A Growing Flower
"Hey Lil," Petunia called, "breakfast's getting cold."
Lily Evans was now an eleven-year-old girl, celebrating her birthday. She loved to spend time with her five closest friends, Ruth, Briana, Arabella, Remus, and her sister, Petunia. However, none of her friends had mentioned her birthday.
"Lily," her mother, Mona, said, "Remus came by. He said he needed to see you today. Go over to his house after breakfast, okay? Invite him to supper if you like."
"Yup," Lily said, deciding to forget her forgotten birthday. "'Tunia, you want to come?"
"Thanks anyway, but Kevin's dropping by, and I don't want to miss him."
Lily rolled her eyes and Petunia laughed. "Give it a few years
Lily shrugged and left the house. "Hey Remus, my mum said you came by."
"Yeah," Remus said solemnly. "It's about next year," Briana was with him.
"I can't wait, can you? I can't believe we'll finally be in the same school- a public school! There's only one sixth grade class, too, so you, me, Ruth, Briana, and Arabella will all be in the same class. It's going to be great! I just know it!"
"Lily," Briana said gently, "Remus and I are going to boarding school next year. We-"
"What? This is a joke right?" Remus shook his head. "Then I"m going too. Me, Ruth, Arabella, and even 'Tunia can transfer," Lily said feverishly.
"You can't," Remus said. "Both my parents went, as well as one of Briana's, so we could get in. Arabella's parents went and she couldn't even get in."
"But that's no reason we can't still be best friends," Briana cut in. "We can write every day, and come back home for holidays and the summer."
"Call too?" Lily asked weakly.
"No phones allowed," Briana said in the same tone.
"But that's not until the fall," Remus said. "Today, we celebrate your birthday!"
"You remembered?" Lily asked, her mood suddenly brightening.
Briana laughed. "Of course! We could never forget your birthday!"
"We've decided to go to a movie, then to the pool at my house, out for ice cream, and then bring you back to your house." Remus said.
"All right," Lily said happily, "but you two are coming for supper after."
"We'll tell our parents when we swim at Remus's," Briana said.
"So, what movie are we seeing?" Lily asked.
"It's an old classic, The Sound of Music," Remus said.
The three best friends followed the plan, and after swimming and ice cream, the trio returned to Lily's house.
"That's strange- nobody seems too be home." She opened the door. "Mum? Dad? 'Tunia?"
"Surprise!" Came a chorus of voices.
"You didn't forget!" Lily exclaimed.
Petunia laughed. "Of course not!"
All Lily's friends were there. There was a giant cake, and gifts from everyone but Remus and Briana.
"We've decided to get you something from the town our school's in. We'll have it by the end of the summer. Bella has one all ready, and we want to get one for Ruth," they said.
There were games, a cookout, and plenty of time to talk. At 8:30, people started leaving. By 9:00, the only people left were Lily's immediate family, Ruth, Arabella, Remus, and Briana. After an hour of a private party, Mona Berkley said it was late, and time to leave, but not before plans had been made for swimming at Remus's house. After saying goodbye to her friends, Lily brought her gifts back to her room. There, she found something most unusual- an owl. Tied to its leg was a letter. Lily laughed, thinking it was a joke from Petunia. She read the letter.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL
of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: ALBUS DUMBLEDORE
Dear Ms. Evan,
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 you owl no later than July 31.
Sincerely yours,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Then, another piece of paper slipped out.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL
of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Uniform
First-year students will require:
1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)
2. One plain pointed hat(black) for day wear
3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide, or similar)
4. One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)
Please note all pupils' clothing should carry name tags.
Course Books
All students should have each of the following:
The Standard Book of Spells by Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling
A Beginners' 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 an owl OR cat OR toad
Parents are reminded that broomsticks are permitted, but not recommended for first year students. Furthermore, if and misbehavior is observed, the broomstick will be confiscated for the remainder of the year.
Noticing how well thought-out the joke was, Lily took a paper and wrote back.
Dear "Ms. McGonagall"
Very funny- I'm laughing, really! What I want to know is how you trained the owl! Very clever, really, 'Tunia!
Love,
Lils
Lily went back downstairs after tying the letter to the owl.
"Goodnight Mum, Dad, 'Tunia. Thank you all so much for the party!"
