Hidden Slytherin

Chapter 6 Come A Little Closer and I'll Teach You About Rabies

Jane knew she had to focus. She had one week till school started, she still had stuff to get, still had to go in to Gringotts and couldn't get distracted by any more magic practice. No more getting sucked in to experiments. She would save the earring charms for another day.

She had to get herself sorted. It was six days till school started, she needed to finish her shopping, get her luggage situation fixed, send a reply to her brother, and check where King's Cross Station... How was she going to get to the station? She had a rough idea where it was but that was at least three hours walk, if not longer. Jane was all for a good walk, but she needed to be there for eight o'clock. She'd have to ask Hannah, she would know.

Jane fed and watered Smudge before leaving him closed in the room. Going down the stairs, she pulled her leather jacket on, juggling her backpack between her eyes. As she approached the bar, she tried to catch Hannah's eye. It took a few seconds before Hannah came over.

"I was wondering if you knew a way to King's Cross?"

Hannah got a sympathetic look to her, "parents still out of town?"

Over the days Jane had spent here Hannah had been kept mercifully busy by other customers but in her down time had tried to grill, err talk to, Jane. This was the best she had come up with.

"Yup," Jane tried to look contrite.

"Well you could take the night bus. You just stick out your wand to hail it, it'll show up. Or you can book it in advance through the pub."

"I'd like to do that. Please. Also, how much will I owe you, for the stay?"

Jane learned that it cost eleven Sickles to ride the bus, and would only be charged at the ride. She also discovered that by signing in to the pub, the money would be transferred out of her account at the end of her stay, and the charge was quite reasonable.

Jane went into muggle London for a quick trip to buy pens, pencils, erasers and four notebooks in various sizes, the smallest only slightly bigger than her hand. After finishing that she returned to Knockturn to pick up a few more used books.

As Jane left she realized there was a change to the streets. Suddenly there were children everywhere. Less so in Knockturn but still more than before. Jane knew she was a child too but not like them. And there parents, always asking questions. 'where's your mum and dad? Are you lost? Do you need help?' She knew it was coming from a good place but it added at least twenty minutes to any shopping excursion.

Eventually Jane managed to make her way to the bookshop where she nearly knocked over a blond girl on her way out. She managed to catch the girl before she fell.

"Are you ok," Jane asked.

"Yes, fine. Sorry," the girl finally looked up from her books, her large blue glasses sliding down her nose.

"No, it's my fault. You're books ok?"

"Yes, thank you," the girl smiled. "Have a good day."

"You too." With that the girl hurried away. Jane got the sense she wasn't used to Knockturn Alley and almost wished she'd offered to walk her back to Diagon. Jane also knew she was on a schedule, if only in her head and should at least try to stick to it.

These included an introduction to ancient runes, another book on magics of the mind, one on common wizard laws, and one on rituals. After finding a book on Transfiguration and another called 'Charmed: Behind The Theory,'she made her purchases before she headed to her last stop. Jane found herself at the Ninety-Three Diagon Alley staring up at Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes fantastical display.

Jane had noticed when she was last in that, besides the assortment of things that they sold that could get you into trouble, they also sold things to get you out. Jane liked to be prepared. So she made her way through the busy aisles in till she found what she was looking for. Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder, for an instant get away. Jane picked up three and took them to the counter. She had debated the Nosebleed Nougat but one too many crime novels had taught her never to leave blood behind if it could be helped. Jane paid thirteen Knuts for the Darkness Powder and made her way out of the store, only to get stuck behind a family that was blocking the door.