A/N so here's chapter one of the third book! Sorry about the delay - stuff happening and no inspiration and such 'n' such. The chapters will probably be uploaded slower than the last ones were but hopefully not to much of a gap, but next term at school will be lots of pressure, so i'm not sure yet. R&R! :) :)

Chapter One

Holiday with the Reynolds

"Amara! Amara, over here!"

Amara Matthews looked over her newly tanned shoulder to see her cousins, 16-year-old-by-one-week Jesse, 15-year-old Noah and 12-year-old Tally over by the swimming pool at their resort in Greece. Their two families – ten of them in total – had really splashed out on their holiday this year. Their accommodation was meant (and was) five stars, and Amara had a slight feeling Louis, her Uncle, had pulled some strings with the French Ministry to get such a good location and resort.

They had been there for nearly two weeks already, mainly staying by the swimming pool and refreshments bar. Luckily for them, they still had another two weeks before they had to return to England. Amara, Jesse, Noah and Tally had also started doing their holiday homework in the confines of their rooms, so they would not cause suspicion. Amara's parents had forbidden her to leave her wand lying around, so Louis, who was the only adult wizard, was keeping it safe in his room.

Amara had enjoyed her holiday very much so far – Jesse, though, had become a little antsy, because he was about to start his sixth year at Beauxbatons, which meant his LATs exams (Lower Application Tests) or FEEs in French (Faible Evalue Essais).

Her siblings, Ethan (who was 11, a very annoying age, for Ethan always was a pain in the backside) and Tessie (who was only 9) were there too, and asked a lot of questions to the five magical family members so they were more in touch with the wizarding world. The whole two families were expectant that summer – it was the decider to see if Ethan was magical as well. Amara hoped very much that he was, because it would mean fewer questions. Tessie, however, was deeply displeased, for she would be the only one left in the house with both her siblings away for a year.

Presently, the three Reynolds were waving madly from their loungers, sipping ice-cold lemonade from the waiter next to them. They had come down earlier than Amara, but all the rest of the family were still inside. Elisabeth and Bryony were inside, getting out of the sun, which had given them a headache.

"'ave you seen Dad, yet?" asked Jesse as she walked over. He had been practising perfecting his British accent over the last year, with the help of Maître Herriot, his English Professor and his mother, who was British herself.

"No," said Amara, flopping down next to Noah, who was reading a Quidditch magazine inside a boring translating book. "I haven't seen anyone, they're all dozing inside."

"Oh," said Jesse, frowning. "Didn't 'e tell you about what we are going to do today?"

"No," Amara said.

"We are going to ze wizard town! Eet is near 'ere!" burst out Tally excitedly. "I cannot wait! Eet iz going to be so exciting!"

"Everyone is going?" asked Amara in surprise, Elisabeth normally stood out of magic-based things.

Tally shook her head. "No, Mama ees going to ze muggle town with Aunt Bryony, Uncle David, Tessie and Ethan."

Amara nodded before reclining back on the lounger. She hadn't been able to contact any of her friends whilst she'd been away, but for the two weeks before she went to Greece, Hermione had stayed over, because she was going to France in the holidays with her parents. Amara had also been in contact with Ron, and she had sent a few letters to Harry with her own owl, for he had been forbidden to use Hedwig, eventhough she was allowed out of her cage. She was debating about what to do with his birthday coming up, for she had no means of getting it to him, as Archimedes was staying with Ron for a bit. Before she had gone away, she had received a very interesting letter from him.

Dear Amara, it read in Ron's usual scribbly handwriting.

How are you? I know you're going to Greece soon, and Mum said that she'll look after Archimedes for a bit before you get back. I tried to phone Harry the other day, you know, by the fellatone number he gave us? Anyways, it went really badly, and I think he got into trouble, so I didn't try again. I'm warning you though – his Uncle is really horrible, and he said that Harry didn't live with him. I hope you have fun in Greece.

From, Ron

Amara was slightly upset with the letter, because it meant that they couldn't contact Harry as much as they had liked. She had also wondered if Ron had warned Hermione as well, which was irritating, because Hermione would have dealt with a telephone call much better than her or Ron, because she knew how to use them and how to talk smoothly, probably not mentioning Hogwarts at all, like Amara would have done. She wished that Harry didn't have to live with the horrible Muggles that called themselves 'family'.

