Chapter Two: The Light

Jaclyn burst through the double doors leading into the train station, panting heavily. She ran towards the broom closet, so she could look like she was working when Clive made his rounds five minutes after work started. She was more than a half-hour late, but she could at least try. She ran down the platform crowded with businesspeople rushing to their jobs, skidding through a door that read Employees Only. She rushed to the end of the hall where her closet was, with her brooms and cleaning equipment. As she drew nearer, a sense of foreboding filled her. Clive was standing there, looking angry. She tripped to a halt in front of him, an excuse on the tip of her tongue.

"You are a half-hour late, Jaclyn." Clive cut her weak mutters off. "This is the tenth time you have been late this month. I am sorry, but we are going to have to let you go." He turned abruptly and walked away. Jaclyn was left with her mouth still slightly open, staring after him. Mary was not going to like this. She opened the door to her closet slowly as the double doors slammed down the hall and the sound of Clive's shuffling feet faded away. She took her picture of her parents off of the inside door of the closet and slid it into her pocket. She shut the door, and the slamming sound echoed down the hall and back. The glass panes on the double doors rattled as a train zoomed into the station. Then she turned away and walked back down the hall, through the crowds of workers, and back down the sidewalk to the house. She reached the house and stopped.

Mary was walking out of the door. She stopped when she saw Jaclyn at the gate. "Donn chu have work toddayyy?" she said in a hangover induced slur.

Jaclyn fidgeted nervously. "I...I got fired."

"FIRED?!" Mary yelled angrily. She moved swiftly towards a retreating Jaclyn, picking up a rock as she did so. "You little – Get out of here! I don't want to see you ever again! I can't stand how irresponsible you are!"

"B-but Mary-"

"I said GET OUT!" Mary began throwing rocks at Jaclyn in a helpless rage. Jaclyn stumbled backwards as a rock hit her across the cheek, leaving a broken trail of blood. She gaped at Mary, whose bloodshot eyes seemed to pierce through her very soul. Jaclyn whipped around and ran out onto the sidewalk, shocked.

Jaclyn knew that Mary would probably allow her back into the house after a few days, when her temper was cooled off and she had more to drink. But did she really want to continue living such an abusive life? Mary consistently threw Jaclyn out of the house or attacked her whenever the mood struck, and the mood struck a lot more often than once a week. Life had been like a hell since Mary had been forced to carry all the responsibility in the household. The tragedy of their family and the death of their mother had only further burdened Mary's untrained shoulders. Mary used to be such a happy little girl, but now she suffered from alcoholism. It ran in the family on Dad's side.

Jaclyn shivered. She did not want to follow that train of thought any further. She suddenly realized that she was still running. She slowed to a leisurely walk, wondering where she could go. She sighed and stuffed her hands in her pockets. The street, that's where she could go now. Something crinkled in her hand. She grabbed the source of the noise. It was the letter and ticket. She laughed softly to herself. It was a good trick, she had to give the sender that much. She reread the letter. It sounded so authentic. It even gave the specific arrival schedule, which had begun last week and ended in a few days. She looked at the address of the ticket. She could go the station now, and see if she could find this platform, or the people who were playing this trick on her. It wasn't like she had anything better to do. Besides, she wanted to see how far the pranksters had actually gone.

When she reached platform nine and ten, she looked around confusedly. No platform 9 ¾. She snorted at herself. What did she expect? That they would build it just to fool her? That there actually was a school of magic? She shook her head at herself. She knew it was silly, but the letter had been so real, she almost believed it. She sighed and leaned disconsolately against the brick wall. Now what? Where would she live until she could get Mary to take her back? How would she eat? How would she protect herself?

Jaclyn shook her head and closed her eyes, willing all of her worries away. She just didn't want to deal with it now. She relaxed as the creases in her forehead slowly smoothed out. The sound of the station seemed to momentarily cease. Her eyes flew open in shock. The noise grew louder as her eyes opened. She gaped and stared at the sign in front of her. It read: Platform 9 ¾ - Hogwarts Express. She looked around disbelievingly. She must be dreaming. A pale, freckled boy with painfully vivid red hair jostled her and she fell, hitting her head against the wall. Jaclyn winced. Okay, so she wasn't dreaming.

"Ron! You just made that poor girl fall! Aren't you going to apologize, then?" A bossy voice sounded to Jaclyn's right. She looked around and saw a bushy-haired girl carrying a large stack of books berating the bewildered redhead who had bumped into her. Apparently his name was Ron.

"Oh, shut UP, Hermione, I did not make her fall! I didn't even push her that hard." Ron reasoned. Hermione snorted. Just then, a boy with tousled black hair held his hand out to her and helped her to her feet. She scrambled up.

"Don't mind them, they're always arguing. Deep down, though, I just know Ron wishes he could apologize." The boy said with a grin. "That's Ron Weasley, by the way," he pointed to the red haired boy, "and that's Hermione Granger." He pointed to the girl. They were still arguing.

Jaclyn smiled quietly. "They look like an old couple, the way they bicker!" The boy snickered. "Um, anyway, thanks, I'm Jaclyn." She said, holding out her hand. "Jaclyn Murray."

The boy smiled, his vivid green eyes crinkling behind his glasses. "Pleased to meet you, Jaclyn." He hesitated, then continued. "I'm Harry. Harry Potter."

A/N: WOW. That was one long chappie. I just had to write all this stuff, though. And I guess longer is better. Hopefully the quality endures, though. Anyway, I hope y'all liked it! Please review and tell me what you think. I'll be editing these chappies, so don't worry if you see any glaring errors. Just tell me, and I'll make sure it is fixed if it is, indeed, glaring. And what is going on with Jaclyn, Harry, Ron, and Hermione? Well, you'll just have to wait until next time! MUAHAHAHAHA! Ahem. Hem. Anyway, THANK YOU, reviewer, for reviewing. And for telling me what a Mary Sue is. I feel happy now.