Chapter 2

Magic and Mayhem

I woke up, feeling a throbbing pain on the back of my head. I sat up and looked around, finding myself asleep on the couch in the living room.

"Oh," I breathed out, relieved. "It was all just a dream."

"I'm afraid it wasn't, my dear."

Startled, I turned to my right. Minerva McGonagall stood beside me, giving me a look that I usually get whenever I do something stupid or borderline dangerous. Mum and Dad were nervously twiddling their fingers, looking between me and Minerva.

I stammered to find the right sentence to say, but I couldn't. In fact, all I could say at the moment was, "Uh, well, er, uh, hm, huh?"

Minerva sigh. "An expected reaction from a Muggle family. No worse than the former, of course. Had one family screaming and pointing a gun once."

"A-are you for real?" I asked warily as I stood up. "This isn't a joke?"

She looked at me, slightly confused. "Why would I joke? I came all this way to help you, my dear, as per requested from the Headmaster himself. After all, you are a witch."

Mum looked angry. "Excuse me? A witch?"

"I didn't mean it that way Mrs. Fray, all I wish is to explain everything." Minerva noted calmly.

Mum exhaled before nodding. Beside her, Dad stood up. "Miss Minerva, what does this letter mean? Where is this Hogwarts, and what do you mean by magic and witches?"

"As said in the letter, Hogwarts is a school that teaches magic for young wizards and witches." Minerva explained. "There are other schools as well, but it was our school that had accepted young Arlina Fray. After all, she is born with the blood of two wizards."

I blinked. "Two wizards?" I cut in, shocked. "How is that possible? I don't even know who my real parents are! I was adopted."

"Yes, well, I haven't the foggiest of who your parents are, I'm afraid," Minerva admitted. "Our school has a special quill that writes down the name of every magical child in Britain, at the time of their birth, allowing all magical children to receive their letters at the appropriate time. This is how we were able to send you a letter, Miss Fray."

My mouth was wide open, still trying to find the right words to speak. "B-but there must be a mistake." I said. "I… can't be a wizard. I'm just an ordinary girl."

Or at least, as far as ordinary can get, I thought to myself sarcastically.

Minerva looked at me with a raised eyebrow. "Are you sure about that? Had there not been an event that occurred where you were either angry or upset?"

I was about to retort something like, Yes! But then I recalled the event with Patricia and Clara. I didn't know what was going on at that time. It was extraordinary.

Seeing my expression must've confirmed Minerva's suspicions. "Hogwarts will teach you how to control your powers and how to use it to its fullest potential. I strongly suggest you accept." She said before turning around and heading out the door.

But before she reached the door, I ran off to her. She turned around just as she held the doorknob. "Unless, of course, you want to stay here in the Muggle world," she said.

I turned to Mum and Dad, who still looked shocked but rather calm about the situation. "Mum? Dad?" I asked hesitantly.

"It's your call, sweetheart." Dad said with an approved nod.

Mum looked slightly cross with it, but she nodded as well. "You better behave yourself in this school of yours. And when you learn that… magic, you better not use it foolishly."

I looked at my Mum and Dad with a huge smile and launched myself at them, hugging their waists tightly. "Thank you!"

Behind me, Minerva smiled. "Now that's settled, let's go and grab your school supplies."

I nodded but then I turned to Mum and Dad. "How are we going to pay?" I asked. "Is the Magic world's currency pounds?"

Minerva shook her head. "No, but we can convert them into Sickles or Knuts." She said before walking out. "But enough of that. Let's head on, shall we? To Diagon Alley."

"Diagon Alley!" I cried excitedly as I took my coat from the rack and ran outside, my two confused parents following behind us, completely baffled with the situation.

"Bloody hell,"

When Mum didn't scold me, I knew she was amazed too. We had just entered Diagon Alley, which was as similar as it was from the descriptions in the book and on the movie. Moving pictures, pointy hats, potions, and wizards or witches everywhere!

Earlier, Minerva explained to Mum and Dad the currency for Muggle money and Wizard money. I got lost when they mentioned the first word of the conversation, but all I know is that it costs a lot to have at least a Galleon in your pocket.

But since Dad's job was very well-paid, we managed to get a total of 10 Galleons and 23 Sickles.

Minerva toured us around Diagon Alley, telling us the different bookshops and places where I can get my books so that next year, I won't have any trouble anymore.

Not like I needed it in the first place. I was a huge Harry Potter fan in my previous life. To think that I would reborn in this world! How lucky and amazing!

We purchased the needed books, the uniforms, the gloves, the weird pointy hat, and a winter coat. It was trouble to carry a cauldron, but Dad managed. Besides, he offered to carry it himself, so no one objected.

We stopped by an animal shop, and I immediately was fascinated by all the animals I saw through the window. There were owls, bats, toads, cats, armadillos, and other creatures inside! I was very excited when I recalled that I could buy a pet to accompany me in Hogwarts.

Mum placed a hand in my shoulder. "Arlina, you can only choose either a toad, a cat, or an owl."

I hummed and placed my fingers on my chin. "I'm not sure which to choose Mum," I admitted.

"You can grab your wand first," Minerva said. "I'll help your parents sort out your pet, if you won't mind."

"Not at all!" I said before walking backwards. "I'll just head to Ollivander's, right?"

Minerva looked slightly surprised. "Why yes, but how did you know that you must get to Ollivander's for a wand? Surely you haven't been here before."

I laughed nervously, fiddling for an excuse. "I uh, overheard a few people talk about it around us. Anyways, see ya!"

Before any of them could comment on my excuse, I darted towards the shop. I grabbed the fancy looking doorknob and pushed it out of the way, entering the building,

"Whoa," I breathed out, amazed.

Exactly how I hoped it would be! The building interior was slightly dirty, a sign that it must've been an old shop. But aside from that, everything was marvelous. There were drawers and shelves everywhere. I walked around, spotting boxes with labels such as 'Unicorn Tails' and 'Dragon heartstrings'.

On the desk in front of me, I noticed a skinny boy waiting patiently. I walked forward and nearly did a double-take; dark and untidy hair, round glasses, and a lightning shaped scar on his forehead— Harry Potter!

I tried my best to act as normal as I could and I walked up to him as calm as can be. "Hullo," I greeted politely.

Harry turned to me, as if he was genuinely surprised I spoke with him. "Hullo,"

I looked up, trying to spot Ollivander. Seeing that he wasn't around yet, I cupped my cheeks and hollered, "Anyone home?"

As if on cue, a ladder attached to the wall appeared from the room on the right, carrying a white haired elderly man on it. He had bright misty eyes and a smile on his face. "I've been wondering when you were going to shop here, Mr. Potter." He said knowingly before climbing down the stairs.

He turned to me and hummed. "Ah, Muggle born, are you dear?" he asked as he took two boxes from his shelf.

I shrugged. "I'm not entirely sure myself."

Ollivander nodded before opening the boxes, laying them on the table in front of us. He took out the contents, each handing me and Harry a wand.

"This is a wand?" I said, observing it.

Harry looked at the wooden stick on his grasp, skeptical about the whole thing. I don't blame him. I mean, the wand looked pretty fake to me, even though I knew it wasn't.

"Well?" Ollivander said. "Give it a wave."

I looked at Harry, who looked at me in return. With a shrug, we both flicked our wrists at the same time.

BOOM!

The room behind Ollivander's counter exploded. I quickly threw the wand to the table, as if it might bite my hand off. Harry did the same thing and eyed the wand warily. Ollivander was indifferent with the whole thing.

"Nope," he said calmly before walking inside.

I quickly placed the wand on the table, eyeing it warily. "Never expected that to happen," I said.

"Me too," Harry said beside me.

I turned to him and held out my hand. "I'm Arlina, Arlina Fray."

Harry was slightly surprised, but shook my hand. "I'm Harry, Harry Potter."

I ignored the fact that he had just held my hand. Harry Potter held my hand. He. Held. My. Hand. Calm. The. Fuck. Down.

"Cool name," I complimented with a smile. "Are you also going into Hogwarts?"

Harry nodded. "Are you going too?"

"Got my letter today after all," I said with a shrug. "Quite a nasty shock to my Mum and Dad when they found out. Mum's partly in denial,"

Harry smiled. "I could understand that,"

Ollivander returned, giving us another set of wands. I closed one of my eyes and flicked my wrist softly. Harry did the same, but the result was three broken vases and a lamp exploding nearby.

