I don't own Harry Potter... what else is there to say?

Chapter 2: The Surprise Visit

The way Aiden saw it, the entire thing seemed like one of those old western showdowns at high noon. Granted, the sun was setting and she was having a duel against a demonic envelope.

Aiden blindly lunged for the hell-bent object; blindly being the key word because she missed by several feet. The yellow envelope merely moved around, as if it were taunting her. Then, it stopped and no sooner had Aiden recovered, it exploded.

"AIDEN!!!! WHAT'S GOING ON UP THERE???"

"UHH… NOTHING!!! JUST PLAYING AROUND WITH SOME BALLOONS!!!!"

"WELL STOP IT!"

"SORRY!"

Covered in soot and what was left of the once, violent envelope, Aiden went to take a shower. The ashes came right off and went down the drain. Along with them, so did Aiden's worries about the ridiculous prank though the thought of the stamp kept tweaking at her brain.

That night, Aiden awoke to the sound of pounding at her door. Thinking it was her landlord; she rolled out of bed (literally, she banged her head against her bed stand) and stumbled to the door, scratching her head stupidly. Aiden flung the door open.

"Patty, I'm sorry about the balloons this afternoon, but can't this wait till morning?"

"Patty? Hmm… I haven't been called that since my brother, Aberforth's release from prison."

Aiden's blurry vision finally cleared and she gasped at the man standing in front of her. His hair was long and white and was only matched by his equally long and white beard. The half-moon glasses could not hide the blue eyes that only came with years and years of wisdom and experience. His clothes were more than just strange; they were down right eccentric. Purple robes with silver stars covered him from head to toe. The woman next to him was younger, but seemingly very old as well. Her hair was in a tight bun; just as tight as her lips were. Aiden's eyes widened as she whispered: "It's just a dream!" and then slammed the door in the old man's face.

"It's just a dream… It's just a dream… It's just a dream… It's just a dream…"

"I'm afraid not Miss Wang."

A scream escaped Aiden's mouth as she fell back onto the wall behind her for support. The strange man took a cautious step forward with a concerned look on his face.

"Please, Miss Wang. Do not be frightened. We won't harm you."

"I don't know who the hell you people are, but you guys better get out before I use force!"

The old man seemed to think it was best that he jumped straight into the situation. Keeping a safe distance, the man spoke in a mischievous, almost amused tone.

"That letter that I sent to this afternoon… Forgive me. I usually do not put charms on my letters extending invites to potential students. But we felt you were a special case. I suspected you would not open the letter on its first try, but I certainly had not expected that you would be so suspicious as to blow it up!"

The woman stepped forward as well.

"Please sit down. It maybe easier to handle that way."

She briskly walked towards Aiden. Aiden just gave her a defiant look and backed away. The man spoke again.

"My dear, we would never harm you. We would have no reason to. But as assurance…"

He pulled out a strange stick and dropped it on the ground.

"Minerva, please do the same. Perhaps Miss Wang will find us less intimidating then."

The woman nodded and pulled out a shorter, darker colored stick and dropped it as well.

"Well now! You see we are unarmed, no wands. And if I am clear, you are fully armed. Is this better?"

Losing patience, the woman spoke vigorously: "Come now child. If we were going to harm you we would have already done so! So come on! Sit and we shall talk."

"You guys can sit. I'll stand, thanks."

"Very well."

The two sat in the couch across the room and Aiden remained next to the door. She would need a speedy escape. The man spoke again.

"My name is Albus Dumbledore. I am the headmaster of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. This is Minerva McGonagall. She is the headmistress and if you agree to what we have come to discuss with you, she may just as well be your transfiguration professor and head of house."

Aiden twisted her face into a perplexed look.

"What have you come to discuss with me…?"

Dumbledore stopped and was silent, as if in deep thought. McGonagall assisted.

"Miss Wang, it's awfully dark in here. Would you mind lighting the fireplace?"

"It's mid-August. It's burning. I'll get the lights."

"No, I'd really prefer if you lighted a fire."

"Okay… I'll go get my lighter…"

"No, Miss Wang."

"What now??"

"Forgive me, but I want you to light the fire from where you are standing. I'm sure you are more than capable of doing that."

An even more suspicious look crossed Aiden's face as she snapped her fingers and the wood inside the fireplace went ablaze. McGonagall's lips became even thinner and Dumbledore smiled.

"Miss Aiden Wang. Have you never wondered why you were able to do that?"

End.