Ch 1 happy birthday to me!
I lit my guardian's cigarette lighter and set it on my table (actually it was a broken karaoke machine but you get the picture.)
"Don't bofter no one Clares…" seethes Cora head down on the counter drunk from whiskey "your…so…BLECH!" she totally threw up all over the floor "your…gonfa….cflem…it...ummp" she slurred in what I called drunkish I translated as 'your gonna clean it up.' I turned back to the lighter then there was a thud that sounded rather…squishy. Cora passed out in her… rather chunky vomit. Gotta clean her up to I guess… I thought
But today was my birth day… actually it was 2 months ago I just saw my birth certificate in the burn can outside in the alley. Cora said she was burning junk.
I figured the lighter could represent the candle of a birthday cake since Cora said I was to ungrateful, stupid, annoying, needy, and any other excuse she could make up to not celebrate my birthday.
I watched the flame flicker against the peeling paint on the walls. My cat Tattoo'I call him that because Cora threw a bottle of rum at him called tattoo. Curled up in my lap meow he said which I translated as 'happy late birthday Alyson!' Tattoo…my best friend my only friend… a black cat with green eyes and a cut ear from the rum bottle
Thinking of my late 13th birthday wish. I wish… I made my wish I blew out the lighter. Leaving me in the dark.
Suddenly the door swung open tattoo hissed and I screamed so loud I'm pretty sure my great grandmother heard me from beyond the grave and scolded me to shut up. A large figure walked towards me he had scraggly hair along with a scraggly beard. He had a big stomach and did I mention he was HUDGE!
"What the crap! Get out!" I screamed I felt a bead of sweat fall down my face out of being nervous. Tattoo was clawing and begging to rip his face off.
"Aww come on now don't be scared Alyson" I he stepped closer "I didn't mean to scare ya now…"
"Stay back ill call! The police if you don't…" I paused with a wave of shock flooding every inch of my body. "How do you know my name?" I asked cuddling tattoo close to my chest.
"Allow me to introduce my self first miss Alyson" he looked around "Merlin its dark in ere' " I saw him pull out an umbrella and point it towards the broken lamp on the floor. Suddenly it lit up
"How did you…?"
He interrupted by saying "ill explain in a minute, I'm rubius hagrid, it's nice to meet cha' Alyson." He held out his hand warmly. I took it lightly and he shook my hand firmly. I looked up at his face and he gave me a warm smile. He seemed a lot more kind than most people who break your door down.
"Now then yar gonna wanna sit down cause this is gonna be surprising"
"I'm fine right here" I said sternly, taking a few steps back.
"Oh… alright then" he scratched the back of his scraggily haired head wile I eyed him suspiciously…I really didn't trust the guy
"Here' " he pulled an envelope out of is pocket "this should explain most of it" hagrid handed me a crumpled up envelope with a dark red wax seal on it
I opened the envelope the paper inside said this
HOGWARTS SCHOOL Headmaster: Dear Ms. Black We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Yours sincerely,
of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock,
Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.
Deputy Headmistress
As I read the letter each word seemed to send a small dose of surprise through my body. This letter basically said I was a witch.
"I…this….um…what?" I felt confused and shocked, mostly because I was actually believing this guy.
"You're a witch Alyson" hagrid said simply.
"So um…" I took a step forward starting to trust hagrid. And scratched the back of my head still holding tattoo. "How do you know I'm a witch?"
"Well…when young witches or wizards start to show some sign of magical ability…that's when we know." he turned to the old recliner in the back of the room. "Do ya mind if I sit down?" he
asked.
"Uhhh…" I was about to say no' but then again do I care? "Sure…knock yourself out."
"Thank ya" he hobbled over to the recliner with large strong steps that made the floor creak. The recliner groaned in protest as he sat down.
"What? you know" tattoo was desperately trying to climb over my shoulder clawing at my upper back I released him as he hit the floor behind me. "Signs have I been showing…that I'm a witch I mean."
Tattoo hopped on hagrids lap" well, first off you seem to be good with animals more than most muggles should be." Tattoo purred as hagrid scratched his head.
"Tattoo didn't like me at first you know" I pointed at tattoo "he was the meanest cat I'd ever met it took me 3 whole months just to get him to let me pet him, and he still gets freaked out at strangers" I crossed my arms and put my weight on one leg
"Yea, but ya still got em to behave around people for example me" he answered
"…muggle?"
"Yea, people who aren't wizards or witches." Tattoo began purring as his ear was being scratched.
"So…" Tattoo jumped out of his lap and padded over to me rubbing his face against my leg. Where is this school?"
"That's a secret. It's my responsibility to get ya to hogwards and get yer supplies, unless you don't want to go that is…" his voice trailed a bit
I was going to say no mostly because I was still a bit suspicious, but then I thought again. I pretty much have no future here, my guardian is pretty much of no help at all, and I don't have any friends. Besides what's the worst that can happen?
Then I decided "yes I want to go"
"Great, shouldn't you tell your guardian?"
Oh, I had almost forgotten about Cora "hey Cora? Can I go to…?" I looked at the paper for the schools name "Hogwarts?"
No reply
"I can go" I turned to face hagrid, who was looking at me strangely.
Review plzplzplzPLZ! My first fanfic so constrictive criticism is welcome!