The Unthinkable
Prologue- The Letter
Disclaimer: I am not J.K. Rowling, therefore, I do not own Harry Potter. I do, however, own Lucy Robin and her terrible stepfather.
"What is this?" my stepfather slurs at me as I enter our shabby New York apartment. He's holding up a large manila envelope. His white undershirt and gray sweatpants are covered in ketchup.
"How am I supposed to know?" I retort, dropping my backpack on the kitchen table. I walk into the living room and lower the volume on the TV. I can see at least five beer bottles scattered all over the floor. "How much have you drunk today?" I ask my stepfather.
His bloodshot eyes widen and he combs his hand through his long black hair. "None of your business." His voice rises to a shout, "I'm the father and you have no right to ask me questions like that. Here," He throws the manila envelope at me. "And tell your friends to stop sending prank mail." He walks over to the ratty, torn-up chair that's known as "his" chair and sits down. Within seconds, he's asleep. Or passed-out. I've come to consider them the same thing.
I put the manila envelope on top of the television, deciding to clean up the house before looking at it. As I begin to gather up the beer bottles, I recall what my life was like just six months ago.
I was living happily in New Jersey with my mom and dad. I attended a ritzy private school that was filled with a bunch of snobby kids, and I'll admit it, I was one of them. Then came the day I came home to find my mother sitting in the kitchen, staring at a picture of my dad, her face tear-streaked. She confessed to me that he had cheated on her, and had left us. She had no idea where he'd gone. Since my father was the one who had made all the money for the family, we were left virtually poor. The only thing we could do was pack up and move into a poorer section of New York. I started attending public school and my mother got a job as a waitress. Through work, she met a guy, who would eventually become my stepfather. I never liked him. He always seemed a little…off to me. Though my mother and I didn't know it yet, he was also a heavy drinker. A month after their marriage, my mom was shot when caught in the center of a gang fight. After that, I knew I was alone in the world.
I finish cleaning and go back into the living room, retrieving the manila envelope. I look at the address and am confused. It reads:
Lucy Robin
405 Millerton St., New York, New York
New Bronx Apartment Complex; Apartment C66
The Bedroom Across from the Bathroom
Nobody, not even my own stepfather, knew where my bedroom was. I never brought my friends home; I was always too embarrassed of my stepfather. If I did hang out with friends, it was always at their house. My stepfather never even bothered to walk down to the hallway where our bedrooms were; he just slept on the couch.
My curiosity begins to grow as I open the envelope and reach inside to feel some sort of parchment. Pulling it out, I found that it's a bunch of letters and memos tied together. I pull out the first letter and read:
Congratulations!
You have been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!
As a Muggleborn witch, you may not have ever heard of the aforementioned school. You most likely are assuming that this is a prank letter. Well, I assure you, Hogwarts is very real.
Allow me to explain the purpose of the school. Hogwarts is a school for magical beings like you to come and learn to use magic properly. Hogwarts is a seven-year school, and throughout these seven years, you will learn everything from potions to charms to defense against the Dark Arts. At the end of your time at Hogwarts, you will leave an overall well-rounded and intelligent witch.
Perhaps you doubt the fact that you are a witch? It's very common for Muggleborns to look over their magical skills. Have you ever been so angry that you've caused things to explode? Or so happy that you've caused balloons and streamers to appear out of thin air? Has anything unexplainable ever happen to you? As a magical being, I am sure that something most definitely has. These are all signs of magical ability.
I hope now that I have convinced you that Hogwarts is indeed real and that you are indeed a witch. I noticed that you are American, and therefore need to fly across the ocean to reach Kings Cross Station. (Kings Cross Station is where all wizards and witches board the train that leads to Hogwarts. This train departs on September 1st at Platform 9 and ¾. Your train ticket is enclosed.) We have also enclosed a plane ticket inside. The plane is departing on August 29th at 7 PM sharp from JFK Airport. When arriving in England, a disguised wizard will greet you at the gate. You will recognize this wizard by addressing him with the code word "sparkly jellyfish." This wizard will then take you to the Leaky Cauldron, where you will spend your time until September 1st. Your wizard guide will also escort you into Diagon Alley, where you may purchase school supplies.
I am looking forward to meeting you and all the other first years when you arrive at Hogwarts in September. All information regarding supplies and a more detailed explanation of Hogwarts are also enclosed.
Sincerely,
Headmistress McGonagall
I didn't know what to think. How could I? I was just told that I was a witch and was accepted into a school for witches. Reading over the letter once more, I thought that it was odd that I never actually experienced anything "odd" that might be a sign to me being a witch. In fact, my life has been quite boring; nothing extraordinary ever happens. Still, something inside me told me that Hogwarts was real, and that I shouldn't doubt it. Something told me that Hogwarts was where she needed to be; it was the answer to everything. The chance to get away from my stepfather is too much for me to resist. The plane ticket was there, and it was definitely a legit plane ticket. Who knows? Maybe my stepfather wouldn't even notice she was gone? And if he did, too bad. It'd be too late by then.
Looking at the plane ticket once again, I realized that today was August 29th and the plane was supposed to depart in less than three hours. As I crept quickly into my room to pack my suitcase, only one thought played through my mind: I'm going to Hogwarts.
Author's Note: The actual plot of this story will continue next chapter. I am not positive when the next chapter will be coming out; I'm in the middle of two other stories (One being a Harry Potter fic: Those You've Known. Check it out). I would really appreciate it if you would REVIEW! It helps me so much and gives me the push I need to put out new chapters every week. Thanks, and remember, REVIEW!