The Princess Witch - 1st book

Chapter II: The Revelation

Nearly ten years had passed since the Potters had taken Talia under their wing and raised her as their own, since the murder that the Potters and Dumbledore had covered up with a storm that had swept them out to sea.
She had almost no memory of her parents and no idea what they looked like, but every time she looked at the photo on her necklace, she had a very vague image of them. She remembered almost nothing about her parents. Her aunt and uncle used to talk about them, but whenever Talia asked about the circumstances of their deaths, James and Lily would give the wrong answer.
For ten years, James and Lily had taught Talia and Harry everything they knew about magic, riding on a broom: Lily had set up a magical barrier to prevent Talia and Harry from going too far with their brooms and being seen by Muggles.
From time to time, the Potter family and Talia went to London to do some shopping, as Muggles do when they go to Harrods or Hamley. When Talia went to Harrods or Hamley's, some of the people she met seemed to recognise her and she couldn't understand why. They also went to the Blacks' house at 12 Grimmaurd Square to visit Sirius, Harry's godfather, and to see the cousins' best friend, Enola Black, Sirius' cousin. Enola's parents were ambassadors to the Kingdom of Bhutan and, not wanting to take her with them, Sirius had become her legal guardian.
The two cousins celebrated their birthdays almost at the same time because they were born just six days apart: Talia was born on 25 July 1980 and Harry on 31 July of the same year. On each of Talia's birthdays, a present from a stranger was always placed at the top of the pile of presents and the mystery gift was always something that belonged to Maxon or Mary, her parents, so that she would remember them.
On 25 July 1991, Talia's eleventh birthday, she hadn't slept a wink because she knew she was about to receive her letter of admission to Hogwarts School, the best wizarding school of all time (and in the world), and also the place where her parents met. Talia looked around and saw that her alarm clock showed nine o'clock: it was time for her to go down to the dining room to eat the delicious breakfast that the house elves (who are obviously well paid and have holidays) had prepared for the occasion. Talia got out of bed, put on her slippers and dressing gown and made her way downstairs to the dining room door. She heard an unfamiliar voice chatting to her aunt and uncle. Harry joined her just behind and they both opened the door and the three adults began to sing:
-Happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday Talia.
-Happy birthday, my darling cousin," said Harry, giving his cousin a big hug.
The two sat down next to each other and saw two envelopes on their plates. The envelopes were of a yellowed parchment, and on the one in Talia's place was written in emerald green ink:
"Ms T. Winchester, Second Floor Room, East Wing, Potter Manor, Godric Hollow, Cornwall". Talia looked around and saw a wise old man saying:
-Hello Talia, I'm Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School.
-I know you are! I saw your portrait in the Wizarding Gazette the other night! You're much better looking in person!
Dumbledore looked annoyed at Lily and James.
-Is she always like that?
Lily and James shrugged their shoulders. Dumbledore turned back to the two children:
-Do you know why I'm here today?
The two nodded in relief.
-For several reasons. Firstly, what you have in front of you are your admission letters to Hogwarts School. I would be delighted to see you during your year at this magnificent school. Normally, I send them by owl, but I wanted to give them to you in person, as I have something to reveal to you, especially you, Talia.
Talia looked at Dumbledore and her aunt and uncle in surprise. Dumbledore also looked at James, who nodded that he should be the one to reveal the secret. He took a deep breath and said:
-What I'm about to tell you will literally change the way you see the wizarding world. You're not just a witch, Talia, you're a powerful witch and, above all, a princess.
Talia, totally confused, asked:
-A princess? You mean like the Queen of England for Muggles?
-Yes, I do. You're the daughter of Maxon Winchester, son of King Clarkson. Your father was disinherited by your grandfather because he married a Muggle-born witch, your mother. Your parents were murdered by a black mage who has also disappeared, but whom we believe will soon return to complete his mission.
Talia glared at her aunt and uncle and shouted: -And you knew about this? Why did I only find out today? You could have told me from the start!-We knew!" said James. But we didn't know how to tell you. We were also surprised when Dumbledore told us the same night your parents died. We considered many ways of telling you, but Dumbledore asked us not to tell you the truth until you received your letter from Hogwarts.
Talia suddenly realised that the people she loved most in the world had kept a terrible secret from her.
-How did my parents really die?" asked Talia, "I want to hear the truth, not the usual version
-Your parents were murdered by a very powerful Black Mage who wants to rule our world. He disappeared just after his spell ricocheted off the necklace you're wearing, which I hung around your neck the night I first saw you.
-We think he's going to come back from the dead to finish what he started," says James. That's why we kept the truth from you. So that the followers of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named don't find out where you are and try to hasten his return by killing you.
-I can understand that. But why didn't you do this to me before? You know I can keep a secret. By the way, what's the name of this mysterious Dark Mage, or as you call him Uncle James, He-Whose-Name-Who-Must-Not-Be-Spoken?Dumbledore took a deep breath:
-His name is Voldemort. I wish you never to speak his name, for it is cursed. That's why he's called He-Whose-Name-Shall-Not-Be-Spoken or You-Know-Who or Black Mage. But let's change the subject. Open the letter in front of you. You'll be pleased.Talia and Harry opened the envelopes and Talia read the contents of her letter:
HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus DumbledoreCommander of the Grand Order of Merlin, Doctor of Witchcraft, Chief Enchanter, Supreme Ruler of the International Confederation of Wizards and Wizards
Dear Miss Winchester,We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
The new school year starts on 1 September, so we expect your owl by 31 July at the latest.
Please ensure that careful attention is paid to the attached list of requirements.
We look forward to welcoming you to the next generation of Hogwarts heritage.
Yours sincerely
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress

Harry and Talia look at each other and are so happy to be going to Hogwarts together. They'll always be together, as close as brothers and sisters. They especially hope to be in the same house. Uncle James and Aunt Lily had told them so much about studying at Hogwarts that they already knew almost everything about the school. -So are you happy?" asked Lily.
-We're so excited, Mum," said Harry. We can't wait to get there. You and Dad have told us so much about this place. We're so happy to be going. But where can we buy all our school supplies?
-There's only one place in London where you can buy school supplies. It's Diagon Alley. We'll go there tomorrow if you like," says Lily.
-Before I leave to prepare for the new school year. James, I need you to go to Gringotts and get something for me. All the instructions are in this letter," said Dumbledore, handing a letter to James. I'll say goodbye to you all and see you soon, Harry and Talia. I look forward to seeing you again when the houses are allocated at the start of the new term.
Dumbledore suddenly disappeared.
-Does he always disappear like that?" asked Harry.
-Yes, and it always comes as a surprise, dear," said James.
He turned back to Talia.:
-Are you all right? You haven't eaten a single morsel of the delicious cake that Nori and Oak baked for you.
-I've lost my appetite ever since a wise old man who knows many things taught me the truth about my existence and my future. And ever since the people who brought me up and cherished me as their own lied to me.
-We haven't lied to you, we've protected you, and you know it's for your own good," replied Lily. Talia got up in frustration, left the dining room in a huff, climbed the stairs and slammed her bedroom door.