A Wizard?
The first of September arrived much too fast for the likings of one Violet Lanes. She wouldn’t dream of making it known to anyone, but she has been dreading this day since she had received her letter mere months earlier. Her dad, Vander, had been so proud of her, once he got over the shock of learning that perhaps, just perhaps, their answers of “I swear! I don’t know how we got up here!” after all of the times he had found Vi and Powder on a rooftop somewhere in their village of Zaun, just might have been the truth.
“Jesus,” Vander breathed upon reading the letter. “You’re a wizard, Violet?!” He clapped her on the shoulder in congratulations. The letter had arrived one beautiful day in the beginning of April, with an antiquated parchment envelope with scrawling green ink addressed to,
Ms. V. Lanes
6 Jericho Way
The Bedroom with Two Beds
The Village of Zaun, Province of Runeterra
At first, Vi herself was extraordinarily excited at the prospect of her new, magical life. She would read her acceptance letter over, and over, and over to herself.
Ms. Violet Lanes,
We are delighted to inform you that you have been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on 1 September, and we await your response by Owl no later than the 31 of July.
That all changed when she, Vander, and Powder ventured out to Diagon Alley in search of everything Vi would need for her first year as a wizard. Despite practically having it memorized, she read her supply list again, over and over, on the train ride into London.
UNIFORM
First year students will require:
- 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 pupils’ clothing should carry name tags.
COURSE 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
A Beginners’ Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore
Magical Draughts 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 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.
The train ride into London had been exhilarating at first—Powder pressing her face against the window, gasping at the towering buildings and winding streets so different from the cramped and shadowed alleys of Zaun. Vander, his arm draped protectively around both of them, had chuckled at their awe, though Vi had caught the way his fingers twitched, as if resisting the urge to grab the nearest weapon.
Then they had stepped into the Leaky Cauldron.
At first glance, it had seemed like any other dingy pub in Zaun—dimly lit, filled with smoke and whispers—but there was something about it that made her feel apprehensive. Her stomach twisted with anxiety. Eyes turned toward her, some curious, some encouraging, and Vi had fought the urge to step back into the streets of London.
But the worst part, the part that had drained all the excitement from her, had been the wall.
Brick by brick, it had unfolded before her, revealing a street unlike anything she’d ever known—alive with color, sound, and movement in a way Zaun never was. Wizards and witches bustled about, robes swishing, carrying books, potions, even owls. Shop windows gleamed with floating quills and self-stirring cauldrons. The air smelled of parchment and something sweetly spiced. It was… too much. Too foreign.
For the first time, Vi had felt out of place.
She hadn’t belonged.
It wasn’t Zaun.
“Vi! Look at this!” Powder had darted ahead, pointing excitedly at a display of broomsticks, eyes wide with wonder.
Vi had swallowed hard and forced a grin. “Yeah, that’s… that’s somethin’, huh?”
“You alright, kiddo?” Vander asked gently, bending down to Vi’s level. “You look a little, well, green.”
“Yeah, I–” Vi thought about telling the truth about the apprehensiveness she was feeling, but she suddenly remembered how proud Vander had been the day she got her letter, and she couldn’t disappoint him now. “I’m okay. Promise,” is what she settled on.
Vander studied her for a good while before he stood up and pulled his oldest into his side, all while keeping an eye on the bright blue hair that was darting around from window to window. “Alright, then. Let’s go get some wizard money, eh? Where d’you suppose we do that?” He clapped Vi on the shoulder as he shuffled them towards the window that Powder was staring into.
Vander decided to ask for directions rather than walking aimlessly in search of what he didn’t know, and he flagged down a family of three that was walking out of the store that they were standing by. Flourish and Blotts was the name.
“‘Scuse me,” Vander started. “I was hoping you could point us in the right direction. We need to exchange some money.”
The woman was tall, with short mousy hair and lips so tight he was surprised when she answered, “Muggles?” Her voice held an animosity that Vi couldn’t help but be unnerved by.
“Uh, not sure what you mean by that, ma’am, but my daughter here, Vi,” he grabbed Vi around the shoulders and pulled her to him, “just received an acceptance letter to Hogwarts, and we’re here to buy her schoolbooks and such.”
