I just wanted to thank everyone who has taken the time to read my story. Reviews are very welcome as I'm quite new at this. Hope you all enjoy :)

Chapter 3

"Where I come from," she started, "all of this; Hogwarts, magic, wizards and stuff, all of it is just a story. It's just a series of books. None of it is actually real. Magic doesn't exist. Hogwarts doesn't exist." She looked at Dumbledore to gauge his reaction. He seemed to be taking it all in very calmly. Claudia continued; "The story lasts the duration of seven years in seven books, and is centred on the life of Harry Potter, starting around the time he turns eleven." Dumbledore seemed to be deep in thought. Finally he spoke.

"So, from these books, you know the future of the Wizarding World? And of individuals?"

"Yes sir." She replied.

"Then you must be careful not to tell me anything of my future, or the futures of those around me." He warned her.

"Ok. Well, I'll only ever tell you something if it means a life or death situation" She was determined she could at least help prevent the deaths of what had been some of her favourite characters. She might as well do some good while she's stuck here, right?

Dumbledore pondered this for a moment "Yes, I suppose that sounds agreeable. Now for my next question; what is in that book you are carrying?"

"Oh! I completely forgot about this! Well, I suppose you could call it an encyclopaedia of all the main characters and events in the Harry Potter books, er... that is, of The Wizarding World and its various inhabitants. It should be really helpful for me while I'm here. It's also got some other information that I can't tell you about, um, spoilers." She smiled nervously up at him. Dumbledore's face changed to as serious as she had seen him yet.

"Now, your knowledge of the future and your book of, for lack of a better word, prophecies, could be very dangerous in the wrong hands and land you in some deep trouble if anyone were to find out about your insight into future events." His face was grave.

"Oh," she said, "I never thought of it like that." Worry started to creep up on her.

"I think the best thing for you at the moment would be to remain at Hogwarts where myself, and perhaps one or two loyal colleagues, can keep an eye on you, and be there to protect you if need be." His eyes twinkled down at her as he awaited her response.

"Hang on... Do you mean... I'm staying at Hogwarts?"

"It would appear so." Dumbledore smiled kindly at her. Claudia's mind raced. It was more than she could have ever dreamed for. She was actually going to be staying at Hogwarts! The place she had fantasised about for as long as she could remember.

"Wait. What will I do at Hogwarts? I can't exactly attend classes, I'm a Muggle."

"Are you?" He asked with a slightly mischievous smile.

"Of course I am! I told you, magic doesn't exist where I come from." She was getting confused now. She knew Dumbledore had that effect on people.

"Ah," he said, "But you are no longer in that world anymore, and magic is possible here."

"Ok. So how do we find out if I'm a witch or not?" There was a glimmer of hope in her question.

"There is one simple solution to that task. The Sorting Hat will not place anyone who does not have magical potential. Therefore, we shall simply place the Hat on your head, and if it reaches a decision, then you are a witch, and will make your task of blending in much easier." She could hardly suppress her excitement now. There was actually a chance that she could learn magic! She could be sorted! She could get her own wand! She could become an epic witch! She mentally scolded herself. There was always the chance that she was a Muggle, and she shouldn't get her hopes up too high.

Claudia then noticed that while she had been battling with her excitement, Dumbledore had risen and walked over to one of his many shelves lined with various strange looking items. He lifted the musty looking old hat from its place and strolled over to where she sat. He gave her a small smile as she stared at it, panic evident in her eyes. "Try not to worry too much, whatever happens I shall find a place for you at Hogwarts." This didn't help much. She now had images in her mind of her slaving away in the kitchens with the House-Elves. And so the Sorting Hat was placed on her head.

'Well well well. I don't recall ever seeing someone quite like you in the castle before.' Claudia jumped as the voice sounded in her head. 'Do you belong here?'

'That's what you're supposed to tell me!' She thought back angrily.

'No need to take that tone with me now, I can tell you that you are indeed a witch. You're full of magical potential.' She breathed a sigh of relief. Now all she had to worry about was what house she would be put in. 'Now, I can see a fierce loyalty in you that is commonplace in Hufflepuff.'

'If I end up in Hufflepuff I'm wishing myself back home.'

'All right, no need for that. There is also bravery, and a great sense of right and wrong. Ambition, a desire to be praised an admired. Oh, and intelligence too. You're trustworthy, but you're also quite manipulative and untrusting of others. Yes, there really is only one place for you; SLYTHERIN'

The last word was shouted out for Dumbledore to hear. She felt quite good about this; she had always thought of herself as a Slytherin, and any online quizzes she had taken pointed towards this house as well. She was determined to prove that not all Slytherins go Darkside, as she liked to call it. Dumbledore just smiled at her; apparently the choice of house didn't bother him either.

"And now," he started, "There is one more thing we need to discuss." She looked at him with full attention, still in high spirits over her sorting. "I think the best role for you to take at the moment is that of a seventh year student, coming to Hogwarts for the first time for your final year of magical education, after six years of homeschooling. I will have to enlist one or two teachers to help you over the summer, and to teach you as much as possible before term starts in September. They will have to be told of the real situation of course, so for the first I suggest Professor Snape, as he is both your new head of house and one of my most trusted colleagues. For the second, I recommend Professor McGonagall. She is an excellent witch, the Deputy Headmistress, and a loyal friend. I would trust both of them with my life, and therefore hope you will learn to do the same with yours."

"Right. Ok. Snape and McGonagall, I can do that." She said more to herself.

"May I ask, do you know of the circumstances in which Severus Snape came to work for me?"

"Yes Sir." She was unsure how he would react to hearing that she knew Snape's most guarded secret.

"Good. That will remove some potential complications on the question of his loyalty." And that was all he had to say on that matter. "Now, this has been quite an eventful night, so I suggest you get some sleep and we shall discuss further plans in the morning, along with your introductions to Professors Snape and McGonagall. I will send word to them immediately, informing them of the aid I would like them to give you over the summer."

"Ok Professor. Thank you." She said with a smile, truly grateful of the effort he was going through to keep her safe.

"Now, if you'd like to follow me, I'll show you to the guest quarters in the dungeon, which will also help you become familiar with the area for when the school year starts." And with that she followed him out of the office, still amazed at everything that had just happened, and daydreaming about the time she would be spending at Hogwarts. Tomorrow was going to be a busy day.