August 25, 1991.
Diagon Alley,
Madame Malkins Robes,
London, UK
10 AM.
Hermione was being measured for her first year uniform. She already had the rest of the Hogwarts list items. As a plus and because she was a planner, she had purchased in a second hand store in France all the books required for the seven years of Hogwarts education. All for a very reasonable price. To Jane the find was gold, to Hermione, it gave her peace of mind. She could have her study guides. Check her results, talk to her tutors and concentrate on studies for her mundane tests.
She noticed the pet store in Diagon Alley and she stared at a couple of eyes that shone brightly behind the counter. The feline blinked and questioned. " Well, you look interesting, your magic is quite strong, and I would like my human, to at least be smart not only strong, "
Jane blinked back tears, Hermione could listen to the amazing feline, she added, "Crookshanks, is that you?"
The flat faced, mini tiger replied, "Meowrr?" His mind spoke to Hermione's " I don't think I've met you before, human child, but, you feel safe, want to be my girl? "
Hermione smiled and her eyes watered at the question from the feline. "Why, Crookshanks, what am I to do with you? You are an incorrigible tease, but, since you were so proper, I think I'll take you home." Said Hermione.
"Wow, what an ugly cat," said Harry.
To which Crookshanks rolled his eyes, and said to Hermione, " Look a baboon with a stick, I mean a young wizard, " In real time it sounded like, Meowrr?"
Hermione laughed, and said, "Mister Potter, don't insult my cat, he is quite smart,"
"Well, at least he's smart," said Harry.
"Oh, I get it, you are a dog person. That's good, now if you'll excuse me, I have a few things to gather," said Hermione.
"I could help you out," said Harry in a small voice.
To Jane, the scene felt familiar. Crookshanks observed Harry, and said, " She's mine, I don't lend my stuff to monkeys pointing sticks, go away, " Hermione blushed and said, "I, uh, I have a special bag, I can carry it, uh, thank you, now Crookshank, don't fret, I'll take you home, thank you though," Hermione then looked behind him and noticed his godfather Sirius and several girls.
Crookshanks said to Hermione, " He's so busted, come along dear, we don't need a heartbreaker at such a young age, "
Hermione nodded to Harry and then the persons behind him. Then like a switch she turned off her facial expressions of surprise or pain, she moved quickly and effortlessly, surprising Harry and Sirius.
After Hermione left, Sirius stepped closer to Harry and asked, "That's the girl from the gym, the one you called Mayonnaise Ranger, right?"
"It's a good thing you waited before asking. She would have pushed me again, it's Granger, the girl is called Hermione Jane Granger, my jaw still remembers," said Harry to Sirius.
" What beautiful emerald eyes you have, child, " Harry heard someone say, but then when he turned to investigate, there was no one. Correction, no one human. There was a beautiful Snowy Owl preening and then she barked at Harry, "Prek" Harry approached the bird and said, "Did you just?" He shook his head and said, "Nah," The voice in his head said, " Did I what, just complement your emerald eyes? Yes, yes I did, " To the world the Snowy Owl just said, "Prek".
"Oh my, what a beautiful girl, what's her name?" asked Sirius.
"You haven't given me any names, " said the Owl to Harry. "I would like to take her home and then look for a graceful name, she has a lovely voice," retorted Harry.
To the rest of the world, "Prek!" sounded piercing to the ears, but to Harry it sounded like, " Thank you, you are very galant, by the way, that cat, he acted pretentious and territorial, the girl, was slightly disheartened, not by the cat, but the many girls following you around, I just thought, you should know,"
"Oh, bite me," said Harry as he looked towards the door, where Hermione had gone through.
Then he felt the bite of the bird, it wasn't hard, but it was surprising. He reacted, "Ow, why did you do that?" asked Harry. The Owl answered to Harry, " You said bite, so I did, "
Harry laughed and said, "You're so smart, come on girl, let's go home,"
Outside the group got together at the Ice cream shop. It was then that they noticed Hagrid go inside Gringotts, behind Hagrid, Hermione's cat followed the half giant. Half an hour later, the cat walked out with a paper bag in his mouth and continued to where Hermione was sitting. Hermione smiled to the cat, gave him a treat and placed the bag inside her bag.
Only Harry seemed to pay attention to the exchange. Diagon Alley never disappointed. Drag queens, thieves and wait, here comes the lady of the Law.
"My goddess, what a beautiful Owl." Said Madame Bones.
"Thank you Madam Bones," said Harry.
"Is Lord Black with you?" asked Madam Bones.
"No, he's at home, is there anything I can do to help?" asked Harry.
"I just wanted to pass a message," she sighed, after a bit she said, "But, I guess I have to talk to your godfather," said Amelia.
Harry nodded and said, "You're in luck, he's right behind you,"
"Thank you, Harry," she whipped her expression to blank, then turned to Sirius. "Heir Black, good afternoon," said Amelia with frosty formality.
Sirius wanted to turn into Paddy and make a run for it. He really hated her formal tone of voice, instead, he sobered and said, "Madame Bones, good afternoon,"
"Yes, I would like to request a formal meeting with Lord Black," said Amelia.
"What is the reason, work or leisure?" asked Sirius.
Amelia smiled and replied, "Yes,"
Harry goofed off, and then said, "Sorry," he cleared his throat and began talking to his snowy owl. "You don't say, my, three babies? Yes, and all will have black hair, blue eyes and oh, two girls and a boy, hmm,"
Sirius was distracted by Harry's chatter and then he turned to Amelia, who just like him was entranced by Harry's babbling. Sirius wondered for the Nth time. Why did he miss Marlene so little, when Amelia was on his horizon? Amelia was alluring, she had ethereal features. A lithe figure, wait, she had a rune to alter her features, her expression turned to ice, when she was at work, but softened when she smiled. It kept everyone at bay. Then she turned and Sirius felt the coldness return with a blast.
Sirius said, "I will ask Lord Black to send you a message in return to your request, Madame,"
"That's all I ask, good day to you," said Amelia, gifting Sirius a frostbite smile as she walked away.
"Goodness, you need lessons on how to talk to women," said Andromeda.
"Well, don't look at me, I already have an advisor," said Harry, as he carried the snowy owl.
"I know how to talk, that woman is just hermetic," said Sirius.
"Or has eidetic memory," said Andromeda.
"She still hates me," said Sirius.
"I used to hate Mr. Tonks," said Andromeda.
"Oh Merlin, don't I don't need to know about your love life." Said Sirius.
"Oh, shut up, you could benefit, besides the lady does protest too much," said Andromeda.
"What lady?" asked Sirius.
"Nevermind," said Harry and Andromeda in stereo.
