"I'm glad," Darien grinned. "I'll just leave you get unpacked." He walked out of her room, and back downstairs. Aly relaxed on her bed and sighed with happiness.

"This isn't so bad, Scotland," she decided, sitting up. She walked over to Minako's cage and took her out. "What do you think?"

She opened the window and smiled at the green hills and cloudless blue skies. Minako hooted her approval. Aly grinned and set Minako down on the bed. She opened her trunk and placed the clothes in her dresser. She took out her old Quidditch uniform and sighed. Well, technically, it wasn't old. Aly had only been away from her friends for a few houses. It felt much longer.

Aly finished packing the last of her clothes and walked over to the closet. She opened it and stored the trunk there. She looked at the closet with confusion. Maybe that's for my new clothes.

She rearranged the dresser to her liking and smiled with satisfaction. Aly noticed that her mother brought her things up from London. Her desk and chair were there, along with her quills given to her by Amanda three years ago, and her globe, and her beanbag chair.

She looked at herself in the mirror over by her dresser. Same eyes...same hair...same face...maybe it's because I'm not seventeen. I wonder where the others are...

She shook her head. Calm down. It's only been a few hours. Give them some time.

Aly looked around, please, and exited her new room. She walked downstairs into the living room and smelled bacon. She walked into the kitchen and Darien was tending to the bacon on the stove.

"Oh, hello," he said, looking over his shoulder. "Would you like some tea with your breakfast? I'm making brunch. You must be starving."

Aly's stomach rumbled with hunger. They both laughed.

"I'll take that as a yes."

A few moments later, he had the food on the table. Aly's mouth watered at the sight of eggs, bacon, tomatoes and toast. "Yum," she said brightly. Darien sat down at the kitchen table across from her.

"So," he said smiling warmly, "Welcome to Scotland."

"Why thank you," Aly grinned, sipping her tea.

"I'd bet you'd like to know a bit about me, and I'd like to know something about you."

Aly nodded.

"Well. I was born in London, even though both of my parents are Scottish, as you can tell. I lived a normal life until I was eleven, like you. Where have you lived the past seventeen years?"

Aly finished a piece of bacon. "Well, after Mum dropped me off I lived with Amelia until I was eleven. Then I ran away and a boy named Hayden, who would soon be my best friend, told me all about Hogwarts after I got my letter. Every summer after that I stayed at the Boyles' house with Char, Damien, Amanda and Hayden. The summer before sixth year I spent all of June with Mum."

"Ah. Well. My family expected me to get some high grades," Darien said, sipping his tea. "I'm a 'pureblood' and all. So, I met your mother first year at Hogwarts and we became fast friends."

"What were you like at Hogwarts?"

"Actually," he grinned. "I was a pretty decent guy. I had friends, I teased and everything, but compared to James Potter I was a saint."

Aly laughed. "So, how'd it happen?"

"Well, I eventually fell in love with your mother sometime around fifth year. We dated for two years. Then of course, your mother became pregnant."

"Why'd you leave?"

Darien sighed, looking down at his plate. He looked back up. "I was a teenager...and I wasn't thinking. When I realized the consequences, I didn't want any of that. So I left. But I'm very sorry for that."

"It's ok," Aly said, smiling slightly. She finished her food. "So, what do you do?"

"Interior design," he grinned. "How else did I get your room that way? Sheer luck?"

Aly smiled.

"No. I work with some other people, and we work on making the houses as roomy and comfortable, yet chic, as possible." He smiled. Aly took the plates and offered to wash them. She finished drying them soon, and put them in the dish rack. She sat back down.

"Now. About your education. There's a school not too far from here that's Hogwarts counterpart."

"You mean...it's like Hogwarts?" Aly asked, brightening.

"Yes. It teaches the same subjects, except it's like your regular school. You go to school, you eat lunch, and then you come home. You don't get five course meals."

"Wow," Aly said, smiling. "That's great. What's it called?"

"On the outside, Ellis School for the Gifted. A Muggle might assume it's for people with learning disabilities. On the inside, it's just called Ellis. It's nowhere near as big as Hogwarts. Looks like just a regular school."

"That sounds fantastic. At least I can continue my education," Aly sighed.

"That's another reason why your mother sent you up here. For you protection, but she knew that there was a counterpart of Hogwarts over here, so you could still get your education."

"That was smart."

"Indeed," Darien agreed. "I've already enrolled you, so you should get a letter soon about your supplies."

"Will we go down to Diagon Alley to get my supplies?" Aly asked with excitement.

"No, that's too dangerous."

Aly's face fell. "Oh."

"Don't worry! Scotland's just as good as London, if not better. There's another spot where we can get your supplies for this year."

"Ok, then." Aly nodded. "What are you doing today?"

"I'll be in the work room, planning the next design for Mrs. Fletcher's house." He smiled and stood up. "You can go outside and roam around, if you like."

"That sounds fine. I won't stray too far," Aly promised. Darien patted her head and exited the kitchen. Aly stood up and walked over to the back door. She grabbed her jacket and walked outside.

Immediately she was hit by a welcoming breeze, and she smiled. She walked down the stairs and stepped on the grass. It was soft and a very pure green. She walked past her father's house, looking at his car. There was a shed in the back.

She continued walking, looking around, admiring the sky and the grass being ruffled by the wind. This is a like a dream, she thought.

She sat down on the ground and hugged her knees tightly, looking around. There were a few houses on the other sides of the road.

He must live on the outskirts of East Kilbride, she realized. From far away, she could see that her father's house was a pale blue color.

She sighed.

"I wonder what the others are doing now?" she wondered aloud. She stood up. "Maybe I should send them a letter. Minako deserves the stretch."

She started walking back to the house. She continued walking in silence.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, she heard a pop! And someone apparated right front of her.

"Gah!" she exclaimed, clutching her heart. She kneeled over, gasping for breath, her heart. She looked up slowly at the person standing in front of her, and realized it was her Dad.

"Dad," she choked, "What was that for?"

"Just having a bit of fun," he said playfully. Aly stood up glaring at Darien.

"I almost had a heart attack," she said angrily.

"Lucky for you that you didn't. There's not a hospital around for a few miles."

Aly's eyes widened in surprise.

"I'm pulling your leg," he joked. "The nearest hospital is twenty five minutes!"

"You're real funny, Dad," Aly growled. Then she looked up. "I didn't know you could apparate."

"Took my three tries, but I did it," he said proudly. "Splinched about half my body the first time."

Aly winced. "Glad I passed."

"Would you like to talk a walk into town? I think locking you up all day isn't exactly entertaining."

Aly smiled and nodded.