The next morning Harry and Crystal both woke up and went down to breakfast. Harry was ordered to get the mail and Crystal volunteered to get it. They saw each other, and walked over to one another to take a few seconds to chat. "Hi, Harry." "Hi, Crystal." "How are you? Did I get you into big trouble, because if I did, I'm really sorry." Crystal said. "I'm fine. Don't worry about me. It was fun." Harry explained, with a smile. "I know. It was fun, wasn't it." Crystal smiled in return. She liked talking to Harry; he was so easy to talk to. "HARRY POTTER!!!!!" yelled Mr. Dursley from Harry's house. "Well, I'd better get going. See you around, Crystal." "Bye, Harry." Crystal took the mail back inside the house and was snooping through it when she found a letter with her name on it. Crystal flipped the letter over and saw a strange sealer on it. It had four sections, each one with a different letter and animal. A badger next to the letter H, a raven next to the letter R, a snake next to the letter S, and a lion next to the letter G. She pondered over that for a minute and then she opened the letter. It 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 Potter-Cortez, We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on September 1st. We await your owl no later than July 31. Also, we have been informed that you are living with Muggles, non-magic folk, at the present time. We will send someone to come and help you get your supplies. Yours sincerely, Professor McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress As Crystal finished reading, she gasped. Her parents and brother came into the living room, looking to where she had gone. They saw Crystal standing by the door, staring a piece of paper. “Crystal, what’s that?” her mother asked. Crystal was speechless so she just handed them the letter. When they were done reading they had the same, confused, shocked faces that Crystal wore. Then Crystal remembered the other sheet of paper. She pulled it out of the envelope and read; 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' (Grade1) 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, and '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 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. "Mom, are- are you a witch?" Crystal stammered after they had finished reading. "What?" "I mean, there is really only one way for me to get a letter saying I'm going to wizard school; one of you has to be a wizard." Judy and Robert both shook their heads. "Crystal, you know you were adopted right?" Thomas asked, thinking she was crazy. Crystal mused over that. "Wait, September 1st is coming up soon. I need to get all these supplies." She said as she was looking at the list. Almost as if it were waiting for the cue, there was a knock at the door. Robert shrugged around Crystal to open it. There was a man dressed in a long purple cloak, even though it was around ninety-five degrees outside. His hair was thinning but you could still see that it was bright orange. "Excuse me; I am looking for a Miss Crystal Cortez." Crystal turned around and answered, "I'm Crystal." "Miss Cortez, my name is Arthur Weasley. I'm from the Ministry of Magic and I've come to help you get your school supplies.” he said. "Oh? Oh! You’re from Hogwarts! You’re from the wizards!” Crystal exclaimed. “Well, actually, I’m from the Ministry of Magic. But yes; I am from the wizarding world. I expect you and your family have a bunch of questions?” “Yes, we do.” Thomas snarled, glaring at the stranger. Crystal wondered why he was being so rude. “Please, come in.” Mr. Cortez said stepping aside to let the man in. They sat down in the living room and Mr. Weasley began telling Crystal that she was a witch and how she was invited to attend Hogwarts School and study magic. “You will be learning about magic in a safe and constructive environment. You will live there during the school year and come back home for the summer.” Mr. Weasley said. “Kind of like a boarding school?” Crystal asked, excited; she had always wanted to go live at a boarding school. “Yes. Kind of like a boarding school.” Mr. Weasley replied. He told them some more information and things they would need to know. Then he dug into his pocket for a small watch, checked the time, and said, “Miss Cortez, I would love to explain more to you but I am on a schedule. We have to go and buy your supplies remember?” “Oh, yes! Will you just excuse me for a moment while I go and get ready?" Crystal asked. "Yes of course." Mr. Weasley replied. "Yeah, I’ll go-go help her." Thomas said as Crystal dashed up the stairs. Mrs. Cortez tried to grab ahold of him but he dashed up the stairs after Crystal. Crystal was flying around her room trying to find something appropriate to wear. ‘What does one wear while going to get wizarding supplies?’ she wondered. Thomas grabbed her by her shoulders and shook her. "Crystal! What do you think you're doing? You think you are just going to go with this man because he said something about magic? Just because he told you you were a witch and could go to some school to learn how to do magic?" Thomas asked. "Thomas, you make it sound as if this is all fake." Crystal said, exasperated. "IT VERY WELL COULD BE!" Thomas roared. Crystal jumped. She had never seen Thomas act like this before. “Thomas, I’ll be fine. I know what I’m doing.” Crystal gently pushed him out of her room and closed the door so she could get dressed. When Crystal was ready she headed down the stairs to find her mom, dad, and Mr. Weasley having polite conversation about how 'Muggle' things work. Mr. Weasley was delightedly listening to her parents try to explain how the dishwasher worked. Thomas trudged only to the bottom of the steps, not going to come down any further. "I'm ready now." Crystal said. "Very good. Now Mr. and Mrs. Cortez, I realize how big of a shock this must be for you and I really do appreciate your cooperation with me. Crystal is a witch. She has powers and skills that no ordinary human has. At Hogwarts she will learn how to control that power and use it. If you wish, one of you could come with us?” Judy spoke up, “No. I think Crystal is old enough and mature enough to make her own decisions.” “Very well, Crystal, are you ready?” Mr. Weasley asked. “Yes. I want to do this alone. Let’s go.” "NO!" Everyone turned their heads to look at Thomas. "I won't let her go! It’s not fair! Mum, Dad, I can’t believe that you are just going to let Crystal go with this person we just met today!" “Thomas, Crystal is responsible enough to make this decision on her own.” His mother scolded him. Crystal walked over to Thomas and said, "Thomas, I’m leaving. I have to go off on my own sometime. I don't need you to be with me every step of the way. I'm going and you're just going to have to trust me. I'm sorry." She gave him a kiss on the cheek and then said goodbye to her mother and father. Crystal almost couldn't hold in her excitement a she climbed into the back of the black car. Thomas followed her out of the house and folded his arms on the open window. "Crystal, will you please be careful.” Thomas said. "Nothing is going to happen to me. I'll see you later, ok." And with that, they backed out of the driveway and drove into London. "Excuse me, sir, but where are we going?" "First you can call me Mr. Weasley and second we have to go to London to buy your supplies." "London? You can get wizard supplies in London?" Crystal wondered. She'd lived outside of London all her life and never once heard of a wizard shop. "If you know where to go." was all Mr. Weasley answered. When they entered downtown London, Mr. Weasley parked the car and got out. Crystal did the same. In front of them there was a nice looking bunch of shops, but none had wizarding stuff in them. Mr. Weasley and Crystal started walking down the square until they came up to this grubby looking pub. Crystal looked around in amazement. The other shoppers just whisked by as if they couldn't see the pub. But then again, Crystal had a strong suspicion that they couldn't see it. Mr. Weasley led her to the door and went in. Inside it was dark, musty, and dirty. There wasn't anyone else inside except a bald, hunchbacked man standing behind the counter. Mr. Weasley strolled up to the front bar. "Ah. Arthur. How are you old chap?" the barman asked. "Fine, Tom, just fine." "Can I get you the usual?" Tom asked; reaching under the counter for a dirty mug. "No thanks, Tom. I'm on official Ministry duty. I've come to take Miss Crystal here shopping for her school supplies." Mr. Weasley replied. Tom gave Crystal a very strange look and then jumped to his feet, ran around the counter and grabbed her hand and shook it. "I'm so very pleased to finally meet you Miss Potter. Your parents were great friends of mine. It's so good to meet you. Where is your brother?" He asked. Crystal was confused. "Thomas?" Mr. Weasley stepped closer and whispered something in Tom's ear. Tom looked