Jean stood at the back of the train on looking out at the passing landscape. The wind whipped the loose pieces of hair around her face.

Breathe. Just breathe.

She began to regain control over her responses. Slowly. The pounding her head receded to a dull throb. Her heart still raced but was quieted by the repetitive sounds of the train running over the tracks.

She was unsure how to feel at that moment, or even why she had suddenly felt like her world was collapsing just moments before. She was either on a train full of children who were either a) crazy, b) illusionists, or c) she was surrounded by people who could do magic. None of the options were particularly comforting at the moment. Well, perhaps the illusionists option was not too bad. Personally, though, she didn't prefer a profession that rested on deceiving people for entertainment.

After some time, she headed back to the compartment. As the conversation between the children resumed, she slowly drifted off to sleep lulled by the motion of the train. When Jean began to stir, she was aware of two small hands playing with her hair, which appeared to have fallen out of its elegant twist and resumed its wild tendencies. She sat up and considered her surroundings. It was just the three boys and Lily, as it had been when they first entered the train. As she looked out the window she leaned against, she noticed they were still moving.

"I like your hair," Lily said.

Jean looked at her for signs of mocking that appeared absent before patting down her hair self-consciously. "Thank you."

"We're close," Louis said.

She looked at him out of the corner of her eye before nodding. Lily poked her arm. Jean couldn't help but smile at the child. "Yes, Lily?"

"What will you do when we get there?"

Jean paused unsure of the question. "Go home."

Lily looked as though she was about to ask another question when they all realized the train was slowing down. They all looked out the window in wonder. Through the trees and across a large lake rose a magnificent castle. The grounds were breathtaking and yet there was something haunting about the view.

There was a jolt when the train arrived at its destination. Excitedly all of the children quickly gathered their things and fled the train. Lily did so dragging Jean with her, who only just managed to gather her belongings shortly before tripping over the eager girl's footsteps down from the train. Almost immediately after exiting, the red-haired woman from the platform enveloped Lily in a hug. Ginny, Jean recalled. Jean stood there awkwardly looking around before she settled on the man with green eyes who had caught her at the train station. He looked as awkward as she felt.

Many of the other students were heading down the platform towards the farthest of the quaint buildings that lined the station and following the bellowing voice of a large man. There wasn't much else around. Jean looked back down at the girl who had led her on this unusual day.

"Yes, well. It was lovely to meet you, Lily. But I must get going." Jean said, and she attempted to leave in search of a ticket booth. But Lily clung to her side. Jean was unsure of what to do and looked to the girl's parents for help.

She was surprised to find that Ginny had tears in her eyes watching the interaction. She turned and buried her face in her husband's shoulder. He patted his wife on the back, "Why don't you and Lily go meet Albus inside?" Ginny nodded and bent down to gently pry Lily from her hold on Jean. The girl protested some but gave in after a stern look from her father.

After they were both gone, Jean stood there awkwardly. She felt that there was something unsaid in the air that prevented her from leaving right away. "She is a lovely girl. Your whole family really. Although, I supposed I can only speak of the children. There seems to be quite a lot of them actually…"

He smiled. "Yes, there are."

"She seems very…independent. You know, I don't mean to overstep, but it may not be best that she wanders off quite so often. I mean, she may be a little too friendly to strangers for her own good. And they all seem rather intent on believing magic is real."

There was something heavy in his voice. "Yes, well she's not normally like this…"

She smiled, "I don't know that I believe that. She seems awful sure of herself. And a little too comfortable talking to me." There was a long pause. "Right. Well, I'll be off." She quickly realized she did not know where to go. "Actually, could you help me find a way back to London?" She paused again suddenly it clicked in her mind. "How did you get here before us?"

He paused and shifted nervously, "Flew."

"Oh…right that makes sense. Are you flying back soon? I would love to catch a flight, save some time."

"No, I don't think there will be any flights back for a while."

"Oh, ok."

"Thank you," he said. "For watching over Lily…"

"Of course. But it was just a train ride to her brother's school."

He seemed to share a secret smile with himself.

She moved to walk away but turned back. "I'm sorry. I don't believe I ever introduced myself. I'm Jean Wilkinson."

"Oh yes, um…I'm Harry, Harry Potter."

"Harry Potter?" She watched him as something seemed to constrict within his eyes when she said his name. "As in 'Hermione Granger was notable for her role alongside Harry Potter in the downfall of Lord Voldemort'?"

He took a step forward. "Yes." He said in a breathless tone. There was something pleading within his eyes, for what she did not know.

"Why would you give your children cards with such ridiculous stories about yourself on the back? Lord Voldemort? What kind of name is that? And all about Ministries of Magic, Wizarding Balls, and elves? I mean is it not enough that they are going to a school to become magicians? And that display on the platform?"

She watched as something visibly deflated within him. She realized how rude that must have been. "I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have said anything." She paused again before leaving. "Who was the girl on the card?"

He began to look as though he was in true physical pain. "She's…someone I used to know. A friend."

She suddenly felt very guilty. Her resemblance wasn't just to some character, but someone this man had truly known. Absurd backstory aside. "Well, I'm sorry for the confusion. I, myself, have to admit I can see the resemblance. So, I can understand the confusion it has caused for the children. And perhaps even for yourself. But I'm not-"

"Potter!" It was a voice behind her that sent chills down her spine. Before she even had the chance to turn around, a man with billowing black robes and pale blonde hair walked past her. He marched directly towards Harry with a furious expression. "What is she still doing here?"

"Draco, I was-"

"Save it. Get it over with." For the first time, he looked at Jean for just a moment before stomping off again. She couldn't help but think he could have been carved out of marble. Even more than his pale skin and his sharp features, something about him seemed hardened.

Jean pursed her lips, "Well he is just a ray of sunshine, isn't he?"

Harry smirked. "He has his moments. But he is right, we should all probably be on the way home." Something in his expression faltered. His eyes seemed to shine for just a moment. "The ticket booth is over there." He pointed to one of the smaller buildings down the way.

Jean nodded, "Thanks."

She began to walk away as she got a few paces forward, she looked up and in the distance, she could see bright blonde hair standing in the distance watching her. She stopped. She remembered seeing that before. How many adults had hair that shade?

She turned back to Harry to ask about the man. But she was surprised to see Harry standing behind with a "wand" raised level with her eyes.

A single tear was streaming down his face. "Obliviate," he said, and as the word escaped him, Jean braced herself just before it all fell into darkness.