~ Chapter 9 ~
The dark chamber had been silent for the few nights that Wormtail had been asked to go from it by Voldemort. Everyday passed by, and Voldemort thought and thought about how he could link what he had so far to Harry Potter. A sudden sound of running feet blurred his vision. Being interrupted was something that Voldemort hated; it made him feel he was being thought of as inferior. He could only have constant power, constant domination over all of his followers and the rest of the wizarding world. This interruption happened to be Mr. Goyle. He had run in with some notes in his hand. Voldemort pondered to himself if he should let Mr. Goyle be in pain for interrupting his thinking. This thought faded as he heard Mr. Goyle come straight up to him, breathing hard. He caught his breath and began to speak. "Sire, I have completed my task with these notes to show you," Mr. Goyle stated. Voldemort took the notes from him and read to be in order until he got to the end of the notes. He found a certain note being somewhat strange. As he turned back to Mr. Goyle, he raised an eyebrow. "Mr. Goyle?" Voldemort said. Mr. Goyle quickly jumped up from waiting and stepped forward. "Yes, my Lord," Mr. Goyle said in surprise. "Why is there a question mark after the note you made saying 'House 226 is unavailable'?" Mr. Goyle quickly thought and remembered. "I put that there, my Lord, because I have reason to believe that Mr. Harry Potter is staying there." Voldemort raised his other eyebrow to this remark. Harry Potter being that close. It couldn't be. Or could it? "Mr. Goyle, why do you think this? What reasons do you have?" Voldemort ordered, his voice going lower. "I have reason to believe because a Mr. Ronald Weasley has rented that house," Mr. Goyle. Voldemort was confused by this answer. He wasn't very keen on the Weasleys. "It is rumor that Harry Potter is friends with the Weasleys." "Just because it is rumor, doesn't make it fact, Mr. Goyle," Voldemort snapped. Mr. Goyle took a step back. "My Lord, I just wanted you to…" "I just wish that it had been based on fact, so I would like you not to base anything else that connects to Potter on rumor. Is that clear?" "Yes, sire. I understand," Mr. Goyle said and bowed his head. He immediately turned on his heel and exited the dark chamber, making no sound as he went. As the darkness lowered, Voldemort sat back in his throne, thinking of the next part of his plan. ***** Jaden was awakened quickly and dressed. Hagrid had come again. When Jaden finally saw him, he had been talking to her aunt. It seemed that he was taking them to some place called "Diagon Alley." It sounded much like the Gale's Hollow she was used to going to when she got things for school back in America. That would be nice. After a few more minutes of talking, they were off. Again they used the Knight Bus, which Jaden was starting to become fond of. In no time at all they had reached their destination. Jaden became curious when she saw all of the Muggles around walking amongst them. Was this where Hagrid was taking them? As they went through the place, Hagrid led them toward a turn with a brick wall dead end. Hagrid took his finger and started from the brick near the top of this trashcan and went two up and three across from it. He tapped the brick he had led himself to twice, then took a step back. A gateway suddenly opened and inside it was a bar. There, she had seen Stan already at the bar asking for a flask full of sherry. On the other side of the bar was an opening like no other. Jaden's eyes widened to see an enormous amount of shops, people, and all kinds of things. Hagrid had said that Diagon Alley was the biggest center of magical stationary and things, but she had never imagined it would be this big. As they passed store after store, Jaden "ooh"ed, "ahh"ed, and "I want ones of those" all through their search. She bought things as she needed them and went in and out of almost every store they passed. The store that impressed her most was Flourish and Blotts, with its shelves stocked with many poetic novels that she was dying to buy. All the shops seemed so perfect here in London, but one store interested her the most. Eyelops' Owl Emporium. Through the shop window she could see owl after owl in cages. It was one of her dreams to get an owl this year, and this was her time to get one. She entered the store with a gleam in her eye. They had sickly ones and very healthy ones; very large and very tiny; all types from barn to snowy to eagle and all other forms. She walked through the store casually looking at each of the owls they had, some of them seeming good but out of her price range as she had not yet finished her school shopping. Then, she saw a relatively large brown owl not bigger than the one beside it near the corner of the shop. It had been sleeping when she walked