All rights remain.
The young boy ended up wailing and racing out of the house as Remus sat in his room with a book in his lap. He looked casual and completely innocent as his mother fiercely demanded to know what had gone wrong. Remus insisted they were simply playing a game of cards and the boy had lost because Remus just knew the boy had cheated. Remus's mother, Hope Lupin, scowled.
"That's not how we handle our differences!" she scolded, pointing a finger at Remus, who now had his head ducked in shame. Hope put her arms crossly on her hips, eyebrows furrowed. "I don't think that boy Alfred will ever want to come back!"
Remus muttered something like an apology, but it was most certainly not the last time the young Lupin boy had heard about it. There was another thing, however, that kept him rather isolated and unlike many other children in his home area. Firstly, he was a wizard. He came from a family full of magic—or rather half of it. His father was a wizard and he had introduced Remus's mother to the Wizarding World.
Remus had run into another problem that made him unique amongst his peers; he was a werewolf. His ailment prevented witches and wizards of all ages to want to associate with him for werewolves, in the minds of wizarding society, were dark creatures. It happened when he was a boy, but it did not stop him from having dreams of his own. Hope and Lyall had done everything they could think of to cure their son of his lycanthropy, but time was running short.
Remus went downstairs, praying with every step he took there would be a letter on his kitchen table just waiting for him to open. His parents would be there smiling at him as he received his acceptance letter to Hogwarts with all the details of his admission included inside. However, he came down, rounded the corner, and spotted no one in the kitchen—not his mother, nor his father, and he certainly could not find any envelope addressed to him.
Remus's stomach lurched with disappointment but he forced to keep himself calm as he wandered throughout the house, looking for his mother or father. He nearly stumbled right into his mother upon entering the living room.
"Did...did you get any mail?" Remus asked, eyes casting towards the windows in hopes of spotting something in the distance. "I left a bowl of owl treats just in case. Did you check?"
"Remus," Lyall said and pushed his graying hair from his brown eyes. "Why don't we make breakfast? The owl post never comes this early, especially from Hogwarts. Post took ages when I went there!"
Remus, however, was not convinced, and was not as easily distracted.
"But you said you got your letter the morning you turned 11," the boy said stubbornly, looking at his father with an expression of determination. "It came right away for you!"
Lyall quickly looked over at Hope, who could not offer any sort of comfort, for she was not a witch and did not grow up attending Hogwarts like Remus's father. She merely lifted an eyebrow.
"I won't go to Hogwarts?" Remus asked sadly, looking at his mother and father with tired eyes.
"I don't know," Lyall said hopelessly as he looked at Remus's mother with a helpless shrug of his shoulders. "It's a decision that remains with the Headmaster, Remus."
"Well, that's not very fair!" Remus wailed, tears welling up in his eyes as he wrung his hands uselessly. "I can't help it! I...what was the point of me surviving if I can't even be like a wizard?"
Hope and Lyall exchanged looks of despair because they, themselves, could not answer for him. They had known from the moment the first Healer at St. Mungos told him his life would be harder than the trauma he endured that night that it would be difficult to integrate him into a normal, civilian life.
"The world would be so unhappy without you," Hope said, getting down on one stiff knee and putting a hand to her son's face, cradling him close.
"It's not true, Mum," Remus said dejectedly. "No one knows who I am. It wouldn't matter if I were gone."
"It would matter to me," Hope said softly and drew him in for the warmest hug he ever received.
Remus merely fell silent, but was visibly unhappy. However, the moment was short-lived for there seemed to be a rather furious knocking on the door. Lyall, startled, grabbed his wand off the small table in their living room and walked slowly to the door.
"Who is it?" Hope asked, craning her neck to catch a glimpse through the window.
"It's Dumbledore!" Lyall shouted even if the house was not nearly enough to warrant the volume he had used. "He's—what's he doing here I wonder..."
Remus shrunk into his mother, who had wrapped her arms around him protectively. She guided him to the soft couch and seated him there while she went to greet this newcomer at the door.
"Professor," Lyall said, shocked. "It's a pleasure to see you."
"I don't know if you remember me," Hope said from Lyall's left, giving him a small nod of respect. "But—"
"I know very well who you are," Albus Dumbledore said with a light chuckle, eyes gleaming as he smiled warmly. "I may be old, but my memory still serves me well enough, Mrs. Lupin."
