Something Wasn't Right in Ish-land

It was a cold and gloomy January afternoon. Sure the snow had stopped, but the air was damp, the ground was slick and the sky was dark threatening another storm. The sidewalks were sparsely filled with brave souls (or foolish, we were talking about winter in London after all) making their way to and from their destinations leaving the snow packed where they trod.

There were three fools standing in the middle of the sidewalk staring up at a store's hanging wooden sign. The male was Andrew (Drew) Chambers, an all American apple pie seventeen year old teenager that played baseball (shortstop) and football (quarterback, I'm talking about American football, not soccer) with blonde hair, mother's deep blue eyes and a chip on his broad shoulders. Hey, I was allowed to say that; no one else had better dare. He's my brother and not just my brother, he's my fraternal twin.

As for me, my name's Andrea (or Andi with an i) Chambers. I was a cheerleader. Don't mock me, I was given a choice: cheer or play sports. Playing could lead to a broken nail; so my choice was a no brainer. While I had the same blonde hair that my entire family sported various shades of, I had father's pale blue eyes that were nearly gray. We were both muscularly built, quite bright despite our outward personas (even if I did say so myself) and had dimples on each cheek (that was four dimples each for a total of eight. That's right eight. Count them… I'll wait…).

We were both tall, Andrew was freakishly so at six foot two, while I sported a decent five foot nine. That being said, it meant we both towered over the third insane person standing out in the cold. Rebecca (Mom) Chambers née Burke, a petite woman in her late thirties, sandy blonde hair and those deep blue eyes she shared with Andrew. She was the only one of us that wasn't born and raised in America. Mom was an Ish (Ishes were the English, Scottish and Irish, because really you couldn't tell them apart… well Mom could, but that's because she was one of them and we were narrow minded Americans… according to her. She could be right, but whatever). Mom's branch of the Burke family moved to the States back in the late 70s after she graduated from Hogwarts. That was such a weird name. The full name of the school was Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Did I mention that we were magical? Mom and I were witches and Andrew was a wizard. Sadly for the Major, he was born a No-Maj.

The Major? That was Dad. Douglas Lee Chambers aka 'the Major' was in the U.S. Army. He was very strict with the family because our actions were a reflection on him and the Major was on the fast track to his next promotion. Which was why when he was recently stationed at The Joint Analysis Center at Royal Air Force Station Molesworth we were forced to go with him. Molesworth… the name was almost as ridiculous as Hogwarts.

The sign outside the store that we were staring at read 'Leaky Cauldron'. It hung above the door to a shabby establishment and that was being generous. The outside of the pub looked rather run down and unwelcoming, but I was cold. I could overlook shabby chic if it meant warming up.

Mom finally spoke, "This must be it."

"Ya think?" I asked sarcastically. The words slipped out before I could stop them. I didn't mean to say it, but seriously? I was cold, my warming charms didn't help my exposed nose and ears and dammit I really wanted a grande caramel macchiato from Starbucks. Andrew snorted behind us and I gave Mom a crooked grin to show her that I was teasing and hopefully I wouldn't get smacked on the back of the head for my smart mouth. Thankfully Mom just gave me an eyeroll. So naturally I started up again. "What gave it away? Could it have been the charming sign, the welcoming look of the pub itself or the blatantly obvious name?"

"Oh the sarcasm…" Mom huffed, "Well at least you're not brooding like your brother."

We turned to look at Andrew. He didn't smile. He didn't speak. But he did grunt. He can be such a neanderthal. I canted my head towards the door and he narrowed his eyes at me as if to say 'I know'… which he did, but he was taking too long for my liking. He grabbed the door of the pub, yanking it open as if the thing had offended him in some way. As annoyed as the goofball was, he better not forget his manners or he'd face the wrath of the Major.

Mom pursed her lips when she passed him and entered the establishment. I moved to follow, but paused in the doorway and peered up at my twin. I poked my brother in the belly and gave him a word of advice, "Lighten up on Mom. She's just as stuck here as we are. Remember, it's the Major's fault we're here in this Ish hell."

Andrew's eyes narrowed briefly as if he thought to argue, but his demeanor calmed, "She agreed, Andi."

