Lunch was ready by the time we made it back. I left my scarf at the joke shop but in all honesty I didn't care who else saw me with this ginger colored hair. I knew I looked off but I don't think I deserved to be laughed at. James was lucky we weren't at Hogwarts or else I would have jinxed him into oblivion.

The twins ate quietly.

"I'm not mad." I said spontaneously hoping they'd return to their talkative selves.

"Yes you are you told us to cover our ears." Lorcan said. He was too smart for his own good.

"What I meant to say was I'm not mad at you and your brother."

"You're mad at James?"

I knew if the shoe was on the other foot I'd probably laugh too. I was mostly embarrassed because it happened in front of so many people.

"No I'm—"

"Alice? I'm sure sorry about what happened back there." Scorpius stood beside the table. "I think you look great as ginger."

"Thanks Scorp, but I'm kind of anxious to get back to normal."

"Come Scorpius we are late as it is." Scorpius' dad was near the floo.

But instead of leaving he beckoned him over. He reluctantly made his way over.

"This is my father. Draco. Father this is Professor Longbottom's daughter Alice Marie Longbottom." Scorpius said with a high and mighty tone.

It took all that I had to refrain from laughing.

"Hello sir." I said politely.

"Longbottom's daughter?" Mr. Malfoy looked at me confusingly. Staring intently on my hair. "I assumed you were . . . Well it's nice to meet you Alice."

Mr. Malfoy held out his hand.

"Nice to meet you Mr. Malfoy." I said shaking his hand.

"These are the Scamander twins." Scorpius continued. The twins were engulfed in their food. "I think their probably the reason for Alice's hair. Little rascals." He ruffled Lorcan's hair. "Hey, dad can't you fix it? Alice's hair I mean."

Mr. Malfoy nodded sending a silent incantation towards me.

I held my hair in front of my face. Blonde. Gorgeously plain old blonde.

"Thank you Mr. Malfoy!"

"You're welcome. Come now Scorpius."

I hugged Scorpius goodbye.

Unfortunately for Mr. Malfoy, Teddy Lupin just so happened to appear in the floo network at the precise moment.

"Cousin!" Scorpius shouted happily. "I haven't seen you in ages. Dad you remember Teddy." Scorpius and Teddy were technically second cousins but still quite close. It was a weird coincidence that Teddy's wife and Scorpius' girlfriend were Weasley cousins.

"Hello again Edward. I'll tell everyone you're running late Scorpius." Mr. Malfoy said apparently giving up on getting Scorpius to follow him.

I looked at my blonde hair again. Thank Merlin!

On the Hogwarts Express . . .

Lane was the best friend a girl could ask for when I told her about the whole ginger ordeal she laughed for less than ten seconds. That's true friendship in my eyes.

The other people sharing our compartment were Lloyd, Isobel, and a couple of their dorm mates. Lloyd and Isobel were showing a great deal of affection towards each other which was a rarity. I nudged Lane. Who mouthed, "Must have lost her book." I kicked her.

Chase Zabini, Lane's boyfriend passed by the compartment winking at her. Lane waved. Lane leaned towards me.

"I met his family over the break."

"And?" I said urging for her to continue.

"Well it was a little rough . . . but we're both still in." She said practically swooning.

"Alice do you have—" Lily said opening the compartment door but she didn't finish. Her cheeks got pink and she stuttered. "Nev-Nevermind." And left without closing the door behind her.

Lane shrugged.

"Maybe I should go see what she wanted." I said getting up.

"Alice. I've been looking for you everywhere." James was now standing at the entrance.

"Too bad your map doesn't always come in handy." I said standing to face him.

"Your hair looks great." He said with a smirk.

"Haha."

"I've missed you."

"Hmm . . ." I said boringly.

"You can't still be mad at me. I was hoping we could ride back to Hogwarts together."

"I'm not mad James." I said placing my hands on his shoulders. "And I'd love to ride back to Hogwarts with you." I stood on my tiptoes kissing him. "But this compartment is all full." I whispered in his ear. I pushed him backwards into the hallway.

I sat back down satisfied. Lane looked beyond confused. "What happened between you two?"

"It doesn't matter . . . were both still in."