Author's note: Thanks Lori, Mk and everyone else for reviewing, you made my
day!! And everyone else should be clapping for you because you are the ones
who are getting me to keep writing! (It's really hard for me to get on the
computer and write-you know, I have other things to do). Anyways, on with
the story!
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Rose found herself catapulted into time for a matter of seconds. She soon, however, landed in a grassy meadow, the location unknown. There were hills on both sides of the field covered with oak trees and wildflowers dotted the meadow. Her head was aching and her mind was in quite a confused state.
But Rose was not to be discouraged. She got up from her tangled position and took a look around. She could see her belongings her and there; her whole dresser high up in a tree and a duffle bag directly below it. Somehow she knew that something had gone terribly wrong, and she should be panicking, but she wasn't. Rose still couldn't remember exactly what had happened; only that in one moment she was sitting in her dormitory reading a book, and the next moment she was sitting in a field of grass.
The meadow seemed to be in the middle of nowhere; she couldn't see any people or sign of humans anywhere in sight. Rose put her hands in her pockets and sighed. She really didn't know what to do or where to go, although she did know that she should gather her possessions and start walking. Where to, she didn't know. But she just HAD to go. There was no sign of food or water, and Rose needed a place to sleep.
The odd thing was that Rose knew she didn't have a duffle bag. She only had suitcases. Somehow, a duffle bag had somehow found its way into her belongings, or it had just miraculously appeared. Rose guessed the second, as she supposed anything could have happened, giving that she had been transported to this place.
She began to climb the tree, but as soon as it came apparent that she wanted the dresser, the dresser untangled itself from branches and came floating down next to the duffle bag. Rose paused, confused, and thought for a little while about what had just occurred. She now knew that this whole adventure was not a dream or a farfetched prank, but something completely true.
She squinted at the rising sun; the time was different here from where her school was. Rose began to open her dresser drawers, only to find that most of her clothes weren't there. She imagined that maybe only a few pieces had been selected to make the trip with her, and the others had gone God knows where. After all, anything was possible. She stuffed her few pairs of pants, shirts and other clothing into the duffle bag, along with an already packed bag of toiletries.
Rose spotted an unidentifiable object some ways off, and picked up her duffle bag and began walking towards it.
It was a broom. She frowned. Everything else that had come along with her seemed sensible and needed. This broom seemed so random, yet in the back of her mind it clicked. It somehow fit in. Rose hesitantly stood above it; this seemed like the right thing to do.
The broom levitated. She leaped back, but the broom only followed. Rose reached out a shaky hand, and the broom jumped into her hand. It seemed like it wanted her to do something with it, that is if it even had a mind of its own, or some way of thinking. Rose ignored the tiny voice inside her that called her to mount it, and tried to fit it in her duffle bag. At first it gave the impression that it wouldn't fit, but the bag seemed to expand, although not visually, to fit the broom. Rose shrugged her shoulders and again ignored the rattling of the broom inside; the occasional squirm to get out.
She set off in the direction of the rising morning sun, her mission unknown, but she somehow knew it was to get somewhere, some place.
__
After walking for some time in the woods, Rose came upon an open hill of grass sloping upwards at she guessed that it was flat at the top.
The sun was directly overhead, and she was decidedly hungry. Magically a heavy paper bag appeared that she was now holding. Rose peaked inside; a large lunch consisting of ham sandwiches, salad, and a piece of cake awaited her. She noticed a sizeable rock some ways to the side of her and plopped down to eat.
A few minutes later Rose jumped up again when her lunch was finished, reached for her duffle bag, and continued her journey. There were gathering clouds, and she thought that it was best to walk as fast as she could, as to find shelter.
__
A castle loomed ahead. A very BIG castle. And it was nearly dark, not to mention pouring. Rose figured that the castle was the obvious place to stay, and it didn't seem unoccupied. Its windows were bright with light and hurrying figures could be seen in the tower nearest to her. She stood still and gazed at it for a moment, and then bravely headed towards it.
Rose knocked on a small door, nearly 3 feet tall. An elf opened it and her mouth dropped open. Weirder and weirder things were happening.
