The Marauders Begin (I)

Evans House Revisited

July 7, 1971

We are once more in the sitting room of the Evans House. MR. and MRS. EVANS are in a rather shocked silence. MINERVA, however, continues to drink her tea and looks to be rather enjoying herself.

MRS. EVANS: But I still don't understand. Why just Lily?

MINERVA: It is not just Lily. Over forty other acceptance letters were mailed to eleven-year-olds across the country this week.

MRS. EVANS: No, what I mean is, why not Petunia as well?

MINERVA: (appears crestfallen) Yes. Well, I'm afraid that because Petunia does not possess the same abilities that Lily does, we cannot offer her acceptance as well.

MR. EVANS: Is this a... rare occurrence? For one child to be, and one child not?

MINERVA: Actually, it is. But it is also very common for those with magical abilities to wed and raise children with spouses who are not magical. If I may tell you, that my mother was a witch while my father was a Muggle. That is, he was a non-magical person.

MR. EVANS: Did you have any siblings?

MINERVA: Two brothers, in fact. But they were both... (her voice trails off)

MRS. EVANS: So there is no way for them both...?

MINERVA: I'm afraid not.

PETUNIA, after hearing this, bursts into tears and runs from the room. LILY calls out and runs after her. MINERVA watches them go and remains silent for a while.

MINERVA: It might take some getting used to, but-

MRS. EVANS: "Getting used to?" You want me to split my girls up!

MR. EVANS: Please, Minerva, I'm afraid I simply don't understand how your school enrollment operates.

MINERVA: Allow me to explain further. Many of our students come from generations and generations of witches and wizards. Very old magical families.

MR. EVANS: But no one in either of our families has ever heard of this institution!

MINERVA: (continuing) However, there have been numerous cases, especially in more recent years, of magical children arising from Muggle families, such as your own.

MRS. EVANS: How exactly is that possible?

MINERVA: Many wizarding scholars base different theories as to how Muggle-born witches and wizards can exist. Most of them coincide with the fact that magical ability is indeed passed down from parent to child, but often skips a certain number of generations. There are many other human genetic traits that operate in this same way.

MRS. EVANS: Then you do study biology at this Hogwarts?

MINERVA: No. Studying Muggle sciences has been a favorite hobby of mine, though. (She sees that the couple is still at odds over the situation). If you wish to meet with the Headmaster, I am sure he would be thrilled to talk with you-

MR. EVANS: You can have us meet with the entire staff if you wish, Minerva, but I'm afraid no meeting will change our minds over this absurd business.

MINERVA: What can I do to change your minds?

MRS. EVANS: Can you prove it? This magic, I mean. Can you show us something?

MINERVA: I'm afraid that is illegal.

MRS. EVANS: Illegal by who?

MINERVA: The Ministry of Magic has laws preventing me from performing magic in front of Muggles. That's why I had to use that ridiculous contraption when I came in- (she gestures to the abandoned umbrella by the doorway).