A Bitter Silence (Version two of 'Silence is Music?')

2

The letter arrived on the 20th July, a bit late, I realised, but I just brushed it off. I opened the letter slowly, savouring the moment. It said:

Dear Miss. Chord,

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 Chord,

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 September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

The second page with requirements says:

HOGWARTS SCHOOL

of WHICHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

UNIFORM

First-year students will require:

1.Three sets of plain work robes (black)

2.One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear

3.One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)

4.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 and owl OR a cat OR a toad.

PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS

I rolled my eyes, I didn't have parents, even though I love the Weasley family, I still didn't quite fit in as one of them, I joked with the twins, teased Ron, and stuck through as the girls with Ginny and Molly. Even after all that, them learning sign language for me, welcoming me into their already crammed home, I still felt weird with Molly and Arthur being my Mum and Dad. Maybe it 's because no one realises I'm their sister, they think I'm a friend of Ginny's, because of my long, wild and black hair, or our skin, which is as different as night and day. It could be the fact that they are all so loud when I can only clap my hands or play an instrument or stamp up and down to even make a sound.