She woke up very early one warm August morning. Her bright green eyes looked around curiously. Avalon was no longer a baby. No, today she would actually be 11 years old. And even better, it was still summer, which meant there was no school.
She wasn’t looking forward to school. She would be going to St Benedict's School. Because the letter to another school had not arrived. Her mum had said.
Avalon had known from an early age that she was adopted. Not only did she look nothing like her mum. But strange things also happened. Just last week, for example. Rich Thaw, the school bully, had teased Avalon outside of school by pushing her into the mud near the lake. Her flaming red hair had turned brown, wet and smelly. Not to mention the brand new dress she had just received from her mum.
She was sure it would have been ruined. But as she ran home crying, her dress got cleaner and cleaner until, by the time she got home, it looked like it had never been dirty.
And her horrible Aunt Eileen tried to lock her out of the house again at Christmas. But her keys kept shrinking. Yes, Avalon was sure of it. She would not have any friends at her new school again. She would be that strange little girl as she always was.
The doorbell rang. She heard her mother answer it. “Oh hello Eileen, what a surprise.” Said her mum. Avalon groaned. Aunt Eileen. This was going to be her worst birthday ever. She quickly got dressed and went into the living room.
“Did Severus send you with her present again?” Her mum asked Eileen. Her aunt had a son. Severus. She couldn’t remember ever seeing him, but he always sent her great presents.
Just last year he had sent her a gold necklace that mysteriously sang her favourite song and never needed charging or batteries. When she was a little girl, about 4 years old, she had been given a broom. Not the boring kind you kept in the cupboard. But this one could whizz around the room with her on it. When she asked her mum about it, she said that she would understand when she turned 11. But her favourite present she had ever received from Severus was when she was 9 years old. It was a feather pen. Her mum had called it a quill. It was a beautiful feather held by a solid gold quill. He had sent a matching gold inkwell with her name written on it in squiggly letters.
She put on her most polite smile. “Hello Aunt Eileen, how nice to see you.” Said Avalon. At least she had been polite. “Yes. I don’t have much time, here child Severus sends his regards.” Eileen gritted her teeth and pressed a packet into her hand, “Not that he ever felt it, stone hearted boy.” She added under her breath. Avalon had never understood why her aunt seemed to hate her son, but she seemed to hate Avalon too, but simply seemed to loathe her mother.
“Eileen, would you like a nice cup of tea?” Her mum said with a smile. “Oh God no. That would mean I am staying.” She said and right after she said that, Eileen yanked the door open and left.
“That’s right, go back to your nice big house.” Mumbled her mum. “Not that mum and dad would be any less ashamed of you.” She added bitterly.
Avalon had always heard the stories of her grandparents and their dislike of her mother. Firstborn and then a Squib. Whatever that was. She left the house to Leeny, as her mother always called her sister. And how proud they were of her until she had married her husband. A muggle. Jolene always said that it was not a step up from herself but a descent. Avalon always stopped listening then. She only understood half of it anyway.
Her mother smiled at her. “Do not mind me, baby, today is your day,” she said. They sat down at the small dining table and ate breakfast. Afterwards, Avalon was able to unwrap her presents. Her mum had saved up and bought her a brand new computer. She would need it for school, her mum had said when she wanted to complain about how much it had cost. Her friend Joey had sent her a pen and pencil case for her new school. And finally, she came to Severus' present. It had been beautifully wrapped. Inside was an envelope with a letter written on parchment.
“Dear Avalon.
Happy birthday to you. 11 is a very special age, as you probably know by now. Enjoy your day and my present. You will need it soon.
Severus.”
She quickly tore open the gift. It looked like a solid gold pencil case. It had her name on the outside again and was decorated with many gems,
but the inside was different. It had a green velvet cushion with a shape that looked like a stick. It was beautiful and somehow she liked the gift immediately. But why would she need it? She couldn’t dwell on it for long. Her mother had arranged for them to go to her favourite museum, then have lunch and watch a film, and then her mother would cook her favourite meal. After that, she would probably be too tired to lift a finger. Let alone think.
The visit to the museum was great fun, as always. She loved looking at all the artwork and antiques. She was even brave enough to get on an old witch's scales. In the old days, when witches were still believed to exist, they thought they could fly on brooms and therefore had to be as light as a feather.
The museum employee who weighed her came to the conclusion that her pounds were in proportion to her body shape and that she was not a witch. By the time they went to lunch, Avalon had already forgotten about her aunt’s visit.
When they went to the cinema, her day went perfectly. She was allowed to choose between 3 films. One film was called Sister Act. It was about an unusual-looking nun.
The film A Leageu of there own about the very first women's softball teams and Aladdin. A Disney film about what looked like 2 people and a blue genie. She chose Sister Act because it just looked like a fun film. Her mum bought her a big bucket of salted popcorn and a large Coca Cola.
Meanwhile in the Scottish Highlands, at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the mood was less festive.
In the headmaster's office, a man in a black robe with chin-length, greasy black hair and dark brown eyes paced around the room How could this have happened? He did not know. A few minutes pass as a man enters the room.
His mane of silver-grey hair and long beard made him look ancient. He wore half-round glasses supported by a hooked nose. He wore a reddish-brown robe
. "Severus, what gives me the honour?" said the old man.
"One of the letters to the new students has not arrived, Dumbledore, I am sure of it," the dark-haired man replied. The old man's light blue eyes sparkled behind his semi-circular glasses. "why would you care, Severus?" the old man said playfully curious. As if he already knew the answer, but wanted Severus to say it himself. "I am not interested. I just noticed and thought you should know," he replied, sounding defiant and slightly irritated,
the old man smiled warmly. "I know Miss Prince has not received her letter yet. I was planning to send Hagrid. He took such good care of Harry last year," the old man said with a twinkle in his eye. "You can not put Hagrid on this case." Severus said adamantly. The old man looked slightly amused. "But Severus, Hagrid has done a marvellous job with Harry. They have even formed a warm friendship," the old man replied kindly. "Yes," Severus said through slightly clenched teeth. "But in this case, we are dealing with a young girl and I think that calls for a more discreet approach. I would think you would want to do that yourself, Headmaster," Severus said, as if weighing every word before uttering it.
The Headmaster definitely looked amused now. "Very well, Severus. But why do you care who picks up the young lady?" the Headmaster asked agai as if he knew the answer. But wanted to hear it from Severus. He looked deep into the eyes of the man in front of him, as if to search his very soul.
"I do not care, Albus. But I was under the impression that you cared. Sir." Severus said, looking at the headmaster. "Very well, keep your secrets Severus. I will fech the girl. Tonight, in fact." Said Dumbledore with a smile. Severus nobbed his head and left the room.
Back in London, evening had fallen and Avalon and her mother were on their way home.
She had been right. The film had been really funny.
The strange-looking nun had been in the witness protection programme and had taken over the choir to make it amazing. It was very funny. She told her mum about it entusiastically and made her way home.
"Mum, if I ever need protection, send me there." Avalon said and sat down on the couch. Smiling, Jolene began to cook. After an hour, they were sitting at the dining table. They were just about to start eating when there was a knock at the door. "I wonder who that could be." Jolene said as she got up and went to the front door.
When she opened it, she was greeted by a man wearing a reddish-brown robe, a pointed hat and half-moon glasses. He had long grey hair and a shaggy beard. "Can I help you, mister?" she said. "Sorry to bother you, Miss Prince, but I am here on urgent business," said the old man. "Why do not you come in?" Jolene replied. "Thank you, that's very kind. Oh, what a lovely house you have," said the old man, smiling warmly. Avalon stood up and was surprised by the man. She had never seen him before.
"And this must be Avalon Lilly. Yes, no doubt, with your red hair and bright eyes," said the old man, looking at Avalon. "Excuse me, sir, but who are you?" she asked. "Oh dear, how rude of me. Forgive me for not introducing myself straight away, I suppose that's an old man's weakness," said the man, holding out his hand.
"I am Albus Dumbledore," the old man said, hoping to shake Avalon's hand, which she grasped warily so as not to appear rude.
Her mum looked as if his name explained everything. "What an honour, Professor, please sit down." Said Jolene. "That's very kind of you, Miss Prince. I suppose you know who I am then," he said. "Of course," said Jolene. Avalon was very confused. "I have never been in a Squib's house before. Forgive me, Jolene, for the termenoligy," said the old man. "Forgiven, Professor. What brings you here?" she asked.
