Updated with a few minor edits, nothing that will change anything if you don't choose to read the chapter again.
Letters, notes, etc, will be surrounded by four dashes on a line like this.
I'm not much for formatting and such since I'm blind, but hope everyone is enjoying anyway.
Chapter 4 The Mysterious Letters and the School of Magic
Both the escape of the Brazilian boa constrictor and running to the Spenson's had given the Harry and Rose being the longest punishment they'd ever received. It wasn't until July 22 that they were released. Dudley had already made quite a mess out of his birthday presents. The Harry and Rose being weren't surprised by this, since Dudley ended up doing whatever he wanted with everything he received anyway. He had no sense of responsibility as the Harry and Rose being did. Since each half of them had a mind, they learned everything twice as fast as other children, as long as they were learning the same thing, though lacked all the emotional and mental maturity that came with experience. They still thought more than Dudley did, though, and wouldn't have ruined their gifts. They decided long ago that any gift they received should be treasured and appreciated for what it was, any gift but the useless items the Dursley's gave them, that is.
The day was fairly normal as life with the Dursley's went. With four days until the full moon, the Harry and Rose being were more emotional than they were at other times. Aunt Petunia was taking Dudley to buy his uniform for a school called Smeltings, a private school Uncle Vernon had attended and was both glad and proud to have Dudley attend. The Harry and Rose being felt hope at this, since that meant they would attend a different school than Dudley. Finally, the taunting and teasing at school would hopefully stop.
When Aunt Petunia left with Dudley, she dropped the Harry and Rose being off at Mrs. Figg's house. Before doing so, she'd sniffed and stated, "If you'd not done your freakish transforming, maybe the Spenson's would still want you and wouldn't have moved."
They had looked over at number two, where a new set of neighbors were moving in. The two individuals carrying boxes looked fairly normal as people went, nothing high class or ritzy. The Spenson's had moved out, and on hearing that, the Harry and Rose being blinked tears of sadness from their eyes. That had only confirmed what they'd already known. Sooner or later, everyone knew of the trouble the Harry and Rose being were. The only one that would ever take them in for an extended period was Mrs. Figg, though no strange events had ever happened there. Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon were careful to make sure it didn't.
As times at Mrs. Figg's house went, this was the most enjoyable the Harry and Rose being had ever had. As always when around her and many others, they acted separately despite how unnatural it felt. They only did so to prevent suspicion, and now more than ever, it was important they not reveal that they were one being, not two. They couldn't let anyone else know.
They were brought back to the Dursley's that afternoon, and after getting inside, spent some of their time dodging Dudley and a Smeltings stick he'd got with his uniform. They were irritated with him because of what he did trying to hit them, but didn't show it and did their best to control their emotions. When evening approached, Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon wanted to see Dudley in his entire uniform. The Harry and Rose being were also there to watch him flaunt it. He looked rather silly in his uniform, which consisted of maroon tailcoats, orange knickerbockers, and flat straw hats which were called boaters. The Smeltings stick they already knew of, but Dudley proudly explained that it was for hitting each other when the teachers weren't looking. Apparently, it was good training for later life, though the Harry and Rose being privately thought it was yet another way for Dudley to throw spoiled fits.
Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon gave their prideful proclamations and the Harry and Rose being held in their laughter. They felt more irritated than anything, along with a fierce ray of hope for the first of September. Stonewall High was going to be wonderful. No Dudley, no bullies to join with him. They should have known that was too good to last.
The smell was the first indication of something that wasn't quite right when the Harry and Rose being woke the next day. They entered the kitchen and spotted something that looked like dirty rags floating in gray water. Aunt Petunia was a person who liked everything to be clean, so the Harry and Rose being didn't imagine that it was some experiment of Dudley's, not that they'd put it past him to do such a thing. Dudley wasn't the most clean person.
"What's this?" The Harry half asked Aunt Petunia.
Her lips tightened, but she answered tersely, "Your new school uniform."
"Elephant skins or what?" The Rose half asked, the Harry and Rose being grinning at their joke despite how stupid it probably was to say. "This looks like something that'll be ugly when it's finished."
