Chapter 6: Girl Meets Polyjuice

"This where you go one way and I go the other way. You get invite and marry pretty boy hipster. And I end up marrying Anthony Del Veccio and we buy things in bulk." - Riley Matthews, Girl Meets Popular, Girl Meets World

I stood next to Scorpius as we stood on top of the roof on the train. The fear starts kicking in. I've always been afraid of heights ever since I was a child. "Are you okay?" He asks me.

I gave Scorpius a worried look. "Nope," I replied. "I'm completely and utterly scared of heights."

"Ooh, Miss Riley Matthews is scared of heights," he teases.

"N-N-Not funny," I said, shaking. "I've always been scared of heights. Don't know why."

"Well, I've always been scared of clowns," he says.

"Ooh Mr Scorpius Malfoy scared of clowns that's a first," I teased.

"Well, I like you, I've always grown up being scared of them," he says.

Albus looked on at us as we continued walking. "Well, I'm not scared of anything," he says.

"You must be scared of something, Albus," I said.

"Okay, I'm scared of Voldemort," he reveals. "And well basically spiders as well."

We continue climbing until we reach the top of the train. "Okay, now we're on the roof of a train," Scorpius notes out loud. "It's fast, it's scary, this has been great, I feel like I've learnt a lot about me, something about you and something about Riley, but-"

"As I calculate it we should be approaching the viaduct soon and then it'll be a short hike to St Oswald's Home for Old Witches and Wizards..."

"The what? The where?" Scorpius asks. "Look, I am as excited as you are to be rebel for the first time in my life - yay - train roof - fun - but now - oh."

"What 'oh'?" I whispered Scorpius. I see something in the distance. No it can't be - the trolley lady. I stood looking shock as the trolley lady walks closer towards us.

"The water will be extremely useful back-up if our Cushioning Charm doesn't work," Albus continues. I nudge Albus to make him turn around to see the trolley lady. "You want a snack for the journey?"

"Um no," I said, sounding nauseous. "I don't feel well."

"No, Albus," Scorpius says. "The trolley witch is coming towards us."

"No, she can't be, we're on top of the roof..." Albus says. I look at the trolley lady as she comes closer towards us.

"Anything from the trolley, dears?" She asks. "Pumpkin Pasty? Cauldron Cake?" I turned pale as she mentions the lollies. I looked towards Albus waiting for his response. "People don't know much about me. They buy my Cauldron Cakes - but they never really notice me. I don't even remember the last time someone asked my name."

"What is your name?" he asks.

"I've forgotten," she adds. "All I can tell you is that when the Hogwarts Express first came to be - Ottaline Gambol herself offered me this job..."

"That's - a hundred and ninety years ago," Scorpius says. "You've been doing this job for a hundred and ninety years?"

"These hands have made over six million Pumpkin Pasty," she says.

"By the way, those pumpkin pasty are delicious," I muttered.

"I've got quite good at them," she continues. "But what people haven't realised about my pumpkin pasties is how easily they transform into something else..."

She picks up a pumpkin pasty and throws it like a grenade as it explodes at us. "And you won't believe what I can do with my chocolate frogs. Never. Never. Have I let anyone off this train before they reach their destination. Some have tried - Sirius Black and his cronies, Fred and George Weasley. ALL HAVE FAILED. BECAUSE THIS TRAIN - IT DOESN'T LIKE PEOPLE GETTING OFF IT..."

I screamed as I see the trolley witch's hands transfigured into very sharp spikes. "So please retake your seats for the remainder of the journey."

"You are both right," Albus says to us. "This train is magical."

"I don't think I'm right," I said. "Until I know we are right."

"At this precise moment in time," Scorpius says. "I take no pleasure in being right."

"But I was also right - about the viaduct - that's water down there," Albus says. "Time to try the Cushioning Charm."

"Albus," I said. "This is a bad idea."

"Is it?" He says. I notice that he hesitates for a bit before he realises the hesitating wasn't exactly a good idea. "Too late now. Three. Two. One. Molliare."

He incants the spell as he jumps. I turned to look at Scorpius and I nodded. "Molliare!" I called out as I incant as I jump as well.

"Albus... Riley..." Scorpius calls out to us. I notice the trolley witch inching towards with her head wild and spikes particularly spiky. "Well as fun as you clearly look, I have to go after my friends." I hear him call out: "Molliare"

"That was the most scariest thing in my whole entire short life," I announced. "Especially that trolley witch."

I found myself panting as we walked towards St Oswald's Home for Witches and Wizards. As soon as we got there, I notice the place was in chaos with many old witches and wizards doing some magic. "My grandpa lives here," I added. "I always come here for Christmas."

"How come you never told us?" Scorpius asks.

"Personal reasons, Scorpius," I replied.

I see a woman whom I know - Sylvia walk towards us to greet us into St Oswalds.

"Riley Matthews, what a pleasant surprise," she calls out noticing my sudden appearance.

"Sylvia," I said. "It is nice to see you again."

"I thought you would be on the Hogwarts Express," she says.

"I just wanted to visit," I said. "I heard papa wasn't feeling well."

