Chapter One

37 Ivory Lane, Whitchurch, in Hampshire was one among many bricked houses that lined the River Test. Once a booming mill town, it had quieted and become a town mostly for those who commute to London for work. The neighborhood for which this duplex sat knew of the lively couple that live within number 37 Ivory Lane, for their shouts could often be heard around dinner time when they got into their evening row.

Mr. Hiddleston fairly aggressive with his neighbors and those nearby knew to stay clear. Craig Hiddleston worked for a construction company and was just as foul tempered as he looked, his sandy hair messily swept to the side and his blue eyes bright and arrogant. He neglected to shave his stubble and it had a poor habit of not going in fully just about his chin, failing to connect his thin mustache to the bottom of his scraggly beard. He was not too short or too tall with thick arms, a fat neck, and a beer belly that pushed pronounced against all of his shirts, as he preferred wearing those that had fit him some years ago.

His wife, Mrs. Hiddleston, worked in the local bar as a tender. She had a wry mouth on her and never put up with her husband's faults, which in this case were many. She would lament at work about how awful he was between smoking the house with cigars, drinking a rack of ale a day, and sleeping out on nights that she had frustrated him by interrogating him with her round, bright hazel eyes. Rebecca wasn't always as shrewd as she had become. In fact, there was a time where the lovely auburn bartender had been the talk of the town. A clever little minx who could charm and steal any man's heart and she had a tongue like a whip to match it. How Rebecca had ended up with Craig and why she remained was beyond many of the residents. She could have had anyone she wanted and she settled for a man with little money and many vices.

Unbeknownst to everyone else, Rebecca wanted to leave, but she couldn't. She was drowning in debt from her husband, her credit cards maxed out. If she left him, she'd be forced to raise the children without additional income and all of his debt, which was under her name, would be her responsibility. They abused each other verbally and if it ever got too out of hand, Craig would threaten to take the children away from Rebecca, despite there being little to leverage against her given his plights.

The only redeeming quality about the Hiddlestons were the two children they had that would play out in the yard during the day; Oliver and Bethany. The boy, Oliver, was a couple years older than his sister, but the two were nigh inseparable. Now that the boy was a teenager, he tried to shelter his sister as best he could from their parents fighting, but it was difficult to block their hollering out. Very much taking after his mother, he had a rush of dark auburn curls and fair skin, his eyes bright and blue as his father's.

Bethany was a chipper girl, seemingly unfazed by the goings on in her home. She would run circles around her brother, her sandy blonde plait bobbing against her back as her smiling hazel eyes and freckled nose faced her brother adoringly.

To everyone else they seemed normal enough despite the rocky relationship their parents held. And that was quite true. At least, until the day that Bethany had received a visitor.

"Craig, Jesus Christ could you put that out once in a while, especially while the children are eating?" Rebecca snapped, glowering at her husband as she brought over breakfast to the table for that fine Saturday morning in July.

"I'll put it out when it's done," Craig grumbled, turning his paper over and reading the sports section about the latest football game. "Damn, I missed a good game last night at work," he snarled, scanning over the results.

"You should miss games more often and maybe we'll be able to pay off our surmounting debt," Rebecca snipped tartly, nearly overflowing Oliver's cup with orange juice.

"Just forget about it. We'll take care of it," Craig said gruffly before raising his paper as if to hide his face from the glare that could have very nearly burnt through it.

"We'll need to go school shopping soon too," Rebecca began, on a different note, but it always rounded back to the same crux; money. "You've grown out of most of your clothes, haven't you Oliver? And I think Beth needs new dresses. After all, she's to begin secondary school this year," there was a gleam of adoration in their mother's eyes. Where her love was not spent on her husband, it was meticulously put into each of them.

"See if the boy will fit in some of my old clothes, he's getting on tall enough," Craig muttered without sparing a look toward his son. There was an inkling of disdain upon his face as if spending money on the children wasn't a worthy investment.

Rebecca opened her mouth to speak again, but instead, any angry words that were about to escape her parted lips were interrupted by a resounding tap on the entrance door. Her dark brows pulled together and she shut her mouth, curving them downward slightly before she glanced from Craig and then to her children. "Did you invite some friends over Oliver?" she asked him kindly. When he shook his head, Rebecca glanced at her husband. "Are you expecting company?"

"If I was, I wouldn't tell them to come here," he snorted, but was also curious as to who had knocked on their front door. Neighbors were terrified of bothering them and the childrens' friends never came over on their own.

