Magic's Essence
Chapter 4: Decisions and Shopping
She couldn't believe she had forgotten about something like disappearing stairs and had managed to get stuck in them. To her delight though, and surprise, a handsome raven-haired young man with a lightning scar on his forehead happened to show up right then. She wondered at the time what could have caused such an unusual scar, but thoughts of it were chased away by how dashing his smile was (typical teenage girl). He was now walking beside her as they made their way to the headmaster's office.
A trickle of delight went down her spine every time she caught his deep emerald eyes glancing her way and she felt near to giddiness again, just like when she was in his arms. That had caused embarrassment for her though since Dumbledore had found them in that position. Also that strange tingling she felt, separate from the giddiness, that she sensed from the school was strong in Harry. This scared Leona a little because she didn't really know what it was. She assumed it was magic, some ancient one too but she couldn't see how Harry could be the only one she felt so far with it. She could still feel the power in him pulsating, sending out waves and she felt something inside of her pulse with familiarity.
They finally reached the office, after climbing stairs that had appeared behind a statue that quickly hopped out of the way. Leona waited outside of the office door while Harry went in first, since he wouldn't take too long and he needed to get to classes. Not too long after they had entered, Harry then exited.
"You can go in now. Good luck with your proposition, Leona. It was nice meeting you." Harry held his hand out and Leona took it, feeling the tingling once again.
"I'm sure we'll meet again, Harry. If what Dumbledore has to discuss with me is even remotely similar to what I have to say myself." Harry looked confused for a moment and she asked him if something was wrong. He shook his head.
"It's just what you said… oh, never mind. I'm probably just paranoid. I'll hopefully see you later then?" Leona nodded and watched him disappear down the stairs before entering the room. Dumbledore gestured for her to take a seat in a plush, scarlet armchair in front of his desk and she did. He gazed at her through his half-moon glasses for a moment before speaking.
"So, I suppose we both have the same thing to discuss?" Leona nodded, "Then if this is true, you came to ask if you could stay longer?"
"Yes, if you don't mind of course. I'm a little confused at the moment, mostly about myself."
"As you should be with what happened last night."
"It's just that, Professor Snape said that I shouldn't have been able to do what I did and then the stairs…" Dumbledore nodded.
"Yes, I see. What happened on those stairs, might I ask? Besides what I saw?" Leona felt her face grow hot but answered his question.
"I got stuck in that disappearing one as you know, and then after Harry came I tried to get out of it and it sort of… obeyed me."
"You told it to let you go and it listened?"
"I know it sounds crazy but it's true." He just sat there for a moment and Leona was scared that he was going to change his mind, thinking he just had a lunatic on his hands.
"I believe this stair incident may add more questions onto my list. You may be here longer than I thought."
"How long would it be?"
"Well, our school has just started a new year… I suppose for us to completely understand what's going on you'll have to stay, say nearly the entire year?"
"The whole year?! I-I have school in two weeks though! What would my parents say to this… or Scott? I can't exactly tell them, can I?" She did want to know more about what was going on with her but she did have school.
"Calm down, Ms. Watson. I'm afraid that if we are to know why you are able to do things you do we will need that time. It may be best if you enroll here in fact." Leona paused from her panicking.
"Enroll in a magic school? But I don't know magic."
"Apparently you do in some form. How do you explain the stairs?" Leona couldn't believe what he was saying. Her, a witch of some kind? The opportunity of a life time was being offered to her right now. How could she possibly turn it down? So, slowly she nodded.
"Alright, I'll need to explain things to my family though." Dumbledore nodded.
"That will be fine but I'm afraid your friend Scott won't be able to know and any younger siblings."
"What? Why not?"
"Because I'm afraid they must not know for their own safety. Siblings can get jealous or accidentally tell someone at a young age. The wizarding world must be kept unknown to the non-magic world. You do understand?" Leona nodded.
"What do I tell them though?"
