John sat in his chair for three days straight, only leaving to grab food and water. He slept in the chair when he was too tired to keep reading and when he woke up he read again. Part of him stayed glued to the books out of excitement, but another more repressed part of him stayed hidden from the rest of his family out of fear of how they would react to him. He was afraid that Harry would be upset that she didn't get to go to Hogwarts too and he didn't want to hurt her feelings. John had already finished Hogwarts: A History, and was now onto reading his father's journal. Among the many passages his father's first day was his favorite. It read,

September 1

Dear Journal,

Huh, it feels weird writing down all of my thoughts like this, but who knows, maybe somebody will find it useful some day. Well, I got sorted into Hufflepuff today. There isn't much of a shocker there; everyone in my family has been placed there. The sorting hat said that I was a Hufflepuff through and through, just a brave one. Truth be told though, I wish that I had been put into Gryffindor; the house has a much better social status around it. Still, I met a few new friends already and I have my first classes tomorrow. I get to start Defense Against the Dark Arts! I already completely finished reading the textbook for the class, so I'm hoping that we get a chance to show our knowledge. The castle itself is amazing! No one in my family could've described it justly, the paintings talk, and the staircases move! I wish that first years could try out for the Quidditch team though, I know I could play beater! Well, I suppose that's all that really happened today. Ta for now!

-Watson

John thought it was hilarious that his dad didn't sign his first name on any of the journals. "What's a sorting hat?" he wondered. Hogwarts a History didn't mention it at all, just that they would be put into one of four houses. None of the houses sounded that bad to him. He just hoped that he got sorted at all. Something about this letter comforted him, knowing that his dad went through Hogwarts and made friends sent some sort of peace through John. He yawned, tired from a long day's reading and he fell asleep on that chair dreaming of Hogwarts and everything that awaited him.

The next thing John knew his mom was jostling him awake at 7:15 the next day. "Mom, go away, it's summer" he groaned, and she teased, "Okay, I guess I'll just have to contact Hogwarts and tell them not to send anyone. Now, that got John's attention. As if he had never been asleep at all he jumped up out of his chair and yelled, "I only have 15 minutes to get ready?" and raced out of his room to hop in the shower.

John was in and out of the shower in five minutes and then hoped down the stairs as he tried to get his pants put on all of the way. He chose to wear a simple outfit of jeans and a t-shirt, not wanting to seem over eager, but show that he cared. He now sat at the kitchen table, having wolfed down a breakfast of tea and toast, his stomach so filled with butterflies that he couldn't eat anything else. Luckily Harry had left for her friend's house for a sleepover and would be there for another day or two. John was sure his mother had planned it that way as to avoid confrontation.

His leg wouldn't stop shaking as the clock struck 7:30. "Where are they?" he demanded under his breath, not wanting to wait any longer, and as if on queue he heard a loud crack, like a backfiring car right outside of his house. Quick as a flash he jumped up and ran to the door, only to find a tall, bearded man smiling at him, "Wonderful plants you have" he smiled as he let himself into the house. John couldn't find any words to say, as he stood rooted to the spot, watching the man make himself at home. "Wonderful furniture you have," he remarked, "Usually I have to conjure up my own to feel comfortable." At that moment his mom walked into the room and stared slack jawed at the woman.

John finally snapped himself out of the trance and was able to say, "I'm John, and I'm guessing you're from Hogwarts, Mr." "Dumbledore, Albus Dumbledore" he completed. "I'm headmaster of Hogwarts" His mother finally caught up with the program and responded, "Julia, Julia Watson. It's a pleasure to meet you, but I didn't think that we would be meeting the Headmaster, I thought it would just be a teacher." With that the man got a strange twinkle in his eye and responded, "Ah, yes, normally that would be the case, and Professor Sprout, the head of your father's house, John, was all set to come here, but after having my attention drawn to you by my deputy headmistress, Professor McGonagall, I decided that I would come on my own."

John stood there taken aback, why would anyone think him special enough to point out to the headmaster, surely there were plenty of students that deserved more attention than him. "I'm confused Mr. Dumbledore," he confessed, "Why would I be so special as to point out to you?" "Ah, John you underestimate yourself," Dumbledore tutted, "but I suppose that you'll want a specific answer." He drew in a breath and began, "It was drawn to my attention that your accidental magic as it is usually called differed from most students that come to Hogwarts School." John frowned, "Oh, so I'm different in a bad way" he thought to himself, but before that thought could fester for too long Dumbledore added, "Your magic doesn't come in spurts like most of our students does. You see, John, your magic is working constantly, think about it. Why is it that no one in your family has gotten sick in years, or those plants in your front yard haven't died, or whenever your mom cries you seem to be the only one who can make her happy again?"

Taken aback John's mother asked, "Are you meaning to say that John is constantly healing things around him? But how is that possible?" Dumbledore shook his head and smiled, "I have absolutely no idea! We've never seen anything like it before, usually kids just show magic when they're angry or scared. That's why I came along to talk to you, see if anything in his childhood could have caused this" John stood there in awe, was he really that special? How could he do magic without even knowing he was doing it, "But Mr. Dumbledore, how could I be healing people constantly, wouldn't that make me weak or something? Are you sure that I'll be able to do other magic." Dumbledore looked at John, "Ah, John you are remarkable aren't you? Very, bright. Yes, I'm afraid that that is the issue; a lot of fully-grown wizards couldn't keep that kind of magic up. I'm guessing that we'll see great things from you, when you learn to apply your skills." Redirecting his attention to Julia he warned, his mood shifting, "This is why John must go to Hogwarts, he is far too talented to let his magic go to waste. If it isn't harnessed there could be consequences." Julia seemed to get a hold of herself and replied, "Yes, of course, yes he can go." "Splendid. Then we best be off, John. Lots of shopping to do today, we'll have to drop by Gringotts to get some of the money your father left for you. Now, hold onto my arm tightly and whatever you do, don't let go. This won't be pleasant" Dumbledore looked oddly excited as he warned John of the danger. Excitement coursing through his veins, John waved to his mom and clutched onto Dumbledore's arm, and the next thing he knew it felt like he was getting sucked through a straw.