PART THE FIRST

Chapter One: The Letter

"Mum, it's here!" Rose Weasley rushed back into the sitting room, her face flushed and curly red hair tumbling down her back, having come loose from its ponytail. In her hand she held an envelope with a green seal bearing a lion, a badger, a raven, and a snake around a letter H. She waved it in the air triumphantly. "I knew I wasn't a squib!"

Rose's older brother, Hugo, heaved an enormous sigh. "And here I thought I had you convinced." Rose stuck out her tongue at him. She would never admit that he was right – she had been waiting anxiously for the letter the past few weeks, worried that it might never come.

Hermione Weasley rushed in from the kitchen, a pan of lasagna in her hand, she beamed when she saw the letter.

"Ron, come here, Rose's gotten her letter from Hogwarts!"

Hugo rolled his eyes, tossing his light brown hair out of his face. "Don't know why it's such a big deal," he mumbled, "all wizards get one."

"Wizards and witches." His mother corrected him sternly from the doorway.

"Besides," Rose added, "You should've seen yourself when yours came. 'I'm going to be the best wizard ever! Better than Uncle Harry even!'" she mimicked. Hugo thought he knew everything just because he was almost a teenager and going into his third-year at Hogwarts. Their father came sauntering in the back door just as Hugo made a half-hearted swipe at Rose growling, "I was not like that."

"So, Rosebud, you got your letter then did you?" Ron asked. Rosebud was his pet name for Rose. He called Hermione Ladybug and Hugo had shoved off all pet names, deeming himself too cool for such soppy habits.

"Yes!" Rose squeaked, waving the envelope in his face.

"Well open it and read it to us already." Hugo yawned. Hermione shot him a look that said 'Be-nice-or-else.'

Rose took her brother's advice, plopping down in an overstuffed chair while the family settled in seats of their own.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

Headmistress: Minerva McGonagall

(Order of Merlin, Frist Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock,

Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)

Dear Miss Weasley,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to 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 31 of July.

Yours sincerely,

Filius Flitwick

Filius Flitwick, deputy headmaster.

"And here's a list of books and equipment." Rose pulled out another piece of paper from the envelope and read off the list of materials.

"Three sets of plain work robes, one plain pointed black hat, one pair of protective gloves, one winter cloak, Standard Book of Spells Book One, A History of Magic, Magical Theory…" she continued to list off the books until she came to the more interesting part.

"One wand, cauldron, set glass or crystal phials, telescope, set brass scales, and an owl, cat, or toad, (optional)."

"Oh, mum can we go today? Please? I've never been to Diagon Alley before!" Rose pleaded. Hugo's owl, Newton, came swooping in from the sunroom. Rose batted him away rather roughly and the bird eyed her beadily, settling on Hugo's shoulder.

Hermione shook her head. "Not today, darling, but I'll take you tomorrow, I promise."