Anomaly Chapter Two Continued, a harry potter fanfic

Chapter Two (Continued): Place In This World
Written by: R. A. Rohde
22 January 2005

Disclaimer: The enchanting and sometimes frightening magical world of Harry Potter belongs completely to J. K. Rowling. In no way am I trying to contest this, and neither am I profiting in any way from what I have written. I am merely playing in the universe she created.
The song Place in This World belongs to Michael W. Smith and the lyrics are (unfortunately) used without permission. I am not, however, profiting in any manner from this use.

The wind is moving
But I am standing still
A life of pages
Waiting to be filled
A heart that's hopeful
A head that's full of dreams
But this becoming
Is harder than it seems
Feels like I'm

Looking for a reason
Roaming through the night to find
My place in this world
My place in this world
Not a lot to lean on
I need your light to help me find
My place in this world
My place in this

If there are millions
Down on their knees
Among the many
Can you still hear me?
Hear me asking
Where do I belong?
Is there a vision
That I can call my own
Show me; I'm

It was hard for Vanessa to contain her excitement as the small group of parents began quizzing Professor Granger. The bushy-haired woman answered even the most ridiculous of questions succinctly and with obvious knowledge, something Vanessa knew would impress her parents. Finally, after what seemed an eternity, she could tell the session was beginning to come to a close: questions were coming only after long silences, and more than one woman had already gathered up her things, ready to finish.

'I only have one more question, Professor Granger, if you don't mind.' Their guide nodded her assent, and Vanessa watched her mum worriedly, waiting for her to decide upon the precise wording of the question before she began. 'From what I understand, there are few wizarding schools in Britain, and none of them anywhere near Hogwarts in regards to the quality of education provided. However, you've not even broached the subject of tuition…surely such a massive undertaking as the entire education of nearly the entire wizarding population of Great Britain cannot come without an equally massive price tag!'

Vanessa moaned, and beside her, she could hear her father echoing her sentiments exactly. 'Mum,' she whispered, noticing the way Drew suddenly blanched at the mention of money, and the other boy's sudden superior expression.

But Professor Granger didn't seem put out by the question at all. Her smile was a little tighter than it had been moments before, but she nodded politely to acknowledge the question just the same. 'Hogwarts is a very special institution, even among wizarding schools,' she began, obviously noticing the rapt manner in which every parent was listening. 'While other prominent wizarding schools, such as Beauxbaton in France, do charge very low-level tuition fees, and others, such as Arashi Gakuen in Tokyo, have much higher expenditure levels for parents, Hogwarts is a tuition-free school. I understand that this is an incredible stance for any school, especially one such as Hogwarts, but please remember that it is partially funded by the Ministry of Magic. The Ministry's school budget provides for the base teacher's salary, the basic dormitory furnishings, and all classroom expenses, as well as the vast majority of medical expenses we incur each term. Beyond that, Hogwarts is patronised by many former students, including the entirety of the Wizengamot and various wealthy, titled families. This patronage more than covers the all that Hogwarts requires – from administrative and support staff, to food, to advanced potions ingredients and Quidditch supplies. In short, the only thing we request of the parents, financially, is that they provide their student with the texts and basic school supplies found on the list included with each acceptance letter. This ensures that no child of magical abilities is unable to attend due to other financial obligations.'

By the end of the professor's impromptu speech, even Vanessa's mother looked impressed, and she nodded reluctantly to her husband as the small group made its way down the cobbled street.

'This,' Professor Granger began as they approached an impressive building on the corner of a seedy-looking side street, 'is Gringott's Bank. I would suggest opening a vault with the goblins,' she didn't so much as pause at the gasps that statement drew, 'after you convert a small amount of money – the exchange rate is quite favourable to both the Euro and the Pound. Wizarding money consists of three different coins: small bronze Knuts, larger silver Sickles, and finally, the golden Galleon.' As she spoke, the professor reached into her robes and withdrew an example of each, fascinating all of them with the sizeable, thick coins.

After a considerable wait, the Quinlans were finally called up to a tall marble desk, behind which, as Professor Granger had promised, sat a goblin. As ugly and fierce as the creature looked, scowling at the trio even as he accepted their money, returned to them a rather large pile of coins, and helped them open their new vault (number 876, near several high-protection vaults a nearby goblin had muttered), Vanessa was utterly enthralled. His very existence promised that magic was real, and she couldn't wait to see more.

Finally, once the entire group had finished inside Gringotts, Professor Granger dismissed them to do their shopping as they pleased, adding that they were to meet with her in front of Flourish and Blott's by six that evening, and that they would do well to avoid Knockturn Alley.

Standing between her parents, leather sack filled with heavy, clanking coins, and list of school supplies in hand, Vanessa was hard pressed to convince herself that she wasn't dreaming.

Upon Professor Granger's recommendation, Vanessa's parents decided to make their way to Ollivander's wand store first. As they walked, Vanessa could tell there was something they wanted to say, but, afraid they would tell her she couldn't go to Hogwarts after all, she kept up a steady stream of chatter, commenting on all they saw on the street.

