"So much has happened, yet nothing has changed all at the same time. My life will never be the same and that is fine with me," my name is Emilee Jay Shine and I was ten and a half when I thought this. Now, I'm sixteen and whenever I'm home I can't wait to leave and go back to the boarding school mother and father send me to each fall. It's not your normal school. The teachers are real… witches! Okay there are some wizards too, but more then not they are female.

It was in July just before my eleventh birthday in November and I got the strangest letter ever! Along with a confusing knock on the door by an odd old man with more hair then anyone should ever have. This ancient man not only had a beard (that was bright silver) that he could tuck into his belt, but he was wearing outrageous clothes.

"Hello Mr. Shine, my name is Albus Dumbledore and this must be Emilee," the wrinkled man said.

"Yes, it is, hello Sir, but may I ask what you are doing here? Also, how you know our names," my rather flustered father asked.

"Of course you may, if I may do something as well."

"What could that be? Oh, by the way please come in, I'm sorry I left you standing there feeling awkward."

"Nonsense I didn't feel the slightest bit awkward and all I was going to do was assume you had invited me nicely into your home, but you took care of my wants. Therefore I must return the favor, sir," there was a twinkle in the man's blue eyes and a crinkle at the edges as he smiled. "I am here to offer your daughter a place at my school. Not everyone gets this offer, and very few of them go to people like yourselves. By saying this I mean no offense at all of course."

"Of … course?" my father looked to me. Once I shrugged he looked back. "She's only ten, what school offers a place before the student is at least seventeen?"

"The school that only opens its doors to those eleven, or close enough, to seventeen year olds – we are a type of… boarding school, if you will, for special children."

"What do you mean special? I'm not stupid or touched!" I shouted while standing up.

"Well, I would certainly hope not my dear girl; Hogwarts is not a school for those that lack intelligence. Aside from the usual anyway," he had chuckled before continuing. "As I was saying, we are a school for special children; ones that do not quite fit in among regular people. Dear girl, you are a witch."

"Now wait a minute! You cannot come into our home and call my daughter a –"

"I mean no disrespect, I'm telling you the honest truth Sir, and I know that you are a non-magical person, as was your wife so this is most definitely a shock. Your daughter is what we in the magical world would call a 'Muggle Born.' Muggle means non-magical," he was looking directly at my father while talking. "As I said I mean no disrespect when calling your daughter what she is, for she is a witch."

"How do you know I'm a witch?" I asked quietly.

"Simple, have you ever made things happen when feeling some strong emotion?"

"I don't know… maybe."

"Do not be ashamed or frightened. Here is your letter alerting you to your acceptance, and I ask that you let me know whether or not you shall be joining us this year. If you are, there are steps we must take in getting both you, and your father ready."

"Daddy, what do you think?" I looked at him, he looked lost.

"If you really are a- a witch and you want to go, then I can't stop you," he wasn't looking at me or anyone but at the floor.

"I shall take that as a yes then, now if you wouldn't mind going out I may show you where you will buy your supplies."

That was my first meeting with the magical world, and let me tell you it felt like hitting a brick wall or two!