"The truth in a way, I suppose. Tell them that you are going to a boarding school… Leona, there's one more thing I need to discuss with you." His expression grew serious, "Some may not accept you here."
"Like Professor Snape?"
"He'll be fine. When he sees you he's reminded of certain things he wishes not to remember that's all. There are certain wizards and witches that don't like muggles or fellow witches and wizards that have muggle parents. These are dark times for the wizarding world, and muggles and muggle born are in danger."
"Why is that, Professor?" Dumbledore sighed, looking a bit older than ever before.
"Because of a man who calls himself Lord Voldemort. He wishes to destroy all muggles and muggle born. He believes there should only be purebloods. I thought I might warn you before you make any final decisions about this school. I don't want you to be enrolling without the full knowledge that you could be in danger."
"A stand with my decision still, Professor Dumbledore. I'm not going to let someone one like this Voldemort keep me from understanding what I am."
"If you think that is best… Hogwarts will keep you safe then. We'll send your parents a letter and also another one to your friend. I'll have one of our teachers' take you shopping once everything is in order."
"Shopping?"
"You'll need school robes of course, other school materials, and a wand."
"How am I going to pay for this though? I only have enough with me for the week I was going to be here."
"We'll provide things for you until your parents can send you the money. Now, you're sixteen, seventeen?"
"Sixteen."
"Ah, yes that's Harry's year. Perhaps I should send him and his friends also…" Dumbledore seemed to go on about things that needed to be done and Leona just sat there, understanding about half of what he was saying.
Harry looked at the plant he was repotting in disgust as its pus filled sacs oozed onto his gloves. He quickly dropped it into another pot and threw some soil into it.
"This stuff smells worse than the dungeons." Harry held his gloved hands at a distance so the stench wouldn't be as bad.
"I'd have to agree with you, Harry. This has to be by far the worst stench I've encountered," Hermione commented, wrinkling her nose and patting down the soil around her plant.
"Yes, but their magical properties are great don't you think? The pus is used in strong healing potions, and the roots in strong sleeping draughts."
"Oh that's very good Mr. Longbottom. Five points to Gryffindor." Harry thought Neville's odd fascination with these plants was quite disgusting, but when it came to his knowledge of them getting their house some points it was the greatest thing. Harry's plant seemed to make some burping noise then and pus splattered. Fortunately, he was able to move so it only got on the hem of his robes. He now reeked of the stuff though. Some of the other students snickered at his misfortune while others looked at him sympathetically, having had it happen to them too. This burping was usually the sign his plant was on its final stage and so he would finally be done with it. He'd just have to put up with the stench until he had time to change robes.
Just then a Ravenclaw student came into the greenhouse and gave Professor Sprout a sealed parchment. She tapped it with her wand to unseal it and then read it quickly. She reread it, looking confused but then looked up. Her eyes swept across the room until they landed Harry, Hermione, and Ron.
"Mr. Potter, Weasley, Ms. Granger. You are to report to the headmaster's office after class." The three friends looked at each other in confusion. What did they do? Harry shrugged.
"He probably has information on my dream. I talked to him this morning about it." It was soon time to go and everyone exited the greenhouse.
"I hope you're right," Ron said, "Don't you want to go change before we head up there though, Harry?"
"Oh, yeah that's a good idea." Harry looked down at the part of his robe that was covered in the smelly pus. It was starting to dry, which didn't seem to diminish the smell. They quickly went to the common room and then headed towards Dumbledore's office. The gargoyle statue jumped out of the way as they approached and they ascended the stairs. When they got into the office Harry was glad he'd changed his robes.
"Leona, what are you doing here?" Harry felt a tug on his robe and turned to Ron.
"Uh Harry, care to introduce us?"
"Oh, yes. Ron, Hermione this is Leona Watson. I met her this morning. Leona, these are my two best friends Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger." Harry gestured to them each and they nodded in greeting.
"Nice to meet you. Hi again Harry. I told you we'd probably meet again." Harry smiled.
