I'm a witch..?
Chapter 1
Edallyn PoV:
Edallyn's life was simple and comfortable with little trouble here and there, not like the other kids at school who all have exciting lives or as exciting a 10 year olds might be. She mostly goes unnoticed, though she can't exactly blame them for it considering that she doesn't accept any invites to birthdays (as rare as they are) or to hang out and eventually,they ceased to come. She prefers solitude over socialising with the other kids. Honestly, she thinks it might be the by-product of practically being ignored by her parent and the other kids at the orphanage bullying her.You see her mother had died giving birth to her , and her dad couldn't take care of her by himself due to the numerous number of jobs he had to take to make ends meet, so as a result she was dropped off in the orphanage when she was a year and a half.
But of course he did come to visit often whenever he could, but those visits dwindled as the years progressed by,to a visit a year to them being nonexistent.Now though he wasn't exactly poor, his business that he started took off brilliantly, he remarried and had another kid, mostly I think he just wants to ignore my existence and wants to enjoy his new found life.
My life in the orphanage should have been simple, what with me being an introvert and all, but strange things happen around me, especially when I'm feeling a strong emotion. Like one day, whilst doing chores billy, a boy in the orphanage who often bullied me for having a parent, started to spout his usual nonsense I couldn't control the frustration especially after the numerous number of times I had heard the speech, that now I had it practically memorised. But I did not break the vase that was gifted to the matron,Mrs.Cole, not that she believed me when I said "I just blinked and the vase was broken the next moment!!". Extra chores for a week with only 2 meals a day all the while going to school ? That's a formula for exhaustion, mentally and physically.
Incidents such as these plagued my childhood, and made me cautious about what I feel and how much I feel.
But the confusion over this would come to an end on this fateful day,1 June 1991, not that I knew that. The summer break had only begun and heat hadn't had time to truly set into the scorching summer heat yet. I was helping clean the dishes after breakfast at around 9:50ish when Melissa, had informed me that Mrs.Cole wanted to talk to me. She looked rather smug, thinking I had gotten into trouble.
I ignored her and went to the matrons office and knocked.
"Enter"
I went in, only to notice that there was someone else in the room. She was a older women wearing a ankle length dress with a emerald green cloak and a elegant hat to complete the look, she didn't look like someone you'd wanna cross. She has a stern line to her lips and narrowed eyes that blinked to kinder ones as she turned to look at me.
But before I could say something the matron, introduced the strange women.
"This is Professor Mcgonagall, she is here to offer you a seat at a prestigious boarding school"
What. My confusion and utter bewilderment must have been clear as day on my face for the women, professor Mcgonagall, spoke clarifying the matrons statement.
"Hogwarts is a boarding school in the Scottish highlands, and you're name has been entered for it since birth."
I was so confused, for once who would have done that? Certainly not my father.
I asked," ma'am, I'm not sure if you've got the right person for who would've entered my name? I'm pretty sure it's not my father."
She raised a brow , "you are Miss. Edallyn Powell, am I right?"
"Yes"
"You have been entered for it since birth by your mother"
"Sorry? My mother you say?"
The Professor looked at the matron,"Mrs.cole, do you mind if I speak to Miss.Powell privately?"
The matron looked rather curious,no doubt for to later gossip with the kitchen and gardening staff, but she acquiesced,"Certainly not"
Professor Mcgonagall looked rather at ease now that the matron had left. She turned to me fully," Miss.Powell, the question I'm going to ask might be strange but have you ever done anything strange or anything that might seem magical?"
"Excuse me?"
The professor sighed,"Miss Powell, hogwarts isn't just a normal boarding school, it is a school for witches and wizards, for people who can do magic and you have been registered for you too are magical."
This was utter nonsense, I felt like I was part of some elaborate scheme or prank to make me confess about strange things that happen around me. But if what she was saying was the truth, it would make so much sense and also it would be awesome.
Mcgonagall didn't seem phased by my silence, instead she took out a piece of wooden stick from her cloak and waved it at the paper weight on the desk. To my total loss of composure and my dignity I gaped so wide, I was sure the professor could see into my oesophagus. It reminded me to the times when things would randomly start levitating in my presence if I was extremely happy, like after getting a good mark on my test. And I told her as much.
" yes, these are common incidents of accidental magic"
" accidental magic?" I questioned, tilting my head sideways.
"It is when young children's magic acts in response to their emotions before they grow up and it ceases to do so after a child reaches the age of 10-11 years old."
She then proceeded to hand me a letter. It was addressed to me. The letter read:
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. Powell,
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 September 1. We await your owl by no
later than July 31.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall,
Deputy Headmistress
Oh my. This is AWESOME. Now that I had gotten over the initial confusion, this was the most exciting news I had ever gotten. It made me feel all giddy inside, I thought I was going to burst. I told her more about my accidental magic about how I could summon things from across the room and levitate Plushies.And in turn she told me all the basics about the magical world and told me where I can find the supplies.
"Now I can send someone to accompany you t–"
"No, it's quiet fine Professor I can do it on my own" I interrupted.
