2 Year one begins
1st September 1970
20:20
Frank had never seen so many stairs before. He had known from his parents that Gryffindor was in one of the towers but he never really thought of the amount of walking you had to do to get there!
A fifth year male prefect, a Thaddeus Weasley, one of the younger Weasleys if he remembered correctly, had led them here. The collection of first years crowded in front of a huge portrait of a hideously dressed, very fat (although he was never supposed to insult a lady) woman dressed garishly in pink.
"This is the entrance to our common room. Please make sure that no students from other houses follow you here," Thaddeus informed them sternly, then turned to the Fat Lady and spoke clearly "novus annus."
The portrait swung forwards, causing all the first years to gasp in awe, even the boy who looked suspiciously like another Weasley, gosh how many were there?
Thaddeus smirked, always happy to show the firsties who was boss. "Now that's the password for this fortnight, do not forget it or you'll be hanging around here for a while."
Spinning on his heel he jumped into the common room beckoning them to follow. Unfortunately none of the first years could do something similar as they were all too short, even the gangly Weasley boy. Frank sniffed in disgust as they had to clamber over things as if they had no upbringing.
Meticulously straightening his robes, now lined in red and gold Frank caught his first glimpse into his common room for the next seven years. The first word that came to mind was cosy. The stones walls of the circular room was covered with warm red tapestries depicting heroic deeds such as knights slaying dragons and the Gryffindor banner draped between two high beam. Two long narrow tapestries hung on either side of the Entrance Hole (it wasn't really a door way, was it?) with a single gold lion at the bottom of them, reared back as if to pounce.
There were numerous red squashy armchairs and couches that looked perfect for curling up in after a long day in school. Some were already occupied by several older students who only gave the new first years a fleeting glance.
Thaddeus lead them in front of the fire place which was crackling merrily, the sparks never leaving the grate, just like all magical fireplaces. A portrait of Lord Godric Gryffindor was hung above it. His face warm and friendly, through his fiery mane of hair. There was another prefect there, the female one.
"Welcome first years," she greeted, pushing her long chestnut hair back behind one ear. "I am Martha Docherty, fifth year prefect and I would like to be the first one to welcome you to The Most Ancient and Noble House of Gryffindor because I know my fellow idiot has not done so."
There were several nervous chuckles at that truthful statement.
"Martha! I'm hurt!" exclaimed Thaddeus in a mock hurt tone, clutching his heart dramatically.
Martha rolled her eyes but stood back to allow the other prefects to introduce themselves.
A tall girl with straw coloured hair tightly plaited down her back stood forward with a stern expression on her face, "My name is Cordelia Crouch. As Professor McGonagall surely said, your house is like your home. There is to be no brawling or bullying as it will not be tolerated. Remember this is where people wish to relax and work so please respect that."
The other three prefects made their introductions rather quickly as there was nothing more really to say. The other sixth year prefect was a small mousey looking boy called Sheldon Dewing. The intimidating seventh years introduced themselves as Miles Milton and Georgiana Longbottom, a cousin of his.
Following the other nine boys into his dormitory (the right staircase), Frank realised how tired he was. The amount of food he had eaten was taking effect on him. There were two dormitories for his year by the looks of the plaques, holding five each.
"How 'bout we introduce oursel's before deciding who goes where?" suggested a Scottish boy. "Me name's Russel MacDonald, pureblood."
"Steven Hitchens, Halfblood."
"Oliver Freeman, Halfblood branch."
A weedy boy declared himself to be "Wilbur Jones the Third, pureblood." Frank hoped he wasn't going to be in the same dorm as him. The Jones' were all snobs, thinking themselves to be better than everyone else even though they were only 5th generation wizards.
"Niles P-parker, Muggleborn," the trembling boy next to him stuttered out.
A bulky looking boy snorted at the poor boy and said he was "Danny Scott, never Daniel. Muggleborn." with a disgusted look on his face.
Finally Frank got a chance, "Frank Longbottom, Pureblood" and groaned softly when he noticed Jones' eyes immediately darted to him.
"Stuart Weasley!" the Weasley boy piped up cheerfully. "And my mum hates it being shortened so you can call me Stu or Stuie!" Frank couldn't help but grin. For all his common ways and large mouth the boy was funny.
The final two boys introduced themselves together, "Jasper and Julian MacRae at your service!"
"You're twins?" Frank inquired curiously.
They shook their sooty black heads.
"Nah, our fellow triplet, Josephine is also here." Said Julian, their facial features were different.
"Obviously in the girl's dorm," added Jasper, he had an odd shaped eyebrow.
They quickly decided that the MacRae's, Frank, Stuart and Niles should share one while the other went in the opposite dorm.
The dormitory was just as nice as the common room with rich red bedspreads and curtains with gold piping. He found his trunk in the centre and claimed one of the beds next to the window. Changing into his pyjamas and listening to Oliver's snores, he smiled. He was definitely going to like it here.
8th September 1970
8:50
Kingsley hurried down through his airy and spacious dormitory, barely taking a look out the large window (which he normally made a point of doing each day). He had broken his alarm last night in the middle of a pillow fight and forgot to ask an older student to fix it.
He tripped over one of the many tables and stumbled headfirst into someone, landing with a firm thud on the midnight blue carpet. Looking up he noticed that it was a girl someone, Gladys Fawcett to be exact.
"Sorry," Kingsley apologised, blushing and got up quickly so he could help her up.
