In Flames
Minnie thought the coffee and black pudding at The Leaky Cauldron was the best in the whole world. It was even better than Hogwarts' coffee and black pudding. She preferred Hogwarts shepherd's pie and bacon, but the coffee was by far the superior.
It had been a fine evening at her Uncle Jack's. He took the girls out for supper in a muggle restaurant for dinner before they returned to his flat above the record store. They listened to records and played exploding snap while he and Alice debated the philosophy of aeronautics.
He'd even taught her a bit of guitar near the end of the evening before bed after Alice had fallen asleep. It was nice to learn something her sister didn't know. It was even nicer when she could be in the presence of an adult who didn't ask her what she was doing with her life.
"The girls are on the house." Miss Abbott, the bar keeper said with a slight twist of her shoulder and twinkle in her eye. She had come over personally to administer the bill it seemed. She handed Uncle Jack and Mr. Warrington small papers.
"Thank you Miss Abbott." Alice responded quickly, food still falling from her mouth.
"That's not necessary Hannah." Jack insisted to her as he dug into his pocket.
"Our mum gave us money to pay for breakfast." Minnie said reaching into her bag.
"I know, she tried to pre-pay for your breakfasts last night at the party, I wouldn't take it then and I won't take it now." Miss Abbott winked as Jack paid for his bill. "Get something off the trolley today instead."
Mr. Warrington handed Hannah his money. "Thanks Abbott."
Hannah didn't smile quite so brightly at Mr. Warrington, her eyes traced him nervously. "Don't mention it. Good luck at school Cas."
Cas smiled a little bit, his face was quite stuffed with flapjacks. "Thanks Miss Abbott." He said, trying to swallow his food.
Miss Abbott nodded at them before walking away, a tray of coffee and tea following her.
Mr. Warrington pulled a watch from his pocket, "Well, I best be off."
Cas who had been enraptured by flapjacks just a moment before had lost his joyful expression.
"Good luck today Warrington." Uncle Jack said as he stood up with him. The two men shook hands.
"I've needed more than luck since Hargroves keeps rising in rank at the Wizenagamot." Mr. Warrington said in a more hushed tone. Minnie surmised she wasn't supposed to hear that.
It suddenly made sense, Mr. Warrington had court that morning. Every year or so, his probation came up to be judged again. His wand's return kept being blocked, no matter how good a member of society he proved to be.
"That bitch is just woefully unable to release her past in a healthy and communicative way." Uncle Jack said with a twist of his neck. He looked at the children, "Do not tell your mother I cursed in your presence. Although just words, I have an inexplicable time seeing you."
"I won't tell." Alice insisted before drinking her orange juice.
"Walk me out Cas" Mr. Warrington said causing Cas to stand up.
Uncle Jack sat back down to finish his oatmeal as Cas and Mr. Warrington walked out of the pub's door to the muggle side.
Minnie watched as Mr. Warrington put his head against Cas' and held his son closely. Mr. Warrington seemed to be holding back tears. Cas, who always seemed so composed was looking equally upset. Minnie quickly looked away, surmising they preferred privacy.
Warrington eventually returned without his father. The four made their way back to the shop where their things were. Considering Minnie and Alice lived at Hogwarts and in their cottage in Hogsmead for most of the year, they didn't need much in the way of luggage. They had a few essentials packed in smaller bags, like their robes and a few changes of clothes, but they had no need for big trunks.
Warrington on the other hand, drug a large green trunk behind him, with his owl perched on top.
Minnie and Alice had been offered owls and other pets, but Duke and Artie were more than satisfactory. Duke carried all the letters and Artie was so fluffy and sweet. They made it to the station and onto the train in plenty of time.
Uncle Jack took his responsibility of getting them on the train very seriously. He never expressed it aloud, but Minnie suspected he enjoyed the job because he had no children of his own.
Uncle Jack always wore his best band tee shirt, and he actually combed his hair. He would proudly announce to anyone and everyone in a close proximity, "These are my nieces. See how well they've grown up! I hope they never face true tragedy, although character building, I enjoy how wonderfully they look at the world."
