Author's note: this chapter isn't quite complete yet, but I just lost my job so won't be able to update regularly for a little while. Hopefully my interview tomorrow will go well so things can settle down. In the meantime, though, I've tidied up the formatting on the prologue and here's most of Chapter one. Thanks to those who reviewed!
"blah blah blah" - talking out loud
'blah blah blah' - thinking/talking between alters inside Harry's head
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Chapter One: The Letter
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Ever since Aunt Petunia taught us to read and write, Lily has handled all the correspondence at Number Four, Privet Drive. Dutiful servant that she is, Lily walked quickly to the front door that fateful morning to gather the Dursleys' mail. All unsuspecting, she started sorting the items to their appropriate piles. A plain, official-looking envelope went to New Bills, a postcard was set aside for Uncle Vernon to read about Aunt Marge's holiday … but then Lily paused, confused. The thick, antique-looking envelope with its emerald green writing was unlike anything she had ever seen, and it was not addressed to her Aunt or Uncle, or even to her cousin Dudley.
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Mr H. Potter
The Cupboard under the Stairs
4 Privet Drive
Little Whinging
Surrey
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'Mr H. Potter,' Lily mused, 'is that our name, then? I wonder what the H stands for…'
'Couldn't be,' Freak whispered. 'We don't have a name, don't deserve one. Besides, who in the world would write to us? 'S prolly a hoax.'
'No return address or stamp… you may well be right about that,' she replied.
Lily decided to open up the mysterious letter. After all, if it was a hoax, there was no need to bother Aunt Petunia for a measley bit of junk. If it were real, though, perhaps she would have someone of her own to correspond with. 'I wonder what it's like to have a pen-friend of our own.' Carefully, she disengaged the elaborate wax seal on the envelope and pulled out the letter within.
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HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf Warlock,
Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. Of Wizards)
Dear Mr Potter,
We are pleased to inform you that you have a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of the necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
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Shocked silence filled our head as Lily stared blankly at the enclosed list. It was several minutes before any of us could manage to respond.
'See, told you it was a hoax,' Freak muttered uneasily. 'Look, most of this stuff isn't even real.'
"Boy, what's taking so long?" Uncle Vernon boomed. Shaken from our stupor, Lily made her way to the kitchen, where she was mortified to see the Dursleys' breakfast dishes ready to be cleared from the table while we had been woolgathering.
"I am so sorry Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia, Dudley," Lily said breathlessly. "I was surprised by some unusual junk mail. I promise it will never happen again." She quickly cleared the table and started washing the dishes.
"See that it doesn't, or I'll teach you a lesson about tardiness you'll not soon forget!" Uncle Vernon rose from his chair with a creak, and made his way out to the hall. At the kitchen door, he paused, turned, and narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "What the blazes do you mean, unusual junk mail?"
Wiping her hands quickly on the dishtowel, Lily said, "I did not want to bother you with such nonsense, Sir, but I shall fetch it if you prefer." At Uncle Vernon's nod, she walked briskly to the living room and collected the envelope and its contents. She watched, strangely nervous, as he glanced over the page, his face going quickly from its usual ruddy complexion to a pale, nasty grey. Concerned, Lily motioned to the chair Uncle Vernon had recently vacated. "Uncle, you look ill. Please sit down, and may I fetch you anything? Tea? Some brandy, perhaps?" When Uncle Vernon nodded, much more shakily this time, Lily nearly ran to the liquor cabinet and quickly poured him a large brandy. "Here, Uncle, sit and drink this, you will feel better in no time. If I may say, Sir, you mustn't concern yourself with such a ridiculous hoax. Please allow me to dispose of this letter so you can put it out of mind."
Uncle Vernon's gaze suddenly sharpened. "Hoax, you say? Yes, yes, obviously nonsense…" his voice trailed off as his beady eyes seemed to search out every corner and cranny of the room. "Yes, nonsense… well, freak? What are you waiting for? Get rid of this rubbish and back to your chores!"
"Yes, Sir, right away!"
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Not having much time to write right now, I figured here's as good a spot to end the chapter as any. Once my life settles down a bit I'll add more to this chapter and write more. Please let me know what you think of it so far.
Letter address and contents from Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone