The sunlight shone through the white curtains of Antheia's room. The open window let in a soft breeze as a small, snowy owl landed on the patterned windowsill. Antheia sat up from her bed, placing down her copy of Intermediate Transfiguration as she gave her white owl a small treat and stroked her feathers.

"Thank you, Aura. Now, what have you got for me..."

The small owl pecked at her fingers affectionately as the girl opened up the letter.

Dear Theia,

Hey Theia, Hermione and I are staying at the Leaky Cauldron! Egypt was brilliant; all the tombs were fascinating and Fred and George tried to trap Percy in the last one.

Dad's told me Harry blew up his aunt. I think it's brilliant but Hermione reckons he might get into some trouble with the Ministry of Magic.

I think Harry will be at the Leaky Cauldron with us, so would you like to come as well? Remus can also come along if he'd like. Send Aura back with an answer soon!

Ron

PS: Percy's been made Head Boy.

Antheia chuckled at the letter and jumped down the stairs of her small cottage to talk to her father.

"Dad? Dad?"

"Yes, Theia?" Remus Lupin called from his office, "What is it?"

Antheia ran towards her father's office and appeared at the door, panting.

"Can I go to the Leaky Cauldron to meet Ron, Hermione, and Harry?" Antheia breathed, with a small grin on her face.

"Yes, you can go, darling. Molly's been sending me letter after letter asking you to stay." Remus Lupin checked his watch and added, "Well, go pack your things and we'll leave in twenty minutes."

Antheia ran up the stairs and then cursed herself internally for wasting all her energy. She quickly brushed her teeth and put on a t-shirt and a pale blue jumper over it along with dark blue jeans. Antheia glanced at the mirror at her unruly hair, attempted to brush it, but instead shrugged and went downstairs to meet her father.

"Okay, Theia, ready?"

Antheia slipped into the fireplace and grabbed some floo powder before waving cheerfully at her father who merely smiled in response.

"Let me know if you forget anything and I'll owl it for you. I'll see you at Hogwarts, darling," Remus told his daughter in a soft voice.

"Sounds good dad! Stay safe," Antheia said. "The Leaky Cauldron!"

Antheia was immediately greeted by a smiling Mrs. Weasley.

"We've all missed you terribly, dear!" she said, before pulling Antheia into one of her signature hugs.

"Hello, Mrs. Weasley! It's wonderful to see you again," Antheia squeaked under her tight embrace.

Antheia turned around and screeched, "Ronniekins! Gred! Forge! Mione!"

Ron and Hermione laughed as Fred and Geoge bellowed, "ANNIE!"

Fred and George ran over to the girl and ruffled her already messy hair and she fought to remove their hands and flatten her hair. In the end, Antheia resulted in messing up their hair as the three chortled and gained multiple stares around the bar.

─ ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ─

Harry woke on the last day of the holidays, thinking that he would at least meet Ron, Hermione, and Antheia tomorrow, on the Hogwarts Express. He got up, dressed, went for a last look at the Firebolt, and was just wondering where he'd have lunch when someone yelled his name and he turned.

"Harry! HARRY!"

They were there, all of them, sitting outside Florean Fortescue's Ice-Cream Parlor. Ron looking incredibly freckly, Hermione very brown, and Antheia excited, all waving frantically at him.

Antheia jumped up from her seat and ran towards Harry, wrapping her arms around his neck. Harry instinctively wrapped his arms around her waist as the excited girl embraced him.

"We've been looking for you everywhere, Harry!" Antheia beamed, once she had pulled away to see Harry's slightly pink cheeks.

"We went to the Leaky Cauldron, but they said you'd left," Ron grinned at Harry. "And we went to Flourish and Blotts, and Madam Malkin's, and-"

"I got all my school stuff last week," Harry explained. "And how come you know I'm staying at the Leaky Cauldron?"

"Dad," said Ron simply.

Harry knew Mr. Weasley worked at the Ministry of Magic and realized that he would of course have heard the whole story of what had happened to Aunt Marge.

"Did you really blow up your aunt, Harry?" asked Hermione in a very serious voice.

"I didn't mean to," said Harry, while Ron roared with laughter and Antheia snorted. "I just lost control."

"It's not funny, Ron, Antheia," said Hermione sharply. "Honestly, I'm amazed Harry wasn't expelled."

"So am I," admitted Harry. "Forget expelled, I thought I was going to be arrested. Your dad doesn't know why Fudge let me off, does he?" he asked, as he looked at Ron.

