Unfortunately I do not own the wonderful world of Avalon OR Harry potter, which belong to Rachel Roberts and J.K.Rowling respectively.
"Are you ready?"
Kara was out front of her large house, standing with the Ministry of Magic employee that was assigned to aid her. He was a very business like man, dressed in a proper muggle suit, the kind that would make him pass as a bank manager. He was a patient man, who, thankfully, cooperated when Kara requested that Lyra, her very best friend, be brought along with them.
Kara smiled and waved at her parents, who waved back, slightly teary eyed.
"I'm ready," she replied to him, and gulped.
All of a sudden, the man turned on the spot, and Kara felt like her lungs were being twisted into oblivion. It was a peculiar sensation, like she was being squeezed through a very narrow rubber tube. But just as fast as it had started, it stopped.
"Whew, that was… interesting," commented Kara, smiling up at her employee.
Kara looked around, surprised to find herself in a rather shabby looking pub that was practically empty, except for a few people in long cloaks sitting in a corner booth. The very frail and old looking barman who had several missing teeth waved up at the Ministry employee.
Kara looked around, noticing who was missing. "Where are Emily and Adriane?"
"Emily will be arriving in one minute, and Adriane, right now."
Sure enough, a faint popping sound was heard, and there was Adriane with her employee, who disappeared once more to get Stormbringer and Adriane's luggage.
"Hey!" Adriane greeted Kara while scratching behind Lyra's ears.
Suddenly, the air around them popped again and Emily appeared, holding Ozzie and Ariel.
"That felt so weird," Emily chocked, breathing hard.
Soon, the girls were given their student loans by the Ministry employees, had their rooms set up at the Leaky Cauldron, and were off to shop in Diagon Alley, alone.
Diagon Alley was just as amazing as the book said. Everywhere you looked, there were brightly covered advertisements, and every store imaginable. There were tons of witches and wizards too; some with kids to buy school supplies, others just out for a day of shopping.
After an hour, the girls had their books, potion ingredients, robes, and various other things, such as cool products from the actual Weasley's Wizard Wheezes itself. Now all that were left were their wands.
"I was looking forward to this so much!" squeaked Kara as she walked in, excited, to Ollivander's. A bell tinkled faintly from somewhere in the back of the shop. The girls waited apprehensively, looking around at the rows and rows of wands. A sudden thought struck Adriane. One of the wands that she tries could have been one of the wands that Harry Potter or someone else from the book has tried!
"Good afternoon."
The girls were startled as a man, maybe in his early 40s, appeared seemingly out of nowhere behind the desk. He peered at the girls with very round, blue eyes.
"Hi," said Emily shyly.
"Hello," said Kara, smiling.
"Three wands, eh?" said the man, who the girls took to be Mr. Ollivander. "Who shall be first?"
"I'll go." Adriane stepped forward, as the other girls sat down in 2 of the 3 rickety chairs near the window.
While Adriane was being measure in many strange ways, Mr. Ollivander was looking through the shelves, and picked out about half a dozen boxes that contained wands.
He handed Adriane a short and dark wand, and said, "Phoenix tail feather, yew, quite springy, 8 and a half inches. Go on, try it."
Adriane looked at the other girls self-consciously and waved the wand, but as soon as she lifted it, Ollivander whipped it out of her hands, and handed her another one. Then after that one, another. And another.
Ollivander suddenly dashed back into the shelves, while saying, "Just a moment, I have the perfect wand for you!"
He reappeared, carrying a very old looking box with a beautiful wand inside, which he whipped out and handed to Adriane. As soon as she held it, her wolf stone flashed and she felt the warmth of the magic lodge into her heart. A smile spread across her face.
"Dragon heartstring, Oak, 10 inches precisely, very inflexible. A very powerful wand for jinxes and curses," said Ollivander, smiling now.
Adriane payed 7 gold galleons for her wand, sat down beside Emily, and began inspecting her new wand. It was now Kara's turn.
Kara tried practically half the shop before she found a wand that suited her. The piles of boxes were piled high atop the desk, and Kara started to get anxious. She was worried that it was all a big mistake. But then Ollivander handed her a light colored wand. As soon as she grabbed it, her whole body started to glow a bright white light.
"Ah, quite the unusual combination: Unicorn hair, Yew, 8 and a half inches, unusually smooth" Ollivander said as Kara payed. "And you are the last." he said as he turned towards Emily.
Emily approached shyly, and the measuring tape went at its job immediately.
She tried out quite a few wands herself, though not nearly as many as Kara. She was successful with a Willow wand with a core of Unicorn hair that measured 11 and half inches, and was great for charms, according to Ollivander.
"What an adventure. Until we meet again, Kara, Emily, Adriane," he said, as he bowed each of them from the shop, piercing them with his blue stare.
