Chapter One

The Hogwarts Letters

16 October 1970

" Sirius Black, get up right now!"

Sirius rolled his eyes and buried himself further into his blankets. You would think on your birthday you would be allowed a sleep in!

'Hmm, my birthday…should be receiving a rather long-awaited letter today.'

This thought alone was enough to propel young Sirius out of his comfortable bed and down the stairs into his somewhat dreary kitchen.

Sitting at the table already was his father Orion, his mother Walburga and his younger brother Regulus. When Sirius entered the kitchen, Regulus jumped up to give his brother a birthday hug. In proper brotherly fashion, Sirius shoved him away and turned to face his mother.

" Where's my letter?"

" Owl's at the window," Orion muttered, his eyes directed at the Daily Prophet.

Sirius ran to the far kitchen window, opened the glass and grabbed the slightly ruffled barn owl. Tied around its leg was the cherished package. The letter Sirius had been waiting for all his life. The envelope Sirius had been counting down for since his birthday last year. Finally Sirius Black was eleven.

His Hogwarts letter was here.

As Sirius ran back up to his room, not worried that not one of his family members had wished him Happy Birthday, his younger brother quietly excused himself from the table and followed him upstairs.

Slamming his door, Sirius ripped open the letter and sighed with relief as the thick parchment with its glistening green ink slipped out and onto his bed.

Dear Mr Black

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

There was a timid knock at his door. Sirius glared at it before permitting his little brother to enter.

" What's wrong Reg?"

" I, um, I just wanted to wish you happy birthday, was all,"

Sirius considered his younger brother for a moment. He took in his dark hair and haughty good looks so consistent with the Black family; a double of Sirius himself.

" Thanks Reg,"

Regulus stood awkwardly in the doorway before sighing and walking away. Sirius titled his head as he watched his ten-year-old brother leave before shrugging and looking back down at his letter.

Sirius hummed with happiness. Finally, he was leaving this tedious lifestyle of pureblood lessons with the daily elocution and dancing lessons. Not the mention the four hours of mathematics and arithmetic each day. He was going to Hogwarts!

9th January 1971

Severus Snape never looked forward to his birthday. Why would he, no one in his family ever really acknowledged it. His mother tried to make the day fun for him but his father just slapped him around the same as every day.

This year however, he had something to look forward to.

" Happy birthday sweetie," Eileen smiled as Severus entered the kitchen.

" Brush your hair," Tobias grunted.

Severus avoided his father's eye as his mother planted a soft kiss on top of his slightly greasy hair.

" There's baked beans on the stove and a very handsome owl in the lounge room," Eileen said, her eyes taking in a pitying look as she took in her only son.

Greasy black hair that fell in a curtain around his face with its slightly hooked nose, pants two sizes too big and a frock-coat that used to belong to his mother, Severus Snape was not the good looking son she had always hoped for. But she loved him all the same.

Severus brightened when he thought of the Hogwarts letter waiting for him in the lounge room, but his real excitement for the day wouldn't come until lunchtime.

After opening his acceptance letter, Severus waiting out the rest of the morning in his room, lying on his bed, staring at the ceiling.

When the clock struck twelve, he leapt off his bed and thundered downstairs ignoring his father's yelling from the lounge. He sprinted down to the river and stopped with a gasp when he saw what she had done for him.

She turned away at his gasp and a beautiful smile lit her face.

" You like it?"

Severus gaped.

" Like it? I love it! No one has ever done anything like this before!"

" Happy birthday Sev," Lily Evans grinned, hugging her friend before running back to the picnic table, " Come see!"

Severus walked for in a daze.

" Why did you do this Lily,"

" For you silly, because you deserve it!" Lily laughed, " And because it's the day! Did you get it?"

" Of course,"

" Are you sure I'll get one?"

" Positive,"

Lily's face shone as she cut a piece of cake for Severus.

Severus Snape looked down at the urban head of his best friend and felt truly happy for the first birthday ever.

30 January 1971

It was the doorbell that woke Lily Evans on her eleventh birthday. She was groggy at first but then a conversation that she had had with her friend Sev floated into her head

"And will it really come by owl?" Lily whispered

"Normally," said Severus, " But you're Muggle-born, so someone from the school will have to come and explain to your parents

Lily squealed and ran downstairs.

" Happy Birthday darlin'" Lily's mum smiled as she hugged her youngest daughter, " help yourself to breakfast while I get the door. You're dad has something for you."

Lily grinned and ran to the kitchen. After receiving a bear hug from her dad and a tight squeeze from her older sister Petunia, Lily was just tucking into some bacon when her mum walked in with a confused expression followed by a tall, impressive woman. Her hair was pulled back into a strict bun and he was wearing a long peasant skirt and a poufy blouse with a high collar.

" Lily, this is Professor McGonagall. She has some news for you, and for us,"

" Pleasure to meet you Lily, and happy birthday. But yes your mother is correct. I have a letter for you," the imposing lady had a "posh" voice. She reached into her handbag and pulled out a parchment envelope, handing it to Lily.

With trembling fingers, Lily Evans opened the letter she had been hoping for ever since she met Severus Snape.

