CHAPTER 1- GREETINGS OF MEMORIES

For me, returning to London was like returning to your favourite dream; your favourite dream that you couldn't quite remember. Then again I hadn't been in London for about half of my life, so of course I wouldn't remember everything. This place reminded me of happier times, when everything always seemed simple. You know what I mean; when you're little, let's say 3 years old, and everything's a new adventure. When you can be a pirate one day then a princess the next, when the biggest pain is falling over and scraping your knee; it's a time with no regrets. Sadly, as you grow older your eyes get opened to the harsh reality of the real world and how unfair life can really be.

Compared to what I remembered of London, not much had changed. The streets were overcrowded with both pedestrians and transportation, the high streets were filled with designer shops and there was always something going on. The only differences were the advertisements and the fashion. The weather, of course, had remained the same. It was nothing but cloud and rain with only the occasional 'hello' from the sun; a huge contrast from the lovely heat and sunshine of Siena, Italy, where I had been living for the past 6 years of my life.

I strode down across Trafalgar square, my dark mahogany curls bouncing off my shoulders as I dodged between locals and tourists alike, only pausing momentarily to help a confused Italian family with direction, until I reached my grinning, olive-skinned brother, his black trainers standing on the concrete smack bang in the middle of the square. To his emerald eyes, he couldn't have chosen a better spot, contrasting to my amber eyes, which showed me that anyone in this spot couldn't be seen easier; fantastic. Without hesitating or leaving any time for me to back out I gave him a nod and he switched on his camcorder, not wanting to miss this prize moment, before turning on the outdated boom box he'd brought with him. I took a deep breath as the music began to play and I began the humiliation that is dancing to MC Hammer's 'Can't touch this'. Of course, I wasn't afraid of doing it, if people laughed so what? But I knew when I went back to school many snide comments would be made- not that I gave a shit about their opinions of me, however being forever taunted with "Hey Stephanie, can't touch this" didn't exactly appeal to me. Eventually, it would drive me to throw a few punches, getting me into a huge pile of crap at school and therefore making my mum worry- which was something I really wanted her to avoid at the moment- she had too much going on already.

So I performed the routine I had perfected- if I was going to do it, I had told myself and my brother, Jay; I was going to do it properly. Jay wasn't the only one with a camera out now; I had accumulated quite a crowd since I had begun and, I hate to admit it, I was having fun. Probably due to the stupidity of it… and the fact that Jay had never believed I would go through the dance and actually pull it off, oh how I loved proving people wrong! As the song ended the crowd burst into applause, I grinned and trotted over to Jay, a triumphant smirk plastered across my face. I was greeted by a laugh and a head shaking in denial as we began to walk home.

"I can't believe you did that Steph." Jay laughed to himself while he played back the footage as we approached the house.

My smirk still in place I replied "Told you I would. That's twenty quid you owe me. Honestly, you should realise by now that there is no use making bets with me Jay, because whether it's for me to perform in the street or bets on a game of poker, I will win."

"Nah. I mean, when you think about it, I do believe that I won that one; you're going to be all over YouTube by the end of this afternoon!" I stopped in my tracks, but not for the realisation that I'll be thrown across the internet, but because I noticed the odd looking man at the entrance to the house. He had long, wispy silver hair and a matching beard which trailed down most of his body and was wearing a very peculiar looking purple…cloak? Jay spotted him seconds after me and asked the man if he could help him. "Ah yes, I'm sure you can." The man replied, his blue eyes piercing. "I'm looking for a Miss Stephanie Marvela." His head turned to mine for confirmation.

"Well call off the search party because here I am, in the flesh and everything!" He gave me an amused smile, meanwhile I tried to work out what it could possibly be that this guy wanted- as far as I recalled, I had done nothing to offend him. I scanned my brain thinking off other offenses that could lead to the presence of the stranger.

"Excellent, then there are a few things I need to discuss with you my dear."