"Well, sure," I shrugged. "It was either argue with the Major or move. Mom picks her battles like we all do. Family unity in the eyes of the military is important to him." He scowled at me because that too he knew. "I didn't say I agreed with the move. I just said he thinks it's important."

He gave a small nod of acquiescence before ushering me inside. That was a nice way of saying he pushed me out of the way so he could close the door.

I got a good look at the inside of the pub. I could sum it up in one word. Ew.

The Leaky Cauldron's interior wasn't much better than its exterior. There were all sorts of patrons: young (me and Andrew), middle aged (Mom), old (everyone else), short, tall, humans and hags. The pub was dreary and it had a lingering smell of old ale… or dirty socks… it was hard to tell which.

I wrinkled my nose, "This place is disgusting." I was seriously considering casting a bubble head charm to save my poor frozen nose. The only positive I could think of was that at least the place was warm.

"Come on," Andrew prodded me forward, "Mom's flagging us down."

Looking over at the bar, Mom was speaking to an elderly man with grey wisps of comb over hair and a warm smile. She waved us over and it took everything within me to not go running and screaming out the front door to the nearest Starbucks.

The bartender motioned for us to follow him and he began talking as if he'd known us forever instead of less than five minutes, "Life must be so different fer ya here." None of us responded because it wasn't a question and we were taught not to volunteer information. The wizard brought us to the back alley and stopped before a brick wall. "Alright then, y'll need yer wand. Just tap tha right brick and it opens to ya. Here from the trashcan, three up and two across."

Mom smoothly removed her wand from her hidden skirt pocket and tapped the brick the man had pointed out. The small rumble told of her success and soon the wall opened from a solid barrier to a perfect archway. Mom smiled at the man, "Excellent. Thank you for your assistance, Tom."

"Good day to ya then. Take care of yer family, young man."

I looked back at Tom, but he was already making his way back into the pub. Andrew looked at Mom, then me and then looked through the portal to Diagon Alley. I turned my attention back to see Mom already stepped through the archway and followed her.

Diagon Alley was surprisingly deserted for a Saturday afternoon in January. Sure school was already back in session, but you'd think there'd be some sign of life out there. Hell several shops looked to be closed up or abandoned!

Mom had our list of supplies from Hogwarts and began looking it over. I had it practically memorized since the only thing that really changed on a shopping list were the books required. So I told her, "It's the usual things: books, potion supplies, school robes…" My voice drifted off as I pondered our shopping needs, "We both have cauldrons, or at least mine is fine." We looked at Andrew who simply nodded to indicate that his cauldron was still in good working conditions. I decided to ignore him again. Brooding teenaged boys are such a pain. So I told Mom, "We both have scales and writing utensils."

Andrew snorted, "How backwards are these people to still use parchment, quill and ink?"

Crap. I forgot about that. Mom just brushed off his concern, "It's tradition. So long as you turn in your assignments written with a quill on parchment, I don't think using pens and spiral notebooks to take notes will be that big of a deal."

"We'll need parchment, quills and ink," I amended the growing shopping list.

Andrew broke in again, "I need more vials and I'm dropping Astronomy. So I won't need my telescope."

"Me, too." I quickly agreed, "I don't see the point in taking Astronomy. Learning the lunar phases was more important than knowing where stars are located and we've already learned about those in fifth year." I pointed out the required books. "I'm not sure we should buy all our books. While the core courses aren't an issue, there may be trouble fitting all the electives we want into the schedules." I chanced a glance at Andrew, "I don't think they offer any healing courses."

"We'll have to work something out for your summer then." Mom held up her hand to stall any argument from Andrew, "It isn't ideal, but we work with what we have."

Andrew bit back whatever he wanted to say and gave a terse nod repeating the family litany, "We are the Major's children."

I turned to Andrew and took up the next line, "We work together; we do what we must; we do what's right; we do what needs to be done."

He smirked at me and said, "We don't take the easy way out; we don't prey on the weak; we don't discuss family business."

I had to wrinkle my nose at Andrew and he nudged me playfully so I finished it, "We are to behave appropriately at all times - in public and at home - and never embarrass the Chambers name."

Mom sighed, "That gets longer every time I hear it."

"Maybe, but heaven forbid we miss something…" Andrew let that thought linger between us.

Changing the subject back to our mission for the day, Mom started walking. "When you get your schedules worked out, send me an owl with any further books or supplies you need. I'll get everything and send it out ASAP." She looked around the alley and decided, "Since we don't know where anything is, let's go on an adventure and see what we run into first."

An adventure was Mom's code for 'I'm lost and haven't a clue where we are'. I looped my arm in Mom's and we started off. Adventures could be fun if you went on them with an open mind. When we were younger, Mom was going to take us to a museum, but went north instead of south. She didn't realize her mistake until we neared an amusement park so we went there for the day instead. That was a fabulous adventure.

The majority of the shops were dreary and not decorated as one would expect so shortly after the holidays. Back in the States the after Christmas sales would still be going strong. I had to say that one shop stood out above the rest. It was colorful and so over the top. The building was purple with orange framed windows. If that wasn't outlandish enough there was a man that was bigger than life bursting through the front store windows in order to tip his top hat to passersby.

My feet stopped moving. I couldn't tear my gaze from the place. Andrew was at my elbow, "Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes?"

"It's awesome." I said. My voice sounded funny, almost breathy. I mean the store was great, but not that great. Sure I had never seen a store like it before, but still I had to get a grip.

Andrew couldn't help grinning. The shop was a spectacle which you had to admit was definitely a lure to bring in the customers. He looked over at Mom and asked, "Can we check it out?"

Mom smiled at him for the first time since we were told about the move (probably because it was the first time he was even remotely interested in anything Ish) and said, "Yes."

As we drew closer to the store, I had to deal with sensory overload. The colors of the products in the windows assaulted your eyes and made them nearly hard to look at. I was almost afraid to enter. Andrew walked over to read a sign aloud, "Why are you worrying about You-Know-Who? You should be worrying about U-No-Poo. The constipation sensation that's gripping the nation."

"Don't know this You-Know-Who, but that's clever. Disgusting, but clever," I admitted. I turned to look at Mom to ask her opinion, but she had gone ramrod straight. Her eyes were scanning the area and I was immediately on alert. "Mom?"

Andrew hadn't missed Mom's reaction either, "What gives?"

"We have to go." Was all she said. She backed away from the store, refusing to go near it and said, "We have shopping to do."

Andrew and I exchanged worried glances, but kept quiet for the time being. Something spooked Mom and we knew better than to argue. Andrew peered at the store as we walked away and noted, "It's not open anyhow."

That was a shame really. It had charm. Too many stores were closed. It made me wonder if the wizarding world in Ish-land was fading away. Andrew spoke again, "Mom?"

"Come along you two," Mom urged. "If we dawdle, your father will be home before we are."

We exchanged another look and Andrew checked his watch. It wasn't late. I knew that when he shook his head. Something wasn't right in Ish-land and Mom wanted out of that Alley fast.

So without another word from the two of us, we did as she asked. We picked up the pace and did our shopping. The clerks were so grateful to have customers that they fawned over us. It was a bit annoying really. They'd follow us and help pick out our items as if we weren't sure about what we needed. They were at our side throughout the store and ushered us back out again. After the third store I realized they weren't grateful for our patronage, they were suspicious and wanted us out of their store.

I really had questions once that realization hit me. Still I kept them to myself, but was more alert of my surroundings after that. We made it through the majority of our list with one more stop to make.

It was while we were in Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions that we saw other shoppers than us. I was standing on a pedestal being fitted when a blonde couple entered.

My parents were blonde. Andrew and I were blonde. These two were beyond blonde to nearly white. The woman was elegant and stylish while the man was aristocratic. I mean really, he had a silver tipped cane and it was obviously only for looks. If it wasn't for the look he gave us (like he smelled something gross) I would have thought he was as beautiful as his wife.

The blondes weren't so interesting in themselves, it was the sudden shift in the shop that caught Andrew's attention. It was as if the room entire room went still, holding its breath. Even the chatty Madam Malkin grew quiet and kept her head down as the couple walked through the racks towards the back of the store.

