[ Chapter X (10): "HOGWARTS LETTER FOR MS. MULLEIN" ]

In the crowded city of New York, people in suits could be seen walking left-to-right, some civilians enjoying their day. And even some spending time with family as they do so.

In the middle of this chaotic city which is nicknamed as the Big Apple, a family of three could be seen enjoying themselves in a nearby park; a father, a mother, and a daughter chatting happily at one another.

[ "M-mom look!" ]

The daughter, an 11-year old aspiring fashion artist couldn't help but squeal in excitement as he shows her mother what she drew; using a pencil that her father bought for her, and a small book that contains all of her drawings gifted to her by her mother.

[ "Oh my, this is beautiful." ]

Jo's mother, Mrs. Mullein gasped in shock; hands clasped to her mouth as she looks at the beautiful artwork of her daughter; some would say crude, some would say unprofession. But to her, to a mother, this is the most beautiful thing at all.

[ "That's for you!" ]

[ "A-a wedding dress for mom." ]

Though still a child, only 11, Sojourner "Jo" Mullein could draw fascinating work or art even before she could walk. And throughout the years it developed until ultimately, she could create a sketch of a beautiful wedding dress, in a park, impromptu, without anything else other than a pencil, a paper, and a dream.

To say that she's a prodigy is not it, she is gifted in art, blessed by the gods. She is a one of a kind; and her parents, Mrs. Mullein and Mr. Mullein is there to support her; no matter what she chose to be in life, may it be an artist, fashion designer, or whatever she wants to be in life. They're there to support her.

[ "How about dad?" ]

[ "Yeah, how about me?" ]

Mr. Mullein who's laid out on the field unbothered by the grass asked away. Playful envy echoes in his voice, as he exaggerates feeling left out, not getting a suit drawn for him by her daughter.

In response, Jo thought about it and began to sketch something in her book of wonders. Which we're watched by the two, in awe, and in genuine fascination to their daughter's gift in drawing.

Mrs. Mullein can draw, but not as well as her daughter. Mr. Mullein can't draw, and much prefer painting using words. Other than their daughter's appearance, a light skinned, fuzzy dark haired girl; they wonder, how did they produce a creative genius?

[ "Owl!" ]

[ "It's wearing a pouch!" ]

[ "So cute...!" ]

A distance not far away from the family, dozens of citizens that are in the park; people who are jogging, people who're feeding the pigeons, and children running around.

They all noticed a majestic-looking brown feathered Owl that looks tired, but still determined; a pouch hanging beside it, and inside are handful of letters that it was tasked to give.

Using it's innate radar it was born with, the Messenger Owl tried searching for its target; as it flaps down on a bench; right beside a bewildered woman who paused in feeding bread crumbs on the pigeons below.

It searches for a few seconds, head turning from side-to-side before finally spotting a family of three. A girl specifically which to his vision exerts a faint glow of light— a light that only Messenger Owls can see, and no one else.

Other than other functions that makes their lives easier, this one has to be one of the best of them all. As it makes spotting the recipient of their letters, packages, and other tasked objects to give, easier to see and spot amidst the crowd.

About to fly away, it then stopped when it noticed bread being offered to it in it's peripheral— turning to its side, the Owl noticed the old lady's hand outstretched, offering bread... [ "Want some...?" ]

And aside from her, there are also people looking around the Owl with their phone out, and with curiosity written to their faces. So with a shrug, the majestic Owl accepted the bread offering before flying away to the family of three— who were curious about all the commotion and noise they were seeing, and hearing.

But they didn't have too, as the said topic of discussion. A bird that is supposed to only be awake at night, now presents itself to the Mullein Family— an Owl. Something that only they have seen in the zoo, or television; and not this up close.

[ "M-mom, dad. An Owl!" ]

Jo who has just finished her sketch, looked up, wondering what the flapping noise he is hearing. And instantly noticed an Owl descending in front of her, before ultimately landing in front of her.

In excitement, she tried to pet the cute Owl. That looks like her in her eyes. But was stopped mid-action by her concerned father; her father is admiring the bird, but also wary of it— especially the possible dangers that it poses to Jo.

[ "Jo, don't touch it." ]

In contrast to the defensive Mr. Mullein. Mrs. Mullein on the other hand could be seen grabbing open an biscuit and offering some to the bird; [ "Aileen! D-don't feed it, i-it might hurt you." ]

She pretended not to hear it, as she watches carefully how the Owl looks at her in curiosity; which then accepts the biscuits with precision, and care, careful as to not hurt her hand.

[ "Shh, what a cute thing." ]

[ "Dear, it's alright don't stare at the Owl like that." ]

Mrs. Mullein turns around to her husband and daughter, reassuring the two— the former being assured more than the latter, as Jo have never doubted the bird in the first place. As she instead watches the bird affectionally rub its head on the palm of her mother; she wonders.

[ "M-mom... Can I pet it?" ]

[ "No!" ]

[ "Absolutely." ]

Two varying reactions from both parents. But ultimately one side won when the said Owl made its own choice. To tbe father's dismay, and to the mother-daughter pair's delight. The said Owl without offering rubbed its head on Jo's hands.

[ "So cute!" ]

The girl could swear her heart is fluttering, what others may call love even. To her that seems to ring true, as she uses both of her hands to pat the Owl's head, feathers, and even the Owl's cheeks which the latter accepted without any protest.

This lasted for a minute, before ultimately Jo pulled out her sketch book, planning to draw the said cute Owl; [ "Stay there, don't move." ] Which the Owl complied in, even though it really wants to deliver the package it has inside its small pouch; it waited.

[ "Tadaa!" ]

[ "Here, look!" ]

After a few minutes, Jo was finally done. And to her parents shock, and to the Owl's admiration; the three of them noticed the latest art work of one Sojourner "Jo" Mullein— a magnificent Owl with a small pouch, colored only by the white parts of the paper, and by pencil strokes.

An artwork in itself even without the color. Which the Owl admired, letting out noises as it does. Before then realizing the main reason why the bird is here in the first place; with difficulty it pecked on the small brown pouch hanging by its side.

To the Mullein Family who was observing the Owl, they became confused by what it was doing. They thought it was a fashion statement that the said Owl is carrying a pouch on its side. But no, apparently it contains something...

[ "Hmm...?" ]

As the said Owl pulls an envelope that should be impossible to fit in such a small pouch, but there it is. The Owl, which they nicknamed as Brown; now has an envelope clutch in-between its beak...

And to their surprise, and outright confusion; has the address for their home— not just that, but also the exact place wherein the youngest member of the family sleeps in.

Second-floor, far right room.

[ "M-mom!" ]

[ "T-the pictures are moving!" ]

This envelope is specifically made just for her.

This is Ms. Sojourner "Jo" Mullein's Hogwarts Letter to be more precise. Which will be her key to the world of magic that isn't yet known to her; which will lead her to discover how truly beautiful life can be.

Congratulations Ms. Mullein.

[ ——— ] [ ——— ] [ ——— ] [ ——— ]

[ 04/20/2025 ]

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