"I guess you were right." He then noticed that throbbing feeling again. Harry looked at her to see if she felt it and she nodded her head as their eyes met. Professor Dumbledore then entered the room, Hagrid right behind him. Leona's eyes widened at the sight of Hagrid and she backed up a little. Harry moved up beside her, feeling the tingle return as he placed his hand on her shoulder.
"It's ok, he's a friend." She relaxed once she heard this and smiled gratefully at Harry.
" Hello 'Arry, Herm'one, Ron, how are ya?"
"Hey Hagrid, this is Leona Watson." Leona nodded in greeting and smiled.
"Oh, yeah. Sorry 'bout last night, Miss. Didn't mean ta scare ya like tha'."
"That's alright. I was a bit panicked last night and I'm usually not like that."
"Good, good. Well, it seems I'll be one of yer guides today."
"Guides?" Harry looked towards Dumbledore who smiled.
"Yes, Leona here needs to get some things from Diagon alley. She will be enrolling in our school." Harry couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"Enrolling in Hogwarts? I thought she was a muggle though, Professor."
"Yes and no. Actually we're not quite sure, which is why she is staying. I thought it would be best if she enrolled since it may take the entire school year."
"What will take the entire school year?"
"You remember the incident on the stairs, Harry?" Harry nodded, then blushed slightly remembering what happened after, "What we're trying to find out is why she can do this among other startling things that have already occurred."
"So, she might have magic?"
"I'm certain that she has magic but it doesn't seem like any I've encountered before." Harry looked over at Leona with a sense of awe. She was a mystery, that's for sure, and a gorgeous one too.
They used a portkey to get to Diagon alley and first headed to get robes. Once this was done they went to get books, a cauldron, and everything Leona would need. While they were in Flourish and Blotts Ron pulled Harry behind a large stack of books.
"Why didn't you tell me you met that girl this morning?"
"Er…"
"And what did Dumbledore mean when he spoke about an incident on the stairs?" A mischievous look crossed Ron's face then and Harry knew where this was going.
"It's not what it sounds like, Ron. She got stuck in the disappearing step. Dumbledore was speaking of how she got out of the step."
"What happened?" Harry retold the events to Ron and his eyes widened as he got to the glowing part.
"Her hands glowed?"
"Yeah."
"And the steps actually let her go?" Harry nodded.
"Blimey, we've got some powerful Veela on our hands then." Harry nodded. He'd have to agree on both. She did seem to have some great power and he had to admit she was as beautiful as a Veela. He just hoped she didn't look like one when it was mad. He shuddered at that thought and completely abandoned it. Ron smiled then.
"So, you caught her and that's how Dumbledore found you? Sounds suspicious to me." Harry rolled his eyes. Ron seemed unusually mischievous lately. Probably had too many of his brother's experimental candies.
"Come on, we need to stay with the others." They then moved away from the books and joined the others, who were now purchasing items. After they had gotten everything they needed, they headed towards Ollivanders. Leona seemed to hesitate outside the door.
"What if none of them work for me? You heard Dumbledore, I'm different."
"Don't worry I'm sure everything will be fine," Harry reassured her and lightly led her into the shop by the hand. She followed without anymore hesitation and they all waited in the front of the shop for Mr. Ollivander. He soon came to the front.
"Stick out your wand hand please." Leona slowly held out her right hand, wondering what this was about. A measuring tape then began taking measurements on its own, much to Leona's surprise, and Mr. Ollivander turned to one of the many shelves. He picked a long, thin box and brought it over. He took out the wand that was inside and handed it to Leona.
"Try this. Mahogony, Unicorn hair, 12 ½ inches. Go on, give it a wave." A strange feeling seemed to come from the wand once Leona touched it, but it didn't seem quite what she felt the wand should feel like. She waved it and jumped when a vase shattered. Before she could apologize, Mr. Ollivander had another wand in her hand and told her to try it. Again, this one only caused chaos. They went through this to the point that even Ollivander was getting frustrated. Each one she tried seemed to cause something much bigger than before, as if the capacity of the spell or whatever disaster it was had grown each time Leona held another wand.
