Morgana's Chronicles: Year 1
Enemies of the Heir
Disclaimer: This story is based on the Harry Potter series, by J.K. Rowling. I do not own anything, except a couple of original characters.
This is set during Harry Potter's second year. Lee James and Ken Mason are both in Harry Potter's house and year, but are kind of like Seamus and Dean... keep to themselves.
This chapter has been edited and reposted.
Chapter 2—And So it Begins
Miss M. James
Bedroom on the Left
The James Residence
Oxford, England
After reading the address on the letter, Meghan James curiously flipped it over, eyes widening at the purple seal. It bore a coat of arms; a lion, badger, eagle and snake surrounded a fancy letter "H." The ten-year old knew it could only mean one thing.
"It's here," she breathed, hardly daring to open the yellowish envelope. What if it informed her that she couldn't go to Hogwarts after all, or that she had to wait another year? Her birthday was September 2nd, two days after the official deadline. Albus Dumbledore had said he would talk to the board of governors about it, but he was only human. What if he hadn't succeeded?
"Well there's only way to find out," Meghan said to herself. Taking a deep breath, she carefully tore open the envelope and smoothed out the letter.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore (Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chr. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Miss James,
We are pleased to inform you that you have a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
"I'm in!" she cheered. The brown barn owl stared at her with unblinking eyes. "Oh come on. If you always deliver the Hogwarts' letters, you've seen this before."
"Talking to yourself is the first sign of insanity, you know," a voice said from the doorway.
"I'm not talking to myself, I was talking to the owl," Meghan said in a superior tone. "But you would know the signs of insanity, wouldn't you? I mean, all you've got to do is take a look at yourself..."
"Whatever. Anything for me? Seamus was supposed to owl me yesterday," Lee asked.
"No. Why don't you call him?" Meghan shrugged.
"Don't know his phone number."
"Typical."
"So what's that letter you've got?" Lee noticed her letter for the first time.
"Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I got in!"
"Oh. I knew they'd bend over backwards to get a mage in the school. It's not like you were supposed to go this year or anything."
"I'll be eleven two days into the term."
"Youngest in your class."
"Doesn't matter. You're just jealous because I'm going to be the most powerful witch in my year, and get higher grades than you. And you can't be beaten by a girl. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go tell Aunt Elena and Susie," Meghan said haughtily
"She's not your aunt!" Lee called after her.
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"Aunt Elena! Susie!" Meghan shouted, running up the stairs. She opened the door to Susie's hot pink, princess bedroom. Elena James was braiding her daughter's black hair into two plaits.
"What is it honey?" Elena asked.
"My Hogwarts letter. I got in!" the girl said brightly.
Elena smiled, Meghan hadn't seemed this happy in a while. "Well congratulations! Now, I'm afraid we weren't going to go to Diagon Alley for a couple of weeks, but why don't you let your Uncle Ed and Severus know? I'm sure they'll be happy to hear the good news."
"Mummy, can I go to Hogwarts too?" Susie fidgeted anxiously.
"Not for a few years yet, sweetie. Now, sit still or it won't come out even," Elena scolded gently.
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The weeks flew by. Lee spent most of his time at his best friend, Ken Mason's house. The Mason's conveniently lived near the James family in Oxford. The parents were both Muggles, but Ken and his brother Sam attended Hogwarts. Ken was going to be in his second year, like Lee, while Sam was going to be a fifth year, and a prefect.
Meghan started packing for Hogwarts the day she received her letter, much to everyone's amusement. Her main problem at the time was trying to decide which Muggle books to bring, as she hadn't bought her school supplies.
Susie mourned the fact that she was too young to go, and tried to convince her parents otherwise. After all, seven going on eight wasn't all that young. Elena and Ed laughed at their children's antics.
Before long, it was the much anticipated day for the family to go to Diagon Alley. Even though it was a Wednesday, Ed had the day off of his job at St. Mungo's. Ken and Sam joined them, bright and early. It was much easier for them to travel to London by Floo Powder than to drive.
"Is everyone here?" Ed asked, looking around. "Right. Elena, why don't you go first with Susie? I'll send the rest of the children through after."
Elena and Susie stepped through the emerald green flames. Ed sent the rest through, before stepping through himself. The Leaky Cauldron was the same as ever, with its unusual clientele and dreary décor. Meghan was talking animatedly with Tom, the bartender. They had become friend the previous winter, when he had helped save her from her abusive home.
"Just passing through to the Alley," Ed called out to Tom. "Come on Meghan. We need to get back by dinner."
The group proceeded through the back door, where a giant brick wall stood. Ed tapped the bricks in a familiar pattern with his wall, and the grand archway to Diagon Alley appeared. Meghan stared at in awe. Even though she had been there before, it never ceased to amaze her.
"Okay everyone!" Ed called, motioning for the group to stand at the side of the road. "Let's figure out where we need to go."
"We'd rather get our own supplies," Lee indicated himself and Ken.
"And I want my wand," Meghan chimed in. "And..."
Just then, the girl spotted the largest man she had ever seen. He must have been twelve feet tall, with a bushy beard and a ruddy complexion. He was dragging a boy, of about Meghan's age with him.
"Hey Harry, what happened to you?" Lee asked.
"Found 'im in Knockturn Alley," the giant man spoke up.
Ken glanced at the James family, before speaking up. "Harry, Hagrid, these are Lee's parents, Mr. and Mrs. James, and his younger sisters, Susie and Meghan. You already know Lee and my brother Sam. Everyone, this is Harry Potter and Hagrid, the gamekeeper. Harry shares a dorm with me and Lee."
