If Mama was surprised that I asked Aunt Evita to be the one to take me to Diagon Alley, she didn't voice it, and instead claimed that she should likely be there when the people from the Youth Authority came to take Greg away. Aunt Evita arrived to take me to the wizarding shopping district, telling me that, as a member of the Crouch family, I had my school supplies provided for, although I knew that Daddy had gotten Uncle Barty to intercede with Gringotts to ensure that I had plenty of money for all seven years. Cousin Barty was with Grandpapa Caspar and Grandmama Charis for the day, and had asked Aunt Evita to please bring him back something from Sugarplum's Sweet Shop.

"It's only second to Honeydukes, darling," Aunt Evita explained as we used some of the grounds of my childhood home to Apparate to a back alley on Charing Cross Road. "We'll be sure to fetch you plenty of gold from our vault's at Gringotts so that you can purchase some sweets for yourself when you're on the train."

I blinked; other than what I'd read in Hogwarts: A History, which included a worthy description of the Hogwarts Express, I knew next to nothing about things when it came to wizarding etiquette and conversation, their shopping districts and stores, or their food. At the thought of food, once we landed in the back alley, I felt myself grow light-headed and I promptly vomited in a space between the rubbish bins.

"Oh, sweetie," Aunt Evita said, vanishing the vomit from my person and the tarmac below, as well as its odor, before she proceeded to rub my back. "I should have known this would be your first time Apparating. Are you all right?"

"You'll have to be patient with me, Aunt Evita," I told her softly, my limbs still shaking from the violence of the sick, and worked on breathing through my mouth as opposed to my nose to keep the stench of the rubbish at bay. "I know next to nothing about this world. Mama, she... She was so convinced that Greg was the magical one, and he convinced her not to tell me anything about it because they thought I was the Squib."

Aunt Evita swore under her breath. "Well, that's just not right, darling," she said firmly. "I... I am going to speak to your uncle about this, darling. If he doesn't think we can take you in to live with us, I know of another branch of our family that would be appropriate."

I blinked, slowly looking up at her as the worst of my nausea subsided. "What? You mean I shouldn't go home?" I asked.

Aunt Evita sighed. "Darling, it's nothing against your father, but he wouldn't be able to understand you as well, now that you're a witch," she explained gently. "As for your mother, well, suffice it to say she is much too devoted to Greg to be a proper parent to you. I saw it with my own eyes how reluctant she was to hand him over to the Youth Authority..."

I bit my lip. "She was, yes," I admitted.

"Well, that just won't stand," Aunt Evita told me firmly. She continued to rub my back for several uninterrupted moments, and I found myself shocked at how comforting and wonderful it felt to be mothered. "Did your mother ever mention a woman to you in our family... She is a cousin of your mother's and uncle's, Andromeda?"

I raised my eyebrows, the name sounding familiar. "I remember," I said quietly. "She was burned off the family tree by Cousin Walburga for daring to marry a Muggleborn wizard, Ted Tonks... I heard that she and her husband are trying for a baby," I said softly.

"They are," Aunt Evita confirmed. "We'll pop by the Owl Post Office when we're in the alley and explain the situation. As they live in a wizarding house, we'll be able to make contact with them directly. I'm sure Andromeda and Ted will adore you, Gwyn, and, even if you can't live with them, they will be wonderful allies for you."

I found myself amazed that someone in my family, other than my father, seemed to care for my wellbeing as much as Aunt Evita seemed to. "I think I'm well enough now, Aunt Evita," I told her quietly.

She nodded at me, guiding me out of the alleyway. "You just take your time today, all right, darling?" she asked. "I don't want to overwhelm you..."

I nodded. "Thank you, Aunt Evita," I answered, as we stepped onto the street itself, and gasped as we walked closer to what had initially appeared to be a music shop, only to see that it was a pub called The Leaky Cauldron.

Aunt Evita turned and looked down at me, smiling. "Oh, you saw the sign change, didn't you, dear?" she asked, squeezing my shoulder affectionately and bringing me inside what I now realized to be a wizarding establishment, my first one. "It's for the Muggles, of course," she explained as she stepped forward, pushing open the door, and helping me inside. "Good morning, Tom," she called out towards the barman behind the counter.

"Ah, Evita Crouch née Macmillan, always a pleasure," Tom said happily, beaming over her as he wiped down the wooden bar around him. He slowly lowered his eyes to look at me, a friendly expression still on his face. "And who have we got here?"

