Saving Audrey

Chapter 9

Audrey was still at the Weasley's when OWL results came in. Of course Percy's scores were perfect. Audrey was scared to open hers in front of the Weasley's, so she shoved them in her bag until she was alone that night. She knew she hadn't studied quite as much or as hard as she should, but she hadn't felt the need to then. Now she was hoping she wouldn't regret that decision.

After breakfast, Audrey went upstairs to shower and get ready. She was going to wait until after she was ready to read her scores. Knowing that alone time in the Weasley house was rare, she timidly opened her scores after hopping out of the shower. She almost dropped the parchment into the toilet! She had not only passed, but also done as well as Percy! She was certain then that she came from strong wizarding blood. There was no way she could have pulled that off otherwise. She couldn't wait to show the family.

Audrey bounded down from the room she shared with Ginny on the third landing. She stopped suddenly as soon as she reached the main floor. Sitting in the living area with the twins was Oliver. They had owled each other about once a week but she had not seen him since the apology a month ago at the train station. She immediately regretted her choice in attire for the day. The first time Oliver has seen her in a month and she was wearing cut off khakis, a pink polo shirt, and very worn in New Balances. Not to mention she had put her hair into braided pigtails.

"Audrey!" Oliver exclaimed as he jumped off the couch to hug her. Even at her bummiest, Audrey was still the most beautiful person he had ever seen. "The twins called and wanted to get together a game of Quidditch since this is your last free day here." Although Audrey was touched by this, she couldn't figure out how just the four of them were going to manage a game. In response to her questionable thought, the fireplace shot out Katie, Alicia, and Angelina. They were followed shortly after by Charlie and Bill. A moment later, Tom and Matthew, Gryffindor's reserve beaters fell out. They officially had enough players for two teams without seekers when Ron walked in. The rest of the day was spent playing Quidditch and other games. That night, the Weasley's had a cookout for everyone. Lisa and Tina even showed up for dinner.

"I thought I could never be as proud of anyone as I am of my own children, all seven of them." Arthur Weasley glanced down the table at his children. His eyes then shifted to Audrey. "That was until last summer. I am now equally proud of my granddaughter. As you all know, grades came in today" He paused as a mixture of moaning and laughing rose from the table. "I ,of course, was not surprised by how well ANY of my family did. So tonight, I would like to toast to them all, especially Percy and Audrey and their perfect scores on the OWLs." As the rest of the table applauded and smiled, Audrey's friends were the only ones with shocked expressions on their faces. An hour after dinner, the Weasley's and the Kelly's were all that remained.

"How did you know about my scores?" asked Audrey as she helped Mrs. Weasley put everything away.

"Dumbledore owled us, as well as your mother and grandmother. He also said he would like for you to come to Hogwarts early on the 1^st to discuss a couple of things." Audrey simply nodded her head. After putting away the last plate, they joined the rest of the family in the backyard.

"Congratulation Audrey, I am so proud of you! So, how does it feel to be surrounded by younger uncles at school now?" asked her father.

"Actually, kind of weird. I have chosen to simply think of them as my cousins. Charlie is the only one old enough," she paused to look at the twins, "and responsible enough to be considered an uncle." Everyone but the twins laughed.

The next morning, Audrey woke up and began to pack. She had not realized how much she would miss the Burrow until she walked away from it. Sure, she had missed her mother and grandmother, but there was a feeling in the Burrow she knew she wouldn't find anywhere else. Still, she knew she would have to make the best of her vacation in America. She knew that the twins were going to try and convince their parents to let them Floo over for a day. Audrey prayed her grandparents would give in.

They said yes! A week after leaving the Burrow, Audrey was walking through the house when she heard a loud noise followed by identical laughter. She ran straight to the fireplace, knowing exactly what and who had caused the noise. Standing in front of her, covered in soot and grinning were Fred and George. She couldn't wait to show them muggle America. After cleaning them up and having lunch, the three set off to the mall.

The twins were in awe. They spent forever in the joke shop. Never would they imagine muggles could think up this kind of stuff. They spent over half of their allowance in that one store. So far, it had been a great day for the three Weasley's. (Yes, Audrey's name is now Weasley to everyone in the magical world.) Of course, good things do not always last long.

"Audrey Kelly, we had been wondering where you had escaped to." Audrey and the twins turned to see Carla Smith and the rest of Audrey's old cheerleading squad. "Guess you got in trouble again and were shipped off to some high class prep school to try to salvage the family name. Only so many more schools you can escape to you know." Carla looked the twins over. "Judging by these two though, you still choose to slum it. So, are you fucking both of them?" Audrey immediately grabbed the Barbie doll looking girl.

"For your information, I am not fucking around, or any other crud thing, with these two. I'm not like you. Don't think I didn't hear about how you slept with every guy I ever got rid of. What, upset you can't have anymore of my sloppy seconds? " With that, Audrey released her, glanced back at the rest of, and walked off, followed by the twins.

"Bloody hell, what was that?" asked Fred.

"Just someone from my past.."

"What were you doing with people like that?"

"Fred, first off, I NEVER hung out with that bitch. Secondly, before I became a witch and a Weasley, I was a very different person. Not a person I am proud of."

"I never would have guessed it."

"Well, I try to keep it hidden fairly well." And that was the end of the discussion. The three went home and the twins went back to England. Audrey spent the rest of her summer wrapped up in her studies and with her family. Other than the letters she received from her friends, she had no contact outside her home. She was counting down the days until she would go back to Hogwarts. On September 1st, Audrey Flooed back to the castle to meet Dumbledore and settle in.

"Audrey Weasley, I wondered what time you'd be arriving, have a seat please." Audrey took the seat across from the headmaster, worried about what he had to tell her. "I was very impressed by your OWL scores. I was, however, not surprised. How much do you know about your grandfather?"

"Nothing sir, except that he was a Gryffindor and an Auror."

"Yes, he was also an exceptional Chaser, as I believe you are?" Audrey couldn't help but smile. "I do not believe his talent in the sport is all he passed on to you, though. I guess you have also heard that he died while working against Lord Voldemort?" Audrey nodded. "This is because your grandfather was a very special wizard. He was a Skepsi." Now Audrey was extremely confused. "I believe you also have these powers, and with training, you can become great."

"Excuse me sir, but what exactly is a Skepsi?"

"Audrey, have you ever been in deep thought and something happened?" Audrey nodded, thinking back to the football field. "At that moment, you were embracing the power of a Skepsi. See, the witch or wizard possessing this power can have visions or make things happen through thought. No wands or words are needed. I will be bringing in a specialist to work with you on your powers. Now, I must ask something very important of you. The Skepsi is a very powerful creature, and there may only be one living at any time. However, this power, if put into the wrong hands can cause great disaster. I must ask you not to try to use it or to tell anyone, even your family about this, understood?" Audrey agreed and went to her dorm to take a nap before the rest of the students arrived.

Audrey must have been exhausted, for when she woke, Oliver and the twins were standing directly over her. She had missed the sorting and dinner. She bolted up. "Ginny?"

"Don't worry, Ginny is in Gryffindor. I don't know where else you thought she would go. You also missed an interesting arrival by Ron and Harry." The twins then proceeded to tell her all about the flying car. Audrey was so glad to be back home, back in the wizarding world where she belonged.