"Probably cause it's you, isn't it?" shrugged Ron, still chuckling. "Famous Harry Potter and all that. I'd hate to see what the Ministry'd do to me if I blew up an aunt. Mind you, they'd have to dig me up first, because Mum would've killed me. Anyway, you can ask Dad yourself this evening. We're staying at the Leaky Cauldron tonight, too! So you can come to King's Cross with us tomorrow! Hermione's there as well, and so is Theia!"

Hermione and Antheia nodded, beaming. "Mum and Dad dropped me off this morning with all my Hogwarts things," Hermione added.

"I came here with floo powder and I'm staying with Ron and Hermione!" Antheia exclaimed.

"Excellent!" said Harry happily. "So, have you got all your new books and stuff?"

"Look at this," said Ron, pulling a long thin box out of a bag and opening it. "Brand-new wand. Fourteen inches, willow, containing one unicorn tail-hair. And we've got all our books." - he pointed at a large bag under his chair. "What about those Monster Books, eh? The assistant nearly cried when we said we wanted three."

"What's all that Hermione, Antheia?" Harry asked, pointing at not one, but three, bulging bags in the chair next to her.

"Mione and I are taking more new subjects than you two, aren't we?" replied Antheia. "Those are our new books for Arthimancy, Care of Magical Creatures, Divination, Study of Ancient Runes, Muggle Studies-"

"What are you taking Muggle Studies for?" said Ron, whilst looking at Hermione. "You're Muggle-born! Your mum and dad are Muggles! You already know all about Muggles!"

"But it'll be fascinating to study them from the wizarding point of view," said Hermione earnestly.

"Are you two planning to eat or sleep at all this year?" asked Harry, while Ron sniggered. Hermione ignored them while Antheia smiled weakly.

"I've still got ten Galleons," Hermione said, checking her purse. "It's my birthday in September, and Mum and Dad gave me some money to get myself an early birthday present."

"How about a nice book?" said Ron innocently.

"No, I don't think so," said Hermione composedly. "I really want an owl. I mean Harry's got Hedwig, Antheia's got Aura, and you've got Errol-"

"I haven't," said Ron. "Errol's a family owl. All I've got is Scabbers." He pulled his pet rat out of his pocket. "And I want to get him checked over," he added, placing Scabbers on the table in front of them. "I don't think Egypt agreed with him."

Antheia stared down at Scabbers and pulled a disgusted face. "I've never liked him. Creeps me out how he always stares at me like that."

Scabbers was looking thinner than usual, and there was a definite droop to his whiskers.

"There's a magical creature shop just over there," said Harry, who knew Diagon Alley very well by now, "You can see if they've got anything for Scabbers, and Hermione can get her owl."

So they paid for their ice-creams and crossed the street to the Magical Menagerie.

There wasn't much room inside. Every inch of wall was hidden by cages. It was smelly and very nosy because the occupants of these cages were all squeaking, squawking, jabbering, or hissing. The witch behind the counter was already advising a wizard on the care of double-ended newts, so Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Antheia waited, examining the cages.

A pair of enormous purple toads sat gulping wetly and feasting on dead blowflies. A gigantic tortoise with a jewel-encrusted shell was glittering near the window. Poisonous orange snails were oozing slowly up the side of the glass tank, and a fat white rabbit kept changing into a silk top hat and back again with a loud popping noise. Then there were cats of every colour, a noisy cage of ravens, a basket of funny custard-coloured furballs that were humming loudly, and, on the counter, a vast cage of sleek black rats which were playing some sort of skipping game using their long bald tails.

The double-ended newt wizard left and Ron approached the counter.

"It's my rat," he told the witch. "He's been a bit off-colour ever since I brought him back from Egypt."

"Bang him on the counter," said the witch, pulling a pair of heavy black spectacles out of her pocket.

Ron lifted Scabbers out of his inside pocket and placed him next to the cage of his fellow rats, who stopped their skipping tricks and scuffled to the wire for a better look.

Like nearly everything Ron owned, Scabbers the rat was secondhand (he had once belonged to Ron's brother Percy) and a bit battered. Next to the glossy rate in the cage, he looked especially woebegone.

"Hm," said the witch, picking Scabbers up. "How old is this rat?"

"Dunno," said Ron. "Quite old. He used to belong to my brother."

"What powers does he have?" said the witch, examining Scabbers closely.

"Er-" said Ron. The truth was that Scabbers had never shown the faintest trace of interesting powers. The witch's eye moved from Scabber's left ear to his tattered left paw, which had a toe missing, and tutted loudly.

"He's been through the mill, this one," she said.

