Hooked - James Sirirus Potter.

Prologue, Part 2

Claudia couldn’t help the giggles as she sat between her brother and sister; it was the first of august and her first ever Hogwarts letter should be coming today. Charlie had gotten his first letter two years ago and Chrissy was due her first too; being twins they did everything together, in a slightly different way but more than often holding hands. The moment the owl tapped on the window their father jumped to his feet eager to hand the letters to each of his children.

“It’s going to be amazing!” Chrissy whispered, “I hope we get into the same house.”

“Me too.” Claudia gushed; she’d never really been apart from her twin just when their muggle primary school classes are split up for Maths and English lessons. “It’s going to be so good.”

“Dad, are you okay?” Charlie asked, snatching their attention to their father who was standing in the doorway looking furiously at the letters in his hand.

The two letters in his hand.

“Patrick?” Their mother asked, stepping forward as he glared at her. “What is it?”

“Charles.” Their father said softly, passing him his letter leaving just one remaining.

“Did they just send one for the girls?” Their mother asked softly; they only got one from their muggle school.

“Christina.” He stated, passing her the last letter. “Evie, Claudia is not going to Hogwarts.”

“But they’re twins!” She gasped, taking the letter from Chrissy to search for Claudia’s name. “How can this be, you told me they would all be like you!”

“Apparently I was wrong.” He snarled, turning on his heel and leaving the house.

Claudia looked over at her siblings, Chrissy holding her letter looking guilty over at her. As she watched, Charlie took her by the elbow and left the living room to sit in the front garden. Evie’s hand rested on her shoulder and gave it a quick squeeze. “We’ll get you into the Martin’s School. I went there, it was nice.”

“Why me?” Claudia pouted, feeling her lower lip wobble as she looked out the window to where her sister was excitedly reading through her Hogwarts letter, stepping closer the opened the window and looking back at her mother. “Why can’t I be the same?”

Chrissy must have echoed the same opinion because they heard Charlie’s reply; “She’s a squib, a witch who can’t use magic.” He sneered, “They’re freaks of nature, worse than being a muggle… not that there’s anything wrong with being a muggle; it’s just not as good as being like us.”

“You’re not a freak.” Evie stated, grabbing her hand and leading her through to the kitchen. “You’re brilliant; I was a little worried that you and Christina would be compared at every corner and dent her confidence.”

“Dent her confidence?” Claudia asked, her sister was the most confident person she knew!

“You are so much smarter than her Claudia.” She laughed, “I didn’t realise you didn’t know, bless Christina she’s smart enough, but you are practically a genius.”

“I’m not that clever.” She shrugged, but she knew her brain absorbed things easily. She could remember practically everything she’d ever been told. “Is Dad angry?”

“No darling.” She smiled, kissing the top of her head and putting a tea before her. “In a way I’m glad. I was going to be left alone if you’d gone too. Now, let’s get the laptop out and search for the best school we can afford.”

“Are you serious?” Claudia sniffed, feeling her lower lip wobble.

“We’ve had to keep quiet so not to make Chrissy jealous, but now I’m going to make sure you get the best education I can afford.”

“Thank you mum.” She grinned, “Let me get the laptop, we can look while the cakes are baking.”

It was three hours later when Patrick finally returned to their home. He stood in silence and looked at his oldest daughter with a grim expression, Claudia felt herself shrink back into her chair as he sat down opposite.

“So what we’re thinking is that we send Claudia to The Heath School in Oxford.” Evie smiled, taking her husband’s hand. “Just because she’s not like you, doesn’t mean her mind should be wasted.”

“She was going to be in Ravenclaw, be top of the school; excel in potions and transfiguration.” He sighed, kissing Evie’s hand who just smiled sadly at him. “She can go to the best schools we can afford, but Claudia.”

“Yes?” Claudia whispered, looking nervously over at her father who still looking rather pissed off.

“You better be the best of the best; if I think for one moment I’ve wasted my money I’ll not be happy.”

“Yes Dad.” She agreed, not doubting for a moment that he’ll say the complete opposite to the other two; not that she could blame him. She was the disappointment, up until this morning she’d been his golden girl but that had all changed with the absence of a single letter.

“See, everything will be alright.” Evie smiled, kissing his hand again.

“I promise you Dad, I’ll be the best.” Claudia stated as he stood up to leave, “I’ll get a Phd and find out why.”

“Why what?” he frowned, watching her closely.

“Why I’m different, I’m a twin. We’re almost identical, it’ll be easy to find out surely.” She stated with a calculated shrug.

“We’ll see.” He sighed, leaving the room.

“I’m going to do it mum, I’m going to go into biology and maybe chemistry too and find out why I can’t go as well.” She stated making her mother start to cry.

“I hope you do.” She smiled, kissing her cheek. “I really want you too.”

----

Claudia smiled as she looked over the stage, her hat was perched perfectly on her head; her cape was settled over her shoulders falling into a neat fold and her shoes! Well her shoes were a little too high for a graduation but she could walk.

“Please accept the following students for the acceptance of a Doctorate of Biochemistry.” The Bishop said, looking over at the Principal of the University. “Claudia Cross.”

With sure movements she stepped out into view and walked over to shake the Principals hand.  “I accept your nominations for the Doctorate of Biochemistry.” The principal said to the cathedral for squeezing her hand tightly, “Congratulations Claudie.”

“Thanks John.” She laughed, passing him and waving at her lecturers before stepping off the stage to sit back down.

On her way back to her seat, she caught sight of her Mother waving frantically with possibly the broadest grin in her life, Claudia waved back before also noticing her siblings and father weren’t present. It was just her mother and Grandmother, but that was alright.

Since eleven her relationship with her father was non-existent and her siblings even worse. They resented her; she knew that she was the hidden sibling and right now, at twenty seven she couldn’t give a flying fuck. She was Dr Claudia Cross and she was going to work for the Ministry of Magic by request.

She’d been head hunted where her siblings can’t even get an interview.

Ha.