A Word From the Author

Hi guys. Sorry for not writing for a while now. I have been getting not so many reviews but all that I receive were very helpful. Some reviews were supportive. The critics did a very good job, giving 'very critical ideas'. Well, for those who really like my story, please continue submitting reviews and even though it might seem like a cliché at the moment, but really, the story is not what you think it will be It might look cliché, but I only did that to make sure my story hasn't lost its Potter essence. Well, for those who had been saying that my grammar is abysmal, bare with me because English is not my first language. There might be a few glitches here and there, but I will try to keep the errors to a minimum amount. From now on, the story will be a lot shorter. I have been uploading the equivalent of three Word pages for each chapter but now; I'm cutting it to two pages per chapter because with the rate that I'm writing now, the story will be done in just under 30 chapters. But, not to worry. This chapter will be the equivalent of four Word pages. Well, for those who love other characters, do not worry, as I will showcase them in this story .In this story we will also be talking about Ron and Hermione's blooming relationship. Well, let's get on with the story.

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Harry, Ron and Hermione walked together to their common room, "Who is Alana Francis? I've never heard of her before. She must be some kind of a genius to skip the old school and cross directly into the academy," Ron said. "Maybe, it's best if we not think about it and better start packing out things in the common room. We have to move it to the new building." Hermione added. The three of them made their way through the crowd.

Alana went up to her room and sat on her bed. She sat quietly thinking about the possibility of her being a witch. "All these years when daddy did magic, he was doing real magic. Why? Why did no one told me? Why was this big secret kept from me?" Alana said, looking at her letter. She had been sitting on her bed thinking and questioning her grandmother's reason for keeping this secret and her reason for telling her the secret now. "Maybe she has a good reason. It couldn't be that bad. I should probably." Alana's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of someone knocking her door.

"Alana, Alana. Can I come in?" Clarisse poked her head through the doorway. Alana turned her face towards her window. Clarisse looked with amazement how he granddaughter ignored her. "Well, this is certainly new. You have never in your life turned your face away from me," Clarisse said. Alana turned around and looked at her grandmother, "Well, this is the first time someone lied to me." Clarisse sighed. She sat down on the bed beside Alana and put her hand around Alana. "I have a good reason for not telling you. But I can't tell you know. So, have you made your decision?" Alana looked at her grandmother, "About what?"

Clarisse got up and walked to Alana's dresser, "This letter?" Alana blinked, "Right! I have given some thoughts about it." Clarisse smiled and sat on the bed, "Well, what is your decision?" Alana looked at her grandmother, "I think, I'll go. This is the only chance for me to find out who I really am." Clarisse nodded. She understood how Alana felt. She felt the same way when she first received her Hogwarts' letter. "Very well. Tomorrow wake up early in the morning. We will have to do some shopping," Clarisse said. She kissed Alana's forehead and wished her goodnight.

Alana turned around and climbed into bed. She stared at the ceiling for a good 15 minutes. "The place I had been dreaming about really exists. Wonder if the girl, the red-haired boy and the boy who wears the spectacles are real too? Or maybe it's just my imagination?" Alana stopped her mind from wandering further away. She had to wake up early in the morning. She had to do some shopping for her new school.

Ron crept up slowly behind Harry and, "BOO!" Harry not even blinking, "Hi, Ron." Ron quickly turned Harry around, "How'd you know it was me?" Harry smiled, "I can smell éclairs. What is it?" Ron looked at Harry unconvincingly, "What's what?" Harry looked sharply at Ron, "Come on, Ron. I know that look. Its can you do me a favour look. Spill it!" Ron grinned and spoke, "Well, I was thinking. I wanted to take Hermione for a walk, you know around Hogwarts and then I want to surprise her with a gift." Harry turned around and faced Ron. "A gift? Is it her birthday?" Harry asked.

