Harry Potter Hogwarts Mystery: Cursed vaults

Year 1, chapter 1

It's going to be my first year at Hogwarts. I'm so excited! What house will I get sorted in? Firstly I'm going to have to get a wand at Olivianders. As I walk to Olivianders I see a student in front of Olivianders.

'Hi, I'm Rowan Khanna! Are you getting ready to start at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry too? ', says the girl with the black hair to me.

'Yes, but Diagon Alley is a bit confusing. I'm not sure where to start...'

'I can help! I've been reading Hogwarts: A History in anticipation of my first year, so I'm something of an expert on Hogwarts.' 'You should start by finding all of the books you need at Flourish and Blotts!'

'Okay thanks!', she seems nice.

I walk to Flourish and Blotts. The place is huge. There are books everywhere and it looks beautiful. The floor is made of light wood and the bookcases reach from the ground until the high ceiling. How am I going to find the right books in here. I ask the shopkeeper where I have to find them. She refers me to the back of the shop and I see a couple of familiar names for the books. The shopkeeper walks away and I go down my list. The last book which I need is 'History of Magic'. It is stacked up on a huge pile of books. I stand on tiptoe and I grab the book. I have it in my hands and the whole pile falls on the ground. Oh no. Madam Villanelle runs to me and says 'Did you do this?'

'Yes, it wasn't my intention madam.'

'Now buy your books and get out of my story before you destroy anymore books!

This happens only to me. I pay for my things and go outside again. There is Rowan again and I ask her where to go next.

'Thanks for your help, Rowan. I was able to get all of my books. '

'Cool! I realised I'm so excited for Hogwarts that I forgot to ask your name...'

'My name is Elizabeth Thomas.'

'Pleasure to meet you, Elizabeth.'

'You too. I couldn't be more excited to get to Hogwarts.'

'I know! I haven't stopped staring at my acceptance letter since it arrived. Can I see yours? '

'Yeah sure', I show her my acceptance letter.

'I already got my supplies, but my mum gave me just enough to buy something special for school.'

'I want to let everyone at Hogwarts know that I'm a serious intellectual who is well on her way to becoming head girl.'

'What do you think I should get, Elizabeth?'

'How about a nice sweater?'

'Great idea! Sweaters make anyone look scholarly. While I get my clothes, you should get your wand at Olivanders! '

Rowan walks away and I enter Olivanders. It's a whole lot more organized then Flourish and Blotts. Hopefully I won't destroy anything here.

'I can't believe I'm really in Ollivanders. This is where everyone gets their first wand. '

The guy behind the canter is quite in age and has middle length white hair and a sloppy brown suit on. 'Hello... Garrick Ollivander is my name. Here to recieve your first wand, yes?'

'I have just the thing. Applewood wand, dragon heartstring core, nine inches, rigid. Go on. GIve it a twirl! '

I give it a twirl and some pages begin flying around me and I let them fall. 'Sorry about that!' Why am I so clumsy?

'It's not your fault. The wand chooses the wizard, and that is clearly not the wand for you.'

Thank god it's not my fault again. I feel relieved.

'I recall your brother exploded my favorite inkpot when he tried his first wand.'

'You knew my brother?'

'I remember every wand I've ever sold. His was maple wood dragon heartstring core, ten inches. A fine wand. Shame they snapped it in half when he was expelled. I understand that he run away from after being expelled and has been missing ever since. That must have had a profound impact on you... '

'He loved us, and he loved Hogwarts. I just hope he's okay.'

'Hmm... sensitivity can be a great strength. I think I have just the wand for you... Acacia wand, unicorn hair core, twelve inches, pliable.'

I give it a twirl and a warm air builds up behind me and a gold light shines. It gives me a warm feeling inside.

'Splendid! I'll be interested to see what path you choose...'

With a smug feeling I walk back to the street and I see Rowan with her new sweater.

'Hey, Elizabeth! How do you like my sweater?'

It is the ugliest sweater I have ever seen but she seems nice so I say something nice. ''It... suits you. You'll look like the smartest first-year at Hogwarts'.

'It was your suggestion! I'll be coming to you for all of my future fashion advice.Wait is that an acacia wand?!'

'...Yes. How did you know?'

'My family's tree farm supplies wood for wands and brooms.That's why I love staying inside and reading. It keeps me from going outside and farming. That, and the fact that I don't have any friends... '

'We can be friends...''

'You don't think I'm too weird? People usually think I'm too weird.'

'People say the same thing about me. Why would anyone say that about you? My brother is Jacob Thomas.'

'The same Jacob Thomas who was expelled from Hogwarts for breaking school rules in search of the fabled Cursed Vaults. That was a massive story in the Daily Prophet. Everyone at school will know about that. '

'I know. And they'll all think I'm weird. '

'We'll be weird together! What should I do if someone gives you trouble over your brother? '

'I can stand up for myself, but I'd feel better if I knew you were on my side. '

'Understood. I'll use my extensive vocabulary to verbally pummel anyone who attempts to besmirch your reputation. '

'I'm glad we met, Rowan. It will be nice to see a friendly face at school. Especially one who knows Hogwarts so well.'

'Me too, Elizabeth! See you in September on the Hogwarts Express!'

We both go our separate ways and I go home.