Hogwarts Mystery- The Beginning of Mystery

Chapter 1: The journey begins

Cyrene glanced at her Hogwarts' letter and school supplies. She looked around at the bustling activity of Diagon Alley. An adventure for her was about begin.

She stood between the endless shop buildings, and noticed another girl her age waiting there. She had dark hair and wore a pair of thick glasses. She seemed to be as excited as her. She walked up to her.

'Hi, I'm Rowan Khanna! Are you getting ready to start at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry too? she said.

'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 for my first year, so I'm something of an expert at Hogwarts.' said Rowan. 'You should start by finding all of the books you need at Flourish and Blotts! Go inside and pick them up!'

Cyrene walked into the large building of Flourish and Blotts, and was amazed at the many piles of books. It was like a giant library. She immediately started to look for her schoolbooks. Soon, she gathered everything she needed.

I found all of the books on my list! I'll see if Rowan can help me find the rest of my supplies... Cyrene thought.

She found her outside of an old shop titled Olivanders where Rowan was waiting for her.

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

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

'My name is Cyrene Lennox.'

'Pleasure to meet you, Cyrene.'

'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?'

Cyrene's letter read:

Hogwarts

Dear Cyrene Lennox,

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. The term begins on September 1st. We await your owl by no later than July 31st.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva Mcgonagall

Deputy Headmistress

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore

'I already got my supplies, but my mum gave me just enough to buy something special for school.' Rowan handed the letter back to Cyrene.

'I want to let everyone at Hogwarts to know that I'm a serious intellectual who is well on her way onto becoming Head Girl. What do you think I should get, Cyrene?' Rowan asked.

'How about a nice scarf?'

'Great idea! Scarves make anyone look scholarly.' said Rowan enthusiastically. 'While I get my clothes, you should get your wand from Ollivanders!'

Cyrene walked into Ollivanders. She had known the place since it was where her family got their wands, but she had never been in the place itself.

Ollivanders had many shelves filled with many boxes containing wands. Behind the counter was an old wizard.

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

Feeling both nervous and excited, Cyrene walked towards the counter where the old wizard stood waiting for her.

'Hello... Garrick Ollivander is my name. Here to receive your first wand, yes?'

Cyrene nodded silently, not knowing what to expect.

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

Doubtfully, Cyrene carefully took the wand and gave it flick. Envelopes from the counter flew around the shop and landed onto the floor. Cyrene stared at the wand before handing it back to Ollivander.

'Sorry about that!' Cyrene apologised.

'It's not your fault. The wand chooses the wizard, and that is clearly not the wand for you.' Ollivander said with a grin. 'I recall your brother exploded my favourite inkpot when we tried his first wand.'

'You knew my brother?' Cyrene was shocked that he remembered she had a brother.

'I remember every wand I've ever sold. His was maple wood, dragon heartstring core, ten inches.' he said. 'A fine wand. Shame they snapped it in half when he was expelled.'

'I understand that he ran away from home after being expelled, and has been missing ever since.' Cyrene remembered that day very well.

'That must have had a profound impact on you.' said Ollivander.

'He loved us, and he loved Hogwarts. I just hope he's okay...' Cyrene was still sad about her brother's disappearance.

'Hmm...' Ollivander looked as if he was in deep thought about something. 'Sensitivity can be a great strength. I think I have just the wand for you...'

'Acacia wand, unicorn hair core, twelve inches, pliable.' Ollivander said almost immediately.

Cyrene gave the new wand a flick. But this time what happened next was different from when she tried the previous wand. She felt a sudden warmth in her fingers. She raised the wand above her head, brought it swishing down through the dusty air and a stream of red and gold sparks shot from the end like a firework, throwing dancing spots of light on to the walls.

'Splendid!' Ollivander smiled at the sight. 'I'll be interested to see what path you choose...'

Cyrene thought about what this could mean.

'Go on, now. I look forward to seeing what becomes of you.'

Cyrene walked out of Ollivanders and went back to Rowan. She saw her waiting in front of Ollivanders, wearing a bright and colorful scarf.

'Hey, Cyrene! How do you like my scarf?'

'It suits you. You'll look like the smartest first-year at Hogwarts.' Cyrene quite liked the scarf too.

'It was your suggestion! I'll be coming to you for all my future fashion advice.' Rowan beamed.

'Wait! Is that an acacia wand?!' Rowan said suddenly.

'Yes...How did you know?'

'My family's tree farm supplies wood for wands and brooms. That's why I like staying inside and reading. It keeps me from going outside and farming.'

'That, and the fact I don't have any friends...' Rowan said sadly.

'We can be friends.' said Cyrene.

'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 Lennox.'

'The same Jacob Lennox 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.' Cyrene sighed.

'We'll be weird together! What should I do if someone gives you trouble over your brother?' Rowan seemed excited about this.

'Please don't do anything. The last thing I want to do is draw more attention to myself.'

'I understand. I'll pretend someone cast Quietus on me.'

'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, Cyrene! See you in September on the Hogwarts Express!'

Happy to have made a new friend, Cyrene watched as Rowan disappeared as she walked out of Diagon Alley.