Hadley Wells ❀ Slytherin ❀ First Year

/ˈhædli/
meaning. From Old English hǣþ (“heath”) + Old English leah (“woodland clearing”). Equivalent to heath (compare Heath) +‎ -ley. meaning "field of heather". Heather flowers commonly symbolize good luck, admiration, and protection.

Reducio

My name is Hadley Wells, although I wasn’t born with that name. I was actually born as 'Ethel Hadley Wells', but I’ve hated that name from a young age. That’s why I’ve always gone by Hadley. Everyone calls me that, too. Except for my parents, of course, who still like to cling to my birth name. Oh, and my brother Evander likes to tease me with it now and then, unfortunately.

My parents, Waldemar Wells and Edith Wells-Hamilton, both come from families who have desperately tried to preserve the strength of the magical race. In an effort to produce strong and powerful heirs, their parents arranged a marriage between the two of them. The marriage was devoid of love, but there was no shortage of children.

You see, I’m the youngest of four children. Elijah, my oldest brother, was born without magic and is therefore a squib. Just like his twin sister, Eleanor, although she did show some sign of magic, but it was too weak to truly call her magical. Much to the shame of my parents. I wasn't born yet at the time, but later I heard stories about how hard my father tried to ignite their magic. Without success, for which my mother was often blamed because her magic was much weaker than his.

Luckily for them, along came Evander, who, unlike the other two, did turn out to be magical. And finally, eleven months after Evander's birth, there was me! I’m magical too, to their surprise —though, honestly, I might’ve preferred not to be. It might’ve been easier in several ways, to be honest. Also, I find Muggles absolutely fascinating and, secretly, I would’ve quite liked to live as one.

But yes, I am magical! Though I actually didn’t find out until a bit later in life, which led my parents to believe for quite some time that I was yet another squib. They basically assumed I would be a squib from the moment Evander turned out to have magic. But when I was about nine years old, I accidentally turned my sister Eleanor’s hair bright pink after she had her music turned up way too loud—again. I have to admit, the look on her face was totally worth it. As was the look on the faces of both of my parents.

The fact that I’m magical meant that I received a letter for Hogwarts on my eleventh birthday. Just like Evander—who, by the way, is only eleven months older than I am, which meant we got to go to Hogwarts together, at the same time. Yay...

What else can I tell you about myself… Oh, right! Just like the rest of my family, I have dark brown hair and fairly dark eyes. People always instantly see that we’re related, which isn’t always a good thing. People often say I come across as a bit of a tomboy, but that’s probably because Evander and I have spent so much time together, thanks to our small age gap. Despite the arguments we, obviously, have from time to time, we’re really thick as thieves.

People would describe me as a cheerful, enthusiastic live wire who mostly does whatever she wants. I don’t care much about what others think and live life on my own terms. I’m curious, determined, and sometimes a little impatient. On the other hand, I can also be quite reserved and allow only a few people to get close to me. Very few truly know the real me.

Despite the fact that Muggles fascinate me immensely, I have grown quite curious about my magical side and everything that might be possible. Because my parents mainly focussed on the magical abilities of Evander, I probably haven’t learned nearly as much as my new classmates, so I’m really looking forward to seeing what Hogwarts has in store for me.

“If you want the light to come into your life, you need to stand where it is shining.”
— Guy Finley