Ravenrin & Slytherclaw

RAVENRIN & SLYTHERCLAW- Chapter 17

Both girls embraced on the platform as they said their goodbyes. They would be going to their own homes for the start of the summer and then on to somewhere different for the remainder before starting the beginnings of their chosen careers. Honeysuckle had been invited to The Burrow, but just 3 days into the holidays she received a note from Molly saying that the family were no longer at The Burrow, but where they were, she was more than welcome to come. Her parents, Eloise and Jack, were loathed to let her go somewhere she really didn’t know anything about.
“We would much prefer it if you stayed at home, just until you have to go to Romania Honeysuckle,” her mother tried to reason. They were sat in their small, but comfy living room of the family home in the Cotswolds. Ichabod was staying with a friend for the summer.
“I will be perfectly safe with the Weasleys. No matter where they are staying Mother. Their move must be something to do with the Dark Lord returning,” Honeysuckle surmised.
“Ridiculous!,” her father roared. Jack worked in the Ministry and was a great advocate of Cornelius Fudge. He had been part of his campaign for Minister Elect and still held some stead with the bumbling Minister. His position was in Magical Law, so he always made sure that everything his family did was within the laws he kept in order and wrote.
“The Weasleys are firm followers of Dumbledore. You are not going to where ever they are at. And that is final my girl!”
“I am of age Father and also a qualified witch. You can not order me about like I’m still 10 years old! I am going whether you like it or not. I believe in Albus Dumbledore and in Harry Potter too. I know they both speak the truth about Lord Voldemort.” The last part of Honeysuckle’s statement earned a sharp intake of breath from both parents.
“Don’t utter his name in this house Honeysuckle,” whispered Eloise.
“I fully intend on following them till the demise of the Dark Lord, no matter how long it takes or how many lives are lost. I just can not sit by idle and watch friends fight for what I too believe in,” Honeysuckle finished, her balled up fists planted firmly on her hips in a sign of defiance. Her father looked as if he was about to argue back, but was interrupted by an owl tapping at the closed window. It was late in the evening and owl usually arrived in the morning. Thinking it was from Argenta, Honeysuckle rushed over and allowed the tiny owl entrance. It swooped to a nearby table and hopped up and down until Honeysuckle grabbed it to make the creature stop. She carefully removed the tightly rolled note from the leg of the owl and let him free. The owl just hovered over her head, flapping wildly at delivering a message right. Ignoring the owl, who’s wings where frequently hitting the sides of her face, Honeysuckle unrolled the scrap of parchment and read.
Honeysuckle,
Await an escort to collect you from your parent’s home on the 5th August at 10pm. Have everything you require for your removal to Romania ready to leave promptly.
Yours affectionately,
Molly Weasley.
Eloise and Jack stared at their daughter and knew instantly that she would be leaving very soon. Much too soon for their liking, but she was right. She was of age and must strive to find her own way. True the Weasleys would look after their girl as the two families were distantly related and Molly was such a clucky mother hen, as Eloise knew from school and experience (she was in the same year as Molly), that her daughter would be treated as another member of that family- particularly by Molly.
Sur enough, as the grandfather clock in the hallway chimed the tenth hour of the night Honeysuckle was to be collected, there was a soft knock at the front door. Honeysuckle had been ready for the past hour, waiting for her escort. Her father opened the door to reveal two people standing on the doorstep. One Honeysuckle recognised immediately, Bill Weasley. He was accompanied by a rather tall, African raised man who filled the air with a sense of authority.
“All ready Honey?,” Bill inquired, casting a glance over the baggage she was perched upon. It consisted of two trunks, one cage which held in it her sleeping Merlin hawk Viv, safely tucked up and quiet for the moment and a rucksack containing the small sentimental items too fragile to travel in the trunks.
“Yep. I’ll write to say I’m safe and then again when I’m in Romania,” she replied and then turned to her parents, hugging each in turn, whispering ‘I love you’ to both. Once the final goodbyes had been said, everyone moved out of the house, but not before Bill had shrunk Honeysuckle’s trunks so that they would fit into his pocket and woken Viv up so that the cage too could be shrunk. Viv flew straight to Honeysuckle’s shoulder and stayed there until Honeysuckle had whispered instruction to the intelligent bird of prey and watched her fly off.
“Shaklebolt! Will my daughter be safe where you are taking her?,” her father asked once the bird was out of sight and the group of five had stopped at a safe Appearating distance from the house, but still within the grounds.
“There is only one other, much safer place and that is Hogwarts. But I am sure Honeysuckle is in no hurry to return there so soon after leaving,” boomed the soft yet commanding voice of Shaklebolt. Honeysuckle saw her father nod and turn, ushering her weeping mother back into the house.
“Oh Honey, this is Kingsley Shaklebolt. He’s an Auror. We will be taking you to where my family are,” Bill said as quick introductions were made.
“You had best hold on to Bill Honeysuckle, as you do not yet know where you are going. Have you travelled by Side-Along before?,” asked Kingsley, who was waiting for a quick answer. Honeysuckle nodded to him.
“About half a dozen time with either my Mother or Father when travelling to Diagon Alley mainly,” she acknowledged.
“Very well. I believe all is clear. Yes, it is,” Bill said as he saw red sparks fill the air to the west of the house. Honeysuckle grabbed Bill’s arm firmly. She hated Side-Along, but she knew it would be over shortly. Bill twisted, pulling her into the pressing darkness with him and before she could even really blink, they were stood in an unkept, seemingly Muggle residential square. Honeysuckle glanced around her, only really seeing darkness. No lights lit up the grim windows as it was quite late.
