Chapter 2: Owl Post
The next two days weren't exactly what you call fun. Celeste was now avoiding Dilandra at all costs, and if her elder sister did see her, Celeste would emit a squeak and hurry off in the opposite direction. 'In fact,' Dilandra realized, 'The only time I really see Celeste is at the dinner table.' However this thought did not lighten her mood. Her parents were a different matter. Dilandra didn't know which was worse: having your parents give you the silent treatment, or them raving continuously about how brilliant she was. At first they were unusually quiet, and Dilandra hated the awkwardness between them. Still shocked and utterly confused, they did not know how to approach the subject. Then things quickly got worse. Mark and Angela Bryden realized how gifted Dilandra was, and at first made random comments on how proud they were of her, and would support her talent at all costs. However, these little remarks had turned into spending every moment possible to make her feel special and loving. Her parents would make loud speeches in their household about how wonderful it was to have a witch in the family, and how thrilled they were that Dilandra was to become, that Dilandra is a being with magical powers. If they did this on the dinner table, Celeste would keep her head down, her face burning scarlet, but would not make a single sound. Dilandra often suspected that her elder sister was increasingly becoming jealous, and she couldn't blame Celeste. Who would want parents who only saw one child instead of two? Still, Dilandra didn't dare to approach her elder sister, scared that Celeste may run at her and attack. The night before her birthday, Dilandra was absent-mindedly staring out of her bedroom window, resting her elbows on the pane, her chin lazily cupped in her hands. She was gazing out into the night sky, where stars winked at her from every direction, when she suddenly realized what she was seeing. A small, black shadow was hurrying towards her, flying smoothly, when Dilandra realized that whatever it was had split: there were now two small black shadows. Dilandra's hand went to her window, about to slam it shut, but as she was fumbling with the iron screws, one of the things leapt inside into her bedroom. Giving a small yell of surprise, she stared, shocked at the thing.
It was an owl. Her heart beating fast, Dilandra cautiously made her way towards it, and it stared at her curiously through its amber eyes, as though it was wondering what she was doing. She held one hand above its wing, and very slowly placed it onto its golden-brown feathers, stroking it. The owl closed her eyes lazily, as though enjoying it. Feeling extremely relieved, she continued this for some time before she noticed a brown envelope attached to one of its legs. 'Is this for me?' The owl only cocked its head to one side, giving her a puzzled look and hooted softly. Dilandra took this for a 'yes', and undid the string that was binding the note, and stared at the address on the envelope.
Miss Dilandra Bryden The Second Smallest Bedroom 46 Cocktail Street Bloomsbury Surrey
The address was written in scarlet ink and the envelope was made from thick, yellowish paper. 'Parchment,' Dilandra muttered to herself. But before she could open the envelope, a loud piercing scream erupted from the silence. The owl was so shocked that it leapt backwards and gave Dilandra a terrified look. Dilandra wasn't too calm, either. She muttered some words of comfort to the owl, before she angrily opened the door and stepped forward into the hallway. Celeste was running up the stairs, her face screwed up with fear. 'What's going on?' But Celeste, looking aghast, almost knocked Dilandra down as she quickly tried to make her way to her bedroom. Dilandra heard her sister's bedroom door slam, before she hurriedly made her way down the stairs. She met her parents in the dining room. 'Will someone please tell me what it going on?' Dilandra questioned her parents. 'I don't know dear, it seems something has scared Cele - ' 'I heard her scream, then she bulldozed me down in the hallway - ' 'Did she say what she was scared of?' 'No, I think she was just trying to get away from someth - ' 'But she wasn't hurt, though, was she?' 'Not that I could tell,' Dilandra said hurriedly, 'but - ' 'QUIET!' Mr Bryden said loudly, 'Do you hear something?' Dilandra listened hard. Then, in the distance, she heard it: like a flute, but whatever it was, it sounded wary and desperate. She had heard something like this before, in fact, she's sure it was - 'It's an owl.' Dilandra said quietly, and she followed the sound until it led her to the back doorway, where a small creature hooted softly and expectedly outside. As she opened the door, the tiny owl fluttered inside and drooped itself onto Dilandra's shoulder. 'I think this is the way witches and wizards send mail to each other,' Dilandra informed her parents. Noticing the small note attached to its leg, Dilandra gently lifted the small owl and without another word, carried it carefully to her room. As she made her way up the flight of stairs, she saw Celeste's face sticking out of her bedroom door, obviously watching to see if the coast was clear. Seeing Dilandra as well as the tiny owl cupped in her hands, Celeste let out a strangled yell and closed her door with a snap. Shaking her head, Dilandra stepped inside her bedroom. The tawny owl was still there. It looked curiously from Dilandra to the miniscule white owl and hooted softly. Laying the snowy bird onto her desk, she slowly and gently began to remove the letter bound to its legs, and laid it next to the other yellowish envelope. Dilandra gawked at the owls for a few seconds, as though she finally just realized what she was seeing, and then turned her head towards the letters spread out on her bed. She opened the first yellowish envelope, and stared at the first page.