Aunt Evita gazed proudly down at me for a moment. "This is my niece, Gwynevere Willoughby, the daughter of Barty's older sister, Parthenope. She's just got her Hogwarts letter, and she chose me to escort her for her maiden trip into Diagon Alley."

Tom readily beamed at me, nodding his head in a respectful manner. "Your mother and uncle are quite gifted wixen, Miss Willoughby," he told me kindly. "I'm sure you'll do us proud in just a few short days when you start at Hogwarts."

I found myself returning the smile, although I didn't appreciate the other wixen patrons around us giving me blatant looks of curiosity. "Thank you, Tom," I answered, as no surname was given, and hoping that I wasn't speaking out of turn by addressing him by his first name, mentally crossing my fingers that it wasn't some sort of breach of wizarding etiquette.

Aunt Evita, as if sensing my nervousness, placed a hand upon my shoulder again. "We'd best get a move on with our shopping, Tom," she told the man.

Tom nodded his head. "Best of luck to you, Miss Willoughby," he called out.

I gave him a nod in return and permitted Aunt Evita to bring me out a side door of the pub, leading us into an alleyway reminiscent of the one I'd been sick in just a few moments ago. I was a bit perplexed by this, wondering how being surrounded by another group of rubbish bins would get us to Diagon Alley, but kept my mouth shut as Aunt Evita walked towards the brick wall directly opposite the shutting door. As the door closed behind us, I watched as Aunt Evita took out her wand and tapped a few of the bricks in an intricate pattern, before they seemed to artfully crumble away, leading to a cobblestone path and a number of shops around us, along with groups of wixen milling about.

"We're here, love," Aunt Evita proclaimed, smiling down at my apparent shock as she led me through, the bricks reforming a wall behind us. "That building there," she said, pointing a finger towards a white one with slanted pillars, high steps, and golden letters, "is the bank. We'll go there first and take out plenty of money for our purchases."

I walked up the staircase with Aunt Evita, taking note of the impressive atrium of the bank, which featured a highly-polished floor, crystal chandelier, and numerous desk with goblins toiling away behind them. I kept up with my aunt, several goblins taking note of our presence, and did my utmost not to stare at them as we approached one of the desks. I swallowed at the sight of a particularly aged goblin, who set aside his quill as we approached, the book he'd been writing in as large as his head.

"Ah, Mrs. Crouch," the goblin growled, wrapping his clawed fingers over the edge of his desk, peering to get a better look at me, "so the rumors are true. You are escorting your young niece, Miss Willoughby, this morning?"

"I am, Morlock," Aunt Evita replied, inclining her head. "We would very much appreciate a withdrawal, enough for several sets of new robes, the first-year texts, all new equipment, potentially enough for a familiar, for lunch, and some money in pounds for shopping at Harrods for Muggle clothing for relaxation, please."

Morlock nodded, squinting down at me for several moments, and seemed surprised, although not offended, that I met his eyes without flinching. Easing himself backwards, he snapped his fingers, leading a junior-looking goblin hurried forward, waiting patiently as Morlock got a fresh sheet of parchment, which he used to write some notes, presumably Aunt Evita's requests. "Do make a suitable withdrawal from the Crouch vault for the first five, and the newly-established vault for Miss Willoughby for the final item."

The junior goblin took the parchment and bowed his head, and I took this to mean that Daddy would be in charge of my Muggle clothing, while my grandparents would be providing funds for my Hogwarts necessities. "Yes, Morlock," he stated, and hurried towards the opposite end of the atrium.

"Please, sit down," Morlock said, gesturing towards some plush seats not too far away. "May we offer either you ladies any refreshment while you wait?"

"I have already had my breakfast this morning, Morlock, but thank you," Aunt Evita replied, as she turned and looked over at me. "How about you, love? Do you want anything?"

I looked up at the goblin again, who was waiting patiently. "I'm fine, thank you, Morlock," I said politely.

The elderly goblin nodded, motioned towards the chairs again, and returned to his book.

I followed Aunt Evita towards the seating area, perching beside her on one. "I was told there were mine carts," I said quietly to her.

"Oh, there are," Aunt Evita confirmed. "However, if you are a member of the Sacred Twenty-Eight, you have the option of forgoing the journey yourself." She quickly looked over at me, her eyes wide. "Oh, dear. I should have asked if you wanted to go..."

Quickly, I shook my head. "No, thank you," I said softly.

Aunt Evita patted my hand. "As you wish, dear."

