"Monsters of Merlin"
Added Sunday, September 29 2002
Once again, I'd like to remind you that I'm not JK Rowlings, this is fan fiction. For more info about this, read the disclaimer on the main page.
PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THIS IN THE GUESTBOOK!
I'd love to hear some suggestions.
Please take the poll at the bottom of the page.
“Monster’s of Merlin”
“What did you just say!?” Harry exclaimed! “Did you just call my relatives Muggles?
“Hope your not offended.” Katrina said with a coy smile, and she turned on her heels and began walking out of the the Dursley’s driveway. Harry dashed forward to catch up with her.
“Er, no, that’s not what I meant.” Harry said. “If you know what Muggles are then you must be..”
“A witch?” Katrina said finishing his thought for him. Harry nodded.
Katrina smiled. “Yes, I am a witch.”
Harry stopped walking at stood in place gaping at her.
Katrina seemed to expect Harry’s bewilderment. She flashed another sweet smile at Harry, causing him to feel a little wobbly in the ankles.
“My grandmother told me that you didn’t know she was a witch. She said you’d probably be surprised to find out about her.”
Harry continued to stand there, feeling quite foolish, but yet totally thunderstruck. How could Mrs. Figgs, the crazy old cat lady from two streets down be a witch and how could Harry not know about it?
Katrina looked in Harry’s eyes, making him feel as if she could see right into his soul. He had a funny feeling that Katrina already knew him somehow, but that couldn’t be true. He had never met a girl like her, and Harry knew that if a he had ever seen a girl that beautiful, he would have certainly never forgotten about her. Then as if she really could see into Harry’s thought, she opened her well glosses lips and told him the answers he wanted to know.
“Well, you’d never been to see my Grandma since you found out you were a wizard, that’d be about four years or so ago? And she certainly could not tell you that she was a witch before you received your Hogwarts letter. Nobody knew whether or not your relatives told you about the magic world. You probably never would have believed her.” Katrina said. “You would have thought she was insane, and probably told your Aunt and Uncle. They, of course, knew all about everything, and would have been quite appalled to find out there was a witch living so near by. Would have causes a great deal of distress, for you, your relatives, my Grandma, and the Ministry of Magic.”
“And Mrs. Figgs?” Harry asked. “She really is your grandmother?”
“Yep. She sure is.” Katrina answered. “All that stuff I said at your Aunt and Uncle’s house? Well, it’s all true.”
Harry nodded. Katrina suggested that they had better start walking again, otherwise, they would never make it back to the Figg’s House. Harry laughed and they started to walk in silence. The silence was all right with Harry. His mind was swarming with information and questions that he was dying to ask this mysterious young woman. But he didn’t know if they were polite questions to ask, and what Katrina might think of him for asking them.
Katrina was just like him, Harry thought. If she was a witch and her Grandmother was a witch, especially being Harry’s neighbor, then Katrina must know all about him. All wizards and witches did. It wasn’t far, Harry decided. It wasn’t fair that she should know so much about him, and he not know nothing but a few scraps of information about him.
“You said your going to go to school here?” Harry asked. “The school your family went to. Is it Hogwarts?”
She nodded her head and gave Harry a very strange look. In her green eyes, Harry saw the streaks of silver flash with what he guesses to be excitement and some fear.
“Yes, I am going to be starting at Hogwarts this September.” she replied.
“Er...you don’t look like a first year.”
She laughed. “Very funny, Harry. No, I’m going to be a fifth year.”
“Oh.” said Harry. He could feel the blood pumping in his veins at the very thought of it. “That’s what year I’m in. What House are you going to be in?”
Katrina shrugged her shoulders as they passed a yard where several children were yelling at their Beagle. Apparently, a scraggly looking black cat had wondered uninvited to their yard, and the Beagle was barking madly, as if to tell that cat that it could go back to wherever it came from. The children yelled at the Beagle to be quiet, the barking was so loud that it was painful to listen to, and the kids seemed to not want the dog to attack the cat, who had run up on top of a fence pole for safety. Katrina and Harry watched them as they walked on by. Then, she continued their conversation.
“I don’t know what House I will be in.” she said. “But my grandma has spoken with the Headmaster, and he told her that after all the First Years are sorted, then he will make a special announcement to the school about me. You know, tell them who I am, where I am from, and then I will be sorted into my new house.”
“It sounds like you have everything figured out.” Harry said, not really knowing how to reply. “Any idea what House you will be in?”
She shook her head, making her loose curls bounce in the slight breeze. “I don’t know much about the Houses.” she said, stepping over a soda can some person had left on the sidewalk. “Could you tell me about them?”
Harry was too eager to share everything he knew about the four houses. He told her about the traits that each house stood for, what the students of each house were like, the mascots of each house, he compared the Quiditch teams, and told about his experiences and general opinion with students of each house. Katrina was silent while he talked, with signs of great interest written all over her face.
Then she looked at him glumly, and said, “I bet I’ll be in Slytherin.”
Astonished, Harry stuttered, “Er...why.. would you..er.. be in Slytherin?”
With a bleak look in her eyes, Katrina shrugged her shoulders.
“Oh, no reason in particular.” she said quickening her pace. “We should be getting to my grandma’s house soon. Let’s walk a little faster.”
Harry followed Katrina, not speaking, wondering why she didn’t want to talk to him anymore.
When they arrived at Mrs. Figg’s house, and entered the door, Harry was overwhelmed with the strong smell of cats that always seemed to reside there. Looking around the living room, Harry saw that it looked the same as he had remembered it. The only thing that was different, was the knowledge that the woman who owned the home was a witch.
