A/N: OK, this is a tricky chapter to do. I didn't want them to be convinced too quickly, nor too thoroughly. Sigh... I love challenging writing topics, even if I do impose them on myself ;D The same old disclaimers and please, R&R!!! Title from one of the best bands in the 80's...Sting & the Police!
Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic
Life went on as usual the next couple of weeks. Anne tried to see things that could only be explained away as magic, but nothing jumped out at her. She didn't see any more owls in broad daylight, and she definitely didn't bounce the day she tripped and fell. Knowing who was on the phone could easily be explained because she new the times her parents called and she knew if someone in the household was expecting a call. So, Anne went on being unconvinced as to the reality of magic and somewhat disappointed that she hadn't seen any proof that it did exist.
One Tuesday afternoon in late-June there was an unexpected ring of the doorbell. Anne was reading in the family room, so she got up to answer the door. When she opened it, however, there was no one there. All she saw was a gray tabby cat sitting on the edge of the front stoop.
"Who is it Anne?" Will called from upstairs.
"Nobody!" she called back, quite bewildered. "Hey Will, come here a sec, would you?"
Will clattered downstairs and Anne pointed at the tabby. "Have you seen this cat around before?"
"Nope, why does it matter?" Will's attitude quickly changed from one of mild interest to concern, "You know Mom won't let you take in a stray! You better not get attached to it, Anne."
"I know," Anne replied, still staring intently at the tabby, which hadn't budged for the past few minutes. "Don't you think there's something... odd about it, though?"
"About what?" Will asked.
"Well, the doorbell rings, and when I get to the door, nobody's here except the tabby cat..." Anne mused.
"Well, somebody rang the doorbell and ran, then the cat came and sat on the porch," Will said casually.
"But, don't you think the cat would have been startled by the person running, and either move, f she was already sitting there, or decide not to sit there at all? I mean, why is she here, why hasn't she moved at all in the last few minutes, and why is she not like a normal cat?" Anne finished a bit exasperated. She couldn't figure the cat out. Normal cats just didn't sit stone still; they usually twitched their tails at least. Most cats would acknowledge her either by blinking or narrowing their eyes; and strays usually run away at the appearance of humans.
"Are you suggesting the cat rang the doorbell?" Will sniggered.
"Well... I hadn't thought of that, but... why not?" Anne replied.
"Cats aren't smart enough to know how to ring a doorbell, Fluff-brains. And even if they were, how would they reach the button?" Will condescendingly prodded.
There was just something so odd about the way the cat's gaze suddenly intensified on her, as if it were willing her to confess something. The strange, rectangular markings around its eyes... "Well," Anne was reluctant to say it to Will, "Maybe it's magic."
"Magic doesn't - Holy Shit!" Will's statement of derision was changed to one of disbelief as the cat transformed in to a severe-looking, elderly woman before their eyes.
"I'd watch your language if I were you, young man," she said to Will before turning to Anne.
Anne was standing, gaped mouth, staring at the spot where the cat had been. She couldn't believe what she had just seen! Will was having a hard time coping with it too, since he was repeating his exclamation over and over again. "I don't believe it..." Anne choked out.
"Why not? You said yourself that it might be magic," The formidable woman presented, "and I proved that it was. I am Ms. Minerva McGonagall from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I assume, that you are Miss Marian Annette Harrison?"
"Y- yes, I am." Anne stammered, still staring. Ms. McGonagall was indeed a strict-looking woman. Her hair was pulled tightly back into a bun at the nape of her neck, she stood with appallingly correct posture, and her eyes pierced from behind steel-rimmed glasses. Her clothes fascinated Anne. She had never seen anyone wear robes except for graduations or in church, so to see a woman in robes of dark green with a pointed black hat standing on her doorstep was quite unreal. Anne couldn't help herself... she started to giggle at the absurdity of it all.
"What, may I ask, is so amusing Miss Harrison?" Ms. McGonagall's gaze was intense enough to make her stop giggling, but not enough to erase her smile.
