"I've had enough trouble for a lifetime" - Harry Potter.
(Not touching that)
30 YEARS LATER
SCENE 1 - Small, Yet One World
Jacob's Stationary Shop, London-
There is a crowd in the shop as the new semester at the wizarding schools is about to begin. Jacob, the owner, is busy with many different school kids buying used textbooks.
Jacob: Alright, The Power of Potions, right here!
Kid 1: That's for me! (grabs the book) Thanks!
Jacob: The Lawmaker's Dilemma!
Kid 2: Here, Jacob! (Jumps over other kids to grab the book)
Jacob: You know, you won't be needing this until your NEWTS?
Kid 2: Of course, I know, in this shop, you are a muggle, not us!
Jacob: Well, Chapter 11, Page 344, The Right To Knowledge Act, says otherwise, kiddo. (smirks)
Kid 3: Jacob! I asked for my Newt Scamander's Fantastic Beasts ages ago! Where is it?
Jacob: Here you go (hands over the book)
Kid 3: Oh! Look, Potty Harrow is here, without his mommy! (the kids start laughing)
Enter Peter Harrow- A skinny boy with short straight hair, wearing loose oversized clothes.
Jacob: Hey! You don't talk like that in my store, Billy! (Turns to Peter), Hey, Pete! So new beginnings, excited about your new school?
Peter: Hey man, actually not excited at all, mum wants me to study at the Slithers School, but I don't wanna go there.
Jacob: Well, where do you wanna go then?
Peter: Hogwarts! (with a glowing face)
Kid 3: Ha! You know your kind isn't allowed in there, don't ya?
Jacob: Get lost, Billy, you already got your stuff.
Peter: I mean, he's right. I have heard a lot by now, from everyone in the town. But I think my mum is right.
Jacob: Yeah, I know it's a bummer on you, kid, but listen to your mother; she knows what's best for you. Now hand me the list; let me see if I have the second-hand copies for these books.
Peter: Hey Jacob, I was wondering, who would win this year's duelling match?
Jacob: I can't bet on these things, honestly, but did you hear? A new champion from Drumstrang has joined the club this year, and that boy is only Thirteen Years Old.
Peter: Thirteen Years Old? Who is he? How did he get in?
Jacob: His name, as they told on the television, is Ivan Karkaroff. He belongs to the Karkaroff family; they have a rich history in your world. I heard his grandfather was the headmaster at Drumstrang school.
Peter: Someday, I will be there, Jacob. Bet on that!
Jacob: Well, good luck telling it to your mother.
Peter comes out of the store with a huge parcel of books in his hands. He walks across the busy market street, on his own, finding his way in between the commotion when he strikes an adult and the books fall on the ground. The adult is his mother, Matilda Harrow.
Matilda: Sweety, why didn't you call me up? I told you to call me once you get the books. How are you supposed to carry them on your own?
Picks up the books.
Matilda: Now, let me carry them, you have this Fudge Ice Cream I got you from the Floreans.
Hands over a big cone of Chocolate and Fudge Ice Cream to Peter, who gets delighted at the sight of it.
Peter: Mom, did you go to Diagon Alley?
Matilda: No, the Floreans have their branch all over this street now, Muggles love it!
Peter: Mom, why did we tell Muggles our secrets? Wasn't it better before?
Matilda: It was for their own good, sweety, how would they be safe otherwise? A thing is only as beautiful as it's appreciated.
Peter: So, are we going to Diagon Alley to buy my wand?
Matilda: Of course, dear, that's the only thing you can't find on the London streets.
The two enter a narrow street beside the Leaky Cauldron and face a wall.
Matilda: DIAGON ALLEY!
The wall bricks start moving on their own and create a passage for them to enter the beautiful Diagon Alley. As crowded and full of spark as it always was. Of course, a few things had changed.
Peter: Mom, look! The new Wiztech mobiles are out! When can I get one?
Matilda: Get me an A in your grades, and then we'll think about getting you one.
Peter: But they'll be old by then.
Peter sees a group of teenagers flying over his head on the Nimbus 2027s, and a security guard chasing after them. A girl and a boy are carrying a puppy with them as a pet for Hogwarts. A newspaper stall selling newspapers with 3D footage playing as real objects on its surface instead of basic moving pictures, which had become old-fashioned now.
Matilda: Oh, this place has changed a lot, but hasn't given up its charm.
Peter: How would you know, Mom? You never went to school.
An uncomfortable silence.
A few silent steps later, they arrive at the Olivanders.
Matilda: Hello! Mr. Olivander?
The shop is messy here and there as if it had been attacked by a dementor or the dark lord himself. The shelves were empty, papers littering the floor, the lamp flickering.
A young, skinny man with curly brown hair speeds down from the staircase to return to his shop.
Marcus Olivander: Hi there! How may I help you?
Matilda: Mr. Olivander?
