Megan opened her eyes at the rap of the door. She sighed and glanced at the door of her small bedroom.

"Come on, get up, you need to get to work!" came a voice

"Okay, okay... I know..." she said.

She got up and pulled her jeans and favourite jacket on, quickly twisted her hair into a perfect plait and glanced, as she did just about every morning at the scar she had on her forehead using her small mirror. It was shaped like a bolt of lightning and was cleverly hidden by her hair. Megan was ten years old, and an orphan. To the average eye, she looked no different from anyone else in the world. Yet, when you looked a little closer, there was something different about her. She had light hair with a slight hint of red in it which gave it a very unique colour. Her eyes were a dark emerald green and she had always wondered where she had inherited her features. Certainly not from her aunt, anyway. Aunt Petunia was tall, had prominent cheekbones and darker eyes than Megan. As for her uncle... balding, hair of a dull brown, his eyes a dull brown, though he thought of himself as terribly good-looking, there was nothing remotely similar about them. And her cousin Nathalie, was the kind of person who looked more like a doll than a person. Tall, wearing push-up bras when she didn't even yet need it, flashy colours, designer shoes and bags courtesy of her parents, and putting pressure on anyone who got in her way. She refused to eat anything in the world that didn't have "light" or "decaffeinated" on the label. Yet, Megan had seen her head for the ice cream parlour down the street from school with her friends several times as soon as class was over. Megan had lived with her aunt and uncle for as long as she could remember. From what she knew, her parents had died in an accident when she was very small, and she had been dumped on them since then because they were her only living relatives. And whenever she had dared ask about them, she had either been scolded or ignored. When the Dursleys didn't change the subject. And Megan had never understood why. She doubted they were overcome with grief, because they never said anything nice about them. It was something Megan had never understood but knew better than to ask about. She and the Dursleys had never been close. For one thing, she had the name Potter, her father's name. And for another, they never showed her any sign of affection. She'd never done anything wrong, but she supposed having to deal with two children instead of one was complicated, even if part of her thought she might have earned her place by now. She was always quiet, patient, polite, and did everything they told her, even if it was unfair. Nathalie had homework but was tired? Megan would do it. Nathalie was sick? She would go to the teacher and get her homework, then do it so Nathalie didn't exhaust herself. And if she tried to refuse, she was locked in her room without meals until she'd finished. So after a while she had just decide to give in and do what they asked (or rather ordered). As she was very smart, and Nathalie... well, let's say she didn't use her mind the same way. There were a few questions from teachers, but they said Nathalie was bored in class and less inclined to effort.

Nathalie's birthdays were never to be forgotten. Megan was of course never given as much attention on her birthdays, but by now she'd gotten used to it. Nathalie was given all kinds of expensive gifts while Megan was bossed about and looked at like she was intruding. Sighing at the prospect of a long day, Megan came down the stairs and entered the kitchen just as Nathalie sat down on her chair.

"Where are my presents?" she was demanding.

"Over here on the table, dear," her mother said sweetly.

"Have your breakfast first, Nathalie," her father added.

"No, I want my presents now!"

"I can get breakfast ready while she opens her presents," Megan intervened politely. "That way, it won't feel like you're waiting."

Megan had long since learned that the best way not to have too hard a time was to just get to what they expected her to do.

"Ah, good idea. Get on, then." Vernon said.

"And Nathalie, darling, maybe you can open a few presents and wait for your friends to open the rest?" Petunia suggested.

Nathalie glanced longingly at the huge pile of packages (indecent in Megan's opinion; if she had any children, she'd never buy them that many presents) and said:

"Yeah, okay."

"You, get to work!" Vernon snapped at Megan.

Megan resisted the urge to say "yes, sir", "your wish is my command", "I live to serve" or something like that. It would not help her. She just sighed and pulled out the ingredients she needed from the cupboards before setting to work. That was her daily routine. Cleaning the house, cooking the meals, and finding the time to do her homework for school and study.

"Wow, a new phone to match my walls!" Nathalie squealed, brandishing her present.

"What about the old one?" Petunia asked. "It seems a shame to just throw it out when it works fine."

"Give it to Megan," Nathalie snorted. "It's plain and out of date, like her."