"Of course," Hope said quickly, trying to recover from her slip. "I wouldn't have suggested otherwise—"
"Hope," Albus Dumbledore said with a raise of his hand. The woman fell silent and looked apologetic, but the old man waved a hand. "I wanted to see your son; would he be interested in speaking to me?"
Hope and Lyall both looked at Dumbledore with baited breath, knowing what the old man had come for. Hope gave him an awkward gesture as if to tell him she was at a loss of what to do.
"It will pleasant, I promise," Professor Dumbledore said merrily and looked at Lyall's wand, which was still gripped tightly in his hand. "It is good to see you are still using the same wand you were at Hogwarts. I do wish to speak to your youngest about Hogwarts—ah, yes."
Remus finally emerged from the living room and into sight, eyes reddened. However, they hardened the moment they landed on the stranger. He squared his shoulders, eyes flashing almost as if there were specks of gold in those blue orbs.
"Mr. Lupin," Professor Dumbledore said mildly, unfazed by the boy's strange appearance. He merely pulled out his wand and gave it a silent wave; moments later, two cups of tea had come levitating towards them. "May we have a moment?"
"For what, sir?" Remus asked though his shaking voice gave away his brave stance.
"Well, your arrangements for school," Professor Dumbledore said as if it were the most obvious answer; he either ignored or did not notice the expression of the house's occupants, for he plundered right on. "I have made provisions for you in the case you accept—"
"Accept?" Remus echoed, gears turning in his head but billowing out steam instead. "I don't—I thought—I didn't get a letter, sir."
Professor Dumbledore must have scolded himself inwardly for he shook his head gravely.
"Perhaps my memory does fail me once in a while," he murmured and plunged a hand into the folds of his dark blue robes. From the depths of his odd garb, he pulled out a single envelope with Remus's name scrawled neatly in green on the front. "For you."
Remus looked at the letter with trembling hands and tilted his head to the side. He managed to open the flap and peer inside, pulling out the letter with apprehension. Was he going to read his own rejection letter? Or was this man going to verbally reject him? Or perhaps both?
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 Mr. Lupin,
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 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Remus barely read the rest of the letter for he was caught on the words "accepted". His eyes must have played tricks on him or this was some practical but cruel joke. However, there was a second page attached to the letter. He pulled it out and read out loud.
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, with silver fastenings)
Please note that all pupil's 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 Miranda Goshawk
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, if they desire, an owl OR a cat OR a toad.
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS
ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICK
Yours sincerely,
Lucinda Thomsonicle-Pocus
Remus's eyes scanned the parchment in his hands three of four times before he turned to Professor Dumbledore with his eyes narrowed suspiciously.
"You're the Headmaster of Hogwarts?" he asked carefully, trying not to let his hopes soar, but his fingers felt like they were tingling with excitement and the possibility of the life he wanted so desperately. "You're...letting me in?"
"I cannot see why that would be a problem," Professor Dumbledore replied pleasantly.
Remus's heart sank; perhaps the Headmaster did not know of his affliction and once he would break the news, the wizard would turn and run just like many others have. He opened his mouth, but the Headmaster put up a hand to stop him.
"We will, of course, make arrangements for you," he said lightly and smiled when Remus blanched visibly. "I know of your lycanthropy, Mr. Lupin, and while the situation is most unfortunate, do not let it hinder your abilities."
Lyall looked at Hope, who was looking at Remus with a sort of furious pride. It was almost as if she was itching to tell this man just how much Remus had overcome since the infamous day.
"Or your desires," the Headmaster continued and looked solely at Remus. "Will you accept this letter, Mr. Lupin? If so, I will go forth with our said arrangements, which have been carefully thought out and considered by concerning staff."
"They know?" Remus asked, mouth dry. "What...what did they say?"
"I can assure you my staff is more than willing to help," Headmaster Dumbledore said with a small nod. "Will you accept?"
Remus could barely hear himself speak.
"Of course!"
.oOo.
James Fleamont Potter moped about his family's large manor, going from window to window in hopes of intercepting an expecting owl. He paced back and forth between three rooms, growing frantic as time passed.
"Why isn't it here yet?" he grumbled to himself, growing agitated and tired. He refused to eat before he got his acceptance letter; the food would not have settled until he knew he was accepted.
"James," his elderly mother said strictly, striding into the corridor with an unhappy frown. "You were meant to help me rid my garden of gnomes this morning, but you never showed up!"