"The main door, Miss, is on other side." It muttered.
"What?"
"This not entrance. Masters entrance is on other side. We not to talk to Masters." The elf plainly shut the door in her face.
"What!" There was no answer. "What! You're just going to leave me out here? It's raining! Hello!!" Rose tried banging and pounding on the door, but there was no reply. "Little ignorant spoiled brat." She growled.
But Rose took the elf's advice anyway, after some debating about whether or not she should really try to enter an elf-occupied castle.
And, to her surprise, there was a door "on other side." That, of course, meant walking a few miles around the huge castle.
This time when the door was opened, Rose grabbed it and held it, as to make sure it wouldn't be shut in her face this time. The person, dressed in a cloak, looked curiously at her.
"Well? Come in. You're soaked!" Rose hung back, afraid at this overfriendly person. "Oh, come on." The adult repeated. Rose cautiously stepped inside, and was startled when the door banged shut with a large noise.
"I-"
"Are you hungry?"
"Uh-"
"Well of course you are. Come along." The adult, seemingly a woman, waved for Rose to follow. They came to a gigantic hall lit with floating candles and what was apparently an open roof. "Oh, it's enchanted." Rose blanked. "Oh, forgive me! I guess you're a Muggle?" Rose didn't answer. "I take it you are." The woman seemed to think for a minute, and then patted Rose on the shoulder. "This is going to take a bit of explaining-"
"Minerva! Who was at the door?" Interrupted a voice form someone entering the hall.
"Oh, Dumbledore! There is a Muggle who has just appeared at our door and I let her in, I don't know how she managed to get here-"
The man approached 'Minerva' and his eyes fell upon Rose. "Well, of course! No one comes here without reason!"
"Are you sure we shouldn't use a Memory Charm?"
"No, dear, no. We should talk to her. And I do believe we have been leaving her out of the conversation."
Indeed, they had. Rose was huddled against a near corner, cold from the rain and scared of these people.
"What is your name?" The woman asked this gently.
"R-R-Rose." She stuttered.
"Ah, yes. Well, I think you should tell us how you got here."
"No, no, Minerva. Not too fast. Let's feed her and set her up with some hot chocolate before we ask questions. Remember, we ourselves have a bit of explaining to do." 'Dumbledore' cut in.
"Yes, yes, I supposed. Come along." Minerva sighed and reached for Rose's hand. "Oh, I'm not going to hurt you." Rose reluctantly followed Minerva to the smallest table, slightly raised from the tables in front of it. "Sit. Your dinner." A feast of food appeared, and Rose, who was very hungry, numbly began to eat it. Her entertainment was listening to the two very odd people who were whispering at the far end of the table.
__
"I know, but-"
"Minerva, we should just tell her about-"
"Shh!"
"Oh, come on. She's here for a reason."
"Don't you think we should consult the other Professors first?"
"No. They wouldn't accept her and I think she needs to stay."
"Oh, all right. If you say so."
"Thank you, Minerva."
Dumbledore stood up and came over to Rose. "Are you done with your meal?"
"Yes," came a meek reply.
"All right. I am going to tell you my story, but that means you've got to tell yours. Agreed?"
"Yes."
"OK. Well, you see, Rose, right here is a school for witches and wizards. I know it may seem strange to you, but here we are. We can do magic, and the other Professors and I are teaching many children, many that are your age, how to do it. The Wizard World is quite complicated. There is a major war going on right now, and the students here are training to protect themselves. I am sure you have many more questions, about how we operate without being seen and all that. But first I am going to see if you should join us, and what your reaction is. I will erase this memory if it is all too much for you, but will erase nothing else. I will try to find out where you came from, and if I can't, I will place you in a police station, where you are sure to be found."
"O-OK."
"Well, what about you? You have to tell me your side of it now."
"Oh. Well, I-I-I was transported to this-this PLACE, and then, I-I walked here."
"I see. So you've got no sense of why you're here or how you got here?"
"I walked."
"I mean, how you got to the PLACE."
"Well, yes, I guess that's right."
"My only explanation is that you have some destiny to belong here with us. Maybe you are some kind of Muggle who has magical abilities."
