"Salazar?"
A sharp rapping at his bedroom door caused Salazar Lucilius to awaken with a start.
"I'm up, dad…" he groaned. "I'm up."
"You'd better be if you want breakfast; it's in fifteen minutes."
Salazar crawled out of bed and, after getting dressed, ran a comb through his black hair and washed the sleep from his green eyes.
When he got to the dining room, Salazar was greeted by the sight of the family house elf setting the table.
"Vakrey's almost done here."
"Thank you," Salazar replied.
"There you are," said Salazar's father, Octavian. "Your mother's slower to get up than you, as always."
"Oh, enough already," drawled Victoria Lucilius. "You know I need to look my best! Especially since this came for Salazar! Open it, will you?" She slid the envelope across the table.
"Ooh! Is that mine?"
Another boy around Salazar's age walked into the room, along with a younger girl.
"Two more years,, Claudius," Salazar replied.
"I can go next year," the girl said smugly.
"We know, Serena darling," said Victoria.
Salazar opened his letter and smiled.
Dear Mr Lucilius,
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,
Filius Flitwick
Deputy Headmaster
"We'll apparate," said Octavian. "Do you three want to come?"
"We'll keep ourselves entertained while you boys sort out Salazar's things.
"I want to go with Sal!" Serena exclaimed.
"Alright," Salazar replied. "You'll be doing this next year, after all."
With that, Claudius and Victoria headed to the fireplace, and the remaining three disapparated.
An instant later, they were in a brightly lit section of Diagon Alley, and Salazar was rubbing his temples.
"What was that?!"
Serena turned to the voice's source. "Apparation. You had to have it before."
Salazar looked up to see a girl his age with wavy brown hair that bounced to just past her exposed shoulders. Her lips were red, and her eyes blue.
"Her parents are muggles," explained a man next to her patiently, his Cockney accent definitely noticeable. "Professor Gareth Smyke, Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Was sent to pick up this young lady at her 'ouse, I was, letter in me 'and."
"I'm Constance Havisham… everyone calls me Connie. This is all really new to me… but exciting!."
"Salazar Lucilius. Sounds like you need a bit of guidance when Professor Smyke isn't around. Not all wizards are good, however. You'll want to stay away from the Dark Side." He smiled. "I can help you there."
"Sounds lovely," said Constance.
"We're off to Flourish and Blott's," said Professor Smyke.
"I look forward to learning from you," Salazar replied.
"Well, I look forward to teachin' you. Have a good 'un."
"She seems nice," said Serena. "Maybe you'll marry her!"
"What?! Seriously? Merlin's beard, Serena, I just met her five minutes ago!"
Serena smirked triumphantly. "Then why are you blushing?"