Once upon a new life... Book one: Tom

Chapter One

THE LETTER

I opened my eyes with a small gasp and looked up into the blinding sun. A small groan escaped my throat as I sat up, rubbing my eyes.
What a strange dream that had been, it almost felt too real. Even now, while I was wide awake and the phantom pain had long since faded, did my body feel strange.
I removed my hands from my eyes and looked at them. Small, pale, childlike hands covered in small freckles is what I saw. So familiar yet so foreign.
A small summer breeze passed me by, playing with my fire red locks while the sun gently warmed my face. I grabbed a small amount of the beautifully coloured hair and let it dance between my small fingers. The contrast of the fiery red against the pale skin was mesmerizing.
The smell of grass hit my nose as I looked up from my hands to finally inspect my surroundings. I had been laying in a large garden filled with grass and colourful flowers. These flowers were both mundane and magical. Memories of my mother telling me the stories and uses of every single one of them passed my mind as I let my eyes glide over every single one of them, admiring them slowly from a distance. As if to imprint every little detail of every single flower and plant into my brain, to cherish forever.
"Mildred, darling! Could you come here for a second?" The sweet voice of my mother came from the cute cottage behind me.
I stood up slowly, feeling a bit disorientated still and turned around to look at the cottage. It was made of stone walls and ebony wooden doors and window frames. Large panes made of glass filled the window frames, making sure enough natural light entered the house. The cottage seemed to be two floors high only, and even though it was a bit small, it was perfect and cosy for the Prewett family of five.
Mrs. Prewett, my adoring mother, stood in the doorway that led into the back garden where I had resided for the past few hours. A large smile was displayed across her pale face. The same fiery red hair adorned her face, but contrary to her daughters, Mrs. Prewett had her hair neatly tied in a bun, a magic wand poking from in between the locks. The bun ensured her warm, chocolate-coloured eyes to be uncovered and little dimples in her cheeks really finished my mother's beautiful face.
I slowly walked towards the house, my house, and watched the smile grew wider across my mother's full lips as her dimples only seemed to sink deeper into her cheeks.
"Yes, mother?" I ask, my voice light and sweet.
Curiosity taking the better part of me as my pace slightly increases until I am standing right in front of her. I look up as I innocently fold my arms behind my back, my long locks of fiery hair falling all the way to my lower back.
"Follow me please, love." my mother said before she twirled around and quickly made her way towards the kitchen. I followed her as quickly as my short legs could carry me, almost ending up in a sprint simply to keep up.
The kitchen was a small but cozy place, the same as almost every room in the cottage was. A small stove with sink was placed at the far end from the doorway and occupied the entirety of the back wall, a large window right behind it, so mother could have a nice view of her beautiful garden while she cooked. Many cupboards hang from the walls on both sides of the kitchen stuffed with ingredients, snacks and spices.
In the middle of the kitchen was a dining table large enough for eight and made of yet the same wood as the window frames and doors. Elegantly simple chairs surrounding the table finished the little kitchen.
Sitting at the dining table were the remaining three members of the Prewett family, my father and two older brothers. All three sporting the same fiery locks as her mother and herself, though in different styles and lengths each.
"Ooh! Is our baby sister in trouble?" my eldest brother of fifteen, Fredrick, asked as a playful smirk played around his full lips. Ignatius, my second brother of thirteen, let out a snort as he rolled his chocolate-coloured eyes.
"Oh please, brother! Our little princess could never get in trouble. You should know that by now."
"Ah, my mistake my dear baby brother. I forgot we have taken the noble task of always being the ones to blame while our sweet, little sister can remain to be innocent in our dear parents' eyes." Fredrick said dramatically, his icy blue eyes twinkling with mischief. The two brothers looked at each other before falling in hysterical laughing.
"That is enough you two!" My father scolded the two older boys, his own icy blue eyes looking sternly at them. "This is an important day for your sister, and I will not tolerate any banter today."
Fredrick coughed to cover his laugh, pulling his own, long red locks away from his face.
"Apologies, father. We meant no harm."
Ignatius rolled his eyes at his brother's quick stepping back in line and slung down on his chair, his shorter hair falling slightly over his eyes.
"May I ask what is going on, father?" I finally ask, my curiosity reaching its peak. My father looked at me warmly, his thin upper lip completely covered by a thick moustache that is connected to a short and neatly trimmed beard.
"Of course, my little ember." his eyes looked from to towards my mother, the warmth never leaving his eyes. "My love, the letter?"
Mother almost seemed to combust from joy as she reached in her cloak and took out a thick looking envelope of yellow parchment. My eyes widened as my heart hammered quickly in my chest. Mother held out the letter to me and waited patiently for my shaking fingers to firmly graps the heavy paper addressed in letters of emerald green to Miss M. Prewett, The Largest Bedroom, Cottage-in-the-Meadow, The Forest. With shaking hands and a heart that seemed to almost beat out of my chest I read the letter:

HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Armando Dippet
(Order of Merlin, First Class)

Dear Miss Prewett
We are pleased to inform you that you have a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.

Yours sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
Deputy Headmaster