Chapter 5

Alex looked at Jason who was sleeping soundly in the airplane seat next to her. He was taking her to her to England to make sure she got onto her train safely. She turned toward the window and watched the clouds float by.

God,she thought, What if I let everybody down? What if I don't belong there?

Alex sighed quietly and stood up from her seat. She sidled past Jason so as not to wake him and walked up to the first class bathroom. When she stepped into the cramped space, she splashed some cool water onto her face to clear her mind. Then she turned her back to the mirror and looked at her brand new tattoo.

Alex had chosen a simple design for her tattoo. She knew that if she had chosen something that marked her interests, she would have regretted it later on in life. She still couldn't believe Kimberly had allowed it. After hours of lectures on the consequences, Kimberly had finally brought her to the parlor where friend, Jade had been waiting for Alex.

Kimberly explained that she was very good with henna, only the real tattoos. But she had stood by Alex, watching closely the whole time. They both loved the henna. Jason said it was sexy and made her seem older. In fact the only person who disapproved of it was Mrs. Garrett, for Alex had caught a hint of a smile on old, Mr. Garrett's face.

Then Alex quickly looked up when she heard the pilot's voice over the intercom. "I would now like to ask the passengers to please take there seats. We will be landing shortly. I hope you all enjoyed your flight and have a good day."

Immediately, Alex walked back to her seat, where Jason was just waking up. He smiled at her and gave her a wink. "Jesus I hate flying," he told her nervously.

She laughed and replied, "Don't be such a baby, I mean seriously…did you know more people are killed by donkeys every year than by planes?

"Yeah well, I'm not to fond of those either, so just be quiet," he snapped.

Alex shut her mouth quickly. Jason hardly ever snapped so she knew she should do as he asked. So once again she stared out the window as she waited for the plane to land and for Jason to return to his old self.

Alex couldn't believe they were finally there: King's Cross Station. She sat in awe of the place where she would get her first taste of a real magical community in the back seat of her and Jason's rented car.

She finally took notice of the many people staring at the gorgeous, brand new, black as night Mercedes Benz convertible. Alex wondered if she should have chosen a less conspicuous vehicle.

To late now, she thought to herself, allowing a sigh to escape her lips.

Jason straightened his hat for what must have been the fourth time and looked back at Alex through the rearview mirror. "Everything okay back there, Shorty?"

She smiled and nodded. "Are you ready yet?" Alex asked him, exasperation etched in her voice. She had been waiting patiently for over fifteen minutes for Jason to finish looking his best. He always dressed for success, wanting everyone to know he was the best driver for the best family.

He looked through the mirror and gave his hat a small tap. Finally, he replied in a very bad English accent, By Joe, he's got it!"

"Finally!" Alex shouted as she reached for her door's handle.

"Make one more move, Alex," he told he menacingly, "and you won't live to do even one bit of magic."

She merely rolled her eyes and sat back in her seat. She watched as Jason stepped out of the car and straightened his jacket professionally. He gave the gawking bystanders a smile and a wink as he walked to Alex's door and pulled it open.

She edged out of her seat and smoothed her black skirt so that is was free of wrinkles. It went to just above her knees in waves so that it swished whenever the slightest movement was made. Her deep blue sweater matched her eyes perfectly. It hugged her body and had an off shoulder cut.

Quickly, she scanned the area surrounding her and stepped forward so that Jason could shut the door, but not before she grabbed the photo album she had recently received from Mr. and Mrs. Garrett. Alex clutched it to her chest and as Jason got her school and soccer trunks out of the car trunk.

Suddenly, remembering her newest purchases, Alex cried out, "Jason! You forgot Emily and in the car!"

"Shit," he muttered as he hurried to the passenger side and opened the door. He pulled out a large cage containing a beautiful Tawny owl. It hooted once in protest of being forgotten before fitting its head beneath its wing and promptly falling asleep. Jason shook his head and walked back to Alex who grinned at him and shrugged her shoulders.

"You want me to carry anything?" she asked him even though she was pretty sure of the answer.

"Now what kind of employee would I be if I didn't carry your things. Just give me a minute to get situated," he told her with a grin.

"Fine…suit yourself."

She watched with amusement as he placed her soccer trunk beneath his left arm and took hold of her school trunk with his left hand. And finally, he picked up Emily's cage with his other hand and said, "Ready." Alex laughed as she led the way into the station.

"Now…" Jason began, looking every which way, "which train is it again?"

"Well, actually…Mom always told me that we have to walk through the barrier between platforms nine and ten, so-" she broke off after seeing the amazed look on Jason's face.

He stared at her open-mouthed before replying nonchalantly, "Okay, I'll go first." He promptly walked past her and through what seemed to be a solid brick wall.

Alex stared openly at the wall when she heard a high and imperious voice behind her. "If you're just planning to stand there all day, I'm going to have to ask you to move." He was a tall, lanky boy with bright red hair, freckles, and a superior look in his eyes.

She opened her mouth to retaliate, when another red head (obviously his brother) spoke for her. "Aww…shut up, Perce. Just because you're a 'prefect' doesn't mean you can be a prat."

"We're not even in school yet, you stupid git," another boy added who was completely identical to the other that had spoken in her defense.

The boy dubbed Percy merely scoffed and walked past Alex and through the wall. She frowned at his retreating back and then turned back to the two she assumed were twins.

"Sorry about him," the first said as he pointed toward the wall. "Name's Fred Weasley and this is my brother, George."

George nodded and said, "Percy can be a pain, but he's harmless."

Alex nodded and replied, "No biggy…I'm Alex, by the way. You guys didn't have to do that, you know. I'm perfectly capable of defending myself, thanks." She gave a small laugh and headed for the barrier.

"Any excuse to talk with a pretty girl," Fred called after her. She blushed, but kept walking. She waved vaguely behind her and stepped through the barrier.