Chapter Three
Iris POV
Just as I had shoved a giant piece of toast in my mouth, a bedraggled looking owl came sailing out of the air and landed precariously on my head. I froze, and sensing it had perhaps done something wrong, the bird hopped off my head and into my lap. It blinked up at me as I took a crumpled scrap of paper out of its mouth.
It read:
Iris
I had a great idea for how you could get to work. meet me outside me house.
-Hagrid.
Since there was no time indicated, I scarfed down the rest of my breakfast and headed out into the brisk fall air. Because I had taken my OWL exams last year, my schedule had opened up considerably, leaving large chunks of time open. I had seized upon the opportunity this free time gave me to get a job. Some various odd jobs were available at Hogwarts but when Mel’s mom had mentioned an old friend of hers looking for a trustworthy youngster to help her out in her shop in Hogsmeade, I couldn’t resist.
Of course before I accepted, I had asked Mel over and over again if she was sure she didn’t want the job, but she had insisted she was too busy with Quidditch training to be working too. Mel had been the Hufflepuff Keeper since her second year and was extremely dedicated to the team.
I had started at Flourish and Blotts Half Price, a little sister store to the one in Diagon Alley. The first day I arrived the owner and manager Ms Sandra had been very kind and welcoming. We had established that my schedule would be flexible and consist of random mornings or afternoons I was free, plus all day Sundays. This was usually our busiest day, what with all of the students and townsfolk coming in to stock up on supplies or just browse. The weekdays, however, usually consisted of organizing inventory, counting what was in the cash register, taking care of the owls, and restocking the shelves. The clean, warm feel of the store gave off a peaceful atmosphere which made working there a relaxing break from the bustle of Hogwarts.
Ms Sandra and I had already become friends despite our age difference and occasionally her grandchildren would stop in the store. I enjoyed all playing together. Getting to work, however, was quite the obstacle. Hogsmeade was pretty far away and it was a waste to use flew powder so often, although this is what I had been doing so far.
As I came up upon Hagrid’s hut, I saw a magnificent beast tied up to a post in his pumpkin patch. It paws at the ground restlessly and tosses its head to and fro. I immediately knew what creature it was and it took my breath away.
“Hagrid,” I breathed. “How did you catch a thestral?” I’d never seen one in person before, only drawings in our Care of Magical Creatures textbooks. Now, thestrals can only be seen by people who have seen death but in this war torn time it was more rare for a person not to be able to see one than vice versa. I personally had been browsing the books in Diagon Alley at the start of summer holiday when a swarm of death eaters showed up and mass murdered shoppers at random. I couldn’t sleep for two weeks after.
Hagrid beams at me. “Not very hard ter be honest. They’re rather fond of me, see. Isn’t it just a brilliant idea fer yer ter ride one ter work?”
“But… thestrals aren’t meant to be trained. They’re wild,” I said, eyeing the beautiful beast.
“Well, this one can be. It’s in its adolescent stage which makes it to the perfect time ter break her in.” Hagrid had always relished a challenge.
“I won’t get in trouble for this will I?” I asked suspiciously.
“Of course not!” he exclaimed, offended. “Dumbledore himself gave me permission.”
“Well, alright. Where do we start?” Hagrid guided me through the process, first letting her sniff me up and down while I stand perfectly still, then letting me feed her little bits of meat that he produced from Merlin knows where, and finally letting me pet her ever so gently, murmuring all the while so she becomes familiar with my voice.
“You’ll have ter name her,” Hagrid toldme, giving the beast a kind look.
“Hmm. I think I’ll call her Suri.” The thestral clucked her tongue happily. “It suits her.”
“Suri it is!” Hagrid exclaimed happily.
Next we began the real training, letting out the rope she was tied to and coaxing her not to fly away. When we were sure she won’t, we completely untied her and practiced calling her to me with a two toned whistle Hagrid teaches me. We broke for lunch, and I swallow as many rock cakes as I can manage in order to keep my hunger at bay, the task proving itself to be an all day activity.
Soon, it was time to practice mounting which takes many unsuccessful tries. Once we realized that it’s impossible for me to get on without flying off the other side we taught Suri to lie down and then to rise once I am successfully aboard. Wrapping my arms around her neck is a signal to her to fly while holding onto her protruding neck bones causes her to trot.
The sun was setting by the time I stiffly dismounted, my bottom sore and my throat hoarse, but my mind alight with the thrills of flying and my heart full of affection for this beast who has grown on me significantly since the start of the day. I thanked Hagrid over and over again and he assured me that she’ll be safe with her herd in the forbidden forest. I smiled to myself as I headed back up to the castle for dinner, happy that I’ve made a new friend.
