Hogwarts a Visitation

~*~*~*~*~
Okay, maybe it wasn’t such a good idea to take Shay into a train station in London. I should have known better, especially after what happened at the airport. The poor girl had fainted and needed to be carried into the waiting taxi. At least we didn’t have to go to Diagon Alley, somehow that would have been worse. Right now all that really worried me was getting her onto the train and settling her in a nice quiet coach for the long ride to Hogwarts castle. Shay was leaning on our good friend, Nikisa’s shoulder. Nikisa was trying to lend Shay her strength as best she could. After tapping Nikisa on her shoulder I led the two friends to a sheltered barrier between platforms 9 and 10. The two leaned against it though they fell backwards and out of my sight.

I grinned triumphantly and went throughout the station finding my other friends and soon all 8 of us were standing proudly before the Hogwarts Express. I looked at the conductor as he started yelling “all aboard” and was pushed around as students and parents gave final farewells before jumping onto the train. I followed suit only to find myself alone. I didn’t know what had happened to my other friends but I could only hope that they were okay as I was pushed rudely through an open door and into the body of a young boy about my age and then to the floor as he tripped backwards over a basket.

I rubbed my elbow gingerly when it smarted on the side of the seat, and sat in the lap of the boy I had been pushed into as I looked around the compartment. Around me were shocked faces of two redheads and a brunette. Many other faces were looking in from the door. I shook my head to clear the pain and felt my golden hair fall free from its pony tail and settle into a straight curtain around my back and shoulders. A groan behind me made me turn to face the poor boy I was still sitting on. His hand reached up to move his glasses from his dark messy hair to his nose framing his shocked green eyes. I flashed a smile at the boy and tried to get up off his thighs. Standing I reached my hand out to him to help him up as well.

“My name is Harry. What’s yours?” he asked. I nodded but couldn’t say anything because at that moment someone touched my shoulder forcing me to turn around.

It was Kate, my best friend and counterpart to my powers. Her dark hair framed her face and flowed in curls from her shoulder. Her eyes met mine and grinned as she turned to the four Hogwarts students in the train compartment.

“Well I see that your making friends at least, c’mon Krista’s gone and made the opposite and we could use your help finding Stacy to calm her down.” Kate told me as she dragged me from the compartment and through the crowd that was in the corridor.
I looked back with a shrug before I was dragged out of sight, leaving a perplexed Harry Potter still looking at his hand.

About halfway down the train another commotion had drawn another crowd. Yelling could be heard from inside the compartment in the center of the commotion and Shayna was at the door pleading with someone inside and as Kate and I drew closer we saw Stacy and Nikisa coming from the other end of the train. Pushing lightly on the backs of the people in front of us we managed to make it through the crowd to Shayna.

“Come now Krista I’m sure he isn’t worth all this mess.” She was saying as we looked into the compartment to see a bloody mess; two hulking boys with bleeding noses were bent over the seats and Krista was pummeling a smaller scrawny boy with blood flowing from his nose as well. Her short red hair was spiked into its usual flaming peaks and a snarl on her dark red lips.

Stacy walked into the room and touched the flaming girl on the shoulder. Krista stilled her arm and dropped the boy who crumpled to the floor. Turning her flashing yellow eyes on her friend’s blue ones, Krista shook her head. Stacy just looked at her friend with knowing eyes and pulled her by the arm to the door. The crowd took one look at what had just transpired and almost ran to get away from the small group of girls as they headed towards the back of the train. In the last compartment we found the last two of our group Robyn and Holly sitting and talking together quietly. We entered the compartment and Robyn looked at us with knowing eyes.

“What trouble did you get into this time Krista?” she asked in an exasperated voice. “We finally get out of Rosetown and you picked a fight with some boys didn’t you?” Krista looked at her feet at that remark, not denying it at all.

“In truth they were big bullies.” Shayna said sitting next to the door.

“I know but that’s no excuse for my actions. If madame McGonagal finds out she won’t be happy.” Krista said despondently, “She did tell us to behave ourselves before we left home.”

“Well that just means that we have to try harder.” Holly said happily, “Now tell me what happened to the rest of you?”

“I found Megan sitting on top of some cute boy.” Kate laughed as I blushed hard.

“Well that’s better then what Stacy was up to.” Nikisa said sitting next to Shayna, “I mean honestly girl why would you be flirting with all four of those boys?”

“I wasn’t flirting that badly.” Stacy murmured. We all laughed. The rest of the trip passed uneventfully as no one dared to come to the compartment that housed violent girls like Krista, or so I thought secretly as the train pulled to a stop. We easily stepped off the train and stood at the end of the platform. I looked around and had a suddenly felt out of place in my light blue bunny hug and jeans. All around us were students in black robes and grey uniforms. Wait there was some color on the other side of the platform, green, yellow and other colors, most of them congregated together. Looking closer I saw why. These other colored students were obviously not from England.