Just then, Mrs. Figg Apprated in the middle of the room. Knowing that she was magical, she seemed to appear to be more lively and healthy than the last time Harry had seen her. She was a short, skinny old woman, with silver hair that she wore up in curls, like the typical old lady fashion. She wore a white t-shirt with the picture of a tabby cat playing with a ball of string, and black cotton pants with old white slip-on shoes. She wore big golden metal colored classes, with thick lenses that took up a lot of her wrinkled face.
“Well, hello, Harry, dear. Good to see you.” she said giving Harry a warm
smile. “I see that Katrina got you here in one piece.”
“Er...yes, she did.” Harry said feeling stupid.
“Well, that’s good then. Wouldn’t want her to blow you up or do anything funny, would you? My granddaughter may look like she’s all sweet and innocent like, but I’ve seen her to do some wicked curses.” Mrs. Figg said.
Harry looked at Katrina. She was standing next to the television stroking an obviously old, but still bright yellow owl that was perched on top of it carrying a note. Harry scratched his head. He hadn’t see the owl there a moment ago, and he had not heard an owl come in the room. If Katrina was going to put any wicked curses on someone, she didn’t seem to be in the mood. She was softly speaking to the owl in a misty voice that people often reserved for cuddly animals or cute babies. Harry guesses she was praising the owl on making a good delivery or something like that.
“You should have been here two hours ago, Harry.” Mrs. Figg said bringing Harry back from his thoughts. “Katrina put a curse own my toaster before I got up to eat breakfast. When I went to turn it on, the toaster started shrieking, and burnt breadcrumbs up at me! Thought they were going to break my glasses, I did! And the noise that it was making, I thought for sure that the Muggles next door would have heard it. I am surprised that they didn’t come running over to rescue me thinking a mad axe man was after me!”
“I thought underage wizards and witches aren’t allowed to use magic outside of school?” Harry asked.
“Only British underage ones.” Mrs. Figg said. “In America, underage wizards can do magic all they like.”
“But this is Britain!” Harry said.
“Don’t worry about it, Harry.” Katrina said smiling at him. “We got it all taken care of with the Ministry and Dumbledore. I’m allowed to use magic this summer since I’m American and I am not officially enrolled at Hogwarts yet. But next summer, I won’t be allowed.”
“Oh. Okay” Harry said wishing he could use magic this summer. Katrina was reading the note that the owl had been holding.
“Accio Ink pen” she said. An ink pen came zooming into her hands. She flipped over the note in her hands, and began to write. At this, Mrs. Figg began to talk again.
“Bloody brilliant, my granddaughter is.” she told Harry with pride. “Can do any spell she sets her mind to. She likes to put curses on things. Oh, not harmful or dangerous curses.” she said reading the look of horror on Harry’s face. “Just silly little things, like the toaster. The other day she cursed all of the cat waste from the litter box onto the lawn when the milk man came. He had quite a messy pair of shoes, that one did. Of course Katrina thought it was just the funniest thing ever, but I bet his wife won’t be amused when he tracks that mess into her carpet.”
Harry grinned. Maybe when the Dursley’s get back, she could do that to there yard.
The yellow owl flew out an open window, carrying Katrina’s note.
“That’s Lemon Drop.” she said to Harry.
“What?” Harry said taken back.
“That owl’s name is Lemon Drop. He’s an Apparition Owl.” she answered.
“Um. Okay...Er..What’s an Apparition Owl?” he asked her.
“It’s an owl that Apprates.” Katrina replied. Reading the look of confusion that still stood on Harry’s face, she exclaimed to him how normal magic owls, like Harry’s pet, were not able to take messages on really long journeys to places overseas. Apparition Owls were special owls that are highly intelligent, and highly trained to Apprate, that way they can make these trips.
“He’s kind of old.” Katrina told him. “He was given to Grandma by someone, I can’t remember who, when they got a new one. Oh wait! I remember who gave it to her! It was Uncle A-”
“We have another Apparition Owl that you can use whenever you like, Harry.” Mrs. Figg briskly interrupted, frowning at Katrina. “She’s much younger than Lemon Drop, and very well trained. Bloody brilliant, that owl is.”
“Could I use that owl sometime today? I’d like to send an owl to my friend, Ron.” Harry told her.
“Of course you can!” Mrs. Figg said happily. “Coffee Bean!” she called.
Almost as soon as the words had left her mouth, a brown colored owl flew down the stairs and landed on Mrs. Figg’s shoulder using her as a perch. She was a large elegant looking owl, with creamy brown colored feathers, and big yellow eyes that shone magnificently.
“Just write your letter, attach it to Coffee Bean’s leg, and send her off. She’s brilliant and quick as they come! She’ll have an answer back from your friend in no time at all.” Mrs. Figg said proudly. She seemed to take great pride in all of her owls, as well as the many cats that were sitting around all over the room. There were cats every which way. On the sofa, on the chairs, sending in flower pots breaking the stems off the plants.
“You can go in the kitchen, Harry, and write your letter, so you have more privacy, and table to write at. There’s paper and stuff in there.” Katrina said to him, flopping down on the sofa.
Harry nodded in gratitude and headed into the kitchen, with Coffee Bean flying after him. The kitchen looked like quite ordinary, except for the burnt bread crumbs that littered the floor. He said down at the table, grabbing a piece of paper and a pen, and began his letter.
