Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended. I only own Elizabeth Maris, her family and a few other characters. Please leave comments.

Dark Clouds Rising

Belief

Chapter Four

"WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY HUSBAND?" Jenny screamed as she ran to Edward and knelt beside him.

"I used a freezing spell on him so he wouldn't hit me. Let me fix this and then we can talk," Arthur Weasley replied as he pointed his wand at Edward and cast the counter curse.

Edward stood up and looked at the man as he pushed Jenny behind him. "What the blazes did you do to me?" he asked.

"Sorry about that. I thought you were going to hit me. Now why don't we sit down and I'll explain everything," Arthur replied as he walked over to the recliner and sat down.

Edward looked at Jenny who was looking at him and then they sat down on the couch. "Well, since you asked, the least we can do is listen as I was going to throw you out," Edward said as he took Jenny's hand.

"Yes, now where was I? Oh yes, now as I was trying to say I have been sent by Headmistress Hermione Weasley to introduce you and your daughter to our world. As young wizards and witches become of school age here in the United Kingdom, they attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry… "

"What a bunch of baloney. There is no such thing as witches and witchcraft," Edward stated.

"Can I prove it to you?" Arthur asked.

"Sure, turn me pink," Edward snorted in contempt.

"Are you sure?" Arthur asked with surprise in his voice.

"Yes, do your best then I'm tossing you out of my house on your head," Edward replied as he glared at the man.

"Ok, if you insist," Arthur said as he pointed his wand at the man and said, "Colorinus Pink!"

A pink colored beam shot from the wand and hit Edward in his chest. Jenny screamed as her husband suddenly turned bright pink and then changed back a few moments later when Arthur said the counter spell.

"How about this? Mobiliarbus" Arthur muttered and the vase sitting on the fireplace flew to him and he caught it. He then summoned a lamp and Jenny's purse as Beth came downstairs.

Beth had heard her stepmother scream and she had just reached the landing when Jenny's purse flew by her. "What the fuck is going on?" Beth said as she came into the living room.

Arthur heard the girl's voice and turned towards her with a smile that went from ear to ear, "Hello, you must be Elizabeth," he said as he stood up and offered his hand.

Beth looked at the hand and then the man's face, as she replied, "Yeah I am. What are you? Some pervert or something? I saw you watching the house from outside."

"Beth!" Jenny said horrified.

"Elizabeth Rose Maris you apologize right now," Edward snapped.

"What?" Arthur said with a shocked look on his face and then asked, "Why would you think that?"

"Well, your clothes look ten years out of date, and you have that stupid grin on your face, and you're pale like you don't get much sun. So I assume you've been locked up and you just got released and you're looking for your next plaything. Well, I'm not it. Now what do you want?" Beth replied as she walked to stand behind her father.

Arthur started choking and then looked at the girl as he sat back down. "No, I am not a pervert. What I am, is a wizard and I'm here to introduce you to our world. I know you got our letter stating that you'd been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry…"

Beth snorted as she replied, "Me a witch only when I'm pissed off at everyone."

Jenny started laughing as she heard Bethy comment and she knew how true it was. Then the confused look on Arthur's face had tears running down her face as she stood up and went into the kitchen to compose herself.

"Young ladies don't talk that way. Now do you…"

"Who said I was a lady. I'm an American. Dad, I'll be up in my room listening to my music. Let me know when this bum is gone," Beth said as she walked towards the stairs when she heard the man speak again.

"Locomotor Mortis."

Beth screamed as her legs locked together and then she started to fall because she was off balance. Hands grabbed her and carried her to the couch just as Jenny came into see what was going on.

"What the fuck? What are you doing to my daughter?" Jenny asked.

"I just want her to listen. Now, young lady, sit here and be quiet," Arthur said as he thought, 'what is wrong with kids nowadays, mine never did anything like this and neither did Harry or Hermione.'

"Fuck you. Let me go you son of…"

Arthur tapped his wand against the girl's mouth and her lips slammed shut as the Silencio charm took effect.

Sitting down, Arthur looked at the girl and said, "Now that you cannot speak or run away. Let's have that little talk I wanted to give you. First, let's answer your question on being a witch. Have you ever done anything that you could never explain? Like flowers blooming or a glass…"

"Yes a month ago she was having a tantrum. She wanted to go to some movie, and I said no. It was a school night and the glasses on the counter flew off the counter and hit the floor. I thought maybe I'd hit it by accident when I tossed the drying towel on the counter to talk with her. Also the new bottle of milk went bad as did the butter. I had just bought them," Jenny replied.

"Anger makes the magic manifest, and can cause injuries. That's why we have schools to teach them how to control it. Now Beth, I know you don't believe but watch for a minute," Arthur said as he pointed his wand at the coffee table and it started walking around and then changed into a Great Dane. The dog started wagging his tail and then walked over to Beth and licked her face.

Arthur said another word they didn't catch and the dog was gone and the table back in its place. Using his wand he released Beth and asked, "Do you believe now?"

"Uhhh, I guess I have to," Beth said as she tapped the table and then felt her cheek where the dog had licked her.

"Good. Now that's settled, we need to take you to Diagon Alley for your school supplies…"

"Mister Weasley what is Diagon Alley?" Beth asked.

"Well it's kind of like a muggle street malls…"

"Muggle?" Jenny asked.

"It's our term for non magic people. Like you and your husband."

"I see, so we're insulted by your magic community. Do you think you're better than us?" Edward asked.

"No, actually not. My daughter-in-law, Hermione, the Headmistress of Hogwarts is muggle born and one of our most powerful witches. So don't take any offense by it please," Arthur replied.

"Ok, I won't. So how much will this school cost us?" Edward asked as he stood up.

"We will have to see. I suggest you bring enough cash so you can exchange it at Gringotts and set up your daughter's vault. I do know that one Gallon is the equivalent of five of your British pound notes or around eight of your American dollars…"

"Sounds like highway robbery. What are these gallons you mention, Gold?" Jenny said as she stood up.

"Yes they are, how did you know?" Arthur asked with a shocked look on his face.

"I was joking. Are you saying that they use real gold?" Jenny said as she picked up her purse.

"Yes, we use gold, silver and copper. The coins are counted as seventeen Sickles to a Galleon, and twenty-nine Knuts to a Sickle," Author said as they walked to the fireplace and asked, "Now if everyone is ready, we best be heading off to get Beth her school supplies. I would recommend comfortable shoes as well."

"Just a second," Beth said as she ran upstairs to her bedroom. Changing her flip flops to her tennis shoes, she grabbed her I-pod, her purse and ran back downstairs and into the kitchen. Opening the fridge, she pulled out the three remaining twenty ounce bottles of soda and ran for the living room. "Ready," she said as her dad came out of his den with his wallet, coat and hat.

"Ok then. Now we will be traveling by floo. So if everyone will take a pinch of the powder, we shall get going," Arthur said as he pulled out a bag from his pocket and offered it to them.

"Floo?" Jenny asked as she looked at the grayish powder.

"Yes, take a pinch and throw it into the fire… oh let me get that," Arthur said as he pointed his wand at the fireplace and it burst into flames. Offering the bag again, he continued, "Now as I was saying. Take a pinch of the dust and throw it into the flames. When they turn green step in and say Leaky Caldron. You will be transported to the nearest entrance to Diagon Alley.

"Ok, time to call the padded wagon for you. If we were to do that we would get burned," Edward said with anger starting to build in his voice.

"The Leaky Caldron!" Beth shouted and stepped into the fire before her parents could stop her and she vanished.

First Edit by Bill Lewis

Second Edit by Deenara2000

Final Edit by