Outsider

Chapter one

AN:

Hi(: Just wanted to say that this is NOT a Harry Potter fanfiction where we follow the adventures that are known from the books/movies with the golden trio in mind here. (For the most part. Some are very needed to add for the storyline after some time.) This is a story with a new character made by me and her experience at Hogwarts.

And also, just to get it out there and done with. I do not support JKR in any way. She made this amazing story about wizards, and that will forever be the only thing I am thankful for from her.

I hope you enjoy this short pilot chapter. take it as a teaser.

CHAPTER ONE

The night sky was dark and only a few stars showed as Jacqueline looked out the window of her little cottage home around midnight. The moon was as big and bright as the sun had been during the day, which she found quite fascinating. The street lights flickered and the wind made beautiful music among the big trees alongside the road. She could feel the cold midnight breeze against her skin, as she leaned her head against the open window.   She loved silent nights. She could let her mind wonder as far as it wanted to, and no one could judge her for it.

She thought a lot about her worth, and how she imagined other kids felt love from their healthy parents. She tried not to think about this so often, but today it just would not leave her alone. The thought of having a father who didn't drink every day and having a mother who cared for her daughter, haunted her day and night these days. She felt so lost and alone. School didn't help it either, sure her grades were good enough, but her mental state- out of this world.

Jacqueline's birthday was coming up and she knew what was about to happen. Around 1am, this strange shadow would come and turn the streetlights off for a few minutes, before they got turned on again. It happened every year. And right after that an owl would appear. She learned to read at age 11 because of that owl. It always came with a letter through her bedroom window.  It was a birthday card, as well as an invitation to attend a school she'd never heard anything about. Asking her parents about it was out of the question, so she just kept the letters in a box under her bed. She was now waiting for her fifth letter. She looked at the clock, 12:31am, it was so close. Her bag was packed. She was ready.

Jacqueline was going to jump out of her window and run after that strange shadow that would show up any minute now. She had this extreme feeling it must have something to do with the letters. Or at least have something to do with her, considering it always showed up the night before her big day.

She could hear her father downstairs, probably getting ready to get his midnight rom before he went off to dreamland. She disgusted that man. She had been thinking about running away for a long time, because she was so tired of this life. She wanted to be able to feel safe.

12:45am. There was a light. Something from the sky just hit the ground, totally silent. The shadow appeared.

Jacqueline throws her bag of belongings out the window with all the force she has, forgetting her father is downstairs in the kitchen. She looks down from the window. it's at least two whole meters straight down. She'll just have to jump for it. Starting with sitting on the window frame as she follows the shadow down the street with one eye as she tries to figure out the safest way to land. Aim for the grass Jackie. It won't make as much noise. She turns her body and can feel her sweaty palms struggle to find a good grip around the window.

She tries to find a brick on the house she can put her feet on as she turns her body around. Struggling, her face turning quite red, she figures out a way to turn without falling before planned. She closes her eyes and let go. She's not in the air for more than a few seconds, but it's enough to feel the adrenaline kick in. Something hurts, but she can't really register what right now. All that matters is to run after that damn shadow.

Running over to the side of the road, she leans down to pick her travel bag up, looking back up at her home. Her father, standing in the kitchen window, is watching her with a tired expression on his face. The bags under his eyes screams weeks without a good night sleep, and Jacqueline feels like she can smell him from outside the house. The smell of old alcohol, a burnt fireplace and cigarettes comes to mind.

Their eyes lock, and her father nods to her, as if he accepts what she's about to do. She decides to give him a tiny smile before she turns around and takes a deep breath. The shadow in front of her is not so much a shadow anymore. It's starting to look like an old man in his nightgown. What if it only was her old neighbour Mr. Johnson...

"Miss Kedward. I've been waiting for you." The old man speaks, taking a few steps in her direction. "How do you know my name?" She asks confused as she walks closer to the man. She stops when the awaited owl shows up in front of her, the letter in its mouth. "Do you know why I keep getting these letters?" She asks as she accepts the letter from the ice blue owl in front of her. "Indeed, I do, Miss Kedward." He laughs a little, ignoring her first question. "I'm the one sending them to you every year." Jacqueline's face agrees in confusion.

"Why don't you just use mail like all the other schools do?" she's so close she can see the old man's face. The nightgown is indeed no nightgown, it's a long cloak. With beautiful embroidery and a matching little beret looking hat. His hair is longer than hers has ever been and his long silver-white beard blends into it with no problem. She looks straight into his eyes as he speaks. "Because we are not like the other schools, Miss Kedward."

"Then what kind of school are you from, then exactly – Mister..." She looks at him with a questioning look.

"Oh – pardon me, the name is Albus Dumbledore." The old man said. Jacqueline nodding in agreement.

"I'm the headmaster of a school called Hogwarts. A school of magic, for magic." He comes close, touching Jacqueline on her shoulder. "It's a school for people like you. And we've been trying to get a hold of you for quite a few years now."

"I figured." She let out, "I've been watching your shadow outside my window for for years now. Decided it was time to find out what – I mean, who you were." He nods.

"Jacqueline Kedward, would you mind reading the letter from Hedwig – the owl – out loud for me?" Jackie's hands are shaking just enough for Dumbledore to notice. As she opens the letter an origami bird flies out, and the old man chuckles.

"Dear Jacqueline, we are pleased to inform you that you have a place at Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry." As she kept on reading the list of equipment, Albus asked her, "Do you now understand we are not like the other schools?"

"Yes, sir." She answers, still a little confused about all of it.

"Miss Kedward, please hold my hand. We have to take a trip to Diagon Alley." Her eyebrows rise, "Diagon Alley? That street doesn't exist, sir" she laughs.

"Did you know about this school before I told you about it today, young lady?" he asks, a little too confident for her taste. "No..."

"Then why should not this exist then? – Your arm, miss Kedward." Dumbledore raises his arm as Jacqueline grabs it. Before she understands what is happening, she feels herself go blank for a few split seconds. Her feet land synchronically, and she feels the need of throwing up.

"Bloody hell!" she lets out as she throws up. Dumbledore laughs, "Welcome to Diagon Alley, Miss Jacqueline Kedward. I need you to dig up that essentials list you got in your welcoming letter." He says, nodding at her pocket.

As Jacqueline's hand falls into her pocket in a slow motion, her eyes travel through the busy street. People are wearing funny clothing, just like Mr. Dumbledore with his cloak. Some are even holding sticks in their hands. – wait – that isn't... a wand is it? She considers it and concludes that it might as well be one since everything else seems so true. "What's on the list, dear?"

"A wand-" she pauses as she takes it in to herself, "uh- , a few robes, a hat..." she looks up at Dumbledore's hat, her eyebrows falling in concern. "Like yours?"

He laughs, "No, dear. – and we can skip the hat." He adds quite quickly. She continues reading the list out loud as they walk down the streets and start finding things.

After an hour looking for all the books, Jackie now stands outside the last shop. It's called 'Ollivanders', this must be where she's going to get her wand.