A/N: That was short…. It seemed like it would have been longer! Sorry!
And I realize I had a few grammar errors. Sorry, it's my first one ever (
Enjoy!
Chapter 2: The Reply
I put the quill to the paper. Slowly, I started to write a reply to the letter.
Mr. Hogwarts,
Thanks you four the letter. It was my furst ever but it is not OK 2 go.
I cann't by stuf
I gotta take care of mii sistar and brothar.
I don't no where king's cross station is. I'm reely sarree.
Sinseerlee,
Maive
There. I folded it up and put it in White's mouth. I stoked her feathers a few more times, then sent her off. I hoped it would reach them.
Sure, I wanted to go. But it wasn't a matter a wanting. I needed to stay at the shelter. Josh was only nine, Molly only eight. They really needed me.
I decided not to tell them about this letter. They might get too excited. It was best if only I knew about it. That way no one could get mad or anything like that. I folded it up and slipped it into my pocket.
It was time to wake them up for school by then. I walked over and into our room and sat on Molly's bed. I placed my hand on her cool head, and her green eyes fluttered open. I ran my fingers threw her long black hair. I would do anything for her. Fighting her sleepiness, she got up. I moved over to Josh.
He opened his eyes and said, "I'm already up. I got up when you did. But thanks for letting me rest!" He was wide awake, and got out of bed with ease. His hair was black, too. It lay askew on top of his head.
"Hey, Molly, guess what's for today?" I said.
Her face lit up, her mouth dropped. "CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP!" She stormed out of the room, awake now herself.
"That sure got her going," Josh said gloomily, "but I hate chicken noodle soup." With that, he trudged out of the room and into the kitchen.
I sat on my bed and took the parchment out of my pocket. I read all I could read once again. Words like "Occasions" I could not read. But I did know that it said I had powers. This was hard to believe. I didn't even have a home, so how could I possibly have powers… especially magic ones?
I folded it back up and slipped it back into my pocket. I walked out of our room and slumped down next to Josh. I woke up too early. Just like Molly, I was fighting back my sleep. This was something we just got used to, especially in the winter. There isn't much heat here and it's hard to fall asleep in freezing temperatures. But every day we must go out and help. When we were littler, they would have us be out side and try for donations to buy food. Then, sometimes we still did that, but mainly we helped with things like making the food, fixing bed, and scrubbing floors.
After Josh and Molly had finished their soup, we went outside. On nice days, we always tried to find outside work if we could.
This time it was a little different. They said that I was old enough to try real work, and Josh and Molly could come, too. I could work for pay. They would still give us food.
"Some people start earlier, but it's normally because their parents get them into it. But, you haven't started working for pay yet. We'll still give you your food, but now you can buy other things… like close, or toys… whatever you want. Just go in there," he motioned towards a building, "and say you need work. They'll fix ya up."
"Um okay…." I started walking away, but stopped, and turned around. "REAL money? Like, I can buy ANYTHING?"
"Yes, anything you want to buy."
I walked towards the building, very deep in thought. I knew exactly what I could buy… but I just couldn't. Molly and Josh need me. Still the thought kept coming into my mind. Wizards School… that is something I never even knew existed. To go somewhere like that would be completely wonderful. I hoped that Molly and Josh had powers so they could go. Maybe just seeing them go would be enough… but maybe not.
Deep down I knew how much I really wanted to go to the school. I knew how great it would be to become a witch. Then maybe I wouldn't have to worry about my sister and brother as much. Maybe I could make things better. And just to have the powers. That would be great.
I was jolted back into reality when Molly asked me what I want to buy. "I don't know," I lied, "maybe a toy." I said this right as I was passing the cathedral, which made me feel even worse. Later, I decided, I'd go to confession.
The building was an aged one. You could see that they tried to make it look new. But it wasn't really working. I gave them credit, though, for their efforts. I walked up the stone stairs and opened the glass door. Molly was holding my left hand, squeezing it tighter and tighter, the closer we got. She always did when we went somewhere we haven't before. There really wasn't anything to be afraid of, though. The building was old, but it had a friendly atmosphere.
We walked up to the counter where a lady sat behind at a computer. A traditional business. It looked so ordinary. But somehow, it seemed more. Looking around, I saw other homeless people. They all looked so happy to get a job that paid even a little. This place was more than ordinary. It was a lifesaver.
