It wasn't just a dream.

It couldn't be.

Ever since she could remember, Leandra had had the same nightmare at least once a week. Today was one of those days. And as always, she woke up screaming. How the nightmares made her scream still, she didn't know.

She couldn't get it out of her head. She didn't dream of pictures. 'Thankfully' she thought 'The images that pair with these sounds must be awful' the sounds made up someone screaming, and then crying... And then two people crying, at which point, she usually woke up.

By what her foster parents told her, it had happened every night since she was left at their doorstep. According to Mrs. Walker, it was her screaming and crying that had woken up the woman that morning.

'Left on a doorstep to be found' she thought, a scowl appearing on her face 'Didn't even bother to sent a letter explaining themselves. Just a name, and a date of birth.'

Leandra knew nothing of her biological parents. She did assume, however, that they must be awful people. The Walker's reminded her of that once in a while. They reminded her more often that she was a gift sent from Heaven to a couple that couldn't have children, so she couldn't really complain.

Today was her birthday. The day she was turning 11 years old. Not a really important age to celebrate. Though, her parents made sure she felt loved.

She brushed her auburn hair and looked straight into her own bright green eyes through the bedroom mirror. She put her glasses on like every day. And, just like every day, she let the points of her fingers touch the lighting scar on her neck. The scar had been there since before she had been left at the Walker's. 'They really mustn't have liked me'

-Happy Birthday- she said to herself.

Little did she know what was happening downstairs.

Emily burst into Leandra's bedroom. She was her best friend and only sister. A girl that the Walker's had adopted two years after Leandra had shown up in their doorstep. Her blue eyes shone with tears.

-What happened? -she asked- I heard you screaming.

-Oh- Leandra said- Just a nightmare.

-Again?- Emily asked.

-Happens at least once a week. People would think you'd be used to it by now.

-Oh, well...- Emily said- Happy Birthday!

-Thank you- Leandra smiled- But what about you? You look like you've just got out of a nightmare yourself.

-Don't worry about that- Emily smiled weakly before leaving the room- Get ready, I'm starving, and you make the best pancakes.

Leandra laughed, and started getting dressed.

No one was ever awake at that time except them two. So of course they were surprised when they entered the kitchen and saw their parents awake and with people they didn't know sitting at the table.

There was a gigantic man with messy brown hair and sweet brown eyes, a boy around their age who was just like Leandra except for the hair (his was raven black) and another man, way shorter than the first one, with black hair and black eyes and a strangely long nose.

-Good morning- said the black haired man, staring at Leandra in awe- I'm professor Severus Snape, professor at Hogwarts.

-Good morning- Leandra and Emily spoke in unison.

-'Morning, girls!- greeted the gigantic man cheerfully- I'm Hagrid! Hogwarts grounds keeper.

-And I'm Harry- the other boy said- Nice to meet you.

Leandra looked around the room at every single person. When she caught Emily looking at the ground, she grew wary. Emily trying to hide her face was never a good thing.

-Should I know already why you're here?- she asked, looking the Snape man in the eyes.

-Yes- he answered in a clipped voice- But your dear foster sister made well sure you didn't. We are here to pick Leandra Potter to get her school supplies, and to move into her new living arrangements now that the Headmaster finally let's me have full saying over where my goddaughter lives.

-I'm sorry, Leandra who?- Leandra asked.

-Leandra Potter- Harry explained- My twin sister. I'm guessing it's you.

-Me?!- Leandra exclaimed.

-Yes!- Hagrid said- And you're a witch! Just like your brother here is a wizard.

-This is a big birthday prank, isn't it?- Leandra asked, incapable of taking everything in- You are playing a prank on me, aren't you, mum?

-I'm so sorry, dear- Mrs. Walker spoke- I wish it was.

For the first time in all her years with them, Mrs. Walker looked about to cry. Her husband had his arm around her in a protective stance but even the comedian of the family looked sad.

-Which reminds me! Happy Birthday!- Hagrid yelled- And I have a present for you.

