Four
Opportunity Knocks
Father did the most likely and the least likely thing.
"Come in," he said, realizing too late that maybe he should have asked, "Who is it?" or even gone to see who it was first. What if it was some mad axe man he was inviting into the kitchen? He stepped in front of his family just as the door opened.
A man of medium height and reddish brown hair stepped through the door. He had some sort of small stick in his hand and was wearing a cloak. At first Mr. and Mrs. Evans thought it was a dress. Then they realized that it was a robe of some sort.
"Who are you and what do you want?" Mr. Evans demanded. "How did you get into our house?"
The man smiled. " I am Mr. Armando Dippet. I am from what is called the Ministry of Magic and I got into your house by Apparation. So sorry about coming directly into the house but I thought it for the best. Couldn't have your neighbors seeing someone pop right of thin air at your front door, now could we?"
The entire family stared at him open mouthed. Mr. Dippet didn't seem to notice. He walked over to Petunia and Lily. "Ah, the owl has been here. So timely." He looked her over with an air of appraisal. "So, you're the latest candidate," he said happily.
Mother and father did not match Mr. Dippet's enthusiasm. "Candidate for what?" Mother exploded. She walked over to Mr. Dippet and pushed her finger into his chest, backing him up until he reached the kitchen door and bumped his head. "You...ap, apa...,"Mrs. Evans struggled for a word, "BARGE", she finally said triumphantly,"Yes, barge into our home, and you have the nerve to walk up to my child and tell her she's some sort of candidate. START EXPLAINING WHAT YOU WANT AND WHO YOU ARE THIS INSTANT!"
Mr. Evans was trying to pull her away from Mr. Dippet, but Mother would not back down. Mr. Dippet shook his head slightly as though to clear out his ears. He glanced over Mrs. Evans shoulder to and asked politely, "Mr. Evans, is there some place that we might all sit down?"
Considering the oddity of the situation, it was very reasonable request. There wasn't really much for it but to do as he had asked. Father led the way into the living room ushering Mr. Dippet, rather forcefully, ahead of him by his elbow. When they had entered, Mr. Dippet looked over at Lily and said, "It is customary to only discuss this business with the candidate and his or her parents."
Lily didn't understand every word but his meaning was clear. What child doesn't know when they are being told to get lost? Petunia also understood quite clearly and said flatly," Lil stays."
"Well then." Mr. Dippet gave them a look that clearly said he was making an exception and began.
"There is an entire community of people, The Wizard World, who have special, shall I say, powers. To the ordinary human, some of these things may seem extraordinary. To people in the Wizarding Community, these are just the beginnings of much stronger powers. Just as children learn to walk, then talk, magic has it's fits and starts, but must be learned and practiced to be much good." He stopped here, but saw he had the family's attention so he went on.
"As I said before I am from what is called the Ministry of Magic. Our main job at the Ministry is to make sure that Muggles, people who don't have any magical ability, stay pretty much away from the business of Wizards, people who do have magical ability. I am from the Department of Wizard-Muggle Cooperation. Part of our job is to introduce people who come from Muggle families to the Wizarding Community. We also make sure that parents understand the opportunities available in the way of Magical Education, namely attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry," he finished with a self-satisfied smile.
"What does any of this absurd story have to do with us or Petunia?" Mrs. Evans asked seriously.
"Well, it would seem that although you and, ah, Mr. Evans here, do not have any magical ability, it would seem that your daughters do."
"Now see here, I don't know what kind of circus you're from, or how you found our family but I really do believe it is time for you to leave." Mr. Evans stood to usher this madman to the door.
"Now please if you will just listen for moment," Mr. Dippet began.
Lily interrupted her father and Mr. Dippet. "You mean the funny stuff that Petunia and me can do is magic?" She asked shyly.
Mr. Dippet beamed at her. "Exactly, little one. Exactly. But it's nothing compared to what you'll learn at Hogwarts."
"What IS Hogwarts?" Mother asked, a bit shrill, but more calm than she had been in the kitchen. "On second thought, why does it matter? Why are we listening to this fool." She turned to her husband. "Why are we listening to this, this . . ."
"Madame, I can assure that I am no fool and that what I am saying is quite true. Not only am I saying it, but I can prove it." He turned to Petunia. "Were you able to read everything in your letter?" he asked kindly.
"No. The owl got here just before you did." Petunia realized how funny what she said sounded. Owls didn't get to places before people. He would have her talking as crazy and mixed up as he did in a minute.
"Quite right. Well take a look at it now dear."
Petunia did. Besides the letter that she had read at first, there were two other sheets of a rather thick funny kind of paper, the same as the envelope, and what seemed to be kind of folded pamphlet. She read the title of the brochure out loud.
