I dug my fork into my scrambled eggs. Boring, boring, boring. My life was so incredibly boring. School was boring, home was boring, my friends were...
I stopped short in my reverie as an owl flew into our kitchen and dropped a parchment envelope onto my head. It tumbled into my lap, and I picked it up. Written in green ink were the words 'Jade Jasper, 1601 Leafwood Lane, Mars, PA, 15739' and 'HOGWARTS-PLEASE RUSH.' I opened the envelope, completely flabbergasted. It contained a letter from Professor Minerva McGonagall Jr., telling me that I had been accepted into Hogwarts, and a list of the items that first years needed.
"What's that, Jadie?" my mother asked. I nearly jumped a foot, I'd forgotten that anything else existed on Earth besides myself and Hogwarts, I was so surprised.
"A-a letter. I'm to be a witch, I've been accepted at Hogwarts!!"
"They're accepting American students?? Odd..." my father mumbled, while my mother leaped to her feet in joy, and, not surprisingly since she was a gymnast, started doing one-handed cartwheels around the room. It was strange, all right, but I enjoyed it terrifically. I, Jade Jasper, was going to become a WITCH!!
"Mmm...quite excellent, I must say. Wonderful," remarked my father, about the Leaky Cauldron's special of the day: Perfect Coffee. It remained as hot as you wanted it to be, as sweet as you wanted it, and as milky as you wanted it. Tom, the bartender, great-grandson, he said, of the Tom of Harry Potter's time, was quite thrilled about it, and he and my father had talked up a storm, becoming instant friends.
"Albert, we should be getting to Madam Malkin's; it's getting late and we really need to get everything today," my mother told him.
"Oh, yes...why don't you two go on ahead?? I'll stay behind and give Tom a hand with the Leaky Cauldron..."
Mother and I left them talking and went out the back door to the courtyard which led to Diagon Alley. She pulled out her wand and tapped the third brick above the trash can with her wand and led me inside...
We got my robes from Madam Malkin's, while my mother chatted with her about how to knit a Stay-Warm Blanket, and then went to Flourish and Blotts to get my books. Unfortunately, there was something of a hold-up there, because Derek Lockhart, great-great-grandson of Gilderoy Lockhart, three-time winner of Witch Weekly's Most Charming Smile Award (or so it said) was signing books. Finally, Mother and I gave up, and we went to the Magical Menagerie on my request so I could get a pet.
There were hundreds of animals there, rats and cats and alligators and even tiny elephants, but I chose a rainbow rabbit whom I named Dasher. His eyes were a brilliant black, and his fur was red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and white all at the same time. His fur was soft and thick, and he was absolutely beautiful. I couldn't get over what a great pet he'd turn out to be!!
Mother gave me a big green box she'd used in her Hogwarts days to keep track of all my Potions ingredients, as she'd said Dumbledore always made sure the Potions teacher was tough. Still the same Dumbledore as in Harry Potter's days, still perfectly able to run the school spectacularly. No one knows how he does it, Mother said, although if he was the only wizard You-Know-Who couldn't face, I'm not surprised.
I got a nice set of scales, and a good sturdy cauldron, and a few other extra odds-and-ends to keep myself organized and ready for the rigorous education Hogwarts offered. I was glad I had a Hogwarts alumna with me...otherwise, I wouldn't have a clue.
Finally, Flourish and Blotts cleared up, so Mother and I bought all my books and a good black bag to keep them in, too. I also got quills, parchment, and ink-and Mother let me get some ink that flashed different rainbow colors as you wrote. It took some effort to keep Dasher away from it!!
Back at the Leaky Cauldron, Father and Tom were still laughing and exchanging stories. It shocked me to imagine that anybody could think of that much to talk about!! Mother finally managed to drag him away, and we left, me with the promise of being on board the Hogwarts Express in less than a week.
I shivered, glad that I'd worn my wool sweater that morning. It was a very freezing fall this year, and even this early in September it was chilly. The fact that I was terrified didn't help, either; seeing all these witches and wizards around me who knew a lot, some from Muggle families, others distantly related to Harry Potter or Ron Weasley or Hermione Granger, the famous Hogwarts trio that got rid of so much evil. And I was among them!!
It was now 10:53...I was dangerously close to being late. I broke the silence between us by saying, "Well, Mother, Father, I'd better go now..." and kissing them both goodbye. I walked swiftly through the barrier, surprised at my success, and leaped onto the train as the whistle blew. Minutes later, it pulled away, and a first year girl opened the compartment door. She had flaming red hair and green eyes, and she looked very clever and pretty.
"Mind if I sit here?" she asked politely, and I nodded no. She sat down, sighing and then started talking again. "I'm so glad I got accepted into Hogwarts, although Mum and Dad said of course I would...oh, sorry, I didn't even introduce myself, did I?? Melissa Weasley, pleased to meet you." She held out her hand, and I took it, smiling. Maybe making friends wasn't as hard as I thought.
"Jade Jasper," I told her, still smiling.
"Nice to meet you. Play Quidditch at all??"
"Er, no...Mother says what's the good, first years aren't allowed a broom anyway," I replied. She laughed.
"Sounds like my mum!! I wish I played, I've been practicing a bit with John and James, my older twin brothers. But really, I like Invisibility Cloaks. Dad got one from the Ministry of Magic as a reward for saving a few wizard's lives in an accident, and he gave it to me. I use it all the time, I'm definitely bringing it to Hogwarts!! I also love rabbits, but Mum hates them...so I got George," and here she motioned to a snowy owl sitting on the arm of her seat, "and he's spectacular. I named him after my great-uncle, biggest prankster Hogwarts has seen yet," and she laughed again.
"I've got a rainbow rabbit, Dasher. Want to see him??" Her eyes lit up.
"Sure!!" she exclaimed happily. I pulled him out and she looked at him, glowing.
"He's beautiful, Jade!! Wow!!"
"Thanks..." I said gratefully, relieved and excited that I'd found a friend at last. Then a firm female voice came through the train:
"Please get dressed in your Hogwarts robes and pack up your things. Throw away all candy wrappers and finish eating and spell-casting. We are approaching the school. First years, follow Hagrid once we get there. Thank you."
Author's Note: Please tell
me if I should finish her adventures. I've used Jade in a lot
of other stories I've written, and she's even a roleplaying character
I use sometimes. She just sort of begged me to be able to go to
Hogwarts...so I let her go in place of me. *wink* Review it and
tell me what you think...I'd really like to hear it. Also, if
you have any future requests...her little romances, her experiences,
teacher ideas, etc... =)