Interlude I
Gemma Farley first met Rhiannon Weasley in a library. At first she thought the smaller Gryffindor was here the reason why a Lion usually approaches a Snake. to ridicule her for being dark, especially when she mentioned that she knew about the tutoring involving wizarding culture. She didn't though. Instead she wanted to make a proposal for a symbiotic relationship. Gemma was intrigued to say the least.
Gemma is a slytherin, so when she accepted. She set off to gather intel into Rhiannon. Her first stop was Terence Higgs. Terry's quite popular among their year, and he's quite the gossip monger. If Gemma ever needed to know something about someone else, her friend always is her first stop.
“What do you know about the first year Weasley? The girl one.” She had asked.
Terry tilted his head and thought for a moment. “She offers tutoring help for a Galleon to her yearmates. None of our housemates have accepted, obviously, but the badgers and a couple of the eagles have. She charges more for older years.” She nodded along as he explained. “She’s none to be a bit barmy. She's been seen staring off into nothing or laughing about something that no one else knows.”
Her next was to write a letter to her uncle. The Farleys are a neutral, or Grey, family in politics. They have to be because they are record keepers. Or so her Uncle has always said. It is true many historians have written to her family to get a look at her family's collection of Journals and accounts from days long past. If they agree to a very strict contract they can. In the war her family had hidden themselves away only some had not all in the pursuit of writing the account of it.
She sent her letter off and got a reply barely a day later. Her uncle was always the fastest when it came to searching the family's archives.
Treasure,
It's not like you to write to me for history these days. To say I was surprised would be understating it. I had found some of the information you had asked me about. It will be waiting for you when you've returned from home. I know how much you like to read them for yourself.
I can tell you that the current Weasley head, Arthur, is married to Molly Weasley once Prewett. They have a total of eight children. Arthur's mother was Cedrella Black, who was disinherited for marrying a Weasley. Her and Septimus had three sons, Arthur being the oldest.
On Molly's side Rhiannon Prewett married Charley Smith. They had three children, before their youngest two and Heirs were murdered in 1981. Prewetts are twin Lords as you may know. The current Heirs just started their Hogwarts school this year.
All my regards,
Robert Farley
Just as he said the old Journals were waiting. They were written in Old English, they had a translated version with them which she ignored for now. She needed to dust off her language skills anyways. I had met a man named Lorcan of the West Woods, I do not know the woods he speaks of but he explained that his family is granted the gift to sense magicians in mundane families. They rescue them from the fate that they otherwise would have faced and perform a “blood rite”. What Weasley had said was true but what’s more interesting as this might be an origin to blood adoption rituals.
Gemma spends the rest of summer ensconced in her books much to the annoyance of her older brother.
The next year after the sorting she gathers her muggleborn Slytherins and takes them to the classroom the first weekend, she let out a breath of relief after seeing the younger girl there with a handful of muggle-borns behind her looking like lost ducklings. Gemma thinks the image suits the redhead nicely.
Somehow, they end up spending time in the library together. Rhiannon is definitely not studying her own class work. “Isn't that a bit advanced for your year?”
“It's for a fourth year. Not telling who confidentially and all,” Rhiannon tells her.
“I could help, what class is it?”
Rhiannon squints at her for a second, mulling it over, “Sure, if you tell me your birthdate and place. I have a star chart due in Astronomy.”
“That can be done, most make things up though.”
“My Nana would rise out of her grave if any of us tried to bullshit our way through Astronomy.” Then Rhiannon starts laughing as if what she said was the funniest joke ever. Gemma isn't too sure what it is so funny, but her laughter is boisterous and shakes her entire being. The girl wants to burn the after image to her eyes.
They got kicked out for being too noisy but it was worth it.
Gemma had always known she had fancied girls. Even when she was younger, she would ask why all the characters in her fiction books would get together with boys instead of girls. It was then her uncle Robert started showing her to the family's archives. As part of the Farley way is to stay as neutral as possible and write down absolutely everything, there were plenty of examples of girls getting with girls.
This is different from the careful neutrality of her family. Her personal diary, not her Journal, was quickly filled with flowery poems and happy daydreams she had about kissing a smile onto the girl's face. Or the careful room she made in her life plans that she made for the girl. It is only because she is a good Slytherin that the rapid beating heart and the butterflies that flapped about in her stomach whenever the girl looked at her, or called out to her was revealed on her face. She's truly pathetic.
After she had told the girl to call her Gemma she was determined she would take her on a date. Madam Puddifoots was out immediately, it was too noisy and crowded. Gemma noticed that Rhiannon suffered a bit in crowded environments. Maybe because of the Weasley ability to sense magic. She paid attention to the other Weasley siblings after that to confirm her theory. Eventually she found a little café that was very quiet, and away from Hogsmeade's busier streets. The Cat's Eye, was owned by a woman who was a bit cat obsessed but the recipes were very good and there was even a little reading nook area.
Her next goal was to figure out her favorite flower, she played around with asking her brothers but frankly, Charlie Weasley was too intimidating and she was afraid Flint might accuse her of fraternizing with the enemy. It was the same with Percy Weasley ever since Terry figured out he and Gryffindor's keeper were dating. She wasn't even on the quidditch team. Being friends with Terry and Flint was a mistake. The twins, well she doesn't want to owe them any favors. That sounds like a nightmare.
“Briallen, would you possibly know your witch's favorite flower?” The genius idea hit Gemma when she saw the raven sitting on Rhiannon's sweater and scarf. Familiar’s while they can come from simple animals often have a smarter intellect then their mundane counterparts.