Magical Ability from Muggle Families
An Introduction to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Petunia passed the letter that she had received that morning to her mother and the brochure to her father. She then began to read the other pages inside, Lily looking over her shoulder.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY
UNIFORM
First-year students will require:
Three sets of plain black work robes
One plain black pointed hat for day wear
One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)
SET BOOKS
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshhawk
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
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
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 1 owl OR 1 cat OR 1 rat OR 1 toad (Students may only bring ONE pet)
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMS!
"Wow, you need all that to learn magic," Lily asked. "You think she'd have to go far away to learn about all that stuff. There's no place to learn it around here, is there?"
Again, Mr. Dippet smiled on Lily. "Actually Hogwarts is a boarding school. If Petunia wants to go, then the train for school leaves on September 1."
"You mean if we let her go." Mr. Evans said angrily.
"Quite right," Mr. Dippet said agreeably. "Well that's about all. All the information is here. I'll leave you a few more brochures about Hogwarts and if you need any more information just send us an owl."
"We don't have an owl," Petunia said matter-of-factly. "You have a whole big school but you don't have a phone?"
Mr. Dippet ignored this comment. "Oh dear, no owl. Hmm. Let's see." Mr. Dippet thought for a moment then stepped over to where Mr. Evans was examining the brochure. "May I?" Mr. Evans handed the brochure to him and they all watched as he tapped it with his wand twice. "There, that should do it."
They could see that Mr. Dippet's name had been added to the bottom of the brochure. "If you find you need to ask me some questions, just have one of the girls run their finger over my name two times. I will come within a day or so to help."
"Why the girls? Why can't we do it?" Mrs. Evans asked.
"Well," Mr. Dippet looked uncomfortable for the first time during his visit, "Well, because you're muggles. It will only work for magical people," Mr. Dippet said as gently as possible.
"Am I magical people, too?" Lily asked.
"Why yes, you are," Mr. Dippet replied.
"Then I can go to school with Petunia," Lily said brightly.
"Not this year dear. You have to be at least ten years old. Next year, you'll get your own letter asking you to go, and then, if you want, you can go off to school with Petunia." Mrs. Evans gave him a sharp look. "And if your parents say it's all right," he added hastily,
"Mum, Dad, next year can I go? Please. I want to learn Magic." Lily was hopping up and down. "Can you just see us learning Magic, Tuni? I can't wait." She sat down in a chair as if she meant to wait right there until the next year.
"Now, I must be off. Remember, if you have any questions; just have one of the girls run their finger over my name in the brochure. I'll come as soon as I can." He walked over to Mr. and Mrs. Evans and held out his hand. They both shook it gently. He stepped back a bit and with a soft pop, he was gone.
Opportunity Knocks
Father did the most likely and the least likely thing.
"Come in," he said, realizing too late that maybe he should have asked, "Who is it?" or even gone to see who it was first. What if it was some mad axe man he was inviting into the kitchen? He stepped in front of his family just as the door opened.
A man of medium height and reddish brown hair stepped through the door. He had some sort of small stick in his hand and was wearing a cloak. At first Mr. and Mrs. Evans thought it was a dress. Then they realized that it was a robe of some sort.
"Who are you and what do you want?" Mr. Evans demanded. "How did you get into our house?"
The man smiled. " I am Mr. Armando Dippet. I am from what is called the Ministry of Magic and I got into your house by Apparation. So sorry about coming directly into the house but I thought it for the best. Couldn't have your neighbors seeing someone pop right of thin air at your front door, now could we?"
The entire family stared at him open mouthed. Mr. Dippet didn't seem to notice. He walked over to Petunia and Lily. "Ah, the owl has been here. So timely." He looked her over with an air of appraisal. "So, you're the latest candidate," he said happily.
Mother and father did not match Mr. Dippet's enthusiasm. "Candidate for what?" Mother exploded. She walked over to Mr. Dippet and pushed her finger into his chest, backing him up until he reached the kitchen door and bumped his head. "You...ap, apa...,"Mrs. Evans struggled for a word, "BARGE", she finally said triumphantly,"Yes, barge into our home, and you have the nerve to walk up to my child and tell her she's some sort of candidate. START EXPLAINING WHAT YOU WANT AND WHO YOU ARE THIS INSTANT!"
Mr. Evans was trying to pull her away from Mr. Dippet, but Mother would not back down. Mr. Dippet shook his head slightly as though to clear out his ears. He glanced over Mrs. Evans shoulder to and asked politely, "Mr. Evans, is there some place that we might all sit down?"
Considering the oddity of the situation, it was very reasonable request. There wasn't really much for it but to do as he had asked. Father led the way into the living room ushering Mr. Dippet, rather forcefully, ahead of him by his elbow. When they had entered, Mr. Dippet looked over at Lily and said, "It is customary to only discuss this business with the candidate and his or her parents."
Lily didn't understand every word but his meaning was clear. What child doesn't know when they are being told to get lost? Petunia also understood quite clearly and said flatly," Lil stays."
"Well then." Mr. Dippet gave them a look that clearly said he was making an exception and began.
