Better than Binns

Section I, Chapter II- Helga Hufflepuff

Seventh Day of the Sixth Month of the Year

Today was an amazing day in my life. I've just learned something so spectacular that I'm still in shock. Let me write it down, before I forget it.

It all began when I was writing a letter to my sister, who has been married for two years. I was asking her about her home, husband and life there in Devonshire. The room was rather hot and so I had left the window open to get some air. I had just finished my letter when a large gust of wind blew into the room, scattering my papers around. My ink was spilled across my letter.

I was extremely upset that my letter was ruined. It was an annoyance to have to clean up the ink, and that would take such a long time to do. I shrugged my anger aside and began to clean it up. I gently lifted the letter off the table, and brought it near the windowsill to dry. I shut the window once my hands were free.

I prayed that the ink would dry without a mark so I wouldn't have to rewrite the letter. I thought it wouldn't work. In fact, I was almost sure it wouldn't work. Yet, as I heard the door creak open, I saw the ink just disappear from the paper.

"Helga! What just happened there?"

I jumped at the sound of my mother's voice. "I... I... I don't know, Mother. I really don't know."

"Helga... tell me the truth. What magic did you do?"

"Mother, I am telling you the truth! I do not know how it happened. I only wished that the ink would disappear without a trace and it did. I did nothing to it. I swear!"

"Helga, we must talk to your father about this. This is an extraordinary event and he will know what to do about it. Come." And she ordered me out the door to my father's study.

My father sat bent over his desk. It seemed like he was reading a letter. He looked up as we entered. "Hello dear, hello Helga. What is it?" He noted the look of concern on my mother's face.

"Helga, tell him what happened."

I swallowed and began to retell the events that had occurred in my room. My father heard my tale and began to think.

"Helga, come here. There is something I need to tell you and now is a good time for that." He beckoned to me and I went over to him, obediently.

"What just happened there, daughter, was an act of magic. I have been reading up on the subject ever since I got this letter," he held out a letter for me to read. "As you can see, my cousin is worried about her niece who has shown what are called "magical tendencies." My cousin's brother-in-law also had these powers and could do magic. It seems his daughter, my cousin's niece, inherited it. Her name is Rowena Ravenclaw. She is your age, eleven, and has done some things similar to what you have done."

"Do you mean, father, that I am "magical" too?"

"I believe so. Your story has pointed you in that direction."

"What should I do, father?"

"I don't know yet. I shall have to talk it over with your mother first and discuss the fact... that you have magic in you. Then we shall decide what to do."

"Yes, Father. May I go now?"

"You may. But keep all this information in mind. It is extremely important."

"Yes, father. I understand." I nodded to him and left the room. I was astounded by the news. I couldn't believe it. Me have the power of magic? How?

And now, even as I recount this extraordinary event, I still hold some disbelief. I have calmed down and thought hard about what happened. I learned that I had a relation, a second cousin I think, who is like me. I have found a friend, without even a meeting. I hope this gets better. If it does, life looks up.

~ Helga Hufflepuff

Thirteenth Day of the Tenth Month of the Year

Mother and Father have made their decision. And it shocks me. I am to go to a convent to learn, which is to take my mind off of magic. I can't believe it! I want to learn about my magical powers. But let me explain it properly. I hate it! They are incosiderate people! Inconsiderate! I am fuming... seriously!

Mother and Father have been discussing my magical powers for a while and after reading extensively, learned that I truly held that power. They sat talking about it for hours, late at night. It always seemed that they were worried about me.

Well, I soon found out why. Apparently, being "magical" is dangerous in many places. People like that are feared and if I were one of them... I would be ruined... or so my parents think. Personally, I don't believe that, but what can I do? They decided to send me away so as not to get into problems with people about it. As I've said, I can't understand why and it's very disappointing. I want to learn about my magic... not repress it. And yet that's what's happening.

My magic is being repressed... why else would I be sent to a convent! I don't want to go-- I don't want to go!

I am too tired and upset to write anymore.

~ Helga Hufflepuff