Avalon understood less and less by the second. Every time her aunt had called her a Squib, she had been offended beyond measure, and this man used the word, and her mother did not even look offended. "It seems that young Miss Avalon's letter has been lost. I am just here to let her and you know that she's been accepted into Hogwarts," he said.
Jolene seemed proud, although Avalon had never heard of what he had just said. "I was wondering why she was not honoured. What with all her quirks and all." Said Jolene. Avalon's almost perfect day seemed to be getting as cold as her favourite food was getting. "Excuse me, I am still here," she said, annoyed.
"Well, of course I apologise for that, Miss Avalon, you must have a lot of questions. I have an open ear and will answer any questions you may have. Within my means, of course."
She looked at the old man. He spoke so strangely. "Just let me put it to you," the man said, as if he had read her mind. "Ask me anything and I will answer what I can," he said.
"I have been chosen from where?" she asked. "My dear Jolene, I am a little worried, she does not know." Mr Dumbledore spoke. "I am sorry Professor, I never thought she was ready, and after all, she is 11," her mum said, sounding very ashamed.
"No offence, my dear," he said, turning his gaze back to Avalon. "You have been accepted into my school, Miss Avalon. A school of magic. You are a witch," he said. "That's a bit harsh, do not you think?" she said defensively. The old man smiled warmly.
"I do not mean it as an insult, Avalon, but as a statement of fact. You are what my kind calls a witch. And I am a wizard," he said. She looked into the man's light blue eyes. They seemed very kind. "What exactly do you mean?" she asked.
"The strange things your mother calls quirks are bursts of untrained magic," the man said. "And in my school, you will learn to control your magic," he added with a warm smile.
"Why would I want that?" Avalon asked.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
"Well, if you do not, you will get very sick indeed," he said as his eyes seemed to betray pain for a second. "And our Ministry does not like it when a witch is not trained," he added. "Why should the Prime minister care what I do?" she asked. The man let out a soft, chuckling laugh.
"I do not mean the Muggle Prime, young lady. I mean the Minister for Magic," he said.
"I have heard that word before. Muggle." Said Avalon. "It's a term we use to refer to non-magical people," replied the man. "Why did you call my mum a Squib? And what is that anyway?" Avalon asked. "Oh yes. That, my dear, is a term I do not like, but there is no other word for it. It means that a person who has spell-casting parents but no magic of his own," he replied.
"I do not understand." Said Avalon, looking very confused. "I understand it's a lot to take in," he said as he reached into his cloak and pulled out an envelope. "Here's your letter," the man said. "My school would love it if you came to study. Especially our potions master, I suppose," said the man, chuckling again.
"And why would that be?" Avalon asked, a little puzzled. "He was very found in the past. of a student with red hair and green eyes like you," said the old man, chuckling to himself, "but that does not matter now. What matters is my next question," he said. "And what's that?" Avalon asked him. "Would you like to study at my school?" he asked, sounding very friendly, even like a grandfather.
Avalon looked at her mum. "What do you think I should do, Mum?" she asked her.
"I think it would be a wonderful experience for you," she said. "I have never been before, but all my magical friends loved it," she added.
"Oho, that's good to hear, Jolene. I always thought I was considered a bit mad," said the old mother, smiling gently. "Well, it is." Jolene said with a laugh.
"You should go to Avalon. That's where you really belong," she said. Her mum looked at Avalon as if the best thing ever had just happened.
"But What about St Benedict's?" asked Avalon. "That was always a last resort. I expected you to get into Hogwarts," she said. Avalon did not understand much, but she could see that it seemed very important to her mum that she would go there. She opened the envelope and read the letter inside.
Dear Miss Prince
we are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted by Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The school year begins on 1 September. Please send us your own letter by 31 August.
Enclosed you will find a list of everything you will need.
Yours sincerely
Prof Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress.
She read aloud. "Well, the owl will not be necessary if you tell me you are coming." Said Dumbledore with a warm smile.
