Bonfire Night

By Alison Venugoban

The blinds were drawn against the flashing lights in the sky, since Da was upstairs sleeping off a drunk.

Eileen handed Severus her wand. "Take it," she said quietly. "And wave it. Show me you're a wizard!"

Unspoken, the words, "We can't afford a new wand for you. But if you can make this work, you'll get into Hogwarts."

His whole future depended on the next moment. Unsure, nervous, fearful that he might turn out to be just a Muggle after all, he gulped and waved the wand.

The shower of answering sparks made the fireworks outside pale into insignificance.