Chapter 2: The Hogwarts Admission Letter
Harry sat on the worn-out wooden cot that Aunt Petunia dared to call a "bed" and let out a laugh. He had been holding it in all morning, but now, he couldn't contain himself.
"Merlin's beard… Phineas Nigellus Black? He's dead!" Harry muttered to himself.
Phineas Black was widely regarded as the most disliked Headmaster in the history of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. In fact, he was so insufferable that even strangers could bond over their mutual hatred of him.
Harry shook his head, dismissing the thought, and turned his attention back to the letter he was holding.
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HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorcerer, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, Supreme Mugwump, International Confederation of Wizards)
Dear Mr. Potter,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Enclosed, you will find a list of all necessary books and equipment.
The term begins on September 1st. We await your owl by no later than July 31st.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
(Deputy Headmistress)
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Harry's fingers brushed over the parchment. "Owl reply?" he muttered. He didn't own an owl and couldn't imagine how he'd send a response.
He glanced at the supply list enclosed with the letter. There were books, robes, a wand… He sighed. Even if he could find his way to Diagon Alley, how could he afford all of this? He was penniless.
Back when he attended Hogwarts over a hundred years ago (in his previous life, or so it felt), Professor Matilda Weasley, then the Deputy Headmistress, had kindly paid for his school supplies and helped him secure a scholarship.
He pinched the bridge of his nose. Would he have to seek out a wizard willing to lend him money? But then a darker thought struck him—what if he had to approach a Dark wizard? After all, in the wizarding world of a century ago, Dark wizards had been everywhere, and Harry had reluctantly borrowed gold from them in desperate times.
The thought sent a chill through him. His parents had been murdered by a Dark wizard, and even thinking about interacting with them felt like betrayal.
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A knock on the cupboard door pulled Harry from his thoughts. Aunt Petunia stood there, looking impatient.
"What is it, Aunt Petunia?" Harry asked politely.
"There's an… owl… sitting on the mailbox," she said stiffly, her voice unusually tight. "I think it's here for you. Your mother used to get letters from owls too, back in her day."
Harry's eyebrows rose in surprise. He hadn't expected his aunt to mention his mother. "Thank you, Aunt Petunia," he said. "Would you mind preparing something for the owl to eat?"
Aunt Petunia looked at him as if he'd grown a second head but walked off without another word.
When Harry stepped outside, he saw the owl perched elegantly on the mailbox. Its feathers gleamed in the sunlight, and it stood on one leg with a dignified air.
"Hello there," Harry greeted, holding out his hand. "Are you my postman?"
The owl hooted in response, and Harry smiled. "You must be tired. Would you like some food and water?"
The owl studied him for a moment, then gracefully took a sip of water from the bowl Aunt Petunia had grudgingly left by the door. It seemed unimpressed with the food, however, and flew off with a dignified flutter of wings after Harry tied his reply to its leg.
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Later that afternoon, Harry was surprised to hear another knock at the door. This time, it wasn't Aunt Petunia—it was a towering figure with wild hair and a friendly face.
"Hello, Harry!" the man boomed, his voice filled with emotion. "Last time I saw you, you were just a baby!"
"Er… hello. Do I know you?" Harry asked politely.
"Course you do! I'm Rubeus Hagrid. I brought you to the Dursleys' when you were just a wee thing."
Hagrid's eyes glistened with tears as he studied Harry's face. "Blimey, you look just like your dad. Got your mum's eyes, though."
Harry wasn't sure what to say, but he found himself liking this man almost instantly. "It's nice to meet you, Hagrid."
Hagrid beamed. "Nice to meet you too, Harry. Now, let's get you ready for Hogwarts!"
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