"Oh, nothing, would you like to come in?" Anne asked and moved out of the doorway to allow her entrance.
"Thank you," Ms. McGonagall replied and stepped into the house. She immediately produced what looked like a stick from within her robes and flicked deftly as she said a word. Will's chant of expletives immediately stopped and a look of horror crossed his face. "I've quite had enough of your foul language, young man," she chided, "If you promise to clean up your vocabulary, I will allow you to speak again. Do I make myself clear?"
Will nodded with wide eyes and Ms. McGonagall undid the spell. Will didn't say anything, just stood there staring in terrified shock at the woman.
"Um, would you like anything to eat or drink? Our parents aren't home right now," Anne queried. "They should be back soon though. Let me show you into the kitchen?"
The witch obligingly followed Anne into the kitchen and took a seat at the table. Anne couldn't help but stare in fascination at the oddity the woman presented. Anne would have said it was the best Halloween costume she had ever seen, if she hadn't known that this was not a costume. Will couldn't seem to get enough either. He followed them into the kitchen and sat down at the table with Ms. McGonagall. He proceeded to stare at her and examine her as if she were a fascinating bug he had found.
"Will!" Anne said sharply. He started and had the decency to look abashed for staring. 'I don't know what you would like to drink... we have soft drinks, orange juice, apple juice, lemonade and water..."
"Water would be quite nice, dear." The gentleness in her voice surprised Anne, but she supposed the severity of the woman was useful in some situations, but that she had a slightly softer side too.
As Anne set the glass of water down on the table, she heard her father's car pull up the driveway. "Um... I'll be back in just a minute. Please excuse me." She hurried out of the room and scurried outside to meet her dad.
"Hi, sweetheart. How was your day?" Mr. Harrison asked as he gathered his things.
"Uh... well, there's something I need to tell you..." Anne hedged nervously.
"Oh? What did you do?" Mr. Harrison asked.
"I didn't do anything!" Anne defended herself, "I mean... look, I got a letter last month asking if I wanted to attend a school in England. I wrote a letter back asking for more information. A, uh... representative from the school showed up a few minutes ago, and I just wanted to give you some warning."
"Warning? You didn't tell us you were expecting someone!" Mr. Harrison was irritated by the news of a sudden visitor.
"I didn't know she was coming! She just showed up! Oh, and Dad, she's dressed kinda weird... but try not to let it bother you." Anne explained.
"Dressed weird?" Mr. Harrison was understandably a little concerned by now. He tried to steel himself for meeting a strangely dressed woman from England, but what he was met with when he entered the kitchen was a complete shock. His brief case dropped with a clatter when he saw the woman sitting at the table. He backtracked quickly into the hallway and turned to his daughter. Anne crouched, anxiously awaiting the tide of anger evident in her father's face. "Anne, how could you have done this? You AND Will!? Not only a complete stranger, but someone who is obviously also a complete lunatic!"
"I assure you, Mr. Harrison, that I am as sane as you are. I can tell you today's date and the who the British Prime Minister is, as well as the American president." Ms. McGonagall said calmly from the kitchen.
At that moment the door closed and Anne inwardly groaned. Her mother was home; and there was going to be some Hell raising quite shortly. There was complete silence for a moment before Mrs. Harrison appeared in the hallway, almost smoking from her ears and nostrils.
"Mom, I..." Anne trailed off at the glare her mother shot her.
"What, why, who and how?" was all her mother could manage to get out in an angry hiss.
"My name, since neither of you have allowed your daughter to introduce me, is Ms. Minerva McGonagall. I am a professor at Hogwarts in England, and I am here to try and convince you to let her attend school there, if she so desires." Ms. McGonagall stifled the ensuing argument by appearing in the hallway. Anne shot her a grateful look and timidly suggested that they move into the living room.
When everyone was gathered and a tense silence filled the room, Mrs. Harrison 's patience finally broke. "Where, exactly is this, Hogwarts, and what exactly do you teach there? I don't want to send my daughter across the Atlantic to some school that teaches how to be a starving artist or a circus performer."
