p class="MsoNormal"I walked out of the 'grooming center' flustered with my new haircut. I did not mind short hair, actually I preferred it, but this haircut was very unflattering for a stylish female like myself. Plus, the clothes that I was given were overly baggy. I looked professional, but the uniform just wasn't my style. I walked up the many stairs to the main Ministry floor, with Kingsley escorting me. I could tell that he was stifling laughter the entire time, though also understanding that my beautiful hair was just chopped off and that I pretend to be a guy for a while. When I got to the main floor I was immediately swarmed by Mr. Weasley. "There you are dear! I heard of your new assignment! Oh and your hair! It looks like you get to go undercover and you so very enjoyed last time you got to dress up. This is all really exciting! Have a good time ok and make sure that you are safe. Your mom and I can't wait to hear all about it when you get back!" I hugged him knowing that I would miss both him and the rest of the Weasleys terribly. A little thought of that I may never see them again nagged me in the back of my head, but like all the sadness that I have faced, I quickly pushed it out. If I dwelled on every single negative possibility that could happen, I would be craziest person to ever dwell on planet Earth./p
p class="MsoNormal"I bid my farewells and then walked with Kingley to the floo network channel area. "Are you ready Usa? When I throw the powder, make sure that you imagine Buckingham Palace and hold your pass out right in front of you. Ready?" I nodded, taking my special pass to make up with my lack of magical abilities out of my sport jacket pocket, and pictured Buckingham vividly in my mind. I saw a flash of green behind my eyelids. When I opened them I heard Kingsley swear./p
p class="MsoNormal""Son of a banshee *** hippopotamus **** soup"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Kingsley!" I exclaimed. I scanned in my surroundings. Uh oh... "Uh Kingsley," I began. "Where are we?" He sighed./p
p class="MsoNormal""Well let's just say, not Buckingham Palace." He was definitely right. We were on the Park Plaza Riverbank overlooking the Thames River. I could see both the London Eye and Big Ben nearby. We were also in an alley way, away from a lot of people. I realized how much danger we could actually be in. Our floo network transportation was interfered and now we were in this sketchy place.../p
p class="MsoNormal""Usa! Run!" I heard Kingsley scream. I turned just in time to see Kingsley fighting off a group of large men. They were terrifying looking; hatred and mischief in their eyes. Well two of them had an eye patch, so I guess there was hatred and mischief in their eye. They had Kingsley who was sending curses left and right with his wand, was surrounded by a group of five. I knew he could take down dozens of death eaters but these guys seemed different. I saw a glimpse of fear in the fearless man's eyes right before he was completely tackled and overpowered. Kingsley shot a look of both determination and sadness toward me before he mouthed "I believe in you", and apparated. Once again I was alone. Well not completely./p
p class="MsoNormal"My hands tightened around my suitcase handle as I saw the men realize that their target had vanished. They turned around showing off their rotten and gold teeth. They started toward me and I turned to run but slammed right into a brute who had snuck up behind me. I sprawled to the ground, my suitcase hitting me as I slammed into the hard cement. I warily stood up as the men came in closer and closer. I began to scream, then I felt a strong hand coated in scars and dirt clamped over my mouth. I fought and squirmed. One of the men chuckled. "What a weak boy. He'll make a great deck swabber."/p
p class="MsoNormal"What? A 'deck swabber'? What's that? Maybe... I thought. Then I felt my head make contact with the cement. Needless to say, I lost my loose grasp of consciousness./p