Chapter 2: Summer

Of course, Jeff had a ton of questions. He indicated to Alice that he had always done things that he could not explain but had always been too afraid to let on about his ability. But Jeff had not grown up in a magic home. He had not grown up with a pharmacy of magical plants growing in his backyard, Pepper-Up potion for every cold, or the tears in his jeans being stitched up by a simple charm. He had no idea what Apparation or Quidditch was, and he was bewildered by the very mention of magical creatures such as gnomes.

One day Jeff and Alice were walking through the garden at Alice's house when Jeff pointed out a large green plant with strange red spikes on it. It was squirting out drops of a strange blue liquid at irregular intervals. "What is that?" he asked, perplexed.

Alice shrugged. "Oh, some healing plant. My mother's obsessed with plants. I don't really understand it. She has an entire apothecary growing in our garden, and she uses her plants to make medicines that she sells to shops in Diagon Alley. It's so odd. One time I walked out into the garden, and she was speaking to them. Some things about my mother..." Alice trailed off. Alice did not take after her mother, this she knew. Her mother's features, personality, and interests were instead manifested in Peggy. In fact, many a day had Alice seen her mother and Peggy working together in the garden. Peggy loved gardening to the extent that learning about magical herblore was the only activity in which she would face the liklihood of becoming dirty. Alice noted that although Peggy was not to start Hogwarts for another year, she was likely already years ahead of her peers in Herbology class.

"I thought you said your mum worked at a drug store," said Jeff, his brow furrowed.

"What?" asked Alice, blushing at the memory of the falsehood she had told. "Oh, I did, I suppose. But I couldn't rightly tell you what she really does, could I?"

"I suppose not," Jeff replied. After a brief silence, he asked, "What is Diagon Alley? That's where I'm supposed to buy my school supplies. Is it some sort of shopping center?"

Alice laughed. "Well, I suppose it is. It's a very large shopping center, though. Wizards and witches have to stay inconspicuous, so they do most of their shopping in one area."

During the afternoon, they had a long, intriguing talk about the magical world. Jeff was nowhere near finished questioning Alice about magic when Alice's mother called them in for dinner.

"So I have something to tell you," said Alice, as they sat down before their turkey salad. All eyes at the table turned toward her. "Jeff is going to Hogwarts with me in the fall. He's a wizard!"

This announcement elicited much more excitement than had the receiving of Alice's letter that morning. Peggy, of course was ecstatic, while Mrs. Macmillan said, "Why, how wonderful, dear!" Mr. Macmillan, who was sitting beside Jeff, clapped his shoulder.

"Congratulations," he said proudly.

Mrs. Macmillan then took her usual disposition of concern. "Are you going to be all right getting your school things? You can come with us when we go to get Alice's."

"Oh, could he?" asked Alice in excitement.

Jeff smiled. "That would be nice," he said politely. "But actually I'm supposed to go with someone called Professor Flitwick to get my school things."

Mrs. Macmillan waved her hand. "Oh, that's easily remedied. I'll send dear old Flitwick an owl and tell him that you are safe with us. I'm sure he will be happy enough to allow us to spare him a trip to London."

At this point, Jeff looked genuinely cheeful. Alice had to admit that she shared in these sentiments. Oh, to think, she was not only about to go to the school she had heard about all her life, but she was also about to share it with her best friend in the world. Life could get no better!

The rest of the summer until August passed in sheer pleasure. Alice told Jeff everything she knew about Hogwarts, but he was still begging to know more. He asked her questions that Alice doubted even her parents could answer. She had to tell him, several times, "I guess we'll just find out when we get there."

Well, you've made it through two chapters of my story. Please tell me what you think; whether you loved it or it's the worst fanfic you've ever read, I would love to hear from you (although if it's the latter it might lower my self-esteem a few points). You are what gives me the motivation to write this story, so your feedback is always appreciated! :)