The sun had decided to bless the streets of London with its warm glow on the morning of August 4, 1984. A few wispy clouds floated across a picturesque, blue sky. There was a slight breeze, not cold or uncomfortable in any way at all. The air wasn't humid or dry, the perfect temperature for a day at the park or shopping. Crowds of people swarmed the streets; it was the middle of summer and everyone was enjoying the warm day.

Well, everyone except for two very loud people.

"Why couldn't Mum bring me school shopping?" a young girl complained loudly. "Or Great-Aunt Tina or Great-Uncle Newt! They always take me out!"

"Ginette, stop complaining," a man snapped, "be thankful that I even agreed to take you to Diagon Alley."

"Why should I be thankful if it's your duty as an uncle to watch after me?" the girl, Ginette, shot back.

"Ginette Marie Raider, that's enough," her uncle raised his voice. An old woman wearing canary yellow robes passed by them and shot a glare at both of them. "Now you go run along. Your mother doesn't like it when I smoke around you."

"You're going to let me, an eleven-year-old, wander around Diagon Alley by herself?" Ginette asked. Although she sounded upset, she actually wasn't. In fact, she was feeling quite the opposite.

"Yes, that's what you wanted to do, wasn't it?" her uncle retorted. Although the uncle and daughter were not close, he still knew her well enough. "Besides, I have business to attend to. Once you're done shopping, you can borrow Tom's Floo Powder to get home. Merlin knows when I'll be back."

And without so much as a good-bye, the man left his daughter standing alone in front of the entrance of Diagon Alley. But Ginette didn't care. No, she was thrilled to finally be on her own, away from her uncle's presence. Most kids her age would be begging their parents or family to come with them their first time going school-shopping at Diagon Alley, but not Ginette. The more time spent away from him, the better off she was.

It wasn't that Jinx hated her Uncle Ellis; he was just a bit intense and moody and never seemed to be happy to see her. But unfortunately with her mother always working and her father long gone, her newly-divorced uncle was the closest thing to a stable parental figure she had. Jinx's family situation was a bit difficult to navigate; although most of the issues had occurred when she was young, they had never been resolved. But she pushed the negative thoughts away from her mind. She could finally explore Diagon Alley on her own, and she knew exactly where her first stop would be: Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour.

After enjoying a large chocolate and caramel ice-cream, the young girl decided to go to Flourish and Blotts to pick up her books. She waved goodbye to Florean Fortescue as she left the ice-cream parlor. The bookstore was only a few stores down, and the walk outside was pleasant. With one hand clutching her Hogwarts letter and the other one holding onto a bewitched bag, she skipped down the cobblestone road. Although her mother always preached the importance of being independent, Ginette had never ventured out by herself. And even though her uncle was only a few blocks away (presumably in Knockturn Alley), she felt a sense of exhilaration and freedom that she had never felt before.

Flourish and Blotts was filled to the brim with books. Ginette felt slightly overwhelmed by the sheer amount of books there were in the shop. She had no idea where to even begin. The loud noises and bustling people suddenly left her feeling quite vulnerable. After all, she was only eleven and was in a new place completely alone. Taking deep breaths to calm herself down, Ginette looked around for someone to help.

Or at least someone who looked like they knew what they were doing.

A little way down the aisle was a girl with dark hair eagerly flipping through a thick book. She looked young and relatively approachable. Besides, Ginette preferred to talk to people her own age rather than adults. The closest adults in her life were her parents and they weren't the easiest people to talk to.

"Excuse me," Ginette said, tapping the girl on the shoulder. The girl turned around quickly, adjusting her white-rimmed glasses. Ginette was surprised to see she was so close to her own age; the mystery girl seemed too...serious.

"Oh, hi," the dark-haired girl said, a little flustered. "Am I in your way? Sorry, I sometimes get lost in these amazing books. Aren't they wonderful?"

"Oh, ummm, yes, they're lovely," Ginette laughed nervously. "I was actually wondering if you could help me look for some of the books on my list. If you don't mind."

"Of course I don't mind! I love books. I also love helping people. So naturally, I love helping people find books," the girl replied enthusiastically. "I'm Rowan, Rowan Khanna. What's your name?

"Ginette," Ginette frowned as she said her name. She carefully omitted her last name, hoping that Rowan wouldn't ask. "But I prefer to be called Jinx."

"Jinx? That's a funny name," Rowan giggled. "How'd you get that nickname?"

"My brother. I was born on Friday the Thirteenth, and unlucky things always seem to follow me," Jinx explained.

"Oh, like what?" Rowan questioned.