Andie fought to ignore the quip. She should have been used to them by now, but she wasn't. She almost said she didn't want the phone, since she had no one to call. But then, one never knew if she might make a friend, and she would never get a phone in her room then. So she said nothing.

After a moment, breakfast was finished. Just as Megan was brushing up the lunch table and setting up the dishwasher, the doorbell rang. The Dursleys rounded on her, eyeing her nastily.

"You, upstairs!" her uncle said.

"I know." she said, trying to hide the tiredness in her voice.

They had been very clear. Megan was to disappear from view as soon as Nathalie's clique of girlfriends arrived. It was always that way whenever Nathalie had friends over. Megan was shooed off to her room like a misbehaving child. Even though she was only ten, it was tiresome. She never did anything wrong, why was she cast away like a criminal? The answer? The Dursleys hated her. They had since she was dumped on their door as a child. She'd sensed it early on. They never smiled, said anything nice, or even called her by her name... it was like was no one. She slid her hair behind her ear with a grace any model photographer would have died for and climbed the stairs, went into her room and leaned against the door, sighing. She didn't particularly want to watch Nathalie, who had put on her favourite Gucci dress and Prada shoes, and her equally superficial friends ogle in front of or Brad Pitt... she was more fond of Matt Damon or Leonardo Di Caprio, herself, and dressed in either old clothes of Nathalie's or from Wal-Mart. And besides she was much better here in her room. She could do what she liked without being glared at or bossed about. It was the small haven in her world. Her room was small, but it was quite representative of her personality. A large treble clef was painted on the door, thanks to the agreement of uncle Vernon, her window fell onto the garden, a shelf covered with books and cds, a notebook with notes and staves on every page, a music stand by her desk, and a small bed stood in a corner near the window, and an ornate screen she changed behind in case her aunt or uncle came in. She fell onto her bed and heaved another sigh. Then, she rolled over and pulled out her most treasured possession after her guitar. Hogwarts: a History. It was a book she had found in the attic one day, stacked in an old box. She was sure it was all fiction, of course, but though she knew it inside and out, she never got tired of looking at the pictures, reading the stories it told... It was full of stories about wizards and witches who had accomplished things within a magic academy named Hogwarts. She had always wondered who had chosen it, because it was kind of an odd name. And despite her searching, she had never found anything on it. But she felt envious of the people. They used spells, wands and potions, flew on broomsticks... she knew she would have loved it there. The magic, the history, the beauty of the castle...

That was how Megan's life had been for the past ten years. Ever since she could walk she had been treated with nothing but disdain, even hatred by the Dursleys, when she wasn't used for chores. In other words, miserable and lonely. The Dursleys never included her in anyway, seeing her as a nuisance rather than a member of the family. On the contrary, they had gone out of their way to make her feel as unwelcome and unwanted as possible. Whenever they went out for the day, Megan never went with them. They usually dumped her on a neighbour for the day. Mrs Figg, said neighbour, was old and had several cats. Megan, though a dog lover, didn't mind too much, because she liked cats, too. It was nice not to be looked at like you would an insect that you were dying to squash under your foot but couldn't or it would smell, for a change, and cat affection was better than none at all, even if Mrs Figg was a bit odd and smelled of cheese. She let Megan watch TV as much as she wanted, and never spoke in any harsh manner, but kept going on about her beloved cats. She could talk about them for hours. Which could get a little tiresome, but it was that or the Dursleys. Megan had long since acknowledged the idea that she would never be accepted in the Dursley household. And she didn't especially want to be accepted in a family who cared more about image and appearances than each other. But she sometimes wished she knew more about her own parents, about how she had gotten her scar, why her aunt and uncle refused to talk about them... it was a part of her that was constantly empty, and aching to be filled. But the thing Megan would have really wanted was a picture. Just a picture of her parents... just one, would have been heaven... but she had begun to accept the idea that she would never get to see what her parents looked like. She wondered whose eyes she had, whose chin... basically, who she was, really. After all, parents were an essential part of your identity. They tied you to your past while guiding you to your future. When they were given the chance, of course.

"Hurry up, Nathalie, or we'll be caught in traffic."

"Where are you going?" Megan asked.

"London. My Nathalie needs a new wardrobe for her new school."