Aunt Petunia frowned and stated, "Don't you talk to me in that tone, girl. You'll look fine, and even if you don't look as nice as everyone else, which you will, it's all we can afford on you."
"I'm sure." The Rose half scoffed.
"What did I say?" Aunt Petunia said in a firm and strict voice.
"I don't care." The Harry and Rose being shot back.
"Don't you talk like that." Aunt Petunia said in a cold and strict voice. "Sit."
The Harry and Rose being sat, enjoying the danger of provoking the Dursley's despite how long it lasted. They didn't want to take it too far, but now was the time for as much leeway as they'd get from the Dursley's, since it was their emotional time of the month. The Dursley's were very careful to keep track of when the full moons were, so they knew how to treat them, and on such days, tolerated a little more from them than they would otherwise. Mainly, this was due to one too many times of being provoked, one of which had resulted in the Rose half breaking one of Uncle Vernon's fingers.
Dudley and Uncle Vernon entered the kitchen shortly after the Harry and Rose being sat, their noses wrinkled from the smell of their uniform. As usual, Uncle Vernon began reading his news paper. Dudley banged his Smeltings stick on the table and the Harry and Rose being glared at him, hating how he carried it everywhere and seemed to get great enjoyment from hitting it against things.
The click of the male slot was audible in the silence that ensued, along with the flop of letters on the doormat. Uncle Vernon then said, "Get the mail, Dudley." He didn't look up from his paper.
"Make Rose get it." Dudley said with a grin.
"Get the mail, Rose." Uncle Vernon stated.
The Rose half didn't argue, only stood and moved quickly to the front door with a frown of irritation. Four pieces of mail sat there. One was a post card from Marge, Uncle Vernon's sister. She was vacationing on the Isle of Wight. A envelope that looked like a bill sat next to it, and next to that were two letters, one to the Harry half and the other to the Rose half. They were addressed to individuals, though, not them as a single being.
The Harry and Rose being's heart shot with powerful emotion. No one had ever written to them in their lives. Perhaps it was the Spenson's, apologizing to them or seeking an explanation. The Rose half picked up each letter in a hand, peering closely at them. One was addressed to Mr. H. Potter, the other to Mrs. R. Potter. How curious, she thought to herself, reading the rest of the address.
The Cupboard under the Stairs 4- Privet- Drive Little Whinging Surrey
It was identical on both letters, indicating it couldn't be a mistake. If it was, it seemed foolish of the writer to make the same mistake twice, though also quite odd the address had been written so perfectly, down to where the Harry and Rose being slept. Looking more closely at the letters and flipping them over, the Rose half spotted a purple wax seal with a coat of arms; a lion, an eagle, a badger, and a snake surrounding a large letter H. The envelopes were thick and heavy, made of some type of yellowish parchment and the addresses had been written in emerald green ink. It was odd, but the Harry and Rose being felt a deep curiosity to find out more.
"Hurry up, girl!" Uncle Vernon called. "What are you doing, checking for letter bombs? Be sure to disarm them!" Uncle Vernon chuckled at his own joke.
"You don't have to shout." The Harry half stated. "I hear you fine."
"I'm aware of that, boy, stop with your cheek." Uncle Vernon stated with a voice of slight coolness.
The Rose half re-entered the kitchen and handed the bill and postcard to Uncle Vernon before sitting next to the Harry half and handing him his letter. The Harry and Rose being decided to open the Harry half's letter and read it first. They quickly did so and unfolded the letter, paying no attention to what was happening around them. As Dudley reached out to snatch the letter, at the same time telling Uncle Vernon they had something, the Rose half pulled her letter closer to her as Uncle Vernon tore the letter from the Harry half's hand.
"Come, girl, let's have it." Uncle Vernon said, snapping his fingers impatiently as he idly started to read the Harry half's letter.
"No, give it back." The Harry and Rose being said as Uncle Vernon's face started to rapidly change color.
"P-P-Petunia..." Uncle Vernon said, sounding as if he was panicking.
The Harry and Rose being jumped up from the table and sprinted for the cupboard. The Harry half was grabbed by Uncle Vernon but the Rose half ran for it, passing the cupboard entirely.