We received the proper money a quarter of an hour later; the wizarding currency was put into a special moneybag, which would automatically give you the proper amount the proprietor of any establishment would ask for. As for the Muggle money, it was placed into a large, leather wallet reminiscent of Daddy's, albeit with something called an Undetectable Extension Charm, which we would have to count the money out on our own. Being a Pureblood, Aunt Evita was unsure of how such things worked, although she would transfigure her clothing before our shopping excursion in London, and would still accompany me to the shop.

"We'll get your sets of robes first," Aunt Evita informed me as we left the bank. "They will merely be embroidered with a standard Hogwarts insignia until you're sorted. Then, the insignia will change itself into a lion, badger, eagle, or serpent."

I blinked, surprised. "How could clothing do such a thing?"

"Magic, dear," Aunt Evita answered calmly, steering me towards a shop which was dubbed Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. "Its interwoven in the threads."

I stepped into the shop after Aunt Evita, noticing that a rather plump and short witch was tending to a sullen-looking young boy with black hair, while the woman who was with him, I assumed was his mother, appeared to be pale and drawn, looked a bit fearful. I looked up at Aunt Evita, who smiled in recognition, and tentatively stepped forward, towards the witch, and began speaking with her.

"Eileen? Is that you, dear?"

The woman turned and looked over at Aunt Evita. "Oh, hello, Evita," she answered, flushing ever so slightly. "How are you?"

"Fine, thank you, Eileen. And this can't be Severus, can it?" she asked.

The woman, Eileen, turned to regard the boy, her son, and said, "Severus, say 'good morning' to Mrs. Crouch, dear."

Severus turned his head slowly, the rest of his body remaining immobile so that the witch who was measuring him wouldn't be upset. "Good morning, Mrs. Crouch..." He caught sight of me and said softly, "Hello."

I smiled at him softly, not wanting to frighten him. "Hello. I'm Gwyn. It's a pleasure to meet you, Severus."

Severus looked unsure for a moment, until the witch nodded in satisfaction and stepped away for something, and noticed that his mother and Aunt Evita were speaking. "She's a Pureblood, like my mother," he said quietly.

I followed his gaze, seeing that he meant my aunt. "She is. She was formerly a Macmillan."

Severus sighed a little. "Are you a Pureblood?"

"No," I answered, shaking my head. "She's my aunt, my mother's sister-in-law. My uncle, her husband, is a Pureblood, like my mother, but my mother married a Muggle."

Severus looked stunned at this. "My mother married a Muggle as well," he said. "Did you always know you were a witch?"

I hesitated for a moment. "Well, from the first time I did magic when I was young, yes, I knew. I... I have a twin brother, Greg, and he... Well, he would hit me if I claimed the magic was mine. He took credit for it and well..." I shrugged.

Severus's expression darkened. "He hit you?"

I nodded. "Well...yes."

"So, is he a wizard?" Severus asked, looking behind me, as if expecting my twin to be lurking behind me for some reason.

"No, he's a Squib," I answered, shocked at how easily I was able to speak to this boy. "My parents only recently discovered that he was hurting me and taking credit for my magic. They're sending him away somewhere, somewhere called a Youth Authority... My mother's not very pleased about it."

"I'm sorry," Severus said, sounding genuine. "My father doesn't like magic. Is yours the same way?" he asked.

I shook my head. "No, he doesn't hate it. He doesn't always understand it, but we have wards on our property, so my uncle, aunt, and cousin came to visit; they're all magical. He likes hearing about it, and is always very patient. The owl who came to deliver my acceptance letter just a few days ago even liked him."

"Are you going to get an owl?"

I raised my eyebrows. "No, they've owls at Hogwarts. I'm much more of a cat person myself when it comes to familiars."

Our conversation was cut short as Eileen told Severus they would need to get going, and he appeared a little disappointed. I told him I would sit with him on the train if he wanted, and he told me he would introduce me to his friend, Lily, who was Muggleborn. I accepted before I noticed that Eileen apologized to Severus for getting him second-hand robes, books, and equipment, as well as not having enough Galleons to get him a familiar. I felt a slight ache within me at Severus's expression; yes, there was disappointment there, but it was overridden by resignation, as if he'd been preparing himself for this inevitability all along.

The ache remained as I was measured for my new robes, tailored perfectly to my frame, as well as equipped with Growing Charms, and Aunt Evita excused herself to send an owl to Andromeda and Ted. I answered questions about my upbringing, and Madam Malkin was amazed to hear some stories about Daddy's work. Apparently, it never occurred to her that physicians outside the wizarding world healed others without magic, but that we had our own versions of potions in the form of medications. Once I was finished and back in my outfit for the day, Aunt Evita returned and handed over the payment, with Madam Malkin stating she would send over my new robes by the end of day. She also measured me for a pointed hat and a black winter cloak with silver fastenings before we left the shop.

