The rest of the day went on like normal, with the exception of me getting a hold of a Potions book and listing what ones I possibly wanted to make. The idea felt more solid by writing them down. I was giving myself the proper push.

After dinner, I went through my closet to pull out something decent to wear. I wasn't going to walk around in jogging bottoms and look homeless. Looking nice would help my mentality. Any little bit that could dig me out of this hole, I would take. I made sure to strap on a watch too, just in case.

I grabbed my wand from my room, and I headed down the stairs towards the door.

"Where're you going?" asked Dad.

I stopped just at the door and turned. "Out."

Mum came out of the kitchen, wiping her hands with a towel. "When did this happen?"

"Just now."

"And you're going, where?"

"Just to Slug and Jiggers Apothecary," I said simply. "I want to see if I can improve my potion making skills. I'm going there to buy ingredients."

"I doubt you can perfect them," Mum said quietly. "You're a gifted potion maker as it is."

I blushed slightly. Mum really appreciated what we wizards and witches could do with magic in our blood. "You know, I could always teach you. It doesn't require a spell, some of them. Or all of them. I don't know, I've been away from a Potions book a little too long."

"Do we still have a cauldron for you to use?"

"Mine's still in good condition," said Dad. "Jenelle lost hers at Hogwarts, remember?"

I cringed. I remembered.

"You have your wand on you?" asked Mum.

I showed her as proof. "I know better."

"Good."

I noticed Dad's concerned look. "All right, what's with you?"

"I'm a little worried."

I groaned. "You and Mum want me out of the house. Are you going back on your word?"

"No, it's just...I've been reading rumors of suspicious activity around Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade lately. They've been in the Prophet."

"Well, you know what they say about rumors," Mum piped. "That's all they are unless there's proof."

"Mum's right," I sided with her. "Besides, if I happen to run into trouble, I'll get myself out. I'm a decent spell caster."

"We know." Mum smiled. "Just be careful."

"We don't want to get an owl saying you were attacked and in St. Mungo's for any reason," Dad said seriously.

"Kevin, can you not try and scare her?"

"I'm not trying to, Claire. I'm just telling her the truth."

"Well, now, thanks to your father's news report," Mum eyed him scaldingly, "we'll put you on curfew, for your safety."

"Sounds fine to me," I told her. I wasn't planning on being out real late anyway. "Ten?"

"Ten."

Stepping out into the October night air brought a cold shock to my system. Once I got through it, I inhaled. In the dark, I saw the fallen leaves. A few houses were starting to be decorated for the holidays. Trees were becoming naked from the lack of leaves.

All right, let's see how rusty I really am. I couldn't walk to Diagon Alley from Godric's Hollow, I had to Apparate there. It's the best way for a witch to travel, but it could be dangerous. For the inexperienced, or sometimes even experienced, one could end up being Splinched, or severely injured. I personally never got Splinched, and I didn't want to feel that sort of pain ever.

I focused mentally on my destination. The sudden sensation of being squeezed very tight, like being crushed between two walls, consumed me. Then as quick as it came...it went.

There were very few people about in Diagon Alley. Shops would be closing up soon. I forgot shops tended to close earlier compared to pubs. If I felt up to it, if I had time to spare, I could stop by the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade for a Butterbeer. I hadn't had one in so long...

See how much time you have left after you get what you need. It's not a make-or-break if you don't get it this time around.

I searched until I found the sign for the apothecary. Other than me, there were at least three others inside. I hadn't been in here for a while, so I needed to get familiar with the shop again.

I found most of the ingredients that I needed, but I didn't expect them to cost so much. Sadly, I couldn't buy everything I needed for the potions I wanted to make, so I had to cut a potion or two so I still had some money left over for that Butterbeer that I could now not stop thinking about.

Once I went through my list and the things I collected, I got everything checked out and had quite a bit of money still to spare.

As I left the apothecary, the way was dead silent. It felt eerie. I had forgotten how vulnerable one girl could look. But I didn't feel vulnerable, because I had a wand I could whip out and use to hex the hell out of anybody who dared to try and rob me.

I looked at my watch briefly. I hadn't done a bad job; I still had an hour and a half to go. Shrugging, I walked a ways so I could find a nice place to Disapparate to Hogsmeade. It was a weird habit of mine.

The compressed feeling came and went as quickly as before. At first I had no idea where I was until I realized I had been thinking more about the Three Broomsticks than Hogsmeade in general. I had Apparated just outside its doors. Why couldn't I have just Apparated inside the pub? Maybe it had been a while that I forgot what the inside looked like. Besides, I doubted there was an Anti-Apparation Jinx put in the place.

Since my ingredients could fit into my pockets, I shoved them down to the point where I could feel them at all times.

The pub was semi packed. Mostly the bar was packed; some wizards were telling each other stories or just babbling because of how drunk they were. There were some tables open while others were occupied by friends who chortled over good times. It made me miss those times with my girls.