"Get her, Dudley!" Uncle Vernon shouted as the Rose half quickly slipped on her shoes, the Harry half being held by the back of the shirt.
Dudley moved after her as the Rose half opened the front door, stepped out, then slammed it behind her, sprinting quickly down the driveway and the roads, the letter held in her hands. She caught sight of something that looked like a person, but turned before she got a good look. She sprinted quickly for all she was worth, aware through the Harry half of the Dursley's frantically trying to follow. In response, the Harry half struggled with Uncle Vernon for the letter sent to him, but getting it was useless. Dudley, who had abandoned chasing her, wrestled the Harry half to the ground. They felt a burst of anger at that and Dudley leapt back as if shocked, howling. This caused Aunt Petunia, who was moving to get to the car, to turn and look back at him with concern.
"Didicans!" She called in her baby motherly voice.
"We've warned you about that, boy!" Uncle Vernon shouted, thrusting the Harry half toward the cupboard as the Rose half sprinted through the park and around several corners, coming to stop at a bench. She sat and opened the letter as the Harry half was shut in the cupboard, both reading through the Rose half.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore (Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sore., Chf Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Mrs. 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
The Rose half examined the letter further and noticed a second piece of paper, also realizing the letters were written on the same type of parchment as the envelope. She opened it and the Harry and Rose being read again.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY UNIFORM First-year students will require:
1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)
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)
Please note that all pupils' clothes should carry name tags COURSE 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 Beginners' 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
Just where were they supposed to get all that, they wondered curiously, and what was it about an owl? As if to answer her question, an owl hooted from above her, gliding down to rest next to her on the bench. A small package was attached to its leg. Curious, the Rose half untied the package from the owl, then opened it.
The package seemed to be a small ink vial, a quill, and a piece of parchment, perhaps to write with. Carefully, the Rose half opened the ink vial and dipped the quill inside, then began to write on the paper, the Harry and Rose being deciding to write from the view of the Rose half and with the view of an individual that she wasn't. Until they got to know Professor McGonagall better or met her in person, avoiding suspicion would be best.
Dear Headmistress McGonagall,
The Dursley's are a family who does not believe in magic, though several strange events that occur around myself and Harry are difficult to explain as being normal. Perhaps Hogwarts exists, but it's also entirely possible this is some type of joke. Myself and Harry know nothing of magic what so ever. If such a thing exists along with this Hogwarts school, we would be delighted to attend and would kindly ask that you send a representative. If, however, this is some type of prank, it was quite poorly done and I say to you, don't do this on my bad day or Harry and I will come after you.
And really, Mrs. Potter? What am I, married? I don't think so.
Rose Potter
The Rose half handed the note to the owl and it clamped it in its beak before taking off into the sky.
"Thanks!" The Rose half called, then placed the Hogwarts letter back into her pocket, holding the ink and quill in a hand as she stood, heading back to the Dursley's. There was nothing to be done now but wait.
The Rose half opened the unlocked front door and stepped into the house as the Harry half tried to open the locked cupboard door. It didn't budge and the Rose half let out an irritated sigh before Uncle Vernon grabbed the ink and quill from her, looking furious.
"So." The Rose half stated. "Didn't want to tell me about Hogwarts, did you?"
Uncle Vernon paled dramatically.
"Yes, I know all about that. You didn't tell me I'm magical, why? Afraid of me, perhaps?" The Rose half asked angrily.
"I don't owe you any explanation, girl." Uncle Vernon said furiously, then seemed to twist his face into a painful contortion of a smile. "Now, we've been thinking... That perhaps you and Harry should move to Dudley's second bedroom. The cupboard is getting a little big for you."
"It's about time." The Rose half stated coldly.
"Don't you cheek me, girl, or you'll be staying there!" Uncle Vernon said, but the Harry and Rose being were tired of Uncle Vernon's abuse, were sick of listening to him shout at them because of something unfounded. The Rose half straightened with the confidence they felt.
"Well, then I'll just have to write to Hogwarts and tell them you're keeping me locked up, but that I still want to attend. I wonder what Professor McGonagall would do then." The Rose half said boldly.
