Nightmare (Harry Potter OC Fic)

2. New Buddy

Floo Powder was Kei's favourite way to travel because the bright green ashy glitter always felt fuzzy in her hands. The flames engulfed the three of them, causing Kei to squeal at the funny sensation of travelling through the networks, and landed them in the foyer of the Ministry of Magic. A small sense of fear was quickly overpowered by adrenaline and excitement. It was the first time Albert Higgs, her father, allowed her to accompany him to any of the Ministry Events— and this one was a big one: Christmas Ball.

Keeping his grip on Terence's hand, Albert pulled at Kei's little hand as the tiny girl smiled widely, looking around at all the witches and wizards. So enamoured by the scenery, the itchy dress she wore didn't bother her anymore and seemed to look forward to meeting other magical children like herself. As soon as Terence recognized the children he played with last time he went to an event, he let go of his father's hand and left.

At this, Albert Higgs stopped his stride through the foyer and crouched down to her height, "Frankie? You have to promise me to behave, okay? No running, no yelling, and no lights."

Lights was their little code word for magic. During periods of strong emotion, the four-year-old had a habit of magically flickering the lights and, even sometimes, causing some electrical appliances to explode.

"I promise," Kei nodded excitedly. She didn't mind the 'no lights' rule. "Can I have my buddy now?"

"Sorry, love, I don't think there'll be any kids your age here," Kei's face fell at the confession. "They're all older kids and adults."

The dress felt itchy again and Kei pulled all the long blue sleeves of her dress. Terence stood up, fixed his tux, and continued to walk with Kei around the room. People twirled her hair and pinched her cheeks, she grew tired and frustrated— it wasn't as if she were a shy kid, but the people were too much for the six-year-old. Letting go of her father's hand, Kei decided to take a tour of the manor herself. Down the corridor and towards the large table littered with treats.

Her path was blocked within seconds and she quickly fell. Kei wasn't one to cry, she was used to getting scraped and bruised from running around in school or their own backyard. Looking up, she saw a young boy slightly shorter than her with a large frown on his face. But she couldn't care less— my buddy! She thought.

"Hi," Kei quickly said, standing up, "I'm Frankie!"

The boy looked at her, tilting his head. He didn't say hello back. Kei's smile slightly fell and huffed, "hello. . ? I said hi, I'm Frankie. What's your name?"

"My name is Tiberius. Tiberius Moody," he nodded.

"Hi Tibber. . . ree-is. . .reese's. Your name sounds like this muggle chocolate my mommy used to buy me. It's called Reese's Cup and has peanut butter inside. It's amazing. Have you ever had it—?" Kei didn't allow Tiberius to answer her question as she was too excited to talk to someone like her. "It's probably one of my favourites but there's this little. . ."

Tiberius watched the brunette talk about all kinds of muggle candies and treats. He had never met a muggleborn, more or less heard of all the sweets she spoke about— she definitely had to be a muggleborn. Frankie spoke with her hands a lot and nodded frantically, too energetic for his liking.

"You talk a lot," Tiberius blurted out. Kei stopped talking and slightly narrowed her eyes at him, "well, you don't talk."

Before either child could answer, both of their names were called by their parents. Kei turned around to see her father wide-eyed and slightly concerned. She gulped but recited the rules: No yelling, no running, no lights— she did none of those.

"Franklin," her father said sternly. Kei frowned. Albert Higgs looked up from his daughter and to the two people behind her. Turning around, she saw a man standing behind her new friend and widened her eyes.