By: CNJ
PG-13
2: Surprise Invitation
Lily:
I was surprised to see the mail come early that last Saturday in July. It wasn't a lot, just something for Mum and an ad. I picked it up and was surprised to see one addressed to me. I left the rest of the mail on Mum and Dad's desk and peered at my own as I headed back to my room.
As I entered, I was very surprised to see a snowy owl fly past my window. What the...? Owls are nocturnal creatures, I thought. Shaking my head at my overactive imagination, I sat on my bed looking at the envelope again.
Miss. Lily Evans, it was addressed and had our address on it. Looking at the back, I saw Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in London, England. With shaky fingers, I opened it and out fell two sheets of paper...parchment actually with thick ink writing on it. The first read,
Dear Miss. Evans,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Enclosed is a list of necessary books and supplies. We await your reply by July 31 via owl.
Sincerely, Headmaster Morocco Vester and Deputy Headmistress Vivian
Pierce
My hands shaking, I looked at the second sheet and found a list for school supplies like none other that I'd ever seen. It had titles of several books, but at the same time, it also had things like a cauldron, an animal like an owl, bat or toad, a wand, and a few other odd things. Of all odd things...maybe this explained a lot, like what happened at the picnic and everything.
I re-read the letter several times. That probably explained the owl outside my window, the via owl part. But how did you reply to a letter...oh, the owl carried the letter.
"What that, little freak?" someone asked and I looked up to see Petunia entering. Her eyes widened then. "My, my, my, is that what I think it is?"
"It's mine," I told her shakily, holding it close to me so she couldn't see it. But she leaped forward and snatched the letter from my hand and read through it.
"A freeeak school, ehhh?!" she screeched. "I always knew you were a nut, Lily Evans, but this puts the cake on it! You are a certified first-class weird freeeeeak!"
"Give it back, it's my letter!" I yelled, trying to snatch it from her, but she held it over my head.
"Maybe Mum and Dad will see they've gone too far in indulging you and put a stop to this once and for all!"
"I said, give it back!" Mum and Dad came running upstairs just then.
"What's going on?" Dad asked.
"She has my letter," I had to wipe tears from my eyes.
"A letter from a freak house, that's what!" Petunia held it up.
"Hogwarts..." Mum mumbled. "Well, that's one of the best schools in this country for magical people! Oh, Lily, you've been accepted?" I nodded. "Congratulations, dearie!" Mum ran over and gave me a hug and Dad joined in with a smile.
"I caaaaan't believe this!" Petunia screamed. With that, she tore the letter in half.
"No..." I cried as she made a move to tear it again. Mum then snatched it away from her and ordered her to her room. With one last scowl at me, Petunia went. I wiped a tear from my face as I looked at the letter, now ripped in half.
"Not to worry, we can tape it up," Dad soothed.
"D-did you know I was...?" I started.
"Magical?" Mum finished. "We suspected as much a few months ago. We'd heard of witches and wizards and magical schools for them."
"Do you want to try Hogwarts this coming year?" Dad asked as we sat on the bed.
"I'd love to," I nodded. "But how will we let them know? We don't have an owl." Mum and Dad glanced at each other.
"We can send them a conventional reply and let them know," Mum told me. "They'll tell us where to shop for your supplies and where to go then. Oh, Lily, we're so proud of you!" I had the feeling I'd fit in well at Hogwarts and get a chance to meet others like me...other witches and wizards and magical people who sometimes made strange things happen.
More later!