Author's Note: I decided to take a small break from my recent story because I was feeling a little burnt out. My niece and I were watching part one of the Deathly Hollows, and I felt myself becoming attracted to the Harry Potter series again. I decided to start this story, it taking place where the epilogue left off, 2017. This is a story of a modern day girl and her journey to discover what it is to be a witch in these times.

EDIT 8/15: I went and changed some stuff in this chapter. With a little helpful critique, I can hopefully write a little better. Thank you anonymous reader for your review.

Chapter One

The Story Begins

All over the world there are incidents where a young child will start to show signs of odd behaviors and as some claim psychological disorders. Strange things will begin to happen, things vanishing, other things appearing after years of absence. Unexplainable events begin to take place in the household. To the normal human being these events would likely be explained as Psychic Phenomena. However to a witch or wizard, this would be the child's sign that they were becoming of age.

It is a proud moment in a magical family when their child starts showing signs of magical use. However in Muggle-born house holds, the behavior that their child shows can be alarming. They can go to doctors, psychics that try to offer answers, but it's only when the child reaches their eleventh year and the autumn season rolls around that the answer is finally revealed to that family. A letter delivered to the household normally by an owl, non-magic folk are often confused by the appearance of the owl. The owl will deliver the letter addressed to the student, sealed with the wax symbol of the most prestigious school you've seen.

And yet they have never even heard of this school, Hogwarts as they call it. The child will open the letter to see an invitation and an explanation to what they have been going through. They are given the opportunity to have questions answered, and they are given instructions on where to go and what to buy to start out their new school year. The child would be ecstatic about this new chance and to learn more about what they were, the parent may still hold confusion. However if the parent chooses to ignore the invitation, the child is continually presented with the letter until either they are answered or the school year begins without them.

The change can either strengthen or destroy muggle families. Questions rise as to why who is responsible. Secrets are revealed and often families are brought to ruins, however rare occasions the family becomes stronger, and they see this as a new opportunity to learn about the other side of the world they never really knew existed. In this case, a secret that was hidden for many years and tucked away will soon come to light, and the fate of a young girl's family will hang in the balance.

This is her story...

"Raven, come down for dinner dear!" Carrying up the stairs, a motherly voice called to a young girl in the small suburban home.

"Alright, give me a sec Mom!" The girl called out in return, her eyes darting back to the computer screen as she clicked on one of the conversations she had on her instant messenger. In the background was a website on magic and odd phenomena, something Raven had been experiencing in the last year. Things she couldn't quite explain were happening, she knew she was the one doing them though, just wasn't sure how. She never bothered to tell her parents about these strange occurrences, she feared they would think she was insane. She knew she wasn't crazy.

Raven scrolled through the recent conversation she was having with one of her friends, smiling lightly at the response.

Catlady21: So do you think you're one of those psychic people?

NevermoreRaven: I don't know really. I wish I could explain this to someone other then you, lol.

Catlady21: I still think you should tell your parents about this. I think they'll understand. :)

NevermoreRaven: You have a valid point. It's time for dinner anyway, I'll tell them then.

Catlady21: Good luck Raven! :D

She placed the music she had been listening to on stop, a mixture of rock and orchestral (Not in the same songs, mind you.), and pushed away from her desk. She fixed her glasses on her face, looking around her room at the various awards from school she had already received. She was only eleven and she was already smartest student in her class. Perhaps her intelligence had something to do with these odd things occurring around her. Leaning over her desk, she set her status to busy and headed out her door down to the dining room.

Downstairs her younger brother was already at the table, or rather under it as he was sneaking bit of dinner to his cat Ramen. The orange tabby cat was named for his love of the food, most of the time it was all he would eat. Mom always had a terrible time trying to get that cat on a normal diet. Raven rounded the corner of the table, whistling lightly before bumping her brother with her foot. He face-planted into the floor, Ramen stealing the last bit of food from his hand before running off with it.

"You're not very inconspicuous hiding under the table like that." Raven looked down at him as he poked his head out from under the tablecloth.

"Stop using big words you know no one but you understand." He growled up at her, lifting himself up from the floor and into his seat. Raven took her seat next to him just as their mother began bringing out the main course for dinner.

"There you two are, meat pie for dinner tonight, alright?" Her mother smiled placing the pan down in the middle of the table.

"Gross!" Her brother made a small face.

