Disclaimer: I forgot to add the disclaimer in the prologue, so here it is and this goes for all chapters to come - It's not mine, all JKR's, except for the OCs. No money being made.
-AN ESCAPE COME TRUE
CHAPTER 1: Hogwarts, A Reality.
Reality hit her full force and she wasn't quite sure how to take it. If anybody asked her how would she like to be in the Harry Potter world, she would say "Hell yes!" in a heartbeat, but that was not the same thing as it actually happening. No one never stops to think about it really happening, because no one expects it to happen. So the question about the reality of it, it's not even pondered.
Nothing one can imagine or fabricate in their fantasies can be compared to the utter reality of it. To stand in one of Hogwarts hallways, looking at Filch was nowhere near the point of view from one reading it. To think that this was a dream was also out of the question. Dreams are not like that. At least not her dreams and it was easier to think that she had gone crazy and was hallucinating.
That actually wasn't so hard to imagine, considering what she went through everyday, the idea of going crazy looked very plausible. But was she? If her brain had found its own way to escape her nightmare of a life and created this whole charade, would it look so real? It was intriguing that the image the book had given her of this world was another one entirely. She imagined things and places to be arranged differently. She imagined Filch differently too and even though she knew it was him, he wasn't at all what she pictured. In fact, he was a lot scarier and dirtier. She had never stopped to think of what would be like to see a man like Filch this close. She didn't think anybody did and it was terrifying actually.
But if everything was so different from what she had imagined, then it couldn't be a creation from her own brain. And if it wasn't.... then this was really happening!
"I'm talking to you girl!" Filch spat impatiently and she was pulled out of her thoughts.
She looked at him inquisitively but couldn't bring herself to form a reply. The cat was staring at her intently and knowingly. It was creepy, she never thought a cat could intimidate anyone but Mrs. Norris could. Its yellow lamp-like eyes were almost glowing and it had a strange quality to her, a quality that probably all magical animals had. It was almost like its aura was palpable.
Filch went on. "What house are you from? I'm taking you to your head of house right now!"
What house was she from? How would she know? She wasn't even magical... what would they do to her?
"I... I don't know," she said staring at Filch's rotten teeth in disgust as he sneered at her. The man's face was thin and bony and his eyes really looked like Mrs Norris'. He smelled of a mix of cheap whiskey and grass and his long dark grey hair was greasier than Snape's.
Snape! How would Snape really look like? Oh God, she would meet Snape!
In the middle of that realization, she felt Filch's hands close in her arm and drag her through the hallway. She decided to let herself be dragged wherever he was taking her. It wasn't as if she had much of a choice.
As she walked along the man, she was amazed at how dark and gloomy the castle was. It didn't have that magical golden shine she saw in the movies. It was dark, cold and menacing. The yellow light of the candles cast eerie shadows over the walls and the paintings were even more unsettling than any other thing. The usual feeling one gets when a painting follows them throughout a room didn't even begin to describe what it felt like being watched by moving paintings in a dark hallway. They cast their cold eyes on her as their face remained hauntingly impassive, and somehow aloof. They didn't seem happy and fun as she thought they would.
She didn't have time to analyze much on that because Filch muttered something she couldn't recognize at first, but when she found herself in front of the gargoyle that led to Dumbledore's office, she knew he had said the password. The thing made a noise more like a brick wall collapsing and they climbed the moving stairs.
Nothing, no movie or book description could have prepared her to what Dumbledore's office looked like. Yes it was dark and gloomy as the rest of the castle, but it had so much detail. It was a cluttered room, the walls couldn't be seen on account of so many paintings and strange devices. The sleeping headmasters in the paintings were loud, they snored and sighed and made all those sleeping noises that when put together in one room was a little overwhelming. The furniture was extremely dark and heavy, very traditional with leather upholstered chairs and shelves covered with books. Her eyes searched the room and eventually fell on Dumbledore, who sat behind his desk watching her every move intensely.
'What is with these people and their eyes?' she thought feeling uncomfortable for being scrutinized by Dumbledore's blue twinkling eyes.
He looked old and frail but his eyes betrayed his appearance. They had vitality and wit, it was like looking into a strong young man's eyes, only with a lot of wisdom added to them. It was a strange combination and it made him unique. That was probably what the book meant by him having a warm and friendly nature. He would be considered very stern if it wasn't for his eyes.
"Headmaster, this student was hiding in a closet after curfew and she refuses to tell me what house she's in!" Filch said finally letting go of her arm.
