DISCLAIMERI do not own Harry Potter. Nor am I affiliated with J.K. Rowling, Warner Brothers, Scholastic, or any other publishing company that handles the Harry Potter franchise. I am making no money what-so-ever from this story. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead is pure coincidence and is unintended, as is any resemblance or reference to any real locations past or present.

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Chapter Two: Is This a Joke?

The car pulled up to a house and stopped. Jon looked through the window and let out a low whistle. It was impressive. A rather large house with a beautiful garden, stained glass windows, and numerous decorative features loomed before him. It almost looked like a small castle actually. The other man in the car cleared his throat softly, bringing Jon's attention back down to earth. The man was now holding a piece of paper. He handed this paper to Jon, who noticed that the paper was filled with writing and legal jargon almost at once.

What was this? It looked like some sort of contract. At the top, in bold large letters were the words: Non-disclosure Agreement. Jon looked up at the man, a curious expression on his face.

"She will only speak with you if you sign the paper Mr. Norvack," the man said, offering Jon a pen.

Jon read the paper quickly. It covered the basic things. Basically it said he legally could not tell any one anything that was said, or risk being sued and arrested. Jon shrugged and signed the paper. The man looked at the signature and nodded. Then the car door opened and Jon was escorted by another man to the house and into a medium sized room with an enormous desk, a state-of-the-art computer, and several comfortable looking arm chairs. Jon sat in one of the chairs to wait. He did not wait long. The door opened and Jon stood quickly. His jaw dropped at the sight of the person now framed in the doorway.

"Hello Mr. Norvack. I expect you are wondering why I sent you a letter requesting your help?"

Jon opened his mouth to reply but no sound came out. He promptly shut his mouth again and swallowed nervously. He was still in disbelief. He was standing in Jo Rowling's office! A million thoughts raced through his mind all at once. Why was he here? Why did Jo personally send him a letter? How could he possibly help her? Was this some kind of prank? Jon could only nod; his mouth open is awe, his eyes wide, staring at the famous author.

"I…. I…. wha…." Jon could only stammer. Jo smiled politely and motioned for Jon to take a seat before closing the door and moving around to the chair behind the desk. Finally Jon managed to spit out a very weak sounding "Hi…" Jo chuckled softly and folded her hands on top of her desk. Jon took several deep breaths, trying to calm down so he could actually speak. "Is this some kind of joke? Am I on a hidden camera show or something?"

Jo shook her head. "No Mr. Norvack. This is not a joke, nor is it some television show. You are here at my request." Jon blinked. He was beginning to believe her. "I asked you to come here, and provided you with a plane ticket and my personal driver to request your help with a small matter."

"Which is?" Jon asked. He doubted he could be of any help to Jo. He was just a fan who lived in California. What made him qualified to help her? He had no experience with being a personal assistant, or an editor, or writing. So, that was not the reason she had wanted him here.

Jo noticed the perplexed look on Jon's face. "Here. Maybe this will help," she said handing him a small stack of papers. "It seems to me that I need to add a character to the story and I was wondering if I could use you as a basis for that character."

Jon was even more confused now than he had been before. Why would she ask him about a new character? What right did he have to advise her on such matters? She was the author, the imaginative force behind Harry's entire world. "That would be….. fine with me I suppose, but why ask me to be a character in your book? Isn't the last book supposed to be published and released soon?"

Jo acted as if Jon had not spoken and sat writing on a pad of paper. Jon sat quietly, feeling honored to be able to see this famous author write. It hardly even mattered what she was writing as far as Jon was concerned. It could be part of a story, or it could even be a grocery list. He noticed that every once in a while, Jo would glance at him briefly, and then she would go back to writing on her pad of paper, occasionally flipping to the next page. Jon was tempted to lean forward to try to see what Jo was writing, but he decided that it would be a stupid thing to do. After about ten minutes, and an entire pad of paper, Jo sat back in her chair and regarded Jon silently, as if she were scrutinizing him. It made Jon shift uncomfortably in his chair. "My husband will show you to your room Jon," she said politely after a moment.

A man Jon had not noticed before motioned to the door. Jon stood. "Thank you Mrs. Rowling," he said. Jo nodded in reply, and the man escorted Jon to a room where his belongings had already been arranged. Jon yawned sleepily and thanked the man, who, Jon now realized, must have been Jo's husband Niel.

In her office, Jo sat quietly, wondering if she had chosen the right person for the job. She had been looking for someone for this assignment for quite some time and in all of her inquiries, Jon's name was at the top of the list as the one person who could handle the transition, and the journey he was about to take. She just hoped they had been right about him. Well, she would find out soon enough.