Altering of the Banished

Lovely Letter

Sylvain had spent the last 30 minutes contemplating whether she should get out of bed. She could hear Bellona's footsteps pattering down the hall. She groaned, trudging her way to her door and out into the hall. Sylvain had just reached the bottom floor when Bellona called out to her.

"Our letters arrived! By the way, mami's making pancakes." Sylvain's eyes widened a smidge in excitement. She hastily made her way towards the kitchen, almost tripping over one of their cats.

"Sorry, Honey," Sylvain murmured, giving the cat a quick apologetic pat as she continued walking. The cat meowed indignantly as she slinked after Sylvain. "Yes, yes, I know. I said I was sorry!"

Their mother, Emrys, chuckled and shook her head. She kept her eyes on the stove as she continued to mix the batter. Emrys could hear the two girls rustling in the background. The sound of paper being ripped took her eyes off the stove and onto her girls. Bellona opened her letter and immediately read hers out loud.

"Dear Miss. Everdane," Bellona raised an eyebrow and looked at her mother. Emrys could only shrug. "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 1st. We await your owl by no later than July 31st. Yours Sincerely, Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress,"

"Are they aware that..." Sylvain gestured vaguely to herself and her twin.

"Mmm, they aren't aware." Emrys smiled sharply. "Let it be a surprise for them."

The girls nodded, a pair of identical wicked grins on their faces. Emrys handed them two plates of pancakes and smiled. Oh, how she would give them the world if they so asked. She watched as the two bickered, playful, mostly. Sylvain looked a lot more like her father, with midnight black hair that settled in loose waves. Nestled in the sea of black was a streak of bright white. A gift, or rather a birthmark, from her mother's side. Bellona, too, had the white streak. Although it didn't contrast as much since hers was among brown curls.

While Sylvain had inherited her mother's piercing orange stare, Bellona had received her father's soft grey graze. Emrys sighed wistfully, wishing he had given her an answer before she left back for America. It broke her from her thoughts when Sylvain asked a question.

"Mami, what exactly is?" Sylvain squinted at the paper, confusion marring her normally neutral expression. "Die-gon Alley?"

"It's pronounced Di-a-gon Alley. Like the word diagonally." Emrys took the girl's plates and set them in the sink. "It's essentially the place where you get books and school supplies. Among other stores, of course.

"We'll go to Diagon Alley sometime this week. But you two have to send you letters to McGonagall to make sure she knows you've accepted." The girls nodded, quickly grabbing the letters and rushed over to the dining room table. While the girls wrote their responses, Emrys called one house-elf to finish the dishes.

"Ailas," Emrys called out softly. A small elf appeared with a faint pop. She looked up at Emrys, eager to be of service. "Hello Ailas, can you be a dear and finish the dishes for me?"

"Of course, Missus! Ailas would be more than happy to!" The young elf rocked on her feet, buzzing with energy. Ailas popped over to the kitchen sink, summoning a step stool so she could reach. Emrys called out her thanks and Ailas nodded.

A hoot from the window had Emrys twirling around. Cyrille blinked up at Emrys, hopping along the windowsill. Emrys held a hand out and Cyrille jumped on it. Smiling, Emrys walked over to the girls. They had their letters ready and they sent Cyrille off with them.

The three ladies settled in the living room. There was a comfortable silence draped over them. Bellona and Sylvain looked at each other and then looked at their mother. They were curious.

"Mami? What was Hogwarts like?" Emrys looked at them as contemplation settled on her face. She hummed thoughtfully while trying to compose her thoughts.

"Well, it was... It was certainly an experience. I was the only American in the school and I had just recently transferred there. It was in 10th grade that I got to Hogwarts. The hat had sorted me in Ravenclaw and they were really sweet. That's the year I..." She paused, a mischievous smile on her lips. "Made some very interesting friends."

Emrys sat down at the desk Professor Lampros gestured to. It was the closest to the window and the view was beautiful. Even with such a nice view, Emrys was slightly irritated. This was the one class the Ravenclaws and Gryffindors shared. Worst of all, it was the last class that friday.

Emrys watched as the students trickled in, frown deepening as the desks next to her were still empty. In walked a group of Gryffindors. Emrys stared at them and then looked around the classroom. The only place left for them to sit was near her. She silently cursed her bad luck. She watched as the boys made their way over to her and she sighed. This was going to be a long class. Black leaned across his desk, a lazy smirk on his face.

"Everdane, wh-" Emrys flicked her hand and now he couldn't say anything. She watched as he tried to speak, only for no sound to come out. He frowned at Emrys before quickly scribbling something onto a piece of paper. He slid it over to her. She scanned the paper, a smile on her face as she shook her head. Written on the paper was ' I don't know what you did but please undo it. James will never let me live this down.'

"Mmm. No, I don't think I will. You're much better this way." She tilted her head at him. "All nice and quiet."

Lupin snorted as Black threw his hands in the air in exasperation. Lupin looked over to Emrys, a look of curiosity on his face as he realized something.

"How did you do that? You didn't say anything to him?" Emrys winked at the boy, a sharp smile on her lips.

"That's for me to know, and for you to find out."