He looked around the small sitting room and spotted the gift Severus had given her. "Ah, I see you got a nice wand case," he said and picked up Severus' gift. "Yes, a nice present," he said. Jolene looked at him. "So that's what it's for." she said. "Exactly." Said Dumbledore. "I will come back tomorrow and take you both to Diagon Alley to get everything you will need." Said Dumbledore.
"Are not you staying for dinner?" Asked Jolene. "Oh go on, it looks so nice." he said.
"Yes, but it's probably cold already." Said Avalon angrily, who had been looking forward to dinner so much.
"Oh dear, we can not have that," he said, taking a stick from his robe and moving it around. A small light came out of it and already the food on the plates and in the pot seemed to be steaming again. "Tug in." he said as I sat down on the empty chair, waved the stick again and a new plate whizzed out of the cupboard and landed in front of him.
"I can learn all that?" Avalon asked. "Oh my dear Miss Avalon, that and much more," he said. "Then I am coming now," she replied. The old man's face lit up with a smile. "I am glad to hear it." Said Dumbledore. "Then I will come back tomorrow," he said.
The dinner afterwards was marvellous. Dumbledore told many stories about magic and she wondered if they were all true. But they were very entertaining.
She fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.
When She woke up the next morning, she felt like she had not slept at all, but she was excited to go shopping.
She jumped out of bed, got dressed and ran down the stairs. She wolfed down her breakfast without tasting what it was and waited for Dumbledore.
She did not have to wait long. Around 10 of the clock, there was a soft knock on the door. She opened it quickly and was greeted by a strange looking Dumbledore.
he was wearing a grey pinstripe suit and was tucking in his long beard. In his hand was a top hat.
“If I am going to use muggle transport, I might as well look the part.” He said. Avalon did her best not to laugh. Her mum joined them a few minutes later.
“Don’t you look dashing, Professor?” She said, “ My muggle clothes.” He waved her off.
“That's what I was afraid of. You are just as bad as my father was". She said. said. Avalon smiled.
Her mother almost never talked about her dad. And if she did not as afectionate as she did now.
“When he used to visit my school. What ofcourse was a muggle one he would wear a suit with tails. You know like a pianist wears one of those beige ribbed trousers. And to top it off, an old-fashioned motorbike helmet. He looked ridiculous." Jolene shouted with glee in her voice.Dumbledore looked at her. "I certainly look better." he said. "My suit maches." he said, sounding playfully hurt. "I suppose it looks a little better, but my dear Professor, no one really wears a suit unless they have to." she said, smiling.
"Well, I like to be, as they say, ah yes, smartly dressed." Dumbledore replied. "Well, you have certainly managed that, sir," Avalon said, amused. "Let us get on with it." Dumbledore replied, beckoning them to follow him.
A little later, they arrived at the underground. People stared at them.
"Did not anyone teach them that it's impolite to stare?" Jolene said. "They must have, my dear Miss Prince, but I think they rarely see anyone like me." Dumbledore replied. "I imagine they do," Jolene added.
"So, how do these things work?" he asked. "You have never been on an underground before?" Avalon asked with a hint of disbelief in her voice. "No, miss, I usually use other forms of transport," he said to Avalon as he pulled a small pouch from the pocket of his suit. "What am I supposed to do with this now?" the old man wondered aloud. He dropped a few coins that looked very strange.
Jolene smiled as she picked one up. "I have not seen a galeon for years," she exclaimed in amazement. "What's a galeon?" Avalon asked. "Well, you know, baby, just like we have pence and pounds, they have Knuts and Galeons. That's their money." Jolene explained to her daughter. "They have their own ministry, their own money, it sounds like a different country." Said Avalon.
"But it's a very big country. All kinds of wizards use that money. Although the American wizards have their own government." Explained Dumbledore.
A short, strange journey later, they found themselves in the shopping district in the centre of London. "I do not see any shops here that sell this sort of thing." Avalon looked through her list. "School robes." she added. "Well, of course not. The high street is for muggles. We have our own shopping centre, for lack of a better term." Said Dumbledore.
He steered them towards an old looking pub. It was called The Leaky Cauldron. The pub looked a little dingy, but it was filled with a lot of people. All wearing strange garb.
"This way." Shouted Dumbledore, leading them to the back door and into an alley that was a dead end. He then grabbed his stick and tapped on 3 bricks. As he struck the last brick, an archway opened and, even more amazingly, it led to a busy street. As they entered, the archway behind them returned to a solid wall.
