Harry Potter and its characters (c) J.K. Rowling
Wisteria Willow (c) mine
Recess arrived but Wisteria was not allowed to join the other children to enjoy the cold tuna sandwiches. She was immediately brought to Ms. Frost's office. The office walls were panelled with dark wood that matched the flooring. The old wooden furniture smelled murky and of dead flowers. When they reached the headmistress' office, Mrs. Thompson accused Wisteria of making her go mad in class with ("It was magic! There's something wrong with this girl, headmistress!"). Ms. Frost was not amused when Mrs. Thompson told her this story. Wisteria watched feebly when Mrs. Thompson received the scolding of her life from the headmistress for falsely accusing a student and acting inappropriately during school hours.
"But – Ms. Frost!"
"Enough, Tabitha!" Ms. Frost quickly interrupted. Mrs. Thompson flinched and sealed her lips. Her gaze never met the Ms. Frost's cold hard gaze. The headmistress crossed her arms over her chest and with an irritated huff she said "Your behaviour was inexcusable! Squawking during lessons is not how we adults are supposed to act. What do you have to say about yourself, Mrs. Thompson?"
Mrs. Thompson remained silent – quieter than a mouse – without a single squeak or squawk. Wisteria could laugh at her teacher's expense. Revenge truly does taste sweet and she liked it.
"And to Miss Howl" – Wisteria raised a brow – "I would like to offer you're my sincerest apologies for Mrs. Thompson accusation," Ms. Frost said with a sneer. She did not enjoy apologizing to a student, much less to Wisteria. She couldn't help to admit that she disliked the child and every other girl in the school as much as Mrs. Thompson. "If there is anything I could do so you may keep this secret within school walls…"
"Well" Wisteria pondered her thoughts. She thought about it for a few moments. Mrs. Thompson had her black eyes in a slit glare at Wisteria's direction, obviously still very much irritated. "If it's possible, could I be dismissed from school for today?" she asked in a small timid voice,
"Absolutely no—"
"You may, Miss Howl," Ms. Frost muttered with a curt nod. She was actually relieved that Wisteria didn't ask for anything more than that. "As for you, Mrs. Thompson," she set her stern gaze upon the teacher. Mrs. Thompson's face lost its colour and her eyed were as wide as they could be. "I'd like to have a word with you. You may leave now, Miss Howl," Ms. Frost said, shooing Wisteria away with a small hand gesture.
"Yes, Ms. Frost," Wisteria said politely, straightened up and shot a small smile blue eyes sparkling at the narrow eyed teacher. "You should really stop believing in nonsense such as magic, Mrs. Thompson – it's too good for a character such as yourself!"
On April 5, the walk back to twenty-six, Cherry Street was quite alright for Wisteria. The sky was turning grey, a clear sign that it was about to rain. Most people in the streets were getting their umbrellas ready for when it pours and some grouchy old women were grumbling their new clothes or hats would be ruined in the rain. A few boys that were playing football by the field were moaning the moment they saw the dark grey clouds in the sky, complaining that their game would be ruined.
Wisteria broke into a sprint when the first few drops of rain came. The moment she went inside the house, she failed to notice the owl preaching on top of the faded white picket fence as she ran by. The owl hooted and ruffled its wings as though annoyed that the girl didn't acknowledged it.
"Get over it, you stupid bird," Severus muttered harshly to the owl, stepping out from a hidden corner. The owl flew away with an arrogant hoot. Severus gave no care to the bird. He stared at the grim pathetic excuse for a house with a sneer. "Thomas Howl, you are a shadow of the wizard you once were – giving up a position with the Ministry of Magic for…for…this" He spat the last word with disgust and shook his head. "How unfortunate"
"Mum! Dad! I'm home!" Wisteria cried out, surprising Mr. and Mrs. Howl sitting in the living room. ("What happened? Why are you home so early?") Wisteria dumped her schoolbag to the side and ran into the living, panting. Her eyes were wide with bewilderment and her smile was as wide as a banana. "It was magical, Dad! Mrs. Thompson squawked – like a crow, I tell you – and she blamed me! A loon she is! A screw loose somewhere in that head of hers!"
Severus sat on the living room chair. His eyes were black slits as Wisteria skipped inside, giving a kiss on the cheek to Mr. and Mrs. Howl. He lets out a disgruntled cough – Wisteria's head immediately shot up to him. "Good afternoon," he said.
"A-afternoon," Wisteria shuddered, looking at Severus head to toe. His hair was slick and a greasy black along with his dark eyes. He wore black robes that made Wisteria quiver in her shoes. Her mark sent a short minor shock up her up like a warning. She flinched and quickly grasped her wrist tightly. "I don't think we've met, sir. Are you a friend of Mum and Dad?"
"His name is Severus Snape, dear," Mrs. Howl said and ushered Wisteria to sit down beside her. "He's a professor from Hogwarts – an amazing school – for young wizards and witches. Like yourself dear"
"Hogwarts? Wizards and witches?" Wisteria jolted, jumping in surprise.
"Yes, Wisteria, Hogwarts is a school for wizards and witches," Mr. Howl grimaced. Mrs. Howl was hiccupping back her sobs. Mr. Howl sighed deeply and held his wife's hand tightly, murmuring comforting words to her. "She has to know, Cornelia. She must" were some of the things he whispered.
