A Muggle at Hogwarts

A few days have passed since I arrived at the Weasley’s place. It was still hard to believe that this was actual real. And as much of a fan as I was, I couldn’t help but feel homesick and wonder about my family.

“Violet…”

My eyes snapped open. I quickly sat up in bed and searched around the dimly lit room for the source of the voice I had heard. For a moment, I thought I was back in my room—that I was home. But as I peered to the bed beside me, Hermione was sleeping peacefully.

I slowly got out of bed and made my way downstairs. I crept through the living area and headed outside, where the sun way just barely coming over the horizon. I made my way through the field of morning mist and climbed onto a tiny hill to get a better view of the sunrise.

“Hey,” a voice came from behind me.

I glanced back to find Harry walking towards me. He was still in his pajamas, so I figured he had also just awoken.

“What are you doing out here, Harry?”

“I could ask you the same thing,” he replied with a nervous smile.

I, too, couldn’t help but feel a bit nervous. Since my time here, this was the first time Harry and I were alone together.

Harry cleared his throat. “I—I heard you getting up, and just wanted to make sure you were okay.”

“I’m sorry,” I stuttered. “I didn’t mean to make you up. I just...have a quite a bit on my mind.”

“About being here?” Harry hesitantly approached me.

I turned to face the sunrise. “It’s beautiful, here… It really is. But I don’t really belong here, do I?” My lips began to tremble. “I woke up this morning...thinking I heard my mom’s voice. And I just can’t help but wonder how they’re doing… Are they looking for me? Are they worried?” A tear slipped from my eyes as I looked back at Harry. “Will I ever see them again?”

Time stopped for a moment, as Harry and I stood on that hilltop. The morning mist slowly rising above us and melting into the pink and gold sky. Then suddenly, Harry reached his hand towards me and gently placed it against my cheek. I could feel the trailing warm of his touch as he brushed away my tear and locked his emerald eyes on me.

A soft screech filled the air and Harry and I quickly faced the source of the sound. In the distance, a small figure morphed into an owl. It flew towards the Weasley house and dropped something off by the kitchen window before flying off.

“W-we should probably head in,” I suggested. “Everyone’s probably going to be waking up soon.”

“I think I’m going to stay out here a bit longer,” Harry said with a soft smile.

I nodded. “Thank you for listening, Harry. And if you ever need someone to talk to, I’m always here to lend an ear.”

As I headed into the house, I heard a little bit of commotion coming from the kitchen. To my surprise, everyone but Ron was gathered by the window where Harry and I had seen the owl. Mrs. Weasley held a bundle of light tan envelopes with the Hogwarts seal.

“Violet,” Mrs. Weasley gasped as she noticed me by the doorway. She flipped through the envelopes in her hand before pulling one out—one larger than the others. My eyes were glued to it as she walked towards me and handed me the letter.

My hands shook as I broke the Hogwarts seal and pulled out the letter.

To Miss Violet Bell,

I am very pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. My staff and I understand that because of your situation, you will not be able to participate in some classes that Hogwarts provide. However, I do hope you accept my invitation.

I do look forward to meeting you, Miss Bell.

Yours sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
Headmaster

I looked up and found everyone’s eyes on me.

“Well?” asked Mrs. Weasley. “What does it say?”

“I-I’ve been...accepted to Hogwarts,” I managed to shutter. “This...this must be a mistake, right? I mean, I can’t go to Hogwarts—literally. Isn’t there some kind of magical barrier or something that prevents Muggles from seeing the school?”

“I’m certain Dumbledore has something worked out,” said Hermione. “He’ll likely explain more once we arrive.”
“I don’t even know what to say…”

“Well, don’t fret about it!” Mrs. Weasley said with a smile. “Whatever Dumbledore's reason, we’re not going to deny you an education. Muggle or not, you’ve been accepted to Hogwarts, and it’s likely the safest place for you.”

“And it’s likely the best place to be if we want to find a way to send you home,” Ginny added. “You do want to go home, don’t you?”

Ginny and I exchanged gazes. “Of course, I do.”

“What supplies do you need?” Hermione asked, breaking the tension.

I looked in the envelope, and pulled out the supply list and another small envelope. Opening it up, I found a heavy sum of money.

“This can’t all possibly be for me, can it?”