Ron sat on the sofa next to Harry, "No. It's just a gift for her. Nothing special." Harry could see a sparkle in Ron's eyes. "Oh, I know what this is about," Harry grinned. Ron looked at Harry with a casual look, "What's what?" Harry stood up and started circling Ron, "Oh, please Ron, it's either you want her kiss you or you want her to help you with a homework." Ron looked shocked, "What? Me? Homework? Well, actually a little bit of both. I have a potions' essay that's not done yet. Yes, I do want her to kiss me."

Harry still looked confused, "What exactly do you want me to do? I mean you can do this on your own. Why do you need me to help you?" Ron put his arms around Harry's shoulder, "Well, not that you have agreed." Harry pushed Ron's hand away, "Hang on! I didn't agree to anything." Ron forced out a laugh, "I know. Well, I need you to cover for me. Since we are going out after lights out. Oh, I also need to borrow your Invisibility Cloak." Harry sighed, "What about Hermione? Has she got anyone covering her?" Ron smiled, "Of course she does. Well, help me or not?" Harry nodded, "I'll help you. Just make sure you come back two hours after lights out." Ron jumped off his chair, "Done!"

Harry was still sitting in the common room when Neville came through the portrait hole. He looked at Neville, apparently searching for something he forgot. "Umm, can I help you, Neville?" Harry asked. Neville looked up and saw Harry. "Oh, hi Harry. Umm, oh, I was just looking for Trevor. Have you seen him?" Harry smiled and spoke, "Neville, he is the dorm, near your bed post in the jar. Remember?" Neville paused for a while. "Right! Thanks, Harry," Neville said as he hurried to the dorm.

Harry continued to read his book. Just about fifteen minutes after Neville went up to the dormitory, Hermione came out to the common room. Harry saw her; she was wearing a lavender sweater with a long black skirt. She had tied her hair up with the pins he gave her and was wearing the necklace Ron had given her for Christmas. She looked simple but stunning. "Hi, Hermione. You look great," Harry said. Hermione smiled and replied, "Thanks. Notice I'm wearing your hair pin." Harry laughed, "Yes, I can see that. Where's Ron?" Hermione said, "I was just about to ask you the same question."

Just a few minutes after that, Ron came through the boys' dorm's hallway. He was wearing a black turtleneck with blue jeans. He had combed his hair back and looked very handsome. Ron smiled as he saw Hermione, "Ask no further, here I am. You look wonderful." He pulled Hermione closer and locked her in passionate kiss. Suddenly, they were interrupted by the sound of Harry clearing his throat, "Sorry to interrupt. You better get going if you don't want to get caught. I'll wait here until lights out and I'll take care of everything. By the way, we have to wake up early to go to Diagon Alley."

Ron walked towards Harry and gave his best friend a pat on the shoulder, "Thanks. You're a great friend." Harry shrugged. Just then, Hermione came forward and hugged Harry, "Thanks. You don't know how much this means to me." She turned her face and gave Harry a peck on the cheek. Harry turned red with all the thank you. He shrugged and said, "Go! Have fun. Be careful. Filch will be doing his rounds now." Harry watched as Ron took Hermione's hand and both of them disappeared through the portrait hole.

"Who would've thought? Ron and Hermione, falling in love. Three years ago, Hermione was receiving hate letters because everyone thought she was my girlfriend. Ron and Hermione deserve each other." Harry sat on the sofa thinking.

"Ron, don't come to close. I'll be pushed out of the Invisibility Cloak," Hermione yelled at Ron. Ron, annoyed, "Hey, it's not my fault I'm big. Or would you rather have a skinny boyfriend? Alright, wait a minute." Ron moved his hands and put them around Hermione's waist, "There. Now you can't be seen." Hermione blushed at the touch of his hand. Her breathing started to get heavier, "Where are we going?" Ron smiled, "It's a surprise. Wait and see."

