Rivilis Amiculus

Muggle World

~Armin~

My parents died of Dragon Pox when I was 8. My sister and I weren't allowed to see them because of how easily and quickly it spreads. After they died, we were sent to our grandfather who has raised us ever since. We brought with us a book called 'History of Hogwarts' to keep a little bit of magic in our lives, as Grandpa is a muggle, someone who can't use magic.

We started attending muggle schools after that. We were always made fun of for all the weird things that happened around us. This is one of the first signs that a child is a witch or wizard. One very prominent thing that happened to me was that my hair grew at abnormally fast rates. I'd cut my hair and the next day, it would be back to its original length. It went away as I got older. I taught myself to cut my hair and it has become a normal part of life now. Like showering or brushing your teeth. You don't think about it, you just do it. I keep my hair at shoulder length and a lot of students made fun of me for looking like a girl.

Whenever I was with Amanda, they'd call us the 'Arlert sisters' because of it. I got used to it after a while and it didn't take long before the others no longer got amusement from it.

~Amanda~

I spent hours with my brother reading that 'History of Hogwarts' book. The first time I read the descriptions of the houses, I was drawn to Slytherin. I felt like it was where I belonged and that my family was there. And if there's one word that describes me, it's 'cunning'. I always had the best comebacks in arguments, which led to most people leaving me alone.

My first sign of magical ability was when I was 7 and first started muggle schooling. A few girls tried to intimidate me, probably to show dominance over all the new kids, and I just looked at them. But once they were leaving, one girl's shoelaces were suddenly tied together and the other's shoe was tied to the table. They both tripped and I ended up showing dominance over them.

Another time, I was in a bad mood and the teacher made a joke about it, which led to her expensive vase flying across the room and smashing on the wall. This was my most prominent sign of magical ability. Whenever I got mad, something small, like a water bottle, would move. The vase flying was the only time something that extreme happened. Usually, it was something filled with liquid. As far as I remember, it has only happened once since I turned 10.

I have the slightest memory of magic from the 7 years I lived with my parents, but after living in muggle conditions for so long, I've forgotten what it was like. Whenever my brother or I bring up magic, Grandpa is always so reluctant to talk to us about it.

He'll say things like, "That's not important. What do you have for math homework?" All I ever dreamed was to see magic again, just once.

~Armin~

I lived a muggle lifestyle for 3 years until finally, something life changing happened. I was getting the mail and I noticed one was for me.

Mr A. Arlert
Joint-bedroom
6 Watling Street
London
Greater London

It bore no stamp and the back was sealed with purple wax with a coat of arms that had a lion, an eagle, a badger, and a snake that surrounded a large letter H.

"Grandpa? Amanda?" I called for my sister and grandfather as I walked to the living room with the mail and my letter.

"What is it, Armin?" My sister asked.

"There's a letter for me," I said and my Grandpa suddenly froze. "Grandpa?"

"...Read it, will you Armin?" Grandpa asked. I dropped the rest of the mail and carefully opened the letter.

"Dear Mr Arlert,
We are pleased to announce that you have been accepted to... Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!" I suddenly shouted and my sister gasped.

"Hogwarts? You mean the one in the book?" she asked and ran to me to look at the letter.

"I think it is, Amanda."

"I knew this day would come..." Grandpa mumbled.

"Is-Is the one for me? Surely I'll be attending Hogwarts with you, right? I mean, if you're a wizard then I must be a witch," Amanda pushed.

"No... This is the only one..." I replied sadly.

"But..."

"You're too young, Amanda," Grandpa suddenly spoke up and we looked at him. "You have to be 11 to go. You'll have to wait a year."

"It says I'll be attending September 1st. 'We expect your owl'? What does that mean?" I asked. Grandpa walked past me and opened the front door. There, on the doormat, was an owl and a large package. He gently picked up the owl and the package.

"Well, you ought to write them back. They'll drop you out if you don't," he said.

I ran to find some paper and a pencil and write back.

"What's the package?" Amanda asked.

"This would be money to buy your books and everything," he replied shaking the package. Coins clanked inside.

"How much is in it?" I inquired.

"Everything you need to buy your supplies."

"Why are you so okay with this all of a sudden? You used to avoid the topic of magic whatever the cost," Amanda pointed out.

"I didn't know if you had magical ability or not until now. I hoped you didn't because your parents experienced near-death situations at Hogwarts. They fought in the battle of Hogwarts and lived to see the end," he explained. "I still don't believe it's the safest place, but you've already been accepted so there's no point dropping out. It's a big opportunity for you."

I finished my letter and sealed the envelope, "When do we start shopping?" I asked.

"I don't know how or where. You probably know more about the wizarding world than I do."

"I'm actually going to Hogwarts..."