Decided it was high time I make a harry potter story, to distract my self from procrastinating my two other stories, which in turn was making me procrastinate from school. What a life. But I'm sure most of you are in similar situations. But if you have your shit together, then you can leave ;)

Chapter 1: Summer

Song of Choice: The arrival of the birds – the crimson wing (- YOUTUBE IT)

Let it commence!

Today would be my first year at Hogwarts. I'm sixteen.

Just last week, the Rufus Scrimgeour had left office. "Stepped down", the paper said.

I used to be homeschooled, but my parents had told me it was necessary to attend school in order for the ministry to survey all of the children. My father had gotten the memo before it would be publicly announced in the Daily Prophet.

Want to know a secret? My parents told me why. They did not want me to go to school ignorant of the world. Times were changing. My father worked at the Ministry for Magic, and said there were loads of hush-hush going on inside. Said the whole staff had changed. The new Minister was always shut up in his room. Sinister-looking folk started showing up, filling positions of "missing" people. The secret was that the Ministry could not be trusted anymore.

It was late August; around the time my parents would be trying to get me into the habit of practicing new spells, and reading new potions books with me. But now I was packing. My mother would look at me, and when she thought I wasn't paying attention, I would see her eyes tear up. My father told me she was just scared for me. Not only would I not be under her supervision, but also she didn't know what kind of evils to expect at the school.

Today, we would be going to Diagon Alley, to purchase new school robes, since I already had the books for the year, as well as supplies.

My mum and dad side-along apparated with me, the squished feeling giving me a small headache, and made me clutch my stomach, as per usual.

"Hey mum, what's wrong with this picture?" I asked, sucking air through my nose carefully, too afraid to make movements.

The scene lain before us was terrible. Windows were covered with boards, and the once colourful street was bleeding with grief. I could see at most ten people hovering stores, rushed, and weary-eyed.

"Didn't your father tell you?" She asked me, turning her caring eyes to mine, "Much of the businesses were run down. Last year, a Death Eaters came through. Obviously they got what they were looking for…" She trailed off, her eyes focused on Mr. Ollivander's shop. I gasped. I got my first wand there. My hand shot to my sleeve, where I tucked my wand.

I could faintly hear music in the background, as we continued down the street. Down the left side of the street, a store with a man pulling a rabbit out of his hat on the sign caught my attention. The sign read, Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes.

The rich purple was a sight for sore eyes, and I was immediately drawn to it. It was a bright contrast to its surroundings. My parents were already headed towards the robe tailor's so I'd have to ask if I could check this place out later.

I followed them, careful not to make too much eye contact with anyone, because really, this street was lined with sketchy people, however few they were. I remember the last time I was here, about two years ago, to get some new robes, and cauldrons, and a quick stop for some ice cream. It used to be bustling with people and hard for my shorter self to keep up with my parents.

We walked into Madam Malkin's and I tried on several standard black robes, all of them fitting quite nicely. I also had to buy a couple skirts for dress code sake. I don't think I'd even begin to like the idea of a dress code.

"Hey dad, can I go to the Weasley shop down the street?" I said nonchalant.

He himself was being fitted, and nodded, mainly focusing on my mom and the owner's opinion on his dress robes. I personally love taking advantage of parent's oblivious state.

"Have fun dear." My mum said, helping the fitter by sticking pins in here and there.

I walked down to the joke shop, smiling slightly.

I opened the door, and surprisingly, there were plenty of kids around. Some of them my age, but most were younger. Though it bothered me that no one else could be happy except children. Too much worry.

"I suppose these children need this at these trying times." I whispered to myself.

The store was so colourful, and full of life. Like the outside, it made the whole world pale in comparison.

I walked up to a shelf, and pulled paper bag, seeing candy. Figuring I was paying for them anyways, I was about to pop one in my mouth.

"I wouldn't recommend that." Came an amused voice.

Embarrassed at being caught, I whipped the green candy back in my small paper bag. "Why is that?" I asked.

"Did you even read the label?" He asked. I turned to face the man. He had bright orange hair, and a mischievous face, which I figured was his permanent expression. I looked down at the box, which held the green chewy candy.

"I—uh" I was flabbergasted, when I saw it read Puking Pastilles. "Is this for real?" I asked, and raised my eyebrow.