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 Miss Bryden, We are pleased to inform you that you have a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. We apologise that you had not received a placement earlier in the school years. As you are turning 15 this year (according to our records - please inform us if this statement is incorrect) you will be submitted into the Fifth Year at Hogwarts. However, due to the delay of your magical training, your 1st term will consist of revision from the previous years. Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no longer than 31 July.
Yours Sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall Deputy Headmistress
Dilandra felt strangely numb, as though she was separated from the real world. Questions exploded inside Dilandra's head, and she didn't know which one to ask first - or to whom she should ask. She swallowed hard, and continued, reading the second page.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY
Uniform Fifth 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, silver fastenings) Please note that all pupils' clothes should carry name tags.
Set books: All students should have a copy of each of the following: The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 5) by Miranda Goshawk A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling Intermediate Transfiguration by Emeric Switch One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble
It must also be noted that from the 5th year, students must choose which subjects they wish to study in more detail. The list of elective book requirements is available at Flourish & Blotts, Diagon Alley.
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.
Fifth year students are allowed their own broomsticks and are eligible to participate and compete for their house Quidditch teams.
Dilandra read this page rather slowly, rereading it again and again as so she could absorb another piece of shocking news into her brain. So, she was really a witch! - unless someone was playing an extremely cruel joke on her. Dilandra quickly dismissed the second thought. She didn't want to think that way, so why was she? Carefully placing the letter back into the envelope, she then picked the second 'mail' addressed to her. The message was much shorter than the letter she received from Hogwarts, and was written in large, loopy writing she had seen so many times before.
Dear Dilandra, How are you? Have you received your letter from Hogwarts yet? If you have, send a reply to the school as soon as possible, saying that you do wish to enrol there. If you haven't, well, now you know what to do. I'll be at your place soon, and we'll go shopping for your school supplies in London. Good Luck, Dilandra! Love, Uncle Nicky
Dilandra read the note, and looked quickly up at the tawny owl. 'You were waiting for me, weren't you?' she asked softly. The owl cocked his head at her in reply. With slightly trembling hands, she flicked through the pile of schoolbooks scattered on her desk until she found a spare piece of paper. Dilandra drew a chair and sat down. What should she write in reply to Hogwarts? Maybe just follow Uncle Nicky's suggestion and write blankly,
'Dear Professor McGonagall, Yes, I accept the position at Hogwarts. Yours sincerely, Dilandra Bryden'
Even in her head it sounded stupid. Glancing at her digital alarm clock on her bedside table, she realized that it was 9:30. Stifling a yawn that was threatening her, she murmured to the owls saying that she needed sleep. They seemed to understand, and gave her looks of comfort before spreading their soft wings and flying off into the night. Dilandra watched them, and knew that they would return in the morning. Crossing the room, she switched off the light and drew the covers of her bed. And, feeling so utterly exhausted, Dilandra Bryden slept on and on, the questions in her mind dissolving into her dream about the mysterious stranger.
