AN: Oops! Forgot the disclaimer. I don't own anything. Nothing at all. Nothing. Zip. Nada. Zero. Nil. Oh nah, wait a minute. I own: 1) Isabel 2) The mind reading thang. Can't think of anything else. The rest belongs to that lucky JKR.
This chapter is for the amazing people that favourite-d or commented on my story. Thank you guys so much, I got really excited.
Also, I'm sorry about my grammar, spelling and punctuation mistakes. If you point them out, I will fix them.
Last chapter:
Once all the screaming and running stopped, once the boys had scrambled out of the tank and the snake had gone, Isabel gulped. She had a feeling that she wouldn't see the sun for a long, long time.
Chapter 2: The Letter(s)
One thing Isabel knew. She was always, always right. That day at the zoo was no exception. She had a few new scars, but the bruises had faded. She had made lots of trips to the bin to retrieve leftovers. And she hadn't seen the sun for ages.
It had been a month since Dudley's birthday. And a month was a long time. Especially if it was hot, and you were stuck in a cupboard, only able escape to shower or go to the bathroom during the day. Of course, they snuck out at night, or they'd starve (Aunt Petunia had no idea about proper sizes and contents of meals) but it wasn't the same.
Now at last, Isabel was outside. She was gardening while Harry made breakfast, because it was so hot that Isabel couldn't possibly garden during the day, she had to do it early. She waved to the postman cheerfully as he dropped the post in the door.
Iz! Harry made her jump.
Yes?
Come get breakfast, before Aunt Petunia gets downstairs and finds out that I've cooked some extra bacon for us.
Isabel stood and ran inside.
#*~*#
When Aunt Petunia came downstairs, fanning herself and moaning about the heat, she found Harry and Isabel, sweet as you please, eating their porridge at the kitchen bench.
"Where is my breakfast? It should be on the table!" Uncle Vernon followed behind her.
Isabel jumped up, grabbed both breakfasts, and carried them into the dining room.
"And the post!" Uncle Vernon bellowed as she went back into the kitchen.
I'll get it. I'm already standing up.
Thanks, Iz.
Isabel picked up the post and sorted through it. A bill, the paper, a postcard and two letters, addresses written in green handwriting.
Miss I L Potter
Linen-Closet
4 Privet Drive
Little Whinging
Surrey
And
Mr H J Potter
Cupboard-Under-The-Stairs
4 Privet Drive
Little Whinging
Surrey
Isabel sucked in a breath.
Harry! Harry, someone's written to us! One letter each!
Really? Bring them in here-no wait, don't. Don't let Uncle Vernon see those letters.
"Hurry up, girl!" Isabel heard Uncle Vernon and hastily turned. He was in front of her.
Uh oh.
Sorry, I didn't see him, or I would have warned you.
"Post." Uncle Vernon held out his hand. Isabel silently handed the post-all of it. He'd already seen the mysterious letters and would be sure to take them even if she didn't give them to him. This way, she might be able to sneak them back.
#*~*#
"Petunia!" Harry and Isabel whipped their heads around and watched Uncle Vernon. He was white faced and stuttering. "P-p-p-petunia!"
"What dear?" Aunt Petunia sipped her smoothie nervously. "Is it a bill for that new dress? I'm sorry, darling, but it looked amazing, and you like it, don't you? And you need me to be dressed nicely if you're going to go to the Gary family cocktail dinn…"
"Petunia. It's-it's from them."
He handed Aunt Petunia one of the letters.
What cheek, to open it, when it has our names on it! Isabel looked furious.
Harry nodded. He just wanted to read it, and it didn't look like that was going to happen.
"Vernon," Aunt Petunia was saying in a quivering voice, "look at the addresses-how could they possibly know where the children sleep? You don't think they're watching the house?"
"Watching-spying-might be following us," muttered Uncle Vernon wildly.
"But what shall we do, Vernon? Should we write back? Tell them we don't want-"
Uncle Vernon shook his head wildly.
