Chapter 1: The Accident
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. The great J.K. Rowling does.
Pyxis
I stood in front of the full body mirror in my room. My hip length black hair is in a low, side ponytail, my large glasses almost covered half my face, and don't let me get started on what I wear. Let's just say that it involves baggy clothes and very dull, mismatched colours.
"PYXIS RAINE STELLER! Get down here this instant!" I heard my mum yell downstairs. I hurried down because she already used my full name. In her anger meter, as I call it, the use of full names meant that I must have totally pissed her off.
"What is it, mum?" I asked once I set foot the kitchen.
"You left the back door open! AGAIN!" She said pointing at the said door.
"I- "I was about to defend that I did lock the door but she cut me by her yelling again.
"And the dishes from last night are still here!"
"What?! I -" I turned to the sink and found that she was right, it's all still there. I must have stood there for a full minute because she yelled again, telling me to finish it this instant.
I thought I washed it last night before I did my homework. Maybe I did sleep through my chores. Or maybe I just got too excited about the Doctor Who marathon I had. I sighed. That latter was probably the case.
After I finished washing the dishes, I did my morning routine. I took a bath and put on my school uniform (navy polo shirt, green v-neck jumper, and skirt), brushed my teeth and grabbed my things for school. I didn't bother saying good-bye to my mum, she really doesn't care about me that much.
It only takes a 10 minute walk to from our house to our school, 3- 5 if I take my bike, but I always walk. I just like the quiet atmosphere in the mornings. I passed by some neighbours sometimes, in the middle of their morning exercise or on the way back from work, and I just smile politely and say hi.
In no time at all, I'm standing in front of our school, South Wilts Grammar School for Girls. The school sounds a bit posh, I know. It's actually a very old school and is well-known in Wiltshire. Our school is one of the top performing schools in England, and slowly rising through the ranks the past years.
Only a few students are seen scattered on the school grounds. I think that's partly because it's our last day and more because the students chose to not take our special classes this vacation. I always did since I began studying. Why I bother with these extra lessons? I just found school to be fun for me. And because learning was my only escape. Well, books to be specific. Books always brought me everywhere I want go. Whether it is a different country, a jungle full of adventure, a mansion full of mysteries, or a castle full of witches and wizards.
This day passed in a blur, though. Since we finished our exams and everything, it was mostly talking and wrapping things up in our classes. The next thing I know, I'm sitting by myself in the cafeteria, reading a history book I don't know how many times I've read, passing the time since I don't want to go home yet.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" A very loud scream interrupted me from my reading. I turned to the window of the cafeteria on my left and found a girl being bullied by two of my classmates. I suddenly got the need to stand up and save the girl. But then stopped as I was nearing the group.
'What was I thinking? I can't even stand up for myself when I' m bullied.'
But like my feet have their own mind, I continued walking to them.
"Hey! Stop that!" I blurted out suddenly that I covered my mouth. But too late. They already heard me.
"Well... Who do we have here? Our young genius classmate trying to save the day?" Meghan sneered.
"Leave the girl alone!" I shouted at them.
Their eyes widened in surprise. Well, I can't blame them. Even I was surprised by the sudden courage. The shock, however, didn't last long and they turned their attention to me.
"Ooohhhh... We're so scared! What are you going to do? Throw a book at us?" Shane, Meghan's best friend taunted.
And that gave me an idea. I did exactly what she said. I almost laughed when they yelped as the books hit them square in the face, but held it in and grabbed the girl's hand instead.
"Run."
The two are quite fast I must say, but I know we're faster because we managed to hide in an empty classroom before they see us.
"Think they're gone?" I asked the girl after I regained my breath.
"I think it's still not safe for us to go out. What you did out there was crazy." She said grinning.
"I know!" I said grinning back.
"Yeah, it's totally cool." She said laughing lightly. I laughed with her after a little while but we seemed to realize something after a few minutes.
"What's your name?" We asked at the same time that caused us to laugh.
"You first." I told her.
"Alexis Lee. Year 7." She said offering her hand.
"Pyxis Steller. Year 9." I introduced and accepted her handshake.
