Truly Unique

Chapter One: Little Whinging Orphanage

3rd Person's POV:
There isn't much to say about Little Whinging, Surrey that cannot already be assumed by its name. It was a small town, and the home to many families that lived their lives as if it were a broken record. They get up, they go to work, they go home, they spend a few hours with their families, go to bed, and repeat the next day. It was the picture perfect, normal town. But the truth isn't always what it seemed, and there was a big secret lurking behind the gated orphanage on Atkins Lane. Children played in the yard, enjoying the view of the setting sun before last call, exempt for one. A young girl stood in front of the gate at the end of the driveway, staring out into the streets with curious eyes. She wished she could join them all, even for a day, just to know how it felt to have a home, a family, or a family pet. Her tiny fingers gently touched the cold metal in front of her as she sighed to herself. In the background, she could hear the bell from the porch begin to chime. Her fellow orphans made their way loudly into the house, leaving her alone. "Happy birthday, me." She whispered sadly to herself, noticing a little star glisten above her. She turned around and walked back towards the house, seeing the house mother standing in the doorway with her usual scowl. Lyra casted her dark hazel eyes towards the ground and attempted to move past her, but the house mother's hand gripped her shoulder tightly. "Go straight to the living room. You have a visitor. You better be on your best behavior, Lyra." Her words took Lyra by surprise. She had never had a visitor before, and Lyra didn't see anyone drive in.

Questions began to swirl in her mind as she slowly approached the entryway to the living room, seeing an older gentleman standing by the fireplace. He had a long, grey beard and a strange sense of fashion. He gave her a warm smile as she entered the room. "Good evening, Lyra." She gave him a nod of acknowledgement, but didn't say a word. "She hasn't spoken much since the last incident." Her house mother spoke up from behind her. "No matter. It'll be a short chat." He assured her. The house mother gave Lyra one last warning look, her eyes ordering the child to behave one last time, before she turned around and left. "Care to have a seat, Ms. Lyra?" He asked, motioning towards the couch. She slowly walked over and sat down, resting her back against the arm to fully face him. He down on the couch across from her. "My name is Albus Dumbledore." Once again, he was met with silence from the young girl. He sighed, lacing his fingers together in his lap. "Your house mother gave me her perspective about the incident between you and your fellow housemate. She said you felt so resentful that you haven't said a word since." Lyra's face scrunched up as she gave him a confused look. "I don't think that's why. I think you've chosen silence over explaining the unexplainable. Perhaps you feel like those around you will never understand, or will fear you, if they knew the truth." He watched her eyes soften as she stared at him. 'How could he possibly know that?' She thought. "What can you do, Ms. Lyra?"

"I can push forces from my body when I'm scared. I can move things if I concentrate hard enough." He nodded his head for her to continue. "I can hurt people that hurt me without touching them...if I want."

"So I've been told." Lyra grew defensive as she sat up straighter. "I didn't mean to! Riley shoved Mickey towards the stairs, which could have killed him, and I got so...angry." Dumbledore hushed her soothingly, seeing the stress in the poor girl's eyes. "I understand. Unregulated magic can have harmful affects to those around us." She went to continue arguing her case, but froze when she realized what he had said. "Magic?" Her voice wavered. Dumbledore leaned forward, as if to whisper to her a secret. "I'm just like you."

"Prove it." He nodded his head and reached into his robe, pulling out a wand. He held it gracefully in his hand as he looked at her. Her eyes never left the wand as he stood to his feet. "Expecto patronum." A loud gasp escaped her lips as she stood on the couch, watching in complete awe as a blue phoenix flew around the room with such elegance. Her heart nearly jumped out of her chest as she raised her hand, attempting to touch it. He lowered his wand, and she watched in great sadness as it disappeared. For the first time in their entire conversation, Dumbledore saw a smile reach her face. "You are like me." He could almost hear the tears in her voice as the relief was evident in her eyes. "You have an opportunity to leave this place and be with others like you."

"Can you teach me to control it? To be better?" She asked hopefully. He nodded his head. "Oh, yes." She fidgeted with her fingers for a moment, taking a deep breath. "I'll go." He smiled at her, happy to hear her answer. "You'll do outstanding at Hogwarts." She smiled back. "Thank you, Professor." He stood to his feet and began gathering his things to leave, and as he made his way to the door, Lyra stopped him. "I can transfer memories through touch." He froze in place, slowly turning to look at her. "I can see other peoples' memories and I can show them mine. Is that normal for someone like me?" She waited patiently for a response, but as she saw the conflict in his eyes, she knew she wouldn't get one. He seemed deep in thought for a moment before looking up from the floor, saying a proper goodbye, and leaving. She stood in the doorway a moment longer, staring after him in hopes that he take her away tonight, but he didn't return. "Lyra!" She spun around, seeing the house mother standing at the top of the stairs. "Go to bed. Now!" She nodded obediently, slowly making her way up to her attic bedroom. "Goodnight, house mother."