Hazy Magic

Common Time

Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all recognized characters belong to the talented and most deserving J.K. Rowling

A/N I just want to say Happy Reading, and as always comments and creative criticismare appreaciated

"London! Yer stop miss."

Hestia was momentarily confused when she found herself awake in a bed, her head nestled under her left arm in a position she had gotten used to. Oh, in an instant she remembered what had happened and where she was, and that…her head was not very comfortable in that position anymore. She opened her eyes and was greeted by the pimply face of Stan Shunpike.

"'Urry up miss! Yer stallin' the schedule."

This thing has a schedule? She thought as she ungracefully stumbled out of the bus with a hurried "Thank you".

The last thing she heard before the loud BANG of the bus was Stan Shunpike's shouting of, ""Ey miss! Dontcha 'ave any bags?"

She was running her hands through her messy hair while trying to regain her composure and walked into the Leaky Cauldron. The main room was mostly dark with the remains of a fire in the hearth. The room had been empty but in less than one minute the innkeeper walked in.

"Heh, figures the minute I step out is the same you step in. Anyway, Dumbledore told me you'd be coming." He bowed to her and handed her a thick envelope.

"That man…" Hestia shook her head slowly as she took the envelope.

Tom smiled knowingly, "You'll be in room 4; the bill is already being deducted from your Gringots account. Follow me, please."

Hestia followed him upstairs to the second room on the right and walked through the door that had been opened by Tom.

"Thank you"

Tom smiled in a comforting way while closing the door, "Good night, miss."

Hestia threw herself on the bed with the contemplating finally sleeping in a proper bed (the Knight Bus did not count). Well, at least I don't have to change into my night gown since I'm, already in it…With that thought and a small smile she fell asleep.

Hestia's eyes strained against the sunlight only for a few seconds before opening. Giggling followed her ascent out of bed; Hestia looked around for the source and found that it was herself.

"My, you're up late," A nasal voice very unlike her own came out of Hestia's reflection in the mirror, "not that I blame you. I didn't even notice when you came in." The voice giggled again, a high pitched whine, "I hope you're not planning to come late all the time, not enough beauty sleep ruins your complexion." It said while stroking Hestia's face in the mirror, "And you missed breakfast," it continued.

Hestia grabbed her wand and pointing it to the mirror, muttered "Silencio" just as her reflection was about to speak again; discovering it couldn't talk Hestia found herself glaring at herself.

In the silence Hestia took the time to really gaze at her features. She really had not aged one bit but her hair; it had been an ebony color and now there were snowy white streaks through it, just like my feathers…In fact, they most likely were not from old age at all. Her eyes were still the darkest of brown; however her skin had also changed slightly, it was still unblemished and unwrinkled, but it had paled from dark chocolate to cinnamon.

At the reference of food her stomach growled, Hestia blushed slightly even though there was no one else in the room and her reflection smirked.

As Hestia got up she noticed a thick envelope placed at the edge of the vanity. The envelope was addressed:

Ms. H. Halifax

Room 4

Leaky Cauldron

London

Hestia knew more or less what the letter would say and held off reading it until she ate breakfast, or rather, lunch, she realized when she saw and old grandfather clock that stated it was already 12:15pm.

After a lunch of sausage and mashed potatoes (the first cooked meat she had eaten in a long time) she quickly headed up to her room to see what the letter read:

HOGWARTS SCHOOL

of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore

(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock,

Supreme Mugwamp, International Confed. of Wizards)

Dear Ms. Halifax,

This letter is to inform you that your presence back in the wizarding world has been noticed by Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and we will accept you back into the school to finish your education. Due to the uniqueness of your situation you will assume the role of a transfer student from the Carioca School of Witchcraft in Brazil. Please find enclosed the Gringots key to your vault and a list of all necessary books and equipment.

Term begins September 1. We await your owl no later than July 31.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Minerva McGonagall,

Deputy Headmistress

Hestia slid a small gold key out of the envelope in awe of Dumbledore's omnipotence. She calculated that she would have to endure around twenty minutes of embarrassment while walking to Gringots, getting the gold she would need; and walking to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions to buy the cloths she desperately needed; as for the robe she was presently wearing, she couldn't decide if she wanted to burn or treasure it.

Hestia was spared any great humiliation during her quick stroll from the entrance of Diagon Alley to Gringots. The alley, as usual, was bustling with activity but the people there barely glanced at her; true, she had not visited the alley in many years, and her entrance that day was not as noticeable as it had been on previous visits.

The new generations do not notice a person's standing, Hestia noticed, certainly they're all much too young to remember me. Nor do they notice that I'm wearing a night gown…Hestia chuckled when a passing witch even commented on her "vintage" Edwardian look and asked if Hestia had bought, inherited, or made her outfit.

The trip to Gringots was inconsequential and for Hestia the real fun began when she walked into Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. She looked around at the variety of classical, modern and school robes and had to restrain herself from buying too many clothes, she now had a limit to how much she could spend. Hestia had never been a spoilt brat, but it is undeniable that she was indeed somewhat spoiled in her luxuries. In the end she settled for two Hogwarts robes, a few everyday robes (for the rest of her stay in Diagon Alley) and a midnight blue dress robe (just in case).

As she walked out of Madam Malkin's and down the street a pair of eyes followed her. When, unbeknownst to her, she passed by the pair of eyes she heard a soft, semi-surprised call of, "Miss Halifax!"