Cored

Chapter 24: Gramps

"Ah , Ms. Weasley, what brings you here?"

"It's Ms. Waine, Dad," Vander said, pushing past his father and toward Katherine. "Sorry," he muttered to her.

"Thanks," she said with a small smile. "I brought you what you asked for."

"Excellent, come with me." Vander led the way to the back room while Mr. Ollivander returned to preparing to open the store.

Katherine put the dragon hide sack on the table next to a pile of open books that didn't appear to be in English. "Who sent you these?" she asked.

"Those are from Mohoutokoro," he said. "Those loose pages sticking out are translations they included. Wicked helpful, though I really should learn Japanese." He pulled on a pair of thick gloves and picked up the little bag, pulling the ring out.

Katherine hadn't looked at it since the explosion, and it felt odd to have it so close yet not on her finger. She bound her hands tightly together and rocked back and forth on her heels.

"Okay, so I'll come get it around 5?" she asked.

"Sure," Vander said. "That should be enough time." His eyes were still on the ring, so Katherine turned to leave.

"Don't forget your half of the deal," she called behind her.

She walked back into the apartment and looked around, unsure of what to do to pass the time. She had a thought and tapped on Corliss's cage, waking the slumbering bird. "Sorry," she said, writing a quick note and opening the window. Sure to give her a good scratch on the back of the head, Katherine sent her out to deliver the letter. She wandered around and gathered all of her dirty clothes, shoving them all in her backpack by the time the owl had returned.

Katherine,

Of course, you can come spend the day here! We'd love to see you. Feel free to have George or Ron pop you over any time.

Love,

MW

Katherine smiled and hurried out the door towards George's office. She knew she could get to the Burrow by herself, but she didn't want to show that hand just yet.

"Do you think I could use the floo?" she asked, walking in George's door.

He looked up quizzically. "Where to?"

"The Burrow. I sent a note to your mom earlier asking if I could come over. I have to do laundry, and I thought she might be able to show me a less muggle way to do that."

"You should be able to," George said. "I mean, the powder is what holds the magic. You don't need a wand or anything. You sure you wouldn't rather I apparate you?"

"Just want to try something different," Katherine shrugged.

"Okay, I'll show you how it works."

They wandered over to the communal fireplaces. George pointed to a pot of Floo powder and Katherine grabbed and handful.

"So, you'll step inside, and drop the powder as you say, 'The Burrow' Be sure to say it very clearly and carefully or you might end up in the wrong spot."

"Do you think I should do it with a British accent?"

"No," George laughed before realizing she was totally serious. "No, I think you'll be fine."

Katherine cautiously stepped into the flames, fighting her brain's natural urge to run the opposite direction. But the really only tickled, so she turned confidently to face George.