"Muggle?"
"Oh, it's our term for your kind. Those who can't perform magic."
"Oh."
"Well, I suppose you had better get to bed. You can stay here for a while. Our school year is scheduled to open tomorrow. You'll stay in the Professor's Wing."
"Oh."
"I understand that you're a bit scared and intimidated. But you've got to play along. Minerva here will show you to your room. I promise you that we're going to help you."
"All right." Rose mechanically got up, took her duffle bag and stepped in line after Minerva.
~~~
Rose paused as Minerva opened the door to her new room.
"When should I-I get up in the morning?"
"Oh, it doesn't matter. Just make sure it's before lunch. We have a lot to sort out and the students arrive tomorrow evening."
"All right." Rose timidly pushed her duffle bag in before her and looked around her room. On all four walls there was rolling countryside, but the amazing thing was that the trees moved like there was wind. She heard a thump behind her and found that Minerva had entered behind her.
"Oh, it's enchanted. Nothing special." Rose thought it certainly was special. "That's just what the scenery is like around here." Minerva peered at Rose, and then came to the conclusion that Rose didn't know where in the world she was. "We're in England."
"Oh."
"I can't tell you the exact location because I myself do not know where we are. You see, this castle moves around, so no one can attack it. The miles around it move with it too." There was a pause as Rose took it all in."Only people with magical eyes can see the castle. That's why we are letting you stay here."
Rose nodded. "A broom appeared when I landed."
"Oh?" Minerva turned around to face Rose. "That must have been his. Yes, yes-"
"What?"
Minerva suddenly jerked in Rose's direction as if she had forgotten the child was in the room with her. "Nothing, nothing."
"Oh."
"Well, I have to get to sleep myself. Goodnight." The door closed quietly.
She had no idea why she was here, either, but she knew she wanted to stay. It seemed frightening, yet intriguing. And Rose knew that she could trust these people. Somehow, this place seemed like home.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Rose took out her pajamas and quickly got into them. She fingered the silky curtains and looked out at the slowly clearing sky. She flopped down on her bed, pulled the covers over her and went to sleep. Author's note: I will try to update this as soon as possible. Thanks for all the reviews and I will keep writing as long as they keep coming!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Rose found herself catapulted into time for a matter of seconds. She soon, however, landed in a grassy meadow, the location unknown. There were hills on both sides of the field covered with oak trees and wildflowers dotted the meadow. Her head was aching and her mind was in quite a confused state.
But Rose was not to be discouraged. She got up from her tangled position and took a look around. She could see her belongings her and there; her whole dresser high up in a tree and a duffle bag directly below it. Somehow she knew that something had gone terribly wrong, and she should be panicking, but she wasn't. Rose still couldn't remember exactly what had happened; only that in one moment she was sitting in her dormitory reading a book, and the next moment she was sitting in a field of grass.
The meadow seemed to be in the middle of nowhere; she couldn't see any people or sign of humans anywhere in sight. Rose put her hands in her pockets and sighed. She really didn't know what to do or where to go, although she did know that she should gather her possessions and start walking. Where to, she didn't know. But she just HAD to go. There was no sign of food or water, and Rose needed a place to sleep.
The odd thing was that Rose knew she didn't have a duffle bag. She only had suitcases. Somehow, a duffle bag had somehow found its way into her belongings, or it had just miraculously appeared. Rose guessed the second, as she supposed anything could have happened, giving that she had been transported to this place.
She began to climb the tree, but as soon as it came apparent that she wanted the dresser, the dresser untangled itself from branches and came floating down next to the duffle bag. Rose paused, confused, and thought for a little while about what had just occurred. She now knew that this whole adventure was not a dream or a farfetched prank, but something completely true.
She squinted at the rising sun; the time was different here from where her school was. Rose began to open her dresser drawers, only to find that most of her clothes weren't there. She imagined that maybe only a few pieces had been selected to make the trip with her, and the others had gone God knows where. After all, anything was possible. She stuffed her few pairs of pants, shirts and other clothing into the duffle bag, along with an already packed bag of toiletries.
Rose spotted an unidentifiable object some ways off, and picked up her duffle bag and began walking towards it.
