How I Came to be a Time Traveler

So I have a confession to make. I'm a time traveler. I know some of you may have been confused on how I was blogging from 1938. The truth is I wasn't really. So I'm going to fill you in on the details and tell you how I discovered I could time travel.

About 8 weeks ago, the upperclassmen students were excitedly discussing their upcoming Apparition Tests. Apparition allows a person to move between locations quickly, often long distances. Two seventh year girls had sat near a friend and I at breakfast, and were going over their notes with each other. Melinda and I began asking them questions on what apparition was like, and how they did it. The girls explained that you had to firmly think about where you wanted to go, and hold it in your mind, while you did a quick turn. They said it was really difficult to learn, many adult wizards never achieved it. Hogwarts is protected so that no one can apparate into or out of the school or school grounds. Later that afternoon, Melinda and I have finished our classes, and it was a unusually sunny day, so we went to study outside near the Herbology greenhouses. They had moved the Flutterby bushes out of Greenhouse #4 to give them some fresh air, so we sat in their shade and enjoyed sweet smell of the blossoms. We were taking a small break from our reading and Melinda and I were talking about how neat it would be to be able to apparate anywhere we wanted. We were both standing up at this point saying out names of places we'd like to visit and spinning like some sort of silly ballerina. Finally I said, "I know where I'd like to go, tonight's dinner! I'm starving!" I turned around, and as I did, I could picture the Great Hall laid out with the roasted chicken, potatoes, rolls, and chocolate cake I knew were on the menu for that night. And then the strangest thing happened. I heard a crack, and then I was actually standing there at the entrance to the Great Hall and it was full of students. I was starting to get really scared when Professor Dumbledore walked over and said, "Ah, there you are Miss Emily. I've been looking for you, would you join me in my office?" He was just so calm, all I could do was follow him.

He said I had been missing for over 3 hours, and said Melinda had come to him scared when I had disappeared. He asked me to explain what had happened, and not to leave any detail out. I told him all about talking to the older girls, playing behind  the greenhouses, and turning and imagining dinner. He sat there apparently thinking deeply for what seemed like an eternity. I was so afraid I'd get in trouble some how. Finally, said he thought I was a natural time traveler. He said that people who could time travel without the use of a device like a Time Turner were exceedingly rare. The last known one was recorded over 500 years ago, and it was a little known fact that Rowena Ravenclaw was one. He said it was a wonderful gift, and knew that since I was such a dedicated student I would use it wisely. At this point he smiled, and I knew I wasn't in trouble. The idea began to sink in what he was saying. I could travel through time! He asked me not to try it again without him present. We set up times to meet each week so that he could help me learn how travel safely. Professor Dumbledore said he couldn't time travel himself, but had read many detailed accounts, and felt that he would be able to help me learn enough to stay safe.

So far we've just practiced coming to the same day of the year, but moving from 1938 to your present day. I seem to be able to do that jump easily, which Professor Dumbledore finds interesting. We learned how to set up this blog so that I can journal my life, he says thats important to making sure I have good accuracy with my time travel.

Well, I'm sure that was a lot for your to process today, so I'll leave you there for today, but I'm excited to be able to write and tell you more of my time travel adventures!

Busy little bee

Oh my! Where has this term gone? I can't believe I haven't sat down and wrote since February! It has been so busy, I guess I completely forgot about it. I have been very busy in my classes. Final exams are coming up, and the professors have made sure we've had plenty of work to do to study for them. We've had many extra spells to practice for Charms. Many of the Ravenclaw First years have taken to sitting in the common room in the evenings and practicing on each other, under the watchful eye of the upper classman of course. My favorite is the charm to induce euphoria. Its a great one to do at the end of a study session, because you leave feeling very confident and happy.
I've improved quite a bit in Potions. I've learned to read the directions carefully, and take my time. I make very few errors now, and even Professor Slughorn has remarked on my improvement.
Gabrielle and I have still been writing. She has been getting busy preparing for end of term tests at Beauxbatons also. She is looking forward to getting home and working in the garden with her mother. She wants to plant some new roses this year, pink ones, since they already have lots of red ones in the garden.
We didn't win the Quidditch cup. We won our games against Slytherin and Hufflepuff, but lost to Gryffindor. Gryffindor won the Cup overall, having won all their games. Hopefully next year we can win!
Alright, its getting late and I want to go read another chapter of History of Magic before I go to bed. Hopefully I will find a few minutes to update before I'm home from school.

A Letter!

