In the early hours of the day after his 11th birthday, Harry Potter woke up, as he always did, before the Dursley family. It was his job, as it had been for as long as he remembered, to sort through the mail and to prepare the house for the Dursley family. First, he went and unclogged the toilet, as Dudley made a point of always using it last and clogging it, knowing that Harry would have to clean it. Then he sorted the mail, and for the first time in years was caught genuinely by surprise.

There was a letter for him. He had never received a letter. Not once, in his entire life. And yet, this letter was quite clearly addressed to him.

Mr. Harry James Potter
The cupboard under the stairs
4 Privet drive
Little Whinging
Surry

Harry's heart skipped a beat. This couldn't really be for him, could it? Then it occurred to him. The Dursley's. It wouldn't matter at all if this was really his letter if they found out about it. His uncle would read it, and then destroy it, always holding the contents of the letter above his head, but always keeping it unattainable. It wouldn't even matter what it was, whether it was just an advertisement, if it was for Harry, he would destroy it.

So Harry hid the letter in his cupboard before he started the day's work. He wasn't going to let them take this away from him, as they had already taken away his childhood and innocence. Soon, his chores were finished, and he retreated to his cupboard. He read the letter over and over again, having read it almost 30 times when he finally put it down. He still did not fully understand, nor did he fully believe, although his heart told him it was true, told him that he had always known.

"Dear Mr. 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 all necessary books and equipment.

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

Yours Sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress"

The letter continued on a second page, which was just as surprising as the first.

"UNIFORM

First-year students will require:

1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)
2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
4. One winter cloak (black, with silver fastenings)

Please note that all pupil's clothes should carry name tags or identifying enchantments.

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 BROOMSTICK

Yours sincerely,
Lucinda Thomsonicle-Pocus
Chief attendant of Witchcraft Provisions"

It couldn't possibly be true, could it? And yet, somehow, he know that it was. Somewhere in his heart, he knew it was true. He had always known it was true. And yet, it left so many questions. First of all, was he insane? And if he wasn't, how was he ever going to get to this school, this Hogwarts? The Dursley's wouldn't let him, that much was a given. So what were his options? In the darkness of the cupboard under the stairs of 4 Privet Drive, Harry Potter laid a plan.