“You need to read this if you want to reach your final destination,” Bill whispered, handing her a folded slip of parchment. She had started to read the words aloud, but was stopped and told to think the word rather than say them. Honeysuckle read again. All that was written upon the parchment was,
The Headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix may be found at number twelve Grimmauld Place, London.
Honeysuckle vaguely recognised the sloped and loopy handwriting but could not place it. Before her eyes a house sprang from between two others, the Muggles not waking to look and see what was the reason for the disturbance. In this house the windows, although very grimy, shone like beacons and looked very inviting as it was quite chilly out. They crossed the small square and stood huddled on the steps whilst Kingsley opened the door with a series of taps on the door with his wand, then steered Honeysuckle and Bill inside quickly.
“Be careful where you step and stay very quiet,” whispered Bill once more, motioning with his hand for her to follow him. They walked down a dingy, dark corridor that had on its walls the heads of dozens of House-elves, all bearing the same bulbous nose. Honeysuckle shivered slightly as she moved towards the noise of a kitchen just ahead. She could also smell the tale-tale scent of home-made cheese and onion pie, which made her stomach grumble. Bill opened the door at the very end of the corridor and the room beyond was so different from the gloomy corridor, Honeysuckle thought that she was in a completely different house altogether.
“oh here you are dear! Cone and have a nice hot cup of tae, or coffee if you prefer,” Molly Weasley said as she busily fluttered from one surface to the other, casting glances over her shoulder at the newcomer.
“Tea would be wonderful, thanks Mrs Weasley.”
“Oh come now Honeysuckle. You must call me Molly, you’re of age now and somewhat family! I suppose you’ll get you’re results soon.”
“Yes, anyday really,” Honeysuckle said, feeling slightly nervous. She looked around the compact kitchen, feeling more and more at ease the longer she sat where she was.
“I take it Pig managed to get the note to you then,” called Ron from the doorway.
“Pig?”
“Yeah, Pigwidgeon, my owl. Tiny, fluffy flying ball. Ginny named him before I could say anything. So now he only answers to that or Pig.”
“Oh yeah, he got to me. Wouldn’t stop hopping around and flying round my head after I took the note and read it,” Honeysuckle replied, shaking her head. Ron smiled weakly, as if to apologise for his owl. In Ron’s wake was Ginny and Hermione Granger. Honeysuckle said hello to them both, who looked surprised and glad to find another witch in the house, but this time one that was closer to their own ages. Just then, two loud and large thumps and lumps Apperated right next to Honeysuckle, on either side, causing her to jump out of her seat a little, only to find her prankster replacements grinning madly at her.
“Now, really you two. Just because you are of age and have passed you Apperation test does not mean you can pop in and out as you like, when you like,” warned Molly.
“So, you finally reached the coming of age in whole pieces. You know, they should never have passed you two. You’re going to put more grey hairs on your mother’s head. No offence Molly,” Honeysuckle said. The Twins just carried on grinning.
“It’s Ok my dear. But you’re quite right. These two put together have put the majority of the greys residing on my head there. Now boys, stop your grinning and take Honeysuckle’s luggage up to the room she’s staying in,” Molly ordered. The pair looked despairingly at the now normal sized trunks and looked back at their mother.
“No magic. You have to drag them up by hand. A little of intensive labour won’t do you no harm.”
“Yes Mum,” they chirped in perfect unison, knowing they had been beaten this time. They made quite a show of having to lift and heave the trunks up the stairs, so much so that they forgot no make any noise.
“Filthy Mudbloods, traitorous Purebloods, disgusting half breeds. Shame has befallen the illustrious House of Black,” screamed a portrait which was hidden behind a curtain when Honeysuckle had passed it before.
“What do we have here? A Pureblood, yes! Speak, what House of education were you assigned?”
“Ravenclaw Mam,” Honeysuckle replied politely, but hesitantly.
“Brains in this one, yes I see it now. ARGH!!! Traitor of my blood! You are no son of mine!”
“Shut up you old crow!” Honeysuckle turned to the new voice and saw the face of a murderer, Sirius Black. She froze where she was standing, forcing him and Bill to reach around her to close the curtain over the portrait of Mrs Black and plunge her into darkness. Honeysuckle could still hear the old lady’s confused mumbles from behind the heavy cloth.
“Has no one told you that I am an innocent man, but not in the eyes of the Ministry? No? Well, I did not kill Pettigrew. I almost wish I did,” Sirius mused. Honeysuckle was always a good judge of character and knew from his statement and the fact the Weasley family were here, it had to be true.
“Welcome to the House of Black, erm…. Sorry, I don’t know your name,” chuckled the last remaining Black descendant.
“Honeysuckle Blonde, Mr. Black.”
“Oh Gods! My father was Mr. Black. Please call me Sirius.” He was smiling at her, a look that changed his face quite a bit. Honeysuckle moved to go find her room and instantly found it as the Twins were causing mayhem, as usual, but this time with her trunks! They were racing them across her room and leaving them to crash into the walls.
“Do you mind? Those trunks have to travel to Romania yet!”
“Soz Honey, just having some harmless fun,” George said sheepishly. The boys exited Honeysuckle’s room and left her to unpack the things she would need the most from out of her trunks and rucksack. She heard a clock somewhere chime once and suddenly she found herself very tired. Honeysuckle changed into her nightwear and snuggled down into the soft bed, drifting off as soon as her head hit the pillows.