Chapter One
My name is Elaine Griffin and I'm a muggle..
Or whatever they call us, the point is I am hell bent on discovering this magical world that has apparently been very widespread and under our noses all this time. They don't want us knowing about them, which they made that fact very clear, when I was caught looking at that blasted car flying through the sky before it disappeared and a very odd looking man pointed a stick at my face and uttered "obliviate."
I was shocked! I mean not just that I saw a fancy flicker of light glow from that wooden little jig but that there was a car flying through the sky, I mean what the fuck did I enter, the Twilight Zone? Luckily I was still in my confused state for he believed the job was done and I could go on my way back to my muggle duties. Unluckily, for them, whatever they tried to do didn't work and now I'm more than curious to discover what that was about. When I tried to follow the man I unfortunately lost site of him through a busy district. I walked for hours that fateful morning, looking for any and all signs of either him or anything of the like, only to give up and go to school in disappointment. That was a year ago to this day now and I had given up any ideas of magic, passing it off as a moment of insanity. It could happen to anyone.. right?
Well, no. Not quite. It was early morning once again and I was getting ready for school. As I was walking along something funny caught my attention.. A man, no that man had just appeared out of a telephone booth when no one had been inside it! I made quick work of my steps, getting closer to him, until he pivoted and made to walk a different route. I had to stop and look towards a lovely little shop as I nearly stumbled into him when he changed course so abruptly. Was he avoiding someone or something? He looked suspiciously around himself as if he expected to be followed. Whatever he did wasn't working as I was well on my way to tail him to hell and back, this will not be the one that gets away.. again!
I pretended to not even see the man and watched him walk away for a bit before he turned a corner, then I dashed after him. I trailed him through the better part London for some time, making sure to not be noticed or stick out, and watched him duck into an odd dank little building. A destination, YES! I was scared I would be walking for hours again. The thought sent a dreadful shudder through my spine.
Stepping closer I saw it was a very ordinary looking drab place with one window and a sign that stated "The Leaky Cauldron" which you wouldn't have thought twice about even if you paid it any mind. Bizarre sign for another very bizarre day.. fitting. I threw my long jacket off into a nearby alley, onto some bins, and pulled my wavy black hair out of its bun and partially over my face before finally summoning the courage to walk up to the dirty little door and push.
I half expected something to stop me but no, nothing. It just opened as if it knew I was coming! I peeked my head in to be greeted by a lady with messy hair and an apron holding a bucket and mop who was passing by and she shot her gaze my way. I gasped and bout made a run for it when she shrieked, "Eh, get in, get in! Don' let them muggles see ya or Shacklebolt will have ya ears griped!"
I quickly scrambled inside and she violently gestured to a table with the chairs still sitting on them upside down. I slowly approached and before I could lift my hand to grab for one she quickly waved her hand over her shoulder as she continued mopping and the chairs magically lifted then turned before lowering and scooting themselves in, one left not scooted, indicating it was for me to sit in. I did my best to conceal my shock at what seemed a very bland and normal thing to ever occur here, according to the maid and what I noticed were other patrons lolling about their meals and drinks. They didn't seem bothered I had even entered the place.
This isn't NORMAL! I thought to myself and proceeded to sit down. I had to hold in my surprise as a floating picture poured me something orange and thick looking. The cup stayed floating in front of me and I figured it would be best to go with the flow and grab it. I heard a cackle from the maid when she returned to my side when she saw me holding the cup to my nose, trying to decipher the contents to see what on earth it was and whether I wanted to drink it or not.
"It's only pumpkin juice, silly girl!" She spat, clapping me on the back and she cackled out, "It's not a lizard skin potion, love, those would curl your nose hairs a bit! Drink up and order a meal, now, before you collapse doll, you're nothn' but skin and bones."
I took a sip. Then a gulp or two, deciding I liked the warm milky texture with a hint of spice. I made an audible gulp before looking up over the brim at her, "W-what do you have?" I peeped, hoping it wasn't something too otherworldly.