He started searching in the pockets of his enormous jacket and he took a box from one of them, handing it to Leandra. She opened the box and inside was a cake, a little cracked that read "Happee Birthdae Leandra". Leandra loved it.

-Thank you- she thanked him, managing a half smile.

-Leandra, dear- started Mr. Walker - I know you hate your biological parents because you thought they had abandoned you. But I think you should hear what these gentlemen have to say.

-For starters, I didn't know what you would like and need so I didn't buy you a gift for your birthday - started Snape - I know though, that it would be best if Miss Walker treated us to an explanation on her behaviour.

At that, all heads turned to Emily.

-I didn't want you to go away- the girl finally lifted her head to look at Leandra. Not in the eyes though, Leandra noticed.

There were tears rushing down her face.

-A letter came in from some Hoguiad school-

-Hogwarts- Hagrid corrected.

-Doesn't really matter- Emily dismissed- it was from some wizarding school, so I thought it was a prank, from the bullies, you know? Only Jackson to think of something like that.

At the mention of Jackson, she rolled her eyes.

-So, of course I opened it and read it through before throwing it in the trash- she continued- It would serve for a good laugh, you know? But I know how affected you get when they make jokes like this so I didn't show you. The next day, two more came in.

She still didn't look Leandra in the eyes.

-I confronted him that day- she confessed- Remember when I told you I was gonna get some bread from Mrs. Travis? Because she's got the best bread, and you bought it obviously... Well, I did buy some bread at Mrs. Travis, couldn't keep up the lie if I hadn't... But I went to talk to Jackson first... He told me he had nothing to do with the letters... Swore on his parents... You know how important his parents are to him...

Emily had started fidgeting with her hands.

-After that, I just couldn't shake the feeling that the letters were real - she continued - And I didn't want you to go away, so, just in case, I kept throwing them away. Don't know how anyone didn't notice really, the amount of letters kept growing. I'm sorry, Leandra, I really am.

Leandra nodded once. It didn't seem like enough to Emily.

-I didn't think you'd ever find out, didn't think it'd be so important that they would come all the way here to fetch you-

-Doesn't make it ok- Leandra stated like a robot - And if you keep talking I might never forgive you.

Emily bit her lip and kept quiet. After a moment, Snape spoke up.

-Lea- may I call you Leandra? Or would you prefer Miss Potter?- at her whispered "Leandra is good" he kept going - Why don't you take a seat? I have your letter right here.

He handed her an envelope sealed with red wax a she sat herself at the kitchen table. She opened it to find out that there were two different papers inside. One of them was a list of items and the other was a short letter from Deputy Headmistress Minerva McGonagall. It read:

Dear Miss Potter,

We are pleased to inform that you have a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.

Term begins on 1st September. We await your owl by no longer than 31st July.

The train must be caught on the 31st August at precisely 10:30.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall,

Deputy Headmistress

Leandra read the letter once. Then she read it twice. Then she inspected the list of all equipment necessary. And she read the letter a third time. When she finally felt in control of her emotions, she lifted her eyes to the professor.

-You mentioned I wouldn't be living with the Walkers.

-Yes, I did- Snape smiled, trying to catch the girl's eyes - You'll be living with me from now on. We placed you here because Headmaster Albus Dumbledore didn't want neither you nor your brother growing up around wizards and witches after your parents died. I did try to-

-My parents what?- interrupted Leandra.

-Died, dear- answered Hagrid- They died. They loved you very much. Good people, very good people, the both of 'em.

Leandra felt herself about to cry while whispering a quiet "Oh" 'They didn't hate me' she thought.

-I was your mother's best friend for a long time- Snape said, covering her hands with his own- There was a time when I was a bad person. But she made me see the light again. We were very close friends again when you were born...

He trailed off for a bit as if remembering something before continuing.

-She managed to get your father to agree to make me your godfather.

-I should go pack- Leandra said, staring blankly at the hands the professor still held over her own reassuringly.

With that she got up and exited the kitchen. Emily didn't even try to follow her. Instead, Har- 'her brother' did.

On the way to her room, Leandra pinched herself. It hurt.

It wasn't just a dream.