"Hopefully Andromeda and Ted can accept my invitation for lunch," Aunt Evita said as we stepped out of the shop. "We'll go to Flourish and Blotts next. Winky will be summoned once we've finished to bring your textbooks somewhere safe."

Flourish and Blotts was a far more simple affair; upon our arrival, Aunt Evita found a sales associate, informed them that we needed all the required first-year texts, and immediately they breezed off to find them. The required about of Galleons were handed over once the items were located, and Winky arrived to collect them. Aunt Evita requested that she be on hand for summoning later on in the day, to which Winky bowed before popping away.

"We'd best get to Mr. Mulpepper's Apothecary for your potion supplies," Aunt Evita stated once we'd left Flourish and Blotts.

The apothecary was an intriguing shop, and, once the proprietor was informed that I was a first-year, he set to work in getting me a size-two pewter cauldron, a set crystal vials, and a set of brass scales. Once the items were paid for and Winky came to collect them, it was off to Twinkle's Telescopes to get their namesake for my Astronomy class. It was a fairly simple procedure and transaction, and, once Winky took it away, Aunt Evita steered me out of the shop with a smile on her face.

"Now is where the fun begins," she declared.

I was taken to an old-looking shop with large windows, called Ollivander's, which had several hundred boxes haphazardly shoved onto various shelves throughout the establishment. As I looked around, it was a set of wheels at caught my attention from the inventory and a wispy-haired wizard suddenly filled my vision. I watched as he stepped down from the rolling ladder with a smile on his face, his gray eyes looking at me happily.

"Miss Willoughby, you are here at last for your wand," he declared, coming out of the shadows from in between the shelves. He caught sight of Aunt Evita and smiled at her. "Ah, Evita Crouch, 11¾", alder, unicorn tail hair, fairly bendy."

Aunt Evita smiled at him. "It is wonderful to see you, Garrick. I've brought my niece, Gwyn, to get her first wand."

"Ah, yes, I see, Mrs. Crouch," the wizened wizard replied kindly, turning his attention back onto me, never lingering in his kind smile. He stared at me for several moments, before he shook his head after a moment. "Curious about you, Miss Willoughby..."

I raised my eyebrows. "What is, sir?" I asked.

"You hardly know anything about the Wizarding World, and yet, your power longs to be nurtured and developed... I typically go through my inventory and choose various wands for my customers to try, but, alas, I cannot do so with you."

I gaped at him; had Greg truly been the wizard all along? "Why?"

"Because, if you listen closely, Miss Willoughby, your true wand will call to you," he explained to me gently. "Your uncle was the same way..."

"He was," Aunt Evita confirmed as I turned to look at her, her eyes bright with excitement. "Go on, dear. Shut your eyes, envision your core within you, and find your wand."

I blinked, utterly unsure if this was going to work, but also knew that Mr. Ollivander was the foremost wandmaker in all of Wizarding Britain. Perhaps, I reasoned, he knew something that I did not when it came to wandlore, as well as its selection process... Whoa there, Willoughby. Of course he does; its been his family's area of expertise for millennia, after all. I shut my eyes, although it was difficult to do so in front of a stranger, given everything that Greg had singlehandedly put me through since our babyhood, and did my best to envision this magical core that Aunt Evita had just mentioned. At first, as expected, there was nothing but the blackness that existed behind everyone's eyes. I was very nearly going to give up, to open my eyes, to demand why this wandmaker was wasting my time, when—

It was a perfectly spherical orb which overtook my vision, and I could sense my heart beating from close by. There were passion-filled, scarlet flames beneath it, while the orb itself was a pure, golden shade. Warmth settled within me as I laid eyes on it for the first time, as a rare sense of peace enveloped me completely. I felt utterly safe, safer than I'd done over the course of my entire life, knowing that, now that I had magic on my side and the Wizarding World knew it, I could protect myself, and I would, at last, learn how to do so.

I heard the rattling from within the shelves as my eyes snapped open, and it was with an almighty whoosh that one of the boxes displaced itself from the others. It soared through the air, past the wandmaker, and opened, the wand flying to me, while its box flew backwards and into Mr. Ollivander's outstretched hands. I stood on my toes to capture the wand, but it didn't matter as it came as if it was hurrying into my hand, the smoothness of the wood a wonderful sensation to my palm. It was a pale color until it reached the handle, until it was a slightly darker wood, with an ornate handle which was reminiscent of a crystal, stylishly cut.

