Here in London it doesn't get very hot during the summer, which is something I'm not particularly happy about. In the books I read they can swim in summer and go to the beach every weekend. We go occasionally and even then the water is like ice.
Today I especially wished that it was hot. Maybe Mrs Petronelli would have been in a better mood. But, then she isn't very often in a good mood. It must because she lives in a place where all anyone ever thinks about is the weather and politics.
She stood at the front of the classroom and frowned at us. A few years ago, I would have been terrified by the look on her face, but now I was quite used to it. I don't think I ever actually saw her smile. Her lips sort of stretched on the first day, but from then on they only stretched when parents came into the classroom.
'I have corrected your assignments. They were quite good; I'm very impressed. Mary, yours as marvellous, I
have never read anything as good as that from someone your age for quite awhile,' and she gave Mary a rare lip stretch.
Mary, the little sleazbag, positively glowed, and she tossed her golden hair behind her skinny little shoulders and…
LILY!' She snapped.
I looked up.
'What, may I ask, is this?' Her eyes looked evil, and for a moment I wondered if she was actually human, or a something from another planet.
I stood up. 'My assignment.' I felt very sick.
'And did you spend any time on this assignment, or did you just slap it together at the last minute, Miss
Green?'
'I spent lots of time on it Miss. I missed Gymnastics practise and everything.'
'Don't lie to me,' she spat. 'I will be speaking to your parents about this. I have not seen any improvement in your work at all this year, and I don't think that you are ready for High school yet. I'm considering keeping you back a year.'
I stared at her, and felt my eyes well up with tears. I was so angry. I HAD spent a lot of time on that assignment; it wasn't my fault I didn't have a clue what we were actually learning. I had tried to tell her, but she was too busy helping stupid little Mary to bother with me.
Suddenly she flew backwards and knocked into the blackboard, the chalk falling on top of her. If it hadn't been so serious, I would have laughed.
She got up; rubbing her head and sneezing chalk dust.
'Miss Green, you are on detention for the next two weeks, if your behaviour doesn't improve, it will be the next two months!'
I hated her. I really, truly, hated her. I was so angry, I thought I would explode. But I wanted to make HER explode, make HER blow up and disappear. I knew I wasn't stupid, I wasn't, I just couldn't make myself understand. There had to be something I was good at.
I went home, where my parents were waiting for me. My stomach dropped. Mrs Petronelli sure did keep her promises. Mum and Dad must have thought I was so stupid. Pitunia was cleaver so was Isabelle top of her year in every subject, and she had received an award at the end of year 12.
'Lily, we know you're not stupid, what is wrong?'
'Dunno.'
'We...' I saw my parents exchange a glance. Mum nodded slightly and Dad continued. 'We received a letter from a boarding school, they would like you to attend there.'
'Some dumb school for dumb kids! ?'
Mum looked shocked.
'Lily dear, you are not dumb.'
I glared at her 'Everyone else thinks I am.'
Her eyes filled with tears and she walked away. I felt bad, I knew I shouldn't have spoken to her like that.
Dad showed me the letter.
Dear Miss Green,
I pleased to inform you that you have a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
I dropped the page.
'I'm a witch?'
Dad nodded weakly.
'Did you know?'
'Of course I didn't know!'
'Can I go?'
Dad looked surprised.
'You. You want to go?'
'YES!'
'But, but what about your friends here?'
I felt my face turn red. 'If you didn't notice.' I said, my voice quiet, 'I don't have any friends here.'
Dad hugged me.