Dear Ms. Evans,
This is no joke, you are a witch, and have been accepted into Hogwarts. I need to know if you will attend by July 31. If you chose to attend, you will find all your equipment in Diagon Alley, which can be entered through a pub called the Leaky Cauldron. Witchcraft information is not to be given to anyone but family members.
As for the owl, it is a trained wizard owl, which carries the post.
Sincerely yours,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Lily's eves opened wide. She ran downstairs to her parents.
"Mum! Dad! Petunia! Read these!" She gave them first to Petunia, who read them, and a vacant expression came across her face. Then, she gave them to her father, Charlie, and then to her mother. Both parents at first looked doubtful, and then pleased.
"Um- congratulations," Petunia said awkwardly.
"Can I go?" Lily asked hopefully.
"It is the whole year," Mona said to Charlie.
"But how many chances like this will come along?" He responded quietly. She nodded.
"Of course! How could we deny you such an opportunity?"
"Thank you so much! I'm going to send the reply." Lily exclaimed.
"How do you contact them?" Charles asked.
"Owl post- the owl is still in my room." Lily responded.
"Then send your reply, and we'll get your things today," her mother responded.
"Great!" Lily grinned. "I can't wait to tell Re- wait! I won't see any of my friends!"
"But you can write the, and make new friends- you've never had a problem making friends," Petunia said.
"You'll have a good summer with them, and good vacations. Let's go." Mr. Evans said.
Mona suggested the whole family go, and though Petunia was doubtful (but not nearly as much as Lily), everyone had a great time.
When in London, Lily's family could not find the Leaky Cauldron. Finally, after 15 minutes of searching, Lily pointed out a small, worn our building and walked in ahead of her parents and sister.
There was plenty of noise, but upon seeing Lily's family, all were hushed.
"Can I help you?" The innkeeper asked.
"Yes," Lily responded, confidently. "I'm looking for a place called Diagon Alley."
At that, the noise level went up again. "Come with me. Muggle-born, eh?" The innkeeper asked.
"Just because she's different than us is no reason to make fun of her!" Petunia said, angrily.
"No, no. You've misunderstood me. Muggle-born means neither of your parents are magical."
Charlie nodded, understanding. "Then you are correct." He said.
"Here's Diagon Alley. Have a good time," and the young manager went off.
"Hey Lil," Petunia called, "breakfast's getting cold."
Lily Evans was now an eleven-year-old girl, celebrating her birthday. She loved to spend time with her five closest friends, Ruth, Briana, Arabella, Remus, and her sister, Petunia. However, none of her friends had mentioned her birthday.
"Lily," her mother, Mona, said, "Remus came by. He said he needed to see you today. Go over to his house after breakfast, okay? Invite him to supper if you like."
"Yup," Lily said, deciding to forget her forgotten birthday. "'Tunia, you want to come?"
"Thanks anyway, but Kevin's dropping by, and I don't want to miss him."
Lily rolled her eyes and Petunia laughed. "Give it a few years
Lily shrugged and left the house. "Hey Remus, my mum said you came by."
"Yeah," Remus said solemnly. "It's about next year," Briana was with him.
"I can't wait, can you? I can't believe we'll finally be in the same school- a public school! There's only one sixth grade class, too, so you, me, Ruth, Briana, and Arabella will all be in the same class. It's going to be great! I just know it!"
"Lily," Briana said gently, "Remus and I are going to boarding school next year. We-"
"What? This is a joke right?" Remus shook his head. "Then I"m going too. Me, Ruth, Arabella, and even 'Tunia can transfer," Lily said feverishly.
"You can't," Remus said. "Both my parents went, as well as one of Briana's, so we could get in. Arabella's parents went and she couldn't even get in."
"But that's no reason we can't still be best friends," Briana cut in. "We can write every day, and come back home for holidays and the summer."
"Call too?" Lily asked weakly.
"No phones allowed," Briana said in the same tone.
"But that's not until the fall," Remus said. "Today, we celebrate your birthday!"
"You remembered?" Lily asked, her mood suddenly brightening.
Briana laughed. "Of course! We could never forget your birthday!"
"We've decided to go to a movie, then to the pool at my house, out for ice cream, and then bring you back to your house." Remus said.
"All right," Lily said happily, "but you two are coming for supper after."
"We'll tell our parents when we swim at Remus's," Briana said.
"So, what movie are we seeing?" Lily asked.
"It's an old classic, The Sound of Music," Remus said.
