A/N: I wanted to start off the chapter by saying thank you to those of you who clicked into my story and even favorited and followed it within the week. I must say that I did not expect that to happen. Just a side note, I don't have a solid upload schedule yet as I'm still in the thick of things with college applications and all that. Hopefully I can get the next chapter out soon enough! Now on with the story.
"Professor? Are you a teacher at a university?" Angeline asked as she sat into the chair across from Dumbledor who chuckled at her question.
"Not quite, but I am the Headmaster at a school in Britain, one I am inviting you to attend," Dumbledor replied.
"Oh school? I can't enjoy the last month of my summer can I? Did Ms. Avacent put you up to this?" Angeline asked, crossing her arms.
"No, Ms. Avacent did not, I came on my own accord but I can assure you that my school is unlike anything you will have seen. While other schools may teach on the basis of maths and science, we teach magic," Dumbledor said.
Angeline simply stared at the old man, her mouth slightly agape. "Magic? As in with magic wands and pulling rabbits out of hats?" she asked, mimicking the movements with her own hands.
"Not quite," Dumbledor said, as he took out his wand and with a simple motion, everything in Angeline's room reorganized themselves. "I can see that you and your mother are very much alike."
"You knew my mom?" Angeline asked, her interest piqued after getting over that magic was indeed real. "What about dad?"
"Yes, I knew your parents. It was under my instructions that you were to be brought here to America after your parent's murder," Dumbledor said gently.
"M-my parents were murdered?!" Angeline quivered. She tried to search for any indication on the Headmaster's face that it was a lie but try as she might, she found none. As the news sunk in, her shoulders slumped in defeat.
"Yes I'm afraid. Done by a very powerful dark wizard by the name of Voldemort when you and your brother were just several months old too. They were an excellent witch and wizard. Quite a tragedy," Dumbledor spoke, holding up a hand as Angeline was about to speak. "Yes, you have an older twin brother Angeline. If you choose to accept, then you will be attending school with your brother together in the same year."
"Where is my brother?" Angeline demanded. "Why haven't we been brought up together then?!"
"Harry is living with your aunt and uncle back in Britain although they are not the nicest people. I thought it would be best for you and your brother's safety if you were brought up apart from each other. It still wasn't safe for either of you so Though I can see your childhood here has been comparatively better." Dumbledor said.
Angeline nodded enthusiastically. "Yep! Ms. Avacent is super nice and lovely! I have a friend called Ariya who visits me sometimes but she's mostly away on trips," Angeline said. "Though I don't like Martha and her troupe. I avoid them when I can."
"I know I have not answered all your questions yet Angeline but I do thank you for being so cooperative with me. Certain staff members were afraid you would be quite hard to convince but it doesn't seem to be that way," Dumbledor mused. "Your letter Ms. Potter."
Angeline looked confused until Dumbledor pointed at a letter that she hadn't noticed before. Tentatively taking it, she looked at the envelope. On it was a red wax seal with an emblem on it that was quite hard to make out so she opted to open it. Taking out the letter inside, she began to read.
"Dear Miss Angeline Potter, we are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts-" Angeline read aloud before stopping promptly. "No, did I read that wrong? What kind of name is Hogwarts?"
Dumbledor gave a sigh, waving at her to continue her letter. "Accepted at Hogwarts—still a weird name no offense—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," Angeline read before her eyebrows bunched together. "Wait! It's past July! We're already into August!"
"Do not worry about that. You were a special case so I personally had to make the trip to America to inform you," Dumbledor said. "I recommend going through the contents before Professor Snape comes to pick you up for your shopping."
"But I still need to pa-" Angeline began before her clothes began rushing out of her wardrobe and into a suitcase that appeared magically from thin air. "Okay that is cool."
Dumbledor chuckled merrily before getting up. "I will see you on the first day of school Miss Potter. Until then, please enjoy the rest of your summer and ask plenty of questions."
After Dumbledor left, Angeline prepared for bed. Ms. Avacent even rushed into her room to make sure everything was packed to make sure that she was ready for her sudden departure tomorrow. The new contents of her letter, which she seemed to have overlooked somehow, made her head spin even more. On it was a list of books on subjects she had never even heard of with names even sillier than Hogwarts. Even with the events of the day all bustling in her mind, Angeline fell into a dreamless sleep.
The next day, Angeline had to pinch herself to make sure everything was real. Sure enough, it was. Rubbing her arm furiously and cursing herself for pinching so hard, she picked up the letter on her desk, refolding it neatly and putting it into her new suitcase. After getting dressed, she lugged it downstairs, almost tripping on the last few steps before being caught by Ms. Avacent.
"You'd better eat a full breakfast today!" her caretaker trilled as she took away the suitcase and pushed a large bowl of oatmeal with brown sugar into her hands as a replacement. "Professor Snape is already waiting at the entrance!"
She looked over and sure enough, on the benches by the door, sat a sallow looking man with hair coming down to his shoulders. For a moment, their eyes came into contact, his obsidian black with her bright emerald green. It was just a fleeting expression though his eyes softened their gaze before he turned away to look ahead again.
