Anyone got a child starting at Hogwarts this September?

[MrsGPotter]

I'm finding it all a bit of a nightmare. Obviously uniform has already been ordered from the school, the shoes I just got from Clarks. Wand we're getting next week and the books DS can buy when he gets there.

Now what are you all doing about pets? DS wanted an Owl but EVERYWHERE has sold out which is a shame as DH had an owl when he was a pupil there and he was kind of hoping it would become a family tradition. Will a Hamster be ok?

Also, is anyone else's DC worried about what house they'll be in? DS has his heart set on Gryffindor but it seems so difficult to get in? Would extra tutoring over the holidays help?

I'm just so worried about him being there on his own. It's such a huge school and so far from home. But then what exactly could go wrong at such a well regarded school? I'm sure he'll be fine really.

So, any other Hogwarts mums out there?

[DinahRod]

It was a bit of a surprise as we had ds down for Stabvest High until the letter in green ink arrived. Was thinking of starting a thread saying I was incandescent with rage that Tesco didn't do 3 for 2 on wizarding robes.

Ds wants to take the cat, but think it has to be a magical one rather than just any old moggy.

[MrsHWeasley]

Didn't you read the leaflet that came with the letter?
Owls, cats and toads are permitted. I had a cat, myself.
Normally you can get owls in Diagon Alley, but there is also a very good magical creatures shop in Hogsmeade.

[AtYourCervix]

DD1 is just going into her OWL year. We have been very pleased with the teaching standards and also the pastoral care.

DD says that 'No one has owls anymore' with a roll of the eyes. She's been saving for a new bat which is apparently what the 'cool kids' have now.

DD2 didn't get in. we were mortified and have had to send her to live with Great Aunt Araminta in the north of scotland.

[MrsGPotter]

oh yes, be careful buying the robes from Tesco - apparantly the new head at Hogwarts will only accept the kids wearing official school merch. Bit of a con really as it's twice the price.

Not sure if the pet has to be magical, can't they just turn them magical when they get there? He wanted to take the (non magical) corn snake but DH was concerned it would increase his chances of being put in Slytherin house.

BTW, are you giving your DS any money for the train? apparantly they can buy sweets etc on there for the journey?

(Stabvest high has a bit of a reputation so glad you got him out of that one!)

[KeepingUpWithTheCojones]

I was shocked regarding the lack of pastoral care for muggle-born first years tbh.

Especially since I read a very interesting article based on evidence from Beauxbatons that muggle-borns only achieve 48% of their full potential in the first three years

[KeepingUpWithTheCojones]

And also, the rate for Galleons in Thompsons is shocking at the moment.

[MrsGPotter]

Sorry crossed posts! good to see there are a few of us this year!

Are Owls really out now then? stupid DH, doesn't have a clue about fashion. Where did you buy your bat from Cervix?

[KeepingUpWithTheCojones]

I heard pygmy dragons were the new bats...

[MrsHWeasley]

It does take muggle borns a while to settle in, but if your dcs do some background reading first, it will hemp them immensely.
Can I suggest "A History of Hogwarts"

[MrsHWeasley]

hemp?
Help!

Never got the hang of typing - my keyboard doesn't react well to my wand

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

DD1 is just waiting for her OWL results. She's done pretty well so far in Ravenclaw, so we're hoping that she'll be okay and will be able to drop Potions in favour of Muggle Geography and Advanced Magical Picture Making. I suspect that her mind may well be more on Professor Longbottom thatn on the Herbology though.

DD2 is in Slytherin and spent last term perfecting the Imperius curse on her pet tarantula. We're hoping that Slughorn might take her under his wing a bit this term and keep her put of trouble. We're worried about her friendship with young Malfoy too.

[Kez100]

Don't give them money for the train. You have to buy the tickets in advance from the school and return a permission slip signed or they won't be allowed on.

[DinahRod]

We had no idea ds was magical. Well obviously I thought my darling pfb was magical but not in the abracadabra sense.

[MrsGPotter]

Anyone's DC down for the quidditch team? what's the betting the strips for that will cost a bloody fortune.

Also, anyone know if that Malfoy kid is starting this year? hope to god he's not in DS's class. Don't agree with all this inclusion nonsense myself. The lad's a bad'un.

[AtYourCervix]

DH got it from a bloke at the Leaky Cauldron who had just had a litter.

[MrsGPotter]

That's funny Cervix because DH was offered a snake in there by a dodgy looking bloke. DS seemed to be having a conversation with the bloody thing but I'm trying not to dwell on it.

[KeepingUpWithTheCojones]

I can't believe it's time for my baby to go, to be honest.

Very worrying as I remember what I used to get up to.

Especially remember mine and DH's first trip to the Room of Requirement - silk sheets, revolving bed, Barry Manilow good times.

[MrsHWeasley]

DD is also a bit worried about which house she'll be sorted into. I've told her it'll be fine, but she's been trying to memorise spells to make a good impression. Can't think where she got that idea from.

Yes, the Malfoy boy is also starting this year. Scorpius or some such name.
slytherin no doubt.

[AtYourCervix]

so hard. do you encourage such a rare gift or try to distract him and hope it goes away? I had the same thing with DD and horses when she was 3.

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

The Malfoy lad has been there a couple of years now. DD2 says he's quite nice actually and when we took her around for lunch in the holiday, Draco was quite civil really. He still looks a bit haunted though and he's really losing his hair. It was a boiling hot day but he kept his sleeves rolled all the way down - can't think why. They'd got some dodgy stuff in the house though - old coats of arms and stuff and dd2 says there's a whole bookcase full of muggle-torture fiction. I'd really prefer her to keep away but I guess she's too old for me to just ban her from seeing him. And of course, the school encourage them all to mix now.

[AtYourCervix]

it has to be said. although I know we shouldn't harbour grudges. and even the late, great professor snape was from slytherin I did have a small sigh of relief when DD got into Gryffendor. She does have good friends from all the houses though.

[AtYourCervix]

Gryffindor. damn quick quotes laptop playing up.

[spudinvasion]

Never mind settling the DCs in - how do I sign up for the PTA?

[sockpoppet]

Turns out my daughter is a squib. What shall we do? We are pure born going back generations. Her brother is already taking the mickey. Can she ever really be happy?

[sandripples]

My Dcs are nearlt through their education but my DD is interested in teaching at Hogwarts. She's got a degree from Cambridge where I think she covered a quite a bit of the dark arts so I'm encouraging her to apply. She's been to Hogwarts for a look round in the past and as she's a highly individual and creative character I could see her fitting in quite well and enjoying the extra-curricular activities. Does anyone have experience of their application process? I heard all teachers have to have a basic mastery of spells of course, whatever their main subject. DD is a linguist which should help on a number of fronts, and she's got a certificate in Parsel-tongue - apologies to all snakes if I've mis-remembered that spelling.