Ruby was happily sitting in her compartment on the train home. And there were plenty reasons for her being happy: at last she had holidays, she had a bottle of pumpking juice in her right hand, Exploding Snap cards in her left one, she was playing with her two best friends, Carey and Edith, she finally had found out a curly-hair-charm (which she was planning to learn that summer) and Christopher Carlisle had asked her to keep contact during the summer shortly before she had entered the train.
Life couldn't have been better!
Ruby loved being a witch - for that she was, a witch. Not as good as her parents, both working at the American Ministry of Magic, would have liked her to be but not that bad either...
The train would soon arrive Washington Station and so Ruby and her friends stopped playing cards and changed into normal clothes and stuffed their blue school robes onto their trunks while chattering excitedly about their plans for the summer. Carey had invited Ruby and Edith to visit her for the last month of holidays before they would start again at 1 October. They did that in turns ever since their first year and Edith, being Muggle-born, always enjoyed staying at a wizard's home while Carey and Ruby had been stunned by Edith's house last year. Strange apparatusses run by electricity and the pictures on the wall weren't moving! Of course they had heard about that all in Muggle Studies (they both had taken it since 3rd year hoping that it would be easy what with a Muggle-born friend) but to see it all work in reality had been amazing!
Now they gathered their stuff, Ruby made sure that her tiny pet fairy was comfortably seated on her shoulder and off they were.
On platform 17-5 her parents were already awaiting her and her luggage and after a wordful goodbye to her friends and a last blushing glance over to Chris Carlisle she left the station together with her parents and walked over to the car and to three wonderful months of freedom.
At least that was what she thought was awaiting her but during family breakfast two weeks later (Ruby's hair was rather bushy from practising that curly-hair-charm) she got a letter which would turn her world upside-down.
It was from Great Britain and the big owl delivering it was looking so overexhausted that Ruby dropped the letter on the table and first cared for the tired bird. Her fairy Witty however examined the letter more closely and seeing the coat of arms on the back she suddenly squealed and told Ruby's parents to have a closer look, too. They did and also got very excited.
Ruby turned around confused.
"What's this all about? Who has sent me this letter? I don't know anyb... oh NO!" She just had seen the coat of arms, too. The letter was from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Her parents had asked the school for accepting Ruby as first year when she was ten but all she got was a friendly reply that all they could do was placing her on a waiting list. At that time Ruby had been very disappointed for Hogwarts had a great reputation and learing in Great Britain would have been an even greater adventure. But now as she had been at her Magical Institution for 4 years already she didn't want to be anywhere else. And she hadn't ben expecting to hear anything from Hogwarts again.
'Alright Ruby, don't overreact!' she tried to calm herself down but that was rather difficult with three expecting faces around her 'Perhaps it is no acceptance...but what else would it be?'
She opened the letter with shaking fingers and read it with an increasing impression of dread in her face:
HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. Of Wizards)
Dear Ms Riders,
We are pleased to inform that our capacities at last allow us to accept you as our first ever transfer student. We are sure that you will work hard for that gratitude.
Term begins on 1 September.
You have two opportunities:
1. You can arrive one week earlier (on 26 July) together with the teachers and be sorted immediately.
2. You can arrive on 1 September together with all the other students and take part in the Sorting Ceremony.
Unfortunately you can't keep on Medi-Wizardation as we don't offer that subject. A list of possible subjects is enclosed and we ask you to send us your substitue choice together with your answer which is awaited no later than 25 July.
You will be placed in fifth year but that may change later as shortly before Christmas holidays you will take some extra exams wich will show on which year's standard your knowledge is. If two or more subjects will be on a lower level than required you will change the year but we hope you will do your best to prevent that.
Yours sincerly,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Ruby dropped tha piece of parchment and her parents picked it up and read it with delight.
Witty however didn't. She had noticed Ruby's despaired face and inquired about what was wrong but Ruby wasn't reacting at all. Just as her parents squealed happily "At last! Isn't that wonderful?" Ruby came back to her wits. She answered coldly
"I WON'T GO!"
Mr and Mrs Riders stared blankly at their daughter whom they had expected to be proud and glad. Finally her father spoke:
"But...but Ruby! We thought you were waiting for that ever since you were ten..."
"I had been, yes, but only until I was eleven! I then was fully involved at Salem Institution. I don't want to leave. I like it there." Ruby was calmer now. But determined not to go.
"But Hogwarts has a very good reputation! If you graduate there..."
"Pffh... They don't even have Medi-Wizardation!" Ruby tried to argue but unfortunately that didn'' work
"No - but Study of Ancient Runes and Care of Magical Creatures both of which aren't offered at Salem Institution as far as I know."
That was right. The British and American Magical School system were quite equal which would make it easier to change to school. But the British education at Hogwarts was better. So Ruby decided to change the tactics.
"And what about my friends? I'm going to start my 5th year now. By that time all the friendships are already completely built up!"
"I'm sure you will find friends very soon!"
Ruby turned to her mother hoping for more understanding from that side.
