Ch 2

The Letters

"I'm a WHAT!"

Lily's parents rushed upstairs to their daughter's room to find her facing the window, a letter in hand. They circled her and were blocked from seeing her face by her red hair, an all-covering cloak. Lily's mother pushed back her hair to reveal her face, positively glowing with a suspicious glint in her emerald eyes. As her mother did this, her father took the letter from her hands and began reading it, soon joined by his wife. They finished around the same time and hugged their 11-year-old daughter. Lily Evans, as that was her name, was utterly confused. The letter had clearly, and rather bluntly, stated she was a witch and was accepted into some school called Hogwarts.

How is that possible? Witches aren't real. Even if it is true, I don't feel the least bit magical. What's going on? Is this another prank of those little gits from primary school? Then again…there was that time at The Park when those prats were picking on Averi and me and their shoes were welded to the cement... And that time when Petunia and her pals pulled a series of pranks on us and when she looked into a nearby mirror, it cracked. Then again, that could've been her face…

She smiled a triumphantly confused smile. The letter, now on Lily's dresser, had included the following message:

Dear Mrs. Evans,

You have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Therefore, you are a witch. The Ministry of Magic will be sending someone to escort you and your parents to Diagon Alley to purchase your school things in 5 days time. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.

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

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

After being released by her parents, Lily bent to retrieve the envelope and supplies list, which had, in Lily's state of shock, been absentmindedly, dropped to the floor. She frowned; something wasn't right.

"Hold up," she said staring at the letter. "Where am I supposed to be getting this stuff from exactly? What does it say in the letter again?" Lily looked to her parents who were pouring over it.

"It says from Diagon Alley. Where is that supposed to be, dear?" Lily's mother answered, looking at her husband.

"Don't know. Guess we'll have to wait til then, hmm?" He grasped his wife's hand and led her into the hallway. "We're going downstairs to prepare for lunch. It should be ready in a few, kay?" Lily nodded as her parents smiled and backed out of the room. With excited haste, she rushed to get her phone and quickly dialed the number of her best friend, Averi.

Meanwhile, 11 houses over, another young witch was doing the same for her friend Lily.

30 min. earlier

"It's here!"

Her parents, Audrey and Michael, having heard her call, raced upstairs to their daughter's room. They found her bouncing on her toes, a wide grin spread across her face. They hugged each other for a few minutes before Averi's older brother, Brian, entered the room.

"What happened?"

"Bri," she cried, releasing herself from her parents' embrace. "I'm in! I've been accepted! I'm going to Hogwarts!" Brian, already a third year there, also grinned happily as he picked up his sister and carried her to his room.

"Have you ever wondered why I never let you into my room, no matter how much I love you?" Slight comprehension began to dawn on her face.

"Well, it's because of this." He opened the door and allowed her to step inside. As she entered, she noticed an array of magical things. Included were moving pictures on his dresser, a poster of people flying around on brooms passing around what seemed to be a red soccer ball, a broom sitting in a corner with the words 'Shooting Star' engraved into the handle, and a long, smooth piece of wood sitting on his nightstand. Averi curiously walked over to it, wondering its magical purpose. "That," he said walking up behind her," is the most important instrument a wizard or witch could have. In fact, without it, I wouldn't be able to do any magic at all. That is my wand." He looked down at his sister, smiling, as she gazed at the device.

"When will I get mine?" she asked, now looking at her brother.

"Don't know. Let's go ask mom." Upon entering the room, they found their parents reading over the letter in the kitchen. They glanced up and, reading the expression on their children's faces, answered the question.

"The Ministry is sending someone in five days to escort us back to Diagon Alley again." Her mother said, beaming at her daughter. Even though heir parents had given birth to two wonderfully magical children, they themselves were mere muggles. It had been Audrey's brother and Michael's sister that had gotten the magic. Somehow, their children just happened to obtain their aunt and uncle's magical abilities. Although, after Brian had gotten his letter, he and his parents decided not to expose Averi to the wizarding world unless she got a letter also. They had only let her know about the school.

"We're going downstairs to get lunch started. It should be ready in a few," her father said as they made their way across the room.

"I'll be in my room, kay? Congrats!" Brian said, leaving as well. With her own eager swiftness, she began calling her best friend, Lily.