Who would have guessed

Chapter 1: New Beginnings

Chapter 1

Walking quickly down the crowded street full of fallen leaves, Alya was studying and observing everyone and everything, looking for some clue regarding the entrance to the Wizarding London. She had just finished her last year at Ilvermorny, and had come to London to find a job as an Auror. Unfortunately, as soon as she had reached her destination, she had suddenly realised that she had no idea how to leave the Muggle London, and enter the Wizarding world. Her thoughts drifted to enchanted walls, statues, maybe a password was needed? She reflected, a mild sense of panic building up inside her.

She continued to walk, her long wool coat flapping in the wind, and her leather suitcase bumping on her dragon skin boots every time she took a step forward. Near the entrance of a pub she saw a family, a couple with two older boys and a young girl. They were happily having lunch and laughing, their conversation muffled by the sounds of the animated city. She drew her eyes away from the scene, pushing the thoughts of her own family out of her mind. This was not the moment for sulking, she needed to concentrate. With the autumnal breeze ruffling her long blond hair, she moved to the left side of the street, and tried to listen to every conversation, hoping to stumble on a wizard that could lead her to the entrance. She quickly cast a spell to increase her hearing, and after a few minutes, a group of three young boys caught her attention.

"Moony, can we go back? I mean muggle pubs are fun and all, but it's not the same, is it? And I'm hungryyy" A handsome boy said. He had messy long black hair and a leather jacket, and was looking pleadingly at the other boy, who was slightly taller than him and had light brown wavy hair, and a dark red sweater.

"Sirius, you've been complaining since we got here. And I still haven't found that muggle chocolate shop, so we aren't going back yet. The sooner we get there, the sooner we can leave." His tone was impatient but sweet, with a hint of irritation in it. Then the third boy, who had messy dark curly hair and was wearing a pair of round glasses, asked.

"What was the name of the shop again? Let's just ask someone where it is, find this bloody chocolate of yours and go to lunch, for Merlin's sake!"

" Alright James! The name is Hershey, I already told you".

Alya had heard enough, and speeding up to reach the boys, who had now reached a small park lined with trees, she finally had some hope of reaching her destination.

"Um, sorry, you're wizards right?" She said, surprised at how inconveniently the question came out.

"Oh, hello. Umm no, why?" Said Sirius, clearly startled like the other two.

"It's ok, I'm a witch myself" The boys seemed to relax a bit."I apologize for disturbing you, but I'm looking for the entrance to the Wizarding London. You see, I'm not from here, and I thought that maybe..."

"Well, if you want you could come with us, we're heading there, to the portal...as soon as we have reached this Hershey shop first" Said the boy wearing the sweater, glancing towards the other two. For a few seconds, his hazel eyes met Alya's. Then the silence was broken.

"I'm Sirius, pleasure to meet you" The boy said, smirking. Alya shook his hand, looking into his grey blue eyes. His gaze was mischievous, but with a hint of sadness behind it.

" Well, I'm James" Smiling brightly, he shook Alya's hand energetically.

"I'm Remus" The last boy shook Alya's hand sympathetically. As soon as they touched, a tingling sensation filled her hand, and from the surprised look in his eyes, she knew that he had felt it too. They stared at each other for a moment.

"Did you..I, um.."

"Well, I..."

"I'm Alya, pleasure to meet you all" she finally managed to say. For a moment the boys looked at each other, a surprised and intrigued expression on their faces, as if her name meant something to them. Then they quickly recomposed themselves and replied.