My One and Only

Chapter 2 - Year 1

MAIA AND HARRY WEREN'T ALLOWED TO LEAVE their cupboard until summer vacation began, other than to use the bathroom or to go to school. Despite insisting there was no way they could have made the glass disappear, Vernon had still punished them worse than he ever had before. Maia couldn't remember a time she'd seen him angrier, and decided it was best to lay low for a while, and let things simmer. Harry, on the other hand, only seemed to get more sarcastic, and he ignored his sister's warning looks when he'd talk back, although she found his remarks quite clever.

Their punishment ending only meant it was back to cooking and cleaning, while Dudley broke every toy he got for his birthday, leaving him no choice but to turn to the twins for entertainment. Maia had a rather nasty bruise on her hip from where he'd shoved her into the table as she was carrying the milk into the dining room that morning, and she decided to keep her distance, as he seemed more irritable than usual.

"Harry, get the mail!"

Maia took her eyes off of the pan in front of her, frowning as her brother hurried to complete the task given to him. She had completely forgotten about the bacon on the stove until it sizzled and grease shot out, burning her hand. She hissed in pain and shut the stove off, before hurrying to run the burn under cold water. Harry usually got the brunt of the chores for the two, while she was mostly tasked with cookie and cleaning the kitchen, although those tasks didn't take very long, so she normally helped her brother as best as she could. She had learned how to cook variety of meals over the years, having to adapt to Dudley's sudden cravings. If Dudley wanted it, he got it, no matter what.

"Maia! Where is our breakfast?"

Maia bit down on her tongue to keep from snapping at her uncle and took a deep breath, shutting the faucet off and drying her hand.

"Coming, Uncle Vernon!" She filled three plates with bacon and eggs, leaving a small plate of leftovers on the counter for her and her brother, before hurrying to take the dishes to the dining room, where her aunt, uncle, and cousin were seated. She gently set each of the plates down, jumping back as Dudley snatched his breakfast from her, nearly yanking her down. Harry wandered back into the room, his gaze locked on two yellow envelopes. He handed Vernon the rest of the letter, before slowly making his way to his sister, who was leaning against the wall, a good distance from the Dursleys.

"What's wrong?" she asked, her stomach twisting at the confusion on her brother's face. He looked up at her, his eyes wide, and handed her one of the envelopes. She took it, examining the large purple seal. It was rather beautiful, in Maia's opinion, showing a detailed image of a badger, an eagle, a lion, and a snake, surrounding a large H. Maia nearly dropped the letter as she flipped it over, reading the emerald green writing.

Miss M. Potter

The Cupboard under the Stairs

4 Privet Drive

Little Whinging

Surrey

Harry was already beginning to tear into his letter, that was identical to Maia's, other than the name difference, and while Maia was curious, she was also hesitant. This had to be a joke. No one besides the Dursleys and Dudley's friends knew the twins slept under the stairs. There was no way they had a stalker. They weren't interesting enough to be stalked. After a moment of contemplating, she slid her fingers beneath the folds, ready to rip apart the seal, but stopped as Dudley began to yell.

"Dad! Harry and Maia have got letters!"

Harry had already opened the envelope and was about to unfold his letter when Dudley began to scream, and Vernon was quick to rip the paper away. Maia tried to hide her's under her shirt, but Vernon was quicker and he snatched it away with a large meaty hand.