It was a broom. She frowned. Everything else that had come along with her seemed sensible and needed. This broom seemed so random, yet in the back of her mind it clicked. It somehow fit in. Rose hesitantly stood above it; this seemed like the right thing to do.
The broom levitated. She leaped back, but the broom only followed. Rose reached out a shaky hand, and the broom jumped into her hand. It seemed like it wanted her to do something with it, that is if it even had a mind of its own, or some way of thinking. Rose ignored the tiny voice inside her that called her to mount it, and tried to fit it in her duffle bag. At first it gave the impression that it wouldn't fit, but the bag seemed to expand, although not visually, to fit the broom. Rose shrugged her shoulders and again ignored the rattling of the broom inside; the occasional squirm to get out.
She set off in the direction of the rising morning sun, her mission unknown, but she somehow knew it was to get somewhere, some place.
__
After walking for some time in the woods, Rose came upon an open hill of grass sloping upwards at she guessed that it was flat at the top.
The sun was directly overhead, and she was decidedly hungry. Magically a heavy paper bag appeared that she was now holding. Rose peaked inside; a large lunch consisting of ham sandwiches, salad, and a piece of cake awaited her. She noticed a sizeable rock some ways to the side of her and plopped down to eat.
A few minutes later Rose jumped up again when her lunch was finished, reached for her duffle bag, and continued her journey. There were gathering clouds, and she thought that it was best to walk as fast as she could, as to find shelter.
__
A castle loomed ahead. A very BIG castle. And it was nearly dark, not to mention pouring. Rose figured that the castle was the obvious place to stay, and it didn't seem unoccupied. Its windows were bright with light and hurrying figures could be seen in the tower nearest to her. She stood still and gazed at it for a moment, and then bravely headed towards it.
Rose knocked on a small door, nearly 3 feet tall. An elf opened it and her mouth dropped open. Weirder and weirder things were happening.
"The main door, Miss, is on other side." It muttered.
"What?"
"This not entrance. Masters entrance is on other side. We not to talk to Masters." The elf plainly shut the door in her face.
"What!" There was no answer. "What! You're just going to leave me out here? It's raining! Hello!!" Rose tried banging and pounding on the door, but there was no reply. "Little ignorant spoiled brat." She growled.
But Rose took the elf's advice anyway, after some debating about whether or not she should really try to enter an elf-occupied castle.
And, to her surprise, there was a door "on other side." That, of course, meant walking a few miles around the huge castle.
This time when the door was opened, Rose grabbed it and held it, as to make sure it wouldn't be shut in her face this time. The person, dressed in a cloak, looked curiously at her.
"Well? Come in. You're soaked!" Rose hung back, afraid at this overfriendly person. "Oh, come on." The adult repeated. Rose cautiously stepped inside, and was startled when the door banged shut with a large noise.
"I-"
"Are you hungry?"
"Uh-"
"Well of course you are. Come along." The adult, seemingly a woman, waved for Rose to follow. They came to a gigantic hall lit with floating candles and what was apparently an open roof. "Oh, it's enchanted." Rose blanked. "Oh, forgive me! I guess you're a Muggle?" Rose didn't answer. "I take it you are." The woman seemed to think for a minute, and then patted Rose on the shoulder. "This is going to take a bit of explaining-"
"Minerva! Who was at the door?" Interrupted a voice form someone entering the hall.
"Oh, Dumbledore! There is a Muggle who has just appeared at our door and I let her in, I don't know how she managed to get here-"
The man approached 'Minerva' and his eyes fell upon Rose. "Well, of course! No one comes here without reason!"
"Are you sure we shouldn't use a Memory Charm?"
"No, dear, no. We should talk to her. And I do believe we have been leaving her out of the conversation."
Indeed, they had. Rose was huddled against a near corner, cold from the rain and scared of these people.
"What is your name?" The woman asked this gently.
"R-R-Rose." She stuttered.
"Ah, yes. Well, I think you should tell us how you got here."
"No, no, Minerva. Not too fast. Let's feed her and set her up with some hot chocolate before we ask questions. Remember, we ourselves have a bit of explaining to do." 'Dumbledore' cut in.
