Hogwarts: Our history.

Home is a good place. Right?

Tired, red eyes flicked open as cries came from the small baby at her side. "Sshh." A hushed tone spoke with obvious tiredness. Eventually the ginger had given up and got to her feet silently rocking the boy in her arms. The head that was too large compared to his body was placed against the small chest as he had a chance to hear a heartbeat and the gentle vibrations that came from her chest. The song wasn't perfect as sleep weighed heavy on her but still the lullaby was sweet and calming to the boy. After the song had finished a light snore came from his lanky body.

The dark room around her was a familiar one as the pale wooden desk sat against a wall to her right and the double bed behind the pair. White, plain walls and two mirrors reflected the shining night sky and the stars that shone just for them.

"Just eat the food." Being half awake the voice that spoke had no real heart in it. The cereal was almost uneaten as skinny arms kept begging to be held by the girl. "Knock, knock." A loud voice spoke as the front door opened. "Raphael." A tiny ginger screamed as she approached the boy who had just been taken from his chair. Immediately his arms folded against his bare chest to show the deep desire to remain in the arms of his holder. "Hello big boy." As the hands of his mother came to take him he closed his eyes and shook his head 'no' to try and keep in the arms. "Where is everyone else?" The ponder and question was obviously light hearted as the last two children ran into the kitchen. "Well, mum and all of them are at work. Dad is asleep upstairs, and Grace is on her bed watching some Asian movie."

"Did you know that there is a letter here for you?" A gruff deep voice spoke to his daughter. "No, I will grab it once I have fed the baby." The usual lanky boy sat on tired legs as food from her own plate went into his mouth and then hers. 'Mmm' came as a grumble from the baby boy as he appreciated the food that was being fed to him.

Slim fingers whipped down black skinny jeans to rid the remains that the now playing boy had left on them. The envelope was a creamy white with a neat and stunning piece of curved writing that had been carried out for her. The red seel on the back was gently removed and studied for a moment longer than intended.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock,
Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)

Dear Ms Tipton,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
Deputy Headmistress

The second parchment was even more confusing as the words jumbled and merged into pure confusion just in front of her.

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 (dragon hide 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 Drafts 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 an owl OR a cat OR a toad.

PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS

The second was clearly written by another fair hand as the writing was less curved and carried less elegance than the other. A sigh and huff came from the pale pink lips as annoyance came fluttering through her veins at the thought that someone would find such a letter funny. "Who is it from?" Came the same lazy gruff voice. "It is just some joke from a Minerva McGonagall. Claiming to have some magic school. Stupid. Magic doesn't exist." An 'oh' came from the jolly Scottish man in his cream leather armchair. "Oh well. Could you get me a drink?" A sighed 'yes' was made and off she went to gather the drink. "Don't forget the ice cu..." his loud voice was drowned out by the machine working.

"Tickle!" High pitch squeals and screams erupted as nimble fingers began to grab and tickle the small boy who was laying helpless on the floor. The teeth scarce as half the expected set where seen with the laughs. As the pair were laughing and playing the doorbell made a quick noise and a nearby adult got to their feet. The high pitched sounds smothered the talking pair from the door and it wasn't until the front door was closed that anyone really noticed it being open in the first place. "Seren. Seren. It is for you." Soon the slim fingers were pulled from the young boy but he launched his arms around the girl's neck making her then wrap her arms around him. As her pale legs were straightened the boy was placed on her hip. "Hello." The word came from the young girl and sounded like a mother's voice. One that eased a persons nerves and sent them to sleep instead of being frantic. "Hello my dear. I was asked to come down here by Albus."

The woman stood in a long sleeved green dress that met her feet comfortably. Obvious hat hair was seen as the hat in question resided in the left hand. She looked and dressed like a woman from the 19th century. "Sorry, I am not acquainted with the name." Eyes sharpened in question and then the green eyes turned to the boy. "You are 11. Are you not?" A raised brow was responded and then Seren nodded hesitantly. "Well you act older than that. Anyway, who is this?" The question seemed to run deeper than Seren could think but she wasn't sure how. "Raphael, he is my nephew. My sister asked me to care for him, people help me around the house as well. You aren't taking him are you?" The panic quickly rose but soothed again with a shaken head. "I am here to help you get your items needed for Hogwarts." Knitted brows both met from both women "that was just a joke."