The Trick

First year - The Introduction

Charlie's POV

Finishing up ice creams, the King family started a conversation. 

“What was Hogwarts like? Was it like a really big castle? Does it look like a tent on the outside but end up being really big on the inside?” Pausing to take a breath, and take the last bite of her ice cream, she thinks of one last question, “Can I see the list please?” With raised eyebrows at all the questions, Owen pulled the list of supplies out of his pocket and handed it to the happy eleven year old.

As she looks through the list, she sees one thing they have yet to get. 

“ ‘A pet’” Charlie says, her eyes going bigger than they had all day, which was saying something. Just as she had said that she heard animals, her ears perking up. Standing up and throwing her trash away before running towards the animals, Owen let out an exasperated sigh before getting up and following his daughter. 

Blonde hair sticking out in all directions, a frog was stuck into the face of Owen King before he could process what was happening, looking at the messy child.

“If I let you get a pet for school, you have to take care of him, and I am not getting you a frog. You have to share with Sawyer.” He told her sternly, she made a sad face before talking to the frog and saying goodbye. “And you have ice cream in your hair.” Trying to get her hair back down and less ice cream and static filled, the girl saw a beautiful owl. 

Charlie walked up to the owl not noticing the brunette standing to the side of her, both of them engrossed in the feathered animals.

At the same time the girls spoke, “I would like this one!” and as they spoke in unison, they looked at each other, and said yet again, “I would like this one!” except this time talking to one another.

 “What if we shared him?” Charlie asked, her mouth moving to the side as she thought about what she said, “But we would also be sharing him with my brother, I guess.” 

“Umm…  I’m not too sure about that.” the brunette said quietly. 

“It would be really interesting actually, are you new to Hogwarts too? Because it will probably be easier if we are in the same year.” Charlie started rambling, the last part mostly to herself, but saying it aloud nonetheless. 

“You have… ice cream in your hair?” The girl told Charlie, but it was more of a question, “and we don’t have to share an owl.” Charlie nodded along with what the girl was saying,

“I still have ice cream in my hair? I thought I got all of it out,” Charlie started sticking her tongue out as she focused on trying to get the ice cream out of her hair before remembering she asked the girl a question, “Oh yeah, are you new to Hogwarts? Because I am. My name is Charlotte Felicity King. But call me Charlie. What’s your name? I think that we should be best friends.” 

Eyes going wide at everything she was hearing, the brunette decided to start answering questions before she had to answer more. “Yes, I’m new to Hogwarts, my parents aren’t magical. And my name is Mariah.” Charlie smiled, this was the first magical person she has had an actual conversation with. Sure, she had friends, but they were all muggles. 

“What’s your last name?” Charlie questioned, wanting to continue the conversation.

“Est-Estella. Mariah Estella, and I just go by Mariah.” She stuttered out. Owen, following loosely behind, had heard the conversation, and the last name of Mariah had brought up some memories. 

“Estella? Is your mom's name June?” Mariah’s blue eyes went wide at the stranger knowing her mom’s name, “oh, sorry. My wife and your mom were friends back in school, and when you two were babies.” As understanding slowly settled into Mariah, Charlie looked from her dad to Mariah. It was like at a family reunion when you see someone you don’t know who hugs you and acts like they have been with you every day of your life just to say ‘you’ve gotten so big!’.

“This is weird.” Charlie whispered, breaking the awkward silence.

“Are your parents here?” Owen asked. He wanted the chance to see an old friend again.

“No...umm, they weren't able to come unfortunately, but Professor McGonagall is helping me get my school supplies.”  Mariah said sadly.  Owen noticed and nodded, he looked around and found Professor McGonagall, it might not have been the old friend he was looking for, but it would do. 

“If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to speak with her.” He excused himself from the two first years, going to speak with his old professor.

“Well, do you want to share the owl?” Charlie asked again, trying to fill the weird silence. Mariah smiled shyly before shaking her head ‘no’. “Ok, well, you can have the owl. We have a family owl, kind of, so, I’ll just ask for,” she looked around for a minute or two before stepping to the side and finishing her sentence by saying, “this one.” 

The worker of ‘Magical Menagerie’ had apparently overheard because as soon as Charlie had smiled at Mariah, the worker came over and started telling them interesting facts about the owl. When Owen had come back from talking to Professor McGonagall the worker ended with, 

“-and these two birds are siblings.” Owen smiled at the worker then looked to his daughter

“So have you two come to an agreement, or is someone getting a different owl?” He asked, 

“I’m letting Mariah have the first one, both of her parents are muggles, and we already have your owl. The worker, Harley, did tell us that these two are siblings though, how cool is that?!” Charlie asked, getting excited all over again.

“That’s wonderful.” He paused, trying to figure out how to ask the girls about how they wanted to start the year. “Mariah, I have a question. And it’s totally up to you. Professor McGongall was telling me about your home, and if you would like to stay with us for the two weeks leading up to going to school, you are welcome anytime.” He paused to let her process, and when she looked back to him, he finished, “I’m sorry, I know I’m a stranger to you, but I was good friends with your parents before we moved.” he told her before getting Charlie and the bird she had chosen. Paying for the bird, Charlie said ‘bye’ to Mariah while Owen gave her a small smile before they walked out of the store while Charlie started talking about how cool it would be if Mariah and her really did become best friends and how they would be like sisters because of their owls.

Written by: Lo