The Wonderful Wizard of Awesome

Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the Harry Potter universe or the Warcraft universe. The story is my creation but everything else belongs to its rightful proprietors.

Note: Jaina has a notable neutral American accent in The Warcraft canon. For purposes of this story, Jaina speaks in a sweet soprano tone, with a posh Received Pronunciation dialect (that's standard British English for the hoi polloi). Mainly to please JKR, haha

The Wonderful Wizard of Awesome - A Harry Potter/Warcraft crossover fan-fic

Chapter 1: I Don't Think We're In Dalaran, Anymore

Chapter 1: I Don't Think We're In Dalaran, Anymore

A small hand rang a bell on the counter at Ollivanders wand shop. A young girl with long golden locks and bright blue eyes maybe slightly too large for her delicate face peered over the counter. "Excuse me, sir," she asked in a timid voice.

An elderly gentleman - presumably Mr. Ollivander himself - turned around to greet the young customer. "Hello there young lady. Can I help you? Are you a first year student in need of a wand?"

"Um, I don't think so. I'm just trying to find Archmage Antonidas. He's my magic teacher. I last saw him yesterday at dinner, but when I woke up this morning I found myself in this strange place. I don't recognize anyone or anything here, and I can't explain what happened!"

Mr. Ollivander smiled at the girl. "I can't say I know who this Archmage Antonidas is, but he sounds like a very powerful wizard."

The girl smiled back. "He's the best. He doesn't just teach anyone magic; he personally selects his students and of all the children in Azeroth, he chose me!"

The grey-haired wandmaker rubbed at his chin in thought.  "Azeroth, huh? I can't say I'm familiar with that place."

The girl waved her hands and conjured an orb that looked something like a globe. "This is my world, Azeroth." She pointed to a brown blob somewhere near the middle of the globe. "This is Dalaran, where I live. It's home to lots of wizards."

Mr. Ollivander chuckled. "That's quite the impressive display of magic there, young lady. If all witches and wizards were like you, I'd be out of business!"

"My name's Jaina. Jaina Proudmoore," the girl said.

"I'm Mr. Ollivander - pleased to meet you, Jaina. I wish I could help you, but I don't think I'm the one that can help you get home."

"Oh," said Jaina in disappointment. "I'm sorry to bother you then."

"You're not a bother, young lady. Hmm… why don't you head over to Madam Malkin's down the street and see if someone there can help you? We're all wizards here too, and we'll make sure you're taken care of before you find your way back home."

Jaina smiled weakly. "Thank you, sir."

Mr. Ollivander smiled back. "My pleasure, Miss Jaina. Don’t be a stranger if you have any other questions, wands or otherwise."

Jaina left the wand shop and wandered down the alley trying to find this Madam Malkin's shop the wand shop owner suggested she try. She felt like a fish out of water. She was in a purple nightgown so she knew she was going to stand out, as most of these wizards were dressed in strange, drab clothing. She spent twenty minutes trying to find the shop on her own when she couldn't take it anymore. She plopped down on the sidewalk, sobbing.

A few minutes later, another girl with a list in her hand approached her. She appeared to be about Jaina's age, with bushy brown hair and inquisitive amber eyes. She was dressed strangely too, with blue jeans and a simple pink shirt, but it was quite different than the other wizards' attire for sure. She was accompanied by her parents, who also seemed to be dressed differently than the other adults in the area.

Jaina's sobs caught the attention of the other girl. "Hello, can I help you?" The brown haired girl smiled at Jaina.

"H-hello. The wand shop owner told me to find Madam Malkin's but I have no idea where that's at."

The brown-haired girl laughed. "You're sitting in front of the window!" Jaina felt silly. "That outfit… I didn't think witches wore those. Purple nightgowns aren't on the school supply list."

Jaina giggled. "I don't have one of those. I'm not sure if I can be called a 'witch', but if that's what you call female mages around here, then I guess you can call me a witch. I'm an archmage's apprentice, you know."

The brown-haired girl opened her mouth, but no words came out. With her hands on her hips, she exclaimed, "Mages? Girlfriend, what planet are you from?"