"You're a witch, Wisteria," Mrs. Howl broke into tears. She reached a shaky hand into her apron pocket and took out an envelope. It was made out of faded yellow parchment and the address was written in bright emerald green. "And – there's – something – else," she sobbed and placed her face into her hands. "Oh, Thomas! Please! We raised her!"
"I know, love. I know," Mr. Howl choked. He looked up to Wisteria, clutching the letter in his hand. "Read it, Wisteria – to know that we haven't lost our sanity or are lying to you"
"Put them out of their misery, girl," Severus said coldly.
Wisteria licked her lips, mumbled a small "Alright" and opened the letter. She didn't even bother looking at the pale wax seal or the name on the address. Her eyes combed the contents of the letter – word by word – to make sure there was not a single mistake.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL
of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock,
Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Miss Willow,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall,
Deputy Headmistress
A sinking feeling struck Wisteria. She started to feel sick. The name "Willow" hit her like a pile of bricks. It was as though somebody had waked her up from a long dream. Wisteria staggered back, holding her head. Her face looked as white as a ghost.
"We are not your birth parents, Wisteria," said Mr. Howl. "Your parents died – no, were killed – exactly ten years ago. You arrived on our doorstep on the same day" – he turned to Severus – "he delivered you here himself. We were instructed to keep your safe no matter the circumstances"
"I did not instruct you to keep her heritage a secret, Thomas," Severus yelled angrily. "If Olav and Echidna Willow knew that their daughter – without a single ounce of knowledge of her and her parents' world – the Wizarding World! She is a pureblood wizard – one of the very few that remained in existence! If they were alive, they—"
"Enough!" Wisteria snapped. All eyes were instantly on her. She breathed deeply, her eyes wide and clear veils dripping off every inch of her body. "Stop—yelling—please" she said in the tiniest of whispers. "I knew I was strange – always – but I never knew to this extent! I wondered why I never looked like you, Mum, Dad – even Uncle Caleb said so when he visited!
"Wisteria Willow – that's my real name, isn't it?" she looked at Mr. and Mrs. Howls faces. They were avoiding her eyes, looking ashamed and disappointed in themselves. "Even if you aren't my birth parents, I still consider you my Mum and Dad – whether I be a Howl or a Willow!" Wisteria yelled through faint sobs.
Severus' lips curved up into a crooked smile. He looked proud. "You really are Echidna's daughter – you have her spirit – a fighter she was"
Wisteria grinned at him. Her cheeks were turning pink as she wiped the tears from her face. "Thank you, sir"
"Severus," he said. "But you must address me as Professor Snape during classes and such. If Albus finds out—" he lets out a small groan and rubbed his temples.
"So—I'm going to Hogwarts?"
"Of course," Mr. Howl quickly interrupted – ears turning pinks. "I'd never hear the end of it from Severus" –Severus shot him a small glare— "or Albus or the Ministry of Magic if I didn't allow you to go to Hogwarts!" He shook his head. "And I know how much you despise Kingsley – clear as day on your face –
"We'll take you to Diagon Alley to buy your school supplies a month, maybe two, before sending you off. It's only April 5 so it's still early. I'll even buy you a broomstick as a birthday present if you wish," Mr. Howl said smiling nervously at Severus. "Of course, I know that first years aren't allowed to own broomsticks yet. I'll give it to her in her second year – Wizard's honour!" he flustered, holding up his right hand.
"Thomas," Mrs. Howl sniffled, wiping away her tears. She turned her attention to Severus. "You'll keep her safe, won't you, Severus?"
"Mum—"
"Of course, Cornelia," he nodded and turned to Mr. Howl. "And you may give her a broomstick if you wish, Thomas" – Mr. Howl's face reddened with delight – "as long as you keep it away from prying Muggle eyes, it's fine.
"But I insist on accompanying Miss Willow with you to Diagon Alley to purchase her school supplies instead. I hear the Potter boy will also be shopping for his school supplies at that time as well. His presence will cause quite a mess of things in the area," Severus said. He sounded annoyed at the mention of 'Potter'. Wisteria hung on his every word. "Harry Potter, Miss Willow, he will be in the same year as you – quite a celebrity – the boy's famous though I hope you don't mix with him. Chances are he will be like his father"
Mr. Howl frowned. "Come now, Severus, even after all this time? You still hold a grudge against James Potter? He wasn't a bad man in the end and we were both in Slytherin! I don't hate the man or his son!" he said exasperated. "Even though he was a bully—to us and Echidna," he muttered bitterly.
"Don't worry – both of you – I'll steer clear of Harry Potter," Wisteria assured the grown men. Both of them sighed with relief at the exact same time and their cheeks turned pink. Wisteria laughed. The both of them muttered a few curses.
"I will inform Albus Dumbledore of your decision, Miss Willow," said Severus as he stood up and fixed his robed. "Also, I am the Head of Slytherin House so I hope you will be Sorted in that House," he said with a slight hopeful gleam in his eyes.
Not even looking up, Wisteria's ears turned red and she nodded. "Yes, Professor Snape"