Professor Corner
J.K. Rowling owns Harry Potter
It was raining. Michael Sheppard awoke to the steady drops pelting the gutters and window his upstairs bedroom. It was mid July. Michael's eleventh birthday had been a month ago. Overall it had been fairly nice, it always was his family wasn't rich, but they were not lacking for anything either. Micheal rolled out of bed and walked across the hall to the bathroom. He was tall for his age, with light brown hair and blue eyes.
His dad was already at the kitchen table with the morning paper as usual.
"Morning dad." Michael said as he entered.
"Michael I thought you might want to sleep a little later."
"The rain woke me up." Michael said shrugging.
Michael's mother walked into the room. "Steven, are you taking the car for a tune up today like you said?" she asked her husband.
"Yeah, I was going to mow the lawn but it looks like that will have to wait."
"Could you do it early, I'll need it later to go get groceries."
"We'll need breakfast first. What's for breakfast Michael?" he asked turning to his son.
"Eggs and bacon." Michael answered.
Eggs and bacon was Michael's favorite breakfast.
"Eggs and bacon?" Michaels dad repeated. "Do you know how to make it?"
"No, but mom does." Michael said, looking at his mother.
"Alright Michael eggs and bacon it is, although I should have known."
A little while later the small family was seated at the kitchen enjoying breakfast, when the mail slot clicked.
"Mail's here." said Mr. Sheppard.
"Yes dear we heard." said Mrs Sheppard.
"I'll get it." said Michael.
He walked to the front door. laying on the floor were several items. A couple of bills, a letter from Aunt Jane, and strange yellow envelope addressed to Michael.
Mr Michael G Sheppard
3 Deer Run Ln
Birmingham
West Midlands.
The envelope was very thick, the writing was a strange green color and there wasn't a stamp or Michael noticed a return address. He walked back into the kitchen gave the bills to his dad handed Aunt Jane's letter to his mom, and sat down with the strange envelope.
"What is that dear?" His mom asked. "You don't have any more overdue library books do you?"
Michael resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "No mum."
He opened the letter and began to read. A look of confusion came across his face.
"What is it dear?" his mother asked.
"I'm not sure." Michael said.
"Well what does it say?" His dad asked looking up from the bills.
"You better read it for yourself." Michael said handing the letter across the table.
Steven Sheppard frowned and took the letter from his son. His wife came around to read over his shoulder.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL
of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmistress: Julia Blackstone
(Order of Merlin first class, 1st Witch International Order of Sorcery
Wizengot, S.P.E.W)
Dear Mr. Sheppard
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 starts September 1. We await your owl no later than July 31
Yours Sincerely,
Neville Longbottom,
Deputy Headmaster.
Mr Sheppard looked at the second page to find what was apparently a list of books he had never heard of, and other strange items like cauldrons, and a wand.
"Do we know anyone named Julia Blackstone or Neville Longbottom?" he asked his wife.
"I was going to ask you the same question." she said.
"I've never even heard the names."
He turned to Michael. "Do you know these two people?"
Michael shook his head. "There's no one at school with those last names."
"Well this has to be some kind of joke." said Michael's dad. "I just don't see the purpose."
At that moment the doorbell rang. "Who could that be?" said Mr. Sheppard.
"I'll see who it is." said Mrs. Sheppard.
She walked to the front door, when she opened it she found a middle aged man dressed very oddly. There was also an engaging smile and an easy going manner that put Mrs Sheppard at ease.
"Hello, you must be Cindy Sheppard."
"Yes, but I'm sorry, do I know you?"
"No I don't think you would, my name is Samual Corner I'm a Professor at a special boarding school. Is your son Michael at home?"
"Yes he is, but what is this about?"
"Well as I said I'm from a special boarding school and your son is on this years list of new students."
Mrs Sheppard frowned. "We haven't applied for Michael to go to any boarding school."
"No you didn't you would have had no way of knowing the school existed, but your son has been on the list since he was born."
A sudden thought occurred to Mrs, Sheppard. "What is the name of this school?"
"Hogwarts, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
Mrs Sheppard just stared. "Is this some kind of a joke?"