"There must be one that will work for you. I'll check my inventory for something better." He disappeared in the back of the shop and Leona turned with a worried look to everyone else.
"I don't think this was a very good idea. Nothing's working for me except to make problems."
"They say it's the wand that chooses the person," Hermione said, "Perhaps you haven't come across the one that has the qualities that fit you." Ollivander then came up to the front muttering to himself and carrying a dusty looking box.
"This one may work, yes. Here you go, Ms. Watson. A very ancient wand; been here for ages, Oak 11 ½ inches, but let's see if this will work." As soon as she touched it she felt that familiar tingle. This just had to work. She gave it a swish and silver sparks flew from it. She smiled as Ollivander wrapped it up for her again.
"What's in this wand, sir? You didn't say before." He shook his head.
"I'm afraid my grandfather made this wand. He never told anyone what he put into it except that it was very old, not many can wield it these days. That wand has been sitting on a shelf in the back longer than I can remember." Leona stared at the box now in her hand with awe. What was in the core of this wand that she could use while surely hundreds had passed up for a different wand? Now all she had was more questions about herself.
They paid for the wand and then went to get the basics she would need for potions. Some of the items Leona saw labeled in the store she hadn't even known existed. There were strange things in jars that she hoped she'd never have to touch and ones she expected to be in a potion, such as beetle eyes and eye of newt. Soon they were done in that store and they all stopped for something to eat.
"Do I have everything on the list?" Leona scanned the paper she had with her. Dumbledore had placed her in the basic classes that she'd need and open spots in what she assumed were like electives at this school. They were care of magical creatures, which Harry said they would all be in together, and Divination. Harry had given her a sympathetic look when he'd seen this, warning that the teacher could be over dramatic sometimes. He said he had her until after O.W.L.'s, which he explained to her briefly, and had dropped her class as soon as he was allowed to. The way he made it sound made Leona want to drop it too. In place of more electives, Leona had been given special classes to catch up and time for Dumbledore to research her abilities.
Harry was looking over her list at the moment and after awhile a grin spread on his face and he quickly excused himself. Leona had a feeling something was up but didn't ask. She turned to Hermione instead, having found that they had at least one interest in common… books. She had been as happy looking at all the books in the stores as Leona was and she found that rather refreshing considering all her friends back home avoided the library like the plague. In fact, Hermione had been the most help picking out books besides the required that would help her catch up.
Ron had disappeared some time after Harry, saying that he wanted to say a quick hello to two of his brothers who ran a joke shop and was still gone when Harry returned with something large hidden behind him.
"What 'cha got there, 'arry," Hagrid asked, looking up from a book on dangerous creatures he'd bought that day. Harry brought a covered cage from behind him and handed it to Leona. She stared at it wide-eyed and slowly lifted the cloth. Inside was a medium sized owl with jet black feathers and white speckles across its chest. An exclamation of surprise escaped Leona's lips as she looked up at Harry.
"Harry, you really didn't have to do this for me." He shrugged as a light blush spread across his face.
"I thought you'd need him to keep in touch with friends and family. Think of it as a welcoming gift." Leona smiled and stood up to give him a hug.
"Thank you. He's beautiful."
Once Ron was back, a replenished supply of pranks from his brothers in his possession, they were on there way back to Hogwarts, using another portkey. Leona didn't like the sensation it gave her, much like someone yanking her around her middle. Also, the tingle was always there, different than the one she felt from Harry and the school in a way but still there. She guessed she'd get used to these feelings eventually, but she still felt a bit unnerved that she could sense them in the first place.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione had to go to the rest of their classes as soon as they got back so they didn't stay too long. Each said a quick farewell and that they hoped she'd get into Gryffindor. Leona then went back to her guest room, where Dumbledore said he would have someone get her for her sorting in the evening.