𝐋𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐝 {𝐇. 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫}

1

"Johnny, è ora di alzarsi! (Johnny, it's time to get up!)" Luca Scaletta called out through the small council house that resides in West London. Eleven year old Johnny groaned and got up, passing by his desk that was full to brim with books and letters. When he was on his way to the shower, he passed his older half-sister, Caterina, who smacked him around the back of the head playfully.

"Happy birthday, Fratellino! (Little Brother!)" She said cheerfully. Caterina was thirteen and was the result of Luca's first marriage.

"Thank you, Sorella Maggiore (Big Sister)," Johnny smiled, hugging his sister tightly. After a quick shower and getting dressed, Johnny made his way downstairs, where he saw his father with the sleeves of his white shirt rolled up, slaving away in the kitchen while Caterina watched her father in amusement.

"Johnny, buon compleanno! (Happy Birthday!)" Luca smiled widely, racing around the kitchen counter to give his son a tight hug. "Take a seat next to your sister, breakfast will be ready soon."

Around ten o'clock, a knock sounded from the front door, making the Scaletta's furrow their eyebrows in confusion. Johnny didn't have friends to celebrate his birthday with, his father's parents were in Sicily, and Johnny knew nothing about his mother's side of the family. All he knew was that his mother, Adya, died two after he was born very mysteriously.

Luca, who was involved in some shady business to provide for his family, approached the door cautiously, a kitchen knife held behind his back. When Luca opened the door, only slightly as the chain prevented it, he saw the face of an older woman in emerald green robes and a black, pointy hat.

"Can I help you?" Luca asked, his Italian accent catching the woman off guard slightly.

"Yes," the woman replied shortly. "Is this the home of Johnathan Scaletta?"

"Why?" Luca asked cautiously, his hand on the knife tightening as this unknown and strangely dressed woman happened to know the name of his boy. "What do you want with my boy?"

"To offer him a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

"This some kind of joke?" Luca asked, giving out a short chuckle as he placed the knife on the table next to him. "Who do you take me for? The old fools I sell dope to? Or is Barbaro putting you up to this?"

"I certainly do not know who this Barbaro is, and I hope to take you as the father of the child I need to speak to," the woman replied shortly. "I am here because your son has shown the qualities needed to learn magic at Hogwarts."

"Fine, fine," Luca said, still keeping his guard up. "Come in."

"Thank you," the woman said.

"What is your name?" Luca asked, guiding her to the kitchen where Johnny and Catarina sat there, both looking wide eyed at the strangely dressed woman who had just entered.

"Professor Minerva McGonagall," she replied looking at Johnny. "Mr. Scaletta, I am here to offer you place to harvest your magical abilities and truly succeed in the Wizarding World."

"W-wizards?" Johnny asked, completely dumbfounded.

"Yes, boy. Wizards," McGonagall said impatiently. "Have you ever done anything you can't explain?"

"Um," Johnny said, looking nervously at Luca. "I scratched my Pa's car once, and after panicking and rubbing it, it disappeared."

"That is exactly what I am on about," McGonagall said, placing a letter in front of the family of three. "Of course, it is completely up to you if you wish to join."

Johnny looked up at his sister who nodded her head enthusiastically, he then looked at his father, who nodded down at his son.

"I-I want to," Johnny said, nodding his head with a small smile.

"Lovely," McGonagall smiled. "I shall take you to get your school supplies in three days time, a girl around this area has her birthday."

"Yes, Professor," Johnny nodded.

"Please find the enclosed list of school supplies in the envelope."