Chapter 3: The stranger that I always knew.

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

Cucciolo - puppy in Italian

Chapter 3

I flung my hand out and waited, praying that it would work…

All I knew was what Harry told me he did when he ran away two years ago. I didn't have to doubt any longer, a large purple bus appeared, and I didn't let the pimply boy finish his welcome as I pulled Nessie and the homeless boy on.

This didn't seem like odd behaviour to him or the driver; they must get their fair share of strange folk on the Knight Bus. I stuffed some coins in his hand and pulled the two to the back. Nessie barely reached before she fell to the floor, throwing up. The boy slumped into the seat, pale faced and sweaty…just staring ahead. The conductor, who had followed us, magicked the floor clean and helped Nessie to her feet. He looked like he wanted to ask a thousand questions, but I cut in,

"Are you scratched? Are you bleeding?" I looked to her and the boy, the boy continued to stare ahead. I looked back at her, and she snapped out of it, feeling her body for injuries. I started checking the boy, there was none; she shook her head in the negative. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding, I knew it wasn't the full moon, but I didn't know what effects werewolf scratches have out of the full moon period, if any.

I turned to the conductor who was observing us with much interest. "Leaky cauldron."

It seemed I would follow Harry's getaway; he didn't ask another question though. I must still have that crazy look in my eyes. I pushed Nessie to a seat and sat next to the still unmoving boy. The conductor came back, saved from my wrath at being disturbed with three steaming mugs of cocoa. I sipped mines, feeling the rush leave my body. Nessie didn't sip hers though, crossing over and holding the mug to the still boy. She gently pushed him; he snapped out with a look of horror on his face. He ignored the mug and jumped onto her lap instead, hugging her and crying for dear life. She hesitated for a second and then started patting his back soothingly.

"Where did you get a knife?"

She looked at me over the boy's trembling shoulders; he couldn't be older than seven. "I was walking. Alone. At four in the morning. Things are dangerous these days, what was that man? Was he a wizard….is that what other-"

"Why were you walking?" I still didn't understand why she had walked.

"Once I found out where you were Richard insisted on waiting till morning to fetch you. To try and get some sleep. I couldn't, luckily, they only live a few streets away. What was-"

"Werewolf." We both sat quiet for a little while, she, consoling the kid and me drinking my hot chocolate. I felt a pang in my right foot, and I took off my shoe, it was swollen. Must have been the impact when I had hit his jaw. A delicate bloodied hand touched it; I looked down shocked at Nessie. She didn't notice, she continued observing,

"I don't think it's fractured or anything…probably soft tissue damage at the impact."

"Oh? Am I missing something, when did you get a medical degree?"

She spared me a withering glance, "I volunteer at an old age home on Fridays, and you know that. You pick up a thing or two caring for the elderly. "

No, I know you say you volunteer at an old age home every Friday, but just like all the other loaded little heiresses you just hand over some cash to come across as Princess Diana for the masses. I dug out a bottle from my bag and handed it to her. She looked at it sceptically,

"It's like hand sanitizer, only more effective. Just rub some on your hands would you…. you're getting blood on my feet."

I still couldn't digest what I saw. Nessie, pampered little princess Nessie, Nessie who has barely had to do a thing in her life…. stabbed someone. Even if the person was a wonky werewolf but still…

"I told you to stay. Do you not understand what this means." I raised my hand in the halt gesture again.

"If I stayed, you'd probably be dead."

"I had a plan."

"Sure, you did."

"I did OK. And I'm the one that got us out of there so stop looking so chuffed with yourself."

"Why is it so hard for you to just say-"

"Thank you."

We both looked at the little boy now seated in between us. He finally seemed to have snapped out of his trance, he had dark brown eyes and black hair. Well, I think it was black…I couldn't make out with all the dirt and oil; he stank like a sewer and had the colour to match it. His clothes hung off him. Nessie smiled down at him, she then offered him the rest of her mug of hot chocolate, saying she was full. He gulped it down in seconds. I stared out the window, trying to make sense of it all.

Was it just coincidence that a werewolf roamed so near to Harry? He wasn't a death eater though; no signature mask and black get up and most importantly no mark. Should I write to somebody…that was no use? I'd rather just wait to tell them in person when Nessie rats me out. It was just a coincidence after all, he wasn't a death eater and if he wanted Harry why would he even stop for this little boy. If he was a Death Eater, he'd keep his eye on the prize.

"Leaky Cauldron miss…?" The conductor smiled, waiting for a response. I ignored him though,

"Thank you. Come on…. you too Kid." I looked at the two of them and we got off. Once my foot hit the road, I dug into my bag looking for the bottle I had used yesterday; I had found it and quickly drank it.

