Chapter 31 – The Letter
Thomas stared at the envelope, heart pounding. The wax seal had an ornate "H" pressed into deep red—elegant and unfamiliar. He hesitated for a moment, then carefully peeled it open.
The parchment inside crackled slightly, thick and heavy. Ink flowed in a dark green cursive script, impossibly neat and refined.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Professor Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Mr. Space,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Term begins on 1 September. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. A representative of the school will arrive to explain further details and answer any questions.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
A second sheet listed equipment in precise, formal order:
Uniform:
Three sets of plain work robes (black)
One plain pointed hat (black)
One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)
Books:
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk
A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling
(and others…)
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.
Thomas blinked, reading the letter again, then again.
Magic. A school for magic. Other people like him.
The thought left his hands trembling slightly.
He clutched the letter and hurried down the corridor to Sister Mary's office. She was seated with her reading glasses on, working through a stack of reports. When she saw Thomas's expression, she gently set her pen down.
"What is it, sweetheart?"
He handed her the letter in silence.
She read it word by word, her lips forming the sentences without sound. Then she looked at him—not alarmed, not skeptical, but serious.
"I didn't know there were schools for… this," Thomas said carefully.
Sister Mary leaned back in her chair, exhaling slowly.
"If this is real… then we have a lot to think about."
"I don't know what to do," he said, voice low. "Is this a trap? A joke? I've never heard of this place."
"If it's a trap," she replied, "it's an elaborate one. But I doubt someone would forge a letter like this and send it with a bird that knew exactly which window was yours."
He nodded.
Then she added, more firmly, "If there truly is a school for magic… then you need to learn. You've come this far on your own. But power without understanding can cause real harm—to yourself or to people around you."
Thomas looked away, a little ashamed. "So… do I go?"
She didn't answer immediately. Instead, she stood and placed her hands on his shoulders.
"We won't decide right away. Let's ask them to send someone—someone from the school. If this is real, they'll understand. We'll meet them. Then we'll decide."
The next day, around midday, the orphanage grew oddly quiet. Even the birds outside seemed to still for a moment.
Then came a knock at the front door.
Sister Mary opened it herself.
Standing there was a tall woman in a dark green cloak, her face stern but calm, and eyes sharp behind square-rimmed glasses. Her hair was tied in a tight bun. She carried a small leather satchel tucked beneath one arm.
"Good afternoon," she said briskly. "I'm Professor Minerva McGonagall. I believe you were expecting a visitor regarding Mr. Thomas Space?"
Thomas, peeking from behind the hallway corner, felt his stomach twist.
It was real. This was real.
And it was only the beginning.