Through the Looking Glass

"Let him do his spite:
My services which I have done the signiory
Shall out-tongue his complaints. 'Tis yet to know,—
Which, when I know that boasting is an honour,
I shall promulgate—I fetch my life and being
From men of royal siege, and my demerits
May speak unbonneted to as proud a fortune
As this that I have reach'd: for know, Iago,
But that I love the gentle Desdemona,
I would not my unhoused free condition
Put into circumscription and confine
For the sea's worth"

I looked around at the plush leather couches and the carved wood panels that surrounded the four walls of the compartment. Usually the most exciting thing that happens to me is what happens in books but now the words blurred on the well worn pages as I tried to recall how an opportunity like this actually happened to someone like me. How I, Alexis Quinn, from 22 Birkley Avenue could end up going to Hogwarts, a place until a couple of weeks ago I never even knew existed.

The day my letter came, I was just sat there, reading. Wishing I could battle dragons or solve mysteries like the famous Sherlock Holmes. Something fluttered past the window, and the letter box rattled. My parents were at work, the long summer holidays were already taking their toll as my grandparents weren't the sociable type especially since all they did all day was sleep and eat mint imperials. It didn't help that they were both also as deaf as a post. I placed my book on the side table and untangled myself from the blanket, with some struggle, it's no dragon but it was as fierce what with those dastardly folds gripping and tangling round my legs, waiting for me to give up and fall flat on my face. After an almost near death experience I finally reached the door, and that's where it was, the letter. Of course at that time that's all it was just an ordinary letter. I checked that no one was around and picked up the letter and was surprised it was addressed to me, as at 11 getting mail isn't an ordinary occurrence. I forcefully ripped it open, breaking the old fashioned wax seal, not taking any notice of the strange emblem embossed into the wax. The excitement ran through my veins, making my heart race and my blood pound.

Alexis Jane Quinn

22 Birkley Avenue

2nd window from the left

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 Miss. Quinn,
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 by no later than July 31.

Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress

Mother was so excited that she packed my things and ushered me out the door, into the car and straight towards the Leaky Cauldron. The man behind the bar asked for my letter and, upon confirmation that I was in fact a witch, pointed me to a small group of other children led by a giant of a man with an impressive beard. Saying goodbye to my mother, I followed behind them, anxious to see where we were to go. A few taps on the bricks and the whole wall seemed to crumble and part in a wonderful display of wizardry. I followed the list attached to my letter and ran from shop to shop gathering piles of books, ingredients and more books. The final item on my list was the one I had been waiting for. My wand. Taking in a deep breath I approached Ollivander's and opened the door. The shop bell rang as I entered and there behind the counter stood a man who seemed to be listening to a stick. 'Can I help you my dear?'

'Erm… I'm looking for a… um… wand sir?'

'Ah yes, quickly over here' he ushered me over to the dark wooden counter.

'Let me see… Ah here we are, unicorn hair, try it out'

I gave the wand a little flick, a mist of blue light drifted from the tip of the wand, but not much else, a very unimpressive display of magic. But still, real magic!

'Oh maybe not then'

He scuttled back to the other end of a shop and climbed a ladder as tall as a tree. He started to throw box after box down on to the floor. I dodged most of them, but occasionally I moved the wrong way and they landed square on my head.

'Aha' he exclaimed 'I have a good feeling about this one here'

I swished the wand, expecting no more than a puff of smoke. But, as I made the desired hand movement, a blue spark ignited the end of my wand. I had to squint a bit to bear the bright light. Ollivander smiled, 'It seems like you've found your wand miss Quinn and in return your wand has found you'

'Dragon heartstring that one, apple wood, 11 ½ inches, slightly springy' he said as he made a light movement resembling a bounce.

With a toothy smile, I exited the store and made my way back to the Leaky Cauldron.

September the first came around quicker than I imagined, I had packed my initial trunk months before so I was well prepared. Checking I had everything I ran to the car and shouted for mother to hurry. As we arrived at Kings Cross station I looked diligently for platform nine and 3/4, but no luck. As I contemplated exactly where ¾ of the distance between the two platforms would be, I felt a hand on my shoulder. 'May I help you?'

I looked over my shoulder to see a girl around my age. She was taller than me, probably by at least a head, with short brown hair cut neatly around her shoulders. Her forest green eyes sparkled as she laughed at my confusion. 'You've got to run through the wall.'

Run through the wall? Well, if you say so.

Before I realized it, I was lying face up on the dirty floor, with an aching nose, after running into the very solid brick wall.

'You said…!' I started

'I said that wall' she said as she pointed towards the opposite wall. 'Not that one' she pointed to the one I was currently lying in front of. I got up, dusted myself off and cautiously walked towards the correct wall.

I looked back at the girl. She gave me a little smile and gestured with her hands for me to 'Get moving.' I plunged, headfirst, into the wall and felt a brief sensation of weightlessness before I was pulled back into reality. I was stood on a platform swarming with witches and wizards. It was overwhelming, stood in front of me was the most beautiful train, coated in a shimmering red varnish and releasing steam like a chimney. I stood there, not able to take it all in. My trunk! I had left it on the other side of the wall. Panicking I was about to run at the wall again when that girl from before appeared next to me. 'You should watch where you leave things' she said as she shoved the trolley containing my trunk at me.

'Th-Thank you' I stuttered.

And then she phased away into the bustling crowd without another word. The whistle of the train wailed. Snapping out of my daze a man took my trunk and I jumped on to the train. Most of the compartments were full but then I found this one.

That's pretty much where I am now. I looked down at my copy of Othello, my interest lost. Why should I read about an adventure when I'm in the middle of one myself?

The door slammed open, and a girl, the same girl from before slumped down on the couch across from me.

'You don't mind if I sit here do you!'

For some reason, I got the feeling that that wasn't a question. After an awkward silence she finally spoke.

'So you like Othello, it's probably my favourite muggle book' she said with vague interest

'What's a muggle?'

'That's right, you're a muggleborn?'

I nodded, not sure what she meant so I just nodded.

'You have no clue what I'm on about? Geez' she said exasperated 'well I have time to kill ask away!'

And I did. She answered all of my questions without pause. She was clearly a very intelligent witch.

I learnt that a muggle was a non-magical person, I was a muggleborn as both my mother and father are muggles and I also learnt about the four houses of Hogwarts. I knew which house sounded the best, Gryffindor.

'I'm Elle. Elle Morgan. Well, actually, my name is Ellipses but call me that and I'll hex you!' she said holding out her hand.

'A-Alexis Quinn. Pleased to meet you' I replied, shyly shaking her hand in fear of getting hexed.

Who knew that this was going to be the start of a beautiful friendship?