Please tell me you plan on not coming back."

"No such luck Sensei, I'm a girl…we don't pack light. So, I'll be leaving now…"I stopped awkwardly. Mr Weasley asked me to stay the remainder day of the holiday. The match being on Friday and us leaving for school on Sunday. He said I could do with the day to recuperate and that was implying the match lasts a day. Apparently, there's no time limit to quidditch. And Nonno said it would add to the excitement, coming to the castle on the train that brought everybody else here. I liked that idea, but that means come Monday these lot were going to go from my zias and zio and Sev to Professors McGonagall, Flitwick, Sprout and Snape.

"Have a wonderful time Ky. I can't believe it, World Cup final tickets. You are a lucky girl." Fil said.

"Thank you, Zio Fil."

"And take lots of pictures pet. Some moments the mind's eye just won't do. And take good care of yourself won't you." Mona said as she hugged me.

"I can't make any promises." I said as I hugged her back.

"And I expect a full match report when I see you Monday night. Expect a quiz." Minnie said and I gave her a hug. It's like she sensed my fear that they would become distant and was trying to console me. I looked at Sev.

"Don't even think about it." I cocked my eyebrow at Sev, still contemplating ambushing him with a hug. "Here." He said, taking out a stylish rectangular box. It was white, with a black bow. "Minerva and this lot saw it fitting to buy you a congratulatory gift for passing third year, because heaven knows that's never been done before and it's such an achievement. Of course, I had to go and fetch it from the shop." Sev continued muttering to himself, a defensive act he put up when he was doing something kind, or caring, un-Sev like. I undid the bow and the top of the box floated off. I smiled at Fil, and he winked at me. Inside was a palm length piece of shiny black metal. It was designed in an intricate pattern. I took it out,

"It's a fondina. They're very popular in Italy. They're wand holsters, just fit it on the end of your wand, you'll see." Minnie said.

I did so, and I gasped in surprise. The black metal matched the engravings of the Blackthorne wood perfectly. I looked up at them all and three of them smiled at me. I looked again at the metal and there twinkling up at me was four glittering jewels bordering the end, sapphire, yellow diamond, emerald and ruby. And underneath the jewels was the inscription, 'Bane'. The fondina left my hand and magically attached at my hip, as if hanging on an invisible belt. I looked up again lost for words but two, "Thank you."

I jumped out of the Weasleys' fireplace. Mr Weasley was the only soul in the kitchen, busy carrying wine glasses.

"Oh! Ky! Hello. Come on outside, we're having dinner in the garden."

"Need help with those Mr Weasley?"

"Nope, nothing a little levitation charm can't handle."

I walked outside to be greeted by the most warming sight. There was a long table groaning under tons of food and not a single person noticed me enter. They were all too deep in loud conversation. This whole situation just breathed life.

As I just stood at the edge, taking it all in, I found the familiar untidy black hair. I never had much interaction with boys, seeing as I was home schooled. And when I did go out it was with Linus and Lenzo and those two were walking, talking boy repellent. But it never bothered me, because I never really saw a boy that I wanted to talk to.

Don't get me wrong, I found them handsome, and had a good few Hollywood and sports crushes. Just nobody that seemed to catch my attention in real life. Was this a crush? Or was this just my first personal interaction with a boy my age? I didn't find Ron intriguing, but it was so obvious he was crushing on Mi. See, now how did I know he had a crush on her, but I can't figure out if I had a crush on Harry? Then again, I always liked challenges; the depth in his eyes spoke of loss and confusion. I knew a little of his tragic backstory and he exuded mystery; he always had a look of concentration on his face as if constantly in thought. Maybe it was just me being curious…not a crush then?

Before I could continue my contemplation Mi's voice caught my attention. "Ky! Don't just stand at the door like a stranger." She gestured for me to join them at their end. As I passed, I stopped by Mrs Weasley who was arguing with Bill about something. He saw me hovering behind her and leapt at the distraction,

"Ky, you made it." And once his mother turned around, he joined the conversation Charlie was having.

"Hi Mrs Weasley, no need to stand up, I'm going over to Mi now. I just stopped to give you this, and Nonno says I should thank you both again. Well, he didn't have to tell me to, I would have anyway, I'm not completely lacking in etiquette."

"Oh, you shouldn't have brought anything love. There's plenty." She said accepting the container.

"Yeah, I thought so too but then Minnie insisted and said that it's wrong to show up to a dinner empty handed. She's been trying to make me into a 'proper young lady'. I've been failing miserably though. That's probably horrible, but it's the only thing that I managed to finish. You don't even want to know what happened to the chocolate cake, or should I say chocolate rock. I think Minnie was going to step in and do it herself until she gave this one an acceptable. You don't have to put it on the table."

