Hermione sat in the back of the smelly cab as the drive weaved in and out of London's traffic. His meter kept rolling; two dollars…now three! She sighed and watched as raindrops fell on the outside of the cab. She never really liked London; it was too wet for her. The cabby yelled as a red truck cut him off and beeped his horn as if it was going to help any. All the noise was giving her a big headache. Soon, she thought to herself, soon she would be having tea with Dumbledore and her questions answered.

She looked down at her purse and found the end of her wand sticking out. She quickly slid it back deep into her purse. No need for questions…

"Was that miss?" The cabby looked back at her through the mirror.

"Nothing that concerns you." Hermione scowled; couldn't people mind their own business?

"Jus' wondering why a young lady like you would be doin' with a wood stick in 'er purse." He shrugged and pulled over to the roadside. An old fashioned sign read "The Leaky Cauldron". Hermione reluctantly handed him the four dollars and picked her purse up to exit the cab.

"Watch out for wizards there young witch. There be some bad ones out tonight. You-know-who, they say, be back. Better to be back at school than here." He grimly spoke as she turned to shut the door.

Hermione looked surprised; she thought he was a muggle! He nodded in her direction as he pulled away from the curb. A wizard driving a cab, what a surprise! She ignored it; everyone was always saying the You-know-who was coming back. Hermione, of course, did not forget the happenings at Hogwarts School. She remembered them all too well.

The grimy door of the Leaky Cauldron was shut against the cold. Hermione had to use force to get the door open. As she stepped inside a collective breath was held as every witch and wizard in the building turned to see who the new arrival was. They turned back to their drinks when they saw it was just her. She spotted the bright blue hat of Dumbledore sitting in a corner with a drink in front of him and a drink beside him. Someone else maybe, she thought to herself.

"Hello Dumbledore." She said as she stopped at his table. He smiled and motioned for her to sit down.

"Good morning Ms. Granger. We are just waiting for our other member to join us from the restroom." He picked his glass up and sipped it. Hermione found that a glass of her favorite drink in the whole world was sitting in front of her; a glass of butter beer was just what she needed.

"What's she doing here?" Hermione heard a familiar voice sneered at her from the back. Hermione slowly turned around as if afraid to look. Her face fell when she saw Draco Malfoy standing with his trademark scowl.