A Hogwarts Mystery: The Cursed Vaults (Year 1)

Chapter 1 - Beginnings

Jacob Barnes was a noble spirited Gryffindor boy with a thirst for adventure, and when he heard about the cursed vaults, he had to find them. He had no other choice, there was no other way for him to protect Hogwarts, for when the time came and his sister was meant to attend, he wanted to be sure that she would be safe.

At least, that's what Tessa read in his diary. She gently placed the diary in her trunk. "Come now, Yarrow." Tessa called to her orange cat, calling him to his cage. The cat mewed in agreement as he comfortably laid in his cage.

About to close her trunk, a picture frame caught her eye. "Ah! Almost forgot about you." she exclaimed lovingly as she picked up the picture frame. "Goodmorning, Jacob." she smiled at the photo of her and her brother. They'd gone sledding, the day of that photo, she remembered it vividly.

It was dreadfully cold outside, and the snow was at least 20 centimeters tall. Jacob woke Tessa up just around sunrise, he was on holiday from Hogwarts. They grabbed their mothers old wooden sled from the shed. The sun rose, painting the Skye in faded pastels, causing the ground to shine and sparkle. The crunching beneath their feet rang in the pair's ears as they struggled to climb up the hill behind their house. Jacob placed Tessa in the front of the sled. He climbed in behind her, reaching around her arms to grab hold of the sled reigns. He placed his wand behind the sled, "Reducto" he whispered, and the sled took off down the hill.

They must have face planted in the snow hundreds of times before their mother discovered them and snapped the photo, bringing them hot chocolate and warm hugs.

Tessa smiled to herself as she wiped a tear from her eye. "Don't worry, Jacob. I'm going to find you, I promise." She tucked the picture frame into her trunk.

*                                                                                                 *                                                                                                *

Floo powder filled her lungs as Tessa arrived in Diagon Alley. She coughed and wiped her face clean. Tessa stared at her reflection in a tinted shop's window. Her delicate features accentuated by her white hair. Tessa Barnes had eyes the color of fresh honey, not quite hazel. Her hair was long, wavy, and white as snow. Her skin was pale, her lashes and brows dark brown. She sighed as she wiped ash from her button nose.

She took out the list that was enclosed in her Hogwarts acceptance letter, and read the list aloud to herself:

Student Uniform includes:

- Three sets of plain black work robes (their robes will be transfigured once placed in their house)

- One plain pointed black hat (for special occasions)

- One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)

- One plain winter cloak (black, with silver fastenings)

Please note that students clothing should have a name tag on the inside, or their names embroidered.

Student Books include:

- The Standard Book of Spells: Grade 1 by Miranda Goshawk

- A History of Magic by Mathilda Bagshot

- Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling

- A Beginners Guide to Transfiguration by Emetic Switch

- One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore

- Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger