Shape of Magic Chapter 26: On the Train Again!

<<<Taylor Rose>>>

Taylor just stretched as she watched Steve dance around in his cage, a smile on her lips. Everyone else, barring Ron naturally, was also amused by the antics of the spider. Amy was alternating between watching and writing in her new research journal, her snakes wrapping around her; their heads on her shoulders.

“How was everyone’s summer?” She asked, kicking her feet up to rest on Amy’s lap, who proceeded to ignore her.

“Boring mostly,” Ron said, “Chores, the only interesting things were that party with your family and Hera’s birthday,” He added as he nibbled on another jellybean, though his face twisted and lips puckered in distaste.

“I spent most of my summer catching up on my muggle education,” Hermione said, “But Hera’s birthday and that midsummer's party was a pleasant distraction.”

“I’m glad you could come,” Taylor said again, “And for not, you know, freaking out about things. It’s, uh… something I can just do?”

The statement got Hermione’s attention instantly. “What’s your range for it? You don’t need to cast a spell for it? It’s like your bug thing, right?”

“Yeah,” Taylor said, “I just… switch focus I suppose? Before my power used to only target bugs, or more accurately creatures without a spine, but after an incident… yeah…” She just trailed off. “And my range is shorter, it’s only about the size of that dining hall we were in. Maybe the Great Hall as well, but not more than that.”

“Really? Interesting,” Hermione said, “Could you increase your range?”

Any further talk was interrupted when Amy snapped her journal shut and she stared at it oddly, her snakes hissed and licked at her neck offering comfort, or so Taylor figured.

“What’s up?” Hera asked.

“... So, is it normal to have your journal respond to you?” Amy asked as she looked at the journal with narrow eyes.

“No,” Ron said with a frown, “That's really unusual. Mom always said to not trust things when you can’t see where it keeps its brain. Only really expensive journals would do that, but even those are a bit dumb. What’s it saying?”

“It introduced itself as Tom Riddle, asked what exactly I was writing about. And who this ‘Queen Bee’ is and why am I trying to improve the productivity of her honey production,” Amy said, “And I’m probably just imagining it but I swear it somehow sneered at the thought of improving a non-human,” She added.

“... Getting to the last bit in my nightmares tonight,” Ron started offhandedly, “that is not normal. I think you should take it to a teacher when we get there.”

Amy nodded, looking thoughtful for a few moments before looking at Hera for a moment.

“Can I borrow your owl when we get to Hogwarts?” She asked, “Also just curious but… why does Hedwig seem… disgruntled?”

“Snakes,” She replied with a snort, “And someone tried to intercept her letters, so she’s a bit annoyed. But what are you going to send?”

Given what little Taylor knew about post owls, that’d make sense.

“Well, I was thinking about sending the journal to Aif and Chuck along with a letter,” Amy said, “After all teachers are supposed to teach us, why distract them with a freaky journal? I might honestly be overthinking it, I might not. Besides I bet Chuck and Aif would know what to do with it. And if not, someone on Aif's side of the family would.” Though she probably wasn’t looking forward to the price of their help, Taylor imagined.

“Well, Dumbledore was supposed to be one of the people fighting Voldemort according to Sirius, only man he feared I think Hagrid said,” Hera replied, “If he doesn’t recognize curses, who would?”

“Maybe…” Amy said, scratching her cheek before she shrugged, “We’re still a few hours away, so I have time to think about it.”

“Oh!” Taylor started with a grin, “Do you have any ideas for new relay bugs? Hermione asking about increasing my range reminded me to ask that.”

Amy gave her a look. “I barely understand regular magic, let alone yours. Yours is weirder than the fairies! Because you’re weirder than them in general. I can understand what goes on in their heads, not so much yours.”

Taylor pouted at her.

Hermione and Hera giggled, while Ron just snorted but mostly focused on his jellybeans.

“All of you are bullies, bullies I say!” Taylor announced dramatically, hand going to her forehead, “I shan't ever pay you for your labor again!”

