Welcome to Hogwarts (Philosopher's Stone)
In Devon, a couple of miles from Dorset, lies a small village, and in that village is the home of the Scamander’s, a family of three, a Father with his son and daughter, and yes they are related to the Magizoologist Newt Scamander, writer of the famous book ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’.
The small family live a simple life hidden within the Muggle village, even though their house is just on the outskirts it is a perfect location for their work, the care of Magical Creatures. Their back-garden is surrounded by thick woodland and beyond that is the coast to a small beach for them to use, and to keep nosy Muggles away Protective Charms are to make them hurry off somewhere else.
Today is any normal day for Terra Scamander, 11-year-old girl with light brown wavy hair tied in a ponytail, hazel eyes, at an average height for any girl her age. She wonders through the woods, enjoying and taking her time, tracing her hand on the barks of the trees, till she stops at one that has a small hole, big enough to put her hand in.
“Lulu?” she says.
Inside the hole, is a small Bowtruckle, no more than 3 inches tall, making a happy squeal while rushing out of the tree, jumping into Terra’s waiting hands.
“Good morning Lu,” Terra greeted with a smile, looking down at the tree spirit. “Still need to get used to being out here Lu, I should be getting my Hogwarts Letter soon.”
The Bowtruckle looked down sadly, Terra felt guilty at the thought of leaving Lulu behind.
“Come on, Grandfather is popping by today.”
That seemed to cheer up Lulu, Terra places her in her front pocket and makes her way back.
Entering the gate to the small back garden, full of vegetable patches that are placed near the cottage, a small Shed on one corner and a Greenhouse at the other corner, a little pond filled with small fish and on the side common frogs croaked happily on the Lilypad’s, she noticed the Kitchen window is wide open so the Post Owls can pop in and out, not far from the window stand a wood pole with arms for any passing bird to rest, have a drink or a little nibble with dishes fill with water and treats.
Opening the back door that leads into the Kitchen, after taking off her shoes and putting on her slippers, she enters the room, where her Father, Oliver Scamander, her Brother Rolf sat at the breakfast table, Rolf eating a bowl of porridge while Oliver is reading the paper, whereas in the back ground the radio is playing tunes, and the pots are cleaning up themselves in the sink.
“Morning Terra,” her father greeted her.
“Good morning dad, morning Rolf,” she greets back as she makes her way to the table taking her seat as a bowl of steaming porridge floats in front of her on the table.
“Morning Sis, morning Lu,” Rolf replied, Lulu popped her head out of Terra’s pocket.
“Terra you know Lulu is to be in her tree,” Oliver says, folding the paper and placing it on the table.
“I just wanted to make sure she was settling in okay,” Terra innocently replied.
“Just make sure to put her back soon,” her father replied as he goes to the kitchen hob to get the kettle. “You cannot take her to Hogwarts, or she will end up like Pickett.”
“There’s nothing wrong with that,” Rolf stated. “He saved Grandfather out of tight situations.”
At that moment, the fireplace blazed green fire and a silver haired old man, wearing small glasses, a long blue coat, faded yellow waistcoat with a white button shirt, carrying a suitcase exits the fireplace dusting the ash off his coat.
“My ears are burning,” he said softly.
“Grandfather!”
Terra runs to the old man, hugging him, he bends down slightly to hug his Granddaughter back with his free arm.
“Hello Little Bow,” Newt says, Lulu pokes her head out of Terra's front pocket. “And hello to you too Lulu.”
Newt then hugged his Grandson and Son, before taking a seat by the table, the four Scamanders started talking, before long a barn owl flew in from the open window with two letters tied together in its beck, Rolf pays the owl one Knut then giving it an owl treat before it flew away.
“Here’s one for you Ter,” Rolf says handing out one the letters to his little sister.
She shyly takes the letter, reading the address in green writing.