"You look really young for a ninth grade."
"I'm just turning thirteen."
"Really? That's unbelievable!"
And that's how we spent our hiding, knowing about each other more. I don't know but I feel so close to this girl. We're the same age, she's at the top of her class, and she loves Chemistry.
"That's the bell." I said as I faintly heard the familiar sound.
"Are you going back to your class?"
"I finished my classes this morning, you?"
"I still have one subject, but I can skip that one. Can I go with you? I don't want to see those two again."
" My mom isn't home until 11 tonight, you could stop by our house."
"Ok."
"Wow... Cool room!" She exclaimed when we entered. I just grinned at her.
"Where did you get all these posters? You bought all the Harry Potter series? Woahh!" She said taking in everything. I felt so happy seeing her admire my collection of books, DvDs, and other fandom related things. Alexis liked the Doctor Who collection the most.
"Well, certified fangirl here." I said making myself comfortable on my bed.
"You must be very loaded to afford all this."
"We can afford it, but my mum doesn't know I have all this." I pointed at the various locks I have on my door.
"How did you get all of this then?"
"From my allowance and my brothers always get me something when they go out-of-town. Three of them are working now."
"You have brothers?" She exclaimed suddenly making me fall out of my bed. She helped me up.
"Yes, four actually. Jake's the oldest, he's a photographer. Ryan's next, he's an architect. Then Gerald, he's an engineer. Ivan is just a year older than me."
"Wow, I've always wanted to have a sibling." She muttered silently.
I didn't question her more about the topic.
"Want to eat?"
"Sure".
We went to the kitchen downstairs and ate snacks. Then we told each other stories and chatted about school. This got us so busy we didn't notice it's already 8 in the evening.
"Oh my gosh! Mum is so going to kill me. I have to go." She said standing up.
"I'll go with you."
"We live at St. Lawrence, it's too far from here. I can manage."
"No, I should accompany you, I'll let you borrow Ivan's bike." She was reluctant, but I convinced her after a few minutes.
We rode our bike to their house, which is pretty far from ours. Our journey was going well, until it started raining about halfway there. When we finally arrived, her mother wasn't waiting on the porch.
"That's a good sign." She whispered.
"Or she decided to lock you out." I joked. She punched me playfully on the arm. She knocked thrice on the door.
"Alexis! Where have you been? I'm so worried about you!" Her mum, the resemblance is uncanny, shouted as she opened the door.
'What if it wasn't her daughter on the door?' I laughed at the silly thought.
"I'll explain later mum, this is Isis. Isis, this is my mum."
"Nice to meet you, Isis." She held her hand out.
"Nice to meet you too," I shook her hand.
"Why don't you dry yourself inside?"
"I really want to but I'm afraid it's late, I have to get going." I apologised.
"Careful on your way home alright?"
"Thank you. See you at school tomorrow, Alex. Keep Ivan's bike for the night." I smiled then went on my way home.
The rain is considerably stronger this time. I can barely see anything. I pedaled a little faster but when I turned into a corner, a car came rushing down the road and the side of my bike was hit causing me to stumble down the sidewalk.
I felt pain on the left part of my waist and on my left leg. I manage to stand and lean on the door of the first house I saw. I was about to check my injuries when the door suddenly opened and I fell inside. I winced at the impact.
I slightly turned my head up to look at my surroundings and was surprised that this house looks more like a library.
My bookworm instincts kicked in. I stood up to look at the books. Everything here is interesting but what got my attention was the bookshelf at the far end of the room. It's not like the other plain bookshelves here. The outside is gold with intricate patterns and the large hardbound books are placed neatly on its glass shelves.
But I heard something that made me jump. The front door just opened. I panicked and accidentally pushed 5 or so books from the shelf that caused it to open. It has a secret passage behind it. Being naturally curious, I walked in the dark tunnel. The next thing I know, I am falling. I screamed at the top of my lungs. That is, until, I hit my head on something hard and fell on what seems to be a carpeted floor. Before I fully lost consciousness, I heard someone say, "Bloody hell!"
Then it's nothing.
