The story of Holly Jain Potter.

Chapter 1

Letters from no one.

AN:

Please take note that this story does not follow the canon timeline nor canon events to the letter, even diverging when the writer chooses or deems it necessary.

Hope you enjoy the story.

© Copyright disclaimer:

I do not claim any right to the Harry Potter franchise or anything connected to it.

Ten-year-old HollyJean Potter laid awake in her new bedroom, only a few short hours ago she would have given just about anything to be in the bed she was in. Having spent her howl life (as far as she could remember) in the cupboard under the stairs .

Now though, she had much rather stayed in the cupboard under the stairs, with her letter that Uncle Vernon said had been sent to her by mistake. That was one thing Holly was very sure of.

That the letter was meant for her and certainly hadn't been sent to her by accident. She remembered the emerald green ink and the strange velvet like the texture of the paper the text was written on.

Mr H Potter.

The Cupboard under the Stairs.

4. Privet Drive.

Little Whinging.

Surrey.

She had very much regretted that the letter wasn't hidden away in her cupboard when she had the chance. All Holly could do was pray that whoever the letter senders were, would realize that the letter wasn't properly received, and would try again.

Turning to her side and looking out the bedroom window she found the outside pitch black, unable to see anything in the inky darkness beyond her lit room without at least getting closer.

She turned her gaze to the dented old analogue clock sitting on the sole bookcase in the bedroom (one of the very few things in the room that weren't in a complete state of disrepair).

The time peace read midnight, It was far from the first time that Holly was awake at this hour.

She slowly got out of bed, her legs extremely sore from the beating that Uncle Vernon had given her after Hollyhad dared to try to demand the letter be given back to her. She had of course known that it wouldn't work, and nothing would get it back... She had been desperate though.

If the letter hadn't been thrown in the fire, she could have possibly had managed to take it back without anyone noticing, She had managed the same with a small handful of Duddley's books, As there was very little that Hillary's whale-like cousin disliked more than reading, and never read a book in his life beyond what he absolutely needed. Thus the odd missing book never went noticed when they vanished into Hillary's cupboard under the stairs where they remained inaccessible to her.

Holly had jumped up from the bed in alarm when a sharp and abrupt pop echoed from the street below, leaving her on the floor stifling her moans so as to avoid waking the Dursley's.

Slowly, with support from her bed, Hollymade it on to her feet.

She made the short gap to the bookshelf shelf from her bed, latching onto the top before she could fall to the floor once more.

Hollythen took a number of steading breaths before on wobbling legs made her way to the window pain, supporting herself on the wooden frame.

The outside was as pitch black as it had appeared from sitting in the bed, with the exception of a thin slither of moonlight, that lit up the pavement bellow, where what looked like a small giant stood. Hollyblinked, and there was nothing... surely she had to be mistaken, perhaps it was leftover from the strange dream she had been having. Yes, that had to be it. After all, such things only existed in the storybooks that aunt Petunia used to read to her sweet Duddlykins before he got interested in playing television and computer games.

Holly stepped from the window, turned, and wobbled back to the bookshelf, stopped again for a breath then back to her bed. It was impossible for her to sleep tonight, nor did it have to do with the lack of food or water. The nightmare was back.

Long beforehand Holly adopted her new name, she had asked Aunt Petunia about her parents. Her first mistake.

The first rule for a peaceful life with the Durley's, freaks do not ask questions.

The second rule, freaks are to be seen not heard

The third and most important rule, freaks do as they are told.

Ever since that day Hollywas told her parents had passed away as homeless drunkards. Though I didn't really understand where the flash of green light, the woman's scream or the terrible laughing fit into the picture. That was the nightmare she had as far back as she could remember.

Boom!

Holly jumped out of bed once again bewildered, her heart now thumping in her throat, as she grappled for her half-broken wireframe glasses (not that they helped much).

'What on earth...who's awake at this time at night!' Uncle Vernon bellowed from two rooms down, as the Dursleys passed, Holly crept gently out of her room and downstairs. She stopped halfway down the stairs, just enough to see the front door and the Dursleys.

'W-who's there!?' Uncle Vernon called out toward the door, a long but small metal pipe pointing towards the door that Holly was pretty sure hadn't been used before now.

Boom!

The howl house quivered, and Holly clung to the railing.

'I-I'm w-warning you - I-I'm armed!' Vernon persisted.

Boom!

Then there was a brief silence, Then -

SMASH!

The house quivered once again as Hollymanaged to regain her grip on the railing, The door groaned as it was knocked clean off its hinges, and fell to the floor, the glass shattering violently all over the hallway.

'Hagrid! was that necessary!?' A stern sounding woman's voice sounded behind the man standing in the doorway, looking like a small Giant…

Holly had her mouth open wide in disbelief at what she was seeing before her.

