Work Text:
July 2, 1971
Dear Professor Dumbledore,
Hello. My name is Petunia Evans. I am twelve years old. I am the elder sister of Lily Evans, whom you have just accepted into the incoming first year class at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I am writing to inquire about my own eligibility for admission.
I currently attend St. Mary’s High, a prestigious preparatory school, and just completed my own first year. Enclosed are my marks from my first year and from my last two years of primary school. I have also enclosed my final project for English last year – an essay comparing the characters of Juliet and Ophelia in Shakespeare’s plays. I achieved top marks for this essay and was invited to submit it to a nationwide competition.
I am sure every student tells you that he or she is smart and hardworking. I am sure you must have magical means of telling whether someone is lying or not, but just in case not, I have enclosed these materials as proof. I have never encountered a subject in which I cannot work hard and excel. I am not a natural athlete, but I have managed top marks in Phys Ed because I put at least an hour of effort every day into disciplining my body such that I can pass the physical fitness tests. I also struggle with mathematics, but I go to the library and work with tutors, for hours on end if need be, to ensure that I master every concept. I do not need much sleep, nor do I spend much time gadding about with friends. I don’t even mind that I’ll be older than everyone else in my year and that I would have to sit next to my little sister.
I know my sister has done magic already. I assume this is why she was accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry without even having to apply. I hope that I have demonstrated to you that I am focused and determined. If I try hard enough, I can learn magic. I can learn anything.
Please let me know if I can send anything else to make my case. I understand that the magical community has reasons for staying secret, so I will wait for your permission before asking my teachers for recommendations.
Yours respectfully,
Petunia Geraldine Evans
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MCGONAGALL’S DRAFT
July 3, 1971
Dear Petunia,
I was very impressed with your letter, your school marks, and your analysis of teen girlhood in Shakespeare’s works. I found it difficult to believe that a twelve-year-old could produce such a sophisticated work, but it is evident through magical means that you are a person of principle. I want to be as thorough in my response to you as you have been with me. You deserve that.
Despite your impressive character and scholastic achievement, we simply cannot accept you into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I am very sorry.
Your sister Lily is a Muggleborn witch. (The term “Muggle” means a non-magical person.) This is rather rare in the wizarding community. Most people with magical ability have at least one parent with magical heritage. Conversely, sometimes people without magical ability are born into families where everyone else is a wizard or witch. These people are known as Squibs. Several apparent Squibs (including one of my own classmates) have been admitted to Hogwarts in the past, with the hope that their magic would manifest later with formal instruction. This has never happened. A person who has not done any magic by age eleven lacks natural ability.
The experiences of Squibs at Hogwarts were horrible. They worked their hardest and some excelled at learning theory and memorizing history, but some amount of magical ability is required to produce any spell or potion. The only subject any Squib has been able to pass is History of Magic. We stopped admitting Squibs to Hogwarts in 1947.
I would not wish this level of frustration on my worst enemy, and I would especially hate to see a brilliant mind like yours reduced to despair. A lack of magical ability is something that no amount of hard work and dedication can surmount. And while I believe you have the makings of a scholar, and could even become a great historian of magic, I cannot subject you to living in a world surrounded by people who can all do so much that you, through no fault of your own, simply cannot do.
I am confident that you would be a great success in any career path you choose in the Muggle world. (You are correct that you should not tell your teachers about magic.) Every human being is full of infinite possibility, and while magic is not possible for you, I know you will do something great.
Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
Headmaster
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
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DUMBLEDORE’S REPLY
(“Minerva, what have I told you over and over again? Simply tell them what they need to know.”
“But Albus-”
“Her ignorance may serve us later. Trust me on this.”
Minerva could not fight Albus when he descended into what sounded suspiciously like Divination, which Minerva knew to be pure bunk.
“Lemon drop?” he offered.)
August 17, 1971
Dear Petunia,
Thank you for your charming letter. I have saved your essay for my toilet reading. I do so enjoy Muggle curiosities.
I am afraid that I cannot admit you to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. You simply do not have the ability at present, and every spot at our school is precious.
Best of luck with your future endeavors.
Sincerely,
Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore
Headmaster
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry