"So, this Ron guy," Alli said as she and Harry bounced along on the Knight Bus.
"What about him?" Harry asked.
"Is he cute?"
"How should I know?"
Alli shrugged.
"Are you going to Hogwarts, Alli? I didn't see a letter. And you still owe me an explanation," Harry added.
"Yes, I am," Alli said. "And shoot." All the questions that Harry kept bottled up inside him the whole night came bursting out at once.
"How do you have the same scar as me? How did you escape Voldemort? How old were you when you got it? How old are you now? And why in the world did you wait this long to come find me?"
"What was the first question again?" Alli asked. Harry yelled out in rage. Alli giggled. "My god, I was just joking. Calm down."
"Answer the questions," Harry said through gritted teeth.
"I'm 16. I got my scar the same night you got yours. According to Dumbledore, I was in your parent's care when Voldemort came and attacked. I was hidden behind you when Voldemort sent his spell, sideways of course. You got the full blast of it and I got the rest," Alli explained fingering the side of her head. "As for escaping, I have no clue. Maybe it was because I never got the full power of the curse. I don't know…" Her voice died down to a whisper as if she were talking to herself. The knight bus made an abrupt stop at the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron. The hunchbacked wizard led the two inside where Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger were waiting impatiently at the bar.
"Hey guys," Harry smiled. His friends turned around to face him.
"Whoa, where'd you pick up the girl?" Ron smiled raising his eyebrows at Allison.
"She's my cousin," Harry said.
"What? How?" Hermione exclaimed looking at Allison fascinated as if she were an undiscovered species of animal instead of a witch.
"I'll explain later," Harry said brushing the matter aside.
"Hi, I'm Hermione," Hermione said holding out her hand to Alli.
"Alli," she said giving Hermione's hand a small shake. She eyed the Gryffindor patch on Hermione and Ron's black robes.
"Are you a Gryffindor too, Harry?" Alli asked confused.
"Of course. After all, Gryffindor is the best house," Harry smiled. Alli cleared her throat and shifted her shoulder just enough that her black robe fell into place revealing a Slytherin crest on the left side. Harry's mouth dropped open.
"You're Slytherin?" Harry exclaimed.
"Will be," Alli smiled excitedly. Ron and Hermione exchanged glances.
"Shall we be going, then?" Hermione asked breaking through the uncomfortable silence.
"If it isn't Potty, Weasel, and the Mudblood? How wonderful," came a nasty voice from the entrance of the Leaky Cauldron. Alli swiveled around to see the handsomest boy she had ever laid eyes on. She took in Draco Malfoy's pale skin, white-blond hair, and cold gray eyes. He stood nearly a half a foot taller than she and was sporting the very same cloak complete with the Slytherin crest on the left side. Draco's eyes traveled up and down just as Dudley's had and he smiled when he caught sight of the crest.
"Mmm," Draco smiled licking his lips. "And who's this?" Alli smiled shyly at him. She cleared her throat.
"Um… Allison Potter," she croaked.
"Another Potter?" Draco said interested. "Well, I must say. You're quite an improvement from the others." Alli blushed. "I'm Draco Malfoy," he smiled warmly at her. He held out his hand and Alli took it, but instead of shaking it, Draco brought it up to his lips and kissed it softly. Alli continued to blush. Her heart sped up and she started to feel a bit warm in her black cloak.
"We're just leaving, Malfoy," Hermione said. "Come along, boys. Alli?"
"I have to go," Alli said disappointedly to Malfoy. Malfoy nodded. He let her hand drop.
"Will I see you at school, then?" Alli nodded unable to answer. "Well then, I'll look forward to it," Draco smirked. Alli gave him a shy smile and Hermione grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the Leaky Cauldron.
"I swear it's that stupid charm of his," Hermione explained angrily to Alli who was only half listening. Draco Malfoy. Wonderful. Charming. This year was already starting off great. "I'm sorry, Alli."
"What?" Alli was broken from her daydreams.
"You best watch yourself now that you got Malfoy on your back," Hermione repeated. I wish. Alli thought. The foursome bought every supply needed for school. Alli bought a new trunk and brand new designer robes all imprinted with the Slytherin crest. One even had her name embroidered on the hood. Ron had glared jealously at the 20 or so galleons Alli pulled out of her jeans pocket as if it were nothing to be carrying such an amount of money. Hours later, Harry said goodbye to Ron and Hermione. Him and Alli boarded the Knight Bus when it was starting to get dark. Harry fell asleep on one of the beds as Alli stared serenely out the window at the blurring muggle cars and buildings.