Being Different

ONE - The Knight Bus

“I have made some amazing friends over the last two years. Friends that have saved my neck quite a few times”

-        Jennifer Parker

                 “Are you sure you want to return this year?” my adoptive mother lay a warm hand onto my shoulder as I kept reading the list of new books I would have to buy for this year, but having to start over and over again as the memories of last year precluded me to concentrate. “Your father and I would really prefer you not to, after what happened last year” she mumbled and sat down on my bed as I let the letter fall to my desk with a sigh.

I could understand they concern, after all I still couldn’t get rid of the nightmares forcing me to live through the horrible happenings from last year over and over again.  I could never forget that voice, that still sent shivers down my spine whenever I thought of it.

                  “But where else should I go. Jane?” I asked her with a frown.

She bit her lip and looked out of the window at the grey, cloudy sky.

                  “I don’t want to go to a normal school, Hogwarts is the best school for people with magical abilities” I explained to her. “And besides, many people say that it’s the saves place with Dumbledore as headmaster”

 Amusement spread across her face as she turned her head back to me. “All right, alright darling” she laughed as she ran her hand over my blonde hair. “Your father and I are just worried, with all the bullying you’ve told us about” her brown eyes studied me cautiously, ready to detect the slightest sign of pain on my face.

                  “I’m getting used to it actually” I grinned at her. “Besides I have made some amazing friends over the last two years”

She nudged me in the side playfully. “Friends that always get you in trouble huh?” she smiled knowingly.

                  “Friends that have saved my neck quite a few times” I corrected her.

                  “I’d prefer it if that weren’t necessary” she sighed.

I took her hand in mine. “I’ll promise I’ll take care of myself” I said seriously.

She smiled and pulled me into her arms. “Oh darling we are so proud of you” she whispered and planted a soft kiss on the top of my head.

A strange, high-pitched scream caused us to separate instantly.

                  “What was that?” Jane frowned.

I stood up and leaned over my desk to have a better look out of the window. “Sounded like it came from across the street” I mumbled, not yet spotting anything suspicious though. 

                  “Oh dear” Jane ran a hand through her short chocolate brown hair.  “It’s that poor boy again isn’t it? What has he done this-“

She was interrupted by my sudden outburst of laughter as I almost collapsed on the table I was leaning on at the scene I was witnessing. An abnormally large woman was floating towards the sky like a helium-inflated balloon, as her shrill screams faded slowly as she rose higher and higher. A second later Jane joined me in laughing as we watched the strange round lady being tossed around in the wind. I stopped as I saw the door of the house across the street been pulled open and a boy my age hurrying out on the street as he pulled a large trunk behind him, his wand still in his hand.

                  “Oh what has he done now” I sighed as my adoptive mother finally pulled her eyes off the balloon-lady and noticed the boy as well. “I got to go” I mumbled picking my wand from my desk and hurrying out of my room.