"Sorry, Mother," James said and waved a wild hand at the window. "But I'm just waiting for my letter, which doesn't seem to want to come anytime soon! Do you think my owl got blown off course or something? It's ridiculous!"
"Calm yourself," Mrs. Potter tutted at once and stowed her wand away in the pockets of her robes. "If you won't help with the gardening, why don't you make yourself useful and help the kneazles clean our barn."
"Isn't that what we have the kneazles for though?" James asked, wrinkling his nose at the idea of spending his morning in a stuffy, dusty barn with a herd of cats all chasing oversized rats.
"James," his mother said in a warning tone.
"Bugger," James muttered but was silenced with a harsh glare.
"Watch your tongue," Mrs. Potter chided and looked at her son sternly. "I expect you to either be in the garden or the barn, James. You will not waste your day staring out a window!"
James had no choice but to comply lest to avoid his mother's wrath. He sighed and begrudgingly shuffled away from the windows and made his way outside. What his mother called a "storm of gnomes" happened to be three who refused to go anywhere else. With the hatchet his mother had given him, he made quick work of the gnomes and dragged himself to the barn, where he could hear the yowling and spitting of angry kneazles.
He pushed open the door and ducked when something rather large came straight for his head. He yelped awkwardly, looking up at the barn's wooden beams and huffed angrily as a kneazle swiped its claws angrily at him.
"It's not like I want to be here," James grumbled and gave his eyes some time to adjust to the new level of light filtering through the barn's windows. His eyes watered and his nose ran from the dust, but nothing was as bad as the smell. He breathed through his shirt's fabric to avoid the stench of rotting rat corpses.
He took a step forward, careful not to disturb any of the felines, but scurried backward when one bushed out its tail and sank its claws deep within his leg. James stifled a shout of surprise and tried to dislodge the animal with a great shake of his leg, but it only seemed to make the kneazle hang on tighter. James could feel the thin pool of blood beneath his pants and started a dance. Unfortunately, the creature went along for the ride.
James howled and hopped around, upsetting the tranquility of the barn. However, the kneazles soon scattered when a dark shadow cast itself from above. James finally ceased his strange hobble and winced in pain, rubbing the sore spot ruefully. He looked up, pushing his sweaty bangs from his forehead, and spotted a handsome, owl perched on one of the wooden beams.
"Well come down here!" James called out to the winged bird. "I can't reach there!"
He was sure it was his Hogwarts letter and James simply did not have the patience to sit and wait for the owl to finish preening its feathers. Without hesitation, he started climbing up one of the wooden posts and made his way over to the owl, panting heavily. He hoisted himself up the best he could and reached out for the letter, which was mere centimeters from his fingertips.
The owl seemed to have taken pity on the boy for it shuffled a little closer and stuck out its leg. James snatched the letter with a victorious shout before pointing to the hay-strewn ground below.
"Rats are free for the taking," he said to the owl, who hooted and swooped down.
James nearly ripped the envelope in half and the letters within it in his haste to open it. He did not even take the time to get back on the ground, he was that excited. With a thrumming heart, he unfolded the parchment and read to himself.
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 Mr. Potter,
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 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
James, with shaky hands and shallow breathing, managed to flip over the second piece of parchment. However, the sharp pain in his arms had him come to a stop and back to reality. He rushed back to the ground, landing rather clumsily, and read on.
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, with silver fastenings)
Please note that all pupil's 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 Miranda Goshawk
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, if they desire, an owl OR a cat OR a toad.
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS
ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICK
Yours sincerely,
Lucinda Thomsonicle-Pocus
James broke out into a smile and inhaled deeply as if the letter had taken a great load off his shoulders. He would be going to Hogwarts. It was, in his mind, a way to start a life he was imagining from the day he learned about his magic.
.oOo.
"Sirius! Regulus!"
Sirius Orion Black groaned as he rolled off his bed and cracked open his door as if he could convince himself he was imagining his mother's barking orders from three flights below. Unfortunately, Regulus, his younger brother, had been roused by the summoning. Sirius looked over at his brother with a guarded expression before he raised an eyebrow.
"Are you going down?" he asked.
"She won't let up until we do," Regulus said earnestly and slowly opened the door.
