" "....And each student may bring either an owl, a cat, or a toad." Is that it?" I asked, staring down at my letter.

"Yup," replied Albus. "I'll take you tomorrow to Diagon Alley to get you all that."

"Yeah!"

The next morning I wore my favourite cloak and conbat boots, and flooed with my uncle to Diagon Alley! It wasn't the first time I'd been here of course but I was excited all the same. Of course my father gave me the "behave because you have a reputation to uphold" speech but I didn't mind that too much. I was on cloud nine.

Uncle bought me everything I wanted including a beautiful tawny owl, tons of cool gadgets from stores and a year supply of sweats, though he told me to hide those or my father would take them away.

A week later my uncle took me himself to Hogsmeade station where I slipped incognito amongst the other first years. Since I already lived near Hogwarts I was spared the Hogwars express ride.