A Hop Across The Pond

I slowly followed George out into the small fenced-off garden that the kitchen looks into. The house is like a mishmash of multiple little cubes of house on top of each other, with a triangle roof far up on top. A small pond on the left of the house stretched next to the dirt road, where long feathery grass lined the water's edge. The setting sun made every large oak, and every cattail dance in gold reflections with the water. Staying back a bit to take in the area, I truly felt at home here. It was almost as if I was dreaming about the surrounding grassy hills, the large shrubs that hugged the strange half-cylinder shed that was a few lengths away from the house. I turned back to George and realized he had joined assumingly his brothers and a two other boys. They were kicking and throwing tiny figures out of the fenced garden, and celebrating whenever one of them had beat a previous record. Tiny shadows running around and cackling, I just kept imagining what it must have been like to grow up in such a tiny paradise. I slowly made my way over to the painted fence, the paint had been worn and was peeling off, but the ivy and grass made it look intentional.

Picking at the top of the post I was standing behind, a hand nudged me out of my thoughts "Hey you, Eudora is it?" I looked up to see one of the tall freckled boys grinning down at me. George was right behind him, they must be twins. They look pretty identical.

"Hiya, you must be George's brother?"

"Oh yeah? What gave it away?" He laughed

"The fact that he has my devilish good looks?" George piped in

"Except I'm more handsome"

"Oh piss off. But er-I'm Gred, he's Forge"

"Fred and George in case you didn't catch on" Fred winked

The other boys wandered over and made their introductions. The shortest was a brunette with circular black framed glasses, with messy black hair that almost touched his shoulders in the back. His name was Harry. He had a plain red loose t-shirt with a black zip-up sweatshirt, completed with baggy jeans. Lee was one of the boys from the shop with the twins, Lee had dark tanned skin, short curly hair, a gray tank top, and tank cargo shorts, and he had a few bracelets on one wrist. The last introduction was the youngest Weasley brother, Ronald. Or rather Ron. His hair was similar to his Mum's, however, it was more akin to an overgrown bowl cut. The Weasley family was huge. Ginny is the youngest, and the only girl in the family. Then Ron, the twins, Percy, and then two brothers called Bill and Charlie who are abroad working. Mr. Weasley, Arthur works at some place called the Ministry of Magic in some department concerning Muggles.

"Alright Ms. Eudora" Fred wiggled his eyebrows at me while chewing on some long piece of wheat "Before we divulge any more dirty secrets we need you," He scooted closer "Mystery girl. To tell us about you"

Cheeks heating up once more, I toyed with some nearby clover "Well, erm. I'm fifteen as you know. Parents and I move around a lot, though I prefer the countryside," I paused trying to ignore my somersaulting stomach "And I apparently used a time-turner to travel back in time and I somehow got ushered through the Leaky Cauldron, and then I made some fireworks go off just by being near them, and then I passed out, and now I'm here" I rushed out in one breath

"A time turner?" Harry eyed me "How'd you get your hands on one?"

"I found it in my Dad's things"

"Maybe he's a wizard"

I looked at them, all sitting in a circle around me "You're kidding right? No way is my Dad a wizard. No way is any of this real. This is just insane"

Ron gave me a look and stood up "Yeah mate, you've got something going on"

George smacked Ron in the gut "Oi- We don't know nothing yet. Don't be a git"

Fred stretched his arms "Well, whatever is going on, I still think we shouldn't waste a warm Summer day without playing some quidditch."

George grinned and set off to another tiny shed off the edge of the tree line with Fred. Ron shrugged and jogged to catch up with the twins. Harry was still boring holes into me with his staring. I laughed awkwardly and started fascinating myself with the nearby garden along the house walls.

"I understand what it's like to thrown in the wizarding world and to constantly feel like you've gone mental" Harry spoke softly

"But what if I'm not a wizard? What if I let myself get all excited about this new world and it's all an accident?"

He nodded and looked at the clouds "Honestly?" He met my eyes once more "I don't think you could've gotten this far if you weren't some kind of wizard"

A feeling of calm and warmth flooded my limbs. His words reassured me and I felt myself relax. Not realizing I had been tensing my muscles the entire time.

