The Raven's Call

Summer Holidays

Buzz

Buzz

My journal buzzes from atop of a pool chair beside the large underground pool we've magicked into our backyard since the beginning of summer. When I'm not studying and researching, I've been swimming almost every day to keep myself busy. Though, I don't hear the book buzz as I've just held my breath under the water for a fourth minute, now. Once I finally come up for air, I feel a bump on my head. Cedric had thrown an inflatable pool noodle at my head to get my attention. "Yo, Attic." He calls, using the nickname he's used for me since I first joined the family. A nickname that I only allow him to use. "Oh, hey Ced. What's up?" I ask, shaking my head lightly to dry my hair. "Your.. Uh.. Book is buzzing?" He tells me, a rather confused look on his face. "Oh!" I say with a chuckle as I pull myself up and out of the pool before wrapping a towel around my waist. I jog over to the buzzing journal and open it up. Cedric shrugs and jumps into the pool.

'Atti, I have a question.' is written in green and silver ink, neatly cursive handwriting.
'Sure, Astra. What can I do for you?' I reply, sitting down on the pool chair, warmed from the sun.
'Can you make another enchanted book for me? I'd like to share one with George.' is written back moments later.
'Oh, sure! That's easy. I'll have to get George a journal, but that's not a big deal. I'll only need to place a new enchantment on yours to link with him. That will be the difficult part.' I respond. 'Sounds good, thanks Atti.' She replies.

I set the book aside for a moment as thoughts run through my mind. How was I going to get to Asteria? How was I going to get the journal to George? Then it clicks.

'How many fireplaces do you have?'
'Three, but the main one is in the living room... That's close to where father is right now..'
'Let me know when he's no longer near, I'll pop in for a small visit.'
'In an hour he will be shut in his office.'
'Perfect. See you then.'

I close the book. As of now, I've thoroughly dried off in the sun, so I make my way inside to get dressed. I pull on some grey denim jeans, black boots and a black turtleneck sweater, to cover myself from the inevitable ash and soot of a fire place that I know will get all over me once I travel through. I place my wand in my boot, securing it under my pants leg. And now, to wait.

An hour later, I pull on my dark blue cloak as I step into the Diggory's fireplace. It's how Amos gets to and from work, and how we get to Diagon Alley each year. I take a handful of floo powder and announce. "Malfoy Manor." I throw the powder at my feet and instantly get transported into a room unfamiliar to me. Luckily for me, I'm met by Asteria on the other side. Her hair is no longer down to her waist, it's now a short, silvery, platinum blonde, just below her shoulders. Which looks very nice on her. She looks like her wounds have healed well. I'm glad.

I step out of the fireplace, into the living room. The room is large and dark, almost giving off a haunted mansion vibe. "Atti!" Asteria says in a hushed squeal as she pulls me into a quick hug. "Hey Astra." I reply with a smile before pulling my wand from my boot. "We've got to do this quick, who knows when father or Draco might turn up." She announces, handing me her journal. "The magic won't work until he writes his name in the journal, all right?" I say, waving my wand over the open journal in my hand. Just as the spell is complete, I hear footsteps. "Bollocks." I mutter, handing her back the journal. As I'm about to turn heel, I hear Draco's voice. "Grey? The hell are you doing here?" He asks, taking a bite from a green apple. I smirk. "Enjoying that?" I ask in return. He looks down at the apple, then back at me. "It was YOU!" He exclaims. I grin and give a cheeky wave before making my escape back through the fireplace, disappearing into a flash of green smoke.