"No. No, we'll ignore it. If they don't get an answer…yes, that's best…we won't do anything…"
"But-"
"I'm not having two of those in the house, Petunia! Didn't we swear that when we took them in we'd stamp out that dangerous nonsense?"
Aunt Petunia was silent. Uncle Vernon kissed her on the cheek, then glanced into the kitchen. Harry grabbed Isabel and pulled her behind the bench just in time, so Uncle Vernon saw no-one in the kitchen.
Thanks.
No problem. We would have been in huge trouble if he'd seen us.
Yeah. I want to read my letter.
So do I, but no chance of that.
Harry?
Yeah?
I'm sorry. I should have hid the letters. Or something.
Nah, it's not your fault.
#*~*#
They did the dishes in silence, disappointed by the confiscation of their letters. Harry ached to know what they said. He was sure that they were important. Maybe they'd change things. Maybe he'd never have to see his sister with bruises adorning her arms ever again.
Harry wasn't a coward. But he had learnt over and over again that he was no match for Uncle Vernon. If he tried to protect his sister, Uncle Vernon would hit her harder. All he could do was try and be the one blamed for things, so he was the one getting hit.
#*~*#
That night, Uncle Vernon summoned them to the lounge. "We've decided that you two are grown-up enough to deserve your own room. You two can share Dudley's extra room" he told them, drinking his brandy.
Harry lifted an eyebrow.
Because of the cupboard being on the address?
Yeah, and my closet.
Yesterday I would have given anything to have a proper room, today I want my letter.
Hey, if we don't get the letters, at least we get a room.
Even if we have to share.
"Well, aren't you going to thank us?" Uncle Vernon was slowly putting down his drink.
"Thanks." Isabel smiled gratefully-at least, she hoped her smile looked grateful. Uncle Vernon looked at Harry. "Thanks" Harry mumbled.
#*~*#
It didn't take long for Isabel and Harry to move their stuff to their new room. The problem was fitting into it. Dudley used this room for all the stuff he broke. Dudley had a lot of stuff. He broke most of it in the first month he got it. Isabel had to move a bike, a television, various gaming consoles, an air rifle, and a glossy set of untouched books just to get to the bed.
This has less space than my closet.
I'm almost missing my cupboard.
I wonder if we can throw this stuff out?
Dudley would never notice.
He only wants stuff he hasn't got.
Right. You take that end of the TV.
Isabel held her breath as they walked past the living room, but Uncle Vernon didn't stop them. He looked at them briefly, then returned to the TV. Both twins exhaled slowly. They knew that they were taking a risk by throwing this stuff out without asking permission. They also knew that yesterday, they would never have gotten away with it. Perhaps the letters had changed things, simply by arriving.
#*~*#
The next day, Uncle Vernon got the post. "Petunia, darling!" he called shakily from the hall. "The people from that blasted, uh, you-know-what sent another four letters!"
"Four! Two each?" Aunt Petunia went into the hall.
Harry looked at Isabel.
D'you think, somehow, they know we haven't got the letters?
Maybe. Why else would they send more?
Wait! Iz, if they sent more letters today, then they might send more tomorrow!
And if we could get them from the postman or something…
Without raising suspicion, of course.
Right. Tomorrow. Until then, we do not mention the letters. They don't know that we know yet. And if they knew that we knew, then they would know that since we knew, we might do something about it. They might try and stop us tomorrow.
Right…I have no idea what you mean.
Just don't let on that we know someone is sending us letters.
Got it.
#*~*#
The next day, it was Isabel's turn working in the garden again. When she saw the postman approaching, she walked up to him and politely offered to take their post. He handed it to her and she grabbed two-one addressed to Harry, one to her-out of the twelve they had got between them and shoved them in her pockets. The rest she pushed through the slot.
Got them.
Yes! One each?
Of course.
You're amazing.
Why, yes I am.
#*~*#
After the breakfast dishes were done, Isabel and Harry snuck upstairs to their new room. They sat on their beds, and looked at each other. Then Isabel ripped her letter open and Harry followed suit.
