A letter arrived just before my 15th birthday and sat by the door for hours, trapped underneath many other letters delivered that day. I hadn't expected it and neither had my parents who, by now, had a firm belief that lycanthropes weren't welcomed at Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. But on my birthday, just as I was blowing out my candles, an owl delivered another letter, which, too, sat forgotten on the table until the cake was half eaten.
I noticed the red seal first, then the Hogwarts logo. By 15, I had long given up on receiving my Hogwarts letter. So, when the letter arrived, I assumed it had to be bad news. I plucked the letter from its place sandwiched between letters, and for a moment, my fingertips grazed against the logo. I imagined that I was 11 again and receiving my Hogwarts admission letter, but I wasn't 11 anymore. That much was apparent.
I was a tawny haired teenager, about average height, mid-way through my adolescence, most of which was wrought by worry. For once, I wanted to worry less about the potential of inflicting harm upon those around me and more about enjoying my adolescence. Or worrying less about my future. What could a creature like myself even do in the Wizarding World? That question bothered me the most. At least with my lycanthropy, I could always lock myself away in a cellar or a shed to keep everyone safe from the beast I turned into.
I sighed as I ripped the envelope open. My eyes scanned the letter.
Dear Mister Lupin,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Jubilation bubbled up from within me. There it was, as surprising as it was - my Hogwarts acceptance letter.
In the evening that one day in spring, after much celebration between my family of three, Dumbledore rang the doorbell. He was an old wizard with a long white beard and hair and half-moon glasses.
"Ah, at last, we meet," said Dumbledore with a twinkle in his eyes, motioning into our cottage. "May I?"
"Yes, of course, Headmaster," my father replied, beaming as he moved to allow Dumbledore passage.
Within minutes of arriving at my home, Headmaster Dumbledore had eased my fears, explaining that the school was fully aware of my condition and had made special accommodations for my monthly lycanthropy, should I wish to attend Hogwarts. Of course, the answer was yes. What wizarding child wouldn't want to attend Hogwarts? Even if I was entering Hogwarts late.