This is my first fanfic, so don't be too harsh, I'll try and improve – I need constructive criticism from you peeps! )
Aiight, here goes.
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER AND ITS CHARACTERS, NOR DO I OWN HOGWARTS – HOWEVER, I DO OWN LI YANG!
It seemed more peaceful and quiet around London nowadays, now that the Boy Who Lived defeated Lord Voldemort, the most dangerous and powerful wizard of the age. The wizarding world celebrated with the utmost joy and relief and worshipped the legendary Harry Potter. The battle that took place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was long and fearful, many families were torn apart with grief and sorrow of losing their loved ones, the blood that was shed was a price to pay. But finally, the most feared Dark wizard was gone, forever.
The Daily Prophet was, for the first time in quite a few years, under control and told no more lies after the second and final downfall of Lord Voldemort. The Ministry of Magic was back in action the following week after the battle, and there were no problems or catches there, either. The only vital thing missing from the Ministry was the Minister. No one had taken the place of Rufus Scrimgeour yet – the last Minister for Magic – and the whole of London was still deciding who was worthy enough to take the job.
There was a young eleven-year-old girl whose educational future was uncertain, like all other young witches and wizards living in Britain who were born with magic in their veins. Hogwarts had been significantly damaged after the battle and no one was sure if it could be rebuilt in time for the students to attend. Both the parents and the children were all waiting anxiously to hear some good news from the school that was being reconstructed.
She was a girl with straight black hair that grew up to just below her shoulders, with a neat side fringe framing her delicate face. Her eyes were deep and chocolate brown, and the rest of her face – her nose, her cheeks, her lips – were shaped perfectly.
Li Yang lay flat on her bed; arms and legs sprawled out, wearing her pyjamas. She stared up at the ceiling and blew a strand of black hair out of her eyes. A white owl, specked with a few black feathers, flew to her side through the open window and pecked the girl's arm affectionately.
'Just come back from hunting for food, have you, Xiao Wu?' Li asked the small owl softly, stroking it.
Xiao Wu hooted happily in reply.
'Got anything for me?'
The owl, looking bemused, took off out of the window yet again. Li rolled her eyes in irritation.
'Li!' her mother cried excitedly once Li showed up at the dining table that morning. 'Aiya, must read today! Look, the Daily Prophet!' she said again and again in her heavily Chinese-accented English.
Li, tired of her mother nagging her to read the newspaper more often, yawned and picked up the Daily Prophet. It was clearly a wizarding newspaper, because the black-and-white pictures were moving. The headline, printed in large, bold, black letters, read:
HOGWARTS SCHOOL RESTORED
Li's eyes widened in amazement, half her mind still rather focussed on yawning. She read on.
At last, the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry has been successfully rebuilt! Due to the trouble caused by You-Know-Who –
'Oh, how stupid,' Li muttered. 'Voldemort's gone, goddammit. The name's not Tabooed anymore – don't tell me they're still scared of him.'
Due to the trouble caused by You-Know-Who, some facilities for specific subjects may not be available, however, the Hogwarts castle is still fit for housing and educating young witches and wizards throughout their schooling years. The castle will be completely rebuilt by the next year. Those students who have already started – it is compulsory for you to return; you will be sent a letter with your school books needed for the year coming up and the time and date you need to board the Hogwarts Express. The new first-years will be also sent a letter explaining similar matters.
'I'm lost for words,' said a teary-eyed Professor Minerva McGonagall, who seems to be extremely proud of the restoration of the school. 'It's taken a lot of effort from the wonderful and devoted teachers to get Hogwarts back and running.'
'It won't be like it was last year – Muggle-borns do not need to worry about having to prove that they are a pure-blood,' McGonagall reassures.
Professor McGonagall will be Headmistress of Hogwarts, while Professor Slughorn is Deputy Headmaster.
Li could not contain her growing enthusiasm of going to the ancient and historic school. She was going to learn magic, like her mother and father. She was going to make new friends and have the time of her life living at Hogwarts castle. She was going to get a wand! Running to her mother (who was cooking) and hugging her, Li whispered in Chinese, 'This is wonderful, Ma.'
Then she let go and raced up the stairs to her bedroom before her mother could say anything in reply.
Just as she expected, an owl she had not recognised had flown through her window, carrying an envelope in its feet. Li knew at once where the owl had come from, because the envelope bore the Hogwarts crest of a lion, a serpent, a raven and a badger surrounding a large 'H' in the middle. Li removed the envelope from the owl, and then it stretched its wings and took off out of the room without making a single noise.
Hands trembling with thrill, she slowly slit open the envelope and pulled out the letter inside and did not even bother reading whom it was addressed to, because she knew perfectly well already.
Dear Ms Yang,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on September 1. We await your owl no later than July 31.
Yours sincerely,
Horace Slughorn
Deputy Headmaster
'YESSSSS!!!' Li roared, punching a fist in the air. 'I GOT INTO HOGWARTS, MA!'
She thundered down the stairs, waving the acceptance letter around wildly above her head, and – WHAM!
'Huh?' Li said weakly, lifting herself off the ground and rubbing her forehead furiously. She had tripped over and was now kneeling at her father's feet. She scrambled to her own feet hurriedly and shoved the letter into her father's face.
'PA, LOOK! HOGWARTS!' she cried happily. 'Can we go to Diagon Alley now? Look –'
Li held her hand out towards the glass of orange juice on the dining table and made it hover in the air. Completely awed with her powers, she lost concentration and the glass of fell to the ground with a loud clink, the juice spilling everywhere.
Her father looked thoroughly amused with his eleven-year-old daughter and ruffled her hair. He was tall, had thinning black hair and wore glasses, and was wearing Muggle clothing instead of the normal wizarding robes (since they were living in a Muggle suburb). 'We'll go the day after tomorrow,' he said simply.
Li grinned broadly up at her father's gentle and warm face. She had been waiting for this moment to come, and now, it had. She wondered how the Muggle-borns would be dealing with the matter concerning Hogwarts. For the first time, she counted herself lucky to have parents who were born with magic and were experienced in dealing with owl posts. Then, she thought of Harry Potter, who had saved the wizarding world from Lord Voldemort, and wished him peace, wherever he was at the moment.
Yeah, there's the first chappie, hope it wasn't boring.. --
Just read and review, okay? I'm only starting so I can't be all that good… CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM!
angellicvisions. )