Uncle Vernon seemed to pale again, then gathered himself and unlocked the cupboard door, letting the Harry half out.
"Get your things and get to the second bedroom! Now!" Uncle Vernon shouted strictly, then stormed off as Dudley started to cry.
"I don't want him in there!" Dudley shouted, stomping his feet as the Harry and Rose being gathered their items in their arms and closed the cupboard door, then headed up to the room.
Life didn't get much better than this. The room they were in was larger than any they'd been allowed in before, and they were going to Hogwarts school. Excited, the Harry and Rose being looked around different parts of the room, the Harry half taking one half and the Rose half another, examining the various objects. There wasn't much accept a few broken items and some books. A couple of the items weren't broken, such as a cage that had held a parrot, and a small, working tank. After placing the clothes in the wardrobe, they grabbed a couple of the books and started to read without anything better to do.
The Harry and Rose being were amused by Dudley's attempts to reclaim his second bedroom at first, but now, a few hours later, it was getting quite annoying. The Harry and Rose being closed their books with a sigh, then the Harry half moved to the window and peered out, gazing at the identical houses and gardens. Quite suddenly, a tall, stern looking woman appeared and began calmly walking up the sidewalk as if appearing out of nowhere was an every day occurrence. Their heart leapt with a hopeful joy and the Harry and Rose being moved to the door, opening it to come face to face with Dudley.
"I want my room back!" He shouted angrily, his hands balled into fists.
"Talk to Aunt Petunia." The Harry and Rose being said, not caring how it would look to the Dursley's.
Dudley let out a cry that sounded remarkably like a baby as he stomped his feet and swung his Smeltings stick toward them. The Rose half knocked it from his hand where it clattered to the floor. The Harry and Rose being then pushed their way from the room and closed the door behind them, moving down the stares as Aunt Petunia, looking quite frazzled and upset, passed them saying, "Didicans, I know it's terrible, it's horrible!"
The doorbell rang and Aunt Petunia called for them to get the door, since they were down there anyway. With a grin, the Harry and Rose being went to the door and the Rose half pulled it open, their excitement overpowering the anger they usually felt.
"Are you from Hogwarts?" The Harry and Rose being asked hopefully, then added, "I saw you appear out of nowhere."
"Yes, I am." The woman responded, looking as if she was hiding surprise. The look only lasted a brief instant. "I am Professor McGonagall. I teach transfiguration at Hogwarts."
"I'll get sick! I will!" Dudley's voice floated easily to them, then they heard the sound of him throwing up.
Professor McGonagall's lips pressed into a frown, then she said, "I presume that is your cousin, Dudley, Mr. Potter."
"The cousin of the Harry half, yes." The Harry and Rose being said, needing to know now if they would be accepted as they were.
"I beg your pardon?" Professor McGonagall asked, looking confused.
"You see me as two individuals, but I'm one." The Harry and Rose being said, then each half spoke separately.
"I am the Harry half."
"I am the Rose half."
"You said Mrs. Rose Potter in the letter, why?" The Harry and Rose being asked. "We're not married, we're a single being."
Professor McGonagall frowned and their hopes were dashed, their hopes of them being recognized as a single being, that was.
"You may play this game of yours if you wish, but I can assure you that doing so in Hogwarts will not help you achieve anything. As for the manner of address, each child who is able to attend Hogwarts has their name written in a book, which is updated magically. Yours was Mrs. Rose Potter, thus the letter's address. It is my belief that yourself and Mr. Potter are soul bonded, which does not entail you being one being in any sense of the word." Professor McGonagall responded.
"But I am one being." The Harry and Rose being said. "You don't believe it because you see me as two, but I'm one. If I'm really magical and going to attend a magical school, I want to be accepted as I am. Do you want to enter?"
"Very well." Professor McGonagall said.
The Harry and Rose being stepped back and Professor McGonagall entered, closing the door behind her as Aunt Petunia hurried down the stares, then stopped as she caught sight of her.
"You!" She shrieked furiously. "How dare you enter our home!"