"My, my, my," Mr. Ollivander said, stepping forward and smiling down at it. "Aspen, 12½", phoenix feather..." He placed a hand upon it, and almost immediately drew it backwards with wide eyes. "Unyielding, Miss Willoughby. It shall never stray from you."

I turned the innocuous piece of wood over and over in my hands. "Loyalty at its finest," I whispered, vaguely aware of Aunt Evita paying Mr. Ollivander.

Aunt Evita led me out of the shop, and, as she looked up, cried out in delight at a couple who was walking in our general direction. "Dromeda! Ted!"

The couple beamed right back at Aunt Evita.

The woman, Dromeda, had hair similar to mine with lovely brown eyes, and she scurried forward to embrace Aunt Evita. "Evie, darling!"

Ted, meanwhile, had hair the color of wheat; he was slightly plumper than his wife, but had a face which radiated kind as he stepped forward. "You must be Miss Gwynevere," he said, his voice mellow and pleasant, as if he was truly an even-tempered individual. "I'm Ted. Good to meet you," he said, offering his hand.

I took his hand with a smile. "Pleasure to meet you, Ted, and, please, call me Gwyn," I answered, feeling quite at ease with this Muggleborn man, the first I'd ever met.

Dromeda released Aunt Evita and immediately turned towards me, waiting for Ted to greet my aunt before her eyes promptly softened. "Gwyn," she said gently, stepping forward to hug me, once she saw that I was prepared for it. "I haven't seen you since you were a baby."

"Really?" I asked, unaware that I'd ever met her before.

"I was only seven," Dromeda explained, "and it was before I was disowned. Of course, I went to visit with Uncle Barty," she said, smiling as she pulled back to get another look at me. "You see, my parents don't tolerate Muggles or Muggleborns in the family..."

"...and they disapproved of my father," I said, nodding in understanding.

Dromeda sighed. "It was only fitting that I was burned off the tapestry alongside your mother once Ted and I married," she said with a soft sigh, cupping my face for a moment and patting my cheek, but not in a condescending manner. "I once promised your mother I would always look after you, should anything happen, and your aunt's message to me today confirmed things."

I blinked. "Oh?" I asked.

"Your mother sent us a letter soon after your Hogwarts letter came," Dromeda said softly. "She asked if Ted and I wouldn't mind having you stay with us until school begins, during the Christmas holidays, as well as summer ones. Would that be all right with you?" she asked, her voice encouraging, but not demanding.

"But... Mama said you were trying for a baby," I said, shaking my head. "I wouldn't want to get in the way, especially once your own child comes. You couldn't possibly want..."

Ted turned to look at me, his eyes kind. "My own parents didn't understand me, Gwyn, and, once I completed my education at Hogwarts, effectively washed their hands of me," he told me lightly, as if he was resigned to it now. "As for a baby, yes, we are trying for one, but that doesn't mean we would have the space, the time, or the love for you."

"We inherited a farm from Ted's late uncle," Dromeda explained, "who was quite successful at it, even as a Muggle. There's chickens, ducks, goats, sheep, pigs, cows, and horses. We sells the chicken and duck eggs, as well as the cow and goat's milk, the sheep's wool, and we have special breeding programs for the pigs, cows, and horses."

"We also harvest wheat and make our own bread, which always sells," Ted said proudly. "We also have fields of oats, barley, spring beans, potatoes, corn, sugar beets... We also use the milk from the cows and goats to make butter and cheese."

"It's quite the thriving enterprise," Aunt Evita said, nodding her head. "Barty and I get all our dairy from them. It's quite magnificent, really, and your cousin loves their bread."

"Plus the house is over a hundred years old and in excellent condition, all thanks to Dromeda here," Ted continued, his eyes shining with love for his wife. "There's ten bedrooms inside, plus several cottages on the property for our workers and their families. So, in answer to your thoughts, Gwyn, we've plenty of space for you, and time, as things are done much faster with magic, and we employ Muggleborns who have been cast off from their families, who need a place to stay, want to earn a good living, and have wonderful food as well. And, as for love, well," Ted continued, shaking his head, "we were raised the wrong way, Dromeda and I, so we know how to do things correctly when it comes to love."

"I'd like to come and stay with you," I said softly.