" Dear Miss Evans. We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry," Lily's voice shook.

" Witchcraft?" Lily's mum gasped.

" Mr and Mrs Evans, your daughter is a witch,"

10 March 1971

When Remus Lupin woke on his birthday, he was greeted with the usual aches that arrived two days before a full moon. But not even the forthcoming full moon could dampen his spirits today. It was his birthday after all. His parents always went out of their way to make it the best day of the year. And this year they were going to the zoo.

Remus hurried downstairs and into the waiting arms of his dad.

" Happy birthday son!" Mr Lupin grinned

" Thanks dad,"

Mrs Lupin walked out of the kitchen with a huge grin on her face.

" Happy eleventh birthday Rem. We'll be leaving for the zoo in one hour but first there is a letter for you,"

Remus grimaced, " Is it from Great Aunt Nelly?"

" There is one from her but no, this letter is much more interesting. I am sure you will enjoy reading it a little more," Mrs Lupin smiled.

Remus cocked his head at his mother but she just smiled as his father slipped his arm around her waist.

" Go on son,"

Walking slightly cautiously through to the kitchen, Remus gaped in surprise when he saw the barn owl preening itself on the bench.

" That's not Alistair," Remus said thinking of their own screech owl.

" No," Mrs Lupin smiled.

Remus crept closer to the owl and slowly slid the parchment envelope from its leg.

Mr R Lupin
Bedroom on the Right
32 Magnolia Crescent
Little Whinging
Surrey

" No. No way. This is a…," Remus trailed off.

" Open it sweetie,"

With shaking hands, Remus slipped his finger under the wax weal and a parchment letter fell out onto the bench.

" How?" Remus asked, facing his parents.

Mr Lupin smiled, " You know those work trips I have been going on?"

" They weren't work trips?"

" No, I have been going into Hogwarts and into the Ministry trying to convince them that you are safe. 'Precautions can be taken. He will be careful. My son deserves to go to school,'I fought and fought for you Remus. Dumbledore was all up for it but it took the Ministry longer to decide. But as you can see…,"

Remus looked back down at the letter in his hand.

" This isn't a joke is it? 'Cause you told me I would never be able to go. That it would be too dangerous,"

" Read the letter!"

" Dear Mr Lupin. We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. But how?"

" Dumbledore is planting a magical tree on the grounds. It will be planted over the top of a tunnel entrance. The tunnel will lead to a house in Hogsmeade. Every full moon, the nurse, Madam Pomfrey will take you down the tunnel and to the house. You will stay there for the night and then she will pick you up in the morning," Mr Lupin explained, " You can still go to school Rem, I wanted you too,"

" This. Is the best! Birthday ever!" Remus whispered.

27 March 1971

" Wake up Jamie. It's your big day!" Mrs Potter softly shook her now eleven-year-old son awake.

James Potter pried his eyes open and rolled over, stretch as he went. He smiled at his rather elderly mother.

" Morning mum,"

" What do you want for breakfast sweetie?"

" Hmmm, bacon and eggs,"

" Of course, come down when you're ready,"

James nodded and stretched some more.

Today was the day. He was one year older. He was practically an adult! He was eleven.

He was eleven!

James gasped and sprinted downstairs, snagging the envelope from the table.

" YES!" he crowed, jumping around the kitchen. He didn't bother opening it. He already knew what it was.

Mr and Mrs Potter smiled warmly at their son.

" Congratulations son," Mr Potter grinned.

James whooped and starting to sing;

"Hogwarts Hogwarts

Hoggy warty Hogwarts

Teach us something please

Whether we be old and bald

Or young with scabby knees

Our heads could do with filling

With some interesting stuff

For now their bare and full or air

Dead flies and bits of fluff

So teach us things worth knowing

Bring back what we forgot

Just do your best

We'll do the rest

And learn until our brains all rot"

Mr and Mrs Potter cheered and applauded

" What house are you going to be in son?" Mr Potter asked.

" Gryffindor, Dad, just like you!" James cheered. He hugged his parents and then tore off outside.

He was going to Hogwarts!

15 July 1971

" Hey Petey, it's time to get up now. It's your birthday!" Mrs Pettigrew gently shook her son awake.

" Mmmm, five more minutes Ma," Peter mumbled.

She laughed, " Now, Peter, none of that! You're eleven now! Time to start getting up earlier aye?"

" No fair!" he grumbled but rolled over and smiled at his mother.

" This is for you,"

She handed him a parchment envelope with glistening green ink. Peter grinned and grabbed the letter.

" Yes, I got in," he crowed.

" I always knew you would. You need to have more confidence in your self Petey. At least when you go to Hogwarts you will find real friends," Mrs Pettigrew sighed, " Maybe if your father hadn't left you would be more sociable,"

" It's not your fault Ma. I stay here to keep you company. Maybe I shouldn't go to Hogwarts," Peter sighed.

" No!" she exclaimed, " I want you to go and learn and make friends and leave this old town,"

" I'll be back during the holidays. Don't worry Ma. I love you!"

" I love you too Petey!"