1. Harry Potter (Panda's version) - Featuring Janet Hayden - Chapter 18

     An hour later, a smiling dimpled woman slid open their door and asked, “Anything off the cart, dears?”

     Janet took a glance at the cart, it was selling foodstuff that she has never seen before, feeling a little hungry and very much excited, Janet took out a small purse and started figuring out what she should buy.

     While she was still staring at the cart, Justin stood up and said, “Lunch will be on me, to celebrate us being friends.” Justin took out a handful of gold from his pockets and looks at the cart, “You can just choose what you want.”

     “I am alright with anything.” Hannah answered.

     Janet gave Ernie an I-don’t-know-what-to-do look and Ernie got the message, he stood up with Justin and started picking food from the cart, at the same time explaining to Justin about them.

     Justin paid the woman while Ernie carried the food into the compartment.

     “Will that be enough for everybody?” Justin questions after looking at the small pile.

     “It should be. No worries. Thanks Justin.” Ernie answered and passes a pumpkin pasty to Janet. “Pumpkin pasty.” He said to Janet.

     “Thanks Justin.” Hannah and Janet said together.

     “Thanks,” Janet took the pumpkin pasty from Ernie, unwraps it and took a bite. “Not bad.” She thought to herself.

     The four of them talked during the whole journey, they talked about the things they might learn in school, about the snacks and candies Justin bought for them from the cart. Ernie and Hannah were exchanging their Chocolate Frog cards while Justin and Janet examines those cards with moving characters of famous wizards and witches with amazement. Then, Justin started asking about wands.

     “Willow, phoenix feather, 12 inches.” Ernie took out his wand and showed them.

     “Phoenix feather? Mine is dragon heartstring, 12 and half inches, Maple.” Justin showed his wand.

     “Mine is the hair of a unicorn’s tail. Rosewood, 11 inches.” Hanna pulled her light-coloured wand from her pocket.

     Janet took hers out too, “Mine is also unicorn’s tail, Black Walnut, 12 and a quarter inches.”

     Feeling excited, Justin asked, “Have you tried using your wand?”

     Ernie holds out his wand, “My dad taught me a very useful one. Look, Lumos!” Ernie’s wand tip create a narrow beam of light.

     “Woah!” Justin and Janet gasps with excitement.

     They played around with their wands, unaware that the sky outside has turned dark as they travelled.

     Ernie noticed that they have been travelling for quite a while. “I think we should change into our robes.” He nudges Justin, “Let’s go out and let the girls change first.”

     Justin nods in agreement, stood up and follows Ernie out of their compartment.

     Janet reach for her robes and flips it around trying to find the neck of her robes.

     Hannah who was done dressed in her robes, saw Janet was having trouble putting on her robes, she took Janet’s robes off her hands and said gently, “Hey, relax.” She flips Janet’s robes showing the neck, “Here.” She smiled.

     “Thanks.” Janet puts on her robes.

     “I’ll go tell them it is their turn to change.” Hannah slides open the door and the two boys walks in.

     After everyone has changed, they sat in the compartment clearing up the remaining foodstuff leftovers and a voice projected to the whole train.

     “We will be reaching Hogwarts in five minutes’ time. Please leave your luggage on the train; it will be taken to the school separately.”

     “This is it.” Justin said nervously as they walk out of their compartment together.

1. Harry Potter (Panda's version) - Featuring Janet Hayden - Chapter 17

Janet stared outside the window, lost in her thoughts. She could not help feeling nervous about whatever awaits at Hogwarts.

     “Janet?” Ernie called.

     “Huh?” Janet was pulled out from her thoughts.

     “You look worried. Don’t worry, my dad has told me a lot about Hogwarts, you can ask me anything and I’ll explain to you.”

     “Oh, it’s ok. I don’t know what to ask anyway.” Janet was too overwhelmed by the fact that she is going to live a whole new life; she has too many questions that she finds it hard to put them into words.