The summer holidays had just begun. The sun was bright and high. Nathalie was to attend middle school that year, in London. Megan was supposed to go to another, which, far from bothering her, made the perspective enjoyable. Finally she wouldn't have to be taunted all day by her cousin and her gang of equally superficial girls. Maybe she could even make friends... Nathalie had always seen to it that she never did at their old school.

"I see." she said. "Is there anything you want me to do while you're gone?"

"...No, that's all right. You have your day."

"But out of my room, get it?" Nathalie growled.

I wouldn't go in anyway, mine's more than enough, Megan told herself.

"I know, I know..."

She waited for them to leave and then went up to her room. She pulled out her laptop and switched it on. It was Nathalie's, but her father had bought her a new one when the first one was deemed too small by Nathalie. Megan couldn't see anything small about it. It was one of the largest models on the market to her knowledge. But she got to keep her cousin's first computer, so she didn't complain. You may wonder where the Dursleys found so much money; well, Vernon Dursley was the head of the drills company he worked at, and like most people who ran their companies, he was quite wealthy. His wife Petunia was just a secretary, but in a big company with a very juicy pay check. So, all in all, they had a pretty comfortable life. Even Megan had little to complain about. They let her eat at the table, even if they glared at her every few seconds, she had her own room and often got what Nathalie didn't want any more. But she always had a feeling she didn't belong with them. How could she not? They never said anything nice to her, never showed any sign of caring for her... But that wasn't the only thing that made her feel different from her mother's sister's family... several times, odd things had happened to her. One day, she had been cleaning the windows. But the sill was thin, and she was in a precarious position. She remembered that day quite clearly, because it was the first time such a thing had happened to her. She remembered falling backwards towards. But as she had fallen, she had felt something sharp in her back and then she had turned around almost without meaning too. And then, she had straightened up and gently landed on the ground. Quickly looking around to make sure no one had seen, she had quickly gone back inside, rushed to her room to look... but there was nothing. But here had been something in her back, she was certain of it...! She had pulled off her shirt and looked at her back... but there was nothing. And, she had sometimes found some parts described in the book she had found were familiar to her... But she had never shown the book to her aunt or uncle. This was the one thing she had left linking her to her mother. She wanted to treasure it alone. She knew that they would find some way of soiling it. And she refused to let that happen. So she kept it hidden in her room.

That day, with Vernon and Nathalie in London and Petunia at work, things were peaceful. Sunny, quiet without Nathalie demanding something or other; or Vernon bossing her about and being unpleasant. It wasn't often that it happened, so she savoured it. She stayed in her room, the place she felt best in, and tried to relax and enjoy the peace. But like most days when she was alone, Megan felt something was missing as she lay on her bed in her room, her headphones in her ears, her hair spread about her, arms and legs sprawled out. Or, not exactly, no, missing wasn't the right word. It was more like something was inside of her, waiting impatiently to reveal itself, but she couldn't seem to touch it or figure out how to reveal it. And she had a very strong feeling that it had something to do with those strange abilities of hers. The way she always seemed to avoid danger, even sense it before it was there. And she couldn't help but wonder if that was the reason she was shunted aside by the Dursleys so much. No, she doubted it. She'd never told them about it. She knew they would have yelled at her or sent her to her room or on an errand. But then, why else would they be this way? She couldn't think of a reasonable answer. Although, maybe it was just because they had been landed with her without wanting or expecting it... but most people grew to like each other even in those circumstances... and she'd never done anything to purposely irk them... After a while she got tired of being inside and decided to go out for a little while. Her uncle wouldn't be home until six at least, and Nathalie was sure to try and stay in London until she had been through all the shops in the city. Or as many as possible, anyway. She had a little over three hours. More than enough. So, she got up and pulled on her shoes and jacket and left, locking the front door behind her.

It was very warm, and sunny that afternoon. She soon took her jacket off and kept it around her waist over her jeans. In her tank top and with her hair tied up, she felt a little better. She walked up the street and soon was in the busier part of the town. There were several small stores around there. But she wasn't interested in buying anything. She just liked having a little bit of freedom, for a change. She paused by the florist to smell the lavender and roses. She was just considering buying a few seeds to put by her window when she saw a young Labrador walking along on its own. It was in perfect health, and not even that dirty. It must have been left there recently. She knelt down and called gently to her. She had barely spoken before the dog trotted cheerfully towards her as if she were greeting a long lost friend. Megan patted the dog's head.