"Relax, I didn't put onions in it, perfectly bland." Their mother chuckled, sitting at the table. She began to serve the meal setting down an extra plate for their father. As if on cue their father walked through the door, giving a relaxed sigh as she adjusted his glasses and tossed his briefcase on the couch.

"Hi Dad!" Raven waved to him as he came to the table, loosening his tie while he sat down.

"Hello Raven, Tobias." He smiled to his children and leaned over, kissing his daughter on the side of her head. He'd kiss his son but he was nine and was too old for kisses from mom or dad anymore. "What do we have here? Bland meat pie?"

"You got it." Raven's mother poured him some milk from the pitcher. The family began to eat, talking about their day. Raven stared down at her plate, trying to figure out a way to introduce her topic into the conversation. She didn't really want to tell them, she didn't want to hurt them or make them think she needed to go get special help. What choice did she have anymore though?

"Mom … Dad, I have something I need to tell you." Raven finally blurted out, causing the table to go silent.

"Yes?" Her mother looked at her with a concerned stare, her father however, seemed unphased.

"I-" Raven was cut off by the sound of the mail slot flapping shut. The family turned to look to the front door. The mail already came today. Her mother began to stand up but was cut off when her father stood holding his hand out.

"I'll get it. Must have missed some mail." He smiled, moving to the door and scooping up the letter from the rug. Slowly he opened the door to thank the mail carrier, but no one was there only the hooting of an owl in the nearby tree. His eyes traveled down to the envelope in his hand, the letters on the old parchment seemed to sparkle. It had Raven's name on it, and was sealed shut with a wax seal. Immediately he knew where it was from, how could he be so stupid?

He had almost forgotten how old she was, and forgotten that this day would come. He knew the consequences if he avoided the letter. It was time. He gave a heavy sigh and held the letter tightly in his hand, moving back into the dining room. He was met with the curious gaze of his family, Raven's mother's eyes fell on the odd envelope in her husband's hand.

"What's that dear?" She asked.

"For Raven." He slowly handed the envelope to his daughter. Raven looked down at it, a confused look on her face as she took it and looked at the seal on the back.

"No one seals envelopes with wax anymore, is this a joke?" Raven asked breaking the seal and pulling out the letter in it.

"Renee, I guess I should tell you now before you find out the other way." Raven's father looked to his wife who was now looking more confused then ever.

"What's going on David?"

"Renee, I never told you about my past life because I didn't think you would believe me. I guess now is a good of time as ever. Renee Taylor, your husband is a Wizard."

Renee stared at him for a long time, the look on her face blank and hard to read. It was only when Tobias started laughing that the life came back to her face.

"YEAH RIGHT DAD!" Raven's brother was roaring with laughter, holding his gut.

"A wizard? Where on earth is this coming from dear? Are you alright?" Renee asked, lowering her fork to her plate. David nodded at her, offering his hand to his wife.

"All of you, come with me. There is something I need to show you."

David had led his family up to his office at home. Most of the time no one was allowed to go in there, but now it was fair game. He ushered them into the room, Raven still held the letter in her hands. It looked like a normal office, except there were a few things that looked out of place. A wand sat neatly on the desk next to a quill and inkwell while on the other side were a few picture frames. The people inside them moved.

Slowly Renee moved to one of the pictures, slowly picking it up. Inside was a younger version of them, they were seated in the park, in the picture David was repeatedly showering her with a kiss while the picture was taken. Raven's mother stared at the picture, watching it replay like a short movie before lifting her head to look at David.

"This is the picture I asked you about … you said you lost it." Renee locked eyes with him, her husband looking slightly ashamed. Tobias took hold of an old copy of The Daily Prophet, looking on the front page of a crazy looking man waving a sign and silently screaming back at the viewer. The date on the paper was from years ago.

"Wow Dad! Are these little mini TVs or something?" He held up the paper to his father, where he looked it over, reading the headline 'Prisoner Escapes!' silently to himself.

"No son, these are magical photographs, they're different from the ones that you are used to."

"You're not joking … you're really a wizard?" His wife stared at him. "Why didn't you tell me sooner? All these years..."

"I knew you wouldn't understand Renee, that's why I didn't say anything."

"I would have tried to understand! You could have tried to tell me!" Renee shouted out, looking clearly upset with her husband at the moment. Raven looked between her parents, Tobias smirking as he whipped his father's wand around.

