The first couple of months were the hardest. I knew the name of the post office that sent my packages, so that was my first stop the morning after I left the orphanage. I did not sleep my first night; I was too nervous and excited for the next morning. I spent the time in a park two blocks away. When the next morning arrived, I hurried to the post office.
I approached the counter where a middle-aged man stood. "Hello," I said tentatively.
"How may I help you?" The man said politely.
"My aunt sends me packages from this post office. Can you give me her address?"
"I need the number of your last package and your name."
"756428553," I had memorized the number last night at the park, "My name is Gemini Black."
He looked at the computer, "there isn't a return address." This seemed to confuse him. "You must have the number wrong. Are you sure that was the number?"
"Positive," I replied
"Why isn't there a return address?" The man asked more to himself than me. "I'm sorry, there is nothing I can do." He said sadly.
I returned once a week to the post office, but he always sent me away with the same message. I had spent the last few weeks with a group of runaways that lived in a condemned building.
Three months had past since my first visit and I was pleased to have David, the mail clerk, say, "Yes, there is a new package." He turned around, walked to backroom, and returned with a box. He put the package in my hands.
"Thank you."
"I noticed there was not a return address. I found the package on the counter this morning; it was just sitting there." With that, he turned to help the next customer.
I took my box and started walking. I went to my new home. The building used to be a factory. The factory had been abandoned when the company went bankrupt. I went to the torn up coach in the corner, sat down, and opened my box. I found a new set of books, but these ones were different. The titles were The Standard Book of Spells Grade 1 by Miranda Goshawk, The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble, A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot, Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger, and A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch. Besides the book there was what looked like Barbie furniture, a trunk and a little pot. There was a piece of narrow wood and a letter at the bottom of the box. This was the first time there had been a letter.
Date: August 31st, 2017
Dear niece,
I know this letter is unexpected, but I thought I should explain the contents of the package.
By this time, I can safely assume that you received your letter. Your mother and I both went to Hogwarts when we were girls. We were in Slytherin. It's one of the four houses at Hogwarts. You'll learn more when you arrive.
The books and supplies inside this box are the needed equipment for a first year student. I shrunk your trunk and cauldron. Tap your wand (the piece of wood) twice to enlarge the items and once to shrink it back to this side.
On to your wand: each wand is unique to its owner. Your wand was especially made for you by Ollivander. It's similar to your mother's. It is mahogany, dragon heartstring, 11 inches, and good for transfiguration.
You will do well at school. Good luck.
Love you,
Your Aunt
I shook my head and thought there must be something wrong with my aunt. But, I decided to humor her. I got the miniature trunk and the piece of wood, I mean wand. With the wand, I tapped the trunk twice. Nothing happened. Well, that is disappointing. I got up and started walking. Thunk! I ran into a normal sized trunk. I did a double take and hesitantly used the wand to tap the trunk once. After a few seconds, it became miniature again. Whoa, I repeated the steps multiple times. Each time it worked perfectly and I could feel my excitement growing. I heard a loud knock; nobody who lived here knocked. This couldn't be good. I gathered all my new possessions, including the miniature trunk, and hurried towards my upstairs room. No one, but the kids that lived in the building went up there because they thought it might collapse.
Safely in my room, I started going through my books. I felt bad that I wasn't going to go to Hogwarts, but I missed the deadline and, besides that, I would have no way to get there. So, I studied the books my aunt sent me and, without anyone knowing, I could do all the spells and potions.
As the next five years passed, I never received another letter from Hogwarts. I never got another chance. I knew all I could from books, but I wanted to see this world I was almost part of.