"Well, papa Matthews always had his ups and downs," she says. "Who are your friends?"

"Albus and Scorpius," I said. "We're not exactly here to visit my papa. We're hear to visit Papa's friend - Amos Diggory."

"That old sod," she sighs. "I always wondered why your grandfather is friends with him."

I see a young twenty-something woman walking towards us. "Sylvia," the woman says. "Leave us be." Sylvia leaves as the woman greets us. "Albus? Albus! You came? How wonderful! Come and say hello to Amos."

I looked at Scorpius as this woman as Albus introduces us - Delphi or whatever her name is - as we walked after her. I didn't trust this woman at all. She seemed to me that she was hiding something. What that something is I will never figure out. "I don't trust her, Scorpius," I whispered. "There's something off about her."

"I don't trust her either," he adds. "But Albus seemed to trust her."

"He only met this woman yesterday," I said, sounding irritated.

"Ooh, someone is jealous," he says. "Worried that Delphi would steal Albus away from you?"

"I'm not jealous," I said.

"Let's just say you are, through I know you are," he says, noting the fact I am jealous of Delphi and Albus.

I rolled my eyes as we followed Delphi. We walked straight to Amos Diggory's room as I notice the old man in a wheelchair and the eyes filled with sadness. "Who are you?" He asks.

"I'm Albus Potter," Albus replied.

"Ah Harry Potter's son," Amos says

"I'm Scorpius Malfoy," Scorpius replies as well. "Draco Malfoy's son."

I stood near Delphi who looked on in silence. "And I know who you are, Riley Matthews," Amos adds. "Your papa has always go on about his wonderful, charming grandchild."

I stood in silence. "What did you want then?"

"We want to save Cedric," Albus answers. "By using the Time-Turner. I overheard a conversation between you and my father about the Time-Turner."

"So let me get this straight," Amos says, looking irritated. "You overheard a conversation - a conversation which was not meant for you to overhear - and you decide, without prompting - in fact without leave - to interfere and interfere hard, in someone else's business."

"My father lied to you - I know he did - they do have the Time-Turner," Albus says.

"Of course they do," Amos says. "You can move along now."

"What? No," Albus says. "We're here to help."

"'Help'?" Amos says. "What use could three undersized teenagers be for me?"

"My father proved you don't have to be grown up to change the Wizarding world," Albus answers.

"So I should allow you to get involved because you're a Potter?" Amos asks. "Relying on your famous name are you?"

"No!" Albus replies.

"A Potter who is in Slytherin house - yes, I've read about you - and who brings a Malfoy and a Matthews to visit me - a Malfoy who may be a Voldemort? Who's to say you're not involved in Dark Magic?"

"But-" Albus started.

"Your information was obvious but the confirmation is useful," Amos says. "Your father did lie. Now leave. The three of you. And stop wasting my time."

"No, you need to listen to me, you said it yourself - how much blood is on my father's hands," Albus says, sounding powerful and showing strength. "Let me help you change that. Let me help you correct one of his mistakes. Trust me."

"Did you not hear me, boy?" Amos raises his voice. "I see no reason to trust you. So go. Now. Before I make you leave."

He raises his wand ominously at us as Albus looked at the wand as I notice that he is defeated.

"Come on, Albus," I said. "We'll just walk away. Maybe you could all meet my grandpapa. What is the good of fighting or knowing where we are not wanted."

I walked towards the door as I see Albus being reluctant to leave Amos be. Scorpius pulls Albus by the arm as we turned to walk away. "You know my grandpapa is dying to meet you," I gushed.

I looked to see where my grandpapa's room is. He wouldn't want me to be here as I have jumped off the Hogwarts Express with Albus and Scorpius and I would expect him to write to my mum and dad but I also knew that he was dying from cancer. "I can think of one reason why you should trust them, uncle," Delphi says. We stopped walking. "They're the only ones volunteering to help. They're prepared to bravely put themselves at risk to return to your side. In fact, I'm pretty sure they put themselves at risk even getting here..."

"This is Cedric we're talking about..." I heard Amos say.

"And - didn't you say yourself - having someone inside Hogwarts might be a massive advantage?" Delphi adds. I see her kiss the top of Amos's head as Amos looks at her and then turns to look at us.

"Why?" He says. "Why do you put yourself at risk? What's in it for you?"

"I know what it is to be the spare," Albus says. "Your son didn't deserve to be killed, Mr Diggory. We can help you get him back."

I see Amos finally showing somewhat emotion. "My son - my son was the best thing that ever happened to me - and you're right it was injustice - a gross injustice - if you're serious..."

"We're deadly serious," Albus says.

"This is going to be dangerous," Amos says.

"We know," Albus says.

I shifted my feet. I didn't know if this going back in time would be dangerous. I found this daunt on me as I never knew how dangerous this would - finding the Time-Turner and then going back through time to save Cedric would be dangerous.

"Do we?" Scorpius asks as I nodded in agreement.

"Delphi," Amos says. "Perhaps if you were prepared to accompany them?"

"If that would make you happy, uncle," she says.

