Unexpected

Chapter 5

"What?" I was confused. Seriously confused.

Rose, Lily, Teddy and Jamie were grinning hugely. Harry walked in and sat a barn owl carrying a letter down on Lily's shoulder. It saw me and flew over, "What?" I repeated dumbly.

"It's brought you a letter Clara, take it." Hermione instructed.

I hardened my features. This was mean of them. Very mean. I took the letter from the owl and it flew out the still-open window Rose's owl had used.

"Read it Clara, go on." Lily still looked ecstatic.

"Guys this isn't- I don't-" my hands fumbled as I turned over the letter. The back boasted the Hogwarts seal, but the front read 'Clara Adams, The Weasley's Kitchen, Godric's Hollow'. They'd been thorough with their letter. I couldn't get over how mean it was of them to do this. They must've known how hard it would be for me to accept them leaving, this was just taunting me.

"Open the letter Clara." Ron was almost laughing. I used to like him.

I opened the letter and proceeded to read it out, "'Dear Miss Adams, We are pleased to inform you that you have a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of necessary books and equipment. Term begins on 1st September. We await your owl by no later than 31st July. Yours sincerely, Minerva McGongagall, Headmistress'."

"Better get your owl in then, that's tomorrow." Harry was grinning too now.

I slammed the letter down on the table, "Ha ha, very funny. Can I tell you something? I am not laughing."

James's face fell, "What?"

"This whole fake letter thing, it's utterly hilarious." My voice was dripping with cold-hearted sarcasm.

"No, Clara, you've got it wrong. That's genuine, it's real. You're going to Hogwarts!" My Mum was in on it too. Nice.

I turned to Teddy, "I've accepted it Ted, that I'm not going. But this," I waved the letter, "is just mean."

He rolled his eyes at me, "Come on drama queen, let something good happen to you for once. I've never lied to you before, and I'm telling you that that is a genuine Hogwarts acceptance letter."

"But if that's true, then I'm a Witch." It was the only thing I'd ever wanted.

"A Muggle-Born," Lily bounded over to me, even Rose was smiling, "How great is this? You're going to Hogwarts!"

"I'm going to Hogwarts? Let's just make it known that I will never speak to a single one of you again if it's fake and you tell me it's real. So?"

"It's real," James said urgently, and Hugo added, "Promise."

Teddy had never lied to me, and neither had Hugo, so it must be true. I was going to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry because I was a Muggle-Born Witch.

"Wow." Was all I said.

You could feel everyone in the room relax as I accepted the truth. Teddy was the first to tackle me into a hug. I hadn't seen everybody this happy since- well, ever.

Albus was grinning, ear-to-ear, "Thank you for coming, Al!" I grinned at him as he laughed.

"See you at school, Adams!" James laughed before hugging me.

Ron ruffled my hair while Hermione congratulated me over and over again. Harry and Ginny told me 'they'd had a sneaky suspicion this would happen'. Teddy chanted about how he'd known it all along, Lily squealed, Hugo grinned and Rose laughed.

"I know this is what you wanted," Mum told me, "I'm so happy for you!"

"I don't think I'll ever be happier." I told her truthfully.