Chapter Text
Chapter 1: Letter from Pansy
Ashley stood, one leg on the large shovel leaning with her arms on the handle in Uncle Paul's garden.
Her skin felt weird under the sunscreen and the large sun-hat tickled her scalp.
Uncle Paul was kneeling over the new raised flowerbed.
Smoothing out the dirt.
He was seriously to old to do this kind of work.
Still he insisted on doing it.
"When can I help again?"
Asked Ashley resting her head on her arms, rocking back and forward on the shovel.
Normally she would have helped the Graveward but right now she didn't want to enter the graveyard on her own.
She will avoid seeing her parents grave as much as possible.
Also she was still waiting for Theo or Pansy to write her. Because what if they send an Owl an Ashley was not here?
It's been two weeks since Summerbreak started.
The first week was fine.
Ashley had all sorts of stories to tell Uncle Paul. About Hogwarts, the Magical school she was going to since last year.
She had become a Slytherin, and despite first difficulties finding friends she had found something she would call friends.
Ashley played with the damaged ring that hung on a leather string around her neck. The wedding ring of her Father. It kinda distracted her from being bored but also formed a dark cloud of Sadness in her mind that stung in the chest.
"Ashley, I need more dirt."
Called Uncle Paul and immediately Ashley filled the shovel with dirt and dropped in on the flower bed until Uncle Paul was satisfied.
"Did you hear anything from your friends yet?"
He asked while smoothing out the dirt.
Ashley shook her head.
"No.."
"Im sure they are still unwinding, their Letter will come soon enough Firefly."
Ashley nodded.
"Yea I hope so.."
"Im sure of that."
Ashley nodded again.
"If they don't write today, can I push you onto Charles and Michael tomorrow? I want to get some artifacts checked."
Ashley stopped mid nod.
"But what if I'm there and the Owl comes here? Or what if they see the Owl?"
Uncle Paul sighs.
"I said if they don't write today. And as far you told me about these Owls, they surely wouldn't have a problem waiting until you are back. More dirt please."
"We need an Owl ourselves, or that powder Malfoy uses to talk with his father."
Said Ashley while piling more dirt.
"Yes, but right now we are a little short on money, I will buy an Owl when we have enough to take care of it."
Ashley stared out the window while she set the table.
Uncle Paul was preparing sandwiches for dinner. Ashley could smell the tuna.
Cheddar sat on Ashley's shoulder climbing in her Shirt and out again.
The soft fur tickled.
"The Owls don't come faster if you stare holes through our windows Firefly."
Joked Paul while he put Ashley's sandwich on her plate.
Ashley gave him a grimaced smile while she sat down.
Cheddar immediately jumped on the table and dug his tiny nose in the nut bowl that Uncle Paul just put on the table.
"They will come soon enough, im sure of that." Uncle Paul smiled and patted Ashley's head.
Ashley pushed his hand away but couldn't help to smile.
'Bam* something had hit the kitchen window.
Ashley immediately jolted up.
"Owl?"
Asked Uncle Paul while Ashley opened the door to run to the kitchen window.
"Owl!"
She Yelled, her voice muffled through the window and held up a small disoriented Owl with ruffled feathers from the collapse.
"Is it OK?" Asked Unkle Paul while Ashley brought the Owl inside.
It hooted confused and looked around.
"I think so" Answered Ashley examining the Owl.
"Ow! It bit me"
Screeched Ashley and shook her hand.
Uncle Paul took the Owl from Ashley.
"Maybe it doesn't like being manhandled."
He laughed.
Ashley sat down again tugging Cheddar in her sleves, while Paul took care of the Owl which was already eyeing the brown Rat.
"And it's a Wizard Owl" exclaimed Uncle Paul and dropped a rolled up scroll before Ashley's plate.
Ashley immediately grabbed it and opened the letter.
Immediately she recognized Pansys Handwriting, expansive and ornate.
Different from Ashley's own smaler clean Handwriting.
Dear Ashley Wood.
It's been a while since we parted, and I miss your company, so please hear my kind request to meet up for a smal shopping trip tomorrow morning. My dearest mother requires to make acquaintances with you before I am allowed to plan further private contact.
If you are allowed to spend the day with me,
We shall meet before the leaking cauldron. Gigi will carry your answer back to my estate.
Waiting gracefully for your answer:
Pansy Parkinson.
Ashley let out a snort. Pansy wrote letters like some stuck up old lady.
"Who wrote?"
Asked Uncle Paul curious, the Owl, apparently named Gigi had made itself comfortable in his hands.
"Pansy!"
Answered Ashley already looking for a pice of paper and a pen to write back.
"She asked if we could go on a shopping trip tomorrow, can I go pleaseeee?"
Uncle Paul sighs.
"Of course you can, do I need to bring you everywhere?"
"Yes, do you remember the leaking Cauldron?"
"The what? OH the little pub? I think so"
"Pansy said we meet there."
"Tomorrow?"
"Yess"
"That's wonderful then I can just drop you off on the way, do you still have the address?"
Ashley nodded and tipped against her forehead.
"Great."
A few minutes later Uncle Paul let the Owl fly again. This time with Ashleys letter.
The Owl seemed to be a little resistant and for a moment Paul worried that the Owl still hadn't recovered.
But then it flew very quickly into the night after Uncle Paul asked Ashley if they could bring a Wizard Owl to the vent like normal Owls.
Ashley inhaled her sandwiches and got ready for bed so tomorrow would come faster.
"G'night Firefly."
Called Uncle Paul while Ashley was already up the stairs.
"G'night!"
Yelled Ashley back from the floor above.
Uncle Paul laughed to himself and leaned back in his chair while he listened to Ashleys steps over the floorboards.
He had the feeling he forgot something.
With a sigh he got up and started washing the dishes.
His back was aching again.
Maybe Ashley could make him something against old bones?
Paul laughed to himself.
But then he remembered.
He turned off the water dried his hands and hurried to the drawer in the hallway.
A smal pouch with coins.
The rest of the Wizardmoney from last year. It wasn't much but he could always exchange more money when they needed to buy all school materials.
He put the smal pouch on the Table right where Ashley normally sat.
She was going on a shopping trip with a friend, it would be cruel not to give her anything to spend.
Ashley was laying awake in her bed, staring at the stars on the tilted ceiling.
Cheddar was already sleeping in his cage.
It was so quiet in the room Ashley could hear the Rat snore.
Cheddar has gotten even bigger over the Holiday, she really needed to put him on a diet before the year starts again.
Ashley turned around in her bed, slowly the day heat passed and the cool summer night air came through her open window.
She wrapped the blanket closer and closed her eyes.
It took a while until she actually fell asleep.