     “Your dad said that you just came back to London, where were you staying?” Ernie is trying to calm Janet’s nerves by talking to her about other things.

     “My grandmother’s place, in Japan.” Janet answered, trying to act as naturally as possible.

     “Wow! I have never been to Japan. It must be different.” Ernie said.

     “Somewhat different, I guess.”

     The door of their compartment slide open before Ernie could ask further, much to Janet’s relief. A girl with blonde pigtails is standing at the door, “Ernie, I heard that Harry Potter is in this train.”

     “Harry Potter? Really?” Ernie exclaimed excitedly. “Do you know who Harry Potter is, Janet?”

     “Yeah, I have heard of him.” Janet appeared to have no interest in Harry Potter since she is bonded to him for the rest of her life, she will know who he is eventually whether she likes it or not. For now, her nerves are taking over the situation.

     “I think he is at the back of the train, you want to go have a look?” the girl at the door asked Ernie.

     Ernie shot a glance at Janet, who clearly showed no interest and answered, “I guess not, he is going to Hogwarts anyway.”

     “I guess you are right.” The girl replied.

     As she was halfway sliding the compartment door, Ernie called, “Hey Hannah, want to come sit with us?”

     “Sure.” The girl slide the door back open and walks in, “Hi, I’m Hannah Abbott.” The girl introduced herself to Janet and sat down next to Ernie.

     “I’m Janet Hayden. Nice to meet you, Hannah.” Janet replied.

     Just then, the compartment door slide open again, a boy with curly dark brown hair pokes his head in and asks, “Hi, I’m Justin. Can I join in? The other compartments are full.”

     “Sure, come on in.” Ernie pushes open the door for Justin to come in.

     “Thank you so much. Everyone seems to have friends here. I’m quite alone. I’m a muggle born.” The boy explained and sat beside Janet.

     “Oh, you are welcomed to join us. I’m Ernie, this is Hannah.” Ernie introduces, “and this is Janet.”

     “Hi, I’m Justin Finch-Fletchley. Nice meeting all of you. You are all from wizard families?” Justin asks curiously.

     “I am. My mom and dad are from Hogwarts too.” Ernie said.

     “I’m a half blood. My mom is a muggle born witch.” Hannah explained.

     “Your mother is a muggle born too? How did she accept this when she got her letter? My mother finds all these unbelievable until a teacher came to our house and explain. She is still doubtful but she accepted it. She was quite disappointed that I turned down Eton”

     “You were going to Eton?” Janet spoke suddenly after her long silence.

     “You know Eton? You are a muggle born too? You are Janet, right?” Justin asked excitedly, knowing that someone actually knows Eton means they will have something in common.

     “I… I’m not a muggle born. My mom and dad are a witch and wizard but I am living in a muggle neighbourhood. So, I have heard of it.” Janet explained.

     “What is Eton?” Ernie asked.

     “It is a very prestigious muggle school, very well-known.” Janet answered, feeling glad that she actually knows something that others don’t.

     “Oh.” Ernie replied, “Hogwarts is also very famous in the wizarding world,” he added.

     “I guessed that, so all of you would have a certain basic in all these magic stuff then. I know nothing. I have gone through all the books in our booklist; everything is so different from the things I learnt in muggle school.” Justin said looking worried.

     “You don’t have too worry too much. I know there are a number of muggle borns that are starting from scratch too. And besides, I actually don’t know that much too.” Hannah comforts.

     “I heard that they separate students into different houses. Do you have any idea how are they going to do it?” Justin asked looking at Hannah and Ernie.

     “My dad told me that you will have to wear a Sorting Hat and it will put you into houses base on your qualities.” Ernie explained.

     “What house are you hoping to be in?” Justin continues asking.

     “Hufflepuff, loyal and down to earth. My dad was a Hufflepuff too.” Ernie answered excitedly.

     “My father was a Hufflepuff too.” Hannah added.

