Crystal the Half-Ghost Witch

Chapter 5

A month had passed since that day at the zoo, and soon enough, it was almost Crystal's birthday. She had just finished making breakfast and was planning what to do with the rest of the day. For some reason, the Dursleys always gave her the week off for her birthday. She wasn't complaining, but it was a bit confusing—she wasn't going to lie.

Dudley hadn't had to do anything to get her the week off; the Dursleys had always given her the week off, even before she and Dudley started getting along.

After finishing cooking, she sat down to eat her small breakfast with her aunt, uncle, and cousin. She was halfway done with her plate when the mail slot opened and closed—a clear sign that they had just received some mail.

"Go get the mail, girl," her aunt said with narrowed eyes. She always looked at Crystal like she was something disgusting she had to walk by. There was always a weird look in her eyes that Crystal couldn't quite place.

It looked like jealousy mixed with guilt and hatred, but Crystal knew for a fact that her aunt didn't know about her ghost powers, so why in the ghost zone would her aunt be jealous? She doubted her aunt felt guilt for the way she had been treating her only niece either, but Crystal understood the hatred. Her aunt despised her, probably more than even Uncle Vernon.

Getting up, she went to the hallway and picked up the letters that were scattered on the ground. She started sorting them quickly. She always did this when there was mail: putting letters on top and bills on the bottom.

Bill, Bill, Letter from Aunt Marge, Bill, Bill, Letter to Crystal.

She paused and looked again. A letter addressed to her? Who would be writing to her? She had never received a letter before. She quickly glanced around, and as she passed her cupboard, she phased the letter through the door. She knew if she took the letter with her into the kitchen, her aunt and uncle would snatch it away, and she would never get to read it or find out who was writing to her.

Crystal waited until nightfall, when her aunt and uncle had gone to sleep, before pulling the letter out and reading it.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore

(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorcerer, Chief Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confederation of Wizards)

Dear Ms. Potter,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Enclosed is a list of all the necessary books and equipment.

The term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

What the heck? What did they mean by witchcraft and wizardry? Did Crystal have magic? She didn't find that as surprising as she would have years ago; she had seen and done a lot weirder things than discovering she was magical. After all, she was half-human and half-ghost. Learning that magic was real and that she was a witch wasn't that surprising.

She quickly skimmed the supply list, wondering where she would buy these things. It wasn't like she could walk into a bookstore and pick up magical supplies.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY

UNIFORM