I got a letter from Gabrielle today! It took her a while to write back to me, hopefully my owl didn't get lost. Here is the letter:

Dear Emily,

            Bonjour! Ca va? That is how you ask “How are you?” en Français! I am looking forward to get to know you more! I am also 11, and I attend Beauxbatons Academie de Magique. We do not have Houses here, our dormitories are sorted by age. I am in the Sixième ète, which is what you call the “First Year”. Our rooms are in the ground floor of our Palace. The older students get room on high levels, with the oldest students getting rooms with only one roommate in the towers. These rooms have lovely views and plenty of space to study. I can’t wait to get one of these rooms.

            My family and I live outside Paris, in an old maison that has been in my Father’s family for many generations. He is family have been wizards for very far back in our family tree. My mother is a muggle-born. Her and my father met at school, they are trés adorable, still in love. My mother loves to garden, and when we moved into the family house, she fell in love with the garden. It’s a lovely mixture of magical and non-magical plants. I love to cut roses from my mother’s garden and put them in vases for our dinner table. Working in the garden with my mother has been some of my favorite times. It is no surprise I love my Herbology classes.

            I better stop this letter here for now, I have much studying to work on. I hope you write back soon!

Gabrielle

The First Letter

I got my pen pal. Her name is Gabrielle Montegue. I hope she likes me. I found a nice bit of parchment and my best quill and wrote her a letter.

Dear Gabrielle,

Bonjour! Hello is the only word I know in French, but hopefully you can help me learn more. My name is Emily, I’m 11 and attend Hogwarts here in England. I’m sorted into Ravenclaw house, we’re the smart bookish house. I love to read so it is a perfect fit for me. Charms is my favorite class, and Potions is my least favorite. I like the professor quite a bit, but I just don’t seem to have the knack for Potions, although I got a tutor and am practicing more often now.

In my free time I read, did I mention I love to read. I like all sorts of books, anything with a good story. I’m also starting to collect chocolate frog cards, I only have a few so far, but I think they’re really interesting.

I’m excited to write to you and learn all about your school. Write back soon!

Sincerely,

Emily Bennett

I went up to mail the letter this afternoon, and when the little brown owl saw me he pretended to be asleep. I went up and gave him some steak from lunch, and explained he only had to go to France, not America, and he took the letter and flew off. I hope he flies fast!  

Pen Pals

I've been back at Hogwarts for a few days now. The trip back with the floo powder was luckily uneventful. I tucked my new fairy doll deep in my bag so she'd stay safe and clean on the way back home. I didn't relieze how much I missed being here until I got back. Ravenclaw tower is starting to feel like home. Yesterday was the first day of classes and everything went well. I read quite a few of my textbooks over break, including my potions book. I worked on memorizing the steps for different potions to help me when I brew them. 

This morning a notice appeared on the board in the common room. I got quite excited and cast Gemino to have a copy to save for my journal:

Would You Like to Make New Friends?

Learn about another culture or even a new language?

Then sign up to be a Pen Pal!
Every interested Hogwarts’ student will matched up with a student from Beauxbatons Academy of Magic to correspond with.

Those interested please send an owl with your information to:

Morgana Ilmacoa

Beauxbatons Pen Pall Programme

Department of International Cooperation

                                                                                        

I sent off the Owl at lunchtime. I can’t wait to hear from my pen pal. I hope they’re nice. Anne is always encouraging me to learn French, and this will be good motivation I think. I didn’t even know there were other schools for magic, but now I’m off to the library to research and see what I can find out about them.

Christmas presents!

Ok, I should be caught up now with all that happened before Christmas, now onto the exciting part; Christmas Presents! We woke up early on Christmas morning and exchanged gifts. Anne and Elliot loved the gifts I made for them. We all had fun things in our stockings, lots of candies and other treats, including some wizard candy I brought home. Then Anne pulled out a big box from behind the tree with a sly grin on her face. It was for me! I opened it up and inside was a beautiful fairy doll. She had silver wings with a pink dress and dainty pink slippers. Anne explained after I got my wand and it had fairy wings in the core, she came home and saw the doll in the store and just knew she needed to come home for me. I love her and can't wait to take her back to school with me, she'll be a great companion to sit on my bed!

