Chapter 2
“Soooo you're the old man's daughter?” the taller boy with long curly black hair asked.
“yeah.” I huffed, trudging up the creaky old stairs. I swear one of these days they're going to fall in, and I'll plummet straight through.
“Cool. Cool. You- uuuh, like wands?” He continued with his pestering. I glanced back with an unamused frown, not bothering to answer the question. I turned back around and heard a thwack.
“you like wands??” A mocking tone came from somewhere behind me, followed by stifled laughter.
“Well what did you want me to say, James!?” the boy whispered back to the mockingbird.
I turned into the living room at the top of the stairwell. I looked back at the group of boys. “c’mere” I said, beckoning the short boy with blonde hair to come closer “sit.”
The boy did as he was told, and the rest of them found spots to rest around the crowded living space. I rummaged through an old trunk just behind the sofa where father liked to carve his wands and found the well loved first aid kit.
“Arm.” I said, holding out my hand, and the boy did as was told. He had soft hands, untouched by hard work, easy to be molded one way or the other. I flicked my eyes up to meet his teary ones and smiled softly “it's gonna be fine, it's nothin’ too bad.” I reassured him.
I pulled out a plaster and some disinfectant. I cleaned out his wound diligently, not wanting the group to linger for too long.
“You really don't talk much, do you?” The talkative long-haired boy asked, to which I hummed softly in agreement.
“Do you go to hogwarts? I've never seen a beauty like you before?” He continued with his pestering.
My small smile turned upside down quickly. “This will be my first year.” I huffed, not looking up from the boy's arm.
“Oh! You're the same age as Reggie then! What house do you think you'll be in? I'm thinking ravenclaw, you seem like a ravenclaw.” The boy kept yammering on and on until I huffed softly, shaking my head.
“I don't care what house I am put into. It doesn't really matter to me.”
“Yeah I guess anything other than slytherin is good, but everyone knows gryffindor is the best!” He puffed his chest out, and I simply scoffed “What's wrong with slytherin? You got a superiority complex over there” I rolled my eyes, putting the bandage on the pudgy blonde boy.
“Everyone knows Slytherin is full of blood supremacists.” The darker skinned boy with short loose curls commented offhandedly just as the boy my age spoke up.
“I want to be a slytherin.” He stated softly with a deep frown gracing his face. I smiled softly.
“Well that's certainly an opinion, pretty boy,” I moved from my spot in front of the blonde to be sitting across from the boy my age. “I think you'll do great in slytherin” I grinned at him softly.
“Well of course YOU would want to be a slytherin, Reggie.” The long-haired boy exclaimed with a sneer. I decided then that I didn't like this boy.
I raised an eyebrow at this. “Hey let up on him. He's just a kid. Isn't he your brother?” I questioned, leaning back in my seat.
“He's just like our parents.” The boy huffed, glaring at Regulus.
“Sirius, she's right. You should lay off ‘em. You aren't helping.” The quiet boy littered with freckles and scars piped up, letting out a deep sigh. “Sorry about them. I'm Remus, the blonde boy is Peter,” he introduced himself and gestured to the boy now bandaged up “You've already met James and Sirius” he rolled his eyes playfully. I chuckled softly, blushing at the cute boy.
“I'm Ivana.” I said softly, reaching out my hand to shake his.
“Nice to meet you, Ivana” Remus let out a breath and a small smile. His hands were rough but warm in mine. I quickly pulled my hand away and stood up. My face is surely red by now.
“Well if that is all you lot oft better get on your way.” I say, brushing off my pants gently.
“Ah right, we'll get out of your hair. Thank you again for helping our friend” Remus is quick to reply, glancing at the stairwell.
“Right. Right.” Sirius starts, and James pushes him towards the stairwell before he can say more. “Thanks again, Miss Ivana Ollivander!” James shouts over his shoulder, pulling Peter out with him, the three stumbling down the stairs. Remus sighs again, shaking his head and shuffles out behind them. Regulus, the boy my age, stops short of the stairwell doorway and turns to me hesitantly.
“Do you truly think I'll do well in slytherin?” He questions hesitantly. His eyes don't stay in place for very long, but he briefly meets my eyes.
I look away and then back to him quickly. “I know so.” I try my best to reassure him, but I'm sure it hardly works because he tilts his head with a furrowed brow.
“What does that mean?” His question comes out in an exasperated huff.
“Well it's all in your wand, I guess.” My reply is instantaneous, but my voice is unsteady at best.
“My wand?” He asks even more confused than before.
I sigh, shifting on my feet slightly “of course. You have a Cyprus, which means that you're probably bold and unyielding in your convictions to help those you care for. Not to mention, dragon heartstring cores are strong. There's no way you won't be a strong and capable wizard, of that I’m sure.” I flush knowing that I've gone too far with my explanation once again. Always too much with me.
When I look up Regulus is staring at me with his mouth agape.
“REGGIE! COME ONN. WE STILL HAVE TO GO GET YOUR FAMILIAR” Sirius’ voice breaks through the awkward silence and Regulus closes his mouth clearly startled by his brother's annoyed shouts.
“Thanks, Ivana. I hope we'll see each other when school starts!” Regulus smiles widely for the first time since we've met and then rushes down the stairs. The clamoring is quickly followed by the door to the shop ringing a close to the encounter.