The Twin Lockets

The Twin Lockets

Chapter Two: A Nervous Girl

"I don't know what to think of it," Hermione said, turning the letter over in her hands. "I suppose we should go get whatever it is. But, it could be a trap."

"It's not," Harry said.

"How do you know?" Hermione asked.

"I don't," Harry said. "I just have a feeling."

"Maybe we should ask someone about it," Hermione said.

"Like who?" Ron asked.

Hermione thought a moment. "We could ask Lupin, seeing as he knew Lily Potter personally and might know if it was real or not. Plus, it should be somebody older, naturally."

"All right," Harry said. "But, let's ask him soon. I want to get this over with."

As luck would have it, they saw Lupin that evening. They showed Lupin the letter and asked him what he thought of it. "I suppose we should go, just to get whatever it is," he said. "But, just to be on the safe side, I'll come along."

"And me," Tonks said. Lupin nodding acknowledging her, and she went back to talking with Bill and Charlie.

"Do you think we could go now?" Harry asked.

"Now?" Lupin questioned. "A little hasty, don't you think?"

"I know, it's just that I'd really like to know what it is," he said.

"Later, Harry," Lupin said.

Harry sighed. "Fine. Later."

Mrs. Weasley entered the room. A gloomy aura seemed to follow her. She sat down on a chair, sighing.

"Have you three decided if you're going to continue at Hogwarts, yet?" Mr. Weasley asked Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

"We've thought about it a lot," Harry began, "and decided that it'd be for the best."

"Alright," Mr. Weasley said. "I'll take you three school shopping tomorrow." He sighed. "If only Ginny was here with us, too."

Mr. Weasley immediately excused himself, saying that there was something in his eye. Ron, Hermione, and Harry all gave each other uneasy glances.

Going to Diagon Alley the next morning did not cheer anyone up, either. In the end, Harry, Hermione, and Ron just decided to go to lunch. "You know, it really is too bad that Ginny was the one they kidnaped, because I doubt she really knows how to get herself out," Ron said. "If it was anyone else, I wouldn't worry so much. But Ginny..."

At that moment, Ron accidently knocked his glass of water with his elbow, splashing Hermione by accident. "Ron! Look what you've done! Now I'm all wet!" Hermione stormed off to find a bathroom Ron grumbled an apology.

A black haired girl entered the restaurant. Her eyes searched around the room. "Are you looking for someone?" Harry asked.

"No. Well, yes, actually. In a way. But not here. I mean..." the girl began. "Er, I don't really know."

The girl had a nervous look about her, like she was expecting something to jump out at her.

"What's wrong?" Harry asked.

"Nothing," she said, a little too quickly. Then, she added, "It's just that I'm new around her. I wasn't raised in England."

"Are you here with your parents?" Harry asked.

"Er, no," she said. "I don't really have parents."

"Oh. I'm sorry," he said.

"No. It's okay," she said. "My mom died before I was born and my dad... well, he's the reason I'm here, really. I'm looking for him."

"Do you know who he is?" Ron asked, not caring about if the question was too personal.

"Well, I think I do," she said. "But, it's nearly impossible to find him."

"Maybe we could help..." Harry began.

"No," the girl cut off, sharply. Her voice softened. "I mean, I think I have it under control."

"Well, I hope you find him," he said.

"Yeah. So do I," she said, looking away. He had the feeling she didn't really hope she found him. But why?

"So, are you going to be going to Hogwarts now?" Harry asked the girl.

"Huh? Oh, I guess," the girl said, obviously thinking about something else. She began to walk away. "See you there, I suppose."

"Wait," he said, causing the girl to stop and turn her head. "What's your name?"

"Jenna," she said. "Who are you two?"

"Harry," Harry replied.

"Ron Weasley," Ron said, still chewing his food.

Jenna smiled, her whole face lighting up. "I love that name. Something about it... Oh, I don't know." She smiled again. "Well, I'll see you both later."

Harry sighed. Jenna was an odd girl. And yet, something about her seemed strangely familiar.

"I don't like her," Ron said, biting into his food.

"Why not?" Harry asked.

"I dunno," Ron said. "Just didn't."

Hermione stomped back into the room. "Ron, you're so clumsily!" Ron stuck out his tongue behind Hermione's back, making Harry smile. "Alright, are we ready to go?"

"Sure," Harry said, standing up.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione walked along Diagon Alley. The three of them were silent.

"Harry Potter!" someone from behind them exclaimed. The three Griffindores turned around to see a short, fat woman with glasses. "Oh, I'm sorry. I shouldn't be so surprised. After all, I'll be teaching you soon. But, I was just surprised to see, um, oh..."

Harry looked and Ron and Hermione. They both shrugged. "Er, hi."

"I'm sorry. I've never been one for introducing myself," the woman said. "I'm Amelia Harrington, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor." She held out her hand. Harry, reluctantly, took her hand and shook it. "Well, I must be going now. But I'll see you in a couple weeks!"

"Whoa. And I thought our other Defense teachers were bad," Ron muttered.

Hermione shook her head. "I wonder if she actually knows anything in the Dark Arts subject."

"Er, yeah," Harry said. "She was very... very..."

"Happy," Ron said. "She seems to happy to be going to work at Hogwarts. Even Flitwick never smiles that much."

"Ugh. I have a feeling I'm not going to like that class," Hermione sighed. "We probably won't learn anything."

"Except how rainbows and sunshine are the best two things in the world next to chocolate," Ron said.

"Why chocolate?" Hermione asked.

"Why not?" Ron asked. "It seems like she eats a lot of it..."

"Ron!" Hermione chided.

Harry sighed. "Well, we should give her a chance."

Ron scowled. "If that's out Defense professor, I'd hate to see who they got for Transfiguration. Dobby? Filch? Santa Claus."

"Oh, Ron! Quit being so random!" Hermione said. "Come on. Let's go." She began walking off, her pace quick and upright, as usual. Harry and Ron followed her.

"Hermione, did you see that girl Ron and I were talking to?" Harry asked.

Hermione turned to Harry. "No. Who was she?"

"She says her name is Jenna," Harry said. "She's coming to Hogwarts now."

"Did she say anything else?" Hermione asked.

"Just that she's here looking for her dad," Harry replied.

"Did she tell you who her father is?" Hermione asked.

"No. Not exactly. When I offered to help, she got very nervous," Harry said.

"Humph," Hermione said. "Strange."

"Yeah," Harry said. "Also, it was sort of weird, but I felt like I'd met her before."

"But, you haven't, right?" Hermione asked.

"Right," Harry replied. "But, something about her seemed so familiar. I think it might've been her eyes."

"What about them?" Ron asked.

"I don't know. They had this dark, untrusting look in them. I know I've seen them before, but I don't know where," Harry replied.

"Hmm," Ron said scratching his head. "Well, either way, I didn't like her."

"Ron!" Hermione scolded.

"What?" Ron asked. "I don't know why. I just don't."

Hermione sighed. "We'd better get back to the Burrow."

They walked off, each of them wondering what the new year at Hogwarts would bring.