Gladys laughed, "No problem Shacklebolt. We'll both be late if we don't hurry."
"You should really have a nourishing breakfast, to stimulate your mind for the day," sixth year prefect Celestia Llewellyn said in a sing-song voice. Then promptly added on almost as an afterthought, "Keeps the shrup-butterflies away as well."
The two first years chuckled nervously and darted off as soon as they could, brushing past a bronze silk hanging. Once they had safely left the common room the two burst into uncontrollable giggles.
"Mad one, she is," Gladys chuckled.
"But really nice," added Kingsley, she had helped him with his Herbology homework, why oh why did they have to learn about plants? He was only interested in the ones he could eat.
Before Gladys could reply one of her friends seized her, Emmeline Vance, a dark-haired witch who could be quite intimidating with her icy stare.
Kingsley proceeded down the hallway by himself thinking over the past couple of days. It had been chock full of new and exciting things. Portraits distracted him, armour creaked menacingly and the domed ceiling featured glow in the dark stars in the common room astounded him. He couldn't wait for astronomy now!
Callum Savage, one of his dorm mates met up with him while rushing out of the great hall with jam smeared down his robes. Rolling his eyes Kingsley muttered the cleaning spell he had quickly learned for this reason and the two headed down to Potions, their first class of the day.
"So, we're with the Hufflepuffs. You'll get to see your girlfriend," Callum teased.
Kingsley groaned, "Elsie is not my girlfriend!"
"Sure, sure," Callum said airily with a wave of his hand. "You just like talking to her."
Just as he was about to hex Savage with the nose enlargement charm he'd heard from a Slytherin third year the very girl they were arguing about bounced over to them.
"He-ey, Kingsley!" greeted Elsie cheerfully and then promptly chattered on oblivious to the fact that he only paid half attention. "I hardly ever see you and Frank besides in classes! And the Houses normally separate themselves anyway! It's no fun! We should meet up on the grounds this Saturday and just hang out, that would be fun. Oh my gosh, isn't the castle beautiful? I can't believe how big it is! I almost got lost like, twenty times already! And those ghosts freak me out though Peeves is funny. I like Charms and Astronomy and Herbology but everything's so interesting! What's your common room like? Is it really one of the towers? I'd hate that, I'm scared of heights. Ours are so cosy! Though I kept getting my head smacked by this creeping vine, I think it's out to get me..."
2nd October 1970
12:30
Kingsley watched the tawny owl he had used to send a letter home; he was hardly ever homesick now. He was settling in nicely. He had friends, Frank Longbottom, Elsie, Callum, Gladys, Hector Young, whom he shared a dorm with and Leander Smith, from the other dorm.
Heck, even the classes were alright. Not that he ever enjoyed homework. He may be a Ravenclaw but homework was a different thing altogether.
9th November 1970
21:15
Sirius flopped heavily onto his bed. Today had been so boring. The arrival of his Hogwarts letter was meant to be a great thing, he thought that once he received it all sorts of cool stuff would start. He couldn't wait to get to Diagon Alley and get all his Hogwarts things.
No, soon after opening his letter his mother began her rant about Slytherin and how he couldn't possibly go anywhere else. Sirius was determined to go anywhere but Slytherin, he would even put up seven years with The Bookworms as long as he wasn't with the snakes. He didn't want to follow tradition.
His father was even worse, in his opinion. Sirius had been dragged off to the Study and had promptly received a long lecture about Upholding the Family Honour and All That Rubbish. Then an extremely boring and proper dinner with the whole family followed.
And Regulus had been refusing to speak to him ever since the letter had come. The two were always near inseparable and Sirius would definitely miss Reggie but he still wanted to go to Hogwarts desperately. Maybe he could hide his brother in his trunk, he was certainly small enough. No one would need to know.
Upon entering his room Sirius had noticed a familiar sleepy eyed, grey owl. It was his disowned cousins, Andromeda Tonks; owl. He'd seen it many times over the years, ever since he was seven Andromeda sent him letters regularly. Sometimes Sirius wondered if she'd done the same for Reggie but knew that he couldn't ever mention it, not in this house anyway.
Hoping it would cheer him up Sirius opened it and was greeted with Andromeda's narrow script.
Dear Sirius,
I'm sure that by the time that you've opened this, your Hogwarts Letter has arrived. Nymphadora is very jealous. Ted, Dora and I all send you our congratulations. Dora has sent you a separate letter, begging you to hide her in your trunk I'm sure (Don't even try it!)
Anyway, I want to give you some advice as well as congratulate you. From what I can remember, I'm not that old yet Sirius, Aunt Walburga and Uncle Orion have given you plenty of lectures about Family Honour, the Only House for Blacks and Pureblood Superiority. Please don't do what I did and pretend to go along with the family. There's no point in doing things half-way. That doesn't give you the go ahead to cause mayhem though! Keep your head down and don't get yourself hurt, I know how maniacal our family can be when they feel like they need to.
Slytherin is not the only House in Hogwarts, remember, and it isn't a disgrace to get sorted into any other House. I know you're not snake material and I'll be happy for you no matter where you're sorted because you'll still be you.
Remember that purebloods are no different from half-blood's or muggle-borns. As Ted say, it doesn't matter who we are but what we are. If you want to be a friend with a friendly half-blood who would help you no matter what over a stuffy pureblood who would stab you in the back as soon as he could, go ahead.
