A drizzling rain was drifting down from the grey sky outside. Its dust-like particles of water settled on the window pane before turning into small veins of water, meandering its way down the glass and out of sight.
Behind the glass, despite the lack of lighting, a room could be seen. What could not, however, be seen from the street outside was the figure of a young man laying on a quilted bed. For all appearances the teenager seemed normal – dark hair grown long at the back whilst cut neatly short at the front, grey-blue eyes and wearing a white shirt and black jeans.
Normal, however, is not a word most would have applied to Hugh Tearce because, unbeknown to the neighbours and the better part of his own family – Hugh was a wizard, as was his younger brother and father.
The figure of Hugh shifted uncomfortably on his bed and then, pausing only for a moment, he swung his long legs over the side of his bed and sat up, blinking a little against the grey light issuing from outside. For a moment Hugh blinked and fought back the urge to yawn, then, as if wide awake, he snatched up an open letter from his bedside cabinet and once again checked its contents.
Dear Mr. Tearce, Herbology ……… A Term Begins 1st September 1984
Enclosed you will find a list of books necessary to continue your study at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please also note your achieved O.W.L grades:
Defence Against The Dark Arts ………
Charms ……… E
Care of Magical Creatures ……… O
Muggle Studies ……… O
Transfiguration ……… E
Potions ……… A
History of Magic ……… A
Hugh set his letter back down without checking the book list; he had read it once and felt no need to do so again – not until he reached Diagon Alley the next day. Hugh turned his gaze to the weather outside and grimaced slightly, a trip to Diagon Alley in this weather wouldn't be pleasant, not that a trip anywhere these days proved stress free to start with.
For the second time that week Hugh's eyes wandered back to the news clipping pinned to his bedroom wall. He had cut it from an edition of the Daily Prophet several days ago and had, ever since, avoided looking at it. The page was captioned "Obituaries" followed by the sub section "Suspicious Deaths". There were many names there, muggle and wizard alike, and the only thing they had in common was that each was murdered or found dead without a mark upon their bodies.
Five lines down the list the name "Patrick John Tearce" could be read followed by a few lines to describe the circumstances of death – "Found face down in his front yard with daughter and house elf, no known cause of death". Hugh felt himself frown, fighting back the stream of emotions that had previously overtaken him. His uncle Patrick, Cousin Jill and even the old house elf they kept…found dead without a mark upon their bodies. In other words, murdered by use of the killing curse.
Hugh tore his eyes away and for a moment he was afraid to blink lest tears escape him. Then the moment was gone and he threw himself back onto his bed starting up at the ceiling. Tomorrow he had to go to Diagon Alley, two days longer and he would be at Hogwarts. Those thoughts firmly in mind Hugh closed his eyes and struggled for sleep.
Hugh re-read his O.W.L results, a slow grin spreading to his face. He has expected Outstanding for Muggle Studies – he had after all lived with Muggles and surrounded by Muggles his entire life. Outstanding in Care of Magical Creatures had come as a pleasant surprise; Hugh had always enjoyed the subject but was sure he had only achieved the grade of 'Exceeds Expectations'. The rest of his results were all within his expectations, but yet he could not stop feeling just a little proud for having passed every subject.