up, understanding crossed his face. "Yes. Yes, of course. Will you please say my hellos to young Mr. Thomas?” Tom said. "Well," Mr. Weasley said, obviously changing the subject, "we'd best get going. Lots of things to buy. And learn." He added with a meaningful glance at Crystal. Tom nodded and went back behind the bar. Mr. Weasley led Crystal out a back door, to a small enclosed area outside. Crystal was a little confused, but then Mr. Weasley pulled out a wand and tapped the wall in a pattern. At first nothing happened. Then suddenly the walls started to move, making a little doorway. And out the other side of the doorway were rows and rows of glistening shops. People were everywhere, but not the same looking people out on the streets in London. These people were dressed like Mr. Weasley. They were witches and wizards, Crystal realized in amazement. There were dozens of them looking at the shop windows, buying things, talking to one another. As Crystal and Mr. Weasley made their way through, Crystal's eyes couldn't keep up with all the excitement. They darted from the wand shop, to the broom shop, to the wardrobe shop. She was very interested in the in the shop called Eylops Owl Eporium, as she started to pause and look, Mr. Weasley said, "Crystal, come on, we can look once we get your money out of your vault." "I have a vault?" Crystal asked, tearing her eyes away from the beautiful creatures in the window. "Yes, your real mother and father left you a fair amount of money. You didn't think they'd leave you with nothing did you?" Mr. Weasley chuckled. "Where is the money kept?" Crystal asked. "Deep underground. We have to go to the wizard bank called Gringotts. You see that white building up ahead?" Crystal nodded. "That's Gringotts. All your money is kept down there. It's very safe. Almost as safe as Hogwarts; but Hogwarts is safest." Mr. Weasley explained. As they came closer to Gringotts, Mr. Weasley warned, "Now, this bank is run by goblins. They are very clever but also very tricky. Don't mess around with a goblin. I want you to stay close to me please." They stepped through double glass doors, into a huge room full of little creatures that Crystal suspected were the goblins. Mr. Weasley walked over to a counter with a grumpy looking goblin sitting at it. Mr. Weasley cleared his throat when the goblin didn't look up. The goblin just glared up at them and asked for the key. Crystal had no idea what he was talking about but Mr. Weasley dug a tiny golden key out from his pocket and gave it to the goblin. The goblin read the key and then sneered at Crystal. A shiver ran down Crystal’s spine. Then the goblin called out another goblin called Griphook. Griphook lead Mr. Weasley and Crystal into another set of double doors. They got into little carts and zipped down the trail. Crystal was trying to look everywhere but it was too fast to see anything. She leaned over the side to look below them, but all she could see was blackness. Soon they were slowing down and they came to an abrupt stop. Crystal, Mr. Weasley, and Griphook climbed out and walked a few paces to a steal door. Griphook stuck the key in a tiny lock and twisted it. The next thing Crystal knew was that she was staring at a huge vault full of gold and silver and copper coins. She couldn't believe that her real parents had left her all this money. Mr. Weasley gave her a money pouch and whispered, "I'll explain the money system later, right now let's just get out of here." Crystal nodded and grabbed three handfuls of each different coin. She didn't know how much she would need. She put the bag in her purse so she wouldn't mix it up with her Muggle money. After another neck breaking ride, it was time to go shopping. Crystal was very excited to get started and she didn't know where to go first. "You might want to start at Madam Malkin for your robes." Mr. Weasley suggested. They walked over to the shop with lots of black robes in the front window. Mr. Weasley held the door open for Crystal as she went inside. Madam Malkin was a squat witch. She smiled as she saw Crystal. "Hogwarts dear?" she asked. Crystal nodded. Madam Malkin led Crystal over to a stool in front of a mirror and started giving her robes to try on. “There have been so many kids from Hogwarts in today. You wouldn’t believe how busy this whole place gets this time of year.” Crystal just nodded. She was soaking in every bit of information she could. When they found the right size, Madam Malkin folded it and put in a box for her and Mr. Weasley helped her pay for it. Then they went over to a shop called Flourish and Blotts to buy all of her spell books. After that they headed over to another shop to get her scales and phials and cauldron. "Now, we need to go to the Apothecary and get your potion ingredients." Crystal didn't really like that shop. It smelled bad and the man behind the counter was creepy. Next they went to Eylops Owl Eporium. She walked inside the store and heard hundreds of owls screeching at her. Their big yellow eyes were all looking at her, as if they were saying, ‘Look who it is!’ Crystal examined each one. She heard two shrill hoots near the back of the store. Crystal slowly walked over to a cage with twin snowy owls inside. She thought the owls were beautiful. “Sir,” she called to the storekeeper, who made his way over to her, “I would like one of these owls, please.” “Good choice, m-dear. These owls are very special. They are full blood twins. That never happens with owls. Now, our owls choose the wizard. All you have to do is put on one of these gloves and stick your arm inside the cage. Whichever owl flies to you is yours. Remember; don’t force the owl to pick you. He will pick you when he wants and if he wants to.” Crystal put on the glove and opened the cage door and stuck her hand inside. Both owls flew up instantly and landed on her arm. Mr. Weasley and the storekeeper were shocked. Crystal looked at the owls and whispered, “Sorry. I'm pretty sure I can only take one of you guys. I want to take both but I don’t think that’s allowed.” Crystal watched as the owls looked at each other and then one of them flew back to its perch, hooting to the one on Crystal’s arm. That one replied back and then turned its head to gaze at Crystal. Crystal knew that this was always supposed to be her owl; like this owl was born for Crystal. Crystal gazed at the other owl, whispered a soft goodbye and left with her new owl. She would name her later. Mr. Weasley was still shocked about what happened in the owlery. "Well, uh, now you have to get your wand. We'll go to Ollivanders; that's the best place to go." Crystal was really excited now. She was looking forward to getting her wand. Inside the store it was shabby and dusty. Crystal could actually see the dust floating around. "Good afternoon." Came a soft voice. Crystal and Mr. Weasley jumped. An old man was coming around the corner and Crystal had never seen eyes like his before. They were pale and shining bright, like a full moon she thought to herself. The man, obviously Mr. Ollivander, stared at Crystal for a fraction of a second before saying, "Ah, yes. Yes, I had hoped I would see you soon. You look like your mother when she was the same age. But I can tell you look like your father as well. You have his posture." Mr. Ollivander chuckled and sighed. "It seems only yesterday that your mother and father were in here buying their first wands." Crystal wished Mr. Ollivander would look away. She didn't like the way that he never seemed to blink. "But, well now, to business shall we? Which is your wand hand?" Ollivander asked. "Well, I'm right-handed." Mr. Ollivander measured her arm and then started rummaging through the boxes that lined the shelves. He handed her wand after wand and asked her to just swish them around, but after each, nothing happened and he snatched it back from her. The pile was getting bigger and bigger. But Ollivander kept getting more and more excited. Then as he was in the back room, Crystal saw him pause between two boxes. He brought them back carefully to her. "Why don't you try this one." he said. "Holly and phoenix feather, eleven inches, nice and supple." Ollivander watched Crystal and the wand carefully and she reached for it. She took the wand in her hand and swished it once. Nothing happened. It seemed to deflate Mr. Ollivander a bit but then he gave her the other box. "Mahogany and phoenix feather. Eleven inches. Pliable." As Crystal took it in her hand she felt the wand vibrating and sudden warmth in her fingers. "Oh yes! Yes indeed, I should have thought of it before! But very odd. Very odd indeed." Ollivander put Crystal's wand back into its box and wrapped it in brown paper still muttering, "Odd, very odd." "Excuse me, Mr. Ollivander, but what's so odd about that wand?" Crystal asked. "I remember every wand I've ever sold, Miss Crystal. It so happens that the second to last wand you tried is a very special wand; as is yours." "Well