AN: Here's chapter three. I don't own Harry Potter or any of those things. Simply own the plot and some of the charaters though. The list of supplies came directly from the books that I sadly don't own. Review!
ALL AMERICAN GIRLS
Midnight Planning
"No, no, no…It's impossible!" Ashley whispered loudly to Natalie who was still sitting on her bed in the dark.
"Hello!? It's perfectly possible, look here's your proof." Natalie shoved the Hogwart's acceptance letter in Ashley's face.
"You never know, it could be a prank."
"Oh please!" Said Natalie like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "You and I both know you are the brains in this prison joint. You are the one coming up with the perfect plans and all that. I just go with the flow."
"And how is that working out for you missy." Ashley snickered.
"Oh…Shut up. It's going perfectly fine." Natalie said crossing her arms playfully.
"Okay, so it's not a prank. Do you think this…this place is real?"
"Yes! Come on Ashley it sounds amazing all we have to do is find a way to get there." Natalie grabbed the train ticket that had fallen on the bed when they tore open the first letter.
"Hmmm…Let's see what this says-" Natalie flicked the flashlight back on and began reading the ticket out loud.
"King's Cross Station
September 1st, 11:00am
Platform 9¾" Natalie finished reading, smiling; everything was perfect, or wait what?
"Platform 9¾'s?" Natalie repeated confused turning the flashlight off, "How is that possible?" She said looking at Ashley. "And King's Cross? I've haven't heard of it before."
"That's because it's in London, England; stupid." Ashley said knowingly. "How do you know these things?" Natalie asked bewildered; staring at her friend.
"Because unlike you I read." Ashley replied promptly, but laughing softly.
"Well, how are we supposed to get there now, I mean you said it was in London!?" Natalie rolled her eyes as she spoke, there was no hope now.
"I don't know, maybe it has something to do with this green powdery stuff." Ashley said holding up the small plastic bag, examining in carefully.
"Wait!" Natalie said quickly just before Ashley opened the bag, she remembered something. "I think we should read the other letter first. I don't know why, I just think we should." Natalie was referring to the second letter that laid forgotten on the bed. "Okay sure," Ashley agreed.
Natalie grasped the other letter made of the same yellow parchment as Ashley held up the flashlight so she could see. On the paper Natalie stared at the small slanted writing and began to read out loud quietly.
Dear Miss Ashley Baker,
Congratulations on being accepted into the fine school of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Seeing as you are from non-magical descent (or more commonly known as muggleborns in the magical world) there are a few things to which explanations are in order to.
First and foremost in the last years of your life you have shown in some way or another magical abilities and powers possessed by a witch or wizard. This may explain any accidents and/or unexplainable occurrences. We here at Hogwarts would like to encourage and help you expand your powers to their full potential.
Now, to explain as to why you will not be attending Salemfigs School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in America. Salemfigs is still a relatively new and still growing school and is currently accepting fewer students to help expand with smaller classes at first. Because of this we here at Hogwarts have provided Floo Powder to be used in one of the locations listed in the instructions you can find inside the small plastic bag. Also because you are extremely far away there is no need to send an owl in reply to the acceptance letter, by using the Floo Powder we will know you shall be attending Hogwarts.
Afterwards for you to buy your new school supplies you can exchange any muggle money you may have at the Leaky Cauldron, the location to which you will be transported by the Floo Network. To purchase your things head towards the back room of the Leaky Cauldron and tap the third brick above the garbage can. This will open the passage to Diagon Alley where you can find everything you will need for the school year. The list of items needed will be attached below.
Lastly, term starts on September 1st. The Hogwarts Express will be departing King's Cross Station promptly at 11:00am sharp. As you are able to see on your ticket provided the train can be found at Platform 9¾. Only witches and wizards can pass through the barrier by simply pushing your luggage through the pillar between platforms nine and ten. The train will transport you to Hogwarts, where you can find many other witches and wizards such as yourself.
Yours truly,
Albus Dumbledore Current Hogwarts Headmaster
Ashley and Natalie finished reading and looked at each other. Natalie spoke first-
"Whoa, that's a lot of stuff to remember. So your muggleborn? I think the letter said, I wonder what I am." Her green eyes wide and she took a deep breath. Ashley picked up the letter that was attached and Natalie grabbed the flashlight putting it over the writing so Ashley could continue reading the last part of the second letter.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHRAFT and WIZARDRY
Uniform:
First-year students will require:
Three sets of plain work robes (black)
One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)
Please note that all pupils' clothes should carry name tags.
Course Books:
All students should have a copy of each of the following:
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1)
by Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling
A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi
by Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beast and Where to Find Them
by Newt Scamander
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection
by Quentin Trimble
Other Equipment
1 wand
1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set glass or crystal phials
1 set telescope
1 set brass scales
Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS
Attached to the bottom of the letter was a small note labeled-
FLOO POWDER INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Throw handful of Floo Powder into one of the suitable fireplaces connected to the magical transportation listed below. (Because muggle fireplaces are not connected)
2. Step into fireplace and allow the green smoke to surround to completely.
3. Cleary state the name of where you would like to go. (In this case: The Leaky Cauldron)
4. Once you arrive at your destination step out of fireplace to allow any others to use it safely.
Floo Network Locations near you:
1. Wedding Designs by Ellen
2. John Nash's Bookstore
3. Younme Computer Support
4. Rockwell's Ice Cream Parlor
The two girls finished reading and Natalie turned off the flashlight. "It's great that last location is only four blocks from here!" Natalie said happily but then stopped. Her face suddenly turned an expression Ashley didn't see often, anxiousness. "Wait Ash, what are we going to do? We don't have any money. We can't get any of this stuff and they'll kick us out before we even get there." Ashley looked at her worried friend. "I don't know, we'll think of something." She assured her.
