J.K. Rowling and Her Fictional Kids

Chapter 4

Dozens of portraits were hung on the wall, and every one appeared to be quite old. Inside, where Dumbledore had waited for her, had piles of books on the bookshelves. There were many golds and trophies in a shelf that glittered. It had a rather high ceiling with dim lights hanging.

"Your background, and you, yourself, are very interesting. A muggle, and a witch at the same time." Professor Dumbledore said. 

"I most certainly do not understand why I am here. Hermione said that I am a danger and a gift at the same time. Is that true?" words slipped out of Joanne's mouth. 

"Hermione's right. Now, I am not the most wise wizard. I do not know every single spell, but you do, Miss Rowling. You are the one who Voldemort hoped to see. You seek my permission to stay here, at Hogwarts. I'm afraid you have to say in Hogsmeade, remain secret. You have to go, no history changing." Dumbledore didn't explain everything but gave Joanne some clue about her being a danger. VOLDEMORT WANTED HER. For some reason. 

Joanne stepped out but halted, she turned her head and to see if Professor Dumbledore was still there. Yes. 

"May I ask another question?" 

"Be quick." 

"Well, I've travelled to this place by a hollow tree hole underground, what is that and what if my children fell into it?" 

There was a few seconds of dead silence until a squeak from a huge red feathered wing with red and yellow body, and two rather enormous claws. Professor Dumbledore ignored it and peeled open his mouth. 

"That is a portal. When your children fall into it, they'll hit a hard ground and nothing much more will happen. You are a special kind of muggle, and a witch. You can travel back to your house through that portal, you and you only." Professor Dumbledore explained. 

"If I am a danger in here, I should go back and leave you all in peace!" Joanne sounded desperate. 

"We are not in peace. Voldemort is rising. Finding the that particularly portal is a hassle, it can be anywhere, except for the place you landed. As I said, we can't change history." 

Joanne sighed and left. She didn't know what she was going to do now. 

What did Voldemort want me to do? What did Dumbledore mean by changing the history? What was so special about me? Her head boiled with thousands of questions and she wandered off into her mind. 

"Hey!" somebody called. The call brought Joanne back into reality. 

Then, she noticed Hermione waving at her with a grin on her face. 

"How was your visit to Dumbledore's?" Hermione questioned in the distance. 

"Sshhh, you said to keep her secret from the others. Now you are telling everybody about her!" Harry whispered to Hermione.

As they reunited, Joanne felt protected and safe. Her heart rate slowed down but her hands were still clammy at the thought of Voldemort. 

"I have to stay in Hogsmeade." 

"Dumbledore's kind! If I were him, I would let you stay here!" Hermione sounded frustrated. 

"Thanks for your kindness, but You-know-who wants me and I thought that he might use one of the Slytherins to track me down, so it will be the best for me to stay secret in Hogsmeade."

Hermione looked very sad but it was strange for a pure stranger to have pity for another stranger within hours. 

Not every Slytherins were bad, Joanne reminded herself. 

***********

They arrived at a busy little village. Every house looked quite similar, they all had triangular tops and were just two or three levels high up the ground. The main road was wide and made of stone, therefore, it was a bumpy road. 

"She could stay in Madam Puddifoot's." Ron said. 

"Brilliant." Hermione smiled. 

It was quite a distance although Hogsmeade was a small village. They were in the Shrieking Shrek when they started. You are supposed to know these places. 

"What is Madam Puddifoot's?" Joanne knew the answer, but to double check that she got it right. 

"It's a tea shop that Madam Puddifoot owns." Hermione answered.

"Really? I never knew." Harry exclaimed. 

Soon afterwards, they arrived. 

"Potter, isn't that you?" A lady cried. 

She tied her hair up into a bun and dressed herself into red with some puffy white fur on her hips. She strolled towards them with her heels squeaking. Her face, which had some scars of being tortured when Voldemort invaded the wizardry world.

"Hi Madam Puddifoot. My friend wants to stay here, is it possible?" Harry toned.

Madam Puddifoot lifted her eyebrows and studied Joanne's clothes and her facial expression. Joanne was wearing a jumper and a pair of jeans, which was very normal. 

"Very welcomed to stay here! Any trunks? Preparations?" She was being very specific. 

"No madam, I'm sorry. I could sleep under the stairs!" Joanne suggested. 

"Why would I ever make you sleep under the stairs? You could sleep in a spare room we've got, but it's quite small." 

"She doesn't mind. How much is it for a few nights?" Harry asked.

"For your friend? Free! Free! Stay as long as you like!" Madam Puddifoot was very kind indeed. 

"Thank you so much for having me. I won't disappointed you." Joanne said in confidence. 

"Well, we can't always visit you Joanne, but we will try to do that in the weekends!" Hermione, Ron and Harry waved goodbye and they trotted off to Hogwarts.