Chapter4- The Best Birthday
The week after the visit from Professor Dumbledore seemed to last forever. Remus had even begun counting down the hours until his birthday, not for the excitement of receiving presents like most boys his age, not even the thought of being one year older could make as happy as much when he's receiving the thing he had been anticipating for all week- his Hogwarts confirmation letter.
The night before his birthday was tedious. Remus lay in bed listening to his parents chatting whilst gathering his presents, but he didn't care about his presents. As Lyall and Hope's footsteps could be heard walking up the stairs, Remus rolled onto his side, pretending to be asleep but the footsteps past and he heard his parents enter their bedroom. A moment later, Remus began visualising his first day of Hogwarts, which slowly slid into a dream…
As the sun slowly began to rise, Remus woke from a dream in which he had thoroughly been enjoying. For a moment, he just lay in bed reminiscing his dream but sat up immediately, remembering what day it was. He jumped up and sprinted down the hallway to his parents' room. They woke with a start as Remus began shouting at them excitedly until they both wearily got up and began trundling downstairs; Remus following closely behind them. Hope began making waffles for Remus and Lyall started packing his bag for work before joining Remus, who was sitting upright watching his mother make waffles.
"It should be coming soon Remus, you don't need to worry. The post should be arriving any minuet. "
Remus gazed at the clear blue sky hopefully, he nearly pointed out every bird that flew by expecting it- or more hoping it would be- the owl containing his letter. At last a large brown Tawney Owl could be seen coming in the direction of their house…
Remus jumped up as it entered the room through the window but when it dropped a letter addressed to 'Mr. L Lupin' he sat back down and looked at his feet. Unexpectedly, a beautiful snowy owl soared through the window and placed a letter in front of him. For a second, Remus just stared at it, hardly believing what he saw. Hands shaking slightly, he slowly teared open the red seal on the envelope with a 'H' in the centre and pulled out the letter. It was a slightly rough parchment and the first thing that caught his eye was the Hogwarts crest emblazoned in the top centre.
"Go on Remus, read it to us." Hope said in anticipation. Lyall nodded in agreement but what was on it he already knew by heart from his own Hogwarts letter.
"Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry" he glanced up at his parents with an air of excitement
"Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore (Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards), we met him!" Lyall and Hope smiled at him but then Hope turned and put the burnt waffles on a plate.
"Dear Mr. Lupin," he continued.
"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 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July. Yours sincerely, Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress" Remus finished.
He looked back down and re-read the letter a few times before Lyall reminded him about the equipment list, so he reached in and pulled it out the envelope and read everything aloud.
"First-year students will require: Three sets of plain work robes (black), one plain pointed hat (black) for day wear, one pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar), one winter cloak (black, with silver fastenings). Please note that all pupils' clothes should carry name tags."
"It shouldn't be too hard to find those, we can just go to Diagon Alley and Madam Malkin will have all of that, but all this is going to cost Galleons!" Lyall interrupted. Then Remus continued,
"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…We already have that!" Remus said excitedly.
"Anyway, Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander and The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble."
"Wow, all this will cost a fortune!" Exclaimed Hope then Lyall warned her,
"There's more to come. Continue Remy."
"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."
"Ah, I remember being disappointed about that, I wasn't much of a quidditch fan, but I enjoyed flying." Said Lyall reminiscently staring at something that wasn't there.
Remus read through the letter again. And again. And again, until he could finally believe this was really happening and he wasn't dreaming.
"Dad?"
"Yes Remus?"
"When can we go to Diagon Alley?" Hope and Lyall looked at each other.
"Well your father and I thought we could go today but only if you want, you can have your presents first and-"Hope started.
"YES! LET'S GO!"
"Anyway, as I was saying, and we can buy you a birthday present there."
"I don't need my presents now, lets go to Diagon Alley!"
Remus jumped up, seeing more wizards and witches would be strange; he's grown up in a muggle neighbourhood, unable to interact with any other children his age, in case they found out about his affliction…
Remus, Lyall and Hope all put on their cloaks and drove (they were in a muggle neighbourhood, they had to drive) to the nearest station where they got on the next train to London.
After a few stations, they arrived and found The Leaky Cauldron. It was amazing to see so many magic people in one room drinking magic drinks, eating magic food. Remus closely followed his parents through the busy pub, careful not to get lost. They reached a door at the back which seemed to lead to a back yard. Lyall seemed to be counting the bricks.
"…three up… "he counted three bricks up
"…and two across, there." He tapped the brick three times and they gracefully slid apart revealing a bright, bustling street as if the bricks were never there at all. Remus gasped. He gazed up at all the tall witches and wizards in pointy hats and long cloaks as he and his parents began to get swallowed by the crowd. Remus closely followed his parents to a shop. He looked up at the sign, it said: 'Flourish and Blotts'. As soon as he stepped in, he could smell the delightful smell of parchment and there were so many books it could have been the Hogwarts library if it wasn't so noisy. Lyall took him to one side.
"Stay near us, we can't lose you."
"Ok Dad. What books do we need" Lyall looked down at the list clutched in Remus' hand and looked around the bookshop. Luckily, a helpful bookshop assistant handed all the books required for Hogwarts first years to them and Lyall got out his work bag which contained an undetectable extension charm and put them all in. Hope helped Remus pick out a book for his birthday (he chose Hogwarts: A History to boost his knowledge of Hogwarts passageways before he went there) then they left the slightly quieter book shop to enter the loud street. The tailed his parents all the way to the shop he heard his father mention earlier- Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. Again, his father took him aside.
"Do you mind if we leave you here for a bit? Madam Malkin will just fit you into your robes, we'll be back soon, its only to get you a present."
Remus nodded but didn't like being left with strangers, then it suddenly dawned on him. He will be left with strangers at Hogwarts and his parents won't be there to guide him through. What if he doesn't make any friends? There's always Dumbledore but he's a teacher, not a school friend.
"Mr Lupin" Madam Malkin called Remus up to the fitting platform as soon as his parents left.
There was an older girl on his right getting fitted into yellow robes and a boy around his age on his left getting fitted into plane black Hogwarts robes.
"Hello, is it your first year at Hogwarts?" The boy had short, black, messy hair that stood up in all directions and he wore round glasses.
Remus nodded. He never really talked to any other wizard boy his age before. Not since he was little.
"Cool. Mine too but my dad went there, and he's told me loads. Any idea what house your hoping to get?"
Remus had thought about this ever since he found out about Hogwarts, his dad said he would make a great Ravenclaw, but he wasn't entirely sure.
"Umm, I'm not really sure, my dad says Ravenclaw. What about you?" Remus felt like he had a little more confidence.
"Gryffindor like my dad." He lifted an invisible sword "Where dwell the brave at heart"
Remus gave a small laugh.
"Anyway, I'm done. See ya at Hogwarts!"
Remus was also done and Lyall and Hope stood outside grinning, Hope was holding a magnificent Tawny Owl with a different shade of brown on almost all his feathers. Remus took his robes and payed Madam Malkin before sprinting outside. He gave his clothes to Lyall who put them in his bag then he gazed at the owl, impressed its beauty.
"Happy Birthday Remus." Hope smiled at him.
It really was the best birthday ever.