School Preparations
The summer of 1970 felt like a whirlwind for Petunia. The excitement of Lily and Severus’ acceptance to Hogwarts was palpable, and with it came the overwhelming responsibility of making sure they were both properly equipped for their magical journeys. Petunia couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of pride for both of them, though in very different ways. Lily’s natural social skills and now her pureblood status would make her a popular student at Hogwarts, though Petunia was quick to remind herself that Lily’s humble beginnings as a Muggle-born hadn’t completely disappeared from the magical world’s memory. But Lily was nothing if not resilient, and Petunia knew she’d handle whatever came her way with grace.
Severus, on the other hand, was the more complex case. Petunia’s influence had already started to change him, particularly with his softened demeanor and newfound confidence in his appearance. Petunia had worked hard to encourage Severus to change not just his style but also his mindset. His father’s neglect had always cast a shadow over him, but with Petunia’s intervention, Eileen had stepped up to take charge of the Snape household, making sure Severus was supported in ways he hadn’t been before. The result? Severus wasn’t just going to Hogwarts with new robes and supplies—he was going with something far more valuable: his name, his pride, and a renewed sense of self-worth.
Petunia felt a quiet satisfaction in how Severus had been able to establish ties with the Prince family, reclaiming some of the legacy and respect his bloodline deserved. The Prince family wasn’t as dark in the wizarding world as some of the older houses, but with his connection to them, Severus would have the backing he needed to navigate Slytherin house more easily. This was a far cry from the lonely, ridiculed Severus of the books. And Petunia had to admit—her friend's changing appearance didn’t hurt either.
Severus’s transformation was subtle but noticeable. His greasy hair, once an emblem of his troubled youth, was now styled with care. Petunia had convinced him to try a wolf cut, a modern and slightly messy style that suited his natural wavy hair. It wasn’t much of a change, but the difference it made to his appearance was striking. With the right products, Petunia had helped him create a more polished look, one that softened his features and showed off his potential. She had even noticed how, when he caught her staring at him in his new look, his face would flush a little—a blush that only made him look more endearing. Petunia had quickly learned to push aside any strange feelings that arose from noticing how cute he was becoming. She didn’t want to complicate things, especially with everything going on in their lives.
But despite Petunia’s best efforts to keep things platonic, she couldn’t deny that Severus seemed more protective and caring toward her. He would always hover a little closer when she was around, and there were times when she would catch him looking at her with a softness in his eyes that felt more than friendly. It made her nervous, but she kept her distance from those thoughts, reminding herself that their bond was based on friendship—nothing more.
Finally, after weeks of preparation, it was time to accompany Lily and Severus to Diagon Alley to get their wands. All three of them were about to step into a new world of magic in their own ways.
They made their way to Ollivanders, the familiar dusty shop filled with the scent of old wood and magic. The wandmaker, Garrick Ollivander, was as eccentric and mysterious as ever. He greeted each of them with a knowing glance before pulling out their respective wands.
Severus’s wand was a magnificent creation. Made of ebony and blackthorn, 12 inches long, with a combination of powerful cores—phoenix tail feather, hippogriff feather, and rumored to contain the heartstrings of a Romanian ridgeback and a kelpie—it was considered one of the most powerful wands. The wand was a perfect reflection of Severus’s latent power and potential, though Petunia couldn’t help but notice how much more assured he seemed as he took it into his hand. It felt as though it belonged to him.
Next, Lily’s wand was revealed. At 10¼ inches, made of willow with an unicorn hair core, it was elegant and well-suited to her gentle nature. Ollivander had described it as “swishy,” which was ideal for charms, the magic Lily excelled at. Petunia could tell that Lily felt the connection immediately, a thrill running through her as she grasped it. Her wand was an extension of her—her kindness, her grace, and now, with her pureblood heritage, a new kind of power.
Finally, it was Petunia’s turn. The wand she had chosen for herself was a rare one, crafted from cherry wood and acacia wood, with a unique combination of Augurey tail feather, Chimera scale fragment, and Phoenix tears as its core. Petunia’s connection to the Shafiq family magic and her new title of Lady Shafiq had drawn her toward this wand, one that felt almost as though it had chosen her. When she took it in her hand, it was as though the weight of her new identity clicked into place. Her fingers tingled as she gripped it tightly, feeling the surge of power flow through her.
The three of them stood together in Ollivander’s shop, each with a wand that symbolized their next step in their magical journey. Petunia looked at Lily and Severus, knowing that whatever lay ahead at Hogwarts and beyond, they were each equipped with something they had never had before: the magic to change their futures.
“Ready?” Petunia asked with a small, reassuring smile.
Lily and Severus nodded, and with that, they stepped out of the shop, the future wide open before them.
For Petunia, her path to Mahoutokoro would come soon enough, but for now, there was a quiet sense of fulfillment. She had done everything she could to make sure her friends—her family—would have the tools they needed to succeed. Whatever the future held, Petunia was ready. Her school acceptance letter was thick with information about the school, examinations, classes, and uniform.
