Chapter One:
The world was cold. Well at least Britain was cold. Abnormally the temperature dropped down immensely and, without warning, rain started to fall during the summer. The weather bureau had now understanding of why it was raining. It was much colder since night was falling to the sky. However, the pathways and roads of Britain were still deeply occupied by people rushing about going on with their daily lives even though they were thoroughly annoyed at having to go outside at this time of hour.
Everyone was affected by the rain, except a girl in a small town, sitting by a small window in a small room. She looked about fourteen but had a nice, tall and slender figure. As she was sitting by a desk scribbling on a long piece of parchment using a quill she brushed her short, dark hair out of her face with her pale hands.
Around the room were many strange things such as an old looking trunk in the corner, a small, tawny owl inside a cage, a broom and many books with moving pictures stacked in a neat pile labelled 'Sheridan-Mallory Snape'.
Her small yet cosy room was warmed to the perfect temperature which makes it hard for someone to do their homework. She rested her head on her hands and watched rain droplets patter on her window. She found this much more interesting than writing an essay on the rules, requirements and steps made to vanish an animal. The quiet and soothing rhythm of the rain lulled her like a beautiful tune. It was as if she had "forgotten about the large amount of homework that she had left until the last minute. Silently she put down her quill and placed her head onto the table.
"Just a small rest. I've been at this all day. I deserve a break" she thought as she closed her eyes.
Suddenly, the owl banged on its cage furiously, making a very loud racket. She sprang up with a start and walked slowly towards the other side of the room where the owl was stuffed into a small cage.
"Hush now, Launy. I know you don't like the rain but I can't do anything to help. I have some Transfiguration homework to do so please keep the screeching to the lowest possible volume," she said as she shoved a treat through the bars of the cage.
"Sheridan! Can you come down for a minute?" a shrill, high-pitched voice rang from downstairs.
She sighed and made her way down the stairs trying not to make the stairs creak too much. The house was getting old and she didn't like the sound of creaking stairs. The pipes were clanging as the rain dribbled down them. She didn't like the state the house was in but loved it all the same.
As she reached the downstairs landing she took a seat and waited for the instructions her mother was about to give her. The kitchen was bright and welcoming with a nice small table off to one side. The kitchen was full of whistling and beeping as timers and pots indicated that the food they were holding was ready. At the stove stood a thin woman with a dazzling smile on her face stirring a pot of what could've been soup. Her appearance was different to the girls. She had tanned skin and long, light brown hair that illuminated her face perfectly. She was wearing a blue apron but that couldn't hide the perfect figure that she obtained.
"Sheridan, honey, can you please go out onto the porch and call your sister please?" the woman asked.
An annoyed look crossed the girl's face. "Mum, how many times have I told you not to call me Sheridan? Everyone calls me Mallie now. Sheridan-Mallory is too... posh,"
"Well you should be proud of a name like that. Sheridan-Mallory Snape is a fine name. Never be ashamed."
Mallie shook her head and made her way to the porch. She loathed her name. "Sheridan" was because her mother loved that name; "Mallory" after her mother's grandmother; and Snape was her father's name. Her mother didn't use it because they never got married, she kept her name exactly the same -Belinda Anderson. Yet she insisted on giving it to her daughters. Mallie had never met her father. All her mother had told her was that he died a long time ago and was a very brave man. There were no pictures of him, no documents so she couldn't even be sure that he was ever alive. All she knew was that he was magic- just like her. Her mother was a 'muggle'; the name people in the wizarding world gave non-magic people. Fourteen years of not having father didn't bug her so much anymore. She had gotten used to having a family of three; that's the way it was and that was how she liked it.
Mallie swung open the door that lead to the porch and regretted not bringing a jumper outside. A young girl who looked eleven, sat on the porch swing and watched the rain fall down. Mallie sat next to her and swung the seat gently backwards and forwards.
"Isabella, why are you out here? It's freezing!"
Isabella looked up at her sister, "Because I feel like it. Rain makes me feel nice."
"You don't even have a jumper on!"
"I don't need a jumper. I have my own personal heating system." She gave Mallie a look of innocence and laughed.
"Come back inside now, Mum's worried that you'll catch a cold." They both trotted inside and sat at their automatic places at the table. Their mother handed them bowls of soup and they ate happily.
A shriek came out of Isabella's mouth as a soaking wet owl soared through their window and landed neatly into the middle of the table. It shook itself off and stuck out its leg. Mallie took the magically dry letter off the owl's leg, ignoring the looks of terror drawn upon her mother and sister's faces. The owl gave a determined and dignified hoot and took off through the window. Mallie pushed her bowl of soup away, eager to read the contents of the letter.
Dear Miss Sheridan-Mallory Snape,
FOURTH YEAR STUDENTS WILL REQUIRE:
The Standard Book of Spells Grade 4 by Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
A Guide to the World's Different Plants by Shannon McHanamey
Potions at Its Best by Monty Graggen
The Dark Arts: Defend yourself Book 4 by Ronnie Nickelson
Embrace the Vision by Lionel Regump
Trip to the Universe by Honey Defrigar
Signed
Headmistress Professor McGonagall
Mallie folded up her letter and put it safely back into the envelope.
"Mum, we have to make a trip to Diagon Alley."
"Oh, I don't really like that place. I feel so left out since I'm a... what do you call them? Moogle?"
Mallie laughed, "We call you guys Muggles mum. Don't worry about Diagon Alley, you fit in perfectly. This is the only contact I've gotten all summer from the wizarding world"
As if on cue, another soaking owl flew though the window at that precise moment and landed on the table. Her mother and sister weren't as shocked as last time and Mallie read the dry letter as the owl took off. Written in familiar curly handwriting she read:
Dearest Mallie,
I am ever EVER so sorry that I haven't made contact with you all summer. I was just on holiday in Italy and left my owl with my great-aunt Paula leaving me without anything to communicate with you.
I can't believe that we are fourth years already! It seems just like yesterday that you and I fought over the comfiest seat in the common room.
Have you received your booklist yet? I got mine yesterday and me and my father are planning a trip to Diagon Alley on the weekend. Would you be willing to come? I really hope that you aren't busy on the 24th of August! Then maybe you could stay at my house for the remaining week of summer? Ask your mum.
Send an owl back ASAP!
Love always,
Zanita
"Mum, can we go to Diagon Alley on the 24th? My friend invited us to go with her that day,"
Her mother nodded, "Of course dear. I would love to meet a school friend of yours,"
After a million thank you's Mallie got up, put her bowl in the sink and made her way up the stairs. She couldn't wait to reply to her best friend Zanita. She quickly grabbed a small piece of parchment and quickly scribbled:
Dear Zanita,
I am definitely coming with you to Diagon Alley on the 24th.
Can't wait
Mallie
As she tied the letter to Launy and set her off she stared at her desk. A thought lingered in her mind saying that she should continue her homework, yet the rest of her mind overpowered her so she jumped onto her bed and pulled out her favourite book- Greatest Quidditch teams of History- and watched the players zoom around the page. Turning each page her head seemed heavier to hold and eventually she lay down and went into her dreams of herself zooming around a crowded stadium winning the game of the season.
