NATURAL SELECTION
A Harry Potter UNIVERSE/ Sasporilla Bucket Fan Fiction
by Darren Kelly
CHAPTER 2
Mrs.Bucket was dressed in her finest tweed Sunday morning outfit. It was a bit frayed around the cuffs and she had gotten most of the Guinness stain out of her skirt but it looked beautiful on her. Sasporillas wild pink hair was combed down into a presentable state. She was dressed in a black skirt, with a white shirt and grey sweater vest that her mum brought home with her. She had probably picked it up at that second hand store down the street from the book shop in Diagon Alley. The owner set things aside that she could rarely sell because of damage that only mum could seem to fix, or because of some strange smell that no amount of magic could seem to get out. No matter what, the price was always right. Free. The outfit was a bit big but "you'll grow into it" was her mums answer to any and all new used clothing related arguments.
Mrs.Bucket sat nervously on the couch as if at attention. Her knees tightly together with her hands resting together on top, & her posture straight as you'd see in any book n the subject. Sasporilla sat , beside her mother, slumped back against the couch, her feet apart, knees together, playing with a strand of pink hair with a figity finger.
"Sit up straight Sassy." Mrs.Bucket said prodding her daughter gently with her elbow.
"Why mum?" Sasporilla asked exasperated. "No one is here!"
"They will be soon so sit up straight!" Mrs.Bucket began tickling her daughter into doing as she was told. Sasporilla was very ticklish and her mum knew just how to use it against her. Sasporilla protested as the pair laughed and giggled. They didn't see the three men come in lead by Ms.Daisy.
"A hem." Ms.Daisy coughed and caught the attention of mother and daughter who sat for a moment like hippogryphs in headlights.
Sasporilla and her mum both sat up straight and tried to look respectable, despite her mums tilted glasses and one lock of Sassys pink hair that stood straight out sideways.
"May I present your guests Madame?" Ms.Daisy began.
"You may." Wysteria said, suddenly breaking out into inappropriate laughter along with her daughter at the ridiculousness of the whole pomp and circumstance of the situation.
"The Minister of Magic, Cornelias Fudge." Ms.Daisy announced. The short balding man gave a polite nod.
"Auror first class, Nixxi Owelmoore, representative for the United Union of Aurors and Flew Cleaners."
Nick gave a little wave and a smile with a wink.
"And Professor Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of the Hogwarts Acadamey for Wizards and Witches."
"You have a lovely home Mrs.Bucket." The old wizard smiled through his long white beard.
"Thank you professor, would you gentlemen like some tea?"
"Oh that would be lovely." Cornelias Fudge said.
Three chairs appeared around a small table with tea, fairy cakes, and biscuits. Ms.Daisy began to pour, as the three men sat. After a few moments of polite conversation about how pretty the curtains in the living room were and how nice the lovely the fairy cakes tasted.
"You must give Mrs.Fudge the recipe", the Minister of magic insisted, "Will your husband be joining us?"
"He's indisposed at the moment. Downstairs." Mrs.Bucket smiled both politely & embarrassed.
"Every year," Professor Dumbledore began, "a single child of unrecognized magical ability is chosen to receive a partial scholarship to Hogwarts."
Both Sasporilla and her mother sat with their mouths hanging open in shock.
"But I'm not a witch." Sasporilla said.
"Aw, but you are my dear." Professor Dumbledore continue. "Magical Ability usually manifests when a young witch or wizard is angry or frightened. With you it is quite the opposite. You are at your most powerful when you are calm and at one with nature. Can you think of nothing magical you've done in circumstances such as those?"
"She can talk to animals." Mrs.Bucket said proudly. "It's her special gift."
"And there we are!" Professor Dumbledore smiled and sat back in his chair.
"My Sassy a witch, Good for you sweet heart." Mrs.Bucket rubbed her daughters knee excitedly then suddenly stopped. "Partial scholarship you said? We can't afford to...."
"No, no, no my dear let me clarify." Cornelius Fudge smiled. "You see, her full tuition costs will be covered by the Ministries scholarship fund."
"Ya." Nick chimed in. "And all the lads been setting aside a sickle and here and there for your books and such for a few years now so you're all covered there."
"However." Albus Dumbledore smiled ryely with a touch of sadness. "You will be expected to work in the kitchens, laundry and with the grounds keeping staff everyday to pay for room and board costs. You will also have to maintain passing grades in all of your classes by end of year assessment. However your attendance is not mandatory. If you should so choose NOT to attend Hogwarts the scholarship will be given to another. The choice Sasporilla is entirely yours."
Sasporilla stood and walked away from them.
"Sassy." Her mother said softly trying to take her daughters hand.
Albus Dumbledore held up his hand and silenced them for a moment.
Sasporilla went over to her bed and sat on the side looking at the floor. A decision had to be made. She knew they would be expecting an answer tonight so there was no time to think about it. To go to Hogwarts was a chance at a better life than living above the pub. A chance to learn how to do magic! A chance to get away from the small minded school teacher. To go to a place where maybe she wouldn't be judged for who her family was and what they weren't. Drunk, Poor, trash, the words echoed in her head. Perhaps there, she would find a friend. She looked over and her mum smiled at her. She would miss her mum. She would miss Ms.Daisy. She would even miss her dad. He really wasn't all THAT bad. He'd been through a lot and needed to drink to cope with... NO MORE EXCUSES.
Sasporilla Bucket stood up and straightened her clothes. She tried to push down the stubborn lock of hair only to cause 2 more to spring up. She walked purposefully back to the couch and sat down beside her concerned mother.
"You have come to a decision?" Albus Dumbledore asked.
"Yes." Sasporilla answered.
Everyone sat on edge and stared at the girl. She wondered why they stared at her blankly then realzied they hadn't understood what she meant.
"No. Well I mean Yes I have an answer & that answer is Yes, I will attend Hogwarts school, and work to stay."
"Excelent!" Cornelius Fudge smiled and stood. "Not every child can see the benefits of a Hogwarts education over being worked like a house elf."
Nick, Wysteria & Sasporilla all grimaced at that comment and looked away as Ms.Daisy whipped around.
"I beg your pardon?" Ms.Daisy asked putting her hands on her hips.
"I meant no offence of course." Fudge stuttered as Ms.Daisy walked towards him.
"House elves work very hard indeed." Ms.Daisy said loudly. "Without us to clean up after you, WHERE WOULD WITCHES AND WIZARDS BE? Still cleaning with spells or having your apprentices do it for you? That worked out well in the past, HASN'T IT?"
"Mrs.Bucket please call off your house elf." Fudge said backing himself into a corner.
"I am NOT a DOG to be called off," Ms.Daisy yelled, "I am a FREE ELF! Elves work hard for the love of their families and take pride in their jobs. WE ARE NOT SLAVES."
Ms.Daisy held up her finger pressed firm against her thumb as if to snap her fingers. Elves, being magical beings, needed no wands to perform magic. A simple snap of the fingers would do the trick.
"I'm sorry." Cornelius Fudge squeaked as he closed his eyes.
"Apology accepted Minister." Ms.Daisy said turning away and giving a small smile and wink to the Bucket girls.
"With that minister, I think we should be off." Albus Dumbledore said standing. "Your documents for the school will be arriving by owl in a few weeks. Good evening ladies. Are you coming Detective Owlmore?"
"No professor." Nick said. Thought I'd stick around and visit a spell."
Mrs.Bucket was dressed in her finest tweed Sunday morning outfit. It was a bit frayed around the cuffs and she had gotten most of the Guinness stain out of her skirt but it looked beautiful on her. Sasporillas wild pink hair was combed down into a presentable state. She was dressed in a black skirt, with a white shirt and grey sweater vest that her mum brought home with her. She had probably picked it up at that second hand store down the street from the book shop in Diagon Alley. The owner set things aside that she could rarely sell because of damage that only mum could seem to fix, or because of some strange smell that no amount of magic could seem to get out. No matter what, the price was always right. Free. The outfit was a bit big but "you'll grow into it" was her mums answer to any and all new used clothing related arguments.
Mrs.Bucket sat nervously on the couch as if at attention. Her knees tightly together with her hands resting together on top, & her posture straight as you'd see in any book n the subject. Sasporilla sat , beside her mother, slumped back against the couch, her feet apart, knees together, playing with a strand of pink hair with a figity finger.
"Sit up straight Sassy." Mrs.Bucket said prodding her daughter gently with her elbow.
"Why mum?" Sasporilla asked exasperated. "No one is here!"
"They will be soon so sit up straight!" Mrs.Bucket began tickling her daughter into doing as she was told. Sasporilla was very ticklish and her mum knew just how to use it against her. Sasporilla protested as the pair laughed and giggled. They didn't see the three men come in lead by Ms.Daisy.
"A hem." Ms.Daisy coughed and caught the attention of mother and daughter who sat for a moment like hippogryphs in headlights.
Sasporilla and her mum both sat up straight and tried to look respectable, despite her mums tilted glasses and one lock of Sassys pink hair that stood straight out sideways.
"May I present your guests Madame?" Ms.Daisy began.
"You may." Wysteria said, suddenly breaking out into inappropriate laughter along with her daughter at the ridiculousness of the whole pomp and circumstance of the situation.
"The Minister of Magic, Cornelias Fudge." Ms.Daisy announced. The short balding man gave a polite nod.
"Auror first class, Nixxi Owelmoore, representative for the United Union of Aurors and Flew Cleaners."
Nick gave a little wave and a smile with a wink.
"And Professor Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of the Hogwarts Acadamey for Wizards and Witches."
"You have a lovely home Mrs.Bucket." The old wizard smiled through his long white beard.
"Thank you professor, would you gentlemen like some tea?"
"Oh that would be lovely." Cornelias Fudge said.
Three chairs appeared around a small table with tea, fairy cakes, and biscuits. Ms.Daisy began to pour, as the three men sat. After a few moments of polite conversation about how pretty the curtains in the living room were and how nice the lovely the fairy cakes tasted.
"You must give Mrs.Fudge the recipe", the Minister of magic insisted, "Will your husband be joining us?"
"He's indisposed at the moment. Downstairs." Mrs.Bucket smiled both politely & embarrassed.
"Every year," Professor Dumbledore began, "a single child of unrecognized magical ability is chosen to receive a partial scholarship to Hogwarts."
Both Sasporilla and her mother sat with their mouths hanging open in shock.
"But I'm not a witch." Sasporilla said.
"Aw, but you are my dear." Professor Dumbledore continue. "Magical Ability usually manifests when a young witch or wizard is angry or frightened. With you it is quite the opposite. You are at your most powerful when you are calm and at one with nature. Can you think of nothing magical you've done in circumstances such as those?"
"She can talk to animals." Mrs.Bucket said proudly. "It's her special gift."
"And there we are!" Professor Dumbledore smiled and sat back in his chair.
"My Sassy a witch, Good for you sweet heart." Mrs.Bucket rubbed her daughters knee excitedly then suddenly stopped. "Partial scholarship you said? We can't afford to...."
"No, no, no my dear let me clarify." Cornelius Fudge smiled. "You see, her full tuition costs will be covered by the Ministries scholarship fund."
"Ya." Nick chimed in. "And all the lads been setting aside a sickle and here and there for your books and such for a few years now so you're all covered there."
"However." Albus Dumbledore smiled ryely with a touch of sadness. "You will be expected to work in the kitchens, laundry and with the grounds keeping staff everyday to pay for room and board costs. You will also have to maintain passing grades in all of your classes by end of year assessment. However your attendance is not mandatory. If you should so choose NOT to attend Hogwarts the scholarship will be given to another. The choice Sasporilla is entirely yours."
Sasporilla stood and walked away from them.
"Sassy." Her mother said softly trying to take her daughters hand.
Albus Dumbledore held up his hand and silenced them for a moment.
Sasporilla went over to her bed and sat on the side looking at the floor. A decision had to be made. She knew they would be expecting an answer tonight so there was no time to think about it. To go to Hogwarts was a chance at a better life than living above the pub. A chance to learn how to do magic! A chance to get away from the small minded school teacher. To go to a place where maybe she wouldn't be judged for who her family was and what they weren't. Drunk, Poor, trash, the words echoed in her head. Perhaps there, she would find a friend. She looked over and her mum smiled at her. She would miss her mum. She would miss Ms.Daisy. She would even miss her dad. He really wasn't all THAT bad. He'd been through a lot and needed to drink to cope with... NO MORE EXCUSES.
Sasporilla Bucket stood up and straightened her clothes. She tried to push down the stubborn lock of hair only to cause 2 more to spring up. She walked purposefully back to the couch and sat down beside her concerned mother.
"You have come to a decision?" Albus Dumbledore asked.
"Yes." Sasporilla answered.
Everyone sat on edge and stared at the girl. She wondered why they stared at her blankly then realzied they hadn't understood what she meant.
"No. Well I mean Yes I have an answer & that answer is Yes, I will attend Hogwarts school, and work to stay."
"Excelent!" Cornelius Fudge smiled and stood. "Not every child can see the benefits of a Hogwarts education over being worked like a house elf."
Nick, Wysteria & Sasporilla all grimaced at that comment and looked away as Ms.Daisy whipped around.
"I beg your pardon?" Ms.Daisy asked putting her hands on her hips.
"I meant no offence of course." Fudge stuttered as Ms.Daisy walked towards him.
"House elves work very hard indeed." Ms.Daisy said loudly. "Without us to clean up after you, WHERE WOULD WITCHES AND WIZARDS BE? Still cleaning with spells or having your apprentices do it for you? That worked out well in the past, HASN'T IT?"
"Mrs.Bucket please call off your house elf." Fudge said backing himself into a corner.
"I am NOT a DOG to be called off," Ms.Daisy yelled, "I am a FREE ELF! Elves work hard for the love of their families and take pride in their jobs. WE ARE NOT SLAVES."
Ms.Daisy held up her finger pressed firm against her thumb as if to snap her fingers. Elves, being magical beings, needed no wands to perform magic. A simple snap of the fingers would do the trick.
"I'm sorry." Cornelius Fudge squeaked as he closed his eyes.
"Apology accepted Minister." Ms.Daisy said turning away and giving a small smile and wink to the Bucket girls.
"With that minister, I think we should be off." Albus Dumbledore said standing. "Your documents for the school will be arriving by owl in a few weeks. Good evening ladies. Are you coming Detective Owlmore?"
"No professor." Nick said. Thought I'd stick around and visit a spell."
PLEASE REMEMBER
I am in no way affiliated with Warner Bros. or with J.K.Rowling. My work is purely that of fan fiction & do not ask for, nor accept money, gifts or other compensation for my work. If you really feel you must do something, research which charities J.K.Rowling donates to, then donate to them as such.
I am in no way affiliated with Warner Bros. or with J.K.Rowling. My work is purely that of fan fiction & do not ask for, nor accept money, gifts or other compensation for my work. If you really feel you must do something, research which charities J.K.Rowling donates to, then donate to them as such.