Aunt Evita clapped her hands. "Why that's wonderful! I think..." She broke off then, as a chirping noise came from her pocket.

"Is that your cuckoo pocket watch?" Dromeda asked.

"I'm afraid so," Aunt Evita said, tutting to herself as she took it out of her pocket and opened it with a sigh. "Oh, dear. It seems as though my son is throwing a temper tantrum at Caspar and Charis's house," she said, showing us the face of the watch.

I raised my eyebrows; there were spoons with her face, as well as Uncle Barty's and Cousin Barty's, replacing the hands of a standard clock, which had several areas they could point to within the watch's face. Uncle Barty's was pointed at Work, while Aunt Evita's was pointed to Shopping, and Cousin Barty's was currently positioned at Caterwauling. "That's not good," I said, knowing entirely well that Cousin Barty was quite like Greg whenever he threw any kind of tantrum, and, given that he was a wizard, it would likely be worse.

"You go and see to him, Evie," Ted said, nodding in understanding. "Dromeda and I can finish the tasks that Gwyn needs to attend to."

Aunt Evita appeared torn. "Are you quite sure?"

"Absolutely," Dromeda assured her. "But would you mind telling Winky to deliver her purchases to the farm?"

Aunt Evita nodded. "Of course I wouldn't mind," she replied, reaching into her robes and pulling out both the moneybag and leather wallet, both of which she handed to me. "I'll even send her along to the manor, Gwyn, and have her collect the remainder of your things."

I swallowed. "All right," I said, gripping tightly to my wand, not wanting to part with it. "But what about Mama and Daddy?"

"We'll send an owl explaining everything," Dromeda said softly.

"I'd best get moving," Aunt Evita said, pressing a kiss to my forehead, before she hurried in the opposite direction and cracked away.

"Well now," Ted said, turning to me, "it appears as if you've got your wand. What else was on the agenda for today? How far in your shopping have you gotten?"

"I've taken care of my robes, as well as textbooks and equipment," I answered, "but Aunt Evita mentioned something about lunch, and I'd like to see about getting a cat..."

Dromeda smiled. "What a splendid idea," she responded. "Oh, Ted's mentioned what that leather wallet is for," she said smiling over at her husband.

"Oh, yes. You'll also need some Muggle clothes," he said, nodding. "Harrods, I presume, is where you'll be expecting?"

"Apparently so," I responded.

"Well," Dromeda said, putting an arm around my shoulder, "as it's your first time in Diagon Alley, we'll have to go to The Fountain of Fair Fortune."

"Is that a pub?" I asked.

Ted blinked, looking over at Dromeda. "Oh, dear..."

Dromeda looked over at Ted, who nodded at her. "You go and get the book from Flourish and Blotts, she should have her own copy anyway. Think of it as an early birthday gift," she told me in a diplomatic manner. "We'll get a table, all right, Ted?"

"Of course, darling," Ted said, kissing Dromeda on the cheek and hurrying back towards Flourish and Blotts.

"You've had quite the day, dear," Dromeda said as we walked along. "What do you say we have lunch, get you a cat, and then head home for the day? We can easily get to London later in the week after you've settled in, and before term begins."

I nodded; I was beginning to get tired anyhow, although the entire day had been amazing, due to not having to constantly look over my shoulder in fear that Greg would ambush me with threats, as well as his fists. "That would be fine, thank you."

The building of the pub Dromeda had selected was painted pink and blue, with golden letters proclaiming it The Fountain of Fair Fortune. Inside, it had cherry wood furniture with black marble table tops, and Dromeda quickly told the hostess that there were three in our party, but that Ted was just nearby purchasing a book. We were led over to a table and menus were given over to it, with Dromeda beaming from across the table at me.

"Do you have a favorite drink, dear?"

I flushed, lowering my eyes. "Hot chocolate," I said quietly. "Greg, he... He would tell Mama and Daddy that I hated it so that I'd never get any. He would always threaten to hurt me if I ever tried to deny it."

Dromeda looked enraged, the ends of her hair prickling visibly for a moment. "Well, then you shall have the Wizarding World's hot chocolate, which is far better than you could ever hope or dream," she declared.

The hot chocolate was wonderful—it was more like a pudding, really, which Dromeda explained was a Muggle Italian version of the drink. It also came with homemade, fresh whipped cream, along with shaved gourmet chocolate pieces within the whipped cream. For lunch, I selected a roasted Cornish hen, served with scalloped potatoes and asparagus. Ted ordered the ploughman's lunch, and Dromeda opted for shepherd's pie. Once we'd settled up with the waiter, the pair of them led me out of the restaurant, and Ted presented me with his purchase.