over to it. It's soft cooing indicated it's full sleeping, but it suddenly awoke. Jaden gasped and took a step backward as it ruffled its feathers. The owl stared at her and made a reassuring coo, making Jaden come closer to it and smile. This was the one she wanted. She took the cage from its handle and took it over to the counter to buy. A man was there who tipped his hat and asked how much the price on the bird's cage was. "16 galleons, 21 sickles, and 5 knuts, sir," Jaden replied. He rang up the bird and asked for the money. Jaden hastily pulled out the money in her pocket, comparing it to the price. After finding the exact amount, she gave it to the man who put it in the register and took the owl into the back room. After a small moment of silence, he came out with the owl in a new cage and with owl treats in his other hand. He handed them to her, smiled, then returned to the back room. Jaden exited the store, finally thinking of the name of the owl. "I'll name you Sabriel, after my great grandfather's owl," Jaden said happily. She went over to her expecting aunt, a smile on her face, the cage in her hand and her pocket less heavy. ***** Albus sat at his desk, nodding his head. It was possible that it was true, but Albus wasn't sure. Minerva had just come in with a theory about the prophecy they had received only one month before. "I feel very curious about this," Albus said, "Have you given any research to this?" Minerva nodded, her glasses sliding down her nose. "It seems be right, but I haven't had any thorough look at the message we received," she replied. " I am almost certain that it's Serplothian." Albus didn't seem to believe if it was truth. "But it couldn't be, Minerva," Albus stated. "He stood from his seat and started towards her. "The language of Serplothian has been extinct for centuries. Even if we could prove that it was, we could never find a translator alive that could figure the prophecy." He paced back and forth in front of her, stroking his beard. "How did you find this information?" "I found it in a book in the Restricted Section of the Library. The figures were almost the same, but this is only what I think." Minerva looked up at him and frowned. "Maybe we should stop the search, being it so close to the opening to Hogwarts." Albus turned to her, a vociferous gleam in his eye. "Well, I'm concerned on who this prophecy is placed on, and if it is placed on a student then by the time that person gets here, he or she will be my responsibility and if something happens to them, it will be my fault." Albus cooled himself down and took a deep breath. "Well then how are we going to further look into this puzzle?" Minerva inquired. That was the question now, wasn't it? Albus thought for a moment, wondering how he could incorporate his job as headmaster with the problem he now was faced with. An idea then popped into his head. It was like a strike of lightning, giving him an answer to a problem he already had. How he put this plan into action would be the question. But that would not stop him at all. ***** The day had finally come. Jaden had been so excited, as it was going to be her first day at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. She had gotten up especially early this morning, though it pained her to. Mornings weren't her cup of tea; they pretty much were her torture time. But today was special so she wasn't as irritable as she usually was. She quickly dressed and double-checked her trunk. Everything was there. There no more was any stairs to almost fall down. Now the kitchen was only a few steps out of her door. Aunt Sierra, like always, had already been there, but this time she wasn't cooking breakfast. Jaden had told her that she would eat on the train to school. This had been convenient, as they almost didn't have time to have breakfast in the first place. A car horn was heard outside their door, which made them jump. They had called a taxi to pick them up, as it would be a lot faster and unsuspicious than the Knight Bus. Jaden heaved her trunk to the door, which was a lot heavier than it looked. The cab driver happily helped her put it in the trunk of her car, yet he was out of breath when they had finished. Sierra locked the door to the house, ran to the cab and jumped inside. "To King's Cross Station in London, right Madam?" the cabby said, turning around to her. She nodded vigorously. The man smiled and turned back around. As he started up the taxi, they were off. Jaden stared out of the window, watching the buildings go by as they made their way to the train station. ***** Ron sat at the table with the other three, waiting for the moment. Ron's father had sent them a portkey, though his mother had protested it, to take them to King's Cross Station. Now, it had been set for 10:00 to get them there a bit early, but it was now 9:55 and they were