How To Be Brave - Volume I

Chapter II - 11th Birthday

Jen stayed over. Dad was bad tonight, screaming and threatening both of us. In the end, Jen calmed him down and gave him sleeping pills so he would get a decent night's sleep, and we sat downstairs in the kitchen talking about our dreams until early with the street light creeping through the shutters.

Jen told me about her daughters and how I reminded her of them, which made me happy. They seemed like lovely children, and I hoped I would meet them one day. She also told me of her husband and of how they met and the moment when she realised she loved him. The way she talked about him was beautiful, she looked so secure and patient, and she laughed at his quirks and told me about all the annoying things he does. We talked about lots of things and when we realised the time we welcomed in my birthday with 4am cake and hot chocolate and then fell asleep half way through Alice Through The Looking Glass, where she was just meeting Humpty Dumpty. I couldn't have wished for a better beginning of what was hopefully my best year yet.

Jen managed to get my father downstairs for a full English breakfast, and though I felt guilty she wasn't with her family that morning like she was meant to be, I was so happy I felt like if I lifted my feet from the floor I would just float away with pure contentment. There obviously wasn't any presents, and my father cried a bit, but it was special because we were celebrating me and my birthday. It felt honesty nice to be centre of attention, though I felt a little awkward with everyone fussing about me.

It was at four o'clock when the letter arrived. Me and Jen were sitting on the floor playing monopoly as my father watched from where he sat on the sofa, when the clatter of the letter box sounded. I rushed to see what it was, since post wasn't something we got very much. I paused as I took in the thick paper and red seal, marvelling at how smart it looked. I carried it into the living room like a trophy, showing off the fact I had a letter, that was addressed to me, and only me.

"Ooh, what's this?" Jen beamed, patting the spot next to her, gesturing for me to sit there. I obeyed, and began to carefully open the envelope, trying not to break the wax seal or rip the paper.

I glanced up at my dad, faltering as I saw his mouth twitch slightly into a weak, sad smile, his eyes glistening. Panic rose in my chest as I pulled the letter from the package.

"Read it out loud then," Jen prompted, after a minute of me staring at the paper, not really taking in the words.

"Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry," I began, furrowing my brow, "Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore, (Order of Merlin..." I trailed off, forgetting to read out loud. "What is this?" I looked around for help, but no one seemed to want to explain.

"Go on," Jen urged.

"Dear Ms Peters, 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 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July. Yours sincerely, Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress." My head shot up to look at my dad in confusion, but he just nodded. "Dad? Is this the.. Letter you said I might get?" Nod. "Is.. Ah, is it real?"

There was a pause and then a croaky reply of "yes, it's very much real. You're a witch, Clara."

Jen looked slightly bemused, and I turned to her, noticing the lack of shock on her face. "Are you a witch? Like both of you?"

My dad looked me square in the eyes, "I'm a wizard and I went to Hogwarts too. Jen, she's a witch, however she went to a different school."

My eyes grew wide, "a different one? You mean, there's lots of.. Wizards? And witches?"

My dad's eyes glazed over again, his shoulders sagging, and Jen placed her hand on my shoulder, "there's quite a lot, actually. I went to a school called Beauxbatons, which is in the Pyrenees. Anyway, what about a shopping trip?"