Till the Last Petal Falls / Marcus Flint

0.8 - Magic in the Mail

Dahlia paced nervously in the sitting room of Aveline Manor, the afternoon sun filtering through the large windows and casting patterns on the polished wooden floor. Beside her, Dudley sat fidgeting with his quill, his eyes flicking between the stack of parchments on the table and the crackling fireplace. Today was a day they had both been waiting for with a mixture of anticipation and nervousness. Everybody knew the letter could be either an acceptance or quite nothing for Dudley. Dahlia could see a cream colored letter in the pile too, it meant Harry got his letter on the same day too.

Vernon and Petunia Dursley sat nearby on plush armchairs. Vernon was hopeful while Petunia looked stern again. All summer she had been spending more time at Privet Drive than at the manor, standing out of the manor as much as possible and returning for the 'letter day' as Dahlia called it, playing with her nerves. And now, they were sitting on the couch, eyeing the letters house elves brought in at ten o'clock, it was ten twenty-five right now.

"Dudley," Dahlia finally broke the tense silence, her voice cautious, "I think you should check your letter."

Vernon cleared his throat, drawing their attention. "Whatever happens, remember we're proud of both of you," he skipped saying he was proud of Harry too, but that was expected. Despite warming up to him, Harry was still an outsider in her parents' eyes. 

Petunia nodded, her eyes softening as she looked at her children. "You've both grown into remarkable young people," she added quietly, Dahlia appreciated it for she saw how it bothered her mother to say that, still unlike her father Petunia managed a nod towards Harry.

Finally, Dahlia walked forward, grabbed the three letters on the coffee table, and distributed them. "Open them," she urged the boys, barely able to contain her anticipation.

Dudley and Harry exchanged a nervous glance before carefully unfolding their letters. Dahlia watched anxiously as Dudley's eyes scanned the elegant script, his expression shifting from curiosity to wonder.

"Dear Mr. Dudley Dursley," he read aloud, his voice shaky with emotion, "We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Beauxbatons Academy of Magic..."

Dahlia squealed, laughing loudly as she tackled Dudley in a hug, kissing him countless times. Beside him, Harry's letter carried a similar message, and Dahlia couldn't help but feel nervous for him. She had a conversation about his parents with him a few weeks ago. She didn't know how well Harry could cope with being famous for such a tragic incident but she would be there every step of the way. She asked him to read his letter out too. Harry's hands shook slightly as he read the letter aloud:

"Dear Mr. Harry James Potter,

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

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

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress"

Harry looked up, his eyes wide with disbelief. "Hogwarts," he breathed, his voice barely above a whisper. "Just as you said, Dahlia."

Dahlia rushed forward, enveloping  Harry in a tight embrace. "I knew you could do it," she said fiercely, her voice choked with emotion. "We will have so much fun!" 

***

Dahlia took both Harry and Dudley to the Diagon Alley for their school shopping. Sophie came to help and get her things too. Despite seeing each other for a while over the summer holiday, Dahlia discovered that she still deeply missed the girl. The friends hugged, talked about Sophie's new, shorter hair, and finally started taking the boys to shops. While shopping Dahlia noticed Hogwarts and Beauxtbatons required different things and she had to search the alley for a couple of times to find what Harry needed. Normally, Harry's school would send someone to help him but since he was under the protection of House Aveline and Dahlia knew her way around the magical world by now, they decided not to send anyone for shopping day. They were going to send someone named Rubeus Hagrid to take Harry to Kings Cross Station on September 1, though.