Note: All the character in the book belong to Ms. J.K. Rowling
Note: This is my first story, all suggestions are welcome. Thank You for reading.
The Delayed Owl
It was a warm summer morning, of late august in Ottery St. Catchpole. The sun had risen over the horizon, spreading its fiery wings upon the charming village of Godric's Hollow. A narrow lane lined by quaint cottages led to the center of the village. Among this, one stood out like peafowl among the pigeons. This cottage was large, three-storied, and somewhat oddly shaped; a man must have empty sockets for eyes if he were not to take note of it, yet as you will see that it was not so. A boy sat on the window seal of ground floor, fair, short but messy jet black hair, sharp grey eyes staring onto the street. Soon, a tall, lanky man appeared on the lane, his eyes surveying cottages on the side of the lane, but as soon as came near this strange house, his eyes became transfixed on the path ahead and ignored everything else, as though he became too afraid even to take a peek. A smile appeared on the face of the black-haired boy as he witnessed the whole Andover, but soon he was distracted as a voice rang in his ear. "Alex, dear, breakfast is ready!"; he did not reply but walked from the hall to the adjoining kitchen.
The kitchen was reasonably roomy, the walls lined by cabinets containing miscellaneous utensils, a dining table accompanied by chairs was in the center of the room. A woman with blonde hair wound up in a bun stood near the stove staring at the pan which hovered above the blue flames, she flicked the wand in her hand, and the pan flipped an omelet on its own. A stocky man with jet black hair occupied a chair at the end of the table, his brown eyes staring intently at newspaper spread across the table. The man looked up from the newspaper and said, "Good morning, how long have you been up?"
"Since six," said he while sitting beside his father.
"Six! Why would you wake up that early?" his father asked while adjusting the newspaper.
"Dear, not all of us like to sleep in," replied his mother and reposed plates in front of them.
"I'm well aware of that, but six is unusual even for a pair of early birds like you," said his father and then added, "Still waiting for the owl, huh."
"Oh no, I have been waiting for a raccoon in a clown's costume," he said dryly.
His mother snickered while sitting opposite to him, while his father grumbled, "There's no need to be snarky,"
"Don't worry dear, it might be late because of some technical problems, " said his mother reassuringly.
"Speaking of which..." said his father staring out of the window. Soon a large brown owl zoomed in and dropped a thick parcel on his plate. The letter was addressed to:
Mr. A. Fowley
3rd floor,
Haunted House,
Godric's Hollow.
He looked at the wax seal on the parcel. It portrayed a lion, a badger, an eagle, and a snake surrounding the H. He quickly tore off the seal and removed the first letter, and read:
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Marena Frost
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Mr. Fowley,
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,
Ava Black,
Deputy Headmistress
P.S Apologies for the delay. The administration had faced certain unforeseeable circumstances.
By the time he had completed the letter, his father had already read the second piece and was saying to his mother how great it is that, they have removed work by Phylidia Spore, apparently because it was outdated. He took the second paper and started reading :
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
UNIFORM
First-year students will require:
1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)
2. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
3. One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)
Please note that all pupils' clothes should carry name tags
COURSE BOOKS
All students should have a copy of each of the following:
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Hermione Granger
A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling
Transfiguration, Vol 1 by Minerva McGonagall
Encyclopedia of Magical plants by Neville Longbottom
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 Trimbl
OTHER EQUIPMENT
wand cauldron (pewter, standard size 2) set
glass or crystal phials
telescope set
brass scales
Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED
THEIR OWN
BROOMSTICKS
"Since your father is free today, he will take you to the Diagon Alley, " said his mother getting out of the chair, "and I expect you will have books rearranged in the shelf by the time I'm back," she said.
"Do I really have to?" he asked.
She looked at him with piercing grey eyes and said, "Anyone who wishes to live under this roof must do his share of work."
"Thankfully, not for long," he muttered under his breath.
"Tom, honey, could you take a look at the floorboards in the basement? They stink. I'm afraid they might be infested with something," she said, looking at his father. He gave her a node while chewing on the bacon.
"All right then," she said, there was a crack, and she had disappeared into thin air.
"After breakfast, We will leave for Diagon Alley," said his father. By the time he had completed the sentence, Alex had already stuffed his mouth with an omelet. His father chuckled while standing up and then moved to the living room.
The Living room was spacious. A sofa and a table in the center; Bookshelves with assorted books stood against walls. A black cat slept on the table, opening one of its eyes as they entered and then closing it lazily without paying any attention to a pair of servants, Who have barged in its territory. The fire danced in the hearth spreading warmth in the room, the particles of light colliding against shimmering lustrous powder in a bowl reposed on the table.
"You know the protocol," his father said, and then he took the handful of powder and threw it in the hearth, roaring green flames reached out for the mantlepiece. His father shouted, "DIAGON ALLEY," and entered in the hearth, disappearing as the flames calmed.
He took the handful of the powder, looked at the uncaring cat, said, "Bye, Merlin," and repeated the same ritual.