Cara Byrne sighed as she felt her mattress lift off the boxspring and gently begin shaking. Her parents had bewitched the mattress ages ago to make sure she woke up on time. She sat up and opened her eyes, causing the mattress to ungracefully fall back to the boxspring. She begrudging rolled out of bed, and had gotten halfway through dressing herself when she remembered what today was.
June 30th. Her 11th birthday. Yanking her shirt over her head, she raced out of her room, down the stairs, and into the kitchen, where her parents were paying the owl bringing The Daily Prophet. She banged her fist on the doorframe to get their attention.
Did it come? she signed furiously.
Her mother smiled and held out a thick envelope. She couldn't believe it; a Hogwarts letter with her name on it! She tore it open, and began bouncing up and down when she read "We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted…" When she looked up, she saw her older brother, Aiden, making his way into the kitchen, still in his pajamas and his curly red hair tousled.
I was going to ask what the noise was, but I think I can guess. Aiden smiled. We all knew it was coming.
Cara beamed up at him. Aiden was already 16, about to begin his 6th year at Hogwarts. He had been sorted into Hufflepuff, much to the surprise of their parents, who had both been in Gryffindor. His best friend, Teddy Lupin (also in Hufflepuff), was easily one of the coolest people Cara had ever met. She couldn't wait to start classes. She looked back down at all the papers from Hogwarts, and noticed a hand-written letter from Headmistress Minerva McGonagall herself.
Cara Byrne,
We are very pleased for you to join us this coming term at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. In order for you to fully experience Hogwarts and all it has to offer, we have gotten permission to loan you an Interpreting Charm. This will help you to understand your professors and classmates at all times, as not all of them will know how to sign. You will receive the charm when you arrive at the castle. Enjoy the rest of your summer.
What is it, dear? Cara's mother asked.
Cara quickly explained the letter to her family, who all looked as excited as Cara felt. Interpreting Charms, especially good ones, were quite pricy and Cara had never been able to use one because of that. She had heard that they were able to translate spoken language into signs that only the person wearing the charm could see.
We also have one more surprise for your birthday, Cara's father said. We leave for the Quidditch World Cup in a few days.
Cara's jaw dropped. Saying it was the best birthday present yet would be an understatement.