Floo Powder

A month passed and the kids were super excited for Professor McGonagall's return. They spent just about every waking day talking about it, though they still had regular school until the start of next year when they would be headed off for Hogwarts with their parent's permission who also felt excitement at the amazing hidden world they never knew about.

Trenton's parents however were starting to get annoyed at his constant whining about having to continue attending regular school. Unlike Hermione who was just as excited as Trenton about magic and Hogwarts, still enjoyed learning in regular school regardless.

There was some heated words with his parents when they started receiving calls about his uncaring attitude and a drastic drop in grades. Luckily Hermione stepped in and coaxed him into staying in school with her and not drop out much to his parent's thankful delight.

His father could understand his frustration, but they weren't about to let him just stay at home and rot away doing nothing. They believed he needed to be more social and didn't wish for him to shut himself off for any length of time.

Before Hermione came along, Trenton had few people he talked to, he was never bothered about being alone. They always seemed to want to do things he didn't care about or want to do, but this made his parents worry he would be alone for the rest of his life if he didn't change and become more social.

Trenton who was about to lose his mind at being forced to attend something that he always hated and now no longer mattered, was over the moon when they were informed the Professor was on her way.

Both Families were now eagerly awaiting the Professor's arrival in Hermione's home, expecting her to come through the fireplace at any minute.

The parents were chuckling at how excited their children were, especially Trenton who couldn't sit still.

Mrs. Epperson smiling- "Calm down son, she said she'll be here at 10:00, there are a few minutes left, I'm sure she'll be here soon."

Trenton who was growing antsy was fidgeting in his seat as he got up repeatedly to walk around before sitting back down, driving the rest of them crazy.

"I know, I just can't wait, how can you expect me to continue going to that boring hell when I should be learning everything I can about magic," complained Trenton.

His parents rolled their eyes while Hermione looked a bit sad.

Hermione sadly asked- "Do you not like going to school with me anymore?"

Trenton froze as he tried to correct her- "No, no, no, that's not it at all, I just find school boring and useless now because we should be learning about magic Hermione, Magic!" he said emphasizing the last word.

Hermione went quiet for a bit because she also agreed, the last thing she wanted was to start a new school behind the other kids. She always wanted to do her best academically and try and get the best grades she could.- "Yes, I am a bit worried about not knowing as much as the other magic children since we're muggle-born, is what I think she called us."

Hearing this made the parents sigh, but there was nothing they could do at the moment, maybe after they learned a bit more they could make a more informed decision about whether or not to bother with regular school anymore.

Suddenly the Professor appeared out of the fireplace dirty with ash, but with a wave of the wand, she was clean. The kid's eyes sparkling as they watched her in action regardless of how small the act was. Everything magic was still so new and wonderful to them, the smallest things amazed them.

The Professor smiled as she saw their reactions, this was why she volunteered to recruit muggle-borns. They always appreciated magic no matter how big or small, it filled her with joy to see them so excited to learn. Whereas children who grew up surrounded by magic took it for granted and could at times treat school like muggles treat regular school, as a prison of sorts that they were forced to go to.

Professor McGonagall- "I'm glad to see you two are so excited."

Mrs. Epperson- "You have no idea, even this one is giddy about it." she said indicating her husband who gave a small 'harumph' in response to try and keep his dignity only to receive chuckles from Hermione's dad before his wife gave him a smack on the back of his head.- "As if you're any different."

The two women then had a good laugh at their husband's expense, seeing them put in their place.

The Professor patiently waited with a grin, enjoying the happy atmosphere.

The parents then apologized to the professor for taking up her time.

Professor McGonagall- "Oh that's quite alright, it's not too often I see such happy moments, but if all of you are ready, step forward, and listen closely." She then took out a bag containing the special powder that allows her to travel through the fireplace.

"This is called Floo Powder, it's used to travel from one fireplace to another, we wizards have a wide range of such networks designed to use this way of travel." the Professor said showing the glittering powder.

"Now what you do is take some and step next to the fireplace, when your ready you clearly say the name of the place you want to go and throw the powder into the fireplace, then you'll be magically transported to the location you said."

Mrs. Granger- "What happens if you say it wrong?"

"Nothing to worry about, you'll just transport to the nearest place that sounds the same, I'll be here to retrieve anyone who makes a mistake... So who wants to go first?"

Everyone hesitated except Trenton who eagerly jumped at the chance- "I do, I do, let me."

Mrs. Epperson held her son back though as she asked- "Can we not go together in one group?"

Professor McGonagall- "Not this way, it's designed to take the person who speaks, and if you all speak at once it could have disastrous consequences, so no, best not to do that."

Mrs. Epperson then shoved her husband forward- "You go first so our son isn't there alone."

Mr. Epperson started to sweat a little, while he was also excited about magic like his son, he wasn't sure about diving headfirst into a teleportation type of spell that he had no clue what would happen.

Mr. Epperson sighed- "Okay, I'll go first."

Professor McGonagall smiled- "Don't worry there is nothing to fear, this is pretty much foolproof, now take a small handful of powder and step near the fireplace, remember to speak clearly, try not to fumble your words."

He stepped up, took some powder, and stood near the fireplace waiting for her to tell him what to say.

Professor McGonagall wondering why he wasn't going, understood and apologized- "Oh sorry, just say Diagon Alley, remember a clear voice, just stay put on the other side until we all get there."

Mr. Epperson feeling the pressure suddenly pulled a harry potter and messed up the words- "Digon Alley." throwing the powder and disappearing in a green blaze.

Mrs. Epperson sighed- "Did that fool say Digon Alley? So is he going to be okay?" she asked the Professor.

Professor McGonagall- "Should be fine, I'll go collect him after we get the rest of you sorted, try not to make the same mistake."

The other parents started sweating hearing that, but Trenton was still excited as he stepped forward again- "My turn, my turn." But he was once again pulled back by his mom.- "Now that your father isn't there, you'll have to wait for someone else, I'll not have you go alone." which dampened the excited boy's mood.

Mrs. Granger turned to smile at her husband who started sweat knowing what was coming.

Mrs. Granger- "You can go, next dear, please be careful." she said pushing her husband forward.

He ended up doing fine as well as everyone else, they waited for the Professor who showed up last after finding Trenton's dad and giving him another try. He appeared scratching the back of his head in embarrassment as he took his place by his wife and excited son, explaining that he just ended up in an unknown area with a similar name and that it wasn't a big deal.