chp4

These days around the Evans house, one could often see a peregrine falcon flying effortlessly, gliding on the wind with professional grace. This falcon was Hecate in her bird form. Since her eleventh birthday, she had taken to roaming the skies around the house, eagerly awaiting the owl that would bring her Hogwarts letter. In the Harry Potter universe, students typically receive their Hogwarts acceptance letters at the age of 11. The letters usually arrive in the summer before the start of the school year, which begins on September 1st.Today seemed to be the long-awaited day. A white, almost haunting owl was headed in her direction. High in the sky, the peregrine falcon observed the owl, noting its steady flight path towards her home. As the owl flew near the woods, the peregrine swooped down with the precision of a predator. She clutched the owl in her talons, rendering it immobile, and continued her descent into the woods below.As they touched the ground, the peregrine falcon transformed into a beautiful little girl. Her pale hands gently picked up the frightened owl, while her other hand brushed away strands of straight black hair that had fallen in front of her deep blue-purplish eyes. She studied the creature carefully, her expression a mix of curiosity and excitement.Slowly, she took the letter from its beak. The envelope was heavy and made of thick parchment, with her name written in emerald green ink.

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 Miss Hecate Targaryen

,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

As she turned the letter over, she found a second page listing all the necessary books and equipment she would need for her first year at Hogwarts. The parchment was filled with a detailed inventory, outlining everything from textbooks to robes.

Heacte's eyes widened as she scanned the list of required books and equipment. It was a comprehensive list, and it was clear that she would need to start preparing for her time at Hogwarts right away.

As she read through the list, she began to make mental notes of everything she would need to purchase. The list included many books, each with a lengthy title and an even longer description. There were also specific items such as a cauldron, a wand, and an assortment of potion ingredients.

As Hecate was about to turn her attention to the owl still clutched in her hand, a system notification rang in her ears:

**[Congratulations!! You have received your acceptance letter.

Gifts:500 GalleonsMap to Diagon Alley and King's Cross Station]**

A wave of relief washed over her. "Oh, the financial crisis has been solved on its own. Great. Now I don't need a professor to come and question why I don't have the same family name as the Evans, nor would they know I'm a witch," she thought with satisfaction.

Turning her attention back to the struggling owl, Hecate gently cradled the creature in her pale hands.

Her deep blue-purplish eyes softened as she studied the frightened bird, still slightly trembling from its unexpected capture.

She could see the tension in its posture, its wide eyes watching her warily, ready to flee at a moment's notice.

"Little friend, why are you in such a hurry?" she said soothingly, her voice calm and persuasive.

She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small piece of dried beef.

"I have a few treats for you. Just deliver this letter to whoever sent you, okay?"

The owl, still cautious, eyed the piece of meat with interest.

Slowly, it began nibbling on the dried beef, its movements tentative but gradually becoming more confident as it realized no harm would come to it.

Hecate watched the owl closely, noting the way it relaxed slightly, though its gaze never left her face.As the owl continued to eat, she stroked its feathers gently, murmuring reassurances.

"There you go, that's better. You're safe here," she whispered, her touch light and comforting.

Dear Professor McGonagall,

I am writing to express my gratitude for my acceptance into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

I am very excited about this opportunity and eager to begin my magical education.I wanted to inform you that I already have a substantial understanding of the Wizarding world.

I am well-acquainted with the basics of magical theory, history, and the customs of our society.

Therefore, I believe it would be unnecessary for a professor to visit my family to explain these details, as I am capable of explaining everything to them myself.Additionally, I am aware of the process to access Diagon Alley and have the means to obtain my school supplies independently.

Thus, there is no need for additional assistance in this matter.

Thank you once again for this incredible opportunity.

I look forward to attending Hogwarts and beginning this new chapter of my life.

