Chapter 1

Of Bleeding and Reading

Chrysanthemum Potter breathed in the funny floral scent of her tea, enjoying the heat of the cup against her stomach.

"Any better, Chrys?" Her twin brother Harry asked, hopeful as he stuck his head down from the top bunk. Chrys nodded.

"Loads."

Harry let out a breath of relief. He'd been walking on eggshells ever since Chrys woke up earlier this week to find her bed sheets soaked in blood. After yelling at her about the mess she'd made, Aunt Petunia shoved a couple of menstrual pads her way and left it at that. Chrys wallowed through the pain-and leaks, until she swallowed up her embarrassment and sent a letter to her friend from school, Padma Patil.

In no time at all, Padma sent along a copy of The Women's Health Book for Witches, which included several spells to improve absorbency and predict cycles. Unfortunately, her aunt and uncle had locked Chrys and her brother's wands and schoolbooks in the cupboard under the stairs where the twins used to sleep.

Harry had worried they'd get in trouble for not doing their homework, so Chrys had kept watch as he picked the lock. He had snuck out a couple of their schoolbooks, but they'd left their wands, as magic wasn't allowed outside of school anyway.

Instead, Chrys drank several cups of Padma's mum's hand mixed herbal tea, and was now feeling right as rain.

Meanwhile, Harry was attempting to get some homework done.

"History of Magic now," Harry told her. "We've got an essay on the pointlessness of witch burning."

"That essay is pointless," she muttered. Harry frowned at her. She waved her hand. "I'll do it later." Without her studious friend Hermione around to needle her, Chrys had fallen back into old habits of putting of school work until the last possible moment.

"Well, I'm bored, so I'm doing it now," Harry decided firmly. He accidentally dropped one of his books with a thud.

"Shush!" Chrys frowned and eyed the door. They listened for a moment, making sure their aunt and uncle hadn't woken up. If their aunt and uncle heard them and found the books, Chrys and Harry risked being locked up without food.

Uncle Vernon was already on edge from a phone call the twins had received from their friend Ron Weasley.

Poor Ron had been raised as a wizard and had no idea how to deal with telephones. His best guest seemed to be to shout as loudly as possible. Chrys might have found this amusing, if Uncle Vernon hadn't been the one to pick up the phone.

"HOW DARE YOU GIVE THIS NUMBER TO PEOPLE—PEOPLE LIKE YOU!" Uncle Vernon had roared. Aunt Petunia peered through the curtains to make sure none of the neighbors were suspicious that anything out of the ordinary was happening in Number 4 Privet Drive.

"You complain when we use Hedwig, but when we try to communicate the 'normal' way, that's no good either," Chrys had grumbled. Hedwig was the twins' owl, who delivered letters in typical wizarding fashion. While the wizarding idea of normal was a lot different than the muggle idea of normal, Chrys figured as long as nobody was hurting each other, why not let them do as they liked? Vernon and Petunia Dursley did not agree.

Uncle Vernon turned a blotchy red.

He had been suspicious of the package Chrys received from Padma, only to get incredibly flustered when he opened it and found it filled with 'women's things.' He'd let Chrys keep the package, but his embarrassment hadn't been enough to stop him from banning the twins from any further communication with their wizarding fellows.

Uncle Vernon allowed Hedwig out, but only at night, after he'd carefully checked she wasn't carrying anything. (And this was only after she'd put up a fuss, causing a racket when locked in her cage).

"Chrys," Harry said suddenly. "Do you hear that?" She tilted her head. It was the sound of wings outside. Harry grinned. "Hedwig's back!" He ran over to the window. Chrys nearly spilled her tea as she jumped up to join him. Harry threw the window open. There was Hedwig, but she wasn't alone. Hedwig and another owl were supporting a third, who appeared to be passed out. They flew inside and landed on the desk, next to Hedwig's cage.

"It's Errol." Chrys recognized the Weasley family's elderly bird. Harry untied the packages from the owls' legs, as Chrys coaxed Errol to drink some water from Hedwig's bowl. The third owl, which was carrying letters marked with the Hogwarts school crest, flew off into the night as soon as Harry detangled him from his delivery. Hedwig settled down next to Errol. Harry smiled and stroked her feathers. Hedwig gave his fingers an affectionate nip. "Let's open Ron's first," Chrys suggested.

"Alright," Harry agreed. His hands shook with excitement as he opened the envelope. A letter and a newspaper clipping fell out when he tipped it upside down.

Together, they read the article. Mr. Weasley had won the Daily Prophet Grand Prize Galleon Draw.

"I can't think of anyone more deserving," Harry said quietly. Chrys nodded. She knew money was a sore point for Ron. Mrs. Weasley did her best, but there was only so much coupons and hand-me-downs could do for seven children.