‘They must be from other schools that were forced to close.’ I thought to myself as a large man in fur robes and a woman in dark green robes approached the train platform.

“All first years and transfer students please join us here.” The woman in green said in an unnaturally loud voice. It was madame McGonagall and Krista started to make her way towards their professor. Hard as it was to get through the milling crowds it wasn’t long before they surrounded mademoiselle McGonagall and the large man.

“Transfer students with me please all first years please follow Hagrid and we’ll meet at the castle.” McGonagall said over the noise of the crowd. Soon no black robed students remained and McGonagall smiled at those that remained. “Welcome all of you. To those of you who haven’t yet met me, my name is Professor McGonagall. I know many of you are out of place and have come from far distances to be with us here and if any of you have problems do not hesitate to talk speak with any of the staff. Now if you’ll follow me, we have made special arrangements for you.” She turned and headed off the platform and all who remained followed her to a set of open carriages with a hippogryph pulling each. I smiled in wonder at the beautiful creatures as Kate pulled me into a cart. McGonagall was in the front carriage and with a signal they all began moving forward.

I looked on amazed as we turned a bend and the Hogwarts castle came into view. It was magnificent with towering spires and glowing windows. I could make out forms in black as they entered the large front doors. A lake glowed in the full moon to one side as a forest loomed black in the distance. The mountains that surrounded the large valley were draped mostly in shadow but the peaks glowed a brilliant silver. I sighed as the carriages stopped and we were led up the wide marble steps. Professor McGonagall led us to a small room and asked that we stay there until summoned. All around us the different nationalities represented gathered into small groups not talking to anyone. Many of them were looking over at us, some with disgust written on their faces.

“Damn that’s rude” Krista said quietly.

“No kidding, I mean honestly we’re comfy that’s all that matters.” Holly said as she sat next to the wall.

“Can’t be helped I suppose. Hey Hollers how bout some tunes?” Nikisa asked.

I sat next to Holly by the wall and watched as Holly spun her wind magic around us, drum beats and light fiddle music filled my ears as the air spun around me and my friends. I stretched my taught muscles and lay down on the floor to take a nap. As I slept something weird happened as I felt myself split in two within my mind. In my minds I looked at myself and had to ask what was going on.

‘Whats’s going on?’ I asked to my other self.

'We have something that we need to work on, and since we can’t skip out on school I’ll just go and you can stay here.’ My astral self said.

‘Oh, you mean that whole quest thing that we found in that book in the library?’

‘Yea, that’s the one.’ She told me, ‘Its going to be different and I don’t know what the split will do to us, but don’t worry I’ll be back soon.’

‘Okay, there isn’t a lot I can do to stop myself now is there.’ I said finally sticking my tongue out at myself as she faded from my mind.

“Megan it’s time to wake up.” Kate whispered to me softly as she shook my shoulder, “Professor McGonagall is back.” She explained as I opened my eyes and picked myself up off the floor as many people stared at me. Blushing furiously I looked at the professor as she cleared her throat.

“As I was saying, if you will all come here, it is time to sort you all into your respective houses so we can get you to supper before it’s gone.” She was saying holding up a raggedy old hat, “When I call your name come put the hat on your head and stand in groups after you are sorted. The four houses are Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Gryffindor and Slytherin. Now Megan could you please come and be sorted?” she asked as I stepped forward and as the hat was placed over my head I heard a voice in my head talking to me for the second time today.

‘My what an interesting person you are Ms. Allaway, but where to put you so you won’t cause any large problems?’ the voice, which I could only assume to belong to the hat, said in my mind, ‘I suppose you’ll be best in’ “GRYFFINDOR” it shouted.

I smiled as I got up and stood to the side to watch what happened next. It took a while but eventually everyone went through the sorting and I was standing in a small
group with all my friends and several more students as well.

“Well its time to introduce you to the other students, if you will follow me.” She said as she turned to the door. I followed silently behind her as she led us into a very large hall filled with four long tables with one shorter table behind us. Professor McGonagall turned to face the four tables. “As previously mentioned, we have several new students coming to us from around the world to join us in these dark times. They have been previously sorted and now will join you for supper. The Gryffindors, Slytherins, Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws.” As she said the names of the houses were called the groups of students joined cheering houses. I sat next to the group I had seen on the
train and got strange looks from the boy I had fallen on.

“Hello again. You know you still haven’t told me your name.” He said in between shoveling food into his mouth. I laughed and tried to say hello, but nothing came out. I tried again, but again nothing came from my lips. I felt fear settle in the pit of my stomach as my hands clutched my throat and breathing quickened. I couldn’t speak. Harry looked at me when I didn’t answer his greeting and when he saw my frightful appearance he stood and asked what was wrong. Not able to answer I just looked at him as others turned to see what was happening, and at that moment I fainted.