"Oh, my goodness!" Nessie looked shocked at my blonde locks. Rather be safe than sorry, wouldn't want a passer-by noticing Albus Dumbledore's granddaughter waltzing around so far from the nest. She then looked around,

"This is London."

"Yes…so where to?" I looked at her. I guess this was it, she'd phone Linus and tell him all about my selfish little escapade and Godric knows which vein he'll bust. She walked past me towards the Leaky Cauldron.

"That's the Leaky Cauldron." I told her astonished.

"Isn't this the place you said you wanted to go to?"

"Well, I don't want to go here, I just didn't know where else to go." She didn't listen, pulling the little boy in through the door.

"It's a pub."

I raised my eyebrow at her, "Does Miss McQueen think she's too high and mighty for a pub?"

She rolled her eyes at me, "It doesn't look like a pub on the outside…well… not to me."

"Then why'd you even walk in?"

It was her turn to ignore me. Tom the Barman scurried up to us. Nessie gave her beauty pageant smile and the poor man nearly tripped over his feet. He bowed, "Welcome to the Leaky Cauldron Miss…"

"Queen." She smiled down at him, lingering on his badge, "Tom, is there anywhere we can dine…more privately." She leaned forward conspiratorially, "The stares…" she finished, shyly gesturing at the room. And it was true, a group of wizards who looked as raggedy as the kid were licking their lips at her. Tom nodded fervently and led us to a private parlour at the back.

Nessie turned to him before we sat, "May we please have your works, bacon, eggs, sausages, croissants…everything. Four portions. And a chocolate milkshake for my friend, and a cup of coffee for myself please."

Tom glowed up at her, he spared a glance at me, "And for my lady's little sister."

I bristled at him, stopping the snarl from emitting, "Chocolate milkshake." Little sister!

Nessie sat down and I stared at her, the Kid was munching on a bowl of peanuts on the table.

"What's going on?"

"I thought it was obvious Ky, I'm buying you breakfast."

I rolled my eyes, "You know what I mean."

She sighed, "Why does everything have to be hidden messages and agendas with you. Why can't I just treat you to breakfast?"

"Why aren't you calling Linus and Lenzo?"

Tom brought in the food and Nessie gave the Kid two plates and he tucked in with gusto. I picked at a piece of bacon, and she sipped at her coffee,

"Is that what you want me to do?"

"That's what you want to do?"

"And how is it that you know what I want Ky?"

"Because I know you and telling on me is exactly what you would do."

A steely glint flashed in her eye, "Is that so…" She sipped her coffee, "Why did you leave?"

I looked at her, this must be the strangest conversation we have ever had, and for one thing we haven't started screaming yet. I sighed, why lie anyway, it was bound to come out soon when Linus found out.

"It was Harry's birthday."

She looked confused for a second and then, "Oh Potter, your boyfriend."

"He isn't my boyfriend." I snapped quickly, "He is a friend. A good friend."

"Must be if you travelled hours to spend time with him." I knew what she was getting at without even looking at her face,

"He really isn't my boyfriend…Harry doesn't have many people to celebrate with and…" It must be the near-death experience making me chatty… "And I remember promising myself sometime last year that I wouldn't let him have another crappy birthday…I'm bad with dates…and planning. Hence the last-minute evacuation and I knew I couldn't tell you because you'd stop me or worse tell Linus and he'll not only stop me but move me further away from here."

"Oh yes, because you know me so well." Yet another steely glint crossed her eyes, she leaned forward, "So what did you get him?"

"Nothing, I told you I remembered late. I manage to make him his favourite dessert…"

"That's good. Did he have a nice time?"

I looked at her, she was being so odd. "I guess…I think he did."

She nodded thoughtfully, "That's good." We ate in silence for a while and then she looked up again… "Does that sort of thing happen often in your world?"

I didn't need to ask what she meant knowing it could only mean the random werewolf attack, "No…well it didn't use to…things are different now I guess…"

"Is that why Linus has left?" She asked quietly.

"Didn't he tell you?"

"All he told me was that he had to leave for a few weeks, stay in London and I couldn't come with. That I had to look after you in New York and that he would be with Lenzo. I, of course asked him why, he said that it was something important…that he wouldn't leave if it wasn't and that I shouldn't worry, and he'll be alright…Is this what he's doing? Fighting werewolves…"

I picked at my chips…I didn't know what he was doing. He made sure of that.

"Please."