"Hey, there, boy," she said. "Who would put you out like this?"

The dog made a snorting noise.

"Oh, girl, sorry," Megan smiled.

The dog sniffed curiously at Megan's hair, its big bright eyes looking up at her.

"You're a cute dog..." Megan said. "But my aunt and uncle would kill me if I brought you back... they won't have animals..."

And even as she said that, the thought of abandoning the dog tore her apart. She was so dying for a friend..., and the dog looked so young... not even one yet... but the Dursleys would run her through, and probably throw both of them out. But then, something occurred to her. The Dursleys never went into her room. And they had a side door she could use to take her outside for a run. There was a large space that no one used and would do perfectly. She was alone most of the day anyway, but she did have school... but that dog had such a pleading look in its eyes...

"Oh, don't look at me like that..." she said.

But she didn't want to leave the dog alone in the street either. Eventually, she let out a sigh.

"Okay. But you know, if you're caught, we're both in serious trouble," she said, straightening up. "C'mon."

She had to stop by the store to get some dog food, but she didn't mind. She smiled at the thought that she had not been interesting in buying anything, but had done well to take her purse nonetheless.

Megan quickly washed her new companion outside with the garden hose Petunia and she used for the flowers before letting her into the house once she got home, so that her aunt didn't throw a fit at the sight of a smudge on the floor or something like that. She was very intent on keeping her house spotless. And even if the dog shook herself a few times, wetting Megan and making her laugh, she was very quiet and docile.

"Who'd throw out a sweetheart like you?" Megan wondered aloud, scratching her ears.

Then, as she was drying her off, she remembered she looked to see if she had a name tag or even an address... she didn't have a collar.

"What should I call you...?" Megan asked her. "Mira? For Miracle? Because you are one, if you ask me. What d'you think?"

She seemed happy enough with it, and yapped happily, wagging her long tail.

"Yes, I think that'll suit you fine, I like that. Mira it is."

"Okay, then. Come on, girl, let's get you to my room."

She led her up the stairs and lay out an old sheet for her to lie on.

"There you go."

She put down a bowl no one ever used for Mira to eat out of, and a plastic bowl with some water, placing them on several layers of old newspaper. She also took a bottle of water so she could fill it up unnoticed. Once she'd eaten and drunk her fill, Mira curled up by Megan, who was sitting on the floor against her bed, stroking her back absently. Mira's presence was deeply comforting, Megan thought. She was thinking she'd have to take her to a vet... She decided to go the very next day. She could easily do it before the Dursleys came back. And Nathalie was going to stay at her friend's the following night. So that was exactly what she did.

"You say you found her on the street? She's in very good form for a stray," the vet told her. "Poor thing must have been dumped just recently..."

"Yes, that's what I thought." Megan said.

But she'd been relieved that her new friend had no illnesses or problems. And so, she became the proud owner of Mira.

All in all, Mira was in excellent health. And a very gentle dog. And at first, everything went fairly smoothly. Megan got up extra early to walk Mira and bring her back upstairs before the Dursleys woke up, then tried to make sure Mira didn't stay in the house alone too long. Not that she was worried she'd damage something, but she knew dogs liked being able to move about as they liked, and with Petunia, Nathalie or Vernon who could pop in at any time of the day for any given reason, she just couldn't risk it and had to keep her in her room. And when the Dursleys were out and about, it was easier. She could let her outside or take her to the park a few blocks away. But even then, things were a little tricky. Aside from her not letting any hairs fall anywhere outside her room, Megan had to clean twice as carefully. And at night, because Megan couldn't resist having her on the bed by her, enjoying the warm, peaceful presence Mira brought too much, she took great care in dusting the sheets so the Dursleys didn't find any dog hairs. She bought her a proper dog bowls, a lead, brushed her every day, and they soon became very close. Now, one might wonder where she found this money when her aunt and uncle never gave her any money unless it was to get groceries, and she was of course required to give the change back. But she was a good musician, and a nearby pub let her play there occasionally. It wasn't much, but it helped her pay for her things herself rather than ask the Dursleys for money she knew they'd never give her. And for the following week, the Dursleys never had a clue, for she was exceptionally quiet. Megan was sure she understood the situation and reacted consequently. And she also had to be careful that the neighbours didn't see her with Mira, or they were sure to mention her to them. Luckily, the Dursleys weren't too appreciated, so they were mainly ignored. But she didn't want to take a chance. However for all her efforts, her tactics would prove ineffective...

