Penny McCann
Twenty years ago I wanted nothing more than to be on Blue Peter. I was 10 years old, new to everything that I now consider as normal, and I was in love. I had my future mapped out; I was going to finish high school, marry Bryan Adams, be a nurse and save the world from cancer. One letter changed all of that.
To be told that you are a witch, to have your whole reality turned upside down and thrown around like that, is terrifying. At 11 it was simple to cope with, seemed simple to put into perspective; yesterday I was normal, today I am a witch. Looking back now, its surprising I didn't go mad with confusion and doubt.
I was brought up as a Muggle by my parents, Margaret and Martin. We were your average, middle class suburban, 2.4 children family; Dad played cricket on Sunday afternoons, Mum entertained herself with gossip and school-parent councils. My sister and I went to the local primary school, Dale Hall Primary, life was ordinary. Normal. In my eyes, life was perfect.
On the 24th of April, 1991, I received a letter from Hogwarts, telling me that I was a witch, and I was to be educated at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. "Great," I thought, and who wouldn't? "I'm a witch, that's so cool! So, what's for tea?" You see, my older, much worshipped cousin Jessica was very fond of making up whole universes for us to play in. She would plan them for hours, making sure there was no detail she had missed out. Everything was accounted for; history, culture, clothes, everything. I simply believe this was our latest game, and that it was all her. Of course, I was wrong.
I don't remember the rest of that year to clearly; it passed by in a blur of scraped knees, end of term disco's and Puffa Jackets. All that stands out in my mind is the knowledge that I was getting swept up in an exciting new world that would make my dreams come true. I knew that as I waved goodbye to friends at the school gates, I was leaving them. I knew I would see them again, and smile politely as they described their ordinary, pleasant lives, I would ooh and aah over new babies, enquire about old friends, but not be a part of that world anymore. I also knew that I was going somewhere I would belong.
I was wrong.