I stared at the flat screen TV that occupied most of the wall. It was strange how just a year ago I wouldn't go a day without turning on this magic box…yet it's been months since I've even seen one. I could see Linus' reflection on the shiny surface, his face stoic. Who am I kidding, when did his face look anything but stoic these days. It was as if his face would crack if he smiled, his lips lay in a smooth line never to be hoisted up at the corners…

"Ky?"

I sighed and pressed the power button, the room flickered with colour. I felt the sofa go down next to me, jostling me slightly. I didn't turn around, staring at the chiselled man in the magic box. With a small click it turned black, and the room was dark once more.

"I was watching that."

"No, you weren't, you hate reality TV. Ky?"

"Why are you pretending that this is a question? You know it isn't, I know it isn't. Yet you still ask."

I felt a warm hand at my shoulder, "I know it isn't a question Ky. It is a plea."

I finally turned around and looked at his midnight blue eyes, for once his expression wasn't severe - it was sincere.

"I don't want you fighting my battles."

The warm hand grew heavy as it swung me around and pulled me to my feet. Linus loomed over me, the fire in his eyes burning from depths I didn't know he had, "Don't you dare say that. This is no battle of yours, do you hear me. I don't want you thinking that! You WILL stay here Ky. You WILL stay here."

I pushed his hand off me, "NOT my battle! That is MY world Linus! MINE! The one I live in and the one I want to protect. The one I LOVE!"

"Then let me protect it, Ky! Let me go and protect the things you love so the things I love are safe! Just please…stay."

He was pretending. Pretending that the reason he and Len where going to London to help Nonno with the Dark Lord's resurrection was to ensure the world I lived in was safe again. Well, I'm sure part of it was that. But I was no fool, the fire that burned from Linus was not one of bravery and determination…it was the ugly blue flames of revenge.

"You will stay here. You will not leave this apartment. You will play nice with Agnes. Len and I will get you when we're done."

"You mean when his done." The feeling of hatred that Linus felt whenever I brought Bastian Blishwick up sparked in the air.

"Li, we have to go." I didn't turn away from the ice-cold blue, even as Len's warm hands wrapped around me and kissed my head. "Be good Cucciolo."

Linus turned to Len, nodding. I could see Agnes standing at the doorway, in my periphery, sniffling. Damn cry-baby. I watched the suited backs walk away; the grey one stopped at the door. Hovering on his next step. In moments he turned around, and I felt warmth encompass me. I hugged him back fiercely,

"Be good Ky."

And then they were gone.

I stared at the empty door that held my life in its frame just a moment ago. My heart was beating a rhythm of melancholy, not at the fact that my brothers were gone. No. I lifted my hand slowly to my hair, feeling the damp saline reminder of my brother's tears.

Bastian Blishwick may have attacked me, but it was Linus that he had broken.

That was the day they had left me in New York. The day after end of term. Sent me as far away from everything that mattered. Nonno didn't stop him either. Neither did Sev or Minnie or Mona or Fil…and I knew why…things are different now. It's never been more unsafe being Albus Dumbledore's granddaughter, they thought I couldn't handle it…that I wasn't strong enough…that I was weak…that I would get in the way…that I couldn't help.

I knew when Harry had asked about Ron and Mi that they had done the same to him…ridiculous. He of all people should be kept in the loop. I looked at Nessie, who was chewing her bottom lip waiting for an answer,

"Not werewolves…I don't know…." I hesitated on how much I should tell her. How much should I let her know…. how much can she handle? Linus didn't tell her because he knew she couldn't take it…telling her will just frighten her.

"Stop!" I looked at her, shocked at the outburst, "Stop looking at me like that! Stop it! Stop looking at me like he did. I can handle it! I can handle the truth! I am not some weak little child that needs to be protected! I am not weak!"

And for once…I knew exactly how Nessie felt…she was right. She deserved the truth and shame on Linus for not telling her. "You should worry. I don't know the details, but I know that those two are helping my grandfather. You know who is?"

"The headmaster of the school you attend."

"Yes. And the most powerful wizard in the world…it's not consensus though…what do you know of magic?"

She leaned forward, leaving her mug aside, "I know that that's what you, Linus and Len can do. I know that's why you're at the school, to learn it. I know that you use a wand to perform it but when Linus first showed me, he didn't need one."

I looked at her, her expression deep thought, trying to remember what she could. It seems Linus had told her the absolute bare necessities, "And what do you think of magic."

She looked confused for a second and then smiled, "At first I was shocked…but then…I always knew there was something different about him…something magical…stop looking like that…I'm serious…you will appreciate one day the type of man your brother is. He's been a better father to you than most that had chosen the path rather than had it thrust upon them." She looked off for a moment, and I remembered that her dad had passed away just a year ago and I let her have her moment. The kid was still eating, he had moved on to his second plate. "Anyway…I think magic is great…it let Linus finally come to terms with himself."