Minnie didn't hide behind her sister when her Uncle began his gushing. She knew he was just proud.
Warrington disappeared as soon as they reached the platform. He ran after a few friends in Slytherin after thanking Uncle Jack for the ride.
They started their train ride at the annual Hogwarts Gazette meeting on the train. The Gazette was just behind Quidditch in popularity. Almost everyone wanted to be on the paper, it came with perks like late night hall passes and the Gala in February. Then, after school it was amazing for networking. They currently had nearly a dozen people in the club, they would need to hold auditions for another four people at least.
Minnie was very proud to have a position on the Gazette. Although it came with comparisons, she enjoyed the friendships and writing. She was just a general journalist, with no desire to ever ascend to her mother's former position as Editor-In-Chief.
Helena Macmillan was doing a fine job as Editor-In-Chief for her first meeting. There couldn't have been a better successor, considering Ravenna Jordan had graduated the year prior.
Her sister had been training for the Sports Editor position. She was excited to finally have the job fully.
She and Alice immediately separated following the meeting.
Alice went to seek her friends out. She had only a couple of people she clung to, but cling she certainly did.
Minnie followed her friends Cody and Lysander. They had been friends long before they had been sorted into Gryffindor together. However, they had become closer over the years of sharing a common room. She was far closer to Cody seeing as he was in her year, but Lysander being a year above them never posed an issue.
Minnie sat herself beside Lysander. Lysander had short hair in a blinding blonde hue reminiscent of his mother. He was dressed in a bright blue sweater and slacks today.
Cody sat across from them, his very ostentatious sweater covered in green and purple fireflies flickering at them. He had let his very coiled hair grow into an afro over the summer, it was quite complimentary on him.
"Hey, hopefully I found where all the cool kids are sitting." Josie Weasley popped her head inside the compartment. Her thin red hair flying around. "Oh damn, just you freaks."
"Get your ass in here Josie." Cody joked with a wave, "You are just as freaky as the rest of us."
"I do my best of course." Josie precociously giggled before sitting down and putting her feet up on his lap.
"Rude much?" Cody asked looking down to her feet.
"You all have the honor of being friends with the new Gryffindor Quidditch Captain." Josie pulled her shoulders back and grabbed her sweater. It had Gryffindor Quidditch Captain stitched into the front, "Grandma made it for me!"
"Congratulations JoJo!" Cody cackled making Josie turn red.
She gritted her teeth at him before tipping the bill of his cap, "Don't call me JoJo."
"Captain JoJo! It's a good name I think." Lysander said with a flagrant wave of his hand.
"We will happily scream for you in the stands!" Minnie joked along as the other two joined her.
"Go! Go! Jo! Jo!" They yelled in cantor.
Josie practically jumped atop Cody, putting her hands on his mouth.
"Shut it you three!" Josie scolded, "Do you want the whole train to hear you?"
Cody proceeded to dramatically lick Josie's hand making Minnie and Lysander reel.
"Well, if you don't want me to yell that while I do commentary, you should help me get on the team." Cody begged.
"But then who would do commentary for the games?" Minnie asked nervously.
"Let's get your sister to do it, she never shuts up, it'll be the most well documented game." Josie said standing up in the compartment and holding up her hand like a person's mouth. She pitched her voice higher, "Hello I'm Alice Longbottom, the most annoying voice in school and I think everyone should be forced to hear my voice as a form of torture. Maybe it'll distract Slytherin to the point of loss of life and limb."
"Minnie laughed a little before going to the only thing that could get Josie to stop making fun of her sister, "Lissy's trying out for the team though, so no one will be subjected to that if she makes it on."
"You are joking right?" Cody rolled his eyes aggressively.
"She's an actual nightmare." Josie joked heartily as she knocked Cody in the elbow sitting back into her seat.
"She's really good." Minnie argued, "She was training all Summer."
