Unwelcome Visitor
3 Days Before Arrival
"VI! CLAG AND I GOT IT!" Mylo ran into Zauns Last Drop shouting for his sister who was currently working behind the counter with Vander.
No one really minded the future Hound of Zaun learning the ropes of the family's side business even if she was just 15. She was getting rather good at bar tricks too. She lifted her head from her pouring a beer when she heard her brother.
"Really? Without me around? You lil shit!" Vi laughed and looked at Vander who rolled his eyes but nodded.
With a grin Vi leapt over the counter and joined Mylo back out into the streets. Zaun was alive with traders and towns folk milling about. When it came to practicing big magic the town's rule was never in the house just in case something blows up again. So Vi and Mylo ran out to the field where they practiced Quidditch. There she found Claggor, Powder, Ekko, and a few other Zaun kids chilling together.
She ran over and picked up her little sister and pulled her into a crushing hug. The others around her simply watched with fond smiles. Everyone knew how much the Wick sisters loved eachother.
"VVIIIIIII GET OOOFFFFFFF! You saw me just this morning!!!" Powder complained but her attempts to wiggle out of Vi's ever increasing hug strength was half hearted at best.
"Oh please, you love my hugs." Vi chuckled but put her down eventually.
"Hey little man! Taking care of my sis?" She teased with a grin.
"V-Vi??? The hell- ACK! LET ME GO!" Ekko tried to stammer through his embarrassment until Vi grabbed him and gave him an affectionate noogie.
Letting go of Ekko she looked to her adoptive brothers "Alright you two! Show me!" Vi demanded, her body shaking with excitement. They were the last of their group to do it.
"Expecto Patronum."
The blue and silver auras came together to form their corporeal patronuses. For Claggor it seemed to be a dog but they couldn't name the breed. For Mylo it was a rat. The group was still impressed even though they'd already seen it earlier.
Suddenly a voice spoke up. "Captain! It's your lover bird!" Daphney Miller grinned from where she sat on the grass.
"I told you not to call me captain yet." She gently bonked her Gryffindor teammate on the head.
A soft hoot called her attention up in the sky. Duke Owlington was slowly descending towards her. She quickly held out her forearm, allowing him to land on it. They gently pressed their foreheads together before he dropped the letter in Vi's hand. The short-eared owl was quick to fly up and onto a nearby tree branch.
"That from your pretty princess?" Zakir Murphy proceeded to make kissy faces.
Vi rolled her eyes and opened the letter. One read is all it took.
Hello Vi,
I think I'll be able to prove my new Quidditch skills to you very soon.
-Caitlyn
Vi froze and that set everyone off. The hell had their leader seen. Before they could do anything the Wick siblings and Ekko looked over her shoulder at the letter.
"Oh shit." Mylo whispered.
"We better start cleaning the important guest room." Claggor followed up.
Day Of Arrival
Caitlyn stared wide eyed as they drove through the city of Rye. It felt like Diagon Alley but bigger and less magic. Muggles milled about their lives not knowing there is a whole other community of witches and wizards living along side them. Especially here in Rye where there is an establishment run by Zaun that is basically a show where magic is played off as 'special effects.'
Rye boasts an impressive 40% of their population being witches and wizards. Most of them halfbloods and muggleborns who wish to live more non-magical lives but still have access to help in the form of Zaun.
"Is this place really free of Ministry control?" Caitlyn asked a rather amused Grayson.
Cassandra had already briefed the Sheriff on the fact that Caitlyn knew of The Promise so no need to talk in those round about ways they usually did for others.
"Yes. As part of the agreement made with Vander and Silco this entire city is under the watch of Zaun. All visiting wizards must speak to Benzo who takes care of the muggle branch of The Last Drop. If they do not and are found. Well. Rye is loyal to Zaun." The Sheriff explained as they passed by the said establishment.
"Shouldn't we go in then?"
"We're an exception since I'm welcomed as a citizen of Zaun and you are the honored guest of the Young Hound."
"... the young Hound?" Caitlyn tilted her head.
