Deja. Vu: Chapter II

Nikki walked down the corridor, deep in thought. The only thing on her mind was that Potter boy…his unkempt, black hair…the lightning scar that still looked fresh…those eyes…she dragged herself into her cubicle and plopped into her swivel chair. Pools of green swam in her mind. Just green…green…green…black.

Nikki awoke from her daydream, only to see Dumbledore standing in the doorway. “Oh! Professor!” She scrambled out of the chair in her hurry to reach him – and then tripped over it. As she stood up, she brushed her hair out of her face. “Erm…sorry, Professor.”

Dumbledore simply grinned, his eyes twinkling. “I would like to offer you a place at my school.” Nikki raised her eyebrows. “But…Professor…I’ve already graduated from Hogwarts –“

“Ah, I know, Miss Black. I meant a place as junior member of the staff.”

Nikki winced. “But – I failed Mr. Fudge’s test for the Defense Against the Dark Arts Job –“

“As I know, Miss Black. You posses a great deal of intelligence and Professor McGonagall has consented to allow you to be Transfiguration junior assistant. I think Professor Umbridge would be fine with you being the Defense Against the Dark Arts junior assistant as well. We will discuss this matter further at… this address.” He handed Nikki a piece of parchment

Nikki stood up a little taller. “Thank you, professor.” She shook his hand and tried to be serious and keep a straight face as he left. After Dumbledore was out of sight, she threw her papers up into the air, shouted, “Wheee,” and treated herself to an extra cup of coffee.

* * *

Nikki was so pleased to be leaving the Ministry… well, Fudge, for the year. The only thing she could think about was being back at Hogwarts. Although she was very young in her schooling days, she could remember memories of Hogwarts very vividly. She remembered being very upset about not being able to attend Hogsmeade. They said she wasn’t old enough (she was seven at the time.)

She cursed Fudge’s picture (she used it as a dartboard) and told him that he was a right old quack and he should go back to his mummy. Realizing that she had a lot of work still to do, she gathered her bag with her supplies, and hurried out of her office.

As she walking to the main lobby of the Ministry, she caught a glimpse Kingsley Shacklebolt, the bloke who worked in the Auror department following her hurriedly. Nikki decided to ignore it and continued walking towards the nearest fireplace. “Diagon Alley,” she hollered. It’s not working, she thought. I need to add some more! Shacklebolt was getting closer… She quickly grabbed a fistful of Floo Powder.

“DIAGON ALLEY!” she screamed into the fire. The emerald flames quickly consumed her. She sputtered and spat as she was thrown out of the fire in her apartment on Diagon Alley, directly above the Leaky Cauldron. Ash flew onto the carpet and swirled around in the air. She took a minute to collect herself up, the proceeded down the stairs out into the soft wind of late August.

***

On her way back to the apartment, Nicole counted the Sickles that she had just withdrawn from Gringott’s Bank. Darn it! They had cheated her off again. Two sickles short. She would have to bring them up on that later. Climbing into her fluffy cloud pajamas (they were her favorite), She snuggled up with her teddy and drifted off to sleep, dreaming of green eyes and silver sickles.