Here's the next bit...

~o0o~

Chapter Two

13 D'Arblay St, London

"Here we are," Sophie Fairweather chirped as she and her sister lowered his nearly weightless trunk to the ground.

Holding the girl cradled against his chest, Tom looked up at the several storied building that was apparently the home of these two strange women. He couldn't see much—it was just too dark—but the building appeared to be white.

"Are we to stand out here all night?" he queried when it looked like neither woman planned to open the door.

The dark-haired one moved in closer to him—close enough for him to see the frown on her face. "Better not try anything, young man," she warned. "We know about the thievery going on out there on the streets and we won't stand for it in our home."

Tom scoffed. "You're just now thinking about this? Now that you've brought me back to your home?"

"The boy's right, Vin. Bit late to worry," said Sophie with a shrug. She was clearly the more laid back one of the two. "Besides, are we really frightened of someone like Tom?"

It incensed Tom that they'd underestimate him. He could be a serial killer, for all they knew! His dark eyes flashing, he said, "I am not a boy and...what do you mean, someone like me?"

Instead of answering, the women just giggled—infuriating him further.

Vin turned away and opened the door and stepped through the threshold. Tom didn't miss that she didn't have to bother unlocking the property, but he didn't comment on it—yet. But why wouldn't they lock up their home when there really was a lot of thievery going on in the city?

The blonde gestured that he should go inside next—then, grabbing his trunk, she followed him in and closed the door—and locked it!

"First floor room?" Sophie said.

"That's what I was thinking," Vin responded as she flipped on a light in the hallway and continued on, passing an open door as she went. "We'll have to figure out something more permanent if she's going to stay."

"Lounge," Sophie informed him as he passed an open door. He could hear that she'd dropped his trunk in the entry hall and was clacking along the wooden floor in her heels behind him.

"And dining room," Vin added.

"Kitchen is straight ahead and up those three steps if you're feeling peckish," Sophie sing-songed.

Vin turned slightly and headed up what looked like a half flight of stairs—then wound around to continue up to the first floor. "Here we are," she said, pushing open a door. "Set her down over there and we'll...get her out of that wet dress."

Tom nodded, quickly moving to the purple sofa and setting the girl down. He shook out his arms—they ached something fierce after carrying her for twenty-ish minutes. And now he was soaked through as well, he realized. He didn't comment on his own wet clothing though, instead he studied the girl. He could now tell she was breathing and, despite being wet and unconscious, she was the prettiest thing he had ever seen.

"I should...um...step out the room," he said, feeling ridiculously out of place—and completely uncomfortable in his wet clothing.

"I should think so," Vin said with a very unladylike snort.

"Why don't you go down to the kitchen and make some tea," Sophie said, patting Tom's arm as she set his satchel on other end of the sofa. "You do know how to make tea, don't you?"

Tom eyed his bag—his wand was in there—then turned and glared at Sophie. "Of course, I do!" he snapped—causing both Sophie and Vin to titter. He worked his jaw and tried to calm his annoyance. Even though Vin was a little more abrupt and suspicious than Sophie, they'd been incredibly nice to him—a complete stranger!

"Oh good, dear," Sophie continued as if he'd not just barked at them. "You're welcome to anything you'd like to have."

"In the kitchen. To eat or drink. No light fingers, young man!" Vin threw out. "And do not open any of the curtains!"

Tom rolled his dark eyes and walked out. He had a mind to just walk out the front door—but he didn't go. He was far too intrigued about what was happening here to leave.

Instead, he just went down and into their kitchen as he was instructed to do. It was quite large, with another set of stairs leading up into the house on the left wall and a table and chairs in the center of the room.

After a moment of just standing and looking about, he started preparing tea for four—not that the unconscious girl would be awake to have it.

"He's a warlock, Sophie," said Vin the moment they were alone.

"You mean wizard, Sophie corrected. "We practice the craft, but...he has the magic."

Vin frowned. "This isn't good," she grumbled as she waved her hand at the fireplace and said, "incendere. Are you sure?"

Sophie shrugged. "It explains a lot. I bet he goes to that school in Scotland. What's it called? Pig-something."

Vin laughed. "I think it's called...Hog-warts. What a silly name for a school of magic."

"You're just upset that we weren't born with that innate magic."

"Not upset, per se...but it's odd that he found us. Or, that we found him."

Sophie nodded. "True." She glanced then at the wet girl. "I'll run up and get her something dry."

Vin nodded. "Make haste. We don't know how long that young man will stay away."

