Wizarding World, Visited for the first Time

Chapter 2

Suddenly, the train started to slow down. She looked out the window, and gasped at what she saw. It was in the evening, and a huge castle loomed in the distance. The vision was blurry at first, but as they neared it, it got clearer and clearer. A great cheer from all the students rose up and wafted on the air down to the castle.

* * *

"Of all the days that this could be happening, it happened today, the first day of the new semester! Why should the Muggle invisibility field go out now of all days!"

"Calm down, Professor Snape," Dumbledore said soothingly. "It will be all right. There is a one in a million chance that a Muggle will pass the barrier while this is in effect. You do know, however- if they do cross- they will be able to see- and actually enter the building?"

"Yes, I am sure he does, Albus," replied Professor McGonagall, with a frown in the direction of Snape. "And I am positive that right now he will be heading out the door in order to recruit Professor Flitwick in helping correct this disaster."

But Snape didn't hear her. He was already gone.

* * *

At the same time that day, the passengers on board the Hogwarts Express were piling out, each robed in black, first years cautious, and other years laughing and catching up with old friends.

Rowling didn't know what to do. A giant of a man came asking for first years to get into a boat. Across the lake, she could see adult figures with lanterns waving around wands and saying mysterious words.

Carriages were coming from the direction of the castle to take the other students up to the doors. After everyone piled in, one carriage was leftover. J.K. stepped up, and closed the door. After a few minutes, they arrived at the castle. It had started to rain, and even though the carriages were sealed with some kind of force field so the water couldn't get in, it pounded forcefully on the doors and the roof. The children rushed into the building. Rowling almost screamed. Umbrellas appeared out of nowhere and dropped down onto their hands. They walked into the building, and were told by a painting (a PAINTING!) to go to their dormitories and dry off.

She went off in the opposite direction; wherever these people were going, she sure didn't want to. Pretty soon she came upon a huge room, a library, and decided to go in. There seemed to be no librarian.

She sat down in one of the huge red armchairs and sighed. Then she stared at some of the titles on the shelf.

Transfiguration: Today and Tomorrow; Jarpelin Jamesburrow's Guide to Everything Magical; Quidditch Through the Ages.

What the... What kind of place was this? It felt like she had stepped into one of those books about witches and warlocks and all the rest of the impossibilities that life had taught everyone not to believe in.

Everyone except the very young, that is, and she certainly wasn't very young.

Suddenly she heard the noise of the door opening, and a herd of people coming in.

"I can not believe this! Who could be so careless as to let the shield down- in ALL of Hogwart's history..."

"Madame Pince, I ask you to quiet yourself. This is a serious matter. Now. Do you have any books that would help us in this situation? Professor Snape, Minerva, and I are quite at a loss to know what to do."

"Yes, Albus. But think what would happen if Harry Potter were here. He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named would be here quicker than Quidditch to steal and bring harm to him. I hope this won't be a recurring incident. Ah, here it is. The Magical Handyman's Guide for Magical Handyman Activities. This should do it."

"Yes, thank you Madame Pince. I would ask you to come with us, but I know your pressing concerns with the library-"

"Nonsense, Albus, nothing of the kind. You couldn't keep me from coming."

* * *

The door closed, and she was left alone again. She had heard enough. It was a mistake that she was here. But she still had one question, something that she couldn't help but wonder the answer.

Who was Harry Potter?