Chapter 2
The Exchange Program
"What did you just say Josh?" "I said that your dad was a wizard isn't that true?" Joseph was speechless and confused, if what his friend was telling him was true (that his father was a wizard and he was one before) then why didn't his mom tell him before. "Joseph are you there?" Josh asked in vain, Joseph was in a state of disbelief and shock. "What, oh I am talking to Joseph, Dad," Josh seem to be talking to his dad but Joseph still didn't notice, "I was just checking to see if he got a letter too.what do you mean... no he didn't get one why would that matter.. what do you mean erase his memory.dad why is this so important?" Joseph seemed to brake out of his trance in time to hear Josh say, "Joseph my dad says we have to come over now.." Josh's voice disappeared and was replaced by the dial tone. "Hello Josh are you there," Joseph yell into the phone, "what do you mean come over.." but his voice was cut off by a load bang and a smash coming from his living room. Joseph hung up the phone immediately and ran into the living room to see a short, stocky, bald man came bursting out of his fireplace. "Mr. Thompson?" Joseph stared at Joshes dad, "how did you do that?" Just then Josephs mom came in the room, "Hey Joseph I was working outside when this strange bird came over head and.." She was stopped in mid- sentence by the sight of Josh bursting face forward out of the fireplace, landing right next to Mr. Thompson. "What is going on here?" Josephs mom exclaimed, "Oh um. sorry to barge in like this Audrey but we need to have a little conversation. But where are my manners, what were you saying Audrey?" "Well I was just saying that a bird was flying over head and it seems to have dropped this letter," she held a tiny hand written envelop in her hands, "but I guess that's not the strangest thing that has happened to me today," she said weakly. "Oh," said Mr. Thompson, "that's what I came over here to talk to you about." Mr. Thompson started to walk over to the couch and sat down, "Man that felt good," he said, "ya know that I was afraid I was going to have to erase your memory Joseph, but with the arrive of that letter it seems to be good news for." Joseph looked at Mr. Thompson then Josh and back again, "What's going here?" Joseph asked in a confused tone. "You're a wizard Joseph just like your father was and his father was and his father was and so on," said Mr. Thompson "A wizard," Josephs mom blurted, "his father was a wizard? John I think you have some explaining to do." Joseph, who felt like he was in a twilight zone episode, sat down next to Josh on the sofa. Joseph mom, who was the most confused out of all of them, sat down in a chair "Ok here it goes," Mr. Thompson started out, "I was about eleven when I received a strange letter almost exactly like that one," he pointed over at the letter that was still in Josephs moms hands, "go ahead and open it if you want Joseph." Joseph's mom handed him the letter and he ripped its seal open to find a hand written letter on the inside,
Dear Mr. Masa
We are please to inform you that you have been accepted to Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizerding, in London, England, Now we are aware of your current location and are please to inform you that the exchange program that was started 2 years ago is still in affect. Which means you must use foo powder to get to London. The following enclosed paper is the books and supplies you will need for the following school year. All these items can be found in Diagon Alley or any other Witchcraft shops nearest you. We look forward to your arrival at Hogwarts. Yours sincerely,
Professor Mc Gonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Joseph couldn't believe his eyes, was what he was seeing really true, he looked up at his mother then to Mr. Thompson. "Is this true?" he managed to sputter out. "Yes Joseph it is very truthful and in two short weeks you will be going to London." Mr. Thompson answered. "But why London?" his mother said out "Well Audrey we do have our own School for wizards and witches in America but the two offices who run these school, Ministry Of Magic in Britain and The Congress Of Magic in America thinks its high time that they combine power into a International Ministry Of Magic," Mr. Thompson paused to catch his breath, "so when they decided to form a new magic office they decided that we only needed one school so for the next 10 years there is going to be an exchange program where young witches and wizards at Hogwarts will go to Merandery (the American witch and wizerding school) and visa versa." There was a long silence in the room after Mr. Thompson spoke, Joseph was bursting with questions but his mom beat him to the punch, "You said that George was a wizard to but how come he never told us?" "I don't know the answer to that question, but what ever Georges reasons were he probably had a good one." Mr. Thompson responded. Joseph never really knew his dad he had died when Joseph was very little and he never got a response from his mom when he asked her about him. "So what do you think?" asked Josh who for some reason had been very quite so far. "I don't know what to think." said Joseph Joseph mom stood up, and looked at all of the people in her living room and said, "Well we only have two weeks left to spend together Joseph so lets make the most of them."