Jaina waved her hand again, reproducing the globe that she conjured up at the wand shop. "Azeroth," she said. "I'm from a city called Dalaran. It's kind of like… did you say, "Diagon Alley?" But it's a city by a lake and it's got a lot more purple."

The brown-haired girl's mouth remained agape. "None of this makes any sense to me. You must really be lost then." Jaina nodded. "I went to bed in Dalaran and woke up in Diagon Alley. I don't know what happened, but I'm hoping someone here knows Archmage Antonidas. He's probably worried sick."

The brown-haired girl furrowed her eyebrows, struggling to make sense of Jaina’s demonstration.  “I’m sorry, I... I don’t really understand.”  She smiled again. "Oh, I almost forgot.  My name's Hermione. Hermione Granger."

Jaina returned the smile. "Jaina. Jaina Proudmoore. Nice to meet you, Hermione."

"My pleasure, Jaina," said Hermione. "Why don't you come with us? You have some wicked magical skills and I'd love for you to show me how you do that sometime."   She looked at her new friend thoughtfully.  “I’m not clairvoyant, but I think… I think you’re here for a reason.  While you’re here, I’ll try to help you figure things out.”  She bit her lip before letting out an embarrassed-sounding squeak.  “I don’t mean to brag… but I do have a knack for figuring things out.”

"Thank you, Hermione," agreed Jaina.  “I’ll take whatever help I can get at this point.”

The two girls entered Madam Malkin's. "This is the place where we get our uniform for Hogwarts, Jaina," Hermione explained. "I'm guessing you didn't get a letter for Hogwarts, but maybe they'll let you in because you can cast spells without a wand. I don't think just any first year student can do that."

Jaina giggled. "Not many Dalaran wizards use wands.  We usually channel our magic through staves."

Hermione cocked her head.  "How old are you, Jaina? I turned 11 just a little while back, and now that I got accepted into Hogwarts I have to get all these supplies. Term doesn't start for some time but I'd rather be safe than sorry."

"I'm 11 too. Is this your first time here?" Jaina asked.

"It is," answered Hermione.

In the midst of their conversation, Madam Malkin noticed the two girls in her shop. "Hello young ladies, first timers I take it?"

"Yes ma'am," the girls replied.

"Let me get your measurements and we'll get you fitted with your Hogwarts robes."

Jaina saw a female mannequin in a corner with the full student ensemble. "Oh, you have got to be kidding me, Hermione. If I'm going to Hogwarts with you, I'll have to wear… those? Such strange garments."

Hermione giggled. "You'll get used to it, I'm sure."

Jaina grimaced. "I'd never hear the end of it if someone from Dalaran caught me wearing THAT."

Before anyone could say "wingardium leviosa", Madam Malkin declared, "All finished, young ladies! Have a great first year!" Jaina looked at her pile of new school clothes and shuddered as Hermione giggled.

"We still have books to get the wands, cauldrons, and all that," said Hermione.

They next ventured to Flourish and Blotts to get their books. "Hello, young ladies. First year students, I presume?" came a friendly voice from the back.

"Yes, sir," the girls responded.

"Do you have your acceptance letters on you?" Hermione quickly produced hers. "Ah, very good, thank you, miss. And you, young lady?"  Jaina just shrugged sheepishly. "I'm afraid I can't sell our wares to you without some sort of proof," the shopkeeper said. Jaina raised her hands in the air, and made a handful of books on a table levitate for a few seconds. The shopkeeper a double-take, utterly shocked. "That's the most impressive display of magic I've seen from a first-year student in many years," he said, still somewhat in disbelief. "How did you not get an acceptance letter, miss?"

Jaina blushed. "Well... I'm not exactly from around here. I'm from a city of mages called Dalaran, which is in another world called Azeroth. I can't explain how I ended up in here, but my friend Hermione was kind enough to help me out until I find my way back home."

The shopkeeper smiled at Hermione. "Your friend is an exceptional talent. If the Hogwarts headmaster saw her capabilities, there's no way he could deny her admission. Professor Dumbledore is both wise and understanding." Turning around, he told the girls he would be right back with their textbooks.

