Harry Potter and the Dark Tower Apprentice
Prelude - Knight Manor
It was a cold July day at Knight Manor. In fact, it had been snowing heavily all morning, and the owl that arrived through the rafters was completely unidentifiable until the thick snow coating it had melted. The bedraggled tawny owl had been carrying a letter, but the smudged ink off the address made it unreadable. The letter was also soaking wet, and trying to open it would probably damage it. So, Lady Knight put it on the desk in her room to dry it by the raging fire in there.
Maximilian Knight had watched the owl with growing anticipation. A striking young man of sixteen, he was in his fifth year at White Towers Academy, the foremost Canadian school of magic. He was six feet tall, with long curly brown hair and brown eyes. During his last week at White Towers the year previous, Max had applied for an international student exchange program. The short list of schools had included Hogwarts in England, Durmstrang in Bulgaria, Beaux Batons in France, and the Tao Institute in China. It was now only two weeks before classes would start, and Max had almost given up hope. His best friend Simon had already received an owl that confirmed that Simon was going to Durmstrang.
Max turned back to his room. He looked out the frosted window bay window and caught sight of two cloaked figures riding up to the keep. They were very familiar figures. Taineyah and Sara, his other two best friends, were staying over for the summer.
Max turned around, to find Whippy, the family's house elf, holding up a letter to him. It was the letter the owl had just brought.
"The letter is addressed to Master Maximilian, sir" said Whippy in his usually high pitched voice "It is from school, sir"
Max could barely contain his excitement. It was still a week too early for school notices from White Towers. With trembling hands, Max opened it.
Dear Maximilian Knight,
We are proud to announce that you have been selected to go to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry as a member of our International Exchange Program. We apologize for the tardiness of this letter, but your special circumstances had to be taken into account. Enclosed is a list of supplies you will need for your classes there. You are to meet Professor Hannusch at Platform 9 3/4 in King's Cross Station, London, before boarding the school train: the Hogwart's Express. We hope you enjoy your year abroad and with you luck.
Sincerely,
Professors Malcolm Byrne, Head master, White Towers
Minerva McGanagoll, deputy Headmistress, Hogwarts
Max literally somersaulted for joy. He had been waiting all summer for this. He had hoped that he could join Sara and Taineyah, who were going on exchange to Hogwarts as well, but with Sara's father, who was going on a Ministry Exchange.
Max ran out of his room, down the stairs, past his sister, and out towards the stables, from which Taineyah and Sara were emerging. Sara was 5'3", full figured, with putry lips, brown hair, brown eyes, and pointed ears. Taineyah was 5'6", slightly more petite than Sara, with red hair, and deep brown eyes. Upon seeing his expression, neither doubted that he was going on exchange, though both kept their mouths shut and decided to play it cool.
"So, what was that owl we saw on our way back, Max?" Sara asked
"It was my letter of acceptance!" Max replied, very obviously excited.
"Your going to the looney bin too?" Sara asked, with mock sincerity.
At Max's look, Taineyah prompted:
"And . . ."
"I'm going to Hogwarts!"
"YEAH!" both girls shouted in unison, and hugged Max.
brought
Prelude - Knight Manor
It was a cold July day at Knight Manor. In fact, it had been snowing heavily all morning, and the owl that arrived through the rafters was completely unidentifiable until the thick snow coating it had melted. The bedraggled tawny owl had been carrying a letter, but the smudged ink off the address made it unreadable. The letter was also soaking wet, and trying to open it would probably damage it. So, Lady Knight put it on the desk in her room to dry it by the raging fire in there.
Maximilian Knight had watched the owl with growing anticipation. A striking young man of sixteen, he was in his fifth year at White Towers Academy, the foremost Canadian school of magic. He was six feet tall, with long curly brown hair and brown eyes. During his last week at White Towers the year previous, Max had applied for an international student exchange program. The short list of schools had included Hogwarts in England, Durmstrang in Bulgaria, Beaux Batons in France, and the Tao Institute in China. It was now only two weeks before classes would start, and Max had almost given up hope. His best friend Simon had already received an owl that confirmed that Simon was going to Durmstrang.
Max turned back to his room. He looked out the frosted window bay window and caught sight of two cloaked figures riding up to the keep. They were very familiar figures. Taineyah and Sara, his other two best friends, were staying over for the summer.
Max turned around, to find Whippy, the family's house elf, holding up a letter to him. It was the letter the owl had just brought.
"The letter is addressed to Master Maximilian, sir" said Whippy in his usually high pitched voice "It is from school, sir"
Max could barely contain his excitement. It was still a week too early for school notices from White Towers. With trembling hands, Max opened it.
Dear Maximilian Knight,
We are proud to announce that you have been selected to go to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry as a member of our International Exchange Program. We apologize for the tardiness of this letter, but your special circumstances had to be taken into account. Enclosed is a list of supplies you will need for your classes there. You are to meet Professor Hannusch at Platform 9 3/4 in King's Cross Station, London, before boarding the school train: the Hogwart's Express. We hope you enjoy your year abroad and with you luck.
Sincerely,
Professors Malcolm Byrne, Head master, White Towers
Minerva McGanagoll, deputy Headmistress, Hogwarts
Max literally somersaulted for joy. He had been waiting all summer for this. He had hoped that he could join Sara and Taineyah, who were going on exchange to Hogwarts as well, but with Sara's father, who was going on a Ministry Exchange.
Max ran out of his room, down the stairs, past his sister, and out towards the stables, from which Taineyah and Sara were emerging. Sara was 5'3", full figured, with putry lips, brown hair, brown eyes, and pointed ears. Taineyah was 5'6", slightly more petite than Sara, with red hair, and deep brown eyes. Upon seeing his expression, neither doubted that he was going on exchange, though both kept their mouths shut and decided to play it cool.
"So, what was that owl we saw on our way back, Max?" Sara asked
"It was my letter of acceptance!" Max replied, very obviously excited.
"Your going to the looney bin too?" Sara asked, with mock sincerity.
At Max's look, Taineyah prompted:
"And . . ."
"I'm going to Hogwarts!"
"YEAH!" both girls shouted in unison, and hugged Max.
brought