"I am sure you will find everything you need here.
Let us see, I think the robes will take the longest," Dumble Dore said as he led them to a store named Madam Malakins. Avalon found it hard to concentrate on what she had to get.
"But sir, what about money?" Avalon asked. "Oh, I took the liberty of getting some money in Gringots from the Propper vault yesterday afternoon," Dumbledore answered her. "Gringo thingy?" Avalon asked. The old man laughed in amusement. "Gringots, Miss Avalon," he said. "That sweetie is the wizard bank. The only one in the world, I think." Jolene added to Dumbledore's reply. Avalon nodded in understanding.
"So you knew I would say yes?" she asked. "I had a strong premonition. And between you and me, my hunches are usually right," he said.
"And if I had said no?" she asked. "Oh, my dear, I would have returned the money to the vault immediately." Dumbledore answered her questions as they stepped into Madamin Malakin's. A bored looking witch sat behind a desk.
"hog..." she began before raising her head and looking at Professor Dumbledore.
"Warts?" he finished the bored looking witch's sentence, sounding amused. "I think we can safely assume that," he added with a smile. "This way, we will fit another student now," said the bored witch.
They went into a back room where a young blonde girl with surprised grey eyes stood being fitted by a tense-looking witch."
The mesuring witch rolled her eyes, "Please, little girl. Nergels do not exist." she said to the girl.
"That's what everyone says, but only because they always forget their victims," the girl explained. "Well, we will be very careful then, Miss Lovegood." Said Dumbledore, coming in with Avalon.
"You must be Dumbledore." said the girl. He smiled at her. "I prefer Professor Dumbledore at school, Miss Lovegood." he said, smiling warmly. "I must admit, I have never seen a nergel myself. But I will be very careful." Added Dumbledore.
"Oh yes, they are the little malleses that thankfully only play tricks on people and are almost harmless," the girl said in a matter-of-fact voice.
"Noted." Dumbledore said to her. The girl looked up and caught sight of Avalon for the first time.
"Oh, hello, I am Luna Lovegood, it's a great pleasure to meet you," said the girl.
"Avalon Prince." Avalon said to her.
" Are you Realy. I have never heard of a wizarding royal house," Luna said, bowing her head. Dumbledore looked very amused as he sat down on a stool. "I am not royalty, Prince is just my surname." Said Avalon. "Oh I am terribly sorry for the mistake." Said Luna again.
"Ouch"said the measuring witch. "Oh dear a nergel got you in the end." she said. The witch rolled her eyes again and quickly continued measuring. Obviously hoping to get rid of the blonde-haired Luna.
"I hope you are in Ravenclaw. I should be. My whole family was in there and I am pretty smart too." Said Luna. "I'd love to make friends at school," she said. "Surely you must have friends," said Avalon. "Oh no, you know, even for a witch I"m considered pretty weird," said the girl matter-of-factly.
"That's terrible." Said Avalon. "Yes, it is indeed. But at least I have my father, he's like my best friend," she said.
Avalon was not sure what to make of Luna,
"That is you done. " the horassed looking witch said to Luna. "Oh, thank you very much. They look great. I hope I grow out of them soon so I can come back here," Luna said. The annoyed witch sighed and Avalon could swear she heard her say. "I hope I am retired then," quietly as she walked away.
"Well, I hope to see you again soon, Avalon, I am off to see Dad now, I hope he's bought some pudding," she said as she quickly left the shop.
An hour or so later, Avalon walked outside with a bag full of new school robes. And they made their way to a shop called Florish and Blots.
There was a long queue of witches outside the shop, jostling each other to get ahead in the queue. On the side was a moving sign that read Gilderoy Lockhart Magical me. The moving wizard on the sign looked good. "Author signing today," a note under the sign read.
"Ah, I think I will wait for this, give the scribe your book list and he will get it for you." Said Dumbledore.
As she entered the shop, one of the clerks called out. "Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Gilderoy Lockheart." All the witches in the shop clapped loudly as the handsome wizard stepped out from behind a curtain. A hulking-looking wizard with a camera pushed her aside, nearly toppling Avalon, and unceremoniously grabbed a red-haired young girl and pulled her roughly out of the way. "Please make room, this is for the daily proffet," the man said and a flash went off, almost blinding Avalon.