I nodded, understanding what she meant, how can you know who you are if you didn't know what you are. "Well magic isn't always good. Wait…no…magic is magic. You get good people, and you get bad people…last year the most evil wizard known to our world came back…. from the dead so to speak."

"So, what…is Linus in a war or something? Like in an army! Against this person…oh gosh…"

"Calm down. There's no war. Yet at least. He hasn't come out yet, only a few people know that this evil wizard is alive."

She let that sink in and nodded, "Element of surprise…false sense of security…I see."

I guess she wasn't as slow as I thought she was, "Yes…I don't know the specifics," Another pang of anger assaulted me at this thought, "But I do know that they're probably helping with this."

She nodded her face considerably paler than before. "That's why you've been so different lately. All cooped up in your room…you're worried about them."

Worried about the boys fighting death eaters? No. Nonno would have ensured that they were well trained if he asked them to join the battle. I'm sure he would make sure they were ready. But nothing blunted the sword in a fight like emotions and the most emotive of them all being revenge. What was the use of learning to fight if it was for all the wrong reasons? Nessie's blue eyes were shining at me, waiting for an answer. "Yeah. So that's why they jetted me out to New York…too far away to be of assistance."

"More like too far away to be in danger Ky."

I glared at her, "I'm not some incompetent little girl!"

"I know that…Linus just wants to keep you safe; he wants to protect you."

"I don't need protection, I can help them, and I'm not weak!" I shouted at her,

"I know that! Of course, you're not weak! You've never been weak! Not in my eyes at least. I think from everyone I know how capable you are." She glared at me, probably recounting all the pranks I put her through. The glare melted, "I look at you and I see a little devil with an angel's face…. Linus looks at you and he sees a three-year-old that he used to tuck in bed, a four-year-old that said she was pregnant because she married Teddy in a ceremony they performed in the living room, 'and you know the baby in the carriage comes after marriage Li'"

I looked at her, hiding the shock that she knew all these things. That Linus had let her in on all these things. That she actually remembered them. She continued quietly, "He's always going to look at you that way, believe me. Just like he'll always look at me and see…"She shook her head and there were tears in her eyes, she looked to the side, her bottom lip trembling, "Do you know how hard it is to be engaged to a man that tells you nothing. That keeps everything bottled away inside…all the poisonous, dangerous emotions that just eat at his insides and destroy him from within. Do you know how many times Linus has screamed at me? None. How many times he let me pay the bill? Never. How many times he started a fight with me? Not once!"

I looked at her, utterly confused, "You're upset because you don't have a dysfunctional relationship?"

Her face burned with emotion, "I'm upset that I don't have a relationship where my partner looks at me as an equal. He looks at me and he sees a defenceless little rose that needs a Thorn to protect her. I understand why you dislike me. I must seem such a bitch. I must seem a gold-digging whore that uses and takes advantage of your brother. Who just spends his money and shouts at him and wants it her way all the time. The truth is that your brother wouldn't let me spend a dime in his presence. I shout at him because I want him to shout back. To talk back! To tell me anything of importance. Do you know how long it took for him to talk about your parents and life before he met me! And then I only got the basic details as if reading an article in some newspaper…. the only time he would ever speak with any sort of emotion and let me in just a bit was when it was about you…or Len. I keep telling myself in time things will change, that he'll let down his guard just a little, that he'll let me in just a little."

"He loves you."

She looked at me bitterly, "And I love him. But you will learn…actually I hope you never do…that sometimes love is just not enough."

"So, what…are you going to call off the wedding?" After all the time it took for me to come to terms with it!

"You would like that…."She looked at me, gauging my reaction.

"Does it matter what I would like?"

"It always matters. What you like, what you hate, what you feel. Don't think he never takes any of that into consideration."

"So, what, now it's my fault? Are you jealous or something?"

She laughed a watery laugh, "In the beginning I was insanely jealous. But then…I grew up. I saw the beauty in the sacrifice. The difficulty he must have endured keeping you three together. The amount of patience and determination it must take to pull through the darkness…and I fell in love with him for that. It's quite ironic that the reason that I fell hopelessly in love, hates me."

She looked at me, I sighed at the sop fest… "I don't hate you. I don't like you…"And suddenly it hit me like a ton of bricks. I stared at her in shock…. "I don't know you."

