Chapter Two - The Explanation
Okay, first of all I just want to clear things up - Hogwarts does not exist, Miss Rowling might be barmy, and Hogwarts does not exist I tell you!
"I don't understand you both," I finally said.
"Oh, dear, want to fill her up?" the old man bowed to Miss Rowling.
Miss Rowling just didn't answer back. She just gazes at me, studying me from top to bottom. I can tell she's getting a little irritated by me.
"Miss, you have no idea what the golden feather is, do you?" Miss Rowling questioned.
I shook my head.
"How old are you?" the old man solicited.
"13," I reply back.
"13? I thought you would be at least 12," Miss Rowling stated.
"She's a Muggle!" the man roared.
"She cannot be a Muggle. The feather does not choose a Muggle-born to visit our world, Colin," Miss Rowling argued back.
"Well, the feather does not lie, so it's her," the man shook his head in agreement.
"Oh, my, what will Dumbledore think of this?"
"Give her the test! Let her visit Hogwarts," the man offered.
"And how might we do that when she is Muggle?" Miss Rowling said.
"I thought you thought that she wasn't a Muggle."
"SHE IS A MUGGLE!" Miss Rowling roared.
"Oh, well, anyway, that's what we are trying to prove," the man said, "let her stand in front of the mirror."
Before I know it, Miss Rowling heaves me from my arm and tows me towards a substantial, timber mirror. I have no clue what is going on. So, I stood there ogling my own reflection.
"Alright," the man alleged while gripping my shoulder, "in a count of three. jump in!"
"What?" I hollered.
"One."
"No, I am not jumping in that!"
"Two."
"I'm calling the police!"
"Three."
"You are maaaaddd.!" *THUD*
He shoves me in the mirror! The rigid, solid, painful mirror! I can't feel anything after that, except the throbbing of my forehead and my cheeks. When I open my eyes, I have no idea why I am on the ground. I don't even remember where I am! But my memory came back when I saw Miss Rowling and that man.
"Colin, what are you trying to do to this girl?" Miss Rowling panicked as she helped me on the nearest seat.
"Yup, she is a Muggle-born," the man said. I'm beginning to hate this person.
"I'm sorry, Miss. Are you alright?" Miss Rowling questioned.
Am I alright? Am I alright? This man hammers my head in the mirror for no reason what-so-ever, Miss Rowling is barmy, and to top it all off, mom and dad might be nerve-racking about me not being home! For all I know, I might be kidnap by these... These... uncanny people! Am I alright? I am NOT alright!
"I'm fine, thank you," I said back.
Okay, so I don't have the nerve to actually tell the truth, especially to one of my favorite authors. But don't get me started with that man.
"Miss Rowling, if she can't go through the mirror why did the feather choose this girl to visit Hogwarts?" the man questioned.
I'm getting really annoyed about this Hogwarts nonsense.
"I don't know, Colin," Miss Rowling confessed, "I don't know."
"How do you think she can go to Hogwarts in the first place?"
"There are other ways, Colin, special powers or something, especially for a Muggle-born," she said back, "This might not be an ordinary girl."
Okay, okay, if they call me a "Muggle" once more..
"This Muggle-born will probably destroy our world!" the man roared.
That is it! This man is going too far!
"Want a cookie, dear?" the man offered as he turned to me.
I blushed, "Alright."
Okay, I'll forgive him this time since he is getting me a cookie! He vanishes before I can say, thank you. While waiting, Miss Rowling keeps on tapping her finders on the timber table, nervously. This made me anxious.
"Will you please," I said impatiently, "tell me what is going on?"
Miss Rowling turns towards me, took off her chocolate-colored coat and set it on the table.
"Miss Flair," she began, "Are you a big fan of Harry Potter?"
"Yes! I love your books. And I can't wait until the next movie comes out," I said back.
Miss Rowling smiled, "I'm afraid the stories of the book are real."
"What? It can't be. It's a fantasy story. It's not real,"
"It's really hard to explain, dear, but please listen," Miss Rowling pleaded.
"No," I said furiously, "this is a nightmare! This is one of those nasty shows where they make fun of random, innocent people on the street!"
"I don't know what you are talking about.."
"... I mean, really! This is a nasty plot. Get your cameras out and take that mask out on your face!"
"She's not wearing a mask, dear," the old man interrupted as he set a huge plate of various cookies (that took practically half the space of the table) and a glass of cold milk.
"Dear, listen for a moment, please!" Miss Rowling beseeched, "I will explain. This is not a game."