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 been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. 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
Harry gulped.
Do you think that it's true? Isabel's eyes were wide. Harry looked at her and grinned. Isabel had always been the trusting one-almost gullible in her faith in people. Once, Harry had told her that their parents were at the door. He had regretted it for years, as Isabel had cried with delight and ran to the door. Harry tended to be more cynical. But, for once, he was prepared to believe something before her.
The breakfast on Dudley's birthday? The glass in the snake-tank? The time we ended up on the roof at school? And my hair? Iz, it would explain a lot of things if we, you know…
Were wizards! And the time that the jersey wouldn't fit over my head, and the cushion changing colour. Isabel read her letter again.
It says that a list of "all necessary books and equipment" is enclosed. Oh, here it is.
Harry watched Isabel as she read. Her mouth opened.
Harry-there's no way we can afford all this. We only have the five pounds we got from Mrs Figg that time we looked after her cats.
Harry read the letter silently, eyebrows pulling together.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY
Uniform
First-year students will require:
1. Three sets of plain work robes (black, with embroidered logo)
2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
4. One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)
5. Two Hogwarts ties (in House Colours)
6. Three gray skirts/pairs of pants (girls/boys)
5. Five plain white shirts
Please note that all pupil's clothes should carry name tags
Set Books
All students should have a copy of each of the following:
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling
A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble
OTHER EQUIPMENT
1 wand
1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set glass or crystal phials
1 telescope
1 set brass scales
Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS
Broomsticks? They actually fly on broomsticks?
It would be dangerous, wouldn't it? I mean, what if you fell off?
Iz, I was more thinking that it sounded fun.
Oh. She rolled her eyes.
But, anyway Iz, you're right. Harry looked at her solemnly. We can't afford this. And Uncle Vernon would never, ever even consider letting us…
Isabel swallowed. Then she shot him a brave smile. We'll be alright, it said. Even though we can't go to Hogwarts, we'll be alright. Stonewall will be fun. Isabel could say a lot with her smiles.
#*~*#
The letters kept coming. The twins pretended to be oblivious to the whispering, the worrying, the boarded up door, and the blender getting broken when a piece of paper got jammed in it. Finally, Uncle Vernon broke. The first letter had come on Monday, and he lasted until Sunday, but when the letters came swooping out of the fireplace, knocking over Aunt Petunia's cup of "soothing jasmine tea" (with all the goodness of nature), he couldn't take any more.
"WE'RE LEAVING IN TEN MINUTES!" he roared. 'PACK ALL YOUR CLOTHES, WE MAYN'T COME BACK!"
Mayn't isn't a word. Isabel was acerbic as she scuttled up the stairs. Her uncle's mangling of language always annoyed her.
No time for that, we've got to pack! Harry threw everything he owned into a plastic bag he'd grabbed from the kitchen and Isabel copied him.
#*~*#
The twins were downstairs in four and a half minutes. They put their bags in Uncle Vernon's silver Vauxhall Vectra, and headed for the kitchen. They packed two lots of food-the "official" food, and the "need to hide this so we have some food later" food, then waited near the car. They chose their spot carefully-far enough to be out of reach when Dudley wasn't ready and their uncle's hand itched, close enough to be considered ready to go.
20 minutes later, when the twins had finally managed to lift Dudley's bag into the car by dint of discreetly unpacking his TV, they were ready to go. They pulled out of the garage and drove away from Number 4, Privet Drive.
AN: Hey! Pleasepleaseplease review! And also I welcome opinions about the twin-ness. As I see it, I have three options.
a) I can double everything eg. both twins get holly and phoenix wands
b) They can share things eg. this twin gets the cool wand that's linked to Voldemort's, this twin gets into the Quidditch team
c) I can create my own options eg. this twin gets the cool wand that's linked to Voldemort's, this twin gets a wand significant in another way.
I want them to be kind of equally important. Opinions welcomed! Chose one of my options or come up with your own, whatever, from AviaLee