Chapter One: Surprises.
"Tashyyyy!" My little sister, Maya, bounds into my bedroom and hurls herself at me. "Mummy says you have to come downstairs NOW!" she declares bossily her little hands on her hips. I roll my eyes, drag myself out of bed and follow a smug Maya down the stairs.
Downstairs in the kitchen, my pretty, rosy cheeked mum is chopping up fresh strawberries to put in our best crystal bowl. Tommy, my youngest sibling, is sitting in his highchair and attacking a bowl of Weetabix enthusiastically. My harassed looking dad, armed with a wet flannel, hurries over to Tommy as chunks of milky goo fly across the kitchen. I give my Dad a wry grin and plop myself down at the table. "What's the occasion, Mum?" I say eyeing the gleaming bowl, shining work surfaces and the now clean Tommy. Maya is surprisingly already dressed in a cute flower–print dress, her blonde curls pinned up neatly.
"We have a visitor, Natasha," replies my Mum crisply giving me a pointed look. I look down at my bedtime onesie and, blushing, exit the kitchen. Back in the bedroom, I hurriedly grab my wash things and head into my en-suite to shower. 5 minutes later, I dash back into my bedroom to dress. I select a tight purple vest-top and a mini denim skirt which has little rhinestones scattered along the bottom. After using a hair doughnut to create a pretty bun, I spray myself with perfume and run lightly downstairs just as I hear the doorbell ring merrily.
"Who is this visitor anyway?" I hiss at Mum. She shrugs, looking perplexed, and hands me a letter which obviously from this mystery person. I read:
Dear Mr and Mrs Barnes,
I'm writing to inform you that I will be visiting at exactly 11am this morning. I have very important matters to discuss with you and your eldest daughter, Natasha Barnes. I hope these arrangements are suitable for you. Please do not worry – your daughter is in no trouble.
Yours sincerely,
Cecilia March.
(Head of the department for the arrangement of young muggle born witches/wizards)
I raise an eyebrow. "Sounds well dodgy to me!" I murmur. My mum shoots me a "seriously, Nat!" look before yanking open our front door. Standing on the doorstep is the most strange and remarkable woman I have ever clapped eyes on. She has long, thick black hair which is pulled into a simple knot at the base of her neck and her eyes are an ordinary grey. But, she is wearing a spectacularly random assortment of clothes: sweeping robes of a dull blue, a magenta pointed hat and tall, brown boots. "May I come in?" she asks politely but before any of us can answer, she steps over the threshold and peers around with apparent interest. "Remarkable," she whispers gazing at me. I gape at her not attempting to conceal my shock. My dad nudges me hard in the back and I clear my throat. "Err, excuse me, but, errrmmm...what on earth is going on?" I stutter. The strange woman smiles. "Aaaahh, yes. Well, I think some refreshment are in order," she glances at my Mum who snaps out of her trance and hurries into the kitchen. The lady places a hand on my back and leads me gently but firmly into the living room.
An exhausting 45 minutes later we have received impossible news: apparently I am a witch! I couldn't quite take it in but somehow I knew she was telling the truth.
"Me? Me? I'm a witch?" I stutter for the hundredth time.
"Oh, yes dearie," smiles Cecilia patiently, "It's quite hard to take in but I can assure you i am most certainly not lying. You will have proof when we visit Diagon Alley later to pick up your school things. I'm sure you have no objection?" she looks questioningly at my Mum and Dad.
They hurry to reassure Cecilia, beaming with pride.
"So," she says briskly "Here is your Hogwarts letter, Natasha. Read it thoroughly and whatever you do don't lose it! Right I must be off. I'll see you tomorrow at 10:30 on the dot and together we can travel to Diagon Alley. Any questions? No...Good. Right I have to go. I'll see myself out. Cheerio!" And with a jovial wave she sails from the room leaving a stunned silence in her wake.
I take the heavy letter from my mum with trembling fingers. It's made of some thick yellow parchment with spidery green lettering on the front. A magnificent crest is stamped on the back sealing the letter. It is a large 'H' which is entwined with a badger, raven, a snake and a lion. With a deep breath I slit open the letter and begin to read:
Dear Miss Natasha Barnes,
I am pleased to inform you that you have been accepted into Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. You will find a list of the uniform and equipment that is required enclosed. We await your owl no later than the 31st of August. Term starts on September the 1st – we look forward to seeing you. Please take the Hogwarts express from platform 9 ¾, Kings Cross Station, London.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall.
Deputy Headmistress at Hogwarts School of witchcraft and wizardry.
I finish reading and hand the letter silently to my parents. They read without a word then cross the room and envelope me in a tight hug.
"Well done, sweetie! We are so proud of you." My mum says with a happy smile. My dad grins as well and kisses my forehead. Just then, my tummy gives a huge rumble. I blush as my Mum and Dad laugh. "C'mon then! I guess it's time for breakfast" giggles Mum. And together we walk into the kitchen to sample some fresh strawberries.