It was another hot sunny day. Megan was sitting on her bed quietly, propped up against her wall. Mira lying by the foot of the bed. After a moment, she glanced up.

"Hey, Mira," she said as her faithful companion hopped up to lie down beside her.

She was looking at a picture in her book. She showed it to Mira, who sniffed curiously.

"Looks cool, doesn't it Mira?"

She was admiring the picture of a large castle. She didn't even know what century or style it was because it looked so atypical, with a huge gorge, tall towers and walls, a suspended bridge and a large forest behind it. It had about half a dozen turrets. It was all in all magnificent. Mira nudged her hand affectionately.

"I know, it beats this place, doesn't it?" Megan sighed. "But it's just a fantasy... I'll be stuck here until I can earn enough to get my own place. Go to university. I'm thinking America, what d'you think? I like London, but it's not far enough."

Just then, her aunt rapped at the door.

"What are you doing in there?"

"Nothing, nothing," she said quickly, putting her hand on Mira's muzzle to keep her quiet.

"Come on, then, I need you to get the groceries for dinner."

Megan heaved a sigh.

"I'll be right there!" she said.

She waited for the stairs to indicate Petunia was downstairs. She turned to Mira.

"Okay, I have to go out for a bit. You stay here, okay? I won't be long."

She got to her feet and patted Mira on the head, and quickly checked for dog hairs on her clothes before leaving the room, taking her purse as well as her "official one", the one she always kept empty and used for the Dursley's money so she didn't mix her own money with theirs by mistake. Then, she went downstairs where Petunia was waiting with a list of things to buy.

"It takes a while to cook, so hurry it up," she said briskly.

"Yes, aunt Petunia."

"And get me some soda!" Nathalie called from the living room. "Diet!"

"Okay," she said. "Is that all, before I go?"

"Yes," Petunia said. "Go on, then."

And so, she went.

She was soon done with the errands and returned. But Nathalie, who had asked for a diet soda, complained at the one Megan had bought.

"That's not what I asked for!"

As there were about a dozen possibilities, Megan had gotten one she'd already gotten in the past. Clearly, that had been a mistake.

"You didn't specify a brand, Nathalie." Megan defended herself.

"You shouldn't need me to!" she snapped.

"Now, now, pet, you can't expect Megan to know what you want unless you tell her. She meant well, didn't you?"

"Yeah, I guess."

"See?! She admitted it! She did it on purpose!"

"I did not!" Megan protested. "If you wanted another make, you should have told me!"

"I always take the same, you know it!"

"You're always trying new ones!"

Just then, Nathalie screamed and jumped away from the stairs.

"What the...! AAH! A dog! Help, it bit me!"

"Take it outside," Vernon shot at Megan. "Petunia, get Nathalie to the car, we'll head to the hospital immediately."

"Wait!"

She ran in front of Mira, who, wanting to protect Megan, had nipped Nathalie.

"What?"

"She's my dog... I found her recently... she's really well tamed, honestly... and Nathalie's fine, she's not even bleeding, it was just a pinch."

"I don't want a dog in the house! Make it go away!"

"She's been here for weeks, maybe and we didn't notice!"

"Just a few days, I swear," Megan said. "She'll stay in my room, I'll just take her out to walk her, I promise. Please? She won't do any harm, and I'll pay for the expenses...

"How would you do that, you don't have a penny!"

"I get paid for my gigs at the pub." Megan said. "And she won't change anything in your lives, or so little..."

"Well..."

Megan, who was willing to do anything to protect Mira, turned pleading.

"It's all I ask. You can work me bloody if you want, just please, let me keep her..."

They looked at each other for a moment.

"Well, I don't want to have her in the house," Nathalie insisted.

"If she stays in my room...!" Megan pleaded.

"And you'll provide for her in every aspect?" Vernon asked.

"Yes. You'll barely notice her, I promise."