The school is located at the topmost point of Minami Iwo Jima, a volcanic island in the southern topical region of Japan. The school took students from the age of seven, although they did not board until they were eleven. While day students, wizarding children were flown back and forth to their homes every day on the backs of a flock of giant storm petrels.
When students start off at the school they are given a paofu robes as upper garment that grow as they grow and change color as the wearer gains experience, with pink as the beginning color. If the wearer receives top grades all the school subjects, their robes will turn gold.
The qunt skirt lower garment follow the Twelve Level Cap and Rank System. Where when a student gains experience, they move higher up in the system and gains new color. Colors are arranged in ascending order from light black, deep black, light white, deep white, light yellow, deep yellow, light red(orange), deep red, light blue, deep blue, light purple, and finally to deep purple.
Students at this school prized wands made out of cherry wood, and those who owned them were held in a place of high honor.
Examinations: First year exams · Second year exams · Third year exams · Fourth year exams · Ordinary Wizarding Level · Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Test
Core classes: Astronomy · Charms · Defense Against the Dark Arts · Herbology · History of Magic · Potions · Transfiguration
Elective classes: Alchemy · Arithmancy · Care of Magical Creatures · Divination · Muggle Studies · Study of Ancient Runes
Extra-curricular classes: Apparition · Advanced Arithmancy Studies · Ancient Studies · Art · Flying · Nature's Magic · Ancient Magic · *Magic Travel · Magical Theory · Muggle Art · Muggle Music · Music · Xylomancy
*Dimension and Time Travel will be offered for students with all O's on the OWL examens by the Japanese Unspeakable at the ministry.
House System
The house system of Mahoutokoro was designed to provide students with academic resources according to their specific learning needs. Students are not restricted from the common rooms of houses other than their own, and are seated together in the dining hall rather than apart.
Sorting
The process of house sorting is a semi-private affair that allows students time to learn about the possibilities of their placement before sorting occurs. A long, papyrus scroll is displayed open at the head of the main hall. Students may approach any time throughout the course of their first day and place their hand upon the center. The kanji of their sorted house will appear, along with a brief narrative explaining the honor of their house placement.
Each house represents a long history of achievements and noble attributes. Students rarely experience regret for their house placements, as the family they inherit is also a member of the deep prowess found at Mahoutokoro.
The Houses
House Seiran: House Seiran, "Winds of the Mountaintop," is the first student house. Those of House Seiran are characterized by their keen intuition and inner strength. They are known for seeking creative solutions for problems and being fiercely protective of their allies. The House Seiran common room is the Seiran Observatory.
House Yosamu: House Yosamu, "Chill of the Deep Night," is the second student house. Those of House Yosamu are characterized by their patience and adaptability. They are known for mental fortitude in piecing together parts of the whole and completing challenges quickly. The House Yosamu common room is the Yosamu Meadow.
House Toppuu: House Toppuu, "Sudden Squall Upon the Sea," is the third student house. Those of House Toppuu are characterized by their quick wit and perceiving minds. They are known for being inwardly meticulous and precise, but outwardly carefree and blithe. The House Toppuu common room is the Toppuu Porthole.
House Shunrai: House Shunrai, "Distant Spring Thunder," is the fourth and final student house. Those of House Shunrai are characterized by their confidence and curious minds. They are known for testing boundaries and a thirst for knowledge. The House Shunrai common room is the Shunrai Planetarium.
September 1st had arrived, and with it came a whirlwind of emotions for Petunia. After months of preparation, it was time to send Lily and Severus off to Hogwarts, while she herself embarked on a different journey—one that would take her far away from England. Her heart was filled with bittersweet excitement. She had done all she could to make sure Lily and Severus were well-prepared for Hogwarts, and now they were off on their own adventure. Petunia had her own journey to start, one that would take her to Mahoutokoro School of Magic in Japan, an entirely different world from Hogwarts, both in magic and culture.
Petunia, her parents, and Eileen saw Lily and Severus off at King's Cross, where the train to Hogwarts was bustling with students, families, and farewells. She was proud of Lily, whose eyes sparkled with excitement as she boarded the train. She had no doubt that Lily would make the most of her time at Hogwarts and quickly gain the respect and admiration of everyone. Severus, standing slightly apart, seemed more reserved, though there was a quiet determination in his eyes as he too said his goodbyes. Petunia felt a pang of nostalgia for their friendship, but she was also excited for what lay ahead for each of them.
After the emotional farewells, Petunia, along with her parents and Eileen, made their way to the international portkey location. The goblins had been instrumental in organizing everything for Petunia’s transition to life in Japan. They had arranged for an official portkey that would take them to Minami Iwo Jima, the island where Petunia would begin her magical education at Mahoutokoro. It was a remote location, known for its prestigious magical school, and the goblins had even provided a bank representative who would be ready to help Petunia with any purchases she needed.