She smiled through the tears, "No Ky. You do not know me. You think you do, but you do not. You're not entirely wrong about some things that's you've concocted in that demented head of yours, but it's as if you've just frozen those first thoughts. I could change, I could have found the cure for AIDS and solved world hunger…you wouldn't see it. You would just see me the way I was when we first met…not the way I am now."

I looked at her, messy haired and red face, tear stains down her cheeks but still managing to look like a runway model. The Nessie I first met would never leave the house without make up. The Nessie I first met would never walk alone in the street at four in the morning; the Nessie I first met would never have the guts to stab a werewolf. "When….?"

"Did I change?" She rolled her eyes at me, "It didn't happen overnight. I grew up Ky. I was bound to eventually. Death makes you open your eyes to a whole lot of things. It made me see that…that Linus deserved better. That I deserved better. My father wasn't a father. He was a bank balance; he was Chanel and Burberry, Gucci, and Versace to me. He was holidays in Paris and Venice and parties that had chocolate fountains as high as this ceiling. And I was fine with it. I had anything and everything. I was happy. And then Linus came around and he gave me anything and everything. Chanel, Burberry, Gucci, and Versace. Trips to places I didn't even know existed. Yet I was not happy …Bitterness and jealousy made me ugly. I was bitter that Linus wouldn't…wouldn't give himself to me. He wouldn't give his problems and his weakness and his sorrows, and I was jealous that I would never be his number one priority. That it would always be you. And then I realized that I shouldn't be his number one priority. Seeing the way the three of you are together made me realize how wrong I was for being OK with what my father gave to me. That I wanted more…that I needed more. I asked my father for more…do you know what I got. A Porsche." She looked away, "He died leaving me everything and nothing at the same time. I don't want to be Linus' number one priority…it should always be you. I just want…"She looked up at me, "I just want a chance. I need a chance."

I looked into her icy blue eyes that leaked warmth and tenderness. I knew what she was asking. She was right…the first day I met her I judged her, forged an impression in my brain and held everything to that afterwards. We spent time together, but I never saw her…never bothered to. I always just knew what she would be like. Looking at her now…she was nothing I thought she was. She was asking for the same thing I spent so much time looking for…she was asking for family.

"I won't give you a chance." She turned her face away, "You don't need me to give you a chance." She looked back at me, "Take it. Don't ask. Take it!" That made all the difference in the world. Life won't give you chances; you pry them from its clenched fist.

"I've been trying all summer…to talk to you; you would just shut me out."

"Then you should have tried harder. You say you've grown up Nessie, well it's time to man up. You know what you want. Take it."

She looked at me confused… "Does this mean you'll…you'll be more open to us forming a better relationship."

I rolled my eyes at her and leaned forward, "Don't ask me psychobabble like that. We already have a better relationship genius. I'm here, aren't I? We're talking, aren't we? And do you know why? You took your chance; you pried it from Life's vice grip, and you plunged a knife into a werewolf's back to save me. You manned up. You made me see that you're not a complete bimbo. Now it's time to take your chance with Linus."

"I don't know how. I've tried…he just doesn't talk to me about these things."

"Have you not been listening to me? If you came up to me and told me, 'Ky I've changed, I'm not a nagging little twat anymore', do you think I would listen. No! I would have shut the door on your face…again. But you slapped me when I deserved it, and I deserved it quite often with you. And you stabbed a freaking werewolf to save me. Your words mean nothing to me, your actions on the other hand."

"Then what should I do to prove to Linus that I can be his partner. That I can handle being his partner in every essence of the word."

"I have an idea…you won't like it though…"

"I'll do it." She stood up and started attempting to carry the boy that had drifted off to sleep at some stage.

"What are you doing?"

She smirked at me, "Acting. We Thorntons are not one of words but of actions. So come on. Lead the way."

I shook my head at her, "We Thorntons?" I stopped…the question nagging me for a while now. I had to ask. "How come you never asked?"

"What?" She turned, struggling to stand upright with the boy in her hands.

"I'm wearing his shirt…I slept over at his house…"

She laughed, giving my Harry's shirt-yesterday's jeans combo a once over, "You may not know me Ky, but I know you. You did not have sex with that boy last night…best we keep that whole slept over at his house a secret for a while though…until you're eighteen and hopefully Linus mellows out a bit."

I nodded emphatically…it was strange talking like this with her. But some things in life can't be done without becoming friends at the end of it, and kicking a seven-foot werewolf's ass is one of them.

A/N: Saw what I did there? Lol, it's no Jo Rowling (obviously) but it excited me to type those last lines out. I enjoyed writing their conversation – I think Ky has always seen Nessie as the enemy, she very childishly never really gave her a chance. Let me know what you think of the story so far!

Kalina