"Mom!" Anne gasped.
Ms. McGonagall stared down her nose at Mrs. Harrison and calmly, but forcefully, replied, "Hogwarts is the finest school of witchcraft and wizardry in the world, madam. It is held in the highest regard for the quality and scope of its academics as well as its students."
"Wizardry!" Mr. Harrison exclaimed, "You expect us to believe that there is a school that teaches magic tricks in England?"
"Not, magic tricks Mr. Harrison. Real magic." Ms. McGonagall said with asperity.
"There's no such thing," Mr. Harrison flatly replied, "I spend my days teaching principles that help us to understand what was thought of as magic for centuries. There is no such thing, its all illusion and slight of hand."
Ms. McGonagall's nostrils flared and she became even more rigid than usual. "You may not believe that there is such a thing as magic, but how would you explain this?" she asked as with a flick of her wand and a couple words, Mr. Harrison's tie turned into a snake.
Mrs. Harrison shrieked and Will and Anne just stared in amazement. Mr. Harrison looked down at the snake in bewilderment, lost for words. "Uh... um, I..."
"If you need more proof that I am indeed perfectly honest in my intentions, please watch the snake carefully." Ms. McGonagall directed their gaze to the snake that was now on the living room floor. "Wingardium leviosa!" with a swish and flick of her wand, the snake rose gently into the air. A look of shock and horror was fixed on Mrs. Harrison's face as the snake floated up to eye level then was suddenly transformed back into Mr. Harrison's tie with a word.
There was silence in the room as everyone thought about what had just taken place. Mr. Harrison was trying to figure out how to explain it away as a trick, Mrs. Harrison was too overwhelmed to think clearly, Will thought it was an amazing trick and Anne was fighting a battle within herself. She had been presented with undeniable proof that some things cannot be easily explained away, but she still wasn't sure...
"Well," Mr. Harrison cleared his throat nervously, "If magic exists - which I'm not saying I fully believe - wouldn't Anne have to possess it in order to go to this school?"
"Yes," Ms. McGonagall replied, "She has been documented as having the ability to do magic by the American Magical Council. Her excellent academic marks have recommended her to be offered a slot at Hogwarts. You should feel honored, for she would be the only American to attend Hogwarts in over 150 years."
"Well, I don't believe that she possesses magic," Mrs. Harrison snapped in her shock and confusion, "You have to prove to me that she can do magic before we'd consider anything."
"That's reasonable enough," Ms. McGonagall conceded and walked over to Anne. "Take my wand, child, and I want you to say as a command, 'Lumos.' It may take more than one try as wands are particular to one person and don't work as well when others try to use them."
Anne gripped the wand and looked at the witch. She gulped and settled herself. In her best commanding voice she said, "Lumos!" and to her delighted surprise, the tip of the wand started to glow.
"Very good," Ms. McGonagall almost smiled, "Many first years have difficulty with that spell. You have talent. Now, I'd like you to try the floating spell on the tie. Point the tip of the wand at the tie and as you swish and flick the wand, say, 'Wingardium leviosa.'"
Anne furrowed her eyebrows in concentration and... nothing happened. Will snorted and her parents got smug looks on their faces. "It's all right. This charm is difficult in its own right and isn't made any easier by the fact that you don't have your own wand. Try again, and remember to swish and flick." Ms. McGonagall encouraged her.
Anne concentrated on the tie and with a swish and flick... it floated gently into the air! Anne made the tie rise into the air and directed it with the wand. A huge smile spread across face as she realized that she could do magic.
'You aren't going." Mr. Harrison said with finality. The tie dropped as Anne lost concentration.
"Daddy, please! Just for a year! What harm could there be in just going for a year?" Anne begged, "You saw that I can do it! I really can! Magic really does exist! Please, please, pleaaaaase let me go! Just for a year at least!"
Her parents looked at one another and sighed. Anne knew that sound and quietly rejoiced. She would be going to England! For one year at least...
