Ted Logan and Bill Preston strolled the streets of Diagon Alley, wizard robes trailing behind them. Ted had his wand tucked behind his ear, and Bill had his stowed away in his cloak.

Diagon Alley, a small but busy little corner of the Wizard World, was bursting with life on today of all days, as wizards and witches ran from shop to shop to get their supplies for their return to Hogwarts.

Owls flapped overhead with packages and letters, some daring to go so low that the boys had to duck.

Ted, the 15 year old half blood, was both excited and bummed out about starting school again, but the plus side was that his best friend, a half blood fifth year like himself, was still there with him.

Just last year, they boys almost failed their History of Magic final. Professor Jones, Indy, as the school called him, almost held them back, but they were able to manage E's (for Exceeds Expectations).

"Dude, after we get our cauldrons, we should totally get some ice cream at Fortescue's," Bill said lazily, skimming his hands along the window ledges.

"Yeah, dude. That sounds outstanding!" Ted agreed. At that moment, however, ice cream was forgotten as a fellow Hufflepuff rounded the corner. He was a muggleborn, his blond hair slicked back. He had a generally scruffy appearance, and a name no one easily forgot.

"Ponyboy!" Ted cried, catching his friend's attention. "It's most triumphant to see you!"

"What're you doing in Diagon Alley?" Bill asked.

"Hey Ted. Bill," Ponyboy nodded, "I'm gettin' new robes. Sodapop is the Hufflepuff Head Boy, did you hear?"

Sodapop Curtis was Ponyboy's older brother, but it was honestly a bit surprising to hear the news. He was seen as a bit of trouble even when he really wasn't, but Dumbledore was good at picking up on people's true intentions, so if he believed Soda would be fine, then Soda would be fine.

"Darry is Ravenclaw Head Boy too," Pony added as an afterthought. That was really no surprise. His other brother, Darry, was good. He was smart, and he was bound to get Head Boy. He was borderline Gryffindor.

"That's cool, I guess," Bill shrugged. Being Prefect never appealed to him or Ted. They'd rather cause trouble than stop it.

Speaking of trouble, Ferris Bueller, as if on cue, came heading through the crowd, head held high and sunglasses on. He was Slytherin, but that was not to say he was bad. He was just trouble, but he never got caught. And since he didnt get caught, he bamboozled Han Solo (the head of Slytherin House) to make him Prefect.

Bill, Ted, and Ferris were on okay terms. He pranked them often, but also sometimes broke them out of detention. It was mostly Ferris's friends that didn't like the Hufflepuffs, so Ferris ditched whenever he had the chance.

He swung and arm around Ted, the other around Pony.

"Afternoon, boys," he grinned charmingly. That's why everyone loved him. He was naturally charismatic. "Where are we headed to this fine day?"

"Fortescue's for ice cream," Bill said. "You and Ponyboy wanna come?"

"Absolutely!" Ferris said cheerily.

Pony shied away. "I don't really...," he patted his pocket awkwardly.

"I'll cover you," Ted whispered. Pony went red. He hated owing people money. Not that Ted would ask for it back, but...

The four settled into Fortescue's, a little shop with too many ice creams for its own good.

"MCFLY!" Ferris bellowed to the kid behind the counter, waving his wand frantically to stop the overflowing machines.

Marty McFly, a 5th year Hufflepuff, looked up.

"I'll see you've got a summer job!" Ferris said. With a simple flick of his wand, Ferris stopped the machine from exploding sticky blue wetness everywhere.

"Thanks," Marty said, wiping chocolate off his face. "How can I help you?"

"Two medium butterbeer ice creams, one medium strawberry cream, and one large peanut butter toffee, please," Bill ordered smoothly. The usual.

"And a pumpkin pasty," Ted added. They pooled their galleons and sickles, took their snacks, and went to sit.

Just as they dug in, Marty took his break, shed his stained apron, and joined them with a cherry ice cream.

"How was summer, guys?" Marty asked casually.

"Most tranquil!" Bill said, "And fun, too! Ted and I have been writing songs for our band!"

Pony grinned as he ate his dessert, "Sounds fun."

They made idle chit-chat until Bill let out a little groan and ducked his head.

"Uh oh. Let's bail."

What he was referring to was a group of particular Slytherins and Gryffindors, commonly referred to as the Lost Boys. Led by David Anderson, he and his friends were trouble and everyone knew it.

Slytherin was known as the evil house and had a bad reputation as it is. Slytherins weren't evil, just ambitious, but characters like David Anderson, Paul Harris, Ace Merrill, and Dally Winston didn't really help improve their image. Accompanied by Marko Reeves, Dwayne Williams, and Michael Emerson from Gryffindor, the Lost Boys took a seat in their usual dark corner.

They were easy to spot. David, Marko, Paul, and Dwayne always wore long, dark trench coats and hats, and that was because they could not face the sun. They were vampires.

As unbelievable as it sounded, there were all types that went to Hogwarts, from werewolves, to metamorphmagi, to vampires.

"We were here first," said Marty firmly. "If they have a problem, they can leave."

Ted stiffened a bit, and Ponyboy drew his wand and laid it on the table next to him, just in case.

For once in his life, David Anderson didn't cause a scene, but the Lost Boys in general were loud and annoying, so as soon as they finished their ice cream, Bill, Ted, Pony, Ferris, and Marty walked out as soon as the shift ended.

The five made their way toward a robe fitting, since Bill and Pony had both grown over the summer.

"'Scuse me... 'Scuse me!" A voice was saying. A little kid, he had to be a first year, was in the middle of the street. Ted nudged Bill and made his way over.

The kid was small and still had some baby fat, and he was looking around in confusion at the hustle of Diagon Alley.

"What'cha need, little dude?" Ted asked, squatting to be at eye level.

"Can you show me where Ollivander's wand shop is?" He asked. He seemed nervous and innocent, but at the same time, determined.

"Sure kid. I'll walk you there. I gotta get a repair anyway, and I'm meeting one of the Professors. We call him Doc Brown." Marty said, stepping in. "Is it your first year?"

The kid nodded, "Yep, got my letter by owl! How cool is that? I mean, I knew how it all worked because my brother goes to Hogwarts. Maybe you know him? Billy Tessio? Well he ditched me for his friends today when he was supposed to help. I'm his brother Vern."

Marty smiled invitingly, remembering how chatty and awed the first years always were when they discovered the magic of Diagon Alley.

"My parents though I was gonna be a squib, sincerely. But they were wrong! Honestly, I was a little worried myself...," Vern went into a little ramble, so Marty waved goodbye to his friends and headed off.

The four continued on their way, nodding to people they knew, and running in for the robe fittings. It was easy, especially since Ted and Ferris really didn't need anything done. Pony and Ted stood to the side, splitting a pumpkin pasty as Bill got measured.

Just as they headed out, Ferris was seen by his friends, so he quickly acted like he didn't know Bill, Ted, or Pony. The three rolled their eyes at his typical reaction, and parted ways soon after that.

"Well, it's getting late," Ted said, downcast, "My dad wants me back for dinner. He wants me home to spend time with him and Deacon before school starts up."

Bill knew what Ted's dad was like and screwed up his face.

"Just a few more days," Pony added, nodding a little. "then you'll be at Hogwarts. Funny how people say they'll miss ya before you gotta leave, then never write...,"

The three of them shrugged, knowing full well what that felt like.

"I'll be back tomorrow, dudes. I think. Dad's unpredictable." His shoulders slumped. "Anyway, catch you dudes later."

Ted headed off through the crowd, black hair bobbing as he did, until he was just another face mixed in to the many others with the same motive in mind.

Get to Hogwarts.