Love, Andy
Hi Sirius,
Mum says I shouldn't start off a letter that way, it isn't polite or something like that. But you're my cousin and I don't need to be polite to you, do I? Anyway, I'm really jealous that you get to go to Hogwarts this year, I can't wait? What House do you think you'll get into? Not Slytherin I bet, mum says that you're too happy for Slytherin but she was a Slytherin and she's happy. I told her that but she just smiled at me weirdly. Weird, huh?
Are you going to sneak away from your house anytime soon again? We had great fun last time but dad says that you shouldn't risk it too often. That's why I want to go to Hogwarts this year so I can be with you!
I have a plan; you could hide me in your trunk! I'm small, unfortunately, so I could fit! Please, please, please let me do it! We'd have great fun.
How are you? I meant to ask that at the start of the letter, whoops. I hope you're good, I like people being happy. Have you been doing much? You said in your last letter that you were packing for Nice, France. I looked that up on the map during my Geography lesson, do they really eat snails?
Speaking of France, I've been practising writing French! I'm not that good at it; it's so much easier to speak it.
Je ne peux pas croire que je peux écrire en français maintenant!
That's the most I can write without looking anything up in the dictionary at the minute. Dad says I'll get better the more I practise.
Love you,
Dora xxx
18th December 1970
Kingsley sighed as he stuffed more clothes down the side of his trunk. He was sure that he did not have this much stuff at the start of the year. No more homework, it was finally the Christmas Holidays!
Hogwarts was great, the library was amazing. He had spent most of the term in there looking for books, not for homework, but for ones that had weird and strange title.
So far he had found Book of Eldritch Whisperings (Which was creepy), The Fifty Evocations of Mud (that was just odd), Talisman Tales (He wished he could get a talisman-think of the knowledge that goes into it) and Tarot Disruptions (pointless, utterly pointless but Celestia pointed out to him and it would've been rude to refuse it...)
He couldn't wait to tell Hadrian about it! Now where was his school tie? Why did he need to bring it home anyways? He'd be back in two weeks and he wasn't going to be wearing it over Christmas!
10th January 1971
11:45
A small, pale, dark haired boy was curled up in a ball. His father was on a drunken rage again. He could hear his mother screaming at him. Why was it always like this?
Once the boy realised that his father was staying downstairs, and wouldn't attempt to climb the stairs, did her uncurl. He smoothed his long shorts and stepped away from the door to the attic. He often came up here to escape, unless he was sure that she'd be at the park.
A cloud of dust was released when he leaned against a box. Holding his breath, so he didn't cough, he waited for the dust to settle before moving around again. He made his way to the grimy window, were all the light was streaming from. It was a glittering winter's day. Snow had fallen lightly overnight and the sun made the whole place sparkle.
Suddenly his view was blocked by a feathery lump. It was an owl. Before the owl hooted or tapped against the window, the boy fiddled with the latch and let it in. It presented him its leg which a letter was bound to.
With trembling fingers he removed the envelope.
Mr Severus Snape
Box Room
40 Spinner's End
Cokeworth
Greater Manchester
Severus' black eyes gleamed briefly with joy before being shuttered out. It had finally come! Finally he could escape this hellhole with his best friends! He couldn't wait! But then he heard a bellow of rage followed by the sound of breaking glass.
Sighing sadly, Severus gave the owl's feather a gentle stroke with one hesitant finger before he turned away from it and started hunting through boxes.
He'd show his mother the letter as soon as dad collapsed. Then Severus smiled. Maybe if the snow melted soon he'd go see Lily and her little sister. They could play Witches and Wizards and he would proudly show them his Hogwarts letter.
23rd January 1971
18:54
"Ha ha ha, got you Longbottom!" crowed one of the McRaes, dancing around him smugly.
Frank couldn't tell which one of them it was with all the snow in his eyes. He'd gotten a mushy handful of the stuff right in the face.
"Not funny, McRae!" he complained, using his scarf to try and wipe it away.
The wind was freezing, making the snow feel like ice.
"Lighten up," the other twin shouted from closer to a tower, next to a stash of ready-made snowballs.
"I'm going inside," he said with a shiver and made as if he was turning to the castle door.
"Aw, come on. Fight back."
"He's scared," Josie added scathingly, tossing her own snowball in the air.
Frank smirked, his back facing them so they couldn't see it. He made a discrete flick of his wand, exactly how Martha had shown him and muttered a short spell. A whole mound of snow hovered in front of him and started pulling itself into multiple chunks.
"Hey-" said Julian.
"No wait," added Josie, backing off.
"If that's what you want," Frank said mildly and thrust his wand at them.
The clumps shot forwards alarmingly fast.
"Arghhh"
"Scatter!"
30th January 1971
13:20
Lily waved the Professor goodbye, still clutching the precious piece of parchment. She was practically glowing with excitement.
Her father looked down at her with a fond grin, "Away and tell Severus, you," he said
Lily hugged him tightly and called down the cream painted hallway, "Chryssie! Tuney! Do you want to come with me?"
Petunia's response was instantaneous and snarky, "There's no way I want to spend a moment of my holiday with that weird Snape kid,"
Gavin Evans frowned at the door to the living room. His daughter was becoming more and more of a snob as the years went by, it must be the group of girls she hung around with in St. Clara's. She was home for a week because of repairs to the school. In two days, she'd be on a train and back to her beloved boarding school in the South of England.
His youngest daughter's response was totally different.
"Wait up, Lily! I just need to find my shoes…"
A moment later Chrysanthemum Evans was next to her sister, a coat over her flower printed dress and sturdy boots on her feet.
