Special Holas! to Fee-o-nee (snigger), Ashwey, Kelsey, and Carrie A.!!! I love you all!
**revised** mm...Pixie seems to be getting her months mixed up!! Thanks Carrie for pointing it out!!
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They went to Madam Malkin's Robes for all Occasions first to buy their school robes. Gwen and Emma also got a warmer, winter cloak each. Although it was only September, winter had come early. After that, they proceeded to Ollivander's to buy their wands. Emma was easy enough, (It took her only two wands to find the perfect one) but they had to wait over twenty minutes for Gwen to get hers.

"Finally." Emma sighed, walking out the door, her new wand in hand.

"I couldn't help it," Gwen protested. "It's not my fault all those wands didn't work. Remember? 'The wand picks the wizard.'" She wiggled her fingers ominously. They both giggled.

Hagrid led the two girls back up to the Leaky Cauldron.

"You'll beh satyin' 'ere until tomorrow. The train leaves at eleven. I'll come back for yeh at ten." he told them. They nodded and walked into the two adjoining rooms that had been prepared for them by Tom, the owner.

Gwen threw her purchases down onto the bed and sat at the small vanity in the corner. On the table there were various bottles, brushes and combs. She spent a few minutes examining them. She found that the bottles each contained a different perfume, one of the scents being lavender, her all-time favorite. She dabbed a bit on and felt more relaxed than she had in weeks. Letting out a sigh, she looked up into the mirror. Her short, dark red hair was messy and sticking out in places.

"Ugh," said Gwen as she picked up one of the brushes and began to comb the cowlicks down.

"You know dear, you have wonderful hair," her mirror told her. Gwen yelped and disappeared from view. Setting her chair upright she climbed back on.

"E-excuse me?" she said, peering into the mirror. She'd forgotten that she was in the wizarding world and that there, mirrors talked. "You startled me. What did you say?"

"I said, you have nice hair. It looks very much like that Lily Potter girl's" the mirror repeated, a disgruntled tone in it's voice. "She stayed here once, you know. Right in this very room." it continued, talking more to itself than Gwen.

"Really?" Gwen asked. No one had ever told her she looked like Lily. Then again, how could anyone in her world tell her she looked like a fictional character. The mirror quivered slightly. Gwen took it as a nod.

"Yes, you have the same color hair. It's just the length of it and... " the voice paused. "And your eyes that are different. She had the most gorgeous green eyes..." the mirror continued to ramble on, but Gwen wasn't listening. She'd gotten up to visit Emma in her room.

***


Hagrid came to pick them up at ten o'clock, as he promised and took the girls to King's Cross Station. Emma had some trouble getting to platform 9 and 3/4. She kept getting stuck in the middle. Eventually, she got through and they boarded the train.

Emma and Gwen hadn't gotten much of a chance to see the countryside and it flashed passed the windows. They had both fallen asleep in their car because of the late-night chat they had the night before. Soon, they were being shaken awake and led out of the train. Hagrid showed them to a horseless carriage waiting for them. They all enjoyed a pleasant chat while being taken up to the castle.

When they stepped out, all sleepiness still in the girls vanished. They stared up at the gigantic castle looming ominously before them. Emma couldn't imagine how anyone could keep a place like this away from the Muggles. It was just way too big. Hagrid had to practically drag the girls up to the castle, they were so awe-struck.

He led them up the stairs and into the Entrance Hall. Hagrid waved his arm around the room dramatically. "Welcome to 'Ogwarts!" he said.

There were countless students bustling about the hallway, coming in and out of, what Gwen supposed to be, classrooms. She glanced at her watch when she heard her stomach rumble. It was a little past twelve. Gwen tugged on Hagrid's enormous sleeve.

"Uh, excuse me Hagrid. But could we get something to eat. I haven't had food since last night."

"I 'ave orders to take yeh two up teh Professor Dumbledore's office." Gwen gave him a pleading look. "But yeh can go down t'the Great Hall afterwards." She smiled.

Soon, they found themselves standing in front of a large gargoyle. Emma could only guess that this was the entrance to Dumbledore's office. Sure enough, after Hagrid gave the gargoyle the password ("Treacle tart"), A large door appeared and they climbed up the circular steps.

When they got to the top, the headmaster was not there, so Hagrid directed the giddy girls to some chairs and left them there to wait.

Emma leaned over the arm of her chair. "So, you think he'll be as cool in real life as he is in the books?" she whispered to Gwen.

"Who?" Gwen asked. "Harry or Dumbledore?"

"Both"

Gwen thought about this for a moment. "I hope Dumbledore is as lenient and nice as J.K. says." she replied, a mischievous smile on her face. It was well known to many that Gwen Evans wasn't your most law-abiding citizen.

"You flatter me, Ms. Evans." a soft voice came from in front of them. Both girls jumped in their seats, and turned around to look. They reddened slightly when they saw who it was. Albus Dumbledore stood in front of them, a smile on his face and the famous twinkle in his eye.

Millions of questions burst out of the girls, but they were silenced when Dumbledore put up a hand. "Please, one at a time."

"Why are we here?" said Gwen. "And why didn't we go to an American school?" she added on an afterthought.

Dumbledore sat down at his desk. "I have brought you here because I noticed some admirable qualities in you. Obviously, you've read Ms. Rowling's books and you know that Voldemort," Gwen shuddered. "has come back to power. I felt that it would help if we had as many witches and wizards as we could, to help with the battle that is sure to come. That is why I planted the Magic Meter 2000 in Miss Evans' book. Just to make sure you were the right people." "As for the reason you never went to an American school for magic…well, when wizards and witches immigrated, they found very hostile Muggles there. You have heard of the Salem Witchtrails?" Both girls nodded. "When events like that happened,," he continued. "most magical people decided it would be best if they kept their powers hidden."

Emma and Gwen nodded in understanding. "But we're fifteen. Everyone's already had four more years of training than we have."

"Ah, you are very quick Miss Fall. Yes, I am aware of that slight problem, but I have arranged for you to be tutored by some of the teachers here. I expect you'll be caught up with the rest of the students by the time Halloween arrives. Maybe even earlier, if you remember some of Ms. Rowling's works." Dumbledore replied.

"How come you know about J.K. Rowling!?" Gwen blurted out, a little bit louder than she had meant to. "I-I mean, Hagrid hadn't heard of her. How do you?"

The headmaster smiled. "You may not have known, but Joanne Rowling is a witch herself. I have read bits and pieces of her books. The reason no one else has read her books is, well, because she's placed a spell on them. Only in England, mind you. I'd heard about them from a friend Scotland. We all have the Daily Prophet to inform us of everything that happens to Mr. Potter anyways."

After entertaining a few more of their questions, Dumbledore ushered the two girls to a room that they would be staying in together, and promised to Gwen that he would send some food up. When the food arrived, they ate, discussing everything that had happened so far, and everything that would happen to them in the days to come.

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Well, that's the end. I hope to be writing more, but don't expect it too soon.