~Pottertalia~ (DISCONTINUED)

Chapter 35

---3 years ago---
"Hello there! I just moved to this neighborhood; it's nice to meet you!" Julie could only nod and smile. The ten year old boy adjusted his glasses. "My name is Alfred Jones. Im a hero," he said seriously.

"Julie Winchester." After that day, they played together every single day, right after lunch. All of Julie's friends were females, so she never understood the appeal of getting filthy while collecting worms, but if Alfred enjoyed it, she wouldn't question it. He was her idol.

A year later, in July, Julie and Alfred were on the swings in the park near their homes. It was the evening, and the summer was swelteringly horrible.

"Hey, Julie...I'm going off to a boarding school soon." Julie turned, furrowing her eyebrows.

"Where? The one near the closed elementary school?" Alfred grimaced, and shook his head.

"No...one in Britain." His lips curved into a smile quickly. "But do you know what I'll be learning there?"

"Hm?"

"Magic."

"Alfred, we're too old to believe in stuff like magic, or the tooth fairy, or Santa-"

"Santa is real! Besides, you'll see! My mommy, she's really good at magic! She can make the teapots dance across the table, and turns the cat into a toad when he misbehaves!"

Julie's eyes widened. Even turn the cat into a toad! How ridiculous! But...Alfred never lies. So she played along. And grinned. "Hey, Alfred, do you think you can teach me some magic when you come back?"

Alfred nodded eagerly. "Yeah! I'll introduce you to all of my new friends I make, and you can keep me posted on everyone back at school, when I come back in the summer!"

Julie held out her pinky. "It's a deal, then!"

Alfred took it with his own, laughing. "I'll go ask mommy if she can show you some magic!" They ran to Alfred's house, giggling.

"Mommy, can you please show Julie some magic? Please, please!"

Mrs. Jones blinked. "P-pardon?"

"Yes, I would like to see some magic, Mrs. Jones!"

She smiled, and pulled out her wand. "Alright, I will, Julie."

She waved it in front of Julie. The girl's grin faltered, then disappeared. "..Alfred? W-where's the magic?"

"I-it-"

"You are a liar! I hate you! I hate you!" Julie was close to tears, and she ran out the open door, slamming it shut behind her.

"Mommy, w-why?"

Mrs. Jones sighed, and ruffled his hair. "You'll learn once you arrive at Hogwarts."

"Oh..."

"So that's your history, huh? Then how did she come to like you again?"

Alfred paused the game, and turned to face Arthur. "That I don't know."

"You don't seem to return the feelings."

"Ew, no. Too much history behind us; can't ruin that former friendship."

"So you're friend zoning her."

"I have to! It's been really awkward to her ever since that day!"

"Mhm." Arthur crawled closer to Alfred, leaning his head on his shoulder. "Don't do things you'll regret, alright?"
---

Julie didn't know why she liked Alfred. She didn't like him when she was younger, and neither last year. So, why then? Could it be Dior's 'therapy'?

"What's wrong?" Dior asked Julie as she walked through the doorway, head hung low. "I'm just really upset for some reason."

"Oh...hey, I've been learning some therapy tricks and stuff; maybe I can help you feel better!"

"R-really?"

"Yeah! Come over to my house, and I'll do my magic!" She laughed.

Julie didn't like the 'm' word, but she nodded sullenly. "Okay."

After school, they were in Dior's room. Dior pulled out a small vial, shaking it vigorously.

"What is that?"

"Some traditional medicinal herb brew, that's all."

"Oh..."

"Helps with headaches, and keeps you thin."

Julie drank it down in a gulp.

"I'm definitely feeling...something."

"Good, good."

And Julie suddenly felt an urge to see Alfred after such a long time. An urging to play with him again. She told Dior this strange feeling.

"It's normal! U-um, anything else?"

"Um...I also feel very thirsty..."

Dior nodded excitably. "Good! You'll be thin in no time!" She pushed Julie out. "Tell me if anything bad happens to your skin or something, okay?"

"Uh, okay?"

Dior then shut the door, and fist pumped the air. She had created a potion that was similar to a love potion, and Julie was the first test subject to not have had sudden side effects! Her father would be extremely proud, and maybe stop homeschooling her in magic!

Dun, dun, dun! Yes, a potion used on her! She's under long term effects, brewed by the one she trusted! Wow, sorry this took such a long time...ahh but it's here!