-OOOOO-

"It is way, way, way too hot," moaned Tally as they walked through the crowded street of the wizarding town. The sun was blazing high in the sky, heating them up so that it was unbearable to walk. Many tourist wizards and witches were taking shelter in the cool, shady shops that littered the Ancient Greek street. So far, they had barely done anything, because the day was getting hotter and hotter. Louis had let them roam freely around, because he was going to meet some foreign wizards somewhere, because of his job.

Jesse, Noah and Tally, eventhough they were sort-of used to the baking hot weather in the South of France, were complaining profusely about the scorching sun. Amara had applied copious amounts of sun cream, because otherwise she's burn and ruin the tan she had built up over the first two weeks. All of them had opted for flip-flops and sandals, shorts and vest tops for their excursion.

"Shall we get an ice cream?" asked Amara desperately, spotting a small ice cream parlour the other side of the street. Tally, Jesse and Noah agreed readily, so the four of them hurried over to order their ice creams.

"You know," said Tally as they slurped them. "You haven't really talked about what you did at 'Ogwarts last year; we were too cooped up on school work and such."

Amara grinned. "You know, it was just as interesting as first year, but more terrifying."

The three Reynolds looked at her interestedly.

"Go on!"

"Well, first off, Harry heard these voice in the halls …"

And then, for the next two hours (with more ice creams) Amara told them of everything that had happened the year before. Jesse, Noah and Tally stared at her open-mouthed the entire time.

"How come we never get that sort of stuff?" demanded Jesse.

"All we get are winter balls," said Noah.

"And Adeline Page admitting she loved Jesse," Tally snorted. Amara remembered Adeline from her visit to France the year before. She had two brothers – Adrien and Alex, one older and one younger. She had always blushed in the vicinity of Jesse from what she could remember, much to his and Adrien's annoyance.

"Oh, what did you do?" asked Amara, trying not to laugh like Tally and Noah were.

Jesse looked awkward. "Well, I er …"

"Panicked?"

"Nearly fainted?"

"Ran away?"

"Stood there like an idiot?"

"Shut up!" Jesse said irritably. "I told her that I only saw her as – er – a friend."

"Only because you 'arbour a crush for 'Ermione Granger," giggled Tally, before clapping her hands over her mouth. She stared worriedly at Amara.

"Tally!"

"You like Hermione?" asked Amara, amused.

"I –"

"Only a little bit," said Tally, trying to redeem herself in the eyes of her brother. "I mean, he's never met her."

"Yet," supplied Noah, grinning at Amara.

Jesse slumped into his seat and scowled. Amara looked at him, rather amused. She hadn't really thought about it before – but Jesse and Hermione were very similar. And Hermione had been in correspondence with him all year (except when she was petrified).

"So, you think you –?" began Amara cheekily.

"It's not –" spluttered Jesse, his cheeks flushing. "I – just, don't tell her, please?"

"Of course I won't!" Amara exclaimed. "But –"

"Don't say anything!" said Jesse, his eyes closed and his hand up.

Amara, Tally and Noah sniggered.

"How was your first year, anyways?" asked Amara to Tally.

"It was great, thanks," said Tally. "I met some nice people – I stick with Alex though, try and get him out of trouble, especially with that Veela in Jesse's year, Fleur …"

Noah and Jesse snorted. "Yeah," they agreed. Amara did not know what they were talking about, so she changed the conversation.

"I need to find something for Harry, can we go and find something?" asked Amara. The four of them hurried across the road and into a small shop selling figurines.

After browsing for about half an hour, Amara bought a small moving Griffin, because she thought it was funny, them being Gryffindors and all. It actually moved, like a real Griffin, and came from Greece itself. The owner of the store put it in a small box with holes in, and told her it did not need feeding, ever.

She was very pleased with her find, but now she was worried about how on earth she'd get it to Harry.

-OOOOO-

The next evening, a surprising occurrence happened when Amara went back into their rooms. On the window sill was Archimedes, with a letter tied to his leg.