'Did you see that broom, Mum? There's no way you could sweep the floor with something like that! But if I fly well, do you think I can get a broom next year? That would be so much fun, don't you think? And maybe you can ride it with me, Dad!'

'Vanessa, honey,' her dad started, but she interrupted him quickly, knowing he'd finally worked up the courage to say what he had wanted to say during their small jaunt.

'This is way better than a club and a clubhouse! I can't wait for school to start! Oh, I wonder what I'll learn… You don't think they'll teach us how to turn people into frogs, do you? I mean, that would be fun, but I don't think I want to –'

'Vanessa,' her mother interjected smoothly, if somewhat impatiently, 'your father and I are trying to talk with you.'

That quieted her immediately, and both her parents sighed at her glum expression.

'This is beyond the incredible, 'Nessa honey,' her mum said quietly, clutching at her hand almost desperately. 'I truly thought it was just an elaborate joke this morning when we got ready to come here. I thought we'd end up spending the day walking around London, trying to cheer you up.'

It was obvious that Margaret was trying to collect her thoughts, and Vanessa was silent, watching her mum compose herself in the side of a wizard street. The picture her mum made, standing there, so obviously Muggle (which meant non-magical, as Vanessa had learned), and thus so obviously out of place, saddened her, and she reached over to hug her mum, surprising them both.

'I suppose I don't know what to think now that I've seen all this, and spoken with one of the professors. It's horribly disorienting to discover all this, especially to discover it this way. It's all so frightfully strange.' For a moment, she held her hands over her face, struggling to keep from crying right there on the street, and Vanessa patted her arm awkwardly. Then Margaret straightened and smiled lightly, dismissing her earlier melancholy with a wave of her hand. 'If you truly want to go to this Hogwarts, 'Nessa, then you may. Just remember, you can change your mind any time. We promise.'

Though Vanessa supposed the promise was more for her parents' benefit than her own, it still felt good to know that they wouldn't be so mad at her for choosing a magical school that they wouldn't want her anymore. It was surprising to realize she'd been afraid of that, actually.

But, she decided as they walked into the silent, musty store, it didn't seem to matter in any case.

Emerging from Madame Malkins, where they'd gone after Flourish and Blott's, which had followed the trip to Ollivander's she carried her brand new wand (nine inches, rowan and Irish Phoenix tail feather), and a deluxe wand care kit proudly, excited that their next stop was Eeylop's Owl Emporium, where Vanessa was happy to find Drew, looking at the various birds and cages and treats.

'Here, 'Nessa, honey, why don't you take a few Galleons and pick out your pet for school? Your mother and I will be right across the street in the stationary store, so you can come and meet us there once you're finished. Pick out whatever you'd like, and some supplies, too, okay sweetie?'

Vanessa nodded, eager to find a pet – she'd never had one before – and dug out eleven Galleons from her sack before handing it to her dad.

'So,' she said, turning to Drew, 'do you know what kind of animal you want?'

He shook his head, studying the birds in front of them. 'I suppose I'll get an owl. Professor Granger did say they were the most useful animals to bring to school, and I think that's all this place sells, anyways. Why, did you think of maybe getting something else?'

Vanessa shrugged at his question, peering at the large owl next to her. It didn't seem to appreciate her scrutiny and hissed at her impatiently, snapping at the hand she'd extended towards its cage. 'I don't think I really want an owl as a pet. I don't think they're very friendly, and I want something to play with, too. I wish there was something else I could get.'

The man behind the counter, hearing her words, smiled at her and walked towards them. 'If you're interested in a creature that will become attached to you, you're welcome to come look in the back. My Kneazle just had a new litter three weeks ago, and my son's shipment of Crups and Puffskeins came in yesterday. Of course, your parents will have to apply for a license if you really want one, but it can't hurt to look, surely.'

The invitation was enough for them, and they followed the man into the back room of the store, where three separate areas were fenced off, with signs hanging above them, suspended magically in midair.

When they reached the first gate, the storekeeper stopped them, taking out his wand and waving it easily, saying, 'Alohamora' as he did so. When he opened the gate, Vanessa was surprised to see a catlike creature lying quietly in the corner, while seven kittens crawled and played in the open space, mewling adorably.

'These,' the man said, patting the adult creature's head fondly, 'are Kneazle kits, three weeks old, and almost ready to be weaned. If you apply today, you can get your license by the time I'm ready to sell them. Of course,' he added as an afterthought, 'we'll have to see if any of them like you. There's no sense in selling one of my kits if it doesn't take to you.'

Following him into the Kneazle's pen, Vanessa and Drew sat down at the man's command, and waited, with their hands outstretched on the ground beside them, for the kits to show interest in them. Two of the pretty, speckled creatures deigned to pounce on Vanessa's right hand for a moment, clawing her enough to make her wince, before moving on to Drew. In the end, it was rather obvious that the Kneazle kits were thoroughly uninterested in her, and she stood to leave, waiting curiously at the Crup gate.