~*~*~*~*~

“Megan!” Kate yelled as the blonde haired girl fell into the waiting arms of Harry. “What did you do to her?” she screamed as she lifted me into her arms. Kate stood and carried me effortlessly from the room and from the castle as several people followed behind. I felt myself being laid out in the moonlight as I slowly regained consciousness.

‘Megan? It’s me Kate, please wake up.’ I heard my friend say gently to my subconscious mind.

‘Katie, my voice is gone. I tried to talk but nothing came out, what am I supposed to do?’ I whined as she walked up to my broken crying form. Her dark presence stood out clearly in my mind next to my own shining form.

‘Don’t worry Megan we can help you through this.’ Kate said sympathetically, as she helped me stand.

‘Thanks Kate, I know that I could always just use telepathy, but I couldn’t invade someone’s mind like that. All of their thoughts would be open to me if I were to do so.’ I told her as I leaned against the edges of light.

‘Well don’t hold yourself back completely, I’m sure that if you find a really close friend they won’t mind at all, especially if it were a boy who was interested in you.’ She smiled evilly, ‘Who knows they may not mind at all.’

I smiled at her and opened my eyes. All around me faces looked down on me with concerned eyes. I looked at Kate and sighed soundlessly.

“She’s fine everyone, she just lost her voice. If you could all help her out adjusting to this new phase in her life, we’d really appreciate it. This means asking only yes or no questions, and any other ways that will just help her out until she can get her voice back.” Kate announced to the crowd. “Now if you don’t mind I’d like to get to bed.” She got up then and helped me to stand and then walked back towards the castle.

‘Katie you do know that we’re not supposed to know how to get to the tower yet, don’t you?’ I asked, being the elemental witches of light and darkness that we were, secret passages and many other such things were no problem. We could see through the false walls and tapestries to what was behind them, and no passwords could block their way. Of course no one in Hogwarts was supposed to learn about our extraordinary powers yet, if ever. I remembered when Professor McGonagall first told us that we’d have to hide our powers from our classmates. We all felt horrible because we had already been hiding for most of our lives from our host families, teachers, friends and most of all from Voldemort. If he had ever found us it would spell disaster for the living world.

“So, could someone show us the way?” Katie asked sexily as she turned on the top stop to look at the people below her. At least 20 boys ran as fast as they could up the stairs 2 or 3 slipping on the stairs and hurting themselves in their haste to help the cute girls. Harry and the red head boy from the train were the first to reach us and Harry offered his arm to me and another boy offered an arm to Kate as we were led upstairs to the Gryffindor tower. At the picture we met up with the rest of the first year Gryffindors. Holly and Robyn turned when we approached and got that look in their eyes that told me they wanted an explanation. We motioned for them to wait till later for an explanation as someone near the head of the crowd said “Scarlet” and the portrait opened to reveal the common room. I was surprised at how many charms surrounded the common room. Silence charms to stop noise from entering the hallway, un-breakability charms on every piece of furniture and on the walls and ceilings, there’s even charms to prevent non house members inside.

‘Security here is insane.’ I thought to Kate, ‘What goes on in here that makes them think they need a charm against breaking the ceiling?’

“Wow that’s weird. Why would someone break the ceiling?” Kate said aloud accidentally.

“What are you talking about?” a boy at Kate’s side asked looking up, “The ceiling’s not broken.” He said causing more people to look up at the ceiling with weird looks.

“Umm, I don’t know it was just an observation, or didn’t you notice all the unbreakable charms?” Kate asked the boy, “Besides which you should introduce yourself before you interrupt a conversation.”

“Oh I’m, sorry my name is Dean Thomas. Are you Kate?” He asked the dark haired girl as he finally took a good look at her.

“Yes I’m Kate, pleased to meet you Dean Thomas.” I could tell Kate was getting irate talking to this boy, but I had my own problems as someone was trying to get my attention. Harry took my hand as I looked at it he smiled at me.

“I’d like to introduce you to some of my friends.” He said simply as he led me to one of the very ornate fireplaces. On a couple of the arm chairs sat a red headed boy and a brunette girl with bushy hair. “Megan this is Ron Weasley and this is Hermione Granger. Guys this is Megan, umm sorry I don’t know her last name.” he finished as he turned to me obviously wanting to ask an unanswerable question. I sighed and crumpled to the floor to sit next to the fire looking into its dancing lights.

“Megan? What’s wrong sweetie?” Nikisa asked as she came up behind me.

‘I feel bad because I can’t answer their questions. This whole arrangement sucks.’ I told her.

“What questions do you have for Megan you guys?” Nikisa asked turning to Harry and the others, “She can’t answer you directly but I should be able to answer anything you need to know.”

‘Thanks Nikisa.’ I told her silently.