what's so special about the first wand?" "It so happens that the phoenix, whose tail feather resides in that wand, gave another feather- just one other. This feather went into the wand that-“ Mr. Ollivander started, but was cut off by Mr. Weasley clearing his throat very loudly. Mr. Ollivander looked to Mr. Weasley who gave him a very stern look. Mr. Ollivander went on. “Anyway, this feather was put into another wand and was given to a very bad, a very dark wizard.” “Who is that wizard?” Crystal asked, intrigued. “We do not speak his name.” “So what’s with the two wands?” “Neither can live while the other survives.” Mr. Ollivander chanted. Crystal was so confused. None of what Mr. Ollivander said made any sense. Crystal decided to give up on the subject; until another question popped into her head. "Wait a minute. One day when I was in a... a situation, I got so angry and then I felt like this energy wave go right through me and it shocked the person who was holding me. What's that about?" "Ah. You had a mini episode of magic. Magic can be displayed when you have very heightened emotion. It's not very common. Only powerful wizards are able to do it." Ollivander explained. Crystal blushed. She didn't feel like she was anything special. "So what's so odd about my wand?" Crystal asked, changing the subject again. "Ah. Now, your wand is something special too. See I've just discovered that the phoenix had one sister. No phoenix has ever before had a true blood sister. The phoenix tail feather in your wand is that very sister." "So, that must mean something?" Crystal prompted. Mr. Ollivander began to say something but Mr. Weasley interrupted, "I'm sorry but we really have to be going. Lots more to do. Thank you Mr. Ollivander." he said with a meaningful glance at Ollivander. Ollivander bowed and went to the cash register. Crystal paid seven gold Galleons for her wand. "Just remember, Miss Crystal, the wand chooses the wizard. Or in this case the witch." And he gave her one last piercing stare. The late afternoon sun hung low in the sky as Crystal and Mr. Weasley made their way back down Diagon Alley, back through the wall, and back through the Leaky Cauldron. They found an empty seat in the back as they both ordered an ice cream. "Mr. Weasley, I was wondering about what Mr. Ollivander said. Nothing he said made sense. Well, some of it did, and then some of it didn’t. And you, and everyone else for that matter, seems to know something about me I don’t.” Mr. Weasley sighed. "I guess I should have known you would ask that soon, what with all the people staring at you and the funny comments made." Mr. Weasley wiped his forehead with a handkerchief. "Well, I guess it's time to tell you. Crystal your mother and father were murdered by a very powerful wizard.” Crystal’s eyes froze open. "What?" “Now remember, not all wizards are good. There are some wizards who think they are better than others because they're what people call 'pure bloods'. Your parents were very good wizards, Crystal." Mr. Weasley told her. "My parents were murdered? How come? What did they do wrong? Why did this bad wizard choose to kill them?" "Your mother and father were part of an organization that tried to bring - Voldemort down. And that's the last time I'm going to say his name. But of course, all were unsuccessful. Then one day your mother and father found out that their children were in danger. You-Know-Who was after them because of a prophecy. Then You-Know-Who came to your house and killed your mother and father trying to protect you, and you were sent to live with the Cortez family." "Wait. My mom said that she found me from an old woman in another country?" "It was all a setup to make it as real as possible. The old woman was, in fact, Bathilda Bagshot; a highly known witch. When your parents found out You-Know-Who was at your door, your father, James, put you into the fireplace and threw Floo Powder-" “Floo Powder?” Crystal interrupted. “It’s another way of wizard transportation, through fireplaces.” Mr. Weasley quickly explained. “Your father put you in the fireplace and threw Floo Powder over you. Just as the door burst open, and You-Know-Who walked in, your father screamed Bathilda Bagshot’s house and you were whisked away to her house; away from the chaos that was soon to come. Your father died protecting you.” "Oh. So my mother and father were killed by this Voldemort, trying to save me?” Crystal asked quietly. Mr. Weasley winced. “Don’t say his