The next two days weren't exactly what you call fun. Celeste was now avoiding Dilandra at all costs, and if her elder sister did see her, Celeste would emit a squeak and hurry off in the opposite direction. 'In fact,' Dilandra realized, 'The only time I really see Celeste is at the dinner table.' However this thought did not lighten her mood. Her parents were a different matter. Dilandra didn't know which was worse: having your parents give you the silent treatment, or them raving continuously about how brilliant she was. At first they were unusually quiet, and Dilandra hated the awkwardness between them. Still shocked and utterly confused, they did not know how to approach the subject. Then things quickly got worse. Mark and Angela Bryden realized how gifted Dilandra was, and at first made random comments on how proud they were of her, and would support her talent at all costs. However, these little remarks had turned into spending every moment possible to make her feel special and loving. Her parents would make loud speeches in their household about how wonderful it was to have a witch in the family, and how thrilled they were that Dilandra was to become, that Dilandra is a being with magical powers. If they did this on the dinner table, Celeste would keep her head down, her face burning scarlet, but would not make a single sound. Dilandra often suspected that her elder sister was increasingly becoming jealous, and she couldn't blame Celeste. Who would want parents who only saw one child instead of two? Still, Dilandra didn't dare to approach her elder sister, scared that Celeste may run at her and attack. The night before her birthday, Dilandra was absent-mindedly staring out of her bedroom window, resting her elbows on the pane, her chin lazily cupped in her hands. She was gazing out into the night sky, where stars winked at her from every direction, when she suddenly realized what she was seeing. A small, black shadow was hurrying towards her, flying smoothly, when Dilandra realized that whatever it was had split: there were now two small black shadows. Dilandra's hand went to her window, about to slam it shut, but as she was fumbling with the iron screws, one of the things leapt inside into her bedroom. Giving a small yell of surprise, she stared, shocked at the thing.
It was an owl. Her heart beating fast, Dilandra cautiously made her way towards it, and it stared at her curiously through its amber eyes, as though it was wondering what she was doing. She held one hand above its wing, and very slowly placed it onto its golden-brown feathers, stroking it. The owl closed her eyes lazily, as though enjoying it. Feeling extremely relieved, she continued this for some time before she noticed a brown envelope attached to one of its legs. 'Is this for me?' The owl only cocked its head to one side, giving her a puzzled look and hooted softly. Dilandra took this for a 'yes', and undid the string that was binding the note, and stared at the address on the envelope.
Miss Dilandra Bryden The Second Smallest Bedroom 46 Cocktail Street Bloomsbury Surrey
The address was written in scarlet ink and the envelope was made from thick, yellowish paper. 'Parchment,' Dilandra muttered to herself. But before she could open the envelope, a loud piercing scream erupted from the silence. The owl was so shocked that it leapt backwards and gave Dilandra a terrified look. Dilandra wasn't too calm, either. She muttered some words of comfort to the owl, before she angrily opened the door and stepped forward into the hallway. Celeste was running up the stairs, her face screwed up with fear. 'What's going on?' But Celeste, looking aghast, almost knocked Dilandra down as she quickly tried to make her way to her bedroom. Dilandra heard her sister's bedroom door slam, before she hurriedly made her way down the stairs. She met her parents in the dining room. 'Will someone please tell me what it going on?' Dilandra questioned her parents. 'I don't know dear, it seems something has scared Cele - ' 'I heard her scream, then she bulldozed me down in the hallway - ' 'Did she say what she was scared of?' 'No, I think she was just trying to get away from someth - ' 'But she wasn't hurt, though, was she?' 'Not that I could tell,' Dilandra said hurriedly, 'but - ' 'QUIET!' Mr Bryden said loudly, 'Do you hear something?' Dilandra listened hard. Then, in the distance, she heard it: like a flute, but whatever it was, it sounded wary and desperate. She had heard something like this before, in fact, she's sure it was - 'It's an owl.' Dilandra said quietly, and she followed the sound until it led her to the back doorway, where a small creature hooted softly and expectedly outside. As she opened the door, the tiny owl fluttered inside and drooped itself onto Dilandra's shoulder. 'I think this is the way witches and wizards send mail to each other,' Dilandra informed her parents. Noticing the small note attached to its leg, Dilandra gently lifted the small owl and without another word, carried it carefully to her room. As she made her way up the flight of stairs, she saw Celeste's face sticking out of her bedroom door, obviously watching to see if the coast was clear. Seeing Dilandra as well as the tiny owl cupped in her hands, Celeste let out a strangled yell and closed her door with a snap. Shaking her head, Dilandra stepped inside her bedroom. The tawny owl was still there. It looked curiously from Dilandra to the miniscule white owl and hooted softly. Laying the snowy bird onto her desk, she slowly and gently began to remove the letter bound to its legs, and laid it next to the other yellowish envelope. Dilandra gawked at the owls for a few seconds, as though she finally just realized what she was seeing, and then turned her head towards the letters spread out on her bed. She opened the first yellowish envelope, and stared at the first page.