"I'm surprised no one has told you of Vi's official title. She is the young Hound of Zaun, future protector and leader after Vander and I believe Ekko will train to be her second, like Silco is to Vander."
Caitlyn was surprised. She knew very well that Vi was seen as somewhat of a leader amongst the non-purebloods but she never knew that she would actually be taking over for Vander in the future. Well, Vi was never one to boast. Grayson takes a turn into a dead end alleyway.
"Um. Now what?" Caitlyn looked through the windshield only to find a brick wall.
Grayson takes out a slip of paper and hands it to her. "Read. Say nothing then give it back."
Caitlyn does as she's told and Grayson disintegrates the paper with a spell. When Caitlyn turned her attention to the wall, there was something new. Two old, moss covered, wolf fountains on either side of the wall.
"Zauns secret entrance and the town itself is hidden by the Fidelius Charm. No one knows the exact location of the city aside from myself, Vander and Silco so the only way to it is through the secret entrance. Which is also lined with surveillance cameras."
Caitlyn was amazed at the lengths Zaun had gone through to be safe and free. Grayson lifted her wand and with a flick of her wrist the fountains flowed with water.
"Sta Simul." Caitlyn heard the older woman whisper.
She watched as the bricks that ended the alleyway began to move and shift aside until a long tunnel revealed itself. Grayson drives in and the wall closes behind them.
"Caitlyn, one more word of warning. You will not be welcomed here. When people find out who you are they will be weary of you. The last pureblood aside from me who was welcomed into Zaun… well. You know the details. This trip is a blessing as much as it is a curse but if you ever plan to bring change, you'll have to start by gaining the trust of Zaun."
Just as Grayson dropped that verbal bombshell on Caitlyn they exited the tunnel to a brick road leading into the lively streets of Zaun. It looked and felt more like Hogsmeade but she noticed several things that she assumed were muggle technology. Vi did mention there have been several explosions and mishaps over the years because of their magic interfering with muggle tech.
Several townsfolk waved when they saw the familiar vehicle passing by, it was rather quaint and warm. They pulled into the driveway of a bar, "The Last Drop" sign hung above it. As they stepped out Caitlyn had to brace herself when she heard a familiar.
"cccccccaaaaaAAAIIIITTTTLLLYYYNNN"
She held out her arms and caught the little bundle of chaotic energy that was Powder.
"Hello to you too, Powder." Caitlyn giggled and squeezed her little blue haired gremlin.
"Damn and here I thought I was your best friend."
Caitlyn's gaze shot up from Powder to the figure now standing at the doors of the bar. Over the last weeks apart they'd apparently hit quite the growth spurt and their looks have changed noticeably.
Vi stood there, buffer than she remembered, and donning faded ripped jeans, and a black muscle shirt under the red leather jacket Caitlyn had given her last Snowdown, which now fit rather well.
Caitlyn had gotten taller and Vi noticed the muscle she gained most likely from playing with the slum kids. Even from here she knew the bluenette was now slightly taller than her. The lavender floral sundress she wore showed off her legs- Vi's mind supplied the 'Legz for dayz' meme- and perfectly framed the Lamb and Cupcake pendants that hung around her neck.
The two girls shared very similar feelings as cerulean blue eyes met storm gray.
'God's help me I'm gay. So. So very gay. My best friend is hot. MY BEST FRIEND IS HOT! WHERE'S MY CUTE BESTFRIEND?! OH GOD! GET YOUR SHIT TOGETHER!'
Caitlyn recovered first. "I'm honored to be welcomed by the young Hound of Zaun." She teased and Powder, who was still in her arms, giggled.
Vi groaned but was happy to be back in her own head. "Aunt G! Did you tell her?" Vi glared at the Sheriff.
"She would find out eventually, now, are you going to let us in?" Grayson teased, causing Vi to roll her eyes playfully.
"Pow, c'mon." Vi gestured for her sister to come over.
"Let's go!" Powder grabbed Caitlyn's arm and dragged her forward through the doors.
"WELCOME TO ZAUN!"
The cheers of who she now saw were her friends and their families shook the establishment. Most of the tables had been pushed aside save for a few gathered at the center of the room. On top were various dishes, some she'd never seen before.
