The Lost Twin - Hayley Potter

Part 1

The clock struck eight. Hayley bounced out of bed to see the sun stream through the curtains into her room. It was the 31st of July: her birthday. She put on a red T-shirt and some jeans and ran out of the room down the stairs bumping into the family dog Honey on the way. It felt great to be 11. Her aunt had always told her that when she was 11, she would tell her a very important secret. She could not wait to find out.

******

She followed the sweet scent of pancakes into the kitchen and settled herself in front of her uncle. Her uncle closed the paper and sighed: 'Rose, come here!'. Her aunt turned off the stove and sat down next to Hayley.

'Darling,' she said, 'You are 11, a very important age. The age where I must tell you a very important secret.' Hayley sat up straight, her green eyes fixed attentively on to her aunt.

******

'My cousin Lily Evans, your mother, was an extraordinary person, in every way. For one part, she was a witch. When we were 17, I caught her levitating the shopping into the air and into cupboards with a wand. Lily calmed me down and she told me how for the last 7 years she had been attending the wizard school Hogwarts where she had learned everything about magic, from spells to potions.'

'Two years later she married James Potter, a fellow wizard. Lily always remained in contact with me. She told me about how an evil wizard, Voldemort was taking over the wizarding world and how she and her husband were fighting against him. I warned her against him but she told me not to worry. '

******

'The next thing I knew, an important and wise looking wizard named Albus Dumbledore was at the door telling me that Lily and James had died at the hand of Lord Voldemort. Mr. Dumbledore told me how Lily had realized that she was in danger and had gone into hiding with James. During this time she gave birth to twins. You, Hayley and a boy, Harry.'

'She was then betrayed by a close friend and Voldemort came to find them. He killed your father, your mother and tried to kill your twin. Somehow Harry survived and Voldemort having lost all his power fled. A man named Hagrid brought Harry to live with his Aunt Petunia while you came to live with me.'

******

Aunt Rose finished her story with a sigh. Hayley looked amazed. Am I a witch? she thought. An owl flew through the window and deposited a letter onto her lap.

Dear Ms. H. Potter,

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 the 1st of September. We await your owl by no later than 31st of July.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

She looked at the next page.

UNIFORM

First-year students will require:

1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)

2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear

3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)

4. One winter cloak (black, with silver fastenings)

Please note that all pupil's clothes should carry name tags.

COURSE BOOKS

All students should have a copy of each of the following:

The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk

A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot

Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling

A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch

One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore

Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander

The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble

OTHER EQUIPMENT

1 wand

1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)

1 set glass or crystal phials

1 telescope

1 set brass scales

Students may also bring if they desire, an owl OR a cat OR a toad.

PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS

ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICK

'Auntie? Where are we going to get all this?'

'Diagon Alley'