"Holy and dragon heartstring," Albus said proudly, running up to his mother and the rest of the party as they entered the bookshop. "Twelve and a half inches."

"Impressive," Ginny smiled as Lily ran over for a closer look.

"What did you get, Rose?" James asked his cousin.

"Mahogany and unicorn hair," she said, holding out her own wand. "Ten and three-quarter inches."

"Mum, why can't I get mine?" Lily moaned, looking at he wand enviously.

"You will in just a couple more years," Ginny assured her daughter.
"We should hurry and grab our books," Hermione suggested. "This store is packed."

Alexandra only had a few books to buy. She looked at the list she had received a few days ago. She was going to be taking two new subjects this year, Care of Magical Creatures and Ancient Runes. She didn't know much about these classes; her Fred and her other friend Alanna had picked them together, and all she knew was that Care of Magical Creatures was taught by Hagrid, so it was bound to be fun. She had actually wanted to take Divination, but Fred and James told her that that class was a joke.

"Alexandra!" a voice called from behind her. She turned as saw Fred Weasley running over.

"Hi," she smiled. "Have you had a good holiday?"

"I suppose; I've been helping out in my dad's store a lot, which has been fun. You?"

"It was alright," she said, trying not to think about the two weeks she spent at her mother's house. "Have you heard from Alanna?"

"She came here last week to get her books," he said. "I saw her while I was getting mine. You know she's taking Arithmancy as well?"

"Really? How's she going to manage three extra classes?"

"I don't think it should be too hard for her; she's smart, after all. Victoire took all three of those classes as well and she did fine."

"Fred," James said, running over to his cousin. "Did your dad finish those vanishing pills?"

"Yup," Fred grinned. "Take one with a glass of water and you'll be invisible for an hour."

"Brilliant."

"They've already sold a lot," Fred said. "Our shop has been packed. Dad reckons that with those dementors hanging around everywhere making everyone feel down, they can do with a bit of a laugh."

"I hate those things," James said, his smile disappearing. "We walked past a bunch and I felt horrible…like I'd never be happy again."

"Roxanne is terrified to even walk outside here," Fred nodded. "Mum has disapperate with her from the back of the shop to get home."

Alexandra said nothing, and pretended to be interested in a copy of Magical Remedies for Minor Injuries.

"You know they'll be at school too," James said. "Dad said they're guarding all the entrances."

Alexandra looked up. "They are?"

"Until Claridina is caught," James nodded. "Dad said the same thing happened when he was in his third year and everyone was looking for Sirius Black."

"The teachers must not be happy about that," Fred said.

"Nope. But Kingsley gave the order."

"But do they really think Claridina will try to get into Hogwarts?" Fred frowned.

"Maybe; her son goes there after all. I think that's rubbish, though. They ought to just toss the git out. Any kin of hers can't be good."

Alexandra looked at the ground.

"Alexandra, have you gotten your books yet?" Dudley asked, coming over to his daughter.

"Um, no, I'm still looking," she said.

"That's fine. I'm just going to stand in line. It's nearly out the door…"

Alexandra, Fred and James quickly grabbed the new books they needed and headed to the counter. After they paid, Ron and Harry had to get to the Ministry to take their shifts patrolling Hogsmeade, so after bidding goodbye to Fred, Alexandra followed everyone back to the Leaky Cauldron, where they took the Floo back to the Potter's house.

"Come on," Harry said once he and Ron arrived back. "We're going to be late; we can apperate."

"Be safe, you two," Ginny said.

"We will," Harry assured her. He turned to Dudley. "See you at Kings Cross then."

"See you there."

And with that, Ron and Harry disapperated with a loud crack.

"We should probably be getting home too," Dudley said, looking at his watch. "Thanks for taking us," he said to Ginny.

"Don't mention it," Ginny smiled.

Dudley led Alexandra out to his car, which was parked in the Potter's driveway.

As he was pulling out, Alexandra remembered something.

"Dad," she said. "What were you and Harry talking about in the Leaky Cauldron…something about an attack?"

"When we were fifteen," Dudley sighed. "The two of us were walking home and we took a dark alley. Then out of nowhere these two dementors showed up and started after us. I couldn't see them, I guess non-magical people can't, but I felt them. I felt all cold and hollow inside; like I'd never be happy again…Harry knew his stuff, though, and did something with his wand to send them away, thankfully…And to think," he added softly. "Just minutes before, I had been tormenting him, as usual."

…..

AN- Happy thanksgiving! I hope everyone is having a great day