Miss T Scamander
Kitchen
Scamander Cottage
Devon
She opens the letter breaking the wax seal with the ‘H’ insignia, she takes two pages out and begins to read out loud.
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore (Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Miss Scamander,
We are pleased to Inform you thatyou have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on September 1st. We await your owl by no later than July 31st.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress.
“I'm going to Hogwarts!”
Oliver jumped from his seat lifting her up in his arms giving her a hug, Rolf cheered while Newt smiled proudly.
“I knew you’d get in,” Rolf exclaimed, as Terra is put down from the hug. “Surprised you didn’t get a letter from Ilvermorny too, I didn’t get one.”
“Well, the best school is Hogwarts,” Newt replied with a smile.
“Good thing mum isn’t here or there will be another debate,” Oliver says while looking at Terra’s school list. “Anyway, best to get what we need sooner then later, grab your cloaks kids where going to Diagon Alley.”
Following arriving in the Leaky Cauldron by Floo Powder the four Scamanders made their way into the back and pass the brick wall, entering Diagon Alley, Terra remembered coming for the first time when she was younger and no matter how many times she walks down the alley she still gets fascinated by it.
They did not need to go to Gringotts Bank seeing how Oliver went the other week, so they begin to shop for Rolf’s items for Fifth year and for Terra’s items. After getting her 1 pewter standard size 2 cauldron, 1 set crystal phials, 1 telescope, 1 set brass scales and the books, however Terra already has her Grandfather’s book saving a couple of Galleons, and as an early birthday present, Oliver purchases her a young Barn Owl, she names him Archimedes.
“Ok that seems to be everything but a wand,” Terra mentioned.
“Let’s head to Ollivander’s,” Newt says leading the family.
Passing by the crowd, Newt holding his Granddaughter’s hand, and the other boys follow, Newt opened the door allowing Terra to enter first. Inside was dimly lit, dusty and countless wands kept in cases all around the shop.
“Ah, Miss Scamander,” a voice broke the silence, she sees the man walking out from the back of the shop. “I wondered when you'll be coming.”
“Good day Mr Ollivander,” Newt greeted, the rest of the Scamanders entered.
“A good day Mr Scamanders,” Ollivander replied. “A happy moment for your youngest to getting her wand, now let’s see now, which is your wand hand my dear?”
“Well, I’m ambidextrous sir,” Terra answered quietly.
“Ah not common but very good,” he mutters as he walks behind his desk and starts to select a wand.
He pulls one case, removing the lid, turning back to Terra.
“Let’s try this one first,” he says, handing her a black wand with a burgundy grip.
Nothing happened, Ollivander takes the wand out of her hand, put the wand on his desk and searches for another.
“Perhaps this one,” he says giving her a light chocolate coloured wand.
Nothing happened again.
“Hmm…. interesting,” Ollivander says, getting another wand.
10 wands later......another 15 wands later…. nothing.
“My, my, this is interesting but fear not there is a wand right for you.”
The Scamanders watch the wand-maker walk to one side of the shop, but stops mid-step, turning back to where he was before and climbs the ladder to the very top of the shelves. And pulls out a wand case completely covered in dust, telling how long it has been in the shop, Ollivander climbs down and after wiping the heavy dust off he mutters so quietly that Terra barely heard him say.
“I wonder?”
Terra looked at her Brother, he shrugged his shoulders haven’t the foggiest what is going on, but her Father and Grandfather smiled. Terra turns back to the wand-maker that is now in front of her, making her jump slightly, questioning how he got there so quietly and fast.
She looks at the wand, and it was the most beautiful craftsmanship she has ever seen.
(Type in 0d8d2e34ab61ba89be50074f33139c8f for Terra’s wand and it should be the top image on the left, the Image belongs to the original owner)
He offers the wand to her, the moment the grip was in her hand, sparks shot out of the tip, the boy Scamanders cheered.
“Of course,” Ollivander chuckled. “I should have noticed it sooner.”
“Notice what sir?” Terra questioned.
