Chapter 1
It was a normal day. I had woken up to my aunt clattering around the kitchen making steamed buns. I walked to the bathroom, brushed my teeth, combed my hair, and headed to the kitchen.
“Go check the mail, Christy,” My aunt ordered, setting down the smoothie she had made.
I nodded and walked over to the door and opened it, grabbing the mail from the mailbox.
“The electric bills are here! And some letters from Aunt Flower.” I called, placing them on the table. I noticed another one with my name on it and picked it up curiously.
To: Christy Zhang of Rutland Street.
From: Headmaster of Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore.
I frowned. This must be a mistake. I was going to Stillington Fairs School next year for middle school.
“Aunt!” I walked over to the kitchen and set it down. “This must be a mistake. I’m going to Stillington right?”
My Aunt looked at the letter and opened it. “This is most definitely a prank.”
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.
There was another piece of paper that I pulled out and was a list of school supplies. I ignored the letter and threw it away. But the next day it arrived. And kept arriving. Until the day I finally believed it was real.
There was a tapping on the window and I opened it to look out and saw a small brown owl holding the letter.
“Woah. No way. This is not possible.” I said and reached out to take the letter. “Aunt. Come see this.”
Aunt walked over wiping her hands on her apron, “I swear if it’s one of those lousy letters again- why is there an owl here?!”
“Aunt! The owl gave me the letter! I think this is not a prank!” I exclaimed.
“Ohh I don’t know. Where do we even get the school supplies?” Aunt asked, “This better not be one of your silly friend's sick pranks.”
Three sets of plain work robes (black).
One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear.
One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar).
One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings).
Please note that all student's clothes should carry name tags at all times.
Books
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 21 set of glass or crystal vials
1 telescope
1 set of brass scales
Students may also bring an Owl, a Cat, OR a Toad.
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS.
“I don’t know Aunt.” I folded the paper but a piece of paper slipped out.
Go to London and ask around for The Leaky Cauldron
“The Leaky Cauldron?” Aunt scoffed, “I've never heard of this place.”
“Well, it said to ask around for it,” I said. “I’ll go and check it out since London is only a few minutes' walk away by bus.”
“Alright.” Aunt grumbled, “Be back in time to do the house cleaning.”
I nodded and walked upstairs to my room, changed into a white T-shirt and a pair of black shorts, and put on my satchel. I walked out the front door and walked down to the bus station and waited for the bus. A few minutes later the bus arrived and I hopped on, showing him my bus pass. I sat towards the back of the bus as it bounced and screeched its way to London. A good 30 minutes later it rumbled to a stop and I got off. I walked around the streets filled with people and found a woman wearing robes like the one described in my supply list. She had fiery red hair and there were three other boys and a girl with the same hair color.
“Excuse me miss?” I asked tentatively, “Do you know where the Leaky Cauldron is?”
“Oh? Hogwarts student too huh?” She asked, smiling, “I happen to be looking for school supplies for my kids too. Where are your parents?”
“Oh, uhm, they aren’t with me. I came here alone. So do you know?” I said.
“Yes, I do! You can follow me!” The woman said, “Call me Mrs.Weasley.”
I nodded and followed her down many twists and turns until we came upon a small pub squished between a bookstore and a record shop. Many people walked by without even glancing at it. Mrs.Weasley walked in and an old man walked up to her.
“Hogwarts school supplies I suppose? Come this way.” He gestured for us to come to the back of the pub, tapped the brick wall in a pattern, and the brick wall opened to reveal,-
“Diagon Alley!” The man said, “Head in, head in. Hurry up please.”
I walked in behind Mrs.Weasley and her children and the wall closed behind us.
“Woah,” I said, looking around, there were so many weird things such as potion materials, and unicorn hair selling for 10 galleons a strand?
Mrs.Weasley smiled at me, “You must be muggle-born. You seem quite shocked.”
“I am. This is all very new. What are galleons?” I asked.
“Ah, wizard currency. If you have muggle money just go to Gringotts. We’re going there too. Why don't you introduce yourselves to the girl?” Mrs. Weasley said, looking at her children sternly.
Two identical-looking boys stepped up to me, “I’m Fred.” Fred said.
“And I’m George,” George said.
“We’re twins.” They both said.
“Oh. Ok.” I said, already forgetting which was which.
The smaller boy about my age but taller than me said, “I’m Ron. You?”
“I’m…” I hesitated, then decided to tell them my roleplay name when I was roleplaying as a witch, “I’m Blackbird.”