Marcus: Yeah, that's me. I am his grandson, Marcus. Oh, and don't worry, grandpa gave me a good lesson in his last days, so I know everything about wands.
Matilda: Uh, I know that. But I was a little surprised looking at your store, it's very messy. It wasn't always like this. Did something bad happen?
Marcus: Well, it depends on how you define bad. If partying and having some fun is bad, then, yes, a whole lot of bad things happened here.
Matilda: (with an awkward hesitation) Oh, I don't really want to hear about it.
Marcus: So, how may I help you? Looking for some suitable wands for your son? (Looking at Peter) Excited to start Hogwarts this year, buddy?
Matilda: Oh, he's not going to Hogwarts.
Marcus: Why not?
Matilda: Well, we are Slytherins. All of our ancestors had been in Slytherin.
Marcus: (After a pause) Yeah, well, that clears it up. So, what kind of wand does your dad use, buddy?
Matilda: His father isn't with us. He left me a long, long time ago.
Marcus: Well, his loss.
Matilda: Actually, no. He passed away.
Marcus: Oh, well, I am sorry for that. What kind of wand do you use, madam?
Matilda: Well, I actually don't do magic. I am by birth a Squib. (Pauses for a while) I know I am not making your work easier. But any wand shall suffice us. He will be joining a local school, anyway, they won't care which wand he carries.
Marcus: May I talk to your son for a while?
Matilda: Sure
Peter looked at Marcus, who now diverted his full attention to him, looking straight into his eyes, as if he were staring into his soul.
Marcus: So, buddy, what do you see yourself becoming when you grow up?
Peter looks at his mother.
Marcus: No, don't look at her. Tell me, what is it that you want to become?
Peter: Well, I wish to get a stable and safe job at the Ministry, sir.
Marcus: (Chuckles) Boy, forget your mum is here. Don't worry about her. I shall give the wand for free, in fact, and when you grow up and become successful, you can pay me back. Whenever you want. Now let me know, what do you want to become? What is it that is in your deepest desires?
Peter: (Pauses for a while) I want to be a Duelling Champion.
Matilda gives a furious expression looking at Peter, but swallows it.
Marcus: Then you owe this world a great Duelling Champion.
Marcus moves over to some nearby shelves and picks up a dark brown six-inch-long wand, and carefully hands it over to Peter. And then looks at his mother, who looks furiously at Marcus.
Matilda: I know what you are doing, mister. This isn't salesmanship; this is pure evil.
Marcus: I have sold a dozen wands by now, ma'am. And trust, no wand suits a wizard better than what serves their passion. Maybe one day, you'll realize that.
Matilda grabs some money from her purse and bangs it on Marcus' desk, storming out with Peter dragging him by his collar, who is too fascinated by the wand he just got that he barely notices.
SCENE 2 - An Oath
Hogwarts, The Great Hall
A ceremony is taking place with the coming of the new headmaster, Alexander Flamel, a sixty-year-old man with a formal grey suit, a bow tie, short, neat and tidy hair, with a beard that has grown grey. The retired headmaster, Professor Richard, and the Minister of Magic, Mr Howard Brookes.
The head teachers- Mr Harrington, Professor Feline, The Snowman, Professor William Lincoln, and Miss January are all lined up and standing in honour of their new and old headmasters.
On the stage of the great hall stands Professor Alexander Flamel, taking his oath as the headmaster.
Alexander Flamel: I, Professor Alexander Arthur Joseph Nicolas Flamel, take upon the complete charge of responsibilities and duties as the new headmaster of Hogwarts, School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, taking the vow to protect its honour and valour until my term is complete, and provide a wise, nourishing, and humanity-driven education to its students. In my term, it shall be my responsibility to make sure all the students accomplish and turn into great individuals who shall be capable enough to contribute to both the wizarding and Muggle worlds.
As a headmaster, I shall never discriminate, never be biased, and never shall I overshadow my decisions with favouritism. I shall be fair in all my assessments, be it moral or academic, even in the most challenging times.
Thank you, Minister Brookes, for having offered me this lifetime opportunity, and I wish luck to my friend and fellow philosopher, Professor Mary Richard. Once again, thank you for having me aboard.
The staff breaks into applause when the headmaster gets down from the stage.
Minister Brookes: Glad to have you here, Flamel. I hope this brings about a change to the school for good. Hogwarts used to be a standard for education, and now it's just a wonderland for a vacation.
Professor Flamel scans around the great hall with his eyes. The walls are dirtier than ever; students had scribbled all over the walls, pasted stickers, and some had even stuck chewing gum under the great hall dining tables. One of the walls said, "I Love You, Miss January"
Alexander Flamel: Hell yes, this place needs a new life.
Professor Mary: I am really sorry, Professor, for all the trouble that I am passing on to you. I don't know what enters them during the last day of the year, they think the school is their bedroom. And yes, that message for Miss January, we aren't actually sure who did that, but I am pretty sure it can be removed from the wall easily.