name.” “Sorry.” “Yes. Your parents were killed by You-Know-Who because of a prophecy.” Mr. Weasley said. “Wait a minute, earlier you said children. I’m not an only child?” Mr. Weasley sighed. "No, Crystal. You have a brother. Actually you have a twin brother. Your mother was trying to send your brother to the same place but was blocked by You-Know-Who. She ran into both of your bedrooms and tried to lock the door. But You-Know-Who got through and killed her and then pointed his wand at your brother. He said the killing curse, but something happened.” “What?” “Something about your brother stopped You-Know-Who. He vanished, disappeared. Your brother saved us all from You-Know-Who. And before You-Know-Who killed your father, he tried to kill you, but somehow you blocked it and wounded him. And that’s when he went to find Harry, after you were whisked away.” "Blocked the curse? How could I do that?" "No one knows. But the mark on your neck; that is no mark of an accident. That is where the curse hit you before you disappeared. "The heart on my neck?" Crystal automatically reached her hand toward her scar. "Vold- sorry, You-Know-Who sent a killing curse at me and it rebounded but left a scar on my neck?" "Exactly. The same thing happened to your brother." “So you’re saying my brother and I stopped the most powerful evil wizard of all time when we were infants?” “Yes. For now.” "Wait? For now? What does that mean?" "Well, some wizards say that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named died after that night. Others say different. I, for one, think he is still roaming around. Bodiless and very weak. But, I think one day he will be able to return." "That's not good." "No. It's not." Mr. Weasley sighed. “Wow. And what happened to my brother, did you say?” “About the same that happened to you. Except he was sent off to live with his aunt and uncle." "Well, why didn't I go live with them too? Shouldn't they be my aunt and uncle as well?" "Yes. They are. You didn’t go to them because they... they didn't want you. They didn’t want or know that your brother was going to live with them." Mr. Weasley said, looking a little uncomfortable now. "Oh. I see.” Crystal said, wondering why Mr. Weasley was suddenly acting nervous. “Mr. Weasley, who is my brother?” Crystal had this nagging suspicion that this question was the reason for Mr. Weasley’s strange behavior. "I guess I have kept it from you for too long. You have the right to know. I don’t know how to put it. Well, think about it Crystal. Who does this sound like to you?” He said, tugging at his shirt. Crystal thought about it. She thought about all the things Mr. Weasley said and everything he described about her brother. Twin, orphan, living with his aunt and uncle who didn’t want him there. Crystal thought long and hard. A sudden mental image of Harry flooded her brain. He was an orphan living with his aunt and uncle who didn’t want him there, and he had the same strange green eye color as Crystal. "My brother is Harry Potter?!?!?!" Crystal shrieked. "Sorry." she added after Mr. Weasley shushed her. "Yes. Your brother is Harry Potter. He lives with your aunt and uncle, Vernon and Petunia Dursley, a few houses down the street from you.” Mr. Weasley breathed. Crystal just sat there, shocked. Harry Potter was her brother. He had been living down the street from her all her life. “Crystal?” Mr. Weasley said, fearing she would explode into tears. "It all makes sense, though. I can't believe I didn't see it before. The same eye color, the same personalities. He’s living with his aunt and uncle. No one knows where he came from or why he’s there. No one knows really where I came from and why I’m there. Wow. Harry Potter; my twin brother. Defeaters of Lord Voldemort when we were only two years old." "Are you ok, Crystal?” Mr. Weasley wondered. "Yeah. I’m never better actually.” “Crystal you just have to promise me you won’t say anything about any of this to Harry. He will learn in his own time. But for right now, let’s just keep it quiet. I don't think it would be very wise of you to tell him anything. He will be going to Hogwarts. If we can get him to answer his letter.” Mr. Weasley added in an undertone. "What? Why isn't he answering?" "I believe the Muggles he is living with are preventing it. But, Crystal, you musn't do anything. We will handle it and Harry will be alright." Crystal agreed. Excited as she was, she vowed not to tell Harry. That was going to be really hard for her.