The Girl Who Disappeared (Harry Potter Fan-fiction)

*Chapter 2*

Harry and Maurelle had never been to London before. Although Hagrid seemed to know where he was going, he was obviously not used to getting there in an ordinary way. He got stuck in the ticket barrier on the Underground, and complained loudly that the seats were too small and the trains too slow. Maurelle just sat there, happy to be off from the Dursley's, while Harry was questioning off of every material there was on the checklist to Hagrid.

"I don't know how the muggles manage without magic" he said as they climbed down the broken escalator that led up to a bustling road lined with shops.

Since Hagrid was large, he parted the crowd easily; all Harry and Maurelle had to do was stay close behind him, but even then, it was hard to keep up. Maurelle was starting to make distance from the two. She thought she had lost them when she felt a hand grab hers.

"Harry" her eyes lit up.

"Stay close" he said as he held her hand to make sure she didn't drift away. Harry was still reading the list, then told Hagrid, " Can we find all of this in London?"

"If you know where to go." Hagrid came to a halt, "This is it...the Leaky Cauldron. It's a famous place"

It was a tiny pub. If Hagrid hadn't pointed it out, they wouldn't have noticed it. The people hurrying by didn't glance at it. Their eyes slid from the big book shop on one side to the record shop on the other as if they couldn't see the Leaky Cauldron at all. In fact, Harry and Maurelle had the most peculiar feeling that only they and Hagrid could see it.

"For a famous place, it's quite dark and shabby" Maurelle whispered to Harry in which he nodded in agreement.

A little man in a top hat was talking to the old bartender, who was quite bald and looked like a toothless walnut. The low buzz of chatter stopped when they walked in. Everyone seemed to know Hagrid; they waved and smiled at him, and the bartender reached for a glass, saying, "Ahh Hagrid! The usual, I presume?" A bartender said.

"No thanks, Tom. I'm on official Hogwarts business. Just helping young Harry and Maurelle buy their supplies for school." Hagrid patted their shoulders.

"Bless my soul! It's Harry Potter! And... Maurelle Freya!?!" Tom said in shock.

Everyone overheard Tom and they all drew their attention towards them.

"Welcome back Mr. Potter." A man walked up and shook his hand. He then turned to Maurelle, "It's been awhile since we have last seen your mother, it is good to have you back Ms. Freya."

"Doris Crockford. I can't believe I am meeting you at last." She told Harry. "And you my child, I can't believe I am still here to this day to see you here, alive and well" She told Maurelle.

A man in a turban appeared in front of them soon after Doris, "Harry...Potter. Can't tell you how pleased I am to meet you." He stuttered. "Maurelle F-Freya, it is such an honor to see you, your mother's work is my inspiration"

Maurelle sensed something wrong with this man, but she can't seem to put a finger on it.

"Hello, professor! I didn't see you there. Professor Quirrell will be your Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher." Hagrid said.

"Oh, nice to meet you" Harry shook his hand.

Quirrell didn't take Harry's gesture. "F-fearfully fascinating subject. Nnot that you need it, eh, Potter?"

"Yes, well. Must be going now, lots to buy."Hagrid said.

"Goodbye" Harry said as him and Hagrid walked along.

Maurelle stayed and looked at Quirrell up and down. Quirrell seemed to tense up and Maurelle looked at him in the eye.

"Such a curious thing, a turban. Never know how much it really covers." She said.