Chapter 11: Year two: lost

The last few weeks at the Weasley sped by far too quickly for Aileen's liking. She had never before enjoyed a summer holiday, and even though the majority of this one had been horrible, the three and a half weeks she got to spent at the Burrow was fun and some of the happiest times of her life. The chaos of the Weasley household, the games and the flying kept her occupied, even though she still had quite time to herself to go through her notes or read ahead. She even bonded a little bit with Ginny by helping the younger girl study ahead.

On their last evening, Mrs. Weasley conjured up a dinnerthat included one dish of everyone's favorite foods. Mrs. Weasley had also kicked Aileen out of the kitchen for this one meal, refusing to let her help since it would be the last meal Mrs. Weasley could make for all her children till Christmas or summer. She wanted it to be special for all of them, including Aileen, and it wouldn't be as special if Aileen helped make it.

Fred and George rounded off the evening with a (unexpected) display of Filibuster fireworks; they filled the kitchen with red and blue stars that bounced from ceiling to wall for at least half an hour. Then it was time for a last mug of hot chocolate and bed. Aileen woke a few hours after going to bed and threw up, as had become routine for her since she had arrived at the Burrow. She would have slowly increased her portion size like she did back at Hogwarts the year before, but Mrs. Weasley kept a strict eye on how much she ate and there was only so much she could pass onto the twins and Percy who had taken to helping her after catching her one morning to many and forced her to admit why she was throwing up. The boys would put less food on their plate, then one of them would distract Molly while Aileen's plate was swiftly divided as best they could between them.

It took a long while to get started the next morning. They were up at dawn, but somehow they still seemed to have a great deal to do. Mrs. Weasley dashed about in a bad mood looking for spare socks and quills; people kept colliding on the stairs, half-dressed with bits of toast in their hands; and Mr. Weasley nearly broke his neck, tripping over a stray chicken as he crossed the yard carrying Ginny's trunk to the car.

Aileen was rather glad that she had not unpacked much when she arrived at the Weasleys and what she had unpacked was packed in her trunk the night before. She helped out by making sure that Ginny had everything – including the battered diary she had started writing in each night – and finding lost items around the house. She also collected the odd item she happened to spot throughout the house. She knew she should have checked to make sure that the boys had everything packed the night before, but they told her that every school year was like this: even when only Bill was going.

Aileen couldn't see how eight people, six large trunks, two owls, and a rat were going to fit into one small Ford Anglia. That was until she was shown the special features that Mr. Weasley had added.

"Not a word to Molly," he whispered to Aileen as he opened the trunk and showed her how it had been magically expanded so that the luggage fitted easily.

When at last they were all in the car, Mrs. Weasley glanced into the back seat, where Aileen, Ron, Fred, George, and Percy were all sitting comfortably side by side, and said, "Muggles do know more than we give them credit for, don't they?"

She and Ginny got into the front seat, which had been stretched so that it resembled a park bench. "I mean, you'd never know it was this roomy from the outside, would you?"

Although Mr. Weasley started their journey, and they should have arrived with plenty of time, they were forced to double back several times for forgotten times. Mr. Weasley tried to convince his wife that they should use the flying option since the car had an invisibility booster, but Mrs. Weasley wouldn't be moved on the subject.

The car finally pulled to a stop outside King's Cross at quarter to eleven. As fast as eight people and their trunks and assorted animals could, they had their things on trolleys and hurried into the station and to the solid wall between platforms nine and ten.

"Percy first," said Mrs. Weasley, looking nervously at the clock overhead, which showed they had only five minutes to disappear casually through the barrier. Percy strode briskly forward and vanished. Mr. Weasley went next; Fred and George followed. "I'll take Ginny and you two come right after us," Mrs. Weasley told Aileen and Ron, grabbing Ginny's hand and setting off. In the blink of an eye they were gone.

"Let's go together, we've only got a minute," Ron said to Aileen.

Aileen made sure that Hedwig's cage was safely wedged on top of her trunk and wheeled her trolley around to face the barrier. She felt perfectly confident; this wasn't nearly as uncomfortable as using Floo powder. Both of them bent low over the handles of their trolleys and walked purposefully toward the barrier, gathering speed. A few feet away from it, they broke into a run and -

- CRASH.

