Disclaimer: A really long chapter ahead where all the world of Harry Potter is copyrighted by JKR and the rest copyrighted by HvH (me).
Really, I am tired of this, I thought as I looked at the letter accusingly. This contest has already gotten me in trouble and if someone really does show up at the apartment then I am in for it. Or what if, I think for a horrible moment, my mother is right and it is some creepy person who wants god knows what. I can't stop worrying about it all day with the result of being even more absent minded than usual. I paid no attention to my classes for the first time. It is not normal for me to not be attentive in class. I was always a top student, but not from any seemingly natural talent. Just a lot of hard work and sleepless nights. Last year science was so hard because of changing schools so often, I looked like a raccoon from lack of sleep. I don't understand how I am expected to do well as every school does different things. However, my life somehow, is unbelievably easier if I get good grades, no matter how much sleep I lose. I cannot stand being told about the straight A's my sister has and why I can't be more like her.
But for once I have more pressing things on my minded and just can't be bothered. I rush home after school, tripping many times with my usual clumsiness. I already break the routine, running straight to the dreaded shared bedroom and attempt to think of the best way out of this. Stay outside and guard the door so no one comes in? Pretend I am not home? I definitely need to find a way from keeping my parents from coming home. But all the ideas that come in this frenzied state, involving telling them Tanya is the hospital or something like it, like police station and therefore all involve getting me in more trouble and they would come home soon after when they found of the truth. Perhaps I could injure myself so I end up in the hospital; everyone would believe it had happened by accident.
I run to the kitchen, wrench open a drawer and grab a knife, stopping to consider what would be the most painless accident that could be easily fixed. BANG!! I drop the knife in surprise and it manages to cut straight through my toe. But I didn't need the knife to keep me glued to the spot. I was terrified motionless, positive someone was just knocking down the door.
"Hello, is anyone at home?"
I was surprised to here the voice of what sounded like an elderly lady. What was going on here? Footsteps approached the tiny kitchen, I was trapped.
"Oh good! You are here. I was afraid that you might not have received my letter after all! You must be Hannah. I am Professor McGonagall the Deputy Headmistress at Hogwarts. As you know I am here to discuss our offer to have you attend the school." My jaw drops to the floor in shock. Here in front of me is a woman who looks exactly like I always imagined Professor McGonagall, tall gray pointy hat, matching gray robes, a tight bun of brown hair at the base of her neck and square glasses sitting primly on her nose. When I don't say anything she starts to look at me a bit suspiciously as if she knows there is something wrong. We both notice a little puddle of blood on the floor at the same time. I had forgotten to feel any pain but it suddenly came rushing back.
"Oh my goodness! What happened? I must have given you a fright when I apparated. I forgot you muggles were not used to such things!" She pulls out a little stick of wood from the folds of her robe and I know instinctively that it is a wand, even before the knife removes itself and all the pain and blood disappear.
"Truly sorry my dear! Why don't we take a sit and talk everything over." I nod dumbly and lead the way to the table and took a seat.
"Now Hannah, I assume you must now of our world now, after that meddling Diggle spilled our secrets to that muggle woman. Apparently, now all children, magic or not, now know Harry Potter's name, not that he needs to be more well known." She told me, her mouth turning into an impossibly thin line. "I will assume from your shocked appearance that you didn't believe it to be true. The ministry had quite a time convincing muggles to believe it was all just a great story. We were terrified that the muggle community would discover our presence at last, after all our efforts. However, I have already proved to you that it is true."
I goggle at her, wanting to believe it, but I was pretty sure that I had just proved myself ready for the insane asylum.
"Our sources tell us that you have enormous magical capabilities. Dumbledore would have even come to speak with you if it hadn't been for some unfortunately unpleasant responsibilities." She frowned in what I thought was disdain. "Unlike usual you did not appear on our lists of potential students when you became of age. We believe this has to do with your constant moving and not even our sources could pinpoint you. However, when you visited England last year, they registered your potential and we have been attempting to contact you ever since, which has proved to be unsuccessful. It is Dumbledore's greatest wish that you attend Hogwarts to develop and train your magic. Would you like to come?" She asked me kindly and peered at me curiously from behind her spectacles. I nodded and shook my head simultaneously. Her eyebrows rose in confusion and I knew I need to muster the strength to speak. I cleared my throat.
"Um, no offense Professor, but that's just a story. A great one of course!" I add hastily. "One I would love to believe in, but I… I know it is not possible. I didn't realize when I applied to the contest that it would include… such things." I felt proud to be able to make a proper sentence despite my mumbling and stuttering. Yet she smiled kindly, even though her eyes seemed sad.
"Hannah, you must believe me, I am a witch and the magic I performed earlier was no trick of strings and technology. Harry Potter, Ronald Weasly, Hermonie Granger, Albus Dumbledore and all of Hogwarts really does exist. A wizard spilled their stories to a muggle writer who hoped to tell the muggle community of our amazing hidden world."
"I believe you." I thought I should humor her as she was starting to look a bit strained with the effort of convincing me.
