Satisfied with the purse I'd filled and the new book I'd found I sat back in the small train car. I contented myself with thinking. My benefactor had called Jareth our enemy that made them a Fae that also disagreed with Jareth. Perhaps they were rivals and this other wanted the throne for themself. I was starting not to care. The whole background for this Fae's reasoning didn't matter. I glanced up at the goblins. They were such curious little creatures, so different from those I'd previously encountered.

"Excuse me, can I ask you something?" I asked finally.

The older goblin looked back. "Of course." He said tersely.

"Do you serve the Goblin king-?"

"No, we do not." The younger goblin interrupted. I looked at him. Where indifference ad rested before anger had taken hold. Now he began to look like the goblins from the Underground, his face extremely wrinkled and darker skinned then before. With a harsh hushing from the other goblin his skin became almost even and pale once more.

"We were once a part of that kingdom but the goblins here fell out with the cruel king. We came here for our freedom. If you didn't already know, Lady, there is a war going on."

"Let me guess, he's taking sides? Which will he chose?"

"He has already chosen, Lady, but I am not allowed to say which."

At that moment we arrived back on the main floor of the bank. I was thankful for the return to light and to Hagrid's side and happier still when we returned to the streets of Diagon alley. The crowded street seemed so familiar after a month roaming the streets. The air was heavy with unshed rain. I flipped the hood of my jacket up receiving a questioning look from Hagrid. Then the sky seemed to open and let out her tears.

"Perhaps we should get going?" I asked.

He nodded and we headed off to the robe shop. Silently I cursed not starting this all before; something about being followed by a giant to shop for clothing was just a tiny bit awkward. Once my orders were made for both school robes and a dress we headed off to the pet store. Hagrid was surprised to find out that I had a wand already and that most of my books were back at the Leaky Cauldron. It made our trip shorter and by the time we reached the pet store it had stopped raining. A bell rang as the door swung open. Animals screeched as we past.

"Hello there young lady, what can I do for you today?" The owner asked with a smile that revealed the gaps in he's teeth.

"I'm heading off to school soon and I'm in need of a pet….um…familiar to take with me."

"Of course, of course, feel free to look around. I boast the largest supply of familiars in all of London."

I doubted that but began to look around the shop. There were several types of birds, mainly owls, particularly barn owls. Hagrid recommended owls for the purpose of sending letters home to my family. I couldn't really see myself writing home to my step-mother or my father about school and there was the fact that the (barn) owl was his second form. Moving on I found several cats that all looked past me with bored expressions, not my type of best friend. And then there were toads which were recommended by the school but again…no. I paced through the cages looking for something unique that I could get along with. Then I past a larger cage. Inside was a large dog with black fur and wide brown eyes.

"I'd watch out for that one. It's breeding's a little off and it can be a tad bit unpredictable."

I watched its brown eyes as I reached out my hand. Hesitantly the great dog moved closer taking a large whiff of my scent and then its flat tongue slipped out and gave my hand a good, hard lick. I smiled and petted the dog's head. "Is it a he or a she?"

"A he, miss." The owner said in disbelief. "He doesn't have a name yet either."

"How much do you want for him?" I asked continuing to show the dog my love by scratching it behind the ears.

"Are you sure? The one who sold it to me sad that it was at least part Fae hound."

"Fae Hound?"

"It's a breed that just knows when the fairy folk are about, no one knows for sure if they can smell 'em or if the can just sense them." The owner sighed. "If you really want him I'll give him to you for 15 galleons."

He came from behind the counter and unlocked the cage. We returned to the counter and I handed over the 15 galleons plus 5 more for food to be sent to Hogwarts for him. Hagrid seemed weary of my choice but as we walked on to pick up the last of my supplies.

"What'll you name him?"

"Hmm…..I think I'll name him Ælfweard. It means noble guard." Or elf guard. "So, I still need a broom and a quill set and I need to go back and pick up my robes."

We headed off to finish our errands. At noon we stopped at a small café and then decided to split up. I still had a day to myself and I planned to use it to my advantage by looking into some personal supplies. Hagrid would meet me with the rest of those coming to Hogwarts for the first time. After lunch I passed Gringotts's looming structure with a shiver. The ideas and information I'd found there weighed heavily across my shoulders like a broad yoke. Not all of the goblins were pleased with Jareth's rule and another Fae courtier disagreed with him. Where did that put me? Where did it put Toby? It didn't make sense to me that Jareth would use Toby and some other third party would plan to use me.

A part of me was tempted to punch one of the brick walls that made each of the small buildings. It was not fair for Toby; this was my fight with Jareth and because of that stupid wish. One stupid wish and my entire life was changed forever. Toby's life was changed because I made a stupid, incredibly irresponsible mistake that ended up getting him kidnapped. Again the image of Toby in the darkness pushed its way into my mind. I walked into a random store and found myself in a potion and potion supply store. There was only one man inside besides the store owner. His hair was an oily black and reached down just beyond his jaw.

The door made no sound as I opened it or when I closed it behind me. The man and the shopkeeper were huddled at the counter in a quiet conversation. I moved closer in the shelves, trying hard to listen to them without being seen by either of them. Their voices were soft and I had to cast a supersensory charm so I could hear them.

"Of course, but I will need the order in soon. Is it possible for you to send it to the school?" The customer asked.

"Professor Snape you of all people should know this ingredient is highly volatile, it is far too dangerous to send via owl." The old shopkeeper hissed.

I let the spell go. Professor Snape, was he a teacher at Hogwarts? I'd heard his name before, Professor McGonagall, must have mentioned him. That was right, he taught potions class and headed one of the four houses at Hogwarts but its name escaped me. I slipped back out making sure the door opened and closed silently. Then I was back down the street to the Leak Cauldron to practice and to eat something for dinner. Tomorrow I would be on the Hogwarts Express bound for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.