“Caw,” the bird responded.
“If possible do you think you could bring me it, subtlety of course will be appreciated. I'll get you a treat.”
“CAW!” Then the raven was off in a flurry of black feathers.
Rapid footsteps ran to the table, “What was that about?” Rhiannon had asked her. When Gemma merely shrugged her shoulders in response, the younger teen squinted at her suspiciously, and went back to looking for the book she was trying to find.
The bird came back not much longer and dropped a couple of irises and black eyed susans on the table. “You better have not stolen those. What am I saying of course you did. What are you up to?” Rhiannon had asked the bird.
“Caw.”
“Watch your language.”
Gemma took note of the flowers.
When Gemma had found out she was Prefect she was beyond excited. Then she was immediately in despair.
“What's got you so glum, Treasure?” Her mum asked her after she opened her letter and got the news.
“How will I ever find the time to date now! I'll have so many duties between studying for OWLs and then patrolling the halls and taking care of the firsties.”
Her older brother clapped a hand on her shoulder, “You'll find a way I mean just look at our parents, they were able to have their lame romance and be prefects. Besides, she doesn't sound like the type to need to go on dates all that often.” He comforted her. It was a touching moment that her mum immediately ruined by trying to interrogate her, alongside her uncle about her crush.
Gemma sucked it up and planned it out, her schedule would be built around the two weekends they get in Hogsmeade each month, if things go well, if not she'll be wallowing during those weekends. Then the moment came and went and Rhiannon said yes. Gemma was practically vibrating in excitement, she didn't because she's a good Slytherin that keeps her cool. As soon as she got to her dorm room she smashed her face in her pillow and screamed out her excitement.
“Good news?” her roommate, Zinnia, had asked.
“Yes.”
A few weeks later as the date approaches for her date, where Gemma tries her best to stay positively normal she gets assigned a patrol with Percy Weasley.
Percy Weasley is tall and lean, he stares down his nose at her through her behind his half moon glasses muddy green eyes consider her, he offers his hand, “We've not properly met before, Percy Weasley.”
“I'm Gemma Farley,” she says, shaking back. She should've guessed that at least one of Rhiannon's many siblings would be at least a bit polite like her.
“Yes, I know. In the spirit of professionalism, I will not talk about your date with my sister after this. Just know if you hurt her, that I will happily and with much glee sick the twins on you.” He gives a small smile that reminds her of Rhiannon's wide manic grin. It's a grin that's a promise. Gemma swallows and does the sensible thing, she nods her head.
The weekend came and Gemma gave over her permission slip and waited with a bouquet of irises, black eyed susans and white tulips. Zinnia had seen her nod of good luck. She kept an eye out for Rhiannon when she eventually saw the Weasley twins rush over.
“Hello.”
“Just so you know-”
“You lost us money-”
“Not too bothered though-”
“Rhiannon has been awfully happy.” They told her. Honestly how anyone can follow them so easily is beyond her.
“Hey! What are two doing!” Rhiannon calls out to her brothers. Gemma whips her head around to see her. Her face has a bit of rouge on it and her eyes are painted pink and yellow which matches the outfit she wears. She can only see her face because the hair that's usually in front of it has been very carefully pulled and pinned up looking a bit like horns. It's lovely. Very lovely. Gemma is a good Slytherin so her knees do not wobble beneath her long skirt.
“They've been alright,” her voice comes out a bit more high-pitched and hoarse than she intended. She clears her throat, “These are for you.” She hands them over gently and does not shove the flowers at her face, no matter what the twins will one day try to claim.
“Thank you,” Rhiannon takes the bouquet and her eyes light up at them she makes a soft, “huh.”
They ride to Hogsmeade in a carriage alone. Gemma's glare was a wonderful deterrent. Terry had the audacity to laugh as she went by, he'll come to regret it. The ride is quiet and Briallen lands at one point to sit in Gemma's lap to get pets.
“You spoiled creature, you're supposed to be with Ange,” Rhiannon tells the raven fondness leaking out as she scolds the bird. With a very sassy sounding caw Briallen goes back to flying in the air, Gemma sees her land on the shoulder of Angelina Johnson a few carriages forward.
They arrive at the, Cat's Eye with little fanfare. “Ah this is the dame you were telling me about,” The old owner of the café reveals. “Come in, come in, I don’t ‘ave any customers right now, my regulars are running the shops your classmates are overtaking.”
They order tea and some biscuits the crone leaves to get their order.
They sit in silence for a few moments.
“I don't actually know what to do from here,” Gemma embarrassingly blurts out. Rhiannon laughs.
“I'm not laughing at you I promise!” Something in Gemma is smoothed down by that statement.
“I'm not sure either. Actually I only really started thinking about romance last year when you told me to call you Gemma.” The younger teen admits, eyes averted as she wiggles in the spot.
“Oh,” is all Gemma can manage, “I dated a couple people in my third year, but that's about it.”
“Tell me about your family, I feel like you know much about mine.”
“Well, I also have an older brother named Charlie,” Gemma begins. After they spend time at the Cat's Eye, having tea and biscuits. They go on a stroll and continue spending the time talking.
They ended up at Scrivenshaft’s. She bought Rhiannon a paper weight that was in the shape of a little raven.
“Briallen will be jealous,” the other girl said fondly.
“Well just let me know if she breaks it and I'll cast a reparo on it.” She had told her, she could see it Briallen was a very spoiled bird.
The rest of the day, Gemma felt like she was floating on clouds.
Zinnia claimed she had a creepy smile on her face as she slept. Zinnia is a liar.