“Blackbird?” Ron asked in disbelief, “What type of name is that?”
“I’m Blackbird and Blackbird it is,” I said.
“Well, I think it’s cool!” A small voice piped up, it was the youngest girl, “And I’m Ginny. Pleased to meet you.”
“Same here,” I said.
“We’re here!” Mrs.Weasley, “Gringotts.”
A big building stood at the end of the street and I walked in. My first emotion was shock. It was filled with goblins walking around, weighing gems as big as my cat, sitting behind desks, and doing paperwork. Mrs.Weasley walked up to the front desk.
“Hello, I’d like to do a money exchange. This girl here has muggle money to exchange I believe.” Mrs. Weasley said.
I nodded and pulled out my wallet and took out 150 dollars. “How much will this be exchanged for?”
The goblin took the money and examined it, “21 galleons.”
I nodded and took the small money bag he gave me and put it in my satchel.
Mrs.Weasley then walked up to the goblin, asked for vault 159, and handed him a small key. The goblin inspected it, nodded, and waved to another goblin.
The goblin scurried over, “Very well. Follow me, Mrs. Weasley.”
“Wait here. I’ll get my money.” Mrs.Weasley ordered.
We nodded and she walked away with the goblin.
“Well, I suppose we'll introduce ourselves some more?” Ginny asked excitedly.
“Well, there’s not much to know about me other than that I’m the youngest boy of the family and always gets hand-me-downs,” Ron said shrugging.
“Well, I’m Fred, not George in case you forget. I play as a Beater for the Gryffindor Quidditch team.” Fred said, “I’m a third year student at Hogwarts.”
“I’m George, not Fred. I also play as a Beater for the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Third year too. We’re also the resident troublemakers.” George said grinning.
“Oh. Alright. Well, what’s Quidditch?” I asked, “Is that like a sport?”
“Yeah, but first-years aren’t allowed to play. It’s something you play on a broomstick.” Ron interrupted, “I’m a first year.”
“Right.” I said, “What about Ginny?”
“I’m not starting till next year,” Ginny answered. “Tell us more about yourself! I rarely talk to other girls. It’s always my mum.”
“Well, I’m a muggle I think you call it-” I began.
“No, you have magic so you're a muggle-born.” Ron interrupted again.
“Right. Well, I have a cat. But I won’t be bringing it to Hogwarts 'cause it’s my aunt’s emotional support animal so I guess I'll be getting an owl. I heard they were quite expensive so I’ll have to ask my aunt for some more money.” I said, “Well, I like reading and drawing and I can play the flute and that’s all you need to know about me.”
“That’s cool.” Ginny gushed. “I want a pet but we only have a rat and the new owl that Percy, our other brother got. Well we also have Errol but he’s really old and can’t do anything.”
I was about to reply but Mrs.Weasley came out holding a small bag of money.
“Alright, let’s see, no robes for Ron. you can use Charlie's old ones. You can also use his old wand.” Mrs.Weasley said, “We’ll go to Flourish and Botts for the school books. And Blackbird here can pick up some books too.”
I nodded. “I have the supply list with me. How much would all the books cost?”
“About 3 galleons for the books. 2 galleons for robes and anywhere between 7-10 galleons for a wand.” Mrs.Weasley replied as we walked out of the bank.
I did the math in my head, “So, I possibly have enough for all that. Then, I have to get a suitcase to put my stuff in. I’ll ask my aunt for that.”
As we walked in silence, I admired all the wizardry around me and marveled at the simplest things such as moving pictures which Ron found funny because he thought all pictures moved, even in the muggle world.
We arrived at Flourish and Botts and the first thing that caught my eye was a whole shelf section dedicated to “Harry Potter.”
“Who’s that?” I asked, pulling a book out.
“The famous Harry Potter. He defeated You-Know-Who.” Fred said.
“I-don’t-know-who.” I said, rolling my eyes.
“Oh, well,uhm, this guy named V-Voldemort.” Ron gulped, “Don’t make me repeat his name, You-Know-Who, he was a dark wizard. He killed many famous wizards. But he couldn’t kill Harry Potter and he was only a baby. Yeah. He killed countless other wizards but couldn’t kill a baby. He died trying to kill Harry Potter.”
“Wow.” I said, “That’s dark.”
Ron nodded as the bookkeeper approached us and handed us a stack of books each. I nearly fell trying to carry them.
