The cool air of a January morning drifted through the open window of the suite, stirring the silk curtains. It was January 17th, 1991 – her eleventh birthday. A wave of anticipation washed over her as she wondered if the owl post had brought the news she’d been dreaming of: acceptance letters from Hogwarts or Durmstrang.
Her bedroom was a luxurious haven within Hotel 41 in England. A king-sized bed dominated the room, beneath a glittering chandelier. A padded black wall served no practical purpose, yet added to the room’s eccentric elegance. A large window offered a view of the English countryside.
She found her mother in the kitchen, a note clutched in her hand, delivered by a snowy owl. A joyous squeal escaped her lips as she recognized the seal of Durmstrang. She unfolded the parchment, her fingers trembling with excitement.
'Dear Miss [y/n] [l/n] Gore,' she read aloud, 'We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted here at Durmstrang.'
She stopped, letting out another squeal. "Mother! I got in!" She wrapped her mother in a tight hug, then eagerly took the Hogwarts letter.
'Dear Miss [y/n] [l/n] Gore,' she read, 'We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.'
Another squeal. "I got into Hogwarts too!" Her mother’s pride was palpable, radiating warmth like the glow of the chandelier.
The two letters were carefully tucked into her black Gucci bag—a birthday gift from her mother—along with a black sweatshirt, pleated skirt, and matching shoes. She headed towards the cemetery.
The cold fog clung to the ancient headstones as they walked through the graveyard. They stopped before a grave marked 'Nathan Salazar Gore.’ Her father. He had been a brave man, killed by Voldemort while assisting the Potters.
She held the letters up to the stone, a tear tracing a path down her cheek, alongside a bright smile. "Daddy, I got in," she whispered, then pulled out her flip phone—a strange, muggle invention—and texted her friends. She explained she was going away, that she might not see them again. It felt like a goodbye to the world she knew. She’d only seen her father in wedding photos; he’d married only two years before his death, on his birthday.
They walked down the muggle streets, settling at a small cafe. She ordered an iced coffee, and they talked about the possibilities that lay ahead.
"Darling, have you decided which school you would like to attend?" her mother asked, taking a sip of her drink.
"[y/n] looked at her mother, her eyes shining with excitement. "Yes, Mother. I've decided… I would love to go to Hogwarts!"