A small mouse in a big house
It was a warm summer day in 1968, and the streets of London were bustling with activity. Children ran around in the park, vendors sold their wares on the street corners, and families strolled along the sidewalks. In one particular neighbourhood, a young boy named Peter Pettigrew sat on his front porch, staring longingly at the other children playing in the street.
"Peter, dear, why don't you go out and play with the other children?" his mother asked, stepping out onto the porch with a tray of lemonade.
Peter shook his head. "They don't want to play with me, Mum. They never do."
"Now, that's not true," his mother chided gently. "You just have to put yourself out there a bit more. You're a wonderful boy, Peter, and anyone would be lucky to be your friend."
Peter didn't look convinced, but he took a glass of lemonade and sipped it quietly.
"Besides," his mother continued, "you have something those other children don't have. You have magic."
Peter's eyes lit up at the mention of magic. He had always known he was different from the other children, but he had never understood why. When he was younger, he had accidentally made a toy fly across the room, and once he had turned his sister's hair bright pink by waving his hand. His parents had scolded him for being reckless, but secretly they had been proud. They knew that their son was special, even if no one else did.
"Do you really think so, Mum?" Peter asked, a glimmer of hope in his eyes.
"Of course, dear," his mother replied, ruffling his hair affectionately. "Why, I wouldn't be surprised if you received a letter from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry any day now."
Peter's heart leapt at the mention of Hogwarts. He had heard of the school before, but he had never dared to dream that he might actually attend. The idea of learning magic and making friends with other witches and wizards filled him with a sense of excitement he had never felt before.
Just then, a group of children ran past the Pettigrew house, laughing and shouting. One of them, a boy with a sneering face, pointed at Peter and shouted, "Look, it's Peter Pettigrew! He's too fat to play with us!"
The other children giggled and ran off, leaving Peter feeling hot with shame. He hated how they made fun of him for being overweight, as if it was something he could control. He longed to show them that he was more than just a chubby kid on the sidelines.
"Don't listen to them, dear," his mother said, seeing the hurt in his eyes. "You're perfect just the way you are, and one day they'll see that too."
Peter didn't believe her, but he appreciated the sentiment. He finished his lemonade and went inside, eager to escape the taunts of the other children.
As he lay in bed that night, listening to the sounds of the city outside his window, Peter couldn't help but wonder what his life would be like if he really did attend Hogwarts. Would he finally make friends who accepted him for who he was? Would he learn to control his magic and use it for good? He didn't know, but he was determined to find out.
–--
The summer days passed by, and Peter continued to dream about the possibilities that Hogwarts could bring. He spent most of his time reading books about magic and practicing spells in his room, desperate to improve his skills.
Despite his efforts, the other children in the neighbourhood continued to taunt him. They would shout insults as he walked by, throw rocks at his windows, and generally make his life miserable. Peter's parents did their best to shield him from the bullying, but there was only so much they could do.
Finally, on a bright and sunny morning in August, a large brown envelope arrived in the mail for Peter. It was addressed in emerald green ink to Mr. P. Pettigrew, and bore a wax seal with a coat of arms depicting a lion, an eagle, a badger, and a snake.
Peter's heart raced as he tore open the envelope and read the letter inside.
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 Mr. Pettigrew,
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
Peter's heart leapt with joy as he read the letter. He couldn't believe it – he was actually going to Hogwarts! He ran to show the letter to his mother, who was overjoyed.
"Oh, Peter, I'm so proud of you!" she exclaimed, hugging him tightly. "This is the beginning of a wonderful adventure."
Peter beamed with pride, feeling like he had finally found his place in the world. For the first time in a long time, he felt like he belonged.
As the days ticked by, Peter and his parents busied themselves with shopping for school supplies and preparing for the journey to Hogwarts. They visited Diagon Alley, the wizarding shopping district in London, where they purchased a wand for Peter and all the necessary books and robes.
Finally, the day of departure arrived. Peter stood nervously on the platform at King's Cross Station, clutching his trunk and his wand, as his parents fussed over him.
"Now remember, Peter, be safe and be good," his mother said tearfully, giving him one last hug.
"And don't forget to write to us every week," his father added, ruffling his hair affectionately.
Peter nodded, feeling a lump form in his throat. He was excited to begin this new chapter of his life, but he was also scared. What if he didn't make any friends? What if he wasn't good enough at magic?
But as the Hogwarts Express pulled into the station and the other students began to board, Peter felt a surge of determination. He would show everyone that he was more than just a chubby kid on the sidelines. He would prove himself as a wizard, and make friends who accepted him for who he was.
Taking a deep breath, he hoisted his trunk onto the train and followed the other students inside, ready to begin the adventure of a lifetime.