The Trick

First Year - Making a Plan

Mariha's POV

That was strange, thought Mariah. She laughed a little to herself thinking that the conversation with Charlotte King and her father was the weirdest thing she encountered today. Her heart told her to stay with the Kings, but her mind told her stranger danger! She wanted to learn more about the wizarding world and staying with the Kings was the perfect opportunity to do so, but she wanted to at least see her parents again before she went to Hogwarts. I’m sure they won't be that mad, Mariah thought, even though she didn’t really believe it. 

Professor McGonagall took Mariah back to her house while her parents were still asleep. She helped Mariah take all of her new belongings to her bedroom before disappearing. Mariah looked at her owl which was standing in a cage on her desk. It was a white barn owl with specks of brown in different areas. The owl looked at Mariah as if judging her.

Mariah stuck her tongue out at the owl and said, “Don’t look at me like that! I'll wake them up in a few minutes.” The owl then tilted its head as if saying, sure you will. “I will! I’ll tell them that I went to Diagon Alley, and that I will be going to Hogwarts no matter what they say.” Mariah didn’t feel confident as she said the words. 

Mariah plopped down onto her bed, her voice muffled from the blankets. “Who am I kidding? They're going to kill me! I mean I’d want to kill me!” Mariah grabbed her purple teddy bear that her Aunt Alice gave her when she was a baby and held it close to her. She didn’t want to have to face her parents, see their disappointed faces. Mariah had never done something so reckless in her entire life. All of the excitement and joy that Mariah felt while in Diagon Alley was gone and replaced with dread. 

It was the next morning when Mariah decided to tell her parents what she had done.

“Mariah! I was so worried! I saw the letter, but I wasn’t sure what to think about after our disagreement,” Her mom said, wrapping her arms tightly around Mariah. They stayed like that for a while, until her mom finally let go of Mariah. Her dad didn’t say anything to her, he just went up and kissed Mariah’s head. She leaned into the kiss, missing her father’s loving gestures. 

Mariah’s mom sat on the couch, crossing her legs. “Which friend did you stay with?” Mariah’s face went hot. She thought she could be confident and tell them what she did, but she froze. 

“What is it, Mariah? Your face is as red as an apple,” Her father asked with concern in his eyes. Mariah didn’t know what to do. If she told her parents then they would freak out like nobody’s business, but Mariah would permanently have that rock in the bottom of her stomach. 

Mariah took a deep breath and let the words spew out like a rampaging waterfall. “I went to Diagon Alley with Professor McGongall to get my school supplies for Hogwarts, and It’s amazing! You wouldn’t believe how wonderful it is! There are so many amazing books and sweets. I’ve actually got some-” Mariah was cut off by her mom putting her hand up to stop Mariah. 

“You went with that woman, who you know nothing about, to get magical supplies for a magical school,” Her mom put her hand on her temple and closed her eyes, “Mariah when are you going to realize that this is just ridiculous! You’re going to waste your life doing something childish. You won’t accomplish anything if you go down this path.” Mariah felt a pang in her heart. She had admired her mom for her whole life, and hearing her say these words made Mariah feel betrayed, like she didn’t know who her mom was anymore. As tears filled Mariah’s eyes, she ran to her room and closed the door. She went to the corner of her room, grabbing her purple teddy bear, and sat down holding her knees to her chest. All Mariah wanted was for her mother’s approval, to be happy that she’s discovered something she loves. 

Mariah didn’t know how long she had been crying when she heard a knock on her bedroom door. Her father walked in a second later. 

He went up to her and kneeled in front of her. “Mariah, honey, why don’t we go for a walk.”  He held his hand out to her and she grabbed it. He pulled her up and guided her out the front door. Mariah and her dad walked side by side on the sidewalk in silence. The leaves on the trees brushed together filling the area with a mystical sound. The morning sun shined bright on Mariah's face, making her squint her eyes. 

“Your mother didn’t mean what she said. She just doesn’t understand what you see in the wizarding world,” Mariah’s dad said. 

Mariah looked down at the shining cement. “I thought she would have been happy that I’ve found something I love.” 

“She can see the love in your eyes, but she thinks it’s just a phase. Your mother just wants to do what is best for you,” 

Mariah stopped and her dad turned to face her. “This is what I want, dad! I want to go to Hogwarts.” Her dad looked down at her with a smile on his face. 

“Truth be told, Mariah, I want you to go, but you know there’s no disagreeing with your mother,” 

Mariah looked up at her dad as a thought formed in her head, “Do you know who Owen King is?” 

Mariah’s dad looked slightly surprised. “Yes, I do. His wife was friends with your mother in highschool. They moved a little while after their daughter was born, but not that far away. We haven’t really been in contact with them recently. Why do you ask?” 

Mariah tapped her finger on her leg nervously. “Well, I ran into Owen and his daughter in Diagon Alley and he offered to let me stay with his family until it was time to go to Hogwarts.” 

Her dad looked at Mariah intently for a minute before saying, “You should go with them.” 

Mariah’s eyes went wide. She wasn’t expecting him to actually say yes. “Really? What about Mom?” 

“We won’t tell her you’re leaving. I’ll tell her after you’re at Hogwarts. There’s not much she can do then...Hopefully,” Mariah’s dad said. Mariah felt her lips curl into a smile. She jumped up into her dad’s arms, squeezing him tight. She was filled with happiness. Her dad held Mariah tight before letting her go. 

“I’ll contact Owen and arrange a time with him,” Mariah’s dad said, starting to walk back to their house. Mariah joined him.

“Thank you, Dad,” She said.

Her dad smiled and held her hand. “Now how about you show me those new books you got.” 

Written by: Cass