Lucy Jones 3: Blackbird

1 A Summer with Charlotte

Mina lays next to Lucy against her leg. She reads a potion book and smiles at Mina. Charlotte made sure her cat had a place at home. They went shopping for food and pet bowls. Harry helped her choose toys for Mina. They even got ice cream afterwards.

She turns a page, and Mina lays her head on her stomach. She looks down, closes the book, and pets Mina. Maybe she should go upstairs. She has one more paper to write. It's one about defence against the dark arts. Her head pops up when she hears a clicking sound on the window. She takes Mina in her arms and opens the window to let the owl enter. It's one of the school owls. He is a light brownish colour. She takes the letter off his paw, and he immediately flies off again. Her name stands on the letter. She puts Mina on the ground and opens the letter itself.

Dear Miss Jones,

We are pleased to inform you that the school year will start on the first of September. The train will depart at eleven a.m. from London on platform nine and three quarters.

We also allow third-years to visit Hogsmeade if the included form is signed by a parent or a guardian.

We also include a list of supplies that will be needed this year.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

List of supplies

The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 3 by Miranda Goshawk

Intermediate Transfiguration by Emeric Switch

The Monster Book of Monsters (if attending Care of Magical Creatures)

Spellman's Syllabary (if attending Study of Ancient Runes)

The Essential Defense Against the Dark Arts by Arsenius Jigger

'Is that your letter for school?' Charlotte asks when she walks into the room.

Lucy nods: 'Yes.' She is excited. She can't wait to go back. Hogwarts has been amazing. She misses her friends, Ron and Hermione. She also loves learning about magic.

'Will Harry join us for dinner?'

Harry has been here every day like he promised. 'I think so. He can be here any minute.' She hears a knock on the back door and sees Harry grinning behind one of the windows. He walks in. 'We're going to do some homework.' Lucy tells Charlotte.

'That's nice. I'm happy you both know how important your education is.' Charlotte says: 'How are you, Harry?'

'I'm good.' He says: 'Can I stay for dinner?'

'You know that you're always welcome here.' Charlotte tells him every time, but he always looks uncertain.

'Thank you.' He smiles shyly and follows Lucy to her room.

'Did they sign for Hogsmeade?' She asks.

He shakes his head: 'No, but maybe they will.' He sits on the ground, his back against her wooden closet: 'They said that if I behaved while Marge is in town, they might sign it.'

It's a few days later, and Lucy is fully packed. 'Are you ready?' Charlotte asks.

She nods and hugs her: 'I'm going to miss you.'

'Yeah, me too.' Charlotte takes Lucy's suitcase, and they walk downstairs. She sees her owl and cat in the car: 'I'm going to miss Mina and Archimedes as well.'

Lucy laughs. She is glad that Charlotte isn't afraid of her owl.

There is still a week left of August, but she would spend it in the leaky cauldron in London. Harry will be there. He blew up his aunt Marge. She doesn't think they signed his permission slip to visit Hogsmeade.

Hermione had written about her vacation in France, and Ron had sent an article about how he went to Egypt with his family. She wouldn't see them, not immediately, at least. Does Harry know she is coming? Maybe she can surprise him?

Charlotte follows Lucy inside the leaky cauldron: 'I almost forgot how magical everything is.'

Lucy grins: 'It's amazing.' Magic is something that keeps surprising her, and she loves that she can share this with Charlotte. That she can see how wonderful it is and isn't afraid.

Lucy sees someone waiting for her.

'You can follow me to your room, Miss Jones.' He takes her suitcase and walks away.

He takes the stairs and opens the first door on the right: 'This is your room. The room opposite you is Mr. Potters's room.'

Lucy walks inside, and the man leaves. She sits on the bed and pats beside her for Mina to jump on the bed as well: 'Do we like our room?'

Mina spins and leans against her. She pets her and sees Harry's door open. 'Harry!' She shouts and stands up, which Mina doesn't like. Charlotte laughs.

Harry's head pops, and he looks at her. She sees when he recognizes her: 'Lucy!' He comes into her room and hugs her: 'Why are you here?' He looks past her and sees Charlotte.

'Hello.' Harry says. He reaches and pets Mina.

'I'm glad you're ok.' Charlotte says and hugs both Harry and Lucy before she leaves.

Lucy sits on the bed, and Harry closes the door and sits beside her. He explains what happened with his aunt first.

'You really did that?' She looks at him: 'I mean, I understand, but still... That's a story.'

Mina sits between her and Harry. 'What do you know about Sirius Black?'

'Who?'

And then Harry talks about Black. He escaped Azkaban and was the first to get out of that place since it was there. And he wasn't alone. There was a woman with him. Someone important to Voldemort.