The girls returned to their room in the Leaky Cauldron, weighed down by several bags. The girls were beyond tired, but they had a wonderful day all in all. Adriane threw her bags down by her bed and then threw herself on it, exhausted. Kara was freshening up in the bathroom, while Emily was examining her wand, watching the blue and green sparks trail out of its end.
"What a day," said Adriane, cuddling with Storm.
"What a day," Emily agreed, now packing her equipment into her big brown school trunk.
"What we going to do tomorrow?" Adriane asked. "We have two more days until September 1st"
"Explore some more of Diagon Alley?" Emily suggested.
"Yeah, except this time we should go into Knockturn alley!" Adriane smiled mischievously.
"It's not safe there."
"Can't hurt to take a look."
The girls sat in silence for a while, until Emily realized there was a little problem.
"How are Storm and Lyra going to get to Hogwarts?" she began. "We can't exactly bring them on the train."
Kara piped in from the bathroom. "Lyra can fly there, right?"
"Of course. Or I can run with Stormbringer." Lyra purred.
"We will manage," Storm nuzzled Adriane.
"Exactly, think of the 3rd book. Sirius ran all the way from Little Winging to Hogwarts in his dog form. Storm will manage."
Two mornings later, the girls woke up with anticipation. It was September the 1st, and that meant that they would be on their way to Hogwarts today.
It
was a pretty smooth morning, minus the part when Kara ran around
screaming that she lost her copy of The Standard Book of Spells,
Grade 1 by Miranda Goshawk. Only when Emily pulled it from under
Kara's silk pink pillow, did Kara and Adriane stop fighting.
The
girls went downstairs for a breakfast of bacon, eggs and toast, and
then hauled their luggage outside. Once they were outside, the girls
hugged Storm and Lyra one by one. The night before, they schemed up a
plan that would get them to Hogwarts safely, and without being seen.
The two magical animals would follow the train tracks to the school.
Storm would turn to mist to cover Lyra while she ran through areas
where they would be seen. It was perfect.
"I'm going to miss you," Kara said as she hugged Lyra and smoothed her fur out.
"You would think that we are going away for a month," Lyra smiled.
"You will see us in your room at Hogwarts when you first get there." Storm licked Adriane's face.
"How will you manage to do that?" Kara asked incredulously.
"I am a mistwolf."
Kara rolled her eyes. "That helps."
"I will fly through the window, and Stormbringer can go through in her mist form." Lyra explained.
"Smart," Ozzie remarked. "GAH! The train leaves in half hour, we better hurry!"
"Okay, let's go," Emily said, scooping up Ozzie.
The girls reached the London Underground with 10 minutes to spare. They approached the barrier between platform 9 and 10, and paused, nervous.
Adriane stepped forward determinedly. "I'll go first." With a whoosh of the air, she was gone. The rest of the girls follow suit, closer their eyes for the impact, but none came. Instead, they saw a gleaming scarlet train, with the words Hogwarts Express plastered on the front. Kids and teens ran around, saying hi to friends they haven't seen all summer, eyeing each other's new haircuts.
"Wow, this is really it," said Emily, taking in the train, and the collection of Witches and Wizards.
"Yeah! Come on, let's find a compartment," said Adriane, beckoning to the other two Mages.
Emily and Kara followed Adriane and found a compartment near the end of the train that wasn't full. They stored their luggage in the top racks, and Emily let Ariel out of her cage.
"Can I talk now?" Ozzie scrambled out from Emily's sweater pocket, looking disgruntled.
Emily smiled and pulled out Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone for Ozzie, which Emily made him start to read a few weeks ago.
Somewhere a whistle sounded, and kids raced forward to give their parents last minute hugs, only to be ushered into the train as the doors start to close. As the train started to move, kids hung out of windows to wave.
"This is it!" exclaimed Kara. "We're on our way to Hoggywarts!"
Ozzie sniffled hopefully in the air. "When is the food trolley coming? I'm starving. Plus, I'm looking forward to trying some of those every flavor beans."
The train picked up speed, and the girls watched as they swept past farmland. Farmland turned into valleys, which turned into rolling hills as the time flew by.
"Anything off the trolley, dears?"
The mages, ferret and owl turned their head towards the door, where a plump, old and friendly looking woman smiled down at them with her food trolley.
Ozzie practically jumped with joy. "Yes!"
Emily nudged him and went forward with her money with Adriane and Kara. The girls, hungry and eager to get their first literal taste of the wizarding world, bought a little of everything and split the cost. They soon sat among piles of food and candy alike; Pumpkin Pasties, Licorice Wands, Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, Chocolate Frogs, Drooble's Best BlowingGumto name a few.
