Arabella Taylor, that's my name. I'm 10 years old, however I'll soon be 11. I'm 5'2 but still growing, and I have long wavy natural blue hair, and emerald green eyes. I live at the manor with my father Andrew, and mother Dorothy. My father is high up in the Minestry, mother often bosts about his power. Although I know that their past isn't good, according to the story's I've been told. My father is a dark wizard, he bears the 'dark mark' on his arm, he used to be a Voldemort follower, still is according to what he says. He never though Voldemort should have fallen because of a "stupid little boy", I however think differently. I feel that Voldemort should have fallen, what he was doing to people wasn't right. He should have never killed people because they got in his way, he turned into a magical version of Hitler. (Yes, I know Hitler is a muggle reference but I actually don't mind muggles. Don't tell anyone that though, there'd be hell on if my parents ever found that out. I can only study muggles by hiding from my parents and borrowing books from local muggle libraries.)
Today is the 9th of July, a day before my 11th birthday. I'm actually excited, father said I may recive a letter tomorrow that would make me even happier, but he won't tell me what it's about. I'm also looking forward to tomorrow because of the fact the Malfoys will be visiting, like every birthday. And then again on the 1st of August I'll get to go stay there for two weeks, like every summer. The Malfoys have a son called Draco, he's basically my bestfriend. We hang out all the time, but I hardly get to see him from June-August, apart from on my birthday and his. His birthday's on June 5th you see, and since then I haven't seen him.
Anyway, I'm going to have to get some sleep now, father tells me that if I don't I'll be too tired tomorrow, and seen as I'm only 10 years old I need all the sleep I can get. Night.
"Bella! Wake up sweetheart" my mother said softy, while nudging me awake "Happy 11th birthday darling!" She smiled at me and we hugged. "Now, get ready and come downstairs, your father has a special gift for you" I soon got dressed, combed my hair and put some make-up on. Sluggishly I wandered down the stairs, only to bump into our house elf, Worthumble, "Hello Worthumble, where are mother and father?" I asked the little elf delicately. "Follow me Miss Taylor" the elf replied in his squeeky tone. With that the elf grabbed my hand and led me into one of the lounges, then he dasshed off into the kitchen and came back followed by 3 tray which all included toast, eggs, bacon and sausage, and a cup filled with fresh orange. He carried a jug filled with orange himself, clicked his fingers and each tray landed on the table, right infront of myself, and my parents. He placed the jug inbetween the 3 of us and waited patiently for my father to dismiss him.
"That will be all for now Worthumble, unless you need anything?" my father asked the elf, "Actually Master, I have a letter which arrived to me this morning for Miss Arabella," he handed me the letter "have a wonderful birthday Miss" with that he smiled and walked out of the room.
"Go on then, open it" my father said, while winking at my mother sneekly, he obviously knew what this letter was about, they both looked so proud towards me. I carefully looked at the letter,
"Miss " my name was scrawled across the front of the letter, with our adress below.
I turned it over, a stamp was placed just above red wax seal, it read Hogwarts, split into four parts of a badge. I broke the wax and pulled out a letter.
"Read it outloud darling" my mother said beaming down at me. "Give her chance Dora, she's only just got it" my father laughed.
"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 ,
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"
I looked at my parents, a grin on my face
"Does this mean.. I finally get to go to school?" I couldn't keep the excitement from my voice.
"Yes darling, it does." My father seemed awfully happy that I'd gotten my letter, Merlin knows why. My mother pointed towards another piece of parchment which was under the one I'd just read "Read that one too Bells"
"HOGWARTS SCHOOL
of WHICHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
UNIFORM
First-year students will require:
sets of plain work robes (black)
plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
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 and owl OR a cat OR a toad.
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS"
After reading shiver ran down my spine. This was it, I was finally going to get my wand, finally going to go to a wizarding school! My parents were smiling, and I was too. I couldn't keep from smiling. I just hoped Draco would be there with me, I couldn't go 7 years without my bestfriend now could I? Of course not.
"Well, we'll be going to Diagon Alley on Friday to go get them, but we'll have to pop to Gringotts to get you some spending money first. I'll reply to the acceptance letter later today, so they know you've accepted. But first it's time for you to open your gifts!" She grinned at me and called for Worthumble to bring my gifts into the room. I started eating some breakfast, which hadn't gone cold due to a heating spell Worthumble must have cast on it. Gosh, I do love Magic.
