Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

Author's Note: This was set in Harry Potter's fifth year, the first weekend after Hogwarts opens.

Other Author's Note: This was based on the Universal Studios ride, if you hadn't noticed the title…

DISCLAIMER: As much as I love Harry Potter, anything Harry Potter related in this story belongs to the queen, J.K. Rowling. Sadly, I own nothing.

Warning: Includes spoilers

Chapter 1: Claire's POV
The Very, VERY Late Hogwarts Letter

The end of my life began when an owl crashed into the kitchen window.

I should probably introduce myself. My name is Claire Chang—by the way, I am in no way related to Cho Chang—and you could say I'm completely obsessed with Harry Potter. I read all of the books ten times, and the movies I watched eleven times. He is that awesome. I'm fourteen years old and the only reason Hogwarts hadn't accepted me yet is because I live in America, and the owls can't deliver my acceptance letter across the Atlantic Ocean (although I figured the wizards would've figured out a way to deliver already).

Anyway, I was eating Fruit Loops early on a Saturday morning when a barn owl hit the window. I yanked the window open, beckoning the owl inside. The owl flew inside and landed right on the kitchen table, with a slightly yellowed envelope tied to its foot. I knew right away that it was from Hogwarts. The wizards had finally found a solution to mailing.

I grinned from ear to ear. I felt my heart beat faster as I approached the owl.

The kitchen microwave sparked and then shut off. Weird things happened like that whether I was really happy or angry, but I never questioned it. One time, I was so excited (obviously because I was reading Harry Potter) that all the lights in the room shut off. Another time I was so angry (also thanks to Harry) that I made a desk explode into bits. Then another time… well, you know what I mean.

Besides, I was too busy looking at the owl and letter to actually wonder about the strange occurrences that happened around me.

"You, Mr. Hogwarts letter, are very, very late." I muttered under my breath. (Yes, it is normal to talk to an envelope. Perfectly normal.)

I untied the knot connecting the letter to the owl and opened the envelope. The owl flew out the open window as I shakily went through the letter. What surprised me though, was that the envelope didn't contain my acceptance letter. It was something much more incredible.

I had to admit, I was bummed when I realized it wasn't my Hogwarts letter. But a second after I skimmed through it, I was more excited than ever.

Dear Claire Chang,

You have been selected to visit Hogwarts, the school of Witchcraft and Wizardry, for one day. The reason we have chosen you is because one of the professors in the school, Professor Binns specifically, have decided to let a few certain Muggles attend a lecture on the History of Magic. So, we decided to invite you and three others to come to Hogwarts. You will learn about how the history of wizards and witches has aged back to several millennia ago. If we have enough time, you may even take a tour of Hogwarts.

One of our best students, Hermione Granger, will be coming to your house in a few minutes or so, so you should probably get ready soon. She'll be coming by Floo Powder—I persuaded the Ministry of Magic to allow your fireplace to be a part of the Floo Network. Once Ms. Granger is there, she will be informing you how to travel with Floo Powder, so that you won't end up somewhere in Canada, for instance.

And whatever you do, please do not tell anyone, even your closest friends and relatives, about what will occur. You're most likely to be sent to a mental hospital.

I assure you, you are going to be in for the time of your life.

Sincerely, Albus Dumbledore *okay, so his signature was supposed to be here, but of course it didn't show up-use your imagination and pretend his signature is here, will you?*

I was so shocked by Dumbledore's signature that I nearly fainted; but the fact that Hermione Granger was about to visit my home had kept me from fainting. I rushed upstairs, two steps at a time. I threw on my Ravenclaw tee and a pair of skinny jeans. I brushed my teeth while also attempting to brush my hair.

About 23 seconds later I had my coat, backpack (which contained my autograph book and pen), and Uggs on. I scribbled a note to my dad that I was at my friend's house for a sleepover. (He was out working early in the morning.)

When I finished writing the note, I took another look at the letter that Professor Dumbledore sent me. I brushed my fingers over his handwriting.

"We have decided to invite you and three others to come to Hogwarts." Dumbledore stated.

I pondered the thought of why he chose me, an ordinary girl who obsesses about a boy she thought was fictional but was actually real, and lives all the way in America, while he could find some British guy just standing on a street corner. And what about the three others? Why were they chosen? What did we do to get invited to Hogwarts, where they've been trying so hard to keep away muggles?

And what if I'm the only American there at Hogwarts?

Then I'll be special, I thought simply. But if I was the only American who was invited, then there had to be a reason to why Professor Dumbledore brought me to Hogwarts. I just couldn't figure out why.

Then another thought crossed through my mind. Even though I act as if Harry Potter is a very close friend of mine, I knew deep in my mind that Harry Potter was simply another fictional character. I shuddered at the thought. I never realized that one day, a real Professor Dumbledore would send a real owl with a real letter saying that I could come to the real world of Hogwarts.

I clutched the letter tightly, as if it would disappear as I wondered about the horrifying thought.

But Hogwarts is real, I thought, staring at the letter.

Unless someone goes to great lengths attempting to prank me, Hermione Granger was about to walk into my home, I was about to walk into Hogwarts, and meet the Harry Potter I never truly knew existed.

I was lost in thought, thinking hard when someone flew out of my fireplace.

Well? Whadya think? This is my first fanfic so its not much. Please review; I have more chapters coming, but unfortunately, some are too short (shocking, isn't it?)

Keep Calm and Solemnly Swear That You Are Up to No Good,

3xpect0Patr0num