As I step outside to check the weather and the mail, I notice an tawny brown owl sitting at the top of my neighbor's house. I decide my eyes are playing tricks on me and proceed to the mailbox. Inside, there are two bills, a magazine about clothes a postcard from mom's friend from collage  and a letter. To me. I'm about to rip open the back, when I see the seal. It has four squares of color and each square has an animal. It looks familier, but I can't place it. Gingerly now, I open the letter and pull out two pages of thick creamy paper with green loopy handwriting.

Dear Elvina,

we are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins On July 20. We await your owl.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagal,

Headmistress

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 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 beginners guide to Tranfiguration by Emeric Switch

One thousand magical herbs and fungi

by Phyllida Spore

Magical droughts 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

1 set glass or crystal phials

1 telescope

1 set brass scales

Students may also bring an owl OR cat OR toad.

Suddenly, I remember. It's from Hogwarts! The place I've dreamed of going ever since I first read Harry Potter! It's real!

I'm surprised that the house isn't quaking from all the excitement I'm pounding into the floors as I pack. According to the rules, I'm going to need to get most of my stuff at Diagon Ally. Suddenly I realize that I have no way to get to Diagon Ally. I read both of the letters again to make sure that I didn't miss anything. And I did. At the bottom of the envelope, there is a small brown packet of Floo Powder.  "Well," I say aloud, " One problem down, One to go." I don't have a real fireplace. Well, It can't hurt to try I decide after I've packed up everything I think I'm going to need. 

"Diagon Ally" I shout. For a second nothing happened and I start to feel very foolish standing in my fake fireplace holding a suitcase and shouting that I want to go to a magical ally. Then everything starts spinning and when I open my eyes, I'm standing in a fireplace on a brightly lit street filled with strange shops and people in robes.  

I open my eyes, I look around. I'm in Gringots. I look down at my self. Just a bit dirty. A goblin comes up to me."What ya down here?" 

"I, um...came to traid in this" I show him a large wad of bills. "For money."

"I see. You a cber?"

"Umm..yes."

"here." He hands me a bag of galleons Knuts and sickles."from the admins."

"uh.. thanks!" I then hand him my wad of cash and he hand s me another smaller bag.

"here ya go." I walk out of the bank my purse (yes I brought my purse) jangling as I go. Were to next? I think. Just then I see the  pet shop. I'll go there I decide. I walk in. I look around. Just then a barn owl comes swooping down. A witch comes running up. "Bad owl! Very bad owl, Stella!"

"No, it's ok!" I say. "How much for her?"

"I'll give you her for five sickles, she's such a pain."

"I'll take her!" Suddenly someone else enters the shop, they have a cage with some rats in it. "Hi!"

i say.

"hi."

We both head towards the meet your pet room "you go first." Lighting said.

after playing with Stella and talking with Lightning I need to The book store Florish and blots. I walk in. "Heading to Hogwarts? First year?" Says a Wizard.

"Um...yes." I reply. he rushes away. When he comes back he has a pile of books with him.

"here." He says. Pushing them into my arms.

"Thanks." I pay him for the books. I then go to by my robes and my hat. I run into Lightning there, too. "Hi, again." 

Dear Killim,

we are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins On July 20. We await your owl.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagal,

Headmistress  

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 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 beginners guide to Tranfiguration by Emeric Switch  

One thousand magical herbs and fungi  by Phyllida Spore

Magical droughts 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  

1 set glass or crystal phials  

1 telescope  

1 set brass scales  

students may also bring an owl OR cat OR toad 

I read the letter over again when I arrive in Diagon Alley. I had already gotten my Galleons, and decided to go straight to the pet shop. 

The door rung with the sound of bells when I stepped inside, and a woman walked up to me. 

"Hello dear," she began. "May I interest you in a cat? Perhaps an owl? Maybe even a toad?"

I nodded slightly, but my attention was diverted to a snowy owl sitting quietly in a cage on one of the top shelves.

"Who's that?" I asked.

The woman shifted uncomfortably. "He is Misdeg. He doesn't get along with any owner. He chooses the owner instead, but he hasn't chosen one because he always ends up flying away."

"Can I hold him?" I asked.

She hesitated before heading up a small ladder and bringing him down, opening the cage. I held my breath and held out my arm, waiting to see if he would climb on it. He looked into my eyes, and I looked into his.

Trust.

He stepped onto my arm as if it were a perch, and cooed in relief.

