Lone: Hello readers. Welcome to Chapter Two.

Stranger: This isn't a Theme Park, Lone.

Lone: Or Is It? Hmmm… Are you sure?

Stranger: Yes. Anyways, since we only got two reviews…

Lone: -Glare-

Stranger: … we decided to continue (at least) this chapter in 3rd person.

Lone: Thanks to our reviewers who informed us about the second person rule. ty!

Stranger: But remember! YOU are still the main character.

Lone: So go ahead and read!

Chapter Two

An Owl and a Friend

Zally closed the door behind her with a click. Checking the muggle clock on the wall to her right, she saw that it was nearly midnight. Although it was the middle of summer, Zally yawned at the late time and shuffled up the stairs to her bedroom. It was nothing fancy; she had a queen-sized bed with a blue and yellow patchwork quilt, and various stuffed animals littered the room, including a stuffed pony that was propped up against her pillow. There was a simple oak desk off in the corner, with a matching chair. Her walls were white and her floor was polished light colored wood, which got dusty rather quickly and was quite a nuisance to clean. She moved over to her closet and pulled open the door to reveal a less-than-climactic wardrobe. Finding a suitable pair of black pajamas, she slid them over her head and buttoned up the front. Sliding back the covers on her bed. she yawned once more, hearing her elbows pop as she stretched her arms out in front of her. Zally thought of nothing else until she drifted off into dreamland, where visions of school met her closed eyes.

Sunlight streamed through her window. The heat of the morning woke her up. She stirred, not wanting to leave the warmth and comfort of her sheets. Sighing rather loudly, she got up. Peering into a hanging mirror, Zally noticed that her normally straight hair was sticking out in various directions. She carelessly worked a brush through her mass of tangles until it looked semi-presentable, not even bothering to pull it back into a horsetail. She walked down the stairs slowly, for she hadn't had her morning wake-me-up cup of tea yet. When she got down to the kitchen, her mother and father were beaming, obviously trying to hide something.A strange looking owl perched on the table. It ruffled its brown feathers and scratched an invisible itch with its beak.

"We decided to wait to open it until you got up" her mother began. Zally squealed with delight as she ripped the letter from the owl's beak. It looked slightly disgruntled and flew off in a huff, not even bothering to wait for the usual complimentary head-scratch. She ripped the seal off of the letter and began to read out loud:

Ms. Zalika Guinevere Elrond,

As you have recently moved, you are now to attend Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. You are under special circumstances, and will be sorted along with the first years. Term starts on Monday, September 2nd. The Hogwarts train leaves promptly at 11:00 am from Platform 9 ¾. Enclosed is also a list of your supplies needed for Term. Upon arrival at Hogwarts, please meet up with Proffesor Rubeus Hagrid. He will guide you to your destination.

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

One (1) wand

One (1) cauldron

Standard Book of Spells, Grade 6

Defense Against Danger, by Harmon Tellings

Muggle Studies for the Intermediate, by John Brown

Two (2) sets of Robes, black in color

One (1) Dress Robe

You may also bring an animal to Hogwarts. Owls are the standard, but toads and cats are accepted as well.

She could barely contain her excitement. "Mum, can we go get my supplies today?"

Her mother smiled sadly. "You can go shopping dear. Your father and I found a couple of boxes still left unpacked, and our cutlery will not sort itself"

Zally rolled her eyes, but shew as still excited about purchasing school supplies. Getting her equipment would make school seem to comeeven faster. She raced up the stairs and got dressed in five minutes flat. Her mother dropped five galleons, ten sickles, and four knuts into her outstretched hands. Zally kissed her mother and father on the cheek and walked out the door, breathing in the cool air as it filtered up her nostrils.

She walked to the edge of her driveway and looked at the list again. Well, she already had her cauldron and wand. She pulled the latter out of her back pocket. Her father was always telling her not to keep it there, "I've known wizards who have lost their buttocks doing the very same thing!", he would say, but she still put it there anyways. It was made of maple with a unicorn tail center, 12centimeters long. She held it over her head and stood back as the Knight Bus arrived with a screech and a clank.

The door opened to reveal a pimple faced man who slightly reeked of. " 'Ello, an' welcome to th' Knight Bus, M' name's Stan, an' th' driver of th' bus be Ernie. Say 'Ello, Ernie."

The short man behind the wheel grunted a hello.

Zally smiled. "Hi. Just call me Zally. Where do I go to find school supplies?"

Stan looked at her with an "Course I do" sort of gaze. "Mos' kids go to Diagon Alley. It'll cos' you four sickles to get there." She handed him the money and he showed her to her bed.

Before she was securely holding on to her bag and bedpost, the Bus screeched and darted off for Diagon alley.

