Wizards, Witches and ... Muggles??

Chapter 7

Jamie-Rose and her best friend Laura were sitting in a McDonald's restaurant having lunch; they'd just been to see the last showing of The Matrix: Revolutions at the local cinema.

They had spent the last two weeks catching up on everything that had happened in the last year, as they'd been away from the Muggle world for so long.

Eating the last bit of her cheeseburger Rose commented, "Fo you fink Farry will fend us a fetter?"

"What?" asked Laura, bewildered.

Swallowing her mouthful of burger, Rose repeated clearly, "Do you think Harry will send a letter to us?"

"I got you that time," replied Laura, before answering. "Maybe. Depends on what he is doing."

"I hope he's happy," commented Jamie-Rose absently.

"He will be," acknowledged Laura, finishing her meal. "Why don't we go back to mine, and we can bring a radio outside to listen to," she suggested.

Also finishing off her burger, Rose answered, "Sounds good."

With that, both girls deposited their rubbish in the bins provided them, grabbing their baseball caps, they headed out of McDonalds and walked back to Laura's house in the afternoon heat.

Ever since her sister had died a month ago, Jamie-Rose (the eldest) and Rochelle (now the youngest) had been put on a strict curfew so that they wouldn't be hurt like her sister. They were not to be out past half past nine at night, and also they had to phone home every two hours.

Arriving at Laura's house, both teens collapsed on to the lush green grass. They listened to the gentle buzzing of bees, the soft calling of birds and crickets. There was also a low hum of music coming from someone's house: they were obviously listening to the lunchtime news report on TV.

The front door to Laura's house swung open and Laura's mum, Jackie, stepped outside, carrying some reclining chairs.

"Hey mum," greeted Laura.

"Laura, get up off the grass," rebuked Jackie, setting the chairs down. "Sit on these. Did you both enjoy the cinema?" she asked, her tone softening slightly.

"It was okay, but let's just say that the last Matrix was a little boring," answered Laura.

Hoisting themselves up, they both dragged themselves over to the chairs and promptly sat down again. The summer was the hottest in over six years, and everyone was taking advantage of it.

"There's a six pack of Cola in the fridge if either of you get thirsty. Also, don't stay out too long. I don't want anyone coming down with heat stroke," explained Jackie, going back inside.

"Didn't you say you've got some music to listen to?" asked Rose.

"Of course! Give me about five minutes, and I'll be back," answered Laura, jogging into the house.

Rose was left outside on her own for over ten minutes before Laura came back out with a portable radio. Setting it down, Laura tuned into a radio station: the song was the latest by Anastica: Left out here alone, which both girls sang along to.

* * *

It was August 15^th and both teens had just been up to their senior school to receive their exam results.

Once again they were sitting in Laura's front yard. Both of them were now sporting nice tans from being outside in the past few weeks.

"Okay, on three," began Laura. "One... two... three..."

The two of them ripped open the envelopes and took out the sheets of paper. With them missing their last school year, Year Eleven, the teachers had suggested they only take four subjects: English, Maths, Science and ICT.

Rose looked down at her sheet, and her eyes widened in surprise.

To Miss Lang,

These are your GSCE results for your four subjects, English, Maths, Science and ICT:

English: B (Pass)

Maths: C (Pass)

Science: A (Pass)

ICT: D

Yours sincerely,

Gail Rouse,

Chief examiner.

Laura was grinning as she read hers.

To Miss Blore,

These are your GSCE results for your four subjects, English, Maths, Science and ICT.

English: A (Pass)

Maths: B (Pass)

Science: B+ (Pass)

I.C.T: C (Pass)

Yours sincerely,

Gail Rouse,

Chief examiner.

Swapping their exam results with each other, they each read the others' results.

Both girls shared looks with each other before embracing, both laughing and congratulating each other.

Pulling away, Rose praised, "Congratulations, Loz, you passed them all."

"Thanks. You did brilliantly as well," replied Laura, smiling.

"Yeah, I know," responded Rose. "Say, want to grab some friends and celebrate?"

"Sounds like a plan to me," answered Laura.

Pulling out her phone, Rose scrolled through the menu, going into her electronic phone book before coming across a name with only two letters, HG. Hitting 'enter' she placed the phone to her ear and waited for someone to pick the other end up.

"Hello, is Hermione there?" asked Rose quietly. "Thanks. Hi, Hermione it's Rose here... Fine thank you and you? ... Good, good. We were wondering if you were doing anything later tonight?... No? Good, can you persuade the others to meet us at the entrance to Diagon Alley? ... Great! See you there at five then, bye." She put the phone away

"Well, what's happening?" asked Laura impatiently.

"She said she'll contact the others, and we've to meet at TLC at five," answered Rose.

"Cool," responded Laura.

