A/N: Thank you again for the reviews. I love hearing what you all think about the story and I'm glad I'm not boring you with all of the character development. (:
"What was that all about?" Harry asked me, taking my elbow and leading me gently through the mass of people that seemed to grow after the lunch rush. I shrugged, consumed by my own thoughts.
"Thank you again for the lunch, Harry. I had a great time!" As I said this I found I didn't have to convince myself to believe I actually did have a good time. Harry was pleasant and thoughtful. I felt bad that all thoughts I had for him were sisterly.
A grin split his face almost in two. "Really Ginny, it was?" He asked me hopefully. "I'm glad you had fun." He looked extremely pleased. I cringed inwardly wondering when I was going to have to tell him that I really didn't like him that way…
"So do you need any more shopping done?" He asked looking around the shops. "Um, I actually wanted to go get a pet. You know an owl or something useful?" I said, spotting a familiar bird filled shop. Harry smiled and led the way, taking my hand. I waited to feel uncomfortable, but the feeling never came so I let him hold it as we walked up and down the isles looking at birds. It was warm and nice. I just hoped he didn't read too much into it.
Harry pointed out a couple barn owls and a snowy owl like his own Hedwig, but although they were beautiful I remained unconvinced. I would know what I wanted when I saw it, I reassured him. We passed a great variety of birds, all kinds. They even had an Osprey and some Gull-like birds. And then, right in front of me was the most beautiful bird I had ever seen. It stood on its perch almost two feet tall, with dark brown and black feathers and a lightly golden colored neck. It beak and talons looked dangerously pointy and its amber colored eyes apprised us viciously as we approached slowly. A small piece of bright parchment hung next to it that read "Caution: I Will Bite." Golden Eagle.
"Ginny, be careful!" Harry hissed as I reached a timid hand out to the giant bird that could slash my hand to pieces with just one lash of its razor sharp talons. I let go of Harry and took another step forward. All I could look at were those amber eyes.
Then suddenly, with a flash of feathers it took off into the air, hovering above me in the store. I grimaced, sad that I had frightened it, although it didn't look frightened, merely annoyed that I had (possibly like so many others) tried to stroke his magnificence. I smirked. This bird had a real attitude. From behind me I could hear hurried footsteps. "How many times do I have to warn you kids that…" The store keeper scolded before he caught sight of me. "Wait, he didn't bite you? Slash you? Cuff you with his wings?" As I shook my head to every answer the mans eyes grew wider. He was a short man, plump and absolutely covered with pet dander. His appearance somehow was endearing: a man who truly loved animals. I smiled appreciatively. "He is gorgeous." I said weakly, wishing that the beautiful animal would let her touch him. I let my arm drop to my side. The store keeper still held a look of utter shock on his face. "Normally, he sends people out bleeding. Either he appreciates you, or you must really look disgusting!" I laughed at his joke and looked back up, but the bird was no where to be found. I turned to see it back behind me on its perch. I jumped slightly, wondering how silently he was able to return there.
Both men watched me anxiously, waiting to see what the bird would do as I reached out, yet again to stroke his magnificent plumage. To my surprise he merely tilted his nose to the air and turned away from me, allowing me to touch him. He was warm and extremely soft. He turned suddenly and picked a clawed foot up off of his perch to set on my shoulder, and then stepped up onto me with his other. I gasped audibly and both men seemed to also. He was lighter than I expected and I reached up to stroke his underbelly. I turned to face the store owner. He made a whistling noise between his teeth before smiling. "I'm so glad you came, Miss. He's been waiting for you for a long time."
"How much?" I asked, handing my other purchases to Harry as I reached for my wallet.
Soon we were back out on the street and the Eagle took off into the air, keeping a close enough to see both me and Harry as we made our way back to The Leaky Cauldron to meet up with everyone else. If Harry would get too close for his liking, the eagle would drop down on Harry's head like a rock and then pick right back up into the sky. After three times Harry got the idea and stayed a good four feet away from me for the rest of the trip back.
As we reached the brick wall that would lead us back into the pub I called out to the bird. "Um, excuse me. I traveled by floo, so if I give you my address could you find my house? I doubt you'll like the fire place…" The bird merely looked at me as if to say 'Me? Need an address?' and took off. I hoped he could find the place. He seemed confident enough.
Harry sighed with relief as soon as it flew away. "Wow, you and that bird really clicked. Too bad it hates everyone else!" He said, rubbing the back of his head where the gigantic bird had barreled into him repeatedly.
