I was very disoriented. Hermione Weasley had told me to hold on to her arm tightly and stressed that I not let go. She explained briefly that I would be injured quite badly if I did loosen my grip. We went through a thing called "apparation" that took us from right in front of my house to a beautiful yard in an instant. It was dark out, but glowing orbs of soft light were floating above the landscape. Looking around, I saw a creek with small rock formations, causing the water to fall softly, a weeping willow tree was offering shade from the orbs to part of the grassy lawn and its leaves fell like curtains around the trunk. Turning around, my eyes fell on the rest of the yard and the house. There was a little stone path that led through the bright green grass up to some wood steps. The house was a two story log cabin looking deal. To me, it was beautiful.
"Please, call me Hermione. As much as I love my last name, being adressed as 'Mrs. Anything' makes me feel much too serious," Hermione told me as we walked up the stone path, "This is my home. It's not huge, but I think you'll find it comfortable. I'll show you to your room." We walked down a hallway and up some stairs. "This is the door to my son Sirius's room," Hermione continued her tour, motioning to a door on the right side of the hallway. Turning the attention to the other side of the hall, she pointed out another door, "This is the door to Sirius's twin, Remus's room. They're in the year above you at Hogwarts. They have too much of their dad and uncle in them. I suspect Fred and George of passing their trouble making skill on to the next generation." Further down the hall, she opened the door to another room. "This is your room. Please, make yourself at home. My husband Fred is making tea downstairs. How do you like your's?"
"Just a bit of sugar, and thank you so much for opening your home to me. I know nothing about this world. It means a lot to have people as nice as you willing to take me in when I'm so ignorant," I said. I was always very conscious about the power of knowledge. I also knew that you never get anywhere without speaking your mind and the two needed to be together for you to make sense. Being in the company of Hermione gave me hope that I made the right decision.
"It's not a problem at all. We'll talk more tomorrow about what it all means."
"Thanks."
My belongings had been transported before us and were on the floor of my new room. Sighing, I sat on the bed. This was going to be a very different way of life that I wasn't sure I was ready for. Three quick raps on the door got my attention as Hermione told me that the tea was ready. Taking a deep breath, I left my room and followed the sound of laughter. It lead to the small family. A tall red haired man, who I assumed was Fred, handed me a cup of tea and Hermione called me over to sit with the group.
The family introduced themselves, and I met a daughter that Hermione hadn't mentioned. Lehndyn they said her name was. The young girl was shy but her intelligence was something that you could naturally sense. The twins made me laugh instantly. Hermione got to the last little bit of her tea when she sprayed it all over out her mouth. It seemed the Sirius and Remus had done something to it by the way Hermione was glaring at them and their dad was laughing. In that instant, I knew this was a family that I could be with. If the magical world felt like this, then I would like it here.
I fell asleep that night and slept more soundly than I had expected. No dreams even interrupted my sleep the way they usually did. It seemed that consciously and subconsciously that I was happy. Hermione came to wake me up, only to find that I was already awake.
"I have to run a quick errand for work this morning, and Fred has to get to the business he and his twin, George own in Hogsmeade. Breakfast will be ready in a few minutes, so please come eat with us," she rattled off quickly, making me think she probably had consumed too much coffee already, "I also wanted to warn you. The boys might try to get you to come out of your shell a little while Fred and I are gone. Just… don't let them pressure you into doing anything that you don't want to do."
She paused. A look came on her face as she continued, "But… it might do you some good to see what other kids enjoy in the magical world, rather than here the theory of everything from me." With that, she strode quickly to the stairs, and I was left standing alone in the hallway.