Leah Snape

Leah Louise was the epitome of her father. Her long, thin black hair framed her equally thin, sallow face. Her brilliant emerald eyes, the only stark contrast of her father’s black ones, had frozen over long ago. A coldness lived within them, a coldness not usually seen in the eyes of a child. She sat in her small dark room, which held all of her few belongings. The main feature ran a long the far wall, a ceiling-high bookshelf filled with books of all sorts. Advanced Potion Making, Asiatic Anti-Venoms, and Moste Potente Potions, were among the extensive titles on her shelves. It was along these shelves that she walked, sighing as she ran her finger along the spines.

"Leah." His deep monotone voice pierced through the silence.

"Coming." Leah briskly made her way into the tiny sitting room. It had the feeling of a dark, padded cell, but like her room, the walls were completely covered in books. Her father sat in the old armchair, and he was illuminated by the candle-filled lamp that hung from the ceiling. He looked up from the leather bound book he had been reading when she entered. "What is it?" Leah asked, taking a seat on the threadbare sofa the the left of where he sat.

"Your letter came today." His voice had no emotion, and he threw the small envelope onto the rickety table. Gently picking it up, Leah tore open the seal. The letter was written in emerald ink on parchment paper.

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore (Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. Of Wizards)

Dear Ms. Snape,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on September 1. We await your owl no later than July 31.

Yours Sincerly,

Minerva McGonagall Deputy Headmistress

Leah's eyes twinkled for just a moment, before quickly turning cold again. Realising she had let her guard down, she put the letter down, and picked up the list of requirements.

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

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

Students may also bring and owl OR a cat OR a toad.

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

Leah set the list down. Already she recognized some of the books, and knew that they could be found in her personal library. The rest of the items, however, would have to be purchased, and Leah could not help but be excited for her first trip to Diagon Alley. She had been told by her father what it was like, and had painted a mental picture of the shops and bustling witches and wizards. The slight twinkle in her eyes returned, and a smile played across her lips.

"Shall we go then?" Her father spoke from the chair. At the sound of his voice, Leah erased her face of all emotion.

"Yes, I suppose we shall."