"Don't forget scarves and gloves," called in Rosemary from the kitchen.
Lily and Chryssie groaned simultaneously but obediently grabbed the requested items from under the stairs and sprinted to the park. Chryssie was the first one to spot their best friend, and wizard, Severus Snape.
Before he could even greet her Lily dragged him off to their spot, up a tree. Some scrambling and slipping later all three of them were settled somewhat comfortably in the centre of a great oak. The snow of recent weeks hadn't reached the centre branches, thankfully.
Lily was practically bursting with glee at this point, "It came! It came!" and waved the letter around, shaking the branch she was on.
Severus rolled his eyes at her, "You already knew you were a witch."
She slapped his arm, "Shut it, you know what I mean! It's all so real now. I can't wait until September. Mum and Dad say that you can come with us to Dee-Diagon Road?"
"Alley," corrected Severus automatically.
"Yeah, in February, during half term. I wish you came to school with us," continued Lily.
"Mum taught me all I need to know," said Severus proudly.
"I wish I could go to Hogwarts," Chryssie said enviously.
"You'll be joining us next year," Severus told her confidently.
Chryssie shook her head. "You don't even know if I'm a witch."
"Of course you're a witch, Chryssie. It wasn't me who made the lights flicker when mum scolded you for something Warren Smyth did. And you made your lunch float back to you when Jessica Nelson stole it from you. That was brilliant, Sev, you should have seen it. Me and Chryssie were looking for a spot in the playground to eat lunch and Jessica and her goons ran past, stealing Chryssie's lunch. Then 'poof' it floated right on back to her. You should have seen their faces!" chattered Lily
Severus grinned and Chryssie couldn't help but giggle in remembrance.
"Miss Kingston was not amused when they tattled on us," added Chryssie when they all calmed down.
1st February 1971
Frank looked down at his bubbling potion in dismay. What had he done wrong? Curse Lestrange for bothering him.
"Too much bat spleen, Mr Longbottom," Professor Slughorn pronounced after taking a deep sniff of the fumes. "Add two handfuls of crushed caterpillars to stop the foaming."
"Yes sir," replied Frank, reaching for his knife.
"And I'll want a half a roll on why bat spleen causes the foaming and the results if you continued with the recipe as usual."
"Yes sir," he repeated, this time with a heavy sigh.
It wasn't like they got enough homework.
3rd February 1971
10:00
Alice Smith woke because Mittens, her house elf, opened her window letting in a big gust of cold February air into her room.
"Mittens!" she yelled angrily, she was having such a nice dream.
"Sorry, Miss Alice but Mistress is saying that Miss Alice ought to be getting up now Mistress was muttering about how it is not befitting a young lady to sleep past ten," squeaked the odd looking creature.
Groaning, Alice hefted herself out of between her lavender covers and prepared herself for the day. Mittens had left out her school dress; she had lessons with her governess today. Alice being a lover of all things elegant and dainty meant that she despised the navy pinafore style dress with the long sleeved white blouse and sturdy school shoes. What a way to spend your birthday!
Eventually she reached the dining room where her father, Quintus, was drinking tea and was reading the Daily Prophet and her mother, Cecelia, was finishing off her breakfast and instructing Marty, their other house elf, on what to do with a flower arrangement.
"No, no, I said no ivy trailing over the edge and these aren't pink, they are cherry! What is the point in me giving you instructions if you are just going to disobey me?" scolded Cecelia.
Marty was twisting his long floppy ears in his hands and saying, "Yes, Mistress. Sorry, Mistress," over and over again.
"Good morning, father, mother," greeted Alice, settling herself opposite her mother.
Quintus nodded distractedly at her, Alice assumed that he was pursuing the continuation of the article on the front page declaring 'Rebels causing disruption in the Ministry'.
Cecelia turned to face Alice. "Ah, your Hogwarts letter arrived an hour ago," she looked disapprovingly at her daughter as if to say 'You should've been up before it'. "You may open it after breakfast."
Alice grimaced but did as she was bid and munched slowly at her toast and jam. She would have gobbled it down quickly but she was in no mood for a scolding about proper etiquette.
She was so excited! Finally she would be going to Hogwarts, learning magic and making friends outside the family circle. Alice despised most of her cousins; most of whom she had lessons with, and couldn't wait to escape them. Though, Erica was adorable as she was only four. She didn't see her much though as Uncle Claudius was a disgrace to the family, being a squib.
15th February 1971
10:30
"Where is it, Sev? I don't see it!" demanded a red haired girl who was tugging on the arm of a scruffy looking boy.
Severus had given up trying to pry Lily Evans off him (her grip was worse than an iron clamp!) and just went with the flow.
"It's just...down...there!" Severus said smugly, pointing at a ratty looking pub.
Rosemary Evans looked where the young boy was pointing and looked confused. Eileen Prince, who had somehow escaped her husband especially for this day, sighed and strode purposely forwards, Lily, Severus and after some tugging, Rosemary fell into line behind her.
"Hasn't changed at all in nearly four decades, I swear..." she muttered, though her bright eyes gave away her own excitement.
The small party of people tramped their way through the bar, Lily's inquisitive emerald eyes looking everywhere. Severus shook his head and clasped Lily's on either side.
"Don't give yourself a neck pain before we even enter the Alley," he advised. Lily playfully shoved him, her green eyes glittering with happiness.
