Chapter Two
Taylor's POV
One Month Later
"I'm gonna miss you!" Ellie cried and pulled me into a bone crushing hug. "I'm gonna miss you too, Ell. I'll make sure to write as much as I can." I replied, hugging the brunette witch back. "What about me? Don't I get any letters?" Bobby asked, sounding hurt. "Of course you do, you big idiot." I said, going over and hugging the towering six foot three inch, blonde wizard. He hugged me back and when he pulled away, I couldn't help some of the tears that were falling.
"Oh, Taylor! Don't cry! Not on your birthday!" Ellie cried and rushed over to pull me into a hug. I hugged her back and didn't want to pull away. I'd known these two since before our first year. That's what made this all the harder. I was going to make sure I wrote to them as much as possible. When I did finally pull away, I plastered the biggest smile I could muster onto my face. I knew that they knew it was nothing more than a show, but they played along and finished their goodbyes.
"Ready, sweetheart?" dad asked once I rejoined them and, with a sigh, I nodded. Mom walked over and took my hand in hers and, with a soft and reassuring smile, we disapparated away from my childhood. Squeezing my eyes shut, I made sure not to open them till I was sure there was solid ground beneath me again. Opening my eyes, I looked at where we had apparated and where I'd spend what was left of my childhood. Godric's Hollow was well known in the wizarding world, ever since the Potter boy had stopped Voldemort, but I never thought I'd actually end up living here.
I had to admit, it was lovely. Nothing like the muggle neighborhood my parents had lived in since before I was born.
"Here we are! What do you think?" dad asked mom and I. Mom smiled and told him it was perfect while I looked at the house before us. It was much bigger than our old home, but it didn't have the same homey feeling. But hopefully that would change after we got settled in. "It's nice." I commented, not wanting my parents to think I hated it completely. "It'll feel like home once we've gotten settle, sweetheart." mom told me and gave me a kiss on the cheek.
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Mom was right. After a few weeks, and most of the furniture being moved in, the house started to feel more like a home.
It wasn't until the third week came around that I started to panic. We were sitting around the kitchen table for breakfast, joking around, when the owl flew in through the open window. Dad took the letter that was attached to its leg and the owl left immediately. "Well, school starts earlier here than it did back in America. No matter, we'll go Diagon Alley and get your school supplies for the year." dad said, a smile upon his face.
I felt my stomach clench nervously and any good mood I had seemed to vanish. Dad seemed to notice the change in my mood and nudged my foot with his under the table. "Have you heard from Ellie or Bobby?" he asked, hoping to brighten my mood.
"I got a letter from Bobby yesterday. He and Ellie are in Brickstone Alley, getting their robes fitted for the upcoming year. Mrs. Miller and Tanner decided they'd stay for the weekend since they don't get up that way much." I told him and dad smiled. "And Ellie's little sister is looking very forward to starting her first year." I said, feeling my mood brighten at the thought of Clara beginning her schooling. If she was anything like her sister, like I was sure she was going to be, she'd end up being everyones favorite student.
"I bet she's excited. She'll have quite a name to live up to. The Tanners have always been well known around Timberwood." Dad said with a chuckle. "I can't believe she starting school! I remember like it was yesterday when Joyce had little Clara. That was six years ago!" mom said, reminiscing about the old days when Ellie and I were still little kids running around with Bobby in the backyard. "And this is your last year. My baby girl all grown up." she said sadly, but smiled at me anyway and reached over to place a warm hand over mine.
I smiled back and gave her hand a light squeeze. "Well then, we better get started. You go get ready and then we'll head out. Best get all of this now rather then wait till last minute." dad told me and I nodded, getting up and putting my dishes in the sink before heading upstairs. I knew I was trying to stall, but I think they knew too and that's why no one came up and told me to hurry up. Not even after my hour long shower. After my shower, I decided on a simple sweater and a pair of jeans.
Two hours later, I headed down the stairs, ready to go. "Ready, sweetheart?" mom asked once I grabbed my wand off the coffee table and went to join them in the middle of the living room. I nodded and dad placed his hand on each of our shoulders before disapparating from our home and apparating to what I assumed was Diagon Alley. After I regained my balance, dad handed me a list of school supplies I'd need.
I had most of everything I'd need, with the exception of school robes and the books I'd need. We headed to the robe shop first and the shop owner was more than happy to help me find the robes I'd need for Hogwarts. I had to admit, the elderly man was quite pleasant and was extremely friendly. He even went as far as to wish me luck with school before we left the shop.
Finding the books proved to be a bit of challenge for me. When we went into the bookstore, my eyes widened. It was ten times bigger than the one in Brickstone and the selections were much more extensive. As for a strategy, dad suggested we split up and see what we could find. An hour later, I only found three of the eight books I needed. When we regrouped, I was still missing one book. With a sigh, I decided to ask the shop owner if she could help me locate the last book.
"Hello, dear! How may I help you?" the elderly lady behind the counter asked, a bright smile brightening her face. "Um, I was wondering if you could help me locate Advanced Potions for Year 7." I asked and the elderly woman smiled at me. "You're in luck, dear. I have one copy left! Hold on a moment." she said and disappeared through a door behind her. I could hear her rummaging through the books in the back and, a moment later, she returned holding just the book I needed.
"Here you are, dear." she said, handing me the worn out book and I smiled. "Thank you." I said and dad came up behind me, carrying the books he'd found plus the ones mom had found. After the elderly woman rang us up and we paid, she gave me the warmest smile I've ever seen anyone give a stranger. "Have a good year, dear. It's nice to see an exchange student after all these years. I'm sure you'll love Hogwarts." she told me and I smiled back, thanking her as we left the shop.
"Is it the talk of the town that I'm transferring? I didn't think it was that big of a deal!" I mumbled as we walked back onto the street of the bustling Alley. Dad only smiled and place a comforting hand on my shoulder. "You know how people like gossip, sweetie. It'll all go away soon enough." he told me and I sighed. I really hoped he was right. If things continued like this, I was going to go to loose my mind from unwanted attention.
A/N: Alright, so next chapter, Taylor will be headed to Hogwarts and she'll be making some friends (and maybe some enemies)! Don't forget to leave a review and tell me what you think so far!