July 20, 1971

Eleven year old Remus Lupin sat at the small table in his family’s kitchen watching his mother fix breakfast while his father read the Daily Prophet. This was their normal morning routine, but he knew there was something going on that they were keeping secret by the way his mother kept sneaking glances at him. He just didn’t know what. It wasn’t like them to keep him in the dark about things. Ever since he was very small, they had been open and honest with him. But for almost a week, they had seemed suspiciously quiet. Ever since that old man with the silver hair had come to the house, and they had made him play down at the barn. Remus hadn’t even been introduced. That had been a huge disappointment considering the fact that they had so few visitors. When he asked them about the visitor, they had been unusually vague. 

“He is just someone who is going to try to help us get you the best education we can, Remus,” said his father.

“Is he going to be my tutor?”

“No. He has connections with some fine teachers, though.”

“You mean I’ll have more than one?” Remus was excited at the prospect. He had always enjoyed people. Unfortunately, his condition usually prevented him from maintaining relationships. 

“I don’t know, Remus. He’s looking into it. Here, help me get these gnomes out of your mother’s garden.” 

Since that day, he had caught them glancing at one another, and more than once, he had walked in on a conversation that had immediately died. He was starting to get worried, especially since he had noticed his mum tearing up on several occasions. Today, she seemed to be preoccupied with the kitchen window. Every couple of minutes, she would stop what she was doing and look out the opening over the sink. What is she looking for?he wondered as he refilled his glass with pumpkin juice. 

He heard a soft hooting and looked up to see Henrietta, the family owl, flying across the back yard. When the bird crossed over the sill, his mother glanced at his father with a look of nervous expectation. His father leaned forward in anticipation and placed his hastily folded paper on the table. What were they expecting in the post? The last time his father had been this interested in the post, he had been expecting a shipment of snidget eggs. His father had taken great pride in being given the responsibility to hatch the rare birds and raise them until they were old enough to be released into the nearest reserve. Remus wondered what exotic creature Henrietta might be bringing this time. Of course, it would have to be awfully small to fit in a letter sized envelope.

But, instead of flying to either of his parents, the tawny owl landed on the table in front of him. Remus looked at the bird questioningly. He had never gotten owl post before. At least not that he could remember. He felt a rush of excitement flood over him.

“Go on, Remus, see what it is,” said his father with a barely suppressed grin.

He untied the letter and saw the address written in green ink: 

Mr. R. Lupin
The Kitchen Table
Lupin Lodge
North Wales

“This is addressed to you, Dad,” said Remus, the disappointment evident in his voice. He started to hand the letter to his father. “See, Mr. R. Lupin.”

“And what does Remus start with?” his father joked. “Henrietta delivered it to you. It must be yours. Go on and open it.”

Remus rolled his eyes at himself and laughed. “Right, I wasn’t thinking.” He tore into the envelope excitedly, yet careful not to tear whatever was inside. His heart started racing at the first word. By the time he finished reading, he could barely breathe.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL
of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

Headmaster: ALBUS DUMBLEDORE
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., 
Chf. Warlock, International Confed. of Wizards)

Dear Mr. Lupin, 

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.

Term begins on September 1, 1971. We await your owl by no later than July 31, 1971.

Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall,
Deputy Headmistress


He stared at the letter in his hands. He felt a lump forming in his throat and thought he might choke. His eyes began to burn. Was this a mistake or some sort of sick joke?

“What does it say, Remus?” asked his father.

“I think it’s a mistake,” he managed to say through the tightening in his throat. “I mean… it can’t be…It says …It says I’ve been accepted to Hogwarts. That can’t be right…”

“It isn’t a mistake, Son,” said his father gently. “If you want to go, you can. That man who visited last week was Albus Dumbledore. He arranged it.”

Remus felt tears welling up in his eyes. He struggled against them. He hadn’t cried in years, but he couldn’t remember ever being so happy. He had not allowed himself to hope for this since he was six years old. He had read every book he could find on Hogwarts, knowing he would never get to experience it for himself. He had practically memorized Hogwarts, A History. And now, he was going to get to go after all. He could hardly believe it. He looked back down at the letter that was never supposed to come, hisHogwarts Letter. A huge grin broke on his father’s face. Remus couldn’t help himself as he jumped up out of the chair and let out a loud shout. 

“I take that to mean you want to go?” said his father who was now laughing heartily.

His mother covered her mouth, and tears spilled down her cheeks as she watched her quiet and reserved son dance around the kitchen in an uncharacteristic display of glee. No, this wasn’t happiness. It was a true moment of bliss.