The three best friends followed the plan, and after swimming and ice cream, the trio returned to Lily's house.
"That's strange- nobody seems too be home." She opened the door. "Mum? Dad? 'Tunia?"
"Surprise!" Came a chorus of voices.
"You didn't forget!" Lily exclaimed.
Petunia laughed. "Of course not!"
All Lily's friends were there. There was a giant cake, and gifts from everyone but Remus and Briana.
"We've decided to get you something from the town our school's in. We'll have it by the end of the summer. Bella has one all ready, and we want to get one for Ruth," they said.
There were games, a cookout, and plenty of time to talk. At 8:30, people started leaving. By 9:00, the only people left were Lily's immediate family, Ruth, Arabella, Remus, and Briana. After an hour of a private party, Mona Berkley said it was late, and time to leave, but not before plans had been made for swimming at Remus's house. After saying goodbye to her friends, Lily brought her gifts back to her room. There, she found something most unusual- an owl. Tied to its leg was a letter. Lily laughed, thinking it was a joke from Petunia. She read the letter.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL
of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: ALBUS DUMBLEDORE
Dear Ms. Evan,
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 you owl no later than July 31.
Sincerely yours,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Then, another piece of paper slipped out.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL
of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Uniform
First-year students will require:
1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)
2. One plain pointed hat(black) for day wear
3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide, or similar)
4. One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)
Please note all pupils' clothing should carry name tags.
Course Books
All students should have each of the following:
The Standard Book of Spells by Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling
A Beginners' 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 an owl OR cat OR toad
Parents are reminded that broomsticks are permitted, but not recommended for first year students. Furthermore, if and misbehavior is observed, the broomstick will be confiscated for the remainder of the year.
Noticing how well thought-out the joke was, Lily took a paper and wrote back.
Dear "Ms. McGonagall"
Very funny- I'm laughing, really! What I want to know is how you trained the owl! Very clever, really, 'Tunia!
Love,
Lils
Lily went back downstairs after tying the letter to the owl.
"Goodnight Mum, Dad, 'Tunia. Thank you all so much for the party!"
Dear Ms. Evans,
This is no joke, you are a witch, and have been accepted into Hogwarts. I need to know if you will attend by July 31. If you chose to attend, you will find all your equipment in Diagon Alley, which can be entered through a pub called the Leaky Cauldron. Witchcraft information is not to be given to anyone but family members.
As for the owl, it is a trained wizard owl, which carries the post.
Sincerely yours,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Lily's eves opened wide. She ran downstairs to her parents.
"Mum! Dad! Petunia! Read these!" She gave them first to Petunia, who read them, and a vacant expression came across her face. Then, she gave them to her father, Charlie, and then to her mother. Both parents at first looked doubtful, and then pleased.
"Um- congratulations," Petunia said awkwardly.
"Can I go?" Lily asked hopefully.
"It is the whole year," Mona said to Charlie.
"But how many chances like this will come along?" He responded quietly. She nodded.
"Of course! How could we deny you such an opportunity?"
"Thank you so much! I'm going to send the reply." Lily exclaimed.
"How do you contact them?" Charles asked.
"Owl post- the owl is still in my room." Lily responded.
"Then send your reply, and we'll get your things today," her mother responded.
"Great!" Lily grinned. "I can't wait to tell Re- wait! I won't see any of my friends!"
"But you can write the, and make new friends- you've never had a problem making friends," Petunia said.
"You'll have a good summer with them, and good vacations. Let's go." Mr. Evans said.
Mona suggested the whole family go, and though Petunia was doubtful (but not nearly as much as Lily), everyone had a great time.
When in London, Lily's family could not find the Leaky Cauldron. Finally, after 15 minutes of searching, Lily pointed out a small, worn our building and walked in ahead of her parents and sister.
There was plenty of noise, but upon seeing Lily's family, all were hushed.
"Can I help you?" The innkeeper asked.
"Yes," Lily responded, confidently. "I'm looking for a place called Diagon Alley."
At that, the noise level went up again. "Come with me. Muggle-born, eh?" The innkeeper asked.
"Just because she's different than us is no reason to make fun of her!" Petunia said, angrily.
"No, no. You've misunderstood me. Muggle-born means neither of your parents are magical."
Charlie nodded, understanding. "Then you are correct." He said.
"Here's Diagon Alley. Have a good time," and the young manager went off.