Flames ( HP Fire Series #1)

1. The day when my life changed

Autumn's p.o.v.

"Hey Autumn! There's this woman out there looking for you! Maybe I should warn her what a freak you are!" Clarrisa shouted in her bossy and overly-loud voice. I cringed a little, dragging my feet towards this mystery woman...

Hi there. I'm Autumn Rivers, a highly ordinary and colourless child, always left out by those children at the orphanage but I've gotten used to it by now. 

My parents have died when I was 2. In an airship accident, they told me. Since then, I have called Good Hope Orphanage my home. The children used to be nice to me, including me in their pranks. But since THAT day, they cold-shouldered me and called me a FREAK.

We were playing Truth or Dare under a tree when Billy had a dare to kiss me. "No way I would do that! It's absolutely disgusting!" He complained loudly and I protested but a dare was a dare. Begrudgingly, he pecked me on the cheek and I felt myself blushing. Not only when they went silent did I look up.

"Autumn, your...your hair!" Billy stammered, pointing at me. He stared wide-eyed as I realised that my hair had turned a bright shade of pink. "You're a freak! We'll never play with you again!" The kids shouted and ran away. Tears trickled down my cheeks as my heart shattered into a thousand pieces. I have seen them as family but they had left me simply because of my stupid hair.

I cried endlessly. Those harsh words stabbed my heart like hot knives. Am I really a freak? I was alone, abandoned and freakish as they call me. I decided to shut myself away from the others and became an introvert. That was until the mystery woman came.

"Autumn Rivers, it's a pleasure to meet you." I raised my eyes at the sound of her pleasant clear voice. She was young and charming, her hazel eyes appeared intelligent and wise. She was wearing sky blue robes and smiled kindly at me.

"I'm Professor Gemini, a professor at Beauxbatons Academy of Magic. Tell me, do you believe in magic?" Professor Gemini's eyes twinkled playfully as she eyed me curiously. My blue eyes met her hazel eyes when I gaped, unsure what to say.

I thought of my hair, and when the glass of the sitting room shattered whenever I throw a tantrum. I remembered how I used to float objects, make them disappear and change the colour of objects. It made sense. It was magic.

Slowly, I nodded. "So that's why they call me a freak, huh?" 

Professor Gemini looked unusually grave. "Autumn dear, muggles, non-magical people simply don't understand. It isn't your fault. Your magical core is very powerful and it's a gift from your parents. Be proud." I  listened in respectful silence. "So my parents...they attended Beauxbatons? They didn't die in an airship accident?" 

"Indeed they do. In fact, they were the Head Prefects of their year. Both equally talented and charming. As for your last question, they died in a colossal fire. 'Fiendfyre', a powerful spell indeed, took their lives but you survived. It was a miracle for us."

She sniffed before continuing in a more cheerful tone. "Anyways, you have a place in Beauxbatons, the best school for wizards and witches in France. Here's your letter."

"Wait what? France?" I questioned. I seriously don't speak French! Seeing my worried expression, she assured me. "French isn't compulsary, dear. In fact, we have a lot of students from all over the globe so you need not worry. Lessons will be conducted in English." I heaved a sigh of relief. I certainly didn't look forward to picking up a new language. 

I carefully examined my letter. The Beauxbatons crest shone magically, giving an aura of power that sent thrills down my spine. It felt...like home. I carressed the thin parchment gently, reading its content carefully.

Dear Miss Rivers,

We are delighted to inform you that you have a place at Beauxbatons Academy of Magic. Below are the items you will need during the school year.

1. A wand

2. Spellbooks of the following:

-Basic Guide to Transfiguration 

-One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi

-A Charming Guide to Charms

-Introduction to Dark Arts

-Advanced Defense Against Dark Arts

-Unfogging the Future

-Elementary History of Magic

-Magical Drafts and Potions

-Basic Occlumency

3. Sets of sky blue robes

4. A set of pewter scales

5. Potion making kit

6. Quills

7. Winter coat made of pegasi feather

8. One crystal ball

Students can bring any pets of their likes, including owls, toads, rats or cats.

Yours sincerely,

Gemini Charlotte

Deputy Headmistress of Beauxbatons Academy of Magic.

I stared at my letter, wide eyed. This was it. Excitement welled up inside me as I thought of the prospect of learning magic. I wasn't a freak after all. Cheering up tremendously, I looked at Professor Gemini, literally skipping.

"Let's go get my supplies!"