She was insistent that I take someone but eventually caved.Just as she was leaving, I blurted " professor is changing your appearance a magical ability too?"
Professor Mcgonagall looked rather startled at the abruptness of the question but nevertheless answered" yes they are called metamorphagus, why do u ask ?"
I told her about a disastrous hair cut that I had when I cut my hair myself when I was 8 or so, and about how it grew back within the night.
She looked shocked and muttered something about how it's a common family Trait for the black family only,in the British isles.She shook her head and said," You may have some minor metamorphagus abilities like changing your hair and your eye colour. It isn't common but not unheard of."
"Oh alright professor, thank you for explaining it", I smiled.
"Of course Miss Powell, it is my job after all"
She bid goodbye and left.
Next day:
I woke up refreshed and barely containing my excitement and started to get ready for the day ahead(I certainly was not skipping to the bathroom). I had already gotten permission from the matron to go out today to buy my supplies. And i got to wear one of my best clothes (which were the ones in a decent condition), a knee length khaki coloured skirt, a white button up with a emerald green knitted vest over it and a little battered black converse. After a spot of breakfast I was good to go.
Diagonallys entrance was located inside a pub named the leaky cauldron which was a good 20 minute walk away. Ah! I spotted the pub across the road. It was dingy and grubby looking sign that the muggle(non-magical folks apparently) were walking by almost as if it didn't exist! I wouldn't be surprised, it exactly wouldn't go well if muggles were allowed in a place that has an entrance to a magical shopping unit.
I entered,there weren't many people in there yet only a few here and there. I was told to ask the barman the way inside the alley. And I did as much, I was led through a side door where the barman tapped a sequence into the brick wall opposite it. And what I saw was the most magnificent view ever.
When I snapped out of my reverie, the barman was nowhere to be found. I started into a walk and entered the place. It was loud, chaotic, crowed and there were simply too many things that I didn't understand, like what do you mean dragon liver???
Taking in the view, I took my sweet time approaching the bank, gringotts. As I neared the white marble steps I could see the goblin guards standing at either side of the door. The door bearing engraved words that dissuaded thieves from thievery.
The goblins themselves were unlike anything I had ever seen, short with clever faces. More goblins where sitting in desks,inside the bank,weighing precious metals and stones bigger than my hand.
Professor Mcgonagall had informed that I would get a fund that pays for my school tuition and supplies as I hadn't a penny or in this case Knut to my name. Apparently, funds and scholarships were given out to students who were unable to pay for the tuition, but usually there aren't that many people who use it as the muggleborns exchange Dollars for galleons, the exchange rate being that 1 dollar is approximately equal to 5 galleons. And the other students usually being able to pay for it, in rare cases being offered scholarships that reduce a 20-25% of their tuition.
I approached a goblin,"Good morning", I said as it never hurt to be polite,not that I can see many people behaving as such, they are ordering and talking down to the goblins from what I can observe,which is plain stupid as why would you want to be rude to the creature who have control over your money?
The goblin looked up from whatever paper work he was immersed in,he spoke cautiously as if shocked by her politeness "Good morning, is there anything I can help you with?"
"Yes, I was told by professor Mcgonagall that I would be able to get a fund here to pay my tuition fee."
"Of course, we just need to open you a account to transfer the fund into. May I have your name miss?"
"Edallyn Powell and thank you."
"It's no problem." He then called a goblin named griphook to take me to complete the paper work involved.
We went through many doors and tunnels, the goblin being the only reason I wasn't lost in there. Everything seems to be polished to perfection and there were numerous weapons in display with plaques bearing names of goblins proudly, occasionally there were beautiful pieces of jewellery too.
Finally, the goblin griphook knocked at a door, "Enter" a gruff voice spoke. Inside sitting behind a huge mahogany desk was a goblin looking through files. In front of the desk two comfortable looking plush chairs were placed and the whole room seemed to be covered in weapons, book shelves holding books, some in English, French and many in languages I've never seen before.
Griphook waited until I entered then closed the doors and left. I felt nervous but I pushed through. I walked toward the goblin and greeted him," Good morning, I have come to open a bank account"
The goblin closed the file and placed it aside and looked at me curiously, " Good morning, I'm urnock and yes of course I will assist you in your endeavour, may I have your name?" He said while taking out many parchments and weirdly enough, a bejewelled dagger and a bowl,that had many markings around it, which contained a clear liquid.
"Uh.. My name is Edallyn Powell."
"Well Miss Powell, have you heard of a inheritance test?"
"No, my apologies I don't know what it is."
" you needn't apologise, not many half blood or muggleborns know about it these days. A inheritance test tells a person about their identity, it contains all their basic information, it shows about any lordships or inheritance that is available to said person. It also shows about the persons magical abilities and lot more. It also conveniently serves as a way to check if the person is who they say they are."
"Alright, how do I get the test and how much does it cost?"
"The test can be done here now, it only takes a few minutes and it costs 50 galleons to take, the money for this shall be deducted from your fund."
