Heavy snowflakes blurred Louise's vision, as she stood by the entrance to Diagon Alley for the first time in five long years. The word diagonally walked casually into her brain. Diagonally. Like in maths, the reason why she survived in the muggle world. How did wizards and witches walk up and down Diagon Alley without realising that the street got it's name because it goes diagonally from one corner to the opposite corner? Or that the name Knockturn Alley had its origin in nocturnally? Here we go again, she thought. Thinking that made the Dolly Parton song play loudly in her head. It was annoying. She'd never get rid of country music, would she?
Entering Diagon Alley almost gave her a shock. People in robes. People with magical powers like her. People who had gone to Hogwarts – she really missed Hogwarts – where everyone but her listened to Celestina Warbeck on a daily basis. They hadn't even heard of the Rolling Stones. Of course, she hadn't been to Hogwarts since 1998 when she had taken her NEWTs. Only one person had performed as good as her on the NEWTs that year, and that was Hermione, a Gryffindor prefect. Louise, who was Head Girl in her last year, had been 16 years old at the end of the Second Wizarding War. She wasn't really allowed to participate in the battle of Hogwarts, but she did, briefly at least.
She was a half-blood, and could therefore stay at Hogwarts during the reign of Snape. However, she wasn't allowed to be a prefect that year, even though she had been one the year before. Snape only allowed purebloods to be prefects. The loss of the prefect status didn't bother her, though. She already knew where the prefect bathroom was, and she was clever enough to figure out the new passwords. Also, she became head girl when McGonagall got in charge, so it wasn't that bad.
It was two days before Christmas Eve. She had to get presents for her family and friends, but she had to track them down before she could do that. She had had little contact with anyone after she left Hogwarts. That was partially due to her time-swallowing mathematical studies, but most of all because she had to hide her magical powers. She didn't even know whether or not everyone was still alive, whether her older sister had married her boyfriend yet, whether… Her thoughts were interrupted from someone approaching her swiftly.
"It's Lousie! Ron, look! Who? My best friend from my last year at Hogwarts! Come on, Ron!"
Louise turned around, watching Hermione Granger drag a Weasley away from outside the Qudditch shop.
"How are you?" asked Hermione. "I haven't seen you in years, where have you been?"
"I'm fine," said Louise. At least it wasn't that hard to track down Hermione Granger. "And you? Do you still work with magical law, or aren't there any laws left to change?"
"Well, I'm still busy writing laws and changing the magical world – for the better, I hope. Some would say changing the laws, others would say playing dictator." Hermione laughed. "You've probably done something important and intellectually challenging, haven't you?"
Louise told Hermione about the studies in the muggle world, but also that the reason behind her return to the magical world was that she had missed it. Of course, she had missed it. Missing people, however, was not why she had quit her job at a prestigious muggle university.
"So, how are Luna and Ginny?" asked Louise. She remembered how Luna had disappeared to who-knows-where to look for magical creatures. Ginny had talked about playing Quidditch, while Hermione and Louise had spent most of their time in the library.
"Well, Ginny is a Chaser. She plays for the Holyhead Harpies. She is the main reason why her team won the cup last year." Hermione tried to keep an eye on the Weasley while talking to Louise. "And nobody has seen Luna in approximately three years or so. But I really have to go, Ron is trying to show me something. See you soon!"
Louise just stood there for a while, watching the snow turn Diagon Alley into a gingerbread town with white icing covering the shops, the ground and even the people. It was still enough time for her to go back. Everyone with magical powers was in danger, and so was the ministry – but she could just slip safely back into her nice muggle job and modern flat with – believe it or not – a hidden library.