Chapter Two
London Flight
A week after Leticia Lunetti discovered she was a witch, she found herself at the nearby airport, sitting next to the blue-robed Henrietta Hazelwood on a flight to London.
"Why can't we just use magic to get there?" she had asked.
"Apparating over long distances is dicey at best, and the Floo Networks are always so crowded nowadays," Henrietta explained. "Flying is much cheaper, and frankly better. It gives us some time to talk before we arrive."
Leticia was not sure she necessarily wanted to talk. Ever since she had discovered that her mother was not really her mother, she had heard nothing but apologies and vain attempts at explanations. Her friends all had a million questions for her, and it had been a never-ending stream of texts and attempting phone calls. For once, Leticia just wanted some proper peace and quiet.
Henrietta, however, was having none of it. "We ought to talk about the upcoming school year while we have the time," she said as soon as they were in the air.
"Do we have to?" Leticia groaned.
"Well, your situation is slightly unique," Henrietta explained. "You're twelve, which is slightly older than students when they normally first arrive at Hogwarts; based on your school records, you'll either be placed into second-year or third-year courses at an advanced level, at least for things like mathematics and the sciences. In your magical studies, however, there is a good chance that you'll be starting with students a year younger."
"Wait, so I'll be starting classes now? It's May! It's almost the end of the school year!" Leticia slumped in her seat. "Does this mean I have to retake seventh grade?"
"Well, no. Hogwarts schooling works a little differently than the public schools you're used to; Headmistress Patil has made a lot of changes in the past decade. Effectively, there are three years of coursework every student is expected to complete, a focus on the core fundamentals essential for every witch and wizard to enter into the modern age. Once you get past that, you'll be able to select classes on a pathway based on the skills you excel at and the career options you might be interested in."
"Did you go to Hogwarts?"
Henrietta leaned back in her seat and smiled. "No, I was sent to Beauxbatons when I was eleven. It is...a very different atmosphere, far more focused on magical prowess. I had to take a lot of time learning about Muggle life and technology after I left. We simply weren't taught about it."
"Oh...so Hogwarts is better?"
"I-" Henrietta paused. "I would not say better, I would just say...different."
"Did my birth parents go to Beauxbatons?"
Leticia watched Henrietta for her reaction, and was surprised when she immediately responded with: "Honestly, I don't know."
"Oh."
Henrietta shrugged. "I'm very sorry I can't be more helpful, Leticia. From what your m- from what Luna said, your father was a Muggle, so he wouldn't have attended any of the magical schools. Did she not tell you anything more about them?"
Leticia shook her head. "Nothing."
"I'm sorry." Leticia actually believed that Henrietta was sorry; she had gotten used to Luna's fake smiles and false apologies, but this woman's expression was so sincere it was difficult to remain mad at her.
"I just- why would she hide all of that? What would she have to gain from not telling me anything about my parents?" Her voice became shrill. A stewardess and a few of the other passengers gave her a strange look.
Henrietta frowned. "I don't know. Adults are...complicated. I'm sure that, whatever her reasons are, they are good. She genuinely cares about you, Leticia."
"Letti."
"Excuse me?"
"My friends call me Letti. Can you...call me that from now on? My...I mean, Luna...always called me Leticia. I'm not sure I like it anymore."
Henrietta nodded and smiled. "Of course, Letti."