"Well for one, I always lose Quidditch bets," Jinx grinned. "Also, ravens and magpies seem to have taken an interest in me. That's unlucky, right?"

She didn't mention that it truly came from her loving father.

"Yeah, but it's a cool nickname," Rowan replied. "I wish my name had better nicknames than 'Ro'."

"Rowan's an interesting name though. It's unique and not stuffy."

"Thank you," Rowan smiled, looking genuinely happy. "Are you going to be a First-Year like me?"

"Yeah, I am."

"Brilliant! Come on, I already have most of my books and I know exactly where everything is. I also have additional recommendations if you're interested."

"Sure, I would love to hear them," Jinx smiled warmly. She knew all too well what it felt like to be ignored, and didn't want anyone to feel the same because of her. Besides, she was truly interested in what Rowan would recommend.

"Wonderful! I just finished this amazing read on an extensive history of the extended family of Helga Hufflepuff…"

Talking with Rowan was refreshing. The only people she had really talked with for the past few years were her family, and the person closest in age to her that she had talked to was her cousin Raul, and he was three years older than her. Raul and Jinx were closer when they were younger, but once Raul went off to Ilvermorny, they had less time to spend with each other.

Rowan was funny in a strange kind of way. She was intelligent, no question about that, but sometimes Jinx found her knowledge in other facets of life to be lacking. For example, on their way to Gladrags, the two were discussing what clothes they wanted to buy. Jinx had always loved shopping: her older cousin Lilah enjoyed dragging the younger girl along with her on shopping sprees. It was clear that Rowan, however, had never gone on shopping sprees before.

"My mom gave me just enough to buy something special for school," Rowan said to Jinx as they browsed through a stack of brightly colored scarves, "I want something that will let everyone at Hogwarts know that I'm a serious intellectual who is well on her way to becoming Head Girl. What do you think I should get?"

"It's a little too warm for scarves," Jinx said, " what about a smart sweater?"

"Great idea! I don't want to catch a cold and miss my classes," Rowan agreed. She excitedly hung the scarves back up, nearly knocking into a young boy examining a purple and gold scarf with interest.

"Oops, sorry," Rowan apologized profusely.

"Oh, that's alright," the boy smiled easily. He then picked up the scarf and walked away. Jinx and Rowan made eye contact, and for some incomprehensible reason, they both burst into hysterics. It felt good to laugh so fully; she hadn't remembered laughing this hard in a while. Once the two had calmed down, they made their way over to the sweater section. As they walked, Rowan chattered happily about which design she wanted on her sweater.

"Rowan, I don't think a snitch-patterned sweater would uh… go well with your glasses," Jinx coaxed gently as she folded the aforementioned sweater neatly. "The lines, umm, contrast."

"She's right," the boy from before suddenly piped in. "The colors of the sweater also don't match the warm undertones of your skin. You want richer, more earthy colors. Like this one here," the boy said, holding up a crocheted maroon sweater.

"Oooh, I like this one," Rowan beamed. "Thank you! I'm coming to you for all my future fashion advice."

"No problem," the boy smiled widely. "I'm Andre Egwu."

"Hi Andre, I'm Rowan," Rowan greeted in return.

"I'm Jinx," Jinx waved.

"Nice to meet you two," Andre said as he shook both of their hands. "Are you both going to Hogwarts?"

"Yeah, we are," Jinx answered.

"Are you excited about starting our first year?" Rowan asked. Both Jinx and Andre gave Rowan a look. How had she known that Andre was a First-Year? "I am really excited to learn all sorts of new magic."

"Me too, Rowan, me too," Andre nodded his head in agreement. "I better get going; I think I see my dad over there. Maybe we'll see each other on the train. Or maybe we'll even be Sorted into the same House!"

"That would be great," Jinx said. "Then Rowan could consult you for all of her outfits."

"Yes, that would be brilliant," Rowan agreed. "Bye, Andre."

When Rowan had to leave because her parents were calling her over to get fitted for robes, Jinx felt slightly relieved. It wasn't that she didn't like Rowan's company; she actually enjoyed talking with the girl. But Jinx was always one to dwell more in her own mind, and the constant chatter coming from Rowan was not something Jinx was used to. She hurriedly made her way to the wand shop, the place she was most excited to go to.

A bell twinkled as Jinx walked in. She took in the sight of stacks of boxed wands as the warm smell of wood surrounded her. There was something enchanting about the energy of this place as if magic in its purest form radiated from within the very soul of this store.

"Hello… Garrick Ollivander is my name," a silver-haired man greeted himself. "Here to receive your first wand, yes?"