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 Miss Bryden, We are pleased to inform you that you have a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. We apologise that you had not received a placement earlier in the school years. As you are turning 15 this year (according to our records - please inform us if this statement is incorrect) you will be submitted into the Fifth Year at Hogwarts. However, due to the delay of your magical training, your 1st term will consist of revision from the previous years. Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no longer than 31 July.
Yours Sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall Deputy Headmistress
Dilandra felt strangely numb, as though she was separated from the real world. Questions exploded inside Dilandra's head, and she didn't know which one to ask first - or to whom she should ask. She swallowed hard, and continued, reading the second page.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY
Uniform Fifth 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, silver fastenings) Please note that all pupils' clothes should carry name tags.
Set books: All students should have a copy of each of the following: The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 5) by Miranda Goshawk A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling Intermediate Transfiguration by Emeric Switch One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble
It must also be noted that from the 5th year, students must choose which subjects they wish to study in more detail. The list of elective book requirements is available at Flourish & Blotts, Diagon Alley.
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.
Fifth year students are allowed their own broomsticks and are eligible to participate and compete for their house Quidditch teams.
Dilandra read this page rather slowly, rereading it again and again as so she could absorb another piece of shocking news into her brain. So, she was really a witch! - unless someone was playing an extremely cruel joke on her. Dilandra quickly dismissed the second thought. She didn't want to think that way, so why was she? Carefully placing the letter back into the envelope, she then picked the second 'mail' addressed to her. The message was much shorter than the letter she received from Hogwarts, and was written in large, loopy writing she had seen so many times before.
Dear Dilandra, How are you? Have you received your letter from Hogwarts yet? If you have, send a reply to the school as soon as possible, saying that you do wish to enrol there. If you haven't, well, now you know what to do. I'll be at your place soon, and we'll go shopping for your school supplies in London. Good Luck, Dilandra! Love, Uncle Nicky
Dilandra read the note, and looked quickly up at the tawny owl. 'You were waiting for me, weren't you?' she asked softly. The owl cocked his head at her in reply. With slightly trembling hands, she flicked through the pile of schoolbooks scattered on her desk until she found a spare piece of paper. Dilandra drew a chair and sat down. What should she write in reply to Hogwarts? Maybe just follow Uncle Nicky's suggestion and write blankly,
'Dear Professor McGonagall, Yes, I accept the position at Hogwarts. Yours sincerely, Dilandra Bryden'
Even in her head it sounded stupid. Glancing at her digital alarm clock on her bedside table, she realized that it was 9:30. Stifling a yawn that was threatening her, she murmured to the owls saying that she needed sleep. They seemed to understand, and gave her looks of comfort before spreading their soft wings and flying off into the night. Dilandra watched them, and knew that they would return in the morning. Crossing the room, she switched off the light and drew the covers of her bed. And, feeling so utterly exhausted, Dilandra Bryden slept on and on, the questions in her mind dissolving into her dream about the mysterious stranger.