Splinters

Chapter 6

The sound of my running shoes hitting the wet ground was the only thing Penelope could hear as she ran. In, out, in, out, Penelope recited to herself in her head. 

     Up high in the Headmasters Office, Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall watched the young girl take laps around the castle as if she was in a trance. "The poor girl," Minerva McGonagall spoke. 

     "We can not change what has happened in the past. Her mother was only the first step. Tom is slowly rising and he will want a wandmaker on his side. Penelope Ollivander would be the perfect recruit, brave, loyal, but still young and impressionable," Albus Dumbledore sighed. 

     "Albus," Professor McGonagall turned to her colleague and long-time friend, "we must be able to help somehow? She can make a wand that will help him; it will be capable of killing people with ease. Penelope has to know what will come eventually."

     "There is nothing you can ever do to prepare her. We have time until he notices her. His people are recruiting within the walls and she is only eleven. I will do what I can, but he will come. For now, she is safe and I will put extra protections up," he promised. 

     "I'll get Filius. He can help." Professor McGonagall hurried off to Professor Filius Flitwick's personal quarters. 

* * *

"Morning, James," Penelope plopped down beside the messy-haired boy. 

     His head fell into his bowl of oatmeal as his hand gave out. "What the-"

     "He barely slept. Him and Sirius were talking most of the night," Remus sat across from Penelope. 

     "How are you two so awake?" James yawned. Penelope handed him a few napkins. 

     She shrugged. "I explored the grounds this morning when I went on my run. My shower was pretty warm too and I'm also an early riser," babbled Penelope. 

     "Never been able to sleep very long," Remus muttered. 

     "Just love the moon too much, don't ya?" Sirius asked as he strolled over. The lanky boy grew pale at the mention of the moon. Penelope saw the change in color but left it alone.

     "S-Sure," said Remus. 

     Penelope loaded her plate up with french toast, yogurt, and apple slices. At the same time, the three boys watched on in a mix of fascination and surprise. "Are you sure you're going to eat that much?" James dared to ask. 

     "Should be good for now. We do have lunch in a few hours," Penelope commented. 

     "Breakfast!" Peter exclaimed. He had come down with James but was away as he tried to find more food. His plates were filled to their limit with a variety of food. "This, plus lunch, dinner, and dessert are the best parts of the day."

     "Someone agrees with me," Penelope argued. "Thank you, Peter."

     He said something comprehensible. "I'll take that as a 'you're welcome, Penny'."

     A paper floated down from the air as Professor McGonagall walked by. Each Gryffindor student received a timetable with their schedule for the week. "Potions, History of Magic, Charms, and DADA, all in one day," James groaned and dropped his head onto the table. 

     "I'm excited for everything but History of Magic," Sirius grumbled. "Why History of Magic?" 

     "We've got Potions in half-an-hour. I'm going to grab my textbooks for my classes before lunch. You four should too." Remus was already out of his seat before Penelope finished speaking. 

     James scarfed down his oatmeal as Sirius gracefully, but quickly, ate a few pancakes. Peter didn't even blink an eye as he put his remaining food in a large napkin. 

     "Wait up!" Sirius bolted out of the Great Hall as Remus and Penelope disappeared from sight. 

     He caught up quickly with the duo as they purposely walked slow. "Where's James?" Penelope asked. 

     "In the Great Hall, most likely." Sirius fell into step with Penelope and Remus.

     "Right here. Come on, Peter!" James jumped onto Sirius's back. At the same time, Peter was panting profusely after he had to run after the group of friends. 

     Penelope broke into laughter. Her shoe found probably the only crack in the floor to be found in the entire castle just before she fell forward. Sirius lunged forward and took the hit instead of Penelope. 

     "Merlin." Penelope rubbed her sore elbow. Sirius hadn't had time to save Penelope but to compensate he turned so she landed on him while he hit the floor. "Did you hit your head?" 

     "I'm good," he panted as he laid on the stone floor. "Just knocked the breath out of myself. I just sacrificed myself for you, be grateful." The young Ollivander giggled as Sirius grinned widely. 

     James raised an eyebrow accompanied with a smirk towards Remus who shrugged, a grin on his face. "What's happening that I'm not getting?" Peter asked. His head swiveled back and forth between Remus and James. 

     "We've got seven years. You think we'll accomplish it by then?" Remus asked. Penelope was oblivious as was Sirius while they talked between themselves. 

     "I give it four," James commented. He watched the two first years interact. One of them would say something and then they would both break into laughter. 

     Remus chuckled. "10 Galleons that it'll take till our seventh year."

     "I've got my money on four but I'll take that wager, Mr. Lupin," James and Remus shook hands. 

     "What's going on?" Peter asked, exasperated. He looked over at Sirius and Penelope. "Oh," he face palmed, "Oh!"

     "Good job, Peter," James chuckled. "You finally got it."

     "Come on, you two," Remus pulled Sirius along as they began heading to their original destination. 

     Penelope skipped ahead but turned back to make sure they were following every now and then. "You're all so slow!" She called. "My grandfather moves faster than you four!"

     James took off at a sprint. With a laugh, Sirius followed as did Remus after muttering how unsafe this was. "Why running?" Peter exclaimed. "Why does she have to like running," he began jogging, "when walking is so acceptable?"

     "Because it's fun, Peter!" Penelope scared Peter as she appeared beside him. "Don't get left behind!"

     "Cannot wait till I'm seventeen and I can legally Apparate."