The next two weeks went by fast, at least in Joseph's opinion; he spent most of his time learning about common witch and wizard practices, life styles, and sports (mostly Quidditch). Joseph was looking forward to Hogwarts but how they were going to get there still wasn't explained to him
Joseph woke up one morning to realize that this was the day he left; he had been anticipating this event for the last two weeks he could hardly believe it. Joseph got up, washed up, and walked to the kitchen. When he walked in there was his mom sitting and talking to Josh, who seemed to be telling her about a midget he saw riding a bicycle. "Well honey this is the day," Josephs mom said with a hint of sadness in her voice, "now honey Mr.Thompson told me not to give you luggage because you needed to pick some stuff up at Di-aag-on alley." His mom tried to say but was a little too much for her. "I know mom I got my money too." Joseph responded "Oh I am going to miss you Joseph." She stood up and hugged him "I'll miss you too mom." Joseph said as he returned the hug. "I hate to reunion the moment but we must be off." Mr. Thompson said, as he appeared out of the shadows, Joseph hadn't seen him there and was startled by his appearance. "We must be off boys," Mr. Thompson said, "say your last goodbyes and we shall be off." Joseph hugged his mom one more time and then Josh said goodbye and they left. The moment they left the door Joseph suddenly wonder how they were going to get all the way to London, "How are we going to get there?" Joseph asked. "Foo powder of course." Mr. Thompson responded. Joseph remembers them describing something called foo powder that let them travel long distances in seconds. Joseph inquired more about foo powder as they made there way to the Thompsons house were they could use the families fire place to travel. They arrived at the house after what seemed like an hour to Joseph who had made that trip tons of times, "Ok Joseph we told you what to do when you use foo powder but we are still going to let josh go and show you how to do it." Mr. Thompson said as they approached the small fireplace. Josh stood in front of the fireplace and sprinkled some powder into it and said, "Diagon Alley, London, England." He spoke it with a clarity Joseph had never heard in him before, but Joseph wasn't thinking about that at the moment now he was to busy watching Josh shrink and spin into the fire and then POOF he was gone. Before Joseph new it he was standing in front of the fireplace muttering the same words as Josh and Bam! He felt like he was spinning like on one of the roller coasters at Great America, his legs were far behind though it felt like it was not moving, but then all of a sudden it stopped and he fell on the ground with a thud. He looked up from the extremely clean floor to see two long tables stretch out from one side of the room to the another. "Joseph get up quick my dad is coming!" yelled a familiar voice; Joseph looked up to see a frantic Josh yelling at him. Joseph who astounded by the whole thing acted like he hardly heard Josh but then he felt something really heavy falls on his back legs. It was Mr. Thompson, he had landed up right on Joseph's legs, and Joseph could feel him without even having to look up at him. "Ouch!!! ," Joseph yelled as he jerked his body away and managed to get up in a single bound. "Oh sorry Joseph I was sure that you would have moved out of the way." Mr. Thompson responded Joseph who's legs hurt was not paying attention to Mr. Thompsons talking he was busy studying the surrounding. He was observing many weird looking creatures that seem to be writing and counting when Mr. Thompson seemed to answer the question that he was thinking, "We are at Gringotts, London's Wizard bank this is where we will open you boys bank accounts." Mr. Thompson seemed far more into it then Joseph or Josh who were still looking around in amazement, Mr. Thompson walked up to a tall desk that was larger then he was, he looked up at the creature that was sitting at the top and said "I would like to open two accounts, one for Josh Thompson," he handed the creature a check he looked at Joseph and signaled him over. Joseph walked over half scared and have excited "We are going to need your money now Joseph," Mr. Thompson whispered Joseph handed a check and by the look of Mr. Thompson it must have been a lot. "And another account in the name of Joseph Masa." He handed the creature Joseph's check and then the creature handed Mr. Thompson two keys and told him "Go to vault 789 and 790." Mr. Thompson lead them to what looked like a small cart but it wasn't the cart that interseted Joseph it was the ride. The cart went straight down, the air blasted in Joseph's perfectly combed hair, the ride seem to last only a few seconds and then it was over. When the Cart stopped the Goblin (Joseph inquired about them during the ride) that was riding with them got out and called the vault numbers out loud and opened the vaults. In Joseph's there was small amount of gold at least compared to Josh who had two huge stacks. They got their money and left back to the surface where they were going to by their supplies.