"Very well, Argus. Thank you, you can leave that to me now," Dumbledore said in a dismissing voice and Filch left without questioning.
He looked at the young woman standing in front of him gave her a warm smile. She smiled shyly, still shocked with the fact that she was standing in front of Dumbledore.
"Please do sit down, Miss...?" he asked pointing to the chair across from him.
"Field... Gillian Field," she said in a small trembling voice.
"Ah, Miss Field, why don't you start by telling me how you were able to find your way into Hogwarts?"
She looked at him a little confused at the straight forwardness of his question, but intimately she felt a little amused at how this was exactly like Dumbledore to know everything just by giving it a simple look. She took a deep breath and started to relate everything that happened to her since she arrived her school that morning.
.................................................................
"So when I opened my eyes I was inside that broom closet where Mr. Filch found me," she finished.
Dumbledore reclined in his chair gazing at no particular place, deep in thought, as she waited anxiously, hoping he would have an explanation for that. After all he was Dumbledore.
"It's curious... sometimes I think Hogwarts has a life of its own..." he said almost to himself and she stared at him more confused than before.
"Professor Dumbledore, I have no idea of what you're talking about," she said.
"Well, it has happened before, one of our finest students happened to have landed here the same way you did. Great distress can usually bring one's magic to the surface," he said turning his gaze back to her.
"But I have no magic, how could I have wished myself here? I'm a muggle... I can't be a student like everybody else."
"Oh, magic can manifest itself in different ways and intensities. Sometimes a person can go through life and never know the power they possess. Fear and despair can amount to things one can never expect." He smiled at her and continued, "Haven't you ever heard of miracles and people refer to amazing recoveries form illnesses as simple strength of will?"
She nodded in the realization that many things were indeed considered miracles and in truth they could easily be just the magical part of people acting under great stress. "So if this is true, than everyone has magic in them?"
"Indeed, some have more than others, but everyone can bring the magic about if they only know how to apply their minds to it. Unfortunately not all muggles know how to do it and just a few, in extremely stressful situations, can bring that out. And once it's out it can be used, but muggles have no knowledge or control over it, which makes them scared. Without the proper training, it dissipates." He paused seeing her eyes bursting with questions. "You see, the same way the mind can bring your magic out, it can shut it down by refusing to believe or accept it. You came here because you wanted to, and in that moment you applied all your strength to it and your magic manifested. The curious part though, is that with all the wards we have at Hogwarts, you could still break your way through. That alone makes me believe that the magic within these walls has its own intelligence and it knows who it lets in."
She was speechless and not because she thought that was insane, but because it all made sense.
"I believe that since you're here, we might as well, get you sorted," he said standing up and getting an old hat from the bookcase.
"The sorting hat," she said with an amazed smile that faded as she realized she was going to be sorted. "I... I don't think I belong in any of the houses."
Dumbledore looked curiously at her. "Why is it you think that?"
She looked at her knees trying to find the right way to explain and feeling a little embarrassed to admit that she didn't have any of the noble traits of the four houses. "I know for a fact that I'm not a Gryffindor, for I lack their courage and boldness. I am not cunning and subtle as Slytherins and honestly I don't think I would survive living with Slytherin students, the thought freaks me out... I am definitely not a good student, which makes Ravenclaw out of the question and although I can be loyal, I am not a hard worker to be a Hufflepuff."
Dumbledore stared quietly at her with an expression she couldn't decipher.
"My dear, I know one thing about you already," he said playfully.
"What?"
"You have a lot to learn. You see, the sorting of houses is not about superficial traits or feelings. It's not about circumstances in which you were led to do things in a certain way... the world around us imposes itself into us and it alters our attitudes, our disposition and even our courage. The sorting hat doesn't choose based in your behavior or attitudes. It goes deep within yourself and it captures the real person underneath that mass of fear and uncertainty. I think you will be surprised at what you can accomplish."
She was rendered speechless again. That was no arguing Dumbledore's point. He had the ability to make things clear as day with just a few words.
He placed the hat on her head and she closed her eyes waiting to hear the verdict.
The hat felt heavy and it moved slightly as it spoke, tickling her forehead. "Hmm that's easy... Ravenclaw!"
She opened her eyes and grinned. She never thought she would be a Ravenclaw, she was a book worm but not for studying. It was a also a big responsibility, she would be expected to be the best and she had no idea how.