"Archie!" Amara whisper-yelled, hurrying over to the window. She peered out worriedly, but because the sun had set, everybody was inside. She held out her arm and Archimedes hopped on, nipping her affectionately.

"I missed you too," she grinned. "But what on earth are you doing here?"

"Amara?" asked Mr Matthews, coming through the doorway. "What? How did he get here? I thought he was staying with Ron!"

"Same," said Amara as the rest of her family came in.

"Owls are very clever," said Mrs Matthews. "Imagine flying all the way over to Greece! He must be exhausted! Let me get some …"

She bustled around the room, collecting water and something he could eat as the rest of them watched, amused. Amara's mother had always like Archimedes, ever since Amara had brought him home from Diagon Alley last year. She went out of her way to always make sure he was well fed and watered before making trips.

By the time Bryony was satisfied, Amara had nearly forgotten about the letter, but Tessie pointed it out quickly.

She unrolled the scroll and saw Ron's writing across the page.

Dear Amara,

I really hope this gets to you – I expect Archimedes is better and more reliable than Errol. We were going to keep him for the next few days, but guess what? Dad won the annual Daily Prophet Grand Prize Galleon Draw! I couldn't believe it! So Mum and Dad have decided to book a trip to Egypt to see Bill, we're leaving tomorrow, and won't be back until the week before term starts. Seven Hundred Galleons! This means I can get a new wand next year, too! I hope no Greek muggles saw him as he flew to you, but it might be OK, you never know. I just wanted you to know that you can send him to us once he's finished delivering the letter, because Bill can look after him and stuff with Errol. Actually, Errol is off delivering a letter and Harry's present, hopefully it will get there on time, who knows what he'll do.
I can't wait to go to Egypt – Fred and George say we can go to all the tombs and see all these mutant skeletons and stuff – how cool is that?
We're going to London after we get back, any chance of seeing you? Owl me if necessary!

Hope everything is OK,

Ron

P.S We got the letters from Hogwarts last week, and Percy got Head Boy. He will not stop badgering on about it – it's driving us mad. Fred and George even threatened to shove the badge down the toilet, but Mum told them off.

Amara grinned. She was immensely pleased that the Weasley's had won the prize. They needed it the most. And they got a holiday, too! She grinned as she placed Archimedes on the chest of draws, where he immediately tucked his head under him wing. And the fact that Percy was made Head Boy could not deflate the happy news.

"The Weasley's have gone to Egypt!" she said happily.

"What will we do with Archimedes?" asked Mrs Matthews.

"I'll send him off tomorrow with Harry's present, I'll ask him to look after him for a bit, just for a week or so, we'll be back by then."

As her family got ready for bed, Amara got some pen and paper (which felt odd in her hands, because she was used to a quill) and set about writing her letter to Harry. She also wrapped up his present in some brown paper she found and some string, making sure she poked some holes through the paper for the little Griffin, who was currently asleep, since the last time she had checked.

Dear Harry,

Happy Birthday! I really do hope this gets to you on time, but Archimedes might be slightly tired.
Have you heard about Ron and his family? How awesome is that? It's because of that that Archimedes came to me, because Ron was looking after him whilst I'm in Greece. It's really hot here, too hot, in fact, because all you want to do is escape the heat. Anyways, I hope you like the little present, I found him in a shop in the wizard town we visited yesterday. Luckily for me, Archimedes turned up because Ron is going away (probably is there now, who knows when he wrote it?) and he has nowhere else to go.
There are wizarding places here in Greece, though, and Jesse made me re-write my History of Magic Essay to include all the stuff I found out – he sounds so like Hermione, it's un-real! I wish I was able to get the Daily Prophet delivered, but because I'm in a Muggle resort, it's quite hard to have it go unnoticed.
Can you please, if it's no trouble, send him off to Ron once he gets to yours? Send a little note, too, explaining. I hope the Muggles are treating you OK, don't let them get to you – it will be fine!
I'll be back in two weeks, probably less once you've got this. Ron said he's getting back a week before term starts and is going up to London then. Do you think you can make it? Please say you can, it'll be great to see you. If not, I'll see you on September 1st!

Love

Amara