His Goodwitch

Chapter 1: The letter and a strange visitor

It was Saturday the 23rd of June 1991 a young girl at 10 years of age with long chocolate brown hair that cascades to her lower back paired with sky blue eyes named Elizabeth Lilly Russell who awoke to the loud ringing of her alarm clock.  At the sound, Elizabeth rolled over and turned off her alarm clock.  "Well today should be good.  It looks nice and sunny to do some gardening" Lizzy thought to herself, rising out of bed grabbing a khaki t-shirt with three quarter sleeves, black sneakers and black trousers before heading to her bathroom.
Once dressed and mostly ready, Elizabeth returned to her room put her blue pyjamas in the washing basket before moving to the vanity mirror next to her window to grab her brush.  Mid-brush there is a knock at her bedroom door.  "Come in" Lizzy said placing her brush down turning towards the door.  At her words the door opened to reveal her older sister Grace.  "Morning Lizzy, ready for the day.  Mum wants us to help in the garden around Grey House this morning before helping her at the shop" Grace chirped entering her younger sister's bedroom.  "Almost, I just have to do my hair and I'm never as fast as you" said Lizzy picking up her brush and resuming to brush her long hair.  "Here, I'll help.  How do you want it?" asked Grace moving in behind her sister taking the brush from her.  "Just a long plait please Grace" replied Lizzy facing the mirror while Grace began to brush her hair.  "You know, the reason why my hair doesn't take so long is because it is shorter and it doesn't tangle like a birds next when I sleep" teased Grace while working on Lizzy's hair.  Lizzy laughs before saying "Sure it doesn't Grace" sarcastically.

"There you go all done.  Let's go down to breakfast.  Everyone's waiting for you.  Dad doesn't have work till this afternoon today" Grace said placing down Lizzie's brush before moving down to the door.  "Awesome, thanks Grace.  Do you get the feeling we'll have an unexpected visitor today?" said Lizzy rising to her feet and grabbing her phone before following her sister.  "Nope, why do you ask?" enquired Grace curiously.  "Just a feeling" answered Lizzy with a shrug.

Authors note: Hope you all enjoyed that sisterly moment.  I was hoping to portray how close they were?
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Later at midday, Lizzy was helping her mum set out sandwiches for the guests to eat outside for lunch when she senses someone approaching the front garden.  After placing down the last tray of cheese and gherkin sandwiches, Lizzy went around the front.  Standing on the drive way Lizzy saw a tall woman, her hair styled in a tight bun under a green witch's hat, she was also clothed in weird emerald green robes covered by a cloak in the same colour.  Not wanting to seem rude for staring or judging her before introducing herself, Lizzy approached the woman.  "Excuse me Madam.  Are you lost?" enquired Lizzy shyly. 

At the sound of her voice, the woman jumped before turning to her.  "Not really, could you tell me if this is Grey House and where I can find a girl named Elizabeth Russell?" enquired the woman peering down at Lizzy through her square spectacles.  "Yes, this is Grey House and I am Elizabeth.  Welcome to Grey House, would you like to come around the back for some lunch?  My Mum just made some sandwiches.  Also, not to be rude but who are you and how do you know my name?  I don't believe we've met, have we?" babbled Lizzy gesturing to the house.

The woman chuckled before saying "Slow down, you are going too fast.  To answer your first question, no thank you to lunch but a cup of tea with your family would be good.  I would like to talk with all of you.  Secondly, my name is Professor McGonagall and no we haven't met before.  I have come to offer you a place at my school.  I know your name because your name came up on our attendance list" explained Professor McGonagall.  "Oh well, it's a pleasure to meet you Professor.  If you follow me I can lead you to the sitting room and fetch everyone.  You came at a perfect time to, my Dad is about to leave" Lizzy said starting to move towards the house.

Once everyone is gathered, Professor McGonagall proceeded to tell everyone about Hogwarts, the wizarding world and Lizzy's powers meaning she is a witch.  Afterwards, Professor McGonagall handed Lizzy a letter, on the front of the envelope it read in green cursive ink:
Miss E. L. Russell
Third bedroom on 3rd floor
Grey House, Middleton, USA

Inside the first piece of parchment said:
Dear Miss Russell,
We are pleased to inform you that you have earned a place at Hogwarts School of witchcraft and Wizardry.  Please find enclosed a list of all the supplies you will need for this year.  Plus a ticket for the Hogwarts Express which leaves at 11 o'clock am sharp on September 1st.  Please send an owl to confirm your attendance.
Sincerely,
Professor M. McGonagall

After the letter on a separate piece of parchment had her school supplies list which included:
Uniform
Three sets of plain work robes (black)
One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)
Please note that all students clothes should carry name tags at all times
Books
Standard Book of Spells Grade 1 by Miranda Goshawk
1000 Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phillyda Spore
Magical drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger
A Beginner's guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
A history of magic by Bathilda Bagshot
Magical theory by Adalbert Waffling
Fantastic Beasts and where to find them by Newt Scamander
The dark forces: a guide to self-protection by Quintin Trimble
Other equipment
One wand
One cauldron (pewter, standard size)
One set of glass or crystal phials
One telescope
One set of brass scales
Students may also may bring an owl, cat or toad
Parents are reminded that first year students are not allowed their own broomsticks.

After reading through the letters contents, Lizzy glances back up at Professor McGonagall before speaking "Excuse me Professor but where do we acquire all this equipment and on the ticket it says Platform 9 3/4, is there such a thing?" Lizzy enquires curiously.  "Why yes dear, you can get your supplies from Diagon Alley which you can access from a Pub called the Leaky Cauldron in London.  You can access Platform 9 ¾ by passing through the wall connecting platforms nine and ten.  However, muggles can't pass through" explained Professor McGonagall.
"Muggle" said Lizzy questioningly in confusion.  "Non-magic folk like your family" elaborated Professor McGonagall making Lizzy pause to digest all this new information.

"Wow, this is incredible Lizzy" exclaimed Grace in excitement "You get to be a part of a whole new world.  I wish I could" she continued which gained emphatic nods from Lorrie and Brandon.  "Hang on a second girls.  I'm sorry Professor I'm having a little trouble believing you, can you prove magic exists? Also if my daughter was magical then isn't there a school closer to here than on the other side of the world" asked Lizzy's father Jake Russell.

Professor McGonagall just smiled at the girls before taking her wand out and turning herself into her cat before turning back human again.  "Does that reassure you Mr Russell.  To answer you're enquiry, yes there are magical schools near here but they would have contacted you earlier if your daughter had a place there.  Is there any more questions, if not you need to decide if Miss Russell will be in attendance and if so, I will be happy to accompany you to gather her school things" said Professor McGonagall.

"I would like to go to Hogwarts.  It will be fun and I will write to you guys and keep in touch" said Lizzy.  "Alright then.  Everyone can go.  I will stay here to look after the house and shop until you return" offered George gaining an appreciative nod from Cassie.  "I wish I could but I've got to go to work in five minutes.  Have fun and take lots of pictures.  See you tonight.  Don't worry I won't tell anyone" said Jake kissing his wife's cheek, hugging each of his children goodbye and shaking Professor McGonagall's hand before heading out the door.

"Alright then, we should get going" said Professor McGonagall withdrawing a matted old grey scarf from her robes pocket before explaining "This is a port key, usually a muggle object enchanted to take wizards between set destinations.  This one has been specially modified to take you all including muggles.  All you have to do is place a finger on it".  Everyone in the Russell family but Jake and George placed their finger on the scarf, feeling a pull behind the naval and a flash of blue light as they zoomed away to Diagon Alley.