Ch. 1
"Heather!"
I jerked awake and hit my head on the shelf above my makeshift bed.
"Heather, get out here!"
I crawled out of my "bedroom". My bedroom is a closet under the stairs. I followed Uncle Vernon's voice to the kitchen where he sat with his newspaper and his plate full of sausage and bacon.
"Yes, Uncle Vernon?"
"Get the mail and the newspaper."
I was confused. He had the newspaper in his hands.
"But…Uncle Vern…"
He stared hard at me and his face turned beat red. I shrunk back.
"Your aunt's newspaper!"
I quickly ran outside into the blistering summer heat. I picked up the newspaper off the porch. I walked to the mailbox and grabbed the mail. On top of the stack was a letter addressed to me written with green ink on yellow parchment. It said:
Heather Potter
#4 Privet Dr.
Cupboard Under The Stairs
Little Whinging, Surrey
I was about to open it when I saw something out of the corner of my eye. It was a beautiful tabby cat with a block-like pattern around her eyes. She was sitting on the brick wall that led to the driveway. She was staring at me. I fell in love with her right away. I've always wanted a cat.
"Hello, Cutie."
I started to pet her. She kept her eyes on me the whole time.
"Where did you come from?"
I was lonely. I had no one to talk to. My cousin repeatedly beat me up. My Aunt Petunia screamed a lot, and my Uncle Vernon did the unthinkable. He repeatedly beat me with a wooden paddle. I was terrified of them all. I heard Uncle Vernon and Dudley talking a few nights ago; he said he would show Dudley how to hit me with the paddle. I, of course, acted like I didn't hear them and went on with my life. My uncle even had Dudley watch as he did it to me a couple times. Gave him pointers and everything. One of the worst experiences I ever had. Anyway, I was the petting the cat and deciding on a name.
"My Mum and Dad used to talk about the teachers and the school they used to go to. My Mum's favourite teacher was something like, ummm… I wish I could remember."
I thought long and hard. Searching my brain for that name. My letter and uncle clearly forgotten.
"It was something like Vimerna McConical. Probably not the exact name, but close. That's what I will name you."
At the sound of the name, the cat let out a meow. I sat on the wall and she sat on my lap. I heard a meow below me. I looked down and saw a grey-striped cat with a white patch on his neck and chin. Almost like a beard.
"Well, who are you?"
He jumped up onto the wall and Vimerna sat next to him.
"I will name you after one of my father's favourite teachers. His name was ummm… Oh. I wish I could remember. In three days it will be ten years since I've heard those names. Ummm…Ah, yes. It was Albert Fumblefore."
He also meowed at the name.
"I guess you like your name too."
"Heather! Get your lazy arse in here now! Bring me the stinkin' paper!"
My face paled. I knew what was coming to me.
"I better go. Thank you for paying attention to me. Please come back tomorrow. Don't leave me."
I didn't realize that my uncle was behind me. He grabbed my hair and pulled me into the house. He grabbed the mail, including my letter. He saw it and looked strangely at it.
"Who would want to send a letter to you? You're worthless! It would be a waste of time, ink, and paper!"
"Please give it to me. It's mine. Please, let me have it."
"You can have it after I read it."
He opened the letter with a smirk on his fat face. His purple face paled after he read the first two lines. He tore it to pieces right in front of me.
"That was mine!"
"Get the paddle."
"No! Please!"
"Go now before I make it harder on you!"
I ran up the stairs. After I couldn't see him anymore, I slowly walked to the bathroom where the paddle hung on a wall. There was a window there, overlooking the driveway. I looked out and saw Vimerna and Albert sitting on the wall. Waiting for me to return I guess. I didn't know when or if I would ever see them again or even leave Privet Drive alive. I heard the stairs creaking under my uncle's weight. I sat on the toilet waiting for him to come in and get it over with. He walked in. I felt sick to my stomach. Here we go again. I thought.
"Bend over."
He closed the door.