Dear Ron,
You won’t believe what has happened! I’m at Mrs. Figg’s house, and I found out that she’s a witch! She’s been hiding it from me all these years! I can’t believe it! She’s really nice too. A little strange, but really nice. She’s letting me borrow her owls to send letters whenever I want. This Owl belongs to her. IT’S name is coffee bean. Isn’t that a weird name for an owl?????
oh, and you won’t believe this part: she had a granddaughter, who is going to be a fifth year at Hogwarts. she’s from America, and she’s really friendly. could you please sent Hedwig back to me? I want to send a note to Hermione and sirus, letting them know what’s going on.
Harry
Harry attached the note to Coffee Bean’s leg, and watched the Mahoney colored owl fly away. Then Katrina came into the kitchen, holding both of his bags. He took one from her, and they walked up the stairs together, so that she could show him to the upstairs guestroom where he would be staying.
************************************************************************
The next day was a happy one for Harry. He liked being at Mrs. Figg’s house. She was very nice to him, and she liked to make Katrina and Harry special little cookies and cakes to eat at meal times. A couple hours after he had sent a letter to Ron, he received one back from him, along with Hedwig, who was very happy to see him. In the letter, Ron told him that his owl, Pig, was bothering Hedwig, and he was glad to send her off because he was afraid there might be an owl fight. Harry quickly sent a letter off to Hedwig, telling her about the situation, and to Sirus, only he called him Snuffles in the letter because Mrs. Figg and Katrina did not know about Sirus, and they would surely be horrified to know that Harry had rescued him and was keeping contact with him as well.
There were constantly owls coming in for Harry. Ron and Hermione were very curious about Katrina. Katrina had told him the previous day over tea that there had never been a student to transfer into Hogwarts, and the only new students to ever come were always just first years like everybody else. So Katrina would be the very first. She confided in Harry that she was very nervous about attending Hogwarts because it was very different from her old school, and she was worried about how she was going to make friends. Harry decided that any girl as pretty as Katrina was would have no problem making friends. Even though he had only met her the day before, Harry liked her right away, and they almost instantly became friends. She was very smart, funny, and creative. Katrina was also a very good musician. He had heard her sitting outside in the back yard in the grass by Mrs. Figg’s flower garden that first evening there. She was strumming an old silver colored guitar, singing a sweet song in a resplendent voice that seemed to hang on the cool breeze of the evening air. Harry couldn’t quite make out the words to her song, but he liked to stand there listening to her, as he stood just outside the back door. Her back was to him so she could not see him but Harry had a feeling that she knew he was there, and that she was singing a special song just for him.
This day, his first full day at the Figg’s home, was a pleasant day. He was pleased to find that although the first floor of the home looked like any ordinary one, the second story was clearly that of a wizard’s. There all sorts of magical objects upstairs. There was a brilliant library filled with spell books and old text books, and research books on all topics that you could ever imagine, including both magical and Muggle subjects. There were novels and works of fiction that were written by Muggles, and ones that were written by witches and wizards. There were even some novels, poems, and tales that were written by magical creatures such as goblins, trolls, merpeople, giants, and Harry even found a short story written by Juko Tuko, a Japanese House-Elf. Harry wondered what a bookwork like Hermione would give to spend a day in the impressive private library of Mrs. Figg, a library that was much better and varied that Hogwarts. There were even books about Dark Arts, and unlike Hogwarts, he didn’t have to get permission to take a look at them. Harry wondered why a nice woman like Mrs. Figg would have books on the Dark Arts, when he noticed a room filled with many Sneakscopes, a Foe-Glass, a Pensive, and several other strange objects.
Mrs. Figg explained to a curious Harry, that she and her husband, Julian Figg had been Aurors. They were among the best Aurors in the world , and the Ministry of Magic paid them great sums of money to keep them working hard. When there daughters were very young, Julian Figg died in an on-the-job accident. Mrs. Figg was so grieve stricken that she could never be an Auror again because it would be just too hard to have to work without her husband/partner. She quit her job to concentrate on raising her two daughters, and the family lived on the great amounts of money that had in the bank
from being high paid Ministry Officials.
Harry noticed that when Mrs. Figg talked about her husband, and her two daughters, she spoke in a strange dire voice that didn’t seem to suit her. Being an orphan, Harry knew that it was hard feeling like you didn’t have any family, and poor Mrs. Figg had lost her husband, one daughter, and her other daughter lived across the world.
But Harry did like being at the Figg’s home. And Mrs. Figg and Katrina seemed to be very happy to have him there. Especially Katrina who liked to ask him questions about Hogwarts. That was okay with Harry. It was a pleasure just to be near her, and Harry liked to listen to her talk about her American Magic school.
After eating a delicious breakfast of homemade blueberry pancakes, bacon, sausage, and home made biscuits, Harry spent his morning reading the story written by the House-Elf, while getting interrupted and distracted by the many owls that kept flying into the yard. Sometimes they were notes for him from Hagrid, Ron, Hermione, or Sirus, but most of the time they were for Katrina.
Over a light but satisfying lunch of sandwiches, Katrina talked about the John Proctor North American School or Magic, the school she attended. It was quite different from Hogwarts. Being the only school in North America, the school accepted students from the USA, Mexico, and Canada. Since these people spoke three different languages, students were arranged into Groups, which sounded much like the Houses of Hogwarts, by the language that they spoke. Also, students don’t start school there until there 12th birthday, unlike Hogwarts students starting at age 11. Students in America can do magic outside of school, and learn to Apprate at age 15, and take there O.W.L. tests a year earlier than Hogwarts students do. Katrina, who is 16 years old, was nervously awaiting the results of her tests. Also different from Hogwarts, students that lived near by the school, and students who can Apprate, don’t have to board at the school. Katrina’s family lived a 15 minute walk away from the school, mainly because her Aunt Isabella worked for the school before she toke up a job as the Head of Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office at the North American Council of Magic.
