The Universe Against Us

RON OR EMMA?

When I was 6, Hermione being 8, we stole four bags of jumbo lollies from the shops. For weeks we had tracked the days my mother went to the shops. The time she left, the time she returned and the time it took. After a month of calculating all of this, we put out plan to work. When my mother was leaving to go to the shops, Hermione and I asked if we could come.

"To look at all the food" Hermione claimed.

My mum was suspicious but let us come anyways because she was glad we were getting out of the house. When we got to the shops, I said I needed to use the toilet, so my mum let me go. A little dumb of her to let a six year old little girl go to the toilet by herself in a public place but oh well, it helped Hermione and I.

Instead of going to the toilet, I headed to the lollies isle. I had memorised where everything was from the last time we came. I looked around for any cameras, then people. Once I made sure it was all clear, I opened my backpack and threw four bags of chewy jumbo worm packs in. I remember my hands were shaking like the ground during an earthquake. I made it back to my mum and Hermione without being caught. We made it back home and Hermione and I feasted on the worms in triumph of our accomplishment.

I never told my father that Hermione and I stole. I don't plan on telling him either. I only told my mother, the day before she died. "I'm so sorry mum" I whispered as she hugged me tightly.

"Whatever for?" She asked as she brushed a few strands of my brown hair out of my face.

"That day Hermione and I asked to go to the shops, we stole lollies" I cried into her arms.

My mother never scolded me or Hermione. She never even had a hint of anger or disappointment in her voice. She held me as I cried, crying because I was ashamed of what I did. After I had setttled down she told me something.

"I knew what you had done Emmeline," she said to me, "I believed you would come clean on your own, and you are."

She also asked me if I was planning on telling my father. I lied to her face and said yes. I still feel a pang of guilt sometimes when I am reminded of that time. That was the first time I ever did something illegal, and what I wanted to be the last. Sadly, this world doesn't seem to give two shits about what I want.

~

I shift my weight from my left foot to my right nervously. "May I ask why you are here Minister?" I cock my head to the side to get a clear view.

Grey hair neatly brushed, hangs down to his shoulders. Deep purple and black suit. Eyes focused on me. Two hands clasped together. "Have a seat" he says again.

I don't think it is a good idea to defy the Minister, so, I sit on the edge of a hard teal chair. Odd colour for a chair. "Good," Scrimgeour says.

"Now, Ms.Granger what are you? Fourteen?" he asks me.

"I am fifteen.." I mumble.

"Nevertheless, most indefinitely not 17 so, you are still underage and are not permitted to use magic outside of school-"

"But I-"

Scrimgeour holds up a hand as to say, shut up and let me finish talking. I snap my mouth shut and let him continue. "To make matters worse you fired a curse, Ms. Granger I hope you understand how serious this is" he looks at me, clearly trying to hold back a glare that is saying he is disappointed.

"Bellatrix and a few deatheaters attacked the Burrow! I was defending Harry and myself-" I ramble and he holds up his hand again.

I huff in annoyance. "You used a curse, out of all the spells you could've used, you chose that one. Why?" he leans forward and puts his elbows on his knees.