Professor McGonagall eagerly awaited the arrival of the two American students for their first Transfiguration class. She wondered if their age or their muggle education would make any difference in how quickly they learned to control their magical abilities. She was still very curious why or how their abilities were suddenly awakened, but for now at least she would not pursue it.
She walked to the desks they would be using and placed a matchstick on each. Matchsticks to needles were always the first lesson. Pebbles to buttons would be the next.
Miss Granger will probably get them started on that this weekend even before we cover it. Severus said that their first potion will be a fairly rudimentary boil relief. That will take up a bit of their weekend, too. I shudder to think what mischief those Weasley twins will teach them for potions, but they do have the most practical knowledge of all of the Hogwart's students. I'm sure they would be shocked to find out that one of their biggest customers is Albus Dumbledore himself, Minerva thought smothering a smile and moving back to her desk.
Hopefully having a weekend so soon after arrival will help them to get better acclimated. Plus they will have time to get more acquainted with their tutors. I really hope they all get along… Her thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of the new students.
"Ah, welcome to Transfiguration. If you would please take these two seats, we will get started. You will need your wands in this class," she said, then as they were getting settled she continued.
"Transfiguration is a useful magical art. It helps you to change an item from what you have to what you may need. The stereotypical turning someone into a toad is an example of transfiguration. Though if you did change someone into a toad permanently, you would be cited by the Ministry of Magic and punished. Punishments for misuse of magic can be a fine, or for more severe crimes, breaking the wand or even imprisonment depending on the severity of the offense," she moved from behind her desk and looked them both sternly in the eyes.
"The most important thing to remember is, Use your common sense. Only transfigure things you need and be mindful of observers. We do try to keep muggles in general in the dark about magic so that they won't persecute us."
"Now for the practical part of our lesson…" And so the lesson began.
By the end of class Liz was able to turn the matchstick into a needle but when she changed it back, it still had an eye. Kyle changed the matchstick to metal but the shape remained the same. They were asked to practice over the weekend and to present their work at the beginning of Monday's class.
Finally, Professor McGonagall dismissed them. Kyle hurried off to Divination while Liz returned to the common room.
Journal entry June 16th, 2000
My name is Liz Parker. Today I write for the first time in my wizarding journal. This journal is even more secret than the one I left at home. At home in Roswell all of my close friends know all of the things that make Roswell "special." But they don't know that I am a witch. They don't know that because I was shot and healed that I now have these abilities that I never had before. They don't know that I'm different and that I have secrets to keep as well.
Actually that isn't entirely true. There is one person who knows. He knows because he was shot too, just last month in fact. So now Kyle is a wizard and I am a witch. Does that mean that if Alex were mortally wounded and healed, he would become a wizard too? Or Maria a witch? I really don't know. It could be something that was passed on to us genetically, and then awakened when we were healed. As it stands, we may never know for sure.
So here I am, attending my first day of classes at Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. If my sense of direction is to be believed, we're either in or near Scotland, but I'm not sure. We had Potions, and History of Magic this morning, then Transfiguration after lunch. At midnight we have to go to Astronomy class. We are trying to cram 3 years worth of school into two months. I don't see how we can manage at this pace without forgetting everything by next summer. Maybe we can do some additional classes after school to keep up once we return home. Who knows for sure what will happen?
Oh yeah, Kyle also had Divination class this afternoon. I listened when Hermione said that it is a bunch of rubbish and I'd be better off without it. I am taking Arithmancy instead at her suggestion on Monday afternoon. It really did seem more logical to me when she mentioned it.
Anyway we have six tutors here for the summer, four guys and two girls. I think they were chosen for their various individual strengths. (Either that or their parents were wanting a quiet summer, not entirely certain.) Anyway no one is bored. Most of them seem grateful to be here even though it is summer. I keep hearing the Weasley's muttering about not having to kill Percy after all. The only one who seems less than happy to be here (and yet somewhat relieved at the same time) is Harry. His eyes have that haunted look that Michael's have lately. I'm almost afraid to ask about that though. Maybe next week when I'm more settled in and he's used to me.
George showed us all around the castle tonight. I might figure out my way around here by the time I'm sixty. In the meantime I just try not to be on the staircases when they change or shift. You can end up in places you never meant to go if that happens.
Oh well, time for Astronomy. I'll try to write more as soon as I can.
The first Saturday at Hogwart's dawned bright, making it impossible for Liz to sleep late as she'd intended.
After dressing she headed down to the common room where she met the Weasley twins. They were about to leave for breakfast and invited her to walk with them.
"So, how was the first day?" George asked as they walked.
"Not bad. It was a lot of hard work, but nothing that I couldn't handle. I'm used to studying and I love a challenge," she answered with a smile.
"Are you up for a little Potions practice this afternoon? Normally we'd wait until Sunday evening but with this being your first sessions you really want to keep up and there is nothing more essential than preparing the ingredients properly," Fred droned.
Liz glanced at George. He was rolling his eyes at Fred then flushed when he noticed Liz's gaze. She looked back at Fred and answered, "Sure. Around three good for you guys? I'm going to work on transfiguration this morning and then I will get started on the history essay that is due next Friday."
"Just don't let Hermione work you to death, or you be back to "great friends" status with Kyle all over again due to hating the lot of us," George teased.
"No need to worry about that. I've already modified the study schedule she gave us," Liz answered conspiratorially. "She had absolutely no free time scheduled in. I would occasionally like to eat, bathe or sleep."
The boys chuckled at that. "That sounds like Hermione," Fred agreed.
"So you've been here a day. Any questions yet?" George asked.
"One, actually. Why doesn't my CD player work here?"
"Um… what's a CD?" George asked.
"A plastic disc that has something saved or recorded for later playback, usually music," she said then noticed the blank look on his face. "You know, there is a big long technical explanation for how it works but I haven't taken Physics yet so it is difficult to explain. How about I show you sometime up in the common room?"
"That would be fine," he said with a relieved smile. He then held the door to the great hall open for her.
Saturday passed quickly. By early evening Liz and Kyle were exhausted from transfiguration practice and from the slicing, dicing, chopping, cubing and crumbling for Potions.
After dinner Liz brought down her portable CD player for the twins to look at.
"I really don't know why it isn't working. I haven't dropped it. The batteries are new. And it was working fine on the train. I would really like to be able to use it since music helps me to de-stress. Do you think you can help?" she asked anxiously.
"We can try at least," George offered with a smile.
If they can't fix it, I might have to try something drastic like Isabel with her CD's, she thought. Then said, "I appreciate anything you can do."
By Sunday evening they were no closer to making it work and Liz was tired of studying for the day so the Weasleys took it on themselves to teach the Roswell teens wizarding chess. Neither one was a genius at the game but their defeats were quite spectacular to watch.
They retired early and were ready to face the first week of lessons.
Monday Professor Snape assigned their first essay, The three most common potion mediums and when to use them, and Professor McGonagall had them working on changing pebbles to buttons. And that afternoon Liz had her first Arithmancy lesson.
Tuesday morning Liz's nerves were back because they were facing new classes again.
A/N: I do not intend to show everyday but who can pass on the first flying lesson… that is your sneak preview for the next part. Please forgive me for the long delay in getting this part out…basketball season struck and my team did well. J