Harry also learned that Katrina was very popular at her school and had many friends, and quite a few admirers. She was sent many owls from hopeful young guys who wanted to hear from her, and invite her to return the USA for various parties and special events.
Mrs. Figg was very annoyed by all her granddaughter’s attention.
“This one here.” she said, obviously referring to Katrina. “This girl here knows she is something. And all those boys at Proctor School, well, they can’t help but notice it too! A heartbreaker, this one is! Flirted with all the boys at the school, stealing their hearts, making them send Apparition Owls all the way here, desperate for a reply.”
“Oh, Grandma.” Katrina sighed. “It’s not like that at all. There just friends who want to keep in touch with me. Why does it matter if they send me Owls?”
“Well, it does matter. Yes, it does to matter, Missy. I’ve got your number on that one, Young Lady. I most certainly do!” Mrs. Figg slowly and menacingly replied. “Don’t you know that it costs those poor boys money to send an Owl from America? Most of those people don’t have an Apparition Owl at home, so they have to go the nearest Magical Post Office, and use one of there’s! And the going rate to England is 10 knuts round trip!”
“Ten knuts is not a lot of money, Grandma.” Katrina said.
“Yes it is! It may not be a large sum of money to somebody like me. Goodness knows that I can afford it! And you, Kitty Kat, well, I know that your parents left you a very hefty fortune, but you should be much more considerate about other people and their money matters. A lot of families can’t spare ten knuts so that their boy can send a letter off to a wicked heartbreaker like you. But no good Mother or Father could ever tell their sonny boy no, after they see that starry look in their eye, that look that you put there, Granddaughter. They think that your in love with them, they think that they’ve got a chance with you.” Mrs. Figg said. She shook her head in disgust and then continued her sermon. “But they don’t have a chance. Do they? Of course they don’t. I can tell you that, myself! All you want is the attention!”
Harry could feel himself going red in the face. He did not want to be there, having to listen to such a conversation. He was already getting a strange feeling in his chest every time he looked at Katrina, or heard her speak, and every time she said his name, he felt like he couldn’t breathe. It reminded him of his feelings for Cho Chang, only his feelings were much more intense. The thought of Katrina flirting with guys was hard for him to hear. The very idea made him want to hit something. But he couldn’t go around acting like that. It wasn’t very mature, and with Katrina being one year older than him, if he wanted to keep her attention, and keep her friendly with him, he would have to try to act a little bit more grown up. He wanted to impress her. Maybe later he would tell her about his victories on the Quiditch team, but Katrina just didn’t seem to be much interested in sports. She was interested in clothing. She liked to shop for and try on new clothing, and she had told Harry that she liked to put together interesting outfits. She also loved to design and sew her own clothing. She had told Harry that a lot of her wardrobe was the product of her own talent and imagination. But Harry, who’s only clothing was the sweaters Mrs. Weasley sent him at Christmas, and Dudley’s old much too baggy hand-me-downs, Harry didn’t think he had much of a chance of starting out a conversation about clothes.
The sound of Mrs. Figg’s voice, ranting on and on about how Katrina was a devious little heartbreaker faded out for Harry, and he found himself lost in a sea of his own thoughts. He wondered how Mrs. Figg could blame Katrina for capturing the attention of teenage boys. She had certainly captured his! A girl as pretty as she was, well, Harry could imagine the reaction she’d get from the boys at Hogwarts. Especially, his best friend, Ron, would had a weakness for Vela and beautiful girls. Maybe Katrina was part Vela! That would certainly explain the hold that she seemed to have on him. All that night, he had dreamed of her. They were pleasant dreams, dreams of a beautiful garden, with ivy, and shrubs, and roses bigger than the palm of his hand. Harry had a strange feeling that he knew Katrina from somewhere, but he decided that must be impossible. He certainly would never have forgotten a girl like her.
************************************************************************
The next few days were among some of the happiest days of his life, certainly the best days he had ever had outside of Hogwarts, or Ron Weasley’s house. Katrina and him were getting along famously. She had brought back from the USA, many American Wizard games, and Harry found them fun and interesting, and a much better changes that Exploding Snap. He also spend a lot of time watching WWWN (Wizards and Witches World News), special magical television channel that only witches and wizard homes could receive. Only wizards and witches, and their Muggle family members who lived in the house and knew about their existence could watch the channel. Anyone else would only see and hear static. They also listened to the Wizard Radio a lot. Harry got to hear a lot of song’s by Katrina’s favorite band, “Monster’s of Merlin”. The band was extremely popular and would be playing a concert in London on Harry’s birthday. Harry really liked their songs, but he didn’t consider himself to be as big of a fan as Katrina, who had been to many of their American concerts, and liked to wear the t-shirts all the time. Katrina already had six tickets to the show. Her two American cousins, Belinda and Brenda, were coming over to see the concert, along with three of their friends via Floo Powder. Harry was disappointed because that meant that Katrina would be gone for most of his birthday evening, and he have to stay home with Mrs. Figg. (Katrina’s friends could drive.) But he was looking forward to meeting her American friends, who would be gathering at the house the day of the show. Katrina had spoken of them often, and they seemed like a really awesome group of people.
Before he knew it, it was his birthday. Harry couldn’t believe that he was 15 years old. He was awoken that morning by a stream of owls from his friends, all sending him a present and a card.