“I remember every wand I ever sold,” he answered. “This wand has traits of the other wands in the Scamander family.”
“How so?” Rolf asked.
“You see, the wood of this wand is the same as Mr Newt Scamander, it is best for defence spells just like yours and your Father’s, and the wand core is a Phoenix feather, the same core as your Mother's wand.”
Terra looked back at the wand, realised the warmth in her hand when she first held it, it gave her comfort as if she were holding hands with her Mother again.
“Well,” Ollivander says, Terra snaps out from her thoughts. “Here is your wand Miss Scamander,” he gently grabbed the wand and puts it back in the case now dust free and handing it to her. “That will be 7 Galleons.”
After Oliver paid, the family bid Ollivander goodbye, Terra is the last to leave before turning back to the Wand-maker.
“Thank you Mr Ollivander,” Terra says.
Once outside back in the even more busy streets, she follows the boys, walking down the street heading back to the pub, more focused on getting through the crowd, she bumped into a boy her age.
“Oh, so sorry,” Terra apologises quickly, carrying on walking, failing to notice that the person she bumped into had a lightning shape scar on his forehead.
Before she knew it, September 1st has arrived, Oliver, Rolf and Terra have made it at King's Cross Station, they make their way to Platform 9 ¾. They left the cottage early after taking care of the Creatures, Terra saying goodbye to the ones under her care, it broke her heart leaving them, but she knows her Father and Grandparents will look after them.
Rolf pushes his trolley that carries his trunk, school bag and wicker basket within is a tabby cat, as did Terra with a little help from Oliver, when the coast was clear they ran straight at the wall between Platform 9 and 10, and the pleasing sight of the Hogwarts Express came into view.
“Now you two got everything?” Oliver asked.
“Yep,” both Scamander Children replied, both taking they belongings in the luggage cart.
“And if you two need anything just Owl me ok?” Oliver says.
“Ok,” they repeated, they turn back to their Father.
“And you look out for your Sister Rolf,” Oliver ordered. “Despite what House she gets in.”
“Don’t worry dad,” Rolf replied. “Besides, she’ll be in Hufflepuff with me.”
“It’s going to be very quiet without my two little troublemakers,” Oliver chuckled with a smile.
“Not while the Nifflers are there dad,” Rolf joked, making all three of them laugh, knowing just how much one little creature can cause so much damage.
“And Terra don’t worry about the creatures,” Oliver says to his Daughter, seeing her face grow sad after the joke. “I'll keep you posted on them at every letter I write, okay?”
“Ok,” she replied quietly.
He hugs his little girl tightly.
“Your Mother would be proud of you little bow,” he whispered in her ear, she tightens her grip.
“I'll see you at Christmas,” he continues breaking the hug. “And enjoy Hogwarts, make friends and make memories.”
The train whistle goes off, signalling it will be setting off soon, Oliver hugs his Son then his Daughter again, the two head inside the train, waving goodbye at their Father as the train starts rolling out of the station.
“Come on Terra,” Rolf says. “Lets find a spot to sit.”
Around five minutes later they found one completely empty.
“Alright hop in Ter,” Rolf says gently pushing her in.
“What?!” she turns back to her Brother. “Your not sitting with me?”
“I've thought it would be great for you to meet other first years without your big Brother making it awkward,” Rolf replied, with a cheeky smile.
“No,” Terra quickly replied. “I can do that in classes not now.”
“Well you and I both know you will keep to yourself, and remember what Dad told about making friends.”
“I can do that in my own-”
“Great, then I’ll see you at Hogwarts Ter,” he cuts her of mid-sentence and walks down the cart.
“Time,” Terra finished her sentence. “Thank you dearest Brother,” she muttered as she sat near the window.
She looks out, watching the how the bricks buildings of London become less and less and slowly getting closer to the English countryside. Her train of thought was broken when a voice calls out.
