And I'm half back!
Sincerely~
Albus Dumbledore rubbed his temples before staring at the two letters in his hands. He had been walking through the hallways of Hogwarts for a break from paperwork, when two owls flew in from one of the windows. One was a screech owl, and the other was a black owl-one that was even bigger than some great grey owls Albus knew of. The headmaster had decided to read the letters they carried quickly, and had gone back to his office.
The letter in his left hand, carried by the screech owl, had the Ministry's seal on it, and although he didn't recognize the seal on the letter in his right hand, it still seemed important.
With a resigned sigh, Albus opened the Ministry letter first.
Dear Mr. Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore (Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorcerer, Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry):
The Ministry of Magic of the United Kingdom has recently decided to reestablish an alliance with the northern islands, and intends host the representatives at the school, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. We believe it is important to show these esteemed guests our values in the children, our future, and therefore expect preparations to be made for these honorable guests, at Hogwarts, before the school year starts.
Yours Sincerely,
Cornelius Oswald Fudge
Minister of Magic
Albus stared at the letter silently, wondering if this "reestablishment of an alliance" had anything to do with the two northern-islanders who were currently in an alliance with the Order. The two had said they didn't inform the Magical Ministry of their visit.
Albus shook his head and opened the second letter he received.
Dear Mr. Albus Dumbledore,
This is one of the northern island's dukes. We had just recently had a Magical Ministry worker by the name of Dolores Umbridge visit us, with the result being an agreement to reestablish a connection to the Ministry of Magic. It had been decided that your refined school, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, will be where our observation and participation in your culture will occur. We hope to have our two chosen representatives meet with you soon, as they will arrive at London, and then Hogwarts, before the school year, to become acquainted with their surroundings.
The chosen representatives, Oz Vessalius and Alice Rainsworth, are aged fifteen*, and are currently catching up to your standards of fifth year magical education. They will be expected to participate in the same activities, listen to their teachers, and do the same work as the other students of their year. We ask you to reply with a list of their required materials for their school year, as well as any relevant and important information you wish to be recognized. A guide for their time in London is requested. Thank you for your trouble.
Sincerely,
Cheryl Rainsworth
Duke of the Rainsworth Dukedom
As he finished the second letter, Albus' first thought was, 'They're sending children as representatives?'
He sighed again as he remembered last year, when Harry had to be a representative in the Triwizard Tournament, against his will. 'And that had happened because of me,' he thought sadly, 'I was not careful enough.' He only hoped that the northern islanders knew what they were doing, and set to writing reply letters.
Oz Vessalius looked curiously at the large black owl that flew through the window. Alice and he had been called in by Duke Cheryl for their mission's briefing, and had just sat down. Sharon had decided to follow them in a wheelchair.
Duke Sheryl took the three bulky letters that were in each claw, with one in the beak, of the owl, and murmured a "Thank you," before it disappeared.
"A chain?" Alice asked.
The duke nodded her head. "Yes, it's mine, actually. It was really convenient—the wizards use owls for their mail, so I asked my chain to suppress as much power as it could, to go into a smaller form. It was not as simple as how you do it, Alice—Owl still ended up being rather big… Anyway, back to the mission. You two will be posing as representatives, and more importantly, students of Hogwarts, to cover more ground in the search for the sealing stone. You'll be put into their fifth year of magical education, out of seven years, so you'll have to catch up with the studies of the other students. Please, don't cause too much trouble."
Duke Cheryl looked down at the three letters, and handed one to Oz, then one to Alice. Oz glanced at his, then Alice's, and raised an eyebrow. "You're putting her surname as 'Rainsworth'? 'Vessalius' would've worked fine, wouldn't it have?"
Sharon smiled beside them. "It's fine, isn't it?" She put an arm around Alice, who had torn open the letter and was reading it. "I'm like a real older sister now."
Duke Cheryl smiled. "It's to show that more than one duke participated in this."
Oz nodded in understanding and asked another question. "Also, can Alice and I really use magic?"