I knew the couple had gained Andrew's attention because the moment they walked in, he put the trousers he had been looking at back onto the rack and made his way back to Mom and me. He's very protective of Mom, overly protective of me. Another of the Major's influences. One I didn't particularly care for. Andrew ran off many potential boyfriends. I was seventeen and I still hadn't had a date. At that rate, I'd be a spinster before I got my first kiss!

The woman was busy taking off her gloves. The man walked with the air of royalty. The more I watched, the less I liked him and I didn't even know him. He just gave off an icky vibe. It could also have something to do with the way he was looking at Mom.

The store's proprietor waved over one of her girls and left me in her care as she went to the newcomers, "Lady Malfoy, always a pleasure to see you. How can I help you today?"

"I need a new winter cloak for my son." The lady's voice drifted off as the two moved away to another part of the store.

The husband, presumably Mr. Malfoy… Lord Malfoy… Sir Malfoy? Whatever he was called, he was still giving Mom a long look that made me want to whip out my wand and hex him. Andrew clenched his fists as he stared the man down. The Malfoy guy didn't even look in Andrew's direction.

Mom had turned her back on the couple the moment she saw them coming our way. The Malfoy creeper finally got bored with looking at her back (or got his fill looking at her backside… ew) and went to his wife.

"That'll do, Miss." The sales girl said and motioned for me to step down.

Andrew was there at my side immediately to help me down. I looked at him questioningly, but took his hand all the same. "Thanks," I said to the both of them before ducking into a dressing room.

I was so relieved to put my own clothes back on. Don't get me wrong. I like wearing dresses and skirts, but that school uniform was just so cliché: pleated gray skirt, white oxford shirt and a tie. Britney Spears much?

Andrew took my place on the pedestal. His face was unreadable as he stared down the Malfoy man. I thought he was being ridiculous. The Malfoy twit wasn't even paying us any attention. The sales girl didn't speak; she just began pinning the bottom of his robes.

While I wasn't a huge fan of wizarding couture, I had to admit Madam Malkin's had a decent variety of clothing and some of it was No-Maj influenced. I was lost in the racks, oblivious to the world around me when I was suddenly face to face with the Malfoy jerk.

He didn't speak, so I didn't either. We simply stared at each other and I felt it. There was a brush against my occlumency shield and the man's brow quirked in surprise or amusement. He grinned slowly at me which was even creepier than how he stared at Mom.

Speaking of Mom she was at my side in a flash and steering me away, "I saw something you might like."

We all knew that was a lie, but I let her guide me away. Only he spoke before we could make it more than two steps, "Rebecca Burke."

"Lucius Malfoy," Mom turned to face him. Her head was held high and her accent was thicker than I'd ever heard it before, "It's Chambers now."

"Fascinating," he said, "I thought the Burke line died out years ago."

"Sorry to disappoint you," Mom didn't sound sorry at all. At least I knew where I got my sarcasm from.

"Not disappointed at all," Luscious Lucius Malfoy spoke and I felt a bit warm and twisty inside. His accent, that voice was…

I swallowed thickly. He was an arrogant creep. I had to keep reminding myself of that. Not to mention he was old (since he had to be at least Mom's age since they knew each other) and let's not forget married, but he was really handsome up close and didn't I mention his voice?

"Andrea," Mom called.

"Hmmm?" I pulled my gaze from Luscious and blinked at Mom. She frowned at me and I immediately asked, "Yes, ma'am?"

"Go see to your brother."

"Yes, ma'am," I didn't want to. Luscious smelled good. Besides Andrew was a big boy. He could take care of himself, but I knew it wasn't a request. I stole a glance at the Malfoy hunk and saw that knowing grin on his handsome face. Ass. I just raised my eyebrow at him and gave him a courtesy nod of acknowledgement before walking away. I didn't scurry, I didn't hurry and no that wasn't me sauntering with an extra sway of hips. Nope. Not me.

Andrew glared at me as if I had done something wrong. I just rolled my eyes at him and looked to the sales girl for some gossip. I asked her in a low voice, "Who are the Malfoys?"

