CHAPTER SIXTEEN: 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐃𝐁𝐘𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐃 𝐘𝐄𝐀𝐑
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I jogged to the hallways as I went on the way to Dumbledore's office. I whispered the password as the stairs emerged. I went up the stairs, revealing Dumbledore sitting on his chair, both hands on the table.
"Good morning, Professor." I greeted as I walked over to him, playing with Fawkes' feathers as Fawkes twitted.
"How are you, Nicolette? It's nice to see you with consciousness again." Dumbledore gave me a smile.
"Thanks for your concern, Professor. But I'm feeling better now, I'm here because I decided to ask permission to stay with the Weasleys for the summer. I had no place to go, after all." I sheepishly said.
"Seeing as I am your guardian for the time being, I would be granting your wish." Dumbledore grabbed his quill and wrote on a parchment, before stamping Hogwarts' crest on it.
Dumbledore handed it to me as I thanked him, bidding him a great summer as I met up with the trio on the carriages.
"Ron! I've got permission!" I raised my hands, waving the letter as I sat next to Hermione. Ron took the letter out of my hands as he opened it.
"You git! That was for your parents!" I scolded him.
"Well, I'm a Weasley, aren't I?" Ron jested as Hermione shook her head in disappointment. I peeked on the letter as I read it with Ron and Harry.
Dear Arthur and Molly Weasley,
I had granted permission for Nicolette Cullen to stay with you for the summer. As her acting guardian, please take good care of her and I promise you that she is not to be a distraction to your family, but I can't promise you that she'll behave at your home, seeing as she had been spending her time with Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, and she also has been in an acquaintance with Fred and George Weasley.
I'm looking forward for your reply if Nicolette goes into funny business.
Albus Dumbledore.
"It's not like I've been mischievous! How could Dumbledore say that?" Hermione gasped.
"You shouldn't be complaining, you have us as your friends." Harry grinned.
"Oh, don't be narcissistic now, Harry. Dumbledore indirectly said that you're of an influence to Nicolette that's why she picks up your behavior." Hermione rolled her eyes as I leaned back on my seat, silently laughing.
"It must be fun to have Dumbledore as your guardian." Ron gaped as I just shrugged at him.
We enjoyed the ride on the carriage as students chatter behind us in rows of other carriages. Ron opened his bag revealing a packet of pumpkin pasties.
"Where would you be staying, Harry? I mean," Ron bit on a pumpkin pastie. "You blew up your Aunt, I don't think your Uncle Vernon would welcome you home with open arms."
"There'll always be a way, Harry's survived their grasps for 13 years already, although it would be better if you won't go home to the Dursley's, Harry." Hermione said to Ron, before turning to Harry.
"At first, I thought of staying with Sirius, after all, he's the only relative I have left. But he's gone into hiding, it would probably be better if he's out of contact with us."
"That reminds me, what happened to Sirius? How'd you help him?" I leaned closer to them in a whisper.
"You see, when you fainted that night, Snape dragged us back to Hogwarts and decided to tell Dumbledore. Dumbledore contacted the Ministry and they handled Sirius, they were supposed to perform a Dementor's kiss on him," Ron started.
"But, luckily, I had a time-turner, and we went back in time before Buckbeak was supposed to be executed, we helped him escape along with Sirius." Hermione whispered.
"Snape was furious and tried to blame it on us, well, it's not like it's not our fault anyway." Harry chuckled.
"So, does that mean that Remus left Hogwarts already?" I asked and they nodded.
"Oh my God, I almost forgot, I let Pettigrew escape." I facepalmed in frustration.
"It's fine, Dumbledore's told me that Pettigrew would always be in debt since I saved his life." Harry said as he played with his Firebolt.
"Well, Dumbledore's not always right isn't he? If Pettigrew did it before, it would be no surprise that he would do it again. I'm telling you to be careful, Harry. Just because you defeated Voldemort twice, it doesn't mean he's completely gone, not with the Death Eaters still luring around." I sighed as I held my wand.
"I know, but the Death Eaters weren't able to do anything now." Harry pursed his lips.
"What? Don't you remember last year? It was Lucius Malfoy who gave Ginny, Tom Riddle's diary." I whispered-yelled.
"How'd you know about that?" Harry sneered at me.
"We told her." Hermione retorted.
"Then I guess, I should still look out. Every year, something bad always happens. I'm used to it now." Harry massaged his temples. We arrived in the train station as we immediately searched for train compartments.
We found one as we closed the door behind us. We placed our bags in the lobby above us.
"Cheer up, Harry!" Hermione patted Harry's shoulder.
"I'm fine, I'm just thinking about the holidays." Harry sighed.
"If it bothers you so much, why don't you stay with us? I'll fix it up with Mum and Dad, then I'll call you, especially now that I know how to use a fellytone—"
"It's called a telephone, Ronald." Hermione shook her head, huffing.