     “What about you, Janet?” Ernie realized that Janet has been very quiet throughout their conversation.

     “Oh, er… I’m not sure. I never actually thought about this.” Janet was listening attentively because she and Justin shared similar questions.

     “I think you will usually be sorted into the same house as your family members.” Ernie suggested.

     “My dad was a Hufflepuff too.” Janet answered. Her parents did explain about the Hogwarts houses, David was a Hufflepuff and Emily was a Ravenclaw.

     “Then I sure hope that I could be in Hufflepuff too since there is a high chance that all of you will be in it.” Justin said.

1. Harry Potter (Panda's Version) - Featuring Janet Hayden - Chapter 16

“Oh my! Is that you? David Hayden?” A man behind Janet called and walks towards her father who was in front of her with her cart.

     David stared at the man and blurted, “Bernard?”

     “You bet! David, it has been god knows how many years already! Where have you been?” The man whom David addresses as Bernard, hugs him and pats him on the back.

     “Bernard Macmillan! Nice seeing you again.” David returned the hug.

     “Mom, who is he?” Janet asks

     “That’s Bernard Macmillan. Your dad’s best friend from Hogwarts. We have not been in contact ever since we moved out.” Emily explained.

     “Where have you been? It seems like you and Emily disappeared ever since You-Know-Who’s downfall.” Bernard questioned his long lost friend.

     David was caught by surprise; he totally forgot that his absence from the wizarding world for 10 years will require an explanation, “I… I… was away.” David stammered.

     “Yes, of course you are, and I have a wand. Speaking of the obvious, were you on the run, David?” Bernard eyed him suspiciously.

     “Not really. I… was…” David was totally lost for words; he has not prepared a cover story for his sudden 10 years of absence.

     “Out of England.” Emily answered for David while walking towards him.

     “Oh. Hi, Emily!” Bernard gave Emily a hug.

     “Hi, Bernard.” Emily hugged back.

     Bernard was distracted by Emily, he forgotten that he was expecting an answer from David, much to David’s relief. “What brings the two of you here? After so many years…” Bernard stopped when he saw Janet standing behind Emily, “Right, you two have a daughter!”

     “Ah, yes. Bernard, meet Janet.” David pulls Janet over. “Janet, this is Bernard Macmillan, my friend from Hogwarts. It is Janet’s first time in Hogwarts.”

     “Hi, Mr. Macmillan.” Janet greeted shyly.

     “Janet, time sure flies, don’t they? The last time I saw you, you were just a baby. Then, your parents disappeared… Oh, yes. It is Ernie’s first year too. The both of you should get to know each other. Hold on, I’ll go get him.” Bernard walks off to find his son, Ernie.

     After making sure that Bernard is out of sight, David turns anxiously to his wife, “Emily, what should we tell people about our absence? Bernard may not be the only one wondering.”

     “Out of the country, maybe my mother’s place in Japan? That should be able to stop them from asking. It is far enough and my mom is from Japan.” Emily quickly worked out a cover story. They can’t go around telling people that they have somehow “converted” into muggles for the past 10 years, people are bound to want to know why so the best reason for their absence would be that they were out of the country. They can’t mention places around Europe because it is too close to home and their cover will be blown when they are unable to explain further. Since Emily’s mother now lives in Japan, they could use this as a reason and people will not ask too many questions.

     “Hear that, Janet? Remember? We came back from Japan.” David reminds Janet about their cover up story.

     “Ok.” Janet nods.

     “Good thing, we have been to Japan. We should have enough knowledge to answer.” Emily said in relief, she totally forgot that they need a cover story for their absence. “Janet, remember, just answer when you’re asked, ok?”

     “There you are. Come here, Ernie.” Bernard is back with his son, Ernie Macmillan, a white, blonde little boy who is slightly taller than Janet. “This is Ernie, my son. It is his first year too.”

     “And, this is Janet.” David nods at Janet.

     “Hi, I’m Ernie.” Ernie held out his hand to Janet.