"Mooom, please! Christopher Carlisle showed interest in me! When I now leave he will as another one to be his study partner!!"
But her mother merely smiled:
"Oh, don't worry darling. British mothers have sons, too, y'know."
"Oh yes! Long and lanky with red hair and freckles! Where do I sign in?" Ruby replied sarcastically and disappointed. She knew where this all would lead to.
"Alright my dear daughter. As we are already at prejudices we will end that conversation now. Take the letter and Witty as counsellor" at that words the little elf's chest swelled with pride "and think it all over. You are a reasonable young miss and I know you will come back to your senses once you ahve accepted the situation. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance and you don't want to regret it later when you don't take it, do you?"
And with that Ruby was "dismissed". She quickly grabbed some toast (with an small extra amount of marmalade for Witty) and went upstairs the fairy flying behind her struggling with carrying the letter but refusing any offer of help.
Ruby laid down on her bed and sighed. Her father had been right and she knew it.
She really wanted to enter the Ministry of Magic and a Hogwarts diploma would be a big step into that direction. And it had been her dream to be accepted at Hogwarts for her mother had been there. She had moved to the USA after she had got to know Ruby's father at the age of twenty-two. Only because of this relation she had been put on Hogwarts waiting list at all.
Ruby read the letter again.
It was a pity that they hadn't Medi-Wizardation. She scanned the subject list. Study of Ancient Runes didn't sound that difficult so she could learn the missing two years for the exams... The rest had to be nearly the same as in America, except History of Magic and Muggle Studies as they would surely be more Britain-related. But that was all a thing of learning. Ruby could be quite hard working on that when she wanted. Being set down on a lower year would be a shame...
"What am I thinking? I WON'T GO!" Ruby scolded herself. Witty jumped.
"Please not so loud!" she begged with her high voice then dugged her hand again into the marmalde. Ruby smiled at her. She was very fond of Witty who wasn't as conceited as fairies usually were. In fact she was quite reasonable and witty what gave her her name. Now she spoke again.
"Why don't you want to go. I remember that shortly after you had tamed me you were hardly talking about anything else than your Hogwarts application. And you had been very disappointed after the letter came that you were only on a waiting list."
"I know Witty. But you also know how I enjoy myself at Salem Institution."
"Oh please! You enjoy yourself everywhere!"
Ruby grinned
"Cheeky brat! I've given you too much sugar quill parts I guess... Oh no! Don't look so upset! Hmmm....do you think I have a choice?"
"Do YOU think it? You have heard your father and you know him. You are forced to go willingly if you take my meaning..."
"Just too well, Witty, I take it just too well."
And with a sigh Ruby leapt up from her mattress and wrote letters to her friends that she wouldn't be meeting them in September for then she would already be at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Life couldn't have been better!
Ruby loved being a witch - for that she was, a witch. Not as good as her parents, both working at the American Ministry of Magic, would have liked her to be but not that bad either...
The train would soon arrive Washington Station and so Ruby and her friends stopped playing cards and changed into normal clothes and stuffed their blue school robes onto their trunks while chattering excitedly about their plans for the summer. Carey had invited Ruby and Edith to visit her for the last month of holidays before they would start again at 1 October. They did that in turns ever since their first year and Edith, being Muggle-born, always enjoyed staying at a wizard's home while Carey and Ruby had been stunned by Edith's house last year. Strange apparatusses run by electricity and the pictures on the wall weren't moving! Of course they had heard about that all in Muggle Studies (they both had taken it since 3rd year hoping that it would be easy what with a Muggle-born friend) but to see it all work in reality had been amazing!
Now they gathered their stuff, Ruby made sure that her tiny pet fairy was comfortably seated on her shoulder and off they were.
On platform 17-5 her parents were already awaiting her and her luggage and after a wordful goodbye to her friends and a last blushing glance over to Chris Carlisle she left the station together with her parents and walked over to the car and to three wonderful months of freedom.
At least that was what she thought was awaiting her but during family breakfast two weeks later (Ruby's hair was rather bushy from practising that curly-hair-charm) she got a letter which would turn her world upside-down.
It was from Great Britain and the big owl delivering it was looking so overexhausted that Ruby dropped the letter on the table and first cared for the tired bird. Her fairy Witty however examined the letter more closely and seeing the coat of arms on the back she suddenly squealed and told Ruby's parents to have a closer look, too. They did and also got very excited.
Ruby turned around confused.
"What's this all about? Who has sent me this letter? I don't know anyb... oh NO!" She just had seen the coat of arms, too. The letter was from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Her parents had asked the school for accepting Ruby as first year when she was ten but all she got was a friendly reply that all they could do was placing her on a waiting list. At that time Ruby had been very disappointed for Hogwarts had a great reputation and learing in Great Britain would have been an even greater adventure. But now as she had been at her Magical Institution for 4 years already she didn't want to be anywhere else. And she hadn't ben expecting to hear anything from Hogwarts again.
'Alright Ruby, don't overreact!' she tried to calm herself down but that was rather difficult with three expecting faces around her 'Perhaps it is no acceptance...but what else would it be?'
