20

20. A long summer

MINISTRY OF MAGIC EMPLOYEE SCOOPS GRAND PRIZE

Arthur Weasley, Head of Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office at the Ministry of Magic, has won the annual Daily Prophet Grand Prize Galleon Draw. A delighted Mr. Weasley told the Prophet, 'We will be spending the gold on a summer holiday in Egypt, where our eldest son, Bill, works as a curse breaker for Gringotts Wizarding Bank.'

The Weasley family will be spending a month in Egypt, returning for the start of the new school year at Hogwarts, which five of the Weasley children currently attend.

(Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, J.K. Rowling)

I smiled as I scanned the photo of nine Weasley's waving furiously, standing in front of a large pyramid. Then I opened the letter Harry had sent me.

Dear Arya,

How are you? I'm bored to death here, Aunt Marge is coming next week. I'm already dreading her arrival day.

Have you seen the article about the Weasley's in Egypt? I think nobody deserves it more than they do. They seem to have a really nice time!

Ron and Hermione were thinking about meeting up in Diagon Alley the last week of holiday to buy our new stuff. I don't know if I can make it but I would be happy to meet you there.

Don't let boredom get you!

Harry

I grinned as I read the letter. Poor Harry would be stuck with this horrible woman for two weeks. Sighting I put his letter aside and opened the next one.

Dear Arya,

I know how bored you are, staying at the orphanage all summer. I do hope you're all right. I'm on holiday in France at the moment and I love it here! When I heard of the Weasley's in Egypt I read everything I found about ancient history. I'm jealous of Ronald, surely he learns so much there!

Ron says he's going to be in London the last week of the holidays. Do you think you can make it? I really hope you can, I'm missing you! If not, I'll see you on the Hogwarts Express on September the first.

Lots of love

Hermione

Exhaling loudly, I laid back in bed, starring at the ceiling. Time passed so slowly! Even if Hermione, Harry, Ron and Severus were writing me often I had nothing to do except waiting. I had read every book Severus had borrowed me. I don't know I had been laying in bed but suddenly a gust of wind woke me up. I looked around the dark and could make out an owl sitting on the chair back. Its eyes sparkled in the dark and I recognised it. Smiling, I jumped on my feet and turned on the light with magic. Omega, Severus' owl, was staring at me with piercing eyes.

"Haven't seen you in a while." I spoke softly to the bird and it clicked its beak as I took the letter. Eagerly, I tore it open and started reading, sitting down again.

Dear Aryanna,

How are you doing so far? You have only two more weeks left until school starts again. I heard you decided to go for Care of Magical Creatures and Herbology. The last one will surely be essential for you if you still want to become a healer. I'm sure you will be doing great!

Now, I have some bad news for you. Did you hear of Sirius Black? He was a Death Eater and escaped from Azkaban two weeks ago. The Ministry hasn't been able to catch him until now. I know how much you've been looking forward to meeting your friends in Diagon Alley but I think it's too dangerous. It's not safe for you to walk around on your own. I'm really sorry, I know how much you hate it in the orphanage but it's for your safety, trust me. Your new school books and everything else you need will be send next week. If you need something else just owl me or Albus and it will be taken care of.

Please, don't be mad at me. See you on September the first!

Severus

My smile had vanished as I finished reading the letter. Angrily, I threw it on my bed. He didn't want me to be angry?! Roughly, I searched my drawer for ink and on a piece of parchment I started scribbling furiously.

Severus, you don't want me to be mad at you but what you're doing is ridiculous. I know you want to protect me but I can take care of my own. Remember when I told you not to patronize me before summer? I meant it. And besides, I won't be on my own. I will be with my friends, the Weasley's and many other wizards, I mean it's Diagon Alley. So don't bother with my school stuff, I will buy it myself! See you in two weeks! Arya

I folded it and put it in the envelope Severus' letter had been in. When I tried to attach it at Omega's leg, however, he chirped and flew on my wardrobe.

"Stupid bird, now get down there!" I exclaimed angrily. Omega only started cleaning his feathers and ignored me completely. "Damn it." So I stood on my chair trying to reach the owl. I hadn't been paying attention to how much noise I had done until I heard steps outside of my room. Cursing, I stood on my tiptoes but Omega only jumped back. I could hear the footsteps stopping at my door and suddenly everything became blurred. Omega spread his wings, touching my face. In surprise I took a step back and fell of the chair. Out of the corner of my eyes I saw the owl flying into the dark. With a banging noise the door to my room burst open revealing an angry looking guardian. When he saw me laying on the floor, gasping for air he hurried forward.

"Aryanna, what happened?" Quickly, he scanned the room and saw what had caused the mess. "What are you climbing on a chair?" He asked more to himself, shaking his head.

"I'm okay. Sorry for disturbing." I croaked, trying to get up but he hold me down.

"You don't sound alright. Stay on the floor for some more minutes." He tried to convince me but I didn't listen. Groaning, I stood up.

"Really, I'm fine." My voice was steadier now and even traced with some anger. He watched me closely and I stared. Sighting, he put my chair in front of my table again.

"Now, go to bed and sleep. It's almost 2 in the morning." With a last warning look he turned around and closed the door behind him.

Exhaling loudly, I let myself plop on my bed only to moan as I felt a sharp pain running down my back. I saw the letter on the floor and concentrated. In a few seconds, flames were destroying it. Guess, Severus isn't getting an answer, I thought gloomy. And holidays weren't over for two more weeks.

Somehow, first of September finally arrived and I was eager to leave. I was still angry at Severus for not letting me go to Diagon Alley. As last year, John Dawlish, picked me up and apparated me to King's cross. Eagerly, I run through the wall and found myself face to face with the Hogwarts Express. I was late, I had two minutes left until the train left. Quickly, I made my way to the luggage rank, then I entered the train as it started moving. Smiling, I leaned against the door and closed my eyes. Summer was finally over! I was on my way to Hogwarts.