Peeping Through The Bars

Chapter 5 "What do you want?"

"Poornima there is a letter for you."

I looked up and hurried to the sink then rinsed my hands. I had been doing my laundry.

While I was coming down he called again. "You have two letters."

Scowling, he handed me the letters.

"Don't scowl so much Uncle Sev, you'll get frown lines. No women would find that attractive."

He froze for a second and then glared at me. "Act your age."

He turned and walked away, his robes dramatically wheezing behind him.

"You know it's true," I called out.

The first parchment looked a bit crumpled and the second folded to perfection.

I opened the first one and my eyes nearly popped out at the familiar chirography.

Dear Poornima,

I'm terribly sorry that I haven't been able to respond to any of your letters. Hedwig was locked away and I wasn't able to receive any of your letters. I'll explain in detail later.

Hermione and Ron mentioned that you've been meaning to tell something to the pair of us. We're going to Diagon Alley next Wednesday to buy our books. See if you could join us.

Harry

P.S. Ron asked Percy about your request and Percy said that he could lend you the book. I'll send it later with Hedwig.

P.P.S. How can you and Hermione study during vacation? -Ron

P.P.P.S. We are wounded that you didn't think of borrowing books from us Thakur -Fred and George.

Well, that sorts things out. I am absolutely terrified of what Harry's and Ron's reactions would be to finding out my heritage and godfather. Hermione had taken it better than Cedric, writing that she wasn't very surprised. She said 'now that I think of it, it was so obvious. He did favour you during potions.'

Now I had to convince Uncle Sev.

I knocked on the door of his study.

"Come in"

I walked through the dark green passage and did in front of his desk

I gave him a sweet smile.

"What do you want?" He questioned coming straight to the point.

"Harry, Hermione and the Weasleys are going to Diagon Alley next Wednesday and they invited me to come along with them. Could I please go?"

He contemplated the idea for a moment.

"Fine," he said. I smiled brightly. "But, I will drop you there myself and while you are at it consider getting yourself some robes."

I am confused. Was there something wrong with my clothing? I looked down to what I'm wearing. Jeans and a t-shirt. The t-shirt had Pikachu on it.

I looked up to him.

"Is there something wrong with my clothes?"

"You are a pureblood witch Poornima. It is time you start dressing like one. Therefore the idea of you having 'some' robes."

I sighed. The past month Uncle Sev had taught me how to converse with people, how to behave with them and how to sit, walk and stand properly. He even had to teach me how to eat properly with cutlery.

"And whilst you are there you could even visit your family vault."

I blinked.

This topic had come around a few times in my time at our house after I had visited the Ministry to get my surname changed and also to register that I would be residing in Spinner's End from now on.

After the completion of the procedure, they had given me the address of my Mansion and told me that all my parents' personal possessions and the contents of their will had been handed over to Gringotts.

I had mixed feelings about visiting my family vault. I felt happy and sad at the same time. It was like I had something but didn't at the same time. I did not have parents but I had a remainder of them. My parents murdered on the orders of you-know-who just because they didn't wish to join them. I hated him with every fibre of my being.

I nodded and left the room. Not in the mood to write a letter back I opened the other letter addressed to me.

Poornima,

How have your holidays been so far? My guess is that it went pretty eventful. I have been fine and so has my summer been so far.

I came across an interesting piece of information yesterday. My parents told me about Poornima Raichand, a pureblood Gryffindor, who had come to our manor along with her godfather for lunch a week ago. I, of course, was not able to attend the lunch as I was at the house of a housemate.

I wonder if you knew anything about her.

Sincerely,

Draco Malfoy

I threw my head back. Of course, he would put a few pieces together. I come to his house for Godric's sake. I was planning to tell him once the term starts but when are my stars ever in my favour.

Kanak the ever bitter bird squawked out her laugh and I gave her a withering look. She squawked again and flew off.

An hour later the faint tapping on the window made me get up from my desk. I saw a snowy white owl with ember eyes gazing intensely at me. Hedwig!

She dropped the parcel on my desk and I stroked her feathers.

"You poor thing! Why don't you rest for some time while I write Harry a letter." She hooted happily and settled down near the bowl of treats and water. I shook my head. Birds.

I then wrote a reply to Harry.

Dear Harry,

Meet you at Diagon Alley on Wednesday.

Poornima

Tying this to Hedwig I shooed her away.

Just then Uncle Sev came up with another letter.

What is it with me and letters today?

HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

Headmaster: ALBUS DUMBLEDORE

(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)

Dear Ms Raichand,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been allowed to continue your second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books required for your year.

Term begins on September 1. The Hogwarts Express leaves from King's Cross station at sharp 11 o'clock on September 1.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall,

Deputy Headmistress

Second-year students will require:

The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 2 by Miranda Goshawk

Break with a Banshee by Gilderoy Lockhart

Gadding with Ghouls by Gilderoy Lockhart

Holidays with Hags by Gilderoy Lockhart

Travels with Trolls by Gilderoy Lockhart

Voyages with Vampires by Gilderoy Lockhart

Wanderings with Werewolves by Gilderoy Lockhart

Year with the Yeti by Gilderoy Lockhart

And I've even got my Hogwarts letter.