I spent the next couple weeks helping Mrs. Weasley around the house, as well as hanging out with the kids my age. I hadn't expected to be so completely accepted so quickly. They included me in everything, and Harry and Ron even attempted to teach me quidditch - after Ginny taught me how to ride a broom. That had been embarrassing. Now that I understood it, though, I wasn't half bad at flying.

As I pulled Harry's birthday cake out of the oven, helping Mrs. Weasley prepare for Harry's birthday party, I couldn't help thinking about what I knew was coming next. We would get our Hogwarts letters (the others had already gotten their O.W.L.S.) and then go off to Diagon Alley. My stomach was filled with all sorts of butterflies at that thought. I'd get to at least see Draco Malfoy, which would be interesting, considering I knew more about him than he did himself. I couldn't help wondering what he would look like in actual life, if you could call this that. Would he live up to the way Tom Felton had portrayed him? Would he look as gorgeous? Was he as nasty as he was portrayed? Was he-

"Ow!" I quickly pulled my hand towards me and looked down at it. I cursed under my breath as I watched the red, already irritated skin on my palm starting to blister and bubble. How long had I been touching the cake? I sent a mutinous glare at the hot pan. I'd already burnt myself when my phone exploded. That had been nearly healed. Now this? I rolled my eyes and went to look for the first aid kit.

After finding the burn cream - with a little help - I went back down to the kitchen to help Mrs. Weasley continue with birthday preparations.

As Mrs. Weasley passed out cake later that night, Remus Lupin entered the room, and my stomach flipped. I wasn't sure how to react to him. He'd always been a favorite of mine, but I didn't know if I even wanted to talk to him since I knew what would happen to him at the Battle of Hogwarts. But, I wouldn't be present for that. I could still be his friend, right?

He, Mr. Weasley, and Bill started talking, and my stomach dropped as I heard him talking about Florean Fortescue going missing, and Ollivander being gone. I had been at Ollivander's only a couple weeks ago. I'd completely forgotten about this. The poor man.

Mrs. Weasley glared at Remus and her husband and son. I quietly excused myself and headed upstairs, not wanting to hear the rest of the conversation.

The next day our Hogwarts letters arrived, mine included. My stomach flipped and flopped as I tore the beautiful wax seal and pulled out the parchment inside. I ran my fingers along the side of the paper, still trying to convince myself this was actually real.

I released a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding in as I finished. Dumbledore told me I'd be going to Hogwarts this year, but holding this paper made it more real. It helped me believe it was really happening - that I wasn't just dreaming. I smiled softly at the note Professor McGonagall had left me telling me about a mini sorting ceremony and private lessons. She could be stern, but she was also so loving. I couldn't wait to get to know her better.

I smiled softly. Soon, but not soon enough, I'd be going to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, hanging out with the characters from my favorite books, and living in the true world of Harry Potter. I couldn't wait for things to get moving.

Saturday we headed to Diagon Alley. I sat in the back with Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Mrs. Weasley while Mr. Weasley and Harry rode up front.

"It's good dad can get us these again," Ron said, stretched over more of the seat than he should have been. I was suddenly quite glad I'd chosen to sit next to Ginny and not him.

"Don't get used to it. It's only because of Harry," Mr. Weasley said.

I sunk down into the leather of the seat and let the breeze from the open windows blow over me. My cheeks were hot, so it felt nice to have the cool air rushing over me.

"He's been given top-grade security status. And we'll be joining up with additional security at the Leaky Cauldron too."

I smiled a little as I remembered who the security was. I was finally going to meet Rubeus Hagrid. He'd be a little preoccupied with Harry of course, but that was fine with me. It meant I'd be able to explore Diagon Alley, and meet Draco Malfoy. Maybe. If I could slip out from under Mrs. Weasley's watchful eye. The woman really was a dear, but she was so worried about Voldemort she didn't let anything remotely dangerous happen while she was near. I honestly wondered why Voldemort hadn't ever turned and run at the sight of an angry Molly Weasley. She was formidable.

The car rolled to a stop and we all filed out.

"Harry!" Hagrid boomed. I watched their exchange with fascination. Hagrid was taller than I had imagined. I was almost 6 feet, pretty tall for a girl, but Hagrid was at least 8 feet tall. I felt like a shrimp next to him, but I guessed most people probably did.

Mrs. Weasley came over and ushered everyone inside, then out into Diagon Alley. I looked around in fascination. Even in a terrified world, this street was still bustling. It was subdued, and I could tell this wasn't how it usually was. A lot of shops were dark, closed signs hanging in the windows. There was a line coming out of Gringotts that seemed to stretch and wrap around the buildings. Weasley's Wizard Wheezes was the sole exception to everything. The shop was bright and bustling, and increasingly busy. People kept walking in, but not many walked out.

I headed first towards Madame Malkin's to get my robes. As I walked in, I heard a boy speaking, and a woman's cold voice reply.

"Draco, I can't just leave you to do your shopping. You know our rules."

I shivered slightly. That had to be Narcissa. I glanced back at the door as it opened. Harry, Ron, and Hermione all came in. Draco made a comment about Hermione. After a small argument, he and Narcissa left. I followed Draco, knowing the state Madame Malkin would be in. I'd go back later, with Ginny.

I hurried after Draco and his mom. "Excuse me?" I said as I caught up to them. Draco glanced back. Our eyes met, and my heart skipped a beat. He really was gorgeous. Even if he was an idiot. I opened my mouth to say something more, but his gaze turned cold and he kept walking with his mother. I bit my lip and didn't follow. I'd have to talk to him later. I went to find Ginny.

Ginny and I went with her parents to Flourish and Blotts and bought my books with the money Dumbledore had given me for school supplies. Since I'd never taken magic at Hogwarts before (at least, that was my excuse to the Weasleys) I got extra books McGonagall had included on my school supplies list. That was a bit of a hassle, but everything turned out okay. Next I got my robes, everything I'd need for Herbology and Care of Magical Creatures, and anything I'd need for Potions from the apothecary. Then we went into Weasley's Wizard Wheezes.

I walked into the doors and looked around. Noise bombarded me from all sides. I saw two men walking down stairs in the middle and smiled. They looked practically identical. The Weasley twins. I tried not to think about everything that was in store for them.

Instead I walked with Ginny towards the Pygmy Puffs, not paying attention to Fred and George's interrogation of their sister. I watched Mrs. Weasley carefully. I wanted to get out quickly so I could explore, and hopefully "run into" Draco, even if he was an arrogant prick.

I slipped out just as I glanced back and saw the golden trio disappear under Harry's invisibility cloak. Hopefully I didn't spoil their fun, but I was going after Draco too. I was determined to talk to him, even if he didn't want to talk to me. The cold look he'd given me earlier was a little annoying, but he was essential to Harry's sixth year. That meant I'd probably have to encounter him at some point this year. I might as well make his first impression of me a good one. It's not like he would think I was stalking him, right?

I followed Draco through Diagon Alley to Knockturn Alley, but stopped outside. It didn't look welcoming or inviting in there, and I didn't want to stand out. And, unfortunately, I didn't have an invisibility cloak. I saw the corner of Borgin and Burkes and watched Draco go in. I shivered slightly and turned to go. As I did, I ran into something. I stumbled back a bit but looked up, trying to see who I'd run into - literally.

"Careful there," I heard a voice say. A familiar voice. I looked up and my eyes widened. I was looking straight into the eyes of Devin Findlay.