After many months of growing impatience for the next schoolyear at Hogwarts, August had finally come, and it was time for the Weasleys to gather what money they could find and travel to Diagon Alley, where they would be purchasing supplies for the upcoming term. The Burrow was chaotic as the Weasleys ran back and forth, trying to find as many coins as they possibly could. Arthur ran up and down the stairs, turning over mattresses, and scavenging through drawers. Molly emptied every single pot she could. Fred and George dug holes near the chicken coop, where they had been burying coins of different value throughout the entire summer. Percy holed himself in his bedroom where he counted his savings from the previous schoolyear and summer. Ginevra, who was not yet old enough to attend Hogwarts, helped her family scour every item that was able to be closed. Ron and Aralynn removed cushions from the couch, and when a shimmer was seen in the sunlight, Aralynn shoved her hand between the wires of the couch and scooped a handful of clanging coins into her palm. "I found thirteen knuts and six sickles!" she exclaimed, running up three flights of stairs before she slammed into her father. "I found thirteen knuts and six sickles," she repeated and dropped the coins into the pouch her father had been carrying around while searching for money.

"Good job, Little Red!" Arthur beamed, and then turned to continue his frantic search.

Aralynn jogged back down the stairs she had traveled up, to rejoin Ron near the couch. "Have you found anything yet?" she asked, glancing to him. "We've done a decent job already, but it's not enough for everything we're going to need."

Ron threw one of the couch cushions down in frustration. "No!" he roared, "no, I haven't found a single thing! Why don't you leave me alone about it?"

Aralynn blinked at her brother in response before knitting her eyebrows together. "Ron, what's wrong with you?" she inquired, "why are you acting like this?"

The boy threw himself down on the couch in exasperation. He rubbed at his eyes irritably—then looked up to her. "It's not fair that you're allowed to get new things, but mostly everything I have is secondhand. I want new stuff, too."

Aralynn frowned, sitting next to him. "I would get secondhand stuff, too, but I'm the eldest girl. Mum and Dad can't really give me George's old robes, and you've already gotten their books."

"It's not fair," Ron grumbled, crossing his arms over his chest.

Aralynn pressed her lips together briefly then wrapped an arm around her twin's shoulders. "When we're in Diagon Alley, I'll buy you something with the galleons Charlie gave me," she reassured.

Though Ron looked defiant to give in to her talk, he glanced to her. "You promise?" he asked quietly.

"I promise," she agreed.

Ron sighed in defeat with a nod. "Alright," he agreed.

Aralynn gave him a smile and nudged him playfully. "Come on," she coaxed, "we should be leaving soon."

Having been bested by his sister, Ronald Weasley stood from the couch and walked into the living room with her, but not without giving her a gentle shove. They stood near the fireplace and watched their family bustle about. Fred and George returned to the house, their hands and knees covered with dirt, but with several bronze coins within their fingers. "We found a few knuts!" they chimed together. "Think it'll help?"

"It always helps," Molly told her sons as she took the coins within her own hands and dumped them into the sack when Arthur opened it for her. "When will you be leaving?" she asked him.

"In a moment," he answered, knotting the sack towards the opening to tuck into his pocket.

"Can't I come with you, Daddy?" the young Ginny asked. "I want to see Diagon Alley!"

"No, no," he denied. "You're going to stay with your mother and help her around the house. We'll be back shortly."

Ginny stomped her foot angrily. "I want to go to Diagon Alley!"

"You will, Ginny," Arthur replied, "next year when you're accepted."

"This isn't fair!"

"Oh, hush, dear," Molly cooed as she redirected Ginny to the kitchen. "Will you be taking the Floo Network?"

"Quickest way," Arthur nodded.

His wife paused and fished through the apron tied around her torso. She pulled out eight sickles, offering them to him. "We'll need more after this," she said, "get eight scoops, will you?"

"Of course," her husband agreed as he took the coins from her palm. He then leaned forward to press a kiss to her cheek. "Best be off," he said, gathering his children around the fireplace, "all right, Percy, you first."

Percy nodded and stepped into the fireplace. When his mother held out a flowerpot for him, he reached into it and gathered a pinch of silvery powder. The family watched as he held himself proudly, and enunciated, "Diagon Alley!" He threw the powder down and was sent away in a flare of brilliant green flames. Once the flames cleared away, the fireplace stood empty.

Fred—then George—were the next to use the Floo Network. When they, too, disappeared in the same green flames, Arthur went through to wait for Ron and Aralynn on the other side. Aralynn waved to Ron with a smile on her face as he disappeared. She then stepped into the fireplace herself. Molly offered her the flowerpot, and Aralynn took the last pinch of powder with her left hand. "Diagon Alley," she said as she threw the powder down to the wood. The flames rose and sucked her away. She traveled through time and space as a blob coalescing with the atmosphere until she regenerated in full, solid form. She took a step forward to see her father and brothers waiting for her. They smiled at her successful transfer.

