Top Secret
by Shealtiel
Rated: T for sexual references, adult themes, violence and mild coarse language
Summary: "Oak, fourteen inches, unpliant and resilient, excellent for Transfiguration with a knack for Charms. Veela hair core."

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Monday, July 19th, 1971
8:08pm
Lounge Room

Mum and Dad are arguing. We're supposed to be having a family meeting, but they're just arguing. Dad thinks it's real, Mum thinks it's hogwash. I don't know what to think.

I got a letter today. It was addressed to me, like this:

Miss R. Lonsdale
The Green Bedroom
14 Kimpton Avenue
Brentwood
Essex

I never get letters. It was in this real old style envelope. Mum and Dad have never gotten letters like that, so I was confused. I took it to show Mum, and we opened it together. This is what it said:

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 Miss Lonsdale,
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,

Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress

Weird, huh? I don't know whether it's just some big joke or not. I mean, what about all those weird things that kept happening? That's why Dad thinks it's legitimate, even though he didn't believe me before.

Chris is reading over my shoulder, saying that I'm a freak for knowing the word legitimate at eleven, but it's not like I can help it. I have a thing for words. Anyway, why does it matter to him? He shouldn't be reading my diary anyway!

Speaking of Chris, he thinks it's real, but I don't know if he's just making fun of me or not. Mel thinks it's ridiculous. I don't know what to think. Could I really be a witch? And what does that even mean? I can do magic? What kind of magic? How do I get to this Hogwarts? It can't be easy to get to, as no one believes in magic anyway, so if it really is a school for magic, it'd be hidden somewhere. How are we supposed to know how to get there?

I don't know about all this. It just seems so weird. Maybe it's just talking about magic tricks and stuff. But then… I don't know. It came with this too.

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, silver fastenings)
Please note that all pupils' clothes should carry name tags.

Set 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
Charming Your Way Through Magic by Godiloc Frinz
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
A Defense Guide: Going Against The Dark Arts by Crenacius Crawdle

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 an owl OR a cat OR a toad

PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS

What does all this gibberish mean? And where am I supposed to get all this stuff anyway? I need to go to bed. I'm tired of thinking about all this. I'm just so confused.

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