They continued to walk for another ten minutes. Ron stopped, "Ah, we are here. Now, close your eyes." Hermione smiled, "Ron, what actually is the surprise?" Ron put a finger on Hermione's lips, "Shh, don't say anything. Just close your eyes." Ron led Hermione to a place. "Sit here." Hermione sat on what she thought was the grass. Bu to her surprise, the ground was covered with soft wool quilt. "Ron, what is this?" Ron walked around Hermione and sat opposite her, "Now, open your eyes."

Hermione opened her eyes nervously and what she saw took her breath away. The spot they were sitting was filled with beautiful fireflies. "I cast a spell on them," Ron explained after seeing that puzzled look on her face. On top of the quilt were assortments upon assortments of sweets and chocolates. Hermione also saw two bottles of Strawberry Butterbeer. Ron reached out from the basket near the quilt and pulled out two beautiful goblets. Hermione watched as her poured the butterbeer in the goblets and passed the glass to Hermione.

Hermione looked dreamily at Ron. Ron moved closer and now his face was close to Hermione's face. Hermione's heart pounded in her chest. Ron saw how her breathing has change rapidly and knew this was the time to make his move. He leaned forward and kissed Hermione's soft lips. After a long passionate kiss, Ron let her go. "He is so wonderful," she thought. "Well, what shall we toast to?" Ron asked. Hermione smiled, "To us and . to Harry Potter and who ever might come in his life." Ron put his hands around Hermione, "To Hermione, to me and to Harry and his future love."

The sun shone inside Alana's bedroom through her window. It was eight o'clock in the morning. She quickly got up, went into the shower and took her bath. She quickly wore her favourite red blouse and faded blue jeans. She went down stair and found her grandmother frying some eggs, "Good morning, grandma. What are we having for breakfast?" Clarisse was taken back by her granddaughter's sudden mood change, " I take it that you are not angry with me anymore?" Alana made a stern face, "I've decided to forgive you. So, when are we going?" Clarisse laughed at her enthusiasm. "We'll go right after breakfast. Alright?" They both had their wonderful breakfast.

Back at Hogwarts' Harry woke up and took his bath. When he came back to the dorm, he saw Ron was still sleeping. "Ron! Ron! WAKE UP! You have forty- five minutes to get ready and have your breakfast before the carriages arrive," Harry yelled. Ron sat up and stretched his body, "I'm up and I'm up." Harry watched as Ron got out of bed, took his towel and was about to make his way to the bathroom. "You also will give me the details about last night," Harry added. Ron turned around and grinned, "Last night was magical." He turned around and made his way to the bathroom.

After ten minutes, Ron got ready. He and Harry both went out of the dorm and waited for Hermione at the common room. Harry saw the happiness in both Ron and Hermione's eyes. He was happy for his friends. "Shall we? We are running late," Hermione, said as she joined the boys in the common room. The three of them made their way to the Great Hall.

Alana finished her breakfast. She stood up and put the dishes in the sink. "Come on, grandma. We should go now." Clarisse shook her head, "Patience! Patience, my dear. I'll be there in a minute." Alana took her backpack and sat in the car waiting. After a while searching for her granddaughter, Clarisse decided to look inside the car. She found Alana waiting in the heat. She had to laugh, "Alana! Not inside the car. Come inside. We have to go to the fireplace."

Alana didn't understand by what her grandma was saying. She got out of the car and walked inside. She made her way to the living room and saw her grandmother wearing a long black robe with a hood and she was holding, she suspected, a wand. "Now, listen carefully. Take this floo powder." Alana interrupted, "What powder?" Clarisse shook her head, "Floo powder, dear. Listen carefully. Take a handful of the powder, step inside the fireplace and say DIAGON ALLEY. D-I-a-g-o-n A-l-l-e-y, remember, say it clearly."

Alana did what her grandma said. She took the powder, stepped inside the fireplace and said DIAGON ALLEY. Just a few seconds after that, green fire and smoke engulfed her and suddenly she felt herself spinning. Just about five minutes later, she found herself in an unknown place with strange looking people and things.

A little later after her, her grandmother popped right next to her. "Alana, welcome to Diagon Alley."