Chapter 3: Letters, Shocks and Magic Wands
It was a beautiful day and Lily Evans was lying in her front garden, reading. She pushed her red hair out of her green eyes and sighed. Although she loved reading, Lily wished something exciting would happen. Her summer break had been horribly boring so far. The watch on her wrist beeped, signalling lunchtime, so she stood up and went to make herself a sandwich. She walked towards the door only to notice the strict looking woman standing on her porch talking to her mom. Lily walked silently up the steps, listening intently to their conversation.
"You want Lily to go to this school? Why? What type of school is it?" Rose Evans asked the lady.
"It's a school for gifted children. Lily is special, she has a gift. The school I represent teaches her how to control her gift. You see, young Miss Evans is a witch. She has magical abilities. If she chooses to attend, she has a place in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." The woman explained.
"Oh… we shall have to ask her then. LILY! Could you come here for a moment?" Rose called.
"I am right here, Mother." Lily said from the chair she had sat down in.
"Oh… Hello dear. This lady is here to offer you a place at a school of magic. Do you want to go?" Rose asked her daughter.
"I would love to, but this is kind of hard to believe. Are you sure this isn't a joke?" Lily said looking around, as if expecting her father to jump out and say just kidding. "I mean I'm just a normal girl. I can't do magic."
"Has anything ever happened around you that you couldn't find a logical explanation for?" The lady asked.
"A few times, Ma'am, but not often. Are you sure it was me? How do you know?" Lily asked.
"There are ways of tracking magic. The Ministry tries to make sure muggles don't find out about our world." She replied. "Oh dear, how rude of me, I forgot to introduce myself. I am Minerva McGonagall, deputy Headmistress and the Transfiguration professor at Hogwarts, you may call me Professor McGonagall. If you chose to attend, I will be accompanying you to get your supplies."
Lily smiled slightly. "Well, I guess I'll come. It sounds interesting and I like adventures, Can I go Mom?"
"Sure sweetie. It sounds like a wonderful experience. When will you be taking her to get her stuff and when does the school year start?" Rose questioned.
"I will come back next Monday to accompany Miss Evans to get her things. All the information you need is in this letter." Professor McGonagall answered, handing Lily an envelope. After saying this she turned and left Lily and her mother to talk. Lily ripped open the letter, now extremely excited. After scanning the green print she smiled and handed it to her mom.
One week later Lily Evans stood on her porch waiting for her new professor to come. Her sister, Petunia, pushed past her, muttering "freak" under her breath. Lily ignored her. Petunia had been horrible all week after their mother had informed her and their father. Her dad had been overjoyed. Both her parents were really proud and Lily and Petunia had never been that close. Professor McGonagall walked to her front door.
"Hello Miss Evans," She said curtly. "Are you ready?"
"Hi professor!" Lily said, beaming. "I am ready; I can't wait to get my first glimpse of the Magical world!"
"Alright Miss Evans, hold onto my arm and do not let go."
Lily looked at her perplexed, but did as she was told. She grabbed the professor's arm tightly. There was a loud crack and Lily felt pressure on all sides of her. Her eyes felt like they were going to pop out of her head so she squeezed them shut. An instant later the pressure subsided and she opened her eyes to find she was in a completely different place. Her eyes darted around the small alleyway and a confused look crossed her face.
"Why are we in this place? It's a dead end." She asked.
"Not everything is as it appears, child." The professor answered, tapping her wand on a brick in the wall.
Lily gasped with surprise and jumped back as the wall started to move. The bricks formed an archway, exposing Diagon Alley.
"This is Diagon Alley. It's located behind a pub called The Leaky Caldron, in central London. In order to access it, just tap the third brick from the left over the dust bin with your wand. Come, let's exchange your money for some wizarding money."
As the headed to a white building, several stories high, that looked like it might fall over at any given moment, Lily's eyes were never still. She tried to take in everything at once, almost giving herself whiplash. They entered the leaning building and lily stopped dead staring at the creature in front of her.
"What is that?" She asked, voice shaking a little.
"That, Miss Evans, is a goblin. They are extremely smart and deal with everything in Gringotts, the only wizarding bank to be trusted. There is no safer place to store your valuables, other than Hogwarts of course. Follow me, we need to exchange you muggle money." McGonagall explained.
"What's a muggle?" Lily asked.
"It's a person with no magical talents."
"Oh, So where to first?" Lily asked clutching her newly exchanged coins.
"Let's go get your wand. Olivander's sells the best wands around."
They entered a building that said Olivander's, makers of fine wands since 382 BC. Lily looked around curiously. An old man came to the front desk.
