Chapter 1
A few months ago I got a letter from Headmistress Minerva McGonagal inviting me to Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry. As most British kids with magical parents, I've been waiting for this week for 11 years. We're going to Diagon Alley by floo powder to get all my supplies.
First year students will require:
Uniform:
Three sets of plain black work robes
One black pointed hat for day wear
One winter cloak
Textbooks:
Hogwarts: A history
A History Of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
How Not To Blow Off Your Fingers On The First Day by Julius Gummidge
Unexpurgated Copy of the Brothers Grimm
The Art Of Potion Making by S. Snape
Introduction To Plants And Herbology by B. Mullohsa
Thurston Candlewick's Complete And Extremely Useful Field Guide To Dark Creatures
Defensive Spells and Theory by Virgil Vigilante
Hilary Stargazer's Guide To The Galaxy
A Changing Subject: Transfiguration Basics by Dawnie Iris
Other Equipment:
1 Wand
1 Cauldron, Standard Size 2
1 Set of glass or crystal vials
1 Telescope
1 Set brass scales
1 Basic potions ingredients kit
1 Set of gloves
Students may also bring an owl, cat OR toad.
Parents are reminded that first years are not allowed their own broomsticks.
I finish packing my trunk and make a pathetic attempt at dragging it downstairs.
"Mum! Can't you just summon my trunk into the living room?" I yell.
"Probably not Alexis."
I manage to pull my old-rusted trunk downstairs into the living room that's filled with excitement. My little sister Hermione is sitting in our black leather couch loathing me for being a year older and therefore, able to learn magic. My mum Glenda named her after the great witch Hermione Granger, who was a big part in the defeat of Lord Voldemort.
"Hermione, it won't be that great. I promise I'll write you everyday."
I give her a big hug before mum and I head off.
"Diagon Alley" I say smiling. I haven't ever traveled by the floo network before but everything is just spinning and all I can see is all the other connections. Finally I land in Diagon Alley. I walk out onto the cobble stoned street and see witches, wizards, shops, restaurants, owls, goblins, everything! I try to run over to Weasley's Wizard Wheezes except mum pulls me by my robe and tells me not to go running off by myself. She always treats me like a child.
Mum and I head through the busy crowds filled with other Hogwarts students getting their supplies. The first shop we enter is Madam Malkin's Robes For All Occasions and fit my new school robes. Then we go to the cauldron shop, Eeylops Owl Emporium, Flourish & Blotts, Ollivander's and the Stationary Store. Mum bought me a snow white owl which I named Meredith.
"Why haven't you ever taken us to Diagon Alley before, mum?" I ask.
"It's only been 4 years since You-Know-Who died, your father was killed by his death eaters in this very street. I didn't want my children put in danger, so I kept you and Hermione away from the wizarding world until it had healed properly."
"Oh. Can we go to the Daily Prophet offices?" I ask awkwardly.
"We're heading off to the Leaky Cauldron now, maybe in the holidays."
