The American

chapter three

Chapter Three: The Decision

I awoke from someone gently shaking my shoulder and I opened my eyes to see both Dan and Collin in my room. Groggily I tapped my bed and scooted over making room for them to sit down with me. Taking a moment or two to wake up a bit I asked, "Hey guys what's up?"

Collin spoke first by saying, "Hunter I know that tonight was rough and confusing, it was for all of us and it kinda feels like we all missed out on a huge part about mom. We just knew that you would want to talk about it and we wanted to be here for you."

Dan continued, "Have you put in any thought about going to this school for wizards?"

I cleared my throat and said, "I think I might actually be interested in going to this place because I feel like I could learn a lot more about mom. I miss her so much and maybe this could bring me closer to her. Besides I really don't like school here, all of the people are obnoxious and I don't feel like I fit in."

"I completely understand that Hunter but we sure will miss you. Britain is a long ways away you know." Collin said with sadness in his eyes.

We all spoke about the topic of the wizarding world, Hogwarts, and mom for a while longer before all of us fell back asleep in my bed.

I woke up late the next day, around 10 o'clock, it seems that the stress and discussion from last night wore me out. Replaying the events and the new knowledge of my mom's past brought unfathomable stress and anxiety. Pushing those thoughts out of my head and focusing on the new day, I got ready for the day and changed into some new clothes with yesterday's bikini underneath.

I left my room heading to the kitchen for hopefully a quick and undisturbed breakfast, but knowing my family and the chaos that they bring that was impossible. The second I entered the room all eyes were drawn to me and silence rang loudly. After a long moment of awkwardness my dad came towards me and gave me a hug.

He said, "Hey Hunter, I'm sorry about all the weirdness I just never thought I'd see the day where my little girl would become a witch. Honestly I was hoping the magic would carry through the family and I'm really happy that you get this opportunity. But enough about that now, it's too early in the morning to be discussing such a tiresome topic as school. How did you sleep?"

Smiling at my dad I replied, "I was exhausted and fell asleep so quickly it was nice. What's cooking for breakfast?"

John called out in a mock British accent, "I was inspired to make us some divine french toast this fine morning."

Responding in a similar but terrible accent I said, "Why thank you kind sir! I'm sure the french toast will be absolutely superb." Laughter rang through the room and after thinking for a second I continued by saying, "Ya know if I do end up going to Hogwarts everyone will have a British accent except me that'll take a long time to get used to."

Jack and Zack saw the perfect opportunity to chime in by teasing me. "You can find yourself a nice British boyfriend to bring back home since you're very single currently," Zack called out. Jack then came up to me and ruffled my hair and gave me a big smile.

Collin continued the conversation when he said, "Hunter even though this is going to be weird for all of us we all support you going to this school. It'll be new and awkward for a while but we think you'll love it." All the other boys nodded in agreement.

"We might even miss you just a little bit," said Dan with a sad smile.

I began to laugh trying to hide the tears coming to my eyes. "John where is that french toast! I'm starving!" I said with a smile.

"Coming right up!"

Breakfast continued being quite loud, but I wouldn't have wanted it any other way than the mess that is the Allen family way. The rest of the vacation was filled with joy, sun, and family time. It was absolutely perfect and a great memory to hold. 

After arriving home and multiple discussions with my family, I decided that I would be attending Hogwarts. I wanted to take that leap of faith and travel into this unknown world that my mother apparently was tied to.

I wrote to Professor Dumbledore telling him of my decision and how I would love to meet with one of the other professors to learn more about the school and purchase the required materials for class. An owl appeared to my house somehow knowing I had written the letter and graciously took it from me and flew off. Now that was certainly a new experience for me.

About a week letter the owl returned with a letter addressed to me. I opened it to find it to be from Dumbledore telling me that the Transfiguration teacher Professor McGonagall would take me to the so called Diagon Alley a couple weeks before term started to help me purchase the necessary items.

The days and weeks passed slowly but surely until before I knew it the day had come for me to meet with Professor McGonagall. I had assumed that she would be coming here as there were no instructions from Dumbledore on how to meet with her. I waited for hours doing various activities around the house when sharply at noon a knock rang out from the door. 

Knowing that it was probably for me I went to open the door and on the porch stood a with a stern face. She had her brown hair pulled up into a tight bun that had to have been giving her a serious headache. She was wearing green robes and when she saw me she smiled and said, "Hello you must be the lovely Hunter! I am Professor McGonagall. I've heard so much about you from Dumbledore and as he has certainly told you, I will be taking you to Diagon Alley and tell you everything there is to know about Hogwarts."

I smiled sheepishly back up at her and said, "Thank you so much for this I'm really excited about going to Hogwarts but I'm also very anxious just about everything ya know? How will we be getting there? Are we going on a plane?"

McGonagall laughed and said, "No we will be using a bit of magic to get us there quickly. We will be appariating today which is entirely new to you. Appariation is essentially where one goes from one location to the next instantaneously. Since it is your first time it may be uncomfortable and nauseating. Make sure you have everything you need and we will be off."

After collecting my things such as my license and debit card I was ready to go. McGonagall told me to grab her arm and I did as she said and she told me to be prepared. It had the feeling of being forced through a tight space while falling and spinning. The world around me blurred and caused me to be very dizzy. When the world seemed to settle down McGonagall asked if I was ok and not a second later I threw up on the street.

McGonagall said, while rubbing my back, "It's alright dear that is terribly common to happen to those that appariate for the first time. Just take a moment and breathe and the dizziness will wear off."

I took a moment to calm myself down while waiting for the nausea to leave, once I was able to stand I looked up and saw the beauty that was Diagon Alley.