Hermione had sent him a book called Fans of the Firebolt. It was a book about Harry’s racing broom, including pictures, famous athletes who used that broom, statistics, and how to properly care for it. Hagrid had sent him a large tin of treacle fudge and several rock cakes. Sirus, who had already sent Harry a new watch for his birthday, sent Harry a Sugar-Quill, and a Chocolate Frog. Dobby the House-Elf sent him socks. The left sock had a lion, and the right sock had broomsticks on it. Mrs. Weasly had made him an Angel food birthday cake. Ron sent him a book entitled, How To Be The Best Seeker You Can Be When Your Already Pretty Good., along with a long note.
Harry,
I hope you have a really good birthday. Sounds like things are going well at Mrs. Figg’s. That Katrina girl sounds really infesting. Maybe you’d better start thinking more about her and less than Cho Chang. I don’t know how to tell you this, but I know I have go to. I saw Cho at Flourish and Blot’s when I was buying your birthday present. She looked awful. Her face was all pale, and her eyes were all blood shot. She looked like she hadn’t slept in days. I talked to her, and the whole time she looked like she would burst into tears at any moment. I guess seeing me made her think of you, and she probably can’t think of you without thinking about what happened with Cedric. She told me that she has been having a real rough time of it. She misses him a lot. They had become really good friends.
I know you don’t want to hear this, but maybe you’d better forget about her for awhile. I don’t think she’s interested in anybody right now.
Happy Birthday.
Ron
Well, that was a pleasant way to send off a birthday letter, Harry thought. The thought of Cho being so upset certainly tore at his heart strings, and made him feel pangs of guilt. He knew it wasn’t his fault that Cedric was dead. But he could not help feeling guilty just the same. Harry did feel a little depressed that Cho was still thinking about Cedric. He still liked Cho very much, despite what had happened. He wanted her to think about him, not Cedric, but then knowing what had happened, he couldn’t really blame her. Harry wondered what Cho thought of him. Maybe she thought that he killed Cedric, he knew a lot of the other students did. Harry still felt somewhat responsible for his death because he had asked Cedric to take the Cup with him, but he had to idea that the Death Easters that had turned it into a Port Key and that Voldermort was waiting for him.
Cedric Diggory is dead, Harry told himself. He’s dead and I can’t do anything about him by feeling guilty and worrying. Today is my birthday, and I should have a good day, and not worry about that depressing stuff.
Harry had a very pleasant breakfast that morning. Mrs. Figg made strawberry pancakes this morning, and for lunch she was going to make Harry a birthday cake and cook him anything he wanted. Whatever it was that he wanted, she would have to cook a lot of it. Katrina’s friends would be coming around Noon.
And it was noon when two blonde teenage sisters emerged from the fireplace. They were Katrina’s cousins, Brenda and Belinda Parkerly. Harry recognized them from the many photos of the girls around the home. Mrs. Figg and Katrina had told Harry a lot about them.
Belinda at 17 was the oldest. She was very tall, even taller than Katrina, and wore athletic looking clothes. She had very light blonde hair, so light it was almost white, that was pulled back into a loose ponytail. Her skin was very tan, and her face was dipped with freckles. Katrina had told her that Belinda was a Quiditch player, and a very good one. They did not have Quiditch teams at Proctor North American School of Magic, but Belinda was off to Quiditch Camps during the summer to perfect her skill as a Keeper.
Brenda was 16 like Katrina. She was built much different from her sister. She was short, and slightly pudgy. She had blonde hair like her sisters, only she wore hers down in a trendy little shoulder bob. Katrina had told her that she was really into makeup, and Harry could recognize that interest at once. She was wearing bright pink lipstick, and heavy turquoise eye-shadow. She wore a neon pink silk top and a black mini-skirt that was too short and too tight for her figure.
Both of the girls were very friendly, and they were quite excited when Katrina told them exactly who Harry was. They seemed very ecstatic at the prospect of meeting him, and Brenda seemed very jealous that he was staying under Katrina’s roof.
A few minutes later, two young guys emerged from the fireplace.
Katrina introduced them to Harry as Arizona Brown and Drew Fordson. Harry already knew a lot about them because Katrina spoke of them often.
Harry knew which boy was which. He had spent a happy afternoon a few days ago looking at Katrina’s old photo albums. She told him stories about all of the people in the pictures, but many of them were of her cousins, and her their three closest friends: Drew Fordson, Arizona Brown and Lu Wanchester. Harry knew so much about those three boys he felt as if he had known them all his life.
Eighteen year old Drew Fordson was about the average height for a male his age. Everything about Drew was golden. He had long stick straight golden hair that fell just above his earlobes. His eyes were a sky blue, and his skin was as golden as his hair. Even wore a golden colored long sleeve shirt. The right sleeve was rolled up past his elbow, while the left one seemed to keep slipping down on him. In dark black letters, his shirt said Seeker. Katrina had told him that he was two years older than her, and had graduated from school that year. Belinda Parkerly had become friends with him thru her Quiditch Summer Camp, where Drew was the Seeker on Belinda’s team. That’s how Katrina got to know him. Harry could tell that he was an excellent Seeker. Other Campers had taken photos of Drew catching the Snitch and flying, and Katrina had a few of them in her photo album. They were all quite impressive. According to Katrina, he was a very good students and had Top Grades in his Graduating Class.