"Made it through in one piece, huh?" George taunted.

"Thought we might see an arm land before the rest of you," Fred added.

"Not to worry, boys," she grinned triumphantly. "I'm the master."

"Yes master!" they cried together as they began bowing before her with their arms outstretched. Aralynn laughed, pulled her brothers to their feet, and followed behind her father when he began to head for the shops of Diagon Alley.

Though she had heard a lot of different things about it, Aralynn had never been to the Alley, herself. She had always dreamed of it, of course—most magical children do. Diagon Alley was rumored to be beautiful and funky and interesting, and she wanted to witness, firsthand, all that was beautiful and funky and interesting about it. Now that it was her time, she could feel excitement coursing through her veins. It was a very important year for her, and that was exciting. Never mind the new things she would be receiving; all she could think about were the shops, the people, and the merchandise.

They stepped into the cobblestone alley, and Aralynn's face lit up with awe at the beauty of the area. There were shops lining each side of the alley of all different colors, blues and reds and greens and golds. It was all very mesmerizing for the first-time eyes—even for the returning ones. As they weaved their way between people, Aralynn stopped to study several items concealed behind different shop windows. There were jars full of animal organs, vials filled to the brim with questionably colored liquids, showcased wands and robes, unsteady stacks of books, and other shimmering trinkets that she would have loved to inspect, and even buy, regardless of whether she knew what they were.

"Keep up, Aralynn!" Arthur shouted from the head of the group.

Aralynn looked in her father's direction and jogged to catch up with the rest of them. As much as she wished she could stop and stare and gawk; she knew there was a limited amount of time they had, especially before their start date at Hogwarts. The first of September was in a few short weeks, and it was vital that they get the supplies they needed before traveling to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters to board the Hogwarts Express. However, she studied as much as she could along their walk down the cobblestone roads. "Dad?" she inquired, "where are we going?"

"Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions," he answered. "It's best we get you fitted before going anywhere else. That will be the longest of our trip, and it's important to see that through before shopping for your books and such."

Aralynn acknowledged her father with a nod before slowing to walk alongside Ron. She gave him a small nudge with her elbow and displayed a wide grin from ear-to-ear. "Isn't this exciting?" she asked him.

"Brilliant," he muttered sarcastically, "absolutely brilliant."

"Are you still upset from earlier?" she wondered with furrowed eyebrows. "I told you I would buy you something. Ron, please don't be like this."

"I'm fine," he replied with a tone that was a little too hard.

Aralynn sighed defeatedly and ambled away from him to give him distance. When they stopped in front of an aged shop, that of which was Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, Arthur turned to the older half of his children and told them they were allowed to wander Diagon Alley by themselves, so long as they behaved. When Fred and George halfheartedly agreed, Arthur Weasley arranged for the eldest of the current group, Percy, to be their designated 'babysitter' for all intents and purposes. Percy gladly agreed, and walked off with the twins, who were huffing and puffing with mutters of feeling betrayed by their father.

"Come on, children," he said to Ron and Aralynn when he turned to them. Arthur escorted the youngest twins inside of the shop and glanced around. "Madam Malkin?" he called out, "it's Arthur Weasley, and I've come to get my daughter fitted for her Hogwarts robes!"

"Arthur?" said a high-pitched voice. From the back room, a stout and wide body came bustling toward the register, where the three Weasleys stood. "Arthur Weasley, you are a sight for sore eyes! It's been such a long time since we last met!"

"Indeed, it has," he nodded with a smile. He looked to his children and pulled Aralynn to stand in front of him, with his hands placed upon her shoulders. "Madam Malkin, this is my daughter, Aralynn. She's going to be a first year at Hogwarts in September, and we don't have any girls' robes to fit her, so we've come to the finest sewing establishment in all of England!"

"Oh, Arthur, you flatter me!" the small woman exclaimed with flushed cheeks. She turned her attention to young Aralynn, looking her over with an unfaltering smile. "Oh, you're gorgeous! Not to worry, darling, we'll have new robes fitted for you in a jiff!"

Aralynn gave the friendly woman a small smile and followed behind her when she started to lead her into the back room, where all her measuring and sewing was done. The silver-haired woman came to a stop and gestured to a small platform for Aralynn to stand on. "It'll make you taller," she said to Aralynn, who was already quite a bit taller than Madam Malkin herself. "It'll make it easier for me to hem the bottom!"

Aralynn obediently stepped onto the platform, as instructed. Madam Malkin gave her another cheerful smile before disappearing into a curtain-covered room. When she returned, she had black cloth, needles, and black thread in her hands. Aralynn watched as she pulled out her wand and muttered something under her breath and began to levitate. The woman floated upward and helped Aralynn put the robe on her body. Afterward, she immediately began pinning the cloth back to fit her shape.

"Are you their only girl?" Madam Malkin asked, if only to make conversation.

"I'm the eldest," Aralynn answered. "Ginny is my sister. She's the youngest in our family."