I stood there momentarily until a few drunken people had stumbled off their stools and out the door. I took the stool farthest away from the drunks.

I ordered myself a Butterbeer only to come face-to-face with the caretaker, Madam Rosmerta. She looked at me like something was wrong with me, her green eyes full of speculation.

"You aren't a regular," she said as she handed me my drink.

"You keep track of everybody? I'm sure a lot of people come here every day."

"It does seem that way, doesn't it? Still, I would've known a face like yours."

"But you don't," I agreed before taking a sip. The drink trickled down my throat, perhaps the sweetest thing to have ever come in contact with my lips.

"What's your name, dear?"

"Jenelle."

She examined me closer. "Are you Kevin Murphy's girl?"

Wow. That was a lucky guess. "You know my dad?" I asked her back.

"Ah, so you are!" she squeaked. "Yes, I know your dad. He came in here when he was in Hogwarts with his friends. Polite gentleman, he was."

"He still is," I said playfully.

"You look more like your mother, because you sure as hell don't look much like your dad." She smiled.

"It must be my face, then. Everything else I got from him." It was the only explanation I could think of. I had Dad's hair and eyes. Mum's eyes were green, and she had dirty blonde locks.

"So what brings you here?"

"I was just in Diagon Alley, buying potion ingredients."

"Ah, a little Potions master in the making?"

"I don't know yet." I shrugged. "I like to do it for fun. It keeps my mind off of things, you know?" I paused for a full minute. "Do you mind if I ask you something?"

"Of course."

I leaned in, lowering my voice. "Dad has been reading the paper lately, saying that supposedly there's some suspicious people lurking between here and Diagon Alley." I looked around to make sure we weren't overheard. "Have there been any?"

"Not that I'm aware of. Maybe your father is trying to freak you out so you'll be safe out on your own."

"My parents are really serious when it comes to my safety."

For a time, Rosmerta ran her gaze over me. "How old are you?"

Random much? "Seventeen."

"Good."

My head tilted to the side. "Why is it good?"

"I need someone to help me behind the bar and serve drinks because winter is coming. That's when I'm usually the busiest," she said.

"Are you offering me a job?" I asked, surprised. All I had intended to do when going out was get my ingredients, get a Butterbeer, and come home.

"If you want it," she said warmly. "I tried offering your father one here once, but he was too involved in being a studious student."

"That sounds like him." I laughed. "Shouldn't I be interviewed or fill out an application or something?"

"I'll let you slide." Madam Rosmerta winked.

"When can I start?"

"How about tomorrow night?"

"I think I can work something out," I said slowly.

"Ah, parents have you on a curfew?" she asked. "They are serious about your safety. Well, then, Jenelle," she said as I rose from my stool, "I hope to see you tomorrow night. What say, eight?"

"That'll work," I said. I dug through my pockets for money, but Rosmerta shook her head.

"Consider it on me."

"Oh...thanks," I said, a little shocked.

"Run along now, and be careful!" she called as I headed out into the streets.

Excited by the news, I Disapparated straight home.

I burst through the door. Dad was in his armchair, and Mum had been reading. They both looked at me.

"Jenelle," said Dad, looking at the clock briefly, "it's only nine."

"What happened?" Mum asked immediately, setting her book down in her lap.

"The best thing!" I squealed. "I got a job!"

Mum's face was priceless. She jumped up and bounced with me. "You didn't tell us you were job hunting!"

"I wasn't, it just came up," I said breathlessly.

"Where did you manage to find one?" Dad asked. Mum and I stopped bouncing giddily.

"The Three Broomsticks," I said proudly.

"There was an ad?"

"No, Rosmerta offered me one."

"The caretaker?" Mum asked me.

"Yeah."

"When do you start?" asked Dad.

"Tomorrow night."

"When?"

"Eight."

"How late do you have to work?" Mum asked me.

"I don't know," I said. "It shouldn't be too late, considering I'll just be starting."

"She'll be watching over you?"

"Claire," Dad said. Mum looked to him. "She knows Jenelle is our little girl. She'll make sure nothing happens to her."

"And how would you know that?" Mum asked crossly, hands on her hips.

"I know Rosmerta. She was there when I went there as a teenager myself," he said.

"She does know him," I agreed.

"So...did you get everything you wanted okay?" Dad asked, trying to change the subject.

"I have it all in here," I said, patting my pockets. "I had to make some cuts, because, you know, Butterbeer. I can always get the rest when I have more money. Well, I'm off to bed."

I skipped upstairs feeling, for the first time in a while, excited. This was a step in the right direction. Landing a job was luck; I hadn't wished on a star or said a prayer or anything to make this possible.

I got changed while Nala slept on my bed. I had the lights off, and Nala crept to me as I climbed in.

This was going to be a good change, I could just feel it.