On the first of July, I walked into the front yard of my Melbourne suburban home at 6:30 in the morning to collect the mail. It was the 21st century, so barely anyone used real letters anymore, not even the people sending bills. Therefore, I was surprised when my hand scratched itself, as usual, on the metal mailbox, before touching a thick and slightly rough piece of paper. I pulled it out and brought it inside, as I did so, reading the sender address. 

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry 

Can't tell you where - send your owl, it'll find us. 

The first thing I noticed was that there wasn't a stamp. Also, the writing was in a curly script of emerald green ink. I had never seen anything like it - the sender must've been an olden days fanatic. Whatever this letter was, junk mail or an invite to a fake magic-school gathering, I was intrigued. 

I strolled back inside to the round kitchen table where my mum was sitting, eating porridge for breakfast. "Look," I said. "A letter." I held it up to show her. 

I had been expecting Mum to be surprised we had a letter, but not so surprised that she dropped her spoon with a clatter into the bowl. Her pale blue eyes grew wide and her messy, greying, blonde hair, seemed to stand up at the shock. 

"Daisy," she whispered. "It's come. Your letter has come."

This was a great shock for me too, now. Had Mum been expecting this letter? How? 

"What is it?" I asked eagerly. "Who's it from?" 

"Daisy," Mum breathed. "This is from a school. A very special school. That only accepts a handful of students every year." 

There were so many questions racing through my mind but the one I asked was, "who is it from?"

Mum didn't say anything but wordlessly pointed at the sender. 

"So it's from this, 'Hogwarts School'?" I queried. 

Mum breathed out, as though she'd been holding in that breath for years. "Daisy. There's some things I need to tell you."

~~~

Mum told me about a world I had never known about. A world of magic. With witches and wizards and goblins and dragons and magical schools. SO MANY magical schools. Like America's Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and the Eaglesclaw Academy, Australia's Snakebinder Academy, France's Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, Durmstrang Institute, Italy's Stati Magia, Greece's Eronmayervos Institution, Norway's Fjormagis School Of Witchcraft And Wizardry, Canada's Snowdoor School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Mexico's Porronarmous School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, New Zealand's Mantigi School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and South America's Escuela De Magon. And apparently, my name had been down for many of these since birth. 

~~~

"Now. Open it. Your letter." Mum was smiling. 

I awkwardly slid my finger underneath the purple wax seal. I had never opened one before. I drew out a piece of thick paper; it was like parchment from the olden times. As I unfolded the paper, another piece fell out. As I bent down, my honey-blonde hair fell onto my face. As I stood up, it went away. I put the second piece of paper on the table to read later, and turned my eyes to the first piece. The words on it were written in the same emerald green ink as the letters on the envelope. 

Dear Daisy Tuckfield, 

As you are turning twelve in the next school-year and have passed our entry requirements, 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, uniform, equipment, and other items. As you are an international student, also find enclosed a description of your transportation options.

Term begins on the 1st of September. We await your reply (by owl) no later than July 31st. 

Yours sincerely, 

Aoife O'Keeffe, 

Deputy Headmistress 

I picked up the other piece of paper and started to read it, but not before another piece fell onto the table. I left the third piece and read the second. 

HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY 

First-Year students will require: 

UNIFORM:

- Three sets of plain work robes (black)

- One plain pointed hat (black) for formal occasions 

- One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings) 
- One scarf (black with Hogwarts crest) 

- Six pairs of socks (black)

- One pair of black shoes (lace-up or buckle, 2cm heel)

- One jumper (grey) 

- Five shirts (white)

- One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)

- One pair of woollen gloves 

SET BOOKS: 

All students should have a copy of each of the following: 
- The Standard Book of Spells (Grade One) 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 

- The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble

- Magical Transportation in a Nutshell by Rolanda Hooch

- The Handbook for the Sky by Autumn Sinistra 

OTHER EQUIPMENT: 

- 1 wand

- 1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2) 

- 1 set glass or crystal phials 

- 1 telescope 

- 1 set brass scales

- 1 set basic potion ingredients 

- a good amount of parchment (for notes, homework, e.t.c.)

- 5 quills (whatever feather) 
- 10 bottles of ink (three black, three dark green, three dark blue, one purple)

SUGGESTIONS:

- Students may bring a pet, as long as they take full responsibility for it. No dogs in general or anything bigger than a cat. 

- Students are advised to bring Gobstones, Wizard Chess, or similar, to play with friends.

Finally, I looked at the last piece of paper. 

Dear Miss Tuckfield, 

As you are an international student, certain measures must be taken to ensure you arrive at school safely and on time. There are a few options for you to choose from; but when you send your owl back to us saying you will be attending school, please let us know which option you have decided to use. 

You may use Muggle transport (aeroplanes, cars, buses, et cetera) to arrive at school, but this is advised against as you will be carrying an enormous amount of luggage. We advise that you instead choose an option below. 

Once you have gotten all your things together and are ready to go, you can use Side-Along-Apparition with a qualified witch or wizard (such as a parent). They would apparate directly to a spot close to Kings Cross Station in London where the Hogwarts Express will be leaving from. 

Alternatively, you could do the same but take a Portkey (an object that will take you to a location near Kings Cross Station in just a few seconds). You will need to give us advance notice if you are taking a Portkey as we must organise one for you. 

We can also have someone come and collect you if you would prefer, and then they would apparate to the same spot. 

Here are some other details: 
1. Normally, Hogwarts students purchase their school items from Diagon Alley in London. However, as that is a long way to go, you can access Diagon Alley from the pub, The Backfired Wand in Collins Street, Melbourne. You will be able to see it, but anyone that is non-magic (Muggle) will not. 

2. Hogwarts School is reached by means of train. You will take the Hogwarts Express from Platform 9 and 3/4 at 11:00 in the morning on the 1st of September. To get to Platform 9 and 3/4, you must walk straight through the barrier between platforms 9 and 10. If you are nervous, do it at a run. Your train ticket is also enclosed.

3. It is advisable, but not required, to bring a small portion of money to Hogwarts, as there will be occasions where you can spend it. One of them is on the train, where you can purchase your lunch and afternoon tea. If you prefer, you can bring your own. 

4. When you arrive at Kings Cross Station, you should be in Muggle attire. You will change into your robes on the train. 

At the end of all the letters, I said one thing. "I want to go."