"All done, I'll ask the Head girl to take you to your dormitory, she'll show you how everything works and you can tell everyone you were transferred from the Wizarding School from America. I believe that's where you're from, judging by you accent," Dumbledore said.
"Sir, I'm going to be 18 in three months and I don't know a thing about magic, do I have to start with the first years? And what about books and a wand? Oh no! I have no money!" She was starting to panic.
Dumbledore chuckled and patted her on the back. "You don't have to worry about that, we'll discuss all that tomorrow."
After Dumbledore called the head girl, she got there in less than five minutes and took Gillian to the Ravenclaw dormitory. On the way she remembered she had forgot to ask Dumbledore two questions. Why he didn't seem surprised when she mentioned the Harry Potter books and who was the student who had been through the same thing she did?
Her mind was swimming in more and more questions by the time she arrived the dormitory, but that would have to wait until the next morning. She would have a big day ahead of her and her only hope was that when she woke up in the morning she would still be in Hogwarts.
..................................................................................................................................................
A/N: Thanks to -
Scary Person - Ok so I could lie to you and say I didn't model Gillian after myself and you would continue reading? LOL The truth is when I write an OC, I base it on a lot of people and situations. If I tell you there isn't a little bit of me in there, I would be lying. I was an outcast at my school days as I believe many people were, but no I didn't have my pants torn in public. You see, the reason I love Snape so much is because I know what it is to be bullied at school and I identify with him a lot. Gillian is not me but she is a lot of people I've met and she has feelings based on feelings I had. I guess any author puts a little of themselves in their character, JKR admitted Hermione was based on herself as a kid. I also based this character on a girl I saw in a movie called "Welcome to the doll house" Anyway thanks for reading and if you choose to stop it I understand.
Helen88UK - Thanks for reviewing, I'll take a look at your fics as soon as I can :)
Happynutcase - Thanks I'm glad you like it, I know, I know... I am an insufferable Snape fan, what can I do? LOL And yes you're right, I got the name Bethany from Dogma. You will find that all my fics have a thing here and there from Alan Rickman's movies.
Quidditch-Gal - Thanks!
SammyBlack80 - Thank you, I'm glad you liked it!
Snape's Secrets - Thank you so much, I hope you've enjoyed this chapter!
moviebuff101 - Thank you!
Mercurial1 - Thank you!
-AN ESCAPE COME TRUE
CHAPTER 1: Hogwarts, A Reality.
Reality hit her full force and she wasn't quite sure how to take it. If anybody asked her how would she like to be in the Harry Potter world, she would say "Hell yes!" in a heartbeat, but that was not the same thing as it actually happening. No one never stops to think about it really happening, because no one expects it to happen. So the question about the reality of it, it's not even pondered.
Nothing one can imagine or fabricate in their fantasies can be compared to the utter reality of it. To stand in one of Hogwarts hallways, looking at Filch was nowhere near the point of view from one reading it. To think that this was a dream was also out of the question. Dreams are not like that. At least not her dreams and it was easier to think that she had gone crazy and was hallucinating.
That actually wasn't so hard to imagine, considering what she went through everyday, the idea of going crazy looked very plausible. But was she? If her brain had found its own way to escape her nightmare of a life and created this whole charade, would it look so real? It was intriguing that the image the book had given her of this world was another one entirely. She imagined things and places to be arranged differently. She imagined Filch differently too and even though she knew it was him, he wasn't at all what she pictured. In fact, he was a lot scarier and dirtier. She had never stopped to think of what would be like to see a man like Filch this close. She didn't think anybody did and it was terrifying actually.
But if everything was so different from what she had imagined, then it couldn't be a creation from her own brain. And if it wasn't.... then this was really happening!
"I'm talking to you girl!" Filch spat impatiently and she was pulled out of her thoughts.
She looked at him inquisitively but couldn't bring herself to form a reply. The cat was staring at her intently and knowingly. It was creepy, she never thought a cat could intimidate anyone but Mrs. Norris could. Its yellow lamp-like eyes were almost glowing and it had a strange quality to her, a quality that probably all magical animals had. It was almost like its aura was palpable.
Filch went on. "What house are you from? I'm taking you to your head of house right now!"
What house was she from? How would she know? She wasn't even magical... what would they do to her?
"I... I don't know," she said staring at Filch's rotten teeth in disgust as he sneered at her. The man's face was thin and bony and his eyes really looked like Mrs Norris'. He smelled of a mix of cheap whiskey and grass and his long dark grey hair was greasier than Snape's.