Somehow managing to hold in her breakfast, she was grateful when the bus finally pulled to a screeching halt. Somewhat shaken, she looked out the window to see good old muggle London.

"So, how do I get into Diagon alley?"

"Aye, it be easy. Jus' go into the Leaky Cauldron. 'Ead out through the back an' tap on th' third brick on th' wall."

"Thanks!" With legs that could barely walk, she got off the bus and walked into the Leaky Cauldron. For how much it was light outside, the dreary, dismal interior of the pub looked as if it was the middle of winter. She nodded a hello to the strange looking bartender and walked outside to the brick wall. As she tapped the third brick, the wall slowly began to melt away, revealing the busy contents of Diagon Alley.

This place was amazing. Looking at her list, she noticed that four items could already be crossed off. Books were something she needed, though. After peering in various windows, she located her books and paid for them, leaving her with two galleons even. She looked at the last item on her list- an animal. Although not needed, she found this as a perfect opportunity to get a "pet". Her parents never let her keep any pets, but if it was for school………Her mind trailed off as she entered the pet shop. Hoots and cats screeching met her ears before she saw all of the animals inside. The lady had everything from Rats to Monkeys. She looked in an aquarium to find a couple of snakes. She had always like snakes, but decided against it, considering the animal was for school.

And that was when the owls began to come. She was surprised it hadn't happened sooner. She was always attracting owls; they seemed to like her. And she knew why.

Her parents were very popular and well known among the lands. Their only child would be a great target for hit men. So they wanted to give her a means of escape.

She was already an Animagus.

Her form was a white owl, a snow owl. Her piercing brown eyes stayed through her transformation. She found it rather useful; the owl could slip away silently and unnoticed until the last second. It had helped her numerous times. Of course, she was unregistered, for she would have to provide the ministry with her markings, and the whole idea of going undetected would therefore have no point.

She petted each one individually, and the salesperson came over to see if she was all right. "Of course" she replied while soothing a visitor. There was one owl she particularly liked. He was medium sized and brown with brown eyes, not rare in color but rare in personality. He was sweet and loved to be scratched under his beak. She knew that he would be a great pet for her. Besides, she needed an owl for her mail. She couldn't deliver her own mail, after all.

She quietly shooed the others away and had this one perched on her arm. Although most needed protective gloves, she was immune to the pain of wrenching talons. There was a long line at the front, and she got in the end behind a girl with bushy brown hair.

The line wasn't going anywhere fast, so she decided to strike up a conversation. "So, bit of a dry spell we've been having lately, eh?"

The girl turned around and smiled. She had a large, orange, squash-faced cat in her hands that Zally thought was rather ugly. "You could say that."

The girl stuck out her hand. "I'm Hermione."

"Zally."

The cat made a horrible mewing noise which sounded like the mutant child of a sneeze and a growl.

"Is that your cat?"

"Yes. His name's Crookshanks"

Zally scratched the feline behind his ears. He started to purr, although he regarded her with questioning eyes.

"You're a…umm…handsome fellow"

Hermione laughed. "I know, I know, he's ugly."

"I wouldn't call it ugly, just 'prettily challenged'"

This sent Hermione into another fit of laughter. Zally always had the ability to make people laugh.

"Say Zally; are you aware of muggle devices?"

"Of course, our family has muggle things, like a telephone and a muggle style clock."

Hermione looked like Christmas had come early. She pulled a piece of parchment from a bag hanging limply at her hip. She scratched furiously at it with a feather quill. A really big one. "This is my phone number, Zally. Trust me, when you find a wizard or witch who has a phone, get it from them. Most people here don't even know what a 'fellytone' is."

She pocketed the number. "Thanks! I'd give you mine, but we just moved, and I'm not sure what it is yet."

"Oh, where are you from?"

"Rivendell, but I was living in Egypt until recently."

"Wow! One of my best friends went to Egypt about four years ago."

"Really? What was his name? Maybe I might have run into him somewhere."

"His name is Ron Weasley."

"Hmmmm… no… nope. Sorry Don't know any Ron Weasley but I do know a Charlie Weasley. He taught me everything I know about dragons. Nice chap, too. Flaming red hair, though, which stood out quite alot"

Hermione chuckled. "Yeah. Ron's a redhead, too. I've always wanted to travel to the pyramids."

"Egyptian wizards put so many spells on the pyramids so tomb raiders couldn't get to them. Of course, a few were left untouched so that people would still think that they could find them."

"That was really clever."

Zally nodded as Hermione ajusted her purchases.

"So, what are you buying for Crookshanks?"

