Chapter 1
I am a mother, sort of at least, I have a kid named Harry but he is not really mine, he is my sister's child, my dear older sister Lily and her husband passed away at the young age of 21 when Harry was just a baby, I was of course devastated when I found out about their deaths, I couldn´t believe at first, a car crash, I was completely stupefy, now i know that car crash is not in any way uncommon but knowing them and their secret, being the magical creatures they were to me I could not believe that was the reason for their death, but that was all I was told and eventually I had to accepted it and live with it.
I decided to take care of dear Harry, much to my other sister Petunia and her petulant husband Vernon delight but unfortunately I was too young to do so, being only seventeen so my sister had no choice, I tried to be there for Harry anyway and he certainly appreciate it, I could see and feel our bond, he was my family, but I found it hard to be there at all times because of high school and then university and so on, but even then I never forgot him and wrote him more often than not, my goal was clear as i promised that the second I became truly independent with a stable home I would bring him with me.
The opportunity to do just that arrived when Harry turned eleven, I became static when he wrote me about him receiving a suspicious letter, I had my suspicious about Harry being magical as well but decided not to say anything until things were clear like what happened with Lily, not surprising enough he told me how Petunia and Vernon were taking the situation not letting him properly read any letter, like always I had to step up in the matter, so I took the next train to Berkshire.
Now my sister hated all magic related things but in my case being a muggle as they often call me I didn't reject it completely, I could not understand how all that magic worked and even if i asked i never got much of an answer, but i found it interesting and quite wonderful.
-“Lily wait up please”- I begged her, being barely 9 years old I was sad to see my favorite sister go for the third time to an unknown and mysterious school.
-”Sweet Edith, we already said goodbye like a million times”- Lily laughed a little bit exasperated -” I´ll write you often and bring you gifts like always very soon ”.
-”You promise?” -As i asked her, a tall, older thin boy with hazel eyes and untidy black hair called for Lily and she just rolled her eyes trying not to smile.
-”I promise Edith”.
While I was reminiscing, the train arrived and soon I got to the Dursley home, Harry seemedly sensed me or perhaps was waiting this whole time for my arrival.
-”Aunt Edith!” -He opened the door with hopeful eyes, finally thinking his salvation was here no doubt.
-“Reckless child, come here!”- Vernon Dursley came after him, red face and all.
-“Vernon, well aren't you saying hello to me?”- I glared at him as I hugged Harry tightly.
-”Yes, well..Hello”- He seemed uncomfortable as he glanced hoping to see Petunia and visibly relaxed when she appeared at last.
-“Edith, what a surprise- She silently glanced at Harry making him recoil more onto me- “You didn't have to come here so soon, you were here just a few weeks ago”.
-”You did say that my presence was always welcomed”- I said sarcastically remembering how she said those exact words a few weeks ago with the same tone of sarcasm. -”I promise it won't take long, I just happened to be around and decided to say hello and see how my favorite nephew is doing, anything new sweetie?
The Dursley seemed vivid, perhaps for appearing oh so conveniently at this time or maybe for the favorite nephew sentence.
-”Well now that you ask”- Vernon Dursley could not take it any longer and interrupted him- “Shush boy I warn you, if you don't I swear I”-.
-”You what, I dare you to say it”- I said as Harry ran to the house and took a letter that was badly hidden in a jar.
-”Aunt Edith, they won't let me open it!”-.
-”How mature of you” -I said particularly to Petunia that was doing her best to not look ashamed. -”You know exactly what that letter means and you dare to keep it hidden from the world”
-”I do not want to live with another freak ever again”- She lost all compustured as she shouted at me, I tried so hard not to slap her as I knew in my heart this day would come.
-”He is not a freak, and if you think is alright to call a child something like that I pity your son, and do not worry anymore my dear sister because Harry is coming to live with me, I filed a petition with the court to change the guardianship”
There it is, what I had wished to do for so long was already done, I was almost 29 with a steady job and a house back in the town I was raised so many years ago, back in Cokeworth. I almost got teary eyes when I saw Harry´s eyes, wide open, full of hope, those beautiful eyes where I could still see my sister reflected on them.
-”You are insane”- That was all she said as she took a look at the papers, no doubt she would sign them.
Now back in Cokeworth, I was feeling to see my house, now Harry´s home as well. It was a little lovely, almost cottage-like house, relieved to finally fulfill the promise I made to Lily and Harry. It has been two weeks since Harry moved to my house, I knew it was a matter of time until someone contacted us. I was a little worried, more like a lot worried for what was to come but I had to be strong for him.
Harry came down the stairs and to the living room where I was, he had gotten so taller as he was already 11 years old, time sure flies, I worked so hard for him, I spent so many years working at an inn named Fireflight Inn located in Cokeworth, now I was the manager of it, some people did not take me seriously there for being so young but I had always been stubborn and a hard worker and the previous owner recognized me for it and at the end decided to left me in charge.
-”Aunt Edith, what with the mystery of the letter, when will you explain to me what it means?”
“-All at good times kiddo”- He rolled his eyes and mumbled, that sassy kid.
I looked at the door expectancy, even I could not admit that I was dying to know more about Hogwarts. I was about to resume my daily routine when suddenly someone knocked at the door.