“Well,” Hermione said as she walked over and looked over my supply list, “it’ll buy you your supplies. But I mean, you need clothings and essentials, as Dumbledore notes.”

“Well, you girls go get ready while I prepare breakfast. We’ll head to Diagon Alley after.”

* * *

Hermione, Ginny and I walked through the streets of Diagon Alley, collecting our supplies. While Hermione was telling me everything there was to know about Diagon Alley and the various shops, Ginny remained quiet most of the time, and simply followed us around like a shadow.

“Ginny,” someone called.

We all stopped and found a tall handsome man standing in the crowd of people. Ginny bid Hermione goodbye before walking off with the guy.

I scrunched my eyebrows together. “Have I done something to offend her?”

Hermione laughed. “You told Harry she likes him. Of course she’s going to be a little bit upset, but she’ll get over. Don’t worry.”

“I hope so…” I muttered as Hermione and continued through Diagon Alley.

“Oh no!” Hermione suddenly exclaimed as she stopped in the middle of the crowded streets. “I need to pick up a book. Oh, wait! The fourth volume Mystical Creatures is also out today.”

I giggled. “Hermione, go get your books.”

“Are you sure? I don’t want to drag you with me, but it may be a while and I don’t want to bore you.”

“I’ll be all right, Hermione. I’ve done enough obsessing over your world to know where I should and shouldn’t go. I promise.”

“Okay,” Hermione said with hesitation. “I’ll try to be long! Just try to stay around this area and I’ll come back to find you as soon as I’m finished. I’ll be at Flourish and Blotts.”

Hermione departed and I wandered through Diagon Alley, looking at the trinkets and magical merchandise. Actually being here and seeing everything felt so different than anything I’ve ever experienced. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter was no comparison.

I soon realized that I had wandered too far away from where Hermione had told me to remain and should probably head back. But just as I turned through the crowd of people, I was knocked back and fell into someone’s arms.

“Sor—” I stopped and held my breath when I realized who I had ran into. Something snapped and all I could think to myself was that I should leave immediately. And I did.

“Wait!” he called out as he chased me through the wave of people. He seemed to have been able to maneuver through the crowd with more ease than me, because he caught up with me without delay.

“What’s your name?” he asked as he made his way in front of me to stop me from walking forward. “I’m Draco. Draco Malfoy.”

“You’re a bit forward, aren’t you?” I asked. “Chasing a girl down just to ask her her name.”

“I don’t chase just anyone,” Draco smoothly replied.

“Well, I’m sorry to have made you run after me like that. Anyways, I probably should be going. Excuse me.”

I hurried around Draco and made my way towards the area where Hermione had left me. But Draco was still behind me, trying to start a conversation of sorts.

“You never answered my question,” he said with a smirk. “What’s your name?”

“Is it that important to you, that you won’t leave me alone?”
Draco chuckled. “Are you afraid of me?”

“Of course n—” I said as I turned back to face him, only to find him gone. But just as I faced forward, there he was, and I had to quickly stop before I ran into him once again. “How do you keep doing that?”

“I’m quick,” he replied with a sparkle in his blue-gray eyes. “So, tell me your name.”

I shifted the bags in my hands. “I’m Violet Bell.”

“Well, what brings an American like you here, Violet Bell.”

“School.”

“Where?”

“Hogwarts.”

Draco smiled widened. “You don’t say.”

“Yes.” I crossed my arms. “My good friend Harry attends Hogwarts.”

“Harry?” The charming smile Draco had on faded. “Not Harry Potter, I hope.”

I smiled sweetly. “That’s exactly who I mean. Do you know him?”

Draco scoffed as he replied, “Why would you acquaint yourself with that half-blood?”

“Does blood status really mean that much to you…” I muttered aloud, “...or is that the influence of your family that makes you think this way?”

“Excuse me?” Draco managed to gasp. Like him, I was completely astonished that those words actually came out of my mouth.

I lowered my eyes. “I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you, but,” I looked up at him, “if you have an issue with Harry, I don’t think you’d like me very much. So, it’s probably best that we just leave our conversation where it is.”

“On the contrary,” Draco said to my surprise, “I should like to continue this conversation of ours.” He took a step closer to me, and I couldn’t get myself to move. “I’ll see you Sunday.”

And with those final words, he brushed passed me, and faded into the crowd.