Snape! How would Snape really look like? Oh God, she would meet Snape!
In the middle of that realization, she felt Filch's hands close in her arm and drag her through the hallway. She decided to let herself be dragged wherever he was taking her. It wasn't as if she had much of a choice.
As she walked along the man, she was amazed at how dark and gloomy the castle was. It didn't have that magical golden shine she saw in the movies. It was dark, cold and menacing. The yellow light of the candles cast eerie shadows over the walls and the paintings were even more unsettling than any other thing. The usual feeling one gets when a painting follows them throughout a room didn't even begin to describe what it felt like being watched by moving paintings in a dark hallway. They cast their cold eyes on her as their face remained hauntingly impassive, and somehow aloof. They didn't seem happy and fun as she thought they would.
She didn't have time to analyze much on that because Filch muttered something she couldn't recognize at first, but when she found herself in front of the gargoyle that led to Dumbledore's office, she knew he had said the password. The thing made a noise more like a brick wall collapsing and they climbed the moving stairs.
Nothing, no movie or book description could have prepared her to what Dumbledore's office looked like. Yes it was dark and gloomy as the rest of the castle, but it had so much detail. It was a cluttered room, the walls couldn't be seen on account of so many paintings and strange devices. The sleeping headmasters in the paintings were loud, they snored and sighed and made all those sleeping noises that when put together in one room was a little overwhelming. The furniture was extremely dark and heavy, very traditional with leather upholstered chairs and shelves covered with books. Her eyes searched the room and eventually fell on Dumbledore, who sat behind his desk watching her every move intensely.
'What is with these people and their eyes?' she thought feeling uncomfortable for being scrutinized by Dumbledore's blue twinkling eyes.
He looked old and frail but his eyes betrayed his appearance. They had vitality and wit, it was like looking into a strong young man's eyes, only with a lot of wisdom added to them. It was a strange combination and it made him unique. That was probably what the book meant by him having a warm and friendly nature. He would be considered very stern if it wasn't for his eyes.
"Headmaster, this student was hiding in a closet after curfew and she refuses to tell me what house she's in!" Filch said finally letting go of her arm.
"Very well, Argus. Thank you, you can leave that to me now," Dumbledore said in a dismissing voice and Filch left without questioning.
He looked at the young woman standing in front of him gave her a warm smile. She smiled shyly, still shocked with the fact that she was standing in front of Dumbledore.
"Please do sit down, Miss...?" he asked pointing to the chair across from him.
"Field... Gillian Field," she said in a small trembling voice.
"Ah, Miss Field, why don't you start by telling me how you were able to find your way into Hogwarts?"
She looked at him a little confused at the straight forwardness of his question, but intimately she felt a little amused at how this was exactly like Dumbledore to know everything just by giving it a simple look. She took a deep breath and started to relate everything that happened to her since she arrived her school that morning.
.................................................................
"So when I opened my eyes I was inside that broom closet where Mr. Filch found me," she finished.
Dumbledore reclined in his chair gazing at no particular place, deep in thought, as she waited anxiously, hoping he would have an explanation for that. After all he was Dumbledore.
"It's curious... sometimes I think Hogwarts has a life of its own..." he said almost to himself and she stared at him more confused than before.
"Professor Dumbledore, I have no idea of what you're talking about," she said.
"Well, it has happened before, one of our finest students happened to have landed here the same way you did. Great distress can usually bring one's magic to the surface," he said turning his gaze back to her.
"But I have no magic, how could I have wished myself here? I'm a muggle... I can't be a student like everybody else."
"Oh, magic can manifest itself in different ways and intensities. Sometimes a person can go through life and never know the power they possess. Fear and despair can amount to things one can never expect." He smiled at her and continued, "Haven't you ever heard of miracles and people refer to amazing recoveries form illnesses as simple strength of will?"
She nodded in the realization that many things were indeed considered miracles and in truth they could easily be just the magical part of people acting under great stress. "So if this is true, than everyone has magic in them?"
"Indeed, some have more than others, but everyone can bring the magic about if they only know how to apply their minds to it. Unfortunately not all muggles know how to do it and just a few, in extremely stressful situations, can bring that out. And once it's out it can be used, but muggles have no knowledge or control over it, which makes them scared. Without the proper training, it dissipates." He paused seeing her eyes bursting with questions. "You see, the same way the mind can bring your magic out, it can shut it down by refusing to believe or accept it. You came here because you wanted to, and in that moment you applied all your strength to it and your magic manifested. The curious part though, is that with all the wards we have at Hogwarts, you could still break your way through. That alone makes me believe that the magic within these walls has its own intelligence and it knows who it lets in."
