Chapter 1
Sitting in the oldest bench in the park, Tom looked as his blonde haired friend went out of the back door of her house.
-Hey, Leesh! – he called, knowing all along that calling her as she was trying to escape of her house without being noticed by her parents would make her angry.
She turned to look at him; frozen, expecting that no one would have listened to Tom's calling. Seeing that none of her parents was coming for her, she walked directly to her friend.
-What have I told you? – She said in a whisper – No speaking until I get out. And obviously, I meant shouting too.
-Oh, come on! – Tom put his arm around her and squeezed her – What could be the worst that could happen? You stay in your house while your aunt visits; then…
Alicia tried to cover her ears, but Tom took both her hands in his.
-Hey, no, listen to me. Then, she starts saying again that you should stay with her for a while so she can teach you manners. Does it sound too bad? –he smirked at her.
-You're horrible! You should be on my side. If I go, then you will have no one to hang out with – Alicia told him starting to walk – And you know you'll miss me!
Alicia started to run, making Tom to go after her.
-Hey, are you implying I don't have other friends?
Angelina woke up at exactly 12:00 AM, again.
She could have sworn that the nightmares would have already faded by now, but it seemed that they have only gotten worse than before.
Today was the day, actually. The day that Jim Johnson had walked away from this very house, from Mariah, and from her. Three years had already passed and still the memories remained.
Angelina knew her mother would never admit it but she could see that as herself, her mother missed him too.
The dark skinned girl walked to the window and looked outside. Just there, right next to the mailbox, her father had said goodbye to her. And now, as Angelina's tears started to flow, the memories grew stronger in her mind.
She could never forget him, nor forgive him either; but that's not what she was worried about now. She was worried about what she saw happening there, in front of her very eyes. A tall dark man and a woman who could be no one else but her mom, kissing.
-Tell me again, because I'm sure that I did not hear you well…
-I want that tarantula!
His mother almost fainted.
-Are you sure Lee?
-Yeah, you bet I am!
The boy stared at the glass that separated him from his soon-to-be new pet. His reflection stared back at him and he smiled. He was dark skinned, and he had dreadlocks, he was wearing a red shirt, and jeans that were a little bit too big for him.
-B-but…
-Granny told me I could buy whatever I wanted to with my money. She gave it to me, so it's my money; and you can't make me change my mind because it's my money. And I'm going to buy me a tarantula, that tarantula, because it's my money. It's my birthday, and that's the money from my birthday. So…
-Ok, ok, I get it! – Josephine Jordan looked at her son already exasperated. – Fine! Go and buy that horrible pet of yours. But just so you know, don't even think I'll touch or take care of it for you. Do you understand me?
Lee nodded and went inside the store to buy the tarantula. He had always wanted one.
-It is time for you to learn to behave…
Fred was listening, or at least pretending to listen to his mother.
-You're not little kids anymore, you know that, right? ...
Since Fred already knew what the usual speech was, he just nodded at the right times, to make it seem like he was paying attention. He turned to look at his twin brother; George apparently was actually listening to his mother.
-Well, then you can leave. I expect a better behavior from now on.
Both of them walked out of the house and went to sit in the grass.
-You were really listening to her, weren't you?
George looked at him and nodded.
-Yeah, if she notices that I am not paying attention she goes nuts.
-Yeah, I know. But after all the times she's told us the same speech. Don't you think it's time for you to have learned it?
-I…guess
Fred chuckled.
-You know, I've been thinking about Hogwarts and how it will be great when we are there.
-More pranks and more people to prank! – George yelled excited.
-Yeah, I reckon it will be absolutely fantastic.
-But…
-We still have to wait for our letters – Fred finished for his brother – Yeah I know.
-I hope they arrive soon.
-Yeah, I hope so too.
They stayed in silence for a while thinking about what expected them.
-You know – George started saying as a grin appeared in his face – while we wait for them we can prank our dear brother Percival.
-I like that idea. – Fred smiled mischievously already thinking in the best way to make Percy cry.
-Katherine! – Dora Bell stood in the front door of the two-story house looking for her daughter. – Get in the house! It is getting late and if it rains you are going to get sick!
Katie listened to her mother from her usual spot in the branch of her favorite tree. She moved her feet to the rhythm of the wind. She loved it there, away from the order, away from the jail her house was.
-Just one more year – she told herself – One more year.
Being ten years old she still had one year ahead of her before she could get the letter that could save her life. The letter that would allow her to go to the most magnificent school: Hogwarts.
She knew she was a witch. She had to. Both her parents were, and judging by the way she could make things happen without knowing why, she was too.
-I am a witch – she said to a little bird that had just stood in her left knee – A witch who doesn't belong anywhere.
Rain started to pour hard, so Katie got down of the tree and walked towards her home.
-Mark my words little red bird, when I get to Hogwarts I'll finally fit in.