"Telephone, whatever. Besides, it's the Quidditch World Cup this summer! We'll go and see it! Dad usually gets tickets from work." Ron's eyes lit up.
"I'm pretty sure the Dursley's would be more than happy not to let me come. Especially when I blew up my aunt." Harry rolled his eyes.
We were startled when an owl came in contact with our window.
"What's that?" Hermione scowled before opening the window, the strange-looking owl dropping a letter on Harry's lap.
Chucky and Crookshanks began to lean closer and inspected the owl, Hermione and I immediately pulled our pets away.
"It's a letter from Sirius!" Ron said as Harry's eyes widened.
I snickered knowing what the letter included, so I just stayed quiet.
"I knew Sirius sent you that Firebolt! I knew it!" Hermione snickered as she raised her fists.
"He didn't jinx it, didn't he?" Ron frowned before yelping as the owl nipped on his fingers.
"Look, Ron! Sirius said you could keep the owl!" Harry exclaimed as Ron looked flabbergasted.
"Harry, you wouldn't believe this!" Hermione held another letter up to Harry's face.
"I, Sirius Black, Harry Potter's godfather, hereby give him permission to visit Hogsmeade on weekends.." Harry trailed off as we cheered.
"We love Sirius!" I hollered as Hermione giggled next to me.
We arrived in King's Cross station not too shortly, I grabbed my luggage and Marvel's cage on my other hand as Chucky laid on my shoulder.
"I'll see you in summer! Don't forget to owl me!" I waved at Hermione who walked away with Mr. and Mrs. Granger.
I walked over to the Weasleys as Molly gave me a big hug.
"You must be Nicolette! It's nice having you with us!" Molly shook my hand as I smiled.
"Nice to meet you, Mrs. Weasley. Thanks for having me with you! I feel at home already, really!" I said, making Molly laugh.
"Well, seeing as you're already comfortable with us, then you'll have no problem staying with us! And call me Molly, dear." Molly put her hand on my shoulder as Chucky purred.
"Nice to have you with us, Nicolette. You definitely look like one of us." Arthur patted my back as I chuckled.
"BOO!"
I shrieked when I felt hands on my shoulders, startling. I placed a hand on my chest to calm my beating heart. I looked behind me and saw George with a sneaky smile on his face.
"George! I swear to-"
"It's just a silly old prank, though I am sorry for my behaviour, mistress." George kneeled down in front of me and took my hand, before kissing it jokingly.
"Nicolette Cullen, will you-"
"Our favorite gal!" Fred pushed George aside.
"Fred, I was gonna propose and you had to ruin the moment!" George groaned, making me snort.
"No one cares about you, Georgie." Fred rolled his eyes sassily before giving me a hug.
"Yeah, he's right George. I refuse the proposal, I've got more dreams than being, ugh, your wife." I spoke, doing a fake shudder while George rolled his eyes.
"Way to hurt my feelings, Nicolette. I swear I'll throw you off the Black Lake when we return." George gave me a threatening look, standing up.
"And I'll pull you in with me, I bet the Giant Squid prefers men." I smirked.
"How dare you assume its sexuality?!" Fred gasped, placing a dramatic hand on his chest.
"That's not nice of you, future wife." George tutted.
"Make that joke again and I'll bury you alive." I threatened with a mischievous grin.
"Alright, alright.. stop it with the threats." Ginny pushed past the two boys, groaning.
I looked beside me at the next people to arrive. Percy only gave me a nod as he held his girlfriend's, Penelope Clearwater's, hands.
"Hello, Nicolette! I can finally talk to you! I had no time to talk, especially since I'm a year below you. Ron haven't been an arse to you, did he?" Ginny wrapped her arms around me as I did the same.
"We have all the time this summer, don't worry. And no, Ron haven't been an ass, well, maybe a little.. but I can tolerate him." I shrugged as she chuckled.
"Good, I'll have no reason to beat him up, then."
We decided to travel through Floo Network. It was scary at first but it was fun. I ended up with dust all over my body. It felt like my organs went up to my chest and it came back the next second.
We arrived at The Burrow as I gaped at the building, this was the second place I saw after Hogwarts, and it was really fascinating. The house looked like it wouldn't stay a second but it was really sturdy even though it was defying gravity.
The twins helped me with my things to take upstairs, which I was really thankful for. I was said to room with Ginny as the only teenage girl in the house. I sat on the soft bed as I sighed in glee. The fabric was so soft it felt like cotton.
I felt a piece of paper on my pants' pocket, I grabbed it and saw Daphne's address on it, suddenly remembering we promised to owl each other. I looked at Marvel and caressed her feathers.
"You ready for your first delivery?" I grinned.
I'll definitely have no problem this summer.
END OF ACT I.