Hogwarts acceptance letter

**Lily Evans**: "*It is real, isn't it? It's not a joke? Petunia says you're lying to me. Petunia says there isn't a Hogwarts. It is real, isn't it?*"
**Severus Snape**: "*It's real for us, not for her. But we'll get the letter, you and me.*"
— Discussing of Hogwarts school[src]

The **Hogwarts letter** is a letter of acceptance to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, sent to British wizards and witches prior to their first year at Hogwarts. A special quill exists, which writes down the name of every magical child in Britain at the time of their birth. This allows Hogwarts letters to be sent to all magical children at the appropriate time, even those who are Muggle-born.

The Hogwarts letter consists of a note of acceptance from the Deputy Headmaster or Headmistress of Hogwarts. This note is written in green ink and is accompanied by a list of required textbooks and materials for the upcoming school year.

## Letter delivery

The letter is written on parchment paper and delivered to the recipient by owl, except in the case of Muggle-borns. When a student is Muggle-born the acceptance letter is delivered in person by a member of the Hogwarts faculty. The faculty member acts as a special messenger, who explains everything to the student and parents.

Harry Potter's initial acceptance letter was delivered by regular Muggle post, as Vernon and Petunia Dursley were aware of the existence of the wizarding world and Hogwarts. Hogwarts is able to magically tell whether or not a child has read his or her Hogwarts letter. This was evidenced by the later bombardment of 4 Privet Drive with letters via owl, despite at least one of them having been opened and read by Vernon and Petunia.

## History

Harry Potter first received one during the summer holidays of 1991. He was stunned at receiving such a letter, as he normally never received any correspondence, and held on to it. This caused Vernon Dursley to joke that he might be checking for letter bombs. When Dudley discovered what the letter said, Vernon seized the letter and burned it. Then he moved Harry to the Smallest Bedroom. He went to increasingly elaborate measures to try to stop the delivery of the letters, eventually resulting in Rubeus Hagrid personally visiting the Hut-on-the-Rock to deliver the letter.

## Contents

### First page

HOGWARTS SCHOOL *of* WITCHCRAFT *and* WIZARDRY

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
*(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock,
Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)*

Dear Mr/Ms. [Surname],
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.
Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
### Second page

HOGWARTS SCHOOL *of* WITCHCRAFT *and* WIZARDRY

UNIFORM
First-year students will require:
1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)
2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
4. One winter cloak (black, with silver fastenings)
Please note that all pupil's clothes should carry name tags.
COURSE BOOKS
All students should have a copy of each of the following:
*The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1)*
*by Miranda Goshawk*
*A History of Magic*
*by Bathilda Bagshot*
*Magical Theory*
*by Adalbert Waffling*
*A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration*
*by Emeric Switch*
*One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi*
*by Phyllida Spore*
*Magical Drafts and Potions*
*by Arsenius Jigger*
Template:FB
*by Newt Scamander*
*The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection*
*by Quentin Trimble*
OTHER EQUIPMENT
1 wand
1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set glass or crystal phials
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