HALF HOPE, HALF AGONY

Chapter-1

My house-elf, Iggy woke me up at 6 in the morning on the day of my 11th birthday. At 6 in the morning. I wished him a good morning as politely as I could when I wake up too early in the morning.

"Iggy have prepared the favourite breakfast, for Miss Avery. You dress up, then Iggy serves breakfast in the hall."

I get up groggily but with some excitement. For it is my eleventh birthday today. And also, I am going to get my Hogwarts letter today. I bathe quickly, in hopes of a delicious full English breakfast. Dressed in a paisley morning gown with floral motifs, I take my place at the breakfast table. My mother is there, demure as ever in her yellow calling gown with pearls in her dress, on her neck and hands and her luscious brown locks. There is my father as well, with his blonde hair combed to perfection, and his morning looking like it has withstood pressing for seven hours straight.  He gives me a stiff nod. I remove the childish smile from my face, for, according to my mother, it is not at all ladylike. I have never understood her obsession with being a proper lady.

Iggy, and her elfin sister, Killy, serve breakfast. They did not exactly prepare an English breakfast, but I still adored every item with all my heart. Sardines fried in butter, bread with sconceberry jam, boiled eggs, and many such dishes were arranged in a mouthwatering manner. I could not control my hunger.

"Urania, my dear, you belong to a noble family. Learn to control your appetite, until before we say the grace. You are growing too fat. I will ask Elizabeth to tighten your corset a little more. That way, you will appear a little like my honourable cousin, Lady Alice Patterson." snobbishness dripped from every word that my other spoke.

I spoke with caution, for my father was there, and my tongue must not run away in front of him.

"Yes, Mother." I gritted my teeth.

The butler, Mr. McCormick, brought the letters that came in the owlery. For the first time in my life, he brought the tray to me.

In my manicured hands, I saw the envelope, that is supposed to be an acceptance letter, from Hogwarts.

I excuse myself from the dining room and go to the parlour. With the letter opener that lay on the receiving table, I open the envelope with trembling hands.

There, in dark green ink, we're written the words, saying that I, Miss Urania Emilia Avery, was accepted to Hogwarts.

I nearly flew to the dining room, calming my gait with difficulty and patience in the very depths of my soul. 

After settling myself on the curved back chair, I showed my parents the letter. With a small flick, a smile was seen for a moment on my mother's face, while Father showed no emotion. He was determined to be the ultimate Stoic.

Then came the clearcut instructions in the chilly, sharp voice, that seemed to be ingrained into the very soul of the man.

"We are to go to Diagon Alley on the 27th of September, to collect your books, parchment, quills, dresses and of course, your wand, and other essentials that you may require, but I could not do without."

I tried to roll my eyes discreetly. But, as ladies were first obedient daughters, I murmured a soft yes.