In the next room, voices could be heard. I sat in the headmistress’ office, my face set into a cheeky grin. Not even fifteen minutes ago I had been taken from my class and was told to sit quietly until Madame Maxine returned. As time ticked by, however, without so much as a peep from the teachers, my nerves weren’t even halfway to record-breaking heights. I knew that I had hit the mark, out of all the crimes I had committed at Beauxbaton’s Academy of Magic. Even though I had committed several ‘horrifying’ things, I was a straight O student, had an incredible IQ, and was possibly the only student who had ever read the school’s official handbook. I considered the possibilities of being expelled. At this rate, they were very high. 

In the silence, I pushed my long hair behind my ears and hugged my knees to chase away the continuous feeling of success. The voices next door could still be heard, but only muffled and obscure rambling. Thankfully, I didn’t need to wait long until I heard the word ‘expelled’.

The door flew open, startling me nearly out of my chair. It wasn’t open all the way, but just enough for those who lingered on the other side to be heard speaking now in hushed voices. 

Finally, Madame Maxine stepped inside.

‘Victoria, I would like to introduce you to Professor Dumbledore,’ she spoke sternly in her thick French accent. She gestured to a man behind her.

‘Miss Quinn,’ he began. ‘How are you?’

I hesitated. Albus Dumbledore was a cheerful looking man, donned in sparkling purple robes and a matching satin hat. He spoke in a perfect Queen’s English accent and retained a calm smile all the while. ‘Good,’ I said finally. ‘And you?’

‘Very well, thank you,’ Dumbledore replied politely. ‘I assume you know why I am here?’

Oh, yes. I knew perfectly well why he was here. You see, I wasn’t French, nor English. I was American. I had originally attended Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in Manhattan, but halfway through my first year, they said that my exceptional grades qualified me for studying abroad. I agreed that I would be interested in taking the program and finished my second semester, concluding my first and last year at Ilvermorny.

I spent my second magical year at the Norwegian Wizarding school, Durmstrang Institute For Magical Learning. It may have been a little extreme compared to my previous educational environment, but I enjoyed my time there very much.

For my third year, I went on to study at Beauxbaton’s Academy for Magic in the French Pyrenees, where I would study in the beautiful gardens and have lunch with the Divination professor, who had become a good friend of mine.

So, being the weekend before the new school started, it was no coincidence when the Hogwarts headmaster, AlbusDumbledore, decided he should stroll in for a visit…

I nodded, and the silence yet returned.

Dumbledore paused for a slight moment. The grave look on his face indicated that the matter was urgent, and something about it unsettled me deep in my stomach. Like a cold lead ball had just been forced down my throat and landed with a thud in my stomach.

Then, Dumbledore spoke. ‘Miss Quinn, do your parents know anything about our world?’

I squirmed nervously. ‘Well,’ I started. ‘My..parents..are dead.’

At once, Madame Maxine placed a cold hand on my shoulder. ‘Victoria’s mother and father were killed a few years ago by He Who Must Not Be Named,’ she announced. ‘But to answer your question, Mr and Mrs Quinn were one of the most wonderful witches and wizards of all time.’

‘I see. And are you familiar with Hogwarts, Victoria?’

‘I…I’ve read many things about its history, but I’ve never been to visit…’

‘Well, Hogwarts and I have heard many things about you too, of course,’ he said. ‘You’re a wonderful student, and you’ve had many experiences that would serve you well in our classes. Hogwarts would be more than happy to enrol you if you accept.’

I stutter. ‘O-oh…yes sir, I-…I’d be honoured, Headmaster.’

‘If that is what you wish, I have no aspirations of taking you from Madame Maxine,’ Dumbledore said simply, looking out Madame Maxine’s beautiful office window. ‘Madame, of course, has agreed to the terms of your studying abroad.’

I sat there, speechless. ‘I….Thank you, Headmaster, so much for this brilliant opportunity!’

‘Hogwarts will be delighted to have you in our hands.’ Dumbledore smiled contentedly and continued, ‘I will return a week from today to collect you. Term starts on 1^st September, so you still have plenty of time to say your farewells to friends.’ He began to stroll towards the door, when he paused and said, ‘Oh. And Victoria. When I return, I shall give you a list of everything that is required for a Hogwarts student.’

I thanked him and left.