Chapter Two

Thanks for the reviews and for reading. Sorry I didn't update for ages, I got distracted by school and exams as well as other stuff however hopefully I will start updating more regularly :)
Disclaimer: Harry Potter isn't mine

Tom eyes flickered to the girl, his gaze never leaving Dumbledore. "It doesn't matter Kat," came the response in a much softer, calmer tone then he had previously been using for Dumbledore, "This," Tom struggled to find the correct way to address Dumbledore without being insulting, "Gentleman was just leaving." Kathryn looked at the man, curiosity entering her eyes before inclining her head towards Dumbledore,
"It's a pleasure to meet you Sir, my name is Kathryn Winters," at the announcement Dumbledore couldn't help but feel relieve that he didn't have to go seek out the other magical child.
"My name is Professor Albus Dumbledore," as he said this he drew himself up tall, though to his annoyance it had no effect on Kathryn, she was just peering at him like he was a strange creature under a microscope that she couldn't quite work out yet. Sighing mentally he carried on with the introduction, "I am here to offer you and Tom a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
"Sorry," the girl's small voice replied, "I don't believe in magic," at this statement a small knowing smirk flashed across Tom's mouth and even Kathryn couldn't hide the amusement dancing in her eyes.

Dumbledore felt his frustration that had been building up all through his encounter with Tom finally reach boiling point. With the slow pace the children were taking it could take hours before he could leave. Deciding to speed things up he flicked his wand towards the wardrobe where it immediately caught fire. The amusement that both the children had been feeling suddenly vanished from their face as Kathryn cried out in alarm. " . ." Tom spat out his cold voice sent shivers down Dumbledore's spine and he could see Kathryn take a small step towards Tom for safety. Dumbledore winced as a flash of fear danced across his face and for the first time he had entered the room Dumbledore considered Tom to be a threat.

Realising he needed to regain control and fast Dumbledore tried to comfort the obviously distraught children, "I was merely demonstrating a point." He said mildly. Kathryn's face convulsed into fury.
"A POINT!" her voice became shrill and Tom didn't even bother to hide the step he took backwards and the fingers he placed in his ears. "I'm sorry did you just say A POINT? In case it had escaped your notice but there is a FIRE PLACE to the right of me that you could easily have set on fire, without RUINING MY POSSESSIONS, TO PROVE YOUR POINT." Dumbledore waited till she was finished with her rant before he extinguished the fire with a flick of a hand. The wardrobe remained untouched. The children both displayed expressions of relief, Tom because Kathryn had stopped screaming and Kathryn because her possessions weren't damaged.

"Listen Mr Dumbleydoore you can't just sent people's things alight because you want to…How would you like it if I was just like poof I'm going to set your stupid beard on fire BECAUSE I CAN." Dumbledore felt his jaw clench especially when the girl got his name wrong, just as he opened his mouth to retort Tom intervened. "So it's magic, what we can do?"
"Yes, at your age the magic you can do is called accidental magic, due…"
"Accidental? As in we don't mean it for it to happen? That's not true we can makes loads of things happen. I can make people hurt," Tom's expression had gone greedy at the mention of magic, "I can…" Kathryn nudged him, her eyes flashing, "Do loads of other stuff as well," He said quickly changing what he was about to say, "When I'm mad Mrs Cole's hair once went blue."
"Yes but your magic is controlled by your emotions and you don't use a wand therefore its accidental," came Dumbledore's reply not bothering to tell them about wandless magic, only beings such as himself who had great power would be able to do it. He doubted that the two orphans would be able to lift a feather wandlessly. Besides the less they knew the more they would have to depend on him.

"So…This school?" Kathryn prompted, that was all that was needed while Tom and Dumbledore talked about the school and supplies. Only half listening, Kathryn took this opportunity to observe Dumbledore. She had always been a good judge of character and she couldn't get rid of the unease she felt when looking at him. From first impressions Dumbledore was a kind, caring school teacher but for her Kathryn couldn't shake the feeling it was an act.

In the background she could hear Tom how they would get funding for school supplies and had a sudden thought. "My mother…She was a witch, wasn't she?" Dumbledore looked at the girl before smiling in what he thought was a fatherly fashion. Of course it wasn't and only made him look creepy but he didn't know that. "What makes you think that?" He asked, wondering if he could manipulate her giving him the letter, all he would need is some of her DNA, hair, skin, blood and with some not entirely legal magic he would be able to open it and be able to read it.

"The letter," Kathryn replied interrupting Dumbledore's thoughts, "Nobody is able to open it, we've tried everything and I mean everything including trying to cut it open or burning it. I mean we even tried chucking it into the river once but it always reappeared, unopened and on my desk." Dumbledore felt slightly shocked, it was extremely powerful blood magic, nevertheless he should be able to open it, if Kathryn willingly handed over the letter however.