Once in there, she was discouraged to discover that it housed nothing more interesting than twelve tailless puppies, though the storekeeper insisted they were not dogs, regardless of the striking similarities. Unfortunately, the Puffskeins were every bit as uninteresting as the Crups, and Vanessa returned to the main store rather more discouraged with her quest to find a pet.

'Can you tell me what exactly it is you're looking for in a pet? That will certainly help me know what to show you.'

Vanessa smiled at the shopkeeper despite her disappointment; the man was being very kind, after all.

'I don't know exactly what I want, really,' she said quietly, running a finger down a small barn owl's wing. It hooted softly in return, and she smiled. 'I guess I just want something special. I want a pet that not everyone else has, and one that will be my friend, too. I don't have to get an owl – Professor Granger said that I can use school owls for my mail if I need to. But I do want something I can keep with me, and play with, and talk to. I guess I want something kind of like a cat, but not really, because cats don't like people all that much, really.'

'Aye, I see what you're saying,' the shopkeeper replied thoughtfully, returning behind his desk to help Drew as the boy decided on a fierce-looking eagle owl. 'But to be honest with you, child, if the Kneazles didn't take to you, and the Crups and Puffskeins aren't exactly your thing, there's little I can sell you.' At her disappointed look, he hurried to reassure her, 'But you can always go to the Magical Menagerie, down the street, right next to Gringotts. They usually have an interesting selection of animals there, aye. Surely you'll find something to suit you, if you look hard enough.' And then, having said his piece, the kind wizard promptly disappeared with a loud 'pop', a disembodied voice telling Vanessa and Drew that the Emporium was closed for lunch, and would they please leave immediately?

Outside, Vanessa realized she wasn't ready to face her parents, not without a pet. Drew was stammering his goodbye, apparently feeling guilty for having found his pet when she hadn't, when a loud commotion on the street interrupted them.

Angry yelling, followed by an incredibly loud crash and the sounds of an obvious pursuit headed in their direction made both of them look around, until they saw the cause of the noise.

A furious woman, dressed in hideously gaudy blood-red robes and a painfully bright blue cloak was in the process of storming towards them, her face a shade of purple Vanessa wasn't certain she'd ever seen before. Just as Vanessa began to wonder why the woman seemed to have focused on them, she felt a light weight scurry up her leg and bag – scratching her as it did so – and come to rest on her shoulders, draped around the back of her neck.

Straining to see what the weight was, she only just caught sight of a long, slender black snout, and strange paws, curled around a small pile of flashing gold and garish jewels.

'Circe's blood,' the woman screamed in harsh, jarring tones, her white-blue eyes rolling angrily as she stopped in front of Vanessa and Drew, 'the stupid beast has a Muggle owner! Tell me,' she added, sneering at Vanessa in an unpleasant, almost cruel manner, 'did you commission the bloody beast to steal my jewelry, or can you just not control your new pet?'

Angry at the idea that she would try to steal a stranger's jewelry, Vanessa glared at the woman. For a moment it seemed enough to cow her, but she recovered swiftly and took a step closer to them, grinning angrily at Drew.

'If you make your bloody beast give me back my jewelry now, I might just be kind enough not to call the Aurors on you and your muggle boyfriend. But that's only if you do it now.'

Despite the fact that she had not the slightest clue what an Auror was, and that she was dying to correct the woman for assuming Drew as both a muggle and her boyfriend, Vanessa knew that would be a rather stupid course of action. So, glaring all the while, she lifted one hand to her shoulder, and with the other, stroked the strange black creature gently, hoping to calm it a little. When that seemed to be working, she stopped her glare long enough to look at the creature with what she hoped was complete authority. 'Give it to me,' she said loudly, knowing it wouldn't be enough to make the animal listen.

But for some reason it was, and Vanessa took satisfaction in the fact that the hideously robed woman was even more surprised than she. Drew took advantage of the woman's silent gaping to grab Vanessa's arm and hurry them into the stationary store where her parents waited. By then, though, Vanessa had had enough time to decide that she liked the soft creature, whatever it was. And so, she greeted her parents with an enthusiastic cry of, 'Mum, Dad, I found my pet! His name's Schroeder,' she added, saying the first name that came to mind, 'Do you like him?'

Author's Notes: Finally, I'm finished with the trip to Diagon Alley – it certainly took me long enough! So, Vanessa's going to Hogwarts for sure, and she has a new wand and pet to top it off, both of which are rather interesting (and unique) for a Hogwarts student. Half a dozen virtual cookies go to whoever can guess just which magical creature has decided to adopt my little 'Nessa!

Anyways, sorry the chapter was so much filler…but I needed to get it written. Hopefully, the next chapter will be out by Friday, though, and it should be a little bit more interesting.