"What a great book," Aidan O'Reilly mumbled to himself as he set down the copy of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone he had just finished reading for the third time. All through the book, Aidan couldn't help but long for a place like Hogwarts where he could get away and, for the most part, be part of the magic of it all.
Aidan was fourteen, just like Harry, and he also had jet-black hair. Though Aidan didn't live with his evil aunt and uncle, he had been shunted aside by his parents all his life. After escaping into Harry's world for the past week, he more than ever wished he could be taken away by a giant to a magical place. His mother, Teresa, was young and blonde. She was almost always drunk and she often declared Aidan an "accident." Tom, Aidan's father, wasn't much better. He was never home and he could usually be found in a casino.
Suffice it to say, Aidan stayed away also. When he was seven, Aidan registered himself at elementary school and he applied himself so well that he always got top grades. Aidan also taught himself how to pray. Not one night went by when he didn't drop to his knees to thank the Lord.
Not that his efforts were fully rewarded. There was a another problem, because there is always a problem. Aidan was not accepted by anyone. He never had the right clothes because his parents couldn't—and wouldn't—provide for him. He was small for his age which allowed the big kids to beat up on him. It also didn't help being a fourteen year old Harry Potter nut. Nothing went right, except when he was alone. The thing was, he didn't want to be alone, and that's why Aidan liked to escape into Harry Potter's world.
Aidan settled down for bed that night and said his usual prayers and tucked himself into bed. Instead of dropping right off though, Aidan laid for a while, staring at the sky that was unusually starry. Aidan lived in the city and he wasn't used to seeing an open sky uncompromised by flashy lights. That meteor shower's tonight, I forgot, he thought to himself. Everyone must have turned their lights out.
And so they had. Suddenly, it happened, like millions of fairy lights raining down to earth. Aidan remembered that once he heard someone say that if you wish on a falling star, it would come true. So Aidan searched the sky looking for the biggest star, concluding that his wish would come true faster if his star were bigger.
I wish Harry Potter and his world was real, and that I was a part of it, he is my hero, he thought as he spotted the star. He closed his eyes with all his might, willing himself to believe that it could happen. After five minutes of this and more prayer, Aidan fell asleep.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Harry Potter lay awake in his tiny bedroom at number four Privet Drive, counting off the minutes until his fifteenth birthday. Harry was a little taller, his eyes a little greener, and his hair a little messier. After last year though, Harry didn't seem to notice any changes, and if he did, he didn't show it. Last year, Cedric died because of him.
Harry couldn't be in a worse spot. Nothing seemed to matter to him except the fact that Voldemort was now in power because of him. He could only look forward to his friends' letters that would tell him any news of what was happening in the wizarding world. Nothing was ever good news though.
Suddenly, Harry saw four post owls, one he recognized as his own, Hedwig, one he knew was Ron's, Pigwidgeon, and two that he didn't know. As they soared through his now-open window, he saw one letter that looked as though it could be from Hagrid, his half-giant friend that was the gamekeeper at Hogwarts. He tore it open and read:
Dear Harry,
Happy Birthday, chap. How are you doing? I have your present here in me hut, just keep this letter as a ticket to get it. Ha, Ha, I'm just joking. I'll see you in a month here. Keep your head up.
Hagird
Harry smiled to himself. Knowing Hagrid, he probably bought him a dragon named Fuzz and he just couldn't send through owl post.
Harry looked to Hedwig, who was hooting loudly to be relieved of her burden. He noticed Hermione's neat penmanship and untied the heavy tin and letter attached to Hedwig's leg. Inside the tin were an assortment of homemade cookies, 'Mione, I hope you're a better cook than Hagrid, Harry thought. He had never tasted anything that Hermione had made, but he had too much experience with Hagrid's cooking.
Dear Harry,
Happy Birthday! How are you? I haven't heard from you in a while, I hope you aren't feeling bad for yourself! Send Hedwig back, I'd love to talk to you.
Mum and Dad are taking me to Diagon Alley on Friday, I hope I see you and Ron there. I think I may actually get an owl now. Imagine, an owl and a cat!
I hope you like my cookies (mind you I used a bit of magic to make them taste better).
Remember, don't feel bad. I'll see you on Friday (hopefully)!
All my love,
Hermione
Harry smiled and sampled a chocolate chip cookie. It tasted pretty good, as though it wouldn't have needed magic anyway.
Next Harry turned to Pigwidgeon who was twittered madly around the room by now. "Shut up, you stupid bird!" Harry hissed as Uncle Vernon gave an almighty snort. Ron had just sent an envelope, no parcel, but Harry wasn't disappointed. Inside was a gift certificate to Zonko's Joke Shop in Hogsmeade and a letter.
Hey, Harry,
Happy Birthday, buddy! Fifteen, how's about that?! Hope you're staying out of those Muggles way, especially the fat one. Who did you say it was? Dave? Derek, DUDLEY! That's it!
Mione and I are going to Diagon Alley on Friday, hope to see you there. I hear Florean Fortescue has a new flavor, triple-swirled chocolate marshmallow brownie, or something. You know me and my sweets! Got to have them all!
Did you hear? Dad's gotten a raise. Ever since You-Know-Who came back, they keep paying people more. Sometimes they don't even come home because they're working long hours. Dad comes home though. And about that, don't blame yourself! Keep you're head up, Potter! Write your name down and think about who you are. Harry-Freakin'-Potter! See you later!
Yours in Adventure! Haha!
Ron
Harry smiled. The only thing that he hated was that his friends each told him to "keep his head up." Why must they always worry about me? He thought. Ron's idea was good though. He was Harry Potter and he had no reasons to be upset. Last year he just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time.
Finally, Harry turned to the last owl, which had two letters attached to itself. He immediately noticed the familiar school envelopes, but this year it seemed a little thick. He ripped open carefully, growing ever-more-wary of Uncle Vernon's heavy snoring. Inside was the usual supplies list and letter from Professor McGonagall, but this year there was one more piece of parchment addressed from Albus Dumbledore.
Dear Mr. Potter,
Today is your fifteenth Birthday, Congratulations. I hope all is well with you in the Muggle world.
Tonight i just received notice from the Starkeeper about a highly unusual wish concerning you and our world. Tonight, at precisely eleven-fifteen, Aidan O'Rielly, a Muggle, made a wish to know you and become part of our world.
I know it is not customary to admit students older than eleven years, but this one boy seems up to the challenge. I have also spoken with the Ministry of Magic and their Squib Reversal Team is willing to equip young Aidan with magical talent.
The real reason I'm writing to you Harry is to know how a Muggle such as this would know about you.
Most Sincerely,
Headmaster Albus Dumbledore
Harry furrowed his brow in thought. He had no idea how a Muggle would know about him. The only Muggles that Harry knew where the Dursleys. He pondered that thought for a while until giving up. By that time, Harry was well on his way to a good night's sleep.