Behind the mask

Chapter one ~ Potion mist

Present... 14:47pm... Novell Family Home, Muggle World...

I cough, wafting the cloud coming from the cauldron away as Jake adds another unicorn horn in, making me glare at him. "Are you mad? We don't want to kill them." "No but it'll help knock them out quicker." "You mean put them into a coma." He glares at me before pouring the potion into a few vials. We've been planning this for months, yet now that it's nearly time, I'm starting to doubt meeting them especially the way we have planned. "Do you have your wand?" I give him a, that's a stupid question look as he gives me a mocking laugh, signalling for me to pass him it. I pull my wand out of my back pocket, passing it to him as I watch him seal the potions, making me frown. "Did you really need my wand for that?" "No." I roll my eyes as he passes it back, placing the vials into the bag before I turn away, walking to the nearby counter.

"You know the plan if this fails, right?" I nod, reading over the notes I've taken about them and what they look like, something I hope I'll be able to recognise but again, I've never seen them before so I could completely miss them. As if reading my mind Jake asks, "Have you ever seen them before?" "No," He stands to the side of me, looking over my notes. "I mean I've seen pictures of Harry in the newspaper, but he must have changed a lot since Hogwarts. I know I would in order to stop being recognised." He hums as I flick to the next page. "Do you think anyone else will be there?" I ask. "Hopefully not. We've only asked for the four of them to show but, their partners might come to put up a fight if needed." I hum, tracing my finger over their names before closing my notebook. "I'll go to Diagon Alley and get the last of the supplies. Will you be fine here?" "Always am. I am the oldest after all." I roll my eyes, gently pushing him as he chuckles, letting me slip through the floo network and into Borgin and Burkes in Knockturn Alley.

I look around the shop, still hating this place and all its creepy trinkets. Never in my life has a shop made my spine crawl and not in a good way but we always floo here for safety. Yet, I feel nothing but not safe here. I take a deep breath and make my way out, tying half of my black wavy hair up, leaving the rest down as I shuffle my way through the alley that spills out onto Diagon. I look left and right, quickly merging into the crowd towards Gringotts where I know I can access some of our parent's money since we only have muggle money these days. "Name and key." I place the key down. "Hope Novell." His head snaps up, taking me in as I watch him warily. Ever since our parents died, we've been wanted for protection reasons but never found. Every time we step a foot in this world, it's a risk, but we know we must look a lot older compared to the wanted posters around here. Well, that's what I thought until now. I stare at the poster to my right, seeing they've made an older looking version of us next to our last known image, making it harder for us to blend in considering it's as if someone has taken a picture of us and slapped it on.

"I'll pay you for your peace," I look to him. "Please." I beg as he studies me for a while before scribbling something down with his pen and paper. "Very well. Follow me." I let out a sigh of relief, following him towards the vault cart, trying not to fall in it this time. "Hold on please." I gulp, holding on knowing fine well I'll want to spill my guts as soon as I get off this thing. 'God, I know we don't speak often, but please help m-' I squeal as he takes off at high speed as if to get this over with and I wouldn't blame him, I want this over with just as much as he does. I soon pant as he slams to a stop, unfazed by the whole trip while I'm gripping my seat for dear life. "Vault one hundred and seventeen." I look to him as he waits for me to get off. "How are you used to this?" "We do this every day." I nod, getting up with shaky legs and making my way over to the door that's started to unlock. I poke my head around the door, still being shocked at how much is there as I take four pouches worth, knowing this will be enough for a while while we're here. "Here." I pass him a handful of coins as he counts them, nodding in approval. "Thank you." I nod, making my way back to the cart as he locks the door, placing the coins in his pocket. Goblins are nicer than people think, well, the ones I've met have been but again, I've always paid them for their peace. Maybe that's the reason why.

Thankfully, the ride back wasn't as bad, and I made it without any sickness! Progress! I place the pouches in my front pocket, holding one in my hand and counting some of the money inside, not really paying attention to anyone until something pulls on me to look up which I follow, stupidly, and lock eyes with one of the men I've requested to meet soon. Well, I believe it's him, according to the description in my notes. I curse under my breath, racing towards Flourish and Blotts, dodging as many people as I can while little gasps breakout before hiding behind a stack of books, catching my breath. He doesn't know who's requested to meet, nor does he know what I look like but the fact he's noticed me is worrying, especially since I'm not meant to be here, not with such a high prince over my head. I back up a little more, watching him run in and looking around viciously as if it would kill him if he didn't find me. "Something the matter Mr Malfoy?" the shop owner, Mr Barkwith, asks. "Have you seen a female come in here? Black wavy hair, piercing blue eyes?" He hums, watching him. "Not that I'm aware." "She just came in here. Did you not see where she went?" He asks in an irritated manor. "I'm afraid not Mr Malfoy." He nods, his blonde hair shifting with it. "My apologies." He looks at him one last time before waltzing out, leaving my thumping heart to calm down. "Mis Novell." Maybe not yet.

I peek my head around the stack of books as he smiles gently at me, waving me over which I follow warily, you learn not to trust fellow wizards after your parents were killed so violently by their fellow kind. "Your secret is safe with me." The old man says, smiling as his grey hair waves with his bowing head in greeting. "I must say, you look very much like your mother, but your father is there also." I thank him, fiddling with the pouch in my hand. I always wondered what she looked like every time I was compared to her. "What are you looking for dear? It will be my honour to serve you." I smile, looking around at the many books. "I'm looking for Defence Against the Dark Arts. The old and recent updated books." He hums, rubbing his hard moustache, looking behind him. "I know I have both, but where is the question." I smile, looking to the door in hopes he doesn't return. I don't particularly want to be dragged away kicking and screaming. "Here is the old version." He blows off some dust. "I'll be back in a second. I'll get the new version." I thank him, opening the older version and flicking through the pages, making sure the section my brother keeps banging on about is there which thankfully, it is.

"Here is the newer version. I don't believe there is much difference but don't take my word for it." I thank him again, paying for the books and a bag before turning to make my way out. "Actually," I look back to him. "Why didn't you report me?" He smiles warmly. "I knew your father very well during his Hogwarts years before he started buying supplies for yourself and your brother. I know he wouldn't want you stuck in a place you wouldn't enjoy or feel safe. It is not my place to hand you in to the authorities when you are safe enough with your brother. Please enlighten me, does he look much like your father?" I smile, pulling out a moving picture from my pocket and passing it to him. He gasps in awe, smiling and rubbing the picture. "We took this recently on our trip near the coast. Please, keep this between us." "I very much will. My lips are sealed. Thank you for showing me." I smile, thanking him, placing the picture back and turning again. "Do you have a floo network?" He nods, pointing to the door to my right. "Thank you. I don't want to be seen by him." "I'm sure he's waiting. Be safe." I nod, thanking him and waving goodbye as I step into the green smoke, making my way to the next shop on my mission. 'We didn't get caught today, but we may get caught next time'.