A/N: This is the one and only time I'm doing the disclaimer, so listen up!

I do not own any characters and/or certain situations; those belong rightfully to JK Rowling. All I own are my characters, my keyboard, some pocket lint and my creativity!

Chapter 1

Twenty Questions

"Rise and shine sleepy head!" A boy of seventeen chirped happily as he practically flung the door off of its hinges and stomped into the bedroom, making as much noise as he possibly could.

Annabell groaned loudly, "Go away Sami…" She murmured angrily, placing her pillow over her head, hoping to block out the noise her brother was making.

"I guess you don't want to read your letter then," Sami clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth, "I guess I'll just have to throw it out," he smirked, "I think it was from Hogwarts…" He added quietly, making sure that his little sister would have to strain her ears to hear it.

She sat up abruptly, her brown, shoulder length hair sticking up every which way, "Hogwarts?" She asked anxiously looking at Sami through her messy hair.

He suddenly broke out into laughter, "You should see the look on your face!" He wiped and imaginary tear from his eye, "You'll have to get up to find out!" Sami flounced out of her room, and slammed the door behind him. It was a mystery to Annabell how her door hadn't broken yet, "Breakfast is in five minutes!" She heard him yell from downstairs.

Annabell sat up in bed, her arms being her only support, and blinked furiously, trying to get over her drowsiness. Once her vision cleared up, she scrambled out of bed. In her hurry, her legs getting tangled in her bed sheets, which in turn, caused her to land, face first, onto her floor with a large THUD!

"Ow, ow, ow…" She muttered, as she slowly got back onto her feet. Regaining whatever composure she had left, Annabell hurried over to her dresser, and pulled out a pair of jeans, and a hand-me-down (courtesy of Sami) shirt, that was at least a size too big. Quickly she combed through her hair, and pulled it back into a ponytail, but her bangs were just an inch too short and fell back to frame her face.

Annabell hurried down the stairs taking two steps at a time, and jumped the last three. She rushed into the kitchen where her father was drinking a cup of coffee and reading a muggle newspaper while her brother was eating scrambled eggs, "That's a record!" He shouted, "You were ready in six minutes twenty-three seconds!"

Her father peered over his glasses, and, swept his bangs out of his face, only for them to fall back into his eyes, "Morning Darling," He greeted with a small smile.

"Morning Dad," She replied before heading into the kitchen where her mother was cooking breakfast. Well, more like conducting the pots and pans to her bidding with her wand.

"Morning!" Her mother said happily, "Yours will be ready in a moment," She said gesturing towards the eggs in the pan.

Annabell nodded, and couldn't help but smile. Her mother always had a contagious smile.

"Here you go!" She handed her daughter a plate of eggs and bacon.

"Thanks!" Annabell went to sit down next to her father, and in front of Sami. She waited anxiously for her mother to come to the table so she could ask her about the letter Sami claimed that she had received.

After what seemed like eternity, at least for Annabell it was, her mother sat down at the table, and happily ate her breakfast, "So Sami, when does Auror training officially begin?" Her mother asked, in an attempt to start up a conversation.

"It starts a week before the Hogwarts year starts," He replied sending a taunting glance at his sister.

"Where's my letter?" Annabell asked eagerly, not able to contain herself any longer, "Sami said that my Hogwarts letter had arrived."

Her mother sighed softly and sent a sideways glare at her son, "I wanted to surprise her you know..."

"I guess I just misheard you," Sami replied, although everyone at the table very well knew that he had heard just fine.

With another great sigh her mother wiped her hands with her napkin, after making sure there was no grease on her hands she reached into her back pocket, pulling out a letter. Her annoyance with Sami seemingly vanished, " Well, here you go! One Hogwarts letter via owl." She held the yellow envelope out to her daughter.