As they left Gringotts they enter what looked like a small alley but as they started walking it became huge and the buildings became more exciting, some were advertising, some were selling the most wondrous food and candy, and some were just plain buildings that seemed unexciting to the eye but when entered the buildings entior was ten times as amazing as some of the other buildings. After shopping through many shops there were only two more things Joseph needed. "Let's see I need a wand and a pet." Exclaimed Joseph. "Well the pet shall be easy, but the wand that's a different story," replied Mr. Thompson, "ok you two head to Ollivander's that's where all the wizards in London get there wands." So Josh and Joseph walked into a small musty shop, "Buenos Diaz, more exchange students I presume." Said an old, pale eyes man. "Yup," said Josh who was a friendly person wherever he went "we are Americans." "Ah I see so what country are you Americans from?" "We are from the U.S.A." Josh said with pride in his voice "Oh I see Yankees, well welcome to Ollivander's I am Ollivander I will help you chose your wand," He said as a smile broke out over his face, "So who wants to be chosen first?" "Chosen?" Joseph asked with a look of confusion in his voice "Yes you see in our world you do not chose the wand the wand chooses you. Ok no who are you two gentlemen anyway?" "Oh I am Joseph Masa and that is Josh Thompson" "Ok Mr. Masa, Mr. Thompson who wants to be chosen first?" "Ill go," said Josh as he walked up closer to Ollivander. "Now Josh let me take your measurements," Ollivander started to measure Joshes arms hands, "ah I think I know what you need." He walked back to the shelves that were full of boxes that Joseph concluded were full of wands. "Ah here it is," Ollivander, said after searching for a few minutes, "this Mr. Thompson is a special wand made of a single Roc feather eight and a half inches." "Cool," said Josh as he swung the wand around in his hand, "Try something Mr. Thompson say Lumos." "Lumos," Josh said quickly. All of a sudden a burst of light blasted out of Joshes wand "Ah a perfect match on the first try." Ollivander said with a look of satisfaction on his face "Now your turn Mr. Masa," he said while he collected money from Josh Joseph walked slowly up to the front of the shop with a look of anticipation on his face.
"Now for your measurements," Ollivander said as he pulled out his measuring tape. He lifted up Josephs arm and the said something to himself and then started to measure Joseph's right hand. "Hum you my friend are" but he didn't finish his sentence, instead he ran over to the shelves and began to shuffle through many different boxes, saying things to himself as he went along.
It must have been a good min or two before he could be heard shouting "Eureka," from the back room. He came rushing in holding a wand in his hands, "Here it is Mr. Masa, a Pixie Wing, nine and three fourths." Joseph stood there with the wand in his hand, investigating it and trying to ignore joshes sniggering in the back round. "Well aren't you going to give it a try?" Ollivander asked "Ah ok," responded Joseph. He started waving the wand in the air trying to remember what Josh had said. "Was it Lumas no it couldn't have been," he thought "no its Lumos." "Lumos." He said loudly and then he felt a jerk from the wand and a light burst out of it. "Excellent," shouted Ollivander Joseph paid for his wand, thanked Ollivander then left outside to find Mr. Thompson. "Boys we have to hurry and get to platform 9 and ¾ in a about 20 mintues. So they hurried along to the pet store both Josh and Joseph bought Owls, Joseph who wanted a cat, was convinced by Josh and Mr. Thompson that a owl was more useful to a wizard then a cat.
So they hurried along the street trying to make it to this platform Mr. Thompson kept talking about, and finally they made it with only 2 minutes to spare. "Ok boy just walk through," said Mr. Thompson with a hint of panic in his deep voice. "Ok," Both Josh and Joseph said at the same time Joseph stood looking at the wall but didn't have a chance to think about was he was doing when Bam he had just walked through a brick wall, and was staring at a train with the word Hogwarts across the front of the train. He could still here Mr. Thompson's voice in the background saying, "Have a good time." Joseph was about to do something that only a select few people would ever do and he was still thinking it was a dream.
