“ALEX! Our letters came! Hogwarts letters!” My twin brother, Ron, nearly shrieked.
I was finishing my toast at the breakfast table, turning to him with a wide grin.
“Holy macaroni!” I blurted, snatching my letter from his hands and admiring the crimson wax seal.
It was addressed to… me.
“REEEEEEEEEEE!” I squealed, mimicking a pig. Ron covered his ears, and Mum shot me a pointed look. I quickly stifled my excitement.
I tore open the parchment and read the most beautiful words imaginable.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore (Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorcerer, Chief Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confederation of Wizards) Dear Miss Weasley, 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 on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31. Yours Sincerely, Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress
A tiny squeal escaped me before I examined the list of required supplies.
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 pupils’ 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 an owl OR a cat OR a toad. PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS
I squealed again and handed the letter to Mum. She looked apprehensive. Of course she did—we were poor and couldn’t afford new things.
“Mum, please, can I get everything new? I don’t want raggedy hand-me-downs!” I pleaded, fixing her with a wide-eyed look.
“That’s no way to talk, Alexandra! Hand-me-downs will have to do!” She retorted, handing the letter back to me.
I possessed a rare talent: manipulation. I could get what I wanted, when I wanted it.
“BUT MUUUUUUM! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE?! I NEED NEW THINGS! I’ll get bullied!”
“You’ll be fine, Alex.”
“NO, I WON’T BE! Ron gets all the good hand-me-downs, anyway! They’re ripped and stained!”
Ron frowned slightly, but I ignored him.
“NO! We can’t afford new things!”
“MUMMY, PLEASE! I NEED NEW BOOKS! Ones that aren’t torn and scribbled over! PLEASE!” I begged, sinking to my knees.
She looked disgusted for a moment before her expression softened, just a fraction.
“If you’ll shut up about it, then fine! But don’t push it!”
“Thank you, Mummy! Thank you!” I cried, hugging her, but she pushed me away.
I glanced at Ron, who was clearly annoyed, then at Fred and George.
“Unbelievable.” They said in unison.
I smirked and skipped up to my room, happier than I’d been in ages.
-Time Skip-
I was in Diagon Alley with my parents and brothers. My siblings were saddled with their hand-me-downs while I happily strolled along, admiring the shops where I’d purchased my new supplies.
The last thing I needed was robes.
I entered the robe shop and stepped onto a pedestal for fitting. The rest of my family was off getting me quills and parchment.
As cloth was draped over me, another boy approached the pedestal to be fitted as well.
He had blond hair, slicked back, and grey eyes. He turned to look at me and immediately sneered. Then, his expression shifted to surprise.
“A Weasley? Shouldn’t you be getting hand-me-downs like the rest of your pathetic family?” He sneered, sizing me up. I recognized him as a rich, spoiled brat.
I narrowed my eyes, deciding not to reveal my true thoughts. I could be a loudmouth, but I could also hold back sarcastic comments.
“I convinced them to get me new things. I’m glad I didn’t get stuck with second-hand rubbish.” I said, a smirk playing on my lips.
“Won’t you be starving for a week?”
“Probably. But hey, you have to admit, the Alexandra Rose Weasley charm is pretty impressive!” I said, revealing my name.
“Don’t you care about standing up to your family?” He said, his expression questioning.
“Nope. I’m a selfish bitch. If it doesn’t affect me, I don’t care.”
“NO! You know we can't get new things!"
“MUMMY, PLEASE! I NEED NEW BOOKS! ONES THAT AREN'T RIPPED AND DOODLED ON! PLEASE!” I begged, getting on my knees.
She looked disgusted for a moment before her face softened, just a bit.
“If you will shut up about it, then fine! But don't you dare push it!" She said.
“Thank you Mummy! Thank you!” I said, hugging her, but she pushed me away.
I looked at Ron who was peeved, then at Fred and George.
“Unbelievable.” They said in unison.
I smirked and skipped up to my room, happier then ever.
-time skip-
I was in Diagon Alley with my brothers and parents.
My siblings all had their hand-me-downs while I was happily skipping down the alley, admiring the shops I had gotten my new things from!
The last thing I needed were robes.
I walked into the robe shop and stood on a pedestal so I could be fitted. The rest of my family was gone to get me quills and parchment.
Just as cloth was draped over me, another boy walked up next to me to be fitted as well.
He had blond, slicked back hair and grey eyes. He turned to look at me and immediately sneered. Then he had a look of surprise.
“A Weasley? Shouldn’t you be getting hand-me-downs like the rest of your poor pathetic family?” He said, eyeing me up and down. I could tell he was a rich snob.
I frowned a bit but decided not to say what I was thinking. What can I say? I’m a loud mouth. But still, I can hold some sarcastic comments in.
“I convinced them to give me new things. I’m glad I didn’t get second hand rubbish.” I said, smirking.
“Really? Won’t you be starving for a week?”
“Probably. But hey, you gotta admit, the Alexandra Rose Weasley charm is pretty impressive! That’s my name, by the way.”
“Don’t you even care about standing up to your family?” He said, giving me a questioning look.
“Nope. I’m a selfish bitch. If it don't affect me, I don't care.” I said, shrugging.
“Are you a blood traitor like them?”
“Hmmm...." I thought for a moment.
I dug down into my brain. Into my deepest, darkest secrets.
Nope. I hated mudbloods!
It’s strange, when you think about it. My entire family, especially my father, ADORED Muggles, while I thought they were nothing but scum. I never told them this, of course, I just played along and acted like a blood traitor, even though it disgusted me.
“Muggles are useless pieces of trash! They can’t do anything useful, at all! Mudbloods don’t deserve to learn magic, it’s too much work.” I ranted. The boy looked quite shocked.
“Harsh.” He said, chuckling a bit.
“Hey, I’m only saying the truth!” I said, rolling my eyes.
We were both finished being fitted and we stepped down from the pedestals.
“Oh, and by the way, my name is Malfoy, Draco Malfoy.” He said, holding out his hand. I gladly shook it as we walked out of the shop.