"Le' me thinks.. Eh, Charlie! Ya got that wizards stew special?" Oh dear God.
"Yeah, just a batch left, Gretch!" Please be chicken?
Another chortle came from the witch when she saw me pale. "Don't fret, it's only dragon's egg, you ain't allergic are ya?" I quickly shook my head thinking back to my lack of chicken egg allergies. They were in the same category, right? Not that I believe all this magic stuff and dare I say dragons, just yet, I could have just realistically passed out on the way to school and now I'm safe in some hospital having the dream of a lifetime.. right?! She told the cook to heat it up then she left before I had a chance to even think of refusing.
As my thoughts lingered over this new insanity I had found myself in, a rather large family had entered the room, sitting at the same bench and down a ways from me, all covered in the same bright red hair and worn down clothes. The younger ones seemed quite excited and going on about some place called Hogwarts, must be a school or some institution, while one of them who seemed older seemed to look down his nose at them. The oldest ones, presumably the parents, were enthusiastic about buying supplies, books, robes, cauldrons, but mostly about handing down the older siblings things then buying what was not available, which wasn't much to be honest. The youngest one, however, seemed a little put out. She looked way older than school age so she must already be attending? Elaine kept her questions to herself and reasoned that she would get her answers if she just waited quietly. With the way the bunch rambled on joyfully, unaware of any others around them, they would do just that for her.
"Oh, Ginny, dear. Not to fret, it will be your turn to go to Hogwarts soon enough! Who will keep me company if you went this year, as well, young lady? That wouldn't do. No, next year will be your big day! Hogwarts is well worth the wait, I assure you." The girl, now known as Ginny, gave her a small glum smile before taking her seat near her mother.
Something caught my attention, making me glance down, to food materializing on the table in front of me. A brown bowl containing green stew, floating chunks of white and brown, and a spoon. I couldn't have squeaked louder, causing the family to pause in conversation and take in my presence. Shit.
"Are you alright, dear?" The mother asked me. Bloody shit.
EGEGEGEGEGEGEG
The stew was remarkable delicious and very different from other stews I grew accustomed to in 'my' world. I was feeling a little more comfortable after my quick exchange with the red haired mother and quite happy that I could continue to listen to their conversation without any further interruptions from Charlie the cook or that maid, who I now discovered is a witch along with all other female magical persons while the men were called wizards. Pfft, even a kid would have guessed that, Shirlock. I patronized myself internally.
As I neared finishing my second cupful of pumpkin juice I overheard the family quietly tally up how much they would have to pay for their meals and a room. That was when it dawned on me that I hadn't the faintest idea they would use different money than what were had right here in London. Shit, again. I say that to myself a lot.. something tells me this won't be the last time I say that.
It was at that moment Mrs. Weasley looked in my direction as I feigned searching through my pockets for all these galleons I somehow 'misplaced.' She gave a quick 'tsk' and stood to walk towards me. I gulped and readied myself for a feasible excuse. I was turning out to be such a pathetic witch, she's going to notice I'm not one at all and then what? They'll notice I'm a fraud and that magic apparently doesn't work on me, as far as I know! Will they take me away? Do they torture young muggles? What kind of laws does a community of witches and wizards have and do any of them even apply to people like me, if they even have any?
A slow chant filled my head as she stood next to my seat and waited for me to give her my attention. Shit shit shit shit shit. When I made no move to look towards her she patiently took the chair next to me and sat down, clearing her throat. I stiffly panned to her motherly visage then to her stern glare. Here we go.. Busted.
AN
What do you think? Feel free to adopt any of my stories as I usually start too many and then run out of ideas. I really should stick to oneshots or something. I come up with ideas all the time but I find keeping to a story is so tough! Feel free to shoot ideas my way! Criticism in any flavor, cold/hot or spicy, I take them any way! Let me know if you do adopt though, so I can read it, I would love to see what you come up with!
Read and Review to let me know if I should keep this story going! XOXO -MyDarkness
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and any of Warner Bros/JK Rowling's work is not mine, only my own OC~!