Sirius grumbled under his breath and dragged his feet down the long corridor, down three flights of stairs, and into the kitchen where his mother waited impatiently. She held her hands to her hips and pointed to the letter attached to a tawny owl's leg. Sirius's heart jolted but just as he made a grab for his letter, his mother seized him by the wrist and held him fast and tight.
"Remember your place," she said in a warning tone, narrowing her eyes ominously.
Sirius, knowing exactly what his mother was referring to, merely pursed his lips. She gave him a scathing look before letting him go, claw-like fingers twitching as if they were eager to do more damage than leave a bruise. Sirius looked at front of the envelope, heart fluttering anxiously.
Out of the corner of his eye, Regulus watched with beady eyes. He stayed around the corner but his mouth opened and closed a few times as if he wanted to say something. Sirius's fingers moved to open the envelope, but it floated right out of his hands and levitated at his mother's right shoulder. She held a wand tight in her grasp as she curled her lip back.
"Salazar Slytherin has created the noblest house at Hogwarts, Sirius," she said as if she were almost trying to convince herself. "You know where you belong. Either you are accepted into Slytherin or you are not accepted at all."
"I'll be in Slytherin, Mum," Regulus said, perking up. He looked up at his mother, searching for her approval, but it did not come. "I already know it. By this time next year, I'll be getting my letter—"
"Sirius!" Walburga Black snapped, jolting Sirius from his thoughts.
"I'll be in my room," Sirius said obediently, clutching the letter close to his chest.
"Right you will be," Walburga said curtly and gave him a dismissive wave, turning her back to him with a stiff spine.
Sirius opened his mouth to say something, but he decided against it and silently retreated back up the three flights of stairs to the sanctuary he called his room. It was covered in green and silver though Sirius was sure he would not be placed in Slytherin—or so he hoped. The moment he began developing his own opinions, they began to differ from his family's. Unsurprisingly, it had caused quite the rift in the family relationship though Sirius could not remember his mother ever being nurturing.
His father, Orion Black, had quite the nasty temper but none in comparison to his mother. While Orion was quick to use his hands as punishment, Walburga did not hesitate to use magic as a form of consequence. Sirius and Regulus, both, had learned from experience the wrath of their parents, but Sirius seemed to be getting the brunt of the force. Family gatherings were nothing short of a nightmare; his elder cousins Narcissa and Bellatrix Black were unbearable, but their soft-hearted sister, Andromeda, was there to keep him company.
He clambered into his room, shutting the door behind him for good measure, and sat down on the foot of his bed. He worked his lip nervously, heart racing as he flipped the envelope over and began to tear at the flap. But, before he could proceed, there was a knock on his door. Sirius knew it was not his mother for she would have never had the decency to knock.
"Regulus?" Sirius asked as the door opened to reveal his younger brother. "What?"
"Did you hear what Mother said?" Regulus asked pointedly after a short pause.
"Yeah," Sirius said, unable to keep the contempt from his tone.
Regulus hummed and looked around the room, leaning against the door frame. He looked smug but Sirius could not figure out why; instead of pointing it out, Sirius merely sat in silence and curled the corners of the envelope.
"What are you doing here?" Sirius demanded, now growing impatient.
"It can't get much worse than it is now, can it?" Regulus asked before looking Sirius sharply in the eye. He did not give Sirius a chance to respond, however, for he walked out without another word.
Sirius rolled his eyes and averted his attention back to the letter in his hands, unable to keep the smile from forming on his face. With his lips turned upward, he ripped the envelope open and pulled out the two pieces of parchment with a bouncing knee.
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 Mr. Black,
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 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Sirius let out a shaky breath and forced himself to recompose. He looked at the letter and rubbed his hands over his face to make sure he was not hallucinating this exciting moment. He took a second glance before turning to the second page.
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, with silver fastenings)
Please note that all pupil's 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 Miranda Goshawk
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, if they desire, an owl OR a cat OR a toad.
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS
ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICK
Yours sincerely,
Lucinda Thomsonicle-Pocus
The eldest Black heir set the letters down and let himself relish the moment of pure elation. It was the mere thought of leaving this house and experiencing this world in his own way without his parents' influence. This was it; this was Sirius's ticket to freedom.
.oOo.
Peter Prius Pettigrew dug his fists into his back and stretched, wincing at the soreness. He rubbed his eyes clear from the dust, dirt, and other debris. His mother, close beside him, looked up from her sewing.
"Peter, dear?"
"I don't think it's coming, Mum," Peter said after a bit of a sigh. "The letter would have been here by now, don't you think?"
