A Different Beginning

Chapter V - Aboard the Hogwarts Express

  On 31st July, 1991, Harry was beside himself with excitement. Today was his eleventh birthday and he would finally be getting his letter from Hogwarts. He knew that it had to come today; after all, school would be starting soon. He hurried down the stairs and grinned at James who was sitting at the kitchen table drinking a cup of coffee with his breakfast. Foolish was curled under the table at his feet hoping for scraps from the table.

"Morning Harry, and Happy Birthday!"

Harry grinned. "Morning Da, did the letter arrive yet?"

James laughed. "Yeah, it came. Here you go." He handed his son the letter.

The yellowish envelope addressed in emerald green ink was sealed with a wax stamp with four symbols: a lion, a badger, an eagle, and a snake with a large letter H in the middle. Below it written in a ribbon were these words: Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus. Harry pointed to them. "What's this mean again, Da?"

James grinned. "Don't you remember your Latin?"

He had taken Latin lessons, mostly reading it and proper pronunciation as James had told him that most spells were in Latin and this would help him out when it came to learning them. But he had taken the lessons years ago so he really had to think to remember them. Harry stared at it for a minute, trying to bring his Latin lessons back to mind and then he grinned. "Never tickle a sleeping dragon."

James grinned. "Exactly. That's the school motto you know. Well, open the letter."

Harry grinned as he opened the seal and pulled out the parchment and began to read out loud:

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 Mr. Potter,

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 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.

Yours Sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress

He slipped the paper behind and began to read the second sheet:

HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY

Uniform
First year students 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 nametags.

Set Books
All students should have a copy of each of the following:
The Standard Book of Spells Grade One 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