Chapter One – Letter to Sirius

Sirius knew the letter was coming before it arrived. He lay in his bed, wide awake, not even bothering to try and sleep. His eleventh birthday was coming up in just a few hours. The date was November 10th, and it was 22:00, only two more hours until midnight. Excitement filled his chest, and he felt like he could burst at any moment.

I better make it into Gryffindor, Sirius thought to himself. If I was stuck in Slytherin like the rest of my useless, pathetic family, that would be horrible. I'd rather be my own person than be stuck in their pure-blood mania. I don't see the problem with Muggles or Muggle-borns. They're not much different from us, are they?

Sirius continued staring at his clock, the seconds ticking by almost mockingly slowly. Finally, he couldn't bear it anymore, and at 23:00, he ran downstairs. He was sure to be as quiet and careful as possible, so as to not wake anyone. He thought he heard Kreacher cleaning up downstairs, and he hid inside a closet, but after sitting impatiently for a few minutes, he heard nothing more. Deciding he must have been mistaken, Sirius opened the closet a fraction of an inch and saw no movement. He crept out and tiptoed the rest of the way to the front door, where he waited patiently for his owl.

Happy Birthday to me, Sirius thought as the clock struck midnight. Right on cue, a letter slipped into the mail slot, followed by a soft hoot and the feathery wisp of an owl taking off silently into the night.

He eagerly tore open the envelope, the thick, heavy paper falling into his hands. The shreds of the forgotten envelope fluttered to the floor, traces of bright emerald ink splotched on the envelope. He scanned the first page eagerly, the second page also gripped tightly in his fist.

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Surpreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)

Dear Sirius Black,

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 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress

Sirius held back a triumphant shout before reading the second page just as thoroughly.

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

UNIFORM

First-year students will require:

Three sets of plain work robes (black)

One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear

One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)

One winter cloak (black, with 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 glass or crystal phials
1 telescope
1 set brass scales

Students may also bring, if they desire, an owl OR a cat OR a toad.

PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICK.

Yours sincerely,

Lucinda Thomsonicle-Pocus
Chief Attendant of Witchcraft Provisions

Sirius had to hold back another shout of pure joy, and instead had to settle for dancing on the spot, his shaggy, deep black hair flopping over his face. His gray eyes sparked with excitement, and he dashed back up to his room without waking anyone else up. Before laying back into his bed, Sirius grabbed a thick marker and marked the current date with a huge X, even crossing over the Happy Birthday message to himself he had wrote in the small square.

He collapsed onto his bed, his silver eyes closed. He blinked them open, excitement filling his stomach. He lay there, staring at the wall, his black hair splayed out on his pillow, a wildly crooked grin plastered permanently on his face.

Even as a young child, Sirius was rather attractive. Despite not being fully matured yet, Sirius had an open, pleasant face, fair skin, striking gray eyes, and thick, shaggy black hair that often hung in his eyes. He was decently tall for his age, and it was clear that he would grow up to be a well-built, handsome, attractive young man.

Sirius rolled over as the eagerness refused to leave his mind. His face was buried in his clean-smelling pillow and he wrapped himself in his blankets. It was unusually chilly, even for the middle of autumn, and the warmth of his thick blankets embraced him. The black X crossing over November 11th on his calendar was the last thing he saw before he finally fell asleep.