Disclaimer: Let's make it simple: Not mine.


Elinor and James were having breakfast when the Owl arrived. Elinor was going through all the covers to see if there was anything important, it was then, she saw an yellowish envelope which was addressed to James with Hogwarts Badge sealed behind. She was expecting the letter for some time now. But, still, she felt her inside turned when she actually received it. She looked at James for a second, then put the letter behind the rest of letters. And then she put all the letters in a drawer.

Late That Night

For the whole day, Elinor was wondering if she should let him go at all, after all, James have a strong resemblance with his father, surely those teachers who had taught Sirius can see the likeness, easily. But this is Hogwarts, it would be the last thing she wanted to take away from James, even she was determined to not let him go in the past eleven years.

'Do you think I should let him go?' Elinor asked, she had been sitting on the crouch ever since James went to bed.

'I thought you have already made up your mind.' Alioth, Elinor's brother, was informed about the Hogwarts' letter earlier that day, sat on the ground, holding/appreciating his new broomstick he just got.

'But, it's Hogwarts we are talking about. He will make friends and have a wonderful time there. And he will learn everything properly, Astronomy, Charms, Transfiguration, Potions, Herbology... I hear Professor Dumbledore is still the headmaster.' Elinor said with her eyes fixed on the ceiling.

Alioth put down his new broomstick,moved to sit next to Elinor; he put his arm around his sister's shoulder, then said earnestly, 'Ellie, she is your son, and I respect your decision. But, just like you said, it is Hogwarts you are talking about, I think you should let him go. You can't protect him for his entire life, he will know the truth sooner or later, and he needs to learn to be brave and be independent.'

'Yeah... That's true.' Elinor said vaguely, still staring the ceiling, but now, she had made her mind.

After Breakfast, the Following Day

'James, there is a letter for you.' Elinor handed him the Hogwarts letter.

James took the yellowish envelop without knowing who sent this letter, normally, only Uncle Alioth would send him letter, but Uncle Alioth was here. He took the letter out, and read:

Dear Mr. Lynch:

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

James looked at his mother and asked, 'Hogwarts?'

'Yes, Hogwarts, it is the school Mum had attended. And it is the best wizardry school one can find. Don't you want to go?' Elinor smiled at as her son nodded.

James had received his earlier education by his Mum and Uncle, but he was excited to go to school and meet new people all the same.

Then, James took another piece of paper from the envelop. It wrote:

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 Beginners' 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 set

1 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

'You have already had some of the equipments required, but we will get the rest soon, okay?'

A Week Later

Elinor was astounded when Alioth handed her the Daily Prophet. On the front page, it wrote:

BLACK STILL AT LARGE

Sirius Black, possibly the most infamous prisoner ever to be held in Azkaban fortress, is still eluding capture, the Ministry of Magic confirmed today. "We are doing all we can to recapture Black," said the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, this morning, "and we beg the magical community to remain calm."

Fudge has been criticized by some members of the International Federation of Warlocks for informing the Muggle Prime Minister of the crisis.

"Well, really, I had to, don't you know," said an irritable Fudge. "Black is mad. He's a danger to anyone who crosses him, magic or Muggle. I have the Prime Minister's assurance that he will not breathe a word of Black's true identity to anyone. And let's face it — who'd believe him if he did?"

While Muggles have been told that Black is carrying a gun (a kind of metal wand that Muggles use to kill each other), the magical community lives in fear of a massacre like that of twelve years ago, when Black murdered thirteen people with a single curse.

Elinor stared at his brother, lost words.

'I only read this today, the escape was reported about a week or so, since neither of us read news or go out that much, we are behind times, if you like, I can gather the past weeks paper. But, I guess you wouldn't like it.' Alioth said, but he could tell, Elinor didn't register that.