"Well, these northern islands don't have many magic users in the first place, and those who do can usually deal with it on their own. We broke off from United Kingdom's Ministry of Magic, though, twenty-five years ago, so I'm not quite sure what happened after that." The duke sighed. "But in the first place, the four dukedoms, or five, counting the Baskervilles, had magic passed down through at least one child through the years. It's like that with some families of the counts and marquesses and such, as well. We aren't quite sure if we're 'purebloods' in the terms of wizards, because we never received any formal training with magic, and don't do things the way the wizards do. Those in the dukes' families usually end up getting involved with Pandora, after all. We're guessing Alice can use magic because she's a chain."
Oz nodded once more, and wondered how Break had magic, and how he trained himself with it. His mind drifted to ponder if Gilbert had magic, and if Elli—
Oz lowered his eyes and shook his head, resolving to just read the letter like Alice.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHRAFT and WIZADRY
Headmaster: ALBUS DUMBLEDORE
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Oz Vessalius,
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 no later than July 31.
Yours sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
Headmaster
Oz had read about Dumbledore, in the books, after Duke Barma mentioned him. He wasn't hard to miss, anyway, what with being one of most famous wizards ever. Oz flipped to the second page and read on.
Dear Mr. Oz Vessalius,
I understand that you will be one of the two representatives from the northern islands, but I ask that you only try to make many friends. When you arrive at Hogwarts, you will have already become one of the school's many treasured students. The teachers will help you get situated, and will help in explaining concepts and giving you any extra lessons you need. Before the school year, your elective courses will be decided. I hope my school will be comfortable enough for you, and wish you luck in your duties.
Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
P.S.: Normally, in a student's fifth year of magic schooling, he or she would take his or her O.W.L (Ordinary Wizarding Level) examinations, and have a careers advice session. You are required to do neither.
Oz smiled at the letter. His future-headmaster seemed really sincere. He flipped to the next page, which was a list of items.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
UNIFORM*
You will require:
1. One plain work robe (black)
2. One plain pointed hat (black)
3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
The clothes worn inside the robe will consist of:
1. A white collared long sleeved shirt
2. A gray jumper vest
3. Black slacks
4. Black shoes
5. A gray jumper (for the winter season)
You will be measured for house robes before school, and will receive them after your house sorting. Your house tie will also be given to you after your house sorting.
BOOKS
For years 1-4 (and possibly still in use for the following years):
The Standard Book of Spells (Grades 1, 2, 3, and 4)
by Miranda Goshawk
A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration
by Emeric Switch
A History of Magic
by Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory
by Adalbert Waffling
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi
by Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions
by Arsenius Jigger
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection
by Quentin Trimble
Intermediate Transfiguration
Optional Books:
Break with a Banshee, Gadding with Ghouls, Holidays with Hags, Travels with Trolls, Voyages with Vampires, Wandering with Werewolves, and Year with the Yeti
by Gilderoy Lockhart
YEAR 5:
The Standard Book of Spells Grade 5
by Miranda Goshawk
The list of other required books has not yet been released by the teachers. Upon your arrival at Hogwarts, your elective classes will be chosen. It will also then be decided if you will take flying classes.
OTHER EQUIPMENT
1 wand
1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set glass or crystal phials
1 telescope
1 set of brass scales
Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad.
Oz folded the three letters up and put them back in the envelope, to see Alice had already done so. Duke Cheryl also seemed to be finishing reading her own letters.
"So," she said, "You'll probably travel down to Britain soon. When do you think you'll be ready?"
"Probably a week," Oz replied. "Alice?"
Alice nodded. "There's not that much to pack, anyway."
"As for a mode of transportation, Albus Dumbledore had allowed us to choose between a portkey or side-along apparition, or we could use our own methods."
"We could use Eques," Sharon said, looking both hopeful and weary.
Her grandmother smiled at her. "You need rest, Sharon—focus on that. When you're well enough to travel, you'll probably be going to Britain too. The connection to Break would be strengthened, since you're near him, and you'll have less strain on your body."
Sharon nodded slowly, and Oz stood up.
"I think that whatever method is quickest would be the better one," Oz said, "We'll be going to pack then."
"Yes," the duke agreed, "I'll prepare the reply letters for you."
So, this chapter was full of letters—in other words, it was pretty much filler. Sorry 'bout that.
*The wikia says Alice is physically 13, but considering she's soooo much older than that, I just placed her as 15.
*As you have probably guessed, I'm using the movies' styles of uniforms.
Thank you for your patronage~.