Ron'strolleys hit the barrier and bounced backwardhis extra height and body mass meant he was faster than Aileen. However this worked against him as Ron's trunk fell to the floor with a loud thump and Ron had been knocked onto his bum from the impact of the rebounding trolley. Aileen had been able to swerved her troll and avoid the wall when she saw Ron didn't go through. However Ron's trunk fell in front of her troll causing her chest to impact with the handles.

People all around them stared and a guard nearby yelled, "What in blazes d'you think you're doing?"

Aileen ignored him and offered Ron a hand. "You alright mate, did you lose control?" she asked.

"Yeah, couldn't stop." He muttered, obviously catching onto what she was doing.

Aileen shot a glare at the few people still milling around. "If you're not going to help then carry on walking." She snapped at them before helping Ron put his trunk back on the trolley.

"Why can't we get through?" Aileenhissed to Ron,trying suppress her panic as the public did as she suggested and continued moving about the platform now that they had a reasonable explanation as to why a kid a run into a wall.

"I dunno-" Ron looked around. "We're going to miss the train," Ron whispered. "I don't understand why the gateway's sealed itself-"

Aileen looked up at the giant clock with a sickening feeling in the pit of her stomach. Ten seconds... Nine seconds...

She made sure everything was back on their trollies and leaned heavily against the wall. The material remained solid.

Three seconds... Two seconds... One second...

"It's gone," said Ron, sounding stunned. "The train's left. What if Mum and Dad can't get back through to us? Have you got any Muggle money?"

"I don't have any on me, no." Aileen answered, her eyes skipping to and from the people walking around her as her brain made and discarded plans.

Ron pressed his ear against the barriernow no one was paying them any attention.

"Can't hear a thing," he said tensely. "What are we going to do? I don't know how long it'll take mum and dad to get back to us."

"I think we should go back to the car," Aileen saidas she noticed that the guard and a few male members of the public were looking at them angrily or suspiciously. "We're attracting too much atten-"

"Aileen!" said Ron, his eyes gleaming. "The car!"

"What about it?" Aileen asked looking at her friend suspiciously.

"We can fly the car to Hogwarts."

"It's too dangerous and if we're seen…" Aileen trailed of, not liking this plan at all.

"We're stuck right? And we've got to get to school, haven't we? And even underage wizards are allowed to use magic if it's a real emergency, section nineteen or something of the Restriction of Thingy…"

"I don't think this counts as an emergency Ron; we should wait for your parents." Aileen tried to persuade her friend away from such drastic measures.

"I can fly it, I've seen Fred and George do it enough times. And we don't have much of a choice in the matter Aileen; what if Mum and Dad can't get through the barrier? We'd be stranded here in the middle of Muggle London without a way of getting home.C'mon if we hurry we'll be able to follow the Hogwarts Express."

And they marched off through the crowd of people, out of the station and back onto the side road where the old Ford Anglia was parked. Ron unlocked the cavernous trunk with a series of taps from his wand. He heaved his luggage back in, and got into the front.

"Ron," Aileen leaned in through the passenger window, her trunk and owl at her feet. "This is a bad idea. You are going to get in so much trouble. I can just send Hedwig to Hogwarts, asking for help."

"And by the time someone arrives you could have been waiting hours. Now get in Aileen or I'm leaving you behind." Ron said.

"Ron, you're my best mate, but I am not getting in this car." Aileen said after taking a deep breath.

"Fine, I'll see you at Hogwarts," said Ron stubbornly, starting the ignition with another tap of his wand.

Ron pressed a tiny silver button on the dashboard. The car vanished - and so did he. Aileen could stillhear the engine,but the sound steadily faded as the car rose. Aileen looked up and grimaced when she saw that the car had reappeared.

Aileen watched the car vanish. Then it flickered back again. Ron seemed to realize that staying in sight of everyone below him was a bad idea because he shot straight into the low, woolly clouds.

When she was left alone on the side walk Aileen grabbed her trunk and walked to the nearest bench then she pulled out some parchment and a fountain pen (she used it when not writing an assignment). She didn't know how long she could stay still for while not behind magical wards (which Mr Weasley had told her existed around the Burrow) before monsters started attacking.

Hopefully the large number of mortals around would be enough to help hide her scent. But just because the mortals covered her sent (she hoped), didn't meant she wasn't in danger from the mortals herself. If she's lucky there is a professor within two hours of her location who can come and collect her before her presence starts drawing unwanted attention.