Yours sincerely,

Hecate Targaryen

The owl finished its treat and looked up at her, seeming more at ease. Hecate carefully attached the letter back to the owl's leg, making sure it was secure. "Now, off you go," she said softly, releasing the bird. The owl took flight, its wings beating steadily as it soared back towards its destination, casting one last glance back at Hecate.

As Hecate returned to the Evans house, she passed through the front door and was immediately greeted by the energetic voice of her younger sister, Lily.

"Where have you been, sister? I felt quite lonely at home. You know our parents are both at work," Lily exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"In the woods," Hecate replied wearily, her energy drained after flying around for nearly three hours.

"Really?! Why didn't you bring me with you? I play there sometimes too. You know, I have a friend there. His name's Severus. He's a wiz—nothing, hahaha! But he's really fun!" Lily chattered excitedly.

Hecate internally rolled her eyes. She felt too tired to engage in her sister's lively conversation. "Next time, Lily. Right now, I want to sleep, so... bye," she said, her voice lacking enthusiasm.

"What?! But it's only 11 a.m., and it's summer holidays! Who sleeps during holidays?!" Lily protested, her tone a mix of surprise and disappointment.

As Lily turned to face Hecate, she found no one. Hecate had already made her way upstairs and into her bed. She was fast asleep, and everyone in the house knew that when Hecate decided to sleep, nothing and no one could wake her up until she was ready.

Time went by, and the day to start school drew near. Hecate stuffed her bag with the 500 galleons she had received and what little pocket money she had collected. She hailed a cab and followed the map to Diagon Alley.

As the cab approached her destination, the driver looked around skeptically. "Are you sure, girl? Is this the place you need to go? There's only factories and such around this alley."

"Yes, sir. Thank you," Hecate replied confidently.

"Alright," the driver sighed, shaking his head as he drove off.

For the Muggle driver, the area seemed like nothing more than a collection of old factories and warehouses. But for Hecate, she saw something entirely different. In place of a plain brick wall beside the car stood a bar, a rather dirty-looking establishment with its doors wide open. Despite its shabby appearance, families were going in and out, making it a strangely inviting sight.

Hecate didn't dwell on it much. She took a deep breath and followed a family ahead of her into the bar. The place was dimly lit, filled with the chatter of witches and wizards. The air was thick with the smell of various potions and the faint scent of old wood and ale. She quietly trailed the family until they reached a seemingly ordinary brick wall at the back of the bar.

The woman, probably the mother of the family, pulled out her wand. With a practiced motion, she tapped a specific sequence of bricks while muttering an incantation. To Hecate's amazement, the wall began to shift and move, the bricks rearranging themselves to form an archway. As the opening widened, it revealed the bustling street of Diagon Alley.

Hecate quickly stepped inside, her eyes widening in wonder. Diagon Alley was a magical marketplace like no other. The cobbled streets were lined with an array of shops, each more intriguing than the last.

To her left, she saw **Ollivanders**, the famous wand shop, its windows showcasing wands of every shape and size. Further down, the large and ornate storefront of **Flourish and Blotts** beckoned with its promise of spellbooks and magical texts.

Across the street, the gleaming gold and emerald facade of **Gringotts Wizarding Bank** towered over the other buildings, its entrance guarded by goblins who eyed passersby with sharp, calculating gazes.

Brightly colored robes fluttered in the breeze outside **Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions**, while the tantalizing aroma of freshly baked pastries wafted from **Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour**.

Students and their parents bustled about, purchasing cauldrons from **Potage's Cauldron Shop**, ingredients from **Slug & Jiggers Apothecary**, and a variety of magical pets from **Eeylops Owl Emporium** and **Magical Menagerie**.

The air was filled with excitement and anticipation, and Hecate couldn't help but feel a surge of joy. She was finally here, in the heart of the wizarding world, ready to start her new adventure.

Taking a deep breath, she clutched her bag tightly and made her way down the street, eager to gather all the necessities for her journey to Hogwarts.