She looked up at me with wide eyes. I could read the fear and awe in her eyes when she spoke in hushed tones, "The Malfoys are one of the richest families in wizarding London. They're politically influential, Lord Malfoy is friends with the Minister of Magic." She chanced a glance over her shoulder in Mom's direction since he was still talking to her before turning her attention back to Andrew's robe. Her voice dropped to a hoarse whisper, "Lady Malfoy is just as influential. She can make or break anyone in the social circles."

Mental note: don't mess with the Malfoys.

"Have you lost all sense of propriety?"

I was standing at parade rest - feet shoulder width apart (my knees were slightly bent to keep them from locking. There was no telling how long I'd have to stand there and fainting was utterly out of the question), shoulders back, hands folded at my lower back and eyes front staring at a point directly ahead - as the Major continued his tirade. I had tuned him out a number of times because he started to repeat himself after the first fifteen minutes. I'd heard it all before: boys are to be ignored, studies before socializing, I will graduate from a respectable university before I'm allowed to date, blah, blah, blah.

I still can't believe Mom told Dad that I was flirting with Mr. Lord Luscious Lucius Malfoy. As if.

"Answer me, Andrea!"

"No, Sir."

"Then explain yourself."

"I was browsing the racks while awaiting Drew's fitting to be completed. I wasn't paying attention to where I was walking when I found myself face to face with one Lucius Malfoy. I didn't speak with the man. Mom was there before he spoke to me. Mom sent me away and I went."

"And that's all?"

"Yes, Sir." I continued to stare at an indistinct point in front of me. I could see Dad in my peripheral vision. He didn't look pleased standing there with his arms crossed, but he no longer looked pissed off. Thank God.

"You're to go upstairs and finish packing," Dad said, but I waited. I knew that trick. I fell for it enough times when I was younger. I wasn't allowed to move until he said, "Dismissed."

That's when I moved out. I double timed it up the stairs two at a time to my room. I didn't slam the door, but I was sorely tempted to.

What really steamed me was that through all that moving business I was on Mom's side. Just like Andrew, I didn't want to go to Ish-land. I wanted to stay at Salem and graduate. But I went against my own feelings to see her point of view. That was until she told the Major about Sir Malfoy. Well, did the Major know how much she talked with Mr. Luscious? I bet he didn't. Not that I would tell, but still.

Dad still thought I needed to pack. I plopped on my bed and stared at the ceiling. Thankfully the Major was a No-Maj and kept forgetting I could pack magically. Everything I needed was already in my trunk ready for transport tomorrow at 0900 hrs.

There was soft rhythmic knocks on my door: two - one - two. Andrew.

I closed my eyes and said, "Come in."

I heard the door open and close. I then felt the bed dip as he sat down. He then pushed me to make room for him and sprawled out next to me. He was quiet for a long time. I thought he had fallen asleep until he finally said, "You lied."

"Did not."

"Omission is a form of lie."

"Semantics."

"He's married and-"

"Gah!" I cut him off because I did NOT want to have that talk with my twin. "I know all that, Drew. I wasn't flirting with old man Malfoy."

"You were shaking your ass for the man."

I wanted to deny that, but all that came out was a giggle. I did do that. I knew he watched. I could feel his eyes on me. I couldn't help it. I was a natural flirt. Or so I was told. I thought I was just being friendly and polite, but there it was.

"Andi…"

"Whatever, Drew. I have no interest in pursuing a married man. Especially one old enough to be my dad. That is so ew." I sighed, "He is handsome and has a dreamy voice and smelled real good, but still… old… creepy… ew…"

Andrew turned his head and looked at me. I hadn't turned to look at him. I just knew he looked my way because he poked me when I didn't meet his gaze. "What?" I huffed.

"Malfoy is a creep."

"Yeah?" Like I hadn't figured that out.

"They have a son."

"Yeah?" I heard the lady talk about him. She had said she needed a coat for her son. "So?"

"He's probably at that school."

"Get to the point, Drew. I'd like to get some sleep at some point tonight."

"Stay away from Malfoy Jr."

