Starting over...

Catherine Lucis was a huge fan of Harry Potter. In fact, that was an understatement. Her cupboard doors were covered in Harry Potter fan art and posters, and her bedroom was full of Harry Potter related paraphernalia. She loved to draw and write and her desk was full of half finished projects, pencils, paints, stubs of sealing wax from the letters she sent nearly every week to friends and pen-pals. Catherine loved to believe she really lived in the magical world. It was her sanctuary, her escape from the real world. Her biggest passion was to read. Not just Harry Potter, but anything, especially of the fantasy genre. She submerged herself in those worlds whenever she could, for then she did not have to worry about the 'real world'. For such a devoted fan, you can see why what happened next was such a huge surprise...

It was 9:55 am on a Saturday morning in the summer holidays. I must be dreaming thought Catherine as she opened her eyes and stared down her bed. A large tawny owl was perched on the end, preening itself and eyeing her curiously. She sat up, her red hair hanging around her face, wild and untamed as usual, especially because she had just woken up. She suddenly noticed that the owl had a letter tied to its leg! Owls don't really deliver letters....

Catherine did what was only natural and untied the purple ribbon in order to see what was in the letter. The owl took off from its perch on the end of Catherine's iron bed frame and soared into the crisp morning air. Catherine turned the letter over and saw that it was sealed with purple wax, with the imprint of THE HOGWARTS CREST? Okay, someone is going to get it for playing such an elaborate joke on me... it has to be joke, right? With a look of complete disbelief on her face, she thumbed open the letter and unfolded the creamy parchment.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore

(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. Of Wizards)

Dear Miss Lucis,

I am pleased to inform you that you have a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

What the- ?! Catherine did a complete double take, and read through the letter (written in emerald green ink on thick yellowish parchment) once again, and it all looked genuine enough. She glanced at her alarm clock, 10 o' clock in the morning. She wandered through to her parents room.

"Mum, Dad, I just got a Hogwarts acceptance letter!"

"Oh congratulations darling!" said her Mum, sleepily.

"Oh we're so proud of you!" said her Dad, sitting up.

Hold on a minute....

"What? So, this doesn't faze you or anything? I'm confused..."

"Well, we were waiting to tell you until we knew you were accepted, because as Muggles we're sworn to secrecy about the wizard world; but - your aunt is a Witch! That's how we know about the Wizarding world and you don't. Well, until just now, anyway!" her Mum explained.

"I'm sorry we kept it from you," said Dad "but we didn't want you to be disappointed if you weren't accepted at Hogwarts, and we certainly weren't allowed to tell you anyway!"

Catherine sat down with a flump on the bed and looked at her parents, the corners of her mouth twitching in an involuntary grin. "So, you're saying that: the Wizarding world exists, and what's more, I'm a Witch??? Whoa, that's a bit much to take in..."

"We knew you'd be pleased," said her Mum, "but, there's one thing which is a bit bad about going to Hogwarts - you'll have to leave all of your Muggle friends behind. You should think seriously about what is more important to you, becoming a proper witch, or your friends. Bear in mind that if you decide to lead a muggle life, after a while, the magic will fade from you and you will never be able to become a witch."

"Okay, I need to think about this. I'm not allowed to tell my friends?" Her dad shook his head. "Okay, I'm going to get all my mates together today and say a big goodbye. Wow, this is so wicked! But I spose I'll feel a bit sad leaving them all behind..."

"Does this mean you're going to Hogwarts?"

"Yes. I'm going." Catherine set a big grin on her face and wandered off towards the telephone....

"Well that's everyone now!" said Catherine cheerfully

"So tell us!" exclaimed her best friend David - "Why are we all here? You said you had 'AN ANNOUNCEMENT'."

"Yeah, come on, out with it!" said her other best friend Adam.

"Well, I got a letter this morning and I've been accepted to a different school than I was planning to go to. That means I won't be going to school with you guys; in fact - I can never see any of you again."

Everyone drew a sharp breath and their eyes widened in disbelief, everyone that is, apart from Adam, who was sitting nearest to Catherine. While general panic ensued (What? Why? Where are you going? Huh?), Adam pulled her out into the hall and shut the door.

"Um, how come you're not surprised?" said Catherine, carefully. Adam pulled a letter out of his pocket and twirled it round so Catherine could see it properly. It was the almost exact twin of the one she had received earlier that morning.

"You've been accepted to Hogwarts too?!" Catherine grinned, foolishly

"No s***, Sherlock!" said Adam, using a typically American phrase as usual.

"Well that's really cool! But you know we can't tell the others, don't you?"

"Yeah, I know Cath, but we're best friends, we'll stick together, right? I mean, I know you and Dave are great friends, but we're really great together."

"Yes, I s'pose Dave's got Mark anyway...we need to go to Diagon alley really and get all our stuff, don't we?"

"Yup. Let's go and say bye-bye to everyone and we can get on with it, School starts next Wednesday..." They put on brave faces, squared their shoulders and went back into the lounge to say their good-byes...