I can't hear Miss Rowling's voice. I am too busy trying to decide which cookie to eat first! There are so many kinds in this one enormous, ring-shaped plate. There is oatmeal, chocolate chip, thin mints, peanut butter...Oh, I can go on!
The man glances at me and started giggling, "Here, help yourself!"
He shoves the plate under my nose. Oh, the temptations of that sweet smell of freshly bake cookies! I grab a hand full of chocolate chip and shove in my mouth.. Delicious! I didn't realize that Miss Rowling is staring at me.
"I'm... *crunch*... sorry *crunch*... you were saying?" I blushed and grab the nearest milk and started gulping.
"Miss Flair, you have chosen by our people, by the golden feather, to visit Hogwarts. Now, Hogwarts is not a silly fairy tale - it is very much real. In fact, it is our history. Harry Potter, Voldemort, everyone in that book is very much alive. You might not see them but they are breathing. Once in a blue moon, the golden feather, this feather that you have right now, chooses a young wizard or witch who thinks that will bring great good to our world, to our ancient school - Hogwarts. A long time ago, Sirius was chosen as well as Dumbledore..."
"What about Harry Potter? Isn't he the great hero?" I asked as I quickly snatch a piece of oatmeal cookie.
"Harry Potter was born being a hero. Sirius and Dumbledore were chosen to be a hero. There is a big difference," Miss Rowling answered.
"And how does this...feather or you for that matter know that I am going to be hero? Is my future settled or something? How do you know?" I questioned.
"A long time ago, a wizard name Lowell Venus created a magnificent device, a device that can tell the future and record the past. It is called the 'Iary' - named after Lowell's great grandmother. It shows the owner what will happen and who can undo it. We can't change the past, but we can change the future. Now, this is considered one of our greatest achievements. We rarely use it - only for the better.. .."
"Let me guess, this 'I-arl-lily'..." I began.
"Miss, it's 'Iary' not...whatever you just said," the man explained.
"Fine, 'I-yarl-ily' or something..."
I heard the man groaned deeply. I ignore him.
"...told the owner that I am going to be needed for some sort in the future?" I said as I snatch another cookie and another, and another.
"Yes!" Miss Rowling said joyfully.
"The owner must be whacked!" I laughed.
"Lowell Venus is the great, great, great grandfather of Dumbledore.." the man answered. I can tell he was insulted.
"Oh.... ." I blushed once more, "but how can you be so sure? I'm a Muggle, like what he said! How can I be your next hero?"
"That is what makes it all confusing, my dear," Miss Rowling replied.
For moment there's a long silence between the three of us. I don't know what to say next. This is plot, an evil plan or something. I mean, come on! This is ridiculous! Or is it? I always wanted to be in Harry Potter's world. Maybe without Voldemort...but having a wand and broom is pretty cool. But it is not possible.
"You know what! YOU have a lot of explaining to do, Miss Rowling!" I screamed, "First you lied to your audience then you come to me with this story. then this man randomly..."
"PLEASE!" the man bawled, "A juvenile argument will not settle anything, young lady. This is not a game. The feather has chosen you. You will go to Hogwarts whether it is confusing to you or crystal clear!"
"You have no idea what my life is these past years! School is a big pain in the butt and you two just made it worst!" I explained, "And what is this feather had to do with anything?"
I glance at J.K. Rowling, waiting for answer as I grab another mint chocolate and shove in my mouth, angrily.
"The feather belongs to the Hogwarts' dove..."
"Hogwarts have a dove?" I asked.
". .. Please listen," Miss Rowling said, "Yes, Hogwarts have a dove. Now this dove works with the Iary. It is the dove's duty to find the upcoming hero and bring that hero to Hogwarts."
"You are the hero," the man said, "you are going to Hogwarts."
Wow, I guess these people are actually telling the truth. Maybe I am a hero. Maybe I am born to help Hogwarts. Yes, that is it! I am a hero. I- am-a-hero!
"I-AM-A-HERO!" I squealed so loudly that the table trembled a little.
Again, there's that stillness thing going on between us three. I smile weakly.
"You are leaving your home to Hogwarts this midnight," Miss Rowling began after a minute or two, "meet us here and wear something warm."
"I'm leaving today to Hogwarts?"
"No not exactly to Hogwarts. But to London where we can settle this with Miss Lumogra."
"What about my parents?"
"Settled, we gave them amnesia," the man answered.
"WHAT!"
"Temporarily, we will give their memory back as soon as you finish your duty."
"Miss Flair," Miss Rowling kneeled down so we are level in height, "are you ready to visit our world?"