"Well..." Rebecca drawled. "I suppose I'll go see who it is," she said finally, placing the pitcher of juice down and rubbing her hands hastily on her smock. The siblings craned their heads to glance down the hall to try and glimpse the visitor as the front door creaked open. There was a soft chattering between them and the door shut finally.

Footsteps drew nearer and Craig, without looking said, "Some sort of dandy salesman going door to door?"

"Uh... no," Rebecca's voice quavered a bit as she came into view and she was not alone.

Accompanying her was a tall, thin woman in dark emerald robes of velvet. Her cloak fluttered behind her and she had removed a pointed hat from her head to reveal her greyed hair which was tied in a low bun. Her countenance was pensive and calculating as her eyes swept the room from beneath her spectacles before fastening to little Beth who had a muffin halfway shoved in her gobb, dropping it when the woman's gaze focused on her.

"This is... Is... Professor McGunagill?" Rebecca glanced over hastily.

"McGonagall," the woman corrected in a thick, Scottish accent. "Good morning to you all."

"Professor? Professor of where dressed like that?" Craig set down his paper and was openly staring at this McGonagall and her queer attire.

"Hogwarts of course," McGonagall told him delicately.

"Hog-what? You let this loon into our house?" Craig's jowls quivered with fury as he glared at his wife, but Rebecca was astonishingly pale.

"She... she did a thing..." Rebecca squeaked, clutching the edge of the counter behind her to keep her solidly on her feet.

"Yes, I did. I know it will come as quite a shock to you all, but I'll explain more in just a moment," the professor chirped mildly. "However, according to the Statue of Secrecy there are a few topics we must go over before getting to the point. Before further ado," she reached into her sleeve and produced a yellowed envelope and inclined as to bend over the table and offer it to young Beth. "For you, Ms. Hiddleston."

"Me?" Beth questioned, accepting the envelope and glancing at her brother Oliver for support. All of this was rather strange, but Oliver nodded and smiled earnestly at her, as if he had more knowledge as to what was going on than she. Yet, she could not glean any information from her sibling and turned the letter over to see a crest imprinted in crimson wax against the seal of the envelope.

The shield was divided into four segments, one of a lion, a badger, a raven, and a snake. This was a school's crest, but she had never seen the likes of it before and she and her mother had spent a considerable amount of time contemplating which school she would attend. Beth was a talented girl, but there was a strange air about her that her peers sensed and strayed away from. Oher students parted away from her, whispered about Beth talking to herself; Bad-luck Beth they called her.

Oliver was the one who always made her feel as if she were a part of something rather than an outcast. Even during school no one wanted to associate with her, she knew that Oliver would be at home to welcome her with open arms and accept every strange fiber of her being.

Her fingers tugged the envelope open, the room sitting on held breaths as she unfurled the letter. Since she had an audience, Beth felt as if she was obligated to read it out loud.

"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 Ms. Hiddleston,

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 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress," at the mention of the woman's name, her eyes turned toward McGonagall and suddenly the attire she was bedecked in suddenly made more sense. From her pointed hat to the long robes, this was not a common person's ensemble, but that of a witch. A second page was behind it with a list of supplies, but Beth did not have the chance to read it, for her father roared with tumultuous and condescending laughter.

"A witch?" his blue eyes danced maliciously on Minerva as he crossed his arms. "I know that Beth is a strange little girl, but we shouldn't be putting her hopes up for something that doesn't exist. Becky..." he glanced over at his wife who was still remarkably pale. "Did you put this woman up to this? Some elaborate scheme to make Beth feel better about herself?"

Before Rebecca even had the chance to answer, McGonagall drew herself up in a dignified, if not offended manner. "I assure you Mr. Hiddleston that this is not a joke. Have you not noticed anything odd that your daughter has done over the years? Perhaps things that cannot be explained?"

"No!" Craig snapped impudently.

"I have," Oliver told her, with round watery eyes. "Years ago Beth turned a dandelion into a finch. She doesn't remember it though, I think she was only 4 or 5."

The witch glanced back toward Bethany, perhaps impressed that she had managed such a feat.

"Don't humor her boy," Craig snarled, reaching over and cuffing Oliver hard aside the ear.

It all happened so quickly; Oliver's cry of pain, McGongall's frown, Rebecca's furious howl that her child had been struck, and creasing of Bethany's brow as she clutched the letter tight and dear to her chest. Voices rose and the house was becoming quite loud, the professor drew a wand from her sleeve as if threatening Craig to quiet himself. However, he'd gotten to his feet now and was rounding on Rebecca.

