Aldan Whitney. 1
When she woke up, Harriette decided that if she leaves, Hedwig should be left free of her cage. Something may happen and there was no reason for her owl to suffer as well. Opening her window, her eyes roamed the neighborhood to make sure no one was watching, Vernon banned the owl to be freed in daylight, to not be seen. Harriette might not live here for long, so picking up a fight would be worthless. With no one in sight she opened Hedwig's cage and gently tried to wake her up, Harriette knew she wanted sleep after flying and hunting all night, but she couldn't afford loosing her,
''C'mon little bird...time to fly''. The owl slowly opened her yellow eyes looking confused, she searched for any near-by danger and climbed on the girls arm. Apparently her tired mode vanished as soon as she realized the window is open.
'' Hedwig. Listen, I will leave for at least a few hours. Regardless of what happens, you have to live ok? do your usual and don't look back'' Hedwig seemed to understand her words but hesitated to fly, she moved closer and rubbed her little head on her, pinching her in affection. Harriette assured she will be fine and gently released her, watching her till she was lost from her view.
Then, quickly dressed up, grabbed the half-read book from her nightstand along with the stringed head dragon she hid under the pillow. You can never leave something unwatched in this house. Her wand was already in her pocket, before saying anything, she clutched the keychain in her hand, looking closely at it. Was this a smart idea? Could it be a trap? What do all this even mean? Who was that man? So many questions and the only answer stood in her small hand. She didn't think much before doing anything, but now? Someone died because she acted on impulse, on instinct. Maybe she should take Snape as an example and pay more attention, that was a strange taught. Taking Snape as an example? That man was clearly nuts, and old too. On the other hand Sirius was more like her and look where a destructive mind can lead towards. Anyway, none seemed truly happy to be fair. What even is happiness? Where can you find it?
Just as she was about to speak the book title, an owl hit herself in the window and landed poorly on her desk. Big grey feathers flying around like snow. It was Errol. After biting the strings that hold a letter and a mid-size package, it broke loose and both feel on the ground. Then the Weasley's owl angrily raised her head to stare at Harriette, as if it was her fault the bird hit her own wings while coming. Harriette grabbed a spare owl treat handing it carefully. Not denying any food, Errol grabbed in annoyance the treat making sure the beak pinched a little and then stormed out the window. Placing the book aside, she bend to pick the package and letter and started opening them, a sound of wings averted her attention. Another owl came to drop a package and a letter. Harriette assumed now some people already started to send gifts and regards for her birthday, it was only 12a.m , the boxes and letters were placed aside on the bed. She could read them later, it could wait. These people who assumed she only lived today, could go without replies for a day, right? Why should she worry even a second?
Grabbing the stuff again, this time she didn't even look back when another owl entered her room, confidently she almost shouted,
''Fire and Blood''. Before finishing, the awful feeling of being sucked and hooked started. Portkeys were not fun, she didn't like them. The last one almost killed her even tho it also saved her.
Again her inability in magic or experience dragged her to the other side, whatever place she was supposed to meet that guy. The rough landing made sure to leave a bruise to be seen only starting tomorrow. A reminder that she could never be like sweet Cedric Diggory. His form gracefully landing on the grass of the land hosting the Quidditch match just last year. The scream of pain from his father will always ring inside her brain like a rooster. Full of despair and pain from losing his child.
As her legs rose her body, she was glad the grass landing didn't stain her clothes. Raising her head the first thing she was seeing was an artesian fountain, whose clean water was flowing lean into a pond made of rocks, all of equal size and shape to form a circular view from the above. The fountain was clearly old but gold, despite surrounding algae and moss the water was clear as glass. It's calming sound almost made her forget her mission. Moving her gaze up she saw a house like manor, with grass and paths made of hard pavement. Suddenly her dropping wasn't as bad. The house itself seemed simple yet traditionally english. Surrounded by all green trees, and hanging moss by the windows on the second floor. The 19th century architecture might have belonged to not such a poor family. It seemed almost unlived. Even so, it was so calming Harriette could see herself live here.
Shaking her day dreaming away she took a look back, spotting a bench just a few feet away. Sighing, her steps made it on the right paved path heading for the entrance. What if it was an actual trap? But the place was soo beautiful. Reaching the first step on the front, her eyes scanned the windows, all of them closed. Even if outside was quite nice, no wind, no rain. The door now was right in front of her slim form. Her arm raised and knocked on the large wooden door three times. After looking back a few times for safety, the door slightly cracked. Harriette took a step back and begin to squeeze the keychain so hard her knuckles turned white. Ready to leave if anything.