It was a square-shaped book in the palest green, with decorative gold leaf around its edges, and a distinguished-looking man in its center. Black text around the man titled the book, The Tales of Beedle the Bard, and I came to the conclusion that these were children's stories. "I grew up with Peter Rabbit, but I'm sure these are just as worthwhile," I mused.

Dromeda blinked. "Peter Rabbit?"

Ted grinned, obviously aware of him. "Do you still have the stories?"

"They're just a series of little hardback books, but yes, I do," I said softly. "I'm sure Winky will sense that I spent quite a bit of time with them, and that I'd like them to accompany me to where you live..."

"Where we live," Dromeda said firmly, wrapping her arm around my shoulder again. "Come along, now. We need to find that cat of yours."

I found myself beaming as we entered the aptly-named Magical Menagerie, where one could purchase a cat. The proprietress began speaking with Ted and Andromeda, obviously familiar with the two of them, while I looked at all the creatures that were for sale. I noticed that the cats were in one particular section, but, as I ventured closer, I heard a telltale mew-ing from the section just before that. Turning, I noticed that it was a section for Kneazles, which I was aware of, and one of the kittens, placed in one of the stacked cages, seemed quite eager for me to pay it some attention.

"Hello, there," I said softly, stepping closer, and admiring the beautiful spotted coat, which reminded me of a combination between an ocelot, a wild cat I'd once seen at the London Zoo, and a Maine Coon. "Aren't you gorgeous?"

"Oh, you've charmed the little one," said the proprietress of the menagerie, stepping closer; the Kneazle kitten sat up straight as she approached, appearing neutral. "Since they are magical creatures, if they bind themselves to an incoming student, they cannot legally be separated. The only thing is that you must license them."

"That shouldn't be a problem," I answered softly.

The woman nodded. "Good. Would you like to hold her? It would be best to see how she does in your arms before anything else."

I nodded back at her. "I would, thank you, ma'am," I said.

The woman unlocked the cage with a flick of her wand and stood back, whereupon the kitten launched herself out of the cage and landed expertly in my arms. "Oh, my. It appears as if she likes you," she said with a smile.

I smiled, scratching the kitten underneath her chin; she was truly a beautiful specimen, with the softest coat one could ever imagine. I knew that Kneazles were often bred by Squibs, as Greg had often joked that I would live alone somewhere with a plethora of them, breeding them to stay off benefits. I felt a rare sense of calm as the kitten purred, inching its face forward to nuzzle against my cheek, when I was aware of Dromeda and Ted coming up behind me.

"Looks like you found yourself a beauty there," Ted observed, smiling.

The kitten looked over at them, appearing quite calm, calmer than it hade done when the owner of the menagerie had come over.

"My great-aunt kept Kneazles," Dromeda observed, offering her hand for it to inspect; it was butted, thus permitting Dromeda to pet it. "We'll have to get it licensed, not to mention an appropriate collar, carrier, food..."

"Thankfully, the house-elves at Hogwarts are good at tending to the students' familiars during school hours, and felines are relatively independent, intelligent creatures," Ted said, which earned him a slow blink from the kitten.

I nodded, relieved that my new guardians were so supportive, before I turned to look at the proprietress again. "I'll be taking the Kneazle home with me."

"Well, that's wonderful," the woman answered with a kind smile. "Why don't you come with me to where I keep the collars and carriers? We'll get you situated, and then you'll need to decide the diet you'll keep it on..."

I ultimately selected a pink collar with a rose-gold, heart-shaped pendant, while Dromeda explained that she would have to say the charm to have its chosen name engraved upon it. I was thankful when Ted took charge of the moneybag and paid the allotted amount, permitting me to keep holding my new familiar. There was just something about her which made me feel more sure of myself.

"What are you going to name her?" Dromeda asked, poised, with her wand pointed just above the pendant, waiting to be engraved.

I met my new familiar's beautiful blue eyes, an understanding passing between the two of us, before I looked up at Dromeda again. "Cyrene," I answered, looking back down at her again, and was relieved when she seemed to cuddle closer. I didn't blame her; I don't think I would particularly enjoy languishing in a cage for Merlin knew how long.

"Oh, that's lovely," Dromeda commented, saying the spell, which caused the chosen name to etch itself in curled letters onto the pendant.