"What did you just say Josh?" "I said that your dad was a wizard isn't that true?" Joseph was speechless and confused, if what his friend was telling him was true (that his father was a wizard and he was one before) then why didn't his mom tell him before. "Joseph are you there?" Josh asked in vain, Joseph was in a state of disbelief and shock. "What, oh I am talking to Joseph, Dad," Josh seem to be talking to his dad but Joseph still didn't notice, "I was just checking to see if he got a letter too.what do you mean... no he didn't get one why would that matter.. what do you mean erase his memory.dad why is this so important?" Joseph seemed to brake out of his trance in time to hear Josh say, "Joseph my dad says we have to come over now.." Josh's voice disappeared and was replaced by the dial tone. "Hello Josh are you there," Joseph yell into the phone, "what do you mean come over.." but his voice was cut off by a load bang and a smash coming from his living room. Joseph hung up the phone immediately and ran into the living room to see a short, stocky, bald man came bursting out of his fireplace. "Mr. Thompson?" Joseph stared at Joshes dad, "how did you do that?" Just then Josephs mom came in the room, "Hey Joseph I was working outside when this strange bird came over head and.." She was stopped in mid- sentence by the sight of Josh bursting face forward out of the fireplace, landing right next to Mr. Thompson. "What is going on here?" Josephs mom exclaimed, "Oh um. sorry to barge in like this Audrey but we need to have a little conversation. But where are my manners, what were you saying Audrey?" "Well I was just saying that a bird was flying over head and it seems to have dropped this letter," she held a tiny hand written envelop in her hands, "but I guess that's not the strangest thing that has happened to me today," she said weakly. "Oh," said Mr. Thompson, "that's what I came over here to talk to you about." Mr. Thompson started to walk over to the couch and sat down, "Man that felt good," he said, "ya know that I was afraid I was going to have to erase your memory Joseph, but with the arrive of that letter it seems to be good news for." Joseph looked at Mr. Thompson then Josh and back again, "What's going here?" Joseph asked in a confused tone. "You're a wizard Joseph just like your father was and his father was and his father was and so on," said Mr. Thompson "A wizard," Josephs mom blurted, "his father was a wizard? John I think you have some explaining to do." Joseph, who felt like he was in a twilight zone episode, sat down next to Josh on the sofa. Joseph mom, who was the most confused out of all of them, sat down in a chair "Ok here it goes," Mr. Thompson started out, "I was about eleven when I received a strange letter almost exactly like that one," he pointed over at the letter that was still in Josephs moms hands, "go ahead and open it if you want Joseph." Joseph's mom handed him the letter and he ripped its seal open to find a hand written letter on the inside,
Dear Mr. Masa
We are please to inform you that you have been accepted to Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizerding, in London, England, Now we are aware of your current location and are please to inform you that the exchange program that was started 2 years ago is still in affect. Which means you must use foo powder to get to London. The following enclosed paper is the books and supplies you will need for the following school year. All these items can be found in Diagon Alley or any other Witchcraft shops nearest you. We look forward to your arrival at Hogwarts. Yours sincerely,
Professor Mc Gonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Joseph couldn't believe his eyes, was what he was seeing really true, he looked up at his mother then to Mr. Thompson. "Is this true?" he managed to sputter out. "Yes Joseph it is very truthful and in two short weeks you will be going to London." Mr. Thompson answered. "But why London?" his mother said out "Well Audrey we do have our own School for wizards and witches in America but the two offices who run these school, Ministry Of Magic in Britain and The Congress Of Magic in America thinks its high time that they combine power into a International Ministry Of Magic," Mr. Thompson paused to catch his breath, "so when they decided to form a new magic office they decided that we only needed one school so for the next 10 years there is going to be an exchange program where young witches and wizards at Hogwarts will go to Merandery (the American witch and wizerding school) and visa versa." There was a long silence in the room after Mr. Thompson spoke, Joseph was bursting with questions but his mom beat him to the punch, "You said that George was a wizard to but how come he never told us?" "I don't know the answer to that question, but what ever Georges reasons were he probably had a good one." Mr. Thompson responded. Joseph never really knew his dad he had died when Joseph was very little and he never got a response from his mom when he asked her about him. "So what do you think?" asked Josh who for some reason had been very quite so far. "I don't know what to think." said Joseph Joseph mom stood up, and looked at all of the people in her living room and said, "Well we only have two weeks left to spend together Joseph so lets make the most of them."