"I mean I've already heard how hard it is to deal with her on the Gazette, I can't imagine dealing with her at Quidditch too." Josie said laying her head back.
"I think she's harmless." Lysander admitted with a softness to his tone. He looked up from his magazine, "She just has a lot to say is all. Honestly, I appreciate the slight calamity that seems to follow her."
Minnie felt a smile break across her face. She appreciated that she didn't have to stand up for her sister. It could be exhausting after a while.
"What position is she trying for?" Josie asked trepidatiously.
Minnie shrugged, "She didn't tell me."
"Hey, if she makes the team could you just imagine the look on Warrington's face if he had to face off with her?" Cody suggested, "Just think, he hates her! He might drop out of the games."
"Or murder her." Josie shrugged, "Either way it's a win in my book if it pisses off Warrington."
"Didn't you have to ride with him to the train?" Lysander asked looking at Minnie.
"Yeah, I think it's because his dad had court this morning." Minnie revealed without thinking.
"Oh like Mr. Warrington actually thinks he will get his wand back. Bloke's been out of Askaban longer than he served and they still haven't given it back." Cody cackled, "Best if they don't. You know how he tortured students?"
"He's a nice guy." Minnie defended, "And my parents trust him."
"Well my parents don't." Josie reminded as she put her legs back up onto Cody's. "He was a Death Eater after all."
"But your dad trusts my Uncle Jack." Minnie reminded sharply, "And he was a Death Eater."
"Your uncle was under a love potion." Josie rolled her eyes, "He didn't know what he was doing. Mr. Warrington did."
"Ladies, why don't we discuss something of better value?" Cody said jumping into the conversation, "I don't like it when my two favorite girls fight!"
"We weren't fighting, were we Min?" Josie asked with a conceding smile.
"No." Minnie shook her head.
"It was simply an educated discussion." Lysander interjected, "What would you prefer? A vapid conversation about romantic interests and clothing I'm sure?"
"If that's what is truly expected of us." Josie flipped her hair before making her famous impression of an American high school girl, "Speaking of like Warrington," Josie twirled her hair, "did you hear he's now dating Sarah Brenna? I saw them like, making out as I like got on the train."
Minnie didn't like hearing that, not that she cared about Warrington, but she loathed Sarah Brenna. They were cousins in some capacity, but they weren't exactly familial in actions. Sarah's favorite activity was to find a flaw in everyone she disproved of, and there were few people she disproved of more than the people in that very compartment.
"Gross." Lysander wrinkled his nose.
"You didn't have to witness it." Josie gagged.
The rest of the train ride consisted of the average gossip and laughter. Everyone discussed their Summertime adventures and activities. They traded chocolate frog cards before changing into their robes and heading to the welcome feast.
Minnie saw her father in the Great Hall first. He was dressed in the only nicer robes she ever saw him wear. Most of his clothing ended up stained by dirt or the aggressively spitting venomous algae he'd discovered.
He had their family Pygmy Puff on his shoulder. Artie bounced upon sight of the girls. He waved a little bit at them, a nervous smile breaking across his face.
Her mum was not in the room quite yet. She had recently accepted the task of conducting the sorting ceremony. She had refused the position of deputy headmistress, claiming she'd had her share of leading, but conceded when it came to the ceremony.
The actual Headmistress, Minnie's namesake, Professor McGonagall welcomed everyone before asking them to all settle down for the sorting ceremony.
The doors to the Great Hall opened wide after everyone had settled.
Minnie's mum looked reasonably elegant as she lead the first years into the Great Hall. She wore a dark traditional hat and a black gown covered in silver stars, it trailed the floor in a cascade. Her miniature dragon, Duke sat upon her shoulder. Proudly up upon his legs and head held high.
Her mum winked at her as she passed by.
She began the ceremony speaking in a melodically captivating voice. Her father often referred to her mother's public speaking persona as being someone else entirely. Her mother insisted it was only because of years of practice.
The little first years were captivated and nervous as they were each sorted.
