A Bitter Silence (Version two of 'Silence is Music?')

1

I sat in Dumbledores office, next to Fawkes' perch. The great bird was balanced on my shoulder, his fiery wings blowing soft waves of warmth across my face. Dumbledore was gazing at me over his half moon spectacles. He was smiling, thankfully. Molly Weasley sat next to me, glancing uncomfortably to the Phoenix and back to the Professor. As I stroked Fawkes golden feathers, their conversation resumed, about halfway through talking about my coming to Hogwarts, Fawkes had risen from his spot by the window, where the midday sun shone through pleasantly, and stepped lightly onto my shoulder, surprising even Dumbledore.

"But Professor, Harmony is way to young to do non-verbal spells!" I rolled my eyes, how else am I going to be a witch?

"I believe Harmony is more than capable, she has lived like this almost all her life."

I mind sighed, this was taking ages.

Hi, my name is Harmony Chord and I am mute. I can't speak. I can't even laugh. This suffocating silence has hung over me almost all my life and however hard everyone tries, I can't utter a sound. I've spent weeks in St Mungos with people trying to cure me. Always in vain of course. In the end they just gave up, realised there was no use and sent me back to the Weasleys. Yep, that's right, I live with the Weasleys, and have done ever since I can remember. My parents were killed by Voldemort's supporters and I was left in the wreckage for three days until Arthur spotted me. He is now my guardian and I live with him and his family in The Burrow.

Dumbledore invited us here to see whether I could go to Hogwarts, they had been debating for years, of course I am magical, I once woke up with bright pink hair when I was dreaming about it and the twins swore that they didn't do it, that wasn't the only sign of magic, but it sure shocked Molly. Even though I showed more potential than most, the fact that I can't speak countered it.

My train of thought broke when there was a scraping of chairs

"That's settled then, Harmony, I'll see you in September."

Yes, I can go!!! I jumped up, Fawkes flew, disgruntled back to the window.

HOGWARTS HERE I COME!!!

We flooed back, I practically jumped onto Fred and George, stuck my tongue out at Ron, shook hands formally with Percy, and danced around our room with Ginny.

Dinner was amazing, in honour of getting me accepted, they didn't talk much, we all signed to each other.

Ron was signing to Fred to pass the butter, but Fred pretended not to notice, and George kept on pretending to forget signs, and ended up miming the violin, for some obscure reason.