P.S. I have what I want in the next three chapters planned out. I just have to write them...:D Oh, and I know people like a lot of humor ;) but I'm not too good at writing it :( A lot of things that I intend to be amusing are all in the way you read it. You have to read with feeling people! TTYL.
Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic
Life went on as usual the next couple of weeks. Anne tried to see things that could only be explained away as magic, but nothing jumped out at her. She didn't see any more owls in broad daylight, and she definitely didn't bounce the day she tripped and fell. Knowing who was on the phone could easily be explained because she new the times her parents called and she knew if someone in the household was expecting a call. So, Anne went on being unconvinced as to the reality of magic and somewhat disappointed that she hadn't seen any proof that it did exist.
One Tuesday afternoon in late-June there was an unexpected ring of the doorbell. Anne was reading in the family room, so she got up to answer the door. When she opened it, however, there was no one there. All she saw was a gray tabby cat sitting on the edge of the front stoop.
"Who is it Anne?" Will called from upstairs.
"Nobody!" she called back, quite bewildered. "Hey Will, come here a sec, would you?"
Will clattered downstairs and Anne pointed at the tabby. "Have you seen this cat around before?"
"Nope, why does it matter?" Will's attitude quickly changed from one of mild interest to concern, "You know Mom won't let you take in a stray! You better not get attached to it, Anne."
"I know," Anne replied, still staring intently at the tabby, which hadn't budged for the past few minutes. "Don't you think there's something... odd about it, though?"
"About what?" Will asked.
"Well, the doorbell rings, and when I get to the door, nobody's here except the tabby cat..." Anne mused.
"Well, somebody rang the doorbell and ran, then the cat came and sat on the porch," Will said casually.
"But, don't you think the cat would have been startled by the person running, and either move, f she was already sitting there, or decide not to sit there at all? I mean, why is she here, why hasn't she moved at all in the last few minutes, and why is she not like a normal cat?" Anne finished a bit exasperated. She couldn't figure the cat out. Normal cats just didn't sit stone still; they usually twitched their tails at least. Most cats would acknowledge her either by blinking or narrowing their eyes; and strays usually run away at the appearance of humans.
"Are you suggesting the cat rang the doorbell?" Will sniggered.
"Well... I hadn't thought of that, but... why not?" Anne replied.
"Cats aren't smart enough to know how to ring a doorbell, Fluff-brains. And even if they were, how would they reach the button?" Will condescendingly prodded.
There was just something so odd about the way the cat's gaze suddenly intensified on her, as if it were willing her to confess something. The strange, rectangular markings around its eyes... "Well," Anne was reluctant to say it to Will, "Maybe it's magic."
"Magic doesn't - Holy Shit!" Will's statement of derision was changed to one of disbelief as the cat transformed in to a severe-looking, elderly woman before their eyes.
"I'd watch your language if I were you, young man," she said to Will before turning to Anne.
Anne was standing, gaped mouth, staring at the spot where the cat had been. She couldn't believe what she had just seen! Will was having a hard time coping with it too, since he was repeating his exclamation over and over again. "I don't believe it..." Anne choked out.
"Why not? You said yourself that it might be magic," The formidable woman presented, "and I proved that it was. I am Ms. Minerva McGonagall from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I assume, that you are Miss Marian Annette Harrison?"
"Y- yes, I am." Anne stammered, still staring. Ms. McGonagall was indeed a strict-looking woman. Her hair was pulled tightly back into a bun at the nape of her neck, she stood with appallingly correct posture, and her eyes pierced from behind steel-rimmed glasses. Her clothes fascinated Anne. She had never seen anyone wear robes except for graduations or in church, so to see a woman in robes of dark green with a pointed black hat standing on her doorstep was quite unreal. Anne couldn't help herself... she started to giggle at the absurdity of it all.
"What, may I ask, is so amusing Miss Harrison?" Ms. McGonagall's gaze was intense enough to make her stop giggling, but not enough to erase her smile.
"Oh, nothing, would you like to come in?" Anne asked and moved out of the doorway to allow her entrance.
