Ember watched her uncle drill bars onto her bedroom window. She wanted to laugh at his pathetic attempt to keep her from escaping. Had he completely forgotten the fact that she could phase through stuff. Bars on the windows and a couple of locks on her door were next to useless in keeping her in the room. "You're never going back to that school", Vernon stated, almost triumphantly "You're never going to see those freaky friends nor that werido aunt of yours again. Never!"
"That's what you think", she muttered to herself as he made his way back down the ladder. She'd been half tempted to scare the living daylights out of him but it probably would've caused him to fall off of the ladder. While he would've deserved it and then some, it probably would've gotten her into even more trouble than using magic in front of muggles. She turned to Felix who was lounging on her bed "I'm getting out of this house and going to Hogwarts in September one way or another", she proclaimed "no way they're keeping me prisoner".
~Lily Cottage~
"I can literally hear the gears turning", Azalea states, pulling her gaze away from her shelves of potions to the Time Lord that was lingering behind her "out with it".
"I'm just wondering if it was time you forgave him", the Doctor mumbled "I mean he's apologised more than once AND proved that he's sorry multiple times".
"Maybe I will", Azalea agreed, turning back to her supplies and making the Time Lord relax "in two hundred years". The Doctor sighed, he really should've seen that coming. The hybrid had been plenty pissed with her spouse after the death of her twin sister and brother-in-law. Azalea was about to continue with her potions inventory when she heard a familiar screech. A smile appeared on her face upon seeing a phoenix swoop into the room. She moved over to the perch where the magnificent bird now perched, gently running her fingers of the scarlet feathers. "Good to see you, my friend", she murmured "now, what have you got for me?" she asked, spying the scroll of parchment tied to the phoenix's leg.
"Azzie, what's wrong?" the Doctor enquired, watching an angry expression cross her face as she read the note the bird had brought. The ginger crumpled up the parchment, tossing it to the ground.
"Screw wizard 'red tape'", she growled "she is NOT staying there a second longer!"
"Azzie, what happened?" the Doctor called, chasing after her "what did the message say?"
"That git of a brother-in-law has only gone and locked Ember in her bedroom! There are bars on her window and everything!" Azalea angrily responded "I know that's not exactly going to keep her prisoner with her phasing but still! This never would've happened if that goat hadn't interfered!"
The Time Lord jumped back when phoenix fire erupted from the furious hybrid. Not that he blamed her for being mad. Ember should be with family who'd be best suited to help her, not with those who'd abuse and lock her away. Dumbledore had a lot to answer for that's for sure! "What can I do?" the Doctor questioned, eager to help in anyway possible. Thanks to his actions there were only four of his people left, two of which were part Time Lord. Which meant it was imperative that Ember was kept safe. She was essentially, the legacy of his people.
Azalea took a deep breath, pulling the fire back within herself before turning to him. "Send a message to Severus", the hybrid instructed. The Doctor nods and she apparated away.
That night Ember was trying to get comfy which wasn't easy with Felix, the pillow hog. She suddenly sat bolt upright when a hand settled on her shoulder. The hybrid blinked in surprise upon seeing Azalea standing there.
"Auntie?" Ember whispered "what are you doing here?"
"Collecting you", the older ginger states.
"But I thought there were still issues regarding you becoming my guardian", Ember remarked.
"Oh there is", Azalea crossly admitted "but after finding out what my dear sister's husband had doneā¦" she gestured to the bars on the window "I decided to take matters into my own hands. I hope that isn't problem".
"Are you kidding? This is the best thing ever!" Ember whisper shouted before hugging her aunt "thank you". She then pulled her trunk out from under her bed, stuffing her uniform, books and other odds and ends into it. Ember didn't care about doing it nearly, she was more eager about getting out of house. Azalea helped her pack up the rest of her stuff into bags and boxes. She then shrunk them down with her magic to fit into her pockets.
"Felix, you have to get into the carrier", Ember said to the feline who was eyeing his travel home as if it was the you-know-who of cat carriers. Felix meowed and she scoffed "you're not claustrophobic, you've been in this thing before. Now get in". Azalea chuckled at the Flerken's sass. Felix was certainly an Evans through and through! Or at least, a Drake, a 'surname' often used by members of House Pyrrhos, according to her own book about their kind.
The Flerken looked at his young mistress for a moment, seriously debating on defying her for a little bit longer but he decided against it, given the look she was giving him. Felix hopped into the cat carrier and she latched the little door so he couldn't escape. Ember set it on the carpet next to her trunk.
"Ok, now what?" she asked, watching as Azalea shrunk her trunk down, sticking in her pocket.
"Now we're going to apparate to my home. Its going to be rather rough for you given that its your first time but I want you to hold on to me as tightly as you can, ok?" her aunt instructed.
"No problem", Ember said. She took hold of Azalea's arm and with her free hand, she grasped Felix's cat carrier. The older hybrid turned on the spot, aparating them away from the family that had abused her for 12 years.