As the girls went back out into the street, Hermione felt a tingling sensation, one she didn't feel often. "Jaina," she said, "when you called me your friend, did you mean it?"

Jaina smiled warmly at Hermione. "Every bit of it. I've only known you for a couple of hours, but it feels like I've known you my whole life."

Hermione wrapped her arms around Jaina in appreciation. "That means the world to me, Jaina. I've never had many real friends, I spent most of my childhood reading books rather than being outside with other children. Most of my 'friends' were the characters in those books."

Jaina smiled wistfully. "I can relate, Hermione. Outside of my brothers I never had any real playmates. I'm usually cooped up in a tower studying a spellbook, instead of reading an interesting adventure novel like you are probably used to. It's nice to be able to act like a girl, with another girl."

Hermione and Jaina then paid a visit to Ollivanders wand shop. "Why hello again Miss Jaina. I see you found a new friend. What can I do for you?" "Mr. Ollivander, until I find my way back to Dalaran, I've decided to enroll at Hogwarts with my new friend Hermione."

Mr. Ollivander smiled at the girls. "I would have to imagine that the staff would be more than pleased to have you enroll there once they see exactly how gifted you are. And I assure you, Miss Jaina, that you will be well-cared for there. Professor Dumbledore is the headmaster, and I'm sure if anyone can contact this Archmage of yours, it would be him."

"You really think so?" Jaina asked with a hopeful lilt.

"Child, he is a brilliant mind. He may or may not be on the level of your Archmage, but I would like to imagine the good Professor can get you back to Dalaran safe and sound."

"Great, because I miss him," Jaina responded.

Mr. Ollivander offered Jaina a knowing smile. "And I’m sure your Archmage Antonidas misses you too, Miss Jaina. I saw your demonstration of magic earlier and if a first-year equivalent student such as yourself has that sort of aptitude, I would surmise that Antonidas is an extremely accomplished wizard, and is doing everything he can to bring you home. My advice is to be patient, and enjoy what Hogwarts has to offer in the meantime. I'm sure the adjustment would be much easier to bear since you're going through your trials together with your new friend. The first of many, I would imagine."

Jaina smiled at the kindly wand merchant, her eyes somewhat misty. She knew he was right, but being patient was not going to be easy. Hermione had been very kind to her, but it just wasn't the same. Not like being at home in Dalaran.

Mr. Ollivander was able to provide both girls their very own wands, though in Jaina's case it didn't feel quite natural since she was already used to casting spells without wands. He assured her that she would be able to adjust quickly due to the incredible level of talent she possessed. He wished both girls luck and they continued their school shopping.

They got the rest of their supplies on the list - a cauldron, scales, telescope, and various glass tubes.

"We got all the essentials - so what's next?" Jaina wondered aloud.

"We wait until term starts in September," Hermione replied. "We will go to Kings Cross Station to take the Hogwarts Express to get to the school."

Jaina looked upwards, taking it all in.  "That sounds great and all, but what do I do until then?"

Hermione turned to ask her parents. "Mum, dad, Jaina needs a place to stay for a little while. I'm sure you can tell that she's not from around here, and I think it's only right that we help her out."

Her parents looked at each other with puzzled expressions.  Mr. Granger whispered something about placing Jaina in a local orphanage, but Mrs. Granger cut him off with a searing glare.  She then turned to Jaina.  “Considering the circumstances, you may stay with us until the start of term.  Now that I think about it, Hermione could use the companionship anyway… the poor girl rarely gets out much.”  She then looked Jaina over thoughtfully, then continued.  “Of course, you’ll be expected to keep your room tidy, and pitch in with chores…”

Jaina wrapped her arms around Mrs. Granger before she could even finish.  “I wouldn’t have it any other way!  Thank you!”   This new world might not be so bad after all, she thought to herself.