"Mrs. Dursley, I am Professor McGonagall from Hogwarts school." She stated firmly. "Harry and Rose Potter will attend as their right as magicals. If you stop them, their outbursts of magic, which I am sure you have seen, will be nothing compared to what will happen if they do not learn to control their magic. Is that what you want, Mrs. Dursley?"
Each time Professor McGonagall said the word magic, Aunt Petunia flinched. She seemed to be furious, though.
"I will not allow them to attend the same freak school my Sister attended, the same one that got the Potter's blown up and landed their freak twin children with us!" Aunt Petunia said.
"You said our parents died in a car crash!" The Harry and Rose being shouted furiously. "Why did you lie, why!" A near bye mirror exploded and Aunt Petunia screamed, ducking and covering her head. Calmly, Professor McGonagall pulled out her wand and waved it.
"Reparo." She said, the pieces of glass flying back into the mirror, and within moments, it looked completely new again. The Harry and Rose being gripped hands and breathed deeply, doing their best to calm down.
"Your parents did not die in a car crash, Mr. Potter. As for your parents, Mrs. Potter, I am uncertain who they might be. However, there is a fairly easy test we can perform with a family heritage potion and a lock of your hair. If, that is, you wish to know who your parents are." Professor McGonagall continued.
"Yes, I would. How did the parents of the Harry half die?" The Harry and Rose being asked.
"I shall explain as we walk." Professor McGonagall responded. "I assume you wish to attend Hogwarts."
"Yes." The Harry and Rose being said.
"Very well." Professor McGonagall said. "Follow me."
They followed Professor McGonagall from the house, who discretely waved her wand behind her, closing and locking the door behind them. They grinned briefly at the display of magic, Professor McGonagall slipping her wand into a pocket and heading down the road. The Harry and Rose being kept up with her, each half moving to one side of her.
"I presume you are aware of the many wars the Muggles, non-magical people like the Dursley's, have had among themselves." Professor McGonagall said.
"Yes." The Harry and Rose being responded.
"Witches and Wizards, people such as yourself and I, also have wars of our own. About twenty years ago, an extremely evil wizard rose to power. We refer to him in the wizarding world as He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, or You-Know-Who." Professor McGonagall said.
"But I don't know his name, Professor." The Harry and Rose being said. "And wouldn't being afraid of his name, so terrified as to not even say it, only cause more fear and maybe make it greater?"
"You aren't aware of the fear he did place in others, and the fear others still have." Professor McGonagall said, stopping at the corner. "If you are both ready to proceed, we will be apparating to a place called Diagon Alley, where you will buy your supplies."
"But Professor, I don't have any money." The Harry and Rose being said. "And we still don't know who, Professor."
"Very well, if you must." Professor McGonagall said, then took a deep breath, looking as if she was preparing for something monumental. "V-V-V-Voldemort." She shuttered, looking utterly terrified. "Do not repeat that to others."
"Okay." The Harry and Rose being said. "But I don't see why, Voldemort didn't come out."
Professor McGonagall flinched in fear at the sound of the name, then took a few deep breaths to collect herself.
"That name is the name of a wizard who struck terror, a terror like no other, into the wizarding world. People still fear the name even now. That is why, in brief terms. Now, are you ready to proceed?" She asked.
"Yes." The Harry and Rose being said.
"Take my hands." Professor McGonagall directed. "Hold on tightly."
The Harry and Rose being did as directed and Professor McGonagall glanced at the Rose half in surprise, probably due to her increased body temperature. She then turned on the spot, almost wrenching their hands from hers in the process. The Harry and Rose being then felt as if they were being squeezed through a very small tube, unable to breathe and seeing flashing colors and lights around them. It was as if a band was compressing very tightly around their chest, their eyes bulging from their sockets, their bodies feeling as if they were being squeezed and compressed, almost crushed. The unpleasant sensation ended and the Harry and Rose being's knees buckled as they gasped, tears streaming from their eyes.
"The first time is always the worst." Professor McGonagall said understandingly. The Harry and Rose being held on to her for support for a few moments, then straightened.
"Okay. I'm ready." The Harry and Rose being said after a few deep breaths.
"Don't wander." Professor McGonagall instructed, then led them into what looked to be a rather busy shopping center.