A/N: Okay…so here's the deal…I wrote this when I was a teenager and stupid. I'm doing my best to make it decent, but I swear the chapters get better as I get older. I'm trying to edit along the way while staying true to the idea I had the moment I wrote it. A review or two would be nice and give me some encouragement. I also finished the second chapter of INTO THE DARKNESS the sequel to BE AFRAID. They are my babies…check them out too!
PS: I don't own anything you recognize. K thx.
CH 2 ~ Like Magic
We soon found out all about Hagrid. He seemed to know everything about me. Hagrid was an only child grown up. His father was a warlock and his mother a giant. (And I thought I had problems!) He was expelled in his 5th year at Hogwarts and is now Keeper of Keys and Grounds there. I was soon as lost as Serena was confused. Finally after what seemed like days, Hagrid said, "Here we are." We were outside a shady looking restaurant called The Leaky Cauldron.
We went to a place called Diagon Alley. I never imagined that a world like this could exist. We were able to get all of the things I needed. It was beginning to grow dark by the time we made it back to the restaurant. It turned out that it was an inn as well as an eatery so we would be staying there until the day the train leaves. I'm leaving for Hogwarts in two days. In two days I will be starting an even grander adventure, but I must sleep now. Things are definitely getting more exciting.
When I said exciting, I had no idea this would be such a big deal. Hagrid said to stick to the ticket. How were we going to do that when there was no Platform 9 ¾? Of course, being a Sailor Scout, I knew anything was possible. When we finally did figure out how to get on the platform, it was nearly time to go. Serena couldn't get through, so I'll be on my own from now on. I ran to the train and found an empty compartment to sit in.
It didn't stay empty for long, however. Not five minutes after I got settled, I heard a knock at the door. In walked three people. They introduced themselves as Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley. They seemed nice enough and even told me a little more about Hogwarts. I think we might get to be good friends. At least, Hermione and I will. She seemed ecstatic to have another girl to talk to.
When we got to the school we went to a huge dining hall. I think Harry and Hermione knew more about me than they were letting on, or at least were told to find me because they motioned to one of the adults at the head table. She came over to us and told me to come with her. Harry tried to come with us, but the woman told him to stay and eat. She introduced herself then as Professor McGonagall. She explained to me that I was way behind and should have come here years ago. Normally students come when they are eleven. I'm almost sixteen. She came upon a very ugly statue of some kind. She whispered in its ear what I suspect to be some kind of password and a spiral staircase came out of the ground. We followed the staircase up to another door. She knocked and entered the room.
From what I could see, there was no one around. As I marveled at all the baubles Professor McGonagall went over to a particularly high shelf and grabbed a ratty looking hat. She came over and plopped the hat on my head. It was on my head less than a second before it shouted, "Griffindor!" I was more than a little startled by this but all she said was to eat (sandwiches had appeared on the desk) so that we could get my education figured out.
An elderly man came in just as I was polishing off my third sandwich. He suggested that, with my permission, he put everything I was supposed to know into my head magically. Of course I said yes. Serena isn't the only person who likes shortcuts. I think he also put the history of Hogwarts in my head too. I know things now that I never thought were possible. After I finished eating, they told me to go to my common room and gave me the password. With my new knowledge of magic and Hogwarts, it was easy to find.
When I got to the common room, Harry, Ron, and Hermione were waiting for me. They wanted to know all about what happened so I told them. Since no one had told me not to tell, I figured it would be okay. Besides, these three seem to know a lot more about what's happening to me than I do. I realized as I was telling them what happened in the tower office that I had forgotten to ask the professor about my Sailor Scout duties. I was worried about Serena as well. She never did well in new places and probably didn't know how to get back to Tokyo. Hopefully she would get a hold of Amy, Rae, or Lita. I feel asleep thinking about how I was going to balance everything that my life had handed me.
My first night at Hogwarts didn't go too terribly. I didn't sleep as well as I thought I would, but I think it has to do with what they did to me. It was a lot of information to process. My first class is about to start. I was given a schedule today during breakfast. It's still weird to me that I have to go to a dining hall to eat meals. I really missed going to Lita's before school. She is an amazing cook.
My classes are great. I never thought I'd be able to turn a mouse into a water goblet. They said it was review material, but it was new to me (even if I didn't have a problem). So far, I haven't been able to talk to the other Sailor Scouts. I've been here two weeks now and still haven't gotten permission to talk to them, let alone leave to save the day. I still have my transformation pen, but I'm afraid to use it for fear of exposure.
Another thing that I've discovered is that there's a little town down the road a ways that is made up entirely of witches and wizards. There are all kinds of stores and places to get food and drinks. The best place I've been so far is the Three Broomsticks. They have a wonderful drink called Butterbeer. I'm really starting to like it here.
I've found something I don't like. Potions. Not that it's a hard class, I'm actually quite good at brewing, but the professor is extremely biased and rude to all Griffindors. Lucky me, I was the one he decided to pick on for the year. He made a complete fool of me in class, so I used a tiny Venus shock to take him down a notch. Everyone thought it was extremely funny. Even most of the Slytherins, who we had class with, laughed. A select few, I suppose they are the leaders of the house, just scowled.
As awful as Potions class is, nothing has brightened my day more than learning to fly. It was exhilarating. I'd never thought to use a broom that way. Harry even said that he would teach me how to play Quiddich. He said I was a natural at flying and could be almost as good as him. He bragged that he had been the best flyer since his first year. He even got on the house team, which was not allowed. He must get his talent from his father. I'd seen a trophy in one of the halls that had Potter's name on it. He has a broom called a Firebolt. I rode it only once before he said that I needed one just like it. I think he told the Griffindor captain how good I was because I was just appointed back-up seeker. I also got a Firebolt of my own by owl post. The first game is in a week.