Chapter 8 – Sneaking Around

I had to write a letter to my father so that he knew where I was and he knew that I was safe and secret at a school of magic. But how? I couldn't just send an owl; that would be downright ridiculous. What if he shot down the owl that was trying to deliver the letter? It would be so bad. There was no way of sending a muggle letter to him from here, due to the lack of envelopes, stamps, and post-men. I decided to consult Mikel, because she always knew what to do in times like these.

"Hey, Mikel? How can I send a muggle letter to my dad?"

She looked thoughtful for a moment before responding. "There's a post-office in Hogsmeade, but I don't know how you'd get there, since only third-years are older are allowed, I think… I could build you a potion to make you older, if you like."
"Did I hear something about AGE POTIONS?" asked two kids, at the very same time. It was Fred and George Weasley, Ron Weasley's brother! Omg! They were the perfect people to ask, since they were so full at the troublemaking scene.

"Fred! George! I need help with something, and you might be able to help," I pleated to the pair.

"Oh, looking for a little trouble? Then, we can most certainly help," they said at the very same time.

"Well, good. I need to sneak out of the castle into Hogsmeade so I can send a letter to my father."

"Oh, we see. Well, that's easy!" I gaped at them. "Don't look so serious, Bella. Let us show you something." Out of their pocket they pulled out a spare bit of parchment.

"What's that? Does it give me instructions on how to get there, like a GPS??"

"What's a GPS?"
"It stands for 'Greatest Possible Route-Searcher.' Anyways, what's the parchment?"

They unfolded it and I gasped. Omg, it was a map of Hogwarts! With dots that stood for everybody! It was amazing! It was my round-trip ticket out of the castle!

"This is a big secret. It's all you need to get out of the castle. Just take this passage and you'll end up in Hogsmeade." They both nodded gravely.

"Awesome! Thanks! I think I'll go now. But what if I'm seen?" This was a major bad thing. I had to be congealed.

"Well, I have an invisibility cloak that you can use," proffered Harry helpfully.

"Perfect!!" I squealed. I gathered my materials and left the hall.

Once in the lobby, I pulled the cloak over my person, hiding myself from view. Heading towards the point Fred and George pointed to on the map, I encountered nobody along the nearly-deserted hallways. Some of the portraits looked curiously in my direction, but gave up when I could not be seen. Hallway after hallway I traveled, never realizing how big the castle was, especially when empty. Finally, I reached an old tapestry with a unicorn on it, frolicking around. I pulled it back to reveal… a passageway! Clambering in, I wondered where it led. It was totes dark, so I enlightened my wand to show me the way.

On and on I went, not knowing how much time had passed. I stumbled a few times because it was so dark and I couldn't see where I was going. But slowly it became lighter and lighter until it was like a well-lit room. My eyes adjusting to the light, I realized that the passage was coming to an end. I dashed out of it to find myself deposited on a Hogsmeade street. Deeming it okay to break my cover, I removed the invisibility cloak and showed away the map.

Walking up and down the streets, I found myself to almost be in a dream. So much wizard wonder! Potion shops, apothecaries, a joke shop, and even a pet store and a few pubs! Maybe I should've taken the ageing potion so I could stop in and have a nice, refreshing drink. Looking in all the windows, I almost forgot what I was here to do. It was like a miniature version of Diagon Alley!

Then, I saw my destination: the post office! The windows were lined with owls ready to send a letter somewhere and the fees it cost to send one. Snow crunched underfoot as I ran towards it, nearly losing my balance. I wrenched the door open and proceeded inside, where it was warm.

I stepped inside and up to the clerk. "Hi," I said brightly.

"Hello, how can I help you?" the clerk asked kindly.

"I'd like to send a muggle letter."
"Oh, alright. Here's an envelope, a stamp, a pen, and stationary. When you're done, you can put it in the blue box," she answered, giving me the materials I needed. I plopped down at a little table to impose my letter. It went a little something like this:

Dear Dad,

Hi! It's Bella! Don't worry about me; I'm fine. I ran off to the school you thought was a joke. I'm learning all about magic and stuff and it's really super cool.

Anyways, I want to come home for Christmas so I can see you and prove that I'm okay. All you need to do is pick me up at King's Cross Station (I'll find you there) when Christmas break starts.
I am glad that you are safe at home and I am happy that I will see you soon.

--Bells

Upon finishing, I deposited my letter in the bin. I totes realized that I should not be out on the loose with a killer on the loose, but then, I realized that some things were just more important than that. I hoped my father would receive my letter so he wouldn't be even more worried.

I left the post office. On my way back to the passage, I saw the bar again. Unable to resist, I went in. the bar was clean, shiny, and glowy like all the wood had been polished all its life. The atmosphere was happy and lively—people taking refuge from the harsh snow with their friends to enjoy something warm.

Stepping up to the bar, I sat there patiently waiting for Rosmerta. She finally came up to me and I ordered seven Butterbeers for my friends (Mikel, Ashlee, Draco, Harry, Ron, and Hermione). I didn't want any for myself because it was too fattening. I also got a Firewhisky for Cedric in the hopes he'd appreciate the gesture. I took them all to go and went back into the passageway.

I made it back to the hall before breakfast was over. I distributed the drinks to all my friends, saving Cedric for last.

"Hi Cedric! I got you a Firewhisky!" I said cheerily as I presented it to him.

"Wow Bella… thanks! I love this stuff. But where did you get it?" he asked.

I decided to tell the truth. After all, he was my friend. "I got it at Hogsmeade; I went this morning."

"Oh, but how? You're not old enough!" he looked confused as he said it.

"I snuck out."

"Sneaky! Well, I won't ask details. Except… did you like it there? I mean, would you want to go again?" he asked.

"Totes! It's awesome! Why do you ask?" I asked.

"Well, maybe we can go together some time. But not as friends. Something more than friends. Well, I mean, only if you want to." He blushed.

"Oh Cedric, of course!" Then, we hugged.