"Where shall we go first?" Eileen asked, while giving the Alley a once over. There weren't many people out and about, even though the first years surprisingly got their book lists earlier this year everyone was still too lazy to buy their items until the summer.
"Wands! Wands!" chorused the two best friends, jumping up and down. Eileen was surprised; she had never seen her son so carefree before. Then again, he rarely stayed in the house. She simply nodded and the small group soon entered Ollivander's.
It was just as creepy as Eileen remembered it. Ollivander scared the soon to be first years (and Rosemary) and gave them his odd speech on wandlore.
Soon, after a brief scuffle on who would go first, Severus wanting Lily and Lily not wanting to, they were both being suited up at the same time.
"Holly with a unicorn hair," Ollivander said handing the wand to Severus and then turned to Lily, "Oak with a Dragon heart string."
Nothing happened when both children gave them a hesitant wave. The disappointment on Lily's face was evident. Eileen had to hide a smile when Severus comforted her.
"Normally people have to try a few because each and every wizard is unique so we got to find one that matches us perfectly."
Lily's face brightens again and determinedly reached for another wand.
After another four wands Severus found his match. His eyes lit up in undisguised glee as silver sparks dance around them.
"An unyielding pine with the heart string of a very protective, mother Swedish short snout. Perfect for the stubborn wizard wishing to save loved ones." Ollivander informed them quietly.
It took about seven more wands before Lily found her match.
Ollivander and Rosemary clap as a wisp of blue smoke drifts across the room.
"Ah ha! You were a tricky one but this seems to be perfect! Swishy, 10 ¾ inch, Willow with a sphinx mane hair. Good for delicate charms work."
The children smiled at each other before chirping out a joint, "Thank you!" as their parents handed over the money required.
"Can we visit the bookstore, mummy?" Lily asks.
10th March 1971
09:00
Two pairs of feet raced each other down the stairs.
"I beat you Remus!" called a girl's voice.
"No, I beat you, Connie!" argued a boy, Remus.
The cousins looked like twins despite not being the same gender. They were both quite tall for eleven year olds and had the same pale complexion. Blue eyes flecked with gold and amber glittered mischievously under curly, sandy brown hair. Concordia Marino, Remus' cousin was staying with them in England for the summer. She was Italian and would hopefully be attending a Lower Secondary Magic School called the Medusean Scuola di Magia[Medusean School of Magic], in Sicily.
They continued their argument into the kitchen, much to the amusement of Naomi and John Lupin.
"Good morning, Mamma, Papa," Remus greeted.
"Good morning," replied Lyall, smiling over his newspaper.
Naomi Lupin frowned at her niece's errant curls. "Concordia Marino! What have I told you about keeping yourself neat and tidy? Did you even brush your hair this morning?"
Connie pulled a long strand of hair in front of her face and frowned at it, "Sì [yes] Auntie, I did! Remus messed it up on me!"
"Did not!"
"Did too!"
"Enough!" shouted Lyall sharply, the cousins fell silent immediately. He then grinned, grabbed something off the kitchen counter and handed to the cousins. "Look what came this morning before even you two got up."
Naomi grinned, "They must have known that you two were early frogs."
Connie hid her grin by looking at Remus, who corrected his mother, yet again, "No, Mamma. It is bird, the early bird catches the worm because birds are known for rising with the sun and I don't think frogs…"
"Yeah, we get it Remus," interrupted Connie, she didn't need to learn about frog habits early in the morning.
Lyall looked fondly at his wife, "six years in England and you still haven't grasped the language."
Naomi glared at him. "As if you're any better with Italian, you sciocco uomo! [Silly man]"
As the Lupin adults were arguing Connie and Remus had looked at the envelopes John had handed them.
Connie's eyes bugged out of her head, "Is this?
"It is," replied Remus faintly.
"Your Hogwarts Letter!" Connie yelled.
"Your Medusean Letter!" Remus cheered, the stopped when he realised what his cousin said.
"I can't go!" exclaimed Remus in dismay. "Why would any Headmaster, even the great Albus Dumbledore, let a werewolf into one of the finest schools of Witchcraft and Wizardry?"
Remus had looks of longing on his face along with acceptance. He already knew they could never been normal, and usually accepted this but seeing such brilliant thing as a Hogwarts Letter was enough to break any resolve.
Lyall and Naomi just smiled proudly at their son. "Remember when we told you to stay outside the whole day and bring a picnic lunch with you?" asked Naomi
The cousins slowly nodded their heads at the thought of their autumn adventures.
"Well," continued Lyall. "We had sent Professor Dumbledore a letter and he came here, observed you, Remus, and decided that it was unfair that such a 'bright child' under any other Headmaster would be refused education."
The children's faces were brightening in hope with every word; Connie hated the fact that Remus may never get a chance to go to school. He loved learning.
"So, can he go?" asked Connie, always the optimistic one.
"Does he know I'm a werewolf?" queried Remus.
"Yes and yes!" proclaimed Naomi, excitement getting the best of her. "Tesori miei [my treasures] you can make your dreams come true!"
Naomi's excitement was contagious. Remus and Connie whooped with joy while jumping up and down. Remus was soon pouring over the booklist comparing what he knew of them to their Italian equivalents' which Connie had. Their parents had brought over most of their library when they moved from Italy to England and Remus had read a good lot of it.
"I must get Hogwarts: A History to learn all about it. Hopefully I won't be backwards in my education…" rambled Remus. Connie grinned, that was her cousin's way of showing that he was excited.