"He was like that when Percy gave him to me," said Ron defensively.

"An ordinary, common garden rat like this can't be expected to live longer than three years or so," said the witch. "Now if you're looking for something a bit more hard-wearing, you might like one of these..."

She indicated the black rats, who promptly started skipping again. Ron muttered, "Show-offs."

"Well if you don't want a replacement, you can try this rat tonic," said the witch, reaching under the counter and bringing out a small red bottle.

"OK," said Ron. "How much- OUCH!"

Ron buckled as something huge and orange came soaring from the top of the highest cage, landed on his head, and then propelled itself, spitting madly at Scabbers.

"NO, CROOKSHANKS, NO!" cried the witch, but Scabbers shot from between her hands like a bar of soap, laying splay-legged on the floor and then scarpered for the door.

"Scabbers!" Ron shouted, haring out of the shop after him; Harry followed.

Meanwhile, Antheia and Hermione's attention was turned away from the variety of owls and to the ginormous ginger cat that was now on the floor.

"He's quite adorable, don't you think?" Hermione cooed.

"Well-" Antheia inspected the cat, who she thought looked more like a tiger. He was not adorable, but instead a bit squashed in Antheia's opinion.

"He's been here for ages, no one wanted him," said the shop owner.

"Poor Crookshanks...," Hermione tutted.

Hermione scooped up the cat and paid for him. She happily trotted out of the Magical Menagerie with a grimacing Antheia following shortly behind.

Hermione and Antheia made their way down the packed street to find Ron and Harry walking their way.

"You bought that monster?" said Ron, his mouth hanging open.

"He's gorgeous isn't he?" said Hermione, glowing.

That was a matter of opinion, thought Harry. The cat's ginger fur was thick and fluffy, but it was definitely bow-legged and its face looked grumpy and oddly squashed, as though it had run headlong into a brick wall. Now that Scabbers was out of sight, however, the cat was purring contently in Hermione's arms.

"Hermione, that thing nearly scalped me!" said Ron.

"He didn't mean to, did you, Crookshanks?" said Hermione.

"And what about Scabbers?" said Ron, pointing at the lump in his chest pocket."He needs rest and relaxation. How's he going to get it with that thing around?"

"That reminds me, you forgot your rat tonic," said Hermione, slapping the red bottle into Ron's hand.

"Honestly, Ron, stop worrying. Crookshanks will be in mine and Hermione's dormitory and Scabbers will be in yours," Antheia stated.

"What's the problem?" said Hermione. "Poor Crookshanks, that witch said he'd been there for ages: no one wanted him."

"I wonder why," said Ron sarcastically, as the four set off toward the Leaky Cauldron.

They found Mr. Weasley sitting at the bar, reading the Daily Prophet.

"Harry! Antheia!" he said, smiling as he looked up. "How are you two?"

"Fine, thanks," said Harry, as he, Ron, Hermione, and Antheia joined Mr. Weasley with all their shopping.

"It's great to see you again, Mr. Weasley," Antheia said, as Mr. Weasley beamed at her.

Mr. Weasley put down his paper, and Harry saw the now familiar picture of Sirius Black staring up at him.

"They still haven't caught him, then?" he asked.

"No," said Mr. Weasley, looking extremely grave. "They've pulled us all off our regular jobs at the Ministry to try and find him but no luck so far."

"Would we get a reward if we caught him?" said Ron. "It'd be good to get some more money-

"Don't be ridiculous, Ron," said Mr. Weasley, who on closer inspection looked very strained. "Black's not going to be caught by a thirteen-year-old wizard. It's the Azkaban guards who'll get him back, mark my words."

At that moment, Mrs. Weasley entered the bar, laden with shopping followed by the twins, Fred and George, who were about to start their fifth year at Hogwarts, the newly elected Head Boy, Percy, and the Weasley's youngest child, and only girl, Ginny.

Ginny, who had always very taken with Harry, seemed more heartily embarrassed than usual when she saw him, perhaps because he had saved her life during their last term at Hogwarts. She went very red and muttered "Hello" without even looking at him. Percy, however, held out his hand solemnly as if he and Harry had never met and said, "Harry. How nice to see you."

"Hello, Percy," said Harry, trying not to laugh.

"I hope you're well," said Percy pompously, shaking hands. It was like being introduced to the mayor.

"Very well, thanks-"

"Harry!" said Fred, elbowing Percy out of the way and bowing deeply. "Simply splendid to see you, old boy-"

"Marvellous," said George, pushing Fred aside and seizing Harry's hand in turn. "Absolutely spiffing."