Over the next several months, Hermione and Jaina had become very close friends. Almost like sisters. Hermione's nose was constantly in a book, trying to absorb everything that she could before term started. Jaina giggled at some of her attempts, which in turn drew some frustrated groans. Jaina also successfully taught Hermione a couple of spells from Dalaran, which delighted Hermione to no end. Hermione in return was able to help Jaina get accustomed to the Muggle world - things like soccer games, dental visits (it helped having dentists for parents), and riding double-decker buses. Jaina found all of this very strange, yet she enjoyed it just the same. She never got many opportunities just to be a child, and living with the Grangers allowed her to do just that.

Finally, the big day had arrived. Hermione and Jaina were off to Hogwarts. The two girls had just unloaded all of their belongings, and waited nervously at Kings Cross Station. "Where are we supposed to go again, Hermione?" Jaina asked.

"Platform nine and three quarters,” Hermione rattled off from memory.

"Soooo... nine's right here and ten's over there… let me try something." Jaina walked over to the barrier between the two platforms, and stuck her hand in it. It's as if there was no barrier at all! She went back to retrieve her bags. "It's like one our rifts on Azeroth!" she exclaimed. "You might want to pick up the pace some before you go through, this one seems rather fickle." Jaina got a running start and dove head-first into the barrier, and vanished before Hermione's eyes. Trying to be a little more inconspicuous than Jaina, she looked around herself first to make sure nobody was paying attention before making her own way through. When she made it to the other side, she saw Jaina waving to her from a door in one of the train cars. "Come on, Hermione! I found a great spot for us!" Hermione hurried over to catch up with her friend.

The seats were quite nice - both comfortable and roomy, and there were quite a few other children already on the train. Some were indulging in sweets such as chocolate frogs, or Bertie Botts every-flavor beans. Hermione nudged Jaina. "Lets get changed into our school clothes; one less thing to worry about. You, first."

Jaina rolled her eyes at Hermione. "Oh, all right," she grumbled. She picked up the bag containing her uniform and she trudged into a small changing room toward the end of the car. Several minutes later, she emerged with her blonde hair in a high ponytail, and wearing her white button shirt, necktie, sweater vest, and grey pleated skirt. Hermione tried to suppress a giggle.

 "Oh, you look very… smart, Jaina," she tried saying as seriously as possible, barely concealing a grin.

"Are you kidding Hermione? Antonidas would Polymorph me if he caught me wearing this uniform! What is it with this world and dressing so uncomfortably?  And you call these… clodhoppers, shoes? Ugh!" She gestured to the heavy-looking black lace-up brogues on her feet. Hermione's giggling erupted into full belly laughs. Jaina continued. "I'll just hold onto my robes for now, I can slip into them in a bit I suppose."

Hermione just started to recover from her full-on laughter. "Thanks Jaina, I needed that." She grabbed her uniform bag and headed for the changing room. When she emerged, Jaina cocked an eyebrow and pointed a finger at her. "Now YOU, Hermione Granger, look smart."

"I don't just look smart, Jaina, I AM smart," Hermione snickered.

The girls returned to their seats. "Oh, Jaina. I have a little something for you," Hermione said.

"Yeah?" Jaina said with curiosity.

"It's an old book of mine, one I read a couple of years ago. It's one that should really hit home, I would imagine. It's popular in what I guess we now call the "Muggle" world - those are the folks without magical gifts - but anyway, I really hope you like it." She handed a weathered paperback copy of "The Wizard of Oz" to Jaina.

Touched, a single tear started to roll down Jaina's cheek. She reached over and embraced Hermione warmly. "Thank you, Hermione. It's wonderful. I'm so thankful to have a friend like you in this world. Perhaps one day, you can see Azeroth."

Hermione went back to reading her spell books, while Jaina conjured a tangy red apple and cracked open the book Hermione gave her.

A short while later, the train started to take off. Not long after that, a young stocky boy with chocolate-brown hair poked his head in their section. "'Scuse me, have either of you seen Trevor, my toad?" Hermione shook her head "no". Jaina, still lost in her new book, barely glanced at the boy. She waved her hand in a circular motion a couple of times. "You mean, this little guy?" she asked, as a brown toad emerged from the palm of her hand.

"Trevor!" the boy shouted excitedly. "By the way, I'm Neville. Neville Longbottom. And I must say, all my family are wizards and witches, but I've never seen them perform anything like that without a wand! That's amazing!"

