June 25th, 2025 - On a cobbled street in Oxford, England.

10:05 am

An owl flies by an old apartment building and knocks its beak onto the kitchen window.



Her mother opens the window and retrieves a letter, completely unfazed.



"Noa!" She calls out to her daughter. "Come downstairs! Your letter arrived!"

Noa put on her slippers and headed to the kitchen, the smell of Earl Grey tea permeating her senses as her heart raced with anticipation. She had been waiting for this day since she was a little girl, when her mother would soothe her to sleep with stories of the ancient castle where her mother had gone to school. She'd dream of the turreted towers, the ornate halls, a library so large it would take a lifetime to read all of its contents.

She knew this day would come, so why was she so nervous?

What if they told her that it was a mistake, she'd inherited her father's genes, his Muggle genes. Her instances of magic were a fluke, or an optical illusion, or that she was too inept at magic and everyone else was already mastering basic spells, while all she could muster is stirring her tea if she concentrated immensely.

Carefully, she inspected the envelope.

Noa Blackwood, first bedroom right of the stairs, Briarmoor Apartments Unit 202, Oxford, England

Hands shaking with anticipation, she opened the envelope.

Inscribed in Emerald green ink, it read:

Dear Ms Blackwood,

Her fingers tightened around the letter.

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 1st. We await your owl by no later than July 31st.
Yours sincerely,
Hjørdis Jensen
Deputy Headmistress

She beamed at her mother, who immediately ran to embrace her.

"About time your letter arrived! Right, now open up your supply list. We'll have to head to Gringotts to give you some funds. Your father sent over around a thousand pounds for me to convert to galleons for your supplies. The first year is always the most expensive."

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 of glass or crystal phials
1 telescope
1 set brass scales
Students may also bring, if they desire, an owl OR a cat, OR a toad.
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICK

Yours sincerely,
Chief Attendant of Witchcraft Provisions

"Does that mean I can bring Nyra?" Noa asked.

"Well, I'd rather have some company at home while you're away, and an owl is far more useful, believe me. I'll send you plenty of pictures of her when I write to you. Now, let's head off to Diagon Alley."