Hello! Formally InstantlyInsane is the new puzzledfox. I began rereading my old work and realized that some of it (An American at Hogwarts) was very poorly written (but what can you expect from a 13 year old?) while some of my old stories, like this one, really had potential. So I decided to pick it back up and start doing what I use to love doing. I changed a bit of the story, not that anyone probably remembers or even realizes any of the fics I have written before, but you never know! Anywho, I hope you all enjoy!

Disclaimer: I own my characters and the plot, nothing more.

"Annabell," my mother's voice called from the doors of our patio, "it's time for dinner!"

I lifted my sunglasses to get a clear view of her, "Okay!" She then retreated back into the house.

With a sigh, I heaved myself out of the lounger I was tanning in. Though as I fully removed my glasses, and looked down at my body, I discovered that my attempt at tanning, had been pointless.

I sighed once more and headed for the sliding glass doors.

"Go put some clothes on, the food's already on the table," my mom said, reading some letter that had just been delivered. I stepped over to the counter, however, and grabbed a carrot she had obviously dropped while cooking, and fed it to the owl that was drinking from a bowl of water, getting ready for it's trip back home.

I then headed to my room, discarding my swimming towel in the laundry room on the way.

"Hello Julie," I smiled as I bent down to stroke the tail of my cat who, as soon as I opened my door, streaked out of it.

I kicked my flip flops under my bed, then tossed my sunglasses onto my bedside table and walked to my closet. As I opened the door I automatically looked into the mirror that I kept hanging on the inside of it.

I smiled as I saw my familiar curly, black hair, freckled nose, and vibrant blue eyes. Ever since I was could remember I had always been proud of my appearance. I was very small, yet curvy (something I had inherited from my mother) and always gave off an air of confidence, but also kindness (something I had inherited from my father).

I grabbed a green T-Shirt that said something about carpeting, and a pair of grey cotton shorts and quickly slipped them on over my bathing suit.

I then grabbed the book I was reading off of my always messy bed and headed down the stairs.

"Hello, Miss Annabell," our maid, Sarah, said as she passed me with a basket of clean laundry.

"Good evening, Sarah," I smiled.

I walked through the doorway of our dining room and was greeted with the smiling faces of my family.

My mother, Justine, is, like I said, small and curvy just like me. But that's where the similarities in our appearance end. She has straight blond hair and deep green eyes. My father, Jonathan, is tall and lanky and he's the one who gave me my blue eyes, black hair, and many freckles. I then glanced at the newest addition to our family, Kara. She was born just this past winter, and by the looks of it, was going to look like my mother.

"How was your day, honey?" My father, like always, asked as I took my seat and started piling food onto my plate.

"Same old, same old," I mumbled through a mouth full of food - which earned me a very disapproving look from my mother - "How was the office?"

"Well," he sighed, "I didn't get much office time today. The Minister had to go make a speech at Saint Mungos about the new health care plan and then he needed to meet with the muggle Minister about some private matter." My father worked as a personal guard to the Minister of Magic. He went with the Minister anytime he went out in public and worked to ensure the safety of the Ministry building.

I smiled at him, "Sounds awfully exciting."

"Well," he began, "in my line of work, a boring day is a good day."

"Very true," I agreed.

"Oh, Annabell," my mother started, "your supply list came from Hogwarts today, so I figured we could make the trip to Diagon Alley tomorrow morning. What do you say?"

I groaned, "Oh Merlin, is summer almost over already?"

"There's only a week left," my father confirmed.

"It did pass quite quickly," my mother mused. "I suppose from going on vacation, to staying with my brother for a week really helped to pass the time. Also, Annabell, there was those two weeks you spent with Lily."

I smiled as I remembered our yearly trip to Spain and grinned even further as I thought back to going to Lily's house. The best part of the summer though was, without a doubt, the week spent with my cousin, James, and his parents. "It was a good summer," I concluded.

"It most certainly was," my father agreed, "But it's near time we get back to business and for you, that means school."

I groaned once more causing my parents to each laugh, "Oh fine, I suppose I can't avoid it forever."

"Atta girl," my father cheerily stated, "Just think, it's the last time you'll have to go school shopping."

I nodded in agreement and turned my attention back towards my dinner.

After we had finished eating, it was time for mom to take Kara to bed and my father went to go into the living room to read the Nightly Prophet like he always does. I went upstairs to find a very tiny owl fluttering around my room.

I smiled hugely, "Hello, Gina!"

The owl stopped in mid-air, looked at me, then zoomed head first into my hands.

I laughed as I undid the message tied to her leg and she began fluttering all around again.

Still smiling, I flopped onto my bed and quickly unfolded the message.

Annie!

My dear, sweet, beautiful cousin, whom I love with all my heart. I was innocently sitting in my room this morning, scanning absentmindedly through a magazine that I am sort of fond of, perhaps you heard of it? Quidditch Times? Well, I happened to come across a picture of these fabulous, new goggles. They were designed to assist those who are not of the proper vision and must, unfortunately, wear glasses. As you know, being the avid Quidditch fan that you are, a certain Hogwarts star is, sadly, near-sighted, and must wear those troublesome glasses when he plays the wonderful sport of Quidditch. But sadly, he isn't able to play to the best of his abilities due to his glasses. So, I went to my mother and asked her to buy these goggles - for that wonderful, yet unfortunate, Quidditch sensation - to which she replied, "I just bought you a new broom for your birthday? Why would I buy some goggles for" - that Quidditch star - "too?" So, forlorn, I dragged myself back to my bedroom and thought real hard. Until, a certain genius, brought it to my attention, that a certain cousin of mine, hadn't gotten me a gift for my birthday. So, I decided to ask for your assistance in helping my obtain those fabulous goggles for that Quidditch player.

Thank You Very Much, My Gorgeous, Sweet, Cousin,

Sincerely,

James Potter.

P.S. My very handsome friend, Sirius Black (heard of him?) would like me to inform you that he says "Hello, Beautiful" and also that he was indeed the "genius" who reminded me that you have yet to send me a gift.

I had the hugest grin on my face as I came to the end of the letter. James just knows how to make me laugh. I truly am so lucky to have him for a cousin.

I got off my bed and headed over to my desk. As I sat down, I pulled out a piece of parchment, a quill, and some ink from the drawer.

Jamie!

My handsome, overly attractive cousin, whom I love with half of my heart, (because the other half is reserved especially for a feisty redhead named Lily. Perhaps you've heard of her?) I was also innocently flicking through the Quidditch Times and came across those wonderful goggles you spoke so longingly of. Though of course, unlike you, I came across them about two weeks ago and immediately also thought of this wonderful, yet sadly near-sighted, Quidditch star that you were speaking of. So, without a moments hesitation, I ordered them and they arrived just the other day. I hope this Quidditch stars enjoys them.

Sincerely,

Annabell Kinsman

P.S. Tell your friend, Sirius Black, "Thank you for the compliment" and that I'm so proud he finally thought of something useful instead of just thinking of ways to assist you with pranks.

I re-read my letter and looked at Gina, who seemed anxious for another delivery.

"I'm sorry, Gina, but I have to send a package with this one, and it's much too big for you."

With a hoot that broke my heart, she flapped out the window.

I laughed and headed for our sun room where we keep our family owl, Kip.

"Hello Kip! Are you up for a short journey?" I asked him, as I stepped into the room, "It's for James, he only lives on the other side of the valley, remember?"

He hooted in understanding and lifted his leg up for me tie the package and note on. With a fluff of his wings, he shot out the window and, still smiling from James's letter, I watched him sink over the hills that would lead to across the valley and to James' house.

With a sigh, I headed back upstairs and went straight to bed.

I awoke the next morning feeling a bit more eager about our trip to Diagon Alley. I did love getting new supplies and, even though I was sad to see summer go, I was beyond excited to see all of my friends and be back at Hogwarts.

I quickly showered and got dressed for the day, then descended the stairs to the kitchen where I found my mother preparing a delicious smelling breakfast.

"Are you ready for a day of shopping?" she inquired, looking up at me from her pan of scrambled eggs.

Smiling I said, "Actually I am. I received a letter from James last night and hearing from him made me realized how much I missed him and Lily. I'm ready to see them again."

My mother returned my smile, "Is Sirius at their house yet?"

"I believe so, James mentioned him in his letter."

She nodded, "He's such a nice boy."

"Okay," I snorted, "He's such a troublemaker at school."

"He's always polite to us, and Charlie and Dorus absolutely adore him," she stated, referring to her brother, James' father, and sister-in-law.

"Well yes, he's plenty kind to us all, I'm just saying, at school, him and James are a bit rowdy."

"Yes, I can most definitely believe that," she laughed as she filled my plate with eggs, sausage, and toast. "Eat quick, dear, we have a lot to do today."

Eight hours later, I collapsed onto my bed. We had spent most of the morning going in and out of shops, acquiring potions, books, parchment, and everything else a seventh year would need for school. As noon rolled around, my mother decided it would be best to have lunch at the Leaky Cauldron, where she ran into at least twenty people she knew. She proceeded to talk to them each for what felt like hours. After we finally go to eat, we proceeded to get new robes from Madame Malkin and I ended the day in Quality Quidditch Supplies while my mum examined the street vendors.

I was extremely tired and wasted no time falling straight to sleep.