Short Stories

6. Letter to freedom

The sun wasn't up completely. The west was still dark as Death's Eyes. But eastwards, a pink streak was visible, followed by orange and red streaks, which later turned blue towards the west. Above these streaks of colour, a half hidden red hot ball was slowly rising.

And watching the scenery from his bedroom was Steven Hopkins.

His dark hair was ruffled. He hadn't combed his hair. Normal, considering that he had just woken up. His gray eyes, however, were wide open and searching the morning sky.

And he spotted it.

A black spot had appeared smack dab in the middle of the sun, and was fast approaching towards Steve's cramped bedroom.

Heart beating with poorly supressed hope and excitement, Steve pushed up the window. Cool morning air hit Steve's skinny self clad in papery-thin, baggy pyjamas. The window was too narrow to squeeze an average eleven year old's shoulders out, but Steve wasn't an average eleven year old. With some difficulty, Steve manage to extract his torso out of the window, squinting at the dot, which had grown slightly.

The dot seemed unstable. More like a blob. It became more defined and soon took the shape of an owl. 

Steve stretched out his fingers and caught the exhausted owl mid-air and pulled it in.

Squeezing himself back in the room, Steve closed the window after him. The owl gave a grateful hoot and hopped to his bed—Steve didn't have a table.

There was simply no space left for unwanted furniture in his room. It was small and narrow. Not even half the size of Ruby's walk-in closet. A wooden cupboard was pushed to a corner. Half a step in front of it was a narrow cot. Near the foot of the bed was the door opening in the hall of bedrooms. 

Sitting down on the floor so that his face was level with the owl, Steve slowly opened the pouch attached to its legs. His shaking fingers fumbled with the straps. Slowly, he extracted a yellowish envelope, addressed in emerald green ink.

It was here.

Even slowly, Steve tore it open and pulled out the thinner letter from the envelop.

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Headmistress: Minerva McGonagall 

Dear Mr Hopkins

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,
Filius Flitwick, Deputy Headmaster

On the next part of the letter,which was thicker than the one before, it was written:

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, 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

Renewed version of History of Magic by Hermione Granger

Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling

A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration (Grade 1)by Emeric Switch

Magical Herbs and its Properties by Neville Longbottom

Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger

 Lovegood's guide to Magical Creatures by Luna Lovegood

Self-defence against Dark forces by Harry Potter

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 and owl OR a cat OR a toad.

PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS

"Parents are reminded that first years are not allowed their own broomsticks," Steve read aloud the last line to the owl, "What broomsticks? I don't have a broomstick to begin with. And they aren't going to buy me one, whether I am a first year or not." 

The owl hooted in agreement.

"Exactly!" Steve punched the bed. The owl flapped its wings, alarmed.

He threw an apologetic look to the owl. "I'll let you go in a sec."

He carefully folded the letter and put it back in the envelop. With delicate fingers, Steve hid the letter under his pillow and opened the window.

"Thanks for the letter," Steve said, carrying the owl to the window, "have a safe journey back." 

Saying that, he threw the bird in the morning sky. With a hoot of thanks and bye, the owl flew away.

Away into the sun. 

To Hogwarts.