Chapter 2

Shoving everything (except the dress)

All three of the women sat down in different chairs. Marianne sat rigid, nervous. Valentine sat curled in her chair. She was attentive and trying to be patient. Professor McGonagall sat comfortably, though she still looked cross. No one spoke for a moment, and then McGonagall spoke.

" I am the headmistress for a school called Hogwarts. It is a school to train witches and wizards to learn to use magic. Valentine here, just like any other child, has had their name down since they first show signs of having magic. Now we keep track of these children until they are eleven and can come to Hogwarts. One of the ministry's officials unfortunately lost track of Valentine, and they could not find her. They just yesterday, learned of your whereabouts. Under the law, you are supposed to go to school to learn how to control his or her magic. You will be staring school in four days time, and you will be leaving with me today, with your mothers' permission of course." She added.

There was a long pause. Everything the professor had said was slowly sinking into the two women's brains. Valentine was a witch. It was unbelievable. All of that weird stuff that had happened in the past, wasn't just accidents. It was for real.

"What do I need to take?" asked Valentine suddenly.

Professor McGonagall looked started for a moment, and then came to her senses.

"Only the things that you cannot live without for one year. Diaries, stuffed animals, oh, and you'll need some free time clothes. You'll get your other things with me."

"What? Did I give permission for you to go Val? I did not. My decision is strong. You will not go to a school that I know nothing about." Said Marianne with a look of strong disgust.

"Oh, that reminds me. I brought the schools information pamphlet. I got the first copy. You'll see that we have excellent marks with the ministry." Replied the professor.

"I see." She flipped through the pamphlet. "Well… yes, they do have good marks…well…I suppose…its alright, I guess. You just have to get good marks all year."

"Thank you! Thank you! Mom, just, thank you! I'll see you later, I promise!" And with that Valentine quickly left the room to collect her things.

She took the stairs two at a time. When she got to the room, she paused, what was she supposed to take? She figured she'd take her would-be prom dress, just in case. She decided to take a photo album, to put pictures she took in it with her new friends. She took some stationary and some books. Once she was satisfied with what she had, she shoved everything (except the dress) roughly into a bag. She carefully folded the dress. She jogged back downstairs, and found Professor McGonagall waiting for her by the door. She gave her mother a kiss goodbye, and left.

Valentine and the professor walked a little ways down the road, when she threw out her arm, holding her wand, and a loud BANG was heard. Almost out of nowhere, a purple triple Decker bus was almost on top of them. A young, pimply man jumped out of the bus.

"Welcome to the Knight Bus. My name is Stan, and I will be your conductor today, please step inside."

Valentine followed Professor McGonagall onto the bus, and took a seat next to her.

"Where exactly are we going?" Valentine asked as the bus banged loudly and jerked randomly and suddenly.

"Diagon Alley." She answered. And then, more to herself than to Val, "Dumbledore was so much better at explaining these things. Valentine, you know why you're here, with me, don't you?" Val shook her head. "Well, there was a horrible mix up at the ministry of magic, the minister can be such a fool. Well he and his workers lost track of you right before you were suppose to come to school. We misplaced you for three years, and when they caught track of you today, I headed straight over. See, we keep track of different children who show signs of magic, until they come to school." She paused. "You will be starting school with the first years. You will get sorted just like them, and hopefully, with a little tutoring, you will advance to the year with your age."

" Who will my tutor be?" She asked, her head full of a need to get her hands on things that tell her more about the wizarding world.

" Miss Hermione Granger. She's a prefect, and she's head of her class. She's in 7th year."

Most of the rest of the ride was silent. Valentines head was buzzing with excitement. She was a witch, and she wanted to get her hands on some of the things that would help her understand her newfound self.