Disclaimer: Not JK Rowling. HP not mine.
Andi woke up bright and early. Sunlight streamed in through the window. She yawned briefly before remembering what day it was. June 17! Her 11th birthday! Andi stretched and jumped out of bed.
She ran downstairs without bothering to fix her short, dark brown hair. Her parents and brother were already at the table. Leo was 6. His birthday was just before hers, in May. Andi skidded across the linoleum floor and stopped just before running into the table. She was small and light for her age.
"Happy Birthday, Andi!" her mother said, hugging her.
"Happy Birthday Androme-Andi," her brother joined in. He seemed to keep forgetting the Andi didn't like to be called by her full name. It sounded silly and girlish. 'Andi' was much better.
"Happy Birthday, Andi," said her father in his deep voice.
Andi opened her presents one at a time. She received a pet gerbil-much to her delight-and several thick chapter books from her parents, and a sketchbook and supplies-colored pencils, charcoal, and art pencils-from Leo.
"Thanks, guys!" she exclaimed happily. Her parents smiled at her and each other, as well as Leo, who was running in circles. He must have been energized from all the sugar he had ingested that morning; they had eaten waffles for breakfast.
Later that day, Andi heard an odd tapping sound coming from her window. She looked out. There was a gray owl pecking at the glass.
"Go away," she told it. "Shoo!"
But it wouldn't stop. Maybe it's sick or needs help, she thought. I'll let it in. Andi opened the window and the owl perched on her bedpost, holding out its right foot. Attached with string was a letter, which she hadn't noticed before. Andi gently took it off and examined it carefully. The owl flew back out. Andi looked up, then back at the letter.
It was addressed to Andromeda 'Andi' Kirkwood, The Upstairs Bedroom, Number 7 Quast Drive, Surrey.
"Wow!" she said to herself. "A letter delivered by owl for me?" She turned it over. There was a wax seal on the back. It had an "H" in the center. There was-Andi squinted-a lion, a snake, a badger, and an eagle making up the rest of it.
Andi opened the letter. It read,
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 Ms. Kirkwood,
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.
Your family and you shall be visited by a witch or wizard of Hogwarts to explain, given the circumstances.
Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.
Yours sincerely,
Professor Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
What…?! Andi stared at the letter in awe. It was probably just a joke (magic wasn't real, after all), but it couldn't hurt too look at the list of things she needed. She found the next 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. 0ne pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
4. one winter cloak (black, with 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 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
Chief Attendant of Witchcraft Provisions
Andi gaped at the letter. She was a witch? Impossible! Mum and Dad had to see this!
"Mum! Dad! Come look at this letter!" she yelled. Her parents came upstairs.
"What letter, honey? I thought you opened them all already."
"An owl flew in and this was tied to its leg." Andi left out the fact that she had deliberately let the owl in. Mum took the letter and examined it carefully, with Dad reading over her shoulder.
"It's just a prank, Andi," her father said, shaking his head. "It's not real."
"Is too!" protested Andi.
"Magic isn't real, Andi. Only in your books," her mother said gently.
"It is, Mum! You'll see, they said a witch from the school would come talk to you!"
Her parents exchanged a glance and smiled at each other. "Of course, Andi. It's bedtime now, go brush your teeth.
Andi, knowing that ignoring them or protesting would get her nowhere, walked off to the bathroom, nearly in tears. She brushed her teeth furiously. Why don't they believe it? Why don't they believe me?
Andi went to bed after that. As she fell asleep, she dreamed about living in one of her books, where magic was real and good always won out...
