Chapter One: The Photograph on the Mantle.
How is it possible that a person can own this many cats? Harry thought to himself. He had been dropped off (although would be a more accurate term) at old Mrs. Figg's house, and she was proudly showing him photos of every cat she had ever owned. His eyes were drooping, and he felt as if one more minute of cats would send him into a very deep sleep.
And this is Mr. Wiggles, now he was a temperamental one, always clawing and biting. Oh, but here's Mrs. Fluffers, now she was such a good kittie, terribly sad what that Dudley boy did to her...and this is...is...
Mrs. Figg looked up to see that Harry was slumped over on the couch, completely asleep. She smiled sadly.
He has no idea who he is, she thought. No idea at all. She closed the photo album, and slid over so she was closer to him. Her fingers brushed the hair away from his forehead, revealing the lightning-bolt shaped scar.
Someday, she thought, Someday, he's going to receive a letter from Hogwarts, and he's going to leave here, and he is going to be so happy. He doesn't belong here with all these awful Muggles...I don't belong here...
Mrs. Figg wiped a single tear from her cheek. She averted her gaze from the sleeping Harry to the framed photos on her mantle. Amongst the numerous snapshots of her cats, there was one photo that stood out. It was of two girls, twins, both very beautiful, with dark brown hair and large eyes. One was smiling with her whole heart and soul, and the other was trying to smile, but failing. Her eyes were clouded with defeat, and no matter how valiant her attempt to smile was, there was no happiness behind it. Mrs. Figg closed her eyes, remembering the day that picture had been taken.