Mr. Weasley was quoted in the article, saying they were using the money to visit their eldest son, Bill, in Egypt, where he worked as a curse breaker.

The article also featured a photograph of the whole family (including Ron's rat, Scabbers, sitting on his shoulder) standing in front of a pyramid.

Harry moved on to Ron's letter.

Dear Harry and Chrys,

Happy birthday!

Look, I'm really sorry about that telephone call. I hope the muggles didn't give you a hard time. I asked dad, and he reckons I shouldn't have shouted.

Chrys snorted.

It's amazing here in Egypt. Bill's taken us around all the tombs, and you wouldn't believe the curses those old Egyptian wizards put on them.

Chrys, who enjoyed comparing the mythology she read in her childhood to the real-life magic of the wizarding world, resolved to find a book on wizarding Egypt as soon as possible. Perhaps Hermione would have one.

Mum wouldn't let Ginny come in the last one. There were all these mutant skeletons in there, of muggles who'd broken in and grown extra heads and stuff.

Chrys frowned. After being possessed by the memory of a younger version of the dark wizard Lord Voldemort last year, Chrys thought Ginny had seen a lot worse than mutant skeletons. Still, Chrys understood Mrs. Weasley's feelings. Ginny was her youngest child, and had already been through so much. Chrys also wanted to protect any innocence she had left.

I couldn't believe when dad on the Daily Prophet Draw. Seven hundred galleons! Most of it's gone on this trip, but they're going to buy me a new wand for next year.

"Good," Harry said. After Ron's wand had broken last year, it was prone to backfiring, which made it quite difficult for Ron to cast any spells without failing miserably.

We'll be back about a week before term starts, and we'll be going up to London to get my wand and out new books. Any chance of meeting you there?

Don't let the muggles get you down!

Try and come to London,

Ron

P.S. Percy's Head Boy. He got the letter last week.

"Not surprising," Chrys thought. Percy was a great lover of the rules, and enforcing them.

"Hmm." Harry nodded. He picked up the two parcels that had come with the letter, tossing the one labeled: Chrys, to her. Chrys could see immediately that it was a book, and beamed widely when she saw the title: Egyptian Myths: Fact or Fiction? She'd read another book by this author, and really liked it.

Chrys,

It was a toss up between this and some ancient Egyptian ink and parchment (papyrus, it's called), but Percy reckoned you'd like the book better.

If you don't like it, blame him.

See you soon,

Ron.

Chrys laughed. "That's nice," Harry commented, leaning over her shoulder to read her note.

"What's yours?" She looked over at his note, and the mysterious glass spinning-top that accompanied it. According to Ron's note, it was a Pocket Sneakoscope, which lit up and spun when there was someone untrustworthy around. Bill says it's rubbish sold for wizard tourists and isn't reliable, because it kept lighting up at dinner last night. But he didn't realize Fred and George had put beetles in his soup.

Chrys laughed again. Harry put a finger on his lips. Chrys glanced at their cousin Dudley's alarm clock, which they'd found in the pile of broken and discarded things in this room, which had previously been Dudley's storage room. Even with the crack across the glass, it still worked nicely.

"One o'clock," Harry noted. "We've been thirteen years old for a whole hour. I hadn't even realized…" Chrys glanced at herself in the nearby mirror. She didn't look any different. Her messy brown hair was maybe a bit longer, up to her hips now. Harry's black fringe was starting to cover his eyes, but it wasn't entirely his fault. Potter hair had a mind of its own.

"Happy birthday, Harry." She reached under her bed and pulled out the traditional homemade birthday card. This year she'd drawn many of their friends: nearly the entire Weasley family, Hermione, Hagrid the Hogwarts gamekeeper, and even Hedwig. Harry grinned, though he looked a little sad. He missed them.

"Brilliant, as always." He handed her a brown paper bag. She opened it and took a deep sniff of the muggle licorice. She loved the wizarding licorice wands, but muggle sweets were just as good, really.

"Bet you this one's from Hermione," Chrys figured, eyeing the package Hedwig had carried in. Hedwig blinked wisely at her.

As Harry opened the letter, Chrys saw that it was Hermione's handwriting on the note.

Dear Chrys and Harry,

Ron wrote to me and told me about his phone call to your Uncle Vernon. I do hope you're alright.

Chrys and Harry grimaced. Hermione was the cleverest person they knew, and even she hadn't figured out how nasty the Durselys truly were. Of course, Harry and Chrys had worked to keep this secret on purpose, not wanting to worry anyone…

I'm on holiday in France at the moment, and I didn't know how I was doing to send this to you—what if they'd opened it at customs?

This made Harry and Chrys sit up straighter in curiosity.