17th March 1971
14:34
Kingsly prodded the slug with the tip of his wand, giving it a suspicious look. Blue sparks shot out of it, making the pair in front of him yelp in shock.
"Sorry," he mouthed at them.
"No wands in the greenhouse, Mr Shacklebolt," scolded Professor Sprout. "A point from Ravenclaw."
"Yes ma'am, sorry," he apologised, quickly stowing his wand in his pocket.
Stupid slug. Stupid plants that slugs liked the taste of.
27th March 1971
08:30
"Mum! Dad!" yelled a small, black haired boy with round glasses perched upon his nose as he thundered down the stairs. "Look what came! Look what came!" he waved a piece of parchment in his parents' faces, knocking aside his father's newspaper.
His mother's eyes welled up with happy tears. "Oh, my little Jimmy is all grown up" and hugged 'Jimmy' tightly causing his glasses to clatter to the floor.
Fleamont Potter, his father, beamed with pride but said, "Euphemia, let the boy go. He won't get to go to Hogwarts if you strangle him."
"I can't wait! Can we get my stuff today? Soon there'll be another Gryffindor in the house! Can I get an owl since I can't bring my broom? When are we going to Diagon Alley?" James was saying happily as he swung Cinnamon, the Head kitchen Elf around in his glee. The poor elf stumbled around for a good ten minutes after that.
"I'm going to Hogwarts!" he shouted as he ran up and down the Main Hall, waking up all the portraits who were grumbling at the eleven year old boy.
"Don't forget to reply with a yes!" called Fleamont with an amused expression at his son's antics.
Dear Frankie-Boy
MY HOGWARTS LETTER CAME! Finally, you'd think they'd come sooner. Of course it's more for the half bloods and muggle-borns because we already knew about our magic and stuff but still! Ha ha ha, you won't have peace and quiet in Gryffindor for long, I'm coming soon!
Your friend and soon to be fellow Gryffindor,
James Potter
Dear James,
Did you have to tell your family owl to peck me until I replied? Not very mature. Congratulations on receiving your letter, maybe now you can stop pestering me about Hogwarts stuff, now?
I do hope you get into Gryffindor though you could get into another House; remember your mother was a Hufflepuff.
Well, I have a lot of homework.
Yours sincerely,
Frank
Facta non verba
Dear Jackie
I wish you could come to the celebration tea but you're slogging away in Hogwarts instead! I'm glad to get one year with you!
From,
James
James, sorry up to my ears in coursework. Congrats and will write more soon.
Love,
Jackie xxx
1st April 1971
09:00
Whose bright idea was it to have half a day dedicated to playing pranks? Frank's day had not started well. The triplets, the idiots, had decided to wake everyone up by levitating a bucket of water over them. McGonagall lectured them for a good thirty minutes about the correct uses of the Wingardium Leviosa charm.
That gave him less time to get dressed and ready for the day, which always put Frank off his day. Then someone (he assumed a Weasley) had rigged the doorway to the Great Hall so that it spat confetti at however entered. Frank was now sporting some 'attractive' orange paper in his hair.
And to make matters worse, it was Herbology first thing, his least favourite subject. An enormous farting sound erupted from beneath him making him jump up in fear. The whole class started laughing at him; even Professor Sprout couldn't hide a giggle!
Argh, could this day get any worse?
Dear Frank,
I have attached your jumper and three extra pair of socks. Please pay more attention to your packing next time. I hope you are focusing on your school work.
Sincerely,
Mother
Dear Mother,
Thank you for sending my items. I am trying my best to work hard at everything.
Sincerely,
Frank
Dear Frank,
It was so much fun catching up with you at Easter. I'm so jealous of you. Only a few more months and I can come! Do you think we'll be in the same House?
Love,
Alice
Dear Alice,
Honestly Alice, you should learn to write longer letters. What have you been doing recently? You can't just have a one sided conversation about one person. Ah, sorry about the owl prints. Someone's owl thought I was his owner. Daft thing.
I did enjoy seeing you at Easter and I was glad the weather was warm. I found it extremely amusing to discover that you know more Herbology than me. Thank you for helping though, hopefully I'll do better in my summer exams than I have done in my homework.
Are you counting down to Hogwarts already? Alice, it's over three months away! The time will go quicker if you fill your days doing a lot of activities, trust me.
I think you are too sweet for Gryffindor. Maybe you'll be a Hufflepuff? You definitely have all the traits. Not that I'm saying you aren't brave or anything but everyone in Gryffindor seems to be a bit, well, crude sometimes. I wouldn't want you exposed to that.
Ugh, I better start revising soon. Summer exams and all that. Mother and Father want me to score in the top ten of my year so I better study.
Sincerely,
Frank
(Isn't using love a bit inappropriate?)
Dear Frank,
You know I can't sit still long enough to write decent length letters, Mother despises that. She's always going on and on about being more ladylike. Good thing you mentioned an owl hopped across your page because I first thought it was some sort of code. And what can I say, I like plants.
They don't talk back but I'm glad I could be of some help.
Now September is two months away!
I do NOT want to be in Hufflepuff, most of my family is in there. I want to be DIFFERENT. Stop being so protective of me.
I'm glad I'm not the only one with parent with high expectations.
Love,
Alice xxx (is that more inappropriate for you?)
P.S. I think this was the longest letter I've ever written.