I groaned and closed my eyes again. "Whatever."

"I'm being serious, Andi," Andrew poked my side again and I squirmed. His hand dropped to the bed and he grew quiet. I knew he had more to say. I could just feel it, so I kept quiet until he was ready to speak. "We should have stayed in America to finish our MEWEs."

MEWEs in the US was the Mind-numbingly Exhausting Wizarding Exam or as the Ish called them Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Test aka NEWTs. I bit back another groan. As much as I agreed, I was just tired of rehashing the same thing again and again. "Stop beating that dead horse. What did he ever do to you?"

"Shut up," Andrew huffed and pushed me. He shoved me so hard I went off the other side of my bed and landed on my ass on the carpet with an oof.

Oh it was so on. There was no way he was getting away with treating me like that and in my room! Lucky for me, I landed on the correct side of my bed. I immediately grabbed my wand from my nightstand and threw a sticking charm on him. He had just enough time to cry out, "Hey!" before I hexed him.

I knew retaliation was only seconds away and I wasn't about to stick around to find out what he was going to do. I apparated away. I didn't go far. I rarely do. I could hear him in my bedroom two rooms away. I was in Andrew's room and only had a few moments before he'd be free to come after me so I shrunk his bed, but only by a foot. Just enough to make it too short for him, not enough to be visibly noticeable.

I heard the pop from my room and immediately popped into our bathroom, or to be more specific, into the shower. I heard a distant pop and apparated again, back into my room and looked around to see if he had done anything to my stuff, but I didn't have much time.

There was another pop and I panicked. I popped into the laundry room and Mom whipped around brandishing her wand. "Nice reflexes, Mom."

"Andi…"

There was a warning growl in her tone and I gave her a grin, "Can't talk. Must move. Love!" I wriggled my fingers in a wave and dashed into the kitchen where I caught Dad with his head in the refrigerator. He turned to me with a questioning look and I beamed my most innocent smile at him. "Hi, Daddy."

His eyebrow rose. I must have laid it on a bit too thick. The Major didn't comment, but did ask, "Are you done packing already?"

"Yes, sir!" I said, only I hadn't stopped moving. "Sorry, gotta dash."

There was a sudden pop behind me and the Major cursed. "Dammit, Drew. I told you no popping around in the house."

I let out a girly squeak of surprise and closed the door behind me. I didn't stick around to hear his excuse to Dad. I popped back to my room. All that apparating was making me a bit dizzy so I ducked into my closet and leaned against the wall.

Apparently Andrew didn't take Dad's reprimand to heart. I knew that because I could hear a few more pops and a crack. Oh that was sloppy and would get him yelled at for sure. Part of the reason we got so good at apprating was because the Major hated the cracking noise and would lecture us on being more considerate to the non-magical folks that weren't used to hearing such nerve wracking noises. Quiet apparating only took a bit more concentration and magic. It took Andrew four months to get the hang of it. I got it in three.

He popped again only it was closer that time. I heard him growl. Andrew was in my room. My heart leaped and I considered just giving in to his retribution, but that wasn't my style. I weighed my options and gripped my wand. I had a plan… or at least the beginning of a plan.

I popped back into his room, pointed my wand at the carpet and whispered, "Glacius!" I knocked over a book from his nightstand loud enough to be heard from my room. Then I popped quietly out and back into the bathroom.

Andrew had apparently gone back to his room because a second later there was a loud thud. "Fuck!"

I bit my lip to keep from laughing and popped back into my room. I didn't have a lot of time, but I threw a privacy ward up and locked my door then I popped back down to the laundry room. Mom was still in there and she gave me a stern look. I smiled innocently yet again which neither of my parents ever fell for, but I kept trying!

"I wager the loud thumps was courtesy of your brother?"

I held my wand against my leg out of sight. "I guess. It wasn't me." Which was partly true. I didn't fall, it was a book and Andrew… even though I caused both of them to hit the floor.

"Andi!"

We both turned towards the door when we heard Andrew yell. I grinned at Mom and said, "Gotta go!"