Jaina blushed. "I'm Jaina Proudmoore," she said. "Charmed to meet you, Neville. Would you like to sit next to us?"

Neville shrugged.  "Maybe in a bit. I've got to put Trevor in a safe spot, but I promise to come back!"  Neville ran off, barely containing his excitement.

"Kind of a clumsy one, that boy is," Hermione murmured.

"Maybe, but I at least made him happy,” Jaina replied with a lopsided shrug.

Several minutes later, two different boys still in their street clothes poked their heads in Hermione and Jaina's section. One was a right ginger with freckles, and the other was a short, slightly built boy with messy black hair and damaged glasses. He had to be eleven to be on board the Hogwarts Express, but he looked closer to eight or nine years old.

The redhead spoke first. "Neville says you make us wizards look like Muggles," he said with a goofy grin. "Magic with no wand? Only really powerful witches and wizards can do that, and you're just a firstie!" Jaina blushed. "Can you please show me?" he asked her.

Jaina snapped her fingers and conjured a yummy-looking jelly roll. Waggling her fingers, she telekinetically placed it in the red-haired boy's hand.

The red-haired boy arched an eyebrow.  "It is edible, right? Just making sure you're not playing a prank."

Jaina smiled. "Of course you can eat it, clever-clogs," she said dryly.

The redhead turned over to Hermione. With his mouth full, he asked her, "do you know any spells?"

Hermione rolled her eyes slightly, but decided to play along. "A few", she said.  She glanced at the smaller boy with the messy black hair.  "You, with the glasses, come here." The boy tentatively approached Hermione. "Give me your glasses, please." The boy obliged. Hermione drew her wand. "Oculus Reparo!" she yelled. Whoops! Instead of fixing the glasses, she completely shattered the left lens, with small puffs of smoke emanating from her wand. 

The smaller boy smiled, but Hermione started to tear up. "Thanks anyway," he said.

"Bring them here, please," Jaina asked sweetly. The boy shrugged and gave his even more-broken glasses to Jaina. She snapped her fingers, and they were completely fixed, good as new. "Wow, thank you. I'm Harry by the way. Harry Potter."

"Jaina," the blonde girl said with a smile. "Jaina Proudmoore."

"THE Harry Potter?" Hermione gasped. "I've heard of you. The scar - could you show me, please?" Harry's eyes shifted, but he pulled his bangs back. "Incredible!" Hermione exclaimed.

"I'm sorry, am I missing something?" asked Jaina.

"Harry Potter is a bit of a legend," Hermione explained. Harry lowered his eyes in slight embarrassment. "He's the Boy Who Lived. I'll tell you about it later." Jaina merely nodded.

She turned to the ginger, who was still working on his jelly roll. "And who might you be..." she started.

"Ron Weasley," the red-haired boy answered in between bites.

"Charmed," Jaina said nonchalantly. "And this is my bestie Hermione." The boys waved at Hermione, but she was still sulking due to her botched attempt of fixing Harry's glasses, and barely acknowledged them.

"What's with her?" asked Harry.

"She’s not used to messing up… she truly is a talented witch," Jaina replied as she turned to offer Hermione a smile. "Oh, and you boys might want to get changed soon. Most of the others are in their school uniforms already." Harry and Ron hurried back to their own area to get changed.

Jaina looked at Hermione, who had tears steaming down her face. "Oh Jaina, I don't know what's wrong with me. I'm usually so good at everything I do, and I try a simple repair spell and all I did was make that poor boy's broken glasses worse. I'm going to be a horrible witch. It's even harder because this is so easy for you; you're already the best witch at the school and you haven't even started yet," she said between sobs.

Jaina looked at her friend in the eye with concern and compassion. "Hermione, look at me. I only look this good because I have had a considerable head start. I've been studying magic as soon as I learned to read. I'm not better than you, it's just that we come from very different wizarding backgrounds. And no, Hermione. You are going to be a terrific witch. I know it. I see how dedicated you are. Keep that up, and maybe you will have a future in Dalaran, if you'd like. Your problem right now is confidence. Believing something 80 percent is not the same as believing something 100 percent. In other words, don't think you can. Know you can. If I can help you unlock your potential, I will. It's what friends do – we bring out the best in each other. And trust me, I'm hardly perfect, and there will be times that I will have to rely on you." Hermione gave Jaina the biggest hug she could muster, smiling from ear to ear.