* * *

At quarter to five the two teenage girls were sitting in the back of the Leaky Cauldron pub, trying to look inconspicuous. The pub patrons were shooting them suspicious looks, as they were dressed in Muggle shorts, strap tops, sandals, and baseball caps.

Finally, five o'clock rolled around, and the fireplace by the door sprang to life. Ron, Harry, and Ginny fell out. Spotting the two girls, they went over.

"I thought only magical people could see the Leaky Cauldron," greeted Harry quietly as he sat down.

"Well, whoever told you that was wrong," bantered back Rose.

The pub door opened and Hermione walked in. Spotting her friends, she went over to them.

"Good afternoon," greeted Laura professionally, before breaking into a fit of laughter.

"Hi, so what did you need to tell us that's important?" questioned Hermione, taking a seat besides Ginny.

"Well, you remember we told you that we'd be taking our GCSE exams?" queried Rose.

"Yeah," the four of them chorused.

"Well, we passed our English, Maths, and Science. Laura passed ICT but I didn't," responded Rose.

The rest, excluding Laura, showered them with praise and congratulations.

"So, you're going to have a party?" asked Ron.

"No," answered Laura. "That's why we asked you all here: so we can celebrate quietly and catch up with everyone." explained Laura.

"That sounds great," replied Ginny enthusiastically.

So they spent that evening talking about their own summers. Harry regaled them all with his stories on what he and Sirius had done whilst in America. Ron and Ginny told them all about their trip to Romania. Hermione explained all about her various trips out with her family. Jamie-Rose and Laura had to explain to Ron and Ginny exactly what a cinema was and also told them about what they'd done that summer.

All in all the evening went brilliantly: they shared jokes and stories. They enjoyed a two-course meal as well as drinks.

They all went home that night happy, warm, content and looking forward to the next time they'd meet up.

* * *

"JAMIE-ROSE GET DOWN HERE THIS INSTANT!" bellowed Victoria, Rose's mum.

Groaning, Rose glanced at her alarm clock, which read 9:30. Too early, thought Rose as she stumbled out of her bed, slipped on her deep purple dressing gown and went to the top of the stairs.

"WHAT?" shouted Rose.

"JUST GET DOWN HERE!" screeched her mum.

Cringing at the loudness of her mum's voice Rose descended the stairs. Entering the living room the sight that met her was confusing: there was an owl sitting on the back of the chair, but it wasn't Hedwig or Pig.

Doing a double take, Rose noticed it was carrying a letter, obviously addressed to her. Yawning she casually walked over to it and took the letter from the owl, which surprisingly didn't leave.

Turning the letter over to open it, Rose caught sight of the Hogwarts crest stamped on the back. Tearing open the envelope, she pulled the parchment out and began reading it to herself.

Dear Miss Lang,

I know that the arrival of this owl will come as a surprise to you, as will the contents of this letter.

Our Muggle Studies teacher has decided to retire, in order to spend some time with his family.

At of the start of the new term I shall need a new teacher for this position. Through some of my Muggle contacts I have managed to take a look at your exam results.

Let me congratulate you on your excellent scores. May I tell you that I would like to hire you as the new Muggle Studies teacher.

Yes, before you ask: I have also sent a letter to your friend Miss Blore and told her the same thing.

If you agree, then send your reply with this owl. If you don't agree and haven't replied by August 29^th then I shall understand.

Yours sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore.

P.S. If you agree, you may keep and name this owl.

Rose finished reading. Her mouth was hanging open. What she didn't notice was that her mum had also read the letter over her shoulder.

"No!" exclaimed Victoria, breaking the silence.

Turning to face her mum Rose retorted, "I'm going!"

"No, you're not, Jamie-Rose."

"Don't call me that," snapped Rose. "I have done nearly everything you have ever asked of me without question. Mum, I love you, I really do, but if you keep saying what I and Rochelle can and cannot do you're going to lose us both a whole lot earlier."

"Jam-"

"No, Mum I am going to go teach, I'm seventeen. I can do what I want. I promise you that this place I'm going to is perfectly safe, and I will be safe," explained Rose maturely.

Sniffling, slightly Victoria responded, "You're right, Rose. If you wish to go then I'm not going to stop you,"

"Thank you," thanked Rose.

Giving her mum a quick hug, she bounded out of the house - totally forgetting she wasn't dressed - and ran down to Laura's house.

Stopping outside Laura's house, Rose began knocking loudly on the door. A second later the door opened and Laura stood there, a letter in her hand.

"Did you?" asked Rose.

"Yes, did you?" parroted Laura.

"Yes, are you?" nodded Rose.

"Yes, are you?" parroted Laura again.

"Yes," nodded Rose.

Both girls stepped back into Laura's house and replied to the letter, agreeing to do so. They spent that day going over everything, and they also managed to name their owls. Rose named hers Mubbs, and Laura named hers Ladyhawke.

All they had to do now was be ready and prepared for the new school year. It was definitely going to be an experience they'd never forget about.

The End