Several Days Later
I was sitting in my bedroom, reading when all of the sudden, I hear a tapping on my window. I look out and see an owl, with a note tied onto its leg. I reach for the window, to let the owl inside, when my brother, John, bursts through my door, calling me.
'What is it now, John?' I asked.
'Did you get the letter? Did you get the letter?' he said at a rapid speed and consecutively. What was scary wasn't the fact that I had no clue what he was talking about, it was that he was practically bouncing on his heels while asking and waiting for a response.
'What letter, John…? first things first, what are you talking about, and second, why are you bouncing?' I asked.
'You didn't get a letter?' John said.
'No.' I started. I heard another tapping from the window. The owl was still there. I opened the window, and the owl flew over to my lap and put its leg out. The letter was addressed to me.
'It's from Hogwarts; it's a school for Witchcraft and Wizardry!' John said happily.
I sarcastically laughed. 'No, really, John. What is it?'
'An acceptance letter to Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry!' he said.
'You're definitely pulling something here, John-' I started.
'Just read it!' he said.
'Okay, okay, sheesh…' I untied the letter from the owl's leg, and it instantly flew away. I shrugged, opened the letter, and begun to read.
It was just as my brother had described it. Hogwarts school… Me being a witch… it's real… he wasn't fishing me… yes I say fish… unbelievable… how, is my question… How can this be?
I ran to the living room, letter in hand to find my parents. My brother followed.
'Mum… Dad-' I started, my father, Edward, cut me off.
'We're guessing you received your letters…' How he knew was beyond me.
'Yeah, but-' John started, this time our mother, Layla, cut him off.
'Your father prefers not to talk about it, John… You are what you are.' She sighed, and then continued 'Well, you two have the choice whether or not you would like to attend.'
'You really have to ask that? Well, of course!' John replied. His brown eyes were lit with joy.
'And you, Philippa?' My mother asked me.
'Well… Uhh…' I'm really not sure. This made me look down at my right wrist. There, was a friendship bracelet that Hermione gave be prior to the last time we saw each other. I gave her one too. Mother was looking at my unsure blue eyes with her kind motherly brown ones, waiting for my response 'well, okay. I guess, if John's going.' I said. It's my time to do something different for a change.
I woke up early in the morning several days later. That day, we were going to Diagon Alley, to get the supplies needed for my stay at Hogwarts. I wasn't quite sure how to get there, but we were guided by my mother. That is, until we were about to enter this Diagon Alley, she had to leave. So, it's just me and my brother.
Excellent, just peachy.
I honestly am not in the mood to be bothered like how HE bothers me. This magic stuff reminds me of what I said to Hermione before she left. You know, she hasn't even spoken to me since that day. It makes me think that I was being too hard on pressing for an answer. I just hope I can make it until I get home so I can sob into my pillow again. Either that, or I find a really good book to read. It's the only thing that calms me. That, and an appointment with my iPod… wait, is my brother talking?
'Blah, blah, blah… are you listening to me?' he said sharply.
'Oh, what was that? I-I only didn't catch the last part.' Why I have the ability to lie so well, I'll never know. I guess that it's just my brother that's easy to lie to.
'Whatever. What do you expect when we go to Hogwarts?' John asked.
'Uh, if I find a book on it…' I started. My train of thought immediately de-railed as soon as I saw something… or, rather, someone. I saw a clad of red heads, and among them, I thought I saw a familiar mane of brown curls… and I thought I heard her voice… I think I'm going delusional… Oh my! Now, I'm sure it's her! Oh, I sure hope so!
'Her- Hermione?' I called out. The-person- who I thought was Hermione flinched slightly, but carried on walking. I tried a little louder, still nothing. Even a smidge louder, and nothing from her. That is HER. A red headed boy that looked about her age, poked her and told her something. I have a funny feeling it's that she's being called from behind. I decided to be bold.
I'm going up to her.
'Hermione?' I said, while tapping her shoulder.
She turned around to face me, and she gazed as she had never even met me before. How could she not remember her own friend, since like, forever? I felt waterworks trying to seep through my blue eyes, but I held them in.
'I'm sorry, but… do I know you?' she asked. She definitely hit the sugar spot. The sensitive I-have-no-friends side.
'Well, of course you do, how would I know your name, then? How do I then know that you don't like sports, and you memorized "Cinderella" at the age of six?' I retaliated. She'll get it then, I was the only person that she told that to.
'Uh… are you stalking me, stranger?' she spat back. That hurt me really badly. I swear, I'm going to cry in about three seconds. My glasses are fogging…
'It's me, 'Mione. It's me Phil… Philippa Gaunt…' I am about to burst out into tears… idea, why don't I just show her the friendship bracelet!
I grabbed hold of my left wrist. At the mention of my last name, the red heads stirred and looked uncomfortable. Even more so when I took hold of my wrist… are these people okay? I pulled up my sleeve a bit, and they were attempting not to yell when I did… those people still creep me out… then I almost shoved the friendship bracelet in Hermione's face. She read what was on it, and then reached for her ankle. There it was…the matching friendship bracelet.