I'm writing a letter nightly
The letter was the most eventful thing that happened in a year.
It was not that life on the island was uninteresting. It was just monotonous. The same chores, the same meals, the same punishments. The same traders who came on the same ships that brought the same goods. Alexander Hamilton was just bored of it.
The letter was tied to a tawny owl. It was unmarked except for Alexander's address, and a red seal.
Alexander remembered seeing the seal. He remembered how everyone in the town gathered around the owl, trying to take a peek at it. His mother shooed them all off.
"How rude," she said. She ushered him into their house. "Trying to take a look at something that isn't even theirs! Well, go on now Alex, open it."
Alexander opened the letter. What could it be?, he wondered. How do they know how to find me? It read:
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Minerva McGonagall
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock,
Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
- Dear Mr. Hamilton,
- 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,
- Minerva McGonagall
- Headmistress
"Mother," Alexander exclaimed. "I have been invited to a school? Of magic?" But it couldn't be. Magic does not exist! His mother thought the same.
"Alexander, honey, are you all right?" she cooed. "Are you sure you read it right? I know that you're only 10 and your mind is older, but don't let your childhood fantasies into your real life."
"Mother, I am being serious, read it!" Alexander gave the letter to his mother. He loved her, but she never takes him seriously sometimes. He could see her eyes widen in disbelief as she read the letter.
"Well, how are we supposed to get the materials? Where do we get them? Where is this school?"
"What materials?" asked Alexander. He knew about his financial situation, and buying items for a school that may not even exist would not bring his family out of poverty.
"These materials Alexander. Further down, further down."
- UNIFORM
- First-year students will require:
- Please note that all pupil's 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)
- OTHER EQUIPMENT
- 1 wand
- 1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
- 1 set glass or crystal phials
- 1 telescope
- 1 set brass scales
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS
ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICK
- Yours sincerely,
"This just tells us about the things we will spend our money on," said Alexander. He saw no details as to where to buy his supplies, where the school is located, how to even contact this 'Minerva McGonagall'.
He read through the letter again. This time he found something strange. On the front page, he saw letters forming, as if someone was updating the paper. The new writing read:
Dear Mr. Hamilton,
It has come to our attention that you are not aware of the wizarding world. This is extremely peculiar to us, as your father is a wizard himself. Your father will be able to tell you about Hogwarts.
Minerva McGonagall
"Father was a wizard?" exclaimed Alexander. He never knew. Did his mother keep this secret from him? Why? How did he have the powers of a wizard? What, exactly, does a wizard do?
"Your father was not a wizard," his mother snapped. "Now, I am sure this is a prank now throw that paper away Alexander. It is nothing but a scam, a trick for us to spend our money worthlessly."
"It is not a trick," whispered Alexander. He could not understand his mother's change in tone. "Look at the paper."
He handed her the paper. He watched her face carefully as she read the new paragraph, the paragraph that she was certain that she has never seen before. Her face turned ash white.
"We are supposed to contact your father?"
"Yes, he's supposed to come home any minute now, right?" He glanced over at the clock. Thirty minutes late. This was so unlike him. "Where is he anyways, he's late."
"Well, Alexander, your father abandoned us."