Muggles Who Aren't Quite Muggles

"Mom, I'm home!" you called after recovering from Apparating.

"Sammy? I didn't hear you come in. What's this nonsense of you going to Hogwarts? Isn't that the school from Harry Potter?" she questioned you as you walked into the living room and hugged her in greeting. "Oh, hello, Jer," she said when Jerika followed behind you.

"Hello," she responded quietly.

You sat down on the couch, Jer sitting next to you when your mom gave you a look, still waiting for an explanation.

"Yes, Mom, that is the school from Harry Potter, and it's not nonsense. I really am going." You paused to survey her reaction. It hadn't changed. "Jer got accepted too; we're going to her house next to gather her things. Professor Dumbledore is even here. He'll be escorting us to Diagon Alley and the Leaky Cauldron."

"If he's here, then where is this Dumbledore?" she asked, still highly skeptical.

"Oh, I'm sorry, madam. I was admiring your kitchen. It's quite lovely," Dumbledore said as he stooped through the doorway, finally joining the rest of you.

He looked quite strange in your living room. His tall stature barely fit inside your house, it having been built when the average man was less than 6 foot tall. His extravagant robes and long white hair and beard contrasted the dark, plain walls. You were nearly in awe seeing such a recognizable man in your average Muggle home. It didn't seem real.

"Albus Dumbledore. It is wonderful to meet you, Mrs. Summers." They shook hands politely before he turned to you briefly. "Samantha, why don't you begin packing your belongings while your mother and I discuss your time at Hogwarts?" You nodded, stood up, and began heading upstairs, Jerika following closely.

"So, you're really Dumbledore, are you?" you heard your mom ask.

"I understand your skepticism, ma'am. However, I assure you, I am the real thing and your daughter will be perfectly safe at Hogwarts."

When you and Jer finally got to your room, you started laughing. "Perfectly safe? When has Hogwarts ever been 'perfectly safe?'" you asked while looking for your suitcase in your closet. Once it was found, you grabbed it and plopped it open on your bed.

"Shh, Sammy. I'm sure he'll hear you," Jer warned.

You lowered your voice and continued. Just in the last few years Voldemort has been inside twice, one way or another. The Basilisk was let loose, Dementors were patrolling the grounds, yet Sirius still broke in. Then there was the Tournament!" Funny how listing all the many ways students could have been killed at the Wizarding school just made you more excited to get there.

"Yeah. You just better hope your mom doesn't remember all of that or you'll never even get to London."

"True. But he's Dumbledore. We should be fine."

"I hope you're right. So what are you bringing?" she asked, changing the subject.

"Everythi--"

"Nothing in relation to 'Harry Potter,' I trust." You turned quickly to see Dumbledore standing at your door, which you hadn't closed. "Your mother is signing your Hogsmeade permission slip as we speak. We shall be on our way soon," he said as he turned to head back downstairs. He paused and turned back toward you. "And remember, no 'Harry Potter.'" He smiled and rejoined your mom in the living room.

You smiled at Jer. "See, everything's fine. I'm going to Hogwarts!"

When the two of you finished packing up your suitcase, you closed it up and headed back downstairs.

"You can use what's left of your money to exchange for Wizarding money. I hope you'll have enough," your mom said. "Be good. No troublemaking, you got me? I mean it."

"Okay, Mom. I'll behave."

"I love you, and don't forget to write." She hugged you tightly.

"I love you too." You blew her a kiss as you grabbed Dumbledore's arm once again. Making sure you had a tight hold of your suitcase, and with a soft pop, you were gone again. You just barely caught your mother's look of amazement before being pulled through the tiny invisible tube and appearing in Jer's living room.