Grandmother had her notions and tales,
Nostrums and charms for dark stormy nights.
Grandmother crooned them into my ear,
Loving protection from bogeys and frights.
Salt on the window, nails in the lintel,
Red rowan’s twigs our fire to kindle,
Clothing reversed to show off its stitches,
Milk at the door to placate the house-elf,
Collections of bells along the high shelf,
All to ward off nasty fairies and witches.
Uncle Alf had his own incredible charms,
Jinxes and potions to keep him from harm.
Uncle Alf was a wizard, and said I was too;
So was my mother, and mad Uncle Lou.
It ran in the family and gave us the right
To study at Hogwarts, to bask in its might,
To make vital friendships - alliances, yes -
To build up a future, to stun and impress.
But Grandmother’s words were the best charm of all:
Wherever you stray, how far or how near,
I’ll be here whenever you stumble or fall.
Be sure to write often. I love you, my dear.