Hermione pointed to a paper sack. "Medicine and antibiotics. I don't want him falling ill." Her eyes darted around to make sure no one was listening. "He's half kneazle, and of a lot of value. He's saved my life on many occasions"

Zally nodded. The bird on her arm was beginning to get restless. She bounced her arm up and down so that he could outstretch his wings. Hermione noticed the owl. "What's his name?"

Zally studied him closely. He nipped one of his wings in an attempt to scratch an itch.

"I think I'll name him….. Nevan." She laughed at Hermione's quizzical expression. "It means 'Little Saint' in Celtic."

She fingered a piece of hair behind her ear, revealing the pointyness. Zally half expected to have Hermione freak out. Most people didn't like half-breeds. Instead Hermione smiled. "Wow your ears! So are you half-elven?"

"Yes" she mumbled, afraid that she wouldn't want to hang out with a half-breed.

Hermione looked her over. "I figured you would be sad. I know two gentlemen who are half-breeds as well. Hogwarts has had two half-breed teachers, a werewolf and a half-giant. I see nothing wrong with half-breeds. I get just as much attention for being muggleborn."

Zally nodded. There were a handful of wizards who hated the muggleborn children.

Finally, it was Hermione's turn to pay the cashier. It went quickly, and then it was Zally's turn. Although Nevan was only a galleon, the cage itself was another piece of gold.

With her pockets considerably lighter, she walked out of the store, schoolbooks in one hand and an owl cage in the other. Nevan hooted happily as she and Hermione walked down the street.

"Bloody hell is it hot out today!" Zally grumbled.

"There's an ice cream place here. Florescue's Finest. C'mon, let's go!" Hermione began to drag Zally towards the ice cream shop.

"I can't. I don't have any money left."

Hermione pulled out a handful of money. "I've still got some left. C'mon" Zally found no reason to argue. She could tell that Hermione was very head strong, and Zally assumed that she was as strong at debating. So she followed the girl towards Florescue's.

Hermione was right; they did have very good ice cream.

"So, are you here by yourself?"

"Why, are you a Death Eater planning on attacking me?" Hermione asked in mock-horror.

Hermione nodded. "My parents were busy. I was going to meet my two friends here, but they couldn't come. What about you?"

"My parents found another box left unpacked" she chuckled. "I just got my letter this morning and I wanted to get here as soon as possible."

Due to the heat, they had to eat rather quickly, or else eat some ice cream soup. Zally picked up her belongings and looked at a clock hanging on the wall, smiling as the cookoo clock cat came out and yowled a remorseful tune. "I'd best be getting home. My parents will start to worry about me…"

They walked out through the Leaky Cauldron. After walking through the dank pub, the light and heat seemed to intensify. Zally squinted, and when her vision cleared she could see that a parked car was waiting outside.

"That's my ride," Hermione explained and opened the passenger side door.

"Call me!" she yelled before getting into her car.

Without trying to attract too much attention, Zally cautiously lifted her wand in the air. Once again, the Knight Bus arrived, and Stan held out his hand for her money. "I'll pay you when we get back home." He nodded slightly and once again showed her to her bed. This time she made sure to grasp a firm hold on the railing.

The ride back wasn't so bad, but Nevan seemed a little angry at getting jostled around. "I'll be right back," she called to Stan who tapped his foot impatiently.

Her mother and father were sitting inside at the table. "Mum, I need to borrow some money to pay for the bus."She grumbled and handed Zally some silver. She rushed back out to the bus and tossed the coins into his hand. Picking up all of her belongings,Zally exited the bus. Fewer than one second had passed since she stepped off of the platform, and the bus was already in the sky headed for some other location.

Zally stepped inside her house, with a thankful Nevan perched on her shoulder. She placed her books on the table and showed Nevan off to her family. He seemed to like the attention, and puffed out his chest so he looked proud and mighty, his feathers cleverly sporting the illusion that he was twice his size. "At least he has some pride." her mother chuckled.

"Uhh…." Her father began, "Are you sure you need an owl?"

"Well, I do need someone to carry my mail."

Her father shrugged and she took Nevan up the stairs and set him down on her desk next to the window. She opened it and he sat on the windowsill. "Go ahead and stretch your wings." Zally offered. He chirped and flew outside to bask in the sunlight.

She reached inside her muggle jeans and pulled out Hermione's parchment.Zally set the number beside the phone and walked back downstairs, determined to uproot that dreadful garden gnome.

Lone: Ice cream soup? Was that supposed to be funny?

Stranger: …...-dazed expression-

Lone: Hello?

Stranger: Huh? -snort- What? Oh yeah! Wasn't that a great chapter everyone?

Lone: -rolls eyes- Anyways, please review!

Stranger: Plesae, with Ice cream soup on top?

Lone: You scare me...Bye folks!

Stranger: -dazed expression-