Orphanage As soon as they entered the room, Nicole took the letters from Alex and started reading them. HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore (Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chief Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards ) Dear Miss Ashbridge, 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 After going through the letter once, Nicole looked at her brother and asked "Brother, what do you know about these two who are mentioned in the letter, Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall?". "The general introduction is that both of them are the most ingenious wizards of their generations and if you want to know more I will lend you a book and you can read about them" Alex replied while taking out all the things they have shopped today. After listening to her brother, Nicole kept the letter aside and unfolded the second piece of paper which contained the list of the necessary supplies they needed in their first year. As she went through the supplies her interest piqued at almost every other item mentioned in the 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. Coursebooks All students should have a copy of each of the following: 1. The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk 2. A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot 3. Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling 4. A Beginners' Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch 5. One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore 6. Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger 7. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander 8. 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'. "Brother where can we buy these things in London? I don't think those wizards would set up a store in broad daylight" after going through the list, Nicole looked at her brother. "Well you are right they won't sell it on the streets of London, there is a place where we can find all these things, it is called Diagon Alley" Alex replied while trying out the clothes he bought today. "So when will we go there? Let's go there tomorrow" Nicole was too excited to wait another day what her brother showed her today was simply marvellous. "Do you have the money to buy anything?" without looking at her Alex asked. "Don't you have any money left? You should have told me about it earlier, I would not have spent so much on your clothes. Let's return your clothes tomorrow" Nicole panicked at first but soon came up with a plan to get the spent money back. Alex was dumbfounded by his sister's shamelessness and looked at the bags in the room. On one side there were more than ten bags while on his side there were merely four bags. "They don't use our currency, they have Knuts, Sickle and Galleons" Alex explained to her. "Ohh..., so how are we going to buy our books and equipment?" Nicole was too happy today but these small obstacles are ruining her mood. "Well the man we talked about earlier gave me some for myself, but I doubt that will be enough now," Alex told her finally. "Brother, why are you being an idiot and telling the details in parts can't you just say it in one go?" listening that they have the money and her brother was messing around with her, she snapped at him. "Young lady we may be twins but I am the older one you better show me some respect," Alex said while flicking Nicole's forehead. "Ahh.. okay... okay I am sorry but now since we have the money when will we go to the 'Diagonally'?" rubbing her forehead she asked again. "Firstly it's not diagonally it's Diagon Alley and secondly for all the muggles or orphans who show aptitude in magic, a teacher is assigned to help them buy their supplies, we need to wait for him or her to show up" Alex explained while setting his clothes in the cupboard. "Ohh..." "Now why don't I give you some books so that you can familiarize yourself with the World of wizards and witches?" sitting beside Nicole, Alex asked. "Yeah show me all the books you have read all these years" regaining the spirits she asked. "Are you sure? There are quite a lot of books stored inside this bag" Alex asked with a faint smile. "Well bring it on," Nicole said while rolling up her imaginary sleeves. "As you wish" as he finished speaking a mountain of books were placed in front of Nicole. "This..." Nicole was startled for a moment if her brother read all these books he must be a genius. "Why don't we go through the basics" except for a few books Alex put away all the others. "Have you read all of them?" "Except for those two on the desk I have read all the books at least once," Alex said pointing towards the last of the books left unread from his collection. "Where did you get them from?" "Guess?" "The man in black?" Nicole said to which Alex nodded. "Isn't he too generous to us? Is there something else you are not telling me?" Nicole asked suspiciously. "You will find it in due time now focus on those books and start with this one" Alex said while giving her a book to avoid the topic. Soon Nicole started going through the book 'A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot' and was completely immersed in it and from time to time would ask Alex a thing or two. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Soon a week passed and one of the most playful children of the orphanage, Nicole was rarely seen these days. Like any other day, both Alex and Nicole were in their room when their door was knocked. "Alex someone is here to see you" the head nun called out for them from outside. "Coming" Alex took all the books scattered around and stuffed them in the cupboard. He has already told Nicole to act as if they don't know anything about magic and act all surprised. Opening the door Alex first nodded towards the head nun and then looked towards the lady standing beside her questionably. "Well I will take it from here, thank you," the lady said to the head nun. "Okay" nodding her head the head nun left. As the lady entered the room she looked around for a while, finally settling her gaze on Nicole. "Sorry to intrude suddenly, I am Minerva McGonagall the deputy headmistress of Hogwarts, I believe a letter was delivered to you," Minerva said in a very calm and elegant ladylike manner. "Yes we received the letters but didn't know what to make of them, there was nothing mentioned about where the school is or where to buy the school supplies from or any kind of telephone number for assistance. You guys even asked us to reply by 31st of July but there was no address mentioned to deliver don't you think the letter was a bit less informative? by the way is it alright for the Deputy Headmistress to come on her own to meet the students?" Nicole bombarded a series of questions criticising the school. "Nicole," Alex said with a deep tone. "No it's alright, I guess we can certainly change a few things according to miss Ashbridge's suggestions and as for me coming here, it's because there were two students from the same place which is quite rare so it needed more attention" not losing her composure in the slightest Minerva replied. "So what's so great about your school?" Nicole asked again. "Nicole" this time Alex was a bit angry, in front of them was one of the greatest witches in the magical world and his sister was acting like a brat. Seeing the seriousness on Alex's face Nicole finally shut up. "I apologise on behalf of my sister" Alex apologised while slightly bowing his head towards Minerva. "It's alright students tend to ask questions on their first meeting" Minerva was impressed by the boy's calm and respectful manners. "Well since young you might have noticed certain abnormalities around you. Things happen which you can't explain when you are emotionally distressed like when you are extremely angry or sad. They all happen because you used magic subconsciously. We at Hogwarts teach you to control it and use it effectively, except for that we are no different from any other school" Minerva explained turning towards Nicole. "Why don't you show us some tricks?" not able to keep quiet for long Nicole asked once more. "They are not tricks miss Ashbridge but real magic" listening to the little girl even Minerva was losing composure, she needed to teach the girl some manners. "Wohh.... put me down. Please put me down" with a snap of her fingers Minerva made Nicole float in mid-air. "So what do you think about getting admitted to our school?" placing the girl back on the bed she turned towards Alex. "What you said make sense but we are orphans we don't have the means to support ourselves to go to a normal school let alone do schooling in some, one in the world kind of school" Alex expressed his difficulties. "Well, we are not the only magic school in the world but leaving that aside we will provide the school fees throughout the seven years you and your sister study there. You just need money to buy your school books and equipment" now she wanted Alex very badly, in such a situation he was calm, respectful and addressed his difficulties, the boy has great aptitude to become a leader. "We will go" not waiting for her brother to reply Nicole pitched in. Looking at his sister and then towards miss McGonagall Alex just nodded. "Very well then let's go and get you your supplies," Minerva said while standing up and walking towards the door. "Wait let me change," Nicole said while grabbing her clothes and walking towards the bathroom. "Let me grab some money I am sure you must have some kind of currency exchange system for people like us" saying this Alex went towards the cupboard and secretly put three neatly packed bundles of notes in his pocket. He was not too rich but was pretty well off for someone his age as he has saved around thirty thousand pounds over the years. Soon the trio left the orphanage. * * * * *