"Are you excited to be starting Hogwarts?"

"Yes," Aralynn replied with a small smile. "I've heard it's wonderful."

"Oh, yes, it is," the woman responded. "Albus Dumbledore is the headmaster. He's a generous and kind man."

"I've heard that," the girl responded. "My mother and father talk about him a lot. Percy does, too, sometimes, and Ron collects the cards from the Chocolate Frog packages."

"Does he have a card of Albus?"

"I think so," Aralynn replied. "Though, I've never seen it. He likes to keep them hidden away. He's afraid that Fred and George will do something to them."

Madam Malkin let out a hearty laugh. "They are very valuable cards, if you have enough of them."

Aralynn smiled down at her and watched her with her needle and thread. "Did you go to Hogwarts?"

"Yes," she answered, "I was in Hufflepuff."

Before Aralynn could ask any further questions, Madam Malkin excused herself to the curtain-covered room once again. The bell above the shop door rang, thus indicating someone had either exited or entered. A tall, platinum blond-haired man with a pale, pointed face and gray eyes began to walk towards the room where Aralynn stood alone. As he did, the walking stick in his right hand hit the flooring with a proud thud every few seconds. Beside him was a slender boy with his head held proudly, who bore an uncanny resemblance to his counterpart. When the two came into full view, Aralynn watched them with a nervous feeling twisting in the pit of her stomach.

The elder of the two matched his cold, gray eyes with Aralynn's warm, green ones. The two held a stare before he took exactly three steps forward and now stood only inches away from her. "And who are you?" he asked with a smooth voice like a snake's hissing.

"Aralynn," she replied, "Aralynn Weasley."

"Weasley, is it?" he mocked while his eyes flickered to her forehead, which was covered by her bangs. "I see."

Aralynn narrowed her eyes at the man, but then glanced to the boy. "I've told you who I am, now it's only polite you tell me who you are."

"Oh, yes, of course," he replied lazily, "where are my manners? My name is Lucius Malfoy, and this is my son, Draco."

Draco Malfoy said nothing, but made eye contact with the girl, which seemed to be his way of saying 'hello'. The room was silent for a few long moments before he turned towards her. "Hello," was all he said.

"Hello," Aralynn replied, then looked to Lucius Malfoy. The two gave her an uneasy feeling, which very well could have been because she had heard her father talk about a 'Malfoy,' and it was never in a fond way.

Madam Malkin returned from the other room and began sewing Aralynn's robe without sparing a single glance toward the two blond men. She sewed in silence for several minutes, and then said: "Is there something I can do for you, Mr. Malfoy?"

"In fact, there is," he replied haughtily. "My boy needs robes, as his first year at Hogwarts is swiftly approaching. I have his measurements here. All I need you to do is fashion them."

When Lucius Malfoy saw that Madam Malkin was making no effort to oblige his whim, he then added, and with a venomous tone, "immediately."

Madam Malkin's eyes flickered with irritation. "As you can see, Mr. Malfoy, I am currently with a customer. I will be happy to serve you, but you will wait your turn."

"I demand to be served now!" he said loudly, just shy of shouting. When Madam Malkin did not react, Lucius took his cane, and drove the base of it into the floor.

The woman masked her anger with cheerfulness and turned to him with a bright smile. "I will be with you as soon as I am done with my current customer, sir. Thank you for your patience!"

Lucius began to visibly boil with rage and disrespect. He turned his eyes to Aralynn and gave her a pointed glare. "I will be seeing you again soon, Weasley."

Aralynn furrowed her eyebrows at the tone in which he said 'Weasley'. Before she could ask why he enunciated her name in such a way, he turned sharply and led his scowling son away from the two women. Aralynn considered asking Madam Malkin what the issue with Lucius Malfoy was, but she decided it was better if she didn't.

Once the woman finished Aralynn's measuring and pinning, she helped the girl step down from the platform. "Wait up front with your father, please," she asked. "I'll return shortly."

Aralynn returned to her father and brother, only to notice that her father was stewing.

"How was it?" Ron asked.

"Fine," she replied. "Until that blond man and his son came back there. Did you see him?"

Ron nodded. "He and Dad had an argument outside. I couldn't hear what was going on. What did he say back there?"

"He and Madam Malkin argued," she told, then looked to Ron. "He asked who I was, and when I told him, he didn't seem the believe me. When he was leaving, he said 'Weasley' as if it was a lie. It was strange."

"Sounds like it was," Ron agreed.

Once they left the shop and began to move on to their next location, Aralynn kept repeating the conversation she had with Lucius Malfoy in her head. She couldn't understand why he seemed to disbelieve that she was a Weasley. How could she be anyone different? Molly and Arthur Weasley were her parents. Charlie, Bill, Percy, Fred, George, Ron, and Ginny were her siblings. She had red hair, like the rest of them. How was it possible that he could see her as someone else? She couldn't wrap her head around the answer. She didn't know. She was Aralynn Nicole Weasley, and no one else.