Hopefully, I thought, it would save us, too. I had always dreamed of having money of my own. I could buy Josh and Molly real Christmas presents. They could have more clothes. To actually have a toy. I remember when I had toys. I had one that played music.
Always, Always, you'll be my little girl.
Always, Always, I'll be here for you.
Always, Always, you can lean on me.
Mommy loves you.
Never will I leave you,
'Cuz you're my little girl.
Every night my mom would play the music from the toy, and sing the words. I remember it like it was yesterday. I could hear her voice. It was like the sweet song of a bird. It was unforgettable.
I was jerked back into reality when the lady at the desk said, "May I help you?" Her voice wasn't as sweet. It wasn't a bad voice, but sounded horrible next to my mother's.
"We need work," I said confidently. I had no problem talking to people.
"Okay. Fill out these forms and bring them back up when you are finished." I looked at the forms. Luckily, I could understand it all. I went through it. Name, age, address, height, weight… address. I didn't know what to do. Firmly I walked back up to the desk.
"I have a slight problem with this."
"What is it?"
"Well, what if you don't have an address?"
"Oh, just put in your shelter, or, if you don't have a shelter either, then simply leave it blank." She had no smile on her face. It seemed like she never smiled. How good someone who saves so many be so unpleasant?
I walked back over to where Molly and Josh were sitting. "Maive?" Molly's innocent little voice chimed.
"Yes, Molly?" I replied.
"What are you doing?"
"Duh, you idiot," Josh said, annoyed. "Didn't you listen to anything that the man said? We're gettin' jobs… jobs that pay."
"Pay? What do you mean, "pay"?"
"If you don't know that, you don't know anything."
"Josh… come on now," I said, "be nice. Well, Molly, you get money to buy things." I noticed Josh was listening attentively to what I was saying. He didn't know what it was to get paid either. Who could they, never having closely known anyone who has got paid?
I filled out the very long forms. Molly fell asleep in the comfortable chair she was sitting in. Josh fell asleep on a couch. I looked at them and realize how much I loved them. They needed me. Hogwarts was completely out of the question.
Chapter 2: The Reply
I put the quill to the paper. Slowly, I started to write a reply to the letter.
Mr. Hogwarts,
Thanks you four the letter. It was my furst ever but it is not OK 2 go.
I cann't by stuf
I gotta take care of mii sistar and brothar.
I don't no where king's cross station is. I'm reely sarree.
Sinseerlee,
Maive
There. I folded it up and put it in White's mouth. I stoked her feathers a few more times, then sent her off. I hoped it would reach them.
Sure, I wanted to go. But it wasn't a matter a wanting. I needed to stay at the shelter. Josh was only nine, Molly only eight. They really needed me.
I decided not to tell them about this letter. They might get too excited. It was best if only I knew about it. That way no one could get mad or anything like that. I folded it up and slipped it into my pocket.
It was time to wake them up for school by then. I walked over and into our room and sat on Molly's bed. I placed my hand on her cool head, and her green eyes fluttered open. I ran my fingers threw her long black hair. I would do anything for her. Fighting her sleepiness, she got up. I moved over to Josh.
He opened his eyes and said, "I'm already up. I got up when you did. But thanks for letting me rest!" He was wide awake, and got out of bed with ease. His hair was black, too. It lay askew on top of his head.
"Hey, Molly, guess what's for today?" I said.
Her face lit up, her mouth dropped. "CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP!" She stormed out of the room, awake now herself.
"That sure got her going," Josh said gloomily, "but I hate chicken noodle soup." With that, he trudged out of the room and into the kitchen.
I sat on my bed and took the parchment out of my pocket. I read all I could read once again. Words like "Occasions" I could not read. But I did know that it said I had powers. This was hard to believe. I didn't even have a home, so how could I possibly have powers… especially magic ones?
I folded it back up and slipped it back into my pocket. I walked out of our room and slumped down next to Josh. I woke up too early. Just like Molly, I was fighting back my sleep. This was something we just got used to, especially in the winter. There isn't much heat here and it's hard to fall asleep in freezing temperatures. But every day we must go out and help. When we were littler, they would have us be out side and try for donations to buy food. Then, sometimes we still did that, but mainly we helped with things like making the food, fixing bed, and scrubbing floors.