Even as she shoveled her oatmeal into her mouth, Angeline could sometimes see that Professor Snape would be watching her. After finishing the rest of her meal, she was whisked away by Ms. Avacent as she pulled her to the front desk where she was embraced in a fierce hug by her caretaker.
"Oh look at you! Off to Great Britain to attend such a prestigious school! I knew you could do it," Ms. Avacent said as she looked into Angeline's eyes. "Do promise to write, will you?"
"Of course Ms. Avacent! I won't forget everything you've done for me," Angeline replied.
"Good!" Ms. Avacent exclaimed as she ruffled Angeline's hair before leaning in closer. "And make sure you show Hogwarts who the best witch is."
Angeline looked at Ms. Avacent in shock as her caretaker simply smiled and opened the door for her and Snape. She was still in a state of shock as they walked away from the orphanage. "Ms. Avacent knew?" she finally asked.
"Yes," replied Snape. His answer was curt and for some reason was trying to avoid looking at Angeline. "Dumbledor's orders to keep everything under wraps."
Once the two were out of view from any prying eyes, Snape held out his hand. "We're going to London to get you your school supplies first. Then I'll be taking you to your aunt and uncle's place," he said.
"We're in America," Angeline noted as she took hold of Snape's hand. "How are we going to get to Lo-ACK!"
Her sentence was cut short as she felt her feet lift off the ground and her entire body spin. For a brief moment, she was falling until her feet slammed into solid ground again. The effects left her dizzy as she stumbled to the nearest wall and leaned against it as a thin smile appeared on Snape's lips. "What just happened?" she asked weakly.
"We Apparated, the wizarding form of traveling. Come, we do not have all day."
The two made their way through the narrow but busy street though while Snape expected this to be an in and out trip, Angeline had other plans for him. She would run up to a shop every so often and ask questions. Too many questions. But despite this, Snape did his best to try and answer them. There was just something about her fiery red hair, emerald green eyes, and personality that compelled him to do so. This annoyed him deeply but to his own great surprise, he didn't seem to mind it though.
Their first stop was Gringotts, which both of them agreed that the ride was their least favorite part of the visit. After walking out and resisting the urge to throw up, they went back down the street and entered Flourish and Blotts. As Snape picked up the books, Angeline took on a fascination with the assortment of quills and inks before finally being forced by Snape into grabbing the standard set for dawdling too long.
Across the street was Madam Malkin's where Angeline had to stand with her arms out while Madam Malkin walked around, measuring and pinning her soon to be robes. If the smirk was anything to go by, Angeline was sure her discomfort was small payback for making him carry her school supplies. At some point, Snape disappeared from the shop only to return with a cauldron that presumably held her potion ingredients.
When Angeline was finally permitted to hop off the stool and collect her newly sown robes, she rushed over to Snape and peered into the cauldron. In it was a variety of bags, all filled with various potion ingredients that would be needed for the year. "Wow. How much did that cost?" Angeline asked as she looked into several bags.
"These are quite common as potion ingredients go," Snape replied in his signature drawl. "Pay for the robes and then we can go and get your wand."
Angeline rummaged around her bag until she collected the right amount of money to pay for her uniform before hurrying off with Snape. As they walked, she began thumbing through her new books. "Potions seems quite fun. It's a bit different than the other subject, seeing as it looks like we won't be needing our wands much," Angeline quipped as she flipped through the pages.
"Indeed, potions is quite fascinating. You can easily befuddle the mind and even slip the grasp of death if you are knowledgeable enough," Snape replied, allowing a small ounce of pride to leak into his words. "If you are so fascinated by potions, you will do well to pay attention in class."
"You're the Potions teacher?" Angeline asked as she shut her book.
Snape nodded as they continued as a brisk pace. "One of the best I daresay. Though your mother was quite extraordinary in the subject herself."
"You knew mom too?" Angeline asked.
"We knew each other. We were...friends," Snape replied. "We've arrived at Ollivander's. In you go."
Angeline closed the potions book, placing it back into her cauldron before pushing open the door. The shop was musty and it seemed that almost every inch of space was taken up with boxes piled up high. "Hello."
The voice nearly made her jump out of her skin and to her left was an old man with pale but shining eyes. "I sold your brother his wand just this past week. Holly and phoenix feather, 11 inches, nice and supple. I wondered when I would be seeing you Miss Potter. You'll forgive me for the mess my shop is in. I had recently sold a quite temperamental wand."
To say the least, Angeline found the old man unnerving but still fascinating in a strange way. She watched as he rummaged around the shop table as he continued. "Blackthorn with a dragon heartstring, 12 and a half inches, a powerful wand given the dragon the core was taken from. Your wand arm if you please."
Angeline raised her right arm as Ollivander began to take measurements with a ruler, silently mumbling to himself. "As I told your brother, it is the wand that chooses the wizard. Try this, dogwood and phoenix feather, 10 and three quarter inches, particularly playful."