"Yes, Mr. Ollivander, I am here to get my first wand," Jinx said. She shook the hand of the old wand-maker.

"And what is your name?" Mr. Ollivander asked as he took out a measuring tape.

"Jinx." The brunette watched intently as the measuring tape swirled around her.

"Ah, well then Jinx, why don't we try this wand here. Applewood, dragon heartstring, 9 inches, rigid. Go on. Give it a twirl."

Jinx gently held the wand. It hummed in her hands, but not in a comforting way. The magic of the applewood wand seemed to reject her already, but she couldn't put in words how to describe that feeling to Mr. Ollivander, so she gave it a wave and watched as the hat stand next to the door burst into flames.

"Sorry about that," Jinx apologized as Mr. Ollivander put the fire out.

"It is not your fault," Mr. Ollivander said. "The wand chooses the witch and that was clearly not the wand for you. I recall your brother exploded my favorite inkpot when we tried his first wand."

"You knew my brother?" Jinx asked. How had Ollivander even figured out who she was and her family? His light blue eyes twinkled as the wandmaker was clearly aware that she was questioning his detective skills.

"Of course. I remember every wand I've ever sold. Your magic is quite similar to his," Ollivander said mysteriously. Jinx didn't understand what the old man meant, and something in her expression must have revealed that as Ollivander continued to speak. "His was maple wood, dragon heartstring core, ten inches. A fine wand." Ollivander shook his head softly as he hesitated. Whatever he was about to say next seemed like it would be a delicate matter.

"It's a shame they snapped it in half when he was expelled. I understand that he ran away from home after being expelled and has been missing ever since. This must have had a profound impact on you." Jinx was aware of Ollivander's blue eyes scanning over her face, gauging a reaction to the words he had just spoken. To be honest, Jinx was more upset that he would even bring up such a sensitive subject after knowing her for only five minutes, not about the subject of her missing brother.

"I was confused," Jinx said slowly, trying not to reveal any true emotions. She didn't know Ollivander, and he had no reason to get to know her. "I didn't know why he left, or really what he did, but I didn't care about that. I just wanted to know why he would just leave us."

Ollivander looked at her pensively before turning to go into the backroom of the story. Jinx could hear Ollivander mutter "Hmmm… there's a lot of fight in the girl… and curiosity too."

When Ollivander re-emerged, he had a triumphant expression on his face. "I think I may have just the wand for you. Hornbeam… my own wand wood. Unicorn tail hair, 11 inches. Slightly springy and flexible. Give it a wave again."

Jinx took the wand in her hands. This time, she felt warmth spread from the wand to her fingers to the rest of her body. With an elegant wave, she turned the wooden hatstand into one of shining marble. The wand felt at home in her hand, like it was a missing limb.

"Splendid!" Ollivander clapped his hands together. "I'll be interested to see which path you choose," he added cryptically as Jinx handed over seven Galleons.

"Thank you, Mr. Ollivander," Jinx said as she headed out of the door, choosing not to respond to his last strange comment. Safely outside of the shop, Jinx made to tuck the wand in her bag, still slightly shaken from the odd comments from the wandmaker. Who was he to comment on her brother and how she should feel? Jinx was so preoccupied with her thoughts that she almost didn't hear her name being shouted from across the street.

"Jinx! Wait!"

Jinx spun around, glancing back in worry. Her grip on her wand immediately tightened. The few spells that she had read about flashed through her mind. Lumos. Nox. Wingardium Leviosa. Yes, because the Levitation Charm would be so helpful in a fight.

To her relief, it was only Rowan, waving frantically at her from across the street. Grinning, Jinx hurriedly made her way over to the witch.

"My parents are at Gringotts right now and let me hang around out here," she explained. "Woah, is that a hornbeam wand?" Rowan had noticed Jinx's new wand.

"Yes," Jinx affirmed with a slight frown. "How did you know?"

"My family's tree farm supplies wood for wands and brooms," Rowan explained like it was obvious. "That's why I love staying inside and reading: because it keeps me from going outside and farming. That and the fact that I don't have any friends."

Rowan's last words hit Jinx like a brick. Rowan seemed so nice and friendly and chatty, Jinx couldn't imagine her all alone.

"We can be friends," Jinx offered kindly. Seeing Rowan's radiant smile warmed her up inside, almost like how the wand had.

"Really?" Rowan gasped. "You don't think I'm too nerdy and weird? People usually think I'm too nerdy and weird." To be honest, Jinx could see how people would think that of Rowan, but she didn't see that as a bad thing. It just meant that Rowan was proud of herself for being studious and hardworking.

