Within the Fog
The fog settled itself over the calm horizon of London. The tall buildings peeking out over the ash white air below, it was like the city was built on clouds. It was early in the morning, the sun had barely risen over the land. Other than the chirping of early birds and honking of company workers, it was quiet. Though that tranquility is broken abruptly the moment you step into the Bellbottom household.
Hidden within the other brick buildings, in the most left room on the second level, was a small-scale, rundown, two-person apartment. Inside were a mother and daughter, discussing their morning troubles.
The walls were coated in a creamy beige, setting a comfy mood within. Though that comfort was long gone, leaving nothing but crumbs. Soft cushions all around with earthy tones. Contrasting the residents.
“I’m telling you Mum, this is absolutely ridiculous!”
Violet Bellbottom, an obnoxious 11 year old muggle girl. Arguing with her mother about recent school arrangements.
“A school for wizards and witches? They only exist in stories, literally everyone in the entirety of Britain and Europe combined knows that.”
The girl crossed her arms and stuck up her nose in defiance, convinced by her previous statement. She wasn’t going to back down so easily. After years of obeying her beloved mother, why can’t that woman just accept this one fact?!
A brief exhale exited her mother’s lips. Violet watched her eyes flicker between her face and the ground.
“Violet, I’m not going to argue with you any longer. You’re going to that school, alright?” Rosemarie lets out another sigh. Beckoning with her hand, she gestures to Violet to sit. “Come, turn around and sit. I’ll tend to that bird nest in your hair.” She said, with a hint of playfulness.
The pale girl dropped down into her seat as instructed. She pouted, expressing her subtle annoyance towards her mother’s words. Violet felt the bristles attacking her curls, forcing through them. It was painful, despite how gentle her mother was.
Ugh, Mum can be so annoying sometimes! Magic isn’t even real… right? No, don’t think silly Violet-!! Of course it’s all nonexistent. Things like that are just made up to scare kids in the hopes they’ll follow their parent’s every order.
“I’m done honey, now go pack your things. We’ll be heading off to buy your school supplies soon.” The brush met the soft cushion of the couch. Rosemarie ran her fingers through her daughter’s brunette locks.
Violet stood up promptly. She stumbled to her room in a hurry, almost bumping into the walls of the corridor. It would be suicide to anger her mother. ‘would be a bad idea to carry a memory like that with her.
There was so much to pick and choose from, yet there was none at all. Violet stared at her arrangement of potential outfits she could wear, but nothing satisfied her. Was it her nervousness? Of course not… right? No! Violet mustn't get anxious, I gotta be strong and independent-!!
Not even a few minutes later came Violet advancing leisurely out of her room, overly unenthusiastic about her upcoming excursion. Though she did seem in a better mood once dressed. The floorboards quietly whined with each step before she reached the living room.
Rosemarie was standing by the couch, bent at the waist. She was packing some things into a handbag. She was dressed in a long cream coloured trench coat, a large red plaid scarf wrapped around her neck and her straight brunette hair in a half-up half-down style. She was prepared for the cold setting ahead, and so was Violet. Dressed in a red beanie, matching scarf and her signature black fingerless gloves. She had chosen not to wear her glasses, afraid they may fog up in the chilling air outside.
I’m ready, now let’s just get this over with Mum.” The girl sighed, calmly approaching her mother.
For a brief moment, Rosemarie eyed Violet up and down. “Mh, let’s go.” She said as a content smile spread over her cherry red lips. That signature lipstick that she refused to leave the house without.
The door closed with a small click, leaving everything inside dark again. A small gust of wind brushed over the mother plus daughter duo. It tickled them under the chin, chilling their cheeks pink. The view from their level wasn’t anything impressive. The fog doesn’t help either. The world thirty meters away was a monochrome black and white. What’s left was only the mere silhouettes of buildings.
“It’s quite cold today, do you have enough layers on?”
Violet glanced over at her mother - finding the question strange. Of course she had enough layers on. What was this woman thinking?
Meanwhile, Rosemarie’s question lingered without an answer. She continued to stare at her daughter for some form of reply. All she got was a nod and a quiet,
“Mh.”
A thought flashed through Violet's mind, how did her mother even know where to buy all these ‘magic’ supplies-?
The pair strode through the early morning streets of Westminster. Rosemarie a few steps ahead while Violet struggled to catch up. Other than the occasional old lady walking her dog, or an old hungover uncle that could barely walk in a straight line, it was still peaceful as ever. Cars that flew by in a rush to avoid traffic and rare honking of impatient office workers. Nothing out of the ordinary for the busy streets of London.
The train, they were headed for the train station. It was strange, Violet thought. Her mother didn’t need to double check where they were going. Not even once. Never had her mother been so sure of their destination.
Though the idea did make Violet’s head hurt a bit, she quickly brushed it off. “How much longer?” She asked, hiding her impatience.
Rosemarie turned her head back at her daughter. “Not long, honey.”
A set of stairs that led to the underground station. There was a damp, molding smell that drifted under their noses, which they were both used to at this point. The walls and floor were stained with god-knows-what kind of moulds. The ear tearing sound of the metro pulling up to the station was heard all the way at the top of the stairs, which they really should be used to at this point.
