A Whole Different World

Chapter 3 - The News

Mackenzie had arrived home to find her mum smiling at her from behind a book. This confused Mackenzie, her Mum called her out of school so she could show her a book she was reading? Her mum set the book down and continued smiling. That's when her mum made an announcement that would change her daughter's life, she's a witch. Mackenzie didn't believe her at first, but after some explanation she came around to the idea. Both of Mackenzie's parents are magical too. They had never told Mackenzie this though. Her mum went to an all-girls magic school in her home-country France called Beauxbatons, and my dad went to a school in the UK called Hogwarts - the school Mackenzie was accepted into. Hogwarts didn't usually take international students, but seeing as Mackenzie was a child of an alumnus they made an exception. It was huge news, Mackenzie could do magic and her parents never told her until it was time to start her magical education. Her mother showed her the acceptance letter from Hogwarts, and also the list of things she would need for school. It sounded fun, as well as interesting, yet so unrealistic. The best thing that Mackenzie thought she could do was just see what happens as she goes along.

*****

Laura caught the bus home after school, she had planned to re-do her maths homework when she got home, but that didn't go to plan. When she arrived home she saw her mum standing in the kitchen smiling a smile so wide it appeared as though she was taking a picture with the queen. She held out a letter in front of her, a red wax seal was keeping the envelope closed. Laura immediately broke into a grin even wider than her mothers, if that was even possible and took the letter from her mother's hand. Laura knew what it was as soon as she had seen it; she was told it would be coming soon. Her Hogwarts letter had finally come. Her mum saw the excitement on her face and embraced her daughter in a tight hug. Laura had known her whole life that she was special, her parents too. They weren't too open with her about their lives in the magical world but they had told her lots about Hogwarts, something Laura was always so keen in. She was happy; she was finally able to start her life in the magical world.

*****

Aneesha could say that it had been the strangest day of her life. After she got home from school there was a strange lady talking to her parents. Aneesha wasn't up for a chat with an old lady so she tried to walk down the corridor without being noticed. But, of course, Aneesha's mother just had to tell Aneesha off for being rude, so Aneesha had to say hello to the lady who said her name was Minerva McGonagall. She gave Aneesha's parents a letter and explained to them something, that their daughter is a witch. This didn't feel right to Aneesha; she thought that she was just a regular nobody, that there was no way that there was anything special about her. But it's true! So now she's a witch, and she'll use a wand to do magic, she will go to a magic school. As Professor McGonagall, whom Aneesha found out would be teaching her something called transfiguration, explained how Aneesha would be getting to the school, Aneesha couldn't help but think how brilliantly strange her life would be. Professor McGonagall explained to Aneesha and her parents that there were four different houses at the wizarding school, Hogwarts, and that the first years get sorted into one of the four houses. As Aneesha heard them she felt herself being pulled towards a particular one, Gryffindor. She loved the ideals and values described with the house, and it would be great to have Professor McGonagall as her Head of House.

*****

After school a very small man came to Taylor's house. He said his name was Filius Flitwick, he had a very squeaky voice, and from the moment Taylor and her mother met him they knew something strange was happening. And then they found out, Taylor is a witch. And she'll be going to a school for people like her, magic people. After Taylor's mother told Filius Flitwick about Taylor's interest in sport, he informed Taylor about a sport that is played in the magic world, it's called quidditch. They play quidditch at the school Taylor will be going to, Hogwarts. She will be allowed to play for her house team in her second year if she is good enough and puts enough effort into it. This is so amazing! Taylor is really looking forward to being a witch now that she has something to look forward to. Taylor did think about leaving her sister, and that made her sad, her sister was so close to her and leaving her meant leaving someone really important to her behind. Maybe there are pros and cons to being a witch.

*****

After school Anna went over to Ella's house. When they walked through the front door they both stopped to observe the scene in front of them. Anna's mum and dad, and Ella's mum, were sitting around the coffee table talking with a man with a long nose and long black hair that looked very greasy.

"These must be the children," said the man slowly with his serious voice staring up at the two girls, an uneasy feeling set in the girls stomachs,

"Yes, the one on the left is Ella, and the other is my daughter, Anna." said Anna's mum gesturing her hand at both of the girls, respectively, as she talked.

"Take a seat girls," Ella's mum said, a look of concern written on her face,

"What's going on?" both Anna and Ella asked at the same time,

The man introduced himself as Severus Snape and told the two young girls that they were magic, they were witches, and that they were invited to attend a school of magic. The man kept his visit brief and swooped out the door as soon as he had finished telling the girls and their parents what they were to know, although he didn't go into too much detail. Both of the girls were very excited about this idea but were also in disbelief. How could this be? This will be an amazing opportunity for the girls to stretch their knowledge and get out of their comfort zone.