"Hey Eudora, wanna fly?" Fred hovered over to where Harry and I were sitting

"I'd love to I'm just a wee bit afraid of heights" I admitted

"No worries, just hold onto me" He winked

I rolled my eyes and walked over to him "Fine, just don't let me fall this time"

"Sorry, I like it when you fall for me"

I shoved him and laughed "Oh you cheeseball! You barely know me" Hands on my hips I cocked my head at him "I could be a mass murderer and you'd never know"

George hovered over and eyed Fred and me "Oi- are we playing or not?"

Fred sighed and nodded "Sorry, yeah. Just want to give Eudora here a little flying lesson"

"With you on the broom?" Ron scoffed

Fred shrugged, pulled me onto the broom, and pushed off. The broom was a little slow but it was so strange to fly straight up in the air, past the hovering over the group of boys down below, and past the tip of the house until we were just barely underneath the fluffy clouds. I was wrapped around Fred's waist like my life depended on it. But the view. Letting my mind drift back to our surroundings I watched the glimmering water as the swaying shadows from the trees danced from the slight breeze. Dancing through the overgrown grass, and swaying us on the broom.

"So Muggle, what do you think?"

"It's so peaceful here. I feel like I've been here in a dream"

Fred hummed and took us back down to the onlookers "M'lady" He chuckled as I hopped off his broom rather ungracefully

George had an indiscernible look on his face, as did Ron. Did I do something wrong? My stomach dropped and I felt my ears twinge with heat. I mumbled something about washing up and quickly paced back to the house.

~~~~

"Fred what are you doing?" Ron glared at me

I rubbed the back of my neck "Dunno, what are you doing telling her our whole family history?"

Ron's face turned a hue of pink "Yeah well-"

"Mate, you have to admit it's weird" George nudged me

"I'm not doing anything. Honest. Just enjoying having someone new over. I'm know not the only one" I nudged George

He rolled his eyes "Right well we can discuss this later" He nodded to Harry and Lee "You boys ready?"

Playing quidditch is always something that sets George and I at ease. What else could a growing boy need than whacking the absolute shite out of a magically enhanced ball?

We played for hours until the sun had long gone down until we were nothing but sweaty, bruised messes. I'll have to admit Ron might be improving a bit since he's been practicing so much. Maybe he might actually get on the team next year. We were all lying in the garden heaving from the very long game. I glanced over at George and he had that look on his face again. I just knew he was pissed that I'd flirted with Eudora. Sure, me and Angelina have had an on and off again thing but we knew it was nothing serious. I know I'll have to apologize, but no harm in giving him a bit of cheek for his crush. Still, I can't ignore my own affection towards her. She's gorgeous.

Eudora has these dazzling eyes that would melt anyone's resolve, her shiny long hair, her faint freckles that scatter her limbs, I'd go mad for her if it wasn't for George. I keep checking myself from staring at her, she's only been here a day and everyone in the house is going mad for her. I hope we can take her to the Quidditch Cup in a few days, just seeing the small glances of her awestruck face on the broom makes me wonder how excited she'd be to see an actual Quidditch match. Maybe I could sneak an arm around her waist. I shook my head what am I thinking? She could be obliviated tomorrow if she really is a muggle. But a small voice spoke up in my head, 'so why not enjoy it now?'

~~~

I stared at myself in the cramped bathroom. The shower was nice, I felt so grubby after a long day of madness. I wiped at the foggy mirror. I'm still me. Same face and everything. But all of this magic and wizarding world talk is truly making me wonder if this is some elaborate dream or coma. I pinched myself. Nope, still hurts. I glanced at the pile of clothes Molly had given me before ushering me into the already steaming bathroom. She assured me her daughter wouldn't mind me borrowing her clothes, but in truth, I was reluctant to take off the last things I had that connected me to reality. Folding my old clothes onto the sink's counter, I slipped into the large red t-shirt and pale turquoise shorts. They were a little short for my liking but at least the shirt Molly gave me is soft.

Glancing back to the mirror I shoved my hair into a bun and gingerly took my clothes into my arms. Afraid I'd lose them I held them to my chest as I went down the stairs to Ginny's room. The house was six stories high including the attic. These people must have killer legs from hiking up and down the stairs all the time. Reaching Ginny's room on the third floor I neatly placed my clothes on the floor in front of her bed and closed the door.