After Josh and Molly had finished their soup, we went outside. On nice days, we always tried to find outside work if we could.
This time it was a little different. They said that I was old enough to try real work, and Josh and Molly could come, too. I could work for pay. They would still give us food.
"Some people start earlier, but it's normally because their parents get them into it. But, you haven't started working for pay yet. We'll still give you your food, but now you can buy other things… like close, or toys… whatever you want. Just go in there," he motioned towards a building, "and say you need work. They'll fix ya up."
"Um okay…." I started walking away, but stopped, and turned around. "REAL money? Like, I can buy ANYTHING?"
"Yes, anything you want to buy."
I walked towards the building, very deep in thought. I knew exactly what I could buy… but I just couldn't. Molly and Josh need me. Still the thought kept coming into my mind. Wizards School… that is something I never even knew existed. To go somewhere like that would be completely wonderful. I hoped that Molly and Josh had powers so they could go. Maybe just seeing them go would be enough… but maybe not.
Deep down I knew how much I really wanted to go to the school. I knew how great it would be to become a witch. Then maybe I wouldn't have to worry about my sister and brother as much. Maybe I could make things better. And just to have the powers. That would be great.
I was jolted back into reality when Molly asked me what I want to buy. "I don't know," I lied, "maybe a toy." I said this right as I was passing the cathedral, which made me feel even worse. Later, I decided, I'd go to confession.
The building was an aged one. You could see that they tried to make it look new. But it wasn't really working. I gave them credit, though, for their efforts. I walked up the stone stairs and opened the glass door. Molly was holding my left hand, squeezing it tighter and tighter, the closer we got. She always did when we went somewhere we haven't before. There really wasn't anything to be afraid of, though. The building was old, but it had a friendly atmosphere.
We walked up to the counter where a lady sat behind at a computer. A traditional business. It looked so ordinary. But somehow, it seemed more. Looking around, I saw other homeless people. They all looked so happy to get a job that paid even a little. This place was more than ordinary. It was a lifesaver.
Hopefully, I thought, it would save us, too. I had always dreamed of having money of my own. I could buy Josh and Molly real Christmas presents. They could have more clothes. To actually have a toy. I remember when I had toys. I had one that played music.
Always, Always, you'll be my little girl.
Always, Always, I'll be here for you.
Always, Always, you can lean on me.
Mommy loves you.
Never will I leave you,
'Cuz you're my little girl.
Every night my mom would play the music from the toy, and sing the words. I remember it like it was yesterday. I could hear her voice. It was like the sweet song of a bird. It was unforgettable.
I was jerked back into reality when the lady at the desk said, "May I help you?" Her voice wasn't as sweet. It wasn't a bad voice, but sounded horrible next to my mother's.
"We need work," I said confidently. I had no problem talking to people.
"Okay. Fill out these forms and bring them back up when you are finished." I looked at the forms. Luckily, I could understand it all. I went through it. Name, age, address, height, weight… address. I didn't know what to do. Firmly I walked back up to the desk.
"I have a slight problem with this."
"What is it?"
"Well, what if you don't have an address?"
"Oh, just put in your shelter, or, if you don't have a shelter either, then simply leave it blank." She had no smile on her face. It seemed like she never smiled. How good someone who saves so many be so unpleasant?
I walked back over to where Molly and Josh were sitting. "Maive?" Molly's innocent little voice chimed.
"Yes, Molly?" I replied.
"What are you doing?"
"Duh, you idiot," Josh said, annoyed. "Didn't you listen to anything that the man said? We're gettin' jobs… jobs that pay."
"Pay? What do you mean, "pay"?"
"If you don't know that, you don't know anything."
"Josh… come on now," I said, "be nice. Well, Molly, you get money to buy things." I noticed Josh was listening attentively to what I was saying. He didn't know what it was to get paid either. Who could they, never having closely known anyone who has got paid?
I filled out the very long forms. Molly fell asleep in the comfortable chair she was sitting in. Josh fell asleep on a couch. I looked at them and realize how much I loved them. They needed me. Hogwarts was completely out of the question.