"Well then, why don't you come in?" Jay welcomed the man into the diminutive bricked building.

As I passed Jay in the hallway I shrugged my shoulders at him, showing I was just as bemused about the situation as him. Once in our combined living room/dining room (I've never really known what to call them), I sat myself down on the worn ash grey sofa opposite the man and waited for an explanation of some sort, with Jay next to me, on guard.

"Let me introduce myself, my name is Albus Dumbledore. I am headmaster of Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry." I shot a look at Jay, his eyes saying the same thing as mine- this guy was off his nutter.

"Erm, are you alright?" Jay asks the man… this Dumbledore guy, warily. Bless my brother; he always tries to be so polite.

The man chuckled to himself, ever so softly, before replying "I am simply splendid thank you. You see Stephanie, you are a witch." I snorted at the ridiculousness of the situation, no longer being able to go along with it and humour him. I mean, was he for real? At least that explained his clothes. I wondered how much the fancy dress shop charged for that getup and how ended up as the lucky subject to get his joke.

"I understand the absurdity of the situation Miss Marvela-"

"Absurd? It's bloody ridiculous!" Cuts across Jay, I could see him preparing to throw this guy out, a miniature hourglass had been turned in his mind and this Dumbledore guy had until the sands ran out to explain himself or he'd be out before he could even take a breath. The man just smiled courteously at Jay, seeming to understand where Jay's accusation had come from. "However, I insist that what I say is the truth. Have you ever had anything particularly strange happen to you Stephanie? Something you couldn't believe had happened, something you couldn't explain?"

Now that I thought about it, it was always a wonder to me how I always seemed to get out of the worst situations. I was mischievous, the teachers said, I would always be in some form of trouble.

Like the time I was running away from a gang. They had picked a fight with me as I walked past them, trying to mug me, and I had defended myself using a combination of blocks, kicks and punches. After I gave the leader a particularly nasty blow to the head, followed by a kick in the balls (serves the bastard right) I had ran, attempting to put as much space between us as I could, or at least get somewhere public, somewhere safe. One minute I was running away from the gang, concentrating on getting somewhere safe, the next, I was inside the house. I didn't have a clue what had just happened, I told myself I must have simply ran further then I thought- I was just so busy concentrating on getting away that I simply didn't realise how far I'd gone. I told myself that, yet I had never quite believed it.

I looked Dumbledore in the eyes and gave him a small, sharp nod. "So what you're saying is, magic exists and I'm capable of doing it?" I struggled to hide the scepticism from my voice. "Indeed that is exactly what I'm saying and is why I am offering you a place at Hogwarts, for a chance to strengthen your powers." I felt Jay tense, about to get up, I stopped him before he had the chance to do anything stupid. "Wait!" It came out almost as a hiss; I needed this explained further before any decisions could be made. "If what you're saying is true then you won't mind showing me?" I asked Dumbledore, wanting to see the magic for myself.

"Why certainly." With a flick of his wrist the wick from the candle, perched on the mantelpiece, caught alight. Next moment it was hovering above me, moving about the room, then in an instant, the whole thing was engorged in bright flames. Then the flames vanished and the candle was driven back onto the mantelpiece, as if it hadn't been touched.

Whoa, that was incredible!

I kept my body calm as if what had just happened had no effect on me what so ever, as if it were perfectly normal. "Right. So where's this school again?"

"Hogwarts is located in Scotland; it is what you would call a boarding school. Remus Lupin has agreed to transport you to the school on Monday- if you choose to go that is." I glanced from Dumbledore to Jay, his expression unreadable. I looked at him for reassurance, guidance, anything to help make this damned decision, but got nothing in return. "Well, I just don't see how you expect me to make a decision like this so suddenly."

"Of course, I understand. Remus will arrive at 10am on Monday, even if you choose to stay, I am sure he'll want to talk to you. He was, after all, a very good friend of your fathers." And on that note, he politely got up, smiled once more, and left. Leaving me to wonder just exactly what was going on.