Veritas Journey: A Hogwarts Story

Chapter 1: Letter of Acceptance

It was a scorching summer day, 10 year old Dakota was running amok outside. His birthday was coming up, his 11th as a matter-of-fact. This meant that he could finally go to Hogwarts, and he couldn't imagine being any happier. His mother had told him tales of her adventures, misadventures and all in between.

He was feeling very thirsty as the sun shone on his neck, and he decided to head inside for some water. As the door swung open, Dakota's mother, Leah, beamed down at him.

She didn't say anything, just held out her hands, and in them was a letter.

Dakota froze, as he knew what this was. He examined it from her short, stubby fingers. He recognized the crest and red wax stamp. Grabbing it, Dakota had no hesitation in tearing it open, much to his mother's dismay. He opened the letter. It read,

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

"Mum, does this mean we can go to Dye-gone alley?!" Dakota exclaimed, not a hint of any emotion asides pure joy in his voice.

"Diagon," His mother replied, "And yes, first thing tomorrow."

Dakota couldn't wait to tell his friends, as all of them had received their letter already. Running back outside, he found Ava.

"Ava, look, I've got my letter!" Dakota shouted, continuing down towards her.

"Awesome!" She replied, equally excited and happy. She really did like the idea of learning magic with her best friend. Ava's smile faded for a second "But wait, have you gotten your school supplies yet?"

"No, I'm going first thing in the morning to Dia-gon--" Dakota sounded out the word "--Alley, and I'm getting my wand!"

Ava had gotten her supplies in the weeks prior, and felt superior in a small, childish way, feeling somewhat like a role model and mentor to Dakota.

"Remember, Ollivanders is where you want to go for your wand, be careful when he lets you test the wand. I nearly knocked down one of his shelves."

Dakota smiled at the visual, and played a little longer before sunset. As the clouds parted and moonlight flooded the road, Ava's mom told her to head inside.

He thought he should be heading home now too, and ran up the street to his warm home, imagining what wonders awaited him at his new school.

Turning the doorknob, he found his mother upstairs reading some novel she just picked up some days before. "Hey mum, I'm home!" She didn't look up from her novel, but gave a warm "Thanks for letting me know."

He didn't really feel like disturbing her, as he knew how immersed she got when reading. Besides, he had to get a good night's rest for his big trip to Diagon alley the next day.

As he brushed his teeth and changed into his Pyjamas he looked in the mirror for a while.

His mother was a Gryffindor, as was his Father, but would he be as well? He wasn't anything special, and he didn't stand out all that much. He recalls times where he could have stood up for himself, but he ran away, or ratted the bullies out. Surely a Gryffindor wouldn't have done these things.

Eventually, he found his way to his bed. He had his lamp on, illuminating maybe ⅓ of his room, it was fairly dim. He began reading his copy of "Hogwarts, A History" and not long after it fell on his face, he was asleep.

He tossed and turned in the night, dreaming of soaring Owls and Goblins, Trolls and spiders, Centaurs and Giants.

The curtains, placed on the windows of his room were breezing in the wind, and brought a very cold chill inside.