I also let my breath out in relief, and quickly purchased him and his cage. He reluctantly stepped back inside his cage, but looked happy that he had chosen me.

I smiled as I walked out of the store. 

Moments later when I had gotten everything, including my books, I headed for Ollivander's for my wand.

This was to be interesting.  

Cber Name: Mango--- (sorry, I hope it isn't to late to join!)

House: Ravenclaw

Patroness: Bat

Blood: Muggleborn (are we going to allow characters to use the word mudblood?)

Wand: Hazel Wood with a Phoenix feather core, 10" and Hard Flexibility 

Sorry it's a bit awkward, have't yet decided what style to do it in and I was a bit rushed. 

Sitting in a semi-secluded corner of Diagon-Alley, slurping a strawberry ice cream from Florean Fortesque's under the hot sun, I trace my finger over the freshly pressed pages of my new books and the now well worn path on my letter. My Hogwarts acceptance letter. Nevermind that I should be going to Illvermorny, I'm glad there was a mistake! Who wants to be a Pugwudgie? Not me! (just kidding, don't get mad at me!) Thoughts still racing through my mind, I stand up and pick up the cage of my new barn owl (yet to be named). I need to shake off any lingering doubt of magic, because it's time to get my wand.

-Admins, I hope you don't mind that I also took out 60 galleons from the in-case-you-become-a-wizard-and-don't-have-any-wizarding-money savings. (But seriously, we should just petition for wizards to use normal money because wizarding money makes no sense. I mean, in one scenario, one galleon was enough to cover Mrs. Weasley's entire shopping expense, but on another, Harry spends 30 galeons like it's nothing!)

I stare down in wonder at the letter in my hand. I didn't even need to read it, I had it memorized from years reading the books. I. Was. Going. To. Hogwarts.... I'M GOING TO HOGWARTS!!!

I race into my room, grab my bag, and walk out to the fireplace. My parents were gone for the day and wouldn't be back untill late. Perfect. Taking a pinch of the flue powder I found in the envelope, I toss it into my fireplace and step into it, yelling, "Diagon Alley!"

The fire spins and flickers around my and I tuck my arms in holding my breath as dark brick chiminies soon through my vision. Suddenly, I'm tumbling to the floor in an old bar. The Leaky cauldron! 

The barkeeper looked up at me and grinned.  "You 'ere from th' Admins?" I nod and he tossed me a leather pouch jangling with coins. "I was told to give this t' you. Welcome to th' wizarding world." 

I grin happily at him and race out the back, joining a large group of witches as they step through the archway.  It was more incredible than I could ever have imagined. First stop, Ollivanders. I was not waiting for my wand thank you very much. 

I step into the quiet shop and ring the small bell on the counter. A curtain rustled and out Ollivander. He looked just like I had imagined him, from his nose to his toes. He smiled at me and said "Here for you're wand are you?" I nod and he gestures me over to a tall  stack of wands. I hold out my left hand and his measuring tape gets to work, measuring the length of my pinkie, the width of my nose, the distance from my kneecap to my chin,  and all of the most random things possible. All the while Ollivander was sorting through boxes, muttering to himself. 

Eventually he  grabbed the tapped out of the air and handed me a wand. "Ashwood and thestral hair, 11 inches, sturdy, give it a wave." 

Gripping it excitedly I lift it into the air and twirl it- but nothing happens. I sigh and hand it back and he starts rummaging around again. He then pulls out another wand and said "Sugar Maple wood and Dragon Heartstring, 13 inches, nice and whippy, give it a try." I grasp it and silver flames burst out of it immediately filling the air with sparks.

I pay for my wand and step out into the street, gripping it happily. This was it. I was officially a witch! What should my first spell be? Should I try magic now or should I wait untill school? What should my first spell be? I would decide later I think. 

I place the wand carefully in my bag and head off down the street, stopping here and there to get supplies. The apothecary was incredible, and I wasted a good hour in Flourish and Blots looking at books. Finally, I had all of the school shopping done and, laden down with packages, stepped into the Magical Menagerie.   

The air was filled with noise as I searched the various cages for the perfect pet. I had decided long ago that if I went to Hogwarts, i was getting a cat.  There were so many though! It was almost impossible to choose but my eye landed on a small black kitten in the corner. It was perched on a shelf fast asleep, it's long fur rustling slightly as it purred. I tap the shop owner in the shoulder and ask how much it was. Only 3 Galleons! I hand her the money and carefully step up to the kitten. It's eyes blinked open and I could see they were the most beautiful starry purple. I pick it up carefully and it meowed curiously. "Hello you," i whisper, "How about I call you Shady." 

