Spells in Silence

Chapter 29: First Contact

Hazel wriggled deeper into an overstuffed armchair in the corner of the Leaky Cauldron pub as she watched the clock.

Watched the clock and munched happily on the breakfast she was sharing with Morgan, that was. She had only a few pound notes, but even though she had watched the wizards pay for things with silver and in one notable instance gold coins, the wrinkled and bald bartender had – after a brief explanation – been willing to take her normal money instead.

Apparently the big white building she had noticed at the end of Diagon Alley was a bank run by goblins of all things, and part of their business was exchanging British money for wizard coins.

Most shops would not accept British notes directly, but the bartender Tom had more experience with Moldus – Muggles, she needed to get that change of terminology straight in her head – than the average wizard and so was used to handling both kinds of currency.

It meant that for the first time in literally a year, she was eating food she had paid for instead of stealing or receiving by dint of being a guest in someone else's home. She would not be able to do that for more than one or two good meals based on how many notes she had left, but it was nice change of pace.

The clock above the mantle chimed nine o'clock, and the fire flared green. When it died down, a woman stepped out of the fireplace and stood straight. She was middle-aged or thereabouts, the first hints of crow's feet visible at the corners of her eyes yet somehow doing little to soften her stern features. Her hair was long and dark, similar in color to Hazel's own, but most of it was hidden under a tall, pointed witch's hat. Her robes were thick, dark green, and layered. The layering proved important when the woman removed the outermost robe and made it disappear from sight with an almost negligent flick of her wand.

A flick that was not accompanied with any spoken words. The sight made Hazel's eyes narrow thoughtfully. That was… interesting.

"Where would she be?" The witch thought as her eyes swept over the room. Hazel's gaze met her own, and those blue eyes blinked in surprise. "What in the world is she wearing? Miss Potter, I presume?" Hazel gave her a nod, and finally a small smile peeked through the woman's thin lips. "Good morning, and an early happy birthday. I am Minerva McGonagall, deputy headmistress and Transfiguration professor at Hogwarts. It is a pleasure to meet you."

A wave of her fingers was Hazel's response, part of her thoughts caught up in surprise. It was the thirtieth of July today, wasn't it? She honestly had not been keeping track.

"A quiet one, I see. That is a surprise. May I sit?" Professor McGonagall asked even as she pulled out the other chair sitting at the small table Hazel had commandeered for her plate of scones and cream. "The same for her appearance. I honestly expected her to look more like Lily. Her eyes do, and her hair looks too much like James's for a young lady, but the rest of her? Her face is thinner than either of theirs were at her age, and how did her features get so sharp at eleven years old? I hope they soften as she gets older, for her own sake. If I was not planning on seeing her here, I might not have recognized her at all.

"Your letter caught me by surprise, Miss Potter," she continued, unaware of the wounds her thoughts were tearing in Hazel's chest. That was… not what she expected to hear this morning. "It is extremely rare that young witches decline an acceptance letter, most of them coming from the most backwards of families who would rather homeschool them in the duties of a wife and mother rather than giving them a proper education. You might not realize this, but Hogwarts is the premier school of magic in Great Britain, and one of if not the greatest magical school in the world. We only take the most capable of young wizards and witches, and when they graduate our students are without fail the ones who rise to the highest positions in our society. There is no school in this country that could give you a future as bright as Hogwarts can."