Meanwhile, Vi caught the eye of the young, navy haired girl that stood with the woman. She gave her a friendly wave, which the girl returned with a small smile. Vi just shuffled her feet and looked at the ground.
“And you aren’t?” The woman gestured vaguely to the world around them.
“No,” Vander chuckled, catching on. “No, I am not a wizard.”
“I see,” The woman pursed her lips further, if that were possible. “Well, you’ll be looking for Gringotts,” she finished curtly, turning on her heel. Her husband and daughter followed obediently behind her, but the girl turned around to mouth something and give Vi a small wave.
“She was mean!” Powder said a little too loudly, for the woman turned around with a glare.
“Eh, it’s alright, kid!” Vander shrugged the interaction off. “We’ll find it on our own! Least now we have a name!” He scooped Powder onto his shoulders, and the three of them were once again making their way down the street.
Eventually, the trio came upon the great marble building they didn’t know they were in search of.
“Gringotts Bank,” Vander sighed. “There we are! C’mon Vi, stick tight!” He called over his shoulder that Powder remained perched upon.
Vi tilted her head back, eyes widening as she took in the towering white pillars of Gringotts. It was… massive. Regal. Nothing like the soot-stained, half-crumbling buildings she was used to in Zaun. Powder, still perched on Vander’s shoulders, let out a low whistle.
“Fancy,” she murmured, fingers twitching like she wanted to reach out and touch the smooth marble.
Vi felt small under its shadow, her stomach twisting again. This wasn’t her world. But it was hers now, wasn’t it? Like it or not.
Vander adjusted his grip on Powder’s legs and strode toward the entrance, Vi at his side. A moment later, they stepped through the grand doors, and Vi nearly jumped as a goblin’s sharp gaze flickered toward them.
The inside of the bank was just as overwhelming—gleaming chandeliers, polished floors, and more goblins than Vi had ever seen in one place, a feat that, admittedly, was achieved when she met eyes with the first, all hunched over ledgers and parchment. The air smelled of ink and metal, tinged with something else—something old, like secrets buried deep underground.
Vander approached the nearest available goblin, placing a steady hand on Vi’s shoulder. “Uh, ‘scuse me, sir,” he started, clearing his throat. “We need to exchange some Muggle money.”
The goblin peered down at them through thin, silver-rimmed spectacles, his sharp features unreadable. “Identification?”
Vander blinked. “Uh. Identification?”
The goblin sighed as if explaining something painfully obvious. “You are a Muggle, correct? You wish to access wizarding currency?”
“Yeah, that’s right,” Vander confirmed, crossing his arms.
The goblin exhaled through his nose and pulled out a form, sliding it across the counter. “Sign here. We will verify your status as the parent or guardian of a wizarding student. Funds may be exchanged, but access to vaults is strictly regulated.”
Vi, still feeling out of place, pressed closer to Vander as he scanned the form, then scrawled his name at the bottom.
The goblin examined it, then snapped his fingers. A second goblin appeared, carrying a small, heavy pouch, which he unceremoniously dropped onto the counter. The clinking of gold, silver, and bronze filled the air.
“Ten Galleons per Muggle-born student,” the goblin informed them. “Additional funds must be obtained through private accounts.”
Vander raised an eyebrow at the unfamiliar coins but nodded. “Appreciate it.” He grabbed the pouch and turned to Vi with a smirk. “Look at that, kid. You’re officially a wizard, with official wizard money.”
Vi forced a grin. “Yeah. Guess so.”
Powder wiggled, and Vander set her down so she could peek inside the pouch. “Ooh, shiny,” she said, picking up a Galleon and holding it to the light like she was already planning how to spend it.
Vi glanced back at the goblins, still feeling their piercing stares. She wasn’t sure if they saw her as someone important, someone worth their time, or just another Muggle-born who didn’t belong.
Shoving that thought aside, she turned to Vander. “What’s next?”
Vander slung an arm around her shoulders, steering them toward the doors. “Books, I think. And a wand.” He grinned. “That’s gotta be the best part, right?”