1st July 1971
12:10
The Potters were just leaving Gringotts, Euphemia a little green around the gills after the ride and James was acting like a hyper four-year-old.
"I wish we could bring our brooms, look at the Nimbus 1700! It's the newest one out! I wonder what speed it goes?" babbled James, his eyes firmly on Quality Quidditch Supplies.
Fleamont laughed fondly at his son's enthusiastic behaviour. "Let's head on over to find out, shall we?"
Euphemia gave him a pointed glare. "Not until we get the books, robes, potion's ingredients and your wand, James!"
James smile waivered and soon turned into an adorable childish pout, "Mu-um!" he protested, his voice bordering onto a whine. "Quidditch is far more important."
"Even more important than a wand?" Fleamont teased; James shrugged and turned his attention back to the Quidditch store.
"One minute?" he asked
"No," came Euphemia's swift reply as she dragged her son towards the dreaded robes shop.
Unfortunately for the males they arrived at the robe shop quickly.
"Good Afternoon, Sirs, Madame," greeted a girl with blonde hair politely. "What do you need?"
20th July 1971
04:00
Marlene McKinnon squealed in delight as she spotted a magnificent tawny owl, that she just knew was a Hogwarts school owl (She had four older siblings), making its way to her and her sisters cramped room.
Teagan groaned and rolled over in their shared bed (it was either get another bed or lose the little floor space they had left).
"Marlene! Close that window!" she grumbled, Marlene's foot had connected with her gut when she had leapt out of bed and it was only four o'clock in the morning! Why the heck had Marlene's owl come so early?
Marlene responded with a particularly rude gesture without even looking away from the window.
"Fly faster, fly faster," she hissed, trying to urge the owl towards her with her blue eyes.
Finally the owl made it over and Marlene practically yanked the envelope off the poor owl's leg. The owl hooted angrily and its talons scratched at her hand but Marlene waved it away and it flew off indignantly.
"It's my Hogwarts Letter!" Marlene squealed, waking the rest of the house.
Ciaron came in, wand blazing. "Wha' happened?" he slurred, obviously still half asleep. How he managed to get down the stairs without damaging anything or hurting himself is something no one would ever know.
"Put it down, Ciaron," Teagan sighed, sitting up and rubbing her eyes. She was never going to get back to sleep now. "Marlie got her Hogwarts letter."
Marlene beamed, rereading the letter again.
"So she won't be going to Draíochta Terman [Magic Sanctuary], then?" Ciaron teased, referring to one of the Irish magic schools that some parents sent their children to. It wasn't internationally renowned and had a limited subject set.
"No way!" Marlene said vehemently, clutching her letter protectively.
"Now that that has been decided shouldn't you lot be in bed?" their father said in an amused tone, casually leaning against the doorframe.
21st July 1971
10:05
Sirius was miserable. He was with his parents, in public so of course he was going to be miserable. Though, Diagon Alley was always rather interesting. Mother and Father never really allowed them to come to Diagon Alley. They preferred the snobbier shopping areas such as Magician's Way in Birmingham.
He'd already got his school equipment there, like his telescope and cauldron. They were all of very high quality and very expensive and monogrammed (Why? How was he supposed to lose a cauldron?)
He had just spent an hour in Twilfit and Tatting getting measured for his uniform. Urgh, Sirius hated standing still. Every time he so much as shuffled he got a slap on the arm from Mother.
Shouldn't the whole Hogwarts shopping experience be somewhat enjoyable? Sirius looked longingly at the ice cream shop and wistfully at the redheads that just ran across the road and shouting.
Father's mouth curled into a sneer. "Weasleys."
Sirius thought that the boys were having funny. One of them tumbled into another family, who Sirius didn't recognise and therefore should not associate with, and apologised profusely.
The boy looked so funny and sorry that the family just laughed and forgave. Oh how nice that must be!
"Sirius!" hissed Mother, looking disgusted. "Come away from the riffraff!"
10:15
Lyall Lupin looked warily at the obvious purebloods snobs that just swept past them with upturned noses.
Remus didn't even appear to notice them as he look around with obvious glee. There were so many things to gaze wonderingly at. There was a basket of glowing purple rocks! That was a stall of hats, look at the fox one! The thought of fox disturbingly made Remus' stomach grumble.
"My leetle man is 'ungry!" his mum sang.
He blushed bright red, "Mama!"
Lyall chuckled and nodded behind them at the Leaky Cauldron, "Maybe we should eat first?"
"No!" Remus blurted out quickly. "Please Papa I need to see everything!"
"You can't do everything on a healthy stomach," Lyall pointed out sensibly.
"Bu-"
"No buts!" his mother said firmly and started to drag the two Lupin males back into the pub. For a small woman she was strong!
The stumbled past the snobs and Remus accidently stood on a young boy's foot.
"Sorry!" Remus called as his mother continued to drag him
The boy smiled briefly
"Riffraff" the mother sniffed loudly.
1st August 1971
13:00
Going to Diagon Alley was always so interesting for Alice but mother did not like her spending too much time in any shop unless it was a clothes shop. Clothes were pretty but there were much better clothes in Magician's Way. And there were no jewellers here, where was she supposed to find pretty bracelets?
Though at least she was getting her Hogwarts stuff, she supposed. Though, books were massively boring. Who wants to look at a lot of dusty old parchment? Alice despised reading, she'd much rather do things rather than read.
