TWIST OF FATE
Author's Note: THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO HAVE READ AND REVIEWED.
CHAPTER 9: 18TH BIRTHDAY
On the last week of July, Harriet became anxious when Dean called to let her know that he received Hogwarts acceptance letter. Mrs. Figg assured her she would get hers too. But Harriet remained nervous and edgy the following days as she waited for her letter. In her worry she totally forgot about her 18TH birthday next day until Mrs. Figg remained her.
On the Eve of her birthday, Mrs. Figg woke her and warmly wished her Happy entire face lit up when her sleep-muddled brain processed what Mrs. Figg saying. Mrs. Figg laughed as she stood up quickly and did a weird sort of happy dance. When Harriet realized what she was doing she turned bright red in embarrassment.
Harriet's happy mood disappeared as the day wore in because she still didn't receive any letters. Clarissa arrived at 's house around lunchtime.
"Happy Birthday Harriet," Clarissa said warmly handing her a gift.
"Thanks but you didn't have to get me anything," Harriet said awkwardly.
"Non sense. Now open your present" Clarissa said waiting for her to open it.
Harriet smiled shyly before opening her present only to find a beautiful watch inside.
"I can't accept this. It looks quite expensive," she cried shaking her head.
"Of course you can. Every college going student needs one and I will not take no for an answer," Clarissa told her firmly as Mrs. Figg nodded in assent.
"Thank you," Harriet said sincerely with tears in her eyes.
Mrs. Figg bought her a delicious chocolate cake. Harriet was having a hard time controlling her emotions. It was the first time she celebrated her birthday since living with Dursleys.
Clarissa noticed Harriet staring at her new watch in melancholy through the lunch.
Finally she asked, "Why the long face Harriet? Aren't you happy that you are free from your guardians forever?"
"What? Yes, I am happy," replied Harriet getting out her stupor.
"Then what is it?" Clarissa asked worriedly.
Harriet just shook her head getting up and carrying the dishes to the sink.
"Oh, the girl is fretting over the college letters. She is moping around since that Thomas boy called to tell her about receiving his letter. I told her she still has time but," Mrs. Figg told her.
Just then doorbell rang. Clarissa went out to answer while Harriet and Mrs. Figg cleaned the table.
"Here is your answer, Harriet," Clarissa announced loudly from the living room holding her Hogwarts letter along letters from other universities she applied for. Both Mrs. Figg and Harriet rushed out hearing that.
Harriet cried loudly before she accepting them from Clarissa. She looked at expectant faces of Mrs. Figg and Clarissa before opening them shakily one at a time.
All four universities offered her admission but only one university among them clearly stated that she is being offered full scholarship. Hogwarts requested her to visit their office in London at earliest convenience to discuss her status with regard to scholarship.
Harriet stared indecisively at the letters.
Reaching out, Clarissa read the letters before congratulating her.
"Let's not draw any conclusions just yet. You should go to their office before you decide," Clarissa suggested.
Both Mrs. Figg and Clarissa told Harriet that she at least had an offer from other university even if Hogwarts' response turned out to be negative. A part of Harriet felt relieved that she was going to college even if it's not Hogwarts.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Later that afternoon Clarissa escorted Harriet to the bank where her money was saved. When Peter Pettigrew got acquitted of cheating his clients. Court transferred the supervision of Harriet Potter's trust fund completely to the bank.
"Happy birthday, Miss Potter," Mr. Barberus Bragge, the bank manager greeted Harriet as soon as she entered his chamber along with Clarissa.
"Thank you," she replied with a small smile.
After introductions, he spoke to Harriet, "Now that you are 18, you can access the money in your Trust Fund without an adult supervision. At present the trust fund contains 32645 pounds and 56 pence precisely that you inherited today. You will inherit other expensive possessions saved in your parents vault when you turn 21. It contains your parents wedding rings, your mother's engagement ring and few other jewellery worth around 8000 pounds".
"Do you have any questions for us?" asked her
"Er…. I wanted to know if it is possible for me to access that money anywhere in Great Britain. You see I've been accepted in few Universities but I haven't decided as of yet where I would attend," Harriet told him.
