Ember wandered alongside Hagrid as they walked along the streets of London, her eyes on the letter in her hands. She must've read it at least 20 times since the man had given it to her. She couldn't help it, this was the first piece of evidence that she actually belonged somewhere. "All students must be equipped with...one standard size two pewter cauldron and may bring if they desire either an owl, a cat or a toad", she read aloud "Could we find all this in London?" she asked, glancing up at him.

"If you know where to go", Hagrid answered. The pair reached a corner store where the ginger noticed the sign change to say The Leaky Caldron. The two of them stepped into the building. Ember noted that it appeared to be some kind of pub, presumably for their kind.

"Ah, Hagrid! The usual, I presume?" Tom the barkeeper said when he noticed them enter.

"No thanks, Tom. I'm on official Hogwarts business today. Just helping young Ember here buy her school supplies", Hagrid said patting the 11 year old on the shoulder. What Tom said next surprised the ginger very much.

"Bless my soul. It's Ember Potter". At those words the entire pub goes silent, everybody turning to look at the girl. Ember shifted on the spot, feeling rather uncomfortable with the attention.

"Welcome back, Miss Potter, welcome back", one man said coming up to her and shook her hand.

An elderly witch stepped up and shook Ember's hand as well "Doris Crockford, Miss Potter. I can't believe I'm meeting you at last".

"Uh nice to meet you too?" Ember said, it coming out more of a question. She didn't understand how everyone seemed to know her name and why they were reacting the way that they were. As if she was famous or something. The girl mentally scoffed. Her? Famous? Yeah right! The elderly witch beamed at her words.

"She spoke to me!" she said, somewhat giddily as she walked off. Ember watched her go, not quite sure what to make off all of it.

"Ember P-potter. C-can't tell you how pleased I am to meet you", a man wearing long black robes and a purple turban stammered after she and Hagrid made their way to the bar.

"Hello, Professor. I didn't see you there", Hagrid said recognising the man as Professor Quirrell. He proceeded to inform Ember that this wizard was going to be teaching her Defense against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts. The girl looked the nervous wizard over, there was something about him that made her feel very uneasy. She didn't know why but it was like there was something…dark about him.

"F-fearfully fascinating subject. N-not that you need it, e-eh, Potter?" Quirrell stammered laughing nervously.

"Yes, well, must be going now. Lots to buy", Hagrid announced rather loudly and led Ember through the pub and out the back to a brick wall. "See, Ember, you're famous", he told the girl pulling out his pink umbrella.

"But why am I famous, Hagrid? All those people back there, how is it they know who I am?" Ember asked. What could she have possibly done to make herself famous in the wizarding world? It couldn't have been anything while she was living with the Dursleys so it had to be something before that point. But what could she have possibly done as a baby that made her famous, that made people remember her name?

"I'm not exactly sure I'm the right person to tell you that, Ember", Hagrid said. It was true. He wasn't the best person to tell Ember about what happened on that Halloween night all those years ago. Professor Dumbledore was better suited to explain. There were a few things actually that he was in a better postion to tell her about.

He tapped the bricks on the wall in a sequence. Once he tapped the final brick, they start to shift and open up to reveal a busy cobble stone street. "Welcome, Ember, to Diagon Alley".

Ember's face is one of amazement as she stepped into the street. She looked around, taking everything in as they walked. "Here's where you'll get your quills and ink", Hagrid said gesturing to one shop "and over there all your bits and bobs for doing your wizardry", he added gesturing to another.

As they pass by one particular shop, Ember overhears part of a conversation between a group of boys who was gathered at a window "Look at it, it's the new Nimbus 2000!" one boy exclaimed.

"It's the fastest model yet", another stated. The ginger caught a brief glimpse of what they were gawking at, a broomstick of some kind.

"Hagrid, how am I to pay for all this? I haven't any money", Ember said, the thought having just occurred to her. There was no way her aunt and uncle were going to pay for it. They weren't exactly supportive about her going to the magic school in the first place.

"Well there's your money, Ember", Hagrid said pointing to a white wonky looking building "Gringotts, the Wizard Bank. T'aint no place safer, 'cept perhaps Hogwarts". They headed towards it and upon approach, Hagrid pulled open the large double doors.

Inside the bank, the 11 year old eyed the small, strange looking creatures working either side of the wide aisle she and Hagrid walked down "Uh, Hagrid, what exactly are those things?" she asked.

"They're goblins, Ember. Clever as they come goblins but not the most friendly of beasts", Hagrid explained "Best stay close". The ginger nodded in agreement. When they reached the large counter at the end of the aisle, Hagrid cleared his throat to get the attention of the goblin working there. "Miss Ember Potter wishes to make a withdrawal", Hagrid told the goblin when he looked up.

"And does Miss Ember Potter have her key?" the goblin asked standing up to look down at the girl. Ember met his gaze, doing her best not to appear uneasy.

"Oh. Wait a minute. Got it here somewhere", Hagrid said rooting around in his coat pocket. He produced a small gold key from his pocket saying "Hah. Here's the little devil" as he showed it to the goblin. "Oh, and there's something else as well. Professor Dumbledore gave me this", Hagird added pulling out a letter wrapped in string and giving it over to the goblin. "It's about you-know-what in vault you-know-which", he told the creature in a hushed voice.

