Snowbyrd

Chapter 5

Byrd's feet ached. Her hands ached. Everything ached. Her eyelids began to droop, but she quickly shook herself. It would not do to fall asleep hundreds of feet from the ground.

She glanced down and instantly wished she hadn't. It wasn't like she was afraid of heights, but seeing hundreds of lights miles below your feet isn't exactly an enjoyable experience.

Byrd checked her watch. It was almost 2:00! Maybe she should find somewhere to sleep for the night. Looking down again, she was surprised to find the lights were gone. The city she had been flying over had ended. She started to fly down to earth. There was a dark shape slightly to her left. Angling towards it, she was glad to find that it was an old abandoned barn. She hadn't really liked the idea of sleeping outside, and so she could spend the night here.

Byrd found the barn big and comfortable. In the loft there was a ton of soft hay to lay in. Burrowing deep in it for warmth, she slowly drifted to sleep.

Byrd woke with a start. What was that? She waited, still as she could be, until she heard it again. A slight rustling just yards away from her. Peering through the hay, Byrd could just make out a small figure making its way to her general direction. Its walk was weird and lopsided. She knew it couldn't be a human, but what kind of terrible creatures were there in the magical world.

The animal hooted. Byrd screamed and jumped up. Then she laughed. It was only an owl! She had been scared by this tiny feathered figure. The owl hopped closer and stuck out a leg. Byrd saw a piece of paper tied to it. Closer inspection told her it was a letter. Moving over to a small window where moonlight shafted in, she discovered her name on it. It read;

Ms. Potter

Abandoned Barn

Not Far From London, England

Chills crept down Byrd's back. How had they known where she was? And who she was? With trembling hands she opened the letter. Two pieces of paper fell out. Picking up the first one, Byrd began to read.

Hogwarts School

of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Headmistress: Minerva McGonagall

(Order of Merlin, First Class)

Dear Ms. 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 September 1. We await your owl no later than July 31.

Yours Sincerely,

MinervaMcGonagall

Minerva McGonagall,

Headmistress

Byrd stared at this letter. This wonderful, amazing letter. This letter proved that she could do what all those other people could, and more than anyone in the orphanage. Sure, she had been the fastest and the only one that would go up to the huge snake at the zoo, but this was different. She could make things happen that she never knew she could. And she could use a wand! But where to get one? Surely she couldn't rescue her parents without at least a wand! The second piece of paper caught her eye. She picked it up.

Hogwarts School

of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Uniform

First-year students will require:

Three sets of plain Work Robes (black)

One pointed hat (black) for daily wear

One pair of protected gloves (dragon hide or similar)

One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)

Please note all clothing should be labeled

Course Books

All students should have a copy of each of the following:

Standard Book of Spells (Grade One)

By Miranda Goshawk

A History of Magic

By Bathilda Bagshot

Magical Theory

By Albert 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 chrystal phials

1 telescope

1 set brass scales

Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad.

PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEAR STUDENTS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS.