INCEPTION.

Chapter Three - Harry, Hermione, and The Weasleys.

August 14th, 1993

It had been a week since Harry arrived at the Leaky Cauldron and I didn't think it was possible, but I barely saw him around.

Eager on having a friend my age, I would wake up early every morning to try and find him during the breakfast hour, but he would've already gone off to Diagon Alley.

I spent most day's walking around the shopping area with my money bag, but only managed to buy some quills and parchment after the traumatizing incident regarding the Galleons at Florean's Ice Cream Parlor.

There were too many people in the alley to be able to spot Harry, but I started noticing my surroundings more as I was searching for him and caught boys my age gaping at me quite a bit.

One even went to the extent of running up to me and offering to hold my small shopping bag, which was fucking weird.

Eventually, I spent most of my time at The Leaky Cauldron— all hope of finding my new friend diminishing, and I also grew tired of having to wait for someone to open the archway so I could leave and enter the pub, considering I was still wandless.

The only evidence that Harry was still around was his gorgeous, white owl that would hoot at me whenever I walked past his room.

I was heading downstairs that Saturday morning, having lost all my expectations, and was bracing myself for yet another lonely day when I spotted the boy I'd been searching for the past week breakfasting with the rest.

I paused on the stairs, suddenly feeling very timid, then recomposed myself and proceeded to get my food from Tom.

I was so interested in finding Harry the past week that I never really thought of what I'd say to him once I found him.

I sat a few tables away and pretended not to take notice of him as I pondered my next move.

I didn't have to think much longer because, to my relief, he was standing right in front of me in no time with his breakfast tray at hand.

"Er, can I sit here?"

I nodded at him, gesturing for him to sit down whilst I chewed my food. I did a silent prayer that the conversation wouldn't be as awkward as the night we met because I needed a friend who would give me guidance in this world and I needed it fast.

"Thanks," He sat down hastily and my prayers were soon killed as an awkward silence fell over us as we ate.

"You're not from here," Harry broke the silence.

"Good observation," I remarked, grinning at him and setting my food to the side. "I'm an American transfer. Starting at Hogwarts this year. Dumbledore visited me two weeks ago claiming I was magically advanced enough to study overseas."

The idea of Dumbledore in America seemed to surprise him as much as it did me.

"What year are you in?"

"They're supposed to test me, but Third Year— I think."

Harry seemed happy to hear this.

"Oh, excellent. I'm starting my Third Year, as well."

I let out a sigh of relief, my expression evidently showing how grateful I was for this coincidence, which made him laugh.

"I don't want to scare you, Harry, but I've been looking for you since we met. I haven't had much guidance around here and I need some help with purchasing my stuff and an introduction to... all of this," I gestured around the pub where the empty plates of food were floating towards the kitchen and the chairs were moving around by themselves so the guests could sit.