A man, old but not Dumbledore old. Just mid aged, opened the door. His eyes found her standing there, and for a while he said nothing. Giving Harriette time to study his tall form dressed in a suit. A black suit, not wizard like. Muggle rather, only an old model, the kind you see in movies of the 19th century. Some people just don't change. His grey hair cut evenly straight, told he was standing on business. Good, so did Harriette,
''Hello sir, I am...'' His brown eyes meet mine now and he looked shocked for just a second, or maybe just an illusion. His face was even The scar was always a give-away, even if she let her hair down.
''Miss...i am aware of your name, please come in'', his greeting was genuine, was he a butler or? He moved aside along with the door, waiting. For some reason, Harriette didn't hesitate and found herself inside of a hallway, the hallway was dark but visible for walking. The man closed the main door and lead the way further in the house.
'' come with me please '' truly all business, she wanted to ask about his name or age, but she kept quiet and instead stared at the paintings from a wall. Most of them placed at even points, some figured nature and abstract colors, old paints but none giving any clue about the man living here. Alden Whitney. Soon, a large living room was presented, four windows bigger that Harriette were all directing sun inside, the natural light gave the furniture a fine touch, seemed like a true movie. Giving a good view of another garden, the circular form was designed just like traditional houses to give space for the fireplace. All looked simple, yet it felt like a home.
''Miss Potter, would you please wait here a little?'' he gestured over at a sofa, old but extremely comfortable, as she sat down the man looked at her one more time with precaution. then left.
On the left of the sofa, an armchair of the same royal green and material gave room for coffee tables of rich wood and another armchair on the right. Books were filled around the fireplace , too far to see titles, but she could see their old covers like the books at Hogwarts. Various pictures of places decorated the walls in tones of the table wood, same found on the sofa and margins from the walls. Perfect and dramatic, no piece signaled anything. Impatient as always, Harriette rose to her feet to stare outside, more benches and flowers. Hearing a noise she turned around, the butler returned and spotted Harriette with an impassible stare, another figure walked behind him as he said,
''Mr. Whitney, miss'', backing near the wall, he made room for the another man, the first thing you can spot were his ice blue eyes, piercing threw her soul. He seemed shocked. He was old, but not like the other one, his high cheekbones and dimples didn't vanish yet, it signaled a man who was once handsome. He was dressed plainly, with beige pants and a classic shirt. He stepped closer, still looking like she was a ghost, a wanted ghost. Harriette didn't like how he looked up and down, but rather than lust like Harriette saw some men give her, this was a look of awe. Clutching the book tighter his eyes rested on it for a bit and then for the first time looked directly into her own green ones.
'' What a pleasure it is, to know you chose to come'' His voice was calm but even, he raised an arm to me " I'm Alden Whitney '', This time Harriette didn't move and stood her ground, she didn't know this man at all. Seeing her unmoving, Alden left his hand fall and sat calmly on the armchair, he didn't look pissed or offended. yet, she thought.
'' You don't know me, or my intentions. You can't trust a man just because he speaks, and I respect that.'' , his tone was serious and his eyes looked for any reaction on her face. She didn't gave any. His seated form was calm and calculated. He continued ''I also believe it's a valuable asset, to not trust people, it's a shield not many have'' , His stare was deep, any movement was fallowed and Harriette knew it. ''But I do believe you want this conversation, trust can be shared for the right people'' . She did want it, she wanted to understand all this nonsense, and he was not on the high ground here. He wanted her here. He sent a man to fallow her.
''The right people?'' , toning low made my voice hard to miss, the man near the wall now looked intently, ready to strike ''Are you one of these kind? The right people don't send people to track down girls to give portkeys in the middle of the night'' . Alden looked happy she could talk, his response came easily,
'' You're right, miss, I should have come myself'' , now he offered a small smile, '' the right kind doesn't hang in night clubs either, especially at 14'', his accent plain on 14, challenging but not sarcastic. Who did he think he was? Harriette could feel her temper rising along with her magic. Wild and uncontrolled. Racing inside like a disease.
''That does not concern you, sir'' I almost hissed at him, he continued to be calm. ''What do you want from me?'' , I came closer the his space in anger, normal people are not so stupid. Trying her luck with men thrice her age and almost twice her height. At my move he rose too, close enough to understand how tall he was. To know he could tower over me if he stepped closer. A single backhand would be enough to shut me up, he didn't invade my personal space tho. I did, he was still as calm as ever. The man near the wall got closer but still behind the couch,
'' Miss, I highly suggest...'', he stopped when Alden turned his gaze from Harriette to him. ''Hubert, bring me and this young woman some tea, please'' ,He didn't wait for a response, he turned back to the girl as Mr.Hubert bowed in respect and left to get tea, not without throwing a glare at Harriette that reminded her of Snape. I also returned to Alden and saw him sit again, all serious and calm. His relationship with this Hubert was unknown to me, he didn't seem afraid. Just highly respectful. Still watching me, he gestured a hand to the sofa ,
''Have a seat, we have much to discuss, little dragon...''