Chapter 2: The Witch, The Flames and The Bookshelf
Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling, including the majority of characters, spells etc. used in the fic
Mrs McFee was much more than shocked, a boarding school wanting Edward to enrol? Many questions were shooting through her head, questions like 'I know Edward is talented, but how do they know that?' She had come to the conclusion that this was some sort of scam, opportunities like this do not happen for an 11 year old orphan.
"A boarding school you say? Forgive me if I am appearing a bit sceptical, but it is only natural; where is this boarding school of yours?" Mrs McFee tried to pry.
"Yes, I completely understand, this must sound a tad bit strange for you. How about you invite me in and we can talk about this more privately? It is not something I wish to discuss on a doorstep" McGonagall said.
Mrs McFee nodded her head and reluctantly led Mrs McGonagall into the entrance hall; it was a shabby looking place. With wood, the same colour as the doors, plastered onto the walls, the floor consisted of a hard grey stone which managed to give the place a cold feeling. Two children with flaming red hair shot passed the carer and nearly knocked her to the floor
"Do watch where you are going! Right this way, we shall discuss this in my office"
Mrs McFee led the stern woman through the door on the right. The office had the same walls as the entrance hall, but with a warmer floor; it was covered with a light brown carpet. This room appeared to match the main carer somewhat, she had brown hair, and some strands fell into her slightly wrinkled, worn out face which you could only get from looking after many children for many years. She was slightly overweight and she wore a light brown jacket over her black trousers. Despite what many would say, she looked like a kind woman.
"Have a seat Mrs McGonagall" she took one herself behind her desk.
"Please, call me Minerva. As to answer your question from before, Hogwarts is located in Scotland"
Minerva smiled at the woman as she could clearly see that she was becoming even more sceptical,
"Hogwarts? I have never heard of such a place. And in Scotland you say? How could you even know about Edward Burke, and more importantly how do you expect him to travel down there! We don't have much money you know!"
Mrs McGonagall smiled again at the woman, this time it was a patient one, "Hogwarts is one of the most prestigious boarding schools in Britain, and you have to have your name down from birth. This is how we know about Edward, his parents made sure he would be offered a place. And we also have a funding system which helps children like Edward, who come from less financially available backgrounds to buy their supplies. The school has a private train that takes the children to and from Hogwarts at the start and ends of term" Minerva explained.
"From birth you say? Does that mean you have knowledge of Edward's parents, are they alive?" Mrs McFee asked hopefully.
"We cannot share any information about Edward Burke, obviously it is a confidential matter"
In truth Hogwarts knew nothing about where Edward came from or who his parents were; they simply had information on who was a wizard or witch and who was not.
"Tell me about Edward, we know little about him" Minerva smiled yet again, this time it was encouraging.
"Well, in the carer's eyes he is a lovely, charming young boy. Yet, he does not get on with the other children, they seem to dislike him and a lot report violence from his part to us. I simply believe he is too mature to play with the children" Mrs McFee began to explain.
"Would you mind if I met Edward?" Minerva was starting to become worried, surely it was because of bursts of accidental magic that he was violent?
"Yes, yes of course. I shall take you to his room".
Mrs McFee led Minerva down to the basement, she appeared a little confused when they walked past all the old boxes;
"He sleeps down in the basement?" Minerva enquired.
"Yes, he likes it down here, and the other children are happy about it". She opened the door that was furthest away from the staircase leading upwards, sat on a dark green bed was a young boy who was currently engrossed in a book.
Edward looked up from his book, annoyed at being disturbed to find a strict looking woman. He assessed her with narrowed eyes; dressed in black business clothes, strict face – psychologist, this was his conclusion.
"Edward" Mrs McFee smiled at him, "We have a visitor here, I expect you to be on your best behaviour" She gave him a stern look and then departed.
"Good morning Edward, I am Mrs McGonagall, and I am here to talk to you about Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry" she gave him a reassuring smile.