"People say the same things about me. Well, the weird part," Jinx clarified. Nobody had ever called her nerdy before, and she certainly didn't think she was.

"Why would anyone think that you're weird?" Rowan queried, cocking her head in confusion.

"My brother is Jacob Raider," Jinx said casually. She waited for a good five seconds, anticipating Rowan's reaction.

It did not disappoint her.

Rowan's glasses nearly fell off her head and her mouth dropped open. Her dark brown eyes bugged out and she looked like she had just seen a ghost. In any other circumstance, Jinx would have laughed, but she knew that matters pertaining to her brother were not funny.

Jacob Raider was, well, he still is, Jinx's older brother. Despite the seven-year age difference, the two had still shared an extremely close bond. Between their father's abandonment and their mother's micromanagement, Jacob was the closest thing to a tolerable parent figure for Jinx. Jinx's first words were "Jay-Jay" and it was Jacob who had helped her walk for the first time. He was also the one who had taught her to swim and bike and read and play football. He was also the one who Jinx confided in and looked up to.

In short, Jacob Raider was more than Jinx's older brother. He was her first and best friend. In the absence of their father, he was her father figure and idol.

That is until he became a completely different person.

"You mean the same Jacob Raider who was expelled from Hogwarts for breaking school rules in search of the fabled Cursed Vaults?" Rowan asked. When Jinx nodded, Rowan continued to talk. "That was a massive story in the Daily Prophet. Everyone at school will know!"

Jinx nodded again, well aware of her brother's story and the whispers that would follow her because of it. "I know. They'll all think I'm weird. Or crazy."

"Well, we'll be weird and crazy together," Rowan said determinedly. "What should I do if someone gives you trouble over your brother?"

Jinx stopped for a second. It had never occurred to her that someone would want to defend her, that someone would want to associate themselves with her. In her sheltered childhood, the word "friend" didn't have much of a meaning, but Jinx had a hunch that Rowan's question was a possibility at a friendship.

"I can stand up for myself," Jinx finally managed to say, "but I'd feel better if I knew you were on my side."

Rowan nodded enthusiastically. "Understood. I'll use my extensive vocabulary to verbally pummel anyone who dares besmirch your reputation."

Jinx laughed slightly at this. From her knowledge of people, this would most likely make them the target of even more jests and harassment, but if Rowan's extensive vocabulary wasn't enough, Jinx's fists would more than likely be. Still, it was good to have someone be on her side, especially someone as sharp as Rowan.

"I'm glad we met, Rowan. It will be nice to see a friendly face at school. Especially one who knows Hogwarts so well," Jinx added, appealing to Rowan's almost certain extensive knowledge of the school.

To her pleasure, Rowan said: "Me too, Jinx. See you in September on the Hogwarts Express!"

"See you then, Rowan!" Jinx smiled, waving good-bye to the girl who she could maybe one day call a true friend. Rowan disappeared into another shop, this time with two adults who looked like her parents.

Taking that as a cue to leave Diagon Alley, Jinx made her way over to the Leaky Cauldron. The sticky walls of the inn were comforting to her: she had spent too many hours of her childhood in this inn. Whenever her uncle took her out, he would drop her off at the inn, making Tom the Barkeeper an unofficial babysitter for one afternoon every two weeks. As a result, Jinx had developed a close friendship with the old wizard and probably had the highest alcohol tolerance out of all the eleven-year-olds in Great Britain. Well, about that last point, Jinx wasn't so sure if that was sure but she had had plenty of Butterbeer, Gigglewater, Dragon Scale, and Wizard's Brew when Tom was in a hurry and couldn't be bothered to find appropriate drinks for a small child.

This particular day, as Jinx waited for Tom to fetch more Floo Powder, she sipped on a new shipment of Pinnock's Giggle Water. She always liked to take the first glass out of a new shipment, and Tom knew that. Tom came back half an hour later, with a bag of Floo Powder in one hand and a Sober Sorbet in another. With a hearty wave, Tom sent Jinx off into the fireplace, a trail of emerald green flames glowing in her wake.

Jinx tumbled out of the ornate fireplace in her mother's flat. The usual silence in the flat hung heavy in stark contrast to the bustling atmosphere of Diagon Alley. Jinx sighed as she made her way to her bedroom, dumping her newly bought school supplies on the untucked covers of her bed. Noting that it was only half-past five, Jinx opened up one of the new spell-books and took out her wand.

At least she could finally cast the spells that she had read about on lonely afternoons locked inside of the house. Now, the real work began.