Diagon Alley

There were dragons and people in masks. Chaos had overcome everything Jade knew. She jumped up frantically at Oliver, but he was no longer there. In his place sat someone in a black cloak with a mask that looked like a metallic skull. She backed up instantly and screamed. She reached for her wand, but it was no longer in her pocket. She searched frantically until she was being grabbed by the throat. The man in the mask was holding her with one arm. Jade kicked at him, but he didn't loosen his grip. Her vision began to fade as she heard a voice calling her name. She looked up with the last bit of strength and saw a small woman with long blonde and wavy hair.

"Mom" she whispered as she was dropped onto the hard ground. A tear fell down her cheek as she saw a green light flash as her mother fell to the floor lifelessly.

Jade shot up in her bed. She was sweating everywhere, and her heart was beating faster than Viktor Krum playing Quidditch. Still trembling, she got out of bed and changed out of her pajamas.

Outside, it was still dark out, but she could see just a little bit of light on the horizon. Jade walked along the beat up sidewalk, kicking stones as she passed them. Images of her nightmare were still haunting her. Maybe going to Diagon Alley with a complete stranger wasn't a good idea. What if he was evil and she didn't know it? What if he tried the hurt her? Oliver had seemed friendly last night…

"You saved his life." She thought to herself as the walked to the creek next to her house. She sat down on the water's edge, staring at the icy water. What if she had never been born? What if she had been killed in the fire too? She doubted anyone would care. It wasn't like she had any friends. She was bound to live alone like this for the rest of her meaningless life. She stood up, wiping tears from her eyes as she lifted her gaze from the water. As she scanned her surroundings for any witnesses, she mentally prepared herself for what she was going to do. Her gaze fell upon the water again.

"No one will miss me" she whispered to herself. She looked to the sky which was significantly lighter. She closed her eye, allowing just a single ice cold tear to escape as she jumped into death's arms. Shock filled her mind as she sank into the water, the cold chilling her bones. She didn't try to find the surface, she just allowed herself to sink, moving as little as possible. The ice water stung at her skin.

"All Life begins in darkness, and all so ends." She thought as her lungs were screaming for the air that wouldn't come. Her eyes began to flutter as her life began to fade away into everlasting blackness when hands gripped the hood to her sweatshirt. She gasped for air her head broke the surface of the creek.

"Jade?" a voice said as she blinked her eyes, confused.

"Oliver? What are you doing here?" Jade said through chattering teeth.

"I think the question is what do you think you were doing at the bottom of a freezing lake in the middle of November?" Oliver said with a concerned look in his eyes.

Jade didn't answer. She couldn't. She just continues to look down at the frosty earth. How did he know? She was shaking violently from the cold now, and her wet hair began to freeze at the tips. Oliver looked at her with a sympathetic smile.

"Let's get you home, okay?" He said as he took off his jacket and wrapped it around her. It smelled faintly of cinnamon and other spices. She held the jacket closer, fatigue filling her bones. She felt dizzy and stupid. Why did she do that? Oliver must think she's an idiot now. He put his arm around her for balance as he guided her home.

"So, do you want to tell me what wrong?" Oliver said, attempting to start a conversation.

"It's just a long story full of sighs and tears" Jade said, still staring at the ground, wincing as the feeling came back to her fingertips.

"Well I have time, and I have a dry shoulder if necessary." He said in a caring tone.

"I had a nightmare that got me thinking, and it made me realize how helpless I am," Jade paused, thinking about her mother, "how helpless I was to the people who loved me most." And now she's dead Jade added silently.

Oliver stopped and looked at her. She couldn't meet his eyes, a knot formed in her throat, but she wouldn't cry. No one has ever seen her cry, and she didn't want to break that.

"You saved mine. If it hadn't been for your help last night, I would not be here." He said very seriously.

They started walking again, almost to her house. She didn't speak again until they were at her door.

"So, are you still up for Diagon Alley later?" Oliver asked hopefully.

Jade nodded and gave a slight smile. She knew that if she spoke she would cry, so she hugged him, nearly knocking him over in the process. It took a few seconds for the surprise to wear off, and Oliver hugged her back.

"Thank you" She muttered as she let go and backed away.

"Hey, you saved my life, now were even." Oliver said with a smile. Jade returned it as she opened the door. "See you at noon" he called as he walked away, waving.

"See you then." Jade said, waving goodbye as she closed the door behind her. She realized she was still wearing his jacket when she looked down at herself. She quickly took it off and changed into dry clothes and brushed through her soaked hair. She dressed in her usual clothes, a black v-neck shirt with a turquoise tank top underneath, black skinny jeans, and black converse. She put on her mother's blue sapphire amulet that was shaped like a heart on velvet ribbon. She tied it around her neck, thinking of her mother. She pictured her mystery father tying it around her mother's slender neck as she cradled a baby Jade in her arms. She wished she had gotten to truly meet her mom, or even her good-for-nothing father. Maybe her mother would have had a chance if her stupid father hadn't left her. She sighed as she finished her make-up.