"STOP IT!" Bethany screamed, so loud and shrill that everyone was shocked into silence. Never did she raise her voice, the girl always had a contented demeanor, much more willing to blow with the wind or move along with the tides. Her cheeks were flushed violent red and her hazel eyes whipped furiously on Craig who returned the spiteful expression.

"You will not raise your voice at me, you won't-" but another word did not escape Mr. Hiddleston's mouth. No, all sound had vanished and in place of his mouth was a zipper that he could not pry open. Horrified by what had happened, the man continued to scrabble at his face. When he met no success, he scrambled across the table and lifted up a spoon to view a warped image of himself. Even with his forehead appearing aggressively large, he could make out the fast line that had been zipped shut to keep his foul mouth from ruining this encounter with Professor McGonagall even further.

Rebecca stared, open mouthed and gobsmacked, but after a moment she glanced at McGonagall. "Did you do that?" she asked quietly.

"I'm afraid not... That would have been your daughter," the witch nodded toward Bethany and was satisfied that a point had been made. "Now, young Ms. Hiddleston will need to attend Hogwarts in order to grow into her abilities and learn how to control and harness them. And while this all may very well be... shocking to say the least, rest assured that she would be in the best hands that Hogwarts has seen yet. Albus Dumbledore is the best Headmaster Hogwarts has ever had the honor of hosting."

Craig had settled into a chair by now, staring into the spoon, transfixed by the horror of his mouth. His distraction allowed for Rebecca to take a tentative step forward and sigh deeply, glancing over at her daughter. "Oh, I've always known that Bethany was special, but sometimes I thought I was just mad. I don't get much sleep sometimes around here between work and..." her eyes slipped toward her husband before she continued. "Anyways, I'm glad there's a school for... wizardry? I'm just afraid such a school sounds expensive and we don't really have too much money. Bethany already had a good scholarship for a boarding school in Essex."

"Hogwarts is free for all students, Mrs. Hiddleston. We also have funds for families that need a little assistance in purchasing school supplies. If needed we could arrange to sort that out for your daughter," McGonagall informed her politely. "But what I really must point out is that now that you know... Well, I'm afraid you'll have to keep this secret per the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy. After all, it's much safer for you all if no one is aware that Bethany is a witch."

"Why do we have to keep it a secret?" Oliver asked curiously.

"To keep Bethany safe... Plus," Rebecca snorted, "Who would believe us if we said Beth was a witch? They'd think we're raving mad, wouldn't they?"

"I guess they would," Oliver said, dwelling deeply on the idea as he nodded slowly.

"On the back of your school supplies list, there is a set of instructions on how to find Diagon Alley in London. That is where you shall buy all of your school supplies for the year," McGonagall instructed motioning the papers still clutched fast in Beth's fist. "Be aware that you shouldn't use magic outside of school while under the age of 17. Especially around Muggles, since that would be a breach of the Statute."

"Muggles?" Beth repeated in a hoarse voice, which was weak from shouting.

"Non-magical folk, such as your parents and your brother," she motioned to the other people in the room.

"Oh, alright," Beth registered as she glanced back down at her letter, uncrumpling it. "So... I'll go and get my supplies and then how do I get to school?"

"Once you accept attendance at the school, another letter will arrive by owl with your ticket for the train at King's Cross Station in London," McGonagall informed her.

"Can I accept through you? I don't know how to mail this back... you said another letter will be arriving by owl?"

A smile crept onto the witch's thin lips. "Indeed I did. Wizard post is sent by owl. I can add your name to the registry for attending this year. Now," her eyes slid between the parents. Craig was did diddling with his mouth and so she only addressed Rebecca. "Do you have any questions for me Mrs. Hiddleston?"

Rebecca was still a bit pale from the news and whatever McGonagall had shown her by the door. "I... don't think so. I've raised Bethany this long. I think another month and a half shant be too much of a challenge."

"Very well," McGonagall raised her wand, which caused Rebecca to visibly flinch, and with a swish of the tip, Craig's lips unzipped and he gasped for air as if he hadn't been aware he could breath out of his nose. He was still too shocked to utter a word when the professor turned on her heel. "Have a good day and I am eager to see how you do at school, Ms. Hiddleston." And with a loud crack, the witch vanished before their very eyes.

"Mom... What did she do at the door?" Oliver asked after the family had a few minutes to register what had just happened.

"She... she... Was a cat and then turned into a human!"

"Wow! That's amazing, I want to learn how to do that!" Beth beamed, her face brimming with happiness.