“Pay,” Amy said flatly arching a brow, “When have you ever done that? And don’t you mention that dream heist, that doesn’t count!”

“I gave you honeycomb!” She replied with a point, “And I grace you with my perfect sense of humor.”

“Insanity, more like…” Amy grumbled and Taylor just pouted more as she simply ignored her honeycomb contribution!

“Bah, you love me,” She said with a grin, “I’m the best dark lady of all time, all shall love me and despair.”

“... Galadriel, really?” Hermione asked, “You aren’t pretty enough for that.”

Taylor clutched her chest as she half collapsed into her neighbor, who happened to be Ron, “So harsh and mean! You understand me, don’t you Ron?”

“... Is that a muggle thing?” Ron asked, looking at Hermione and acting like he didn’t hear the question at all!

The utter betrayal! Taylor would have her revenge for this mutiny! They would all walk the plank! “... I need caffeine,” She realized, “I’m feeling ADHD attacking me. Or sleep, either will do.”

Amy wordless reached over and touched her, “... No, you’re just being dramatic. As usual,” She deadpanned, “But I can help you with that…” She added with a smirk.

And before Taylor could do anything she just fell over as everything went black.

[hr][/hr]

Awareness came back slowly, but that was probably a positive as it kept her from swarming everyone with bugs. She’d been tied up, she didn’t know who did it for sure but she had an idea. The perpetrator was grinning.

But that was normal for her traitorous sister.

“I punched someone in my sleep, didn’t I?” She asked after a moment. “Who was it and did it bruise?”

“It was me,” Amy said flatly, “And you’re lucky I had a breakthrough over the summer or I’d still have a black eye!”

With a blink she looked between where she used to be sitting and where Amy was. “... I’d say sorry but I’m honestly impressed with my sleeping self for managing it.”

“You’re a menace,” Amy said with a sigh, “Whatever… untie the lunatic. We’re almost at the station and we still need to change.”

Hermione waved her wand and the ropes vanished. “You were the one that did this!?” Taylor asked, eyes wide, “I mean, fair if I punched Amy like that, but really?”

“Well you did take a swing at me after putting Amy on her butt,” Hermoine responded with a sniff, though Taylor could see a faint amused smile on her lips.

“... I must have been having one hell of a nightmare,” She said before standing up and stretching, “Ron went to the bathroom to change?”

“Yeah,” Hera said, “You sure you're okay, Taylor?”

Taylor looked distant for a while before replying, “... mostly, yeah. Just… lived a hard life for a bit there. I’m better now, promise. Amy knows about it.”

“She has improved a lot,” Amy admitted, “She used to be hopelessly paranoid and suspicious of everything.”

“... she’s not paranoid now?” Hera asked, her eyebrow raised.

“Oh she is, but now she doesn’t spy on everyone all the time, with no respect for privacy or personal boundaries,” Amy answered, “Now she respects privacy.”

“... I avoid you in the bathroom, and bedroom usually, and showers.” Taylor coughed. “I’m working on it.”

“... Well, I’m going to read ahead to learn about privacy charms…” Hermione said after a second or two, “Maybe some bug repelling charms while I’m at it…”

“That’d be prudent,” Amy said in a faint smile.

“I’d complain, but I understand. I’ll just have to pay people to spy on you,~” Taylor teased as she stripped to get her robes on.”

“Absolute lunatic,” Amy snarked as she also stripped to put her robe on, “Hey, isn’t Ginny starting this year? I saw her get on the train, I’m surprised she didn’t stop by to say hi to my snakes.”

“She’s with the twins,” Taylor said with a grin, “And I think she’s nervous about talking with Hera.~”

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Vyor: A shorter chapter this time, the next one should be longer than average to compensate.

Nightmare723764: Will Amy give the diary to Dumbles? Will she give it to Aif and Chuck!? Find out next time on Dragon Ball- er wait, no that ain’t right… Shape of Magic! Yeah, that’s better! :V