She opened the letter with shaking fingers and read it with an increasing impression of dread in her face:
HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. Of Wizards)
Dear Ms Riders,
We are pleased to inform that our capacities at last allow us to accept you as our first ever transfer student. We are sure that you will work hard for that gratitude.
Term begins on 1 September.
You have two opportunities:
1. You can arrive one week earlier (on 26 July) together with the teachers and be sorted immediately.
2. You can arrive on 1 September together with all the other students and take part in the Sorting Ceremony.
Unfortunately you can't keep on Medi-Wizardation as we don't offer that subject. A list of possible subjects is enclosed and we ask you to send us your substitue choice together with your answer which is awaited no later than 25 July.
You will be placed in fifth year but that may change later as shortly before Christmas holidays you will take some extra exams wich will show on which year's standard your knowledge is. If two or more subjects will be on a lower level than required you will change the year but we hope you will do your best to prevent that.
Yours sincerly,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Ruby dropped tha piece of parchment and her parents picked it up and read it with delight.
Witty however didn't. She had noticed Ruby's despaired face and inquired about what was wrong but Ruby wasn't reacting at all. Just as her parents squealed happily "At last! Isn't that wonderful?" Ruby came back to her wits. She answered coldly
"I WON'T GO!"
Mr and Mrs Riders stared blankly at their daughter whom they had expected to be proud and glad. Finally her father spoke:
"But...but Ruby! We thought you were waiting for that ever since you were ten..."
"I had been, yes, but only until I was eleven! I then was fully involved at Salem Institution. I don't want to leave. I like it there." Ruby was calmer now. But determined not to go.
"But Hogwarts has a very good reputation! If you graduate there..."
"Pffh... They don't even have Medi-Wizardation!" Ruby tried to argue but unfortunately that didn'' work
"No - but Study of Ancient Runes and Care of Magical Creatures both of which aren't offered at Salem Institution as far as I know."
That was right. The British and American Magical School system were quite equal which would make it easier to change to school. But the British education at Hogwarts was better. So Ruby decided to change the tactics.
"And what about my friends? I'm going to start my 5th year now. By that time all the friendships are already completely built up!"
"I'm sure you will find friends very soon!"
Ruby turned to her mother hoping for more understanding from that side.
"Mooom, please! Christopher Carlisle showed interest in me! When I now leave he will as another one to be his study partner!!"
But her mother merely smiled:
"Oh, don't worry darling. British mothers have sons, too, y'know."
"Oh yes! Long and lanky with red hair and freckles! Where do I sign in?" Ruby replied sarcastically and disappointed. She knew where this all would lead to.
"Alright my dear daughter. As we are already at prejudices we will end that conversation now. Take the letter and Witty as counsellor" at that words the little elf's chest swelled with pride "and think it all over. You are a reasonable young miss and I know you will come back to your senses once you ahve accepted the situation. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance and you don't want to regret it later when you don't take it, do you?"
And with that Ruby was "dismissed". She quickly grabbed some toast (with an small extra amount of marmalade for Witty) and went upstairs the fairy flying behind her struggling with carrying the letter but refusing any offer of help.
Ruby laid down on her bed and sighed. Her father had been right and she knew it.
She really wanted to enter the Ministry of Magic and a Hogwarts diploma would be a big step into that direction. And it had been her dream to be accepted at Hogwarts for her mother had been there. She had moved to the USA after she had got to know Ruby's father at the age of twenty-two. Only because of this relation she had been put on Hogwarts waiting list at all.
Ruby read the letter again.
It was a pity that they hadn't Medi-Wizardation. She scanned the subject list. Study of Ancient Runes didn't sound that difficult so she could learn the missing two years for the exams... The rest had to be nearly the same as in America, except History of Magic and Muggle Studies as they would surely be more Britain-related. But that was all a thing of learning. Ruby could be quite hard working on that when she wanted. Being set down on a lower year would be a shame...
"What am I thinking? I WON'T GO!" Ruby scolded herself. Witty jumped.
"Please not so loud!" she begged with her high voice then dugged her hand again into the marmalde. Ruby smiled at her. She was very fond of Witty who wasn't as conceited as fairies usually were. In fact she was quite reasonable and witty what gave her her name. Now she spoke again.
"Why don't you want to go. I remember that shortly after you had tamed me you were hardly talking about anything else than your Hogwarts application. And you had been very disappointed after the letter came that you were only on a waiting list."
"I know Witty. But you also know how I enjoy myself at Salem Institution."
"Oh please! You enjoy yourself everywhere!"
Ruby grinned
"Cheeky brat! I've given you too much sugar quill parts I guess... Oh no! Don't look so upset! Hmmm....do you think I have a choice?"
"Do YOU think it? You have heard your father and you know him. You are forced to go willingly if you take my meaning..."
"Just too well, Witty, I take it just too well."
And with a sigh Ruby leapt up from her mattress and wrote letters to her friends that she wouldn't be meeting them in September for then she would already be at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.