Dumbledore nodded, "I suspect your mother had some magical blood in her, if you handed me the letter I would be more than happy to try and find a way to open if for you." An expression flittered over Kathryn's face, too fast for Dumbledore to recognise.
"It's okay Sir," Kathryn replied quickly, "Well I'm sure you would be able to open it for me, I'll just leave it, in hope I'll be able to open it tomorrow. After all I've waited around 11 years, one more day won't hurt." Dumbledore ignored the rising irritation he felt in his body before turning to the children.
"Tomorrow I can take you to Diagon Alley where you will be able to find your school items." As Tom opened his mouth, no doubt to decline Dumbledore thought, Kathryn not so subtly stomped on his foot. Turning to the professor she smiled and opened her mouth to reply.
"We will be looking forward to it Sir." Dumbledore nodded before exiting the room.

Tom waited until Dumbledore was out of earshot before turning on Kathryn, "What the hell was that?" he exclaimed, "We don't need that manipulative creep with us on our first introduction to the wizarding world! Did you see how he tried to get your letter?"
"Yes I was there. But Tom think about it for a moment here, we need information about the wizarding world. We are going into a situation that we have NO idea about. We need as much knowledge that we can get and while I love researching," Tom frowned as he detected the slight sarcasm in her words, "Dumbledore is our best source of knowledge." Tom grimaced at that statement before slumping and giving her a brief nod.
"I suppose your right," Kathryn grinned at her friend.
"Of course I'm right Tom," she declared snottily, "I'm always right." The two friends looked at each other before bursting into laughter.

The next morning both of the children woke up feeling excited. Not only were they going to be introduced to the wizarding world but they were finally going to see what was written in the letter something both children were understandably curious about. They quickly ate their breakfast before making their way out to the front of the orphanage where Mrs Cole told them Dumbledore would meet them.

"Tom?" Kathryn's voiced enquired softly, "How do you reckon we will get to The Leaky Cauldron."
"Magic Carpet," Tom said without missing a beat, Kathryn rolled her eyes.
"Haha, how do you seriously reckon we will get there?"
"By the knight bus," Both of the children whirled round to face Dumbledore, a look of disgust appearing on both of their faces before Tom remembered Dumbledore was going to be his teacher and it might be a good idea to get on the right side of him. Smoothing his face out to an expression of politeness he nudged Kathryn to do the same.

Dumbledore was wearing a neon green robe with orange broomsticks whizzing around on them. Kathryn moaned slightly as the bright colours gave her a headache while Tom just stared wondering why the hell he agreed to being introduced to the wizarding world by this thing. After all first impressions were important and Kathryn and Tom might meet someone of significance everyone would laugh if they saw Dumbledore's robes.

There was a moments thoughts as Kathryn attempted to throw off her headache and Tom contemplated ditching Dumbledore before things were brought back on track. "What's the knight bus?" Tom asked.
"The knight bus," Dumbledore replied, sticking out his wand "is the fastest way to The Leaky Cauldron apart from apparition. However I do not feel like making several trips to side-apparated both of you The Leaky Cauldron." Tom gnashed his teeth together, it was like every time Dumbledore answered one of his questions he just had more to ask. He hated this feeling of not knowing.

There was a crash and a bang as a purple bus appeared. A teenage boy descend off the bus reading of the back off his hand, "Welcome to the knight bus," he recited "Emergency transport for the stranded witch or wizard, my name is Ernie Prang and I will be your conductor for this morning," Ernie shoved his hand back into his pocket and looked pleased that he managed to get through the introduction without messing up as Tom ignored the bile that was rising in his throat at this disgusting specimen of a wizard. "Ahh good morning Ernie," Dumbledore greeted the boy, "Three for the leaky cauldron please," As Dumbledore began paying for their fare both Tom and Kathryn drank in the scene before them.

The seats were arranged side by side much like how a regular bus was arranged. However that's where the similarities ran out. At the back there was several brass beds shoved together, Kathryn jumped as one of the occupants let out a sudden snore. As Tom smirked at her she stuck out her tongue. A tall chandelier hung above them and they could see steps spiralling up several levels.

"Well I never," Ernie said in amazement, drawing the children's attention nack to them, "Your professor Dumbledore aint you? I 'eard you choo, you helped make the Philosopher's Stone?" At this sentence Tom's attention was well and truly captured. Maybe heaving Dumbledore around would be helpful, especially if a bus boy, who didn't look very bright, was able to recognise him. Besides what was a philosopher's stone? Dumbledore smiled, "Yes, yes I did, how much?" he said efficiently changing the subject, "25 sickles for the lot of you, 'ere sit down in any seat you want. Unless you're like Madame Greene over there and fancy a quick nap." Ernie said before motioning towards the beds. "Thanks but I think we are fine just sitting," Dumbledore replied. Ernie nodded before rapping on the glass panel that separated the driver and the customers.
"Take her away John!" The bus shuddered before lurching forward throwing everyone backwards.