"Welcome to the town of Muggle and Magic." Vander steps up and pulls Caitlyn into a less intense bear hug.
"You are safe within this town, Miss Kiramman." Silco bowed his head slightly.
"CAITLYN!" Abby ran over and hugged the girl just as Vander let her go.
"Sup Princess." Mylo greeted.
"Hello Caitlyn." Claggor smiled warmly.
"Sup Cait." Ekko came over to give her a fistbump which she happily accepted.
Another rather large man, yet noticeably shorter than Vander, lumbered over and held out his callused hand.
"Pleased to meet ya, Miss. Names Benzo." He had a rough accent but it was still friendly. Caitlyn happily shook his hand.
"It's good to see you all again. Especially in your home turf. I've always wanted to visit." Caitlyn held back tears that threatened to show themselves.
"Well, now you're here and you have the best guides in Zaun. For now though we have lunch!" Vander gestured to the table.
Caitlyn walked over and noticed a few ionian dishes and butterbeer pie, her favourite!
"You didn't have to go so far, Vander."
The large man bellowed with laughter. "It wasn't me."
Caitlyn tilted her head in silent question, looked to the side and her gaze followed his. A few steps behind her was Vi, sheepishly rubbing the back of her neck while trying to look nonchalant.
"Vi? You made all this?" She asked, her voice breathy with awe.
"Well i-"
Powder jumped infront of her sister. "SHE DID! Well Claggor and Abby helped with prep- BUT STILL YOU SHOULD HAVE SEEN HER! She begged dad to close The Last Drop for the day, which he was already gunna do but still. She even sent Duke Owlington to sir Tobias to ask for your favourite dishes! She spent all morning cooking like a mad woman while dad and uncle took care of a few things around town-"
Vi grabbed her excitable sister and covered her mouth.
"I- I mean I told you I could cook haha. Um. Go ahead and give it a try, I'm not sure I made the noodles spicy enough." Vi stammered through the embarrassment.
Caitlyn smiled and turned to the dishes to save her friend's pride. Everyone watched as she prepared herself a bowl of Ionian Ramen. She slurped up some of the noodles and soup.
"...Vi. You're bloody fucking brilliant." Catlyin beamed and everyone saw the way Vi perked up like a pup who'd just been called a good boy.
That was everyone's que to start digging in.
Day 1 (Afternoon)
Vi led Caitlyn to a room at the second level of the bar. Grayson followed behind them while everyone else was downstairs cleaning up.
"This is your room, right next to Aunt Gray's."
Vi pushed open the door to reveal a rather plain looking room. An open window at the far end of the room, white curtains pushed aside. A bed pressed to the upper left with a bedside table. A closet against the right wall and a classic wooden chest beside it. There was an unlit lantern on the table.
"All yours for the week. Feel free to do whatever you want with it. Aunt Gray own her room so we fix it up whenever she leaves. By the way you left your book last time." Vi looks over at the older woman.
"Thank you, Violet. Get settled Caitlyn then you're on your own with these kids." Grayson ruffled Vi's half shaven hair before walking into her room.
"See ya at dinner. Anyway our room is downstairs behind the bar. Come on Cupcake, I want to show you something." Vi gently pushes her and her luggage into the room.
"Thank you so much, Vi. You really didn't have to go so far for lunch." Caitlyn said as she placed her bag on the bed.
"Of course I did, nerd. I'm going to make your first visit to Zaun the absolute best. Starting with this." Vi grinned and spun around before flicking a switch in the wall.
Suddenly the orb hanging from the ceiling lit up bathing the room in bright white light.
"Is that the electricity and the light bulb?" Caitlyn stared up at the light before Vi covered her eyes.
"Don't look too long dumbass, it can hurt… or explode… depends on the day." Vi shrugged and pulled her hand away. "You can use the light or the lantern, whichever you're more comfortable with. Auntie Gray uses the light."
Caitlyn nodded wordlessly. A soft blush colored her cheeks. 'Her hand is warm.'
"So what's on the agenda?" Caitlyn asked, distracting herself from that moment.
