Reborn - A Harry Potter Fanfiction

i.v chapter five

Summer, 1991; Cokeworth

Ember awoke the next morning, well-slept and rested. Hagrid came knocking just after eight, bringing a tray full of food. Sausages, eggs, golden toast and creamy butter, as well as a large pot of tea. You could never have too much tea. Ember of course scoffed it down immediately, before Hagrid bid her farewell for a couple of days. He needed to get on top of sorting out her new living situation, after all, she couldn't stay at the Leaky Cauldron forever. It was an unexpected spanner in the works, but Hagrid promised she would not be going back to the Hammonds, even if she had to live in his hut with him.

After that, she was left to her own devices. The days that followed were much the same. She rose at around eight and ate a simple breakfast of porridge, much unlike the first morning. Ember would then wonder Diagon Alley or play with Penelope. The reality of looking after an owl started to settle in, so she would pop in often to the Eeylops Owl Emporium to ask the shop keeper for useful tips. After exploring, she would eat a light lunch before settling down in her room to either write, draw or read any of her many textbooks. Dinner was at seven and Bessie Fogarty, Tom, the innkeeper's wife, who always made sure she was on time and ate a hearty meal.

It was a simple routine, one that Ember much enjoyed. It was so strange being away from the children's home and she found herself constantly terrified that Mr or Mrs Hammond would just show up around the corner. But she had to remind herself that they could not find her here. Ember wandered what social services would say once they found a child missing from their care. Would they question the organisation or turn a blind eye as per usual.

"You're sure you've got everything packed for tomorrow?" Bessie asked, snapping Ember out of her thoughts as she fussed, wiping the last table down. Most guests had gone up to bed but Ember had decided to help clean up, despite the various magical cleaning utensils that could've done the job for her.

"Yes, Mrs Fogarty."

"I don't want you forgetting anything, though saying that, Tom and I could always owl you anything you miss" she panted, wiping her brow before she placed her hands on her hips, looking around the now clean space.

"That's very kind of you, though I am sure I won't." Ember assured her, at last finishing with the moping. Bessie smiled, noticing her hard work as she tucked strands of her frizzy, brown hair behind her ears.

"I must thank you for your help dearie, you've been a blessing."

"Oh, it's no trouble. I used to do it all the time back at St. Claires."

Bessie frowned, pursing her lips as she walked over and took the mop from Ember's hands. "That children's home is sounding worse by the minute. Children should be playing at your age, not working."

Ember didn't know what to say to that and so gave a small smile. Soon enough, Bessie finished up and she and Ember headed towards the cleaning cupboard. They put all their supplies away before Bessie locked up with a swish of her wand.

"I can't wait to do that" Ember stared longingly. Bessie smiled, tucking her wand away in a pocket on her dirtied apron.

"And you will dear, Hogwarts is a fine school. I remember my days there, Ravenclaw, I was."

"Ravenclaw?" Ember giggled. Bessie chuckled as they started climbing the stairs.

"It was one of the four houses. You'll be sorted into one upon arriving" she explained. Ember wandered what the other ones were and how many, though she didn't want to ask too many questions in fear of being rude. She was always told she was a bit of a chatterbox.