𝖲𝗂𝗅𝖾𝗇𝗍 𝗏𝗈𝗂𝖼𝖾𝗌|~𝒟.𝑀

6

I glanced at my mum, who seemed too shocked to speak, and then back at the old man. "Who are you?" I asked, my voice trembling slightly but I held a stern face.

The old man smiled kindly, his eyes twinkling behind his half-moon pupils. "I am Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. And this," he gestured to the hairy 'dog' like man next to him, who mind you was the size of a GIANT. "He is Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of keys and Grounds at Hogwarts."

Hagrid gave a small wave, his massive hand almost comically large. "Pleasure to meet yeh!" he said , his voice deep and rumbly. A smile pulled at his lips.

Staring back at fourth at all of them in front of me, I was confused about Hogwarts? Father told me that was all a joke? No way this is real..magic isn't real there is no way. I shook my head at them with wide eyes

I blinked, trying to still process what I was hearing. "Witchcraft and Wizardry?" I echoed. "You mean...magic?"

The old man stifled a laugh at my flusteredness, Hagrid let out a simple "ahh, quite shocking eh?" he laughed. I looked at mum who looked like she was going to barf everywhere, father just stood there shooting me daggers..he looked like he hated me?

I heard a gasp from behind me and when I turned to look I saw Aspen standing at the end of the stairs gawping at Hagrid. His jaw practically on the floor. "Ah! I've met you before!" Hagrid said joyfully as he looked at Aspen. Turning to Look at Aspen as a huge smile tugged at his lips. "Kasseya! This is the man-dog I told you about!" Aspen squealed as he ran over to my side.

"Dog? Where?" Hagrid looked around the room for the "dog" Aspen was talking about. "Er-" Aspen looked at me as embarrassment flustered over his face, "I ain't no dog!" Hagrid looked shocked "I may have some hair but aint no where near a dog!" Hagrid smiled "amazing creatures they are! You should meet me dog fang he-" Dumbledore cut him off as he cleared his throat.

"If you don't mind I'd like to continue" he nodded as he shot a friendly look. Hagrid nodded, and so he continued, "Well Mrs Clark, indeed yes. And it appears you have been invited to attend our school" he glanced around the room at all the scattered letters everywhere. "Seems the owls have given you your message" he smiled at me,

"Bloody things wouldn't leave! All because of this freak!" Father spat as he pointed at me. Mother hit him trying to shush him up. My shoulders slumped slightly as hurt washed over me due to fathers words, but it quickly washed away after Dumbledore began to speak.

"You are a witch," Dumbledore said. The room fell quiet, no one spoke. A lump began to build up in my throat as I was shocked. A witch? What? There is no way? Magic isn't real. I felt the eggs I ate a few hours before began to make their way up my throat as this information began to finally set in.

My Mind raced. Magic? Witches? Hogwarts? It all sounded like something out of a fairytale. But the serious expressions on their faces told me this was no joke. Mother let a slight choke out as he said these words. Father stood there with the most vile look wearing his face.

"I knew it!" Aspen yelled "My sister is a witch! A cool witch!" Aspen squealed, he seemed to be the only one in the room who was very pleased by this information. He tugged at the hem of my shirt drawing my attention off of the old man and over to him. "Kasseya, this is so cool!" He smiled. I licked my lips, my tongue sticking to them slightly from the lack of moisture. Aspen could sense my nerves as he held his comforting smile at me. He squeezed my hand "it's okay kas! remember, you promised we would be okay" he whispered to me as his eyes glistened with joy.

I drew my attention back to the old man in front of me. "But..how?" I stammered. "Why me?"

He pulled his lips into a thin line as Hagrid cleared his throat and scratched his long beard uncomfortably. Dumbledore looked between mother and father as he raised a brow and mother shook her head 'no' quickly at him. This is confusing, what's going on?

Turning his attention back to me he smiled. "Because, my dear, you possess a very special gift. One that we would like to help you nurture and develop. If you choose to accept, you will learn many wonderful things at Hogwarts."

My face pale, I was so shocked from all this sudden information. Not even a few weeks ago father was yelling at me saying this was all a joke and now, the headmaster for this so called "prank" of a school was standing in front of me. I looked at my parents, searching their faces for some kind of reassurance. My father let a loud annoyed scoff at as he shook his head,and my mother wouldn't make eye contact through her teary-eyes.

"Yes! Yes she would!" Aspen shouted as he walked in front of me toward Dumbledore. I couldn't speak, the moisture from my mouth was running dry, nothing was coming out of my mouth as I tried to speak. "My sister would love to attend your school" aspen smiled as he turned to me "asp-" he cut me off as he gave me that same smile he gave Dumbledore

"Kas. You promised me everything would be okay, and now I'm promising you it's going to be okay! You are a witch! And you need to attend classes so you can teach me and I can be just as good as you!" He jumped up and down. I felt tears fill my eyes, I am scared. This was all so much information. But Aspen was right. I promised everything was going to be okay. And it will be.

Taking a deep breath, I looked back at Dumbledore. "Okay," I said, my voice steadier now. "I will go to Hogwarts."

'Excellent," Dumbledore said, clapping his hands together. "We shall make all the necessary arrangements. Welcome to the wizarding world, Mrs Clark."