Adriane coughed as she bit into a strong onion flavored bean. "Whew," she said, squinting at the strong flavor. "Be careful with these,"
Ozzie took the box from Adriane, and smiled, his mouth full of crumbles from the Pumpkin Pasty. "I won't."
Kara squealed as Ozzie jumped over her, scattering crumbs on her lap. "Be careful!" she screamed. "These jeans are Diesel!"
The trip wore on, and soon the ceiling lamps were lit and the sky was dark.
"We better get changed," Adriane advised.
"Good idea."
Just after the girls were in their brand new Hogwarts robes, a message was sent throughout the train, announcing that they would arrive to Hogwarts in ten minutes time.
The girls waited nervously, and suddenly, the train lurched to a stop. Kids started coming out of their compartments so the girls followed suit. The line of kids spilled out onto a platform in the dark night. A voice said, "Firs' years, over here, firs' years!"
Adriane spun around and she found herself looking at none other then the famous Rubeus Hagrid, with his wild hair and massive figure. She noticed that his hair wasn't his usual tangle of brown. Instead, it was completely grey.
"Oh my god."
"Firs' years, come on!"
Kara pushed the other girls forward. "Hurry up!" she hissed.
The girls followed the line of other first years, and they found themselves at a lake, with several little boats.
"Everyone in, come on! No more 'n' 4 to a boat!" Hagrid stepped into a boat.
The three girls went into a boat with a rather small and nervous looking boy. "H-hi!" he smiled shakily. "My name is Edward. I'm so excited! Aren't you?"
"Hi, I'm Emily."
"I'm Kara Davies, nice to meet you!"
"Adriane."
The boats sailed off magically over the sparkling lake, which reflected the bright white moonlight.
"You'll get yer' firs' view of Hogwarts just around this corner here," Hagrid said.
The boats rounded a corner and suddenly, there was Hogwarts. It looked just like something out of a fairy tale book, with its tall towers and flickering lights from within. It was enchanting.
After some more sailing, they entered a cave through a hidden entrance of hanging vines, where they got out of the boats and walked up a narrow stone staircase. Then, they walked up a path leading to the beautiful castle, and finally entered though the large front doors.
The castle inside was just as beautiful as it was on the outside. A large marble staircase left the entrance hall, and various doors led to other rooms and chambers along the walls. Flaming torches along the wall completed the medieval like look.
At the front of the queue, Hagrid was replaced with a tiny graying wizard, who had to stand atop the staircase so he could see all of the students, and vice versa.
"Welcome first years," he squeaked cheerfully. "I am Professor Flitwick, and I will be your Charms teacher.
"In a moment, you will be entering the great hall. There you will be sorted into your houses. There are four houses: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has qualities that make them unique. Each house has their own common room, where you will sleep and spend your free time.Also, your house will be something like your family while you are here.
"Before we begin, I suggest you tidy up and prepare yourselves." He paused and smiled down at the students. "All ready? Let's go."
He went down the staircase and led the students through great double doors, and into the Great Hall, which was amazing. The ceiling looked like there wasn't even one at all. It looked like it simply opened up to the heavens, with its fluffy cloud and starry sky.
The four tables that lined the hall were packed with students, and one at the front seated the teachers.
Professor Flitwick placed a raggedy old hat that the girls took to be the Sorting Hat on a stool. He opened up a scroll and squeaked loudly, "When I call your name, you are to come up and place the hat upon your head. Abbot, Sarah!"
A short and cute blonde girl came from the back of the line and placed the hat on her head and sat on the stool. "HUFFLEPUFF!" the hat shouted. A table on the left exploded with cheers as Sarah went and sat down at the end of the able.
"Bailey, Philip!"
"SLYTHERIN!" The table on the far right screamed and hollered for Philip.
"Begum, Natalia"
"RAVENCLAW!" The table on the first right cheered.
"Charday, Adriane!"
Adriane looked up suddenly, eyes wide. She took a deep breath, walked up to the stool, and put on the old sorting hat in her head.
"Ah, easy," said the small voice of the sorting hat. "GRYFFINDOR!"
Adriane sighed and ran over to the Gryffindor table, and sat down, waiting for Kara and Emily.
Right after 'Coin, Albert' was sorted into Hufflepuff, Professor Flitwick squeaked, "Kara, Davies!"
Kara smiled her best smile and walked daintily up to the sorting hat, which she placed softly on her head.
"Hmm…" The sorting began in her head. "Difficult… A great, quick mind, I see, perfect for Ravenclaw. A there's power, oh yes, great power. And there's the perfect determination and attitude for Slytherin. You have everything that it needs, and there's no doubt that Slytherin will help you on your way to even greater heights and power."
Kara rolled her eyes, and thought, "Puh-lease, Slytherin are a bunch of losers, I've read the books, you know. I need to be with Adriane and Emily."
