Hogsmeade, and more...

I was sorry to miss Quidditch on Friday as I had an extra assignment for Charms to complete. I was happy to see our excellent Gryffindor efforts and we nearly caught the Snitch! After turning in my assignment (trouble with my Switching Spell), I apparated to Hogmeade, saw Lydia Figg at Honeydukes, headed to Gladrags for a new robe (mine suddenly developed tiny funny shaped holes), then stopped by the Three Broomsticks for a butterbeer. I was passing by the fireplace to say hello to Penelope of Flitwick, when my ankle twisted slightly and off I went to the Floo Network without any idea where I would end up. I felt like that Alice character from the muggle book as I emerged into Wonderland.

Wonderland, it turned out, is a muggle city called the Sin City, or Las Vegas. There were chubby men with black false hair (called a wig) and strange costume with a tall collar and glittering jewels, each one called "Elvis." And there were muggle cars with signs on top of them which said O, and Tao, and a building that said "Donny and Marie" (whomever they may be), with what I am guessing are their muggle images and their very large white teeth. Wandering down the street, which is called the Strip, there was a statue of two men and a tiger near a large building called the Mirage.

I got a bit lost and tried to wander back to the where I came from to get back to the Broomsticks, and I decided to stop at a lovely tan building which was called The Bellagio since it had lovely magic enchanted water ballet in the lake out front. I marvelled at the lovely glass sea objects in the ceiling and marvelled at a mirror covered horse. It was truly a magic place. Passing by a fireplace in a cafe, there appeared Ophelia Ballycastle. I'm not sure how she managed to get there, but it was a happy meeting. I explained all of the strangeness of the muggle city and after a glass of muggle wine, we stepped outside and I showed her the Elvis, the Donny and Marie, and some men on the street with cards that they flicked in their hands making sounds.

We stopped by a building called Paris, which had a truly amazing Eiffel Tower, similar to one I've seen in the city of Paris. We travelled by elevator to the top, and then stepped of to take a look at the view, when we suddenly appeared back at the Three Broomsticks. Perhaps Madam Rosmerta does not have a charmed fireplace, perhaps another student or professor, or some other witch or wizard worked a spell. I must discover more - Ophelia and I will figure out this puzzle.