"Nonsense Ky, I'm sure it's delicious, but next time don't go through all that trouble. You're here to have fun."

"Have fun she says! You've been working us like slaves the whole afternoon!"

"Hi Fred. Hi George!" I winked at them.

"Hi Princess." They said in unison and laughed, eyeing Percy. He looked up and glared at them and then looked at me, "Need an umbrella? Moonlight not too harsh on your skin?"

I knew he had a sense of humour hidden in there somewhere. He can't possibly live with these two and be able to hold a grudge. That thought made me look at Ginny, who happened to be staring at me. I smiled and she smiled back. Newton would have been proud seeing his Force theory being put to such good use.

I made my way to Mi, and took the empty seat next to her, placing me at the edge of the table and furthest away from Harry. Now where did that thought come from… and I thought I was doing so well at not pointedly staring at him. I managed to keep my eyes trained on different people as I walked to my place, so they didn't end up on him like they usually do. I mean I don't want to scare the boy, and my first prospect of friends, in the process.

I was sitting opposite Charlie who was going on about some match in Transylvania, it just so happened he was talking to Harry who was enraptured by the conversation. From what Minnie said, he liked quidditch. He hadn't even acknowledged me yet…Oh gosh get a grip on yourself Ky.

"Is that a fondina on your hip?" Mi reached down and ran her hand on the metal, "It's beautiful. Bane?"

"It's a term of endearment. Sev." I said, smiling at her in explanation.

She laughed. "And now it makes sense. Did he get you this?" She said full of surprise.

"Not by himself, Minnie, Mona and Fil chipped in. I probably should start working on calling them professors."

"No, please don't Ky. That tick Snape gets when you call him Sensei, I don't want it to ever go away." Ron said, frowning at me. I laughed at him. That seemed to finally get Harry's attention. He looked at me and gave me a crooked smile. I think I might be swooning, whatever that is. He then turned and started dishing out dessert.

"Ice cream?" It was Charlie.

"No thanks. So, a Ukrainian Ironbelly and Heridian Black get into a fight, who comes out the victor?"

He laughed, "Know a bit about dragons, do you? A lot of people say the Ironbelly is the most fearsome dragon, but it's mighty slow and it has never taken on a quidditch team like the Heridian has. The Heridian likes to eat people, the Ironbelly likes to break houses. Depends on which you fancy more."

Ron, Harry, and Mi were in a whispered conversation, I didn't want to disturb them, so I continued the conversation with Charlie. I didn't even have to make an attempt because Charlie continued, "But you haven't lived till you've seen an Antipodean Opaleye. I went down to New Zealand last year, ahhhh breath-taking and their eyes are hypnotic. But the…"He was interrupted when Mrs Weasley commented on the time and instructing us to go to bed. I smiled at him, I wasn't bored, and it must be amazing doing something you had such passion for.

As we started filing into the house Harry stopped Mrs Weasley and said, "I'm probably not going to fit into my jeans tomorrow, Mrs Weasley. That was delicious. And you outdid yourself with the Treacle Tart. I had three slices."

She laughed at him, and I turned my head to hide my idiotic blushing, "It was my pleasure love, but the Treacle Tart wasn't my doing. I told you it would be delicious, didn't I?" She said to me.

I turned around and Harry was staring at me, a look of shock on his face. "What, a girl who throws a good punch can't bake?"

"It was a kick and I never said that you can't bake, I'm just shocked I survived that meal."

"Don't sigh just yet Potter, poison sometimes takes a while to kick in."

I turned and walked into the house but I'm sure I heard him say, 'It sure does.'

I was rooming with Mi. And Ginny…Joy. It dawned on me this is the first time I shared a room with someone other than Linus or Lenzo. I took out my shorts and tee to change into after Ginny got out of the bathroom. Mi walked in, wearing a set of matching pyjamas, they were long and striped and very Hermione. She smiled at me as she walked in, my shorts and tee in my hand,

"That's very Ky of you not to invest in pyjamas." She grabbed the tee and held it open, "Is this Pikachu? You have a Pokémon shirt."

"Of course, I do. Let's not pretend you were not into it too."

"Yes, like six years ago. Which seems about the same time you bought this shirt, isn't he yellow, not white!"

"Hey, don't hate on the classics. Plus, I wear my clothes right till they don't fit anymore. It's like my personal war against age. Speaking of age," I pulled out a giant tome from my bag and handed it to her. "Found it in Nonno's personal library, thought you might like a go at it. Minnie said you're the best in transfiguration."

"She said that!" Mi said a huge blush on her face and took the book.