I rolled my eyes as I see both Delphi and Albus smiling at each other. Scorpius nudges me as I stared at the both of them. "You do understand even getting the Time-Turner will risk your lives," Amos says.

"We're ready to put our lives at risk," Albus says.

"Are we?" Scorpius asks.

"I hope you have it in you," Amos says.

We entered the Whitehall Cellar as I sat beside Scorpius staring at both Albus and Delphi. I sighed as I picked up the bottle full of Polyuice Potion. "Why am I Ginny Weasley?" I asked. "I'm basically your wife once we turn into Harry and Ginny."

"Yeah and Albus is your son," he jokes.

I laughed. "Very funny, Scorpius. I'll probably tell Albus not to eat the lollies again."

"Hey," Albus calls out hearing me talking about lollies. "Don't you dare."

Scorpius and I laughed at our own little joke in which Albus wasn't exactly involved in but he seemed to join in the laughter anyways. Delphi looked at the three of us joking around. "Enough, joking around," she says. "This is serious." Albus quickly helps Delphi as Scorpius and I continue doing our inside jokes. The inside jokes had cheered me up a bit.

Scorpius has always made me laugh especially through the horrible and uneventful times even seeing Albus with another girl. I notice how Scorpius was feeling left out as well with Albus and Delphi chatting amongst themselves. I didn't want to disguise myself as Ginny Weasley as I felt uncomfortable being popular Quiddatch Player and now writer for the Daily Prophet. "This potion will taste like fish," Delphi adds.

I stood next to Delphi - who looks at me with hatred in her eyes while I looked nervous. I added the hairs of Ginny Weasley and started drinking the potion. I coughed as I turned into Ginny Weasley. "Wow," Scorpius says in Harry's voice. I stared at Scorpius - he now looked like Harry Potter.

"Well, my husband is ready for his close up," I added. Albus as Ron Weasley laughed. "Shut up, dear brother." I turned to Delphi who is now Hermione ignoring the hatred in her eyes. "So what's the plan?"

"Head into the Ministry and sneak into Hermione Granger's office," she answers.

"That sounds easy enough," I added. "But what happens if Hermione walks in."

"That's when you come in," she adds. "Ginny isn't usually at the Ministry. Only a few times throughout the year."

I sighed. I hated this plan. Why would I distract Hermione? Maybe because Delphi hates me. "Don't worry, Riley," Albus says. "I'll be right behind you."

We snuck into the ministry as we tried to find Hermione's office. I stood outside as I see Hermione talking with Harry. "Ginny," Harry says. "What are you doing here? I saw you in the meeting room beforehand."

"Um, I came to talk with Hermione," I said. "Am I allowed? It's a free country, isn't it, Harry?"

"Of course it is, Ginny," he adds, sounding unsure. I knew he would see through my lies.

"What is this about, Ginny?" Hermione asks me. I walked with Hermione in a different direction make sure that Albus, Delphi and Scorpius wouldn't see me.

"Did McGonagall receive a note from Riley Matthews?" I asked.

"I told you, Ginny," she replies. "We did receive a note. She thought the note wasn't important but we didn't know about this 'mistake' written in the letter."

"I understand that, Hermione," I said. "The Matthews must be worried that Riley jumped off the train."

"Cory is furious," she says. "Completely furious. He is heading up to the school now. And I recommend Harry to go up to the school too along with Draco as Draco's son is also missing."

"Yes, of course," I said. "Gin-I mean I will head up there too."

"Of course," she says. "I told you to head up there moments ago."

"Hermione," Harry says. "We are due to update the Muggles."

"I'll speak with you soon, Ginny," she adds. I smiled as she walks off, knowing that she must've seen the letter from me about the warning. I walked back towards the Minister's office as I entered the office. "Hardest distraction ever," Scorpius asks me as I entered.

"Not the slightest," I added. "Harry didn't trust me at all." I looked over at Delphi and then to Albus.

"At least I didn't kiss my aunt," he says. "That would've been weird."

"It wouldn't be," I said. "I mean you are in disguise as Ron."

We turned back into themselves as Scorpius pride of being Harry worn off. "Damn," he mumbles as we both turned into ourselves again as we are trying to find the Time-Turner.

I picked up a book about Dark Arts and flipped through it - not being able to find the Time-Turner as the books started to attack us. I violently began to shake as I see the bookshelves dragging me back. "Riley," Scorpius calls out. I see Scorpius searching within the books as he finds the Time-Turner.

"We've found the Time-Turner," Scorpius announce. "I never thought we'd get this far."

I found myself crawling on the floor as I barely breathing. Albus helps me up as I start shaking from the experience with the bookshelves. "That will haunt my nightmares," I said. "But this is only the beginning. Next stop saving Cedric."

Next chapter is when we get a bit of Riley's backstory (which will be dark), the forbidden forest and get ready to go back in time for the first task of the Triwizard Tournament. I'll be updating every two to three days tops. It will be the same with Rotten to the Core. Remember to Favourite and Review. I'll be focusing on updating this crossover fanfiction and Rotten to the Core. Wildside wouldn't be updated until after my operation and being in ICU for twenty-four hours.