Annabell carefully grabbed it, but almost dropped it in her food. To Annabell's shock she realized that her hands were actually shaking. She took a couple of deep breaths as she carefully turned it over in her hands, reading her name and address on the back before looking at the one thing that stood between her and her letter, the seal. Being as careful as she could, Annabell opened the envelope and took out its contents.

She pulled out two pieces of parchment and unfolded them. One had a list of items on it, My supply list, She thought to herself, and the other was the letter, "Dear Miss Merle," She read out loud, trying to keep the butterflies in her stomach under control, "We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.

Term begins September 1. We very much look forward to receiving you as part of the new generation of Hogwart's Heritage." Annabell took a breath and returned the letter to the envelope.

"Congratulations little sis!" Sami, whom Annabell didn't even notice get up, pulled her into a hug of death, "I know you'll make us proud!"

"Can't breath!" She squeaked.

"Sami, put your sister down," Her father commanded, and Sami placed her back on her feet.

Annabell was relieved when she filled her lungs with sweet, sweet air, "When are we going to get my supplies?" She asked her mother eagerly.

Her mother swallowed her last bite of food, "I have a day off tomorrow, that's when we'll go," She stood up from her chair, and ruffled Annabell's hair, "Bye sweetie." She walked over to her husband and pecked his cheek, "See you after work," She said before apparating away.

"I'll never get used to that," Her father admitted referring to the loud CRACK! That went off whenever someone apparated. He looked down at his watch, and gulped down the rest of his coffee, "It's time for me to go. Congratulations Hun," He kissed the top of Annabell's head, "Sami behave yourself while I'm gone."

"Darn and I just about to start the wild teenager party!" Sami replied smiling, "Sorry guys go home!" He yelled at the imaginary people.

Her dad ignored his son, which took a lot of experience and willpower, and walked out the door shouting one last, "Good-bye!" Over his shoulder. Rather than apparating he walked out the front door. The sound of a car engine roaring to life was heard in the house. As the car moved farther away, the sound followed it until it was completely silent in the household.

Annabell looked up at her brother as he flicked his wand, sending the dishes to the running sink, and they began to wash themselves. She wondered when she would be able to do that. "Sami?" she asked over the sounds of the dishes clanking together.

"What's up squirt?" He replied.

Annabell chose to ignore his little remark, "What house do you think I'll be in?"

Sami scrutinized her for a moment before grinning, "Well, basically, all of Mum's family has been in Hufflepuff, and I broke the chain and got placed in Gryffindor," He sighed at the memory of his sorting, "To tell you the truth I don't know. I guess you'll find out in September." He shrugged his shoulders. The last plate had finally joined the others in the cabinets. With a quick flick of his wrist, the doors slammed shut.

"Do the portraits really move?" She asked.

"Of course they do!" Sami replied, "They even talk to you, and some can go on for hours!"

"Are there really ghosts?"

"Yep! There's one for every house. I'd steer clear of the one called Peeves, though, whose favorite pass time is bothering the student body along with some of the teachers, especially Filch, the caretaker."

"How bad is the rivalry between Gryffindor and Slytherin?"

"Pretty Nasty, in my fifth year one of them thought it would be funny to stick some fireworks in my bag. Blew everything to smithereens, but I got him back," Sami smirked evilly which truly worried Annabell.

"Do you think Mum would be mad at me if I was in Slyth-?"

"Of course not!" Sami yelled suddenly, "It doesn't matter what house you're in, just bring a good name to the Merle's! Plus, if you are in Slytherin, you can prank them from the inside," He added as an afterthought, "Any other questions?" He asked with an amused look on his face as he thought about his sister pranking other Slyhterins.

"No I think that's it for now," Annabell answered, "I'll be in my room if you need me, so don't need me," She offered a smile of her own.

"Don't worry, I have to begin studying for Auror training anyway," Sami sighed sadly.

Annabell nodded. And on that note she rushed up the stairs and into her bedroom. She leapt onto her bed, and began to daydream about the all the adventures that she was going to have at Hogwarts, and before she realized it she fell asleep... Again.