I solemnly swear that I own nothing, except for the original characters.

On his eleventh birthday, Christopher Oliver woke up earlier than normal. He briefly contemplated going back to sleep, until his hunger drove him out into the kitchen in search of breakfast. He found his father slumped at the table nursing a mug of coffee.

"Morning, Dad." Chris opened a cabinet, hoping to find some bread. He was sorely disappointed to find the bread's place taken by a half-empty jar of pickles.

"You're up early. Mum went to the market to pick up your cake, so don't ruin your appetite." Charles Oliver stretched and reached for the newspaper, only to realize that it was the previous day's. "Chris, can you get the newspaper? And pick up the mail, too."

"Alright." Chris skipped to the front door. Truth be told, he'd forgotten it was his birthday until his father had mentioned cake. He hoped his mother would be back soon. Picking up the newspaper and the post, he noticed a letter addressed to him in green ink. Returning to the kitchen, he dropped off the others in front of his father and opened the letter.

It had been sealed in wax with a strange crest. Looking closely, he could just about make out four animals, although it was hard to see what they exactly were. The contents of the letter were even more mystifying.

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Headmaster: Minerva McGonagall (Order of Merlin, First Class, Chf. Witch, High Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)

Dear Mr. Oliver,

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,

Filius Flitwick

Deputy Headmaster

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 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 an owl OR a cat OR a toad.

PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS

Frowning in confusion, Chris handed the letter to his father. "Look Dad, I think I got some joke mail or something."

Charles took one look at the letter and nearly spat out his coffee. His face turned bright red for a minute and he seemed quite unable to speak. Astonished, Chris watched his father sputter inarticulately. Perhaps this letter was more than just a joke.

Taking a deep breath, Charles eyed the letter balefully. After a long moment, he finally picked up the letter and turned to Chris. "Remember that time we took you to the beach when you were five?" He said gently. "You made a sandcastle that you were so proud of."

"Yeah." Chris vaguely remembered the sandcastle. It had been an impressive creation for a young child.

"Well, do you remember telling Mum and me that your sandcastle had turned to gold?"

"Yeah, but I figured that was just me being a stupid little kid." Chris grinned. "You told me it was my imagination."

"It wasn't. You really did turn that sandcastle into solid gold." Charles took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes. "Christopher, this letter isn't a joke. Magic is real, and Hogwarts is a school for witches and wizards. Your mother and I both went there when we were young."

Chris laughed. "That's funny, Dad. Everyone know's magic's not real. And you're no wizard; you work as an policeman. That's not magical at all!"

"Ah, that's what you think." Charles smiled thinly. "Lumos!" A ball of light blinked into existence in the palm of his hand, shining brightly.

"What?" Chris gaped. His mind tried to think of an explanation, but none came. It really seemed like... magic. "How are you doing that?"

"Nox." Charles extinguished the light. "I told you I was a wizard."

"Cool! So can I go to Hogwarts?"

"If that is what you want, yes." Charles nodded.

"Alright! Best birthday ever!" Chris whooped and ran upstairs to his room. "Wait till Mum hears about this!" Then another thought hit him, and he went back downstairs. "Hey, Dad? How come you never told me about this before? And how come you or Mum don't use magic?"