Legacy: Wands of the future

Always Expect the Unexpected

HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmistress: Minerva McGonnagal
(Order of Merlin, First Class)

Dear Mr Grimm,
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 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.

Yours sincerely,

Filius Flitwick
Deputy Headmaster

Adam stared at the ornate signature for a very long moment, the red wax of the broken seal becoming soft in his other hand. At first he didn't understand what these lines actually meant, so he read them again, just to make sure. The letter his father just handed him as they were having breakfast was written on heavy parchment, looking old and a little yellowed in comparison to normal paper. For sure, Adam had never received a letter like this, but it was definitely meant for him, the envelope reading:

Mr. Adam Grimm
Second bedroom on the first floor
17 Meadowbrook Road
Havenbridge
Warwickshire

"This...is this a joke?", Adam asked, looking back up to his parents, who were just as surprised and confused. Just a minute ago his mother Olivia had been flipping pancakes in the kitchen, being cast in a warm glow by the morning sun, humming to herself. Her azure eyes sparkled with the usual kindness, and her chestnut hair framed a face that bore the soft lines of laughter - even now as she looked back to Adam, her head tilted slightly. Right next to her was Adams father, William, his salt and pepper hair forming quite the contrast to Olivias, his piercing green eyes hiding behind a pair of squared glasses perched on his nose. He had been shuffling through the morning paper just before a silent creak of their mail slot announced the arrival of their mail... which included the strange letter Adam was holding in his hands now. He himself got the hair and eyes from his mother, but looked very much like his father otherwise.

"I am afraid it is not...", William replied, sitting down again at the table in their family kitchen, already knowing what the letter was saying, even without reading it: "I could see the owl disappear behind some trees - I just had to look after seeing that envelope. It's quite a long time ago I got a letter delivered this way, and to be honest I thought it would never happen again... even though, to be fair, it's your letter."
Olivia walked over with the last few pancakes, putting them down on the sturdy table, before turning to her husband: "But I thought you told us that they were sending a teacher to non-magical parents... to explain everything in person, and to help get us to...what was the name..? Crooked Alley?"
"Diagon Alley, yes.", William nodded, thinking for a long moment before adding: "Seems like they didn't deem us not non-magical enough to tell us in person. I guess the name Grimm still holds its very own magic." He chuckled a little at that.

To Adams right, his older brother Jacob yawned, ruffled dark hair sticking up in all directions. Despite being only three years older, his green eyes held a flicker of skepticism that hinted at a more serious nature. "Seriously, Addie? Hogwarts?", he scoffed teasingly, leaning over to read the letter for himself. "I never got one, why you?"
"How should I know?", Adam replied, putting the letter back into the envelope to read the second page - a long list of things he would need: "Maybe...they made a mistake?"
"Unlikely", their father tuned in: "The enchantments to determine new students never made a mistake in over a thousand years. It is just so...unexpected. Never did I expect one of my children...but...why not?"
Jacob turned to his father, after reading the letter over Adams shoulder: "Yeah, but did you see all the stuff he needs to go there? It's a whole list - and not just some books! You won't be able to find any of that at the mall..."
Olivia nodded: "I guess Jacob is right. Do you still remember how to get to this Diagon Alley?"
"I sure do - I spent most of my childhood there." William fell silent again, rubbing his temples: "The thing is... I won't be able to bring you there. It's complicated stuff, but I think...well... the best thing to do...", it was obvious that the next words only came over his lips with great difficulty: "I think we should go visit my parents..."