Alexander Flamel: Haha, it's alright, Professor, I shall take care of this business now. I would like to order all the elves to clean the great hall before the next year begins. And Mr Brookes, I would like to have a word with you and the senior staff.
Mr Brookes and the five teachers gathered in front of Professor Flamel.
Alexander Flamel: Well, this might come as a shock to some of you, but I was thinking of making a major announcement- We shall be teaching Slytherins back in Hogwarts from now on.
The teachers and Mr Brookes are awe-struck.
Minister Brookes: Flamel! Do you know what you are talking about?
Alexander Flamel: I am pretty sure of what I am talking about, Brookes. I would like to bring back Slytherins to this school.
Minister Brookes: But Flamel, have you forgotten why we shut Slytherin down fifteen years ago? Have you forgotten their history? All the dark wizards and witches, all the Death Eaters, even Voldemort, all of them belonged to that one cursed house. We tolerated them for a few years after that, and you know, I don't want to mention why, but we did shut them down fifteen years ago for good.
Alexander Flamel: I know, Brookes. I was a very integral part of that decision. But I made a promise and took an oath today that I shall not discriminate. And so shall it be. Everyone deserves a second chance, Brookes, and it's my promise to you. I shall do all in my power to make sure they redeem themselves.
Minister Brookes: And, how are you gonna explain it to the parents, Flamel? They will all go crazy at this news. No one wants this for their children.
Alexander Flamel: I am a parent, Brookes. (A silence fell) And I know very well what I am doing.
Minister Brookes: Fine, do whatever you want to do, but do not come running to me when things start falling apart.
Alexander Flamel: Thank you, Brookes. And I promise, nothing shall fall apart. (Smiles)
SCENE 3 - A Mother, A Son, And a Letter
Harrow Residence, London
Peter is watching a duelling contest show that is featuring the newest player, Ivan Karkaroff. He is passionately staring at the screen, hoping to see himself in that duelling arena. On a table nearby, he picks up his wand and starts studying it, glancing at it closely.
And suddenly the television is turned off.
Peter: Mom! I was watching that!
Matilda: You are not going to watch Duelling, you are not going to be some clown for the world, entertaining them with this dangerous game. You will do as I say!
Peter: It's my dream, Mom! Haven't you had dreams! Doesn't it feel bad when they remain unattended?
Matilda: Yes, I had dreams, I had ambitions, but sometimes you need to give up those for the things that matter more to you.
Peter: I don't understand. Why are you doing this to me, Mom? You never let me play with other kids; they all make fun of me! You never let me try doing magic; you are always scared I would hurt myself. I am eleven, Mom! Not a kid anymore!
Matilda: Not a kid anymore? Alright, grown-up man, how are you planning to pay for your academic fee for all this duelling nonsense?
Peter: Dad left us a lot of money. I don't understand why you don't make use of that? Why do you have to go out and work all day, when we can be sitting at home and enjoying our lives?
Matilda: You don't dare tell me what I am supposed to do, boy!
Peter: Wonderful! I am not supposed to point it out when you are being silly, and you are supposed to control my entire life! all of my decisions! all of my passions!
Matilda: Stop blabbering that nonsense that idiot shopkeeper taught you there!
Peter: It wasn't nonsense! he was really trying to look out for me there! something you have never done!
A silence fell over, with Matilda gazing at Peter with a broken heart.
Peter could see his mother broken, but kept quiet, not uttering another word.
Matilda's eyes became watery. When a tear fell from her eye, she turned around slowly and walked away.
The night went silent, and the two did not bother to talk to each other.
Peter had been thinking about what he could have said differently to keep his point and to keep his mouth shut.
Next morning, at the breakfast table.
Peter: Good Morning.
Matilda didn't reply. And then after a while
Matilda: You can help yourself with breakfast, grown man.
Peter frowned as he had been thinking of apologizing to his mother the entire night, while his mother didn't show a single sign of regret.
And then he heard a doorbell.
Peter: Must be the mailman. I'll get it.
Peter collected a bunch of mail from under the door.
There were three mails- One from the electricity department for the unpaid dues, one from the landlord of the house to pay the installment of the mortgage, and the last one directed to Peter.
Mr. Peter Harrow,
Room above the stairs,
14 Green Street, Alberta Town, Surrey
Peter's eyes glared at it in confusion, and the stamp said- Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
He threw all the other letters on the floor and started tearing off the one left in his hand.
His mother saw this in amazement. When Peter finally held the letter in his hand-
Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Headmaster: Alexander Flamel - Grand Alchemist, Master of Transmutation, Order of Flamel first class, Supreme Mugwump, Chief Alchemical advisor to Wizengamot.
We are pleased to inform you that you have a place 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,
William Linclon
Head of department- Defence against the dark arts
A stream of joy fell across Peter's face, when he lighten up with the missing piece of puzzle he had been awaiting.
A new journey begins.
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