"There is an entire community of people, The Wizard World, who have special, shall I say, powers. To the ordinary human, some of these things may seem extraordinary. To people in the Wizarding Community, these are just the beginnings of much stronger powers. Just as children learn to walk, then talk, magic has it's fits and starts, but must be learned and practiced to be much good." He stopped here, but saw he had the family's attention so he went on.
"As I said before I am from what is called the Ministry of Magic. Our main job at the Ministry is to make sure that Muggles, people who don't have any magical ability, stay pretty much away from the business of Wizards, people who do have magical ability. I am from the Department of Wizard-Muggle Cooperation. Part of our job is to introduce people who come from Muggle families to the Wizarding Community. We also make sure that parents understand the opportunities available in the way of Magical Education, namely attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry," he finished with a self-satisfied smile.
"What does any of this absurd story have to do with us or Petunia?" Mrs. Evans asked seriously.
"Well, it would seem that although you and, ah, Mr. Evans here, do not have any magical ability, it would seem that your daughters do."
"Now see here, I don't know what kind of circus you're from, or how you found our family but I really do believe it is time for you to leave." Mr. Evans stood to usher this madman to the door.
"Now please if you will just listen for moment," Mr. Dippet began.
Lily interrupted her father and Mr. Dippet. "You mean the funny stuff that Petunia and me can do is magic?" She asked shyly.
Mr. Dippet beamed at her. "Exactly, little one. Exactly. But it's nothing compared to what you'll learn at Hogwarts."
"What IS Hogwarts?" Mother asked, a bit shrill, but more calm than she had been in the kitchen. "On second thought, why does it matter? Why are we listening to this fool." She turned to her husband. "Why are we listening to this, this . . ."
"Madame, I can assure that I am no fool and that what I am saying is quite true. Not only am I saying it, but I can prove it." He turned to Petunia. "Were you able to read everything in your letter?" he asked kindly.
"No. The owl got here just before you did." Petunia realized how funny what she said sounded. Owls didn't get to places before people. He would have her talking as crazy and mixed up as he did in a minute.
"Quite right. Well take a look at it now dear."
Petunia did. Besides the letter that she had read at first, there were two other sheets of a rather thick funny kind of paper, the same as the envelope, and what seemed to be kind of folded pamphlet. She read the title of the brochure out loud.
Magical Ability from Muggle Families
An Introduction to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Petunia passed the letter that she had received that morning to her mother and the brochure to her father. She then began to read the other pages inside, Lily looking over her shoulder.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY
UNIFORM
First-year students will require:
Three sets of plain black work robes
One plain black pointed hat for day wear
One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)
SET BOOKS
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshhawk
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
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
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 1 owl OR 1 cat OR 1 rat OR 1 toad (Students may only bring ONE pet)
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMS!
"Wow, you need all that to learn magic," Lily asked. "You think she'd have to go far away to learn about all that stuff. There's no place to learn it around here, is there?"
Again, Mr. Dippet smiled on Lily. "Actually Hogwarts is a boarding school. If Petunia wants to go, then the train for school leaves on September 1."
"You mean if we let her go." Mr. Evans said angrily.
"Quite right," Mr. Dippet said agreeably. "Well that's about all. All the information is here. I'll leave you a few more brochures about Hogwarts and if you need any more information just send us an owl."
"We don't have an owl," Petunia said matter-of-factly. "You have a whole big school but you don't have a phone?"
Mr. Dippet ignored this comment. "Oh dear, no owl. Hmm. Let's see." Mr. Dippet thought for a moment then stepped over to where Mr. Evans was examining the brochure. "May I?" Mr. Evans handed the brochure to him and they all watched as he tapped it with his wand twice. "There, that should do it."
They could see that Mr. Dippet's name had been added to the bottom of the brochure. "If you find you need to ask me some questions, just have one of the girls run their finger over my name two times. I will come within a day or so to help."
"Why the girls? Why can't we do it?" Mrs. Evans asked.
"Well," Mr. Dippet looked uncomfortable for the first time during his visit, "Well, because you're muggles. It will only work for magical people," Mr. Dippet said as gently as possible.
"Am I magical people, too?" Lily asked.
"Why yes, you are," Mr. Dippet replied.
"Then I can go to school with Petunia," Lily said brightly.
"Not this year dear. You have to be at least ten years old. Next year, you'll get your own letter asking you to go, and then, if you want, you can go off to school with Petunia." Mrs. Evans gave him a sharp look. "And if your parents say it's all right," he added hastily,
"Mum, Dad, next year can I go? Please. I want to learn Magic." Lily was hopping up and down. "Can you just see us learning Magic, Tuni? I can't wait." She sat down in a chair as if she meant to wait right there until the next year.
"Now, I must be off. Remember, if you have any questions; just have one of the girls run their finger over my name in the brochure. I'll come as soon as I can." He walked over to Mr. and Mrs. Evans and held out his hand. They both shook it gently. He stepped back a bit and with a soft pop, he was gone.