Minnie remembered sitting beneath the hat herself. Her mother wasn't tasked with the job quite yet, instead Potions' Professor Hayward had placed the hat upon her head.
The hat had chuckled a little, "How peculiar, last time I was upon the head of a Longbottom I was in flames. Quite ironic now, considering you are partially of the name Fyre."
Minnie was so terrified she barely had time to process his joke. She was too worried she'd let everyone down somehow. She didn't have any clue what house she should be in, everyone around her seemed to know who they were, what if she never knew who she was?
"It's alright to be undecided." The hat had insisted to her, she didn't expect to receive comfort from an accessory. "I can normally sort things out."
The hat loudly proclaimed the word, "Gryffindor!"
Minnie had often wondered if he'd placed her in the right house, but research showed he was always correct.
After stuffing herself silly and the feast had officially ended, Minnie disregarded the instruction to go to her dormitory. Duke the dragon flew to her and landed upon her shoulder. She and her sister had a small obligation to see their parents.
"Mummy!" Alice called before running and hugging their mum around the neck.
Minnie cautiously followed. She smiled as she wrapped her mum in a hug next. "Hey mum."
"I missed my girls." Her mum looked them over as she held them both in her arms.
"It was only two weeks mum." Alice groaned as her mother kissed her cheek. "Everyone else is away from their families all year."
"I'm allowed to miss my babies." She kissed Minnie's cheek next. "Even if you do look like little women more and more."
"Oh so your mum's the only one who gets hugs now?" Her dad joked from behind them. They embraced him quickly before walking with them both from the hall.
"Artie certainly missed you my little terror." He said after Alice stole Artie off of his shoulder.
"I missed her." Alice said nudging her nose against Artie who was cooing joyously.
Alice boisterously asked about their week in Indonesia, before volunteering every solitary detail about their two weeks.
Minnie's mum wrapped her arm around Minnie's shoulder, "And what of you Min? Have a nice time with the Potters?"
Minnie nodded with a big smile, "Good as always."
"Albus told us at the Gazette party that he came to visit so he could see you." Her dad revealed.
Minnie nodded sinking into the vanilla smell her mum provided, "Yeah, him and Hermione and Ron all came to say hi while I was there."
"That's lovely." Her mother said before pointing to the necklace on Minnie's neck. "That's a very beautiful necklace."
"Uncle Jack gave it to me." Minnie said touching the little charm, "To match my Patronus."
"He's always had a thing for Patronus lore." Her mum smirked before looking down to a little lion pin on her chest.
"Even if he gets it wrong sometimes." Her dad chuckled as he watched Alice skipping beside him, "But he's only ever off by a few miles."
"He got me a broomstick." Alice interjected with a small hop.
Her parents exchanged a look. Her mother crossed her arms and pursed her upper lip, "Well he's getting a howler."
"Oh mum but it's a Drakkonfire Extreme!" Alice twirled around her eyes begging her parents to keep the broomstick.
Her mum's lips parted and a laugh left her mouth. "It's fine, I'd have preferred you earn it yourself but if you are going to try out for Quidditch, I suspect you need one."
"Well Sam, we ought to let these girls get off to the common room." Her dad suggested as they reached the bottom of the moving staircases. "The password is Dance Like a Hippogriff."
Both girls nodded after hearing the password.
Her mum kissed Minnie's forehead before their dad asked, "You both have that right?"
"Yes dad." Both sisters repeated simultaneously.
"And we know not to write it down correct?" He asked making her mum roll her eyes back into her head.
"They know not to do that Nev." Her mum said crossing her arms.
"Because if you lose it, the paper can accidentally let a mass murderer into the common room, even if it turns out later he isn't the mass murderer and the actual mass murderer is actually a rat who's been sleeping in bed with your roommate." Alice said with her signature wide grin spread across the entirety of her face.
"That's the basic gist of it, yes you little terror." Their dad said as their mum laughed aggressively.
The girls were obliged one more brief moment of parental affection before stealing away and up the stairs to their dormitory.