Going Home

December 23rd

I’m packed and ready to go home. I’m excited but sad to go home. I’m looking forward to being home, but it will feel weird to leave Hogwarts. All the other students who are going home for Christmas have already left. They took the Hogwart’s Express back to London where they will meet their parents at King’s Cross Station. I sat in the Great Hall reading The Tales of Beedle the Bard, and drinking cocoa. (There are always yummy snacks to eat here, I hadn’t sat down more than a few minutes at a table to wait for Dumbledore and a mug of cocoa with marshmallows appeared next to my book!) Soon Professor Dumbledore came down, and asked if I was ready to leave. I said I was and grabbed my valise. He pulled a small silk bag from his robes and threw a handful of Floo Powder into the fire. I knew what to do at this point. I clearly said our address, and then stepped into the flames. I felt a whooshing sensation, and saw many other fire place grates pass by. I thought I even saw one that showed an underwater scene, but it was gone before I could get a better look. After what seemed like a long time, I finally recognized a familiar sight, our living room! I stepped out and Elizabeth was waiting there for me! She gave me a big hug, and said how much she missed me. It feels so good to be home. 

Decorating for Christmas

December 22nd

They started decorating for Christmas today! They’ve been bringing in very large pine trees and putting them in the Great Hall. One of the older students said each one would be decorated differently. The one they decorated first was covered in glittering snowflakes made of ice, but they didn’t melt! I can’t wait to see what the rest look like.

I’m also looking forward to going home! Professor Dumbledore said that they would be connecting one of the school fireplaces to mine just for one day to take me home for Christmas, and one for me to come back to school, allowing me to travel by Floo Powder. I have been missing Elizabeth so much, and am looking forward to seeing her and Adam and having a nice Christmas break. Also Professor Dumbledore told me a secret. Students are not supposed to do magic outside of school, but that while I’m in the United States, there will be no way for the Ministry to know if I’ve done magic. He said I should be careful and use the upmost care, but he also winked so I think he knows I’d like to show Elizabeth what I’ve learned. I’ll just have to be careful to make sure it is only when we are alone at home, I don’t want anyone to see by mistake!

My holiday break.

I have a lot of posting to do to catch up from the holidays, so I'll start with some things that happened before Christmas.

December 21st

The Draught of Peace came out great! It took me all of today to make. I hid away in one of the unused classrooms, and my friend Susan brought lunch to me. Luckily chicken soup and turkey sandwiches were served, so I didn’t make a lot of mess eating. When it was done, we both agreed the potion smelled lovely, like lavender and chamoille. Just the smell of it was relaxing. The book said the potion would be made correctly when it was a faint blue color, like a spring sky. It looked right to me, so we bottled it in a pretty crystal vial I’d been saving and tied a ribbon around it to make it festive. After I cleaned up my potion ingredients and cauldron we went up to the common room to give it to Selene. She loved it! She thought it was a very thoughtful gift, and she said it looked I made it perfectly. She told me that the potion itself was a nice gift, but she was very proud of me for trying such a difficult potion. 

Christmas!

I have been trying to work on Christmas gift in my free time between studying and classes. It has been a little more difficult than I imagined. I wanted to give something to Selene for all the help she’s given me, and I figured what would be better than a potion! She’s been very busy studying for her OWL exams at the end of the year, so I thought she might like a Draught of Peace. Taking it gives the user a sense of relaxation and peace, and can help them through stressful times. Its towards the back of our book, so it is very difficult, but I’m just going to take my time and be very careful.

I already have my presents for Anne and Elliot chosen. I’m going to get an assortment of wizard candy and sweets to take home and enjoy on Christmas day. All three of us are rather fond of sweets and desserts. I gave some of my pocket money to one of the older students, and he’s going to pick me out some things from Honeyduke’s Sweet Shoppe.

Some of the other students and I have been trying to figure out how to use magic to make some of our presents. I found useful spell to turn mushrooms into pincushions, and it only took my two tries to get a pincushion that wasn’t rubbery and free of the mushroom’s spots. Anne loves to sew, so I think she’ll like this for her sewing table. For Elliot I found an old hat in the Lost and Found box, and with the help of a book called “Magical Fashion” from the library I was able to make it look brand new, and even add a smart colored band and a little owl feather. I really hope they like their presents!

Quidditch!

