Chapter One: Mango Suits & Magic

It was unusually cool for dusk in the city of New York. The tightly packed buildings kept even thirty degree winter days warm, so a seventy degree summer day should have been fine. But the cold air was friendly and inviting enough for Addie Parker to sit on the top of her apartment building with no complaints. She watched the taxis scurry down below on the grid-like streets, with the breeze blowing in her face. Addie liked it this way, isolation and a cool evening.

Addie told everyone she met that she loved the city and everything about it. She never wanted to leave it. She told her mother that one day she was going to fly off to a distant country and find friends to bring back with her. Her mother laughed as usual, being very used to her daughter's daydreams. She knew that Addie's mind had always been wandering past the walls of New York City, even though she said she would never leave. Her imagination was too big for its packed streets and subway cars.

Walking back down from the roof to her floor, she saw an extremely eccentric-looking man get in the elevator.

The man was wearing a pinstriped suit that was the color of a mango. He had a beard that was quite long and a pair of glasses that were askew on his nose. It wasn't the man the stopped her form taking the elevator. To the eleven year old girl, the elevator was a bore. All you did was press a button and you were at your floor in thirty seconds.

Finally arriving at her floor after fifteen flights of stairs, Addie opened her apartment door with her key and walked in. Her father, Marcus, quickly came to the door and told her quietly to go to her room. She gave him a funny look and did as she was told. Silently, she walked down the hallway.

"They never let me know anything," she mumbled. The walls of her room were a deep green that were reminiscent of a May birthstone. Falling back on her bed, Addie's glossy brown hair fanned out. She hated being "in the dark". Having parents who put her in the accelerated program at school and then didn't want her to know things bothered her. She flipped over onto her stomach and stared at the pictures on her dresser. They were all group pictures of herself, her best friend Ellie, and her family.

Her father knocked on the door, "Adva, you're wanted in the living room." She knew he was serious, considering her used her given name. Trying to look angry at her father but not succeeding, she smiled and stepped out into the living room. She looked over at her mother, who was drinking a cup of- well, Addie didn't know what it was but it certainly didn't look like the root beer she usually drank. She then looked over to the other side of the room. There sat the man with the mango-colored suit and beard.

The man stood up and walked across the room. "It's a pleasure meeting you." With an outstretched hand and British accent he greeted her, but she did not respond. Addie glanced at her parents anxiously.

"Um, dad? Why is the freaky man trying to talk to me?" She took a few steps back to distance herself. Who was this man?

"This is Professer Dumbledore, Addie. Apologize for calling him a freaky man, please."

"I'm sorry, professor, but I would like to know what you are doing here. You don't see many mango-colored suits in New York City, so you must have a reason! I saw you in the elevator and I thought you must have been visiting the-"

"Adva. Stop," her mother interjected before her daughter could say anything else to embarrass the family. The oddly dressed man smiled.

"I'm Professor Albus Dumbledore. I work at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, which hopefully you will attend this coming year. That is why I am here, to tell you about Hogwarts and how you are a witch." He paused to let her take in what he had just said. Addie just kept staring at him. "You are a witch, even though it seems you have no wizarding blood at all, and I have explained it all to your parents. Who would you like to hear it from?" Professor Dumbledore eyes were very kind so she nodded toward him.

"In the wizarding world, people who cannot perform magic and have no magical heritage are called Muggles. Your parents are Muggles, your neighbors are Muggles, and your teachers are Muggles. We do not know why, but sometimes magic develops in Muggles. Those that it happens to are considered Muggle-born witches and wizards. They can be just as powerful, or even more powerful, as pure or half blood wizards. The school year when you are eleven you get to go to a school of magic. Hogwa-"

"You have got to be kidding me." It was the first time Addie had spoken since the professor had introduced himself. "You expect me to just believe all of this? You walk in here with a mango-colored suit, a really long beard, and crooked glasses and not expect me to think you're out of your mind?"

Professor Dumbledore glanced over at her parents. Marcus took control.

"Honey, it's true. He has shown us magic. He set the kitchen table on fire, put it out, and showed us that there wasn't any damage. What can you say to that? You're a very intelligent young girl. We didn't think you would react like this."

"I'm reacting rationally, Dad."

"Actually I think her response is quite mature. Most children act either much more excited or much more depressed. I'm surprised that you weren't shocked that you will be moving to England for the school year." The professor smiled.

"I'M WHAT?"

"Oh, dear. I wasn't expecting that reaction. I thought you had realized what was going to happen if you did accept your place at the school-"

"I. AM. NOT. LEAVING. NEW YORK."

"Yes you are." Her mother had finally spoken. "You will go to this school that this kind man has told you about. You will learn to use magic to your best ability. You WILL go."

Addie was quite shocked at her mother's sudden outburst. "Yes ma'am."

The professor cocked his head as she agreed and then reached into his pocket. "Here is your letter that explains how you will get to school, get your supplies, and communicate with your parents. I have other urgent business to attend to back in London, but I wanted to come here personally to let you know you have a place at Hogwarts. We, Hogwarts, do not believe that the American school most convenient for you to attend will be as accepting of some of your…well…backround. You will be accepted with open arms at Hogwarts. The little magic you have preformed has been very powerful and we want to teach you. But I must be off. Good day to you." Professor Dumbledore set the letter on the table, walked through the kitchen, and out the door.

Addie looked at her parents and started crying. What was she going to do? What about Ellie? She wasn't a witch. Her best friend couldn't come to school with her. Addie had never felt so lonely or afraid. It was as if her mother had read her thoughts.

"Honey, Ellie will be fine here without you. You always wanted to leave New York and bring back new friends, right? Well this is your opportunity. I'm sure you won't have any trouble at your new school." Her mother walked over to the coffee table, "where the letter lay, and picked it up.

"Addie, you can even get an owl so we can write you letters. You will finally have your own pet. Isn't that something you always wanted?"

How could her parents be so unruffled about the situation? She had a million emotions running through her system and her parents were accepting this as if it were normal for there family! Andrea kept her thoughts to herself, but didn't stop from thinking them. This is so surreal. What is going to happen to me? Our family? My friendship with Ellie? Am I even aloud to tell Ellie? This is crazy! I don't want to go! But I must. I want to go. Wait no. I don't. WHAT AM I GOING TO DO!

Addie stopped thinking abruptly and headed for her room. Right before she reached the door, she turned around and looked back down the hallway. Her father was standing there, staring at her with a beseeching look. She and her father were having trying to read each other's faces, and they were succeeding.

Please don't make this harder than it is.

I'm not trying to Dad.

Then why are you making such a big deal?

Because I'm in as much shock as you.

But you are the one with the magic.

But do I want it? That is the question Daddy.

Addie looked away for a moment, and then turned around.

And that is when the next strange man Apparated into the room, causing her to faint.