Chapter 1

Nestled within the enchanting village of Godric's Hollow, the Abbot cottage was basking in the harsh sunlight, its white walls glowing in the golden rays. The cottage's garden bloomed with vibrant hues of green and pink thanks to the presence of the magically imported selection of trees, ranging from the ordinary apple tree to the flourishing cherry blossoms. In the middle of this picturesque scene three friends lounged on the wooden terrace, enjoying their summer afternoon. "Open the letter," encouraged Eleanor.

Eleanor Abbott and Marcus Linwood were standing next to Victoria, their expressions a mix of curiosity and excitement. Victoria had received an owl from Hogwarts a few days ago, but she had patiently waited to share the news with her friends. She struggled slightly to get the letter out of the envelope, her hands betraying the array of emotions that were coursing through her veins . Her fingers slid over the parchment as her eyes scanned the paper. Her friends leaned in closer, eager to catch a glimpse.

As she started to read the letter aloud, her voice remained steady. "Dear Ms. Ollivander, I hope this letter finds you in good health," then her voice started wavering as she continued, "after careful consideration and consultation with the staff, it is our distinct pleasure to appoint you as the Head Girl for the academic year 1994-1995."

Eleanor's eyes widened, and she couldn't contain her excitement. "Victoria, that's incredible!" she exclaimed, wrapping her friend in a tight hug. Marcus grinned, clapping Victoria on the back. "You've earned it, Vic. We're so proud of you." Victoria couldn’t stop grinning from ear to ear and he couldn't help but add, ”'It's been a while since we've seen you this excited. ”Eleanor then loosened her grip on Victoria just long enough to stand up and announce “ This calls for a celebration! Let’s get some butterbeer! ”Eleanor stood up to get some butterbeer but she turned around when Marcus cleared his throat. “I actually got a letter too.”

Both girls looked in disbelief. “You are joking!” Said Eleanor in an excited manner. “What does it say, don’t keep us in anticipation” said Victoria eager. Marcus chuckled and showed the girls the letter. “I guess we are doing this together Vic”, he said proudly. Victoria couldn’t deny the comfort she felt as she realised she would have her friend by her side. “We need MORE butterbeer, a lot more” shouted Eleanor excitedly, while she ran inside her house. “You know”, stated Marcus to Victoria, “this does not mean we are going to neglect our quidditch duties.” Victoria looked at him, raising her eyebrows confidently . “Absolutely not, we are going to get you that spot in the Montrose Magpies!” Marcus smiled in acknowledgment.

They both played for the Ravenclaw quidditch team. Marcus, initially unsure of his place in the wizarding world, discovered his passion for Quidditch when Victoria invited him to watch a match in their second year. From that moment on, he immersed himself in the sport, analysing matches and discussing strategies with anyone who would listen. When he finally joined the quidditch team as a chaser, it became clear to her that Quidditch wasn't just a game for Marcus – it was his future.

Eleanor enthusiastically brought three glasses of butterbeer outside. They were filled to the brim, so she was trying her hardest not to spill. “What about you Eleanor?”, he asked , “have you decided yet what you want to do after Hogwarts?” “We still got a year of fun Marcus!”, she giggled,” but I’m considering pursuing Magizoology . I don’t know yet in what way. Is field work my thing, maybe at the ministry’s Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, who knows I might completely change my mind in a few months”, she shrugged.

“I think it’s a great idea!”, chimed Victoria in, “You should follow your passion, as should you Marcus. ” Eleanor answered with a worried glance : ”That’s very sweet of you, but will you manage to follow your own advice? “ “Of course, I’m going to become a curse-breaker at Gringotts”, she answered determinedly, but her eyes avoided Eleanor. Eleanor began, “ Your parents still being-…”, but she was interrupted by Marcus placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. This made her notice the unease in Victoria's eyes and she decided not to press her friend further.

Marcus, ever the enthusiast, couldn't resist steering the conversation back to quidditch. "Speaking of paths, you know what we should do, guys? In anticipation of the World cup we should have a friendly quidditch match before school starts. " Eleanor and Victoria exchanged amused glances. "You never stop, do you, Marcus?" Eleanor chuckled. He grinned. "Quidditch is in my blood, Ellie. I can't help it." Victoria added, "I'm up for a match, but only if you promise not to analyse every move afterward." They all shared a laugh, and as they continued to enjoy their butterbeers.


As Victoria returned home that evening, her anticipation gave way to a sense of dread. The letter from Hogwarts burned in her pocket, a reminder of the obligation she felt to share the news with her parents. Upon stepping out of the fireplace and entering the dark dining room of her family's residence, Victoria noticed how the warmth she had felt at Eleanor’s home was absent, replaced by the unfamiliarity of the place that was supposed to be her home. She collected herself as she found her parents seated at the table, engrossed in their own world of conversation.

"... the latest proposal from the Minister's office," her father was saying, his voice tinged with a hint of frustration. "They expect us to push this through by the end of the week, as if we don't have enough on our plates already."
She took a moment to steel herself, “Good evening”, she announced her presence. She observed the table as she glanced at the clock. She was, as always, perfectly on time at the hour her parents instructed her to be home. Still, it wasn’t a surprise that they did not wait for her to have dinner.

“Victoria, dear, it's nice of you to join us," her mother remarked, her tone carrying a subtle undercurrent of disapproval. "Thank you, Mother," Victoria replied with forced politeness, though she couldn't shake the feeling of being scrutinised.
Taking a seat opposite her parents, Victoria's heart started to beat faster as she prepared to share her news. "Mother, Father, there's something important I need to tell you," she began, her voice steady despite the situation.
Her father looked up from his paperwork, his expression uninterested. "What is it, Victoria?" he asked, his tone flat and devoid of emotion.

Victoria hesitated, battling her nerves as she retrieved the letter from her pocket and laid it on the table before them. A sinking feeling settled in the pit of her stomach as she cleared her throat. "Just wanted to share some news from school," she replied, her voice carrying a hint of resignation.

Her father glanced up briefly, his attention fleeting before returning to his paperwork. "Very well, go on," he said dismissively. "I received this letter from Hogwarts," she explained. "I've been appointed as the Head Girl for the upcoming academic year."

There was a moment of silence as her parents glanced at the letter, their expressions unreadable. Victoria braced herself for their reaction, knowing it would likely be far from what she had hoped for.

"Head Girl," her mother uttered, her tone laced with disdain. "Well, it’s good that you are doing what’s expected from you"
Victoria's heart sank. It was the reason she had waited to open the letter with her friends, so at least someone would be proud of her achievement. Her whole school career had been working towards the title. Still It was just a checkbox she had completed, it was deemed satisfactory.

There was a moment of silence as her parents absorbed the news. "And what exactly do you have to do as Head Girl?" her father asked, his attention already returning to his paperwork.

"It's a position of leadership and responsibility," she replied with a hint of pride, carefully choosing her words. "I'll be tasked with maintaining order within the school and upholding our family's reputation."

Her mother's expression softened slightly, though there was still a hint of reservation in her eyes. "Now, get that smile off your face," her mother added dismissively “you’ll get wrinkles”. She stood up."Now if you'll excuse us, we have important matters to attend to."

With a heavy heart, Victoria nodded, her disappointment weighing heavily upon her. As they retreated from the dining room, she couldn't shake the feeling of emptiness that enveloped her as she was left alone at the now empty table. In her parents' eyes, she would never be enough, no matter how hard she tried to please them. She was aware they would boast about this accomplishment at work in the presence of other pureblood families, striving to elevate their social standing. But in the walls of her own home , it was just another day for an Ollivander.