"Not Slytherin? Are you sure? Hmm, you seem to be. And with the others, eh? Well, you do have that confidence and braveness that sets Gryffindor apart. Well, then, better be… GRYFFINDOR!"
Kara laughed and smiled, then dashed off to the Gryffindor table to sit with Adriane.
"Oh my god, the sorting hat is totally bipolar," Kara stated as the hat was sorting 'Emery, Jane'. "First it's all, Ravenclaw. Then Slytherin. Then, oh, no, I think you better be Gryffindor."
Adriane laughed and said, "Hey look, its Emily's turn!"
Emily walked up shakily to the sorting hat. Once it was over her head, the hat began talking. "Hmm, not a bad mind, I see. You also have quite the heart and mind of a Hufflepuff. But you favor Gryffindor. You would fit in there as well, with your braveness, kindness… I still say Hufflepuff, but apparently not, so then its GRYFFINDOR!"
Emily walked back, relieved, to the Gryffindor table where she hugged both Adriane and Kara.
"Whew! That was scary!" Emily said, running her hands through her curly auburn hair.
'Landon, Scott', a nervous looking boy with short black hair sat down near the girls. 'Lee, Garret' and 'Mitchell, Hector' became three new Gryffindor boys.
"Wow, check out that hottie!" Kara suddenly exclaimed, indicating a tall, attractive brown haired boy that was still in the line. He glanced over at Garret Lee and grinned.
Kara squeaked excitedly when Flitwick called out, "Stevens, Mason!" and the attractive boy walked over to the stool.
"Gryffindor!" the hat shouted.
Mason walked over to their table and high-fived Garret. The two boys quickly looked at the three girls and smiled. Kara giggled and flashed her award worthy smile.
Emily glanced at the high table and noticed some of the teachers from the books – Professor McGonagall, Professor Slughorn, Hagrid were a few. Though, they did look quite old. Professor McGonagall's was indeed extremely wrinkled and frail looking, with her steel grey hair up in her tight bun. Slughorn was as large as ever.
After the students were finished being sorted, Professor McGonagall came up to the front.
"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts," she began in a wobbly voice. "And welcome all the new students. I hope you all contribute to another wonderful year. Now, it's time to eat."
Suddenly, amazing food appeared on the golden plates along the tables. Emily, suddenly realizing how famished she is, grabbed some roasted chicken and potatoes. Adriane was already gnawing on some ribs. But Kara, on the other hand, was careful in selecting her foods.
"Do you think the vegetables and fruit are organic?" she asked.
"Who cares?" replied Adriane.
The girls enjoyed a wonderful meal. Everything tasted absolutely perfect. Emily chattered to a friendly, pretty prefect named Wendy Mills about lessons. Kara introduced herself to Mason Stevens and he introduced himself back, along with Garret Lee. Adriane enjoyed the food and chatted a little with Hector Mitchell.
After they were all full and growing tired, Wendy and the other prefects led the girls and the rest of the new students up through various staircases and secret passageways, eventually reaching the Fat Lady's portrait.
"Eel spleen," said a prefect, who introduced himself as Pablo Chow.
Emily stared in awe at the common room. It was just a gorgeous as the book described, with its cozy feel, squashy armchairs, red and gold themes and crackling fireplace.
The girls walked up the spiral staircase and went through the left door to the girls' rooms. They went through the door that read 'first years'.
"So there's only the three of us!" Kara exclaimed, setting up her things around her bed.
"Yep! We're pretty lucky, actually," replied Adriane, who plopped down on her bed, which was the one in the middle of Emily and Kara.
"About time!" came another voice, one from Emily's bed.
"Hoot," agreed another.
Emily spun around to see that Ariel and Ozzie were sitting on the window ledge beside her bed.
"I can't believe that I had to miss out on the welcoming feast!" exclaimed Ozzie, who was reading Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. "According to the book, its ravishing!"
Emily set up Ozzie's bed, which consisted of her squashy blue pillow and a red little blanket that she placed on the windowsill. "I don't see why we can't bring you to the rest of the eatings."
"You better."
Adriane furrowed her brows. "I wonder where Storm and Lyra are."
As if in response to her woods, a flowing mist snaked through the other window that was beside Adriane's bed. This window was rather larger then the one beside Emily's bed.
The mist settled in the middle of the room and then Stormbringer appeared, paddling to Adriane, who caught her in a big hug.
"Incoming!" said another voice inside their heads.
Lyra soared through the open window and Kara shut it behind her.
"This is just perfect!" Kara exclaimed, dancing with Lyra.
Soon the girls got into bed, and with full bellies and a comfortable and warm bed, they drifted off to sleep quickly.
