A Journey At Hogwarts

I. A New Friend

Warnings: Emotional neglect, a bit of child neglect, references to substance abuse

Three years has past since the incident and you-know-who was defeated by a child not long after. The wizarding community felt safe again but neither Jacob nor their father Jalil was seen in Scotland again. Up in the north, the once lively stone house now only contained two residents, three if you counted the cat, Mr Mosley. The youngest resident, Juniper, woke up bright and early, giddy with anticipation for today. Her mum has promised to take her out to Diagon Alley to buy her school supplies when she received her acceptance letter from Hogwarts. She rushed to the kitchen and makes breakfast of toast and eggs for both of them. Mr Mosley came up and rubbed himself against her, meowing eagerly hoping for seconds.

"No Mr Mosley, you had yer meal." She chuckled at the grey tabby. She fixed up a tray of toast and egg, and a cup of tea and brought them to her mum, Julia's room. Her excitement waned a little as she entered the room, her mum still passed out on the bed.

"Ma?" Juniper hesitated, she puts the tray on top of the drawers and went over to shake her, "Ma? Wake up Ma!"

Her mum groaned and mumbled incoherently, Juniper quickly saw the empty bottle of sleeping potion on her bedside table. She knew immediately that her mum was going to have a bad day. She only drank them when she has nightmares or worse, can't fall asleep. The potions always made her sluggish causing her to sleep in all day and later when she does wake up all moody.

"I've left you breakfast here," Juniper left her room, trying her best to hold back her anger. Ma promised her that they would go to Diagon Alley together. She didn't wanted to get too upset otherwise it would make her mum get even sadder if she saw. Juniper picked at her breakfast alone in the dining room, the mood soured in minutes and the sun has barley been out in the sky.

Juniper got ready, still angry and heated up with frustration, decided impulsively to head out on Diagon Alley on her own. It's not like she hasn't anything as crazy before. She left a written note saying that she'll go ahead to Diagon Alley without her, it's the least she can do and try not make her mum panic. She grabbed a bag containg everyhting she needs; the list with her acceptance letter, a shopping bag, money pouch and floo powder. Juniper braced herself in front of the chimney, she had travelled with the floo network before. Well, always with her mum by her side.

"Diagon Alley!" She shouted, chucking the green powder on her.

With a poof, she is infront a old, dark building, almost stumbling face flat to the ground. As the dizziness passed, she read the sign above; Ollivanders. The Ollivanders that she has heard so much about and one of the shops that she is going visit to get her wand. Juniper took in her surrounding, the colours, the bustle of the people. She caught a couple already glimpsing at her, particuarly at her hair and quickly whispering. The once braveness she had faded. Nervousness replacing it rapidly. She shouldn't have come here alone. Juniper has never been to London by herself and the last time she visited was three years ago. She pulled out her list with shakey hands, not far from her, she spotted a girl with shiny black hair and glasses about her age. Maybe she can help Juniper navigate around. She puts on the bravest face she can muster and walked towards her.

"Hi, um, could you help me?" The girl turned and gave her a friendly smile.

"Hi, I'm Rowan Khanna!" She introduced herself eagerly, "Are you getting ready to start at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry too?"

Feeling more at ease around Rowan, she answered, "Aye, but Diagon Alley is a bit confusing. I'm no sure where to start..."

"I can help!" Rowan said, struggling to hide her enthusiasm, "I've been reading Hogwarts: A History in anticipation of my first year, so I'm something of an expert on Hogwarts. You should start by finding all of the books you need at Flourish and Blotts." Juniper is relieved that she picked the right person to ask for help.