I placed the wand on the table again. "I don't think I want to have everything exploding every time I wave a wand," I said meekly. "Total madness."

Harry nodded. "I agree."

Finally, Ollivander returned with another set of wands. He handed the first one to Harry. And I swear, it was as if a choir of angels had descended upon the boy's soul. There were lights, winds, and voices around him.

"Whoa," I said, highly impressed.

"Ah," Ollivander said with an approving nod. "11 inches, made of holly, and the core of a phoenix feather. Rather… curious." He finished, as if he was about to say something aside from the word 'curious'.

Ollivander turned to me before handing me my wand. "Try this dear," he said as I took the wand from his hands.

I swallowed. "Please don't make anything explode or break or possibly fall," I pleaded out loud before waving it around. When nothing happened, I started to relax and waved it again. Again, nothing happened. I breathed a sigh of relief.

"12 inches, made of rosewood, and the core of dragon heartstring." Ollivander said approvingly. "I think the wand has chosen you, Miss."

I nodded. "Phew! For a minute there, I thought I might've accidentally caused your shop to disappear or explode."

"Ah well, not the first time it would happen." Ollivander murmured.

I heard that and looked at him with wide eyes. "Wait, what?!"

"Excuse me sir," Harry said. We both turned to him. "Earlier… what did you mean by curious?"

Ollivander seemed reluctant to say anything. He then started to explain about the core of Harry's wand, which was the phoenix feather core and said that the phoenix itself only gave another feather, and that the owner of the wand with the other feather gave Harry his scar.

"You're not talking about Voldemort, are you?" I asked once Ollivander finished.

He gasped and nodded. "You mustn't say his name, Miss Fray." He said. "Though he may not be around, people still fear him."

"Fear of the name only increases fear of the object itself," I said. "It's stupid, in my opinion."

Harry was staring at his wand, amazed. "Wow," I heard him say under his breath.

I turned to Ollivander. "So, how much?"

"11 Sickles."

"Yes, tell me more about this cute small box of twigs."

"Anyways, that would be all for now."

We all have left Diagon Alley and soon arrived at our house. Dad placed my new school equipment inside my room, along with my new pet, an owl. He had gray and dark fur with bright yellow eyes. He was a very beautiful owl, and well-tamed too. I figured that he needed a name, so I named him Travis.

I turned to Minerva and smiled. "Thank you so much Miss McGonagall," I said sincerely. "It's much appreciated."

McGonagall managed a small smile. "I'm glad," she said before turning serious. "Now, term begins on September 1st. The train to Hogwarts also departs on the very same day. You may find the station in the King's Cross, at platform 9 and ¾."

Mum looked skeptical. "9 and ¾? No such platform exists."

"How about magic, then?" I challenged. "No such thing exists, I presume?"

My sly expression quickly fell when Mum gave me an angry look.

"I do hope you know your way now," Minerva said. "Here is your ticket to the express. Be sure not to lose it."

I took the ticket and let Mum examine it. It was fancy looking, blue colored and decorated with silver borders. The words 'Platform 9 ¾' were written in bold in the middle of the ticket.

Mum sigh in defeat. "Well, thank you very much Miss McGonagall."

We both looked up, but to our surprise she was gone. I looked around, trying to spot maybe a cat or perhaps another animal nearby. Minerva was good at Transfiguration. I figured that perhaps she would've used that as means of transportation or disguise.

"All this magic," Mum noted behind me. "Madness. I can't believe it."

She started to walk back inside the house, muttering under her breath about how she could possibly be going insane. I decided to leave Mum be, because I knew that it would be hard for adults such as Mum to accept this type of information as easily.

So there I stood on the porch, Travis sitting on the cage beside me. A grin of excitement appeared on my face before I jumped for joy.

"I'm a witch!" I cried, jumping around. "Woohoo!"

[A/N:] I hope you enjoyed the second chapter. Please don't forget to check out my other stories, and if you're an avid follower of my account and stories, here are some hugs and kisses for you, my darling! :)

GaleSynch: It would've been obvious by her appearance, yes, but maybe she won't be who you're expecting. :P

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