The giant's face was almost completely hidden by a long, shaggy mane of hair and a wild, tangled beard, but you could make out his eyes, glinting like black beetles under all the hair.

The giant squeezed into the hallway, the top of his head brushing lightly against the ceiling as he stepped to the side, to allow entry to a rather severe-looking woman and what seemed to be an emerald green cloak.

'Sorry professor McGonagall ma'am' the giant replied in an embarrassed mumble before hefting the door off the floor and placing it back on its hinges.

'I- I demand that both of you leave here at once! This is breaking and entering!' Vernon shouted at the two visitors.

'Ah, shut up, Dursley, yeh great prune.' The giant said before reaching out grabbed the long metal tube and bent it,

As Vernon shifted his grip there was a sudden-

BANG!

Hollyducked back against the wall, her heart hammering in her chest, desperately not wanting to find out what would happen if she was hit, if the sound went off again, especially if the small hole in the ceiling was any indication

'We're here to see Mr Potter discuss his education.' The severe-looking woman replied, looking at uncle Vernon and aunt petunia as if they were a fruit that had gone past the expiration date several months prior.

Hesitantly Holly stepped down the stairs, alerting the gathered people to her presence.

The large man looked at her and positively beamed.

'An' there's Harry' said the giant, his beetle eyes crinkled in a smile. 'Las' time I saw you, you were only a baby,' he continued. 'Yeh look a lot like yer dad, but yeh've got yer mum's eyes' he finished.

' k-know p-parents?' Holly asked, grasping at the chance to learn anything about them.

'Your parents, Mr Potter' the woman replied 'were two of the most gifted students to ever grace the halls of Hogwarts.' The woman replied 'and very dare friends to both of us and to many of the staff at Hogwarts.'

Holly shook her head, confused. 'H-Hog-w-warts? die d-drunk in a c-car c-crash' Trying to pronounce the unfamiliar name, and find out if there was any truth to what she had been told about her parents.

The stern woman. raised one of her brows looking at her companion… 'I can assure Mr Potter that neither your parents abused Alcohol nor did they pass away under the influence of its intoxication.' She replied with some indignation directed towards the Dursleys.

'Surly Yeh should know all about Hogwarts.' The giant said after a moment where he seemed absolutely flabbergasted.

Holly shook her head negatively, trying to look anywhere but to the two strangers.

'Mr Potter, surely your curiosity should have led you to question where your parents learnt everything they knew.'

'Stop!' Mr Dursley managed to find his voice once again 'you won't be telling the boy anything else!'

'Mr Dursley, you are already teetering on some very thin ice, so I strongly advise that you tread very carefully.' The woman replied, her voice holding an edge, her lips thin. She then turned her attention back to Hollywho was about ready to burst under the pressure with the many questions she wanted to ask though couldn't due to her lack of vocabulary, though one was more pressing than anything else.

Holly listened, and found herself deciding that if she could possess even half of the strength and self-confidence that woman presented then she could be content for the rest of her life, Holly blushed when she realised she started to admire someone she didn't even know the name of. 'W-who a-are y-you? Hollymanaged after trying multiple times to get the right pronunciation.

'Please forgive us, Mr Potter, this is Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of Keys and groundskeeper, and I'm Minerva McGonagall, Head of House, Professor for Transfiguration, and Deputy Headmistress of

Hogwarts.' Professor McGonagall introduced herself and her rather large looking compatriot, then removed a familiar-looking letter.

Mr H Potter.

The Smallest Bedroom.

4. Privet Drive.

Little Whinging.

Surrey.

Holly gently and nervously took the letter in her hands though Uncle Vernon attempted to snatch it away once more only to find Hagrid in front of him.'

'Yeh kept it from im long enough Dursley.' Snarled the giant.

with her hand quivered Holly received the letter,

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 all 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.

Holly did not understand a word on the velvet-like material the letter was written on. She looked up helplessly and very confused.

Professor McGonagall took a deep breath.

'you're a Wizard, Mr Potter.'

Holly dropped the letter taking a step back abruptly. she shook her head.

'N-not- w-wizard… I J-Just H-Holly…' She became ghostly instantly, realizing she let out her prefered name.

Professor McGonagall looked at her with surprise… '¨Holly is your prefered name, Mr Potter… and you would prefer your gender would be female?"

Holly nodded faintly, having backed herself into the corner, her gaze shifting her gaze over to her relatives who looked confused and spiteful.

'It does not matter what the boy's preferences are, He won't be going! Nor will I pay for some crackpot old fool to teach him magic tricks! We swore when we took him in that we would put it out of him!'

Professor McGonagall eyes hardened, 'I remind ye, Mr Dursley, yer standing oan extremely thin ice, I advise that ye dae nae speak unless spoken to.' The Profesor hissed momentarily losing her temper… she took several calming breaths, her eyes shut tight before opening them.

