The Rime of Chime

Chapter One

Anna ran into the computer lab, where she saw her academic rival typing on the computer. He smiled as she entered.

"Hello, Anna," he said, grinning mischeviously.

"Hans, nothing is funny right now, okay? Because of you, my sister won't talk to me."

"Oh, I think that's the least of your problems, Anna dear."

"What do you mean?"

"Anna, have you ever heard of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardy?"

"No, and I'm not interested in hearing about your last Dungeons and Dragons game," Anna said, folding her arms.

"Hogwarts isn't part of a game, my sweet redheaded dear. It's an actual place. And both you and I will be attending there, along with Kristoff. And your sister, of course."

"You're not making any sense," Anna said.

"Maybe I should be more clear. The Eraser has come to set us back at eleven years, and Elsa at fourteen. So be ready for the ride."

"I'm leaving," she said, heading for the door. "Call me when you can say something sensible."

Anna stepped into the hallway and checked her iPhone clock. It was 3:16. She was late for Elsa's lacrosse match. Why did she think she'd have time to dip into the computer lab? That was silly and empty-headed of her."

A twelve-year-old girl materialized in front of her. She had blond hair that fell in waves all around her head. Her face was cute, though she upturned her nose as if she thought little of her surroundings.

"Um, hi," Anna said. "Are you looking for your older sister or something?"

"No," the girl said. "I'm here to do Hans a service."

Then she pulled out a think strip of wood , said something Anna did not understand, and jabbed in Anna's direction with the wood.

"What are you doing?" Anna asked. The blond girl was now a couple of inches taller than her.

"Welcome to being an eleven-year-old, Anna Summers. All I've got to do is use this spell on Hans, then he'll send us all back in time. Now, Cheerio, darling!"

The girl hurried from the room, dashed into the computer lab, then there was a flash of white light, followed by the sound of an eleven-year-oy laughing maniacally.

Then Anna conked out without any forewarning, having the feeling that someone had just run into her very hard. She slipped into unconsciousness.