Chapter 3
A few weeks passed after the visit from Hermione Granger-Weasley, and Ariana’s emotions were going wild. One day she couldn’t wait to get to Hogwarts, the next she just wanted to never leave home. On other days she grew anxious about her secret, what if anyone was to find out? Would they hate her? Would she be shamed and outcast? At these times she just wished to be normal, a Dhampir like her brothers, although not quite so normal, she still was a witch. Sydney blamed Adrian’s genetics, saying he passed his crazy spirit on to Ariana’s. He vehemently denied this and said she was just nervous.
Then one day while all children were training with Eddie, an owl arrived. Adrian and Sydney was in the kitchen cooking together. They both stared at the feathered animal bewildered.
“That owl has something” stated Adrian.
No one moved to get it. The owl hooted and both flinched, but still neither moved to the animal.
“You get it! Adrian said, “I’ll heal you if she bites!”
“Coward.” She accused him playfully, she slowly made her way to the owl, who was now holding out his leg impatiently, Sydney raised an eyebrow and looked back at Adrian questioningly, who just shrugged. Sydney cautiously took the letter from the owl and it hooted happily and flew to the table to steal a piece of bread.
“HGW” she read.
“Our witchy professor.” Adrian said and moved behind Sydney to read over her shoulder.
Dear Ivashokvs,
A feeder has been arranged, our matron Madam Pomfrey will be assisting us, she will play host to the feeder, who will work for her as an assistant. She is a squib, a non-magical person born from a wizarding family, she once worked for an old vampire as a feeder and housekeeper, but he passed away, she is connected to both our worlds, it is the perfect solution. Her name is Rosalinde.
“What a coincidence a rose...” Adrian says chuckling
We even tested her for diseases, I don't know how that would affect you but she is clean and in good health. I very pleased that we could find a solution so that nothing would hinder Ariana’s attendance at Hogwarts, if you so choose, which I dearly hope you do.
Ariana will need a few things for her stay at Hogwarts like school robes and books. The detailed list will be included when her official Hogwarts letter arrives in a few days. In my surprise, I forgot to give it to you on my visit. Understandable regarding the circumstances.
I offer to accompany you to Diagon Alley at your convenience, where you can get any supplies needed for Hogwarts. The experience can seem quite unfamiliar if you are not used to it. It will be much easier with help.
Ps. I hope the owl did not alarm you, Owl Post is our way of correspondence. Her name is Fliggis. She will stay and wait your response. Just attach the letter to her leg and she will bring it to me.
Sincerely Yours
Professor Hermione Granger Weasley.
“I hope she doesn’t make her students always call her ‘Professor Granger-Weasley, that is quite a mouthful’. The lesson would be over before they are finished with her name.”
“Really Adrian that is all you got from the letter?”
“No, Fliggis is an odd name for an owl.”
“Adrian.” She said rolling her eyes
“I am sorry Sage.” Sydney smiled fondly of the use of his old nickname for her. Then her expression grew worried.
“Do you think we will have enough money for that?”
“Sure, if she really wants to go we will make sure we have enough. If not I will ask Mother.”
Sydney chuckles “Mama’s boy.”
“Take that back!”
A week later the whole Ivashkov family and Hermione is standing behind the Leaky Cauldron, Eddie couldn’t stand the idea of them going alone and they couldn’t leave the rest of the children alone at the house, and they wanted to come anyway, so there they all were, packed to the ninth in the small alley while Hermione taps the bricks in the wall with her wand. The wall vanished and they all were standing on a crowded street.
“I hoped it wouldn't be so full. Normally wizarding families visit in the last week before term starts. I thought two weeks before would be less crowded. Firstly we will need to go to Gringotts Wizarding Bank, we need wizard money after all.” Hermione gets a little closer to the Ivashkov’ s and Eddie. Eddie looked around suspiciously at every person on the street. Like anyone could be a threat, that was probably how he viewed anyone, thought Hermione, “I don’t like to ask but how are you financially? We have a little vault in Gringotts for families who is not financially well off, to help them buy necessities like robes and books?” she smiled sweetly.
“We aren't wealthy. How we be with this many children.” Adrian chuckled but choked on it.
“He once was wealthy, well rich is a better word. But then he married me and his father disowned him.” Sydney whispered to Hermione who looked bewildered by Adrian's behavior. Sydney seemed to be a little warmer to Hermione. At Sydney's statement, Hermione felt a little pity for Adrian but also respect at the fact that he gave it all up for love. “Well there is no problem, you have as much a right to the money as everyone else.” she said a little louder.
