The young woman sat in the metal chair, grey eyes focusing somewhere on the table in front of her. Her blonde hair was tied back in a ponytail, but a few strands still managed to get into her face. The contrast between her tanned skin and the silver metal made her look darker than she was. The room dwarfed her slim body and her angled features gave her a haughty air.

She twirled her wand idly. It had been a fight to keep it, but she had eventually convinced them that a stick wasn't much use as a weapon. It was times like these that she was glad that the Ministry kept their existence secret. Of course, if the Muggles knew she was a witch, she might not be in this mess.

She wasn't quite sure how she was in such a mess. She had been in Mission City shopping for a nice pair of jeans when giant robots started fighting. Missiles and bullets were flying everywhere and people were screaming and dying. There was terror and chaos all around.

So, she had whipped out her wand and started firing off spells and screaming at the attackers. They paid no attention to her until she started using Bombarda and Reducto. That got their attention fast enough. Apparently, it also got the attention of the American military.

Now, she was in an interrogation room waiting for some Muggle to find out what she was all about. At least, that's what the Muggles thought. She was actually waiting for an Auror to appear and put her on trial for the Use of Underage Magic and for the Use of Magic in Front of Muggles. Hefty charges. Her defense was that she was protecting herself and others from the certain death.

Hopefully, it would be enough. She could be expelled from Hogwarts for this and her wand would be snapped. At the thought of that, she glanced down at her wand. She didn't know what she would do without magic.

The metal door opened and she looked up. She was almost disappointed to see more military men walk in instead of Ministry officials. Behind the military man came the American Secretary of Defense, John Keller. Her eyebrows rose, but she kept silent. Her wand twirled a bit faster.

"Do you know why you're here?" Secretary Keller asked. Two more soldiers wandered in after him, one white and the other black. The first man stood at attention next to the door. She supposed the soldiers were there so she didn't start attacking.

"No clue," she said. She didn't know she could be arrested for waving a stick and cursing at giant robots. She learned something new every day.

"The hell you don't." She glanced at the black soldier. She hadn't thought he had the authority to give an opinion.

"As I see it, I was arrested for being insane. And I wasn't read my Mirada rights, so I don't have to tell you anything." She glanced at Secretary Keller when she answered.

"What are you really?" the other soldier asked. Now that she looked, she could see that they had more medals than the door guard.

"What do you mean?" Did they know she was a witch?

"You were having some sort of effect on the robots and I want to know how," Secretary Keller said. She glanced around.

"I don't have to tell you shit." The three men exchanged looks.

"What's your name?" asked the white soldier.

"What's yours?" she asked.

"I am Major Lennox, this is Commander Epps, and this the Secretary of Defense-"

"John Keller. I do keep up with current politics, to an extent."

"Your name?" Commander Epps said.

"Laura Naitor."

"Ms. Naitor, what are you?" Major Lenox asked. Laura sighed.

"I still don't understand your question."

"What planet are you from?" asked Secretary Keller. She stared at him.

"Earth. Look I don't know what's going on here, but am I under arrest? Or is this some sort of government conspiracy or something?" Laura said.

"What species are you?" Secretary Keller asked.

"Human. I still don't see where this is going."

"What do you know about aliens?" Major Lennox asked.

"Absolutely nothing."

"Then how were you having an effect on the robots when guns and missiles weren't doing much?" Commander Epps asked.

"I don't have to tell you anything. And I still haven't been read my rights."

"You aren't under arrest, Ms. Naitor," said Major Lennox.

"Then I'm free to go?"

"Not quite."

"Look, I don't know anything. I have no idea what you want from me, but all I know was that those robots were killing people. If anything, I should be asking you questions! What were they and what were they doing trashing Mission City?"

The door banged open when she finished, surprising everyone in the room. A man in purple robes walked in and Laura smiled.

"Professor Dumbledore, I didn't know you were in charge of apprehending miscreants." Professor Dumbledore smiled at her.

"Normally, I am not. However, I deemed that this was something that required my attention."

"Who are you?" Secretary Keller asked. The soldier at the door tried to grab the Professor's arm, but he pulled away.

"I am Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Now, Ms. Naitor, if you would?" He held out his arm and Laura stood and moved to take it.

"Hold on! What do you think you're doing?" Secretary Keller said as he moved to stop them.

"Side-along Apparation?"

"Indeed. Hold on tight."

"Yes, sir." The room was in an uproar as they Disapparated. Laura would have smiled if not for the unpleasant experience that was Apparating.

"Ms. Naitor, I hope you realize the seriousness of what you have done." Laura a nod, her eyes glued to her feet.

"Yes, sir."

"Come along, then. Let's get you settled in." Settled in where? She looked up to see where she was. They were at the gates of Hogwarts, it being impossible to actually Apparate into Hogwarts itself. She smiled as they walked up the drive to the castle. She was home.

It was a week till school started. Laura had mail-ordered her books and supplies a few days before and was expecting them soon. She was in the owlry, admiring the birds. A few greeted her, others ignored her. In her hand was a letter.

One of the owls soared over to her and stuck out its leg. She had been sending messages with this particular owl a lot and it was now used to her. She tied the letter to its leg and it took off. As the owl flew away, Laura had one last glance at the name on the letter: Major Lennox.