OMINISxMC 𝒊 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒎𝒚 𝒏𝒂𝒎𝒆

Chapter 1: The Mirror of Erised

Dear Miss Euphemia Black,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of...

Euphemia frowned at the letter in her fist, crumpling it slightly. It was a joke, right? It had to be.

A loud crack! sounded outside the house and she jumped, scrambling to the front window to peek through the curtains. It was late in the evening, and long shadows hid between pools of light from the streetlamps. There was nothing out of the ordinary as far as she could see. She took a deep breath and sat back down, relieved but somehow disappointed that nothing had happened. Just as her heart began to settle there was a sharp knock at the door and she leapt up, sliding on sock-feet through the hall to peer through the peep-hole. An elderly woman stood there in a tartan coat. She had a rather severe look on her face.

Euphemia opened the door, still clutching the letter in her hand. "Um, hello?"

The woman smiled, and the knot in Euphemia's stomach loosened just a bit. "Good evening, Miss Black. My name is Professor Minerva McGonagall. May I come inside?"

Euphemia glanced behind herself. The house was empty, though she had no idea how long it might stay that way. David and Carole would be back soon—how would she explain an old woman in the sitting room, dressed as though she were starring in some period drama on the BBC?

"Of course, come in," she answered anyway, ushering the woman through the narrow hall and into the sitting room. "Can I, er, offer you tea?"

Professor McGonagall shook her head. "I'll take care of the tea. Have a seat, dear."

She pulled a long, narrow stick of polished wood from inside her coat pocket and waved it over the side table. A teapot appeared, steaming heartily alongside two delicate porcelain cups.

Euphemia stared, confused. She couldn't possibly have just witnessed—

Professor McGonagall offered her a cup. "I gather you were rather shocked by the contents of that letter. I do apologise for not delivering it in person—there were extenuating circumstances. You must be wondering what on earth I am doing in your sitting room and how I've managed to conjure tea service out of thin air. I am a witch, as are you, and I am here to invite you to attend a private school for witches and wizards and answer any questions you may have."

She sat herself in the armchair and sipped her teacup, looking at Euphemia expectantly.

Euphemia simply gaped at her.

"No rush, dear. I am ready when you are."

Euphemia snorted. "Very funny," she said, rolling her eyes.

"I assure you I am not aiming for humorous, though I daresay I have my moments."

"Who put you up to this?" That was the real mystery. Euphemia didn't even know anyone around here—she had a handful of schoolmates who hardly cared about her enough to attempt something like this, and a pair of state-appointed guardians so bland they'd probably never even heard of a prank.

Professor McGonagall appeared to consider something for a moment, then thought better of it, soldiering on as if Euphemia hadn't spoken. "We have the ability to use magic, though you'll find that you must be taught how to use it safely and correctly. This is where the school comes in, of course."

"I haven't got the money to pay for school. I'm an—" she cut off the end of her sentence, not wanting to sound pathetic. "I just haven't got any money."

"You needn't worry about that. Hogwarts accepts students regardless of their means, and there is a school fund for those who cannot afford to buy their supplies. You may have to make do with second-hand things, but you'll find there are many other students who do the same."