"Of course. We have branches all over the Great Britain that you can access money. We can also provide you a credit card so you can draw money anywhere easily. It's a simple process. I will ask Mrs. Edgecomb to help you through it now if you're interested," he replied.
Harriet nodded.
Clarissa stayed with Harriet as she filled and signed the papers transferring the money in her trust fund to a personal account. Mrs. Edgecomb, the bank clerk assisted her with filling the forms for credit card. After she finished, Mrs. Edgecomb informed her that she would get her card in 2 days time.
Before they left, Mr. Bragge informed Harriet that the lady who owned the apartment in which her parents lived before their demise, is still safekeeping some of her parents possessions. Since they belonged to Harriet, he said she could recover them any time she wanted.
When Harriet insisted on taking hold their possessions immediately. He wrote a letter to lady and gave it to Harriet. He also handed her the lady's address and promised her that the bank will inform the lady of Harriet's visit.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Next Day, Harriet arrived at London office of Hogwarts University. She noticed few students waiting at the reception. She was made to wait for few minutes before the receptionist directed her to the Manager cabin down the hall.
"May I come in sir?" Harriet said peeking through the door and looking at the man sitting on a chair behind a huge desk in a well furnished room.
Bartemius Crouch was serious looking elderly man in his early 60's. But he managed a small smile when he noticed Harriet Potter.
"Ah Miss Potter come in."
"Let me introduce myself. I am Bartemius Crouch, the student admission head of Hogwarts," He told her offering his hand.
Harriet shook his hand, "Nice to meet you, sir"
"You too. Please have a seat," he told her indicating to the chair across him.
"Let me first congratulate you for getting selected in our medical college," he offered her.
"Thank you," Harriet nodded.
"Now coming to the matter of scholarship you applied for. It has been decided that you be given the scholarship," he said briskly.
Noticing smile growing her face, he said seriously, "Ah ah. Please let me finish. It's not a full scholarship".
"What do you mean?" Harriet frowned at him
"It has been decide that only your tutoring fee will be covered as the scholarship. But you need to pay for accommodations, books and other stationary along with medical equipment yourself if you do decide to join us," Mr. Crouch explained.
"Oh" Harriet didn't know what else to say.
"Would you like to know the estimated cost for above that you need to pay for?" He asked her quietly to which Harriet nodded dumbly.
Drawing the papers from the file, Mr. Crouch continued, "Accommodation in University dormitories will cost 5535 pounds for every year. Your books and other equipment will cost you around 10000 pounds for 5 years of medical education".
Looking up at her, "It is not necessary that you live in university hostel. You are allowed to stay in apartments in the nearby village. As for books, Hogwarts library is fully stocked with all books you will ever need. You just need to buy few essential books," he pointed out.
"Whether you accept our terms or not, you need to inform us of your decision within next 5 days otherwise the scholarship will be offered to another candidate. If you do decide to join us, you need to pay for your accommodations in case you want to stay in our dormitories by 10th of July. But all the students are required to submit four photo copies of their school reports along with five passport size photos and filled admission form that you can acquire from the receptionist," Mrs. Crouch informed her.
"You will receive the list of books you'll need along with the information of date of commence of college within a week after that. Your student id card will given to you as soon you arrive at Hogwarts in September".
With that the meeting ended. Harriet collected the admission form on her way out just in case.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Harriet informed Clarissa that she wanted to visit the lady the very next day.
"Harriet are you sure you want to go to Godric Hollow all by yourself? I could accompany you if you would wait until this weekend. You still have to make the decision concerning Hogwart's offer," Clarissa reminded her.
"Yes I am sure. You've already spent so much time taking me to my exams and bank. Beside I've to get used to traveling on my own, now that I am going to college," Harriet told her reasonably, "As for Hogwarts, I'll not be able to think about it clearly if my mind is occupied with the thoughts of my parents' possessions".
Clarissa nodded sighing. A part of her agreed that Harriet needed to learn independence but another part was frustrated that Harriet still found it hard to accept her help.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Look out for Next chapter: GODRIC'S HOLLOW
Keep reading and PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW. I eagerly look forward to your opinions, suggestions and comments.