Natalie still was unsure, but knew it would all work out somehow. Suddenly she remember the other things which had fallen out of her letter when Ms. Diana tore it open.
"Look. I know I told you Ms. Diana got my letter, but I picked this up from the floor when they spilled out." Natalie said, and she poured out the remaining contexts of her original letter onto the bed. "Let's see." Ashley whispered shuffling though the small pile.
"This Floo Powder stuff, your train ticket, and what's this." Ashley stopped and picked up a tiny bronze key. "What do you think this is for, Nat?"
"I don't know I bet, anything it was explained in my letter!" Natalie whispered.
"But, your letter was burned stupid. Now what do we do?" Ashley said losing hope.
"Well, all this stuff explains magic. So why can't the letter be magical too. Maybe it didn't burn! Maybe it's still sitting in the fireplace right now." Natalie whispered excitedly jumping off the bed. "Come on, Ashley. It's own only hope to finding the reason for the key." "Whatever, we having nothing to lose." Ashley whispered putting down the flashlight and getting up from the bed to follow Natalie.
The girls crossed the room in darkness and Ashley carefully opened the door so it wouldn't creak. Just as Natalie was going to take the first step on the stairs up Ashley grabbed her arm.
"Wait!" She whispered urgently. "This step creaks, we need to skip it." Ashley let go of Natalie and demonstrated how, by taking a long step, holding on to the crumbling railings and jumping softly onto the second step. Ashley continued slightly up the stairs with Natalie close behind.
Entering into the hallway Ashley passed the dim candle barely illuminating their path. Natalie quickly turned into the tiny kitchen before Ashley and guided their way to the now unlit fireplace. Natalie got down on her knees quietly and Ashley followed suit beside her. They looked into the burned wood and the smoky smell tainted their noses.
Ashley moved back suddenly, she wasn't going to be able to hold it in.
"Ah-Ah-Achoo!" Ashley sneezed loudly and Natalie lunged back rapidly and grabbed her mouth to stop any other sound from escaping. The last thing they needed was Ms. Diana to wake up and find them out of bed!
To Natalie and Ashley's displeasure they heard slight movements and a grumbled cough far away. But thank god that was all. Ms. Diana seemed to just fall back asleep. Natalie sighed in relief and let go of Ashley's mouth.
She turned back to the fireplace and peered through the burnt logs as Ashley stayed back. Aha! There it was! Natalie saw the letter crumpled in the back. She reached for it and carefully avoided the logs. After seven painful seconds of pulling out the letter inch by inch Natalie was able to retrieve the whole thing.
The outside envelope of the letter was entirely burnt and torn; Natalie could see, disappointment entered her thoughts, as she held it up silently to Ashley. The writing was barely legible, but Natalie still opened the letter and to her surprise the paper inside was completely perfect.
Natalie smiled and took out the paper putting back the burnt envelope into the fireplace. Ashley got up with Natalie and smiled following Natalie back into her room silently.
Natalie and Ashley jumped onto Ashley's tiny bed and Natalie excitedly opened the letter as Ashley pulled out the flashlight and turned it on, illuminating the darkness around the two girls.
The letter was exactly the same as Ashley's letter, but there seemed to be a miniature note attached to the bottom written in the same small slanted handwriting the girls had seen in Ashley's second letter. Natalie began to read out loud softly.
Dear Miss Natalie Potter,
Inside your acceptance letter to Hogwarts you will find a small bronze key. This key is to be used at Gringotts, the wizard's bank. There you shall see the vault of your parents and will be able to take enough money to buy your supplies for Hogwarts.
Yours truly,
Albus Dumbledore Current Hogwarts Headmaster
"So that's what the little key is for! And the Floo Powder" Ashley said holding up both items, as Natalie finished reading.
"Everything is just right. Now we have everything we need. All we have to do is find a way the escape this dump and we are free!" Natalie whispered loudly.
Ashley and Natalie went to work. They planned for two hours writing things down on stolen pieces of Ms. Diana's paper, thinking of different ways to sneak out, and coming up with other solutions. And finally the entire plan was ready. Natalie looked over their hard work. And when she looked up; Ashley looked at Natalie, her eyes glittering with excitment, mouth in a wide smile and whispered, "Nat...It's not going to be easy. But we're are going to get to Hogwarts!"
"Awesome! Natalie sheriked in delight. But it was too late even when Ashley dived to cover Natalie's mouth. Natalie had forgotten to lower her voice and the girls heard a distant grumble and a sound that could be mistaken like a beast raising from its sleep as Ms. Diana opened her door and began walking angrily into the dimly lit hallway and toward the stairs leading to the basement bedroom.
The two girls looked at all of the things on Ashley's bed; their entire plan on the sheet of paper, the letters, the key, two tickets, and green powder. They heard Ms. Diana's footsteps becoming louder and creaking noises from the stairs, as the girls froze with fear as the doorknob began to rattle.
AN: Hope you like it! Let me know what you think and review.