Worthumble arrived and clicked his fingers, suddenly gifts landed next to me. I grabbed the closest one and began to tear the paper. Behind the lime green paper there was a black leather box with the words 'Potions for beginners' etched onto the front in gold. My mother saw a slight look of confussion on my face, "It's so you can practice potions before school, also seen as you can't cast spells outside of school before you turn 17 you can use this instead, as it's not exactly casting a spell is it" my mother giggled.
I opened the rest of my gifts, which included a few chocolate frogs and various other magical items and books. I also got a couple of tops, jeans and other items of clothing.
"Thank you so much Mother, Father." I stood up and hugged them both.
"That's not everything however, when we go to Diagon Alley we're going to buy you an owl as another gift. You can then take it to Hogwarts with you, and keep in touch with us that way, seen as you're allowed one pet anyway, it'd be a shame for you not to have one." My father smiled at me lovingly, he obviously cared about me.
The day went by, but still no Malfoys. The clock struck 3pm, and the door bell rang. Worthumble dashed to get it, and allowed Lucius, Narcissa and Draco into the house, bowing down to them as they walked past. Each of them removed their cloaks and gave them to the elf.
"Andrew?" Lucius called just as my father went into the hallway to meet the guests. "Ah, so nice of you to come, please do follow me to the lounge." My father waited for Lucius to catch up to him and the two men started to engage into conversation as all four of them walked towards the lounge where myself and my mother were.
"Ah, there she is. Happy Birthday Arabella," Lucius came over and handed me a card and a package "I asume you've gotten your letter today?"
"Thank you Mr Malfoy, and yes Worthumble handed it to me this morning, is Draco going to Hogwarts too?" There was a hidden excitement in my voice.
"Yes, he is." With that Lucius sat down next to my father, Narcissa on the other side. "Oh, I do hope you like your gift, we picked it out the other day. I hope you don't already have it," Narcissa piped up "Oh, and you're still coming to stay in August, right? It wouldn't be the same without you."
"Of course she is Nissy, wouldn't be the same to not get rid of her," my mother winked at Narcissa, "Have you already gotten Draco's things for school? Because we're going to Diagon Alley on Friday if you wish you join us." At this point Draco came and sat next to me, giving me a hug and whispering "Happy Birthday" into my ear.
"Oh, that would be delightful Dora, we'd love to join you. Shall we meet outside Gringotts at say, 12?" The two women carried on their conversation as my father and Lucius talked. I sat with Draco, and half turned my body to face him.
I opened the package Lucius had given to me. Inside were two books, "Powers You Never Knew You Had and What To Do With Them Now You've Wised Up, I saw this last time in Flourish & Blotts and was going to buy it, it looked good! Thankyou," I called, I started to read the back of the book, and then looked at the other, "Where There's a Wand, There's a Way. I've never heard of this one, but I'm sure it's good." I smiled towards Draco, he was staring me deep in the eyes, like he was pondering something.
"I hope we're in the same house next year," he exclamed "I don't know what I'd do if we weren't. We'll stay bestfriends though, won't we?"
"Of course we will! I wouldn't lose my bestfriend due to being in a different house. Anyway, what houses are there?" I asked, half shyly, half embarrased that I didn't already know.
"Well, there's Slytherin, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. I'm most likely going to be in Slytherin, like the rest of my family. Most people in Slytherin are purebloods, like us. There's a few halfbloods, so I've been told, but never any mudbloods." Draco spat the last word.
"Draco, what's a mudblood again?" I questioned
"Muggle born. They shouldn't actually be part of our world, yet somehow people think they have magical blood in them, totally barbaric!" It was obvious that Draco wouldn't be fond of any muggle born's in our year, or even school, I'll keep a note to stay away from them.
"I think I want to be in Slytherin like you then" While saying this my father overheard. "Ah, very good choice Arabella, just like your parents. You'll make us proud in there" He gave a quick look towards Lucius and then back to me.
"Well we best be off, come alone Draco, Narcissa" Lucius stood up and called for Worthumble to bring their cloaks, suddenly the elf appeared and handed them out. I hugged Draco and then they left.