James was bundled up as best as he could. If there was anytime in his life that he was afraid, it would be now. He was alone in London, away from his home in Los Angeles. Growing up in Los Angeles did not help his fear of outside in the streets at night time.
James sat on a park bench near an abandoned playground. He had been here once before, and that was almost a year ago. He had met another magical person here. Her name was Eri, and she was a witch like James was a wizard.
James had sent an owl ahead of time to Eri, hoping that she got it. There was no way to be sure, especially because James hadn't gotten a reply back. That, and the specific owl he had sent the letter with didn't like him very much. James had scratches on his hands to prove it.
James waited warily, hoping against all odds that Eri would come and she could help him. The least he could say right now was that he had gotten into some unexpected trouble back home and had to get away. The thing was, James was starting to dislike the idea of Los Angeles being his home. He would much rather call Hogwarts his home.

Eri had unexpectedly received a letter from a friend she had met almost a year ago in London at an Abandoned playground. The letter had said,

Dear Eri,
This is James. From school? Well, Hogwarts, but we met last summer, if you remember.
Anyway, I'm coming to London and was really hoping I could see you at the park we met at last summer? This is actually really important, but I'll have to explain when I see you. I'm not sure I trust this owl...
Please meet me there,
James

It was strange getting this letter. Was he in some sort of trouble? The brunette did not know, but she didn't have time to respond back because he would probably be there already. So the brunette put on her navy blue drawstring hoodie, and walked out also wearing her signature white jeans and white high top sneakers and left to go to the playground. Of course before she left she told her Aunt where and why she was going.

Eri arrived at the play ground and saw James at a park bench near the abandoned playground. She walked up casually and sat down next to James. "Hey I got your owl. Sorry I didn't respond. So, what's up?"

James looked up and saw Eri. His heart skipped a beat in immense relief. It was so good  for him to see a familiar face.
She sat down next to him.
"Hey I got your owl. Sorry I didn't respond. So, what's up?"
James took a deep breath. "Oh gosh," he said, "You have no idea how glad I am to see you. Um…”
How should he go about this? Would she help him? James had no idea, but he figured there was only one way to find out.
“Okay, here’s the thing. I’ve… er, run away from home. My parents are trying to keep me from going to Hogwarts again. I was wondering if I could possibly stay with you, at least until school starts?”
James really, really hoped it wasn’t too much of a plead. Under different circumstances, he wouldn’t ask to stay at a girl’s house. But he was alone on the streets of London, and he had nowhere to go until Hogwarts started again.
“You don’t know how long it took for me to get here.” James added. He didn’t think he would ever get past the fear of being alone on the streets at night. First Los Angeles, then London.

Well that was shocking. His parents wouldn't let him go to Hogwarts again so he ran away from Los Angeles and came to London just because he hoped a friend of his could take him in. Well her Aunt wouldn't mind hopefully but they should ask her. And he would probably like her brothers. They were nice. So maybe that would workout. "I'm sorry that sounds awful. I think it would be fine if you stayed at my house, but I have to ask my Aunt first. Also you would like my brothers. One is in your house. He was a fourth year last year."

Eri felt bad that he ran away just to go to Hogwarts, but she would do the same if her family. But she felt bad for James. "Well I'm glad you were able to get here safely and I'm sorry that you had to run away." Eri said. She hoped he would be fine. Seeing this she knew to not take having an understanding guardian. She would help him that is the least she could do. She would try to do as much a second she could do to help him as possible since he was her friend.

"I'm sorry that sounds awful. I think it would be fine if you stayed at my house, but I have to ask my Aunt first. Also you would like my brothers. One is in your house. He was a fourth year last year." Eri said.
James was surprised. He hadn’t expected her to willingly help him that quickly. Actually, he hadn’t known what to expect. All he knew is that he was so, so grateful.
"Well I'm glad you were able to get here safely and I'm sorry that you had to run away." she added.
James nodded slowly. He was determined not to get emotional, especially not in front of Eri. He felt so horrible and uncertain for running away, but he couldn’t just sit in Los Angeles and do nothing in a normal Muggle year-round school for the rest of his life, especially after having the incredible knowledge of magic and Hogwarts. That thought made him feel better about his decision.
“Oh my gosh, Eri. Thank you so much! I can’t even begin to thank you enough!” James expressed to her. He wanted to hug her, but he wasn’t sure if they knew each other well enough for that.
“Where do you live?" he asked.

Eri stood up and stuck her hands into her Jean pockets. "I live about a mile from here. It's not as long of a walk as you think. Well, more like two and a half, but it feels like one mile. So I know this is a touchy subject, but why were they going to send you to muggle school? If you don't mind me asking." Eri hoped he wouldn't ask about her parents. He didn't know about the situation so maybe he wouldn't understand if he got to the house and only saw her Aunt. I mean she would ask if it wasn't her life.

Though Eri wasn't going to bring it up. This was about his struggles in life now. He needed people to be there and help. Cause he ran away from his family just to go to a magical school, and that takes guts. But he was probably feeling guilty and she just wanted to make sure James would be okay with this burden but hopefully his parents will know he is safe and hopefully they will forgive him and know how much this school means to him to have in his life every year intil he gets to old.

"I live about a mile from here. It's not as long of a walk as you think. Well, more like two and a half, but it feels like one mile. So I know this is a touchy subject, but why were they going to send you to muggle school? If you don't mind me asking." Eri said.
James fell silent. He thought about anybody else he told about him running away would never look at him the same. He hated that thought, by the way.
“Kay, here’s the thing…” he started, “I’m half-blood, right? Well, mixed-blood. Anyway, my mom was a witch and I thought she went to Hogwarts and loved it as much as I did. Turns out, none of that is true. My mom came from a wizard family, yes, but she was a squib.”
James paused to let Eri absorb that information before continuing.
“I was caught by surprise when they told me that they were going to put me in a Muggle school, and so when I talked to them about it, my mom and my dad both started saying some horrible things that just…” James’ voice started to break, “It was just awful… my dad started yelling, and I could do nothing but obey what they told me. Until I left.” He finished.
James sniffled once, before wiping a hand across his face.
“Sorry.” he said, embarrassed. “Can we go?” he asked, not wanting to talk about it anymore, “It’s cold…” He realized that’s what he said last time the two of them were in this park.