Disclaimer: I don't own any of this, I just thought I'd have a little fun with the Harry Potter universe. JK owns this...she's the empress of all things Potter while I am merely a lowly serf. Hopefully this covers my tuukus pretty good.
A/N: This is very, very AU. James is a living cad, Lily is a living sweethart, Severus is a good man, and Neville Longbottom is the 'Boy Who Lived'
A young boy with messy black hair, glasses and one skinned knee was lying on his back, looking up at the sky. His bright green eyes took in the puffy clouds in the blue English sky. The boy's name was Harry Evans and today was his eleventh birthday. For most people, eleven would be a normal birthday without anything special about it. Harry, however, was not most people. Harry Evans was a wizard.
An owl swooping over Harry's head drew his attention away from the clouds. An owl flying in the daytime is quite startling if one wasn't used to it, but fortunately for Harry owl post was the most common form of Wizard to Wizard communication. A large grin spread across his face as Harry leapt up and raced into the house. He found his mother in the kitchen, smiling proudly with her hair unkempt and a streak of flour on her cheek. She gestured to the owl perched on the table and ruffled Harry's already messy hair, then returned to the cake she'd been making.
Harry sat down and removed the letter from the owl's talons. Petting the bird absently, he studied the letter. The emerald green ink shimmered on the yellowish parchment of the envelope. It was addressed clearly, so that there could be no mistake as to who it was for should it fall into the hands of some perplexed postman and it read:
'Mr H Evans
The Cosy Kitchen
17 Everdale Road
Little Whinging
Surrey'
Flipping it over quickly, hardly breathing for all the excitement Harry took in the seal. The seal was a large 'H' surrounded by four animals; a lion, a badger, a raven and a serpent, pressed into dark green wax. He ripped it open with trembling fingers and withdrew the letter. Harry read furiously:
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 Mr Evans,
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 1 September. We await your owl no later than 31 July.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Harry let out a joyous whoop. "Mum," he exclaimed, throwing his arms around his mother, "I'm going to Hogwarts!"
Lily Evans chuckled and pressed a kiss to her son's forehead. "Was there ever any doubt luv?"
Stepping back Harry smiled and shook his head. Letting out another joyous whoop Harry tore a piece of paper off the pad on the fridge and scribbled 'I accept' on it followed by his signature. He gave it to the owl, along with a bit of ham from the fridge, and watched it fly out the kitchen window to deliver his response.
Wrapping her arms around her son, Lily felt her eyes begin to tear. "Oh Harry, I'm so proud of you," she sighed. She hugged Harry tighter, and held him until he said, "Aww mum, you're getting flour all over me." Lily laughed and released Harry. "Now go on," she said, "it's a wonderful day outside and you have a birthday to enjoy. Just be back in time for tea, the guests will be arriving then."
Harry waved to his mother and sprinted out the back door into the afternoon sunshine.
If you could be so kind as to press that little blue button, it would be much appreciated.