How Far We've Come

~ Don't Cry Because it's Over, Smile Because it Happened

Dr. Seuss

"Erin! Get up your Father is taking you to Diagon Alley at noon!" I groaned as I heard my mother yell from downstairs. "You too Devon!" She shouted again to my brother. I rolled over and glanced at the clock next to my bed and it read 9:56. That made me groan again before dragging myself out of bed. I slipped on my robe and slippers and made my way down the stairs, yawning the whole way. I walked into the kitchen seeing my mum and Devon sitting at the table eating pancakes.

"That's a great look for you Erin," Devon smirked and I raised my eyebrow at him before looking at myself. I had on my matching blue and green polka-dot robe and slippers, neon orange shorts with a huge brown stain on one side (most likely from chocolate ice cream), and a 'Tinkerbell' shirt from my, slightly girly, past that was too short and reached half-way up my middle. Plus my hair was probably a huge bird's nest like usual.

I sneered, "Shove off Devon." Then I grabbed the orange juice container and poured my morning glass of vitamin C.

"Hey now just because I was the child in the family blessed with the good looks, brains, athletic ability, and personality doesn't mean you have to be so jealous Erin." I stuck my tongue out at him before mum 'ahem'ed us.

"Now children can't we all just get along? That's what family is supposed to do for Pete's sake. Besides you two better get all your stuff together since you won't be coming back here before you leave." She frowned and I hugged her quickly, then the smile was back on her face.

"Do we really have to stay with Pa for the next two weeks?" Devon complained.

Mum frowned again, "I thought you loved spending time with your Dad."

Before Devon could answer I interjected, "We do, it's just don't love spending time with Ashlee." I started cutting into my pancakes.

"Or Vanessa," Devon mumbled while he chewed up his food.

"Not that I particularly know them or anything, but what's wrong with them? They seem quite fine to me." Mum argued with us.

"Well," I began, "Ashlee wears clothes that a nineteen-year-old could wear, and remember she's thirty-nine, she's usually had way too much to drink by two in the afternoon, she 'has' to be covered in diamonds, and she doesn't particularly like me to be honest."

"Then there's Vanessa," Devon shuttered, "She's always flirting with anything that moves, that includes me, she wears clothes that are way too small, she thinks she's hot stuff, when she most certainly is not, and she is a Slytherin!" I giggled, "Can't get much worse than that."

"Plus, she does not like me either," I grinned and finished the last of my pancakes.

"We like Kayleigh loads more," Devon and I said in unison.

"Darlings, truth be told I really liked Kayleigh too but I have a feeling that Ashlee was part of why they broke up. Besides your father wanted to get married and Kayleigh didn't want too, just like me, and that hurt you him a lot especially since they have a child together." Mum explained but I still didn't quite understand.

"Well I'm going to start getting ready," I announced and went back up to my bedroom. I picked out clothes for the day when I heard an owl tapping on my glass window. I smiled and opened the window and let the gray owl inside. "Hello Amigo," I greeted warmly when he landed on my shoulder. I fed him a treat and petted his beak before untying the parchment attached to his leg.

I unrolled the paper and read:

To my slightly dysfunctional comrade, Erin Todd

From her totally amazing friend, Jazz Applegate

Erin! How I've missed you so! How is it over there in America? Well, that might be a ridiculously stupid question because you spend summers there every year. However I have never been there so I love hearing your stories you half-American you! I cannot wait you see you tomorrow Erin! I hope your daddy and his girl-friend let you hang out with the gang. What am I saying? I will kidnap you if he doesn't. Besides he's a reasonable man I'm sure I can persuade him. Hahaha, if you know what I mean… Just kidding I love you dear! See you tomorrow!

I laughed at her letter. It was so like Jazz to be so overly dramatic in her letters. I pulled out a piece of paper and began to write back:

To my overly dramatic full blooded Danish acquaintance, Jazz Applegate

From her hilarious brunette friend, Erin Todd

Jazz! I've missed you too! I feel that I've written that several times this summer. Maybe it's because I have! We really need to come up with another greeting. And how dare you target my father for your next liaison? I'm shocked about your tactlessness. Hmm, is that even a word? Wait, why am I even asking you? You failed grade school! You know I love you Jazzy! I'm sure Papa will let me go with you. Jeez, post from Denmark to America takes a whole day? Maybe I should work Amigo out some more. See you later today!

I finished my letter and tied it to Amigo's leg before petting him again, "Amigo we will be a Diagon Alley later today but if you do not get back by then we are going to be at Papa's." I stared into his amber eyes and he cooed softly in, what I hoped was acknowledgment, and took off through the open window.

I watched him until he disappeared past the horizon. Then I went to take a quick shower. Later I changed and let my ash brown hair dry naturally. The clock read 11:26.

"Where are my children?" I heard my father shout up the stairs. "I thought they'd be ready by now?" He laughed. "One of my children is here now where's the other one?"

"Coming Papa!" I called and ran down the stairs all my belongings following me. I absolutely loved being able to use magic outside of school!

"Erin Xavier Todd! What in the hell are you doing?" My dear mother screamed at me. I was so startled that all my bags hit the ground and I heard a few cracks. How did I forget? Mum is a muggle, Papa is the wizard. It made the relationship strain when Mum found out that Papa was hiding that from her for eleven years, even though their actual 'relationship' had ended many years earlier.

Devon snickered quietly from behind me, "Smooth Erin, real smooth. Magic and Mum do not mix well."

"Shove off you bloody-" I started.

"Erin, that's enough. Be nice to your brother." My dad intervened quickly. Even though he wouldn't mind the sibling rivalry he knew Mum would definitely not be happy. That's what happens when an only child tries to have more than one child themselves.

"Yea Erin, me nice to me. I'm the only pride and joy in this family anyways." Devon stuck his tongue out at me.

My voice turned into a whisper, "If you keep pushing it, I'll hex your pride and joy right into next week." He rolled his eyes.

"Children, please, just come give your dear old mother a hug before I tell your dad that you're not going back to Hogwarts this year." She winked and smiled. Of course we did as she asked and Papa loaded our luggage onto a trolley. He walked it to the fireplace and stepped in.

"Verde Sky Stables!" He spoke strongly and disappeared in a puff of green smoke. Only a minute later the green smoke appeared again and he stood there in his slightly graying glory. "Alright children, we must go, Sophie, you'll be at King's Cross September 1st, right?"

"Of course Luke. I wouldn't miss it for the world. Especially since it's my babies last year of school," She started tearing up and pulled me into a tight embrace.

Papa ushered us into the fireplace once she let go. I mouthed 'I love you' quickly right before I shouted, "Diagon Alley."

And at that moment, in green swirling smoke, they were gone. Then I was standing in Leaky Cauldron. I was in pure bliss of getting back into the magical world until I hit the ground.

Hmmm, what's gonna happen next? Why is Erin on the ground? Questions and Questions that will be answered in the next chapter! Review please!

P.S. Looking for a beta, any takers? =)