"Ah, Miss Evans is it? Welcome, welcome. Hold out your wand arm please." Mr. Olivander requested.
Lily looked momentarily confused before sticking out her right arm. A measuring tape went to work, measuring the length and width of her arm. After a few moments Mr. Olivander snapped his fingers and the tape stopped. He went to a shelf and pulled a box out. "Willow, 12 inches, dragon heartstring, give it a wave."
Lily waved it around. At first nothing happened and then with a loud crash the window shattered.
"Oh dear… Definitely not. Here, try this one, Oak, 8inches, Banshee hair."
She waved the new wand. With a popping sound the box in front of her went up in flames. This continued for another 10 wands before he handed her a box. "Willow, 10 and ¼ inches, unicorn hair, quite swishy and good for charms."
She instantly felt warmth traveling up her arm. She flicked it upward and multi-coloured sparks shot out the tip. Mr. Olivander gave a triumphant whoop and Lily paid for her wand before leaving to get the rest of her school stuff before Professor McGonagall took her home.
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It was the first week of July and James Potter was sitting his bed reading a Quidditch magazine, when an owl flew through his window, an envelope with emerald writing on it tied to the bird's leg. James pulled the letter off the owl's leg, saw the writing and turned it over. Once he saw the seal, he jumped off his bed and ran down the stairs, yelling for his parents. His mother and father came running.
"What is it James? What's the matter? What happened?" His mother, Emily, questioned worriedly.
"I got my Hogwarts letter!" James yelled beaming. He was bouncing on the balls of his feet.
"That's great son!" His father, Harold, said clapping him proudly on the shoulder.
His mother smiled and hugged him. "My baby is all grown up and going to Hogwarts. I'm so proud!"
"I think this is time for a celebration! We should go to dinner tonight and we need to get James something in Diagon Alley." Harold recommended. "We should also get his school stuff while we are there."
"James, sweetie, what do you want in Diagon Alley?" Emily asked.
"I dunno yet. I'll know when I get there, though." James answered, racing upstairs to get ready.
James and his parents used floo powder to get to Diagon Alley. The first place they went was to Olivander's to get James wand. Although James was pure-blood, both his parents firmly believed in the ministry's laws, being aurors and all. So James had to wait until he was Hogwarts age before they got him a wand to prevent him for using magic to aid his pranks. As the entered the shop an old man came to the front.
"Ah. Young Mister Potter! Here to get your wand I suppose. Hold out your wand arm please."
James held his right arm out and immediately a measuring tape started measuring everything from the length or his arm to the space between his knuckles. Mr. Olivander seemed to have forgotten about the tape, which was measuring the space between his eyes, because when he turned around to hand James a box, he looked mildly surprised at the antics of the tape measure. Snapping his fingers, so that the tape dropped to the ground, he handed James the box in his hand.
"Ebony, 8inches, Dragon heartstring, quite flexible. Go on, give it a wave."
James gave the wand a swish and a vase exploded, showering them in pieces of pottery. He quickly placed it back in the box, apologising profusely.
"No matter, try this one."
James tried 2 more wands before Mr. Olivander handed him one that made warmth spread through his arm. He didn't even need to wave it because multi-coloured sparks shot out the end upon contact.
"Ah. Mahogany, 11inches, phoenix feather, pliable, good for transfiguration that one is." Mr. Olivander said.
They paid for the wand and headed out to get the rest of his stuff. On the way to Flourish and Blotts, the book store, James stopped to look at the new racing broom in the window of Quality Quidditch. The Comet 69 was the fastest broom yet! James grinned. "Dad, Mom, do you think instead of buying me a present this year you could get me the new racing broom that comes out next year so I can try out for the team? Pleaasssse?"
"Alright son, I think we can manage that." His father answered.
After a very satisfying day of shopping the Potters ate supper at a fancy wizarding restaurant before heading home. An extremely excited James Potter slept well that night, dreaming of racing brooms, pranks and Hogwarts.
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The past few years had not been kind on Remus Lupin. Because of his condition, he didn't really interact much with other children. Remus became shy and was suspicious of everyone. He enjoyed reading and found his escape in books. Remus had been raised by his father and he only vaguely remembered the rest of his relatives. When he was younger his mother had left, and her family wasn't exactly fond of him before his accident, and after it they refused to acknowledge his existence. Apart from his father, the one relative he had kept contact, albeit in secrecy, was his pure-blood cousin Britt. She was from his mother's side and as her parents believed in all that blood purity crap, she wasn't supposed to have anything to do with him. Her parents strongly supported the dark arts and believed all half-breeds, half-bloods and muggle-borns were scum and should be 'destroyed'. They had enrolled her in Durmstrang. Remus was a bit jealous because, although he knew he wouldn't like it there, at least she was going to school. Britt had tried many times to convince Remus he would make it to school but he didn't see it happening because of his condition. His father had talked to the headmaster of Hogwarts, Professor Dipit, a few years back but he was absolutely against it and even though Hogwarts was now under a new headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, Remus still had his doubts.