     Janet shook it and smiled back, “Janet Hayden.”

     “Hi there, Mr. and Mrs. Hayden.” Ernie greets politely.

     “Nice to meet you too, Ernie.” David greets back. “Janet is still unfamiliar with Hogwarts, we just came back to London and did not really have time to explain everything to her.” David explained with an intention to inform Bernard about their absence.

     “Oh, no worries. Ernie, you will help take care of Janet, will you?” Bernard tells his son.

     “Yes, dad.” Ernie answered and turn to Janet, “Come on, we’ll get your trunk into the compartment, we can sit together.” Ernie took hold of Janet’s cart from her father and pushes it to the train and Janet follows.

     “We should have lunch together later, you know, to renew old friendships.” Bernard suggests to David.

     Janet approached the train with Ernie, they passed a sign overhead that shows Hogwarts Express, 11 o’clock. “So, this is it.” Janet mumbles to herself.

     “Sorry?” Ernie asks.

     “Erm, nothing.” Janet answered and helps Ernie who was heaving her trunk into the compartment door.

     After putting Alpha on the seat of the compartment, Ernie turn to Janet who was staring at the scarlet train, “Let’s get back to our parents, the train will be leaving soon. Time to say goodbye.” Ernie took hold of Janet’s hand and leads her through the crowd back to their parents.

     A whistle sounded.

     “Janet, if anything happen, just send Alpha over. Whatever you want to tell us, ok?” Emily said.

     “Okay,” Janet answered nervously.

     “Don’t worry, girl. Ernie will keep an eye on you. Won’t you, Ernie?” Bernard comforts Janet who seems like she is going to burst into tears.

     “I will, dad. Don’t worry, I will take care of you, Janet.” Ernie answered and bids his father goodbye.

     “We are going to miss you.” David hugs his daughter. “You don’t have to worry. You have your mother’s notebook with you and Alpha. You will be fine.”

     Emily bent down and hugs Janet, “Stay safe and write to us, ok?”

     Janet holds back her tears, “I will. Goodbye!”

     “Bye, dear.” Emily waves. “You better get going.”

     Ernie takes hold of Janet’s hand and leads her to their compartment.

     “Bye mom. Bye Dad.” Janet waves back at her parents and follows Ernie back to their compartment.

     Janet sank down on the seat of their compartment and looks out at the moving scene, the platform became smaller and smaller.

1. Harry Potter (Panda's version) - Featuring Janet Hayden - Chapter 15

     1^st September.

     “Janet, have you got everything ready? All in your trunk?” Emily confirmed with her daughter while helping her with the huge trunk which is more than half the size of Janet.

     “I think so,” Janet answered unconfidently while putting her trunk down at the end of the staircase. “I sure hope I got everything. Let me check again,” and she ran back upstairs to her room.

     This is Janet’s first time leaving home and the fact that she could not imagine what to expect in Hogwarts made her even more nervous. She was told that electronics will not work in Hogwarts so she refrain herself from bringing her Ipod. She took out a few readily packed foodstuff from her trunk as well after her father told her that Hogwarts will always make sure their student are well fed and he never had to go hungry when he was at Hogwarts because his old common room, Hufflepuff was near the kitchens so it was really easy to sneak food from there.

     After finding out that most of the stuff she finds essential are actually redundant, Janet does not know what to pack anymore.

     “You don’t have to worry too much. If you missed anything, just send Alpha back to us and we’ll get him to bring it to you.” David assured to calm Janet’s nerves.

     “Really?” Janet exclaims with relief and picks Alpha, who was perching on the armchair up, “I could do that?” She asks while hugging Alpha, who apparently is enjoying it.

     “Sure. So, don’t worry. Everything will be fine. Now let’s go to the station.” David ushered.

    Something struck Janet, how could she have not thought of this? “Where is Hogwarts? How are we going there?”

     “Somewhere north, I think,” David answered, “And you are going there by the Hogwarts Express.”