"Thank you," Ms. McGonagall replied and stepped into the house. She immediately produced what looked like a stick from within her robes and flicked deftly as she said a word. Will's chant of expletives immediately stopped and a look of horror crossed his face. "I've quite had enough of your foul language, young man," she chided, "If you promise to clean up your vocabulary, I will allow you to speak again. Do I make myself clear?"
Will nodded with wide eyes and Ms. McGonagall undid the spell. Will didn't say anything, just stood there staring in terrified shock at the woman.
"Um, would you like anything to eat or drink? Our parents aren't home right now," Anne queried. "They should be back soon though. Let me show you into the kitchen?"
The witch obligingly followed Anne into the kitchen and took a seat at the table. Anne couldn't help but stare in fascination at the oddity the woman presented. Anne would have said it was the best Halloween costume she had ever seen, if she hadn't known that this was not a costume. Will couldn't seem to get enough either. He followed them into the kitchen and sat down at the table with Ms. McGonagall. He proceeded to stare at her and examine her as if she were a fascinating bug he had found.
"Will!" Anne said sharply. He started and had the decency to look abashed for staring. 'I don't know what you would like to drink... we have soft drinks, orange juice, apple juice, lemonade and water..."
"Water would be quite nice, dear." The gentleness in her voice surprised Anne, but she supposed the severity of the woman was useful in some situations, but that she had a slightly softer side too.
As Anne set the glass of water down on the table, she heard her father's car pull up the driveway. "Um... I'll be back in just a minute. Please excuse me." She hurried out of the room and scurried outside to meet her dad.
"Hi, sweetheart. How was your day?" Mr. Harrison asked as he gathered his things.
"Uh... well, there's something I need to tell you..." Anne hedged nervously.
"Oh? What did you do?" Mr. Harrison asked.
"I didn't do anything!" Anne defended herself, "I mean... look, I got a letter last month asking if I wanted to attend a school in England. I wrote a letter back asking for more information. A, uh... representative from the school showed up a few minutes ago, and I just wanted to give you some warning."
"Warning? You didn't tell us you were expecting someone!" Mr. Harrison was irritated by the news of a sudden visitor.
"I didn't know she was coming! She just showed up! Oh, and Dad, she's dressed kinda weird... but try not to let it bother you." Anne explained.
"Dressed weird?" Mr. Harrison was understandably a little concerned by now. He tried to steel himself for meeting a strangely dressed woman from England, but what he was met with when he entered the kitchen was a complete shock. His brief case dropped with a clatter when he saw the woman sitting at the table. He backtracked quickly into the hallway and turned to his daughter. Anne crouched, anxiously awaiting the tide of anger evident in her father's face. "Anne, how could you have done this? You AND Will!? Not only a complete stranger, but someone who is obviously also a complete lunatic!"
"I assure you, Mr. Harrison, that I am as sane as you are. I can tell you today's date and the who the British Prime Minister is, as well as the American president." Ms. McGonagall said calmly from the kitchen.
At that moment the door closed and Anne inwardly groaned. Her mother was home; and there was going to be some Hell raising quite shortly. There was complete silence for a moment before Mrs. Harrison appeared in the hallway, almost smoking from her ears and nostrils.
"Mom, I..." Anne trailed off at the glare her mother shot her.
"What, why, who and how?" was all her mother could manage to get out in an angry hiss.
"My name, since neither of you have allowed your daughter to introduce me, is Ms. Minerva McGonagall. I am a professor at Hogwarts in England, and I am here to try and convince you to let her attend school there, if she so desires." Ms. McGonagall stifled the ensuing argument by appearing in the hallway. Anne shot her a grateful look and timidly suggested that they move into the living room.
When everyone was gathered and a tense silence filled the room, Mrs. Harrison 's patience finally broke. "Where, exactly is this, Hogwarts, and what exactly do you teach there? I don't want to send my daughter across the Atlantic to some school that teaches how to be a starving artist or a circus performer."
"Mom!" Anne gasped.