Everyone exchanged greetings, and a family of redheads came hurrying down the street.
"Oh Harry, we were so worried about you! We hoped you only went one grate too far..." Mrs. Weasley fussed.
Hagrid said his farewells, and disappeared into the Leaky Cauldron. Percy and Sam greeted each other cheerfully, as they were friends, and went off to do some shopping after gaining permission. Ken, Lee, Harry and Ron began talking about "guy" stuff, and the twins were talking in hushed voices.
That left Ginny and Meghan together, as would typically happen when the families visited each other. They were the same age, but did not get along at all.
Ginny glanced over at Harry Potter, and after deciding that he was paying no attention to her, turned to Meghan. "So did they actually accept you, or are you just tagging along?"
"I'm in," Meghan replied. "I'm not that much younger than you are. Just a couple of weeks."
"But it is after the deadline. I guess they'll do anything for the potion professor's goddaughter," Ginny sneered.
"Neither of us know which house we will be in Ginny," Meghan replied.
"All my brothers, except for Bill and Percy have said horrible things about Professor Snape. And he's your godfather. That's enough for me," Ginny nodded. "Bill and Percy only like him because they were good at Potions. If you like him, and haven't even started Potions yet, there's got to be something wrong with you."
"Let's save the rivalries until after we're sorted, okay?" Meghan suggested. Ginny turned away and tugged on Mrs. Weasley's sleeve.
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The groups split off, Meghan going with her guardians and Susie to pick up her supplies. She acquired her uniform, potions ingredients, and a telescope, among other things.
"What's next?" Elena scanned the list. "Your wand, and a pet, since we're getting your books last. Which would you like first?"
"The Magical Menagerie is right here. Should we do that?" Meghan suggested.
"Sure. Now, you can get a toad, cat or an owl. Ed, will you take the children in, while I wait with the things?"
Ed, Susie and Meghan made their way into the store. Susie gravitated towards the kittens, while Ed placed a hand on Meghan's shoulder.
"Now, I'd suggest a cat or an owl, as toads are rather dull. Owls are useful in that they deliver letters, but you can always use a school one for that. Cats have magical powers of their own. It's up to you."
A tan screech owl circled above them, before landing on Meghan's shoulder.
"I think this one likes me," Meghan giggled. "And he's cute too! Can I get him please?"
Ed consented. "Have you decided on a name for him?"
"Oh, I think Spooky is a good name for an owl, isn't it?" she grinned, stroking the owl's feathers. Ed paid for the owl, as well as a cage and some owl treats.
The next stop was Ollivander's, for the highly anticipated wand. Meghan thought that the man was rather odd, and stayed close to her guardians and Susie.
"Holly and unicorn hair, eleven inches," he recited, handing her a wand. Meghan waved it, feeling foolish. Nothing happened.
"Apparently not. Let's see... ash and phoenix feather, 9 1/2 inches. Great for healing and defense."
Meghan waved the wand, and a green snake shot out of it, along with some purple and silver sparks. Everyone stared at it, startled.
"Curious," Mr. Ollivander said, after banishing the snake. "Most children only get sparks on their first time."
"What does this mean?" Elena demanded.
"It could mean many things, or nothing at all. The snake is often used in context with healing, which is logical with the wand that chose her. I would guess that you are going to be a great healer someday Miss James, but you already know that, don't you?"
Meghan didn't move a muscle, but Mr. Ollivander nodded, after seeing the expression in her eyes.
"As long as it's not dangerous, we'd best pay and get going," Ed spoke up. As soon as they were outside of Ollivander's, he turned to his family. "Now, I suggest that we keep this to ourselves. Even if the snake refers to healing, people are going to think differently. Do you understand?"
Elena, Meghan and Susie nodded. While Susie didn't fully understand, the prospect of a secret thrilled her.
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Flourish and Blotts was a madhouse.
"Why are all these people here?" Elena wondered.
"It looks like that Lockhart guy is signing books. He's written over half the booklist, is he any good?" Meghan asked curiously.
"I always thought he was a bit of a fraud. I'll pick up some extra defense books for you two," Ed replied, indicating Meghan and Lee.
They managed to find every book on the booklists, and a few more. After paying, they looked at the line for the book signing.
"Shall we get them signed?" Elena asked.
"Might as well. We can probably sell them for more when we're through," Meghan shrugged. Sam grinned, and Susie giggled.
"Hey look," Susie whispered, pointing to the front of the line. Lockhart had grabbed Harry Potter and was posing with him. Harry looked extremely reluctant, and was trying to escape.
"Poor guy," Meghan replied.
"He doesn't even like attention," Ken added.
Just then, the store erupted into chaos. A fight had broken out between Arthur Weasley, and a tall blond man. Ed grabbed her hand and Ken's shoulder, and steered them out of the store. Sam followed, then Elena followed, holding Susie by the hand, and Lee's arm.
"How scandalous!" Elena said. "Fighting in public, in front of children!"
"Let's go home, we've had a busy enough day. You can always get the books signed later. He said he was going to be your teacher this year," Ed suggested.
"Merlin help us all!" Sam said.
A/N:
The idea with the snake coming out of the wand comes from the fanfic: "Slytherin Rising Part One: Sleeping Death" by J.L. Matthews, though it doesn't necessarily mean the same thing in this fic. It is an excellent story, and I recommend it to all.