"The sun is setting. We aren't too terribly far away from Hogwarts," Hermione said. "We'd best slip into our robes now."

A few minutes later, Neville stopped by the girls' compartment. "Hello again, it's me, Neville," he said. "I told you I'd be back. Jaina, is that seat still open?"

"Hi Neville," Jaina said. "Please, make yourself at home." Neville turned slightly. "And I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name."

 "I'm Hermione Granger," she said.

"Hello Hermione," Neville responded. "My Gran is sending me a Remembrall to help me remember something when I forget, as I have a tendency to do that," he admitted with a hint of embarrassment on his face.

"I've never heard of a "Remembrall," Jaina said. "Let me try something, Neville." She gently placed her fingertips on Neville's forehead, closed her eyes, and chanted a series magic words that sounded utterly foreign to both Hermione and Neville. Jaina then opened her eyes and smiled at Neville. "All done. You should be able to remember things more easily now."

"Wow, thank you Jaina," exclaimed Neville. "You're amazing!"

Hermione quickly flipped through one of her spellbooks. "That's definitely not one of the Hogwarts spells," she snorted. Jaina giggled. "Hermione, why don't you show Neville the trick I showed you?"

 Hermione blushed. She pulled out a small glass marble, waved her hand over it, and the marble morphed into an ice cube, and back to a marble again. "It's not much, but I'll get the hang of Dalaran magic one day," she proclaimed. "Do you think you could teach me sometime, Jaina?" asked Neville. Jaina smiled.

Neville yawned and gently placed his right hand over Jaina's left hand, and started to nod off to sleep. Without thinking, Jaina gently clasped Neville's hand in return. Hermione giggled quietly. "I think he likes you, Jaina," she said with a silly grin on her face.

"Do you really think so?" Jaina asked.

"It's pretty obvious to me," Hermione said, still giggling. "And I think you rather fancy him."

"Well, if you say so," sighed Jaina. "He is a nice boy though."

The pinks, oranges and yellows of the sunset had given way to deep hues of blue and purple. "Wake up Neville, we'll be stopping at any minute," Jaina said.

Neville sat up and rubbed his eyes. "Well, I had better get back to my own seat and get my stuff. I hope Trevor didn't make another escape."

"We'll see you later then, Neville," said Jaina.

The train started to slow down, so the children knew they were very close to their stop. When the train finally came to a stop, they were greeted by an enormous bearded fellow carrying a lantern. "Welcome ter Hogsmeade Station, First Years! This way please, step lively!" "Hello Hagrid," Harry greeted the huge man. "Good ter see yeh again, Harry," Hagrid said heartily.

"That big beared man, he sort of looks like an enormous version of a dwarf from Khaz Modan," Jaina whispered to Hermione. "I'll admit I haven't met many dwarves; most of the mages I know are either humans or elves."

"You'll have to show me your home someday, Jaina," Hermione said softly.

 "I'd be honored to," Jaina replied.

The first-years followed Hagrid to a dock, and stepped into small rowboats. Across the lake loomed an enormous castle - that had to be the Hogwarts campus, thought Hermione and Jaina. Before too long, the student reached the opposite shore, and disembarked their vessels, and quietly filed into the enormous stone building. They made their way up several flights of stairs, before being greeted by what appeared to be a real witch, complete with a pointy hat! The lady had a look on her face that was serious, but kindly, and welcomed the first year students thusly. "Greetings, first year students, and welcome to Hogwarts. I am Professor McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress and Head of Gryffindor House. Behind me are the doors to the Great Hall, where we will be having our Start-of-Term Feast, but before you sit down, you must be sorted into one of four houses - Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Are you with me so far?" The students nodded.