"Very well", the goblin agreed.

Ember stepped off of the cart, feeling the adrenaline buzzing throughout her body. That was some ride! "Vault 687", the goblin Griphook declared "Lamp, please" Hagrid hands him the lamp and he walks over to the vault "Key please". Hagrid hands him the key and Griphook unlocks the vault. The room is filled nearly top to bottom with coins. Ember stared wide eyed at the amount, completely speechless.

"Didn't think your mum and dad would leave you with nothing now, did ya?" Hagrid remarked. The ginger could only shake her head as she still couldn't form words. The Keeper of Keys took a sack from his pocket and removed large handfuls of coins from the vault. "That'll be enough", he told her and Ember nodded. She trusted Hagrid's judgment given that this was all still so new to her.

Griphook lead them to Vault 713 where he slid his finger down the door. "What's in there, Hagrid?" Ember asked, curious.

"Can't tell you, Ember. It's Hogwarts business. Very secret", he replied. She watched the door open to reveal a small white wrapped package, seeming to glow with an eerie light. Hagrid enters the vault and scoops it up, the light disappearing. "Best not mention this to anyone", he says to her.

"Promise", Ember vowed.

A few hours later saw Ember walking along with a couple of packages in her arms while Hagrid had most of her school stuff. "I still need...robes and a wand", she said, consulting her list.

"Madam Malkin's is where you get your robes", the half giant said, pointing at a nearby shop "and Ollivanders over there is where you get your wand", he nodded to another building "I've got something I need to do so I'd like you want you to wait in there for me". The ginger nodded and headed off to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions.

The shop's owner greeted her with a warm smile as she entered "Hogwarts?"

"Uh yeah", Ember confirmed.

"Well, then best get you sorted", Madam Malkin said "I've got a young man getting fitted for his own set", the witch added, taking the hybrid into the back. On one of the stools was a boy about her air with slicked back blond hair, allowing another witch to pin a black robe to the right length. Ember stood on the other one and Madam Malkin slipped a long black robe over her head.

"First year at Hogwarts?" the blond asked.

"Yep", Ember answered, standing as still as possible as to not to accidently get pricked by one of the many pins going into her robe.

"Any clue what house you're going to be in?" the boy enquired "I'm definitely going to be in Slytherin. All my family was", he tacked on somewhat proudly.

"Honestly? I'm not too sure", the ginger admits. It wasn't a complete lie, she had no idea which of the four houses she belonged in. Hagrid had given her a run down on them all and their traits on the train up to London. Ember supposed that she wouldn't mind one she was in, the exception being Slytherin. The Games Keeper made it sound like Slytherin students were an unsavoury bunch, though she wanted to keep a somewhat open mind, that is until she was able to form her own opinion about the house.

"I guess Ravenclaw wouldn't be too bad", the blond confessed "but I honestly would die if I were in Hufflepuff, wouldn't you?" Ember wisely didn't say anything, she just hummed in agreement "I'm Draco by the way. Draco Malfoy".

"Ember Potter", the hybrid introduced back. The boy gaped at her while Madam Malkin and her assistant, on the other hand, exchanged glances. They had the-Girl-Who-Lived in the shop!

"You're Ember Potter?" Draco questioned, somewhat gobsmacked. He'd heard stories about the only survivor of You-Know-Who growing up. Despite this it didn't exactly prepare him for meeting said girl in person. "THE Ember Potter?"

"That's me", Ember confessed, starting to get a little uncomfortable under the stares. At least Madam Malkin had gone back to adjusting her robes.

"Mother and father will not believe this when I tell them", the boy remarked "I met Ember Potter!"

The ginger nods "yes you did", she agreed before shooting the witch who was dealing with her robes a look as if to silently tell her that she would like to get out of here…now.

"I think you're all done Miss Potter", the shop's owner declared "you too Mr Malfoy". Ember internally groaned as she caught the slight giddiness to the adult's voice. She'd hoped the witch would have a little bit more composure but…no dice. The ginger still couldn't believe that she was 'famous', she kept waiting for that other shoe to drop or for Hagrid to tell her that it was a joke…whichever came first. "Thanks", the ginger said, wriggling out of the robe. Despite being glad to meet someone else going to Hogwarts, she was still rather keen to get out of the shop, leave her new 'fans' behind.

"Oh, that's mother", Draco told the girl as he and Ember emerged from the building, both carrying packages "Don't suppose you want to say 'hello'?"

"I wish I could but I've got quite a bit left to buy", Ember lied. She didn't really have that much left, just her wand but she wasn't about to divulge this to the boy. Unlike Quirrel she didn't have an 'evil' vibe from him but there was something just niggling in the back of her mind. Something telling her to be careful.

Draco didn't seem to bothered by her rejection. "Very well. I'll see you at Hogwarts", the blond declared "I do hope you're in Syltherin and if you're not…well it'll be the Sorting Hat's mistake. Either way, I'll make sure to give you plenty of pointers on which wizarding families to associate yourself with and which…" he wrinkled his nose "to avoid".

