Palms

London Showers

When I open my eyes again we are in a completely different place. The sky is bright but clouded. A soft mist is falling onto the brick road, dampening it. People bustle about this way and that, in and out of shops and as I look around the more it becomes apparent we are in a wizard-only area.  There are women in beautiful dresses and hats and nearly everyone is wearing dark cloaks that almost reach the ground. Like something out of a fairy tale.

 I had never seen anything like this before. Father and mother tried to keep us mostly interacting with only the Nomaj community.  Many wizards believe that we should stay away from the Nomaj, but they're good people.  Of course, I've heard stories of the things they have done in the past but, all of my Nomaj friends were exactly that...Friends, true friends. 

My father was a paranoid man. He never told us why he didn't trust MACUSA or the magic community but it must have been something ultimately world shattering for them to take him and my mother. 

"What just happened?" I ask feeling a little sick. I turn to Danny who is kneeling over a pile of his vomit. 

"That was called apparition, don't worry dear most people vomit the first time." Minerva places a hand on Danny's back and helps him to his feet. "How about we get you a room, a shower, and some fresh clothes." She leads us through what seems to be a restaurant up some stairs and to a room with an old creaky door.  In the room, there's not one but two whole beds. I run my hand along the covers before jumping and landing face down into the pillows. 

"I take it it's been awhile since you've slept on a bed? Minerva asks. I nod with my face still in the pillows. "Well there is a bathroom there and I've found you fresh clothes and cloaks to keep warm. I'll be downstairs whenever you're ready to talk. She gives another wink and gently closes the door behind her.

"Danny," I groan into the pillow loud enough for him to understand. "What did the letter say?"

"I really can't say yet Sarah, please believe me that you'll know in time." 

"But why can't I know now?" I sit up putting on my best puppy dog eyes at him. 

"That's not gonna work on me and you know it. I'm going to take a shower and wash my mouth out. You should rest and then do the same." He disappears into the bathroom.

I close my eyes and drift off into sleep. 

The sun is going down fast as my feet move as fast as they can through the crispy leaves. I duck around trees crisscrossing as spells are cast at my back. One hits a tree near my head and it starts on fire. I don't have time to be afraid or even to flinch. I keep running.  I can feel them getting farther and farther behind me. The forest never seems to end. Suddenly I'm at a clearing and in the center is a giant willow tree. 

I move towards the tree and the tree moves towards me. I  reach a hand out touching the branch. The tree sighs and lowers itself, as if for me to climb onto its limb. I grab hold tightly and it lifts me gently into itself concealing me. I feel safe.  

"Sarah!" Danny yells, too close to my face.  I open my eyes to find myself back in the room. "It's your turn to shower." He says shaking his wet hair on me. 

"Danny what the heck. That's cold!" 

"I felt too sick to take a hot shower," He shakes again. "Get your butt in there so we can go meet with Minerva."

I strip off my dirty clothes and turn the water on as hot as it will go. It feels so nice I don't ever want to get out. I let the water run over my face. It's weird being able to take my time washing in a real bathroom. It's been so long since I was able to let my guard down like this. Eventually, the hot water runs cold and I step out towel dry myself off.

 I find the clothes Minerva left for me on the counter. A black dress, long socks, and dress shoes. I decide against wearing the dress shoes and opt for my tennis shoes. I open the door and the steam from the bathroom swamps the room. I notice the cloaks hung up on a coat rack by the door and wrap mine around myself. 

"Danny," I tap on his forehead. "Wake up, I need help with my hair again." He slowly sits up, eyes tired as I've ever seen them. "Danny, were you crying?" I reach out to hug him but he pushes past me.

"No. " He takes his wand and places it above my head repeating spells I remember my father saying. My hair twists into two puffy buns and he puts  his wand away. Danny throws his cloak on and laces his shoes before opening the door for me to walk through. We walk downstairs and find Minerva sipping tea at the bar. 

"Hello, ah don't you look nice.' She says smiling at us. "Well, we have quite a bit to go over, if you'll have a seat." We sit next to her and she orders us both a tea as well. 

"What do we need to talk about? Our dad? The letter?" I ask pressing her for details, anything. 

"No, I'm afraid we cannot talk about that just yet," she gives a knowing look to Danny. "However, we do need to talk about school."

"School?" Danny and I ask at the same time. 

"Yes, Sarah is about due to begin wizarding classes and I would love for her to attend Hogwarts. Of course, it's all up to you to decide."

"YES!" I shout. "I would love to go to school. I get to learn magic and all the spells and stuff right?" 

"Of course dear, in time. We need to make sure we get all that you need for your classes at the cost of the school of course, I will send you a list of supplies and everywhere you might find them in Diagon Alley. I'm sure together you and your brother will be able to find what you need." 

"Sweet! Danny, I get to go to school!" 

"Of course Danny will be eligible to attend although we have no records of his previous studies..."

"I was homeschooled..." Danny gives her a sheepish grin.

"No problem dear we have a placement test for transfer students." She beams at the both of us. "I just know  you two will be a great asset to Hogwarts." Danny and I look at each other then back at Minerva.

"When does school start?" I ask 

"Oh dear, only next week. We will have to get that test sent over and all of your things ready by then." I'll have an owl sent immediately and get everything ready. You two order some food and relax around here until everything is set." She touches our shoulders before scurrying off.

"She's sweet." I say "But how do we know that we can trust all of this?"

"You sound like dad," Danny says smirking before calling to a waiter to order some food. 

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Next chapter, Sarah gets her wand and meets some interesting characters....