Sixteen year old Arizona Brown looked like a very friendly fellow. He was very tall, probably over six feet, and had a muscular built. He had very short brown hair, which was worn in little spikes. He had big brown eyes, and a splash of freckles across his very tan face. He wore blue denim shorts and an olive colored t-shirt that said “Monster’s of Merlin” on it. Like Katrina, Arizona was really into music. He liked to play the guitar and the drums, and write songs. Katrina even had a little cassette tape of Arizona performing that Harry heard her play. She had told Harry that Arizona, who was actually from Kansas, that Arizona was Muggle born. Katrina told Harry that although Arizona was the one of the nicest people anyone who would ever meet, he was a little forgetful, and he can do things that are a little dumb.
“Hey, where’s Lu at?” Katrina asked Arizona and Drew. “I thought that he was supposed to come with you?”
Arizona shook his head. “We haven’t heard anything from him in weeks. We don’t know what’s going on. Nobody knows where he is. Not even the Witch and Wizard that are his foster parents. They said he ran away from home.”
“He ran away from home!” Katrina exclaimed. “He ran away from home! Why didn’t someone tell me this! Where did he go? How long as he been gone?”
“Relax, Kitty Kat.” Arizona said to Katrina. “Everything is going to be fine.”
“Oh no things are not going to be fine! One of my best friends is missing, and my other best friends did not think it was important enough to tell me! Why didn’t you not tell me the moment you knew he was missing? Don’t I deserve to know these things!? What if something bad happened to him?!??” Katrina yelled, he face scrunched up in fury. Harry had to agree with her. He knew he’d be very mad if one of his good friends turned up missing and his friend’s didn’t ever tell him about it.
“You don’t need to worry.” Drew said. “Honestly, you know how Lu is. He probably wondered off. He’s a loner, you know.”
Belinda shook her head. “Lu is not really a loner, and you know it, Drew!” she said. “He has always been friends with us, and a part of little group. He’s like family!”
“Did you know that Lu was missing?” Katrina snapped, turning her heels at her cousins.
“Er….yes, we did.” said Brenda. “But we did not want you to worry.” she quickly added. “We know you’ve got a lot on your mind, moving back to England, going to that Hogwarts school. Making new friends, dealing with new classes, and students, and teachers. And living a few houses away from the world famous Harry Potter!”
Her face turned a deep shade of crimson as she realized that Harry was standing near her.
“Er..yeah. We didn’t want you to worry.” she stammered. “We thought it was for the best. We did not want to make you mad.”
Katrina sighed. “How long has Lu been missing?”
“Around one a half month.” Belinda told her.
“That’s around the same time you left the country.” Arizona pointed out. “We thought he might turn up in England, maybe he was coming to see you. But you haven’t seen him, have you?”
Katrina shook her head, causing her long hair to brush Harry’s face. Harry toke a couple steps back. He didn’t realize he was standing so close to her.
Sorry, Harry.” she said, flashing him a brief smile. It quickly faded and a look of concern took it’s place. “But where would he go?” she asked her friends and cousins. “Where would he go? Lu has no family. His parents were Dark Wizards and killed by Aurors when he was a little boy. Lu had few relatives, and the ones he did have did not want to take him in, they were afraid he was a bad wizard like his parents. He had to be sent to a Magical family to be his foster parents! Nobody else wanted him!” Katrina exclaimed. Then she got a sad look in her eyes, and her voice dropped. “It’s not like he ran off to visit his Grandma or something! He’s an only child and orphan. Jut like. Just like..just like me.”
Harry could almost feel one of his eyebrows raising. One of Katrina’s friend’s parents were killed by Aurors? Harry thought.
“I never understood why Lu was sent to this country.” Belinda said thoughtfully. “He was born here in England, like you, Katrina.”
“Nobody in England would take him in.” Katrina answered with her voice in a low ominous, almost whisper. “They all knew the story of his parents. They were afraid that Lu was evil too. Only people in a foreign country would consider it, and America seemed the best, being that English is spoken here and all.”
The group stood around and talked for awhile. Harry listened to them. He felt extremely out of place, but yet, he was so curious that he could not help themselves. Katrina was still very worried and upset that her long time friend was missing, and she was still furious that nobody ever told her about it, even though her friends had good intentions.
They had also come to the conclusion that since Lu would not be coming to claim his ticket, Harry would get to go with them. Harry was very excited about this. He had never been to a concert of any sort. The Dursley’s would probably hate concerts since concerts are so loud, and crowded with all sorts of people. People partying, dancing, singing, fighting, getting into trouble, drinking and eating snacks, buying overpriced and low quality sournviers, and just generally enjoying their lives. But Harry was very excited at the opportunity to go to a Wizard Concert, and see Monsters of Merlin. After all, they were a very popular band, and very talented too. Plus he would get to go with Katrina and all of her friends. They seemed to be a fun lot. Oh, and he would be riding in the shiny red convertible all the way to the stadium in London and back. It was really nice of Mrs. Figg to rent it for them. He hoped that Drew was a good driver.
************************************************************************ Lunch was a cheerful affair. Harry had chosen Spaghetti and meat balls, and Mrs. Figg made pots full of it, along with bread sticks, and homemade ice-cream. Katrina surprised Harry with a well decorated cake she made herself, out of chocolate chip cookie mix. They spent the few hours before it was time to leave in the backyard talking under the trees. Harry was with them the whole time, and he felt very welcome. He mostly listened. He didn’t have much to say. Katrina was still very upset about Lu’s disapreance, but the bright sun shone outside, and the prospect of getting to go to the show seemed to make Katrina much more jovial. They piled into the red convertible. Harry wondered how they were going to all fit, but Katrina did a simple spell on it that made the backseat expand like a park bench. It wasn’t the first time Harry had seen this happen. Arthur Weasley had performed a similar trick a few years earlier. Everyone chattered around happily. Katrina sat next to Harry in the back, along with Belinda and Arizona. She stretched out to get comfortable, and she rested her elbow very close to Harry. He didn’t mind one bit.