Finally reaching the main floor, I saw Molly with many different pots and pans floating about and sizzling. Whatever she was cooking filled the entire floor with a delicious savory aroma.

"Why hello there! I'm Mr. Weasley, but you may call me Arthur" A tall balding man smiled at me and pulled me in for a hug "Now don't you worry about introductions Molly has caught me up. I would like you to meet Ginny and Hermione though, they just got back and they will be sleeping in the same room as you"

I nodded and turned to face the two girls. I smiled and introduced myself. Ginny was absolutely stunning. She was muscular, had long shiny amber hair, and had a multitude of freckles decorating every visible surface of her skin. Ginny was sporting a cropped 'Holyhead Harpies' shirt, with loose black jeans. Hermione had brown curly hair that framed her face, she donned a pink jumper with bellbottom jeans. She also had an 'I don't trust you' look on her face.

"I'm sorry for intruding on you like this. I wish I could explain in a way that wouldn't make me sound mad"

Ginny shrugged "I heard you set off a fireworks display"

Hermione eyed me "I heard you were following Fred, George, and Lee"

I hung my head "Both are true"

"Why are you here" Hermione quickly asked

"I think because I smacked my head on the pavement after the fireworks incident"

Ginny snorted "You fainted?"

"Embarrassing and true. I've never fainted a day in my life" I swallowed "But I promise once Mrs. Weasley hears back from this Dumbledore guy I'm pretty sure I'm gone"

Hermione's eyebrows raised "Dumbledore?"

"Yeah I guess so"

Ginny nodded and shrugged "Well, you're here anyway. You think you'll be here in a few days?"

"Er- I dunno" I felt my cheeks blister

"Cause we're going to the Quidditch World Cup if you want to come. It'll be totally wicked"

I poked my head up "Really? I don't even know what that is but I'd love to"

Ginny fist-bumped me "You'll love it- This year is Ireland versus Bulgaria"

I toyed with my shirt "I also wanted to thank you for letting me borrow your clothes. I don't have anything"

Ginny smirked "It looks good on you! Come upstairs I can give you more clothes that I've grown out of"

Hermione scurried after Ginny as they ran upstairs. Maybe this won't be so bad after all.

I stepped back into the room and plopped down next to my stack of clothes. Tracing my fingertips over my shirt I remembered, home, poor Mum who must be worried sick, and Dad who must have actually gone mental at this point. I hope I can get back to them and explain everything. Ginny's room was welcoming though. Like every stereotypical teenage girl's room. It band posters plastered over the walls, quidditch pictures, and all I could do was stare at the moving pictures on each poster and picture. Her desk was cluttered with school supplies and books, as well as a cauldron that lay forlornly on the floor, my favorite part was that her bed had a quilt made out of old quidditch t-shirts. There was also a purple flowery suitcase tucked underneath the window, which I can only assume was Hermione's.

Ginny went to the far corner of her room and pulled out a pile of clothes and plopped them on her bed. "Alright new girl. Explain everything you can about yourself, and it's free reign on the clothes"

So I did. I repeated the same story again about how I was out shopping with Mum and then through a series of events I ended up here. Hermione asked me to retell each and every detail of my story at least twice, asking specific questions about each place or store, especially with the Leaky Cauldron.

"Why is the Leaky Cauldron so interesting to you?" I finally ask

"Because" She enunciated "Muggles shouldn't be able to see or go near that place. It should make them uninterested, much less see the sign"

I didn't say anything. I just sat there wondering if maybe I could actually believe the fairytale I was in. Once again shoving my anxiety down, I mustered up the courage for another question "Could you tell me about your magic school? And Dumbledore? I haven't heard much"

Hermione scrunched her eyebrows "I think that since you were able to get through the Leaky Cauldron, you are most certainly not a Muggle" and she nodded her head

Ginny sat up grinning "Then what can it hurt to tell you about the best school ever?" As Ginny explained more about Hogwarts and life there I felt myself longing for a visit. It felt like I was meant to go there. The more Ginny talked about her favorite bands, and quidditch teams, and explained what quidditch was, the more I felt at home in her room. Hermione of course was still uneasy about me, but she wasn't exactly cursing me out of the room either. The headmaster Dumbledore seemed a lot more welcoming than I had made him out to be in my head. Hopefully, he won't 'obliviate' me as people keep saying. I really hope that's not a code word for murder or something.