After my nod of confirmation, urnock went on to explain what I need to do. I made a cut on my finger and ket seven drops of blood drop into the bowl, then wiped the dagger clean cause I've read enough fantasy to know what one can do with your blood. Urnock seemed surprised but he grunted his approval. After a minute of waiting he poured the liquid into a parchment. The parchment glowed and words started appearing on it.
Name: Edallyn Lillian Powell
Date of birth: 09/12/1980 (9th of December, 1980)
Parents: David Powell (father) (muggle)
Emily Powell née Evans (mother - deceased) (squib)
Godparent: none
Heir/Lordships:
Peverell (Ladyship to be claimed at 15 years old) (current heiress)
Core: Grey
Magical abilities:
Metamorphagus
Urnock looked gobsmacked. Honestly, i wasn't sure what the test was saying. When I spoke urnock looked up so fast I was sure he'd given himself a whiplash.
"Miss Powell or should I say peverell, if you can wait for a moment I can call the peverell account manager." He spoke as if he was in a hurry. He went out and came back with an elderly looking goblin.
"Good morning miss Powell , I am qerek the peverell account manager."
"Good morning", he the requested to see the inheritance test and then proceeded to mutter under his breath and running his hands over it. After he was satisfies with whatever he saw, he turned to me," Miss Powell, Your mother was a squib descended from the family line of peverell. A squib is a person who has magical parents or parent but they themselves do not have enough magic to wield.Now seeing that you are a witch and also the only living member of the house of peverell you are eligible to take the heirship of the house."
What. My mother who died giving birth to me was a squib and she was descended from a magical family?!?! Then why did she die that day? Surely there were potions or other medicine to help with, so that she wouldn't have died?
"My grandparents were witch and wizards???"
"Not necessarily, they might have been squibs and the generations before them too."
"does this make me a half blood?"
"...yes you could be considered a half blood as one side of your family was magical."
"If I may ask, who exactly are the peverells?"
Qerek looked startled ," but of course" he took a seat and proceeded to explain their history. The peverells were a ancient and noble house, meaning that they were in England before the times of merlin himself and that they were part of the original council of magic and the Wizengamot. They held a hereditary seat in the council of magic and 14 seats in the Wizengamot current day. They were among the first customers of the goblins bank and later were pronounced to be goblin friends. They are the richest family in English soil and and held widespread influence across Europe. He also explained about the lordships and the vaults. Currently I would only be able to access the trust and heir vaults and the family vaults will only be accessible upon the calming of the lordships.
~
I left the bank head swimming with the amount of information, pockets fuller than they ever were and a shiny new ring on my left hand.I shook my head and took out the envelope containing the supplies list.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
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, silver fastenings)
Please note that all pupils’ 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 Beginners’ 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 an owl OR a cat OR a toad
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS
Looks like the first thing I should be getting is a trunk as it wouldn't do to just be lugging around the other supplies.
After getting the trunk, I headed to the book store, got all the books on the list and some other ones for extra reading. Then the potions ingredients and the cauldron, the stationary, robes.The only things left were my wand(isn't that a exciting though in itself?), and a pet
The wand store looked narrow and shabby, what were for sure once golden lettering that glistened, now looked torn and dull read 'Ollivanders'. I entered, inside there were narrow boxes upon boxes on shelves that covered the walls. After meeting a weird owner and one weird measurement later I walked out with my wand, pulsing warmly in my hand. Yew, 11inches with a core of unicorn hair.
As I walked near the owl emporium I could hear the birds in there. I wasn't sure if I wanted an owl or any other bird. The bell rang as I pushed open the door, Inside there were many families with their children looking at or buying the animals. I started to explore, there were many breeds such as a normal barn owl, eagle owls(they mail letters faster than any other breed), snowy owl(that one had an attitude). Owls weren't the only one birds they had in store, there were actual eagles that were bigger than I was, and a other birds with colourful plumage. Whilst looking around I came across a pitch black Raven, just like the colour of my hair. It looked up curiously as I approached. It tried to pet it, and the Raven moved its head closer to accommodate me, and wasn't that sweet?! I decided that I was going to buy the Raven.
Now the only thing missing was its name, I wanted to give it a meaning full one. Oh oh! Maybe something from Greek mythology? I remember a story about Ravens that involved this god... I started to mutter beneath my breath , the Raven moving closer to me mean while.
Suddenly it let out the loud noise, startled I looked up, "what?" I whispered,confused. "Apollo...?" The Raven let out a cawing sound again.
"Wait what?"
Caw caw
"You want the name Apollo?!?"
The Raven,now named Apollo went back to rest satisfied, while I stood there. Oh well I suppose it won't be too out of topic, Ravens were after all apollos sacred birds.
I sighed, and purchased the bird. Exited the alley and walked back to the orphanage, preparing for a long 3 months until September 1st. Until then I shall read and re read the syllabus and the other books, familiarising myself with my new found world and acquainting with the responsibilities that come with being a heiress of a ancient and noble house.