"I assure you its not, if I could have a few moments with you and you husband I'll explain every thing. Oh and Michael should probably join us too."
Professor Corner followed Mrs Sheppard into the kitchen where Michael and his dad were still sitting. The invitation to Hogwarts was still lying on the table. Professor Corner saw it and smiled.
"You must have a lot of questions." he said pointing to the letter. Michael and his dad looked at Mrs Sheppard waiting for her to explain.
"This is Professor Corner." she said. "He says he's from Hogwarts." Both Michael and his dad became more interested at that.
"You're saying this is real?" Mr Sheppard said picking up the letter. "What is it, some kind of trade school for street magicians?"
Professor Corner smiled. "Oh no it's not that mundane." he said laughing.
He sat down and had in his hand what looked like a stick that had been smoothed down. "The best way to explain would be a demonstration." He said and pointed the stick at Mr. Sheppard's coffee mug which turned into a hamster and started sniffing around the table. Mrs, Sheppard gave a sharp gasp, Mr. Sheppard seemed to be in shock, and Michael was looking from the strange man to the hamster as though trying to comprehend what he had seen.
"How did you...?" He started.
His dad finally found his voice. "I think we all want to know how you did that. Where did the mug go, and where did that hamster come from?"
"Is this some kind of parlor trick?" Mrs Sheppard asked suspiciously.
Professor Corner smiled. " The mug didn't go anywhere I simply transfigured it into a hamster, although it's not exactly simple. It's one of the hardest branches of magic, not parlor tricks actual magic. I might as well be straight forward, Michael you're a wizard."
Michael's parents exchanged a look that said 'how much of this are you believing?' Michael was now staring at the man across the table in disbelieve.
"I'm sorry, did you say I was a wizard?"
Professor Corner smiled and nodded his head. "As I said before you must have a lot of questions."
"Our son is a wizard? What do you mean?" Michaels mother asked.
"I mean he has magical abilities."
"So I can do what you just did? Turn a coffee mug into a hamster?"
"Not at the moment you need to learn to control and channel your magic first. That's where Hogwarts comes in."
"Let me see if I understand what you're saying," said Mr. Sheppard. "Now I'm not saying I necessarily believe you, but you're saying that our son Michael has some type of special powers that he needs to learn to control, and this Hogwarts place will help him do that."
Professor Corner nodded his head. "I understand your reluctance in believing any of this, it must seem rather preposterous," he said.
"Well yes it does actually," said Mr. Sheppard.
"Excuse me Professor?" Mrs. Sheppard interrupted. "I have a few questions."
"Of course," Professor Corner replied.
"Well is this something that Michael would have to do? Is he somehow bound legally?"
"No of course not, the decision is yours, but I strongly recommend enrolling."
"Any reason why?"
"Well as I said Michael has magic now this magic is going to become stronger as he gets older. If he doesn't learn to control it it could get out of control and become very dangerous to himself and others as well."
"Dangerous?" said Mr. Sheppard raising his eyebrows.
"Why certainly, accidental magic can be very unpredictable, you never know what could happen."
"Accidental magic?"
"Yes, it's when someone like Michael accidentally releases his magic, it's usually associated with emotions, especially anger."
"Michael doesn't get angry very often," Mr. Sheppard said looking at his son.
"What about finances?" asked Mrs, Sheppard, " Surely this can't be free?"
"It's not, but we do have funds set aside if you need help."
"And what about later?" asked Mr. Sheppard "What happens when Michael is finished with this Hogwarts? How long would this take anyway?"
"It's a seven year school."
"Does it really take that long?"
"Oh yes some of the more advanced stuff he won't be learning until fifth year, which is also O,W,L.s"
"Owls?"
"Ordinary Wizarding Levels," Professor Corner replied. "They're exams you take at the end of fifth year."
"Exams?"
"Of course we have to determine how well you are learning the material it also helps you decide which careers are most suited for you."
"Career?"
"Of course there's all kinds of careers in the magical world, but you shouldn't worry about that yet."
The Professor stood up. "I know this must seem overwhelming so I'll give you some privacy to think it over. I'll come back tomorrow."