     The Haydens reach King’s Cross Station, David looks around and say, “Now, we’ll have to look for the platform.”

     “Oh, so I will be going there by the train.” Janet thought to herself. “So much for expecting a magical journey.”

     “Platform nine and three quarters… nine and three quarters.” David mumbles while looking around the platforms, pushing Janet’s cart with her trunk and Alpha in its cage.

     “Look, David. Platform ten, it must be behind it.” Emily pointed at the pillar that has a sign saying Platform 10.

     “Let’s go then.” David pushes the cart towards the dividing barrier of Platform 9 and Platform 10.

     “Wait! Dad, where are you going?” Janet asked in shock after seeing her father heading towards a barrier wall and gasps when he disappears into the brick wall.

     “What just happened?” Janet turns to look at her mother.

     “We’ll find out.” Emily smiled, “Now, let’s go, don’t stop.” Emily holds on to Janet’s shoulders and steered her towards the barrier.

     As Janet approaches the cold brick wall, she expects it to change its form into a gateway or something but it remains as an ordinary cold brick wall that she is going to bang hardly into if she continue approaching. She closes her eyes to get herself ready but nothing happened but the sound of the train engine made her open her eyes. She was no longer at the platform she saw previously. She turn back at the brick wall that has now become a wrought-iron archway with the words Platform Nine and Three Quarters on it.

1. Harry Potter (Panda's version) - Featuring Janet Hayden - Chapter 14

“What are you talking about? You’re a witch?!” Anna exclaimed and took a sip of her iced Chocolate.

     “Look, I know it is hard to believe but you know I will never lie to you. I am not supposed to tell this to anyone but I can’t keep this from you. You are my best friend and we share everything.” Janet explained.

     “If you are going to another school, you could have just told me. I am totally fine with it. Why are you making up stories?” Anna still finds Janet’s words hard to believe.

     Feeling a little annoyed, Janet answered back, “I am not making up stories. This is true.”

     “Show me then. Show me your magic.” Anna felt disappointed with her best friend who broke their promise of going to Queen Anne’s together, and now she expects Anna to belief that she is going to a school of magic? What nonsense!

     “I…” Janet hesitated.

     “You are lying, aren’t you?”

     “No, I am not!”

     “Then, why can’t you prove anything?” Anna challenged.

     “I… Fine! You want to see magic. I’ll show you.” Janet concentrates hard on the candles on their table and seconds later, the candles lit up.

     “Woah!” Anna jerked up moving her chair backwards, away from the table.

     “Now do you believe me?”

     Anna stared at her best friend, speechless. If this happened before Janet told her that she was not going to Queen Anne’s, she might think it is really cool that her best friend could do tricks like this and she will even pester Janet to teach her. But, the girl that she have treated as a best friend has now broke the promise they made together telling her unbelievable things and now she’s doing tricks to cover. What has her best friend turned into?

     “Anna, you must keep this a secret. I am telling you this because you are my best friend. Nobody should know any of these.” Janet said.

     “I doubt anybody will believe it anyway, even if I were to tell,” Anna muttered nervously.

     “Anna, I am really sorry that I could not go to Jensen’s with you but this is what I have to do. I hope you could understand.”

     “Okay, whatever you say. I think I should get going. I am supposed to be running errands for my mom,” Anna stood up just wanting to leave that place, she clearly has no errands, she wants to stay away from the person she called her best friend. She left the coffee shop without looking at Janet.

     Janet left the coffee shop shortly after Anna.

     “Am I doing the right thing? Should I tell her everything?” Janet was not sure if all these should be kept a secret. She was too eager to explain to her best friend the reason she will not be able to go to school with her anymore, she was afraid that she will lose Anna as her friend if she have not told her but now it seems that it won’t make a difference. Anna will not see her the same way as before anymore.

     Janet burst into tears once she reached home, she has been holding back her tears all the way from the coffee shop back home.

