Chapter 1 – The Letter

Abi's POV

The letter fluttered through the door, and landed on the doormat. Abi ran to see what it was, only to find her mother standing there with a brown envelope in her hands. She handed it to Abi, with shaking hands, a look of absolute uncertainty upon her face. Abi ran her chubby eleven-year old fingers over the smooth envelope, wondering what could have caused such a reaction from her mother. She opened it slowly, devouring the sensation of power running through her.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore

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

Dear Miss Hunter,

We are pleased to inform you that you have a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.

Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.

Yours Sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

"Hogwarts?" Abi asked her mother, "What's that?"

Her mother's eyes filled with tears. "I hoped this day would never come. I prayed, and prayed, every night for the last few months..." She wiped away her tears, and gave her daughter a watery smile.

"Hogwarts is a school, for wizards and witches. Honey, you're a witch."

Abi stared up at her mother in confusion. "A what?" she asked.

"A witch...you, my child, are a magical being, just like me. Things like making your bike change colours, and bewitching your skirts into shorts; that's magic. I wanted to tell you before, but I kept telling myself it was a coincidence." She looked at Abi with pleading eyes. "Please don't tell your father."

"Doesn't Daddy know?" Abi asked.

Her mother gave a sad smile. "If he did, he'd be repulsed. He's a very down-to-earth man. He just wouldn't be able to accept it. So you won't tell him, will you?"

"No, mummy, I won't."

Her mother gave a sigh of relief. "Thank you, darling."

Livvie's POV

"Oliviaaaaaaaaaaaa, come downstairs!" Her mother's French accent called from below. "You have a letter!"

"I'm coming," Livvie shouted, slipping into her warm slippers and dressing gown before going downstairs. She saw her cleaner as she went down, and paused for a moment.

"Hi, Alexandra!"

Alexandra glanced down the stairs to where her mother was sorting out the mail.

"You'd better get downstairs before your mother starts yelling at you in French. Hurry."

Livvie ran down, stopping at her mother's feet. "Yes, mum?"

"Your letter. It's from," she checked the envelope, "Someplace called Hogwarts".

Olivia took the envelope from her mother, ripping it open in delight. She barely ever got mail, and she always found it exciting to open it.

'HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY,' she read out loud. She heard an audible gasp from behind her, where Alexandra was cleaning. She turned just in time to see Alexandra almost falling off the chair she had been standing on in order to clean the picture frames on the wall.

"Are you ok?" Livvie asked.

"Livvie, can I talk to you a moment," Alexandra asked, and lead her into the kitchen.

"What's the matter?" Livvie asked.

"That letter...you...you..." she reached forward and gave Livvie a hug.

"What's wrong? It's just a school."

"No, you're wrong. It's a school for witches and wizards. You are a witch, Livvie."

"A...a witch? That can't be true! I'm just an ordinary girl!"

"No, you're not, and you never have been. I was sent to watch over you, by Hogwarts. You are not alone. I'm a witch too."

Livvie stepped back in surprise. "You're a witch? Oh my god! Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god! This can't be real!" She pinched herself to make sure she wasn't dreaming. It hurt like hell. Either this was real, or this was a painful dream.

"Prove it." Livvie said.

Alexandra took a long thin wand stick-like object from her pocket. "Wingardium Leviosa," she recited, swishing her wand. The chair beside Livvie rocked, then flew into the air.

Livvie stood there, her mouth open, her eyes wide.

"How?" she whispered weakly.

"Later, I will explain."

Nonie's POV

"Nonie, your Hogwarts letter is here! You got in," her father called to her.

Nonie ran into the living room, and grabbed the letter. "Gimme gimme!" she yelled. She ripped open the letter and saw the words 'HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY'

"Yes!" she yelled, "I knew it!" She ran to hug her parents.

"We're so proud of you," Nonie's mother said, hugging her daughter tightly.

"Well done," her father said, ruffling her hair.

"Hey!" Nonie cried, taking a step back, and flattening her hair again, "Do not touch the hair. I warn you!"

Her parents laughed.