"... Very well then." Vernon said. "But I expect to not see that dog more than strictly necessary."

"Yes, sir." Megan said.

"But, Daddy!"

"Now, now, pet, you can have anything you want." Vernon said. "It's your cousin's turn this time."

Megan couldn't believe it. She had convinced them! They had actually defended her in front of Nathalie! She wondered why... and hoped it meant they were maybe not so bad.

"Thanks, uncle Vernon. Thanks, aunt Petunia."

She hurried back up. But after a few steps she paused.

"Oh, uh... I could go get the right soda, if you want." She told Nathalie.

"No, I don't like it any more." Nathalie said haughtily and stalked off.

Megan raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Just then Mira yapped and she looked up with a smile.

"Coming, Mira."

She returned to her room. Mira sniffed at her guitar case.

"Ah, you like that? That, girl, is my treasure."

She picked it up and played a few chords. She knew it was short, but she was waiting for a change to add her second verse. She wanted it more upbeat in the lyrics, but hadn't found them yet. She turned to Mira.

"What d'you think?" she asked her.

Given the waggy tail and long hanging tongue, she seemed approving. Megan grinned and stroked her back.

"Thanks, girl." she said.

She scratched her ears head and looked at the cover of her book. Then, she felt like going back into the attic for another look for anything of her parent's.

The attic was small, but full of boxes and many other things. She had never found enough time to go through all of it. She sat down on the nearest box and looked around, remembering when she'd found the book... It was about a year before. She had been sent up to the attic to retrieve an old recipe book for Vernon's birthday. She had finally found it, but as she had pulled the box off, she had bumped another. And on the front of it, she had read something that had made her heart skip a beat. Lily Potter. She had always known her last name was Potter, the Dursleys had never wanted her to have that name, and nor had she. Potter was much nicer in her opinion. Not to mention it was her own name. Of course, she'd immediately put her box down and looked inside her mother's. She often wondered afterwards why Petunia had kept it so long... maybe she had been given her sister's belongings and just left them up there out of the way. The box was all dusty, so it obviously hadn't been opened in years. She immediately jumped towards it and pulled the lid open. She had rummaged through it feverishly. But, unfortunately, there were no pictures. She had fought back her tears of disappointment. There other things of interest, like books, a jewerly box inside of which was a silver bracelet with a small diamond. It was beautiful and she had sworn to herself never to lose it. She'd slipped into her pocket so her aunt didn't see it, and then had resumed search. There was a picture of her as a baby, looking at the camera and smiling; but what had been unsettling about it was that her image moved. In shock she had almost dropped it. She figured it was just her imagination. She had also found the copy of Hogwarts a History, and a box with a long finely sculpted stick inside it. But something had kept her from touching it, even now. As if she knew it wasn't time. There was just one other thing of her mother's: a small, silver doe pendant. She had never quite know what it had meant to her but her mother's name was carved on the back. She had immediately slid it on and rarely took it off.

Her mind came back to the present as she wondered if there was anything else of her mother's or her father's. They couldn't have had so few belongings... maybe they'd been damaged or lost or just thrown out... She knew so little of them it pained her, but what could she do? Her aunt and uncle refused to even hear of taking her to her parents' house.

"It will have been sold, by now," they would say. "I doubt there's anything of yours there. So I wouldn't even bother thinking about it any more."

But every time, the subject came up, she sensed an unease about them. So the summer days wore on, none too different from the last. But at least, they felt less lonely, in Megan's opinion, now she had Mira. So all in all, things weren't too bad. And in a few weeks she'd be off to school in a different county and had even found a solution for Mira.

"We are not taking care of that beast while you're away in the day." Vernon had said firmly.

"I'll find someone to keep her for me." She'd promised.

It hadn't been easy, since she didn't want to leave her in a kennel, but the school director had been very helpful, and offered that she be their mascot for the school football team, as the previous one had sadly died. And Megan would be able to have her near, so she'd been thrilled. But she was still hoping something would change. Soon, preferably... anything... Mira had been a great change, but there was still a void in her. Though, truth be told, she wasn't sure whether it was a void or something she couldn't shake off. But she didn't feel complete. That, she was certain of. The problem was she had no way of identifying what would enable her to feel complete. That was until the dream. The dream that would change her life forever.