It was a Saturday morning and Remus was rather bored. He heard his father bring in the owl post and headed downstairs to see if he had a letter from Britt. When he reached the living room, however, a strange sight met his eyes. His father was out cold on the rug. In his hand was a letter. A letter with green writing and a Hogwarts seal. Remus gently pried the letter from his father's hand. He sat down on the shabby old couch and read the letter
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 please to inform you that you have a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.Term begins on the 1st of September. We await your owl by no later than the 31st of July.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall,
Deputy headmistress
Remus read the letter twice over before letting out a shout of joy, successfully reviving his father from his faint. Remus thumbed to the next page, but instead of finding a supply list he found another letter.
Dear Mr. Lupin,
Special plans have been set up for your condition. After the welcome back festivities it is required that you meet Professor McGonagall to discuss the events that shall occur during the full moon. Please use great discretion with your secret, Mr. Lupin, as I am afraid many people hold a prejudice against all werewolves and many would be against sending their children to school with one.
Until the first then, Mr. Lupin
Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore.
Daniel Lupin, Remus' father, still looking shocked, read the letters Remus shoved into his hands and a slow smile crept across his face. Remus was laughing and doing some sort of weird dance. (A/N: sorry had to put this in here, reminds me of a friends victory dance) Daniel let out a small laugh at his son before suggesting they go get Remus his school stuff in Diagon Alley. Remus grinned and reached for the container of floo powder. He tossed a handful into the fire, shouting "Diagon Alley" before stepping into the green flames. His father followed and the went to get Remus his school books and other things he needed before making a last stop at Olivander's to get his wand. As they stepped into the shop, Remus ran into a boy with short brown hair.
"I'm sorry." Remus said, offering his hand to the boy whom he had knocked over.
"It's alright, I'm fine." The boy said, excepting his hand and dusting himself off. "Peter Pettigrew." He said shaking Remus' hand.
"Pettigrew?" Remus' eyes widened. "As in the Minister's son? Oh my. Dreadfully sorry."
"It's ok mate, no harm done. I didn't catch your name." Peter replied grinning.
"Remus Lupin."
"Nice to meetcha, Remus, 'Scuse me, I have to get the rest of my stuff." Peter stated slipping out the door.
Remus stepped further into the shop, stopping beside his father, to wait until him and the shop keeper had finished their conversation.
When the shop keeper noticed him, he smiled. "Ah, Remus Lupin, lets see… hold out your wand arm please." Mr. Olivander grapped a wand off the shelf and handed it to Remus.
"Willow, 12inches, werewolf hair. Give it a wave."
Remus gave the wand a wave and a few sparks came out the end.
"Hmm, seems to react a little, but that might have something to do with your… erm… condition. Here, try this, Ebony, 9inches, unicorn hair."
Remus waved it and nothing happened. Olivander started handing him wands until, on this 7th try, he was handed a mahogany wand, 10 and ½ inches long, with a phoenix feather core. He felt warmth travel up his arm and multi-coloured sparks leap from the end.
"Hmm, well, that's that."
Remus paid for this new wand and left. He and his father ate at a small bakery before flooing home. After writing to his cousin, Remus fell into a satisfied sleep, dreaming of Hogwarts and having friends, dreaming of a slightly normal life.
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Peter Pettigrew had just woken up and was sitting at his kitchen table, listening to his father berate him for waking up late, when an owl flew through the window landing gracefully on the back of the chair beside him. The owl hooted and stuck its leg out so Peter could retrieve the letter from the birds' leg. Once free of its message it flew off, leaving Peter to read the letter in his hands. A brief smile crossed his face and he wordlessly handed the letter to his father. Robert Pettigrew looked at the letter, slightly surprised. "Good, you got in. I was sure you didn't have enough magic in you to go, get your mother to take you to Diagon Alley to get your school shit."
Peter nodded and stood up. He went upstairs to change into something more presentable before showing any sort of excitement. 'I'm finally getting out of this hell house' was the thought running through his head. He briefly thought about his mother before running through everything he knew about Hogwarts. He remembered what his mother told him from her time there. She had been in Ravenclaw, the house best known for its occupants thirst for knowledge and hunger to learn. His father was in Slytherin, where the students within were described as ambitious and thirsted for power. There were two other houses, Gryffindor, where students with a stout heart full of loyalty and courage could be found and Hufflepuff, where those who did not have the other elements stand out in them were found. 'I'll probably be in Hufflepuff.' Thought Peter, sadly, 'Although Gryffindor would be my choice.'
