Mistress Of Magic

6 ~

By the time I had been let out of the cupboard it was already summer holiday I was lucky that I had the trunk. I honestly don't know how Harry had survived in the books. Between blood loss, broken bones, and starvation the only thing that kept that poor boy alive would have been his magic. It made me sympathise with him so much more. Dudley had also gotten his new uniform for school and he couldn't be happier about his Knobbly sticks as now he had a new weapon to beat me with. I walk into the kitchen only to wrinkle my nose at the smell, it was coming from a metal bucket next to the sink so I step over to have a look.

I see a bunch of rags in dark grey water before having to step back as the smell began to hurt my sensitive nose. "What is this?" I turn to Petunia.

She gives me a look of disgust as if she can't believe that I would dare talk to her. "Your new uniform. I'm dyeing some of Dudley's old things"

"Does it have to smell that bad?"

"I will look like everyone else's when I'm done" She snaps so I quickly walk out, not wanting a reason to be punished. Before the boys could see me I put my hair into a messy bun. I had found out during my studies that it was traditional for witches to wear their hair up from the moment they gained their magic to the day they get married. This was to ensure that anyone you married wouldn't know your true power until after, as a way to avoid women being used as a power move. I had been fascinated to know that how much a witch's hair will grow through puberty showed how powerful their magic truly was. It wasn't a tradition that was kept by everyone anymore but I like the idea of it. Plus it would help show status, even in a small way.

I sat down and ate my breakfast which consisted of a single piece of toast and butter. Petunia and Vernon had started getting suspicious when I started gaining weight and had accused me of stealing food from the kitchen. When they had checked to find none missing I simply commented saying it might just be because of hormone changes. They accepted the excuse, not wanting to think of the alternative.

Vernon and Dudley were both came into the kitchen at the same time and cringed at the smell but didn't say anything. Vernon sat at his usual seat at the head of the table before reading his paper. Dudley had brought his Knobby stick with him everywhere and began hitting it on the table. We hear the post drop o the floor and I suddenly feel stupid for forgetting what today is. "Get the post, Dudley," Vernon said from behind his paper.

"Make Adaline get it"

"Get the post, Adaline" Vernon doesn't even look up as he gives in to his sons' demands.

"Make Dudley get it" I mock my 'cousin' as I immediately jump back to dodge his Knobbly stick. Since my letter was going to be apart of today's post I was going to get it anyway, just wanted to tease him in the only way that I could. I pick up the letters and postcard from Vernon's equally horrible sister Marge, once I spot my letter I quickly slip it under the cupboard door before going back to the others. "Here" I place the letters on the table next to Vernon as Petunia sets their breakfast on the table.

I grab my empty plate and start cleaning the mess in the kitchen, when I'm done I go back to my cupboard and grab the reply I had already written.

Dear Minerva McGonagall,

I accept my placement at Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft And Wizardry. Unfortunately, My aunt and Uncle don't like magic and I can not imagine them being very happy with me attending let alone buying everything I would need. I would also like to not be alone when I tell them, they scare me. Is it possible to have someone else help me?

Sincerely,

Adaline Lillian Potter

Since I didn't want to risk them seeing it I send I to Radhiork along with instructions and a plan I had come up with. I knew that whoever came to collect me would most likely take me to Gringotts so I planned for them to act as if it was their first time meeting me along with sending them the current key so it could be opened without any suspicions. I summon the box out of my trunk and put the letters and key into it before sending it back to its place in my study. I had received my cards a week after my first visit to Gringotts but wouldn't be able to use them until a later date.

The next two weeks were quiet until on a Saturday morning, at 11 am, there was a knock on the door. I could feel the magic coming from the other side so I sneakily open my cupboard door enough that you could see inside, without it looking like it had been done on purpose, and answered the door. I was shocked to find both Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape standing on the front step.

"Can I help you?" I make sure my voice is small as I shuffle from foot to foot. Making myself see as small as possible.

"Yes dear, I am Minerva McGonagall and This is Severus Snape. Are you Adaline Potter?" Minnie asks in a sweet grandmother-like tone and I nod "May we speak to you aunt and uncle?" Instead of answering I open the door more and step out of the way. I bite the inside of my cheek to stop myself from smirking as Minnie gasps when she sees the inside of my 'room'. "What is this?" She asks as she turns to me, her voice quiet but stern. I look at the ground as I close the door. "My room, ma'am"

Range and hate crosses both of their eyes "Sweetie go pack your things, I need to have a word with you aunt"

"I'm coming with you, I don't have to stay here anymore" I look at her with tear-filled eyes that shone with hope. I see her heartbreak slightly at my expression and nods. Keeping up with my act I practically knock her over in an overly excited hug. When she doesn't hug me back I jump back and apologise before doing what she asked. I shrink my truck knowing Bipsy would be completely fine inside and placed it in my pocket. I was wearing jeans and a deep green checked shirt, black jeans, and ballet flats. I was hoping to gain some approval from Snape by wearing the Slytherin house colours as I hated that he didn't have a better relationship with Harry in the movies. Plus most people thought he was mean or weird, but he wasn't he got teased when he was younger for being socially awkward so he was mean back. He lost the only person he truly cared about and grew up in an abusive household. He just needed someone to be nice to him.

I left my wand in my case since I didn't want to risk them sensing it. I grab an old black backpack and quickly shove a few items in that meant something to me. Like mother's old jewellery box and a few pictures of my parents together. I had found them when I was cleaning the attic out a few weeks ago along with my mothers' old diary that had a letter addressed to Snape inside of it.

"All done" I announce as I step back into the hall. Petunia and Vernon were looking scared I look at the two professors. "Can we leave now?"

"Of course we can" Minnie replies just as Vernon rushes towards me screaming out, his face red. "You are not going anywhere, you rotten little girl!" He suddenly freezes in mid-air, Severus pointing his wand at him. "Don't" His voice was deep and his tone serious as he gives Vernon a warning look, his wand pressed against his throat.

I place my hand on his arm and surprisingly he listens and puts his wand away. "He's not worth it" At my words the two professors walk out with me following behind. I was feeling slightly petty so I turn back and wink making everything in the kitchen explode. I flip them all off before closing the door. I let out the laughter that had been bubbling up and Minnie tries to give me a scolding look but I can see the amusement in her eyes, while Severus gives me a barely-there smirk.

Once I calm down I pull out the letter from my bag and hand it to him. "I found this in my mothers' old things. It's addressed to you. I figured you would want it" He looks at the letter stunned before gingerly reaching out for it, he holds it delicately as if it's the most precious thing to him. I can see he's debating reading it now so I help his decision. "Go, Minnie can take me."

Minnie's eyes water at the nickname but I keep my attention on him as he goes to talk, I stop him before he can. "From what I've read about you in my mothers' diary, you too were close. I know she meant a lot to you. So go and read it, we girls can look after ourselves. And if your up for it then you can always meet up with us later. For now, though I can tell you need to be alone."

Severus looks between the letter and me before nodding to the both of us and disappearing in a cloud of black smoke. "Cool, What was that?" I turn to Minnie after Severus leaves and she finally snaps out of her stunned look.

"That's called Apparition, it's a form of magical travel. You have to be a certain age to do so on your own." She holds her arm out to me "I recommend you take a deep breath" I do as she says and I suddenly feel pressure over my body as if I'm being put in a small vacuum.