Kathryn pulled herself up of the floor before offering a hand to Tom. As the both dragged themselves to a seat, she noticed that the scenery no longer showed the city but the countryside. "Umm, professor where are we?" Dumbledore looked over at her, his eyes twinkling.
"Somewhere in Scotland, I do believe."
"Scotland?" Came the response, "What are we doing in Scotland?"
"I imagine that's where the bus was before we flagged it down." Kathryn looked confused,
"So how did it get from Scotland, to London, to Scotland, to…" She looked outside, even more confused as she recognised the cost line and the surrounding area, "to Bournemouth." Dumbledore looked at her, his eyes twinkling even more the before.
"Magic," came the simple response. Kathryn huffed before glancing over to Tom who had been awfully quite since the journey had begun.

Tom was no longer a healthy pale. His face had gone to a new level of white with a tint of green that Kathryn only saw when he was ill. Sweat beads were running down his face as he took deep breaths to steady himself. For a moment Kathryn was confused before realisation lit up her face. Sniggering she smirked at Tom, "Awwww is poor ickle Tommie feeling ill cause of the knight bus. Nawww."
"Shut up Kat," came the grunted reply before Kathryn took pity on him. Leaning over to Ernie she smiled charmingly at him.
"I don't suppose you can speed up the process to The Leaky Cauldron could you?" Ernie looked at her, "You see my friend is feeling slightly ill," she continued in her charming tone of voice. Ernie looked like he couldn't care less, "and you wouldn't want him throwing up in the back of your bus would you? You would be stuck with the smell for days if not weeks." Ernie looked slightly alarmed before whipping his head back to look at Tom again. He nodded frantically before hammered on the glass. Muttering something to the driver he nodded in response, then turned back to Kathryn. "Leaky Cauldron, five minutes away," Kathryn nodded before turning back to Tom, missing Dumbledore's speculative look.

Kathryn started up the conversation again hoping it would distract Tom from feeling ill, "So the non-magic folks,"
"Muggles." Dumbledore interrupted,
"Huh?"
"Muggles, that's what we call non-magic people,"
"Okay so the muggles, how come they can't see or hear us? Is it some sort of charm?" Dumbledore smiled/
"Yes, it's called a notice-me-not charm, I expect it is woven in with all the wards that keep this bus from crashing," Kathryn nodded mentally storing the name of the charm.

"Sooo," This time is was Dumbledore who started up the conversation, "Have you opened that letter yet?" Obvious curiosity showed in Dumbledore's eyes.
"Nope, there wasn't enough time," Dumbledore skimmed the surface of Kathryn's mind, glad to find it wasn't shielded from him like Tom's were, he nearly rolled his eyes in annoyance when he found out she was telling the truth. Sighing he realised he would just have to read her mind during school to find out what the letter said. Suddenly the bus shuddered to a stop, interrupting Dumbledore's thoughts and throwing everyone, including Dumbledore and Ernie to the floor. "Here we are," Ernie said proudly "The Leaky Cauldron."

Tom quickly exited the bus swiftly followed by Kathryn, then Dumbledore who took a slower pace than the children. Opening the door he entered the pub, motioning for the children to follow him. Taking deep breathes Tom and Kathryn entered behind him.

The layout was no different to a Muggle pub, Kathryn noted absently. In the corner there was a man who was flicking his wand at the napkins, making the fold themselves. Kathryn and Tom exchanged delighted looks at their first show of magic not done by Dumbledore. "Morning Tom," Dumbledore greeted the man.
"Professor, a pleasure as always, you here for a drink?" As Dumbledore stated to reply, he could hear snippets of a whispered argument going on behind him. Finishing with a "is not that common!" from Kathryn. Putting it from his mind for the moment he shook his head. "I'm afraid not Tom," at the mention of the barman's name he could see the slight clenching of teeth from the other Tom. Curious. "I'm on Hogwarts business."
"Ahh, of course," the barman said, "Enjoy the alley," he told the children.

Both Kathryn and Tom smiled politely at the man before following Dumbledore who lead them to a back room. Dumbledore took out his wand before turning his head slightly to the children, "Once you both have your wands you'll be able to do this yourselves." They both nodded. "Let's see its three up and two across." Tapping his wand the wall ha smiled as it rotated open, leaving the Kat and Tom staring at the alley in awe.