"Yup, right after she said that I should take a leaf out of your book and act more ladylike. She disapproves of my pj choices as well. She also said…"

"Great Godric, Ky this is Hesper Gamps diary." She started flipping through the pages, "This has the theorems she postulated when she was defining the Laws of Elemental Transfiguration. All her working out is here."

"Yup and her working out on Sirius Black."

Mi jerked her head up at my comment, her eyes wide, "What?"

I laughed at her; she was such a prude! "It's fine Mi, sex between husband and wife is perfectly legal. Not that she goes into lots of details but look at the page in the middle…who would have thought she found out exception number three like that." Mi's face was completely red and closed the book.

"I forgot that Hesper Gamp married Sirius Black the second. I thought the Blacks were supposed to be a dignified pureblood family."

"Ok, not that I know what that's supposed to mean, but isn't it always like that. I guess Hesper was a lady in the street and a freak in the bed."

She laughed at that and then said, "Well whatever she was in the bed, she was an excellent mistress of transfiguration."

"Oooh oooh speaking of mistress, turn to the next page. Seems Mr Black had a wandering eye. 'I find myself on the verge of hysteria. Upon noticing Sirius was not at the club like he said he would be, my suspicions grew pronounced and I followed him out the door. I grew curious as he did not, in fact, apparate, but continued his walk down the street. He turned and knocked on the door of a house that I was almost certain was muggle. The certainty grew when the blonde bitch opened the door; he pushed her inside with a passion I had never seen from him. I turned and walked away, fury in my veins. I transfigured Vermin's ears three times, and, in my anger, I messed up on the third. I, Hesper Gamp! Mess up a transfiguration charm! Now I'm left with a deaf house elf. Elladora would have been happy to know another head was added to her collection in Black Manor tonight. But not even that dulled the anger writhing through my body. I don't know how long it has been going on and I am wracked with disgust. Why can't he take a half-blood whore like a normal purebred male? I would have even consented to the use of our bed! But a muggle, a muggle whore! Filthy muggle lips…I feel soiled. I will close myself to him, never again will I touch that defiled wretched man." I stopped reading and looked at Mi's angry face, confused.

"I don't get it. She's not angry that he screwed someone else, she's angry that he banged a non-magic person."

"You haven't read much about modern Wizarding history, have you? Of course not, you've only had three weeks to catch up on all that work, where would you have the time." Her face was blotched, and she had a faraway look. She didn't even turn her head when Ginny walked in. I sat down on her bed, next to her.

"Mi?"

"Sorry Ky. I'm just disappointed. What's your favourite rock band?"

"Green Day…at the moment."

"Well, imagine you found out Billie Joe Armstrong was an avid supporter of Hitler. And that you were Jewish."

"Well Billie is awesome and everything but I'm into Tré Cool, drummers don't get enough love. And if I was Jewish, I'd probably be a lot funnier…"I stopped, got off the bed and picked the book up. I tore the page out.

"Ky what are you doing! Stop! Ky!"

I stopped as Mi pulled the book away from me, her face pale. "Are you insane? This is Hesper Gamps diary…."

"I know that…Mi you're the Jew in this situation. She's a Nazi right? She believed she was better than others because she was 'pure blood'. That she was better than her servant to the extent that she killed him and chopped off his head because he was deaf. Because SHE made him deaf. I'm not sorry that I showed you this. People like this should be ousted for their Neanderthalic views on the world."

"Destroying the diary is not going to change the fact that the woman who was practically the mother of Transfiguration was a…"

"Vile monster with a deluded vision of the world. I wasn't destroying the book. I was tearing that page out for you; you should keep it. "

"What? To remind me that I was stupid enough to admire a woman that despised my existence."

"NO. To remind you this is what ignorance does to the world. What it breeds and festers. I saw the look in your eye, this has happened to you before. Hundreds of years ago Hesper Gamps was a bigoted bitch, and it seems there's still a few out there that look down on you. This is not to symbolise how small you are, but how big you are Mi. That those 'pureblood' prejudiced pricks are cretins in civilised clothes. So, the next time they try to make you feel inferior, all you need is to look at this and remember that their not in the same species, leave alone league as you." I finished, breathing heavy. I was so angry, when the realisation hit me that this was happening to Mi, in the twentieth century! In a place that was supposed to be wondrous and magical, that evil still managed to seep in. That there were people out there that looked down on a person like Mi, someone who was intelligent and good and caring.

I sat on the floor, leant my back against her bed and rested my head next to her and looked up into her disappointed brown eyes, "It seemed that I've been wearing rose coloured glasses, take them off for me Mi. Tell me about Wizard Hitler, tell me about the man that tainted this world."

A/N: Let me know what you guys think so far.

Have a good day/ night/ morning wherever you are!

Kalina