“Excuse me,” Terra turns her head to the owner of the voice, it is a boy with messy black hair, wearing round glasses with a bit of tape on the bridge, his eyes are the greenest green she has ever seen. “Is it okay I sit in here? It’s getting full everywhere else.”
“Uh..Y-yeah that’s fine,” Terra stuttered, she really hated when she did that, especially when it came to meeting new people.
The boy sat on the opposite seat near the window too, his clothes where very baggy far too big for his skinny frame, not to make him or herself uncomfortable Terra went back to looking out the window.
“I'm Harry,” he says. “Harry Potter.”
“Terra,” she politely replied. “Terra Scamander.”
“Do you come from a wizard family?” Harry asked her.
It took a moment for her to answer.
“Y-Yes,” Terra replied. “You?”
“My parents where a witch and wizard but I live with Muggle relatives,” Harry answered.
“Oh, I d-don’t know much of the Muggle world,” Terra pointed out, hoping to stop the awkward questions, wishing she brought a book to read, or some paper to draw instead of talking.
“Excuse me,” another voice calls out, Terra and Harry turn to the door seeing a boy with flaming red hair. “Do you two mind everywhere else is full.”
“Not at all,” Harry answered, Terra stayed silent but gave a small nod, then turn back to looking out the window.
The redhead sits next to Harry.
“Hey Ron,” came another voice, Terra looked back at the door and stood there are twin boys with the same flaming hair as the boy now known as Ron. “Listen we’re going down the middle of the train, Lee Jordan got a giant tarantula down there.”
“Right,” mumbled Ron, Terra picked up how he suddenly got uncomfortable at the word Tarantula.
“Harry,” said the other twin. “Did we introduce ourselves, Fred and George Weasley and this is our brother Ron, see ya later then.”
“Bye,” said Harry and Ron.
The twins slide the compartment door shut behind them, leaving, not aware that Terra was there, and she was thankful too, too many new people, Merlin she wished she had her Creatures to keep her company.
“Are you really Harry Potter?” Ron blurted out.
Harry nodded. Terra didn’t pay attention, she didn’t want to make Harry awkward, pretty sure he was getting tired of answering the same question many time, hints to why she didn’t want to make a big fuss, she did know from her Father about ‘the boy who lived’ lost his parents by the hands of ‘He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named’ when he was no more then a baby, and her Mother always told her to be polite and never to ask too many questions when meeting someone for the first time.
“Anything off the trolley, dears” a kind old woman’s voice broke her thoughts.
Harry immediately got to his feet and got some of everything and dumping it in between Ron and where he was sitting, Terra slowly got up, and got herself a bottle of Pumpkin Juice, one Chocolate Frog and her favourite a small bag of Butterbeer Fudge. The boys started chatting to themselves as Terra stayed quiet sometimes listening in on them, Ron explains to Harry all the types of sweets, the cards you get at every Chocolate Frog, being careful about Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans, then Ron mentioned his rat Scabbers and about to show Harry a spell to turn the rat yellow, when another voice came from the door.
“Has anyone seen a toad?” Terra turned her gaze back to the compartment door again, seeing a girl with bushy brown hair in new Hogwarts robes. “A boy named Neville lost one.”
“No,” Ron says quite rudely, while Harry and Terra shake their heads.
“Oh, are you doing magic?” the girl asked. “Let’s see it, then.”
She sits down next to Terra.
Ron cleared his throat.
“Sunshine, daisies, butter mellow, turn this stupid fat rat yellow.”
He waved his wand, but nothing happens.
“Are you sure that’s a real spell?” said the girl. “Well, it’s not very good, is it? Of course, I've only a few simple ones myself but they all worked for me.”
The girl draws out her wand from her robe.
“For example,” she says, then pointing her wand at Harry’s face. “Oculus Reparo.”
The tape that was holding Harry’s glasses vanished, fixing his glasses.
“Good job,” Terra commented, the girl turns to her with a smile.
