The next few weeks went in a blur of activity where Cass came over every time with her mother to train with me trying to overtake me and become the strong one again. Every time she challenged me and lost her mother teased her heavily causing Cass to hold a grudge against me, "Don't look at me, she is the one who said it." I said as I pointed towards Bellatrix who stated that if she lost this duel Cass would have to wear a dress for the next session.
"I know who said it, I am just glaring at you for not letting me win," Cass replied while pouting. "Why would I lose on purpose when I would have gained nothing from it? You should have bribed me before charging into the fray." I said with a smug grin on my face while a loud bark of a laugh came from Bellatrix followed by her saying "I am sorry to say though that the next session will be our last Erik as you have surpassed me, you are now beating me every time we duel."
The year between my 10th birthday and my 11th seemed to fly past as I spent a lot of time with Arcturus and Walburga in lessons and a long time outside of lessons with Daphne where we spent time chatting and having tea. The day of my birthday came and a small party was hosted in Black Manor with the Greengrass family joining us, "Happy Birthday Erik, we will be going to Hogwarts this year are you excited?" Daphne said as she hugged me.
"I am very excited to go, are you?" I said while returning the hug. "Yes, I cannot wait to make new friends and learn from the teachers." Pulling away from the hug she then placed a box in my hands and said "That is a present from the Greengrass' and," She moved forward and kissed me, "This is a present from me." I was momentarily stunned by her boldness, inside the box was a golden pocket watch with a photo of me and Daphne where we had fallen asleep on a sofa with our heads and hands touching. The rest of the dinner passed with teasing remarks from both sides as Daphne and I sat with red faces trying to fall through the floor.
My Grandma had gifted me a young eagle owl which I named "Azure" after her bright blue eyes and the blue sheen that her feathers had. Arcturus had given me a dragon skin wand holster which would sit on my arm between my wrist and elbow, it also was unnoticeable allowing me to hide it if I needed to. Walburga gifted me a golden necklace with a dragon pendant, which would prevent any harmful or malicious potions from affecting me. Bellatrix and Cass gifted me a book each, Bella's book was an old one that she described as one of the most horrific dark magic books that she had ever read and that it may help me in the future. Cass's book was an old book on alchemy called "The Jewish Book of Abraham" which was hard to understand and even harder to follow what the diagrams and odd scribbles meant.
"Thank you for the wonderful gifts, I will make sure to utilise them in the future. I hope we can share many such moments like these in the future." As I said Kreacher came into the room and gave a bow before presenting us with two letters, on the front of mine written in a cursive style was "Erik Bodewig 13 Grimuald Place London." Opening the letters we found the classical Hogwarts school invitation with a list of required materials and books:
Headmaster: Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, Order of Merlin Frist class recipient, Grand sorcerer, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards.
Dear Mr Erik Bodewig,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment for first-year students. Term begins on September 1st, we await your reply by owl no later than the 31st of July.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress and Head of Gryffindor house.
First Year materials include:
Uniform
Three sets of plain work robes in black.
One plain pointed hat in black for day wear.
One plain of protective gloves of dragon hide or similar.
One winter cloak in black with silver fastenings.
Please note that all student clothes should be labelled with name tags.
Course Books
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 Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beasts and Wher to Find Them by Newt Scamander
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble
Other Equipment
1 Wand
1 Cauldron made of pewter Standart size 2
1 set of glass or crystal phials
1 Telescope
1 set of brass scales.
Students may also bring, if they so desire, an owl OR a cat OR a toad.
Parents are reminded that First Years are not allowed their own broomstick.
Yours sincerely,
Lucinda Thomsonicle-Pocus, Chief Attendant of Witchcraft Provisions.
"Well then, It looks like we will have to take a trip to Diagon Alley to get your very own wands." Said Arcturus