all getting anxious. None of them had ever taken a portkey to the train station before, which was a fault in their minds. Harry sat at the other end of the table, being the most anxious. He had taken portkey only a few times and it seemed utterly impossible to portkey anywhere in there. With all of the Muggles around every inch of it and all, he wondered where they would land. It was September 1st and Hogwarts wasn't the only school opening then. It was usually full anyway. Where would they end up? Would it be out in the open or in a secluded area? "3 minutes," Ron announced in a mild tone, obviously wondering the same thoughts. Every person there seemed to be thinking the same way. "I really do wonder where we will end up?" Hermione said, piping up from beside Harry. "I thought you guys knew," Andrea said. They all shook their heads. "We usually drove, never thought about using a portkey before," Ron said. Andrea frowned in a wry way. "Well, I guess we'll find out in a moment. Look at the time," Harry said, pointing to the Muggle clock on the wall. "1 minute," Ron said, thrusting a hand to the beach ball in front of him. The others did the same. The ball started to feel warm after a few seconds. Harry had never felt a warm portkey before, in his few times dealing with them. It didn't seem that weird but it felt a bit…warm, that's all. "30 seconds. Get ready." Ron seemed to have firmed his grip on the beach ball. Ron had seemed to have gotten more serious as the years had one by. Harry couldn't imagine what he would act like this year. "5… 4… 3… 2… 1… NOW!" Harry felt the usual hook behind his navel thrusting him forward. His feet seemed to leave the ground, wind rushing past his hair and face. He couldn't keep his eyes open, even behind his thick, round glasses. When he did squint through them, all he could see was a blur. As the wind began to slow and the hook behind his navel let up, Harry realized that they were coming to a stop. When everything fully stopped, Harry noticed he had headfirst hit the ground. He got up and brushed himself off, seeing that he had been the only one to hit the ground in that manner. Suddenly, he heard a hoarse voice from in front of him. "Alright, let's move it. I got a 10:02 and five seconds comin'," the man said. "Where are we?" Hermione inquired. "You are off to the side of King's Cross Station," the man said. "If you'll just step through that bush you'll be at the entrance. Now, move it!" The man said this with a point over to a bush to his right. Hermione got her trunk and went over to the bush, a scowl on her face, and an obvious thought in his mind of his rudeness to a lady. The others followed her going through the bush one at a time. Sure enough, on the other side of the bush was a tremendous crowd of people all making their way into the station. Most were Muggles, but Ron noticed Seamus Finnigan entering the station with his dad, Perry Finnigan. As they made their way into the thunderous crowd, they entered the station and made their way towards their platform. ***** The cab stopped and Jaden looked forward. England looked like a great city from the route the cabby had driven. "That'll be 23 pounds," the cabby said, turning around to her. Jaden turned to her aunt, who had started rummaging through her purse. After a moment of looking, Sierra pulled out a little bag that had been wrapped at the top with twine. She swished it around making it cling and clang a bit. When she heard it, she gave it to the cabby. The cabby looked at the bag mysteriously and opened it. Inside of it were coins of money. He counted them all, checking the amount. It came to exactly 23 pounds. He smiled weakly and turned back around. As they exited the taxi and got Jaden's trunk, they made their way through the thunderous crowds of people. When they finally got into the building, they got a cart and put her trunk on top of it. Jaden rushed furiously through the now more persistent people around them. As she came up to platforms 9 and 10, she looked at her train ticket. It said that she was supposed to ride the Hogwarts Express to Hogwarts at Platform 9 3/4. When she looked up, the smile she once had faded from her face. She looked left, then right but only saw platforms 9 and 10. Was her going to Hogwarts supposed to be a joke? Was there even a Hogwarts at all? There had to be. Headmaster Banders had spoken very highly of the school, as he had gone to it. After a moment, a person behind her tapped her on her shoulder. She jumped up in surprised and whipped herself around. "Are you going to get on the platform?" said the little girl behind her. She seemed to be about a year younger than herself with flaming red hair and freckles abounding her face. "My brother is waiting for me." "Umm...I'm not a first year or anything, but...umm..." but the little girl smiled. "How do you get