Chapter One: Letters
Harry was a troubled child. He didn't know what that meant, exactly, but it was what the teachers had whispered to his aunt on parents evening last Friday.
Contrary to what most people who knew him chose to believe, Harry wasn't stupid. In fact, he was quite the opposite. But he only made the mistake of proudly showing his aunt and uncle his report card once. He got a beating so severe that he couldn't stand up for a week.
Children like him, he concluded, were not supposed to show up children like his cousin, Dudley.
Harry didn't enjoy many things, however, one of the few exceptions to this rule was reading. Whenever he had a precious and rare moment alone, you could almost always find him tucked away into a corner of the local library. That was where he met his first, and only, friend. He smiled to himself as he remembered the day he first met her, the little girl in a pretty, pink dress, torn to shreds and covered in mud.
She introduced herself as Hermione, and asked him for help choosing a new book. In the following months he learned that Hermione's parents didn't like her to run around and play like children should, and much preferred her to sit quietly somewhere reading a book. Hermione being Hermione, ran around and played in the mud anyway.
Harry didn't notice he was humming as he washed the dishes, until he heard the post sliding through the letterbox and onto the doormat. He thought it rather unusual, as the post normally came before the Dursley's went out for the day but dried his hands and went to collect it anyway.
There was a single letter waiting for him in front of the door, written on strange, thick paper, in emerald coloured ink. He looked around, his eyes wide open, to make sure nobody had noticed the letter addressed to him. Harry ran into his cupboard and tore open the envelope, leaving two pieces of paper sat in his lap. He picked up the first one and began to read.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock,
Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Mr. Potter
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 the first of September. We await your owl by no later than the thirty-first of July.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Harry shook his head, it must be a prank. There was no way he could be chosen for such a fancy looking school. The fact that they apparently taught magic never crossed his mind. His feelings of excitement had all but disappeared and been replaced by nagging doubt. Frowning slightly, he continued on to read the second letter.
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, with silver fastenings)
Please note that all pupil's clothes should carry name tags.
COURSE BOOKS
All students should have a copy of each of the following:
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1)
by Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic
by Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory
by Adalbert Waffling
A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration
by Emeric Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi
by Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts 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 glass or crystal phials
1 telescope
1 set brass scales
Students may also bring, if they desire, an owl OR a cat OR a toad.
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS
ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICK
Yours sincerely,
Lucinda Thomsonicle-Pocus
Chief Attendant of Witchcraft Provisions
This was utterly ridiculous. Really? Harry thought to himself, sullenly. Did they honestly expect him to believe that it was real? He shoved both of the letters back into the envelope, then hid it underneath his pillow. He had only just returned to the kitchen when he heard the front door slam shut and his aunt and cousin noisily enter the house.
It was at about seven O'clock that evening, when the Dursleys had had pushed him out of the house supposedly for quiet, that Harry was making his way to the library. He never arrived at his destination however, as just before he crossed the street and made his way through the doors he felt a sharp tug on his arm. He looked round and was surprised to see Hermione standing there smiling at him. She ran off down the street whilst Harry followed her, puzzled. When they eventually came to a stop, they were stood under a tree in a deserted corner of the children's playpark.
"Harry, guess what?" She whispered excitedly, without waiting for a response she waved a thick envelope with a familiar green ink on it under his nose.
"Hermione," Harry started slowly, "It's just a cruel joke. Nothing more. I got one as well, it's only meant to hurt you."
In the light of the late summer evening, Harry could see her only become more excited.
"No, there was a woman in a big hat who came to the house and she explained everything to my parents. She made the clock float all around the room, it was wonderful!" Her face fell.
"And?" Harry prompted.
"Well my parents, they acted happy for me. But…" She trailed off and pushed her hair back to reveal a black eye and several small cuts and bruises on the left side of her face. Her smile soon returned and she continued on.
"I know how to get there, Harry, to their world. We could disappear and no one would ever find us." Hermione seemed as if she were about to burst with excitement.
A smile slowly began to form on Harry's face as well. "Let's do it." He said, determinedly.
"Tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow." He confirmed.