"Yes, yes, I supposed. Come along." Minerva sighed and reached for Rose's hand. "Oh, I'm not going to hurt you." Rose reluctantly followed Minerva to the smallest table, slightly raised from the tables in front of it. "Sit. Your dinner." A feast of food appeared, and Rose, who was very hungry, numbly began to eat it. Her entertainment was listening to the two very odd people who were whispering at the far end of the table.
__
"I know, but-"
"Minerva, we should just tell her about-"
"Shh!"
"Oh, come on. She's here for a reason."
"Don't you think we should consult the other Professors first?"
"No. They wouldn't accept her and I think she needs to stay."
"Oh, all right. If you say so."
"Thank you, Minerva."
Dumbledore stood up and came over to Rose. "Are you done with your meal?"
"Yes," came a meek reply.
"All right. I am going to tell you my story, but that means you've got to tell yours. Agreed?"
"Yes."
"OK. Well, you see, Rose, right here is a school for witches and wizards. I know it may seem strange to you, but here we are. We can do magic, and the other Professors and I are teaching many children, many that are your age, how to do it. The Wizard World is quite complicated. There is a major war going on right now, and the students here are training to protect themselves. I am sure you have many more questions, about how we operate without being seen and all that. But first I am going to see if you should join us, and what your reaction is. I will erase this memory if it is all too much for you, but will erase nothing else. I will try to find out where you came from, and if I can't, I will place you in a police station, where you are sure to be found."
"O-OK."
"Well, what about you? You have to tell me your side of it now."
"Oh. Well, I-I-I was transported to this-this PLACE, and then, I-I walked here."
"I see. So you've got no sense of why you're here or how you got here?"
"I walked."
"I mean, how you got to the PLACE."
"Well, yes, I guess that's right."
"My only explanation is that you have some destiny to belong here with us. Maybe you are some kind of Muggle who has magical abilities."
"Muggle?"
"Oh, it's our term for your kind. Those who can't perform magic."
"Oh."
"Well, I suppose you had better get to bed. You can stay here for a while. Our school year is scheduled to open tomorrow. You'll stay in the Professor's Wing."
"Oh."
"I understand that you're a bit scared and intimidated. But you've got to play along. Minerva here will show you to your room. I promise you that we're going to help you."
"All right." Rose mechanically got up, took her duffle bag and stepped in line after Minerva.
~~~
Rose paused as Minerva opened the door to her new room.
"When should I-I get up in the morning?"
"Oh, it doesn't matter. Just make sure it's before lunch. We have a lot to sort out and the students arrive tomorrow evening."
"All right." Rose timidly pushed her duffle bag in before her and looked around her room. On all four walls there was rolling countryside, but the amazing thing was that the trees moved like there was wind. She heard a thump behind her and found that Minerva had entered behind her.
"Oh, it's enchanted. Nothing special." Rose thought it certainly was special. "That's just what the scenery is like around here." Minerva peered at Rose, and then came to the conclusion that Rose didn't know where in the world she was. "We're in England."
"Oh."
"I can't tell you the exact location because I myself do not know where we are. You see, this castle moves around, so no one can attack it. The miles around it move with it too." There was a pause as Rose took it all in."Only people with magical eyes can see the castle. That's why we are letting you stay here."
Rose nodded. "A broom appeared when I landed."
"Oh?" Minerva turned around to face Rose. "That must have been his. Yes, yes-"
"What?"
Minerva suddenly jerked in Rose's direction as if she had forgotten the child was in the room with her. "Nothing, nothing."
"Oh."
"Well, I have to get to sleep myself. Goodnight." The door closed quietly.
She had no idea why she was here, either, but she knew she wanted to stay. It seemed frightening, yet intriguing. And Rose knew that she could trust these people. Somehow, this place seemed like home.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Rose took out her pajamas and quickly got into them. She fingered the silky curtains and looked out at the slowly clearing sky. She flopped down on her bed, pulled the covers over her and went to sleep. Author's note: I will try to update this as soon as possible. Thanks for all the reviews and I will keep writing as long as they keep coming!!