Chapter Two: The Letter

When Mother and I finally returned home from the excruciatingly long shopping experience, I headed straight for my room to see if any mail had arrived. I knew that Hogwarts owls were famous for delivering an acceptance letter no matter where the recipient was, but I didn't think that the "no matter where" list included Muggle grocery stores. Just a hunch.

After searching my room extensively, I decided that no owl had arrived. I flopped dejectedly into my hammock and waited. Just as I had resolved that simply waiting was a dumb idea, a spotted grey owl fluttered in the window and dropped a letter into my hands. A circle of red wax sealed the envelope. The front read:

Ms. A. Zænidh

The Hammock, Tower Bedroom

5465 Sycamore Dr.

Glade Grove

Surrey

Here it was! I savored every word on the envelope before carefully breaking the wax seal. The letter inside made my heart leap with joy; I took as long as possible to read the emerald writing:

HOGWARTS SCHOOL

of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDY

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore

(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)

Dear Ms. Zænidh,

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

After a short pause of silent happiness, I grabbed the waiting owl, who was not at all pleased by this, and sprinted down the hallway, skidding to a halt at the staircase, where I leapt onto the banister and slid down.

"Whoa! Careful, Andromeda!" my father shouted when I nearly knocked him over at the bottom of the stairs. "What's all the excitement? You look like you just won the World Quidditch Cup for England! Calm down and speak slowly."

Realizing that I must have appeared quite comical, I stopped to straighten my shirt, fix my hair, and return my facial features to a normal position. "Father, I have received my Letter of Acceptance to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I respectfully implore you to sent an owl in reply, confirming my plans to attend the said school. And may I add that Diagon Alley deserves a visit?"

Astounded by my formal answer, Father nodded wordlessly and took the owl and quill I held out to him. "Yes, I think I can take care of the former. But as for Diagon Alley, talk to your mother. I never did like crowds." With a bemused smile, he retreated to the den, mumbling to himself, "She likes it now...just wait until exam week. Better yet, wait until History of Magic class..."

To Be Continued...

Disclaimer: Only own the Zænidh family, the address on the envelope, the house, and original dialogue and events.