Down in the kitchen, Tom managed to find a kettle—it was copper and sitting on the cooker—and start some water heating while he looked for tea. Luckily, it happened to be in the first cupboard he opened—the cups in the second. And further snooping found him some biscuits. He also discovered another cupboard with all sorts of odd herbs—and other strange objects. If he didn't know better, he'd think these two witches!

Without much thought on the matter, he prepared four cups of tea, located a tray to carry said cups, and headed back up.

At the first floor landing he stopped at the closed door. His hands for full, but he managed to tap on the door with the corner of the tray.

"Come on in, Tom," came Sophie's voice as the door swung open. "Everyone's decent. Oh look, biscuits!" she said happily, taking one off the tray and nibbling.

Stepping into the room, Tom set the tray down on the table and glanced at the girl. She was still lying on the sofa, but she looked considerably better, much less bedraggled. She had her clothing changed into something dry—it looked like maybe a Muggle night dress—and she was covered with a blanket to keep her warm. And her hair was dry, he noted with confusion.

Curious, he looked around the room. There was a small trolley with several types of glasses and bottles of liquor against one wall and interesting artwork on the walls. He glanced at the covered windows. They were shrouded with long dark curtains, but he thought they were probably further covered by shutters behind the curtains. There was also a fire roaring in the fireplace, causing him to frown suspiciously. He wasn't gone very long. How did they get it burning so quickly?

Then realizing that Vin and Sophie were sitting calmly watching him, he picked up a cup of tea and sipped to busy himself.

"Is she...all right?" he asked after swallowing.

Sophie shrugged. "She appears to be. I mean, I can't find an injury. She's just...unconscious."

"Well, that near drowning in the fountain didn't help her," Vin added.

Tom frowned. "How do you suppose she ended up there?"

"No idea," said the brunette. "But what I'd like to know is how you happened upon her. You say you were on your way home?"

Tom nodded.

"To Wools?"

Tom could not help scowling at her words. "Yes," he said shortly. He absolutely hated that place—and he hated people knowing he lived there even more!

"Will they be looking for you?" Sophie asked as she picked her tea and a biscuit.

Tom shrugged at this. "Probably. Well, expecting me, yes. But no one will come looking," he said, thinking Mrs Cole wouldn't care one bit if he never returned.

Sophie glanced at her sister, then back at Tom. "So, staying over night won't cause trouble for you?"

"No trouble I can't talk myself out of," he assured them.

The dark-haired woman snorted.

"Oh good," the blonde said as she nibbled on her biscuit and sipped her tea. "Mmm. Nice cup of tea, Tom. Well done."

Tom gave a clipped nod, but her words pleased him. He wasn't used to kindness in general. "Thank you," he said quietly.

"Will you be all right in here on the other sofa?" Sophie asked next, gesturing toward the other end of the room."

"Sophie, we can't leave him in here, alone with her overnight!" Vin hissed.

The blonde looked at her sister. "The other room isn't prepared for guests, Vin. This is all we have at the moment. Or the study."

Vin frowned. "I suppose."

Tom looked between them. "I could leave if you'd prefer, but I promise I'll behave." He was almost smiling—but not quite.

"No, you should stay," Sophie said, rising to her feet. "It's late. You never know what scaries you'll find out there."

Tom smirked. "You two didn't look at all worried about scary things out there."

Vin eyed him.

"No, we aren't, Tom. Still though. You were traveling alone. How old are you?

"I'm fifteen years," he admitted. "But I've been all over the city."

Vin hmm'd, then stood up. "I'll get you some blankets and something dry to change into. And there's a toilet through there, if you need to use it."

Tom nodded, watched her go, then glanced at Sophie.

"Don't mind Lavinia. She's suspicious of most people. Particularly males."

"I really could leave," he offered again.

"Nonsense!" Sophie said. "You'll stay here tonight. I think it would be better if we're all together tomorrow when the girl awakens."

"If she wakes," Tom added.

"She will," Sophie said with a grin. "And the four of us will put all the pieces together and work this out." Then, with obvious delight, she added, "It's such a mystery."

Tom just stared at her, thinking her more than a bit mad.

A moment later Lavinia Fairweather reentered the room with an arm load—blankets, a pillow, and something he could sleep in. "Everything you might need is here," she said. "And the sofa is just there. Try not the do anything...untoward."

"Vin! Stop!" Sophie scolded.

"It's fine. I understand," Tom said to the blonde—then looking at her dark-haired sister, he continued. "I promise to be a complete gentleman."

Lavinia harrumphed, then left the room again.

"You two," Tom said, looking back at Sophie, "are very strange."

Sophie just grinned.

~o0o~

The house I used for the Fairweathers is a real house that's for sale...or was when I started this. Who knows how long it'll be online (FFN won't let me post a link).

Okay now, be kind...give me a reason to continue! =)