Ravenclaw played its first Quidditch match today! It was our team versus Slytherin! I wore my scarf Anne made me to the match, to help show my support but also because it was very cold. We all left for the Quidditch pitch shortly after breakfast, and all the Ravenclaw’s gathered in the stands under a very large blue and bronze banner with our eagle crest on it. Luckily, there was already a match, Hufflepuff versus Gryffindor, early this month, so I understood the basics of the game already, and was able to pay attention better. Slytherin’s team has a tendency to play dirty, but I was hoping we’d make up for it in skill. It was a very exciting game, our Chasers kept a hold of the quaffle for a good part of the game, even though the Slytherin Chasers kept throwing elbows which are a foul. We had a really quick Seeker, and it only took her forty-five minutes to find then Snitch! We won, we had a big party in the common room tonight. Lots of butterbeer and candy from Honeydukes! It’s a big deal to beat Slytherin, and I hope we can beat the other Houses too!

History of Magic

I think I’m the only one who enjoys our History of Magic class. Most of the students find our professor boring, and I do too a little. He tends to drone on a bit. I like the subject though. Sometimes when I have a hard time paying attention class I read my textbook. Reading it is like reading a fairy tale almost, but with less princess’ and more goblins and trolls.

I’m really glad I’m in Ravenclaw, all of the students like to read and learn like me. I’ve never met anyone who liked reading books as much as I did until I came to Hogwarts. It’s nice to go up to the common room and see so many other reading or working on classwork, even History of Magic!

Potions Tutor- Part Two!

I met with Selene, my tutor, for the first time yesterday. We met in an empty classroom, Professor Slughorn recommended one that we wouldn’t be disturbed in. Selene decided that we’d start back in the beginning of the potion book with the easiest ones, and work our way along as I mastered each one. So I worked on a Cure for Boils yesterday, and I remember it was really difficult in class, so I was a little worried, but it was actually pretty easy, I was fairly surprised. I must have gotten better already and not known! She then helped me make an Awakening Potion, and that one was a little more difficult, but I got through it. She said next time we’d do the Awakening Potion again, and if it felt good we’d move on. She recommended that I go through the instructions for the different potions and try and memorize as many of the instructions as possible, so I don’t have to refer to my book as much while I’m brewing. I definitely need to find some flash cards I think.

Wizard's Chess

Well, Wizard’s Chess didn’t turn out to be much different than normal chess. All the rules and pieces are the same, except for one thing, in Wizard’s Chess the pieces move! They walk to the space you tell them to, and if a piece of the opposing person is in the space they want to occupy, they fight them! I had a set I borrowed from one of the other boys, and the pieces were constantly trying to give me advice. My friend Michael said that if I was going to play often, getting a set of my own would be a good idea since the pieces would get to know me better and question my actions less often. Getting your own set of pieces is quite expensive though, so I don’t see that happening anytime soon. 

Busy Sunday

There are no classes today, but that doesn’t stop there being lots for me to do. I did a few hours of homework yesterday, and got done all my Charms homework and Herbology homework, but I still have Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts to work on. Luckily Potions is just theoretical. I have to write 2 rolls of parchment on the different uses of newt eyes in potions. It seems gross to write about newt eyes, but there are actually a lot of uses for them. I read in one of my textbooks that they are a key ingredient in the Polyjuice Potion, which will allow a person to take the form of another. I have many more, but I’ll save them for my essay. For my Defense Against the Dark Arts we have to research different types of magical amulets that are said to protect one from Dark forces. This has proven harder as most that I’ve found have been fakes meant to fool scared witches or wizards. Luckily, as always, doing homework in Ravenclaw tower is a pleasant time. There are plenty of tables with lots of space for spreading out books and papers and notes. The big windows make everything well lit and easy to see, and there is always some sort of refreshment on the coffee table near the fireplace. Today there is pumpkin flavored hot chocolate, a pot of tea, and a bowl of homemade potato crisps. I have a mug of the pumpkin hot cocoa here at my table with me and it is quite delicious. I guess I better get to work, if I can get my homework done before this evening, one of the other first year boys said he would teach me how to play Wizard’s Chess. I don’t know how that’s different from regular chess, but it should be interesting to learn!

Potions Tutor

I have a tutor for Potions now! I was telling one of the older Ravenclaw students how I was having trouble with my Potions work, and she said she would help me. She said we could meet once a week and practice whatever I was having the most trouble on, and she would help me and give me tips for each one. She said I should order some extra potions ingredients from the Apothecary so I have plenty to practice with. Luckily I have some extra pocket money Elizabeth left me with when school started. I sent off a big gray owl with my order, I think the brown owl was happy to have some time off. 