“Do you have anywhere to put them for now?” I asked, my arms already sore from all the books, “My satchel is too small, it can only fit one book.”
“Sorry dear, you must carry them for now, the wand shop is just next door.” Mrs.Weasley answered.
“Alright.” I carefully reached into my money bag and gave the bookkeeper 3 galleons.
We walked out of the bookshop and into the wand shop where an old man with wide moon-like eyes came up to us.
“Ah, Mrs.Weasley. I see you have another child to come in for a wand?” He asked, looking at me, “Doesn’t seem to have red hair.”
“No, Ollivander. She’s a kid who needs help with her school supplies although I think she's seeing us more often soon.” Mrs.Weasley answered, smiling at me.
I nodded. “So, do I get to try my wand now?”
Ollivander smiled a bit before measuring me with a tape measure. It started measuring everything. By itself. Even my eyebrows.
“That’s good,” Ollivander said and the tape measure fell to the ground. He handed me a wand, quite short.
“Uhm, what do I do with it?” I asked, holding the wand.
“Wave it around,” Ollivander said.
I waved it around and Ollivander immediately snatched it out of my hands and gave me another one.
“Try this one.” He ordered.
I waved it around again and it was immediately snatched out of my hands. He kept on changing wands until a pile of wand boxes was stacked precariously on the table.
“Here, try this one, Blackthorn wood, 11 inches, phoenix feather core,” Ollicander said, handing me the wand.
I nodded and the moment I grabbed it, a feeling tingles down my body from my fingers. I waved it and purple bluish streaks flew out.
“Ah, yes. This must be the one.” Ollivander said, smiling, “Interesting choice of wood, I must say.”
“Why?” I asked, confused.
“Most say that these types of wands produce the best dark wizards,” Ollivander said, “But I believe you’ll be a great witch.”
I nodded and paid him 8 galleons, the amount for the wand, and left the shop with a wand in my satchel, and my stack of books.
“Alright, next stop- gah!” Mrs.Weasley yelped, “Fred, George what did I say about playing pranks on your mother?”
The twins grinned, “Not to.” They both said.
Ron rolled his eyes, “ Those two, they’re always playing jokes and pranks. They’re the most popular Gryffindor.”
“Wait, I forgot to ask earlier, what is Gryffindor?” I asked as we walked into Madam Malkin’s.
“It’s the Houses. In Hogwarts, you get sorted into houses and live there, so there’s Gryffindor, the brave ones, Ravenclaw, the smart ones, Hufflepuffs, the loyal and simple ones, and Slytherin. The sly, cunning, and evil ones.” Ron explained.
“So, Slytherin is the worst one?” I said as I stepped up on a stool to get measured by Madam Malkin.
“Yeah.” Ron said, “Almost all dark wizards came from Slytherin. You-know-who came from Slytherin.”
“I guess I don’t want to be in Slytherin. Maybe Ravenclaw or Gryffindor.” I said, as Madam Malkin finished measuring me and handed me a set of robes.
“Yeah. You don’t.” Ron agreed.
I took the robes and paid Madam Malkin 2 galleons. I walked out of the shop, Ginny begging her mum to get her a cat that she saw at the next-door pet shop.
“No Ginny, you can’t get a cat. Then where will Scabbers go?” Mrs.Weasley said sternly.
“Ugh, fine,” Ginny grumbled.
I smiled a bit and wished that my family was that nice. It was chaotic in my household.
“Now dear, how are you getting home?” Mrs.Weasley asked.
“Well, I’m gonna go back to the Leaky Cauldron exit Diagon Alley, then take the bus home,” I said.
“Alright, honey. Take care. We’ll meet up back here tomorrow for the rest of your school supplies!” Mrs.Weasley said, waving me off.
I nodded and headed back to the Leaky Cauldron, exited Diagon Alley, ran to a nearby bus stop, waited for the bus, paid my fee, and then got off at my house. I carefully snuck in and hid all the stuff in my bedroom and walked downstairs where my aunt was waiting.
“You’re late.” Aunt said, looking angry.
“I’m sorry,” I said, knowing what was coming.
“Did you find the ‘Leaky Cauldron’?” She asked.
“Yeah, apparently this isn't all a prank, it’s all real, and in Leaky Cauldron I found Diagon Alley and met some nice people who said they could help me with my school supplies
and I got some!” I blurted out, not wanting to get hit.
Aunt raised an eyebrow, “有问题，你这个孩子.” She said in Chinese, which meant, ‘This child is crazy.’
