Just a quick note: 'parseltongue'

'Author's notes'

'Sign/letter/time/date'

Now let's get started, enjoy!

The Unexpected Riddle

1988, 14 July. Long Island, New York

Bright flames licked the dark night sky. The hot scent of smoke and ashes choked the large crowd surrounding the burning building. "The children're all out, but the fire's not going down!" a fire-fighter cried out desperately to his team mates, covered in sweat and ash. A large burnt sign with the words "Long Island Childrens' Home" crashed to the ground, barring the entrance. Red-clad men aimed large hoses, trying to put out the fire, but to no avail.

No one noticed the small seven-year-old girl standing at the edge of the crowd in all the chaos. She watched with horror and sick fascination, a small spark dancing in the palm of her hand

A continent away, a young emerald-eyed boy curled up in the corner of his cupboard, crocodile tears leaving tracks in the dirt on his face.

4 years later, England

A vortex of orange, pink and blue swirled up in the dim evening sky. I leaned back against the sun warmed wall, closing my eyes as I relaxed, away from the ruckus in the building. A small green garden snake slithered up to me and wound itself around my left arm, seeking heat from the cold weather. I glanced down at Ralph coiling himself around my arm. He had been my best and only friend since coming to the orphanage four years ago.

I couldn't help but imagine what life could have been like if I had parents, life outside the grey crumbling walls of the orphanage. A barrage of feeling welled up inside me, that familiar ache in my chest. I could feel my eyes welling up with tears as I saw that day in my mind, orange and yellow swirling, and spitting golden sparks above my head.

I was brought out of my trance by a sharp hiss as Ralph quickly uncoiled from my arm, burned by my skin. I forced myself to calm before I burst into flames. Little sparks fizzled out around my palms as I cooled down, no longer in danger of becoming a human bonfire. It already happened twice. I couldn't let it happen again. Not yet.

Today was the first of July. Mrs Grace, the sixty year-old caretaker (I don't know why they call her that, the only thing she takes care of is her kitchen), conducted spot checks on everyone's rooms. I preferred to keep out of everyone's way, sitting by the small pond in the garden. Well, it wasn't really a pond. More like a large grubby puddle.

Suddenly, I heard a flapping of wings behind me. Suddenly, I heard the flutter of wings behind me… It was an owl! I couldn't help but stare at the magnificent bird, staying stock still in case I frightened it away. I wasn't sure what breed it was, but it was gorgeous. Long silky ebony feathers covered it, the darkest ones above and the lighter coloured ones at the end of its large wings. It had round amber eyes that seemed to stare into my soul. I stood frozen, staring at it. It must have been grouchy because I didn't think the bird was so pretty after it went "SCREECH!" in my ear, making me jumps.

"Stupid bird brain! I'm going to feed you to the snake!" I yelled threateningly at it. The owl just gave me a haughty look and made a sudden dive toward me, dropped something on my head, then swooped off, screeching ear-shatteringly one last time for good measure. I ducked just in time. I swore I could feel its sharp talons grabbing at my hair. Moments later, it was soaring fifty feet away in the air. I knelt down to pick the thing it dropped. It was a yellowing envelope with a fancy red wax seal, made of… parchment? Who still used parchment? But it got even odder. On the front of the letter, written in green ink it said:

To Ms M. Leddir

Beside the Pond.

Wool's Orphanage for girls,

410 Vauxhall Road, LONDON

Was someone stalking me? A shiver went down my spine as I read the creepily accurate address. I broke the seal, opening the letter, which said:

HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

Headmaster Dumbledore. (Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc, Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)

Dear Ms Leddir.

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on September 1st. We await your owl by no later than July 31st.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

What kind of sick joke was this? Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry?

I was shocked speechless. In the envelope was another piece of parchment, sort of like a booklist. There were things like "plain robes", "cauldrons", and "Magical Theory by Adabert Waffling".

Just then, something else fell out of the yellowing envelope and slowly drifted to the ground. It was a small note saying:

Dear Ms Leddir

As you have grown up in a muggle background, a member of the Hogwarts staff will arrive in a few days to introduce you to the wizarding world and escort you to Diagon Alley to purchase your school supplies.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

I reread the letter over and over again, more questions popping up in my mind each time.

"Megan! Will you stop slacking? Get in here!" A shrill voice ordered me from inside. I rolled my eyes, hiding the envelope under my shirt as I slowly got up and walked into the large grey building, dragging my feet. If this was some kind of joke, I was not going to give anyone the satisfaction of seeing me fall for their stupid prank. But just in case, I hid the letter under the mattress of my bed.

3 days later, Hogwarts, Staffroom

"Severus! Just the person I was looking for!" Minerva McGonagall exclaimed to a tall dark figure. "Yes?" Severus Snape replied irritably. He didn't visit the staffroom often, choosing to avoid his colleagues unless he absolutely had to. In this case, he had thought the room empty and had been grading papers, leaving devastating remarks with his red quill.

"Could you do some of the house calls for the muggleborns? Albus and I are busy reviewing DADA candidates and everyone else has gone home for the holidays, except for Sybill, and we cannot possibly send her!" Minerva said, slightly desperate. Severus could see that there was no way out of this, as there was really no one else. He gritted his teeth. He was going to regret this.

"Very well, give me the address and I will attend to it today."

"Thank you, Severus! Here is the address. This child is an orphan, not muggleborn. I have already visited rest of them. Now try not to scare her too much, will you?" the professor said, then hurried off before he could change his mind, visibly relieved.

Severus Snape was left glaring at the piece of parchment, as if trying to incinerate it with his terrifying look alone.