After doing her calculations, Hecate concluded that her necessary expenses would total around 130 Galleons, leaving her with approximately 370 Galleons for any emergencies. Satisfied with her budgeting, she set out to shop for her supplies.

First, she headed to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. The shop was filled with students getting fitted for their Hogwarts robes. Hecate was measured for her three sets of plain black work robes, a pair of protective gloves, and a winter cloak. The fabrics were smooth and well-crafted, and she felt a thrill of excitement as she imagined herself wearing them at Hogwarts.

Next, Hecate made her way to Flourish and Blotts. The bookshop was bustling with activity, shelves packed with magical books of all kinds. She picked up her copy of "The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1)" and the other required textbooks. The shopkeeper, a friendly witch with glasses perched on her nose, helped her find everything on her list.Her next stop was Potage's Cauldron Shop. The shop smelled of metal and potion ingredients, and Hecate quickly found a pewter cauldron, standard size 2. From there, she walked to Slug & Jiggers Apothecary, where she purchased a set of crystal phials, a telescope, and brass scales.Hecate also visited the Magical Menagerie, where she spent a long time looking at the various magical creatures. She eventually decided on a sleek black cat with striking green eyes, which she felt would be a reliable and mysterious companion at Hogwarts. She named the cat Nyx, after the Greek goddess of the night.Finally, Hecate found herself standing in front of Ollivanders, the famous wand shop. The shop's narrow, dusty windows displayed a single wand on a faded purple cushion. Taking a deep breath, she pushed open the door and stepped inside. The interior was dimly lit, with thousands of narrow boxes stacked neatly from floor to ceiling.A moment later, an old man with wide, pale eyes appeared from behind the stacks. "Good afternoon," he said softly. "Ah, I see we have another new Hogwarts student. Come in, come in. I am Ollivander."Hecate nodded and stepped forward. "Yes, I need a wand.""Of course," Ollivander replied, studying her intently. "Every Ollivander wand has a core of a powerful magical substance. We use unicorn hairs, phoenix tail feathers, and the heartstrings of dragons. No two Ollivander wands are the same, just as no two unicorns, dragons, or phoenixes are quite the same. And of course, you will never get such good results with another wizard's wand."He began pulling down boxes, opening them and handing Hecate various wands to try. Each time she swished a wand, nothing special happened. Ollivander watched her closely, then handed her a wand made of yew with a phoenix feather core. The moment she took it in her hand, she felt a warm sensation spread through her fingers. She gave it a wave, and a shower of red and gold sparks erupted from the tip."Curious," Ollivander murmured, peering at her with a strange expression. "Very curious."Hecate looked at him, puzzled. "What's curious?"Ollivander shook his head. "I remember every wand I've ever sold, Miss... Targaryen, was it? The phoenix whose tail feather resides in your wand gave another feather—just one other. It is curious that you should be destined for this wand."Hecate blinked, confused but also intrigued. "Why is that curious?"Ollivander looked thoughtful. "You see, the only other wand with a feather from this phoenix was given to Tom Riddle, who later became known as Voldemort. It seems this particular phoenix only chooses those with great potential for power and greatness. The connection may mean something, or it may mean nothing at all. Only time will tell."

With her new wand in hand and all her supplies purchased, Hecate felt ready for her new life at Hogwarts. As she left Ollivanders, she decided to take advantage of a service offered to high-born wizards and witches: shipping her belongings to Hogwarts in advance. This service, while costly at 50 Galleons, ensured that her luggage would arrive safely and that she wouldn't have to carry everything on the train.

Hecate visited a specialized courier service in Diagon Alley, where she arranged for her trunk and all her newly bought items to be sent directly to Hogwarts. The service was known for its reliability and security, often used by those who preferred convenience and ease. She handed over the 50 Galleons, feeling relieved that she wouldn't have to struggle with heavy bags on the journey to school.With everything in order, Hecate made her way back to the Evans house.