Summer Blows Away [Mallory]

The summer heat was hanging in the air over Diagon Alley with the oppressive weight of a wool blanket. It was a fitting end to what had been a rather disappointing summer for Gemma. She had been looking forward to spending time with her friend Melina, but the younger Ravenclaw had not contacted her all summer. Gemma's letters returned unopened and she spent the majority of her summer either at her grandmother's boutique or studying for her NEWTs alone. The bright spot in her dismal break had been trips with her grandfather to visit old Auror friends at the Ministry. At first it had simply been embarrassing to admit that should would not be continuing the family work, but the teasing had stopped after the first few visits.

It was on one of these outings that she had met Mallory Harrison, an Auror in training. The older girl was nice and very pretty. It had taken Gemma a few tries but eventually she worked up the nerve to ask if Mallory would like to have lunch with her sometime. Since Mallory worked at the Weasley's joke shop, it was only a matter of a few block between Gemma's place of work and hers. From there they had started talking, mostly about their plans for the future. They tended to avoid talking about the past which was fine with Gemma. She wanted to look ahead. The shy Ravenclaw had spent too much time lost in the traumas of the past.

Today was the last day she would get to lunch with Mallory. Soon she would be off to Hogwarts for her last year. The remaining days before departure would be spent organizing her things, studying, and relaxing. Her final year would be quite busy since she had not only her tests to worry about, but also her new responsibilities as Head Girl. She was still reeling from the news but her grandparents were proud enough to burst. Even her absentee father had sent a short note of congratulations along with a small picture of her three year old half-brother.

Walking down the streets, Gemma took back ways and shortcuts the the Weasley's shop. It was madness in Diagon Alley and the press of people only made the air feel even hotter. To stay cool, Gemma was dressed in a dove grey cotton robe made to be worn open. Underneath was a lacy, sleeveless white top with a high Mandarin collar and a buttercup yellow tea-length pleated skirt decorated with white hydrangeas. Her shoes were comfortable fawn ankle boots with bright brass buttons. Gemma had no problem blending Muggle and wizarding clothing. She saw it as an expression of who she was.

Gemma popped out of a side street nestled between WWW and its neighboring business. Mallory was out front, attracting customers into the shop. It wasn't difficult to convince the students to stop in and resupply for the upcoming term. The store was packed to bursting so Gemma figured now was a good a time as any to pull her new friend away for a last lunch before she left for Hogwarts.

"Mallory," she called, waving her hand to get the older girl's attention. She had to call again before her soft and lilting voice could be heard over the general roar of the customers flowing in and out of the store. "Ready for a spot of lunch? My grandmother's given me the rest of the day off so I've got plenty of time."

Since Mallory and Chael broke up it was even harder to control her emotions, or even control her ability. It was not really heart break, more just the fact they were together since their fifth year and he was really her first love. They both worked to much and he still was not supportive of her being an auror. He felt it was to dangerous. Mallory just wanted to do what she wished to do. If it was up to her family or Chael they would have forced her to be a mediwizard. She would be constantly working on sick or injured people- always around pain or suffering. She could not do that. At least being an auror she could do something to make herself happy. She still was able to work at the Weasley's shop and enjoy the better part of her life.

Mallory met a girl a couple weeks ago, Gemma. Her family were well-known aurors. It was really nice to meet a family of aurors, coming from one who did not have experience from it. The girl was a few year younger than her but she was very refreshing. It was nice to have someone to talk to again, especially with Chael not being there anymore.

Today Mallory was attracting some new students into the Weasley's store. Her hair was a vibrate shade of cobalt blue that faded into green and she had her mouth formed into a duck bill. She was making goofy faces at the students passing by and changing her face back and forth. This took a lot of energy out of her but thankfully it was working for getting business into the store. Mallory was just there to help them out as much as possible. She loved the store. Seeing someone who looked familiar waving their hand to get her attention, she finally got close to her. When she asked for lunch she smirked. "Oh- am I! I am starved." She smiled at her gently, "Let me go get my coat and bag." She pushed her hair through the crowd, her hair changing back to the bright blonde that is naturally was. Once in the store she managed to dodge past a few people and grab her gray sweater and brown bag that had everything in it.

After pushing past people once more she made her way back to Gemma slipping the sweater back over her bare shoulders. "Where too?" She smiled at the girl.

Gemma never got tired of seeing the different shapes and shades that Mallory's special ability could produce. She was a little jealous of how easy it was for the older girl to change her hair, since Gemma was a little to cautious to try the more volatile hair potions to get the same effect. It was no wonder the Weasleys had put her to work gathering crowds and ushering potential customers into the shop. Even with all the variety, Gemma liked Mallory's natural face and coloring the best.

"There's a new sandwich shop not too far from here," she replied as Mallory asked about lunch. "I've heard good things about it but haven't gone there yet. This is my last chance before term starts." Turning, Gemma led them back down one of the side streets she had taken to avoid the large and slow crowds. It didn't take long for them to reach the new shop, called The Earl. It was done in the style of a deli, where you placed your order at the counter then picked your food up at the end of the line. The shop was busy, but the service quick and soon the two had snagged one of the last open tables on the shaded patio.

They were both several bites into their sandwiches before Gemma spoke up. "How has Auror training been going? Anything exciting happen?" While Gemma wasn't cut out for the job, she fully understood the importance of it and she was genuinely interested in how things were progressing for the older girl. "Grandpa Crowhurst said to tell you that he expects an owl every few months so he can keep an eye on you." She smiled as she looked at Mallory. "I know it's probably an imposition, but could you keep in contact with him? I know that my grandparents always wanted bunches of grandkids but all they got was me. Grandpa wants me to be happy, but he was so disappointed that I wouldn't be going into the family business. Having you to talk to would make him feel like he's still involved with the department and it will give Grandma someone to fuss over while I'm away." Losing their first granddaughter and then their only child had been hard on her grandparents. Gemma knew they loved her more than anything, but she still felt bad that they didn't have the big family that they had always wanted.

"I can't believe how fast the summer has gone by," the Ravenclaw said, shaking her head. "My last year at Hogwarts. It always seemed so far away and now it's finally happening."