"We can't be certain, Peter, give it time," Mrs. Pettigrew said and gave her boy a quick kiss on the cheek. She looked at her wristwatch and jumped to her feet. "Your father should be home any moment!"
Peter bit his lip and looked at his hands; he loved his father something fierce, but his father's ability to reciprocate those feelings came up short. His father, although working far from home, never found any pleasure in returning to his family. Peter had watched his mother suffer for years yearning for Mr. Pettigrew's attention, but only collecting the crumbs of affection.
"Mum," Peter said, grabbing her by the elbow to stop her from walking away. "Have you ever thought about...talking to Dad about...what you tell me sometimes? I don't think it would hurt him to hear it."
"Course not," Mrs. Pettigrew said and patted his hand lovingly. "We don't need any more tension. Do hurry with the scrubbing, Peter. He gets awfully short if the house is not cleaned by the time he gets home."
Peter sighed again and looked at the Daily Prophet not far from where he was kneeling and washing vigorously. His mother had been looking through the employment section, evidently circling her favorite ones. Peter came from a family that was far from wealthy and his half-blood status did not give the Pettigrews much of a lift in either the Wizarding or Muggle world.
Peter had taken odd jobs here and there to help his parents; he would mow lawns, de-gnome gardens, and deliver all sorts of goods. With a foot in both worlds, it made it easy for Peter to find the occasional work, but it was never enough.
His family lived in a humble home on the outskirts of London though the neighborhood was far from childhood friendly. There were strangers on the corners muttering to themselves, looking dodgy, and they would stare at Peter (or any person passing by) as if they had been insulted.
There was a sharp tap on the window that made Peter jump in fright. Mrs. Pettigrew looked up and spotted a barn owl with its talons scratching at the wooden window frame from outside.
"Peter," Mrs. Pettigrew said, gesturing him over. "I believe this is for you."
Peter looked up and felt a funny jolt surge through his body as he saw a letter with green ink. Was it his acceptance letter to Hogwarts? He rushed over to the window, propped it open, and encouraged the owl inside.
The owl hooted and stuck out its leg, rustling its feathers importantly. Peter untied the string and released the owl with a few treats as a tip. It flew off, leaving Peter with an envelope that was addressed to him.
"Go on," Mrs. Pettigrew said with a nod, smiling. "Open it."
Peter did just that; he yanked out the contents of the envelope and scoured the words. His smile grew bigger and bigger the more he read and within the next moment, he was jumping up and down.
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 Mr. Pettigrew,
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 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
"Mum! It's here! I got it! I got the letter!" Peter just about hollered despite the close distance between him and his mother. "I got accepted! I'm going to Hogwarts! Mum, I can't believe it, can you?"
Mrs. Pettigrew rushed over to her son and wrapped him up tightly in her arms, showering him in kisses
"Oh, Peter, you are going to have a wonderful time," she said and began to spout her emotions without much control over them. "Of course you'll have to study hard for your classes and practice as it doesn't come easy. You'll meet and make wonderful friends and—oh, we'll need supplies."
"Here," Peter said, handing her the second piece of parchment. "I think that's it."
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, with silver fastenings)
Please note that all pupil's 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 Miranda Goshawk
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, if they desire, an owl OR a cat OR a toad.
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS
ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICK
Yours sincerely,
Lucinda Thomsonicle-Pocus
Mrs. Pettigrew nodded briskly and gave her wand a brisk flick. A quill and ink bottle came zooming from across their small home and landed smoothly on the table. Peter took a step towards his mother, eager to see what she was doing, but knocked over the bucket of water.
"I'm sorry," Peter squeaked and immediately tried to fix the mess.
"Don't worry," Mrs. Pettigrew said and mulled over the letter, tapping her quill thoughtfully. "We'll go straight to Diagon Alley. I know the best places that offer the best deals—oh, Peter. I'm so very excited for you—"
"Where's all this water from?" came a loud, booming voice.
Peter jumped and immediately shrunk under his father's gaze.
"Why can't I trust you to do anything, boy?" Mr. Pettigrew asked irritably, grabbing Peter by the arm and yanking him towards the mop and rags. "Clean it up before someone gets hurt! Go on!"
Peter grabbed what he needed, but instead of feeling insecure or deflated, Peter felt invincible. He was going to Hogwarts and no one, not even his father, could stop him from going.