"Good. Now, would you like to attend Hogwarts? You would be two years behind. A big gap. But we are prepared to make special arrangements for you. You would arrive at the school ahead of schedule and have private lessons with all available teachers to catch up. While we cannot hope to cover two years material in a month, with intensive work on all sides, we believe you would be prepared to join the third years when they arrive, with continued tutoring after normal classes. If you wish to accept you must be prepared to work harder than you ever have in your life. It will be difficult, frustrating and often disheartening, but we think you are capable. The rewards are numerous, firstly it is dangerous to leave your powers untrained. Secondly, it is best to come to Hogwarts, instead of another wizarding school, which might attempt to influence you in inappropriate directions. We know you have a thirst for learning, and we think you would greatly enjoy what we have to teach. The job opportunities are numerous and exciting once you finish your schooling. Lastly, you will then be able to do so many things that you never dreamed of. What do you say?" But I didn't know what to say, I pinched myself so many times to wake me up from this dream that my arm was red. If I was to believe her, I was daunted by how much work it would be, excited by the prospect of leaving this dull life and of learning magic. But I saw no way that it could possibly be true. It was just too good to be true. I must have gone beyond the stages of insanity to some uncharted area.
I was saved (and doomed) from saying anything to this figment of my imagination but the sound of the key turning in the lock and in walked my father. That was lucky. He was much easier to deal with than my mother, no yelling or agreeing with my diagnosis. Hopefully.
"Ah, excellent timing, I had hoped to discuss this with your parents today." My figment stood up and strode towards my father, totally unaware of his look of surprise by her existence and appearance. Wait a minute, why can he see my hallucinations???
"Good evening Mr. van Horne. I am Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I have many things to discuss with you, if we could perhaps join Hannah at the table." She gestured as if he was her guest. He looked questioningly at me and said,
"It's a pleasure to meet you Ms. McGonagall. If you don't mind me asking but how did you come to know my daughter?"
"I am here representing Albus Dumbledore, the Headmaster, who would very much like to meet with you himself if it were not for extenuating circumstances. I offered Hannah a position at the school in my letter. However, as we did not receive an answer, I came to ensure there were no problems and to discuss this abnormal situation."
"Oh you must be from that contest Hannah entered!" He exclaimed as comprehension dawned. I thought now she might drop the ruse but she shook her head and muttered, "The ministry has seemed to have done their job to well. No Mr. Robinson, I haven't come because of a contest. As I have been explaining to Hannah, I am a witch. I suppose I will have to show you. Even though you are a muggle, you would see magic from your daughter so the law is not in effect I suppose." She took out her wand again and transfigured the mug on the table, left over from my breakfast, into a vase full of red roses.
"That should brighten up the place. At Hogwarts I would be teaching Hannah the art of transfiguration, a very useful skill meaning she could disguise herself or change any object she wished. She would learn Potions, and will be able to brew medicines and a large number of things. There is also Charms, Herbology, History of Magic, Defense Against the Dark Arts as well as many electives." I had been listening with rapt attention, but droned out once she began explaining the extra classes again. My mind reeled. I thought that Harry had accepted this a lot more quickly than I am. Papa looks doubtful but impressed by what she is saying, which I guess is the point. In a break in the conversation, reminded of Harry, I blurted out,
"But there is not way I can do magic. I am not like Harry. Things don't happen when I am mad."
"Magic shows itself different in everyone. I am told that your wounds heal so quickly as to baffle doctors. When concentrating you are able to read people's emotions. While absent minded, you actually have a miraculous memory, even if you don't believe it. Even more interesting is that you get glimpses of what is to come, which muggles called Déjà vu." A smile spread across her face and even reached her stern eyes and I gazed at her. I was too stunned to even question how she got her information. I had indeed fallen down the stairs and had broken my leg, which healed in a week. I often find that I have seen exact pictures or situations before. But as for the memory bit, that was debatable.
"Harry jumped roves and made glass disappear. He has different skills." My father sputtered,
"Wait this Harry kid exists? But that's a story!"
"It is a true story of our world and it's struggles. I believe even I am mentioned in the books, isn't that right Hannah?" I nod, silent again. "Well, I realize this is a lot of information to take in and you cannot possibly come to a decision so soon. I must leave, but I will leave a device that you can use to tell me of your answer. I ask that it be made by this time tomorrow, I realize that is short but it is vital to the planning that must take place for all the extra classes you need. If you decline, be aware other schools might make offers, but I must unbiasly say that it would be unwise to attend such schools. If you accept, Hagrid the gamekeeper at Hogwarts will come and collect you the next morning. He will escort you both to Diagon Alley to exchange money to our currency and to purchase books, robes, wand and all the other necessary supplies on the list in my first letter. Then he will take Hannah to the school where she can settle in and begin her make up classes. She will live there for the year, and the next 4 until she completes her schooling. She can come home for Christmas and must come home for summer holidays. However, it might be necessary to remain for this Christmas to continue extra classes. She will be very comfortable at the castle, sharing a dorm with others of her age and attending classes and meals. If you press this side, it will indicate yes." She showed us a small black cylinder, on side blue and motioned to the red side, "and this no. Please consider this quickly. Please do not tell anyone outside your immediate family. I must depart. Farewell, till we meet again Hannah, Mr. Robinson." She shook his hand and with a quieter bang, disappeared into thin air.