Thinking carefully she wrote a note:

Dear professor,

Something went wrong with the barrier. My friend and I had time to pass through the barrier and get on the train but it closed early. We are not aware of the reason why, but we have now missed the train. Due to the early closing of the barrier I am unsure if my friend's parents will be able to get back through the barrier.

I don't know what to do.

Please respond as quickly as possible – either by letter with Hedwig or by following Hedwig back to me. I'm currently sat unsupervised in non-magical London at the Tran station and I'm unsure how long I can safely stay here before I draw the attention of either police or criminals.

Kind Regards

Aileen Potter.

Aileen then let Hedwig out of her cage but before she could attach the letter and send it of a small boy appeared in front of her. He appeared to be about four or five years old, had large grey eyes and dark, mousy blond, hair.

"Ow." He said, pointing to Hedwig.

"Yes that is an Owl." Aileen said softly. "Her name's Hedwig." Aileen's eyes scanned the crowed looking for the child's parents.

"Hegwig." The boy tried to repeat.

"That's right, would you like to stroke her?" he nodded excitedly so Aileen knelt in front of the boy (hiding the letter in her pocket) so that it was easier for him to stroke her feathers.

Once the boy was occupied gently stroking Hedwig, who was standing quite still so as to not startle the boy, Aileen decided to find out where his parents were. None of the adults in their area where paying them the slightest amount of attention, nor could she spot anyone who looked like the child.

"What's your name little one?" Aileen asked softly; she was used to speaking with small children from the times she would baby sit the kids in the neighbourhood.

"Daniel," the boy mumbled.

"That's a lovely name. Daniel, where is your mother?"

"I don't know, I got lost." The boy mumbled and Aileen could see tears appearing in his eyes as he stopped stroking Hedwig's soft feathers.

Being careful of Hedwig Aileen pulled the upset boy into a half hug. "Well then we had best find her."

Aileen placed Hedwig on her shoulder and stood, reaching down to grab the boy's hand. Then she picked up her trunk with her other hand.

"What does your mum look like?" Aileen asked slowly moving through the crowd. She got a lot of weird looks because of Hedwig but she was more interested in looking for a women who had similar features to Daniel – or at the very least a very worried women.

"She's really tall, and has hair like me. But her eyes are blue." Daniel said bouncing along beside her.

"And what is she wearing?" Aileen asked smiling down at the excited boy.

"She was wearing a reeeeeeaaalllllllly soft dress. It was purple." Daniel nodded decisively.

"Okay," Aileen said, she was getting worried since she had not spotted Daniel's mum yet which means he must have wondered for quite some time. "What's your last name, little one?" Aileen asked, thinking that maybe she would have to talk with a guard.

"Willis."

"What are you doing in London?" Aileen asked.

Daniel spent the next five minutes describing everything they would be doing that day in great detail. Apparently it was a late birthday gift: his fifth birthday. His mom was taking him to the zoo and then the prince's gardens.

It was just as Aileen was beginning to despair that she noticed a tall women looking around herself in panic. She was out of breath and appeared to be looking for someone. Aileen connected the dots and assumed that it must be Mrs Willis.

"Mrs Willis!" Aileen called approaching the women. She turned and her eyes widen when she noticed the owl on Aileen's shoulder. Then she caught sight of her son.

"DANIEL, SWEETHEART." She exclaimed kneeling down and pulling her son into a tight hug. "Where were you? I was so worried." Mrs Willis pulled back from the hug and started checking her son for injuries. Once she was sure he was fine she picked him up and stood.

"I found him about ten minutes ago wondering alone, ma'am. He was lost but then he spotted Hedwig." Aileen motioned to her owl who was still sitting on her shoulder.

"Hegwig, really soft." Daniel piped up.

"Thank you for finding him," Mrs Willis said.

"Glad I could help, ma'am."

"Is there anything I can do to repay you?" she asked.

"There's nothing ma'am. I'm just happy to see young Daniel where he belongs." Aileen said. "Have a good day, ma'am." She said before turning and disappearing into the crowd before the women could say anything.

Aileen went to the nearest bench, which happened to be where there was very little foot traffic. Then she tied the letter to Hedwig's leg. "Can you find the nearest teacher and give them that letter? Wait to see if they are going to reply or follow you back to me." Aileen said softly stroking Hedwig's crest. She hooted once, pecked her finger then took off.