The radio played the whole way to London, and whenever a Monsters of Merlin song would come on the air, everyone would sing right along. There seemed to be a lot of their songs on that day, since it was the day of the concert.
“Lu probably just didn’t want to come to the concert.” Brenda said to nobody in particular. “He was probably afraid of being in front of all us magical folk, afraid somebody might recognize him. He looks a lot like his father did. I’ve seen his old family pictures, you know.”
Drew swerved as a black cat walked out onto the road. “Damn cat! Almost got killed!” he yelled.
“Yeah, his parents were really dark.” Arizona said. “I heard they were right in the thick of You-Know-Who’s Inner Circle. They probably knew all of the Dark Lord’s secrets. They deserved to die, I’m sure. I know that if I was an adult, I would not want to take in a child with such a dark history.”
Katrina sighed. “Arizona.” she said. “Please don’t talk about that. There’s a lot of things that you don’t understand about Lu. A lot of things that none of us will ever be able to understand. Even I don’t really understand that boy, and have the most in common with him since I’m an only child and orphan as well.”
Arizona put his hand on her shoulder, and gave her a deep sincere look. “I’m sorry, Kitty Kat.” he said to her. “I forgot about all that stuff. I’m really sorry.”
Katrina smiled back at him and told him that it was all okay.
Harry just sat there listening to the conversation, his head filled with questions. Katrina was becoming every bit as mysterious as she was beautiful.
************************************************************************
When they finally arrived at the concert, it was clear to Harry why someone like Lu might not want to be there. There were wizards everywhere! Probably just as many as there were at the Quiditch World Cup. Katrina quickly told him that the band was popular all over the world, and many fans followed them wherever they performed.
The group happily talked amongst themselves, as they found there seats and bought refreshments to enjoy. Not all of their seats were in the same row. Two of them were going to sit a couple rows ahead. Since it was Harry’s birthday, he and Katrina were going to sit together in those seats. Despite the roar of the anxious crowd, Harry could still hear the excited chattering voices of Katrina’s friends behind them.
Suddenly, everyone in the crowd stood up and started screaming. Katrina was too. Harry jumped up from his seat and saw that the band was coming out onto the stage. The crowd was screaming so loudly that he could feel the ground vibrating under his very feet.
At the first note, the crowd screamed so loud that Harry thought he was going to be deaf. The band members were some of the strangest looking witches and wizards that Harry had ever seen.
The lead singer was a tall, thin witch with slick straight bright purple hair. She had purple stars painted on her face, and was wearing matching purple lipstick. She wore a purple silk top that cut off above her belly button, reveling a pierced naval, and several purple circles that were painted around her belly button. She wore a black leather mini skirt, and knee high purple boats. She was loud, and danced around the stage happily as she sang. The other witch in the band played bass guitar, and she looked just like the lead singer, except everything about her was neon pink where the other girl had been purple. The wizard at the guitar had long green and silver painted hair that fell at his shoulders, and long flowing green and silver robes.
“That’s Mikal Moko!” Katrina screamed in Harry’s ear. “He’s my favorite!” Katrina was jumping up and down trying to get the best possible view of the stage. She was clapping her hands and singing along too.
The drummer was fairly normal looking. He had jet black hair that he wore in short little spikes. He had a nose ring, but it was a small one.
Several rows away, Harry could see a mosh pit forming in the isles, A girl in bright yellow robes was picked up and tossed into the air.
“Ooooo.” Katrina said to Harry. “That looks like fun! I’m going to go over there!”
Suddenly, the crowd in the mosh pit dropped the yellow robed girl and she fell on the hard concrete floor. Harry gripped Katrina’s arm as she turned her heels to join the mosh pitt.
“No, don’t go over there.” he told her sternly. “I don’t want you to get hurt.!”
Katrina shrugged her shoulders. “Okay.” she said. “I’ll stay here with you.”
After several loud, upbeat songs, the guitar played a soft, somber note.
“My favorite song!” Katrina exclaimed. “It’s called ‘Standing in the Rain’, and it’s there best song ever!”
The band played on, and the pink haired singer began to sing a very heartbreaking voice.
Everyday of my life, I keep searching.
And everyday of my life
I keep looking.
Looking for somebody like you.
To not remind me of what I used to do.
Because I’ve got a secret.
Something you don’t understand.
Yes, I’ve got a secret.
And you’re the only man
Who will ever comprehend.
Here I am
I’m standing in the rain.
Here I am.
Waiting for you today.
But you never ever come.
And you never ever
Listen up.
No, you don’t.
No, you don’t
Here I am standing in the rain.
Waiting for you to listen to my secret
That I will never explain.
I’ll never explain.
No, I won’t explain.
All throughout the crowd, Harry could see couple holding on tightly to one another. Katrina had a mystified look on her face. For a moment Harry thought he saw a glint of something like a tear in her eyes.
“You really like this song?” he asked her.
“Yeah. Like I told you it’s my favorite.” she replied. “You like it?”
“Oh, yeah.” Harry lied. “It’s brilliant.”
Harry really didn’t like that song at all, and he felt bad for lying to Katrina, but he didn’t want to hurt her feelings. He still thought that that song was probably the corniest thing he’d ever seen. Katrina sobbed softly once, and Harry wondered why a song so stupid could effect her like that.