“Thank you, I'm Hermione Granger.”
“Terra Scamander,” she replied.
“Scamander?!” Hermione repeated, her eyes widened. “Are you related to Newt Scamander?”
“Yes, he’s my Grandfather,” Terra answered with a small smile.
“I've just finished reading ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’ I never knew there where so many Magical Creatures.”
“Isn’t he a bit weird?” Ron says, while still eating.
“Weird?! He helped Dumbledore defeating Grindelwald,” Hermione snapped back, Terra felt her cheeks go pink.
“Sorry, what does your Grandfather do?” Harry asked Terra.
“He is a Magizoologist,” Terra replied, pleased she didn’t stutter. “He studies Magical Creatures and looks after them, hints to the Book he wrote.”
“Holy Cricket,” Hermione gasped, noticing who Terra is talking to. “You’re Harry Potter, and… you are?” looking at Ron.
“Ron Weasley.”
“Pleasure, you three better change into your robes, I expect we’ll be arriving soon.”
She stands up and heads to the door, but turns back to Ron and says.
“You’ve got dirt on your nose by the way, did you know? Just there.”
She points out where on her nose, Ron copies rubbing his fingers on the smutch, Hermione turns and leaves.
“Whatever House she’s in I'm not going in, I’d would rather be in Hufflepuff,” Ron snarked.
“What’s wrong with Hufflepuff,” getting Terra’s attention as she was ready to leave to go get changed.
Harry noticed that was the loudest Terra has been the whole train ride, he can tell that remark upset her.
“Well,” Ron began taken back the quiet girl’s sudden change. “they are…. Wimps.”
“My Grandfather and Dad where Hufflepuffs and my Brother is in Hufflepuff, and you think of the stereotypes of the other houses too?”
“Maybe,” Ron quickly replied.
Terra did not say another word and just walked out, not before over hearing Ron say.
“What did I say?”
Terra kept on walking, hoping to find her Brother, seeking company that she is used too, she hears croaking, she stops and looks down, seeing a toad.
“Oh,” she kneels down, picking up the toad gently, then standing up. “You must be Neville’s, well we better,” she was about to go find the boy, but after hearing what Ron says still upset her and right now she wants quiet. “Actually, why don’t we wait, we’ll be at Hogwarts soon.
About 40 minutes later, the Hogwarts Express arrived at Hogsmead Station, Terra is now wearing the Hogwarts robes, grey sweater, with a black tie that each have the Hogwarts Crest, of the four houses mascots, a lion, an eagle, a snake, and a badger, along with black trousers, the conductor tells the kids to leave the luggage on board as it is taken to the castle later. Luckily, Terra popped in the cart that was holding Archimedes and Rolf’s cat to see how they are holding up, giving them a couple of treats to hold them till they reached the school.
While still holding onto the toad she exits the train, looking around for her Brother, hoping to walk with him to the school, when a deep voice called out.
“Firs’-years! Firs’-years over here!”
She followed where the voice was coming from, and it was not hard to miss, a man no more then 8 feet tall or more, towered over her and the other first years, if she didn’t feel small then she sure did now.
“Trevor?!” a squeaky voice, came from Terra’s right, she turns to see a boy. “You found him.”
“Yeah,” Terra replied, handing the toad to the boy. “Your Neville then?”
“Yeah,” he replied. “Your Terra Scamander right?”
Before Terra could answer, the tall man was calling out again, she quickly walked away blending into the group of her first years.
“C’mon, follow me – any more firs’-years? Mind ya step, now! Firs’ years follow me!”
Before long they reached the boats, Terra sat with Neville and Hermione another first-year boy and the boat glide on the lake, and there it was in all it’s glory, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the castle was beyond words, now Terra understood when her Grandfather and Dad could not describe the beauty of the school, she could not put it into words herself.
