21 Deviations (1/2)
About a week after Harry had arrived at the Burrow, they heard from Hogwarts. They went down to breakfast to find Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and Ginny already sitting at the kitchen table.
The moment she saw Harry, Ginny accidentally knocked her porridge bowl to the floor with a loud clatter. She dived under the table to retrieve the bowl and emerged with her face glowing like the setting sun.
Arth sighed in response and grabbed many napkin.
”Don't worry Mrs. Weasley, I got this.”
He cleaned up the mess on the floor and patted Ginny on the head.
”It's ok Ginny, everyone makes mistakes. Just be careful next time.”
Ginny shyly nodded her head and have her thanks before sitting down. Arth took the bowl from her and washed it before adding more porridge.
”Letters from school just arrived,” said Mr. Weasley, passing Harry and Ron identical envelopes of yellowish parchment, addressed in green ink. ”Dumbledore already knows you're here, Harry — doesn't miss a trick, that man.Everyone has one actually.” he added.
Arth took the letter from Mr.
Weasley and opened it.
SECOND-YEAR STUDENTS WILL REQUIRE:
The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 2 by Miranda Goshawk
Break with a Banshee by Gilderoy Lockhart
Gadding with Ghouls by Gilderoy Lockhart
Holidays with Hags by Gilderoy Lockhart
43 Travels with Trolls by Gilderoy Lockhart
Voyages with Vampires by Gilderoy Lockhart
Wanderings with Werewolves by Gilderoy Lockhart
Year with the Yeti by Gilderoy Lockhart
Fred, who had finished his own list, peered over at Arth's.
”You've been told to get all Lockhart's books, too!” he said. ”The new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher must be a fan — bet it's a witch.”
At this point, Fred caught his mother's eye and quickly busied himself with the marmalade.
”That lot won't come cheap,” said George, with a quick look at his parents. ”Lockhart's books are really expensive...”
”Well, we'll manage,” said Mrs. Weasley, but she looked worried. ”I expect we'll be able to pick up a lot of Ginny's things secondhand.”
Arth clapped his hands in realization he ran upstairs and came back down with a box.
”Mrs. Weasley, my parents told me to give you this, they said it was a Thank you gift for taking care of me like I was one of your children.”
”Oh dear you don't have to.”
”They insisted.”
Mrs. Weasley took the box and opened it. Golden coins started to rain down from the box, and everyone stared.
George leapt up in surprise.
”T-those are all Galleons... blimey, that's like a hundred.”
”We can probably get Ron a new wand and buy new copies of all of our course books.”
Fred grabbed Arth's hand and shook it many times.
”I never knew your family was loaded Arth, can't believe that gave away a hundred Galleons.”
Arth smiles wryly, ”I didn't know either.”
Mrs. Weasley uncomfortably glanced at the box before giving it back to Arth.
”I'm sorry dear, but I can't except it. It's too much.”
Fred and George got out of their seats.
”Are you insane woman? That's a hundred Galleons!”
”That's exactly why I can't take it.” She snapped.
Arth just smiled and handed it back.
”For these past three months, you were like a mother to me. I refuse to accept your refusal, take it Mrs. Weasley, or I'm going to give Ron 50 Galleons worth of chocolate frogs, it's better for you to use it than him.”
Seeing the smile on Arth's face, Mrs. Weasley flushed and took the box.