The handsome wizard behind the counter smiled broadly and looked round quickly, his jaw dropping.
"That can not be Harry Potter," the man said as he quickly stood next to the red-haired girl who was standing in the middle of a group of red-haired people. And he pulled a little boy not much older than herself. He was perhaps a year old, had dark, unkempt hair, a soot- covered robe and a lightning- shaped scar on his forehead.
After a brief exchange of words, the handsome man addressed the entire shop.
"What an extraordinary moment, because young Mr potter came into the shop today and wanted to buy my new autobiography, which I will now offer him free of charge along with all my collected works. I will be teaching at Hogwarts School starting this year,"said the man. All the witches in the shop clapped loudly.
After the queue had thinned out a little, a commotion could be heard at the back of the shop. It seemed as if an argument had broken out between two wizards. One was a long, white, blond man in a black robe and the other was a somewhat bald, red-haired man in a green robe.
A shop employee separated them. Avalon looked back at the counter, the handsome wizard seemed to be enjoying himself immensely.
It was almost 3 hours before Avalon reached the counter herself. She turned to the shop employee. "Excuse me, could you perhaps help me? " Avalon said. The man grumpily accepted her list of books,
He pulled a stick out of his jacket and waved it around. Within a few minutes, a whole pile of books was in front of her. She paid the man, who put the books in a bag, and grumpily squeezed the bag in her hands. She hurried out of the shop. It was about lunchtime now. She was greeted by her mother and Dumbledore in a small restaurant. She quickly told them what she had just learnt.
"Ah, so you have seen Harry," was all Professor Dumbledore said. She did not understand why that was so important. But she nodded anyway. "Yes, he's a second year student. He came in last year with a painful past," Dumbledore said. At this he smiled at Avalon. "But that's something you do not want to hear yet," he said to her as a witch placed plates in front of them.
"Please forgive this old man for ordering in advance." Dubledore said as he feasted on something that smelled like pumpkin. Avalon had been so hungry that she promptly ate it herself. Whatever he had ordered for her, it tasted wonderful.
After lunch, they bought a pewter cauldron and a few other things she needed.
As night fell, the professor smiled. "A wand," was all he said. "Excuse me?" Avalon asked. "You need a wand my dear Miss Prince. But I will have your mum take you there," he replied.
Jolene and Avalon made their way to a shop called Olivanders while her mum explained to her that those stick things everyone seemed to have were called wands.
She told her that her parents and sister all had one of these things. They needed them to bundle their Magic. They stepped into the shop, which seemed deserted. She went to a bell on the counter, but before she could pick it up, it lifted into the air and rang. A grey-haired wizard quickly appeared behind a cupboard.
"Ah yes, a new student," he said. Then, as if by magic, he ran a tape measure over every inch of her body. "Yes, that should do it," he said as the tape measure fell to the floor and disintegrated. The old man quickly took 15 boxes out of the cupboards.
"Right, let us get started," he said. The first wand she held was snatched from her hand almost as quickly as she had picked it up.
"No Dragon Heartstring does not seem to be your kind of wand," he said. After 2 hours of holding up wands and having them snatched out of her hand, the old man came to her with a green package.
"A 13-inch Elm with a core of Hunicorn hair," he said as he handed the wand to Avalon. It felt like she was touching an old friend. And she knew immediately what to do. She raised the wand above her head and golden sparks flew out.
"A match. I knew it, I have never lost one before. Not even Harry Potter left here without a wand," he said.
She did not understand what was so special about this 12-year-old boy. He had looked. no different from her, apart perhaps from the scar on his forehead And she had not cared enough to ask.
She paid the old man and quickly left the shop. They were greeted by a broadly smiling Dumbledore. "All ready, I presume. Good, good. One more thing. In your envelope is your train ticket. It's unique," he said, smiling at her. He took her back to the Leaky Caneron.
"I have to go, I will see you soon, Miss Prince," Dumbledore said, bowing his head and letting out a yell. "Well, Av, I guess that means we should get back home," her mum spoke.
Now she only had to wait two more weeks until school started and she had to admit that she was excited.