Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in the Harry Potter or Maximum Ride series (all of the characters in this story)
It was 4:00 AM. I had given up trying to fall asleep hours ago. Instead, I was trying to figure out what Fang, Iggy, and I had done.
Yesterday, we had been outside, picking strawberries. I had gotten annoyed with the task, so I started wishing that the strawberries would just pick themselves. And then, several handfuls of strawberries flew towards me and landed neatly in my basket. Then Fang did the same thing later, only with plates. And when we were trying to force Iggy into the shower, the water shut off. By itself.
"I can't stand this," I said aloud. Fang, Iggy, and I are only eleven, but we live alone because we've never met our parents. Out of the three of us, I'm the leader. I usually know what's going on. But not now… "Oh, whatever," I said to myself. "Maybe I'll figure this out in the morning, when my head's clearer." And with that, I fell asleep.
I woke up to Fang shaking me.
I bolted upright. "What time is it?" I asked, looking around.
"10:30," Iggy replied from behind Fang.
I'm usually the first one up. Not the last. But, that's what happens when you stay up really late… "Did you make breakfast?" I asked Iggy. He nodded and wordlessly handed a plate to the air about four inches away from my head. He's blind. I took it and waved them away, muttering something about needing to get dressed.
"Max? You may want to see this," Iggy called a few minutes later from the kitchen.
I joined them. They were standing around the kitchen table, staring at a letter that had been dropped there like they expected it to burst into flames. "What's up?" I asked.
"Read this. Now," said Fang, thrusting it into my face. The letter said:
Dear Maximum, Fang, and Iggy Ride,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.
Minerva McGonagall,
Deputy Headmistress
"Joke, right?" I asked. "'We await your owl by no later than July 31.' I mean, come on!"
"Read the supplies list," Fang said.
I picked it up and read aloud:
Uniform:
All 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 (dragonhide or similar)
One winter coat (black, silver fastenings)
Please not that all pupils clothing should carry nametags.
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 Phyllinda Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions by Aresenis 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
"Okay, and we also need, a unicorn, a Pegasus, and a dragon," I joked, rolling my eyes. Iggy and Fang were cracking up. Then Iggy got a serious look on his face.
"Let's wait a little while and see what happens," he said. "It might not be a joke."
"Yeah, he might be right," Fang said.
"Okay," I agreed. "We'll wait."