“Very well, where is the school?” Aunt asked.
“In London,” I replied.
“How do we get there?” She asked.
“I don’t know. I’ll ask the friends I met.” I answered.
“Very well, go do the house chores then cook dinner, your cousins are very hungry.” Aunt ordered, “Also, how much money do you need for school supplies?”
“Around 500,” I mumbled. I knew my aunt was rich but she usually used her money on my cousins, Arry, Lin, and Addylin. There was no way she would give it to me willingly.
“500? Must be a good school if school supplies are this expensive.” She reached into her purse and handed me five hundred dollar bills. “Spend wisely. Not on food alright?”
My eyes widened, “Thank you so much, Aunt. You’re the best!”
Aunt rolled her eyes, “Get cleaning.”
I nodded and started cleaning. I mopped upstairs, downstairs, and the basement, wiped the stairs, cleaned the kitchen, and folded all the laundry.
“All in a good hour's work,” I said, looking at the cleaner house.
“Whatever Crispy.” It was Arry, the youngest cousin. But she was older than me. “Go cook me some noodles. Me and Lin are starving.”
I nodded and walked to the kitchen, “Why does she and Lin have to be so pretty?” I grumbled as I chopped the spring onion.
Arry and Lin were twins, 2 days apart. They both had honey-brown hair that was always silky and smooth. They had round black eyes that twinkled in the sunlight merrily. I had dark red-brown hair, light almond eyes with a slim body just barely on the skinny side.
I sighed and tossed all the ingredients into the pot and finished cooking. I poured them into two pink bowls and set them down along with two pairs of chopsticks.
Arry and Lin arrived and sat down without so much as a thank you as usual. They finished eating and daintily set down their chopsticks and left. I collected their bowls and washed them.
“Finally done,” I said.
I walked up to my bedroom, took a shower, changed into my pajamas, and started looking through my books.
“Wow. This is all so interesting.” I whispered to myself.
I took out my leather-bound notebook and started writing down everything I thought was interesting. I grabbed the next book and it was, “One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi.”
I grabbed my pen and started copying down the uses of many plants I have never heard of and their uses in potions and as I wrote them down, they were soon committed to memory. And before I knew it, I fell asleep.
“Christy! Christy! Wake up!” Someone was shaking my shoulder.
I slowly opened my eyes, “Huh? Who’s there?”
“Arry.” Arry said, annoyed, “Mom told us you were going to boarding school!”
“What?!” I sat up, suddenly wide awake.
“Yeah, she canceled your application for Stillington. You’re going to Youhamshire boarding school for girls.” Arry laughed.
I shooed a giggling Arry out of my room and carefully pulled an old wooden suitcase out from my closet put my books and my robes in it slipped it under the bed, changed into a knee-length black dress with white flowers, brushed my teeth, braided my hair, and went downstairs.
“Aunt!” I said, “I thought-“
She pulled me aside, “Look, I lied to them, you are still going to that weird school of yours. I just lied that you were going to boarding school so they wouldn’t ask questions
about why you are gone.” Aunt explained.
“Oh uhm. Thank you, Aunt.” I said, confused as to why she was being nice all of a sudden.
“Whatever. Now get going to make breakfast. I'm heading to a business meeting in a few minutes.” Aunt ordered.
“Ok,” I said.
I headed to the kitchen and started making pancake batter. I poured some onto the frying pan and waited for all the pancakes to finish before pouring some milk and cereal for myself. I set down the plates just as Arry and Lin came down in their matching pastel pink nightgowns.
I sat down and started eating my cereal.
“So, how’s it feel to be going to boarding school?” Arry smirked.
“Anything to be away from you guys,” I answered getting up to wash my cereal bowl.
“Hmph whatever, at least we’re going to a nice private school with hot boys,” Lin replied, rolling her eyes.
“We’re only 11 y'all, why are you guys fangirling over boys already?” I asked, “Aren’t you guys supposed to be focused more on being those models or whatever you wanna be when you grow up?”
“Whatever.” Lin said, “Let’s go Arry. We are going to Sherry’s house for tea today.”
Arry nodded and they both left giggling about the latest ‘hot boy’ in their class.
I sighed and started washing the dishes. I finished and headed upstairs, grabbed my satchel, put the 500 dollars and a water bottle in there, grabbed the suitcase from under
my bed, and exited the house before neither Arry or Lin could find me and ask where I was going.