"I know who you are" he replied, with a commanding tone to his voice, she looked shocked "You do?"
"Of course, your one of the psychologists of Dr Linus's, don't try lying to me!" he shouted.
"Mr Burke! I can assure you I am not a 'psychologist'. I am merely here to inform you that you have a place in a wizarding school" she said, rather haughtily after Edwards outburst.
"A wizard school? You must be joking, there is no such thing as magic!" He was very disbelieving.
"Are you sure? There has never been a time, when you were angry or scared, and you did something impossible without realising?"
She was patient with the young boy, many wizards and witches who grew up surrounded by muggles were also reluctant to accept the fact. Edward thought back, would that explain throwing Miles against that tree without touching him? Or the many other incidences that were unexplainable?
"There may have been occasions were something like that happened" Edward replied, not wanting to give too much away, after all she was a stranger.
McGonagall smiled at is hesitance, "What is it exactly that you can do? Magically, I mean" she inquired.
"I can do many things" Edward said, he was not going to share his life with this woman.
"Hmm… is that all I am going to get? Well I suppose we should get down to business" she proceeded to hand Edward a letter when she said this,
"Normally you just receive a letter through the post but as you were raised my muggles it is mandatory that we visit and explain the letter to you"
He began to open the letter, appearing uninterested but on the inside his emotions were all over the place; happiness – he was not a freak, confused - why he had never known about wizards or witches before and disbelief – who was this woman, was he going to take her seriously.
"Muggles?" He had never heard this word before
"This is the term we used for non-magical folk, like Mrs McFee" Minerva said
Edward frowned slightly, inside the envelope was two pieces of yellow/white parchment, one stated that he was enrolled into Hogwarts if he chose to be, and when the term started and ended, the second piece contained a list of equipment he needed.
"The train for Hogwarts leaves at 11am on the 5th of September, here is your ticket" She handed a slip of card to him
"9 and 3/4? There is not a platform 9 and ¾! You must think I'm crazy!" He narrowed his eyes to glare at her again.
"Mr Burke I would appreciate you not staring daggers at me. There is not a platform 9 and ¾ to muggles but there is for us. You simply have to travel through the barrier at platforms 9 and 10 which will take you there" she replied, trying to make him see reason.
"How about some proof before you very own eyes?" Minerva said pulling out a long wooden stick in the process;
Edward simply nodded, keeping his eyes trained on the stick. With the flick of the stick his bookshelf burst into flames
"What do you think you are doing! Stop that NOW!" He yelled, with a strange commanding tone
Minerva was taken back for a moment; a little boy should not be able to use that tone. She removed the fire with another flick, the books and the shelf were completely unharmed. Edwards's mouth hung open for a split second before he immediately closed it -he did not like to show his emotions around people.
"Is that proof enough?" again Edward just nodded his head.
"Right now that matter has been cleared up, the next issue is your supplies"
At this point Minerva pulled out a pouch which obviously contained coins from the sound it made, Edward turned his face away; he did not need charity. She passed the pouch to him
"This is sufficient enough to buy you what you need, though some may need to be second hand I'm afraid. If you would like to come with me, I shall take you too diagonal alley to purchase your items"as she said this she moved towards the door.
"No" Edward simply replied, "Excuse me?" McGonagall was confused.
"I don't need your help, I can shop by myself thank you" Edward stated, Mrs McGonagall frown deepened; she was now very confused.
"Well if that is what you wish. Travel to Charing Cross Road, and make your way to the leaky cauldron; ask for Tom the barman and he will grant you access to Diagon Alley. I shall see you at Hogwarts Mr Burke" At this she departed through his bedroom door
Edward began to smile; he was going to a school where he could learn magic, and best of all get away from these detestable muggles!
Chapter 2, had fun writing this :) Again, any criticisms (or positives (;) are welcome. Hope you enjoyed this chapter! I will update it in less than 2 days, that's a promise right there.