Chapter 2

Hogwarts School

Of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore

(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. Of Wizards)

Dear Miss H. Potter,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and

 Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of necessary books and equipment.

                                                            Term begins on September 1. We await you owl by no later than July 13.

                                                                        Yours Sincerely,

                                                                        Minerva McGonagall

Minerva McGonagall,

                                                                                    Deputy Headmistress

Holly could only stare in marvel. This letter answered so many questions, but so many more were still unanswered. Holly re-read the letter and then pinched herself to make sure it wasn't a dream. When she was sure it wasn't, she looked back at the letter.

By this time, the Headmistress got back her courage and read the letter over Holly's shoulder. A smirk appeared on her face and her eyes were bright. To the Headmistress, this was a miracle. To get rid of Holly Potter, the rambunctious, troublemaker was more like a far off dream that she longed to have. And she was finally getting her dream.

The evil Headmistress knew what Hogwarts was. Seeing so many children leave to that place was very normal and she was more than glad to send them there. So, the Headmistress gently pushed Holly into her office.

"I think we can arrange to send you to this…school," the Headmistress smiled. "I just need to send the owl." The headmistress opened her cabinet and there stood a rather old-looking owl on a perch. Seeing the owl, Holly began to wonder why the woman was so afraid of the beautiful tawny one. But maybe the other one was bigger and she was just jumpy after the newt incident.

Holly sat there, watching the woman write the note.

Dear Prof. Dumbledore,

            I believe that you are requesting one of my children to go your school?

 I will consent to it. Please send someone to help her get her things. I haven't got the time for it.

Sincerely,

Martha Leroy

Headmistress

"But, Darling, you have to do something in return…"

By the next morning, the whole orphanage was spick and span. Everything was clean and a worn-out Holly lay fast asleep on her bed. But she didn't remain in that state for long. A huge man the size of a gorilla or something walked in.

"Rise and shine!" the man bellowed. Holly screamed and backed flattened herself against the wall. But when the giant smiled at her, she got out of her bed and walked toward him.

"Who are you?" she asked in a small voice, looking at his face. He had a long, bushy beard, two beetle black eyes, and a warming smile. A tear trickled down his cheek.

"I haven't seen you since you were on'y a baby," he smiled. "You remind me a lot of your dad." He burst into tears, and Holly, not knowing what to do, stood there. "I'm sorry," he said after a couple of minutes. "You remind me a lot James and Harry. Both happen to be dead, o' course. But, it seems just like yesterday that I gave Harry his letter to Hogwarts. Oh, well, we better get going, Scout. Got yer letter an' all?"

Holly put on her shoes, still confused. Who were Harry and James? Why did she remind him of them?  Who was this giant anyway?

"Sir, who are you?" Holly tried again.

"Oh, right, right. You can call me Hagrid and I'm the keeper of keys and grounds at Hogwarts. You might not know about it now, but you will later," he added. "Well, I'm here to take you to get your school supplies! So come on, Scout, we better get going!" As Hagrid left, Holly raced after him. The giant was so big, Holly had to jog to keep up with them.

On the subway, something Holly had never seen, Hagrid grumbled about the subway being too small and when it came time to buy the tickets, Hagrid handed Holly the money to pay. Holly did happen to know about money, although she didn't have much of her own.

"Hagrid?" Holly asked while they were on their way to London. "I don't have any money. How am I supposed to pay for all my school supplies?"

  "Don't worry, Scout," Hagrid said, remembering how Harry asked the same thing. "You'll find out soon enough." When they got off the subway and were backing in the streets, it seemed like forever before Hagrid lead Holly into a place called "The Leaky Cauldron".

Leading Holly to the back, he pulled out a pink umbrella and counted three bricks, then two. When he found the brick, it had a small symbol on it. Tapping it, a hole appeared and it continued to get larger and larger until it could fit two Hagrid-sized giants through it.

"Welcome," Hagrid smiled at the tiny girls' amazement, "to Diagon Alley!"