Disclaimer: obviously not J.K. Rowling.
Two weeks after school had let out, I got a letter. It wasn't the normal way either. There was no ringing of the doorbell, no metal click of the mailbox closing, no footsteps leaving the front porch. I was sitting at the dining room table eating pancakes that my mom had made the day before when a letter shot through the window and smacked me in the face. I opened it and… wait, before I go on, I should probably introduce myself.
My name is Cassie Nedra Jepson. I turned eleven a few weeks ago. Just like my mom, I've got shoulder length dark brown hair and brown eyes. Unfortunately, I inherited my dad's bad eyesight and have to wear glasses. I love them though, so I don't mind. Most people wouldn't describe me as tall or short, so I guess that would leave average as the only option. I'm not popular and barely scrape through gym class, but I absolutely adore books. Any type of book will do, as long as it's well written and long. I've read books on magic, science, history, and even a few chapters of my dad's old college textbooks, although they weren't very engaging and I'm pretty sure I fell asleep. My school has a few honors classes that I'm in, which is great and all, but I must have a target on my back or something. I'm always getting tripped and bullied in the hallways. Anyways, back to my boring breakfast turned exciting.
Picking the letter off the ground where it had fallen, I was surprised by the weight. The envelope was somewhat thin, so I hadn't thought there would be a lot of papers in it. Looking the letter over, I noticed the green ink on the front.
Ms. C. N. Jepson
Top Floor, First Door on the Right
362 Cumberly Lane
London, England
I raised my eyebrow at the specifics of the address. Whoever had sent this knew exactly where my room was. Looking up at the corner, I noticed that there was no return address. Even stranger. Shrugging, I flipped it over and looked at the wax that sealed the letter closed. It looked somewhat like a crest or royal seal, with an eagle, lion, badger, and snake in each of the corners. Carefully peeling back the wax, since it looked too cool to break, I pulled out the first piece of parchment (who still used that?) and began reading the words written once again in green ink.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmistress: Professor McGonagall
Dear Ms. Cassie, We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and materials needed for this school year. Term begins on September 1. We await your owl no later than July 31.
Sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Headmistress
After reading the letter, my mind began to fill with questions. One of them stuck out the most. They awaited my owl? I looked up and almost screamed. Well, I shrieked, which isn't the same as a scream, right? Perched in front of me on my chair was a barn owl that had begun to eat my pancakes. It glanced up at me as I continued to stare at it, but then went back to eating my food. So that was what they meant by owl. Quickly pulling out the next sheet of parchment, I began to skim it quickly, my eyes bugging out more than before.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
UNIFORM
First-year students will require:
1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)
2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
4. One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)
Please note that all pupils' should carry name tags.
COURSE BOOKS
All students should have a copy of each of the following:
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade One) by Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling
A Beginners Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore
Magical Draughts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble
OTHER EQUIPMENT
1 wand, 1 cauldron (Pewter standard size 2), 1 set of glass or crystal phials, 1 telescope, 1 set brass scales
Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS
I stared at the letter for a moment or two and could have sworn that my head had burst from all the new questions. Where was I supposed to get all of this? I was sure that you couldn't buy a magic wand from just anywhere. I ran to my parents room where they were both sleeping in.
"Mom! Dad! Get up!" I said loudly enough to wake them up. They grumbled about how it was too early and how I had no respect for their personal space but they sat up and looked at me. I took a deep breath, and then told them about the letter and everything on it. After I finished, they both starred at me. My father was the one who broke the silence.
"Cassie, where is this letter?" he asked. I handed him the slightly crumpled letter, and he quickly skimmed it then handed it to my mother. She read it and then they gave each other an exasperated look. When they didn't say anything, I asked them what they thought it meant.
"Well," began my mother, "a few months ago, your father and I received a letter similar to this. It said that you had magical powers, and would soon be asked to go to this school. We thought it was just a joke… " she said, glancing again at my dad. I nodded, seeing as how they could see it as a joke. After all, that's kind of what I thought at first, too. As she handed the paper back to me, a smaller piece of paper fluttered to the floor. Picking it up, I read it out loud.
"Cassie and Parents/Guardians, you have a few weeks to gather your daughter's school supplies. Go to the Leaky Cauldron; ask to see the back room. The bartender will help you get to Diagon Alley. Go to Gringotts bank first and get your money. I wish you luck at your new school, Signed Professor Longbottom"
I finished reading the letter, and looked at my parents. "We need to write back to this school and tell them that you are going. Then we need to get your school supplies," said my dad. Mom nodded, and I clapped in glee. I didn't know what this school would be like, or even where in the world it was, but I couldn't wait to go. After all, how many people could say that they'd be going to a school to learn magic?