We talked late into the night, and I had just gotten through the last bit of Ginny's clothes when there was a knock at the door. I turned to see Molly and Arthur peering in "Eudora dear? Come downstairs. There's some people who would like to talk with you"

"I'm not in trouble am I?"

Arthur smiled warmly "No no no, they just want to talk with you"

I nodded and followed them back down to the main floor and was met by two tall people in fancy velvet cloaks. The man was visibly very gray and wrinkly and had a celestial pattern robe complete with a nightcap that sat lopsided on his head. He had delicate half-moon glasses that rested on his crooked nose. His eyes were a piercing blue, but there was something about him that embodied strength and power. The woman who was next to him was wrapped in a dark green cloak that had a dazzling brooch holding it together, her gray hair was nicely coiffed into a bun. She was also considerably aged, but her stern blue eyes warned me of no-nonsense.

"Hullo young Eudora, I am Headmaster at Hogwarts, I'm Professor Dumbledore, and this is Professor McGonnigal. She is the Deputy Headmistress at Hogwarts, and she teaches Transfiguration." He paused and lowered his head to me "But I take it you aren't from our time or world" He winked "So allow me to explain some basics from your journey so far. This necklace" He flicked a stick and the gold necklace floated forward "Is a time-turning device as you are already aware. As far as I'm aware you are originally from the year 2001. Your father may have been a wizard based on this particular model being in his possession, and he must have been involved in the ministry. This model does not have a five-hour restraining enchantment on it. Which enabled you to travel from 2001 to 1994. Since time-turners can only work backward in time and not forwards. This is quite worrisome and peculiar as you went years past what is generally regarded and practiced as safe. Aside from your own mental stability from traveling so far, there's the worry of disrupting large events. Especially concerning Mr. Riddle."

"You-know-who, Albus" McGonnigal spoke with a thick Scottish accent

"Who?"

"Voldemort." McGonnigal cringed but Dumbledore continued, "The man who seeks only power and the annihilation of Muggles. He's the reason Mr. Potter has the lightning bolt scar on his forehead. Unfortunately that ill-fated night, Mr. Potter not only lost both his parents but became instantly famous as the first person to ever survive a killing curse. My worry is, sadly, any of your involvement in small or large events could tip the scales unfavorably" Dumbledore nodded solemnly

"So what am I supposed to do? Sit in a dark room for a few years and then find my Mum again?" I rubbed the back of my neck "I understand sir that you are far more experienced than I could ever dream in this area, however, you did admit that you also have no knowledge when it comes to my circumstances. What if instead of casting me away and wasting my youth as I will seemingly be forced to live here until 2001, you are able to use me?"

His eyes sparkled slightly "Ms. Eudora, I love your passion, and we would love nothing more than to welcome another talented student to Hogwarts. My only fear is your further involvement in our world may be catastrophic in the end"

"What if I can see the future?"

McGonnigal swiveled around to me "Now, what do you know about being a seer?"

Swallowing, I straightened up to match the professors "I think I can see the future in my dreams. I was dreaming about the hillsides and trees around the Weasley's house yesterday, and that was technically years in the future"

"Ms. Eudora, I fear you may be grasping at straws" McGonnigal shifted uncomfortably

Dumbledore's eyes searched my face for other answers, he slowly nodded and turned to McGonnigal "Minerva, why don't we assign Ms. Eudora a private Divination lesson"

McGonnigal froze "Divination lessons? Albus, are you sure? Professor Trelawny-"

Dumbledore patted McGonnigal's shoulder "Professor Trelawny has always surprised us when we least expected it, but most needed it."

"What should I do until then? Where am I supposed to find Professor Trelawny?"

Dumbledore nodded and paused for a moment "I say try to enjoy what time you have here. Perhaps try to 'lay low', as it were. And maybe aquire yourself a wand if you are to be staying in our world for the time being" he winked and shuffled off to a plate of sprinkle decorated cookies Molly had just put out.

Watching Dumbledore in confusement, and awe, I realized the whole Weasley family including guests had been sitting at the dinner table the entire time. Dining and definitely eavsdropping. Smiling sheepishly I too stumbled forward to grab a bite to eat.