on the platform?" the girl finished for her. Jaden nodded. "It's fairly easy. Just walk right through the barrier between platforms 9 and 10. And don't be scared while you do it. That's what my mother always told me." Jaden made a big exhale and turned her cart towards the barrier. "You might want to do it at a run if you are scared." Jaden turned her head, nodded, and sighed. She waved good-bye to her aunt, then turned back and began to walk very fast towards the barrier. What was she doing? Taking directions into a secret platform from little girls she didn't know? What was she thinking? I've got to get out more. Jaden closed her eyes as she came closer to the barrier. After a moment she felt nothing and opened her eyes. She was in the platform! She looked beside her to see a bright red steam engine with the name "Hogwarts Express" on the front of it. She felt another tap at her shoulder. It had been the little freckled girl again. Jaden opened her mouth in thanks but the girl shook her head. "No thanks needed," she said, "Well, I gotta get to my brother. See ya later." The girl walked past Jaden and started through the crowds. Jaden sat here for a moment, then turned in the direction the girl had gone. "What's your name?" Jaden yelled into the crowd. The girl turned around in surprise and smiled. "Ginny, Ginny Weasley," the girl said and turned on her heel into the growing crowds of wizards and witches. Jaden smiled in her direction, but the girl disappeared into the crowd. What a nice girl. Jaden threw the thought of the girl out of her mind and went into the crowds, trying to find an empty compartment. ***** Harry looked over into a compartment near the end of the train. "This one's empty," he yelled behind him. The three others followed him into it, pulling their heavy trunks behind them. Once they were all inside, Harry closed the door behind him, leaving them all alone and tired. "Well, we're finally going again," Ron said. "Yes, I can't wait to see if there's anything new," Andrea said. Harry sat down and lay back on a seat. "Man, am I tired," he said with a yawn. "I bet you'll be even more tired after the feast," Ron said, licking his lips and closing his eyes as if he was there. "Is that all you think about? Food?" Hermione asked. "Yes," Ron replied with a chuckle. Hermione rolled her eyes and got out a book from her trunk. "Is reading all you think about?" Hermione turned and glared at him, to which he made a triumphant smile. Harry rolled his eyes, remembering how much they used to bicker. Touché!" Ron then turned to talk to Harry. Hermione opened her mouth to speak but was cut off, as a person entered the compartment. "Hello, Ginny," Harry said as she came in. Her red hair was now long and in a bright red tinge. She had gotten taller since last year, but still was outdone by Ron. "Hi Ron, I've been trying to find you. Mum says to have a good school year and to not get into any trouble. Harry chuckled at the thought of this. Trouble usually found him, and when he got into trouble and Ron and Hermione weren't that far behind. "I'll try," Ron said with a grin. Hermione rolled her eyes and returned to reading her book. Ginny smiled and exited the car with laughter. "You're so childish," Hermione mumbled under her breath. She was obviously heard to which Ron glared at her. "Well, you're so studious," Ron mumbled. Hermione acted like she didn't hear that but Andrea didn't let her. "Come on guys, can't we not fight for once," Andrea said in a can't-we-all-just-get-along type of tone. "No!" Hermione and Ron said at the same time. "Well then, I'm not speaking to any of you," Andrea replied. Ron scooted over to Andrea, trying to make up, but Andrea put her hand up in front of him. "Talk to the hand, cause the face don't understand!" Ron, looking bewildered, tried talking to her hand. "Well, hand, I..." "Don't you know what that means?" Andrea said. "Uhh...no. I've never heard it before," Ron replied, an expression of confusion placed across all of his face. To this Andrea started to giggle, then the giggling became laughter. Neither Harry, Hermione, nor Ron knew why she had started laughing and started to think she had gone mad. "Andrea...are you okay?" Harry asked. To this, she stopped laughing and dried her tears that had welled up in her eyes. "I'm...fine. Since you seem to not know," Andrea stated, catching her breath, "the 'talk to the hand' thing means that they don't want to talk to you for that moment. It's a custom for people our age in America." Talk to the hand, weird. They had only met Andrea last year and she was already a good person to be around. Andrea had been a closed person before, but now she was bringing in things that they didn't have a clue about. From what he could get, Harry could tell they still had a lot to learn from Andrea, and even more to share with her.