17Today is going to suck.
It was the summer holidays and therefore the start of finding more interesting and exhausting ways to torture her and her brother. With no school, her 'family' got bolder in less feeding and more work. Not to mention beatings.
Poppy couldn't sleep because Harry had his nightmares again. He slept through the night but she couldn't, too worried and scared. It wasn't normal to have so many nightmares, she knew it but on this particular night it freaked her out more so than usual.
Her muscles also ached. She was ordered to weed the entire garden and mow the lawn yesterday. Only Harry couldn't help. He was the polish the china. Harry, stupid brave idiot, objected and stated he would do the garden instead. Bad idea. Uncle Vernon cuffed her over the back of the head in rage at Harry's words as she was closer to him at the time. Harry went white and she thought he would faint before Vernon's barking orders brought him back.
Harry still hadn't spoken to her, he was wallowing in guilt. Not that he needed to. But Poppy knew her brother enough to let him be until he got over it. Stubborn as a mule.
So as Harry cooked breakfast and she went to fetch the mail she knew today was going to be insufferable.
She picked up the post and flicked through it, being nosey. She would never admit to hoping to find something that would whisk her and Harry away. Never. But it soothed her to check every day. Just in case.
'What is this...?' She thought in a daze.
To her astonishment, there were letters for both her and Harry. What in the world...? She hid hers away, under the pile of baggy clothes, tucked into her trousers and was about to do the same with Harry's when she was shoved from behind.
"OI, What you got there freak?" The voice of her cousin shouted. Poppy panicked as he ripped Harry's letter from her with his chubby sausage-like hands.
"MOMMY, DADDY, HARRY'S GOT A LETTER. WHO WOULD WRITE HIM" He screeched as he bolted into the kitchen. Poppy panicked and ran after him. She didn't even know he could move that quickly!
"You can't, that belongs to Harry not you!" She shouted in ire at the entire room. Harry spun round from the cooker and shot her a horror filled look. Aunt Petunia looked like she had just sucked on a lemon and Dudley looked smug from beside his father.
Vernon looked half way pleased she was so upset and enraged at her outburst, his face changing colour. Dudley handed over the letter. Oh god, she had to get it back!
It was too late.
Uncle Vernon eyed the letter with complete and utter revulsion and... a little fear? That was odd, she could swear she saw a little panic in his beady little eyes. Curious. What was in there! It must be something good! In the meantime, she felt a tug on her sleeve and Harry's questioning gaze on her. His face was concerned, his eyes held warning but his whole body language was angry and defeated. It was her fault he didn't get his letter.
'Dam it, some sister I am' She thought guiltily.
"What is it?" She questioned, unable to hold it in any longer.
As Petunia leant over and saw the address her eyes filled with sudden, all-consuming hate. It startled her. Disdain, irritation, scorn and contempt but never hate... that was more Vernon's cup of tea.
Just what was this letter! She bounced a little on the balls of her feet and her eyes sparkled, gazing longingly at that letter. This was it. It was their ticket to freedom. She knew it.
Harry put a gentle hand on her shoulder to stop her from moving. She had no idea how he could contain himself.
Vernon huffed and did something she couldn't believe. He... ripped the letter. She sucked in a sharp breath and felt like her heart shattered into a million pieces. But... that letter was their chance... She still had hers but did this mean Harry's opportunity was gone? It better not be.
Her uncle seemed perturbed by the letter, so much so he forgot a punishment and or beating for them. Most unusual.
"Well, what about you girl? Did you get a letter?" He asked her in a menacing tone.
She shook her head rapidly, "Um no... was I supposed to?" She asked warily, crossing her fingers behind her back that he would believe her lie. Harry began serving breakfast but hovered near her protectively.
Her uncle regarded her for a moment before huffing and began eating. Poppy was so confused. How did he know she also had a letter? What was it?! It felt like the letter was burning against her skin she was so curious.
Then the most unbelievable thing happen then.
Her aunt offered her a slice of toast. From her own plate.
"Here" was all she said. She nodded in a daze and took it cautiously. She nibbled on it and planned to give the rest to Harry but then...
"You, go and scrub the toilet upstairs, it's filthy" She spat at Harry.
Today was just getting weirder and weirder.
Harry went to scrub the toilet and she made her way to their cupboard to read the letter. They walked side by side through the room and when he went to go upstairs she gave him a wink and lifted her top to flash a bit of her own letter. Harry stopped and looked at her in complete delight, he grinned boyishly and ran his hand through his hair. She grinned back and he ran upstairs to quickly finish the task so they could read the letter.
Poppy bounced on their bed waiting for Harry to open the letter but examined the outside of it in awe. It was addressed to the cupboard under the stairs. She giggled at this. She stroked it happily and held it like it was a ticket to heaven.
Harry burst the door open and practically fell inside.
She laughed as he scrambled over to her.
The twins grinned at each other as they held open a side to the letter and ripped it together.
What they saw they can both honestly say they never expected. Not even in their wildest dreams.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc,
Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International confred. Of Wizards)
Dear Miss Potter,
We are pleased to inform you of your acceptance to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of necessary books and equipment.
Term Begins on September 1st. We await your owl by no later than July 31st.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
The twins stared at each other in awe before reading the list of things they would need. It all sounded so crazy! Magical even! She giggled at that thought as they read and reread the letter repeatedly.
They next hour sparked the most heated conversation the twins ever had. Was this a joke? What did it mean? Was it actually true... Did this mean they were... Wizards? Or in Poppy case, a Witch as she huffingly pointed out to her brother.
They debated back and forth until Harry slumped down onto the bed and looked defeated.
"Even if this is all true, there's no way we could go to this school, you saw Uncle Vernon's reaction, he would never allow it. Not to mention how could we afford all of this stuff? A size two cauldron? Where would we even get that? Oh and reply by owl? No, it must be a joke. It can't be real... it just can't..." Harry looked confused and so lost then that she just had to give him a hug.
It was odd that they hadn't been carted off to do chores. The letter must have really shaken their Aunt and Uncle. She had to stifle a grin at this.
"Don't worry Harry, we will find out if this is real or not and when we find out it is" She shot him a cheeky grin, "We will figure it and go here. It's great! It's a boarding school Harry. That means no more Dursleys" She grinned hugely at this and although her brother seemed to be trying not to get his hopes up she could see the happiness gleaming in his eyes.
Maybe today won't suck so bad after all.