“Well we were just wondering what her last name was.” Harry said, “And where you guys are from since we haven’t really been told anything about you.”

“I see, well this might be a bit harder then I thought.” Nikisa laughed as I smiled gently. “We don’t really have last names, so it’d be better just to call us by our first names. As for where we’re from, we’ve been living in a small town in Western Canada for many years now. There isn’t much more that I can tell you since we’re not really supposed to talk to anybody about our past.” Nikisa told them.

“Okay I have another question for you then.” Ron spoke up, “Why does it seem like you guys can hear Megan talk even though no one else can?” he said looking straight at me.

“Well Ron, she can talk to us through telepathy but if she were to try the same with any of you, all of your thoughts and memories would flood into her head. She’d know all your hopes, dreams and inner most feelings. Of course if you don’t mind I’m sure she’d be happy to have someone else other then us translating for her.” I nodded my head as shocked looks came across each of their faces.

“What else do you expect from a melding of minds?” Robyn asked as she came and plopped down in a vacant chair.

“We’re all so close that we melded our minds ages ago, we just have never really needed to use it though except for when we wanted help with boys or something.” Krista added as she sat on the fire place.

“Or during band class with Dr Polochuck. What a stupid git.” Holly said as she sat on the arm of Robyn’s chair.

“Or during French class out in the hallway?” Stacy added as she sat on another chair.

“It goes both ways, stop scaring the poor people.” Shayna said, “You’d know everything in her mind and her past as well.”

“Only if she lets them Shay, Megan does know how to block her thoughts.” Kate told them, “Oh, but she says that she’d never take something without giving the same back.” Kate amended after I sent a silent message to her.

“Well, wouldn’t I be able to learn how to block my thoughts beforehand? That would make us share less wouldn’t it?” Harry asked.

“Kind of, I guess. We’ve only done this once and that was when we were like 5 years old so we don’t really know what would happen now that we know so much more.” Shayna said as we pondered his question carefully.

“We could try could we not?” Hermione asked, “I imagine it would be quite an experience for everyone involved.”

“I guess so, but we’ll have to start later we have some catching up to do, and you should get some sleep.” Robyn told them.

“As should the rest of us,” Stacy added with a yawn, “See you in my dreams.” She said to me as she stood up and gave each of us a hug, the others joined her as they left up to the dorm rooms leaving me and Krista sitting by the fire.

‘I think I’m going to be sitting here a lot over the next couple of years.’ Krista sent to me as we gazed into the flickering flames.

‘I know what you mean. Firelight is one of my favorites.’ I sent back as magicked up a blanket to wrap myself in. Krista soon followed suit and was wrapped in a red and yellow blanket made of her magick fire. It swirled around her just as my blanket made of sunlight and moonlight swirled about my shoulders in the firelight, ‘I don’t know how long I’m going to be like this, and it scares me Krista.’ I admitted to my close friend.

‘I would be scared if it were me, Megan. What happened exactly?’ she asked. She used her magick and I watched as the fire moved between us and began to form into an image of Hogwarts. ‘I’m assuming it all started here.’

I nodded and began to tell her everything that had happened in my dream when I was confronted by my astral self. Through our connection the story was broadcast into the dreams of the other 6 girls who were sleeping. All the while I stared into the center of the fire as it moved and shifted through different forms. I couldn’t help wondering what was going to happen with everything and everyone. Harry was getting really attached, which could only spell more danger for the poor boy. It didn’t help that we seemed to put hormone production into high gear whenever we were near. I could swear at least 20 boys were dreaming of me or one of the others, and not in an innocent manner either. Flights of fantasy like dreams have always been a specialty of mine, I had once visited the dreams of several muggles I had known in Saskatchewan. It did not turn out to well that time, and I knew if I didn’t keep a tight reign on my powers I would be sucked through the dreams of the students sleeping above me.

‘I’m worried about him.’ I told her as Harry’s face swam into the fire. Krista nodded in response as his face was joined by the faces of other Gryffindors. ‘He’s getting so close, I hope he doesn’t get hurt along the way.’

‘I know Megan but don’t fret about it, it’s not your job to take care of every little thing that happens in our lives.’ She scolded me, ‘Harry will be fine, I saw his eyes lingering on Ginny at dinner, and she was blushing up a storm when Nikisa mentioned it.’

‘Well obviously I missed that one, I am kind of distracted tonight.’ I said falling backwards to stare at the ceiling. The light from the different spells apparent to my eyes as I traced along their spidery lines.

‘No worries girly, I might as well drift off to my thoughts now anyways.’ She told me as the fire returned to the fireplace and she stood, ‘I’m off to my bed if you want to join.’ I shook my head no and continued to glare at the ceiling in frustration. I heard her move and she went up the stairs to the bedrooms. Alone with my thoughts I waited out the night for the sun to rise.