It was rather interesting looking at all the weird ingredients in the Apothecary. There were smooth shiny things, slimy yellow liquids and some unidentifiable substance that wasn't solid or liquid. It was sort of both (She had quickly poked it just to make sure). Mother frowned at her and continued to request the correct Hogwarts items.
Alice sighed; Mother never let her do anything remotely interesting as it was never 'proper'.
The bell to the shop jingled. Alice was too distracted by shiny dragon scales to take much notice (usually she was very nosey about different people).
"Honestly Frank, you have to get used to doing activities you dislike as well as like. You cannot go through life without coming across an necessary activity that you don't want to do." A voice scolded, that sounded vaguely familiar.
"Yes, Mother. I apologise," replied as soft spoken boy.
Alice looked up in curiosity, okay she was nosey. Her eyes brightened as she recognised the vulture hat.
"Good Afternoon, Mrs Longbottom!" she greeted cheerfully, dropping a swift curtsy remembering the manners mother had drilled into her.
Mrs Longbottom gave the girl a rare approving smile. "Alice," she said and nodded at her mother, "Good Afternoon Celia."
Mother turned around and greeted Mrs Longbottom enthusiastically. While the two women were conversing Alice looked critically at the older boy. After all, he was her betrothed.
The two of them had been betrothed since they were six years old, which was later than most betrothals. It was an open betrothal meaning that they could back out of it at any time within good reason once they were at least sixteen.
Frank Longbottom was quite a handsome boy, Alice decided. He had carefully styled short brown hair and a very intriguing pair of pale green eyes. She was always drawn to his shy smile which she thought was cute. He always listened to her too, even when she ranted on about unicorns.
The two were good friends. Alice had been really disappointed that he got to go to Hogwarts a year early. But he had just told her, "It means I can show you the ropes and look after you better this way." He was so sweet!
"Hi Alice," said Frank, smiling with his teeth.
Oh, how she wished that they weren't in public so she could hug him!
"Hi Frank," she replied and settled for beaming instead of pouncing on him.
They stood in a slightly awkward silence for a bit, remember she hadn't really seen him for a year and letters didn't really count, did they?
"So, what's Hogwarts really like?" Alice asked eagerly.
12th August 1971
11:00
Kingsley was lying lazily on his bed. Oh, it was good to be off for summer. He'd done all his summer homework in the first two weeks of July so he'd have the rest of summer to relax. It had been fun catching up with Hayden but Kingsley had found he really couldn't talk much with his old muggle friends. It wasn't like he could send them an owl during term time. Though, they had all enjoyed a game or two of football.
Luckily he had made plenty of friends in Hogwarts and from different Houses too! Admittedly, only one of them was from Slytherin, Randall Nott. Kingsley had been exchanging owls with them all summer. Callum's owl was a stupid, clumsy thing, always crashing into windows and lights. Elsie had sent him a letter every day even if he hadn't replied to hers yet. That girl was mad but nice to be around.
'CRASH'
There was Callum's owl again.
25th August 1971
08:00
"Teagan, I swear to Merlin- "
"Marlene, where are my shoes. I put them on your bag- "
"Yeah, I moved them."
"Why?"
"I don't know…because they were on my bag?"
'CRASH'
Their mother's voice came from downstairs, "Patrick Eamon McKinnon, why were you hovering that crate?"
"It was in the way, Ma!"
"Then you carry it, so it isn't waving around at concussion height."
"But Ma- "
"I don't have time for this, MARLENE! TEAGAN! GET YOUR ARSES DOWN HERE NOW!"
A shaggy brown hair man poked his head around the girls' room.
"Guys, you might want to go downstairs before Mum blows her top," he informed them.
Marlene crawled out from her search under her bed and grabbed her eldest brother's hand to get hauled to her feet.
"Tell her we'll be down in a minute, Kev," she replied, dusting herself down. "Wow, ma was right. We do need to clean under here."
"We are not going down until I find my shoes!" Teagan all but shrieked.
"You mean these shoes?" another brown-haired man asked, standing in the doorway, looking slightly flushed and dangling a pair of brown shoes by their laces. He looked at his sisters and asked, "Aren't you two meant to be dressed? I don't think ma will let you go to Diagon Alley in your pjs."
"Oh my, thank you Patrick," Teagan gushed, throwing herself onto her second oldest brother in thanks.
"No problem," he gasped out in a strangled voice, his sister was strong. "Glad I could help."
"Unlike some people," she said with a pointed glare at Marlene.
Marlene raised her arms in innocence, "Hey, I wasn't the one who lost my shoes."
Patrick grabbed Teagan by the waist as she tried to lunge at Marlene and Kevin stood between them.
"Can you just get ready, please," Kevin asked, in a tone that highly recommended it wasn't a request.
"I don't remember our Hogwarts shopping trips being this chaotic," Patrick teased over his struggling sister's head.
"Because at worst there was the four of us and that didn't include the demon babies," Kevin retorted with a smile.
"I am not a baby!" Marlene said indignantly. "Or a demon. Neither is Ciaran!"
"CIARAN WHERE ARE YOU GOING WITH THAT ROPE? I TOLD YOU NO MORE TYING THE ANIMALS TO THE ROOF OF THE BARN!"
Marlene tilted her head to one side, "Well, definitely not me."
Her three eldest siblings chuckled.
"IF NO ONE'S DOWN HERE IN THE NEXT FIVE MINUTES NO ONE IS GETTING SCHOOL SUPPLIES AND YOU CAN JUST FLOUNDER UNTIL CHRISTMAS!"