    David heard her daughter opened the door and was ready to welcome her daughter, his health condition has been improving since they embraced the wizarding world again, he seek magical healing assistance which worked better on relieving his pain than muggle medicine, was shocked to see her in tears, “Janet! What happened?! Emily!”

    Emily came out from the laundry room and had the exact same reaction as her husband, “Janet, what happened? Why are you crying? Did something happen?”

     Janet could not say anything between her sobs, she kept crying.

     Emily hugs her daughter, “Now, it ok. You are home now. Tell us, what happened?”

     “Come, let’s sit down.” David pulls his daughter towards the couch. “What happened? Take a deep breath and tell us slowly.”

     “I… I… I” Janet stuttered between her sobs, “Told Anna.”

     “Oh, you told Anna?” Emily said in a soft voice.

     “Y… Yes. She won’t be… believe me. She walked away.” Janet sobbed harder after thinking that she might no longer have Anna as her friend anymore.

     “Calm down, dear.” Emily comforts her daughter, “I know this is hard. You found it hard to accept too, didn’t you? Give her some time. She’ll understand.”

     “No, she won’t. She won’t look at me the same way as she does anymore.” Janet wailed.

     “Don’t worry, dear. We’ll think of something.” David gave a comforting hug to her daughter.

1. Harry Potter (Panda's version) - Featuring Janet Hayden - Chapter 13

     Janet laid everything she bought from Diagon Alley on the floor of her room. Looking at them in disbelief, “I am actually going to live a life where magic exists. Everything is going to be so different.” Jamet thought to herself

     A “Ping” from her computer knocked her of her daze.

     Janet gets up and moves her mouse to resume her computer from the screen saver, a message from Anna pops up on the screen.

     “Anna!” Janet exclaimed to herself, “Gosh, I haven’t told her that I am not going to Queen Anne’s anymore. Should I tell her the truth? Will she believe me? I myself find it hard to believe, not to mention I have no physical proof. I can’t show her the letter. Will she be able to accept that I am no longer going to Queen Anne’s with her?”

     Another “Ping” reminds her that Anna is still on the line. Janet sat in front of her computer and reply.

Janet says:

Hey!

Anna says:

Hey, what have you been up to? I have not heard from you for quite a while. How was the interview?
 

“The interview! I totally forgot that I gave up the opportunity,” after knowing that she is a witch, Janet had more or less forgotten about the on-goings of her muggle life.

Anna says:

Hello? Are you there?

Janet says:

Yup, still here.

Anna says:

Anyway, I’ve got great news for you. I got the scholarship for Queen Anne’s too! I don’t know how it happened but they called me the last minute asking me if I am interested; of course I am! We applied it together and I thought I will have to take on odd jobs to help pay my fees, since I was not shortlisted. Who knows someone gave up the chance for the interview and it so happen that I was the first name in the waiting list, so they offered me a chance and I got it!

Janet says:

Wow! Congratulations! I am so happy for you.

Anna says:

Thanks! I’m assuming you got it too, right? Your chances were high anyway. We are going to Queen Anne’s together as scholars! I can’t believe this!

Janet says:

Anna… I am not going to Queen Anne’s.

“Gosh, typing this is so hard.” Janet sighed.

Anna says:

What?! Why??? Why not?? You didn’t get the scholarship?

Janet says:

I did not go for the interview.

Anna says:

Why?? I thought going to Queen Anne’s is your dream? What happened?

Janet says:

It was my dream but I have to go to another school.

Anna says:

What? How could you not tell me this? We promised each other that we are going to Queen Anne’s together, no matter what happens, with or without the scholarship. You forgot about that?

Janet says:

No, I remembered. It is a long story.

Anna says:

I have time. Tell me, what happened?

Janet says:

Let’s meet up.

Anna says:

Ok, half an hour at the coffee shop.

Janet says:

See you.

Janet signed out from her account, wondering if she should bring her wand with her.