The next two weeks went by fast, at least in Joseph's opinion; he spent most of his time learning about common witch and wizard practices, life styles, and sports (mostly Quidditch). Joseph was looking forward to Hogwarts but how they were going to get there still wasn't explained to him
Joseph woke up one morning to realize that this was the day he left; he had been anticipating this event for the last two weeks he could hardly believe it. Joseph got up, washed up, and walked to the kitchen. When he walked in there was his mom sitting and talking to Josh, who seemed to be telling her about a midget he saw riding a bicycle. "Well honey this is the day," Josephs mom said with a hint of sadness in her voice, "now honey Mr.Thompson told me not to give you luggage because you needed to pick some stuff up at Di-aag-on alley." His mom tried to say but was a little too much for her. "I know mom I got my money too." Joseph responded "Oh I am going to miss you Joseph." She stood up and hugged him "I'll miss you too mom." Joseph said as he returned the hug. "I hate to reunion the moment but we must be off." Mr. Thompson said, as he appeared out of the shadows, Joseph hadn't seen him there and was startled by his appearance. "We must be off boys," Mr. Thompson said, "say your last goodbyes and we shall be off." Joseph hugged his mom one more time and then Josh said goodbye and they left. The moment they left the door Joseph suddenly wonder how they were going to get all the way to London, "How are we going to get there?" Joseph asked. "Foo powder of course." Mr. Thompson responded. Joseph remembers them describing something called foo powder that let them travel long distances in seconds. Joseph inquired more about foo powder as they made there way to the Thompsons house were they could use the families fire place to travel. They arrived at the house after what seemed like an hour to Joseph who had made that trip tons of times, "Ok Joseph we told you what to do when you use foo powder but we are still going to let josh go and show you how to do it." Mr. Thompson said as they approached the small fireplace. Josh stood in front of the fireplace and sprinkled some powder into it and said, "Diagon Alley, London, England." He spoke it with a clarity Joseph had never heard in him before, but Joseph wasn't thinking about that at the moment now he was to busy watching Josh shrink and spin into the fire and then POOF he was gone. Before Joseph new it he was standing in front of the fireplace muttering the same words as Josh and Bam! He felt like he was spinning like on one of the roller coasters at Great America, his legs were far behind though it felt like it was not moving, but then all of a sudden it stopped and he fell on the ground with a thud. He looked up from the extremely clean floor to see two long tables stretch out from one side of the room to the another. "Joseph get up quick my dad is coming!" yelled a familiar voice; Joseph looked up to see a frantic Josh yelling at him. Joseph who astounded by the whole thing acted like he hardly heard Josh but then he felt something really heavy falls on his back legs. It was Mr. Thompson, he had landed up right on Joseph's legs, and Joseph could feel him without even having to look up at him. "Ouch!!! ," Joseph yelled as he jerked his body away and managed to get up in a single bound. "Oh sorry Joseph I was sure that you would have moved out of the way." Mr. Thompson responded Joseph who's legs hurt was not paying attention to Mr. Thompsons talking he was busy studying the surrounding. He was observing many weird looking creatures that seem to be writing and counting when Mr. Thompson seemed to answer the question that he was thinking, "We are at Gringotts, London's Wizard bank this is where we will open you boys bank accounts." Mr. Thompson seemed far more into it then Joseph or Josh who were still looking around in amazement, Mr. Thompson walked up to a tall desk that was larger then he was, he looked up at the creature that was sitting at the top and said "I would like to open two accounts, one for Josh Thompson," he handed the creature a check he looked at Joseph and signaled him over. Joseph walked over half scared and have excited "We are going to need your money now Joseph," Mr. Thompson whispered Joseph handed a check and by the look of Mr. Thompson it must have been a lot. "And another account in the name of Joseph Masa." He handed the creature Joseph's check and then the creature handed Mr. Thompson two keys and told him "Go to vault 789 and 790." Mr. Thompson lead them to what looked like a small cart but it wasn't the cart that interseted Joseph it was the ride. The cart went straight down, the air blasted in Joseph's perfectly combed hair, the ride seem to last only a few seconds and then it was over. When the Cart stopped the Goblin (Joseph inquired about them during the ride) that was riding with them got out and called the vault numbers out loud and opened the vaults. In Joseph's there was small amount of gold at least compared to Josh who had two huge stacks. They got their money and left back to the surface where they were going to by their supplies.