Regulus POV
Regulus,
Moments after you boarded the train we received word that we have been requested to host Christmas dinner at Grimmauld Place. The usual cousins and extended family will be attending, of course, but our close family friends have expressed their interest in joining us as well. As you know, this is a great honor for us all and reflects exceedingly well upon the entire House of Black, especially considering our recent adjustments.
I know you will comport yourself with dignity and make us proud; you always do. I only write to inform you that our particularly esteemed guest of honor mentioned in passing that he requests your presence. You are no fool, my son, and must know the significance of this. You are becoming a man, and it is not lost on any of us the skills and talents you possess.
Do not expect further letters as you are well aware your father and I are most busy. And do not let your grades slip. Blacks only achieve the best.
-Mother
I balled the letter up in my fist and took deep, calming breaths. I wished I could chuck the letter across the common room but knew it had to be carefully disposed of in my dorm fireplace where I could ensure it turned into nothing but ashes. Likely, no one would read into any of it, not like I did.
I knew perfectly well our “close family friends” were my parents’ fellow Death Eaters and their “particularly esteemed guest of honor” was the Dark Lord himself. “Recent Adjustments” indeed. A rather understated way to put losing yet another member of the esteemed House of Black. I still hadn’t forgotten the burning smell that permeated every corner of the house.
It seemed risky for Mother to send this letter with so obvious a location and time as it contained, but at the same time I knew Dumbledore was not likely to stoop so low as to read private correspondences. As for my classmates, half of their parents were “close family friends” anyway.
So the Dark Lord wished to meet me. Meet me in my family home no less. It could only mean one thing, and I had already been expecting it.
Mindlessly, I rubbed the pale skin on my left forearm and thought about that conversation I had heard over the summer. Or rather, overheard. I hadn’t technically been privy to the conversation hissed between my cousin Bellatrix and Mother, but voices tended to carry up the stairwell and I had a habit of leaving my bedroom door cracked.
What had been said had left me reeling and I was determined to discover what it all meant before playing host to the most powerful wizard in the world. If there was one thing I hated more than anything, it was going into a situation blind.
Lyla POV
I braced myself to knock on Professor Sprout’s office door. I’d already done this with Professors Flitwick, McGonagall, and Sinistra, asking if they had a job that I could do. All had replied in the negative. Sprout was my next choice; Hagrid and Slughorn I was saving for last, the former because he had helped my sister with her job and latter because he tended to drone on and on about the Slug Club.
“Come in!” I heard Sprout call from inside her office, after I had knocked hard twice (loud enough to be confident, long enough to be heard, short enough to not be annoying). I entered the room carefully, placing my sweetest, brightest smile on my face.
“Miss Zemen,” Sprout greeted and gestured to a seat in front of her desk. “What can I do for you?”
“Professor Sprout,” I said as I lowered myself into the chair. It squeaked painfully loud. “I was wondering if there was anything that you needed assistance with. You see, I’m looking for a job. Now that I’m entering my O.W.L.s year, I figured it was time to gain experience. I’m hardworking and I promise to take any job I have seriously.” Professor Sprout was smiling by the time I finished. I took that as a good sign.
“It’s a good thing you came, Miss Zemen,” she said, opening a drawer on her left and rifling through it. “I was just thinking I might need some help, and I know you to be a smart, detracted student.” She pulled out a piece of parchment.
“That’s wonderful!” I exclaimed, wiggling in my seat in anticipation. Sprout raised an eyebrow.
“Don’t get too excited, dear,” she laughed to herself. “This is work after all.”
“Yes ma’am.” I stopped my wiggling but kept my grin. Sprout slid the parchment towards me.
“This is a list of plants, flowers, and seeds that I need that are best harvested and not bought. They can be found here on Hogwarts grounds. Some are for classes, others are food for my plants, and a few are for my personal research,” the professor explained, leaning back. I glanced at the list which had twenty or so plants, the amount needed, and locations to find them.
“Your job,” Sprout continued, “is to collect these items, sort and label them into bags, and deliver them to me Friday night at four thirty in the afternoon. At that time a will give the next list to complete in a week. I will also pay you four galleons at that time. Do you accept my offer?”
“Yes, yes!” I was beaming like a manic now. “Thank you so, so much, professor!”
“Your welcome, Miss Zemen,” Sprout shook my hand, and I practically melted with pride. “I will see you in class.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I nodded my head crazily. “Thank you again.” I darted out of her office and skipped down the hallway, clutching the list, intent on finding Bryant and informing him of my success.