Sydney could hardly sleep. All she could do was think about seeing Edward again. She hardly knew the guy and already she couldn't get him out of her head. Her most logical conclusion was that she was going crazy.
The sun had just barely risen above the horizon when Sydney got out of bed. She crept silently into her bathroom, not wanting to awaken her brother and grandmother. Sydney really didn't feel like explaining to either of them why she was up so early in the morning. Even homework never got her out of bed before late morning.
Finishing her shower, Sydney snuck back into her bedroom to gather the rest of her belongings before setting out. She sighed when she looked outside, the sun already being swallowed by dark, ominous storm clouds. As much as she liked the rain, it made running around Diagon Alley a real pain.
The young witch grabbed her school bag and threw in a new umbrella and her raincoat, hearing a soft, very distant thud as they landed inside. She could fit nearly anything she wanted into her bag, thanks to the Undetectable Extension Charm her Aunt Hermione had taught her. Carrying books at school became so simple after she had learned that charm.
After making sure she had everything she needed, Sydney swung her bag over her shoulder, pulled out her wand, and Disapparated. Still being too early for her meeting with Edward and her stomach growling from lack of breakfast, Sydney Apparated into The Leaky Cauldron for some much needed food.
Despite the early hour, the small pub was already fairly busy, the landlady running around with a beaming smile on her face. Sydney sat at an empty table and waved at her, smiling back as she hurried over.
"Morning Hannah," Sydney said to the smiling witch in front of her.
"Sydney dear, so good to see you! How's your brother? Still getting into trouble if your uncles are involved I'm sure," Hannah said, her smile never faltering.
"You know them too well. Uncle George still has Teddy working in the store with him during the summers and he couldn't be happier. Those two are constantly scheming," Sydney laughed. "How's Neville?"
"Wonderful! He's actually out of the country right now looking for some new plants for you to study this year. By the sounds of it, you lot should have quite a good year in Herbology. Oh how I do miss it," the landlady said, a dreamy expression drifting across her face.
"I'll make sure to pick up a new pair of dragon hide gloves then," Sydney said, laughing again.
Hannah fought back a laugh as she heard Sydney's stomach growl loudly, causing the young witch to blush.
"I'll have something out for you in just a moment," the landlady said, giggling as she walked back to the kitchen.
Sydney sat there and started to wish she had one of George's Headless Hats. She really should have just eaten something before she left the house. The young witch didn't have long to worry about her embarrassment, as Hannah had returned, setting down a goblet of pumpkin juice and a full plate of food in front of Sydney.
"This should help with your conversational stomach," Hannah giggled again as she walked off again toward the back of the bar.
Her cheeks still a little red, Sydney began attacking her breakfast, hoping that she wasn't drawing attention to herself. After what seemed like only minutes, her plate had been cleared and her goblet drained.
Pulling out her wand, Sydney levitated her money over to the bar where Hannah was once again hard at work, smiling and laughing with some new patrons that had just walked in. Sydney caught her eye and waved as she shouldered her bag and walked out to join the bustling Muggles on the street.
Sydney didn't have to wait long for her guest. She had been outside only a few minutes before she caught sight of Edward making his way up the street to her, a slight grin across his face. Her heart seemed to catch in her throat for a second at the sight of him, but quickly settled back down. The young witch was more prepared to control her emotions today and keep her appearance normal, at least with Muggles around.
She smiled as he stopped in front of her, their eyes meeting before Edward quickly looked away. Sydney looked at him, slightly confused at his reaction.
"I'm sorry, about yesterday," he said to her.
"Really, it's ok. Nothing happened to me. I promise you that I could get just as bad if I didn't remind myself who I was," Sydney said.
There was a renewed, awkward silence between them, similar to the day before in the alley. Sydney broke the silence.
"So…you're here early."
"So are you."
"I couldn't sleep."
"I don't sleep."
Sydney couldn't help but laugh. She didn't know why, but she just couldn't resist laughing. Maybe it was her continued inability to hold a real conversation with Edward. Or it could be the fact she was known to her friends to laugh or giggle at random for no reason at all.
Whatever it was, she couldn't help but notice that her new friend had broken into a smile as well. Figuring that she was coming across as a complete idiot, Sydney quickly made up an excuse for her behavior.
"Sorry, that was completely random. I was thinking about how much we sounded just like my brother and I after we catch each other doing something we shouldn't," Sydney said, hoping he couldn't read her mind at that moment.
"Your twin, right? Teddy?"
"How…Oh, right. Mind reader. Yes, Teddy is my twin. We're really close, but sometimes we couldn't be more different."
"I'm different from my own family, but none of us are actually related, as I'm sure you could guess," Edward grinned. "So where exactly is it that you're taking me?"
Sydney nodded toward The Leaky Cauldron behind her and shifted her bag a little.
"Diagon Alley. It's where we, the wizarding community here in London, go to buy everything we need. The entrance is behind the pub, that's why I wanted you to meet me here. It's the most direct way to get there," she said.
"But how can I get in? I already told you I'm not a wizard," Edward said, looking down at the young witch.
"I know you're not, but it's not a problem. I hope I'm not offending you by saying this, but many different beings come and go as well as witches and wizards. It's not exclusive. We see goblins, since they work in our bank, hags, other vampires, sometimes house elves, dwarves, and werewolves."
Sydney didn't notice Edward's eyes darken slightly at the mention of the latter. She looked at him and smiled, oblivious to what the mention of werewolves did to her friend's demeanor.
"So shall we go? I really just want to look around, but I do have a few items to purchase in order to finish my summer homework," she said.
"Lead the way."
Sydney turned and entered the pub again, the arrival of more morning patrons having filled the small room easily. The two quickly made their way to the back, Sydney wanting to avoid Hannah's eye to prevent questions relating to who the stranger was. Once they had made it outside again, Sydney pulled out her wand and looked at Edward.
"Sorry you didn't get a chance to look around inside, but the landlady and her husband are good friends of my family and – "
" – you didn't want her to see me and ask questions and tell anyone in your family," Edward finished, looking at Sydney.
"Well, yes. It's not that there's anything wrong with you, I don't mean it like that! It's just that my family has always been very protective of me and I don't want them to demand to meet you so they can interrogate you and – "
Sydney stopped her tirade and looked up at Edward, confused as to why he had started laughing. Had she said something funny? Edward saw her look of confusion and tried to stifle another round of laughter.
"Don't worry about it. I wouldn't want you to put yourself in an awkward situation because of me," Edward explained, his short break of laughter done.
Sydney couldn't help but smile now.
"I'm glad you understand then. So, ready to see what you've been missing?"
Edward did nothing to suppress the smirk that crept across his handsome face. Sydney blushed.
"I'm just going to stop speaking before I think…" she muttered, now looking for the right brick in the wall. "Ah, here it is."
Using her wand to tap the brick, Sydney stood back as the archway into Diagon Alley slowly formed in the wall in front of them. As the entrance finished opening, the young witch turned to look at her companion, her appearance back to its usual long blue hair and light blue eyes.
"Welcome to your other world. Welcome to Diagon Alley."
~ I know it was short, but I really wanted to get another chapter out there and summer classes have just gotten a lot busier. I appreciate those of you who added my story. I really am trying to make this entertaining and a good read. I can't say when the next chapter will be up, but I plan on starting it very soon. I have a new story that I started a few years ago and have yet to post, but it too should be up soon. I thank you all for humoring me and reading this!