Okay, first of all I just want to clear things up - Hogwarts does not exist, Miss Rowling might be barmy, and Hogwarts does not exist I tell you!
"I don't understand you both," I finally said.
"Oh, dear, want to fill her up?" the old man bowed to Miss Rowling.
Miss Rowling just didn't answer back. She just gazes at me, studying me from top to bottom. I can tell she's getting a little irritated by me.
"Miss, you have no idea what the golden feather is, do you?" Miss Rowling questioned.
I shook my head.
"How old are you?" the old man solicited.
"13," I reply back.
"13? I thought you would be at least 12," Miss Rowling stated.
"She's a Muggle!" the man roared.
"She cannot be a Muggle. The feather does not choose a Muggle-born to visit our world, Colin," Miss Rowling argued back.
"Well, the feather does not lie, so it's her," the man shook his head in agreement.
"Oh, my, what will Dumbledore think of this?"
"Give her the test! Let her visit Hogwarts," the man offered.
"And how might we do that when she is Muggle?" Miss Rowling said.
"I thought you thought that she wasn't a Muggle."
"SHE IS A MUGGLE!" Miss Rowling roared.
"Oh, well, anyway, that's what we are trying to prove," the man said, "let her stand in front of the mirror."
Before I know it, Miss Rowling heaves me from my arm and tows me towards a substantial, timber mirror. I have no clue what is going on. So, I stood there ogling my own reflection.
"Alright," the man alleged while gripping my shoulder, "in a count of three. jump in!"
"What?" I hollered.
"One."
"No, I am not jumping in that!"
"Two."
"I'm calling the police!"
"Three."
"You are maaaaddd.!" *THUD*
He shoves me in the mirror! The rigid, solid, painful mirror! I can't feel anything after that, except the throbbing of my forehead and my cheeks. When I open my eyes, I have no idea why I am on the ground. I don't even remember where I am! But my memory came back when I saw Miss Rowling and that man.
"Colin, what are you trying to do to this girl?" Miss Rowling panicked as she helped me on the nearest seat.
"Yup, she is a Muggle-born," the man said. I'm beginning to hate this person.
"I'm sorry, Miss. Are you alright?" Miss Rowling questioned.
Am I alright? Am I alright? This man hammers my head in the mirror for no reason what-so-ever, Miss Rowling is barmy, and to top it all off, mom and dad might be nerve-racking about me not being home! For all I know, I might be kidnap by these... These... uncanny people! Am I alright? I am NOT alright!
"I'm fine, thank you," I said back.
Okay, so I don't have the nerve to actually tell the truth, especially to one of my favorite authors. But don't get me started with that man.
"Miss Rowling, if she can't go through the mirror why did the feather choose this girl to visit Hogwarts?" the man questioned.
I'm getting really annoyed about this Hogwarts nonsense.
"I don't know, Colin," Miss Rowling confessed, "I don't know."
"How do you think she can go to Hogwarts in the first place?"
"There are other ways, Colin, special powers or something, especially for a Muggle-born," she said back, "This might not be an ordinary girl."
Okay, okay, if they call me a "Muggle" once more..
"This Muggle-born will probably destroy our world!" the man roared.
That is it! This man is going too far!
"Want a cookie, dear?" the man offered as he turned to me.
I blushed, "Alright."
Okay, I'll forgive him this time since he is getting me a cookie! He vanishes before I can say, thank you. While waiting, Miss Rowling keeps on tapping her finders on the timber table, nervously. This made me anxious.
"Will you please," I said impatiently, "tell me what is going on?"
Miss Rowling turns towards me, took off her chocolate-colored coat and set it on the table.
"Miss Flair," she began, "Are you a big fan of Harry Potter?"
"Yes! I love your books. And I can't wait until the next movie comes out," I said back.
Miss Rowling smiled, "I'm afraid the stories of the book are real."
"What? It can't be. It's a fantasy story. It's not real,"
"It's really hard to explain, dear, but please listen," Miss Rowling pleaded.
"No," I said furiously, "this is a nightmare! This is one of those nasty shows where they make fun of random, innocent people on the street!"
"I don't know what you are talking about.."
"... I mean, really! This is a nasty plot. Get your cameras out and take that mask out on your face!"
"She's not wearing a mask, dear," the old man interrupted as he set a huge plate of various cookies (that took practically half the space of the table) and a glass of cold milk.
"Dear, listen for a moment, please!" Miss Rowling beseeched, "I will explain. This is not a game."
