It was a normal day for Alixen Creed in her hometown of Surrey.
"Mom, do I have to go to school?" I whined.
"Yes, Alix. You have to go to school. Just think this is your last year of Primary School. You will be eleven in two months. School will be out by then and you will have the summer awaiting you."
I hugged my mom, "Thanks, you always make me feel better."
"Okay, get off to school, the bus should be here in a few minutes," she told me.
I went to stand outside. It was a beautiful, sunny day in Great Britain. I sighed. I hate school, I thought.
The big, ugly yellow bus came screeching to a stop in front of me.
I stepped onto the bus, kids were screaming and throwing crumpled paper.
"Oof," I grunted when I tripped over someone's foot.
I looked to see that Maggie Higgins had stuck her Keds covered shoe out to trip me.
Anger boiled within me. Next thing I knew, Maggie's curly blonde hair was gone. She screamed as I continued to the next empty seat, smiling.
The next two months passed quickly, Maggie left me alone and my grades went up. Secondary School will be a blast.
"This award goes to Alixen Creed, for completing Primary School," the Headmaster said.
Everyone cheered. Yes, Primary School I in the past!
Mom took me home for cake and ice cream.
"Time for bed, Hon," she said to me.
"But," I murmured.
"Alix, you're falling asleep in your chair. I think it's time for you to go to sleep," she said lifting me out of the kitchen chair.
She was right, I was asleep before my head hit my pillow.
"Alix, honey, time for breakfast and you have mail," I heard my mother call from downstairs, followed by the scent of pancakes.
I rolled lazily out from under my dark green sheets, trudging down the stairs.
"Alix? Are you okay, honey?" mom asked worriedly.
"Yes, mom. I'm fine. I just wanted to finish my dream. I was a mermaid and I lived in a lake called The Black Lake. It was fun under the water," I said, rubbing my eyes.
"Oh, okay. Just making sure. Oh, how many pancakes do you want? You have mail by your plate, by the way," she said shoveling three pancakes onto my plate.
I looked at the envelope next to my plate. It was old parchment with green writing.
Ms. Alixen Creed
8. Privet Drive
Little Whinging,
SURREY
I looked at my mom, my eyes wide with excitement. Just then, we heard a yell and the sound lof an earthquake. I looked outside, owls were everywhere. Brown ones, white ones, black ones; small ones, big ones, there were so many.
Another yell came from 4. Privet Drive, our neighbors, the Dursleys. Everyone hated them and their son. Although, they had another boy named Harry, his untidy black hair was attractive and the scar on his forehead was intriguing.
Vernon Dursley ran from the front door followed by his horsy-faced wife, Petunia, their porker son, Dudley, and the tall, thin boy, Harry, all carrying small bags.
They tore from their driveway, leaving black marks from their car.
"I wonder what got into them," I asked.
"I don't know, but I want to see what's in that letter. Open it!" she laughed.
I opened the thick envelope and pulled out two pieces of parchment.
The letter read again, in green ink:
HOGWARTS SCHOOL
of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Wizards)
Dear Ms. Creed,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepter 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
Minerva McGonagall,
Deputy Headmistress
I reread the letter ten times over.
"Alixen, what is it?" mom asked.
I handed her the first letter and looked at the second piece. It read:
HOGWARTS SCHOOL
of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
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, silver fastenings)
Please note that all pupils' 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 of 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
I looked at mom's face. It was pale and her mouth, slightly ajar.
"Mom, can I go?" I asked quietly.
"I don't know. What do they mean 'We await your owl'?" she said.
"I don't know. But, I want to go so bad. Where do you think we could go to get all this?" I asked.
"We'll go shopping today. Finish your breakfast." she said, looking at the supply list.
I wolfed down my pancakes.