As she looks in awe of the magnificent castle, soon she will walking to classes, running down the corridors, studying in the same place like her Grandfather, Great Uncle, Father and Mother did, before she knew it she and the rest of the first years came up to an elderly woman, wearing emerald green robes and a black pointed hat, Terra recognises her as Professor McGonagall.
“Welcome to Hogwarts,” she greeted them. “The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. It is important ceremony because while you are here your house will be like your family.”
Terra was not too sure on the ‘house be like a family’ she does not know if she’ll be in Hufflepuff, she could be in her Mother’s House, and she is not with her Creatures, maybe she can convince her Father to bring Lulu with her when she goes home for the Christmas break.
“The Sorting Ceremony will begin momentarily,” McGonagall says before leaving them.
“it’s true then,” a voice broke out in front of Terra. “What they’re saying on the train, Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts.”
Taking a better look at the boy that made that statement, his platinum blonde hair stood out, she knows just who this boy is, and just knows that trouble that is going to happen.
“This is Crabbe and Goyle,” the boy introduced his group. “And I'm Malfoy,” he steps in front of Harry. “Draco Malfoy.”
Ron snickered. Draco noticed.
“Think my name’s funny, do you? I've no need to ask yours. Red hair and a hand-me-down robe? You must be a Weasley.”
Terra heard what that Malfoy family is like, thinking of being the purest wizardry family, thinking there are all high and mighty, making a mockery over every family that sides with muggles in anyway.
“You’ll soon find out some wizarding families are better than others,” Draco says. “You don’t want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there.”
He offers his hand to Harry.
“I think I can tell the wrong sort for myself thanks,” Harry replied.
McGonagall came back with a rolled-up parchment, Malfoy walks back to Crabbe and Goyle after tapping the boy on the shoulder with it.
“We’re ready for you now, follow me.”
Two by two, they follow the Deputy Headmistress into the Great Hall, four long tables filled with students, at the end of the Hall with the stained-glass windows, was the table with the Teachers and in the centre sat Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts. As they get closer to the staff table, on the stage is a tall wooden stool, and on the seat is a battered old, pointed hat.
“Will you wait along here please,” McGonagall instructed.
Terra and the group form near the stage, she kept to herself near the back.
“Now,” McGonagall states. “Before we begin, Professor Dumbledore would like to say a few words.
Albus stands up from his seat.
“I have a few starts of term notices I wish to announce,” Dumbledore began. “The first years, please note that the Dark Forest is strictly forbidden to all students. Also, our caretaker, Mr. Filch, has asked me to remind you, that the Third-Floor corridor is out of bounds, to everyone who does not wish to die a most painful death. Thank you.”
Dumbledore sits down.
“When I call your name you will come fourth,” McGonagall says picking up the hat from the stool. “I shall place the Sorting Hat on your head, and you will be sorted into your houses.
And so, the names were called.
Hannah Abbott became the first Hufflepuff, followed by Susan Bones, Terry Boot became the first Ravenclaw, and so on as the group got smaller and smaller. After Hermione and Harry get sorted into Gryffindor it was getting close to her surname.
“Scamander, Terra,” McGonagall called out.
Terra gulped nervously as she walks to the wooden stool, once she sat down, the Deputy Headmistress places the hat on her head, covering her eyes, so her sight was in darkest instead of seeing many eyes staring at her.
“Ah, Scamander” a voice said in her head, the hat was talking in her mind. “You have quite the mind for knowledge, especially with Magical Creatures, just like your Grandfather, perhaps even more, but your ambition is just to prove yourself, and your heart is full of care and kindness, but it is still heavy with grief, your time at Hogwarts will help you grow and achieve your dreams, you belong in…”
“HUFFLEPUFF!” the hat called out.
The Hufflepuff table cheered, the hat is taken off, she makes her way to the table, spotting her Brother standing up cheering the loudest, Terra sits with the other first years, then notices how her emblems and tie changed into the Hufflepuff house crest, and in the house colours black and yellow.