I can't hear Miss Rowling's voice. I am too busy trying to decide which cookie to eat first! There are so many kinds in this one enormous, ring-shaped plate. There is oatmeal, chocolate chip, thin mints, peanut butter...Oh, I can go on!
The man glances at me and started giggling, "Here, help yourself!"
He shoves the plate under my nose. Oh, the temptations of that sweet smell of freshly bake cookies! I grab a hand full of chocolate chip and shove in my mouth.. Delicious! I didn't realize that Miss Rowling is staring at me.
"I'm... *crunch*... sorry *crunch*... you were saying?" I blushed and grab the nearest milk and started gulping.
"Miss Flair, you have chosen by our people, by the golden feather, to visit Hogwarts. Now, Hogwarts is not a silly fairy tale - it is very much real. In fact, it is our history. Harry Potter, Voldemort, everyone in that book is very much alive. You might not see them but they are breathing. Once in a blue moon, the golden feather, this feather that you have right now, chooses a young wizard or witch who thinks that will bring great good to our world, to our ancient school - Hogwarts. A long time ago, Sirius was chosen as well as Dumbledore..."
"What about Harry Potter? Isn't he the great hero?" I asked as I quickly snatch a piece of oatmeal cookie.
"Harry Potter was born being a hero. Sirius and Dumbledore were chosen to be a hero. There is a big difference," Miss Rowling answered.
"And how does this...feather or you for that matter know that I am going to be hero? Is my future settled or something? How do you know?" I questioned.
"A long time ago, a wizard name Lowell Venus created a magnificent device, a device that can tell the future and record the past. It is called the 'Iary' - named after Lowell's great grandmother. It shows the owner what will happen and who can undo it. We can't change the past, but we can change the future. Now, this is considered one of our greatest achievements. We rarely use it - only for the better.. .."
"Let me guess, this 'I-arl-lily'..." I began.
"Miss, it's 'Iary' not...whatever you just said," the man explained.
"Fine, 'I-yarl-ily' or something..."
I heard the man groaned deeply. I ignore him.
"...told the owner that I am going to be needed for some sort in the future?" I said as I snatch another cookie and another, and another.
"Yes!" Miss Rowling said joyfully.
"The owner must be whacked!" I laughed.
"Lowell Venus is the great, great, great grandfather of Dumbledore.." the man answered. I can tell he was insulted.
"Oh.... ." I blushed once more, "but how can you be so sure? I'm a Muggle, like what he said! How can I be your next hero?"
"That is what makes it all confusing, my dear," Miss Rowling replied.
For moment there's a long silence between the three of us. I don't know what to say next. This is plot, an evil plan or something. I mean, come on! This is ridiculous! Or is it? I always wanted to be in Harry Potter's world. Maybe without Voldemort...but having a wand and broom is pretty cool. But it is not possible.
"You know what! YOU have a lot of explaining to do, Miss Rowling!" I screamed, "First you lied to your audience then you come to me with this story. then this man randomly..."
"PLEASE!" the man bawled, "A juvenile argument will not settle anything, young lady. This is not a game. The feather has chosen you. You will go to Hogwarts whether it is confusing to you or crystal clear!"
"You have no idea what my life is these past years! School is a big pain in the butt and you two just made it worst!" I explained, "And what is this feather had to do with anything?"
I glance at J.K. Rowling, waiting for answer as I grab another mint chocolate and shove in my mouth, angrily.
"The feather belongs to the Hogwarts' dove..."
"Hogwarts have a dove?" I asked.
". .. Please listen," Miss Rowling said, "Yes, Hogwarts have a dove. Now this dove works with the Iary. It is the dove's duty to find the upcoming hero and bring that hero to Hogwarts."
"You are the hero," the man said, "you are going to Hogwarts."
Wow, I guess these people are actually telling the truth. Maybe I am a hero. Maybe I am born to help Hogwarts. Yes, that is it! I am a hero. I- am-a-hero!
"I-AM-A-HERO!" I squealed so loudly that the table trembled a little.
Again, there's that stillness thing going on between us three. I smile weakly.
"You are leaving your home to Hogwarts this midnight," Miss Rowling began after a minute or two, "meet us here and wear something warm."
"I'm leaving today to Hogwarts?"
"No not exactly to Hogwarts. But to London where we can settle this with Miss Lumogra."
"What about my parents?"
"Settled, we gave them amnesia," the man answered.
"WHAT!"
"Temporarily, we will give their memory back as soon as you finish your duty."
"Miss Flair," Miss Rowling kneeled down so we are level in height, "are you ready to visit our world?"