I kept ahold of Cyrene as we stepped out of the shop; Ted had taken the liberty of shrinking down her food and carrier, while Dromeda led the way to the Apparition Point. I calmly told Cyrene that we were going home and what Apparating was. "I'm not sure if you'll feel a tug behind your navel, but we humans certainly do," I told her softly.

Dromeda took my hand as well as Ted's, and Ted placed his other hand upon my shoulder so that we were all joined together as a trio. "Ready?"

Once given the go-ahead, we all popped away, and landed in a lovely parlor in what I could only assume was the Tonks residence. I released Cyrene, permitting her to look around her new home while I had a good look around myself. It was lovely, with a Victorian flair to it; to my left was the main entryway, while to my back was the hallway, which I'd been informed previously led to the kitchen, back door, and staircase. Upstairs were the bedrooms, while down the final stretch of the hallway was Ted and Dromeda's study, as well as the library right next door.

"Your room is upstairs, dear," Dromeda told me gently, guiding me out of the parlor and into the hallway. "We'll put you in the room at the end of the hallway, so that you have plenty of room. It was previously the main guest bedroom," she explained as we journeyed up the stairs, "due to the en suite, but I think it will be perfect for you."

I had seen Ted go into the study, but I was filled with relief when Cyrene hurried up the staircase after us. I followed Dromeda to one end of the hallway once we got upstairs, and she opened the white door, which led into a pale pink bedroom with a double four-poster bed, along with pale green curtains and a canopy. The drapes on the two bay windows also featured pale green drapes; there was a night table on each side of the bed, as well as a vanity table and wardrobe along separate walls.

"The wardrobe has wizard space," Dromeda explained with a smile. "You never run out of space once you put clothes into it."

There was also a fireplace, with a sizeable mantel above it, as well as a small clock atop that. The second door in the bedroom led to the bathroom, which Dromeda considerately showed it. The bathroom had a large, sunken tub beside an equally large window, a separate standing shower, two sinks, a loo, and a bidet. There was also a linen closet, which Dromeda explained was filled with fresh, clean linen, and I saw that my shampoo, conditioner, and body wash had already been placed into both the shower and bathtub.

"Winky must have gone to the shops," Dromeda observed fondly. "That also means your purchases and other belongings must have been brought here already."

I looked around my new bedroom again, spotting Cyrene, who had made herself at home on a cushion, situated just beneath one of the windows. "She seems to have made herself at home," I observed, smiling.

Dromeda followed my gaze, smiling as well. "Yes, she has." She hesitated for a moment before placing a hand on my arm. "This is your home, too, Gwyn," she told me, and I turned to look up at her. "I mean that. Ted and I... Well," she said, squeezing my arm, "we're odd ducks, him and I, being that we're outcasts, rejects, really. Which is not to say you are," she added quickly, "but I want you to know that we do understand."

I shook my head. "I just can't understand why Mama...why she won't..."

Dromeda looked pained. "It was like this with Bellatrix, my older sister, when we were children, and neither Mummy or Papa would do anything about it," she said quietly. "Bella was vindictive, even then. She loved capturing small creatures and torturing them for punishment, to the point where... Well," she said, clearing her throat as Cyrene stared at her, seemingly horrified at the tale she told. "Cissy is only in fifth-year, so you'll likely see her when you start school."

I cocked my head to one side. "Cissy?"

"Sorry, my younger sister, Narcissa," Dromeda explained. "She sorted Slytherin, just like Bella and I did. I think I mainly sorted there because it was expected of me; Ted truly opened my eyes to a different way of living. The Blacks... Well, they're considered the upper echelons of society within the Wizarding World at the end of the day, with Bella now married to Rodolphus Lestrange, and Cissy already in talks to marry Lucius Malfoy."

"Already in talks...? But she's fifteen!" I cried.

Dromeda nodded. "I know, dear, but that is the way of things in Pureblood society. Matches are made and carried out, and then babies are born. Pureblood babies. And, once they're born, it reduces the chance of Half-Bloods and Muggleborns. That's how they think, anyway."

I shook my head. "Well, I'm glad to be Half-Blood, then. Best of both world, I think. I have one foot in the Wizarding World, and another in the Muggle one."

Dromeda looked unsure. "There is one other thing I should discuss with you, Gwyn, before you go off to Hogwarts," she said quietly.

"What is it?" I asked.

She sighed. "Well, there's a man, who calls himself Lord Voldemort," she began, and I felt the hairs upon my arms standing on end at the name, because, something told me, he would be as bad as Mr. Tod in Beatrix Potter's tale.