"Mom … Dad..." Raven held the letter up between them, her father looking down at it before her mother returned the same look. David glanced to his wife, offering a small smile to her before looking to Raven.

"Go on dear what does it say?" He asked her, her mother leaning in to listen to the letter. Raven began to read off the letter, it going on about she had been accepted into the school Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It gave a list of the things she needed, things she could bring. At the end of the letter it was signed with the current Headmaster's name. This was it, it explained so much.

All the stuff that had been going on around her, the mysterious occurrences. It wasn't because she was presumably a psychic, it was because she was a witch! Her father for years had hidden the fact that he was a wizard, had given up using magic to live a normal life with his muggle wife. And now, she was presented with an answer, an opportunity to understand what she was. She was so excited she was shaking.

"Hey Dad, does this mean that I'm a wizard too? Am I gonna use magic?" Tobias looked up at his father, still waving it around before it got snatched away by his mother.

"You could be. We'll see when you turn eleven, hmm?" His father smiled at him, turning his attention to his wife as he was met with a stern stare.

"Witchcraft David? No. No no a thousand times no! This kind of stuff is dangerous!" Renee frowned shaking her head as she looked at the wand she had taken from her son.

"This is different Honey. This isn't the witchcraft you read about or hear about people doing. No this is much different, an entirely different world!" David spoke calmly, trying to convince his wife. Renee looked down at her daughter who held the letter in her hands. She held a strong look of concern.

"Raven dear, have you been … experiencing any of this magical stuff your father's babbling on about?"

"I … this is actually what I wanted to talk about at dinner..." Raven looked sheepishly up at her mother. Renee stared back down at her, then looked to her husband who still held that smile.

"Come with us when we get her supplies dear. I'll show you there's nothing to worry about." He nodded to her, a small frown forming on his face. "I know I should have told you sooner, I just hope you can forgive me."

Renee looked between her daughter and husband, remaining silent for a long moment before throwing her hands up in obvious surrender. "Fine! I'll go! But if I see so much as one dangerous thing going down, it's you and me mister. Thunder Dome."

She glared at her husband, poking him hard in the chest before storming out. He had successfully defused a rather bad situation, his wife was indeed frightening when she was angry. David gave a small gulp before placing his hand on his daughter's shoulder, looking down at her with a nervous smile.

"Well, let's get your response letter sent."

NevermoreRaven: Natalie, are you online?

Catlady21: I'm here. What's up? :O

NevermoreRaven: You'll never guess what happened!

Catlady21: amg

Catlady21: Your parents didn't take it well? I'm sorry.:(

NevermoreRaven: No no nothing even remotely like that.

NevermoreRaven: I was about to explain it to them at dinner when we got a late letter delivered. Some place called Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. It turns out that apparently I'm a witch! My dad is a wizard or something and that explains why I've been experiencing those odd things lately.

NevermoreRaven: … Nat?

Catlady21: I'm sorry. I was trying to defuse the stupidity of this situation. :P

NevermoreRaven: Natalie I'm telling the truth! Have you ever known me to lie about something this serious?

Catlady21: No I guess not. This sounds like a lot to take in though. :/

NevermoreRaven: I know, but Dad's real excited about this. We sent my response letter back. Get this, an OWL TOOK IT.

Catlady21: An owl? Did you get it back?

NevermoreRaven: No no, the owl DELIVERS the mail.

Catlady21: HAHA! NO WAY! IT'S LIKE A CARRIER PIDGEON EXCEPT FOR OWLS! LOL!

NevermoreRaven: Thanks for your support Nat... It's late so I'll talk to you tomorrow.

Catlady21: HAHAHA!

NevermoreRaven has gone offline.

Raven sighed as she signed out, standing up from her computer while she glanced about her room once more. It was still summer, she had a while to get things together. Honestly she wasn't even sure how to use the magic that she had inherited from her father. Before now she didn't really believe in magic, but now there was no denying it. She wondered what this school was going to be like, what kind of people went there. She had no idea what the place even looked like.

She tilted her head at her monitor, slowly sitting back down to place her hands on the keyboard. She opened up the web browser, going to the nearest search engine and typed in the name of the school. Nothing was coming up, not even any pictures. Raven glared off to the side pushing away from her desk and standing only to move to her bed and land face down onto it. Something seemed kinda fishy if the whole internet didn't know anything about the school, but if her father was enthusiastic about it, nothing would be wrong, right?