Chapter 3

The Letter Arrives

By the time Raven was allowed out of her room, it was summer. She could tell that Crow had been milking her outburst at the Malfoy's party for all it was worth, even managing to convince their dad to buy her a brand new green velvet dress, despite the fact her other one could have easily been fixed with magic. As the sun rose and cast a rich orange light in her room, she quickly pulled on some leggings and a dark green t-shirt that sported the phrase: GO HOLYHEAD HARPIES with an embroidered golden talon slicing through it.

She also grabbed a black messenger bag, stuffing her notebook, flute and carving supplies in it, as well as a quill and ink pot. In a flash she had dashed down the stairs into the kitchen and started buttering some toast. Crow wandered sleepily into the kitchen, still rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

"Excited for your letter? It's a wonder that mum and dad are even letting you go after the scene you caused at the Malfoy's." She said as she reached for the butter knife.

"Yeah, sorry about that." Raven lied as she grabbed her piece of toast and walked out into the hallway, pushing her feet into some muddy trainers and leaving the house.

The wind ruffled her hair, causing her to grin. As the young witch made her way across the yard, she breathed in the fresh air and watched the birds fly above her. After a short trek she reached the ancient elder tree, looking as creepy and intimidating as ever.

"Good to finally be back." She pulled her messenger bag higher up onto her shoulder and started to climb, quickly falling back into the rhythm of climbing the tree she had gotten into ever since she had first attempted to scale the massive tree.

"Left foot in the notch, Right foot on that branch..." She murmured to herself, subconsciously making sure Crow hadn't messed with the tree while she had been grounded. After a couple minutes she was back in her usual spot, a comfortable notch next to an abandoned owl-hole.

She pulled a small fluffy blanket, remarkably dry and safe. After pulling it over her, Raven flipped open her notebook and stared at her ideas that she had created while stuck in her room. Grabbing a chunk of oak wood from her bag, she started chipping away at it. Then she slowed down and sighed, leaning backwards and holding the block in front of her. Something felt strange, working so hard on one project and then just moving onto the next when she was done. An idea popped into her mind and she shoved the wooden block into her messenger bag, then pulling out her silver flute. She started sanding it again to make it even smoother.

A couple hours later, Raven was still etching intricate designs into her flute. On one side it sported a miniature lion and badger, while the other side had a snake and an eagle. Carved delicately down the back of the wand was the phrase: "Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillandus" the Hogwarts motto. She blew the sawdust off of the flute and held it in the light, trying to find and imperfections to fix. Satisfied, she started playing a small tune on the flute. Due to her family's belief that music was a fine art, she soon was able to figure out the kinks and fix them.

"Having fun up there with your stupid stick?" Crow yelled up at her, laughing at her own terrible joke.

"Leave me alone, I'm playing my flute." She responded coldly.

"Fine, whatever. But I would advise coming back soon unless something bad happens to your letter!" Her sister threatened and raced back towards the manor.

Raven sighed and rolled up her blanket, stuffing it back into the owl hole before packing her remaining things and leaping through the branches down to the ground. She started walking back to the manor, lost in thought about her flute and what she could work on next. When she finally creaked open the large wooden door and stepped into the hallway, she could hear Crow mocking her from the other room.

"She tries to act so cool, cramped up in her tree with her stupid toys." Crow ranted angrily.

Raven clenched her fists and walked into the room, shoving past her sister and picking up the letter that was lying on their table.

Ms. R. Moss

The second floor bedroom on the right

Moss Family Manor

Middle of The Woods

England

She grinned and tucked the letter in her bag, then gave her sister one final withering look before hurrying up the stairs to her bedroom.

As soon as she had closed the door, she jumped onto her bed and carefully used her carving knife to break the Hogwarts seal and pull out the letter within. She pulled out the yellowed parchment, bedazzled with emerald green ink and started to read it.

"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 Raven Moss,

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 smiled at the letter and pulled another piece of paper from the envelope.

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

UNIFORM First-year students will require:

sets of plain work robes (black)

plain pointed hat (black) for day wear

pair of protective gloves (dragonhide or similar)

winter cloak (black, with silver fastenings) Please note that all pupil's clothes should carry name tags.

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 Magicby Bathilda Bagshot

Magical Theoryby Adalbert Waffling

A Beginner's Guide to Transfigurationby Emeric Switch

One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungiby Phyllida Spore

Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Themby

Newt Scamander

The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protectionby 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 BROOMSTICK"

Her smile broadened as she packed the letter neatly back into it's envelope, ready to whip out whenever she needed to remind herself what to get at their inevitable trip to Diagon Alley.