Halloween

Yesterday was Halloween at Hogwarts. Halloween is always fun, but especially when you go to a school for magic. The morning started off in Potions, and Professor Slughorn had clean cauldrons waiting for us. He informed us that in honor of the day, instead of brewing our normal potions we would be having a contest. The contest would be to see who could brew the best hot apple cider! And whoever did would get a prize. We all got to work, and enjoyed talking and laughing during the class. I had never made hot apple cider before, so I just added some cinnamon and nutmeg to my apple cider before heating it up. Professor Slughorn took a taste of everyone's cider, and in the end chose one of the Hufflepuff girls cauldron. He gave her a whole basket of cauldron cakes from Honeyduke's! She was very happy. We each got given a piece of Honeyduke's chocolate for being good participants.
Later that evening, there was a wonderful feast in the Great Hall. One of the professors had charmed jack-o-lanterns to float in the air. There were so many good things to eat, and more cakes and sweets than I've ever seen in one place! I ate so much I thought I would burst! I finally went back to the Ravenclaw Tower and went to bed. It was a wonderful Halloween.

The little brown owl

I went up to the Owlry this morning. I wanted to thank the little brown owl who brought my package yesterday. It took him over a month to deliver it, I knew he must be tired. I brought him some sausage I got at breakfast, I thought he might enjoy a meal he didn't have to hunt for. By the time I made the long trip up the stairs to the Owlry, I was very tired, but I spotted him right away. He was sleeping peacefully on a low perch. I walked towards him but didn't want to wake him. When I started turning around he opened one eye and gave a hoot. I smiled and patted his head and fed him the sausage. He gave me another little hoot which sounded grateful and went back to sleep.
On my way back I stopped at the top of the stairs to admire the view, I could see over the tops of the trees of the Forbidden Forest. They were beautiful, all various colors of yellows, reds, and oranges. I also saw some creature flying over the forest. It looked like some sort of black horse. I didn't recognize what it was, I'll have to look it up in the library later.

Birthday Presents

It came! I was beginning to lose hope! Early this morning at breakfast, the brown barn owl who delivered my Hogwart's letter showed up with a package for me. I knew my godmother didn't forget my birthday. The poor owl looked exhausted and went to owlry quickly after depositing my package, he probably didn't want another package to take to America.
Inside the package was a letter, a birthday card, a new book, and a scarf! Elizabeth knitted me a scarf in the Ravenclaw house colors, dark blue and bronze! It's very warm. Some of the other wizard children have scarves in their house colors like mine, but I'd never thought I'd get one. Isn't it lovely?

It's starting to get cold here, and the halls are becoming drafty, so this will definitely be getting a lot of use. It will be perfect to wear to the first Quidditch match next week!

I put my gifts in my trunk on my way to class. Luckily the question to get into the common room was easy and I got right in. I wore my scarf all day, except in Potions, I was too worried about getting it dirty. 

I read and re-read my letter from Elizabeth a few time before going to bed. I included it here to remember it:

My Dear Emily, 

 I hope this package arrives in time for your birthday. I don't know how fast these owls can go between here and England. 

I'm so excited you are in Ravenclaw house. From your description it's a perfect fit for you. You've always been a little bookworm. I remember visiting you at your parent's house and you begging to be read book after book till you couldn't keep your eyes open. I know your parents would be so proud of you right now, I know I am. 

You've only been gone two weeks, but the house is so quiet without you. Even your godfather admits he misses you. He is very disappointed he didn't get to see you off to school, but he was needed at work. They are testing a new airplane propeller, to hopefully make planes more efficient and fly longer on less fuel. 

Well its getting late and your godfather will be needing his dinner soon. 

I love you so much and write back soon to tell me about school!

Love

Elizabeth

Potions

I've been loving all my classes. There are so many interesting things to learn. Right now because I'm only in my first year, I have Potions, Transfiguration, Charms, History of Magic, Astronomy, Herbology, Defense Against the Dark Arts and Flying lessons. Charms is my favorite, it comes really easy for me. Charms is where we learn spells to perform with our wands. I've even been able to do a few of the spells from older students. I think potions is my least favorite right now. I feel like it should be easier, you just have to read the book and follow the instructions. I keep getting them wrong though. Yesterday while I was trying to make a Forgetfulness Potion, and  I almost melted my cauldron. Professor Slughorn said that sometimes it just takes practice and experience to get the ingredient amounts and steps correct. I know I just need more practice, but its hard to find time for that. I can't just sit in the library and brew potions, and I don't think they'd appreciate  the smell in the common room.
I think I'll just relax tonight and read my Astronomy book. Wizards know so many more things about the planets than the muggles do!