He went to share the news with his mother. She smiled and said they would go to Diagon Alley in an hour. Peter nodded and went back to his room to tidy it up. An hour later his mother called for him and they left. His mother handed him some galleons and told him to get his wand while she got some potion ingredients that she needed. He headed to Olivander's, weaving through a crowd of shoppers. Stepping into the shop, he shot what he imagined was a charming smile at the shop keeper. The old man smiled politely and requested that he hold out his wand arm.
Peter held out his right arm obligingly and a measuring tape attacked him. After a few minutes of pure torture, Mr. Olivander snapped his fingers and the tape stopped. He handed Peter a box.
"Maple, 9 and ¼ inches, unicorn hair."
As Peter gripped it, warmth spread through his fingers. He didn't even have to wave it because as soon as he touched it multi-coloured sparks shot from the end.
Mr. Olivander smiled, satisfied. "Ah, an easy customer."
Peter paid for his wand and headed for the door. Just as he was leaving, another boy rushed in smacking into him and successfully sending him sprawling onto the dusty floor.
"I'm sorry." The boy who knocked him over apologised, offering him a hand up.
"It's alright, I'm fine." Peter replied, excepting his hand and dusting himself off. "Peter Pettigrew." He said shaking the boy's hand with a slight smile on his face.
"Pettigrew?" The boy standing in front of him looked slightly scared. "As in the Minister's son? Oh my. Dreadfully sorry."
"It's ok mate, no harm done. I didn't catch your name." Peter's smile grew broader. This boy was intimidated by him!
"Remus Lupin." The other boy answered.
"Nice to meetcha, Remus, 'Scuse me, I have to get the rest of my stuff." Peter stated slipping out the door. Once outside he allowed himself an amused chuckle before setting off in search of his mother.
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Sirius Black was enjoying, immensely, a quiet breakfast. It wasn't that the food was any better this morning then it was any other morning, but rather that there was nobody yelling at him about his manners and he enjoyed the rare silence. Unfortunately all good things eventually come to an end, as was the case this morning. A large, clumsy owl flew through the opened window, knocking his bowl to the floor and successfully disturbing the peace. He detangled the envelope from the bird's leg just as his mother stepped into the kitchen to yell at him.
"Sirius Orion Black! Why must you always make a mess? And will you ever learn to stay QUIET?" Walburga Black said, putting great emphasis on the word 'quiet'.
"I'm sorry, mother. The owl that delivered my Hogwarts letter crashed into my porridge bowl." Sirius explained, being extra careful about his politeness.
His mother forgot she was mad the instant she heard "Hogwarts letter". She yelled for Sirius' father. Orion, ORION! Sirius got his letter!"
Sirius' father came down the hall. He clapped a hand on Sirius' shoulder and said proudly "Good job, son! Let's go to Diagon Alley to get your stuff, I need a few things as it is.
The black family used a port key to get to Diagon Alley. They collected his school books and went to Olivander's to get Regulus a new wand, as the boy had broken his in a fit. Sirius remembered the time he went to get his wand.
Flashback
Sirius had preformed his first accidental magic the day before and he was now standing in Olivander's, getting measured by a pesky measuring tape. The old man, Olivander, snapped his fingers and the tape dropped lifelessly on to the floor. After trying several wands, Olivander handed him a wand made of mahogany, 12inches long, with a phoenix feather core. Feeling a slightly warm sensation in his fingers, he waved the wand, sending multi-coloured sparks bouncing across the walls.
End Flashback
Sirius had been so excited that when he got home he had started practicing spells. His mother hired numerous tutors for him and although he was learning magic, he hated it and did his best to get rid of them. Sirius shuddered when he thought of Regulus with a wand. His little brother had the power to avenge himself when he had a wand and needless to say, this ended the pranks Sirius played on him. Sirius thoughts drifted back to Hogwarts. Finally he was going to get out of his dreaded house and away from his messed up family. He would be free to play pranks at will because the many students in the castle made it hard to trace back to him and he could socialize with whomever he wanted. Yes… Hogwarts was gonna be a hell of a lot of fun.
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Authors Note: heh... its only a little late. Sorry eh. Anyway. Its long by my standards and it took for ever. This chapter is dedicated to my only reviewer, and good friend. Its his birthday present! Smile! Those of you that are still reading this story, reveiws are extremely apreciated.
Ta,
Swordy