Mundane - Book Two

Chapter One

 Life at the Burrow was boring for the last week before school. Dahlia had returned home from Egypt to find Onyx tapping aggressively on hers and Ginny's window holding a Daily Prophet with news that Sirius Black, dangerous and renowned murderer, had escaped from Azkaban. Stheno had written her a letter about it, and left two packages tied to Onyx's legs.

"Ginny!" Dahlia called. "Stheno's gotten us gifts!"

"Gifts for what?" Ginny asked as she walked into the room.

"Our birthday, silly. She must've sent them ages ago. Come on let's open them." Dahlia tossed a package to Ginny and took the other one for herself. Inside was a note and a small broomstick that flew around her head and connected itself to her charm bracelet that Solis had given her the year before. A matching broom flew out of Ginny's box and connected to her matching bracelet. Dahlia smiled and opened the letter inside her box.

Dear Dahlia,

I've been missing you a lot this summer. Ever since Dobby disappeared, Father still won't tell us about that, Draco and I have been having a harder time here. Cleaning up isn't so bad, but it's just everything else. Father's angry. Of course, me being myself doesn't help. I'm just so glad Draco doesn't hate me anymore. I think I'd die if I didn't have him here. Mother says she'll take us to Diagon Alley on the last day of break. Maybe we can meet each other then.

I'm really looking forward to school this year. I don't feel safe out of school with Sirius Black escaped from Azkaban. Father said they're implementing some sort of extra security this year. I don't know why they think Sirius Black is going to break into our school, but isn't it scary? I'm just glad I'll be there with you.

I know it's past your birthday, but I sent Onyx with gifts for you and Ginny. I hope you enjoyed your time in Egypt with your brother. I hope you like the charms. I wish I could give you something more special, but I've been too busy with the housework and homework to do anything more than this. I promise I'll make it up to you this year.

Missing you greatly,

Stheno.

"I miss her so much," Dahlia mumbled. "Mum!" she called. "Can we go to Diagon Alley on the last day of break?"

"I don't see why not!" her mother called back.

"I'll write to Hermione and Harry!" yelled Ron.

"Kids!" yelled Mr. Weasley. "We need to have a family meeting in the sitting room right now!"

Dahlia sighed and put tossed the letter onto her bed. She and Ginny ran downstairs where they were soon joined by Ron, Fred, George, and Percy.

"Now, kids-"

"Dad, is it true Sirius Black's escaped from Azkaban?" Dahlia asked.

"What?" Ginny's eyes widened.

"How on earth did you know that?" Mr. Weasley asked.

"Stheno sent me the newspaper about it. She said Hogwarts is implementing new kinds of security."

"Well, yes. That's what I wanted to tell you all. Sirius Black is an extremely dangerous man, and so I don't want you, Fred and George, trying to sneak around the protections. And I mean that, boys, this man is extremely dangerous." Mr. Weasley eyed Fred and George.

"Alright, we won't do anything!" George said.

"Well, not anything too dangerous," Fred corrected.

"Boys!" Mrs. Weasley glared at them.

"Alright, alright. It was just a joke, Mum."

"Oh, and don't bother writing Harry. He's staying at the Leaky Cauldron. Got in a spot of trouble with those Muggles he stays with," said Mr. Weasley.

"What'd he do?" Ron asked.

"Well..." Mr. Weasley stifled a smile. "He blew up his aunt."

"He- what?"

"Like a balloon." Mr. Weasley kept a serious expression, but Dahlia could tell he was about to burst.

"A balloon?!" Fred and George said.

"Wicked." Ron smiled. "Anyway, I've got to write to Hermione about meeting last day of break."

Dahlia sprinted upstairs and wrote to Stheno about meeting on the last day. "Go, Onyx." She tied the letter to the bird's foot and shoed her out the window.

So the last day of summer break arrived and Dahlia found herself once again traveling by Floo network into the Leaky Cauldron and into Diagon Alley.

"We're going to the bank, kids. Meet back at the Leaky Cauldron in two hours," said Mrs. Weasley.

Dahlia immediately broke away from the group and went in search for Stheno. She wandered around for a few minutes before catching a glimpse of light blonde hair walking out of the robes shop. She sprinted up and ran into Draco Malfoy.

"I'm so sorry!" she said quickly.

Draco sneered at her and sighed. "Stheno's inside."

"Thank you." Dahlia smiled and walked into the shop.

"Dahlia!" Stheno was in the middle of being fitted for new robes. She waved frantically.

"Please, Ms. Malfoy, stay still!" Madam Malcolm said. "If you're not here for robes, wait outside please."

Dahlia sighed and stood outside against the wall. Draco stood next to her, but made no acknowledgement of her existence. She tapped her fingers against her arm and glanced around awkwardly.

After a few awkward minutes, Stheno walked out of the robe store and through her arms around Dahlia.

"I'm so glad to see you!" she said.

"Me too!" Dahlia giggled.

"Draco, let's get your things," Mrs. Malfoy said with a smile at Stheno. "We're leaving at four o'clock."

"Yes, Mother." Stheno grabbed Dahlia's hand and dragged her to Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor. "How is everyone? Is Ginny doing alright?"

"Ginny's fine." Dahlia sat down at the table next to Stheno. "Everyone's fine. Percy's been made head boy and Ron basically thinks the whole world is ending."

"Of course he has," Stheno laughed.

"I wish you could stay with us tonight," Dahlia pouted. "We're staying at the Leaky Cauldron with Hermione and Harry."

"Oh don't be so dramatic," came a voice from the next table over. Ron and Hermione were sitting there together. "You'll see her tomorrow."

Hermione swatted Ron's shoulder. "Let them be excited, Ron."

Dahlia giggled and turned back to Stheno. "He's right. I've just missed you so much."

"I've missed you too, Dahl. I've been miserable. Draco's nice, but I wish I had a sister like you do." Stheno sighed.

"All Ginny does is talk about Harry Potter and how he saved her life and how in love with him she is." Dahlia made a fake vomiting motion.

"Oh, come on, he's not so bad." Stheno laughed.

"He's a boy." Dahlia shivered. "I just wish she'd talk about anything else. So, tell me about you and Draco. He's had a change of heart?"

"I'd say he just grew up a bit. We've been through a lot together, I guess." She smiled. "You should sit with us on the train. He's a lot nicer now."

"Yeah, he didn't even insult me when I bumped into him and he only barely glared at me." Dahlia laughed. "I'd love to sit with you and your brother if he doesn't hate me."

"Of course he doesn't. I'll talk to him before. I'm sure he won't mind at all."

They talked for a bit longer before Dahlia realized she had better get back to the Leaky Cauldron. She hugged Stheno farewell and made her way back.