"Sorry about that." I replied, not entirely sorry. I really started to like that eagle.
…..
Back at the Burrow I was unsurprised to find the eagle waiting in my room. He was smart, I had to hand it to him. I stroked his neck again before dumping the rest of my shopping into my Hogwarts trunk and closing it.
I set the gigantic cage that was supposed to house him on my desk, and then turned to find my way back down stairs. Only a three more days till I returned to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I was excited. It had been only too long since I saw all my old friends.
…..
The next few days at work passed by quickly and pleasantly. The Malfoy family didn't return to our shop, and Paul even got me a parting gift.
"It's that outfit I've seen you eyeing for the past month." He explained, holding it out on himself to show me. "And there's something extra hidden in the bottom of the bag but don't open that till your at school, Okay?" He then gave me a great hug and pulled away only enough so that he could look at my face. "I cant wait to see you again, Ginerva. You're the best employee and friend a budding superstar fashion designer could ask for." I smiled and kissed him softly on the cheek. "Thanks so much Paul. You've really taught me a lot." And with that, I walked out of his store and back to my car.
When I returned back home I finished packing and then tucked in for a good nights sleep. I was going to need it.
The next morning passed ever quicker as everyone woke up late. There could be heard shouts of "Has anyone seen my other shoe?" to "Fred and George hid my trunk…AGAIN!" or in my case, "Ronald Weasley! Get OUT of the shower before you use up all the hot water!"
We all, somehow, seemed to be able to get out and into the car in time. I was still pulling on a flip flop as we ran out the front door. I was aggravated that I wasn't able to enjoy dressing myself, yet again. As I examined myself in the mirror I decided I did pretty well with what I had to work with. Thankfully I had packed most of my clothes and picked out the outfit I was going to wear today the night before, but it still didn't give me much time to fuss over my hair, makeup and others.
I was wearing shorts that came to about the middle of my thigh, made out of jeans material and a light periwinkle halter top that showed off the smooth, crème colored skin of my back and shoulders. Not having enough time to really fix my hair, I had pulled half of it up into a clip and let the rest fall down on to my back and shoulders in ringlets. My eyes, as always were accented with my dark lashes and just a touch of natural colors. I even went as far as to add a little purple eye shadow. I remembered Paul putting together this outfit and telling me that purple really makes brown eyes 'Pop". I couldn't help but agree.
Kings Cross was as busy as ever as each of us ran through the invisible barrier between platforms nine and ten. Ever since it sealed on my brother and Harry I had walked casually into it instead of running. Why risk the chance of that happening again? My eagle that never really left my side shifted, uncomfortable in its cage. "I'll let you out soon, sorry. But how would it look to all these muggles if I had walked in with a golden eagle trailing after me? You're already drawing too much attention to yourself." I said, putting a finger between the bars which he nibbled on as if to say he understood. I smiled and walked to the Hogwarts express.
My mother was, as always, in tears shortly after they announced the soon departure of the large locomotive. I hugged her and laughed a little at the uncomfortable expression on my fathers face. All these years with my mother and he still got uneasy when she cried. I would miss them, although I didn't let them know that. Saying that would probably send my mother into another fit of tears. Instead I just smiled and nodded as I took my seat, moving the eagle's cage next to me. "Goodbye, Mum!" I called out the window as the train sped up and out of sight.
Ron, Hermione and Harry had somehow managed to disappear again. I wasn't exactly disappointed. I liked having time to myself. I stretched out on the seats after closing the door to my almost empty compartment I shared with my eagle.
I was still after four days unable to come up with a suitable name for the bird. The store keeper said that he hadn't picked one out for him. I was glad of that. Some other person might have named him something like 'Birdo' or 'Ripper'. Something totally out of character of him. I opened his cage and let him out to sit next to me in the seat. "Careful not to rip anything open." I warned, watching the light glint off of his talons. "Let's find a name for you." I suggested. He looked at me and nodded his regal head. "Okay, how about…Goldie!" I joked. He looked playfully offended but shook his head, his wings unfolding. "Let's be serious." I replied, to which he folded his wings again and looked at me expectantly.
"Bolt, Slash, Sting, David, Dumbledore, Snape?" I shot off. He looked at me and settled down as if to say that this might take a while. I continued firing off names randomly the rest of the train ride, none of which he seemed to approve of. I was so consumed in our little game that I didn't notice the three pairs of eyes that were staring at me through the window of the compartment door. One of which was a pair of stunning silver-grey eyes.