Reborn - A Harry Potter Fanfiction

i.vi chapter six

Autumn, 1991; The Hogwarts Express

Ember couldn't have been more excited by the time September 1st rolled around. Having lived at Spinner's End for the entirety of the summer, with no one but herself for company had almost driven her to insanity. After meeting Snape for the first time, the two kept very much to themselves. She didn't see him and he didn't see her. The brief glimpses she caught of him were very limited: either him reading the paper in the living room, or storming out of the house in a hurry where they'd exchange few words.

Of course it was only temporary. Ember kept reminding herself of that. She wouldn't be a resident of Spinner's End for long, though despite that, she tried to make an effort to explore the area. The river wasn't far and Ember found herself spending most of her time climbing the big, old willow tree sitting on its bank. She dared not go swimming because of the stench that protruded from its waters, but reading seemed to be a happy alternative. Her school textbooks had been fully read twice, so you could imagine Ember's excitement when a travelling book shop stopped by in town. It was a small caravan, but it had everything she needed. She stocked up on muggle books and wizarding ones, delighting in a bit of Jane Eyre and Great Expectations. Though a particular favourite of hers was a series called 'The Wizard's Destiny'. Wizarding books were much more interactive as the characters literally came alive on the pages and acted out the scene.

The willow tree had become her own little sanctuary with her books and drawings. She hung feathers and stones on bits of string, hanging them from its branches and carved her favourite lines of poetry into the bark. She even took her sketchbook up with her and spent many an afternoon, drawing little rocks, flowers or tiny insects. But there is only so much one can do in a tree all summer, so Ember was more than happy to move on with the next chapter of her life. Her birthday had been abysmal of course, Professor Snape hadn't even realised and once again she spent it alone. Birthday's were never a big thing anyway. The promise of what came the next day though, made it all worthwhile.

Upon the morning of September 1st, Ember came barrelling down the stairs, almost tripping on the last step as she narrowly avoided Alvar coming from around the corner.

"Sorry!" She squealed, falling into the wall. Alvar, the houself, glared venomously at her, carrying a tray of mugs, his wrinkled and old appearance seeming to shrivel up even more. To say they didn't have the best relationship was an understatement.

Ember had met the houself the same day she'd moved last month, when she'd wandered into the kitchen for supper. She had wanted to help with the dishes, but instead, Alvar had just screeched at her, hissing her out of the room with his long fingernails flaying about. A vicious little thing he was. She'd always snuck into the kitchen after that.

Ember watched as Alvar now proceeded up the stairs, no doubt off to collect any finished cups of tea lying about. She breathed a sigh of relief and turned to face the small mirror, hanging in the entry hall. It was dusty and cracked, but did the job. Since leaving the Hammonds, colour had returned to her cheeks and her grey eyes seemed brighter, almost blue. Despite the smoggy air of Cokeworth, being outside more had certainly helped. Carefully, she tightened the small bows that were tied to the ends of her two plaits; she wanted to look perfect and so had to look her best. With one final pat down, she straightened out her dungarees and threw on her green, knitted cardigan.

"Are you all ready?"

Snape's thick, nasally voice sounded from behind her. Ember bit her tongue and pursed her lips as she began to turn around. The Professor was dressed in his usual dark attire and was fastening his black cloak around his shoulders. He looked like a shadow of death and Ember wouldn't be surprised if he turned out to be some evil spectre.