Violet quietly watched her mother purchase two tickets before they sat down on a nearby bench in the station. There was a momentary silence between the two, not knowing how to start converse, Violet hesitantly spoke up.
“-Mum, where exactly are we going and how do you know all this without a map-? This has been all so weird, considering you and I both know you have the most ghastly sense of direction!”
Rosemarie turned her upper half and spared the young girl a slight glance. Her voice lowered, turning into a hushed mumble. “We’re off to a place called the Ministry of Magic.”
And there she goes with the magic thing again. Mum seriously can’t think I’m so dumb to believe actually magic is real. She let out a heavy sigh. Whatever, I’ll just listen to what she has to say this time.
Turning her body to face her mother once more, “...and what exactly are we going to be doing at this ‘Ministry of Magic’? Are we not meant to be buying my schooling supplies-?”
“Ah, I should have elaborated, sorry sweety. There are few ways to transport to the magic world, although, there is a singular unchallenging way for non-wizards and witches and that's through the ministry flu powder system.” Rosemarie offered a small smile to end her statement, her daughter returned her gesture with a half-hearted smirk and scrunched eyebrows, believing what her mother was saying to be completely obsure.
Suddenly, the screeching of the near approaching train snapped Violet and Rosemarie both out of their thoughts. The mother-daughter duo stood up in unison from the bench they were earlier seated at, Rosemarie grabbed her daughter’s wrist and quickly advanced towards the nearest carriage door to avoid missing the train. Once they were properly seated and the train had started up, Rosemarie pulled out a newspaper from her trench coat pocket. The title of the newspaper; The Daily Prophet-?
Written in bold text - practically screaming at you - were the words: NEW PROFESSOR DEBUT AT HOGWARTS!!
‘Hogwarts? Wasn’t that the name of the new school I’m going to?’ Violet thought, skimming through the text. Apparently the old professor had retired and a new one was appointed to fill the spot. Nothing too interesting; your average old man with long hair. There wasn’t much you could tell from the black and white picture. A solemn smile, and tired, dim eyes. He had a stubbly chin and wore a robe of sorts, it was difficult to tell what it was exactly, as the image was from the chest up.
After reading the newspaper story, the girl turned her head, staring at the empty seat directly across her own. The air stank of the usual mix - sweat, mould, and something else. Violet felt her throat tighten with disgust. She still couldn’t get used to it.
Outside the windows were just darkness, a blur. You could never tell how far you’ve gone without a map. The hospital-like lights flickered occasionally giving the whole space an eerie feel. Violet didn’t like taking the tube train.
A man stumbled his way through the cabins. Violet glanced over at the commotion. He subtly brushed past a posh-looking lady. The unusual man slipped his hand into the lady’s coat pocket, undetected. Violet caught a glimpse of something shiny as the man retracted his hand, shoving it deep into his own jacket’s pocket. Rosemarie kept her head down and clutched her purse tightly.
A loud, ear piercing, mind tearing screech signified their stop. Led by her mother, Violet stood up and followed behind. Violet cringed as bodies all around pushed and shoved towards the exit. ‘Were these people ever taught basic public etiquette and courtesy as children?’ Heck, Violet is a child and knows better.
After finally escaping the stampede, Violet felt herself get dragged about by her mother. A left, a right, and then another left. What maze are they navigating? And how did her mother know exactly which path to take? She was too winded from the train earlier to even speak up.
Before she knew it, Violet stood face to face in front of a building. It looked… plain. White bricks and windows. Are they lost?
“Mum, where are we?” Violet asked, turning to her mother.
Without answering, Rosemarie stared ahead. “This ought to be the place…” She mumbled under her breath.
“Mum-?” Violet repeated, tugging at Rosemarie’s hand.
“The Ministry of Magic.”
Violet raised a brow with suspicion but mainly confusion. “The what-?”
“Come,” Rosemarie beckoned. Completely ignoring the strange corner wall in front of her, she moved her head down, eyes meeting with a bright red telephone box. She has never been so lost.
“Mum, are you sure… this- this is our way to this so-called magic world?” She asked.
‘Oh gosh, has Mum finally gone mad-?’
Rosemarie confidently stepped inside, pulling Violet along with her. Usually only one person should fit inside, so it would be a lie if Violet said that it was a spacious area. Rosemarie slipped in a coin or two and stood there. ‘What’s she waiting for??’ Suddenly, Violet was caught off-guard as she felt the ground beneath her feet almost disappear. The box, it’s moving down! ‘A built-in elevator-? In a telephone box no less?!’
Within moments, the whole scene changed. Oddly placed dark green tiles covered the walls and highly raised ceiling, people- which from Violet’s understanding, were wizards and witches—swarmed the large plaza, giving it an atmosphere not too different to the bustling streets of the city above. It was a strange view that’s for sure. Violet had her hands pressed against the glass window of the telephone box-elevator as they descended further to the ground.
The elevator stopped at the floor seconds later—this was their stop. The sudden halt startled Violet as she pulled her hands and face off of the glass door, which was currently opening by itself. ‘...so this is what magic is huh? A push door opening without actually pushing it open isn't something you see every day-’ Violet’s thoughts came to a quick stop as her Mother grabbed her wrist, quickly headed toward the many fireplaces lining the absurdly high green-tiled walls.