I met Mike the next day; he was a Burroughs bodyguard. He was a young man in his 20s and had accepted the job because he thought England would be far enough away from his ex. He met me on my morning run because he was out running, too. We hit it off pretty well, and I told him to make sure my family was safe. The next thing I did was knock on Snape's door.
"Eddie, what makes you knock on my door this early," Snape said, holding a cup of coffee in his hand.
"Just a heads up, our new neighbour is an American wizard. Sent by my grandmother as protection." I shrugged. "thought I'd give you a heads up before you too meet and something happens."
Severus eyed the house in question. "Understood; while I have you, I have tested some of your family potions." Snape said, "Most are outdated, but there is one that I believe is a cure to dragon pox."
"Really?" I asked, shocked.
"Yes, you have to understand these recipes are old, and while some are redundant, some have been well-kept secrets," Snape said.
"Okay, so what do we do," I asked.
"That is not my decision", Snape said.
I thought for a moment. "Can it be published anonymously?" Snape nodded. "Do it; cures for deadly diseases should be published."
He smirked at me. "Okay then, Mr Carter."
"Oh, by the way, I'm still angry at you for sending me into the forest to protect Harry,", I said. I dropped that bombshell and walked away.
One morning I herd a car pull up out side the house. "That sounds like Janet," I said to Mrs Malhook as we sat in the kitchen. I got up and walked to the door. Looking out the window, I saw something interesting. Janet had said she had met someone but apparently did not give any details. Now I understood why: the person she was standing next to in her car wasn't a man that we all thought she was bringing home but a woman. I smiled and opened the door. "Welcome home, sister!" I called out.
"Oh my God, Eddie!" Janet yelled when she saw me. She ran up the footpath and hugged me. "Look how big you've gotten", she said, looking at me. It had been about 4 years since we'd seen each other.
"Forget about me. What about you?" I said. "Big shot in London and bringing home a girlfriend?" I said, looking at her guest.
"Ah, Eddie, this is Helen, and yes, she's my girlfriend." She said, "Helen, this adorable guy is my little brother Eddie". Helen was a tall brunette with a nose ring and blue eyes. Janet was a short blonde with green eyes.
"Good to meet you, Helen, come in. It's not much, but it's home." I smiled
Janet whispered to me. "Not shocked or not going to ask".
"Shocked abit, but your still my annoying older sister, why should I knowing about your sexual orientation change that," I whispered back. Janet hugged me again.
"Now you have to face Molly and Joe." I teased. I was pretty sure the Malhooks would be fine.
I was correct, Mr and Mrs malhook were just happy for her. We had a wonderful day and dinner, Helen was nice, and she really cared for Janet.
The next morning I was sitting in the garden with my guitar, watching the birds, Mrs malhook had planted flowers, they looked beautiful and attracted insects.
I heard whispering behind me. "Is that okay? I mean, is it still happening?" Janet whispered.
"It's fine, dear", Mrs Malhook said. "Now, shush, he is really good".
"You know I can hear you guys," I said as I looked over my shoulder at Janet and Mrs. Malhook.
"Sorry, Eddie, it was just when you were young. Every time you got into music, things would happen." Janet looked concerned.
I smiled at her. "I know, well I didn't, then last year it all was explained to me." I smiled. "I'm a wizard." I dropped the bomb.
"Huh?" Janet asked.
"A wizard, magic, spells, I have a wand, a flying broom, and an owl that delivers letters and the newspaper." I smiled as Henley flew down from the roof and dropped my mail and the newspaper. He started to drink some water. "Thanks henley" I petted the owl.
I tossed the newspaper at Janet.
She opened it "the daily prophet?" She read the title, "Eddie, the pictures they're moving."
"Yup, that's the wizarding newspaper of Britain", I explained. "It's pretty much a propaganda rag for the Ministry of Magic."
"Eddie, tell her about the school," Mrs Malhook said.
"School?" Janet asked.
"Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is a boarding school in Scottland. And a giant magical castle," I smiled. "4 houses, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin, my house." I tapped on the guitar. "You know the house down the road."
"Which house?" She asked, I started at her "Oh that house" she realised.
"That is the home of one of the teachers of the school, Professor Severus Snape. He teaches potions," I explained.
"This is crazy," Janet said.
I shrugged. "Just complicated."
"Play something, Eddie,", Mrs Malhook said.
I nodded I didn't have a banjo but sitting here in the garden reminded me of a frog.
•rainbow connection by kermit•
I saw Janets smile as I started to play; she loved the muppets.
♫Why are there so many songs about rainbows,
and what's on the other side?♫
I sang softly and not like the frog.
♫Rainbows are visions, but only illusions,
and rainbows have nothing to hide.♫
My magic swirled and washed within me. But I was getting so good at controlling it now I didn't let it leave my body.
♫So we've been told and some choose to believe it,
I know they're wrong, wait and see.♫
Henley started to sway with the music.
♫Someday we'll find it,
the rainbow connection,
the lovers, the dreamers, and me.♫
The birds had stopped singing to listen as well.
♫Who said that every wish would be heard and answered,
when wished on the morning star?♫
♫Somebody thought of that,
and someone believed it.
Look what it's done so far.♫
♫What's so amazing that keeps us stargazing,
and what do we think we might see?♫
I couldn't help it; I had to show off. I let my magic go, and a rainbow appeared over the flowers.
♫Someday we'll find it,
the rainbow connection,
the lovers, the dreamers, and me.♫
♫All of us under it's spell,
we know that it's probably magic.♫
the birds swooped under the rainbow
♫Have you been half asleep, and have you heard voices?
I've heard them calling my name.♫
Several other rainbows appeared over the gardens
♫Is this the sweet sound that calls the young sailor?
The voice might be one and the same.♫
Henley took flight.
♫I've heard it too many times to ignore it.
It's something that I'm supposed to be.♫
I smiled at janets amazed face. I didn't care if I got a warning from the ministry; I made the rainbows swirl together, making a large one over Janet and Mrs. Malhook.
♫Someday, we'll find it,
the rainbow connection,
the lovers, the dreamers, and me.
La da da di da da doo.
La la da da da, dee dah dooo!♫
The rainbow broke and fell like rain on them. I laughed so hard at their faces.