—but then Hedwig turned up! I think she wanted to make sure you got something for your birthday for a change,

"Thank you," Harry said earnestly, smiling at Hedwig. Hedwig cooed quietly, as if she knew not to disturb the Dursleys.

other than licorice and Chrys' lovely handmade birthday card, of course! I bought Harry's present by owl-order. There was an advertisement in the Daily Prophet (I've been getting it delivered. It's so good to keep up with what's going on in the wizarding world). Did you see that picture of Ron and his family a week ago? I bet he's learning loads. I'm really jealous—the ancient Egyptian wizards were fascinating.

Chrys resolved to let Hermione borrow her book, though she knew Hermione would prefer less sensational writing.

There's some interesting local history of witchcraft here, too. I've rewritten my whole History of Magic essay to include some of the things I've found out. I hope it's not too long—it's two rolls of parchment more than Professor Binns asked for.

"Only Hermione," Harry thought, shaking his head with a fond smile on his face.

Chrys, please don't start your homework too late. Harry, hold her to it, please.

Harry shot a grin at Chrys, who kicked him lightly.

Ron says he's going to be in London in the last week of the holidays. Can you make it? Will your aunt and uncle let you come? I really hope you can. If not, I'll see on the Hogwarts Express on September first!

Love from,

Hermione

P.S. Ron says Percy's Head Boy. I'll bet Percy's really please. Ron doesn't seem too happy about it.

Harry chuckled quietly. He and Chrys sat down on her bed to open their presents.

Chrys,

I've had a letter (don't worry, it was very discreet!) from Padma Patil. Anyway, I thought you could use some chocolate. Don't tell my parents.

Hermione's parents were both dentists. They most certainly wouldn't approve of what was the largest chocolate bar Chrys had ever seen.

Sorry for the lack of originality of the other part of your gift, but I thought you could use some more after Dean lost the last one.

Chrys nodded appreciatively at the second bottle of color changing ink Hermione had gotten her.

Hope you're well.

Love from,

Hermione

Chrys instinctively covered her note as Harry leaned over to look.

"It's private," she said hurriedly, feeling her face go hot. Harry rubbed the back of his neck.

"Okay…" He held up a black leather case that said Broomstick Servicing Kit on it. "Mine isn't." He nodded happily. "Hermione's really outdone herself this time."

"Hmm mm." Chrys opened her chocolate and started munching at it. Harry looked through his kit for a moment, before turning to the last parcel.

"It's from Hagrid!" He excitedly went to unwrap it, but paused, noticing how the package was shaking. "Oh… well… I know Hagrid would never send us anything dangerous on purpose, but…"

"…But Hagrid has an odd idea of what is and isn't dangerous," Chrys finished for him. She looked around for a weapon and then held her heavy Egypt book up. "I'm ready when you are."

"Right." Harry poised to open it. "One, two, three!" He opened the package, which was revealed to be some sort of living book. The book snarled and started snapping. Harry reacted automatically and kicked it hard off the bed. It kept snapping around in circles, while Hedwig looked on disapprovingly.

Chrys whacked at it with her Egypt book when it tried to snap at Harry's ankles. While it was distracted, Harry looked around wildly and snatched up a belt from the floor.

He jumped on top of the book, flattening it and struggling to wrap the belt around it. Once he succeeded, he sat up, wiping the sweat off his forehead. Then he looked warily at the second parcel from Hagrid, identical to the first. Chrys remembered the bungee cord she'd found in Dudley's things the other day, and motioned for it. Harry handed it over, and she tied her book up without unwrapping it.

Having already unwrapped his, Harry read the title, "Monster Book of Monsters." He shook his head. "No kidding… what does the card say?"

"Dear Harry and Chrys," Chrys read. "Happy birthday! Think you might find these useful for next year. Won't say no more here. Tell you when I see you. Hope the muggles are treating you alright. All the best, Hagrid." She tilted her head. "You know, we start Care of Magical Creatures this year…"

"Great," Harry said unenthusiastically. "Terrific."

"One left each." Chrys held up the letters from Hogwarts. Harry held up his hands and she tossed his at him, nearly missing but for his quick reflexes.

Dear Miss Potter,

Please note that the new school year will begin on September the first. The Hogwarts Express will leave from King's Cross station, platform nine and three-quarters, at eleven o'clock.

Okay, standard information. Frankly, Chrys thought it was a waste of ink and time to write this.

Third years are permitted to visit the village of Hogsmeade on certain weekends. Please give the enclosed permission form to your parent or guardian to sign.

Chrys wilted. This was new and exciting information—information which she could do nothing about. The Dursleys were as likely to sign the permission slips as they were to suddenly take up interpretive dance.

"We'd better get some rest," Harry decided, his expression echoing much of what she was feeling. "We'll deal with it in the morning."