(2) The New Ones// The Curse Of Slytherin

1/ Plans

I sat in our cluttered kitchen.

It was a nice kitchen really, shining white marble countertops and a copper sink empty of dishes. The octagon window overlooked the muggle street below and cheerful yellow wallpaper was everywhere.

The rectangular room had a large fireplace with a wood carved mantle that held books and pictures.

I was sitting at the wooden kitchen table that was in the middle of the tiled floor, reading. On the pages everything seemed to come to life, until a quaffle zoomed past my head.

"Erin!" I yelled. As she darted past me, scooping it up and continuing to throw it. Our flat was big, but not huge. If she wanted to throw that thing she would have to go out back with some other wizard kids. "Can you go outside or something?"

"Why?" she asked, spinning around. Her plain black everyday robes fanned out. I was wearing some robes too, just Puddlemere United ones.

"Because you are going to kill us all!" She spun around again, throwing the ball up and catching it.

"I've got to practice," she said, darting out again. The sun beamed in through the windows and I got up, closing the book and going to look for Mum. Dad still wasn't home, and we didn't know what happened. It was more like he just left us of his own accord instead of something different.

"Mum?" I called, walking down our short hallway into her room. She was sitting at her desk, writing out yet another letter. Mum owned Flourish & Blotts and it took a lot of work.

"Hey Lainey," she said distractedly.

"Hi," I said, giving her a hug.

**********************************

Later that night after dinner, mum had us all sit down in the kitchen.

"Girls," I looked at her, allowing half my wavy hair to fall in my face. "As you know I have been very busy. What with dad," she swallowed and it looked painful. "and I think I need some time alone just to figure things out."

"You're orphaning us?!" Erin asked. I facepalmed. How was she a Ravenclaw?

"No silly goose, I'm sending you to Mo's for a summer." Now it was my turn to be confused.

"Mo?"

"Oh I meant Molly. Molly Weasley."

"Ron's mom?" Erin asked and then groaned.

"Okay I guess," I said. "When?"

"Soon. I am just so busy girls I am sorry." She said, getting up.

"It's okay," I said, shooting Erin a look.

"Yeah, okay." She mumbled. I stamped on her foot under the table.

**********************************

I packed my trunk again, folding all my robes away including some black Hogwarts ones. I packed my nightgowns, books, wand, muggle clothes, money and shoes.

Glancing around my room, I could see my familiar room, but it looked half empty with all my dresser drawers open, bookshelf half full and my bed neatly made.

The Weasleys.

I wasn't sure exactly what we'd do, I mean there only girl is a year younger than me and while Ron and I are friends, we aren't nearly as close as Hermione and me or Harry and him. I'm probably closer with both Hermione and Harry than Ron. And then there is Fred and George.

They strike me as almost the Amber and Lyra, but on a larger scale. I'm just not sure I guess.

I fiddled nervously with my hair, staring at the open trunk one last time.