Faster Than Lightning

1991

A/N: Sorry for the late update, and fairly short chapter. Next week's will be longer and include some more explanation and action! I aim to please, so I hope you enjoy!

"Is she alive?"

"I swear she came out of nowhere. We didn't mean to hit her."

"Oh please, it's not like she apparated. Look at her! She's 15 at the most."

"How do we know she's even a witch?"

"Can muggles even come through the barrier?"

"Oh yes it's happened before. They just aren't looking where they're going. Quick memory charm and we send them on their way."

"Ok, but we should wake her up first. Make sure she's ok and all."

"Yes yes I'll do it. Rennervate!"

My eyes are opened to reveal a crowd of people surrounding me. Odd folks, all wearing robes and pushing around suitcases and... is that an owl? And are they British? I swear my befuddled mind heard accents. Though my head is in too much pain to move, my eyes dart around, trying and failing to figure out where I am. I can tell it's a train station. Certainly not a forest in Massachusetts.

"Dear are you ok?" A woman with copper hair asks, bending over me worriedly. "Ronald!" She snaps, beckoning a boy over. Wait, there's two.

"I'm so sorry we hit you." The red head says.

"Yeah are you ok?" This boy has unkempt black hair.

I nod in response, still pretty dazed. Even the slight movement hurts my neck, thankfully not excruciatingly so.

"Ok boys, off to the train with you." The woman said impatiently. "Sorry again, dear."

That's when I remember the only item I hold dear. My book. Scampering into a standing position, which hurts quite a bit might I add, I find it behind me a leap to grab it. Everyone stands around, confused at my sudden actions.

"Hey, hey, slow down. You hit your head quite hard. Can you speak?" An eldery man asks me. Thin lines crease his face in worry.

"Where the hell am I?" That's one way to answer I suppose.

"Um. Well, are you a witch?"

"And what is that supposed to mean?" I snap. I awkwardly realize that the only thing behind me is a wall, which I back up against.

"I'm going to take that as a no. Should I..?" He consults the woman behind him, who nods solemnly. Has my story gone worldwide? Do these people know who I am? The man raises what can only be described as a fancy stick. He flicks it, saying utter rubbish. But it's rubbish I've seen before.

"Obliviate."

I react quickly, instinct taking over.

"PROTEGO!"

A green light is stopped by a bubble that forms around me in less than a second. Gasps fill the air.

"Did you see that?"

"No wand? She can't be out of Hogwarts yet!"

"An impressive witch she is."

"Oh my! I'm very sorry! Guess you are then. Didn't mean to scare you." The man begins to approach me.

"Stay back!" I shout, though I can't stop my voice from wavering.

"I'm not going to hurt you, it's ok. Can you tell me what year it is? I'm still worried about that head of yours." He puts a hand out to mine.

I take a minute to consider. These peole... they're like me. They can do what I can do. I'm not the devil to them. I'm not a freak of nature. What can it hurt to answer?

"It's 2005." I respond evenly, taking his hand.

A wave of concerned murmurs flow through the crowd.

"It's 1991."