Aileen got out the fairy tale book she had started at the Dursley's and began to read. Despite having a large portion of her attention on the book Aileen was more than aware of her surroundings. It was an ability she was forced to develop because of the monsters that would attack her while she was outside studying.

This was why, two hours later, she did not raise her head to look as Hedwig divided down. Instead she simply raised one arm so that she had a better purchase. Once Hedwig had landed Aileen closed her book and looked to the man who was stalking towards her with a frowned fixed on his features. He was wearing black trousers, a black role neck and a black coat.

"Professor Snape," Aileen greeted, standing and slipping her book back into her trunk.

"Potter, were is your friend that was mentioned in the letter?" he demanded.

Aileen winced. "Ron didn't wish to wait. I tried to convince him that it would be best to send Hedwig to find a teacher but he chose to ignore me."

"How is he getting to Hogwarts?" Professor Snape demanded.

Aileen looked down, "An enchanted car, sir."

"I will have to inform the headmaster; there might be a chance he can salvage your friends place at Hogwarts." He sneered. "Now come, we do not have all day." Snape turned on the spot and started walking through the crowd.

Aileen grabbed her trunk, Hedwig took to the skies, and hurried after her irritated professor.

He led her into a deserted side alley where no one could see them. Then he grabbed her arm and span on the spot. Aileen immediately felt like someone had shoved her through a very small pipe while twisting it. When the sensation ended she swayed on the spot for a moment trying to cope with the sudden change in her centre of gravity. When she looked up she found that she was at Hogsmeade station.

"Come," Professor Snape barked and they began the long trek up to the castle. Aileen was grateful the man had decided to wait for her to regain her senses before making her move.

Later that day Aileen was sat at the Gryffindor table surrounded by the rest of her house. Hermione had pulled her into a tight hug the moment she spotted Aileen. Exclaiming over how worried she was. Fred and George also joined her at the table along with Neville. Aileen made sure that they left two seats – one for Ginny and one for Ron. Percy saw her and nodded in greeting, obviously relieved that she had made it. However, they were all curious were Ron was but Aileen refused to say anything until she had spoken with him.

The Great Hall was decorated in a similar fashion to how it was during the first feast she had ever had at Hogwarts. There were innumerable candles hovering in midair over the four long, crowded tables, making the golden plates and goblets sparkle. Overhead, the bewitched ceiling, which always mirrored the sky outside, sparkled with stars.

When McGonagall led the line of scared first years in, Aileen spottedGinny among them,she was easily visible because of her vivid Weasley hair. Professor McGonagall, a bespectacled witch with her hair in a tight bun, placed the famous Hogwarts Sorting Hat on a stool before the newcomers. Every year this aged old hat, patched, frayed, and dirty, sorted new students into the four Hogwarts houses (Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin).

During the song Aileen's eyes wandered past McGonagall to where Professor Dumbledore, the headmaster, sat watching the Sorting from the staff table, his long silver beard and half-moon glasses shining brightly in the candlelight. Several seats along, Aileen saw Gilderoy Lockhart, dressed in robes of aquamarine. And there at the end was Hagrid, huge and hairy, drinking deeply from his goblet. Professor Snape had yet to join the feast since he had been tasked with waiting for Ron especially when a special addition newspaper was published showing a flying car and reporting that several mundanes had needed to have their memory whipped. This meant that Ron had broken the Statue for Secrecy. Hopefully the headmaster would be lenient on her friend since her hadn't thought his actions through probably.

Aileen cheered for each of the first years as they were sorted, memorizing each of their faces. When Ginny was sorted into Gryffindor Aileen waved her into the empty seat they had left her. She took it without hesitation since Aileen's group had sat closest to the other first years. The feast was amazing like usual and Aileen, along with Hermione and Neville, spent most of it answering the first year's questions (Fred and George disappeared up the table after Aileen explained that Ron was probably in a lot of trouble since he had refused to wait with her).

When they met Ron outside the Gryffindor Common room, Hermione began to lecture him on how foolish he was while Aileen just clapped his arm and told him she was glad he was alright. Ron, who had been standing worriedly, relaxed at her words. He was especially grateful when she saved him from Hermione's lecture by opening the portrait whole and pulling Hermione up to the girl's dormitories.

Word count: 3,634

Copied: 839

Edited: 14/02/2018