The Weasley family was her family. All nine of them-Mr. Arthur Weasley, Mrs. Molly Weasley, Bill, Charlie, Percy, the twins-Fred and George-, Ron, and Ginny, the youngest. Knowing them all eleven years of her life, even if she didn't remember the first couple, had her feel…like she could trust them with anything. Except maybe Percy, he was that boring.

It was a typical morning. Cassie sat at the kitchen table, devouring her pancakes. She looked out the window to the Weasley's, then saw a faint colour of brown-an owl. "Mum, why is there…" She saw another one-two owls in broad daylight? She'd never seen one at night!

"Get used to it, darling," Mrs. Cayne, her mum, replied, although she looked a bit startled, too. "Remember what Mrs. Weasley told you?"

"She never said anything about ow-MY HOGWARTS LETTER!" Cassie jumped up and seized the letter in the owls' claws, then tore it open.

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 Cayne,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of necessary books and equipment.

Term begins on September 1. We await your owl no later than July 31.

Yours sincerely,

Minevra McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

Brimming with excitement, Cassie took out the next page.

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

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 Quintin 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 an owl OR a cat OR a toad.

PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS.

"Mum, where are we going to get all this stuff?" Cassie looked up, handing her mother the letter.

Mrs. Cayne didn't look up as she said, "You can go ask when with the Weasleys right now. Mrs. Weasley told me about something called Diagon Alley-"

Without waiting for her mother to finish her sentence, Cassie ran out the door, letter in hand.