'Mr and Mrs Dursley, from this conversion alone I figured out that you have woefully neglected M… Ms Potter's upbringing, including her basic education, and even overall health. I can't begin to imagine the difficulties she will face if she starts attending Hogwarts in a few months' time.' The Professor continued 'Regardless of Mr… Ms Potter's decision regarding Hogwarts, I can assure you that she will not remain here.'

before eventually turning her attention to Hillary, who looked at her with admiration, blushing lightly when the professor gave her a smile of her own.

Hillary's eyes went wide when she heard Professor McGonagall ask her if she wanted to attend Hogwarts, she had never asked something like this before, she had always been told… words were unable to form, she instead merely nodded mutely, mentally completely overwhelmed.

As she found herself being escorted out to the cold evening breeze, Holly went over everything that had just happened in her mind, surely this had to be some kind of dream.

She was so completely caught up in her thoughts that she missed whatever Professor McGonagall had said, and was completely surprised when she abruptly felt like she was being squeezed tightly through a very narrow tube.

'I hate apparition.' Hagrid mumbled sounding distinctly like he was going to throw up… though if Holly was honest with herself, she didn't fare any better.

After getting her bearings, Holly noticed that they stood in what she always imagined London to look like, big large buildings towered over them making her feel even smaller than she already was.

they stepped out the alley, as Hollyheard McGonagall into the sunlight, across the street, Holly could just spy a small sign, to what looked to be rather old and dusty looking building, that didn't seem to have been occupied in a very, very long time.

'The Leaky Cauldron.' Hagrid said softly, 'it's a famous Pub.'

Holly couldn't help but wonder if famous meant something very different in the magical world because she got the very distinct impression that no one noticed the small pub as Hagrid called the small building nestled between rather large looking stores… maybe all pubs were like that?

Holly kept close to Professor Mcgonall as they crossed the street, to the other side stopping just outside the small pub.

'Ms. Potter, I must warn you that the patrons here can be rather eccentric and may forget their heads when they see you. Hagrid and I will do our best to get you through as fast as we can but, I want you to be forewarned.' replied the stern Professor leaving Holly wondering about much of what she had said, also feeling more than a little green, at the mention of "forget their heads" as she was very sure of herself when it came to not wanting to see headless people.

All too abruptly to Holly. The trio entered the small pub, the door away seemingly expanding to accommodate the gian, who entered first. Blocking her view of the inside, behind her Professor McGonagall urged her forward, steering her lightly. Through an atmosphere filled with talking and piano music, Holly could have sworn she saw a couple of quick green flashes on the ceiling of the dimly lit interior.

Once Hagrid had stepped out the way a little to give her a look, the bar fell completely silent.

"Bless my soul… it's Arry Potter!" This was enough for the flood gates to open and soon the howl establishment was up on their feet to welcome the Boy-Who-Lived back into the Wizarding World.

Holly soon found herself separated from Hagrid and Professor McGonagall, and was terrified.

There were witches and wizards all around. Greeting her, shaking her hand and giving her hugs, thanking her… she couldn't help but wonder why on earth all those people were thanking her for, as she has never done anything special, at least as far as she could remember.

Abruptly there was sharp, BANG!

The Leaky Cauldron quivered, and the crowd parted allowing Professor McGonagall through.

'That is quite enough of that!' The transfigurations Professor declared as she walked briskly collecting Holly from she stood frozen.

Though not before stopping to see a man purely robes and turban.

'Ello there Professor Quarrel,' Hagrid greeted the man. ', Professor Quarrel will defence the arts Professor this year at Hogwarts.'

'N-not t-that you'll n-need mr P-P-Potter.' The man replied. 'I-I'm here to p-pick up s-s-some books on v-vampires, they are e-ex-extremely i-intelligent b-beings, a-absolutely f-f-facilitating to st-st-study.' Then he gave a nod to Professor McGonagall in a way of greeting before making his way further into the bar.

Soon with quite a bit more hassle from the patrons of the bar, for the third time Holly found herself shaking hands with Dedalus Diggle, a man Holly was very sure she had seen at Privet Drive while she had been weeding and looking after the Dursley's front garden.

They stepped through a back door leading into a very small courtyard. 'Hmm, what was…' Hagrid muttered as he walked up to the far wall, his steps sending dust and dirt scattering. 'Ahh, that's right.'

Holly heard Hagrid Tap his umbrella against the walls a number of times though there was a pattern she couldn't see. Though she went wide yes as brick near the top quivered…. then started to move, leading to others to start shifting and turning as well, and soon a very large archway allowed the three of them to a passage into what looked like a very narrow and meandering street.

Hagrid smiled as he looked down towards her, 'Welcome… Harr-, Holly to Diagon Alley!'