A Spark of Magic - Year One (Magical Hybrid)

The Girl Who Lived

Ember wandered alongside Hagrid as they walked along the streets of London, her eyes on the letter in her hands. She must've read it at least 20 times since the man had given it to her. She couldn't help it, this was the first piece of evidence that she actually belonged somewhere. "All students must be equipped with...one standard size two pewter cauldron and may bring if they desire either an owl, a cat or a toad", she read aloud "Could we find all this in London?" she asked, glancing up at him.

"If you know where to go", Hagrid answered. The pair reached a corner store where the ginger noticed the sign change to say The Leaky Caldron. The two of them stepped into the building. Ember noted that it appeared to be some kind of pub, presumably for their kind.

"Ah, Hagrid! The usual, I presume?" Tom the barkeeper said when he noticed them enter.

"No thanks, Tom. I'm on official Hogwarts business today. Just helping young Ember here buy her school supplies", Hagrid said patting the 11 year old on the shoulder. What Tom said next surprised the ginger very much.

"Bless my soul. It's Ember Potter". At those words the entire pub goes silent, everybody turning to look at the girl. Ember shifted on the spot, feeling rather uncomfortable with the attention.

"Welcome back, Miss Potter, welcome back", one man said coming up to her and shook her hand.

An elderly witch stepped up and shook Ember's hand as well "Doris Crockford, Miss Potter. I can't believe I'm meeting you at last".

"Uh nice to meet you too?" Ember said, it coming out more of a question. She didn't understand how everyone seemed to know her name and why they were reacting the way that they were. As if she was famous or something. The girl mentally scoffed. Her? Famous? Yeah right! The elderly witch beamed at her words.

"She spoke to me!" she said, somewhat giddily as she walked off. Ember watched her go, not quite sure what to make off all of it.

"Ember P-potter. C-can't tell you how pleased I am to meet you", a man wearing long black robes and a purple turban stammered after she and Hagrid made their way to the bar.

"Hello, Professor. I didn't see you there", Hagrid said recognising the man as Professor Quirrell. He proceeded to inform Ember that this wizard was going to be teaching her Defense against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts. The girl looked the nervous wizard over, there was something about him that made her feel very uneasy. She didn't know why but it was like there was something...dark about him.

"F-fearfully fascinating subject. N-not that you need it, e-eh, Potter?" Quirrell stammered laughing nervously.

"Yes, well, must be going now. Lots to buy", Hagrid announced rather loudly and led Ember through the pub and out the back to a brick wall. "See, Ember, you're famous", he told the girl pulling out his pink umbrella.

"But why am I famous, Hagrid? All those people back there, how is it they know who I am?" Ember asked. What could she have possibly done to make herself famous in the wizarding world? It couldn't have been anything while she was living with the Dursleys so it had to be something before that point. But what could she have possibly done as a baby that made her famous, that made people remember her name?

"I'm not exactly sure I'm the right person to tell you that, Ember", Hagrid said. It was true. He wasn't the best person to tell Ember about what happened on that Halloween night all those years ago. Professor Dumbledore was better suited to explain. There were a few things actually that he was in a better postion to tell her about.

He tapped the bricks on the wall in a sequence. Once he tapped the final brick, they start to shift and open up to reveal a busy cobble stone street. "Welcome, Ember, to Diagon Alley".