It purred happily and I turn around, walking straight into another girl about my age. We both stumble back, apologising untill I see the cat that sits on her shoulder. "So," I ask, "you're a cat person too?" 

I stepped into Ollivander's, and the man greeted me. 

"First year?" he asks.

I nod. I don't have the crest of a house on my robes yet.

"Let's try a few out."

He goes back to the shelves, so I take the opportunity to look around. The shelves of wands are almost arranged like shoes on a shelf.

"Ah!" I hear him exclaim. "Holly wood with a unicorn tail feather. Eleven inches and quite flexible. Try this," he says, giving a long sliver box to me.

I open it and give it a swish and flick, like my brother had shown me before.

Nothing happens.

"Well that won't do," he says. "Let's try another."

I place the wand back in the box as he comes back to give me another one.

"Acaia wood, with a dragon heartstring core. Eleven and a half inches, and quite stiff. Try it out."

I pick it up carefully from the box, and give it another swish and flick. A jar explodes and I quickly place it back in the box.

"Now, now, let's see," he says. He has already gone back to the shelves. Just to take extra precaution, I close the box lid on the wand.

He holds a black box in his hand and looks back at me before slowly walking up to the counter. 

"English oak wood with a Phoenix feather core. Twelve and a half inches, and slightly springy flexibility. Why don't you try that out?"

I took the wand in my hand and golden swirls filled the air, coming from the wand. My eyes widened, and the man smiled. 

"Looks as thought you've got yourself a wand!"

A few minutes later, outside and everything off my list checked, I run into a girl who I've seen before. 

"SopranoTwo?"

"Killim?"

We laugh.

"Hopefully we get the same train compartment tomorrow," she says.

"Yes," I reply. "I don't want to get stuck next to my brother's Quidditch friends. That's basically all they'll be talking about, I know it."

"He plays Quidditch?" she asks.

"Yep. Keeper and Team Capitaine."

"Oh neat."

I see her mother calling for her from behind her.

I smile and wave as she waves back. Soprano turns around and nods before waving to me.

"See you tomorrow!"

"You too!"

I turn around and run straight into Injaro.

"Hello sister," he says. "Ready to head back?" 

~~~~

(SopranoTwo, is that alright?) 

Search "harry potter money converter," then click on the first choice, Gringotts Currency Converter- Beyond Hogwarts. Click on Dollars, then enter your amount. Write it straight, like 43, not $43.00 or whatever. Write cents like 43.32, with a decimal. Then click Convert. That's what I use, anyway.

NOOO! I discovered this magical thread when it was too late to joiinnn!

Oh well...I shall lurk here...posting comments and reacting... 

Who wants to be in a compartment with me?

A letter from Hogwarts, but no newspaper.

I couldn't help but feel a little disappointed, the news were always the thing I looked forward to in the morning. 

Oh, well. It can't be helped. Plus it'll help me avoid the detention I had received from covering all the toilet seats in the girl's bathroom with honey. 

I open the envelope carefully, trying not to mangle it, but failing horribly, then read the letter. 

SO MANY SUPPLIES! Even more than the useless shmunk you have to get for middle school! I stuck the back in the envelope to put the paper away and something fell next to my foot, I reached down and picked it up: it was a small gray drawstring bag filled with Floo powder.

I sighed. Floo powder is so old school. I should start packing.

When my trunk was ready I lugged it downstairs, ran to my parents to tell them that I was leaving to Hogwarts, hugged my sister goodbye and donoteatmycookieswhileI'mgone then grabbed my trunk again, set up the chimney with Floo powder jumped in and yelled:

"BORGIN AND BURKE'S!"

The world whirled in a flurry of bricks and green flames then stopped and my head stopped spinning I was in a grimy chimney in the middle of a horrible clutter of creepy and disgusting objects.

Hoisting my trunk up, I dashed through the narrow passageways in the relics, trying not to knock anything down, burst through the front of the shop, out the door, down Knockturn alley, past an old lady giving out moldy nail samples and into Diagon alley.

I breathed in the smell of chocolate frogs as I headed towards Gringrott's to pick up some money for my supplies. 

I just saw this and it looks amazing! Is it too late to join?