Chapter 3: Magic?
"Sorry?" said Rachel.
"Albus Dumbledore, you must be Taylor Alden and Rachel McKenzie, am I correct?"
"Umm, yes," said Taylor
How does he know our names? We never told anyone.
"Why have you rejected our letters to Hogwarts?" he asked
"To where?" asked Rachel
"Hogwarts. We sent letters a few years ago, but never got replies." Dumbledore said.
"I never got a letter" said Taylor
"Neither did I" said Rachel
"Not one?" asked Dumbledore, he looked surprised and confused, then as if he understood, not that Taylor and Rachel did at all, "Well then, we have a lot to talk about."
They waited a few minutes while Dumbledore gathered his thoughts. Meanwhile, they heard shuffling in the hall. The door swung open and four people rushed in.
"Ahh, welcome" said Dumbledore.
"Is this them?" asked one of the newcomers.
"Yes, Minerva, but first, let's introduce everyone. Taylor, Rachel, these are four of our professors at Hogwarts. Professor McGonagall, Professor Sprout, Professor Flitwick and Professor Snape."
When the last was named, there was gasp beside Taylor; Rachel was frightened, yet again. Dumbledore looked at the girls and said, "So, girls what do you know about magic?"
· · ·
"So, we're witches." Said Taylor
"And, we're invited to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." Said Rachel
"There are fourteen years of school that start at age eleven." Said Taylor
"We're supposed to be in our fifth year." Said Rachel
"That about sums it up, yes" smiled Dumbledore
Once again, Taylor and Rachel looked at each other in disbelief. How could any of this be true? Yet, for some reason, when they looked at each other they both knew it must be.
"Of course, the invitation to Hogwarts is still open." Repeated Dumbledore, he seemed to want to make this point very clear.
"These girls must be trained, Professor" said McGonagall
"Oh, yes, that is what I was getting to next. If you two decide to join us at Hogwarts, I believe it would be best for you not come until the beginning of next year; that way you will be trained enough to take classes with your peers. In the meantime, our wonderful professors at Hogwarts will come to your homes and train you personally. You are both very bright, you have top marks in all you Muggle classes, I believe that you will be able to handle your school and five years worth of magic and history," at the look on the girls faces Dumbledore added. "Don't worry; we will make things as easy as possible."
The door swung open once more. Another man walked in, "Sorry I had some business to attend to."
For the first time since he came in Professor Snape spoke, "Yes, because this is not important, right Fudge?" It was a sarcastic, drawling voice, which stood out from everyone else in the room.
"Ahh, Minister, this is Taylor Alden and Rachel McKenzie" said McGonagall
With the way she said their names and the look on Mr. Fudge's face, they knew they weren't being told something important, and it scared them. He pulled himself together and said, "Hello, I'm Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic, pleased to meet you."
"Hi" said the girls together.
"I understand you know about our 'world'." He said cautiously
"Yes, Fudge they know everything. We told then while you were off tending to your 'business'" said the same drawling voice as before.
"Perfect! Oh! As I was walking in, I was told to tell you, Rachel that your father is fine, completely fixed up. All is well," Fudge said this rather quickly, as if all wasn't 'well'. "Now, have you decided to join us?"
"Let them have time to think!" said the small Flitwick.
"No it's okay, we'd love to come to Hogwarts!" said the girls.
"Great!" came from Professor Sprout
"Oh! I must go; I have a very important meeting! Nice meeting you girls. Can't wait to see you again. Goodbye everyone!" as Fudge left the room, it became louder with everyone talking at once. Dumbledore gave a little cough and the room went silent.
"Now that you have decided you would like to come to Hogwarts, let's discuss your learning plan. Of course, we will discuss everything with your parents. You must understand that cannot tell anyone about our 'world' or who you really are except your parent and siblings. Do you understand?"
The girls nodded in response
"Great, so I do believe that it will be hard to work around all of your schedules, but we will work it out at a later date. Now, Professor Sprout will teach you Herbology, Professor Flitwick will teach you charms, Professor McGonagall will teach you Transfiguration, oh and could you teach history as well?,"
"Yes, I could teach that" replied McGonagall
"Thank you, Professor McGonagall will also teach History of Magic and Professor Snape will teach Potions, hmm, and defence against the dark arts.
At this last point, all the Professors' eyes widened.
Wow! This is too much to take in. Okay, so I'm a witch, cool, but the workload is going to be crazy. How am I going to balance my current work with magic? What about our family and friends? How will they react to us leaving?
By looking at the expression on Rachel's face, Taylor could tell she was thinking the exact same thing.
"The four of you better get back to school, lunch is just about to finish and if I am correct, you all have class to teach." said Dumbledore.
"Yes, well goodbye girls," said Professor Flitwick and with a POP he was gone.
"Nice to meet you" said Professor Sprout.
McGonagall gave them one last look before saying, "Take care of yourselves girls, I am looking forward to our next visit."
The last to leave was Professor Snape, he looked at the girls, murmured something that sounded like 'bye' then disappeared.
"Alright," said Dumbledore, "Let's go talk to your parents."