[Hogwarts Between] [HB] Owl Post - Amber

[Brenda McCartney]

On 9/27/07, Tashayar McCarthy <wow_its_tashayar at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
> Brenda McCartney <brenda.mccartney at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > > Then she remembered the letter, now on the dark purple sheets of her
> bed.
> > > Green handwriting was scribbled on the front, in quick curvy hand
> writing.
> > > She slowly scooped up the letter, opened the door and shouted down the
> > > stairs,
> > >
> > > "Er... Grandma! An owl just gave me a letter!"
> >
> > >From downstairs, Amber heard a cackle. "Ha HA! She got one!" her
> > grandfather exclaimed gleefully.
> >
> > Sofia sputtered, horrified. "Not another... blasted owls... magic...
> > I WON'T have another..."
> >
> > "Oh, stow it, love," he said in the nicest possible way as he climbed
> > the stairs two at a time. "Open the letter, dear," he called up the
> > stairs to Amber.
> >
> > She bolted down, and slid under her grandfather's kind arm.
> >
> > When Amber opened it, she could see the letter had two pages. On the
> > first was written the following in a fine, flowing hand:
> >
> > 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 McFuller:
> >
> > 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 second sheet contained a list:
> >
> > HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
> >
> > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> >
> > UNIFORM:
> > First-year students will require:
> > 1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)
> > 2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
> > 3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
> > 4. One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)
> > Please note that all pupils' clothes should carry name tags.
> >
> > COURSE BOOKS:
> > All sutdents 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 Phillida 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 an owl OR a cat OR a toad
> >
> > PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN
> BROOMSTICKS.
> >
> > "Witches... potions... Broomsticks!" said Amber as she read the letter
> > "What? How? Who? What?", millions of questions zoomed like bees inside her
> > head. With each word she said, the Irish bough she grew up with, got more
> > and more distinct. "Wait... does that mean... I'm a... what?".
>
> "A witch, dear," Phil said quickly, cutting off his wife's less
> courteous response. He squeezed his granddaughter's shoulder. "Your
> father got one of those when he was your age. Didn't know what to
> make of it at the time, we didn't. But he went to the school. Done
> him good, that's a fact."
>
> He leaned over and said in a fake whisper, "He was quite the hellion
> before that. Not sure where I've seen another like him." He winked
> mischievously.
>
> Sofia looked as if she were about to burst with frustration. "Fine.
> Just... fine! I can see I'll get no further now than I did twenty-odd
> years ago." She stomped back down the stairs. "You just be sure you
> take that blasted cat with you," she called back over her shoulder
> angrily.
>
> "Cat hair..." she continued to mutter as she retreated down the hallway.
> "This is a... good thing... right? I mean... am I... going to turn green, or
> - or dance around a glowing pot?" said Amber putting her hand to her nose,
> "I like the color I am. And I don't like to dance."

"Heh heh," her grandfather cackled.  "You'll be green only if you
choose to be.  Or if you fail Transfiguration... or drink the wrong
potion."  He looked thoughtful for a moment.  "At any rate, I'm sure
it would only be temporary."