Ms. McGonagall stared down her nose at Mrs. Harrison and calmly, but forcefully, replied, "Hogwarts is the finest school of witchcraft and wizardry in the world, madam. It is held in the highest regard for the quality and scope of its academics as well as its students."
"Wizardry!" Mr. Harrison exclaimed, "You expect us to believe that there is a school that teaches magic tricks in England?"
"Not, magic tricks Mr. Harrison. Real magic." Ms. McGonagall said with asperity.
"There's no such thing," Mr. Harrison flatly replied, "I spend my days teaching principles that help us to understand what was thought of as magic for centuries. There is no such thing, its all illusion and slight of hand."
Ms. McGonagall's nostrils flared and she became even more rigid than usual. "You may not believe that there is such a thing as magic, but how would you explain this?" she asked as with a flick of her wand and a couple words, Mr. Harrison's tie turned into a snake.
Mrs. Harrison shrieked and Will and Anne just stared in amazement. Mr. Harrison looked down at the snake in bewilderment, lost for words. "Uh... um, I..."
"If you need more proof that I am indeed perfectly honest in my intentions, please watch the snake carefully." Ms. McGonagall directed their gaze to the snake that was now on the living room floor. "Wingardium leviosa!" with a swish and flick of her wand, the snake rose gently into the air. A look of shock and horror was fixed on Mrs. Harrison's face as the snake floated up to eye level then was suddenly transformed back into Mr. Harrison's tie with a word.
There was silence in the room as everyone thought about what had just taken place. Mr. Harrison was trying to figure out how to explain it away as a trick, Mrs. Harrison was too overwhelmed to think clearly, Will thought it was an amazing trick and Anne was fighting a battle within herself. She had been presented with undeniable proof that some things cannot be easily explained away, but she still wasn't sure...
"Well," Mr. Harrison cleared his throat nervously, "If magic exists - which I'm not saying I fully believe - wouldn't Anne have to possess it in order to go to this school?"
"Yes," Ms. McGonagall replied, "She has been documented as having the ability to do magic by the American Magical Council. Her excellent academic marks have recommended her to be offered a slot at Hogwarts. You should feel honored, for she would be the only American to attend Hogwarts in over 150 years."
"Well, I don't believe that she possesses magic," Mrs. Harrison snapped in her shock and confusion, "You have to prove to me that she can do magic before we'd consider anything."
"That's reasonable enough," Ms. McGonagall conceded and walked over to Anne. "Take my wand, child, and I want you to say as a command, 'Lumos.' It may take more than one try as wands are particular to one person and don't work as well when others try to use them."
Anne gripped the wand and looked at the witch. She gulped and settled herself. In her best commanding voice she said, "Lumos!" and to her delighted surprise, the tip of the wand started to glow.
"Very good," Ms. McGonagall almost smiled, "Many first years have difficulty with that spell. You have talent. Now, I'd like you to try the floating spell on the tie. Point the tip of the wand at the tie and as you swish and flick the wand, say, 'Wingardium leviosa.'"
Anne furrowed her eyebrows in concentration and... nothing happened. Will snorted and her parents got smug looks on their faces. "It's all right. This charm is difficult in its own right and isn't made any easier by the fact that you don't have your own wand. Try again, and remember to swish and flick." Ms. McGonagall encouraged her.
Anne concentrated on the tie and with a swish and flick... it floated gently into the air! Anne made the tie rise into the air and directed it with the wand. A huge smile spread across face as she realized that she could do magic.
'You aren't going." Mr. Harrison said with finality. The tie dropped as Anne lost concentration.
"Daddy, please! Just for a year! What harm could there be in just going for a year?" Anne begged, "You saw that I can do it! I really can! Magic really does exist! Please, please, pleaaaaase let me go! Just for a year at least!"
Her parents looked at one another and sighed. Anne knew that sound and quietly rejoiced. She would be going to England! For one year at least...
P.S. I have what I want in the next three chapters planned out. I just have to write them...:D Oh, and I know people like a lot of humor ;) but I'm not too good at writing it :( A lot of things that I intend to be amusing are all in the way you read it. You have to read with feeling people! TTYL.