After they bought all the necessary supplies, there suddenly came a cry from the children. “Mum I want to go in there!”
“Yes!”
“Me too!”
“Please!”
The family came to a halt in front of Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes
Sydney nodded, they had everything they needed so the kids could have some fun. They stormed through the door, well the three youngest stormed off. Declan seemed a little stiff around his shoulders and seemed to try to watch everything, while Ariana tried to get used to it all.
“Weasley,” Adrian murmured ”Isn't that your second surname?” he ask Hermione.
“Yes, the brothers of my husband built it, after one of them died my husband helped to keep it going.” she smiled a little sad and a little lovely.
They followed the children, which were scattered all around the shop.
“Let me introduce you to my husband.” Hermione gestures to follow.
“Ron, this is Adrian and his wife Sydney Ivashkov, one of the muggle families. Adrian Sydney this is Ron my husband.”
They shook hands
“Nice meeting you, you are from a wizarding family?” Sydney asked.
“Yeah.” Ron as always is very silver-tongued.
An explosion interrupt their little awkward meeting. Eddie immediately was next to them and placed himself between the danger and the Ivashkov’ s. Hermione was impressed by his sudden appearance, but she had drawn her wand just as fast.
“It wasn’t me!”
“Me neither!”
Adrian groans, Hermione looks puzzled and Sydney walks away.
“ILLARION AND SAVIN! WHAT WERE YOU THINKING; HOW DARE YOU TOUCH ANYTHING AND BRAKE IT: YOU ARE BOTH GROUNDED!” Sydney bellows.
Ron flinched at how amazingly like his own mother Sydney sounded. Adrian and Hermione following Sydney's gaze to the source of her anger.
When they reached them they saw Illarion and Savin covered in purple dust and a lot more.
Sydney dragged them both by their ears, still threatening them.
“Well well, what have we here?” a new voice sounded.
“George.” Hermione says.
“You're the owner?! I am very sorry for my son’s misbehavior, I would say it won’t happen again, but knowing my sons it will happen again, no matter what I do. Of course they will clean that up by themselves, and pay for it from their pocket money!” she let go of their ears.
“I totally understand Mrs, my mother would have said the exact same thing about my brother and I, and unfortunately my own two are nearly worse than we were.“ He chuckles, even though the mention of his brothers name nearly made all amusement leave his face, “But it isn’t necessary. It happens all the time, and the things are actually there to try out.” he waved his wand and the dirt and chaos disappeared. It looked like the scene was happening in reverse. All the dust rose up into the air and formed a swirling cloud of purple, which grew smaller and smaller, eventually compressing into a tiny purple pellet that levitated in front of the kids. The pellet then zoomed into George’s outstretched hand, which he caught neatly and dropped back into the basket from whence it came. The boys looked baffled and amazed, oohing and aahing, they grin at each other and run to the other end of the shop.
The anger still radiated from Sydney as she looked after her sons.
Hermione sensed even more, the slight hint of magic. She did after all summoned a fireball out of nowhere in her hand. But it was definitely was a different kind of magic.
“Where are Ariana, Jake and Declan?” Adrian asked to get his wife's mind somewhere else.
Eddie stepped into view, “Declan asked if he could act as a guardian, as my partner, at the explosion he was immediately by Ariana’s and Jake's side.” he smiled broadly and proudly. “They are over there.” he pointed at the other side of the shop where you could easily spot Declan, as he was a head taller than most of the shop visitors. He nods to Eddie.
“Hey mum, you were kind of embarrassing, geez be cool.” Jake greeted her jokingly.
“You want to get shouted at too? “She asked with an arched eyebrow and he fell silent and she laughed.
“Ariana you need to go to Hogwarts!” Savin came to a halt next to her.
“Absolutely. Magic is awesome!” Illarion supported his brother.
“We saw it! We were covered in powder, head to toe and he just made it disappear.”
“Just like that!” they both mimic George hand gesture without a wand.
Ariana giggles, “I am not learning magic to do your cleaning.” they both pouted.
“Sweetheart? Did you find anything?” Adrian asked his girl.
“Nothing, dad.” she said while smiling to a boy a few shelves away, he had white blonde hair and a pointy nose. He smiled back shyly.
“Well then let's get back home, Daddy isn't young anymore, everything hurts.”
“Old man.” Ariana chuckles
“Hey, that’s no way to talk to your old man.” He hugged her with one arm and leaned his weight on her. She laughed loudly, still teeth covered. Hermione couldn’t help but be curious as to what her teeth looked like.