Chapter 14: Letters Arrive, and The Decision (2/2)
1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2).
1 set glass or crystal vials.
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,
Lucinda Thomsonicle-Pocus
Chief Attendant of Witchcraft Provisions
]
Quinn had already read all the books from the list. The amount he had learned with the first-year focus and power was much more than what a single school and curriculum taught. Even though many magical communities had joined together to form the International Confederation Of Wizards, they were still pretty xenophobic in nature and isolated from each other.
He could do more things with limited focus and power that any student could imagine doing with the same amount of magical capabilities. Quinn could say that buying books from different cultures and communities was his best decision in both of his lives.
He carefully casted a stasis charm on both pages and the envelope before packing the letter back into the envelope. It didn't matter what school he committed to; Quinn was going to frame the acceptance letter of that school.
Quinn opened Beauxbatons' acceptance letter, and inside were two pale-blue parchment papers. He unfolded the letter, and Beauxbatons' content more pronounced than Hogwarts'.
[
L'ACADÉMIE DE MAGIE DE BEAUXBATONS
Directrice Mme Olympe Maxime
(Education Magique, Ministere de la Magic, Cooperation Internationale, Ordre du Flamel, La Victoire.)
1 July 1990
Cher Monsieur West,
We are pleased to inform you that you have a seat at Beauxbatons Academy Of Magic, ”Where Magic Meets Magnificence.”
At Beauxbatons Academy, people of an unimaginable nature attend to learn more about their gifts. As well as improving our magic, we learn etiquette, poise, and more.
Look to the back to find enclosed a list of supplies and equipment needed.
The term begins on 1 September. We await your response by no later than 31 July. On reception of your reply, we would book you a portkey for travel at the Ministry Of Magic.
Further details would be provided based on your response.
Au revoir,
Madame Rochelle,
Directrice Adjointe.
]
Quinn nodded as he read the letter, and it certainly had a better first impression than Hogwarts' letter. Even Beauxbatons' equipment list was extensive than Hogwarts' and asked for things like dancing shoes and formal robes.
Quinn repeated the same process of placing stasis charms on parchment papers and the envelope before repacking the letter. He left the letters on his study table and walked to the bed to lie upon it.
He stared at the ceiling in thought. Choosing between two schools was an important decision. He was going to give the next seven years of his life to one of these schools. Quinn wanted to make sure that his decision was the correct one.
As he was pondering on his upcoming decision, Quinn heard a pop; when he turned his head to look, Polly, the house-elf, was standing there with food.
Quinn smiled and spoke to the long-time resident of the West Manor, ”Thank you, Polly. Please leave the food on the bedside table. I will eat it shortly.”
Polly complied, and before leaving, insisted that he ate his food soon before it cools down, but he knew Polly had already charmed the food to stay warm.
It was not before lunchtime when Quinn came out of his room. He straight went to his grandfather's study to talk. When he entered the study, George West was working on something, but when he saw Quinn enter, he put aside his work and gave all of his attention to his grandson.
Quinn was the first one to speak, ”I have looked at both of the letters. I read the equipment and book lists. It is an important decision for me; I would like to have some time before giving you an answer. I will tell you my decision after a week of thinking.”
George nodded and spoke, ”Take your time.”
Quinn sighed before asking, ”Can you tell me your experience when you studied at Hogwarts?”
George leaned back, and a small smile of nostalgia surfaced on his face. ”My time in Hogwarts was a joyous one. I made lifelong friends, built connections to different people, and grew as a person. I was in the Slytherin house. You see, there is a house system in Hogwarts...”
George went on to explain the house system in Hogwarts. Quinn said nothing and silently listened as he had never talked about Hogwarts with his grandfather, so there was no way he would know anything about Hogwarts. Plus, he was enjoying seeing his grandfather smile and recall his childhood.
George also told him about the castle and its mysterious nature, ”Your grandmother went to Beauxbatons, so we told each other our school stories, and if there is one thing that Beauxbatons would never beat Hogwarts is the castle. It is mystical in nature, and if you take time to explore the castle, you would definitely have a magical experience.”
George told him stories about the castle and his experiences of being a Prefect and the Head Boy. They continued to talk till lunchtime.
That week Quinn also sought out Lia to know about her experience at Beauxbatons. Beauxbatons sounded like an amazing and unique place to study. She told him about Flamel's annual lecture Beauxbatons hosted. She also explained how Beauxbatons had a diverse and large alumni base, and the academy made significant efforts to keep in contact with their alumni. It sounded like a traditional alumni base present in non-magical colleges.
- (Scene Break) -
The promised week passes, and Quinn had made his decision. At supper, Quinn told his family which school he was going to commit to.
Like a certain basketball player, he announced,
”In this fall... it was a very tough decision. In this fall, I am going to take my talents to Scotland and join the Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft And Wizardry.”
Lia looked at her younger brother and asked, ”Hogwarts, are you sure?”
Quinn nodded, ”Yes, Hogwarts.”
”Why?”
Quinn grinned and spoke, ”I talked to both you and grandfather. I felt attracted to Hogwarts more than Beauxbatons.” He quirked his eyebrow and teased, ”Grandfather sold me on Hogwarts, certainly better than you trying to sell me on Beauxbatons. You still have a long way to go, sister.”
”You little!” Lia reached over and pinched his cheeks, which he avoided, and stuck out his tongue.
”Quinn, are you sure?” asked George, halting the interaction between the siblings.
Quinn turned to look at his grandfather and retrieved an envelope, and handed it to his grandfather. ”Yes, I have made my decision, and it is Hogwarts.” The letter in George's hand was Quinn's response to Hogwarts' acceptance letter informing them he will be attending their school.
Quinn's future knowledge heavily influenced his decision. The sole existence of the Room Of Requirements was a crucial factor in his decision. He didn't know if Beauxbatons had a similar room, and even if there was, there was no guarantee he could find it. And, his grandfather had said that Hogwarts castle was a mystical place, and maybe he could find things not shown in the series.
Even though he hadn't extensively thought about the future of Voldemort, death eaters, and the upcoming war. It did factor in when he thought about the school he wanted to go to.
It was the dilemma if you went back into the past and could stop 9/11 or if you could kill Hitler when he was a baby, or stop any major terrorist incidents where lives were lost.
Quinn decided that even though he didn't want to interact with the golden boy as it would attract a lot of unnecessary problems and attention, he would still do his part in secret to prevent lives from being lost.
The next morning, George sent out the letter written by Quinn to Hogwarts via an owl and another letter to Beauxbatons informing that he wasn't going to attend there, and that solidified his decision.
Quinn West was going to Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft And Wizardry.
-*-*-*-*-*-
Sorry, couldn't help but include the letter in the chapter. It is my first Harry Potter fanfiction, and I wanted the letter to be a part of it.
*
Quinn West - MC - Finally ELEVEN years old (DOB - July 10, 1979) - Would be attending Hogwarts.
George West - Grandfather - Attended Hogwarts (Head Boy)
Lia West - Elder Sister - Attended Beauxbatons, failed to convince Quinn.
Ms. Rosey - Caretaker - Strict, yet loving.
Polly - House Elf - Takes care of the West Manor and its residents.
-*-*-*-*-*-*-
If you have any ideas regarding the magic you want to see in this fiction or want to offer some ideas regarding the progression. Move onto the DISCORD Server and blast those ideas.
The link is in the synopsis!