Chapter 3.2
Indeed, Aunt Sally was right. A few minutes or so later, they would’ve been eating burnt pancakes. Harry ran to the stove as quickly as he could, lifting the pan off the fire, and turning off the gas. “Percy!” Aunt Sally gasped, prying the pan from Harry’s finger to dunk it into the sink. She turned the water, hot steam rising as soon as the cool water came into contact with the hot pan.
“What happened?” Harry asked, turning to his cousin. “I was gone for less than five minutes!”
But Percy wasn’t looking at him. He was pointing at something behind him. Harry quickly turned to the direction that Percy was pointing to, blinking owlishly when he saw what was in front of him.
An owl. A freakishly huge owl, with brown widespread wings that was littered white and black, and an envelope clutched in its talons. With each flap of those wings, it bumped into the windows, muted sounds of its squawking easily heard.
“An owl!” Percy exclaimed. “That must be your letter!”
Eager and excited, Harry rushed to unlock the window, letting the owl fly in. It circled the kitchen once, twice and thrice before squawking for a final time and letting the letter drop. Harry picked the letter from the floor, his hands shaking as he held the envelope.
“Well,” Aunt Sally said with a smile, “Go on. Open the letter.”
Harry cracked the seal –a nice seal that had four different animals on a coat of arms, clearly meant to represent Hogwarts’ four houses– and pulled out several sheets of paper.
“Lemme see!” Percy said eagerly, jumping over the chair that was between them. Despite his dyslexia, Percy squinted at the text, frowning when he failed to read. “Mom, mom, read this out for me!” Harry laughed at his cousin’s excitement. Percy seemed to be even more excited than he himself, which was hard to achieve, considering how hyped Harry had been for his letter.
“Now, Percy,” Aunt Sally said, “This is Harry’s letter, he should get to read it first.”
Percy handed it to Harry who was just as anxious to read through it. The first page was the much expected acceptance letter, saying:
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 Mr Potter,
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, as well as the books which will act as a directory guide to the Wizarding World. These directory guides are not mandatory for purchase, but are recommended for purchase.
Due to your special situation, a member of Hogwarts’ faculty shall be sent tomorrow to bring you to Diagon Alley, where you shall purchase your school materials and other objects you might have a use for.
Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.
Yours sincerely,
Professor McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Harry handed Aunt Sally the letter, and checked over the second page, which he found was even longer than the first.
“Can you check out the second page?” Percy said once Aunt Sally finished relaying to him the contents of the letter. “I wanna know what cool stuff you’re gonna bring!”
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
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, with silver fastenings)
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)
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 2)
1 set glass or crystal phials
1 telescope
1 set brass scales
Students may also bring, if they desire, an owl OR a cat OR a toad.
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICK
OPTIONAL DIRECTORY GUIDES
The Muggle’s Guide to the Magical World
by Merlynn Dale
Basic Guide to Magical Biotics
by Erwin Vaine
A General History of Magic
by Cecile Alders
“Does that mean we’re going to Diagon Alley tomorrow?” Harry asked his Aunt, who had told him countless stories about the place from when his mum brought his aunt there with her.
Aunt Sally smiled indulgently. “Yes, I suppose we are, aren't we?”
Then Percy cut in— “What about the cake? Aren’t we going to have a cake?”
“We’re going to have that too,” Aunt Sally reassured.
Harry grinned. “I wanna make the frosting!”