The Owl and the Letter
Tap tap tap
The sudden sounds woke me up. It came from the bay window which faced the door. I was taken by surprise, since my bedroom was on the second floor. Perhaps, it was a tree branch leaning into the building? But there seemed to be no wind.
Tap tap tap
I slipped out from under the sheets and went to the window. It was past 5 o'clock but the day had not dissipated. It is my predilection to sleep during the day and stay awake at night. I squinted into the dusty glass panes. A bird seemed to be sitting on the window-sill, tapping at intervals. Touched with curiosity, I opened the window. The creature, as if on cue, flew in and perched on my study-table. It was a brown, tawny owl, with unruffled, polished feathers. It looked proud, and full of purpose. But what was most peculiar about it, was that it was carrying a letter in its beak. It flew past me again, dropping the letter on my bed and then perching on the headboard. Its head bobbed round, looking for things unknown to me. Part of me wanted to shoo it out, and I raised an arm to do so.
“Twit-tawoo!” the bird hooted with impatience. Almost obediently, I extended my raised arm and picked up the letter. With its task fulfilled, the tawny owl flapped its wings wide and escaped the window.
The envelope had a purple seal with a large H in the middle; four animals surrounded it- they resembled a bird, a lion, a serpent, and a badger. On the fore, my name and address were written-
Ms. A Wilson
The Bedroom
5, Barnberry Road
Sparrow Residential Area
I broke the seal and opened the envelope; the contents looked like an acceptance letter and a list of items. The letter read as follows:
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: ALBUS DUMBLEDORE (Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
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Dear Ms. Wilson,
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 September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall,
Deputy Headmistress
The list of items turned out mostly to be gibberish and my pocket Merriam-Webster dictionary did not help much.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
UNIFORM
First-year students will require:
- 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, 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, if they desire, an owl OR a cat OR a toad.
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICK
Yours sincerely,
Lucinda Thomsonicle-Pocus
Chief Attendant of Witchcraft Provisions
I collapsed on my bed, with the letter held high above my face. Perhaps I fell asleep, because I thought I was in a lucid dream, in which the bird(an eagle), the lion, the serpent, and the badger sat in a circle and spoke like friends. I woke up later in the morning, thinking about the letter. It was a sunny day and I closed the shades hurriedly; sat upright on my bed, with my face in my hands. The owl and the letter were not the first strange things to happen to me. There is a very significant part of the story that I almost forgot to mention- I am a vampire.