What If? Year 1

Chapter 63

The following days go by very quickly. Ara keeps me very busy, trying to keep my mind off the coming test results. It worked most of the time, but when I try to sleep my anxiety catches up with me.
After one really bad night, I decide to take a shower. The heat starts to untense my muscles as I scrub my hair. Just as the soap runs down my back, someone knocks on the door.
"Hey, Goldie? When you're done in there, will you come down to the kitchen?" Mum asks through the door.
"Yeah, I'm almost done.." I finish up washing my hair and get out. I dry off and put some shorts on and a t-shirt. I walk down the stair into the kitchen. Mum is holding a letter and my stomach sinks. I stop and look at her.
"Is.. is that-.."
"Yeah, come on! Open it! I've already had to fight dad off of it." I walk to her and take the letter from her. I break the seal and open the letter. My hands start to shake as I read;

Dear Miss Potter,
Congratulations on passing your second year exams! Professor Dumbledore and I are very proud of you. Now you must choose your extra classes. Enclosed is some information about each class. In a couple days your actual Hogwarts letter will come with your supply list. Once again, congratulations!
Professor McGonagall

I sink into a chair and set the letter on the counter. Mum picks it up and reads through the beginning.
"Merlin's beard!" she exclaims, "Good job, Goldie! This is amazing! I'm so proud." She squeezes me tightly and I finally smile.
"I-.. I can't believe it," I whisper. She smiles at me.
"You have to go tell your father." I nod and go find Dad.
"I did it!" I shout, "I passed!" Dad smiles and starts jumping up and down. He hugs me and spins me around.
"Yay! I'm so proud of you, Marigold!" He sets me down and continues to jump up and down.
"What extras are you going to take?" Dad asks, trying to calm himself.
"I have not looked at any of them, yet."
"You should take Care of Magical Creatures.. for sure! Kettleburn was great! Maybe Muggle Studies too? Or Divination! But, Sirius always said that class was a load of hippogriff crap!"
"What about Arithmancy?" I ask.
"You'll have to go ask your mother about that one," Dad confesses, "You should go get those packet things and look them over." I nod and go back to the kitchen. I take my letter and continue reading.

Arithmancy
Learn the magical properties of numbers, including predicting the future with numbers and numerology. Taught by Professor Septima Vector.
Care of Magical Creatures
In this class learn about a wide range of magical creatures. Students are taught about feeing, maintaining, breeding, and proper treatment. Taught by Professor Kettleburn
Divination
Students are taught methods of divining the future, or gathering insights into future events, through various rituals and tools. Taught by Sybill Trelawney.
Muggle Studies
Learn how to live without magic. Use electricity, technology, and science! Taught by Professor Charity Burbage.

"What should I take, Mum?" I ask, as she walks through the kitchen.
"Arithmancy was one of favorites!" she answers, pulling out pancake mix.
"It looks interesting.. but so does Care of Magical Creature and Muggle Studies!" Mum laughs and rubs my hair.
"If you have any questions about muggles and how they live, just ask me.. I did live like one for eleven years. Take Care of Magical Creatures, flower."
"Okay, thank you, Mum." She nods.
"You need to write Professor McGonagall back then, Goldie."
"I'll go get some parchment then." I go up to my room and take out a quill, some ink, and a piece of parchment.

Dear Professor McGonagall,
Thank you for the wonderful opportunity. I would like to take Arithmancy and Care of Magical Creatures. I cannot wait for the next term.
Sincerely,
Marigold Potter

I tie up the parchment and seal it. I go and find the family owl. I tie it to its leg.
"Hogwarts please, Roman!" I tell it. The owl blinks and then flies out of the window. I go back to the kitchen, where Ara and Evie are helping Mum make breakfast.
"You know what we should do, Golds.. Ara?"
"What?" I ask, getting out plates and silverware.
"We should have all the girls over," Mum says, "Harry's going to spend sometime at the Burrow next week, so if you'd like we could have the girls over here." I look to Ara.
"That would be fun!" Ara says, "we should do that!" I nod and start setting the table.
"Who all do you want to invite?" Mum asks, "I'll owl their parents."
"Ginny, Heather, Rachel, and Luna?" I ask, "Hermione will probably be hanging out with Ron and Harry." Mum nods.
"But Heather and Rachel are both muggles," Ara cuts in, "I don't know if you should owl them."
"One of you could owl them and they could talk to their parents then," Mum offers, "we'll get a hold of them one way or another."
"I cannot wait to meet the rest of your friends!" Evie exclaims, "Ara and Ginny are both amazing!" Ara giggles.
"You cannot bother them while they are here, Everlyn," Mum scolds, "When you have friends over you won't want Goldie constantly in your business."
"Okay, fine." Evie says sadly.
"We'll find something to do with you, Evie," Ara offers, "You won't get to bored, I'm sure." Evie smiles and goes and sits down at the table.
"Goldie, can you go get your brother?"
"Sure." I go upstairs to Harry's room.
"Harry! It's time for breakfast!"
"I'll be down in a minute, Mum." I gasp.
"Not Mum!" I shout at him. I go back downstairs and get started on my breakfast.

After breakfast I start working on a letter to Heather.

Dear Heather,
I was wondering if you would like to come over to my house next week. Obviously you have to ask your parents, but it will be a lot of fun!

A/N: This will be the end of this book, but I am planning to have a sequel start up soon. It is called What if: Part 2!