"Very good. During your time at Hogwarts, your house will be like your family. Good deeds will earn you points. Bad ones, will cost you points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points wins the House Cup. Do any of you have any questions?" She paused briefly. "Good. The sorting ceremony will begin shortly. Please remain here quietly until I return."

After being certain the Professor was outside of earshot, a young boy with greasy platinum-blonde locks approached Jaina. "I've heard some stories of what you did on the train, Proudmoore. You know, magic, without a wand. Would you care to show me?" Jaina eyed him suspiciously. The boy continued, with a drawl dripping with arrogance. "I'm Draco Malfoy, of Malfoy Manor. I have connections. I should think someone like you would prefer upper-crust company as opposed to... lesser families," giving Ron a disdainful look. "I can be your best friend, or I can be your worst nightmare. I'll do you a solid and let you think it over if you'd like."

Jaina glared at the arrogant lad. "I think I've already made up my mind, Malfoy," Jaina retorted.

 Malfoy raised an eyebrow. "Oh have you now? I'm warning you now - do not cross me. I'll have you... cri-KIK!"

Malfoy clapped a hand to his mouth. The other children laughed. "Cri-KIK!" At that moment, Professor McGonagall returned, with a look of simultaneous shock and annoyance. "What is the meaning of this?" What just happened?"

Hermione spoke up. "Professor, Mister Malfoy was harassing my friends and I, and Jaina Proudmore put him in his place."

"Cri-KIK!" The professor looked stunned when she saw Malfoy croaking like a frog. "Miss... Proudmoore, was it? Were you responsible for this?"

Jaina looked down at her feet, clearly embarrassed. "Yes, Professor. He was being a cad and I had to teach him a lesson."

"I see," said Professor McGonagall. She took her wand and said "Reversia anu.."

Before the deputy headmaster could finish her curse reversal spell, Jaina looked at the professor pleadingly. "Please, Professor McGonagall. Let me undo it. It was wrong of me."

The professor gave Jaina a look. "Very well then, young lady."

Jaina waved her hand at Draco, who then coughed for a moment. "About bloody time!" he shrieked.

"I'm sorry I put that spell on you, Malfoy," Jaina said. "I should not have done that to you."

Professor McGonagall was left virtually speechless with the display of magic she had just seen. "While you were right to apologize and own up to your mistake, young lady, I must say that I have never seen such an impressive demonstration of magic by a first-year student. Many of our upperclassmen struggle with nonverbal magic, and magic without the use of the wand, but your command of both is impeccable. Miss Proudmoore, I believe you and I should pay the headmaster a little visit." She led Jaina away from the crowd, and gave the group one last look before departing. "I trust there won't be any further incidents. Particularly from you, Mister Malfoy?"

"Yes, Professor," said Malfoy.

"Good. Our returning students will be getting anxious. I do not wish to delay our ceremony any more than absolutely necessary. Come with me please, Miss Proudmoore."

"Jaina Proudmoore," Professor McGonagall said, partly to herself and partly to Jaina. "That name does not sound familiar to me. I don't recall seeing it on our invitation list. How in the world did you end up here?"

"I'm... I'm not sure, Professor," admitted Jaina. "You see, a few months ago I was back home in Dalaran having dinner with my great teacher, the Archmage Antonidas. I then spent the next couple of hours going over my spellbook and I fell asleep partly through my studies, and the next morning I woke up in Diagon Alley. That's where I found my new best friend, Hermione Granger. And all the other witches and wizards said that I had a talent for magic that they had never seen before, and that I just had to go to Hogwarts. I didn't get an invitation like Hermione, but they were so confident that you would make an exception for me."

The professor smiled at Jaina. "I'm afraid I'm not familiar with Dalaran or this Archmage teacher of yours, but my child, I know this much. You are absolutely worthy of studying here at Hogwarts, invitation or not."

Jaina smiled back at the grandmotherly figure. "Several wizards in Diagon Alley mentioned Professor Dumbledore; they said that if anyone can help me find my way back home, it would be him."

Professor McGonagall nodded to Jaina. "And they would be correct. Professor Albus Dumbledore will help you get back home, child. That's a promise."