I popped back into Andrew's room, only that time I landed on his bed in order to avoid the floor. Just because my brother was no longer in his room, it didn't mean he canceled my spell. I noted my breath was normal meaning the glacius was canceled. Andrew wasn't going to be happy with me. I hopped off his bed and quickly turned around. I grinned. Good luck sleeping in that bed, "Duro."

No sooner had I casted the spell, the door to Andrew's room opened. I blinked in surprise and hid my wand behind my back. "Hi, Daddy."

"Andi, what are you doing in your brother's room?"

"This isn't his…" I looked around as if confused. "Oh…" I blinked as if I just realized where I was. Dad crossed his arms and gave me a stern look. I looked up at him as innocently as I could manage. He just raised an eyebrow at me. Uhoh. Time for damage control.

I discreetly twisted my wrist putting my wand into my back pocket and moved to Dad. I really wished I had thought to put my wand holster on, but the pocket would have to do for now. I furrowed my brow and said as sweet as pie, "I'm sorry, Daddy. I'm just so worried about tomorrow."

That wasn't entirely a lie. I was worried. Mom had finally told us everything she knew about 'You-Know-Who' and the war. She had thought it was all over years ago, but if the look of Diagon Alley, the sign in that shop window and the new headmaster were any indication, the war was far from over.

The Major's look softened. I should have been an actress! He opened his arms for me and I didn't hesitate to fall into them. The Major held me tight and I proclaimed, "I must have popped into the wrong room!"

He chuckled then. It shook my body along with his. "You should have quit while you were ahead."

I sighed softly. He was right. I over did it. Ah well. I got a hug anyway. I burrowed into my father. He was strict and could be a real downer, but he was my Daddy and I always felt safe in his arms.

AN: Britney Spear's song Baby One More Time came out in 1998, I just decided it was in January instead of October (according to the wiki page I read) so I could make that reference about the school uniform.

I realize that Glacius is only used in the video games (according to the wiki page), but I needed it so I used it. It was either that or create a spell and why do that when they've given me one? Right? Exactly.

For those who don't know, 'double time' is a military thing. If you look it up it says: a regulation running pace. Really, it's just jogging.

ASAP: As Soon As Possible. I'm pretty sure you all knew that, but I tend to use acronyms that others hadn't heard of before … it surprises me until I realize they're mostly used in the military. Case in point: We were moving filing cabinets. I was asked to label each box with the corresponding sticker on the file cabinet so when they put the files back it would be simple… that is until the admin came across one cabinet with a sticker saying 'MT' … she hunted me down to find out that that specific drawer had been empty. What? It made perfect sense to me!

That going on an adventure thing is all me. I really say that to my kids and we really did end up at an amusement park instead of going to a museum. That was over 20 years ago and we were living in Germany at the time. I'm sorry, but their signs don't say north, south, etc. They expect me to know what direction certain cities were. I'm obviously directionally challenged. Ah well, it was fun, the kids had a blast!

That said… this story came to mind back in Oct 2012. I wanted to do a story about an American going to Hogwarts. Only I really didn't want to go through all seven years. Honestly, you can only do seven years of Hogwarts so many times before you want to hurt someone… or maybe that's just me…

I started out numerous times with Andrew and kept hitting brick walls until Andi (with an i) poked me and said that I had forgotten her. Next thing I know the spitfire took over and off we went!

It's also important to note that this is late in the school year… as in this shopping trip takes place after the Xmas hols. Reason? If the twins went home for the holidays and told their parents what was happening at that school, they would have been pulled out of there so fast it would make your head spin and abruptly end the story prematurely before I was ready for it to end.

I used events that Neville touched on in the book to fill some chapters (I make it more obvious what I'm talking about at the end of the story) and other events that happened as well… in other words it follows the book without following Harry. If that makes any sense.

Since this is AU (obviously) I found a random, not often seen name I liked and abused, erm… used it… even though neither of my Chambers kids have anything to do the actual canon Chambers character.

According to the HP Wiki: Chambers was a Ravenclaw Chaser during the 1995–1996 school year. In the Quidditch final that year Ron deflected a goal attempt by this player.

Hope you have fun reading the story half as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Ajellah