DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry or the other characters/places from the books. I only own the original parts of the story. The Harry Potter series is by J.K. Rowling. Not me. Please do not sue me. With that being said on to the story!
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Chapter 1 : The Letter of Escape
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Rubbing her eyes, a young girl with golden-brown hair and brown eyes walked to the door. As she stepped into the sun, she let it warm her bare shoulders and squinted into the light. She sighed and watched the sky, trying not to think about her life. She just sat watching the clouds make shapes as they moved around the sky.
"Taking a nap Celia?" Celia sat up to see Tom, the mailman, stopping by.
"Good morning." She greeted him, smiling.
"What's wrong lately?" he asked as he put the mail in the mailbox. Sitting down next to her he continued, "You don't seem like your cheerful self anymore. Did something happen?"
"Nothing that I really want to talk about, I had a rough year is all." She finished with a sigh, almost as though she was just realizing that it was over. Tom stood up getting ready to leave.
"Well I hope things are better for you next year. Here." He handed her a letter "This might cheer you up."
Celia looked at the letter and then back to Tom, confused.
"Check who it's from."
Excitedly, Celia flipped the envelope over.
"It's from my uncle!" she exclaimed. Thoughts swarmed through her head as to what it could be. Her crazy Uncle Al, short for Albus, had always sent funny or interesting things in his letters. She used to ask her parents how he had done some of the things he did, but they would just smile and say 'That's your crazy Uncle Al.' Since that time she had stopped asking, but it still amazed her every time.
"Well, I'm glad that cheered you up." Tom continued. Celia had almost forgotten that he was still there. She laughed at herself and nodded that she was feeling happier. "In that case I'll be going back to work now. I hope its good news!" Celia smiled and waved goodbye. It was never bad news from Albus Dumbledore, even if he ever had bad news he never told her. Thinking about this she tore the envelope open.
My Dearest Niece,
I am writing to you with a proposition. Keep in mind that your parents have agreed to allow whatever you decide. It has come to my attention that you may need a break from your current social circle.
'How could he have known that?' Celia thought to herself. 'I haven't told anyone!' She continued the letter with a constantly increasing interest.
…My dear, it is my thought that you might wish to spend the next school year in England with me. If you so desire, you may be given special admittance to the school of which I am Headmaster. Should you choose to accept, I am sure that you will find it most interesting…
At that moment, a beautiful song reached her ears. It sounded like it came from a bird, but she had never heard a bird do that before. Looking up from the letter, she found the source of the sound. Flying towards her was a beautiful red bird with pin-feathers almost like a peacock. The bird's colorings were the most pure forms of red, blue, and gold, so much that the color seemed to radiate from the bird's body.
I imagine that Fawkes has arrived by now. As it is a matter of great importance, I asked him to deliver your letter. Please write a letter of response and send it back with him, he will find me. I hope to hear from you soon.
Much Love,
Uncle Albus
Celia looked up in awe at the bird that was currently perched gently on her knee. From this close she could look directly into its eyes. They were a kind of watery blue-green, not at all what she would expect from such a fiery bird. In its beak was an envelope with green writing on the label. It read:
Celia Alanus
24 Sandford Road
Sandy Ridge, New York 10627
The United States of America
North America, Western Hemisphere
Earth; Third Planet from the Sun
The Milky Way
Celia laughed at the way her uncle addressed things. He always did those kinds of things that remind you just how small you were, but then wrote things that made you feel the most important. With this in mind, she patted the bird called Fawkes lightly on the top of his head and opened the new letter. Inside it read:
Dear Miss Alanus,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The term will begin on September the first. Enclosed in a list of supplies that you will need for this term we are looking forward to your arrival.
Minerva McGonagall
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress.
'Um…what?' was the first thought that came to Celia's mind. She had already decided that she would go; it was a chance for her to get out. A chance to think. Plus she could stay with her crazy favorite uncle. But this was really starting to get weird. 'Well, he did say it would be interesting.' She thought, absent-mindedly flipping to the supply list
1 Size 2 Pewter Cauldron
1 Wand
1 Hogwarts Uniform
'What?! Where am I going to get all this?'
And may bring if they desire, either an owl, cat, or toad…
'An owl? Toad?' As she read through everything, she decided to write back to her uncle right away. She ran inside and tried not to run into things, while her eyes adjusted. Then she remembered Fawkes. Sticking her head out the door she located the bird sitting in the tree in her yard.
"Good Fawkes, please wait for me." The bird made a nodding motion with its head and Celia wondered why that didn't surprise her more. Running back inside, she grabbed paper and pen and began writing out a letter.
Dear Uncle Al,
I got your letter; I would very much like to spend the school year at Hogwarts. I do have some problems though, and also some questions. Well here we go:
1) Wizarding school? Do you mean with magic? I didn't know that was real! Do mom and dad know? Is it a secret?
At this point in the letter, Celia looked outside for a minute and saw that Fawkes had burst into flames. In complete shock she rushed outside to the poor bird. In a matter of seconds, what had been the beautiful red bird was now a pile of ash. 'Oh no! Uncle Albus is going to kill me!!! What do I do? I killed his bird!' Continuing to stare at the ash and wondering how she was going to word what just happened, Celia noticed something moving. A small baby bird was poking its head out of the ashes and staring back into Celia's eyes.
"Uh, Fawkes?"
The bird nodded again and Celia was swept with relief, confusion and awe. She rushed inside and continued her letter.
2) Is Fawkes a phoenix?
3) Pewter Cauldron?
4) Owl?
5) How am I going to get to Hogwarts?
6) Where am I going to get all this?
7) How am I going to pay for all this?
Celia looked over her list of questions and decided that she had covered everything for now.
I look forward to your reply and to seeing you this year.
Love always,
Your niece,
Celia
Folding the letter and addressing it to her Uncle she brought it out to baby Fawkes
"Do you think you can handle this yet?" Celia asked as Fawkes matched her skeptical look. "I didn't think so either," she answered as though Fawkes had answered her. "I guess you'll have to spend the night." She resolved. The rest of the day went by relatively uneventful. That night Celia dreamt of the year that she would be spending in her uncle's wizarding school.
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Author's note: Hey everyone! I hope you liked the story so far! Please review and let me know what you think of my story. It's a bit slow in the beginning, but it gets faster I promise. Well, that's all I have to say so far. On with Chapter 2!