Harry woke up and knew it was going to be the best birthday that he could remember so far for some reason. It started off as a normal day for his birthday, being made to cook breakfast for everyone, then cleaning it up. He was rewarded with a prompt whack on the head with the saucepan. The change started when Harry was asked to get the mail. For when he picked it up, there was a letter addressed to him. So, knowing that uncle Vernon would destroy the letter if he found out about it, he slipped it into his cupboard when he walked past it.

Harry lay awake that night reading over the letter he had received.

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, 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 Beginners' Guide to Transfiguration by Emetic 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) set

1 set of glass or crystal phials

1 telescope set

1 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

Harry was making his way across the lawn a couple hours later when he heard this little voice coming from the bushes.

"Itsss sssssoo cold" Harry spun around so fast that he was surprised that his neck didn't break and quickly found out where the voice was. It was a small black and green cobra that was almost shivering.

"Hey are okay" Harry asked the cobra.

"Yousss are a sssspeaker" it said

"A what" Harry responded confused.

"A ssspeaker, someone who speaks the tongue of serpents"it replied

"You mean I can talk to snake" Harry replied out of his mind.

"Yes, I can see it was your magic that drew me here, Basilisks need strong familar bonds to survive"

"What is a basilisk" Harry asked in confusion

"It is a magical snake with many amazing abilities" The basilisk replied.

"So what can I do to help?" Harry asked, wanting to help it.

"Bond with me hatchling" The serpent replied eagerly.

"How do I do that?" Asked Harry.

"Let me bite you, my venon with create a bond if I allow" it answered.

"Very well" Harry replied, giving the snake his hand.

Once the snake had bonded with him (he learned that his name was Anguis) he was told to go to the edge of the road and call out the Night Bus. Once he did that the bus driver let him on without any complaints seeing as he looked about six.

"Hey kid, where are you going?" the bus driver asked as he passed.

"Diagon Alley" Anguis whispered to him.

"Diagon Alley" Harry repeated in english to the bus driver.