She was speechless and not because she thought that was insane, but because it all made sense.
"I believe that since you're here, we might as well, get you sorted," he said standing up and getting an old hat from the bookcase.
"The sorting hat," she said with an amazed smile that faded as she realized she was going to be sorted. "I... I don't think I belong in any of the houses."
Dumbledore looked curiously at her. "Why is it you think that?"
She looked at her knees trying to find the right way to explain and feeling a little embarrassed to admit that she didn't have any of the noble traits of the four houses. "I know for a fact that I'm not a Gryffindor, for I lack their courage and boldness. I am not cunning and subtle as Slytherins and honestly I don't think I would survive living with Slytherin students, the thought freaks me out... I am definitely not a good student, which makes Ravenclaw out of the question and although I can be loyal, I am not a hard worker to be a Hufflepuff."
Dumbledore stared quietly at her with an expression she couldn't decipher.
"My dear, I know one thing about you already," he said playfully.
"What?"
"You have a lot to learn. You see, the sorting of houses is not about superficial traits or feelings. It's not about circumstances in which you were led to do things in a certain way... the world around us imposes itself into us and it alters our attitudes, our disposition and even our courage. The sorting hat doesn't choose based in your behavior or attitudes. It goes deep within yourself and it captures the real person underneath that mass of fear and uncertainty. I think you will be surprised at what you can accomplish."
She was rendered speechless again. That was no arguing Dumbledore's point. He had the ability to make things clear as day with just a few words.
He placed the hat on her head and she closed her eyes waiting to hear the verdict.
The hat felt heavy and it moved slightly as it spoke, tickling her forehead. "Hmm that's easy... Ravenclaw!"
She opened her eyes and grinned. She never thought she would be a Ravenclaw, she was a book worm but not for studying. It was a also a big responsibility, she would be expected to be the best and she had no idea how.
"All done, I'll ask the Head girl to take you to your dormitory, she'll show you how everything works and you can tell everyone you were transferred from the Wizarding School from America. I believe that's where you're from, judging by you accent," Dumbledore said.
"Sir, I'm going to be 18 in three months and I don't know a thing about magic, do I have to start with the first years? And what about books and a wand? Oh no! I have no money!" She was starting to panic.
Dumbledore chuckled and patted her on the back. "You don't have to worry about that, we'll discuss all that tomorrow."
After Dumbledore called the head girl, she got there in less than five minutes and took Gillian to the Ravenclaw dormitory. On the way she remembered she had forgot to ask Dumbledore two questions. Why he didn't seem surprised when she mentioned the Harry Potter books and who was the student who had been through the same thing she did?
Her mind was swimming in more and more questions by the time she arrived the dormitory, but that would have to wait until the next morning. She would have a big day ahead of her and her only hope was that when she woke up in the morning she would still be in Hogwarts.
..................................................................................................................................................
A/N: Thanks to -
Scary Person - Ok so I could lie to you and say I didn't model Gillian after myself and you would continue reading? LOL The truth is when I write an OC, I base it on a lot of people and situations. If I tell you there isn't a little bit of me in there, I would be lying. I was an outcast at my school days as I believe many people were, but no I didn't have my pants torn in public. You see, the reason I love Snape so much is because I know what it is to be bullied at school and I identify with him a lot. Gillian is not me but she is a lot of people I've met and she has feelings based on feelings I had. I guess any author puts a little of themselves in their character, JKR admitted Hermione was based on herself as a kid. I also based this character on a girl I saw in a movie called "Welcome to the doll house" Anyway thanks for reading and if you choose to stop it I understand.
Helen88UK - Thanks for reviewing, I'll take a look at your fics as soon as I can :)
Happynutcase - Thanks I'm glad you like it, I know, I know... I am an insufferable Snape fan, what can I do? LOL And yes you're right, I got the name Bethany from Dogma. You will find that all my fics have a thing here and there from Alan Rickman's movies.
Quidditch-Gal - Thanks!
SammyBlack80 - Thank you, I'm glad you liked it!
Snape's Secrets - Thank you so much, I hope you've enjoyed this chapter!
moviebuff101 - Thank you!
Mercurial1 - Thank you!