Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Minerva McGonagall,
Deputy Headmistress
"This cannot be happening!" Peter's mother sank to the floor beneath the window, clutching the letter so tightly in her hands that he was sure she was going to rip it. "I don't understand! You're a squib!" She moaned, her head buried in her hands. "We weren't supposed to return."
"We don't have to, Mum." Peter placed a hand on his mother's shoulder. "I don't have to go." He shuddered. "I don't want to go."
She looked up into her son's face, her eyes mournful. "Pete, an untrained wizard can be very dangerous. I'd be putting both of us in danger to not accept."
"But we can't afford it!" Peter exclaimed. "Besides, I have friends. How will I explain my absence?"
"Peter, we have no choice." She sighed heavily. "You're going to Hogwarts, like it or not." She stood up, brushing off her pants. "I'm going to reply, and you need to get ready to leave."
Peter glanced out the window. His best friend's car had just pulled into the drive. He'd completely forgotten about the trip to Lonon in all the excitement. "Mum?" He looked up at his mother. "I don't have any school supplies."
"Don't worry about that." His mother patted his shoulder. "We'll go to Diagon Alley next Saturday to get your school supplies. And your wand." She added with a gulp.
Time Skip*
Peter stared in awe at the rows of shops lining Diagon Alley. His fascination was not shared with his mother however. Edwina Gamp Pettigrew strode purposefully through the crowds, dragging her son behind her as she made a beeline for Madam Malkins, the shop where he would get his school robes. She was here for business and nothing else.
The aforementioned Madam Malkin was quite a character, talking Peter's ear off with mindless chatter. She kept mentioning how familiar they both looked, which made Edwina fidget nervously. She didn't know what she would do if their cover was blown.