And the rain runs thru my hair.
I’m crying for you cuz your never there.
You left me long ago.
My secrets is in my heart
And there is grows.
Cuz I’m standing in the rain.
Waiting for you
Because I want to explain.
My secrets too hard to bear.
Won’t you take it from me?
Cuz I love you my dear.
Yes, I love you.
Don’t leave me standing in the rain.
With these secrets rolling through my brain.
As the song struck it’s final note, the crowd applauded and yelled. Harry was glad that song was over. He didn’t like it very much at all. Unexpectedly, Harry saw Katrina grap his hand. Harry felt like someone had just put his hand in an electric socket. Katrina smiled into his eyes. “Let’s go look at the souvenir T-shirts, okay” she said.
Harry nodded.
She led him up to the souvenir vendor.
Several harassed looking wizards and witches stood in the booth, taking money, counting money and trying to remember what each person wanted. There was a very long line so it gave Harry and Katrina lots of time to look at everything. There were all sorts of interesting souvenirs to buy. There were a least twenty different t-shirt designs featuring pictures of the band, words, and a long list of all the concert dates and locations. Some of the pictures on the shirts actually moved! Katrina told him that t-shirts with moving pictures were called “Pic-Shirts.” Those shirts had a sign next to them saying :
“WARNING: IT IS AGAINST INTERNATIONAL WIZZARDING LAWS TO WEAR PIC-SHIRTS IN THE PRESENCE OF MUGGLES OR IN ANY PLACE WHERE MUGGLES MAY SEE THEM.”
Katrina noticed that Harry looked confused at this. “Well,” she said with a warm smile. “You can’t except Muggles to not get luscious if we start wearing shirts with moving things on them! They look like videos, almost!”
Harry agreed that the law was probably a good idea, and continued to look at the cd’s and cassettes. “Are those recordings of the concerts” he asked Katrina.
“No, those are there albums.” she said. “I’ve been to many Monsters of Merlin concerts, and if you could buy a live recording, I’d defiantly do it! No, those are for people who most likely come from Muggle families who have cd players. I already have their cd’s.”
“How do you know about cd players? I thought that you were a pure blood.” Harry said. Katrina looked at him funny. “Not that it matters, of course.” he quickly added. “I’m only half blood myself, and one of my best friends is Muggle-born, so I don’t care about that stuff.”
Katrina laughed. “I know you don’t care about that sort of thing. Of course, you wouldn’t! You’re the famous Harry Potter!” At this Harry felt himself blush deeply. He guessed that even his toes were a deep shade of purple. “All of my relatives are wizards and witches, except for my Uncle Joey, the American. He owns a candy store. He’s only related to me by marriage, but he’s very cool. He understands all about magic. He is so cool about everything that Aunt Isabella sometimes thinks he might be a Squib or something.”
“What were your parents like, Katrina” Harry asked softly. He had wanted to ask her about this ever since he met her, and learned about her tragic past. A past so much like his own.
Katrina sighed and a very strange look came over her face.
“I’d rather not talk about it here.” she said.
And with that, she started looking at the other souvenirs, and Harry did the same.
There were lots of posters with pictures of the band playing there instruments, and dancing around the stage. Some of the more expensive posters actually played music if you hit a button.
When it was Katrina’s turn to get her stuff, she walked up to the counter and told the worker that she wanted six t-shirts.
“You got the money, kid?” he asked her, raising one eyebrow.
“Yep.” she said, opening her purse and slapping a cloth bag overflowing with gold galleons onto the table.
“Whoa!” said that worker. Harry understood how he felt. He had never seen someone carrying around that many Galleons. Harry had a small fortune of his own in Gringotts, but Katrina was probably holding about half of what he had in his vault.
She must be very rich. Harry thought to himself.
The worker got all of Katrina’s shirts, and then she also asked for a poster. “Oh, and whatever shirt Harry wants.” she said.
Harry looked at her funny. “Oh no.” he said. “I have plenty of money, I’ll buy my own things, thanks.”
Katrina shook her head but she smiled in a friendly, affectionate way. “No, sorry, Harry.” she said to him. “It’s your birthday, and I want to buy you a shirt as a present.”
“Just coming here with you…and er….your friends is enough present for me.” he told her.
Katrina blushed. “I’m still buying you a shirt, just the same. Now, pick out which one you want.”
Harry shrugged his shoulder and decided that since he was probably not going to win this conversation, he might as well get a shirt. Harry picked out the black that was blank on the front, except for the words MONSTERS OF MERLIN in scarlet writing. On the back it had a listing of all the concert dates, and in the middle was a photo of the band.
“Ooooo. Good choice.” Katrina said, playfully elbowing him in his side. “Nice and simple. Popular fashion trend for the guys right now too.”
“Er….okay.” Harry said taking his shirt.
“You got a good sense of style, Harry.” she said in a soft sweet voice. She handed the worker her money. “I like that in a man.”
Harry felt himself turn purple once more. His entire body felt like it was made out of mashed potatoes. Katrina was acting like she was flirting with him. But was she really flirting or was she just trying to be silly? Harry knew he was supposed to say something right now but he couldn’t think of a single thing to say.
“You are so weird.” he said to her.
Uh-oh! Harry thought. That probably wasn’t a very smart thing to say!
But to his luck and surprise, she laughed out loud. “Yep, I’m a weird one.” she said. “I always knew that. Let’s go back to our seats now, okay?”
Harry nodded, knowing that as long as he lived he would never understand girls, especially Katrina Figg.