Angeline took the wand and waved it, causing an avalanche of boxes, spilling more wands to the floor. Seeing the results, Angeline quickly placed the wand back into Ollivander's hands. "Quite alright. Let's see...how about acacia and dragon heartstring, 13 inches, quite reserved. Go on…"
Once again, Angeline waved the wand but this time, a loud bang shook the both of them. Ollivander snatched it out of her hands and resumed searching. "I must admit, you are quite unique Miss Potter. Makes it tricky to find the right wand!" Ollivander called out as he climbed a ladder to reach higher up in his stashes. "Hmm, quite possible. How about this one, beech and phoenix feather, 10 inches, quite passionate."
Wand after wand, the boxes and numerous wand effects grew. If it was possible, Ollivander's shop seemed even messier than before. How he found anything anymore was a mystery to Angeline. Despite his shop nearing the state of ruins, Ollivander was positively happy. "Oh this is lovely! Even your brother wasn't as difficult! Well well well, how about that."
She watched as Ollivander leaned down to pick up a wand that had rolled under his desk from an earlier explosion with a mystified look. "English oak and unicorn hair, 12 inches, pure and unwavering."
At this point, Angeline didn't hold much hope for the wand. Still, she took it in her grasp and waved it. Immediately the feeling of unease she didn't even know she had melted away. Sparks flew from the wand as Ollivander looked on with respect.
"A fine wand has chosen you Miss Potter. Make the most out of it," Ollivander said in a hushed tone. "Seven galleons if you please."
Paying for her new wand and giving thanks to Ollivander, she rushed out the shop, eager to smell fresh air again. Once she was out, Snape rose an eyebrow. "English oak and unicorn hair, 12 inches, pure and unwavering," Angeline recited as she showed him her wand.
Snape looked at the wand that was being shoved into his face but took hold of it nonetheless and examined it. He nodded stiffly and handed it back to her. "Make good use of it Angeline," he said silkily. "Come. I have been instructed to take you to your aunt and uncle's place."
"I'll be able to meet Harry!" Angeline said happily as she bounced up and down.
"I suppose so. Now hurry up!" Snape snapped.
Angeline reached out and grabbed his hand once more and the two vanished from Diagon Alley, reappearing at the front door of a house on Privet Drive. Without even giving Angeline time to prepare, Snape pressed the doorbell. It was only a moment but the door swung open to reveal a thin woman that Angeline presumed to be her aunt. "Petunia," Snape greeted stiffly.
Her aunt simply stood there, her mouth slightly wide with shock as she stared at Snape. "Severus," she responded jerkily.
"I presume Dumbledor has informed you about the nature of my visit?" Snape spoke.
Angeline simply looked between the two, not knowing what to say or if there was anything good to say at the moment. Deciding that the tension was thick enough, Angeline spoke up in a frail voice. "I-I'm Angeline Potter. Y-Your niece," she quavered.
A fleeting look of recognition passed Aunt Petunia's face as she glared at Angeline who shrunk back behind Snape.
Seeing this, Snape coughed tellingly and spoke up. "I hope there will be no...difficulties while Angeline is here?" he asked, his voice dripping with a bit of maliciousness only a true Slytherin would have.
Petunia shook her head, her lips pressed into a thin white line. "Well, get in here girl! We haven't got all day!" Aunt Petunia snapped.
Scrambling to pick up her belongings, she hauled them into the house. She barely had time to say goodbye to Snape before Petunia shut the door quickly and rather rudely. "Hurry up!" she trilled.
"Petunia! Is the girl here?"
A giant man with not any visible neck appeared from the kitchen door frame with what seemed to be a smaller clone of him standing close behind the man.
"Umm, hello," Angeline squeaked nervously, her face ashen.
"Angeline?"
A new voice came from the stairs behind her as another boy appeared. He was skinny with baggy clothes dressed over his frame. His hair was messy but behind the wired frame glasses, she recognized those emerald green eyes.
"Harry?" she asked hopefully.
Harry broke into a wide smile as he bounded down the rest of the stairs with speed she didn't think was possible and embraced her in a hug. "I didn't think I had any other family left," he said thickly.
The Dursleys could only look on in awkwardness until Uncle Vernon cleared his throat loudly. "You there girl! Move your things into the cabinet and out of my sight. And take this little...reunion upstairs!" he barked.
The twins hurriedly stuffed Angeline's school things into the tiny closet underneath the stairs before retreating into Harry's bedroom. "Sorry about the Dursleys. They aren't fond of magic as you can probably tell," Harry spoke as he closed the door. "I hope you don't mind me saying but it's quite strange, you growing up in America and all that. How was it? Must've been better than the Dursleys."
"Well, there are some ups and downs. Nothing too special," Angeline replied. "Honestly I thought this entire thing was a prank when Professor Dumbledor came and told me about this."
"Well, I think it's safe to say that I got over my shock of being a wizard after Hagrid broke down the front door and gave Dudley—he's our cousin by the way—a pig tail," Harry recounted.
Now thoroughly interested, Angeline pulled up a chair and sat down with a grin. "You gonna tell that story or what?" she asked. At that, Harry laughed and for the rest of the day and well into the night, the siblings exchanged their stories.
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~Polaris