I caught the early bus to London and got off at the last bus stop. I tried to remember where the Leaky Cauldron was and after taking some wrong turns I found the small pub exactly as I remembered it. I walked in and Tom walked over.
“Ah yes, Mrs.Weasley already entered Diagon Alley. You may find her at the Magical Menagerie.”
I nodded as he did the same pattern on the brick wall again and I walked in, back into the world of magic. I walked up the street to Madam Malkins and took a turn and
immediately spotted the redheads among the crowd of other parents and students. I ran over.
“Mrs.Weasley!” I called, waving.
“Hello dear, I trust you have more muggle money to exchange? Gringotts is just down the street.” Mrs.Weasley said, smiling at me. “Ron can go with you in case you get lost.”
“C’mon, let's go.” Ron said, weaving through the crowd, “So tell me, what’s your family like? You already know a lot about mine. At least half of it.”
“Well, I live with my aunt. She’s kind of like those rich aunts that like to gossip over tea time you know? My uncle is away on a business trip a lot but I don't mind. He always brings back some sweet treats for me and my cousins. Their names are Arry, Lin, and Addilyn. Addilyn already left for college though.” I answered, “It’s pretty chaotic in my family when my uncle is home though.”
“Blimey. That does sound chaotic. Well, Bill and Charlie, they’re the two oldest children of the family, and both already graduated. Bill works for Gringgotts and Charlie looks for dragons in Romania, to keep them under control in case they burn down a whole muggle village.” Ron said, “Well here’s Gringgotts.”
We walked into the front desk and the same goblin from yesterday answered us and gave me 71 galleons in a small bag which I politely gave back to him and said I already had
a bag to put the money in. I took out the money bag from yesterday and put the money in.
“So, if you don't mind me asking, why do you live with your aunt and uncle, not your mum and dad?” Ron asked curiously.
“Well, time for some sad, traumatic backstory time.” I said sarcastically, “No, don't look so offended it’s a joke.”
“Alright. I’m not offended though.” Ron said, rolling his eyes.
“Ok so, to start, my mom took one too many drugs and is now in the mental hospital. My dad suicide because my mom is in the mental hospital and I ended up with my aunt.” I said, “There, one sad backstory.”
“Well, yeah, sad.” Ron agreed as we walked into the Magical Menagerie. It was full of toads, frogs, (I don’t know the difference between those two)cats, and owls.
I was immediately attracted to a small black owl with white feathers at the end of its wings and tail, it was about 10 inches.
“Wow. Look at this owl. Isn’t he majestic?” I breathed.
“Yeah. And expensive. 10 galleons for him. Everyone loves his good looks.” Ron answered.
“My aunt won’t mind me buying this handsome boi. He’s the most handsome thing I’ve ever met in my life other than chocolate.” I said proudly.
Fred and George came over.
“That’s one good owl you got there.” One of them said,
“Yeah. Are you planning on getting him?” Another one said.
“Yep,” I answered.
I placed him on the cashier's desk as he started preening.
“10 galleons. He’s well-trained. The best owl we ever got. But that snowy white owl we got over there? She’s also amazing.” The cashier said, handing me the owl.
I placed the 10 galleons down. “Yeah, I’ll leave her for someone else to get. She must get a lot of fans.”
“She sure does.” The cashier nodded.
I walked out of the shop Ginny still begged her mother to go back and get ‘the cutest most innocent furball’ in the shop.
“No Ginny. Maybe we will get you an owl in your first year. But that’s a maybe.” Mrs.Weasley sighed.
“Perks of being the youngest.” Ron muttered, “My rat Scabbers is a hand me down. From Percy.”
“Well, I think I’m gonna name this handsome fellow Dusk. It’s a handsome name like you.” I cooed to the owl.
Ron rolled his eyes and we walked into The Apothecary. There were a bunch of things I found disgusting like crushed beetle eye and bat spleen which the Weasley twins laughed and said I had to deal with it if I wanted to get past Potions class. They got their potion supplies and I got mine along with Ron. We then entered Potages Cauldrons shop to get me a pewter cauldron. Ron didn't get one cause he was getting a hand-me-down from one of his older brothers. All this in total cost me 22 galleons. I still had 47 galleons left if I added up today's and yesterday's money.
“Ok, so that’s all the supplies we need.” Mrs. Weasley said, “So, meet us on September 1st. At 7. Meet us where we first met you, alright Blackbird?”
“Ok.” I nodded, “I can do that.”