"That's very kind of you", Ember said politely.

"Only the best the Ember Potter!" he proclaimed before striding off to meet his mother. Ember hummed as she considered the pair. Her instincts seemed to be rather spot on. This boy was only playing nice so he could use her so called 'fame' to his advantage. Well…she was not going to make it easy for him!

Ember wandered down the cobblestone street toward Ollivanders, the little bell above the door jingling as she entered the shop. She set her packages down on a stall nearby and approached the counter. "Hello? Hello?" she called softly. She jumped when she heard a noise and then an elderly man appeared on a ladder, looking down at her. He smiled warmly.

"I wondered when I wondered when I'd be seeing you, Miss Potter", Ollivander remarked climbing down the ladder "it seems only yesterday that your mother and father were in here buying their first wands", he pulled out a box. He headed to the counter, taking the wand out of the box and held it out to her. She took it from him, holding it somewhat awkwardly in her hand, not sure what to do. "Well, give it a wave", the wandmaker instructed.

"Oh!" Ember waved the wand and several drawers containing papers shot out, dropping to the floor. she jumped again, having not expected that and quickly puts the wand onto the counter. The second wand she tried exploded the vase she pointed it at.

"No, no, definitely not! No matter", Olivander said going back to the wands. He pulled out a third box "I wonder…" he mused before coming back to the counter. Olivander takes out the wand and gives it to Ember.

The second her fingers closed around the handle, Ember felt this rush of warmth and her eyes turned red-gold. Her ginger locks where blown about by the wind that was being created. "Oh wow", she breathed, staring in amazement as a magnificent phoenix erupted from the wand. The wandmaker was momentarily speechless at how powerful the youngster was even before she had any form of training.

"Curious, very curious", he murmured when the phoenix vanished.

"Sorry, but what's curious?" Ember asked, looking at the wandmaker.

Olivander took the wand back from her "I remember every wand I've ever sold, Miss Potter. It just so happens that the phoenix, whose tail feather resides in your wand gave one other feather, just one other. It is curious that you should be destined for this wand when its brother gave you mark", Ollivander pointed to the flame like mark that was on the girl's left temple, having been exposed from the wind blowing her hair. Ember was quick to hide it with her hair, making sure that the jet black strands was also covered. She never understood how she ended up with the strange mark or why she had strands of black hair next to it…it was almost like the mark had burned it or something. Either way she wasn't too keen about flaunting it.

"And...who owned that wand?" Ember questioned.

"Oh, we do not speak his name", Olivander replied "The wand chooses the wizard, Miss Potter. It's not always clear why, but I think it is clear that we can expect great things from you. After all, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named did great things...terrible, yes, but great". The wandmaker hands the wand back to Ember.

There was a knock at the window catching their attention. Outside was Hagrid holding a large cage which housed a snowy owl "Happy birthday!" the Gamekeeper said happily. Ember looked at her present and a smile appeared on her face. That was by far the best birthday present she'd ever gotten which in all honesty wasn't difficult to achieve given how the Dursleys either forgot her birthday or gave her some of Dudley's old clothes which she was forced to alter as best as she could since her cousin was rather…tubby.

"You all right, Ember? You seem very quiet", Hagrid said when they were having dinner in the Leaky Caldron. The excitement of getting her school supplies had worn off, leaving her with the thoughts of what the wandmaker had said about He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. It didn't take much to figure out that he was the one who killed her parents.

"He killed my parents, didn't he?" the girl asked "The one who gave me this" Ember pushed her hair back to show Hagrid her mark "You know, Hagrid, I know you do".

Hagrid sighed and pushed his bowl away. "First, and understand this, Ember, 'cause it's very important. Not all wizards are good. Some of them go bad. A few years ago there was one wizard who went as bad as you can go. And his name was V-...his name was V-..."

"Maybe if you wrote it down?" Ember suggested.

"Nah, I can't spell it", Hagrid took a breath and said in a hushed voice "His name was Voldemort"

"Voldemort?" the ginger said loudly.

"Shh!" Hagrid said shushing her "It was dark times, Ember, dark times. Voldemort started to gather some followers, brought 'em over to the dark side" the gamekeeper explained quietly "Anyone that stood up to him ended up dead. Your parents fought against him, but nobody lived once he decided to kill 'em. Nobody...not one. Except you".

Ember was shocked by this revelation. Why on earth would he want ME dead? What sort of threat could I have been as a baby? "Me? H-he wanted to kill me?"

"Yes. That ain't no ordinary mark, Ember", the Gamekeeper nods to her exposed mark "A mark like that only comes from being touched by a curse...and an evil curse at that".

"And what happened to Vo-...to You-Know-Who?" Ember pressed, wanting to know the fate of the dark wizard.

"Some say he died" Hagrid replied "Codswallop in my opinion. Nope, I reckon he's out there, still, too tired to go on. But one thing's absolutely certain. Something about you stumped him that night. That's why you're famous, Ember. That's why everybody knows your name. You're the Girl Who Lived".