"Yes, and not for the faint of heart." He said. He pivoted suddenly, on his heel, and continued on his way. I looked back down at the box, and saw his face.

"Hey, wait, are you the owner?" I asked, very amused.

His head turned, and he grinned. "How did you guess? Was it my roguishly good looks?" he asked.

"Without a doubt." I said, comparing the moving label of his face to the actual person.

"Fred Weasley at your service." He said, holding his hand out expectantly.

I took it, and saw his fingers were tinted purple; no doubt he was tinkering, judging by the objects in the store. "Lovely to meet you, Mr. Weasley. Where is your accomplice?" I had noticed another face identical to his, on the box. I continued browsing the interesting shelves, every row holding something new. He seemed young, perhaps too young to own a business this extensive.

"George should be at the back. Can't hear a word I say though."

"Why is that?" I asked. Picking up a weird pink fluffy thing. It started bouncing off of me, and I immediately slammed it on the ground. I correctively put it back in it's bowl.

"Nothing…" Fred chuckled to himself, meaning it was an inside joke.

I continued on looking around (truth be told, I could spend forever in here), and Fred went on his way, greeting the occasional customer. I decided I would buy the candy, since I touched it, but unless I wanted to jip out of class, I would only nibble on one of these if necessary.

I looked outside, and the sky appeared bright and sunny through the charmed windows. I knew it was overcast and overall unpleasant. Standing behind the windows, were my parents, beckoning. I held up my hand, raising five fingers.

They nodded, giving consent for more time, and I walked around the store longer. I'd hate to take note to come back a.s.a.p. I picked up some extendable ears, and blue ink self-writing quills. It sounded like it would come in handy.

I noticed a whole section of the store of naked rack of coat hangers, and shelves, and floating tags. I reached out my hand, uncertain. I felt a smooth fabric under my fingers, and immediately, the fabric turned into a black leather jacket. I read the tag:

Invisibility coat. Mixing leather fashion with your wizarding needs.

Wash with cold water. Hang to dry.

W&W co.

I had to laugh. These boys were very inventive. I decided to humour myself into buying it.

I went to the cash, and saw a familiar ginger.

"Hello Fred." I said, putting the candy next to the coat on the counter.

"The name's George, actually" He said, waving his wand over my purchases. I handed him the money. He smiled back up at me. Huh, twins.

"That's a pretty steep price for a coat no one'll ever see." I said, slightly perturbed.

"Oh, there's an instruction manual," George said, turning to the ledge on his right. I gasped. His entire left ear was missing. He pulled open a drawer, and handed me a small slip of paper.

I saw his eye twitch at my staring. I instantly looked away. "Sorry." I muttered.

"It's no problem, he's always been a little Ear-itated about the staring." Said his twin from beside me. I cringed at the bad joke. Fred patted me on the back, and I laughed nervously, still worried about the ear. Or lack thereof.

"Say, I never asked your name." Fred said, as he walked around to behind the counter beside (what I assumed, though all evidence pointed to) his brother.

"Oh, it's Heidi Brand." I said, again, shaking both their extended hands quickly.

"Say, we haven't seen you around here. Are you just visiting?" Fred asked.

"Because you sound local." George said, just as inquisitive as his brother. It was freaky.

"No, I'm from London. We have a place a couple blocks from the Ministry." I said, gathering my things in my arms.

"Great so maybe we'll—"George said.

"See you around…" Fred finished.

"Actually, maybe not. I'm starting school in a few." I said.

They seemed disappointed I wasn't of age, but Fred pressed, "Hold on. So would you be a new student to Hogwarts? I don't recognize your name, we used to go there."

"Yeah, no, I have to finish my last year at Hogwarts, it's the law apparently." I shrugged, making my annoyance clear.

"Oh, right, the Ministry," George sounded as if he were recalling his own problems for a moment. His twin had a similar look.

"Anyways, I'm pretty much done shopping. But it was nice seeing you guys." I smiled, and continued to the door, as they waved to me, and continued their conversation.

Please read and review. Because it would make my day. And I promise I will make it to Hogwarts next chapter, aswell as a character description... :) this was just some fun.

-Sage94