Vi turned to her with a grin. "I hope you have shorts under that dress cuz we're getting a birds eye view of the town! Everyone's waiting and the rest of the Zaun kids from Hogwarts will meet us on the hill."
Vi grabbed Caitlyns hand, switched off the light, and dragged her downstairs. The duo waved goodbye to Vander and Silco as they ran out the doors. Everyone was already there brooms in hand. Vi grabbed hers from Powder and Abby handed Caitlyn hers.
"H-hold on. You're allowed to just fly wherever you want? Are there no air space rules?" Caitlyn hesitated but mounted her broom anyway.
The Zaunites burst into laughter and Mylo cheered- "Where's the fun in that!"
All together the Zaunites took to the skies, Caitlyn behind them. Vi signaled for her to come up to the front of their strange formation with her.
"Welcome to our home!" Vi gestured down to the gathering of houses, brick roads snaking across the land. People milled about the settlement, none caring about the kids flying above them.
"Over there is my house!" Abby flies close to them just to point out the house with a pale blue rooftop.
"And there's mine." Abby moves aside as Ekko takes her place to point out the red roofed house.
"Over there is Jericho's!" Mylo flew close to point it out.
"That's our lab!" Powder practically bashed Mylo out of the way.
"Benzo banned us from using his basement after we blew up his TV." Powder giggled.
They continued to point out different places around town. Shops and games and things to keep them busy. They flew over the town Quidditch pitch. Vi led the group in a vague patrol formation out of the town as they approached the border of the protective barrier.
Vi pointed to a very faint shimmer in the air in front of her. "See that, Cupcake? That's the end of the protective spells. From here it goes up and forms a dome. No matter what, never leave town without me."
Vi's voice was stern but Caitlyn knew behind it she was just pleading for her to follow. The protector in Vi at play.
"Alright, I promise." Caitlyn swore and Vi visibly relaxed.
Behind Cailyn the other members of their group rolled their eyes at the oblivious- or in denial- duo.
"Perfect. Sun'll be setting soon. Let's go meet up with everyone." Vi looked at the others who nodded in response.
Satisfied with their answer she led them to the highest, farthest, hill in their protected territory. There was a large picnic blanket set up and about a dozen kids of different ages on and around it. They all waved and when Vi and the group landed.
"It's good to see you here Caitlyn!" Daphney ran forward, pulling her into a hug.
"Miss Caitlyn, glad to see you." Zakir smiled sheepishly considering his former opinion about her.
"It's good to see you both, and everyone here. Thank you for welcoming me so warmly." Caitlyn fought back the tears a second time for this day alone.
The group cheered and food was brought out. Home cooked dishes and snacks for their little sunset viewing reunion. Tomorrow Caitlyn would explore the town on foot and probably play a few games of Quidditch. For now they watched the world grow dark around them.
Eventually everyone had to go home for the night but Caitlyn and Vi are approached by Fergus Berrow, a new graduate of Hogwarts and a halfblood.
"Sorry girls but a warning. Tomorrow you'll be having a lot of trouble if you go through the streets. You know why, Vi. The scars still run deep." He looked between the two of them, concern in his gaze and voice.
"We know, Gus. We'll be fine." Vi punched him on the shoulder playfully.
"Thank you for the warning. I can handle it, besides I have to prove myself to Zaun don't I?" Caitlyn's eyes burned with determination.
"Good. Off with you now, before Vander and Silco have my head."
That night everyone returned to their homes. The Wicks, Caitlyn, and Grayson had dinner together and Vi ran Vander through their plans for the next day. Eventually Caitlyn's internal body clock demanded she go to bed. Vi accompanied her to the door of her room.
"Sleep well, Cupcake. Try not to dream of me." Vi winked ever the shameless tease.
"If I dreamed of you it would be a nightmare." Caitlyn sassed.
The duo laughed at their regular playful banter. Vi left her to join her siblings and as she lay on an old simple bed, away from her home, away from the pressure and expectations, Caitlyn had never felt more free.
However, she may have escaped from the present but how will she fair when she comes face to face with the consequences of the past.