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"This is just really weird... Like I don't even think this is real. Is this real life?" Brienna was looking wildly around the strange office. "It would appear that way." Dumbledore laughed. "You say you crawled in through your closet? I see no entrance to my office but the one I use everyday, and I assure you, it's full-sized."

"You're right, I think the tunnel is gone." Brienna said sheepishly.

"How is that even possible?" Heidi exclaimed.

"Anything is possible." Dumbledore told her symbolically. Oh. Right. There they were at Hogwarts after having stumbled upon a magic key.

"So... so how do we leave?" asked Brienna.

"I suppose you couldn't apparate, could you?" Dumbledore inquired.

"No... duh, Dumbledore. You can't apparate at Hogwarts." Heidi pointed out. In one of the portraits of the past Headmasters, Phineas Nigellus began telling her off for speaking to Professor Dumbledore that way. Brienna face-palmed.

"Quite right you are... Heidi? Is it?"

She nodded to the bearded man.

"And Brienna. Well you two are in quite a dilemma. If you are non-magical as you say, then most magical means of transportation are out of the question. I'm afraid even side-along apparition won't do. So if I may make a suggestion...

"I'm sure you're very eager to return to your families, but until we find a solution to this little problem- ah- I suppose you don't still have the key?" Heidi shook her head. "I dropped it, sir."

"Well, then it seems you're stuck here in the wizarding world... if only temporarily. But you know what we say here at school, 'Hogwarts will always be a home to those who need it.'"

"Wait... does that mean...?" Brienna asked.

"That you would be staying here with us until you can safely return home... yes." Dumbledore smiled.

Heidi shot Brienna her best "We-have-to-we-have-to-WE-HAVE-TO!" face.

She seemed wary. But Heidi could tell Brienna knew they didn't have a choice... also this was goddamn HOGWARTS they were talking about.

"Wait Professor. What year is it? I mean- how old is Harry Potter?" Heidi asked. If they were staying, they had to know what they were up against. And considering Dumbledore was still alive and kicking, the war against the Dark Lord had not quite begun.

Cocking his head, he relayed the information.

"Fifteen."
Brienna and I exchanged looks and groaned. "Umbridge.."

"Umm... just a minute, sir." Heidi said as she grabbed Brienna's arm and dragged her across the room. "I HATE that toad-faced bitch! Can we please cause some trouble while we're here?"

Brienna hesitated before she answered. If they caused trouble that would mean they would get detention-and she, Brienna Margaret Lancaster, has never had detention before! But how could she say no to Heidi; especially when it came to making that insufferable, clad-in-pink, minister-loving, child-abusing, demon's life miserable? And seeing as though they would only be here a short time she supposed it would be okay…

"Fine, but only because I think she is worse than Voldemort."

Heidi let out an ecstatic cheer and began flapping her hands in front of her in a way that made her look like she was doggy paddling.
"Calm down! Dumbledore is watching."

"Right!" She replied, straightening herself up and putting on a serious face. She turned in the direction of the headmaster and swaggered over to him. Brienna followed closely behind her.

"Albus, my comrade and I would be delighted to attend Hogwarts this year."
Brienna could have face-palmed. 'Albus? Really? You just called him Albus? And comrade? What the heck?' she thought. "Classes start in exactly one week. I shall see if I can find someone who to bring you to Diagon Alley to gather all of the supplies you will need."

"Supplies..?" Brienna asked.

"Wait, we have to take classes?" Heidi asked incredulously. "Of course. What did you think you would be doing at Hogwarts while you stayed here?"
"Um.. Chill with Hagrid, hang out in the Room of Requirement, drink some butterbeer, do some ginger-watching, explore the Forbidden Forrest.." She answered as if it was obvious and Brienna nodded in agreement.

"Well my friends, perhaps you can do those things when you are done with your studies." He let out a chuckle. "Although I would warn against exploring the Forbidden Forrest."

"How are we going to take classes if we don't have any magic? Won't we fail?" Brienna questioned. She took her grades quite seriously. Maybe she'd become friends with Hermione. They could be like.. Study partners!

"I believe there is more magic in you than you think." he said winking.

"I wish." Heidi stated. "Oh... also, we don't have any money for supplies."

"Ooh. Yeah." Brienna agreed.

"Maybe you could figure something out at Diagon Alley. A job, suppose? For now I'll arrange for you to live at the Leaky Cauldron until term begins. Perhaps you can seek employment with Tom."

"How are we getting there?" asked Brienna.

"I'll send for a ministry car tonight, and we'll see if we can't find someone to take you shopping by the end of the week." Dumbledore shuffled lightly through rolls of parchment and reached for the receiver of a very ancient looking telephone. "These muggle communication devices are absolutely delightful." He thoughtfully dialed a number. "Good evening... No, nothing urgent tonight, Cornelius; in fact, I'd like to be transferred to the department for magical transportation please. Yes, a strange request indeed-" He winked at the girls. "One ministry cab to Hogwarts please? Hmm... is Miss Tonks available tonight?"

Brienna and Heidi exchanged looks of bubbly glee. Tonks!

"Many thanks. Goodbye." Dumbledore set the receiver on his desk and addressed us. "Well, I think you'll find everthing's been taken-"

"Sir... you have to..." Heidi began awkwardly.

"Gotta put the phone on the-" Brienna helped.

"The hook, yeah."

"Yes, quite." He replaced the phone, looking sheepish.

"Wotcher, guys."

"Tonks!" They exclaimed, running down the grounds to the ministry car.

"Wow! Haven't seen you lot since you were-"

"You don't know us Tonks..." Heidi said helpfully. "It's a long story."

Tonks looked between the two girls; confused. Dumbledore, who was seeing them off, nodded serenely at Nymphadora. "Right! Well... off to to Diagon Alley!"

Brienna and Heidi launched themselves into the car, which sprouted an extra passenger seat so they could both ride up front with Tonks.

"So, what are you two doing all the way here in England? Your, uh, accents don't match with mine." She laughed.

"Well we're not from here... it's actually a REALLY long story." Brienna began. "Let's just say we're transfer students, from-" Suddenly the car had taken off and was rising very suddenly into the sky. Brienna and Heidi were screaming in surprised terror.

"Calm down! What's wrong?" Tonks looked extremely frightened and began to slam on the brakes.

"No... no. We're okay." Brienna said, panting hard.

"I totally forgot they do that!" Heidi yelled. She eased up her grip on the seat and looked down. The sight was actually breathtaking. She had never been on a plane before, so this is the closest thing she had to the experience.

"Where did you say you were from, uh..."

"Brienna."

"And?"

"Heidi. We transferred from Wisconsin."

"There's a magic school in Wisconsin?"

"It's called the Black Widow Academy. It's a witch-only school." Brienna rattled off.

Heidi stared at her and mouthed, "Kudos."

Brienna smiled and whispered, "I've got this."

"Really... Never heard of it."

Brienna didn't answer this, and suddenly a stupid idea popped into Heidi's head. She scooted closer to Tonks. "So... uh, have you and Lupin happened yet?" Heidi almost instantly regretted bringing it up. She should really think things through.

"What?!" Her face turned a bright pink to match her bubblegum hair, and the car veered off to the left before straightening out.

"Heidi!" Brienna growled exasperatedly.

"Well I can't remember if that happened in the fifth or the sixth one!"

Nymphadora Tonks looked at them as if they were absolutely batshit.