Chapter 1
Prologue : August 1970
Charlie liked two things : his drums and reading. He also liked Nick Nelson, but that was a secret.
He finally realised his feelings for him two days into summer break after receiving a moving postcard from the fifth year promo and stared at it during all summer. Charlie didn’t like summer, he liked watching the snow fall by the window, he liked the way the lights brightened the city of London, he also liked Christmas. But what was the magic of Christmas compared to Hogwarts ?
For a muggle like him, Christmas was the closest thing he had to a bit of magic, that was until Albus Dumbledore knocked on his door, or more like invited himself in through the chimney on a hot summer day. Their parents weren’t at home and Tori was supposed to look after her little brother, and she did try to protect him…But she was only thirteen years older.
“Are you Charlie Spring, boy ?”
“Are you Santa Claus ?” Tori replied instead with her usual nonchalant tone.
Albus ignored her and knelt down to Charlie’s size. “Hello Charlie, my name is Albus Dumbledore and it’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”
“Finally ?” The boy asked dumb founded.
“Do you feel different, Charlie ?”
“What ?” He asked, staring at his sister, his eyes screaming “help.”
“That’s it, I'm calling the police.” Tori ran towards the phone and started composing the number on the capsule. But the phone instantly transformed into a thousand pieces of paper. Albus, wand in hand, was smiling.
“H-How did you ?”
“See Tori ! That’s Santa.”
“We’re in august, Charlie.” Tori sat back on the couch, uninterested.
“Don’t you know anything about jetlags ?” Charlie insisted.
“Do you ?” His sister sneered, wincing.
“Children…please.” Albus urged. “Charlie, have you ever witnessed any…unusual things happening in your life ? Whenever you were a bit too sad, or too angry or even just…very happy ?”
Yes, of course. But Charlie was not allowed to talk about it, to anyone. Not even to Santa. The eleven years old boy looked down at his shoes, and shook his head.
“You wouldn’t lie to an old man, would you ?”
“He shouldn’t even be talking to an old man.” Tori retorted, sipping from her cup.
“Ignore your sister. You can talk to me, I’m just like you. You see, I come from a land where everybody is like you, everybody is…magic. You’re not alone anymore Charlie.” Dumbledore handed the wand to the curly haired boy who took it gently, shaking like a leaf even after the comforting smile Albus gave him. “You’re a wizard, Charlie.”
“What about me ?” Tori was now standing in the middle of the living room and facing Dumbledore. “I also feel different.”
“I’m afraid this isn’t the same sort of difference, dear Victoria.”
“When Charlie is very upset, the glass breaks, the candles light up, and when I break a plate, I get grounded. This isn’t fair.”
“I understand what you feel Victoria, but being a wizard is not simply a gift, it can be destructive if the wrong path is chosen.”
“Why is Charlie so special ? Nobody in my family is a “wizard” ? Why should we even believe you ?”
“All I want is for Charlie to feel safe and educated in our school for wizards where he could learn how to master his abilities and meet other children like him.”
“You’re taking him ?” Her voice had changed, it was full of feelings…something Charlie had never heard before coming from her. It was new and scary.
Charlie suddenly felt a wave of insecurity and ran to hide behind his sister. “I don’t want to go with you.”
“I suggest we wait until your parents get back home so we can talk about it.”
Little did he know, their parents never came back. Charlie’s parents died in a car accident on August 30rd 1970.
What other choice did they have now ? Tori couldn’t take care of him on her own, she had to let him go. However, they promised to meet again soon, until then he would write to her at least once a week and tell her about all the adventures he lived as a “little wizard.” Tori, as for her, would stay in an orphanage without any hopes of getting adopted at her advanced age. But Charlie never stopped believing that loving parents would rescue her from there. Or perhaps he was the one needing rescue ?
It all went downhill from there.