She looked like your typical goth girl. The long hair, the black clothes, the eyeliner that made her look like a crazy raccoon. If she dyed her hair black, it would make her look even more sickly pale, but she kept her strawberry blonde hair. It reminded her of her mother's. She was very thankful that she looked like her mother, especially the eyes. They both had the identical ice blue eyes with a dark black ring around the iris. She picked up the picture of her mother that she kept under her pillow. It was torn in half, the other half long gone from the fire. It showed her mum with Jade in her arms. She was looking up at her, waving and smiling, unaware that she was dead in reality. Jade smiled back sadly as she kissed the photo and placed it back in its spot, gently.

London was exceptionally crowded that day. Muggles were swarming the street making it hard to get to the entrance to Diagon alley. Oliver was already standing there waiting patiently. He couldn't get in because of his lack of magical ability. He looked at her and his face lit up.

"Jade!" He yelled excitedly. He seemed to always have a lot of energy.

"Hi. Sorry I'm late. There are so many muggles out today!" Jade said, mildly irritated

"It's alright." He said smiling.

Jade opened the entrance to the magical downtown and lead the way through.

"Want to go to Florean Fortescue's?" Jade suggested.

"Sure, I do enjoy ice cream." Oliver answered with a smile.

They wouldn't make it there though. A scream erupted from around the corner. Jade instinctively grabbed her wand and stood protectively in front of Oliver, whose face had gone pale.

"What was that?" Oliver said as more people began to scream. Jade wasn't listening. She was paying attention to the crowd running away, followed by flashes of green in the distance. She couldn't help but notice how familiar that shade of green looked. Jade didn't get much time to think, though, because the causes of the chaos had just shown up. People in masks resembling a shining skull with pointed hoods and long, dark, robes were running after the crowd, pointing their wands at any witch or wizard that dared look them in the eye.

"Jade, it's the death eaters!" Oliver whispered frantically. Jade hid her wand, knowing if she were to fight back that she wouldn't stand a chance.

"You two, over there." A strong voice of a man in a mask shouted, pointing his wand directly at Jade and Oliver. Jade's heart stopped. Everything seemed to freeze. What could they possibly want with her and Oliver? Oliver's eyes shot frantically between Jade and the Death Eaters. "How old are you two?"

"Fifteen" Jade said trying to hide her fear.

"And why aren't you at Hogwarts?" She could see his cold smile reveal awful teeth. He was now inches away, his wand just touching her heart. He lifted a hand to her cheek. It took all her strength not to flinch back in disgust. "Such a pretty one, I can see the boldness of your mother in you."

Jade's heart shot in her throat. What did he know about her mother? She glared coldly and pushed his hand away and pointed her wand at the Death Eater. "What do you know about my mother?" Jade said, her voice shaking.

The Death Eater glared and next thing she knew she was on the ground, her wand rolling away as it fell to the ground. As silently as he could, Oliver picked it up, avoiding attracting attention. The Death Eater snarled "You foolish girl!" he said as he pointed his wand at her heart once again. "AVADA KE-"

"EXPELLIARMUS!" Oliver shouted with all his might, his mind only focused on one thing, not losing his new friend.

The Death Eater's wand flew out of his hand. He stared, dumbstruck at what just happened. He growled in anger and ran at Oliver. Jade, back on her feet, grabbed Oliver's arm and broke into her fastest run down the cobblestone street. They took as many confusing turns as possible, avoiding Knockturn Alley. They stopped in an alleyway, realizing they were cornered.

"Quick! In Here!" a husky old voice said. Jade, out of breath, looked at Oliver. He looked like he was going to be sick. Echoes of shouting grew nearer and they ran inside the door. Inside stood an old man with sapphire blue eyes and a long beard. He looked like a picture Jade had seen of Hogwart's old headmaster, Dumbledore, but he had died a few months ago. It had been all over the Daily Prophet. He looked tired and irritated. "Come with me." He said flatly. In the room there was a fireplace and about that a picture of a blonde girl smiling sweetly. She had the same blue eyes as the old man.

Next thing she knew the painting was opening, revealing a great big cave. Jade stared suspiciously between the cave and the old man.

"Go, and tell Neville that Aberforth sent you there." The man said.

"Where does it lead?" Jade asked, feeling very confused.

"You shall see." He said as he pushed Oliver, who was standing there with his eyes wide, and Jade, who was still feeling unsure about everything. Why should they trust a complete stranger?

They started walking through the dark and damp tunnel until they reached the end. The wall opened revealing a great room full of a couple beds. It looked like they had entered a castle.

"We're at Hogwarts…" Jade thought excitedly.

"Jade, where are we?" Oliver asked curiously. She had almost forgotten he was behind her.

"We're at Hogwarts!" She said excitedly. Her eyes were wide with glee.

Sorry this took so long! I've been really busy with school and everything, and i had a major case of writer's block. I'll try to be better! I hope you like it, though! :)

-Holly