The Art of Fitting In

Chapter One: A Strange Letter for Samson

It was mid July in London. A young boy was in his bedroom. What was this young boys name? To all who knew him he was called Samantha. But this boy didn't like the name Samantha. He had gone his whole life hating it and hating having to pretend to be a girl. He preferred the name Samson. Now on this particular July day lots of things had happened concerning Samson. Firstly he had told his parents that he wanted to be called Samson, that did not go over well. And secondly he had received a very odd piece of mail.

The mail had arrived in the beak of an owl only mere minuets after Samson finished speaking with his parents. Samson had locked himself in his room and was staring at his mirror wishing his appearance would change. He focused very hard and closed his eyes. He opened them only when he heard a tapping on the window. Looking back at the mirror he noticed his hair was a few inches shorter. The tapping grew louder. 'What on earth could that be?' He thought. Samson walked over to the window and saw a beautiful barn owl standing on the windowsill. In the owls mouth was a letter.

'How strange. I've never seen an owl act like that.' Samson opened the window. The hot summer air leaked in and he could feel it on his face. He could also feel the bird nip at his figures. He had dropped the letter and was now more interested in playing.

The letter was addressed to Samson Nelson. Samson was shocked. Someone had written to him and it wasn't addressed to Samantha. With shaky hands he turned the letter over and examined the seal. The crest imprinted on it had a lion, a badger a crow and a snake in the corners. He broke the seal and pulled out a letter. It read

"HOGWARTS SCHOOL ofWITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

Headmistress Minerva McGonagall

Dear Mr Nelson,

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,

Minerva McGonagall

Headmistress

HOGWARTS SCHOOL of  WITCHCRAFT 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 (dragonhide 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 Draft 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, if they desire, an owl OR a cat OR a toad.

PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS

ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICK

Yours sincerely,

Lucinda Thomsonicle-Pocus

Chief Attendant of Witchcraft Provisions"

Hogwarts? Wizardry? Was this some kind of sick joke? Samson wasn't sure. But if it was a joke it was very elaborate. He went downstairs to show his parents.

"Mum? I've just received a letter. It tells me I've been accepted to a school of magic. Did you write it as a joke?"

"A school for what? And how did you only just receive a letter? It's 10 o'clock! Is this some joke you're playing, like the one about you wanting to be a boy?"

"No. Neither of these are jokes. I am a boy and I did just receive a letter. An owl delivered it."

"Now just let me see it. This has to be some sort of prank." Samson's mother took the letter and read it through. "Well they seem to know what they're talking about. But magic? Well if it is real, it's a good opportunity. It's not everyday you're accepted into a private school. I say we respond. Where's that owl now?"

"Oh I left him upstairs. I hope he hasn't flown off by now. I don't know where to find another."

But sure enough the owl was in the room. It had managed to get trapped under a blanket that it had been playing in. Mrs. Nelson wrote a reply and sent it off with the letter.