Potter in Forks

Chapter 3

Aug 1 thru Aug 10

Reese woke to sunlight shining in on her. She lay there staring out over the balcony to the forest beyond. The sun was diffused through the thick trees. Peace lay like a heavy, comfortable comforter over the house and Reese. She soaked in the unique feeling. There was no Dursley yelling at her to get up and cook for them. No Molly Weasley shrieking to get up and eat. No babbling roommates hogging the shower and being annoying.

After a few minutes, she climbed from the bed taking the quilt with her as the morning was slightly chilly. She settled in a lounge chair on the balcony and contentedly watched the sun continue to rise.

Eventually her stomach rumbled and she padded downstairs in her pajamas to the kitchen. She looked in the refrigerator and cupboards. They were well stocked.

Pouring herself a glass of orange juice, she pulled eggs, bacon and butter out and set them by the stove. Soon she was sitting at the window counter watching the world wake up around her as she slowly ate breakfast.

Birds flew through the trees their song welcoming the day cheerfully. Reese propped her chin in her hand and soaked up the silence. She inhaled excitedly when a deer stepped cautiously out of the forest and began grazing. The doe lifted her head between bites to gaze watchfully around.

Finally, Reese rose, washed her dishes and moved to the library. She pulled out Voldemort's letter and read it again. Taking a deep breath and hoping it wasn't a mistake she began to pen a response.

Tom,

Not sure how you feel about me using your first name, but I refuse to call you Lord Voldemort, the Dark Lord or use hyphens.

I appreciate you not chasing me down and letting me visit Gringotts. I doubt I will need to visit very often most of my business can be handled remotely.

If I tell you what I know about your returning sanity and the prophecy will you still honor the agreement not to hunt me down or send a hit squad after me?

A snake? Maybe. I still want a dog or three.

Corresponding with you is weird.

What else have I never done? I feel silly telling you because most of its muggle things and you'll most likely sneer at the thought that these are the things I've missed doing growing up.

I've never been to the movies; never had a slumber party. I've never had new clothes until now; never been to a circus or a faire or amusement park. I never lazed on the couch on a Saturday morning watching cartoons.

Plead for my friends? Won't that just give you a list of people to target?

So...enjoy your takeover. I am going to go enjoy my swimming pool and perhaps take a long, pointless walk this afternoon.

HJP

P.S. I have no idea what your goals are. Care to share?

She sealed the letter, addressed it to Tom M. Riddle and slid it into the chest on the left side. She tapped it with her wand and said, "Hizel".

She then ran upstairs and opened her suitcases. She flicked her wand at them and murmured, "unpack". Clothes flew into the walk-in closet and wardrobe. Dresser drawers sprang open and underclothes and socks folded themselves in.

When the whirlwind of activity ended, she found a swimsuit and changed before heading down to the inviting pool.

She slipped into the sun warmed water and lazily swam a few laps before flipping over to float. She idly drifted through the water unable to remember the last time she had been able to just exist.