CHAPTER THREE

The Bayne's new home was a favorite for strays and abandoned pets, and within the month they had a crowd of pets roaming around the property. The first to show up was a young Calico with long hair and yellow eyes; Artemis named her Paige. Clarissa, a seal point Birman, soon followed, and Daniel instantly fell in love with her beautiful blue-gray eyes. Just a few days later someone left a box of puppies under their mailbox. There was Daisy, a tan mutt with black accents, Jessa, a solid black Labrador, and Taylor, a golden blonde Labrador. The next dog they found was Tiffany, a brown and black Dachshund-Chihuahua mix. Then they took in their second male cat, Sampson, who had long, black hair with splotches of white framing his golden eyes. Next to show up was a trio of Pitbulls: gray and white Lucas, solid black Louise, and red and white Olivia, who was the runt. Artemis had never had pets before, and she wanted even more. After much convincing, Daniel took her into town and they bought Alfred, a chocolate brown Dachshund, to keep Tiffany company. However, that same day a white and brown Jack Russell terrier they later named James found his way to them. Surprisingly, the Baynes managed to make it a whole week before the next two strays showed up: a Border Collie puppy, Sophie, who was tagging along with a white and tan Siberian Husky, Max. On the last day of the month, after relentless begging, Daniel agreed to buy Artemis a new kitten, Meena. She was a Calico, like Paige, but had short hair instead. After that Daniel finally put his foot down and declared no more pets.

That wasn't the only change in Artemis' life that happened over the summer. With Ben's help, Daniel was able to follow through on his plans for building the chicken coop. Once it was erected, they bought a Rhode Island Red rooster named Perry and five Goldline hens: Annie, Beth, Katie, Joy, and Sadie. Daniel was an ambitious man, and even though their farm was in need of much repair, he constantly talked about selling their produce and making homemade goods. Artemis and her father quickly befriended Hector, the elderly man who mowed the lawns, and he was beyond excited when Daniel asked him to help get the farm up and running.

With their fathers constantly working, Artemis spent a lot of time tagging along with her cousins, exploring the forest, or at the beach. It became normal to find piles of beautiful seashells piled around the cottage and sandy shoes sitting outside the door. One particularly fair-weathered day Artemis decided to go exploring in the woods. The property her house sat on was so large that in a month and a half she still hadn't explored it all. This time she headed east until she came across a small brook. She walked along the edge for a while before she took off her shoes and walked into the water. She wasn't sure how long she'd been walking when she spotted a clearing in the distance. She stepped out of the stream and quickly walked towards the tree line, ignoring the sting of sharp rocks digging into her bare feet. When she stepped into the clearing the entire atmosphere shifted. She couldn't describe the sensation, but she could feel the magic pulsing through the air. She cautiously walked to the middle and looked around. The trees were lined in a perfect circle, something that definitely didn't occur in nature. Though Artemis was certain she was alone, she felt like she was surrounded by life. She looked up at the sky, her vision framed by the treetops, and felt overwhelmed with a magical force. Suddenly her vision grew darkened until she couldn't see. She tried to shake her head, but she felt like she was stuck in a cloud. Through the dark haze she could see flashes and outlines of objects: gigantic chess pieces, a monstrous three-headed dog, and a twisted, snakelike face.

As soon as it came the haze disappeared, and Artemis found herself standing in the clearing still staring at the sky. Her heart was pounding, and her whole body was drenched in a cold sweat. Despite the warm summer weather she couldn't stop shivering. With shaky legs she walked back to the tree line, and as soon as she was out of the clearing she sprinted all the way home. She was glad to find the cottage empty when she arrived. The last thing she wanted was her father to worry. To ease her nerves, she pulled her Hogwarts letter from the night stand drawer and began reading it for the hundredth time. The yellow parchment was heavy in her hands, and the emerald green ink inscribed across it glittered in the sunlight. Her fingers traced the ridges in the purple wax seal as her eyes analyzed the symbol imprinted onto it: a coat of arms with a large 'H' in the center, surrounded by a lion, an eagle, a badger, and a snake. She pulled the letter out of the envelope and let her eyes drift down the page. At the top was an illustration of the seal with a banner underneath that read "Draco, Dormiens Nunquam, Titillandus." Following that was the heading:

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 Bayne,

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,

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

She stared at the elegant signature for a few seconds; it was the most beautiful handwriting she's ever seen. The same illustration decorated the top of the second page and underneath was a list divided into three sections.

UNIFORM

First-year students will require:

1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)

2. One pointed hat (black) for day wear

3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)

4. One winter cloak (black, silver fastening)

Please note all pupils' clothes should carry name tags.

COURSE BOOKS

All students should have a copy of each of the following:

1. The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk

2. A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot

3. Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling

4. A Beginners' Guide to Transfiguration by Emetic Switch

5. One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore

6. Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger

7. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander

8. 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.

As she finished reading the last of the letter, Daniel entered the cottage and called for her.

"Yes, Dad?" she asked with her head poking out of the doorway.

"Just wondered if you were here," he answered.

"Hey, I have a question." She handing him the letter and pointed to the top of the first page. "'Draco, Dormiens Nunquam, Titillandus.' What does this mean?"

"Never tickle a sleeping dragon," he answered with a smile. "Latin is a fun language, isn't it?"

"Is that the school motto?" Artemis asked. "It seems kinda silly."

"You'll quickly learn not everything is as serious as it seems," Daniel told her. "We need to visit Diagon Alley soon." He quickly surveyed her supplies list.

"Where's that?"

"It's a wizarding shopping area. Don't let me forget to ask Ben for floo powder."

"Do we have to use floo?" Artemis whined.

"It's the easiest way to get there, Arty. Don't worry, you'll be fine."

"Tell that to the people that get lost," she muttered as she returned to the bedroom.