Chapter One
Heidi Stevensen dipped her foot in the pond as she was fishing with her father one August afternoon. She felt a small nibble on her pinky toe. A little fish sucked on her toe under the water. She smiled and let out a small giggle. Her father, John, watched, a smile escaping his lips. "What kind of fish is it," he asked, holding his fishing pole with ease. Heidi peered up at him, the sunlight catching her smooth blond hair, her eyes shining with love for her father. "I hate it here," Janessa Stevensen whined on a rock far away from the water. Heidi watched her older sister curiously. "Why? It's beautiful out here," she said in wonder. Janessa rounded on her sister, frustration flashing in her eyes. "IT'S NOT BEAUTIFUL, YOU LITTLE PIXIE," she screamed. "IT'S UGLY! YOU DON'T KNOW THE DEFINITION OF BEAUTIFUL YOU WORTHLESS LITTLE BABY!" Heidi watched her sister with tear filled eyes and sniffled.
Her father watched, his bright smile gone, a stern look replacing it. "Janessa," he said in a dangerous tone. "You know how sensitive your sister is." Tears were flowing freely down Heidi's face now as she ran to a tree on the other side of the pond, far away from her hateful sister. She sat under the braches, sobbing sadly and rubbing her sore, bare feet. Then, there was a small hoot. Heidi looked up and spotted an auburn owl soaring above her. It had a letter clamped in it's beak and was spiraling down towards her. Then, it landed on a low branch, making leaves rustle. The owl dropped the letter and gave a happy hoot. Heidi picked it up and looked at it closely.
To Miss Heidi Stevensen
The pond three miles from your home
Heidi's eyes widened. "How did they know I'm at the pond," she muttered, opening the letter.
Dear Miss Stevenson
I am pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Attatched to this letter is your school supplies list. You will receive all of this in Diagon Alley. The Hogwarts Express at Kings Cross Station will be leaving on September first at nine o'clock sharp. I will be pleased to see your face at school.
Sincerely yours,
Professor Minerva McGonagall
Heidi's eyes widened as she finished the letter. "I'm a witch?" she whispereed, with wonder. Then, a small smile spread slowly across her face. "I'm a wicth!" she cried out. Heidi sprang up and ran over to her father, who was talking to Janessa seriously. "Daddy!" she yelled as she approached them. "Daddy! I'm a witch! I'm a witch! Why didn't you tell me?" Heidi was in front of her father now, breathing hard, her eyes wide. John was frozen, his eyes emotionless. "I never wanted to let you know before because you weren't ready," he said slowly. Heidi jumped up and down. "But I'm ready now!" she insisted, holding up the letter. "Please Daddy?" She looked at him with her deep eyes, pleading.
John rubbed the back of his neck, his eyes revealing the wariness and hurt he held under the surface. John had been hiding his daughter for years, hoping that they would never find her. But they had, he told himself. They had found me. There is nothing I can do to stop it. Looking down at his daughter, into the warm brown eyes so much like her mother's, he could not bring himself to disappoint her. "Alright," he breathed, kneeling in front of her. "You can go, Heidi. No matter how much I don't want you to. But you will remain there for the Christmas and Easter holidays. If you do come, I may never let you go." Heidi's pleased smile emerged and she threw her arms around her father's neck. "I love you, Daddy," she murmured into his shoulder. John held on tightly to her, never wanting to pull away. But he would have to, just to see her grow up.