It was Hershel Layton's eleventh birthday that day, when the snow from the last week finally tired itself out. Every adult was out shoveling their walkways while the children used said snow to fight with other. Hershel would most definitely be out with the children of Stansbury, if he hadn't caught a cold just the day before. Instead, he sat in his room, occasionally getting up to use the restroom or to get something from the kitchen. He claimed that he was feeling quite alright other than his slightly runny nose. His parents, concerned for his heath, wanted him to stay inside for at least one more day.

Around noon, while he was shuffling into the kitchen for some water, he heard his mother answering the door.

"Yes? Oh, do come in from the cold." She said cheerfully as a near-white figure stepped inside.

"Thank you, ma'am." Said what sounded like an elderly Scottish woman, dusting some snow out of her hair. "I hope I haven't come at an inopportune time."

"Oh, no, it's perfectly alright."

"Well, then, I suppose I should introduce myself. My name is Minerva McGonagall. I'm here important

business about your son, Hershel."

A look of concern crossed Mrs. Layton's face. "I-I hope he hasn't been causing trouble. Though I do wonder how he'd be able to, what with his cold and all-"

"Don't worry, Mrs. Layton." Said McGonagall. "I'm not here to rat on him for anything. I'm here for a different reason. Is he home?"

"Yes, he is, but he has a bit of a cold-"

"It's okay, Ma." Hershel said, coming into view completely. "I was already up."

McGonagall glanced the young boy up and down, before reaching into her fur coat and handed him a letter. The envelope felt ancient, almost like it would crumble at his slightest touch. He turned it over in his hands and saw an odd purple seal on the back of the letter.

"Whatever is this for?" Asked Mrs. Layton.

"It's an invitation, for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." When greeted by confused looks by both Laytons, McGonagall said, "Shortly put, your son is a wizard, Mrs. Layton."

"A…wizard?" Hershel breathed, tracing the purple seal on the letter.

Mrs. Layton blinked. Once, twice, a third for good measure, and a fourth because she was completely baffled. "Wh…what?"

"A wizard." Repeated McGonagall. "As I expected, you were probably in the mindset that there were no wizards in the world."

"Well, yes, I'm afraid that I was." Mrs. Layton murmured half to herself.

"It's understandable. To be a witch or wizard in the Muggle world- that's our term for non-magical people- means to keep our magic a secret. As such, we've been, for lack of better term, hiding from Muggles for centuries, creating our own little world of sorts."

Mrs. Layton nodded, looking rather confused and flustered. She looked on as Hershel opened the letter slowly and began reading the letter.

A small smile played on the old witch's face. She too turned to Hershel, who, face scrunched in concentration, was skimming the book list. "…'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them By Newt Sh-Sch… Scamander?'" Hershel looked up at his mother. "Ma, where are we supposed to get all these?"

"I wonder…" Mrs. Layton asked McGonagall, "Is there someplace we can get what he needs?"

"Yes, there's a place in London where you can get what he needs." The witch informed them. "I've talked to a wizarding family nearby, and they've offered to help you gather his supplies. I believe you know the Ascots?"

Mrs. Layton nodded, and Hershel asked, "Randall's family?"

"I believe their son's name is Randall, yes." McGonagall reached into her pocket and pulled out a watch, grimacing at the time. "Sorry to leave so soon, but I have another appointment to keep. If you have any questions, I'm sure the Ascots will be able to answer them."

"A-alright, though I'll have to go over this with my husband…"

"That's quite alright." McGonagall turned for the door and opened it, stepping outside. Before leaving, she added, "Oh, and happy birthday, Hershel." With that, she left, and Hershel could've sworn an odd popping sound followed the sound of the door closing.

The Laytons just stood there a while, speechless, staring at the door after McGonagall. Hershel took another look at his letter. "Ma?"

"Yes, dear?"

"…What does 'we will await your owl' mean?"

Yea, I should probably be working on my other stories, but this AU needed to be done. I really hope I got everyone in character here…

Oh yea, I'll be using all the Hogwarts teachers because I have no imagination. The only one I'll be adding from the Layton-verse is the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher (obviously). Next to nobody else from the Potter-verse will be in this.

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