unforeseen [h.p.]

DIAGON ALLEY

Turns out Alex never did get the answers she craved, because the day Amelia was supposed to go to the Burrow for tea happened to be the day Mr. Weasley won a Galleon Draw sponsored by The Daily Prophet. They'd gotten seven hundred galleons, which they spent on a holiday to Egypt.

Alex was happy for them of course. She thought the Weasleys definitely deserved the money, but she wouldn't be able to know why Slytherin was a bad house for who knows how long. She definitely wasn't going to bring up the subject to Amelia and Mark, as they would just start bickering again.

Another thing she wasn't fond of was the intense boredom she was suffering. Usually she'd hang out with the boys and Ginny, but since they'd left she occupied herself with activities like reading Mark's old spell books for the hundredth time, already having memorized every incantation to every spell in them. Sometimes when the weather wasn't too hot Alex would fly her broom along the river, but it wasn't as fun as when she had the twins to race against.

One day, Amelia walked in on Alex lying on her bed staring up at the ceiling. She empathized with her, claiming she knew exactly how she felt.

"I used to do the same thing when Charlie went off to Hogwarts and I was stuck at home by myself," Amelia told her. "Eventually, my parents put me in muggle school. Hated it."

By now, after living with her relatives for almost two months, Alex knew quite a bit Wizarding World terminology. She rarely had to ponder over the things her aunt and uncle conversed about anymore. Muggles were normal people, those who didn't have magic. Two months ago Alex was a muggle, or at least she thought she was.

"Never you mind." Amelia patted her on the leg, a gesture that proved more awkward than comforting, "Tomorrow we're off to Diagon Alley. That'll sure be exciting."

Ah, yes. The day for Alex to go off to Hogwarts was soon approaching. For the next two days, she would be in London, picking up the required supplies she would need for the upcoming school year. Her aunt would be with her, and they'd stay at the Leaky Cauldron until it was time for her to catch the train. The Weasleys will be staying there as well, once they arrive back from Egypt.

"I've been packed forever," Alex said.

Amelia gave her one of her heartwarming smiles. "I know, dear. Now, come into the kitchen, I've made turkey sandwiches."

***

The next morning, Alex was woken up so early even the birds would be in a crappy mood.

"Sorry to wake you up so early, Alex, but I'd like to get to London before all the other last minute shoppers do," Amelia informed, placing a plate of blueberry waffles in front of Alex. "And Mark still doesn't know how we're getting there." She shot a glare at her husband from across the table.

Mark returned the glare from above The Daily Prophet. "I don't know how we're getting there? You're the one who refused all the options I gave you. Disapparating would be the easiest."

"You know what happened last time we took that route. What if someone got splinched this time?" Amelia argued, throwing a wary look in Alex's direction.

Alex didn't know what splinched meant, but she figured it wasn't anything good. She'd rather not disapparate.

"Floo Network then. Unless the Knight Bus would suffice?"

"Merlin, no! It amazes me how the people who take the Knight Bus even come off sane!"

Mark rolled his eyes. "Floo Network it is," he finalized, putting his newspaper back up.