Percy scowled.

"That's enough now," said Mrs. Weasley.

"Mum!" said Fred, as if he'd only just spotted her, and seizing her hand too. "How really corking to see you-"

"I said, that's enough," said Mrs. Weasley, depositing her shopping in an empty chair. "Hello, Harry, dear. I suppose you've heard our exciting news?" She pointed at the brand-new silver badge on Percy's chest. "Second Head Boy in the family!" she said, swelling with pride.

"And last," Fred muttered under his breath.

"I don't doubt that," said Mrs. Weasley, frowning suddenly. "I notice they haven't made you two prefects."

"What do we want to be prefects for?" said George, looking revolted at the very idea. "It'd take all the fun out of life.

Ginny giggled.

"You want to set a better example for your sister!" snapped Mrs. Weasley.

"Ginny's got other brothers to set her an example, Mother," said Percy loftily. "I'm going up to change for dinner..."

He disappeared and George heaved a sigh.

"We tried to shut him in a pyramid," he told Harry. "But Mum spotted us."

─ ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ─

Dinner that night was a very enjoyable affair. Tom the innkeeper put three tables together in the parlor and the seven Weasleys, Harry, Hermione, and Antheia ate their way through five delicious courses.

"How're we getting to King's Cross tomorrow, Dad?" asked Fred as they tucked into a sumptuous chocolate pudding.

"The Ministry's providing a couple of cars," said Mr. Weasley.

Everyone looked up at him.

"Why?" said Percy curiously.

"It's because of you, Perce," said George seriously. "And there'll be little flags on the bonnets with HB on them-"

"- For Humungous Bighead," said Fred.

Everyone except Percy and Mrs. Weasley snorted into their pudding.

"Why is the Ministry providing cars, Father?" Percy asked again, in a dignified voice.

"Well, we haven't got one anymore," Mr. Weasley said. "And since I work there, they're doing me a favor..."

His voice was casual, but Harry couldn't help noticing his ears had gone red just like Ron's did when he was under pressure.

"Good job, too," said Mrs. Weasley briskly. "Do you realize how much luggage you've all got between you? A nice sight you'd all be on the Muggle underground... You're all packed, aren't you?"

"Ron hasn't put all his new things in his trunk yet," said Percy, in a long-suffering voice. "He's dumped them on my bed."

"You'd better go and pack properly, Ron, because we won't have much time in the morning," Mrs. Weasley called down the table. Ron scowled at Percy.

After dinner, everyone felt very full and sleepy. One by one, they made their way upstairs to check their things for the next day. Antheia trotted upstairs to her and Hermione's shared room.

"Honestly, the way Ron complains about Crookshanks, it's as if he's done something horrible to Ron," Hermione complained.

"Your cat did almost scalp him," Antheia pointed out. Hermione rolled her eyes and turned off the lights.

"You two argue like an old married couple, you know that?" Antheia smirked. Even within the darkness, Antheia could see Hermione furiously blush before burying herself under her blanket.

─ ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ─

Antheia awoke to utter silence and darkness. She yawned and pulled off the soft covers before checking the clock to find it was midnight. Antheia pulled on her bathrobe and strolled out of her room, into the hallway. Although it was pitch black, Antheia felt wide awake and therefore, tiptoed over to Harry's room at the end of the hallway.

She entered the unlit room to see Harry, laying on his back, staring up at the ceiling. He too seemed wide-awake.

"Harry?" she whispered, standing at the door. Harry jumped in shock before putting on his glasses and smiling in relief.

"Hey Theia, what are you doing here?" the boy asked.

"I woke up just now and Hermione would kill me if I woke her up the night before we left for school," Antheia admitted as she walked over to sit on Harry's bed. "So I came here to annoy you instead."

Harry chuckled before sitting up and saying, "I couldn't sleep. I overheard Mrs. Weasley and Mr. Weasley talking about how Sirius Black is after me." He spoke in such a casual manner that it sounded like he was merely speaking about the weather.

Antheia, however, was in shock. She wasn't completely sure what Black had done as whenever she asked her father about it, he would hastily change the subject, but she knew he was seriously dangerous.

"You really can't have a normal year, can you?" the girl said, with a hint of amusement in her voice. Harry chortled as Antheia smiled.

"Good night, Harry," Antheia said as she stood up and strolled out of the room.

"Night," Harry breathed once Antheia had left.

─ ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ─

a/n: Thank you for reading chapter one of butterfly effect! Please vote and comment to support the story and you're welcome to give feedback.