As they left Gringotts they enter what looked like a small alley but as they started walking it became huge and the buildings became more exciting, some were advertising, some were selling the most wondrous food and candy, and some were just plain buildings that seemed unexciting to the eye but when entered the buildings entior was ten times as amazing as some of the other buildings. After shopping through many shops there were only two more things Joseph needed. "Let's see I need a wand and a pet." Exclaimed Joseph. "Well the pet shall be easy, but the wand that's a different story," replied Mr. Thompson, "ok you two head to Ollivander's that's where all the wizards in London get there wands." So Josh and Joseph walked into a small musty shop, "Buenos Diaz, more exchange students I presume." Said an old, pale eyes man. "Yup," said Josh who was a friendly person wherever he went "we are Americans." "Ah I see so what country are you Americans from?" "We are from the U.S.A." Josh said with pride in his voice "Oh I see Yankees, well welcome to Ollivander's I am Ollivander I will help you chose your wand," He said as a smile broke out over his face, "So who wants to be chosen first?" "Chosen?" Joseph asked with a look of confusion in his voice "Yes you see in our world you do not chose the wand the wand chooses you. Ok no who are you two gentlemen anyway?" "Oh I am Joseph Masa and that is Josh Thompson" "Ok Mr. Masa, Mr. Thompson who wants to be chosen first?" "Ill go," said Josh as he walked up closer to Ollivander. "Now Josh let me take your measurements," Ollivander started to measure Joshes arms hands, "ah I think I know what you need." He walked back to the shelves that were full of boxes that Joseph concluded were full of wands. "Ah here it is," Ollivander, said after searching for a few minutes, "this Mr. Thompson is a special wand made of a single Roc feather eight and a half inches." "Cool," said Josh as he swung the wand around in his hand, "Try something Mr. Thompson say Lumos." "Lumos," Josh said quickly. All of a sudden a burst of light blasted out of Joshes wand "Ah a perfect match on the first try." Ollivander said with a look of satisfaction on his face "Now your turn Mr. Masa," he said while he collected money from Josh Joseph walked slowly up to the front of the shop with a look of anticipation on his face.
"Now for your measurements," Ollivander said as he pulled out his measuring tape. He lifted up Josephs arm and the said something to himself and then started to measure Joseph's right hand. "Hum you my friend are" but he didn't finish his sentence, instead he ran over to the shelves and began to shuffle through many different boxes, saying things to himself as he went along.
It must have been a good min or two before he could be heard shouting "Eureka," from the back room. He came rushing in holding a wand in his hands, "Here it is Mr. Masa, a Pixie Wing, nine and three fourths." Joseph stood there with the wand in his hand, investigating it and trying to ignore joshes sniggering in the back round. "Well aren't you going to give it a try?" Ollivander asked "Ah ok," responded Joseph. He started waving the wand in the air trying to remember what Josh had said. "Was it Lumas no it couldn't have been," he thought "no its Lumos." "Lumos." He said loudly and then he felt a jerk from the wand and a light burst out of it. "Excellent," shouted Ollivander Joseph paid for his wand, thanked Ollivander then left outside to find Mr. Thompson. "Boys we have to hurry and get to platform 9 and ¾ in a about 20 mintues. So they hurried along to the pet store both Josh and Joseph bought Owls, Joseph who wanted a cat, was convinced by Josh and Mr. Thompson that a owl was more useful to a wizard then a cat.
So they hurried along the street trying to make it to this platform Mr. Thompson kept talking about, and finally they made it with only 2 minutes to spare. "Ok boy just walk through," said Mr. Thompson with a hint of panic in his deep voice. "Ok," Both Josh and Joseph said at the same time Joseph stood looking at the wall but didn't have a chance to think about was he was doing when Bam he had just walked through a brick wall, and was staring at a train with the word Hogwarts across the front of the train. He could still here Mr. Thompson's voice in the background saying, "Have a good time." Joseph was about to do something that only a select few people would ever do and he was still thinking it was a dream.