𝕋𝕙𝕖 ℙ𝕠𝕥𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝕋𝕨𝕚𝕟𝕤||𝔻𝕣𝕒𝕔𝕠 𝕄𝕒𝕝𝕗𝕠𝕪 [𝟛]

The Leaky Cauldron

Harry and I followed Tom into the Leaky Cauldron, hearing the Knight Bus drive away. The Innkeeper led us upstairs, and into the back room. 

Inside, there perched Hedwig and Icy on top of two chairs.

"Hedwig!" Harry said, just as I exclaimed, "Icy!"

"Smart birds you've got there, Mr. and Miss. Potter. Arrived only minutes before yourselves." Tom said.

Behind us, a man cleared his throat. Harry and I turned around, and found him at the window, staring at the ghostly shadows beyond. The man still didn't turn. However, from the reflection of the window, I could tell that it was Cornelius Fudge, the Minister for Magic.

Tom took a position against the wall, fished a pair of walnuts from his pocket and crushed the shells between his palms.

"I should tell you, Mr. and Miss. Potter, earlier this evening your uncle's sister was located just south of Sheffield, circling a chimneystack. The Accidental Magic Reversal Department was dispatched and she's been properly punctured and her memory modified. She has no recollection of the incident whatsoever." Fudge said.

Harry and I waited, blinking. Then, the Minister turned around.

Finally. If he hadn't turned, I have no idea how long we would have been staring at his back.

"So that's that, and no harm done." Fudge smiled. "Pea soup?" he offered.

Harry and I glanced at the oozy green substance.

"No thank you." I said politely.

"Minister... I don't understand. We broke the law. Underage wizards aren't allowed to use magic at home--" Harry said.

"Oh, come now, Harry. The Ministry doesn't send people to Azkaban for blowing up their aunts! On the other hand...running away like that...given the state of things...very, very irresponsible." Fudge dished at his soup.

"'The state of things' sir?" I asked.

"We have a killer on the loose." Fudge said in a matter-of-fact voice.

"Sirius Black, you mean. But...what's that got to do with us?" Harry asked.

"Hm? Oh, nothing. You're safe, that's what matters. Tomorrow you'll be on your way to Hogwarts. These are your new school books. I took the liberty of having them brought here for you." Fudge smiled nervously, and I knew that he was hiding something.

We eyed the two bookstacks, which in each one, a book was bound with a rope.

"By the way, Harry, Anna. Whilst you're here it would be best if you didn't... wander." Fudge said.

𓅓𓆙𓅓𓆙𓅓𓆙

Harry and I shared a room.

I was on the bed, stroking Icy and chatting with her. In my mind, of course. Harry, on the other hand, let Hedwig fly around the room while he eyed the pile of school books, mostly the one bound with ropes. Eventually, Hedwig got bored and came to me and Icy, joining our conversation.

Harry slowly walked towards the rope-bound book, reaching out. He grabbed it. Just as he did, I stood up. 

"Harry--" 

Too late. Harry had already untied the rope.

Instantly, the book leaped to the floor, pages flying, book covers snapping. Harry and I give a chase, then the book turns, begin snipping viciously at our shoes. We hopped atop the bed, watches the book disappear underneath, then each grabbed a pillow. Seconds later, the book scuttled into view and we pounced. The book roared angrily, muffled beneath the pillow. I took the rope and rebind it.