Crystal the Half-Ghost Witch

Chapter 4

Crystal spent the next few years in a routine. Each morning, she would get up, make breakfast, and sneak a few bites when she wasn't being watched. Then she'd get ready and walk to school while Dudley was driven by Aunt Petunia. After school, she and Dudley would sit down and do their homework, with Crystal helping him with anything he didn't understand.

Once homework was done, she would tackle her chores. She weeded the garden whenever the weather permitted, washed her hands, then dusted and vacuumed the house. Once a week, she painted the shed and fence, and three times a week, she cleaned the cars. Uncle Vernon's recent purchase of a second car meant even more work for her.

After completing her chores, she would make dinner before being locked into her cupboard for the night. At least, that's what the adult Dursleys thought.

She would wait in silence until she heard her uncle's snoring before using her powers to sneak out of her cupboard and steal a decent meal. Then she'd patrol the area, stopping any crime she encountered.

After a night of crime-fighting, she would sneak back into her cupboard to sleep. Thanks to being a half-ghost, she didn't need as much sleep as a normal human, though she still required some rest.

Weekends were a bit different. She would wake up, make breakfast, and then start her chores. Once her chores were completed, she was allowed to leave the house and roam the area, which gave her time to train her powers.

During this time, she also kept in touch with her three friends. Danny had finally told his parents about being a half-ghost not long ago, and they accepted him, despite performing a few blood tests to ensure nothing was wrong. They were shocked that Danny had hidden this for five years and only revealed it when he was nineteen.

Danny had also found a way to help Crystal train. After meeting Frostbite of the Far Frozen and discovering a map, he realized he could use it to travel to England to train her. He visited as often as he could, roughly once every few months, balancing his time between ghost attacks, school, and homework while avoiding Vlad's suspicion.

It had been several years since she became a half-ghost, and in a little over a month, she would turn eleven. Today was Dudley's birthday, and she wanted to make it special for her older cousin. He had become a good person over the last five years, showing protection and kindness despite knowing she could take care of herself. He snuck her extra food and ensured she wasn't bullied by other kids.

Since she couldn't get him a gift, she made sure his birthday breakfast and dinner were perfect. The family was going to the zoo today because Dudley had broken Mrs. Figg's leg, so Crystal could join them instead of being babysat by her.

Crystal had told Dudley not to hurt people for her sake, but she hugged him nonetheless. She smiled as she set his plate of bacon, eggs, and toast in front of him. "Happy birthday, Dudley."

"Thanks, Crystal."

She sat down on the uncomfortable wooden chair that the Dursleys made her use. It was nothing like their cushioned chairs, but she didn't mind, even if it gave her splinters sometimes. At least they let her sit in a chair instead of standing.

Petunia gave her a slice of toast and one strip of bacon for breakfast before returning to her own meal. Crystal ate slowly, waiting for everyone to finish breakfast so Dudley could open his presents.

After ten minutes, Dudley began opening his gifts, which included a blue and black racing bike, a video camera, and a remote-controlled yellow airplane. Crystal was puzzled by the video camera, as Dudley had never shown interest in recording things. They also got him sixteen new computer games and a new VCR with a few movies. He was in the middle of unwrapping a gold wristwatch when Petunia returned.